AGP Executive Report

Missouri Appointments: Gov. Mike Kehoe named three people to state boards and commissions, including Patrick Brown to the Bi-State Development Agency, James Greer to the Petroleum Storage Tank Insurance Fund, and John Ruth to the Public School Retirement System of Missouri Board of Trustees. Election Rules Fight: With Missouri’s Aug. 4 primary weeks away, voters rallied across the state against Amendments 4 and 5—Amendment 4 would tighten citizen-led constitutional amendment approval by requiring district-level majorities, while Amendment 5 would phase out the individual income tax and expand sales and use taxes. Local Government & Cannabis: Shrewsbury moved closer to its first recreational cannabis dispensary after aldermen advanced measures allowing Elevate Cannabis to open on Watson Road, with final passage expected soon. Data Center Moratorium Draft: Nodaway County released a draft data center moratorium aimed at studying impacts on energy, water, grid stability, light/noise, and drainage before any development agreements. Public Safety Transparency: DHS declined to release names of agents involved in shootings, while local police agencies are more open—fueling renewed debate over transparency and officer safety. Legal Basics: A Missouri lawyer explained why a will doesn’t avoid probate and how a funded revocable living trust can keep assets out of court.

Data Center Policy: St. Joseph, Mo. paused new data center applications as local officials consult zoning experts, joining a growing wave of community pushback that’s now being treated like a major risk factor for AI projects. Public Safety & Emergency Response: Gov. Mike Kehoe highlighted Missouri’s role in Kansas City’s FIFA World Cup, citing $108M in security and public safety support and multi-agency coordination through the state emergency plan. Health & Consumer Alerts: Walmart urged shoppers to dispose of specific bagged iceberg lettuce products tied to a cyclosporiasis (Cyclospora) precaution, even as it said Missouri/Kansas store items weren’t indicated as affected. Elections & Ballot Measures: Missouri voters head to the Aug. 4 primary with Amendment 1 on the ballot (extension of the Parks, Soils and Water sales tax) and continued debate around Amendments 4 and 5. Local Government: Cole County’s Aug. 4 races include a contested county clerk bid between Jefferson City Councilman Jeff Ahlers and state Rep. Dave Griffith. Community & Civic Life: A Carthage metal detecting club shared July meeting winners, and Atlantic’s nursing scholarship program named 2026 Cecile Kopecky recipients.

Amendment Fight Ahead of Aug. 4: Missouri voters are rallying statewide against Amendments 4 and 5, with organizers warning Amendment 4 would require district-by-district majorities for citizen initiatives and Amendment 5 could shift state revenue from income taxes to higher taxes on goods and services. Local Elections & Voting Access: In the run-up to the primary, early voting is set to open in parts of the state, including Platte County (July 21–Aug. 3), and Jackson County voters will weigh a constitutional change to make the county assessor an elected role. Ballot Measure Backlash: Grassroots groups also held a Get Out the Vote day of action urging turnout and opposition to the amendments. Public Health: Taylor Farms expanded a lettuce recall tied to cyclospora, now covering 27 states including Missouri, after a growing outbreak. Military Tragedy: A St. Louis-raised Airman died in a heavy equipment accident at Vandenberg Space Force Base; officials say the cause is under investigation. Data Center Backlash: Across the country, anti-data-center protests drew hundreds of Americans to oppose AI infrastructure build-outs.

Ballot Fight: Missouri voters turned out statewide to rally against August 4 Amendments 4 and 5, with organizers arguing Amendment 4’s district-by-district approval rule makes citizen initiatives harder to pass and Amendment 5’s income-tax phaseout could expand sales taxes on more services. Local Governance: Jackson County voters may soon get a constitutional fix to how the county assessor is chosen, with Amendment 2 requiring election of assessors in charter counties and adding training requirements. Voting Access: Platte County opened “no-excuse” early voting July 21–Aug. 3, with photo ID required and party preference needed for the primary ballot. Data Centers: A growing national backlash against data centers is showing up in Missouri-adjacent politics, as residents and advocates warn about secrecy, land and water impacts, and powerlessness against big developers. Legal/Policy: A coalition of hemp businesses filed a federal lawsuit to block Missouri’s ban on intoxicating hemp products, challenging the law’s definitions as unconstitutionally vague. Public Safety: A St. Louis man faces murder and assault charges after police say he shot at people rummaging through his parked car. Military: Space Force identified Airman 1st Class Cedric Eneluna as the victim of a heavy-equipment accident at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Election Security & Voting Access: Missouri election officials are pushing back after President Trump claimed “more than a quarter million” non-citizens are on voter rolls, with local clerks saying Missouri’s decentralized system and recent state election law changes limit federal impact. Local Government Funding: Columbia’s final public push for a 1% public safety sales tax heads into the Aug. 4 vote, with money aimed at hiring, a new police/fire headquarters, and upgraded public safety tech. Ballot Litigation (Kansas): A Kansas judge restored a mail-ballot grace period for ballots postmarked by Election Day, citing likely constitutional problems with the new law. Courts & Accountability (Missouri): Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway moved to permanently remove Ray County Prosecutor Camille Johnston over alleged conflicts of interest, including intimate relationships tied to a case. Immigration Enforcement: ICE arrested a man accused of flying a drone in restricted airspace near Kansas City’s World Cup events. Public Safety (Missouri): Vandenberg Space Force Base reported the death of Airman 1st Class Cedric Eneluna after heavy equipment rolled down an embankment. Sports & Eligibility: Mizzou’s Jevon Porter joined lawsuits seeking a fifth NCAA season under an age-based eligibility model. Flood Recovery: State and federal officials will assess damage in nine Missouri counties after July flooding to determine FEMA Public Assistance eligibility.

