AGP Executive Report

Cy-Hawk Football: Iowa climbed to No. 18 after Caden Buhr’s 42-yard field goal with 15 seconds left gave the Hawkeyes a 16-13 win over Iowa State at Kinnick. Sports Spotlight: Cam Buffington led Iowa with 15 tackles in the rivalry comeback, while Iowa’s defense held the Cyclones scoreless over the final 25 minutes. Election Watch: Iowa voters will decide in November on a proposed constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds vote of the Iowa House and Senate to approve future income tax increases, with groups launching competing education campaigns. State Politics: U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Sen. Rick Scott urged Iowa Republicans to protect GOP seats, including Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Ashley Hinson. Public Safety: A man died after drowning at Governor Dodge State Park, and authorities are investigating a boat crash on East Lake Okoboji. Community & Culture: Iowa Children’s Museum hosts a free “Passport to Play” event in Coralville, and UNI unveiled a 3D, 360-degree tour of its century-old campanile. Weather: Monday brings showers and thunderstorms, with heavy rain possible.

Cy-Hawk Football: Iowa survived a tense 16-13 win over Iowa State at Kinnick as QB Hank Brown threw for 191 yards and kicker Caden Buhr nailed a 42-yard game-winner with 19 seconds left; Buhr went 3-for-3 on field goals and even clarified his last name is pronounced “Boo-er.” Coaching Notes: Kirk Ferentz said he expected Iowa State to be tough no matter the outside talk, pointing to the mindset of NFL “super teams.” Basketball Watch: Caitlin Clark and Team USA play for gold Sunday in the FIBA Women’s World Cup final vs. France (1 p.m. CT on TNT/truTV, streaming on HBO Max). Local Life: Property taxes are due for Iowa real estate owners by Sept. 30, and the Clay County Fair highlights Veterans Appreciation Day on Sept. 14. Public Safety: A Cedar Falls bedroom fire on Lincoln Street sent one resident to the Red Cross for help; no injuries reported. Sports Community: The Hawkeye Marching Band honored Derek Phillips at halftime with “Do It For Derek” tributes shared across the rivalry.

Cy-Hawk Football: Iowa and Iowa State renew the rivalry tonight at Kinnick Stadium with Iowa favored around two touchdowns after a 40-0 opener; Iowa State starts the Jimmy Rogers era after a 38-10 win over Southeast Missouri State, and kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock. Local Sports & Community: Fans packed downtown Iowa City for the Beer Band tradition ahead of the game, while Iowa’s marching band community mourns Derek Phillips, who died after collapsing from a heat-related cardiac emergency at a season opener. Public Safety: An Iowa truck driver was arrested in Island Park on felony drug and eluding-related charges after police found alleged controlled substances in his semi. Health & Prevention: Cass Health is offering free cancer-prevention exercise and cooking classes in Cass County, with gift cards for participants who complete most sessions. Northwest Iowa Service: Hull residents dedicated a “Veterans Rock” memorial honoring all U.S. military branches. Environment & Agriculture: Spotted lanternflies have spread to 22 states, with Iowa among areas warning residents to kill them on sight.

Cy-Hawk Preview: Iowa hosts Iowa State at Kinnick Stadium Saturday with kickoff set for 6:36 p.m. (NBC, plus Peacock/Fubo). Iowa is No. 21 in both major polls after a 40-0 win over Northern Illinois; Iowa State opened with a 38-10 victory over SEMO. High School Football: Week 3 delivered plenty of fireworks across Iowa, including Des Moines Christian’s 47-0 shutout of Atlantic, Waterloo West’s 31-7 win over Hempstead, and North Polk’s 40-14 statement over ADM. Local Sports Scores: Glenwood exploded late to beat Creston 70-42, and Urbandale fell 31-27 at West Des Moines Valley. Community & 9/11 Remembrance: Ottumwa held a 9/11 ceremony honoring first responders and victims, while Newton marked the anniversary with its annual memorial. Public Safety/Justice: Henry County charged a Mount Pleasant man and woman with child endangerment tied to a months-long investigation involving a registered sex offender. Rural Iowa Finance: Howard County’s wind turbines generated $2.71 million in tax revenue for roads, bridges, parks, conservation, and schools.

