AGP Executive Report

Data Centers & Power Costs: A new wave of lobbying is hitting Washington as data-center growth strains the grid and drives fights over who pays for upgrades, with more than 200 groups reporting activity this spring. Local Land-Use Fight: In Prince William County, officials are weighing a land swap that could place multiple data centers near Prince William Forest Park and Quantico Creek, raising environmental concerns. Virginia Policy Debate: A Virginia lawmaker, Mark Warner, is tying data-center tax breaks to demands for water and power disclosure, while other coverage argues consumers are footing the bill for facilities they can’t use. Court Watch (Virginia-related): The Court of Appeals of Virginia upheld a defamation dismissal in a Carilion case, saying statements about a former employee’s resignation lacked the “sting” needed to proceed. Community & Safety: A Chesapeake apartment fire displaced residents from seven units after a third-floor blaze; sprinklers contained it but water damage left multiple apartments unsafe. Business & Education: Commercial Bank and VCUarts Qatar renewed a leadership program using creative learning.

Virginia Politics & Voting: Virginia’s dual primary is drawing few local early voters in Southwest, with officials urging residents to use remaining early-voting time. Constitutional Amendments: Virginia election law watchers say at least eight referendum committees are forming ahead of fall votes on three proposed changes, including abortion/reproductive care, same-sex marriage language, and automatic restoration of voting rights after sentence completion. Public Safety & Courts: Former FBI Director James Comey is pushing to dismiss his “86 47” seashells case, arguing it’s protected political speech, not a threat. State Government & Federal Funding: Attorney General Jay Jones is suing to block Trump administration conditions tied to counterterrorism and emergency funding, including demands for sensitive voter data sharing. Local Crime: In Loudoun County, the son of Kansas City Chiefs assistant Eric Bieniemy was arrested and charged in the shooting of his mother, Mia Bieniemy, who was hospitalized in stable condition. Energy & Data Centers: PJM, which serves Northern Virginia’s data-center corridor, plans an emergency power auction to force data centers to cover shortages as AI demand strains the grid. Higher Ed & Families: New federal student loan rules took effect July 1, reshaping Parent PLUS limits and other borrowing/repayment options for families.

Data Center Fight in Virginia: Chesapeake is moving to an eight-month moratorium on new data centers while it rewrites rules, and other localities are tightening “by-right” development so projects must face public approval instead of gliding through. State Policy Watch: Virginia’s new pay transparency law is already changing how job postings work, requiring wage or salary ranges and limiting salary-history questions. Local Permitting Clash: Waynesboro residents packed a Northrop Grumman hearing to challenge a permit tied to increased emissions, with most speakers opposing the plan. Energy Utility Merger: NextEra says its Dominion merger talks with Virginia regulators are “going well,” as the review timeline stretches and the company positions the deal around reliability and bill impacts. Public Health Alert: Measles cases have hit a 35-year high, with Virginia among the states reporting outbreaks concentrated in rural counties with lower vaccination rates. Culture in Charlottesville: Soul of Cville returns with a “Future Heirlooms” theme spotlighting Black-owned businesses and community legacies. Wildfire Reality Check (Europe): France and Spain are battling record-scale wildfires, with hundreds of thousands displaced and another heatwave forecast.

Data Centers & Water: Virginia released a long-delayed study warning eastern groundwater is likely to decline, urging tighter rules on industrial water withdrawals and stronger oversight of permits. Local Education Staffing: Shenandoah County Schools named Matthew Wygal as Director of Human Resources and Sabrina Showe as Coordinator of Special Education, both effective in late July. Health Care Innovation: U.Va. Health says it’s the first health system in Virginia to offer a new melanoma treatment for uveal melanoma that has spread to the liver. Public Health Watch: A cyclospora outbreak tied to recalled iceberg lettuce has reached nearly 2,000 cases nationwide, with Virginia reporting domestic cases not linked to the main investigation. Internet Expansion: Brightspeed is building fiber-to-the-home service in Carroll County, with construction underway for nearly 2,000 homes and businesses. Community Recognition: A Winchester volunteer honored by the Virginia General Assembly for decades of service at Winchester Medical Center, including animal-assisted therapy.

