AGP Executive Report

Airport & Travel: Southwest is rolling out its first airport lounges, with BWI among the initial four locations (Austin, Honolulu, Nashville) and construction already underway; lounges are expected to open in late 2027 and will be tied to a new Rapid Rewards credit card. Cybersecurity & Healthcare: Luminis Health says two Anne Arundel and Prince George’s hospitals were hit by a cybersecurity incident, with some systems unavailable and ambulances rerouting for non-critical patients. State Policy & Health Costs: Maryland AG Anthony Brown is suing UnitedHealth/Optum over alleged Medicaid claims-processing failures tied to software changes, seeking about $380 million in damages. Energy & Regulation: A federal hearing spotlighted how state and local natural gas bans can raise costs for households and small businesses, arguing electrification limits consumer choice. Local Economy & Real Estate: Walker & Dunlop arranged $390 million in construction financing for Park Tower, a mixed-use multifamily project in Jersey City’s Journal Square. Sports Business: Ravens GM Eric DeCosta says he’s optimistic about reaching a Lamar Jackson contract extension before March, while also noting the team is still waiting on the NFL’s investigation into Rashod Bateman’s arrest. Fraud & Consumer Risk: A CBP dog at Philadelphia seized nearly $19,000 in unreported currency from travelers heading to the Dominican Republic.

Maryland Paid Leave Launch: Maryland rolled out its new paid family and medical leave program, letting eligible workers take up to 12 weeks and setting up payroll contributions that start in 2027—good news for families, but a cost and staffing headache for some employers and local governments. Data Center Fight: Gov. Wes Moore is signaling a tougher stance on the data center boom, saying facilities don’t get to “write the rules” and pushing for local control, as Baltimore County lawmakers weigh extending a data center moratorium. MTA Toll-Fee Audit: A new audit says the Maryland Transportation Authority failed to collect more than $818 million in tolls and fees owed, raising fresh questions about oversight. Amazon Ad Lawsuit: The FTC and 22 states—including Maryland’s attorney general—sued Amazon over alleged “secret ad surcharge” practices that regulators say overcharged advertisers by more than $20 billion. Local Business & Economy: Red Robin completed the sale of 108 company restaurants for about $89.4 million as part of its refranchising plan, while First Breach said new equipment at its Hagerstown ammunition operation boosts capacity by about 175% to as much as 20 million rounds per month. Consumer Watch: Hodo recalled 75,250 packages of tofu after ink may have migrated into the product, with distribution across multiple states including Maryland.

Paid Leave Rollout: Maryland officially launched employer registration for its new Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program, letting workers eventually access up to 12 weeks of paid leave; businesses must register now, with payroll contributions starting in January and benefits slated for 2028. Energy & Grid Politics: A report flags NextEra’s MidAtlantic Resiliency Link transmission project as costly for ratepayers, while Maryland continues to face pushback over data-center power demand and related grid upgrades. Local Development Finance: Prince George’s County Council is weighing up to $215 million in bonds to support National Harbor’s planned mini Sphere, with labor and project-cost concerns in the mix. Consumer Safety: Hodo, Inc. recalled more than 10,000 cases of Lightly Fried Chili Crisp Tofu across 29 states after it said printing ink “may have migrated” into the product. Business/Community Watch: Worcester County approved a request to buy the state-owned Pocomoke Welcome Center to renovate and improve the visitor stop on Route 13. Public Safety: Maryland kicked off National Preparedness Month with a statewide campaign urging residents, families, communities, and businesses to get ready for emergencies.

Data Center Backlash: A new report highlights how residents across the political spectrum are pushing for more say, fairness, and accountability as massive AI-linked data center proposals face growing opposition. Consumer & Housing Costs: The Trump administration rescinded an Obama-era HUD rule blamed for driving up housing costs by keeping current owners liable for old accessibility design flaws. Antitrust/Ad Tech: The FTC and 22 states, including Maryland, sued Amazon alleging a “secret ad surcharge” scheme that inflated advertising prices. Local Business & Community: Wills Group, based in La Plata, donated $500,000 to Southern Maryland nonprofits through its 100th anniversary grants. Healthcare & Biotech: GeneDx CEO Katherine Stueland was named a 2026 Fierce 50 honoree for health equity, underscoring momentum in rare-disease genomics. Energy/Utilities: Maryland regulators cut Pepco’s requested rate increase by more than half, easing the impact on customers. Sports Business: The Ravens’ kicker situation remains in focus as coach Jesse Minter backs Tyler Loop while adding competition with Jake Moody.

