AGP Executive Report

Public Health: Tick season is ramping up across the region, with CDC and Pennsylvania data showing tick-bite emergency visits at their highest levels since 2017—so Lyme risk is front and center as June and July peak. Community & Culture: Delco Pride kicks off Saturday with a parade in Media, followed by a festival next weekend in Upper Darby, with organizers pointing to growing youth participation. Local Safety: Union Dale firefighters rescued a Rail-Trail walker after a sinkhole opened under him, leaving him with a fractured ankle. State Arts: Delaware’s Division of the Arts brought home 20 awards at the Delaware Press Association communications contest, highlighting the state’s arts storytelling push. Boating Safety: BoatUS Foundation expanded its free, state-approved boating course to 15 more states, including Delaware. Sports & Economy: Delaware’s UD hosted a Conference USA softball championship in Newark, drawing fans and national exposure while boosting local spending. Business/Tech: Cash App launched NFC “Tags” that let users pay without pulling out a phone or card. Legal/Policy: The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously narrowed “skinny label” patent inducement claims in Hikma v. Amarin, a win for generic competition.

Delaware Property Taxes: Delaware lawmakers unveiled a new package to address property reassessment concerns after a 2020 court-ordered reset that left many owners—especially in New Castle County—facing big jumps in assessed values, including bills aimed at letting some school districts adjust tax rates for 2026-27. Private Markets Stress: Delaware-based Partners Group flagged higher withdrawal requests and is expected to cap a second fund, while Blackstone said it capped withdrawals at its flagship private credit fund as redemptions rise across private credit and private equity. Health & Community: In Dover, the state’s PANO program hosted an Advancing Healthy Lifestyles conference featuring former White House chef Sam Kass, while a Wilmington teen returned to lacrosse after a rare AVM diagnosis and treatment. Air Quality Alert: DNREC issued a Code Orange ozone action day for Friday, urging Delawareans—especially kids, seniors, and people with heart or breathing conditions—to limit outdoor activity. Social Security Warning: A new report says Delaware retirees could see an average $549 monthly cut by 2032 if Congress doesn’t act. Courts: A judge upheld Todd Mullis’ life sentence for his wife’s 2018 corn-rake murder, rejecting more than 100 claims to overturn the conviction.

Delaware Arts & Education: Delaware honored 40 students at the Futures in the Arts celebration and announced its biggest-ever class of 27 Individual Artist Fellows for “Award Winners XXVI,” with $184,000 in fellowships statewide. Delaware Health & Community: Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek hosts an ornithologist talk June 11 on local birds, and Grace Community United Methodist Church in Chester will give away hundreds of pieces of meat at a free pantry event June 6. Delaware Business & Finance: Partners Group flagged more large withdrawal requests tied to stress in private markets, including a Delaware-based fund where repurchase requests hit 6%—above its 5% quarterly limit. Public Safety: Overnight fires damaged a Primo Hoagies in Aston and a home in Middletown Township, with causes under investigation. National Impact on Delawareans: A new analysis warns Social Security could cut benefits by about $500 a month in 2032 if Congress doesn’t act, with Delaware among states facing large average losses. Space & Science Buzz: NASA detailed the meteor that caused a “double boom” across New England, including its size, speed, and estimated energy.

Delaware Medical School Deal: Delaware has selected Thomas Jefferson University to run the state’s first four-year medical school, with an initial plan to locate it at UD’s Newark campus and a free-education option for students who commit to practicing in rural Delaware. Social Security Warning: A new analysis says Social Security trust fund depletion by 2032 could trigger an automatic 24% benefit cut, averaging about $500 less per month nationwide—Delaware retirees could lose about $549 monthly. Local Education Safety: Pennsylvania lawmakers approved a bill requiring school staff with student contact to complete epilepsy response training every two years. Health Innovation: The University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center became the first in the region to offer an FDA-approved single-infusion T-cell therapy for synovial sarcoma. Courts & Crime: A Millsboro man faces rape and other charges tied to the sexual assault of a 10-year-old, and Delaware Crime Stoppers is seeking tips. Business & Growth: Sepax Technologies is seeking to build a $100M headquarters in Glasgow Commons Park as it plans to move out of the Delaware Technology Park. Sports: Delaware Military Academy alum Simpson helped West Chester reach the Division 2 championship series, while Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sanchez kept his historic scoreless streak alive in pursuit of major-league lefty records.

