AGP Executive Report

Water Quality: A stream advisory covers McIntyre Creek and connected waterways, including portions of Tuttle Creek Lake and the Kansas River. Water Infrastructure: Russell City Council approved an application for a state water loan for the R9 Ranch pipeline project. Data Center Debate: Kansas’ law incentivizing data center construction is drawing scrutiny in the governor’s race, as opponents raise concerns about the impacts of rapid growth. Prairie Health: A 29-year Konza Prairie study found bison roughly doubled native plant diversity, with gains persisting through severe drought. Climate-Ready Crops: KU’s fungi library is central to a $1.9 million research project exploring ways to improve crop drought tolerance.

Water Supply: Russell approved applying for a KDHE loan for the R9 Ranch pipeline as the Kansas Water Transfer Panel moves toward oral arguments on transferring Edwards County water to Hays and Russell. Water Quality: A stream advisory was issued for McIntyre Creek and connected waterways in Pottawatomie County, including areas near Tuttle Creek Lake. Prairie Recovery: A 29-year Konza Prairie study found bison roughly doubled native plant diversity, with gains persisting after severe drought. Energy and Climate: Kansas’ data-center incentives are emerging as a governor’s-race issue, while forecasters warn El Niño could bring unpredictable weather to the Kansas City region, with possible milder conditions but some snow risk.

Prairie Recovery: A 29-year study at Konza Prairie found bison roughly doubled native plant diversity, with gains rebounding after severe drought. Water Safety: An advisory for McIntyre Creek and connected waterways in Pottawatomie County affects parts of Tuttle Creek Lake and the Kansas River. Drought-Resistant Crops: A $1.9 million grant will fund KU and partner researchers testing whether soil fungi can help wheat and rice withstand drought and reduce irrigation needs. Algae Advisories: Kansas health officials warned of blue-green algae blooms at lakes across the state. Resilient Housing: Near Lawrence, construction is underway on a tornado-resistant, off-grid Earthship made with recycled materials.

Prairie Recovery: A 29-year study at Konza Prairie found that bison roughly doubled native plant diversity, with gains persisting after severe drought. Data Center Debate: Kansas gubernatorial candidates are clashing over tax breaks for large data centers, with growing scrutiny of the projects’ environmental impacts and calls for stronger safeguards. Water Quality: An advisory covers McIntyre Creek and connected waterways in Pottawatomie County, including areas near Tuttle Creek Lake and the Kansas River; state health officials have also issued lake advisories for blue-green algae blooms. Drought-Resilient Crops: A $1.9 million research grant will support KU and partner universities studying whether soil fungi can help wheat and rice withstand drought, potentially reducing irrigation needs and pressure on water supplies.

Data Center Debate: Kansas’ gubernatorial race is heating up over tax breaks for large data centers. Democrat Cindy Holscher now wants a pause until stronger financial and environmental safeguards are in place; Republican Ty Masterson supported the 20-year tax exemption. Drought-Resilient Crops: A $1.9 million grant will fund research using fungi from a KU-based collection to test whether soil microbes can help wheat and rice withstand drought, potentially reducing irrigation needs. Water Quality: An advisory covers McIntyre Creek and connected waterways in Pottawatomie County, with impacts extending to Tuttle Creek Lake and the Kansas River. Kansas health officials have also issued advisories for lakes experiencing blue-green algae blooms. Soil and Sustainable Homes: K-State guidance says cereal rye planted after corn can limit erosion and nutrient runoff. Near Lawrence, construction is underway on a self-sustaining, tornado-resistant Earthship built with recycled materials.

Crop Resilience: KU researchers are part of a $1.9 million, four-year study testing whether soil fungi can help wheat and rice withstand drought, potentially reducing irrigation needs and pressure on water supplies. Sustainable Housing: A Douglas County resident is building an off-grid, tornado-resistant Earthship using recycled materials, including tires and aluminum cans. Data Center Debate: Environmental safeguards are a flashpoint in Kansas’ governor’s race, with Democrat Cindy Holscher calling for a pause on projects until stronger limits are in place. Water Quality: An advisory affecting McIntyre Creek and parts of Tuttle Creek Lake and the Kansas River adds to recent Kansas lake advisories for blue-green algae. Farm Practices: K-State guidance says planting cereal rye after corn can reduce erosion and nutrient runoff while suppressing weeds.

