AGP Executive Report

Missouri Politics: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Missouri’s Trump-backed congressional map, and the state’s top election official ordered local authorities to use the 2022 districts for the November election—ending months of legal whiplash that could affect more than a million voters. Midterm Economics: At the GOP convention in Dallas, Trump doubled down on election-year cash promises, including a $5,000 “dividend” if Republicans keep control of Congress and a separate $500 Obamacare-related refund plan for about 1 million people. Local Business & Community: Total Roofing expanded its regional footprint by joining seven Greater St. Louis-area chambers of commerce, aiming to deepen ties across Missouri and Illinois neighborhoods. Energy Watch: Gas prices stayed in focus for Missouri drivers, with GasBuddy reporting some of the lowest premium and diesel prices in select counties during the week ending Sept. 5. AI & Oversight: Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley launched a Senate probe into OpenAI after a Hugging Face breach involving rogue AI agents, pressing for internal records and safeguards. Environment & Agriculture: Iowa’s restored river bends (oxbows) are bringing back wetlands and wildlife, including support for the endangered Topeka shiner, while also helping reduce agricultural nutrient runoff.

Defense & Industry: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded Conti Federal Services a $74.8 million contract to build a B-21 radio-frequency hangar at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, with work targeted to finish by Sept. 25, 2029—supporting the Air Force’s next-generation bomber program. Healthcare Leadership: SSM Health announced a leadership shake-up in Oklahoma and Mid-Missouri, promoting Stacy Coleman to lead St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City after a reported $26 million turnaround in Midwest City. Logistics & Safety: A UPS worker in Missouri, Paul Roberts of St. Charles, was fatally struck by a vehicle at a UPS facility days before retirement, according to local reports. Local Business & Growth: ArcBest signaled stronger momentum ahead of its third-quarter report, citing August revenue and tonnage gains and expecting $8 million to $10 million in operating income for the quarter. Retail Expansion: Costco says it will open a new Lee’s Summit, Missouri warehouse in October as part of a broader push adding 10 locations across nine states. Housing Policy: New HUD-assisted housing rankings show Jackson County leading Missouri with 19,934 Housing Choice Vouchers in 2025, while other counties’ totals vary widely. Sports Betting: Missouri’s first full NFL season is underway with legal sports betting, and the state gaming commission says it’s on track to reach its $25 million first-year tax goal. Radio Deals: One Media filed a $225,000 purchase of two Missouri stations—KHST and WMBH—plus a Joplin translator, expanding its local radio footprint.

Missouri Politics: A new AP look at the congressional map fight shows voters still confused about which House districts and candidates will be on their ballots after conflicting court rulings and last year’s GOP-led redistricting push. Housing & HUD Funding: HUD’s 2025 assisted-unit rankings highlight where support is concentrated—Jackson County leads overall HUD-assisted units, while St. Louis city and county remain near the top across multiple programs; Jasper County ranks high for Housing Choice Vouchers, and other counties’ positions vary widely by program type. Public Safety Tech: Maplewood city leaders pressed police on privacy and access rules for Flock Safety license plate cameras after concerns about who can view footage and how data is handled. Energy & Cost of Living: GasBuddy reports show Dallas County’s regular gas hit $3.77/gal (week ending Aug. 29) and diesel prices remain volatile statewide. Workforce & Training: The U.S. Maritime Administration named 16 new 2026 Centers of Excellence to expand domestic mariner training capacity. Business Moves: GRM Networks reelected three board members at its annual meeting in Princeton. Sports Betting: Missouri sports betting wagers dipped in July, though taxable revenue and state tax collections rose.

Retail & Real Estate: Costco plans major expansion with 14 new warehouses across the U.S. and Canada, including a new Lee’s Summit, Mo. location opening in October. Manufacturing Jobs: Schreiber Foods is proposing a $267.65 million Carthage expansion next to its distribution center, with 100 new jobs and city property-tax breaks tied to the project. Local Economic Development: Ferguson is reintroducing a plan offering up to $1.5 billion in tax breaks for redevelopment of the former Emerson campus, including an updated data center and a new LLC behind the effort. Film & Tourism: Kansas City is leaning into film incentives and local crews, citing a recent production that chose the city after considering Canada. Venture Capital: Three St. Louis firms—Cultivation Capital, SixThirty, and Lewis & Clark Ventures—made TIME’s 2026 top venture capital list, signaling a deeper local capital network. Politics & Business Risk: Missouri’s congressional map fight remains in flux after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to reinstate the GOP-backed map, while a federal judge ordered election officials to use a different map. Trade Watch: Experts warn Canadian tariffs could pressure Kansas City jobs and raise costs as the U.S.-Canada trade war escalates. Energy Costs: GasBuddy reports show Missouri fuel prices easing from spring highs but still elevated, with county-level midgrade and premium prices varying widely.

