AGP Executive Report

M&A & Courts: The Delaware Court of Chancery dismissed a bid to block a KnowBe4 take-private, tightening the state’s “control group” pleading bar and reinforcing that a fully informed, uncoerced stockholder vote can cleanse deal conflicts. Permitting & Environment: Gov. Matt Meyer signed a new law to speed DNREC decisions for docks and other submerged-lands projects, with automatic approval if DNREC misses deadlines for certain small projects. Business & Fraud: Emmitt Smith and partners were sued in Delaware Chancery Court over an alleged $2.5 million Texas solar scheme, with claims the loan was diverted to repay another creditor “like a Ponzi scheme.” Public Safety: Delaware State Police are still investigating a Rehoboth Beach WSFS Bank robbery; the suspect is described as a thin Black man in his 20s dressed like a woman. Community & Food Access: A Sussex County, woman-owned processor, G’s DElights, received a $12,500 Delaware Grocery Initiative award to expand local farm-to-market snack production. Voting: Vote411.org is live for Delaware’s Sept. 15 primary, offering address-based polling and candidate comparisons.

Voting Rights Fight: Delaware AG Nick Brown is suing the U.S. Postal Service over a new rule aimed at controlling vote-by-mail, arguing USPS lacks authority and that the move could disenfranchise voters. Local Government & Public Safety: Sussex County approved a plan to centralize ambulance billing and buy ambulances for volunteer fire and EMS groups, a move officials say could save taxpayers nearly $500,000 a year. Courts & Business Litigation: A Delaware Chancery Court lawsuit accuses NFL legend Emmitt Smith and business partner David Mosley of taking a $2.5 million loan from a Cherokee-owned investment group for a Texas solar project and using it elsewhere, with claims of a Ponzi-like scheme. Energy & Investment: Aligned Climate Capital held a first close on a $500 million distributed solar and storage fund, including Delaware community solar projects. Environment & Community: Newark is weighing replacing July 4 fireworks with a drone show and scaling back Memorial Day events, citing environmental and animal-welfare concerns. Delaware Watch: Delaware’s 19806 ZIP code had about 2,625 Social Security beneficiaries in December 2024, according to SSA data.

Delaware Energy Policy: Gov. Matt Meyer signed a package of energy consumer protection bills aimed at cutting rising utility costs, with a focus on data centers and protections for ratepayers. AI in Delaware Finance: Del-One Federal Credit Union says it’s nearly doubling auto-lending capacity by using an AI assistant to review dealership paperwork, without adding staff. Local Health & Aging Care: Milford Wellness Village’s geriatric care model earned recognition from the Delaware Journal of Public Health, highlighting adaptive reuse and coordinated services for seniors. Solar Buildout Funding: Aligned Climate Capital held the first close of a distributed solar and storage fund targeting $500M, including construction financing for Delaware community solar projects. Community Spotlight: La Red Health Center will mark 25 years of care in Southern Delaware with a Sept. 24 gala tied to its role within the Milford Wellness Village. Business/Real Estate: Peachtree Group fully subscribed a Delaware Statutory Trust offering anchored by a Midway, Ga. distribution center tied to Hasbro’s logistics network. Consumer Fraud/Politics: Patty Rickman, a domestic violence survivor and Delaware AG candidate, pitched a victim-focused agenda centered on consumer fraud and accountability.

Data Center Costs: Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer signed a package of laws to stop hyperscale data centers from shifting infrastructure and upgrade costs onto ratepayers, including a separate higher electricity rate class and requirements tied to supplying power. Family Planning Funding Fight: Delaware AG Kathy Jennings joined a 23-state lawsuit challenging new federal conditions that could strip Title X family planning funds. Energy & Business: Delaware’s energy policy also includes consumer protection bills aimed at utility cost pressure, while the broader economy saw major energy-stock moves tied to oil-price swings. Local Politics: Rep. Alonna Berry faced questions at a Milton library town hall over whether the event violated meeting-room rules during her primary challenge. Courts & Governance: A Delaware court ruling reiterated the high bar for stockholders alleging board bad faith in risk oversight cases. Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data showed Wilmington and other Delaware cities among the higher-report areas for July scams. Telehealth Pricing: NexLife expanded its flat-rate compounded GLP-1 program across multiple protocols, including microdose and sublingual options.

