AGP Executive Report

Water Quality & Farms: Iowa is expanding its Cattle and Conservation Working Lands cost-share into 22 Greater Des Moines watershed counties, adding $1.5 million over five years to help producers convert under-performing or highly erodible row crop into pasture and hay—aiming to cut soil erosion and improve drinking-water sources. Wildlife Habitat: The Iowa DNR is hosting multiple public open houses on wildlife areas and stewardship plans, including Sunken Grove and Shimon Marsh (Aug. 26, Fonda), Grant Center (Sept. 3, Smithland), and Syracuse Wildlife Area (Sept. 2, Wheatland). Wetlands Protection: Welch Lake Complex is credited with filtering 16% of the West Okoboji Lake watershed through dozens of wetlands, and later this fall it will restore 20 more acres and convert uplands to native prairie to boost water quality and migratory bird habitat. River Infrastructure: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold a free open house at Lock and Dam 10 in Guttenberg on Sept. 26, with water safety displays and a look at how the navigation system is maintained. Public Health Watch: Wisconsin’s measles outbreak tied to southwest Wisconsin has grown to 39 cases, with low kindergarten vaccination coverage and rising exemptions keeping communities vulnerable.

Medicaid & Climate Policy Backlash: The Trump administration told states it won’t renew a key Medicaid waiver, warning other states could face tighter “budget neutrality” rules—an Iowa-relevant reminder that federal policy shifts can ripple into health coverage and public services. Birds & Habitat Education: Iowa County supervisors got a hands-on lesson from a naturalist on how backyard habitat—native plants, water, and shelter—supports birds, bees, and butterflies. Trails & Rail-to-Green Space: Windsor Heights is weighing a shared-use trail along an abandoned rail corridor near 73rd Street, turning a transportation change into potential wildlife-friendly recreation. Upper Mississippi River Habitat Work: The Army Corps awarded a $6.3M contract to restore floodplain forest and fisheries habitat near New Albin, with construction expected to finish by 2030. Wildlife Health Watch: Epizootic hemorrhagic disease was confirmed in a dead deer in Richfield, Wisconsin, highlighting how insect-borne outbreaks can affect regional deer populations. Cover Crops for Soil Health: Practical Farmers of Iowa opened applications for a 2026 cover crop cost-share program to help offset fall planting costs and improve soil. Local Community Sustainability: Lyon County and the University of Iowa’s sustainable communities program are launching housing, trail connectivity, stormwater, and community development projects.

Upper Mississippi River Habitat Restoration: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded a $6.3 million contract to restore floodplain forest and fisheries overwintering habitat near New Albin, including work in Ice Haul Slough in Pool 9, with construction expected to finish by 2030. Wildlife Health Watch: Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) was confirmed in a dead white-tailed deer in Richfield, Wisconsin, as reports of 80–100 dead deer continue in the southeast part of the state. Local Community + Sustainability Planning: Lyon County is partnering with the University of Iowa on a multi-project push—housing needs assessment, trail connectivity, community development, and stormwater improvements—aimed at long-term growth. Nonprofit Grants for Housing and Opportunity: Dupaco Foundation awarded $250,000 to 32 nonprofits across Iowa and Wisconsin, including eight Cedar Rapids-area groups focused on affordable housing, workforce development, and small business support. Cover Crops Cost-Share: Practical Farmers of Iowa opened its 2026 cover crop cost-share applications, offering $15/acre for fall planting to support soil health and erosion control. Public Safety + Micro-Mobility: E-scooters and e-bikes are driving urgent safety and regulation conversations in N’West Iowa after rising injury reports, with speed flagged as a key risk. Air Quality + Mental Health: Wildfire smoke is affecting Iowans’ physical and mental health, with experts warning it can worsen stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms.

AI Infrastructure & Power Grid: A growing backlash to AI data centers is spreading from New York to Texas, where states are pausing new grid connections and pushing audits—raising big questions for Iowa about reliability, permitting, and who pays for the power. Mississippi River Impacts: Bridge demolition and replacement on the Black Hawk Bridge between Iowa and Wisconsin is forcing long detours and hurting downtown Lansing businesses—another reminder that infrastructure work can ripple through local economies and travel. Iowa Water & Health: Paullina is weighing a water system upgrade, likely a new well to address manganese, while a statewide push for free radon testing (via iowaradon.org) targets a leading lung-cancer risk in Iowa homes. Outdoor Access in Iowa: The Iowa Climbers Coalition is building a more sustainable climbing destination at Prairie Creek Recreation Area, adding retaining walls and trail work to reduce erosion. Weather Watch: Southern Iowa faces a chance of showers and thunderstorms, with more storm chances expanding statewide by Tuesday.

