AGP Executive Report

Tropical Storm Arthur: AccuWeather estimates the Gulf storm caused $4–6 billion in damage and economic loss, with flooding and travel disruptions among the costliest impacts. College ROI push: A new Texas study measures how public schools’ programs pay off in the labor market, adding momentum to efforts to track student outcomes and return on investment. New World screwworm watch: Agriculture officials say the risk remains minimal in the Shenandoah Valley, but Texas has confirmed cases and is rolling out more resources for vigilance. Oil & geopolitics: Crude prices slid as the U.S. and Iran began 60-day peace negotiations, with Strait of Hormuz shipping safety a key focus. Texas data breach: Texas Parks & Wildlife says a vendor incident may have exposed data for about 3 million hunting and fishing license holders. Robotaxi race: Tesla’s Texas robotaxi fleet is reported at just 69 vehicles, far behind rivals, as the company scales with lower per-ride pricing. Tech/energy investment: Pantheon Infra plans a $55m investment in Terra-Gen, which operates solar and storage projects including in Texas. Public safety: A Tesla crash in Katy killed a woman; authorities say the driver reported automated driving-assistance was engaged.

Texas Jobs: Texas added 17,800 jobs in May and hit a new record high for total nonfarm jobs at 14,419,200, with 98,000 more jobs than a year earlier—another sign the state’s economy keeps running hot. Bexar County Budget: A UTSA survey of nearly 3,000 residents says road and bridge maintenance should top Bexar County’s spending list, with parks/creeks/trails next, and many residents favor cutting spending if there’s a budget gap. Big Data Breach: Texas Parks and Wildlife says a vendor breach exposed driver’s license and passport numbers for about 3.09 million hunting and fishing customers—an identity risk officials warn can’t be “reset.” Public Health in the Rio Grande Valley: UT Rio Grande Valley researchers are linking pesticide exposure to Parkinson’s risk, raising alarms for farmworkers and nearby communities. Tech/Finance: Kalshi is reportedly exploring an IPO path with early talks with banks, as its trading growth accelerates. Safety/Crash: A Tesla crash in Katy killed a 76-year-old woman; the driver said the car was on “autopilot.” Politics/Immigration: A birthright citizenship court fight is drawing fresh fear from families about what comes next.

Supreme Court Watch: The justices are set to weigh new election-related fights, including challenges to Texas and Arkansas voting rules that critics say make it harder for limited-English voters to cast ballots. Public Safety: A head-on crash on Texas SH 171 killed six people, including two children, after a passenger car attempted to pass and slammed into a van. Tech & Privacy: Texas Parks and Wildlife says hackers accessed personal data tied to more than 3 million hunting and fishing license holders, offering free credit monitoring while it adds safeguards. Energy Markets: With the Strait of Hormuz reopening after a U.S.-Iran ceasefire pause, analysts say reserves and U.S. production helped avert the worst—though depleted stockpiles could make future shocks hit harder. AI & Business: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang told an AP reporter Texans should embrace AI to improve lives, even as public concerns about jobs and risks grow. Space Meets Sports: NASA sent the 2026 World Cup match ball, Trionda, to the ISS for microgravity tests on ball balance and movement. World Cup in Texas: The Netherlands routed Sweden 5-1, with Virgil van Dijk praising a solid all-around performance.

New World Screwworm Fallout: Some states, plus Canada and Mexico, are tightening cattle import rules tied to Texas after the pest crossed the U.S.-Mexico border, raising worries about lost demand at Texas sale barns—especially in South Texas. Public Safety for World Cup Crowds: Houston-area attorney Gustin Law is urging drivers to watch for pedestrians, cyclists, and e-scooter/e-bike riders around NRG Stadium as match traffic swells. Aviation Incident in Houston: United Flight 102 from Houston to Munich returned after an engine fire and “loud bangs,” landing safely with no injuries. Juneteenth Community Work: Volunteers in Haltom City helped document and preserve neglected Black history at a historic cemetery during “Digging for Dignity.” Healthcare & Business Moves: Wellpoint and the Galveston Diaper Bank launched a program providing 50 diapers a month to 75 local families with infants. Texas Economy Signal: Texas added jobs and continues to attract corporate HQs, with Texas now edging California in Fortune 500 headquarters count.

