AGP Executive Report

Columbia Energy: City officials will discuss power needs for the next 20 years as the cost of a 45-megawatt capacity contract has risen about 300% from its original price. Historic Preservation: Kirksville planners will consider landmark status for the 1914 Lincoln School, once the area’s only elementary school for Black children; local advocates hope to turn it into a museum. Mizzou Football: The Tigers overwhelmed Florida 45-17, piling up 560 yards in a statement win. Utility Debate: Ameren plans nine new natural-gas plants and to keep all four Labadie coal units running through 2042, citing rising electricity demand from data centers. Protesters urged a shift to renewables and raised concerns about pollution and costs. Lincoln University: Seven current and former students are seeking nearly $549 million in a federal lawsuit alleging decades of unequal state funding. Agriculture: The University of Missouri opened four research facilities as Gov. Mike Kehoe expanded temporary rules allowing dyed diesel on public roads.

School Board: Columbia’s board is set to vote on a revised bullying policy requiring staff to intervene and families to receive investigation findings within five school days. It will also review special education progress. Mizzou Football: The Tigers beat Texas A&M 27-6, powered by Jamal Roberts’ second straight 200-yard rushing game. Fuel Costs: Gov. Mike Kehoe expanded an order allowing dyed diesel on state highways for any vehicle and purpose, aiming to ease costs for farmers, truckers and other drivers. Energy: St. Louis demonstrators urged Ameren to retire its Labadie coal units sooner after the utility pushed the planned retirement date from 2036 to 2042. Agriculture: Mizzou opened four research facilities as the state backs farmers, while the university’s chestnut festival in New Franklin showcased local research and crops. Springfield Arts: The Gillioz Theatre marked 100 years since opening on Route 66, celebrating its legacy with a community birthday party.

Mizzou Football: Missouri beat Texas A&M 27-6 in Columbia, as running back Jamal Roberts topped 200 yards for a second straight game. Farm Exports: Missouri’s agriculture department joined Kansas in hosting seven international buyers for a Kansas City barbecue and condiments mission, connecting U.S. producers with potential overseas customers. Missouri Agriculture: Gallatin-based Earth Touch now grows more than 500 acres of einkorn wheat and ships its products nationwide; New Franklin’s annual Chestnut Festival also showcased MU agroforestry research. Lincoln University: Students and alumni are suing Missouri, alleging decades of unequal funding for the historically Black land-grant university and seeking about $550 million. Fuel Relief: Gov. Mike Kehoe temporarily allowed vehicles to use red-dyed diesel on state roads through 2026, responding to pressure from farmers facing high fuel costs.

Mizzou Football: No. 14 Missouri hosts Texas A&M in Columbia after a 45-17 rout of Florida; the Tigers enter 5-1, while the Aggies have lost twice. Agriculture: Mizzou opened a meat science lab and four research facilities as state leaders highlight support for farmers. Gov. Mike Kehoe also expanded an order allowing dyed diesel on public roads through 2026, offering farmers and other drivers temporary fuel-cost relief. Missouri Politics: A new poll puts Democrat Betsy Fogle at 47% and Republican Melanie Stinnett at 45% in a competitive state Senate race; 46% oppose Amendment 3, compared with 35% in favor. Household Concerns: West County residents are seeking answers about yellow-tinted tap water, while Liberty customers report sharply higher power bills. Child Welfare: Advocates say Missouri should pair improvements to its child welfare system with prevention efforts addressing the pressures that push families into crisis.

Farm Relief and Research: Gov. Mike Kehoe temporarily opened Missouri highways to vehicles using tax-exempt dyed diesel, offering relief as fuel costs squeeze producers. The University of Missouri also opened four agriculture research facilities focused on seeds, cattle, wine and meat science. Higher Education: Lincoln University students sued Missouri, alleging decades of unequal funding and seeking about $549 million. Ballot Fight: The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry is urging voters to reject Amendment 6, arguing it could make voter-approved laws harder for lawmakers to repeal. Fall Festival: Hartsburg expects more than 40,000 visitors this weekend, despite a hot, dry summer that cut the local pumpkin crop. Missouri Courts: A plaintiff testified in a Missouri trial over Roundup exposure, describing repeated contact with the herbicide while gardening.

Higher Education: Lincoln University students and alumni are suing Missouri, alleging decades of unequal funding and seeking $549 million for the historically Black land-grant university. Agriculture: USDA’s larger-than-expected corn production estimate sent futures sharply lower, adding pressure on farmers; four Missouri 4-H members also placed ninth overall at a national livestock judging contest. Immigration: Ukrainians in the St. Louis area face uncertainty as their temporary protected status is set to expire Oct. 19. State Politics: Republican Melanie Stinnett and Democrat Betsy Fogle are competing for a Springfield-area Missouri Senate seat Democrats haven’t won in 80 years. Roads: MoDOT plans resurfacing and maintenance across north Missouri Oct. 12-18, with lane restrictions and closures on several routes.

