AGP Executive Report

Food Safety & Policy: A new federal push to phase out six synthetic dyes by end of 2026 is running into resistance, with nearly 20% of U.S. packaged foods still containing them and major brands yet to publicly commit. Local Public Safety: A Lancaster County woman died after being run over by her own car in reverse, renewing questions about older-vehicle safety tech and how drivers manage controls. STEM Discovery: Scientists say they’ve pinned down how the Venus flytrap snaps shut, pointing to rapid softening of trap cell walls rather than water shifting alone. Space & Education: NASA named UT alum Randy Bresnik to command the Artemis III crew, adding another South Carolina-linked engineering milestone to the state’s STEM story. Cybersecurity & Municipal Tech: Surfside Beach remains stuck waiting on forensic and recovery reports after a $545,000 cyberattack redirected contractor payments. K-12 Tech Use: Greenville County Schools rolled out tighter rules for student device and AI use, aiming to reduce screen time while keeping technology in the classroom. Business & Growth: Access Garage Doors rebranded as Access Garage Door & More, expanding into overhead storage, screens, shades and enclosures. Health & Environment: 14 state attorneys general urged EPA monitoring of abortion-pill contamination in water supplies. STEM Outreach: Savannah River Ecology Laboratory brought live native animals to an Aiken library program to spark kids’ interest in wildlife science.

Deep-Sea Mining Watch: Legal experts warn the U.S. is moving toward deep-sea mining with “bare bones” rules that may not protect marine ecosystems as lease sales loom. AI & Foreign Influence: OpenAI says China-based actors used ChatGPT to stir opposition to U.S. AI data centers, though it found limited real-world impact. SC Tech Growth: Charleston’s Horse Spot, equestrian-event software, is expanding and adding 11 jobs after raising $850,000 in seed funding. Local History: A new Fort Fremont display in Beaufort County highlights the Spanish-American War-era mine planter Gen. E.O.C. Ord. Agribusiness Funding: SC’s Agribusiness Center awarded $215,000 to 12 agribusinesses through its Advanced Entrepreneurship program. Health & Education: McLeod Health donated $25,000 to Williamsburg Technical College’s nursing program; SCETV will premiere a live “Palmetto Perspectives” episode on men’s mental health. Policy & Public Safety: Summerville weighs Historic District rezoning changes amid fears of more non-residential conversions; SCiDUC plans a July drone symposium in Columbia. Weather: Upstate heat and humidity push feels-like near 100° Thursday.

Space & STEM Leadership: NASA named Santa Monica native Randy Bresnik commander of Artemis III, a 2027 mission that will test lunar rendezvous and docking for the next crewed Moon landing. Drones in Public Service: The South Carolina Interagency Drone Users Consortium announced its July 15 symposium in Columbia on drones, technology, and the rules for innovation in government work. Healthcare Tech in SC: Nuwellis expanded a collaboration with a major South Carolina children’s hospital to deploy Aquadex SmartFlow ultrafiltration devices, aiming to improve fluid-overload care for pediatric patients. Local Economy & Workforce: Greenville Area Development Corp. marked 25 years and highlighted $94B in economic impact, stressing that “talent is the new location” for attracting industry. Food Safety & Policy: A federal voluntary phase-out of six synthetic dyes by end of 2026 faces uneven industry follow-through, with nearly 20% of packaged foods still containing dyes. Public Health Watch: The U.S. measles count topped 2,000 this year as outbreaks near the worst levels in decades, with vaccination gaps and strained public health capacity driving spread. National Security: The U.S. carried out airstrikes on Iran after a helicopter crash blamed on Tehran, while Trump warned more strikes may follow.

Coastal Food Traceability: Rep. Nancy Mace backed the SHRIMP Act, pushing NOAA and partners to build a portable chemical testing method to verify shrimp country of origin—aimed at cracking down on illegal imports and protecting South Carolina’s shrimpers. Public Health & Policy: A new Kids Count report finds children’s well-being fell in 29 states from 2019 to 2024, with South Carolina among the biggest gainers—while the national slide underscores ongoing education, health, and economic strain. Energy Tax Credits: A federal court vacated IRS Notice 2025-42, restoring a “five percent safe harbor” for when wind and solar projects count as “beginning of construction,” a potential win for developers racing against deadlines. Cyber Oversight: The Coast Guard is adding cybersecurity readiness to routine passenger-vessel inspections under new federal rules. Local Tech & Infrastructure: South Carolina’s housing industry is pegged at $77.5B in annual economic impact and nearly 279,000 jobs, while data center growth continues to spark debate over water and power. Legal System: The South Carolina Supreme Court assigned Judge Debra McCaslin to oversee all proceedings in the Alex Murdaugh double-murder case as a retrial looms. Waste & Logistics: Meridian Waste’s Richland County contract startup is bringing 13 new McNeilus automated side-loaders and rear loaders into service.

