AGP Executive Report

College Football Poll: Texas’ huge comeback over Ohio State vaulted the Longhorns to No. 1 in the AP Top 25, while Oregon fell to No. 21 and Michigan returned at No. 19. Solheim Cup: Europe reclaimed the Solheim Cup after a fast start in Sunday singles at Bernardus, with Lottie Woad clinching the needed points and Carlota Ciganda sealing the trophy. Virginia Politics & Voting: Candidates met voters at the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber’s Hob Nob in Clarke County, with debate over the economy and school nutrition. Public Safety: A Gloucester garage-apartment fire killed three people, with oxygen tanks blamed for explosions and the victims tied to the local fire department. Local Government: Richmond’s 1% sales tax and other city priorities are set for upcoming meetings, including housing redevelopment steps for Gilpin Court. AI & Education: A watchdog report says some universities, including Virginia State University, are embedding DEI ideas into AI programs. Business/Community: A Lynchburg Italian restaurant relaunch spotlights wood-fired cooking and a 72-hour fermented pizza dough.

Local DMV Access: Page County is getting a new DMV Select at the Page County Government Center, opening Monday, Sept. 14, with services like titles, registration, hunting and fishing licenses, and E-ZPass. Public Safety: Virginia State Police are investigating a deadly I-81 crash in Frederick County involving a passenger car, a tractor-trailer, and an oxygen-tank truck; two drivers died and the passenger-car driver faces reckless driving charges. Community Health & Environment: Newport News is weighing wind-fence options after a study suggests 80-foot barriers could cut coal-dust movement by nearly 90% near Southeast Community terminals. Mental Health for Veterans: A Loudoun veteran has launched Stronghold Alliance to support veterans and first responders with mental, physical, and spiritual services. Education & 9/11 Teaching: Multiple districts and guidance efforts are pushing schools to handle 9/11 instruction carefully, including avoiding links to radical Islam. Sports (Virginia): Virginia Tech routed Old Dominion 44-21, and UVA’s Xay Davis topped 100 rushing yards in a win over Norfolk State. Solheim Cup: Team Europe reclaimed the Solheim Cup, beating the U.S. 15-13.

Public Safety: Virginia State Police investigated a deadly I-81 crash in Frederick County that killed two people after a passenger car failed to yield, struck a tractor-trailer, and triggered an oxygen-tank explosion; the driver of the car was charged with reckless driving. Community & Culture: Richmond Pride Fest drew hundreds to Midtown Green with a focus on “joy, pride and resistance,” as voters head toward a November constitutional vote on marriage equality. Local Events: Danville Community College will host Virginia Rain’s bluegrass show Sept. 25, with Ruritan club members getting free admission and canned-food donations benefiting God’s Storehouse. Education & Health: Virginia-linked news included a 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate for Guam Community College’s inaugural ADN-RN cohort, highlighting nursing pipeline growth. Higher Ed Sports: Virginia women’s field hockey rebounded to beat Liberty 2-1, while Virginia Tech rolled past Old Dominion 44-21 and Wake Forest topped Virginia 3-0 in an ACC opener. Crime & Justice: A tentative plea deal is in the works for an ex-CIA officer accused of stealing more than $40 million in gold bars, with a possible trial being avoided.

SNAP Update: Virginia is rolling out new chip-and-tap EBT cards between September and December to reduce benefit theft from skimming and cloning, with existing balances automatically moving to the new cards. Public Safety: Fairfax County may restore dedicated high school crossing guards after budget cuts, with a memo recommending carryover funds and additional safety improvements following past incidents. Environment: Old Dominion University says an algae bloom first detected in the Lafayette River in July has spread into parts of the James and York Rivers and near the Oceanfront, with researchers tracking its movement and noting potential harm when blooms grow too large. Local Economy: Gas prices in Virginia show small week-to-week shifts, including the lowest reported E85 at $3.39 in Franklin County and midgrade regular/premium price variations across multiple counties and cities. Community & Culture: Virginia Beach’s Super Girl Surf Festival drew more than 90,000 over Labor Day weekend, with competitions resuming after early wave conditions delayed events. Crime: Manassas police and U.S. Marshals arrested a 53-year-old fugitive wanted for years on child rape charges, with extradition pending to Virginia.

