AGP Executive Report

STEM Funding: TVA is taking applications (Aug. 1–Sept. 15) for up to $5,000 in STEM classroom awards, with $1.5 million in support via Bicentennial Volunteers to back hands-on energy and environment learning across its seven-state region. AI & Rights: Japan’s Ministry of Justice says AI voice cloning without consent is a civil violation of publicity rights, giving victims a clear path to seek compensation or takedowns. Manufacturing Tech: ORNL researchers built a real-time control system for large-scale 3D printing, using sensors and low-cost thermal cameras plus computer vision to reduce defects in big composite parts. Nuclear Progress: Canadian researchers validated a spent-fuel recycling chemistry process that removed about 89% of long-lived transuranics in 24 hours using actual reactor fuel. Community Tech & Health: TVA Cares awarded $46,000 to Limestone County nonprofits, including projects tied to STEM, workforce, and community needs. Privacy Backlash: License plate reader networks face renewed criticism and vandalism as privacy concerns grow.

Fusion Energy in Tennessee: ORNL licensed cryogenic pellet-fueling technologies to Oak Ridge fusion startup Type One Energy, aiming to move solid hydrogen pellet injection from lab work toward commercial fusion reactors. AI + Power Demand: SpaceX says it will “bring our own power” for its Terafab chip factory via natural gas power plants plus battery systems, underscoring how AI infrastructure is reshaping energy planning. Data Centers, Climate Pressure: Amazon confirmed backing a massive private gas power plant in Texas to feed new data centers, with potential greenhouse gas impacts drawing scrutiny. Public Health Watch: Candida auris is spreading again, now reported in 27 states this year, raising concern for hospitals and nursing homes. Tennessee Tech & Policy: Tennessee is part of a push to stop robocalls, while a report warns lottery-funded scholarships could face up to a $344M shortfall by 2030. Local Safety: Murfreesboro police took two suspects into custody after a hotel shooting sent two people to the hospital.

AI & Social Platforms: A New Mexico court ordered Meta to pay $567 million for teen mental health harm and ordered youth-safety changes, adding to a fast-growing wave of state lawsuits targeting social media design. Cyber/Networking: C Spire earned a Cisco Secure Networking Specialization, highlighting continued demand for secure networking as businesses lean harder on AI. Tech Jobs & Skills: Oxylabs analysis of ~850,000 U.S. tech postings finds hiring at a three-year high even as layoffs rise, with cloud platforms dominating required skills. Health Tech: Researchers report an AI tool that can flag multiple heart failure types from standard ECGs, including using data similar to a single-lead wearable-style measurement. Energy & Industry: A report says Tennessee is expanding fossil fuel power at a much larger scale than carbon-free options, even while clean-energy manufacturing investment grows. Semiconductor Supply Chain: A new tariff push puts polysilicon back in the spotlight as a strategic material for solar and chips. Local Tech/Business: TikTok will close its Nashville office and lay off 250, including content-moderation staff. Education Tech Policy: Pasco County recommends sharply reduced classroom screen time, shifting instruction back to teachers.

Youth Safety in Social Media: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567M into a teen mental health fund and require youth-safety changes after finding Facebook/Instagram harmed children’s wellbeing. Health Tech in Tennessee: Researchers at Wake Forest report AI can flag multiple heart failure types from routine ECGs, including HFpEF that’s often missed—pointing to easier screening. AI + Cancer Care: OpenEvidence is being embedded into OneOncology clinical apps to help physicians pull evidence and support research directly in oncology workflows. STEM Mentoring Expansion: Mystic Aquarium won a $4M DOJ grant to scale conservation-based STEM mentoring across 25+ states and territories. Tennessee Corrections Safety Tech: TDOC is rolling out wearable emergency alert panic-button tech statewide to speed staff response during incidents. Nuclear & Power Policy: Tennessee’s governor primary is set after Marsha Blackburn’s win, with nuclear energy and AI rulemaking among her priorities. Local Infrastructure: Mt. Juliet received federal funding to widen Lebanon Road to five lanes, with more construction money expected after right-of-way work.

