AGP Executive Report

Redistricting Fight: A Cole County judge ruled Missouri’s Republican-backed congressional map can stay in place for the November midterms, rejecting efforts to force a statewide referendum and setting up a likely Missouri Supreme Court showdown. Ballot Access: In a separate case, the same judge blocked another ballot effort tied to changing voter initiatives, also sending the question to the state’s highest court. Transportation & Local Input: MoDOT is taking public comment on replacing two Howard County bridges over the CPKC Railroad, with an open-house meeting set for Sept. 3 in Armstrong and construction expected in 2027 or 2028. Marijuana Business: Missouri is preparing for the final marijuana microbusiness license lottery on Sept. 9 under tougher rules after prior rounds saw revocations and shakeups. Public Safety Tech: Gardner, Kansas, shut down its Flock automated license plate cameras amid privacy and data-access backlash—another reminder of how surveillance tools are being challenged nationwide. Community & Courts: A Skidmore man pleaded not guilty to felony kidnapping in Nodaway County court.

Missouri Ballot Battles: A Cole County judge blocked a referendum aimed at challenging Missouri’s 2025 congressional map, ruling voters can’t use referendum power to undo redistricting—setting up a fast path to the Missouri Supreme Court. Direct Democracy Limits: The same judge also kept “Amendment 6” off the November ballot, saying it violates Missouri’s single-subject rule and would improperly restrict future initiative changes. Cashless Pushback: In Springfield, a state lawmaker is pushing a bill to require businesses to accept cash after complaints about cashless venues leaving families unable to buy concessions. Public Health: Jefferson County cyclosporiasis cases climbed to 122 as the national outbreak linked to contaminated produce continues. Utility Help: The Missouri Public Service Commission is asking Missourians for input on investor-owned utility assistance programs. Storm Aftermath: Wyandotte County residents in Kansas City, Kansas, are still dealing with widespread power outages after severe storms. Sports & Local Life: Mizzou named four players to the preseason All-SEC team, and Chiefs camp drew a big moment when Jason Kelce visited Travis at Missouri Western.

Ballot Fight in Court: Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins blocked two citizen ballot proposals despite having enough signatures, and court trials are set to decide whether Amendment 6 and a congressional redistricting referendum can reach voters. Education Funding Pressure: The Missouri education board is bracing for a budget fight over a roughly $300 million school funding increase, with formula costs rising and lawmakers still short on earlier obligations. Corrections Leadership: Gov. Mike Kehoe named Valarie Moseley as the next director of the Missouri Department of Corrections, effective Oct. 1, pending Senate confirmation. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Phelps County Route J over I-44 is nearing reopening, while Route 72 bridge work in Rolla continues after more deterioration than expected. Health & Work Schedules: A University of Missouri study found shifting emergency physicians’ overnight shifts two hours earlier improved sleep and lowered inflammation markers. Local Consumer Watch: BBB Scam Tracker shows Boonville tied for 31st in Missouri for July scam reports, with phishing the top reported scam type. College Pathway: MU launched a guaranteed-admission route for eligible Missouri 4-H members starting with the Fall 2028 term. Tech in Schools: Springfield Public Schools rolled out an AI handbook to set rules for how students and staff use the technology.

Ballot Fight in Missouri: A Cole County judge is set to rule Wednesday on whether “Amendment 6” (Respect MO Voters) can land on the November ballot, after Secretary of State Denny Hoskins rejected it over the state’s single-subject rule; the case could be appealed and must be settled by Sept. 8. Rural Legal Access: The Missouri Bar is launching a rural survey to measure gaps in hiring lawyers and accessing legal services, asking residents to weigh travel distance and interest in virtual appointments. Public Housing Snapshot: HUD data shows mixed local changes across Missouri cities, including Thayer holding steady at 35 units, Richmond at 118, Slater at 37, and Joplin dropping to 76 (down from 244) in 2025. Livestock Theft Prevention Costs: South Dakota’s Brand Board approved a fee increase for ownership inspections, raising the per-head fee to $1.45 starting Oct. 1. Driving Culture: AAA reports speeding has become “normalized,” with many drivers treating 5–10 mph over as the new limit—raising concerns for parents teaching safe habits.

