AGP Executive Report

World Cup in North Carolina: Germany’s men’s team set up its World Cup base in Winston-Salem and held an open public workout at Wake Forest’s soccer stadium, drawing local fans and youth players. Community & Culture: WRAL’s new documentary, “Left Uncovered: Inside North Carolina’s News Deserts,” spotlights how shrinking local newsrooms affect communities, airing this week on WRAL and streaming online. Juneteenth in the Triangle: Raleigh plans multiple Juneteenth events with music, food, DJ sets, art, and family activities at Carolina Pines Park and John Chavis Memorial Park. Sports Fandom: A North Carolina Hurricanes superfan went viral for getting two Canes tattoos—after a social-media bet tied to the Stanley Cup Finals. Public Safety: North Carolina officials issued a rental scam warning, urging renters to verify listings and avoid pressure to send deposits. Health & Research: The Appendix Cancer Walk marks its 20th anniversary, with nearly $2.5 million raised and 49 research grants, including events in North Carolina.

Politics & Media: American Bridge 21st Century is launching a $50M ad push to flip House and Senate seats, aiming hard at Republican turf. Higher Ed & Pride: Colleges are backtracking on Pride Month messaging and events as neutrality policies and state rules tighten campus speech. Finance Watch: The CFPB is being reshaped under Trump, with new guidance that could affect credit access and a consumer complaint focus tied to “de-banking.” Music: Osees surprise-released the five-track album “OFF COURSE,” built from jam sessions and recorded live. Sports (NC): The Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup Final run comes with a “playoff baby boom” storyline as families prepare for new arrivals during the series. Local Entertainment/Arts: The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry opens a retrospective on costume designer Paul Tazewell, tracing his path from early puppets to major stage and screen hits. NC Business Spotlight: Big Spoon Roasters in Durham grew from a kitchen side hustle into award-winning nut butters and energy bars.

College World Series: The CWS field is set with five SEC teams and North Carolina headed to Omaha; UNC opens Friday vs. Ole Miss (6 p.m. ESPN) as the bracket and TV times roll out. Local Sports Spotlight: Duke-bound Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje turned heads at adidas Eurocamp in Italy, while UNC freshman Kevin Thomas is already drawing NBA scout buzz. Consumer Watch: North Carolina’s AG and Real Estate Commission warn renters about rental scams and fake listings—slow down, verify, and don’t get pressured into deposits. Movie Theater News: Golden Ticket Cinemas will take over Emporia Cinema 8 on June 15, keeping staff in place and aiming for a “Toy Story 5” reopening. Music & Touring: Little Big Town announced its “For The Art Of It” fall tour with a 26-date North American run. World Cup in NC: Scotland’s World Cup camp in Charlotte sparked a dispute with Norway after a canceled training match, with players and coaches trading barbs. Policy & Tech: A North Carolina software engineer reportedly secured a religious exemption from using AI at work, echoing Pope Francis’ AI concerns.

NASCAR: Denny Hamlin keeps rolling—he won the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan for a second straight victory, tying Kyle Busch’s win total and hinting his retirement timeline could be “end of next year.” College Baseball (NC): UNC baseball is headed to the College World Series after a wild walk-off 4-3 win over USC in Chapel Hill, with Owen Hull delivering the decisive hit in Game 3. College World Series: The full Omaha schedule is set, with Ole Miss clinching its spot and opening-round matchups now locked in. Local Arts & Culture: The Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum will host Black Heritage Day June 13 with music, art, vendors, and community events celebrating Brown’s legacy. TV/Film Incentives: North Carolina approved a $15 million grant for MrBeast’s “Beast Games” Season 3 to film in the state. Music: Deep Purple previewed its upcoming album “SPLAT!” with the single “Diablo,” featuring Keith Urban, and announced a Raleigh stop Aug. 4. Community Spotlight: Durham Hunger Day returns with “Nourishing Neighbors,” highlighting local efforts to fight food insecurity.