Nuclear & Energy: TVA reported third-quarter financial results, pointing to higher fuel cost recovery rates and rising electricity sales tied to data processing and web hosting demand. AI & Manufacturing: SiteVue AI secured $7.5M in seed funding to deploy AI-powered vision for manufacturing, food processing, and construction. Water & Biodiversity: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is set for a “benthic blitz” Aug. 10 week to survey bottom-dwelling organisms and gauge river and stream health. Education Tech & Policy: UT approved a framework for bachelor’s degrees that can require fewer than 120 credit hours, with a statewide policy now defining how such programs get authorized. Public Safety Tech: Dashcam video released by Georgia DPS shows the arrest of a Winchester, Tennessee mother in an AMBER Alert case involving a 1-year-old. Health & Food Safety: CDC and FDA confirmed 345 illnesses in a multistate Salmonella Javiana outbreak linked to fresh jalapeños, with two cases showing antibiotic resistance. Local Tech & Privacy: Tennessee lawmakers and local officials continue debating surveillance tech like Flock cameras and police drone limits as privacy concerns grow.

Nuclear & Energy: Gov. Bill Lee and a DOE official touted nuclear growth in Knoxville, even as waste concerns stay in the spotlight, while TVA and the U.S. Army signed an energy agreement at Redstone Arsenal aimed at reliability and cost. STEM & Workforce: TVA is offering up to $5,000 for STEM classroom projects across its seven-state region, and Greeneville City Schools earned a statewide award for its Ballad Academy practical nursing pathway. Public Safety Tech: Nashville Metro Council advanced a bill to limit police drone use after an unapproved pilot, and a Blount County congressional candidate appeared in court over allegations he shot Flock cameras. Health & Research: CDC reported Candida auris detected in 27 states, with Tennessee among the highest counts, and St. Jude researchers described a new way to reactivate a silenced gene tied to Friedreich’s ataxia. Data Centers & Policy: Metro Council authorized eminent domain to block a Nashville Zoo-adjacent data center, setting up a costly legal fight. Business & Materials: Eastman Cristal™ One IM812 is being used in KANEBO’s new overcap packaging, and American Tungsten & Antimony outlined conditional plans to restart Nevada’s Del Sol refinery using Arizona antimony feedstock.

Nuclear & Energy: Gov. Lee and a DOE official highlighted Oak Ridge’s momentum as the city is named an American Energy Hub, while Tennessee pushes its bid for a DOE Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus that could reshape the state’s nuclear-fuel future. Nuclear Fuel Expansion: TRISO-X announced a 70-acre expansion at its Oak Ridge nuclear fuel campus, bringing the site footprint to more than 180 acres. Forensics & Public Safety: Hamilton County unveiled a $12M new medical examiner’s office and regional forensic center with modern tech to speed identifications and preserve evidence. Tech Jobs in Tennessee: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation posted openings for a temporary Forensic Scientist 1 (Jackson, Forensic Biology) and a Network Architect Lead (Nashville, Technology and Innovation). AI, Data Centers & Community Impact: A nationwide backlash against Flock’s camera network continues, with Tennessee among cities deactivating cameras or canceling contracts; meanwhile, Latino voters are raising concerns about AI data centers’ water, energy, and pollution impacts. Health Research: A new study links hypertension and heart disease to widespread brain white-matter damage, pointing to tighter management for brain health.

STEM Funding: TVA is opening applications for its STEM Award Program, offering K-12 schools up to $5,000 for classroom projects tied to energy, environment, and economic development, with deadlines set for Sept. 15. AI Safety in Schools: Tennessee educators and lawmakers are pushing stricter rules after an AI-related exploitation case involving altered images and videos of students and staff, with guidance focused on clear school AI policies. Public Safety Tech: Nashville Metro Council is considering a ban on most right turns on red in the Urban Services District to reduce pedestrian deaths, with signage and enforcement steps outlined. Medical Research: St. Jude researchers won up to $28.5 million to develop an in vivo gene-editing platform for rare inherited bone marrow disorders. Health Data Breach: Labcorp faces a $35M settlement tied to a cyberattack at a billing vendor, with eligible patients able to file claims by Sept. 3. Quantum & Materials: IonQ and EPB are launching the Tennessee Quantum Communications Research Center in Chattanooga, aiming to advance quantum networking research. Drug Detection Innovation: A University of Akron-developed fentanyl detection wipe earned a 2026 World of Wipes Innovation Award, highlighting field-ready presumptive testing. Local Tech in Action: UTC students built a 3D-printed mobility chair for a Chattanooga toddler with cerebral palsy, showing hands-on assistive tech.

