AGP Executive Report

Publishing & Books in Public Life: The Smithsonian Store hosted a Lower Manhattan conversation tied to American Indigenous Democracy: A Call for Interdependence, spotlighting the Haudenosaunee Great Law of Peace and its relevance to U.S. founding. Nonfiction Awards: Patrick Radden Keefe’s London Falling made the shortlist for the Baillie Gifford Prize, a major U.K. nonfiction payday. Labor & Newsroom Power: Daily Herald journalists voted 15-0 to form the Daily Herald News Guild after years of layoffs and pay cuts under Alden Global Capital/Tribune Publishing. AI & Copyright in Publishing: A Third Circuit ruling says training AI on a competitor’s proprietary, curated database for the same commercial purpose is copyright infringement, rejecting “just training data” fair use. Audiobooks & Rights Activism: Libro.fm and Silent Book Club are running a Banned Books Week Read-In with free audiobook picks and local bookstore/library events. YA-to-Screen Adaptations: Netflix is developing American Royals, based on Katharine McGee’s Alloy Entertainment YA series.

Publishing & Media Business: Digiday reports publishers are turning “GEO” from an experiment into a revenue play as search weakens and advertisers ask how brands can show up in AI answers. AI Regulation: New York’s “FAIR in News” bill would require generative-AI-labeled news content, raising free-speech and newsroom compliance concerns. Books & Culture Events: Singapore launches its first Indie Bookshop Day (Oct. 2–4) with a passport-and-stamp crawl across 20 shops. Legal/Press Freedom: A California appeals court upheld dismissal of a $25M defamation suit tied to a reporter publishing details from a domestic violence arrest, citing First Amendment protections. Community Publishing: A local Holy Trinity Catholic Parish fall festival includes a book fair (Oct. 17–18). Tech & Publishing Adjacent: CompoSecure opens a London design center to help banks and fintechs build premium metal card programs—an example of how “design” services are globalizing.

Publishing & Books: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library could expand across New Jersey after a lawmaker-backed push to fund statewide monthly book mailings for kids ages 0–5. Libraries & Community Reading: Georgia’s “Carnegie Library Trail” campaign spotlights surviving Carnegie buildings and invites residents to explore and download a guide. AI, Media & Policy: OpenAI and Amazon launched Bedrock Managed Agents, aiming to keep customer data inside AWS while enterprises build agent workflows. Free Press Under Pressure: A new report says Trump barred CNN, Politico, and MS NOW from entering the White House, renewing fights over access and press freedom. Legal/Industry: An appeals court sided with Thomson Reuters in a dispute over AI training. Culture & Controversy: A Huckabee-linked story calls India’s removal of an Israeli photo book “equivalent to book burning,” framing the dispute as censorship. Local Literacy: Rotary’s Winona club continues early-reading efforts through Books for Babies and classroom literacy support. Tourism & Books/Reading Culture: A Grand Canyon tour company challenges higher international visitor entrance fees, arguing it’s hurting tourism and local businesses.

AI & Publishing/Marketing: Wiley releases Pete Blackshaw’s The Answer Economy, arguing brands must win “recommendation share” as AI agents increasingly decide what consumers buy. AI in Media Buying: Amazon is developing agentic AI to automate parts of ad purchasing and optimization, potentially changing how campaigns are planned and executed. Hospitality Tech: AWS and Hilton say AI channels are already reshaping hotel discovery and bookings, with traditional sites/apps struggling to keep up. Free Press & Courts: A California appeals court blocks a $25M defamation bid by tech exec Maury Blackman over a Substack report on his domestic arrest. First Amendment on Campus: A student sues UTD claiming retaliation tied to speech and a letter-to-the-editor dispute. Democracy & Books: Waco attorney Skye Perryman promotes Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times on a tour focused on local civic action. Health Research Access: Sage and OpenEvidence partner to bring peer-reviewed medical research into point-of-care AI with direct citations. Animal Research Policy: Wisconsin Rep. Mark Pocan backs a bill to end federal funding for dog and cat research. Local Culture: Zoo Atlanta welcomes giant pandas Ping Ping and Fu Shuang for a 10-year stay, sparking community excitement.