Sports & Local Economy: The Ravens are keeping faith with kicker Tyler Loop but added pressure by signing Jake Moody to the practice squad after Loop’s uneven preseason. Real Estate & Housing Enforcement: A Baltimore County property dispute in Middle River highlights how alleged repeat squatters can reappear in renovated homes, raising questions about how quickly police can stop unauthorized occupants. Retail & Public Safety: A store employee at the Pentagon Mall was pepper sprayed after confronting a reported merchandise thief, underscoring ongoing risks for workers. Healthcare Access: Reproductive-care patients are arriving “later and sicker” as abortion bans and insurance restrictions delay treatment and push people to travel farther. Consumer & Business Regulation: The FTC and 22 states, including Maryland, sued Amazon over alleged secret ad surcharges that inflated prices for advertisers. Travel & Cost Pressure: AAA expects higher Labor Day travel costs than last year, with airfare and hotel bookings up. Local Business & Community: Maryland’s Department of Agriculture plans aerial mosquito spraying in Dorchester County, covering more than 13,600 acres. Global Impact on Marylanders: A Baltimore-based tour group says 47 travelers are missing after Nepal flooding.

Maryland Politics & Policy: Maryland’s Nov. 3 gubernatorial rematch between Gov. Wes Moore and Dan Cox is set, with voters also weighing statewide budget and judicial questions, while a proposed constitutional amendment on congressional redistricting may still be in legal limbo. Healthcare Costs: A new look at state efforts to rein in healthcare spending highlights how Maryland-style cost constraints are spreading, with regulators pushing hospital cost growth limits and issuers facing fresh pressure. Medicaid & Accountability: Maryland continues its Medicaid fight in court, including claims tied to defective software and system failures, as the state seeks accountability for alleged Medicaid system crashes. Energy & Infrastructure: Maryland has locked in a 20-year solar deal expected to cut costs by hundreds of millions, while regulators also moved to reduce a Pepco rate increase request. Business & Finance: Seventy2 Capital expands in the region with new leadership hires and a Connecticut office opening, and Maryland’s business community keeps watching major deals and investment moves. Community & Workforce: A new accessible communication board at Quiet Waters Park adds inclusive tools for children with autism, and UMD’s Robert H. Smith business experts weigh in on AI job-loss fears amid ongoing workforce concerns.

Prince George’s County Development: Six Flags’ shuttered 515-acre site is set for a new entertainment-and-housing push backed by Kevin Durant’s 35V and TPA, but conservationists are renewing Belt Woods concerns over impacts to an adjacent old-growth preserve. Cybersecurity & Healthcare Fraud: Baltimore-area patients are being targeted with fake MyChart emails that mimic the real login flow to steal data or install malware, with Epic warning scammers are exploiting the trusted brand. Maryland Energy Costs: Howard County’s E85 prices held steady week-to-week, with the lowest reported gallon at $3.39 at three stations, while diesel pricing in Harford County averaged $5.68. Medicaid Spending Watch: Crownsville’s Medicaid Evaluation and Management billing jumped to $1.37M in 2024, and separate reporting highlights Maryland’s broader Medicaid billing growth and scrutiny. Local Consumer Scams: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Michigan cities including Melvin tied for 80th with two July scam reports, underscoring ongoing fraud losses nationwide. Sports Business Tie-In: The Ravens traded OT Diego Pounds to the Chiefs, a reminder how roster moves can ripple across regional fan economies.

Medicaid Fraud Crackdown: A Silver Spring man pleaded guilty in federal court for a D.C. Medicaid mental-health billing scheme that prosecutors say inflated or billed for services never provided, tied to more than $250,000 in losses. Cybercrime & Charities: A Nigerian national, Olusegun Adejorin, was sentenced to eight years in U.S. federal prison for a business email compromise scheme that prosecutors say stole more than $7.5 million from a Maryland charity and a New York charity. Energy & Solar Safety: An audit of Amazon’s rooftop solar program found one critical issue and 259 significant findings after multiple fire and arc-flash incidents, including a 2021 rooftop fire at a Perryville, Md. site. Utilities Regulation: Maryland regulators cut Pepco’s requested rate increase by more than half, signaling continued pressure on electricity pricing. Local Health Spending Watch: New data show Ellicott City Medicaid diagnostic radiology outlays jumped to $280 in 2024, up sharply from 2023. Workforce/Training: College of Southern Maryland’s Early College program is helping Southern Maryland high school students earn college credits and certificates while they finish high school.

