AGP Executive Report

Data Center Tax Fight: Virginia senators Mamie Locke and Louise Lucas rallied in Hampton to end the sales and use tax exemption for data centers, arguing the deal’s cost has ballooned to about $2 billion a year ahead of the June 30 budget deadline. AI Policy: A U.S. order forced Anthropic to suspend its most powerful models, Mythos 5 and Fable 5, drawing sharp criticism over national security claims and how safeguards were bypassed. Public Health Recalls: The FDA upgraded an Alfredo sauce recall to a Class I “highest risk” level after possible Salmonella contamination, affecting 41 states including Virginia and the D.C. region; officials also flagged related dairy recall concerns. Local Safety: A house fire in the East Falls Church area left one person with life-threatening injuries, with fire marshals investigating the cause. Education Demographics: Lancaster County reported 83 multiracial students in 2025-26, about 9% of enrollment, with Lancaster Middle School leading. Sports & Community: Battlefield High won its first state baseball title, and Louisa veterans received Quilts of Valor honors.

Kennedy Center Fight: A federal court says the Kennedy Center removed all Trump-branded signage, but a tarp over the scaffolding still obscures what visitors will see next. White House Spotlight: Trump’s 80th birthday is set to coincide with UFC Freedom 250 on the White House lawn, with fights and crowds drawing national attention. Severe Weather in Virginia: A storm tent collapse at a Virginia church anniversary event killed 1 and injured 22, as officials cite heavy winds and lightning. Reproductive Healthcare Win: Local advocates in Harrisonburg celebrated Virginia’s Right to Contraception Act and vowed to push the fight to Washington. Public Safety & Planning: Pittsylvania County supervisors extended a tax payment due date after bills were mailed later than usual. UVA Leadership: U.Va. President Scott Beardsley briefed the Board of Visitors on revenue growth and the university’s “affordability” and “accessibility” focus. Weather Watch: Richmond-area forecasts warn of hot, muggy conditions and late-day storms with damaging wind risk.

Church Tragedy: A tent collapsed during EastLake Community Church’s 20th anniversary celebration in Moneta, killing 1 and injuring 22 as heavy rain, lightning, and strong winds were blamed for the failure. Weather Watch: Sunday storm threats are back on the map for parts of Virginia, with damaging winds and a chance of isolated tornadoes possible. Legal Fight: The Justice Department sued Virginia to block a new state law banning federal officers from wearing masks, arguing it’s unconstitutional and could expose officers to harassment. Kennedy Center Fallout: The Kennedy Center says it complied with a court order to remove Trump’s name from its facade, but a tarp still obscures what visitors will see. Public Safety & Crime: A wanted man was arrested in Martinsville in connection with a May 12 murder, and separately a Henry County drug bust led to charges after drugs, cash, and a firearm were found. Sports & Schools: Battlefield High won its first state baseball title, while Virginia school enrollment updates show multiracial student counts in Isle of Wight County at 470 for 2025-26.

Data Center Fight: Local governments and residents are pushing back on data centers as new rules and moratoriums spread, including Warren County’s first-reading regulations that would limit siting and require closed-loop water cooling. Marijuana Market Talks: Virginia lawmakers and Gov. Abigail Spanberger are nearing a tentative framework for a legal adult-use marijuana marketplace, with potential knock-on effects for Danville and Pittsylvania County. Public Safety: A church tent collapse in Moneta during EastLake Community Church’s 20th anniversary celebration killed one person and injured dozens after severe storms and strong winds. Immigration Enforcement: A DHS/ICE update claims most recent arrests involve people charged or convicted of crimes, including a case tied to Fairfax, Virginia. Weather Watch: The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a disturbance in the Gulf as hot, stormy conditions continue across the region. Sports & Community: Ghana’s World Cup preparations continue after a Virginia training camp, while Richmond SailFest brings tall ships to the James River for America’s 250th anniversary.