AI & Publishing Tech: OpenAI unveiled “dots,” a new always-on personal agent for tasks like scheduling, travel planning, budgeting, debugging, and coding—another push in the consumer AI race that’s reshaping how people expect help from apps. Local Libraries & Books: Pike County Public Library marked its 125th anniversary with community events, a Friends book sale, and children’s storytime featuring “Peter the Pickle Vampire,” highlighting how local libraries keep book culture alive. Book Culture & Community Events: A festival at the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) in Long Beach celebrated lucha libre with a book launch for “Luchadores vs. Everything,” plus panels and screenings—showing publishing’s role in preserving cultural history. Health & Storytelling: Stroke survivor and aphasia advocate Terence Ang is using World Stroke Day in October to connect lived experience, publishing, and art across New York and Singapore. Industry/Deals: CPI renewed a long-running agreement with Vericast for instant card issuance and personalization, underscoring ongoing infrastructure investment behind consumer-facing services. Media/Politics: U.S. prosecutors reopened an alleged Cornell University gang rape case after a lawsuit, keeping spotlight on accountability in major institutions.

Local Journalism & Education: My Local Press launched a free Student Journalism Program, letting high school and university reporters publish real local news on MyLocalPress.com with geo-fenced reach and teacher oversight. Publishing & Culture: HBO unveiled the Season 2 logo for its “Harry Potter” reboot, “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” signaling a darker tone ahead of the first season’s Christmas debut. Books & Community Inclusion: An Iowa mom’s new children’s book, “Halloween is for Everyone,” aims to make the holiday welcoming for kids with autism, with a Barnes & Noble web launch set for Oct. 7. Higher Ed & Faculty Pay: A Kentucky museum curator at Western Kentucky University says she’s become the lowest-paid full-time professor after a salary fight, highlighting ongoing pressure on faculty compensation. Sports & Participation: A Newsday analysis reports Long Island high school football participation down 30% over a decade, with middle school down 43%, as parents cite head-injury concerns. AI & Media: Commentary argues that new tech—from Gutenberg to Google—has changed how people access news, but not necessarily how well they understand it.

Publishing & Books: Freecompany’s fantasy wargame Eldfall Chronicles adds new North American distributors (Southern Hobby, Ovrboard Wholesale, Universal Distribution, Warsenal) and expands Canadian ordering via Asmodee Canada and Universal Distribution. Media Industry: E.W. Scripps promotes Sean McGarvy to head of news, unifying local newsrooms, digital operations, and Scripps News under one consumer-focused strategy. Book Culture: A new novel review spotlights Min Jin Lee’s American Hagwon, a sweeping Korean-diaspora story centered on the Koh family and the role of education. Local Book Events: Red Balloon Bookshop and SubText Bookstore announce author appearances and readings across late September into October, including Percy Jackson-related programming. Policy & Tech (publishing-adjacent): The Trump administration rolls back Biden-era fuel economy standards, a reminder that regulatory shifts can ripple through industries that also shape media and publishing supply chains.

AI & Consumer Tech: Meta closed Connect by unveiling “Muse Charm,” a keychain device with a small touchscreen and 5G meant to keep talking to its Muse AI agent—shipping in December, but with no price set. Publishing & Culture: Scholastic is republishing J.K. Rowling’s debut with a U.S. title change: “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” is being dropped in favor of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” while the text stays the same. Books & Community: A Council Bluffs mom’s new children’s book, “Halloween is for Everyone,” launches Oct. 7 on Barnes & Noble to make the holiday more autism-friendly. Industry Watch: A new study warns shipping is unlikely to hit 2030 alternative-fuel targets, citing regulatory uncertainty around the IMO’s Net-Zero Framework. Business & Policy: The Trump administration plans to roll out looser fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks, projecting lower fleet mileage than Biden-era rules. Local Tech Debate: Bowling Green residents are pushing back on Flock automated license-plate cameras, calling them an invasion of privacy.

