AGP Executive Report

Iowa Workforce & Training: Northeast Iowa Community College is set to receive $656,000 over four years to build new short-term healthcare and manufacturing programs under a $10.8 million federal grant aimed at expanding stackable, Pell-eligible training statewide. Healthcare Expansion: Floyd County Medical Center broke ground on a $40.5 million expansion adding five operating rooms, procedure space, and upgrades meant to modernize surgical services. Schools & Budgets: Iowa City’s Liberty High School community pushed back at a district board meeting over possible secondary school closures as leaders weigh cuts across facilities, programs, and staffing. First Gubernatorial Debate: In Davenport, Zach Lahn and Rob Sand clashed in their first debate over residency questions, education, taxes, Iowa’s cancer rates, and the recently approved $15 billion steel incentive plan. Campaign Spending Pressure: A new AP report says Republicans are worried their $1 billion midterm war chest may be too little as Trump unpopularity and cost concerns bite, with some groups paying far higher ad rates for late spending. Housing Finance Win: The Iowa Finance Authority earned a national award for homeownership marketing that spotlights real Iowa buyers and connects them to down-payment and mortgage help. Water Quality Push: Advocates renewed calls for funding Iowa’s Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund, warning beach advisories and water problems are worsening while the fund sits inactive.

Nuclear Power Deal: Google signed a $4.3 billion, 20-year agreement with Constellation for 890MW of upgraded nuclear capacity for the PJM grid, plus a separate 15-year deal for 2.7GW—aimed at keeping AI power reliable and jobs in place. Iowa Politics & Voting: Steve Cortes is urging Iowans to vote early starting Oct. 14, warning Republicans not to wait until Election Day. Midterms & Messaging: A GOP pollster says MAGA has a “brand problem” with Trump’s longtime Iowa voters, while third-party candidates could complicate Senate math in competitive races that include Iowa. Health & Community: UnityPoint Health-Trinity is pushing breast cancer screenings as Iowa cancer rates rise, and a new report highlights how Iowa’s early voting mailers are reaching some residents. Agriculture & Industry: Mid-America manufacturing growth continues, and Iowa’s diesel and fuel costs remain a pressure point for farmers and produce growers. Local Life: Keokuk’s Geode Family Fest drew 1,165 hunters from 26 states and abroad.

Steel Plant Incentives: Iowa lawmakers approved changes to the MEGA program for the proposed $15B Mesabi Metallics steel mill, and the state now has 60 days to exclusively negotiate a contract with the company for the Lee County project. Election Politics: Democratic nominee Rob Sand questioned the timing of the steel deal just a month before the midterms, while Iowa voters are also seeing mailers pushing voter registration and absentee ballot requests. Energy & Tech: Bloomberg reports Google’s parent Alphabet is nearing a multi-year nuclear power deal with Constellation Energy for $1B+ as AI-driven electricity demand grows. Health & Research: The University of Iowa-backed S5G Therapeutics received NIH funding to develop a preventative treatment for eye diseases like Fuchs dystrophy. Local Business: Main Street Iowa’s Open 4 Business handed out $75,000 in state grants to five small downtown businesses. Community & Education: ISU launched an online map to connect farmers with conservation professionals, and UI research programs highlighted new growth in educational measurement.

Midterm Politics: President Trump is in Grand Island, Nebraska Monday for a rally aimed at boosting GOP turnout as the final weeks of the campaign tighten. Iowa Elections & Policy: Iowa’s state ag secretary race is heating up, with Republican Mike Naig defending ethanol’s economic benefits and Democrat Chris Jones arguing it entrenches corn-soy farming and worsens water pollution. Local Government: Wapello will hold an Oct. 15 hearing on a proposed $1.5 million budget increase for fiscal year 2027, tied to projects including downtown work and a city manager hire. Public Health & Safety: PepsiCo recalled about 122,000 cases of Gatorade in 37 states, including Iowa, over undeclared yellow dyes. Environment: The Iowa DNR issued fines and consent orders against multiple companies for litter, air emissions, and wastewater violations, including a fish-kill case tied to a pesticide spill. Infrastructure & Business: Sioux County advanced a first reading of a proposed data center ordinance, and NIACC is asking local employers for input on workforce training needs.

