AGP Executive Report

Markets & Energy: U.S. equity futures rose for a fourth straight day as oil slid and bonds cooled off, while Constellation Energy jumped on a new Google nuclear power deal. Nuclear Power Deal: Constellation and Google announced an agreement to add 890 MW of nuclear capacity to the PJM grid, with major construction jobs and investment tied to sites across Illinois, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Local Government: Wilkes-Barre asked Harrisburg to let towns freeze senior property taxes, arguing the state constitution blocks the city from doing it on its own. Public Health: New York declared a measles emergency as Pennsylvania’s outbreak tops 1,000 cases, pushing officials to expand who can administer vaccines. Pennsylvania Policy: The state Senate advanced a bill to phase out PFAS firefighting foam, sending it to the House. Transportation: Amtrak is adding a second daily Pennsylvanian train between Pittsburgh and New York, starting Nov. 18 with stops including Johnstown. Economy & Jobs: Reading highlighted growth at the Capitol, including its CRIZ tax program, while workforce leaders opened a new Pennsylvania CareerLink center in West Philadelphia. Community: AAA urged drivers to watch for deer during peak season, and Luzerne/Wyoming’s CEO Thanksgiving project will provide meals for about 9,000 families.

Public Health: Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak has topped 1,000 cases, reaching 1,004 statewide with Lancaster County driving more than a third and multiple hospitalizations reported, as officials and federal leaders spar over measles-related deaths. State Law & Consumer Safety: The Pennsylvania House unanimously approved a bill to regulate kratom sales, setting a 21+ age limit, requiring child-resistant packaging and warning labels, and banning synthetic/adulterated products. Elections & Voting Access: In Mercer County, longtime voters started submitting mail ballots early, while Pennsylvania voting advocates also warn about potential disruptions as the Nov. 3 election nears. Economy & Energy: Google and Constellation Energy announced a $4.3 billion, 20-year nuclear power deal adding 890 megawatts across Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey—aimed at powering AI data centers without raising customer costs. Local Government & Services: Friends of the Poor and Catherine McAuley Center is expanding emergency help in Scranton with a new mobile food pantry vehicle funded by a $320,000 state grant. Politics & Policy: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent promoted “Trump Accounts” in Harrisburg, pitching child savings accounts as a supplement to Social Security.

Public Health Crisis: Pennsylvania has topped 1,000 measles cases this year, with 1,004 reported and five deaths—health officials warn the real number may be higher as some exposures go unreported. Local Government & Water Safety: Jim Thorpe Borough is moving toward a probe-based lead service line detection system that can identify pipe material from inside homes, avoiding disruptive sidewalk digging. Election & Health Access: Philadelphia is rolling out “One Philly Medicaid Access” to help residents keep coverage as Medicaid eligibility rules tighten, focusing on preventing coverage loss from missed notices and paperwork issues. Tech & Regulation: OpenAI says it will label AI-generated text in the EU with invisible watermarking under the EU AI Act. Energy & Infrastructure: DuBois Regional Airport selected Contour Airlines for Essential Air Service starting Feb. 1, 2027, adding nonstop routes to Atlanta and Chicago. State Policy: Pa. House passed a bill to regulate kratom sales and ban synthetic compounds derived from it. Business & Community: DCNR named the Pine Creek Rail Trail Pennsylvania’s 2026 Trail of the Year.

Data Centers & Local Control: Swatara Township residents will get a face-to-face chance to grill Corscale Data Centers about two proposed $10.5B AI data center complexes, after concerns over noise, water use, and grid strain. Energy & Nuclear Funding: Vistra shares jumped after reports the Trump administration may offer about $4B in loan funding, including Beaver Valley in Pennsylvania, as nuclear becomes a key piece of AI power planning. Public Health: Pennsylvania is among states seeing measles risk rise, with new reporting highlighting how MMR vaccination rates vary widely between schools and can leave communities exposed. Health Care Policy: UPMC’s DOJ deal to pause gender-affirming care for minors drew sharp reaction, with critics calling it a major blow to patient access and privacy. Business & Finance: Fragasso Financial Advisors rebranded as Fragasso Wealth Advisors, emphasizing its independent, employee-owned structure. Local Community: Handel’s Ice Cream opened in Havertown, while a Pennsylvania animal shelter moved a step closer to a new home after receiving a $450,000 state Local Share Account grant.

