AGP Executive Report

Space Policy & Industry: Lawmakers introduced the Semiconductor Superiority Act to clarify CHIPS tax credits for space-based semiconductor manufacturing in low-Earth orbit, aiming to reduce uncertainty and compete with China. Local Tech & Public Space: SonicPure offered to donate Pulsar 4400 ultrasonic algae-control systems to help restore the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after renovation-era algae reports. Health Research: A UK Biobank analysis found that drinking about three cups of tea daily was linked to a 17% lower risk of major cardiovascular events in people with established coronary heart disease. D.C. Mobility/Tech: Waymo is testing self-driving cars in 21 cities, including Baltimore and D.C., as it expands beyond its taxi rollout. Defense & Science: The Naval Research Laboratory advanced rapid field DNA/RNA sequencing tech to identify biological threats in under 30 minutes. STEM Education: Bluefield State University approved a new Master of Science in Engineering Technology launching in fall 2026. Public Safety: DHS and the FBI emphasized strict no-drone zones for FIFA World Cup venues, warning of fines and criminal charges for violations.

Immigration & STEM Workforce: A federal judge struck down Trump’s $100,000 H-1B fee as an unlawful tax needing congressional approval, after chaos when thousands rushed to beat the deadline. AI Testing in Government: GSA says it will add 60 more agencies to its USAi AI evaluation platform by end of 2026, expanding a shared “sandbox” for safer AI trials. Public Health Drug Results: UT Southwestern researchers reported an experimental antibody targeting PCDH7 shrank non-small cell lung tumors in preclinical models, including therapy-resistant cases. Diabetes & Metabolism Research: Boehringer Ingelheim’s survodutide phase 3 results highlight fat loss in visceral and liver compartments, not just scale weight. Space/Computing Infrastructure: Italy’s CINECA put an IQM Radiance 54 quantum computer into operation, aiming to boost optimization, simulation, and machine learning research. Local Tech & Services: DC rolled out a redesigned beta version of its city website with new digital services and planned AI features. Climate & Wildfire Research Funding: Reporting from the University of Washington describes anxiety over proposed U.S. Forest Service funding cuts as wildfire smoke worsens. STEM Education: Launch Pad STEM Camp taught aviation and aerospace challenges to grades 3–7 students. Energy/Industry Collaboration: Canada’s PTRC and India’s Oil India signed a framework on CCUS, geothermal, and clean energy tech research.

Immigration & Tech Workforce: A federal judge struck down Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee as an unlawful tax needing Congress, after chaos as thousands rushed to return to the U.S. before the rule took effect. AI Policy: Democrats in Congress are split over how to regulate AI, with proposals ranging from a bipartisan framework aimed at balancing innovation and risk to calls for stronger action. DC Public Safety Event: The Secret Service announced major security steps and road closures for UFC Freedom 250 on the White House South Lawn, including emergency no-parking zones and counter-drone measures. Health & Research (Brain Cancer): The End Brain Cancer Initiative added neuro-oncologist Dr. Jessica D. Schulte to its Medical Advisory Board, focusing on access to targeted treatments and quality of life. Local Environment: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced $31.5M for Chesapeake Bay restoration projects to cut nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment and improve habitats. First Amendment & Online Speech: Sen. Ted Cruz and Sen. Ron Wyden introduced the JAWBONE Act to let people sue the government over “jawboning” that pressures companies to censor protected speech. Biotech (Psoriasis): Takeda reported Phase 3 results showing zasocitinib outperformed deucravacitinib for plaque psoriasis in a head-to-head trial. Cancer Care (Lymphoma): Genmab shared subgroup data from EPCORE FL-1 showing consistent efficacy and safety for epcoritamab plus R2 in relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma. AI & Mental Health: A report highlights concerns that ChatGPT failed to protect a daughter during a mental health crisis, renewing scrutiny of AI safety in care settings. Fitness Nutrition: A guide on “body recomposition” lays out how to eat and train to lose fat while gaining muscle.

Immigration & STEM Workforce: A federal judge struck down Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee as an unlawful tax needing Congress, after the policy triggered chaos last September as thousands rushed to return to the U.S. AI Governance: Anthropic urged tougher U.S. rules for advanced AI, calling for mandatory safety testing for top models and stronger oversight plus worker protections. Health & Biotech: UT Southwestern and partners reported a structural breakthrough on a key chlamydia cell membrane protein that could guide vaccine design. Proton Therapy in Cancer Care: FDA cleared the first U.S. human study of IBA’s ConformalFLASH ultrahigh-dose-rate proton therapy for head-and-neck re-irradiation. Aerospace Engineering: University of Michigan researchers helped develop a turboelectric airliner concept unveiled at the AIAA forum, targeting a reported 17% efficiency gain. Water & Chemistry: Researchers built a nitrogen-doped biochar catalyst from cotton hulls that boosts ozone-based DEET removal in water far beyond ozone alone. D.C. Tech & Infrastructure: A D.C. federal court case alleges an IT firm caused $5.52M in damages by “slapdash” maintenance of a government web platform, including a server rigged with a Christmas tree timer. Energy Reliability: Coverage warns PJM’s grid could face emergency peak power shortfalls by June 2027, with demand growth from data centers and electrification cited.

