AGP Executive Report

AI in Disaster Response: NASA, Microsoft, and the EU are using radar imagery and AI to speed up rescue planning after Venezuela’s twin quakes, with Oregon State University researchers helping estimate nearly 59,000 damaged or destroyed buildings. Healthcare Tech & Training: Oregon Tech Foundation secured a $142,000 Roundhouse Foundation grant for dental clinic equipment and a new 3D mammography unit for its dental hygiene and medical imaging programs. Wildlife Safety on I-5: The Federal Highway Administration released $33.2M for Oregon’s Mariposa Wildlife Crossing over I-5 south of Ashland, with SOU using camera traps and AI to study animal movement. Local Tech & Services: Deschutes County launched a Property Recording Alert System that emails residents when new recorded documents match names they choose to track. Public Health Access: Klamath Falls opened its first methadone clinic, expanding medication-assisted treatment in rural Oregon. Policy & Regulation: FDA moved to limit PFAS in bottled water, aligning standards with EPA’s drinking-water limits.

Wildlife & Safety on I-5: Oregon is moving ahead with a $37M wildlife overpass project south of Ashland after a $33.2M federal grant, with Southern Oregon University using camera traps and AI to map animal crossings. Health Tech Training: Oregon Tech Foundation secured $142,000 for dental clinic equipment and a new 3D mammography unit to expand hands-on dental hygiene and medical imaging programs. Energy Grid Push: Gov. Spencer Cox rallied Western leaders to coordinate a major power-grid expansion, arguing the U.S. needs a new generation of electricity. Public Media Streaming: Cascade PBS launched Local Public, a streaming app platform for PBS stations nationwide, aiming to keep local public media connected in the streaming era. Nuclear Manufacturing Step: NuScale says BWX Technologies won a contract to help refine small modular reactor designs for manufacturing and deployment in Eastern Idaho. Bees Still in Trouble: A new U.S. beekeeping survey (with Oregon State University) found managed honeybee colonies down nearly 40% year over year, with parasites, forage, and costs still driving losses. Local Energy Disclosure: Eugene City Council advanced a plan to require home sellers to disclose Home Energy Scores in listings.

Oregon Air Quality: Oregon Health Authority updated outdoor guidance for kids and teens, warning wildfire smoke can harm them at lower levels than previously thought and urging families to use the air quality index to decide when to opt out. AI in Courts: A new analysis says AI-related filing mistakes are accelerating in U.S. courts, with more fabricated or wrong legal citations showing up in recent months. Broadband Funding Reality Check: Small fiber builders are backing out of BEAD deals as costs rise and returns shrink, including an Astound Broadband opt-out covering Oregon and Texas. Nuclear Fuel Watch: U.S. uranium production hit its highest level in more than a decade, with EIA reporting big jumps in concentrate output and drilling activity. Tech & Pharma in Oregon: AustinPx will install its KinetiSol solvent-free formulation equipment at Thermo Fisher’s Bend, Oregon, site, expanding capabilities for oral solid drug manufacturing. Data Centers vs. Public Trust: Oregon tech leaders are bracing for backlash to data centers and AI, shaping how universities pitch projects to lawmakers. Space Science: NASA and Oregon State researchers used satellite radar to estimate Venezuela’s quakes damaged or destroyed about 58,870 buildings. Community STEM Support: IMEG awarded engineering scholarships to a record group of students across dozens of schools.

Venezuela Disaster Response: NASA satellite analysis with Oregon State University researchers estimates about 58,870 buildings likely damaged or destroyed after twin quakes, far above official counts, as WHO warns of looming disease outbreaks amid overwhelmed hospitals. Oregon Tech & Privacy: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled people have a “reasonable expectation of privacy” in cell phone location history, a win for privacy advocates with broad implications for app-generated data. State Tech Leadership: Oregon’s State CIO Terrence Woods and Chief Privacy Officer/AI Strategist Nik Blosser received StateScoop GoldenGov awards for government IT and privacy/AI leadership. Health & Manufacturing: Thermo Fisher will install AustinPx’s KinetiSol equipment at its Bend, Oregon site to expand amorphous solid dispersion manufacturing for poorly soluble drugs. Port & Logistics: Coos Bay’s Oregon International Port secured a $25M federal grant to advance the Pacific Coast Intermodal Port project. AI in Schools: States are scrambling to set practical AI policies for K-12, with lawmakers pushing AI literacy and coordinator roles as districts vary widely. Local Economy & Housing: Realtor.com’s affordability/homebuilding report card gave Ohio a C+ while highlighting how land and building activity shape access to homeownership. Workplace Scheduling: A Science Advances study finds Fair Workweek laws improved schedule predictability without cutting wages or benefits, using data from thousands of hourly workers across major cities.

