AGP Executive Report

Meta Trial Over Child Safety: A federal trial in Oakland is set to begin Tuesday as 29 states push Meta for allegedly addictive Facebook/Instagram design that harms teens, seeking huge damages and major platform changes. Delaware Courts & M&A: Delaware Chancery invalidated a buyer’s termination of a $2.35B deal, ordering specific performance after the court found the buyer’s own willful conduct caused the antitrust clearance delay. Defense Research Scrutiny: The Pentagon ordered audits of 30 universities’ foreign research ties tied to adversaries, with findings due Aug. 31. Delaware Business & Insurance: Mark Walter’s Delaware Life is set to cut up to $6.5B in related-party investments amid federal scrutiny, as regulators examine whether conflicts were concealed. DNREC Marine Update: DNREC added the Calcasieu Pass to the Del-Jersey-Land artificial reef system, creating new habitat and fishing/diving opportunities. Local Growth: Rehoboth Beach-area development plans include a 144-resident senior living center plus two office buildings near Plantation and Cedar Grove roads. Education Pipeline: Delaware reported a record 2,117 registered apprentices, while the state also builds new apprenticeship pathways toward teacher certification.

Local Budget Watch: Newark narrowed its FY2027 gap to about $2.3 million, but city leaders are weighing cuts and possible fee changes as downtown parking revenue stays thin. Housing & Affordability: A new report says HUD spending hasn’t lowered prices and that the “affordability gap” is widening across states, making homeownership harder almost everywhere. Public Safety & Accountability: A Delaware police accountability op-ed argues Wilmington and Dover allegations show why speed and transparency are needed to stop abusive systems. Education & Workforce: Hodgson Vo-Tech’s new $211M building is ready to welcome students, aiming to expand career training for the next generation of skilled workers. Agriculture & Food Access: Bennett Orchards received a $53,999 grant to study wind-machine protection against spring frost damage for blueberries. Business & Courts: A Delaware federal judge limited JPMorgan’s trade-secret claims in a data suit, while Gold Reserve cleared part of a Delaware Chancery fight over a confidentiality breach claim. Health & Community: Delaware Park’s Walk to Cure Arthritis drew 220+ walkers and raised more than $32,000.

Local Governance & Safety: Rehoboth Beach has closed Grove Park while the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service completes a level 2 tree assessment; five trees were flagged as hazardous and the weekly farmers’ market was relocated. Energy & Business Deals: Targa Resources says it signed new 20-year midstream agreements with ExxonMobil and announced three new natural gas processing plants in the Permian Delaware, plus a new pipeline to boost takeaway capacity. Courts & Health Policy: Delaware AG Kathy Jennings won a federal court ruling protecting access to gender-affirming care under the Affordable Care Act, striking down parts of a Trump-era rule. Delaware Bankruptcy Fight: Omnis Fuel Technologies is asking a Delaware bankruptcy court to dismiss Omnis Pleasants’ Chapter 11 filing or appoint a trustee, arguing the move is in bad faith. Consumer & Fraud Watch: Delaware is among states seeing “power to pause” account-freeze laws expand to 33 states, and a separate scam-tracker roundup shows Delaware cities tied for scam reports in July. Sports & Finance: The Lakers are changing hands again in a $12.5B deal involving Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner, while federal scrutiny reportedly targets Mark Walter-linked insurer lending practices.

Federal Court Fight in Delaware: Selena Gomez’s lawyer says the fraud claims in a Delaware lawsuit over her Wondermind mental health startup are “completely meritless,” and the team is moving to dismiss; investors allege they put nearly $1.2 million in 2022 based on misrepresentations about partnerships, resources, and a planned app. Public Safety Tech Pushback: Pennsylvania lawmakers weigh new guardrails on automatic license plate cameras as Flock Safety tightens default data retention from 30 to seven days, amid reports of misuse. Delaware-Linked Retail Theft Indictments: Federal and state prosecutors announced indictments tied to a multi-state organized retail-theft ring affecting Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania, including charges for interstate transportation of stolen goods. Delaware Business & Energy: Aternium selected Dover for its first U.S. heavy water and electrolytic hydrogen production facility, citing major investment and job creation. Local Watch: Delaware County Transportation Improvement District audit results are scheduled in Ohio’s Aug. 18 audit advisory.