New World Screwworm Response: Gov. Greg Abbott launched a new Texas website, Screwworm.texas.gov, to centralize facts, maps, identification help, and certified inspector training as cases keep climbing across the state. USDA Jobs Move: The USDA is relocating some Rural Development roles from Washington, D.C. to the Dallas–Fort Worth area, creating an “operational hub” for loan and grant processing. Texas Economy: Texas added about 17,800 jobs in May and hit a record 14.4 million total jobs, with unemployment steady at 4.3%. Immigration Enforcement Shift: DHS is reportedly preparing to transfer or sell seven ICE detention warehouses bought for a $700M expansion after legal and infrastructure pushback. Public Safety & Courts: Two Texas brothers pleaded guilty in a federal case tied to an $8M crypto kidnapping in Minnesota. Local Housing: Austin named Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center as the tentative operator for a new South Austin housing navigation facility, drawing both support and neighbor concerns.

Juneteenth & Closures: Juneteenth is being marked across Texas with parades and festivals, while banks and many government offices shut down for the federal holiday. New World Screwworm Response: Texas is stepping up its fight against the New World screwworm, with a new centralized screwworm resource website, confirmed cases reported by officials, and a UN-backed $1 million project aimed at boosting sterile-fly capacity. Public Safety & Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal gun ban for unlawful drug users, a ruling tied to a North Texas man’s case. State Appointments: Gov. Abbott named new members to state boards, including a South Texas grain merchandiser to the conservation board. Economy & Federal Moves: USDA is relocating some Rural Development roles from Washington to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, creating an operational hub. Business & Jobs: Shipbuilding is getting a boost as Gulf Copper’s Coast Guard icebreaker work ramps up in Galveston and Port Arthur. Data Privacy: Texas Parks & Wildlife warned that personal info for 3 million hunters and anglers may have been exposed in a vendor breach.

Juneteenth & Texas Closures: Federal, state, county and city offices shut Friday for Juneteenth, with post offices and most banks closed; markets (NYSE/Nasdaq) also closed, while many retailers and gas stations keep normal hours. Public Safety & Data Privacy: A Texas Parks and Wildlife Department breach tied to hunting and fishing license records may have exposed personal info for 3+ million residents, with TPWD saying Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and credit card data weren’t taken. Agriculture & Livestock Threat: Gov. Abbott highlighted about $105M in USDA New World screwworm grants, with Texas universities and agencies receiving funding for detection, control and eradication work; a free screwworm workshop is set for June 30 in Rio Hondo. Semiconductors & Jobs: Abbott announced a $3.9M Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund extension for Schunk Xycarb in Georgetown, aiming to expand production and add 25 jobs. Economy & Local News: A new report says the collapse of local news costs taxpayers about $1.1B a year, with Texans paying $132M. Business & Tech: Texas reclaimed the top spot for Fortune 500 headquarters, with 57 HQs statewide.

Texas Travel Watch: AAA says 4.9 million Texans will hit the road for the July 4th week, with car trips up slightly from last year, while 564,000 will fly—both about steady versus 2019 and higher than 2025. Construction & Growth: More than 600 industry leaders packed TACA’s 72nd annual meeting in San Antonio, spotlighting how aggregates and concrete feed Texas’ roads, schools, hospitals, and housing. Health Policy Fight: The American Hospital Association filed an amicus brief in a 5th Circuit case challenging how HHS/CMS handle Medicaid financing and “hold harmless” provider tax rules. Courts & Guns: The U.S. Supreme Court backed a Texas man’s challenge to a federal ban on gun ownership for regular marijuana users, narrowing the government’s reach. Border & Public Safety: West Texas groups sued over border barrier work they say could disrupt flood protection, while CBP reported nearly $1 million in cocaine seizures across Laredo-area ports. Energy & Politics: A new U.S.-Iran interim deal is pushing oil lower, and Texas-linked LNG expansion continues to loom as billions chase Gulf Coast export growth. Local Culture: A new young adult novel, “The Donkey Lady,” brings a San Antonio folktale to national readers.

