AGP Executive Report

Senate Power Struggle: President Trump is pressuring Majority Leader John Thune to cancel the August break until the SAVE America Act passes, escalating a months-long fight over filibuster rules and proof-of-citizenship voting. Crypto Regulation: The Senate is delaying the crypto Clarity Act for now, with lawmakers still stuck on a key ethics provision tied to senior officials and crypto projects. Markets & Policy: A federal judge blocked Minnesota’s prediction market ban, siding with Kalshi and Polymarket that state rules likely conflict with federal oversight. Energy & Climate: A worsening Midwest heat wave is degrading pastures across major cattle states, raising stress for producers already facing tight supplies. U.S.-Iran Tension: The U.S. and Iran are holding a third straight pause in attacks, but both sides are sending mixed signals about whether talks are real and what happens next. Immigration Courts: A judge ruled Illinois in-state tuition benefits for illegal immigrants unconstitutional under federal law, while the 9th Circuit revived a religious-vaccine-exemption case for a worker. Public Safety: A teen suspect was arrested after a Seattle food festival shooting killed three people. Politics (Michigan): Democratic Senate rivals Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed face another debate ahead of Michigan’s August primary. Business: Griesson-de Beukelaer is buying Mississippi-based DeBeukelaer, investing in a new state-of-the-art bakery.

Elections & Voting Rights: A federal appeals court upheld an injunction blocking President Trump’s order to create a federal voter list and restrict mail ballots to people on it, keeping the fight alive heading into November. U.S.-Iran Tensions: Iran says it still controls the Strait of Hormuz and won’t resume talks after Trump halted a bombing campaign; meanwhile, the U.S. says it’s preserving limited missile-defense munitions and selectively intercepting threats. Defense & Security: The Army is testing an unmanned Volcano mine-laying system to deploy obstacles without exposing troops, while Waltz says depleted U.S. munitions are tied to the Biden era but operations aren’t being slowed. Trade & Prices: Trump’s tariff push targeting imported generic medicines could raise costs for Americans, with an Indian drugmaker warning the hikes can’t be absorbed. Local Economy & Infrastructure: Pasadena’s Tetra Tech won a $49M Army Corps contract for water and navigation work across the Southeast. Tech & Industry: NinjaTrader launched CME single-stock futures for active traders, and Missouri S&T received $38M to build a critical-minerals hub.

Health Alert: California measles cases in 2026 have already more than doubled last year’s total, with most patients unvaccinated and children ages 5–19 driving the rise. Border & Food Safety: The FDA announced a voluntary recall of more than 1.5 million dozen shell eggs in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana over possible Salmonella contamination, while USDA plans a phased reopening of the southern border to live cattle imports from Mexico on Aug. 24 if screwworm plans hold. Elections: A federal appeals court upheld blocks on Trump mail-ballot restrictions and a federal eligible-voter list in 23 states, keeping the fight over voting rules alive heading into November. Middle East & Defense: The U.S. and Iran are trading pauses and accusations as strikes shift, and the Pentagon’s casualty counting is under scrutiny after deaths tied to the Iran conflict were moved into a new “Overseas Operations” category. Trade & Industry: South Korea will join a U.S.-led cybersecurity drill in Virginia, and HD Hyundai won a Tacoma port crane contract as the U.S. pushes to modernize maritime infrastructure with trusted partners. Local Public Safety: Police in Youngsville, Pennsylvania, are searching for two fugitives after a traffic stop involving people allegedly unlawfully present in the U.S.

Government Stakes Transparency: The Trump administration has invested about $26.7B across 30 equity or quasi-equity deals, including a 9.9% Intel stake now valued around $42B—but the holdings are scattered across agencies with no single public ledger. AI & Tech Deals: South Korea unveiled a headline $950B AI package with U.S. tech firms, but critics say the number mixes spending, revenue, and estimates in ways that are hard to verify. Iran Maritime Crackdown: The U.S. Navy disabled the oil tanker M/T Lavine after repeated attempts to breach Iran blockade warnings, while also boarding other vessels in the region. Election Integrity Fight: The Trump administration is pressuring states over claims of illegal voters, raising fears of federal overreach and tighter rules that could suppress turnout. Local Governance: Lane County, Oregon’s former commissioner is credited with preserving its 20 covered bridges instead of replacing them. Energy & Grid: Offshore wind helped New England cut reliance on oil peaker plants during extreme heat, according to grid data.