Hydrogen & advanced manufacturing: Aternium selected Dover for its first commercial heavy water and electrolytic hydrogen production facility at Garrison Oak Technical Park, aiming to close the deal in late 2026 and bring at least $226 million in capital investment plus dozens of direct jobs. Energy savings for hunger relief: The Food Bank of Delaware in Milford is adding more than 700 solar panels, funded by a $1 million Energize Delaware grant, expected to save over $2 million over the system’s life and support millions more meals. Local business & redevelopment: Old City’s Lucha Cartel building at 207 Chestnut St. is getting a new chapter as owners plan to open a moderately upscale Mexican restaurant, betting on the Park at Penn’s Landing crowd impact. Fraud lawsuit in Delaware federal court: Selena Gomez’s lawyer says investors’ $1.2 million Wondermind fraud claims are “completely meritless” and is seeking dismissal, after the suit was filed in Delaware. Public safety & scams: Delaware appears in BBB Scam Tracker’s July rankings, while multiple Ohio cities reported online purchase and advance-fee loan scams. Food recall: Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits sold at Walmart are being recalled for possible listeria contamination, including in Delaware.

Indiana Flood Emergency: President Trump approved an emergency declaration for Indiana after historic White River flooding killed at least five people and forced hundreds of evacuations, with FEMA set to cover 75% of eligible emergency response costs across 53 counties. Public Safety & Local Impact: Officials warned residents that even a few inches of water can stall vehicles or sweep people off their feet as rescues and evacuations continued along river corridors and in Indianapolis-area neighborhoods. Delaware Courts & Consumer Watch: In Delaware federal court, investors sued Selena Gomez and her mother Mandy Teefey over alleged fraud tied to their mental health startup Wondermind, while Delaware-area residents also saw a separate crash story: a car drove into Two Stones Pub in Newark, damaging the business but injuring no one. Health & Food Safety: A Walmart-linked recall pulled 3,240 Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup kits after possible listeria contamination was flagged in testing. Community & Business: Delaware County Community College awarded a full-tuition transfer scholarship to Neumann University for psychology student Robyn Pate.

Federal Policy Shift: The Trump administration says federal funds will stop for gender-transition procedures for people under 18, with the change taking effect immediately for hospitals and medical schools that receive federal money. Local Health Watch: Delaware’s measles outbreak has grown to 21 cases, all in Kent County, as officials track the spread. Consumer Safety: Sussex County has started issuing 2027 property tax bills, with paper bills mailed through August and payments due Sept. 30. Scam Alerts: Delaware cities logged scam reports in BBB Scam Tracker for July, including Wilmington (13) and Dover (9), while Delaware itself had 5 reports. Business & Courts: A federal lawsuit in Delaware accuses Selena Gomez and partners of fraud tied to her mental health startup Wondermind, while her lawyers call the claims meritless. Sports Delaware Connection: Elena Delle Donne, a Delaware native, is headed to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

Delaware Courts & Business: Investors sued Selena Gomez and her mother, Mandy Teefey, in federal court in Delaware over allegations of fraud tied to the mental health startup Wondermind, claiming Gomez’s marketing role and promised products like a mobile app never materialized and that the company collapsed while founders stayed silent. Local Governance: Sussex County has started issuing 2027 property tax bills, with paper copies mailed through August and payments due Sept. 30; the county also points owners to online tools for escrow checks. Public Health & Safety: A Walmart recall hit thousands of tomato bisque soup kits in nearly 30 states after testing showed a presumptive positive for Listeria, with the FDA warning of serious risks for pregnant people, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. Energy & Environment: Maryland says it hit nearly all 2025 Chesapeake Bay pollution goals, but some watermen dispute whether the numbers match what they see on the water. Business Growth: Delaware’s Division of Small Business and Launcher are taking applications for the Business on Main Street Accelerator in Dover, a new 8-week program for entrepreneurs starting Sept. 14.

