AGP Executive Report

Data Center Crackdown: Gov. Abbott paused new Texas data center interconnections statewide and ordered audits after ERCOT flagged massive demand growth tied to AI loads, with lawmakers and residents pushing back over power, water, and local impacts. Local Control vs. AI Buildout: In Grimes County, nearly 900 residents urged tighter rules for big incentive deals tied to Elon Musk’s Terafab and other projects, demanding oversight, hiring commitments, and pollution controls. Energy Policy Fight: Republican lawmakers questioned whether ERCOT should require a minimum share of dispatchable gas generation as solar and batteries dominate the queue. Education Watch: Austin ISD’s next accountability ratings could trigger state intervention if three middle schools hit a fifth straight failing grade, with TEA set to release A-F results Aug. 14. Texas Economy & Costs: A new report says food insecurity keeps rising across Texas, with nearly 1 in 5 residents struggling to access enough nutritious food. Business Briefs: DNOW reported Q2 results with record operating cash flow; Targa posted record Q2 adjusted EBITDA; and an award-winning Pflugerville BBQ spot plans to close at month’s end citing high beef prices.

Data Centers & Power Grid: Gov. Greg Abbott ordered a statewide pause on new Texas data center approvals and grid connections pending an audit, as officials grapple with surging demand and water/power questions. Politics & Voting Rights: Galveston County is reportedly planning to swap voting maps between the primary and November elections, prompting an emergency Texas Supreme Court challenge. Education & Cost of Living: Texas’ annual tax-free weekend for school supplies runs Aug. 7-9, while Houston lawmakers push to expand the program. Higher Ed Access: Rice University expands its “Rice Investment” aid so more families get free tuition starting fall 2027. Business & Jobs: Intelligent Technical Solutions partnered with Velocity IT to expand into Texas; McKesson raised its profit forecast on strong specialty and oncology demand. Local Life: White Castle will open a third DFW-area location in Grand Prairie; Harris County sued the Children’s Museum of Houston after a county employee was allegedly injured on a “gravity chair.”

Data Centers in Texas: Gov. Greg Abbott ordered a statewide audit and paused new data center projects seeking ERCOT grid connections, saying Texans must come first as officials review power demand, water use, and community impacts. Politics: House Democrats expanded their “Districts in Play” list by adding 12 GOP-held seats, including Rep. Lauren Boebert’s, as the party targets a House flip. Texas Voting Watch: ProPublica and The Texas Tribune report U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico voted in multiple elections using his parents’ address, raising questions after he accused Ken Paxton of voter fraud. Energy & Markets: Oil prices slid as diplomacy around reopening the Strait of Hormuz gained momentum, with WTI and Brent both down sharply. Local Business: Salad and Go filed for bankruptcy and will permanently close all locations after a Cyclospora outbreak hurt consumer confidence.

Data Centers & Grid Reliability: Gov. Greg Abbott ordered a statewide pause on new data center connections and launched audits of projects seeking grid access, warning Texans must come first as ERCOT’s interconnection queue swells to 474 GW. THC Crackdown Fallout: Abbott’s veto of a bill meant to curb intoxicating hemp products is now fueling confusion and legal fights, with Texans still sorting out Delta-8, Delta-10, THCA and Delta-9 rules as bans take effect. Local Public Safety: Southwest Houston saw an armored car robbery turn violent when two teenage suspects were shot after guards fired during the attempt near Bellaire Blvd. Education & Speech Rights: Professors sued the Texas A&M University System over a policy limiting classroom discussion of race and gender, arguing it violates First Amendment rights. Veterans Funding: Abbott announced $6.187M in grants for 24 veteran service organizations across the San Antonio region. Business & Trade: CTA and the Texas-Africa Chamber of Commerce signed an MoU to boost Mozambique-U.S. trade and investment. Tech Supply Chain: GE Appliances says its new Louisville laundry plant will use U.S.-made Texas Instruments chips starting in 2027.

