AGP Executive Report

Legal Storm: Wisconsin’s elections board says Elon Musk likely broke election-bribery law with $1 million voter cheques, sending the case to prosecutors. Pennsylvania Courts: A Pa. firm is fighting Uber and FedEx in federal court over “sham” counterclaims in an Uber RICO suit. Health Watch: Cyclospora is sickening people across 34 states; officials say salad greens may be a culprit, with Pennsylvania reporting relatively low numbers so far. Tech & Work: Meta is facing a lawsuit from employees claiming AI helped target disabled workers and those on medical or family leave for layoffs. Arts & Culture: Otakon 2026 names anime art director Kazuki Higashiji as a guest. Sports Spotlight: The MLB All-Star Game hits Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia tonight (8 p.m. ET on FOX), with streaming options for cord-cutters. Local Life: Jeannette schools will limit cell phones during the school day. Energy & Costs: PJM’s capacity auction keeps electricity prices elevated for Pennsylvania through 2028-29.

MLB All-Star Week in Philly: The 96th MLB All-Star Game hits Citizens Bank Park tonight (8 p.m. ET on Fox), after today’s free All-Star Red-Carpet Show at Independence Mall (2 p.m. ET, MLB Network streaming). Penn State & tech culture: A Penn State professor is pushing for a whoopie pie emoji—he wants “whoopie pie” to be one click away on phones. Sports betting controversy: Phillies star Bryce Harper says he didn’t consent to FanDuel using a personalized Cameo video for promotions, and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is reviewing the matter. Local education policy: Pennsylvania lawmakers are moving toward bell-to-bell school cell phone bans, with districts and advocates weighing the impact. Power & storms: JCP&L says recent storm damage was “comparable to hurricanes,” after outages hit hundreds of thousands during extreme heat. Arts & music: Bryan Adams announces a 2027 Australia/New Zealand tour leg, and Alice Cooper extends his Alice’s Attic North American run into fall. Community health: The Red Cross reports an emergency blood shortage, urging urgent donations.

MLB All-Star Game (Philadelphia): The 2026 Midsummer Classic hits Philly on Tuesday, July 14 (8 p.m. on FOX), and USA TODAY spotlighted where the NL and AL starters went to high school—mixing local ties with international routes. Sports Tourism & Local Culture: Phillies PA announcer Dan Baker is set to call the All-Star Game for a historic third time (1976, 1996, 2026). Betting Controversy: Pennsylvania’s Gaming Control Board says it’s reviewing a Bryce Harper FanDuel video tied to a VIP bettor accused of gambling addiction; Harper says he didn’t consent to the ad use. IndyCar / America 250: Trump promoted the Freedom 250 Grand Prix with IndyCar stars at the White House, and the race is slated for Aug. 22-23 around the National Mall. Live Entertainment: “The Bells of Summer” returns to Rockefeller Chapel with free Sunday carillon concerts. Community Events: A Native American Festival and PowWow is planned July 18-19 in Weissport. Health & Safety: Measles cases rose in Lancaster County, with additional infections reported in Chester and York.

Arts & Ideas: The Cora di Brazzà Foundation’s 2026 “Memory Parlor” lands at the Philadelphia Masonic Temple July 22–23, with Clifton Truman Daniel (Truman’s eldest grandson) among speakers exploring intention, moral responsibility, and history through law, philosophy, religion, and the arts. Sports (PSU pipeline): Deonte Flemings, Penn State’s 2028 cornerback commit from Erie, says Nebraska offered him—another Big Ten recruiting push. MLB All-Star Philly: Tigers rookie Kevin McGonigle is set as a hometown kid for the All-Star Game in Philadelphia. Streaming/MLB: Netflix is back in baseball with an MLB Home Run Derby broadcast, continuing its “eventized” approach to the sport. TV/Thriller: Apple TV’s upcoming Western Pennsylvania-set crime drama “Nocturne” stars Liev Schreiber and Zazie Beetz, with Stephen Graham as the serial killer. Music: Mastodon announces “Marrow Deep,” their ninth album, arriving Aug. 28 with the single “Snakes for Dinner” featuring Josh Homme. Local sports: Butler-area founders launch a flag football non-profit, aiming to build pathways for players of all ages and skill levels.

