AGP Executive Report

Energy & Research: The University of Missouri broke ground on the Payne Energy Innovation Center, a $50 million, 116,000-square-foot facility aimed at making power-and-water technologies more sustainable and efficient, with an opening planned for July 2028. Heat & Health: A Kansas City high school dismissed students early after its air-conditioning failed during a punishing heatwave, while mid-Missouri residents report ticks, heavy rain, and extreme heat worsening summer conditions and raising concerns about alpha-gal syndrome. Allergies: Fall allergy season is ramping up across Missouri, with ragweed, chenopod, and nettle pollen counts elevated. Invasive Species: Nebraska wildlife officials say brittle naiad has been found in Missouri River backwaters and urge hunters and boaters to clean, drain, and dry gear to stop spread. Wildlife Education: The DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge is hosting monarch butterfly events in September, including tagging activities that help scientists track migration. Water & Infrastructure: A Columbia Bottom Conservation Area closure is planned for Sept. 8 for levee setback work. Energy Infrastructure Debate: Opposition continues to a proposed AEP transmission line tied to a “Branson 345 overlay,” with landowners raising concerns about impacts on farms and animals.

Heat & Storm Strain: Columbia residents are dealing with a rough Labor Day stretch as extreme heat, heavy rain, and tick surges drive more health worries, including growing concern around alpha-gal syndrome. Wildlife Watch: The DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge is hosting monarch butterfly learning and tagging events in September, using recovered tags to track migration. Invasive Species Alert: Nebraska wildlife officials warn waterfowl hunters about brittle naiad, an invasive aquatic weed found in Missouri River backwaters, urging “Clean, Drain, and Dry” every trip. Hazmat Response: Troy, Missouri declared a state of emergency after an anhydrous ammonia leak sent nearby schools into shelter-in-place and triggered evacuations in the Meadowridge subdivision. Energy & Infrastructure: A proposed transmission line tied to a Branson-area overlay faces community opposition over potential impacts on farms and animals, while a separate national look at renewable energy siting bills suggests 2027 could bring the biggest fight yet. Local Governance: Platte City approved changes letting its only licensed dispensary operate 24 hours, reflecting how Missouri’s cannabis rules keep evolving.

Invasive Species Alert: Nebraska waterfowl hunters are being urged to be extra careful after brittle naiad—an aggressive aquatic weed—was found in Missouri River backwaters near Niobrara and Bazile Creek WMA; officials say it spreads by seed and tiny fragments, so everyone should clean, drain, and dry gear every time they leave the water. Wildlife & Habitat: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge near Missouri Valley is hosting monarch butterfly learning and tagging events in September, using recovered tags to help scientists track migration and navigation to Mexico. Climate/Weather Impacts on Missouri Farms: University of Missouri Extension warns drought plus prolonged heat is shrinking soybean yields as soil moisture drops and heat speeds moisture loss, with livestock producers in parts of southwest Missouri feeding hay earlier than normal. Public Safety (Hazmat): Troy, Missouri declared a state of emergency after an anhydrous ammonia leak sent nearby schools into shelter-in-place and triggered evacuation orders for the Meadowridge subdivision. Local Environment & Community: A proposed AEP transmission line tied to a “Branson 345 overlay” is drawing opposition in the region, with residents raising concerns about impacts on animals, students, and rural land. Energy Policy: Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway says a federal court struck down New York’s Climate Change Superfund Act, arguing the state law overreached and conflicts with federal Clean Air Act authority. Clean Tech & Materials: Ionic Rare Earths and US Strategic Metals announced plans for a rare-earth magnet recycling campus in Missouri, aiming to process end-of-life magnets and scrap to strengthen domestic critical mineral supply.

Industrial Safety & Emergency Response: An anhydrous ammonia leak near Highway J and Bobeen Lane in Troy triggered a state of emergency, shelter-in-place orders for schools, and evacuation orders for the Meadowridge subdivision while multiple state and local agencies responded. Wildlife & Habitat: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge near Missouri Valley is hosting monarch butterfly tagging events Sept. 4 and Sept. 19, using recovered tags to help scientists study migration routes to Mexico. Climate & Legal Policy: Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway says a federal court struck down New York’s $75 billion Climate Change Superfund Act as unenforceable, arguing it overreaches state power over interstate air pollution. Agriculture & Drought Impacts: University of Missouri Extension reports heat and drought are cutting soybean yields as soil moisture drops, with livestock producers in parts of southwest Missouri buying hay earlier due to forage shortages. Clean Tech & Materials: Ionic Rare Earths and US Strategic Metals plan a $100 million rare-earth magnet recycling campus in Missouri to process end-of-life magnets and scrap, aiming to strengthen domestic critical mineral supply chains. Outdoor Recreation: Missouri’s MDC will temporarily close the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area starting Sept. 8 for a setback levee project, with access restored when safe.