Voting Rights & Federal Pressure: The Trump administration is pressuring states to tighten voting rules by hunting for “illegal voters,” critics say, despite a lack of proof and fears the threats are meant to set up federal interference in November. Immigration Enforcement & Citizenship: DHS says it has issued more than $84 billion in civil fines to people who won’t leave, while the administration ramps up denaturalization plans—aiming for hundreds of citizenship revocations. Virginia Politics & Community Impact: In Waynesboro, Democrats rally around concerns that federal policy changes are hurting local health care access, with residents pointing to clinic closures and rising costs. Local Governance & Data Centers: Rowan County residents keep pushing back on data-center rules, arguing about rural impacts like water and power demand as counties weigh moratoriums and new standards. Sports: Virginia’s Beau Pribula gets set as the Cavaliers’ QB, and Noah Maclauchlan of Moseley wins the U.S. Junior Amateur in a historic all-left-hander final.

Data Center Scrutiny: Politico reports Virginia regulators moved fast after internal warnings about air pollution from a Loudoun data center that relies on natural gas turbines and backup diesel—raising fresh questions about oversight as the AI boom drives power demand. Election Integrity Fight: A First Circuit panel kept an injunction in place blocking parts of Trump’s election-integrity order in 23 states and D.C., including limits tied to DHS citizenship lists and USPS mail-ballot rules. Virginia Politics: The DNC’s 2028 calendar proposal would move Virginia up to a leap-day primary (Feb. 29), following South Carolina, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico and Michigan. Public Safety: Virginia State Police are investigating a fatal July 20 crash in Lee County where a Nissan struck a Ford Thunderbird, killing a female passenger. Community & Schools: A Surry County teacher took part in Rep. Virginia Foxx’s Teacher in Congress program in Washington. Health: Measles cases hit a 35-year high, with unvaccinated children driving outbreaks. Local Life: Fredericksburg begins citywide sanitary sewer cleaning and inspection starting July 27.

Data Centers & Power Costs: Trump’s “Ratepayer Protection Pledge” says Big Tech and AI data centers will pay for transmission upgrades and cover electricity bill spikes, with the pledge covering 80% of power flowing to U.S. customers—Virginia already has nearly 400 data centers. Environmental Review: BOEM extended the comment period for possible seafloor mineral leasing off Virginia’s Eastern Shore through Aug. 22. Local Air Concerns: Waynesboro residents packed a DEQ hearing urging limits or denial of Northrop Grumman’s permit over potential health risks from planned emissions. Public Health: CDC reports U.S. measles cases hit a 35-year high in 2026; Virginia is among states tied to ongoing outbreaks. Health Policy in Court: A federal judge ruled FDA’s 2023 abortion-pill restrictions were not sufficiently justified, adding pressure to the national legal fight over access. Crime & Safety: A Virginia man faces kidnapping charges in Milwaukee tied to a girl allegedly held for years. Transportation/Infrastructure: Valley Link’s proposed 115-mile transmission line would route power toward Northern Virginia, with rural communities along the path raising safety and property-value worries.

Measles Surge in Virginia: A federal report says U.S. measles cases hit a 35-year high, with 2,318 confirmed cases in 2026—Virginia has 176, mostly tied to two rural counties west of Richmond where vaccination rates are under 75%. Local Road Safety & Mobility: Henrico’s Lakeside Avenue corridor plan could reshape the area with a “road diet” (cutting lanes) and new bike paths to better connect Bryan Park and Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. White’s Ferry Push: Montgomery County says it has acquired the White’s Ferry property and is pressing Virginia and Loudoun to help restart service after years of shutdown. Roanoke Surveillance Debate: Roanoke removed Flock gunshot detectors after installation errors, but the city still runs Flock license plate cameras as privacy concerns continue. Immigration Detention Oversight: Indiana Gov. Mike Braun ordered a full review of claims of medical backlogs at Miami Correctional Facility, where detainee deaths were reported. Virginia Politics: The DNC calendar for 2028 puts South Carolina first and adds Virginia for Feb. 29.

