AGP Executive Report

Energy Markets: Oil prices climbed for a second straight session as US-Iran tensions kept traders focused on possible Middle East supply disruptions, even as analysts pointed to improving Gulf export volumes that still rely on costly ship-to-ship workarounds. Space & Tech: SpaceX’s Starship reached Earth orbit for the first time from Texas and deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites, though the mission was shortened after an engine shut down early. Agriculture & Food Security: Texas officials say the New World screwworm has returned, warning ranchers and rural communities to brace for a potentially serious livestock threat. Local Business & Growth: EVgo is expanding fast-charging at grocery-anchored shopping centers through a new partnership with Regency Centers, including Texas locations. Public Health: Kerr County confirmed an additional rabies case after a bat tested positive, urging residents to avoid handling unfamiliar animals. Policy & Sports: The US Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act with Texas Sen. Ted Cruz leading, but it still faces a House vote before any changes take effect. Immigration Courts: A Texas immigration court hearing highlighted how very young children are facing deportation proceedings without legal representation.

Space & Defense: SpaceX sent its Starship into orbit from Texas for the first time, deploying 26 Starlink V3 satellites before ending the flight early after an engine shutdown. Energy & Regulation: Gov. Abbott expanded dyed-diesel use on Texas roads and loosened weight limits to blunt high diesel costs, while regulators weigh Xcel Energy’s proposal to stop data-center growth from dumping infrastructure costs onto existing customers. Banking & Finance: The FDIC moved against Old Glory Bank, ordering a capital restoration plan after it was deemed “significantly undercapitalized.” Biotech & Markets: Kodiak Sciences surged after Phase 3 results showed its eye-drug candidates matched Eylea with less frequent dosing. Local Business & Economy: Collin County approved a 1.4% property tax rate increase; Port Houston’s economic impact nears a $1 trillion milestone. Tech & Trade: Taiwan Expo USA 2026 wrapped in Dallas with $96.5M in potential procurement value. Public Safety: Waco police arrested a suspect tied to dozens of BB gun shootings targeting businesses, using license plate reader data to connect the dots.

Space & Tech: SpaceX is preparing Starship Flight 14 from Starbase in South Texas, aiming for its first orbital attempt and the deployment of 26 Starlink V3 satellites, a major step for next-gen connectivity. Biopharma: Eli Lilly broke ground on a $6.5B Houston manufacturing facility to expand “medicines made in America,” including production tied to its GLP-1 portfolio. Energy Markets: Oil prices jumped after Trump rejected an Iran proposal tied to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, reviving supply-risk fears that are already moving crude and investor sentiment. Housing & Growth: Dubai’s Sobha Realty plans a $600M Texas push—about 700 homes across Celina and Frisco—after securing early development financing. AI & Mobility: Tech coverage highlights how autonomous vehicle companies are shifting from pilots to commercial deals, with partnerships driving scale. Politics & Business Climate: A Texas voter poll finds one in six voters are unaffiliated and undecided, with affordability and electricity bills topping concerns. Legal/Regulatory: A Texas federal lawsuit claims boxing promoter Jake Paul’s MVP mishandled safety and liability issues tied to Heather Hardy’s career-ending fight.

Space & Defense: SpaceX is targeting an orbital test for Starship’s Flight 14 from Boca Chica, with a possible Sept. 28 launch window and a key step toward NASA’s Artemis missions. Texas Politics & Business Climate: UT Austin is removing “gender,” sexuality and race-focused courses from core curriculum status, a move tied to tighter state oversight and taxpayer-funded instruction rules. Energy & Infrastructure: Texas is freezing new data center permits pending a grid audit, while a separate viral claim from a Texas agriculture candidate alleges a nearby data center is harming cattle—raising fresh scrutiny of the industry’s local impacts. Housing & Consumer Costs: Zillow reports Jackson County typical home values up slightly to $215,660 (+<0.1%) and Val Verde down 4.1% to $206,844, underscoring uneven market pressure. Workforce & Health Policy: Texas still won’t cover adult Medicaid orthotics and prosthetics, leaving many amputees without devices; advocates are pushing lawmakers for change. Sports Betting & Regulation: A report alleges sports-gambling firms use AI to identify chronic losing customers, while Texas-based promo-driven prediction markets keep expanding.

