AGP Executive Report

College Sports Policy: The Big Ten and SEC have thrown their support behind the Protect College Sports Act after late negotiations, with Texas Sen. Ted Cruz saying it’s time to move the bill to President Trump’s desk. Texas Hemp/THC Rules: New restrictions on hemp-derived THC take effect in Texas, banning many synthetic products while delta-9 hemp items (under the federal 0.3% limit) remain legal for now. Flood Recovery: The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country announced $18 million in flood recovery priorities, including emergency help, housing repairs, and small-business support. Public Health/Heat: Texarkana residents are facing a boil-water notice after a sudden water-pressure loss, with the advisory tied to lab testing. Local Health & Safety: Texas Tech’s Health Sciences Center welcomed its incoming medical class of 2030 during a white coat ceremony. Wildlife Science: Researchers say they rediscovered smooth hammerhead shark nursery grounds in the Galápagos after more than 20 years. Sports Betting: A Saturday MLB betting preview highlights several under/over and moneyline picks for the day.

Texas THC crackdown: New rules banning several hemp-derived THC products take effect Friday, with Delta-8 and other consumables moving off shelves—leaving Texans to sort out what’s still legal. Immigration and civil rights: The ACLU says it has filed dozens of federal tort claims alleging misconduct by federal agents during immigration enforcement, including property damage and excessive force. Public safety and health: Texas reported measles cases in Montgomery County, prompting a health alert as doctors urge parents to watch for symptoms and keep vaccinations up to date. Local community care: Killeen renewed its partnership with Fort Hood to put Army veterinarians inside city shelters for faster exams, treatments, and surgeries—aimed at boosting adoptions. Culture and events: Grapevine’s GrapeFest returns for its 40th anniversary Sept. 17–20, spotlighting Texas wines and international tastings. Business and growth: IKEA announced its first Oklahoma store will open this fall in Tulsa Hills, adding an authorized pickup option for online orders.

Texas THC crackdown: New “Total THC” rules take effect Friday, tightening what hemp-derived products can be sold in Texas and banning Delta-8 and other THC items that exceed the state’s 0.3% limit, with higher retailer fees and new testing/packaging requirements. Grid & AI power: Texas regulators approved an AI data center co-located with a wind farm only if the whole campus can shut down during grid emergencies, setting a precedent that could upend project plans across the state. Health & research: Houston Methodist researchers say obesity-related body fat molecules may help drive processes tied to Alzheimer’s disease, pointing to metabolic health as a possible link. Local community & youth: Upshur County 4-H Water Ambassadors shared what they learned at a statewide water leadership academy, including behind-the-scenes looks at how water systems serve major cities. Public safety & courts: The 5th U.S. Circuit upheld a Texas plea condition requiring prescribed mental health medication. Travel: Delta is permanently ending three nonstop JFK routes (including Houston) while adding a new Raleigh-Durham-to-Fort Myers flight.

Texas Rural Education: Gov. Greg Abbott announced $2.5 million in Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership grants to help 17 rural school district partnerships expand college and career training options. Public Safety Tech: Police credited Flock cameras with helping track down a child kidnapping suspect in Alabama, highlighting how surveillance tools are being used in fast-moving cases. Health & Research: Texas A&M researchers built AI tools to help narrow tuberculosis drug discovery after early screening floods labs with too many compounds. Community Events: Our Lady of Sorrows in Victoria is set to host its 60-year Jamaica tradition Aug. 2 with live music, food booths, and a live auction. Workforce & Skills: DoorDash says it received FAA Part 135 certification for its drone delivery program, though the FAA says operations can’t start yet. Space Watch: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage is nearing a planned lunar crash Aug. 5, with astronomers set to study the dust plume.