Pennsylvania Budget: Gov. Josh Shapiro signed the $50.8 billion 2026-27 state budget into law after lawmakers finalized it nearly two weeks late, with new education funding and a pension bump for many retired responders and school workers, while skipping some major proposals like skill games changes and recreational cannabis. All-Star Spotlight (Philly): Detroit Tigers rookie Kevin McGonigle is headed to the MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia as a hometown hero, cashing in on a breakout season that earned him a massive early-career contract. Local Soccer: The PA Classics fell 8-2 to New York Athletic Club in the WPSL East Region final after an early deficit, despite a spirited second-half push. Arts & Community: People’s Choice Festival of Pennsylvania returned to the Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg after a multi-year detour, bringing 200+ artists, live entertainment, and family activities. Pro Wrestling (Philly): TNA announced Matt Hardy vs. Ryan Nemeth for the July 30 live “Impact” at the Liacouras Center.

Penn State Basketball: Penn State and Pitt are set to renew their in-state rivalry at the historic Palestra, marking the arena’s 100th anniversary and the 150th all-time meeting between the programs. WPSL Soccer: Lancaster’s PA Classics advanced to the WPSL East Region final after a 3-1 win over Columbus Eagles FC, with Louisville-bound Liza Suydam scoring early in the second half. Arts Fest 2026 (Centre County): The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts wraps Sunday with a Sidewalk Sale, caricatures, an interfaith celebration, and live performances including a Romeo & Juliet staging. TV/Streaming: HBO’s Task is set to cross over with Mare of Easttown, bringing Julianne Nicholson into the same gritty Mid-Atlantic crime universe. Local Food & Drink: Pink Pistachio Cafe is planning its first Pennsylvania location in Bethlehem, aiming for a late-summer/early-fall opening. Health Alert: Philadelphia’s health department warned travelers about a possible measles exposure at Philadelphia International Airport in early July. Sports Community: MLB Together volunteers refurbished the Shane Victorino Nicetown Boys & Girls Club in Philadelphia as part of a broader youth-access push.

MLB Draft (Philadelphia): The 2026 MLB Draft kicked off Saturday at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, with the White Sox taking UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky No. 1 overall and the Pirates landing LSU outfielder Derek Curiel in the top five, as Rounds 1-4 run July 11 and the rest continue Sunday. Sports Betting & Regulation (PA): Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board officials are reviewing a Bryce Harper FanDuel video tied to allegations of sports betting addiction, spotlighting how promos can fuel problem gambling. Anime Pop Culture (Otakon 2026): Otakon announced new guest additions including voice actress Yuka Iguchi, anime director Yoshiaki Iwasaki, and animation producer Keita Yoshinobu. Arts (Central PA): The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts named Best in Show for “Images 2026,” with David Stoltzfus winning for “A Place of Black Stars,” plus awards across photography, pastel, and painting. Local Arts Festival: Arts Fest 2026 continues with Saturday programming and an entertainment lineup. PennDOT/PDE Workforce Grants: PennDOT and PDE launched a competitive grant program to expand heavy highway career pathways for students statewide.

Adult Education Milestone: Butler County Community College will recognize 41 adults who earned commonwealth secondary school diplomas through its free Adult Literacy program at a July 15 ceremony at the Succop Theater, “The Beginning of a New Chapter.” Healthcare & Local Business: Genesis Medical Associates moved its primary care site to the Clearview Mall building in Center Township, opening in March and expanding with about 30 staff members. Community Recovery: Slippery Rock residents are still assessing damage after July 5 flash flooding; the American Red Cross says it completed assessments at 40+ homes and is working one-on-one with nine households. Sports & Entertainment Pulse: The Pittsburgh Pirates made a trade for infielder Jacob Gonzalez and pitcher Brandon Eisert from the White Sox, while the MLB draft spotlight lands on top prospects as All-Star weekend ramps up in Philadelphia. Gambling Oversight: Pennsylvania’s Gaming Control Board is reviewing a 2024 FanDuel video featuring Phillies star Bryce Harper and a VIP bettor tied to a gambling addiction. Public Safety & Policy: Abington commissioners advanced a proposal to ban e-bikes/e-scooters in parks and trails, sparking debate over whether the rules are too broad. Big Science Funding: CHOP received $39 million from ARPA-H to scale gene-therapy work for rare infant and childhood liver diseases, with additional AI-linked gene-therapy funding in the region.

