AGP Executive Report

Kansas Civics Education: Kansas students took part in the National Civics Bee state finals, with the Wichita-area event spotlighting a push to boost civic knowledge and engagement. Agriculture & Weather: Kansas Wheat’s Day 7 harvest update says storms have halted progress for many growers, with wheat harvest at 58% complete and pockets of hail and severe wind delaying fieldwork. Road Construction: KDOT approved an asphalt overlay on about 25 miles of U.S. 69 in Linn and Bourbon counties starting the week of July 6, with lane closures, reduced speeds, and a target completion in December. Local STEM & Workforce: A Lawrence-area engineering student, Arthur Benson, earned a 2026-2027 Astronaut Scholar award, while Kansas City-area students showcased a 3D-printed soccer kicking tee built through an NSF-funded manufacturing and training program. Public Safety: Russell fire officials reminded residents about Kansas fireworks rules and safety steps for July 3-4 celebrations. Energy/Industry Watch: Kansas Wheat also highlighted USDA modernization efforts and “One Farmer One File” plans aimed at simplifying how producers work with federal agencies.

Kansas Infrastructure & Roads: KDOT says about 25 miles of U.S. 69 in Linn and Bourbon counties will get a 4-inch asphalt overlay starting the week of July 6, with lane-by-lane closures, temporary ramp changes, and a 65 mph work-zone limit; APAC-Central holds the $15.95M contract. Local Governance & Engineering: Lyon County commissioners approved Kirkham Michael and Associates to lead a KDOT-funded rural roads safety project, including passing-zone reviews and sign/marking updates, after a debate over local vs outside firms. Construction Safety Law: A new Kansas law starting July 1 bans handheld mobile device use in active construction and school zones, with hands-free still allowed. Agriculture & Field Management: Kansas wheat harvest is 72% complete (ahead of last year), while K-State urges growers to consider the value of crop residue before baling or burning stubble. Public Health & Environment: Kansas added Amur honeysuckle and other plants to the noxious weed list, making landowners responsible for eradication; K-State also warns mosquitoes are thriving where standing water lingers. Business & Workforce: Driving Dickinson County is asking for continued funding to sustain economic development momentum, focusing on retention, housing, workforce, and entrepreneurs. Sports & Community: Nike says it’s prioritizing more USMNT jerseys after reported shortages, and Kansas City’s Museum of BBQ offers free entry Friday for Henry Perry Day. Heat Watch: Extreme heat is raising safety concerns across the World Cup, including a Kansas City match under hazardous conditions.

Kansas Water & Fertilizer: Kansas groundwater nitrate pollution is now being explored as a potential substitute for some fertilizer, as farmers look for ways to cut costs—while health risks keep scientists urging well testing and caution. State Economic Development: The Kansas Department of Commerce awarded $750,000 in Downtown Revive & Thrive grants to help renovate nine underused buildings into business incubators, with more than $286,000 in local match. Kansas Ag & Soil Management: A separate nitrate-testing push highlights how irrigation water quality is becoming a bigger part of farm planning, not just crop choice. World Cup Tech & Local Business: Unilumin is installing large-scale LED systems across Kansas City and other host cities to boost fan festivals and stadium experiences, tying display tech to local hospitality and entertainment. Kansas City Sports & Community: Thousands packed Power & Light for the U.S. World Cup win, showing how major events are driving foot traffic for Kansas City venues. Local Notices: A Kansas Corporation Commission filing seeks an exception for a Harper County oil-and-gas well temporary abandonment limit. Education & Accessibility: KU’s Audio-Reader Network earned multiple awards from an international audio information group, reinforcing Kansas’ role in accessible media.

Healthcare & Innovation: Bayesian Health says it has FDA clearance for an AI continuous sepsis monitor, aiming to help clinicians catch sepsis earlier and cut mortality. Education & Workforce: The new federal student loan repayment system takes effect July 1, offering two simpler options—Tiered Standard and an income-based RAP. Agriculture & Cost Control: Kansas producers are being urged to test irrigation water and adjust nitrogen rates to save fertilizer dollars and reduce leaching. Local Governance: Emporia City Commissioners pushed the Flint Hills Digital Campus-related meeting from July 15 to July 22 to ensure commissioners can attend a Topeka conference and complete required steps. Public Health & Community Support: Golden Belt Community Foundation is accepting applications for an $800 cancer patient care grant for residents in several Central Kansas counties. Business & Finance: SoFi begins offering small-business loans, citing demand across construction, healthcare, and professional services. Safety & Weather: Record heat is driving warnings across the eastern U.S., with Kansas communities feeling the strain as holiday travel ramps up.

