AGP Executive Report

WNBA & Iowa pride: Caitlin Clark powered the Indiana Fever to a 98-87 win over the Dallas Wings, finishing with 29 points and 10 assists, while also returning after an early foot/ankle scare. International hoops: Clark and Paige Bueckers will both debut for the U.S. senior team at the FIBA World Cup in Berlin next month. Iowa courts & consumer protection: The Eighth Circuit upheld Iowa’s ban on residential contractors serving as public adjusters, a “double-dipping” rule aimed at stopping insurance-repair scams. Iowa football: Kirk Ferentz said the Hawkeyes’ QB competition is still open as Iowa heads toward its Sept. 5 opener, with practice and “situational football” expected to decide it. Public health: A cyclospora outbreak linked to recalled lettuce continues to spread, with Iowa reporting new cases. Local sports: East Marshall’s Peyton Grabenbauer and other area players earned Iowa All-State softball honors. Entertainment: Slipknot confirmed Sid Wilson’s exit after weeks of rumors, then deleted the post—sparking more fan confusion.

Field of Dreams, Iowa sports: Kyle Schwarber launched two homers as the Phillies beat the Twins 7-1 in Thursday’s Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, with MLB confirming the event returns in 2027 (Red Sox vs. Royals). Local youth sports: Iowa is back in the Little League World Series after Davenport Northwest won the Midwest Region title, beating Whitefish Bay 7-6 in extra innings. Iowa politics: At the Des Moines Register Soapbox, Democratic Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott attacked GOP Rep. Zach Nunn over costs and corruption, while Josh Turek urged Democrats to move a farm bill forward. Food safety: The cyclospora outbreak linked to recalled lettuce keeps widening, with FDA investigators visiting Taylor Farms’ Mexico operation. Health care/legal: An Iowa nursing home chain faces new lawsuits over unpaid bills and wrongful death claims. Community & infrastructure: Columbus Junction council voted to repair Maple Street, with options ranging from about $99,000 to $139,000. Iowa agriculture: Pro Farmer Crop Tour scouts are set to focus on heat after pollination and disease levels as Iowa’s corn and soybean conditions remain strong.

Field of Dreams (Dyersville): Kyle Schwarber launched two homers into the corn and the Phillies rolled past the Twins 7-1 in the first MLB game at the Iowa movie site in four years, with Aaron Nola earning the win and 26 Hall of Famers emerging from the outfield for the big pregame moment. Road Work (Tama County): Iowa DOT set a tentative Aug. 10 start to break up U.S. 63 pavement; the exposed rebar won’t be drivable while crews prep and repave through mid-to-late October, with short pauses for other projects. Nursing Home Licensing: The Iowa Board of Nursing Home Administrators suspended Marcy Louise Martin’s license after a complaint about facility funds and documentation; the board says allegations remain disputed and unadjudicated but the action is meant to protect the public. Agriculture Politics (Meskwaki Powwow): Democratic Ag candidate Chris Jones spoke at the Meskwaki Powwow about food sovereignty and argued Iowa could adopt similar models to boost local food and reduce health risks. Local Elections (Tama County): Kathy Holtz won the GOP nomination for Tama County Treasurer at a special nominating convention after no one cleared the primary threshold. Sports (All-State Baseball): Lynnville-Sully’s JD Richards earned Class 1A first-team all-state honors, with Baxter’s Cael Wishman and Colton Moffit also recognized.

Public Health: Wisconsin DHS says measles cases in Iowa’s Lafayette counties have climbed to 15 confirmed, with six more probable; officials note most cases are in unvaccinated people and urge anyone with symptoms to call ahead and stay home. Food Safety: Whole Foods expanded a salmonella recall tied to jalapeños from Mexico; the CDC says hundreds have been sickened nationwide, and retailers pulled the ingredient. Local Economy & Education: Northwest Iowa Community College will add transferable, face-to-face agriculture courses at its Sheldon campus this fall, including farm business management and agricultural finance. West Central Iowa Politics: Salix postponed a city council vote on a potential data center moratorium after death threats; the next meeting is expected Aug. 19 or 20. Sports (Iowa Spotlight): The Minnesota Twins reinstated Byron Buxton for Thursday’s Field of Dreams opener vs. the Philadelphia Phillies in Dyersville, with the game streaming on Netflix. Agriculture: Iowa State Extension shared guidance on salvaging hail-damaged crops after severe storms in eastern Iowa.

