AGP Executive Report

Buc-ee’s Push in Iowa: Urbandale rejected a land-use amendment for the state’s first Buc-ee’s, and now other cities are pitching the mega travel stop, including West Des Moines, Norwalk, Colfax and Bondurant. Local Education: Crescent’s Red Barn Schoolhouse is preparing to open in a former elementary building, using a nature-focused charter model and starting in a temporary space before moving into a permanent site. Public Health: Measles continues to spread in the region, with Wisconsin reporting 136 cases and Iowa County among those affected, prompting renewed calls for MMR vaccination and exposure reporting. Iowa Politics & Agriculture: Iowa’s congressional delegation signed onto a letter to President Trump warning about headwinds for cattle producers as market intervention threatens family operations. Community & Safety: Council Bluffs police arrested a Des Moines man in an online “child predator” operation, charging him with sexual exploitation of a minor and related counts. Sports Spotlight: Nielsen ranks Des Moines/Ames among the nation’s top college football media markets, underscoring strong local fandom.

Election Reform: A letter argues Iowa’s primaries should be open to independents and backed by ranked-choice voting, saying current rules can leave winners without majority support. Politics & Power: Another letter warns Republicans could be hurt in midterms by fallout from the Iran war and broader questions about party competence. Iowa Health: Iowa measles cases rose to 22, with officials urging vaccination and exposure reporting. Public Safety: A house fire in Florence, Iowa Street, killed one person; the cause is under investigation. Local Environment: Fenelon Place Elevator Company is bringing in about 30 goats to clear invasive plants on its hillside for the second time. Arts & Culture: Waterloo’s Katie and the Honky Tonks released “Last Call Lies,” their first new single since last year’s breakout album. Community & Education: Union Community School District finished phase one of SAVE-funded facility upgrades, including parking lots, ADA door stoops, and playground resurfacing. Sports: Barbe’s defense shut out Iowa in the second half to win 42-15 in a season opener; Iowa State volleyball also notched a four-set win over UCSB.

College Football Kickoff: Week 1 is here with a full slate of ranked matchups, plus betting-focused previews and player props—one highlight: Keelon Russell over 228.5 passing yards. Iowa Sports Spotlight: Iowa football alum Sedrick Shaw will serve as honorary captain for Saturday’s opener vs. Northern Illinois at Kinnick. Weather & Agriculture: The U.S. Drought Monitor shows about 31% of Iowa in drought or abnormal dryness, with moderate drought in 19% of the state; meanwhile, farmers and ranchers are dealing with mounting uncertainty tied to trade and beef import decisions. Health Access in Rural Iowa: A new report highlights how rural mothers with risky pregnancies can be far from care as more labor-and-delivery units close. Politics & Housing: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand says cutting red tape and speeding inspections could lower housing costs, and he’s pushing changes to zoning and ADUs. Courts: An Iowa man’s “Pokémon Professor” lawsuit was dismissed by a federal judge as a “completely frivolous waste.” Education: Iowa’s Department of Education is seeking public feedback on proposed achievement levels for the state’s new summative assessment.

Workforce & Small Business: Sen. Chuck Grassley highlights a new Workforce Pell Grant push, saying Iowa is the first recipient and that short-term training can help close the skills gap. Public Health: Iowa officials warn about kratom—especially synthetic 7-OH—after confirmed deaths, urging people to avoid products sold at convenience stores and smoke shops. Health & Safety: University of Iowa lays out heat-safety steps for the Sept. 5 opener, including refillable water bottles, cooling areas, and extra medical staffing. Environment & Outdoors: Iowa DNR reports the state’s pheasant population is the second-highest in over a decade, and Mason City finishes removing 2,816 ash trees after its emerald ash borer fight. Iowa Politics: Iowa Auditor Rob Sand holds a Southeast Iowa town hall, pitching term limits, anti-corruption rules, and accountability reforms. Local Growth: Urbandale’s Buc-ee’s bid was rejected, and other Iowa cities are now competing to host the store. Sports: Newton girls win the Marshalltown Early Bird Invitational; Drake shuts out Milwaukee 2-0; Iowa football gameday procedures focus on beating the heat.

