AGP Executive Report

Agriculture & Workforce: Iowa State University Extension is taking nominations through June 30 for its annual “Iowans Impacting Agriculture” recognition, spotlighting leaders who boost farm resiliency, conserve resources, and strengthen local communities. Local Development: Fort Dodge’s City Council will consider replacing the long-vacant Trolley Center with a four-story project featuring retail and 36 apartments, plus workforce housing tax credit support. Politics & Campaigns: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is in Des Moines to rally for Iowa Democratic gubernatorial nominee Rob Sand as he faces Republican Zach Lahn after Tuesday’s GOP primary upset. Business Moves: Lightedge, based in Des Moines, says it will start selling IBM Power Virtual Server to IBM i customers, expanding its cloud offerings. Manufacturing Layoffs: Whirlpool confirmed another 288 job cuts at its Middle Amana refrigerator plant, bringing total Iowa layoffs since summer 2025 to 879. Small Business Closures: Des Moines women’s boutique MoMere will permanently close June 20. Public Finance Watch: IPERS has launched a nationwide search for a new CEO after a turbulent spring marked by misconduct-related leadership changes and legal fallout. Ag Policy: Congress is weighing farm bill language that could limit state animal welfare rules, a move Iowa producers are likely to watch closely.

Iowa Politics & Business Climate: Zach Lahn’s upset over Trump-backed Rep. Randy Feenstra has Democrats eyeing a real Iowa flip in November, with the governor’s race now drawing national attention and setting up high-stakes congressional matchups. Federal Policy & Iowa Agriculture: Congress is weighing a farm-bill change that could block states from regulating livestock raising, a direct fight over standards that Iowa producers say would add compliance burdens. Energy & Costs: GasBuddy reports Madison County’s lowest diesel price at $4.79 for the week ending May 30, while broader fuel volatility remains tied to global oil and refinery conditions. AI Infrastructure & Water: Google says it will replenish more water than its data centers use by 2030, as communities push back on AI-driven power and water demands. Local Economy & Jobs: Sioux County supervisors discuss how to structure tax abatements for new commercial projects, a reminder that local rules can shape investment decisions. Community & Small Business: Minervas’ Sioux City steak restaurant is set to close June 20, with staffing and possible job moves handled case-by-case.

EV Charging & Retail: An EV driver shared a photo of what looks like a full-service “EV gas station” in Fulton, Illinois—chargers under a canopy plus a convenience store, restrooms, and a big roadside price sign—highlighting how charging is getting more like traditional fueling. Local Government & Infrastructure: Ankeny says crews will start next week on Hawkeye Park tennis court reconstruction, replacing the current courts with six new ones and adding perimeter fencing, wind screens, energy-efficient lighting, and a practice backboard. Affordable Housing: Sioux City won $1.7 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits for redevelopment of the former LAMB Theatre into The Web Apartments, adding 54 affordable units after a historic restoration. Medicare Access: Cherokee Regional Medical Center in O’Brien County is now a sponsor for SHIIP/Senior Medicare Patrol, offering free, one-on-one Medicare counseling by appointment. Politics & Iowa Economy: Democrats are lining up for the Iowa governor race as Rob Sand prepares to rally with support from Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, with the contest framed around budget strain and the ag economy. Energy Policy: A coalition of 21 states and industry groups backed the U.S. Air Force in a lawsuit over the Tarague Beach detonation range, arguing a major ruling could trigger more permitting fights nationwide.

Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports the lowest E85 in Iowa hit $2.80/gal in Madison County (week ending May 30) and $3.14/gal in Warren County, while E15 ranged down to $3.75/gal in Floyd County and $3.85/gal for E15 there; regular gas in Pocahontas County bottomed at $3.95/gal. Immigration & Schools: Gov. Kim Reynolds signed SF 2218, requiring public employers to verify citizenship and work eligibility, tightening Iowa school licensing and hiring checks after the 2025 arrest of former Des Moines Public Schools superintendent Ian Roberts. Manufacturing Jobs: Whirlpool announced another 288 layoffs at its Middle Amana plant, bringing cuts to 879 since last summer. Local Housing: Ottumwa council backed a loan for the Vogel Heights Housing Development, starting infrastructure for 58 units. Agribusiness & Policy: Iowa farmers are pushing back on fertilizer costs and market concentration, arguing competition is being squeezed. Livestock Health: Federal and Texas officials confirmed a New World screwworm case in a calf in South Texas, triggering a movement halt around the farm. Politics: A Politico analysis says MAHA groups have largely missed key congressional races, backing just one competitive GOP House seat so far. Community & Safety: Residents urged Hawarden leaders to keep enforcing property cleanup ordinances.