Midterm Momentum: With just a month left, Democrats are pressing for House and Senate control and are pointing to tightening polling in states Trump won two years ago, while Republicans scramble to defend “unexpected” ground and lean on promises of cash and Medicare-style payments. Iowa Senate Race Watch: A Fox News poll shows Democrat Josh Turek leading Ashley Hinson 49%-47% and Democrat Rob Sand ahead of Zach Lahn 53%-44%, with cost of living, immigration, and AI driving voter decisions. Steel Plant Deal in Focus: Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill extending nearly $1.4B in Iowa tax incentives tied to a proposed $15B Mesabi steel project, after a special session vote; critics questioned whether the company can deliver and whether taxpayers are getting a fair deal. Local Business & Community: Cedar Rapids/Iowa City business notes highlighted new hires, promotions, and awards, while Linn County families picked up 2,400 native trees through a free “One Child One Tree” program. Public Safety: Three Cedar Rapids men were charged after police found them stripping metal from the Wasserbahn property near I-80.

Iowa Politics & Economy: Iowa lawmakers wrapped a one-day special session approving about $1.4B in incentives for an out-of-state company to build a steel mill in southeast Iowa, a move already drawing debate over costs and benefits. Statehouse Watch: The “Iowa Down Ballot” podcast broke down the special session and the 4th District debate as the election fight tightens. Midterms & Cost of Living: A Republican senator warned voters to take economic concerns seriously as inflation and prices stay front-and-center heading into November. Health Alert: A major Gatorade recall is expanding to 37 states after the FDA flagged undeclared food colorings in multiple flavors, including products distributed in Iowa. Election Legal Battles: Parties and voting-rights groups are already litigating disputes over voter rolls, mail ballots, and election rules, setting up a potentially messy run-up to Election Day. Sports (Iowa ties): Iowa’s football matchup coverage continues to dominate local sports talk, including Ohio State-Iowa previews and fallout from the week’s games.

Steel Deal in Focus: Gov. Kim Reynolds signed legislation extending about $1.4B in tax incentives tied to a proposed $15B Mesabi Metallics steel mill in Iowa, a project Trump says would be the largest in U.S. history and could create thousands of jobs. Local Politics: Iowa’s U.S. Senate race is getting testy as candidates trade attacks over voting attendance records, with new polling showing the contest still extremely tight. Midterm Momentum: A new NYT/Siena poll finds Democrats leading or tied in several traditionally Republican Senate states, including Iowa, where Democrats trail by about 1 point within the margin of error. Iowa Business & Community: Prospect Meadows in Marion signed a 10-year deal to bring more than 30 weekends of baseball and softball each year starting in 2027, aiming to boost local economic impact. Sports (Iowa Ties): Ohio State vs. Iowa headlines continue as fans and bettors look ahead to the Big Ten matchup, while Minnesota’s Little Brown Jug win over Michigan dominated national sports coverage. Health & Safety: Iowa City’s fair trade store Mosaic marks 10 years with a special rug event, while statewide attention also continues on senior Medicare payments announced by the White House.

Food Safety: Walmart and Trader Joe’s expanded a recall of frozen organic berries tied to an E. coli outbreak that sickened 17 people and hospitalized six, adding more lots of Great Value Triple Berry Blend and Blueberries sold in dozens of states including Iowa. Local Events: Mason City’s Artoberfest fundraiser is set for Oct. 23 at the Charles H. MacNider Art Museum, featuring beer, auctions, and folk duo juni + betty. Politics & Economy: A new AP-NORC snapshot shows Democrats gaining momentum heading into the final month of U.S. midterms, while voters say neither party can solve big problems—an issue that could shape races including Iowa. Iowa Higher Ed: The University of Iowa settled a dispute with a former assistant professor tied to about $300,000 in improper spending, with both sides agreeing not to file claims. Public Health/Local Governance: An Iowa county debate over EMS funding highlights concerns that a proposed levy may be shifting from “protecting” services to expanding staffing. Energy Costs: President Trump said the U.S. will hold off on a diesel export ban after G7 partners agreed to release emergency fuel stockpiles to cool prices.

