AGP Executive Report

Meta Court Ruling: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta (Facebook/Instagram) to pay $567M into a teen mental health fund and require youth-safety changes after finding the company harmed children’s wellbeing, adding to earlier $375M penalties. Tennessee Politics: In the GOP primary for Tennessee’s newly redrawn 5th District, former Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher upset Trump-endorsed Rep. Andy Ogles, setting up a November matchup against Democrat Chaz Molder. Congressional Map Fallout: Memphis-area voters also picked Brent Taylor (R) and Justin Pearson (D) for the reconfigured 9th District, a test of the new GOP-drawn House map. Statewide Leadership: Sen. Marsha Blackburn won the Republican nomination for Tennessee governor and will face Democrat Jerri Green in the general election. Local Business & Jobs: Traxion Materials will expand recycling operations in Campbell County, investing $5M+ and creating 49 jobs. Tech & Work: TikTok shut its Nashville office and laid off about 250 employees as it realigns operations. Healthcare Tech: OneOncology and OpenEvidence announced a partnership to embed clinical evidence retrieval into oncology workflows. Energy Watch: Gas prices in Tennessee eased slightly in the week ending Aug. 1, with county-level lows reported by GasBuddy.

Tech & Jobs: TikTok is shutting its Nashville Music Row office and laying off about 250 employees, citing an operations “streamline” as it realigns teams. Consumer & Retail: JCPenney’s CoolSprings Galleria store in Franklin is closing this fall and being replaced by Dick’s Sporting Goods’ “House of Sport” experiential concept. Energy & Infrastructure: FERC approved a $1.7 billion, 206-mile natural gas pipeline across Mississippi, a Kinder Morgan-led project aimed at boosting regional gas transport. Local Economy & Housing: Realtor.com says the housing market is cooling seasonally—more price cuts, but homes still go under contract faster than last year. Business & Marketing: Marigold announced Nashville-based Emma and Campaign Monitor won 2026 MarTech Breakthrough Awards for B2B email marketing. Public Policy: A Senate panel advanced kids online safety bills, including the Kids Online Safety Act, as the fight over platform requirements heads toward a tougher showdown. Arts & Leadership: Martha Ingram, a major Nashville arts and business leader behind the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, died at 90.

FedEx Expansion: FedEx filed a permit for a new $400M Memphis sorting facility, signaling a major logistics buildout at the airport hub. PGA Tour Business: The FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis will not be part of the PGA Tour’s top-tier Championship Series in 2028, though it may still fit a lower-tier Challenger Series slot. Wireless/Fintech Growth: SurgePays (Tennessee-based) will own a 51% stake in Redline Wireless Group to scale LinkUp Mobile through 20,000+ prepaid dealers, targeting 1M+ subscribers. Local Housing/Costs: Knoxville homeowners are being urged to do mid-year roof checks to prevent small issues from turning into expensive repairs. Insurance Leadership: Captives.Insure named Rachel Kortman Chief Underwriting Officer as it expands captive insurance access. Workforce/Tech: TikTok is closing its Nashville office and laying off 250 employees. Food Safety: FDA recalled Bettergoods Pistachio Nut Butter sold at Walmart in 19 states due to possible salmonella contamination. Business & Community: Greeneville’s City Council recognized retired Police Chief Steve Spano and highlighted a food-and-beverage entrepreneur incubator visit from Chattanooga’s PROOF.

Space & AI Investment: SpaceX’s first post-IPO earnings showed revenue up 92% in Q2, driven by AI computing deals and Starlink growth to 12 million subscribers, but investors still flagged heavy spending—capex topped $18B, with most going to AI. Disaster Relief Deadline: Nashville’s property assessor says fewer than 30 days remain for Winter Storm Fern Property Assessment Disaster Relief applications, due Sept. 1, 2026. Public Safety Hiring: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation posted temporary Forensic Scientist 1 (Jackson) and Special Agent Criminal Investigator 1 (West Tennessee) openings, with pay ranges listed and application windows running Aug. 5–11. Nuclear Economy Watch: Gov. Bill Lee and DOE officials highlighted Oak Ridge’s “American Energy Hub” status and Tennessee’s nuclear-waste campus bid, with Lee citing potential $50B and 25,000 jobs. Retail Expansion: Wawa is accelerating Middle Tennessee growth with new stores in Dickson (Aug. 26), Lebanon (Sept. 2) and Murfreesboro (Sept. 10). Community Food Access: A Nashville Ujamaa Café™ Community Fridge launch aims to boost grab-and-go healthy food for residents and unhoused neighbors. Local Business & Jobs: Central States Water Resources promoted Spencer Hoppes to AVP of Finance & Information Technology as the utility expands.

