AGP Executive Report

Energy and Land Use: Linn County supervisors unanimously rejected Alliant Energy’s rezoning request for a proposed natural-gas power plant, citing land use, public safety, infrastructure and customer costs. The project could still proceed if the Iowa Utilities Commission approves it. Campaign 2026: Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Christina Bohannan clashed in their first Iowa 1st District debate over the economy, healthcare and foreign policy. The Senate race between Republican Ashley Hinson and Democrat Josh Turek is also tight, with affordability and farm costs shaping the contest. Harvest and Farm Safety: Iowa’s corn and soybean harvest is picking up after wet-weather delays, but grain prices have slipped and higher diesel costs are squeezing farmers. Experts warn that poorly stored grain can become a deadly hazard in bins. Des Moines: Habitat for Humanity is building six homes in the city, part of a volunteer-powered housing push. On the Field: No. 15 Iowa heads to Minnesota on Saturday after a bye, while Iowa State visits No. 25 Arizona seeking a steadier performance from its offense.

Des Moines Roads: Construction is underway on a $164 million flyover at the Southwest Mixmaster. The bridge will replace an over-capacity cloverleaf ramp and is intended to improve safety and traffic flow. University of Iowa: Regents chose Carson Holloway to lead the Center for Intellectual Freedom amid disputes over the center’s oversight and direction. Iowa Politics: More than 60,000 Iowans have voted early, as close congressional races draw attention. At a Des Moines roundtable, Sarah Trone Garriott proposed removing the Social Security income cap; seniors voiced concern about the program’s future. Farm Economy: President Trump announced $8 billion in aid for farmers facing high diesel costs. Iowa’s soybean harvest is 57% complete and corn harvest 26%—both behind average pace. Health: Gov. Kim Reynolds announced that her husband, Kevin, is facing a return of cancer.

Iowa Senate Race: With Election Day nearing, Ashley Hinson and Josh Turek are making affordability pitches in a contest described as one of the nation’s most competitive. More than 60,000 Iowans have already voted early. Health: Gov. Kim Reynolds says her husband, Kevin, is facing a cancer recurrence. Separately, concerns are growing over Iowa’s cancer rates and possible links to water contaminants; those links have not been established. Farm Economy: Iowa farmer Aaron Lehman says higher diesel costs are adding $1,000 a day during harvest, putting pressure on farmers as they emerge as a pivotal voting bloc. Animal Welfare: In a lawsuit over Iowa dog breeders, USDA lawyers argue the agency is not required to enforce the Animal Welfare Act. The ASPCA alleges the agency repeatedly licensed breeders despite violations and enabled a puppy-laundering scheme.

Governor’s Family: Gov. Kim Reynolds announced that her husband, Kevin, has a recurrence of cancer after three years in remission. He is recovering from surgery to remove a brain tumor and will begin radiation treatment. Senate Race: Iowa’s contest between Republican Ashley Hinson and Democrat Josh Turek remains tight, with undecided voters still weighing their choices. Farmers’ concerns over tariffs, rising costs and federal policy are drawing attention as candidates make their final pitches. Animal Welfare: The USDA is arguing in court that it is not required to enforce the Animal Welfare Act, in a lawsuit challenging its licensing of three Iowa dog breeders. The ASPCA alleges the licensing helped conceal a puppy-laundering scheme; the case is ongoing. Rural Health: Iowa is among six states considering changes to hospital “certificate of need” rules to qualify for federal rural-health funding. Des Moines Schools: More than 2,400 people joined Saturday’s OneRun at Water Works Park, raising about $55,000 for Des Moines schools.

Iowa Politics: With the Nov. 3 midterms nearing, Republican Ashley Hinson and Democrat Josh Turek are locked in a tight Senate race, while Democrat Rob Sand leads Republican Zach Lahn in the governor’s contest. President Donald Trump is scheduled to campaign in Iowa this week. Health Care: More than 87,000 Iowans are among those losing their Medicare plans; seniors should review their options before the Dec. 7 deadline. College Sports: Iowa moved up to No. 15 in the AP football poll after a weekend of upsets. The Hawkeyes visit Minnesota on Saturday. Iowa State has named Jared Benko its new athletic director. Community: Thousands lined up in Waterloo for a free-gas giveaway, with organizers distributing $21,000 in fuel to help families facing high costs. Tech and Safety: Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird has joined other states suing OpenAI, alleging risks to children from ChatGPT. Arts: University of Iowa novelist Tom Lin is in central Iowa today to discuss his latest book, “Babylon, South Dakota.”