Used Auto Parts Crackdown: Wisconsin regulators won a $48 million consumer protection judgment against Cudahy-based Midwest Auto Recycling LLC (Engine and Transmission World and others), ordering restitution to 472 customers and forfeitures after findings of mileage misrepresentations across millions of sales quotes. Gas Watch: Fuel prices stayed volatile but eased in late August—Nodaway County regular hit $3.76 (week ending Aug. 29) while Iron County diesel reached $5.19; Missouri averages for regular and midgrade also dipped week over week. Healthcare & Community: Mercy Southeast in Cape Girardeau announced a free Oct. 10 health event with screenings, vaccinations, CPR demos, and help from the Southeast Missouri Food Bank. Workforce & Education: Missouri partnered with Google for no-cost educator and job-ready AI training, and the Missouri Scholarship & Loan Foundation awarded $940,250 to 223 students via the Purdy Emerging Leaders Scholarship. Business & Tech: NASCIO named Missouri a finalist for its 2026 State IT Recognition Awards for modernizing agricultural grant review with responsible AI. Safety Culture: Woodland in Linn Creek was honored for 30+ years in Missouri’s SHARP workplace safety program.

Missouri Politics & Public Safety: Columbia’s new 1% public safety sales tax is set for formal adoption by City Council, projected to raise about $38 million annually for police and fire, with rates topping nearly 10% in some special districts. Local Business & Community: Kansas City, Kansas kicked off its first Black Restaurant Week for 913 Day, highlighting 11 participating restaurants and offering $9.13 specials. Energy Prices: GasBuddy data for the week ending Aug. 29 shows Missouri regular prices easing to about $3.82 statewide, with standout lows like $3.64 in St. Francois County and $3.87 in Iron County; diesel also varies widely, including $5.18 in Grundy County. Cyber/IT Readiness: Jefferson City IT firm Stimulus Technologies urged businesses to “grade” their systems—backups, security, access, and updates—before problems hit. Health & Consumer Trends: A new study links higher-intensity breastfeeding (for women with prior gestational diabetes) to better early postpartum lipid and cardiometabolic markers. Crime & Courts: A Missouri foster mother accused of trading a child for a monkey avoided prison time, receiving a seven-year suspended sentence with probation. Workplace History: Labor Day coverage tied the holiday to organized labor’s push for the 40-hour week and other worker gains.

Fuel Watch: GasBuddy data shows diesel prices in Missouri remain choppy, with Carroll County hitting a low of $5.09/gal (2 stations) and St. Louis city regular gas dipping to $3.63/gal (week ending Aug. 29). Local Government: Nodaway County commissioners met Sept. 1, approving agenda items and reviewing updates including citizen emails about a proposed data center. Housing & Seniors: St. Louis County voters will weigh Proposition S in November, a 5-cent-per-$100 assessed-value property tax expected to raise about $15M a year for a Senior Citizens Service Fund. Workforce & Community: Prairie Business named 2026’s 50 Best Places to Work, spotlighting regional employers for culture and growth. Food Safety: Two firms recalled 1,513 pounds of imported Italian guanciale after listeria was found in routine inspection. Consumer Risk: BBB Scam Tracker flagged Grovespring and Linn Creek among Missouri cities with scam reports in July, underscoring ongoing fraud losses nationwide.

Transportation & Safety: A 56-year-old cyclist died after a crash at Manchester Road and North Sappington Road in Glendale, where police say she entered against a red light and the driver reported he didn’t see her due to other vehicles. Local Government: Webster Groves is gathering resident input as it searches for a new city manager after Marie Peoples’ resignation; the council hired GMP Consultants and is weighing a charter change to drop the residency requirement. Municipal Finance Oversight: In Kirkwood, residents are pushing for a broader forensic audit after the city’s utility Kirkwood Electric ran nearly two years without full reporting, leading to a $15.6 million deficit. Energy & Economy: A University of Missouri study finds wind and solar can boost rural pay, jobs, and GDP in hosting counties, though it notes local concerns like property values and farmland impacts. Fuel Prices: GasBuddy data show Missouri premium averages around $4.54/g and E15 as low as $3.73/g in Linn County for the week ending Aug. 29. Banking: Equity Bank announced a merger with Iowa’s Lincoln Savings Bank, valuing the deal at about $124 million. Policy & Legal: Missouri Republicans asked the U.S. Supreme Court to pause a ruling affecting the congressional map referendum, as the case heads toward fast deadlines.

