AGP Executive Report

Kansas Wheat & Weather: Kansas growers are juggling wheat streak mosaic risk and “short wheat” harvest headaches as warm temps can speed symptoms and thin stands force tighter cutting-height and header choices. Local Schools & Storm Impacts: North Central Kansas districts reported 1 p.m. dismissals and canceled activities after severe weather, with some field days and after-school plans pushed or scrapped. Salina Mall Cleanup: KDHE cleared Salina Central Mall after April hail damage, saying no asbestos was detected—tenants can move ahead with cleaning and repairs. Business & Tech: WellSky’s home-health AI documentation tool won a MedTech Breakthrough award, while Kansas City-area entrepreneurs are pitching “stability-first” operations as a competitive edge. Policy & Politics: Kansas Democrats are leaning on anti-Brownback attacks in the governor’s race, and a Democratic candidate for the 4th District is banking on voter disapproval of Trump to challenge Ron Estes. Ag Markets: Grain futures popped overnight on improved U.S.-China ag trade signals, with USDA reports on deck.

Housing & Law: Kansas lawmakers are set to void a Lawrence ordinance that protected renters by source of income, with the change scheduled for July 1—an update that could hit voucher holders just as local advocates say the policy boosted utilization. Economic Development: Kansas is awarding more than $1.3 million in Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants for 15 downtown building renovations, with about $5.2 million total investment when local matches are included. Public Health & Safety: KDHE says Salina Central Mall’s post-hail testing found no asbestos, clearing the way for tenants to move ahead with cleaning and repairs. Sports & Community: Overland Park’s KC Streetcar extension to the Berkley Riverfront opens Monday, while Great Bend’s Rec highlighted youth enrichment and local support efforts. Agriculture: Wheat streak mosaic is showing up again across Kansas fields, and extension guidance is urging a “wheat-free period” to break the cycle.

Rural Kansas wins a big health-care tech prize: Overland Park-based WellSky says its WellSky Scribe for Home Health won a Home Healthcare Innovation Award from MedTech Breakthrough, aiming to cut clinicians’ paperwork by using AI ambient listening and guided documentation. Downtown revitalization: Kansas Commerce awarded more than $1.3M in HEAL grants for 15 building renovation projects, with local match bringing the total push to about $5.2M. Storm recovery watch: KDHE says Salina Central Mall’s hail-damage testing found no asbestos, clearing the way for cleaning and repairs. Local business spotlight: Great Bend’s Rec board highlighted community turnout—from jellybean contests to enrichment classes—while Hays’ Bright Minds Academy earned an SBA National Small Business Week award. Agriculture on alert: Cottonwood Extension reports wheat streak mosaic is showing up again across Kansas, urging growers to manage volunteer wheat and watch for symptoms as temperatures warm.

World Cup Watch: Kansas City-area World Cup prep is in full swing, with Riverside hosting a “Reaching Riverside” event to keep residents and businesses informed as the Netherlands picks the city as a base camp. Local Business & Community: KC Pet Project’s “Dog Days” at Zona Rosa is pushing adoptions as summer crowds roll in. Kansas Agriculture: Wheat streak mosaic is showing up again across fields, and extension guidance is blunt: destroy volunteer wheat and keep a wheat-free summer to cut mite carryover. State Policy: Kansas AG Kris Kobach says he’ll appeal a court block on the “Help Not Harm Act,” arguing the judge overreached while the bill’s supporters and opponents keep fighting over minors’ care. Education & Workforce: Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt announced JAG-K students won financial literacy scholarships, while Colby Community College renewed its “Colby Commitment” aid through Spring 2027. Tech/Health: Overland Park-based WellSky won a home healthcare innovation award for AI-assisted documentation in home health visits.

