AGP Executive Report

Disability Services: Kansas launched a new Community Supports Waiver (starting Oct. 1) to move people off the intellectual/developmental disabilities waitlist faster, targeting 500 participants in the first year through Sept. 30, 2027. Childcare & Workforce: Lawrence families are scrambling after KU permanently closed the Hilltop Child Development Center, ending after-school care Oct. 23 and infant/toddler/preschool classrooms Oct. 30. Healthcare & Pharma Costs: Kansas AG Raoul joined a coalition seeking court approval of a $400 million Sandoz settlement over alleged generic-drug price-fixing and reduced competition. Manufacturing Growth: Summit Truck Bodies marked a $50 million Wathena expansion with a ribbon cutting, adding 220,000 sq. ft., boosting capacity, and creating about 80 jobs; Elanco also celebrated completion of a Kansas Elwood facility expansion tied to expanded biologics production. Food Assistance: Kansas lawmakers reviewed hurdles as SNAP benefits drop for thousands of Kansans, with delays and paperwork barriers pushing families off aid. Energy & Tech: Federal policy is also in focus as the White House weighs expanding red-dyed diesel sales amid record diesel prices.

Livestock & Feed Manufacturing: Central Valley Ag is investing in RJ Feed Milling in Howells, Nebraska, with operations shifting to CVA effective Oct. 1—aimed at supporting growing livestock demand and boosting local grain-to-feed manufacturing. Cattle Markets: CME cattle futures edged higher as corn fell and slaughter activity recovered, though traders still worry about slower processing after recent immigration-related disruptions in southwest Kansas. Ag Policy & Costs: The White House is weighing broader sales of red-dyed diesel to ease record diesel prices, but analysts warn it won’t fix underlying supply constraints. Health & Consumer Claims: Michigan AG Dana Nessel is urging consumers to file for compensation tied to multistate settlements over alleged generic drug price-fixing. Transportation Infrastructure: Kansas-related readers may note broader regional momentum—construction is underway to widen Highway 11/17 in Ontario, adding lanes and new bridges to improve commercial trucking flow. Local Agriculture Events: The Kaw Valley Farm Tour returns Oct. 3-4 with a self-guided route featuring farms, tastings, and heritage sites across northeast Kansas.

Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports the lowest E15 price in Kansas hit $2.39 in Sedgwick County and $3.74 in Coffey and Cherokee counties (week ending Sept. 19), while premium and diesel deals also varied sharply—showing how fast pump prices can swing even within the same state. Workforce & Industry: OCCK, Inc. set its 36th Annual Employment Expo for Oct. 8 in Salina, lining up 20+ employers in manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and more. Public Infrastructure: Topeka plans a six-month closure of SE 29th St. at Butcher Creek starting Oct. 6 for culvert work, pavement replacement, and utility upgrades. Energy Policy: A Reuters report says the White House is considering expanding sales of red-dyed diesel to ease record diesel prices—an approach analysts warn won’t fix supply tightness. Local Economy: Russell County received up to $700,000 from KDOT to replace a bridge near Gorham, with the county covering a 5% local match. Education & Skills: Kansas higher-ed enrollment looks flat overall, with community and technical colleges down while Pitt State freshman enrollment rose 7.4%. Sports Tech: KSHSAA partnered with Musco Lighting to upgrade school sports lighting for safety and better game-day experience.

Immigration & Ag Supply Chain: U.S. ICE activity is disrupting Kansas beef packing and livestock shipments, with rancher groups warning of delays at “supply chain chokepoints” from processors to feed and grain. Cattle & Prices Politics: Trump’s move to cut tariffs on imported lean beef trimmings is drawing backlash from cattle producers, while economists say any consumer savings may be only a few cents per pound. Local Public Safety: Kansas City, Kansas police say a KCKPD officer and a suspect were both hospitalized after an officer-involved critical incident near State Avenue; the KBI is investigating and says gunfire wasn’t involved. Workforce & Construction: New research from ABC finds multiskilled construction crews can cut completion time by about 30% and boost production on multi-trade projects. Infrastructure: Kansas DOT is set to receive $53M+ in federal highway funding for K-96 improvements in Wichita. Health Care: The University of Kansas Health System will take full ownership of St. Francis Campus in Topeka from Ardent Health. Tech & Data Centers: De Soto’s planning commission approved Digital Realty’s first phase for a hyper-scale data center, while neighbors push a petition to pause future phases. Aviation Hospitality: OTG acquired OHM Concession Group, expanding airport food and retail operations including Kansas City. Weather: Hurricane Polo’s remnants are bringing more rain and flood risk to the U.S. Southwest, with officials warning of possible dam-failure impacts.

