AGP Executive Report

Sports & Culture: Caitlin Clark and Team USA open the 2026 Women’s FIBA World Cup Friday in Berlin, with Clark averaging 22.5 points and 8.4 assists and the U.S. missing A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum. Local Politics: Former Iowa Rep. Dave Dawson is running for the open 4th Congressional District seat, pitching rural healthcare, lower drug costs, and limits on corporate PAC influence. Education Policy: Iowa Department of Education is taking public feedback on proposed new achievement levels for the state’s summative assessment, with community sessions across the state starting Sept. 14. Public Safety & Health: Iowa AG Brenna Bird announced the first wave of opioid addiction fight grants totaling $1.6M, while measles cases are rising in nearby southwest Wisconsin with Iowa reporting 108 confirmed/probable cases. Community Updates: Iowa City apartment fire displaced seven residents; UNI marks its 150th anniversary this weekend; and Lansing’s Mississippi River bridge is set to open early, beating the spring 2027 deadline.

Public Health: Iowa health officials are warning about kratom—especially synthetic 7-OH—after confirming 45 kratom-associated deaths across 23 counties, including 16 so far this year. Weather & Safety: Dubuque schools dismissed some classes early Wednesday due to extreme heat and limited air conditioning, with a Sept. 8 vote looming on whether to double the district’s PPEL levy to speed up cooling upgrades. Environment & Outdoors: The Iowa DNR says the state’s pheasant population averaged 23 birds per route in its August survey—second-highest in more than a decade—though northeast numbers fell sharply. Local Government & Community: Mason City wrapped up a six-year emerald ash borer cleanup by removing the final ash tree from city right-of-way, after cutting 2,816 trees and planting 900 more. Sports (Iowa): Iowa’s season opener at Kinnick Stadium is set for Sept. 5, with new heat-focused gameday procedures including unlimited sealed water bottles and 4,000 refillable bottles distributed at gates. Education & Tech: The Iowa Communications Network named new Iowa high school students to its Statewide Youth Broadband Advisory Council, including students from Des Moines, Johnston, Waukee, Ames, Cedar Rapids, and Sioux City.

DNR Long Gun Auction: Iowa’s annual sale of confiscated long guns is live online and runs through Sept. 12, with pickup required by 4 p.m. that day and an in-person inspection Sept. 11. Gas Watch: AAA says Iowa regular averages $3.89, down 14 cents this week, while diesel is $5.44. Disaster Aid: Gov. Reynolds says FEMA’s Public Assistance is now activated for Jasper, Polk, Story and Warren counties after July storms and flash flooding. Heat Safety for Football: Kinnick’s Sept. 5 opener will add cooling areas and allow unlimited sealed water bottles plus extra first-aid support. Politics & Debates: Iowa PBS will host Senate candidate debates Oct. 7 (Hinson vs. Turek) and Oct. 8 (Mitchell vs. James), with a governor debate Oct. 21. Local Crime & Courts: State auditors found $122,000 in questionable spending by a former Guttenberg Chamber exec; and a Twin Cities man pleaded guilty after allegedly waving a gun during Clear Lake’s July 4 celebration. Weather Aftermath: Hull crews restored power after overnight storm damage, with hundreds initially affected.

UNI Naming Rights: UNI is launching a first-ever hunt for a corporate sponsor to buy naming rights to the UNI-Dome, a 50-year Cedar Valley landmark. Space Science: A University of Iowa researcher says her team found corundum on Mars, a mineral once thought to be Earth-only, with plans to study deeper Martian crust. Iowa City Safety: The Iowa City Council delayed a vote on adding three permanent police positions for downtown’s Pedestrian Mall after the April shooting, citing cost and wanting more planning. Fraud Watch: The Iowa Insurance Division warned of a licensing-identity theft scam that can lead to fake policies and stolen federal health subsidies. Workers’ Comp Scam: Iowa’s DIAL also flagged a scheme impersonating regulators to trick injured workers into paying upfront fees. Health & Community: New perinatal care investment aims to support Iowa mothers dealing with mental health struggles. Weather: Heat advisory continues with hot, humid conditions and scattered storm chances.

