AGP Executive Report

Energy Policy: Kansas lawmakers Dan Hawkins and Rep. Leo Delperdang urged FERC to keep competitive bidding for transmission projects, criticizing a southcentral Kansas line awarded to Evergy without a formal bid process. Healthcare Construction: LMH Health is nearing completion of Therapy Services renovations at Sixth and Maine, with therapists moving in July and the expanded patient space opening in October. Public Safety: A wrong-way I-70 crash in Wabaunsee County killed two adults and seriously injured a child; investigators say the semi crossed the median for an unknown reason. Animal Health & Agriculture: Kansas officials are warning ranchers about a newly confirmed New World screwworm case in Texas, stressing it’s an animal health threat that could spread quickly through livestock movement. Housing & Community Development: Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka opened a $4M Native housing grant program (up to $500k each) for tribal housing projects across Kansas and three neighboring states, with applications due July 10. Local Legal Aid: CrossWinds and Kansas Legal Services will host a free expungement and driver’s license clinic in Strong City on June 25. Aviation/Manufacturing: Wichita State’s NIAR broke ground on a Hexcel Applications Center to expand composite development and automated manufacturing.

Kansas Legal Aid: CrossWinds and Kansas Legal Services will host a free Expungement and Driver’s License Clinic June 25 in Strong City, helping eligible Kansans clear qualifying criminal and traffic records that can block jobs, housing, and education. Livestock Health: Kansas is stepping up outreach after a New World screwworm case was confirmed in a Texas calf, warning ranchers and vets about the invasive parasite’s threat to herds and pets. Native Housing Funding: FHLBank Topeka opened a $4M Native American Housing Initiatives grant program for tribal housing entities in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma, with applications due July 10. Aerospace & Manufacturing: Wichita State’s NIAR broke ground on a new Hexcel Applications Center to expand end-to-end composite development and strengthen Kansas’ aerospace research pipeline. Infrastructure Dollars: Gov. Laura Kelly and KDOT announced $40.5M for 31 local bridge projects statewide. Community Sports: Johnson County’s Kansas City Unity Cup launches as a free adult 7v7 tournament in Olathe, aiming to build a long-running post-World Cup tradition. Safety on I-70: Kansas Highway Patrol reported two deaths and serious injury to a child after a semi crash near Paxico/Wabaunsee County.

World Cup Transit in Kansas City: ConnectKC26 says its tournament bus system is nearly ready, with 247 motor coaches arriving Sunday and routes set for Stadium Direct, Region Direct and Airport Direct—plus a plan to reallocate buses if crowds spike at stops. Public Safety & Privacy: Kansas lawmakers propose guardrails to limit sharing of license plate camera data as privacy concerns grow over automated tracking. Energy Disruption: A gas line rupture in Chetopa shut off service for east-side residents while Atmos Energy crews repaired the line; police say no evacuations were needed. Ag Markets: Wheat prices slid across exchanges, with Kansas City HRW leading the drop, ahead of upcoming USDA export sales data. Local Industry Projects: Ellis County approved a 1,200-acre solar farm permit near Hays, projecting jobs and ongoing tax revenue. Law Enforcement: KBI and local agencies arrested a Ness City man after a search warrant turned up meth, cocaine, LSD, marijuana, mushrooms, 130 firearms and explosive materials. First Responders Funding: Illinois awarded $6M in small equipment grants to 260 fire and EMS agencies.

College Baseball Honors: Kansas shortstop Tyson LeBlanc and K-State shortstop Dee Kennedy were named NCBWA District 6 Co-Players of the Year, capping strong seasons for both programs. Rural Retail Spotlight: Lebanon’s Main Street Mercantile earned Rural Grocers of the Year recognition, highlighting how small Kansas stores survive by smart ordering, local sourcing, and niche product focus. Ag Tech on the Farm: K-State precision agriculture expert Deepak Joshi says drones are speeding early-season crop scouting, helping producers spot stand issues faster and cut labor. Livestock Biosecurity: Kansas is stepping up outreach after a New World screwworm case was detected in Texas, warning ranchers about the fly larvae threat and prevention steps. Pest Watch for Wheat: K-State Extension urges growers to monitor for chinch bugs as adults move from grasses into wheat and nymphs later “walk” into adjacent corn, sorghum, and feed. Input Costs Pressure: A K-State webinar tied Iran-related conflict to higher fertilizer and diesel volatility, warning Kansas grain farms could see major cost swings. Kansas Dairy Upgrade: K-State’s dairy unit is on track for upgrades as the current facility nears end-of-life, with tech helping track cow health and production. Higher Ed Policy: Kansas Board of Regents reviewed a proposal for reduced-credit bachelor’s degrees (down to 90 credits) to improve affordability and time-to-completion. Kansas City World Cup Build-Up: Local soccer camps and community events are drawing record youth participation as FIFA World Cup 2026 nears, with Kansas City positioned as a regional hub. Health Care Legal Fight: Three health systems, including KU-affiliated Mount Sinai and the University of Kansas, sued CVS Health over alleged misuse of 340B savings, a dispute with big implications for safety-net funding.