MLB All-Star Week in Philly: The Pennsylvania Convention Center is set to become a 500,000-square-foot hub as the 2026 MLB Draft and All-Star festivities kick off, with the Capital One All-Star Village spotlighting Philly neighborhoods and major road closures tied to events like the Ben Franklin Bridge 100th birthday celebration. Family & community entertainment: Netflix’s “Little House on the Prairie” remake premieres this week, aiming to bring the frontier story back to modern audiences. Kids’ arts spotlight: Clearfield County author Jake Lockett released “My Life as an Asthmanaut,” a picture book and signing event geared toward children living with asthma. Music leadership: Dayton Performing Arts Alliance named Caleb Thompson assistant conductor of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. Pop-culture on the big screen: A local movie guide highlights free and discounted screenings across Central Pennsylvania, including “Moana,” “Hamilton,” and “Young Washington.” Tech-meets-future: MIT researchers unveiled a tiny origami-inspired self-folding robot that could one day help in medicine and other small-scale environments.

Arts Fest 2026: Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts keeps rolling Friday with a Kids Zone (noon–5), a sold-out Big Spring Spirits “Festive Spirits Party” (5–7) and live art demos plus a Sidewalk Sale featuring 300+ artists and $20,000 in juried prizes. Graffiti & Philly transit: “Platform X” turns vacant Suburban Station space into a graffiti-filled exhibit inside a mock SEPTA car, giving street artists a rare gallery-style stage. MLB All-Star Week (Philly): All-Star Week hits Citizens Bank Park starting Friday, running through Tuesday with Futures, draft, All-Star Village, Home Run Derby and the main game—plus food and local chef tie-ins. Music: Teddy Swims returns with “Break Up in Reverse,” a vulnerable heartbreak single ahead of THE UGLY TOUR. Penn State sports: Penn State and Pitt men’s hoops meet Nov. 8 at the Palestra for the arena’s 100th anniversary. Local food & culture: Orviston Celebration starts today in Curtin Township, continuing Saturday with a long-running community tradition.

Local Arts & Community: The Pennsylvania Resources Council opened the 2026 Gene Capaldi Lens on Litter Photo Contest, with submissions due Oct. 31 and cash prizes up to $500 per category. Education & Workforce: PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Department of Education launched a competitive grant program (up to $12M total, max $500K per applicant) to expand heavy highway career pathways for students statewide. Higher Ed: PASSHE’s board approved a 4.3% tuition hike for 10 state-owned universities, including West Chester and Cheyney, unless state funding increases. Sports: Connor Bedard will miss the start of the NHL season after left-shoulder surgery, with a recovery timeline of about four months. Public Safety & Health: Pennsylvania caregivers in Delaware County face charges after authorities allege a 20-year-old woman with Down syndrome was pushed down stairs, underfed, and left outside in cold rain. Local Crime: An Indiana County man, 73, was jailed without bond after an overnight incident involving alleged attempted homicide of a state trooper. Politics & Religion: Pennsylvania leaders condemned an arson attack on a Northeast Philadelphia mosque, with state police investigating.

Local Arts & Events: FarmFest Music Festival returns to Bloomsburg Aug. 7-8 with more than a dozen bands, plus family-friendly bounce houses and a petting zoo. Music & Nightlife: My Chemical Bromance brings its 2000s pop/punk set to Lock Haven’s Floating Stage Sunday (free; rain plan at Susquehanna Events Center). Film & Hollywood: Steven Spielberg’s “Disclosure Day” gets a spotlight as a career-long “alien genre” capstone, with Emily Blunt leading a race-against-time thriller. Sports (Pennsylvania ties): The Altoona Curve spark a big fourth inning in a win over Richmond, while the Pirates’ Jared Jones throws six perfect innings before Pittsburgh falls to Atlanta. Baseball (Philly): MLB All-Star Week in Philadelphia keeps rolling, with local coverage of the draft and upcoming Braves-Pirates matchups at PNC Park. Anime Convention: Otakon 2026 adds multiple guests, including voice actor Yūji Yanase and producer/director Yōko Ueda. Food & Health: Chester County restaurant inspection notes include a fail tied to food utensil condition and date-marking issues.