Water Quality Accountability: Missouri American Water was fined $630 by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources after a Crestwood water main break sent chlorinated water into a Gravois Creek tributary and killed 365 fish; DNR said chlorine levels exceeded warmwater limits for aquatic life. Wildlife-Friendly City Lighting: The Gateway Arch in St. Louis will turn off exterior lights to help migrating birds navigate at night, with lights returning Oct. 1. Biodiversity in Action: Missouri conservation partners are inviting the public to a Mississippi Greenway Cliff Cave BioBlitz on Sept. 19 to log local species and support land management decisions. Invasive Species Watch: Freshwater jellyfish were spotted near Canyon Ferry Reservoir in Montana, a rare find that highlights how quickly new wildlife surprises can show up. Heat & Weather: A forecast roundup points to very hot late-summer conditions across the region, with Missouri facing ongoing heat advisories.

Heat & Drought Watch: Missouri is dealing with worsening dryness as a flash drought spreads from the Southern Plains into the Ozarks, with hotter-than-normal conditions drying out pastures and pushing some producers toward supplemental feed and even hauling water. Citizen Science for Biodiversity: Missouri conservation partners are inviting the public to the Mississippi Greenway: Cliff Cave BioBlitz on Sept. 19, a free 24-hour push to record local species and support conservation decisions. Wildlife & Water Rights: Stream advocates are pressing for answers on freshwater enforcement, including how water rights are handled during low-flow conditions. Ag Soil Health: A new national cover crop report says more farmers are planting cover crops on record acres, boosting yields and weed control—good news for soil and water quality. Local Community Support: Springfield’s “Handbags of Hope” fundraiser is raising money for mental health and support programs for children in Missouri foster care. Public Health Signal: Hawaiʻi wastewater tested positive for dengue virus, with officials noting no active cases reported—another reminder that mosquito-borne risks can surface even where outbreaks aren’t established.

Missouri Water & Health: A wastewater sample from Hawaiʻi County tested positive for dengue virus, with officials noting no active local cases yet and emphasizing mosquito risk and travel-linked history. Missouri Environment & Wildlife: Monarch butterflies are moving through Missouri again, and local educators are urging people to plant native fall nectar sources to help the migrating generation make it safely. Missouri Clean Energy & Industry: MU broke ground on the Payne Energy Innovation Center, a new facility aimed at making power-and-water technologies more sustainable and efficient. Missouri Critical Minerals: Ionic Rare Earths and Missouri-based US Strategic Metals outlined a magnet recycling joint venture near Fredericktown to process recycled rare-earth magnets. Missouri River Research: USGS dye-tracing work on Montana’s Missouri River showed how contaminants can move unevenly, including an 8.2-hour residence time in a reservoir. Local Public Safety: Columbia police met downtown nightlife managers after violent incidents, focusing on better communication and safer, more welcoming streets. Missouri Outdoors: Missouri State Parks listed September events, including guided hikes and fireside chats at state parks.

Drought Watch in Missouri: The state’s 11-month drought alert has officially expired, but MoDNR says it will keep monitoring conditions and can restart action if dry weather worsens. Cover Crops Momentum: A new national survey finds strong, growing interest in cover crops, with many farmers planting hundreds of acres and expecting to expand next year. Wildlife & Public Safety: At Mozingo Lake Recreation Park, a July Fourth boating incident involving geese has sparked renewed calls for visitors to respect wildlife habitats. Ticks & Alpha-gal Spread: Alpha-gal syndrome is moving fast, with Arkansas emerging as a hotspot and researchers pointing to possible clues behind the surge. Monarch Education: MDC and Columbia Public Schools are hosting a free monarch butterfly tagging event in Columbia on Sept. 24. Local Water & Flood Work: Klingner & Associates named Joshua Leyh as Water Resources Department Manager, highlighting Missouri-area flood protection and river modeling work. Data Center Backlash: Missouri and Kansas communities continue pushing back against data centers, with residents and officials arguing over impacts and costs.