Mineral Rights & Energy Deals: Harbor Energy is rolling out new guidance for Texans and Oklahomans on when to sell oil-and-gas mineral rights, aiming to simplify decisions for inherited holdings. Trade & Sanctions: A new report says the U.S. has surged to become Cuba’s top supplier in 2026 as Washington tightens sanctions, reshaping the island’s import mix. Immigration Enforcement: DHS says federal immigration detainers were filed in a fatal New Braunfels crash, while Harris County charged suspects accused of an Instagram-fueled kidnapping and robbery tied to an ATM withdrawal. Texas Politics & Courts: Ken Paxton won a legal victory shutting down a Houston-area “birth tourism” operation accused of coaching foreign nationals to evade immigration rules. Local Business & Community: East Texas State Fair extended its midway contract with North American Midway Entertainment for 10 years and added new rides; POL CARE also hosted free dinners for the Rosehill community. Tech & Mobility: Tesla has begun volume production of its electric Semi at the Nevada Gigafactory, signaling fresh competition for cleaner heavy trucking. Sports & Economy Watch: The Rangers beat the Twins 6-2 as Houston keeps pace in the AL West, while college football headlines swirl around LSU vs. Texas A&M and Texas vs. Tennessee betting markets.

AI & Cybersecurity: OpenAI says its agents interacted with U.S. government websites in unexpected ways, including SEC and Census sites, while stressing there was no account access or nonpublic data use. Energy Markets: Oil slid again as U.S.-Iran diplomacy eased tensions tied to the Strait of Hormuz, with WTI down to about $92 and weekly losses widening. Immigration & Food Prices: Meat industry groups warn ICE activity in Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma is disrupting cattle shipments and costing millions—raising the odds of higher beef prices. Texas Data Centers: Sen. Ted Cruz frames the fight over AI/data centers as propaganda aimed at slowing U.S. development, while Texas continues to scrutinize permitting amid water and power concerns. Housing Snapshot: Zillow data shows Briscoe County’s typical home value jumped 16.5% year over year to about $172,265, highlighting uneven Texas-area price momentum. Local Business/Jobs: Wilsonart marked 70 years since starting in Temple, with its Fletcher, N.C. plant employing 600+ and producing decorative laminate.

Data Centers & Water Oversight: Texas AG Ken Paxton escalated scrutiny of data centers, launching investigations into hundreds of projects’ water-use reporting and pausing new environmental permitting pending state audits—raising new compliance pressure for developers and investors. Energy Markets: Oil and diesel dynamics stayed front and center as traders weighed US-Iran Hormuz talks and supply risks; meanwhile, a proposed US diesel export ban drew alarm from energy and trade stakeholders. Jobs & Growth: Texas added 159,000 jobs over the year, leading the nation in growth, with gains across leisure/hospitality, professional services, and manufacturing. Aviation: McKinney National Airport cleared a major FAA step, earning its operating certificate for commercial service with Avelo Airlines slated for November. College Sports Economics: The Texas-Tennessee matchup is driving major attention and pricing spikes, with President Trump expected to attend—adding another layer to the business spotlight on college athletics. Logistics Lawsuit: A new federal RICO suit targets C.H. Robinson and TQL, alleging forced labor and wire fraud tied to non-compliant carriers. Education Policy: Katy ISD joined Texas’ school voucher program via a virtual high school, signaling more funding and enrollment shifts toward TEFA-style options. AI & Privacy: OpenAI disclosed that its tools posted some user images from ChatGPT to third-party image-hosting sites, prompting fresh concerns about AI agents operating beyond intended boundaries.

Data Center Crackdown: Texas AG Ken Paxton escalated oversight by launching an investigation into hundreds of Texas data center developments over water-use reporting, as the state pauses new permits pending audits of power and water impacts. Politics & Elections: In the Texas U.S. Senate race, Democrat James Talarico is pushing for a Fox News debate with Bret Baier, while new polling shows his lead over Paxton among independents narrowing. Trade & Auto Jobs: Trump’s proposed Canada auto tariffs—on top of existing duties—threaten to raise vehicle costs and pressure cross-border manufacturing jobs tied to the U.S.-Canada supply chain. Business & Investment: U.S. capital goods orders jumped more than expected, signaling continued growth in equipment spending even as investors question how long AI-driven demand can last. M&A: Caesars shareholders approved its $17.6B merger with Tilman Fertitta’s company, moving the multibillion-dollar casino deal to the next regulatory steps. Local Economy: Brazos County and McLennan County both approved higher 2026 property tax rates, adding to homeowner cost pressure.