Utility Rates: Maryland regulators cut Pepco’s requested electric rate increase by more than half, approving a smaller $50.9 million hike that translates to about $3.94 more per month for residential customers. Public Safety: Montgomery County police are dissolving the Alcohol Initiatives Unit, citing lower staffing, while pledging to keep impaired-driving enforcement through other task forces and saturation patrols. Local Government & Infrastructure: Woodsboro approved a $10,000 water leak-detection project to help restore water capacity for planned development, and the town is also seeking bids to remove 595 white pines from a watershed to improve forest health. Health & Consumer Protection: Two companies recalled certain IV saline lots nationwide over particulate contamination concerns, including fiberglass and particulate matter. Business/Finance: A federal lawsuit alleges a gas supplier wasn’t paid for fuel sold through the “Freedom Fuel Network,” raising questions about how stations offered unusually low prices. Sports Business: The Ravens traded defensive tackle C.J. Okoye to the Giants, while the Chiefs acquired Ravens OT Diego Pounds—both moves aimed at shoring up roster depth ahead of NFL cut deadlines.

Ravens Roster Pressure: Baltimore closed a perfect 3-0 preseason with a 41-3 win over Washington, but the real story is what comes next—cutdown decisions to 53 players by Sunday, with kicker Tyler Loop drawing scrutiny after two missed field goals and coach Jesse Minter keeping the door open on whether Baltimore will add competition. Medicaid Tech Lawsuit: Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown sued UnitedHealth and Optum over an allegedly defective Medicaid behavioral health computer system that crashed on day one in 2020 and cost taxpayers tens of millions. Housing & Permitting Tech: Cities are increasingly using AI to speed housing approvals by catching incomplete applications earlier, supported by a new federal Innovation Fund and HUD grants for automated code permitting. Energy & Defense: General Dynamics Land Systems delivered its XM30 Wolf prototype to the U.S. Army at Aberdeen Proving Ground, with more deliveries planned as the Army weighs a 2027 production decision. Local Business/Community: A Baltimore mortuary-themed bar is becoming Little Donna’s unofficial waiting room, showing how nearby foot traffic can reshape small-business models. Maryland Housing Leadership: Jake Day, the state housing secretary, is set to speak Sept. 4 in Easton on affordable housing and economic development.

Utilities & Regulation: Maryland’s Public Service Commission dealt a blow to Pepco, denying more than half of its rate increase request and approving about a $50.9 million revenue hike—translating to roughly $3.94 a month for an average residential customer, after the commission pushed back on costly infrastructure spending. Health & Consumer Safety: Baxter recalled multiple intravenous solutions nationwide, including saline and dextrose products, after concerns about possible fiberglass contamination in sealed bags; regulators flagged the issue as serious even without reported adverse events tied to the recalls. Business & Markets: A federal appeals court in San Francisco ruled Nevada can regulate Kalshi’s prediction market platform, contradicting a prior ruling from Philadelphia and setting up the possibility of further review—while Nevada access to certain contracts remains blocked. Local Economy & Community: The Salisbury Lions Club teamed with the Maryland Food Bank to deliver $1,000 in fresh produce to a pop-up pantry, highlighting ongoing demand for affordable, farm-fresh food. Sports Business: Baltimore’s preseason finale vs. Washington is set at M&T Bank Stadium, with the Ravens and Commanders both resting starters as roster decisions loom.

Data Centers & City Policy: Baltimore’s Planning Commission held a heated hearing on new rules for big data centers as the city’s moratorium nears its end, with residents warning about pollution, traffic, and health impacts while supporters argue for economic growth. Healthcare & State Action: Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown sued UnitedHealthcare over an allegedly defective Medicaid computer system, adding to the state’s push to recover from costly program failures. Immigration & Tuition Lawsuits: The DOJ filed new lawsuits challenging in-state tuition benefits for illegal immigrants in Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington, escalating a broader legal fight over state higher-ed aid. Business & Finance: Seventy2 Capital added Steven Bonavita as an EVP and financial advisor in Bethesda, while also naming three advisors to AdvisorHub’s “Advisors to Watch” list. Local Economy & Jobs: Maryland reported job growth outpacing the U.S. in July, continuing a steady labor-market story for the state. Community & Events: The Maryland State Fair returns to Timonium for three weekends, mixing agriculture, rides, concerts, and America’s 250th birthday programming.