Kansas Sports: KU baseball just grabbed its first Big 12 regular-season title since 1949, beating BYU 7-6 and setting new program marks for conference wins as it pushes toward NCAA hosting. Biotech & Health: United Therapeutics says the FDA cleared it to move forward with its pig-derived UHeart xenotransplant trial, starting with up to two patients. Space & Tech: SpaceX is on track to deliver Cargo Dragon C209 to the ISS Sunday, carrying a space-weather sensor plus medical experiments. Agriculture & Markets: Wheat futures slid into the weekend as traders looked ahead to weekend positioning, even as Kansas wheat disease and yield concerns keep the crop story moving. Finance & Banking: Kansas bankers are warning lawmakers about a stablecoin “rewards” loophole in the GENIUS Act that could siphon deposits and tighten lending. Local Business: Salina’s hail-damaged Central Mall got KDHE clearance after testing found no asbestos, letting tenants move ahead with repairs.

Air Safety: An American Eagle regional jet carrying Rep. Tracey Mann made an emergency landing at Kansas City after smoke was reported in the cabin, with all 76 passengers evacuated on the tarmac; the FAA says it will investigate. Local Business & Tourism: Overland Park is booking fast for the World Cup and major sports events, with hotel rooms already heavily reserved and Top Gun softball expected to drive thousands of room nights. World Cup Logistics: Kansas City’s FIFA Fan Experience is underway near the WWI Museum, but construction detours and parking limits are already creating confusion for visitors. Healthcare & Tech: WellSky’s home-health AI scribe won a MedTech Breakthrough award, aiming to cut clinician documentation time using ambient listening and guided follow-ups. Kansas Economy & Industry: Evergy has pushed back its plan to stop coal burning at the Lawrence Energy Center, extending coal operations past 2028. Agriculture: Kansas extension updates warn wheat streak mosaic is showing up again across fields, urging farmers to manage volunteer wheat and plan around warm-season symptom swings.

Healthcare & Tech: WellSky’s home-health AI scribe won a MedTech Breakthrough “Home Healthcare Innovation Award,” aiming to cut clinician documentation time by turning in-home conversations into EHR updates. Public Safety & Courts: Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Rosen says non-judicial court staff will get a 1% raise starting July 1 after internal budget reallocation. Corrections: The Kansas Department of Corrections signed a two-year, $88.9M/year contract with VitalCore Health Strategies for inmate medical care across state prisons. Energy/Business Expansion: Boeing and WSU Tech announced a Wichita Workforce Training Center to build and sustain aerospace talent. Local Economy: Dave’s Hot Chicken is expanding in Kansas, with Wichita and Manhattan openings planned for August 2026. Agriculture: Kansas wheat scouts report drought stress and wheat streak mosaic showing up again, even as statewide levels are lower than last year. Community & Growth: Great Bend is urging residents to run for local office, with filing deadlines coming up June 1.

Public Health Policy: Kansas lawmakers passed a change to the state’s Good Samaritan law letting first responders use naloxone (Narcan) up to 10 years past its printed expiration date, effective July 1, after concerns about costly disposal of still-effective kits. Local Government: Lawrence city commissioners will kick off talks on a 5-year capital plan for 2027–2031 and whether to renew a 0.3% infrastructure sales tax on the Nov. 2027 ballot. Agriculture: Kansas wheat faces a tougher outlook as temperature swings and disease pressure—especially wheat streak mosaic—show up in multiple counties, with K-State warning growers to watch for damage during key growth stages. Business & Jobs: Boeing and WSU Tech announced a new Wichita Workforce Training Center to build and sustain aerospace talent. Sports & Culture: The NFL released the 2026 schedule, with Kansas-area fans getting plenty of primetime and holiday matchups, while Kansas City’s World Cup preparations continue amid shifting ticket demand.

MLB Labor Talks Start: MLB and the MLB Players Association kicked off negotiations Tuesday with opening presentations—no proposals yet—but the clock is ticking toward the Dec. 1 CBA deadline. Kansas Politics: Sen. Cindy Holscher named Rep. KC Ohaebosim as her running mate, pairing Johnson County and Wichita-area experience for the Aug. 4 Democratic primary. Agriculture & Weather: Kansas wheat growers are dealing with extreme swings and disease pressure, while smaller U.S. wheat supplies keep markets jumpy. Local Business & Community: WellSky’s home-health documentation tool won a MedTech Breakthrough award; Great Bend’s Rec is expanding enrichment and community events; and Sunshine Community Gardens landed a $1,000 grant for a pollinator garden. Public Safety/Health: KDHE says Salina Central Mall hail-storm samples found no asbestos, clearing the way for repairs. Sports & Culture: Jim Colbert, the bucket-hat PGA Tour winner and Kansas State alum, died at 85.

