AGP Executive Report

War Powers: The U.S. House narrowly passed a resolution to halt military action in Iran, a second warning to President Trump as lawmakers split and the Senate rejected a similar measure. Maryland Data Centers: Eastern Shore counties are racing to fill zoning gaps and weigh moratoriums as data center proposals strain power, water, and rural roads. Transportation & Construction: MDOT SHA scheduled overnight I-70 left-lane closures near Saint Paul Road (July 27–Aug. 7) for resurfacing tied to bridge work, and Dorchester County’s MD 336 culvert replacement wrapped weeks early. Food & Retail Safety: Amy’s Kitchen recalled 184,000+ cans of organic lentil soup in multiple states including Maryland due to a pull-tab defect; Chick-fil-A disclosed a separate loyalty app data breach. Housing & Food Access: Maryland DHCD announced nearly $4M in NourishMD grants to expand fresh-food options statewide. Space & Innovation: NASA and the University System of Maryland signed a five-year Space Act agreement to scale student-led space entrepreneurship across 12 institutions. Local Economy/Industry: Charles County planning heard details on a roughly $3B Navy energetics modernization plan tied to NSWC Indian Head. Healthcare Supply Chain: Neos by Argon & Co added Steve Finkelstein to drive retail supply chain transformation.

Data Centers & Power Costs: A new PJM-driven electricity auction and regional policy fight show how AI data center growth is straining the grid and raising future power costs, with Maryland, D.C., and Virginia at the center of the debate. Local Governance: Baltimore County is weighing whether to extend its data center moratorium as a task force drafts tougher zoning rules, including limits near homes and bans on agricultural land. Biotech & Manufacturing: Samsung Biologics reported solid Q2 momentum, with net profit up 29.1% on full-capacity operations, and highlighted continued expansion of its CDMO network. Food Safety: The FDA is investigating another cyclospora outbreak, adding to Maryland’s reported case surge since May 1 and keeping lettuce-related recalls in the spotlight. Cybersecurity: Chick-fil-A confirmed a data breach tied to credential-stuffing on its Chick-fil-A One loyalty accounts, potentially exposing customer identifiers and partial payment details. Public Health & Tech: ChristianaCare is pushing ahead with its Epic EHR rollout ahead of an October 3 go-live, aiming to improve care coordination and patient access.

Onshore Wind Legal Battle: Maryland and other Democratic AGs joined a court fight to end the Trump administration’s wind freeze, arguing stalled national security reviews have halted 155+ onshore projects. Food Safety & Local Farms: Maryland reported 110 cyclosporiasis cases since May 1 as the FDA kept Taylor Farms lettuce under investigation despite a brief “false positive” lab result; officials say the recall remains in effect. Energy Savings Program: Baltimore Shines is helping 130+ homeowners get rooftop solar at no cost, cutting or even eliminating the electric portion of bills. Health Coverage Leadership: Gov. Moore named Johanna Fabian-Marks executive director of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange to expand Maryland Health Connection enrollment. Data Centers Pause: St. Mary’s County withdrew a zoning text amendment for data centers and will wait on a state report before moving forward. State Economy: Maryland added 900 jobs in June and kept unemployment at 4.3%, outpacing national job growth through mid-2026. Public Works Funding: The Board of Public Works approved $1.46M for parks, pickleball courts, a skate park, and land conservation across multiple counties.

Key Bridge Rebuild Procurement: Maryland Transportation Authority released an RFQ to pick a design-build team for the Francis Scott Key Bridge main span and marine approaches, a major step in the $5.2B rebuild. Data Center Power Fight: Across rural America, AI data center expansion is triggering eminent domain battles as utilities pursue transmission lines for power-hungry campuses. Cybercrime Charges: U.S. prosecutors unsealed indictments against three Russian nationals tied to cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, with reported losses topping $62M. Food Safety: A cyclospora-linked iceberg lettuce recall is expanding across 27 states, with guidance on which lettuce types are generally safe vs. affected. Biotech Update: D&D Pharmatech published Phase 2 results in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology for zabopegdutide in MASLD/MASH. Local Transportation Safety: A school bus crash in Parkville sent four people to minor-injury care after hitting a Baltimore County building. Maryland Spotlight: Maryland’s Buy Local Week push highlights support for local farms and food producers. Entertainment Loss: Deaf “Godzilla” actress Kaylee Hottle, 18, died in a Maryland car crash, renewing attention on deaf representation in film.

