AGP Executive Report

Local Crime: Kansas City police are investigating a fatal shooting at a business on the 3900 block of Main Street; a 40-year-old man, Angelo D. Jones, died after being found with gunshot trauma and an adult male subject of interest left on foot. Economic Development: Springfield City Council will hold a second reading on extending its USL professional soccer feasibility work through the end of 2027, with added costs coming from the city manager’s contingency fund. Business & Agriculture: Honey Rock Cattle Co. in Sarcoxie joined the American Angus Association, aligning with the group’s genetics and marketing programs. Public Finance/Jobs: Jefferson City named Shelby Convery as its new finance director, overseeing budgeting, payroll, procurement and IT. Retail Expansion: Costco confirmed a new Lee’s Summit, Missouri, location opening this August. Food Safety: A new FDA report adds detail to the Taylor Farms lettuce recall tied to potential Cyclospora contamination, naming additional retailers and food-service removals. Consumer Watch: GasBuddy data shows Laclede County’s lowest premium price at $4.27 for the week ending Aug. 1, with Missouri premium averaging $4.53.

USDA & Georgia Meat Markets: Georgia joined the USDA Cooperative Interstate Shipment program, letting state-inspected meat processors ship across state lines while keeping food-safety oversight—now 11 states participate. Public Health: Missouri health officials are tracking the growing Cyclospora outbreak after recalls tied to lettuce and other produce; residents are urged to wash, cook to 158°F, and follow CDC/FDA updates. Missouri Tax-Free Weekend: Shoppers in Missouri are using the back-to-school sales tax holiday, with key limits like clothing/shoes under $100 and computers under $1,500. Fuel Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports show diesel and premium prices varying by county in the week ending Aug. 1, with Missouri’s diesel average around $4.84. Local Safety & Crime: Kansas City police are seeking tips after a Westport-area homicide; Palmyra police arrested a man tied to an illegal gambling setup at a fairgrounds carnival booth. Workforce & Education: Missouri S&T is part of a $100M federal push to expand the critical-minerals mining workforce.

Critical Minerals & Education: Missouri S&T is among schools tapped by a new $100 million federal push to expand the critical-minerals mining workforce, aiming to double graduates in mining and related fields within two years. Public Health & Food Safety: Health officials in Missouri are urging residents to take precautions as cyclosporiasis cases rise, tied to recalled iceberg lettuce; meanwhile, a separate Salmonella outbreak linked to Mexican jalapeños has sickened hundreds nationwide. Back-to-School Spending: Missouri’s tax-free weekend is underway, with shoppers focusing on clothing, shoes, and tech—while the state reminds buyers to watch price caps to keep purchases tax-free. Energy Prices Watch: GasBuddy price reports show a mix of lower and steady fuel costs across Missouri counties, including low E15 and premium prices in select areas. Local Business & Growth: PTTEP confirmed a new chief executive, Kanita Sartwattayu, with Missouri ties via her University of Missouri-Rolla degree. Kansas City Safety: Police are investigating a Westport-area homicide after a man died from gunshot wounds; no suspect is in custody.

Food Safety Watch: The cyclospora outbreak tied to recalled iceberg lettuce keeps expanding, with CDC reporting cases across 15 states and nearly 6,400 illnesses nationwide (Michigan’s numbers suggest the true total may be far higher). Public Health & Recalls: A separate salmonella scare is driving a Walmart-only recall of Bettergoods Pistachio Nut Butter in 19 states, including Missouri, with no illnesses reported yet. Local Economy & Jobs: Kansas City approved Midtown Costco rezoning to preserve pharmacy service during the store’s shift to a Costco Business Center, with other services changing. Education Funding: Missouri’s sports betting revenue is starting to flow into the Sports Wagering Education Fund, totaling $3.213 million for fiscal 2026 so far. Community Support: A Kirksville school supply giveaway helped northeast Missouri students head back with backpacks and supplies. Business & Growth: Simmons Foods promoted Scott Salmon to chief commercial officer, aiming to accelerate growth in its pet and prepared foods units. Government & Energy: The PSC scheduled an additional public hearing on Ameren Missouri’s renewable generation and battery storage request for Aug. 26.

