AGP Executive Report

Water & Infrastructure: St. Louis officials shut down major roads after a sinkhole formed near I-70 at Broadway and Biddle, tied to multiple water main breaks; MoDOT and the city are monitoring exposed I-44 bridge footings and working to stop the flow feeding the erosion. Pollution Watch: Missouri DNR wrapped up an investigation into a Reynolds County fish kill in the Black River watershed after a suspected wastewater pH issue from Doe Run; samples were within protective levels, but enforcement will follow if violations are found. Heat & Health: Missouri agencies warn that high heat and humidity can quickly push dangerous heat index conditions for people and pets, and NOAA UV guidance can help residents avoid UV overexposure. Wildlife Conservation: Miller Park Zoo in Illinois welcomed four red wolf pups—one more step for a species with only about 25 believed to remain in the wild. Outdoor/Community: Jefferson Farm and Garden’s Butterfly Festival in Columbia drew a turnout despite rain, with kids’ plant activities and new butterfly arrivals. Policy Fight Over Water: Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway joined 14 GOP attorneys general urging EPA to classify mifepristone as a water contaminant, despite experts saying there’s no clear harm to waterways. Local Governance: Jefferson City is set to consider bans on minibikes and stunt driving, including fines and possible towing.

Water & Wildlife Watch: Missouri DNR is investigating a fish kill in Reynolds County’s Black River tributary after Doe Run Company reported a suspected wastewater release tied to pH permit limits; the agency says the situation is no longer an emergency but enforcement will follow if violations are found. Sinkhole Response: MoDNR sent the Missouri Geological Survey to help St. Louis officials evaluate a sinkhole near I-70 after water main breaks, noting thousands of sinkholes statewide and urging continued monitoring. Pesticides & Courts: A pesticide industry push for “liability shield” laws is heating up ahead of a July 2026 Supreme Court decision that could limit lawsuits over “failure to warn” claims tied to glyphosate. Invasive Species: Missouri Agriculture is responding to New World screwworm detections in Texas and New Mexico, working with producers to slow spread. Outdoor & Community: Columbia residents reported confirmed black bear sightings as the population grows and bears move north for food. Agriculture Update: Early University of Missouri wheat trials in southeast Missouri show promising, above-average yields. Heat & Storms: National reporting flags record-breaking summer heat and severe storm risk across the Plains and Midwest, with Missouri in the mix.

Severe Weather Watch: Mid-Missouri is under an enhanced severe storm risk with damaging winds, large hail, and an isolated tornado possible Saturday, plus a Flood Watch through early Sunday as heavy rain could worsen flooding. Water Quality & Wildlife: Missouri DNR says a wastewater release tied to Doe Run Company contributed to a fish kill in a Black River tributary; investigators are sampling and say the river has diluted the discharge enough that it’s no longer an emergency, but enforcement could follow. Growing Wildlife in Towns: Missouri Conservation confirmed black bear sightings in Columbia, including near a gym parking lot and Planet Fitness, as the state’s bear population expands and younger bears push farther north. Missouri Agriculture: MU early wheat variety trials in southeast Missouri show promising, above-average yields, with some locations topping 100 bushels per acre. Invasive Species Alert: Missouri officials are responding to confirmed New World screwworm detections in Texas and New Mexico, coordinating with producers to slow spread. Public Health & Environment: A coalition of GOP attorneys general, including Missouri’s, is urging EPA to study whether mifepristone should be classified as a water contaminant. Policy & Accountability: A pesticide industry push for “liability shield” laws is gaining traction as the Supreme Court is expected to rule in July 2026 on whether federal law blocks state failure-to-warn lawsuits tied to glyphosate.

Water & Health Fight: Missouri AG Andrew Murrill and 14 GOP states are urging the EPA to add mifepristone to its contaminant list, arguing it could threaten waterways—while health and environmental experts say there’s no clear harm shown from medication abortion in wastewater. Local Environment Watch: Missouri DNR is still investigating a fish kill tied to a suspected Doe Run Company wastewater release into a tributary of the Black River; officials say dilution reduced risk to humans and wildlife, but enforcement could follow. Wildlife in the City: Black bear sightings in Columbia are increasing as the state’s bear population grows; experts warn that bears often return when they find easy human food sources. Severe Weather Signals: Illinois is reporting a record tornado count for 2026 so far, with Missouri also seeing high numbers—another reminder that storm risk is shifting. Missouri Agriculture: Early University of Missouri wheat trials in southeast Missouri are turning up strong yields, with some locations topping 100 bushels per acre. Pesticide Accountability Battle: Pesticide makers are pushing “liability shield” laws to limit lawsuits over products like glyphosate as the Supreme Court weighs whether federal law blocks state failure-to-warn claims.