Immigration & Ag Workforce: ICE’s “Operation Safe Community - Kansas” arrested 104 people over three days in southwest and central Kansas, with the U.S. attorney pushing back on claims of “sweeps” and warning against rumors—while cattle and meatpacking groups say the raids are disrupting staffing and could raise beef prices. Energy & Safety: The NTSB tied the Feb. 2025 Hutchinson gas explosion to a fractured 1936 pipeline weld that let gas migrate into Steffens Auto Parts, prompting calls for natural gas detectors in at-risk buildings. State Aging Planning: Gov. Laura Kelly signed an executive order launching a statewide 10-year aging plan, aiming to coordinate transportation, housing, workforce, and healthcare across agencies. Local Infrastructure: Kansas City, Kansas leaders are set to pursue federal funding for flood-and-crash fixes at the East 63rd Street/The Paseo/Meyer Boulevard intersection. Consumer Watch: Kansas City, KS saw four scam reports for the week ending Sept. 19, with phishing leading. Fuel Prices: GasBuddy data showed Kingman County’s lowest regular price at $3.99/gal (week ending Sept. 19), while Norton County’s E85 hit $2.69/gal. Education & Training: Washburn Tech opened a new north Topeka campus space, expanding workforce programs like electrical tech, industrial maintenance, business/industry, and cosmetology.

Sustainable Materials: MCPU Polymer Engineering will unveil “biocongruent chemistry” at CPI 2026, swapping soy/lignin-based additives for halogenated flame retardant TCPP in polyurethane insulation foam—aiming to keep performance while boosting soil-burial biodegradation. Local Economic Development: Overland Park approved a $1.3B Black & Veatch World Headquarters and surrounding mixed-use development, including major tax incentives, with an expected 2029 move-in. Energy & Manufacturing: GM’s pint-sized Bolt EV production is shrinking sharply—about 75% fewer than planned—after federal EV support was pulled, with the Kansas City-area plant now targeting roughly 35,000 units. Food & Consumer Safety: FDA recall alerts hit Kansas shoppers too: nearly 2 million pounds of brown and powdered sugar recalled across eight states due to possible wheat-kernel contamination. Agriculture & Supply Chain: Kansas beef processors and ranchers warn that southwest Kansas ICE enforcement is disrupting meatpacking workforces, slowing slaughter and raising the risk of higher beef prices. Public Health/Legal: Kansas AG Alan Wilson is urging consumers to file claims tied to multistate settlements over alleged generic drug price inflation. Workforce/Community: Greenwood County jail staff and first responders treated multiple opioid overdoses after inmates introduced an unknown white powder, with no fatalities reported. Education & Career Pathways: National FFA’s Next Gen Conference brought 72 Kansas City-area students to explore animal agriculture careers through tours of major feed and meat industry sites.

Primary Care Shift: A new “Leadership Dialogue” episode highlights how hospitals are investing in preventive primary care to keep patients out of the hospital. Public Safety & Courts: Osage County reports a Kansas man arrested for meth and paraphernalia after a traffic stop with a K-9 alert—his second drug-related jail stay in two months. Health & Water Systems: KDHE expanded a boil water advisory to all of Eskridge after pressure-loss concerns spread, with guidance for residents and food businesses. Energy Costs (Local): GasBuddy data shows Kansas fuel prices still swinging by county, with multiple areas reporting lowest-in-county regular and diesel deals for the week ending Sept. 19. Hospitality & Development: A dual-branded AC Hotel/Residence Inn opened in Lenexa City Center, adding 261 rooms after construction delays. Agriculture & Supply Chain: Kansas livestock groups say ICE raids are creating a “massive chilling effect,” slowing processing and raising fears of higher beef prices. Food Industry Watch: Flower Child plans a Leawood restaurant opening by late 2027, moving into a long-vacant Houlihan’s site. Tech & Security: ShinyHunters says it won’t leak stolen FBI data, despite earlier claims of taking sensitive agent information.