Furniture Fire: Five firefighters were injured after a blaze tore through Furniture Plus in Jacksonville, with part of the roof collapsing; the cause is still under investigation. Arts & Mental Health: Raleigh’s Darkness RISING is using music, storytelling, and community events to break mental-health stigma in the Black community, including its free ninth-year Darkness RISING: Live festival. World Cup in NC: Norway’s World Cup squad is adjusting training in Greensboro after extreme heat hit practice, with hydration and cooling routines added to manage stress. Sports Betting & Policy: North Carolina lawmakers are moving to raise taxes on sports gambling operators, aiming to boost revenue for other budget priorities. Local Sports Culture: Girls flag football is now officially sanctioned by the NCHSAA, with Vance County’s program among those set to play this fall. Community Pride: Hendersonville Pride Festival returned for its sixth year, drawing growing crowds and more WNC Pride events scheduled through June. Business Spotlight: Bitty & Beau’s Coffee announced a new lower-cost Mini Cruiser mobile franchise model in Wilmington.

World Cup Buzz in NC: US coach Mauricio Pochettino says the crowd energy finally matched expectations after a sellout in Chicago, noting the U.S. drew big in Charlotte days earlier—momentum that could matter as the 2026 tournament nears. Heat Training in Greensboro: Norway’s World Cup camp in Greensboro was thrown off by extreme temperatures near 40°C, forcing extra hydration and cooling routines for players including Erling Haaland. Girls’ Sports Milestone: Vance County High’s girls flag football is now officially sanctioned by the N.C. High School Athletic Association, with varsity play set for fall. MLS All-Star to Charlotte: LAFC’s Son Heung-min headlines the MLS All-Star squad, with Charlotte FC defender Tim Ream also named for the July 29 match at Bank of America Stadium. College Baseball Spotlight: UNC kept its season alive with a 4-0 super regional win over USC, while Ole Miss punched its CWS ticket by sweeping Auburn. Stanley Cup Final Hype: Hurricanes and Golden Knights head into Game 3 tied 1-1, with Carolina riding strong road success. Local Community Note: The 12th annual National Black Bear Festival drew crowds to Plymouth for education and live music. Raleigh Civic Watch: City leaders are weighing a deal to sell Raleigh Convention Center naming rights to Atlantic Union Bank.

NCAA Baseball: USC is one win from the 2026 College World Series after a late surge beat North Carolina in Game 1, with Dean Carpentier’s bottom-of-the-order grand slam flipping the momentum; Game 2 is set for 2 p.m. ET on ESPN. NASCAR: Richard Childress broke his silence on Kyle Busch’s death, saying the press conference was originally meant to announce Busch’s 2027 return—while Busch’s widow Samantha Busch and their kids thanked fans for support in their first statement. Hockey (Stanley Cup): The Hurricanes evened the series after falling behind 2-0, and attention turns to Game 3 as Vegas and Carolina trade momentum. Music: Evanescence released “Sanctuary” and extended its world tour with 2027 dates that include North Carolina. TV/Film: Apple TV’s “Cape Fear” remake is drawing debate for major story changes from the 1991 De Niro film. Local Arts & Community: Dave Matthews Band brought a Raleigh stop with surprise guest Tatiana Hargreaves, while a WNC water-safety update urges families to check river E. coli levels before summer outings.

NCAA Baseball Spotlight: UNC baseball’s Super Regional opener went sideways as USC erased a 5-1 lead with a big sixth and seventh, winning 9-5 and forcing the Tar Heels to win Game 2 to stay alive. Stanley Cup Buzz (NC): The Carolina Hurricanes pulled off a historic Game 2 comeback, rallying from 2-0 down to beat Vegas 4-3 in OT and set up Game 3 in Las Vegas. Youth Sports in NC: Girls flag football is now officially sanctioned by the NCHSAA, a major step for female athletes as schools plan varsity teams for the fall. Music & Travel: The Heartland Harp Ensemble is gearing up for a major Ireland trip, preparing a cathedral concert in Kilkenny. Live Music (NC): Gary Valenciano’s “Inspired” North America tour lands in Durham June 27. Community & Safety: North Carolina officials warn scams are rising—especially against seniors—and urge people to be “nosy” when something feels off. Power & Industry: Duke Energy received a $28.4M federal grant to upgrade its Roxboro coal plant, part of a broader coal push.

