AGP Executive Report

Middle East Escalation: The U.S. military identified two more soldiers killed in Jordan amid the Iran conflict, bringing the reported U.S. death toll to 17 as strikes and drone threats ripple across the region. Immigration & Courts: A Guatemalan man who reentered the U.S. after multiple deportations was sentenced to six months in federal prison in Sioux City. Housing Crisis (Local): Asheville, North Carolina is spotlighting a “future of housing” project as renters face long timelines to save for down payments and home values keep climbing. Workplace Transparency: A new 80/20 Institute study says 70% of U.S. workers can’t access the data behind their company’s strategy, raising alarms about execution and alignment. Business & Small Firms: Byline Bank won Illinois SBA 7(a) Lender of the Year, citing $136.9M in loans and support for exporters. Public Safety/Community: U.P. Wildlife Rehab in Michigan is caring for a record 40 baby raccoons this year and is asking for bedding donations. Legal/Markets: Securities firms are pursuing class actions tied to Hub Group and GRAIL, alleging misleading disclosures to investors.

World Cup & Politics: President Trump presented Spain the trophy after the final, calling it proof the U.S. is “a soccer country,” even as fans booed when his image appeared on the big screen at MetLife Stadium. Culture & Entertainment: Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” is off to a massive start, with reports of a $264.1M global debut and a record opening for the director. Immigration & Voting Rights: DHS warned Nevada officials that up to 15,903 noncitizens may be on voter rolls, part of a broader preliminary review across several states. Elections & Claims: Washington’s top election official said Trump’s televised election-integrity claims don’t change the record that fraud allegations have been disproven. Public Safety & Weather: Flash flooding warnings hit Beaver County, Paired with drought concerns in western South Dakota. Foreign Policy & War: The U.S. announced another troop death tied to strikes on Iran as missiles were fired toward Jordan, raising fears of wider escalation. Local Governance: Sausalito’s city manager, recently appointed, was arrested on a burglary allegation.

World Cup Integrity: Europe’s top human-rights body says FIFA’s World Cup rules are being bent by “money and power,” pointing to a U.S. player ban being lifted amid political pressure and concerns about a prediction-market sponsor deal. U.S.-Iran Escalation: The U.S. launched new strikes targeting Iran’s Revolutionary Guard after an attack in Jordan killed American troops, as the Strait of Hormuz standoff keeps widening. Immigration Enforcement: A new “Alien Terrorist Removal Court” petition marks a first use of a dormant deportation court, while separate reporting highlights fresh ICE-related fatal incidents and renewed scrutiny of enforcement practices. Health Care Access: A growing OB/GYN shortage is leaving patients turned away, with many counties lacking providers. Maternal Health: Sen. Alex Padilla and allies reintroduce the Mamas First Act to expand Medicaid coverage for doula, midwife, and postpartum care. Local Politics & Public Safety: A New Hampshire lawmaker’s 107 mph stop reignites the body-camera debate after officials say no footage exists. Environment & Energy: Pacific leaders oppose an American Samoa seabed lease plan, warning it threatens sacred waters and island rights. Demographics: A new study warns the U.S. population could start shrinking by 2054 unless fertility trends improve.

Immigration & Civil Rights: Senators Durbin and Padilla urged DHS and DOJ to stop blanket $1.8 million civil fines aimed at law-abiding immigrants, arguing the penalties are being improperly assessed without clear individual explanations. Law Enforcement Accountability: A community vigil in San Marcos, Texas, mourned two men killed by police and ICE, spotlighting ongoing concerns about de-escalation and federal use of force. ICE Shootings: Reports describe ICE agents fatally shooting a Mexican immigrant in Houston after aggressive pursuit and pursuing questions about tactics and lack of body cameras. International Justice: Influencer brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate were arrested in Miami by U.S. Marshals on sealed warrants tied to U.K. extradition requests over rape and sex-trafficking allegations. Middle East & U.S. Security: Two U.S. service members were killed in an Iranian strike on a base in Jordan, and the U.S. launched an eighth straight night of strikes on Iran. Crypto Regulation: Regulators missed the July 18 deadline for GENIUS Act stablecoin rules, leaving key requirements unfinished as the January 2027 start date approaches. Election Rights & Speech: A North Carolina high school reversed a ban on a student painting an American flag on a parking spot after backlash.

