AGP Executive Report

Fertility Access Expansion: Pinnacle Fertility is adding Adore Fertility, launching Pinnacle Fertility South Carolina in Mount Pleasant and bringing more physician-led fertility services to the region. LGBTQ+ Safety Watch: A new SafeHome.org report grades South Carolina 46th for LGBTQ+ equality and safety, citing gaps in statewide protections and prompting more people to consider relocating. Lowcountry Community Life: Yemassee opened its summer splash pad, with local students helping kick off the season. Health & Aging Research: New findings suggest engaging with arts and culture can slow biological aging at rates comparable to regular exercise. Local Planning & Zoning: Summerville officials discussed overlay district zoning as a compromise between short-term rental pressure and historic neighborhood concerns. Wildlife & Science Story: Morgan Island off Beaufort—once a biomedical research site—remains off-limits and is now home to thousands of rhesus macaques. Public Health Policy: Republican AGs, including South Carolina’s, urged the EPA to classify the abortion medication mifepristone as a water contaminant. Food Safety: The FDA issued a high-risk recall for Alfredo sauce tied to salmonella contamination, affecting distribution across 41 states including South Carolina. Agribusiness Innovation: SC’s ACRE awarded $215,000 to 12 agribusiness entrepreneurs through its Advanced Entrepreneurship program. Weather: Drier, seasonable conditions are expected Monday across the Upstate and nearby regions.

Food Safety & Health: FDA has upgraded an Alfredo sauce recall affecting 913 cases in 41 states to a “highest risk” class after a supplier’s bacterial contamination powder ingredient raised salmonella concerns, including in South Carolina. Public Health Tech & Access: Telehealth demand for GLP-1 weight-loss drugs is surging, but reports highlight dosing and follow-up problems when patients get prescriptions online. Environmental Policy: Republican AGs, including South Carolina’s, are urging EPA to classify mifepristone as a water contaminant—an argument experts say lacks support for real-world harm. State STEM & Education: South Carolina State University’s library dean, Dr. Ruth A. Hodges, was appointed to the SC State Library Board through 2029, with a focus on information access and innovation. Citizen Science (Coastal): SC DNR is running a blue crab tagging effort that lets residents help track local movement while learning crabbing rules. Weather: Severe storms are possible Sunday in SC’s Upstate, with damaging wind gusts a key risk.

Education Funding: Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina awarded up to $100,000 scholarships to two Hampton County High School seniors, aiming to cut college debt. STEM & Community Science: South Carolina DNR is recruiting citizen scientists to tag and track blue crabs, pairing hands-on crabbing with real research on local movement. Local Rail History: Aiken marked National Train Day at the Aiken Train Museum, spotlighting the region’s railroad roots and freight legacy. Wildlife & Invasives: Florida agencies are stepping up efforts against the invasive Argentine black-and-white tegu during peak hatching season, with sightings reported across multiple states including South Carolina. Public Health & Food Safety: New reporting finds synthetic dyes still show up in about 1 in 5 U.S. packaged foods, as a voluntary FDA phase-out faces uneven industry follow-through. Policy & Parks: A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore removed national park signs and exhibits tied to slavery and climate change. Tech & Mobility: Tesla’s robotaxis remain far behind early promises, with a tiny fleet still operating in limited areas. Weather Watch: Severe storms are possible Sunday in South Carolina’s Upstate, with damaging wind gusts a key risk.

Federal Courts vs. Park Censorship: A judge ordered the Trump administration to restore national park signs and exhibits on topics including slavery and climate change, calling the removals “censorship and sanitization.” AI & Daily Life: A new discussion piece argues AI is reshaping everything from driving and healthcare to education, while also enabling harmful uses. Weather Watch (SC Upstate): Severe storms are possible Sunday afternoon and evening, with damaging wind gusts over 60 mph. EV Reality Check: An Insurify report finds EV insurance averages about 42% more than comparable gas cars, with big state-by-state swings. Citizen Science in SC: South Carolina DNR is enlisting the public to tag blue crabs and track movement, pairing hands-on crabbing with data collection. Health Funding: Prisma Health received a $1.6M Duke Endowment grant to expand maternal and infant health screening and referrals across parts of SC. Tech on the Ground: Tesla’s Robotaxi rollout is falling short of Musk’s promises, with limited service and ongoing supervision needs. Higher Ed Pathways: Erskine College and SC charter schools announced major scholarships for six graduating seniors, including Thornwell’s JT Shorter.

