AGP Executive Report

Roadwork & traffic: MoDOT says roundabout/roadway improvements will mean SB I-29 and Cookingham Dr. lane/ramp closures Oct. 5–16, with the I-29 off-ramp to Cookingham Drive closed for guardrail work and Cookingham lanes shut for median work. Public safety weather: Cloud County Emergency Management shared National Weather Service updates warning of a limited but present tornado risk (mainly 3–10 p.m.) and possible 3–5+ inches of rain with flooding risk across north central Kansas. Local rescue story: A Leawood dog with a leash attached led police to a homeowner trapped in an open garage; the man was found on the floor and is recovering. Kansas higher ed: Emporia State University reported a 6% enrollment jump to 5,110 students, while Kansas’ overall public higher-ed headcount dipped slightly. Community planning: Emporia residents can weigh in on a BNSF/KDOT safety study for 15 railroad crossings at meetings Oct. 7–8. Sports (Kansas): Kyle Larson dominated the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway to win again, tightening his NASCAR Chase lead. Business: Ford says a supplier issue affecting F-150 output is fixed, but it still hit third-quarter wholesale numbers.

Kansas Senate fight: Sen. Roger Marshall sent Adam Hamilton’s campaign a cease-and-desist over a political ad tied to claims that former patients were arrested over medical debt; Marshall says the arrests were for missed court dates and higher amounts, while Hamilton’s team says the ad is accurate and points to Kansas law limits on arrest for missed payments. Weather & flooding watch: Southwest Kansas communities are bracing for widespread rain from hurricane remnants, with emergency managers focused on flooded gravel and dirt roads, possible washouts, and getting kids home safely. Harvest hit by rain: Persistent wet weather has largely stalled Kansas corn and soybean harvest, with hopes for a weekend window to get back in the fields. Public safety & courts: A grieving father is pushing Kansas lawmakers to change the law after his son was allegedly killed by a teen, arguing teens accused of murder should be automatically prosecuted as adults. Health care in Topeka: KU Health System will take full ownership of the St. Francis Campus, ending a nearly 10-year joint venture with Ardent Health and integrating operations into KU’s system. Local economy & infrastructure: Kansas DOT is set to receive $53M+ for Wichita-area K-96 improvements, including widening and safer access for school buses and emergency vehicles. Sports note: Former Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal is out for the rest of the season after neck surgery.

Stadium Demolition Plans: Emporia State University says the east stands at Welch Stadium can’t be saved and expects demolition to start mid-December, with students using temporary seating this season while ESU weighs replacement options and funding. Road Closures: MoDOT warns drivers that Davis Blvd. in Joplin will close Sept. 30 between 27th Street and Route FF as crews relocate the road about 1,000 feet east for a future bridge project; access to General Mills stays open and detours are posted. Public Safety: Concordia police are urging slower driving during a statewide speed-safety campaign running Oct. 8-19, noting speeding is tied to 1 in 5 Kansas traffic deaths. Crash Updates: A Linn County semi crash injured three people, including a 7-year-old not in a seat belt, and a Sedgwick County man was sentenced to prison for leaving the scene of a fatal DUI crash. Immigration at Schools: A Chalkbeat report highlights how ICE activity near schools and bus stops is unsettling families and disrupting learning, even as officials say they aren’t targeting those locations. Local Government & Transit: Overland Park approved Playbook OP, a parks plan that drew pushback over pool access.

Immigration & Beef Supply Chain: Federal ICE enforcement in southwest Kansas is hitting the “Golden Triangle” beef plants (Dodge City, Liberal, Garden City), with cattle slaughter down 16% in a week as workers stay home, leaving thousands of animals backed up and raising the risk of higher meat prices. Local Government & Public Safety: Wichita is asking a judge to dismiss a lawsuit over Flock license-plate cameras, arguing the complaint doesn’t show improper use, while privacy advocates say warrantless surveillance is the core issue. Education & Budgets: Fort Hays State will close the Sternberg Museum’s public operations Dec. 18, citing a $2.4 million recurring state funding cut. Facilities & Growth: Overland Park unanimously approved Black & Veatch’s new world headquarters, with a 2029 move-in expected. Schools & Maintenance: Lawrence school officials say they’ve identified $73.9M in deferred maintenance and facilities needs but can’t fund it all. Elections: Kansas AG Kris Kobach issued a cease-and-desist to the League of Women Voters over gift-card incentives for teens registering to vote. Food Recall: Nearly 2 million pounds of brown and powdered sugar were recalled in eight states, including Kansas, due to possible wheat contamination.

