AGP Executive Report

Food Safety Recall: General Mills recalled about 736,000 frozen Pillsbury bread rolls in 19 states, including Georgia, after FDA flagged possible glass contamination in “Hard Roll Dough” and “Kaiser Roll Dough” used by restaurants and other food service operators. Public Health Leadership: A Trump CDC nominee, Dr. Erica Schwartz, faced tough questioning from U.S. senators about keeping the Atlanta-based agency insulated from political pressure, vowing she’ll “never betray the science.” State Law Enforcement: The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) executed a search warrant at Yurezz Home Center in Baxley tied to a multi-state fraud probe, and is asking potential victims to submit claims. Atlanta Event Impact: Atlanta’s FIFA World Cup run ended after eight matches, with the host committee citing 544,516 stadium fans and 500,000+ at the Fan Festival, plus major MARTA ridership and volunteer turnout. Workforce Watch: Georgia’s labor force and employment hit all-time highs in June, while unemployment held at 3.4%, according to the Georgia Department of Labor. Business & Payments: Atlanta-based Bold Integrated Payments rolled out a refreshed brand identity, while Candescent earned recognition in digital banking platform rankings.

Campaign Finance: U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff outraised challenger Mike Collins by about 10-to-1 in Q2, pulling in roughly $20M and ending with $42M on hand versus Collins’ ~$2M raised and ~$2M cash. Consumer Data & Privacy: Georgia AG Chris Carr joined a multistate deal tied to the 23andMe genetic data breach, with Georgia set to receive about $452,232 from an $18M bankruptcy recovery; the broader bankruptcy also includes a $46.75M class-action settlement for eligible consumers. State Policy Update: Georgia’s Path2College 529 plan changes take effect, raising the maximum account balance from $235,000 to $550,000 and waiving the state administrative fee to cut costs for families. Local Governance: Villa Rica tabled a proposed ordinance on public assembly after protests over eminent domain, with council members citing concerns about “over-policing” and distractions during business. Business & Tech: Hyundai says it will fully acquire Boston Dynamics via a SoftBank stake purchase and deploy humanoid robot Atlas at its Georgia plant starting in 2028, expanding to broader manufacturing by 2030. Public Safety: Aransas County Sheriff Bill Mills used a chamber event to warn Georgians about “you’ve got a warrant” scam calls, urging people to hang up and verify through official channels.

Consumer Protection: Georgia AG Chris Carr secured a consent judgment against MV Realty, ordering the Florida brokerage to stop doing business in Georgia and pay $1 million in restitution, with the biggest up-front payment to date; the deal is expected to return money to 3,300+ affected homeowners, including about 1,000 seniors who paid an unlawful early termination fee, bringing total Georgia savings to $25.6 million. Data Privacy & Health: Carr also joined a multistate settlement with 23andMe over a 2023 genetic data breach; the bankruptcy resolution limits Georgia’s recovery to $452,232 from $18 million available to states. Antitrust & Drug Pricing: Georgia is included in a 48-state coalition settlement with Glenmark Pharmaceuticals over alleged generic drug price manipulation and reduced competition, part of a broader $29.6 million deal. Public Safety & Fraud: Gwinnett County warned residents about a wire-fraud scam impersonating planning and zoning offices to collect fake fees via emails and counterfeit approval letters. Local Business & Growth: Five Below will open its 2,000th store in LaGrange on July 17, partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs for “kid-safe” community spaces. Environment & Industry: Liberty County residents questioned Tradeport East wastewater discharge plans, with officials weighing the North Newport River after opposition to an earlier Laurel View River proposal. Tech & Infrastructure: A Georgia teacher urged Walker County to study rumors of AI data centers, citing concerns about water, power, and noise. Sports & Business Spotlight: With the England-Argentina semifinal in Atlanta, the city is also seeing major World Cup-related spending and media attention.

Privacy & Compliance Recertification: HealthLink Dimensions renewed its TRUSTe Enterprise Privacy & Data Governance Practices certification for a second year, highlighting independent audits for healthcare data handling. Aviation Demand Watch: ACI World reports global passenger traffic hit 9.8 billion in 2025 and is nearing the 10 billion mark, with Asia-Pacific airports driving ranking shifts and capacity pressure rising. Georgia Data Center & Tech Policy: New York’s data center moratorium and broader datacenter backlash keep spreading, while Georgia regulators are moving to investigate who pays data center energy costs. Public Safety Tech Debate: Idaho Falls is weighing controversy over Flock Safety license plate readers, adding to the growing pushback on surveillance tech. Consumer Protection: Kentucky AG joins a coalition urging tougher federal rules to curb robocalls and scam access to legitimate phone numbers. World Cup Business Angle (Atlanta): With England vs. Argentina in Atlanta, the event continues to spotlight Atlanta’s role as a major sports-and-travel draw, from airport demand to local watch culture. Local Economy & Growth: Georgia’s export growth remains a bright spot, with reports pointing to stronger shipments year-over-year.