Data Centers & Utility Costs: President Trump is pushing a voluntary pledge with governors and electricity companies to shield consumers from higher utility bills tied to AI data centers, but critics say it’s unclear whether savings will actually reach ratepayers. Virginia Politics & Elections: Richmond lawmakers are weighing whether to change when we elect the governor, with a push to consolidate state and federal elections to boost turnout and cut costs. Public Safety: Two people were arrested in connection with the I-264 Norfolk shooting that killed a 19-year-old and left the driver seriously hurt. Traffic Tragedy: A 9-year-old boy died after being hit while riding an e-scooter in Herndon; police say the driver was turning into a townhome parking lot and detectives are still reconstructing the crash. Local Governance: Onancock’s council rejected a VDOT grant for eight crosswalks after cost and necessity concerns. Schools: A new WalletHub study ranks Virginia’s public schools 6th in the nation. Community & Culture: The Pungoteague Ruritan Club awarded $10,000 in scholarships to six Eastern Shore students. Environment & Infrastructure: Environmental groups warn Virginia’s data center boom is straining planning for energy, water, and infrastructure—not just the buildings themselves.

Immigration & Courts: A federal appeals court rejected the Trump administration’s bid to re-detain a Georgetown scholar tied to pro-Palestinian activism, saying a judge can order release when detention may violate constitutional rights. ICE Accountability: A judge ordered ICE to release a father detained outside a Baltimore school, calling the arrest a due-process failure. Public Safety & Corrections: Virginia is marking Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week, highlighting VADOC’s role supervising about 59,000 people and supporting reentry. Energy & Growth: Altus Power is buying five community solar projects in Virginia, aiming to bring bill credits to about 5,000 homes. Local Government & Utilities: Columbia Gas of Virginia opened a new Staunton operations center, adding a modern workspace and mobile command capability. State Politics: Attorney General Jay Jones alleges Nexstar and Tegna are violating a court hold-separate order tied to their merger. Community & Culture: The Virginia State Fair and Farm Bureau are accepting nominations for a Veteran Farmer Recognition Award.

Data Centers & Bills: A new White House push is expanding Trump’s “Ratepayer Protection Pledge,” now backed by governors and utilities covering about 80% of U.S. power—aimed at stopping data-center-driven electricity cost hikes, but critics say the pledge is nonbinding and real relief depends on federal rules. Virginia Energy Politics: Virginia lawmakers are weighing whether to call a special session to extend the state’s review clock for the Dominion–NextEra merger, with concerns about a rushed decision and who pays for grid upgrades. Medicaid Pressure on Hospitals: Virginia hospitals warn a proposed CMS rule could cut Medicaid funding by $31B over the next decade, with public comment closing soon. Public Safety Trends: A national study finds the U.S. homicide rate is down sharply in 2026, though some cities—including Norfolk—saw spikes. Local Sports: Shenandoah University swept VaSID Rookie of the Year awards with three women’s athletes honored for 2025-26. Election Deadlines: Virginia election officials are reminding voters in Accomack and Northampton about absentee, registration, and early voting cutoffs ahead of the Aug. 4 primary.

Data Centers & Grid Strain: A sudden, massive power drop rippled across the PJM grid, with the epicenter tied to northern Virginia’s data-center belt—another reminder regulators are watching how big loads can destabilize power systems. Public Health: Virginia-linked cyclospora cases keep climbing after FDA said a lettuce test was a false positive, while the outbreak investigation and Taylor Farms recall continue; separately, measles concerns are rising after Maryland confirmed cases tied to recent travel, with exposure sites listed. Local Government & Safety: Winchester’s sheriff’s office cleared its annual financial audit as courthouse activity grows; Broadway residents urged the town to end its Flock camera contract over privacy and transparency questions. Education & Workforce: A new report says Virginia could do more for adult learners with “some college/no degree” backgrounds, warning the state is being out-marketed and out-served by online programs. Courts & Justice: A Stafford bus driver charged in a deadly May crash was granted bond, but release hinges on a second hearing. Community & Culture: JMU won major state funding for health/behavioral studies expansion and Johnston Hall renovations, while a local croquet club is drawing attention to the sport beyond the backyard.