Kansas Housing & Local Markets: Zillow reports Norton County’s typical home value rose 0.4% to $121,988 in August 2026, while Greenwood County jumped 6% to $107,113 and Grant County climbed 9.7% to $159,489. Fuel Watch: GasBuddy data shows diesel prices in Saline County hit a low of $5.49 in the week ending Sept. 19, and premium gas in Bourbon County bottomed out at $4.64. Public Safety & Community: KBI is investigating a death in Larned after a man with a gunshot wound was found in a bedroom; investigators believe it was self-inflicted. In Kansas City, police are searching for missing 20-year-old Jordyne Williams. Law Enforcement Remembrance: Hays Police will retire Sgt. Scott Heimann’s badge and radio number, marking the anniversary of his death in the line of duty. Sports (Kansas ties): KU added a defensive tackle, Clifton Thompson, after a court-ordered eligibility path.

ICE in Southwest Kansas: DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin denied ICE is doing worksite raids in Kansas, but protests in Dodge City and other towns continued after increased enforcement activity, with workers and livestock groups saying operations disrupted meatpacking and ranch work. State Politics: Kansas AG Kris Kobach issued a cease-and-desist to a League of Women Voters chapter over $5 Starbucks gift cards for teen voter registration. Education & Taxes: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Cindy Holscher hit Emporia arguing Kansas should fully fund public schools and special education, while pushing back on property tax relief plans she says benefit the wealthy. Kansas Sports: The Kansas City Royals snapped a skid, beating the Cleveland Guardians 3-2 as Vinnie Pasquantino hit two homers. NFL Update: Chiefs beat the Dolphins 24-10, but Dolphins RB De’Von Achane’s knee injury clouded Miami’s outlook. Community: Volunteers cleaned up Splitlog Farm in Kansas City, Kansas, to help restore a neighborhood food-growing hub.

NASCAR in Kansas: Green-flag times are set for the 2026 Hollywood Casino 400 weekend at Kansas Speedway—Trucks go at 1:22 p.m. ET Saturday, and the Cup race starts at 3:10 p.m. ET Sunday after qualifying was washed out by lightning. NASCAR field update: The Cup entry list is locked for a 36-car field, with Austin Hill replacing Kyle Busch in the No. 33 after his passing. Chiefs on the road: Kansas City opens Week 3 with a trip to Miami; the team lists multiple Week 3 inactives, including key names on offense and defense. Kansas gas watch: GasBuddy reports the cheapest premium in Reno County at $4.30 (week ending Sept. 19), with Kansas’ statewide premium average at $4.77. ICE and agriculture: Kansas agriculture groups are pushing back on reported ICE enforcement in southwest Kansas, saying raids are disrupting families and beef processing. State finances: Kansas collected $3.3 billion in total tax revenue in Q1 2026, led by sales/gross receipts and income taxes. Local community: Emporia town hall highlights education funding, lower costs, and a pause on new data centers.

Sports, Kansas City: The Cleveland Guardians clinched their third straight AL Central title with an 11-5 win over the Royals, while Chicago’s loss to the Rockies eliminated the White Sox from the division race. MLS, Kansas: Sporting Kansas City stunned Houston 2-0 behind Stefan Cleveland’s first career shutout. Women’s soccer, Kansas City: The Kansas City Current rallied past Denver Summit 4-1, with Haley Hopkins scoring three goals. Local utilities, Wyandotte County: After storm damage, residents are learning about a new BPU power-savings prepay deal that’s projected to save $150 million over 30 years, starting Jan. 1, 2027. College football, Kansas State: Kansas State fell 31-26 at Cincinnati in the Big 12 opener as Cole Tabb ran for three touchdowns. NASCAR, Kansas Speedway: Rain wiped out qualifying and practice; Joey Logano earned the pole via NASCAR’s performance metric, and Kaden Honeycutt won the Truck Series race at Kansas. Politics, Kansas: Kansas AG ordered the League of Women Voters to stop paying teens to register to vote.

