AGP Executive Report

Special Olympics Spotlight: Indian River High School swim alum Patrick Callow of Ocean View won bronze (100-yard individual medley) and added two fifth-place finishes at the USA Special Olympics Games, televised on ESPN2. Youth Adventure: Venturing Crew Unit 2007 from Dagsboro took on a high-heat canoe-and-camping expedition across Indian River Bay, including a hike and lunch stop near Burton Island. Delaware State Fair Prep: The Delaware State Fair runs July 23–Aug. 1 with ADA access, sensory services, shaded breaks, and free parking plus shuttles—here’s what families should know before they go. Zoo News: Brandywine Zoo unveiled its new year-round Hidden Falls exhibit, a $2.5M project featuring five habitat species in climate-controlled indoor viewing and outdoor landscaping. Local Sports Recruiting: ESPN reports four-star rising senior Oneal Delancy has committed to Houston, highlighting his recent EYBL and Peach Jam performances. Gaming & Policy: Delaware’s alcohol law changes expand licensing options for small businesses, including new bottle club and special events venue pathways.

Delaware Liquor Update: The Delaware Office of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commissioner says new state laws will expand licensing for small businesses and special events, including bottle club and special event venue options for outdoor arts and music festivals, plus changes to alcohol delivery, Delta-9 THC beverage rules, bartending age (with supervision), select off-premises whiskey sales, expanded alcohol auctions, and longer service hours at the state’s racetrack casinos. Public Health Alert: Delaware and Chester County, Pa. have declared measles outbreaks, with Delaware confirming four cases tied to unvaccinated Kent County adult men and Chester County reporting 13—health officials are urging vaccination and warning of severe complications. Community Safety: Delaware State Police report a 63-year-old man in a wheelchair died after being hit by a pickup truck in New Castle. Sports Spotlight: Lincoln University is set to host Virginia Union at the Linc on Oct. 31—Lincoln’s first Philadelphia game in 16 years. Entertainment & Culture: Cecil County Fair (MD) returns July 24–Aug. 1 with new acts including Scott’s World of Magic and All-American Pig Races, plus live music nights and themed daily events.

Middle East Tensions: President Trump warned the U.S. will bomb and destroy “one bridge or power plant” in Iran for every Strait of Hormuz ship attack, as Iran’s military warned of wider retaliation and oil prices jumped. Delaware Military Moment: Trump attended a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base for four U.S. service members killed in the Iran conflict, with the ceremony unfolding amid fresh escalation threats. Local Music: The Queen in Wilmington is hosting DoorJame, a free outdoor Market Street concert (July 25) with four local bands plus vendors and a food truck. Community Health: Delaware reported two confirmed measles cases in Kent County, urging vaccinations and noting recent MMR clinics. Local Tradition: Bethany Beach will keep its long-running jazz funeral going after the organizer’s death, with the city taking over planning for the Labor Day event. Library & Teens: Lewes Public Library announced summer teen programs, including self-defense basics, a teen photography workshop with Delaware Museum of Art, and one-on-one college essay help.

Delaware Arts & Community: Nemours Children’s Health Milford received a $40,000 donation from the Improved Order of Red Men Delaware State Orphans’ Board to buy a Myro Interactive Therapy System for kids’ treatment programs. Live Music: The Lenape Chamber Ensemble’s Summer Gala Concerts wrap July 25 at Delaware Valley University in Doylestown with Philadelphia Orchestra musicians joining for Mozart, Milhaud and Dvořák. Local Government & Planning: Gov. Matt Meyer signed Senate Bill 9, creating Delaware’s first comprehensive freshwater wetlands protection program and a clearer permitting process for landowners, farmers and businesses. Sports & Learning: Delaware-area educators highlight how sports-themed lessons can boost student engagement, from math units built around soccer to science lessons tied to the body’s systems. Delaware Sports Spotlight: Delaware alumni are set for the 2026 World Masters Hockey World Cup in the Netherlands, with eight Fightin’ Blue Hens participating across age groups. Entertainment & Culture: Philly won’t bid to host the James Beard Awards, even as the foundation searches for a new 2029–2033 host city. Weather Watch: A tornado watch is in effect across Delaware and parts of the region as severe storms roll through.

