AGP Executive Report

Field of Dreams / Manufacturing & Tourism: Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber powered the Phillies’ offense in the Iowa cornfield spotlight, with Schwarber driving two homers as the game keeps pulling national attention to Iowa-made experiences. State Policy / Transportation: Nebraska Sen. Merv Riepe voted Yes on LB972, a broad update to motor vehicle, licensing, parking, and registration rules—relevant for regional logistics and compliance. Iowa Politics at the Fair: Candidates for governor used the Iowa State Fair to pitch their agendas, with business, manufacturing, and trade themes front and center. Health Care Costs: UI Health Care is raising employee parking permit rates starting Nov. 1, triggering a petition and morale concerns. Water Infrastructure: Paullina is weighing a water system upgrade, likely starting with a preliminary engineering report and possible new well options. Ag & Community Funding: The Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show raised $572,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa. Energy & Fuel Prices: GasBuddy reports show premium and E85 pricing variations across Iowa counties, underscoring ongoing volatility for drivers and fuel-dependent businesses. Trade / Tariffs: Canada and the U.S. are racing to avoid new tariffs, with negotiators warning relief may be hard to secure. Local Construction: East State Street road work begins Monday in Mason City, affecting traffic for about two weeks.

Trade & Agriculture: Canada’s Manitoba delegation brought a pork-focused trade pitch to the Iowa State Fair as Washington negotiations loom over threatened 50% tariffs, with Iowa a major destination for Canadian pigs. Farm Bill Politics: A Farm Bill impasse is testing Sen. John Boozman’s low-key approach as disputes over food stamp cost shares stall progress. Food Safety: Kettle Cuisine recalled 3,240 Marketside tomato bisque meal kits from Walmart stores over possible listeria; USDA also flagged 3,215 pounds of ready-to-eat pastrami and corned beef for possible listeria contamination. Iowa Economy & Energy: Iowa City’s data center meeting was delayed due to threats, while broader coverage highlights how data center demand could pressure the state’s power grid and bills. Local Governance: Iowa lawmakers debated modular and manufactured housing enforcement changes (Nebraska story) and Iowa cities pushed flood-risk and infrastructure work. State Politics: Iowa treasurer candidates pitched IPERS oversight and investing state funds back into Iowa, with John Norwood promising a more visible, finance-driven office.

Iowa Politics & Economy: Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart blasted the DNC’s early 2028 presidential primary calendar, arguing Iowa is being pushed out of its traditional top spot while the party tries to win over Black and Latino voters and union members. State Government & Finance: Democratic state treasurer candidate John Norwood told fairgoers he’d treat the office like a full-time job, focus on IPERS management, and use the treasurer’s role to support Iowa agriculture, water quality, and infrastructure. Manufacturing & Jobs: Ex-Guard, founded in Des Moines, opened a new western manufacturing facility in Kalispell, expanding grille-guard production and shipping for semi-trucks and pickups. Trucking & Logistics: UPS driver Miguel Corral won grand champion honors at NTDC 2026, highlighting Iowa’s broader transportation talent pipeline. Housing Regulation: Nebraska Sen. Merv Riepe voted yes on LB888, changing enforcement and penalties for modular and manufactured housing standards. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Burlington’s Comfort Suites saw a partial hotel collapse, evacuating 122 guests and staff while engineers assess the damage. Consumer Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data put Audubon, Muscatine, Johnston, and Clear Lake among Iowa cities with reported scams in July. Energy & Cost of Living: GasBuddy price reports showed E15, midgrade, and diesel deals across multiple Iowa counties, with several lowest-price listings tied to the week ending Aug. 8. Food Safety: Cyclospora investigations continue after the Taylor Farms outbreak, with multiple clusters still lacking a named source.

