AGP Executive Report

AI in Classrooms: Charleston educators are running “map demo” lessons to show how chatbots can misspell countries and hallucinate, pushing AI literacy instead of blanket bans. Workforce & Robotics: Greenville Tech opened a $32M Center for Welding and Automation Excellence in Simpsonville, adding an AI welding lab and expanding welding/robotics capacity to meet a national shortage. STEM Research & Health: A UNC-led study found 40% of blacklegged ticks in western North Carolina carry Lyme bacteria, with USC and N.C. State involved—highlighting shifting tickborne risk. Public Health Tech & Policy: DOJ is weighing major Foreign Agents Registration Act rule changes, aiming to clarify tech-era ambiguities and reduce burdens. Higher Ed AI Use: USC students and staff used ChatGPT far more than contracted last year, prompting new guardrails for heavy “deep research” users. Citizen Science: The Great Southeast Pollinator Census runs Aug. 21-22 across SC and neighbors, inviting people to count bees and butterflies on set plants. Surveillance Accountability: A Colleton County sheriff’s deputy was fired after alleged misuse of Flock camera data, including thousands of unauthorized searches.

Coastal Health Watch: Researchers at the College of Charleston and MUSC say the “flesh-eating” bacterium Vibrio vulnificus has been confirmed in Charleston Harbor using DNA testing, with doctors warning it can escalate from a minor blister to life-threatening illness in hours—especially for people with weakened immune systems. Public Health Update: The CDC reports the Cyclospora outbreak linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce is easing, but officials warn underreporting may hide the true scale, with thousands sick nationwide. Cyber & Emergency Readiness: The South Carolina National Guard’s 125th Cyber Protection Battalion was validated during Cyber Fortress 26, a major domestic cyber-incident exercise that also included civilian and government partners. AI Safety in Industry: Guident extended a 36-month AI safety and remote monitoring deal with Coastal Waste & Recycling, expanding use of its WatchBot autonomous inspection robot across operations in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. Local Tech & Privacy: Flock AI license-plate cameras are expanding in Aiken County, with the sheriff’s office confirming 14 already operating and 26 expected by September, as residents continue to raise surveillance concerns. Climate & Agriculture: Clemson experts warn climate change is shifting peach bloom earlier and increasing freeze risk, heat stress, and pest vulnerability across South Carolina and Georgia. STEM in Schools: Greenville County Schools removed its decade-old “grading floor,” meaning students’ scores now reflect the grade earned rather than a minimum threshold. Ports Leadership: SC Ports named Patrick McCrory as chief operating officer starting Oct. 5, overseeing container terminals and inland logistics operations.

Public Health: MUSC is moving ahead with a statewide telemedicine clinical trial for a drug aimed at treating early flu, COVID-19, and other respiratory-virus symptoms, with up to 3,000 South Carolinians expected to enroll. Water & Microbes: Charleston researchers say the flesh-eating bacterium Vibrio vulnificus is present in Charleston Harbor, with weekly testing showing higher counts in summer as water temperatures rise. Workforce & Clean Tech: Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands received a $50,000 Truist Foundation grant to expand its Clean Tech Accelerator, helping participants earn training and certifications for clean-technology careers. Cybersecurity: CareCloud disclosed a breach affecting 3.7 million people, including about 23,000 in South Carolina, after a hacker accessed an AWS environment and exfiltrated sensitive data. Tech Policy & Privacy: South Carolina lawmakers approved a budget provision blocking state agencies from paying ad firms that use media-monitoring systems to steer advertising. STEM Outdoors: The Great Southeast Pollinator Census returns, inviting South Carolina citizen scientists to count pollinators in a 15-minute activity.

Digital IDs: Apple Wallet’s driver’s license/state ID feature is expanding, with Kentucky (summer 2026) and North Carolina (early 2027) among the next confirmed states. Health & Biotech: MUSC has approval to start a statewide, telemedicine-based clinical trial for a drug aimed at preventing severe outcomes from flu, COVID-19, and other respiratory viruses, targeting up to 3,000 South Carolinians. Nuclear Cleanup Tech: Savannah River National Laboratory is using AI, robotics, advanced materials, and 3D printing at its Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative in Aiken to speed nuclear waste management and environmental cleanup. Solar Manufacturing: Translucent Energy is launching a 1.2 GW solar module assembly plant in Summerville, with 167 jobs tied to a first-phase investment. Privacy & Surveillance: A new public-records project lets drivers check whether their license plate was searched in Flock’s AI camera system, while South Carolina localities weigh Flock/ALPR transparency and oversight. STEM Community: The Great Southeast Pollinator Census returns Aug. 21–22, with South Carolina participation aimed at boosting citizen-science counts.