Steel Deal in Special Session: Gov. Kim Reynolds signed MEGA changes to boost tax incentives for a proposed $15 billion Mesabi Metallics steel plant in Lee County, raising the incentive cap to 10% for a single rural project over 10 years and clearing the way for more than $1.3 billion in public dollars and tax savings; lawmakers approved the bill in a one-day special session, while Democrats and some Republicans criticized the fast process and the “corporate giveaway” nature of transferable credits. Local Accountability: The Iowa Public Information Board opened an investigative case involving Davenport Public Works after a complaint tied to a tow incident and a dispute over body-camera footage access. Game Day Comes to Iowa City: ESPN’s College GameDay returns to the University of Iowa for the Ohio State matchup, bringing thousands of fans and a business boost across downtown. Public Safety Leadership: Cedar Rapids named Brent Smith as its next fire chief, pending City Council approval. Community Calendar: Downtown Davenport’s Spooky Spectacular and Candy Crawl is set for Oct. 24, with Halloween activities for kids and adults. Odds & Offers: A Polymarket promo offers new users a $25 bonus for the Ohio State-Iowa game with a qualifying deposit.

Steel Plant Incentives: Iowa lawmakers are back in a special session to tweak the state’s Major Economic Growth Attraction program for a proposed $15B Mesabi Metallics steel plant in Lee County, with Republicans pushing it as a “game-changer” and Democrats warning it’s a rushed giveaway to a foreign corporation. Ethics in the Capitol: The House Ethics Committee reviewed an ethics complaint against Rep. Shannon Lundgren over a character-witness letter tied to a convicted child sex offender, but no action advanced after committee votes stalled. Local Housing Debate: In Newton, an HCI proposal to convert Woodrow Wilson Elementary into apartments drew tepid response, with critics saying it could change neighborhood character and traffic patterns. Ag & Environment: USDA expanded its Regenerative Agriculture Pilot Program for 2027, adding $1B for whole-farm conservation practices. Iowa Economy Watch: A Creighton index update says employment growth is lagging even as the regional economy stays near growth-neutral. Community & Small Business: Newton’s Fuego Hot Glass is a finalist for the Main Street Iowa Open 4 Business pitch contest, and Dubuque Trees Forever will give away 150 free saplings at the Oct. 17 farmers market. Midterms Politics: A CNN analysis says Republicans have outperformed September polling in key states like Iowa, raising the odds they hold the Senate if trends repeat.

Steel Incentives: Iowa lawmakers return to the Statehouse Friday to tweak the tax incentive cap for a proposed $15 billion steel plant, after Gov. Kim Reynolds called a special session and questions surfaced about whether the MEGA program fits the deal. Campaign & Cost of Living: A new AP-NORC poll finds most Americans blame Trump for high prices as midterms approach, with approval on cost of living and the economy hitting new lows. Energy Bills: A think tank projects households will pay about $6,500 more for energy through 2040 due to federal policy shifts, with big increases in several states. Iowa Water Focus: As candidates spotlight a “water crisis,” reporting highlights long-running nitrate and runoff problems tied to agriculture, while recent storms also caused flooding and road impacts in parts of Iowa. Local Politics & Health: Iowa’s 2nd District candidates spar on issues including cancer and healthcare, and MercyOne offers free mammogram screenings for women 40+ facing financial barriers. Business & Community: A new Chick-fil-A opens in Coralville, and North Iowa Area Community College hosts a rural development conference aimed at helping businesses grow.

4th District Debate: Chris McGowan and Dave Dawson stayed civil in a Sioux City debate, clashing on gas prices, tariffs, the war in Iran, and health care while agreeing on year-round E-15 ethanol sales. Steel Mill Incentives: A GOP Iowa senator raised concerns about the proposed $15B Mesabi Metallics project and its $1.4B tax-credit package, questioning whether the state will recoup the investment. Southeast Iowa Reaction: Burlington Mayor Jon Billups said he’s confident the steel plant will happen, touting jobs and long-term regional impact. Flood Risk: A hurricane-fueled storm pattern is pushing a major flood threat across the central U.S., with Iowa among states under Flood Watch. Education Funding: Federal guidance is out for a new K-12 scholarship tax credit program starting in January, with participating states and scholarship-granting groups preparing lists and deadlines. UNI Research: UNI highlighted how it uses NSSE results to shape first-year student engagement and learning outcomes. Local Business: Clarky Park Acres held a ribbon cutting in Humeston, expanding a greenhouse-to-local-goods roadside stand. Health Care Leadership: Scripps named Mark Sturdevant to lead its organ and cell transplantation center.

