AGP Executive Report

Local Governance: Ames residents packed City Hall to challenge Lightedge’s proposed 100,000-square-foot data center at the airport, with environmental and trust issues dominating the discussion. Family & Community Education: Iowa State Extension is offering “Co-Parenting for Resilience,” a court-approved online program for divorced parents, plus new Master Gardener Volunteer training applications in Hamilton and Webster counties. STEM & Research: Auburn and NASA demonstrated inkless, dry printing of conductive metal structures in microgravity—an on-demand electronics step for long missions. Public Health Policy: Iowa’s new law removes the statewide requirement for annual bias prevention training for law enforcement, while other new state rules restrict minors’ access to certain sexual health care, including HPV-related vaccinations. Consumer Protection: Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird sued Temu under the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act, alleging deceptive pricing, marketing, data practices, and trademark issues. Environment & Weather: Extreme heat warnings hit the Midwest, with cooling centers opening as temperatures and heat indexes climb. Grants & Local Tech: The Community Foundation for Western Iowa awarded $67,500+ in impact grants, including an ISU STEM lab boost at the Eckels Memorial Library.

Medical Workforce Policy: Iowa starts issuing new “emeritus” medical licenses for physicians age 60+ to mentor and supervise residents, aiming to ease the state’s doctor shortage. AI & Education: Iowa State researchers say AI writing in class can look convincing even when it’s wrong, and students need training to use it without losing their own judgment. Public Safety & Health: Iowa veterinarians warn tick populations are rising, so even indoor pets need flea-and-tick prevention. Research & Health: Iowa State launches the BRAVA study to track how menopause may speed brain and blood vessel aging and raise risks tied to stroke and dementia. Local Tech & Infrastructure: Sioux County residents and officials want more details before a northwest Iowa data center moves forward, especially around water use and cooling. Business & Logistics: Ruan expands its Des Moines-to-Mexico customs brokerage, adding tech-driven clearance and compliance support. STEM Scholarships: The National Dairy Shrine awards $85,000 statewide to dairy-focused students, including a $1,500 scholarship for Mallory Mohn. Community Science: A mushroom foray at Palisades-Kepler State Park highlights responsible cultivation and local fungal diversity. Consumer Tech Trust: A BBB study finds most customer reviews mentioning AI customer service are negative, with people frustrated by difficulty reaching humans.

Medical Workforce Policy: Iowa’s new “emeritus” physician license takes effect today, aiming to keep older doctors in teaching and supervision roles as residency programs expand. Food Assistance & Health: A federal judge struck down Iowa’s SNAP restrictions on buying soda and candy, raising fresh concerns about how hunger policy will play out locally. AI in Healthcare: Sioux Center Health is rolling out AI features in its new health record to reduce typing and improve documentation, including support for imaging review. Research Oversight: AAHRPP accredited five more research entities, including major health and pharma organizations, expanding protections for human-subject studies. Education & STEM Talent: Iowa State and the University of Iowa released spring Dean’s/President’s lists, while Iowa State also launched a menopause-and-brain aging study. Public Libraries: Maynard and Mason City public libraries earned state accreditation, with accreditation starting July 1. Infrastructure & Safety: Iowa begins implementing higher 60 mph speed limits on many rural paved roads, with officials urging drivers to watch posted signs. Tech & Industry: ETS is acquiring ACT, and Sioux County is weighing data center proposals amid a recent moratorium.

Iowa Economy & Jobs: A new report on Whirlpool’s “Big Blue” refrigerator plant in Iowa says tariffs haven’t stopped layoffs—its workforce has been cut by more than half in a year, with another 288 jobs slated for July, undercutting the promise that trade fights would “roar back” manufacturing. Housing & Construction: Realtor.com’s 2026 affordability and homebuilding report cards put Iowa in the top tier (A grade, 75.8 score) while noting the Midwest’s land and building activity advantages. Local Tech & Policy: Woodbury County supervisors approved a 12-month moratorium on new data center applications in unincorporated areas, citing growth pressure after annexation moves. Ag Tech & Research: Iowa State leased a high-tech feed trailer to move bulk feed between its feed mill and animal science farms, adding disinfecting and tracking features for safety and biosecurity. STEM in Iowa: The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council launched STEM BEST® 250, pushing student-led service projects tied to America’s 250th anniversary. Healthcare Tech: OpenLoop acquired Hey Revia and named a new CTO to expand AI-driven patient communication for telehealth operations.

