AGP Executive Report

Drought and Heat: Missouri faces continued drought and above-normal warmth despite Election Day rain, raising concerns for farms, water supplies and ecosystems. Solar Growth: Sunraycer acquired two Missouri solar projects in Adams and New Madrid counties, totaling 325 megawatts; construction is expected to start in 2028. Water Infrastructure: State grants are supporting upgrades, including $2 million for a Moniteau County water district and $2.28 million for Howard County’s public water supply. Lake and Wildlife Protection: Ameren warned Lake of the Ozarks visitors not to dump leaves into the water, while follow-up tests after an invasive mussel larva was detected at Whitefish Lake found no additional positive samples.

Solar Development: Sunraycer acquired two Missouri projects totaling 325 megawatts in Adams and New Madrid counties. Construction is expected to start in 2028, with operations targeted for 2029; environmental studies are complete. Drought: More than two-thirds of Missouri is drier than normal, with severe drought covering 34% of the state and extreme drought 16%. October brought less than half the usual rainfall to Columbia, and Election Day rain won’t erase the deficit. Lake of the Ozarks: Ameren Missouri is urging residents and lawn crews not to dump piles of leaves into the lake. Decomposing yard waste can add nutrients, fuel algae growth and deplete oxygen needed by aquatic life.

Drinking Water: Missouri DNR awarded Moniteau County’s Public Water Supply District No. 1 $2 million for system upgrades; Howard County’s District No. 2 received $2.28 million for drinking-water improvements. Lake of the Ozarks: Ameren Missouri urged residents and lawn crews not to dump concentrated piles of leaves into the lake, where decomposing yard waste can fuel algae growth and reduce oxygen for aquatic life. Fish and Wildlife: A leak at Willmore Park’s North Lake in St. Louis has lowered water levels, prompting an emergency order allowing anglers to salvage fish through Feb. 1, 2027. Clean Energy: Sunraycer acquired a planned 150-megawatt solar project in New Madrid County, with construction expected to begin in 2028. Farm Resilience: SIU and Mizzou researchers are developing drone and AI tools to help farmers spot soybean drought stress and manage water. Invasive Pests: Missouri is among 13 states included in a new $51.9 million USDA effort to control destructive feral swine.

Flood Resilience: Kansas City’s levee project is complete, strengthening flood protection along the Kansas and Missouri rivers for residents, businesses and critical infrastructure. Drinking Water: Missouri DNR awarded $2.28 million to a Howard County water district and $2 million to a Moniteau County district for system upgrades. Landfill Expansion: Jefferson City’s landfill is nearing capacity as officials weigh a 15-acre expansion; DNR has held a public hearing on the proposal. Wildlife: The public can comment on a Shoal Creek mussel restoration plan, while suspected avian flu cases in Greene County waterfowl have raised local concern. Lower-Carbon Industry: Meta backed a Missouri low-carbon cement plant through a new Fortera deal.

Unseasonable Weather: Trenton recorded its warmest October average high since 1980, at 8.4 degrees above normal, while rainfall was below average. Farm Resilience: MU and Southern Illinois University researchers will use drones and AI to track drought stress in soybeans, aiming to help farmers manage water and protect yields. Water Systems: Missouri DNR awarded $2 million to upgrade Moniteau County water systems and $2.28 million for Howard County’s public water supply. Waste and Industry: Jefferson City is weighing a 15-acre landfill expansion as its existing site nears capacity; separately, Meta struck a deal to support a low-carbon cement plant in Missouri. Parks: Northwest Missouri State plans to seek a $490,000 state grant for Colden Pond improvements, including pond and pier renovations, a boardwalk and outdoor learning space.

Missouri Food & Farming: Southeast Missouri’s huitlacoche — a fungus that deforms corn — is finding a niche market, with some farmers selling it for $10 a pound. Lower-Carbon Industry: Meta struck a deal tied to a low-carbon cement plant planned for Missouri. Water & Waste: Missouri’s DNR awarded water-system grants to districts in Howard, Moniteau and Camden counties; meanwhile, Jefferson City is weighing a 15-acre landfill expansion as its current site nears capacity. Wildlife: Public comment is open on a Shoal Creek mussel restoration plan, and Greene County officials reported suspected avian flu in waterfowl. Recycling Roads: A look back at MoDOT’s “Roofs to Roads” program shows how recycled shingles have been used in Missouri asphalt since 2003.