9/11 Commemoration: Virginia and the wider DMV marked the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 with ceremonies honoring victims and first responders, including state leaders’ calls to remember not just the day of terror but the unity that followed. Arlington Public Safety: Arlington County police are investigating a shot fired during a dispute near Courthouse Plaza, with no injuries reported and a suspect described as a man in a black shirt and camo shorts. Data Center Backlash: Amazon has withdrawn a permit request tied to groundwater pumping for a planned Virginia data center, after backlash over power and water strain. Local Governance & Growth: The Western Virginia Regional Industrial Facility Authority moved forward on a potential land sale tied to Wood Haven Technology Park, as residents pressed for clarity on any data center plans. Crime Update: A Lyft driver accused of abducting two women during a ride from Maryland to Virginia turned himself in to Prince William County police. Health & Consumer Rules: Virginia’s food industry is adjusting to new major allergen disclosure requirements for customers.

9/11 Commemoration: Americans marked the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 with ceremonies at Ground Zero and the Pentagon, including moments of silence and the reading of victims’ names; President Trump said “we will never, ever forget” and tied the remembrance to the fight against Iran. Local Spotlight: Gov. Abigail Spanberger visited Osbourn Park High School in Manassas to hear student concerns and tour career and technical education programs, including biomedical and biotechnology tracks. Public Safety: Virginia State Police are investigating a deadly I-81 crash in Frederick County involving a tractor-trailer and an oxygen-tank truck; the tanker driver died, and the oxygen-tank truck driver later succumbed to injuries. Health: The CDC says a cyclospora outbreak linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce has ended, with no further updates planned. Politics & Campaigns: Virginia’s 6th District Democratic candidate Beth Macy says federal policy, health care, farming, and costs of living drove her run.

Public Safety Expansion: Bedford County held a groundbreaking for a 15,000-square-foot expansion of the Sheriff’s Office and 911 Communications Center, adding an Emergency Operations Center and improving ADA access; the project is slated to finish by January 2028. 9/11 Remembrance in Virginia: On the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, local residents and officials shared where they were and how the day changed policing and public life, including memories from Winchester-area and Fairfax County responders. Courts & Local Government: Henrico County posted proposed budget amendments for fiscal year 2026-27, with a public hearing set for Sept. 22, while Henrico court notices included an amended order of publication tied to a divorce case and a separate foreclosure sale notice. Immigration Legal Fight: Immigrant rights groups sued the Trump administration over alleged “warrantless arrest” practices, challenging ICE enforcement in Maryland and Virginia. School Operations: Henrico schools faced HVAC problems at the start of the year, and the district’s new chief of operations laid out a five-step plan to prevent repeat failures.

Solheim Cup (Virginia tie-in): The 2026 Solheim Cup tees off Friday at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands, with Team USA aiming to retain the trophy they won in Virginia in 2024; the opener features Nelly Korda vs. Charley Hull, and the U.S. and Europe both arrive with uneven recent form. Local business: ABNB Federal Credit Union says it has cleared regulatory approvals to buy First Bank branches in Roanoke Rapids and Louisburg, with a planned Oct. 9 closing and no expected job losses. Immigration courts: Virginia Attorney General Raoul is backing a federal appeals court fight to block ICE from making warrantless arrests without required safeguards. Utility oversight: Virginia’s SCC ordered more public input for the NextEra-Dominion merger, adding three in-person hearings across the state. Public safety: A Ring camera in Henrico captured an SUV passing a stopped school bus, a reminder of the ongoing danger around bus stops. Commemoration: As Sept. 11 marks 25 years, coverage highlights how Virginians and first responders remember the day and how emergency response changed afterward.

