AGP Executive Report

South Carolina Tech & Education: MUSC topped out its new $175M College of Medicine building in Charleston, a 186,000-square-foot project opening in late 2027—its first dedicated home in more than 100 years. STEM in the classroom: SCETV is rolling out “Zoo Minutes” with Riverbanks Zoo, using short videos plus immersive 360 tools and interactive quizzes for educators via KnowItAll.org. Environmental education: The Palmetto Environmental Education Certification (PEEC) hit a milestone of 50 certified educators since launching in 2018. Health & science: Researchers in China described a new tick-borne virus (ALTNV) carried by an Asian longhorned tick already confirmed in 21 U.S. states, with no U.S. human cases reported yet. Tech policy & privacy: ALPR camera backlash in South Carolina is growing as vandalism targets Flock-style systems, raising concerns about constant vehicle tracking. Industry & manufacturing: 3D Systems and Savannah River National Laboratory signed a CRADA to speed additive manufacturing for advanced energy and national security uses. Robotics economy: A “robot boom” pitch argues humanoids will move from demos to mass work—driving demand for cameras, sensors, chips, motors and other suppliers.

Education & STEM in the Palmetto State: MUSC topped out its new $175M College of Medicine building in Charleston, a 186,000-square-foot facility slated to open in late 2027 and give the med school its first dedicated home in more than 100 years. Research & Manufacturing: 3D Systems and Savannah River National Laboratory signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement to speed up additive manufacturing for advanced energy and national security uses. Workforce & Industry Tech: Jaguar Land Rover plans to cut 4,000 jobs over the next two years as it navigates EV transition pressures and competition. Learning for Kids: SCETV launched “Zoo Minutes,” an interactive animal science and conservation series built with Riverbanks Zoo for classroom use and streaming. Environmental Education: PEEC hit a milestone with 50 certified environmental educators statewide since launching in 2018. Defense Supply Chain: A Pentagon push for non-Chinese rare earth magnets is projected to triple by 2030, underscoring a tight capacity window for defense systems. Policy Watch: The Trump administration proposed stripping tax-exempt status from private schools and colleges that provide targeted help based on race.

Energy & Industry: Duke Energy filed a 2026 Carolinas Resource Plan that, if approved, would add major solar, gas, storage, and new nuclear capacity through 2041—aiming to meet rising winter peak demand and reshape costs, reliability, and jobs across North and South Carolina. Public Health & Campuses: Colleges are pushing faculty and staff to gather proof of measles immunity ahead of any exposure, after outbreaks elsewhere triggered long quarantines and campus disruption. Autonomous Vehicles & Regulation: Tesla’s Cybercab paid rides in Austin are drawing scrutiny as U.S. safety regulators open an audit of about 1,000 vehicles, testing how far “regulatory gray areas” can stretch. Defense & Aviation: A South Carolina-based Marine squadron is rotating F-35B “jump jets” to Japan, underscoring U.S. reliance on the aircraft amid China-focused planning. STEM Education in SC: South Carolina State University landed $600K for STEM efforts, and SC-CAPS expands experiential STEM research and pathways across the state’s colleges. Workforce & Training: Huntington Ingalls Industries targets a 15% shipyard throughput increase in 2026, tying the goal to workforce development and production tech. Local Learning Outcomes: Clemson’s Pickens County Hispanic/Latino bachelor’s completion rate hit 82.8% by 2024, highlighting progress in local degree attainment.

Autonomous Vehicles Watch: Tesla’s Cybercab paid robotaxi rollout in Austin is immediately drawing federal scrutiny, with NHTSA opening an audit of about 1,000 vehicles to test how the cars meet safety rules written for human drivers. AI Policy & Safety: A new wave of school AI rules is leaving districts to pause or restrict student use of generative tools, while teachers and administrators debate how to use AI without undermining learning. STEM Funding in SC: South Carolina State University landed $600K for STEM efforts, and SC-CAPS is expanding experiential learning and research capacity across the state’s colleges. Education Outcomes (SC Counties): New data show Beaufort County’s six-year bachelor’s completion rate for white students at 35.6% (2018 cohort), with similar county-by-county figures reported for Hispanic/Latino students. Tech, Law & Media: xAI’s fight against Minnesota’s sexual deepfake ban continues after another setback, keeping the legal fight over AI-generated content in the spotlight. Local Science & Environment: Researchers are tracking the spread of North Carolina’s invasive blue land crab, with sightings clustered along the Crystal Coast.