Energy Costs & Local Budgets: Henrico County warned agencies to brace for a 25% electricity rate jump starting July 1, adding about $5 million next fiscal year, with another increase expected in 2027. Data Centers & Power Lines: Lawmakers are pushing for more time for the State Corporation Commission to review Dominion’s $67 million NextEra merger, arguing the current schedule is too tight as data centers drive demand. Immigration Enforcement & Health Care: Doctors say immigration enforcement activity is making patients delay primary care visits, with nearly three quarters of clinicians reporting negative impacts on patients or practices. Public Safety Event: Washington County’s “Battle of the Badges” softball tournament returns July 25 in Abingdon, raising money for St. Jude with teams from across Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee. Title IX Fight: House Republicans advanced a bill to codify a biological definition of “sex” in Title IX, setting up another flashpoint after the Supreme Court upheld bans on transgender athletes in sports. Crime Update (Virginia): DNA has identified a woman in Caroline County, linking four suspects already charged in a prior Virginia teen homicide to a second first-degree murder case. Road Safety/Health: Virginia Family Chiropractic is promoting same-day auto-injury evaluations and a commuter-focused spine program for Northern Virginia drivers.

Marijuana policy: Virginia’s retail cannabis repeal fight is heating up as a ballot question heads to voters this November after a last-ditch challenge failed, setting up a high-stakes referendum on the state’s pot legalization law. Education & disability services: A new federal report finds students with disabilities are spending more time in mainstream classrooms, but advocates warn progress could slip as oversight shifts and staffing cuts loom. Local government & public safety: Botetourt’s Fire & EMS Chief Jason Ferguson is leaving for a top role in Bedford County, marking a major leadership change for the region’s emergency services. Military honors: Flags will be lowered in Virginia for an Army lieutenant from Richmond found dead in Africa after training-related events in Morocco. Data centers in Virginia: Dominion and NextEra’s proposed merger is drawing calls for a special session, while Loudoun’s “Golden to Mars” transmission line decision moves forward despite opposition. Sports & community: Radford’s Reece Honaker commits to ETSU, and the Mary Draper Ingles Festival returns this weekend in Radford. Weather: Severe thunderstorms are possible across the DC region, with damaging winds and hail risks.

Local Governance: Fairfax County’s tree-planting requirement is drawing legal and practical pushback after a Clifton-area homeowner was told he must plant 239 trees—at nearly $300,000—or pay a contribution before construction can proceed. Public Safety: Northampton County court records add detail to a deadly July 13 rampage tied to Nassawadox man Trevor Claude Henriques Jr., charged with attempted murder of deputies and the killings of his mother and girlfriend. State Politics: Virginia Democrats in the 1st District are escalating a dispute with the state party over claims of primary neutrality, pointing to federal filings and fundraising activity tied to Shannon Taylor. Healthcare Access: Virginia ER visits by uninsured patients rose 8% last year, as more people lose ACA coverage and lawmakers look to expand clinic and safety-net support. Weather & Environment: Eastern Shore residents brace for strong thunderstorms, heavy rain, and gusty winds, with flash-flood risk as drought conditions persist. Education & Workforce: Radford University is expanding teaching pathways with a registered apprenticeship grant and lower-cost coursework for provisional-to-professional licensure. Agriculture: VDACS opened a grant program for large animal veterinarians, offering multi-year funding to address rural service shortages. Federal Courts: The 2nd Circuit ruled on mandatory arbitration timing in a wage-claim dispute involving SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. Business & Courts: Boeing won a Fourth Circuit appeal that overturned certification of a shareholder class action tied to the 737 MAX 9 cabin-panel blowout.

Pharma Manufacturing: Virginia’s Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Tech Hub landed a $15.97M federal investment to launch an end-to-end commercialization project, aiming to connect domestically sourced inputs to finished medicines. Indigenous Rights: A Virginia-linked group warns proposed Section 106 historic-preservation rule changes could weaken protections for state-recognized and non-federally recognized tribes’ ancestral lands and sacred sites. Public Health: Virginia health officials report 79 confirmed cyclosporiasis cases—more than double the state’s usual average—while investigators look for the source of the wider outbreak. Drought & Water: Gov. Abigail Spanberger updated Virginians on worsening drought conditions, while regulators approved earlier water-release “Trigger 3” steps for the Smith Mountain Project to conserve supplies. Transportation & Tech: Beta Technologies completed its first eVTOL operational flights across a Virginia–Maryland corridor, and Virginia Clean Cities hosts a mid-Atlantic expo showcasing electric and alternative fuel vehicles. Local Governance: Culpeper supervisors approved new social media, minors-interaction, and whistleblower policies after a governance review found gaps. Elections: Early voting turnout is light ahead of Virginia’s Aug. 4 primary. Environment & Recreation: The Virginia Creeper Trail is set to fully reopen March 31, 2027, after storm damage and rebuilding.