Oregon Coast Preparedness: A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck about 135 miles off Bandon in the Blanco Fracture Zone, and experts say it’s normal background activity with no tsunami risk—still, it’s a reminder to stay ready. Venezuela Quake Response: NASA satellite radar analysis suggests more than 58,000 buildings were likely damaged or destroyed in last week’s twin 7.2 and 7.5 quakes, while rescue teams race against time as the death toll climbs past 1,700 and aftershocks complicate recovery; international teams and a reopened seaport are helping keep operations moving. Energy Tech Watch: Market reports point to continued momentum for hydrogen fuel cells, solar EV charging, and grid transformers as clean-energy investment and electrification expand. Privacy & Surveillance in Oregon: Bend Police updated its automated license plate reader policy under state law, with ongoing questions about encryption and public audit timing. Voting Rules: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld states’ ability to count mail ballots arriving after Election Day, a win for Oregon’s 7-day grace period. STEM in Oregon: A Northwest Earth and Space Science Pathways project wrapped a NASA-inspired “ROADS from Earth to Venus” challenge that engaged 500+ students across eight states.

Wildfire & Water Tech: Oregon researchers and partners are pushing a practical fix for the Willamette River’s Ross Island algal bloom—digging a channel to restore circulation—while lawmakers stall a roughly $20M plan. Public Safety & Policy: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld Oregon’s 7-day grace period for counting mailed ballots, protecting votes delayed by postal service slowdowns. Privacy & Smart Glasses: XGIMI’s MemoMind One smart glasses are drawing scrutiny for potential recording and how audio could be handled under China’s intelligence laws. AI in Daily Life: Senior living operators report mixed results from AI tools—real time savings for some workflows, but messy meeting notes and deployment hurdles for others. Oregon Infrastructure & Industry: Skanska promoted Bryan Northrop to lead advanced technology construction across Oregon and other states, covering semiconductor and data center builds. Wildfire Preparedness: Oregon marks five years of Fire Adapted Oregon and Response Ready Oregon, highlighting defensible-space training and new firefighting equipment. Community & Culture: Astoria’s Column celebrates its 100th birthday with July 18 festivities, including music, exhibits, and a re-dedication ceremony.

Privacy & Surveillance: The ATF has canceled a warrantless mobile-device tracking pilot (Webloc), after lawmakers, a prosecutor, and a judge raised concerns about legality and bulk location data use. Water & Fishery Funding: The Bonneville Power Administration is stopping funding for Oregon/Washington state agencies’ SAFE salmon program, putting decades of Lower Columbia River mitigation work at risk. Circular Textiles in Oregon: Looptworks (Gresham) is set to adopt Jeanologia’s Green Machine 4.0, aiming to scale hydrothermal recycling of cotton-polyester blends. Ocean Science: NSF will keep hundreds of Ocean Observatories Initiative instruments in place, reversing a plan to dismantle parts of the system. Wildlife Connectivity: Oregon readers may want to watch the broader trend: major wildlife crossings are reducing roadkill, with Colorado reporting big reductions after new underpasses and overpasses. Energy Markets (Watchlist): New forecasts keep pointing to rapid growth in solar panels, lithium-ion batteries, and commercial water heaters through 2032.

Privacy & Surveillance: ATF canceled a contract for warrantless mobile-device tracking after lawmakers and legal challenges raised concerns about legality, following the Supreme Court’s stance that police need warrants for historic cellphone location data. Fisheries & Dams: BPA will stop funding Oregon/Washington/Clatsop County’s SAFE salmon program, putting years of Lower Columbia River mitigation work at risk and leaving millions of hatchery salmon vulnerable. Health & Regulation: FDA approval for psychedelic therapy could arrive within months as the agency accelerates reviews via priority vouchers, with synthetic psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression leading the push. Environment & Oceans: A lawsuit seeks stronger protections for the imperiled Pacific coast sunflower sea star after massive population losses tied to sea star wasting disease. Housing & Data Security: New Oregon law lets tenants seek up to twice monthly rent if confidential info like immigration status or medical records is knowingly leaked. Energy & Grid Reliability: Eastern Oregon officials warn of electricity supply concerns amid outages, while utilities argue the issue isn’t lack of power. Water & Climate: Coverage highlights drought-driven water scarcity risks and the science behind algae blooms, using the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as a cautionary example.

