AGP Executive Report

Heat & the Grid: A brutal Fourth of July heat wave is pushing electricity demand toward record levels, with data centers increasingly concentrated in stressed power-grid regions—especially across the PJM Mid-Atlantic footprint that includes Maryland—raising the stakes for reliability and costs. Extreme Heat Safety: Cities across the East are activating emergency plans as heat indexes climb into life-threatening territory, with events already shortened or canceled. Maryland Utility Relief: Maryland is moving to lower household energy bills through new utility relief programs, including help for hundreds of thousands of ratepayers. Data Center Politics in Fort Meade: Residents have launched a recall drive targeting Fort Meade’s mayor and commissioners over a major data center project, arguing the vote reflects broader governance failures. Grocery Deal: Kroger agreed to buy Giant Eagle for $1.65B, expanding into Mid-Atlantic and Maryland markets. Local Water Woes: A boil-water notice in the Baltimore-area region was lifted after difficult conditions for residents and care facilities. Fishing Boost: Maryland continues stocking tidal rivers with largemouth bass to strengthen recreational fishing. Food Prices & Privacy: New Jersey advanced a law aimed at banning “surveillance pricing,” a trend that could ripple into how Maryland consumers get charged.

ICE Detention Fight in Howard County: A federal judge heard arguments over whether Howard County illegally revoked building permits for an Elkridge warehouse being retrofitted into an ICE detention facility; the decision is expected soon as protesters pack court and the case turns on state law versus federal authority. Extreme Heat Response: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore declared a State of Preparedness as dangerous heat lingers across the Baltimore area, with cooling centers and public guidance aimed at keeping residents safe. Maryland Energy Costs: Moore announced utility relief plans for 200,000 households, part of a broader push to lower bills during summer spikes. Voting Rights vs. USPS: Maryland’s AG-led multistate push joins other states opposing USPS efforts that could restrict mail voting, arguing it threatens state control of elections. Local Crime: Howard County police say an Odenton man allegedly burglarized a Verizon store and then had his own vehicle stolen—only for officers to find blood tying him to the scene. Ravens on the Move: Baltimore will hold an open practice at the University of Maryland, bringing local football buzz to College Park.

Maryland Independence-Day safety: Gov. Wes Moore declared a State of Preparedness as an extreme heat wave hits the Baltimore area, with an Extreme Heat Warning Thursday and Friday and cooling-center guidance urging residents to hydrate and check on vulnerable neighbors. Local government operations: St. Mary’s County announced July 3 closures for libraries, transit, and senior centers, with limited services open, and noted July 4 hours for select facilities. Health and environment: A CDC-linked warning highlights flesh-eating bacteria risk (Vibrio vulnificus) during the July Fourth weekend as coastal water alerts spread. Business and groceries: Kroger’s $1.65 billion deal to buy Giant Eagle would expand its footprint across states including Maryland, with the merger expected to close in 2027. Culture and community: Maryland’s Liberty Tree Project is planting genetically identical Liberty Trees across all 23 counties and Baltimore City as part of the 250th anniversary living-history push. Sports business: Baltimore radio brands 98 Rock and WBAL NewsRadio are partnering with Jimmy’s Famous Seafood’s TailGOAT to bring a major tailgating experience to Ravens fans.

Heat & public safety: Maryland and the region are bracing for dangerous holiday heat, with officials pushing cooling centers, hydration, and heat-illness warning signs as temperatures climb. Housing & neighborhoods: Maryland announced new Reinvest Baltimore homeownership incentives and awards aimed at turning redeveloped, vacant properties into stable owner-occupied homes. Local government & data centers: Washington County approved a yearlong moratorium on new data center applications after residents raised concerns about water use, noise, and zoning compatibility. Courts & policy: A Maryland Supreme Court decision is driving a pause on new data center development, while federal courts continue to block parts of the Trump administration’s election and homelessness-related moves. Business & consumer impacts: DOJ settlement terms require major egg producers to pay $3.3M and donate 53 million eggs after alleged price-fixing; separate updates also track recalled cheeses tied to listeria, including items sold in Maryland. Politics & accountability: A Baltimore political consultant tied to Mayor Brandon Scott’s office is leaving city government after reporting issues surfaced over outside campaign work. Sports & community: Worcester County named Shytina Drummond the next jail warden, and Baltimore’s Sail250 festivities continue to draw crowds.