Data Centers in Kansas: De Soto residents packed a city council meeting to oppose two massive data center proposals, citing strain on energy, water, and local land and water pollution concerns, while developers said they want to be good partners. Road Safety & Construction: Kansas Highway 24 work between Meriden and Detlor is linked to a sharp rise in crashes, with officials pointing to risky turning behavior in the construction zone. Livestock Health: Kansas is monitoring the New World screwworm after a new Texas case, as ranchers prepare and federal efforts ramp up surveillance and treatment supplies. Local Infrastructure & Planning: Derby weighed KDOT-backed traffic fixes, focusing on safer school pedestrian crossings while holding off on a signal at a growing-area intersection. Community Development: Russell City Council advanced a downtown historic district discussion, a new Market Square plan, and electric rate changes. Sports Tech: The Good Game, a Kansas-based sports app company, announced its first collegiate partnership with the University of Kansas to serve as the exclusive app for KU Athletics lessons, camps, and clinics. Education Recognition: Frank Rushton Elementary in Kansas City, Kansas earned a Bright Spots School for Excellence in Literacy honor from The 74. Agriculture Weather: Rain delays wheat harvest 2026, adding pressure to Kansas farm schedules.

Infrastructure & Shipping: A new national road-condition snapshot shows Kansas doing relatively well, with only 2.8% of major roadways in poor shape, while other states lag far behind—an issue that matters for freight and safety as federal road funding faces an October 2026 clock. Energy & Mining: BHP locked in rail agreements with CN and CPKC to move potash from its Jansen mine to Vancouver for global exports, using a dual-rail setup to boost reliability. Agriculture: Kansas wheat harvest plans hit a snag as early maturity met a late-season turn—widespread rains slowed progress and left producers waiting for drier conditions. Local Business & Growth: Osawatomie’s mayor publicly addressed a proposed $1B data center project, saying talks are just starting and raising questions about noise, water use, and tax mitigation. Transportation Safety: KDOT is urging drivers to watch for cyclists as the Biking Across Kansas tour rolls out June 6, with riders sharing the road across the state’s south. Public Safety: Kansas also saw major local updates, including a KBI investigation into a fatal officer-involved shooting in Pittsburg and Topeka reassuring residents that recent rain-related changes haven’t made drinking water unsafe.

Public Safety: A Pittsburg officer-involved shooting outside the Pittsburg Public Library ended with a man’s death after a struggle; the Kansas Bureau of Investigation took over and the officer was placed on administrative leave. Infrastructure Funding: Gov. Laura Kelly and KDOT announced $40.5M for 31 local bridge projects, including Russell and Rush counties, with matching funds pushing total project value near $44.5M. EV Charging Expansion: Rolling Hills Zoo near Salina opened new Level 2 EV chargers funded through KDOT’s Community Chargers Pilot Program. Local Roads & Streets: Leawood launched “Safe Streets Leawood,” a grant-funded plan to cut crashes for drivers, walkers, and e-scooter riders. Kansas Education Policy: The Kansas Board of Regents is weighing a three-year bachelor’s degree option (90 credits) that could reduce cost and debt but raises employer and industry concerns. Tech & Data Centers: Emporia residents packed a city commission meeting to oppose a proposed Flint Hills Digital Campus, citing water, power, noise, property values, and transparency questions. Business/Legal: Kansas City-based BoreDM secured investment to expand its geotechnical data platform, while a separate inmate debit-fee lawsuit saw another attempt to decertify a class.