K-12 Funding Crunch: National Life Group says 3,544 educators applied for its 2026 Back to School Supply Grants, and they reported spending an average $626 of their own money—highlighting how classroom costs keep landing on teachers. New Thriller From Maryland: Crofton author Michelle Carey released The Crofton Triangle, a political crime novel mixing cybercrime, surveillance, and corruption around a U.S. Senate vote. AI’s Cost Question: A report argues Big Tech’s AI buildout could reach $10 trillion and about 3.6% of GDP annually, raising the big issue of who pays for the infrastructure. Tech + Work Automation: General Motors is pursuing an autonomous forklift patent, a move that could reshape warehouse labor needs. Crypto Watch: XRP posts a sharp run after a policy-driven surge, but analysts warn late buyers face tight support/resistance as selling pressure builds. Tax Revenue Snapshot: Census data shows multiple states’ Q1 2026 totals shifting—North Dakota down 1.2%, Maryland up 6.5%, and Oklahoma down 10%. Publishing/Media Angle: Netflix adds A24’s Slice to its U.S. catalog, continuing the platform’s horror-comedy push.

K-12 Funding Gap: National Life Group’s LifeChanger of the Year Back to School Supply Grants say 3,544 educators spent an average $626 of their own money on classroom supplies, underscoring how much teachers are forced to cover. Publishing & Media: A judge ordered the White House to restore access for CNN, MS NOW, and Politico after a ban fight, keeping press access in the spotlight. Tech & Books/Reading Tech: Meta’s new AI agent “Muse” is driving a major stock surge, with investors focused on early adoption and downloads. AI & Fraud: The FTC reports 2025 fraud losses hit $15.9B, and new scams increasingly use AI to mimic real websites, emails, and audio/video—plus practical tips to avoid getting hooked. Aviation Disruption: A rare September nor’easter grounded hundreds of flights across the Northeast, with cascading delays and cancellations. Crypto Lobbying: The Blockchain Association announced CEO Summer Mersinger will step down Oct. 16, with founder Kristin Smith returning as interim CEO.

K-12 Funding Crunch: National Life Group’s 2026 Back to School Supply Grants found 3,544 educators averaged $626 out of pocket for classroom supplies, underscoring how much teachers are covering basic needs themselves. Public Lands Fight: A new op-ed argues Trump’s 2025 public lands law could force sweeping oil-and-gas lease sales and industrial development across vast acreage, with little agency discretion. Hurricane Nolo Watch: Hawaii officials report Nolo moving west with a Hurricane Watch and Flood Watch in effect for the Big Island, including road closures and heavy-rain totals. White House Press Access: CNN says it was barred from Air Force One for Trump’s trip, part of a broader dispute over media access and First Amendment concerns. Crypto Debate: A former BlackRock executive calls Bitcoin an “exit asset” and Ethereum “the new rails,” while another report says institutions treat ETH more as speculative. Travel Disruption: Delta faces triple-digit cancellations as a nor’easter hits major Northeast hubs, especially Boston Logan. Publishing/Books & Culture: Dolly Parton Day is being marked with book drives and literacy efforts tied to Imagination Library.

K-12 Funding Crunch: National Life Group’s LifeChanger of the Year Back to School Supply Grants found 3,544 educators spent an average of $626 of their own money on classroom supplies, underscoring a widening gap in school funding. White House Press Fight: CNN says it was barred from traveling with President Trump on Air Force One to Tennessee, as the administration continues to restrict major outlets amid a broader “fake news” dispute. Supreme Court Redistricting Reset: The U.S. Supreme Court blocked Missouri’s GOP-favored congressional map at the last minute, preserving a 2022 map and ending legal whiplash as voting begins. Publishing & Media: A commentary argues news publishers are replacing writers with AI; separate coverage highlights the Associated Press stylebook as a model of American editorial standards. Literary Culture: Dolly Parton Day spurred book drives and donations, including at Amoeba Hollywood, tied to Imagination Library. Tech/AI Agents: Reuters reports Meta’s “Muse” AI agent is drawing major U.S. attention by doing tasks beyond chat, including scheduling and booking.