Public Safety Tech: UMBC is rolling out WRAP’s BolaWrap® non-lethal response tools and training, aiming to give campus officers an additional option for earlier intervention and safer resolutions. Local Health Access: Howard County installed 24/7 naloxone vending machines at the Grassroots Day Resource Center in Jessup and the health department in Columbia, offering overdose-prevention supplies plus links to training and treatment. Extreme Heat Preparedness: Maryland issued a State of Preparedness ahead of a dangerous holiday heat wave, as the region braces for higher risks and strain on electricity demand. Business & Jobs: Kroger agreed to buy Giant Eagle for $1.65 billion, expanding Kroger’s footprint across northern Ohio, western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana. Labor & Governance: Charles County commissioners approved collective bargaining amendments despite concerns about how changes were drafted and what rights were included. Sports & Community: The White Sox beat the Orioles 9-3 and now chase a sweep in Baltimore’s final regular-season matchup.

Maryland Courts & Growth: The Maryland Supreme Court blocked a referendum on a 2,615-acre data center zone near Adamstown, ruling the county’s charter and signature process didn’t allow it to reach the November ballot. Extreme Heat Response: Gov. Wes Moore declared a State of Preparedness for a dangerous heat wave, while Baltimore issued a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert running Wednesday through Saturday. Public Safety Crackdown: Baltimore police issued the first civil citations to gas stations accused of fueling illegal dirt bikes, as enforcement ramps up after riders gathered near Druid Hill Park. Housing for Homelessness: A multistate coalition including Wisconsin DOJ won a court fight against Trump-era HUD conditions on Continuum of Care funding; Maryland is listed among the participating states. Consumer Protection & Pricing: New Jersey passed the Fair Price Protection Act to ban personalized grocery pricing, joining Maryland and Connecticut in targeting “surveillance pricing.” Business & Compliance: EagleBank agreed to pay more than $9.7 million to resolve a Justice Department Bank Secrecy Act investigation tied to a check-kiting scheme it allegedly failed to stop. Gun Policy Watch: The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear challenges to assault-weapons bans, with potential ripple effects for states including those with AR-15 restrictions.

Medicaid Fight: Maryland and 24 other Democratic-led states sued the Trump administration over new Medicaid work requirements, arguing the “medically frail” exemption is too narrow and will kick people with serious illnesses off coverage. Public Safety & Health: New York City rolled out heat illness prevention rules for municipal workers and contractors as extreme temperatures keep rising. Housing & Homelessness: New York Attorney General Letitia James and allies won a court fight blocking unlawful HUD conditions tied to billions in Continuum of Care funding for homelessness services. Local Governance: Baltimore is expanding a program that lets property owners donate vacant homes to the city in exchange for clearing taxes, liens, and legal burdens. Community & Culture: The National Aquarium named Jennifer Driban its first female president and CEO, as it prepares for a major renovation. Business & Jobs: Our Time Kitchen in Baltimore continues scaling its shared kitchen model that helps minority women and marginalized-gender entrepreneurs launch food businesses. Sports: The White Sox look to build on their strong start against the Orioles in Baltimore.

Medicaid Fight in Court: A coalition of 24 attorneys general is suing the Trump administration to block new Medicaid work rules, arguing the “medically frail” exemption is too narrow and will kick vulnerable people off coverage. Maryland Politics & Local Governance: Baltimore County’s Democratic nomination for executive went to Julian Jones, while Prince George’s County named a new acting public works director and is still tied up in a judge-blocked $39 million transfer. Public Safety in Maryland: Baltimore County leaders held a Towson town hall to discuss crime concerns, and Howard County residents got a surprise bear sighting caught on camera. Elections Update: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled states can count mail ballots received after Election Day if they were postmarked on time, preserving grace periods in places including Maryland. Maryland at the National Stage: Gov. Wes Moore’s office issued a citation to Indian American journalist T. Vishnudatta Jayaraman, highlighting South Asian diaspora coverage. Baltimore’s 250th Boost: Sail 250 wrapped with ships drawing crowds and giving local businesses a sales lift.

