AGP Executive Report

Texas Tech & Markets: Oil and stocks stayed jittery as Strait of Hormuz tensions kept energy prices elevated, with Brent near $89 and WTI holding in the low $80s. Texas Data Centers & Power: Texas is pausing data center grid connections while Gov. Abbott orders audits of up to 300 projects, as lawmakers and voters push back over water, noise, and utility costs. AI Campus Watch: Amazon says it’s exploring how its 8,000-acre Texas AI campus could connect to the grid and potentially add supply for other customers. Banking & Credit Union: TDECU elected attorney/tech executive Lavonne Burke as board chair, signaling continued focus on digital governance. Airline Impact: A new TCU study puts American Airlines’ annual DFW economic impact at about $70B and 350,000 jobs. Local Business & Growth: Buc-ee’s opened its first Arkansas location in Benton, adding 200+ jobs and expanding beyond Texas. Education & Workforce: Frisco ISD retained its top A grade, while UT Dallas researchers unveiled a portable food-safety sensor aimed at faster contaminant detection. Policy & Hiring Debate: Rep. Brandon Gill launched a probe into McKinsey over alleged discriminatory DEI hiring influence.

Data Centers & Policy: Texas lawmakers are pushing back on the rapid spread of data centers, with Gov. Greg Abbott ordering audits of proposed projects and lawmakers reacting to a grid-connection pause over water and noise concerns. Energy Markets: Oil prices are holding near recent highs as U.S.-Iran talks stall and Strait of Hormuz shipping slows, keeping crude volatility front and center for Texas energy businesses. Local Business & Jobs: GS Global opened a Houston office to chase U.S. energy and infrastructure steel demand, signaling more project-based work tied to power and shipbuilding. Retail Tech: Pied Piper launched continuous retailer performance monitoring that flags missed calls and failed follow-up in near real time, aiming to cut customer loss. Veterans Support: Texas Veterans Network expanded monthly veteran food distributions in Fort Bend County, adding a recurring access point for hunger relief. Public Safety & Privacy: Hood County shut down and covered Flock license-plate cameras after privacy and mass-surveillance concerns. Health & Legal: Class-action firms are investigating major Texas healthcare data breaches tied to Lone Star Community Health Center/Aesto Health and Baylor Genetics.

Groceries & Retail: Albertsons is closing more Safeway stores after its failed Kroger merger, cutting locations and sales while boosting closure-related costs—another sign retailers are still reshaping footprints. Texas Politics & Culture Wars: DFW Airport dropped plans for additional Islamic foot-washing stations after Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to pull funding, escalating pressure over religious accommodations at public sites. AI & Texas Economy: A new Texas debate is heating up over whether the state is ready for AI-driven data center growth—jobs and investment are real, but so are unknowns for communities and the environment. Small Business & Capital: The SBA’s Office of Investment and Innovation is touting record funding momentum to help startups scale, with lawmakers highlighting more private capital flowing into small firms. Energy Markets: Energy Transfer raised 2026 guidance, pointing to surging natural gas demand tied to data centers and AI buildouts. Food Safety: FDA-linked salmonella recalls expanded, including eggs and dog food, keeping Texas shoppers on alert. Tech/Privacy: Scottsdale is reconsidering Flock license-plate readers amid privacy backlash, while Texas regulators push back on data-center impacts.

Data Centers & Power: Fort Worth is moving toward a 90-day pause on new data center development, with residents pushing back on noise and water use; the council also wants applicants to show ERCOT approval before connecting to the grid. AI, Energy Markets: A new report argues energy stocks are turning into AI plays as data-center demand surges and grid buildouts lag. Tech Privacy: Meta’s NameTag smart-glasses system is raising alarms after reports that facial recognition capabilities were embedded in an app used by millions. Food Safety: The FDA upgraded a Texas egg recall to Class I, and H-E-B/NatureBest pico de gallo and jalapeño products were recalled over a Salmonella-linked outbreak. Texas Politics: Ken Paxton says momentum is building with GOP voters as he tries to close a fundraising gap in the Texas Senate race. Campus Disruption: Texas A&M’s Student Services Building fire displaced multiple Student Life divisions, with water damage on the first floor. Local Economy & Community: A Nacogdoches coalition launched to coordinate help for food insecurity, citing heavy pantry demand.