Field of Dreams, Iowa sports tourism: MLB is back in Dyersville with the Twins hosting the Phillies in the third Field of Dreams game, now in a permanent ballpark; the site’s legacy keeps expanding beyond baseball with live music and more events. Local emergency services: Fayette County EMS is warning residents about a Nov. 3 vote on an EMS essential service levy as ambulance providers face funding gaps and coverage changes. Public health and safety: St. Luke’s Heart & Vascular Center expansion wrapped with AED grants to nearly 50 area organizations, aiming to speed lifesaving response. Food access milestone: Double Up Food Bucks Iowa marks 10 years, doubling SNAP produce purchases and reporting millions in redeemed dollars and economic impact for Iowa’s local food system. Local government and housing: Solon council members discussed stalled Saddleback Estates growth over confusion about condo-style ownership and zoning. Environment cleanup: Keokuk received another $1 million EPA boost for cleanup at the former Elkem Carbide site. Weather and recovery: Severe storms across the Midwest triggered flooding and rescues, with officials reporting multiple deaths and widespread power outages.

High School Sports: Waterloo West High School in Iowa named Bryana Phillips as its new head girls basketball coach, taking over after Dr. Anthony Pappas retired after 47 years. State Finance: The Iowa Lottery reported FY26 sales of $469.6 million and more than $95.1 million in proceeds to state causes, with scratch games and Powerball driving gains. Local Infrastructure: Hartley’s Highway 18 pedestrian crossing is back on track after the council accepted a $318,707 bid, with work now aimed for spring 2027. Road Work: Iowa DOT crews began replacing the Iowa 48 bridge over Red Oak Creek, with lane restrictions and major intersection impacts for drivers. Public Safety: Montgomery County supervisors continue talks on making EMS an essential service, including possible 28E agreements and transitional planning. Agriculture: Eastern Iowa farmers assessing hail damage got guidance from Iowa State Extension on next steps, including insurance/crop-advisor calls and options like chopping and ensiling. Health & Community: Waukon Corn Days will feature free heart-health trivia and quick wellness testing at Veterans Memorial Hospital’s booth. Weather/Outdoors: Iowa stargazers are being encouraged to try for Perseid meteors tonight if skies clear.

Severe Weather: A derecho-style storm system battered the Midwest and Ohio Valley, knocking out power for hundreds of thousands and bringing damaging winds and flooding risk again Wednesday. Public Health: Two measles cases were confirmed in southwest Wisconsin, with exposure tied to Iowa County and Lafayette County; health officials are working to notify anyone potentially exposed. Iowa Politics: U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst says a new farm bill is a top priority before she leaves office in January, with crop insurance and nutrition funding among the sticking points. Housing: A Lee County study says the area needs about 500 new homes by 2035, and local leaders are planning task forces to make housing incentives actionable. Local Government: Coralville residents packed a council meeting after public comment was temporarily removed, raising First Amendment concerns; the mayor later apologized. Sports (Iowa): The Iowa Cubs beat the St. Paul Saints 6-3 at the Field of Dreams site, with Jordan Nwogu hitting his first Triple-A homer. Community/Events: Des Moines-area readers also got a reminder on Powerball’s $1 billion drawing time and Iowa’s ticket deadline.

Election Integrity Watch: A former Trump adviser says ballot-box seizure plans could target a long list of battleground states, including Iowa, if Democrats win key races—raising fresh concerns about chaos and legitimacy. Public Health: CDC maps show the drug-resistant fungus Candida auris is spreading, with thousands of clinical cases reported nationwide so far this year. Iowa Weather & Agriculture: USDA reports 78% of Iowa’s corn is in good to excellent condition as harvest nears, with topsoil moisture holding steady. Severe Storms: A derecho and follow-on storms have knocked out power for hundreds of thousands across the Midwest and East. Local Business: Clear Pest Pros is opening a new franchise location in Marion. Community & Culture: Le Mars Public Library’s Book Bash drew families for music, food trucks, games, and 150th-anniversary celebrations. Sports: Iowa State OL Kade Pieper named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List; NASCAR heads to Richmond with playoff cut pressure.

