AGP Executive Report

Community Grants: United Way of Central Kansas awarded $2,600 in May Impact Grants to five Barton County nonprofits, backing youth mentorship, family stability for substance-affected households, and hands-on STEM and safer play spaces. Public Health & Wellness: HaysMed’s Center for Health Improvement is partnering with Greenfields Outdoor Fitness on the $1.1 million Lifelong Vitality Project, building an outdoor, ADA-friendly fitness and recreation space meant to be free for the whole community. Transportation & Infrastructure: KDOT is moving ahead with a K-4 culvert extension in Rush County (about $268,000), with daylight shoulder work and up to 15-minute delays; separately, Gov. Laura Kelly and KDOT announced $5.9 million for nine spring 2026 transportation projects via the Cost Share Program. Agriculture & Livestock: Kansas officials are urging vigilance after a New World screwworm case was confirmed in Texas, emphasizing monitoring for the larval stage as the state keeps its response plan ready. Local Safety: “Operation Zero” launches a summer traffic enforcement push targeting speeding, impaired driving, and unrestrained occupants.

Community Funding: United Way of Central Kansas awarded $2,600 in May Impact Grants to five Barton County nonprofits, backing youth mentorship, caregiver support tied to substance use recovery, and hands-on STEM and safer play spaces. Public Health & Wellness: HaysMed’s Center for Health Improvement is partnering with Greenfields Outdoor Fitness on the $1.1 million Lifelong Vitality Project—free, ADA-friendly outdoor fitness and recreation equipment plus youth zones. Road & Construction: KDOT will start a culvert extension on K-4 in Rush County near Bison (week of June 15), with daylight lane-width limits and up to 15-minute delays; separate KDOT work begins on Toulon Ave over I-70 in Ellis County with one-lane traffic control. Agriculture Watch: USDA cut the U.S. winter wheat outlook after Plains drought, with Kansas harvest progress reported but conditions still stressed. Livestock Health: Kansas officials urged vigilance after a New World screwworm case was confirmed in Texas, stressing wound monitoring and rapid reporting. Safety & Enforcement: “Operation Zero” launches a summer traffic crackdown targeting speeding, impaired driving, and unrestrained occupants.

Infrastructure Funding: Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced 18 communities, including Hays and Luray, will share more than $13.7M for airport and energy grid resilience projects, using IIJA dollars plus state matching funds. Water & Energy Watch: A Western Kansas data center proposal near Garden City says it would use less water than current irrigation, but locals remain skeptical about the Ogallala Aquifer impact. Local Planning: North Lawrence corridor consultants are mapping possible anchors like a grocery store, housing, and a food truck park, with development ideas tied to the turnpike interchange and levee areas. Ag & Livestock: Kansas officials are on alert after New World screwworm was confirmed in a Texas calf, urging wound monitoring and rapid reporting. Road Work: KDOT crews begin a K-4 culvert extension in Rush County (daytime delays up to 15 minutes) and a separate Toulon Ave bridge repair in Ellis County (one-lane traffic, minor delays). Safety & Enforcement: “Operation Zero” launches a summer traffic crackdown targeting speeding, impaired driving, and unrestrained occupants.

World Cup Logistics in Kansas City: The KC Streetcar Authority is adding streetcars and buses for the FIFA Fan Festival, running boosted service along the Plaza–City Market route to move crowds faster and safer. Public Safety & Traffic: Kansas Highway Patrol and KDOT are launching “Operation Zero,” a summer enforcement push targeting speeding, unrestrained riders, aggressive driving and impaired driving. Agriculture & Livestock Health: Kansas officials are urging vigilance after the New World screwworm was confirmed in a Texas calf, stressing monitoring for open wounds and the larval stage. Local Infrastructure: KDOT will start a K-4 culvert extension in Rush County near Bison in mid-June, with lane-width reductions and up to 15-minute delays. Community Transit Funding: Hays leaders and ACCESS Public Transportation are moving toward a task force after budget shortfalls threaten service changes. Data Centers Debate: A new round of questions and concerns continues around data-center growth and local impacts. Crime & Courts: Jackson County prosecutors filed murder and assault-related charges in a Kansas City shooting; separate cases across the region include drug possession arrests and an officer-involved fatal shooting in Hutchinson.

