AGP Executive Report

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.

Farm Policy Clash: Congress is weighing a farm bill change that would block states from regulating livestock housing, targeting California’s Proposition 12-style limits on gestation crates and other confinement rules—an issue Iowa lawmakers are framing as an attack on how Iowa farmers operate. AI Power & Water Pressure: As data centers surge for AI, Google says it will replenish more water than it uses at U.S. sites by 2030, while broader reporting highlights the growing strain on electricity and local water supplies. Iowa Tech & Outdoors: The Iowa DNR updated its fishing atlas to work better on mobile, with GPS trip planning and printable maps for low-signal areas. Livestock Health Watch: USDA confirmed a New World screwworm case in a Texas calf, triggering quarantine and animal movement limits—raising stakes for U.S. cattle producers. Agriculture From Space: Illinois researchers used satellite imagery and machine learning to map tillage practices across the Corn Belt from 2000–2022, aiming to improve soil and water management decisions. Health in the Community: The Central Iowa Heart Walk drew 500+ people for CPR training and support for heart and stroke research.

Screwworm Alert: USDA confirmed New World screwworm in a South Texas calf, triggering animal movement halts and on-site response—an Iowa-linked NVSL lab confirmation that raises stakes for livestock health. Agr Tech & Data: University of Illinois researchers used satellite imagery plus machine learning to map Midwest tillage trends from 2000–2022, aiming to improve soil and erosion planning beyond farmer surveys. Heart Health in Iowa: The American Heart Association’s Central Iowa Heart Walk drew 500+ people and pushed Hands-Only CPR training, with donations supporting heart-care research. Cancer Tech Nearby: Nebraska Medicine celebrated a new proton beam treatment device, designed for more precise dosing and broader access for patients across the region including Iowa. Iowa Field Science: Iowa State’s Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm set a June 24 field day on corn diseases, white mold, nitrogen and weed management. Local Industry Update: Whirlpool will end second-shift production at its Amana plant July 5, affecting 288 workers as modernization ramps up.

Livestock Health Alert: New World screwworm has been confirmed in South Texas calves, with officials expanding inspections and halting animal movement around the initial cases—while a sterile-fly production facility won’t be ready until late 2027. Iowa Agriculture & Costs: An Iowa farmer argues fertilizer market consolidation is driving up prices and squeezing yields, pointing to fewer big suppliers controlling key nutrients. University of Iowa Court Ruling: The Iowa Supreme Court blocked the university from redirecting a scholarship fund meant for Black students in physical sciences, sending the case back for guidance on honoring the donor’s intent. Public Health & Work: A study finds prolonged sitting during pregnancy is linked to higher odds of complications, including gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. Workforce & Training: The University of Dubuque is launching a two-year helicopter pilot associate degree pathway to address EMS pilot shortages. Education Funding Flexibility: The U.S. Department of Education approved Louisiana’s “Returning Education to the States” waiver, mirroring Iowa’s request to reduce federal compliance burdens and redirect more money to classrooms. Local Tech/Health Services: The Quad Cities’ Robert Young Center is set to open an intensive outpatient eating-disorder program for adults. Weather & Safety: Forecasts call for warm, sunny conditions with a return of shower chances later.

Iowa Supreme Court & Higher Ed: The court blocked the University of Iowa from redirecting a scholarship meant for Black students in physical sciences, sending the case back to district court to honor the donor’s intent. Public Health & Water: Iowa’s DNR is posting swimming advisories at state park beaches, with crews sampling for E. coli and microcystin to flag when it’s not safe to swim. Livestock Biosecurity: USDA confirmed a New World screwworm case in a Texas calf, with an on-site response team and more testing underway after a second confirmed case. Workforce & Industry: Whirlpool will end second-shift production at its Amana plant July 5, affecting 288 employees, as part of a modernization plan. Health Care Access: The Robert Young Center will launch Quad Cities’ first intensive outpatient eating disorder program for adults, starting referrals soon. Tech & Governance: New AI oversight rules are expanding beyond tech firms, with states pushing broader compliance expectations for automated decision tools. STEM & Training: University of Dubuque is adding a two-year helicopter pilot program amid EMS pilot shortages. Local Tech/Infrastructure: Oelwe city leaders discussed traffic-safety planning for Highway 150 intersections and an engineering contract for 6th Street NE drainage and pavement upgrades.

Public Health & Environment: A new study led by the University of Iowa says wildfire smoke is reversing years of ozone progress, raising smog levels and estimated ozone-related deaths across large parts of the U.S. Iowa Water & Drought: Iowa’s latest water summary shows worsening dryness after below-normal May rainfall, with about three-quarters of the state now abnormally dry or worse. STEM & Research: Iowa State researchers used high-resolution cryo-EM “atomic snapshots” of a COVID-19 proofreading enzyme to guide better antiviral drug design. Agriculture Tech: BioCV Inc. launched an intelligent sow monitoring system in North America using smart ear tags plus machine-learning analytics to flag early health and breeding issues. Livestock Science: New research links PRRS infection to gastric ulcers in pigs, with vaccination highlighted as a way to reduce mortality and improve growth. Campus Policy: The Iowa Supreme Court blocked Iowa’s University of Iowa from changing a race-based scholarship for now, while warning the practice likely needs to change. Workforce & Industry: Whirlpool will end second-shift production at its Amana plant July 5, affecting fewer than 300 workers, as part of a modernization plan. Energy Grid: Google and Voltus are deploying a virtual power plant under a Bring Your Own Capacity deal to aggregate flexible home and business resources. Biodiversity: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designated about 1.5 million acres of critical habitat for the endangered rusty patched bumblebee, including parts of Iowa.