SpaceX Earnings: SpaceX reported Q2 revenue up about 92% as AI computing deals and Starlink subscriber growth drove results, even as operating losses narrowed and investors reacted skeptically to heavy spending. Local Business & Jobs: Amazon Business is rolling out dedicated, branded delivery trucks in 13 states including Tennessee, aiming to better match how companies receive palletized shipments. Energy & Growth: Memphis-based MAA said Sun Belt recovery is broad but slower than expected, with demand strong yet new-lease pricing lagging in high-supply markets. TVA Education: TVA opened applications for its STEM Award Program, offering up to $5,000 for K-12 projects tied to energy, environment and economic development. Healthcare Finance: Labcorp faces a $35M class action settlement tied to a cyberattack at a billing vendor; eligible patients have until Sept. 3 to file. Tennessee Crime & Fraud: A Knoxville woman pleaded not guilty to federal charges alleging she helped launder COVID-era unemployment fraud proceeds via Bitcoin ATMs. Local Economy: Chattanooga Times Free Press was acquired by the Fuller family, returning the paper to local ownership. Community & Tourism: Pigeon Forge’s Corky’s BBQ will close Aug. 17 after 30 years, joining other Smokies-area closures. Sports (TN-adjacent): The Brewers optioned Brandon Sproat to Triple-A Nashville after acquiring Dustin May, reshaping Milwaukee’s rotation.

Nuclear Policy Watch: Gov. Bill Lee says Tennessee doesn’t yet know whether the federal government will ask the state to host a nuclear-waste-related site, calling it too early to name locations and promising a transparent stakeholder process if requests come. Quantum & Telecom: IonQ and Chattanooga utility EPB are launching the Tennessee Quantum Communications Research Center, a $15 million, five-year effort that embeds a commercial quantum memory unit in EPB’s live fiber network. Data Center Politics: Clarksville City Council approved industrial development bonds and a community development grant deal tied to a serverfarm data center, aiming to pair investment with local payments. Attorney General Action: Tennessee AG Tim Griffin is leading a bipartisan push to preserve 2025 federal hemp reforms and block moves that could reopen loopholes for intoxicating hemp products. Retail & Business Growth: Shoptalk Fall 2026 returns to Nashville with a “Retail Unplugged” agenda focused on ecommerce, unified commerce, and “shoppertainment,” drawing 3,000+ retail leaders. Markets: SpaceX faces a high-volatility week as it reports first quarterly earnings as a public company and a major lockup expiration approaches.

Data Center Policy: East Tennessee towns are moving fast to keep AI data centers away from neighborhoods, using zoning limits, moratoriums, and noise and distance rules as residents push back. Local Government: Smithville adopted an 18-month moratorium on data centers and crypto mining permits while it studies updated zoning. Business & Consumer: Tennessee gas prices slipped three cents to a $3.67 state average, with metro spreads ranging from Clarksville’s $3.44 to Jackson’s $3.80. Corporate/Finance: Nashville-based HealthStream reported $6.7 million profit in Q2. Food Safety: Walmart is pulling a pistachio nut butter product after salmonella was found in jars distributed in 19 states. Sports/Deals: The Brewers made deadline moves, adding Dustin May, JoJo Romero, and Antonio Senzatela. Construction/Legal: In Memphis, contractors filed liens alleging SpaceXAI failed to pay millions tied to work on the supercomputing projects. Tech R&D: IonQ and EPB announced the Tennessee Quantum Communications Research Center in Chattanooga. Public Safety: A deadly Lower Broadway crash in Nashville is renewing debate over pedestrian safety and insurance after a driver ran a red light.

Social Security Policy: A reintroduced bill, the Social Security 2100 Act, would temporarily change how COLAs are calculated from 2027 to 2036, potentially boosting benefits for seniors but facing long odds in Congress. Public Safety: Nashville’s Street Racer Initiative led to four arrests, including seizures tied to meth, cocaine laced with fentanyl, and a pistol, after high-speed driving and reckless endangerment charges. Energy & Grid Planning: PJM says 715 new generation projects totaling 200+ GW qualified for study in the first cycle of its reformed interconnection process, aiming to cut speculative builds and speed up supply. Local Tech & Water Use: Records show Meta’s Gallatin data center accounts for about 2% of Gallatin Public Utilities water sales, fueling debate over data center growth and local infrastructure costs. Tennessee Politics: Tennessee’s Aug. 6 primaries set up the November ballot, with major attention on the governor race and U.S. House contests, plus candidate profiles for both parties. Higher Ed & Research: Tennessee Tech hit a record $50.88 million in externally funded research for fiscal 2026, extending its growth streak to six years. Healthcare Costs: RazorMetrics reports more than $12 million in prescription savings across Tennessee for 63,000+ covered members by steering to lower-cost options.