Kansas Economy & Jobs: The Kansas City Chiefs released updated projections for their Kansas move, pegging $4.5B in capital spending and $8.2B in total regional impact, including 36,000+ construction jobs and $106M in Kansas tax revenue. Energy & Infrastructure: A federal grand jury indicted a Colby woman accused of embezzling about $750K from an agricultural co-op, alleging forged checks and money laundering. Public Health & Retail Compliance: Johnson County DA Steve Howe says early enforcement of Kansas’ kratom/7‑OH ban will target retailers first, with felony penalties effective July 1. Agriculture: Kansas wheat harvest hit 72% complete by June 28, ahead of last year, while Great Plains winter wheat faces drought-stressed, poor-condition yields. Construction & Local Bridges: Seward County announced $2.376M secured for the Massoni Bridge Project through a federal highway program. Workforce & Manufacturing: Boeing and SPEEA are set to begin contract talks, focusing on pay, benefits, fairness, and workforce development. Community Funding: Kansas Commerce awarded $4.13M in Community Service Program tax credits to 24 nonprofits statewide.

Public Safety & Transportation: Kansas’ new law banning handheld mobile devices in active school and construction zones starts July 1, with warnings first and then $60 citations; KDOT also plans stepped-up speeding enforcement July 7-15. State Policy: Gov. Laura Kelly signed an executive order creating a task force to update Kansas’ fire code to modern national standards, with recommendations to the State Fire Marshal. Agriculture & Markets: USDA data shows sorghum acres down year over year (Kansas 2.7M vs. 3.0M in 2025), while cattle-on-feed totals tick up but beef production trends lower as placements lag marketings. Food & Retail Operations: Balls Foods (Kansas City, Kan.) is rolling out Afresh for AI-driven production planning and full-store ordering to cut shrink and improve fresh department execution. Local Justice: A Colby woman was indicted on federal charges alleging she embezzled about $750K from an agricultural co-op, including forged checks and money laundering. Energy/Defense Industry: Bell Textron won a $43.2M contract for advanced helicopter parts, with work tied to U.S. Marine Corps H-1 upgrades.

Public Safety & Fire Code: Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly signed an order creating a Governor’s Uniform Fire Code Task Force to modernize the state’s outdated fire rules, aligning them with national safety standards and updating enforcement, training, and implementation. Heat Preparedness: With extreme heat and July 4th conditions building, Kansas EMS and fire officials are urging hydration, lighter clothing, and safer fireworks handling to prevent heat illness and burns. Ag & Input Costs: The Trump administration temporarily suspended 16–17% duties on Moroccan phosphate fertilizer, citing food-supply threats—aimed at lowering farm input costs. Kansas Agriculture Spotlight: The Kansas Department of Agriculture opened its annual photo contest, inviting entries that showcase farm life across four seasons, plus youth and short video categories. Energy & Permitting: Dickinson County planning and zoning is set to recommend extending a moratorium on commercial solar and other large-scale renewables, while data centers are still being debated for a separate approach. Local Crime: Rice County reported a rural Sterling shooting with one hospitalized and a suspect in custody; Barton County also detailed a domestic violence case involving a vehicle chase and rape allegation. World Cup Local Flavor: Kansas City’s Colombian community is organizing around the Round of 32 match, with fans expected to rally in the metro.

Transportation & Infrastructure: KDOT reopened eastbound I-70 in Topeka between MacVicar Avenue and Topeka Boulevard after about two weeks of work tied to the Polk-Quincy Viaduct project. Local Roads: Lawrence will start Iowa Street maintenance July 6, cutting traffic to one lane each direction with turning restrictions until September. Rail Funding: KDOT says about $10M is available for its Rail Service Improvement Program; applications are due Aug. 31 with a 30% match. Energy & Deals: SandRidge Energy agreed to buy Cherokee Play oil and gas assets for $65M cash, adding about 3,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. Public Safety: A Norton County crash sent a motorcycle rider to a Denver hospital with serious injuries after a turn collision with a pickup. Agriculture: Kansas cattle-on-feed data shows feedlot inventories up year over year, but placements and marketings are down—signaling slower production. Education & Workforce: Wichita State’s Master of Health Administration program earned initial CAHME accreditation for four years. Business & Finance: Commerce Bancshares will acquire St. Louis boutique investment bank Nolan & Associates to expand middle-market advisory services.