Retail & Local Business: Hy-Vee is selling 21 standalone Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh convenience stores in Iowa to Nebraska-based Bosselman’s Pump & Pantry, with rebranding planned for mid-July. Manufacturing Jobs: Whirlpool says it will cut another 288 jobs at its Middle Amana plant starting July 5, bringing recent layoffs to 879 since last summer. Energy Costs: A new national look at EIA data shows residential electricity prices rising fastest in some states; Iowa’s average is up about 7.5% year over year (March 2026). Agriculture & Trade: Sen. Chuck Grassley says tariffs and the Iran war are pushing up fertilizer costs for Iowa farmers and is backing efforts to give the Agriculture secretary more power over fertilizer supply and pricing. Community & Events: Waterloo’s My Waterloo Days Parade kicks off Friday with an estimated $1 million annual economic impact, while the Blanden Art Festival returns Saturday in Fort Dodge. Public Works: Cedar Rapids will close part of 8th Ave. SE for three days for railroad crossing repairs.

Iowa Government Watch: State Auditor Rob Sand says Madison County’s finances are a mess, citing missing checks, unverified deposits, and delayed tax payments tied to former treasurer Amanda DeVos, who faces theft and fraud charges and is set for trial this fall. Small Business & Lending: Sen. Joni Ernst is pressing the SBA to review 10 lenders USDA recently barred, warning taxpayers could be exposed through federally guaranteed loans. Higher Ed Policy: Iowa’s new law requires University of Iowa students to take Center for Intellectual Freedom courses starting in 2028, as enrollment concerns dog the program. Food Prices & Retail Skills: ISU Extension’s Food Innovation and Business Hub is teaching Iowa food businesses how to price menus and manage costs as prices keep shifting. Ag & Trade: Iowa farmers are urging renewal of USMCA ahead of a July review, arguing the deal protects export markets for corn, soybeans, ethanol, and hogs. Water & Corporate Stewardship: Google says it will replenish more water than it uses by 2030, including a Western Iowa effort to convert 5,000 acres to perennial hay and pasture to cut fertilizer and improve water quality. Local Business Growth: Bosselman Pump & Pantry plans to expand by acquiring 21 Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh locations, adding stores plus Starbucks and coffee shops across the Des Moines metro and beyond.

Local Business & Community: Greater Mason City Chamber of Commerce launched its “Pride in Place” community survey to gauge how residents feel about respect, inclusion, and belonging—results will shape a community culture statement. The chamber also earned finalist status for the 2026 Chamber of the Year award. Workforce & Education: UnityPoint Health in Marshalltown hosted a large trauma teamwork simulation with medical staff, students, and Iowa National Guard medics to strengthen emergency response skills. Public Finance Oversight: Madison County is facing fresh scrutiny after Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand issued qualified opinions on 2023-24 audits, citing missing checks, late deposits, undisclosed bank accounts, and problems verifying financial statements. Cybersecurity: The FBI is investigating a cyberattack on Karl Auto Group that may have exposed customer data, including Social Security numbers and financial account info. Economic Development & Policy: More than 175 Central Iowa business and community leaders are in Washington, D.C., for the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s DMDC trip, pushing for permitting reform, workforce housing, and regional transportation. Agriculture & Risk: USDA confirmed the first New World screwworm case in the U.S. after Iowa lab testing, raising concerns for livestock and broader market jitters.

Agribusiness & Trade: Iowa pork leaders are urging a fast USMCA renewal ahead of a July review, warning that uncertainty is already shaking markets. Livestock Markets & Antitrust: Iowa’s cattle producers are pushing for fair, stable pricing as federal scrutiny targets big packers and fertilizer pricing practices. Manufacturing Spotlight: Peosta-based Mi-T-M won Iowa’s “Coolest Thing Made in Iowa” for its emission-free portable ePowerStation, beating other statewide finalists. Iowa Politics: Zach Lahn’s upset win for Iowa GOP governor nominee sets up a November showdown with Rob Sand, reshaping the race after a Trump-backed loss. Local Business & Finance: Five Cedar Rapids firms received SBA loans in May, while Des Moines financial executives are set to join Nasdaq’s opening bell for new ETFs. Education Policy: New Iowa education standards take effect for 2027–28, expanding statewide testing to social studies and updating health education requirements. Infrastructure & Courts: A federal judge narrowed claims in the Woodbury County Law Enforcement Center lawsuit, while the Corps seeks public comments on Lock and Dam 5 work. Tech & Water: Google says it will replenish more water than it uses by 2030 as data-center demand grows.

