AGP Executive Report

Carnegie Mellon’s $3B Miami push: Citadel CEO Ken Griffin says his $2B investment will help build CMU’s new Wynwood campus, with AI and cybersecurity at the center—while students question how Pittsburgh funds will be used. Nuclear upgrade tied to AI demand: Maryland’s Calvert Cliffs nuclear plant is set for major uprates after an Amazon-linked power deal, aiming to boost output by about 10%. Pennsylvania travel planning update: DVRPC is launching a new household travel survey for the Philly region to refresh how people move and guide the next decade of transportation funding. Health care policy in motion: Pa. lawmakers advanced a bill requiring patients be told when AI is used in health care decisions. Biotech in the spotlight (PA): SAB Biotherapeutics will present new type 1 diabetes immunotherapy data at a Philadelphia congress. Energy + solar financing: CleanChoice Energy closed about $166M for two solar projects, including a Pennsylvania site expected to come online in 2027. Public safety reminder: AAA warns Delaware and the Philly area to watch for deer during peak fall mating season, especially at dawn and dusk.

Measles in Pennsylvania: The state reported a fifth measles-associated death in 2026, with Lancaster County again at the center of the outbreak as cases climb toward a thousand and most patients are unvaccinated. AI in schools: A new report says student use of generative AI is fueling cheating concerns and mistrust, leaving teachers stuck policing AI workarounds. AI governance in Pennsylvania health care: A Pennsylvania House bill would require patients to be told when AI is used for clinical decisions, plus human review rules when AI affects benefit terminations. Data centers vs. ratepayers: The Senate blocked a bill meant to protect households and small businesses from data center electricity costs, setting up another fight over who pays for grid upgrades. Drug pricing settlement: Wyoming AG Kautz urged consumers to check eligibility and file claims tied to a multistate generic drug antitrust settlement. Biotech update: Penn-based CytoAgents presented new preclinical CTO1681 data for atopic dermatitis at the EADV Congress. Water planning: DRBC released a screening report on surface water availability across Delaware River Basin tributaries, flagging where deeper study is needed for drought readiness. Cyber/consumer tech: The FCC voted to change robocall/text opt-out rules, moving away from a one-size-fits-all “revoke-all” approach. Local tech & industry: NASCIO honored 11 state technology projects, highlighting AI and cybersecurity efforts. Spotted lanternfly scam: Pennsylvania AG sued an Idaho man accused of selling fake permits and training tied to lanternfly eradication.

AI & Automation in PA: TestingXperts won UiPath’s 2026 Americas Agentic Testing Pioneer Partner of the Year, highlighting AI-led quality engineering and “autonomous assurance” work. Higher Ed Funding: Citadel CEO Ken Griffin pledged $3B to Carnegie Mellon—$1B for Pittsburgh and $2B to launch CMU Miami focused on societal challenges. Cyber/Privacy & Health: Pennsylvania Senate advanced a bill banning “nudification” AI photo apps, with app stores required to remove access quickly after notice. Public Health: Measles cases keep climbing; Pennsylvania’s outbreak is still outpacing CDC counts, with travel-related exposures reported. Data Centers & Policy: A new coalition of AI firms, investors, and unions is pushing states (including Pennsylvania) toward stricter standards instead of moratoriums as public opposition grows. Energy & Environment: Penn State researchers found low radium levels in limited shallow aquifer samples near fracking sites, but flagged salinity concerns and sampling gaps. Healthcare Policy: UPMC agreed to end pediatric gender-affirming care, raising alarm among advocates.

Data Centers Policy Push: Pa. lawmakers advanced bills targeting data-center deals, including a ban on public-agency NDAs and limits on treating data centers as public utilities. Surveillance Oversight: Seattle’s CCTV expansion decision could slip after a miscommunication over when an independent audit will land, while broader reviews of police surveillance tools continue. Public Safety Tech in PA: Columbia Borough expanded its wireless community video network, using Milestone software to manage dozens of camera feeds across municipal sites. AI Governance: Big AI firms and leaders signed a voluntary White House safety accord, aiming for internal and external reviews of frontier models. Cybersecurity: The hacking group ShinyHunters claimed it stole sensitive FBI data, raising alarms about government breach risk. Health & Research: A Penn-led trial found culturally tailored meals reduced heart-failure hospitalizations and ER visits; WHO recommended 2027 southern-hemisphere flu vaccine components. Invasive Species: Spotted lanternfly is spreading deeper in the Finger Lakes, threatening vineyards. Local Industry: Shapiro’s team highlighted DrinkPAK’s $195M Philadelphia expansion, tied to 174+ jobs. STEM Leadership: Astrophysicist France A. Córdova named the 2026 Nierenberg Prize recipient.