Population Shifts: A new SmartAsset look at Census data shows Americans keep moving toward the South and Mountain West, with South Carolina (+1.46%) and Idaho (+1.44%) leading growth while Vermont (-0.3%) and Hawaii (-0.2%) saw the biggest declines. Missouri Housing Watch: HUD’s Picture of Subsidized Households finds several Missouri cities holding steady in public housing counts in 2025, including Marceline (69), Glasgow (30), Pineville (30), Marshall (224), and Poplar Bluff (575), while Springfield fell to 312 from 454. State Politics & Ballot Fight: Missouri’s secretary of state blocked ballot proposals, but court filings show the signatures were there—setting up trials over whether Amendment 6 and a redistricting referendum can appear. Education & Federal Aid: Mizzou says new federal student loan rules aimed at low-earning degrees pose little threat because most programs already meet “Do No Harm” outcome standards. Public Safety Tech Debate: Jefferson City Council renewed its Flock agreement amid wider privacy and misuse concerns, as other cities reconsider similar camera networks. Road Work: MoDOT postponed the Route 76 slide repair in Hollister to January 2027, with a planned closure and detour. Local Milestones: Columbia swore in a new Fourth Ward council member, making the city council all-female for the first time.

Court Fight Over Gerrymandering: A Cole County judge ruled the Missouri Secretary of State properly rejected about 32,000 referendum signatures tied to the congressional map bill—saying signatures gathered after lawmakers passed the bill but before Gov. Mike Kehoe signed it don’t qualify under state referendum rules. Local Accountability: An On Your Side investigation led to a Phelps County contractor’s guilty plea for deceptive business practices; the AG case says the contractor took $75,000 and didn’t do the promised remodeling, with a suspended prison term and five years’ probation. Missouri Housing Costs: New HUD data show public housing rents in Missouri counties vary widely—Cooper County averaged $397/month in 2025, while Marion County averaged $363 and Stoddard County averaged $375. Royals Stadium Deal Details: Kansas City’s proposed Royals lease would include city funding commitments and community benefits, including $5 million each for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the Housing Gateway Program, plus arts funding—set for discussion at a city committee meeting. Food Security Push: Missouri FFA students at the state fair are packing meals for the “Drive to Feed Kids,” aiming for 250,000 meals for hungry children. Business & Jobs: FedEx’s “Network 2.0” overhaul will close hundreds of package facilities, including two Missouri sites in Earth City and Maplewood, cutting about 143 jobs.

AmeriCorps Funding: ServMO announced 2026-2027 AmeriCorps Planning and Operational Grant recipients, aiming to boost disaster relief, education, housing and other community needs across Missouri. Housing Costs Snapshot: New figures show public housing rents in several Missouri counties in 2025—Henry ($417), Greene ($333), Cole ($295), Howell ($351), and Adair ($348)—with occupancy rates also reported. State Infrastructure: MoDOT is seeking public input (Aug. 17–31) on replacing the driving surface of the Route 19 bridge over Spring Creek in Dent County, with one-lane traffic maintained during work. Local Environment Cleanup: Kansas City, Kansas’ Douglass-Sumner neighborhood is set to receive nearly $4 million to clean up lead-contaminated vacant lots under an EPA brownfields program. Labor Politics: Missouri Jobs with Justice Action and partners are launching a $1 million grassroots push to defeat Republicans who repealed paid sick leave. Agriculture & Repair: A growing right-to-repair push is gaining momentum among farmers who want easier access to parts and repair tools for equipment. Severe Weather Alert: Another round of storms is expected to bring damaging winds, hail, and flash-flood risk across the Midwest and Plains.

Judicial Watch: President Trump nominated Judge Lee Rudofsky to the U.S. 8th Circuit, praising the Eastern District of Arkansas judge as an “originalist” and careful jurist. Back-to-School Safety: Missouri Highway Patrol is urging drivers to slow down and stay alert as students return, citing 834 school-bus crashes in 2024 with seven deaths and 345 injuries. Local Elections: Jefferson County’s county executive race is set: Democrat David Frank will face Republican Tim Whitney after winning their primaries. City Hall & Taxes: Jefferson City Council will consider whether to put a new quarter-cent public safety sales tax on the Nov. 3 ballot, alongside a Third Ward appointment and utility/transportation items. Public Health & Food Safety: FDA inspections in Missouri show one St. Louis City firm received a “Voluntary Action Indicated” result in July, while an American Red Cross Blood Services site in Cole County had “No Action Indicated.” Housing Numbers: New HUD-assisted housing income snapshots roll in across Missouri counties, including Lafayette ($23,135), Harrison ($21,118), and Macon ($22,193) for 2025. Community Spotlight: Kirksville hosted its “Serve Those Who Serve” hog roast for veterans and first responders, drawing 313 attendees. Scam Tracker: BBB Scam Tracker lists Mansfield with one scam report in July, while St. Louis leads Missouri cities with 87.

