AGP Executive Report

Utility Rates: Maryland’s Public Service Commission approved a smaller-than-requested rate increase for Washington Gas & Light, adding about $4.01 per month for an average residential heating customer. Local Accountability: Former Baltimore City Solicitor Andre Davis sharply criticized the city law department’s stance that the Maryland Public Information Act limits the Office of Inspector General’s access to records. Energy Infrastructure: A coalition led by Maryland AG Nick Brown urged FERC to reject a proposed rule that would fast-track more natural gas pipeline projects, warning it could raise bills and worsen pollution. Affordable Food: New York City’s plan for city-run grocery stores would discount many staples by 30%, with an operator sought through an RFP. Health Access: Cecil County faces a maternity-care crunch after ChristianaCare closed the Union Hospital birth center, forcing expectant mothers to travel. Business & Growth: Prince George’s County moved forward on an “Extraordinary Development District” at National Harbor tied to the Sphere project, enabling a potential tax financing framework. Tech & Healthcare: 20/20 BioLabs says it’s pursuing East Asia partnerships after meetings in Taipei, Tokyo and Seoul to expand early cancer and chronic disease testing. Outage Watch: T-Mobile service disruptions were widely reported, with reports leveling off but still affecting some areas.

Maryland Higher Ed Watch: A new Maryland Office of Legislative Audits review says the state’s community colleges generally followed financial reporting rules, but flagged deficit balances at three colleges and a problem with one audit report. AI & Energy Policy: A separate report on data centers highlights growing public pushback over environmental impacts, while Maryland colleges are adding new AI majors and programs. Housing & Cost Pressure: Rent is still rising, but more listings are offering concessions—signaling landlords aren’t fully done competing for tenants. Local Business Climate: Small businesses in tourist areas say more Americans are taking shorter, closer-to-home trips, keeping vacation spending local. Public Safety: Maryland warns of serious summer crash risk during the “100 Deadliest Days,” and officials also flag a rabid bat in Severn. Tech/Finance: Baltimore Peninsula’s main lender is still shopping the undeveloped land after Under Armour founder Kevin Plank stepped back, with possible parcel sales on the table. Healthcare Supply: Curium says thallous chloride TI 201 is returning to the U.S., restoring access to a nuclear cardiology imaging option.

Maryland Infrastructure: Gov. Wes Moore and Rep. Steny Hoyer toured progress on the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild, calling it a “vital economic engine” and pushing for a fast, safe, cost-efficient return of the corridor for commerce. Airport & Construction: BWI Marshall Airport will temporarily close its longest runway (10-28) for an $83.8 million rehabilitation through Oct. 8, with flight patterns expected to shift during the work. Local Economy & Housing: A new report says Maryland’s campaign season leaves behind a mountain of waste, highlighting how paper mailers and roadside signs often end up in landfills because the state doesn’t track election waste. Consumer Protection: New Jersey signed a law banning “surveillance pricing” for groceries, joining Maryland and Connecticut as states moving to stop personalized data from driving different prices for the same items. Food Safety & Litigation: Cyclosporiasis-related lawsuits continue to pile up against Taco Bell and Taylor Farms, as plaintiffs seek damages tied to the outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce. Business/Tech: The U.S. Department of Energy awarded $1.5 million in grants to Maryland-linked quantum startup BlueQubit and partners to advance fault-tolerant quantum computing.

Maryland Economy & Housing: Maryland’s cost of living is squeezing households, with 39% of residents struggling to make ends meet, underscoring pressure on wages, rents, and everyday budgets. Public Works & Business Infrastructure: Gov. Moore toured progress on the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild, highlighting the project’s role as a national economic corridor and Maryland’s push for a faster, safer, cost-efficient recovery. Higher Education & Workforce: Coppin State University says its “most affordable” tuition strategy is working—applications and enrollment have surged as leaders bet lower costs will attract students who might otherwise skip college. Consumer & Retail Policy: Maryland readers get a national signal from New Jersey’s new ban on “surveillance pricing” in groceries, a move that could shape how retailers use customer data to set prices. Health & Health Care: A Johns Hopkins-linked podcast roundup spotlights medical research on GLP-1s and alcohol use disorder, plus ongoing challenges in gonorrhea prevention. Local Community: St. Mary’s County hosts a Volunteer Expo to connect residents with nonprofit opportunities across the county. Sports Business (Baltimore): Dylan Beavers’ third walk-off win in under a year keeps the Orioles in the playoff hunt as the trade deadline nears.