Ballot Measures: Missouri’s Aug. 4 primary is getting dominated by money for constitutional fights—over $27 million raised so far, with Amendment 4 (changing how initiatives pass) and Amendment 5 (income tax changes tied to sales tax expansion) far outspending other races. Ray County Accountability: Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway is pushing to permanently remove Ray County Prosecutor Camille Johnston, using a quo warranto petition over alleged conflicts of interest and misconduct; a judge has temporarily barred Johnston from exercising prosecutorial authority. Flood Recovery: State and federal officials will start preliminary damage assessments in nine Missouri counties after July 9-11 flooding, a step toward possible FEMA Public Assistance. Data Center Backlash: A St. Louis County judge in the Festus data center fight denied a default judgment and ordered both sides to communicate better; meanwhile, Rep. Eric Burlison argues communities should judge projects by real electricity and water impacts, not AI fears. Election Security & Voting Claims: DHS is facing scrutiny after repeating non-citizen voting claims that states say are not fully vetted, while Missouri election officials point to ongoing roll-cleanup and security checks. Homeland/Immigration: DHS also moved to limit international students’ stay to four years under a new rule. Public Safety/Local Politics: The IAFF Local 42 endorsed Platte County Presiding Commissioner candidate Jason Maki.

Missouri AG Action: Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway filed a quo warranto petition to remove Ray County Prosecutor Camille Johnston, alleging misconduct and conflicts of interest; a judge issued a preliminary order immediately taking Johnston off the job while the case proceeds. County Oversight: Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick released a “fair” audit of Morgan County, citing budget-control and sheriff’s-office issues but finding no signs of major fraud or excessive waste. Education Compliance: The U.S. Department of Education launched civil-rights investigations into 20 school districts nationwide, including Springfield Public Schools, after data suggested staff-on-student sexual misconduct may not be handled in line with federal law. Healthcare & Politics: A Senate vote rejected overturning a Medicare AI prior-authorization pilot, keeping the program in place despite concerns it could delay or deny care. National Legal Fight: The U.S. Supreme Court dealt another blow to Roundup cancer lawsuits against Bayer, limiting claims tied to warning-label requirements. Election Security Claim: DHS says it found more than 250,000 noncitizens illegally registered in four states and notified election officials, while highlighting states using its SAVE system. Energy Watch: Gas prices in Missouri stayed volatile but generally eased in the week ending July 11, with multiple counties reporting low points in the low-$3 range for regular.

Local Housing Accountability: St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer says the city is suing “slow flip” operator Bustling Funding, alleging a predatory model that promises eventual homeownership but leaves tenants in unsafe homes and ends in evictions; the lawsuit seeks court orders requiring occupancy permits before people move in. Election Law Fight: A Kansas judge temporarily blocks a change that would end the “three-day grace period” for counting advance mail ballots, keeping the older postmark-and-arrival rule in place while the case proceeds. Missouri Courts & Personal Rights: An appeals court tossed a Jefferson County full order of protection, ruling an ex-boyfriend’s “annoying and boorish” posts and calls didn’t meet Missouri’s harassment standard. State Government & Speech: A former DESE lawyer filed suit claiming a repost after Charlie Kirk’s killing led to her termination, alleging retaliation and First Amendment violations. County Politics & Allegations: Jackson County Legislative Chairman Manny Abarca alleges a $10,000 “donation” offer for a vote; the sheriff says he tried to meet and get details but Abarca hasn’t responded. Child Welfare Funding: Boone County Children’s Services Fund will steer future grants toward treatment, safety, and basic needs, with mental health a key goal. Primary Election Basics: Missouri voters are seeing more races for committeeman/committeewoman, roles that help run local party operations and staffing for elections. Federal Oversight: Sen. Josh Hawley expands a USPS probe, accusing the postmaster general of ignoring congressional oversight and demanding records on outside consultants.

