AGP Executive Report

Banking & Business Leadership: M&T Bank appointed Ryan Stanton as chief corporate affairs officer, overseeing communications, government affairs, public relations and reputation management, with a Delaware regional president reporting line. Local Entrepreneurship: Lewes’ new mobile bar, Tap & Toast, is bringing weddings and parties to clients via a repurposed horse trailer. Education Governance: First State Educate launched a statewide onboarding program for newly elected Delaware school board members, focusing on budgets, superintendent oversight and taxpayer accountability. Housing & Tenant Risk: Delaware readers get a cautionary tale from Tulsa, where tenants tied to Vesta Realty face confusion over who manages their apartments amid ongoing court fights. Social Media & Youth Safety: Families filed a wrongful-death suit in Delaware Superior Court against Meta, TikTok, Snap and Google, alleging platform design contributed to four teen suicides. Public Policy & Finance: A bipartisan Delaware-backed Senate bill would raise bankruptcy debt limits for streamlined relief for families and small businesses, now headed to the House. Cybersecurity & AI Oversight: Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester pressed OpenAI and Anthropic for details in an AI hacking probe tied to Delaware’s public-benefit company oversight.

Delaware Cannabis Market: A year after adult-use sales launched, Delaware’s recreational marijuana market has topped $53 million in sales, with July the biggest month so far, and now includes 38 active licenses across cultivation, manufacturing, retail and testing. Business & Jobs: A bipartisan U.S. Senate bill led by Delaware’s Chris Coons would reauthorize the Economic Development Administration’s Build to Scale program through 2030, including $50 million annually for startups and entrepreneurs; Delaware’s Innovation Space would receive $2.25 million to expand lab capacity. Energy & Food Security: The Food Bank of Delaware in Milford unveiled a solar upgrade—719 rooftop panels funded by a $1.017 million Energize Delaware grant—aimed at producing about 546 megawatt-hours to help meet rising demand. Community Safety: Dover Police hosted National Night Out with public safety partners as residents remain concerned after recent shootings; officials emphasized visibility and deterrence. Local Business Closure: Pappou’s Pizza Pub in Delco is closing after more than 40 years, ending a long-running wings-and-beer staple. Corporate Moves: Wave Life Sciences says its Delaware redomiciliation is on track after shareholder approvals, with effectiveness expected Aug. 7.

Delaware Cannabis One-Year Check-In: Delaware’s legal cannabis market is still tightening its rules a year after legalization, with new state standards (including SB 75) aimed at smoothing county restrictions and expanding where retailers can operate; the state also logged about $8 million in tax revenue over the first 12 months. Startup Funding Push: U.S. Sen. Chris Coons (Delaware) helped introduce a bill to reauthorize the EDA’s Build to Scale program through 2030, targeting more capital for startups and entrepreneurs, including Delaware Innovation Space lab expansion. Energy & Manufacturing in Delaware: Aternium is moving ahead with a major Dover hydrogen project, pitching heavy water and high-purity hydrogen production as a domestic supply-chain boost. Food Access: The Food Bank of Delaware finished a Milford rooftop solar project, and Delaware also backed grants like a $20,000 boost for the Milton Community Food Pantry to expand fresh produce. Public Health Watch: The CDC reported more than 20,000 suspected cyclosporiasis cases nationwide, with Delaware among the few states still reporting no confirmed cases.

Tariff Fight: Delaware is among 25 states suing the Trump administration to block new Section 301 tariffs, arguing the move is a pretext after earlier tariff efforts were struck down and that the administration didn’t follow required steps. Delaware Marijuana Market: The Delaware Office of the Marijuana Commissioner marked one year of legal adult-use sales, reporting $53.4M in sales and $8M in state revenue, with 38 active or opening business licenses and more than $1M in social equity grants. Hydrogen in Dover: Aternium says it will build a $226M clean hydrogen plant in Dover, aiming to start production in 2028 without relying on promised federal hub funding. Food Safety: Cyclosporiasis cases have surged to 47 states, tied to iceberg lettuce linked to a Mexico producer and prompting recalls. Local Business Risk: Delaware County, Pa. warns of scammers impersonating local officials to demand fake permit fees. Workforce & Education: Delaware State University earned a top-tier spot in Forbes’ first HBCU ranking, citing strong outcomes and record enrollment growth. Energy Policy Watch: Delaware’s SMR task force says small modular reactors aren’t a viable short-term option, while keeping nuclear on the long-term radar.