Key Bridge rebuild procurement: MDTA released an RFQ to kick off the Francis Scott Key Bridge main-span and marine-approach design-build selection, aiming to assemble the biggest contract team as permanent piles are driven. Energy & climate regulation: Maryland AG Nick Brown co-leads a multistate challenge to an EPA rule that delays phaseout deadlines for highly potent HFC refrigerants used in commercial cooling. Data centers pushback: Caroline County approved a one-year data center moratorium in unincorporated areas, citing safety, noise, energy, and water impacts while a Federalsburg proposal faces scrutiny. Jobs & economy: Maryland added about 900 jobs in June, with unemployment at 4.3%, while a CNBC study ranks the state near the bottom for economic performance. Food safety: FDA clarified a cyclospora “false positive” related to Taylor Farms lettuce, but the broader recall/investigation remains in play. Local infrastructure & services: Talbot County opened Station 95 to improve EMS response times in northern parts of the county.

Housing & Construction: Maryland is on track for its worst homebuilding year since the Great Recession, and a new bipartisan federal housing law now ties more aid to how fast states approve and build new units—putting pressure on local permitting and dense-area growth. Public Safety & Retail: A Towson vintage shop, Rosebud Retro, is rebuilding after an arson attack that smashed a front window and damaged the business. Food & Agriculture: The FDA walked back a Cyclospora test tied to Taylor Farms, calling it a false positive, but the recall remains in play; meanwhile, Maryland shoppers are shifting toward local farms and farm stands for traceable produce. Energy & Utilities: Montgomery County cut speed limits on dozens of streets, while gas prices remain volatile—Prince George’s County hit the week’s lowest midgrade price at $3.60. Ports & Boating: Gov. Wes Moore announced $8.7M for Somers Cove Marina upgrades, and officials toured the Key Bridge rebuild as the project targets a 2030 reopening. Tech & Aviation: Beta Technologies completed its first eVTOL flights under the FAA’s eIPP, linking airports in Virginia and Maryland. Compliance & Licensing: Maryland’s new farm food-permit rules aim to give growers more flexibility for on-site food service year-round. Wildlife Enforcement: Two Baltimore County men were arrested over unlicensed exotic animal photoshoots, including a lemur and spider monkey.

Key Bridge Rebuild: Gov. Wes Moore took members of Congress on a boat tour of the Francis Scott Key Bridge site, showing foundation work underway and highlighting the federal 100% cost-share as crews drive massive pilings and prepare for a higher, ship-friendly design. Food Safety & Retail: The FDA walked back an earlier cyclospora call tied to Taylor Farms, saying the result was a false positive, even as Walmart and other grocers expand recalls of Taylor Fresh Foods iceberg lettuce linked to the multistate outbreak. Solar for Renters & Small Spaces: Hoymiles’ UL 3700-certified balcony microinverter signals momentum for plug-in balcony solar, with Maryland among states that have already passed plug-in solar legislation. Energy Costs & Utility Ruling: Maryland’s Supreme Court backed part of Potomac Edison’s tax fight, ruling key transmission and distribution components qualify for a production activity exemption. Local Growth & Agriculture: Harford County launched public input for its “Harford Forward” master plan and received $1.5M for waterway dredging in Joppatowne. Business & Finance: First United Corporation reported second-quarter results, while AGs pushed legal actions on fintech banking charters and other consumer-protection fronts. Community Retail: Goodwill is set to open a new Baltimore City thrift store in a former Petco, expanding affordable shopping and workforce programs.