Geothermal Policy Push: Project InnerSpace’s 501(c)(4) InnerSpace Action named Drew Nelson executive director to expand geothermal advocacy, including wins already reached in Pennsylvania and five other states. Physical AI in Pittsburgh: Astribot brought its cable-driven T1 humanoid and “Design for AI” approach to North America at IROS 2026 in Pittsburgh. Admissions Automation Watch: EDMO released “The State of Automation in Admissions 2026,” finding most schools still rely on manual transcript/credit review, with staffing and fraud concerns rising. AI Safety Liability Push: Advocates urged Pennsylvania lawmakers to pair AI safety rules with state product-liability laws for harms. Public Safety Tech in PA: OMNIQ’s Q Shield™ Safe City platform is launching in two Pennsylvania municipalities for vehicle registration enforcement. Mining Safety Tech: Conspec Controls rolled out a new Red Outstation controller and updated Optio G multi-gas monitor for underground mining. Biotech Funding: Pittsburgh-based ai3Bio raised $48M to pursue “immune reset” therapies for autoimmune diseases. Health Research: Penn researchers reported uterus transplants are yielding improving, more replicable outcomes, with 70% achieving at least one live birth. Measles Warning: A study warns that if Florida relaxes school vaccine rules, measles could surge nationwide—relevant as Pennsylvania faces rising cases.

Pennsylvania Measles Surge: The state reported 903 measles cases this year, topping 900 as outbreaks spread from rural Lancaster County into the Philadelphia suburbs, with health officials warning counts may be low and urging higher vaccination coverage. Medetomidine in the Opioid Supply: Penn Medicine researchers found withdrawal from the veterinary sedative medetomidine mixed into illicit opioids has surged, with severe cases needing ICU-level care. Data Centers vs. Communities: Archbald held hearings on a proposed natural gas power plant and seven data centers, while Pennsylvania lawmakers also faced calls to regulate automated license plate readers amid privacy concerns. AI, Power, and Politics: Big AI and private equity firms teamed with unions to push states toward data center standards and avoid moratoriums. Early Childhood STEM in PA: PennWest reopened the Rutledge Institute for Early Childhood Education after a $5.5M renovation, adding STEM labs and expanding enrollment. Reproductive Health Research: NIH-funded work at Penn will study how PFAS, PBDEs, and heavy metals affect fertility and pregnancy.

Rare-earth magnets for drones: The U.S. Army picked Vulcan Elements to supply rare-earth magnets for SkyFoundry’s small drones, aiming for domestic magnet production as China dominates rare-earth processing. Power-grid upgrades for AI demand: The DOE announced $1.9B in SPARK grants to reconductor and add “grid-enhancing” tech, targeting 23 GW of extra capacity for data centers and other loads. Biotech investment readiness: A U.S. BioTech Day panel at Valley Forge will tackle why “good science” still isn’t enough for early-stage biotech to become investable. Space tech setback: NASA’s Swift rescue attempt ended when the Link spacecraft burned up after a failed capture/boost mission. Penn higher-ed governance: Penn Trustees discussed financial resilience after FY26 results showed a $636M operating margin, plus Wharton leadership extensions. AI in classrooms: West Chester University professors are grappling with student AI use amid a lack of an official AI policy. Local housing pressure: Philadelphia’s rent affordability debate spotlights how bans on algorithmic rent pricing haven’t stopped prices from rising. Health leadership: Mariko Kita was named Huntington Health’s new chief medical officer.

Measles Surge in Pennsylvania: CDC data show the worst U.S. domestic measles outbreak since 1991 is accelerating, with falling MMR coverage leaving many children unprotected; Pennsylvania public health teams are pushing targeted Amish door-to-door re-education and on-site vaccinations. Cancer Care Updates (NRG Oncology): New SPPORT trial analysis suggests PAM50 tumor testing (Luminal B) could help identify prostate cancer patients who benefit most from adding short-term hormone therapy to salvage radiation; separate NRG-GU003 results find a shorter 25-fraction post-surgery radiation schedule delivers similar long-term control and patient-reported outcomes, with some higher physician-reported urinary side effects. Grid Strain From Data Centers: A Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission report warns data center growth could raise outage risk in the Philadelphia region, with potential blackouts in worst-case scenarios; DOE also announced major funding to expand transmission capacity. Local Data Center Pushback: Newport Township residents packed a meeting to question proposed data centers and new gas generation after zoning permits surfaced. Space Tech Inspiration: Filipino “analog astronauts” met President Marcos to promote careers in space science and technology. Health Policy & Access: Delaware County launched a doula directory to expand maternity support, including Medicaid-covered services. Storm Disruptions: A nor’easter brought flooding and power outages across the Northeast, including thousands without electricity in Pennsylvania.