Iowa Education Leadership: Iowa City Community School District named Amy Kortemeyer as interim superintendent starting July 1, with a one-year contract and a higher base salary but notably lower fringe benefits than outgoing leader Matt Degner. Workforce & Skills: A State Center student at DMACC (Ames) earned a SkillsUSA Skill Point Certificate in Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair at the national conference in Atlanta. STEM & Research in Iowa: Iowa Insight is expanding statewide air and water monitoring starting this week, aiming to better understand environmental factors tied to Iowa’s cancer rates. Healthcare Tech: UnityPoint Health-Grinnell received a Healthy Hometowns grant to buy an advanced MRI system, improving access and reducing patient travel. Engineering Pipeline: University of Dubuque won Higher Learning Commission approval for a four-year engineering program launching fall 2027. Advanced Manufacturing Training: Iowa Workforce Development is accepting applications for AMP’D Iowa, offering employer-led training reimbursements for advanced manufacturing skills. Cybersecurity for Schools: Iowa e-Learning Central highlights Iowa’s approved online learning and cybersecurity tools for schools and nonprofits, including endpoint monitoring and incident response.

University Honors: The University of Iowa and Iowa State University released spring dean’s list and president’s list updates, highlighting top student performers across engineering, nursing, computer science, and more. Rural Health Tech: UnityPoint Health-Grinnell won a Healthy Hometowns “Best and Brightest” grant to buy a new MRI, aiming to cut travel and speed up scans with upgraded imaging tech. Workforce & Engineering Pipeline: The University of Dubuque received Higher Learning Commission approval for a four-year engineering program launching in fall 2027, with early concentrations in mechanical and electrical engineering. Consumer Protection & Insurance: A 14-state AG coalition, led by Iowa AG Brenna Bird, sent Chubb a letter alleging climate-advocacy influence in agricultural underwriting that could violate Iowa consumer protection law. Student Loan Basics: A new guide breaks down federal vs. private loans and urges families to compare total repayment costs before borrowing. Campus-to-Community STEM: University of Dubuque’s engineering approval and Iowa engineer training plans point to continued growth in local tech talent. Health Access Gap: A survey finds many women in restrictive abortion-policy states, including Iowa, reported unmet reproductive care needs after Dobbs. Weather & Public Cooling: Extreme heat coverage includes local cooling-center listings for Eastern Iowa residents. Agriculture Costs: Iowa-focused reporting flags higher corn breakeven costs and stresses the importance of accurate soil testing for potassium decisions.

Housing & Safety: States are loosening building code rules to cut construction costs, including allowing some low-rise apartments to use just one stairway and rolling back certain electrical and fire standards—critics warn this could raise risk for residents. Space Weather Research (Iowa): University of Iowa physicists report a “super expansion” event where a solar magnetic cloud ballooned far faster than expected as it neared Earth, improving understanding of space-weather threats to satellites and power. Water Quality in Iowa: Iowa waterways are under renewed scrutiny over nitrate pollution tied to fertilizer and manure runoff, with monitoring and nitrate-removal operations ramped up as a lawn watering ban returns. Manufacturing + AI (Defense): Dyndrite, with RTX and Mimo Technik, won a $2M DoD effort to speed additive manufacturing qualification using AI-driven risk modeling and better material allowables. Workforce & Pay (Des Moines): A new study finds hiring and wages rose in Des Moines in Q1 2026, but inflation still outpaced wage gains. Local Tech/Industry: American Packaging Corporation in Columbus announced a CEO transition, with Ray Graham moving into the top role.

Water Quality Watch: Iowa waterways are under fresh scrutiny as nitrate levels drive a renewed lawn watering ban and push a statewide push to expand water and air monitoring, with Central Iowa Waterworks even running nitrate removal in winter. Local Tech & Public Safety: Woodbury County approved a one-year moratorium on new data center proposals in unincorporated areas, citing water and power worries. STEM in the Classroom: Iowa City Community School District is revisiting its K-5 device rules after a “Screentime Results Survey” found teachers and families want less screen time and better limits on non-school use. Wildlife Research: Jones County Conservation and the Iowa DNR launched a two-year Central Park bat study to track white-nose syndrome impacts on activity and reproduction. Workforce & Tech Jobs: Demand for mechatronics workers is rising in the Cedar Rapids area, while UNI’s Curris Business Building marked 35 years as a hub for business tech and analytics labs. Community Tech in Action: Hall County, Georgia installed universal microchip scanning stations at a shelter and dog park to speed lost-pet reunions. Local Business Growth: Casey’s announced plans to add at least 400 stores over three years, leaning on data-driven tools and expanded food offerings. Iowa Education & Health: Des Moines University held its commencement with 430+ graduates, including local students. Media Layoffs: iHeartMedia layoffs hit Quad Cities radio talent, shifting some programming to national feeds.