Energy & Grid Reliability: Lake County officials warn Eastern Oregon faces “dire” electricity supply problems, citing frequent outages and arguing Pacific Power’s transmission work won’t fix near-term reliability. Agriculture & Breeding: University of Idaho and Limagrain Cereal Seeds say their wheat-and-barley partnership has produced first collaborative wheat varieties selected for Pacific Northwest planting. Climate & Water Quality: Oregon lawmakers are still debating a proposed $20M fix to prevent toxin-producing algae blooms in Portland’s Ross Island Lagoon, with OSU and partners pushing a channel to restore water circulation. Local Energy Efficiency: Eugene City Council advances a plan to require home sellers to disclose a Home Energy Score in listings. Transportation Funding: A federal judge blocks the Trump administration from threatening to withhold transportation funds from states over immigration enforcement conditions. Public Safety & Wildlife Control: The Trump administration moves to resurrect M-44 cyanide “bomb” devices after lifting a prior ban, drawing renewed criticism from Oregon-based advocates. EV Economics: A new analysis highlights big fuel savings for EV drivers in the West, with Oregon projected to save over $2,000 a year. Geothermal Policy: A look at next-gen geothermal R&D and enhanced geothermal systems shows bipartisan momentum for faster development.

Privacy & Security: Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden helped win cancellation of an ATF contract for warrantless location data from adtech broker Penlink, with ATF also reviewing other vendor deals. Local Energy Policy: Eugene City Council advanced a proposal to require home sellers to disclose a Home Energy Score, aiming to give buyers clearer info on efficiency and upgrades. Invasive Species Watch: Eugene City Club heard that emerald ash borer may already be in Lane County, with arborists urging residents to prepare for ash-tree losses. Earthquake Science: Two back-to-back “doublet” quakes struck Venezuela within 39 seconds, likely worsening collapses after the first 7.1 quake. Workplace Heat: States are still uneven on heat protections; only a few require water and shade breaks for outdoor workers, while Texas recently rolled back rules. 3D Printing for Good: A Camas Lions Club project delivered a custom 3D-printed mobility trainer to an Oregon child, designed with her preferences and farm-themed details. Wildfire Preparedness: A forecast of hotter, drier conditions is prompting calls for earlier fire bans in parts of the Northwest. Sports Tech: Nike unveiled a new jersey fabric claimed to be 240% more breathable, tested with motion-capture and thermal chambers at its Oregon lab.

Oregon History & Culture: The Klamath County Museum launched a seven-part lecture series on the Snake War, revisiting how U.S. Army campaigns and settler rhetoric fueled violence across the region in the 1860s. Education & Workforce: Oregon FFA leaders warn budget cuts could wipe out up to $1.1M, threatening career and technical education access for hundreds of students. State Budget Politics: Oregon lawmakers took a step toward stabilizing a looming budget crisis tied to federal cuts, but advocates say the structural Medicaid and food-assistance gap still needs a real fix. Land-Use Debate: Commentary renews pressure on Oregon’s urban growth boundaries, arguing the system can clash with housing costs and economic growth goals. Public Safety Tech: Eugene’s Patterson Street is getting a summer pilot redesign—one car lane plus a protected bike lane—after community concerns and a fatal crash. Science & Environment: Oregon researchers are testing ways to stop Willamette River algal blooms, while a separate report highlights how ocean monitoring networks are being preserved after major funding threats. Community STEM: Amateur radio enthusiasts are set for ARRL HAM Field Day in White City, with free public access focused on emergency preparedness.

Wildlife Policy Fight: A Pocatello family is renewing pressure to ban M-44 “cyanide bombs” after the federal government moved to allow them back on nearly all Bureau of Land Management lands, arguing the devices can kill people and pets. Ecosystem & Fisheries: Oregon’s Klamath Fish Hatchery reopened after the 2020 Two Four Two Fire rebuild, with a $8.1 million restoration and a pilot effort already helping reintroduce about 10,000 spring Chinook. AI in Oregon Schools: Portland-area districts are rolling out AI tools while wrestling with guardrails, academic integrity, and screen-time concerns. Healthcare Workforce: Lewis-Clark State College is leading Idaho’s NCLEX first-time pass rates, highlighting how nursing programs are performing across the region. Seismic Science Meets Sports: The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network is using “sports seismology” to track fan reactions during World Cup matches at Seattle Stadium. Agriculture Research: Northwest researchers are scouting wheat “falling number” hot spots to pinpoint causes and reduce market risk for growers and exporters. Public Health Messaging: Jefferson County leaders say Oregon Health Authority algae-bloom advisories are too confusing and may be hurting tourism.

