AGP Executive Report

Middle-Class Snapshot: A new SmartAsset analysis puts Iowa’s middle-class income range at $50,334 to $151,002, ranking the state 34th nationally and tying the math to Pew’s median-income approach. SNAP Fight: A federal judge blocked Trump administration rules that would have limited SNAP purchases of sugary foods and drinks in five states, saying USDA lacked authority. Plastics Pushback: Seventeen states, including Iowa, sued California over its single-use plastic packaging law, arguing it raises costs and has major loopholes. Local Public Safety: Vinton’s police department earned Iowa Law Enforcement Accreditation, a move aimed at boosting standards and public trust. Water & Farming: Iowa’s agriculture department rolled out expanded Des Moines watershed cover-crop incentives for farmers upstream to cut nutrient runoff. Iowa State Sports Business: Iowa State says it will start selling alcohol at football and basketball games at Jack Trice Stadium and Hilton Coliseum. Community Notes: Webster City’s Windsor Manor hosts “Hope Takes Flight” for Alzheimer’s awareness, and Clarion’s library stages the play “Coop.”

College Sports Finance: Iowa State will start selling beer, wine and pre-packaged cocktails at Jack Trice Stadium and Hilton Coliseum starting this fall, with athletics budgeting about $1 million in revenue for fiscal year 2027 as costs keep rising. Statehouse & Courts: Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird joined a 17-state coalition suing to block California’s Plastics Act, arguing it’s unconstitutional overreach that will raise prices for Iowans. Food Assistance Fight: A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from stopping SNAP recipients in five states from buying soda and candy, saying the USDA lacked authority. Local Economy & Housing: Lennar acquired new lots in the Des Moines area, including Altoona and Adel, signaling continued homebuilding despite affordability pressures. Workforce Training: Iowa Western Community College is expanding skilled trades training with nearly $1 million in federal funding announced by U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn. Water Quality: Iowa’s agriculture department launched the first phase of cover crop incentives under the Greater Des Moines Watershed Program to cut nutrient runoff.

South Carolina GOP chaos: President Trump endorsed both Pam Evette and Alan Wilson in the South Carolina governor runoff, muddying a race that already had one Trump-backed pick and leaving Republicans scrambling. Housing cost vs. safety: States are loosening building code rules to make apartments cheaper, including changes that could reduce stair requirements, while safety experts warn past tragedies shaped today’s protections. Iowa education focus: Iowa is pushing to cut chronic absenteeism, aiming to keep students from falling behind when missing school breaks learning continuity. Racing integrity fight: A federal court again ruled the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority unconstitutional, challenging how the private regulator handles enforcement. Grain bin tragedy: A son shared how his father died in a grain bin accident, hoping to prevent similar deaths. Iowa workforce push: Iowa launched AMP’D Iowa, a $4.7M grant program to help advanced manufacturers train workers for in-demand skills. Ag and markets: Soybeans rose on China buying interest and soyoil strength, while Iowa producers weigh nitrogen decisions after wet weather. Local business: AU Solutions plans a $17M Newton facility with 22 jobs, backed by Iowa tax credits.

Local Politics & Elections: Iowa Down Ballot breaks down the governor’s race, including how running mates could matter and fallout from Libertarian losses at the State Objection Panel. State Government & Public Safety: Former Des Moines schools superintendent Ian Roberts discusses his arrest, guilty plea, and what comes next after sentencing, as the Senate race heats up. Agriculture & Rural Economy: For cash-strapped farmers, the Iran ceasefire deal may arrive too late as costs and losses keep piling up. Health & Environment: Texas farmworker communities face heightened Parkinson’s risk tied to pesticide exposure, while Iowa and other states issue beach warnings over elevated bacteria and E. coli. Business & Community: Hi-Fi Brew Lounge in Valley Junction will close June 27, and Paullina council updates cover water system conditions and a wind farm repowering timeline. Weather: Rain and clouds linger into Sunday, then sunnier, warmer skies move in.

