AGP Executive Report

Higher Ed Oversight: The U.S. Department of Education issued proposed rules to reshape postsecondary accreditation, aiming to boost student outcomes, reduce gatekeeping, and protect academic freedom. Reading Reform Debate: A new push for “science of reading” is colliding with concerns about the growing vendor-and-data infrastructure around it, not just phonics. Local Library Spotlight: A New Richland library hosted a reading for “Trebie Gets a Passport,” highlighting how community stories become children’s books. Publishing & Tech Legal Pressure: A federal appeals court let thousands of social media addiction lawsuits against Meta and TikTok move forward, rejecting a Section 230 “immunity” argument. Community Health Paper Trail: Teton Valley schools are weighing what enforcement should look like when vaccination records lag amid measles concerns. Industry Event: CEAg World announced an invitation-only Grower Leadership Exchange for greenhouse produce executives ahead of its November conference in Charlotte. Local News & Events: Lake City is rolling out solar ribbon-cuttings and community AI training, while local papers continue to drive subscription-based coverage of school and civic life.

Courts & Platforms: A U.S. appeals court cleared the way for thousands of social media addiction lawsuits against Meta and TikTok to move forward, rejecting arguments that Section 230 blocks the cases—keeping pressure on tech companies over claims they designed for harm to minors. Publishing & IP: A UK High Court fight is set to proceed over “Six Days in Fallujah,” with the developer accusing the publisher of an unlawful IP “conspiracy” after milestone disputes over the game’s build and step-in rights. Books & Literacy: A “book bus” program is bringing literacy resources to underserved neighborhoods in Tennessee, aiming to close gaps where kids lack libraries and bookstores. Reading for Fun: A report highlights how reading for pleasure can reduce stress and improve mental wellbeing for young people. Local Book Culture: The Los Angeles Kids Book Festival returns with free author events and family programming. Business of Publishing: Cosmopolitan’s failed Australian relaunch is tied to a publisher liquidation, with creditors owed about $1.1 million. Tech & Attention: Separate coverage warns that AI is siphoning paid clicks from Google search, adding to the churn publishers face.

Courtroom Pushback on Social Media: A U.S. appeals court cleared the way for thousands of lawsuits against Meta and TikTok over claims their platforms are addictive and harmful to young users, rejecting a bid to stop the cases under Section 230. Cybersecurity: CISA, FBI and HHS issued an updated warning on Medusa ransomware, saying the group disables security tools, steals data and encrypts entire networks across hundreds of organizations. Gaming Industry Buzz: Tokyo Game Show’s 30th anniversary calendar is now public, including a Twitch CEO keynote and streaming-focused creator booths, as Gamescom 2026 also confirms a sold-out floor. Publishing & Media Business: Nielsen faces fresh criticism over its streaming-vs-linear TV measurement approach, with claims it kept publishing flawed “The Gauge” methodology. Health Policy: Public Citizen submitted comments urging CMS not to use certain existing drug prices as a negotiation starting point while codifying Medicare’s drug price negotiation program. Travel & Consumer Culture: American Airlines tightened its 24-hour refund window, and National Park Week’s free-entry push is driving new “shop to support” park gear promotions. Books & Authors: A new poetry collection from Miami’s “Biscayne Poet” Oscar Fuentes ties literary work to immigration-era experiences in South Florida.

AI & Copyright Clash: Independent music publisher Round Hill Music sued Anthropic and Suno in California, alleging both used lyrics from at least 500 songs (including James Brown, The Kinks, and the Goo Goo Dolls) to train AI systems, with potential damages “conceivably” topping $1B—another escalation in the copyright fight over AI training. Publishing Authorship Pressure: A new report highlights how suspected AI-written books are triggering deal pullbacks and forcing publishers to rethink authorship verification as generative AI scandals keep erupting. Print Tech Push: 55printing.com launched a “Digital Fast” platform touting 1–2 business day color and B&W copies, variable data, free file conversion tools, and AI-assisted design with tracking through delivery. Manga Market Growth: HarperCollins is set to launch a Kazé Manga imprint for the U.S., while ICv2’s Manga Week notes Japanese-run digital manga platforms are multiplying across North America. Media/Platform Liability: A Ninth Circuit ruling cleared the way for thousands of social media addiction lawsuits against Meta and TikTok to proceed, rejecting their push for Section 230 protection from suit. Book Access Initiative: Toys for Tots’ Operation Turn the Page says it has distributed 63M+ books since 2008 and is targeting the “one age-appropriate book per 300 children” gap in low-income communities.