Trade & Tariffs: Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley says Trump’s looming 50% tariff threat on Canadian goods should push Canada to “make some changes,” warning negotiations can’t be used to undermine CUSMA. Food Safety: Walmart-linked Marketside tomato bisque soup kits are recalled in 29 states (including Iowa) after a presumptive Listeria finding; no confirmed illnesses reported. Ag Health: Wisconsin DATCP confirmed chronic wasting disease positives at deer farms in Crawford and Portage counties, with quarantines and investigations underway. Education & Construction: Cedar Valley Catholic Schools in Waterloo won approval to convert a donated 155,000-sq-ft building into a new campus; Newton’s school start is delayed two days due to Aurora Heights Elementary construction disputes. Local Business & Growth: Sheldon celebrated a new construction firm with a ribbon cutting for JA Construction. Logistics & Industry: UPS driver Miguel Corral won top honors at the National Truck Driving & Step Van Championships. Iowa State Fair Ops: Rain turned fair parking lots muddy and caused cars to get stuck, while QR codes and EatFuti delivery are helping visitors skip long food lines. Health & Research: Iowa university researchers are studying white blood cells to support potential new cancer treatments.

Food Safety & Recalls: Walmart recalled Marketside tomato bisque soup kits after a listeria concern; no illnesses reported. Public Health: FDA and CDC teams are inspecting Taylor Farms’ Mexico operation as the cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce spreads across 17 states, including Iowa. Agriculture & Livestock: Tyson Foods says it will shut its Joslin, Ill., beef plant, a move that could leave about 2,500 workers jobless; Iowa-area cattle and grain markets are watching the ripple effects. Wildlife Disease: Iowa’s DATCP confirmed chronic wasting disease in a Crawford County deer farm (elk positive), triggering quarantine and investigation. Weather & Risk: Iowa climatologist Justin Glisan says conditions are uneven—some areas very wet, others dry—while drought pockets persist in western counties. Local Industry & Infrastructure: Iowa State University’s Combine University launches Aug. 24-26 in Boone to train operators on harvest performance and yield monitor calibration. Community & Business: Great Iowa Treasure Hunt adds a “Money Match” option to automatically send qualifying unclaimed-property payments. Transportation & Safety: NHTSA highlights ongoing vehicle safety progress as recalls and summer driving season continue to shape attention.

Ag & Food Safety: The FDA says the nation’s biggest cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce now hits 17 states, with Iowa among those added; cases total 9,481 and at least 398 hospitalizations reported, as regulators focus on Taylor Farms. Farm Policy & Rural Economy: Iowa gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand pitches raising the minimum wage to $12, ending Iowa’s privatized Medicaid program, and diversifying family-farm income—aimed at keeping workers and families in rural communities. Local Agriculture Research: Iowa State University’s Southeast Research Farm will host a Sept. 10 fall field day on cropping systems, nitrate loss, cover crops, and miscanthus biomass research. Energy & Environment: A new USA TODAY analysis finds many counties are effectively blocking utility-scale wind and solar, making the 2035 clean-energy goal harder to reach. Iowa Business Climate: An Iowa Economy Podcast recap highlights active merger and acquisition interest across Iowa, with deal activity varying by industry and commodity exposure. Infrastructure & Construction: Tama County’s U.S. 63 pavement breakup is set to start Aug. 10, with asphalt work running into mid-to-late October. Public Health & Weather: Severe storms and heavy rain are driving flooding risk across parts of southeastern Iowa into Illinois, with impacts spilling into the Iowa State Fair setup.

AI Policy & Tech: A new look at “AI constitutions” shows how labs’ internal value documents (like Anthropic’s Claude’s Constitution and OpenAI’s Model Spec) are becoming a focal point for federal and state AI oversight. Local Energy Planning: Cedar Falls Utilities shared its latest plan for an $80M Viking Energy Center natural gas plant, aiming for construction next year and commissioning in 2028 while addressing noise concerns. Manufacturing & Workforce: Iowa Association of Business and Industry’s Elevate Iowa Manufacturing is taking nominations for the 2026 Legends in Manufacturing Awards (deadline Sept. 1). Agriculture & Education: Northwest Iowa Community College will add transferable agriculture courses at its Sheldon campus this fall, including agricultural finance and farm business management. Food & Health: Avera’s mobile research unit brought NIH-backed child health studies to Mitchell, while Iowa gardeners get guidance on harvesting vegetables at peak maturity. Business Moves: Marsh McLennan Agency agreed to acquire The Accel Group, expanding its Iowa footprint. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports show Iowa E15 prices averaging $3.61 in the week ending Aug. 8, with notable local lows. Community & Safety: A multi-agency search found a dementia patient safe in Winnebago County after he went missing near Leland.