Abortion Policy: Gov. Mike Kehoe signed Missouri’s “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act,” making it first-degree murder for a provider to kill a child born alive after an abortion attempt, a move Democrats and medical critics say could chill care and complicate cases involving fatal fetal diagnoses. Tax & Cost of Living: A new ballot push would let Missouri replace the individual income tax with broader sales taxes, and advocates warn it could shift the burden onto lower-income households since the amendment doesn’t spell out how revenue gaps would be covered. Courts & Speech Rights: The 8th Circuit ordered a Missouri rehearing in a case challenging “conversion therapy” bans, after the Supreme Court’s Chiles v. Salazar ruling strengthened First Amendment protections for talk therapists. Immigration & Local Governance: A Jackson County public hearing on ICE enforcement drew emotional testimony about fear disrupting everyday life, while residents criticized county legislators for missing the meeting. Healthcare Oversight: Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley joined a push to scrutinize UnitedHealthcare and other Medicare Advantage insurers over AI and prior-authorization denials for post-hospital rehab care. State Government: Missouri adopted the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act (UPEPA), expanding anti–SLAPP protections for journalists and critics. Transportation: MoDOT is evaluating where rural speed limits could rise to 75 mph under a new law, effective Aug. 28.

Casino fight: Lake of the Ozarks Community Gaming is hit with a $1.6 million lawsuit from a signature-gathering firm, after its 2026 constitutional-change effort to allow a new Lake of the Ozarks casino fell short of the May 15 deadline. Election season (local): Jefferson County circuit clerk Mike Reuter faces two GOP challengers in the Aug. 4 primary; Division 12 associate circuit judge has a GOP primary between Renee Reuter and Colby Smith-Hynes; and multiple other county/state House races are set for competitive primaries. Ballot measure spotlight: Amendment 5 is drawing fresh debate as supporters and opponents hold “Road to Zero” town halls, with critics warning the plan could shift costs toward middle-income Missourians via expanded sales taxes. State education: Missouri DESE named 35 Regional Teachers of the Year ahead of the 2027 statewide program. Public safety & courts: A Missouri judge dismissed a lawsuit tied to Riley Strain’s Mizzou fraternity case. Labor: Kansas City streetcar operators and technicians say a ridership surge is driving their push to unionize. Agriculture: Missouri cattle producers warn Asian longhorned tick impacts are worsening herd health and fertility, urging more USDA help.

Abortion Law: Gov. Mike Kehoe signed Missouri’s “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act,” allowing first-degree murder charges (and possible death penalty) if a provider “kills” a child born alive, drawing sharp medical and legal criticism. Elections & Voting: A Missouri voter ID measure is getting attention in the broader debate over election rules, with Oklahoma’s State Question 846 used as a cautionary example of how GOP lawmakers try to lock in ID requirements. Data Centers: Callaway County officials and Crusoe AI held an open house on a proposed 200-acre, $4.5B data center, as residents raised concerns about land use, jobs, water, and energy. Housing Enforcement: St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer and AG Catherine Hanaway vowed action after a “slow flip” contract-for-deed investigation flagged possible deception and predatory terms. Public Safety Tech: Missouri’s new Purple Alert is set to help locate missing people with developmental disabilities. Consumer/Legal: Missouri AGs and others are pushing back on scams and robocalls, while a multi-state settlement over the 23andMe data breach sets up payouts for affected customers. Environment & Agriculture: New dicamba rules are reigniting fights over herbicide drift and crop/tree damage. Federal Enforcement: USFWS served search warrants at two Missouri logging/lumber sites in Newton County.

Constitutional Clash in Congress: Senate Judiciary leaders say Jack Smith’s probe swept up text messages from nearly 50 lawmakers after a “filter team” review was bypassed, raising new Speech & Debate Clause concerns. Missing Persons Reform: Missouri Reps. Mark Alford and Jason Smith are pushing a bill to speed missing-person alerts for people with intellectual disabilities, echoing Sen. Eric Schmitt’s Senate effort. Regulatory Power Fight: A new report says more states are moving to end “judicial deference” to unelected regulators when courts interpret laws. Missouri Cannabis Crackdown: Warrensburg and state partners seized 1,000+ THC/hemp products in a deceptive-labeling investigation, with AG Catherine Hanaway calling it a statewide effort to protect kids. CPA Licensing Update: Gov. Mike Kehoe signed a bill creating an alternative CPA licensing path, effective Aug. 28. Critical Materials Funding: UMKC won up to $160M from NSF to build a critical materials engine, targeting 10,000 jobs and major regional economic gains. Federal Antitrust/Repair: FTC says it reached a settlement with Deere requiring access to repair tools for farmers and independent shops. Election/Politics: Cori Bush vows a “knockout” primary win over AIPAC-backed forces in Missouri’s rematch against Rep. Wesley Bell.