Data Centers & Power Costs: A new study says data centers are boosting jobs about 4% in some cities, while rural areas feel little impact—fueling the broader backlash over grid capacity, water use, and who pays the bill. Policy & Emergency Alerts: Georgia’s Sen. Jon Ossoff and Texas Sen. John Cornyn introduced the Mystic Alerts Act to deliver wireless emergency alerts via satellite when cellular networks fail, after the Camp Mystic disaster exposed deadly alert gaps. Consumer & Privacy: Multistate attorneys general secured settlements from 23andMe over its 2023 genetic data breach, with multiple states receiving payouts and new data-protection requirements. Aviation & Connectivity: Frontier Airlines will retrofit its fleet with SpaceX Starlink for in-flight high-speed Wi-Fi, aiming to improve operations and compete harder at major hubs. Healthcare Expansion: Family Hospice completed its acquisition of North Georgia Community Hospice, expanding hospice and palliative care across Northwest Georgia. Local Business & Growth: Walmart opened an Atlanta skilled trades hub to train 4,000 workers by 2030, while a Bank of America Plaza observation deck proposal is back in the spotlight.

Food Safety Recall: Fayus Inc. is recalling Ola-Ola Pounded Yam in several states including Georgia after an undeclared milk allergen (sodium caseinate) was found; no illnesses reported, but people with milk allergies could face serious reactions. Georgia Courts & Fraud: Decatur resident Santina Hill, accused of a $300,000 return-policy fraud scheme targeting TJ Maxx/Marshalls/HomeGoods, entered a no-contest plea in Florida and faces up to 75 years; sentencing is set for Aug. 3. Power & Data Centers: A new look at electricity pricing says data-center demand is driving major customer price increases—about $23 billion—through at least 2028, raising questions about who pays for grid upgrades. Local Governance: Whitfield County residents protested potential data center development over water, environmental and PFAS concerns. Public Health: Doctors warn drowning can happen in seconds; drowning is a leading cause of death for young children, with calls for more family preparedness. MLB Spotlight (Georgia ties): Metro Atlanta native Jordan Walker won the 2026 Home Run Derby in Philadelphia, beating Kyle Schwarber in a late surge. Wildlife Rescue: NOAA authorized emergency rescue of beluga whales from Canada’s Marineland, with Georgia Aquarium listed among U.S. destinations pending clearance.

Data Center Pressure on Georgia Homes: Georgia Power’s plan for a new transmission line tied to data centers could force some homeowners to sell, with one family calling it “theft” after the utility threatened eminent domain if they wouldn’t agree. Antisemitism Threats in Atlanta Tech: A Texas man faces federal charges after prosecutors say he threatened to kill Jewish employees at Atlanta-based Flock Safety, part of a broader wave of antisemitic threat cases. Private Equity Housing Rule: A new federal measure caps how many homes investors can buy at 350, a move metro Atlanta leaders say could slow private equity’s grip on single-family neighborhoods. Regional Retail Fallout: Town Center at Cobb in Kennesaw was sold at auction to an Ardent Cos. affiliate after years of liens, unpaid bills, and a high-profile power shutoff. Aviation Staffing Strain: A TSA funding lapse earlier this year triggered checkpoint staffing shortages and more travel disruptions, with uneven impacts across airports. Business Expansion: VIO Med Spa signed a Metro Atlanta franchise deal, with a first location expected in 2027. Healthcare Business Brief: Curant Health/PlanPlus released a case study on medication care management improving heart failure outcomes and cutting costs in rural Wisconsin. Court Watch: A judge denied the FTC’s bid to shortcut parts of the Zillow-Redfin antitrust fight, sending key disputes to trial.

Data Centers & Energy: A new push to build hyperscale data centers near Native American tribal lands is accelerating, with trackers citing dozens of mapped projects and federal policy support—raising concerns about water use and power costs for frontline communities. Atlanta Construction Safety: Midtown residents are demanding action after scaffolding on a stalled high-rise development collapsed, with crews clearing debris and officials still investigating what caused the failure. Metro Atlanta Development: Dunwoody’s High Street project is seeking zoning changes to swap a planned apartment building for more retail, restaurants and office space as demand shifts. North Point Mall Redevelopment: Alpharetta officials and developers discussed traffic, building heights and taxes for the arena-centered North Point Mall overhaul, including a potential hockey arena and major mixed-use expansion. Retail Strategy: Wayfair is betting on brick-and-mortar again, planning larger stores in multiple cities including Atlanta, as it tries to turn around profits and meet shoppers offline. Fuel Prices Watch: Diesel prices in Georgia eased in the week ending July 4, with multiple counties reporting lower statewide averages. Public Health/Consumer Safety: Doctors warn children are microwaving popular gel sensory toys, leading to serious burns.

