AGP Executive Report

Housing & Cost Pressures: New federal data show public housing households in Missouri counties with widely varying incomes and rent burdens, including Vernon ($15,650 income; $335 rent), Saline ($19,101; $351), Lawrence ($26,084; $441), Ste. Genevieve ($20,759; $383), Cooper ($22,256; $397), and Greene ($14,695; $333). Local Business & Energy: Gas prices stayed volatile but eased in spots: Dallas County’s lowest E15 hit $3.27 (week ending Aug. 8), while diesel lows ranged from Jasper ($4.49) to Cedar ($4.59) and Shannon ($4.79). Consumer Scams: Aurora logged one BBB Scam Tracker report in July (phishing tied to “unfreezing” money), as Missouri’s scam totals remain a concern statewide. Public Safety: Kansas City police are investigating a homicide after a man, 40-year-old Angelo D. Jones, died from gunshot trauma near Main St. Community & Growth: A Trenton-area meeting weighed data-center impacts on utilities, zoning and infrastructure, with officials saying key questions remain unanswered. Workforce & Health: Forbes named Mercy among top employers in Missouri and Arkansas.

Telehealth Growth: Kansas City’s OmniRx Health says it has topped 10,000 subscribers and expanded its virtual primary care service to 44 licensed states, aiming to cut wait times and geography barriers with 24/7 provider chat and monthly check-ins. Food Safety Recall: Walmart is pulling more than 3,000 Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits in 29 states, including Missouri, after possible Listeria contamination; no illnesses were confirmed. Public Health Watch: The Midwest remains on flood alert after heavy storms, with Indiana and Ohio hit hardest and Missouri included in flood watches. Consumer Alerts: Regulators also warned shoppers to check Schwarzkopf hair mousse sold in Missouri due to an explosion-risk packaging defect, triggering a voluntary recall. Missouri Business Climate: A Census Bureau snapshot shows Missouri collected $2.3B in selective sales and gross receipts taxes in 2024, part of $17.8B total state tax collections. Local Crime: Kansas City police are investigating another homicide after a man died from gunshot trauma near Main Street; detectives are seeking tips.

Kansas City Crime: Police are investigating a homicide after a man, 40-year-old Angelo D. Jones, was found shot inside a business on Main St. just before 11:45 p.m. Friday; an adult male subject of interest left on foot, and detectives are asking for tips with a reward up to $25,000. Public Housing Watch: Missouri’s HUD-backed housing picture stays mixed across counties: Ste. Genevieve and Dent are at 100% and 99% occupancy respectively, while St. Louis city sits at 76% and Greene County drops to 82%. Scam Tracker: BBB reports show Missouri cities still seeing fraud losses—Kansas City (46 reports) and St. Louis (87) lead statewide, while Columbia jumped to 14 reports in July. Fuel Prices: GasBuddy data finds diesel deals in Crawford County at $4.69 (week ending Aug. 8) and midgrade gas in Cass County at $3.82, underscoring ongoing price swings. Healthcare Leadership: Essentia Health named Jason Craig executive vice president of administration and operations, tasking him with overseeing system operations and access to care. Local Housing Development: Hannibal is partnering with SMDB Land to flip 25–30 city-owned lots into affordable rental homes for low-income families.

Food Safety Watch: The FDA upgraded an egg recall to the highest risk level after salmonella sickened dozens across multiple states, and Walmart also pulled Marketside tomato bisque soup kits in 29 states over possible listeria contamination. Public Health: Hawaii confirmed its 5th cyclosporiasis case in 2026, while Missouri health officials say the outbreak has reached about 1,500 cases statewide, pushing more shoppers toward farmers markets. Outbreak Investigation: FDA and CDC teams are inspecting Taylor Farms’ Mexico facility as the cyclosporiasis probe continues, with traceback still pointing to shredded iceberg lettuce. Missouri Business & Jobs: TTi Logistics expanded St. Louis operations with a second 110,000-square-foot Earth City warehouse to boost warehousing and cross-docking capacity. Community & Local Economy: Heartland Resources received a $20,000 grant to expand meals and in-home care for seniors in northeast Missouri, and the LemonDrop Foundation got $20,000 to grow cancer support. Infrastructure: MoDOT announced asphalt overlay work that will reduce lanes on Route CC in Pemiscot County starting Aug. 24.