Maryland Politics: At the Maryland Democratic Party gala, President Joe Biden delivered a combative “Fight Back & Win” speech attacking Donald Trump as corrupt and “a loser,” then famously struggled to find his way offstage. Health & Social Services: Maryland is pushing $10 million in ProduceRx grants to expand access to fresh produce in high-poverty communities, pairing health-provider “produce prescriptions” with community support. Mental Health Access: A new national survey finds 49% of behavioral health clinicians say they could take on more patients if paperwork ate less of their time, with many cutting caseloads to cope. Business & Travel: BermudAir announced new seasonal routes this winter, including expanded service tied to Baltimore-Washington (BWI) and other regional airports. Local Culture & Community: Carnival Cruise Line marked America’s 250th anniversary with a Baltimore celebration aboard Carnival Pride, featuring veterans and first responders. Sports: The AFC North is in flux after major coaching and roster changes, with Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson reacting to Myles Garrett’s move out of the division.

Maryland Politics: Former President Joe Biden hit Donald Trump with a fresh “what a loser” attack at a Maryland Democratic gala, blasting “vanity projects” tied to White House renovations, the Reflecting Pool overhaul, and other high-profile branding moves, while also accusing the Trump administration of “brazen” corruption. Local Governance: Emmitsburg’s ADU rules are moving from Town Council toward the Planning Commission, aiming to meet state requirements by defining where accessory dwelling units can be built and how they’ll be sized, sited, and limited. Public Safety & Community Aid: As earthquakes in Venezuela push the death toll past 1,400, D.C.-area groups are collecting and shipping supplies, including a multi-location donation drive run by Arepa Zone. Environment & Resilience: Maryland DNR awarded $4.5 million for seven Eastern Shore living shoreline projects to protect salt marsh habitat and shorelines under its Roots for Resilience push. Business & Jobs: Montgomery College launched a Collective Impact Institute to coordinate education, employers, nonprofits, and government partners around workforce development and economic mobility in Montgomery County. Sports: The Orioles activated Adley Rutschman and Dylan Beavers for the series finale against the Nationals after injury stints.

Maryland Politics: Former President Joe Biden hit Donald Trump hard at the Maryland Democratic Party’s “Fight Back & Win” gala, calling his White House East Wing demolition and reflecting pool renovation “vanity projects” and “what a loser,” while also accusing Trump of weakening NATO and siding with Vladimir Putin. Local Governance & Community: The Color & Light Society is bringing a free two-day art show with live demos and hands-on projects to The Fenwick Inn in Leonardtown (July 10–11). Local Events: St. Mary’s Freedom Fest returns July 3 at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds with family activities, stunt show entertainment, and fireworks around 9:20 p.m. Culture & History: As America marks 250 years, a rare 1790 exchange between George Washington and Bishop John Carroll is getting fresh attention for what it says about early religious freedom. Transit & Travel: With Spirit Airlines shutting down, reports point to a potential Greyhound bus travel boom, raising the question of whether bus travel can ever feel “cool” again. Media & Safety: A look at life in occupied Ukraine shows how reporting there has become a crime, with journalists targeted, jailed, or forced to cooperate.

Baltimore County Politics: Julian Jones won the Democratic nomination for Baltimore County executive after a tight, multi-day vote count, setting up a general election matchup with Republican Patrick Dyer. Sports & Local Life: The Orioles got an update on Chris Bassitt’s “pretty minor” back surgery and also discussed Adley Rutschman’s concussion recovery, while the Ravens named Kyle Youmans as their new radio voice. Public Safety & Courts: A former Anne Arundel County koi pond employee, Jonah Michael Poole, was sentenced to life in prison (with parole possibility) for the murder of Tropic Bay Water Gardens owner Edward Koza. State Policy & Cost of Living: Montgomery County’s minimum wage rises July 1, with different increases based on employer size. Environment & Bay Health: Gov. Wes Moore announced $31.5 million in Chesapeake and Coastal Bays restoration grants for 25 projects, including work in the Gunpowder watershed. Community & Culture: Sail 250 Maryland volunteers packed thousands of pounds of food with the Maryland Food Bank, and Pride Night at Camden Yards drew both praise and controversy.

