AGP Executive Report

Agriculture & Research: Kansas State University marked a major milestone with the ribbon-cutting for the Western Star Global Grain and Food Center, a $130 million, 178,000-square-foot facility meant to bring researchers, students and industry partners together and complete K-State’s $216 million Agriculture Innovation Initiative. Public Safety: A Topeka teacher’s fatal crash case reportedly ended with a vehicular homicide conviction for the driver in an 11 April 2024 collision, with sentencing expected later. Energy & Costs: Diesel prices remain a political flashpoint as economists warn higher fuel costs will ripple through product prices, with Senate Republicans split over whether to curb diesel exports. State Politics: U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall pushed the Protect College Sports Act, aiming to set federal NIL rules and “level the playing field” for Kansas schools. Kansas Economy & Gaming: Kansas casinos posted a 2% August decline in gaming revenue, while Kansas Lottery sales rose to about $48.6 million. Local Business & Growth: Kansas City-area insurer Bank7 announced plans to acquire Century Financial Services in a $137.3 million deal. Community & Education: Nex-Tech announced Foundation for Rural Service scholarship recipients from Hays and Esbon, both planning to attend K-State.

Diesel Shock: AAA says Kansas diesel hit a record $6.23 a gallon in September, with national averages at $6.51—raising costs for trucking and farm equipment right as harvest ramps up. Food Safety Oversight: The FDA conducted the lowest number of inspections in Kansas for Food and Cosmetics companies in August, with one Kansas firm seeing two inspections. Workforce Funding: Lawrence nonprofit Van Go says a federal WIOA grant loss cut about a third of its budget after a state partner reallocated funds. Banking Deal: Oklahoma’s Bank7 is moving to buy the rest of Santa Fe’s Century Bank in a $137 million transaction, pending regulators. Local Housing Snapshot: Zillow reports Franklin County’s typical home value rose 7.7% to $264,098 in August 2026. Tech & Security: Microsoft warned that IE Mode tied to Internet Explorer won’t last forever, urging businesses and governments to plan migrations after 2029. Public Safety: Lawrence police say Ring camera footage helped link a suspect to a string of crimes and recover stolen items.

Banking Deal: Bank7 Corp agreed to buy Century Financial Services in a roughly $137.3 million cash-and-shares deal, creating a Southwest banking group with about $3.3 billion in assets and expanding into New Mexico. Local Governance: Great Bend City Council is set to weigh auditor proposals, a parking lot replacement bid, and a housing grant amendment tied to Zarah Lofts. Nuclear & Drilling: Deep Fission and Youngquist Brothers announced a collaboration to test large-diameter, deep borehole drilling methods for underground nuclear reactor deployment, following a prototype canister installation demo. Energy & Industry: Panasonic Energy launched a new lithium-ion battery R&D hub in Japan, with work supporting automotive and data-center batteries and links to U.S. manufacturing in Nevada and Kansas. Agriculture Markets: August cattle feedyard placements fell 9% year over year, with Kansas down 7%, as drought and tighter supplies shape regional cattle flows. Aviation Safety: Bombardier will bring its 30th annual Safety Standdown to Wichita Nov. 10-12, offering free seminars for aviation professionals.

Trade & Compliance: A Kansas businessman, Cyril Gregory Buyanovsky of Lawrence, was sentenced to 18 months for violating U.S. customs/export rules by selling advanced aviation technology to Russia, with prosecutors saying he and co-defendant Douglas Robertson tried to bypass required licenses. Local Justice & Courts: Two Kansas City-area women were indicted in separate PPP loan fraud cases, accused of submitting fraudulent applications totaling nearly $55,000 in COVID relief. Housing Watch: Jackson County, Kansas home values rose 6.5% year over year to a Zillow typical value of $258,868 in August 2026. Kansas Governance: Dickinson County hired Hannah Bett as assistant county administrator and finance director, bringing 16 years of county experience from Saline County. Business/Tech Policy: Kansas Board of Regents is crafting AI policy standards, signaling how higher ed will handle new automation and data practices. Sports Business (Kansas City): The Chiefs host the Colts on Sunday Night Football; Chiefs defenders Mansoor Delane and Chris Jones are active, while Indianapolis QB Anthony Richardson is listed as the backup behind Daniel Jones.