Food Safety & Retail: FDA says a Cyclospora-positive lettuce sample tied to Taylor Farms was a false positive, but the broader investigation is still active; Walmart also pulled select bagged iceberg lettuce in 27 states as a precaution after Taco Bell removed Taylor Farms-supplied lettuce. Energy Costs & Grid: Rising grid congestion is pushing up U.S. electricity prices and complicating clean energy buildout, with PJM congestion costs cited as a growing consumer burden. Maryland Clean Energy Legal Fight: AG Anthony Brown co-leads lawsuits against EPA over Solar for All grant cancellations/clawbacks, including Maryland’s $62M-plus grant. Local Agriculture & Food Supply Chain: Montgomery County’s Farm Tour and Harvest Sale (July 25-26) spotlights local produce amid renewed attention on foodborne parasites. Defense Manufacturing: X-Bow Systems unveiled Buckler, a sub-$100K drone-interceptor aimed at scaling affordable defense production. Energy Policy & Affordability: States including Maryland/Connecticut are pushing rules against “surveillance pricing,” while NY/NJ proposals could restrict personalized discounts. Business/Logistics: Tidal Town Moving expanded long-distance moves from Hampton Roads to all 48 continental states, including dedicated routes for Maryland. Tech/Healthcare Industry: Samsung Biologics launched an all-cash tender offer to acquire peptide CDMO PolyPeptide, expanding U.S./Europe/India manufacturing reach.

Food Safety Recall: Taylor Farms expanded its iceberg lettuce recall to 27 states after Cyclospora contamination linked to thousands of illnesses, with Maryland included; consumers are urged to discard affected product and retailers like Walmart pulled items. Maryland Energy Costs: Gov. Wes Moore laid out a plan to lower rising electricity bills, arguing Maryland needs faster approval for new infrastructure and a broader mix of generation, including nuclear alongside solar, wind, storage, and transmission. Cyber & Consumer Data Privacy: A new EFF review says most wearable health devices offer little protection when law enforcement asks for data, raising fresh concerns for Maryland users of trackers like Apple, Garmin, Oura, and Whoop. Local Industry & Water: Maryland oyster farming continues steady growth, supporting working waterfronts and Chesapeake Bay health, with DNR reporting 2023 harvest and economic value figures. Transportation/Construction: BWI’s longest runway closure for construction is underway, while regional roadwork updates continue across Maryland and nearby corridors. Tech Disruption in Travel: United Airlines dealt with a nationwide tech outage that triggered widespread delays and cancellations, adding to weather and air-quality headaches at major hubs. Public Safety & Health Policy: Maryland’s approach to protecting first responders includes new rules around off-duty medical marijuana use for PTSD-related care. Crash Spotlight: A dramatic Silver Spring pile-up split a Tesla Cybertruck’s exoskeleton, but the passenger cabin held up, keeping injuries reported as minor.

Food Safety: Taylor Farms expanded its voluntary iceberg lettuce recall to 27 states after a cyclospora-linked outbreak, including Maryland; the company says it’s removing implicated Central Mexico product and urges shoppers to discard recalled shredded lettuce immediately. Public Health & Air Quality: Canadian wildfire smoke pushed parts of the Mid-Atlantic into Code Red conditions, with D.C. and Northern Virginia hitting unhealthy levels and forecasts pointing to gradual improvement. Privacy & Consumer Protection: 23andMe breach victims are finally seeing settlement payouts as attorneys general—including Maryland—announce a multistate agreement tied to the company’s genetic data breach and bankruptcy process. Local Tech & Power Demand: Prince George’s County approved a two-year moratorium on new data center development, citing environmental and water-impact questions as AI demand strains local utilities. Manufacturing & Materials: A new reversible adhesive for untreated Teflon could help manufacturers bond fluoropolymers without the usual surface-destroying steps, with recycling-friendly cleanup. Energy/Climate: Research highlights the Gulf of Mexico warming faster than the world’s oceans, raising stakes for coastal states’ fisheries and storm impacts.