Legal & Health Care: Boone Health sued two Columbia cardiologists and their new practice, alleging they violated noncompete agreements by operating Pulsepoint Clinic, seeking an injunction and damages. Public Safety & Consumer Protection: Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway joined a national push for the Safe Access to Cash Act to tighten federal penalties for ATM robberies, and separately reached an agreement barring St. Louis’ Green Dragon from selling kratom/7-OH as federal bans loom. Food Safety: The CDC-linked cyclosporiasis lettuce outbreak now spans 15 states including Missouri, with officials saying contaminated products have been pulled and cases may start to decline. Health Insurance: CoxHealth will partner with Oscar Health to offer ACA Marketplace coverage in eight Missouri counties (including Greene) after CoxHealth’s direct Marketplace plans exit next year. Local Business & Infrastructure: MoDOT laid out north Missouri roadwork for Aug. 10-16, with lane reductions and closures expected. Energy & Data Centers: Crusoe named Matthew Potter to lead energy development for gigawatt-scale projects powering its expanding AI data center portfolio, including Missouri sites.

Missouri Politics: In a high-stakes Democratic rematch, Rep. Wesley Bell beat former Rep. Cori Bush in Missouri’s congressional primary, 59.2% to 36.9%, with analysts pointing to local demographics and the economy as bigger drivers than the campaign’s Israel/AIPAC focus. Food Safety & Retail Impact: A salmonella outbreak tied to fresh jalapeños has sickened hundreds across 27 states; Chipotle and Qdoba removed the peppers after FDA-linked supply details, while Kansas reported early case counts. Produce Supply Chain: The cyclospora lettuce crisis keeps reshaping distribution, with Sysco saying it will stop sourcing iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms after outbreak-linked deaths and recalls. Local Business Growth: Clementine’s Ice Cream will open a new Columbia parlor Aug. 14, expanding its Missouri footprint. Infrastructure & Utilities: MoDOT is moving ahead with U.S. 71/340th Street intersection improvements in Nodaway County, using j-turns, with work expected to finish by early November 2026. Consumer Watch: Missouri’s back-to-school sales tax holiday runs Aug. 7-9, with shoppers urged to verify which items qualify. Public Health: Missouri health officials remind parents to keep back-to-school vaccinations up to date as exemptions rise.

Federal Crime & Banking: Missouri AG Chris Carr is leading a 15-state push for the Safe Access to Cash Act, aiming to strengthen federal penalties for ATM robberies—especially at standalone machines outside bank branches. Food Safety: A salmonella outbreak tied to Mexican jalapeños has sickened at least 345 people across 27 states, with Chipotle and QDOBA removing the ingredient after FDA/CDC traceback. Public Health & Supply Chain: The cyclospora/iceberg lettuce outbreak keeps widening; CDC/FDA now link cases to 15 states, including Missouri, as health officials warn consumers and restaurants to watch for recalled products. Missouri Workforce: The state’s Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant application is open, helping Missouri adults cover education costs in high-demand fields. Local Infrastructure: MoDOT crews restored eastbound I-44 to two lanes early in Pulaski County as part of the widening project, though ramp closures continue. Business & Growth: Steris plans a $600M North Carolina manufacturing hub, moving St. Louis operations to expand capacity for healthcare chemicals. Retail Competition: Meijer is preparing its first Metro East Illinois stores, signaling tougher grocery competition for the St. Louis region.

Food Safety: The CDC says the iceberg-lettuce cyclospora outbreak now involves 15 states, with Missouri added among six new states; officials report 6,358 linked cases, 278 hospitalizations and two deaths in Michigan, as investigators keep tracing the source to Taylor Farms produce. Crypto Regulation: Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley says he’ll vote “no” on the Clarity Act unless changes protect community banks, drawing pushback from Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and adding pressure ahead of the Senate’s August recess. Local Business & Growth: Columbia REDI named Kaylee Paffrath as its new vice president, focusing on site development and business recruitment, as the group continues project work in mid-Missouri. Public Health: Missouri health officials report 1,095 cyclosporiasis cases as the outbreak expands, while a separate FDA recall warns consumers about Bettergoods pistachio nut butter due to possible salmonella contamination. Civic Finance: Columbia’s Proposition 1 sales tax measure is still being certified after a razor-thin margin, with dozens of ballots left to process. Community Support: Southeast Missouri Foodbank says its “Summer Meals for Kids” campaign topped its goal, delivering 320,000 meals.

