AGP Executive Report

Measles Watch: Iowa health officials say the state’s measles outbreak has grown to 17 cases, with new potential exposure locations added as local clinics urge residents to check MMR status. Courts & Public Safety: Iowa City Ped Mall shooting suspects Damarian Jones and Ka’Mari Dozier are set for a joint attempted murder trial on Jan. 26, 2027. Ag & Energy: The Iowa Biodiesel Board warns that reported Renewable Fuel Standard small refinery exemptions could slash demand and undo recent hiring and investment at Iowa biodiesel plants. Local Food Help: River Bend Food Bank adjusts hours for its NorthPark and SouthPark pantries starting Aug. 31 to meet increased need. Education & Training: Northeast Iowa Community College launches a sterile processing technician pathway certificate, with classes starting October 2026. Politics: Governor candidates Zach Lahn and Rob Sand are both pushing cancer-focused plans as they court voters ahead of November. Roads: Highway 18 detours are coming for Sheldon as Highway 18 closes for railroad track repairs through early September.

Local Roads & Events: Downtown Des Moines road closures begin today ahead of the World Food & Music Festival, with multiple stretches shut down starting 9 a.m. Tuesday (Aug. 25) through Thursday (Aug. 27), and ending Monday (Aug. 31) at 6 a.m. Housing Watch: The Des Moines metro housing market stayed “consistent” in July, with 4,486 active listings (+6.5% vs. July 2025) and a median sales price of $320,000. Public Health: Iowa’s measles outbreak grew to 17 confirmed cases as of Aug. 24, with new potential exposure locations listed in Bloomfield and earlier stops in Ottumwa. Politics & Agriculture: Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and U.S. Senate candidate Chris Jones faced questions at the Iowa State Fair Soapbox, while a state fair straw poll showed Ashley Hinson leading Josh Turek. Iowa Economy & Energy: West Des Moines construction near two schools is causing first-day traffic slowdowns for a longer Grand Avenue safety project. Community & Safety: Linn County residents pressed Supervisor Sami Scheetz at a town hall over data centers and a proposed power plant. Sports: Iowa’s Cam Buffington says he’s ready for a bigger role with the Hawkeyes as the season opener vs. Northern Illinois sells out.

Beef Trade: Iowa lawmakers are pushing back on President Trump’s proposal to temporarily boost imported beef, arguing it should be driven by market conditions and not “on the backs of our cattlemen,” as the herd remains at a 70-year low. Ag Markets: Iowa ag groups say exports to the Philippines should hold steady even with production constraints, pointing to demand for ground beef and growth in ethanol and livestock feed needs. State Fair: The Iowa State Fair shattered attendance records again, drawing 1,218,834 people over 11 days, including a single-day high of nearly 131,000. Local Government: An Iowa City school board member resigned, citing a “toxic environment” and division during the district’s financial recovery. Public Safety: A Bryant man was taken into custody on six felony child pornography charges, and a Sioux City woman was arrested on felony drug possession charges after an Allendorf-area traffic stop. Community & Infrastructure: Crews completed the final deck pour on the Lansing Mississippi River Bridge, with barriers and roadway work next; Linn County supervisors host a town hall tonight in Cedar Rapids. Health: St. Luke’s Health Care Foundation awarded rural healthcare grants to Eastern Iowa organizations.

Iowa Politics: The Iowa Senate race is tightening fast, with candidates spotlighting the state’s cancer crisis as the open-seat contest between Josh Turek and Ashley Hinson heats up. State Fair Buzz (Des Moines): The Iowa State Fair wrapped up after record-setting crowds, with attendance on track to top the 2024 mark and single-day highs hitting nearly 131,000. Public Health & Food Costs: Older Iowans and other older Americans are being squeezed by rising food prices, with many cutting back on essentials to make ends meet. Local Education: Des Moines Public Library says its summer reading program hit new records, including a surge in registrations and thousands of books handed out. Community & Safety: A BCLUW community is rallying around the Tack family after principal Josh Tack died in a crash, while Des Moines added a doctor to its fair medical response team. Workforce Training: NICC launched a new Sterile Processing Technician program aimed at filling a growing healthcare staffing need. Labor: UAW members voted down a John Deere contract extension, sending talks back to the bargaining table. Weather/Agriculture: Midwest flooding from mid-August storms is threatening corn and soybean yields, while Iowa disease pressure remains relatively low.