Water Safety: A stream advisory near McIntyre Creek affects portions of Tuttle Creek Lake and the Kansas River. Kansas health officials have also issued lake advisories for blue-green algae blooms. Stormwater: Abilene is weighing drainage projects to reduce property damage, but its stormwater utility does not bring in enough revenue to fund the proposed work. Land and Farming: Douglas County is drafting a vision for the Wakarusa River Valley as development pressure grows, while K-State is expanding its regenerative agriculture work. Winter Outlook: El Niño could bring wetter-than-usual conditions to Kansas this winter.

Stormwater: Abilene officials are reconsidering six drainage projects, including a $12 million southeast plan, as the city’s stormwater utility falls short of funding the work. They’re weighing smaller, lower-cost fixes. Water Quality: A stream advisory affects parts of Tuttle Creek Lake and the Kansas River near McIntyre Creek. KDHE has also issued lake advisories for blue-green algae blooms. Land and Farming: Douglas County has drafted a vision for the Wakarusa River Valley amid development pressure. K-State is expanding its regenerative agriculture work, while a Kansas Prairie Festival spotlighted farming practices aimed at protecting soil and water. Weather Outlook: El Niño could bring Kansas a wetter winter, according to a regional expert.

Water Quality: KDHE warned of elevated bacteria in McIntyre Creek, Tuttle Creek Lake and sections of the Kansas River after a confined-animal facility wastewater discharge. Public water suppliers were alerted; officials said they can remove bacteria. Data Center Debate: Data center development is becoming a Kansas election issue, with Kansas among seven states considering related ballot measures as voters weigh growth against local costs. Local Sustainability: The Kansas City Zoo earned a national sustainability award for efforts including solar power, electric vehicles and energy-saving water filters; its plan targets net-zero emissions by 2050. Lake Advisories: Kansas health officials also issued advisories for lakes affected by blue-green algae blooms.

Water Safety: KDHE issued an advisory after a wastewater discharge from a confined animal-feeding facility raised bacteria concerns from McIntyre Creek to parts of Tuttle Creek Lake and the Kansas River. People should avoid contact with affected waters. Data Center Debate: A developer proposes a 20-story data center on a small Kansas City site. Only two floors would house servers; the rest would hold power and cooling systems. Waste Reduction: Juniper and Sage opened in a Kansas Main Street incubator, offering refillable household goods and bulk food to help customers cut packaging waste. Zoo Sustainability: The Kansas City Zoo won a national green award for its environmental work, including solar power and electric vehicles, and aims for net-zero emissions by 2050. Water Quality: Kansas health officials also issued advisories for lakes affected by blue-green algae blooms. River Valley Planning: Douglas County has drafted a vision for the Wakarusa River Valley amid growing development pressure.

River Valley Conservation: Douglas County has drafted a vision for the Wakarusa River Valley, aiming to protect the river corridor while accommodating growth and expanding recreation. The plan is still under review, with public and partner feedback to come. Regenerative Agriculture: Kansas State University is expanding its regenerative-agriculture work, while the Kansas Prairie Festival has spotlighted farming practices intended to protect soil, water and communities. Weather and Flooding: Forecasters say El Niño could bring Kansas a wetter winter. Dodge City’s flood emergency has expired, but officials have issued guidance for residents affected by recent flooding. Development Pressure: A proposed data center in Finney County could bring major changes, as data-center growth becomes a point of debate in Kansas.

River Valley Planning: Douglas County’s drafted Wakarusa River Valley Vision Plan aims to balance conservation with growth, expand recreation, and improve access along the river corridor as development pressures rise. Public Safety & Homelessness: Kansas City officials say they cleared a major River Market homeless encampment, but businesses and residents report ongoing drug use, unsafe behavior, and poorly lit areas. Water & Land Access: Kansas’ Walk In Fishing program highlights how public fishing on private lands can expand outdoor access—if landowners’ rules are respected. Wildlife & Habitat: K-State research is testing an “Insect Eavesdropper” that uses plant-mounted microphones and AI to detect hidden crop pests, potentially improving monitoring without heavy disruption. Local Environment + Growth: Topeka’s Trunk or Treat is set for Oct. 29 at Evergy Plaza, a reminder of how cities keep community events moving while residents watch for safety and infrastructure needs. Policy Watch (Kansas): A KU petition asks the university to clarify how it handles anti-trans SB 244 bathroom and ID requirements, with KU leadership saying it’s assessing legal implications.