AI & Kids: Iowa’s new law (SF 2417) requires AI chatbots to tell juvenile users they’re not human, label AI-made vs human-made content, and bans incentives to keep kids chatting longer—effective July 1, 2027, with penalties up to $500,000. Education & Neighborhoods: Des Moines families got their first detailed look at proposed school boundary changes under the district’s “Reimagining Education” plan, with in-person input sessions and an online address locator. State Politics: Iowa Auditor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand is pushing a message of accountability and less partisan gridlock during a 99-county tour, including a Waverly stop. Public Safety: A Sioux Falls downtown crowd fight left one 20-year-old injured after a gunshot; police arrested a Des Moines man on charges including aggravated riot and reckless discharge. Local Growth: Federal funding is flowing to Des Moines-area park projects, including river access and recreation improvements. Sports (Iowa): Iowa Speedway’s NASCAR regular-season finale is tightening the Chase bubble after Ty Gibbs’ win and other late-race shakeups. Food Safety: A national recall includes ready-to-eat pastrami and corned beef shipped to Iowa due to possible listeria contamination.

Food is Medicine in Iowa: Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced the Honor Harvest pilot, sending weekly boxes of fresh, locally grown food to eligible rural veterans through the Iowa City VA Medical Center, with Choose Iowa suppliers and Field to Family Food Hub handling sourcing and distribution. Banking deal: Heartland Bank and Trust Company agreed to acquire Tri-County Financial Group (holding First State Bank) in a cash-and-stock transaction valued around $204.6 million, with a first-quarter 2027 closing expected. Workforce training: Iowa’s first Workforce Pell program was approved at Iowa Central Community College, letting Pell-eligible students use federal aid for a 14-week EMT course. Iowa Speedway spotlight: Ty Gibbs won the NASCAR Cup Series Iowa Corn 350, holding off Christopher Bell after a late two-tire pit call. Public health: A Salmonella Javiana outbreak tied to contaminated jalapeños has prompted a first-in-the-nation lawsuit filed by Nicolet Law, with cases reported across 27 states. Iowa sports note: Tim Anderson, the former White Sox All-Star and 2019 batting champ, announced his MLB retirement.

NASCAR in Iowa: Ty Gibbs won the Iowa Corn 350 at Iowa Speedway, holding off Christopher Bell after a late two-tire pit call gave Gibbs the lead with about 20 laps to go; NASCAR says his car passed post-race inspection. Motorsports momentum: Carson Kvapil kept rolling in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, winning back-to-back at Iowa Speedway in a caution-heavy Hy-Vee 250. Racing spotlight on youth: 16-year-old Tristan McKee dominated the JR & CO 150 at Iowa Speedway to win again and regain the ARCA East points lead. Sports loss: Basketball Hall of Fame coach Don Nelson, a five-time NBA champion as a Celtics player and the second-winningest coach in league history, died at 86. Local community note: Wapsie Valley volleyball is gearing up for the 2026 season with a strong returning core after recent success. Weather watch: Forecasts call for a sunny, warm stretch with periodic storm chances later in the week.

Food Safety: A Chicago-area company, City Foods, Inc., recalled about 3,215 pounds of ready-to-eat corned beef and pastrami after Listeria concerns. The USDA says the products (produced July 16, 2026) were shipped to foodservice sites in Illinois, Iowa and Michigan before going nationwide; consumers are told not to eat or serve them. Local Impact: Iowa is also in the mix for a new USDA rural development leader: Atlantic’s Glen Smith was confirmed as Under Secretary for Rural Development, pointing to rural internet access and value-added investment. Weather Watch: A First Alert Day continues with storms possible again this evening, with heavy rain and localized flooding the main threats, including parts of far southeastern Wisconsin and northeast Iowa. Sports (Iowa ties): At Iowa Speedway, Carson Kvapil won the O’Reilly Series race in overtime, while Denny Hamlin started from the rear after brake-related changes. Sports (national): NBA Hall of Fame coach Don Nelson, a five-time champion as a Celtics player and an innovator behind “Nellie Ball,” died at 86. Outdoors: Linn County Conservation is moving 2027 campground reservations fully online via MyCountyParks.com.