Little League World Series: Davenport Northwest beat Bayonne 6-0 to move to 2-0, powered by Anthony Johnson Jr.’s 15 strikeouts and a three-run homer; Iowa next plays Nevada Wednesday at 2 p.m. State Fair & agriculture: Gov. Kim Reynolds says her staff tracked 700 photos in one day at the Iowa State Fair, while Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards honored 33 families and Century/Heritage Farm ceremonies recognized 514 families for long-running stewardship. Public health: Wisconsin DHS reports measles cases tied to an outbreak in Grant, Iowa County and Lafayette County, with Iowa Health officials listing additional exposure locations. Politics & cost pressure: Iowa farmers at the State Fair say Trump-era tariffs and imported beef plans are adding chaos and stress, with some delaying repairs and spending. Community & culture: Iowa City’s Climate Fest returns Sept. 22-26 with free events including EV displays and compost-related programming. Local notes: A Des Moines-area skydiver injured near Knoxville is expected to recover after a hard landing.

Public Safety: Search for a missing boater on the Des Moines River was paused Saturday night due to darkness and will resume Sunday morning. State Politics: Libertarian Jacob Heard accused Republicans of trying to keep Libertarians off the Nov. 3 ballot during a Des Moines Register Soapbox stop. Agriculture & Water: Democrat Chris Jones told fairgoers Iowa needs “systemic change” to fix water and rural problems, criticizing incremental approaches and Trump’s move to suspend tariffs on imported ground beef. Local Schools: Spirit Lake Community Schools is moving toward a November vote after supporters gathered enough signatures to put a nearly $70 million bond referendum on the ballot. Crime & Courts: U.S. Marshals arrested a fugitive in Seattle on outstanding warrants tied to a 2007 child rape conviction; he was booked in Des Moines. Roads & Safety: Iowa State Patrol says speeding violations are down, but speeds are up, urging drivers to follow posted limits. Community: Waterloo’s Broadway Cleaners owner says she’s preparing to retire after more than 50 years. Sports: Iowa high school football Week 0 delivered early action, including Iowa Valley’s 67-14 win over Springville.

Iowa State Fair: Day 9 attendance hit a new record with 114,256 people through the gates Friday, pushing the fair toward an all-time total as the final weekend lines up with mild weather. Grandstand Spotlight: Rapper BigXthaPlug (Xavier Landum) was arrested in Texas on drug and firearm-related charges less than 24 hours before his scheduled Iowa State Fair performance; fair officials say they’ve been told he will still take the stage. Local Government: An Iowa City school board work session over finances and governance turned tense, with board member Jayne Finch planning to resign amid disputes over transparency and budget pressure. Public Health: Iowa HHS confirmed a measles case in Ottumwa and flagged a Pizza Ranch exposure site; officials urge anyone there to watch for symptoms and contact providers before visiting. Community & Culture: The Iowa Children’s Museum in Coralville received an $18,100 Johnson County grant to expand hands-on cultural programming for families. Business/Jobs: The Iowa Economic Development Authority approved tax credits tied to new manufacturing investment in Clinton and Waverly, supporting dozens of jobs. Weather/Travel: A calmer weekend is expected across the Quad Cities region after storms earlier in the week. Safety: Fort Madison firefighters say a detached garage fire damaged three nearby properties but crews stopped it from spreading into homes.

Iowa State Fair & Politics: Iowa Rep. Ashley Hinson pushed back on President Trump’s move to suspend tariffs on imported ground beef, saying it could undercut Iowa ranchers as the herd remains at a 70-year low. Public Safety: A Fayette County crash involving a semi hauling pigs and a pickup sent three juveniles to the hospital; in Clear Lake, police found a driver hiding in a creek after an I-35 stolen-vehicle incident. Health & Community: Iowa’s measles situation continues to expand, with officials adding potential exposure locations; separately, a University of Iowa team says it found a cheaper way to calibrate magnetometers. Sports: Iowa State guard Killyan Toure had successful shoulder surgery and is expected back in January; Rocky Men’s Soccer stunned No. 1 Grand View 2-1, and Holy Trinity volleyball is ranked third in Class 1A. Agriculture & Local Life: Beattie’s Melon Patch won the State Fair “Choose Iowa Favorite Fair Food” contest with its watermelon-in-a-cup. Scams & Crime: Van Buren County warned residents about a phone scam impersonating the sheriff’s office demanding payment.