Spongy Moth Response: Virginia and the Forest Service plan aerial treatments starting June 10 in Southwest Virginia to slow the spread of invasive spongy moths, using a pheromone spray designed to disrupt mating. Local Wildlife Care: The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center in Roanoke admitted two orphaned bobcat kittens after their mother was killed on a road; the costly rehab effort is already underway. SNAP Fraud Case: A Lynchburg grocery owner, Taste of India’s Rajan Babbar, was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison for more than $2.1 million in SNAP fraud. State Leadership Moves: Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced higher-education board appointments and a new 2026 Governor’s Fellows cohort. Food Assistance Policy: U.S. Sen. Mark Warner joined a push to let SNAP shoppers buy hot rotisserie chicken. Land Conservation Funding: The Virginia Land Conservation Foundation opened applications for up to $17.2 million in FY2027 grants, with an Aug. 21 deadline. Public Safety & Weather: Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative urged storm prep as hurricane season ramps up, and Prince William County reported two kayak rescues after a capsizing during thunderstorms. Community & Culture: Richmond kicked off SailFest for America’s 250th with tall ships and events, while the Mount Airy Fiddlers Convention crowned the Slate Mountain Ramblers among top winners.

DOJ vs. Virginia: The U.S. Justice Department sued Virginia over a new law restricting facial coverings for federal law enforcement officers, arguing it unlawfully interferes with federal operations and could endanger agents. Immigration & public safety: A separate report says the border may be “closed” under President Trump, but Virginia Democrats and local officials are still facing pressure over how immigration enforcement and violent crime are handled. Politics in Richmond: Coverage highlights Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s frequent vetoes of Democratic bills, fueling internal party tension as lawmakers push for priorities like collective bargaining and cannabis legalization. Tech & jobs: A Virginia-focused debate continues over data centers—how they affect energy demand, water use, taxes, and long-term costs. Community & culture: Danville’s River District hosts “Friday Art Night” with local artists, while Eastern Shore events and Juneteenth programming spotlight local history and resilience.

FTC vs. Zillow/Redfin: The federal government is asking a Virginia judge to treat a $100 million rental listings deal as presumptively illegal ahead of trial, escalating a major antitrust fight. Federal courts & tariffs: Virginia Attorney General Aaron Ford is back in court challenging Trump’s tariff moves and rushed federal contracting mandates, arguing they unlawfully raise costs and create confusion for contractors. Intel leadership shake-up: President Trump nominated U.S. attorney Jay Clayton to be the next director of national intelligence, after backlash over an acting pick tied to housing regulator Bill Pulte. Defense branding fight: GOP lawmakers pushed language to officially rebrand the Pentagon as the Department of War in the National Defense Authorization Act. Northern Virginia security: AlertDC warned residents about low-flying military flyovers tied to the UFC Freedom 250 weekend at the White House. Local spotlight: Norfolk’s Lomo Pizzeria says its stolen central AC forced a temporary closure. Transportation: I-81 South near Staunton faces an overnight closure June 13-14 for widening work. Community & culture: The Norfolk & Western 611 steam locomotive returned to Virginia rails for America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.

Virginia Politics & Courts: A new “Clean Slate” law in Virginia starts July 1, letting some people with older felony convictions petition to seal records—aimed at improving housing and job prospects for people without new convictions. Education & Culture Wars: Loudoun County Public Schools Superintendent Aaron Spence testified before a U.S. House committee on how districts handle sensitive content, student safety, and parental control, following federal scrutiny tied to bathroom-recording and locker-room policy disputes. Public Safety: A Churchville woman was arrested after an alleged domestic stabbing that left a man with life-threatening injuries. Health: Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed bipartisan bills to cut insulin costs and reduce insurance delays and other barriers to care. Gun Policy: Virginia and other states are tightening rules on 3D-printed firearms, including limits on untraceable guns and digital design files. Community & Events: Smithfield is gearing up for Sail250 with historic vessels and free maritime-themed activities June 12-14.

