AGP Executive Report

Royals Stadium Deal: Kansas City is set to discuss a Community Impact Partnership Agreement tied to a proposed Royals downtown lease, including $55M+ in taxpayer funding over 30–40 years, with $5M each for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the Housing Gateway Program, plus $14M for the 1% for the Arts program. Food Safety: Walmart shoppers in 29 states are being told to check for a recalled Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kit after potential Listeria contamination was found in routine testing. Agriculture & Water: MU researchers are testing underground “blind inlet” drainage systems to cut nutrient and sediment runoff while keeping fields productive. Public Health: A new Environment America analysis says potentially unsafe fecal contamination showed up at 85% of monitored Missouri recreational water sites at least once. Business & Contracting: Kansas City voted to end its 45-year Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise program, replacing it with a race- and gender-neutral small-business approach. Transportation: MoDOT plans lane and ramp closures on I-70 in Kansas City this week as part of the $237M Improve I-70 KC project.

Agriculture & Food Tech: A University of Missouri team won a $1.15M USDA grant to expand HotHog, a mobile app that helps pork producers spot heat-stress risk in pigs earlier and adjust management before animals show symptoms. Legal & Consumer Health: Reckitt’s Mead Johnson faces the first bellwether trial in the Enfamil NEC multidistrict litigation, with a premature infant case alleging inadequate warnings about necrotizing enterocolitis risk. Energy & Markets: Grain futures ticked higher as traders watch severe flooding in the eastern Corn Belt and the Pro Farmer crop tour kicks off, while crude oil and the dollar move in the background. Manufacturing & Local Economy: Canton’s Pactiv Evergreen paper mill closure plans surfaced after mill staff alerted the mayor, setting up a community reckoning over jobs and a long-running manufacturing hub. Securities & Missouri Business: A Peabody Energy securities fraud class action was filed in Missouri, with an Aug. 24 lead plaintiff deadline tied to claims about coal production disclosures and a prior stock drop. Public Safety: Missouri Highway Patrol urged drivers to slow down around school buses as students return, citing crash patterns tied to distracted driving and failure to stop. Identity & Fraud Tech: Socure says the next identity challenge is verifying not just people, but autonomous AI agents that can act on behalf of users.

Crypto Regulation: Galaxy Digital says the CLARITY Act’s odds of passing in 2026 have fallen to 10% as the Senate nears a tight Sept. 14 deadline, with banks pushing for protections tied to stablecoin rewards and market rules. Food & Agriculture: Moberly Area Community College and Columbia officials opened a new commercial pilot training program at the Columbia Regional Airport, aiming to grow local aviation talent. Public Health & Compliance: FDA inspections in Jackson County found three food and cosmetics and veterinary-related firms all “No Action Indicated” in July. Fuel Watch: GasBuddy price checks show Missouri fuel staying volatile but easing in spots—E15 in Nodaway hit $3.27 (one station), while premium in St. Clair ran $4.38 and diesel in Gasconade hit $4.69 for the week ending Aug. 8. Consumer Safety: BBB Scam Tracker logged one scam report each in Pineville and Aurora (phishing loss reported in Aurora), underscoring ongoing fraud risk for Missouri shoppers.

Data Center Policy Fight: Missouri lawmakers and local leaders keep rewriting the rules for data centers as communities weigh power, water, noise, and public input—while developers push back, including a farmer’s bid to sell land for a major project despite moratoriums and heavy opposition. Local Governance & Growth: Oak Grove approved a one-year pause on new data center proposals to update its code, and Blue Springs residents are organizing for a vote on big industrial projects at the permitting stage. Healthcare Business: Kansas City telehealth provider OmniRx Health topped 10,000 subscribers and expanded virtual primary care to 44 states. Public Works: MoDOT roadwork will affect mid-Missouri commuters this week, with multiple projects in Boone County and broader statewide lane/bridge impacts. Food & Consumer Safety: Walmart-linked Marketside tomato bisque soup kits were recalled over possible listeria; separate recalls also hit hair mousse (explosion risk) and jalapeño products tied to salmonella. Local Economy & Services: Jefferson City set a Sept. 3 ribbon cutting for its new river market and will pick a Ward 3 representative while considering a public safety sales tax increase. Business Risk & Fraud: BBB Scam Tracker shows Missouri cities still seeing scam reports, with St. Louis and Kansas City leading statewide totals in July.