Lincoln University Funding: Students and alumni are suing Missouri, alleging decades of unequal funding for the state’s historically Black land-grant university. Columbia Utilities: Ameresco won a $42 million contract to modernize the city’s electric and water metering systems. Road Work: MoDOT awarded a $4.3 million resurfacing contract covering routes in Adair, Knox, Linn and Sullivan counties; west of Columbia, a section of Route 63’s outer road will narrow to one lane Monday for final paving work. Workforce: A Moberly youth apprenticeship program is placing high school students in automotive and collision-repair jobs, letting them build career experience while still in school. Drought: Extreme drought persists across parts of southwest Missouri, with little relief expected and growing concerns for crops and fire risk. Callaway County Election: Candidates Clay Chism and Mike Conner fielded questions at an NAACP forum ahead of the county’s only contested commission race.

Lincoln University: Seven current and former students sued Missouri, alleging decades of unequal funding at the Jefferson City HBCU. The lawsuit cites a federal estimate that the state underfunded Lincoln by $361.6 million from 1987 to 2020 and seeks damages and future funding commitments. Columbia Utilities: The city awarded Ameresco a $42 million contract to replace nearly 107,000 electric and water meters and upgrade its utility network. Roadwork: MoDOT awarded $4.3 million for resurfacing in Adair, Knox, Linn and Sullivan counties, plus a $598,300 seal-coat project in Audrain County. Rural Health: Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall is ending labor and delivery, leaving families to travel elsewhere to give birth as maternity services continue to disappear across rural Missouri. Population: Missouri gained 14,063 Gen Z residents from other states in 2024, among the largest net increases nationwide.

College Football: Missouri State heads to Western Kentucky on Oct. 8 seeking its first conference win and an end to a 41-year losing streak against the Hilltoppers. Lincoln University: Students and alumni have sued Missouri, alleging the state shortchanged the historically Black land-grant school by $361.6 million from 1987 to 2020. They seek more than $500 million and a commitment to fair funding. Animal Welfare: Missouri’s attorney general is suing two animal-care operators. In Jasper County, the state says a Carthage kennel kept boarding dogs after its license expired and refused an inspection. Agriculture: Wet conditions are causing some Missouri corn to sprout in the field and soybeans to discolor during harvest. Farmers report strong yields so far, but say they are racing to bring crops in. Energy: Clearway has started construction on a 650-megawatt solar project in Missouri. Farm Costs: A federal order temporarily allows dyed diesel on highways, offering tax relief as farmers face steep fuel costs during harvest.

Higher Education: Lincoln University students and alumni sued Missouri, alleging decades of unequal funding compared with the University of Missouri. Their lawyers cite a federal finding of a $361.6 million per-student funding gap and seek a court-ordered remedy. Clean Energy: Construction has begun on Clearway’s $1.5 billion, 650-megawatt solar farm in Bates County. The project could bring up to 500 construction jobs and more than $80 million in county revenue over 30 years. Rural Connectivity: Lumos has acquired ALLO Fiber’s Joplin network, with customer service expected to transition near the end of 2026. Farm Relief: A temporary federal waiver expands the use of dyed diesel for on-road agricultural transport, offering some relief to Missouri farmers facing high fuel costs. Livestock: Missouri’s 2025–26 steer feedout found the most profitable animals paired efficient gains with larger carcasses and low costs. Youth Agriculture: Missouri’s 4-H dairy judging team placed 11th nationally, with Fair Grove’s Lexi Angelo finishing 14th overall and earning All-American honors.

Diesel Relief for Missouri Drivers: President Trump signed an executive order allowing tax-free red-dyed diesel on U.S. highways through year-end, aiming to cut costs for truckers and farmers by as much as $100 per fill-up. Privacy Fight Over License Plate Readers: Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe’s new LPR executive order pushes statewide safeguards, including faster deletion of most location data, after concerns about indefinite tracking of law-abiding residents. Courts & Consumer Tech: A federal judge ordered an H&R Block-related lawsuit back to Missouri state court, rejecting “snap removal” before plaintiffs were served. Missouri Agriculture Results: The Show Me Youth Ag Academy Steer Feedout highlighted carcass size and feed efficiency as key to top profits, with the top steer earning $1,025.27. Local Sports & Culture: The Springfield Cardinals rebranded as the Ozarks Springbirds for the 2027 season, and Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith praised the Cardinals’ young core at a Missouri History Museum exhibit opening. Public Safety & Health: Missouri continues meth treatment coverage, while a separate story notes a judge struck down a warrantless Flock search as unconstitutional mass surveillance.

