AGP Executive Report

Biotech & Jobs: Newark’s Alstom plans a $55M investment in a former container site to build a maintenance and services hub for Amtrak’s next fastest trains. Gene Editing Push: Corrixr Therapeutics names pharma veteran Hilary Malone as CEO as its CRISPR platform advances toward an investigational new drug filing and first-in-human studies. Public Health & Water: Delaware’s AG joins a multistate push urging the EPA to keep researching microplastics in drinking water, backing stronger monitoring. Local Science Education: Conrad Schools of Science holds its June 6 Wilmington commencement for the Class of 2026. Health Research Spotlight: Delaware oncologist Deepak Vadehra weighs new clues on why young-onset colon cancer may be a distinct disease tied to modern diet and lifestyle. STEM in Action: UD’s Blue Hens robotics team wins an “Excellence in AI” award at the Farm Robotics Challenge for an AI-powered watermelon-harvesting rover. Community Tech & Privacy: Delaware’s privacy law is set to expand, with employers urged to take steps now. STEM Outdoors: Delaware students learn planting and harvesting through school gardens, continuing the seed-to-cafeteria push.

Delaware Privacy Update: Delaware’s Personal Data Privacy Act is set to expand, with House Bill 380 moving through the legislature and likely adding new duties for employers using AI tools like resume screeners, interview scoring, and workforce analytics—aimed to take effect Jan. 1, 2027. Rail & Jobs: Alstom is investing $55 million in a Newark maintenance and services facility for Amtrak’s NextGen Acela, with about 50 new jobs expected when it opens in summer 2028. Biotech Leadership: Corrixr Therapeutics named pharma veteran Hilary Malone as CEO as the Delaware gene-editing startup pushes its CRISPR platform toward investigational studies. Health & Research: ChristianaCare-linked research highlights how young-onset colon cancer may be a distinct disease tied to modern diet and inflammation. Community & Culture: Rehoboth Beach Museum hosts “Queering Delaware History” June 13, spotlighting LGBTQ+ Delaware stories often erased from the record. Local Tech & Education: UD’s Blue Hens robotics team won an “Excellence in AI” award at the Farm Robotics Challenge, using AI to help harvest watermelons.

Cancer & Nutrition: Delaware’s ChristianaCare GI oncology chief says new ASCO findings suggest young-onset colon cancer may be a distinct disease, with early clues pointing to inflammation tied to ultra-processed foods. Rail & Manufacturing: Alstom will invest $55M in Newark to build an Amtrak NextGen Acela maintenance and services site, adding about 50 jobs and targeting a summer 2028 opening. Biotech Leadership: Newark-based Corrixr Therapeutics names Hilary Malone CEO as its CRISPR gene-editing program moves toward an IND and first-in-human studies. Privacy & AI at Work: Delaware’s privacy law looks set to expand via HB 380, adding new obligations for AI tools used in hiring and workforce analytics starting Jan. 1, 2027. Local Tech/Research: UD’s mechanical engineering team returned a NASA-supported experiment from the ISS to study how particles change turbulence in microgravity. Environment & Health: A new study links wildfire-driven smoke to a reversal in years of U.S. ozone progress, while EPA comment letters urge more monitoring of microplastics in drinking water.

Space & Research: A University of Delaware experiment returned to campus after months on the International Space Station, using microgravity to study how particles change turbulence—work led by mechanical engineering professor Tyler Van Buren. Local Industry & Jobs: Alstom bought a 20-acre site near Newark to build a $55M services and maintenance facility for Amtrak’s NextGen Acela, with hiring planned and operations targeted for summer 2028. Health & Community: Delaware County’s COSA and Main Line Health will run a free Healthy Steps fall-prevention program for adults 60+ on June 15 and June 18 in Broomall. Education & STEM: UD’s Blue Hens robotics team won an “Excellence in AI” award at the 2026 Farm Robotics Challenge for an AI-powered rover that helps harvest watermelons. Public Safety: Delaware Capitol Police are investigating a death found near the Dover DMV; no foul play is suspected. Environment: A new report says PFAS “forever chemicals” are widespread in the Delaware River Basin, including in fish tissue. Tech & Finance: SparkyFi AI launched an AI-powered DeFi coaching platform aimed at helping users understand risk and exposure without custody. Cybersecurity: A new wave of AI voice-cloning scams is targeting parents with “kidnapping” calls demanding crypto payments. Sports & Economy: UD major sports events boosted Delaware’s local economy, with the CUSA softball championship alone tied to $11.5M in return on investment.

