AGP Executive Report

Education & Recovery: Grinnell USD 291 won a $500,000 Dane G. Hansen Foundation grant to help rebuild its tornado-damaged elementary school and grounds, leveraging FEMA and state matching funds for a $3 million project. Water & Drought Resilience: Botanica in Wichita is planning a Sim Park reservoir expansion, aiming to capture runoff and cut municipal water use after drought restrictions pushed the gardens to rely less on city supply. Aviation Investment: Sen. Jerry Moran announced a $1 million DOT grant for Eisenhower National Airport in Wichita to expand services and add a new direct route push. Energy Costs: Kansas State University economist Gregg Ibendahl says diesel prices are likely to stay high for at least a year due to a global diesel shortage, squeezing farm margins and eventually raising consumer costs. Local Industry & Infrastructure: Osawatomie is weighing a proposed mid-sized data center as it tries to offset a shrinking tax base after the railroad era faded. Tech & Compliance: Microsoft warned that Internet Explorer’s IE Mode won’t last forever, telling admins to plan migrations for legacy sites by at least end of 2029. Transportation Disruption: Kansas City, Kansas road access near the future Buc-ee’s will temporarily reopen for the Hollywood Casino 400 race, then close again for continued interchange work.

Aviation & Tech: United Airlines is rolling out live NFL and college football on Starlink-enabled seatback screens, expanding to hundreds of Starlink-equipped planes and aiming for near-700 aircraft by February. Nuclear & Drilling: Deep Fission and Youngquist Brothers announced a collaboration to test large-diameter, deep borehole drilling for underground nuclear reactor deployment, including a prototype canister demo in Florida. Aviation Safety: Bombardier will bring its 30th annual Safety Standdown to Wichita Nov. 10-12, offering free seminars and workshops for aviation professionals. Finance & Banking: Bank7 agreed to buy Century Financial Services in a $137.3m cash-and-shares deal, building a Southwest banking group with about $3.3bn in assets. Kansas Energy Costs: Diesel in Kansas hit an all-time average high of $6.22, squeezing trucking and farm budgets. Water & Construction: Kansas City’s wastewater biosolids incineration overhaul highlights why design-build can help keep plants running while meeting tighter standards. AI & Policy: Nvidia’s influence faces new scrutiny on Capitol Hill as lawmakers debate AI safety and export limits. Manufacturing: The 2026 World Manufacturing Convention opened in Hefei, spotlighting intelligent manufacturing cooperation. Sports (Local Interest): Kansas City’s Travis Kelce surged again in a Chiefs OT win over the Colts, while Taylor Swift’s suite celebration kept Chiefs coverage buzzing. Agriculture & Water Law: A guide to groundwater rules breaks down riparian vs. prior appropriation systems and why compliance is getting harder for farmers. Mental Health (K-State): K-State Extension is offering an online COMET train-the-trainer workshop to help communities spot stress and connect people to support.

Kansas Water Safety: KDHE and KDWP issued blue-green algae public health advisories for multiple Kansas fishing and recreation spots, warning residents to avoid contact, keep pets away, and report suspected harmful algae incidents. Local Government & Infrastructure: Kansas City’s legal review committee will weigh a Royals stadium ballot measure and a separate citizen proposal for long-term transportation funding that includes a monorail plan, plus a task force on data center development. Energy & Agriculture: A Flint Hills rancher says wind turbines have helped stabilize ranch income and keep the operation in the family, even as cattle graze and prairie habitat remains. Public Health & Community Support: Wichita’s medical loan closet highlights how Kansans use donated equipment to cover costly supplies like feeding-tube items when insurance falls short. Workforce/Administration: Dickinson County hired Hannah Bett as assistant county administrator and finance director, bringing long Kansas county experience into the role. Nuclear Industry: Deep Fission released its federally approved safety design report for its Parsons underground nuclear pilot project to the public with limited security redactions.

Kansas Agriculture Tech & Costs: At the Kansas State Fair, southwest Kansas farmer John Jenkinson highlighted drones and precision weed-spraying as tools for efficiency, even as drought and higher diesel and fertilizer prices squeeze margins. Corn Outlook: A new USDA projection says Kansas corn production will drop by 39 million bushels in 2026, with drought and dry conditions blamed for reduced yields. Farm Tech in the Field: K-State and NASA brought satellite data into real farm testing at the Flickner Innovation Farm, aiming to help producers manage water and improve crop health. Local Infrastructure Fight: Wichita residents are pushing back on a $37 million drainage overhaul on Bleckley Drive, warning construction disruption and tree removals could outweigh the promised flood-safety gains. Data Centers vs. Communities: A Kansas-focused story on the broader backlash shows how “data center” proposals are triggering moratoriums and public opposition as cities weigh jobs against community concerns. Aviation Engineering: Wichita State’s National Institute for Aviation Research says a B-1B bomber spine repair used a digital twin to speed work ahead of schedule. Business & Wealth: Forbes added Overland Park wealth manager Peter Mallouk to the Forbes 400, alongside other Kansas families.

