AGP Executive Report

Space & Culture: Iowa native Molly Jennis’ solo Mars mission is the emotional engine of “Spaceman,” now premiering in Chicago—where overheating panels and carbon-dioxide misery meet the loneliness of a one-person voyage. Higher Ed Spotlight: The University of Kansas honored 11 students with University Awards for community engagement, leadership, and academics. Iowa Energy & Ag Policy: The House passed a push for year-round E15 (Unleaded 88), putting Iowa’s corn-and-ethanol economy back in the spotlight—though Senate hurdles remain. Health & Public Safety: Gov. Reynolds is set to sign an Iowa vape/nicotine tax bill funding pediatric cancer research at the University of Iowa. Politics to Watch: A new Iowa Democratic Senate primary poll shows Josh Turek leading Zach Wahls. Jobs Update: Iowa unemployment held at 3.3% in April as leisure/hospitality and health care hiring rose. Local Tech/Infrastructure: O’Brien County paused new data center construction through Dec. 31, 2026, citing electricity, water, and noise concerns.

Courts: Closing arguments wrapped in the Ilias Lasley double-homicide trial in Marshalltown, with prosecutors arguing Lasley fired multiple rounds after becoming upset the victims were speaking Spanish, and the defense saying fear drove his actions. Public Safety: Iowa law enforcement is pushing seatbelt use and “plan ahead” driving for Memorial Day weekend as travel ramps up and fatalities remain elevated. Local Government: Marshall County supervisors heard a Haverhill resident’s request for a “light trespass” ordinance after zoning officials said none exists. Economy & Jobs: More layoffs are hitting West Des Moines, with UnityPoint cutting 14 and Wells Fargo cutting 29 at its Jordan Creek campus. Iowa Policy/Planning: Dubuque County supervisors may consider a 120-day data center moratorium to pause zoning and permits while rules are drafted. Health & Tech: A U.S. surgeon general advisory and related court fight keep spotlighting youth screen harms, while Iowa’s job market report shows April unemployment at 3.3% with hiring gains in accommodations and food services.

Screen-Time Push Hits Iowa Classrooms: Gov. Kim Reynolds signed Iowa’s new “MAHA” bill limiting classroom screen time for K-5, capping one-to-one digital instruction at 60 minutes a day with exceptions, as the U.S. Surgeon General’s office urged schools to cut tech exposure and even consider cellphone bans. Local Infrastructure Moves: Plymouth County supervisors advanced a secondary road construction policy and backed a railroad crossing elimination push for Merrill to reduce U.S. 75 train-blocking delays. Jobs & Cost Pressure: Iowa unemployment held at 3.3% in April while hiring rose in health care; meanwhile, a doxo report says household bill costs vary wildly by state, with the priciest regions far above the national median. Safety Upgrades: Southwestern Community College is rolling into phase two of campus security work, adding door controls and replacing cameras. Business & Growth: Des Moines University’s marketing team won AMA Iowa’s 2026 Marketing Department of the Year, and Kwik Trip earned the 2026 Black Pearl Award for food protection.

Education & Health Policy: Gov. Kim Reynolds signed Iowa’s “Make America Healthy Again” law with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., setting new limits on classroom screen time for K-5 (60 minutes a day on one-to-one devices, with exceptions) and rolling out broader childhood health rules. Federal Pushback/Alignment: The U.S. Surgeon General’s office released a youth screen-time advisory urging schools to cut back, keep devices in computer labs, and use “bell-to-bell” cellphone bans—while recommending more paper-and-pen learning. Energy & AI Infrastructure: NextEra Energy’s proposed all-stock $66.8B deal to buy Dominion would create a utility giant tied to the data-center power boom, with consumer watchdogs already criticizing the merger. Local Public Safety: Bremer County firefighters are fundraising for a specialized grain rescue trailer to respond to farm emergencies like grain bin entrapments. Food Safety: Kwik Trip won the 2026 Black Pearl Award for food protection.

