AGP Executive Report

Kansas Agriculture: A heatwave is still hurting Kansas farmers, with growers saying higher input costs and crop losses could squeeze fall harvests and cash flow. Local Courts & Schools: A Bonner Springs-Edwardsville school district is facing a federal lawsuit after a paraprofessional was allegedly fired for talking politics with a visiting state representative, raising First Amendment questions. Trade & Tariffs: U.S. moves in the escalating U.S.-Canada trade war include bans on some Canadian exports and tariff changes, with Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran praising a salt exemption that matters for local businesses and winter road safety. Kansas Business & Downtown: Kansas Commerce launched a $500,000 competitive placemaking grant program aimed at quickly transforming a downtown block to spur investment and local economic activity. Sports Business (Chiefs): Patrick Mahomes is on track to start Week 1 for the Chiefs after offseason knee rehab, as Kansas City looks to rebound from missing the playoffs last season. Regional Economy: Kansas City’s Royals held a 9/11 memorial stair climb at Kauffman Stadium, drawing first responders and community members.

US-Canada Trade War Hits Kansas Politics: Trump’s escalating tariffs and threats tied to Canada’s Bombardier are putting Kansas Republicans in a tough spot with voters as lawmakers weigh how to defend local jobs while distancing from the fight. Local Business & Community: Great Bend approved $68,450 for sound and lighting upgrades at the Crest Theatre, aiming for more concerts and downtown foot traffic. Healthcare Privacy: Democrats are pushing the Trump administration to halt a new surveillance effort that would pull identifiable emergency-room health data for thousands of injury types. Kansas Agriculture Workforce: Kansas Dept. of Agriculture named four Kansans to its Marketing Advisory Board, including leaders from food retail, agriculture education, the Kansas Horse Council, and livestock. Crypto Lobbying: A final lobbying push is underway in senators’ home states over major cryptocurrency legislation, with Kansas among the places seeing local op-eds and outreach. Business Growth Leadership: CRB named Helga Margrethe Salling as Chief Growth Officer to lead global growth strategy in life sciences and food and beverage.

Trade War Watch: President Trump escalated the U.S.-Canada fight by ordering the General Services Administration to remove Canadian-origin products from federal procurement catalogs, with Canada retaliating via tariffs that took effect Tuesday—hitting goods like steel, dairy, appliances, and electronics. Kansas Jobs at Stake: Wichita is getting direct attention as Trump threatens to ban Bombardier sales unless the company builds in the U.S.; Kansas officials and candidates pushed back, arguing the move could disrupt more than 1,000 local jobs tied to Bombardier’s defense and aerospace footprint. Local Government: Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas commissioners approved two sales tax increases for the November ballot—one for health funding and another for parks and infrastructure—plus grant applications for public safety and lead abatement. Health & Courts: A Kansas woman pleaded guilty in federal court to bank fraud and identity theft in Maine after impersonating account holders using fake passport cards; sentencing is pending. Community Spotlight: Lawrence’s “Stan the Mailman” retired after three decades, a downtown fixture known for delivering more than just mail.

Trade War Fallout in Kansas: President Trump threatened to block Bombardier aircraft sales in the U.S. unless the Canadian planemaker moves production stateside, just as Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on about $20B of U.S. goods took effect—prompting immediate pushback from Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran, who says Bombardier’s Wichita presence supports more than 1,000 jobs and a deep aerospace supply chain. Local Government Pay & Hospital Funding: Greenwood County commissioners approved a new pay scale, including shifting the EMS Director role to a different pay level; separately, Greenwood County Hospital says it could receive about $840,000 from a COVID-era Employee Retention Credit claim, while awaiting other grant decisions. Agribusiness Innovation: A “Day on the Farm” event in Kansas highlights new crop and farm-tech ideas, including a robotic weed-killer and perennial sunflower research aimed at helping small farms “grow to earn.”

