AGP Executive Report

Missouri Ballot Fight: Missouri voters soundly rejected two GOP-backed amendments Tuesday—one would have tightened citizen initiative rules by requiring district-by-district majorities, and the other would have phased out the state income tax while expanding sales and use taxes. Election Aftermath: With term limits kicking in, new matchups are set for November, including House District 59 where former Jefferson City mayor Carrie Tergin won the GOP primary and will face Democrat Becky Kroll. Abortion Money War: A campaign to stop Missouri’s abortion-ban reinstatement says it has raised $6.5 million, including a $1.25 million Bloomberg donation, as the November vote looms. Local Government: Jefferson City named Shelby Convery its new finance director, taking over leadership of the city’s Finance and Information Technology Department. Public Safety & Health: Missouri State Highway Patrol honored an investigator for helping crack a child sex trafficking case; health officials also warned about Cyclospora as cases rise. Weather: Flash flooding hit parts of mid-Missouri after heavy rain, with additional heat and storm chances expected.

Mid-Missouri Roadwork: MoDOT says sidewalk replacements, pavement widening, bridge work and other maintenance will keep traffic slow in Boone and nearby counties Aug. 10-16, with drivers urged to watch for equipment and lane changes. Health Alert—Ticks: Health officials warn tick season is stretching longer and ER visits for tick bites remain elevated, with states tracking where ticks are spreading and what diseases they may carry. Cyclospora Monitoring: Missouri health departments are reminding residents to prevent cyclosporiasis as cases rise, including guidance on washing produce and cooking to kill the parasite. Local Safety—Crash: A 63-year-old Mexico, Mo., motorcyclist was seriously injured after striking a deer and being ejected; he wasn’t wearing a helmet, and his bike was totaled. Community Help: In Kansas City, the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council handed out 400 backpacks and school supplies, connecting families with local resources like health and housing assistance. Public Safety—Homicide Probe: Kansas City police are investigating a deadly shooting in the Westport area after a man was found wounded inside a business. Gas Prices: The national average for regular gas fell to about $4.06 per gallon, as crude prices eased.

U.S. Senate Confirms Missouri Marshal: Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott was confirmed as a U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Missouri in a 51-47 vote, moving ahead after a Judiciary Committee recommendation. Ballot Fight in Jefferson City: The “Respect Missouri Voters” campaign sued Secretary of State Denny Hoskins after he blocked a proposed amendment from the November ballot and challenged changes to the ballot title. Local Government Watch: Missouri state auditor announced an investigation of the Bellflower Fire Protection District after Montgomery County law enforcement raised concerns about questionable purchases and fuel cards. Public Health Alert: Missouri remains among the hardest-hit states in the expanding cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to recalled iceberg lettuce, with CDC reporting cases across 15 states. Back-to-School Costs: A new study says Missouri families are expected to spend more than $800 on school supplies this year, adding pressure as budgets tighten. Water Safety Tech: A Springfield-area developer is promoting the ClearDepth app to help boaters and swimmers spot underwater hazards at Table Rock Lake.

Local Politics: Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins told a group suing him over a proposed ballot measure to “bring it on,” as the lawsuit challenges his refusal to certify the Respect Missouri Voters Amendment and also targets his stance on a referendum tied to the new congressional map. Elections: In Joplin-area politics, Thomas Ross won the GOP nomination for Missouri House District 161, with final certification eliminating the possibility of a recount. Public Safety/Transportation: A new Missouri law will let the Highway Commission raise speed limits up to 75 mph on select interstates starting Aug. 28, though construction zones and posted limits still matter. Courts/Accountability: Jackson County interim executive Phil LeVota faces five federal bribery counts tied to a six-figure job offer during the 2026 race, continuing a string of legal troubles for county leadership. Health: Foodborne illness alerts keep piling up, with Missouri tied to the expanding cyclosporiasis outbreak and a separate salmonella outbreak linked to recalled jalapeños. Utilities/Energy: The Missouri Public Service Commission scheduled an additional public hearing on Aug. 26 for Ameren Missouri’s CCN request covering renewable generation and battery storage. Road Work: MoDOT maintenance and resurfacing plans are set across the Kansas City region and northwest Missouri, including I-35 resurfacing starting Aug. 17.