Regional Air Quality Fight: Missouri environmental advocates are urging the Missouri Air Conservation Commission to reject the state’s proposed Regional Haze Plan, saying it would weaken air-pollution controls from coal plants and hurt visibility in national parks and wilderness areas. Local Water Infrastructure: Moberly is moving ahead with a multimillion-dollar wastewater project meant to reduce reliance on lagoons by routing sewage into a new sewer line, with new force sewer, pumping stations, and generators. Drought Watch: Dry conditions are returning across parts of Missouri as fall approaches, with about 41% of the state listed as abnormally dry and officials warning drought could persist or expand. Wildlife & Habitat: A Missouri guide highlights signs that could indicate mountain lions are nearby, urging residents to contact the Missouri Department of Conservation if multiple indicators show up. Plant Science: U. Missouri and partners mapped hundreds of chemical defenses on wild tomatillo fruit surfaces, finding sticky acyl sugars that may be more abundant on fruits than leaves.

Regional Air Pollution Fight: Missouri environmental groups are urging regulators to reject the state’s proposed Regional Haze Plan, saying it would weaken protections for visibility in national parks and wilderness and roll back consent agreements at major coal plants. Drought Watch: As fall nears, Missouri’s drought picture is worsening again, with about 41% of the state abnormally dry and heat/dryness threatening hundreds of thousands of residents. Local Water & Habitat Funding: The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced nearly $5 million in grants to restore forests and wetlands in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley, aiming to improve habitat and water quality. Wildlife Conservation: St. Louis Zoo red wolf pups have been fostered into a new wild pack in North Carolina, a move meant to boost genetic diversity for the critically endangered species. Community Clean Water Action: Iowa’s volunteer paddling cleanup removed more than 11 tons of trash from the Little Turkey and Turkey rivers, with most materials recycled. Power Grid Tension: Wisconsin residents are pushing back against a proposed second 765-kilovolt transmission line through the Driftless region, arguing it’s the wrong place for high-voltage infrastructure. Agriculture Innovation: Researchers report a newly discovered soybean nodulation mechanism that could be tuned to improve yields and resilience. Public Safety & Heat: A heat advisory remains in effect for parts of the Midwest, including northeast Missouri, warning of dangerous heat index conditions. Missouri Courts on Stadium Incentives: The Missouri Supreme Court is weighing whether opponents of Kansas City stadium tax incentives have standing to challenge the law.

Transmission & Grid Planning: Residents in Wisconsin’s Driftless region are alarmed by a proposed second 765-kilovolt power line, saying the environmentally sensitive area isn’t the right place for high-voltage infrastructure, while developers argue transmission buildout is critical for the grid. Missouri Climate Resilience: St. Louis engineers and city officials are rethinking roads, parking lots, and sewers as temperatures and rainfall rise, using tools like rain gardens and permeable surfaces to manage stormwater. Data Center Fight in St. Louis: A lawsuit seeks to halt a proposed St. Louis data center over concerns including noise, water use, electricity demand, and a lack of environmental impact assessment and transparency. Clean Air Court Battle: Missouri and other Republican attorneys general are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a decision upholding tighter soot pollution limits, arguing EPA overstepped outside its regular review process. Farm Food Safety: A Missouri farm tour highlighted how produce safety planning starts before food reaches consumers, including managing water, workers, and wildlife contact. Heat Safety for Sports: Mid-Missouri heatwave conditions are pushing schools and colleges to tighten heat protocols, using wet-bulb globe temperature monitoring to adjust outdoor activity. Eco-Friendly Enzyme Tech: University of Missouri researchers expanded a water-based method to encapsulate enzymes in MOFs, aiming for more stable, greener industrial biocatalysts. Wildlife & Roads: A Missouri wildlife study points to roads needing animal crossings to reduce wildlife-vehicle conflicts.

Air Pollution Fight: Missouri-linked AG Russell Coleman and other Republican attorneys general asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a decision upholding tighter EPA soot pollution limits, arguing the EPA exceeded its authority—an issue with major public health and air quality stakes. Wildlife & Habitat Management: Iowa DNR plans to expand the waterfowl refuge at Riverton WMA and reduce disturbance by closing an access road during duck season. Local Environmental Accountability: Clermont County officials say they’re ready to sue over toxic coal ash cleanup at the former Beckjord coal plant, warning it could contaminate drinking water. Missouri Nature & Roads: A Missouri wildlife connectivity study highlights where animal crossings are most needed, pointing to deer-vehicle collisions even in urban areas. Missouri Water & Growth: MU and Boone County celebrated a new Jefferson Farm and Garden learning center to expand hands-on education tied to agriculture and environment. Data Center Backlash: Cities and residents continue pushing back on data centers through lawsuits and public opposition, with concerns ranging from pollution and water use to local impacts.

