AGP Executive Report

State IT Overhaul: Iowa is moving into the next phase of its tech consolidation, shifting infrastructure to AWS and outsourcing day-to-day operations to Cognizant—while about 200 state IT workers face layoffs on Aug. 3. AI Workforce Readiness: A new 4-H survey finds teens are already changing career plans because of AI, but many say they lack guidance and feel unprepared. Library Supply Tech: The New York Times spotlights how Iowa City Public Library is adapting after Baker & Taylor dissolved, disrupting new releases statewide. University Tech Vision: Iowa State President David Cook will brief the Board of Regents in July on his vision, including possible new AI-related degree offerings and faster water-quality tech. Public Health & Environment: A University of Iowa study links wildfire smoke to higher ground-level ozone, wiping out years of air-quality gains. Wildlife Management: Iowa DNR listening sessions show deer topped the agenda, with calls to adjust antlerless tags and season timing. Local Recycling: Ames launches curbside recycling to boost diversion and save landfill space. Cybersecurity Training: National Guard partners join a multinational cyber exercise in Croatia, including Iowa’s state partner. Food Safety: An Alfredo sauce recall (Salmonella risk) includes distribution in Iowa. Weather Impacts: Lightning damaged Lyon County electrical equipment, knocking out courthouse systems and communications gear.

AI Surveillance Poll: A new Harris Poll report finds Americans don’t reject AI-powered monitoring outright—they oppose “unchecked, indiscriminate surveillance,” preferring targeted systems that focus on active threats. State Tech Policy: A separate report says some states are moving ahead with AI rules even as the federal government stalls, focusing on how chatbots, employers, and developers handle real-world risks. Pesticide Liability Fight: Pesticide makers are lobbying for “liability shield” laws to block lawsuits tied to Roundup’s cancer allegations, as the U.S. Supreme Court weighs whether federal law blocks state “failure to warn” claims. Iowa Adult Education Funding: Iowa lawmakers cut Adult Education and Literacy funding by $1M, raising concerns for programs like Kirkwood’s and adding pressure as new civics testing requirements roll in. Data Centers & Water: A deep dive looks at whether AI data centers’ power and water impacts are exaggerated or understated, finding a more complicated picture than either side claims. Iowa Weather/Storms: Severe weather continues to ripple across the Midwest, with tornado counts and recovery efforts still underway. Iowa Health & Research: A piece argues Alzheimer’s prevention may be the next “turning point,” pointing to silent brain changes years before symptoms.

Pesticide Liability Fight: Pesticide makers are pushing “liability shield” laws to block lawsuits tied to cancer-linked chemicals like glyphosate, as the U.S. Supreme Court weighs whether federal law blocks state “failure to warn” claims. AI Regulation Clash: After Trump urged states to hold off, Illinois and others are moving ahead with targeted AI rules focused on real-world uses like child-facing chatbots and workplace systems. Nuclear Navy Watch: Congress is questioning whether the Navy can realistically build the planned “Trump-class” nuclear-powered battleships without derailing existing nuclear shipbuilding work. Iowa IT Outsourcing: Iowa will lay off 192 state IT workers as data migration moves to Amazon Web Services, with day-to-day operations handled by Cognizant. Water & Drought: Iowa’s latest water update says dry conditions worsened in May, with about three-quarters of the state abnormally dry or worse. Local Tech & Power: Mi-T-M in Peosta won an Iowa business innovation award for an emission-free battery power station. Public Health & Water Quality: Iowa DNR beach monitoring found some public beaches not recommended for swimming due to bacteria and microcystins.

Iowa IT Overhaul: Iowa will lay off 192 state government workers on Aug. 3 as the state outsources day-to-day IT to Cognizant and moves data to Amazon Web Services, part of a consolidation plan aimed at saving taxpayers more than $525 million over the next decade. Water & Drought Watch: A new Water Summary Update says dry conditions in late May worsened across much of Iowa; about three-quarters of the state is now abnormally dry or worse, with precipitation running well below normal and soil moisture trending downward. Data Centers vs. Communities: National reporting continues to spotlight how AI data centers are colliding with local concerns over electricity and water use, while political campaigns increasingly target the boom ahead of the midterms. Public Health & Outdoors: Iowa DNR beach monitoring shows swimming is not recommended at eight public beaches after recent testing found elevated bacteria and toxins. Agriculture & Costs: Coverage also flags pressure on farmers from fertilizer and fuel prices, with high energy costs tied to global disruptions. Research in Iowa: University of Iowa researchers describe a newly identified crocodile species from Lucy’s era, adding to the science of early human environments.