Election Law: A federal appeals court blocked the White House’s push to fully roll out Trump’s mail-voting overhaul before the November midterms, keeping in place a Boston judge’s order that found parts of the plan unlawful. Health Watch: The CDC says the cyclospora outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce has spread to nine states, with the total now at 1,947 cases and dozens hospitalized; Taylor Farms says the FDA hasn’t confirmed positive test results and says it expanded a recall. Middle East & Energy: As the Strait of Hormuz tensions intensify, Iran says it’s stopping ships and the U.S. warns of consequences, while oil prices move with the risk of disruption. Auto Safety: Ford recalled nearly 2 million vehicles this month, including Bronco fire-risk wiring issues and Explorer/Aviator seat defects. Politics (Maine): Maine Democrats nominated Troy Jackson to challenge Sen. Susan Collins, setting up a high-stakes Senate race. Local Sports: Noah Maclauchlan won the U.S. Junior Amateur title, beating Miles Russell 6 and 5.

Election Access & Voting Tech: A new push to crack down on “leakers” and DHS claims that foreign adversaries can access voting machines are raising fresh alarm among election experts, just as advocates warn the EAC’s restructuring could weaken standards for ballot-marking access for voters with disabilities. Reproductive Rights: Senate Democrats, led by Ron Wyden, are fighting Louisiana’s push to force in-person dispensing for mifepristone—arguing it would wrongly restrict FDA-approved telehealth access. Health: The CDC expanded the nation’s largest known Cyclospora outbreak to nine states, with nearly 2,000 sick, while a separate outbreak is under investigation. Wildfire Smoke & Climate: Trump again blamed Canada for wildfire smoke, escalating trade pressure as haze spreads across parts of the U.S. Defense & Middle East: U.S. forces struck another Iran-linked tanker near the Strait of Hormuz amid continued escalation and reports of a break in overnight strikes. Energy & Environment: The Interior Department released a USGS coal estimate saying enough coal exists beneath federal lands to last 600 years at current use. Local Human Stories: A new roof was delivered to a Navy veteran, and rural students were sent to Washington, D.C., through a youth tour program.

Public Health: The CDC says U.S. measles cases have hit 2,318—surpassing all of 2025—with outbreaks in South Carolina, Utah and Arizona and vaccination rates below the 95% threshold in many states. Food Safety: The cyclospora outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce has expanded to nine states as recalls continue, with Taylor Farms saying it pulled potentially affected product and suspended central Mexico iceberg lettuce sourcing. Politics & Security: A Secret Service investigation is underway into a member of JD Vance’s security detail over alleged operational and information security issues tied to a suspected news leak. Defense: Lawmakers push to keep the A-10 in service until 2033, while Bulgaria approved temporary KC-135 refueling support for U.S. operations in the Middle East. Energy & Economy: New court filings allege the Energy Department canceled nearly $300 renewable grants based on whether recipients supported Trump in 2024. Local Impact: Volusia County welcomed a veteran home after Hurricane Ian reconstruction through a HUD-funded recovery program.

FCC Fight: A coalition of former FCC leaders and the RTNDA asked a federal appeals court to ignore the Media Bureau’s dismissal of their bid to overturn the FCC’s “news distortion” policy, arguing only the full Commission can decide. School Policy: As more states move to bell-to-bell phone bans, NuKase is marketing lockable phone cases to help districts enforce rules without centralized device handling. Elections (Michigan): Michigan’s Aug. 4 primary kicks off statewide early voting July 25–Aug. 2, with rules requiring at least nine early-voting days. Health (Food Safety): The CDC says the cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce has expanded to nine states, now including Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania, with Michigan still hardest hit. Health (Care Access): St. Luke’s in the Lehigh Valley was named a Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Care Center, expanding specialized treatment locally. Foreign Policy (Iran): U.S. and Iran fighting continues to escalate, with officials warning about the pace of interceptor use and reports of a rejected U.S. ceasefire proposal. Trade (Tariffs): The U.S. imposed forced-labor tariffs under Section 301 on 60 partners, including Canada and Mexico, with duties ranging from 10% to 12.5%+. Crime/Justice (Cartels): Treasury announced sanctions targeting more than 50 people and entities tied to Mexico’s Jalisco New Generation Cartel, naming a California-born leader as the new head.