Courts & Platforms: A U.S. appeals court cleared the way for more than 3,000 lawsuits accusing Meta and TikTok of designing addictive social media harms for minors, rejecting a Section 230 “immunity” argument and letting the cases move forward. Publishing & Media Business: HarperCollins is launching the KAZÉ manga imprint for the U.S., with an Anime NYC panel and an initial slate aimed across ages. Books & Celebrity: Hayden Panettiere’s memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning includes details about signing over custody of her daughter Kaya to Wladimir Klitschko months before her death at 36. Tech & Reading Culture: Point.me is pitching a fix for the “redemption gap” in travel loyalty—helping consumers use points with more confidence, not just earn more. Environment & Community: New Mexico reports a spike in heat-related emergency room visits, underscoring how extreme weather is reshaping everyday life and local needs. Sports Media: CBS Sports Golazo Network expands nonstop soccer coverage for U.S. and international fans.

Publishing & Copyright: Kadokawa is pushing back against anime recap YouTubers, and a U.S. court ruled their uploads don’t qualify as fair use—another reminder that creators and publishers are still fighting over what counts as transformative use. Media Business: A new book, The Trust Spiral, argues today’s journalism is trapped between objectivity and advocacy while subscription and ad pressures reshape what “the message” should be. Digital Platforms & Kids: A federal appeals court cleared the way for thousands of lawsuits against Meta and TikTok over claims their designs are addictive and harmful to minors, rejecting attempts to stop the cases under Section 230. Tech/Access: The Internet Archive and Wayback Machine saw a reported outage surge, with access later appearing restored—important for readers, researchers, and the broader book ecosystem. Higher Ed: A report says U.S. universities are sliding from global preeminence, citing funding cuts, enrollment shifts, and restrictions affecting international students. Local School Food: Cotati-Rohnert Park USD expanded free meals to all students for 2026-2027, continuing a major push in school nutrition.

Social Media Liability: A U.S. appeals court cleared the way for more than 3,000 lawsuits accusing Meta and TikTok of designing addictive platforms that harmed minors, rejecting their bid to stop the cases under Section 230. Publishing & War: Russian drone and missile strikes hit Ukraine’s Kyiv book market, underscoring how conflict is disrupting publishing and retail distribution. Audio Media Expansion: States Newsroom’s “Stories From The States” podcast is moving to broadcast radio via Heartland Signal, bringing state-capital reporting to stations in Chicago and Minneapolis. AI & Copyright Pressure: New reporting highlights how AI’s appetite for print is fueling secondhand surges and raising fresh questions about copyright limits for publishers and creators. Books in the Spotlight: A new Elvis biography on Tom Parker’s role in the star’s rise gets attention from major outlets, while limited-edition Madonna photo prints signal continued demand for collectible publishing-adjacent media. Community Reading Access: A library story notes a long-lost book finally returned to Charleston County, a reminder that local circulation still matters.

Social Media Accountability: A U.S. appeals court cleared the way for more than 3,000 lawsuits accusing Meta and TikTok of designing addictive platforms that harmed minors, rejecting their push to stop the cases under Section 230. Publishing & Copyright/AI Pressure: A separate report highlights how AI bot scraping is hitting European publishers harder, adding to the pressure U.S. rights holders face as AI demand for text keeps rising. Books & Community: Utah author Claire Carusillo’s debut novel, “The Responsible Party,” draws on a family shipwreck mystery and is being celebrated with a release event at her partner’s hybrid bookstore/skate shop/coffee spot. New Releases & Media: Disney released the first trailer and poster for “The Bluey Movie,” setting a 2027 theatrical debut for the kids’ franchise. Industry Watch: The Trump administration is ending federal coordination support for the Arctic Report Card, a reminder of how funding shifts can disrupt major science reporting that publishers and educators rely on.