Missouri Politics: Rep. Wesley Bell cruised to a wider win over Cori Bush in Missouri’s 1st Congressional District Democratic primary, 59.2% to 36.9%, a rematch that shows AIPAC and Israel politics didn’t fully decide the outcome. Public Health: Missouri is tied to a growing cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce, with health officials warning cases keep rising across multiple states. Food Safety: A salmonella outbreak linked to jalapeños has sickened hundreds in dozens of states, prompting recalls and major restaurant chains like Chipotle and Qdoba to pull the peppers. Statehouse & Economy: Missouri’s July general revenue collections rose 5% year over year to $880.8 million, led by higher sales and use tax receipts. Local Government & Courts: Interim Jackson County Executive Philip LeVota was indicted in a federal election bribery case. Community & Services: Jefferson City-area families can shop Missouri’s back-to-school tax holiday this weekend, while local groups host supply giveaways. Weather & Safety: Mid-Missouri saw record-level rainfall in Jefferson City, and officials urged drivers to avoid flooded roads.

Chiefs Camp Update: Josh Simmons is back at full speed after a season derailed by injuries, aiming to protect Patrick Mahomes and solidify the Chiefs’ offensive line. Public Health: Missouri is among states seeing rising cyclosporiasis cases tied to the Taco Bell/Taylor Farms outbreak, with the CDC reporting the total climbing to 6,358. Mid-Missouri Storms: Heavy rain and flooding continued to disrupt Boone County and other areas, with officials warning drivers to avoid flooded roads as power outages and closures linger. Missouri Courts/Industry: A federal judge kept Monsanto’s PCB cost-recovery suit in federal court, rejecting a bid to move it back to state court. Local Government & Infrastructure: Missouri SEMA will hold briefings for 34 counties seeking federal help after June flash flooding, tornadoes and straight-line winds. State Policy: Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced an agreement barring a St. Louis-area distributor from selling 7-OH and other kratom products in Missouri.

Missouri Power Outages: More than 17,000 Missouri customers lost power Thursday morning, with Cass County leading outages and mid-Missouri also hit, according to PowerOutage.us. State Politics & Voting: Tuesday’s Missouri primary drew heavy turnout in Cole County and voters overwhelmingly rejected Amendments 4 and 5. Redistricting Fight: Missouri’s GOP-leaning congressional map remains tied up in court after a referendum challenge was blocked, setting up more legal wrangling before November. Public Safety: A Daviess County defendant was ordered held without bond after a bond revocation tied to alleged Kansas-law violations, while Missouri State Highway Patrol reports multiple recent crashes across the state. Health & Community: Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center welcomed cardiologist Dr. Priscilla Ababio. Business & Local Growth: BTC Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines awarded matching grants totaling $400,000 for veterans and downtown restoration projects in Grundy and Daviess counties. Lottery: Powerball jackpot climbed again, now estimated at $856 million for Saturday’s drawing.

Missouri Politics & Ballot Fallout: Missouri voters rejected Amendments 4 and 5 in Tuesday’s primary, including the income-tax elimination plan in Amendment 5, setting up more fights in November while Kansas and Missouri also narrowed key races for the general election. Local Government & Public Safety: The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is stepping in on Leadwood’s failing wastewater treatment plant after tests found high E. coli in the Big River, with officials working on short-term fixes and long-term solutions. Health Watch: Jefferson County reported 62 cyclosporiasis cases as of late July, and Missouri’s total has climbed to 1,095 as the lettuce-linked outbreak expands to more states. Roads & Travel: MoDOT plans lane shifts next week on westbound Missouri Boulevard in Jefferson City for signal work, with daytime traffic impacts. Energy & Industry: The Missouri Public Service Commission approved an Evergy-Nucor demand response agreement with conditions, allowing Nucor to participate in load-reduction programs. Healthcare Services: Western Missouri Medical Center is bringing rehab services back in-house under a new name, Western Missouri Sport and Rehab.