Atlanta Public Safety: Police say Jeffery Carter, 43, is in custody and facing murder charges tied to a July 4 shooting at Memorial Street and Pryor Street. Downtown Development: Scaffolding fell from the long-stalled Campanile Building (now The Midtowne) at 1155 Peachtree St., with damage reported on 14th Street; officials say the cause isn’t clear yet. Local Government & Retail: Tucker will consider allowing a drive-through for 7 Brew at 4270 Lawrenceville Highway, weighing traffic and sewer costs against redevelopment of an abandoned site. Infrastructure & Weather: Flooding in Telavi, Georgia, damaged homes, businesses, cars, and power lines after a river overflow and bridge collapse, with evacuations reported. Tech & Regulation: Uber and Waymo tensions are escalating as regulators move to tighten robotaxi rules, raising stakes for existing city contracts. Energy & Data Centers: A new push to build more natural gas power plants is tied to AI-driven electricity demand from data centers, while some states consider renewable-energy requirements for hyperscale sites. Community & Public Health: Atlanta’s Beltline “Path Force” patrols are expanding to connect with businesses and respond faster as visitor traffic grows. Sports Business: The Braves plan a bullpen game Sunday with Danny Young as opener, a sign of how teams are managing pitching workloads.

MLB Draft (Georgia ties): The Chicago White Sox kicked off the 2026 MLB Draft by taking UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky No. 1, with Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey going to the Minnesota Twins early in Round 1—another Georgia-linked talent pipeline feeding pro baseball. World Cup (Atlanta spotlight): Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 in a quarterfinal that swung after a controversial second-yellow red card, setting up a semifinal vs. England in Atlanta on July 15. Atlanta sports business: The Falcons’ draft night plans are in focus as the team prepares to make a high-stakes selection with a new front-office tandem. Cyber/insurance risk: Atlanta-based AssuranceAmerica disclosed a major data breach affecting millions of drivers, underscoring how insurance underwriting data can become a fraud target. Public safety: A Georgia man was arrested on allegations of grooming and molestation of a minor after a GBI investigation.

MLB Draft (Georgia ties): The Chicago White Sox selected UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky with the No. 1 pick, while Tampa Bay took Texas shortstop Grady Emerson and Minnesota chose Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey at No. 3—another reminder that Georgia’s college pipeline is feeding pro baseball. Local business & workforce: GE Appliances is leaning on a flexible, app-based staffing model to cover labor gaps, with about 450 workers picking up shifts weekly—an approach that’s helping the company’s Georgia expansion while reshaping pay and benefits expectations. Public safety: The Georgia Bureau of Investigation charged a Waycross police officer after an off-duty confrontation outside a medical office, alleging simple battery. Utilities leadership: Gainesville’s water director Linda MacGregor announced she’ll retire Sept. 25, capping more than a decade overseeing water, sewer and stormwater operations. Tech community: Cobb County police say an Indian-origin Google engineering leader, Sheetal Wrzesien, was killed in a domestic dispute; her husband was detained. Arts & incubators: Synchronicity Theatre announced its 2026-27 Stripped Bare Arts Incubator series with new works by Atlanta-area creators. Sports business angle: World Cup travel costs remain a major factor for fans, with Skyscanner ranking the most affordable host cities based on flight and hotel pricing.

State Revenue Watch: Georgia’s June net tax collections fell 6.8% year over year to about $2.95B, with the motor fuel excise tax suspension weighing on results. Local Tax Relief: Spalding County can’t place a 1% Local Homestead Option Sales Tax referendum on the Nov. 5 ballot after legislation failed in the General Assembly. Aviation Funding: Griffin-Spalding County’s new regional airport remains on track only with continued federal funding, after the state and FAA previously committed tens of millions. Tech & Jobs: Mercedes-Benz opened a $34M Atlanta technology center, aiming to consolidate R&D and create hundreds of jobs. Public Safety Tech: Georgia regulators and local governments are scrutinizing who pays for data center energy costs, while Georgia law enforcement faces renewed attention over Flock camera misuse. Business & Community: Soul Veg, Atlanta’s long-running Black vegan restaurant, closed after 47 years. Corporate Calendar: Interface, Inc. set its Q2 2026 results call for Aug. 7. Real Estate: A Bartow County notice lists a Sept. 2026 foreclosure sale under power.