Middle East Escalation: Iran’s IRGC says it hit U.S. support sites in Kuwait after a seventh night of U.S. strikes, with Kuwait reporting damage to an oil facility and injuries, while Bahrain activated missile/drone sirens. Election Claims & Voting Rules: Trump and DHS chief Markwayne Mullin again pushed the claim that 250,000 noncitizens are registered to vote, but reporting says the estimate may be inflated from commercial data; courts and states remain central to the fight over voter access. Privacy & Surveillance: Cities and states are pushing back on license-plate reader surveillance, with a growing push to make unauthorized camera use a felony. Education & Paychecks: A new rule ties federal aid to whether college grads earn at least $36,000 a year, aiming to hold low-outcome programs accountable. Tech & Media: DOJ says federal workers can download TikTok again after ByteDance’s divestiture; Netflix confirmed a $587M cash deal for Ben Affleck’s AI filmmaking startup InterPositive. Sports & Costs: Landon Donovan warns youth sports are priced out for many families, fueling a pay-to-play pipeline debate.

Election Integrity Fight: Trump’s primetime election claims about China and noncitizens drew sharp pushback from experts, with DHS’s “250,000” figure questioned as based on less-detailed data and no proof of real election interference. Voting Access & Courts: A federal appeals court let USPS move forward on a Trump-backed mail-voting rule for now, raising fears ballots could be blocked if voters aren’t on approved lists. SAVE Act Deadline Pressure: Trump renewed calls for the SAVE America Act, but lawmakers and voting-rights groups warn it may be hard to implement before the 2026 midterms. Local Governance: Washington’s top elections official defended state voting security after Trump’s speech, while Arizona Republicans and AG Kris Mayes defended a border-related immigration law in court. Housing Policy: The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is now law, aiming to speed housing supply with zoning best-practice guidance, grant expansion, and an innovation fund. Food & Agriculture: FDA is set to lower the sugar standard for pasteurized orange juice, and a California farmer is fighting for the right to give away nectarines tied to exclusive plant-breeding rights. Public Safety: Two U.S. Forest Service workers were rescued after a hostage ordeal in Northern California.

ICE Body Cameras: Biddeford, Maine’s mayor called it “totally unacceptable” that ICE agents weren’t wearing body cameras before a deadly shooting, renewing pressure on Congress and the agency’s accountability. Election Integrity Push: President Trump used primetime to revive debunked 2020 election claims and demand passage of the SAVE America Act, while Georgia officials offered pointed responses and experts noted the lack of proof of actual election interference. Food Safety: CDC/FDA linked Taco Bell shredded iceberg lettuce to a multi-state cyclosporiasis outbreak, with Michigan reporting thousands of cases. Cyberattack Disruption: Coca-Cola paused U.S. Fairlife milk production after a ransomware attack hit parts of its systems, saying product safety wasn’t impacted. Health & Policy: The House passed the Sunshine Protection Act to make daylight saving time permanent, sending it to the Senate. Immigration & Rights: A “Know Your Rights” World Cup campaign in Sunset Park handed out multilingual cards for interactions with ICE and other services. Tech & Security: A new Chinese AI model report adds to U.S. concerns about narrowing AI gaps.

Election Integrity & Voting Rights: President Trump used a primetime address to revive debunked 2020 election claims and push Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, which would require in-person proof of citizenship to register to vote. Immigration Courts & Detention: A federal judge ordered ICE to make major health and safety changes at the Adelanto detention center after attorneys alleged “inhumane” conditions. Privacy & Surveillance: San Francisco’s license plate camera system is under renewed scrutiny after an audit found improper access by federal and out-of-state agencies. Trade & Cost of Living: The U.S. is imposing new 25% tariffs on Brazilian imports starting July 22, escalating a dispute that Brazil says it will retaliate against. Public Safety & Courts: A Missouri crash-linked law signed by Gov. Mike Kehoe expands penalties for fatal drunk driving. Environment & Community: Beluga whales are being relocated from the shuttered Marineland to U.S. aquariums after federal approval. Media Pressure: ABC, NBC and CNN plan limited or non-broadcast coverage of Trump’s election-security speech, signaling friction with the administration.