NASCAR Legacy: “Gentleman Ned” Jarrett, a two-time Cup champion and longtime broadcaster, died at 93 in Newton, North Carolina, leaving a multi-generational footprint on the sport. NASCAR Community: Kyle Busch’s widow Samantha Busch posted her first public message since his death, thanking supporters while describing the family’s grief as “unimaginable.” College Sports (NC): The ACC/SEC Challenge schedule is set, with North Carolina hosting LSU on Dec. 2 and South Carolina visiting Duke on Dec. 3. College Baseball (NC): USC and North Carolina meet in the Chapel Hill super regional, with the Tar Heels hosting Game 1 Friday at 3 p.m. Local Sports/Prospects: Truitt commits to play women’s lacrosse at North Carolina Wesleyan, and BJ Murray’s turnaround after a Double-A demotion is paying off. Arts & Culture: Four North Carolina choreographers bring dynamic works to the American Dance Festival, and Made in NC spotlights Durham’s dance community. TV/Film: Eric Roberts joins “Witchcraft: The Lanterne of Light,” set in North Carolina forests.

Tour Buzz: Bryson Tiller’s Neo Trapsoul Tour hits North America starting Aug. 27, with a European run in November and UK/Ireland dates in December; Majid Jordan supports, with Ty Dolla $ign and Austin Millz on select stops. Tour Buzz: Gracie Abrams’ Look At My Life Tour goes on sale at 9am today, with North American dates starting in December and a Europe run in April-May, plus major UK stops. Live & Local: Cannon Air Force Base hosts Wings Over Cannon this Saturday, featuring aerial demos, STEM exhibits, food vendors, and performances including the U.S. Army Golden Knights skydiving team. Sports Spotlight: Kyle Busch’s private Charlotte-area service followed his May 21 death; hours later, his son Brexton returned to racing. NCAA Baseball: UNC hosts USC in Game 1 of the super regional Friday (ESPN2), with Auburn vs. Ole Miss and West Virginia vs. Cal Poly also on the slate. Community Health: The NWSL and American Heart Association launch the 2026 “Nation of Lifesavers” ambassador class, including North Carolina Courage players Riley Jackson and Dani Weatherholt. Cultural Arts: Clayton Center for the Arts announces its 2026-27 season lineup, spanning folk-rock, bluegrass, family events, and comedy.

Sports & Entertainment: NCAA is expanding March Madness to 76 teams next season, adding eight teams each in both men’s and women’s brackets and pushing more games into the first week. Local Arts & Culture: Duke University is building a new GPU-focused research center in Durham, while WNC’s ArtsvilleUSA launched a virtual outdoor-art exhibition with works across 25 counties. Music & Community: Brandon Hawkins, a Hickory-to-Wilmington musician, is gearing up to release original music. Sports in NC: The U.S. men’s national team wrapped training at Fayetteville’s new national center ahead of its friendly vs. Germany in Atlanta. Tech & Infrastructure: Kinetic says it has passed 2 million fiber premises, and North Carolina data-center debate keeps heating up as Duke’s project adds to the conversation. Gospel Spotlight: Stellar Awards in Charlotte include a new HBCU choir category, with Fort Valley State nominated. Business/Health: Ignite Medical Resorts is expanding into North Carolina via acquisition of four Charlotte-area skilled nursing facilities.

Scam Alert: With America’s 250th birthday hype ramping up, the BBB is warning shoppers about fake “America 250” logos showing up on low-quality or never-delivered online merchandise. Tech & Teens: North Carolina’s HB 301 is moving fast, bundling AI literacy for schools with new rules aimed at minors’ social media access. Sports Business: MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred says a new salary cap push could spark another work stoppage, warning owners and players are headed for a 1994-style standoff. NHL Spotlight: The Hurricanes and Golden Knights open the Stanley Cup Final in Raleigh (Game 1 coverage includes TV/streaming details). Gospel in Charlotte: Kirk Franklin will host the 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards in Charlotte, with local nominees announced. Community Festival: Forest City’s Cherry Bounce Festival returns June 5-6 with live music, crafts, and cherry-themed food and tastings. Local Tragedy: A Concord father was shot and killed while trying to protect his daughter during a domestic dispute, police say.

