AGP Executive Report

Education & AI at Delaware State/UD: Delaware State University is using ChatGPT-style tools to turn open-ended student survey responses into usable assessment insights, while the University of Delaware continues to refine how it uses NSSE data across campus reviews. Child health funding: Delaware and partners announced a $950 million, 11-year agreement to create a new Alfred I. duPont Charitable Fund for Delaware’s Children. Housing in Sussex: A state-backed plan for a 1,387-unit development north of Milton drew traffic and impact concerns at a Dover land-use meeting. Local economic development: Claymont, Newport, and Millsboro were named new Downtown Development Districts, unlocking incentives for private redevelopment. Immigration & voting: A Sussex County forum highlighted immigration as a key issue for the 2026 election, including questions about citizenship and residency pathways. Legal fight over tuition: DOJ sued the University of Delaware over its in-state tuition policy for undocumented students. Energy policy lawsuit: Delaware’s AG joined multistate action challenging Trump-era rollbacks to fuel economy standards. Community & honors: Gov. Matt Meyer named 10 recipients of the Order of the First State, including former Sen. Ernie Lopez and Children’s Beach House leader Richard Garrett.

DOJ vs. UD Tuition: The U.S. Department of Justice sued the University of Delaware to block its in-state tuition policy for undocumented students, arguing it unfairly benefits “illegal aliens” over U.S. citizens. Local Education Access: Gov. Matt Meyer launched a pilot letting Delaware students use school-issued IDs as juvenile library cards, starting with Eisenberg Elementary in 2026-27. Public Safety Tech: Delaware’s State Bureau of Identification will switch fingerprinting to IDEMIA SMART-E kiosks in Dover and Georgetown on Oct. 5, adding facial imaging and remote agent support. Health Policy: Meyer signed a harm-reduction bill expanding overdose prevention, decriminalizing paraphernalia possession for people who use drugs, and adding oversight through an executive order. Business & Finance: Delaware-based Sarcomatrix Therapeutics extended its accredited investor fundraising round to Oct. 31. Corporate Governance Watch: Securities firm Bleichmar Fonti & Auld says it’s investigating Priority Technology Holdings’ take-private deal at $8.05 a share.

Immigration & Higher Ed: The U.S. Department of Justice sued the University of Delaware over its in-state tuition policy for undocumented students, arguing it violates federal law by offering reduced rates to non-citizens while denying similar treatment to some U.S. residents. Courts & Public Safety: Delaware County jurors began deliberations in the assault and harassment trial of former 911 director Timothy Boyce, with testimony describing alleged misconduct spanning years. Energy & Climate: Delaware Attorney General Nick Brown joined a coalition challenging the EPA’s rollback of greenhouse gas pollution limits for major power plants, seeking to restore safeguards. Environment: A new study found microplastics at every Delaware River watershed site tested, adding to growing pressure for plastics reduction. Local Economy & Infrastructure: DelDOT marked the North Millsboro Bypass’s first year, crediting it with moving thousands of daily trips off downtown roads. Business & Workforce: A bipartisan Senate push would require more transparency around data center impacts, as Delaware and others weigh AI-driven growth. Education & Campus Life: UD recognized faculty and graduate students for excellence in teaching and advising.

Delaware Film Boost: Gov. Matt Meyer signed a new film tax credit and lawmakers say productions are already starting to benefit, with a 30% transferable credit for eligible projects spending at least $100,000 in Delaware. State Business Climate: Meyer also announced actions to cut red tape for small businesses, including regulatory reviews tied to cottage food and food truck rules. Transportation Finance: DelDOT’s Delaware Transportation Authority earned top AAA credit ratings from both S&P and Moody’s ahead of an Oct. 6 bond sale. Education Access: A pilot lets some students use school-issued IDs as library cards, starting at Eisenberg Elementary in 2026-27. Public Health & Community: Milford hosted a Health and Wellness Day connecting residents to free screenings and services. Environment: Researchers report microplastics found in every Delaware River Watershed site tested, including Delaware waterways. Courts & Business: A Delaware federal court ruled in United Therapeutics’ patent fight against Liquidia, a decision tied to a sharp stock jump. Crime & Courts: Two Delaware-based Air Force members were sentenced in a major cyber fraud scheme.