Kansas City Crime: Police are investigating a fatal shooting at a business in the 3900 block of Main St.; a 40-year-old man, Angelo D. Jones, died after being found with gunshot trauma and an adult male left on foot before officers arrived. Food Safety: Walmart-linked recalls keep expanding: a Maryland firm recalled 3,240 Marketside tomato bisque soup kits in 29 states over possible Listeria, and the broader cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to recalled shredded lettuce has now reached 13,895 confirmed U.S. cases, with FDA inspections underway in Mexico. Trade & Logistics: PakNext Inc says it has rebuilt parcel intake and documentation to match new CBP entry rules for low-value imports ahead of an Oct. 22 compliance date. Energy & Cost of Living: GasBuddy reports show E85 and midgrade prices varying by county, with Benton County’s lowest E85 at $2.49/gal and Randolph County’s lowest midgrade at $3.96/gal for the week ending Aug. 8. Housing Numbers (HUD): Several Missouri counties reported stable HUD public housing totals in 2025, including Phelps (150), Chariton (30), and Wright (236), while Jasper County saw a sharp drop in public housing units. Business & Growth: Silver Dollar City unveiled its 2027 family coaster, Miner’s Mountain Express, as part of a $150 million investment.

Missouri Politics & Labor: Labor and progressive groups launched a $1M push to flip a Missouri legislative seat, aiming to reverse GOP momentum after paid-leave and minimum-wage fights. Consumer Safety: The FDA announced a nationwide recall of Schwarzkopf Professional hair mousse due to a can-pressure defect that could cause explosions; Walmart also pulled a Marketside tomato bisque soup kit over possible listeria contamination. Higher Ed & Workforce: Missouri Western and North Central Missouri College set presidential/provost interviews as Ph.D. admissions fell 15% nationwide, with international applications down sharply. Local Business & Growth: The Acoustic Shoppe in Springfield hit the Inc. 5000 list (No. 3,211), while Kid City USA in Lee’s Summit abruptly closes, leaving families scrambling for childcare. Energy & Infrastructure: Ameren crews work to restore power after storms in Cape Girardeau, and Kirksville begins overnight downtown street improvements next week. Public Safety: Kansas City police investigate another homicide on Main Street; senators opened a child-safety investigation into Roblox. Sports & Community: Travis Kelce says Chiefs camp is his “sanctuary,” and the Bears’ relocation talk keeps circling Hammond, Ind.

Food Safety: Whole Foods expanded its recall tied to a jalapeño-linked salmonella outbreak, adding more prepared foods after Taylor Farms’ earlier pull; CDC says at least 340 people in 27 states have been sickened, with 36 hospitalized. Local Business & Growth: Marsh McLennan Agency agreed to acquire Iowa’s Accel Holdings, expanding its insurance and advisory footprint across Iowa, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas. Utilities & Infrastructure: Missouri DNR awarded Springfield’s City Utilities a $3 million grant for pole/transformer replacements and vegetation management, with a project expected to cost about $4.5 million over four years. Housing & City Services: Kansas City tenants at North Lawn Apartments launched a rent strike over unresolved conditions and an ownership change, after the city approved up to $500,000 for repairs. Public Finance: State Auditor Fitzpatrick found no fraud in Willard’s finances but flagged severe water-system losses and management issues. Consumer Watch: Henkel recalled Schwarzkopf Professional Osis hair mousse in multiple states due to a packaging defect that can cause cans to leak and potentially explode. Crime: Kansas City police are investigating a homicide after a man was found shot in the 3900 block of Main. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports the lowest St. Louis city regular price hit $3.38 per gallon in the week ending Aug. 8.

Education & Workforce: Mountain Home Public Schools told its board every junior will take ACT WorkKeys next year, with district certification rates rising from 75% (2023-24) to 92% last year. School Safety Spending: Searcy School District is installing 183 classroom safe shelters at four schools, funded by a 2025 voter-approved millage extension, with the project coming in at about $4.7 million. Local Business & Community: Kirksville’s chamber is lining up August ribbon cuttings, a mobile imaging expansion, and student welcome events plus a sports cards expo. Economic Development & Data Centers: Nodaway County residents are reacting as two more companies explore land for small-scale data center projects, though names and locations aren’t yet public. Food Safety: Whole Foods recalled 45 jalapeño-containing dips and prepared foods across 12 states, tied to a Coast Citrus Distributors jalapeño recall; no illnesses reported. Utilities & Regulation: Missouri’s PSC approved agreements in Spire’s accounting authority case and Timber Creek Sewer’s rate case, setting new sewer charges for Platte and Clay County customers. AI Oversight: Missouri lawmakers are drafting protections and an evaluation framework to help communities vet AI infrastructure, including data centers’ electricity and water impacts. Public Safety: Kansas City police are investigating another homicide after a shooting on Main Street left a 40-year-old man dead.

