AGP Executive Report

STEM Education: South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics won the state’s first FAFSA First Challenge in its classification, with 87.33% of its 2026 graduates completing aid applications. AI & Cybersecurity: A USC Aiken advisory group is using AI to combine regional plans and preparing a community cyber-emergency exercise with SLED. Aerospace: Lockheed Martin’s Greenville plant completed the first flight of a new F-16 Block 72 built for Morocco, beginning formal flight tests. Wildlife Science: Researchers tested a DNA assay in South Carolina habitat to detect elusive eastern pine snakes from soil samples, without finding or capturing the animals. Data Privacy: South Carolina’s 2012 revenue-department breach was linked to a 22% rise in loan denials in a Virginia Tech study. State Attorney General Alan Wilson has also sought answers from Flock Safety about its license-plate camera privacy and security policies.

Advanced Manufacturing Jobs: Re:Build plans a $20M expansion in York County, adding a 130,000-square-foot Rock Hill facility and 150 skilled manufacturing/engineering jobs by November 2026. School Cybersecurity: South Carolina districts using Frontline Education reported a cybersecurity incident that may have exposed student medical records and employee data. Privacy Tech Scrutiny: S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson asked Flock Safety for details on its license plate reader cameras, focusing on AI use, data access, and retention. Education Funding for Teachers: S.C. is allocating $10M to help teachers refinance or erase up to $27,500 in student loans at 2% over 10 years, with extra help for those in high-need districts. Critical Minerals Research: DOE awarded Ames National Laboratory $1.5M for MICRO-vision, aiming to improve rare-earth separation using sound waves, magnetic pulses, and computer vision. Health & Public Safety: New York declared a measles disaster emergency as cases surge in rural areas and neighboring Pennsylvania. Local Governance & Tech: Fort Mill School District urged regulators to halt Silfab Solar’s proposed restart over unfinished safety and leak-prevention upgrades. AI in Politics: Researchers tracked about $80M in AI-generated political ads, with Republican sponsors dominating usage.

South Carolina Workforce & Training: A new national report from the Alliance for America’s Skilled Trades says the U.S. needs to fill about 1.7 million skilled trades jobs every year through 2035, but training programs produce only 55 workers per 100 needed—with South Carolina listed among states where demand outpaces supply. Local Industry Expansion: Re:Build plans to invest about $20M in Rock Hill, adding a 130,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing facility and 150 jobs starting in November. Cybersecurity in Schools: The South Carolina Department of Education shared information about a reported cybersecurity incident involving Frontline Education, with at least some districts notifying parents. STEM & Leadership Education: Furman University launched the Furman Innovation Lab (iLab) to offer flexible, career-long leadership learning for individuals and employers. Energy Tech Testing: The U.S. Department of Energy selected 14 hydropower projects for negotiations on testing support through the Hydropower Testing Network. Public Health Watch: Measles cases are surging nationwide, with New York declaring a statewide emergency as rural vaccination rates lag.

AI & Privacy Clash in SC: South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson sent Flock Safety a 30-day inquiry over license-plate camera privacy, including whether the system uses AI, who can access data, and how long it’s retained—amid broader worries about surveillance. Data Center Air Fight: The Southern Environmental Law Center is challenging SCDES’s air-quality permit for Valara’s Spartanburg data center, arguing residents didn’t get a chance to review late changes to formaldehyde emission calculations. Public Health Watch: Pennsylvania surpassed 1,000 measles cases, the biggest U.S. outbreak in decades, while New York declared a disaster emergency and expanded who can administer MMR vaccines. Newborn Genomics: Oregon is set to begin enrollment in a multi-state study testing whether genome sequencing can be added to routine newborn screening. STEM Leadership in SC: GSSM announced Dr. Leland “Lee” Cox and Dr. Murray Brockman as 2027 Townes Award recipients. Energy Testing: DOE selected 14 hydropower projects for negotiations on HyTN testing vouchers to speed next-gen hydropower readiness.

AI in politics: Researchers say about $80M in spending powered nearly 170 AI-generated midterm ads, with many lacking AI disclosure and Republicans using it more than Democrats. Public safety tech: North Augusta is moving to partner with Aiken County’s Flock license-plate reader network, aiming to share data for investigations along a key corridor. Healthcare wearables: MUSC experts discuss how smartwatches can help detect atrial fibrillation, alongside other at-home rhythm tools. Port & clean tech: EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin toured the Port of Charleston, highlighting past Diesel Emissions Reduction Act upgrades like hybrid crane engines and electric drayage trucks. Food labeling: PepsiCo recalled 122,021 cases of 28-ounce Gatorade in 37 states due to missing yellow dye declarations. Local AI learning: USC Aiken distributed $10,000-range grants to faculty to build AI use and ethics into classrooms. Space for science: newcleo installed the main vessel and turbine for its 10MWt PRECURSOR reactor demo in Italy, targeting end-2026 completion.