ICWA Update: A Michigan State Law clinic director explains how the Uniform State Indian Child Welfare Act would modernize the 1978 Indian Child Welfare Act—while noting it’s not automatic state law and would require adoption by states and tribes. Public Safety: Fairfax City police say a 13-year-old on a bike was killed after a truck hit her near Pickett Road; officials urge families to slow down and talk with kids about safety. Energy Costs & Utilities: Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi held a Richmond town hall on the Dominion–NextEra merger, with residents pressing for protections for ratepayers and disabled workers. Child Welfare & Justice: A Richmond mother renews her plea for answers more than four years after her sister was murdered at a Fairfield Court apartment. Health Hiring: Naval Medical Center Portsmouth will host a direct-hire job fair Sept. 28 in Virginia Beach for clinical, admin, and tech roles. Sports: Bridgewater men’s soccer stays perfect with a 7-0 win over Southern Virginia; Ferrum College’s women’s flag football team celebrates a breakthrough inaugural season.

Election Access & Civic Notices: Lynchburg’s General Registrar announced a voter registration opportunity Sept. 15 at Randolph College (11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.), urging eligible residents to register or update before deadlines. Constitutional Amendments Town Hall: NAACP branches in Mathews and nearby counties will hold a 6 p.m. Tuesday town hall on three proposed Virginia Constitution amendments covering reproductive freedom, marriage equality, and voting rights restoration. Courts & Immigration: A Virginia judge tossed most claims in an EB-5 investors’ fraud suit tied to a “doomed” hotel redevelopment project. Public Safety: Virginia State Police reported a fatal I-81 crash Sept. 5 involving a Ford Explorer that struck a tractor-trailer near Lexington; the driver died at the scene. Local Culture: Washington and Lee’s art museum is showcasing the early roots of its collection in “150 Years: A Collection Begins,” running through May 29, 2027. Community & Environment: The Smith Mountain Lake Association’s annual meeting Sept. 24 will spotlight water quality and recreation, with state natural resources secretary David Bulova as guest speaker. Transit: Hampton Roads Transit topped 10 million riders in the latest fiscal year, the first time since the pandemic.

ICE Detainer & Arrest Fight: A Colorado AG urged a federal appeals court to keep limits on ICE warrantless arrests, arguing unlawful detentions harm workers and businesses—an issue that echoes in Virginia coverage of ICE actions tied to local cases. Data Centers & Costs: Virginia’s 10th District Rep. Suhas Subramanyam unveiled a national plan to force data centers to cover infrastructure impacts and measure water and power use, aiming to stop utility costs from landing on households. Dominion Merger Review: Virginia groups are pushing for more public, in-person hearings as the state reviews the Dominion-NextEra deal, with advocates seeking a do-over vote. Public Safety & Courts: A Prince William County case over a fatal First Friday shooting spotlights why a suspect with repeated charges was allegedly released before the killing. Local Environment: Virginia’s wild ginseng season is underway, with rules on age, stem scars, and replanting; and box tree moths remain a growing threat to boxwoods. Sports: Michael Vick returns to Virginia football as Norfolk State hosts UVa, setting up a high-profile matchup for the Spartans.

Public Safety & Tech: VCU will test its emergency alert system Wednesday at noon, including outdoor sirens, Alertus boxes, mass texts/emails, digital signs, and the LiveSafe app. Transportation: Route 11 widening in Rockingham County starts Sept. 9, with lane closures during shoulder work and a later phase to expand the remaining one-lane stretches. Local Government & Housing: A council housing authority approved buying nine new-build homes to reduce a waiting list of more than 1,000. Health Care: Fredericksburg Christian Health Center is expanding access to mental health care through a partnership with the Virginia Telemental Health Initiative. Business & Community: Sunshine Tours in Dublin is closing after 45 years, citing higher costs and fewer passengers. Courts & Crime: A Norfolk jury convicted Steven Edward Williams Jr. of murder in the killing of a childhood friend after an argument over a television. Sports (Virginia): Four-star DB Nate Dollard visited Virginia Tech and left impressed after watching the Hokies’ 73-3 win over VMI.

