AGP Executive Report

Foster care scandal: A Lincoln County judge suspended prison for a Missouri foster mother accused of trading a teenage girl for a monkey, calling the conduct “reprehensible” and saying the system failed the victims. Local public safety: Northwest Missouri State University Police handed out annual service and community awards at its fall meeting, including honors tied to campus engagement and a Mosaic Medical Center team award. Community history: Maryville Public Library will celebrate completion of a major historic window restoration at its Fifth and Main building, after a matching-grant push and years of dry-rot repairs. Business & growth: Carthage is set to consider a renewed Schreiber Foods industrial development plan that could revive a stalled expansion using new bond language. Consumer watch: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Grovespring and Linn Creek each logged one scam report in July, while Missouri’s biggest cities remain the top targets. Health & food safety: Italian guanciale is being recalled across eight states over listeria concerns, and Walmart shoppers were warned again as a frozen berry E. coli recall expanded into more states. Sports: Ramsey Brandenburg transferred from Janesville Parker to Milton High after a strong Wisconsin season, aiming for more college-wrestling opportunities.

Privacy vs. safety debate: A Missouri writer’s column on license plate readers and Flock cameras sparked a flood of responses, with readers arguing that even “public” tracking can reveal daily routines and erode Fourth Amendment rights. Local infrastructure accountability: In north St. Louis, a fallen power pole left a homeowner dealing with flickering electricity and uncertainty over which utility wires are responsible. Mental health and data centers: Kansas residents near Osawatomie State Hospital are raising alarms about a proposed data center, warning construction noise and ongoing operations could disrupt psychiatric patients’ sleep and treatment. Renewable energy economics: New University of Missouri research finds wind and solar projects can boost rural jobs, wages, and local economic output—while also noting community divides over land use and property values. Community spotlight: A UCM nursing student credits 4-H with building confidence and leadership. Arts and culture: A free St. Louis documentary screening highlights African American history, and a Mercer County teen is set to be honored for mural work.

College Football: ASU quarterback Cutter Boley lit up Morgan State in the Sun Devils’ opener, throwing for 387 yards and six touchdowns in a 70-7 win, while the defense kept the Bears in check. Missouri Weather: Forecasters warn a strong Super El Niño could shift winter storm tracks south, with several Missouri cities—like Kirksville, Columbia, Kansas City, and Jefferson City—most at risk for snow. Local Culture & Education: SIUE will host a free October screening of “A Black History Tour of St. Louis,” spotlighting African American neighborhoods and voices. Energy & Growth: Mizzou broke ground on the Payne Energy Innovation Center, a major new research hub opening in 2028. Public Safety & Community: Kansas City firefighters from 20+ states climbed 110 stories in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, honoring fallen FDNY members. Local Government: Arnold City Council approved a 2026-2027 budget focused on stormwater upgrades and animal care improvements.

Surveillance Cameras Fight: Missouri Rep. Eric Burlison is pushing back hard on the federal “surveillance state,” spotlighting flock cameras and backing the “Flock-Off Act” to cut off funding for expansion. Energy & Weather: Ameren Missouri says a wind turbine collapsed in Schuyler County; crews secured the area and the site may be offline while the cause is reviewed. Utilities & Billing: Liberty Utilities asked Missouri regulators to make permanent exceptions to billing rules for consolidated accounts, including allowing shorter or longer billing periods. Local Service & Food Security: Missouri FFA chapters packed 252,564 meals during the state fair Drive to Feed Kids, marking a decade of the program. Education: Seven teachers were named finalists for the 2027 Missouri Teacher of the Year, with interviews set for Sept. 9. Consumer Safety: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Van Buren logged one scam report in July, while Missouri cities overall continue to report major fraud losses. Sports & Culture: A new Sheriff Justice TV series shot scenes near Wentworth, tying Missouri locations to the show’s Texas setting.