Microplastics in Delaware Watershed: A new multi-state citizen-science study found microplastics at every one of 22 Delaware River watershed sites tested, including waterways in Delaware, raising concerns about toxins and wildlife impacts. FCC Review Slows Verizon Landline Switch: The FCC paused automatic approval of Verizon’s plan to retire legacy copper landline service in parts of Delaware and Virginia, extending review after rural customers raised reliability worries. ACA $500 Refund Checks: The Trump administration began mailing $500 checks to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Delaware, for alleged Affordable Care Act exchange overcharges tied to HealthCare.gov. Delaware Film Tax Credit: Gov. Matt Meyer signed a new 30% transferable film production tax credit to attract Delaware projects and modernize the state’s motion picture commission. Solar Milestone in Georgetown: TurningPoint Energy celebrated energizing its third of six Delaware community solar projects, fully subscribed and serving 560+ customers, including low-income households. Housing Delaware Rebrand: The Delaware State Housing Authority is rebranding as “Housing Delaware” with a new name, logo, and redesigned website. Business Leadership: State Rep. Mike Smith was selected as the next president of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. Cyber Fraud Sentences: Two Dover Air Force Base members were sentenced to nearly 16 years combined for roles in an international phishing scheme that stole funds from businesses and nonprofits. AI in Higher Ed: UD and Delaware State University are using AI tools like ChatGPT to speed up and improve assessment and student engagement analysis.

Education & Law: Delaware Attorney General Kwame Raoul helped lead a multistate pushback against a U.S. Department of Education proposal that would let the Trump administration steer education grant funding with fewer limits, arguing it’s unlawful and could jeopardize billions. Higher Ed & AI: Delaware State University and the University of Delaware are using ChatGPT-style tools to turn student engagement survey comments into actionable insights for teaching and student-life decisions. Health Funding: Gov. Matt Meyer announced nearly $23M for Delaware’s three Federally Qualified Health Centers, targeting technology, workforce, and care coordination. Rural Innovation: Delaware Prosperity Partnership will run a rural health technology accelerator offering up to $5M in federal grants for startups testing tools that improve access and outcomes. Conservation: Sussex Conservation District updated its Community Conservation Assistance Program, offering 50% reimbursement (up to $10,000) for homeowner and HOA projects like rain gardens and stormwater upgrades. Delaware Courts: Delaware Court of Chancery rulings continue to shape director nomination fights and corporate governance standards. Public History: Delaware’s John Dickinson Plantation Visitor Center will open Oct. 10 with the “One Land Many Voices” exhibit, and Meyer proclaimed Oct. 10 statewide “One Land Many Voices Day.” Public Safety: Delaware State Police arrested a Georgetown man accused of stealing HVAC units in Sussex County.

AI Policy in Washington: Top AI CEOs are set for a White House lunch with President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson as lawmakers weigh whether to slow the technology amid dire warnings. Delaware Higher Ed & Data: University of Delaware and Delaware State University are using NSSE and AI tools to improve assessment and student experience, including how qualitative survey responses get analyzed and used. College Sports Overhaul: The U.S. Senate passed a sweeping bill to regulate athlete pay and transfers, sending it to the House after a 77-22 vote. Anthropic Governance: Reuters reports Anthropic’s IPO plan would give its seven co-founders 50.1% voting power through a new “Founder LLC,” while keeping the company a Delaware public benefit corporation. Delaware Politics: Dr. Mike Katz is pushing for a televised debate with Sen. Chris Coons, but Coons’ office says no. Delaware Courts/Business: A Delaware Court of Chancery case update: Acocelli Law and Long Law announced an agreement to resolve attorneys’ fees in Thompson v. QXO, Inc. Public Safety: A Delaware County emergency services director’s assault trial began, with testimony from a former executive assistant.

Delaware Courts: A former Delco emergency services official is on trial accused of sexually harassing two former female subordinates, including allegations he used his authority to intimidate them and showed explicit material. Business & Courts: Delaware Court of Chancery issued early guidance on director independence under SB 21 in Ayers v. Foley, clarifying how the heightened disinterestedness presumption can affect “demand futility” in shareholder suits. Corporate Governance Watch: The SEC proposed rescinding Rule 14a-8 and modernizing proxy rules, shifting more shareholder-proposal power toward state law and company bylaws. Consumer Protection: Delaware AG Dan Rayfield is celebrating a federal judge’s order keeping the CFPB funded after the Trump administration tried to block it. State Economic Development: Gov. Matt Meyer announced Delaware nominated 25 census tracts for the next Opportunity Zones, including seven in Sussex County, with certification pending for a Jan. 1, 2027 start. Food Security: A Delaware “pack and pray” program, HOPP, is expanding across all three counties with support from state food initiatives. Local Business/Community: The Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Holiday Gift Auction.

