AGP Executive Report

Coastal Recovery: U.S. Sen. Chris Coons and Rep. Sarah McBride joined DNREC and Army Corps officials to assess nor’easter damage along Delaware’s beaches, urging more federal funding for erosion repair and replenishment. Delaware Courts & Ethics: Delaware Sens. Chris Coons and Lisa Blunt Rochester filed an ethics complaint seeking review of Judge Jennifer Mascott’s decision to lead a public affairs firm while serving on the bench. AI & Consumer Spending: A new state-by-state spending map finds consumers spent more on OpenAI products than Anthropic’s in 47 states, with Delaware notably leaning heavily toward OpenAI. Crypto Markets: Winklevoss Asset Services filed for a spot Zcash ETF on Nasdaq, proposing a 0.25% fee and direct ZEC holdings. Public Health: New York moved to expand who can administer measles vaccines as cases surge, with Pennsylvania’s outbreak continuing to drive national attention. Local Business/Community: Wawa is testing sushi at select Delaware Valley stores, while a Delaware-based nonprofit race raised $10,000 for Bethany Beach’s Independence Day celebration. Sports: Delaware-area playoff races and high school results continue to tighten, with multiple teams holding key spots as the season nears its final stretch.

Housing & State Services: Delaware’s cabinet-level housing agency rebranded as Housing Delaware, updating its logo and website (destatehousing.com) to reflect a broader mission beyond traditional public housing and homeownership. Healthcare Access: La Red Health Center in Georgetown won $10.1 million as one of three Delaware Federally Qualified Health Centers receiving federal Rural Health Transformation Program funding. Public Safety: Sussex County will host 9-1-1 Awareness Day Oct. 8 at 21911 Rudder Lane, with safety demos, tours, and emergency vehicles for the public and local students. Accountability & Government: The Delaware Office of the Inspector General launched a new website and hotline for confidential fraud/waste/mismanagement complaints. Courts & Policy: A Delaware Chancery Court fight is underway as former Groq stockholders sue over a roughly $20B reverse acqui-hire tied to Nvidia. Sports & Schools: Delaware-area sports coverage includes PIAA playoff format changes for football and volleyball starting 2026-27, plus Delaware’s OIG and DelDOT planning updates.

Domestic Violence Protections: Gov. Matt Meyer signed five new Delaware laws strengthening confidentiality, protective-order gaps, and survivor protections, marking Domestic Violence Awareness Month with a ceremonial signing in Wilmington. Early Literacy Push: Delaware is awarding another $7.1 million in Bridge to Practice grants to 28 districts and charters to turn science-of-reading training into classroom coaching and materials. Coast Resilience: Sen. Chris Coons is working to secure an additional $30 million for Delaware beach replenishment after recent nor’easter damage. Tech Court Fight: Qualcomm and Arm returned to Delaware federal court for a five-day jury trial over claims Arm withheld chip-testing tools and leaked a licensing threat, with Qualcomm seeking to pause royalties for up to five years. Higher Ed Under DOJ Scrutiny: The Justice Department sued the University of Delaware over its tuition policy that allows certain illegal immigrants to pay in-state rates while some U.S. citizens pay more. Public Safety: State Police charged Tiffany Morales after an alleged sports bar shooting in New Castle County left no injuries. Community Cleanup: DNREC reported volunteers removed 3,800 pounds of trash from Delaware beaches and waterways ahead of a nor’easter.

Education Funding: Delaware awarded more than $7.1 million in Bridge to Practice grants to 28 districts and charter schools to strengthen Birth-to-Grade-3 early literacy through coaching, materials, and professional learning. Courts & Business: A Delaware jury is hearing Qualcomm vs. Arm over alleged withholding of chip-testing tools and a leaked termination threat, with Qualcomm seeking to suspend royalties for up to five years. Public Safety: Delaware State Police arrested a Wilmington woman after she allegedly fired a handgun outside a New Castle sports bar; she’s charged and held on a $23,000 cash bond. Food Safety: A frozen berry recall tied to possible E. coli O145 contamination expanded again, pulling additional Walmart and Trader Joe’s products into dozens of states, including Delaware. Local Government/Accountability: Delaware County, Pa., unveiled 31 body cameras for deputies, touting added transparency and translation support. Environment: DNREC reported volunteers removed about 21,000 trash items from Delaware beaches and waterways during the Sept. 19 Coastal Cleanup. Business Closures: Newark’s Greene Turtle location closed permanently, with other Delaware locations still operating.