Broadband Push: Gov. Josh Shapiro announced $448M in BEAD grants to expand high-speed internet across 50 Pennsylvania counties, aiming to connect the remaining 133,000 households still lacking access. Election & Cost of Living: The Trump administration says it will send $90 Medicare premium rebate payments to more than 20 million seniors, a fresh pre-midterm financial promise. AI Power Struggle: Trump named DNI Jay Clayton as an “AI czar,” putting a longtime Wall Street regulator at the center of a new federal AI push. Data Center Backlash: A growing wave of local opposition is colliding with the tech buildout, with residents and officials raising concerns about power, water, and control. Gambling Rules Under Scrutiny: A Pennsylvania man who self-excluded from major sportsbooks later lost heavily on Kalshi, highlighting how prediction markets can fall under different protections than state-regulated gambling. Public Health: Pennsylvania measles concerns continue as officials brace for spread, while a multistate Labcorp debt-collector data breach settlement underscores ongoing privacy enforcement.

Route 3 Fatal Crash: A Havertown pickup driver suffered a medical emergency, triggering a 14-vehicle crash that killed one person and shut down part of West Chester Pike near Eagle Road. Retail Theft Hunt: Springettsbury Township police are asking for help identifying a man wanted in a Lowe’s theft on East Market Street, with a broader pattern of retail thefts reported along the corridor. Data Center Fight in the Poconos: Residents in Hazle Township are pushing back against a proposed “Project Hazelnut” data center, including a reported $10,000-per-household incentive and questions about whether Amazon is involved. Public Health Watch: Pennsylvania health officials say measles could spread beyond current hotspots, with the state reporting a fifth measles-associated death as cases climb. SNAP Pressure on Families: Pennsylvania is set to absorb more SNAP administrative costs, adding paperwork burdens that advocates say are already cutting people off. Transit Boost: Amtrak plans to add a second daily Pittsburgh-to-NYC round trip on the Pennsylvanian route starting mid-November. Skill Games Deadline: Pennsylvania’s AG is warning operators to remove skill games terminals by Oct. 14 after a Supreme Court ruling, or face seizure.

Midterm Politics in PA: Gov. Josh Shapiro campaigned in Bucks County urging Democrats to use “a lot of power” to flip key state Senate and U.S. House races, including the competitive 1st Congressional District contest. Education Policy Fight: A federal judge temporarily blocked the U.S. Education Department from publishing names of foreign donors and university contract counterparties tied to major research institutions, setting up a legal showdown over transparency rules. Consumer Protection: Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday sued an Idaho man and business over alleged sales of fraudulent spotted lanternfly permits and training. Health & Public Safety: A multistate recall expanded for frozen organic berries after an E. coli outbreak sickened 17 people; shoppers are urged to check freezers. Local Business & Community: A new pavilion was dedicated at the Nicholas Stoltzfus Homestead in Berks County, marking a milestone in preserving the colonial-era site. Workforce & Economy: Magnet Applications expanded in DuBois, buying a 40,000-square-foot facility to grow Pennsylvania magnet manufacturing.

Banking Crime: Two more men pleaded guilty in an $11M stolen-check bank fraud scheme, including pandemic-era Employee Retention Credit refunds, with deposits across New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Elections & Power: House Republicans are privately bracing for losing the majority as Trump’s approval slips, while Pennsylvania’s open-primary bill cleared the state House and a kratom regulation measure advanced. Cost of Living: The Dollar Energy Fund opened utility hardship applications for 2026-27, as demand for help keeps rising. Energy Regulation: The PUC approved a smaller UGI gas-rate increase, limiting another base-rate filing until 2029. Public Health & Safety: Pennsylvania revoked Resources for Human Development’s license after medical neglect tied to a Philadelphia resident’s February death. Education & Food Access: $7.3M in fresh-fruit-and-vegetable grants went to 249 schools statewide through the federal FFVP. Local Economy: A new state tourism report says the industry topped $87.2B impact and supported 521,000 jobs in 2025.