Immigration & Community Pressure: A Hyattsville vigil with horns and immigrant-rights groups called for accountability after deaths tied to ICE encounters, with residents describing fear and family separations. Cost of Living: New ALICE data from United Way of Central Maryland says 39% of households can’t consistently afford essentials despite working. Clean-Energy Funding Fight: Federal court filings say the Trump administration recommended canceling billions in clean-energy grants based on states’ political identity, with 284 grants terminated in 2025. Food Safety: Amy’s Kitchen recalled 184,000+ cans of lentil soup nationwide (including Maryland) due to a pull-tab defect that raises spoilage risk. Local Business & Law: Baltimore’s Ekiben was sued over alleged “Space Jam” song use in an Instagram promo. Public Safety & Business Disruption: An Embassy Theater fire in Baltimore canceled remaining “Cabaret” performances; tickets will be refunded. Sports & Local Economy: Maryland’s sports-betting promotions keep rolling as MLB weekend matchups drive consumer spending and foot traffic.

Maryland Ferry Deal: Montgomery County acquired White’s Ferry’s Maryland-side operations and will pay $1.5 million for the dock land and facilities, with officials urging Virginia to help restart service. Cybersecurity Workforce: BCR Cyber launched a no-cost, five-week COMET cybersecurity training cohort for Maryland state and local government employees, funded through an EARN grant and aimed at building practical skills. Opioid Settlement Dollars: Maryland is set to receive $13 million from opioid settlements with drugmakers, as the state continues to map where the money goes. Education Budget Pressure: Most Maryland districts hit the Blueprint-for-Maryland’s-Future July 1 teacher-pay floor of $60,000, but some smaller systems did it by cutting staff and raising class sizes. Housing & Credit Stress: New national data shows foreclosure filings up sharply since 2020, with Maryland among the states seeing elevated activity. Local Business & Community: KEYS Empowers kept food distribution going while advancing construction of its West Baltimore Healing Village, aiming to serve hundreds of families daily once open. Corporate Markets: McCormick chose London for secondary share placement ahead of its Unilever Foods merger.

Maryland Lottery Leadership: Gov. Wes Moore named Jeremy Baker as acting director of the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency, with Will Tilburg set to succeed him Aug. 19, as the agency transitions from John Martin. Cybersecurity & State Tech: Maryland brought in ethical hackers for “Hack the State 2,” finding and fixing 200+ cybersecurity vulnerabilities and highlighting process gaps beyond software flaws. Food Safety & Health: Taylor Farms issued a fresh statement amid the cyclosporiasis outbreak, saying it expanded recalls and suspended iceberg lettuce sourcing from central Mexico while it reviews its Mexico facility. Local Business Continuity: BackupChain announced an update to its backup platform for Windows Server and Hyper-V, pitching faster compression, quicker restores, and deeper validation for SMBs. Elections & Markets: Maryland’s election administrator asked prosecutors to investigate prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket, arguing they may violate state law by treating election outcomes like wagering. Public Health Funding: Maryland will receive $13M+ from seven opioid manufacturers under a new settlement aimed at treatment and recovery, with marketing and sales safeguards. Regional Economy Watch: Montgomery County moved to buy White’s Ferry’s Maryland-side operation for $1.5M and press Virginia to help restart service. Sports Business: With the MLB trade deadline nearing, teams are weighing whether to buy or sell as contenders and bubble clubs start making calls.

War Powers in Focus: The U.S. House narrowly passed a resolution to halt military action in Iran, 214-208, after the Senate rejected a similar measure, underscoring widening congressional unease as the conflict escalates. Maryland Policy Watch: A new op-ed argues Gov. Wes Moore must fix Maryland’s paper recycling policy under the state’s extended producer responsibility law, warning current regulatory interpretation could raise costs for small businesses and consumers. State Politics: Maryland Republicans are pushing back on an Aug. 3 special session tied to a constitutional amendment for congressional redistricting, with questions about what it could mean for the state’s House delegation. Housing & Development: Salisbury’s Westport redevelopment is set to receive $900,000 in UPLIFT funding to turn vacant buildings into 12 affordable homes. Local Business: Annapolis seafood staple O’Leary’s Seafood will close Aug. 2 after 43 years, citing a lost lease. Finance: BV Financial reported higher quarterly net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2026. Cybersecurity: Chick-fil-A’s loyalty app data breach is again in the spotlight, with Maryland customers among those potentially affected.