Oregon Economy Push: Gov. Tina Kotek’s Prosperity Council released final recommendations urging tax cuts, fewer regulations, and more land and business infrastructure support to reverse Oregon’s “declining competitiveness.” Wildfire Planning: Oregon State and Nature Conservancy researchers are offering new wildfire risk tools, and Oregon officials say fire season is already underway. Tech for Rural Connectivity: Link Oregon’s new 400-Gig fiber pilot aims to bring high-bandwidth services to rural and underserved areas, boosting AI and workforce training. Robotics in the Classroom: Central Oregon students built a wildfire command bus with custom workstations, power, and Starlink for field planning. Marine Science Access: The Oregon coast’s Charleston Marine Life Center at UO’s marine biology institute expands hands-on learning and tribal partnerships. Right-to-Repair: A new report highlights how telematics-gated diagnostics can lock owners out of fixing their own cars. Earthquake Alerts: Google’s Android Earthquake Alerts system sent warnings in Venezuela, using ShakeAlert in the Pacific Northwest and phone-sensor crowdsourcing elsewhere. Community & Health: Lane County health centers face major budget gaps and planned staffing cuts; Oregon’s USDA Office of Seafood is set to boost grants and market access for fishermen.

Energy & Climate: A “super El Niño” could cut solar and hydropower output in parts of the West and elsewhere, forcing grids to lean harder on fossil backup as demand rises. Earthquake Science: Venezuela’s back-to-back quakes were a “doublet” sequence, and new reporting highlights how early warning can buy seconds—sometimes via phone alerts. Oregon Research & Safety: Oregon State University geophysicist Chris Goldfinger points to how multi-fault events can be missed in risk planning, while a separate study flags a potentially bigger-than-mapped California fault near Humboldt County. Local Tech & Education: Oregon Tech Dean Neslihan Alp was elected to the National Institute for Engineering Ethics board. Health & Bio: An Oregon honey company is bringing research-studied wild Tualang honey to U.S. consumers. AI & Industry: Nvidia and AWS expand ties to speed AI inference and vector search in production. Public Health: Tick season warnings are rising as Lyme disease risk grows. Business & Logistics: DAT launched “Load Recommendations” in DAT One to help carriers find better-matching loads faster.

Oregon Bioscience Push: Gov. Tina Kotek heads to BIO International Convention in San Diego to spotlight Oregon’s bioscience strengths and meet companies for new investment and jobs. Cancer Tech from OSU: Oregon State University reports sugar-coated lipid nanoparticles that target glioblastoma in mice, extending survival by 50% by helping therapy cross the blood-brain barrier and home in on tumors. Public Health Policy: Sen. Ron Wyden and Democrats plan to introduce a bill capping out-of-pocket costs in traditional Medicare, reigniting the fight over why the program lacks a spending limit. Retail Tech Update: Brightstar Lottery extends its Oregon Lottery contract for advanced retail systems through May 2031. AI & Robotics Watch: Oregon-based Agility Robotics moves toward a Wall Street debut via a $2.5B SPAC deal, betting on humanoid robots for warehouse work. Environment & Outdoors: BottleDrop’s Hidden Bottle Hunt returns statewide, while an Oregon group sues to stop a Coast Range timber sale tied to federal land-plan changes. Healthcare IT Growth: New market reporting points to rapid expansion in U.S. healthcare IT driven by telehealth and digital care coordination.

Earth & Weather: A 5.6 quake hit Northern California and was felt across Oregon and Nevada, triggering hundreds of thousands of alerts and power outages in the quake zone. Wildfire Risk: A cold front is setting up dry lightning and strong winds across the drought-stricken West, with fire danger forecast from very high to extreme. Climate Outlook: Oregon’s state climatologist says a very strong El Niño could flip the usual pattern, bringing a wetter fall and higher winter snowpack. Public Safety Tech: Woodburn has ended its Flock license-plate reader program and removed the cameras. Cybersecurity in Schools: Oregon-area districts are grappling with how to enforce protections like multifactor authentication on student Chromebooks. Transportation & Infrastructure: Oregon DOT added extra-thick white safety striping on crash-prone I-84 curves in eastern Oregon. Oregon Tech & Industry: Oregon Tech named three new trustees, including advanced materials and biotech leaders, as the board adds research and student perspectives. Health & Policy: A lawsuit alleges preventable nursing-home neglect led to a fatal bedsore, renewing scrutiny of care standards.