Quantum Networking in Tennessee: IonQ and Chattanooga utility EPB are launching the Tennessee Quantum Communications Research Center, a $15M, five-year lab embedded in EPB’s live fiber network—aimed at advancing the missing “quantum memory” step toward a real quantum internet. Nuclear Fuel Expansion: TRISO-X (X-Energy) is buying ~70 acres next to its Oak Ridge nuclear fuel campus, expanding the site footprint to 180+ acres to support fabrication growth. Oak Ridge Energy Hub: The U.S. DOE is spotlighting Oak Ridge’s redevelopment of former federal nuclear sites, citing 2,500+ acres transferred for reuse and about $10B in planned private investment. Data Center Local Deals: Clarksville approved industrial development bonds and a community grant agreement tied to a Serverfarm data center, including $3M in local investments. Retail Tech in Nashville: Shoptalk Fall debuts in Music City Center with a “Retail Unplugged” agenda focused on ecommerce, unified commerce, and “shoppertainment.” AI Compute Push: Anthropic reportedly signed a $10B computing-capacity deal via Nvidia-backed Volta and Bitdeer in Norway, underscoring the race for large-scale AI infrastructure. Workforce STEM: A Bledsoe County high school used a drone and fiber program funded by a 2024 Digital Skills grant to build hands-on skills tied to real local partners.

AI & Local Land-Use: East Tennessee cities are moving fast to keep AI data centers away from neighborhoods, using zoning limits, noise caps, and moratoriums (including Bristol’s two-year pause and Johnson City’s extended moratorium) while residents push for stricter environmental review. Quantum Research: IonQ and EPB announced the Tennessee Quantum Communications Research Center in Chattanooga, aiming to connect quantum memory work to a real fiber network for next-gen “quantum internet” development. Health Tech (Cardiology): Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute began implanting the FDA-approved M3 transseptal transcatheter mitral valve replacement for high-risk mitral valve patients, expanding minimally invasive options beyond edge-to-edge repair. Agriculture Science: Tennessee researchers helped develop a method to track and forecast airborne pollen from genetically engineered switchgrass, combining fluorescent pollen, drones, ground sampling, and atmospheric modeling. Workforce Policy: A Nashville conference highlighted return-to-work programs for people with disabilities, stressing they must be early, coordinated, and sustained to prevent long-term job loss. Education & AI Misuse: Tennessee lawmakers plan new educator misconduct legislation after a Nashville teacher’s firing over alleged AI-altered student images and inappropriate communications. Addiction Treatment Debate: A Murfreesboro corrections summit will host a panel on ibogaine for addiction therapy, featuring mental health professionals and former Navy SEALs.

AI in Healthcare: Chattanooga founder Ines Voellinger is expanding IV.ai Solutions to help clinicians evaluate and adopt AI tools responsibly, with a focus on preventive care and rural access. Local Health Workforce: UTC-Siskin Hospital and UTC launched a geriatric physical therapy residency, graduating Faith Rose as the program’s first cohort. Medical Education Growth: ETSU’s Quillen College of Medicine welcomed its largest entering class ever—100 students—after expanding enrollment to meet regional physician needs. Data Centers & Water Use: Gallatin records show Meta’s data center campus uses millions of gallons monthly, fueling Tennessee’s ongoing debate over water and infrastructure impacts. AI-Enabled Science: Georgia Tech landed seven Genesis Mission awards, including a project to use AI for single-cell phenotyping to advance biomanufacturing. Research Funding: Tennessee Tech hit a new record for externally funded research, reaching $50.88 million in fiscal year 2026. Pharmacy Cost Tech: RazorMetrics reported $12M+ in prescription drug savings in Tennessee by steering clinicians toward lower-cost options. Nuclear Waste Policy: A new push for “nuclear lifecycle” campuses has Tennessee among states weighing acceptance of spent fuel—raising local concerns about outside waste. Robotics & STEM: Aiden Jo’s origami-inspired “Squeeze-gami” earned him a spot among national finalists in the 3M Young Scientist Challenge.

Education Policy & AI Safety: Knox County Schools is weighing a new policy package that would restrict elementary students’ social media access, limit student email use, and crack down on AI impersonation after Tennessee’s Teen Social Media and Internet Safety Act. Civic Tech for Voting: A 15-year-old Knox County student built voteknox.org, a free nonpartisan site with registration info, polling locations, and candidate bios; it drew 5,700+ visitors and 30,000+ page views in its first weeks. STEM Pipeline: North Hall Middle School student Mason Blalock was selected for the Appalachian STEM Academy, a weeklong ARC-funded residential program in Oak Ridge focused on hands-on research and mentorship. Energy & Data Center Accountability: SpaceXAI says it will remove 69 unpermitted temporary turbines near its Memphis-area data centers by July 2027, extending the timeline beyond the original Mississippi deadline—an issue tied to air-quality and permitting disputes. Public Safety Tech: A report describes how Flock camera networks can be used for stalking, raising fresh privacy and oversight questions for AI surveillance systems. Local Leadership: Greene County Sheriff Wesley Holt reflects on his eight-year tenure as he prepares to leave office Aug. 31.