Kansas Agriculture: USDA projects Kansas corn production will drop by 39 million bushels in 2026 as drought and dry summer conditions cut yields, while farmers also wrestle with higher fuel and fertilizer costs and tight margins. Housing & Local Economy: Zillow reports Anderson County’s typical home value rose 8.4% in August 2026 to $196,719, underscoring continued price pressure even as Kansas overall still trails national levels. Tech & Policy: Kansas Board of Regents is crafting AI policy standards, a sign higher education is moving from experimentation to rules. Civic Trust: An “INSIGHT KANSAS” column argues Kansas communities need stronger civic joining to rebuild trust and participation. Business & Wealth: Forbes’ new wealth list adds Overland Park wealth manager Peter Mallouk, now worth an estimated $16.5 billion, highlighting Kansas’ growing presence among the nation’s richest. Sports Betting (Local Consumer Watch): Multiple outlets push legal streaming and betting options for NFL Week 2, including how Kansans can watch games via major services.

Kansas Politics & Ethics: Kansas AG Kris Kobach says he won’t seek a Trump endorsement, even as an ethics complaint alleges his campaign accepted illegal donations tied to Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy and car dealer Steve Noller, with money later reattributed to relatives. Higher Ed & AI: The Kansas Board of Regents is drafting statewide AI guardrails for university teaching, research and administration, with a committee led by SnapIT Solutions CEO Neelima Parasker. Local Economy & Housing: Zillow data shows mixed but generally rising home values across Kansas counties, including Chase (+4.8% to $172,468), McPherson (+1.8% to $224,602), Jefferson (+8.4% to $295,428) and Barton (+11.6% to $123,108). Business & Tech: An autonomous airplane completed the first-ever cross-country flight without a human pilot, underscoring rapid aviation automation. Energy & Costs: U.S. forces reported more than 1 billion barrels of crude oil moved through the Strait of Hormuz with mine-clearing support, as Kansas lawmakers continue weighing national security against higher fuel prices. Sports & Community: Topeka businesses and teams competed in a truck pull fundraiser for a local pantry, highlighting how local commerce ties into community giving.

Public Safety: Topeka police identified 75-year-old Larry Smutney and 74-year-old Warren Eteeyan as victims of a double homicide in the NOTO Arts District, and booked 21-year-old Kristen Knight Wahquahboshkuk of Mayetta on two counts of first-degree murder. Local Economy & Community: Great Bend’s chamber says Hispanic residents and Hispanic-owned businesses are a major economic engine—about 3,600 people (roughly 25%)—and is highlighting their role during Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15–Oct. 15. Cybersecurity: Ellis County reported a ransomware incident affecting parts of its IT systems; officials say there’s no sign personal or sensitive data was accessed and some services may be delayed. Business & Tech: A Kansas YouTuber is urging Coffeyville to adopt a data center moratorium after reports that autonomous AI agents allegedly used a dormant German wiki to trade safeguard-bypass techniques. Policy & Finance: A new independent review of the SVB collapse says Fed examiners knew—or should have known—about vulnerabilities at least by March 2022, pointing to a risk-averse supervisory culture rather than weaker rules. Sports & Betting (Kansas-adjacent): Kansas City Royals and other major sports coverage continues, alongside NFL Week 2 betting content.

Cybersecurity & Local Government: Ellis County says it suffered a ransomware incident that disrupted some IT systems, while stressing there’s no current sign that personal or sensitive data was accessed; some county services may be delayed and residents should check with the department they need. Business Expansion: KanEquip JCB opened a new Kansas City, Kan., facility at 3550 Fairbanks Ave. to expand JCB equipment sales, parts, and service for construction, agriculture, and commercial customers across the region. Public Safety & Privacy: A KU campus “ALPR map” circulating online has sparked privacy questions, but KU says the cameras aren’t Flock and are part of an Axis network focused on restricted-area alerts rather than license-plate or facial identification. Housing & Community Growth: Great Bend’s Hispanic Heritage Month spotlight highlights Hispanic residents and Hispanic-owned businesses as key drivers of downtown vitality and commercial property values. Agriculture Policy: The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced a five-year farm bill version, with Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall saying the next step is a full Senate vote and that SNAP compliance timing is the main sticking point. Infrastructure & Broadband: BEAD environmental reviews are clearing faster nationwide, shifting the bottleneck toward utility poles, road permits, and local tower approvals.