College Sports: Iowa climbed to No. 15 in the AP football poll despite a bye, while Iowa State volleyball beat Utah in five sets. Iowa’s volleyball team, meanwhile, lost its sixth straight, falling to No. 6 Wisconsin in four sets. Medicare: Des Moines seniors are among Iowans whose health plans were canceled; they have until Dec. 7 to review options. Election 2026: Early voting is underway, with Trump scheduled to campaign in Sioux City on Oct. 22 as Iowa races intensify. State Economy: Iowa’s unemployment rate held at 3.2% in September, but the number of working Iowans fell. State revenue is projected to rise, though a billion-dollar budget deficit remains.

Midterm Watch: Early voting is underway across Iowa, with the Nov. 3 Senate race between Republican Ashley Hinson and Democrat Josh Turek tightening. Candidates have clashed over water quality, cancer rates and data centers, while President Donald Trump plans campaign stops in the state. State Budget: Iowa revenues are projected to rise, but a billion-dollar deficit remains, according to the latest state outlook. Health Care: More than 87,000 Iowans face Medicare plan cancellations as open enrollment begins; state officials are also warning residents about enrollment scams. Public Safety: A Minnesota man has been charged in the 1995 killing of an Iowa woman, a cold case that remained unsolved for decades. Around Iowa: Hundreds gathered to discuss food assistance programs, and Iowa State named Jared Benko its new athletic director.

Cold Case: A 59-year-old Bertha, Minnesota, man was arrested in the 1995 killing of Waterloo resident Angela Buck, 37, whose body was found east of Waterloo. Nursing Home Oversight: Adel Acres and Cedar Rapids’ Northbrook have been added to a federal watchlist after inspectors linked care failures to residents’ deaths. Iowa Politics: The Hinson-Turek Senate race is drawing national attention as Iowa remains in play for control of Congress; early voting is underway. Energy: The federal government is backing a plan to restart Iowa’s Duane Arnold nuclear plant, part of a push to meet rising electricity demand, including from data centers. Local Media: Newton’s KCOB and Energy 106.7 are back on air after a shutdown, restoring local broadcasts. Sports: The IHSAA has released first-round playoff pairings for four classes, with games set for Friday. Iowa women’s soccer beat Maryland 3-1 on the road.

Immigration: Iowa City resident Fatou Traore, a mother of four who lived in Iowa for more than 20 years, was deported to Sierra Leone despite legal appeals and community protests. State Budget: Iowa projects revenue growth for 2027, but a roughly billion-dollar deficit remains. Public Safety: A Minnesota man has been charged in the 1995 killing of Angela Buck, whose body was found near Waterloo. Technology: Attorney General Brenna Bird joined states suing OpenAI, alleging the company deceived Iowans about ChatGPT’s safety for children. Iowa State: The university named Jared Benko its new athletic director, succeeding retiring Jamie Pollard. Election Watch: Early voting is underway, with Iowa’s governor and congressional races drawing attention ahead of November’s election. Army Plant: The Army plans to destroy 68 barrels of unstable explosives at its Iowa ammunition plant in November, asking nearby Middletown residents to temporarily leave their homes.

Des Moines Development: The city council will consider incentives Monday for converting Highland Park’s former University of Commerce building into 16 apartments and ground-floor retail, with work hoped to begin by year’s end. Iowa State: Jared Benko has been named the Cyclones’ next athletic director. He is expected to start Oct. 30, pending approval by the Board of Regents. State Budget: Iowa’s revenue is projected to grow 2.8% in fiscal 2027, but the state still faces a deficit exceeding $1 billion. Revenue fell 7.1% in the fiscal year that ended in June. Cold Case: A 59-year-old Minnesota man has been charged with first-degree murder in the 1995 killing of Waterloo resident Angela Buck. Investigators say her body was found near Waterloo after she was shot; the case remains under investigation. Education: Kirkwood Community College is seeking voter approval for an $88 million bond to update facilities for high-demand programs including skilled trades, health care and cybersecurity. Energy: The federal government is backing a planned restart of Iowa’s shuttered Duane Arnold nuclear plant, part of a broader effort to meet rising electricity demand, including from data centers.

Election Watch: Early voting is underway across Iowa, with Governor’s candidates debating taxes and education and U.S. Senate rivals Ashley Hinson and Josh Turek clashing over farms, water quality and data centers. President Trump plans a Sioux City rally Oct. 22. AI Lawsuit: Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird has joined seven other states in suing OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT can harm children and mislead users; OpenAI says it has safety protections. Farm Economy: Farmers planting eligible fall cover crops can get a $5-per-acre discount on 2027 crop insurance. Health: Iowa officials warn of a rise in Medicare enrollment scams, while more than 87,000 Iowans face Medicare plan cancellations for 2027. Jobs: Iowa’s unemployment rate held at 3.2% in September, though the number of working Iowans fell. Des Moines & Weather: Westbound I-35/80 closures for Saylor Creek Bridge repairs begin Oct. 16; forecasters warn of a possible first freeze Saturday morning.

