AGP Executive Report

Groundwater & Farming Costs: A Kansas State University expert says nitrate pollution from decades of fertilizer use has left some groundwater so contaminated it could be used to replace part of farmers’ fertilizer—though health risks remain and testing irrigation wells is key. Rural Health Funding: CMS approved Kansas’ Health Care Access Improvement Program expansion, sending about $83 million in enhanced Medicaid payments to Critical Access Hospitals and Rural Emergency Hospitals. Local Water & Recreation: Cheney Lake flooding has closed multiple campsites ahead of the Fourth of July, with the lake sitting about four feet above normal. Solar Development Watch: Finney County will consider a Special Use Permit for the Lone Bison Solar project on July 6. School Policy: Kansas’ statewide cell phone ban takes effect Wednesday, and KCKPS says phones will be collected and stored “bell to bell.” Heat Risk: A major Midwest heat wave is pushing heat index values toward 100–115 degrees from Kansas City to Boston, with little relief expected. Business Incubators: Kansas Commerce awarded $750,000 in Downtown Revive & Thrive grants to renovate buildings into business incubators across nine projects.

Heat & Power Risks: A record-breaking heat wave is pushing “feels-like” temperatures to 100–115°F across the Midwest and East, with Kansas City in the mix and concerns about heat illness and strained power grids into the July 4 weekend. Local Governance & Schools: The U.S. Education Department says it will pursue enforcement against Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools over transgender policies, alleging a federal privacy-law violation; the district disputes the findings. Public Safety Tech: Colby Public Schools in northwestern Kansas has deployed ZeroEyes AI gun detection after receiving a Kansas Attorney General grant. State Policy Watch: New Kansas laws take effect July 1, including measures aligned with Trump administration priorities. Water & Health Claims: A new report claims mifepristone-related infertility concerns tied to water supply, but it also notes a lack of recent studies on impacts to U.S. water. Outdoor Events: Kansas state parks and historic sites are listing July activities, including hikes and yoga at Knob Noster State Park.

Extreme Heat & Climate Risk: A dangerous heat wave is building across the eastern U.S., with triple-digit temperatures and oppressive humidity tied to a “heat dome.” The National Weather Service warns that nights may stay hot, including in cities hosting World Cup matches; Kansas City is also mentioned as part of the broader heat threat, underscoring how climate change is making record-breaking heat more common. Brownfields Cleanup in Kansas: Stevensville leaders say the EPA approved a $733,000 grant to demolish the long-vacant Anstey Foundry site and mitigate hazards, with community input pointing toward mixed-use development or a village hall/community campus. Whooping Crane Habitat Protections: The Trump administration is moving to remove parts of federal enforcement tied to the Endangered Species Act and to reduce wetland protections, raising concerns for whooping crane migration stopovers across the Great Plains. Groundwater Contamination Health Support: Wichita Black Nurses Association is using a $604,000 grant to provide free medical testing for residents in areas linked to suspected trichloroethylene contamination from a Union Pacific yard. Rural Health Collaboration: Clara Barton Medical Center is joining the Kansas High Value Network, a statewide effort for independent rural hospitals to share best practices and strengthen care.

Extreme Heat Watch: A dangerous “heat dome” is expected to bake the central and eastern U.S. through the Fourth of July, with heat indices around 105–115°F in parts of the Midwest and East. Kansas City is among the cities facing the worst conditions, raising fresh concerns for outdoor safety and heat-related illness. Severe Storm Setup: The same pattern is also fueling multi-day severe storm risk, including damaging winds and large hail, with some isolated tornado potential across parts of Kansas and the Great Lakes. Weed Control for Kansas Farms: K-State Extension lays out long-term management options for field bindweed, stressing prevention, cleaning equipment, and combining chemical, mechanical, and cultural strategies to stop root and seed spread. Rural Health Network: Clara Barton Medical Center in Kansas is joining a new Kansas High Value Network of independent rural hospitals aimed at improving care coordination and strengthening rural health care. Environmental Education Recognition: PAROC (Prophet Aquatic Research and Outreach Center) staff were honored for environmental education work. Local Water Safety/Health: HaysMed is negotiating with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas over reimbursement rates, while Kansas officials also continue addressing water and health concerns tied to local conditions.