Landfill Pressure: Jefferson City’s landfill is nearing capacity as officials consider a 15-acre expansion; Missouri DNR has held a public hearing on the proposal. Water Infrastructure: DNR awarded $2 million for Moniteau County water-system upgrades, alongside assistance for public water districts in Camden and Howard counties. Wildlife Watch: Avian flu is suspected in waterfowl in Greene County, according to the Springfield-Greene County Health Department. Conservation: Public comment is open on a Shoal Creek mussel restoration plan. New Missouri conservation agents have also taken posts in Sullivan and Scotland counties, with a focus on protecting local wildlife and natural resources. Wildlife Advice: A University of Missouri wildlife specialist says a skunk on the porch is usually no cause for alarm, but repeat visits may mean it is denning nearby.

Wildlife: Missouri’s new conservation agents are taking posts in Sullivan and Scotland County, while a University of Missouri wildlife expert advises homeowners to check for nearby dens if skunks repeatedly visit their porches. Severe-Weather Coverage: Radar gaps leave parts of the Ozarks and north-central Missouri with limited real-time storm information; Van Buren is working to address a local dead spot. Landfill Pressure: Jefferson City’s landfill is nearing capacity as officials consider a 15-acre expansion, with a Missouri DNR public hearing held on the proposal. Water and Habitat: DNR awarded millions for upgrades to several rural water systems, and the public can comment on a Shoal Creek mussel restoration plan. Officials also reported suspected avian flu in Greene County waterfowl and rabies in a Cole County bat.

Landfill Debate: Missouri DNR held a public hearing on a proposed 15-acre expansion of Jefferson City’s landfill, which is nearing capacity. Wildlife Health: Greene County health officials reported suspected avian flu in waterfowl in the county’s southeast; the cases have not been confirmed. Drinking Water: Howard County Public Water Supply District No. 2 received $2.28 million in state assistance for water system upgrades expected to finish by May 2027. Habitat: The public can comment on a proposed mussel restoration plan for Shoal Creek. Waste Reduction: A look back at MoDOT’s “Roofs to Roads” program highlights how recycled shingles have been used in Missouri asphalt since 2003, including on Route 61/67 in St. Louis County.

Solar Funding: Missouri Rep. Emanuel Cleaver joined 110 lawmakers urging the EPA to release nearly $7 billion for Solar for All, which aims to lower power bills for more than 900,000 households. The money remains frozen despite court rulings against its termination. Drinking Water: Missouri DNR awarded $2.28 million to a Howard County water district for system upgrades expected to finish by May 2027. Separate state awards are also funding water improvements in Moniteau, Camden and Atlanta. Wildlife Health: Springfield-Greene County health officials reported suspected avian flu in waterfowl in southeast Greene County. Low-Carbon Industry: Meta’s deal for credits tied to 200,000 tons of Fortera cement could help finance a planned Ste. Genevieve plant. Fortera says its cement produces 70% fewer emissions than conventional cement. Landfill Expansion: Jefferson City’s landfill is nearing capacity as officials consider a 15-acre expansion; the DNR held a public hearing, and residents were asked to comment.

Water Upgrades: Missouri DNR awarded Howard County’s water district $2.28 million for drinking-water system improvements, expected to be completed by May 2027. Wildlife Health: Springfield-Greene County health officials are investigating suspected avian flu in waterfowl in southeast Greene County. Cleaner Construction: Meta agreed to buy low-carbon cement credits tied to 200,000 tons of production, helping advance a Fortera plant planned for Ste. Genevieve. Landfill Pressure: Jefferson City’s landfill is nearing capacity as officials consider a 15-acre expansion; public comment is open. River Habitat: The public can weigh in on a proposed mussel restoration plan for Shoal Creek. Pesticide Lawsuit: A St. Louis jury sided with Bayer in a Roundup cancer case, as a Missouri judge reviews the company’s proposed settlement of thousands of claims.