Food Safety Recalls: Kettle Cuisine is recalling 3,240 Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits sold at select Walmart stores across 29 states due to possible Listeria contamination, with no illnesses confirmed. More Grocery Alerts: Walmart shoppers are also being told to check for recalled tomato soup kits tied to Listeria risk. Local Health Inspections: Jefferson County Health Department released routine food inspection scores for the week of Aug. 2, with multiple restaurants cited for issues like sanitation gaps and equipment cleanliness. Electric Fleet Compliance: A batch of Ford E-Transit electric delivery vans from the Kansas City Assembly Plant is tied to a recall-related concern involving missing washers in battery packs, raising fire-risk questions. Energy Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports show scattered “lowest price” deals across Missouri counties for regular, midgrade, E15, E85, and diesel—useful for drivers tracking week-to-week swings. Consumer Fraud: BBB Scam Tracker lists Missouri cities including Osceola and Marshall among scam-report rankings for July, highlighting online purchase and employment-related schemes. Business & Community: Missouri FFA and partners plan to pack 250,000 meals for children and families during the Drive to Feed Kids initiative at the State Fair in Sedalia. Data & Storage Dispute: Nine PBS says a cloud storage vendor cut off access to about 50 terabytes of historic footage, prompting a lawsuit.

Food Safety & Recalls: Walmart shoppers in Missouri and 28 other states face a listeria risk after Kettle Cuisine recalled Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits, while Whole Foods expanded salmonella-related jalapeño recalls. Agriculture Markets: Missouri egg producers are dealing with a sharp price crash over the past year, squeezing margins as consumer prices fall. Logistics & Warehousing: TTi Logistics is expanding St. Louis-area capacity with a new 110,000-square-foot Earth City warehouse to boost cross-docking and distribution. Transportation & Construction: MoDOT is advancing major bridge and road work, including a reopened St. Charles Road bridge over I-70 and upcoming lane reductions on I-55 over the Meramec River plus multiple asphalt-overlay projects in southeast Missouri. Public Health Watch: Missouri officials report cyclospora and salmonella outbreaks are still driving consumer anxiety, with guidance on what’s safe to eat amid evolving recalls. Local Community Projects: The Salvation Army of Springfield topped out its new Harbor House and food pantry facility as part of a $20M push to address housing instability and food insecurity.

Transportation & Infrastructure: MoDOT reopened the Route E bridge over Barker Creek in Benton County after a replacement that widened the span and added guardrail and striping, part of the $38M Kaysinger Basin Bridge Bundle. Road Work Disruptions: Several southeast Missouri routes (Z, Y, M, CC in Dunklin/Pemiscot counties) will be reduced to one lane with 10-foot width limits for asphalt overlays Aug. 24–Sept. 28. Major Highway Update: MoDOT will reduce southbound I-55 over the Meramec River from five to four lanes, with nightly lane closures starting Aug. 17 through early December. Local Transit: Columbia’s Go COMO blue route detours for about two months starting Aug. 24 due to Clark Lane roundabout construction. Food Safety & Recalls: Walmart recalled Marketside tomato bisque soup kits over possible listeria; meanwhile, FDA/CDC continue investigating the Taylor Farms cyclospora outbreak tied to Mexico-linked shredded iceberg lettuce. Logistics Expansion: TTi Logistics added a second 110,000-square-foot warehouse in Earth City to boost St. Louis cross-docking and distribution capacity. Environment & Public Health: Leadwood’s wastewater repairs show slight E. coli improvement, but officials warn the Big River remains unsafe for contact.

Energy & Fuel Prices: AAA says the national regular gas average is back up to $4.07 after a week of declines, with crude oil hovering around the $80 range. Local Infrastructure: MoDOT crews will start sidewalk and pavement upgrades in Cedar and Greene counties the week of Aug. 17, including ADA curb ramps, crosswalk work, and drainage, with daytime lane shifts and no signed detours. Ag & Food Supply: The FDA expanded a cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce to 17 states, adding Maine and Massachusetts; Missouri is among the states newly listed. Energy Projects: Phillips 66, Kinder Morgan and HF Sinclair announced a final investment decision for the Western Gateway Pipeline, moving forward on a joint venture to improve fuel supply reliability to the West. Maritime Jobs: The U.S. Maritime Administration awarded $35.18 million to 45 small shipyards across 24 states, including Missouri, for equipment, upgrades and workforce training. Business Growth: The Acoustic Shoppe in Springfield landed on Inc. 5000, ranking No. 3,211 nationally and No. 35 in Missouri. Local Government & Utilities: Sedalia voters approved an electric tax reduction proposal, and the city is advancing sewer plant upgrades and CMAR bidding for improvements.