Extreme Heat Watch: A “heat dome” is expected to push dangerously high heat and humidity across the central and eastern U.S., with Kansas City among the open-air World Cup host areas facing heat indices around 105–115°F, raising health and safety concerns through the Fourth of July weekend. Flooding & Recovery: Washington County crews are assessing damage after heavy rain and runoff sent water over county roads and into the Caney River, with officials tracking costs for possible disaster reimbursement. Water & Health: Kansas is expanding newborn screening—starting June 29—for GAMT deficiency, a rare genetic disorder tied to seizures and developmental delays, adding to the state’s 38-condition panel. Brownfields & Reuse: Brownfield experts are advising on the former ice arena site in Janesville, exploring reuse versus demolition with support from K-State’s technical assistance and EPA-funded work. Energy & Land Use: Dickinson County planning officials recommend extending a moratorium on alternative energy systems for two more years, while data centers are still under review for a separate policy. Wildlife Conservation: Conservation efforts for the lesser prairie chicken highlight declining counts and new habitat protection and grazing deferment plans in the sand sage ecoregion. Public Safety: Kansas Wildlife and Parks assisted in a reservoir drowning recovery in Hodgeman County, where a 39-year-old man was located and pronounced dead.

Heat & Health: The National Weather Service warns a dangerous, record-breaking heatwave could disrupt World Cup knockout matches, with heat indices near 100°F and higher humidity making conditions feel far worse—especially for open-air games in places like Kansas City. Water Safety: Salina residents on Dover Drive say months of discolored tap water have left them relying on bottled water and donations, pushing neighbors to demand answers from city leaders. Wildlife & Habitat: Great Plains ranchers are trying a new approach to save prairies—using hungry goats to curb woody takeover in tallgrass prairie and oak savanna. Conservation Focus: Kansas and Colorado lesser prairie chicken counts remain low, with agencies pointing to habitat protection and stronger landowner support as key next steps. Public Health (Newborn Screening): Kansas will expand its newborn screening panel to include GAMT deficiency, aiming for earlier detection of a rare disorder linked to seizures and developmental delays. Local Nature Spotlights: A guide highlights where Kansans can see bison, including Maxwell Wildlife Refuge and other state sites. Education Policy: Kansas school districts move to enforce Kansas’ “bell-to-bell” cell phone ban, with exceptions for IEPs, Section 504, and documented medical needs. Community Safety: Fort Leavenworth’s public health team will share summer safety tips at the Post Exchange, covering heat illness, hydration, sun safety, and water hazards.

Water Quality Crisis: Salina residents on Dover Drive say discolored tap water has dragged on for months, forcing bottled-water runs and donations as neighbors press the city for a permanent fix. Heat & Public Safety: The National Weather Service warns central and southeast Kansas to brace for sustained extreme heat, with highs near 100 and heat indexes over 105—plus reminders to hydrate and avoid risky outdoor activity. Data Centers vs. Water: A new report tied to Erin Brockovich argues proposed AI data centers are being planned over or near the Ogallala Aquifer, raising long-term groundwater concerns for Great Plains communities. Kratom Ban Prep: Kansas’ kratom and 7-OH ban begins July 1, and Douglas County health officials are gearing up for enforcement and withdrawal-related risks. Recreation & Wildlife Safety: A person drowned at Horsethief Reservoir in Hodgeman County; Kansas Wildlife and Parks helped locate the victim. Local Health Recognition: Hays earned the “Community Supporting Breastfeeding Plus” designation for expanding breastfeeding support across employers and child-care partners.

Water & Public Safety: A Kansas Wildlife and Parks sonar team helped recover a person who drowned at Horsethief Reservoir in Hodgeman County; the victim was pronounced dead after the search. Water Scarcity: A national report warns water quality and water availability problems are worsening, pointing to groundwater depletion as a major driver—an issue that hits the High Plains/Ogallala region including Kansas. Drought & Extreme Weather: Forecasters say the Midwest remains in “derecho alley,” with reminders that even storms that don’t meet strict criteria can still bring damaging winds. Toxic Algae Watch: Kansas health officials issued advisories for 12 lakes due to toxic blue-green algae risk, urging residents to avoid exposure. Local Governance & Water Use: A Kansas planning commission meeting in Emporia drew heavy public pushback over a proposed digital infrastructure overlay district tied to a “Flint Hills Digital Campus,” with residents questioning who benefits and what it means for the community. Health Policy: Kansas’ kratom ban begins July 1, and Douglas County officials are preparing for enforcement and withdrawal-related health impacts.

