AGP Executive Report

Surveillance Crackdown: Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley opened a formal investigation into Flock’s AI license-plate cameras after Tempe, Ariz. and Cave Creek, Ariz. shut off their systems over misuse risks, while lawmakers push for tighter oversight. Natural Resources Leadership: Gov. Mike Kehoe appointed Jake Buxton as director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, effective Sept. 4, 2026, pending Senate confirmation. Drought Watch: The U.S. Drought Monitor says severe drought is expanding in Missouri’s Lakes Region, with little rainfall expected and worsening impacts for crops and livestock. Beef Market Signals: Cattle prices dipped amid federal moves on feeder-cattle imports and lean-beef tariffs, though a University of Missouri economist says long-term beef fundamentals remain strong. College Sports Branding: Mizzou announced an Ambetter Health jersey patch sponsorship for football and Olympic sports starting 2026-27, joining a growing patch trend in college athletics. Public Health Alert: Baxter issued a voluntary nationwide recall of sodium chloride injection lots after potential fiberglass contamination was detected. Missouri Courts: A Morgan County assault case ended in acquittal for Jason Edward Shifflett after jurors returned not-guilty verdicts on all felony counts. Food Assistance Policy: SNAP “junk food” purchase restrictions begin Aug. 31 in South Carolina and Sept. 1 in North Dakota, with Missouri slated for later implementation. Agriculture Pests: Wisconsin confirmed soybean tentiform leafminer in cultivated fields, a reminder that Missouri growers should keep an eye on new threats.

Meta Settlement for Missouri Teens: Missouri is set to receive about $100M (up to $150M) from a landmark $17B multistate Meta deal over alleged harm to children’s mental health, with Attorney General Catherine Hanaway saying the state will also investigate other platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Discord and Roblox. Flock Camera Scrutiny: U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley launched a congressional investigation into Flock Safety’s AI license-plate surveillance network, as local leaders and lawmakers push for guardrails after misuse allegations. Food Safety Alert: The FDA says a Cyclospora outbreak tied to recalled iceberg lettuce has spread to 20 states, with cases now reported in Missouri and more than 11,000 people sickened nationwide. Public Health Recalls: The FDA upgraded a Walmart nut butter recall to its most serious level (Class I) for Salmonella risk, and Baxter recalled multiple injectables over possible fiberglass/metal contamination. Missouri Business & Jobs: Arvest Foundation awarded $10,000 to a Joplin transportation program, while MU Health Care is changing paid time off rules for employees starting Jan. 1. Agriculture & Economy: Missouri cattle producers are pushing back on Trump’s plan to import cheaper foreign beef, arguing it could undercut U.S. ranchers. Local Access Change: Lime Kiln Access near Neosho is shifting as the Missouri Department of Conservation ends its management, leaving public access plans unclear.

Surveillance Crackdown: Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley launched a probe into Flock Safety’s AI camera network, demanding details on data collection, retention, and safeguards after claims of 120,000 cameras in 49 states scanning 20 billion vehicles a month. Local Accountability: The same privacy fight is playing out nationwide as some communities pause or remove automated license plate readers over concerns about a surveillance state and data misuse. Child-Safety Settlement: Georgia AG Chris Carr announced a landmark $17.1B multistate Meta settlement requiring major youth-safety changes for Instagram and Facebook, with Missouri expected to receive up to $150M. Missouri Courts: An 8th Circuit ruling upheld a decision keeping a Missouri recreational marijuana sales-tax dispute in state court after class limits removed federal jurisdiction. Agriculture & Prices: Ranchers are pushing back on Trump administration moves to lower beef prices via suspended imports, arguing it could undercut U.S. producers. Community & Growth: Kansas City’s Royals stadium debate adds another twist as city leaders pursue financing that avoids a public vote, while the Royals’ community impact deal sets a $55M floor over the lease.

Surveillance & Privacy: Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley opened a Senate probe into Flock Safety’s AI camera network, asking how the company collects, retains, and shares location-linked data after cities cancel contracts over privacy fears. State Policy Watch: Seventy-six Missouri laws take effect Friday, including tougher penalties for intoxicated driving causing death or injury and new support rules for children of victims. Consumer Protection: Missouri is expected to receive $100M–$150M from a proposed $17.1B multistate Meta settlement over teen social media addiction claims, with new limits and safety changes for minors. Local Economy & Housing: Fayetteville’s Wilson Parkview Condos—redeveloped from a 1948 apartment complex—are now listed as 19 condo units priced around $300,000–$400,000. Public Safety & Community: Camden County reported seizing more than 700 pounds of drugs during the Gathering of the Juggalos. Fraud Trends: BBB Scam Tracker ranks Bridgeton among Missouri cities with rising scam reports, reflecting continued high fraud losses nationwide.