Public Safety: Council Bluffs mourned firefighter Charles “Chuck” Jones, 52, who died after a medical emergency following a house-fire rescue. He served the department for 19 years. Medicare: More than 87,000 Iowans face cancellation of their Medicare plans for 2027. Open enrollment runs through Dec. 7, and state advisers urge beneficiaries to review coverage changes and compare options. Elections: Early voting is underway, with President Donald Trump scheduled to campaign in Iowa Oct. 22 and Nov. 1. The Iowa Senate race is drawing national attention as Ashley Hinson and Josh Turek clash over farming, water quality and cancer rates. Agriculture: Rain has slowed harvest, and agronomists warn strong winds could knock down weakened corn, making fields harder to harvest. Technology and children: Iowa joined seven other states in suing OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT has harmed children and misled parents; the states are seeking safeguards. Jobs: Iowa’s unemployment rate held at 3.2% in September, though the number of working Iowans fell.

AI Lawsuit: Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird joined seven other states in suing OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT misled parents and exposed children to harmful advice. The lawsuit seeks penalties and restrictions on advanced AI testing; OpenAI says it has age-specific safeguards. Midterm Election: Early voting is underway in Iowa, with voters lining up in Polk County. Water quality and the state’s high cancer rates have become major campaign issues, as candidates face pressure to address pollution and public health. Agriculture: Iowa awarded 13 grants totaling more than $435,000 to support specialty-crop research, education and market development. Public Safety: A barn fire in northwest Iowa killed about 2,400 hogs.

Election 2026: Early voting has begun across Iowa, with about 70,000 absentee ballots mailed and requests due by Oct. 19. Des Moines County Auditor Sara Doty says poll workers’ required initials do not invalidate ballots. OpenAI Lawsuit: Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird joined seven states in suing OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT misled families about child safety and could encourage self-harm or violence; the claims have not been proven in court. Senate Race: Ashley Hinson and Josh Turek faced off in their final debate, discussing water quality, Iowa’s high cancer rates and diesel prices. Both rejected buying Russian diesel, while they differed on how to reduce farm pollution. Farms and Energy: Recent dry weather helped Iowa farmers advance harvest, but soybean and corn progress remains behind average. Linn County supervisors narrowly approved a host agreement for Alliant Energy’s proposed Morgan Valley power plant; rezoning still needs review. Roads: Westbound I-80 closures near the Southwest Mixmaster begin overnight Oct. 18, and the Jordan Creek Parkway westbound ramps close Oct. 20 for two weeks.

Election 2026: Early voting opened Wednesday for Iowa’s Nov. 3 election. Voters can cast ballots in person or request an absentee ballot by Oct. 19; the open governor’s and U.S. Senate races headline the ballot. Senate Race: Republican Ashley Hinson and Democrat Josh Turek clashed in their latest debate over farm policy, water quality and Iowa’s high cancer rates. Rural Health: Iowa is committing $209 million in federal funding to expand rural health care. Food Access: John Deere is directing $13 million to Iowa food banks and farm-to-food-bank programs, aiming to connect them with nearly 100 more farmers as food insecurity rises statewide. Harvest: Wet conditions have put corn harvest 20 percentage points behind the five-year average and soybean harvest 28 points behind. Cyclones: Iowa State women’s basketball coach Bill Fennelly plans to retire after this season, ending a long tenure with the program. Road Safety: The DNR warns that deer movement increases through November; slow down and watch roadsides, especially at dawn and dusk.

Food Assistance: John Deere’s foundation pledged $13 million in Iowa to support food banks and connect them with farmers, as food insecurity rises in all 99 counties. Iowa State: Women’s basketball coach Bill Fennelly plans to retire after the 2026–27 season, ending a 32-season run with the Cyclones. Election Watch: Early voting begins Wednesday in Iowa, where Republican Ashley Hinson and Democrat Josh Turek are locked in a close race for the U.S. Senate seat. Rural Communities: Iowa awarded $385,000 in grants to 15 communities for housing, child care and local growth projects. On the Road: The Iowa State Patrol urges drivers to slow down and watch for deer as breeding season and harvest increase collision risks. State Parks: Off-season campsite rates begin Oct. 16; some facilities will close or reduce services as parks prepare for freezing weather. At the Capitol: Gov. Kim Reynolds says the free America’s Harvest Festival will bring country music, family activities and agricultural exhibits to the Capitol grounds Oct. 24.