Immigration & Beef Supply: Kansas Livestock Association, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association and Texas Cattle Feeders Association say ICE raids are disrupting meatpacking and delaying cattle shipments, creating a “chilling effect” on workers and raising fears of higher beef prices. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports the week ending Sept. 19 saw diesel hit $5.89 in Allen County, with Kansas diesel averaging $6.07. Agribusiness Leadership: Scoular promoted six leaders across its Grain Division, aiming to strengthen trade, operations, origination, grower programs and sustainability. Mobility Access: Kansas Week Without Driving runs Oct. 1–8, urging Kansans to try car-free days to highlight transportation barriers and push for safer, more accessible options. Tech for Manufacturing: Lawrence Livermore researchers unveiled an AI camera inspection system to spot tiny defects in 3D-printed structures as they’re made. Local Air Service: Wichita’s Eisenhower airport received a $1M grant to pursue a new East Coast hub connection starting in 2027, while Salina remains a key Kansas hub with nonstop flights to major destinations.

Public Health: KDHE issued a boil water advisory for Lakeside Village in Jefferson County after a waterline break caused a pressure loss and raised contamination risk. Food Safety: FDA classified a recall of nearly 1.7 million pounds of brown and powdered sugar across eight states, including Kansas, due to possible undeclared wheat kernels. Rural Healthcare Access: Kansas City hosted a national conference highlighting mobile health clinics as a growing solution for rural care gaps, fueled by new federal funding. Immigration & Agriculture: Southwest Kansas remains on edge after ICE enforcement actions at/around meat processing sites, with ranchers and industry groups warning of disruptions to beef supply and rising costs. Energy & Transportation: Gas prices stayed volatile in the Sept. 19 reporting week, with multiple Kansas counties posting low diesel and regular rates; meanwhile, Ford paused F-150 production in Dearborn due to a supplier problem, underscoring ongoing supply-chain strain. Local Economy: Abilene’s downtown revitalization effort is seeking BLOCK Grant support, with planned streetscape and facade upgrades.

Immigration & Ag Supply Chain: Kansas livestock and meatpacking groups say heightened ICE activity in Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma is causing cattle shipment delays, missed shifts and lost revenue—warning it could push beef prices higher for consumers. Local Industry Impact: The Kansas Livestock Association says southwest Kansas plants in Dodge City, Liberal and Garden City are seeing more absences after increased federal presence, while DHS says it’s not conducting worksite raids. Energy Costs for Kansas: A Kansas State University economist warns diesel prices may stay elevated at $6 to $7 per gallon into 2027, tied to global conflict and slower fuel market adjustments. Aviation Investment: Olathe’s New Century AirCenter is set for a $13.2M federal grant to reconstruct Runway 18-36 and upgrade airfield lighting and signage. Public Safety: A woman suffered major injuries after jumping about 70 feet from a bridge during a multi-vehicle crash near Ogden on K-18.

Aviation Funding: Olathe’s New Century AirCenter is getting $13.2M in federal money for runway reconstruction, including rebuilding Runway 18-36 and upgrading airfield lighting and signage. Immigration & Ag: Cattle and livestock groups say ICE activity is creating a “massive chilling effect” across feedyards, dairies, processors and transport hubs in Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma—delaying cattle shipments and raising the odds of higher beef prices. Food Safety: The FDA issued a Class II recall for about 1.7 million pounds of light brown and powdered sugar sold in eight states, including Kansas, due to possible wheat contamination; affected batches run from MHD26223 to MHD26229. Public Safety: A woman suffered major injuries after jumping about 70 feet from a bridge near Ogden during a four-vehicle crash on K-18; she was reported in critical condition. Local Business/Community: Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce reportedly bought a $6M Leawood mansion, adding a private underground golf simulator. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reported Kansas diesel and gasoline prices remain volatile, with several counties seeing single-station “lowest” deals for midgrade and diesel.

Immigration & Beef Supply: ICE raids in southwest Kansas are keeping workers away, slowing meatpacking and backing up cattle shipments, with livestock groups warning of higher beef prices and lost revenue. Policy & Politics: Kansas Senate candidate Adam Hamilton is attacking ICE activity as “chaos for families, communities, and businesses,” while DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin says ICE is not conducting worksite operations in Kansas—sparking backlash from conservatives and industry. Energy & Costs: A Kansas State University economist says diesel prices likely stay high through 2027, tied to global tensions and refining/supply constraints, with pump prices already around $6-plus. Agriculture Infrastructure: K-State opened the Western Star Global Grain and Food Center, a $130M, 178,000-square-foot hub for grain, food and animal science teaching and research. State Fair Funding: The Kansas State Fair is seeking $5M in state funds for FY2028 to finish the Bison Arena for an Agriculture Learning and Innovation Center. Food Safety: FDA reported a recall of 1.7M pounds of sugar products distributed in Kansas due to potential wheat allergen contamination.