Data Centers vs. Communities: Amazon’s AI chief Matt Garman warns that local moratoriums could leave the U.S. “behind” on AI as power and water demands surge, with protests growing over electricity costs and environmental impacts. Healthcare Access: A new report finds insurers are rejecting most oral blood cancer drug claims and that prior authorization and high out-of-pocket costs are blocking patients from getting treatment. Pennsylvania Politics: A bill to open Pennsylvania primaries to unaffiliated voters has passed the state House, a potential shift in how swing voters could influence party nominations. Broadband Push: Gov. Josh Shapiro announced $448 million in BEAD grants for high-speed internet expansion across 50 counties. Election Pressure: An AP-NORC poll finds Americans increasingly blame Trump for high prices and cost of living ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms. Vaping Law: Pennsylvania’s new vape registry law takes effect Oct. 19, making most unlisted products illegal to sell.

Pennsylvania Politics: Calls for state Rep. Aaron Bernstine to resign are growing after PennLive reported he used racist and homophobic slurs toward Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta and falsely claimed Kenyatta had AIDS; Bernstine denies it. Election 2026: Gov. Josh Shapiro is set to campaign in Bucks County as Democrats push key races, including state Senate and the 1st Congressional District contest between Bob Harvie and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick. Public Health: Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak remains a major concern, with a fifth measles-associated death reported as the outbreak continues to spread. Local Land Use: Upper Darby residents and environmentalists are racing to raise $8 million to buy the 15-acre Mozino Tract and preserve it as open space after a developer backed away from a mixed-use plan. Health Care Costs: A Penn-led study finds insurers rejected most first submissions for oral blood cancer drugs, delaying access for patients. Business & Energy: Exelon’s dividend yield is rising, but investors are watching a December regulatory decision that could shape what happens next.

Public Health: Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak is worsening, with the state reporting 119 new cases in a week and five measles-related deaths, as vaccine skepticism and confusion over guidance are blamed for lagging protection. Legal & Courts: A former Philadelphia woman who voted twice in the 2024 election was sentenced to three years of probation, underscoring how election rules are enforced. State Politics: The Pennsylvania GOP caucus criticized Rep. Aaron Bernstine after reports he used a homophobic slur about Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta. Public Media: WHYY has completed its acquisition of Penn State’s WPSU stations, keeping the WPSU name while expanding service across central and northern Pennsylvania. Housing & Cost of Living: Mortgage rates climbed to 7.28%, making homebuying tougher for Philadelphians and beyond. Education & Community: St. Vincent College named nine 2026 Alumni of Distinction to be honored during Homecoming weekend. Data Centers & Power: CoreWeave CEO Brian Venturo says GPU demand will keep driving the AI boom through 2027 despite power and regulatory hurdles. SNAP: New SNAP rules take effect Oct. 1, including expanded work requirements and reporting changes that could reduce benefits for some Pennsylvanians. Higher Ed: Penn State rose to No. 101 worldwide in the 2027 Times Higher Education rankings.

Economy & Politics: A new AP-NORC poll shows only 17% of Americans approve of President Donald Trump’s handling of the cost of living, with 65% blaming his policies for stubborn high prices—an early warning sign for Republicans heading into midterms. Housing & Development: A Pittsburgh case study in Hazelwood asks whether major neighborhood investment can avoid displacement, as a stalled housing project sits near the Hazelwood Green redevelopment. Local Law Enforcement: Montgomery County prosecutors charged 46 businesses for allegedly selling illegal THC gummies and other products, including items topped with more than 1,000 mg of THC. Energy & Industry: CleanChoice Energy closed about $166M in financing for two Pennsylvania solar projects expected to go online in 2027, while Pantheon Electric says it hit 33% recycled copper supply at its Leetsdale base. Business & Jobs: Assurance Financial opened a new Greensburg, Pa., mortgage branch with a veteran team. Tech & Research: Delaware Valley planners are collecting new travel survey data to update the region’s transportation plans for the next decade.