Park Circle Housing: North Charleston’s Park Circle adds 28 luxury townhomes, “The Walk at Park Circle,” with move-in-ready options starting in the mid-$500,000s. Maternal Health Funding: Prisma Health wins a $1.6M Duke Endowment grant to expand a text-and-phone screening and referral program for maternal and infant health across the Carolinas. National Parks Fight Over History: A federal judge orders the Trump administration to reinstate removed national park signage and exhibits on climate change, slavery, and other topics, calling it censorship. Crypto Policy in the Spotlight: Sen. Tim Scott renews push for the CLARITY Act, linking stablecoin rules to U.S. dollar dominance and consumer safeguards. Invasive Species Watch: Sea turtles are nesting in record numbers at Georgia’s Tybee Island, while officials warn about false crawls and continued protection needs. Water Safety Pushback: Republican attorneys general, including South Carolina’s, urge the EPA to classify mifepristone as a water contaminant despite experts saying there’s no harm to waterways. Tech/Space Economy: SpaceX’s IPO surge draws investor reaction as the company lists on Nasdaq after a record-setting offering. Local Tech & Connectivity: Google’s subsea cable landing plans highlight new fiber links connecting South Carolina and the region to Europe. Wildlife & Ecosystems: Reports note invasive blue catfish spreading into South Carolina and beyond, with researchers exploring a commercial fishery upside.

Maternal Health Funding: ECU Health won a $1.4975M Duke Endowment grant to pilot a MUSC-developed maternal and infant screening and referral program across eastern North Carolina and South Carolina, aiming to catch mental health and social needs earlier. Public Health & Policy: Republican attorneys general, including South Carolina’s, urged the EPA to treat mifepristone as a water contaminant, despite health experts saying there’s no clear harm from medication abortion in wastewater. STEM & Education: A South Carolina literacy nonprofit, Augustine Literacy Project of the Upstate, continues one-on-one Orton-Gillingham tutoring for K–3 students at risk of reading failure. Tech & Industry: Officine Maccaferri opened a North American manufacturing facility in Fort Lawn, positioning it as a multi-technology hub for the U.S. Space & Security: SpaceX’s IPO surge comes amid reports it’s blocking Chinese and Hong Kong investors over U.S. defense-tech rules, with similar restrictions expected for OpenAI. Environment & Wildlife: Sea turtle nesting at Georgia’s Tybee Island is surging, with experts saying the season could break records after years of lows. State Law: South Carolina’s new ban on recreational nitrous oxide sales targets “whippets,” with escalating fines and jail time.

Education & Safety Tech: Greenville County Schools approved a $2.5M, three-year ZeroEyes contract for AI weapons detection, plus updated rules for non-resident student enrollment and appeals. Regenerative Medicine: Novo Regenerations opened a new mesenchymal stem cell injection clinic in Mount Pleasant to expand access for Charleston-area patients. Defense Construction: NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic awarded a $156.1M contract to build recruit barracks supporting training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, with work slated through June 2030. STEM Research: Scientists report the Venus flytrap snaps shut via rapid softening of trap cell walls—replacing a century-old water-shift explanation. Public Health Screening: South Carolina expanded its newborn screening program to cover two additional disorders. Local Growth Policy: Edgefield County moved forward on impact fees for high-growth areas, with potential stacking alongside North Augusta’s existing fees. Connectivity: Google’s Nuvem and Sol subsea cable systems landed in Bermuda, boosting Atlantic digital infrastructure resilience. Crime Update: SLED charged a fourth suspect in a Chester County drive-by killing of a 16-year-old.

Food Safety & Policy: A new federal push to phase out six synthetic dyes by end of 2026 is running into resistance, with nearly 20% of U.S. packaged foods still containing them and major brands yet to publicly commit. Local Public Safety: A Lancaster County woman died after being run over by her own car in reverse, renewing questions about older-vehicle safety tech and how drivers manage controls. STEM Discovery: Scientists say they’ve pinned down how the Venus flytrap snaps shut, pointing to rapid softening of trap cell walls rather than water shifting alone. Space & Education: NASA named UT alum Randy Bresnik to command the Artemis III crew, adding another South Carolina-linked engineering milestone to the state’s STEM story. Cybersecurity & Municipal Tech: Surfside Beach remains stuck waiting on forensic and recovery reports after a $545,000 cyberattack redirected contractor payments. K-12 Tech Use: Greenville County Schools rolled out tighter rules for student device and AI use, aiming to reduce screen time while keeping technology in the classroom. Business & Growth: Access Garage Doors rebranded as Access Garage Door & More, expanding into overhead storage, screens, shades and enclosures. Health & Environment: 14 state attorneys general urged EPA monitoring of abortion-pill contamination in water supplies. STEM Outreach: Savannah River Ecology Laboratory brought live native animals to an Aiken library program to spark kids’ interest in wildlife science.