Medical Milestone: Delaware is set to open its first four-year medical school in 2028, partnering with Thomas Jefferson University; the inaugural class will start in summer 2028 at UD, with financial awards tied to serving rural Delaware for years. Courts & Labor: Delaware’s bid to block a federal request for employment records of 15 businesses failed after the Third Circuit refused to hear the appeal, forcing the Department of Labor to comply. Public Safety: Jonathan Gerlach waived formal arraignment in Delaware County in a human-remains theft case tied to alleged thefts from a cemetery in Lancaster County. Health Watch: A salmonella outbreak linked to “super greens” supplements has been reopened after additional illnesses were reported, with multiple brands added to the affected list. Business/Innovation: The U.S. Justice Department filed a statement of interest in a seeds-industry patent dispute, stressing access to patented biological material to support competition and follow-on innovation. Local Development: A modular shelter has arrived for the Chinatown Stitch park project, with funding uncertainty tied to halted federal transportation grants. Sports & Community: The Lehigh Valley Carpenter Cup softball tournament includes Delaware County in Bracket C, with games starting June 16 at FDR Park.

Medical Education in Delaware: Delaware will establish its first in-state, four-year medical school through a partnership with Thomas Jefferson University, with the inaugural class of 40 starting in 2028 after preclinical instruction at UD and clinical training in Kent and Sussex counties; the plan is backed by $78M over five years from a federal rural health grant, and ChristianaCare says it’s disappointed it won’t be part of the clinical consortium. State Budget Watch: Delaware lawmakers are wrapping up the FY 2027 budget mark-up, including merit raises for state employees and extra funding tied to education formula changes. Public Health & Food Safety: A salmonella supplement investigation has been reopened after additional illnesses tied to imported moringa leaf powder products, with new brands added to the recall list. Community & Health Access: Delaware’s Grocery Initiative and First State Food System Program awarded $712,500 in grants to 28 groups to expand access to healthy food. Crime & Courts: Three alleged members of Wilmington’s Exit Four gang were sentenced for roles in two killings. Local Sports: Delaware’s Christian Bliss committed to Stanford, and the DIAA baseball tournament advanced with eight teams moving on.

Medical Education Expansion: Delaware selected Thomas Jefferson University to help launch the state’s first four-year medical school, aiming to build an in-state pipeline for doctors—especially for primary care and rural medicine. Clean Slate Criminal Records: Delaware cleared more than 64,000 low-level cases from public background checks through the first automated Clean Slate batch, with more batches planned to tackle a backlog of eligible records. Climate Science in Courts: AG William Tong led a coalition urging the Federal Judicial Center to reverse its removal of climate science guidance from a judicial manual. Delaware Business & Courts: Market Basket’s former CEO Arthur T. Demoulas won’t appeal a Delaware judge’s ruling upholding his firing. Community & Youth: A seed-to-cafeteria school garden push expanded statewide, adding thousands of students to hands-on learning. Public Safety: NASA confirmed a meteor about five feet wide caused the loud New England booms, with debris falling into Cape Cod Bay. Local Economy/Business: West Marine filed for Chapter 11 in Delaware, citing heavy debt and lease costs.

Delaware Crime & Courts: Delaware State Police are investigating a string of break-ins and attempted break-ins at Route 1 businesses near Lewes, with suspects targeting multiple Wawa-area stops and stealing cash. Public Safety: Three people from Dover were arrested after a stolen-car pursuit that ended with a multi-agency search in Worcester County, Maryland. Local Business & Community: Plumbing First Delaware launched a Summer Home Protection Initiative for Newark and Bear, aiming to prevent seasonal plumbing problems like backups and basement flooding. Health & Consumer Alerts: The FDA issued a Class I recall for Wawa beverages sold in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia due to an undeclared milk allergen. Delaware Economy & Governance: A Delaware court ruling ordered the state to comply with an immigration subpoena, adding pressure to how Delaware handles federal requests. Environment: A new study flags widespread PFAS contamination in the Delaware River Basin, including fish tissue. Defense & Delaware Pride: The USS Delaware held a change-of-command ceremony, with Judson Thomas taking over as commander.