Climate & Policy: Delaware AG Nick Brown is co-leading a lawsuit challenging an EPA rule that weakens limits meant to phase out highly potent HFC greenhouse gases. Sports Business: DraftKings got approval to launch multi-state internet poker in Michigan, building on the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement that includes Delaware. Ticketing Troubles: A Vancouver man filed a proposed class action against StubHub and related entities over World Cup tickets that never arrived. Delaware Arts & Community: Coastal Delaware Artisan Market returns Aug. 16 in Rehoboth with 35 local makers, plus kids’ activities and food. Local Entertainment & Racing: Highly Motivated’s Cha Cha Baby romped to a maiden win at Delaware Park. Delaware Environment: Gov. Matt Meyer signed the Freshwater Wetlands Stewardship Act to protect wetlands and tighten permitting. Sports in Wilmington: OnDeck Partners’ acquisition of the Wilmington Blue Rocks clears final approval, setting up new ballpark community programming. Public Safety: Faith leaders rallied after Wilmington police body-cam footage in the Kadir Skinner case, calling for transparency and reform. Weather Alert: A tornado watch was issued for parts of Delaware and the region.

Entertainment Business: A federal judge paused Paramount Skydance’s $110B merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, siding with 12 Democratic state AGs that the deal raises serious antitrust concerns—big implications for TV and film in Delaware’s entertainment ecosystem. Local Arts & Culture: Lyceum Hall Center for the Arts in Wilmington hosts “The Music of 1776 & Hamilton: A Revolutionary Revue” on July 25, blending songs from two major musicals with four featured vocalists. Delaware Public Health: Gov. Matt Meyer signed an order creating Delaware’s Office of the Surgeon General and named Dr. Neil Hockstein as the first surgeon general, starting Aug. 3. Sports Spotlight: Delaware native Jaylin Belford (Liberty) earned a 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team nomination for community service and leadership. Community & Safety: Delaware County Sheriff Siddiq Kamara publicly released threatening racist, Islamophobic voicemails now under investigation. Delaware Sports (Youth): Massapequa’s 12U Little League run continues after a thriller win over Delaware’s Middletown-Odessa-Townsend, setting up another elimination game Tuesday.

Local Arts Spotlight: vanessa german’s new work reshaped the Germantown Colored Girls Museum—contractors stripped the galleries, repainting and reconfiguring the space for “The House, The Oracle and the Table,” unveiled for the museum’s 10th birthday. Delaware Culture & Community: WHYY News won 17 Professional Keystone Media Awards, including first-place honors tied to major regional civic stories. Music in Delaware: Love Seed & Sons is marking 35 years as a Dewey Beach staple, with band members reflecting on how the group’s “jokey” name became a long-running tradition. Live Entertainment: Jon Pardi announced a fall “Gamblin’ Man Tour,” including a Delaware stop at Freeman Arts Pavilion in Selbyville on Aug. 20. Sports & Events: Delaware Electric Cooperative crews restored power after weekend storms; and Delaware’s Coastal Cleanup returns Sept. 19 with registration open for volunteers statewide. Public Safety (Non-Entertainment): A former Walton teacher pleaded guilty to misconduct involving inappropriate social media messages with students; sentencing is set for mid-September.

Delaware Lottery: Self-service sports wagering kiosks are now live at all 89 Sports Lottery retailers and Delaware’s three casinos, with Caesars Sportsbook-powered menus adding prop bets, Same Game Parlays, and live in-game wagering. Newark Public Safety: Delaware State Police are investigating after a 30-year-old man’s body was found in a retention pond near Christiana Hospital in Newark. Milton LGBTQ Health: NOVUS opened its first Delaware practice in Milton (616 Mulberry St.), offering free STD/STI testing including HIV, plus PrEP, and launching alongside Rehoboth Beach Pride weekend. Arts & Culture (Regional): The U.S. Regional Arts Organization awarded grants to Delawareans to preserve folklife in communities of color, including Cuban dance group Treinta Y Tres Delaware Rueda. Sports (National, Delaware ties): Conference USA released preseason watch lists and its Bowl Confidence Index; Delaware native Nick Minicucci was named preseason offensive player of the year. Community/Weather: Delmarva’s week included extreme heat and wildfire smoke pushing air quality to Code Red, plus severe storm impacts and power outages across the region.