Higher Ed & AI: The Kansas Board of Regents is drafting statewide AI guardrails, starting with a framework for responsible use in student teaching, research, and administration. Ag Tech: NASA and K-State researchers visited Flickner Innovation Farm to test how satellite data can help farmers manage water, crop health, and long-term sustainability. Water Safety: KDHE rescinded a boil water advisory for Rose Hill (Butler County) after lab testing showed no bacteriological contamination. Energy & Trade: U.S. forces backed more than 1 billion barrels moving through the Strait of Hormuz, with CENTCOM citing cleared lanes and coordinated protection. Local Agriculture Politics: Kansas Department of Agriculture is urging western Kansas growers to gather signatures for grain commodity commission seats ahead of the Nov. 30 deadline. Sports Business & Media: Urban Edge Network expanded national distribution of HBCU/NAIA sports via Ryz Sports Network’s FAST/connected-TV platforms. College Football Spotlight: K-State quarterback Avery Johnson bounced back with a career-high 152 rushing yards and two TDs in a win over Tulane.

Public Safety: Topeka police are investigating a double homicide in the NOTO Arts District; victims were identified as 75-year-old Larry Smutney and 74-year-old Warren Eteeyan, and 21-year-old Kristen Knight Wahquahboshkuk of Mayetta was booked on two counts of first-degree murder. Public Safety: Franklin County crews responded to a rural fire at 3722 US 59 Highway; one adult woman died, while an adult man and an infant were burned and taken to KU Medical Center as the State Fire Marshal and ATF investigate. Aviation & Travel: A new JD Power airport satisfaction study says overall traveler satisfaction rose across North America, with Tampa International topping large airports and Charleston leading medium airports. Agriculture & Environment: Cottonwood Extension District urges late-summer herbicide treatment to control phragmites in Kansas waterways, wetlands, and roadsides, emphasizing proper identification and follow-up management. Local Business & Jobs: KanEquip JCB opened a Kansas City, Kan. facility to expand JCB equipment sales, parts, and service for construction and agriculture customers. Higher Ed: K-State highlighted progress and unveiled the Western Star Global Grain and Food Center during its 2026 State of the University address.

Kansas City Equipment Expansion: KanEquip JCB opened a new Kansas City facility at 3550 Fairbanks Ave to expand JCB sales, parts, and service for construction and agricultural customers across the region. Public Safety: Topeka police identified two homicide victims—75-year-old Larry Smutney and 74-year-old Warren Eteeyan—and booked 21-year-old Kristen Knight Wahquahboshkuk on two counts of first-degree murder. Fire Tragedy: A rural Franklin County house fire killed an adult woman; an adult man and an infant were burned and taken to KU Medical Center as investigators from the Sheriff, State Fire Marshal, and ATF probe the cause. Road Risks: A Pottawatomie County crash killed 18-year-old Alyssa Mullins after a two-car collision near Highway 63; the driver, 23-year-old Bryce Ashlock, was seriously injured. Water & Utilities: Wichita’s boil-water advisory was lifted for the city, but remains for wholesale customers in nearby communities pending additional sampling. Agriculture & Policy: The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced a five-year farm bill version, with Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall saying a Senate vote could happen this year. Higher Ed & AI: Kansas Board of Regents leaders moved to build AI guardrails for universities, with a committee chaired by SnapIT Solutions CEO Neelima Parasker. Research Funding: KU received a $1.9M NSF grant to study soil fungi that could boost drought tolerance in wheat and rice.

Public Safety: Topeka police say a double homicide in the NOTO Arts District left two men dead after a Thursday shooting; investigators identified and located a person of interest, booking 21-year-old Kristen Knight Wahquahboshkuk on two counts of first-degree murder. Public Safety: Franklin County crews responded to a rural fire that killed an adult woman; an adult man and an infant were burned and taken to KU Medical Center, with the State Fire Marshal and ATF joining the investigation. Local Business & Community: Great Bend’s Hispanic Heritage Month push (Sept. 15–Oct. 15) spotlights how Hispanic residents and Hispanic-owned businesses help drive downtown commerce and labor markets. Aviation & Travel: A free KCI-to-Johnson County shuttle ends this weekend as diesel and maintenance costs rise; separately, TSA’s new “Gateside” program expands to more airports, including Wichita, letting TSA PreCheck members access airside areas without a flight. Energy & Home Power: Kansas DIY solar buyers are getting warned that small wind turbines often underperform unless conditions are ideal. Agriculture: Kansas wheat growers face uncertainty as drought and costs collide with higher wheat prices.