Workforce Pipeline: Fort Madison High School is building a Registered Apprenticeship with local auto partners to plug Iowa’s technician gap—dealers and shops can’t find enough trained workers as retirements rise and modern cars demand new skills. Iowa Politics: Gov. Kim Reynolds signed Iowa’s new “MAHA” law with RFK Jr., reshaping SNAP rules, school meals, screen time, and ivermectin access—setting up a fight over federal waivers. Campaign Watch: Iowa AG Brenna Bird outraised her opponent in the attorney general race, pulling in $1.7M so far. Education & Budget Pressure: Cornell College will phase out 7 majors and cut faculty as it tackles a $2M deficit. Tech & Privacy: ProCircular opened a standardized after-action assessment for schools worried about the Canvas cyber incident. Public Health: A Wisconsin tick study found more than half of tested deer ticks carry Lyme bacteria. Food & Community: Smithfield Foods announced 2026 Impact Grants for local nonprofits.

Iowa Water Fight: Three Iowa environmental groups sued the EPA after seven Iowa waterways were removed from the state’s impaired list, arguing the move ignores nitrate pollution tied to drinking-water harm. Local Infrastructure: Davenport’s Eastern Avenue bridge is being raised 3–4 feet to get out of the floodplain and reroute the Duck Creek Trail underneath, aiming to prevent last summer’s impassable problem. Education Disruption: Marshalltown’s school board approved Miller Middle School construction items even after a tornado warning interrupted the meeting. Community Impact: Waterloo’s Bluedorn Science Imaginarium will be demolished despite a buyer offer, with plans to fold hands-on STEM into the Grout Museum. Public Safety & Health: Senators advanced a bill to curb AI companion chatbots for kids amid self-harm concerns, while patients still report delays from prior-approval hassles. Business Moves: Coralville is set to welcome Morrison Weighing Systems to the Iowa Research Park, and Great Plains Communications agreed to buy Fastwyre’s Nebraska broadband business.

Healthcare & Tech for Home Care: VGM & Associates released a new playbook aimed at home-based care providers, pushing operational upgrades and “digital transformation” including AI, automation, and better payer strategy. Education Governance: The Iowa State Board of Education welcomed three new board members plus a student representative, setting the stage for oversight across K-12, community colleges, and teacher prep. Local Business Expansion: Morrison Weighing Systems is relocating to the University of Iowa Research Park in Coralville, with plans to expand production and testing space. Broadband Growth: Great Plains Communications agreed to buy Fastwyre Broadband’s Nebraska business, expanding fiber access and local support. Science & Agriculture: Iowa State researchers helped pinpoint where upland cotton was first domesticated in Mexico’s Yucatán region, dating it thousands of years back. Public Safety: Mandeville is moving from experimental speed tables to permanent installations after positive resident feedback.

AI Data Centers & Water: A new push for AI data centers in the region is colliding with public worries about water use, with a Pocatello-focused op-ed arguing that “closed-loop” cooling should mean no ongoing water draw—so the real question is what the city should demand in return. Power Industry Deal: NextEra Energy is moving to buy Dominion Energy in a roughly $67B deal, aiming to build a utility giant as AI-driven electricity demand surges. Iowa Clean Energy & Jobs: A fresh report says Iowa’s wind-heavy grid has helped keep electricity affordability steadier than the national pace, while warning that missing renewable investment could mean fewer jobs and less economic impact. Workforce Pipeline: Linn-Mar students are getting hands-on construction training by building a real “job site” office for ESCO Electric, reflecting how districts are trying to close labor gaps early. Public Safety Tech: Federal agencies may soon be required to use NIST’s AI risk framework under a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Iowa Rep. Zach Nunn. Health & Tech Business: VGM & Associates released a playbook for home-based care providers, urging tech upgrades and AI-ready operations. Weather Watch: Severe storms and tornado risk are threatening parts of the Midwest, including Iowa.