Surveillance Backlash: DeFlock says 153 U.S. communities have rejected or shut down automated license plate readers, up from 95 in July, as residents push back on data collection tied to Flock Safety. Consumer Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker shows Missouri’s Van Buren tied for 68th among 93 cities with at least one July report, while St. Louis (87) and Kansas City (46) lead the state. Education: Missouri named seven finalists for the 2027 Missouri Teacher of the Year, including educators from Branson, Bayless, Kingston, Rockwood Summit, Valley Park, Fort Osage, and School of the Osage. Housing Finance: Missouri’s average VA purchase loan rose slightly in Q2 FY2026 to $313,000 from $311,544 in Q1. Local Business & Sports: Pitchside Coffee is moving to Kansas City Current’s riverfront game-day district near CPKC Stadium, with an early November opening planned. Public Safety & Health: A new report warns kratom use is surging as poison center exposure calls spike, with experts noting opioid-like risks. Energy Policy: Researchers expect 2027 to bring the biggest wave of state energy siting bills, with many proposals restricting renewable projects.

Redistricting Fight: Missouri asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reinstate a GOP congressional map that would add an extra Republican seat, warning of “unprecedented chaos” for federal elections after the state Supreme Court blocked it for November. Local Politics & Data Centers: Palmyra is weighing a year-long moratorium on new data centers after residents raised concerns about water use and noise. Consumer & Health Alerts: Schnucks faces a class action settlement that could pay up to $7 to loyalty members; meanwhile, multiple IV saline recalls cite fiberglass or iron-oxide particles, and frozen berry recalls tied to an E. coli outbreak have expanded to more states. Public Safety: Lawrence County issued a burn ban due to dry, windy conditions. Community & Service: Festus/Crystal City could start building transitional housing by late October, and UCM plans a Sept. 11 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb to benefit its campus food pantry.

Bridge Work Update: MoDOT says the Mercer County U.S. Route 136 Grand River Overflow Bridge deck replacement will switch traffic Sept. 14-15 with up to 15-minute intermittent closures, then narrow to one lane with a 15-foot width limit; delays push reopening to mid-November 2026. Scam Tracker Watch: Warsaw, Neosho, and other Missouri cities logged small but real BBB Scam Tracker activity in July, with Missouri’s biggest losses concentrated in major metro areas like St. Louis and Kansas City. Immigration Enforcement Bill: Rep. Madeleine Dean and Illinois Rep. Delia Ramirez introduced the “No Shock Act” to ban ICE “shock gloves,” after DHS planned millions for thousands of the devices. Food Assistance Rule: A new USDA SNAP requirement could force many convenience stores to stop accepting food stamps unless the rule’s fresh-produce and protein standards are delayed or clarified. Local Business & Health: Bloom Healthcare acquired Christian Care House Calls, expanding home-based senior care in Missouri and Texas. Education & Jobs: Missouri S&T and Insper signed a partnership to expand international opportunities, including student projects tied to modernizing banking. Agriculture Payments: U-M’s FAPRI expects sizable USDA farm program payments this fall, including corn and cotton, with details to come. Missouri Economy/Trade: Trump threatened to halt some trade unless the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates—an issue that could ripple into Missouri’s business climate.

Redistricting Fight: The Missouri Supreme Court ruled November’s election will use the 2022 congressional maps, a blow to a GOP-backed mid-decade redistricting push—sparking immediate backlash from Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II and challenger Rick Brattin, who says the decision disenfranchises voters. Legal & Voting: The Trump administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court to step in over a judge’s block on USPS mail-in voting restrictions as midterms near. Statehouse Watch: Missouri’s AG push to collect a $24.5 billion COVID-era PPE judgment against Chinese defendants moved forward as new filings challenge the default judgment. Local Government & Growth: Missouri American Water completed its $34.5 million purchase of Neosho’s water and wastewater systems, bringing new staff and planned upgrades. Business & Jobs: Simmons Bank plans to close 26 branches across six states, including 5 in Missouri, effective Dec. 4. Public Health: Central Missouri Humane Society temporarily suspended dog intake after a confirmed parvovirus case. Food Safety: Walmart expanded a recall of Great Value organic triple berry blend in 16 states, including Missouri, over possible E. coli contamination. Power & Property: Landowners in northeast Oklahoma raised concerns about a proposed transmission project tied to a broader Oklahoma-Kansas-Missouri grid effort. Agriculture: Tyson Foods cut 2026 revenue guidance as beef pressures squeeze margins.