AL Central Race: The Chicago White Sox kept their playoff spot locked in while still chasing seeding, beating the Colorado Rockies 6-1 in the opener as Munetaka Murakami hit two solo homers and Sean Burke turned in one-run ball. NASCAR Kansas Speedway: Cup qualifying was rained out again, so the Hollywood Casino 400 starting lineup was set by metrics—Joey Logano on pole, Kyle Larson second, with Christopher Bell, Carson Hocevar and Ty Gibbs rounding out the top five. NFL Injury Watch: Miami Dolphins RB Jaylen Wright is doubtful for Week 3 vs. the Kansas City Chiefs after not practicing Friday. Big 12 Football: Kansas State and Cincinnati both enter Saturday’s opener at 3-0, with K-State coming off a 31-20 win over Tulane and Cincinnati edging Miami (Ohio). Kansas Energy/Infrastructure: The Kansas Corporation Commission scheduled public hearings on a proposed 180-mile, 345 kV Sunflower/ITC transmission line through multiple counties. Gas Prices: GasBuddy reports regular gas in Kansas averaged $4.07 for the week ending Sept. 19, with county lows like $3.79 in Labette County and $3.89 in Gray County. Local Growth: Baker University launched “Baker 105,” offering full-tuition scholarships to at least one student from each of Kansas’ 105 counties.

Immigration enforcement hits Kansas agriculture: Kansas livestock and dairy leaders say ICE raids in western Kansas are disrupting beef processing and supply chains, with workers detained and fear driving absenteeism at facilities in places like Liberal and across the region. Public health alert: A Kansas father, Billy Howe, is hospitalized after West Nile virus caused brain and spine swelling, with his recovery expected to be lengthy. Local education: The Lawrence school board will bring back a public comment period after a nine-month pause, following concerns about past disruptions and rule violations. Sports—Kansas college volleyball: No. 22 Kansas swept Houston 3-0 in a Big 12 opener, with the win coming after a court dedication for former coach Ray Bechard. Sports—Kansas City baseball: The Cleveland Guardians beat the Royals 12-9 in a late surge, keeping a one-game AL Central lead over Chicago; meanwhile, White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery set a major league single-season strikeout record with 224.

Immigration & Public Safety: ICE activity is roiling southwest Kansas, with leaders in Dodge City, Garden City and Liberal saying operations ramped up without notice and disrupted beef processing schedules, while residents in Great Bend held a protest march despite rain. Politics: A new Wedgewood Poll finds Democrat Adam Hamilton narrowly ahead of Sen. Roger Marshall in Kansas’ Senate race, with the ICE dispute still a major campaign flashpoint. Local Government: Emporia is weighing possible rules for kids using electric bikes and scooters after a serious crash left one rider with a broken leg. Economy & Housing: Zillow data shows Rice County’s typical home value rose 10.6% year over year to $121,981 in August 2026. Community Health: Salina Regional Health Center and Kansas Masons will host free cancer screenings at the Tammy Walker Cancer Center Oct. 10 and 17, with registration required. Sports: The Royals’ Denny Matthews is set to call his 8,000th game as Kansas City hosts the Guardians.

White Sox Playoff Clincher (KC): Chicago made MLB history by following three straight 100-loss seasons with a playoff berth, routing the Royals 9-1 at Kauffman Stadium. Chiefs–Dolphins Preview: Kansas City heads to Miami Sunday (noon CT) looking for a defensive bounce-back after allowing 30 points in Week 2; coach Andy Reid says RB Kenneth Walker III’s workload could be trimmed. KU Hilltop Childcare Uncertainty: Parents at KU’s Hilltop Child Development Center learned the center’s license could be suspended after state investigations, raising fears it may not last through October. Public Safety Upgrade: Olathe opened a $15 million police/FBI training facility on I-35 and 167th Street, with more phases planned. Kansas Lottery Results: Pick 3 (Sept. 24): Midday 1-5-9, Evening 2-1-2; 2 By 2: Red 10-22, White 22-25. Local Crime & Scams: A Kansas City couple reported a jury-duty scam that used personal details to pressure them for “warrants” payments. Sports Spotlight (HS/College): A KC-area high school receiver earned a Chiefs-linked $25,000 Super Bowl-week college grant nomination.

