AGP Executive Report

Delaware Courts & Privacy: A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from demanding sensitive commercial-driver personal data from states, with Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings saying the move was an illegal attempt to expose Delawareans’ information. Local Politics: Rehoboth Beach Mayor Stan Mills is calling for commissioner Suzanne Goode to resign after an independent investigation found a sustained pattern of hostile, abusive communications toward city employees. State Government Tech: Delaware named Tina Donbeck, a former federal CIO, as its new chief technology officer to lead application development, data management, enterprise delivery, and AI modernization. Coastal Policy: A coastal building line task force discussed how dunes should be protected, focusing on crossings, fencing, plantings, and construction methods under Delaware’s Beach Preservation Act. Public Health: A University of Delaware epidemiologist pointed to Pennsylvania’s first measles deaths in decades as a reminder that MMR vaccination is highly effective and messaging matters. Community & Culture: The Delaware Historical Society opened an exhibit on the Mother African Union Church and the August Quarterly after a fire forced a venue change. Sports: Delaware’s Maggie Groh earned Offensive Player of the Week honors in Conference USA, while local coverage also highlighted Delaware Online’s high school field hockey media day.

Delaware Courts & Privacy: Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings helped win a temporary block against the Trump administration seeking a sensitive database covering nearly 17 million commercial drivers, arguing the move would expose personal data without proper safeguards. Local Governance: Sussex County Council meets Tuesday with a Wilhaven subdivision extension request on the agenda, while Dewey Beach holds public hearings Wednesday on pool-structure rules and alcohol licensing operating hours. Business & Delaware Corporate Life: Delaware’s LLC filing costs are highlighted in a new state-by-state cost map—Delaware totals $510, with $110 to start and $400 in recurring fees. Community & Education: Delaware schools can register for Poetry Out Loud’s 2026-27 season, with state finals set for Feb. 18, 2027 at the Smyrna Opera House. Public Safety: A woman who rescued a girl from the Delaware River in Delran has died; the search shifted to recovery with drones using sonar and thermal tech. Arts & Culture: Folger Consort kicks off its 50th season with Monteverdi’s Legacy in Washington, Sept. 11–13.

Insurance & Consumer Watch: OpenRoad Insurance says it’s now licensed in 40 states, adding Delaware among recent expansions, with collector-vehicle coverage built around agreed-value payouts and extras like evacuation and tools. Housing Policy: Delaware’s SB 23 debate is heating up as supporters argue faster approvals help supply, while critics warn benefits may not reach working families evenly. Education & Workforce: Delaware is partnering with Google’s Grow with Google to expand digital skills training, while state education leaders visited Dover schools to stress “real-time” classroom data and protecting instructional time. Public Safety: Search efforts continue in the Delaware River after a woman went missing following a rescue of a child at Amico Island Park in Delran, N.J. Environment: Delaware says it has sunk a retired 180-foot menhaden vessel as an artificial reef off the coast, adding habitat to the Del-Jersey-Land Reef. Local Governance: Rehoboth Beach officials face fallout after an independent investigation found a sustained pattern of hostile communications by Commissioner Suzanne Goode.

Delaware Courts & Transparency: A Women’s Pro Baseball League board member is asking Delaware’s Court of Chancery to force the fledgling league to hand over records she says could show misuse of funds and hidden conflicts, a move that could affect future investors and sponsors. State Government & Public Safety: Delaware’s Police Officer Standards and Training Commission named Charles Emory Jr. as its new director, tasked with overseeing training and accreditation statewide. Environment & Parks: DNREC broke ground on a new Creekside Discovery Center at White Clay Creek State Park, aiming to expand classroom space and environmental education, with completion targeted for 2028. Tech & Local Business: Amazon Prime Air plans to start drone delivery in South Jersey in mid-October, with a delivery radius reaching across the Delaware River into parts of South Philadelphia. Higher Ed & Community: UD welcomed more than 300 new graduate students and also announced a new Vice President for Public Affairs, Derrick “Rick” Deadwyler Jr., effective Sept. 8. Weather & Recovery: Dover officials continued updates as tornado cleanup efforts move forward after recent severe storms.