Missouri Ballot Results: Voters resoundingly rejected two GOP-backed constitutional amendments in Tuesday’s primary—Amendment 4 (citizen-initiative process changes) and Amendment 5 (phasing out the state income tax)—with both measures losing by about 80%, and every county voting no. State Policy & Costs: The Missouri Department of Natural Resources will raise solid-waste tonnage fees starting Oct. 1, 2026, a 3.5% increase (sanitary landfills $2.11 to $2.18 per ton; demolition/construction $1.40 to $1.45). Local Infrastructure: Nodaway County’s U.S. 71/340th Street intersection is set for a J-turn conversion beginning Aug. 10, with one-lane traffic and an early-November 2026 target. Business & Growth: Emerson appointed Rudy Sengupta as chief technology and AI officer, effective Aug. 15, as the company pushes AI-enabled automation. Community & Economy: Ozark Fisheries marked 100 years of family farming with a Century Farm ribbon-cutting in Camdenton. Tech & Industry: St. Louis CITY SC and Spire teamed up for energy-efficiency education at Energizer Park.

Missouri Tax Vote: Missouri voters soundly rejected Amendment 5, keeping the state income tax in place and turning back a plan to phase it out while expanding sales taxes—opponents warned the shift would hit everyday costs hardest. State Politics & Business Climate: The same election also rejected Amendment 4, which would have tightened the initiative petition process by requiring approval in each congressional district, a move critics said would reduce voters’ ability to change state policy. Local Housing & Costs: Kansas City approved an ordinance to fund emergency apartment repairs at North Lawn Ave. properties after tenants raised health and safety concerns, with the city seeking to recoup repair costs from the owner. Retail & Jobs: Walgreens’ restructuring continues to reach Missouri, with two St. Louis-area stores already permanently closed this year as the chain trims underperforming locations. Consumer Savings: Missouri’s back-to-school tax-free weekend runs Aug. 7-9, offering sales-tax exemptions on qualifying school supplies, clothing, and computers within set price limits. Elections Watch: In Missouri’s primaries, Rep. Wesley Bell won a Democratic rematch in the 1st District, while Missouri Republicans advanced multiple congressional and state races for November.

Medicaid Watch: Missouri is heading into tougher MO HealthNet renewals where paperwork failures—not eligibility changes—are driving coverage losses; federal data shows most terminations are “procedural,” and 2027 brings twice-yearly checks plus new work requirements for expansion adults. Ag & Markets: Hot, variable July weather left some Missouri corn short on full pollination, while rains are improving soybeans; USDA condition ratings show corn slipping slightly and soybeans edging up ahead of next week’s yield estimates. Biofuels & Soybeans: Biofuel blending demand is keeping soybean crush expansion hot, with ADM planning upgrades adding 700,000 metric tons of annual crush capacity across plants including Missouri. Local Retail: Save A Lot is expanding its Hispanic-focused “y Mas” banner into St. Louis’ Gravois Park neighborhood, aiming for more culturally tailored, affordable grocery options. Community Health Access: Kansas City councilman Crispin Rea says Costco leaders will keep pharmacy services at the Midtown store for now, even as the location shifts toward a business center. Food Safety: CDC is expanding the largest known cyclosporiasis outbreak to 15 states, with Missouri reporting 1,095 cases tied to shredded iceberg lettuce.

Retail & Food Safety: Walmart-exclusive Bettergoods pistachio nut butter is being recalled in 19 states after FDA testing found Salmonella, including Missouri. Healthcare Oversight: Missouri’s Sen. Josh Hawley and Sen. Richard Blumenthal demanded Medicare Advantage insurers hand over internal records on post-hospital care denials, including how algorithms are used. AI & Consumer Data: 15 state attorneys general urged OpenAI to preserve materials tied to the Hugging Face hack, arguing the company’s sandbox controls failed. State Budget & Infrastructure: Jefferson City voted to raise hourly parking rates to $1 starting in September and adjust time limits near the Capitol to boost revenue and retail activity. Local Economy & Growth: S&P Global Ratings cut University of Central Missouri’s bond rating to “A” from “A+,” while assigning an “A” to planned 2026 bonds tied to campus upgrades. Agriculture & Jobs: Walmart, General Mills and ADM are expanding regenerative farming practices on wheat acres across Illinois, Indiana and Missouri. Politics That Hits Business: Missouri voters decide Tuesday whether to phase out the state income tax; Catholic bishops are urging support for Amendment 5. Public Safety & Travel: MoDOT begins the next phase of the Route 36/Bob Griffin Road intersection project in Cameron Aug. 4, with lane closures and detours.