Drought Relief for Kansas Producers: USDA designated seven Kansas counties as primary natural disaster areas due to drought, unlocking Farm Service Agency emergency loans for eligible farmers and ranchers; counties include Gove, Graham, Lane, Scott, Sheridan, Trego and Wichita, with a May 10, 2027 application deadline. Livestock Welfare Funding: The Pork Checkoff and Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research are investing $1.64M in the Pig Livability Project, led by Iowa State with Kansas State University, aiming to cut pig mortality by tackling animal health, management and environmental factors. Local Land & Waste Decisions: Russell County commissioners approved consolidating and relocating the Noxious Weed Department to the Road and Bridge site to save costs, and also moved forward on a $15/ton concrete charge at the landfill starting Jan. 1, 2027. ADA Access Input in Topeka: Topeka is asking residents to prioritize ADA compliance fixes at city facilities after a 2025 assessment found accessibility deficiencies, using a Kansas Department of Health and Environment grant to guide an ADA transition plan. Wildlife/Climate Context: A new report highlights how woody encroachment—tree spread into grasslands—can threaten prairie ecosystems, echoing broader Kansas concerns about habitat change.

Campaign Accountability: Tall Oaks Camp demanded Sen. Roger Marshall suspend a new attack ad after it used an unauthorized photo of children tied to the Tall Oaks chapel, saying the imagery creates a misleading association. Agriculture & Animal Welfare: The Pig Livability Project is getting $1.64M from FFAR plus $893K in added support, with Kansas State University and Iowa State University leading work to cut swine mortality through practical changes in health, management and on-farm conditions. Drought Relief: USDA designated seven Kansas counties as primary natural disaster areas for drought, unlocking emergency Farm Service Agency loans for eligible producers; counties include Gove, Graham, Lane, Scott, Sheridan, Trego and Wichita. Water & Weather Watch: A new ranking of Kansas wettest Octobers since 1895 highlights how precipitation has varied widely, with multiple recent Octobers near the top of the historical list. Local Governance: Russell City Council set a KDHE water-loan public hearing for the R9 Ranch Water Pipeline Project, alongside other city agenda items.

Kansas Weather & Climate: Hurricane Polo remnants brought a burst of tornadoes across Kansas, followed by heavy rain and flood watches, while a new climate update flags unusually warm September nights statewide. Local Water Infrastructure: The Russell City Council will hold a public meeting Tuesday, including hearings on a KDHE water loan for the R9 Ranch Water Pipeline Project and updates tied to neighborhood revitalization. Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure: A new report warns Kansas and other states that cyberattacks on water, hospitals, energy, and transportation are a growing risk—especially for smaller local governments. Kansas Food & Farming Research: Kansas State University research supported by the Kansas wheat checkoff finds management changes can raise bread yield with only a minor increase in global warming potential. Wheat Improvement Pipeline: An international wheat pre-breeding program led by Niab, with Kansas State University and USDA ARS involved, aims to speed up testing and validation of new winter wheat traits. Fall Nature Notes: The Kaw Valley Almanac highlights seasonal cycles and encourages Kansans to track plants and wildlife through the changing fall landscape. El Niño Watch: Experts say El Niño could mean a wetter winter for Kansas, with knock-on effects for food costs. KU Childcare Closure Response: KU officials are forming a work group after the Hilltop Child Development Center closure to find financially and operationally sustainable childcare solutions for the Lawrence community.

Severe Weather & Climate Signals: Hurricane Polo remnants helped spark a rash of tornadoes across Kansas, with reports of about a dozen tornado touchdowns plus many additional funnels, followed by heavy rain and flood watches; state climatologist Matthew Sittel also flagged an unusually warm September pattern, with nights not cooling as expected. Local Water Infrastructure: Russell City Council will hold a Tuesday meeting with public hearings tied to KDHE water loans for the R9 Ranch Water Pipeline Project, plus updates on water production and other city items. Childcare Access at KU: KU’s chancellor is forming a work group to find short- and long-term childcare solutions after the Hilltop Child Development Center closure, responding to a parent letter with 450+ signatures. Cybersecurity for Kansas Utilities: A new report warns that cyberattacks on critical infrastructure are a top concern for most state CIOs, highlighting risks for smaller municipalities and special districts and the need for statewide coordination. Kansas Wheat Research: Kansas State University research funded partly by the Kansas wheat checkoff found management changes can boost bread yield with only a minor increase in global warming potential. Data Centers as a Kansas Political Flashpoint: A Kansas governor race profile highlights how public concern over data centers and AI is shaping campaign debate, including calls for a moratorium. Wildlife & Outdoor Safety: Kansas-related outdoor safety items included reminders to check conditions and forecasts during fall recreation, with preventative search-and-rescue efforts mentioned for river and trail visitors.