Tornado Aftermath in Delaware: The National Weather Service confirmed four tornadoes across Delaware and Maryland on Aug. 20, including an EF-1 near Marydel and another EF-1 track tied to damage in Dover, with no fatalities reported. Local Emergency Response: Dover’s mayor lifted a state of emergency as cleanup continued after storms left a trail of destruction. Public Health Update: Delaware’s insurance commissioner issued a bulletin telling insurers to cover accelerated MMR shots for infants during the measles outbreak, responding to pediatric requests in Kent County and applying statewide while the outbreak lasts. Workplace & Privacy: A new report highlights how employer monitoring tools—from phones to cameras to productivity tracking—are expanding, raising concerns about how much personal data workers are giving up. Tech & Delivery: Amazon says it plans to begin drone delivery from its West Deptford facility this fall, as Prime Air expands beyond its current launch cities. Business & Economy: A new report from Registered Agents shows July hit a record pace for new business formations nationwide, with Delaware among the top states by volume. Sports: UD men’s soccer opened with a 1-0 win over Temple, while Navy women’s soccer played Delaware to a 2-2 draw.

Delaware Tornado Aftermath: The National Weather Service confirmed five tornadoes across its Mount Holly survey area, with two in Delaware—Dover and Marydel (Marydel still being surveyed)—as crews assess damage and tracks. Workplace Privacy: A new look at workplace surveillance says employers are using location tracking, productivity tools, and even device cameras to build detailed dossiers, raising fresh privacy concerns. Data Center Backlash: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott blamed developers for backlash over power and water impacts, pointing to a moratorium and new statewide standards. Hospitality Tech & Privacy-First Identity: XCards Inc. launched its “Global Trust Infrastructure,” aiming to replace single-use hotel keycards with reusable NFC membership tokens, alongside a $15M Series A. Local Community & Care: Beebe Healthcare named nursing scholarship recipients, and Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore set an Aug. 26 caregiver conference in Dover. Transit Update: SEPTA’s New Bus Network begins Sunday with route eliminations, reduced service on several lines, and new routes 72 and 76. Sports: UD men’s soccer beat Temple 1-0; Delaware high school track highlights included All-Delco sprint standouts.

Tornado Confirmed in Delaware: The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-1 tornado hit Dover on Thursday evening, damaging the Dover Little League fields at Schutte Park and tearing roofs, with officials also confirming four tornadoes total across the region after additional reports. More Storm Aftershocks: Two more tornadoes were later confirmed in the Philadelphia area—near Marydel in Kent County and in Estell Manor, N.J.—as cleanup continues. Back to School, Delaware Valley Style: Move-in day at the University of Delaware brought “new opportunities and new experiences” for thousands of freshmen, while local back-to-school events across the region handed out backpacks, haircuts, and supplies to help families manage rising costs. Workplace Privacy Watch: A new report highlights how workplace surveillance has expanded with tech adopted during the pandemic, raising fresh concerns for employees about what employers can track. Juvenile Justice Recognition: Delaware’s Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families honored Renee Ciconte with a 2026 CJJA Outstanding Leadership Award for her work reshaping the state’s juvenile justice system.

Delaware Juvenile Justice: Renee Ciconte, director of Delaware’s Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services, received the Council of Juvenile Justice Administrators’ 2026 Outstanding Leadership Award, praised for reshaping the state’s juvenile justice system and improving outcomes for youth. Tornado Aftermath & Safety: Severe storms and tornado reports hit the region, including likely damage in Dover, with officials urging residents to follow local alerts as cleanup continues. Public Privacy Win: A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from accessing a database with sensitive personal data tied to more than 17 million commercial drivers, after a coalition of state attorneys general challenged the demand. Health Alert: Cyclosporiasis case counts keep climbing in the broader outbreak, with Delaware listed among affected areas tied to recalled iceberg lettuce. Local Life & Events: Dewey Beach’s North Beach bar is closing as new family-friendly spots move in, and Beebe Medical Foundation’s Jean & Joan Golf Classic is set for Sept. 14. Sports & Community: Stan Kasten reiterated the Dodgers “are not being sold” amid Mark Walter scrutiny, while Delaware’s trout stamp art contest crowned Georgetown artist George Bradford for a sixth time.