Public Safety: Topeka police are investigating a double homicide in the NOTO Arts District; victims were identified as 75-year-old Larry Smutney and 74-year-old Warren Eteeyan, and a 21-year-old suspect, Kristen Knight Wahquahboshkuk, was booked on first-degree murder charges. Public Safety: Franklin County firefighters responded to a rural house fire that killed an adult woman; an adult man and an infant were burned and taken to KU Medical Center, with the State Fire Marshal and ATF joining the investigation. Cybersecurity: A Brevo marketing-services breach enabled a hacker to tamper with thousands of sites and push a fake “verify you are human” ClickFix prompt designed to get users to install malware. Energy & Local Economy: Evergy briefed Lyon County commissioners on the proposed Cottonwood Solar project, saying it could generate more than $60M in property taxes over 30 years, with no vote scheduled. Agriculture Costs: Kansas farmers are facing sharply higher diesel prices during harvest, with Sen. Roger Marshall urging USDA for targeted relief. Higher Education Tech: The Kansas Board of Regents is moving toward AI guardrails for teaching, research, and administration, starting with a committee led by SnapIT Solutions’ Neelima Parasker. Transportation/Infrastructure: KDOT will begin a $1.4M I-70 pavement patching project in Shawnee County next Monday, with lane reductions and ramp closures as needed.

Auto Retail & Jobs: Genesis of Kansas City marked a grand opening for its new Merriam facility, a 21,000-square-foot showroom and service site built after Walser Automotive’s 2024 acquisition. Public Health & Water Systems: KDHE rescinded a boil water advisory for part of Great Bend’s water supply after pressure loss from a waterline break was resolved and lab tests found no bacteriological contamination. Agriculture: K-State and Cottonwood Extension highlighted Kansas wheat variety planning for fall, pointing producers to the 2026 Kansas Wheat Variety Guide with disease and insect resistance ratings. Beef Industry: K-State set a Sept. 24 Beef Stocker Field Day in Manhattan covering topics like Theileria impacts, corn silage use, and mineral nutrition strategies. Local Safety: Authorities reported a fatal Franklin County house fire and a Topeka double homicide investigation with a person of interest located. Community & Culture: Great Bend’s chamber is marking Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15–Oct. 15) and tying Hispanic-owned businesses to downtown vitality.

Aviation & Infrastructure: Johnson County’s New Century AirCenter is set for major runway work after receiving $13.4 million in federal Airport Infrastructure Program funds, with construction expected to start in 2027. Public Health & Utilities: Wichita issued a citywide boil water advisory for about 500,000 customers after a power outage knocked out its main water treatment plant and Hess pump station, while KDHE also rescinded a Great Bend-area advisory after testing showed no bacterial contamination. Local Business Resilience: Patterson Healthcare Pharmacy in Abilene marked its return after a fire forced a temporary move, highlighting how quickly customers rallied to keep prescriptions flowing. Agriculture & Food Systems: K-State Research and Extension released the Kansas Wheat Variety Guide 2026, updating disease and insect resistance profiles for growers planning fall planting. Beef Industry: K-State set a Sept. 24 Beef Stocker Field Day in Manhattan with producer-focused sessions on nutrition, mineral strategy, and impacts from Theileria. Cybersecurity: CISA urged organizations to use “cyber decoys” like honeytokens and fake credentials to detect and divert attackers. Community & Culture: Great Bend’s chamber is spotlighting Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15–Oct. 15) and the role Hispanic-owned businesses play in downtown vitality.

Public Safety & Preparedness: The American Red Cross of Greater Kansas urged residents to use National Preparedness Month to get ready for disasters without breaking the bank, highlighting a free Emergency app and household planning steps. Water & Utilities: Wichita issued a boil water advisory after power loss at the main water treatment plant and Hess pump station; Great Bend’s earlier advisory was rescinded after testing showed no bacterial contamination. Local Crime: Topeka police identified two homicide victims and booked a suspect in a NOTO Arts District double shooting; investigators also sought a person of interest in a separate Topeka case. Fire & Accidents: Franklin County saw a fatal rural house fire with an adult dead and an adult plus infant burned; Shawnee County reported a fatal crash involving a pedestrian; other Kansas Highway Patrol reports included injuries from a pursuit-related semi crash and a Decatur County van collision. Agriculture & Industry: K-State released its 2026 Kansas Wheat Variety Guide, emphasizing disease and insect resistance for fall planting decisions. Beef Sector: K-State set a Sept. 24 Beef Stocker Field Day in Manhattan with producer-focused sessions on cattle health, nutrition, and backgrounding. Community & Culture: Great Bend’s chamber is marking Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15–Oct. 15) with a “Together, We Are More” theme, citing Hispanic businesses’ role in downtown vitality.

