AGP Executive Report

Agriculture Research Funding: U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell highlighted $26.7 million for the University of Kentucky’s agricultural research facility, aimed at forage and animal production studies. Local Tech & Policy: Iowa State University Extension will host a Sept. 23 “Community Matters Live” webinar on how cities handle tighter budgets and rising service demands. Space Science: A University of Iowa researcher helped identify corundum-bearing pebbles on Mars using data from NASA’s Perseverance rover. Health Workforce: Des Moines University Clinic added its first psychology intern to expand adult therapy and assessment capacity in Iowa. Right to Repair (Iowa-relevant): Farmers who used Deere-authorized repair services may need to file by Dec. 31 for potential settlement payments tied to an antitrust case over repair tools. Water Quality Innovation: Iowa State and Iowa Learning Farms’ Watershed Innovation Farm in Ames received nearly $1M from the EPA to demonstrate practices like bioreactors and saturated buffers. IT Growth in Des Moines: DataVizion plans to relocate/expand in the Des Moines metro after growing its Iowa team.

Mars Minerals in Iowa Research: University of Iowa geologist Valerie Payré helped identify unexpected corundum-bearing pebbles on Mars using NASA’s Perseverance data, a find that could reshape how scientists think about gemstone-forming conditions on the Red Planet. Water Quality on Farms: Iowa State and Iowa Learning Farms’ Watershed Innovation Farm in Ames is getting nearly $1M from the EPA to showcase practices like bioreactors, saturated buffers, and wetlands as a “walking, scientific laboratory” for Gulf watershed water quality. Weed Resistance Watch: Purdue weed scientist Bryan Young says waterhemp resistance to group 15 herbicides, bleaching herbicides, and 2,4-D is spreading across the Midwest, pushing farmers to rotate tactics and avoid relying on one chemistry. Iowa Tech & Connectivity: FCC created a new innovation zone and expanded Iowa’s existing ones, with Iowa State University getting an experimental spectrum license for wireless research. Right to Repair in the Spotlight: A Deere repair antitrust settlement is open for claims through Dec. 31, while “right to repair” laws keep gaining momentum but enforcement remains thin. Local Tech Policy: Iowa City schools are forming an educational tech work group to set screen-time guidelines and review one-to-one device impacts on learning and student well-being. IT Business Growth: DataVizion is moving to a new Des Moines-area office as it expands its Iowa presence.

Measles Costs: A new study in Vaccine finds the biggest hit comes right when a jurisdiction confirms a case—often about $300,000 before anyone knows if an outbreak will follow—making measles response expensive in every county that gets involved. Ag Tech & Water: Minnesota farmers are turning to Pivot Bio’s bacterial nitrogen to cut synthetic fertilizer costs and reduce nitrogen pollution, as fertilizer prices spike amid global fuel and trade disruptions. Iowa Roads: Linn County kept lower speed limits on several secondary roads after a traffic study, even as a new state law raised the default to 60 mph. Lottery Tech: Scientific Games launched an omnichannel “Game Show Experience” linked game in Iowa and other states, pairing scratch-offs and digital play with major experiential prizes. Public Health & Food Safety: Cyclospora cases tied to recalled iceberg lettuce have now been confirmed in 20 states, including Iowa. Data Centers Debate: Marshalltown residents raised environmental, safety, and tax concerns at a meeting; the city said there’s no active data center application yet. Higher Ed Funding: Iowa graduate students face new federal loan limits starting July 2026, adding uncertainty for University of Iowa students. AI in Politics: Iowa voters are receiving AI-generated political texts, raising questions about election influence and enforcement. Local Tech/Community: Midwest Fiber Networks and Midwest Fiberpath announced plans for a 1,200-mile Midwest fiber corridor to expand connectivity options.

Food Safety: The FDA says cyclosporiasis linked to recalled iceberg lettuce has spread to 3 more states, bringing the total to 20, with 11,458 reported illnesses and 2 deaths in Michigan. Iowa Agriculture & Water: Iowa expands free nitrogen soil testing to more North Iowa counties and boosts a multi-year sampling project aimed at tracking nitrogen availability and improving water quality. AI in Iowa Schools: Dordt University is launching a one-year pilot giving campuswide access to premium generative AI tools through a shared platform, with training sessions on using AI responsibly. Privacy & Surveillance: Cities including Indianola and Waukee are suspending Flock camera/ALPR services as residents push back on data transparency and privacy. Public Health & Politics: Iowa voters are closely split on “Amendment 1,” a constitutional change that would require a two-thirds legislative vote for income tax increases, according to a Suffolk poll. Utilities Oversight: The Iowa Utilities Commission is reviewing Black Hills Energy after findings tied to pipeline safety and management practices. Tech & Jobs: A new report questions whether data centers deliver strong permanent job creation compared with other sectors.