Local Crime: Delaware State Police are investigating after a man’s body was found in a retention pond near Christiana Hospital in Newark. Violence Update: Four people were injured in a shooting at the Waffle House parking lot in Newark early Saturday; no arrests yet. Road Safety: Two people were hospitalized after a serious crash in New Castle County near Stanton. Sports Betting: Delaware Lottery rolled out self-service sports wagering kiosks at 89 retailers plus its three casinos, powered by Caesars Sportsbook. Music & Culture: Inkcarceration in Mansfield drew international metal fans, with wildfire smoke from Canada adding to the unusual atmosphere. Entertainment Buzz: Zach Bryan teased a new track, “Walk Backwards,” likely tied to his forthcoming EP. Arts & Health: NOVUS opened its first Delaware practice in Milton, offering free STD/STI testing and PrEP, kicking off during Rehoboth Beach Pride weekend. Weather Watch: Severe storms and wildfire smoke pushed air quality and power outages across Delmarva.

Local Health & Pride: NOVUS opened its first Delaware practice in Milton (616 Mulberry St.), offering free STD/STI testing including HIV, plus PrEP, and kicking off during Rehoboth Beach Pride weekend. Cyber & Privacy Fallout: Delaware AG-led 23andMe breach claims are finally moving toward payouts after a settlement tied to the company’s bankruptcy, following the 2023 genetic data breach that exposed 6.9 million customers. Arts & Community: The Artists’ Gallery in Chestertown is hosting a reception for Carol McClees’ “Wonders of Water” (through August), exploring the Chesapeake Bay’s moods and meanings. Sports Spotlight: Massapequa International’s 12-and-under softball team fell in the LLWS Mid-Atlantic opener and now plays an elimination game Monday. Delaware Entertainment/Media Legal Watch: A Disney settlement could pay eligible YouTube TV and DirecTV subscribers in Delaware (claim deadline Sept. 8).

Paramount Legal Storm: Multiple states and the Writers Guild of America are suing to block Paramount’s $111B Warner Bros. Discovery deal, arguing it could shrink competition and squeeze writers’ pay. Delaware County Tech Trouble: Delaware County, PA confirmed its weeks-long government system outages were caused by a cyber-attack, with most critical services back online while libraries remain impacted. Local Public Safety: New Castle County police want help identifying a burglary suspect caught on camera in Claymont. Arts & Culture: OperaDelaware’s new season is underway under new leadership, and The Artists’ Gallery in Chestertown is hosting Carol McClees’ “Wonders of Water” through August. Sports & Community: Delaware native Lily Farris is pushing “We Sport Too” to expand access for young athletes with disabilities. Big Screen/TV: Netflix’s Little House reboot spotlights Dr. George Tann, tying the show to the real-life Black doctor who helped the Ingalls family. Air Quality Watch: Canadian wildfire smoke is driving unhealthy conditions across the region, including ahead of the World Cup final.

Wildfire Smoke & Air Quality: Delaware is under a Code Red air quality action day as Canadian wildfire smoke pushes PM2.5 into unhealthy ranges, with DNREC warning residents to limit strenuous outdoor activity—especially kids, older adults, and people with heart or lung conditions. Arts Funding: Philadelphia’s Cultural Fund announced a record $5.6M in arts and culture grants to 322 organizations, with a new two-tier model aimed at more equitable distribution. OperaDelaware Leadership: OperaDelaware is gearing up for its October season with new General Director Eric Einhorn, stepping in after Brendan Cooke’s 14-year run. Health Tech for Patients: ChristianaCare is rolling out AI-generated doctor avatars to help cancer patients feel more comfortable before first visits, with Delaware Public Media covering the program. Delaware Sports Betting: The Delaware Lottery expanded access to self-service sports wagering kiosks at 89 retailers plus all three casinos. Delaware State Fair Prep: The Delaware State Fair returns July 23–Aug. 1 with accessibility features, sensory options, and practical visitor tips. Food Safety Watch: A cyclospora outbreak tied to Taco Bell shredded iceberg lettuce has federal health officials urging people to avoid the implicated lettuce in affected states.