Water Planning: Texas Water Development Board released the first phase of its 2027 plan, projecting population growth from 34.2M (2030) to 52.3M (2080) and warning supplies could shrink as groundwater depletes, while Northeast Texas planners propose $1.7B in local strategies and even pause a controversial reservoir. Data Centers & Grid Oversight: Gov. Greg Abbott ordered a statewide audit and effectively freezes new data center approvals until regulators verify power, water, incentives, ownership, and compliance—aimed at protecting reliability as demand surges. Politics: GOP Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis dropped opposition to Todd Blanche’s AG nomination, clearing the way for a Senate Judiciary vote. Health & Education: Rice expanded its free-tuition program for families up to $200K (full tuition for $100K–$200K; tuition+fees+room/board under $100K). Business: Westlake reported a strong Q2 turnaround; Katapult posted continued lease-to-own growth. Public Safety/Local: Texas DPS issued a Silver Alert for missing 67-year-old Melanie Martin.

Energy & Power Grid: Gov. Greg Abbott ordered a temporary halt to new Texas data center grid connections, directing ERCOT and the PUCT to audit projects before they can proceed, as data centers drive most new power requests. Electricity Infrastructure Fight: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick urged the PUC to deny pending high-voltage transmission line applications, arguing the process is broken and shouldn’t override private property rights. Energy Deal: AEP reached agreements to acquire the Longview Power Plant and a nearby gas project site in Mon County, signaling long-term commitment to reliable power. THC Crackdown: Texas’ Delta-8 and similar hemp-derived THC ban took effect, with felony exposure for manufactured Delta-8/Delta-10 and enforcement starting in places like San Antonio and Bexar County. Local Politics & Services: Lubbock’s “Save Lubbock” submitted a petition to pause data center development, while a citizens group is pushing for a referendum-style vote. Public Safety & Courts: A Laredo crash split an SUV in half and damaged a nearby business; in Lubbock, a district judge announced retirement after nearly 16 years. Business & Education: Rice expanded its “Rice Investment” to offer free tuition for families earning up to $200K, and TSTC added night HVAC classes to meet Texas workforce demand. Sports: The Astros acquired Daulton Varsho from Toronto for Spencer Arrighetti, aiming to boost outfield offense and defense.

Oil & Diplomacy: Oil prices slid sharply as Trump said U.S.-Iran talks would resume and he postponed a planned strike, easing near-term Strait of Hormuz disruption fears—though traders warned optimism could fade fast. Texas Politics & Oversight: Acting U.S. attorney general Todd Blanche formally ended Trump’s $1.8B “anti-weaponization fund” after negotiations with GOP senators, including Texas Sen. John Cornyn, setting up a Senate Judiciary vote. Public Safety Tech Backlash: Flock license plate cameras are expanding across Texas, and so is an anti-surveillance backlash as lawmakers push for warrant requirements and some residents dismantle devices. Agriculture Biosecurity: New World screwworm remains a Texas and New Mexico concern, with USDA tracking dozens of cases and preparing phased reopening steps for cattle trade. Local Impact: A new Central Texas Food Bank facility in Waco aims to reduce stigma with a more “grocery-like” distribution experience and job training support. Crypto & Elections: The crypto industry is pouring nearly $200M into the midterms, pushing Congress toward stablecoin and broader digital-asset rules before August recess. Texas Loss: Former Rep. Kay Granger, a Fort Worth trailblazer and House Appropriations chair, died at 83.

Texas THC Crackdown: Texas’ new rules ban synthetically created THC products (including Delta-8, Delta-10, THCP and THCA flower), while low-dose Delta-9 stays legal under a 0.3% dry-weight limit—leaving hemp shops scrambling and prompting a lawsuit seeking to pause the changes. Texas Business & Finance: The Texas Stock Exchange officially launches trading to challenge Wall Street, while Texas’ education funding push continues with Education Freedom Accounts funded for 85,344 students amid record demand. Immigration & Politics: The fallout from a Houston ICE shooting keeps building, and a Texas Senate race debate spotlights competing visions for healthcare and social policy. Sports & Local Economy: Jadeveon Clowney is returning to the Texans, and the Rangers’ trade deadline mood hinges on Sunday’s result. Science & Space: Southwest Research Institute’s Juno mission made the first direct temperature measurements beneath Io’s surface. Public Safety: Allstate warns burglars increasingly use social media vacation posts to pick targets.