Meta Child-Safety Settlement: Meta agreed to pay about $17B and add new protections for teens on Facebook and Instagram, with Iowa’s share guaranteed at $126M over 10 years, including improved parental controls and daily time limits. Local Tech & Privacy: Iowa State is using 36 Flock automated license-plate cameras; students raise privacy concerns even as campus police say there’s no facial recognition and no use for immigration or traffic enforcement. Data Centers Under Review: Ames is forming a committee to study data-center environmental impacts, including heat, wildlife, and health effects, as the city weighs possible regulations. Banking Meets Blockchain: 39 state bankers associations launched the BankChain Alliance, targeting a 2027 bank-owned blockchain network for tokenized deposits, stablecoins, smart payments, and automated settlement. Iowa Agriculture Watch: Crop yield estimates remain highly variable after mixed Midwest conditions, and nitrate pollution concerns keep pressure on fertilizer use and water quality. Education Policy Shift: A new federal rule limiting international students’ status to four years is already being challenged by Grinnell College as harmful to enrollment. STEM/Industry Moves: Cyclic Materials secured $75M in strategic financing to scale U.S. rare-earth recycling and production infrastructure.

Meta Child-Safety Settlement: Meta agreed to pay up to about $17B and make major changes to Facebook and Instagram after states sued over claims of teen social media addiction, including new protections aimed at reducing harmful features and limiting night-time alerts. Iowa Water & Soil Tech: Iowa’s free nitrogen soil testing program is expanding, doubling capacity and adding counties in the Greater Des Moines and Middle Cedar watersheds to help farmers fine-tune fertilizer and protect water quality. Energy Siting Watch: A national review of 2026 renewable energy siting bills finds many proposals restrict projects, but most enacted rules are more permissive—researchers expect 2027 to bring the biggest wave of siting fights, with data-center growth and affordability concerns driving policy. Data Centers, Local Trust: Hull residents pressed PathOne Data Centers on reliability and promised benefits at a community meeting, while the company described smaller “edge” concepts and said no project moves while a moratorium is in place. TSA Gold+ Ends in Des Moines: Des Moines International Airport is dropping its TSA Gold+ plan after the TSA canceled the initiative, shifting attention to an updated Screening Partnership Program. Health & Research: A new multi-center study highlights how eye injuries can be missed for years when symptoms are mild, with Iowa researchers among collaborators. Local Tech/Community: Le Mars is debating Flock Safety cameras amid nationwide misuse concerns, while Dubuque’s Marshallese community and Westview Care Center’s quality award both underscore how tech and policy decisions ripple into everyday life.

Tomato Troubles in Iowa Gardens: ISU Extension says this warm, wet summer is driving tomato problems like blossom-end rot (often from inconsistent watering that blocks calcium movement) and fruit cracking (from big water swings), with some varieties like Romas and thicker-skin slicers more resistant. Iowa Politics Tightens: A Suffolk poll finds close races for Iowa governor and U.S. Senate, with Democrats buoyed by dissatisfaction with the national political climate. AI in Classrooms: OpenAI is expanding “ChatGPT for Teachers” with Kamehameha Schools, aiming for secure, educator-managed access and training (no student accounts). Data Center Decision Support: The University of Iowa and Tippie College of Business released an Iowa Data Center Decision Tool to help communities weigh costs, jobs, environmental impacts, and policy questions before approving projects. Health Care Expansion: Buchanan County Health Center adds cardiology services with new specialists, expanding monthly clinic visits. Agriculture Research: ISU reports soybean cyst nematodes are still adapting to a common resistant variety, warning farmers to diversify management to slow yield losses. Farm Progress Safety Tech: Farm Progress Show staff trained with NOAA and the National Weather Service to build lightning/wind/tornado “trigger” plans for safer outdoor events.

Ag Tech & Water Quality: Iowa expanded its free Nitrogen Soil Sampling Project, adding all 22 counties in the Greater Des Moines watershed plus four in the Middle Cedar watershed, so farmers can build multi-year soil nitrogen data that will feed Iowa State’s N-FACT fertilizer tool. Bioeconomy & Manufacturing: ADM is getting $2.23M in Iowa tax credits to convert idle fermentation space in Clinton into a precision-fermentation egg protein facility, with demand reportedly up 550% amid bird flu pressures. Citizen Science: An Iowa kayaker set a record paddling the East Nishnabotna River while collecting nitrate readings as part of Nitrate Watch, linking local water testing to a national research database. Higher Ed & Health: Des Moines University highlighted alumni outcomes in its “Life After DMU” series, including an anatomist-turned medicolegal death investigator. AI & Finance: nCino reported fiscal Q2 results and authorized an additional $100M stock repurchase, citing expanded commitments to its AI banking platform. STEM Research: Princeton will lead a new NSF-funded institute focused on manufacturable, resilient superconducting quantum processors, aiming to tackle scaling bottlenecks. Public Safety Tech: Iowa’s DOT is closing Highway 143 for the final phase of a large single-lane roundabout project near Marcus, with detours and delays expected through October. Community Tech Debate: Iowa groups are ramping up campaigns for and against data centers as concerns grow over power, water, and local impacts.