Big Tech Accountability: Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced a landmark $17.1 billion multistate settlement with Meta over alleged addictive design and child-safety failures on Instagram and Facebook. Local Impact: Missouri is set to receive between $100 million and $150 million, with the deal requiring court approval and Meta ordered to add sweeping safety features for kids. What Changes: Reported reforms include tighter teen time limits, overnight access blocks, stronger parental controls, and default protections meant to reduce harmful engagement. Regional Context: The settlement spans 47 other states plus D.C. and U.S. territories, with other states’ shares ranging from tens to hundreds of millions. Community Notes: In Missouri, BBB Scam Tracker data shows Lebanon logged two scam reports in July, down from four in the prior month, with losses tied to online purchase scams. Sports/Community: Scott County 4-H members competed at the National Red Angus Youth Expo, bringing home top placements and team awards.

AI Data Centers Clash: In rural Nebraska, conservative farmers and labor-linked groups are teaming up to slow fast-moving AI data center plans, citing farmland, water, and rising power costs. Local Politics: In Independence, a councilman who backed the Nebius AI project faces a recall election next week after neighbors rallied against the tax breaks. Beef Import Backlash: A Trump administration official refused to say where U.S. beef imports will come from, sparking outrage from Missouri leaders and others. Public Safety & Drugs: Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway pressed Kansas City police commissioners on 7-OH, citing overdose deaths and calls from families; meanwhile, Jackson County prosecutors raised concerns about the state’s self-defense law. Health & Environment: EPA lifted air monitoring requirements at Verona’s BCP Ingredients plant after upgrades cut toxic pollution; Missouri waterways also showed unsafe bacteria levels at most monitored sites. Business & Growth: Fayetteville’s Collier & Associates inked a private-label deal to use Compass International tech, while Rolla joined a rural innovation network tied to Missouri S&T. Community Impact: A Sikeston center secured $130K+ to keep a robotic exoskeleton in therapy programs.

Greenhouse Gas Ruling: A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by Iowa, Missouri and the American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce challenging New York’s mandatory greenhouse gas reporting rules, saying the court lacks personal jurisdiction over the New York officials. Fraud & Courts: Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway says a contractor, Gene M. Matlock, pled guilty to deceptive business practices and stealing, with a combined prison sentence and nearly $192,000 in restitution ordered. Data Centers vs. Farming: In Maryville-area planning, city leaders approved an HDR analysis of wastewater capacity for potential large users like data centers, while opponents at a Nodaway County meeting warned about traffic and impacts to livestock and crops. Public Safety Tech: Clay County’s sheriff’s office says its countywide Avive AED rollout helped save a resident’s life after a sudden collapse, with the device transmitting cardiac data to the hospital. Local Economy Grants: West Plains Bank and Trust partnered with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines to award $368,000 in grants to 10 community projects. Scam Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Orrick and other Missouri cities tied for low July scam-report counts, underscoring ongoing fraud losses nationwide. Education & Healthcare: Springfield’s Cox College campus milestone brings students from multiple schools onto the same renovated site, expanding healthcare education access. Cannabis Labor: Springfield dispensary workers ratified a first union contract, the second in Missouri’s cannabis industry.

Arts & Community: Kansas City’s Historic 18th & Vine District is set for the 4th Annual 18th & Vine Arts Festival, Sept. 25–27, with 100+ visual artists, nine fashion designers, live music and DJs, plus 11+ food trucks and family programming. Tax Policy: A Missouri income-tax repeal amendment was rejected by voters (17% for, 83% against), a result that could shape how other states think about tax changes and constitutional limits. Healthcare & Industry: Curium is preparing for a Novartis radiopharma showdown, arguing its radiopharmaceutical manufacturing experience could help it win a bigger share as demand for prostate cancer therapies grows. Tech & Local Impact: Data center expansion is drawing pushback over power and water strain, with Ralls County in northeast Missouri placing a moratorium and planning a voter say. Agriculture Costs & Politics: Diesel prices are rising into harvest, squeezing farm margins, while Trump’s plan to import up to 300,000 metric tons of ground beef for 90 days sparks anger from Kansas and Missouri ranchers. Public Safety & Scams: Missouri’s BBB Scam Tracker shows Ozark tied for 68th statewide in July scam reports, while local shelters warn of phone scams impersonating the Humane Society. Culture & Loss: Motown songwriter Janie Bradford Hobbs, co-writer of “Money (That’s What I Want),” died at 87.