Iowa Politics & Education: Rep. Jon Dunwell is pushing back on State Auditor Rob Sand over school choice funding, arguing the public price tag is far higher than the private-school scholarship amount. Public Health & Local Aid: A Glenwood church program is handing out free diapers and wipes as families feel squeezed after cuts to a county parental support effort. State Budget/Health Spending Watch: New Medicaid billing figures show sharp local changes across Iowa communities, including big jumps in vision services in Keokuk and rising ambulance/transport claims in Waverly. Ag & Economy: A Federal Reserve Beige Book update says fertilizer and fuel costs remain elevated for Corn Belt farms, even as conditions are mostly steady. Consumer Finance: A WalletHub study ranks Iowa among the lowest for debt delinquency risk in early 2026. Sports (Iowa State): Iowa State softball adds transfers Kennedy Diggs and Maggie Werner to strengthen pitching and the lineup. Health Alerts: Iowa beaches are among those warning swimmers after elevated bacteria levels.

Ag Economy & Costs: The Fed’s Beige Book says Iowa-area farm conditions were mostly steady, but fertilizer and fuel prices stayed elevated—some buyers are getting diesel “hand to mouth,” and costs could bite harder in fall and winter. Corn & Markets: Commodity strategists say corn’s selloff may be overdone after aggressive spec positioning unwind, but risks are “deferred,” not gone. Iowa Jobs & Investment: IEDA approved tax credits for expansions in Independence and Newton, aiming to create 65 jobs and bring $51.5M in new investment. Disaster Recovery: FEMA announced more than $7M for Northwest Iowa recovery projects tied to the 2024 flooding, including road repairs and power cooperative infrastructure work. Health Spending Watch: New Medicaid billing totals show sharp local increases in several service categories across Iowa communities. Consumer/Local Alerts: Regulators fined a Des Moines massage parlor $1,000 after a licensing mistake, and Clinton County warned residents about door-to-door asphalt/paving scams. Community Need: A Downtown Davenport restaurant, The Phoenix, asked locals to dine in to help it stay open.

Downtown Revamp in Fort Madison: City leaders and the chamber unveiled findings from a new downtown assessment study, aiming to turn resident feedback into more shopping, activity, and momentum for the riverfront core. Public Works & Water Upgrades: Oelwein plans a $1.68M water main replacement project, plus potential safety changes on Highways 150 and 3 within city limits. Livestock Health Watch: Iowa-area officials and experts are pushing vigilance as New World screwworm eradication efforts expand, stressing producer cooperation alongside new sterile fly production. State Government Shake-Up: Gov. Kim Reynolds accepted HHS Director Larry Johnson’s resignation and named Kraig Paulsen to lead Iowa’s Health and Human Services, drawing sharp criticism from Senate Democrats. Ag & Jobs Incentives: IEDA approved tax credits for AU Solutions’ $17M Newton plant, expected to add 22 jobs. Health Research: A University of Iowa study finds ovarian cancer symptoms can be misread as depression, contributing to later-stage diagnoses. Tourism Boost: Clear Lake received a $4.37M grant to expand the Surf District, including upgrades tied to the Surf Ballroom and Museum and a new hotel. Community Life: Fairfield students and the Leadership Fairfield class unveiled a new downtown mural, while residents in Marshalltown faced renewed attention after a bullying complaint.

HHS Leadership Shakeup: Gov. Kim Reynolds accepted Larry Johnson’s resignation and appointed Kraig Paulsen, head of the Iowa Department of Management, to also serve as interim Director of Iowa HHS, with Johnson moving to principal deputy. Political Fight Over Appointments: Senate Democrats’ leader Janice Weiner called it a blatant bypass of the Senate confirmation process. IT Outsourcing Debate: Democratic nominee Rob Sand said he’s still reviewing Reynolds’ plan to pay Cognizant and Amazon Web Services about $420 million over a decade to run Iowa’s IT, after roughly 200 state IT workers were terminated. Cancer Plan in Polk County: Polk County Health Department launched a Polk County Cancer Coalition to build a countywide cancer action plan, with workgroups on prevention, early detection, and care/survivorship. Rural Economy Update: Creighton’s Rural Mainstreet Index rose to 52.3 in June, with bankers reporting steadier small-business growth and improved farm/ranchland pricing. Ag & Jobs: IEDA approved tax credits for expansions in Independence (43 jobs) and Newton (22 jobs), plus tourism grants including $1 million for Le Mars pickleball and park upgrades. Local Business Boost: Walnut’s Antique Show and Western Iowa Rural Passport continue to draw visitors and support small-town shops.