Vision Care Milestone: KeraLink International says it has now impacted more than four million lives through global eye-care programs, with a focus on building local “last mile” capacity. Ag Tech & Manufacturing in Iowa: Edible Garden named a Tetra Pak veteran, Ernesto Insignares, to help lead the Prairie Hills ready-to-drink clean nutrition facility in Webster City, targeting 100M+ beverage units annually at full capacity. Space Science (UI): A University of Iowa researcher says NASA rover data helped identify corundum on Mars—an unexpected find tied to ruby and sapphire chemistry. Public Safety & Surveillance: A viral site, “Have I Been Flocked?”, lets people check whether their license plate appeared in Flock Safety audit logs, reigniting debate over police surveillance. Iowa Energy/Tech Policy: GOP governor nominee Zach Lahn calls for a temporary moratorium on new Iowa data centers while rules catch up, citing power and community concerns. Higher Ed Oversight (Iowa): Iowa House higher-ed leaders urge universities to post clear public statements on issues including AI, affordability, free speech, and faculty hiring. Healthcare Training (SE Iowa): Great River Health welcomes third-year medical students from A.T. Still University for two years of clinical rotations.

Electric micromobility policy: Northwest Iowa cities are pushing for clearer state rules on e-scooters and e-bikes after local ordinances filled the gap, with officials citing sidewalk use and accident concerns. AI data centers and water: New reporting shows U.S. data centers’ direct water use has tripled since 2014, and AI-driven cooling is a major driver—fueling calls for regulation, including in Iowa politics. Iowa agriculture research: Iowa State analysis finds soybean cyst nematode keeps adapting to the widely used PI 88788 resistance, warning that without diversified management, control could drop sharply by 2030. School nutrition push: USDA’s “Harvest to Hallways” expands efforts to boost school lunch nutrition and grow more local foods, including added funding for farm-to-school grants in Iowa. Public health costs: A new study estimates it costs about $244,480 to start a measles response before a second case is counted—highlighting why outbreaks can strain budgets fast. Workforce/education: University of Dubuque won approval to launch a master’s in industrial-organizational psychology, and Iowa’s IEDA board approved manufacturing and infrastructure incentives.

Precision Fermentation in Iowa: ADM won a $2.23M Iowa award to expand precision fermentation capacity at its Clinton plant, aiming to scale production of bio-based proteins and enzymes. Ag Tech at the State Fair Show Circuit: Farm Progress Show’s new Agronomy Zone will feature side-by-side corn and soybean research plots and daily guided tours on crop protection, genetics, and fertility management. Right-to-Repair Pressure on Farms: An Iowa farmer says he’s holding off on newer tractors because repair restrictions make upkeep harder, as right-to-repair bills spread across 22 states. Controlled-Environment Food Innovation: Edible Garden and Square Roots announced a partnership to develop clean-label functional ready-to-drink beverages using nutrient-dense crops grown via controlled environment agriculture. Healthcare Training Upgrade Vote: Kirkwood Community College is asking voters to approve an $88M bond for nursing and EMT equipment and technology upgrades, with a Nov. 3 decision. Data Centers vs. Communities: A new wave of local backlash continues as residents and officials question the electricity and water costs of AI data centers and push for more say in permitting.

Rural Robotics in Iowa: Compass Memorial Healthcare in Marengo performed the first robot-assisted total shoulder replacement in rural Iowa, using Stryker Mako 4.0—plus two more in a single day—showing how advanced tech is reaching smaller communities. Health Training Funding: Kirkwood Community College voters in 18 Iowa counties will decide Nov. 3 on an $88M bond to modernize outdated nursing and EMT equipment and expand Linn Hall. Community Solar for Renters: Iowa lawmakers are weighing community solar rules that could let renters and apartment residents earn electricity bill credits from off-site projects. AI Data Centers Hit Iowa Politics: Across the country, data centers are turning into a bipartisan midterm flashpoint over electricity, water, subsidies, and local control—plus reports of threats against officials. Public Safety Tech Grants: Cambridge Volunteer Fire Department received $48,000 in grants to replace 16 aging handheld radios, improving emergency communications. Measles Watch: Wisconsin’s measles outbreak is growing, with many cases tied to low vaccination pockets—an Iowa-adjacent reminder for public health. Monarch Help Needed: Iowa landowners and the public are being asked to report monarch roosts to track migration pathways.

