AGP Executive Report

Energy & Utilities: Avista is set to seek a rate increase before a state committee next week, while a regional energy panel warns Washington needs more power soon—especially renewables. Construction & Infrastructure: Shimmick is expanding its Washington footprint, including a major Sound Transit Renton contract, as the contractor touts a growing backlog. Geothermal Innovation: Seattle startup Endurance Energy is preparing its next undersea volcano geothermal deployment off the Oregon coast, aiming to scale clean power from hydrothermal heat. Defense & Manufacturing: Lockheed Martin’s Kodiak containerized launcher hit its first live-fire test at Yakima Training Center, firing a reduced-range practice rocket to validate remote rocket artillery concepts. Housing & Land Use: Seattle-area UW student housing redevelopment highlights the tension between adding homes and protecting trees—construction can harm “protected” trees even without cutting trunks. Tech & Finance: BECU reported a digital banking outage, with users reporting access problems. Business & Consumer: Jones Soda’s revenue more than doubled in Q2 as Fallout-branded shipments rose through warehouse clubs, even as freight and costs squeezed margins. Food Safety: Frankie’s Organic recalled vegan cheddar puffs sold in Washington due to possible undeclared milk. Local Science: Redmond student Vedika Devarajan won a materials science award at ISEF for a banana-leaf-inspired incubator liner design to help reduce hospital-acquired infections.

Energy & Infrastructure: Prime Infrastructure says its $2.57B Wawa pumped-storage project is ~18% complete and still aiming to start operations by 2030, with 600 MW of generating capacity and 6,000 MWh of daily storage. Materials & Manufacturing: SLAC researchers report copper melts more gradually than models predicted, a finding that could improve how fusion reactor materials are designed for extreme heat. Public Health & Regulation: A growing legal fight over gas-powered leaf blowers is intensifying as states and cities move toward phasing them out and industry pushes back with preemption and court challenges. Local Safety: Seattle firefighters responded to multiple small electrical fires at a West Seattle warehouse near West Marginal Way S., with Seattle City Light on scene. Tech & Finance: Galaxy Digital cut the odds of the CLARITY crypto bill passing in 2026 to 10% as lawmakers face a tight Sept. schedule. Sports Business: Seahawks worked out RB Anthony Hankerson as they manage a thin backfield during preseason.

Utility Regulation Fight: Washington AG Nick Brown is pushing to cut Avista’s allowed profit, arguing the Spokane-area utility’s proposed rate hike should be about $115 million lower in first-year returns—setting up a major Aug. 27 public hearing and Sept. 17-18 evidentiary phase. Port Electrification: Northwest Seaport Alliance added a second battery-electric forklift at its Tacoma terminal, backed by a $2.6M state grant plus matching funds, as it ramps up zero-emission cargo handling. Energy & Climate Tension: A report says Amazon is backing a massive gas power plant tied to its West Texas data center build—fueling renewed debate over corporate clean-energy claims. Local Governance: Seattle recall charges target Mayor Katie Wilson over public safety failures, including claims of slow response and disruption of police leadership. Sports Business & Local Interest: The Seahawks’ preseason opener vs. Dallas ended 17-7, with backups getting most reps and cornerback Devon Witherspoon landing a major extension. Environment & Tribal Stewardship: UW researchers and the Samish Indian Nation are working to save endangered sunflower sea stars in the San Juans after a wasting-disease surge.

Clean Energy Clash: Washington utilities are planning a fleet of new gas plants even as the state targets carbon-free electricity by 2045, setting up a fresh fight over how to meet rising demand. Real Estate & Jobs: Seattle pending home sales fell nearly 16% year over year in July as layoffs and AI-driven uncertainty make buyers more cautious, with more listings and softer prices not fully calming the market. Data Privacy: Washington’s AG says data privacy practices are putting residents at risk, outlining enforcement priorities and recommendations. Tech & Security: A Cornell study warns passkeys can be abused by intimate-partner abusers who can register rogue passkeys that may survive password changes, leaving most victims unable to remove them without expert help. Local Infrastructure: WSDOT is moving major SR 516 repaving work in Kent, while the region also faces multiple weekend road closures tied to bridge and transit projects. Aerospace/Industry: Blue Origin and RBC are signaling a multi-band ground station network in Washington, part of broader space infrastructure buildout.