USC Flood-Fighting Materials: USC engineers say xanthan-gum-like biopolymers can improve soil erosion resistance, funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, aiming to reduce flood damage. Energy & Data Centers: Duke Energy’s long-range plan leans on more gas plants tied to data-center growth, prompting calls for stronger South Carolina Public Service Commission consumer protections. Research Security: The Pentagon ordered audits at 30 U.S. academic institutions over foreign research ties, including China-affiliated Confucius-linked organizations. Public Health: CDC data show measles risk rising as kindergarten vaccine exemptions top 4% nationwide and measles cases hit a 35-year high. Digital Privacy: South Carolina agencies are adopting new Flock license-plate reader policies after misuse concerns; one Mauldin officer was fired for allegedly tracking an ex 166 times. STEM & Health Breakthrough: MUSC-linked mouse research reports immune-system reprogramming that reversed newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetes. School Nutrition: South Carolina will fund free breakfast for every K-12 student this school year. Local Tech/Infrastructure: Aiken is replacing spreadsheet-based asset tracking with OpenGov for transportation, water, and wastewater operations.

National Security & Research: The Pentagon ordered 30 U.S. universities to audit foreign research partnerships tied to “entities of concern,” with findings due Aug. 31 and possible partnership terminations. AI & Public Safety: A Mauldin police officer was fired after allegedly using Flock license-plate cameras to check an ex’s plate 166 times. STEM Workforce & Training: Truist Foundation gave $50,000 to Goodwill’s Clean Tech Accelerator in South Carolina to expand clean-tech training and certifications. Sustainable Mobility: Clemson and BMW’s Deep Orange 17 concept shows a solar-integrated, energy-positive EV approach built by student engineers. Local Tech for Cities: Charleston is seeking a $2.26M federal grant to expand AI traffic-signal tech on Folly Road and the Crosstown. STEM Education Access: Society for Science selected 100 educators for its 2026–2027 Advocate Program, funding $326,000 to grow student research and competitions.

Solar Manufacturing: Translucent Solar will invest $15.675M in Dorchester County to build a 1.2-gigawatt solar panel factory in Summerville, creating 167 jobs. Energy Planning: Duke Energy filed its 2026 Carolinas Resource Plan with South Carolina regulators, outlining gas, battery storage, solar procurement, and nuclear evaluations to meet rising demand. Nuclear Policy: A Nuclear Innovation Association guide says states should focus on workforce development, faster permitting, and lower financial risk to advance new nuclear power. Local Tech Governance: Spartanburg County delayed a vote on a 12-month data center pause/moratorium until Sept. 21, seeking more public input while allowing some existing projects to proceed. State Budget & Education: Gov. Henry McMaster announced 14 line-item vetoes to South Carolina’s FY 2026-27 budget, including removing outdated provisos tied to newer laws. STEM in Schools: Clinton Middle School students competed at the National Beta Convention, earning recognition in science and arts events. Research Security: The Pentagon ordered 30 U.S. universities, including USC, to audit foreign research and financial ties or risk losing federal funding. Public Health & Environment: EPA scrapped a major PFAS sludge risk study after reviewing public comments, renewing concerns in states including South Carolina. Space/Science Outreach: A partial lunar eclipse is set for Aug. 27-28, with viewing tips emphasizing safer observation.

Heat & Safety: A week-long heat dome is pushing the Southeast—including the Carolinas—toward dangerous “feels like” temperatures near 115°F, with warnings to limit outdoor exposure and never leave kids or pets in cars. Energy Policy: The Trump administration is paying about $4B to companies to avoid building offshore wind projects, using Interior buyouts tied to the Judgment Fund. SC Power & Data Centers: Environmental groups are gearing up to challenge an expedited South Carolina review of a Dominion–NextEra merger, citing concerns about long-term utility goals and demand from data centers and manufacturing. Water Watch: Lake Powell hit a record low, threatening hydropower and water supplies tied to the Colorado River system. Health Research (CRS): A review finds medical therapy can substantially reduce nasal discharge symptoms in chronic rhinosinusitis, with bigger improvements for patients with nasal polyps. Local Science & Education: SCDNR Director Dr. Tom Mullikin is hosting “Into the Wild” on SCETV/SC Public Radio, spotlighting South Carolina conservation through short segments. STEM Workforce: A Lowcountry program is helping high school students earn flight training progress and college credit toward aviation pathways. Public Health Misinformation: A fact check says there’s no evidence linking Hayden Panettiere’s death to COVID-19 vaccines as investigations continue. Supply Chain Recognition: Multiple women in supply chain leadership were honored in 2026 awards, including SC-area-linked logistics and consulting organizations. Aviation Tech: Arrow Electronics expanded IBM distribution coverage to seven more countries, extending enterprise infrastructure, automation, and data offerings.