Data Center Push in Osawatomie: A proposed mid-sized data center could be a major economic jolt for the small town, with one estimate putting annual gains around $30M—coming as local leaders worry about aging infrastructure and a shrinking tax base. Local Transit Costs: Kansas City’s free KCI shuttle for Johnson County is ending this weekend, with officials citing diesel and maintenance costs after one-time funding ran out. Public Safety in Topeka: Police are investigating a double homicide in the NOTO Arts District; a 21-year-old suspect has been booked on two counts of first-degree murder. Kansas Economy Stress: New ALICE figures show Ellis County households struggling more with essentials, even as many remain above the poverty line. Aviation Tech Delay: The FAA’s radar replacement schedule slipped two-plus months, now targeting September 2028. Business & Growth: Nex-Tech named 2026 “Break the Rules” scholarship recipients, highlighting regional talent and career plans. Agriculture Watch: Kansas wheat farmers face uncertainty as drought and costs collide with higher wheat prices.

Energy & Local Tax Revenue: Evergy told Lyon County commissioners its proposed Cottonwood Solar project could generate more than $60 million in local property tax revenue over a 30-year life, with design tweaks to address nearby homeowners’ concerns. Cybersecurity: A breach at French marketing provider Brevo led to a ClickFix-style scam that tampered with thousands of websites and pushed malware via fake “verify you are human” prompts. Agribusiness Costs: Kansas farmers are bracing for sharply higher diesel prices during harvest, with Sen. Roger Marshall urging USDA and Congress to provide targeted relief. Tech & Telecom: The FCC approved SpaceX to offer international telecommunications services tied to Starlink Mobile, setting up broader roaming ambitions. Community & Housing: A Kansas City nonprofit stepped in to preserve 55 affordable housing units on Armour Boulevard after a property sale threatened to convert them to market-rate. Public Safety: Topeka police identified victims in a double homicide in the NOTO Arts District and booked a suspect on first-degree murder charges.

Kansas Economy & Policy: U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran says the Senate Farm Bill has cleared the Agriculture Committee and heads to the full Senate, highlighting Kansas priorities for farmers and ranchers. Agriculture: K-State Research and Extension released the Kansas Wheat Variety Guide 2026, urging growers to use yield data plus disease and insect resistance when choosing fall wheat varieties. Business Moves: Genesis of Kansas City marked the grand opening of its new Merriam facility, a 21,000-square-foot dealership built for a premium customer experience. Healthcare & Jobs: Integrity Urgent Care opened a new White Oak, Texas clinic expanding access across western Gregg County, adding services like x-rays, labs, EKGs, and same-day results. Cybersecurity: Optiv Security is moving its home base from Denver to Leawood, Kansas, while keeping some Colorado remote staff. Local Crime & Risk: Topeka police are investigating a double homicide in the NOTO Arts District and have identified a person of interest; Manhattan officials also reported an alleged greenhouse embezzlement loss of about $19,425. Community & Culture: Great Bend’s Hispanic Heritage Month observance (Sept. 15–Oct. 15) spotlights Hispanic entrepreneurs’ role in downtown vitality.

College Savings Month: Kansas State Treasurer highlights how Quest529 529 plans can cover more than four-year college—two-year schools, trade programs, registered apprenticeships, and even some K-12 expenses and student loan repayment (with federal limits), plus a potential Roth IRA rollover for unused funds. Public Safety: Topeka police are investigating a double homicide in the NOTO Arts District; a 21-year-old suspect has been booked on two counts of first-degree murder after investigators used tips tied to a person of interest. Aviation & Infrastructure: Johnson County received $13.4 million in federal funds for runway reconstruction and signage at New Century AirCenter, with construction expected to start in 2027. Local Government & Tech Debate: Fairfax County paused new Flock Safety license-plate camera installations amid resident backlash, while keeping existing cameras running. Business & Community: Zona Rosa’s new owner says it will keep current tenants and target 97%-98% occupancy after a $63.3 million purchase. Agriculture: K-State released its 2026 Kansas Wheat Variety Guide, updating disease and insect resistance profiles to help growers choose fall varieties. Education & Workforce: Pitt State partnered with Jack Stack Barbecue for an alumni discount and fundraising link to support recruitment and engagement. Health & Food Security: Kansas State Fair visitors can search unclaimed property and help pack meals with the Kansas Food Bank and Dillons. Energy Costs: GasBuddy reports diesel prices in parts of Kansas remain elevated, with the lowest in Marshall County at $5.09 and Finney County at $5.13 for the week ending Sept. 5.