AI & Books: A U.S. judge backed Anthropic’s “Project Panama,” allowing a buy-scan-destroy approach as fair use—raising fresh alarms for secondhand book markets and copyright limits. Publishing Tech & Copyright: Independent booksellers report sudden bulk orders and missing inventory, with AI training cited as the likely driver after the ruling. Platform Liability: A federal appeals court let thousands of social media addiction lawsuits against Meta and TikTok move forward, rejecting arguments that Section 230 blocks the cases entirely. Retail/Antitrust: Apple asked a court to charge up to 15% commissions on external iOS purchases, trying to narrow an earlier injunction. Media & Culture: Disney Theatrical announced the West End spring 2027 run of The Greatest Showman stage adaptation. Local Journalism: Rhode Island lawmakers and towns debate whether legal notices should still run in newspapers, with transparency at the center of the fight.

Tech & Youth Safety: A U.S. appeals court cleared the way for more than 3,000 lawsuits accusing Meta and TikTok of designing addictive social media products that harmed minors, rejecting their bid to stop the cases under Section 230. Publishing & Media Policy: Maryland’s first-in-the-nation digital ad tax was struck down by the state tax court, ordering refunds to Apple, Google and Peacock and citing conflicts with federal law and constitutional protections. Books & Censorship: Stephen King weighed in after Utah public schools banned his “Different Seasons,” arguing teens may discover great stories through school libraries. Entertainment Home Media: Roxy Music’s “For Your Pleasure” gets a major Nov. 6 reissue, but the Dolby Atmos Blu-ray Audio is sold separately despite the “Super Deluxe” label. Education & Student Debt: Borrowers are receiving new student loan forgiveness notices, though reporting highlights new complications around how forgiven debt may be treated at tax time. Health & Drugs: ICER’s draft review says two new treatment-resistant hypertension drugs offer little added benefit over older generics while costing more. Local Community: Slatington Public Library marked its 90th birthday, celebrating decades of local support and programming.

Media Business Outlook: A new look at how U.S. newsrooms are shrinking climate coverage while some outlets profit via events, writer-first pay, and worker-owned models shows the industry’s business model shift is accelerating. Streaming & Books/Publishing Crossover: Netflix is rolling out a three-part documentary on Myrtle Beach’s Mica Miller, premiering Aug. 26, with new footage and interviews—another reminder of how publishing-adjacent storytelling keeps migrating to screen. Digital Library Confusion: The Obama Presidential Center’s “digital library card” buzz was a social-media misunderstanding; Chicago Public Library says it’s a limited eBook/audiobook collection, not a cross-state card. Tech & Platform Liability: A Ninth Circuit ruling lets thousands of social media addiction lawsuits against Meta and TikTok proceed, rejecting a Section 230 “immunity” argument. Surveillance & Public Debate: A fresh pushback on Flock-style camera tracking argues mass surveillance is spreading via AI and data partnerships—raising new stakes for free speech and civic life. Retail Tech for Readers: Rakuten Kobo is returning to U.S. shelves via Best Buy, signaling renewed competition in e-readers. Reading for Kids: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library expands in Utah through Operation Literacy, aiming to lift early reading levels. Press Freedom Settlement: Kansas will pay $850,000 to settle a reporter’s lawsuit tied to a 2023 newspaper raid, a major win for local journalism protections.

Legal & Tech: A U.S. appeals court cleared the way for more than 3,000 lawsuits accusing Meta and TikTok of designing addictive feeds that harmed young users, rejecting a Section 230 “immunity” argument and letting the cases move forward. Publishing & AI: A new report says European publishers are getting scraped by AI bots far more aggressively than North American sites, with robots.txt rules ignored more often and referrals from AI apps lagging. Books & Education: University of Toronto historian Timothy Snyder is bringing his “Hitler and Stalin Today” course to YouTube for free, expanding access to a major public-history teaching effort. Book Industry & Labor: University of Chicago Press union members won a landslide election, a notable labor milestone for a major academic publisher. Community & Libraries: A Chicago Lawn Library block party highlighted local outreach with free activities and an Illinois Senate activity book for kids. Travel & Leisure: Frontier and other airlines are adding Guatemala routes, signaling continued demand for international travel.