Autonomous Vehicles Watch: NHTSA opened an audit of about 1,000 Tesla Cybercab robotaxis just hours after paid rides began in Austin, raising questions about whether the car’s self-certification fits federal safety rules. AI & Energy Infrastructure: Santee Cooper is partnering with Google Cloud to roll out AI-driven load forecasting and financial planning tools, aiming for real operational savings. Data Center Expansion: Google confirmed plans for a major AI data center in Clarksville, Arkansas, signaling continued growth in the region’s power-hungry computing buildout. Local Tech & Manufacturing: ECHO introduced new portable LED light towers—built in South Carolina—with long runtime between refuels, plus durable steel designs. Public Health Reminder: Clorox recalled 6.3M Mistolin/Lestoil cleaner bottles in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands due to possible Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination, with higher risk for immunocompromised travelers. Invasive Species Update: A University of Georgia study suggests invasive joro spiders in Georgia and South Carolina may eat different insects than native orb weavers, easing fears of direct food competition. STEM Education Spotlight: GSSM delivered interactive STEM learning experiences to South Carolina schools.

Autonomous Vehicles & Safety: NHTSA opened an audit of about 1,000 Tesla Cybercab robotaxis hours after Austin paid rides began, spotlighting whether the car’s self-certification can satisfy federal safety rules written for human-driven vehicles. AI for Utilities: Santee Cooper partnered with Google Cloud to deploy Gemini Enterprise and WeatherNext 2 for AI-driven load forecasting and faster financial scenario planning, aiming to cut costly over- or under-buying. Education Outcomes (SC): New federal data show Horry County’s Hispanic/Latino six-year bachelor’s completion rate at 48.6% by 2024, while Richland County’s rate for Two or more races hit 74.6%, Florence County’s for Two or more races was 32.1%, and Pickens County’s for Asian students reached 84% at Clemson. Local Tech/Science: Researchers studying invasive joro spiders across Georgia and South Carolina report the spiders’ diets differ from native orb weavers, reducing fears of direct food competition. Public Health Data: CDC’s measles update omitted two Pennsylvania deaths, escalating a dispute over how measles-related fatalities should be recorded. Infrastructure Safety: Reports say stretches of I-85 between Greenville and Anderson have had nonworking overhead lights since at least 2017, raising concerns for nighttime crash risk.

AI & Energy: Santee Cooper is partnering with Google Cloud to deploy Gemini Enterprise and WeatherNext 2 for AI-driven load forecasting and faster financial scenario planning, aiming to cut costly over- or under-buying of power. Health Tech: Carbon fiber spinal implants are advancing cancer care in South Carolina, enabling less invasive surgery and quicker recovery for patients with spinal tumors. Space/Robotics & Regulation: Tesla’s Cybercab robotaxi rollout is drawing scrutiny as the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opens an audit of about 1,000 vehicles to test compliance with federal safety rules. Invasive Species: A University of Georgia study finds invasive joro spiders in Georgia and South Carolina eat a different mix of insects than native orb weavers, easing fears of direct food competition. Local STEM/Industry: ECHO assembled portable LED light towers in South Carolina, touting long runtime between refuels for jobsite lighting. Public Safety Tech: NOAA warns rip currents can hit any beach with breaking waves, with South Carolina-area rescues and deaths underscoring the need for surf checks and caution.

Data Centers & Power Electronics: Flex will buy EPC Power for $4.4B, aiming to boost 800V DC, grid-forming tech for AI data centers as Flex plans to spin off its Cloud and Power Infrastructure unit in 2027. Nuclear Shipping Watch: A “Pink Corridor” project is mapping a potential nuclear-powered container route between South Carolina and southeast England, with Lloyd’s Register and major shipping/port players focusing on security, safeguards, cyber resilience, and emergency response. STEM & Biotech Pipeline: MassBio and SCbio selected 10 startups for their Drive accelerator, spanning gene editing, gene therapy, cell therapy, and small molecules for targets like ALS, Alzheimer’s, glioblastoma, and pancreatic cancer. Workforce & Education: SRNS won a South Carolina Workforce Champion Award for its STEM outreach and apprenticeship pathways. Local Tech & Policy: Charleston’s Main Library renovation clears major funding, while South Carolina’s Flock camera controversy escalates with teens charged after allegedly cutting down cameras. Health & Community: South Carolina Ride to End ALZ shifts to May 21-23, keeping the 257-mile route and funding Alzheimer’s research and support.