Fuel Watch: GasBuddy data for the week ending Aug. 29 shows some of the lowest midgrade prices in Missouri at $3.91/gal in Madison County and $4.12/gal in Worth County, with the statewide midgrade average at $4.19/gal. Energy & Costs: The reports tie price swings to global oil tensions, refinery maintenance, and seasonal travel demand, with the U.S. Energy Information Administration pointing to domestic supply conditions as key drivers. Elections: President Trump filed another last-ditch appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to limit mail voting as judges keep blocking the plan and election officials prepare to mail ballots in swing states. Local Economy & Growth: Mizzou football returned to a renovated Memorial Stadium, highlighting upgrades meant to boost the fan experience and ticketing changes for students. Business & Community: The Missouri Fox Trotter World Show and Celebration runs Sept. 6-12 in Ava, drawing competitors and spending that supports downtown businesses. Food Safety: A Walmart frozen-berries recall expanded to Great Value products in 16 states over possible E. coli contamination, with no illnesses reported for that specific item. Small Business Relief: The SBA says eligible Missouri private nonprofit groups affected by June 4-18 severe weather must apply for physical damage disaster loans by Oct. 3.

Local Business Awards & Philanthropy: St. Louis AI firm Capacity earned an Inc. 5000 growth spot (No. 432 overall; No. 4 in St. Louis, No. 6 in Missouri), while Spire funded a $130,000 energy-efficiency rebate for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s Jack C. Taylor Music Center and Saint Louis University added $1.5 million in scholarships through its Healthier STL program. Banking & Community Grants: Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines money, matched through local credit unions, is sending $90,000 total to six St. Louis-area nonprofits for housing, healthcare, food help and youth programs. Energy & Infrastructure: Ameren Missouri says a wind turbine collapsed in Schuyler County; crews secured the site and the plant may be offline during investigation. Utility Billing: Liberty Utilities asked Missouri regulators for permanent exceptions to billing timing rules for consolidated accounts, citing meter-read schedule mismatches. Consumer Watch: GasBuddy data shows diesel prices still elevated in Missouri, with multiple counties reporting week-ending Aug. 29 lows around $5.14–$5.19. Public Safety Tech Backlash: A growing list of Missouri-area communities has moved to end or reject Flock-style automated license plate reader systems amid privacy concerns.

Energy Costs in Missouri: Diesel prices stayed elevated in the latest GasBuddy reports, with Clinton County hitting a low of $5.19/gal (week ending Aug. 29) and Taney County’s diesel low at $5.19/gal as well; statewide diesel averaged $5.24/gal. Gas Price Snapshot: Regular gas was cheapest in Crawford County at $3.87/gal and in Ozark County at $3.85/gal, while Ste. Genevieve County’s regular low was $3.54/gal. E85 Availability: E85 remains spotty in some counties—St. Francois County’s low was $2.29/gal (only one station reported), and Pike County’s low was $3.19/gal. Local Business & Community: Chariton Valley Electric Cooperative announced CEO Troy Amoss will resign effective Feb. 2027, setting up a leadership transition. Public Safety & Privacy: DeFlock says 153 U.S. communities have rejected or shut down automated license plate readers, up from 95 earlier this year. Trade Policy: The U.S. signed a two-year extension of AGOA, extending duty-free trade preferences for eligible African countries.

Supreme Court Fight: Missouri asked the U.S. Supreme Court to let it use new Trump-backed congressional districts for the 2026 midterms after the state’s top court blocked the map and ordered a statewide vote. Election Rules: A federal judge blocked key parts of the Postal Service’s new mail-ballot restrictions, warning disenfranchisement could be “practically inevitable” without a fix. Retail & Delivery: Walmart will deliver Dunkin’ drinks and food through its app and website, expanding a restaurant-delivery push. Banking Deal: BMO completed the sale of 138 U.S. branches to First Citizens Bank, shifting focus to long-term growth markets. Consumer Relief: Schnucks won preliminary approval for a class action settlement that could pay up to $6.3 million to Missouri shoppers who used loyalty points. Energy Costs: AAA reports Labor Day gas prices are on track to hit the highest level on record, with Missouri still below the national average but up sharply year over year. Public Safety/Health: Two separate recalls of 0.9% IV saline lots were issued after reports of particles in sealed bags, including Missouri distribution. Local Business Impact: Missouri River Bar and Grill in Cascade is a total loss after an early-morning fire.