Wildlife Crossings: A Missouri wildlife connectivity study says deer are getting hit in St. Louis and Kansas City urban cores, pushing for more animal-friendly road planning. Monarch Watch: Missouri Conservation Corps will host monarch tagging sessions in September at Bonnie View Nature Center and Big Muddy National Wildlife Refuge, plus a family day in Boonville. Data Center Backlash: Residents and groups sued St. Louis over a proposed Midtown data center, arguing zoning, pollution, noise, and power needs weren’t properly handled. Local Transit Relief: Kansas City approved $8.3 million to keep KCATA bus routes from major cuts through April, protecting service for riders who rely on it. Fire Safety: Stage 1 fire restrictions start Aug. 28 in Fergus and Petroleum counties, limiting open burning and other ignition activities. Water & Stormwater: Columbia moved ahead with phase two of its wastewater and stormwater plan to protect public health and the environment. Heat Risk: A heat advisory warns of high heat index values across parts of northeast Missouri and surrounding areas. Off-Grid Living: A Missouri man’s $15,000 straw bale home shows how passive solar design can keep long-term energy costs extremely low.

Monarch Watch in Missouri: The Missouri Conservation Corps will host free monarch butterfly tagging sessions in September at Bonnie View Nature Center (Columbia) and Big Muddy National Wildlife Refuge (Boonville), plus a Monarch Migration Family Day at the Katy Depot—aimed at teaching how tagging helps track the fall migration to Mexico. Data Center Backlash: Residents and environmental groups filed a lawsuit against a proposed St. Louis Midtown data center, arguing the city board wrongly granted a conditional use permit and raised concerns about air and water pollution, construction noise, and electricity demand. Water & Stormwater Planning: Columbia’s second phase of its integrated wastewater and stormwater plan moves forward after City Council approval, targeting sewer upgrades, inflow/infiltration reduction, and stormwater projects to protect public health and the environment. Wildfire Readiness: Stage 1 fire restrictions take effect in Fergus and Petroleum Counties due to hot, dry conditions, limiting activities on state and private lands. Heat Risk: A heat advisory warns of heat index values up to 105 across parts of northeast Missouri and surrounding areas, urging hydration and staying out of the sun. Outdoor Safety & Wildlife: Missouri Conservation guidance highlights that snakes are protected statewide, with exceptions for venomous snakes near people.

Data Center Fight in St. Louis: Residents and groups including the Missouri Workers’ Center and Missouri Coalition for the Environment filed suit over a proposed Midtown data center, arguing the city board wrongly denied appeals and that the project could bring air and water pollution, construction noise, and heavy electricity demand. Local Governance: St. Louis aldermen also advanced tighter data center rules, aiming to strengthen renewable energy and sustainability requirements while not affecting already-approved projects. Climate & Hazards: A new model warns tornado risk could expand into more of the Midwest, Great Lakes and Northeast by 2065–2099, potentially increasing danger for Missouri families. Wildlife & Public Safety: A Reuters explainer highlights BearWise guidance as drought-driven wildlands damage pushes bears into towns; Missouri conservation staff are quoted on what to do in defensive vs. aggressive encounters. Outdoor Season Prep: Missouri anglers and hunters are gearing up for September, with tips for early waterfowl and fall fishing as cooler weather approaches. Health & Community: Kansas City-area public health departments report vaccination demand down 20–30%, raising measles concerns as some families rely on exemptions.

Midtown Data Center Lawsuit: Residents and Missouri environmental groups sued St. Louis over a proposed Midtown data center, arguing the Board of Adjustment wrongly granted a conditional use permit and raising concerns about air and water pollution, construction noise, and electricity demand. Local Governance: St. Louis aldermen also advanced tighter data-center rules, aiming to use city leverage to require renewable energy and other sustainability protections. Severe Weather Forecast: A new climate model warns tornado “danger conditions” could expand across the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Northeast by 2065–2099, including parts of Missouri, even as traditional tornado zones don’t necessarily become safer. Wildlife & Safety: Missouri conservation officials are cited in guidance on bear encounters as drought-driven food shortages push bears into towns; the piece also notes what to do with defensive vs. aggressive bears. Outdoor Education: Missouri’s fall hunter education classes are filling fast, with in-person skills sessions required for youth before they can get hunting permits. Agriculture & Weeds: A Purdue weed scientist warns waterhemp resistance to group 15 herbicides, bleaching herbicides, and 2,4-D is spreading across the Midwest, including Missouri.