Texas Data Centers: Gov. Greg Abbott says Amazon, Lancium and Cipher Digital have agreed to follow new Texas data center standards, with additional commitments from Stack Infrastructure, Anthropic and Nightpeak Energy—aimed at keeping costs from being pushed onto Texans and protecting water and neighborhood quality of life. Aviation & Religion: DFW Airport drops a planned Islamic foot-washing station after Abbott ordered a funding review and federal investigation referrals tied to DFW and Houston’s IAH. Energy Markets: Oil prices jumped more than $1 on tanker attacks and stalled Iran ceasefire talks, with Brent settling near $88.52 and WTI around $82.40. Medical Nuclear Milestone: Oklo says its Groves Isotope Test Reactor near Austin reached first criticality, a step toward domestic production of medical isotopes. Housing Affordability: New research finds insurance costs are worsening Texas affordability, with nearly two-thirds of households unable to afford the median home once premiums are included. Local Consumer Watch: Salado reported just one scam in July, tying for 201st among Texas cities in BBB Scam Tracker reports. Defense & Safety: The U.S. Army temporarily grounds Apache training flights after a fatal Fort Hood crash, spotlighting maintenance and safety questions. Workforce Pell Expansion: San Antonio-area colleges are preparing Workforce Pell programs for short-term, non-academic training, including Commercial Driver License pathways.

Iran Blockade Escalation: U.S. Defense and Treasury officials say the U.S. can sustain an “indefinite” naval blockade of Iran while stepping up financial pressure, as crude prices climb on tanker attacks and stalled ceasefire talks. Food Safety: The FDA upgraded a Texas-linked egg recall to the highest risk level after salmonella sickened dozens across 17 states, with most cases in Texas. Data Center Tensions: Austin County residents protested CleanSpark’s proposed Sealy data center, citing water use, noise, light pollution, and wildlife impacts, as Abbott pushes statewide data-center “guardrails.” Texas Courts & Business: The Texas Supreme Court declined to take up a bid to undo Exxon sanctions tied to a lower-court finding of a frivolous lawsuit. Education Watch: TEA released 2026 A–F accountability ratings after a pause; Houston-area districts like LISD and UISD earned “A” ratings, while Dallas County saw modest gains. Tech & Manufacturing: Apple’s Houston advanced manufacturing push continues, with reports that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick urged Apple not to rely on Chinese memory chips. Public Safety: The Army temporarily halted Apache helicopter training after a deadly Fort Hood crash that killed two pilots.

Markets & Energy: US stocks were slightly higher early Friday after retail sales disappointed, while oil traders weighed renewed US threats against Iran and the prospect of an indefinite Strait of Hormuz blockade. Local Business & Banking Tech: Strata Credit Union is partnering with Alkami to modernize mobile-first digital banking, and Dealer Cash selected PSQ Payments to streamline consumer payment processing for auto dealerships. Texas Economy & Industry: Diversified Energy said it’s in talks to acquire Texas oil producer Birch Resources, and Tyson’s beef restructuring is drawing fresh reactions from Texas cattle feeders as tight supplies reshape packing plans. Education & Community: Texas released 2026 A-F school accountability ratings showing steady progress statewide, and Plano landed on Forbes’ Best Employers by State list. Big Texas Corporate Moves: Apple opened a Houston Advanced Manufacturing Center to train small and medium businesses, with Mac mini assembly slated to begin later this year. Housing Watch: Celina’s rental market keeps expanding with a new 272-unit apartment project, while a national report says buyers are gaining leverage as buyer counts hit a record low. Policy & Compliance: Texas regulators are preparing a fraud case against TEXITcoin as the founder denies wrongdoing, and Texas data center rules keep evolving as more operators pledge compliance.

Middle East Energy & Security: Two ADNOC-linked vessels were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz as the U.S. warns of “unprecedented” Iran sanctions and threatens to keep naval pressure on Iranian ports—raising fresh risks for global oil supply. Houston Infrastructure: A viral TikTok spotlights repeated failures at a Houston railroad crossing near Pinemont Drive, with residents saying emergency dispatchers quote hours-long waits for repairs. Healthcare & Courts: Texas is asking a federal appeals court to pause a ruling that would force state psychiatric hospitals to admit jailed, mentally incompetent defendants within 21 days, arguing the timeline would force costly system changes. Tech & Manufacturing: Apple opened a Houston Advanced Manufacturing Center offering free training for small and medium-sized businesses, while also preparing to ship Mac mini production later this year. Business Growth & Capital: Dexco (IMX Power) expanded domestic busbar manufacturing in Texas with a new epoxy insulation line rated up to 38 kV, and Ranchbot raised $15M+ to scale remote ranch water monitoring from its Fort Worth HQ. Policy & Compliance: Google, Rowan and CleanSpark agreed to comply with Texas data center standards as Gov. Abbott’s grid and water guardrails tighten. Higher Ed Milestone: Texas College named its first female president, Dr. SherRhonda Gibbs, in the school’s 132-year history.

