AGP Executive Report

Kansas Courts & Immigration: A federal judge permanently blocked Kansas from enforcing its in-state tuition law for undocumented students, ruling it conflicts with federal law. Health Care & Politics: A New York Times investigation renews scrutiny of Sen. Roger Marshall, alleging he sued Kansas patients over medical debt while he worked as an OB-GYN. Local Schools: USD 253 made Logan Avenue Elementary’s closure official with a 6-1 vote, ending the school’s operations after the current year. Public Safety & Justice: In Wichita, a mother accused in the drug overdose death of 15-year-old Kennedy Herren pleaded not guilty; her son pleaded guilty and is set for sentencing. State Government & Trade: Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran praised an exemption for salt from Canadian import tariffs, citing impacts on Kansas businesses and winter road safety. Kansas Economy & Community: Heartland Community Health Center told Douglas County commissioners it’s dealing with psychiatric-care demand growth while trying to stabilize staffing and reduce turnover. Culture & Community: Lawrence’s Cocktail Trail kicks off with a people’s choice contest to raise money for hospitality workers. Environment & Agriculture: Kansas farmers describe lingering heatwave damage that’s hitting yields and finances.

U.S.-Canada Trade War: Trump’s new tariffs and Canada’s retaliatory countertariffs are now colliding with midterm politics, with Canadian officials saying they’re aiming at products tied to close races—raising pressure on Kansas Republicans who must defend Trump while warning voters about higher prices and threatened jobs. Kansas Jobs at Stake: The fight is especially sharp for Wichita-area aerospace workers as Trump threatens to block Bombardier sales unless production moves to the U.S., prompting pushback from Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall and others worried about local employment. Immigration & Public Safety: Kansas AG Kris Kobach argues a southwest Kansas killing shows why Kansas law enforcement should expand cooperation with ICE. Abortion Access in Court: Federal judges are set to hear arguments over whether rules should tighten for mifepristone used in medication abortions, with Kansas named among states involved in related litigation. Medicaid Oversight: A Heartland Institute report ranks Kansas first in its 50-state Medicaid “report card.” Robocall Crackdown: Kansas AG Brenna Bird and other attorneys general are urging stronger FCC “Know Your Upstream Provider” rules to stop illegal robocalls. Local Health: Five Kansas hospitals are forming Astra Health to coordinate rural care. Sports: Kansas media football rankings were released, and Manhattan High faces a major early test at Mill Valley.

U.S.-Canada Trade War: President Trump escalated his fight with Canada by banning imports of some alcohol and dairy and threatening to bar Canadian firms from U.S. government contracts, while Canada retaliated with tariffs on about $20 billion of U.S. goods; the Bombardier jetmaker is at the center of the pressure campaign, with Trump demanding the company build in the U.S. to keep access to the market. Kansas Politics & Courts: Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall is facing fresh backlash after a New York Times investigation detailed aggressive debt-collection tactics from his years as an OBGYN, including lawsuits tied to patient arrests. Local Taxes: Olathe homeowners are bracing for a bigger property-tax spike after the city voted to exceed its revenue-neutral rate, adding strain as school closures loom. Travel Security: TSA launched a pilot letting some TSA PreCheck members enter airport gates without a plane ticket at select airports. Public Safety: A Kansas man was sentenced to 226 months for aggravated sexual crimes against a child. Law Enforcement & ICE: AG Kris Kobach urged more Kansas sheriffs to partner with ICE, citing a Kearny County stabbing case.

Bombardier Trade Fight Hits Kansas: President Trump says Bombardier can’t sell jets in the U.S. unless it builds in America, just as Canada’s retaliatory tariffs kick in—an escalation that could ripple through Bombardier’s Kansas footprint and its U.S. supply chain. Local Politics: Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran says he contacted the Trump administration to protect Bombardier’s Wichita workforce and the broader aerospace jobs tied to the company. Midterms Watch: A new Senate forecast tightens to a true toss-up, with Decision Desk HQ putting both parties at 50-50 control odds less than two months before voting. Education & Media: KU hosts its first Democracy Day “Teach-In” on Sept. 18, with KU researchers discussing democracy, media credibility, and civic education. Sports & Safety: Kansas football DC D.K. McDonald praised the defense’s opener vs. LIU as the Jayhawks turn to Missouri, while Kansas safety groups urge drivers to slow down for harvest traffic mixing farm and regular vehicles.