PFAS Relief for Delaware Water Customers: Tidewater Utilities will issue about a $0.5 million one-time bill credit funded by PFAS litigation proceeds, with an average credit of roughly $8.50 showing on September bills. Canal Work in Sussex County: The U.S. Army Corps says Lewes–Rehoboth Canal dredging is set to start in October, removing about 89,000 cubic yards and running through March 2027. Delaware Courtroom Update on Pharma Patents: Exelixis said the U.S. Federal Circuit affirmed key Delaware District Court rulings upholding patents tied to cabozantinib (CABOMETYX), preserving exclusivity. Local Legal/Business Watch: A Delaware funeral-home case over a mistaken cremation and alleged body-swap coverup ended with a six-figure judgment against Bell Funeral Home. Community & Education: Greater Pike Community Foundation funding is helping students in the Dingman-Delaware area take part in “Trout in the Classroom,” raising trout to learn conservation. Delaware Politics: Spotlight Delaware published Q&As from Senate District 5 candidates Ray Seigfried and Shay Frisby ahead of the Sept. 15 Democratic primary.

District 23 House race: Three candidates squared off in a forum in Newark-area District 23, debating data centers, affordable housing, transparency and budgets ahead of the Sept. 15 Democratic primary to replace Rep. Mara Gorman. Opioid enforcement: The U.S. Justice Department and DEA announced a $50 million settlement with Walmart over allegations it illegally filled thousands of invalid opioid prescriptions. Bank robbery in Rehoboth Beach: Delaware State Police are investigating a WSFS Bank robbery on Coastal Highway; a suspect described as a thin Black man in his 20s wearing tight feminine clothing and a wig fled on foot with cash. Medicaid spending watch (Delaware): New data show sharp local increases in Medicaid billing categories, including ambulance/transport in Magnolia and hearing services in Smyrna, plus coronavirus diagnostic panel claims rising in Lewes. Public safety scams: BBB Scam Tracker reports show Delaware cities including Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach among the state’s higher-report areas for July.

Public Safety: Delaware State Police are investigating a WSFS Bank robbery in Rehoboth Beach on Saturday morning. Police say a thin Black man in his 20s entered the Coastal Highway branch, handed an employee a demand note, and fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash. No weapon was involved and no one was hurt. The suspect was described as wearing tight feminine clothing and a wig. Community & Health Costs: New data show Medicaid spending spikes in Delaware communities: New Castle billed $3,369 for pathology and lab procedures in 2024, Milford $22,897, and Magnolia $27,299 for ambulance and other transport services. Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker reports show Rehoboth Beach logged two scam reports in July 2026, while Wilmington led Delaware cities with 13. Retirement Trends: More older adults are choosing Delaware, with Census estimates showing the 65-and-older population up 23% since 2020—the fastest growth rate in the U.S. Local Business: Delaware’s only Nordstrom location closed earlier this year, and the chain is now exiting another store in Illinois, with layoffs tied to the shutdown.

Delaware Politics & Elections: Early voting for Delaware’s 2026 primary opens Sept. 2, running 10 days with specific weekday/weekend hours and rules for voters who are registered without a party affiliation (AVR voters). Public Health & Data: The Delaware Health Information Network named Mike Lewis its chief growth officer to expand services, analytics, and partnerships across the healthcare ecosystem. Community Safety: End Community Violence and Operation West Laurel are teaming up for a pop-up resource fair aimed at reducing gun violence by boosting job readiness and practical support for young people. Business & Energy: Tata Chemicals North America acquired soda ash customer contracts from SVM USA approved by Delaware bankruptcy court, expected to generate more than $110M in revenue through Dec. 2028. Consumer/Legal Watch: Walmart agreed to a $50M settlement with the U.S. government over allegations tied to opioid prescriptions, with tighter oversight requirements included. Local Economy/Retirees: A Bloomberg report says retirees are increasingly flocking to Sussex County, adding tens of thousands of residents since 2020 and straining local resources.