Patent Fight in Delaware Courts: First Solar filed in the U.S. District Court for Delaware, adding Corning’s AMPS to its TOPCon patent infringement case against JA Solar, arguing control of manufacturing process IP matters as U.S. solar supply ramps up. Used-Car Paperwork Rules: A 50-state review says 11 states require a bill of sale for ordinary private car sales, while Delaware’s rule couldn’t be confirmed cleanly from official sources—raising questions for buyers and sellers. Community Spotlight: Newark’s Main Street Mile marked its 20th anniversary, drawing about 350 runners and topping $300,000 raised over the years for Newark Police K-9 support. Delaware Sports: Delaware State volleyball swept Norfolk State 3-0 in Dover, and Delaware’s women’s hockey opened with a 3-1 loss to Lindenwood. Weather Watch: A cold front is expected to bring the first widespread October frost risk across parts of the East, including Delaware and the Mid-Atlantic. Health & Food Safety: Trader Joe’s and Walmart frozen berry recalls expanded over possible E. coli contamination, with Delaware among affected states.

Data Center Backlash: A new wave of public anger over data centers is spilling into policy fights, with Philadelphia moving to set build boundaries and Pennsylvania tightening requirements after protests and opposition from local supervisors. Cost of Living Reality Checks: New state-by-state figures highlight what it takes to retire comfortably (Delaware: $49,484 annually) and what families of four pay for utilities (Delaware: $6,044 a year), underscoring how local costs shape everyday budgets. Food Safety Alert: Frozen berry recalls expanded over possible E. coli contamination include Trader Joe’s Organic Mixed Berry Blend (sold in Delaware) plus additional Walmart Great Value organic berry lots—check freezer lot codes and “best by” dates. Delaware Immigration Work Visas: Delaware employers filed 13 approved H-1B petitions in 2025 in the Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services category, according to USCIS data. Local Community Spotlight: A Wilmington man is using a drone to drop $20 bills to strangers across Delaware to spread “positivity.” Sports (Delaware): Liberty opened Conference USA play with a 30-14 win over Delaware, while Cape Henlopen improved to 4-0 with a defensive fumble recovery that swung momentum.

Food Safety: The FDA expanded a recall of frozen berries sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s after an E. coli outbreak sickened 17 people; affected products include Great Value frozen organic blueberries and Triple Berry Blend, plus Trader Joe’s frozen organic Mixed Berry Blend, with specific lot codes and “best if used by” dates—check your freezer. Local Politics: District 20 candidates Alonna Berry (D) and Gene Dvornick (R) are campaigning ahead of the Nov. 3 election, with housing policy at the center of the race. Public Health & Community: Delaware leaders held a Human Trafficking Awareness, Prevention and Action Summit in Dewey Beach to push better coordination across health care, law enforcement, and advocates. Sports (Delaware): Middle Tennessee swept Delaware in volleyball, while Liberty routed Delaware 30-14 in CUSA play; Delaware’s women’s hockey opened conference action with a 4-1 loss to Lindenwood. Civic Life: Dewey Goes Pink drew more than 6,000 people for the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition. Sports (Philly): LeBron James made his first public Sixers appearance at the Blue x White scrimmage, drawing a big crowd at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Local Aid & Community: Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth marked 50 years with a sold-out “Top Chef of the Culinary Coast” event, featuring eight area restaurants and a $30,000 check presentation. Public Health: Delaware leaders are convening to turn human trafficking awareness into coordinated action, launching a two-day summit focused on prevention and response. Food Safety: A frozen-berry recall tied to an E. coli outbreak has expanded, adding more lots sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s after 17 illnesses and six hospitalizations were reported. Elections & Voting: Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania voters are reminded of key registration and mail-ballot deadlines ahead of Election Day. Delaware Sports: Liberty opened Conference USA play with a 30-14 win over Delaware, while UD’s quarterback switch came too late in the 30-14 loss. Business & Tech: Delaware-registered Entravel Group raised $7.5M to expand white-label travel booking and a stablecoin-enabled finance layer.