Library & Books: Iowa historian Kevin Mason will discuss Retracing the Dragoon Trail in Iowa at the Oskaloosa Public Library on Sept. 29, with the route of the 1835 First U.S. Dragoon Expedition and Indigenous perspectives in focus. Higher Ed Costs: Adrian College president Jeffrey Docking tells Fox News universities must “lower costs every year,” calling Syracuse’s enrollment-and-tuition pressure a sign of a wider structural crisis. Social Security Impact: A bigger 2027 COLA is expected, with the biggest hike since 2023 tied to inflation drivers including fuel and tech input pressures. Community Reading Incentives: Glenview, Illinois is pairing library card sign-ups with local business discounts, while other libraries report rising registrations and circulation. Publishing/Media Industry: ASCAP names Jason Wagener SVP/head of general licensing effective Jan. 1, 2027. New Releases: Kira Wren launches The Vanishing at Table Nine (Kit Calder Files) and Mary Higgins Clark’s estate signs new representation deals spanning publishing and screen. Literacy Philanthropy: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library expands in the UK with new funding, and “Give Like Dolly Day” spotlights local partners.

White House Press Fight: A federal judge ordered the White House to restore press pool access for CNN, MSNBC and Politico after Trump’s ban sparked a First Amendment dispute and a lawsuit. AI & Publishing/Media: Meta rolled back a “human concierge” test inside its Muse AI phone-calling feature after employee privacy concerns, while publishers are also watching how AI agents may change where ads land. Books & Community: Dolly Parton Day (Sept. 25) is driving new book drives and enrollments for Imagination Library affiliates. New Releases: Poetronica Records launched as a label for poets, debuting Richard Blanco’s “Nothing Here I Don’t Remember” EP. Kids’ Reading: A new toy store, Captain’s Treasures, is pitching play as storytelling—plus a local “Mission: Possible” pep rally highlights school honor rolls and book awards. Sports/Pop Culture: Marvel previewed the MCU’s female JARVIS, FRIDAY, for “VisionQuest.”

Press-Freedom Showdown: A federal judge ordered the White House to restore access for CNN, MS NOW, and Politico after Trump revoked their press credentials, with reporters regaining entry by Thursday afternoon—raising fresh questions about due process and viewpoint discrimination. Book Bans & Activism: UMass Lowell’s Communication Department will screen the documentary “Banned Together” (Oct. 8), following students fighting the removal of 97 books from school libraries. AI vs. Journalism: A community newspaper editor argues for strict limits on generative AI in news writing, citing AP-style bans and warning that AI can replace human reporting. Wild Horses, Public Lands: Colorado’s Little Book Cliffs mustang advocates weigh in on controversy over helicopter roundups after reports of horse deaths. Animation & Publishing Adjacent: Animation Is Film (Oct. 16-19) will open with a theatrical premiere of “Knights of Guinevere,” a sign of how serialized stories keep expanding into big-screen events. Tariff Refunds: After Supreme Court tariff strikes, the government is processing about $122B in customs refunds—though payouts go to importers, not directly to shoppers.

AI Regulation Push: Sens. Peter Welch and Michael Bennet unveiled the AI Regulator Act, proposing pre-certification for frontier AI, the power to delay risky releases, and penalties up to 15% of prior-year global revenue. Press-Freedom Court Fight: A federal judge signaled Trump’s White House ban on CNN, MS NOW, and Politico may have violated due process, and ordered their access restored while the case proceeds. Publishing & Language: Merriam-Webster added 1,400 new words, including “looksmaxxing” and “parasocial,” reflecting how fast everyday culture moves into print. Local Libraries & Literacy: The Bradbury Art Museum won an NEA Big Read grant for Joy Harjo’s “An American Sunrise,” pairing the adult book with a children’s companion for yearlong community programming. School Book Controversy: A Fossil, Oregon, district removed the novel “Feed” from required high school reading while keeping it in the library, after a committee vote. Meta’s AI Push: Meta’s Muse agent continues to drive major attention and investor buzz, even as Amazon blocks its use on retail pages.