South Carolina Manufacturing & STEM: GT Radial’s Richburg, SC plant helped the company win its second straight Formula DRIFT Tire Cup Championship, with the Champiro SX2 RS tire made in the U.S. at the facility—another reminder that motorsports can feed real-world tire improvements. Health Policy: A new report highlights how Rhode Island clinicians are among the least likely to regularly check cholesterol for statin patients, while South Carolina is among the lowest-rate states—underscoring the gap between prescribing and monitoring. Early Childhood & Mental Health: The Trump administration’s proposed Head Start rule change could remove federal protections that keep kids with challenging behaviors in programs with added social-emotional support, potentially pushing families out of care. AI Power & Local Impact: Trump defended AI data centers during an Ohio rally, but voters and lawmakers across the country are increasingly worried about electricity, water, and land impacts. Workforce & Immigration: South Carolina’s Educational Services employers filed 520 H-1B petitions in 2025, with a 96.7% approval rate, led by Clemson University and local school districts.

South Carolina Recognition: Gov. Henry McMaster named Dr. Delores Dacosta to the Order of the Palmetto, honoring decades of public service and community-focused innovation. Food Safety Recall: PepsiCo recalled more than 122,000 cases of Gatorade Lemon Lime and Orange varieties across 37 states after FDA flagged undeclared Yellow No. 5 and/or Yellow No. 6. Energy & EV Tech: A South Carolina-area homeowner reported an EV charger that appeared to draw from the grid despite solar-only settings; the fix reportedly involved rewiring the charger to a different backed-up circuit. Autonomous Flight Milestone: Joby Aviation says a converted Cessna Caravan completed the first fully autonomous U.S. cross-country flight with a safety pilot aboard and zero control inputs. Ocean Science for SC: Reporting from the Faroe Islands highlights how Atlantic currents and AMOC “overturning” could affect East Coast flooding risk, including Charleston. Health & Youth: Doctors warn energy drinks can be dangerous for kids, pointing to deaths tied to high caffeine and renewed scrutiny of college sports sponsorships. Nuclear Workforce & Policy: USC and Westinghouse continue expanding South Carolina’s nuclear workforce push as Korea-U.S. reactor investment plans move forward.

Daylight Saving Fight: President Donald Trump escalated the Sunshine Protection Act push by urging Americans to call Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and posting what appeared to be his personal cellphone number, as the bill stalls in the Senate over concerns about darker winter mornings. Nuclear Deal Watch: Korea’s investment plan for the U.S. is poised to support construction of APR-1400 reactors, with at least two units potentially using the design—an update that matters for South Carolina’s nuclear workforce and industry pipeline. SC Tech & Industry: Vatrer Power is showcasing LiFePO4 lithium golf cart battery conversion kits at the 2026 Golf Carting Expo in North Charleston, signaling continued electrification and upgrades in local mobility markets. Local Culture: Despite rain, Folly Beach’s Mermaids and Mateys Festival drew crowds with vendors, live music, and family activities—plus Alzheimer’s-related programming. Legal Tech Privacy: A federal judge ruled warrantless use of Flock automated license-plate cameras to track a driver’s travel history was unconstitutional, tightening the spotlight on surveillance tech.

Energy & Utilities: A new analysis weighs Dominion Energy vs. NextEra Energy for retirement investors, highlighting Dominion’s higher yield but frozen payouts versus NextEra’s steadier dividend growth and proposed $66.8B merger path that includes South Carolina regulatory filings. Public Health: Doctors warn that energy drinks can be dangerous for kids, pointing to deaths including a 16-year-old from South Carolina and urging colleges and the NCAA to scrutinize youth marketing after a Monster sponsorship. Medical Research: An indirect comparison report links tirzepatide to greater weight loss than semaglutide, with shared decision-making still emphasized as side effects and outcomes vary. Health Coverage Costs: A ValuePenguin study finds ACA marketplace plan selections fell 4.9% in 2026 as premiums rose 19.7%, shifting more shoppers toward cheaper tiers. Local Tech & Community: OpenAI-backed data-center lobbying efforts expand with a new coalition targeting state opposition, including South Carolina, as data center buildout faces moratorium calls. SC STEM & Heritage: USC archaeology digs under the Horseshoe uncover campus history, including stories tied to enslaved people, using old fire-insurance maps to guide the excavation. Breast Health Access: Charleston-area women get expanded breast imaging through a Solis Mammography and HCA Trident Hospital joint venture, adding 3D mammography with AI and other services. Cybersecurity & Scams: Consumer Reports finds 9 in 10 Americans have faced a digital scam or cyberattack, with AI making fraud more personal and faster.