FEMA Funding: FEMA approved an additional $36.6 million for Georgia’s Hurricane Helene recovery, including support through Public Assistance and disaster case management. State Finances: Georgia’s June net tax collections fell 6.8% to about $2.95 billion after the motor fuel excise tax suspension, though year-to-date collections remain slightly up. Data Centers & Local Policy: Walker County commissioners advanced a data center moratorium—first a 30-day pause, with discussion of extending to 180 days—as residents push for zoning and permitting changes. AI & Money: A UGA study warns that AI tools for financial planning can produce recommendations that vary by race or gender, urging people to use human experts. Workforce & Training: Georgia students brought home medals at the SkillsUSA national championships in Atlanta, highlighting the pipeline for skilled labor. Business Growth: Just for Teens (Atlanta) is expanding into nearly 10,000 Dollar General stores by September, and 7 Brew is opening new drive-thru locations including Cornelia, Georgia. Consumer/Compliance: Kia issued an urgent recall for 462,869 Telluride SUVs (2020–2024) over a potential seat fire risk.

Data Centers & Local Control: Walker County commissioners extended a data center development moratorium to 180 days, pushing consideration until February 2027 as regulators and residents debate zoning, permits, and energy costs. Auto Manufacturing & Jobs: Gov. Brian Kemp heads to Ireland and Scotland for an economic mission that includes meetings with Hyundai leadership, underscoring Georgia’s push to deepen manufacturing ties. Mobility & Labor: Atlanta rideshare drivers rallied against Waymo’s robotaxis operating through Uber, saying autonomous vehicles are cutting earnings and that human drivers need protections. Housing Market Pressure: U.S. existing home sales fell 2.4% in June as record prices and tight inventory kept affordability out of reach. Energy & Infrastructure: Georgia regulators are set to investigate data center energy costs, while separate reports highlight major bridge construction work on Georgia-border highway segments. Telehealth Expansion: TeleDirectMD, a physician-only telehealth platform based in Georgia, added major insurers and expanded to 40+ states plus D.C. Mining Watch: Krakatoa Resources reported early visual antimony hits from initial drilling at its Zopkhito Antimony-Gold Project in Georgia, with assays pending. Community & Business: Buckhead’s Nothing Bundt Cakes franchise program for young adults with autism continues to grow, pairing jobs with community impact.

Tourism & Local Economy: College Park’s Destination Must Visit® Tourism Alliance won a $2.4M destination marketing contract, aiming to drive measurable hospitality growth around Hartsfield-Jackson and the Georgia International Convention Center. Public Finance & Housing: DeKalb County approved a FY2027 budget with a millage-rate increase and launched a $12M Housing Investment Fund, plus a new dedicated housing office to tackle long-running affordability gaps. Energy & Regulation: Georgia regulators opened an investigation into whether data centers’ fuel and power costs are being passed unfairly to other Georgia Power customers, as hyperscalers expand demand. Tech & Privacy: A Georgia audit feature tied to Flock Safety cameras led to charges against Albany officers for misuse of license plate data for non-law-enforcement purposes, reigniting surveillance concerns. Small Business Growth: The SBA named 10 semifinalists for its Freedom 250 Patriot Pitch Competition, advancing small firms toward a September finals pitch in Washington, D.C. Retail & Consumer Demand: Wayfair is expanding its store footprint, including a new Atlanta-area flagship, signaling confidence in a potential furniture demand rebound. Cybersecurity: AssuranceAmerica disclosed a major data breach affecting nearly 7M people, including driver’s license and auto-insurance-related information.

Data Center Fight in Marietta: Marietta City Council tabled a controversial rezoning request for a data center on Powers Ferry Place after hours of public protests, and approved a temporary moratorium on new data center zoning applications through Dec. 31. AI Power Backlash: A new report says more than $130 billion in AI data center projects has been blocked or delayed nationwide in early 2026, as communities push back on costs and infrastructure impacts. Rideshare Earnings Under Pressure: Atlanta rideshare drivers say AI and autonomous-vehicle rollout are cutting their pay—some report earnings down about half—and they’re planning to rally against automation and data-center expansion. Local Housing & Rent Reality Check: A RentCafe analysis finds Atlanta ranks low on space-for-budget, with $1,500 monthly rent buying about 797 square feet on average, even as the broader market quality remains relatively strong. Cybersecurity & Insurance: Atlanta-based AssuranceAmerica is facing a class-action investigation after a breach reportedly exposed up to 6.9 million people, including driver’s license numbers. Workforce & Skills: Georgia’s infrastructure minister flagged skilled labor shortages, while SkillsUSA results highlighted top national placements by Georgia students in technical programs.