Life Sciences in Rock Hill: Rock Hill City Council approved a $300M+ plan to sell ~25 acres at Palmetto Research Park to Novant Health for a medical campus, targeting life sciences and adding about 255 full-time jobs. State Innovation Funding: SCRA awarded $75K to Clemson University and $25K to SusMaTech (Spartanburg) to advance bio-based chemical alternatives and other university-linked technologies, plus several smaller grants to local startups. Rare Earth Supply Chain: USA Rare Earth says Duke Energy’s Site Readiness Program helped ready the Bailey Industrial Site in Cherokee County for a $1.2B magnet plant, aiming to create 490 jobs. Utilities & Resilience: Duke Energy’s Site Readiness Program and PowerPair solar-plus-storage pilot highlight how South Carolina utilities are preparing for rising demand and extreme weather. Health Tech Upgrade: Shepeard Community Blood Center went live with BBCS’ ForLife Biologics Platform to modernize donor, testing, distribution, and compliance workflows across Georgia and South Carolina. Military Training Noise: The SC Air National Guard says the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will run airfield damage repair exercises at McEntire June 10-16, using explosives that may rattle nearby residents.

Greenville Life Sciences: Palmetto InnovaSphere is partnering with Main Street Labs to build a downtown biotech and life sciences hub, offering shared lab access plus tenant recruitment and programming to cut startup costs. Healthcare Expansion: Rock Hill City Council approved a $300M Novant Health medical campus at Palmetto Research Park, aiming to create 255 jobs and strengthen the Charlotte-to-Columbia life sciences corridor. Workforce Training: Greenville County Schools and Greenville Tech are expanding welding education to address a national shortage, adding a Center for Welding and Automation Excellence and new pathways for students. Rare Disease Research: MUSC researchers report protein-repair defects tied to misfolded protein plaques in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, linking disrupted repair signaling to hidden heart failure. AI in Genomics: The American Society of Human Genetics launched an AI initiative focused on responsible, effective use of AI across human genetics and genomics. Public Health & Climate: A new report finds child well-being worsened in 29 states since 2019, while grid planners are treating extreme heat as a design baseline amid drought and rising demand. Wildlife Health: Scientists warn hidden fungal disease and lung parasites are threatening wild rattlesnakes and other native snakes in the Southeast.

Upstate Workforce & Training: Greenville County Schools and Greenville Tech are expanding welding education to tackle a national shortage, adding a Center for Welding and Automation Excellence with robotics and non-destructive testing for students. Historic Preservation: Hanging Rock Battlefield in Lancaster County was named one of America’s 11 most endangered historic places, with a $25,000 grant aimed at boosting protection and attention. Courts & Justice: South Carolina’s Supreme Court has assigned Judge Debra R. McCaslin to oversee Alex Murdaugh’s overturned double-murder case and any future retrial proceedings. Water Planning: A new push highlights how South Carolina’s 2025 State Water Plan and WaterSC effort are meant to turn drought and growth pressures into long-term, actionable water protections. Critical Materials Manufacturing: USA Rare Earth picked Cherokee County, South Carolina, for a $1.2B magnet and rare-earth manufacturing facility expected to create about 490 jobs and strengthen the U.S. supply chain. AI, Data Centers & Water Stress: A new analysis says most planned U.S. AI data centers are slated for drought-affected land, raising fresh concerns about water demand as construction accelerates. STEM for Students: SCETV’s STEAM Camp (June 15–18) is bringing hands-on engineering and video storytelling to students at SCETV studios in Columbia.