Meteor Mystery Across Delaware Region: A space rock about 3 feet wide sparked a “double boom” heard from Delaware to Montreal after entering Earth’s atmosphere near the New Hampshire-Massachusetts border; NASA says it was natural material, likely fragmented around 40 miles up, and may have fallen into Cape Cod Bay. Local Justice: Ocean City police say a stolen vehicle led to the arrest of a Dover man, Edward Reedy, after a multi-agency chase and K-9 search; two other Dover-area suspects were also taken into custody. Rehoboth Beach Case Dropped: Delaware DOJ dropped charges against college students accused of organizing a beach “takeover,” saying there was “no factual basis,” as the city demanded answers. Public Safety Scam Warning: A new AI voice-cloning kidnapping scam is targeting parents, with researchers saying scammers can use short audio to impersonate loved ones and demand fast payments. Delaware Courts/Business: A Delaware judge authorized Furie to enter an asset sale by foreclosure in bankruptcy court, clearing the way for a deal involving offshore natural gas assets. Health & Infrastructure: A report flags lead-risk drinking water in New York and notes Delaware Aqueduct repair delays again, pushing completion beyond 2027.

Meteor Boom in the Northeast: NASA says the loud “double boom” that shook homes across Massachusetts and was heard as far as Delaware was caused by a natural meteor exploding high in the atmosphere, with a possible landing zone in Cape Cod Bay. Delaware Community & Culture: A Delaware writer spotlights Slaughter Beach as the state’s quirkiest town, thanks to the annual horseshoe crab spawning spectacle. Local Delaware Life: A Newark curfew was imposed around Delaney Hall after protests and clashes, even as New Jersey says family visitation at the immigration detention center is set to restart. Health Care Expansion (Delaware region): ChristianaCare plans a new 24/7 neighborhood hospital in Aston, aiming to cut down travel and wait times for Delaware County patients. Sports (Delaware connection): Kyle Busch’s final Dover win is revisited amid new details about his pneumonia diagnosis and death. Arts & Education: A national piece argues art schools are disappearing as education gets pushed toward market-style models.

Space Watch: NASA says the “double boom” that rattled homes across New England Saturday was a natural meteor/fireball, traveling about 75,000 mph and breaking up around 2:06 p.m. near the Mass.-N.H. border; NASA now points to a possible landing in Cape Cod Bay, and the American Meteor Society says reports came in from Delaware to Montreal. Health Care Expansion: ChristianaCare announced it will open a 24/7 neighborhood hospital in Aston (Delaware County, Pa.) with inpatient services and emergency care for about 15,000 patients a year. Public Safety & Community: WDEL won “Outstanding News Operation of the Year” from the Chesapeake AP Broadcasters Association, adding to its recent award haul. Labor: IBEW Local 614 authorized a strike against PECO after months without a contract, citing stalled talks on wages and benefits. Local Events: Rehoboth-Dewey Restaurant Week runs June 7-12, with proceeds supporting area first responders. Delaware Business/Politics: Delaware Lottery results for May 30 were published, and a Delaware opinion piece argues corporations can now vote in state elections.

Public Safety: Delaware State Police are investigating an armed robbery in Wilmington where a suspect lured a victim behind a business on Kirkwood Highway and stole an electric bike at gunpoint; no injuries reported. Courts: A Delaware Chancery judge sanctioned Vince McMahon and WWE officials in the WWE-UFC merger shareholder fight, citing “spoliation of evidence” tied to Signal auto-delete settings. Health Care: ChristianaCare says its new Aston micro-hospital in Delaware County will open in early June with 24/7 emergency care and inpatient services, aiming to serve about 15,000 patients a year. Housing & Cost Help: Delaware-area residents can tap Delmarva Power’s energy relief resources, including its Assistance Finder and ReliefDE/ReliefMD programs. Local Governance: Delaware’s Council on Development Finance is set to consider charter school and private lender funding proposals, while Sussex County weighs controversial development reforms. Business & Growth: Incyte reported positive Phase 3 frontMIND trial results for tafasitamab plus lenalidomide with R-CHOP in high-risk DLBCL.