Ag Policy & Courts: Pesticide makers are pushing “liability shield” laws to block lawsuits over products like Roundup, as the U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule in July 2026 on whether federal law blocks state “failure to warn” claims. Iowa Water Watch: Dry conditions worsened across Iowa in May; about three-quarters of the state is now abnormally dry or worse, with a drought watch still in the northwest. FEMA & Local Infrastructure: FEMA approved nearly $2 million for Rock Valley’s flood-damaged public library, moving the project toward renovation and repairs. Iowa Dairy Innovation: Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig announced 11 Choose Iowa Dairy Innovation Grants totaling $614,000+ to help farms adopt labor-saving tech and expand processing. State IT & Governance: Chariton City Council approved a FY 2027 contract with Mainstay Systems for IT services, while broader state IT outsourcing and cloud migration continue to reshape how tech work gets done. Workforce Pathways: Fort Madison schools are building a Registered Apprenticeship-style pipeline for automotive technicians to close a growing skills gap. Health & Data Privacy: A new look at at-home DNA and health tests warns consumers about uneven FDA oversight, HIPAA coverage gaps, and follow-up care risks.

Iowa Dairy Innovation Grants: Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced 11 dairy farms and businesses will split more than $614,000 in Choose Iowa Dairy Innovation Grants, backing labor-saving tech and on-farm processing upgrades like robotic milking and herd monitoring. State IT Overhaul: Iowa is migrating state data to Amazon’s cloud as part of a broader IT privatization push that could eliminate about 200 state jobs, raising concerns among IT workers and unions. Concrete Testing Update: Iowa DOT updated its concrete strength testing specs to allow acoustical resonance sensing, aiming to cut road and bridge delays caused by older cylinder test wait times. Cyber Readiness: Iowa National Guard partners joined a large regional cyber exercise in Croatia, showing how Iowa’s Guard teams are training alongside other states and countries. Workforce Pathways: Fort Madison is expanding Registered Apprenticeships to address a nationwide shortage of automotive service technicians by building a direct school-to-job pipeline. Public Health & Policy: A proposed federal rule would give political appointees more influence over research grants, prompting universities and science groups to push back and ask for a longer comment period. Local STEM Access: Lakeside Lab in Milford continues hands-on research for K-12 students, supported by private donations and scholarships for interns.

Iowa IT Overhaul: Gov. Kim Reynolds’ administration is outsourcing state information technology operations, with 192 layoffs set for Aug. 3 as Amazon Web Services moves Iowa data to the cloud and Cognizant takes over day-to-day IT. Ag Tech & Health: Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced 11 Choose Iowa Dairy Innovation Grants totaling about $614,620 to fund robotics, automated feeding, herd monitoring, and on-farm processing. Roads & Sensors: Iowa DOT updated its concrete strength testing rules, approving acoustical resonance sensing so projects can reopen sooner using real-time in-place data. Payments Watch: A local report asks whether debit cards could be next for customer fees, noting debit transactions are treated differently under Visa/Mastercard rules. Public Health & Food Safety: The USDA confirmed three more new world screwworm detections, bringing U.S. cases to five and expanding concern beyond the original Texas region. Care Quality: Northgate Care Center in Waukon was added to the federal list of nursing homes under special scrutiny for recurring medication and staffing problems. Local Politics: GOP gubernatorial nominee Zach Lahn named northeast Iowa farmer Derek Wulf as his lieutenant governor running mate.

Iowa Education Watch: A new Kids Count Data Book says Iowa slipped to 27th in education for the first time in decades, pointing to resource gaps even as the state stays strong in other child-wellbeing categories. State IT Overhaul: Iowa is moving state data to the cloud and privatizing parts of IT operations, a shift that’s already tied to layoffs and anxiety among workers. Ag Tech in the Spotlight: Tech Hub LIVE returns to Des Moines July 20-22 with a practical focus on AI, cybersecurity, compliance, and farm-level workflows—aimed at proving tech ROI for tight-margin ag retailers and growers. Research & Health: University of Iowa researchers report that a tiny slice of human DNA tied to language ability may have deep evolutionary roots, including links to Neanderthal divergence. Policy & Courts: The Iowa Supreme Court blocked UI from redirecting a scholarship created for Black science students, reinforcing donor intent in higher-ed funding. Local Tech Governance: Dubuque is gathering public input on a proposed ordinance to regulate potential data center development. Weather & Safety: Severe storms and tornado watches are in play across parts of Iowa and the Midwest, with damaging winds and hail possible.