MLB Labor Talks Kick Off: MLB and the MLBPA met for the first time this week, setting the stage for a long CBA fight as the current deal runs out Dec. 1—questions like a possible salary cap are already front and center. Local Road Progress: Douglas County commissioners approved an environmental study contract for the Wakarusa Drive extension, a key step before the Army Corps of Engineers can sign off. Energy & Environment: Kansas utility regulators approved part of Evergy’s 133-mile transmission line but blocked a segment that would cross into the Flint Hills, ordering reconsideration. World Cup Heat Watch: A new study says about a quarter of 2026 World Cup matches face dangerous heat risk, including the final. Public Safety & Health: Kansas regulators cleared Salina Central Mall after hail damage, saying no asbestos was found; and Kansas officials say hantavirus risk is low, though rodent control still matters. Immigration Enforcement: ICE detained former Coldwater mayor Joe Ceballos after he pleaded guilty to voting illegally as a noncitizen.

Boeing in Kansas: Boeing says it will invest $1 billion in Wichita facilities over the next three years, upgrading factories and expanding workforce training—part of a push to boost production after its Spirit AeroSystems deal. Workforce pipeline: Wichita State’s WSU Tech will run a new Boeing Workforce Training Center near its campus, with classrooms and hands-on production-style labs slated to open by late 2026. Public safety & health: Kansas officials say Salina Central Mall has met KDHE requirements after April hail damage—no asbestos detected—so most tenants can move ahead with cleaning and repairs. Community spotlight: Great Bend’s Family Crisis Center names Aimee Peschka as executive coordinator of programming, expanding services across its 10-county area. Local business: Midway Coop completed its Lucas elevator purchase, adding grain, agronomy, feed, seed and supply services for north central Kansas producers. Sports business: MLB labor talks kicked off this week, with a long fight ahead as the current CBA runs out Dec. 1.

Riverfront Deal in Lawrence: City commissioners unanimously approved a settlement that lets Lawrence take control of the former Riverfront building in spring 2027, calling it a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” for downtown. The city will pay $325,000, while contractors and subcontractors cover $2.175 million tied to a lawsuit alleging damage during Bowersock Dam repair work. Local Business & Community: Great Bend’s Rec board highlighted April enrichment programs and a big turnout for its jellybean guessing contest, plus plans to tag fish at Stone Lake and Vet’s Lake. Public Safety & Health: KDHE says Salina Central Mall hail-storm samples found no asbestos, clearing tenants to proceed with cleaning and repairs. Agriculture & Drought: Barton County updates show worsening drought across western Kansas, with extreme conditions near the Arkansas River. Sports & Kansas Ties: PGA Tour legend Jim Colbert—a Kansas State alum known for his bucket hat—died at 85.

Kansas Energy & Environment: The Kansas Corporation Commission approved part of Evergy’s 133-mile transmission line but blocked the route crossing U.S. Highway 77 into the Flint Hills, ordering Evergy to rethink that segment after concerns about permanent harm to unique prairie grasslands and impacts to oil and gas operations. State Finance: Moody’s upgraded Kansas’ credit outlook to “positive,” sparking a fresh Capitol debate over who deserves credit for the state’s improved fiscal footing. Agriculture Watch: USDA set April Class III milk at $16.82 per hundredweight, up 66 cents from March, while Kansas wheat streak mosaic remains active in fields as drought conditions worsen in parts of the state. Local Business & Jobs: Boeing and WSU Tech announced a Wichita Workforce Training Center to build an aerospace pipeline, and Midway Coop completed its Lucas elevator acquisition to expand grain and agronomy services. Community Notes: KDHE cleared Salina Central Mall after hail damage, reporting no asbestos detected in samples. Sports & Culture: PGA Tour legend Jim Colbert, known for his bucket hat, died at 85; Kansas City’s Union Cemetery is staging living-history “Historical Epitaphs” tours at the end of May.

