AGP Executive Report

Power Grid Watch: The U.S. Department of Energy issued an emergency order for Southwest Power Pool, letting it tap backup generation to keep electricity steady across 17 states, including Missouri, as extreme heat raises blackout fears. Public Health: A salmonella outbreak tied to recalled eggs has sickened nearly 100 people in 17 states, while the cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to recalled lettuce continues to spread, with Georgia now reporting fewer than 80 confirmed cases as the national total climbs. Consumer & Food Safety: Walmart in-store bakery frozen Pillsbury roll dough was recalled in 19 states due to possible glass fragments, and separate reporting highlights how some retailers may inflate “original” prices to boost fake discounts. Missouri Business & Fraud: Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway announced a contractor was sentenced and ordered to repay more than $257,000 after a fencing-and-deck fraud scheme. Regional Growth: KC BioHub won a $38.1M federal award to expand biologic medicine manufacturing and workforce training in the Kansas City area. Local Economy: L&M Fleet Supply plans to buy Family Center Farm & Home, a seven-store retailer in Missouri and Kansas, aiming for more scale while keeping a local customer focus.

Missouri Water Rates & Trust: Kirkwood officials kept a $27.5M offer from Missouri American Water quiet, then discussed steep household rate hikes through 2037—sparking resident anger over transparency as bills could jump about 43% by 2037. Democratic Divide Over Israel: Missouri’s Aug. 4 primaries spotlight a party split on Israel policy, with CNN pointing to a rematch between Cori Bush and Wesley Bell as the debate intensifies. Banking Deal in Arkansas: RiverWind Bank’s unsolicited sale offer set up its eventual acquisition by FNBC Bank, a first whole-bank deal since 1912—showing how deal interest can start quietly. Tourism Leadership: Hot Springs named Devin Heath as Visit Hot Springs CEO, outlining a first-six-month plan focused on listening and building a destination strategy. Food Safety & Lawsuits: New lawsuits target Taco Bell and Taylor Farms over a Cyclospora outbreak tied to recalled iceberg lettuce, adding to growing legal pressure on major suppliers. Local Business Pulse: A Missouri Restaurant Association survey found more than half of restaurants saw fewer customers during the World Cup, with traffic and timing hurting some spots. Fuel Watch: GasBuddy data shows Vernon County diesel hit $4.14/g (week ending July 18), while Missouri averages stayed elevated.

Missouri Tax Vote: Missouri voters will decide Aug. 4 whether Amendment 5 forces the General Assembly to eliminate the state’s individual income tax, with supporters pointing to business growth and opponents warning it could hit low- and middle-income households as lawmakers would be allowed to expand sales taxes to replace lost revenue. Local Housing & Markets: Boone County home sales rose 6% in June, led by more activity under $500,000, while homes took longer to sell and inventory stayed tight. Kansas City Alcohol Rules: A judge issued a preliminary injunction pausing Kansas City’s enforcement of a ban on single-shot beer and alcohol in targeted areas, letting stores keep selling until the case is decided. Public Health & Food Safety: Amy’s Kitchen recalled 184,000+ cans of lentil soup over a pull-tab packaging defect that can raise spoilage risk, and the FDA linked a salmonella outbreak to recalled eggs from Midwest Poultry Services. State Government & Jobs: Missouri’s Office of Administration held its third annual Hire a Veteran Day at the Capitol, connecting veterans with state recruiters and agencies. Business & Community: Kirksville City Council will weigh airport terminal change orders, street paving bids, and data center regulations, while Fort Smith-area groups seek nominations for family and small business awards.

Food & Safety: Amy’s Kitchen recalled about 184,000 cans of its Organic Lentil Soup (Light in Sodium) after a pull-tab packaging defect raised spoilage risk; the affected lot is 60D0924 with a best-by date of April 2027, sold across many states including Missouri. Public Health: A multistate Salmonella outbreak tied to recalled eggs has sickened at least 98 people and hospitalized 26, with illnesses reported in 17 states including Missouri. Missouri Politics: Voters Aug. 4 will decide Amendment 5, which would let lawmakers eliminate the state income tax by expanding sales taxes to more goods and services; supporters say it modernizes Missouri’s tax code, while opponents warn it could hit low- and middle-income households hardest. Local Economy & Housing: Boone County home sales rose 6% in June, with more activity under $500,000, though homes are taking longer to sell. Business & Industry: Lawrence’s former Farmland Industries fertilizer site cleanup is still ongoing as the city redevelops the area, with remediation costs already over $10M and more projected. Workforce: Missouri’s Office of Administration hosted its third annual Hire a Veteran Day at the state Capitol to connect veterans with state agency recruiters.