Gun Rights in Court: A top DOJ civil rights official says the Trump administration is steering Second Amendment cases toward the Supreme Court by targeting places that could create a split between appeals courts. Local Governance: James City County put on hold a plan for giant presidential heads and a major mixed-use attraction after neighbors raised traffic and service concerns. Public Safety & Health: Virginia drivers are warned about a “gas pump screw” scam that can keep pumps running for fraud; separately, a multi-state recall includes soft ricotta/requeson cheese sold in Virginia due to possible listeria contamination. Heat Preparedness: Delaware opened DHSS cooling stations for residents during a multi-day heat wave. Transit & Cost: Hampton Roads Transit rolled out GoMobile, letting riders pay by app with lower fares and a daily cap. Community & Culture: Richmond mourns Romayne “Beth” Marschak, a longtime LGBTQ+ civil rights activist.

U.S. Spy Law Fight: Congress is racing to renew FISA Section 702, but gridlock over privacy, national security, and Trump’s spy pick Bill Pulte is putting the renewal deadline at risk. Virginia Courts & Voting: Virginia’s Supreme Court struck down the voter-approved redistricting amendment, turning a major mid-decade map fight into a legal and national cautionary tale. Redistricting Dollars: A Democratic-aligned super PAC is pouring $30M into state legislative races to shape future House district lines, keeping Virginia’s remapping battle part of a bigger national fight. Rural Health: A state health commission report says 13 of 36 rural hospitals face distant or immediate closure risk, raising urgent access concerns for communities far from major medical centers. Eastern Shore Aerospace: Rocket Lab’s HASTE suborbital launch is set for Thursday from Wallops Island, with weather a key factor. Local Sports: Riverheads advances in Class 1 baseball with a 2-0 win over Lancaster; Spotswood rolls Hidden Valley 11-1 in Class 3. Public Safety: A Navy sailor was sentenced to 44 years in federal prison for killing a fellow service member at Virginia’s Naval Station Norfolk.

Disaster Relief: The U.S. Small Business Administration opened low-interest disaster loans for Virginia small businesses and private nonprofits hit by drought that began April 28, with Economic Injury Disaster Loans available for working capital losses across dozens of counties. Healthcare Watch: Virginia is reorganizing nursing scholarship programs after a report found more than $10 million sat unused, with new oversight aimed at making eligibility clearer and funding more effective. Rural Hospitals: A new state report says 13 of 36 rural hospitals are at risk of closure, including several in Southwest Virginia, prompting system responses. Public Safety & Local Government: Lancaster’s police chief resigned after four months, and an I-66 safety project in Fauquier County starts June 17 with overnight closures and lane work planned through July. Community & Jobs: Radford University won an Appalachian Regional Commission grant to plan AI-driven workforce pathways for Southwest Virginia, while Virginia Tech is moving ahead with four new residence halls expected to add up to 1,200 rooms by 2028-29. Sports & Culture: Tyler Davis was picked up by the Boston Red Sox from the Wild Things, and the Norfolk & Western J-Class 611 steam locomotive unveiled a new “America 250” paint scheme for summer excursions.

Data Center Fight: Virginia budget talks are stuck again as lawmakers clash over how much data centers should pay for energy use and environmental impacts, with Gov. Spanberger pushing proposals that would make the industry “pay their fair share.” Public Safety & Courts: Prosecutors say a Norfolk-area woman may have still been alive when her husband allegedly sealed her in a freezer, as he fights for bond. Health Watch: The CDC is investigating a multistate listeria outbreak tied to recalled soft cheese sold in Virginia and other states, with at least one death reported. Crime & Justice: A former NICU nurse in Virginia was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading no contest to abusing premature babies, including injuries described as “unexplainable fractures.” Local Politics: Americans4Hindus endorsed Andrew Friedson ahead of the Montgomery County Democratic primary, highlighting priorities like accountability, public safety, and economic development. Higher Ed & Culture: Pride Month programming is facing pushback at some colleges as institutions step back from LGBTQ+ messaging amid new restrictions.