Delaware Sports: Liberty rolled past Delaware 30-14 in Newark as Kam Davis ran for 147 yards and two TDs; Delaware’s Nick Minicucci sat out with injury, and EJ Archield Jr. made his first start in a tough night for the Blue Hens’ offense. College Athletics: Middle Tennessee swept Delaware in volleyball 3-0, handing the Blue Hens their first loss to the Blue Raiders this season. Public Health: A KFF explainer highlights how many patients may be billed for medical debt they don’t owe, urging people to ask hospitals whether they were screened for financial assistance. Consumer/Business: The FTC settled with Southern Glazer’s over claims it discriminated against smaller retailers in access to discounts and rebates. Local Life: A First Watch is set to replace the closed Ruby Tuesday in Easton, with permits already in motion. Wildlife: Delaware Council of Wildlife Rehabilitators and Educators shares tips on what to do when you find wild animals—don’t feed or handle them.

Delaware Child Health Deal: Delaware’s AG, the AI duPont Charitable Trust and Nemours announced a landmark $950 million, 11-year agreement to create the Alfred I. duPont Charitable Fund for Delaware’s Children, aiming to expand nonprofit programs focused on kids’ health and well-being. Coastal Update: A nor’easter disrupted Delaware’s Indian River Inlet sand bypass plans, pausing or limiting sand supply even as the revamped equipment largely held up. State Recognition: Gov. Matt Meyer honored 10 Delawareans with the Order of the First State, including former Sen. Ernie Lopez and Children’s Beach House leader Richard Garrett. Education & Immigration: DOJ sued the University of Delaware over its in-state tuition policy for undocumented students, while a Delaware forum pushed voters to press candidates on immigration and pathways to citizenship. Community & Culture: Delaware’s Lewes area saw new Downtown Development Districts named for Claymont and Newport (plus Millsboro), and Chapel Street Players in Newark debuted a comedy, “POTUS,” for its new season. Health Access: A national report highlights how hospitals can prevent medical debt through “presumptive eligibility,” but notes many patients still struggle to get charity care.

DOJ vs. UD Tuition: The U.S. Department of Justice sued the University of Delaware to block in-state tuition for noncitizen/undocumented students and stop similar future policies, arguing it disadvantages U.S. citizens and creates incentives. Public Health & Harm Reduction: Gov. Matt Meyer signed Delaware’s harm reduction expansion and issued an executive order adding oversight and phased rollout, including monitoring of overdose-prevention partners and decriminalizing possession of paraphernalia for people who use drugs. Education Access: Delaware launched a pilot letting students use school-issued IDs as juvenile library cards, starting with Eisenberg Elementary in 2026-27, aiming to cut barriers to reading and research. Energy & Climate Legal Fight: Delaware joined a coalition of states and cities suing the Trump administration over EPA moves to repeal power-plant emissions limits for coal and gas. Delaware Numbers: Delaware collected $658.9M in selective sales and gross receipts taxes in 2024 (ranked 46th), and paid $509M in Social Security benefits in December 2024. Local Arts: Newark Arts Alliance opened “Nightmares and Dreamscapes,” a juried exhibit running through Oct. 15.

Harm Reduction Overhaul: Gov. Matt Meyer signed SB 249, creating Delaware’s framework to license and regulate harm reduction programs, while also decriminalizing possession of paraphernalia for personal use and directing phased, medically informed regulations. School Safety Case: Delaware State Police arrested a 13-year-old from Millsboro after a knife was found in his backpack at Sussex Central Middle School; police allege a social-media dispute, a threat to stab, and unlawful sexual contact, with charges including felony weapon offenses. State Jobs Push: Delaware will hold its final statewide career fair of the year Oct. 7 in Georgetown, pairing adult and justice-involved job seekers with state government roles and offering a morning session for invited high school students. Downtown Development: Millsboro was named Delaware’s newest Downtown Development District, making it eligible for incentives that can cover up to 20% of eligible capital construction costs. Local Business Expansion: Southern Delaware Brewing has begun planning Fenwick Island Brewing, a third brewpub expected to open in 2027 at Bayside Marketplace. Community & Culture: Wheeler’s Park in Harrington was honored with a new state historical marker, preserving its “Disneyland of Harrington” legacy.