AI & Data Centers: Trump says foreign pressure and “propaganda” are trying to slow new U.S. AI data centers, as communities push back over energy, water, and land impacts. Tech Security & Open Source: AMD CEO Lisa Su defends open-source AI after a Hugging Face security incident tied to OpenAI agents, arguing open models offer transparency and control. Open-Source AI Race: Influencers frame Moonshot’s Kimi K3 launch as an “AI Sputnik moment,” signaling China may be narrowing the U.S. lead. Immigration Courts & Funding: A coalition of 24 state AGs and DC sues over claims Trump tied emergency disaster aid to states sharing voter lists and cooperating with DHS on immigration. Trade & Tariffs: The U.S. rolls out new double-digit tariffs on about 60 partners under forced-labor rules, with Canada facing 10% and exemptions for some CUSMA goods. Health: Federal officials investigate a new cyclospora outbreak (72 sick) while states and cities respond to ongoing food-safety concerns. Local Governance: McHenry County voters will see November referendums on home rule and zoning preemption for housing and energy projects. Public Safety: Philadelphia reports the highest traffic-fatality rate among major U.S. cities, pushing Vision Zero funding and speed-limit control.

Middle East Escalation: Trump warned Iran that any attack on ships in the Strait of Hormuz would trigger U.S. strikes on Iranian infrastructure, as Yemen’s Houthis claimed they hit two Saudi oil tankers and the U.S. carried out a 12th night of strikes. Postal Accountability: Sen. Josh Hawley unveiled the “No Bonuses for Bad Service” plan to block USPS leadership bonuses unless on-time delivery hits 95%. Criminal Justice Fallout: Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner faces fresh credibility damage after a former prosecutor testified in federal court that his office pushed for misleading conduct to overturn a conviction. Public Health: FDA flagged nearly 1.6 million dozen eggs recalled over possible salmonella contamination, with Kroger and Brookshire among affected retailers in multiple states. Drought Watch: The U.S. Drought Monitor showed mixed conditions—improvements in parts of the South and West, but worsening heat and dryness across parts of the central/northern Plains and eastern Colorado. Tech & Business: Alphabet’s first cash burn on record spooked investors amid rising AI spending, while a new U.S.-Saudi civilian nuclear deal drew renewed proliferation concerns.

U.S.-Iran War Costs: The Pentagon says the Iran campaign’s price tag has jumped to $37.5B and asks Congress for $67B more, as Trump doubles down on threats after another soldier death. Middle East Energy Flashpoints: Iran warns it will block oil exports and retaliate if the U.S. hits infrastructure; separate reports cite explosions in southern Iran and Houthi claims of attacks on Saudi tankers. U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Deal: Washington announced a landmark civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, drawing worries from critics about enrichment and proliferation. Canada Tariffs Disrupts Bridge Plans: Trump’s tariff threat from 25% to 50% derailed a Detroit-Windsor bridge opening ceremony, with the bridge still set to open July 27. Trade Power Fight in Congress: Sen. Ron Wyden introduced a bill to rein in Trump’s tariff authority and restore Congress’s role. Connected-Vehicle China Ban Advances: A Senate committee moved forward a bill targeting Chinese-linked connected vehicles, with debate over a 15% ownership cutoff. Immigration Courts Under Scrutiny: The U.N. warns U.S. immigration judge independence is being undermined amid firings and faster deportation directives. Health Care Politics in Alberta: Protesters rally against Alberta’s plan to expand privately paid surgeries alongside the public system. Local Schools Under Strain: Wisconsin districts cut budgets as enrollment drops and state funding struggles to cover gaps. Housing Loans for Cities: Indiana closed low-interest housing loans for multiple towns, using a state infrastructure fund. Sports Betting Boom: The 2026 World Cup set record U.S. sportsbook handle, with the final among the most-bet soccer matches ever. Beluga Relocation: Six beluga whales from Canada’s shuttered Marineland are settling into U.S. aquariums. Tech & Food Retail: GrubMarket acquired Vancouver’s SPUD to expand scheduled grocery delivery in Canada.

U.S.-Iran Tensions: The Pentagon identified a third U.S. service member “believed” killed in the Iranian attack on Jordan’s Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, as Washington kept up its 11th straight night of strikes aimed at degrading Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz. Congress & Ethics: House Republicans are set to vote on a stock-trading ban for members of Congress, pairing it with a voter ID push that could shape how Democrats respond. Courts & Politics: Venezuela’s ousted President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores return to a New York courtroom for scheduling in their drug case, with immunity arguments looming. Local Governance: San Jose State University’s volleyball scandal is spilling into a broader fight over Title IX and Trump administration actions, with campus conflict and allegations roiling the school. Public Safety: Severe storms triggered flooding and tornado reports across the eastern U.S., leading West Virginia to declare a state of emergency for all 55 counties. Health & Travel: The FDA and CDC continue to track a cyclospora outbreak tied to produce, while the CDC issued a Level 2 travel notice for Costa Rica’s chikungunya hotspot.