Municipal Leadership: Cleveland Mayor Kevin Brooks was elected president of the Tennessee Municipal League, taking the helm for an organization representing 345 cities and towns statewide. Local Politics: State Rep. Monty Fritts drew a Greeneville crowd with a “Liberty and Less Government” message, mixing faith-focused remarks with opposition to school vouchers. Public Safety & Jobs: Greene County Sheriff Wesley Holt, who is stepping down Aug. 31, highlighted body cameras, a statewide radio system, and school resource officers during his eight-year tenure. Business & Community: McMinn County is more than halfway to its goal of raising $17,000 to buy PowerBlock adjustable dumbbells for a new athletics training facility. Nashville Tragedy: An Australian insurance executive, Tim Wedlock, was identified as one of four pedestrians struck after an alleged red-light run on Broadway and 4th Avenue; police are investigating. Sports Business: MLB’s trade deadline is near, with Tarik Skubal reportedly headed to the Dodgers and Freddy Peralta to the Rays, underscoring how quickly pitching markets are moving.

Tennessee Politics & Elections: Tennessee’s 2026 primary season is ramping up, with low turnout a concern as voters pick nominees for governor, U.S. Senate and Congress. Workforce & Layoffs: A new WARN-based look at August layoffs flags a broad sweep of employers, including Amazon, Walmart and FedEx, adding to the pressure on workers. Data Centers & Power: SpaceXAI says it will remove the 69 temporary mobile turbines powering its Colossus sites near the TN–MS border in phases, with full removal targeted by July 2027. Cybersecurity & Critical Infrastructure: Michigan joins Minnesota in reporting cyberattacks on water systems, with officials saying systems are operating safely while investigators work to identify the source. Sports Business: The Detroit Tigers reportedly traded ace Tarik Skubal to the Dodgers ahead of the MLB deadline, a deal that could reshape both teams’ near-term competitiveness. Consumer Costs: A new study finds a $100 grocery budget goes farther in some states than others, underscoring uneven pressure on household spending.

Data Breach & Consumer Rights: Wolf Haldenstein says it’s investigating the Lifespark Management Services breach, warning that stolen data may include Social Security, medical, insurance, and payment card details. Food & Agriculture Fraud: Taylor Fresh Foods sued over alleged $32M fraud by the former president of its Tennessee unit, alleging falsified vendor charges and unauthorized family payroll. Nuclear & Energy Policy: Tennessee is among states pushing to host a nuclear waste “campus” in exchange for federal help, as the race for future energy investment heats up. Local Business & Jobs: FedEx filed an $18M permit to expand its Memphis World Hub, signaling continued logistics growth. Sports Business in Tennessee: The Predators are positioning Mavrik Bourque as a center after a $33M deal, while the Titans’ Will Levis keeps projecting confidence as camp competition continues. Civic & Community: Maryville College will feature Canton, N.C. Mayor Zeb Smathers as guest speaker for convocation, reflecting regional outreach.

MLB Deadline Watch (Tennessee angle): The Cleveland Guardians kicked off the 2026 trade deadline by sending catcher Bo Naylor and pitcher Codi Heuer to the Milwaukee Brewers for reliever Craig Yoho and outfielder Blake Perkins, with both sides moving key bullpen/bench pieces as the deadline nears. Consumer Safety: Publix expanded its recall of GreenWise organic frozen blueberries and whole mixed berries due to possible E. coli O145 contamination, with shipments including Tennessee; customers are told not to eat the affected lots and to return for refunds. Local Economy & Retail Growth: A retail recruitment panel highlighted that successful store openings come from long preparation, relationship-building, and choosing the right conferences for a community’s goals and budget. Tech & Housing Finance: Nashville-based Cindie launched an AI “workforce” for residential mortgage lending aimed at handling lead outreach, applications, document collection, and post-close follow-ups while keeping licensed professionals in charge. Cost Pressure: A St. Louis Fed report says prices are rising at a robust pace across its district, with electricity and food costs cited as major drivers. Philanthropy: The East Tennessee Foundation awarded $250,000 through the Thompson Charitable Foundation Fund to 17 nonprofits across Anderson, Blount, Knox, and Scott counties. Politics & Business Climate: A poll shows Sen. Marsha Blackburn leading Tennessee’s GOP gubernatorial primary, with early voting set to end ahead of the Aug. 6 election.