Data Privacy: Washington AG Brown urged new rules for data brokers, calling current practices a risk to residents and outlining priorities in a first-ever data privacy report. Housing & Tech Economy: Seattle-area pending home sales fell sharply in July, with Redfin pointing to a “shaky tech market” and layoffs at major employers. Childcare Access: Seattle is set to launch a 2027 study on universal preschool and childcare, funded through its Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy. Energy & Industry: A federal push could send up to $100M to mining schools, with UAF positioned as the Pacific Northwest’s only mining school. Wildfire Response: Record wildfire conditions are straining federal firefighting capacity, with Washington calling in National Guard and Army support amid staffing cuts. Local Governance & Infrastructure: Clallam County will review a feasibility study tied to Morse Creek and other county code and energy retrofit items. Workforce & Business: Tyson Foods plans to close a Utah meat facility, underscoring ongoing pressure from cattle shortages. AI & Data Centers: A new report warns data centers may drive higher electricity bills and intensify water permitting fights, including in Washington.

Seattle Childcare Push: Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and City Council are funding a 2027 study on universal preschool and childcare, aiming to map who gets free access and how the city would pay for it. Puget Sound Commuting: WSDOT will shut all northbound lanes on the 1st Ave South Bridge (SR-99) for two August weekends to finish cracked-steel repairs, with major detours for south-end drivers. Real Estate: Redfin says pending home sales in the Seattle metro fell 15.6% last month, with high prices and tech hiring uncertainty weighing on demand. Public Safety Tech: Renton is pausing action on Flock automated license plate reader cameras pending a public presentation, after council backlash over the contract and rollout. Aerospace: Blue Origin is partnering with RBC Signals to build a multi-antenna ground station network at its Quartz, Wash. manufacturing site. Energy/Industry: Tyson Foods is scaling back beef, closing Illinois and Utah facilities and pursuing a Washington plant sale amid a historic cattle shortage. Sports & Legal: Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald says the team’s “overwhelmingly positive” vetting helped drive its deal with cornerback Terrion Arnold, who faces eight felony charges. Healthcare Courts: A federal appeals court revived a Justice Department subpoena targeting QueerDoc, a telehealth provider for transgender youth.

Wildfire relief in Eastern Washington: The Innovia Foundation says local and national donors have topped $5 million for Spokane-area wildfire survivors, with funds moving through immediate relief, stabilization (including rental help and back-to-school supplies), and long-term rebuilding. Public safety and policy: A federal court filing seeks to permanently stop a Tukwila raw pet food maker after years of FDA contamination findings, alleging repeated dangerous bacteria in products. Seattle housing and services: Seattle is sharing new details on the Glassyard Commons RV and tiny home safe lot planned for November 2026, even as outreach groups criticize the approach and question logistics like sanitation. Elections and betting: A Washington judge orders Kalshi to geofence and suspend most Washington offerings, including sports and election prediction markets, with penalties for missing deadlines. Transit and infrastructure: Sound Transit pushed the West Seattle Link Extension opening to 2035, citing budget gaps and cost-saving schedule changes. Aerospace/defense: Boeing’s Wisk sale is framed as a risk-and-distraction reduction while the company continues its turnaround; separately, the U.S. Army unveiled its first production Maneuver Support Vessel Light for shallow-water logistics.

Prediction Markets Crackdown: A King County judge ordered Kalshi to stop most event-contract wagers for Washington residents, requiring geofencing by Sept. 2 and banning sports, elections, politics, entertainment, culture, tech and science offerings, with steep daily penalties if deadlines slip. Transit Cost Pressure: Sound Transit pushed the West Seattle Link Extension opening to 2035 (from 2032) and flagged major SODO design changes that cut costs by more than $2 billion and reduce construction impacts. Aviation/Ports Investment: The Port of Seattle approved $1.1B to fund the $2.5B S Concourse modernization at Sea-Tac, targeting a 2034 completion and aiming for lower energy use and LEED Silver. Maritime Industry Funding: MARAD awarded $35.18M to 45 small shipyards nationwide; Washington received six grants for equipment, infrastructure and workforce training. Healthcare Design Expansion: HMC Architects added healthcare leadership in the Pacific Northwest, expanding its regional hospital and specialty-care design practice. Local Governance & Housing Costs: Seattle’s council advanced a ban on most “junk” rental fees, requiring clearer upfront disclosures and limiting what landlords can charge. Public Safety: A recall effort is underway against Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, while a separate South Seattle incident involving undercover officers led to a $1M bail set for a suspect.