Lottery Fever: Powerball hit $1 billion for Wednesday’s drawing, with a $433.1 million cash option and tickets now drawing interest beyond the U.S. Missouri Tax Policy: Voters rejected Amendment 5, keeping Missouri’s income tax structure intact and raising concerns about sales-tax expansion. Public Safety & Crime: Kansas City police are investigating a fatal shooting at a Main Street business; investigators say a person of interest left on foot. Local Business & Growth: World Fresh Market opened in Kansas City’s Northland, reviving a long-vacant Chouteau Trafficway site. Community Services: Camdenton will dedicate the first Safe Haven Baby Box in Camden County next week. Consumer Watch: Henkel recalled Schwarzkopf Osis Grip Extra Strong Mousse due to a packaging defect that could leak or explode. Energy Watch: GasBuddy reports the lowest Howard County midgrade price at $4.24 for the week ending Aug. 1. Business Expansion: Clean Harbors plans to buy EnviroServe for $470M, expanding recycling and disposal capacity.

Kansas City Public Safety: Police are investigating a new homicide in the 3900 block of Main St.; a 40-year-old man, Angelo D. Jones, died after being found with gunshot trauma and a person of interest left on foot. Local Contracting & Business Climate: KCMO City Council is moving to repeal and replace its 45-year-old Minority and Women Business Enterprise program with a small-business-focused system, after a federal lawsuit challenged the MWBE approach. Energy & Permitting: Liberty’s planning commission recommended denying a proposed 200-megawatt lithium-ion battery storage facility; the final call goes to City Council. AI Policy in Missouri: A bipartisan Missouri House group outlined upcoming guardrails for AI infrastructure and use, plus a community evaluation framework for data centers, with bills slated for January 2027. Agriculture & Dairy: The July federal milk price fell to $15.52/cwt for Class III and $18.34/cwt for Class IV, both down year over year. Consumer Watch: BBB Scam Tracker shows Savannah tied for 14th in Missouri for June scam reports, with phishing the most common type. Public Health: Missouri cyclosporiasis cases are still above 1,500 but the daily addition rate appears to be slowing.

Food Safety: Taylor Fresh Foods recalled jalapeño-containing prepared products (including salsa, taco dip, pico de gallo and guacamole) after a multistate Salmonella outbreak tied to jalapeños from Coast Citrus Distributors; the FDA/CDC probe has reached 27 states with 345 illnesses reported. Public Health Spillover: The earlier cyclospora/iceberg lettuce scare continues to ripple through produce sourcing and consumer behavior, with farmers reporting demand shifts and officials urging thorough washing. Consumer Fraud: Missouri ranked 16th for BBB scam reports in July with 486 cases and $293,186 in reported losses, with online purchase scams the most common. Energy & Costs: Diesel prices eased in Missouri’s weekly GasBuddy reports, including Henry County’s lowest diesel at $4.89; statewide averages remain above last year. Infrastructure & Growth: Grundy County will hold a joint meeting with Trenton on Aug. 14 to discuss data center development and local infrastructure capacity. Local Business/Jobs: Tractor Supply plans to close 74 Petsense pet stores as it trims underperforming locations and reallocates resources. Crime: Kansas City police are investigating a homicide after a man was shot near 3900 block of Main and later died. Trade & Military Ties: Gov. Kehoe’s Panama trip highlighted Missouri agriculture and National Guard partnerships tied to the Panama Canal and cyber security.

Powerball Jackpot: Powerball climbed to an estimated $905 million for Monday’s drawing, with a cash option of $391.9 million; winning numbers for Aug. 10 were 6-54-64-55-37, Powerball 10, Power Play 3x. Missouri Courts & Health Policy: A federal judge dismissed legal challenges to South Dakota’s 340B drug discount law, a ruling that could ripple for rural healthcare financing. Local Business & Growth: St. Louis County held a public hearing on proposed data center regulations, with many residents urging a moratorium; Springfield Innovation added three new board directors. Missouri Economy & Infrastructure: MoDOT outlined more road work and lane closures, including Route T/Veterans Memorial Parkway changes in Foristell and an I-229 off-ramp left-turn lane closure in St. Joseph. Legal Fight Over Contracts: Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway asked a judge to temporarily block Kansas City’s MWBE contracting program. Community & Safety: Unionville’s power was fully restored after a major storm; Dent County Route B reopened after Dry Creek Bridge repairs. Consumer Watch: BBB warned Missouri consumers about a $300 gas and grocery voucher scam. Sports Business: Royals stadium plans move forward, but a Kansas City workers’ rights group is pushing for a public vote.