Data Centers & Power: Ameren Missouri says a Festus data center project can’t move forward without a required power-use study, with officials calling it a key “gating” step for large-load customers. Local Education: Branson agricultural educator Nicole Crocker is named a finalist for Missouri’s 2027 Teacher of the Year, advancing to state interviews later this month. State Law Changes: Missouri has 76 new laws taking effect Friday, including updates to intoxicated driving penalties and other public-safety measures. Politics & Policy: Democrats are criticizing GOP-backed “Opportunity Zones” tax breaks tied to accelerating AI data center construction in low-income areas. Agriculture & Water: Iowa’s cover-crop program is enrolling a record number of acres to target nitrate-heavy drinking water sources feeding the Des Moines metro. Kansas City Governance: Mayor Quinton Lucas recommends former Councilman Kevin McManus to fill the 6th District At-Large seat through Aug. 1, 2027. Business & Growth: Newmark Zimmer arranged a 1.4 million-square-foot industrial lease in Independence at Space Center underground industrial park.

Domestic Minerals Push: The U.S. House approved a bill to expand domestic mining and speed permitting, aiming to cut China’s grip on critical minerals as the measure heads to the Senate. Workplace Safety Check: A new OSHA “Top 10” webinar urges employers to use citation trends as a self-audit tool to find training and supervision gaps before injuries or penalties. Missouri Energy Investment: MU broke ground on the Payne Energy Innovation Center, a $50 million gift-backed project expected to open in 2028 to tackle power-and-water sustainability. Data Center Backlash: In Ralls County, residents demanded more transparency after an AI data center proposal was paused, with worries focused on soil and water impacts. Law Enforcement Tech Scrutiny: A Louisville detective is under investigation over alleged Flock license-plate searches, months after a separate suspension tied to misuse of access. Local Justice Update: In Joplin’s “house of horrors” case, four family members face expanded charges, including first-degree kidnapping. Sports & Community: Mizzou opened its renovated North End Zone, while NSU volleyball returns for the first time since the early 1980s.

Data Center Backlash in Missouri: Independence voters recalled City Council member John Perkins after he backed $6B+ in tax breaks for a planned AI data center, with nearly 70% voting to remove him—showing how local control and infrastructure concerns are colliding with big-tech promises. Local Governance & Housing: O’Fallon City Council rejected a conditional use permit for a proposed 42-unit senior community, citing traffic and maintenance worries. Consumer Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data put Sedalia tied for 19th among Missouri cities for July scam reports, with four reports and about $664 in losses. Agriculture & Community Service: Missouri FFA chapters packed 252,564 meals at the Missouri State Fair through Missouri Farmers Care’s Drive to Feed Kids. Business & Jobs: Jarrell Contracting announced a Hazelwood expansion creating 105 jobs and a new 191,000-square-foot headquarters. Broadband Growth: Socket Fiber launched CDG’s Elements platform to support its expanding Missouri fiber network.

Big Tech Child Safety Settlement: Missouri is set to get at least $115 million from a massive federal settlement with Meta over child safety, with penalties up to $17 billion over 10 years and new platform changes for minors. Local Courts & Consumer Protection: A Jefferson County roofer accused of defrauding 16 tornado victims is headed toward trial after waiving a probable cause hearing; the AG alleges $130,000 in downpayments with little or no work. Power & Public Safety: A St. Louis County homeowner says a tree branch has dangled on power lines for nearly three months, raising fears it could become a bigger hazard. Adoptions & Animal Welfare: All 70 barnyard animals rescued from a Boone County property have been placed into new homes after rapid community support. Ag & Community Hunger Relief: Southeast Missouri rice farmers and the SEMO Food Bank kicked off Hunger Action Month with a donation of 12,300 pounds of rice, aimed at feeding about 10,000 families. Scam Watch: BBB Scam Tracker lists multiple Missouri cities tied for low single-digit scam reports in July, including Odessa and Eolia.