Dodgers ownership question: Stan Kasten says the Dodgers “are not being sold” despite federal scrutiny around owner Mark Walter and his Lakers sale, insisting it’s “a Lakers story, not a Dodgers story.” Delaware courts & privacy: A judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from getting a database with sensitive info on 17 million commercial drivers, pausing a Homeland Security subpoena while states challenge the demand. School bus safety: Delaware districts are using stop-arm cameras to ticket drivers who pass stopped school buses, with recording tied to bus activation and driver-side stop-sign footage. Weather hits Delaware: Storm damage in Dover includes downed trees and major impacts to Little League fields, with residents sifting through debris after tornado warnings and cleanup efforts. DNREC wildlife art: Georgetown artist George Bradford won the Delaware trout stamp contest for a sixth time; Connecticut’s Jonathan Milo took the waterfowl stamp top spot. Local business change: Dewey Beach is seeing turnover as North Beach closes and new family-friendly spots, including an ice cream shop, move in.

Tornado Aftermath in Dover: Dover lifted its state of emergency early Friday, but officials say the phone system is still down and residents should avoid debris areas while cleanup and debris pickup are organized. Local Public Safety: Chestertown, Md. police say a 67-year-old man held without bond after an hours-long standoff surrendered peacefully; investigators say shots struck a nearby home and about 80 guns were seized. Delaware Education: Delaware’s new school funding model is shifting more literacy decisions to local boards, aiming to raise third-grade reading proficiency from 40% to 53% by 2028, with more emphasis on ongoing progress data. Tech & Government: UD and state agencies teamed up for a Hennovate the State AI hackathon, pairing students with agency teams to build tools for real state problems. Animal Welfare: Delaware’s Office of Animal Welfare is using Petco Love Lost’s AI photo-matching to speed up reunions for lost pets statewide. Food Safety: A roundup of recent recalls highlights risks across multiple food groups, including jalapeños and other items tied to salmonella. Community & Culture: Rehoboth Beach is temporarily closing Grove Park while five trees are removed after bacterial leaf scorch was found.

Severe Weather & Emergency Response: A likely tornado tore through Dover Thursday evening, prompting a state of emergency and leaving downed trees, flooding, power outages, and damaged buildings—police urged residents to stay home and off the roads as traffic signals failed. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Delaware’s speed cameras have generated more than $21.3 million for the state since 2024, with profits routed to the Office of Highway Safety for safety programs. Health Watch: CDC updates show confirmed cyclospora cases are still rising but the overall trend is easing, with 15,716 infections reported across 47 states plus D.C. Education & Local Funding: Milford School District is making its fourth bid for state help on nearly $81 million in overcrowding and renovation needs. Community Justice: Delaware is moving forward on a first-in-the-nation Family Justice Center in Sussex County, funded with $2.6 million in federal dollars. Wildlife Management: DNREC adopted emergency deer hunting rules in Sussex to slow chronic wasting disease spread, including baiting limits and required CWD testing.

Delaware Politics: Gov. Matt Meyer’s endorsements of two Working Families Party-backed challengers have sparked fresh infighting in Delaware Democrats ahead of next month’s primaries, with Senate President Pro Tempore Dave Sokola calling it grudge politics. Delaware Courts & Safety: A federal judge sentenced Ralph Harmon of Seaford to an extra 45 years for kidnapping, carjacking and cyberstalking an 80-year-old victim, adding to a Maryland life sentence. Delaware Economy & Growth: Delaware’s data-center push is under renewed scrutiny as Dover considers an 18-month moratorium on new facilities. Health & Community: Delaware measles cases rose to 22, with all confirmed in Kent County. Local Business: MariMed says it hit record revenue in its latest quarter, highlighting growth in its branded cannabis portfolio across states including Delaware. National Watch: The FTC is seeking public comment on how “personalized pricing” uses consumer data to set prices—an issue that could affect shoppers nationwide.