Steel mill politics: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ special session Friday is set to amend the MEGA tax-credit program tied to Mesabi Metallics’ proposed $15B southeast Iowa steel plant, with GOP gubernatorial hopeful Zach Lahn backing the deal but saying incentives should be “stair stepped” and tied to hiring Iowans and U.S. workers, while Democrat Rob Sand wants more details and warns Iowa could get “fleeced.” Campaign trail: Sand and Lahn both hit Polk County events Wednesday, arguing over whether the steel incentives are a real opportunity for taxpayers. Health care refunds: The Trump administration has started sending $500 ACA refund checks to nearly 1M Americans in 30 states, including Iowa, with payments by check or direct deposit. Local community notes: Solon Public Library marked 25 years in its current building; First Interstate Bank employees logged nearly 400 volunteer projects statewide; and Kirkwood Community College won a five-year federal TRIO grant to help adults return to school. Public safety: Waterloo police warned residents about heavy-equipment scams using fake Facebook Marketplace listings. Veterans: IVOE hosted its Ruck-22 walk in Solon to raise awareness of veteran suicide prevention.

Iowa Politics & Economy: Iowa’s business community says conditions are steady, with 63% of members planning capital spending in the fourth quarter, while workforce retraining remains the big hurdle. Cancer & Health: University of Iowa researchers say 76% of Iowa’s excess cases for top cancers can be explained by modifiable factors like alcohol, tobacco, UV exposure, and county radon levels—making prevention a central election issue. Education & Research: UNI is highlighting how it uses student engagement data to shape first-year learning improvements. Local Business & Industry: Decorah’s chamber is pushing Manufacturing Week (Oct. 2-9) to spotlight local manufacturers and jobs. Energy Policy: Senators Chuck Grassley and Amy Klobuchar introduced a bill to extend the small agri-biodiesel producer credit through 2029, aiming to give Iowa producers more certainty. National Politics: A new AP-KFF poll finds rural voters— including many MAHA supporters—say Trump’s health policies haven’t helped their communities.

Mega-Steel in Iowa: President Trump announced a $15B Mesabi Metallics plant in southeast Iowa, billed as the largest in U.S. history, with production targeted for 2030 and promises of 1,750+ permanent jobs plus thousands more during construction. Special Session: Gov. Kim Reynolds called lawmakers back for a Friday special session to shape incentives under the state’s MEGA program for the Lee County project. Politics Backfire: In a Senate Judiciary hearing, Sen. Eric Schmitt’s “gotcha” about Jack Smith attending an Atlanta Hawks game instead collapsed into a viral Iowa Hawkeyes mix-up, leaving GOP lawmakers scrambling as clips spread. Legal Oversight: Sen. Chuck Grassley pressed Smith over subpoenas tied to Trump campaign donors, including checks from 42 Iowans, raising privacy and access concerns. Health Watch: UI researchers say Iowa’s higher cancer rates are linked to risk factors like smoking, binge drinking, obesity, and radon—pointing to prevention and screening. Local Government: Black Hawk County changed its Board of Supervisors elections to district-based races, with candidates pitching rural-focused priorities. Community Needs: Dubuque’s Data Walk highlighted rising homelessness and housing strain, as shelters face capacity pressure heading into winter.

Steel & Jobs: Gov. Kim Reynolds called a special Iowa legislative session for Friday, Oct. 2, to tweak the state’s MEGA incentives after President Trump announced a $15 billion Mesabi Metallics steel plant in Lee County, expected to start producing in 2030 and create about 1,750 permanent jobs plus thousands of construction roles. Local Politics: Iowa lawmakers and Democrats say they still have questions about the final incentive deal and what taxpayers will get. Trade Tensions: A U.S. ban on nearly $1 billion in Canadian imports took effect Tuesday, hitting items like alcohol, dairy and motorcycles, as both countries escalate tariff fights. Federal Oversight: Former special counsel Jack Smith testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee, defending his work and clashing with Republicans over how his team handled Trump-related investigations. Iowa Courts: An Iowa attorney in Garner was sentenced to federal prison over a Medicaid fraud scheme involving luxury vehicles. Water & Health: A new Iowa gubernatorial focus is intensifying around water quality and cancer rates, with Rob Sand and Zach Lahn proposing different fixes.