Missouri Water Infrastructure: A Missouri lawmaker is coordinating with Cape Girardeau leaders and MoDOT to assess flood-control needs on Kingshighway, including stormwater rules, maintenance capacity, and long-term mitigation options. Missouri River Planning: Two U.S. Senate bills would fund $20 million in feasibility studies for proposed Missouri River drinking-water pipelines in South Dakota, not construction. Gulf Hypoxia Progress: States in the Mississippi and Atchafalaya basin surpassed a 2025 interim nitrogen-reduction goal, cutting nitrogen loads 28% from baseline, while phosphorus reductions lag and “legacy phosphorus” remains a concern. Outdoor & Wildlife: The Missouri Department of Conservation welcomed a new conservation agent assignment in Jefferson County, highlighting local outdoor stewardship. Public Health (Heat): DHSS is warning World Cup visitors in Kansas City about high heat and humidity, urging hydration, breaks in shade/AC, and medication caution. Energy & Air Pollution: Fulton and four other Missouri cities are seeking $10 million in damages from Ameren over Clean Air Act violations tied to the Rush Island coal plant shutdown. Housing & Homelessness: Jefferson City’s planning commission rejected rezoning for a proposed year-round homeless shelter and resource center, despite broad public support. Agriculture & Policy: A push for year-round E15 sales could boost corn demand but may complicate soybean markets. Pesticide Liability Fight: Pesticide makers are lobbying for “liability shield” laws to block lawsuits over products like glyphosate, as a Supreme Court ruling looms.

Heat Safety for World Cup Crowds: Missouri DHSS is warning Kansas City visitors and residents about high heat and humidity as World Cup events kick off, urging steady hydration, breaks in shade/AC, and extra care for kids, pets, and anyone on heat-sensitive medications. Water-Quality Fight Over Abortion Pills: Missouri Attorney General Liz Murrill joined a 14-state push for the EPA to study whether mifepristone could contaminate waterways, arguing the drug’s growing use and wastewater limits raise Safe Drinking Water Act concerns. Invasive Species Watch: Wildlife officials confirmed invasive fish reports in community ponds in Three Forks and Livingston, highlighting how illegal introductions can threaten local ecosystems. Missouri River Earthquake Legacy: A look back at the 1811-1812 New Madrid earthquakes explains how seismic shifts briefly changed Mississippi River behavior, leaving lasting features in the region. Local Nature Restoration: Rolla and the Missouri Department of Conservation added floating wetlands at Ber Juan Lake to cut nutrient runoff and curb algae blooms. Rural Health Pressure: Audrain County residents are still feeling the impact of hospital closures, with care now often requiring travel to Columbia.

Data Center Backlash in Missouri: A new report highlights how hyperscale data centers are moving faster than Missouri rules, pushing communities toward moratoriums and political fights; Missouri Rep. Mike Costlow says legislation often lags the tech. Floating Wetlands for Cleaner Water: Rolla partnered with the Missouri Department of Conservation to add three floating wetlands at Ber Juan Lake to cut algae blooms by filtering nutrients from stormwater runoff. Severe Weather Preparedness: Jasper County residents are invited to complete a natural disaster survey as local officials update hazard plans required under federal law. Pollinator Event in Columbia: Jefferson Farm and Garden will host its ninth annual Butterfly Festival, a free event focused on native butterflies and habitat for pollinators. Invasive Fish Warning: Missouri conservation officials urge anglers to kill northern snakeheads the right way if caught, after the invasive “Frankenfish” was spotted in New York. AI Regulation Fight: A push to regulate artificial intelligence is splitting Democrats between compromise and sweeping rules, with job and environmental impacts driving the debate. Missouri Higher Ed Funding Deadline: State higher education leaders face a Dec. 1 deadline to craft a new formula for distributing aid, with lawmakers keeping total funding flat. Construction Workforce Gap: Missouri is dealing with a construction labor shortage, and the University of Missouri is launching short-term training programs to speed people into high-demand construction careers. World Cup Heat & Storm Risks: Coverage notes the 2026 FIFA World Cup is arriving with extreme heat and volatile weather concerns across host cities.