Energy & Affordability: TVA signed the Trump Administration’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge, saying data-center costs shouldn’t be passed to the 10 million customers it serves, as it weighs rate-structure updates for large loads. Power & Data Centers: Tennessee’s new data-center rules require big facilities (50+ megawatts) to fund grid upgrades, but critics warn a gas-turbine carveout could still mean pollution and noise with limited oversight. Higher Ed: Tennessee Tech will open its fall 2027 admissions window Aug. 3, 2026, as campus projects near completion. Downtown Revitalization: MainStreet Dayton announced a new round of private facade improvement grants, with a Sept. 30 application deadline. Politics & Business Climate: A Tennessee trial over Instagram teen harm continues, while a separate push to regulate college sports contracts gains momentum nationally. Public Safety & Scams: TBI warns of bank phone-number spoofing scams targeting Tennesseans. Food Safety: Publix expanded a frozen blueberry recall tied to E. coli illnesses, including shipments to Tennessee. Local Economy & Community: Clarksville nonprofit Bella’s Closet is seeking teen clothing, shoes, and underwear donations ahead of back-to-school needs.

Food Safety: Publix expanded its recall of GreenWise Organic Frozen Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries across eight states, including Tennessee, after E. coli concerns tied to Chile supplier lots sickened 12 people. Workforce: Goodwill Opportunity Centers in Chattanooga and Dalton will host hiring events early August, with on-site interviews for warehouse and production roles. Tennessee Business & Growth: Tennessee’s tax-free back-to-school weekend starts Friday, while AAA says gas prices are holding near $4.09 nationally as crude stays elevated. Healthcare Policy: Tennessee moves to loosen certificate-of-need rules for many acute-care hospitals, shifting toward licensure by 2030. Energy & Data Centers: xAI (SpaceXAI) agreed to phase out 69 temporary gas turbines at its Memphis-area data center under a removal timeline, as lawsuits and environmental pressure continue. Local Economy Watch: Athens Utilities customers in Alabama face proposed rate hikes pending TVA approval.

Banking & M&A: Peoples Bancshares of TN announced a definitive deal to merge with First Peoples Bancorp, expanding Peoples Bank of East Tennessee’s footprint across East Tennessee. Healthcare & Community: Arconic Foundation and Undue Medical Debt eliminated nearly $30M in medical debt nationwide, including more than $3.9M for over 3,400 East Tennessee residents. Higher Ed: Tusculum University named Dr. Sarah Hartman dean of academic operations and the Education Division, overseeing scheduling, budgets, academic policy, and education programs. Local Governance: Tusculum approved a zoning change to allow duplexes in areas previously limited to R-1, plus a new 6 p.m. meeting time for the board. Real Estate/Development: Clayton family partners with Nashville-based Streamside RV Resorts & Campgrounds to bring four Townsend businesses under Streamside’s umbrella while keeping local leadership. Public Health: Publix expanded a frozen-berry recall tied to potential E. coli contamination, including distribution to Tennessee stores. Energy/Industry: Analysts expect major oil profits as US-Iran conflict disrupts shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, tightening global supply and pushing fuel prices higher.

Local Business & Real Estate: CoolSprings Galleria in Franklin is breaking ground on a major mixed-use redevelopment with 361 upscale apartments, following Greystar’s land purchase from CBL and the mall’s DICK’S House of Sport expansion. Corporate & Legal: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman filed a class action against Helen of Troy over claims tied to its Tennessee distribution center and “Project Pegasus” performance. Energy & Infrastructure: Benchmark Electric won a contract to install a 200kW Cummins backup generator at the Shelby County Training Academy to keep critical operations running during outages. Tech & Policy: A Senate panel delayed broader AI legislation, but moved ahead with kids online safety bill markups that include AI-related provisions. Public Safety & Privacy: Flock Safety cameras face growing backlash, with multiple cities—including Knoxville—deactivating or canceling contracts amid concerns over surveillance and vehicle tracking. Education & Workforce: Roane State and TCAT Harriman host a homeschool information session Aug. 4, with THEC and TN Achieves on hand for financial aid questions. Sports Business: The Titans’ offseason continues to churn as they announce a sudden front-office departure.