Nuclear Shipping Watch: A “Pink Corridor” project is taking shape to study a nuclear-powered container route between Charleston and Felixstowe, focusing on port access, security, safeguards, cyber resilience, emergency response, and insurance. Higher Ed Policy: The Trump administration’s Treasury proposal would strip tax-exempt status from private schools and colleges that provide targeted help to students based on race, with possible impact on up to 18,000 institutions. Local Libraries: Charleston County’s Main Library is moving forward with $7M+ in renovations after a long push, with redesigns aimed at flexible, age-separated community spaces. Defense Power Tech: The Army is backing “deployment-ready” nuclear microreactors, with research tied to Savannah River National Laboratory and USC Aiken. STEM Funding in SC: Coker University received a $615K National Science Foundation grant to boost persistence and graduation in science fields. Public Safety Tech: AAA is expanding free “Tow to Go” rides for impaired drivers over Labor Day, including South Carolina. Health & Learning: SC READY science scores improved for 4th and 6th grades, while math gains were reported across grade 8 and parts of the district.

AI in the grid: NextEra and Santee Cooper say AI dispatch and outage-scheduling tools are already cutting costs—NextEra reports $20M in savings and Santee Cooper is building an AI weather model to avoid pricey spot-market power during extreme weather. Nuclear manufacturing in SC: 3D Systems and Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) are teaming up under a CRADA to advance additive manufacturing for nuclear-grade components, including materials, process optimization, cybersecurity, and workforce training. Local higher ed momentum: South Carolina State University President Alexander Conyers told the Capital City Rotary Club about enrollment growth and roughly $250M in campus construction plans. STEM in schools: Richland One says all 48 schools earned recognition as America’s Healthiest Schools for the 4th straight year. Cyber training partnership: The South Carolina Army National Guard joined North Carolina’s Guard cyber exercise, with the combined team taking first in a capture-the-flag challenge. Weather & safety: South Carolina braces for heat near 105°F with possible severe storms, plus a record-hot Sept. 5 Gamecocks opener forecast around 98°F. Health policy watch: Rheumatology groups warn new Medicaid work-rule exemption standards could disrupt care for patients with fluctuating autoimmune conditions. Wildlife research: A UGA-led study finds invasive Joro spiders in the Upstate eat a wider range of prey than native orb-weavers, without shifting native diets. DEI tax-exemption fight: The Trump administration proposes stripping tax-exempt status from private schools and colleges that offer race-targeted student benefits, with changes slated to take effect after May 2027. Community tech debate: Columbia City Council again deferred a text amendment tied to nonconforming credit institutions, a sticking point for nearby residents. Sports spotlight: NASCAR’s revamped Chase for the Cup kicks off with a 10-race points run for the top 16 drivers.

AI in Policing: Myrtle Beach officers say they used an AI gunshot detection system (ShotSpotter) to help make an assault arrest, highlighting how acoustic sensors and software are being folded into local public safety. Public Safety Tech: The Coast Guard is warning passengers across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and more to verify operator credentials and safety paperwork before boarding illegal charter boats. Privacy vs. Surveillance: Florida’s FDOT directive is pushing St. Johns County to remove some license plate reader cameras from state road right-of-way, a move that underscores the growing tension between enforcement tools and personal privacy. STEM in Schools: South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics is offering free STEM Days for grades 3–10, bringing hands-on engineering, robotics, chemistry and more to classrooms statewide. Health & Prevention: MUSC researchers report falling cervical cancer screening rates, especially among women ages 21–29, in a new study published in JAMA Network Open. Cancer Research Funding: Swim Across America named its 10th research lab at Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute, expanding support for hematology and oncology translational work. Local Tragedy: In Pawleys Island, authorities arrested a pair of parents after a nonverbal autistic 5-year-old was found dead following a missing-person search, with warrants alleging misleading actions during the effort.

Port Planning: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the South Carolina Ports Authority kicked off a feasibility study to improve navigation in the upper Charleston Harbor, including whether to deepen the Cooper River channel beyond its current 48-foot depth. AI in Healthcare Ops: Onymos and Vanta Diagnostics report that AI-assisted lab intake cut accessioning errors by 40%, boosted efficiency up to 72%, and expanded capacity by more than 300 samples per day. Nuclear/Advanced Manufacturing: 3D Systems is partnering with Savannah River National Laboratory to advance 3D printing for nuclear and energy applications. Cyber & Data Centers: Spartanburg County data center construction at the former Kohler plant (South Pine/Valara) is continuing despite legal challenges, after regulators ruled the private power use keeps it out of power-plant public review rules. Public Health: MUSC researchers report cervical cancer screening rates are falling, especially for women ages 21–29, with about a third never screened by 2023. Tech & Safety: A new study finds people smoke joints in three distinct “puff profiles,” including an “intense puffer” majority pattern. Local Education: Fort Mill School Board approved new course offerings and honored athletic and academic achievements, including 2026 Class 5A track champions. Health Policy Watch: South Dakota submitted a SNAP waiver request to restrict soda purchases—another test of how states can shape federal nutrition rules.