Nuclear Policy Fight: A newly released, partially unredacted JASON study summary says plutonium pits are aging but still adequate for weapons—while still recommending continued pit production, keeping pressure on plans for new atomic weapons facilities at South Carolina’s Savannah River Site. Local Tech & Privacy: Charleston-area agencies are rethinking surveillance after Flock Safety curbed some camera misuse; police departments say they’re reviewing policies to protect public trust. Transit Funding Watch: South Carolina’s Lowcountry Rapid Transit faces uncertainty as a $374M Federal Transit Administration grant is questioned amid reports of delays in Capital Investment Grants signoffs. Manufacturing Expansion: Trison Wells will expand in Walterboro with a $3.37M liquid-fill production line, creating 30 jobs. Environment & Waste: Beaufort County’s composting program is diverting food scraps into nutrient-rich soil and claims it could save taxpayers more than $1M over time. STEM in the Classroom: Greenville County Schools rolls out new 2026-27 rules on AI use and removes grade floors, reshaping grading and credit recovery. Science Spotlight: A South Carolina-linked neutrino history piece revisits the Savannah River Plant experiment that helped confirm neutrinos. Public Safety: Kentucky AG joins a coalition pushing tougher federal penalties for ATM thefts, a move with national implications for communities.

Solar EV Research: Clemson’s Deep Orange 17 “Luminetta,” built with BMW help, is being tested as an energy-positive prototype using 1,700+ solar cells, extreme lightweighting, and smart controls. Public Safety Tech: Charleston-area agencies are reviewing Flock camera policy after misuse concerns and fired officers tied to stalking romantic partners, while the company tightens oversight. Transit Funding Watch: Questions are rising over a $374M federal grant needed for the Lowcountry Rapid Transit bus line, with lawmakers citing delays in the FTA’s Capital Investment Grants pipeline. Nuclear Weapons Debate: A once-secret JASON study summary released under open records says plutonium pits are aging but still adequate, even as it recommends continuing pit production plans for Savannah River Site and Los Alamos. Education & AI Policy: Greenville County Schools rolls out new 2026-27 grading rules and AI/technology guidelines, including removing grade floors and expanding credit recovery access. Local Industry Growth: Trison Wells plans a $3.37M Walterboro expansion adding a liquid-fill production line and 30 jobs. STEM History Spotlight: A new look at “ghostly neutrinos” revisits the Savannah River Plant experiment that helped confirm neutrinos decades ago.

K-12 Policy & AI: Greenville County Schools is rolling out major 2026-27 changes, including removing grade floors (minimum 50%) under a new state law and expanding content/credit recovery access, plus new district rules for AI and classroom tech use. Public Health: A CDC report finds nearly 40% of adult blacklegged ticks collected near Asheville carried Lyme bacteria—highlighting that clinicians in the region may have been trained to treat Lyme as a “northern” problem. STEM & Energy: Clemson and BMW are testing “Deep Orange 17,” an energy-positive EV prototype using 1,700+ solar cells, lightweight design, and smart controls to generate more power than it uses in everyday driving. Manufacturing Jobs: UFP Packaging plans a $5.31M Gaffney-area expansion, and Prysmian is investing $80M in Lexington County to grow fiber-optic cable capacity. Education Outcomes: SC READY results show statewide gains in math and reading, but fewer than half of students meet math benchmarks. Environment & Water: A new report warns data centers are intensifying fights over water, land, and power, with groundwater and permitting pressure rising in the region.

Retiree Migration Shift: New data show Florida’s net senior gain collapsed in 2025, while South Carolina led the nation in net retiree in-migration—fueling a “halfback” trend driven by heat, insurance, and HOA costs. Heat Dome Alert: A dangerous weekend “heat dome” is pushing triple-digit temperatures and sticky humidity across much of the South, with little overnight relief. Public Safety Tech Scrutiny: FLOCK license-plate cameras remain in the spotlight after reports of misuse, including an Upstate officer fired for allegedly running an ex’s plate 166 times. South Carolina Manufacturing Moves: Prysmian is expanding in Lexington County, and UFP Packaging is planning a new Gaffney-area facility—both tied to jobs and growth in fiber and industrial packaging. Medical Research & Training: MUSC marked the topping-out of a new dedicated College of Medicine building in Charleston, while Clemson research highlights a novel brain tumor approach using chicken embryos. Science in the Wild: South Carolina Sea Grant spotlights alligators as bioindicators for contaminants, linking wildlife to water-quality monitoring. Education & STEM Pipeline: SC State continues building STEM pathways with hands-on nuclear engineering experiences and a new Bahamian student cohort.

