AGP Executive Report

Healthcare Cost Transparency: The Trump administration warned more than 500 hospitals to post required pricing data, with penalties up to $2 million per year for noncompliance, as officials push tighter enforcement of the 2019 price-transparency order. Food & Agriculture Policy: A multistate coalition led by New York AG Letitia James urged Congress to restore SNAP benefits and protections in the Farm Bill, arguing recent cuts are driving hunger and shifting costs to states. Delaware Workforce & Hiring: Delaware will hold a statewide jobs career fair in Wilmington today, connecting adult job seekers to state government roles and including a dedicated block for participants supported by vocational rehabilitation. Delaware Public Safety & Industry Theft: Delaware State Police arrested a North Carolina man for felony copper-wire theft from a solar construction site in Laurel, after investigators linked scrap runs to the stolen wire. Retail Food Growth: Rancher’s Premium Smokehouse is expanding onto select Grocery Outlet shelves across Washington, California, Oregon and Pennsylvania, signaling continued momentum for value-focused meat brands. Gun Safety & Manufacturing: States including New Jersey and others are tightening rules on 3D-printed, untraceable firearms, targeting digital gun-design files and printer use. Delaware Water Watch: Delaware’s climatologists warn the state may be sliding toward a flash drought as groundwater conditions respond to prolonged below-average precipitation.

Pharma Manufacturing: WuXi AppTec is expanding its drug development and manufacturing capacity across the U.S., Switzerland, Singapore and China, aiming to give customers more site options while keeping a single quality system. Education Funding: Appoquinimink is seeking $47 million in state support to finish its Summit High School campus, arguing current state capital allocations fall short for the planned schools. Healthcare Costs: The Trump administration warned more than 500 hospitals to post clearer pricing or face penalties up to $2 million annually, pushing tighter enforcement of price transparency rules. Life Sciences Logistics: Delaware County’s American Expediting Logistics is permanently closing, with 86 Delaware-area jobs among the layoffs. Housing: Reese Apartments in Felton opened as a 48-unit affordable community, reaching full occupancy quickly and highlighting ongoing statewide demand. Agriculture & Wildlife: Deer are damaging crops along the Maryland-Delaware line, with growers reporting major losses and DNREC rolling out updated deer tracking. Local Government Tech: Delaware municipal leaders launched a statewide AI committee to guide responsible AI use in government operations. Energy & Agriculture Relief: SBA disaster loans are available in Delaware and neighboring states after an April freeze hurt early-blooming crops.

Mortgage & Real Estate Courts: Delaware Chancery Court backed a lender in a dispute over disputed second mortgages tied to apartment properties, rejecting claims the liens were invalid. Corporate Deal Litigation: A proposed $4.35M settlement is nearing in a Delaware stockholder suit over National Holdings’ 2021 sale to B. Riley. Patent Law for Pharma: The U.S. Supreme Court clarified the standard for pleading induced patent infringement in Hikma v. Amarin, tightening what plaintiffs must allege about “active steps” and eliminating “obvious alternative” explanations. Housing Development: Reese Apartments opened in Felton with 48 affordable units fully leased in six weeks, highlighting continued Kent County demand. Environment & Boating Access: DNREC dredging near Millsboro will pair navigation improvements with tidal wetland restoration, running through March 2027. Defense Tech M&A: Draganfly completed its acquisition of Skip Dynamix, adding low-cost fixed-wing autonomous drone capabilities. Local Business & Marketing: Wilmington ad firm Advertising is Simple promoted Elena Filipone to Marketing Operations and Creative Director. Crypto Regulation: Delaware and New Jersey advanced bills to ban crypto ATMs amid fraud complaints and reported losses.

Crypto & Consumer Protection: Delaware and New Jersey advanced bills to ban crypto ATMs after FBI data tied kiosks to heavy fraud losses, with Delaware’s HB 441 pushing machines offline and requiring removal within 90 days. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Delaware lawmakers are weighing broader traffic camera powers, including more locations and more violation types, while local police could install cameras and keep fine revenue for program costs. Energy & Grid: A $250M battery storage project in Virginia highlights fast-growing PJM-region storage demand that can dispatch power to tens of thousands of homes. Logistics & Packaging: New forecasts from Wilmington-based research projects global pallets growth to $122.3B by 2030, driven by sustainable packaging and steady warehousing and shipping activity. Delaware Courts & Business: A Delaware federal patent case saw a $25M verdict against Ferring, while other Delaware-related legal fights continue in bankruptcy and energy asset wind-down disputes. AI Governance: A leaked bulletin reportedly linked AI data center protests to extremism concerns, raising alarms about how routine opposition is being treated.