Drug Pricing: Delaware and other states are pushing back in court over Trump’s latest tariffs, arguing they’re an unlawful pretext to recreate duties the Supreme Court struck down—Delaware is named among the 25-state coalition seeking to block the levies and win refunds. Antitrust/Healthcare: Separately, attorneys general announced a major $469M settlement in principle with Sandoz over alleged generic drug price-fixing and competition restraints, with approval expected from a 43-state coalition. Small Business: Delaware’s Division of Small Business opened details for its EDGE Grant Competition, with applications starting Aug. 11 and a pitch-and-award event planned for Nov. 10. Food Access: Delaware also distributed $712,000 through the Delaware Grocery Initiative and First State Food System Grant Program, including funding for a Milton Community Food Pantry expansion and school garden upgrades. Local Economy: Milton planners discussed economic development gaps—members pointed to the need for stronger town “advocacy,” business incentives, and a dedicated outreach presence. Tech/Privacy: A Delaware lawsuit targets social media companies over alleged harms tied to teen deaths, filed in Superior Court.

Trade & Tariffs: A coalition of 25 states, including Delaware, sued the Trump administration in the U.S. Court of International Trade over new 10%–12.5% tariffs tied to “forced labor,” arguing the White House is using Section 301 as a pretext to recreate duties the Supreme Court and lower courts have already struck down—Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings joined the challenge, saying the move exceeds legal authority and violates the Administrative Procedure Act. Delaware Food Access: Delaware’s Division of Small Business awarded $712,500 through the Delaware Grocery Initiative and First State Food System Program, funding 28 organizations (grants $12,000–$65,000), including $20,000 for the Milton Community Food Pantry to shift from canned to fresh food. Delaware Innovation Push: Gov. Matt Meyer and the Delaware Prosperity Partnership launched “Innovate Delaware,” adding $1.36 million over two years to help startups and emerging companies in fintech, next-gen chemicals, clean energy, advanced materials, and biopharma manufacturing find capital and support. Consumer/Health Law: California’s Supreme Court ruled drugmakers don’t have a “duty to innovate” by developing safer alternatives, backing Gilead in a negligence case brought by HIV patients. Auto Safety: Federal regulators warned that some older Ford models (2014–2021) face “unreasonable” safety risks tied to potential timing-belt degradation and oil pressure problems. Business & Courts: Delaware-related DOJ denaturalization actions include a case in the District of Delaware targeting an Indian-origin man accused of using fraudulent identities to enter and naturalize in the U.S.

Innovation Economy Push: Delaware and the Delaware Prosperity Partnership unveiled Innovate Delaware, a two-year pilot meant to connect founders with universities, investors, economic development groups, and corporate partners via a “digital front door” to reduce friction for scalable startups. Healthcare Fight: Delaware AG Kathy Jennings joined a coalition suing to block a Trump administration rule that would weaken Affordable Care Act protections and raise costs for 2027 plan options, including expanding catastrophic plans that can leave consumers with higher out-of-pocket bills. Antitrust/Drug Pricing: Delaware AGs are part of multistate actions targeting generic-drug price-fixing; Hilgers announced a $400 million settlement in principle with Sandoz over alleged conspiracies to inflate prices and limit competition, with trial expected in 2027. Energy Grid Planning: PJM says 715 new generation projects totaling 200+ GW cleared the first cycle of its reformed interconnection process, aiming to cut speculative backlog and speed up study timelines. Consumer Safety: Lidl expanded a shortbread cookie recall in Delaware due to undeclared allergens from labeling/packaging issues. Local Tech & Staffing: Delaware County (Indiana) is moving toward AI-assisted call handling for non-emergency 911-related calls to offset staffing shortages.

Corporate Restructuring: Vi‑Jon LLC has filed for voluntary Chapter 11 in Delaware to implement a global settlement of alleged legacy talc-related liabilities, aiming to keep operations running while resolving claims through a court-supervised process. Local Public Safety: Newark’s Police Department will host National Night Out on Aug. 4 (6–8 p.m.) with demonstrations, community groups, and free activities for families. Delaware Legal & Consumer Tech: Families of four teens who died by suicide have sued Meta, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube in Delaware Superior Court, alleging years of escalating harms from platform use. Business & Growth: Delmarva engineering firm Davis, Bowen & Friedel has been selected for a featured segment on Bloomberg Television/CNBC’s “The American Dream,” with filming this fall and an expected 2027 airing. Health & Compliance: Delaware reported its first measles case in more than a decade, with an outbreak declared after additional cases; officials cite vaccination rates slipping below herd-immunity targets. Environment & Industry: North Carolina officials are criticizing an EPA–Chemours settlement as negotiated “behind our backs,” arguing it doesn’t fix long-term PFAS damage.