Trade & Manufacturing: President Trump escalated the U.S.-Canada fight by threatening to block Bombardier from selling jets in the U.S. unless it builds in America, a move that could ripple through Kansas aerospace jobs tied to Bombardier’s Wichita defense work and its broader U.S. supplier network. State Budget Watch: Kansas lawmakers are still waiting on revenue triggers as state tax collections miss targets by more than $1B, delaying another income tax cut. Tax Policy Detail: Kansas collected $35M in severance taxes in 2024, down sharply from $71.3M the year before. Local Business & Community: Kansas Sampler Foundation brought rural leaders to Solomon to share practical ways communities can strengthen connection and participation without big budgets. Public Safety & Health: A proposed data center near Osawatomie State Hospital is drawing concerns from former staff about noise and light affecting psychiatric patients’ treatment. Consumer/Tech: AT&T users reported widespread 5G home internet and broadband outages, with Kansas among the hardest-hit areas.

Energy Costs: AAA says nearly 40 million Americans will drive for Labor Day, but the national gas average hit $4.14/gal—an all-time high for the holiday weekend—pushing household budgets further as crude prices stay elevated. Local Business & Community: Kansas City, Kansas launched its first Black Restaurant Week with 11 Black-owned spots, including $9.13 specials tied to “913 days,” spotlighting local dining and community support after recent storm recovery. Storm Disruption: SantaCaliGon Days in Independence, Missouri won’t reopen Monday after severe storms damaged festival grounds; the carnival and nearby businesses will still operate on a limited schedule. Agriculture & Food Prices: New reporting highlights rising taxpayer farm subsidies alongside concerns about who benefits, while weekly livestock updates point to shifting protein demand and mixed cattle/hog market pressure. Immigration Enforcement: A former USCIS official was arrested in a green-card corruption scheme alleged to involve approvals in exchange for money. Tech/Finance Branding: Ripple’s multi-year deal with the University of Florida will put the XRP logo on Ben Hill Griffin Stadium’s field, following a similar Kansas athletics partnership.

Kansas consumer watch: Valley Center and Tampa both landed in the BBB Scam Tracker’s “one scam report” tie group for July 2026, while Wichita, Overland Park and Topeka led Kansas cities for reported scams. Public safety & community: Kansas City firefighters climbed 110 stories in full gear to honor 343 FDNY members lost on 9/11, marking the event’s 16th year. Local business & weather: City Market shoppers and farmers say the heat is speeding ripening and softening produce, with peppers and tomatoes showing stress. Social Security snapshot: New ZIP-level counts show 66612 had 485 beneficiaries in Dec. 2024, while 66117 had 55 and 67211 had 3,340—useful for spotting where retiree and disability benefits cluster. Tech & logistics: Amazon says Prime Air could reach nearly 500 U.S. communities by end of 2026, with Kansas among the launch-site states. Healthcare policy: Rep. Jill Tokuda and Kansas lawmakers introduced “REH 2.0” to strengthen rural emergency hospital funding and keep services from shrinking.

Kansas Economy: Kansas tax collections are running strong early in fiscal year 2027, with total receipts about 6.5% above estimates and individual income tax leading the way, while corporation taxes lag. Healthcare & Business: A Lawrence pharmacy says new Kansas transparency rules for pharmacy benefit managers are squeezing revenue, a sign of how state policy can ripple through local healthcare providers. Food Safety: A new report warns salmonella strains in poultry are increasing and may be more resistant to antibiotics, raising pressure on regulators and the poultry supply chain. Ag & Weather: Kansas farmers facing drought are looking at perennial grains as a resilience play, even as yields and market readiness remain hurdles. Energy/Tech Politics: Billionaires are funding a major ad push to make AI data centers look “responsible,” aiming to sway voters in battleground states. Local Community & Growth: Wichita’s Kanna Next conference highlights headwinds for Kansas hemp businesses ahead of a potential nationwide crackdown. Public Safety: Kansas City, Kansas businesses helped residents during a storm blackout, and now local restaurants are gearing up for the area’s first Black Restaurant Week.