Deep-Sea Mining Watch: Legal experts warn the U.S. is moving toward deep-sea mining with “bare bones” rules that may not protect marine ecosystems as lease sales loom. AI & Foreign Influence: OpenAI says China-based actors used ChatGPT to stir opposition to U.S. AI data centers, though it found limited real-world impact. SC Tech Growth: Charleston’s Horse Spot, equestrian-event software, is expanding and adding 11 jobs after raising $850,000 in seed funding. Local History: A new Fort Fremont display in Beaufort County highlights the Spanish-American War-era mine planter Gen. E.O.C. Ord. Agribusiness Funding: SC’s Agribusiness Center awarded $215,000 to 12 agribusinesses through its Advanced Entrepreneurship program. Health & Education: McLeod Health donated $25,000 to Williamsburg Technical College’s nursing program; SCETV will premiere a live “Palmetto Perspectives” episode on men’s mental health. Policy & Public Safety: Summerville weighs Historic District rezoning changes amid fears of more non-residential conversions; SCiDUC plans a July drone symposium in Columbia. Weather: Upstate heat and humidity push feels-like near 100° Thursday.

Space & STEM Leadership: NASA named Santa Monica native Randy Bresnik commander of Artemis III, a 2027 mission that will test lunar rendezvous and docking for the next crewed Moon landing. Drones in Public Service: The South Carolina Interagency Drone Users Consortium announced its July 15 symposium in Columbia on drones, technology, and the rules for innovation in government work. Healthcare Tech in SC: Nuwellis expanded a collaboration with a major South Carolina children’s hospital to deploy Aquadex SmartFlow ultrafiltration devices, aiming to improve fluid-overload care for pediatric patients. Local Economy & Workforce: Greenville Area Development Corp. marked 25 years and highlighted $94B in economic impact, stressing that “talent is the new location” for attracting industry. Food Safety & Policy: A federal voluntary phase-out of six synthetic dyes by end of 2026 faces uneven industry follow-through, with nearly 20% of packaged foods still containing dyes. Public Health Watch: The U.S. measles count topped 2,000 this year as outbreaks near the worst levels in decades, with vaccination gaps and strained public health capacity driving spread. National Security: The U.S. carried out airstrikes on Iran after a helicopter crash blamed on Tehran, while Trump warned more strikes may follow.

Coastal Food Traceability: Rep. Nancy Mace backed the SHRIMP Act, pushing NOAA and partners to build a portable chemical testing method to verify shrimp country of origin—aimed at cracking down on illegal imports and protecting South Carolina’s shrimpers. Public Health & Policy: A new Kids Count report finds children’s well-being fell in 29 states from 2019 to 2024, with South Carolina among the biggest gainers—while the national slide underscores ongoing education, health, and economic strain. Energy Tax Credits: A federal court vacated IRS Notice 2025-42, restoring a “five percent safe harbor” for when wind and solar projects count as “beginning of construction,” a potential win for developers racing against deadlines. Cyber Oversight: The Coast Guard is adding cybersecurity readiness to routine passenger-vessel inspections under new federal rules. Local Tech & Infrastructure: South Carolina’s housing industry is pegged at $77.5B in annual economic impact and nearly 279,000 jobs, while data center growth continues to spark debate over water and power. Legal System: The South Carolina Supreme Court assigned Judge Debra McCaslin to oversee all proceedings in the Alex Murdaugh double-murder case as a retrial looms. Waste & Logistics: Meridian Waste’s Richland County contract startup is bringing 13 new McNeilus automated side-loaders and rear loaders into service.

Life Sciences in Rock Hill: Rock Hill City Council approved a $300M+ plan to sell ~25 acres at Palmetto Research Park to Novant Health for a medical campus, targeting life sciences and adding about 255 full-time jobs. State Innovation Funding: SCRA awarded $75K to Clemson University and $25K to SusMaTech (Spartanburg) to advance bio-based chemical alternatives and other university-linked technologies, plus several smaller grants to local startups. Rare Earth Supply Chain: USA Rare Earth says Duke Energy’s Site Readiness Program helped ready the Bailey Industrial Site in Cherokee County for a $1.2B magnet plant, aiming to create 490 jobs. Utilities & Resilience: Duke Energy’s Site Readiness Program and PowerPair solar-plus-storage pilot highlight how South Carolina utilities are preparing for rising demand and extreme weather. Health Tech Upgrade: Shepeard Community Blood Center went live with BBCS’ ForLife Biologics Platform to modernize donor, testing, distribution, and compliance workflows across Georgia and South Carolina. Military Training Noise: The SC Air National Guard says the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will run airfield damage repair exercises at McEntire June 10-16, using explosives that may rattle nearby residents.