Data Center Tensions: Clinton residents are pushing back on a proposed massive QTS project, while the city drafts an ordinance instead of a moratorium to set enforceable standards. Local Government & Growth: Council Bluffs rejected a mayoral request for a pause on new data centers, arguing policies can be reviewed without slowing development. Education Oversight: The Iowa Department of Education board warned it could take further action against Iowa City Schools over repeated financial non-compliance, late reporting, and cash-flow problems. Rural Infrastructure: Rep. Zach Nunn announced $500,000 to rebuild White Pole Road in Guthrie County, aimed at improving safety for farmers, families, and emergency responders. Health & Justice: A Sioux Falls man on parole was federally indicted in the death of his 14-year-old niece, accused of drug distribution and concealment. Agriculture & Business: A new fertilizer distribution facility opened in Lee County, and Iowa Mayors’ Design Workshop is set for June 23–25 at Iowa State.

Congress Watch: Cook Political Report shifted more House races toward Democrats, turning several GOP-held districts from “solid” to “lean” or “likely,” giving Democrats a clearer path to retake the chamber. Iowa Energy & Industry: Iowa regulators cleared a key hurdle for NextEra’s Duane Arnold nuclear restart, though federal approvals are still pending; meanwhile, Invenergy agreed to exit offshore wind projects in a $765M deal tied to shifting investment toward other power sources. Iowa Economy & Jobs: Clarinda’s Hugh and Maxine Loudon Business Park earned an Iowa Certified Site designation, signaling development-ready infrastructure for future employers. Local Business: T12 Distillery plans to open a satellite location in West Des Moines’ Historic Valley Junction. Agriculture: Bartlett and Shell Rock Soy Processing said they intend to combine soybean crush operations. Community & Heritage: Des Moines Heritage Trust released its annual list of most endangered buildings, including a new neighborhood on the list.

Offshore Wind Shake-Up: The Trump administration agreed to buy back four early offshore wind leases from Invenergy for $765 million, pushing the total offshore wind cancellation payouts to nearly $2.6 billion and drawing fresh backlash from Democrats like Chuck Schumer over jobs and power reliability. Iowa Data Center Fight: A data center executive who went viral opposing a Google project in Iowa says the plan must be “done right,” warning about water use and demanding more details as the dispute turns into a fight over annexation and local rules. Severe Weather: Confirmed tornadoes hit parts of Iowa and Illinois, with officials reporting major damage and urging residents to stay alert as storms swept the Midwest. Ag & Trade: A look at how USMCA underpins U.S. agriculture, plus new reporting on how China’s tariffs are driving large agricultural losses. Health & Food Benefits: Lawmakers are considering adding hot rotisserie chicken to SNAP, a potential change for grocery shoppers. Local Governance: Fort Dodge released an audit report highlighting revenue and spending changes and several findings tied to taxpayer funds. Sports & Culture: Nike unveiled Caitlin Clark’s “Caitlin 1” shoe ahead of a major sales push, while “Jaws” screens at Burlington’s Capitol Theater to kick off summer.

Offshore Wind Shake-Up: The Trump administration says it will pay Invenergy $765 million to cancel four early-stage offshore wind leases, pushing total buyback spending to nearly $2.6 billion and redirecting money toward natural gas and geothermal projects. Local Energy Policy: In Wapello County, an assessor flagged Iowa law language that could affect how wind turbines are taxed in a proposed renewable energy ordinance. Workforce & Industry: Iowa Workforce Development is launching AMP’D Iowa, a $4.7 million advanced manufacturing training grant, with applications opening June 29. Downtown Retail: The Iowa Economic Development Authority will host free downtown retail forums in Orange City, Waverly, Earlham and Washington in August. Health Care & Community: Loras College in Dubuque reports a record $20.1 million fundraising year, while John Deere workers helped build Habitat homes across Iowa. Business & Growth: Dupaco Community Credit Union says it boosted online account openings by 300% after adopting Alkami’s MANTL. Ag Watch: Wet weather is raising tar spot concerns in corn, with Iowa detections pointing to possible later-season impacts.