Nor’easter Disruption: A powerful nor’easter has battered the East Coast with flooding, downed trees and power outages, including coastal damage across the Mid-Atlantic and cancellations tied to dangerous conditions. Delaware Public Meetings: Sussex officials will discuss how to move forward under SB23, while Middletown weighs a grant request and other state boards tackle topics from school funding to rural healthcare. Data Centers & Power: Pennsylvania regulators warn data center growth could strain the regional grid, raising the odds of outages in the coming years—an issue Delaware-area leaders will be watching closely. Delaware Business Event: The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce’s 190th Annual Dinner is set for Jan. 11 in Wilmington, featuring keynote Paul N. Heath of Richards, Layton & Finger. Local Crime: Delaware State Police arrested a Georgetown man accused of stealing HVAC units in Sussex County and selling them to a scrap yard. Community Support: Community Bank Delaware donated $1,000 to the Community Resource Center ahead of its Building Bridges fundraiser in Rehoboth Beach. Higher Ed & Student Engagement: University of Delaware and Delaware State University are using NSSE and new tools like ChatGPT to better analyze student experience and assessment data.

Delaware State Police: A Georgetown man, William Pusey, 46, was arrested on felony theft charges after investigators say he stole two HVAC units in Sussex County and sold them to a scrap yard, with charges including theft over $1,500, selling stolen property, falsifying business records, and criminal trespass. Health & Privacy: Delaware is tied to a major Labcorp data-breach settlement: Maryland’s AG announced a $2.3 million multistate deal over the 2019 AMCA breach, which exposed personal data of 451,558 Maryland residents. Higher Ed & AI: Delaware State University and the University of Delaware are sharing how they’re using ChatGPT-style tools and NSSE survey data to improve assessment and student support. Energy & Growth: Federal and regional regulators are warning that data-center expansion—driven by AI—could raise the odds of electricity shortfalls and outages, even as the Department of Energy backs grid upgrades. Community Support: Community Bank Delaware donated $1,000 to the Community Resource Center in Rehoboth Beach ahead of its Building Bridges fundraiser. Local Families: A new Delaware County doula directory and training initiative aims to expand postpartum and prenatal support for families, including Medicaid-covered services.

Nor’easter Impacts Delaware Region: A powerful nor’easter is battering the East Coast with heavy rain, strong winds, coastal flooding, and widespread power outages, with officials warning residents to avoid dangerous water as conditions persist into the weekend. Delaware State Police Arrest: Delaware State Police arrested Georgetown resident William Pusey, 46, on felony theft charges after investigators say he stole two HVAC units in Sussex County and sold them to a scrap yard. UVA Strong Day vs. Delaware: Virginia routed Delaware 42-3 as Beau Pribula threw for five touchdowns, bouncing back after a prior loss. Delaware Library Program: Milford Public Library will host a Charles Lindbergh program, “Hero or Villain?,” examining his aviation legacy and later political controversy. Higher Ed & AI at Delaware State: Delaware State University is using ChatGPT-style tools to help analyze and apply qualitative student engagement data, aiming to turn survey responses into actionable teaching and learning improvements.

Nor’easter Impacts Delaware Region: A powerful nor’easter is battering the U.S. Northeast, with dangerous coastal flooding expected near the Mid-Atlantic coast, including Delaware, as strong winds and heavy rain knock out power and disrupt travel. Delaware State Police Arrest: A Georgetown man was arrested for felony theft after allegedly stealing HVAC units in Sussex County and selling them to a scrap yard; William Pusey faces multiple theft and related charges. Voting Push for Service Members: Secretary of War Pete Hegseth urged troops and eligible family members to register for the November midterms, citing a drop in active-duty registration rates. Local History Program: The Milford Public Library will host an Oct. 10 program on Charles Lindbergh’s legacy. Telecom Update: The FCC paused approval of Verizon’s plan to retire copper landlines in Delaware and other states, extending review amid rural-service concerns. Higher Ed & AI: Delaware State University and the University of Delaware are using NSSE student-engagement data and exploring ChatGPT-style tools to improve assessment and learning. State Film Incentive: Delaware’s Division of Small Business is taking applications for the state’s first $10M film tax credit program.