Kratom crackdown in Kansas: Kansas’ kratom and 7-OH ban starts July 1, and Lawrence/Douglas County health and law enforcement are gearing up for both enforcement and treatment support for people facing withdrawal risks. Water safety in western Kansas: A person drowned at Horsethief Reservoir in Hodgeman County; Kansas Wildlife and Parks located the victim and responders pronounced them dead. Flooded-stream health alerts: KDHE issued advisories for SEK residents to avoid flooded streams due to sewage concerns, and additional stream/lake advisories were reported for parts of south-central and southeast Kansas. Toxic blue-green algae warnings: Kansas health officials warned that 12 lakes may have toxic algae, urging residents to avoid contact and keep pets away. Disaster resilience funding: FEMA is reserving $75M for tribal resilience projects under the BRIC program as deadlines near, pushing hazard mitigation planning for Native communities. Home insurance pressure tied to extreme weather: A new poll of Kansas homeowners links rising premiums to severe weather and urges officials to hold utilities and polluters accountable.

Flood & Public Health: KDHE issued a regional advisory for parts of South Central and Southeast Kansas, urging residents to stay out of flooded streams and rivers after heavy rain raised concerns about sewage contamination and possible wastewater bypasses; the guidance covers counties including Cowley, Elk, Chautauqua, Montgomery, Labette and Cherokee, and will be rescinded once water levels drop and bypasses are controlled. Air Quality Watch: Cherokee County is monitoring landfill odors in Galena after residents reported smells ranging from rotten-egg (hydrogen sulfide) to smoke and burning asphalt/rubber; county monitors and prior KDHE/EPA checks found very low levels of targeted chemicals, and officials say public data will be posted. Cancer & Pesticides: A Michigan State University analysis of rural counties found higher breast cancer incidence rates tied to heavier use of certain endocrine-disrupting pesticides, adding to the growing debate over pesticide impacts on public health. Disaster Resilience Funding: FEMA is urging Native nations to apply for $75 million reserved for tribes through the BRIC program as the deadline nears, highlighting hazard mitigation as “generational planning.”

Flood & Sewage Safety: KDHE issued regional public health advisories for parts of South Central and Southeast Kansas, urging residents to avoid flooded rivers and streams after heavy rain raised concerns about possible sewage contamination and wastewater bypasses; the advisory covers counties including Cowley, Elk, Chautauqua, Montgomery, Labette and Cherokee, and will be rescinded once water levels drop and bypasses are controlled. Cancer & Pesticides: A Michigan State University study found a modest link between endocrine-disrupting pesticide use and higher breast cancer incidence in rural U.S. counties, raising fresh questions about chemical exposure and public health. Air Quality Watch: Cherokee County is monitoring landfill odors in Galena after residents reported rotten-egg smells tied to hydrogen sulfide and a smoky odor that residents say has shifted toward burning asphalt/rubber; KDHE and EPA did limited air monitoring, and county data is posted publicly. Wildlife/Water Education: Konza Prairie’s education program is bringing hands-on tallgrass prairie learning to thousands of Kansas students each year, focusing on ecology and how fire, grazing and climate shape the ecosystem.

Landfill Odor Watch: Cherokee County Health Department is monitoring smells from the Galena landfill after residents reported a rotten-egg odor (linked to hydrogen sulfide) and a smoky, later “burning asphalt and rubber” smell; KDHE and EPA did one day of air checks that found very low chemical levels, and the county says monitoring data will be public while officials consider expanding tests. Energy & Water Infrastructure: De Soto completed a $40 million wastewater plant expansion, doubling capacity to 2.6 MGD and adding upgrades to meet tighter nitrogen and phosphorus limits tied to new industrial growth. Power Plant Update: Sunflower Electric Power outlined plans to replace the aging Clifton 1 unit with three efficient natural-gas turbines, aiming to improve reliability while keeping water use about the same. Agriculture & Policy: Kansas Wheat hosted USDA leadership to discuss drought, staffing, and modernization of Farm Service Agency programs, including “One Farmer One File” to streamline producer paperwork. Legal Climate/Investing: A federal judge temporarily blocked Kansas’ Proxy Advisor Transparency Act, pausing enforcement of the law targeting ESG/DEI investing practices. Toxic Algae Reminder: Kansas issued health advisories for 12 lakes due to toxic blue-green algae risk.