Advanced Manufacturing: U.S. Engineering Metalworks is expanding in Lawrence, opening a new 110,000-square-foot production facility at Lawrence VenturePark with a $25M investment and plans for about 30 jobs in year one (plus more later), boosting Kansas’ high-skill manufacturing base. Public Safety & Health: Topeka police are investigating a double homicide in the NOTO Arts District; authorities identified victims and booked a suspect, while KDHE rescinded a boil water advisory for part of Great Bend’s water system after testing showed no bacteriological contamination. Local Infrastructure: KDOT is repairing a bridge deck on I-35 west of Lebo, reducing traffic to one lane through late September. Ag & Food Security: K-State Extension released the 2026 Kansas Wheat Variety Guide, and ranchers are being urged to rethink end-of-season grazing because fall decisions can shape pasture productivity next spring. Community & Culture: Great Bend’s chamber is marking Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15–Oct. 15) with a focus on Hispanic businesses’ role in downtown vitality. Energy Costs: GasBuddy reports show Kansas prices easing in the week ending Sept. 5, with notable low points in several counties.

Public Safety & Preparedness: The American Red Cross of Greater Kansas is urging Kansans to use National Preparedness Month to get ready for disasters with low-cost steps like its free emergency app and household planning. Water & Utilities: KDHE rescinded a boil water advisory for part of Great Bend’s water system after a pressure-loss waterline break, saying lab tests found no bacterial contamination. Local Fire Response: Franklin County investigators are probing a rural house fire that killed an adult and sent an adult and infant to KU Medical Center with burns. Community & Culture: Great Bend’s chamber is marking Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15–Oct. 15) and highlighting how Hispanic residents and Hispanic-owned businesses support downtown commerce and jobs. Agriculture: K-State Research and Extension released the 2026 Kansas Wheat Variety Guide, updating disease and insect ratings and adding new variety profiles for growers planning fall planting. Beef Industry Training: K-State set a Sept. 24 Beef Stocker Field Day in Manhattan with sessions on cattle health, nutrition, and penning tactics for the stocker segment. Workforce & Education: Ellis County commissioners approved a regional firefighter training facility in Ellis County, aiming to boost training capacity as volunteer departments face fewer people and more calls.

Public Safety: Topeka police are investigating a double homicide in the NOTO Arts District after two men were shot near N. Kansas Avenue; a 21-year-old suspect was booked on first-degree murder charges. Fire & Water Safety: A rural Franklin County structure fire killed an adult woman and sent an adult man and infant to KU Medical Center; separately, KDHE rescinded a boil water advisory for part of Great Bend after testing found no bacteriological contamination. Local Crime & Courts: In Atchison, police arrested a 23-year-old woman after an altercation that included slashing a tire and alleged drug paraphernalia; in Sedgwick County, a driver accused in a deadly crash pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and is set for sentencing in November. Ag & Industry: K-State released the 2026 Kansas Wheat Variety Guide, highlighting new and updated variety profiles and disease/insect ratings for fall planting decisions. Community & Culture: Great Bend’s chamber is marking Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15–Oct. 15) with a focus on Hispanic businesses’ role in downtown vitality. Business Spotlight: KanEquip JCB opened a Kansas City location for JCB equipment sales, parts and service, expanding regional support for construction and agriculture customers. Preparedness: The American Red Cross of Greater Kansas urged low-cost emergency readiness steps during National Preparedness Month, including using its free emergency app.

Public Safety & Health: KDHE rescinded a boil water advisory for part of Great Bend’s water system after testing found no bacteriological contamination following a waterline break. Community & Culture: Great Bend’s chamber is marking Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15–Oct. 15) with a “Together, We Are More” theme, highlighting Hispanic residents and Hispanic-owned businesses as key drivers of downtown vitality. Agriculture: K-State Research and Extension released the Kansas Wheat Variety Guide 2026, urging growers to weigh yield alongside disease and insect resistance when choosing fall varieties. Beef Industry: K-State will host the 27th annual Beef Stocker Field Day Sept. 24 in Manhattan, with sessions on cattle health, corn silage, mineral nutrition, and stocker performance strategies. Road & Worksite Risks: A semi rear-ended a gooseneck camper trailer near Columbus, injuring a 61-year-old; separately, a crossover crash on I-70 in Geary County sent a semitrailer driver to the hospital with suspected minor injuries. Local Crime: Topeka police identified victims in a double homicide in the NOTO Arts District and booked a suspect on first-degree murder charges. Disaster Preparedness: The American Red Cross of Greater Kansas urged residents to use National Preparedness Month to get ready for emergencies with free tools like its emergency app.