Iowa State Fair Food: The Porky Parm Gnocchi from Destination Grille won the 2026 Iowa State Fair People’s Choice Best New Food, taking 44.9% of votes; the fair also announced Best New Drinks, including a tie for alcohol drinks and a separate alcohol-free winner. Local Public Health: Dubuque County officials say there are no confirmed measles cases locally, but they’re urging people to check MMR vaccination status as cases rise in nearby Illinois and southwest Wisconsin. School Disruption: Jefferson Middle School in Dubuque delayed its first day after a fire; classes now start Aug. 31, with one wing closed while repairs and inspections wrap up. City Updates: Coggon lifted its city-wide boil advisory after water test results came back negative; Independence installed downtown signs reminding riders to walk bikes and scooters on sidewalks. Sports & Community: Davenport’s Cooper Thissen helped Iowa win at the Little League World Series with a no-hitter; Sheldon held a ribbon-cutting for new apartments, and Larchwood received a $1 million CAT grant for a new community center.

Iowa State Fair Politics: U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche drew attention for grilling meat at the Iowa State Fair, insisting his stop wasn’t about the midterms. Ag & Food: Pro Farmer crop tour scouts project Iowa corn yields below last year, and a debate over the “Save Our Bacon Act” is heating up around how Prop 12 would affect animal housing rules. Local Life: An Iowa family moved a century-old farmhouse four miles to build their dream home, while Spirit Lake schools advanced a $69.9 million facilities plan toward a November referendum. Public Safety & Policy: TSA Gold+ is set to launch at Des Moines International Airport as airport security shifts toward public-private partnerships, and West Burlington is weighing an ordinance to rein in e-scooter misuse. Community & Culture: A Vietnam-era helicopter dubbed “The Flying Memorial” is drawing crowds in central Iowa, and the Little Turkey and Turkey River cleanups removed more than 11 tons of trash.

Ethanol & Trade: USDA Undersecretary Luke Lindberg told Iowa audiences the U.S. is on track for record ethanol exports, with the Philippines singled out as a key buyer as E20 use expands there. Politics & Elections: The Cook Political Report moved Iowa’s open-seat Senate race and Texas’ contest to toss-ups, pointing to backlash to President Trump and economic strain hitting agriculture. Local Arts: Iowa City approved an endowment for the arts, setting up nearly $2M in funding to help local cultural groups. Public Safety: A fatal Cedar Rapids shooting is under investigation; in Waterloo, a woman died after a house fire, and the cause is still unknown. Environment: Residents in western Iowa pressed federal officials over contamination from a Cold War missile site, where cleanup planning could take years. Economy & Jobs: Iowa’s unemployment rate held at 3.2% in July, while the state’s July jobs report showed a net job loss after months of growth. Community Notes: Dubuque students can ride free public transit again, and Blank Children’s Hospital received a Caitlin Clark Foundation book vending machine.

Constitution Day in Iowa: Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Annette Gordon-Reed will speak at UNI Sept. 17 on “Thomas Jefferson and the Presidency,” a free public lecture. Iowa Politics: Two independent candidates for Iowa’s U.S. House races say it’s time for a movement led by independents, arguing both major parties serve elites. Immigration & Public Safety: ICE detained a Cedar Rapids data center worker who sought asylum, while Iowa DPS released details on a Stuart shooting that killed a woman and left a state trooper in stable condition. Local Economy/Development: Panattoni is nearing the finish line on a major industrial project in Des Moines, with a new speculative building tied to a Port of Seattle ground lease. Sports & Health: Iowa State basketball faces another injury setback with a reported shoulder injury to Killyan Toure. Community & Culture: Better Ballot Iowa is running a nonpartisan “how people feel about politics” booth at the Iowa State Fair, and a new study says Hinterland Music Festival ticket prices have surged sharply over the years.