Community Drone Safety: TCB Drones Academy is urging Texas HOAs and neighborhood patrol groups to get trained on drone rules, privacy, and coordination with police and fire—positioning drones as emergency tools, not routine surveillance. Immigration Courts Under Strain: A new report says sped-up immigration “mega” hearings are cutting preparation time, driving more missed court dates and faster deportation orders. Texas Senate Race Spotlight: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says social-issue comments still matter in the tight U.S. Senate contest, while affordability stays voters’ top concern. Birthright Citizenship Push: A Texas congressman backs a bill to target “birth tourism” and revoke citizenship for children of parents who entered illegally, despite the Fourteenth Amendment. Data Center Tensions in Lubbock: Residents are pushing for a moratorium after annexation and rezoning moves that they fear could pave the way for AI data centers. Medicaid Politics: A close governor’s race in Iowa is reigniting the fight over whether private insurers should run Medicaid. Energy & Renewables: Tesla reportedly struck a deal to buy all power from a Texas solar farm, underscoring its solar-and-storage push. Flood Relief for Small Business: LiftFund opened grants up to $10,000 for Hill Country businesses and nonprofits hit by July 2026 storms.

Texas Politics: Don Huffines was sworn in as Texas acting comptroller, refusing a salary and pitching property tax relief as the comptroller’s office oversees the state’s $1 billion school voucher rollout. Public Safety: Texas DPS issued an active Amber Alert for 10-year-old Fidely Alvarez Mauricio and 13-year-old Neidy Alvarez Mauricio, last seen in San Antonio early Aug. 1. Consumer Protection: Texas AG Ken Paxton opened an investigation into Lone Star Pups, alleging misleading claims about puppy origins and veterinary exams, plus a “10 Year Health Guarantee” that may not cover major conditions as advertised. Local Business & Community: In Woodway, HOTWORX marked its first anniversary with a blood drive that’s directly supporting a teen battling leukemia. Economy & Trade: DOJ and DHS say the Trade Fraud Task Force has topped $1 billion in recoveries and charged losses in under a year. Energy/Tech Debate: A Texas Tribune report highlights religiously driven opposition to data centers, with residents citing water and power demands. Food & Culture: Houston’s Barbecue Inn is set to serve its final meals after nearly 80 years.

Luxury Travel & Real Estate: Big-name brands are rapidly rolling into the Texas Hill Country—Canyon Ranch, Waldorf Astoria, Aman, Auberge and Kimpton—bringing hundreds of rooms, branded residences, and destination-spa style development that could reshape the region’s “Napa-like” appeal. Housing Access: Austin-area apartment locator One Place Locators added bilingual Spanish-English agents to better serve Central Texas renters, pointing to gaps in language support during the search process. THC Crackdown: Texas’ new ban on several hemp-derived THC products took effect, with delta-8/delta-10 and similar compounds facing felony exposure while delta-9 remains legal—sparking confusion and inventory dumps for shops. AI Power & Texas Grid: ERCOT hit new all-time demand peaks during Panhandle heat, while Texas’ AI/data-center boom keeps raising the question: who pays for the power grid as compute demand surges. Local Business Costs: A Houston-area analysis says homeowners face some of the highest HOA fees in major Texas metros, adding another monthly hit on top of taxes and insurance. Public Safety: A Houston business owner says a repeat felony thief keeps getting light sentences despite multiple convictions, renewing calls for tougher penalties. Health Research: UT MD Anderson researchers report immune-linked signals may help explain why ketamine and other rapid-acting treatments can improve treatment-resistant depression quickly.

THC Crackdown: Texas’ non-Delta-9 hemp rules now put many hemp-derived THC compounds into Schedule I, with doctors warning patients the real question is whether they’re getting care through a physician. Retail Fallout: Smoke shop owners say the July 31 ban is already confusing customers and cutting sales as they scramble to figure out what’s still legal. Politics—Senate Race: A new Fox poll shows James Talarico slightly ahead of Ken Paxton, while the governor’s race remains a dead heat between Greg Abbott and Gina Hinojosa. Energy & Property Rights: Texas lawmakers are pushing to halt a major West Texas transmission line plan, arguing the process is broken and private property rights are being trampled. Grid Pressure: ERCOT projects electricity demand could nearly double by 2032, driven largely by data centers—raising fresh fights over power lines and oversight. Local Business: Temple’s Xtreme Jump is set to reopen after meeting fire and building code requirements, while Refugio approved its EDC budget and hired an attorney. Houston Travel: United expands its “Elevated” 787-9 Dreamliner service to more international routes from Houston.