Iowa Politics: Trump’s endorsement streak hit a rare snag in Iowa as GOP Rep. Randy Feenstra lost the governor primary to businessman-farmer Zach Lahn, a setback that signals cracks in Trump’s influence heading into November. State Government: Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill limiting her own emergency powers, tightening how disaster declarations can be used. Public Safety & Health: Webster County EMS approved a new code of conduct for EMTs and paramedics, with violations tied to losing certification locally. Agriculture & Food Supply: USDA confirmed New World screwworm in a Texas calf, the first U.S. case since 1966, triggering quarantines and market jitters for cattle producers. Business & Housing: Iowa Finance Authority awarded $11.3M in federal housing tax credits to create or rehab nearly 340 affordable rental homes across nine communities. Economy Watch: Iowa’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.3% in April, with job gains in leisure/hospitality, health care, manufacturing and construction.

Iowa Politics: Iowa’s June 2 primaries reshuffled the state’s political map, with Republican Zach Lahn upsetting Trump-backed U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra for the GOP governor nod, while Democrats Josh Turek and Ashley Hinson won their respective U.S. Senate primaries—setting up a high-stakes November matchup for Sen. Joni Ernst’s open seat. Workforce & Education: Iowa reported strong career and technical education momentum, with nearly 70% of high school students participating in CTE in 2024-25, reaching more than 107,000 students statewide. State Policy: Gov. Kim Reynolds signed her final bills into law, including a measure raising Iowa’s default speed limit from 55 to 60 mph effective July 1. Business & Growth: Google announced new water-conservation commitments tied to its data centers, including $17 million in support for projects in Iowa and other states. Local Economy: Waterloo Bucks are partnering with Peoples Community Health Clinic on youth baseball camps June 13 and Aug. 1. Public Safety: Muscatine police said a man killed six family members before taking his own life, with one son left as the sole survivor.

Iowa Politics (Gov): Zach Lahn stunned Iowa Republicans by beating Trump-backed Rep. Randy Feenstra in the GOP governor primary, setting up a November matchup with Democrat Rob Sand. Lahn, a farmer and businessman, ran on an “Iowa First” message focused on family farms, land ownership, and tackling Iowa’s cancer rates. Iowa Politics (U.S. Senate): Democrats chose Rep. Josh Turek over Sen. Zach Wahls for the open Senate seat, while Republicans picked Rep. Ashley Hinson, teeing up a high-stakes fall contest to replace retiring Sen. Joni Ernst. Local Government (Johnson County): Fixmer-Oraiz won the Democratic primary for Johnson County Board of Supervisors, emphasizing housing affordability and inclusive economic development. Local Government (Webster County): Supervisors approved buying a John Deere tractor for the Secondary Roads Department, plus mower equipment, funded through FY27. Ag & Tourism: Iowa’s Choose Iowa Passport expands agritourism options by linking consumers with farms, food businesses, and destinations across the state. Business/Tech: McDonald’s is testing drive-thru voice AI again as part of its broader “McDonald’s Next” strategy. Public Safety: A Muscatine shooting spree left seven dead, including the suspect, after a domestic dispute.

Iowa Ag & Water: Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the bipartisan “Iowa Farm Act” and the “Farm to Faucet” water quality package, including $500,000 a year for DNR water monitoring and added rural water-treatment and conservation funding. Fertilizer Logistics: A federal Hours-of-Service waiver lets fertilizer haulers in 34 states drive up to 16 hours in 24, aiming to ease supply pressure during the May 26–Aug. 26 period. Public Safety Costs: Reynolds also signed a “three strikes” law that mandates a seven-year minimum for a third felony, with a Legislative Services Agency estimate near $2B in prison expansion needs. Banking Expansion: BankIowa plans its first Iowa County branch in the Amana Colonies, opening in September in the former U.S. Bank building. Workforce & Training: Coe College won FAA authorization for an accelerated Restricted-Airline Transport Pilot pathway, cutting the flight-hour requirement to 1,000 for eligible graduates. Community Impact: Muscatine held a Tuesday vigil after a domestic-linked shooting spree killed six people, with the suspected gunman also dead. Minimum Wage Watch: A new national roundup shows more than 20 states raised minimum wages in 2026, widening the gap from the unchanged federal $7.25 floor.