Heat Safety at Kinnick: Iowa Athletics is expanding heat protections for Saturday’s Hawkeyes vs. Northern Illinois opener, letting fans bring unlimited sealed water bottles and empty refillable bottles, with 4,000 refills handed out at gates A, B and M, plus added cooling first-aid areas and on-site University of Iowa Health Care staff. Education Savings: Iowa Treasurer Roby Smith announced a third fee cut for the ISave 529 plan, dropping the account fee to 0.15% (effective Sept. 1) to help families keep more money for college and training. Health Policy Poll: A new American Cancer Society poll finds 65% of likely Iowans back a cigarette tax increase tied to prevention programs, with Iowa candidates split on how to fund addiction-fighting. Agriculture & Water Quality: Secretary Mike Naig says Greater Des Moines Watershed cover-crop enrollment topped 300,000 acres this fall in state cost-share programs, with signups continuing through Sept. 9. Local Storm Damage: Hull customers saw outages after late Tuesday storms with 70-mph winds and hail; power was fully restored by Wednesday morning. Sports Preview: K-State soccer heads to Iowa City unbeaten after a scoreless test vs. Nebraska, while Iowa enters with a strong early scoring start.

Kratom Crackdown: Gov. Kim Reynolds and Iowa health and public safety leaders warned that kratom and synthetic 7‑OH products are driving rising overdoses and deaths, calling for a total statewide ban as officials cite 45 kratom-associated deaths since 2024 and a sharp jump in poison control calls. College Football Spotlight: Iowa still hasn’t named a starting quarterback ahead of its opener vs. Northern Illinois, with Kirk Ferentz saying both Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski will play while the decision could come as late as Friday. Local Sports Roundup: Centerville’s Mack Murdock helped the Big Reds bounce back with a 40-7 win over Knoxville, while Iowa high school football also saw a game canceled due to low numbers and injuries. Health & Community: A new perinatal care investment aims to support Iowa mothers dealing with mental health concerns, and Burlington honored retiring K-9 Rico after years of drug and gun finds. Agriculture & Energy: An EPA decision granting renewable-fuel exemptions to small refineries is raising concerns among Iowa biofuel leaders about potential ripple effects for ethanol and farm demand.

Kratom warning: Gov. Kim Reynolds and state health and public safety officials say kratom and concentrated synthetic 7‑OH products are driving a sharp rise in harm, including 45 confirmed deaths since 2024 and 16 in the first seven months of 2026, urging Iowans to avoid the products and call 9‑1‑1 if overdose signs appear. Health care costs: The University of Iowa Health Care bought Mission Cancer + Blood for $280 million, and a report says the deal led to higher patient bills after switching to UIHC hospital-based billing. Consumer protection: Iowa regulators warned about a new insurance scam targeting people seeking insurance producer licenses, then using credentials to generate unauthorized policies. Politics & public health: In the 1st District race, Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Christina Bohannan are both pushing cancer-focused plans as Iowa’s cancer rates climb. Local government: Davenport City Council will consider a $397,500 settlement tied to alleged discrimination and retaliation by a former assistant city attorney. Sports (Iowa): Iowa football opens Sept. 5 vs. Northern Illinois, with the quarterback battle still unresolved. Education: Drake is ranked No. 1 in Iowa by Time’s America’s Best Colleges. Outdoors: Iowa’s special September teal season runs Sept. 5–13, and DNR urges hunters to scout wetland conditions.

West Des Moines Infrastructure: Construction has started on the $146 million Southwest Mixmaster renovation, including overnight closures and a new flyover bridge to reroute traffic and reduce the “zipper merge” bottleneck. Iowa Politics & Health Costs: An Iowa cancer patient is pushing candidates to address drug prices after paying about $5,000 for medication, with governor hopefuls offering competing plans to lower costs. Big Tech Accountability: Iowa and Nebraska joined a multi-state lawsuit with the FTC accusing Amazon of secretly inflating ad auction prices, potentially costing businesses tens of billions. Public Health Watch: Measles cases are rising in Wisconsin counties near Dubuque, prompting clinics and reminders for vaccination in the region. Local Animal Policy: Cedar Rapids unveiled a “community cat” policy aimed at allowing care for outdoor cats through organized efforts. Education & Safety: A terrorism threat charge was filed against an Iowa man after an alleged call to a school board member tied to a vote blocking a transgender music teacher. Sports (Iowa): Iowa football released its first depth chart with the QB battle still unresolved, while Iowa State opened the season with a depth chart listing Aiden Flora as the starting RB. Community & Culture: Iowa Vintage Fest brought more than 50 vendors to North Grand Mall, turning the shopping strip into a weekend treasure hunt.