Freedom Fuel Lawsuit: A supplier says gas sold at Trump-promoted Freedom Fuel stations was never paid for, alleging KRSM took about 1.12 million gallons (nearly $4M) from a Pennsylvania terminal and that the unpaid fuel helped stations undercut prices. Delaware Elections: Delaware early voting for the 2026 primary opens Sept. 2, running 10 days with specific hours and rules for party-affiliation voters. Mark Walter/Delaware Life: Truist and Fifth Third have paused selling products tied to Mark Walter’s Delaware Life Insurance amid a federal probe, though the insurer says there’s been no fraud. Health Tech: Delaware Health Information Network names Mike Lewis chief growth officer to expand services and analytics across the healthcare ecosystem. Business/Banking: Tata Chemicals’ U.S. arm bought soda ash customer contracts from SVM USA in Delaware bankruptcy court for $21.16M, targeting $110M+ in revenue through 2028. Community Safety: End Community Violence and a West Laurel partner hosted a pop-up resource fair focused on jobs and workforce readiness to help prevent gun violence. Housing/Finance: ATTOM reports foreclosure filings rose 10% year over year in July, with Delaware among states showing activity.

Opioid Settlement: Walmart agreed to pay the U.S. government $50 million to settle the opioid lawsuit, with no admission of liability, and the deal calls for tighter pharmacy oversight and a hotline for suspected illegal dispensing. Housing & Credit Pressure: Foreclosure filings rose 10% year over year in July, according to ATTOM, signaling continued strain for some homeowners even as overall levels stay below historical highs. Delaware Fraud Watch: Wilmington led Delaware cities in July BBB Scam Tracker reports, with 13 scams logged, while Delaware overall had five reports. Local Food Access: Milford groups received Delaware Grocery Initiative grants—$20,000 for Milford Fresh Access, $18,150 for Milford Advocacy for the Homeless, and $25,000 for the Food Bank of Delaware to expand food rescue and meal support. Energy Policy: Gov. Meyer signed a package of energy bills, including a cap on Delmarva Power’s nonessential spending and new audit requirements for utilities. Business & Courts: A Delaware bankruptcy case advanced for Chemours investor claims as former CEO Mark Newman sought dismissal, while Nasdaq notified AiRWA of a late 10-K filing, giving it until Oct. 23 to submit a compliance plan.

Delaware Primary Prep: Early voting for the 2026 Delaware Primary Election starts Sept. 2, with some voters who registered through the DMV without a party able to pick a party up to Sept. 15. Energy & Utilities: Delmarva Power is pushing for legislative approval of battery storage as demand rises, while also navigating a bill that would limit system upgrades. Courts & Corporate Control: A Delaware Chancery fight over Better Home & Finance’s CEO comeback plan is heating up, with SEC clearance for Garg’s solicitation and TRO rulings looming. Business & Growth: The Delaware Division of Small Business adds new staff—one to manage programs statewide and another focused on sports tourism. Local Business Spotlight: County Bank promotes Tiffany Walter to branch administrator in Lewes. Community & Culture: Peninsula Gallery in Sussex County wins major state and national awards, and Hagley Museum offers half-price admission through Sept. 4 during Powder Yard preservation work. Tech & Media: A former Twitter trademark lawyer’s startup launches Twitter.now, experimenting with user-driven moderation while a Delaware judge weighs related trademark issues.

Delaware Utility Watch: Delaware ratepayers pushed back at a proposed Delmarva Power $67.8 million rate hike, with critics warning it would shield profits while families already face higher housing and energy costs. Trade & Economic Growth: Delaware’s Compass Grant is helping small businesses cover trade-show, travel, insurance, and market research costs, with reported results including millions in new international sales and new jobs. Data Centers & Local Control: Delaware County townships are tightening data center zoning standards over concerns like water use, noise, traffic, and overall footprint, as other communities weigh the industry’s rapid expansion. Legal & Consumer Tech: A Delaware federal court filing in the Wondermind case seeks to dismiss investors’ fraud claims against Selena Gomez, while a separate report highlights how AI chatbot “confessions” are increasingly showing up in court. Public Safety & Fraud: Delaware’s ZIP-code Social Security counts show many areas dominated by 65+ beneficiaries, and separate scam-tracker reporting underscores ongoing fraud losses nationwide. Regional Economy: Philadelphia’s new permanent cruise terminal opens, with Norwegian Cruise Line restarting departures after a 15-year gap—good news for Delaware travelers looking to cruise without flying.