Food Safety Recall: Taylor Farms issued a voluntary recall of bagged shredded iceberg lettuce distributed in 27 states, including Maryland, after it was linked to a multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak; the company also moved to remove all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico that may be contaminated, urging consumers to discard affected product and seek refunds. Data Center Moratorium: Prince George’s County Council approved a two-year moratorium on new data center development, citing environmental concerns and unanswered questions about long-term impacts, including effects on water. Severe Weather & Air Quality: A tornado watch was issued for the Baltimore area as storms moved through the region, with wildfire smoke easing as weather improves. Public Health Alerts: Maryland reported West Nile virus detected in mosquito trappings in Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties, with no human cases reported. Infrastructure Dispute: Anne Arundel County faces a lawsuit over a proposed 200-foot water tower near homes in Crownsville, with residents arguing the process was flawed.

Data Centers & Local Politics: Prince George’s County residents got an anonymous pro-data-center mass text tied to an “interfaith” website, with reporting tracing it to Rev. Derrick Green—fueling worries about outside influence as the county weighs limits. Energy & Affordability: Delmarva Power says summer bills rose about $28 a month as AI-driven data center demand strains the PJM grid, pushing up generation costs. Construction & Efficiency: Maryland groups are pushing back on proposed building-code changes for large commercial sites, arguing the state could weaken the national energy baseline. Coastal Shipping & Tourism: Ocean City dredging is set to start around July 17 to improve navigation ahead of the White Marlin Open, with boaters asked to watch wake near the work zone. Health Policy: A Maryland federal judge stayed ACA marketplace reforms that would shrink coverage, setting up further legal fights. Environment & Health: A study links higher micro- and nano-plastics in blood to heart attack survivors, adding to concerns about pollution’s cardiovascular impact. Sports Business & Jobs: The Orioles acquired Rudy Martin Jr. from the Royals, adding a new 40-man option as Baltimore continues roster moves.

Energy & Legal Fight: Maryland AG Anthony Brown joined a coalition suing the U.S. Department of Defense to force it to resume routine national-security reviews for onshore wind projects, arguing the 2025 freeze is stalling clean-energy development that could cut costs and support jobs. Data Centers & Local Policy: Baltimore County is weighing stricter data-center rules, with an interim recommendation to keep projects mostly in industrial areas, ban them on agricultural land and outside the Urban-Rural Demarcation Line, and add distance limits from homes—while a separate move could extend the county’s moratorium. Public Benefits Security: Gov. Moore announced statewide rollout of fraud-resistant “chip-and-tap” EBT cards, replacing older cards over the next few weeks to reduce skimming and fraud. Workforce & AI Education: Morgan State launched a new B.S. in Artificial Intelligence and a risk-management course aimed at preparing students for an AI-driven economy. Agriculture & Community: Harford County’s “Homegrown Harford” highlights local women farmers, and Maryland’s statewide “Buy Local Week” runs July 17–25 to boost farms and seafood businesses. Health & Safety: Maryland confirmed West Nile in mosquito trappings in Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties, and Prince George’s County approved higher fines for non-residential properties with overgrown lawns.