Trade War Fallout: President Donald Trump escalated his fight with Canada by threatening to block Bombardier from selling jets in the U.S. unless the company builds in America, as Ottawa prepares retaliatory tariffs. Kansas Impact: Kansas lawmakers quickly pushed back, pointing to Bombardier’s Wichita footprint and jobs tied to its defense and aerospace work. Company Response: Bombardier defended its U.S. presence, saying it employs thousands across more than 20 states and relies on a large American supplier network. Local Governance: Tonganoxie teachers and community members rallied over a proposed “double docking” change to how vacation days would be charged in contract talks. Public Health: Lawrence health officials discussed possible updates to tobacco retailer rules, including a potential moratorium on new licenses. State Finances: Kansas tax collections missed targets by more than $1 billion, keeping another income tax cut on hold. Weather & Agriculture: With extended heat, Kansas cattle farmers described cooling strategies like sprinklers and fans to protect livestock.

Public Safety: Seven people were hurt and a horse was euthanized after an SUV crashed into a horse-drawn buggy in Coffey County, Kansas; investigators say the Jeep driver apparently didn’t see the buggy and hit it from behind at highway speed. Community Recognition: Topeka’s Jayhawk Area Council, Scouting America named its 2026 “Top 20 Under 40” honorees, spotlighting young leaders across Topeka and Shawnee County. Local Development: The Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas board will weigh updates on railroad crossing safety work in Emporia, a potential Evergy solar project near the Emporia Energy Center, and its president search. Health Alert: KDHE issued a boil-water advisory for the Walnut Grove, LLC public water supply near St. George in Pottawatomie County. Rural Internet Funding: Kansas and other states are still waiting on federal guidance on how to spend billions from the BEAD rural broadband program. Sports Rivalry: Kansas hosts Missouri Friday night in the Border War, a rematch of last year’s Tigers win.

Local Hunger Relief: Gov. Laura Kelly proclaimed September “Hunger Action Month,” spotlighting food insecurity affecting thousands of Kansas children and seniors and urging statewide partnerships to expand access to safe, affordable food. Community Giving: Nemaha County’s STEP Foundation’s sixth annual Match Day raised $502,500 for local charitable funds, topping last year by more than $200,000 through a full match pool and additional challenges. Kansas Economy Watch: Kansas tax collections for the first two months of fiscal year 2027 came in 6.5% above estimates, with individual income taxes ahead but corporation taxes still lagging. City Operations: Lawrence moved its Municipal Services and Operations staff into a new campus, aiming to boost productivity, communication, and morale after years of working from scattered, aging buildings. Health Policy: A Kansas law tied to pharmacy benefit manager transparency is hitting at least one local pharmacy’s revenue, with owners saying PBMs have been operating “in the dark.” Sports, Kansas Style: Kansas State opened the Collin Klein era with a 71-3 win over Nicholls, and the Wildcats’ mascot reportedly had to do 394 push-ups to match the scoreboard.

Crypto & Sports Branding: Ripple struck a multi-year deal with the University of Florida to put the XRP logo on the field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, plus digital and signage, while funding financial and tech education for student-athletes. Student Life & Governance: KU Student Body President Shea Marney says her 2026-27 agenda centers on transparency, communication, homecoming, and expanding campus parking, with an open-door push to pull more students into Student Senate. Kansas Economy: Kansas tax collections for the first two months of fiscal year 2027 are up about 6.5% over estimates, with individual income taxes ahead and corporation taxes still lagging. Local Government & Infrastructure: Lawrence’s Municipal Services and Operations staff moved into a new campus, aiming to boost productivity, communication, and morale after years of cramped, scattered facilities. Public Health: KDHE rescinded a “do not drink” order for a Saline County water system after testing showed no bacteriological contamination, while issuing a boil-water advisory for Reno County’s RWD #8 after a pressure-loss waterline break. Public Safety Funding: Sen. Jerry Moran announced about $160,000 in federal help for Yates Center police to upgrade radios, buy a patrol car, and add body armor. College Sports: Kansas State opened Collin Klein’s era with a 71-3 rout of Nicholls, and KU beat LIU 51-6 as Isaiah Marshall and Nik McMillan stood out.