Medicaid in Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania is preparing its systems for Medicaid changes coming in 2027, with benefit recipients facing more frequent eligibility checks that could add burden for people with disabilities and chronic illness. AI and education: A new report highlights how teens are using AI for schoolwork without clear teacher guidelines, raising concerns that generative tools become shortcuts instead of learning aids. Student mental health: Penn State researchers say teen suicide prevention starts earlier than crisis hotlines, pointing to stronger family, school, and community connection as protective. Solar for schools: Unionville High School in Kennett Square flipped on a 650-kilowatt rooftop solar array, while Universal Audenried Charter High School in Philly is preparing a 350-kilowatt system that doubles as an engineering classroom. Grid and data centers: The U.S. is investing about $19B to modernize the electricity grid for AI data centers, as load growth strains regions and raises reliability questions. Delaware County doulas: Delaware County launched an online doula directory and training initiative to expand maternity support in suburbs after major birth-center closures.

AI and Work in NEPA: New regional data says 44,000+ jobs in the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre area are “AI-exposed,” with the biggest risk to routine admin and repetitive info work—more likely augmentation than full job loss. Grid Upgrades for AI Data Centers: The U.S. DOE is committing about $19B to modernize the electricity grid for AI-driven data center demand, aiming to speed transmission, substations, and new generation connections. Solar for Schools in Pennsylvania: Unionville High School in Kennett Square flipped on a 650-kilowatt rooftop solar array, while Philadelphia’s Universal Audenried Charter High School prepares a 350-kilowatt system tied to hands-on engineering learning. Energy Reliability vs. Coal: After a court setback, the Energy Department renewed orders keeping two coal plants open longer, arguing reliability and costs are at stake. Measles Watch in PA: Lancaster County remains a hotspot with hundreds of cases and measles-associated deaths, as health officials and communities push vaccination ahead of flu season. Underground Railroad Find: A hidden crawl-space under a Quaker meeting house in Pennsylvania’s region is tied to Underground Railroad activity, discovered during restoration planning.

Penn Construction: Penn’s $520 million David Rittenhouse Lab overhaul will replace much of the aging 1950s building with a 325,000-square-foot Penn Discovery Commons, aiming to modernize lab and classroom space for math, physics, and astronomy. AI & Privacy: A new wave of lawsuits targets website “pixels” and tracking tools, raising fresh questions about how tech firms handle user data and what legal accountability should look like. Energy Grid: The U.S. Department of Energy is set to spend about $2B on power-grid upgrades using smarter monitoring to add capacity and reduce blackout risk as AI-driven demand grows. Data Centers & Jobs: A Pennsylvania-focused report warns data-center expansion may repeat past patterns of exploiting host communities, with limited job growth evidence. Public Health: Lancaster County remains a measles hotspot, with health officials urging families to protect infants ahead of flu season. STEM Education: Penn and other schools keep leaning on engagement surveys like NSSE to guide improvements, while local districts review curriculum and wellness policies. Opioid Threat: A new synthetic opioid, cychlorphine, has been detected in 18 states, including Pennsylvania, linked to dozens of deaths in East Tennessee.

Grid Modernization: The U.S. Department of Energy is putting $2 billion into smart upgrades for the electric grid, including projects in Pennsylvania that could help manage AI-driven power demand and reduce blackout risk. Genomics Breakthrough: Penn-linked researchers unveiled ERVmancer, a new computational tool that untangles how sequencing reads map to ancient human endogenous retroviruses—opening the door to clearer links between HERVs and disease. Biotech & Medicine: A Penn study presentation highlights progress toward manufacturing small interfering RNAs for easier at-home use, while separate research links stroke to faster glioma growth—suggesting brain injury may actively shape cancer outcomes. Data Centers in the Spotlight: A new conditional-use bid would bring a ~200,000-square-foot data center to Jessup, and national reporting pushes back on claims that local opposition is “China PR” driven. Local Tech & STEM Culture: Philly’s robot dog (Vision 60) shows how local robotics is moving from demos to real-world sensing, and Philadelphia Youth Basketball plans a $50M “Generator” facility to expand teen training in trades and tech. Food & Health: A small study suggests daily tomato paste may modestly improve attention and processing speed.