Kansas City Crime: Police are investigating a homicide after a man, 40-year-old Angelo D. Jones, was found shot in the 3900 block of Main just before 11:45 p.m. Friday; an adult male is a person of interest and left on foot, and detectives are asking for tips. Chiefs/Local Culture: Travis Kelce showed off his new wedding band at Arrowhead ahead of the Chiefs’ preseason opener, following his July 3 wedding to Taylor Swift. Healthcare Jobs: Forbes named Mercy one of the best employers in Missouri and Arkansas, citing workplace culture, pay, and development. Housing Numbers (Missouri): New HUD-assisted housing figures show Oregon County public housing households averaged $19,337 income in 2025 (98% occupied), while Douglas County averaged $17,060 (97% occupied) and Laclede County averaged $20,405 (98% occupied). Data Center Fight (Missouri region): Missouri communities continue revising rules as residents push back; Oak Grove approved a one-year pause on new data center proposals while it updates local code, and Blue Springs residents are organizing for a vote. Mid-Missouri Politics/Policy: Jefferson City’s council will pick a Ward 3 replacement and weigh a possible public safety sales tax increase, with the seat vacant after Derek Thomas resigned. Business/Community: Olive Garden is set to open in Jefferson City Monday after a long wait, taking over a former hospital site.

Public Safety: Kansas City police are investigating a Friday night homicide after officers found 40-year-old Angelo D. Jones dead from gunshot wounds near Main and a nearby business; a man of interest left on foot, and detectives are asking for tips. University & City Safety: Mizzou parents say downtown Columbia feels less safe during move-in, pointing to recent incidents and urging city leaders to respond to President Mun Choi’s call for more patrols. State Housing Snapshot: New county-by-county HUD public housing updates show many Missouri areas running near full occupancy in 2025, including Ste. Genevieve (100%) and Laclede (98%), while some places like St. Louis city sit lower (76%). Consumer & Food Safety: Walmart-linked Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits are recalled over possible listeria contamination, affecting 3,240 kits across multiple states. Local Business/Policy: Missouri collected $2.3 billion in selective sales and gross receipts taxes in 2024, a key slice of the state’s overall tax take. Media & Archives: Nine PBS in St. Louis sued over alleged loss of access to decades of historic footage stored in the cloud.

Public Safety: Kansas City police are investigating a homicide after a 40-year-old man, Angelo D. Jones, was found dead from gunshot trauma near Main St. just before 11:45 p.m. Friday; an adult male is considered a subject of interest and left on foot, and detectives are asking for tips. Housing Watch: HUD public housing occupancy stayed very high across several Missouri counties in 2025, including Holt (50% occupied), Randolph (96%), Douglas (97%), Newton (99%), Chariton (97%), and Callaway (97%), with local rent levels and voucher counts also reported. Scam Alerts: Columbia landed in the top five Missouri cities for scam reports in July, with 14 incidents, up from eight in June, while Saint Louis and Kansas City led statewide. Local Business & Growth: Jefferson City Mayor Ron Fitzwater told chamber leaders housing development is “moving on all corners,” linking new projects to attracting doctors, professors, and other workers. State Policy: A Missouri teacher argues the licensing path is a costly barrier for career switchers, adding pressure to an already tight teacher pipeline.

Missouri Politics & Courts: A lawsuit over Missouri’s newly drawn congressional map is headed toward a key November-ballot deadline, after Secretary of State Denny Hoskins rejected a citizen veto petition and critics argued the process was driven from Washington. Public Safety: Kansas City police are investigating another homicide after a man was shot near Main Street; investigators say a suspect left on foot and are asking for tips. Health Policy: The Trump administration directed federal agencies to stop funding gender-transition procedures for people under 18, a move that reverses earlier federal rules challenged by Missouri’s attorney general. Local Government & Transit: Columbia’s Go COMO blue route will detour for about two months starting Aug. 24 due to roundabout construction on Clark Lane. Environment & Health: Leadwood wastewater progress is underway, but E. coli levels in the Big River remain high, keeping public health advisories in place. Business & Jobs: TTi Logistics expands St. Louis operations with a second Earth City warehouse, boosting regional distribution capacity. Community & Culture: The Truman Library broke ground on a $13 million outdoor landscape transformation.