Medicaid Lawsuit: Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown is suing UnitedHealth Group and Optum over a Medicaid behavioral-health computer system that allegedly crashed at launch in 2020, costing “tens of millions” and triggering incorrect payments and denied claims; the state seeks up to about $380 million. Transportation & Growth: MDOT is restarting work to widen Route 90 into Ocean City, with environmental analysis and preliminary design underway to improve traffic flow and safety. Healthcare Recall: Baxter International recalled multiple injectable drugs, including 0.9% sodium chloride and 70% dextrose, after fiberglass or metal contamination concerns tied to specific lots. Data Center Backlash: A broader national push against data centers is showing up in local politics, with Kansas communities facing lawsuits and residents organizing over power, water, noise, and long-term impacts. Meta Youth-Safety Money: States including Maryland are preparing for how to spend funds from Meta’s landmark youth mental health settlement, with Maryland set to receive up to $327 million. Local Business Pulse: Towson business owners and residents are reacting after a large crowd near Towson Town Center led to two arrests. Business Innovation: Azure Printed Homes, using 3D printing with recycled polymers, ranked No. 1 in PurposeBuilt100’s Environmental Solutions Top Ten.

USPS Voting Fight: Michigan AG Dana Nessel says a new USPS rule that would let the agency regulate federal vote-by-mail would “disenfranchise” voters, joining a 25-state lawsuit challenging the move. Maryland Politics & Money: New campaign finance filings show Gov. Wes Moore with a roughly 48-to-1 cash advantage over Dan Cox ahead of their rematch. Meta Child-Safety Settlement: Michigan also announced a multistate Meta deal requiring Instagram/Facebook child-safety reforms, with Michigan set to receive at least $171 million. Annapolis Housing: The Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis is moving ahead with a $105.8 million Robinwood redevelopment, including 58 new apartments in the first phase. Cybersecurity & Data Centers: VanishID and Carahsoft plan a Sept. 2 briefing on rising, more personal threats targeting energy and utility workers as data centers expand. Maryland Consumer/Tax: A Maryland court invalidated the state’s digital advertising gross revenues tax, raising stakes for tech-related revenue plans.

Big Tech Settlement: Maryland is set to receive up to $327 million from Meta’s landmark $17.1B child-safety deal, with enforceable changes for Instagram and Facebook including hard screen-time limits and stronger parental controls, pending federal judge approval. Key Bridge Rebuild: Maryland Transportation Authority crews are driving deep steel piles for the new Francis Scott Key Bridge foundations, a critical step toward the 2030 reopening target as the project shifts away from one all-in contractor for later phases. Local Business & Tourism: Annapolis turned about 180 feet of City Dock construction fencing into a walkable art exhibit featuring Chesapeake photos and local artist portraits, aiming to keep foot traffic flowing to waterfront businesses. Trade & Seafood: A Maryland oyster exporter says Canada’s new tariffs could kill a planned Canada deal, with margins “razor thin” under 25% tariff pressure. Consumer Fraud Watch: Maryland’s broader fraud landscape remains a concern as BBB Scam Tracker data shows persistent online scams nationwide, with consumers reporting losses and refund disputes. Entrepreneurship: Arjay Jones launched Earth Three Pictures to build Maryland and D.C. film opportunities, with a historical horror feature in development. Public Safety: UMES reported a rabid bat on campus, urging residents to avoid contact with wild animals and keep pets vaccinated. Food & Community: The Maryland State Fair returns for three weekends at Timonium, running Aug. 27–30 and Sept. 4–7 and 10–13.

Maryland Health Access: Awesome Experience Psychiatric Services in Waldorf launched free, confidential two-minute self-checks for PTSD/trauma, depression, and medication management to help residents decide whether to seek an evaluation. Consumer & Privacy: A new look at “surveillance pricing” shows how companies can use browsing, location, and purchase history to steer discounts and change what shoppers ultimately pay—raising fairness and transparency concerns. Business & Retail: Columbia’s mall parking is among a growing set of U.S. centers charging for “preferred” spots, turning convenience into a paid add-on. Tech in Schools: OpenAI expanded its ChatGPT for Teachers program with Kamehameha Schools, adding secure educator access and training for responsible use—without student accounts. Life Sciences/Investing: 20/20 BioLabs (Gaithersburg) will host an investor webinar Sept. 2 on OneTest™ revenue and commercial expansion. Education Outcomes: 2026 MCAP results show Calvert County leading Southern Maryland in English and math proficiency, with St. Mary’s also above statewide averages. Local Economy/Real Estate: A Charlestown facade grant program is funding exterior improvements for Market Street Cafe, The Wellwood Restaurant, and North East River Marina.