State Health Policy: Gov. Mike Kehoe signed six Missouri health care bills tied to the Rural Health Transformation Program, including telehealth access expansions, provider licensing changes, and new protections for vulnerable residents—plus a “born-alive” abortion survivors measure. Transportation & Safety: Kehoe also signed SB 1408 to raise rural interstate speed limits to 75 mph (with local control on state roads inside city limits). Local Government: Jefferson City’s Ward 3 council seat is set for a replacement process after four residents submitted letters of interest; the council will pick a nominee in coming meetings. Public Safety Funding: Columbia is set to receive $1 million in the state budget for downtown public safety, with how it’s used potentially influenced by an August public safety sales tax vote. Budget Pressure in Columbia: Columbia City Council reviewed early FY2027 general fund options, including possible cuts to police, family planning, and utility assistance. Public Health & Community Grants: Greene County is accepting applications for its Opioid Settlement Program, with $260,000 available for nonprofit grants up to $50,000. Economic Development & Land Use: St. Charles County approved a six-month moratorium on new data center development to study health impacts and infrastructure concerns. Crime & Enforcement: A new Missouri law targets copper wire theft by creating a felony path for unauthorized possession and service interruptions. Sports & Politics Crosscurrents: Missouri’s national political spotlight continues with coverage of Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death and GOP debate over how to advance his legacy.

Statehouse & Courts: Gov. Mike Kehoe signed a Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (SB 999), requiring immediate medical care for infants born alive after attempted abortions and making knowingly killing such infants first-degree murder. Elections & Ballot Battles: A national look at abortion ballot measures flags Missouri’s Aug. 4 fight over Amendment 4/abortion policy and how voters are being asked to override the 2024 constitutional change. Public Safety: A 10-year-old boy in Kansas City died after sleepwalking away from home and drowning in a pond. Local Governance: St. Louis fined the Mark Twain Hotel after code-violation inspections, with Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway saying her office believes the city acted after reporting. Health: Missouri DHSS says its cyclosporiasis cases are travel-related, while Philadelphia issued a measles exposure alert tied to airport terminals during July 4 travel. Missouri Politics & Policy: Kehoe also signed a package aimed at economic development, healthcare access, and legal reforms, including telehealth expansion and patient protections. Business & Workforce: Kansas City got a new Concentra occupational health center near the airport, expanding specialized workforce health services. Crime & Gambling: Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway moved to crack down on illegal gambling, including the state’s push against “gray market” games. Sports & Civic Life: Kansas City is already positioning for a 2031 Women’s World Cup bid after hosting FIFA events, and the Missouri Valley Football Conference held media day coverage.

Federal Criminal Justice: Eight men were indicted in Ohio on murder and terrorism conspiracy charges tied to a thwarted drone-and-sniper attack planned for the UFC “Freedom 250” event on the White House South Lawn in June, with prosecutors saying the plot began in May and was discovered June 10. Public Safety & Health: Missouri State University won reaffirmation of accreditation for the next 10 years after a Higher Learning Commission review, while Missouri Civil Air Patrol launched a program offering educators and youth leaders free aerospace/STEM kits and training. State Government & Elections: A Missouri voter guide story highlights Amendment 4 and 5 as key ballot items Aug. 4, including how they could reshape Missouri’s initiative process and taxes. Social Services Fraud: A Kansas City woman was indicted on theft of government funds and wire fraud counts in an alleged SNAP scheme, accusing her of misreporting income and assets to the Missouri Department of Social Services from 2021–2026. Research & Innovation: Washington University in St. Louis helped launch open-source AI tools through the C-BRAIN consortium to speed Alzheimer’s research. Weather & Emergency Response: Missouri flood coverage continues, including reports of Black Hawk helicopter rescues of children from a summer camp.

U.S. Senate & Missouri politics: Missouri leaders reacted to the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, with Gov. Mike Kehoe and Sen. Josh Hawley among those posting tributes. State constitutional fights: Missouri voters are set to weigh Amendment 4 (changing the initiative petition process) and Amendment 5 (phasing out the state income tax), with “get the facts” explainers and debate over how sales-tax authority would work. Public safety & courts: Federal prosecutors charged a Kansas City-area woman with allegedly lying to collect about $40,000 in SNAP benefits. Disaster response: Missouri’s SEMA will hold FEMA Public Assistance briefings for storm-damaged counties, and the National Guard airlifted 200+ stranded campers after severe flooding. Gov. Kehoe agenda: Kehoe signed bills creating armed school “rangers” and a high school sports appeals board. Missouri economy & daily life: Gas prices updates showed diesel and midgrade lows in parts of the state, while a separate story highlighted Toyota’s plan to bring Tacoma production back to Texas. Federal enforcement: A major UFC “Freedom 250” drone/sniper plot case advanced with new indictments.