Delaware Permitting Push: Gov. Matt Meyer says Delaware will fast-track three broadband and health care projects through the JobsFirst Permitting Accelerator, targeting decisions in about six months—raising the obvious question of why only some applicants get the priority lane. Small-Business Support: Dover is taking applications for the Business on Main Street Accelerator, a new 8-week program (virtual plus in-person in Dover) aimed at helping entrepreneurs sharpen plans, pitches, and marketing ahead of funding. Electric Grid Security: U.S. Sens. Chris Coons and Mike Rounds introduced the Quantum-GUARD Act to help utilities prepare for quantum-related cybersecurity risks. Local Government & Growth: New Castle County officials are reviewing a plan that could partially demolish Wilmington’s Concord Mall for redevelopment, while Millville considers annexing two Route 17 properties and Dagsboro seeks a new town administrator. Civil Rights: The Hideout Arcade Bar & Grille was fined $15,000 after the Delaware Human & Civil Rights Commission found it violated the state’s equal accommodations law by denying a transgender woman access to the women’s bathroom. Community Calendar: Sussex County council debated draft forest rules, with concerns they could end up favoring developers.

Lawsuit in Delaware Federal Court: Investors sued Selena Gomez, her mother Mandy Teefey, and former Wondermind partner Daniella Pierson, alleging they defrauded backers of nearly $1.2 million by promising an app, partnerships, and celebrity-driven growth that never materialized. Local Mental Health Fundraiser: Celebrate Wellness’ Orange Party in Bethany Beach raised a record $75,280 for mental health services for Delaware hospitality workers. State Business & Growth: Wilmington Mayor John Carney launched a Wilmington Economic Roundtable, chaired by New Castle County Chamber leader Yvonne Deadwyler, to advise on policies aimed at attracting investment and supporting business growth. Consumer Protection: Dover ranked 2nd among 21 Delaware cities for BBB Scam Tracker reports in July, with nine scams reported, including losses tied to crypto and “family/friend emergency” schemes. Community Events: Delaware Libraries announced free National Book Festival “Festival Near You” events, including an Aug. 14 author/illustrator stop at Kent County Public Library and a Sept. 13 event at Lewes Public Library.

Delaware Courts & Privacy: Delaware Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition suing the Trump administration to block demands for a federal database of sensitive driver records, arguing the move would violate privacy laws and threaten more than $10 million in federal funding. Local Government & Growth: Dover’s data center moratorium is gaining momentum after a council committee voted to send an 18-month pause ordinance to the full council while officials draft permanent rules. Business & Health: Forma Life Sciences, now Delaware-based, was selected to set up U.S. commercial supply for an FDA-approved chronic myeloid leukemia treatment. Environment & Water: Veolia sued upstream manufacturers tied to PFAS contamination affecting Wilmington’s Stanton Water Treatment Plant, seeking recovery for a $35 million filtration upgrade. Research & Weather: UD researchers are using tagged sharks to map a “cold pool” that can influence hurricane intensity in the Mid-Atlantic. Community & Culture: Delaware Libraries announced free events tied to the Library of Congress National Book Festival, including an Aug. 14 Kent County stop and a Sept. 13 Lewes author event. Delaware Business Support: Applications are open for the Business on Main Street Accelerator in Dover, a joint DSB-Launcher program for entrepreneurs running through Aug. 31. Sports Business: A Delaware federal court filing adds to the Wondermind fraud case, with investors accusing Selena Gomez and her mother of misleading backers about a mental health startup that allegedly collapsed.

Federal Policy: The Trump administration says federal funding will stop for gender-transition procedures for minors under 18, with the change taking effect immediately for hospitals and schools that receive federal money. Delaware Workforce: Delaware’s Department of Labor launched its Workforce Pell Program, opening applications for short-term training that can qualify for Pell Grants, with the Office of Workforce Development set to certify eligible programs. Clean Water Watch: A PennEnvironment report finds harmful or potentially unsafe fecal bacteria levels at many Delaware River and regional stream sites, prompting calls for faster action to prevent unsafe recreation and pollution. Local Economy & Jobs: U.S. Sen. Chris Coons and Sen. Todd Young introduced the Build to Scale Reauthorization Act to extend the Economic Development Administration program through 2030, with Delaware tied to the effort to grow startups. Sports Business: The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly being sold for a record $12.5B to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger, a deal already sparking questions about timing and federal probes involving Mark Walter. Powerball: A single ticket won Wednesday’s Powerball jackpot, pushing it to $1.04B, with Delaware among states where winners can generally keep identities private.