Space & Energy: SpaceXAI says it will remove all 69 unpermitted trailer-mounted turbine generators near its Memphis-area data centers by July 2027, replacing them as a 1.2GW power plant comes online—an effort tied to pollution and permitting disputes. AI & Security: Eleven allied governments warn North Korean IT operatives are using real-time deepfake video to impersonate people during live job interviews, bypassing common “liveness” checks. Tech & Law: A wrongful-death lawsuit targets Meta, TikTok, Snap and Google, alleging addictive design and concealed harm to minors, with deaths tied to multiple states including Tennessee. Work & Economy: A new wave of August layoffs is flagged via WARN notices, with major employers including Amazon, Walmart and FedEx among those cutting jobs. Tennessee Politics: Tennessee’s 2026 primary races are heating up, with low turnout still a concern as candidates line up for governor and federal seats. STEM & Education: Tennessee Tech surpassed $50M in research funding for fiscal year 2026, underscoring continued growth in state university R&D.

Education & Community Support: The RipTide Car Wash is running an August back-to-school push across 22 locations in Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee, offering free washes to teachers and school staff with a valid school ID while also collecting classroom supplies. Higher Ed Spotlight: Maryville College’s 2026-27 Convocation will feature Canton, North Carolina Mayor Zeb Smathers as guest speaker, reflecting the school’s regional mission. Public Health Watch: Experts are warning about the rare Bourbon virus after a first New York case, noting it’s tick-borne and currently has no vaccine or specific treatment. Tech, Safety & Legal Pressure: A wrongful death lawsuit targets Meta, TikTok, Snap and Google, alleging their platforms contributed to deaths of four kids; the case points to internal warnings and tracking of minors. Space & Industry: SpaceX’s next earnings update is framed around whether compute leasing can drive expected second-half revenue acceleration. Local STEM & Research: Tennessee Tech surpassed $50 million in research funding for fiscal year 2026, underscoring continued growth in state university R&D.

College Sports Policy: Lawmakers and major conferences raced to finalize the bipartisan “Protect College Sports Act,” with the SEC and Big Ten negotiations running right up to the Senate floor deadline. AI in Lending: Nashville-based Cindie launched an “AI workforce” for residential mortgage lending, aiming to automate lead handling, applications, document collection, and post-close communication while keeping licensed professionals in charge. Tennessee Higher Ed: Tennessee Tech opened its fall 2027 admissions window Aug. 3, and the university also topped $50M in fiscal 2026 research funding. Fusion Momentum: The global fusion industry drew a record $4.5B in funding, with AI-driven power demand cited as a key accelerator for commercial scale. Privacy vs Surveillance Tech: Rep. Tim Burchett introduced a bill to restrict federal use of Flock Safety license plate reader cameras and related surveillance tools, arguing for safeguards instead of bans. Rural Health Access: A Tennessee op-ed warns that proposed practice limits on CRNAs could reduce anesthesia access in rural hospitals. Energy Affordability: TVA signed a ratepayer protection pledge, emphasizing affordability and grid reliability as data center loads grow. STEM Breakthrough: UT Knoxville awarded a PhD to Amie Fornah Sankoh, making her the first deaf Black woman to earn a science/tech/STEM doctorate in the U.S.

Energy & Grid Policy: TVA signed the Trump Administration’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge, arguing data-center growth shouldn’t be passed to the 10 million people it serves, as it reviews rate-structure updates for large loads. Higher Education Access: Tennessee Tech will open its fall 2027 admissions window Aug. 3, 2026, positioning the move alongside major campus construction and affordability efforts. AI, Privacy & Schools: Knox County Schools is weighing new rules to align with Tennessee’s Teen Social Media and Internet Safety Act, including limits on elementary social media/email and tighter AI controls, with a board meeting set for Monday. Nuclear Ambitions: The DOE selected Utah, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Idaho as potential hosts for Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses, aiming to build out the full nuclear fuel cycle ecosystem. STEM Research Collaboration: A University of Memphis professor received an NSF grant for a U.S.-India AI project to improve precision soybean breeding. Public Health: FDA and Publix expanded a blueberry recall tied to E. coli O145:H28, with Tennessee among the affected states. Civic Tech & Youth Voice: Arelvo in Chattanooga is helping students shape policy conversations, including work on net metering. Local Utilities: Clarksville Gas and Water canceled a planned Peachers Mill Road outage and lane closure, with a new valve-replacement date to follow.