Energy & Fuel Prices: GasBuddy data shows Lewis County’s lowest regular at $3.69 (week ending Aug. 8) and Boone County’s lowest diesel at $4.74, while Dallas County hit $3.42 for regular and St. Louis city dipped to $3.38—another reminder that Missouri pump prices are still moving with national oil and refinery swings. Public Safety & Consumer Protection: Henkel recalled Schwarzkopf Professional Osis Grip hair mousse in 12 states (including Missouri) over a packaging defect that could leak and potentially explode. Local Infrastructure: Kirksville is set to start overnight downtown business district street improvements next week, with pressure paving and resurfacing scheduled through late August. Aviation & Regional Business: Kirksville Regional Airport held a ribbon-cutting for a new, larger terminal tied to Essential Air Service. Data Centers & Land Use: A new lawsuit seeks to halt a multi-billion Independence data center, alleging Sunshine Law and zoning violations. Power Grid: Ameren Missouri faced pushback as it shared details on a proposed West Alton natural gas plant; meanwhile Springfield won a $3M DNR grant for grid resilience upgrades. Agriculture & Food Markets: USDA trimmed 2026-27 wheat stocks in WASDE while adjusting corn/soy/rice forecasts. Workforce & Education Pipeline: Missouri 4-H and Mizzou launched a direct admission pathway for eligible members starting Fall 2028.

Food Safety & Retail: Whole Foods recalled jalapeño-containing salsas, guacamole, pico de gallo and prepared foods sold in 12 states, including Missouri, after salmonella concerns tied to jalapeños from Coast Citrus Distributors and linked to the broader Taylor Farms recall; no illnesses reported. Agriculture & Livestock: A Texas County cattle producer is questioning how Missouri Department of Agriculture selected recipients for FY2026 beef and dairy grants, saying some awardees hold leadership roles and alleging mismatches with cattle-heavy counties. Workforce & Aviation Training: Moberly Area Community College opened a new commercial pilot training center at Columbia Regional Airport, adding a simulator, classrooms and a single-engine prop plane for an FAA Part 141 program. Energy & Utilities: The Missouri Public Service Commission approved a stipulation in Spire Missouri’s accounting authority case, setting up talks on a weather and conservation tariff rider for future rate cases. Local Business & Community: Powerhouse Community Development in Columbia is hosting a back-to-school bash with free backpacks and supplies for mid-Missouri families. Consumer Protection: Missouri’s childhood vaccination rates are falling below herd immunity levels, with a new federal executive order raising concerns about further declines.

Minority contracting fight: Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway urged a judge to block Kansas City’s minority- and women-owned business contracting program, arguing it violates the U.S. Constitution’s equal protection clause. Utility regulation: The Missouri Public Service Commission approved a stipulation in Spire Missouri’s accounting authority case, setting up August talks on a weather-and-conservation tariff rider. Energy policy/legal: A coalition led by West Virginia AG J.B. McCuskey filed an amicus brief to keep Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline open, with Missouri among the states backing federal control. Food safety: Whole Foods expanded jalapeño recalls tied to a multistate Salmonella investigation, with products sold in Missouri and other states; separate recalls also hit jalapeño items tied to Taylor Farms. Consumer safety: Henkel/Schwarzkopf recalled certain Osis Grip hair mousse cans over a potential “risk of explosion,” including batches sold in Missouri. Local business & growth: Elevator Co-Warehousing announced a St. Louis grand opening and ribbon cutting Aug. 20, and Ozarks Tech opened its new $48M “The U” student union for fall. Transportation & infrastructure: Jefferson City reopened the High Street viaduct after repairs; Festus adjusted decorum rules amid ongoing data center controversy.

AI & Data Centers: Missouri lawmakers are lining up guardrails for AI infrastructure and use, releasing a community evaluation framework for cities to vet data center proposals; bills won’t be introduced until January 2027. Energy & Grid: Liberty’s planning panel recommended denying a proposed 200-megawatt lithium-ion battery storage facility, sending the decision to the City Council after neighbors raised compatibility concerns. Local Business Contracting: Kansas City advanced a repeal-and-replace plan to overhaul its 45-year-old Minority and Women Business Enterprise program, aiming to keep small-business contracting goals intact. Food Safety & Agriculture: Taylor Farms expanded jalapeño-related salmonella recalls, with downstream products and states affected; separate reports also note cyclosporiasis-linked lettuce sourcing shifts. Public Safety: A hazardous materials fire triggered a shelter-in-place order in parts of Metro East. Water & Drought: Missouri River runoff remains well below average, with basin inflows driven by dry soils and low mountain snowpack. Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker shows Missouri cities still seeing steady scam reports, including Savannah’s jump in June. Transportation Tech: A Springfield council extended the exclusivity period for a potential soccer stadium site while more environmental and engineering work is planned.