Missouri Election Fallout: Missouri voters soundly rejected Amendment 5, the income-tax phaseout plan, with the “no” side winning by a wide margin, while they also turned down Amendments 4 and 5 in multiple local results. Congressional Politics: U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell won his Democratic primary rematch over Cori Bush, setting up another November fight in Missouri’s 1st District. Redistricting Fight: Missouri’s secretary of state blocked a bid to force a public vote on a redrawn congressional map, and opponents are now in court over the map challenge. Disaster Recovery: President Trump approved Missouri’s major disaster declaration for June storms, unlocking FEMA Public Assistance for 34 counties. Agriculture: Sen. Josh Hawley urged USDA to preserve Missouri Farm Service Agency operations after planned office reductions could disrupt key fall payments. Public Safety: A Springfield woman died in an I-44 crash in Lawrence County; other recent reports include deer and multi-vehicle crashes across the state. Weather: A First Alert Weather Day is in place for isolated strong storms Wednesday afternoon and widespread rain overnight, with a Flood Watch for mid-Missouri.

Missouri Elections: The state’s top election official rejected a petition seeking a public referendum on new congressional districts, saying it’s unconstitutional; the People Not Politicians group says it will sue. Tax Debate: Economist Art Laffer argued Missouri should eliminate its state income tax, saying it would spur growth and attract residents, while critics warn of budget gaps and a painful tax swap. Primary Spotlight: Missouri voters also head to the polls in a slate of high-profile races and constitutional ballot questions, with turnout expected to be driven by those measures. Health Alert: The CDC expanded a cyclosporiasis outbreak to 15 states, with Missouri reporting 1,095 cases tied to shredded iceberg lettuce. Public Safety & Services: Attorney General Tim Griffin joined a coalition urging Congress to pass the STOP FRAUD in Medicaid Act, aimed at letting states pursue beneficiary and recipient fraud. Business: St. Louis-based Emerson Electric beat quarterly expectations on strong automation demand.

Missouri Primary Day: Missouri election officials expect turnout to stay high for Tuesday’s Aug. 4 primary, with Secretary of State Denny Hoskins projecting about 32% statewide and local estimates varying from roughly 20% to 70% as voters weigh Amendments 4 and 5 plus key congressional and legislative races. Constitutional Amendments: Amendment 4 would make citizen-led constitutional changes harder by requiring approval in each of Missouri’s eight congressional districts, while Amendment 5 would phase out the state income tax and give lawmakers broader power to raise sales taxes. Medicaid Fraud Push: Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway joined a coalition urging Congress to expand states’ authority to investigate and prosecute Medicaid fraud, including fraud by beneficiaries. Local Government & Public Safety: Columbia voters will decide a 1% public safety sales tax to fund police and fire staffing, stations, and equipment. Environment: Rolla is using floating wetlands to reduce algae and nutrient runoff in Ber Juan Lake. Road Safety: Multiple serious crashes across the state injured or killed drivers, including fatal I-70 collisions in Montgomery County.

Health Training Expansion: Missouri Southern State University is opening the Roy Blunt Health Science Innovation Center this fall, adding a simulated operating room, simulated hospital, and skills lab aimed at boosting hands-on readiness for local health jobs. Public Health Alert: Missouri’s cyclosporiasis cases jumped to 1,095 as of Aug. 2, with health officials warning symptoms can mimic other stomach illnesses and urging produce washing and testing. Election Watch: Tuesday’s primaries across multiple states are being framed as ideological tests, with Missouri’s races and proposed amendments drawing heavy attention. Criminal Justice: A former Cooper County court deputy, Rachel Atherton, pleaded guilty to second-degree involuntary manslaughter and received probation in a 2023 inmate death case tied to untreated diabetes. Road Safety: Two fatal crashes shut down westbound I-70 in Montgomery County, with Troop F reporting deaths involving a motorcycle and a separate semitruck crash. State Policy: Attorney General Catherine Hanaway backed federal legislation to help states crack down on Medicaid fraud, including beneficiary and recipient fraud. Local Education: Columbia Public Schools opened Eagles Bluffs Elementary, a $36 million, 740-student capacity school designed with safety upgrades.