Economy & Jobs: A new “America’s Top States for Business” study puts North Carolina at No. 1 overall and flags Texas as a close No. 2 in the economy category, while warning that quality-of-life and housing pressures could bite. Public Safety: Virginia State Police issued a critically missing adult alert for Bedford-area resident Lyvetta Garystein Coyle, last seen Sept. 4. Higher Education: Virginia’s colleges are still feeling the squeeze, with a Lynchburg student describing how major cuts and staffing shortages can delay graduation. Energy & Infrastructure: Virginia Tech landed three new U.S. Health and Human Services grants, including work on sound-imaging tech, yellow fever mosquito research, and dementia caregiver support. Politics: Sen. Mark Warner visited JMU to back Beth Macy in VA-06, framing the race as tied to broader democratic stakes. Transportation: Amtrak plans to suspend Virginia-to-D.C. service for critical track upgrades in October. Local Life: A new Wawa opened in Middletown, bringing 24/7 service to the I-81 corridor. Courts & Immigration: The Justice Department challenged multiple states over in-state tuition rules for illegal immigrants, arguing they unfairly favor noncitizens.

Water Rights in Court: A federal appeals court ruled there’s no constitutional right to clean drinking water, rejecting Jackson, Mississippi residents’ claims that lead-contaminated water violated bodily integrity. Labor and AI: At Labor Day Mass, Cardinal Robert W. McElroy warned that AI could reshape work and urged protecting workers’ dignity and meaningful employment. Public Safety: Four Virginia State Troopers received Valor awards for actions during a pursuit and other incidents. Transportation Safety: Three people died in an I-66 Express Lanes crash involving a truck carrying oxygen tanks; investigators charged reckless driving in the lead-up events. Energy Costs: Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi launched an energy listening tour in Northern Virginia, tying rising bills to the proposed Dominion-NextEra merger, data-center growth, and grid strain. Education Equity: Norfolk’s six-year bachelor’s completion rate for Black students was 40.8% for the 2018 cohort, below the statewide rate. Transit Disruption: Amtrak will suspend Virginia-to-Washington service Oct. 16–26 for major track upgrades, with many trips replaced by buses. Local Search: Authorities found a deceased person believed to be missing Purcellville resident Carolyn Taylor.

Energy Costs & Utilities: Virginia Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi is taking her energy-cost listening tour to Hampton Roads as the State Corporation Commission weighs the proposed Dominion Energy–NextEra merger, pressing for assurances that bills won’t keep climbing. Public Health: Virginia health officials are tracking a small uptick in rabies cases around Richmond, including a bat case and a skunk case, urging pet owners to stay current on vaccinations. Transportation Safety: One person died in a fatal multi-vehicle crash on westbound I-66 Express Lanes in Fairfax County involving an oxygen-transport truck and an explosion; investigators are still working the scene. Housing Innovation: A federal housing law change is drawing manufactured-housing advocates, including removing the requirement for a permanent chassis to spur new designs and reduce stigma. Local Business: Fredericksburg’s Always Flavored marks six years in business, expanding retail and wholesale reach and becoming a Sysco vendor. Sports (Virginia): Virginia Tech opened James Franklin’s era with a 73-3 rout of VMI, while Virginia’s college teams posted wins and VCU’s men’s soccer fell to No. 15 Marshall.

Energy & Data Centers: A PJM capacity auction for 2028-29 fell short by nearly 6.8 gigawatts, with data centers blamed for driving rapid load growth—raising the odds of higher electricity costs for Virginians. Local Governance & Housing: Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s new Commission on Unlocking Housing Production held its first meeting in Richmond, aiming to cut housing costs by boosting supply and reviewing state rules that slow construction. Public Safety: A veteran fraud investigator and UVa grad was named Virginia’s inspector general, adding another layer of oversight to state government. Northern Virginia Leadership: Arlington’s Tiffanye Wesley became the first Black woman deputy fire chief in Northern Virginia, a milestone after she previously broke barriers as battalion chief. Crime & Community: Richmond police reported an overnight shooting on Jennie Scher Road that left one adult injured; investigators are asking for tips. Scams Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data put Glasgow among 115 Virginia cities tied for 84th after recording one scam report in July.