Kansas State football: Collin Klein’s era started with a 71-3 rout of Nicholls, highlighted by RB Rodney Fields’ 101-yard, one-touchdown night and a fast, dominant start that left the Colonels with zero first downs early. Local public safety: Sen. Jerry Moran announced about $160,000 in federal help for the Yates Center Police Department to upgrade radios, buy a patrol car, and equip officers with body armor. Kansas water updates: KDHE rescinded a “Do Not Drink” order for Sundowner, Inc. in Saline County after testing showed no bacteriological contamination and manganese levels below health advisories; KDHE also issued a boil-water advisory for Reno County’s RWD #8 after a waterline break caused pressure loss. Local government finance: Johnson County commissioners adopted a roughly $1.9 billion 2027 budget while keeping the property tax rate essentially flat. Policy fight over hemp: A Wichita conference, Kanna Next, spotlighted concerns that upcoming federal action could hit Kansas hemp-derived products hard.

Kansas Politics & Elections: A Kansas senator is facing fresh heat over a lack of public town halls, with critics also raising questions about Florida residency, while the senator says he spends extensive time in Kansas and communicates through other channels. Data Centers & Voters: A national political fight is intensifying over AI data centers, with both parties spending heavily on ads that argue the facilities bring tax breaks and higher electricity bills—an issue that’s already shaping midterm messaging. Local Governance: The Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas is set to discuss railroad corridor safety improvements and an Evergy solar project, alongside budget and leadership updates. Economy & Cost of Living: AAA data shows gas prices have surged since the Iran war, with Kansas among states seeing some of the biggest percentage increases. Consumer Safety: A moving fraud investigation that began in Leavenworth has now spread into Missouri, involving allegations against an interstate mover. Sports (Kansas): Kansas football opened the season with a 51-6 win over LIU, with Isaiah Marshall taking over at quarterback.

Kansas Football: Isaiah Marshall made his first start count, throwing two TD passes as Kansas routed Long Island 51-6 in Lawrence, outgaining the Sharks 613-146 and nearly shutting them out. Local Government: A Johnson County judge dismissed an Edgerton, Kansas lawsuit tied to a citizen petition aimed at blocking a hyperscale data center, a fight that has centered on health and environmental concerns. Voting Rights: Democrats and voting-rights advocates hailed a federal court block of key parts of the Trump administration’s anti-mail voting order for the 2026 midterms, with the judge warning disenfranchisement could be “practically inevitable.” Public Safety & Privacy: Wichita’s “Mock the Flock” group protested Flock surveillance cameras, arguing they’ve been misused and calling for the city to remove them. Homelessness: Wichita’s Second Light shelter got a one-time $5 million grant from the city’s stabilization reserve, but with a condition to expand bed capacity. Education Labor: Teachers in Tonganoxie staged a walk-in over a contract impasse, including “double docking” leave language. Workforce/Industry: The UFCW says workers at National Beef in Dodge City ratified a new five-year contract, winning wage increases, bonuses, improved healthcare, and more time off.

Disaster Recovery: Kansas lawmakers extended a Wyandotte County disaster declaration through Oct. 4 after the Aug. storm, with crews still clearing debris and reconnecting services. Local Government & Data Centers: A judge cleared the way for a citizen petition to ban high-impact data centers in Edgerton, rejecting the city’s attempt to stop it under Kansas public speech protections. State Finances: Kansas property tax collections jumped to $599 million in Q1, while overall tax revenue rose to $3.3 billion. Agriculture & Research: K-State began moving agronomy operations into a new research complex, and wheat harvest reports point to steady quality across major classes. Cost of Living: Diesel hit a record $5.85 a gallon, a pressure point for transportation and farm equipment heading into midterms. Education Policy: The House passed a bill barring universities from federal funding if they boycott Israel, sending it to the Senate. Sports Business: Ripple signed a multi-year deal to place its XRP logo on University of Florida’s football field, reportedly worth about $5M a year.