Aviation Tragedy in Laredo: Investigators are probing a fiery business jet crash on a Texas highway that killed Austin tech leader Joshua Baer; bystanders rushed in, including a driver who used a sledgehammer to help free people from the burning wreckage. Crime Crackdown: Texas authorities arrested five people tied to a diesel theft ring that allegedly used pump skimmers and stolen card data to steal thousands of gallons across North Texas, with investigators saying the probe prevented nearly $10 million in added losses. Healthcare Startup: Seven Rice University students launched Haast Autonomous, raising $1.85 million to build drone-based delivery for urgent medical supplies, with pilot trials targeted for early 2027. Property Tax Integrity: A Houston-area investigation using AI claims homestead exemption cheating is widespread, including “double dippers” and improper corporate claims, raising concerns about major revenue losses. Energy & Prices: Oil slid after a US-Iran interim peace deal, while gold and silver dipped as markets weighed Fed signals and easing geopolitical tensions. Local Government & Utilities: Houston expanded its W.A.T.E.R. assistance program to cover the new residential trash fee starting July 1. Tech & Policy: Abbott urged regulators to require data centers to pay for grid upgrades so costs don’t hit residential electric rates. Business & Retail: Neiman Marcus will close its downtown Dallas store by September, while Papa John’s plans more closures, including Texas locations. World Cup in Texas: England opened with a 4-2 win over Croatia at AT&T Stadium, and Portugal drew DR Congo 1-1 in Houston.

Austin tech crash: Tributes are pouring in after Capital Factory CEO Joshua Baer was identified as the victim of a business jet crash near Laredo, with investigators now expected to pull flight and cockpit recorders. Energy bills: A new analysis warns Americans could face record-high electricity bills this summer as cooling costs climb with hotter weather and higher prices. Military education: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and allies unveiled the COMPASS Act to let military families keep following their home-state homeschooling rules during PCS moves. Texas business deal: Olin plans an all-stock merger with Huntsman and will relocate its HQ to The Woodlands, aiming to close in early 2027. Foreign policy: Sen. Bill Cassidy blasted Trump’s Iran pause deal, arguing it leaves Iran stronger while sanctions ease. Texas agriculture threat: As screwworm spreads, K-State Extension is rolling out new rancher webinars to help livestock owners respond. Juneteenth in Texas: Houston events like Culture Fest at Miller Outdoor Theatre highlight art, music, and community as the holiday approaches. Data center pressure: Texas Gov. Abbott’s latest push targets grid costs from AI data centers, directing regulators to protect residential ratepayers. Markets: Europe’s stocks were mixed as investors watched Fed and BoE decisions and oil prices.

Aviation Safety: A NetJets Cessna Citation Latitude carrying six people crashed onto Loop 20 in Laredo near the Texas-Mexico border, killing one and injuring five; bystanders rushed in—smashing the cockpit window—to help pull occupants from the burning wreckage. AI & Chips: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says society needs “new social norms” as AI expands, while Nvidia and Coherent are pushing a $2B AI-factory plan in Sherman aimed at boosting U.S. manufacturing. SpaceX IPO: SpaceX shares opened above the IPO price after its record-setting Nasdaq debut, with Texas-area Starbase tied to the launch-day buzz. Livestock Health: Texas expanded New World screwworm response, adding quarantine zones after detections in multiple counties, including a goat case in Sutton County. Local Education: Cistercian Preparatory School and Trinity Park Conservancy are partnering on hands-on Trinity River science projects for students, with plans to feed resources into Dallas-area education. Workforce Pipeline: All Star Code is recruiting Houston-area young men for a free six-week summer intensive focused on AI fluency and tech careers.

AI & Jobs Debate: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang told the AP Texas-made AI boom will require “new social norms,” urging people to use AI while also backing regulation and safety standards. Energy & Markets: Texas oil and gas leaders are watching the U.S.-Iran ceasefire push as oil slides below $80 and gas prices ease from earlier spikes, though recovery could take months. Data Centers & Power: DataBank secured $1.45B for its Red Oak megacampus, while Cummins will supply natural-gas generators for a Texas HPC microgrid—both underscoring how fast Texas demand is reshaping grid and power planning. Public Health: Texas A&M research links secondhand smoke exposure to higher cadmium buildup tied to cancer risk, and a University of Tennessee expert says New World screwworm is treatable if caught early. Weather Watch: A tropical storm watch covers the Gulf Coast from Sargent, Texas to Louisiana, with life-threatening surge and flooding possible. Fraud & Scams: A Frisco couple faces federal charges in a $2.5M “psychic” fraud scheme targeting grieving victims. Sports & Tech Culture: World Cup travel demand is uneven across U.S. host cities, and Houston’s AI-and-chip momentum continues with Texas university semiconductor expansion.

