AGP Executive Report

Education & NOAA: Topeka teacher Amelia Black spent 12 days aboard a Gulf ship through NOAA’s Teacher at Sea program, working with scientists on marine life and bringing hands-on lessons back to her English-learner classes at Jardine Middle School. School Safety: Russell Junior-Senior High School was briefly placed on “hold” after a reported bomb threat Monday; police and KHP searched the building and found no credible threat, and students were released after the initial sweep. Local Schools & Tech: Topeka Public Schools is using ParentSquare as part of its phone-free push, and other Kansas districts are adopting similar tools to keep communication with families. Lawrence Growth Fight: Lawrence planning commissioners voted to recommend denial of annexing 177 more acres west of K-10, even as they supported rezoning for the same land. Food Safety: FDA/CDC investigations continue after multiple food recall alerts, including a salmonella-linked jalapeño outbreak and recalled alfalfa sprouts tied to E. coli and salmonella illnesses. Agriculture: Kansas wheat harvest is on track for one of the smallest yields in decades, with weather and harvest delays hitting farmers hard. Public Safety: Kansas Highway Patrol shared safety guidance after a teen was killed on the Kansas Turnpike while trying to cross a roadway after a breakdown.

Disability Services Funding Fight: Kansas lawmakers are pushing back on Gov. Laura Kelly’s administration over a $24 million diversion tied to Medicaid disability services, saying the state’s I/DD waitlist has ballooned despite legal caps. Local Government & Data Centers: In Emporia, Emporia Neighbors United is escalating a Kansas Open Records complaint against the city over delays tied to the proposed Flint Hills Digital Campus, while a court fight over a petition to ban high-impact data centers continues. Gas Prices: AAA reports Kansas gas averages are edging up again as summer winds down, with Topeka prices ranging roughly from $3.63 to $3.99 a gallon. Public Safety: A Hutchinson man pleaded guilty in federal court to producing child sexual abuse material. Weather Watch: Severe weather chances return Tuesday, with a slight risk for damaging winds across parts of the central Plains, including northern Kansas. Community & Sports: Kansas senior Trey Lathan earned a preseason Bednarik Award watch spot, and Concordia High School named Thomas Flax its new athletic director.

Topeka Crime: Topeka police are investigating a deadly shooting on SE 23rd Street where an unresponsive person was found and pronounced dead shortly after 12:05 a.m. Sunday; no arrest has been announced. Public Safety in the West: In far northwest Kansas, a traffic stop near Oakley led to a foot chase and crash; a man was taken into custody, but a woman drove away and police are still looking for her. Courts & Justice: A Haysville man was sentenced to 121 months in prison for receiving child pornography, with investigators saying a search of his cellphone turned up CSAM images. Health & Food Safety: FDA-linked action continues after a multi-state recall of alfalfa sprouts tied to E. coli and Salmonella outbreaks that have sickened at least 55 people in 15 states. Gas Prices: Kansas consumers are reacting to an EPA emergency fuel waiver aimed at lowering prices, with changes set to begin Sept. 1. Weather: Gulf Coast heat index values are pushing past 100 degrees, and forecasts also point to hotter conditions across Kansas with more storm chances early in the week. Sports (Kansas): KU rebounded from its first loss to beat Kent State 3-1, while K-State beat South Dakota State 2-0 after a red card shifted the match.

Kansas Politics & Community: Former U.S. Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker, a Topeka native and trailblazing moderate Republican, died at 94, prompting tributes from Kansas lawmakers. Public Safety: A teen was killed after getting out of a disabled vehicle on the Kansas Turnpike in Sumner County. Health & Food Safety: The FDA and CDC say an alfalfa sprout-linked outbreak has sickened 55 people across 15 states, including Kansas, with a recall issued for affected sprouts. Local Government & Services: Derby Public Schools is rolling out new tools to streamline school communication and activities, including ParentSquare, EZArrival for bus routing, and BOUND for athletics and events. Weather: WIBW reports isolated showers today, better storm chances tonight, and a week of occasional rain with temperatures near normal. Agriculture: Kansas wheat conditions are being shaped by a tough 2026 season marked by freezes, hail, and delayed harvest. Corrections: A Lansing Correctional Facility inmate died in custody; officials say the cause is pending an independent autopsy.