Food Safety & Imports: Taylor Farms-linked salmonella and cyclosporiasis outbreaks tied to Mexico produce are renewing scrutiny of U.S. FDA oversight as recalls expand, including Whole Foods jalapeño product pullbacks across multiple states. Iowa Consumer Watch: Iowa State Fair opens in Des Moines with reminders to avoid impulse buys and verify out-of-state vendors before spending. Energy & Grid: MidAmerican Energy crews are restoring power after severe storms knocked out service for about 26,000 customers in the Iowa City and Quad Cities areas. Defense & Manufacturing: The U.S. Army awarded Collins Aerospace up to $472M to modernize CH-47 Chinook avionics, with work planned in Huntsville and Cedar Rapids. Agribusiness & Equipment: Titan Machinery will report fiscal Q2 results Aug. 27, while Iowa manufacturing leaders point to tax incentives as investment drivers even as tariffs bite. Local Food Economy: Double Up Food Bucks Iowa marks a 10-year run, expanding SNAP-matching produce access and boosting local farm and retailer sales. Natural Hydrogen: Snowfox Discovery secured exploration leases in Audubon County, aiming for drilling in late 2027 or 2028. Public Safety & Health: Johnson County will hold public informational sessions on a proposed sheriff’s office and jail, and St. Luke’s Heart Saver AED grants are expanding defibrillator access across multiple counties. Sports & Tourism: MLB’s Field of Dreams game returns to Dyersville in a permanent ballpark, keeping Iowa’s cornfield tourism momentum rolling.

Food Safety: Whole Foods recalled certain jalapeño products and prepared foods after a Mexico pepper supplier was linked to a salmonella outbreak; items sold in Iowa and other states carry “Best By/Best Before” dates in early-to-mid August, with no illnesses reported yet. Iowa Politics & Labor: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand says Iowa’s minimum wage should rise from $7.25 to $12, pitching a phased approach at an IME business roundtable in Des Moines. Health Workforce Policy: State Sen. Merv Riepe backed Nebraska’s LB1212, creating a licensure pathway for internationally trained physicians to address shortages. Energy & Infrastructure: West Virginia AG McCuskey leads a coalition urging courts to keep Enbridge’s Line 5 operating, warning a shutdown could raise prices nationwide. Severe Weather & Power: A new derecho hit the Midwest a day after the 2020 Iowa anniversary, knocking out power for tens of thousands in the Quad Cities and beyond. Public Safety Tech: Flock license plate reader cameras are expanding across communities, but critics raise privacy concerns. Local Food for Schools: Iowa’s Choose Iowa Local Food for Schools Program is now open for applications, offering $200,000 in funding with a 1:1 match for districts buying Iowa-grown food. Agriculture Outlook: USDA projects record 2026 U.S. soybean production despite a small yield dip. Transportation: Iowa DOT is moving ahead with a reduced-conflict intersection on U.S. 63 north of Waterloo, targeting spring 2028 construction. Community & Business: Marion’s Uptown Getdown live music series returns, and a new breakfast spot opened in Mount Vernon after a five-year gap.

Defense & Aerospace: The U.S. Army tapped Collins Aerospace for up to $472M to modernize and sustain the CH-47 Chinook fleet, with work planned in Huntsville and Cedar Rapids. Downtown Development: Des Moines’ $148M 515 Walnut Tower is moving toward spring 2027 completion after the top floor was installed and the crane dismantling begins this week. Education & Construction: Somerset Academy plans a $19M charter school in Ankeny for up to 1,150 students, including restoring the historic one-room Nagle Schoolhouse. Ag Tech & Research: Iowa State will spotlight AI tools at the Farm Progress Show, including an updated Pest ID system tuned for Midwest pests and weeds. Dairy Forage: A new push in dairy forage production highlights short-stature corn as a potential alternative as brown midrib options tighten. Energy & Grid: An ISU expert says Iowa’s grid could expand sharply by 2046 as data centers grow, raising household bill questions. Data Centers & Local Control: Residents packed an Ida Grove meeting to question PathOne’s data center plans, focusing on water, power, and weather impacts; Salix is also weighing a data center moratorium. Scam Watch: BBB Scam Tracker shows Iowa cities with reported scams clustered around Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, with online purchase scams the most common. Food & Community: Iowa Pork Producers will hand out 1,776 pork chops at the State Fair as part of a 250th anniversary “Pork Chop Salute.”