Fed Watch: New Fed chair Kevin Warsh is set to dial back forward guidance, with the latest Beige Book pointing to consumer strain, weak hiring, and inflation driven by Middle East energy costs that ripple into shipping, groceries, and fertilizer. Renewables in Court: States including New York are suing over Trump-era offshore wind cancellations that pay companies to walk away from leases, while a separate Oregon complaint alleges stalled wind reviews could freeze new projects. Kansas Housing & Growth: Lawrence commissioners heard that the city needs thousands more housing units over the next decade to improve affordability, as a separate vote approved a $2.1M purchase for a downtown city hall annex. Ag Economy: The Kansas City Fed says the farm downturn is now in its 12th quarter, with input costs up and crop prices below breakeven squeezing working capital. Wheat Watch: Kansas wheat harvest is advancing with quality and yield still tied tightly to recent weather. Energy & Infrastructure: United Energy’s acquisition expands its LNG and distributed power footprint across Kansas and other states. Local Business/Tech: Emporia is considering a zoning change that would allow data centers via a Digital Infrastructure Overlay District. Public Safety: A Salina man was arrested in a homemade explosives case after a joint search and hazardous materials response.

Transportation & Infrastructure: Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly and KDOT announced $5.9M for spring 2026 transportation projects through the Cost Share Program, leveraging $3.7M in local matches for safety and connectivity upgrades. Nuclear & Energy Development: Deep Fission says it has partnered with Day & Zimmermann to build a test small nuclear reactor in Parsons, aiming to bring first-of-a-kind underground reactor construction to the Great Plains Industrial Park. Ag Policy & Farm Economics: A Farm Bill-backed USDA program expanding migratory big-game conservation now covers Kansas and 16 other states, offering funds for wildlife-friendly practices on working land. Local Land & Environment: Residents near a landfill outside Galena are raising alarms about hydrogen sulfide odors and smoke from a smoldering area, saying it may affect health and property values. Housing & Consumer Finance: The U.S. House passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, but critics say it won’t fully fix affordability because it doesn’t solve the income gap driving housing costs. City Planning: Lawrence commissioners approved a $2.1M purchase of a former printing press building for a City Hall annex, with major renovations still ahead. Sports & Community: Tyson LeBlanc’s breakout power surge is helping Kansas reach the NCAA Super Regional, while Rock Port Elementary honored an outstanding educator and student achievements.

Aerospace & Manufacturing: Hexcel broke ground on a new Hexcel Applications Center at Wichita State’s NIAR, aiming to speed composite materials and automated processing for aerospace and defense. Public Safety: Gov. Laura Kelly proclaimed June 2026 as National Safety Month, spotlighting workplace injury prevention efforts by the Kansas Department of Labor. Rail Freight Policy: The STB paused the Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger review, asking for more details as Kansas and other states press competition and freight-shift concerns. Ag & Conservation: USDA unveiled a migratory big game conservation framework across 17 states, including Kansas, to keep working lands working while improving habitat connectivity for elk, pronghorn and mule deer. Digital Infrastructure: Emporia’s Flint Hills Digital Campus planning advanced, with a proposed hyperscale data center ecosystem tied to major private investment. Tech & Industry: Microsoft debuted an AI-focused Surface RTX Spark Dev mini PC for local model development, signaling more on-prem computing for developers. Local Transit: Kansas City-area bus fares resumed after a six-year stretch, with riders facing new costs amid budget pressure.

Rail Freight Watch: The U.S. Surface Transportation Board paused the Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger, asking for more detail on public-interest impacts and likely slowing the timeline. Kansas Transit & Commuters: KCATA bus passes hit the ground with long lines and staffing limits, while Johnson County suspended the K-10 Connector for summer and Lawrence Transit added World Cup “Score Lawrence” routes. Public Health & Native Services: Haskell Indian Nations University and the Indian Health Service signed an agreement to build a new clinic on campus, expanding care and training for Native students. Food Safety: The FDA listed additional recalls tied to JCB Flavors seasoning products, including items distributed in Kansas. Local Business Tech: Adams Brown Technology Specialists acquired Parsons-based Higher Calling Technologies, expanding managed IT and cybersecurity services across the region. Weather & Resilience: A new study warns warmer conditions could mean more hailstorms and bigger hail damage potential. Community Infrastructure: Cherokee County is restoring a 4-way stop at K26 and Old Hwy 166 after crashes, following a citizen petition.

Ag Policy & Trade: Kansas Wheat hosted USDA Under Secretary Luke Lindberg, Rep. Tracey Mann and Sen. Jerry Moran at the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center, focusing on trade deals and the Food for Peace program. Competition Watch: The FTC is launching a major fertilizer pricing investigation after Kansas corn leaders pushed lawmakers to address input-cost pressure on farmers. Transit & Cost of Living: RideKC and KCATA bus fares resume Monday with tap-to-pay and fare capping (single $2; day $4; weekly $20; monthly $62.50), while the KC Streetcar stays free. Water Management: Hays begins a daytime outdoor watering restriction for private wells (no lawn watering noon–7 p.m.) through Sept. 30. Construction Leadership: JE Dunn Construction founder William H. Dunn Sr., a 73-year leader, died at 102. Local Industry Culture: Packer Fastener highlights how “intentional culture” and workforce focus helped the Kansas City-area fastener shop grow since 1998. Energy/Weather Risk: Severe storms and a brief tornado warning hit parts of the metro overnight, with cleanup underway.