AI & Energy Footprint: A new report says AI data centers can create a “data heat island effect,” with land temperatures rising around facilities, while electricity demand for data centers keeps climbing fast. Missouri Governance: The Nodaway County Health Center board discussed a proposed data center and said any project would be regulated under state and federal rules with oversight from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Water & Public Health: Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway is part of a 14-state push urging the EPA to tighten monitoring of the abortion drug mifepristone due to concerns about contamination in waterways. Invasive Species: Invasive fish were reported in community ponds in Three Forks and Livingston, prompting reminders about illegal introductions and state licensing rules. Local Water Infrastructure: A Senate committee advanced $20 million for Missouri River drinking-water pipeline feasibility studies in South Dakota, while Missouri communities also continue water-treatment upgrade funding. Community Cleanups: Missouri Stream Teams is urging businesses to join Plastic Free July as part of Lake Appreciation Month, targeting single-use plastic pollution. World Cup Security: Missouri’s AG also warned that the FIFA World Cup could raise human trafficking risks as large crowds and travel increase opportunities for traffickers.

World Cup Security & AI: The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off next week with an “unprecedented” security setup across 16 U.S. cities, using drones, robot dogs, X-ray trucks, and AI cameras amid broader fears of disruption. Missouri Water Planning: Missouri DNR awarded drinking-water engineering grants to Caledonia and Holcomb ($67,500 total) and to Waverly ($37,500) to evaluate system upgrades and keep water quality standards on track. Big Drinking-Water Investment: Maryville secured $52.5 million to modernize its drinking water treatment, including a new surface water plant, with work expected to finish by July 2028. Waterway Pollution Fight: Missouri and other GOP attorneys general are pushing the EPA to add mifepristone to monitoring lists, arguing abortion-pill waste could contaminate waterways. Energy-Saving Cooling Tips: The U.S. Department of Energy and Energy Star recommend setting thermostats to about 78°F in summer to manage humidity and cut cooling costs. Habitat Connectivity: A global push to reconnect wildlife corridors highlights crossings and roadside fencing to reduce deadly animal-vehicle collisions. Local Stream Cleanup: Springfield Art Museum and the Park Board continue volunteer work on Fassnight Creek, building on a flood mitigation and ecological restoration project. Heat & Storm Watch: Severe storm risk is elevated in parts of the Midwest, with flooding concerns tied to slow-moving storms and high humidity.

World Cup Air Monitoring in Missouri: Missouri’s Department of Natural Resources is teaming up with the EPA and other agencies to monitor air quality at Kansas City-area World Cup venues, using sensitive sensors for particulates and hazardous substances. Drinking Water Upgrade Funding (Maryville): DNR awarded Maryville $52.5 million for a new surface water treatment plant and system improvements, backed by a $2.5 million grant and a $50 million loan through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, targeting completion by July 2028. Harmful Algal Blooms Warning: Missouri State Parks says heat and nutrient pollution are fueling cyanobacteria blooms in ponds and lakes; residents are urged not to swim, drink, or let pets near suspicious “scum” and to report it. Conservation Camping Permits Proposed: The Missouri Department of Conservation is seeking a $5 permit system for conservation-area camping after violations and environmental damage rose sharply since 2015; public comment runs July 16–Aug. 14. New World Screwworm Response: USDA confirmed a New World screwworm case in Texas and says partners are increasing outreach and inspections in nearby areas, including New Mexico. Missouri Soybean Pest Update: University of Missouri research found stink bugs are widespread in state soybeans, with the green stink bug making up over 80% of collected insects.

Missouri Agriculture: New University of Missouri research finds stink bugs are widespread across the state’s soybean fields, with the green stink bug making up more than 80% of the insects collected in a two-year statewide survey—information growers can use to better time scouting and management. Missouri Outdoors & Wildlife: A Missouri tick roundup highlights where tick activity is spiking across the state and offers practical ways to reduce bites during peak summer exposure. Local Government & Infrastructure: Northwest Missouri State University is entering the final phase of a major campus modernization project, including HVAC upgrades and a shift from a centralized steam plant to a decentralized hot water system. Missouri Water & Health: A Missouri heat-safety guide explains when bottled water left in a hot car is still safe to drink and when it’s best to toss it. Heartland Tech & Community: Maryville city leaders discussed rules tied to scooters and a proposed data center, reflecting how fast-growing development pressures are colliding with day-to-day public space concerns.

Missouri Conservation: The Missouri Department of Conservation is reminding people to keep baby wildlife wild—don’t approach or handle young animals, since parents are usually nearby and stress or disease risk can be serious. Water & Rivers: Missouri Stream Teams is kicking off National Rivers Month with stream cleanups, water-quality monitoring, tree planting, and a “Stream Team Slam” for stickers and prize entries. Local Wildlife & Fishing: Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is urging walleye anglers at Canyon Ferry Reservoir to keep more smaller fish to protect the fishery’s overall balance and boost the number of large walleye. Data Centers vs. Communities (Missouri): Maryville City Council heard public concerns tied to a proposed data center, alongside discussion of scooter rules and sidewalk safety. Water Infrastructure: EPA approved a $40 million WIFIA loan for South Sioux City wastewater upgrades—aimed at protecting the Missouri River and improving local treatment capacity. Water Stewardship (Google): Google says it’s expanding water conservation and wetlands restoration funding tied to its growing data center footprint, including projects in Missouri. Extreme Heat & the Grid: A new report says extreme heat is shifting from “tail risk” to a design baseline for the power system as drought and demand growth strain reliability.