Pennsylvania Supreme Court: The court agreed to clarify whether a ruling that struck down automatic life-without-parole for some 2nd-degree murder cases applies retroactively, a decision that could affect inmates’ sentencing reviews after lawmakers stalled. Public Health: Pennsylvania confirmed a fifth measles-associated death as cases near 1,000 statewide, with the outbreak centered in Lancaster County and tied to low vaccination rates. Local Justice: Montgomery County prosecutors charged nearly 50 businesses with selling illegal THC products, warning stores to remove devices or face enforcement. Education & Law: Pennsylvania’s AG warned businesses to remove “skill game” machines ahead of an Oct. 14 deadline after the state Supreme Court ruled they’re slot machines. Economy & Costs: Farmers and other industries are bracing for harvest strain as diesel prices hit record highs, squeezing profit margins. Culture: Philadelphia opened an exhibition at Taller Puertorriqueño tracing architect Antonio Fiol-Silva’s work, blending design and community history.

Affordability Pressure: A new campaign says 7 in 10 Pennsylvanians are being squeezed by rising costs, with pop-up “Pennsylvania Feels the Squeeze” lemonade stands in Langhorne, Harrisburg, Scranton and Bethlehem pushing back on Republican lawmakers’ records on gas, groceries, health care and child care. Local Budgets: In Steubenville, the finance director is urging a conservative approach as department heads flag major coming costs, including a potential $1 million fire truck and requests for demolitions and planning. Community Events: Wellsburg’s 47th Applefest returns this weekend, drawing crowds for vendors, entertainment and apple-focused traditions. Higher Ed & Philanthropy: Carnegie Mellon University announced a historic $3 billion gift from Citadel founder Ken Griffin, including major funding for computer science and a new CMU Miami campus. Housing Repair via Reparations: A Philadelphia Quaker congregation launched $10,000 homebuyer grants for Black families, framing the program as reparations. Energy Assistance Cost Fight: A report highlights a dispute over who should pay for utility low-income assistance as costs rise, arguing residential customers are carrying the burden alone. Health Care Policy: UPMC will end pediatric gender-affirming care after a DOJ agreement, sparking concern among advocates. Measles Watch: The CDC’s measles death count still lags Pennsylvania’s tally, as the outbreak continues to be closely tracked. Data Center Backlash: Coverage points to growing public resistance to data centers, with polls showing Americans turning more negative about the facilities.

West Bank Oversight: US Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic push to force the State Department to report to Congress on rising violence in the occupied West Bank, including deaths of American citizens—Pennsylvania’s John Fetterman voted against the measure. Pennsylvania Gaming: State Rep. Russ Diamond urged former Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey to resign from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board amid an investigation into alleged no-bid contract handling and other financial activity. Measles Response: Pennsylvania health officials paused a major disease-control strategy overhaul after a flood of public comments, as the state’s measles outbreak continues to grow. Skill Games Crackdown: Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday warned businesses to remove illegal “skill game” machines by Oct. 14 or face criminal prosecution and seizures. Local Economy/Jobs: The Shapiro administration highlighted construction progress on DrinkPAK’s $195 million Philadelphia expansion, aiming to create at least 174 jobs. Cyber & Privacy: Class-action law firms opened investigations tied to reported data breaches involving Bee, Bergvall & Co. and United Underwriters.

Election & Media Oversight: Public Citizen is urging the FCC and broadcasters to stop airing Trump campaign commercials paid for with taxpayer dollars, arguing they may violate federal law and the Hatch Act. State & Local Development: Gov. Josh Shapiro and Harrisburg leaders unveiled a $64 million downtown revitalization plan aimed at new streetscapes, storefront upgrades, and expanded arts, recreation, and riverfront activity. Jobs & Corporate Restructuring: More than 100 Pennsylvania employees are facing layoffs after a company acquisition, with WARN Act notices tied to a cost-cutting reorganization that increasingly leans on AI-driven decisions. Tech, Research & Health: Penn researchers are using uterus-transplant data to show the procedure is reaching replicable outcomes, while a new report finds many schools still rely on manual admissions workflows and struggle with staffing and fraud. AI & Infrastructure: CISA launched a free 2026 election security plan for key jurisdictions, and Pennsylvania municipalities are seeing early deployments of AI “safe city” vehicle enforcement tools.