Heat Dome Watch: A strong “heat dome” is set to bake much of the South this weekend, with tens of millions under heat advisories and dangerous humidity pushing “feels like” conditions toward 115°F. Nuclear Policy: A formerly hidden JASON report summary on plutonium pit aging is now public, fueling debate over new atomic weapons plant plans at the Savannah River Site in SC. Medical Breakthrough: MUSC-linked mouse research reports immune-system reprogramming that reverses newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetes—aiming at the root immune attack, not just blood sugar control. Education Results: SC READY scores improved statewide in math and reading, but fewer than half of students meet math benchmarks. Murdaugh Retrial: A judge ordered Alex Murdaugh’s retrial moved out of Colleton County/14th Circuit over fair-trial concerns, while also ruling on what testimony can be used. Gun Rules Shift: A federal court decision effectively ends special federal registration requirements for silencers and short-barreled guns, with SC retailers and gun-rights groups reacting. STEM in SC: SC State highlights nuclear engineering hands-on training via a Constellation Energy internship and launches a Bahamas student partnership for marine biology and other STEM paths. Public Safety Tech: Mauldin fired an officer accused of misusing FLOCK license-plate cameras 166 times.

Education Funding Expansion: South Carolina is expanding the Meeting Street Scholarship to all 46 counties, with an $18.7M state commitment aimed at helping eligible high school seniors earn a degree with little-to-no debt. Workforce & Skills Pipeline: Higher education leaders are mapping programs to fast-growing jobs, with emphasis on healthcare and advanced manufacturing needs. STEM in Schools: A STEM summer camp in the region put middle schoolers to work on hands-on projects like rockets, boats, and other real-world builds. School Performance: Lexington-Richland School District Five reported SC READY gains, especially in math, outperforming statewide averages. Public Health & Food Safety: The jalapeño-linked Salmonella recall widened into grocery aisles, with Whole Foods among retailers pulling products tied to a contaminated pepper supply chain. Privacy Tech: Flock Safety says it’s tightening guardrails on license-plate surveillance after misuse concerns. Heat Advisory: Dangerous heat continues in South Carolina’s Upstate with feels-like temperatures near 107–110.

Workforce & Training: Midlands Workforce Development Board is taking applications for Incumbent Worker Training funds for Fairfield, Lexington and Richland counties, with a Sept. 11 deadline and training starting no earlier than Oct. 30. Education Access: Meeting Street Scholarship expands statewide, adding all 46 South Carolina counties with $18.7M in recurring state support aimed at helping about 3,000 students in the class of 2027. Data Centers & Power: Spartanburg County council weighs whether to extend a data center moratorium to NorthMark’s next phase, after residents raised concerns about air, noise, water and electric capacity. Energy Storage Manufacturing: EnerSys says its lithium-ion plant plans in Greenville are progressing, with initial capacity adjusted for defense-focused battery needs. STEM in Action: A STEM summer camp in the region has students building soda rockets, ice cream and other hands-on projects. Public Tech Oversight: Surveillance firm Flock Safety says it’s changing its camera platform to address privacy concerns and misuse by some law enforcement users. Maritime Industry Funding: U.S. Maritime Administration awarded $35.18M to 45 small shipyards nationwide, including grants supporting equipment upgrades and workforce training. Health Sciences: MUSC leadership reflects on the value of a health-sciences-only university as it searches for a new leader.

AI & Public Safety: Flock Safety is facing mounting privacy backlash over automated license plate readers, and the company says it’s rolling out new platform changes and mandatory guardrails to curb misuse. Local Tech in Action: North Charleston police say ALPR networks help solve major crimes, using multiple camera vendors while relying on reactive searches rather than constant monitoring. Education & STEM: Greenville County students outperformed the state on SC READY/EOC testing, while York County districts are setting AI “responsible use” policies and Aiken schools are getting Meta data-center grants for robotics and AI learning hubs. Defense Manufacturing: 3D Systems won a $9M Air Force award to extend large-format metal 3D printing work in Rock Hill, SC. Infrastructure & Mobility: SCDOT completed 700+ Lowcountry crosswalk upgrades with ADA ramps and modern pedestrian signals. Health Watch: South Carolina declared a West Nile outbreak in the Pee Dee after two diagnosed cases. Energy & Jobs: A guest column argues data centers done right can support grid modernization and affordability in South Carolina.