Jobs & Local Economy: Sapporo USA plans to cut 220 jobs at three Stone Brewing sites in Escondido, with production shifting to Firestone Walker’s Paso Robles brewery and Duvel Moortgat’s Boulevard brewery in Kansas City, Missouri. Education Policy: Stanley County Public School District starts classes today with a new rule banning student cell phone use during the school day, using Yondr bags and an office phone line for emergencies. Missouri Cannabis: Missouri’s final round of marijuana microbusiness licenses is set to draw from nearly 900 applications for 77 licenses, after earlier rounds saw rule changes and revocations. Workplace Rights: Springfield cannabis workers secured Missouri’s second union contract after a four-year wait, bringing wage increases, bonuses, and more time off. Agriculture & Community Training: Missouri’s Jefferson Farm and Garden Extension and Education Center in Columbia will hold a ribbon cutting Aug. 27, expanding hands-on programming for agriculture, gardening, conservation, and workforce development. Culture: Motown early songwriter Janie Bradford Hobbs, a Missouri native and co-writer of “Money (That’s What I Want),” has died at 87.

Local Infrastructure: Public Water Supply District No. 1 in Arnold is buying land to build a second water tower, aiming to start construction next year as it works out storage needs. Public Health: India’s medical research agency says there’s no new H1N1 strain causing panic, noting current seasonal strains have been circulating since 2025 and match vaccine recommendations. Homelessness & Community: Surplus food from the BMW Championship is headed to Gateway180 in downtown St. Louis to support families experiencing homelessness. Politics & Education: Missouri Democratic candidates are pushing for healthcare access, full public school funding, and more transparency around data centers. Agriculture: Kansas and Missouri lawmakers are warning Trump’s plan for tariff-free beef imports could undercut ranchers and cattle producers. Consumer Safety: New BBB Scam Tracker numbers show Missouri cities like St. Louis and Kansas City leading scam reports, with online purchase scams and employment schemes among the most common. Faith & Society: A national analysis finds denominations that ordain women don’t necessarily have more women in their congregations, complicating assumptions about faith and leadership.

Immigration & Labor Clash: The American Federation of Teachers is urging a back-to-school boycott of Target, saying the retailer stayed silent on ICE actions tied to its Minnesota headquarters. Marijuana Licensing: Missouri received nearly 900 applications for the final round of marijuana microbusiness licenses, with a Sept. 9 lottery for 77 spots under tougher rules after prior revocations. Public Safety Tech: St. Charles County police are ending Flock Safety license plate reader use after a former employee allegedly abused search access for personal reasons. Healthcare Costs & Accountability: Abbott Laboratories agreed to pay $670 million to settle claims tied to premature-baby formula and necrotizing enterocolitis, following a prior $495 million Missouri judgment. Local Community Support: United Way of Central Missouri launched the “We Thrive Together” podcast for adolescent mental health and grief support, and a Missouri Child Care Works cost-sharing program is helping families keep working. Scam Watch (Missouri): BBB Scam Tracker shows Trenton logged one scam report in July, while Mexico recorded three. Data Center Politics: St. Louis officials are debating data center rules after a planning commission vote was reportedly disrupted by a late text from an elected official.

Youth Agriculture Fundraiser: Mid-Missouri exhibitors helped raise $385,000 for Youth in Agriculture at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia, with the Best of Missouri Sale bringing $113,000 and the Sale of Champions $271,500. Local Politics & Public Trust: A St. Louis data center policy fight is roiling city hall after a planning commission vote to tighten rules was followed by a late, behind-the-scenes text request that left the meeting chaotic and the identity of the official unclear. Healthcare & Courts: Abbott Laboratories is back in the spotlight with a $670 million rebooted settlement tied to infant formula litigation, including Missouri-related claims tied to NEC allegations. Music Legacy: Missouri-born Motown songwriter Janie Bradford Hobbs—co-writer of “Money (That’s What I Want)”—died at 87 after an extended illness. Community Safety Grants: State Farm’s Good Neighbor program awarded $10,000 grants to multiple Missouri volunteer fire departments for firefighter safety equipment. Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker reports show Maryville and other Missouri cities tied for elevated scam-report rankings in July, underscoring ongoing consumer losses.