Delaware Film Boom: Gov. Matt Meyer signed Delaware’s new 30% transferable film tax credit, with applications now open for productions spending at least $100,000 in-state—aimed at boosting jobs and creative growth. Transportation & Infrastructure: DelDOT/DTA hit top-tier AAA credit ratings from both S&P and Moody’s ahead of an Oct. 6 bond sale, a move expected to lower borrowing costs. Public Safety & Community: Kent County approved updated air supply gear for Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company after recent structure fires, including one with reported entrapment. Health & Debt Relief: A national report highlights how “presumptive eligibility” can help hospitals wipe out medical debt faster—cutting through tough paperwork barriers. Courts & Business: A Delaware federal judge wiped out a $14M patent verdict against Anker, while separate Delaware-linked patent rulings keep biotech and pharma litigation in the spotlight. Environment: Researchers found microplastics in every Delaware River watershed site tested, including Delaware waterways. Sports (Delaware): Delaware football faces Liberty with QB Nick Minicucci’s status uncertain after a knee injury.

Delaware Politics & Courts: Gov. Matt Meyer signed a new film production tax credit, offering a 30% transferable credit for eligible projects spending over $100,000, and also modernized the state’s motion picture commission to speed permits and connect productions with local workers. Energy & Environment: TurningPoint Energy celebrated the energization of its third Delaware community solar project near Georgetown, fully subscribed and serving 560 residential customers (including 121 low-income households). Housing & State Agencies: Delaware State Housing Authority is rebranding as “Housing Delaware,” keeping its legal name and website while expanding its public-facing identity. Public Safety & Community: A Chester mayor criticized a Black Panther-style group’s growing presence after a leader was charged for carrying a concealed gun without a permit. Health Care: The Trump administration began mailing $500 ACA refund checks to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Delaware, for alleged exchange “user fee” overcharges. Business & Law: Delaware’s Court of Chancery nomination hearing advanced for Kyle Lachmund, a Richards, Layton & Finger attorney, as lawmakers weigh how the court fits after recent corporate governance changes. Environment Watch: A new survey found microplastic pollution in 100% of Delaware River tributaries tested, including sites along the Christina River in Delaware. Local Economy: Delaware County gas prices hit a weekly low for midgrade at $3.77 per gallon, according to GasBuddy.

Coastal Recovery: Gov. Matt Meyer toured Sussex County after a late September nor’easter, calling for federal help for beach replenishment as DNREC and DelDOT assess erosion and flooded roads. Local Governance: Newark City Council approved a 5% raise for city manager Tom Coleman, a move tied to cost-of-living and performance amid a $2.7M budget shortfall. Public Safety Preparedness: In Fenwick Island, officials held a Coastal Preparedness Symposium on evacuation routes, power safety, and storm readiness after severe flooding and beach damage. Delaware Courts/Policy: A Delaware Court of Chancery decision invalidated a board’s rejection of an activist’s director nomination notice, shaping director-independence standards. Education & Work: Delaware State University is integrating ChatGPT into assessment and teaching, while university staff are pushing for more transparency and collaboration over a new return-to-work mandate. Crime: Wilmington saw two separate shootings Tuesday, with both victims reported in stable condition.

Delaware Rural Health Funding: Gov. Matt Meyer and DHSS announced nearly $23M for Delaware’s three Federally Qualified Health Centers to boost technology, workforce, care coordination, and chronic disease management. Conservation Cost-Share Update: Sussex Conservation District expanded its Community Conservation Assistance Program, offering 50% reimbursement (up to $10,000) for homeowners and HOAs to cut stormwater runoff and protect waterways. DelDOT Milestone: DelDOT marked the first anniversary of the North Millsboro Bypass, citing about 8,000 vehicles daily (10,000 in summer) and progress on the Route 113 widening. Public Safety Event: Sussex County will host its free 25th annual 911 Awareness Day Oct. 8 with safety demos, emergency vehicles, and tours for the public and students. Arts & Community Calendar: Inland Bays Garden Center’s “Arts in the Garden” returns Oct. 11, and the Rehoboth Beach International Film Festival unveiled its Nov. 1-8 lineup (113 films, 32+ countries). Courts & Policy: A federal appeals court upheld Thomson Reuters’ win over Ross Intelligence in an AI copyright dispute involving Westlaw headnotes. Local Education & Culture: Delaware Valley Elementary kicked off “Start with Hello Week” to build social connection, while Surf Bagel launched “Books to Bagels” to reward reading goals.