Workforce & Industry: The Trump administration’s new “Foundry School” initiative will involve eight universities, including the University of Kansas, to train 3.8 million skilled workers by 2033 for semiconductors, defense and energy. Local Roads & Business: A $12 million Johnson Drive rebuild in Mission, Kansas, has closed lanes and detoured traffic, with business owners saying customer counts are down as much as 40% while the city targets completion by spring 2027. State Agriculture: Kansas Dept. of Agriculture Secretary Mike Beam appointed four Kansans—including an Ellsworth teacher—to its Marketing Advisory Board, starting Sept. 18. Consumer Pressure: AAA reports gas prices in Kansas at about $3.78 as Labor Day nears, with travel expected to stay busy despite higher costs. Kansas Courts & Public Safety: A moving-fraud investigation is expanding across Missouri and Kansas, with new leads tied to a Leavenworth warehouse and customers reporting missing items. Community & Culture: Dolly Parton’s literacy legacy continues in Kansas through the Imagination Library, with state expansion efforts highlighted by Rep. Troy Waymaster.

Kansas Politics & Economy: Kansas tax collections ran 10% above estimates in the first two months of the new fiscal year, with individual income tax receipts up while corporate taxes lagged. Agriculture & Trade: Republicans say Trump’s move to lift tariffs on foreign ground beef is backfiring with ranch-heavy voters in states like Kansas, framing it as a political “gut punch” to supporters. Labor & Elections: Teamsters President Sean O’Brien is backing Sen. Roger Marshall, signaling union-friendly legislation as Republicans try to hold the Senate. Kansas Sports: KU named Isaiah Marshall its starting quarterback for the opener vs. LIU, while Kansas State begins a new era under Collin Klein against Nicholls. Business & Growth: Northmarq brokered Wichita’s record-setting sale of a 301-unit luxury multifamily property, and Tyson Foods cut its 2026 outlook as beef pressures intensify. Community & Education: A Kansas 4-H fossil discovery is still drawing national attention, and Tractor Supply awarded FFA scholarships to 146 students.

SNAP Backlog in Wichita: Kansans say they’re waiting hours for SNAP benefits as the Department for Children and Families cites new state eligibility verification rules and staffing shortfalls. Federal Product Safety: Two separate CPSC recalls hit Kansas-made mower LED light kits that can overheat or catch fire and headphone amplifiers that can become electrified. Boeing Accountability: Boeing paid a $3.1 million FAA fine tied to safety violations, including concerns raised after the 2024 Alaska Airlines MAX 9 incident. Kansas Schools Under Pressure: USD 253 Emporia’s board moved toward a final vote on closing Logan Avenue Elementary, while Emporia also accepted $1.2 million for Safe Routes to School pedestrian upgrades. Heat Strains Metro Services: HVAC crews report nonstop demand as a prolonged triple-digit heat wave pushes systems beyond typical design limits. Kansas Death Penalty Push: Former corrections professionals urged Gov. Laura Kelly to commute death sentences, citing cost and the risk of wrongful executions. Local Government & Public Comment: Lawrence crews are reopening Ninth Street after stormwater work, and Emporia’s commission brought back in-person public comment. Kansas Politics & Elections: Clarke Sanders withdrew from the Kansas House District 69 race for health reasons, setting up a GOP convention to pick a replacement. Kansas Courts & Rights: A DOJ-Kansas settlement resolves a guard deployment bias lawsuit for $35,000. Disaster Relief: FEMA announced federal assistance for Kansas counties hit by June 2026 storms and flooding.

KDOT Funding, Local Pushback: Olathe accepted $18.7 million from KDOT for a bypass road but reiterated opposition to the K-10/Lone Elm interchange, saying the interchange is a “dumb idea” that raises safety concerns for students; construction is expected to start in 2028 with the interchange opening in 2030. Public Comment Returns: Emporia city commissioners will bring public comment back to the meeting slate after threats tied to the city’s possible data center inquiries, with police investigating. Kansas Death Penalty Debate: A former Kansas corrections secretary urged Gov. Laura Kelly to commute all death sentences, arguing the penalty serves no public safety purpose and Kansas hasn’t executed anyone since 1965. Kansas Tech Expansion: Nex-Tech marked its Salina expansion by opening “The Sunflower Center,” a refurbished facility now serving as a corporate office, network operations center, and data center. Retirement & Housing Watch: New reporting finds U.S. mortgage delinquencies remain near historic lows but serious delinquencies are rising in more metro areas, while a separate study highlights how pension coverage is shrinking for younger workers.