Immigration Policy: A federal judge struck down Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee as an unlawful tax needing Congress, after chaos last September as thousands rushed to beat the deadline. Education & Safety: B.C. civil liberties advocates renewed calls for a provincewide ban on police in schools, arguing liaison officer programs lack transparency and credible safety benefits. Quantum + Biology: Scientists encoded a real hepatitis D virus genome onto an IBM quantum processor, a first step toward using quantum computers to analyze complex genetic data. UFO Transparency: Lawmakers and whistleblowers pushed for declassifying records tied to Brazil’s Varginha incident, while also alleging secret UAP spending hidden from Congress. Public Health: Health officials flagged measles, dengue, respiratory viruses, and STIs as likely risks at the 2026 World Cup as crowds move through airports and stadiums. Local STEM in Action: A Rapid City team used AI to cut cafeteria food waste and earned a top-five finish at the national AI Presidential Challenge.

Energy & Grid Resilience: A new warning says the Eastern power grid (PJM, including Washington, D.C.) could run out of emergency peak power by June 2027, with spare capacity projected to fall to about 14%—raising blackout risk as demand grows from data centers, EVs, and electrification. Water Security: D.C.-area officials are launching the “Secure the Source” study to identify backup drinking-water supplies in case the Potomac is hit by contamination, drought, storms, or infrastructure failures. Local Tech & Infrastructure: Montgomery County is weighing a revised 100-yard firearms restriction near public places after a court struck down an earlier version; residents and advocates are pushing back. STEM in the District: Sen. Maria Cantwell congratulated the Artemis III crew, highlighting Washington-area aerospace work needed for Orion docking tests. Health Tech Governance: A new health-care AI governance alert warns adoption is outpacing oversight, citing gaps in AI policies and risks like privacy, bias, and patient-safety failures. Research & Discovery: Yale researchers identified a new eyeless cavefish species, showing underground aquifers can drive new species formation. Policy & Clean Energy Finance: A D.C. court vacated IRS Notice 2025-42, restoring a 5% safe harbor for “beginning of construction” on wind and solar projects. Cyber/AI & Border: Reporting also points to new AI-powered surveillance towers planned for the southern border.

Grid Reliability Watch: A new warning says the Eastern power grid could run out of emergency peak power by June 2027, with spare capacity dropping and data-center/electric load growth stressing aging infrastructure—raising blackout risk for the D.C. region. Local Education: A National Council on Teacher Quality report finds only slightly more than half of teacher prep programs align with the science of reading; many still teach outdated practices and too few hours go to English learners and struggling readers. D.C. STEM & City Planning: D.C. hired an engineering firm to help navigate zoning for annexed land, as residents and officials try to prevent unwanted industrial uses like data centers. AI in Health Equity: Johns Hopkins’ Wilmer Eye Institute reports an AI screening tool increased diabetic eye exam referral rates for African American patients at community clinics. Federal Digital Services: GSA’s Ed Forst pitched a single federal services portal built on Login.gov, aiming to reduce fragmentation and make it easier to access government tech. Tech for Industry: Bridgeline’s HawkSearch won a contract to power B2B search and product discovery for a multi-vertical distributor.

H-1B Policy Shock in Federal Court: A Boston judge struck down the Trump administration’s $100,000 H-1B fee as an unauthorized tax, a win for employers and universities that rely on skilled foreign workers. AI Governance & Litigation: Reuters reports the DOJ denied unlawfully retaliating against Anthropic after agencies moved to restrict Claude following Pentagon concerns, keeping the fight over AI use and free speech in the courts. STEM Education Quality: A new National Council on Teacher Quality report finds only a bit more than half of teacher prep programs use science-backed methods for teaching reading—progress, but still many programs teach outdated practices. Public Health & Research Funding: A Partnership for Public Service brief warns deep cuts to federal science and health R&D are unraveling decades of progress, including major drops in environmental and public health research. Energy Grid Under Heat Stress: A new analysis says extreme heat is shifting from “tail risk” to a design baseline for the U.S. power system as reliability planners respond to hotter, longer summers. Local Tech & Workforce: A Washington-area Air Force veteran’s Elevate Vending uses touch screens, AI cameras, and fresh-food options, landing contracts with major local institutions. DC STEM Digest Watchlist: We’ll keep an eye on how these federal court, education, and grid-reliability decisions play out for D.C. schools, researchers, and infrastructure.