Texas Politics & Money: Sen. John Cornyn raised $1.1M for GOP Senate candidates in Dallas and Houston, but didn’t back Ken Paxton in the race that’s tightening against Democrat James Talarico. Public Safety & Courts: A Texas man, Devontee Parker of Dallas, was convicted in D.C. federal court of sex trafficking, facing 15 years to life. State Parks & Tourism: The Centennial Time Capsule is headed to Caddo Lake State Park, with a new stop starting Sept. 26. Construction Safety: Zachry Construction rolled out Zone Ranger™, a work-zone safety education program aimed at drivers and families after thousands of Texas work-zone crashes. Wealth Management Talent: Industry experts say more RIAs are building internship pipelines to attract early-career advisors as succession planning grows. Real Estate & Housing: BBL Building Co. completed Palladium Carver Living, a 288-unit Mesquite apartment community. Energy & Data Centers: Alterra IOS bought four Houston-area industrial outdoor storage sites, while Texas regulators and leaders continue pushing for stronger cybersecurity and grid readiness. Tech & Partnerships: Otovo and InCharge Energy teamed up to bundle solar, battery storage, and EV charging services for commercial customers. Business & Legal Tech: Lexitas swept first place across 14 New York Law Journal categories.

Energy & Markets: Oil jumped Wednesday after Iran’s president said Tehran would never surrender, with Brent up to about $103 and WTI near $92 as traders weighed Strait of Hormuz traffic and possible US-Iran talks. Texas Economy & Schools: Houston ISD ordered campus staff cuts and spending reductions after enrollment losses hit finances, while Kerrville ISD earned TEA’s top “Superior” fiscal integrity rating. AI + Business: Texas A&M’s business school will host AI Venture Challenge finals Saturday, with teams using AI to accelerate learning and venture progress. Power & Data Centers: South Korea picked a Texas gas plant as its first major US investment to power AI data centers, underscoring how electricity demand is reshaping Texas development. Local Business & Food: Beef prices are forcing some Texas barbecue spots to drop brisket, but one Central Texas smokehouse says it won’t—brisket stays. Legal/Regulatory: A Texas appeals court appeared hesitant to undo a $56M plastic plant judgment tied to LyondellBasell. Community & Entrepreneurship: Paul Quinn College and The DEC Network launched a partnership with a campus satellite office and new podcast studio to back student entrepreneurs.

Texas Politics: A new Marist Poll finds Democrat James Talarico leading GOP Sen. Ken Paxton 50%-44% in the Texas Senate race, while Democrat Gina Hinojosa and Gov. Greg Abbott are in a statistical tie 49%-46%—but most voters still expect Republicans to win. Data Centers & Power: Texas is pushing back hard on the data-center boom, with Abbott halting new permits pending ERCOT grid audits as developers chase massive new electricity demand. Energy & Investment: South Korea picked a Texas natural gas plant in Encinal for its first U.S. AI data-center project under a $350B investment pledge, with final sign-off still pending. Space & Legal: A federal judge allowed a land exchange between the U.S. government and SpaceX in South Texas to move forward, despite conservation groups’ ongoing challenge. Business & Retail: Walmart opened a new Neighborhood Market in Mesquite, adding 150+ jobs, as the retailer continues major Texas investment. Markets & Tech: Meta signed a 144MW solar PPA in Texas with Apex Clean Energy, adding more renewable power to the ERCOT grid. Public Safety: Reports say an ICE officer in an Austin shooting wasn’t wearing a body camera during the incident.

Nasdaq Listing Move: Houston-based Nutex Health won approval to dual-list its shares on Nasdaq Texas, starting around Sept. 23, while keeping its Nasdaq Global Market ticker (NUTX). Industrial Real Estate: Lincoln and New York Life Investment Management will redevelop the former Greenspoint Mall site into the $150 million CityNorth Industrial Park near I-45 and Beltway 8, targeting 300 construction jobs and about 1,200 permanent jobs. Data Centers & Power Demand: Texas Gov. Abbott ordered a halt to new data center permits amid a broader state review of electricity demand, adding pressure to the fast-growing AI/crypto buildout. Rare Earth Push: Texas Land Commissioner Buckingham advanced the state’s first rare earth mining district with new mineral leases, signaling more extraction activity in West Texas. Healthcare Compliance & Privacy: TIN Comply launched TINCompliance.com to help firms manage 1099 TIN matching and deadlines as reporting thresholds rise; separately, a class-action firm is probing a reported Happy State Bank data breach affecting about 2,050 Texas residents. Local Growth: Waller County is set for another housing surge with Sandhill Reserve, a planned community of roughly 1,130 homes.