Public Safety & Aviation: Kansas City International is using private contractors for ID and bag screening, a model that’s spreading as airports weigh cost and staffing against TSA oversight. Healthcare Infrastructure: Care Beyond the Boulevard is starting a $6 million renovation and expansion of its Carehouse medical respite in Kansas City, adding rooms and services for people discharged from hospitals. Emergency Services: Dickinson County EMS is seeking only a modest 2027 budget bump despite rising call volume, with costs driven by an aging fleet, supplies, and oxygen. Local Crime: Kansas City police are investigating a second double homicide on the same block in June, underscoring ongoing violence concerns. Energy & Defense Tech: NNSA unveiled an 11-foot AI-designed flight test vehicle tied to the Genesis Mission, built with major lab and supercomputer support including Kansas City’s national security campus. Historic Preservation: Kansas’ Kanopolis Drive-In Theatre won a $65,000 state grant to replace its digital projector and keep the 1952 venue running. Agriculture & Water: Texas producers are leaning into alternative crops for diversification and late planting, while drought and water quality remain a national pressure point.

World Cup Economy & Tourism: Kansas City’s base-camp teams pushed into the Round of 32 as global fans flooded the Plaza and Arrowhead, with visitors praising the atmosphere and local energy. Sports Logistics: England’s World Cup knockout run puts Kansas City travel decisions under the microscope as the team faces Congo with limited training time and multiple flights. Local Business & Housing: Two years after NAR commission rule changes, a Kansas City brokerage says buyer-agent pay in the purchase contract improved transparency for home buyers. Real Estate & Consumer Costs: Health coverage pressure continues as millions lose ACA plans after subsidies expire, raising costs and reshaping demand. Water & Data Centers: New reporting flags proposed AI data centers near the Ogallala Aquifer, reigniting Great Plains water-supply concerns. State Policy: KDOT reiterates political signs can’t go on state highway right of way and will remove them. Health Policy: States move to regulate pharmacy benefit managers to lower drug prices, targeting big middlemen like CVS. Public Safety: A late-night South Kansas City shooting left two dead, with investigators seeking a person of interest. Weather Risk: Triple-digit heat is forecast for parts of the central U.S. heading into the July 4 weekend.

World Cup in Kansas City: Austria and Algeria played out a wild 3-3 at Arrowhead, sending both to the Round of 32 and knocking Iran out, with Riyad Mahrez scoring late before Sasa Kalajdzic’s stoppage-time equalizer. Sports Betting Meets Tech: The same match became a case study in how FIFA’s crypto tie-in (Kraken) and prediction markets like Polymarket are turning group-stage soccer into a digital trading event. Local Public Safety: Wyandotte County deputies are investigating a Saturday shooting at Pierson Park that left one person injured and another in custody. Kansas City Travel & Costs: Ticket and trip-value tracking points to Kansas City as one of the cheaper host-city options, with lower resale averages and more manageable add-on costs than coastal markets. Health Policy: States are moving to rein in pharmacy benefit managers as consumers worry about drug prices, with Kansas-area coverage highlighting the push for more transparency and limits on how these middlemen get paid. Film & Media: Spielberg’s “Disclosure Day” is getting attention for its UFO/alien premise and the way it frames empathy as a kind of control.

Ag Trade & Jobs: A new look at the USMCA’s impact says the pact supports about 13 million U.S. jobs and moves roughly $60B in agricultural goods with Canada and Mexico, with a six-year review now underway. Health Costs & Insurance Middlemen: States are pushing back on pharmacy benefit managers to lower drug prices, including limits on compensation and more disclosure—an effort that’s heating up as consumers worry about affordability. Kansas Workforce: Emporia’s free Emporia Forward Job Fair is set for July 9 at the Lyon County Fairgrounds, with resume help and Spanish interpretation available. Local Agriculture & Education: The Judy McCarty Dairy Learning Center named two Northwest Kansas scholarship recipients, backing future ag educators. Public Power Reliability: Keys Energy Services earned the APPA RP3 “diamond” designation for safe, reliable electric service. Kansas City & Infrastructure: FEMA is reserving $75M for tribal resilience projects as BRIC applications near deadlines. Community & Culture: A Kansas City World Cup fan atmosphere story highlights how local watch parties and events are drawing visitors and building connections.