Healthcare Compliance: The Trump administration warned more than 500 hospitals nationwide—including Christiana Hospital in Delaware—over missing public price information, with penalties up to $2 million annually unless they post clear pricing plans. Housing & Infrastructure: Delaware lawmakers introduced the ROAD-DE Act to speed up permitting for housing and development, including a new statewide transportation impact fee program for road and intersection upgrades. Port & Public Accountability: Questions are mounting over Delaware funding for the Port of Wilmington’s Edgemoor project after officials wouldn’t say where an extra $110 million would come from. Energy & Transportation Costs: Gas prices in Delaware County hit a reported low of $4.19 for premium during the week ending May 30, as fuel costs keep tracking refinery and oil-market swings. Automotive Safety: Honda recalled about 880,000 SUVs and related models over rear subframe rust risk, including vehicles registered in Delaware. Public Health & Consumer Tech: N-Zyme Biomedical began a Phase 2 trial for a pepsin inhibitor targeting reflux disease, aiming at symptoms not addressed by acid-suppressing drugs. Sexual Wellness Retail: nixit launched vagina-friendly condoms in nearly 2,000 Walmart stores, pushing ingredient-conscious merchandising into mainstream retail.

Healthcare Compliance: The Trump administration is warning more than 500 hospitals nationwide—including Christiana Hospital in Delaware and Rockford Center in Newark—that they must post clearer pricing or face penalties up to $2 million annually, with enforcement expected to tighten. Public Health & Food Safety: A Salmonella outbreak tied to moringa leaf powder supplements has expanded to 119 cases across 36 states, prompting FDA-linked recalls of additional lots from Total Nutrition Inc. Delaware Policy & Consumer Protection: Delaware lawmakers are pushing a total ban on cryptocurrency kiosks after lawmakers cited more than $26 million lost to scams involving Bitcoin ATMs. Ports & Local Economy: Questions are resurfacing around the Port of Wilmington’s Edgemoor expansion as community groups seek more transparency on jobs, environmental impact, and project viability. Energy & Utilities: A Pennsylvania House committee advanced a utility rates bill aimed at limiting utilities’ rate-of-return, while Delaware continues work on energy efficiency programs. Agriculture: A Virginia wheat tour reported frost and drought damage, with Delaware included in the broader Mid-Atlantic assessment. Business & Finance: Applied Digital priced $1.59B in senior secured notes to fund a major data center expansion in North Dakota, underscoring continued AI infrastructure investment.

Small Business Pressure: NFIB says small businesses are raising prices at the highest level since 2023 and cutting back on job-creation plans, with Delaware cited as profits fall as gas and shipping costs rise. Healthcare Costs & Compliance: The Trump administration warned 500+ hospitals to post clearer pricing or face up to $2M in annual penalties; Delaware-area readers will note the broader push for price transparency. Food & Agriculture: The Food Bank of Delaware kicks off a 20-week community supported agriculture program with weekly Newark and Milford pickups starting June 25, supporting hunger relief statewide. Construction & Infrastructure: A Lewes landowner won $4.238M after a jury found DelDOT undervalued property for the Minos Conaway Road project. Energy & Grid Flexibility: Peak Power added board members as battery storage demand accelerates amid grid constraints. Tech & Data Centers: Delaware policy debate continues as bills would require data centers to bring their own power, while broader market reports point to fast growth in ITSM, Linux, and unsupervised learning. Legal/Business: A Delaware Chancery case involving arbitration under state law and a separate patent “skinny label” induced-infringement ruling highlight ongoing Delaware’s role in major commercial disputes.

Delaware Data Centers & Power Rules: Delaware lawmakers are moving to reshape how data centers handle electricity during outages, with a bill that would require on-site generation and cost-sharing for grid upgrades, as new proposals could double the state’s power demand. AI Governance & Compliance: A UK founder published open-access working papers laying out an operational standard for AI governance ahead of the EU AI Act’s August 2026 enforcement. Energy Operations: VAALCO Energy says production has resumed at its Baobab field after a successful FPSO refurbishment, with more wells expected to come online. Corporate Finance: Cipher Digital priced $810M of senior secured notes to fund a data center project, while Greystone Housing Impact Investors announced CFO leadership changes. Patent Law for Pharma: The U.S. Supreme Court tightened the standard for “skinny label” induced infringement, raising the bar for brand-name claims and strengthening generic defenses. Immigration & Tech Hiring: A federal judge struck down Trump’s $100,000 H-1B fee as an unlawful tax, setting up an appeal. Local Delaware Policy: Newark council members backed making Delaware’s electronic speed camera system permanent, while expressing skepticism about a separate “Homeless Bill of Rights.” Delaware Courts & Business: A Delaware Chancery case highlighted how a CEO’s ChatGPT use can affect motive and pretext in contract disputes. Delaware Industry Leadership: Seaford’s Mike Vincent was named chairman of the Delaware Industrial Accident Board.