Flood & Storm Readiness: A First Alert Day is out for Tuesday as Iowa faces a strong-to-severe storm setup with hail and damaging winds possible, plus lingering storm chances into Wednesday morning. Local Water Resilience: Ankeny and West Des Moines are tracking waterways after heavy rain and continuing stormwater upgrades, including pump-station capacity and capital projects aimed at reducing future flooding impacts. Drinking Water Watch: Paullina is weighing early steps toward upgrading its water system, with engineers exploring options like a new well to address long-running manganese and nitrate concerns. Indoor Air Safety: Iowans can get free radon testing kits through iowaradon.org, targeting a cancer-causing gas that often goes untested for years. Colorado River Stress: Lake Mead hit a new low, underscoring how drought and rising temperatures are squeezing water supplies for farms, wildlife, and hydropower across the Southwest. Agriculture Disaster Flexibility: USDA expanded emergency haying and grazing options on Conservation Reserve Program acres for wildfire-impacted producers, including Iowa counties.

Severe Weather Watch: A First Alert Day is out for Tuesday as strong to severe storms could bring large hail and damaging winds across Iowa, with showers possibly starting early and the main threat building in the early afternoon. Flooding Fallout: The Midwest is still reeling from a relentless storm stretch that’s pushed rivers to record levels and left more than 150,000 people without power, with flood watches stretching from Iowa eastward. Local Flood Resilience: Ankeny and West Des Moines are investing about $29.7 million each in stormwater upgrades, including pump stations and monitoring, to reduce future flooding risk. Water Quality & Health: Iowa’s water and cancer concerns keep coming up in coverage, including warnings about rising nitrates in Iowa waterways and what more downpours could mean. Wildlife Conservation: Researchers helped pull the Poweshiek skipperling butterfly back from the brink, with releases shifting from preventing extinction to expanding a recovering population. Iowa Community Spotlight: Iowans for Adoption is hosting a Sept. 17 gala in Ames to push for permanency for children in foster care. Policy & Politics: The DNC approved a 2028 presidential calendar that puts South Carolina first and leaves Iowa out of early voting, drawing sharp criticism from Iowa Democrats.

Midwest Flooding: A relentless storm system is driving devastating flooding across the Midwest, with more heavy rain expected through Sunday; Indiana has requested a FEMA emergency declaration after the White River hit a record 24.9 feet and more than 150,000 people lost power. Iowa Storm Readiness: Tuesday’s weather outlook has a First Alert Day for strong to severe storms across Iowa, with large hail and damaging winds the main risks. Local Flood Resilience: Ankeny and West Des Moines are continuing stormwater upgrades and pump-station readiness to reduce future flooding impacts after repeated heavy rains. Water Security: North Dakota officials say their water systems were not compromised in a recent Iranian-linked cyberattack targeting municipal utilities in nearby states. Wildlife & Habitat: Iowa’s DNR is running its annual pheasant survey, while conservation work in the region highlights the recovery of the endangered Poweshiek skipperling butterfly. Policy & Oversight: Iowa state treasurer candidate John Norwood says the office should be more visible and tie budgeting to priorities including water quality and agriculture.

Drought Watch: Iowa climatologist Justin Glisan says drought is easing overall, but dry soils persist in western Iowa; about 36% of the state is abnormally dry (down from 44%), with moderate drought concentrated in western counties and a severe pocket in parts of Monona, Woodbury, Sac, Crawford, Carroll, and Calhoun. Water Quality Alarm: Big Spirit Lake is seeing intense algae blooms and die-offs, driven by high nutrients, extreme summer heat, and low wind that lets blooms intensify along shorelines; officials warn to keep people and pets out of scummy, smelly water. Wildlife Health: Wisconsin confirmed chronic wasting disease at a Crawford County deer farm, triggering quarantine and an epidemiological investigation. Food Safety: FDA inspectors visited Taylor Farms’ Mexico operation tied to the cyclospora outbreak, starting on-site checks after thousands fell ill. Local Environment & Health: Sioux City’s air quality monitoring found periods of “unhealthy” air, while Iowa Great Lakes fisheries report changes including more gizzard shad in Iowa waters.