Waterfowl & Public Access: Iowa DNR plans to expand the waterfowl refuge at Riverton WMA, including removing a crop field and closing an access road during duck season to cut disturbance. Public Safety: A person died after an early-morning house fire in Burlington; investigators ruled it an accident. Agriculture: USDA reports Iowa corn at 77% good-to-excellent as harvest nears, with soybeans also rated 77% good-to-excellent. Mental Health Workforce: Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences will host a Psychiatry for Non-Psychiatrists CME conference in October, with an option to attend by Zoom. Education & Jobs: Goodwill of the Heartland launches Healthcare Career Connections, a free three-week program starting Oct. 19 in Davenport, plus Kirkwood’s job-shadow applications open for students in seven eastern Iowa counties. Local Health & Mobility: Quad Cities groups kick off “Ride Safe ‘N Smart” to promote safer e-bike and scooter use on sidewalks and trails. Corrections: Iowa DOC announced the death of Fort Madison inmate Richard Thomas Steltzer, 82, serving a life sentence for kidnapping and rape. Courts: Iowa Supreme Court will hear arguments Sept. 15 in a case tied to a Dordt University COVID vaccine exemption. Sports (Iowa): Iowa football releases its first depth chart for the Northern Illinois opener, with the QB job still split between Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski.

Hot Car Death Sentencing: A Bondurant-area mother who left her 3-year-old to die in a hot car while she napped, then lied to police, was sentenced to two years for involuntary manslaughter. Immigration Court Fight: A University of Iowa law professor helped a Nigerian man and his wife win U.S. citizenship after a naturalization ceremony was abruptly canceled under new restrictions. Meta Settlement Dollars: Iowa’s share of the Meta Facebook/Instagram settlement is expected to be about $136 million, with payments split across years; Iowa AG Brenna says the money isn’t the main point. Local Public Safety: Bettendorf police say the district already logged six school bus safety violations in the first week, with citations coming. Veterans Services: Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter won a $1.3M federal grant to expand columbarium wall space for growing demand. Sports—Football & Beyond: Iowa high school football Week 1 standout stats were released; Iowa State volleyball opened with wins after a loss; and Iowa field hockey notched a big ACC Challenge win over North Carolina. Iowa Sports—College Football Notes: Iowa’s punting job is in play with a Waukee transfer and an Australian competitor. Community & Culture: Orchestra Iowa will bring “Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert” to Cedar Rapids’ Veterans Memorial Stadium in June 2027.

U.S. Senate Race: U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse backed Josh Turek at the Polk County Steak Fry in Des Moines, arguing Iowa needs a “check” on Trump-era appointments, plus term limits for Supreme Court justices and lawmakers. Local Politics: The same event drew nearly 700 Iowans and featured a broader push for turnout, with Republican leaders warning the November fight will hinge on who actually shows up. Health & Courts: An Iowa nonprofit director, Jodi Dyan Spargur-Tate, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for a $426,837 fraud scheme tied to Children and Families of Iowa. Consumer Oddity: A Hy-Vee shopper sparked a viral debate after finding “unknown meat” with claws in the freezer aisle—viewers speculated it was alligator. Sports: Iowa volleyball opened with a 3-0 sweep at the Black Knight Invitational, while Iowa State fell to Georgia Tech 3-0 at home. Arts: Orchestra Iowa announced “Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert” at Cedar Rapids’ Veterans Memorial Stadium in June 2027.