Delaware Courts & Arbitration: The 4th Circuit reversed a lower court and said a non-signatory can enforce a TCPA arbitration clause as a third-party beneficiary under Delaware law, a reminder for Delaware-linked “Terms of Use” setups. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports Delaware County premium E15 hit $3.89 at one station (week ending May 30), while premium gas in Delaware County ranged up to $5.47 on average—fuel costs still tied to refinery outages and global oil disruptions. Construction & Infrastructure: Tulsa’s East 3rd St. will close in phases for a $2.6M waterline and road rehab project, with milling, patching, and repaving scheduled through late fall. Local Business & Hospitality: A Delaware-registered entity bought a downtown Donaldsonville hotel/restaurant for about $2.25M; the property is expected to reopen within two weeks under new Korean investment. Delaware Industry Watch: Dogfish Head Alehouse’s Reston Town Center return is now slated for an October opening, extending the Delaware-based brewery’s licensing footprint. Legal/Deals: WWE’s Delaware Chancery merger trial was canceled after an agreement in principle to settle. Insurance Milestone: Bridgefield family of workers’ comp carriers marks 30 years, highlighting growth across the Southeast, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic.

Delaware Agriculture: The Delaware Department of Agriculture updated import rules for warm-blooded animals from Texas after a New World Screwworm detection near San Antonio, requiring an Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection issued within 72 hours and warning that animals with screwworm won’t be allowed into the state. Energy & Fuel Markets: Diesel prices in Delaware County hit a weekly low of $4.69 per gallon (week ending May 30), while Kent County saw the lowest premium gas at $4.45 and regular gas prices continued to cool nationally as supply and refinery issues eased. Health & Food Safety: Idaho health officials are investigating a raw milk outbreak tied to two dairies that has sickened 60 people, underscoring the risks of unpasteurized dairy. Business & Finance: GoHealth, a Medicare-focused health insurance marketplace, filed for a voluntary prepackaged Chapter 11 restructuring in Delaware to transition ownership to lenders and keep operations running. Courts & Delaware Watch: A WWE shareholder lawsuit trial in Delaware Chancery was canceled after an agreement in principle, with settlement approval expected later. Housing & Local Policy: A developer in Richmond is using Virginia’s new ADU rules to build backyard cottages fast, reflecting how accessory dwelling policy can quickly reshape housing supply.

SNAP Funding Fight: A federal judge blocked USDA from enforcing new SNAP conditions tied to gender, immigration, and “fair athletic opportunities,” pausing billions in funding requirements while states challenge them as vague and unlawful. Delaware Agriculture: Delaware Department of Agriculture updated warm-blooded animal import rules after New World Screwworm was detected in Texas, requiring a veterinary inspection certificate within 72 hours and banning infested animals. Housing Supply Push: Richmond’s ADU boom shows how backyard cottages can scale fast—nearly 117 accessory dwelling units permitted since citywide by-right zoning, with a developer targeting 100 builds. Energy & Fuel Watch: Gas prices keep cooling in parts of Delaware’s region, with reported diesel and premium figures dropping week over week. EV Retail Shakeup: Bezos-backed Slate Auto is reportedly lining up with Carvana for sales ahead of its late-2026 EV pickup launch. Livestock & Trade Risk: The Screwworm update underscores how quickly animal health rules can change when pests cross borders. AI Adoption Snapshot: Microsoft data finds Vermont near the bottom for AI tool use, with lower adoption in manufacturing, agriculture, mining, oil and gas, and construction-heavy counties.

Delaware Agriculture & Biosecurity: The Delaware Department of Agriculture updated import rules for warm-blooded animals from Texas after a New World Screwworm detection, requiring an Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection within 72 hours and banning animals found infested. Food Assistance Legal Fight: A federal judge temporarily blocked USDA from enforcing new SNAP funding conditions tied to gender and immigration positions, pausing the move while states challenge it. Delaware Courts & Pharma Competition: The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously backed Hikma in the “skinny label” dispute over Amarin’s Vascepa, a win that could shape how generic drugmakers face induced-infringement claims. Local Business & Real Estate: Incyte’s Wilmington office sale generated only about 10 cents in real estate taxes, raising questions about valuation and the scaled-back expansion plan. Energy & Utilities: Delmarva Power proposed expanded energy efficiency programs for Delaware, as electricity price growth and grid investment pressures keep climbing. Community Finance: Community Bank Delaware marked its 20th anniversary, highlighting local lending and Sussex County-focused growth.