Heat Safety: NPR and Boston University modeling suggests Iowa’s heat-related deaths are far undercounted, estimating about 93 per year from 2018-2025 versus the CDC’s ~9—while Iowa remains under heat advisories. Public Health & Drugs: Gov. Kim Reynolds and state agencies warn Iowans about kratom and concentrated synthetic 7-OH products, citing confirmed kratom-associated deaths and urging caution. Measles Update: Iowa DHS says measles cases in Grant and Lafayette counties have risen to 102 confirmed, with six probable, as officials urge people to check vaccination status. State Politics & Education: A Common Sense Institute report finds Iowa public school enrollment is down but administrators are up nearly 12% since 2014. Local Roads: A county engineer recommends adjusting speed limits after state law raised default speeds on two-lane roads, citing curve safety concerns. Agriculture & Weather: USDA crop progress shows corn development advancing (dent stage up), and northwest Iowa saw the week’s heaviest rainfall. Des Moines/Metro Watch: Power outages and city disruptions continue to pop up as the school year starts. Sports: Iowa football QB competition remains open as the Hawkeyes prepare for Northern Illinois; high school rankings and 8-player results keep rolling in.

Farm & Water Planning: Iowa will host the annual Farm Progress Show in Boone, with hundreds of exhibitors, while northwest residents are being asked to weigh in on a new Little Sioux River Water Trail Plan aimed at recreation, access, safety and habitat. Disaster Relief: U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley’s office says more FEMA money is headed to northwest Iowa communities tied to severe weather damage, including flood-related costs and emergency warning systems. State Politics & Cost of Living: Democrat Rob Sand proposes expanding Iowa’s voluntary preschool program to a full day and also outlines affordability moves on caregiving tax credits, utility fee limits and prescription drug costs. Consumer Protection: Iowa and Nebraska are joining a multi-state lawsuit against Amazon alleging secret ad overcharges via hidden surcharges. Public Safety: A fatal Des Moines house fire left one dead and one injured; a Hancock County truck crash killed a driver; and a serious motorcycle crash injured a rider on US-65. Tech & Education: Iowa State’s “Today’s AI” site is now a free public hub tracking new AI tools. Health & Community: Families marked overdose awareness at the Iowa Capitol with a memorial on the west terrace.

Heat & Power Watch: Electric co-ops in Iowa issued a peak energy alert Monday afternoon (about 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.), urging people to set cooling to at least 76 and conserve during the highest-demand hours. Local Schools & Safety: Diagonal Community School District will dismiss early all week because older buildings lack air conditioning, while area schools also posted strong results in U.S. News & World Report’s Iowa high school rankings. Agriculture Update: USDA reports Iowa corn is 94% in the dough stage and 77% rated good to excellent; soybeans are 93% setting pods and also 77% good to excellent as harvest nears. Legal & Public Safety: Iowa AG Brenna Bird says a Jefferson officer’s fatal July shooting was legally justified after the suspect allegedly stabbed the officer; separately, a Mason City man who pistol-whipped a victim got five years of supervised probation. Consumer & Community: Bird joined a multi-state lawsuit against Amazon over alleged ad overcharging; and River Bend Food Bank is kicking off Hunger Action Month in September with local volunteer and “go orange” events. Culture & Education: Sioux City artist Shelby Prindaville was named a 2026-27 Iowa Artist Fellow with a $10,000 award.

NFL & Iowa Sports: Green Bay traded for former Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson as Josh Jacobs’ status gets murky, giving the Hawkeye alum a shot at the Packers’ backfield. Veterans Remembrance: East and South Iowa communities marked anniversaries of service members’ sacrifices, including Vietnam and Korean War deaths, with observances running through Sept. 5. Farm & Health: Iowa State confirmed red crown rot in a southeastern field, urging growers to inspect closely and test suspect plants; a new study also ranks Iowa among the least-stressed states about health insurance despite a big jump in plan searches. Politics & Campaign Trail: Two major Iowa events spotlighted stakes in 2026 races, with candidates pushing water, schools, immigration, and a proposed statewide alert system for missing vulnerable adults. Rural Connectivity: The FCC cleared an Innovation Zone at Iowa State University for rural wireless research tied to precision farming. Local Government: Tama and Toledo are weighing merging police departments to cut costs, while Ankeny voters will decide a local option sales tax in a Sept. 8 special election. Consumer Safety: BBB Scam Tracker data put Fort Dodge among Iowa cities with multiple scam reports in July. Meta Settlement: Iowa’s expected Meta payout is about $136 million, likely split into ten annual payments. Public Safety & Community: A Highway 136 crash near Princeton injured a Monticello woman; Des Moines also saw hundreds ride for cancer screenings, and the Iowa Nepalese Association held a vigil for Nepal flood victims.