Food Safety Watch: The FDA says recalled eggs tied to Midwest Poultry Services have sickened at least 98 people and hospitalized 26 across 17 states, including Missouri, after a recall of nearly 1.6 million dozen eggs for possible salmonella contamination. Consumer Alerts: Amy’s Kitchen recalled about 184,000 cans of Amy’s Organic Lentil Soup (Light in Sodium) in 27 states, including Missouri, due to a pull-tab manufacturing defect that can raise spoilage risk. Local Courts & Public Policy: A Kansas City judge paused enforcement of the city’s mini-bottle ban in targeted areas, letting stores keep selling single-shot beer and alcohol while the case moves forward. Energy & Cost of Living: The national average regular gas price jumped 15 cents to $4.09, with crude-market volatility tied to Middle East shipping risk. Workforce & Veterans: Missouri’s Office of Administration hosted its third annual Hire a Veteran Day at the Capitol, connecting veterans with state agency recruiters and career pathways. Politics & Trust: Republicans are pressing for clarity on Sen. Mitch McConnell’s health after new statements offered no photo or video proof of him doing Senate work.

Food Safety Watch: A salmonella outbreak tied to recalled eggs has sickened at least 98 people and hospitalized 26 across 17 states, with investigators pointing to Midwest Poultry Services as the likely source. Public Health Update: Missouri’s cyclosporiasis cases keep climbing in mid-Missouri as officials work to determine whether local illnesses connect to a broader U.S. outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce. Local Business & Tourism: Kansas City bars say World Cup extended hours boosted late-night sales, and owners want the city to make the longer hours permanent. State Politics & Taxes: Missouri voters will decide on a 10-year renewal of the state parks and soil-and-water sales tax on Aug. 4, with funding split between park upkeep and conservation programs. Economic Development & Energy: A $35 million plant to make miscanthus fuel pellets is moving forward in the Midwest, aiming to cut emissions by replacing coal at a major university. Community & Growth: A new Ozark chapter of an international women’s network is launching across northern Arkansas and southern Missouri, focusing on leadership, connections, and career support.

Data Center Costs & Local Power: Trump’s “Ratepayer Protection Pledge” is expanding with new signatories, as governors and utilities back the idea that data-center builders should cover grid upgrades instead of shifting costs to households. Missouri Legal Fight: Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway sued Kansas City over its Minority and Women Business Enterprise contracting rules, with the city’s program challenged as unlawful discrimination. Housing Quality Warning: A Missouri op-ed argues the housing debate is too focused on affordability and not enough on deteriorating home conditions that leave residents waiting for help. Workforce Funding: Missouri opened applications for the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant for 2026-2027, aiming to cover tuition and fees for adults training in high-demand fields. Water Bills Rising: Kirkwood residents face continued water-rate hikes tied to aging infrastructure, with officials weighing whether to sell the system. Consumer Safety: Amy’s Kitchen recalled Organic Lentil Soup due to a defective “easy open” tab that could raise spoilage risk. Local Business Impact: A Kansas City-area survey finds many restaurants saw weaker traffic and sales during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. USDA Workplace Tension: USDA union leaders are rallying against a plan to relocate thousands of employees from Washington, warning it could disrupt core services.

Health Care Costs: A new BEA map shows per-capita health spending varies widely, with Missouri at about $10,036 per resident in 2024—mid-pack nationally. Supply Chain & Research: The University of Arkansas launched the Contested Logistics Consortium, aiming to strengthen supply-chain resilience and future leaders, with a summit planned for Sept. 10-11. Local Courts Under Strain: Lee’s Summit’s municipal court is “drowning” in cases, with outdated capacity leading to long waits as dockets jump from hundreds to 800-plus on heavy days. Data Centers & Permitting: In Nodaway County, residents debated a data-center moratorium after concerns that a generator portion could keep operating around it; the next step is a development agreement. Rail M&A: CN agreed to end opposition to Union Pacific’s Norfolk Southern mega-merger in exchange for expanded U.S. network access. Consumer & Food Safety: Amy’s Kitchen recalled 184,200 cans of lentil soup in 27 states due to a pull-tab defect that can compromise the seal. Missouri Politics & Business: Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway is defending the voter ID law while pursuing lawsuits tied to gambling machine crackdowns and Kansas City contracting preferences. Energy & Policy: The White House expanded a data-center “ratepayer protection” pledge as Congress advances a bill to push grid-upgrade costs onto large data-center users.