Field of Dreams Baseball: The Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies will play Aug. 13 at the Iowa movie site, bringing MLB “nostalgia” back to the cornfield diamond. NASCAR at Iowa Speedway: Ryan Blaney won pole for the Iowa Corn 350 and is eyeing a big regular-season push; William Byron is also back at the track where he won last year. O’Reilly Series Momentum: Carson Kvapil kept the streak going with another Iowa win, while the Chase picture tightens after double-overtime chaos. Public Safety & Weather: Storms produced three tornadoes in eastern Iowa, and forecasters are tracking more showers and thunder chances moving through the region. Food Safety: City Foods, Inc. recalled ready-to-eat pastrami and corned beef over possible listeria contamination, with products shipped to Iowa among other states. Local Inclusion: Henry County is nearing its goal to add an inclusive, accessible play space at Oakland Mills Park. International Spotlight: Chinese President Xi Jinping referenced a long-ago Iowa visit as he continued people-to-people diplomacy.

Iowa Politics & Elections: Election 2026 is shaping up as a high-stakes midterm, with Democrats aiming to flip the House and Senate as Republicans try to hold razor-thin majorities. Citizenship Fight: President Trump signed new executive orders targeting “birth tourism” after the Supreme Court rejected a broader birthright citizenship push, while conservative legal groups plan a longer campaign to revisit the issue. Federal Justice: The U.S. Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general in a 50-49 vote, with two GOP defections, after a contentious fight over DOJ independence and a controversial “anti-weaponization” plan. Severe Weather: A major storm threat is building across the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes, including eastern Iowa, with multiple rounds Sunday into Monday and First Alert warnings in parts of the state. Local Sports & Iowa Events: Iowa Speedway hosts NASCAR action and the Iowa Corn 350 weekend, while MLB’s Field of Dreams game returns to Dyersville next week. Community & Safety: A rollover crash on Highway 218 sent a driver to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Iowa Courts & Justice: A Whiteside County, Illinois jury-selection breakdown found dozens of dead people on the panel, raising questions about statewide jury system failures. Energy Policy: A U.S. court in Oregon blocked a Defense Department delay tied to onshore wind reviews, clearing the way for more than 100 projects across 25 states. WNBA Eligibility Fight: Former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White both declared for the 2027 WNBA Draft, fueling a fresh round of controversy over transgender athletes and league eligibility. Iowa Sports: Iowa State’s new coach Jimmy Rogers says he expects the Cyclones to win the Big 12 title game in his first season. Local Sports & Community: NASCAR is changing stage-break rules starting at Iowa Speedway to reduce long caution periods and boost green-flag racing. Weather: A seasonable weekend forecast with sunny skies and only stray evening showers. Local Spotlight: Senator Joni Ernst named Present Company in Audubon as her Small Business of the Week.

Food Safety & Health: Iowa is still in the mix of a growing cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to contaminated lettuce, with the CDC reporting cases across 47 states and nearly 23,000 total illnesses nationwide; health officials say the true number may be higher because not everyone gets tested. Public Health Watch: A separate Salmonella outbreak linked to recalled jalapeños from Mexico has sickened people in many Midwestern states, including Illinois and Wisconsin, and officials urge shoppers to check recall updates. Local Budget: Des Moines residents are weighing in on how to close a projected $12 million budget gap, with a city survey showing most people want the Floodplain Property Buyout Program cut first. Aviation & Security: The U.S. Senate confirmed David Cummins to lead the TSA as the Trump administration pushes private airport security screening at smaller airports—airports including Des Moines are planning to move ahead. Renewable Fuels: Iowa approved more than $2 million in cost-share grants for E15 and biodiesel infrastructure projects statewide. Sports & Community: Iowa’s high school baseball scene continues to roll with area players earning All-State honors, while local youth flag football and NASCAR’s Iowa Speedway weekend keep the spotlight on summer athletics.