World Cup Security: The 2026 FIFA men’s World Cup kicks off next week with an “unprecedented” security setup across 16 U.S., Canada, and Mexico cities, involving federal, state, local, and private teams using drones, robot dogs, X-ray trucks, and AI cameras—amid war-related tensions and fears of AI-fueled disruption. Missouri Weather & Heat: Central Missouri is bracing for scattered storms with locally heavy rain and damaging winds, then a midweek jump into low-90s heat and near-100° heat index values. Wildlife & Habitat: Missouri residents report frequent wildlife encounters this summer, with the state’s most common species driving both fun and risk. Conservation & Outdoor Life: Missouri’s yucca is getting a spotlight as a drought-tolerant, pollinator-friendly landscaping pick, while local trail hikes and nearby outdoor getaways highlight how people are connecting with nature close to home. Community Fire Readiness: Missouri awarded $1.455 million in equipment grants to 108 volunteer fire departments statewide to strengthen rural response. Data Center Backlash: In the Heartland, communities and lawmakers are clashing over data center development, with residents raising concerns about water and energy use.

Missouri Weather Watch: Central Missouri faces scattered showers and storms with locally heavy rain and a risk of damaging winds, followed by a hotter, more humid midweek stretch with heat indexes near 100°F. Water & Pollution: Iowa residents are dealing with water pollution that harms health and spoils summer recreation, with bacteria and nutrient runoff driving unsafe conditions. Data Centers & Water: Google says it will replenish more water than it uses at U.S. data centers by 2030, expanding cooling and reclaimed-water efforts amid local concerns. Wildlife & Livestock Health: Missouri has activated its response plan after the New World screwworm was detected in Texas, coordinating with state and federal partners to protect animals and wildlife. Outdoor Missouri: A guide highlights five close-to-home Missouri adventures, from Elephant Rocks State Park to nearby paddling and camping spots. Severe Weather Beyond Missouri: Forecasts warn of a major Upper Midwest severe outbreak Wednesday, with tornadoes, very large hail, and damaging winds possible. Reuse Push: A new global symbol aims to make reusable packaging easier to spot, arguing reuse can cut emissions far more than recycling alone.

Severe Weather Watch: Central Missouri is bracing for scattered storms with locally heavy rain, possible damaging winds, and a midweek heat surge with heat index values near 100°F. Missouri Water Quality & Health: Iowa’s water pollution story is a warning sign for the region—fertilizer and manure runoff feed algae blooms and bacteria, hurting swimming and outdoor summer plans. Lake Erosion Fight: Table Rock Lake property owners are pushing to regulate wakeboats after complaints that bigger wakes are accelerating shoreline erosion and damaging docks and lifts. Data Centers & Water Use: Google says it will replenish more water than its U.S. data centers consume by 2030, aiming to ease community concerns about cooling water demands. Wildlife & Livestock Threat: Missouri has activated its New World Screwworm response plan after USDA confirmed the pest in a Texas calf, raising stakes for animal movement and producer losses. Outdoor Access Policy: Missouri conservation areas may require $5 camping permits starting in 2027, as officials respond to illegal overnights and overstays. Local Leadership: Jasper County 4-H youth took part in state congress and teen conference, pairing leadership training with service projects.

New World Screwworm in Missouri response: The Missouri Department of Agriculture says USDA-APHIS confirmed New World Screwworm in a 3-week-old calf in Texas, prompting Missouri to activate its New World Screwworm Response Plan and a joint working group with USDA, U Extension, MDC, and the state health department. Missouri flooding watch: With May rainfall heavy and ground saturated, Missouri Mesonet reporting highlights both flash flooding and slower river flooding risks across central Missouri. Lake erosion fight on Table Rock: Shell Knob residents are pushing for action over wakeboats, saying larger wakes are accelerating shoreline erosion and damaging docks and lifts. Conservation outdoors updates: Missouri conservation areas may require $5 camping permits starting in 2027, and MDC is seeking public input on proposed camping permit changes. Wildlife and health: Missouri is seeing a “sweet spot” for tick activity, and a new report links wildfire smoke exposure to fertility concerns among wildland firefighters. Reuse push: PR3 unveiled a global symbol for reusable packaging and reuse systems, aiming to cut single-use packaging and emissions.