Water & Infrastructure: Baltimore County crews are repairing two separate water main breaks that hit dozens of services and businesses, including a 12-inch break in Dundalk affecting 50 services and a 16-inch break near Milford Mill that forced drivers onto alternate routes. Cybersecurity: Chick-fil-A says loyalty accounts in Maryland and 10 other states (plus D.C.) may have been exposed in a June credential-stuffing attack, with potentially sensitive account details and payment info at risk. State & Local Governance: Gov. Wes Moore continued his “Delivering for Maryland” tour in Anne Arundel County, spotlighting child-poverty and public-safety efforts, including a police real-time information center visit. Energy & Data Centers: Consumer advocates are pushing to change how PJM is governed, arguing the grid operator’s decision-making power favors industry players as data centers drive higher bills across Maryland, Virginia and D.C. Housing & Benefits Oversight: A Maryland legislative audit found improper SNAP and other benefit payments, including cases where people kept receiving aid after incarceration or winning large lottery prizes. Business Finance: Shore Bancshares reported stronger Q2 earnings, while Rhinebeck Bancorp completed a second-step conversion and stock offering.

FDA & Health Watch: The FDA is reviewing seven popular peptides for possible inclusion on a compounding list, as demand grows for weight loss, performance and “longevity” uses—while regulators flag limited safety and effectiveness data. Food Safety: A Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce recall tied to cyclospora has spread to 27 states, including Maryland, with health officials urging consumers to check product labels and symptoms. Energy & Data Centers: Maryland is at the center of a broader fight over electricity and data-center growth, with Montgomery County weighing an 18-month pause and new proposals tied to higher PJM capacity costs. Local Business & Finance: McCormick plans a London secondary listing as it moves ahead with its Unilever food merger, keeping its main NYSE listing while aiming to boost liquidity. Healthcare Business: United Therapeutics appointed Victor Dzau to its board, adding a major health-policy and academic leader. Public Safety & Jobs: Baltimore County added 12 battalion chiefs in a $3.4 million expansion to address command shortages. Sports (Maryland): The Orioles split a doubleheader with the Red Sox in Boston—stopping a historic Red Sox win streak at 15.

Election Tech & Security: Maryland’s Board of Public Works approved a $109M contract for a new statewide voting system, aiming for 2028 deployment, but critics are still raising questions about cost and whether the 2.0-compliant equipment is fully tested and certified. Cybersecurity & Consumer Impact: Chick-fil-A warned customers in Maryland and 10 other states (plus D.C.) that a credential-stuffing attack may have exposed loyalty-account data and some payment details, prompting password resets and removal of stored payment methods. Public Health: Maryland confirmed two new measles cases tied to recent out-of-state travel and listed three Southern Maryland exposure sites in St. Mary’s County, urging residents to check MMR vaccination status and monitor symptoms for 21 days. Food Safety: Cyclosporiasis in Maryland climbed to 110 cases since May 1, with health officials still investigating sources as the broader outbreak continues. State Economy: Maryland added about 900 jobs in June, with unemployment dipping to 4.3%, as government, education, professional services, and healthcare helped offset losses in transportation and retail. Business & Growth: Lidl continues its East Coast push, selling Texas land parcels as it concentrates expansion in Maryland and nearby states. Policy & Markets: Seven Democratic senators publicly opposed the current CLARITY Act Senate crypto bill text, citing concerns over ethics, consumer protection, illicit finance, conflicts of interest, and market integrity.

Key Bridge rebuild: Maryland Transportation Authority released a Request for Qualifications to select a design-build team for the main span and marine approaches of the Francis Scott Key Bridge replacement, a major step in the $5.2B project as piles are driven and procurement moves to a shortlist. Hunger relief partnership: Perdue Farms and the Baltimore Ravens launched a multi-year deal making Perdue the Official Chicken of the team and backing Maryland Food Bank efforts, kicking off with nearly 43,000 pounds of chicken and volunteer support. Food safety and workers: In Cecil County, UFCW Local 27 is urging protections for produce workers amid the cyclospora outbreak, calling for clear communication and sanitation safeguards. Local business openings: Fern & Fable Book Co. is set to officially open in Rising Sun with a chamber ribbon cutting, and Bing’s Bakery in Elkton/Newark is hosting a Shark Week decorating class. Corporate finance: RadNet announced its Q2 2026 results call for Aug. 10. Public safety: St. Mary’s County deputies rescued a missing 9-year-old boy with autism from a river after a rapid body-worn-camera response.