Obituary: Kansas’ political trailblazer Nancy Landon Kassebaum Baker, the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate from Kansas, has died at 94, remembered for a pragmatic, bipartisan approach and landmark work including health-insurance legislation. Local Weather & Safety: Gov. Laura Kelly declared a disaster emergency after Wyandotte County storms, while Kansas crews also responded to a Lansing Correctional Facility inmate death and Atchison County’s missing-child search ended safely with a dog hero. Food & Health: A multi-state alfalfa sprout recall tied to an E. coli and/or Salmonella outbreak now includes Kansas, with 55 reported illnesses across 15 states. Politics & Agriculture: Trump is again pushing tariff-free imported beef to lower grocery costs, drawing sharp backlash from Kansas Farm Bureau and cattle groups. Kansas Communities: Emporia reported a waterline break affecting part of south Emporia, and the weekend forecast calls for scattered storms and continued heat. Sports (Kansas ties): Kansas State kicked off fall sports with “Meet the Cats,” and Kansas football recruiting continues to draw attention with Hays’ Gus Corsair heading into his senior season.

Kansas Transportation Funding: Gov. Laura Kelly and KDOT announced $37.2 million in federal Transportation Alternatives money for 33 projects, including work in Wallace County aimed at safer, more accessible ways to walk, bike, and roll. Road Work: KDOT plans a chip seal project on U.S. 24 in Sheridan County starting the week of Aug. 24, with one-lane traffic and up to 15-minute delays. Public Health: Federal health officials say alfalfa sprouts are linked to a multistate E. coli and Salmonella outbreak now tied to 55 illnesses in 15 states, including Kansas; the FDA urges people not to eat recalled sprouts. Kansas Politics: Former U.S. Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker, the first woman elected to represent Kansas in the Senate, died at 94. Local Business: Emporia-area artists can apply for a free Artist INC Express workshop in October to build sustainable careers. Weather: Scattered storms are moving into northern Kansas this morning, clearing by afternoon, with more chances later this week.

Public Safety: Kansas DCF denied an open-records request tied to a Winfield murder-suicide, saying it can’t release details without a formal abuse/neglect finding. Health & Food Safety: CDC and FDA say an E. coli and salmonella outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts has grown to 55 cases across 15 states, including Kansas; officials urge people to throw away or return affected Calco and Everything Sprouts products. Local Utilities: A boil-water advisory was issued for part of Kingman County, with residents told to boil water for one minute before drinking or cooking. Transportation: The Kansas Turnpike shut down briefly after a pedestrian was hit south of Mulvane, with traffic diverted. Agriculture & Economy: President Trump’s 90-day plan to allow more beef imports without extra tariffs drew sharp pushback from Kansas Farm Bureau leaders, who warn it could hurt ranchers long-term. Kansas Politics: Topeka-area labor data shows July unemployment at 3.8% with jobs up slightly. Sports: Greater Topeka Partnership announced a Business Expo set for Nov. 17.

Kansas Supreme Court: The Carr brothers’ bid to reconsider their death-penalty appeal was denied, sending their cases back toward Sedgwick County District Court. Local Justice: The family of a man killed by a Lenexa officer in 2025 is suing the city and two officers, arguing the shooting was unjustified. Higher Ed & Tech: K-State students can now pay tuition through PayPal and Venmo under a new payment deal, with security protections but possible added fees. Sports (Kansas): K-State women’s soccer opened at home with a 3-0 shutout of Missouri State, while K-State baseball released its 2027 Big 12 schedule. Economy & Energy: Corn futures topped $5 as demand and export strength supported prices; AAA says the national gas average is up to about $4.10. Weather & Planning: El Niño is strengthening, with forecasters calling for wetter-than-normal conditions across parts of the Rockies and Plains later this year. Public Safety: A Cowley County worker was hospitalized after an oil field accident involving a pump jack.