Agriculture & Energy: Kansas livestock and pet owners are being urged to stay alert after USDA confirmed a New World screwworm case in Texas, with K-State and state officials stressing wound monitoring and readiness. Farm Costs: A Reuters report links the Iran war to record diesel prices, squeezing U.S. grain and soybean growers during critical fieldwork. Manufacturing: AGI says it’s investing in its Clay Center, Kansas plant to add U.S. production of 4-inch corrugated farm grain bins, aiming to bring storage closer to the grain belt. Public Safety & Courts: A Texas judge cleared Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby to play despite an NCAA gambling ineligibility ruling, setting off major college sports backlash. Local Infrastructure: Gov. Laura Kelly and KDOT announced $5.9M for nine spring 2026 transportation projects statewide. Crime: Kansas City, Kansas saw a deadly shooting tied to three 18-year-olds charged with first-degree murder, while Kansas City, Mo. investigators also probe a separate double homicide. Weather & Response: Kansas communities reported severe storm impacts and ongoing traffic enforcement efforts through “Operation Zero.”

Agriculture & Biosecurity: Kansas officials are urging vigilance after USDA confirmed a New World screwworm infestation in a Texas calf, with K-State experts warning producers and pet owners to watch for open wounds and the pest’s larval stage. Energy & Industry: Kansas oil patch reporting says jet fuel output is hitting record highs as refineries boost yields, while the Kansas rig count holds steady with active drilling across Ellis, Gove, Haskell and Rooks counties. Public Safety & Infrastructure: KDOT says high winds damaged or knocked down highway signs across north central Kansas, with crews repairing and replacing missing directional and regulatory signs. Local Services: Hays-area transit provider ACCESS Public Transportation plans to end Sunday rides July 1 amid a projected budget gap driven by KDOT funding cuts and rising costs. Business & Growth: EPC Group touts a top U.S. Microsoft consulting ranking in SEMrush’s AI Brand Performance Index, positioning AI-driven visibility for regulated enterprise buyers. Health & Risk: A Saline County case involves an infant possibly exposed to meth, leading to charges against the child’s parent.

World Cup Logistics: Kansas City’s ConnectKC26 transit hub says it’s ready for match-week crowds, with 247 air-conditioned motor coach buses plus free airport shuttles and paid stadium service. Stadium & Hospitality: Arrowhead Stadium’s World Cup makeover is complete, swapping Chiefs red for World Cup blue and reshaping the locker room for soccer rosters; meanwhile, food brands are rolling out matchday deals and limited-edition items. Local Business Impact: Topeka’s downtown I-70 closure and Ellis County’s Toulon Ave bridge work are both expected to squeeze nearby commerce with detours and lane reductions. Agriculture & Biosecurity: Kansas agriculture officials are urging vigilance after New World screwworm was confirmed in Texas, with USDA reporting additional cases across the U.S. Public Safety: Kansas law enforcement reported multiple shootings and investigations, including a Hutchinson officer-involved fatal shooting and a North Wichita shooting with two injured. Transportation Funding: Hays officials and ACCESS Public Transportation are pushing for a task force after a projected budget gap threatens service cuts. Industry Leadership: Saicon named Sajin Nair chief marketing officer as it targets its next growth phase.

Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA): KTA will demolish and rebuild the Emporia service area (mile marker 132) starting this summer, with Taco John’s and Subway closing July 7; the phased project aims to keep fuel and restrooms available and add a new food establishment plus updated amenities and layouts. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Kansas Highway Patrol, KHP and local agencies launch “Operation Zero” through summer to crack down on speeding, impaired driving, and unrestrained occupants. Livestock Health: The New World screwworm threat is confirmed in Texas (two nearby cases in beef calves), prompting Kansas monitoring and renewed urgency for ranchers as disease could spread with livestock movement. Local Transit Funding: Hays-area ACCESS Public Transportation says it will end Sunday rides July 1 due to a projected budget shortfall, with city leaders backing an immediate task force to close the gap. World Cup Support in Kansas City: An Overland Park consular services center opens through July 13 to help international visitors with emergency documents, citizen registration, and medical/legal emergencies during the tournament. Energy/Industry Watch: Kansas oil activity stays steady in the latest rig count, while jet fuel demand and refinery output are reported at record levels amid Middle East disruptions. Crime: Kansas City investigators are probing a double homicide at a Westport Road convenience store; no arrests reported.