Mass Violence in Muscatine: Police say a 52-year-old man, Ryan Willis McFarland, killed six relatives across multiple locations in Muscatine, then died by suicide as officers confronted him; investigators describe it as a domestic-related dispute and say there’s no ongoing threat. Rail Merger Watch: The federal Surface Transportation Board paused the Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger, asking for more details and public input, which could slow the timeline for environmental review. Water Quality Funding: Gov. Kim Reynolds signed Iowa’s Farm to Faucet water-quality legislation, shifting existing dollars and adding nearly $320 million over 12 years for rural and urban treatment upgrades. Iowa Politics & Primaries: Iowa Democrats are set to settle a key U.S. Senate primary Tuesday between Josh Turek and Zach Wahls, as outside spending and national attention swirl around the race. Business & Community: Fort Dodge council priorities include replacing the North Third Street bridge and planning a new law enforcement center, alongside franchise-fee discussions.

Fertilizer Pricing Probe: The FTC is launching a major industry-wide investigation into fertilizer pricing practices and market concentration after farmers reported sharp input-cost spikes since 2020, with Kansas growers urging regulators to hear their case. Iowa Politics & Business Climate: With Iowa’s June 2 primaries underway, the U.S. Senate race is the big business-and-workforce storyline in northwest Iowa: Republicans Ashley Hinson and Jim Carlin face off against Democrats Josh Turek and Zach Wahls for the seat Joni Ernst is vacating. Rural Health Funding Prep: The Iowa Primary Care Association will hold June 4 technical assistance sessions in Osceola to help organizations prepare for upcoming Iowa HHS rural coordinated-care funding opportunities. Education-to-Workforce Update: Iowa’s Department of Education released a revamped Approved Industry-Recognized Credentials list for 2026-27, moving to a clearer three-tier system to better match credentials with high-demand, high-skill, high-wage careers. Ag Conditions Watch: Crop conditions are getting their first look in the season’s early ratings as eastern Kansas and parts of Nebraska catch rain, while Iowa remains largely dry and screwworm concerns grow. Corporate Moves With Iowa Links: Barilla is investing $170M to expand a New York facility that also supports U.S. production, including products made at an Iowa site.

Immigration & Education: Des Moines Public Schools’ former superintendent Ian Roberts was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to falsely claiming U.S. citizenship and illegally possessing firearms; the district accepted his resignation after DHS said he wasn’t eligible to work in the U.S., and attorneys expect deportation to Guyana. Politics & Business: With Iowa’s June 2 primaries days away, President Trump endorsed Rep. Randy Feenstra for governor while Turning Point Action backed business owner Zach Lahn—an endgame test of whether national endorsements can swing local GOP support. Ag & Energy Policy: Rep. Randy Feenstra highlighted Renewable Fuels Month and pushed year-round E15 after House passage, arguing it will stabilize markets and cut costs for drivers and producers. Local Economy & Development: Dubuque’s City Council will consider a $2.6 million plan to convert Millwork District parking into Foundry Square park/event space. Health & Services: MercyOne Dyersville launched Senior Life Solutions, adding group and individual therapy options for older adults. Courts & Risk: An Oklahoma roofing contractor sued a former attorney over alleged witness-sabotage that cost a case valued up to $4.2 million.

Iowa Politics & Elections: Iowa Democrats are pushing hard in Tuesday’s June 2 primaries, betting on an open U.S. Senate seat and competitive governor and House races to start flipping the state’s political map. Statewide Governance: The Iowa primary is closed, polls run 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and candidates must hit 35% to avoid a runoff—so turnout and strategy matter. Ag & Trade Markets: A fresh look at Trump’s “beans, beef and Boeing” China push finds markets reacting skeptically, with soybeans, cattle futures, and Boeing shares sliding after the announcements—underscoring how quickly deal talk can lose credibility. Right-to-Repair: John Deere reached a $99 million right-to-repair settlement, promising 10 years of access to tools previously restricted, a win for farmers and independent repair shops. Food Safety: Iowa regulators cited hundreds of food-safety violations across restaurants and stores, including rodent droppings and shrimp left in stagnant water. Local Business & Community: Cedar Rapids’ downtown farmers market opened for the season with thousands of shoppers and about 200 vendors. Water Conservation: Central Iowa Water Works asked residents to voluntarily cut outdoor watering by 50% during a stage 2 water-use alert.