AI Health Breakthrough (Delaware): University of Delaware researchers report an AI method that can flag early epilepsy warning signs from baseline EEG rhythms in mice—without needing a captured seizure—setting up next tests on children evaluated at Nemours Children’s Health. Air Quality & Climate: A new study says wildfire smoke is undoing years of U.S. smog reductions, with ozone levels rising since 2015 and estimated added deaths. Delaware Biotech/Business: Bio Green Med Solution shares surged after announcing a Delaware-linked business combination to acquire a Malaysia sustainable medical waste technology integrator, aiming for a bundled compliance platform. Local Tech/Industry: Alstom bought a 20-acre Newark, Delaware site for Amtrak’s NextGen Acela maintenance and parts supply, investing $55M and targeting a summer 2028 opening. School Policy (National): More states are moving toward cellphone limits in schools, as new research questions the benefits of bans. Delaware Governance: Lawmakers introduced a package to address property reassessment concerns, including school tax-rate resets in New Castle County. Public Safety (Dover): Capitol Police are investigating a death found in woods behind the Dover DMV; no foul play suspected.

Delaware Health Tech: University of Delaware researchers report an AI approach that can spot early epilepsy warning signs from EEG patterns in mice, even when no visible seizures occur—next step is testing on children evaluated for epilepsy at Nemours Children’s Health. Delaware Public Safety: Delaware Capitol Police are investigating after a body was found in a wooded area behind the Dover DMV; foul play isn’t suspected and the case is with the Division of Forensic Science. AI + Infrastructure Security: A Philadelphia-area fusion center bulletin says police are monitoring social media “first amendment activity” critical of AI data centers, warning of potential future targeting despite noting a lack of specific plans. Cybersecurity/Brand Protection: CSC says its .BRAND domain advisory and security services are now listed on the CrowdStrike Marketplace, aiming to help enterprises reduce lookalike domain risk in the AI era. Space/Weather Comms: Gogo’s SD Government unit won a $7.5M NOAA contract to support Hurricane Hunter mission communications with L-band SATCOM and cybersecurity. Local Food Access: Instacart launched its biggest Summer Hunger campaign, partnering with Feeding America groups including food banks in Delaware and South Jersey to donate urgent items for kids missing meals.

Delaware Health & Tech: Sepax Technologies is seeking a $100M U.S. HQ and R&D center in Glasgow Commons Park, aiming to officially move out of the Delaware Technology Park as it expands its liquid chromatography business used in pharma and biotech. AI Efficiency: Corbenic AI says its Taliesin memory engine can restore previously processed AI context “byte-identically,” cutting long document reprocessing from minutes to seconds and claiming 21× speedups across GPU generations. Education & STEM: Delaware’s Department of Education and Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids added six new seed-to-cafeteria school gardens, bringing the program to 68 schools and about 28,500 students statewide. Healthcare Innovation: Jefferson University was selected to run Delaware’s first medical school, with an initial plan to locate it at the University of Delaware and a rural-focused free tuition pathway. Public Health Watch: A Delaware-linked Social Security analysis warns retirees in Delaware could lose about $549 per month if the trust fund runs out by 2032. Food Safety: Idaho officials are investigating a campylobacter outbreak tied to raw, unpasteurized milk, with dozens of cases reported. Local Community: Northampton’s Paw Prints on the Canal returns June 14 with vendors, K-9 support, and pet-focused activities.

Delaware Health: Delaware’s first medical school is set to launch through Thomas Jefferson University, with classes at the University of Delaware and a first cohort of 40 students in fall 2028, using $78M over five years from the Rural Health Transformation Fund and offering a “free ride” for students who commit to rural practice. AI & Privacy: Connecticut signed a broad AI law covering subscription disclosures, frontier model safety steps, AI in hiring, and watermarking for synthetic content, while a coalition of state AGs (including Delaware) urged Congress to preserve state privacy authority against the proposed SECURE Data Act. Climate Science in Courts: California AG Bonta led a coalition opposing a Federal Judicial Center move to remove climate science guidance from a judicial manual, arguing judges need up-to-date science for decisions affecting public health and the environment. Tech & Delaware Economy: Newark-based fintech GradBridge will expand with state support via a $780,000 Jobs Performance Grant, aiming to grow to nearly 50 jobs. Education Leadership: A new report spotlights how strong school principals can improve teacher retention and student outcomes, tying leadership investment to broader school performance gains. Environment & Water: NASA satellites spotted unusually blue-green coastal water off the Jersey Shore, Delaware, and nearby states, linked to phytoplankton blooms driven by seasonal winds and upwelling.