Election Integrity Watch: DOJ civil rights monitors showed up in reliably Republican states too, sending more than 75 monitors to over 200 polling locations across five states, after reports of noncitizens appearing on voter rolls. Delaware Courts: A Delaware Superior Court ruling barred negligent procurement and contract claims as time-barred under a three-year limit, reinforcing when such deadlines start. Democratic Primary Spotlight: Spotlight Delaware hosted a debate among AG candidates Kathy Jennings, Dwayne Bensing, and Patty Rickman, focusing on criminal justice, civil rights, and law-enforcement transparency. Housing & Planning: Lewes Planning Commission recommended a moratorium on major subdivision applications while the city updates its comprehensive plan under Senate Bill 23. Public Safety & Health: Delaware confirmed 22 measles cases, all in Kent County, as officials urge vaccination; and cyclosporiasis cases keep spreading nationwide, with CDC reporting a downward trend but still thousands of cases. Community Investments: Delaware will use $2.6M in federal funding to create its first Family Justice Centers, including a Georgetown site. Local Environment: Rehoboth Beach plans to remove five red oaks at Grove Park after bacterial leaf scorch findings. Business/Media: HD Media agreed to buy AIM Media Midwest and AIM Media Indiana, including the Northwest Signal, with the change set for Sept. 1.

Delaware Education: The Delaware Department of Education released the first phase of its 2026 statewide assessment results for grades 3–8, showing modest gains: ELA proficiency up 1 point to 42% and math up 1 point to 35%, with the biggest boosts at schools receiving targeted literacy coaching. Public Safety: Sussex County and multiple fire and rescue agencies responded to a trench collapse in Bridgeville, where one injured victim was found in an unsecured trench and extricated after crews secured the area. Health Watch: The CDC reports cyclosporiasis has spread to 47 states, with 15,716 domestically acquired cases and 828 hospitalizations; Delaware is listed among the states not reporting cases. Business & Growth: Delaware’s educational institutions are rolling out AI literacy and career prep, including Wilmington University’s push to embed AI across programs and courses. Sports: University of Delaware men’s soccer was voted second in the Summit League preseason coaches poll, and UD football WR Sean Wilson earned a spot on the Biletnikoff Award watch list.

Newark Infrastructure: DelDOT reopened Library Avenue (Route 72) in Newark after a 9-week closure for a bridge rehab over the Amtrak line, with a bonus for finishing early. Public Safety: A Wilmington man, Kevin Smith, was charged after police say he fired a shotgun toward a camera mounted on a sign in the Graylyn Crest area, creating risk to nearby homes. Science & Health: University of Delaware researchers used magnetic resonance elastography to track estrogen-driven mechanical changes in the hippocampus across the reproductive cycle, pointing to how hormones may reshape brain structure. Housing & Childcare: Gov. Matt Meyer signed bills expanding Delaware’s Purchase of Care summer childcare access by easing enrollment timing and licensing barriers. Community & Services: FEMA announced disaster assistance for Delaware-area counties after Aug. 11 storms. Business/Politics Watch: Delaware-linked Mark Walter’s empire remains under federal scrutiny as his insurance companies report investment shuffles tied to affiliated businesses. Sports: East Side Little League of West Chester advanced to the Little League Baseball World Series after beating Wilmington’s Naamans squad in the Mid-Atlantic final.

Meta Trial in the Spotlight: A bipartisan coalition of attorneys general, including Delaware’s AG Nick Brown, is set to begin a major federal trial against Meta over claims Facebook and Instagram were designed to be addictive to kids and deceived parents about risks. Delaware Schools: Delaware’s first phase of 2026 statewide assessment results show targeted literacy support is tied to stronger reading gains, even as overall proficiency still lags goals. Vaccines Update: After new federal guidance on childhood vaccines, Delaware DHSS says state childhood vaccine schedules and access remain unchanged. Traffic Safety: Delaware released a new “Ambassador of Safety” video highlighting its Prehospital Whole Blood program, now available to every prehospital paramedic and aviation team. DNREC Marine Habitat: DNREC expanded the Del-Jersey-Land artificial reef system by sinking the Calcasieu Pass to create new habitat and boost angling and diving opportunities. Local Notes: Shore United Bank opened a full-service ATM in Oxford; Sussex County Navy Week is slated for Oct. 19–25; Delaware schools in Indian River SD will hold September open houses.