AGP Executive Report

Local Aid & Community: Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth marked 50 years with a sold-out “Top Chef of the Culinary Coast” event, featuring eight area restaurants and a $30,000 check presentation. Public Health: Delaware leaders are convening to turn human trafficking awareness into coordinated action, launching a two-day summit focused on prevention and response. Food Safety: A frozen-berry recall tied to an E. coli outbreak has expanded, adding more lots sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s after 17 illnesses and six hospitalizations were reported. Elections & Voting: Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania voters are reminded of key registration and mail-ballot deadlines ahead of Election Day. Delaware Sports: Liberty opened Conference USA play with a 30-14 win over Delaware, while UD’s quarterback switch came too late in the 30-14 loss. Business & Tech: Delaware-registered Entravel Group raised $7.5M to expand white-label travel booking and a stablecoin-enabled finance layer.

Delaware Sports: Liberty rolled past Delaware 30-14 in Newark as Kam Davis ran for 147 yards and two TDs; Delaware’s Nick Minicucci sat out with injury, and EJ Archield Jr. made his first start in a tough night for the Blue Hens’ offense. College Athletics: Middle Tennessee swept Delaware in volleyball 3-0, handing the Blue Hens their first loss to the Blue Raiders this season. Public Health: A KFF explainer highlights how many patients may be billed for medical debt they don’t owe, urging people to ask hospitals whether they were screened for financial assistance. Consumer/Business: The FTC settled with Southern Glazer’s over claims it discriminated against smaller retailers in access to discounts and rebates. Local Life: A First Watch is set to replace the closed Ruby Tuesday in Easton, with permits already in motion. Wildlife: Delaware Council of Wildlife Rehabilitators and Educators shares tips on what to do when you find wild animals—don’t feed or handle them.

Delaware Child Health Deal: Delaware’s AG, the AI duPont Charitable Trust and Nemours announced a landmark $950 million, 11-year agreement to create the Alfred I. duPont Charitable Fund for Delaware’s Children, aiming to expand nonprofit programs focused on kids’ health and well-being. Coastal Update: A nor’easter disrupted Delaware’s Indian River Inlet sand bypass plans, pausing or limiting sand supply even as the revamped equipment largely held up. State Recognition: Gov. Matt Meyer honored 10 Delawareans with the Order of the First State, including former Sen. Ernie Lopez and Children’s Beach House leader Richard Garrett. Education & Immigration: DOJ sued the University of Delaware over its in-state tuition policy for undocumented students, while a Delaware forum pushed voters to press candidates on immigration and pathways to citizenship. Community & Culture: Delaware’s Lewes area saw new Downtown Development Districts named for Claymont and Newport (plus Millsboro), and Chapel Street Players in Newark debuted a comedy, “POTUS,” for its new season. Health Access: A national report highlights how hospitals can prevent medical debt through “presumptive eligibility,” but notes many patients still struggle to get charity care.

DOJ vs. UD Tuition: The U.S. Department of Justice sued the University of Delaware to block in-state tuition for noncitizen/undocumented students and stop similar future policies, arguing it disadvantages U.S. citizens and creates incentives. Public Health & Harm Reduction: Gov. Matt Meyer signed Delaware’s harm reduction expansion and issued an executive order adding oversight and phased rollout, including monitoring of overdose-prevention partners and decriminalizing possession of paraphernalia for people who use drugs. Education Access: Delaware launched a pilot letting students use school-issued IDs as juvenile library cards, starting with Eisenberg Elementary in 2026-27, aiming to cut barriers to reading and research. Energy & Climate Legal Fight: Delaware joined a coalition of states and cities suing the Trump administration over EPA moves to repeal power-plant emissions limits for coal and gas. Delaware Numbers: Delaware collected $658.9M in selective sales and gross receipts taxes in 2024 (ranked 46th), and paid $509M in Social Security benefits in December 2024. Local Arts: Newark Arts Alliance opened “Nightmares and Dreamscapes,” a juried exhibit running through Oct. 15.