Iowa Tech & Business: Ryan Milbrandt became the sole owner of Blue Earth Drug on Jan. 1, 2026, after decades of working there since high school—an Iowa pharmacy story rooted in biology, local service, and long-term succession. Local Tech & Education: Iowa City Community School District is revisiting its K-5 device rules after the Iowa “Make America Healthy Again” law pushes districts to cap digital instruction at 60 minutes a day, with a survey showing teachers and families want less screen time and better control of off-task use. Retail Tech & Growth: Casey’s plans to add at least 400 stores over the next three years, leaning on expanded food offerings and more data-driven tools to improve forecasting and the customer experience. Public Safety Tech: Davenport is promoting Captain Jason Smith to assistant chief of police, with a background spanning crime analysis, emergency operations, and school safety partnerships. Policy & Food Tech: A federal judge blocked Iowa’s SNAP soda-and-candy limits, keeping food assistance rules from restricting those purchases for low-income families.

Iowa Education Tech Policy: Iowa City Community Schools is revisiting its K-5 device rules after the Iowa “Make America Healthy Again” law pushes districts to cap elementary digital instruction at 60 minutes a day, with a survey showing teachers and families want less screen time and better limits on off-task use. Retail Tech & Growth: Casey’s, headquartered in Iowa, says it plans to add at least 400 new stores over the next three years and keep investing in data-driven tools to improve forecasting and the in-store food experience. Public University Governance: A new report highlights how state lawmakers are increasingly meddling in public universities’ decision-making, raising alarms about faculty input and academic control. SNAP Food Restrictions Fight: A federal judge blocked Iowa and other states from limiting SNAP purchases of soda and candy, undercutting Iowa’s push to police what low-income families buy. Local Public Safety Leadership: Davenport promoted Capt. Jason Smith to assistant chief of police, expanding leadership roles across investigations, traffic safety, patrol, and emergency operations. Iowa Higher Ed STEM Talent: Iowa State named more than 11,200 students to its spring 2026 Dean’s List, including Industrial Engineering and Game Design majors from the Midwest. Radio Industry Shakeup: iHeartMedia layoffs hit WMT in Cedar Rapids, ending local on-air shows and shifting the station to nationally syndicated programming.

Radio layoffs: iHeartMedia abruptly canceled local shows at Cedar Rapids’ WMT, leaving the station’s lineup nationally syndicated after mass layoffs. Public safety tech: Cedar Rapids is moving toward drone-assisted 911 response as part of a $14M upgrade, aiming to speed help to callers. Food & health policy: A federal court blocked USDA SNAP food restriction waivers in five states, saying only Congress can change what SNAP covers. Iowa kids & screens: Iowa City schools heard calls for less screen time and tighter controls on school devices, with some families pushing for keeping Chromebooks at school. Workforce demand: Mechatronics hiring is surging in the Cedar Rapids area, highlighted by needs at Red Star Yeast’s automated plant. Agriculture innovation: Iowa’s Choose Iowa Dairy Innovation grants are funding nearly $400K in Eastern Iowa projects, including robotics and herd health monitoring tech. Environment & disease: Bird flu continues to hit Iowa and other states, with experts warning it isn’t going away. Local infrastructure: Ottumwa delayed new sewer base fees again, now pushing changes to 2027.

Iowa Hydrogen Watch: Iowa researchers and state agencies are pushing deeper exploration of “geological hydrogen” under the state, but say progress depends on funding and better data sharing. Public Safety Tech: The Iowa DOT has rolled out secure, verifiable temporary license tags to curb counterfeits and help officers and the public stay safer. Data Centers & Jobs: A data center boom is driving hiring at an Edgerton-area manufacturer, while Iowa communities are weighing how to negotiate enforceable benefits before projects arrive. STEM & Research Recognition: A University of Iowa professor is part of the 2026 Rousseeuw Prize for Statistics, honoring long-running work that helped build and maintain the R programming language. Health Tech in Iowa: Iowa health systems are expanding organ and tissue donor registration through MyChart integrations. Local Tech/Infrastructure: Waterloo’s Bluedorn Imaginarium is set for demolition amid funding changes, with plans to shift science exhibits. Cold Case Solved with DNA: Winneshiek County identified a decades-old body from a hay barn case using DNA breakthroughs. Energy Grid Buildout: WMMPA and Otter Tail Power received route permit approval for a new 345-kilovolt transmission line segment. Food & Retail Growth: Casey’s unveiled a three-year plan to add at least 400 stores and expand food offerings.