Missouri Economy & Industry: La-Z-Boy is investing $23 million to expand in Neosho, building a new 150,000-square-foot distribution facility and creating up to 100 jobs, with support through the Missouri Works Program. Local Business & Community: Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams says it’s expanding to Five Points in Jacksonville, while Missouri’s SEMO is moving ahead with Talbert Terrace construction, including an 18-foot Redhawk sculpture set to debut in October. Food, Health & Courts: A federal jury sided with Mead Johnson in a trial over Enfamil premature formula claims tied to necrotizing enterocolitis, while Abbott reached a $670 million settlement over similar preterm formula allegations. Politics & Policy: U.S. Rep. Jason Smith says Missouri and the U.S. must reduce dependence on China by boosting critical minerals supply chains, including potential Missouri processing. Tech & Public Pressure: Trump is pushing data centers as economic engines, but Missouri communities and others are still raising concerns about water, power costs, and quality of life. Safety & Fraud: Missouri scam reports continue to trickle in, with Hillsboro logging six in July, and a separate federal USPS ballot portal dispute raises questions about how mail ballots are scanned.

Data Center Fight in St. Louis: A proposed TerraWatt data center in an old warehouse has sparked a lawsuit and community backlash over noise, water use, electricity, and lack of environmental studies, as many residents say the AI promise feels like fear and hype. Climate Resilience in St. Louis: First Alert 4 reports hotter temperatures and heavier rain are pushing the city to redesign roads, parking lots, and sewers for the next century. Social Media for Minors: Missouri is set to receive at least $115 million from Meta’s settlement, with new limits on Instagram/Facebook use for minors—though experts warn workarounds could blunt benefits. Baby Formula Trial: A federal jury in Chicago sided with Mead Johnson in the first baby formula case, rejecting liability tied to NEC illness claims. Fraud Watch (BBB): Missouri cities including St. Louis and Kansas City remain high on BBB Scam Tracker reports, with online purchase scams still driving losses. Local Service & Food Security: Missouri Farmers Care’s Drive to Feed Kids hit 252,564 meals packed by FFA members. Animal Rescue: Central Missouri Humane Society says dozens of barnyard animals from a Boone County property were adopted quickly after a court order.

Crime & Safety: Normandy police say a would-be burglar was fatally shot after forcing his way into an occupied home Aug. 13; footage reportedly showed 42-year-old Jody Jordan holding what looked like an Uzi. Missouri Politics: With no big statewide races, Missouri’s November vote still looks tense, with ballot initiatives and downballot contests set to test the balance of power after two GOP-backed constitutional amendments failed in August. Local Economy: La-Z-Boy plans a $23 million Neosho expansion and new distribution center, aiming to add up to 100 jobs. Education & Workforce: MU and Boone County opened a new Jefferson Farm and Garden learning center to expand hands-on agriculture education and research demos. Tech & Privacy: A Washington Post review says chatbot transcripts are showing up in court records, raising fresh questions about how private your AI chats really are. Transit Watch: Kansas City and Olathe leaders weigh fixed-rail ideas, including potential commuter rail using existing lines. Community & Culture: Stockton Lake’s PRCA rodeo hosted its first End of Summer Luau with Polynesian food, dance, and music. Consumer Protection: A BBB tracker update shows Marshfield logged two July scam reports, both debt collection scams.

Data Center Fight in Missouri: A Platte City-area look at BBB Scam Tracker shows fraud reports continue to pop up statewide, with Platte City tied for 21st in Missouri for July scams—3 reports and $798 in losses—highlighting how everyday residents are getting hit while bigger projects like data centers spark local backlash. AI Surveillance Pushback: Missouri-area and national attention keeps growing on Flock-style license plate cameras, with Sen. Josh Hawley launching a federal probe into Flock’s data practices and critics warning the systems can track people without warrants. Courts and Privacy: A separate report says private ChatGPT-style conversations are increasingly showing up in court, raising new concerns for anyone who thinks those chats are protected. Public Services and Costs: A Missouri Medicaid spending snapshot finds Moberly pathology and lab payments rose 9.7% in 2024, a reminder that health costs ripple through local budgets. Local Community News: Central Missouri Humane Society drew more volunteers than dogs for a deep-clean and “Doggy Day Out” event, showing neighbors stepping up fast.