Public Safety & Tech: Ramapo College’s Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center helped identify remains found off Atlantic City 45 years ago as retired U.S. Coast Guard officer Glen Napoleon Burbage, using DNA-based family tree work after earlier database searches stalled. AI & Elections: Montgomery County, Pa., rolled out “Mo,” a generative-AI chatbot built with Charleston-based Citibot to answer voter questions in 70 languages and help people find polling and ballot drop locations. Health Tech in SC: Solis Mammography and HCA Healthcare Trident Hospital expanded breast imaging access in the Charleston area, adding 3D mammography with AI support plus ultrasound, bone density screening, and biopsy services. Workforce & Education: Piedmont Technical College launched a sterile processing training program with Self Regional Healthcare to meet hospital demand for infection-prevention instrument technicians. Industry & Policy: Nancy Mace’s Skills-Based Federal Contracting Act advanced toward Trump’s desk, aiming to stop federal contracts from requiring minimum education unless justified in writing. Cybersecurity: Consumer Reports found 9 in 10 Americans faced a digital scam or cyberattack, with AI making fraud faster and more personal.

SC State STEM & workforce: SC State named a junior agribusiness student as one of six nationwide Field to Future Scholars, pairing a $30,000 scholarship with PepsiCo procurement internships and conferences. USDA partnership: USDA Agricultural Research Service administrator Joon Park visited SC State 1890 Research & Extension, highlighting soil health and crop disease resistance and urging research built from farmers’ needs. Higher-ed shakeup: SC State’s board voted to eliminate nine degree programs after low enrollment and weak outcomes, as leaders push for programs aligned with workforce demand. Health tech expansion: Solis Mammography and HCA Trident Hospital launched a Charleston-area breast imaging joint venture, adding 3D mammography with AI support plus ultrasound, bone density screening, and biopsies. Cyber/defense infrastructure: NAVFAC Southeast awarded a $65.6M contract for a cyber-hardened communications center at MCSF Blount Island. AI & policy: A New York Times analysis says OpenAI and Anthropic-linked groups spent $55.7M influencing 2026 races, largely in primaries, while avoiding explicit AI mentions. Data centers in Columbia: DartPoints is spending $4.5M+ on upgrades to an existing downtown Columbia data center space. Neuro research: USC researchers report brain-aging patterns in the intact hemisphere may help explain aphasia severity and predict language rehab response.

USC–Westinghouse Nuclear Push: The University of South Carolina and Westinghouse announced a multidisciplinary nuclear workforce development program tied to USC’s planned Nuclear Innovation Center, including digital AP1000 simulator training and hands-on labs. Workforce Pipeline in SC: South Carolina State University hosted a Career Day Extravaganza with 100+ recruiters, while Piedmont Technical College launched a Sterile Processing Technical Training program with Self Regional to meet hospital demand. Skilled Trades Gap: A new report from the Alliance for America’s Skilled Trades says the U.S. needs about 1.7 million skilled workers annually through 2035, but training programs produce far fewer. Public Input on Infrastructure: SCDOT is seeking comments on replacing the U.S. 178 bridge over Bull Swamp in Orangeburg County, with feedback due Oct. 31. Health Watch: A child in Florida was reported with a third case of flesh-eating vibrio Vulnificus, underscoring risks from warm coastal waters and raw shellfish. Tech & Policy: A bill led by Rep. Nancy Mace would limit federal contracting education requirements unless agencies justify them. STEM in the Classroom: USC’s Kappa Theta Pi and the Boyd Innovation Center plan PalmettoHacks, a 24-hour MLH hackathon in Columbia Oct. 10–11.