Transportation Disruption: A semi-truck crash blocked the I-405 off-ramp to I-90 in Bellevue early Thursday, spilling about 96,000 pounds of construction debris; no injuries were reported, and crews are working to clear the ramp. Housing & Construction: First Story will hold a home dedication Aug. 19 for a Bend family built through a partnership with Hayden Homes and NeighborImpact, aiming to expand affordable homeownership without government subsidies. Port & Development: JMS Development sued the Port of Pasco over the Osprey Pointe project, alleging the port’s leadership pushed to remove JMS and prevent reinstatement. Energy & Cleanup: The U.S. DOE is seeking permit changes for Hanford tank waste to be grouted instead of vitrified, aiming to speed disposal of up to a million additional gallons. Public Works: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers begins 2026 repairs to the North Fork Skagit River levee system in Mount Vernon to restore 50-year flood protection. Local Business: Mustang Signs in the Tri-Cities has new owners and a push to grow as a major Pacific Northwest sign supplier. Industry Training: WSU’s Carson College added AI- and supply-chain-focused online certificate programs via Ziplines Education. Wildfire Recovery: Spokane’s disaster assistance center has closed, with Red Cross and other groups continuing support for wildfire survivors.

Critical Minerals: Nova Minerals says it’s pushing Alaska’s Estelle project toward first antimony production, with 24/7 drilling, ore sorting feeding a Port MacKenzie pilot plant, and permitting progress. Housing & Homelessness: Gov. Bob Ferguson and Sen. Maria Cantwell joined Catholic Charities for the Yakima grand opening of Casa de la Mora, a 73-unit supportive housing project with on-site services. Agriculture: Washington farmers can now apply for the state’s $4.3M Climate-Smart Farm Equipment Grant Program to cut emissions and boost soil health. Energy Costs: Seattle City Light adopted a rate ordinance setting a 9.5% electricity hike for 2027 and 2028 to fund grid upgrades and meet rising demand. Public Safety & Streets: Seattle reported a fatal scooter hit-and-run and a separate skateboarder hit-and-run, underscoring pressure on Vision Zero goals. Fraud Watch: Tri-Cities residents were warned about AI-powered scams using voice cloning and deepfakes as statewide losses near $460M. Defense Manufacturing: Lockheed Martin conducted a first live-fire test of its containerized Kodiak GMLRS launcher at Yakima Training Center. Food Recall: Frankie’s Organic Plant-Based Vegan Cheddar Puffs are recalled in Washington after undeclared milk triggers allergy risk. Local Courts: Riverside Church abuse cases remain mired in court six months after the first trial and settlement.

Biotech Leadership Move: Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals says it’s reshaping operations as it prepares for its next clinical and commercial phase, adding a new EVP for technical operations and shifting R&D leadership. Food Safety & Regulation: The U.S. Justice Department sued Washington raw pet food maker Darwin’s Natural Pet Products, alleging repeated contamination with harmful bacteria. Public Health Policy: A new federal vaccine executive order would cut recommended childhood vaccines and push changes to how MMR is administered, while insurers and medical agencies say coverage and CDC schedules remain in place for now. Healthcare Workforce Impact: Head Start in Washington faces proposed federal rule changes that could reduce services for more than 14,000 children statewide. Energy/Infrastructure: Vigor Marine Fabrication in Vancouver marked progress on a new all-aluminum maneuver support vessel for the U.S. Army, with work tied to a large local supplier network. Local Economy/Real Estate: New data shows Arlington apartment sizes are shrinking even as rents stay high, with new units averaging about 815 sq. ft. Dairy Markets: The July Class III milk price fell to $15.52 per cwt., with futures pointing to higher August and beyond.

Public Safety: Seattle City Council pressed police leadership and Mayor Katie Wilson’s office over the Bite of Seattle shooting, including a long gap before officials reassured the public and uncertainty about whether a suspect was still at large. Housing Policy: Seattle unanimously approved rules to eliminate certain rental “junk fees” (including pet rent and package charges) and require clearer upfront pricing, as the city moves to curb surprise costs for renters. Local Justice: In Renton, a man accused of killing his mother and stabbing an officer pleaded not guilty; his trial is set for Oct. 5. Transportation & Safety: Seattle saw a “Lime Takeover” scooter event draw crowds and controversy, while the city continues to grapple with rider safety after a recent fatal crash. Industry & Ports: Port of Ridgefield outlined a “21st century working waterfront” vision for Ridgefield’s waterfront redevelopment. Energy/Research: A Washington State Academy of Sciences report lays out a low-cost path to build quantum strength by focusing on areas tied to existing state research and industrial capabilities. Wildfire Response: Gov. Bob Ferguson issued a new emergency declaration for eastern Washington wildfire victims after hundreds of structures were destroyed.