Harm Reduction Overhaul: Gov. Matt Meyer signed SB 249, creating Delaware’s framework to license and regulate harm reduction programs, while also decriminalizing possession of paraphernalia for personal use and directing phased, medically informed regulations. School Safety Case: Delaware State Police arrested a 13-year-old from Millsboro after a knife was found in his backpack at Sussex Central Middle School; police allege a social-media dispute, a threat to stab, and unlawful sexual contact, with charges including felony weapon offenses. State Jobs Push: Delaware will hold its final statewide career fair of the year Oct. 7 in Georgetown, pairing adult and justice-involved job seekers with state government roles and offering a morning session for invited high school students. Downtown Development: Millsboro was named Delaware’s newest Downtown Development District, making it eligible for incentives that can cover up to 20% of eligible capital construction costs. Local Business Expansion: Southern Delaware Brewing has begun planning Fenwick Island Brewing, a third brewpub expected to open in 2027 at Bayside Marketplace. Community & Culture: Wheeler’s Park in Harrington was honored with a new state historical marker, preserving its “Disneyland of Harrington” legacy.

Delaware Film Boom: Gov. Matt Meyer signed Delaware’s new 30% transferable film tax credit, with applications now open for productions spending at least $100,000 in-state—aimed at boosting jobs and creative growth. Transportation & Infrastructure: DelDOT/DTA hit top-tier AAA credit ratings from both S&P and Moody’s ahead of an Oct. 6 bond sale, a move expected to lower borrowing costs. Public Safety & Community: Kent County approved updated air supply gear for Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company after recent structure fires, including one with reported entrapment. Health & Debt Relief: A national report highlights how “presumptive eligibility” can help hospitals wipe out medical debt faster—cutting through tough paperwork barriers. Courts & Business: A Delaware federal judge wiped out a $14M patent verdict against Anker, while separate Delaware-linked patent rulings keep biotech and pharma litigation in the spotlight. Environment: Researchers found microplastics in every Delaware River watershed site tested, including Delaware waterways. Sports (Delaware): Delaware football faces Liberty with QB Nick Minicucci’s status uncertain after a knee injury.

Delaware Politics & Courts: Gov. Matt Meyer signed a new film production tax credit, offering a 30% transferable credit for eligible projects spending over $100,000, and also modernized the state’s motion picture commission to speed permits and connect productions with local workers. Energy & Environment: TurningPoint Energy celebrated the energization of its third Delaware community solar project near Georgetown, fully subscribed and serving 560 residential customers (including 121 low-income households). Housing & State Agencies: Delaware State Housing Authority is rebranding as “Housing Delaware,” keeping its legal name and website while expanding its public-facing identity. Public Safety & Community: A Chester mayor criticized a Black Panther-style group’s growing presence after a leader was charged for carrying a concealed gun without a permit. Health Care: The Trump administration began mailing $500 ACA refund checks to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Delaware, for alleged exchange “user fee” overcharges. Business & Law: Delaware’s Court of Chancery nomination hearing advanced for Kyle Lachmund, a Richards, Layton & Finger attorney, as lawmakers weigh how the court fits after recent corporate governance changes. Environment Watch: A new survey found microplastic pollution in 100% of Delaware River tributaries tested, including sites along the Christina River in Delaware. Local Economy: Delaware County gas prices hit a weekly low for midgrade at $3.77 per gallon, according to GasBuddy.

Coastal Recovery: Gov. Matt Meyer toured Sussex County after a late September nor’easter, calling for federal help for beach replenishment as DNREC and DelDOT assess erosion and flooded roads. Local Governance: Newark City Council approved a 5% raise for city manager Tom Coleman, a move tied to cost-of-living and performance amid a $2.7M budget shortfall. Public Safety Preparedness: In Fenwick Island, officials held a Coastal Preparedness Symposium on evacuation routes, power safety, and storm readiness after severe flooding and beach damage. Delaware Courts/Policy: A Delaware Court of Chancery decision invalidated a board’s rejection of an activist’s director nomination notice, shaping director-independence standards. Education & Work: Delaware State University is integrating ChatGPT into assessment and teaching, while university staff are pushing for more transparency and collaboration over a new return-to-work mandate. Crime: Wilmington saw two separate shootings Tuesday, with both victims reported in stable condition.