Canada-U.S. Tariff Clash: Trump says Canada “can’t survive” without the U.S. as a new wave of tariffs looms; Ontario and other provinces are pushing back, with Doug Ford and Mark Carney warning talks must be comprehensive and that alcohol bans may stay in place. Public Health: The U.S. reports 2,295 measles cases—its highest annual total since 1991—with more months left in 2026. Border & Voting: DOJ says a New Jersey voter-registration software failure gives it grounds to demand unredacted voter rolls, while Nevada AG Aaron Ford blasts Trump’s election claims as groundwork for federal interference. Drug Enforcement: Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel leader “El Mayo” is sentenced to life in prison in a major U.S. case. Housing Supply: Zillow says hundreds of thousands of small empty lots could help ease the shortage, if zoning and permitting hurdles are addressed. Local Infrastructure: Maryland’s Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild faces skepticism from Rep. Andy Harris over cost and timeline. Small Business: SBA launches a $6M competition to modernize Women’s Business Centers in select states.

U.S.-Iran War: The Pentagon identified two U.S. soldiers killed in a Jordan base strike, as CENTCOM reported another night of strikes and the U.S. issued a broad alert amid ongoing regional attacks. Congressional Oversight: Sen. Jacky Rosen joined colleagues pressing the Pentagon for answers on the reported bombing of an Iranian elementary school that killed about 120 children, demanding an unclassified accounting. Politics & Elections: Arizona Republicans head into high-stakes primaries with party divisions on Trump’s influence, while Alaska’s Democratic House candidate Matt Schultz dropped out and backed independent Bill Hill. Tech & Energy Costs: Florida gubernatorial hopeful Byron Donalds proposed limiting data centers’ reliance on the power grid and public water, targeting utility bill hikes during the AI buildout. Local Economy & Life: Texas flooding pushed water nearly 30 feet inside Natural Bridge Caverns, briefly reviving a rare aquifer tour; and a study found car rentals among the most searched-for local business types. Consumer & Culture: Target’s Rosie Assoulin designer collection lands July 25, and Wisconsin public schools ranked among the nation’s best for quality and safety.

Election Integrity Debate: A new analysis of Trump’s 2020 election speech says the White House still hasn’t produced proof of vote tampering, even after releasing multiple datasets that critics say don’t add up to “stolen” results. Food Safety: CDC and FDA warnings keep expanding around a cyclospora outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell in five states; Taylor Farms has broadened a voluntary recall, and the FDA later clarified a “false positive” lab sample without changing the ongoing investigation. U.S.-Iran Escalation: The Pentagon reports nearly 100 U.S. troops injured in the Iran conflict over two weeks as strikes continue and diplomacy stalls. Antitrust / Media: A federal judge pauses Paramount Skydance’s Warner Bros. Discovery merger for at least two weeks after states argue it would crush competition. Civil Rights / Higher Ed: DOJ says UC San Diego medical school admissions practices favored Black and Hispanic applicants using “race-neutral” subjective criteria, setting up a potential legal fight. Public Health Watch: U.S. measles cases are rising fast, with summer travel threatening another record. Energy Costs: Gas prices are back over $4 nationally, with Idaho and other states seeing higher averages amid Strait of Hormuz worries. Local Politics: New York’s Lower Manhattan Assembly race is too close to call, triggering a recount.

U.S.-Iran War Escalation: The Pentagon says at least two U.S. service members were killed in an Iranian attack on a Jordan base, with another death reported in Iraq, as the U.S. carried out a ninth straight night of strikes and vowed to “swiftly punish” Iran. Gas Prices: With Middle East fighting disrupting oil markets, the national average gas price is back above $4 a gallon, and Michigan is averaging about $4.15. Food Safety Recalls: General Mills recalled nearly 736,000 Pillsbury bread rolls over possible glass contamination, while Taco Bell temporarily pulled certain ingredients after cyclospora concerns tied to lettuce. World Cup Betting & Tech: Kalshi and Polymarket reportedly took in about $5.7B in wagers on the World Cup final, and FIFA’s heavy tech use kept controversies alive. Local Economy/Infrastructure: Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport won $13.6M in federal funding to convert an inactive runway into a taxiway and prep land for development. Business & Markets: Domino’s beat revenue estimates as supply-chain strength offset softer restaurant demand.