Delaware Medical Education: Thomas Jefferson University was selected to run Delaware’s first four-year medical school, with the Sidney Kimmel College Delaware Regional Campus based at UD in Newark and a first class of 40 students expected in fall 2028, plus a tuition-free rural service pathway. Public Health Oversight: Pennsylvania counties are leaving about half of child deaths unreviewed since 2020, with advocates citing missing state support and volunteer time; Gov. Shapiro is seeking $2.5M. AI + Privacy at Work: Smart glasses that record by default are forcing new legal thinking for employers, especially under a patchwork of privacy, labor, and health rules. Energy Costs: A new analysis argues soaring summer electric bills come from supply shortages and wholesale generation costs, not just hotter weather. Tech + IP: Nextpower sued GameChange Energy in Delaware over alleged solar tracker patent infringement. Marine Conservation: MERR will host a free World Ocean Day documentary screening in Lewes on June 8 with a Q&A and artifacts. Delaware Budget Watch: Lawmakers are finalizing the FY 2027 budget, including merit raises and education funding adjustments.

Healthcare Access: Delaware is moving toward its first four-year medical school, with Thomas Jefferson University selected to partner on a $78M, rural-focused program that includes a tuition-free pathway for students who commit to practicing in rural Delaware. Women’s Health: Bayhealth added maternal fetal medicine specialist Bryon Jacoby to expand high-risk pregnancy care in Sussex County. Public Health & Learning: Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids expanded its seed-to-cafeteria school garden push, adding six new Delaware programs reaching about 3,500 more students statewide. Tech & Policy: A coalition led by AG William Tong urged the Federal Judicial Center to restore a peer-reviewed climate science guide removed under partisan pressure. AI & Local Impact: A new warning piece argues Delaware could face mounting data-center pressure from the AI boom, echoing Utah’s controversy over power and water strain. Science in the Sky: NASA verified a New England bolide that produced a sonic boom and meteorite fall into Cape Cod Bay. Delaware Courts/Science: A Delaware federal court decision found certain Heron Therapeutics CINVANTI® patent claims invalid, with an appeal planned. Local Crime: Delaware State Police arrested a Smyrna man accused of murdering his 10-year-old daughter and abusing two other children.

Delaware Tax Policy: Delaware’s HB 234 would make collective bargaining a broad constitutional right, potentially shifting control of state worker healthcare and pensions from lawmakers to union arbitration—raising taxpayer costs and credit-rating risk. Delaware Tech & IP: Nextpower filed a patent infringement lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for Delaware against GameChange Solar, alleging infringement tied to solar tracker and energy management technology. Delaware Life Sciences: UD named biomaterials scientist April Kloxin director of the Delaware Biotechnology Institute, a statewide hub for life science research and workforce development. Space Science: NASA says a meteor over New England was about 5 feet wide and released energy equivalent to roughly 230 tons of TNT, with fragments falling near Cape Cod Bay. Environmental Health: A Delaware federal judge refused to toss dental patent claims (Align Technology vs. Medit), while Delaware-area tick reports show rising Lyme rates in nearby counties. Crypto/Finance: Keyrock is moving to acquire bankrupt Blockfills, pending court approval. Data Centers (Regional): Ohio hearings and sales-tax break decisions highlight growing public pressure over data center water, energy, and land impacts.

Solar Tech & Delaware Courts: Nextpower (NXT) filed a patent infringement lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware against GameChange Solar, alleging IP violations tied to self-powered solar tracker tech and its TrueCapture energy management system. AI at the Edge: Broadcom unveiled an “AI-ready” broadband Edge AI push, pairing Wi‑Fi 8 with low-latency edge processing aimed at smoother conversational AI experiences. Delaware Life Sciences Leadership: The University of Delaware named biomaterials scientist April Kloxin director of the Delaware Biotechnology Institute, a statewide life science research and workforce hub. Environmental Law: The Center for Biological Diversity sued the federal government seeking Endangered Species Act protections for horseshoe crabs after NOAA declined to list them. Public Safety (Delaware): Delaware State Police are investigating the death of 45-year-old Lori Rogers found injured at Alapocas Run State Park in Wilmington. Water Infrastructure Watch: A report flags that 1.85 million New Yorkers may still be served by lead or probable-lead lines, while Delaware Aqueduct repairs are delayed again. Cybercrime & Scams: New guidance warns that AI is supercharging real estate scams, including impersonation and fraud tied to large losses.