Kansas City World Cup Economy: Bank of America data says fan spending in 16 host cities is up 6.3% year over year, with non-local visitors driving the biggest jump (up 16.7%), including Kansas City. Local Hospitality & Services: World Cup crowds are also boosting small businesses and services around stadium areas, from neighbor driveway parking to fan events and entertainment. Sports Betting Backlash: A new look at the World Cup’s sports betting boom highlights how faster odds and bigger match schedules are feeding rapid market growth. Corrections Manufacturing Expansion (Topeka): Polo Custom Products expanded inside the Topeka Correctional Facility, doubling capacity to 100 workers and adding medical-vest production as part of a restorative-justice partnership. Road Work (Kansas): KDOT plans a mill-and-overlay on U.S. 183 in Rush County starting around July 1, with short daylight delays. Agriculture & Policy: Kansas ag leaders are taking part in Farm Bill 2.0 discussion as Senate agriculture work moves forward.

USDA Screwworm Pressure on Kansas: A moderate House Dem group led by Kansas Rep. Sharice Davids pressed USDA for more details and resources on the New World screwworm outbreak, warning ranchers and farmers need “real solutions” fast. Kansas Abortion Pill Water-Impact Fight: Kansas AG Kris Kobach’s proposed EPA restriction on mifepristone drew pushback from patients and experts, who say it would affect far more than abortion care and is safe when used as directed. Rural Housing Push: Sen. Jerry Moran backed Senate passage of rural housing provisions in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, aiming to streamline rules and cut barriers for Kansas developers. High Plains Forage Opportunity: Kansas State and partners say post-wheat cover crops can create grazing options—if planted immediately after harvest to catch residual moisture. Power Reliability Upgrade in Kansas: Sunflower Electric outlined plans to replace its Clifton 1 plant with three 33-MW gas turbines to meet regional reliability needs. Local Fire Relief Funding: Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt announced $174,170 for eight Barton County Firefighter Relief Associations. World Cup Week Travel Surge: TSA expects about 18.7M travelers during the July 4 holiday week, with July 2 the busiest day. Kansas City Event Logistics: KC2026 reported 36,000 people at peak in the Oranje Fanwalk fan zone and weather-driven FanFest closure decisions focused on safety. Workplace Safety Reminder: A Kansas termination-by-email op-ed argues in-person conversations are safer and less likely to spark public backlash. Opioid Warning: A Kansas op-ed warns about 7-OH being sold in gas stations and calls for stronger federal action.

Health & Regulation: A Kansas federal judge blocked a state proxy-adviser law from taking effect, saying it’s unconstitutional and burdensome for firms that issue shareholder recommendations. Medical Safety: Investigators report retatrutide is being sold and prescribed online even though it’s not approved, raising concerns for Kansas clinicians and patients. Agriculture & Policy: A Kansas wheat-field reflection and separate reporting highlight farmers’ strain under federal policy shifts, while lawmakers push for ag assistance and marketing roles. Energy & Industry: A Kansas Corporation Commission filing seeks an exception for an oil-and-gas well’s abandonment timeline in Harper County. Local Infrastructure: KDOT crews are repaving Seth Child Road in Manhattan through mid-July, with lane closures and a 35 mph limit; Kingman County is also taking bids for 2026 pavement improvements. Community & Business: Kanopolis Drive-In secured a $65,000 grant for a new digital projector, helping preserve the historic theater. Public Safety: TSA Federal Air Marshals are operating in Kansas City for World Cup events, including drone enforcement and sweeps around Union Station and Fan Fest.

Nuclear & Data Centers: Deep Fission says its “mile-deep” small modular reactor in Parsons, Kansas is moving toward expansion, signing non-binding letters of intent that could add up to 18.5GW of potential power for data centers and industrial partners. Agriculture Policy: The White House is seeking $11B in agriculture assistance and would authorize year-round E15 sales nationwide, with Kansas ethanol and sorghum leaders calling it needed certainty. Workforce & Training: Kansas is among 10 states selected for a national push to expand registered youth apprenticeship pathways, aiming to strengthen links between schools, workforce programs, and employers. Rural Health: North Central Kansas Medical Center earned an American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines—Stroke Rural Recognition Gold award, targeting faster stroke care and fewer rural outcome gaps. Auto Insurance & AI: A JD Power study finds fewer drivers fully understand their auto policies, while more shoppers are using AI during coverage comparisons—often tied to higher insurer switching. Kansas Infrastructure: KDOT crews are repairing storm-damaged signs across north central Kansas, and US-54 in Pratt is closed due to flooding. World Cup on the Ground (KC): Severe weather forced an early evacuation of Kansas City’s FIFA Fan Festival as Dutch supporters kept marching toward the match.