Lakers Deal: The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly being sold to Josh Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger for a record $12.5 billion, after Mark Walter bought the team last year for about $10 billion—an eye-popping flip that’s already raising questions about the business side of the NBA. Delaware Courts: A Delaware District Court affirmed a Chapter 15 recognition order enforcing a Mexican bankruptcy ruling, including nonconsensual third-party releases—an important cross-border precedent for Delaware’s role in complex insolvencies. Delaware Health: UD researchers say shingles vaccination is linked to a lower dementia risk in older adults, with a study of more than 500,000 nursing-home patients finding vaccinated people had about a 24% lower risk over four years. Local Delaware Community: Delaware Sea Grant’s autonomous systems bootcamp showcase at UD’s Lewes marine campus highlighted underwater robots collecting environmental data, underscoring the state’s push toward hands-on research and the “blue economy.” Public Safety & Scams: Delaware scam reporting remains a concern, with Millsboro and other towns appearing in BBB Scam Tracker lists for July.

Education & Public Safety: Christina School District approved a plan to phase out school resource officers in middle schools, replacing them with state-licensed constables, while SROs stay in high schools for at least another year; the district reimburses police agencies for nine SROs totaling about $1.3M. Immigration Detention: ICE is reportedly weighing buying “turn-key” immigrant detention facilities or other contracting options to keep capacity as existing contracts near expiration in Pennsylvania. Delaware Schools Pay: Delaware’s teachers are still well below the $60,000 starting salary goal, averaging about $51,627 for new teachers, meaning multiple raises would be needed to reach the target. Delaware Government Oversight: A new audit says Delaware lacks a reliable statewide system to track dual public employment, limiting the state’s ability to confirm whether workers are paid twice for overlapping hours. Delaware Cannabis Market: A year after recreational marijuana launched, Delaware’s market is still struggling, with no new standalone shops despite many licenses awarded. Arts Funding: Delaware’s Division of the Arts awarded more than $5M in new grants to arts groups and individual projects statewide. Business/Legal: DoorDash plans to reincorporate in Nevada, citing concerns about Delaware’s litigation environment.

Delaware Politics & Voting Rights: Gov. Matt Meyer signed the Delaware John Lewis Voting Rights Act (HB 444), expanding state-level protections on the anniversary of the federal Voting Rights Act. Delaware Public Safety & Community: The Delaware Farm to Processing Program expanded at the Sussex Community Corrections Center in Georgetown, training incarcerated participants to process fresh produce for community distribution. Delaware Business & Tech: Aditude, an ad tech firm, says it ranked No. 8 in Delaware on the Inc. 5000 list after 639% three-year revenue growth. Delaware Courts & Local Government: Liberty Township trustees approved a settlement with the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, rescinding a proposed “Protect and Serve” admission surcharge and setting up up to $875,000 in payments over five years. National Consumer Watch: Delaware remains a top internet-speed state in HighSpeedInternet.com’s 2026 report, while BBB Scam Tracker data shows scam reports continue to rise in many states.

Delaware Courts & Business: A Delaware Chancery judge ordered a forensic review of disputed Conch & Coconut revenue tied to a Bahamas tourism operation, putting more than $6.7 million under scrutiny while the parties fight over ownership of bookings and customer data. State Politics & Policy: Delaware’s campaign donor disclosure law is back in court as a conservative group asks the 3rd Circuit to strike it down, arguing it violates donor privacy and the First Amendment. Health & Consumer Protection: Delaware Attorney General Aaron Ford sued the Trump administration to block illegal moves that would raise Affordable Care Act costs, joining a broader coalition. Public Safety & Privacy: Wilmington removed Flock license plate reader cameras amid growing debate over automated surveillance, though the city still uses other vendors. Sports & Community: Delaware State and the Eagles’ Michael Vick are set to connect on the field with a game at Lincoln Financial Field, while Delaware State University students staff a free Capital Park Camp partnership with the Food Bank of Delaware. Legal/Finance: Delaware Chancery also weighed conflicting forum-selection clauses in a Kelly Roofing dispute, offering guidance that could affect where similar cases get heard.