Emmys Watch: HBO’s “The Pitt” and “Hacks” lead the 2026 Emmy nominations, with “Beef,” “Pluribus,” and “Widow’s Bay” also racking up major nods—good news for Delaware viewers who follow prestige TV. Health Care Fight: A coalition of state attorneys general, including Delaware’s, sued to block a Trump administration rule that would weaken Affordable Care Act protections and raise costs for millions. Local Housing/Permits: Sussex County froze new housing permit applications under SB 23, pausing certain residential reviews and adding uncertainty for builders and buyers. Public Safety Tech: Philadelphia’s automated license plate reader network has scanned 25 million plates, and the city is adding speed cameras along Route 13 with a warning period expected mid-August. Delaware Nonprofits: In Milford and Greenwood, volunteer fire companies topped local rankings for government grant share of revenue in 2024, underscoring how grant funding shapes community services. Consumer Fraud: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Delaware cities tied for notable scam-report rankings in June, with online purchase scams among the most common.

Healthcare & Philanthropy: Bayhealth Foundation hosted community presentations on Bayhealth’s long-term “Next Wave” expansion plans, aiming to expand access to high-quality care across central and southern Delaware. Tech & Legal: Families of four teens who died by suicide filed a wrongful death suit in Delaware against Meta, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube, alleging years of escalating harms tied to addictive design and targeting minors. Local Business & Finance: A Delaware court filing adds to pressure on the Delaware Port’s Edgemoor expansion, with taxpayers arguing Diamond State Port Corporation’s agreements with Enstructure are “void” under state law. Consumer Protection: Delaware lawmakers’ effort to regulate or ban cryptocurrency kiosks stalled, leaving seniors exposed as scams continue to spread. Corporate Watch: Kahn Swick & Foti launched investigations into Microsoft and Skyworks Solutions over disclosures tied to Azure growth and guidance, plus internal-control concerns at Kyndryl. Community & Quality of Life: DNREC launched Paddle Quest, a statewide paddling challenge tied to Delaware State Parks’ 75th anniversary.

Microsoft Legal Scrutiny: Kahn Swick & Foti says it has opened an investigation into Microsoft, pointing to concerns around Azure growth and Copilot capacity and seat growth. Delaware Courts & Governance: A Delaware Court of Chancery decision warns boards that setting their own pay can trigger tougher review, even when directors rely on self-selected performance metrics. Port of Wilmington Fight: A new complaint challenges Diamond State Port Corporation–Enstructure agreements as “void,” arguing required General Assembly approval wasn’t obtained. Consumer Protection: Delaware’s effort to regulate cryptocurrency kiosks stalled, leaving seniors exposed as lawmakers debated warning signs versus a kiosk ban. Local Business & Jobs: City of Delaware economic development is moving ahead on incentives tied to a planned $48M move from Dublin. Health & Safety: Delaware reports 8 measles cases, all in Kent County, with guidance for exposed visitors to ChristianaCare Union Hospital in Elkton. Community & Nonprofits: Delaware Hospice named Becca Graner as COO, and DNREC launched “Paddle Quest” plus new kayak rentals at Delaware Seashore State Park.

AI in the Workplace: Microsoft’s Copilot is shifting from drafting and summarizing to acting like a “virtual co-worker,” with users increasingly asking it for real-life guidance as well as work tasks. Social Media Liability: Families of four teens who died by suicide sued Meta, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube in Delaware Superior Court, alleging addictive design and years of harm. Corporate Governance Watch: A Delaware Court of Chancery ruling warns boards that setting their own pay won’t be rubber-stamped; peer comparisons and documentation matter. Health Care Fight: Delaware AGs joined multi-state lawsuits to block federal rules that would expand catastrophic plans and raise costs while weakening ACA protections. Delaware Business & Jobs: The state launched an Office of Small Business Access as a single help point for entrepreneurs, and Delaware Paid Leave reported $7.6M paid in its first six months. Food Safety: Lidl expanded a recall of Eridanous shortbread cookies due to undeclared allergens from foreign-language packaging. Local Economy: Dover Mall is set to get a new movie theater with Dover 14, replacing a long-closed AMC venue.