Local Public Safety: A Topeka man pleaded guilty after leaving a bag of fentanyl at a daycare restroom, with investigators saying he confessed he sells the drug. Local Law Enforcement Accountability: A Chase County deputy is no longer employed after an investigation into an Aug. 7 party on property he owned involving underage drinking; the case is now led by the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office. Traffic & Health: One person died and four others were hurt in a head-on crash in Ellsworth County after a car crossed the center line; everyone was buckled up. Affordable Housing: Housing Opportunities, Inc. won Low-Income Housing Tax Credits for Magnolia Estates in Hays—20 senior duplex units with rents set at $725 and $775. Local Government: Russell City Council discussed ideas for a $13.5 million downtown revitalization project and reviewed the 2027 budget ahead of a Sept. 15 public hearing. Kansas Sports: Kansas State announced starting left tackle John Pastore will miss the 2026 season with a lower-leg injury, adding to offensive line concerns. Weather & Drought: Colorado’s drought update brought limited relief—some areas near Denver and toward the Kansas line improved, while high country remains in extreme to exceptional drought.

U.S. Senate Race: Democrat Rev. Adam Hamilton kicked off his general-election bid in Kansas with a “meeting in the middle” ad from Lebanon, aiming to contrast healthcare and cost-of-living concerns with Republican Sen. Roger Marshall’s right-leaning positioning. Public Safety & Courts: The Kansas Supreme Court reversed a Wyandotte County man’s convictions after he repeatedly failed to pay a mandatory $20 administrative fee tied to offender registry filings. Local Tech Privacy Fight: Gardner voted to end its Flock Safety license-plate camera program, citing privacy and data-access worries after months of backlash. Health & Community: A Pawnee County high school student died after collapsing during football practice; officials say an autopsy is pending. Law Enforcement Update: Salina police say a violent felon who escaped drug treatment was captured after a tense search that also led to an officer injury. Weather Watch: A “Slight Risk” for severe storms is posted for central Nebraska and northern Kansas, with hail and damaging winds possible.

Local Crime Trial: A Douglas County jury heard testimony that a man’s refusal to nod back at a gas station sparked an armed confrontation, with the defense arguing the gunman acted in self-defense. Community & Business: Red Door Home Store is set to open a first Lawrence location Sept. 1 at 645 Massachusetts St., starting as a pop-up while the company tests for a longer-term presence. Public Health: Cyclosporiasis cases tied to a lettuce outbreak are still climbing nationally, with Kansas among states reporting hundreds of cases this year. Sports (Kansas): Pawnee Heights is mourning a student-athlete who died after collapsing during football practice Tuesday; an autopsy is planned. Housing Data (Kansas): HUD rankings show Sedgwick County leading overall assisted units, while Leavenworth County ranks 6th in the broader HUD total; multiple counties also posted small year-to-year changes across public housing, vouchers, and project-based Section 8. Infrastructure Watch: Sedgwick County budget talks revived questions about the long-stalled Northwest Expressway, with critics calling it a “bridge to nowhere.”

Local Public Safety: A Wichita Family Crisis Center outreach office in Winfield is temporarily closed after an SUV crashed into the building Tuesday; staff are safe and advocates are still available by phone and by meeting at agreed public locations. Hit-and-Run Investigation: Cowley County deputies are asking for help after a white Jeep hit a Winfield man’s blue Ford F-150 Monday night at U.S. 77 and 222nd Road; the driver fled and the man was taken to Wesley Medical Center. Courts & Crime: A Hays man was sentenced to 29 months in prison for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, and interference with law enforcement after a 2025 shooting incident. Housing Watch: New HUD rankings show Kansas counties’ assisted housing totals shifting slightly in 2025, including Allen County (37th for Housing Choice Vouchers), Leavenworth County (7th for project-based Section 8), and Woodson County (bottom in Summary of All HUD Programs). State Transportation: Gov. Laura Kelly and KDOT announced $24.1 million for 32 City Connecting Link Improvement Program projects, including multiple U.S. 56 intersection/road repairs. Business & Tech: Amazon plans to expand drone delivery to nearly 500 U.S. cities by year’s end, aiming to speed lightweight package drops to suburban neighborhoods.