9/11 Remembrance: Hundreds of Iowans marked the 25th anniversary with memorial walks and ceremonies, including a 21-mile march to the Iowa Capitol and tributes at Gray’s Lake and in Waverly, where families honored victims and first responders. Public Safety: Iowa State Trooper Chase Carruthers was released from the hospital after being shot while on duty in Stuart; a suspect faces charges. Crime & Courts: An Iowa City woman accused in an arson case is set to plead guilty; in Waterloo, a multi-state undercover trafficking operation led to four arrests. Agriculture & Weather: Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation easing weight limits for certain farm loads through Oct. 10, while forecasters warn of severe storms and possible flash flooding Monday into Tuesday. Education & Community: UNI reported its highest enrollment since 2020, and Prairie City named Erica Haack as city administrator. Local Economy: The Tri-State Rodeo in Fort Madison projects about $2.5 million in local economic impact, and Keokuk approved a new curfew for city-owned property.

Iowa Ballot Watch: Iowans will vote in November on a proposed constitutional amendment that would require a two-thirds supermajority in the Iowa House and Senate to approve future income tax increases, with supporters and opponents running competing “education” campaigns. Local Business Pride: West Des Moines-based Hy-Vee again earned top national recognition from USA TODAY 10Best, placing high in multiple grocery categories. Agriculture & Rural Life: Iowa State Extension is urging farmers to keep scouting corn for pests after pollination and to avoid routine foliar insecticide use unless field checks show a real need. Community & Service: Iowa PBS announced fall debate dates for governor, U.S. Senate, and the 2nd Congressional District, bringing candidates to statewide coverage. Remembering 9/11: Iowa flags will be lowered for the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, with multiple Iowa-linked victims noted in state and local observances. Sports: Iowa and Iowa State women’s soccer and volleyball results highlighted Thursday action, including Iowa’s 3-1 win over Southern Illinois in volleyball.

Iowa Politics: Iowa Republicans have locked in the state’s “first-in-the-nation” GOP presidential caucus status through 2028, after RNC meetings and a carve-out calendar decision. Elections: Absentee ballot requests are now open for Iowa’s Nov. 3 election, with Oct. 19 as the request deadline and Oct. 14 the start of mailing. Public Safety: U.S. Marshals are asking for help locating escaped fugitive Angelo Campbell in the Sioux City/Woodbury County area. Courts & Crime: A man accused in a Lyon County courthouse break-in in Rock Rapids has been sentenced to 20 years after a plea deal. Water & Agriculture: Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig is pushing a science-based approach to water quality while campaigning with farmers; meanwhile, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds issued a harvest proclamation allowing certain overweight hauling under limits. Local & Community: Sioux County warns residents about a phone scam impersonating deputies to demand money for “early release” and ankle monitors. Sports: Iowa and Iowa State are gearing up for the Cy-Hawk football showdown.

U.S. Senate race: Democratic candidate Josh Turek held Des Moines town halls focused on Social Security, pitching his plan with help from former Social Security officials. Local politics: Iowa Auditor Rob Sand drew a crowd in Burlington, arguing Iowa’s two-party system is broken and pushing election-system changes like open primaries and approval voting. Health care: University of Iowa Health Care is pausing its $2B-plus inpatient tower plan and shifting to faster modernization of existing spaces. Courts & gambling: A federal judge denied Kalshi’s bid to block Iowa from applying state gaming laws, dealing another setback to the prediction market. Education & costs: Coe College in Cedar Rapids announced a nearly 45% tuition cut for 2027-28, aiming to make the real price clearer for families. Iowa sports: Iowa and Iowa State ramp up for the Cy-Hawk football showdown, with Iowa coming off a 40-0 opener and Iowa State starting the Jimmy Rogers era. Community & public safety: Cedar Rapids and Des Moines-area updates included storm impacts and boil advisories, while Iowa fire departments gear up for the Iowa Firefighters Association convention in Manchester.