AI Data Centers Backlash in Iowa and Beyond: Local officials across the country are facing death threats over AI data center plans, and Iowa towns are part of the fight—Salix postponed and then voted on moratorium steps as the controversy heats up. Iowa Politics Meets National Campaign Drama: In Iowa’s governor race, Rob Sand’s team says it does not want Kamala Harris to campaign or endorse, highlighting how Democrats in red-leaning states are wary of high-profile help. Measles Warning for the Midwest: Wisconsin’s measles outbreak is growing, with low vaccination pockets driving spread; Iowa is also seeing confirmed cases in nearby counties. Iowa Tech & Industry Moves: The Iowa Economic Development Authority approved tax credits for precision fermentation and precision machining projects, aiming to add jobs and capital investment. STEM in Schools: Sioux Center area districts and Dordt University students are adding staff and earning recognition at an Iowa NSF EPSCoR research symposium. Public Health + Food Safety: A multi-state alfalfa sprout outbreak tied to E. coli and Salmonella has reached Iowa, with federal health officials tracking cases nationwide.

AI Data Centers Backlash: Opposition to AI data centers is turning into a bipartisan midterm issue as voters cite higher electricity and water needs, plus subsidies and local control concerns. Public Health: Measles is spreading in southwest Wisconsin, with Iowa-linked cases reported in nearby counties and officials pointing to under-vaccinated pockets. State Tech & Industry: Iowa Economic Development Authority approved tax credits and grants tied to precision fermentation and precision machining projects, aiming to add jobs and capital investment. Education Tech in Iowa: Albia schools plan to roll out ParentSquare to streamline communication for students, parents, and staff. STEM in the Classroom: Dordt University students earned third place at the Iowa NSF EPSCoR Symposium for research presentations. Local Innovation: Cedar Rapids launched a new tourism brand, Hello Cedar Rapids, built from traveler and community research. Health Tech in Iowa: Cardio Diagnostics begins in-house test processing at a new high-complexity lab in Iowa City. Food Safety: Alfalfa sprouts are tied to a multi-state Salmonella and E. coli outbreak that includes Iowa. Local School Staffing: Sioux Center Christian and Rock Valley districts added new teachers and staff for the 2026-27 school year. Research Tools: University of Iowa researchers report a lower-cost way to calibrate magnetometers using Earth’s field in open areas.

Data Center Backlash in Iowa Politics: New polling and reporting show AI data centers are becoming a major midterm issue, with many voters opposing new sites and the fight spilling into toss-up Senate races that include Iowa’s Ashley Hinson vs. Josh Turek. Privacy vs. Public Safety: Minnesota and Iowa lawmakers are revisiting rules on Flock-style automated license plate readers, with Iowa considering a ban as universities and cities weigh surveillance concerns. Health & Tech in Iowa: Iowa researchers report a lower-cost way to calibrate magnetometers, while Iowa City’s Cardio Diagnostics begins in-house lab testing at a new high-complexity facility. Public Health Watch: A multi-state alfalfa sprout outbreak linked to Everything Sprouts has sickened people in 15 states, including Iowa. Local Governance & Infrastructure: Oelwein is moving forward on 6th Street NE drainage and road improvements, with assessments and engineering approvals on the agenda. Agriculture & Industry: The IEDA board approved tax credits for manufacturing projects, including ADM’s precision fermentation expansion in Clinton.

Precision Health & Tech: Mitchell County Regional Health Center is rolling out new technology to boost precision in hip replacement surgery, aiming for better implant positioning and alignment. Economic Development: The Iowa Economic Development Authority approved tax credits for ADM’s $55.5M precision fermentation expansion in Clinton (53 jobs) plus other manufacturing, tourism, and university-led infrastructure projects. Public Health: A measles outbreak is growing in southwest Wisconsin, with cases tied to low vaccination pockets; Iowa is among the affected areas. Food Safety: Alfalfa sprouts linked to a multi-germ outbreak have sickened people in 15 states, including Iowa. Agriculture & Research: Iowa’s Monarch Conservation Consortium is asking Iowans to report monarch roosts to help track fall migration; meanwhile, new work is advancing “EKG for a single cell” sensing using diamond quantum biosensors from UChicago and the University of Iowa. Rural Workforce: Iowa’s career center push gets attention as the state invests millions to expand training access for rural students. Payments & Policy: A major legal fight over debit interchange fees could reshape how banks process transactions, with Iowa-area merchants watching closely. Campus Tech & Privacy: Flock license-plate cameras continue to spark privacy concerns as more schools and cities review or pause use.