State Budget Talks: Gov. Abigail Spanberger says Virginia will have a budget by the end of the month and avoid a shutdown, with negotiators still stuck on whether to end a sales tax break for data centers and with retail marijuana language also in play. Public Health: Virginia health officials warn of a summer tick surge, citing a sharp rise in tick-related calls and emergency visits, urging residents to keep yards trimmed and brush cleared. National Security & Crime: A Navy shooting aboard the future USS John F. Kennedy at Newport News Shipyard left one sailor dead and another in custody, as the investigation continues. Local Governance: Clarksville has named an interim town manager while it searches for a permanent replacement after terminating its longtime manager’s contract. Politics & Surveillance: Democrats signal they won’t reauthorize a key foreign surveillance law if Bill Pulte becomes acting DNI, keeping pressure on Congress before the deadline. Energy Costs: Gas prices remain volatile, with multiple Virginia counties and cities reporting the week’s lowest regular, midgrade, premium, and diesel figures.

Virginia Tech: An anonymous four-generation Hokie family donated a record $75 million to Virginia Tech, with most of the money aimed at athletics through the “Invest to Win” push. Local Education: Woodville Elementary School in Richmond is delayed indefinitely after a roughly $41 million construction funding gap. Gun Policy: A growing list of Virginia prosecutors says they won’t enforce the state’s July 1 assault weapons ban, arguing it’s unconstitutional. Courts & Schools: A Shenandoah County case is set to decide whether Confederate-linked school names should stay. Data Centers: Lawmakers and communities keep clashing over data center growth, including concerns about water, noise, and affordability. Tourism: Virginia Tourism is targeting India more aggressively, citing India as a top overseas market and a rebound expectation. Public Safety: Police are appealing for help locating a missing man reported last seen in Riverwood. Roads: A speeding-related crash in Chesapeake killed a Suffolk man working on a sidewalk.

White House UFC Lawsuit: Two Virginia residents and the Public Integrity Project sued to block “UFC Freedom 250” on the White House South Lawn, calling it an unlawful, private commercial use of national monuments and citing permit and environmental-review concerns; the White House calls the case baseless. Veteran Community Support: In Roanoke Rapids, neighbors raised $8,550 for Marine veteran Clarence Merritt after a home invasion stole his money, records, and Marine dog tags. CIA Gold-Bar Case: A former CIA official accused of stealing $40 million in gold bars reportedly created a fake “special access program” to siphon money. Gun Ban Enforcement Fight: Local prosecutors say they’ll refuse to enforce Virginia’s new assault weapons ban as July 1 nears. Education & Rights: CAIR sued Virginia schools over alleged unequal discipline of Muslim students tied to a viral skit. Local Summer Meals: Tazewell County library is offering free grab-and-go meals for kids during summer break. Sports: Parry McCluer’s Chandler won two state track titles to lead his team.

Higher Education Appointments: Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced new board appointments tied to Virginia’s colleges and universities, naming leaders across CNU and William & Mary governance. Civil Rights in Schools: CAIR filed a federal lawsuit against Fairfax County Public Schools, alleging Muslim students at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology were disciplined over a social media video while similar conduct by other groups went unpunished. Space & Infrastructure: NASA tapped Air Force veteran Brian Hughes as the new director of Kennedy Space Center, with plans to align launch operations with Wallops and address aging infrastructure needs. Public Safety: Port Royal police said a sergeant was injured in an accidental discharge while cleaning his pistol at headquarters. Local Nursing Home Watch: CMS data highlighted low star ratings at several Virginia facilities, including one-star Norfolk Health Care Center and two-star Norview Heights and Kempsville Health & Rehab.