Federal Energy Update: The U.S. Department of Energy has closed a $1.9 billion loan to restart Iowa’s shuttered Duane Arnold nuclear plant, with NextEra targeting a return to power by 2029. Iowa Politics & Water: Iowa Senate race messaging is heating up as Democrat Chris Jones highlights Des Moines River water quality after a kayak trip, while Ag Secretary Mike Naig argues Iowa’s investments are working. Public Safety: Des Moines police detained two people after a K-9 search tied to a Tuesday shooting near MLK Jr. Parkway and Atkins Street. Courts: A Wisconsin man, Stanley Pophal, was sentenced to 8 years in federal prison for a $14.25 million wire fraud and money laundering scheme involving investors across Iowa and Wisconsin. Local Economy: Cedar Rapids’ Cedar Crossing casino is ramping up hiring, planning to bring on hundreds of workers ahead of its November opening. Agriculture: Rain has helped crops in parts of Iowa, but too much moisture is raising disease pressure as harvest approaches. Sports: Iowa’s Cy-Hawk week continues with major volleyball and football coverage, plus local standouts like Landon Blum setting a state receiving record.

Cy-Hawk Spotlight: Iowa’s QB battle stays unsettled as Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski split reps again ahead of Saturday’s showdown with Iowa State. Sports—Volleyball: Iowa swept Iowa State 3-0 in Ames, with outside hitters driving the win. Sports—Football Rivalry Build: Iowa State coach Jimmy Rogers and Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz both frame Cy-Hawk as a high-intensity test of focus and handling adversity. Local Schools: Northeast Iowa voters approved multiple school facility and equipment levies, including Dubuque’s strong YES vote and Osage’s SAVE Fund safety/upgrade plan. Politics—Water & Health: Iowa’s U.S. Senate race is tightening as candidates spotlight water quality and Iowa’s high cancer rates. Iowa State & NASA: NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman visited Iowa State to pitch the next steps in lunar exploration. Public Safety/Weather: Des Moines police fielded storm-related calls as flooding hit roads and knocked down trees and wires. Community & Culture: Hy-Vee is honoring first responders with free drinks for 9/11. Tragedy: The Iowa Marching Band member Derek Phillips died after collapsing during the weekend football game in extreme heat.

UNI Anniversary: Gov. Kim Reynolds proclaimed Sept. 6 as University of Northern Iowa Sesquicentennial Day, marking 150 years since the school opened as the Iowa State Normal School. Health Alert: A measles outbreak in southwest Wisconsin has climbed to 151 confirmed cases, with Iowa County and Grant County among the affected areas; health officials are urging people to check vaccination status and stay home if exposed and not immune. Tragedy in Iowa City: University of Iowa marching band member Derek Phillips died after collapsing during the Northern Illinois game in extreme heat; the halftime performance was canceled and the university is offering on-site counseling. Housing Boost: The Iowa Economic Development Authority approved $39.84 million in workforce housing tax credits for 69 projects, targeting 2,093 new homes across 39 counties. Public Safety: Des Moines police are investigating gunfire near Roosevelt High and Hubbell Elementary; schools went into secure status and no injuries were reported. Local Crime: Two Sheldon men were arrested on felony theft charges after an Orange City investigation tied them to a stolen Rolex. Community & Events: The World Food Prize Foundation plans to try to break the world record for hunger-relief meals packaged in one hour in Des Moines on Oct. 20.

Iowa Sports: Sycamore linebacker Burke Gautcher made his Hawkeyes debut Saturday in Iowa’s 40-0 rout of Northern Illinois, a matchup close to home that he says helped him settle into the speed of the new system. Local Sports & Schools: In North Iowa Cedar League volleyball, #7 Dike-New Hartford and South Hardin head to #2 Union for a Tuesday triangular, while Iowa Star conference rivals BCLUW and North Tama renew a series that’s swung both ways the last three seasons. Public Safety: A 2-year-old died after being found unresponsive in a Davenport-area outdoor pool; Scott County investigators are looking into what happened. Community & Health: LifeServe Blood Center is pushing Iowa-Iowa State rivalry spirit with a “What Color Do You Bleed” blood drive Sept. 10-11, plus limited shirts for donors. Arts & Local Government: Iowa City approved a $1.8 million arts endowment to stabilize funding for major arts groups using a new local sales tax. Weather: Hot, humid conditions are expected to bring evening storms, with some strong storms possible. Politics: A new Emerson College poll finds close Iowa governor and Senate races as Election Day nears.