OperaDelaware Leadership: OperaDelaware announced Eric Einhorn as its new general director, stepping in after Brendan Cooke’s 14-year run, as the company prepares its October season. AI in Healthcare: ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center is using AI-generated doctor avatars to help patients feel more comfortable before first visits. Local Arts & Community: Starlight’s “Star-tastic” summer art show kicks off Friday night, supporting disabled artists and programming. Sports Betting in Delaware: The Delaware Lottery rolled out self-service sports wagering kiosks at all 89 sports retailers plus Delaware’s three casinos. Lottery News: POWERBALL® Double Play® launches in Delaware, giving players a second chance at up to $10 million. Food Safety Alert: Cyclosporiasis cases tied to shredded iceberg lettuce from a Taco Bell supplier are driving new warnings in multiple states. Outdoor Plans Hit by Smoke: Wildfire air quality is forcing cancellations and shifting Delaware Park/Woodbine racing dates, with “Code Red” conditions reported. Delaware Entertainment Destination: Visit Delco’s Delco Ice Cream Trail Pass is rewarding summer tastings with points and prizes. Newark Entertainment: Lefty’s Alley & Eats opens a second Newark location with bowling, arcade, and a Game Show Studio experience.

Delaware Arts & Culture: Delaware Valley Opera brings Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Mikado” back to the stage this weekend as part of its 40th anniversary season, with topical new verses and familiar crowd favorites. Live Music: Celtic to Classical returns for its 11th season, featuring Trio Barclay performances in Milford, Rehoboth Beach, and Bethany Beach (plus a free noon recital in Lewes). Local Entertainment & Community: Delaware’s statewide Commercial Corridor Initiative launches to help small businesses upgrade storefronts and operations, pairing grants with private lending. Sports & Youth: Newark High names longtime softball coach/administrator Brian Corey as its new athletic director, while the Dream Court dedication in Laurel turns a Boys & Girls Club outdoor court into a new community hub. Food & Nightlife: Atlas Restaurant Group opens Marmo (Italian) and Armada (tacos/Tex-Mex/tequila) in Annapolis Waterfront Hotel. Health & Safety: Wildfire smoke keeps impacting the region, with air quality warnings extending into Friday.

Music Spotlight: Delaware Concerto Competition winner Anna Liang, 12, took the statewide title in the 12-and-under group, crediting her piano teacher Meldene Gruber and a life-changing Columbia University tour that helped her see music alongside STEM. Family Fun in Delaware: Lefty’s Alley & Eats is opening in Newark’s The Grove, turning a former Kmart into a 55,000-square-foot entertainment hub with bowling, a big arcade, axe-throwing, a Topgolf simulator, and a Game Show Studio built for Wheel of Fortune–style play. Community Sports: The Dream Court ribbon-cutting in Laurel brought a new outdoor basketball court to the Boys & Girls Club through Nancy Lieberman Charities and Sports Court, the 142nd Dream Court nationwide. Arts & Culture: Atlabs launched kids-focused AI video tools—an AI Kids Music Video Agent and an AI Kids Cartoon Agent—aimed at consistent, family-safe animated storytelling. Media Business: A Paramount shareholder lawsuit filed in Delaware Chancery Court targets Larry and David Ellison over alleged “illegal” Trump-linked side deals tied to the Paramount–WBD merger. Local Entertainment/Events: Newtown’s America 250 celebration (Aug. 8) turns historic sites into living-history classrooms, with reenactments, tours, and kids’ activities.

Delaware Arts & Culture: The Lewes Public Library is hosting a Southern Delaware Poetry Slam for writers 16+ on Sunday, July 26, with a required signup and an open-mic-style format in the library’s fireplace area. Music & Performance: The W.D. Packard Concert Band’s next outdoor concert features soprano Sujin Lee and tenor Shawn Mathey, with a guest conductor and a mix of opera and Irish classics. Film in Delaware County: HBO’s “Task” returns to Delco for Season 2, with filming planned in Upper Darby (Drexel Hill area) this week and road/parking restrictions in place. Local Entertainment Events: Mercer County, NJ is kicking off “Happy Hour on the River” before Trenton Thunder games, with live music, family activities, and $1 hot dogs for the first 250 each night. Community & Safety: With heat and wildfire smoke affecting the region, Delaware County residents are being urged to use cooling options and take precautions for air quality and heat-related illness. Media Business Watch: Paramount is facing fresh shareholder claims in Delaware Chancery Court tied to alleged side deals involving CNN as the WBD merger fight continues.