Diesel Relief for Farmers: Missouri Corn Growers CEO Bradley Schad says state and federal waivers on dyed diesel help blunt record-high fuel costs, though he warns road funding still matters. Ag Weed Control: A University Extension weed specialist says drilling cover crops can create more uniform stands and stronger weed suppression next spring. Pork Month in Missouri: Gov. Mike Kehoe and Ag Director Chris Chinn proclaimed October as Pork Month, highlighting Missouri’s 3.3 million head of hogs and a $2.2 billion economic impact. Missouri Courts & Surveillance: A judge ruled a warrantless Flock camera search was unconstitutional mass surveillance, throwing out drug evidence. State Policy Watch: Missouri Supreme Court is set to hear a case on the constitutionality of a public safety bill. Business & Compliance: SBA suspended 870,000 PPP and EIDL borrowers tied to $39 billion in suspected fraud, warning of collections for nonpayment. Local Economy: Jefferson City Council passed an $88.5 million 2027 budget. Entertainment & Culture: Benton Park’s Bourbon Fest expands to four blocks with 600 whiskies poured Friday.

Local Government: Columbia City Council approved major upgrades to the Rainbow Softball Center, including new LED lighting and field renovations, while rejecting a proposed student housing development on Rock Quarry Road. Consumer & Utilities: Aurora residents say Liberty Utilities’ electric bills have jumped into the thousands with little explanation, as the Missouri Public Service Commission continues monitoring. Public Safety Tech: Missouri and national lawmakers keep pressing over Flock Safety surveillance concerns, with cities and states tightening rules while San Francisco keeps its cameras running under new limits. Agriculture & Youth: Missouri marked Pork Month and highlighted the state’s $2.2 billion hog industry, while National 4-H Week spotlights programs for Heartland youth. Culture & Community: A documentary, “World Without Cows,” is expanding its theatrical tour with Missouri screenings starting Oct. 14, and Missouri state parks are rolling out fall Halloween events. Entertainment: Televangelist Jim Bakker died at 86, and “Days of Our Lives” star Robert Kelker-Kelly died at 62.

Food Safety: A frozen berry recall tied to an E. coli outbreak has expanded again, now pulling additional lots sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s across more than two dozen states, with 17 reported illnesses and shoppers urged to check freezer lot codes. Wildlife & Agriculture: Hemorrhagic disease in deer is spreading in the Midwest, with Wisconsin reporting higher death rates and Missouri tracking outbreaks across dozens of counties as EHDV/BTV move through more regions. Public Safety Tech: A federal judge ruled warrantless searches using Flock automated license plate readers violate the Fourth Amendment, throwing out evidence in a drug case and fueling Missouri’s push for tighter limits on ALPR data use. State Policy: Missouri will not adopt optional federal “short-term hardship” exemptions tied to Medicaid work requirements starting in 2027, aiming to route people through other exemptions but drawing concern over added barriers. Local Missouri Roads: MoDOT is closing westbound U.S. 36 access to Bob Griffin Road in Cameron for intersection work, with detours and a project timeline through November. Ag Deadline: Missouri Steer Feedout enrollment for 2026-27 runs through Oct. 15, with steers fed at the Show Me Feedlot in Dade County.

Local Government: Shrewsbury has picked Confluence to update its comprehensive plan after more than 50 years, a 12–14 month process that will also fold in youth voices and help modernize outdated city codes. Public Safety & Privacy: A federal judge in Oklahoma tossed a drug case, saying warrantless searches of Flock camera data and license-plate tracking can violate the Fourth Amendment. State Policy (Cannabis): Missouri DHSS proposed rule changes affecting cannabis facility ownership, licensing operations, microbusiness transfers, recall procedures, and how prior violations can affect participation; comments run Nov. 2 to Dec. 2. Community & Culture: Columbia’s Mid-Missouri PrideFest drew about 10,000 people over two days, and a new Columbia student housing plan (“The Retreat”) is set for City Council review Monday. Health & Business: Elevate Holistics launched an at-home, clinician-guided low-dose ketamine telehealth platform. Roads: MoDOT lane restrictions continue in Kirksville and nearby counties as resurfacing and bridge work moves into next week.

Firefighter Remembrance: Hundreds of candles lit the sky at the 24th annual Fire Fighters Memorial vigil in Kingdom City, honoring Missouri firefighters lost in the line of duty, including five newly engraved names. Food Safety: Trader Joe’s Organic Mixed Berry Blend and additional Great Value frozen organic berries are expanding an E. coli recall tied to Chilean supplier lots sold across 26 states, including Missouri—check package lot codes and best-by dates. Weather: A Sunday morning rain chance in Magnolia fades into sunnier, warmer days through Tuesday. Local Animal Care: Adair County Humane Society is quarantining its cat facility for at least a week after cats fell ill, pausing cat adoptions and intakes during the review period. Community & Culture: Downtown Emporia’s October First Friday Art Walk drew crowds with live music, art demos, and hands-on activities. Politics Watch: A Missouri senator’s team faced a public embarrassment over a claimed “proof” in a Jack Smith hearing after a mistaken timeline.