Workforce & Education: Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa is lining up its Cedar Valley Career Inspire event Sept. 19 at the Waterloo Convention Center, pairing students with volunteers and businesses for hands-on career exploration across 40+ industries. Local Development: Dyersville is expanding the “Field of Dreams” site with a permanent ballpark, a restaurant, and a youth sports complex under construction. Healthcare Leadership: Dale Maxwell, former Presbyterian Healthcare Services CEO, is named interim CEO of Risant Health, stepping in after Jaewon Ryu’s departure. Water & Agriculture: Iowa experts say recent heavy rains are unlikely to spike nitrate levels in the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers soon, but prolonged wet stretches could change that. Manufacturing & Trade: Ambassador Jamieson Greer will tour Titan Tires and then hit Iowa State Fair vendor stops, highlighting jobs and reshoring themes. Energy & Fuel Prices: GasBuddy reports show Iowa regular prices averaging about $3.80 statewide for the week ending Aug. 1, with county-by-county lows ranging from $3.59 (Lyon) to $3.69 (Des Moines County). Public Safety & Fraud: Iowa AG Brenna Bird and Meta are teaming up to fight social media scams, as BBB Scam Tracker data continues to show high online-purchase fraud nationwide. Recycling Policy: The Iowa DNR is building a better recycling reporting and data collection system to track diversion goals and grant support. Business Growth: Urbandale took a first step toward a Buc-ee’s by approving a comprehensive plan amendment that could lead to a first Iowa location.

Cybersecurity & Water Systems: Suspected Iranian hackers targeted U.S. water utilities, highlighting how many small systems remain easy marks and renewing calls for stronger, mandatory protections. Local Housing & Services: A Des Moines-area nonprofit closed on two former extended-stay hotels to create nearly 200 units of permanent supportive housing, with construction/renovation planned to start this fall. Food & Agriculture Markets: Iowa’s Honor Harvest pilot launches weekly food boxes for eligible rural veterans, sourcing from Iowa producers to improve diet-related health while building demand for local farms. Trade & Consumer Safety: The Senate unanimously passed a Grassley-Hassan bill aimed at intercepting counterfeit imports by improving information sharing among CBP, rights holders, e-commerce and carriers. Energy & Infrastructure Tech: ORNL researchers used AI to predict river temperatures, supporting hydropower and water-cooled power planning. Data Centers in Iowa: Dubuque County shelved a full data center ban in favor of an ordinance, while Ames-area debate continues over water, power, noise and sustainability impacts. Public Health Recall: USDA reported a large listeria-related recall of ready-to-eat pastrami and corned beef shipped to food service locations including Iowa. Rural Development: The U.S. Senate confirmed Glen Smith as USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development, emphasizing broadband and quality-of-life infrastructure.

Data Centers vs. Nuclear Zoning: Linn County supervisors voted not to move forward with changes that would have allowed large data centers near nuclear facilities, after residents raised concerns about water, grid capacity, environmental impacts, and long-term planning. Local Governance: Salix City Council is set to decide this week whether to impose a moratorium on a proposed data center at the town’s edge, as Woodbury County challenges the annexation process in court. Energy & Infrastructure: Ames is moving ahead with a new natural-gas power plant, awarding a $70.1M contract for generators tied to a 2029 target, while also planning a separate solid waste recycling facility. Renewable Fuels: Iowa’s Agriculture Department announced over $2M in cost-share grants for 38 E15 and biodiesel projects, including retail pump upgrades for Noteboom Oil and Brew Oil. Food Safety: Taylor Farms is again in the spotlight after a jalapeno recall tied to possible salmonella contamination, following earlier lettuce-linked cyclospora scrutiny. Healthcare Policy: Rep. Ashley Hinson unveiled a Health Insurance Transparency bill aimed at forcing insurers to disclose denials, prior authorization delays, and appeal outcomes. Parks & Recreation Funding: Des Moines and ICON Water Trails received $2M in federal funding for boating access and trail improvements at Birdland and Prospect parks. Agriculture Watch: USDA crop conditions show Iowa corn at 65.25 on the Pro Farmer index, down slightly from last week. Cybersecurity: A report warns Iran-linked hackers have targeted municipal water systems in at least a dozen states, highlighting gaps in protection. Local Business Development: Mitchell approved plans for seven business suites that are already fully rented before construction begins.