Space Science: NASA confirmed a bright meteor exploded over northeastern Massachusetts and southeastern New Hampshire on May 30, sending a sonic boom across New England and even reports from Delaware to Montreal; the fireball likely fragmented about 40 miles up with energy around 300 tons of TNT. Health Tech: Pro Medicus says it’s landing major imaging contracts—$44M total—renewing and expanding Visage software use at Allegheny Health Network and Tidal Health, while management pushes back on “AI disruption” fears. Delaware Governance: A Delaware judge upheld rules allowing corporations to vote in certain local elections, keeping the spotlight on how corporate “personhood” is shaping state and local democracy. Environment Policy: A push to roll back federal wetlands protections is leaving localities to fill the gap, raising stakes for Delaware River Basin and other water-linked ecosystems. STEM & Education: Texas school police tactics are under scrutiny after reports of pepper-spraying, tackling, and Tasering students—sparking a broader debate over school safety and discipline. Energy & Policy: U.S. lawmakers advanced a plan that could let states opt into permanent daylight saving time.

Space Science: NASA says a fast-moving fireball exploded over northeastern Massachusetts/New Hampshire on May 30, producing a sonic boom felt across New England and even reported as far as Delaware—energy estimates put it around 300 tons of TNT. Environmental Policy: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is moving to stop regulating wetlands, a shift that could leave millions of acres more vulnerable as localities become the front line. Delaware Governance: A Delaware judge is letting corporations vote in certain local elections, raising fresh questions about who gets a say in public policy. Health & Biotech (Delaware): Incyte reports positive Phase 3 frontMIND trial results for tafasitamab plus lenalidomide with R-CHOP in high-risk DLBCL/HGBL, with data set for ASCO. Aviation Tech (Delaware): Pivotal joins a PennDOT-led FAA eVTOL integration pilot effort, with Delaware among the participating states. Invasive Species: Maryland is encouraging “Frankenfish” snakehead hunting using high-powered bows and arrows to protect native waterways.

Delaware Health Access: ChristianaCare will open the ChristianaCare Hospital, Aston in early June, adding 24/7 emergency care, inpatient services, imaging, lab work, and virtual specialty consults for about 15,000 patients a year. Space Policy Watch: A House report says NASA-funded researchers may have violated a China collaboration ban hundreds of times via joint publications with Chinese institutions. Cancer Research: Incyte reported positive Phase 3 frontMIND trial results for tafasitamab plus lenalidomide with R-CHOP, showing a 25% reduced risk of progression or death in untreated high-risk DLBCL. Delaware Governance: A Delaware judge upheld a ruling allowing corporations to vote in some local elections, reigniting debate over corporate power. STEM in Delaware: Delaware’s climate research community is pushing better hurricane damage simulations, with UD meteorology graduate Thomas Florio working on pre-landfall modeling. Public Safety: Delaware State Police continue investigating the death of a 10-year-old girl found in a Smyrna bedroom; forensic science will determine cause and manner of death.

Climate & Weather Debate: A UD climatology researcher pushes back on DNREC’s claim that a Frederica tornado “is what climate change looks like,” saying Delaware tornado records show variability but no clear long-term rise. Public Health & Care Access: ChristianaCare says it will open a 24/7 neighborhood hospital in Aston in early June, bringing emergency and inpatient services plus imaging and labs closer to Delaware County. Delaware Health Policy: JAMA physicians argue states can treat primary care like a public utility via a “primary care common fund,” pointing to low primary-care spending and staffing gaps. Water Quality: The Delaware River Basin Commission reports PFAS remains widespread across the basin, with concentrations rising toward the Delaware Bay and plans for a June 15 public webinar and interactive map. STEM & Education: Sussex Academy students represented Delaware at the National 4-H Ignite Summit, while Delaware-area engineering and patent news highlights local professional recognition. Safety & Justice: Delaware State Police are investigating the death of a 10-year-old girl in Smyrna; forensic science will determine cause and manner. Economy & Entrepreneurship: A LendingTree analysis finds record U.S. business applications in 2025, with Delaware among the top states for new filings per capita.