Nutrition Policy in the Spotlight: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is set to announce a push to expand nutrition education across medical training, aiming for at least 40 hours for future doctors starting fall 2026. Health Tech & Trials: Boehringer Ingelheim’s survodutide Phase III results report targeted visceral and liver fat reductions in obesity, with related findings also tied to MASLD outcomes. Kidney Care Upgrade: Vantive says late-breaking studies show HDx therapy using its Theranova dialyzer is non-inferior to online hemodiafiltration on key outcomes. AI Governance Talk: Regulating AI Inc. and Club de Madrid hosted a webinar on democratic AI governance ahead of Geneva, outlining six action priorities. DC Mental Health Workforce: The Greater Washington Urban League launches a two-day paternal mental health certification training for Black fathers’ care. Public Health Research: A new study links gut-derived microscopic particles to aging-related changes, with younger-particle transfers showing potential to blunt some effects. Security Tech for Big Events: FEMA funded counter-drone efforts across the D.C. area for World Cup security. Medical Training Rules: CMS declined to set federal work-hour limits for resident physicians, pointing to ACGME’s role.

Public Safety Funding in D.C.: The DOJ announced a nearly $300M Model Cities Initiative aimed at reducing crime, restoring “law and order,” and expanding behavioral health and staffing support in selected cities, with proposals due Sept. 1. USDA Workforce Shakeup: Federal News Network reports USDA’s FSIS is setting a June 30 deadline for some employees to choose relocation or separation, with involuntary separation possible and limited appeal rights. Diabetes Drug Updates: Amgen shared new VESALIUS-CV subgroup results for Repatha showing a 29% lower risk of major heart events in high-risk diabetes patients, and Novo Nordisk highlighted REIMAGINE phase 3 results for CagriSema with significant HbA1c and weight reductions. Congenital Infection Risk: AIIMS researchers presented findings that TORCH infections remain a risk in a region despite improving vaccination rates, calling for sustained surveillance and targeted screening. D.C. Politics (Ward 5): WTOP published candidate Q&As for the Ward 5 D.C. Council race, including Zachary Parker’s background in education and public service.

Digital Health & AI in DC: Mayo Clinic researchers report AI can classify meningiomas and predict recurrence risk using routine H&E pathology slides, potentially reducing reliance on costly molecular testing. STEM Education & Youth AI: Fifth-graders from Rapid City are national finalists in the Presidential AI Challenge, using AI to track cafeteria food waste. Local Tech & Governance: WTOP published verbatim questionnaires from multiple D.C. mayoral candidates, including Rini Sampath, Vincent Orange, Kenyan McDuffie, Ernest Johnson, Gary Goodweather, and Janeese Lewis George—highlighting their backgrounds in cybersecurity, law, finance, and public service. Space-Time Physics: A new theoretical study supports the idea that ripple patterns in space-time could produce microscopic black holes and “naked singularities.” Energy & Materials: Coverage continues on the accelerating global race for lithium, rare earths, and EV technology. Public Safety Tech Policy: The FCC proposed new rules to harden the Emergency Alert System against cyber threats, including password changes, patching, and network segmentation.

AI & Public Safety: Idaho police used an AI gunshot locator (“Raven”) plus Flock cameras to triangulate a suspect’s vehicle within minutes, helping stop a shooting from escalating. Biomedical Tech: Senseonics presented real-world results for its one-year implantable CGM, reporting sustained accuracy and positive diabetes outcomes in open- and closed-loop use. Health & Behavior Research: A new brain-scan analysis links reduced brain volume and deteriorated nerve pathways to higher aggression rates in people with schizophrenia. Protein Engineering: A Nature Chemistry study explains how conserved protein folds can still evolve very different functions, pointing to new ways to design proteins and drugs. Local STEM Policy/Infrastructure: Indiana University opened a new academic hub in Washington, D.C., expanding research and education capacity in the capital. Space/Defense Tech Policy: A proposed NDAA provision would create a U.S.–Israel defense tech coordination initiative covering areas like counter-drone systems, AI, sensing, cyber, and directed energy.