Federal Courts & Power Struggle: President Trump fired Seattle’s newly appointed U.S. attorney Roger Rogoff less than an hour after he was sworn in, after a judges’ panel selected him—setting up a fresh fight over DOJ independence and appointment process. Economy & Everyday Costs: Fed chair Kevin Warsh told Congress inflation must return to the 2% target, while lawmakers pressed on how AI-driven investment and the Iran war are shaping prices and jobs. AI & Rights: Indigenous advocates urged protections for AI data-center development, warning that energy- and water-hungry infrastructure is often built without meaningful consent. Immigration Enforcement: New reporting highlights alleged abuse at a Texas ICE detention facility, as scrutiny grows over how force is used and how detainees are treated. Politics & Voting: An AP-NORC poll finds most Americans oppose twice-yearly clock changes, as Congress moves toward making daylight saving permanent. Trade: The U.S. imposed 25% tariffs on some Brazilian imports starting July 22, with exemptions for key goods like coffee and beef. Culture & Society: A Pew-Knight study maps how Americans engage in civic life through news, politics, and religion—showing distinct public “types” in how people participate.

Sunshine Protection Act: The U.S. House passed the Sunshine Protection Act to make daylight saving time permanent, 308-117, but all four Arkansas Republicans voted no; the bill now heads to the Senate where Sen. Tom Cotton is expected to block it, even as President Trump backs the change. Immigration Detention Abuse Claims: Rights groups say detainees at an ICE facility in Texas were beaten, denied medical care, and blocked from contacting family or lawyers; DHS disputes the allegations. Justice Department Confirmation Fight: Acting AG Todd Blanche faced sharp Senate Judiciary questioning over the “anti-weaponization” fund, IRS settlement issues, Jan. 6 pardons, and Epstein file handling. Voting Rights Clash: Federal judges say Trump’s DOJ can’t seize state voter rolls, with the department losing all 15 district court cases so far. Public Health: Measles cases in 2026 are nearing last year’s total, as vaccination declines and public trust issues fuel spread. ICE Shooting Probe: Maine’s AG confirmed it’s investigating a fatal ICE shooting in Biddeford. U.S. Mint 250th Coin: The Mint began producing a new $1 coin with Trump’s face for America’s 250th birthday. Weather: Wildfire smoke from Canada is expected to push dangerous air quality across parts of the Midwest and Northeast.

Immigration & Rights: A new Human Rights Watch/ACLU report says detainees at a Texas ICE facility (Camp East Montana) reported beatings, filthy conditions, poor medical care, and barriers to contacting lawyers or family. Courts & Voting: The Supreme Court term ended with major rulings on immigration, presidential power, and protections for private companies, while Pennsylvania’s election chief Al Schmidt says local officials handle voter rolls after DOJ warned states about noncitizen voting. Politics & Law Enforcement: Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court reinstated attorney David Shulick to practice law. Federal Policy & Money: The U.S. Mint will begin striking a $1 gold coin featuring Trump’s face as part of the 250th-birthday push. Consumer & Health: A fact-check-style look raises questions about whether “Jelly Force” gummies are transparent enough to trust. Retirement: The Saver’s Match starts next year, but millions of lower-income workers—especially women—may miss it because they lack retirement accounts. Ukraine: A top EU official pledged continued military support for Ukraine’s sovereignty. Business: U.S. stocks rose as PayPal jumped on a $53B acquisition proposal.

Meta AI Layoff Lawsuit: A new federal suit alleges Meta used internal AI tools to rank and select employees for layoffs, disproportionately hitting people with disabilities and medical-related issues. Entertainment Merger Fight: Twelve Democratic-led states and the Writers Guild of America sued to block Paramount’s Warner Bros. Discovery deal, arguing it would crush competition and suppress writers’ wages and jobs. Immigration & Rights: The Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment, while Mexico began filing complaints in the U.S. over deaths of Mexican nationals in ICE custody. China Detention: A U.S. seismologist detained in China for nearly two years faces spying allegations, with the State Department pressing for his release. Middle East Tensions: The U.S. resumed strikes and reinstated a Hormuz blockade as Trump threatened to target Iran’s power plants and bridges unless talks move forward. Public Safety: A deputy U.S. Marshal was killed during an arrest operation in Alexandria, Louisiana; authorities also investigate a possibly fake GoFundMe tied to the family. Health: Breast cancer is rising fastest in one group of U.S. women, with new research focusing on how Asian American communities differ.