Justice & Food Safety: The U.S. Justice Department filed a complaint seeking to permanently stop a Washington pet food maker, alleging it manufactured and sold adulterated products after repeated FDA warnings. Water Policy: Ecology’s “Washington’s Water Future” meetings are leaving irrigators frustrated, with participants saying the process isn’t getting into the practical details of water law. Wildlife & Land Use: A University of Washington study finds sensitive bird species do better when development limits density and preserves native plants and tree cover. Energy & Industry: Kyoto Fusioneering plans to move its U.S. headquarters from Seattle to Oak Ridge, backing a major fusion testing buildout at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Tech & Data Centers: Seattle-area data center growth remains a flashpoint as cities debate permitting, zoning, and community impacts. AI & Power Markets: OpenAI is hiring a power-trading lead, signaling electricity and fuel risk management is becoming a core part of scaling data centers. Local Business Growth: FlavorCloud, a Seattle-based cross-border commerce platform, landed on the Inc. 5000 list for a fifth straight year. Wildfire Response: Gov. Bob Ferguson outlined next steps in Spokane, including pursuing a federal major disaster declaration to unlock more aid for evacuees and local governments.

Wildfire Response: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declared a public health emergency for Washington, unlocking Medicare/Medicaid flexibilities under a Section 1135 waiver as federal wildfire support ramps up. State Emergency Powers: Gov. Bob Ferguson signed an emergency proclamation suspending state laws to speed disaster cash help, document replacement, unemployment access, and temporary health-care regulatory relief across multiple wildfire-hit counties. Local Fire Rules: Skagit County’s complete burn ban is set to start Wednesday to reduce strain on fire resources. Utilities & Power: Seattle City Light customers face major “rate shock,” with projections showing electricity bills rising more than 80% by 2032 as the city council approves additional increases. Housing & Public Safety: Seattle council is set to review a Vehicle Resident Assistance Program that would limit most RV street parking unless residents engage with outreach toward shelter or housing. Transportation Projects: WSDOT plans a monthlong closure on Lowell-Snohomish River Road for Highway 9 widening and bridge work, with detours in place. Construction & Industry Logistics: SR 169 will close for 35 days near Black Diamond starting Aug. 17 for fish passage culvert replacements. Tech & Data Centers: A report highlights how Amazon data centers can advance through zoning loopholes with little public input, stoking local power and emissions concerns.

Wildfire Response: The Washington National Guard kept up statewide wildfire support, flying 225 hours and dropping 1,400 buckets and nearly 1.2 million gallons of water since July 19. Energy & Defense Tech: Zeno Power is turning decades-old strontium-90 waste into long-duration nuclear power systems for underwater sensors, with a Pentagon-backed push for decades of operation. Transportation & Infrastructure: Washington State Ferries faces a fleet crunch as it builds three hybrid-electric ferries but struggles to keep reliable service with aging boats and limited spare capacity. Aviation Safety: An Alaska Airlines flight bound for Seattle returned to the gate after a reported passenger disturbance; investigators found no credible threat and the flight later continued. Consumer & Legal: Costco shoppers have until Aug. 24 to claim up to $500 from a Washington settlement over allegedly misleading promotional emails. Health IT Security: A new HIPAA Security Rule update is expected mid-2027 and makes network segmentation mandatory, with Washington health systems weighing identity-based approaches. Logistics & Ports: Circle Logistics added a drayage operations manager to expand container moves across major port and rail markets including Seattle-Tacoma. EV Safety: A Tesla garage explosion in Auburn injured firefighters and highlights persistent lithium-ion battery hazard concerns for first responders. Tech Jobs: Salesforce notified 59 Seattle/Bellevue employees of layoffs tied to permanent role cuts.

Tech & Jobs: Salesforce is laying off 59 workers across Seattle and Bellevue, with cuts hitting software, marketing, product, and support roles, following similar 2026 reductions at Google and Zillow in Washington. Local Business Climate: A guest column argues Washington needs a long-term economic development plan as employer confidence slips, with more firms weighing relocation or expansion outside the state. AI & Privacy: Seattle is moving toward a grocery “uniform pricing” rule that would bar large chains from using personal data to set different prices for the same items. Environment & Health: Federal changes to the Endangered Species Act weaken the definition of “harm,” raising concerns for migratory species and habitat protection. Public Safety & Industry: Scientists warn quaternary ammonium compounds in disinfectants may pose harms, adding pressure on how households and institutions clean. Transportation & Trade: Panama Canal draft limits drop to 47.5 feet, threatening cargo volumes for East Coast ports. Washington Economy & Real Estate: Seattle’s Old Rainier Brewery complex is listed for $29 million, highlighting ongoing churn in SoDo commercial space.