Data Center Policy: Hut 8 said it backs Gov. Greg Abbott’s directive to Texas regulators and ERCOT, arguing its Beacon Point campus in Nueces County is designed for grid reliability and local impact management. AI & Infrastructure Finance: Meta, BlackRock and other AI data-center backers keep lining up with Texas rules and union labor pipelines, underscoring how quickly the AI buildout is becoming a workforce and power-and-water story. Health Tech Funding: Function Health secured $450M in growth financing from General Catalyst to expand its testing and imaging platform. Real Estate & Immigration: Texas REALTORS reports international buyers purchased more homes in Texas last year, with many buyers living in the U.S. on visas or as recent immigrants. Tax Enforcement: A Frisco man pleaded guilty to a $43M IRS tax shelter scheme. Energy & Markets: Stocks edged higher as investors digested inflation data; oil slipped on weaker demand outlook. Healthcare & Compliance Tech: nsur.ai launched an AI underwriting assistant for P&C underwriters, aiming to cut manual work without replacing core systems. Politics: An Emerson poll shows the Texas Senate race in a statistical tie between Ken Paxton and James Talarico.

Data Centers & Power: Gov. Abbott says Core Scientific, Vantage Data Centers and SB Energy will comply with his Texas data-center standards, after ERCOT paused interconnection work tied to an audit push. Local Utilities: Lubbock Power & Light plans new transmission for load growth and says any data-center demand must be studied and paid for by developers first. Semiconductors in Texas: Elon Musk’s Terafab chip complex faces organized local resistance in Grimes County even as Abbott touts job creation. Food Safety: Whole Foods expands a Salmonella-linked recall, pulling dozens of dips, salsas and guac sold across multiple states including Texas. School Finance: Ysleta ISD is asking voters in November to ratify a higher tax rate to cover a deficit, with most homeowners seeing little impact. Politics & Business: A New York Times report highlights Ken Paxton’s income tied to a cellular tower company connected to a hospital where he served on the board. Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker shows Houston remains the top Texas city for scam reports in July. Energy/Trade: Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller demands answers after a nearly 30,000-pound Argentine beef recall over reinspection issues.

Retail Expansion: Casey’s is buying 24 Pak-A-Sak stores in the Texas Panhandle, saying the transition won’t disrupt day-to-day operations and that employees will join the Casey’s family—another move in its plan to add hundreds of stores via acquisitions and new builds. Real Estate & Housing: A new report points to outdoor kitchens as a top resale-return renovation, with data suggesting they can deliver outsized cost recovery and boost backyard value. Energy & Infrastructure: Texas is still in the spotlight as regulators and policymakers weigh data center growth and grid impacts, with fresh reporting highlighting how tight capacity and local constraints are shaping the buildout. Health & Consumer Protection: Eli Lilly filed six new lawsuits targeting the black-market sale of retatrutide, alleging illegal sales and warning that knockoffs can be fake, impure, or mis-dosed. Business Growth Signals: Multiple Texas-linked companies and franchise brands landed on the Inc. 5000 list, underscoring continued fast growth across software, healthcare, and franchising. Local Business Watch: Shipley Donuts announced its Michigan debut via a 15-unit franchise deal, extending a Houston-founded brand’s footprint.

Inc. 5000 Momentum: Houston energy-and-legal firm Oliva Gibbs landed on the 2026 Inc. 5000 list for a third straight year, ranking No. 1,560 overall. Education & Local Tax Impact: Cy-Fair ISD trustees approved a $1.6B bond plus a property tax rate increase that would raise district revenue by an estimated 23% if voters say yes in November. Public Safety Tech Debate: League City will hold a non-binding November vote on whether to keep Flock automated license-plate reader cameras, with privacy and data-handling concerns driving opposition. City Settlement: Fort Worth reached an $11.25M settlement with the Atatiana Jefferson family after her 2019 killing. Healthcare Access: Discovery Texas Interventional Psychiatry launched a new site explaining FDA-cleared TMS therapy for depression. Food & Consumer Watch: Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller responded to a recall of nearly 30,000 pounds of Argentine beef that entered commerce without required federal reinspection. Business Growth in Texas: Superior Energy Services plans to expand its Quail Tools tubular rental operations with a 44-acre purchase at TexAmericas Center.