Operational AI in Missouri’s supply chain: SWARM Engineering will host an invitation-only executive luncheon in Kansas City (Sept. 9) on how companies in grain, food, manufacturing, logistics and supply chain are using AI for planning and measurable results. Food safety and recalls: Taylor Farms expanded its jalapeño-related salmonella recalls, pulling products sold at major retailers including Trader Joe’s, Walmart and Target; the FDA traced the likely source to imported jalapeños from Sinaloa, Mexico. Local government contracting: Kansas City City Council advanced a plan to replace its Minority- and Women-owned Business Enterprise program with a broader small business contracting program after legal challenges. Missouri fuel watch: GasBuddy reports show midgrade prices easing in parts of Missouri (including Polk County at $4.12 and Crawford County at $4.14 for the week ending Aug. 1), while AAA notes national averages have been trending down. Cyber and fraud risk: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Missouri ranked 16th in July for scam reports (486), with online purchase scams the most common. Infrastructure planning: MoDOT’s environmental study for expanding U.S. 412 in Dunklin County found minimal impact, with a four-lane undivided option identified as preferred.

Food Safety & Supply Chain: Taylor Farms expanded its jalapeño-linked Salmonella recall beyond restaurant kitchens to grocery shelves, pulling prepared foods like salsas, guacamole, pico de gallo, refrigerated dips, and diced jalapeños distributed across 26 states (including Missouri) with “Best If Used By” dates through Aug. 16. Public Health & Risk: A CDC-linked update says the outbreak now spans 27 states, with Missouri reporting 7 illnesses and Illinois 30, renewing calls for careful handling of raw produce and staying on top of recalls. Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure: Suspected Iranian hackers targeted U.S. water utilities, highlighting how small, cash-strapped systems remain easy targets and reigniting debate over whether cybersecurity standards should be mandatory. Local Government & Tax Administration: Cole County’s assessor kicked off a mass re-inspection of every residential parcel, using iPads to tighten property data ahead of 2027 reassessments. State Policy & Data Centers: A Missouri House data center regulation hearing was canceled and replaced by a Capitol rally, as lawmakers and groups clash over moratoriums and stricter review rules. Legal/Business Climate: Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway asked a judge to temporarily block Kansas City’s MWBE contracting program, arguing it violates equal protection by considering race. Transportation & Construction: Jefferson City expects the High Street viaduct to reopen this week after temporary repairs, while MoDOT continues interchange work near Foristell with overnight lane changes. Energy/Industry: Smithfield Foods reported record first-half fiscal 2026 operating profit, pointing to strength in its vertically integrated packaged meats model.

Transportation & Construction: MoDOT crews will reconfigure the Route T and Veterans Memorial Parkway intersection at Foristell (Aug. 17-21), with overnight one-lane traffic and a new setup starting Aug. 19; Clark Lane in Columbia will close Aug. 24 for 60 days for a roundabout and pavement, with businesses still accessible. Food Safety & Recalls: Taylor Farms recalled jalapeño dips, salsas, guacamole and related products tied to a salmonella outbreak linked to Mexican-grown peppers; the recall spans 26 states and includes major retailers like Walmart, Target and Trader Joe’s, while CDC/USDA continue investigations. Health Insurance Costs: ACA marketplace premiums in Kansas and Missouri face another round of steep 2027 increases, with insurers requesting hikes up to nearly 35% in Kansas and about 10%+ in Missouri. Agriculture & Research: MU Extension highlighted record results at the Ozark Empire Fair Hay Contest and a Bootheel research day focused on crop production challenges like weeds and residual herbicides. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports show localized low prices across Missouri counties for regular, midgrade, premium, diesel and E85, reflecting ongoing volatility tied to global oil and refinery conditions. Business Education: Missouri S&T’s new Jaggi School of Business awarded $1,000 scholarships to its inaugural first-year cohort.

Consumer Safety: The BBB is warning Missouri shoppers about a gas-and-grocery voucher postcard scam that pressures people to call or pay a “processing fee,” with reports of unauthorized charges, unwanted subscriptions, and missing promised gift cards. Auto Market Watch: CARFAX highlights how flood-damaged cars can reappear on lots after storms, urging buyers to check for damp or mismatched upholstery, rust near pedals, mud in odd spots, foggy lights, musty odors, and debris in trunks. Food Industry & Recalls: A Salmonella outbreak tied to jalapeños has triggered recalls of multiple ready-to-eat meat and poultry products sold nationwide, including in Missouri, with retailers like Target, Walmart, and Whole Foods among those affected. Energy & Manufacturing: Brewer Science says it completed its acquisition of Heraeus Epurio’s semiconductor chemicals business, adding ultrapure chemical production to its supply chain. Mining & Workforce: Trump announced $180M in grants for mining schools, including funding tied to Missouri S&T and the South Dakota School of Mines. Public Safety/Legal: Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway joined a 15-state push for the Safe Access to Cash Act to strengthen federal prosecution of organized ATM thefts. Local Business/Infrastructure: Webster Groves roadwork is underway on Laclede Station Road, with ADA upgrades and an asphalt overlay, plus progress on a North Elm Avenue culvert replacement.