Education Policy Clash: Shawnee Mission School District refused to sign a federal agreement tied to Title IX and trans student rules, calling the process a “sham,” while Lawrence leaders are also wrestling with student success barriers—staffing gaps, absenteeism, and early childhood shortfalls—plus a separate board move to shift health plan funding. School Budget Pressure: Blue Valley approved cuts to classified staff duty days and holiday pay to close a projected $10M gap, hitting paraprofessionals and 12-month employees. Energy & Supply Chain: Diesel prices are spiking again, straining Kansas truckers and feeding into grocery costs; meanwhile Panasonic’s 4680 battery mass production is delayed again, with Kansas tech transfer plans stalled. Industry Investment: Boeing announced $1B in Wichita over three years and a new WSU Tech workforce training center. Local Government & Courts: Lawrence may settle the Riverfront lawsuit by taking over the building and ending leases. Public Safety: Hays police lifted a shelter-in-place after an armed suspect was located.

NBA Draft Lottery Fallout: The Washington Wizards won the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery and secured the No. 1 pick, setting up a major offseason domino effect for the league’s rebuilding teams. The Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies and Chicago Bulls round out the top four, while the Indiana Pacers’ hopes for a top selection ended with their pick sliding to fifth. Kansas Business & Community: Kansas State’s spring commencement is leaning into campus pride with student musicians and speakers. Local Governance: Coffey County approved a one-year moratorium on new data center development while it drafts a “robust regulatory framework.” Agriculture & Weather: Kansas wheat growers are again dealing with wheat streak mosaic in fields, while drought conditions remain severe in parts of western Kansas. Public Safety: Hays police kept a shelter-in-place order in place earlier today after an armed suspect barricaded near 24th and Fort Streets.

Kansas Business Today’s coverage over the past week is dominated by a mix of local business developments and broader national policy and industry stories, with the heaviest concentration in the last 12 hours. The most clearly “business-impacting” thread in the newest reporting is the World Cup hospitality and ticketing picture: an American Hotel & Lodging Association outlook says hotel bookings are tracking below forecasts, with visa barriers and geopolitical concerns suppressing international demand, and FIFA room-block dynamics creating an early signal that later recalibrated. In parallel, FIFA’s latest ticket drops are framed against falling resale prices, with TicketData tracking declines across most U.S. and Canada matches—suggesting demand is softer than initial expectations.

On the Kansas/local front, the most concrete economic development item in the newest material is Great Bend’s SRCA Dragstrip reconstruction: the city and chamber are holding a ribbon-cutting for the fully rebuilt drag racing surface and new timing tower, with an open-house format inviting the public to see upgrades ahead of the racing season. Also in the region, Sedgwick County extended a data center moratorium by 90 days (to Sept. 11), citing the need for additional time to meet state notice requirements and to fill gaps in zoning rules for energy-intensive facilities. Separately, Colliers reported the sale of a Kansas City Crown Center-area office building, with details on the property’s amenities and recent capital improvements—an example of continued commercial real estate activity even as local governments debate data-center growth.

Several stories in the last 12 hours point to shifting industry and regulatory conditions beyond Kansas. A wind-energy industry group says the Pentagon is stalling more than 250 onshore wind projects by failing to complete national security reviews, describing it as a “de facto moratorium” that could obstruct development across 30+ states. In technology and communications, DJI is urging customers to submit comments to the FCC to remove the company from a foreign drone ban, arguing the restrictions are misguided and that the comment process remains open. Media consolidation also remains in motion: Nexstar’s CEO outlined next steps in its legal fight over the Tegna deal, including a lawsuit by DirecTV and multiple state attorneys general challenging the merger on monopoly grounds.

Finally, the newest Kansas Business Today items also include notable institutional and community updates—though not all are strictly “business” in the narrow sense. University of Kansas mechanical engineering alumni recognition and KU research awards highlight ongoing academic investment and talent development, while Kansas City-area and regional sports/business coverage appears alongside entertainment and event announcements. The older reporting provides continuity on some themes (especially World Cup demand concerns and Kansas data-center debate), but the most substantial evidence of change in this 7-day window is concentrated in the last 12 hours around World Cup market softness, local infrastructure/real estate moves, and regulatory friction affecting wind and data-center development.