Missouri Politics & Economy: Gov. Mike Kehoe will lead a Missouri delegation to Panama this week, highlighting the Missouri National Guard’s 30-year partnership and meeting Panamanian officials and diplomats. Health Care: Missouri’s Medicaid program faces tougher federal rules tied to error-rate penalties, pushing the state to rethink how it manages the program and its private insurer contracts. Education & Federal Courts: Student loan borrowers trying to revive the SAVE plan hit a legal setback after a court ruled against their bid to intervene, with more developments expected in August. Weather: Central Missouri starts the week sunny and dry, then rain chances return Wednesday night into Thursday as humidity climbs. Public Safety: A Morgan County crash left a driver injured after an SUV overturned into a creek; separate drownings and fatal crashes across the region underscore ongoing water and road risks. State Services: Missouri released preliminary 2027 health insurance rates, with public comments due Aug. 31. Local Life: The North Central Missouri Fair wrapped up with livestock champions and a premium sale that raised nearly $57,000.

Public Safety: Kansas City firefighters battled more than 20 fires at the vacant Olive Park Village Apartments, with neighbors saying the repeated blazes are a recurring danger and calling for demolition. Crashes & Deaths: A Cedar Hill man died after a single-vehicle crash in Jefferson County; two Doniphan men were killed in a head-on crash in Ripley County; and a Stoddard County intersection crash left one woman dead and eight injured. Local Crime & Courts: A former Hillsboro assistant police chief was charged with sexual abuse and burglary in St. Francois County. State Tax Relief: Missouri’s Tax-Free Weekend returns Aug. 7-9, exempting qualifying back-to-school items like clothing under $100 and school supplies under $50. Health Care: Freeman Neosho Hospital earned five-star ratings for physician and nurse communication, based on patient feedback. Transportation Projects: MoDOT scheduled lane restrictions and roadwork across northern Missouri counties, with closures and resurfacing planned in multiple areas.

Missouri Politics & Voters: A new national poll says President Donald Trump’s approval is underwater in at least 11 states he won by double digits in 2024, a potential warning sign for Republicans heading into November. Cybersecurity & Water Safety: Federal officials warn that hackers have targeted internet-connected controls at water and wastewater systems, with Iran suspected after attacks in other states—raising concerns for Missouri utilities. Missouri Football: Missouri Tigers report for fall camp Aug. 3, with fall-opener set for Sept. 3 in Columbia, as previews and depth-chart projections roll out. College Sports Eligibility: A federal judge’s ruling could open a fifth season for some athletes, and Missouri basketball’s Mark Mitchell is among those weighing a transfer portal move. Road Work: MoDOT plans separate projects affecting U.S. 63 and I-70 around Columbia, with closures starting Aug. 3 and Aug. 5. Public Safety: A shooting investigation is underway in Caruthersville, with roads closed as police and the Highway Patrol assist. Food Assistance: SNAP benefit schedules for August are out, with Missouri residents urged to check their specific payout dates.

Missouri Water Security: Federal officials are warning Iranian-linked hackers have targeted water systems in multiple states, and Missouri utilities are urged to lock down remote access, change default passwords, and keep control systems off the open internet. Public Safety: The Missouri State Highway Patrol says drownings and water deaths are up sharply this year, urging life jackets and close supervision around rivers, lakes and docks. Local Crime: A California, Mo., man was arrested in Moniteau County on allegations of child sex abuse involving a child under 12. State Politics: Missouri voters are weighing August ballot amendments, including a proposal that would tighten rules for citizen-led constitutional changes. Infrastructure & Travel: I-70 eastbound near Natural Bridge Road in St. Louis County briefly reopened after a multi-vehicle crash shut the highway. Sports (Missouri ties): Kansas City Chiefs rookie Cyrus Allen left practice with a lower-leg injury after a collision during camp at Missouri Western in St. Joseph.