Advanced Manufacturing in the Palmetto State: 3D Systems is teaming with Savannah River National Laboratory under a CRADA to speed up additive manufacturing for nuclear, energy, and national security uses, with work spanning new materials, AI-driven process tuning, cybersecurity, and workforce training. Local Tech Meets Big Power Politics: Spartanburg County’s nearly $3B South Pine data center and private power plant project is still moving despite resident and legal pushback, after South Carolina regulators ruled it doesn’t face the same public power-plant review because the electricity is for private use. Workforce & AI Readiness: Commentary argues South Carolina needs to pair AI training with real entry-level jobs that let people grow, warning that automation can replace the “learning role” if employers don’t redesign how beginners develop. Public Health & Safety Tech: A reminder on Project Lifesaver follows the Pawleys Island death of 5-year-old Saylor Hayes—authorities say the transmitter wasn’t being worn when she wandered, underscoring how fast tracking can matter. STEM & Community Research: The Daniel Island Historical Society won a $15,000 SC250 grant to use ground-penetrating radar and excavation to uncover Revolutionary War-era links on the Cainhoy Peninsula.

Cybersecurity & Housing: HUD’s new 36-hour cyber-incident reporting push comes as ransomware hits public housing harder, with South Carolina’s Regional Housing Authority cited in reporting tied to Orova activity and exposed portal credentials. Aviation Modernization: South Carolina National Guard took delivery of the first HH-60M Black Hawk, bringing a digital cockpit, stronger engines, and health-monitoring upgrades for day/night medical missions. Health Research: Medical University of South Carolina researchers report self-policing T-cell approaches that reversed newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetes in mice by reprogramming immune protection around insulin-producing cells. Defense/Industry: Needling Worldwide and KBR Commercial Security & Cyber Services announced a partnership bundling compliance certification with physical security and cybersecurity operations. Local Tech/Infrastructure: Foxquilt launched an admitted errors & omissions insurance product with availability expanding to South Carolina and other states. Public Safety Tech: A South Carolina search for a missing 5-year-old ended with authorities saying the child wasn’t wearing her Project Lifesaver transmitter, after it was found inside a vehicle at the family’s Virginia property. Defense Contracting: NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic awarded a $128M NATO interim modular facility construction contract for Norfolk.

Nuclear Expansion in SC: USC plans a Nuclear Innovation Center in its engineering college and is seeking $100 million in state funding, aiming to grow applied research, nuclear workforce training, and partnerships with industry and federal agencies. Port Competitiveness: South Carolina Ports and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will study deepening the North Charleston Terminal to boost capacity and logistics. Rare-Earth Supply Chain: Cyclic Materials secured $75 million to expand rare-earth production infrastructure, accelerating a hub-and-spoke network tied to defense and manufacturing needs. Cancer Research: MUSC Hollings Cancer Center researchers report a “one-two punch” strategy for triple-negative breast cancer by blocking LOX and then targeting a backup survival pathway in preclinical models. Public Health Access: A MUSC-led study finds nearly one-third of women in their 20s have never been screened for cervical cancer, with the share of never-screened women rising over time. Tech & Safety in SC: Greenville County’s Internet Crimes Against Children unit uses K9 Scooby to detect hidden devices tied to child exploitation tips flagged via automated hashing and AI. Local Tech Oversight: Colleton County fired another lieutenant after unauthorized Flock camera searches, and SLED is investigating potential criminal conduct.

Climate & Insurance: A Washington Post analysis says “surplus” homeowner insurance with fewer protections is surging in weather-hit states, with fast growth in California, Florida, Texas and South Carolina as insurers retreat from extreme-disaster risk. Public Safety Tech: In South Carolina and beyond, Flock-style automated license plate readers are drawing backlash over privacy and data access, with lawmakers and residents pushing back as cameras spread. Health Access: Researchers at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center report cervical cancer screening gaps are widening, with nearly 1 in 3 women in their twenties never screened by 2023. STEM & Industry in SC: Cyclic Materials secured $75M to expand rare-earth recycling and domestic production infrastructure, including a South Carolina campus. Higher Ed Buildout: USC says it’s driving major construction and enrollment growth, including a new healthcare campus and plans for an engineering-and-energy district. Local Life & Safety: A missing 5-year-old girl was found dead after wandering near a Pawleys Island rental, and a Greenville County woman accused of stabbing a Lyft driver 11 times was denied bond.