Healthcare Contract Watch: BJC HealthCare and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield are still negotiating a renewal, and if no deal lands before the end of 2026, major St. Louis-area hospitals could go out of network for about 2.1 million Missourians starting Jan. 1, 2027. Industrial Safety: Troy, Mo. declared a state of emergency after an anhydrous ammonia leak near Highway J and Bobeen Lane triggered shelter-in-place orders for schools and evacuation orders for nearby Meadowridge residents. Energy & Law: Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway hailed a federal court ruling striking down New York’s Climate Change Superfund Act, a move aimed at stopping $75 billion in retroactive fines on energy producers. Critical Minerals Push: Ionic Rare Earths and US Strategic Metals outlined a $100 million rare-earth magnet recycling campus in Missouri, targeting domestic recycling capacity for NdFeB and SmCo magnets. Local Business & Growth: Adam Puchta Winery is expanding hiring for its new 4th Street Cellars restaurant, brewery and wine bar in Hermann. Roads & Travel: MoDOT posted North Missouri maintenance and construction plans for Sept. 7-13, with most work paused during Labor Day travel. Gas Prices: GasBuddy reported Missouri averages easing to about $4.54 for premium midweek, with several counties seeing their lowest local premium or midgrade prices near late August.

Crypto Policy: The Senate’s Sept. 15 vote on the CLARITY Act faces a 60-vote cloture hurdle, with unresolved fights over ethics rules, DeFi developer liability, and a stablecoin yield provision tied to Coinbase USDC rewards—odds for passage have fallen sharply. Missouri Utilities & Environment: Missouri American Water was fined $630 after a Crestwood water main break killed 365 fish, with the state citing chlorine levels and requiring future clean-water compliance. Banking: Simmons Bank plans to close 26 branches across six states, including 5 in Missouri, citing a retail network strategy shift and expected limited customer disruption. Labor & Health Care Costs: MU workers rallied for higher wages and restored benefits as LiUNA Local 955 pushes for a $19 minimum wage and reversals to MU Health Care benefit cuts. St. Louis Business: The Saint Louis Club will close after members questioned finances and refused to pay additional $5,000 assessments. Housing/Infrastructure: Kansas City approved moving Roy Blunt Luminary Park construction forward, authorizing Phase 1 tunnel and park work with nearly $200 million in total funding. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports Missouri regular and premium prices easing in late August, with several county-level “lowest” deals highlighted.

Data Center Politics: Democrats are trying to turn rising anti–data center sentiment into a midterm attack, pointing to the Opportunity Zones expansion in Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” as a driver of more projects in low-income areas. Workforce Push: Gov. Mike Kehoe proclaimed September as Workforce Development Month, spotlighting apprenticeships, Workforce Pell, and AI-focused skills training through Missouri Job Centers. Mizzou Game-Day Business: Mizzou Athletics is expanding Memorial Stadium food options with more local vendors, including the first in-stadium appearance of Shakespeare’s Pizza plus Champ’s Chicken, Buck’s Ice Cream and Mya’s Gourmet Popcorn. Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports show Missouri regular prices easing to about $3.82 statewide in the week ending Aug. 29, with local lows like $3.66 in Madison County. Local Government & Jobs: Kansas City’s Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw faces a whistleblower lawsuit from a former aide alleging retaliation and demotion tied to campaign-related concerns. Agriculture & Markets: Missouri marked Rice Month as harvest gets underway in the Bootheel, with acreage down but farmers optimistic about balancing the market. Energy Infrastructure: Ameren Missouri says a power-use study is a gating step for a proposed Festus data center, with a hyperscale project estimated at $6 billion.

Downtown Redevelopment Push: Gov. Mike Kehoe signed new Missouri bills aimed at speeding redevelopment of vacant buildings in St. Louis, with incentives now taking effect immediately and attention on projects like the former AT&T building. University-Led Energy Investment: MU broke ground on the $50 million Payne Energy Innovation Center, a 116,000-square-foot facility expected to open in July 2028 to tackle energy sustainability using power and water more efficiently. Transportation Updates: MoDOT announced overnight ramp and interchange closures tied to the Forward 44 and other projects, including Springfield ramp work for core sampling and sign-replacement closures in downtown Kansas City. Local Business Pressure: A Franklin car wash center is planned for a former KFC site, while Cape Girardeau saw another small-business closure, underscoring tough conditions for local retail and dining. Policy & Consumer Safety: A Missouri mother urged Congress to regulate nitrous oxide sales after her daughter’s death, as the U.S. Fed flagged a positive outlook but rising uncertainty from energy prices and policy issues. Community Concerns Over Data Centers: Ralls County residents demanded more transparency after a proposed AI data center plan faced backlash and a community meeting.