Local Public Safety: A hit-and-run in rural Cowley County sent a Winfield man to the hospital after a blue Ford F-150 was struck by a white Jeep that fled; deputies are asking for help identifying the vehicle and driver. Road Safety: The Kansas Highway Patrol reports a Rawlins County semi crash where the driver was ejected after failing to stay in his lane, and a Cheyenne County U-turn crash that injured two teens. Crime & Courts: In Winfield, investigators say a murder-suicide that killed four children and their parents involved the wife in the plan, raising new questions about Kansas gun laws. Community & Health: Leavenworth residents are reacting to CoreCivic’s sale of its detention facility to the Department of Homeland Security, while the Wichita Family Crisis Center’s Winfield outreach office is temporarily closed after an SUV crash. Statewide Watch: A pedestrian died after stepping in front of a train in Reno County. Economy & Daily Life: Gas prices show mixed movement across Kansas, with diesel and midgrade deals reported by GasBuddy. Sports & Culture: Progressive’s multiyear college football branding deal includes Kansas State, and Kyle Larson’s NASCAR winless streak reached 48 races.

Legislative Accountability: Kansas lawmakers canceled a $288,000 contract with Indigov after complaints about usability and low adoption, a rare win for transparency-minded oversight. Public Health: KDHE says Kansas will stick with “scientific evidence” for its vaccine schedule even after a Trump executive order, pointing to guidance from major medical groups. Corrections: El Dorado Correctional Facility is investigating the death of inmate Andrew Ellmaker, 39, found unresponsive in his cell; an autopsy is pending. Local Safety: A Wichita Family Crisis Center Winfield office is temporarily closed after an SUV crashed into the building; staff are safe and advocates are working remotely. Research & Civic Life: KU researchers report that media literacy and social media habits can predict trust in institutions and civic engagement. Space & Education: The Cosmosphere hosted Artemis II astronauts and NASA’s administrator in Hutchinson to spotlight careers in science and aerospace. Sports Business: Kansas State added Progressive as an on-field sponsorship partner for football this fall. Weather/Travel Safety: Authorities are investigating a Kansas tourist’s lightning death while hiking Mount Etna in Sicily. Community Notes: A Cow Camp for beef producers is set for Sept. 9-10 at K-State in Hays.

Transportation & Safety: Kansas transportation officials announced $37.2 million in federal Transportation Alternatives funding for 33 projects statewide, including active transportation and Safe Routes to School work. Public Health: Kansas health officials say Cyclospora cases have climbed to 748 and urge parents to rethink packed lunches as symptoms can take days to show up. Food Safety: The FDA recalled Walmart-sold Marketside tomato bisque soup kits in 29 states due to possible listeria contamination. Local Law Enforcement: Hutchinson Police canceled a Silver Alert after finding missing 79-year-old Homer Lee Gilson in Topeka. Community & Services: Wichita Family Crisis Center’s Winfield outreach office is temporarily closed after an SUV crashed into the building; advocates are still available by phone and by appointment. Education & Tech: A Kansas school district is using a KU grant to set classroom rules for AI use, aiming to help students learn responsibly. Weather: A First Alert Weather Day is in effect for Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, with a lower but real risk of strong to severe storms across western Missouri into Kansas. Sports: Texas Tech confirmed Donovan Atwell will return for a 2026-27 fifth year.

Topeka & Shawnee County Health: The LiveWell Shawnee County Healthy Babies Impact Team is hosting a Community Baby Shower for safe sleep Saturday at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, aiming to tackle Shawnee County’s higher infant mortality rate. Local Public Safety: A Wichita Family Crisis Center Winfield outreach office is temporarily closed after an SUV crashed into the building Tuesday; staff are working remotely and advocates are still available by phone. Road & Weather Safety: A Kansas Highway Patrol report says an emergency vehicle collided with a semitrailer on I-135 early Monday while trying to stop a wrong-way driver; both drivers were alone, with the emergency driver taken to the hospital. Crime & Courts: Lawrence police say a heavy search for a suspected armed intruder turned out to be a hoax after children later admitted the story. Community & Youth: Kansas 4-H leaders say they’re still exploring future ownership options for Rock Springs Ranch, a camp and conference center serving Kansas 4-H since 1946. Sports (KU): Dylan Edwards’ role with Kansas football is drawing fresh attention as fall camp continues.