Missouri Politics & Health: The Missouri State Medical Association is making a major splash in state elections, splitting $1.5 million into two new PACs and backing limits on prior authorization and changes to Medicaid managed care. Consumer Protection: The FTC is seeking public comment on a new policy targeting “personalized pricing,” warning companies they could violate the law if they use personal data to set higher prices without clear notice. Local Public Safety: Five Missouri volunteer fire departments are among State Farm’s Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program grant recipients, each getting $10,000 for responder safety equipment. Community & Fraud Watch: Rockaway Beach, Mo., reported one scam in July and tied for 68th statewide in BBB Scam Tracker reports, as Missouri cities continue to rack up losses tied to online purchase schemes. Missouri Culture: Early Motown songwriter Janie Bradford Hobbs, born in Charleston, Missouri, and co-writer of “Money (That’s What I Want),” has died at 87 in Los Angeles. Education: Carthage R-9’s board approved routine business, including district policies, finances, and its 2026-27 assessment plan.

Alzheimer’s Breakthrough: The FDA cleared a new blood test, PrecivityAD2, developed with Washington University in St. Louis, to help detect Alzheimer’s earlier and guide care. Walmart Payments: Walmart will finally accept Apple Pay and other tap-to-pay options starting Aug. 24 in select stores, with Missouri not listed in the first rollout schedule. Kansas City Stadium Funding: KCMO released details on how it plans to pay its share of the Royals downtown stadium, including a tax increment financing plan and a possible 1% sales tax in a community improvement district. Local Roads: MoDOT scheduled overnight access changes for south Bob Griffin Road in Cameron for drainage pipe repairs, with more Northwest Missouri work planned Aug. 24-30. Public Safety & Schools: Maryville will replace a swing set after an insurance audit, and districts across Missouri are preparing for the new school year amid staffing and enrollment pressures. Health & Courts: Abbott agreed to pay $670M to settle about 2,000 infant formula lawsuits, including a Missouri case tied to a St. Louis jury award.

Youth Drug Prevention: Missouri prevention coalitions are teaming up for a statewide August media push, “Be Under Your Own Influence,” aimed at reducing teen alcohol, tobacco, prescription misuse, and other drug use through strengths-based messaging. Food Safety: A wave of recalls is hitting Missouri shoppers, from jalapeños, guacamole, and salsa tied to salmonella to other recent alerts affecting eggs and more—check dates and discard recalled items. Local Fraud Watch: Hermitage is tied for 68th in Missouri for July scam reports, with one report logged, as BBB Scam Tracker continues to track online purchase and refund scams. State Fair & Community: The Missouri State Fair runs through Sunday in Sedalia, with major nights featuring big-name acts and agriculture-focused programming. Education & Jobs: SEMO and Missouri S&T are launching a streamlined engineering pathway so students can complete early coursework in Cape Girardeau before continuing at Rolla. Business & Health: Abbott is settling thousands of infant formula-related NEC cases for about $670 million, while the SBA is offering disaster loans for Webster County storm recovery.

Court & Health: Missouri’s appeals court upheld a new-trial order in an infant formula lawsuit tied to necrotizing enterocolitis, while Abbott agreed to a $670 million settlement covering claims by about 2,000 people over preterm formulas. Local Safety & Privacy: Kansas City-area residents are pushing back on Flock automated license plate readers as cases of tampering and privacy worries grow; in Missouri, Wellsville is covering its Flock cameras after community concerns. Education Funding: A Missouri lawmaker says sports-betting revenue isn’t a real “windfall” for schools because it’s being used to replace existing education funding. Public Accountability: A Pulaski County behavioral health facility faces a lawsuit alleging systemic sexual abuse of children under its care. Weather: Severe storms hit Calloway County with damaging winds, heavy rain, and a tornado warning for parts of the area. Community & Culture: National Park Week spotlights Missouri River events, and Springfield’s Renew Jordan Creek phase 1 is nearing completion. Economy & Jobs: A Kearney building products facility plans permanent layoffs of 60+ employees this fall. Agriculture: USDA expanded emergency haying and grazing options on CRP acres for wildfire-affected livestock producers.