Cruise & Jobs: Norwegian Cruise Line opened a new $66 million permanent terminal at PhilaPort in Tinicum Township, with inaugural sailings to Bermuda and plans that could bring about 2,200 jobs and $300 million in annual local economic activity. Legal Fight Over Brands: A Virginia startup launched “Twitter.now” on Aug. 26, betting X Corp. abandoned the Twitter trademark—while X keeps pressing its Delaware federal case. Healthcare Funding: Delaware is among states challenging new Title X conditions that would force providers to drop nondiscrimination protections or face losing federal family planning dollars. Data Centers: Gov. Matt Meyer signed Delaware’s first-of-its-kind clean-energy mandate for hyperscale data centers, adding “bring your own power” rules and new rate protections for ratepayers. Local Growth & Community: Holy Cross High School is moving ahead with a nearly 100-acre permanent campus near Frederica, and The Frozen Farmer opened in Dewey Beach. Business & Consumer: Wawa plans eight Wawa-branded EV chargers in Pennsylvania, including four in the region that covers Delaware County. Weather: A flood watch was issued for parts of North Jersey, with severe thunderstorm warnings also reaching northeastern New Castle County.

Delaware Data Center Rules: Gov. Matt Meyer signed four energy consumer protection laws targeting big data centers, including a separate utility rate class so large users pay full infrastructure upgrade costs, a “bring your own generation” clean-power requirement, limits on certain tax credits, and tighter oversight of utility capital spending. Election Integrity: Delaware AG Nick Brown joined a multi-state lawsuit challenging a USPS rule that would set federal vote-by-mail standards and require states to route eligible-voter lists through USPS, arguing it’s unconstitutional and risks disenfranchising mail voters. Youth Safety Settlement: Delaware and other states praised Meta’s $17B-plus settlement over teen social media addiction, with Delaware set to receive about $100M over 10 years and new youth controls for users under 18. Health & Courts: Delaware-linked DermTech (in Delaware bankruptcy) agreed to resolve Medicare False Claims Act allegations, with the government receiving a $5.04M claim tied to unreliable skin cancer testing. Business & Energy: Enbridge agreed to buy Salt Creek Midstream’s crude gathering assets for $600M, including systems serving the Delaware Basin. Public Health Watch: CDC confirmed cyclospora cases topped 17,000 nationwide, with Delaware and Hawaii the only states without confirmed cases.

Child-Safety Crackdown: Delaware is set to receive $73.6 million over 10 years from a landmark multistate Meta settlement, with Meta also required to roll out major Instagram and Facebook safety reforms aimed at protecting children. Voting Rights Fight: Delaware AG Kathy Jennings joined a coalition challenging a USPS rule that would force states to overhaul vote-by-mail procedures on a tight timeline, arguing it risks confusion and disenfranchisement. Patent Ruling: A federal court ordered Guardant Health to pay more than $245.2 million to TwinStrand Biosciences and the University of Washington in a DNA sequencing patent dispute; Guardant says it will appeal. Local Politics: Delaware Republicans have lined up Dave Graham as their candidate for attorney general for the Sept. 15 primary. Public Health & Schools: Delaware teachers’ pre-tax health care flexible spending account limit rises to $3,400 for the new plan year. Community & Culture: Delaware Valley School District students won top prizes at the FBLA National Leadership Conference, and the free Milford Readers and Writers Festival kicks off Sept. 18.

Delaware Politics: Delaware AG candidate Kathy Jennings says her office cut violent crime and prison population while pushing gun-violence work and suing the Trump administration, including a fight over an unlawful demand for CDL drivers’ personal data. Delaware Elections: Republicans are lining up for Attorney General, with Dave Graham the only declared GOP candidate after filling a ballot vacancy; he pitches “justice, integrity and accountability” and a DOJ focused on public safety. Delaware Courts & Records: Delaware’s legal front also includes a Delaware Chancery dispute tied to a poison-pill fight over board control, plus a separate Delaware-related court filing seeking records access in a new sports league governance fight. Public Safety: A federal judge finalized a $245M patent judgment against Guardant Health in a DNA sequencing dispute involving TwinStrand Biosciences and the University of Washington. Coastal Policy: Delaware’s coastal building line review group discussed dune crossings, fencing, plantings, and construction methods as it weighs updates to the Beach Preservation Act framework. Consumer Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data show Delaware cities including Wilmington and Dover among the state’s higher-report areas for July scams. Business & Jobs: Delaware hires a former federal agency CIO as chief technology officer, signaling continued investment in state digital capacity. National/Regional Spillover: Trump approved a major disaster declaration for Indiana storm and flooding recovery, expanding FEMA aid to 21 counties.