Water Quality Alert: KDHE issued a stream advisory for Ladder Creek and unnamed tributaries in Scott County (from the Scott–Wichita line to Scott Lake) due to elevated e. coli after intense rain over confined feeding facilities; residents and pets should avoid contact until follow-up testing clears the water. Public Health & Policy: Kansas’ kratom and 7-OH ban takes effect July 1, making possession, sale, or purchase illegal; Johnson County urges safe disposal before June 30 and notes local EMS encounters tied to these substances. Local Energy/Industry Oversight: A Kansas Corporation Commission notice seeks an exception to a 10-year temporary abandonment limit for a Harper County oil-and-gas well, with objections due within 15 days. Extreme Weather: A June 22 storm system was classified as a derecho, with straight-line wind damage across Kansas and Oklahoma, including an EF2 tornado in Sedgwick County. Community & Environment: Lawrence City Hall displayed “Soccer Everywhere” photos from Goma, Congo, highlighting how displacement and conflict shape daily life.

Water Quality Alert: KDHE issued a stream advisory for Ladder Creek and unnamed tributaries in Scott County (from the Scott–Wichita line to Scott Lake) after elevated e. coli levels tied to intense precipitation over confined feeding facilities; residents should avoid contact and keep children and pets out until follow-up testing clears the water. Local Infrastructure & Environmental Review: Douglas County commissioners extended the Wakarusa Drive extension timeline with KDOT, pushing the bid deadline to Nov. 1, 2028 and completion to end of 2030, to account for an environmental assessment required for the project on federal Army Corps-managed property. Rural Health Funding: U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall announced $79 million in rural health funds for 38 Kansas organizations under the Rural Health Transformation Program, aimed at sustaining access, prevention, and workforce/technology improvements. Heat Safety for World Cup Fans: A NOAA hazards outlook flags extreme heat risk during the World Cup knockout stretch (June 30–July 6), including multiple U.S. host cities, renewing concerns about spectator safety outside stadium protocols. Ag-Gag Debate: A new piece argues Kansas and other states’ ag-gag laws undermine transparency at factory farms, harming workers, animals, and water/air quality while limiting public oversight.

Extreme Heat & Public Safety: A new NOAA heat outlook flags potentially dangerous conditions for World Cup knockout week (June 30–July 6), including Kansas City, with heat risk overlapping outdoor matches and raising concerns for fans and workers who won’t get stadium-style protections. Local Road & Environmental Review: Douglas County commissioners extended the Wakarusa Drive extension timeline with KDOT, pushing bidding to Nov. 1, 2028 and completion to end of 2030, after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said an environmental assessment is required. Water Quality Crisis in Salina: Salina residents in the Dover Drive area are demanding answers after reports of discolored, unsafe water and coliform bacteria concerns, calling for transparency on what the city and utilities department knew and when. Rural Health Funding: U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall announced $79 million in rural health grants across Kansas for 38 organizations, aimed at prevention, access, workforce, and technology upgrades. Data Centers & Water Stress: Coverage continues to spotlight how data centers can strain municipal water supplies, with regulators and states moving toward disclosure and permitting requirements.

Heat Watch: NOAA is flagging potentially dangerous extreme heat for major World Cup host cities, including Kansas City, with risks running late June into early July—raising concerns for outdoor matches and public health. Fourth of July Forecast: Kansas weather services point to a better-than-even chance of above-average temperatures around July 4, with many areas likely in the 90s and rainfall chances mixed. Water Quality Alert: Kansas health officials warn that 12 lakes may be hiding toxic blue-green algae, urging residents to avoid unsafe contact. Data Center Pushback: Douglas County residents are organizing against data centers, while Emporia’s planning commission tabled key steps on a proposed Flint Hills Digital Campus after long public hearings that included environmental and transparency concerns. School Monitoring Grant: Fourteen Kansas-area K-12 districts are getting air, energy, and water monitoring tools to help track building conditions that can affect student health. Clean Tech Milestone: Orange EV says it’s deployed its 2,000th electric terminal truck to Coke Canada Bottling, expanding zero-emissions yard operations.