Kansas Agriculture Leadership: Glenn Brunkow will lead Kansas Farm Bureau after Joe Newland’s resignation, bringing deep farm roots and agribusiness training to the state’s top farm advocacy role. Water & Farming Pressure: Kansas producers are watching the Ogallala Aquifer’s rapid depletion and broader “breadbasket” vulnerability as climate stress raises the odds of simultaneous crop failures. Public Safety on Roads: Kansas Highway Patrol and partners launch “Operation Zero,” a summer-long crackdown on speeding, impaired driving, and unrestrained occupants. Transit Funding Crunch: Hays-area ACCESS Public Transportation says it will end Sunday rides July 1 unless a task force can close a projected budget gap driven by KDOT cuts and rising operating costs. Local Crime & Enforcement: Jackson County reports a traffic stop leading to arrests on meth, ecstasy, marijuana, and related charges; Sedgwick County investigates a shooting that injured two men, with a suspect booked on multiple assault and firearm counts. Kansas City World Cup Security Spotlight: Two shootings near England’s World Cup base camp left two dead and nine injured, adding pressure on host-city safety as matches approach. Health Advisory: KDHE issues a boil water advisory for Goff after a compromised storage tank raises contamination concerns. Energy & Costs: Kansas motor fuels tax revenue fell in 2024, while multiple GasBuddy reports track lower E85 and premium gas prices in parts of the state.

Public Health: KDHE issued a boil water advisory for the City of Goff in Nemaha County after integrity issues with a water storage tank raised contamination concerns. Local Transit Funding: Hays officials backed a task force after ACCESS Public Transportation warned it will end Sunday rides July 1, citing a growing budget gap driven by KDOT funding cuts and higher operating costs. Road Safety: Kansas Highway Patrol and KDOT launched “Operation Zero,” a summer enforcement push starting June 6 targeting speeding, unrestrained occupants, aggressive driving, and impaired driving. Energy & Utilities: Kansas lawmakers asked FERC to protect competitive bidding for regional transmission projects after a southcentral Kansas line was awarded to Evergy without a formal ownership bid. Data Centers in Kansas: Emporia’s Flint Hills Digital Campus continues to draw questions on timing, power needs, and water use, with a Q&A projecting 300–500 permanent end-user jobs plus long construction employment. Agriculture: USDA data show the U.S. cattle herd at 86.2 million, the smallest since 1951, as producers face drought, costs, consolidation, and fewer operations. Infrastructure: Gov. Laura Kelly announced $40.5M for 31 Kansas local bridge projects and $5.9M for KDOT Cost Share Program projects.

Energy Policy: Kansas lawmakers Dan Hawkins and Rep. Leo Delperdang urged FERC to keep competitive bidding for transmission projects, criticizing a southcentral Kansas line awarded to Evergy without a formal bid process. Healthcare Construction: LMH Health is nearing completion of Therapy Services renovations at Sixth and Maine, with therapists moving in July and the expanded patient space opening in October. Public Safety: A wrong-way I-70 crash in Wabaunsee County killed two adults and seriously injured a child; investigators say the semi crossed the median for an unknown reason. Animal Health & Agriculture: Kansas officials are warning ranchers about a newly confirmed New World screwworm case in Texas, stressing it’s an animal health threat that could spread quickly through livestock movement. Housing & Community Development: Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka opened a $4M Native housing grant program (up to $500k each) for tribal housing projects across Kansas and three neighboring states, with applications due July 10. Local Legal Aid: CrossWinds and Kansas Legal Services will host a free expungement and driver’s license clinic in Strong City on June 25. Aviation/Manufacturing: Wichita State’s NIAR broke ground on a Hexcel Applications Center to expand composite development and automated manufacturing.

Kansas Legal Aid: CrossWinds and Kansas Legal Services will host a free Expungement and Driver’s License Clinic June 25 in Strong City, helping eligible Kansans clear qualifying criminal and traffic records that can block jobs, housing, and education. Livestock Health: Kansas is stepping up outreach after a New World screwworm case was confirmed in a Texas calf, warning ranchers and vets about the invasive parasite’s threat to herds and pets. Native Housing Funding: FHLBank Topeka opened a $4M Native American Housing Initiatives grant program for tribal housing entities in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma, with applications due July 10. Aerospace & Manufacturing: Wichita State’s NIAR broke ground on a new Hexcel Applications Center to expand end-to-end composite development and strengthen Kansas’ aerospace research pipeline. Infrastructure Dollars: Gov. Laura Kelly and KDOT announced $40.5M for 31 local bridge projects statewide. Community Sports: Johnson County’s Kansas City Unity Cup launches as a free adult 7v7 tournament in Olathe, aiming to build a long-running post-World Cup tradition. Safety on I-70: Kansas Highway Patrol reported two deaths and serious injury to a child after a semi crash near Paxico/Wabaunsee County.