Lawsuit Over Workplace Safety at IMHI: Independence Mental Health Institute is facing a lawsuit from former employees alleging gross negligence and a dangerous environment, with plaintiffs claiming severe injuries tied to assaults at the state-run facility. Drought Watch: Iowa climatologist Justin Glisan says drought is easing overall, but dry soils persist in western Iowa, with crop and pasture stress still a concern. Water and Weather Reality Check: Glisan also notes parts of Iowa are extremely wet while others are very dry, underscoring how uneven conditions are shaping farming this season. Food Safety Scrutiny: FDA investigators have begun inspecting Taylor Farms’ Mexico operation tied to a major cyclospora outbreak, raising questions about how long regulators waited after illnesses were linked to shredded lettuce. Local Airwaves: WMT radio is ending local voices in Eastern Iowa, a blow to community-based emergency updates and neighborhood reporting. Energy Debate in Linn County: Save Morgan Valley speakers criticized Alliant Energy’s proposed natural gas plant, arguing potential environmental and health impacts should be front and center. Whole Foods Recall: Whole Foods expanded a jalapeno recall tied to salmonella concerns, with products sold in Iowa among other states. Ag Transition Story: One Iowa farm family is switching from pigs to mushrooms, highlighting a path some producers are taking to reduce pollution and debt pressures. Wildlife Crime: An Iowa man faces more than 100 charges tied to capturing protected turtles in Alabama, spotlighting ongoing threats to rare species.

Medicaid Fight: The Trump administration says it won’t renew a key Medicaid waiver for Arkansas, citing new “budget neutrality” rules—an early warning that other states’ health coverage plans could face tighter federal limits. Wildlife Crime in Iowa Connections: An Iowa man faces 124 charges after allegedly capturing and selling protected turtles in Alabama, including 20 counts tied to the critically endangered flattened musk turtle found only in Alabama. Air Quality Watch: A Sioux City-area nonprofit reports community air monitors are showing unhealthy spikes for PM2.5, pointing to both wildfire smoke and local pollution sources, with calls to hold polluters accountable. Farm Weather Tools: Iowa State University is offering free, research-backed weather data tools at the Farm Progress Show, including the Iowa Environmental Mesonet to help farmers make better nitrogen and planting decisions. Local Environment Meeting: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold a public meeting next week to update residents on environmental work at the old Offutt missile site, including groundwater plume maps and next steps. CRP Disaster Help: USDA expanded emergency haying and grazing options on Conservation Reserve Program acres for wildfire-impacted livestock producers, including Iowa.

Climate & Health: Avera’s 25-foot mobile research unit is bringing NIH-funded child health studies to rural Iowa communities, including Mitchell, with clinic-on-wheels visits and blood collection for the ECHO study. Severe Weather & Water: Iowa’s latest storm round dropped heavy rain across the metro and west/central areas, with Des Moines at 2.38 inches by noon Aug. 13, and more showers possible into Friday. Flood Resilience: Rock Valley is moving forward on FEMA-funded flood buyouts, approving asbestos abatement and demolition contracts so damaged homes can be cleared and converted to permanent open space. Clean Energy Grid Fight: An op-ed and reporting highlight uncertainty for Iowa and the Midwest as the U.S. Department of Energy blocks billions in grid-fix grants, raising reliability and affordability concerns. Pollution & Ecosystems: Gulf of Mexico scientists report a smaller summer “dead zone” than expected, tied to how storms mixed oxygen-rich water—part of the long push to cut nitrogen and phosphorus pollution. Wildlife Protection: An Iowa man faces more than 100 charges in Alabama for allegedly capturing endangered flattened musk turtles, underscoring how tightly protected species are policed.

EPA cleanup funding in Keokuk: EPA officials toured the former Elkem Carbide site and announced another $1 million for cleanup, with extra $1 million awards for Southeast Iowa Regional Planning and Burlington. Community energy and stewardship grants: Alliant Energy and its foundation handed out $708,599 in Iowa/Wisconsin community grants, including environmental-stewardship support for Verona groups. Wildlife protection in Iowa parks: Northern Monkshood, a federally threatened plant, is being safeguarded at Summit Metro Parks, with Iowa holding one of the remaining wild populations. Severe weather watch: The Midwest and Ohio Valley are bracing for more storms after deadly derecho and flash flooding, with widespread power outages reported. Water quality and fisheries: Iowa DNR says gizzard shad numbers in the Iowa Great Lakes are up, tracking a warming-climate shift northward. Data center pressure in Sioux County: Residents pressed PathOne Data Centers for clearer answers at a public meeting; no county approval yet, but the proposal targets a smaller-scale start. Local flood resilience planning: Red Oak received a plan update from ISU students to help homes in floodplains handle flooding risk.