Immigration & Justice: A witness in the July 7 Houston shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was released from ICE detention after a judge’s order, as federal prosecutors argue the release should be overturned. Public Health: Texas doctors are warning parents as measles cases climb nationwide, urging families to double-check vaccination records before school. Health & Safety: A multi-state cyclosporiasis outbreak has topped 6,000 confirmed cases, and experts stress oral rehydration to prevent dehydration from severe diarrhea. Environment & Industry: Texas data center opposition is growing, with opponents in Hood County framing the fight in religious terms alongside concerns about water and power demands. Roads & Weather: Flooding has closed County Road 436 in Live Oak County, with officials urging drivers to avoid barricades and use alternate routes. Sports & Local Interest: The Cowboys report CB Shavon Revel is fully healthy after a knee recovery, while they’re also evaluating safety P.J. Locke after a knee issue.

Texas Public Health: A new Feeding America report says Texas is the most food-insecure state, with 19.4% of Texans facing hunger and San Antonio worse than the state average. Texas Law Enforcement & Consumer Protection: Texas AG Ken Paxton opened an investigation into an online puppy seller, Lone Star Pups, over claims about puppy origins and veterinary care. Space & Science (Texas ties): SpaceX says it has a plan to recover its Starship upper stage after the flight test ended with the vehicle landing intact in the Indian Ocean. Health Care Research: UT MD Anderson researchers report that immature NK cells in donor cord blood can weaken CAR NK cell therapy, pointing to a manufacturing fix. Local Health & Military: Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio earned a Leapfrog “Full Transparency” badge for patient safety reporting. Immigration Accountability Push: Lawmakers, including Minnesota Sen. Omar Fateh, renewed efforts to let Americans sue ICE agents for constitutional violations. National Health Watch: The U.S. could lose measles elimination status as cases rise.

Local Health & Safety: Houston renters may soon get a “Right to Air Conditioning” ordinance after advocates say some landlords provide only screens or broken units, leaving tenants to cope during dangerous heat. Public Health & Food: UT Austin researchers found 81% of toddler foods in Austin stores are ultra-processed, raising concerns as federal nutrition rules loom. Jail Oversight: Bexar County advocates are calling for major changes at the Adult Detention Center, citing medical and mental health gaps tied to jail deaths. Corrections Costs: Lubbock’s UMC CEO says inmate care costs are unsustainable and asks for more county support ahead of budget talks. Infrastructure & Growth: TxDOT will hold public open houses Aug. 11 onward on conceptual routes for the future I-14 corridor and Loop I-214 around Bryan-College Station. Community & Culture: Shipley Donuts’ Donut Dash returns Oct. 17 to benefit Kids’ Meals, targeting childhood hunger in Houston. Sports Business: Longhorns fans are watching whether Texas will follow other big programs into lucrative jersey patch sponsorships.

Immigration & Human Rights: A Chinese Christian human rights lawyer, Wu Shaoping, was released on bond after nine days in ICE detention in Pennsylvania, despite having been granted asylum, after advocates warned deportation could put him in serious danger. Public Health & Animals: Baylor College of Medicine and Houston Zoo published early peer-reviewed results suggesting an experimental mRNA vaccine may help protect young Asian elephants from EEHV, a major breakthrough for conservation medicine. Texas Politics: Texas AG Ken Paxton says he’s investigating women’s beauty and feminine-care products over alleged toxic chemicals and misleading claims. Health & Youth: UTHealth Houston researchers report heavy social media use is linked to higher odds of anxiety and suicidal thoughts among young adults. Local Services: RRC launched a new in-state Field Inspector Training program with Texas Tech in Lubbock, aiming to boost hands-on skills for oil and gas inspectors. Community & Education: Back-to-school events across Texas are offering free supplies and health screenings for families. Weather: An extreme heat warning hit the Texas Panhandle, with temperatures up to 110 and heat illness risks.