THC Crackdown: Texas’ new THC rules take effect Friday, tightening the Delta-8 ban and setting a 0.3% THC limit for consumable hemp products, with retailers warning of major revenue hits as inventory scrambles continue. Public Safety Rankings: SmartAsset’s study put Plano among the safest big cities in the U.S., while Texas also landed on the “least safe” list—highlighting how uneven safety can be across the state’s metro areas. Energy & Markets: Chevron reported its highest quarterly profit in at least six years, beating estimates as geopolitical shocks keep oil markets volatile. AI Data Centers Financing: Google is backing an Anthropic-linked Texas data center campus with financial guarantees and chips, reportedly in talks for up to $15B in financing—another sign of how quickly AI buildouts are reshaping Texas power and investment. Fraud Warnings: Texas Regional Bank CEO Michael Scaief urged Texans to treat fraud prevention as a household and business duty, citing how scammers use public info and urgency to steal from accounts. Local Housing Finance: New rankings map the biggest residential mortgage lenders across North Texas and the Houston area, showing tens of billions in home-purchase lending in 2025. Veterans Grants: Texas Veterans Commission announced $3.3M in grants for 13 East Texas organizations supporting nearly 2,000 veterans.

AI & Markets: Microsoft’s stronger-than-expected Azure results helped lift Wall Street and renewed investor focus on AI infrastructure, while U.S. growth slowed in the latest Commerce data and oil eased as Middle East tensions continued. Texas Energy & Industry: Origis Energy hit nearly 1 GW operating at its Rockhound Solar complex in Ector County, with more solar-plus-storage phases planned and potential data-center co-location in the mix. Immigration Courts: The ACLU filed a $10 million tort claim tied to alleged medical neglect at a South Texas detention center, as a separate federal move seeks to deport an Afghan woman via a little-used terrorism removal court. College Sports Policy: Sen. Ted Cruz and Sen. Maria Cantwell are scrambling to salvage the Protect College Sports Act as Big Ten and SEC negotiations drag into the August recess. Texas Business Court: Gov. Abbott reappointed all 10 judges to the Texas Business Court for new two-year terms. Local Community: Fort Bend’s new LULAC chapter says a fatal ICE shooting in Houston helped spur its launch, with a public vigil planned. Education & Health: Texas Workforce Commission highlighted internship resources on National Intern Day, and a Texas Maritime Museum free coral-reef program is set for Aug. 15.

Texas Hemp Crackdown: Dallas-area cannabis shop Go Easy says it will permanently close after Texas’ delta-8/delta-10 and smokeable hemp ban takes effect Friday, calling the rules a years-long roller coaster for small businesses. Data Center Backlash: Carrollton residents are pushing to end the city’s Flock license-plate reader partnership, citing privacy fears and demanding city emails; the fight mirrors growing opposition across North Texas. Flood Recovery Strain: Kerr County flood cleanup is underway, but locals warn federal help and volunteers are arriving slower than after last year’s disaster, with budget gaps looming. Energy & Grid Reality Check: An editorial points to ERCOT data showing solar and wind supplying more than half of power around midday during peak demand, arguing renewables are boosting Texas grid resilience. Marine Fuels Growth: BGN launched its first US Gulf Coast retail marine bunkering operation out of Houston, expanding supply for ships calling regional ports. Local Accountability: A Rockwall County commissioners court rejected a demand to remove a Ten Commandments monument, sending the dispute to First Liberty for legal response.

Public Safety & Courts: A Wilmer City Councilman charged with making a terroristic threat after a Shell gas station confrontation says the allegations don’t match what happened, as police cite surveillance and claim he appeared intoxicated. Child Welfare & Accountability: In Fort Worth, parents are demanding answers after a pediatric dental office stayed open for months following a child’s death, with the doctor later arrested on reckless injury to a child charges. Texas Politics: U.S. Senate confirmation drama continues as Sen. John Cornyn says Todd Blanche’s AG nomination vote could be delayed unless DOJ provides written assurances tied to the IRS “anti-weaponization” settlement. Health Policy: Gov. Abbott backs a health insurance proposal aimed at lowering premiums and expanding coverage for Texas families and small businesses. Data Centers Backlash: Willie Nelson is urging Abbott’s community to fight “water thieving” AI data centers, adding star power to a growing rural opposition. Business & Finance: Prosperity Bancshares executives blame loan-growth slowdowns on aggressive Texas competition, while Patterson-UTI reports quarterly results and a dividend. Consumer/Regulation: Texas starts removing Delta-8 and other hemp-derived THC products from shelves as new state rules take effect Friday.