Texas Data Centers & Power Crunch: Cleanview analysis says dozens of gas “behind-the-meter” power plants tied to AI data centers could drive massive emissions, with a new Texas Amazon-linked 7.5 GW project highlighted. Local Economy & Education: Texas A&M opened a new downtown Fort Worth campus and broke ground on a major research building to anchor the Switchyard Innovation District. Energy Markets: Oil held near recent highs as Strait of Hormuz talk headlines and U.S.-Iran reparations rhetoric kept prices jumpy. Business Growth Lists: Epique Realty debuted at No. 7 on the Inc. 5000 and claimed top spots in Houston and Texas; Lexitas and Zilker Media also landed on the Inc. 5000. Corporate Moves: Bristol Myers Squibb is building a $2.3B Houston manufacturing campus. Housing Affordability: A new study finds nearly two-thirds of Texans can’t afford a typical home once insurance costs are included. Consumer & Safety: Henkel recalled Schwarzkopf Professional Osis Grip due to a packaging defect; Taylor Farms expanded a jalapeño-related salmonella recall affecting Texas. Sports Betting: NFL wagering is projected to hit a record $32.3B as prediction markets near $37B.

Education & Equity: A Texas Tribune report spotlights how Black-majority schools keep landing more Fs than A ratings, leaving families like one Fort Bend ISD parent to weigh community ties against academic outcomes ahead of Aug. 14 accountability releases. AI Compute & Texas Energy Demand: Riot Platforms says it will supply 191 MW of computing from its Rockdale campus under a 20-year, $9.1B deal with Anthropic, sending RIOT shares up more than 25% as Texas continues to draw major AI infrastructure investment. Industrial Pollution & Rules: A Floodlight investigation finds Louisiana’s air-monitoring system often misses dangerous chemicals near heavy industry, raising new questions about how state rules shape what residents can measure and use. Houston Business & Consumer Impact: H-E-B is expanding its Fresh Initiatives remodel program to more Texas stores, while a downtown Houston wedding venue abruptly closed, forcing couples to scramble for replacements. Energy & Industry Growth: Brazos Midstream plans a Cassidy II cryogenic gas processing plant in the Midland Basin, adding 300 MMcf/d by summer 2027, and Bristol Myers Squibb is backing a ~$2.3B Houston manufacturing campus with nearly 500 jobs. Local Infrastructure: TxDOT warns Lufkin-area drivers about lane closures and roadway work this week.

Big Pharma Expansion: Bristol Myers Squibb is set to build a $2.3B pharmaceutical manufacturing campus near Houston in Generation Park, creating nearly 500 jobs, with Texas Enterprise Fund support. Data Center Policy Clash: Gov. Abbott says Meta will follow Texas data center standards in El Paso, with ERCOT/PUCT audits aimed at keeping costs off ratepayers and requiring water/energy disclosures. Power & Water for AI: Texas ESA Letter reports a jump in younger adults seeking ESA evaluations (ages 18-34 rose to ~42% of requests in early 2026). Border & Enforcement: CBP seized 129.67 pounds of cocaine at Del Rio, valued at about $1.73M, after a secondary inspection of a vehicle. Local Business Fallout: Dirty Laundry Bar in El Paso permanently closed after a judge’s order and allegations tied to repeated calls and security failures. Housing Snapshot: Redfin says Houston first-time buyers need about $70,384 for a starter home in 2026—down ~4% year over year. Tech/Real Estate: ExposureXperts launched Agent OS, an AI-driven CRM and marketing automation platform for real estate agents.

Data Centers Under Scrutiny: Texas has paused new data center grid connections pending audits of power, water, subsidies, ownership, and community impacts, with ERCOT tracking 1,800 large-load projects and data centers making up about 90% of the demand—an effort that’s already reshaping AI infrastructure timelines. Amazon Climate Fallout: A New York Times report says an Amazon data center plan in Pecos County would be powered by an on-site natural gas plant permitted to emit 33 million tons of CO2 annually, reigniting the debate over whether AI growth is driving worse emissions despite corporate climate pledges. Food Safety Watch: Taylor Farms issued a voluntary recall of jalapeño-containing prepared foods, including salsas and guacamole, tied to salmonella concerns and distributed in Texas and dozens of states. Local Business & Community: Denton’s Downtown Foundation awarded grants to 20 downtown shops for 31 Days of Halloween decor, while College Station’s Rotary Club handed out $150 back-to-school clothing credits to 50 kids. Consumer Relief: Texas’ tax-free weekend helped families save an estimated $142.5 million in state and local taxes, with one Houston parent reporting about $375 in savings. Energy & Reliability: Lakewood Pines homeowners say CenterPoint power issues are damaging appliances and AC units, with residents pointing to neighborhood-wide voltage problems.