Food Safety & Recalls: Taylor Farms recalled jalapeño products tied to a Salmonella outbreak, with FDA/CDC alerts expanding to multiple retailers including Walmart, Target, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods across 26 states. Local Courts & Business Access: Missouri’s appeals court reversed a New Haven alley access dispute, sending a case back after ruling a trial court misread how a store owner’s truck deliveries differed from public use. State Economic Development: A new Missouri law in St. Louis creates an angel tax credit program (available now) and an innovation district payroll-recapture framework, but full rollout depends on state rulemaking that could stretch into 2027. Infrastructure & Construction: MoDOT scheduled seal coat work in Marion and Ralls counties starting Aug. 24 and set a 60-day Clark Lane closure in Columbia for a roundabout, with through traffic rerouted. Regional Growth: Southeast Missouri and Perry County economic development groups signed an agreement to coordinate recruitment and marketing through July 2027. Energy Watch: GasBuddy reported lowest diesel prices in Wright County at $4.69 (week ending Aug. 1), while Missouri’s diesel average rose to $4.84. Agriculture Trade: Sen. Eric Schmitt and Rep. Jason Smith urged more trade markets for U.S. agriculture as farmers face high input costs and low commodity prices. Lottery: Powerball climbed to an estimated $905M for Monday’s drawing. Small Business Relief: SBA approved drought-related low-interest Economic Injury Disaster loans for eligible Missouri counties, with applications due March 29, 2027.

Food Safety & Recalls: A Salmonella outbreak tied to fresh jalapeños has triggered recalls of at least 18 ready-to-eat meat and poultry products, with major retailers including Walmart and Whole Foods among those affected; Missouri is listed in distribution. Retail & Consumer Spending: Missouri’s tax-free weekend is boosting back-to-school shopping, driving higher foot traffic for at least one St. Louis-area resale retailer. Local Courts: Webster Groves Municipal Court’s “show cause” hearing has been delayed to Aug. 14 after concerns about warrant handling, reporting, finances, and court independence. Business & Industry: Brewer Science completed its acquisition of Heraeus Epurio’s semiconductor chemicals business, aiming to strengthen supply-chain control for ultrapure materials. Economic Development: HOMEBANK awarded $322,000 in grants across Missouri, including support for a Kirksville cancer center and Knox County senior housing. Public Safety: Kansas City police are investigating a fatal shooting on Main Street; detectives are seeking tips. Gaming & Sovereignty: The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation sued the Kansas Lottery over ticket sales and gaming machines on its reservation, arguing sovereignty and federal gaming rules were violated. Energy & Infrastructure: Missouri gas prices vary by county, with GasBuddy reporting some of the lowest midgrade and regular prices in the state during the week ending Aug. 1.

Local Crime: Kansas City police are investigating a fatal shooting at a business on the 3900 block of Main Street; a 40-year-old man, Angelo D. Jones, died after being found with gunshot trauma and an adult male subject of interest left on foot. Economic Development: Springfield City Council will hold a second reading on extending its USL professional soccer feasibility work through the end of 2027, with added costs coming from the city manager’s contingency fund. Business & Agriculture: Honey Rock Cattle Co. in Sarcoxie joined the American Angus Association, aligning with the group’s genetics and marketing programs. Public Finance/Jobs: Jefferson City named Shelby Convery as its new finance director, overseeing budgeting, payroll, procurement and IT. Retail Expansion: Costco confirmed a new Lee’s Summit, Missouri, location opening this August. Food Safety: A new FDA report adds detail to the Taylor Farms lettuce recall tied to potential Cyclospora contamination, naming additional retailers and food-service removals. Consumer Watch: GasBuddy data shows Laclede County’s lowest premium price at $4.27 for the week ending Aug. 1, with Missouri premium averaging $4.53.

USDA & Georgia Meat Markets: Georgia joined the USDA Cooperative Interstate Shipment program, letting state-inspected meat processors ship across state lines while keeping food-safety oversight—now 11 states participate. Public Health: Missouri health officials are tracking the growing Cyclospora outbreak after recalls tied to lettuce and other produce; residents are urged to wash, cook to 158°F, and follow CDC/FDA updates. Missouri Tax-Free Weekend: Shoppers in Missouri are using the back-to-school sales tax holiday, with key limits like clothing/shoes under $100 and computers under $1,500. Fuel Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports show diesel and premium prices varying by county in the week ending Aug. 1, with Missouri’s diesel average around $4.84. Local Safety & Crime: Kansas City police are seeking tips after a Westport-area homicide; Palmyra police arrested a man tied to an illegal gambling setup at a fairgrounds carnival booth. Workforce & Education: Missouri S&T is part of a $100M federal push to expand the critical-minerals mining workforce.