Watershed & Water Quality Funding: Maryland DNR is awarding $11.2M via the Whole Watershed Fund for 30 restoration projects across Antietam Creek, Baltimore Harbor, Newport Bay, Severn River and Upper Choptank, with added monitoring support. Agritourism Boom: Montgomery County farms are turning visitors into revenue—Comus Farm is expanding animal experiences, events and farm-made products as demand grows for “peaceful” rural getaways. Energy Prices & Grid Policy: PJM’s capacity auction keeps a price cap through 2030, with Maryland Gov. Moore citing $13.3B in savings as a model for managing rising electricity costs. Retail Food Innovation: Fox’s Burton’s Companies is launching the Maryland S’wich Terry’s Chocolate Orange biscuit, aiming to pull confectionery fans into the biscuit aisle. AI in Healthcare Governance: A new wave of state laws is requiring human oversight for AI-driven coverage and clinical denials, exposing compliance gaps for providers and payers. Health & Biotech: A pancreatic cancer vaccine trial in high-risk patients shows early promise, with no cases reported among vaccinated participants. Data Centers & Local Rules: Baltimore County’s planning board is weighing strict hyperscale data center limits (including siting and noise caps) as a development pause runs to Jan. 1, 2027. Public Transit Progress: Maryland Transit Administration begins live-wire testing for Purple Line LRVs in Montgomery County, marking a major step as construction nears completion. Workforce & Training: A Maryland-based grant program is funding paid job training and temporary employment for low-income seniors through SCSEP. Elder Financial Protection: Maryland is moving toward bank authority to pause suspicious transactions tied to suspected elder financial exploitation.

Housing & Construction: Stanley Martin Homes agreed to acquire Florida builder Holiday Builders, expanding the Maryland-based homebuilder’s Southeast footprint after Holiday closed about 1,050 homes in 2025. Commercial Services: CE Kitchen Cleaning is scaling commercial kitchen deep cleaning across Maryland, targeting grease buildup that routine staff cleaning misses. Energy Policy: Maryland’s AG Rayfield joined a coalition challenging a Pentagon freeze on land-based wind project reviews, arguing it unlawfully blocks required national security assessments. Utilities & Efficiency: Maryland regulators are cutting EmPOWER, with advocates warning reductions could go too far as the Utility RELIEF Act reshapes targets and removes a gas surcharge. Finance & Investing: T. Rowe Price launched a Baltimore-based actively managed multi-token crypto ETF, while Adams Natural Resources Fund and Adams Diversified Equity Fund reported first-half 2026 performance. Environment & Land Use: A new Kent County easement completed a 10,000-acre conservation corridor on the Eastern Shore, adding prime farmland protection and wildlife habitat connectivity. Tech & Biocomputing: Intactis Bio debuted Biostack, a Tetris-like game using neuron-powered biocomputing to showcase its rack-ready biohybrid processing. Local Infrastructure: Howard County will host a community outreach meeting on Whiskey Bottom Road/US 1 intersection improvements, including a right-turn lane and stormwater upgrades. Civil Rights: ACLU released a report alleging widespread civil rights abuses by immigration agents in Maryland and other states during 2025. Antitrust: Multistate actions secured a $29.6 million Glenmark settlement over alleged generic drug price-fixing and reduced competition.

Manufacturing Expansion: Syensqo broke ground on a multi-million-dollar expansion at its Havre de Grace site, adding 30%+ capacity to support aerospace and advanced air mobility materials. Local Housing & Community Development: Kent Attainable Housing unveiled a two-year strategic plan and celebrated two new affordable homes in Chestertown, funded through a mix of state, local, federal and private support. Transportation & Aviation Infrastructure: BWI Marshall will temporarily close its longest runway (10-28) for about 2.5 months starting July 22 for rehabilitation and electrical upgrades. Data Centers & Power Costs: Frederick County scheduled public open houses on how it regulates data center development, including steps tied to state impact analysis and energy transparency. Environmental & Agriculture: Maryland will treat the Potomac River near Harpers Ferry for black fly control using Bti larvicide, while Harford County opened applications for ag education and outreach grants. Public Safety & Workforce Support: Baltimore County is planning a passive nature park (HoneyGo Glen) in Perry Hall, and Cambridge hired its first full-time mental health clinician to support officer wellness. Health & Research Industry: Cordex Systems added Nobel laureate Dr. Louis J. Ignarro to its scientific advisory board for nitric-oxide cardiovascular diagnostics. Cyber/Privacy Enforcement: Multistate actions continue over the 23andMe genetic data breach, with state settlements tied to bankruptcy claims and consumer relief.