Local Public Safety Funding: U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran announced about $160,000 in federal help for Yates Center to upgrade radios, buy a patrol car and body armor—after the department faced possible closure. County Budget Watch: Johnson County commissioners adopted a roughly $1.9B 2027 budget and kept the property tax rate essentially flat at 24.13 mills, with major capital spending and staffing plans. Water System Updates: KDHE rescinded a “do not drink” order for Sundowner, Inc. after testing showed no bacteriological contamination and manganese below health advisory levels; KDHE also issued a boil-water advisory for Reno County’s RWD #8 after a waterline break caused pressure loss. Fraud Signals: BBB Scam Tracker data put Emporia among 52 Kansas cities tied for 28th in July scam reports (one report), underscoring ongoing fraud pressure statewide. Workforce & Training: A Maryville, Mo. council update highlighted a Kansas-area workforce push—tuition-free training funded by a Patterson Family Foundation grant, plus plans for more housing and child care.

Crypto & Banking Policy: Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran says he won’t back the CLARITY stablecoin bill as written, warning a loophole could steer “interest-like” yields to crypto exchanges and drain deposits that fund local lending—especially hitting community banks and Kansas farmers. Local Governance & Data Centers: A Kansas judge dismissed Edgerton residents’ lawsuit aimed at blocking a hyperscale data center petition, keeping the debate over health, environment, and local control alive heading into November. Sports Sponsorships: Ripple’s XRP branding deal is set to show up at the University of Florida’s Ben Hill Griffin Stadium starting Sept. 5, with the partnership reportedly valued around $5M a year—another sign of crypto chasing mainstream sports exposure. Agriculture Innovation: With drought pressure mounting, Kernza—a perennial grain developed in Kansas—gets attention as a more resilient option that can reduce tilling and help conserve moisture. Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs are building depth with a workout for veteran WR Xavier Gipson as they reshape the roster ahead of the season.

Kansas Budget Fight: Kansas Republicans say KDADS improperly shifted about $24 million among disability service programs, arguing the money should have gone to people on the I/DD waiting list instead of being reallocated to other disability-related needs. Wichita Homelessness Funding: Wichita’s Second Light got a $5 million one-time city grant, but the city tied it to expanding shelter bed capacity as the campus faces funding pressure. Local Business & Construction: Kansas City metro construction is ramping back up after a World Cup pause, and one Westport business says the disruption is cutting lunch traffic and hurting staff morale. Wichita Boathouse Lease: The Wichita City Council will decide next week whether to terminate the long-term lease of the Wichita Boathouse, citing more than $400,000 in deferred maintenance and the foundation’s inability to cover costs. Banking & Regulation: Kansas Bank Commissioner David Herndon announced he’ll retire Oct. 30, 2026, ending a tenure that began with his 2019 appointment. Workforce Training: The federal “Foundry School” initiative launched to train millions of skilled manufacturing workers by 2033, with curriculum support from Stanford and coordination with Congress. Higher Ed Costs: Kansas public four-year institutions’ enrollment-weighted in-state tuition and fees averaged $9,950 for 2024-25, before aid. Consumer Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Wichita leads Kansas with 25 scam reports in July 2026, while Atchison logged two.

Kansas Consumer Watch: The Kansas Department of Insurance says auto insurance led the state with 34% of more than 3,000 complaints filed in 2025, with claims handling driving 69% of issues—plus KDI recovered nearly $29 million for consumers. Aviation Safety & Local Industry: Boeing disclosed it paid a $3.1 million FAA fine tied to “hundreds” of quality-system violations, including at Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita, raising fresh questions about safety culture. Energy Costs: Gas prices are climbing ahead of Labor Day, with AAA putting the national average around $4.14 a gallon as Middle East supply risks and tighter inventories keep pressure on fuel and trucking costs. Manufacturing Workforce Push: The Trump administration launched the Foundry School program to train 3.8 million skilled workers by 2033 for semiconductors, defense, energy and advanced manufacturing. Local Government Finance: Russell County commissioners canceled a revenue-neutral-rate property tax hearing after budget revisions, though residents may still feel cuts to road and bridge services.