Oil & Markets: Oil slid again as traders weighed the US-Iran ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, but worried about how fast supply will actually return and whether the deal details will hold. Texas Energy & Water Policy: Texas regulators are considering new rules that could let treated oilfield wastewater (“produced water”) be reused for agriculture, drawing debate over public health and environmental safeguards. SpaceX Fallout in South Texas: Homeowners in Port Isabel, South Padre Island and Laguna Vista filed a federal lawsuit claiming Starship test flights damaged their homes through sonic booms, vibrations and overpressure. Local Politics & Governance: Dallas is set to host a Republican midterm convention in September, according to Ken Paxton, while Houston’s city controller opened an investigation into Mayor Whitmire’s senior adviser over alleged low attendance and payroll concerns. Agriculture & Biosecurity: New World screwworm cases are spreading in Texas, prompting ranchers to stay cautious as state training expands for faster detection. Sports (Texas Spotlight): Texas beat Alabama 14-2 to eliminate the Crimson Tide from the College World Series, with Adrian Rodriguez driving in seven runs and tying an MCWS RBI record.

Texas GOP Convention: Delegates in Houston kept pushing culture-war priorities, with “Islamification” of Texas and election-control themes taking center stage even as leaders urged unity for November. Sports Betting Legal Fight: The Big 12 sued Texas Tech and AG Ken Paxton in federal court over its ability to sanction QB Brendan Sorsby, escalating a dispute after a court ruling blocked NCAA punishment. Screwworm Alert: New World screwworm cases keep rising in Texas, prompting expanded inspector training and new guidance for ranchers and pet owners; Rep. Chip Roy also urged the State Department to press Mexico to speed approvals for NovoFly. Flood Response: Gov. Abbott ordered additional Texas emergency resources and 24-hour operations at the state emergency center as severe weather and flooding threats continue. Juneteenth: Texas marks the federal holiday Friday, June 19, with many offices closed while retailers and restaurants largely stay open. Energy & Prices: Experts warn gas prices may not return to pre-Iran-war levels anytime soon, with normalization potentially stretching into 2027. Business/Restaurants: On The Border shut down company-owned locations after bankruptcy and ownership changes, while Twin Peaks is shifting toward franchisee-backed ownership after FAT Brands’ restructuring.

Agriculture & Public Health: Texas officials say they were warned weeks ago about a potential $1.8 billion New World screwworm threat, and now the outbreak is expanding—new cases have pushed quarantine zones and triggered more sterile-fly releases and inspector training across the state. Energy & Markets: A U.S.-Iran peace framework and plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz sent oil prices tumbling and markets rallying, with Texas and the broader economy watching for how fast cheaper crude actually hits. Politics & Consumer Protection: Texas AG Ken Paxton announced an investigation into glyphosate residue in food, issuing demands to Bayer and PepsiCo over claims manufacturers may have misled consumers. Houston & Civic Life: Houston’s campaign finance rules are back in the spotlight as the city weighs whether limits on candidates repaying themselves are unconstitutional. Business & Tech: SWI Group agreed to buy into Genesis Digital Assets, aiming to expand U.S. digital infrastructure capacity for AI and high-performance computing. Sports & Culture: World Cup fever keeps colliding with geopolitics in Texas as Iran’s arrival and protests play out alongside major matches.

Public Health Watch: Texas AG Ken Paxton opened a probe into glyphosate residue in food, sending Civil Investigative Demands to Bayer and PepsiCo over alleged consumer-protection violations. Sports & Local Pride: The New York Knicks clinched their first NBA title since 1973 with a 94-90 Game 5 win over the Spurs in San Antonio, setting up a New York ticker-tape parade for June 18. World Cup in Texas: Germany kicked off Group E play at NRG Stadium in Houston against Curaçao, while Dallas and Houston continue to draw referees and fans tied to Texas. Livestock Protection: Gov. Greg Abbott declared a disaster after New World screwworm was found in two calves in Zavala County, and Texas launched free training to expand certified screwworm inspectors. Business & Consumer Safety: With Prime Day deals rolling in, BBB warned Texans to watch for phishing and lookalike sites. Education Funding Pressure: Tarrant County College says more students and more certificates are colliding with state funding changes and property-tax uncertainty.