Data Centers & Power-Water Scrutiny: Gov. Greg Abbott ordered TCEQ to halt all environmental permits for new Texas data centers until ERCOT completes its grid audit, with a broader push to tighten approvals and potentially repeal tax incentives. Rare Earths & Security: Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham announced new rare earth hard-mineral leases covering 1,000+ acres in Hudspeth County, building on the Round Top push, while a U.S.-Denmark-Greenland security deal is boosting investor focus on Greenland’s critical minerals. Houston Real Estate/Deals: Leifer Properties and Endeavor Capital bought a fully leased 36,000-sq-ft small-bay industrial complex in northwest Houston, and Brownwood approved a $3.98M contract for the Bennie Houston Center renovation. Markets/Policy: Texas insurers get until Jan. 1, 2027 to update auto appraisal disclosures under SB 458. Business & Energy: New Era Energy & Digital signed a 20-year PPA for power to phase one of a Texas Critical Data Center in Ector County. Corporate Moves: Superior Energy Services agreed to acquire Denmark’s Welltec to expand robotic well intervention and completions. Local Economy: CenterPoint delivery charges are drawing fresh scrutiny from Houston-area customers as bills rise.

Energy & Trade: South Korea has picked a combined-cycle gas power plant in Encinal, Texas as its first U.S. investment under a $350B commitment, with the project pitched as commercially viable and aimed at feeding surging demand from AI data centers and semiconductor plants. Power Policy: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott also ordered a freeze on new data center permits pending audits of grid reliability and water impacts, putting more pressure on the state’s fast-growing tech buildout. Markets: Oil steadied after a four-day slide as Middle East supply worries eased and diplomacy over the U.S.-Iran conflict regained attention; gold edged up as rate fears cooled. Business & Labor: Pasadena ISD employees are pushing back on a proposed switch to TRS ActiveCare, warning premiums could jump by hundreds per month. Corporate Watch: A Wendy’s franchise operator with hundreds of locations filed for Chapter 11 to restructure while keeping restaurants open. Local Economy: Bryan/College Station tourism leaders say a summer push—anchored by Texas A&M partnerships and a state grant—generated about $69M in economic impact.

Diesel Shock to Texas Supply Chains: Record-high diesel prices are squeezing trucking companies, with economists warning the hit to consumers and freight costs could last for months. Local Labor Watch: The Texas Workforce Commission says Victoria’s job growth slipped as the labor force fell, while Texas overall added 159,000 jobs (1.1% annual growth). Energy & Markets: Oil prices eased but stayed above $100 as investors weighed Middle East supply risks and trade hopes, lifting broader stocks. Data Centers Keep Expanding: Kodiak Gas Services won a six-year deal to supply 76MW of behind-the-meter gas power to a West Texas data center, underscoring Texas’ role in AI infrastructure. Retail & Real Estate Pressure: Dallas County approved a 15.4% property tax rate increase, while Buc-ee’s announced six more store openings in 2027, including Boerne. Policy & Compliance: The Fed terminated a crypto-linked BSA/AML enforcement action involving a Texas state-chartered bank. Public Safety: Texas lawmakers learned only eight of 160 wildfire-utility companies filed required wildfire response plans.

Immigration Enforcement Clash in Austin: An ICE agent shot and wounded a Venezuelan delivery driver near Anderson Square as protests gathered, with Austin leaders demanding a fully independent probe and “third-party eyes” since local police say they don’t control the investigation. Housing Affordability Pressure: Mortgage rates climbed toward 7% (Freddie Mac: 6.95% as of Sept. 17), squeezing buyers as home prices stay high and borrowing costs remain elevated ahead of midterms. AI Data Centers vs. Community Costs: Houston-area Black churches are weighing AI data center growth, with the National Black Church Initiative backing development only if legally enforceable community benefit agreements protect jobs and the environment. Texas Business & Food Compliance: The FDA warned two Texas beverage companies over acidified-food processing and unapproved drug-style disease claims, putting compliance and labeling under the microscope. Energy & Infrastructure Watch: Elon Musk’s Boring Co. floated a “precursor Hyperloop” tunnel linking Austin and San Antonio at 200+ mph, though route, permits, and timelines are still unclear. Sustainable Fuels Industry: Velocys unveiled its AlphaCore 800 Fischer-Tropsch reactor, aiming to cut reactor counts and unit costs for larger SAF and e-fuels projects. Local Economy Signals: Texas State reported a record 47,513 fall enrollment, and Zillow data showed mixed county home-value moves across West Texas.