Greenville Life Sciences: Palmetto InnovaSphere is partnering with Main Street Labs to build a downtown biotech and life sciences hub, offering shared lab access plus tenant recruitment and programming to cut startup costs. Healthcare Expansion: Rock Hill City Council approved a $300M Novant Health medical campus at Palmetto Research Park, aiming to create 255 jobs and strengthen the Charlotte-to-Columbia life sciences corridor. Workforce Training: Greenville County Schools and Greenville Tech are expanding welding education to address a national shortage, adding a Center for Welding and Automation Excellence and new pathways for students. Rare Disease Research: MUSC researchers report protein-repair defects tied to misfolded protein plaques in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, linking disrupted repair signaling to hidden heart failure. AI in Genomics: The American Society of Human Genetics launched an AI initiative focused on responsible, effective use of AI across human genetics and genomics. Public Health & Climate: A new report finds child well-being worsened in 29 states since 2019, while grid planners are treating extreme heat as a design baseline amid drought and rising demand. Wildlife Health: Scientists warn hidden fungal disease and lung parasites are threatening wild rattlesnakes and other native snakes in the Southeast.

Upstate Workforce & Training: Greenville County Schools and Greenville Tech are expanding welding education to tackle a national shortage, adding a Center for Welding and Automation Excellence with robotics and non-destructive testing for students. Historic Preservation: Hanging Rock Battlefield in Lancaster County was named one of America’s 11 most endangered historic places, with a $25,000 grant aimed at boosting protection and attention. Courts & Justice: South Carolina’s Supreme Court has assigned Judge Debra R. McCaslin to oversee Alex Murdaugh’s overturned double-murder case and any future retrial proceedings. Water Planning: A new push highlights how South Carolina’s 2025 State Water Plan and WaterSC effort are meant to turn drought and growth pressures into long-term, actionable water protections. Critical Materials Manufacturing: USA Rare Earth picked Cherokee County, South Carolina, for a $1.2B magnet and rare-earth manufacturing facility expected to create about 490 jobs and strengthen the U.S. supply chain. AI, Data Centers & Water Stress: A new analysis says most planned U.S. AI data centers are slated for drought-affected land, raising fresh concerns about water demand as construction accelerates. STEM for Students: SCETV’s STEAM Camp (June 15–18) is bringing hands-on engineering and video storytelling to students at SCETV studios in Columbia.

AI & Water Stress: A Guardian analysis says most planned U.S. AI datacenters are slated for drought-hit areas, with 517 of 809 in places that have seen drought over the past year—raising alarms as these sites can demand huge water and energy loads. Local Research Spotlight: USC Beaufort marine biology professor Kim Ritchie won the 2026 Eminence in Research Award from the International Coral Reef Society, recognized for work that helped launch “coral probiotics” by showing corals rely on beneficial microbes to resist disease. Health Tech & Aging: A new randomized trial reports semaglutide (a GLP-1 drug) slowed biological aging markers in adults with HIV, pointing to possible aging-related benefits beyond weight and glucose control. Obesity Risk Scoring: A Nature Medicine study introduces OBSCORE, a model meant to better flag people at highest risk for obesity-related complications than BMI alone. Coastal Climate Costs: A Nature Water study finds upstream wetland loss since the 1980s has driven up flood insurance payments for South Carolina coastal homeowners, with big impacts around Charleston. Public Health Watch: Measles cases are surging nationwide, with South Carolina reporting hundreds of cases in 2026 so far, underscoring the importance of MMR vaccination. Urgent Care Expansion: HCA Healthcare is expanding South Carolina urgent care by acquiring MedCare clinics and rebranding them as HCA CareNow. Nuclear Policy: Congress is weighing a push to deploy transportable nuclear microreactors in the Indo-Pacific by 2030.

Nuclear Policy: A House NDAA FY2027 amendment would require the Pentagon to deploy a transportable nuclear microreactor in the Indo-Pacific Command region by Jan. 1, 2030, with Guam’s delegate James Moylan opposing over transparency and engagement concerns. Public Health: Measles is surging nationwide, with South Carolina reporting 689 cases in 2026 so far, as CDC data show outbreaks largely driven by local spread; health officials stress MMR protection. Coastal Risk: A Nature Water study links upstream wetland loss since the 1980s to higher flood insurance payouts for South Carolina coastal homeowners, with Charleston County among the hardest hit. Local Healthcare Business: HCA is expanding urgent care in South Carolina by acquiring about a dozen MedCare clinics, rebranding them as HCA CareNow. STEM/Health Research: UC San Diego researchers report the GLP-1 drug semaglutide may slow biological aging markers in a clinical trial, adding early human support for GLP-1’s aging-related effects. Community Science & Cancer: Swim Across America–Charleston-Kiawah returns June 6, raising funds for MUSC Hollings Cancer Center.