AI & Public Sentiment: Washington’s AI elite held a glitzy “AI Honors” gala, even as public anxiety about data centers and chatbots keeps growing. Public Health (DC-area relevance): Virginia reported a record 77 measles cases by June 2, and Dulles is a key enhanced screening gateway for travelers tied to World Cup-related health monitoring. Maternal-Fetal Health: A new study presented in Washington found TORCH infections still pose risk in expecting mothers, with potential serious fetal outcomes—underscoring prevention gaps. Microbiome & Mental Health: Research presented at ASM Microbe links green space exposure with nasal microbiome patterns and mental well-being. Nutrition & Kids: Another ASM Microbe study ties food insecurity to measurable gut microbiome differences in children. Sleep Apnea Treatment Lead: Mouse research points to a bile-acid receptor target that may reduce sleep apnea’s heart and metabolic harm. Local Tech Policy: Rep. Mike Lawler introduced the VETRA Act to modernize VA online identity checks and cut fraud. STEM Community Science: Darwin’s Ark is recruiting more cat owners nationwide, including DC, to expand feline genetics research.

AI Policy & Governance: Colorado signed a law restricting how AI chatbots can interact with kids and teens, after a mother blamed chatbot conversations for her daughter’s suicide—critics say it may still protect companies more than children. Defense AI: Fort Carson Gen. Patrick Ellis received an award from the Washington AI Network for integrating AI into national defense, including efforts to connect legacy systems and speed battlefield decision-making. Congress & AI Oversight: A push for “guardrails” on AI is resurfacing in Washington, with lawmakers arguing Congress needs clearer standards for training, testing, and deployment. Health Tech & Drug Discovery: GATC Health’s Operon AI platform helped develop GATC-1021 for opioid use disorder, with findings published in PNAS and human trials ahead. Medical Imaging AI: Subtle Medical raised $33M to expand AI-powered imaging that enhances scan quality and can cut scan times on existing MRI/PET/CT systems. Genomics for Outbreaks: A new method enables faster whole-genome sequencing of rare hantaviruses, aiming to improve outbreak tracking. Local STEM Talent: Students from Atkins High School are taking an AI Parkinson’s-detection tool to finals, using voice and drawings to help rural access.

AI Safety Push: Anthropic says top AI labs should coordinate a global “pause” option if risks grow, warning models are advancing fast enough to raise loss-of-control concerns. Health Costs & Coding: New U.S. maternity billing codes shift pregnancy care toward à la carte charges starting January, with debate over whether it improves care or raises costs. Public Health & Water: A study presented in Washington, D.C. links home sewage overflows to antibiotic-resistant bacteria exposure, underscoring the need for sewer upgrades. Infectious Disease Lab Speed-Up: Researchers report a faster, cheaper way to detect fidaxomicin-resistant C. difficile using antibiotic-added culture media, aiming to speed treatment decisions. D.C. Crime & Policing: A Niskanen Center study finds National Guard deployment in D.C. cut property crime but had little measurable impact on violent crime. STEM in the District: Spelman College appoints Dr. Ayanna Howard, a robotics leader, as its 12th president. Biotech Updates: Bayer reports Phase III FIND-CKD results for KERENDIA in non-diabetic chronic kidney disease; Teva shares real-world Huntington’s chorea quality-of-life data for AUSTEDO/AUSTEDO XR.

Directed-Energy & Power Tech: NUBURU signed a binding head-of-terms with Italian laser wireless power developer SunCubes, aiming to pair beam-control and pointing/tracking tech with defense and counter-UAS systems. Critical Minerals: Sibanye-Stillwater says it’s restarting full-scale production at Montana’s Stillwater West and returning East Boulder toward pre-2024 capacity, targeting a rebound in U.S. platinum group metals supply. AI Policy & Security: House leaders asked PCAST and the FBI for information on alleged foreign influence campaigns targeting U.S. AI progress and data-center infrastructure. Navigation Resilience: A House hearing focused on positioning, navigation, and timing capabilities, stressing GPS spoofing/jamming risks and the need for complementary backup services. Privacy vs. Surveillance: States face growing scrutiny over license-plate reader networks, with lawmakers pushing limits on sharing or selling long-term location data. Cancer Science: New research highlights how PLD1/PLD2 drive immune-suppressing tumor environments via CCL19 and PD-L1, pointing to potential therapy targets. Health Tech: Astrin Biosciences presented data for a blood-based proteomics test (Certitude Breast) for early breast cancer detection, especially for dense-breast patients. Energy & Data Centers in D.C.: A report spotlights rising political fights over data centers’ electricity demand, with Congress debating bills and possible moratoriums. Local STEM/Community: A restored Vietnam-era Huey helicopter will fly in Michigan for public rides, and a pond-management workshop is planned for June 11.