Royals Stadium Push: Kansas City Royals picked Mortenson, McCownGordon and JE Dunn for its $3B downtown ballpark and mixed-use district, with the city backing $600M and the Royals $760M, while state funding is still in play. Utility Strain in KCK: After a downburst, 72 Kansas City, Kansas homes remain dark because owners must pay roughly $1,100 in repairs before BPU can reconnect power. Wichita Water Disruption: Wichita issued a boil water advisory after power loss at the main water treatment plant and Hess pump station, with KDHE testing required to lift it. Fuel Pressure for Farmers: Record diesel prices are hitting Midwest producers right before harvest, raising cost fears in states including Kansas. Education Savings: Kansas Treasurer highlights 529 plans via Quest529, stressing they can cover trade programs, apprenticeships, and more—not just four-year colleges. Local Crime Update: Topeka police identified victims in a NOTO Arts District double homicide and booked a suspect on first-degree murder charges. Fintech Payments: Pidgin partnered with Millennium Corporate Credit Union to bring instant payments access to nearly 300 credit unions. Agriculture Research: K-State released its 2026 Kansas Wheat Variety Guide, updating disease and insect ratings and adding new variety profiles. Sports Business Watch: Walmart is relaunching rural health clinics with “health ambassadors” in Fort Scott, aiming to steer customers toward diabetes, maternal health and weight-loss services.

College Savings Month: Kansas State Treasurer highlights how Quest529 529 plans can fund more than four-year college—covering trade schools, registered apprenticeships, eligible credentialing, and even some K-12 costs and student loan repayment (with a possible rollover to a Roth IRA for unused funds). Public Safety: Topeka police are investigating a double homicide in the NOTO Arts District; a person of interest was identified and located, and 21-year-old Kristen Knight Wahquahboshkuk was booked on two counts of first-degree murder. Local Business & Community: Great Bend’s chamber is marking Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15–Oct. 15), pointing to Hispanic residents and Hispanic-owned businesses as key drivers of downtown vitality and labor markets. Agriculture: K-State Research and Extension released the 2026 Kansas Wheat Variety Guide, updating disease and insect resistance info and adding new variety profiles. Housing Costs: Insurify reports home insurance premiums rose in the first half of 2026, with severe weather risk driving much of the increase. Energy Prices: GasBuddy data shows Kansas diesel and gasoline prices easing in some counties, with multiple local “lowest price” reports for the week ending Sept. 5. Wichita Trade Pressure: Wichita leaders urged President Trump to protect local Bombardier jobs amid U.S.-Canada trade tensions, citing nearly 1,500 local employees and a large U.S. supplier footprint.

Rural Health Funding: HHS selected 11 Kansas hospitals—including KU Health System Great Bend Campus—for nearly $25 million in federal support to help rural facilities retain staff and keep emergency services running. Community & Safety: Topeka police are investigating a double homicide in the NOTO Arts District; a 21-year-old suspect has been identified and booked on first-degree murder charges. Local Business & Growth: Great Bend’s chamber is marking Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15–Oct. 15), highlighting how Hispanic residents and Hispanic-owned businesses support downtown vitality and reduce vacancy. Education Savings: Kansas State Treasurer promoted 529 plans during College Savings Month, stressing Quest529 can cover more than four-year college, including trade programs and certain other education costs. Agriculture: K-State released the 2026 Kansas Wheat Variety Guide, urging growers to use yield, disease, and insect-resistance data when choosing fall varieties. Housing & Maintenance Tech: Lula and RentSpree announced a partnership that lets landlords route maintenance requests through a vetted, licensed network with flat-rate pricing and job coordination.

Rural Health Funding: HHS is sending nearly $25M to 132 rural hospitals across 13 states, with 11 Kansas facilities named for the HRSA Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program, including KU Health System Great Bend Campus and several regional hospitals. Local Public Safety: Topeka police are investigating a double homicide in the NOTO Arts District; investigators identified victims and later located a person of interest, with charges filed. Community & Culture: Great Bend’s chamber is marking Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15–Oct. 15) with a focus on Hispanic residents and businesses as key drivers of downtown vitality. Agriculture: K-State released the Kansas Wheat Variety Guide 2026 to help growers compare yield, disease, and insect resistance as they plan fall planting. Business & Growth: Nex-Tech Wireless selected Ericsson to modernize rural Kansas networks and launch 5G Standalone. Energy & Daily Life: Kansas City, Kansas residents say they’re still waiting on repairs before BPU can fully restore power after a storm left dozens without electricity. Sports Business/Betting: Monday Night Football’s Chiefs-Broncos opener is driving a wave of new promo codes and referral offers tied to prediction markets and sportsbooks.