World Cup Transit in Kansas City: ConnectKC26 says its tournament bus system is nearly ready, with 247 motor coaches arriving Sunday and routes set for Stadium Direct, Region Direct and Airport Direct—plus a plan to reallocate buses if crowds spike at stops. Public Safety & Privacy: Kansas lawmakers propose guardrails to limit sharing of license plate camera data as privacy concerns grow over automated tracking. Energy Disruption: A gas line rupture in Chetopa shut off service for east-side residents while Atmos Energy crews repaired the line; police say no evacuations were needed. Ag Markets: Wheat prices slid across exchanges, with Kansas City HRW leading the drop, ahead of upcoming USDA export sales data. Local Industry Projects: Ellis County approved a 1,200-acre solar farm permit near Hays, projecting jobs and ongoing tax revenue. Law Enforcement: KBI and local agencies arrested a Ness City man after a search warrant turned up meth, cocaine, LSD, marijuana, mushrooms, 130 firearms and explosive materials. First Responders Funding: Illinois awarded $6M in small equipment grants to 260 fire and EMS agencies.

College Baseball Honors: Kansas shortstop Tyson LeBlanc and K-State shortstop Dee Kennedy were named NCBWA District 6 Co-Players of the Year, capping strong seasons for both programs. Rural Retail Spotlight: Lebanon’s Main Street Mercantile earned Rural Grocers of the Year recognition, highlighting how small Kansas stores survive by smart ordering, local sourcing, and niche product focus. Ag Tech on the Farm: K-State precision agriculture expert Deepak Joshi says drones are speeding early-season crop scouting, helping producers spot stand issues faster and cut labor. Livestock Biosecurity: Kansas is stepping up outreach after a New World screwworm case was detected in Texas, warning ranchers about the fly larvae threat and prevention steps. Pest Watch for Wheat: K-State Extension urges growers to monitor for chinch bugs as adults move from grasses into wheat and nymphs later “walk” into adjacent corn, sorghum, and feed. Input Costs Pressure: A K-State webinar tied Iran-related conflict to higher fertilizer and diesel volatility, warning Kansas grain farms could see major cost swings. Kansas Dairy Upgrade: K-State’s dairy unit is on track for upgrades as the current facility nears end-of-life, with tech helping track cow health and production. Higher Ed Policy: Kansas Board of Regents reviewed a proposal for reduced-credit bachelor’s degrees (down to 90 credits) to improve affordability and time-to-completion. Kansas City World Cup Build-Up: Local soccer camps and community events are drawing record youth participation as FIFA World Cup 2026 nears, with Kansas City positioned as a regional hub. Health Care Legal Fight: Three health systems, including KU-affiliated Mount Sinai and the University of Kansas, sued CVS Health over alleged misuse of 340B savings, a dispute with big implications for safety-net funding.

Data Centers in Kansas: De Soto residents packed a city council meeting to oppose two massive data center proposals, citing strain on energy, water, and local land and water pollution concerns, while developers said they want to be good partners. Road Safety & Construction: Kansas Highway 24 work between Meriden and Detlor is linked to a sharp rise in crashes, with officials pointing to risky turning behavior in the construction zone. Livestock Health: Kansas is monitoring the New World screwworm after a new Texas case, as ranchers prepare and federal efforts ramp up surveillance and treatment supplies. Local Infrastructure & Planning: Derby weighed KDOT-backed traffic fixes, focusing on safer school pedestrian crossings while holding off on a signal at a growing-area intersection. Community Development: Russell City Council advanced a downtown historic district discussion, a new Market Square plan, and electric rate changes. Sports Tech: The Good Game, a Kansas-based sports app company, announced its first collegiate partnership with the University of Kansas to serve as the exclusive app for KU Athletics lessons, camps, and clinics. Education Recognition: Frank Rushton Elementary in Kansas City, Kansas earned a Bright Spots School for Excellence in Literacy honor from The 74. Agriculture Weather: Rain delays wheat harvest 2026, adding pressure to Kansas farm schedules.

Infrastructure & Shipping: A new national road-condition snapshot shows Kansas doing relatively well, with only 2.8% of major roadways in poor shape, while other states lag far behind—an issue that matters for freight and safety as federal road funding faces an October 2026 clock. Energy & Mining: BHP locked in rail agreements with CN and CPKC to move potash from its Jansen mine to Vancouver for global exports, using a dual-rail setup to boost reliability. Agriculture: Kansas wheat harvest plans hit a snag as early maturity met a late-season turn—widespread rains slowed progress and left producers waiting for drier conditions. Local Business & Growth: Osawatomie’s mayor publicly addressed a proposed $1B data center project, saying talks are just starting and raising questions about noise, water use, and tax mitigation. Transportation Safety: KDOT is urging drivers to watch for cyclists as the Biking Across Kansas tour rolls out June 6, with riders sharing the road across the state’s south. Public Safety: Kansas also saw major local updates, including a KBI investigation into a fatal officer-involved shooting in Pittsburg and Topeka reassuring residents that recent rain-related changes haven’t made drinking water unsafe.