AI & Water Stress: A Guardian analysis says most planned U.S. AI datacenters are slated for drought-hit areas, with 517 of 809 in places that have seen drought over the past year—raising alarms as these sites can demand huge water and energy loads. Local Research Spotlight: USC Beaufort marine biology professor Kim Ritchie won the 2026 Eminence in Research Award from the International Coral Reef Society, recognized for work that helped launch “coral probiotics” by showing corals rely on beneficial microbes to resist disease. Health Tech & Aging: A new randomized trial reports semaglutide (a GLP-1 drug) slowed biological aging markers in adults with HIV, pointing to possible aging-related benefits beyond weight and glucose control. Obesity Risk Scoring: A Nature Medicine study introduces OBSCORE, a model meant to better flag people at highest risk for obesity-related complications than BMI alone. Coastal Climate Costs: A Nature Water study finds upstream wetland loss since the 1980s has driven up flood insurance payments for South Carolina coastal homeowners, with big impacts around Charleston. Public Health Watch: Measles cases are surging nationwide, with South Carolina reporting hundreds of cases in 2026 so far, underscoring the importance of MMR vaccination. Urgent Care Expansion: HCA Healthcare is expanding South Carolina urgent care by acquiring MedCare clinics and rebranding them as HCA CareNow. Nuclear Policy: Congress is weighing a push to deploy transportable nuclear microreactors in the Indo-Pacific by 2030.

Nuclear Policy: A House NDAA FY2027 amendment would require the Pentagon to deploy a transportable nuclear microreactor in the Indo-Pacific Command region by Jan. 1, 2030, with Guam’s delegate James Moylan opposing over transparency and engagement concerns. Public Health: Measles is surging nationwide, with South Carolina reporting 689 cases in 2026 so far, as CDC data show outbreaks largely driven by local spread; health officials stress MMR protection. Coastal Risk: A Nature Water study links upstream wetland loss since the 1980s to higher flood insurance payouts for South Carolina coastal homeowners, with Charleston County among the hardest hit. Local Healthcare Business: HCA is expanding urgent care in South Carolina by acquiring about a dozen MedCare clinics, rebranding them as HCA CareNow. STEM/Health Research: UC San Diego researchers report the GLP-1 drug semaglutide may slow biological aging markers in a clinical trial, adding early human support for GLP-1’s aging-related effects. Community Science & Cancer: Swim Across America–Charleston-Kiawah returns June 6, raising funds for MUSC Hollings Cancer Center.

Urgent Care Expansion: HCA Healthcare is buying about a dozen MedCare urgent-care clinics across South Carolina—eight along the Charleston-to-Grand Strand corridor—then rebranding them as HCA CareNow, aiming to boost access to walk-in treatment. Nuclear Diplomacy Prep: Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Oak Ridge National Laboratory nuclear experts as Iran talks enter a “serious phase,” with a technical team readied for verification and enrichment-limit planning. Public Health Watch: A measles outbreak response in conservative Shasta County, California highlights how fast contact tracing and outreach can stop spread—even after local leaders resisted COVID-era health measures. AI in the Courts: Florida updated rules requiring attorneys to verify AI-cited legal authorities after “hallucinated” cases appeared in filings. Local Tech & Growth: Greenwood County Council advanced zoning rules that add data centers as a conditional use, while residents pushed for stronger protections or a moratorium. Community Science & Health: Swim Across America–Charleston-Kiawah returns with hundreds of swimmers raising funds for MUSC Hollings Cancer Center research and clinical trials.

AI Safety & Warfare: Reports say Anthropic warned that AI could start recursive self-improvement, raising fears of humans losing control as AI-enabled attacks speed up. Public Safety Tech: A USC law-and-tech scholar points to “early warning indicators” from Waymo robotaxi incidents, after influencers baited the system in a football-style test. Nuclear Diplomacy Prep: Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Oak Ridge nuclear experts to prepare for possible Iran talks, with a technical team of about 100 envisioned if a preliminary deal advances. Local Tech & Growth: Greenwood County advanced data center zoning rules as conditional uses, while residents pushed for protections and a moratorium. Health & Research: Swim Across America–Charleston-Kiawah returns for its 10th year, raising funds for MUSC Hollings Cancer Center. Environment & Policy: A legal fight halted what could have been the longest red snapper season, tied to efforts to loosen fishing rules. Historic Win: Johns Island’s Angel Oak was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Health Alerts: CDC reports the U.S. measles total has topped 2,000 cases, with South Carolina among the highest so far.

Nuclear Diplomacy Prep: Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner briefed technical experts at Oak Ridge National Lab on how the U.S. could verify and manage an Iran nuclear deal, with about 100 specialists lined up if talks reach a preliminary agreement. Fisheries & Policy Clash: A court fight over red snapper rules has halted what could have been the longest season in years, highlighting tensions as NOAA moves to loosen fisheries limits and deregulate the seas. Local Tech & Power Demand: Greenwood County Council advanced zoning rules that would treat data centers as conditional uses, after hours of public debate over water, electricity, noise, public health, and whether residents should get a moratorium. Public Health Funding: Charleston County is seeking a $1.17M federal grant to expand overdose prevention, improve overdose data tracking, and potentially let EMS start medication-assisted treatment on scene. AI in the Courts: Florida updated court rules to require attorneys to verify legal authorities cited in filings after cases of AI “hallucinations” and fabricated citations. Historic Landmark: The Angel Oak on Johns Island was added to the National Register of Historic Places, the first South Carolina tree to earn the designation. Education Cyber Skills: Teachers from Georgia and South Carolina trained at the Georgia Cyber Center to bring cybersecurity and computer science lessons aligned with employer needs back to classrooms.