Cancer Immunotherapy: Penn Medicine is part of a late-stage mRNA cancer vaccine trial for melanoma, with Merck and Moderna reporting the therapy extended time before cancer returned or spread, a potential milestone for mRNA in oncology. Gene Editing for Transplants: A new Nature Medicine trial suggests CRISPR-style modification of donor stem cells could make follow-up targeted treatments safer after stem cell transplants by removing a protein cancer therapies can hit without harming healthy cells. Neuro-Oncology: Researchers report stroke can promote aggressive glioma growth, linking brain injury to worse outcomes and pointing to cellular pathways behind the connection. Public Health & Vaccines: Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak remains politically charged as federal vaccine guidance faces renewed scrutiny; meanwhile, WHO also issued influenza vaccine composition recommendations for the 2027 southern hemisphere season. Tech & Energy in PA: State lawmakers held a data center meeting in Blair County as residents push for limits amid electricity-price and environmental concerns. AI in Education: A report on an “Alpha School” bootcamp describes heart-monitor testing and unpaid “dirty job” tasks, raising fresh questions about how AI-focused schools shape student behavior.

Penn Endowment Surge: The University of Pennsylvania’s endowment jumped 27.4% (about $6.3B) to $31.1B in fiscal year 2026, its biggest one-year dollar gain, with leaders noting some returns are restricted and a higher federal excise tax will take a bite. Grid Modernization in PA: The U.S. Department of Energy is awarding PPL more than $71M to rebuild a 230-kV transmission corridor in Luzerne County, aiming to boost capacity and lower costs as electricity demand rises. AI Infrastructure Financing Jitters: Oracle’s force majeure notice tied to a major New Mexico data center project is cooling AI infrastructure financing sentiment, with lenders and investors asking tougher risk questions. Privacy vs. Surveillance in Philly: Philadelphia City Council urged Pennsylvania to regulate or ban automatic license plate readers, citing concerns about civil liberties and misuse of Flock-style systems. Penn Innovation Push: Penn selected its first three faculty spinouts for a new $10M StartUP fund, backing maternal health monitoring, radio-frequency filtering tech, and AI drug discovery. Workforce Planning in Greene County: CMU researchers shared preliminary findings on how southwest PA skills align with local industry needs, funded through an Appalachian Regional Commission grant. Energy & Safety in Shale: The Shale Insight Conference in Erie highlighted technology aimed at safer, more sustainable natural gas production.

Power Grid Upgrade: The U.S. Energy Department plans nearly $2B in projects to boost output from the aging, stressed grid, using sensors and other tech to move electricity around congestion—aimed at cutting costs and preventing blackouts for about 100M Americans, with an announcement tied to Allentown, Pa. AI + Data Centers Backlash: New polling and reporting highlight how Gen Z’s growing religiosity is paired with a broader, fast-growing push against data centers, with bans and moratoriums spreading across hundreds of localities. Public Health Policy Fight: Pennsylvania AG William Tong joined a coalition urging HHS to keep vaccine guidance science-based, warning recent changes have fueled confusion and could lower vaccination rates. Penn Medicine Research: Persevere Therapeutics enrolled the first patient in a Phase 2a trial of misetionamide for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer at Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center. Workforce for the Green Economy: Frontline Gig secured $250K from the Richard King Mellon Foundation to turn climate resilience projects into paid career pathways, including in Pittsburgh. Local Tech in Construction: York’s D.E. Gemmill deployed a robotic plotter using LiDAR for roadway layout, aiming to improve safety and expand capabilities. Penn Education Costs: A Daily Pennsylvanian analysis finds Penn’s undergraduate cost has risen about 50% since 2016, outpacing inflation.

Measles in Pennsylvania: The CDC recorded its first measles death of the year, but still isn’t counting four “measles-associated” deaths reported by Pennsylvania as the outbreak accelerates; state officials say the deaths involved unvaccinated people, including infants, while critics argue the federal tally is lagging and may be an undercount. Public health pressure: Pennsylvania’s outbreak has surged past 800 cases, with hospitals and clinicians reporting unusual patterns, and lawmakers pressing the CDC to explain the reporting gap. AI and search impacts: A University of Pennsylvania/Northeastern study finds Google’s generative AI search features reduce outbound clicks and don’t improve satisfaction, with users resisting fully conversational AI search. Data center backlash: A Pew survey shows Americans’ views of data centers have turned more negative in 2026, and local zoning fights continue, including in Plains Township where residents question proposed data-center rules. NIH funding push: Sen. Dave McCormick calls to double the NIH budget within five years, arguing research investment can cut long-term health costs. Pennsylvania STEM/biotech: Local investor and clinical updates highlight new trial and R&D progress in areas like hypertension drug development and specialty minerals innovation.