UI & Local Costs: UI Health Care parking permit rate hikes starting Nov. 1 will hit North Liberty and Iowa River Landing employees hardest, with some monthly rates jumping from $20 to $29, then $53, and up to $73 by July 2028. Public Safety: An Ames woman accused of driving the wrong way on I-35 and hitting a deputy vehicle is in custody on OWI and child endangerment charges; a 14-year-old was injured. Health Spending Watch: Medicaid provider billings in Iowa City for chemotherapy drugs reached $7,740 in 2024, up 6.2% from 2023. Politics: U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse and Rep. Jamie Raskin rallied Iowa Democrats at the Polk County Steak Fry, backing Josh Turek and pushing term limits. Weather: Central Iowa is heading into a stretch of 90-degree heat, with heat indices near 102 and humid conditions. Sports: No. 11 Iowa field hockey beat No. 2 North Carolina 3-2 in the ACC Challenge finale. Community & Culture: Orchestra Iowa will bring “Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert” to Cedar Rapids’ Veterans Memorial Stadium in June 2027.

Medicaid Watch: Perry saw Medicaid billings for vision services jump 125.5% in 2024, while West Des Moines logged a 348.8% spike in medical and surgical supplies claims—showing how public health dollars can swing fast by category and community. Iowa Politics: U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson rallied Republicans at her BBQ Bash in Clive, with party leaders warning turnout will decide the midterms; Democrats countered at the Polk County Steak Fry with national lawmakers backing Josh Turek and pushing term limits. Public Safety: A federal fugitive wanted since 2018 was arrested in Ottumwa after Wapello County deputies and the FBI tracked him to rural Iowa. Sports: Iowa high school football kicked off with Week 1 standouts and big early results; Iowa Western opened with a 71-0 shutout of Highland, while Drake and Iowa Western both started men’s soccer 2-0. Community & Culture: The University of Iowa Sailing Club won a one-year lease extension at Lake MacBride, and the African American Museum of Iowa announced a new exhibit opening Sept. 4.

U.S. Senate race: Iowa’s Senate contest is heating up around affordability and tax policy, with Republican Ashley Hinson and Democrat Josh Turek both pitching cost-of-living fixes as the race is labeled a toss-up. Energy & safety: The Iowa Utilities Commission is weighing penalties and corrective action for Black Hills Energy after a hearing found more probable pipeline safety violations and slower corrections than other major gas providers. Consumer scams: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Ogden and Chariton tied for 19th in Iowa for July scam reports, with Ogden logging two reports and Chariton also posting two. Public safety/health: Iowa City Police is recruiting volunteers for its Winter Clothing Drive, running Oct. 11-17, with extra need for Spanish, French and Arabic speakers. Community & culture: The African American Museum of Iowa will open a new exhibit Sept. 4 on Black resilience and community from 1964-1999. Sports (Iowa): Iowa volleyball coach Jim Barnes hit 500 career wins, and Iowa field hockey pulled off a major overtime comeback over No. 7 Wake Forest to start the season. Weather: Summer heat and humidity are returning across Iowa.

Utility Oversight: Iowa regulators are weighing penalties and corrective steps after a hearing into Black Hills Energy’s safety and management practices, citing more probable violations than other major gas providers and longer correction times. High School Football: The Iowa City West–Iowa City High rivalry delivered a 30-29 comeback for West, while Week 1 top-25 results included Dowling Catholic’s 21-0 shutout of West Des Moines Valley and other ranked teams feeling early-season shocks. Local Sports Roundup: Area 8-player and 11-player games featured CAM’s comeback win over Fremont-Mills, Stanton-Essex moving to 2-0, and Treynor’s OT slugfest finish. Public Safety & Courts: A Colfax woman was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for stealing $426,837 from Children and Families of Iowa, and a Bondurant woman received two years after a toddler died in a hot car while she drank. Community Notes: Newton’s Aurora Heights Elementary opened with temporary occupancy as construction continues, and Indianola urged residents to use proper drop-off sites for lithium-ion batteries after a truck fire.