Fusion Funding: Helion closed a $465M Series G and nearly tripled its valuation to $15.5B, aiming to turn on its first commercial reactor this decade—an aggressive bet on commercial fusion. Energy & Materials: Red Metals raised $10M to restart U.S. copper refining, backing a planned $70M North Charleston plant. Public Health & Opioids: Charleston County is seeking a $1.17M federal grant to expand Narcan access, improve overdose tracking, and pilot medication-assisted treatment on scene. Tech in Education: Georgia and South Carolina teachers trained on cybersecurity and computer science at the Georgia Cyber Center, with a focus on job-ready skills. Local Tech for Commuters: A Charleston/Beaufort drawbridge app, “TheBridge,” is in beta to predict openings and help drivers reroute. AI Governance: Florida updated court rules requiring attorneys to verify AI-cited legal authorities to stop “hallucinated” filings. Conservation & Enforcement: South Carolina promoted five senior game wardens to strengthen statewide conservation enforcement and training.

School Safety Upgrade: Dorchester School District Two is installing 15 bullet-resistant, fire-rated “Safe Haven” classroom doors in special education rooms this summer, designed to withstand more than 100 rounds and up to 20 minutes of nearby flames. AI in Courts: Florida’s Supreme Court amended rules so attorneys must verify that legal authorities cited in filings actually exist, after cases involving AI “hallucinations” and fabricated citations. Smart Transportation: A new “TheBridge” app in Charleston and Beaufort aims to predict when drawbridges open and close in real time, helping drivers reroute around traffic backups. Environmental Accountability: Wisconsin announced a $10M settlement tied to alleged PFAS contamination from Tyco Fire Products’ Marinette facility, including long-term clean-water obligations. Precision Manufacturing: A Charlotte metrology firm published guidance on common setup errors that can throw off vision measurement systems, with fixes aimed at ISO 9001/17025 users. Health & Aging: CMS data highlights top nursing home ratings in Anderson and Greenwood counties, including a 4-star Anderson facility and a 4-star Greenwood non-profit.

Public Health Funding: The CDC’s National Wastewater Surveillance System “pandemic detector” is at risk of shutting down without Congress, threatening early outbreak warnings from community sewage. Tech & Infrastructure: Data centers are drawing backlash over energy use, water demand, noise, and waste; local governments are weighing moratoriums as the facilities spread. Space Science: Furman University researcher Valeria Garcia Lopez says radio searches for “technosignatures” from interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS came up empty—still a win for SETI methods. Wildlife & Ecology: A UGA study warns hidden infections could push Southeast snakes toward extinction, with multiple pathogens found in swabbed snakes across FL/GA/SC. Local Business & Health: HCA Healthcare buys 17 urgent care clinics across the Carolinas, rebranding SC sites as HCA CareNow. Environment & Industry: Wisconsin reaches a major PFAS settlement with Tyco/Jonson Controls, requiring long-term clean water and a $10M PFAS trust fund investment. South Carolina Tech/Community: Pure Flow Plumbing launches a Clover water filtration service aimed at improving drinking water quality.

Data Center Backlash: States are moving to regulate data centers as residents complain about noise, water use, and energy strain, with many Americans opposing new sites. Local Housing & Tenants: A Charleston-based tenant union is organizing statewide to fight evictions and push for more affordable housing. Coastal Infrastructure: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking public input on possible changes to Charleston Harbor dredging, including updates to when and how maintenance happens. Nuclear & Energy: Canada’s race to build its first new reactor in decades is underway, with a tight construction deadline aimed at grid connection by 2030. Health Tech & Care: MUSC says a breakthrough depression treatment can help some patients recover in days. AI’s Impact on Work: A “coding reset” story highlights how new AI tools are rapidly changing software engineering jobs. Space Industry: Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket exploded during a hotfire test, raising concerns for Artemis timelines. Marine Management: A federal ruling halted Florida’s red snapper season, angering anglers and affecting regional fishing plans. Economy & Policy: A new analysis warns Social Security benefit cuts could hit retirees by 2032 if funding gaps aren’t addressed.