Grain & Rail: Canadian Pacific Kansas City set another monthly high in August, hauling 2.54 million metric tonnes and loading just over 26,000 carloads of Canadian grain and grain products. Housing & Rates: Phoenix-area home prices fell in August as more inventory met buyer leverage, while median listing prices in metro Phoenix and Tucson declined year over year. Road Construction: KDOT extended a Wakarusa Drive closure in Lawrence after utility relocation conflicts weren’t included in the original schedule, pushing related fall/winter closures into next year. Local Business Finance: Trust Company opened a new Great Bend branch, expanding wealth management and trust/estate services across western Kansas. Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data put Hugoton among 52 Kansas cities tied for 28th for July scam reports, with losses tied to a GLP1 “problem-solving” service scam. Federal Policy & Schools: The U.S. Department of Justice sued Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools over claims it secretly supported student social transitions without parental knowledge. Manufacturing Workforce: Vance and Rubio launched the Foundry School initiative to train 3.8 million workers by 2033 for semiconductors, defense and energy. Kansas Economy: Kansas tax collections ran above estimates in the first two months of fiscal year 2027, with individual income tax leading gains while corporation taxes lagged. Data Centers in Court: Edgerton’s lawsuit against residents over a proposed hyperscale data center heads into the courtroom fight over transparency and local control. Consumer Credit: Mortgage rates rose this week, with the 30-year fixed average climbing to 6.68% APR as markets priced in Fed uncertainty.

Kansas City Business & Economy: Kansas City’s Olive Park Village has now seen two overnight fires less than three hours apart, adding to more than two dozen incidents this year; the complex’s owner, Millennia, has reportedly been unresponsive, while the city has spent nearly $200,000 to contain the property, including major demolition costs. Corporate & Jobs: Kustom Entertainment (NASDAQ: KUST) laid out its integration roadmap for the pending acquisition of Tickets For Less (TFL), aiming to boost margins across TicketSmarter, internalize ticketing fees across its festival portfolio, and expand cross-promotions with venue and casino networks. Finance & Markets: A Fed Beige Book update says economic activity edged up modestly, employment rose slightly, and prices increased moderately, with mixed sentiment and heightened uncertainty tied to energy prices, policy, and international conflict. Aviation & Safety: Boeing paid a $3.1 million FAA penalty tied to safety and quality-control violations, including issues linked to the 2024 Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 incident. Policy & Healthcare: Rheumatology groups are pushing back on looming Medicaid “community engagement” exemption standards, warning new rules could disrupt access for patients with fluctuating autoimmune conditions.

Kansas Tax Update: Kansas ended August 2026 with total revenue receipts of $714.7 million, up 11.5% ($73.8 million) above estimate, led by individual income tax collections at $429.4 million (+14.5% vs. estimate). Heat & Home Services: A prolonged triple-digit heat wave is pushing Kansas City-area HVAC crews to the limit, with service calls up at least 20% as systems designed for ~90-degree days run at full capacity. Local Business Pressure: In Kansas City’s Crossroads area, a vegan-Mexican restaurant says it’s struggling to stay open as nearby closures and theft concerns mount, while the Crossroads CID disputes that crime is the main driver. Public Safety/Facilities: Emporia State shut down east-side seating at Welch Stadium due to structural deficiencies, cutting capacity and adding temporary bleachers for students. Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Tecumseh tied for 28th among Kansas cities with one scam report in July, while Wichita leads the state with 25. Community & Giving: Osborne County Community Foundation’s Impact Day returns Sept. 25 with a $25,000 match pool and an extra $11,000 bonus match for early donations.

Kansas Wheat Watch: Drought is still a major drag on hard red winter wheat planting plans, with Kansas topsoil moisture rated short to very short and planting not yet underway in key states like Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska. Local Government: Emporia’s city commission meetings are bringing public comment back after threats had shut it off, with the agenda including purchases and Safe Routes to Schools work. Tech & Distribution: Mountainland Supply Company is rolling out Thrive Technologies’ AI inventory rebalance tool across 42 branches to cut dead stock and improve profitability. Insurance for Renters: Lemonade expanded renters insurance in Kansas, offering coverage starting at $5/month with instant-claim handling for many customers. Rural Community Building: Kansas Sampler Foundation’s Do-Alogue convened leaders from 13 communities on making pools and other local assets into real “third spaces.” Policy & Higher Ed: A Kansas Senate race story highlights how a Democratic pastor nominee is trying to break a century-long GOP streak, while Oklahoma’s tenure ban is already hurting regional university hiring—an echo of the broader higher-ed fight.