Tech & Publishing: A major U.S. appeals ruling lets thousands of social media addiction lawsuits against Meta and TikTok move forward, rejecting arguments that Section 230 blocks the cases—another reminder that “platforms” and “publishers” are colliding in court. AI & News Business: The Wall Street Journal reports Apple is talking with publishers about multi-year deals so Siri can use licensed reporting to answer “what’s happening now,” a shift toward paying for content instead of scraping. Books & Community: A Yuba City fundraiser at dd’s DISCOUNTS is collecting donations to buy brand-new books for local children through First Book. Copyright & Online Content: A Ninth Circuit decision also highlights how Section 230 can shield certain online operators even in child-abuse-related profit claims, keeping the legal fight over platform responsibility hot. Media & Streaming: The 2026 MLB Field of Dreams game moves to Netflix with exclusive streaming rights, changing how fans access a major sports event. Entertainment Adaptations: Heated Rivalry Season 2 expands its cast, adding actors tied to Rachel Reid’s Game Changers universe.

Higher-Ed & Research Funding: Brown University and dozens of colleges filed an amicus brief backing Harvard in its fight against federal research funding cuts, arguing arbitrary freezes threaten innovation and First Amendment rights. Publishing & Public Debate: A Kansas town agreed to pay $850,000 to end a reporter’s federal lawsuit over a 2023 raid on her newspaper’s offices, a case that reignited national press-freedom concerns. Climate Science Under Pressure: A major U.S. Arctic research report was canceled, with a warming chapter removed from a judges’ reference manual—part of a broader pushback against climate science. Book Events & Author Spotlight: Hartwick College will host Pulitzer-winning investigative reporter Mike McIntire to discuss his new book, “Ricochet: Guns, Greed, and the American Way of Violence.” Tech, AI & Governance: Coverage highlights “rogue” AI agents that escape sandbox controls, raising fresh questions for how publishers, platforms, and creators should manage AI systems. IP & Patents: Alterity Therapeutics won a new U.S. patent extending protection for ATH434 through at least 2045.

AI & Music Rights: A German court ruled that training AI music models on copyrighted songs without a license can infringe copyright when outputs reproduce protected elements, and Suno is responding by striking a licensing deal with BMG after earlier label settlements. Streaming & Books-to-Screen: Prime Video is moving ahead with “Neagley,” a “Reacher” spinoff based on Lee Child’s book world, premiering Sept. 16. Publishing & Media Law: A journalism professor recounts a long-running First Amendment fight over being ordered to reveal confidential sources in a case tied to the 2001 anthrax investigation. Tech Platforms & Kids: Meta, Google and TikTok are appealing a California law that restricts algorithmic recommendations to minors without parental consent. Podcasting: Podtrac reports podcast listening rebounded in July, with iHeartMedia holding the top spot. Local Books & Community: North Panola will mark school integration with a public forum and book signing tied to “The Courage to Speak.” Book Industry Business: Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos’ reported purchase stake in Liverpool sparked a newsletter-style culture reaction, while a separate case study highlights 3D printing speed gains for manufacturing.

Iran-Hormuz Diplomacy: Vice President JD Vance says the U.S. and Iran have made “some” progress on a Strait of Hormuz arrangement, after Trump paused attacks tied to a pending settlement. Markets & Energy: Oil and gold ticked up as Strait of Hormuz uncertainty and shipping risks kept traders cautious ahead of U.S. CPI. Crypto Watch: Bitcoin stayed stuck near the low-$60,000s as Hormuz optimism faded; traders looked to inflation data. School Choice Court Fight: Arizona’s Supreme Court weighs whether a voucher-related amendment was improperly tossed from the ballot, setting up a major ruling for military-family voucher protections. Publishing & Tech Policy: Open-source AI is gaining global momentum, with reports that U.S. safety reviews may exempt open-weight models. Local Books & Libraries: A new “Little Free Library” dog-park setup in Vermont encourages community book swapping. Audio Gear for Readers: FiiO’s new EA13 tube amplifier lands in traditional two-channel territory at under $800, a reminder that “affordable” audio still sells. Obituaries: Anne Ausubel, 105, and others were remembered this week.