Immigration & Policy: U.S. Sen. Ed Markey’s bid to extend Temporary Protected Status for Haitians was blocked by Sen. Eric Schmitt, even as a federal appeals court temporarily halted the Trump administration’s push to end TPS, giving Haitians a short reprieve. Local Economy & Jobs: U.S. jobless claims fell to the lowest level since 1969, signaling limited layoffs while corporate margins stay strong. Food Safety: The FDA recalled about 735,000 Walmart-sold Pillsbury rolls in 19 states after glass was found in products. Healthcare & Business: Shimadzu Medical Systems USA and Red Heritage Medical partnered to bring advanced imaging to Indian Health Service facilities across several states, including Missouri. Transportation & Infrastructure: Lexington, Mo. ordered evacuations after two gas-line strikes in the Indian Hills subdivision; Liberty Utilities is repairing the line. Public Finance & Missouri Politics: Missouri voters will weigh an income-tax phaseout proposal that could shift revenue needs toward a broader sales tax base, raising concerns about a more regressive tax burden. Cyber & Local Government: A monthlong outage in University City’s online services was linked to a cyberattack, with residents directed to manual options for payments and permits.

Missouri Courts & Justice: Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway sued Kansas City, alleging its Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise contracting program discriminates against white people and men, seeking to block race- and sex-based decision-making. Local Economy & Infrastructure: St. Louis-area transit and growth planning stayed in focus as a St. Louis Fed report says data center construction is helping the region’s economy even as consumer spending lags. Tech & Power: Vandals in Kansas City’s Waldo area damaged cables, knocking out power to about 1,800 Evergy customers. Trade & Rail: Union Pacific and CN reached an agreement to expand customer opportunities tied to their proposed merger, with CN gaining Midwest access including a Kansas City footprint. Workforce: A University of Missouri report finds Missouri’s youth workforce is shrinking, with 21,000 fewer workers ages 16–24 over five years, raising hiring and training pressure for employers. Health & Research: NMD Pharma published research linking neuromuscular junction transmission failure to age-related muscle weakness and sarcopenia, pointing to potential ClC-1-targeted therapies.

Housing Costs: A new SoFi analysis says U.S. monthly homeownership costs rose to a median $2,035 in 2024, with big state swings—lowest in West Virginia ($1,272) and Arkansas ($1,375), highest in D.C. ($3,181) and California ($3,001). Local Government Watch: Missouri’s Bates County Sheriff’s Office was rated “poor” in a state audit, accused of wasting $178K+ on horses, rodeos, parties and other questionable spending. Stadium & Infrastructure: The Kansas City Chiefs unveiled first renderings for a $3B, 70,000-seat domed stadium in Kansas (opening planned for 2031), while MoDOT crews prepare overnight girder work next week for Columbia’s Providence Road overpass over I-70, with ramp closures for months. Ag & Business: ADM, General Mills and Walmart are backing regenerative wheat practices across 40,000 acres in Illinois, Indiana and Missouri, aiming to enroll 200+ farmers with incentives and technical help. Public Health & Food Safety: The cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce remains under investigation as CDC reports thousands of cases and FDA points to Taylor Farms products. Medicaid Policy: A temporary federal ban on Medicaid reimbursements for routine Planned Parenthood services has expired, restoring coverage for non-abortion care, though states decide implementation. Economic Development: Missouri S&T’s critical minerals Tech Hub won $38M from the U.S. Department of Commerce to strengthen the domestic supply chain. Retail & Franchising: Bojangles says it’s nearing its 900th restaurant milestone after 25 openings in the first half of 2026, with new locations planned including Kansas and Missouri.

Mizzou Athletics Leadership: Mizzou is set to see major athletic-department changes as Deputy Athletic Director Marcy Girton plans to retire in mid-August, following other recent leadership moves. Local Business & Jobs: A Lee’s Summit man, 29-year-old Trevor Uhls, faces allegations of running a $2.1 million Ponzi scheme tied to promissory notes, with a temporary restraining order and federal investigation activity reported. Public Safety & Storm Impacts: After Monday night storms, Queen City, Mo., lost power across town; Ameren crews are working to restore service by Tuesday evening, while cooling centers opened for residents. Food & Consumer Health: FDA-linked recalls continue to hit the grocery aisle: Amy’s Kitchen recalled Organic Lentil Soup in multiple states including Missouri, and a separate iceberg lettuce recall tied to cyclospora remains a key consumer watch item. Energy & Cost Pressures: Diesel prices in Missouri averaged about $4.31 per gallon for the week ending July 11, with local lowest-price reports varying by county. Civic Finance: A Shell Knob-area fire district bond measure would raise property taxes, but the ballot question reportedly doesn’t spell out the tax increase—prompting questions from voters.