Missouri Medicaid Pressure: Advocates say Missouri could save up to $259M a year by cutting private insurer middlemen, as a new federal law threatens big penalties unless the state lowers its error rate by 2029. Local Government Watch: State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick found Carterville’s water and sewer fund in “poor” financial shape, with a $634,000 negative balance, high water loss, and budgeting and bidding failures. Housing Court Win: Springfield-area LIHTC tenants won a preliminary injunction blocking eviction and rent hikes tied to the Cedarwood Terrace/Rosewood Estates removal plans, with a 2027 jury trial set. AI Accountability: Missouri AG Brenna Bird is leading a 15-state push for OpenAI to preserve records and explain a Hugging Face-linked hack, warning of potential sanctions. Tax Ballot Stakes: Missouri voters face Constitutional Amendment 5, which would let lawmakers phase out the income tax while expanding sales/use taxes and potentially taxing services. Retail Expansion: Nordstrom Rack is coming to Columbia this fall, opening Oct. 29 at the Shoppes at Stadium. Energy Grid Fight: Missouri lawmakers are pushing back on a utility bid to bypass competition for new power lines tied to growing AI/data-center demand.

Missouri Tax Vote: Missouri voters head to the polls Tuesday on Amendment 5, which would phase out the state’s individual income tax and bar it from coming back, with lawmakers potentially replacing revenue through expanded sales taxes—an issue supporters frame as competitiveness and opponents as a shift onto working families and schools. AI + Data Centers: Nodaway County commissioners are weighing zoning options as two data centers look to locate in the area, with residents raising concerns about water and quality of life while officials discuss legal pathways for a moratorium. Energy + AI Economy: A Missouri energy model is being pitched as built for the AI economy, tying regional power planning to new demand from data centers. Food Safety: A federal egg recall is expanding after drug-resistant Salmonella linked to cartons distributed across 17 states, with shoppers urged to check specific codes and sell-by dates. Local Business Resilience: Lilly’s Cantina in Kansas City narrowly avoided closing after months of road construction hurt parking and regular traffic—then a community push helped sales rebound. Healthcare Fraud: An adult day care provider was indicted for allegedly defrauding Missouri Medicaid out of $1.47 million through false reimbursement claims.

Local Tax Relief: Kirksville’s sales tax holiday runs Aug. 7-9, cutting sales tax on qualifying back-to-school items like supplies under $50, clothing under $100, and computers/peripherals up to $1,500. Community Support: Crossing Church’s Back-to-School Fair drew long lines, offering backpacks, school supplies, and kids’ physicals/vision screenings to ease the cost burden for families. Missouri Health Policy: Missouri Medicaid faces tougher budget pressure after a new federal law raises penalties tied to error rates, pushing debate over whether to extend managed-care contracts or shift more care in-house. State Tax Fight: Missouri voters head into the Aug. 4 primary with Amendment 5 on the ballot, which would phase out the state income tax and expand sales/use taxes—an issue driving heavy campaign ads. Business & Fraud: An adult day care provider was indicted for allegedly defrauding Missouri Medicaid of $1.47 million through false reimbursement claims. Ag Leadership: The Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council elected Kevin Mainord as chair, steering checkoff-funded research and market development. Local Business Resilience: Lilly’s Cantina in Kansas City nearly closed after road construction hurt parking and foot traffic—then a community push helped it turn the corner.

Health Insurance Watch: Missouri’s Department of Commerce and Insurance released preliminary 2027 health plan rates, starting a public review process and showing multiple insurers will offer ACA-compliant coverage in every county. Housing & Tenants: Kansas City renters at the North Lawn Apartment Complex launched a rent strike, citing weeks without power, sewage flooding, infestations, and broken heating/AC. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Missouri 811 enforcement hit a record in July, as the attorney general’s office pushes compliance ahead of peak summer digging. Energy & Industry: Boeing posted a larger-than-expected Q2 loss tied to Air Force One replacement costs, while generating positive free cash flow and highlighting Missouri-area military production. Business Climate: A new report ranks states’ business tax rates, keeping low-tax states in the spotlight for companies weighing where to grow. Cybersecurity: A fresh warning flags cyberattacks on water systems across multiple states as a growing risk to critical infrastructure. Local Economy: Columbia’s Dog Days Sidewalk Sale drew shoppers downtown, with shelters partnering to boost foot traffic for small businesses. Sports Business: Link Academy in Branson hired coach Michael Peck on a multi-year deal, underscoring how Missouri prep programs keep attracting national attention.