Texas Health & Safety: Parents of Indian-origin medical student Vaibhav Duggal, who died by suicide after disciplinary action at Texas Tech, are seeking $30 million and policy changes, arguing the process lacked transparency and due process. Public Health: Galveston County is investigating a rise in cyclosporiasis cases, while Austin-area reporting says cyclospora remains in the normal range as officials track a contamination source. Healthcare Policy: An FDA advisory panel backed adding six peptides to compounding lists, but agency staff raised safety and effectiveness concerns tied to gray-market sourcing. Local Security: Deerbrook Mall in Harris County says a recent shooting was an isolated incident, not a teen “takeover,” and is reviewing security with added police and a K-9 detection team. Travel & Tech: A T-Mobile nationwide outage left travelers stuck in SOS mode, and communities are debating Flock license-plate reader cameras’ public-safety value versus privacy risks. Sports & Community: Atlético Dallas signed Javier “Chicharito” Hernández as its first player, and Houston’s Toro District costs are under scrutiny in a new investigation.

Texas Courts & Families: Texas Standard reports new foster care rulings that strengthen parental rights and raise the bar for removing kids, signaling a shift in how DFPS handles abuse, neglect and termination cases. Mental Health & Justice: A jury is set to decide whether postpartum psychosis drove a Massachusetts mother to kill her three children, with prosecutors arguing intentional action and the defense pointing to a rare post-birth illness. Online Safety: A federal appeals panel preserved part of Texas’s social-media law requiring parental consent for targeted ads to minors, while blocking “harmful content” curbs under Section 230. Local Texas Community: Missouri City dedicated Freedom Tree Park, honoring enslaved Texans’ path to freedom tied to a historic live oak. Public Health: A salmonella egg recall linked to a multi-state outbreak has reached nearly 100 illnesses across 17 states, with Texas retailers named. Sports & Youth Safety: Austin FC says police are investigating allegations of misconduct at its developmental youth academy, leading to expulsions and suspensions. Weather & Safety: Flooding risks linger after Bertha’s remnants, with warnings focused on dangers after the rain stops.

Public Health: CDC reports U.S. measles cases hit a 35-year high, with 2,318 cases this year and Texas among the hardest-hit states. State Policy & Addiction: Texas lawmakers are again considering a THC ban for the next legislative session after testimony that regulation hasn’t worked. Immigration Enforcement: ICE arrest surge is drawing fresh scrutiny after deadly shootings tied to enforcement actions, including incidents in Texas. Local Safety & Community: Central Texas mourns youth baseball/softball coach Alberto “Coach Bert” Lopez after a fatal crash. Food Safety: FDA recalls more than 1.5 million dozen eggs from Texas over possible Salmonella contamination, with sales across multiple states including Texas. Energy & Tech: Liberty Energy and PowerBridge form a JV to power a planned 2GW data center campus in West Texas. Sports: Dallas Wings forward Alanna Smith named to Australia’s 2026 FIBA World Cup roster. National Justice: Trial begins for Lindsay Clancy, accused in the deaths of her three children, with arguments centered on postpartum psychosis.

Health & Safety: Nearly 20 million eggs tied to Texas farms were pulled after Salmonella concerns, with shoppers urged to check carton codes and sell-by dates before buying or using. Public Health: Hale County and Lubbock are rolling out free back-to-school immunization and supply events in August, targeting uninsured, underinsured, and Medicaid-eligible families. Local Infrastructure: Houston’s Midtown Hamilton Street and Tuam Street intersection will close from July 27 to Aug. 17 for storm sewage work tied to the I-45 expansion, with posted detours for drivers. Space & Science: A U.S.-Russian crew returned safely to Earth after 241 days on the ISS, and SpaceX launched Starship from Texas carrying a Starlink payload. Environment: Environmental groups say two San Antonio data centers are dodging Clean Air Act permits and plan legal action over alleged air pollution. Business/Healthcare Expansion: Pediatrics Plus is acquiring Jonesboro-based Cynergy and Arkids, aiming to expand therapy services including ABA in Northeast Arkansas.