Forensic DNA Breakthrough: Iowa authorities identified a Mississippi River “Jane Doe” after 51 years, naming Cheryl Lynn Edwards and ending the state’s longest-unidentified case. Health Tech in Iowa: Major Iowa health systems added organ and tissue donor registration to MyChart portals, driving 9,000+ registrations statewide. AI Governance: Sioux County adopted an AI policy for employees, stressing what data can’t be entered and that staff must still verify AI outputs. Ag Tech on the Ground: Northwest Iowa farmers tested virtual fencing with GPS collars, aiming to manage cattle without traditional fences. Rare Earth Recycling in Iowa: An Ames filmmaker’s short documentary, “Urban Mining,” spotlights turning discarded electronics into domestic rare earth supply. Education Spotlight: Marshalltown teacher Ann Jackson won the 2026 National History Day Teacher of the Year award (junior division). Higher Ed Recognition: UNI and Iowa State released spring 2026 graduation and Dean’s List updates for local students.

Health Tech in Iowa: Iowa health systems are adding organ and tissue donor registration to MyChart, driving 9,000+ registrations statewide and placing Iowa 8th nationally as of June 2026. Ag Research: Iowa State is pushing smarter manure strategies with data-driven approaches that aim to boost crop value while protecting water quality. Livestock Tech: Iowa Swine Day highlights how sensors, AI, and remote monitoring are helping pork producers make faster, more precise barn decisions. Animal Health Watch: Iowa officials are warning about the spread of New World screwworm after new detections in Texas and beyond, stressing early detection and treatment. Local Governance & Community: ISU Extension in Winneshiek County is seeking candidates for five extension council seats, while Linn County residents packed an air-quality meeting over Alliant Energy’s proposed Morgan Valley power plant. Business & Growth: Casey’s unveiled a three-year plan to add 400 stores and expand food-focused growth, backed by tech and forecasting investments. Workforce & Skills: TitanTV hired Mark Hadley as a technology specialist, reflecting ongoing demand for local IT and security talent.

Public Safety Tech: Cedar Rapids is rolling out a $14M real-time operations upgrade, including integrated body and squad cameras plus drones that could reach 911 scenes before officers arrive. AI Data Centers Debate: A local pushback against AI data centers is resurfacing, with communities asking hard questions about water use, power costs, jobs, pollution, and what oversight they actually have. Energy & Nuclear: Iowa AG Brenna Bird toured Duane Arnold as the state leans into a “nuclear renaissance,” with the restart framed as grid reliability and emissions-free power for AI-driven demand. Economic Development: The Iowa Economic Development Authority approved incentives for manufacturers and community projects, including an Independence aluminum expansion and a Newton ag-chem facility. Health Policy: Medicaid work requirements are starting to roll out in multiple states, with Iowa’s enforcement set for December 1. STEM & Research: Iowa State and other universities highlight new research funding and projects, from melanin-producing fungi to space research tied to muscle loss. Agriculture & Food: Iowa’s annual cash rent survey sets new benchmarks for farmland, while drone spraying continues to spread in Iowa crop protection.

Data centers & local control: Ames leaders got a first look at the proposed LightEdge data center as debate grows, while other communities weigh moratoriums and rules amid concerns about power use and impacts. Energy & nuclear: Iowa AG Brenna Bird toured the Duane Arnold Energy Center with U.S. DOE Deputy Secretary James Danly, highlighting the restart’s grid-reliability and jobs promise. Ag tech in the field: Spray drones are gaining traction for crop protection, with Iowa workshops focused on improving application accuracy and returns. STEM education: Central College launched a new data science major for Fall 2026, and Iowa’s Board of Regents opened a search for a University of Iowa Center for Intellectual Freedom executive director. Public health policy: A judge blocked USDA SNAP waivers that would restrict soda and candy, after lawsuits from SNAP participants including Iowans. Grid affordability explainer: A new look at HVDC transmission argues it can cut electricity costs by connecting fragmented regions. Community tech & resilience: Local ham radio operators held emergency training exercises, including Field Day plans in Grundy County.