U.S.-Iran Escalation: The U.S. resumed strikes on Iran and Iran retaliated across the region, with the Strait of Hormuz again at the center of fears for global shipping and oil prices. Immigration Enforcement Fallout: In Maine, an ICE officer fatally shot a driver during an operation; immigrant-rights groups are pressing for answers as questions grow over body cameras and the circumstances. Justice Department Fight: Todd Blanche heads into his attorney general confirmation hearing amid scrutiny over loyalty to Trump, investigations into political foes, and handling of major DOJ matters. Public Health & Travel: U.S. citizens returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo face a new rule requiring 21 days outside the country due to Ebola concerns. Courts & Rights: The Second Circuit upheld New York’s limits on religious vaccine exemptions, a blow for families seeking broader religious opt-outs. Environment & Equity: Reports say Musk’s xAI built unpermitted power turbines that could worsen pollution burdens in Black communities. Education Policy: North Carolina’s education board is questioning how voucher-related savings and a new K-12 diversity ban will work in practice. Business & Markets: The SEC floated changes to semiannual reporting, while new leveraged ETFs launched on SK hynix after its major Nasdaq listing.

Senate Shake-Up: South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham Nordone to fill Lindsey Graham’s seat after his death at 71, with a special GOP primary set for Aug. 11. Immigration & Public Safety: ICE says it arrested “worst of the worst” criminals over the weekend, while Mexico demanded investigations into alleged ICE killings tied to Trump’s crackdown; separate reports highlight deadly ICE shootings in Maine and renewed calls for probes. Federal Courts & Voting: Idaho AG accused DOJ of improper threats in a lawsuit over unredacted voter rolls, while the U.S. House passed a bill restricting state/local election funding to U.S. citizens only. Antitrust & Media: Twelve states sued to block Paramount’s Warner Bros. Discovery takeover, arguing it would “extinguish competition.” Foreign Policy & Energy: Trump’s proposed 20% Strait of Hormuz toll drew warnings it could violate international law and spike oil prices, even as the U.S. says the strait remains open. Local News: Two rescue boats caught fire on a U.S. Navy cargo ship in Baltimore; a Wausau man pleaded guilty to defrauding investors out of $14.25M, with seized vehicles headed to auction.

Senate Shake-Up: Sen. Lindsey Graham, a longtime Trump ally and Ukraine/Israel hawk, died at 71 after a “brief and sudden illness,” with a preliminary medical examiner report pointing to an aortic tear; South Carolina’s Gov. Henry McMaster will appoint a replacement, but a special primary will still put voters in the driver’s seat for Graham’s seat. Foreign Policy: Zelenskyy called Graham a “true defender of freedom,” praising his 10 visits to Ukraine and recent push for tougher Russia sanctions. Tech & Kids Safety: California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are seeking up to $1.4 trillion from Meta over claims Facebook/Instagram were designed to addict children and teens. Healthcare & China: A House committee is investigating major U.S. drugmakers over clinical trials at Chinese military-linked hospitals and in Xinjiang, raising consent and IP theft concerns. Public Protest: Weekly Resist Central Maine demonstrations in Lewiston and Auburn are drawing both support and heckling as residents push for democracy and civil rights.

Senate Shockwave: South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, 71, died after a “brief and sudden illness,” with a D.C. medical examiner preliminarily citing an aortic dissection tied to hardened arteries. Trump called him “like a member of the family,” and flags were ordered at half-staff. South Carolina Politics: Graham’s death sets up a fast scramble over his seat—McMaster can appoint a temporary replacement, but a special primary and election are expected to follow, reshaping GOP plans. Foreign Policy Flashpoint: As Graham’s Iran hawk legacy looms, the U.S. carried out another night of strikes on Iran amid Strait of Hormuz tensions, with Iran and Gulf states trading claims of attacks and interceptions. Housing Watch: A bipartisan housing bill became law without Trump’s signature, with supporters calling it a major push to speed construction and buyers’ access. Tech & Kids: States are seeking up to $1.4 trillion from Meta over claims Facebook/Instagram were designed to addict children. Public Safety: Trump said he’s taking over Washington, D.C.’s police and activating the National Guard to address crime and homelessness.