Kansas City homicide investigation: Police are probing a Friday night shooting in the 3900 block of Main St. that left a 40-year-old man dead; an adult male is sought and detectives are asking for tips. Missouri housing snapshot: HUD data shows several counties with little change in 2025 public housing totals, including Jackson County (2,125 units), Mercer County (27), Pike County (105), and Jefferson County (56), while some areas saw small shifts like Atchison County down to 34. State politics and agriculture: Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway says her office will investigate fertilizer producers for possible price fixing as federal probes continue. Local government watch: Kansas City council delayed early steps on a downtown Royals stadium funding plan after critics said the package was rushed. Business and tech: Jefferson City firm TCS advises organizations to plan for Lumen’s end-of-sale moves for legacy voice services. Roads and community: MoDOT marks the 70-year start of I-70 with an open-house event in St. Charles. Consumer scams: BBB Scam Tracker lists Anderson among Missouri cities with one scam report in July, while Missouri continues to see major fraud losses nationwide.

NFL & Local Spotlight: Travis Kelce returned to Chiefs camp in Missouri, calling the routine “sanctuary” after his Taylor Swift wedding at Madison Square Garden. Abortion Access in Missouri: Planned Parenthood Great Rivers says its Springfield clinic will now offer procedural abortions up to 12 weeks, with appointments already booked. Workplace & Civil Rights: The EEOC dropped its Nike subpoena-enforcement lawsuit after Nike said it complied, though the underlying investigation continues. Public Safety: Columbia leaders face fresh scrutiny after two downtown violence incidents near Ninth and Walnut, while a St. Louis family is demanding answers after prosecutors declined charges in a Soulard shooting. Animal Welfare: Five severely neglected dogs were dumped in Downing; three were rescued and one died after being hit. State Government & Policy: A coalition is launching a $1M push to flip a Missouri legislative seat, targeting lawmakers who repealed paid sick leave. Business & Growth: Missouri State Fair opened with a new Governor Michael L. Parson Arena and fire station; Kirksville also unveiled a bigger airport terminal. Utilities & Weather: Ameren crews are restoring power after storms in Cape Girardeau.

Missouri Ballot Fight: A Cole County judge set trial dates next week for two blocked Missouri ballot measures—one seeking a statewide referendum on the 2025 congressional map and another aiming to limit lawmakers’ ability to change voter-approved laws—after Secretary of State Denny Hoskins refused to certify them. Election Fallout: Missouri voters also overwhelmingly rejected Amendments 4 and 5, a major blow to long-running GOP priorities, while Hoskins faces lawsuits over his handling of citizen initiative petitions. Workforce & Health Policy: Labor and progressive groups launched a $1M push to flip Missouri legislative seats, and national policy news hit Missouri too as the Trump administration directed federal agencies to stop funding gender-transition procedures for minors under 18. Food Safety: Whole Foods recalled jalapeño-containing salsas, dips, and prepared foods tied to a multistate Salmonella outbreak that includes Missouri. Local Business & Access: Platte City’s Highway 92 redesign is moving forward despite business owner concerns about access and left turns. Community & Culture: The Missouri State Fair canceled the Sea Lion Splash after a traffic accident, and Missouri SBDC graduated its first Spanish-language Growth360 cohort.

Sports & Community Spotlight: Travis Kelce calls Chiefs camp his “sanctuary,” sharing that his Taylor Swift wedding at Madison Square Garden was “the best night of my life.” Local Public Safety: Kansas City police are investigating a fatal shooting on Main Street that left a 40-year-old dead; investigators say a person of interest left on foot and are asking for tips. Animal Rescue: KC officers heard suspicious noises, found two baby goats in the trunk of a stolen car, and the kids were nursed back to health and adopted. Missouri Agriculture: A southern Missouri cattle producer is questioning how the state picks beef and dairy grant recipients, saying many awardees have ties to leadership roles. Education & Workforce: Moberly Area Community College opened a new aviation training facility at Columbia Regional Airport for its commercial pilot program. Health & Consumer Alerts: Whole Foods issued a precautionary recall of jalapeño products tied to a Salmonella concern. Courts & Policy: Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway urged a judge to block Kansas City’s minority- and women-owned contracting program, arguing it violates equal protection.