Immigration & Agriculture: Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma cattle groups say recent ICE operations are disrupting beef supply chains by delaying shipments, disrupting feedlots and processors, and chilling workforces—raising fears of higher prices; DHS says ICE is not conducting worksite raids in Kansas. Local Response: In western Kansas, community activists and a Kansas City food drive are stepping up as residents report detentions and fear increased enforcement near meatpacking hubs. Market Watch: Cattle futures finished mostly higher this week as producers brace for continued uncertainty. Rural Workforce Pressure: Separate commentary from R-CALF USA argues the negotiated cash cattle market is shrinking fast, complicating price transparency as federal enforcement and operational disruptions mount. Grain Supply Chain: Scoular promoted new Grain Division leaders focused on trade, operations, origination and customer service. Tech & Security: OpenAI says it found more cases of its models impairing third-party services, while water utilities are urged to tighten basic cybersecurity. Education & Housing: Baker University launches Baker 105 to award full-tuition scholarships across all 105 Kansas counties. Civic Infrastructure: Ottawa ends a data center sales contract after the developer missed key deadlines.

Energy & Markets: US stock futures bounced as oil cooled on Iran diplomacy hopes, with yields easing and tech leading gains, while investors watched durable goods and Michigan sentiment. Agriculture & Labor: Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas cattle groups warned ICE sweeps are disrupting meatpacking workforces, delaying processing and raising costs that could hit beef prices. Kansas Politics & Costs: Senate Republicans plan a last-ditch vote next week on a ratepayer bill aimed at shielding consumers from electricity hikes tied to data center growth—an affordability message aimed at states including Kansas. Kansas Finance Regulation: Kansas bank commissioner David Herndon recommends repealing the TEFFI law after Beneficient’s model failed to attract activity. Beef Trade Fallout: Kansas ranchers criticized Trump’s plan to suspend tariffs on imported ground beef, saying it’s tied to market drops and losses. Local Infrastructure: Riley County approved a change order for the Keats sewer project after higher-than-expected groundwater was found. Community & Business: K-State’s renovated Call Hall dairy plant and 1863 Marketplace are set to reopen with expanded retail and production.

KU & childcare crunch: Hilltop Child Development Center’s abrupt closure has left KU mechanical engineering student Natasha Kothari and other parents scrambling for new care, after months of turmoil and complaints about transparency. Education & facilities: KU is also reshaping its energy footprint with a new Department of Earth, Energy & Environment, reflecting growth in engineering and energy research. Local governance & growth: Edgerton’s data-center ban fight is headed to a court showdown, with petitioners asking a judge to force a referendum after a city lawsuit. Community services: Fort Scott Community College will close its Paola campus in January 2027, shifting classes online and to area high schools. Agriculture & costs: Kansas cattle producers are adapting as drought and shrinking herds keep beef prices climbing, even as input costs bite. Food industry: Kansas City-area butcher shops report a surge in demand for local meat as consumers look for trusted sources. Energy prices: GasBuddy reports show Kansas regular gas averaging $4.07 for the week ending Sept. 19, with notable low-price pockets like $3.89 in Harper County and $3.79 in Douglas County. Public events: Oktoberfest Hays returns Oct. 2-3 with free admission and a live 4-hour radio broadcast. Culture & history: Watkins Museum will open a centennial exhibition for Haskell Memorial Stadium and its 1926 arch dedication.

Immigration & Public Safety: Kansas GOP Sen. Roger Marshall urged ICE to coordinate with local police as federal raids hit Dodge City, Garden City and Liberal, where officials said they weren’t notified in advance—raising fresh concerns for the meatpacking workforce and community trust. Energy & Agriculture Costs: Kansas State University Extension warns diesel prices could stay elevated into 2027, with global fuel disruptions and limited refining capacity keeping pumps in the $6–$7 range; lawmakers are also weighing whether to restrict diesel exports. Livestock Markets: CME cattle futures rebounded after ICE-linked slaughter disruptions pressured processing, while hog futures dipped ahead of USDA herd data. Construction & Local Business: A new 7 Brew drive-thru is under construction in Salina’s Mid State Plaza, targeting an early-winter opening, while Spanstead launched bilingual field-service software aimed at connecting estimates, crews and payments. Food & Farming Spotlight: Ellinwood’s Wayne DeWerff won his fourth Governor’s Sweepstakes watermelon title at the Kansas State Fair. Workforce & Tech: Kansas students and young adults are voicing worries about college costs and job prospects at a K-State town hall, as federal decisions shape affordability.