Iowa Politics: Democrat Sarah Trone Garriott is trying to rebrand her stance on transgender issues after voting against a bill barring men from women’s spaces, rolling out a new “mom” focused ad aimed at reframing her record. Local Schools: Waterloo Community Schools will keep separate East and West high school football programs for 2027-28 after student and community pushback. Public Safety: Iowa State Patrol trooper Chase Carruthers was shot in Stuart; a suspect, Austin Nichols Reed, faces murder and attempted murder charges after a woman was killed. Elections & Voting Access: AG Brenna Bird defended Iowa’s decision to turn over voter registration data to the Trump administration, arguing the state should do everything possible to prevent illegal voting. Health: Iowa is the first state approved for a federal foster-care diversion program, aiming to keep young kids with parents through in-home addiction support. Agriculture & Economy: USDA’s trade leader says Iowa farmers want a new deal with Mexico and Canada as the Crop Tour reports wet conditions and mixed corn performance. Weather/Travel: Sioux Center targets reopening Highway 75 traffic by mid-to-late fall, with a partial Seventh Street reopening possible this week. Cost of Living: Gas prices remain elevated across Iowa and the Tri-States, with Iowa averaging about $4.12 a gallon.

Stuart Shooting: A woman was found dead and an Iowa State Patrol trooper was injured after a shooting in Stuart; DCI says the trooper encountered an armed man and was shot, and the suspect was taken into custody. Measles Alert: Iowa’s outbreak continues to spread, with health officials reporting 36 confirmed cases in southwestern Wisconsin tied to Iowa/Lafayette County links, and many cases among unvaccinated children. Local Public Safety: Iowa City police chief Dustin Liston is pushing for a permanent pedmall patrol after April gunfire left multiple victims hurt, arguing more dedicated presence could cut violent crime. County Budget Fight: Johnson County taxpayers are questioning a proposed $94 million jail bond, with residents asking about costs, interest rates, and whether inmate trends truly justify the project. Agriculture & Water: Iowa is expanding the Cattle and Conservation working lands program into Des Moines watershed counties, offering $1.5 million over five years to convert unproductive acres to pasture and reduce runoff. Sports & Community: Davenport Northwest Little League is set for its Little League World Series opener in Williamsport, and Luka Garza held a youth basketball camp at Upper Iowa University. Iowa State Fair Notes: Fair police shared tips for finding lost children, and Budweiser brought its Field of Dreams-themed limited beer to Iowa.

Verdict in Linn County: Jury finds Kaleek Lewis guilty on seven counts, including first-degree murder, in the Sept. 2025 shooting death of Dedric Arnold; sentencing is set for Oct. 16. I-80 fatal crash: A Cedar Rapids man died after a one-vehicle crash near mile marker 218; officials suspect a medical emergency. State Fair politics: Rep. Ashley Hinson used the Des Moines Register Soapbox to attack Josh Turek over missed votes and issues tied to immigration, taxes, and transgender students. Defense push in Iowa: U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth campaigned with Zach Nunn at the Iowa State Fair, backing a $1.5T Pentagon budget request. Health alert: Iowa health officials report 11 new measles cases, as the outbreak expands beyond the state. Water quality & farms: Iowa’s Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Program expands into 22 Greater Des Moines watershed counties with $1.5M over five years. Local government: Cedar Falls holds a parks master plan open house; Sheldon City Council discusses city manager profile and road projects.

Measles Watch: Iowa health officials confirmed 11 new measles cases, bringing the 2026 total to 12, and say person-to-person spread is likely; exposure locations and times were released, including stops in Clive and West Des Moines. Public Safety: Mark Lee Jackson, accused in the shooting of a Muscatine police officer, was arrested in Muscatine after days on the run; the officer is recovering and is reported stable. State Fair Politics & Veterans: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth joined Rep. Zach Nunn at the Iowa State Fair to honor Iowa soldiers killed in Syria and to push a major defense-spending push, while the U.S. Senate race heated up with Ashley Hinson and Josh Turek trading attacks over voting and rural issues. Local Growth: Windsor Heights is exploring a shared-use trail along a planned-abandoned rail corridor near 73rd Street, and West Des Moines is partnering with Casey’s on a new RecPlex ice rink. Community & Health: Hy-Vee announced a back-to-school food drive to support local pantries, and Iowa DNR/ISU Extension launched a Chronic Wasting Disease Ambassadors program in Decorah. Sports & Culture: Luka Garza returned to Iowa for a basketball camp at Upper Iowa University, and the Iowa State Fair’s butter cow sculptor Sarah Pratt marked 20 years.