Wildlife Health: Suspected bird flu cases in waterfowl in southeast Greene County add to four confirmed cases in Christian County. Health officials urge residents to avoid wild birds and their droppings, and keep pets away. River Restoration: The public can comment until Nov. 30 on a Shoal Creek plan to rebuild mussel populations affected by historic mining. Cleaner Industry: Meta has agreed to buy low-carbon cement credits tied to a proposed Fortera plant in Ste. Genevieve. The company says its process could cut emissions by 70% compared with conventional cement. Landfill Expansion: Jefferson City’s landfill is nearing capacity, and officials are weighing a 15-acre expansion. Missouri DNR is holding a public hearing on the proposal. Pesticide Lawsuits: A St. Louis jury cleared Bayer in a Roundup cancer case, the first trial since a Supreme Court ruling narrowed plaintiffs’ legal claims. A separate court is reviewing Bayer’s proposed $7.25 billion settlement of other cases.

River Restoration: The public can comment through Nov. 30 on a plan to rebuild mussel populations in Shoal Creek, part of restoration tied to historic mining damage in the Tri-State Mining District. Landfill Expansion: Missouri DNR is taking comments through Nov. 11 on a proposed 15.2-acre Jefferson City landfill expansion that could add about 18 years of capacity; the site has only three to four years of space left. Wildlife Health: Springfield-Greene County health officials warned of suspected bird flu in waterfowl in southeast Greene County, following confirmed cases in Christian County, and urged people to keep away from wild birds and their droppings. Cleaner Industry: Meta will buy low-carbon cement credits tied to about 200,000 tons of Fortera cement, supporting the company’s planned Ste. Genevieve plant. Fortera says its process can cut emissions by 70% compared with conventional cement. Drinking Water: State grants announced this week include $2 million for Moniteau County water system upgrades and $223,000 for a Camden County district.

Landfill Expansion: Jefferson City’s landfill has only three to four years of capacity left. Republic Services is seeking a 15.2-acre expansion that could keep it operating until about 2048; residents weighed in at a public hearing. Drinking Water: Missouri awarded $2 million for Moniteau County system upgrades, $635,272 to Atlanta and a $223,000 planning loan for a Camden County district. Home Energy: A $1.5 million Google grant is funding free weatherization in Montgomery, Pike, Lincoln and Warren counties, aiming to cut energy waste and household bills. Wildlife: The Missouri Department of Conservation and U.S. Geological Survey will continue invasive carp research and removal at Creve Coeur Lake from Nov. 1 through March 15.

Drinking Water: Missouri DNR awarded Moniteau County $2 million for water-system upgrades and Camden County $223,000 to plan improvements; Atlanta also received $635,272 for drinking-water work. The projects aim to strengthen local systems and keep water safe. Water Quality: A report says PFAS were found at every Missouri waterway site tested, renewing concerns about persistent pollution in state waters. Wildlife Management: The Conservation Department and U.S. Geological Survey will continue invasive carp research and removal at Creve Coeur Lake from Nov. 1 through March 15. Energy: Utilities say aging electric-grid infrastructure is a factor in rising bills across Kansas and Missouri, as data-center growth adds pressure to regional power planning.

Drinking Water: Missouri awarded Atlanta $635,272 for water-system upgrades and Camden County’s water district a $223,000 interest-free loan to plan improvements. Pollution: A report says PFAS were found at every Missouri waterway testing site. The state also plans a public hearing on Jefferson City’s proposed landfill expansion. Wildlife: Missouri conservation officials and the U.S. Geological Survey will continue invasive carp research and removal at Creve Coeur Lake from Nov. 1 through March 15. Energy: Rising demand from data centers and manufacturers is adding pressure to an aging Missouri-Kansas grid, raising questions about reliability and future bills. Conservation Access: Starting in March 2027, campers at Missouri conservation areas will need a $5 permit.