Immigration & Travel: ICE agents detained an Ecuadorian woman at a Southwest Airlines gate in Colorado, triggering online backlash and renewed questions about how federal screening and immigration enforcement intersect with air travel. Mental Health & Higher Ed: The family of Texas Tech El Paso medical student Vaibhav Duggal, who died by suicide after academic discipline, is seeking legal review and policy changes, alleging the process lacked due process and mental health safeguards. Public Health: A new study reports anti-progesterone activity linked to mifepristone in water samples near Austin, raising concerns about fertility and pregnancy impacts and calling for more testing. Health & Food Safety: Midwest Poultry Services recalled about 19.1 million eggs in Texas and other states after a Salmonella outbreak tied to at least 98 illnesses. Local Safety: Two Troup residents died in a head-on crash on Mixon Road, according to Texas DPS. Wildlife Health: Smith County found a second rabies-positive skunk, prompting reminders to keep pets vaccinated and avoid wildlife contact. Elections: Texas top-of-ballot candidates for law enforcement made pitches to sheriffs at a statewide conference in Fort Worth.

Food Safety: FDA says 1.59 million cartons of eggs from Texas farms were recalled nationwide over possible salmonella, with Kroger and Brookshire stores among the retailers—check labels and don’t eat affected eggs. Public Health: CDC reports U.S. measles cases hit a 35-year high, driven by lower MMR coverage and outbreaks spreading in under-vaccinated communities. Texas Health & Research: UT Austin researchers say teens who eat breakfast—especially higher-protein—take in more key nutrients and less high-fat, high-sugar food. Health Alert: A multistate Cyclospora outbreak linked to recalled iceberg lettuce has sickened nearly 2,000 people across nine states, with guidance to throw out the lettuce. Policy & Tech: Lawmakers unveiled the AI Kill Switch Act, aiming to let the federal government shut down rogue AI models. Texas Economy & Security: Texas FCIC and partners arrested three Romanian nationals in a skimming scheme targeting EBT and card data at retailers across West Texas. Energy Watch: Oil prices are back near $100 as Middle East tensions raise shipping and supply-route fears.

ICE Accountability: U.S. senators including Maine’s Angus King and Peter Welch urged DHS to tighten oversight of ICE after deadly shootings in Maine and Texas, calling for body-worn cameras, better officer ID, and enforcement-protocol reviews. Public Safety: A Cedar Hill man’s kidney plea went viral and a Houston stranger donated a matching kidney, saving his life at Methodist Dallas Medical Center. Health Alerts: The CDC says U.S. measles cases have hit a 31-year high as vaccination rates slip, with Texas among the hardest-hit states. Food Safety: The FDA recalled 1.59 million dozen eggs in Texas and nearby states over possible salmonella contamination. Texas Agriculture: USDA will resume limited cattle imports from Mexico after a screwworm outbreak, with most U.S. cases tied to Texas. Local Education: Beeville ISD reported science gains and said after-school tutoring will continue after losing a grant renewal. Tech & Data: North Texas retailer Eyemart Express confirmed a February cyberattack that exposed customer data.

Measles Surge: The CDC says U.S. measles cases have hit 2,318 in 2026—already topping all of 2025—with outbreaks across 43 states plus D.C., mostly among unvaccinated people and with at least 151 hospitalizations. Wildfire Readiness: Texas A&M Forest Service is adding three new multi-mission aircraft to strengthen early detection and coordination as the state builds a dedicated wildfire aviation fleet. Health Policy Watch: The FDA approved an over-the-counter fixed-dose Tylenol plus naproxen pill for up to 12 hours of pain relief, while Texas continues to face related legal fallout tied to pregnancy warnings. Food Safety: Nearly 1.6 million dozen eggs from Texas farms are recalled across multiple states over possible Salmonella risk, with specific carton codes and best-by dates to check. Texas Military Leadership: A Texas-based 3-star general, Lt. Gen. Kevin D. Admiral, was nominated to lead U.S. Army Europe and Africa. Local Business: Post Oak Group announced a successful sale of a Philadelphia-area computer solutions business to a search fund-backed buyer.