Alabama Senate Runoff: U.S. Rep. Barry Moore won Alabama’s GOP runoff for the open U.S. Senate seat, setting up a fall matchup with Democrat Everett Wess, as Trump’s endorsement again proved powerful in the GOP. Iowa Education: UNI’s Board of Regents approved EdVantageUNI, a new hub for tutoring and professional learning for Iowa teachers, families, and school districts. Rural Health Funding: Iowa is set to receive $31.2 million in USDA Rural Development money, including a major loan for Floyd County Medical Center and support for rural health and local industry. Local Government & Growth: Des Moines County moved toward selling Douglas Avenue lots in Burlington, while Dubuque unveiled a downtown development strategy focused on walkability and new pedestrian connections. Business in Iowa: Bomgaars announced a new Trenton store and hiring fair, and Iowa City created a new economic leadership role. Food & Community: Prairie Farms Dairy donated milk to Feeding South Dakota during dairy month, highlighting ongoing food-insecurity efforts. Health Research: A study links long daily sitting with higher pregnancy risks, while more light activity appears protective.

Ballot Fight in Iowa: The State Objections Panel removed two Libertarian candidates from the November ballot after GOP challenges, while a third Libertarian survived paperwork scrutiny. Food Security: Iowa lawmakers and advocates are sounding alarms after U.S. House WIC cuts could reduce fruit-and-vegetable benefits for tens of thousands of Iowa families. Housing & Cost Pressure: A new United Way ALICE report says 1 in 3 households in east central Iowa can’t consistently cover basics despite working. Local Economy: Iowa City Downtown District created a Director of Economic Vitality role to boost recruitment and retention. Energy & Industry: Cedar Falls moved forward on rezoning for the Viking Energy Center; Country View Dairy won a Choose Iowa Dairy Innovation Grant; and biofuels demand is getting fresh attention as a potential boost for Iowa’s farm economy. Business Growth: Veridian Credit Union earned a Freddie Mac award for fast growth in affordable mortgages. Community & Education: The Albia school board discussed branding and new digital accessibility requirements. Sports/Local Events: Sioux County Ag Expo plans a ribbon-cutting for the Ag Discovery Barn.

Education Policy: Red-state lawmakers are tightening general education rules, pushing more civics and “Western civilization” while critics say they’re sidelining diversity-focused courses and overriding faculty control. Iowa Ballot Fight: Iowa’s State Objections Panel removed multiple Libertarian candidates from the November ballot over missing or mismatched paperwork, including a governor ticket issue and a 3rd District name mismatch—appeals are expected. Agriculture—Pork Health: A top swine veterinarian says PRRS remains the biggest U.S. pork threat in 2026 as new variants keep circulating and complicate immunity. Agriculture—Nitrogen: Iowa State’s N-FACT tool is aimed at helping corn growers fine-tune nitrogen rates using on-farm trial data. Local Government/Business: Webster City approved development steps for Edible Gardens Prairie Hills and moved forward with budget amendments, while NFIB named Cody Carlson as Iowa state director. Health/Community: Cancer Screen Iowa launched to boost awareness and access to cancer screenings for more Iowans.

Iowa Politics: Iowa’s major parties are in full convention mode, with Republicans backing Zach Lahn and Democrats rallying around Rob Sand and their lieutenant governor picks—setting up a Nov. 3 showdown. Elder Protections: A new Iowa law starting July 1 lets insurers temporarily pause suspicious elder financial fraud transactions, aiming to stop theft before it hits. State Government & Tourism: Gov. Kim Reynolds signed an order creating the Iowa Office of Outdoor Recreation under the Iowa Economic Development Authority to fund and market parks and projects. Local Services & Community: MidWestOne’s transition to Nicolet National is set for Aug. 10, and Ames is rolling out curbside recycling to boost diversion and cut landfill hauling. Public Health & Safety: Iowa City Public Library is adapting after Baker & Taylor’s collapse, while a domestic abuse survivor in Des Moines is launching the “Sister Signal” app for support and quick help. National Watch: Supreme Court action leaves an Indiana school free-speech dispute intact, and Wisconsin egg production is down 57% amid avian flu impacts.