Freedom Fuel Network: The Trump-backed “Freedom Fuel” gas stations are popping up across Pennsylvania and New Jersey with a headline price of $3.47 a gallon, drawing both bargain-hunters and skepticism about how the program works. Cash App Fallout: A bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general reached a $45M settlement with Block over Cash App fraud failures and misleading claims about “advanced fraud detection,” with new customer-service and advertising requirements. Music Business: Hip-hop/R&B producer Jermaine Dupri sued Sony Music for $18M, alleging royalty underpayments and hidden accounting tied to major artists. Arts & Community: Butler County’s first “Steeples and Stacks Heritage Weekend” (July 10-11) brings local history, art, and performances into downtown as part of America250. Penn State/Health: Penn Nursing scholar Kathryn Connell argues nurse clinician–scientists need “dual expertise” to be recognized and supported so bedside insights can drive research. Local Culture: Philadelphia’s week of music includes Patti LaBelle, plus major touring acts and Philly-area shows tied to the MLB All-Star build-up.

Music & Live Shows: Patterson Hood and Craig Finn (Drive-By Truckers/The Hold Steady) are bringing their “Devils In The Details” tour to Off The Rails in Worcester on July 16, with a mix of solo material and band favorites. TV/Streaming: Apple TV+ unveiled the first look at crime thriller “Nocturne,” starring Liev Schreiber, Zazie Beetz, and Stephen Graham, premiering globally Oct. 30. Local Arts & Community Events: The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts returns July 8-12 in State College/Penn State, with major parking and transit changes for the 100,000+ crowd. Arts Fest Logistics: Here’s what to know about parking and transit during Arts Fest week in Centre County. Local Entertainment Roundup: A weekend roundup highlights summer entertainment across Pennsylvania. Sports Betting Research: Arnold Ventures is funding $2.6M in university research on sports gambling’s consumer and public health impacts, including Penn State researchers. Pennsylvania Infrastructure: Bellefonte is moving forward on a CDBG application to replace a leaking Potter Street water main. Smart Tech in Courts: New York will ban smart glasses in all court facilities statewide starting July 20.

MLB All-Star Week (Philadelphia): The 2026 MLB All-Star Game hits Citizens Bank Park on July 14, with a full slate of events already underway, including the HBCU Swingman Classic and All-Star Village festivities. Sports & Culture: Astros DH Yordan Alvarez was named an AL All-Star starter, adding more star power to the Philly showcase. Arts in Pennsylvania: Erie Philharmonic’s free “Thursday in the Park” concert in Corry City Park pairs patriotic pops with tributes to longtime arts supporters Margaret Zaphiris and Ron Rairie. Local Libraries: Abington Community Library’s July programming includes a patriotic wood-carving display and family science events. Pop Culture (PA): Star Wars fans get a major new way to explore the franchise—an immersive 50th anniversary exhibition is set for The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia starting Feb. 13, 2027. Community Spotlight: Monroe County’s America250PA Fourth of July parade drew big crowds with floats, bands, veterans, and local groups.

Music & Festivals: Four Year Strong headline the first Seven Hills Music Fest July 11 at the Palladium outdoors, with Silverstein, Silverstein, Knuckle Puck and Pennsylvania’s One Step Closer among the stacked lineup. Classic Rock: Ringo Starr announces a fall East Coast run with 10 shows, including Sept. 24 at Easton’s State Theatre and Oct. 7 in Albany; tickets go on sale July 10. Live Theater (America 250): The one-man Broadway play The American Soldier lands July 25 at Salem High School as part of the America 250 celebration, tracing service from the Revolution to today. Local Arts & Heritage: Johnsonburg’s Brick Block Arts & Heritage Festival (July 10-11) brings 50+ vendors, performers and downtown history programming tied to the Armstrong Brick Block’s recent awards. Health Watch: U.S. cyclosporiasis cases are rising across 17 states, including Pennsylvania, with officials urging people to watch for severe “explosive diarrhea” symptoms. Power & Community: Storms left tens of thousands without electricity in south-central PA, with restoration still underway and bill-credit options for affected customers. Entertainment & Culture: Netflix’s Chris and Martina: The final set revisits the Evert–Navratilova rivalry and their later-life bond.