Courts & Public Safety: A Delaware County man accused of stabbing an Eagles fan after the Super Bowl was acquitted of attempted murder, but convicted of simple assault. Sentencing: A 39-year-old man was sentenced to two consecutive life terms for killing his son’s mother and her mother in a South Jersey break-in. Local Health Care: ChristianaCare is set to open its first Delaware County microhospital in Aston in mid-June, a $51 million 24/7 emergency facility meant to fill gaps after Crozer Health’s collapse. Housing: Milford broke ground on Lafayette Place, an affordable development expected to bring up to 95 homes for families around 80% of area median income. Delaware Politics: Delaware lawmakers are debating HB 234, with critics warning it could shift control of state worker bargaining costs away from the legislature. Community & Culture: The Southern Delaware Chorale named Amy Morgan its new artistic director. Transportation Enforcement: Newark’s speed camera is moving to Capitol Trail starting June 1, with warnings first then fines. Arts & Heritage: A Delaware Music History Archive project is set to be featured in Dover next week.

Workplace Safety: OSHA says there’s no single federal “heat wave” cutoff, but heat illness risk rises fast without acclimatization—especially for outdoor workers doing heavy labor or exposed to wildfire smoke. Education Policy: Ohio’s SB 113 faces mounting opposition over vague limits on diversity, equity and inclusion in K-12 schools, with critics warning it could chill hiring and training efforts. Health Care & Seniors: UnitedHealthcare is expanding Synapse Health to manage durable medical equipment orders for Medicare Advantage members, including in Delaware, starting Sept. 1, 2026. Delaware Courts: A judge ruled Fenwick Island can let business entities vote in town elections, rejecting an ACLU challenge. Public Lands: Cape Henlopen State Park’s fishing pier needs a full replacement, not more temporary repairs, as structural problems worsen. Community & Justice: The Delaware NAACP questions Rehoboth Beach’s response to a May 19 “takeover” event, citing process and racialized fallout. Sports & Community: Sussex Central beat Lake Forest 12-10 to reach the DIAA softball final four. Local Governance: Delaware County Senior Games run June 1-12 across multiple venues for athletes 50+.

Behavioral Health & 911/988 Coordination: Delaware advanced its alternative crisis response playbook, with DSAMH and HEALTHe Insights teaming with Mission Critical Partners to deliver guidelines for better 911/988 handoffs and stronger behavioral health crisis response. Local Politics & Voting Rights: A Delaware judge upheld a town charter that lets certain corporations vote in local elections, rejecting an ACLU challenge over “one person, one vote” concerns. Online Child Safety: Delaware Attorney General Jay Jones joined a coalition urging Congress to reject the federal KIDS Act, arguing it would weaken state enforcement and shift too much power to tech companies. Elections Deadline: Delaware’s party-change deadline for the Sept. 15 primaries is Friday night, with closed primaries requiring voters to switch parties before midnight. Data Centers & Legal Pressure: Lawsuits continue over a proposed Birmingham-area hyperscale data center, with new filings alleging inflated land values and pushing for moratorium-style treatment. Community & Education: Rehoboth Elementary students took part in Law Day activities with the Delaware Law Related Education Center, learning how the legal system works. Sports: Cape’s boys’ lacrosse team won its DIAA semifinal and heads to the championship Saturday.

Seaford Homicide Update: Delaware State Police arrested a second suspect, 19-year-old Darrin West, in Maryland and are seeking extradition after a 17-year-old was fatally shot on German Road; West faces charges including first-degree murder and conspiracy, while investigators say the case is tied to earlier gun activity. Higher Ed Leadership: University of Delaware named Ellen Herbst as executive vice president for finance and administration, starting July 1, overseeing budget, facilities, IT, HR, and campus safety. Food Security Grants: Delaware awarded more than $700,000 in Delaware Grocery Initiative grants to 28 organizations to expand access to healthy food and support farmers, pantries, and delivery for seniors and families. Public Safety/Access to Justice: Christopher Pitt launched a public conversation on using AI to improve access to legal help for underrepresented, self-represented Delawareans. Local Sports & Community: Rocking the Docks returns June 7 in Lewes with a Fourth Street Preserve benefit concert, and the 2026 DIAA State Golf Championships saw strong upstate prep school showings.