Iowa IT Shake-Up: Gov. Kim Reynolds says Iowa will outsource state IT operations to Amazon Web Services and Cognizant, affecting more than 200 workers, while the administration touts $525M in savings and “individualized” job offers. Ag Tech for Real-World ROI: Tech Hub LIVE returns to Des Moines July 20–22 with a practical ag-tech focus, including AI, compliance, cybersecurity, finance, and farm workflows aimed at proving measurable returns. Workforce Training in Feed Manufacturing: Iowa State’s Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex is expanding hands-on training for grain, feed, and agricultural technology careers. Health Tech & Education: A new P&G and American Academy of Family Physicians push highlights how few Americans connect oral health to whole-body health. Weather & Preparedness: Severe storms and tornado risk are in the forecast; Des Moines County urges residents to sign up for Alert Iowa for faster severe-weather updates. Basic Income Study: A University of Pennsylvania-led study on $500/month for low-income Iowans reports gains in savings, reduced stress, and stronger sense of agency.

State IT Overhaul: Gov. Kim Reynolds says Iowa will outsource executive-branch IT to New Jersey-based Cognizant and move data to Amazon Web Services, eliminating about 200 state jobs while claiming $525M in savings over 10 years. Public Health in Pregnancy: A University of Iowa-led study suggests a “Goldilocks Day” of less sitting, light activity, and near-9-hours sleep could cut risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy by about 30%. STEM in Iowa Schools: Waverly-Shell Rock Middle School educator Erin Madigan reflects on seven years expanding STEM access and pushing the message that STEM is for everyone. Local Storm Response (Dubuque): Dubuque crews are clearing downed lines, trees, and traffic signals after widespread storm damage, with residents urged to stay away from affected areas and floodwaters. Education Abroad: Drake University will launch an Ed.D. leadership doctorate program in Singapore with a private partnership and government approval. Community Nonprofits: OneTable QC will host a June 25 virtual conversation on how federal budget cuts are reshaping the Quad Cities nonprofit sector. Agriculture & Livestock Watch: National Pork Board vets urge producers to monitor for New World screwworm signs after detections in the southern U.S. Food Safety Recall: FDA reports a recall of 160,200 pounds of Farm Rich Pizza Cheese Crunchers distributed in Iowa and 20 other states.

Iowa IT Overhaul: Gov. Kim Reynolds says Iowa will outsource major state IT operations to Amazon Web Services and Cognizant, moving executive-branch data to the cloud and shifting “day-to-day” management—an effort tied to more than $525M in projected savings and about 200 IT layoffs. Water Quality Watch: Central Iowa’s nitrate problem is driving a lawn-watering ban for hundreds of thousands, with reporting pointing to record-high nitrate levels in the Raccoon River infiltration gallery that feeds Des Moines drinking water. Hydrogen Ambitions: Iowa universities are weighing how to support a potential hydrogen economy as companies drill for deep geologic hydrogen beneath the state. Agriculture & Biosecurity: The National Pork Board urges producers to closely monitor livestock for New World screwworm signs after detections in the southern U.S. STEM in the Field: Iowa State’s Northern Research Farm will host a free public field day June 25 on oat management, herbicide injury demos, and current growing conditions. Education & Leadership: Drake University will launch an Ed.D. Leadership program in Singapore in fall 2026 via a partnership with Nanyang Science and Technology College.

Iowa IT Overhaul: Gov. Kim Reynolds says Iowa will migrate executive-branch data to Amazon Web Services and move day-to-day IT operations to Cognizant Government Solutions, projecting $525M in savings over 10 years—while also planning to lay off 200 state IT workers as the managed-services shift begins Aug. 3. Local Tech Governance: Peosta is drafting its own data center ordinance after a developer approached the city, following Dubuque County’s temporary moratorium. Public Safety & Infrastructure: A new Iowa law loosening requirements for some AFCIs/GFCIs is drawing fire from safety advocates. Water & Health: Central Iowa’s lawn watering ban is back due to elevated nitrate levels in drinking-water sources. Wildlife Research: Davis County is part of a study on the declining gray fox, with the DNR aiming to collar more animals. STEM & Workforce: A report highlights STEM grads struggling to find work, tying hiring patterns to H-1B use. Science Policy & Campus: Iowa’s Intellectual Freedom center faces a mandate requiring UI students to take classes starting in 2028, sparking debate over whether “intellectual freedom” should be mandatory.