Delaware Higher Ed & Data: Delaware State University and the University of Delaware are using NSSE student-engagement survey results to guide teaching and student-life decisions, with DSU exploring how tools like ChatGPT can support assessment and UD building shared, theme-based reports for program reviews. Local Business News: The Daily State News is back in Downtown Dover, reopening in the First Capital Center after years elsewhere. Health & Consumer Protection: Delaware’s Attorney General Ford joined multistate actions targeting health-data risks, including a $2.3 million Labcorp settlement tied to a 2019 breach. Storm Watch: A powerful nor’easter is battering the East Coast with flooding and damaging winds, with outages and travel disruptions already reported. Federal Policy: The Supreme Court temporarily allows states to use the SAVE voter-eligibility database while legal challenges continue. Economy/Markets: Private credit keeps growing fast, with analysts warning the “private” label can mask risk and access limits.

Consumer Protection: Delaware Attorney General Ford announced a $2.3 million multistate settlement with Labcorp tied to the 2019 AMCA patient data breach, with Labcorp agreeing to stronger safeguards for sensitive medical information. Auto Lending Crackdown: Ford also announced a multistate settlement with subprime auto lender Credit Acceptance Corporation, including cash and debt relief plus limits aimed at preventing dealers from “packing” risky add-ons into loans. AI Policy Push: A bipartisan coalition of 23 states, including Delaware’s AG, urged Congress to set federal AI safety rules, warning that unchecked systems could threaten national security, critical infrastructure, and the financial system. Storm Watch: A nor’easter is expected to bring heavy rain, damaging winds, and coastal flooding up and down the East Coast, including Delaware, with high wind warnings and repeated high-tide impacts. Delaware Higher Ed & Jobs: Delaware State University is launching a Center for Economic Mobility to connect students with career prep, mentors, and employers earlier in college. Local Community: The Southern Delaware Walk to End Alzheimer’s was postponed to Nov. 14 due to the incoming storm.

Corporate & Finance: Select Water Solutions agreed to buy Delaware Basin-focused Pilot Water Solutions for $700M (plus up to $15M contingent cash), aiming to expand water midstream capacity and cost synergies. Consumer Protection: Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Delaware’s share of a $2.3M multistate settlement with Labcorp over a 2019 data breach tied to AMCA; the deal also requires security and vendor-risk changes. Courts & Governance: Delaware court coverage highlights an LLC operating-agreement dispute where a judge found a buyout process breach but no enforceable buyout. Insurance Crime: A former Delaware insurance agent, Zenaida Nieves-Cordero, was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to repay $625,226.75 after stealing premium payments from Spanish-speaking clients in Kent and Sussex counties. Local Policy: New Castle County Councilman David Carter warns Delaware’s new housing laws may add cost and complexity for cash-strapped local governments as they implement state mandates. Community & Environment: Delaware State Parks will close the New Road parking area starting Sept. 28 for the next phase of the Thompson Island Living Shoreline project, building an 810-foot oyster “Oyster Castles” living reef to curb erosion.

West Bank Policy: Delaware Sen. Chris Coons is pushing a bill to sanction people and companies tied to Israel’s controversial E1 West Bank settlement expansion, which would add thousands of homes and further fragment the territory. Corporate & Legal Watch: A Hycroft Mining shareholder alleges in Delaware Chancery Court that the board let Canadian billionaire Eric Sprott take control without a control premium. Securities & Delaware Markets: InspireSemi says its SPAC plan to move to Delaware and merge with Forge Nano is moving forward after shareholder votes, while Delaware-based WSFS Financial opened a new Lancaster County wealth office. Data Privacy & Consumer Protection: A multistate settlement over the Labcorp AMCA data breach requires major security reforms and pays about $2.3 million to states. AI Regulation Push: Delaware and other state attorneys general are urging Congress to set federal AI safety rules after incidents involving AI agents. Weather: A nor’easter is forming and could bring flooding and gusty winds to the East Coast, including Delaware. Local Business/Community: Easterseals Delaware & Maryland launched a fund to support direct support professionals, and Delaware’s insurance regulator reports a former agent was sentenced for stealing client funds.