World Cup Buzz: The U.S. men’s national team says it’s in a “really great position” heading into the World Cup after a send-off win over Senegal in Charlotte, with players praising the momentum from friendly matches. State Spotlight (Soccer): North Carolina is leaning hard into its “Summer of Soccer,” touting major events and international team partnerships backed by the MEGA Fund, including training camps tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. NHL & Fans: At the Stanley Cup Final opener, Carolina fans chanted “No means no” at Vegas goalie Carter Hart despite his acquittal in a high-profile sexual assault case. College Football Moves: UNC football QB Taron Dickens decommitted ahead of the season, reportedly for “academic reasons,” adding another twist to the Belichick era. Local Arts & Culture: BRAHM’s Blowing Rock Art & History Museum kicks off free lectures for America’s 250th anniversary, exploring American identity through art and landscape. Online Safety: North Carolina AG Jeff Jackson joins a bipartisan push against the federal KIDS Act, arguing it would weaken state protections for children online. Music Scene: North Carolina indie band Whoop drops “Tightrope,” a standout single from its album “Time to Talk.” Sports Entertainment: Banana Ball returns to Charlotte with three sold-out nights at Truist Field.

Stanley Cup Final (Raleigh): Vegas Golden Knights erased a 2-0 Carolina start to win Game 1, 5-4, with Tomas Hertl scoring the winner late—setting up Game 2 Thursday at Lenovo Center. Local Sports & Community: Hurricanes players are backing the Food Bank’s “Goal to End Hunger Challenge,” aiming to raise $25,000 as summer food insecurity rises. Music & Live Events: Free Milepost Music concert spotlights acoustic blues guitarist Scott Ainslie on June 7 at Mabry Mill. Tour News: Kehlani announced her EU/UK arena run, with tickets going on sale today at 10am local time. Arts & Culture: HBO’s “Bring Me the Beauties: A Model Cult” digs into the bizarre Hoyt Richards story, including a cult built around an “alien” leader. Tech/Entertainment Tie-In: Toyota and Forza Horizon 6 bring a “Barn Find” pop-up challenge to Westfield Century City this weekend. Education Policy: A study finds colleges’ anti-DEI compliance can suppress more than the law explicitly bans.

Stanley Cup Spotlight: The Carolina Hurricanes host the Vegas Golden Knights for Game 1 of the best-of-7 Final in Raleigh tonight, with local leaders and church officials trading friendly bets tied to Carolina barbecue and Vegas steak. NCAA Baseball (Local): North Carolina is set for a Chapel Hill super regional vs. USC, with Game 1 Friday afternoon on ESPN2—one more step toward the College World Series in Omaha. Sports-to-Entertainment Crossover: Former MLB outfielder Jordyn Adams, a former UNC commit, is reportedly switching to football at SMU this fall. Local Community & Culture: Raleigh’s self-governed Outlanders homeless encampment offers a rare look at how residents run daily life, from tents and TVs to rules and receiving zones. Arts & Books: “Miss Donna” retires Friday after 36 years as a children’s librarian, a Triangle staple for storytime and youth programs. Policy Watch (NC): The NC House advances a bill setting guardrails for data center development, including noise limits and a new nuclear plant approval step.

Tax Clarity: North Carolina’s “flat tax” debate heats up after a social post blurred the difference between a single rate and equal tax bills—official numbers show higher earners pay far more in dollars. Higher Ed & Faith: Elevation Church plans to open a college in Charlotte this fall with online/hybrid classes but required on-site practicum experiences. Sports—NBA Draft Buzz: ESPN’s draft analysts map high- and low-end player “pro comps” for the top 12 2026 prospects ahead of the June 23-24 event in Brooklyn. Sports—Stanley Cup Final: The Hurricanes open the finals at home against Vegas on ABC, with special focus on staying out of the penalty box. Local Arts & Culture: “Papertown” documents the Canton mill closure’s ripple effects, premiering after grant support and festival runs. Community Spotlight: A beloved children’s librarian, “Miss Donna,” is retiring after decades of storytime and youth services. Health Campaign: ViiV Healthcare launches “PrEP Wisdom” to encourage informed conversations about long-acting injectable HIV prevention.