AI in Agriculture: PIC unveiled “Pork Chop Studio,” an AI imaging tool that measures pork color and marbling more precisely at World Pork Expo in Des Moines. AI in Health Equity: A Johns Hopkins study found an AI-assisted screening tool increased diabetic eye exam referrals for African American patients at community primary care sites. Pork Feed Innovation: FeedARMOR is expanding as pork producers look for formaldehyde alternatives, with continued research on its feed mitigation approach. Water & Public Health: Central Iowa Water Works issued a lawn watering ban after nitrate levels and demand pushed treatment capacity near its limit. EV Planning for Rural Iowa: Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission won a national transportation award for its “Charging Up Rural Iowa” EV readiness effort. Local Tech & Infrastructure: Fayette County approved a cooperative DOT agreement for safety upgrades at Highway 56 and County Road W51, plus more culvert work. STEM Recognition: Six Hartford Union High School students were named Borlaug Scholars after research work at the Wisconsin Youth Institute. Animal Health Watch: USDA confirmed additional New World screwworm cases, underscoring ongoing risks to cattle.

Education & Workforce Skills: Des Moines Public Schools broke ground on middle school expansions, including a new 6,000-square-foot career and technical education makerspace for 6th–8th graders. Public Safety Tech: Davenport schools approved buying five more Opengate weapons detection systems for multiple campuses to speed safety checks at events and each school day. Water & Environmental Monitoring: Linn County is launching a public water monitoring program as Cedar Rapids data centers move forward, while Central Iowa Water Works also imposed a mandatory lawn watering ban due to elevated nitrate levels. Health & Rural Access: A new study finds rural areas have far fewer health care workers than metro areas, with the biggest gaps in highly trained roles like physicians and surgeons. Agriculture Innovation: Iowa-linked research highlights how soy-based diets can help pigs cope with heat stress, and World Pork Expo discussions focused on swine disease and herd health. Space Weather: NOAA issued a G-3 strong geomagnetic storm watch, with auroras possible as far south as Iowa.

USDA Screwworm Update: The USDA confirmed additional New World screwworm cases in Texas, including a calf and a dog, as officials urge vigilance and quarantine while scientists say a few more cases may appear. Iowa Research & Health: The University of Iowa launched INSIGHT, a new effort to link environmental toxins (like pesticides and air pollution) to health outcomes including cancer, building on Iowa’s real-time water monitoring. AI Water Pressure: A new analysis says most planned US data centers are being sited in drought-affected areas, adding fresh strain to already stressed water supplies. Iowa Education & STEM: Iowa’s Department of Education is offering free math professional learning for K-6 teachers through “Build Math Minds - The Flexibility Formula.” Local Growth: Heart of America Group is proposing a mass-timber headquarters in Des Moines’ East Village, with city council review expected today. Hands-on Learning: Des Moines Public Schools marine biology students traveled to Fiji to study nautiluses and deep-sea habitat.

AI & Retail Scraping: A new look at sneaker “bot” culture shows how limited-edition drops turned into a proxy-and-automation arms race, with tools built to create accounts, queue, and retry checkout while staying hidden from retailer rules. Downtown Development: Fort Dodge’s long-vacant Trolley Center could be replaced by a four-story mixed-use plan with apartments and shops, plus city design work for a new fire station. Electric Vehicles: A Webster City letter argues EVs cut tailpipe pollution, lower fuel and maintenance costs, and improve public health as charging expands. Tech in Schools Debate: A national report highlights parents’ concerns about early K-12 device rollouts and the broader “anti-tech” push in education. Ag Policy Fight: Congress weighs farm bill changes that could limit state animal welfare rules, targeting laws like California’s Proposition 12 and raising new questions for Iowa producers. Iowa Agriculture Tech: Iowa Sec. of Agriculture Mike Naig praised O’Brien County Ag Supply’s use of John Deere tech to reduce chemical use while improving field observations. Data Centers & Water: Google says it will replenish more water than it uses at U.S. data centers by 2030 as communities question AI’s strain on local supplies. Public Health & Rural Care: Iowa DNR updated its fishing atlas for mobile use, while other coverage spotlights rural health access and the role of pharmacists.