Kansas Agriculture & Weather: Drought and cost pressure are still shaping the wheat outlook, with reports noting winter wheat ratings slipping and producers facing higher risk as harvest timing and quality vary widely across the state. Education & Tech Procurement: Kansas City Public Schools is moving toward an “All-Apple District,” replacing tens of thousands of Windows PCs and Chromebooks with MacBook Neo devices for older students, after an initial rollout of thousands. Construction & Housing Costs: Verisk says roof replacement and repair costs are rising sharply even as overall claims volume falls, pointing to hail volatility and aging roofs—an issue that feeds directly into Kansas homebuilding and insurance costs. Retail & Data Pricing: Maryland banned surveillance pricing in grocery and food delivery, a move that could ripple into how Kansas retailers handle personalized pricing. Local Business & Workforce Training: Salina Tech received a $50,000 gift to expand scholarships for technical programs, including allied health, welding, diesel, and machine tool training. Sports & Community Spotlight: Kansas baseball advanced in the NCAA regional, while KU’s lineup reshuffling showed how quickly roles can change under postseason pressure.

Workforce & Training Boost: Salina Area Technical College is getting a $50,000 scholarship donation from Larry and Stephanie Hettenbach, backing allied health, automotive, diesel, machine tool and welding programs. Energy Efficiency in Homes: Bosch Home Comfort Group launched the York YH9 heat pump in Wichita, touting variable-speed performance down to -10°F and a factory-charged line set to speed installs. Severe Weather Alert: A tornado warning hit southeast Kansas near Erie, with an intense storm core moving east toward communities including St. Paul. Local Public Safety: Kansas City firefighters battled a heavy house fire on Independence Ave., sending three responders to hospitals with injuries reported as non-life threatening. Ag & Weather Watch: A Hays Post podcast episode focused on Ellis County drought conditions and an accelerated wheat harvest, plus a June 18 K-State weed management field day preview. Community Health Milestone: Alternacare Home Health Services marked 30 years in Great Bend, highlighting long-running local medical equipment support for home care.

Fed Watch: Kansas City Fed President Jeffrey Schmid says it’s “not the time to relax” as inflation stays above target and the Iran-linked energy shock may keep squeezing purchasing power. Agriculture & Workforce: A Kansas Agricultural Mediation Services explainer highlights free, confidential help for USDA-related disputes, credit issues, and farm transitions. Local Development: Hays city commissioners debated a $300,000 Community Development Block Grant tied to renovating 1012 Main St into Airbnb-rentable units, with one commissioner questioning the developer’s finances. Energy & Industry: MRIPC in Vicksburg, Mississippi was picked for CPKC’s “Room to Grow” Site Ready program, a rail-served industrial boost that signals continued logistics investment. Kansas Roads & Safety: A Gove County crash sent a Colorado motorcyclist to the hospital after a deer strike on I-70. Community & Education: Dairy MAX awarded $7,500 in scholarships to three students, including Garden City’s Breck Averhoff, backing the next generation of dairy professionals.

Fed Watch: Fed Vice Chair Michelle Bowman said it’s “too soon” to judge Iran-war inflation effects, arguing policymakers should look through temporary energy-driven price spikes while keeping an eye on whether disruptions persist. Kansas Transit & Housing: Kansas City, Mo. ends six years of free bus rides starting Monday ($2 per trip), while KCATA and United Way distribute 20,000 free day passes to nonprofits; in Kansas City, Kan., the KCK Housing Authority board weighed hot-water issues and planned renovations that could relocate residents. Healthcare Finance: Hospital groups sued CVS over alleged diversion of 340B drug savings, claiming spread pricing kept money that Congress intended for low-income patients. Local Infrastructure: K-32 Kaw Bridge reopened after a $22.7M reconstruction project. Ag & Workforce: Kansas House candidates Melanie McMillan (District 111) and Max Dibble (District 110) highlighted skilled trades, rural costs, and property taxes; Scott Schwab named Rep. Ken Rahjes as running mate, leaning into agriculture and rural water policy. Public Safety: KDHE rescinded a boil-water advisory for Luray after pressure and lab testing concerns were resolved. Industry & Community: Kansas City Zoo unveiled “Giraffe Crossing,” a nearly $22M upgrade to its Africa section.