Immigration Tensions in Southwest Kansas: Kansas GOP Sens. Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran are pressing for ICE to coordinate with local law enforcement after reports of federal raids and complaints from Dodge City, Garden City and Liberal that they weren’t notified in advance. Statehouse & Elections: A Kansas lawmaker is asking the AG to investigate a League of Women Voters chapter after it offered $5 Starbucks gift cards to high school students who registered to vote. Agriculture Update: Preliminary Kansas winter wheat quality is improving, with test weight up to 60.3 pounds per bushel and protein averaging 12.1%, plus more samples grading No. 1. Insurance Prep: The Kansas Department of Insurance urges Kansans to use an autumn-ready checklist—gutters, drainage, heating safety, and freeze-proofing—to prevent seasonal claims. Local Disruptions: Damaged railroad tracks in Neodesha caused traffic delays on Highway 75 and Main Street. Sports (Kansas State): K-State opens Big 12 play at Cincinnati after a hot start, with both teams entering at 3-0. Royals Playoff Push: Kansas City beat Chicago 5-4 Wednesday to spoil the White Sox, setting up Thursday’s series finale at Kauffman Stadium.

ICE operations in southwest Kansas: Dodge City, Garden City and Liberal say they weren’t warned before a spike in federal immigration enforcement, prompting pushback from Sen. Jerry Moran and Sen. Roger Marshall and a community protest in Dodge City. Sports—Royals vs. White Sox: Kansas City snapped a five-game skid with a 5-4 win over Chicago, delaying the White Sox’s playoff push; Maikel Garcia returned from the IL and Rashee Rice logged a full practice as the Chiefs look ahead. Chiefs offense notes: Patrick Mahomes credited the run game for his Week 2 rhythm, while Rashee Rice’s downfield blocking is helping Kansas City keep defenses guessing. Local public safety: Firefighters contained a downtown Kansas City building blaze with no injuries; Kansas City also reported a rise in rabies-positive bats. Health & community: Former ECMO patients reunited with Research Medical Center staff in Kansas City, and AARP Kansas taught seniors how to spot scams at a Topeka expo. Politics & courts: A Kansas lawmaker asked the AG to investigate alleged voter-registration gift card incentives, while two Florida residents were convicted in a Kansas petition forgery case. Other Kansas headlines: Kansas reports two measles cases tied to travel, and Wilson County residents are concerned after feral swine were spotted on trail cameras.

Workforce & Economy: Northwest Kansas Economic Innovation Center launched a revamped ConnectNWK Job Board to help employers and job seekers match across the region, with free employer profiles and postings. Childcare & Compliance: KU’s Hilltop Child Development Center will close by late October after more than a year of state violations, with care continuing through Oct. 30 (infant/toddler/preschool) and Oct. 23 for after-school. Public Safety & Courts: A Lawrence man, 18-year-old Kavon Burk Price, faces a new rape charge after a prior juvenile sex-crime conviction and guilty plea earlier this year. Politics: Kansas Rep. Pat Proctor asked AG Kris Kobach to investigate a League of Women Voters chapter over voter-registration gift cards. Education & Research: KU will host the 2026 Lelon Capps Lecture on effective math instruction, and a KU researcher will co-lead a major Roman Space Telescope experiment. Sports & Culture: Travis Kelce addressed Taylor Swift’s viral “that’s my husband” ring moment on New Heights; Kansas City also added a 2027 Hilary Duff stop in Kansas City. Health Policy: Kansas Office of Apprenticeship State Grant will award up to $100,000 to expand Registered Apprenticeship, including youth pathways.

Rural Health Funding: Kansas is set to receive nearly $17 million in federal support to expand rural healthcare tech like telehealth and diagnostic tools, plus help coordinate faster transportation to specialty care. Cost of Living: Diesel prices hit record highs in Kansas, squeezing farmers’ budgets and raising concerns that grocery costs could climb as transportation costs filter through. Public Safety: A man’s body was found on Elk Valley USD 283 school property in Longton; the KBI is investigating and says there’s no sign students or the public are at risk. Courts & Child Welfare: A third-party report says Kansas has made progress on child welfare reform under the McIntyre settlement, while still flagging areas needing more work. Elections & Voting Rights: A proposed Kansas constitutional amendment would clarify that only U.S. citizens can vote, with supporters citing voter integrity and critics warning it could confuse voters. Sports: The White Sox beat the Royals 14-11, keeping Chicago close in the AL Central race.