Downtown Development: Des Moines has withdrawn plans for a downtown Dutch Bros drive-thru after neighborhood pushback. Veterans & Funding: A $1.36M federal grant will expand the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel, adding 2,160 columbarium niches and landscaping. Communications & Research: The FCC approved a new Iowa “innovation zone,” giving Iowa State University an experimental spectrum license for wireless research. Weather & Water: The U.S. Drought Monitor shows worsening dry conditions in northwest Iowa, with more areas sliding into moderate to severe drought. Public Health & Safety: The Iowa Board of Nursing sanctioned multiple nurses over alleged theft, indecent exposure, and patient-care issues. Utilities & Rates: The Iowa Utilities Commission ordered a permanent natural gas rate cut for IPL customers and questioned Black Hills Energy over a high number of pipeline safety problems. Local Crime: McKinley Elementary in Des Moines was briefly placed on secure status after a stolen-car crash nearby; the suspect remains at large. Sports & Schools: Iowa’s new civics-test graduation requirement for the Class of 2027 is now in the spotlight, and Iowa football recruiting and 2026 season previews keep fans talking.

City Finance: Des Moines officials say they’ve found more than $11 million in potential savings and revenue options, setting up a City Council vote on which departments take cuts. College Football: Three Iowa Hawkeyes landed on ESPN’s Top 100 college players list—Kade Pieper (#40), Trevor Lauck (#54), and Zach Lutmer (#72)—with Iowa set to host Ohio State Oct. 3 in a sold-out opener week. High School Sports: Iowa’s preseason football rankings are out, and volleyball season begins under the lights at Valley Stadium in West Des Moines with multiple metro matchups. Public Safety & Courts: A judge blocked Iowa Libertarian replacements from the ballot, while a West Des Moines teen faces trial after a July 4 party shooting with a $1 million bond. Health & Community: Iowa’s opioid treatment hotline is now available statewide, and Scott County is offering free MMR vaccines as measles concerns rise.

High School Sports: Pella Christian opened the 2026 volleyball season with a tough night, falling to Des Moines Christian in three sets. Community Calendar: Lake Mills is bringing back its Fall Carnival on Sept. 24 at Oakwood Park, with family activities, food trucks, and a 7 p.m. magic show. Outdoor & Hunting: The Iowa DNR says cottontail rabbit season opens Sept. 5 statewide, with a steady population and guidance for hunters to scout overlooked spots. Public Safety & Courts: A Waukee High School football coach was suspended for the first two games after an OWI arrest; an Iowa physician is asking the state Supreme Court to block a Board of Medicine disciplinary decision. Des Moines Watch: The city is preparing for budget cuts tied to a new property-tax revenue cap, with potential impacts like higher fees and slower processes. Environment & Health: The DNR announced a $1 million Derelict Building Grant round to help small towns pay for asbestos cleanup. Religion & Immigration: A second Des Moines-area Roman Catholic priest sued Homeland Security over alleged delays in work authorization. Weather/Space: Iowans may get a look at a partial lunar eclipse Thursday night into Friday, depending on storms.

Iowa Politics: Iowa’s governor and Senate races are heating up as Democrats push back on rising costs and health concerns, with State Auditor Rob Sand pitching a “common sense” message to independents and even some Republicans in Oskaloosa. Healthcare Costs: Sen. Chuck Grassley’s fraud-focused Q&A argues healthcare billing fraud is driving up costs and says his False Claims Act work has recovered billions for taxpayers. Courts & Accountability: A judge ruled the developer behind Des Moines’ 515 Walnut apartment tower must reimburse a bank $33.1 million. Education & Students: Iowa finalized eligibility rules for free and reduced-price meals under federal lunch programs, and Grinnell College says a new federal international-student rule is already causing “serious, irreparable harm.” Community & Events: Downtown Des Moines’ World Food and Music Festival returns Friday, Aug. 28, and Bremer County is offering free radon test kits for eligible rural homes. Public Safety: A 69-year-old woman was injured in a Highway 136 crash west of Wayland. Sports: Iowa State volleyball opens its season with the Cyclone Invite at Hilton Coliseum, and former Cyclone Georges Niang signed with the Golden State Warriors.