Energy & Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports Delaware County diesel hit a week low of $5.55/gal (week ending May 30), while Kent County’s lowest premium price was $4.45/gal; E85 in Delaware County dipped to $3.24/gal, as national fuel volatility continues to track global oil and refinery conditions. Auto Retail Shake-Up: TechCrunch says Carvana received a Delaware warrant tied to Jeff Bezos-backed Slate Auto, as Slate readies EV pickup sales and Carvana positions itself to reshape how vehicles get marketed and sold. Delaware Courts & Pharma: The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Hikma v. Amarin that “skinny label” generics weren’t liable for induced infringement based on standard FDA labeling—an important win for generic competition. State Policy & Business Compliance: Delaware’s privacy law is poised to expand via House Bill 380, adding new obligations for employers using AI in hiring and workforce tools starting Jan. 1, 2027. Local Economy & Finance: Community Bank Delaware marked its 20th anniversary, highlighting continued Sussex County lending and community giving. Biotech Leadership: Corrixr Therapeutics named veteran pharma executive Hilary Malone as CEO as its CRISPR program advances toward clinical filings.

Banking & Community: Community Bank Delaware marked its 20th anniversary, celebrating two decades of local ownership and lending in Sussex County, with continued support for small businesses and local nonprofits. Energy Costs: New data shows residential electricity prices climbing fast in parts of the U.S.; the map highlights big jumps in the Mid-Atlantic and the role of grid investment and demand. Delaware Power Planning: Delmarva Power filed to expand energy efficiency programs for 2027-2029, targeting tens of thousands of megawatt-hours in annual electric savings and additional natural gas reductions. Biotech Leadership: Corrixr Therapeutics named pharma veteran Hilary Malone as CEO as the company pushes its CRISPR-based cancer program toward an investigational new drug filing. Delaware Courts & Business: The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously backed Hikma in a “skinny label” patent fight involving Amarin’s Vascepa, a ruling that could reshape generic drug litigation. Corporate Governance: Delaware Chancery Court recommended Paramount Global turn over more board materials in stockholder scrutiny of the Skydance deal. Local Industry & Jobs: Alstom plans a $55M Newark investment to convert a former warehouse into an Amtrak maintenance and services site for future fastest trains. Privacy & Work Tech: Delaware lawmakers are moving to expand the state privacy law, including new obligations tied to AI tools used in hiring and workforce analytics.

Energy & Permitting: The Trump administration is set for another Arctic National Wildlife Refuge oil and gas lease sale, with conservation groups warning of financial and reputational risks while drilling supporters pitch new U.S. production and jobs. Delaware Utilities: Delmarva Power filed a proposal to expand 2027–2029 energy efficiency programs, targeting tens of thousands of megawatt-hours in annual electric savings and natural gas reductions. Consumer Safety: Reports to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission describe exploding glass oven doors on multiple electric and gas ranges, including frequent Frigidaire models. Delaware Policy & Health: Lawmakers advanced two proposals to curb energy drink access and add warnings for kids and teens, including a ban on sales at public school campuses. Delaware Courts: Gov. Matt Meyer nominated Vice Chancellor Morgan Zurn to fill a Delaware Supreme Court vacancy. Business & Jobs: The U.S. job market added 172,000 jobs in May and kept unemployment at 4.3%, while a judge blocked a Trump asylum freeze affecting dozens of countries. Agriculture: Delmarva wheat growers report mixed harvest expectations after drought and a late-April freeze. Chesapeake Bay: Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week runs June 6–14 with a statewide calendar and social media toolkit. Legal/Industry: A $15 million lawsuit tied to Summit Carbon Solutions’ pipeline plans is moving toward trial in Delaware. Energy Prices: AAA says national gas prices fell again, while Delaware diesel hit a week low in New Castle County.

Biopharma Expansion in Delaware: WuXi AppTec says its new Middletown, Delaware drug-manufacturing site will start oral solid dosage work in Q4 2026, with sterile and injectable production following in Q4 2027, as the CRDMO boosts global capex by at least 17% to meet rising demand for peptides and oligonucleotides. Energy Policy Watch: The Trump administration’s next Alaska oil-and-gas lease sale for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge hits a fresh test Friday, with conservation groups warning of financial and reputational risks and supporters pitching potential jobs and new U.S. oil output. Private Markets Stress: Reuters reports Partners Group is flagging higher withdrawal requests and may cap a second fund, while Blackstone already capped withdrawals at a flagship private credit pool—signaling broader strain across open-ended private credit and private equity. Delaware Courts & IP: A Delaware federal judge trimmed two patents from Harbour Medical’s case against an Amgen unit ahead of trial, calling key mouse-antibody claims “nonsensical,” while other Delaware patent fights continue to narrow. Local Business & Construction: D.R. Horton and Forestar urge Delaware Chancery Court to toss a lot-deal shareholder suit, and PennDOT plans a major bridge replacement on U.S. 1 over Darby Creek in Delaware County, starting this fall. Air Quality Alert: Delaware is under a Code Orange ozone action day Friday, with DNREC urging sensitive groups to limit outdoor activity.