Delaware Rural Health Funding: Gov. Matt Meyer and DHSS announced nearly $23M for Delaware’s three Federally Qualified Health Centers to boost technology, workforce, care coordination, and chronic disease management. Conservation Cost-Share Update: Sussex Conservation District expanded its Community Conservation Assistance Program, offering 50% reimbursement (up to $10,000) for homeowners and HOAs to cut stormwater runoff and protect waterways. DelDOT Milestone: DelDOT marked the first anniversary of the North Millsboro Bypass, citing about 8,000 vehicles daily (10,000 in summer) and progress on the Route 113 widening. Public Safety Event: Sussex County will host its free 25th annual 911 Awareness Day Oct. 8 with safety demos, emergency vehicles, and tours for the public and students. Arts & Community Calendar: Inland Bays Garden Center’s “Arts in the Garden” returns Oct. 11, and the Rehoboth Beach International Film Festival unveiled its Nov. 1-8 lineup (113 films, 32+ countries). Courts & Policy: A federal appeals court upheld Thomson Reuters’ win over Ross Intelligence in an AI copyright dispute involving Westlaw headnotes. Local Education & Culture: Delaware Valley Elementary kicked off “Start with Hello Week” to build social connection, while Surf Bagel launched “Books to Bagels” to reward reading goals.

College Sports Overhaul: The U.S. Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act on a 77-22 vote, setting national rules for athlete pay (NIL), transfers, and eligibility, with the bill now headed to the House. Delaware & Region Weather: A nor’easter has battered parts of the East Coast, with coastal flooding and beach erosion reported in Delaware and surrounding areas, and Route 1 closures/reopenings tied to high tide and flooding. AI & Delaware Connections: Delaware State University is rolling out a “culture of curiosity” approach to using ChatGPT in assessment and teaching, while separate coverage highlights Anthropic’s Delaware-law structure for its planned IPO governance. Local Delaware Health: Delaware health centers received nearly $23M for technology and mobile care, and state officials also urged vigilance as measles cases reached 13 this year. Business/Tech: Soulog launched Soulog Sense, an ultra-thin magnetic AI voice recorder built to capture audio plus related context in a single workflow.

Coastal Storm Aftermath: A nor’easter left major beach erosion and flooding in Dewey Beach, with residents reporting damaged homes and shoreline changes. Road Updates: DelDOT reopened Route 1 after flooding shut down northbound lanes near Bethany Beach, with warnings that drivers ignoring slow-down alerts helped create hazards. Public Health: Delaware reported 13 whooping cough cases this year, including teens and infants, as officials stress Tdap vaccination during pregnancy. Rural Healthcare Funding: Gov. Matt Meyer announced nearly $23M for three Delaware health centers to upgrade records, expand care coordination, and add mobile services. Delaware Courts/Corporate Governance: The Delaware Court of Chancery’s first application of SB 21 in Ayers v. Foley offers early guidance on director independence and demand futility. Business & Finance: Burke & Herbert priced $100M in subordinated notes, and Delaware’s Opportunity Zones nomination process advanced with 25 census tracts headed for certification. Sports: Delaware State volleyball swept South Carolina State, improving to 2-0 in MEAC play.

Nor’easter & Coastal Delaware: Route 1 closures hit Bethany Beach as flooding from back bays shut northbound lanes near Fred Hudson Road; DelDOT later reopened Route 1 after water receded, but coastal flooding and beach erosion were reported from South Bethany through Ocean City. Local Governance: Sussex County will meet to discuss how it will proceed with SB23 after pausing subdivision plans, with Middletown also seeking a taxpayer grant and other state commissions scheduled to weigh issues. Education & Community: Parents and officials are challenging K-12 lessons accused of minimizing Hamas and promoting anti-Israel narratives, while Delaware State University is spotlighting how it’s integrating ChatGPT into assessment and teaching. Health & Access: A global dermatology survey finds “profoundly unequal” access to skin care, with most dermatologists concentrated in cities. Business & Courts: A Delaware judge ordered Fox Corp. to turn over hundreds of internal files in the Murdoch-related shareholder lawsuit. Immigration: USCIS data show 545 H-2B worker approvals tied to Delaware worksites for fiscal 2026 through June 30, 2026.