Data centers vs. labor: Texas homebuilders say AI data centers are pulling electricians away, stretching builds by months as the state’s population surge collides with a tight skilled-workforce market. Water quality push in Iowa: Polk County launched a public campaign on nitrate concerns in the Raccoon and Des Moines Rivers, including how drinking water is tested and what to know for recreation and pets. Rail pricing fight: BNSF canceled reciprocal switching rates for some unit grain trains, and Union Pacific says the move can nearly triple costs—472% at one Nebraska location—prompting a complaint to federal regulators. Iowa jobs for grads: Iowa Workforce Development reports tens of thousands of openings across healthcare, IT, construction, biotech, and roles that value AI skills. Crypto shakeout: Bitcoin ATM operator Bitcoin Depot filed for Chapter 11 and shut down its network. Local youth programming: Fayette County’s ISU Extension rolled out summer day camps spanning science, maker projects, and cooking. NIL-era sports: Arizona State’s 26 sports teams face new NIL-era balancing challenges. Weather watch: The Midwest braces for severe storms with tornado, hail, and flooding risk.

Courtroom Update: The Hamilton murder trial moved into a second day of cross-examination, with jurors hearing testimony tied to the 2024 shooting of Zachary Drinovsky and arguments over what witnesses said happened. Big Tech & Kids Online: Social media CEOs from Meta, TikTok, Alphabet and Snap are set to testify again before the Senate Judiciary Committee on child-safety practices, with Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley leading the push. Nitrate & Water Pressure: A new national report says nearly 1 in 5 Americans drink nitrate-contaminated water, adding fuel to ongoing fights over farm pollution and drinking-water protections. Local Good News: Marshalltown’s Little League Park got a $20,000-plus boost from AASI, funding new field upgrades and safety improvements. Community Clean-Up: Cedar Rapids launched “Carry In, Carry Out” to cut litter in parks and trails, asking visitors to pack out what they bring in. Science Spotlight: U of Iowa researchers reported ancient genetic “language switches” that appear to strongly shape human language ability.

Big Tech on the hot seat: Senate Judiciary leaders are calling Meta, TikTok, Google and Snap CEOs back to testify June 23 on social media’s risks for kids and families, with Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley pushing for answers after earlier hearings. Iowa outdoors, updated: The Iowa DNR refreshed its interactive fishing atlas this week with a new design, better search, and a more mobile-friendly map that lets anglers drop a pin to find nearby spots. Local clean-up push: Cedar Rapids launched “Carry In, Carry Out” to cut litter in parks and trails, keeping trash cans limited to high-use areas. Health-tech business move: Waterloo-based VGM & Associates released a playbook for home-based care providers, urging smarter operations and digital upgrades, including AI and automation. Community safety fundraising: Bridgewater firefighters are raising about $28,000 for a UTV grass/brush fire unit after grass-and-field calls surged.

Big Tech vs. Kids: Senate Judiciary leaders are summoning social media CEOs again, with Meta, Alphabet, TikTok, and Snap set to testify June 23 on how platforms affect children and families—another round after the 2024 grilling. Local Cleanliness: Cedar Rapids launched “Carry In, Carry Out” to cut litter in parks and trails, keeping trash cans available only in some high-use spots. Aviation for Youth: EAA Young Eagles held its annual Kids Fly Free at Waterloo Regional Airport, giving 100+ kids short rides and a first taste of piloting. Weather Watch: Rain returns today with a chance of thunderstorms and small hail or strong winds, then steadier showers linger into early next week. Iowa Tech & Policy: Iowa’s default speed limit could rise from 55 to 60 mph on many rural two-lane roads starting July 1 if signed. Agriculture & Food Data: A nonprofit paid for lab testing of whole hemp biomass after USDA’s food database still lacks nutrition data for the plant.