Fatal Crash Update Near Osage: Iowa State Patrol has identified the victims in Friday’s head-on crash: 56-year-old Stephnie Lynn Lyons of Rochester, Minnesota, and 71-year-old Charles Edward Yoders Jr. of Stacyville, Iowa, both died. A passenger, 71-year-old Yvonne Marie Yoders, was airlifted to Mayo Clinic. Investigators are still looking into what caused the crash. Road Safety Study: A new Triple-A-Iowa study says speeding has become “normal” for many drivers, with many believing they can go about 10 mph over without getting ticketed. Public Health Watch: Wisconsin measles officials found the virus in wastewater in two Iowa-area counties tied to the outbreak, pushing the regional case count higher. Iowa City Schools Cash-Flow Fix: Iowa City Community School District approved an $8 million loan to cover payroll until state funding arrives. Local Community & Education: Johnson County’s Welcoming Week returns Sept. 10-19 with free events, and NIACC will host free Constitution Day classes Sept. 17. Sports: Iowa State football rolled past SEMO, while Iowa’s season opener against Northern Illinois ended in a 40-0 shutout.

Iowa Politics & Policy: Gov. Kim Reynolds is warning Iowans about kratom risks and says statewide restrictions—or even a full ban—may be needed. Public Safety: A fire at a Redfield warehouse was contained without injuries, while Des Moines crews responded to a Highland Park water main break that closed Eighth Street and left some residents with throttled water. Health & Seniors: A new report highlights that many older Americans still don’t have enough to eat, with Iowa seniors feeling food-price pressure. Sports (Iowa): Iowa football’s quarterback battle stays in focus after the Hawkeyes’ 40-0 season-opening shutout of Northern Illinois, and the next test comes in Week 2. Sports (Iowa State): Iowa State’s Beni Ngoyi made headlines with a one-handed interception in the Cyclones’ opener. Culture & Community: Iowa City native Emily Galvin Almanza is bringing her public-defender experience to a new middle-grade mystery series for kids. Entertainment: Carrie Underwood surprised fans at Iowa’s Velocity Festival with nu-metal covers, including Limp Bizkit’s “Break Stuff.”

Severe Weather: A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 10 p.m. for southwest Iowa and northwest Missouri, with storms possibly bringing 60 mph winds and small hail. Local Government: Cedar Rapids Police Chief Dave Dostal plans to retire; the City Council will consider his retirement agreement Tuesday. Schools & Taxes: Webster City and West Marshall school districts will vote Tuesday on levies for upgrades and maintenance, including air conditioning and facility repairs. Banking: Equity Bank says it will merge with Lincoln Savings Bank, turning Lincoln’s 16 locations into Equity branches by year’s end. Education & Tech: Drake University is partnering with Panama’s national AI strategy, launching a data analytics degree pathway starting next August. Politics: More than 60 current and former Iowa Republicans have joined “Republicans for Turek,” backing Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Josh Turek. Public Safety & Health: Water over Euclid Avenue is causing lane closures in Des Moines while crews repair damage. Sports: Iowa women’s soccer closed nonconference play with a 3-0 win over Missouri State, and Iowa field hockey stayed undefeated with an 8-0 shutout of Ball State.

Hawkeye Football: Iowa opened the season with a 40-0 shutout of Northern Illinois at Kinnick, led by Kamari Moulton’s 183 rushing yards and two TDs, plus a defense that held the Huskies scoreless and forced key stops. Cyclones Football: Iowa State rolled past Southeast Missouri State 38-10 in the Jimmy Rogers era, with Jaylen Raynor scoring on a trick-play run and the defense piling up sacks. UNI Football: Eastern Washington beat Northern Iowa 34-24, but the game came with serious injuries for the Eagles, including a knee injury to linebacker Samarai Anderson. Immigration Services: Iowa advocates warn that shrinking federal funding is straining legal help for immigrants and refugees, leaving some people without representation as cases move fast. Des Moines Sustainability: Retired wind turbine blades were ground into concrete blocks used for a retaining wall at Premier Credit Union in downtown Des Moines. Community Spotlight: Des Moines held a historic brick oven celebration honoring Italian heritage, drawing hundreds of people for bread and cultural preservation. Sports on TV: Caitlin Clark and Team USA play Italy in the FIBA Women’s World Cup group stage Sunday, with coverage on TNT and HBO Max.