Nor’easter Impacts Delaware: A rare September nor’easter kept coastal Delaware on high alert, with flooding forcing DelDOT to fully close Route 1 northbound near Fred Hudson Road in Bethany Beach while southbound lanes stayed open; officials warned drivers about speeding into water and said more closures could follow as tides rise. Blue Hens Sports: Virginia routed Delaware 42-3 behind QB Beau Pribula’s big day (303 total yards, four passing TDs), while Delaware’s field hockey season also saw a setback in a 3-2 loss to Fairfield. Delaware State University & AI: Delaware State University is rolling out a “culture of curiosity” approach to using AI tools like ChatGPT in assessment, teaching, and learning, aiming to turn qualitative survey data into actionable insights. Local College Volleyball: Delaware’s volleyball opened conference play with a sweep over Jacksonville State, while MTSU split its weekend against Liberty. Community Support: Delaware County launched a new doula directory and training push through the Delco Doula Collaborative to expand pregnancy and postpartum support for families.

Nor’easter Impacts Delaware: A powerful nor’easter is driving major coastal flooding and dangerous conditions across Delaware, with DelDOT fully closing Route 1 North and South near Bethany Beach as high tide approaches, while Dewey Beach-area flooding also snarls local roads; officials urge drivers to avoid flooded routes and check updates. Storm Across the Region: The same storm is battering the Northeast with heavy rain, high winds, power outages, and flight disruptions, including reports of at least one death and tens of thousands without electricity. UVA Strong Game (Delaware vs. Virginia): Virginia routed Delaware 42-3 at Scott Stadium on UVA Strong Day, with Beau Pribula throwing five TDs and Delaware’s Nick Minicucci leaving injured. Local Sports (Delaware Teams): Delaware’s Blue Hens opened Summit League play with a 3-3 draw against Omaha, while Delaware State edged Towson 33-28 in Dover. Delaware Education & AI: Delaware State University is exploring how tools like ChatGPT can support assessment and learning, using qualitative survey data to guide teaching decisions.

Nor’easter Impacts Delaware: DelDOT says Route 1 South between Dewey Beach and Bethany Beach is now open, but Route 1 North remains closed due to flooding; Fred Hudson Road in Bethany Beach stays shut, and cameras show back-bay flooding near the Indian River Inlet. Coastal Safety Closures: Cape Henlopen State Park keeps all surf fishing crossings and its pier closed for the storm; Dewey Beach beach access is shut, and Ocean City bans surfing, swimming, and wading. Power Trouble in Dewey Beach: Delmarva Power cut electricity between Bellevue Street and Dagsworthy Street after water entered a transformer, with no restoration estimate. Storm Across the Northeast: The nor’easter has knocked out power for tens of thousands and triggered flight cancellations and emergency declarations, with coastal flooding and high winds expected to worsen into Sunday. Delaware Sports & Schools: Wake Forest pulled an upset over No. 16 Louisville; Delaware’s Rodney McLeod returns as an ACC Network analyst for UVA vs. Delaware; and Mariner Middle students received donated books through Read Across Delaware.

Nor’easter Watch: A powerful early-season nor’easter is already bringing strong winds, heavy rain, coastal flooding, and rough surf up and down the East Coast, with Delaware and New Jersey beaches hit hardest and inland areas facing rain and gusts through the weekend; officials issued wind advisories/warnings and some evacuations, and flights and concerts were canceled. Delaware Transportation: DelDOT marked the one-year milestone of the North Millsboro bypass, saying it has cut downtown traffic and helped redirect more than 1,300 trucks away from Main Street. State Politics/Health: Attorney General Ford joined a multistate push opposing a federal Medicaid rule that could threaten funding and interfere with state oversight. Education & AI: Delaware State University is exploring how ChatGPT can support assessment and learning, aiming to turn qualitative survey data into actionable insights. Business/Tech: Automattic announced a rebuilt board after an internal governance fight. Sports: Delaware-area high school football and college matchups kept rolling as the storm threatened travel and schedules.