Iowa Politics: At the Polk County Steak Fry, Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful Josh Turek drew national firepower and pushed term limits for Supreme Court justices and lawmakers, while Republicans warned turnout will decide November. U.S. Senate Race: In Clive, Sen. Ted Cruz backed Ashley Hinson and framed the contest as a fight against “Marxists and Islamists,” as Iowa’s Senate race stays a toss-up. Des Moines & Statehouse Watch: Chuck Grassley shared recent Iowa meetings and tech/manufacturing oversight updates, from student Q&As to a 3M tour in Ames. Local Sports: Drake opened men’s college soccer with a 2-0 win over Wartburg, while Iowa Western shut out Highland 71-0. High School Football/Volleyball: Week 1 highlights rolled in, including Dowling Catholic’s 21-0 win and an outdoor volleyball showcase at Valley Stadium. Health & Community: United for Cures unveiled a Cedar Rapids mural urging support for medical research funding. Weather: A new First Warns heat wave is underway, with hotter days expected through midweek.

U.S. Senate Race: Iowa’s November Senate contest is framed around affordability and taxes, with Republican Ashley Hinson and Democrat Josh Turek both pitching cost-of-living fixes as the seat is rated a “toss up.” State Politics: Democrat Rob Sand is trying to win over independent voters in the governor’s race with a less partisan, town-hall-heavy approach. Federal Policy/World: The U.S. Treasury announced its first “secondary” Iran sanctions, targeting an Egyptian bank’s UAE branches and cutting off access to U.S. dollars. Local Governance: Grassley held a roundtable with Iowa and tribal law enforcement leaders, focusing on mental health resources and public safety funding. Sports (Iowa): No. 11 Iowa field hockey rallied from a 3-goal deficit to beat No. 7 Wake Forest in overtime. Weather: Morning storms move out by afternoon, with highs near the upper 80s today and low storm chances lingering into early next week.

Sports: Iowa women’s field hockey opened with a win, rallying for an overtime victory over No. 7 Wake Forest. Local Schools: North Polk students got a Friday off after the first week, with the district using a four-day week to give teachers time to reset plans. Politics/Public Safety: Sen. Chuck Grassley joined Iowa law enforcement leaders for a roundtable in Toledo, focusing on mental health resources, federal public safety funding, and support for officers. Community: Oelwein Rotary’s “true Iowan’s evening” drew 350+ people for a pork chop and sweet corn feed, raising money for scholarships and youth programs. Iowa Tech/Business: DataVizion is moving to a new Des Moines office to support growth. Entertainment: North Des Moines has a weekend lineup including a Knights of Columbus fish fry at St. Luke the Evangelist.

Nursing Discipline: The Iowa Board of Nursing sanctioned multiple nurses, including a Remsen LPN (Danette Weiler) tied to alleged patient-care failures and medication issues at a Sioux City crisis center, plus other cases involving theft and indecent exposure. Education Policy: Iowa is rolling out a new civics graduation requirement for the Class of 2027: students must score at least 12 correct out of 20 on a U.S. citizenship-style test, with retakes allowed until they pass. Local Budgets: Cities across Iowa are preparing for budget season under the state’s new property tax law, with officials warning the 2% cap on general fund revenue growth could mean fewer services even if bills don’t spike the same way. Utilities: The Iowa Utilities Commission ordered a permanent natural gas rate reduction for IPL customers, citing issues with how certain costs were handled and how returns compared to projections. Public Health & Safety: The DNR says swimming isn’t recommended at 16 Iowa beaches after recent water quality testing found elevated contaminants. Tech & Kids: Iowa is set to receive nearly $126.5 million over a decade from a $17 billion Meta settlement tied to claims the platforms harmed children, including changes aimed at limiting teen access overnight.

Local Safety: Ottumwa police say a driver hit a juvenile pedestrian with a truck near Albia Road and Minneopa Avenue, then left the scene; the child is expected to recover and the district shared drop-off and crosswalk reminders for families. Privacy & Training: Albia Police will host a free “Revealing the Lens” workshop on hidden cameras and personal privacy rights, with two sessions Sept. 13 at the chamber. Child Safety Online: Sen. Chuck Grassley’s Big Tech probe is credited with prompting more “actionable” child-exploitation reports to the CyberTipline, according to NCMEC. State Money Basics: Iowa’s Department of Insurance and Financial Services offered tips for college families on insurance coverage and who pays what, including renters and car insurance discounts. Community & History: Tama County Historical Society received a state grant to preserve local newspaper records via microfilm. Sports: South Dakota Mines opened its season with a 38-35 upset over Drake, and Iowa-area football and soccer coverage continues to roll in.