Big Tech Under Senate Pressure: Sen. Chuck Grassley says Meta, TikTok, Google and Snapchat CEOs will testify June 23 on social media risks for kids and families, as lawmakers push for tougher accountability. Iowa Water Fight: Gov. Kim Reynolds announced a nitrate-focused water package—over $100M for treatment over a decade, including $25M to expand Central Iowa Water Works—aimed at meeting federal drinking-water standards. Rural Roads Change: Iowa’s default speed limit on many two-lane highways could rise from 55 to 60 mph starting July 1, with interstate limits unchanged. Ag Watch: USDA data shows record 2025 corn and soybean yields, while Illinois reports a new weed threat—Asian copperleaf—raising concerns for the Midwest. Local Fixes: Sheldon residents are asking the city to address a dangerous Kwik Star entrance; Mason City plans a short closure for utility work.

Social Media Oversight: Sen. Chuck Grassley is lining up another Senate Judiciary hearing on June 23, calling on CEOs from Meta, Google, TikTok and Snap to testify on child online safety—after lawmakers pushed similar questions in 2024 and pressure has only grown. K-12 Tech Fight: A growing number of parents want districts to let families opt out of classroom tech, but districts say it’s not feasible—an argument now playing out in Iowa and beyond. Iowa Public Safety & Community: Davenport’s new strategic priorities put housing, infrastructure and public-safety transparency front and center, while Cedar Rapids broke ground on a major flood-control project aimed at turning protection into an amenity. Water & Energy: An EPA proposal would weaken limits on toxic coal-ash wastewater, raising fresh alarms for Iowa waterways. Local Notes: Mason City will close a key intersection May 18–22 for utility work, and JCPS is hiring a national search firm for new central-office leadership roles.

K-12 Tech Shake-Up: Sioux City Schools is ending five elementary specialty programs—Arts A+, Computer Programming, STEM, International Baccalaureate, and Environmental Sciences—citing staffing, training, and funding strain, while keeping IB at Nodland-Sunnyside. Congressional Pressure on Platforms: Social media CEOs from Meta, Alphabet, TikTok, and Snap are set for another Senate Judiciary hearing focused on risks to children and teens. Iowa Aviation Expansion: The University of Dubuque is launching a new rotary-wing helicopter pilot pathway (associate of applied science) starting fall 2026 to feed careers in EMS, law enforcement, firefighting, tourism, and more. Payments Policy Warning: A think tank says Iowa’s proposed swipe-fee limits could cost the state $67M and hundreds of jobs while delivering only small merchant savings. Local Tech & Growth: Iowa Central is moving ahead with a new Center for Sports Performance, and FORCE America just opened a bigger Fort Dodge facility. Community & Culture: Over 200 Meskwaki objects were returned to the Meskwaki Tribal Museum in a major repatriation milestone.

Cybersecurity Shock: Canvas (used by thousands of schools) went down during finals after a ShinyHunters cyberattack, then came back online Friday as Instructure said it was available for most users. Education Spotlight: Iowa’s Ann Jackson, a Miller Middle School NHD teacher, is nominated for National History Day Teacher of the Year, with multiple local students headed to nationals. Courts & Public Safety: In Marshalltown’s Lasley double-murder trial, prosecutors detailed the scene and cartridge casings as the case moves through Day 3 testimony. Politics: In Iowa’s Senate Democratic primary debate, Josh Turek and Zach Wahls clashed hard over reproductive healthcare records. Water Quality Fight: Iowa and national groups are pushing the EPA to act on nitrate pollution in drinking water, including a lawsuit alleging regulators backed away after farm-lobby meetings. Local Tech & Infrastructure: Cedar Falls rezoning clears the way for a natural gas power plant, while Dubuque is recommending a new police chief and launching a new two-year helicopter pilot program. AI Misuse Case: A Sioux City man pleaded guilty to child pornography charges tied to AI-generated nude images.