Food Safety: USDA/FSIS recalled 3,215 pounds of ready-to-eat pastrami and corned beef (Midamar, Bea’s Best, Kirsch) shipped to foodservice in Illinois, Iowa and Michigan after possible Listeria contamination; no illnesses reported. Energy & Industry: Snowfox Discovery says it secured access to 10,000+ acres of natural hydrogen exploration leases in Audubon County, aiming for a late-2027/2028 drilling campaign and citing nearby ammonia/fertilizer infrastructure. Local Economy & Infrastructure: Iowa DOT plans westbound I-80 closures for patching in Polk and Dallas counties (Aug. 9-10, weather permitting). Workforce & Public Finance: Gov. Kim Reynolds appointed Martin Noven as the next IPERS CEO, effective Aug. 24, 2026. Agriculture & Water Quality: USGS research finds nutrient pollution in many streams/rivers rose from 2000-2020, with much coming from nutrients stored in soil and groundwater that can take years to flush out. Tribal Gaming Oversight: A vacancy at the National Indian Gaming Commission is stalling enforcement and management approvals for tribal casinos, including Harrah’s plans tied to the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma. Transportation & Logistics: Chicago Rockford airport is nearing record cargo volumes, boosted by new freighter routes and additional international links. Community & Health Funding: HOMEBANK/FHLB Des Moines awarded $322,000 in grants for a Kirksville cancer center and Knox County senior housing.

Tariff fallout for Iowa manufacturers and households: A new Midwest study says Trump-era tariffs cost the average Hoosier household $2,600 and also hit manufacturing jobs hard; researchers say similar impacts spread across Iowa and other manufacturing-and-ag states, with lawmakers urged to expand unemployment help and workforce transition funding. Rural health and housing: A $15 million federal grant will fund a five-year radon “Combat Cancer” push in rural Iowa, including testing, mitigation training, and support for counties with limited licensed specialists. USDA food safety: City Foods, Inc. recalled about 3,215 pounds of ready-to-eat corned beef and pastrami due to possible Listeria contamination; products shipped to foodservice locations including Iowa, and consumers are told not to eat them. Rural development leadership: The Senate confirmed Iowan Glen Smith as USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development, with a focus on rural connectivity and value-added investment. Tribal gaming oversight snag: A vacancy at the National Indian Gaming Commission is stalling some tribal casino management deals and enforcement. College sports policy: A college sports spending-guardrails bill failed to reach a Senate vote and is set for September. Energy and grid pressure: Utilities are pitching data centers as a way to spread grid costs, even as critics warn about rising electricity demand. Local industry spotlight: Poweshiek County fair projects are headed to the Iowa State Fair, including science/engineering and ag/natural resources entries.

Hospital consolidation and health-care costs: A new AP report spotlights how merged hospital systems can charge far more for the same procedures when competition is thin, driving up bills for insurers and patients. Food safety in Iowa and beyond: USDA/FSIS issued a Class I recall for about 3,215 pounds of ready-to-eat pastrami and corned beef products potentially contaminated with listeria, with distribution including Iowa; separate recalls also hit jalapeño products tied to salmonella concerns. Organic waste push: The Iowa DNR is finalizing an organic waste management plan aimed at cutting landfill-bound food waste, with strategies spanning composting, anaerobic digestion, and farm practices. Local food business support: Johnson County Poor Farm’s new shared-use commercial kitchen is taking applications for farmers, food trucks, and instructors, funded through ARPA dollars. Energy and utilities: Crews repaired a natural gas leak in downtown What Cheer after overnight work, following concrete damage to a line connection. Workforce pipeline: UNI’s metal casting center is recruiting workers and reaching out to K-12 students to build interest in manufacturing careers. Tribal gaming oversight: An AP story says the National Indian Gaming Commission can’t fully enforce rules or approve deals because it lacks a chairperson.