Housing & Jobs: A new report warns the U.S. needs millions more homes, but the bigger bottleneck is a shortage of skilled construction workers—pushing projects to take longer and raising costs. Privacy & Federal Power: Sen. Ron Wyden says the ATF canceled a contract for warrantless location data after bipartisan pressure, a win for Fourth Amendment rights that Maryland readers will recognize as part of a broader surveillance fight. Maryland Energy Costs: Gov. Moore signed a utility relief bill aimed at cutting electricity bills for low-income families and slowing the cost pressure tied to big electricity users like data centers. AI Workforce Push: RAISE US is launching worker retraining pilots in Maryland and other states, betting on education and employer partnerships to blunt AI-driven job disruption. Baltimore & Global Ties: India’s INS Sudarshini arrived in Baltimore for Sail250 Maryland, bringing maritime outreach and highlighting U.S.-India naval cooperation. Local Culture: A Maryland artist’s Juneteenth show at the Academy Art Museum blends photography and hand-applied materials to tell stories often left out. Sports & Community: Shore Regional Health named a new supply chain director, while local coverage also highlights Pride events and community programs.

Local Government & Services: Frederick County will close offices July 3 for Independence Day, with Animal Control, Health Department, libraries, and the Board of Elections adjusting hours and phone access. Public Safety & Community Life: Ocean City and Rehoboth Beach are bracing for possible “takeover” crowds around July 4 after social media promos, with extra law enforcement and a push toward official events. Immigration & Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the Trump administration to end temporary protections for Haitians and Syrians, leaving Milford’s Haitian community anxious about what comes next. State Policy & Food Security: Maryland is rolling out $10 million in Produce Rx grants to deliver fresh-produce prescriptions in high-child-poverty ENOUGH communities. Elections & Governance: Maryland’s primary is June 23, and local races are heating up, including District 36’s Democratic Senate contest and a complaint seeking removal of a Baltimore-area party leader after alleged harassment at an early voting site. Business & Growth: Caroline County and Federalsburg officials are exploring a potential data center, with a public information session set for July 13.

Immigration Oversight: California AG Rob Bonta and a multistate coalition warned ICE to rescind a new directive that stops investigating and reporting deaths of people who die within 30 days after release from ICE custody, citing worsening conditions and a spike in detainee deaths. Elections in the Courts: A federal appeals court upheld a ruling blocking the Trump administration from getting sensitive personal voter data from Michigan, and the decision adds to a growing list of states where judges have rejected similar requests—including Maryland. DHS Warehouse Shift: DHS chief Markwayne Mullin admitted the $1 billion warehouse-to-detention plan lacked proper due diligence, with the department now reviewing which sites can work and ending plans in multiple locations. Maryland Food Costs: Maryland’s SNAP payment error rate fell slightly, but the state could still face major federal penalties under upcoming rules that treat administrative mistakes as costly. Local Business Growth: RTEC Treecare acquired a Maryland-based plant health firm, expanding services across Maryland, Northern Virginia, and D.C. Public Health Recall: The FDA classified a large recall of Zapps and Dirty chips as Class I due to possible Salmonella contamination, with Maryland among affected states.

Gun Rights Ruling: The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Hawaii’s rule requiring permit holders to get a property owner’s express permission before carrying guns onto private land open to the public, a decision that also hits similar laws in states including Maryland. Courts & Accountability: In Baltimore, a wrongful death lawsuit was filed over an inmate’s dehydration death at Western Correctional Institution, alleging officers cut off water and missed a medical appointment. Local Governance: Baltimore lawmakers failed to advance a plan to repeal voter-approved city term limits, leaving the limits in place for now. Public Safety & Community: Anne Arundel County police say vandals damaged a Black Lives Matter sign again at an Odenton church, the second incident in three years. Reentry & Jobs: Baltimore City District Court Re-Entry Project will hold its 13th graduation ceremony for about 20 participants on June 30. Education & Legal Limits: Maryland’s Supreme Court ruled public school boards are immune from child sexual abuse claims tied to periods before July 1, 1971. Business & Growth: Hera, a senior care coordination company, announced $27 million in funding and plans expansion into Maryland and other states. Environment & Travel: AAA expects more than 1.5 million Marylanders to travel over the July 4 holiday, urging drivers to get vehicles road-ready.