Key Bridge Rebuild Procurement: The Maryland Transportation Authority released an RFQ to select a design-build team for the Francis Scott Key Bridge main span and marine approaches, kicking off a two-step sealed process and setting up the biggest procurement milestone for the $5.2B rebuild. Consumer & Public Health: Maryland’s annual Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week runs Aug. 9–15, with qualifying clothing and footwear (up to $100 per item) exempt from the 6% sales tax, while a Cyclospora-linked iceberg lettuce recall continues to ripple through 27 states including Maryland—whole heads are generally considered safer than affected shredded products. Attorney General Pushback on Finance & Drugs: AG Ford urged federal regulators to deny national banking charters to high-risk or predatory fintechs, and announced a $29.6M multistate settlement with Glenmark over alleged generic-drug price-fixing and reduced competition. Climate Regulation Fight: Ford also filed a lawsuit challenging an EPA rule that weakens hydrofluorocarbon limits, arguing it undermines the AIM Act’s phaseout deadlines. Local Business & Innovation: DigiFlight was named a finalist for the 2026 Moxie Award All Stars program, and IWEE appointed Arti Santhanam as board chair to expand support for women entrepreneurs across Maryland. Aviation Disruption: Severe storms caused major flight disruptions across the East Coast, including ground stops at BWI.

State Policy & Fraud Prevention: Maryland began a statewide rollout of chip-and-tap EBT cards, following a pilot in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City and Dorchester County, aiming to cut skimming and other benefit theft. Housing & Federal Incentives: A new bipartisan federal housing law ties aid to how fast states approve and build homes, putting pressure on Maryland as homebuilding permits slump toward the worst since the Great Recession. Energy Costs & Utilities: Maryland continues grappling with rising power and gas bills, with new reporting and policy debate focused on affordability and grid strain. Water & Environment: The Newport Bay Partnership won $2 million from Maryland’s Whole Watershed Fund for five years of restoration work, including salt marsh and shoreline projects in Berlin. Food Safety & Local Impact: Maryland shoppers are turning to local farms amid the Cyclospora outbreak linked to Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce, as recalls and testing updates continue. Business Finance: Peoples Bancorp reported second-quarter 2026 results and outlined its pending acquisition of Citizens Bank of Kentucky. Tech & Agriculture Data: Ukraine’s statistics agency formally approved using satellite data to assess planted areas and crop conditions where surveys are disrupted by war. Sports With Maryland Ties: The Red Sox extended a 14-game winning streak by beating the Orioles 6-5, while the Orioles and Red Sox keep trading momentum headlines as the MLB deadline nears.

Ravens–Perdue Hunger Push: The Baltimore Ravens and Perdue Farms teamed with the Maryland Food Bank on a multi-year “Rushing to Fight Hunger” plan—1,300 meals donated for every 100 rushing yards in 2026, kicking off with nearly 43,000 pounds of chicken. FDA & Food Safety: The FDA walked back an earlier cyclospora alert tied to Taylor Farms lettuce, calling it a false positive while the recall and outbreak investigation continue. Cholesterol Breakthrough: The FDA approved Lipfendra, a new daily pill from Merck to lower LDL cholesterol, aiming to improve adherence versus injectable options. Local Business & Growth: A new analysis of U.S. Census data finds Americans filed about 1.72M high-propensity business applications in the year to June—up 31% since 2019—with the South leading and Maryland benefiting from that momentum. Tech & Aviation: Beta Technologies completed its first eVTOL operational flights under the FAA’s eIPP, including routes connecting Virginia and Maryland airports. Finance: A federal judge dismissed a class-action claim against Capital One over allegedly excessive credit-card rates, citing the card agreement’s terms. Public Safety/Crime: Lightning sparked a ~$20K house fire near Elkton, while separate arson charges are pending after two vehicles burned near another Elkton home.

Food Safety & Consumer Impact: Taylor Fresh Foods recalled iceberg lettuce distributed in Maryland and 24 other states after a Cyclospora outbreak tied to shredded lettuce used at Taco Bell; federal investigators say illnesses reached at least 1,644 cases with 94 hospitalizations, and Maryland isn’t currently listed among the five states tied to the specific outbreak. State & Consumer Finance: Maryland AG Anthony Brown announced a $45 million multistate settlement with Cash App’s parent Block over alleged fraud and inadequate dispute protections, a direct hit to how consumers recover losses. Energy & Utilities: BGE resumed power shutoffs for nonpayment, raising alarm as heat and costs strain households; advocates argue utilities should manage arrearages more humanely. Tech & Local Economy: Prince George’s County passed a two-year moratorium on data center development as other Maryland jurisdictions pause, reflecting mounting pressure over grid strain, water use, and community impacts. Health & Innovation: A Johns Hopkins-led phase 1 trial reported an off-the-shelf KRAS-targeting vaccine generated durable immune responses in high-risk pancreatic cancer patients, with no cancers seen after 16 months. Business Investment: Enlightenment Capital invested in Quorum, an AI government affairs platform, aiming to expand agentic AI and product roadmap.