Texas Stock Exchange Launch: The Texas Stock Exchange went fully live in Dallas, aiming to compete with NYSE and Nasdaq and to support IPOs starting in 2027, backed by major Wall Street firms. Delaware Courts & Consumer Tech: Families of four teens who died by suicide sued Meta, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube in Delaware Superior Court, alleging years of escalating harms tied to platform use. Bloom Energy Securities: Delaware-area investors are being reminded of a Sept. 28 deadline to seek lead-plaintiff status in a federal class action over claims Bloom Energy misled investors about scandium supply. Local Governance: Kent County approved new restrictions on potential data centers, reflecting community concerns about growth and impacts. State Watch: Delaware’s new Inspector General Independent Advisory Commission set Aug. 3 for opening applications for the statewide inspector general role. Public Safety & Rights: Sussex County’s firearm policy debate continues as a local attorney argues lawful gun owners deserve respect and targeted enforcement. Workforce & Innovation: Qnity and the University of Delaware teamed up for semiconductor R&D and a workforce pipeline for students.

Delaware Business & Courts: A Delaware vice chancellor dismissed a stockholder bid to block MPower Financing’s new “highly dilutive” borrowing, saying Delaware’s statutory safe harbor protects the deal that would shift control to two hedge funds. Local Governance & Public Safety: An independent investigation cleared Rehoboth Beach police of misconduct or racial motives in response to a May “takeover” event that drew hundreds and led to arrests and felony warrants. Economic Development & Capital Access: Delaware’s Community Investment Venture Fund is backing West End Neighborhood House’s Launcher program via Stepping Stones Federal Credit Union, with $469,000 aimed at expanding small-business lending for entrepreneurs often shut out by traditional underwriting. Business & Jobs: The SBA reminded eligible small businesses and private nonprofits hit by a Sept. 30, 2025 drought to apply for low-interest disaster loans by Aug. 31. Consumer Watch: Lidl recalled Eridanous shortbread cookies in Delaware and other states after allergen labeling failed to appear in English; wheat, soy, milk and egg were undeclared. Community Events: Delaware Resorts’ Fall Home Expo returns Sept. 19-20 in Lewes, with more than 140 exhibitors expected.

Small-Business Funding Shift: Delaware reallocated part of Incyte’s returned relocation grant, shrinking the taxpayer-funded move to $2.8M and sending millions into expanded small-business support and district revitalization. Chip Deal in the First State: Intel is licensing Atom processor technology to RosaicLabs, a startup tied to Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan’s longtime co-investor, a rare move that could reshape how new chip designs get built. Local Energy Growth: Nautilus Solar and TurningPoint Energy brought a 4 MWac Dover community solar project online, adding clean power for the Delmarva grid and a dedicated slice for low-income households. Data Center Guardrails: Kent County adopted new restrictions for future data centers in unincorporated areas, including siting limits, noise and setback requirements. Health in Schools: Sussex County’s four middle schools are set to get federally funded school-based health centers, with Nemours, TidalHealth and Beebe Healthcare operating the sites. Food Safety: FDA reported a Dairy Queen chocolate soft-serve mix recall over metal shavings, with distribution across Delaware and neighboring states. Public Health Watch: CDC says cyclospora cases have reached 45 states, with Delaware among the latest additions. Business & Community: Surf Bagel opened in Christiana, and AiRWA completed its $50M-plus acquisition of Best Life to expand its import-export operations. Legal/Compliance: Delaware’s Chemours settlement faces objections from state leaders over alleged environmental harm and relief gaps. Tech/Privacy: Delaware police use Flock-style automated license plate readers, drawing growing public concern as deployments expand. Corporate/Jobs: Kent County and other local officials are also watching major industrial impacts, including Boeing’s Ridley plant uncertainty.

Climate & Housing: A Realtor.com report says 23% of U.S. homes face severe or extreme wind, flood or wildfire risk, with higher HOA costs and fewer flood policies—an affordability hit that can ripple into mortgage performance. AI & Universities: The University of Tennessee Research Foundation sued Anthropic in Delaware over alleged AI patent infringement, a test that could spur more university claims in the AI era. Consumer Protection: Attorneys general are urging the FCC to tighten “Know Your Customer” rules to curb illegal robocalls and scam texts, after Americans lost nearly $2B last year. Public Health: Cyclosporiasis cases keep climbing, with national totals now in the thousands and local health departments still waiting on a confirmed source. Delaware Business & Community: Delaware Safety Council launched a bilingual (English/Spanish) online workplace safety training platform ahead of OSHA’s Safe + Sound Week; Healthy Communities Delaware awarded nearly $1.5M in grants statewide; and a Dover community solar project is set to bring local clean power as grid demand rises. Local Economy: Redner’s Markets announced its first Wilmington store opening Oct. 8, with about 200 hires. Food Safety: Lidl recalled shortbread cookies sold in Delaware and other states due to undeclared major allergens.