Data Centers & Local Control: Sioux County residents pressed PathOne Data Centers for clearer answers at a nearly three-hour meeting, with the company proposing a smaller “edge” facility near Hull (starting around 10 megawatts, capped at 25) but no county approval yet. Water & Climate Resilience: Iowa’s DNR reports gizzard shad are increasing in the Iowa Great Lakes, a shift tied to warming conditions and potential knock-on effects for lake food webs. Pollution & Plastics: Illinois became the first in the Great Lakes region to require reporting of industrial plastic pellet spills (“nurdles”), treating them as pollution and pushing companies to plan for storm runoff controls. Severe Weather Impacts: A powerful storm system across the Midwest left hundreds of thousands without power and triggered deadly flooding and tornado risk. Cyber Preparedness for Iowa: Free training is available for local Iowa officials to practice backup plans for technology outages, including scenarios affecting essential services. Health & Pesticides: An Iowa senator renewed efforts to ban paraquat, citing links to Parkinson’s risk and urging stronger protections. Wildlife & Habitat: The U.S. removed 100 outdated dams in 2025, reconnecting thousands of river miles and improving habitat access for fish and other wildlife.

Cyber Resilience: Iowa officials can sign up for free training led by Iowa State University to practice what to do when tech systems fail, after recent hacks forced manual operations in schools and water systems. Severe Weather & Flooding: A relentless storm pattern is keeping pressure on the Midwest and Ohio Valley, with damaging winds and heavy rain threats and renewed flooding risk. Nitrate Alarm in Iowa Water: Hydrologist Dr. Larry Weber warns nitrate levels in Iowa rivers are rising toward dangerous long-term averages, linking nutrient trends to cancer concerns and pushing for better monitoring and forecasting. Drinking Water Nitrate Outlook: Experts say recent heavy rains likely won’t spike nitrates in central Iowa’s Raccoon and Des Moines rivers unless prolonged wet weather follows. Recycling Data Push: The Iowa DNR is building a better reporting system to track recycling streams and diversion, saying current gaps make it hard to measure progress and plan grants. Water Quality Education: Des Moines Water Works Park is getting “Water Curia,” a new pavilion meant to teach residents how to protect Iowa’s drinking water. Ag Research Showcase: ISU will bring farmer-focused research— including AI and nitrogen management— to the Farm Progress Show near Boone Sept. 1–3.

Nitrate & Cancer Alarm: At the Boji Cleanwater Jam, University of Iowa researchers warned Iowa is nearing a critical point on long-term nitrate trends, while launching work to explore links between environmental exposures and high cancer rates. Rainfall Watch: Experts say recent heavy rains are unlikely to spike nitrate levels in the Raccoon and Des Moines drinking-water rivers soon—unless prolonged wet weather hits northwest Iowa—because early runoff can dilute nitrates before later soil-and-tile drainage can raise them. Water Monitoring Boost: Iowa is adding $500,000 for 18 new solar hydrostations to expand flood, drought, and water-quality tracking statewide, with data feeding the Iowa Flood Center. Drinking Water Education Art: Des Moines’ Water Works Park is building “Water Curia,” a new outdoor classroom honoring water quality advocate Bill Stowe and highlighting how agricultural pollutants affect nitrates. Cleanup Funding: EPA officials toured Keokuk’s former Elkem Carbide site and announced another $1 million to support ongoing brownfields cleanup and water-quality monitoring. Storm Impacts: A derecho and severe storms knocked out power across parts of the Midwest and East, underscoring how extreme weather keeps stressing Iowa’s water and infrastructure systems.

Data Center Policy Watch (Iowa): Linn County supervisors voted not to move forward with rezoning changes that would have allowed large data centers near nuclear energy facilities, after residents raised concerns about water, power, land use, and environmental impacts; the county will use its moratorium time to shape clearer rules. Local Governance & Water Access (Des Moines): Des Moines and ICON Water Trails won $2 million in federal funding for river recreation upgrades at Birdland and Prospect parks, including shoreline stabilization and trail changes to reduce flooding impacts. Environmental Stewardship Grants (Iowa): Alliant Energy Foundation awarded $708,599 across Iowa and Wisconsin, including nearly $90,000 for habitat conservation plus tree and prairie plantings, and funding for parks and trails. Air & Climate Signals: NOAA reported July 2026 as the hottest month ever recorded in the contiguous U.S., underscoring intensifying heat extremes. Public Health & Food Safety: Salmonella outbreaks tied to eggs and jalapeños are sickening hundreds nationwide, with multiple recalls underway. Severe Weather: Tuesday’s early-morning storms have an enhanced risk for damaging winds in parts of northern Iowa and southern Minnesota. Wildlife Habitat (Regional): A Wisconsin rail corridor abandoned in 1964 has rebounded into a green corridor connecting forests, wetlands, and wildlife habitat.