Nuclear Workforce in SC: USC and Westinghouse are launching a nuclear workforce development program, including digital AP1000 simulator training and hands-on craft, construction, and maintenance labs, aimed at supporting future AP1000 deployment. Defense Infrastructure: NAVFAC Southeast awarded a $31.5M contract to modernize Wharf Bravo at NAS Pensacola, with repairs, deck reinforcement, pile remediation, and upgraded mooring systems to extend service life. AI Job Exposure: A new national map shows where AI-disruption risk is highest, with Washington leading by share of AI-exposed jobs and California topping the total number. Hackathon for Builders: USC’s Kappa Theta Pi and the Boyd Innovation Center will host PalmettoHacks, a 24-hour, beginner-friendly hackathon in Columbia (Oct. 10-11) with tracks including Clean Energy, Hardware, Startups, AI/ML, and Cloud. Manufacturing & Skills Push: The SC Manufacturing Conference & Expo returns to Greenville Nov. 4-5, focusing on workforce gaps, supply-chain resilience, and AI-driven operational change. Health & Public Safety: SCETV is highlighting Domestic Violence Awareness Month through South Carolina Speaks, offering resources and programming statewide. Energy & Climate Practicalities: A report on “cool roofs” highlights a low-cost way to cut heat and energy demand, especially in hotter, lower-income neighborhoods.

South Carolina Health & Tech Leadership: MUSC Health named Jason Cox CEO of its Pee Dee Division, tasking him with leading Florence, Marion, Black River, and the Leatherman Behavioral Care Pavilion. Breast Care Expansion: Solis Mammography and HCA Healthcare Trident Hospital launched a Charleston joint venture, rebranding Trident’s breast imaging services under Solis and planning broader Lowcountry expansion. South Carolina Solar Safety Watch: Silfab Solar said it will resume commissioning at its Fort Mill plant no sooner than mid-October after an independent engineering review flagged gaps in gas monitoring, design records, and emergency communications. Energy & Grid Upgrades: Duke Energy is set to receive $50M in federal funding for Carolinas power-grid improvements, including work in Polk County. Healthcare Policy & Access: The Trump administration began mailing $500 ACA refund checks to nearly 1M Americans in 30 states, including South Carolina, tied to claims of exchange fee overcharges. Public Health: Measles cases in the U.S. topped 3,600, with Pennsylvania reporting multiple deaths amid vaccine controversy. Cybersecurity: IDScan.net disclosed a breach affecting driver’s license and passport data for up to five months, offering free monitoring to impacted users.

Nuclear Workforce: South Carolina is pushing the next phase of its nuclear push with a new USC–Westinghouse partnership to build a Nuclear Innovation Center, featuring AP1000 digital simulators, hands-on construction and maintenance labs, and engineering certificate training—aimed at meeting rising demand for skilled workers. Policy & Research Funding: Cancer advocates from across the country, including South Carolinians, urged Congress to boost NIH and prevention funding, arguing local institutions like MUSC benefit from federal research dollars. Water Safety: The Town of Central warned residents of elevated disinfection byproducts, reporting a Total Trihalomethanes level just above the legal limit at one monitoring site, with no emergency response needed. STEM Education: South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics in Hartsville earned top statewide and national recognition in Niche.com rankings, highlighting continued STEM investment. Tech & Privacy: A national coalition is forming to counter data center moratoriums, and South Carolina is listed among target states for new standards on electricity, water, and community impacts. Local Infrastructure: North Augusta received SCDOT approval for a Georgia Avenue traffic calming project to improve pedestrian safety, including a proposed roundabout and updated crosswalks.

Nuclear Workforce Push: South Carolina leaders used the third annual Nuclear Summit in Columbia to pitch a “nuclear renaissance,” announcing a USC–Westinghouse partnership aimed at building a nuclear innovation center and training the next generation of engineers, operators, and technicians. Education & Research Use: Clemson and Winthrop highlighted how they’re turning student engagement survey results into curriculum and assessment changes, showing how colleges in the Palmetto State are trying to make data more actionable. Tech in the Real World: Midlands Technical College launched South Carolina’s first associate degree in electrical technology, with hands-on training for modern electrical systems and smart infrastructure. Public Health Funding: Cancer advocates from across the country, including South Carolinians, urged Congress to boost NIH and prevention funding, citing local benefits for research and clinical trial access. Medicaid Pressure: A new analysis says federal rules could force three dozen states, including some in the region, to cut Medicaid payments to hospitals and doctors—raising concerns about fewer providers serving patients. Surveillance Debate: A report on San Francisco’s Flock license-plate camera rules spotlights the wider national fight over data retention, oversight, and privacy safeguards.