Food Safety & Consumer Impact: Taylor Farms recalled multiple iceberg lettuce products tied to a cyclospora outbreak, even as the FDA said an earlier positive test was a false positive—leaving the investigation ongoing and the recall in place for items sold via Walmart and some Taco Bell locations. Healthcare Policy: U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley and Sen. Richard Blumenthal pressed UnitedHealthcare and other Medicare Advantage insurers over prior-authorization denials, citing reports that denial rates for post-hospital rehab care run far higher than peers. Local Government Oversight: Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick launched a petition audit of the City of Salem, including scrutiny of utility bills and past rate documentation issues. Ag & Rural Economy: Missouri Farm Bureau is cautiously optimistic about possible additional federal farmer aid as Congress weighs a budget resolution that could unlock up to $12 billion. Business & Finance: OneSource Virtual launched a federally chartered trust bank, bringing more direct federal oversight to how it manages large customer treasury funds. Missouri Innovation: Missouri S&T teams were invited to the NSF I-Corps program for market discovery interviews to move research toward startups. Energy Costs: Gas prices stayed near the $4 mark nationally, with instability in oil markets cited as a driver.

Food Safety & Consumer Impact: Missouri and the nation are still sorting through the cyclospora outbreak tied to Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce, after the FDA said an earlier positive test was a “false positive,” leaving recalls and case counts in flux. Local Business & Infrastructure: Joplin City Council moved ahead with a privately funded fiber-optic network, approving right-of-way steps and budgeting for related airport, road, software and engineering work. Energy & City Planning: Columbia approved a 2026 Renewable Energy Plan that falls short of a 25% target (23.5% expected) while mapping a higher renewable share by 2035, with rate impacts capped for the utility department. Agriculture & Markets: USDA’s late-June acreage and grain stocks updates, followed by the July 10 WASDE report, are expected to steer corn and soybean pricing through harvest. Politics & Oversight: Missouri’s small-business and postal-service issues stayed in the spotlight, including a Hawley expansion of USPS oversight tied to outside consulting. Business Operations: A sudden closure of the Branson Tri-Lakes newspaper is forcing Stone County officials to scramble for legal-notice publishing options.

Food Safety Fallout: The FDA says a Taylor Farms cyclospora test that initially pinned the outbreak was a false positive, but the company’s 27-state iceberg lettuce recall stays in effect as investigators continue tracing the source. Retail Impact: Walmart is pulling specific Taylor Fresh Foods bags (with best-if-used dates July 16–Aug. 3) across multiple states, including Missouri, after the outbreak linked shredded lettuce served through Taco Bell. Public Health Watch: Missouri’s confirmed cyclospora cases jumped to 216, up from 43 last week, as more people seek testing and doctors order the parasite more often. Local Business & Community: Kirksville’s chamber is lining up ribbon cuttings and events, including new openings and a Lunch and Lending Roundtable for small businesses. Workforce & Industry: UMKC-led partners won up to a $160M NSF grant to rebuild the U.S. critical materials supply chain, targeting metals and advanced materials for batteries and manufacturing. Infrastructure: MoDOT plans intersection safety work at Christian County Route CC and 22nd Street in Ozark starting the week of Aug. 3. Civic Services: Missouri’s Department of Revenue will close the Princeton license office July 31, steering customers to nearby offices and online options.

Food Safety & Consumer Impact: Missouri’s cyclospora cases jumped to 216, a fivefold increase in a week, as federal officials and Taylor Farms’ recall continue to ripple through grocery shelves and restaurants; FDA later said one cyclospora test tied to Taylor Farms was a false positive, but the outbreak investigation remains active and Taylor Farms has expanded its iceberg lettuce recall across 27 states, including Missouri. Local Infrastructure: MoDOT begins over $1 million in ADA sidewalk and entrance upgrades on Business 13 near Route 265 starting Monday, with short-term lane closures and traffic shifts moving through Stone, Taney, Lawrence, Jasper and Newton counties. Business & Development: Nodaway County released a draft data center moratorium that would pause new development agreements while commissioners study impacts on energy, water, grid stability, light/noise and stormwater runoff. Civic & Jobs: Shrewsbury aldermen advanced plans for the city’s first recreational cannabis dispensary, a $2.1 million build expected to add jobs and tax revenue. Energy Costs Watch: GasBuddy reports show Missouri regular prices steady around $3.45 statewide for the week ending July 11, with local E15/E85 and premium prices varying by county.