AGP Executive Report

Skydiving Tragedy: Federal investigators are now probing a deadly Missouri crash near Butler Memorial Airport that killed 12 people moments after takeoff, including a pilot and experienced skydivers; the NTSB says a flight recorder may not have been required, and wreckage is being secured as families seek answers. Public Safety & Oversight: The crash is already reigniting debate over FAA oversight and pilot training standards, with NTSB leadership calling for stronger federal oversight so passengers can count on airworthy aircraft. Data Center Push: Amazon announced a $10 billion Montgomery County data center plan promising 400 direct jobs and major construction work, while residents and critics point to transparency concerns and local opposition. Consumer Protection: Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway sued baby monitor maker Lorex over alleged hidden ties to the Chinese military, arguing the company misled families about privacy. Politics: Gov. Mike Kehoe endorsed Sen. Rick Brattin in Missouri’s 5th District GOP primary as Republicans target the Kansas City-area seat. Health & Environment: Kansas residents near a smoldering Superfund landfill site say odors are making them sick, while local groups press for more oversight. Space Watch: A bright green fireball streaked across the Mid-South and parts of Missouri, drawing hundreds of reports and described as an unusually large meteor.

Aviation Tragedy: A skydiving plane crashed near Butler Memorial Airport, about 60 miles south of Kansas City, killing all 12 aboard (11 skydivers and a pilot). Authorities say the aircraft failed to gain visual altitude shortly after takeoff, made a sharp left turn, and went down in a field; the NTSB is leading the investigation. Public Safety Law: Gov. Mike Kehoe signed HB 2637, expanding Missouri’s public safety tools, adding new offenses (including cyberstalking and unlawful vehicle tracking), and strengthening protections for crime victims—plus added authority for law enforcement to address unlawful unmanned aircraft systems tied to major events. Flood Impacts: MoDOT reported multiple Northeast Missouri road closures due to flooding, urging drivers not to remove barricades or drive through water. Local Planning: Kansas City-area officials are preparing for World Cup-related needs, including opening sex offender registration office hours on select Saturdays. Kids’ Health Access: A Kids Count report says Missouri’s child well-being is relatively stable, but many kids still struggle to access health insurance. Community & Culture: Kirkwood is moving ahead with a major Grant’s Trail extension, and a Macomb venue is set to host an Americana show featuring Lyal Strickland.

Tragedy in Southwest Missouri: A skydiving plane crashed near Butler Memorial Airport, killing all 12 people aboard—11 skydivers and a pilot—after taking off and turning back, with the Missouri State Highway Patrol calling it a mass-casualty scene while the FAA and NTSB investigate. World Cup Security Prep: As Kansas City readies for 2026 FIFA crowds, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office says it’s opening its sex offender registration office on extra Saturdays to handle both existing registrants and those visiting longer than a week. Healthcare Cost Transparency: The Trump administration warned more than 500 hospitals to post clearer pricing or face penalties up to $2 million annually, pushing enforcement of federal price-disclosure rules. Community Support: MFA Oil donated $100,000 to Feeding Missouri, boosting its total giving to $400,000 over three years and $1.7 million since 2015. Local Weather Disruption: England’s World Cup camp in Kansas City sheltered indoors during a “deadly” tornado warning as storms rolled through the area.

World Cup Security: Kansas City-area authorities charged two men in the theft of England’s World Cup training gear in transit, with most items recovered and prosecutors saying they won’t tolerate crimes targeting tournament visitors. Local Law Enforcement: Jackson County is also preparing for more registered sex offenders during the World Cup by expanding registration office hours on multiple Saturdays. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Missouri’s Department of Natural Resources is sending help after a sinkhole opened near I-70 in St. Louis, and the agency says it has identified about 16,000 sinkholes statewide. Healthcare Costs: The Trump administration warned more than 500 hospitals to post clearer pricing or face steep penalties, pushing price transparency ahead of the midterms. Budget Watch: Missouri’s state auditor warns the General Revenue Fund is on track to run out by FY 2028, arguing emergency cuts could be unavoidable without course correction. Food Safety: The FDA issued a highest-risk recall for Alfredo sauce tied to possible salmonella contamination.

Public Safety: Gov. Mike Kehoe signed Missouri’s sweeping public safety bill into law Friday, with emergency effect—tightening drone rules for World Cup events and expanding protections against cyberstalking and other modern threats. World Cup Security: Kansas City police detained two people after England’s World Cup training equipment was stolen during transport from Florida to Missouri; officials say the team was left scrambling with missing gear. Sex Offender Registration: Jackson County is preparing for World Cup-related demand by opening its sex offender registration office on extra Saturdays (June 13, 20, 27 and July 11, 18). Local Economy & Travel: Missouri’s airports are positioning for World Cup traffic—Columbia Regional Airport says Delta talks are ongoing and Allegiant’s new Florida service could be a “gamechanger” for mid-Missouri flyers. Food & Service: Kansas City restaurants are among those adding 20% automatic gratuities during the tournament to reduce tipping confusion for visitors. Agriculture Markets: Corn futures held steady to slightly higher as the CFTC reported a record shift toward short positions by speculators.

World Cup Security & Crime: Kansas City police are investigating a theft that hit England’s World Cup training shipment, with boots and balls reportedly among the missing items; two people were detained as the team scrambles ahead of its opener. Public Safety Law: Gov. Mike Kehoe signed a broad public safety bill that tightens rules around drones near certain facilities, expands juvenile fingerprinting requirements for serious offenses, and adjusts parts of the criminal justice system. Sex Offender Compliance for Visitors: Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is opening its sex offender registration office on extra Saturdays to handle temporary residents during the World Cup. Healthcare Costs & Transparency: The Trump administration warned more than 500 hospitals for not posting basic pricing information, setting up potential penalties for noncompliance. Local Economy & Jobs: Children’s Mercy is offering early retirement to employees as it launches a $1.7B Kansas City campus expansion. Missouri Agriculture: Missouri cattlemen say they’re dodging the worst fertilizer-price impacts thanks to earlier purchases and a more favorable beef market. Skilled Trades Pipeline: St. Louis landed $8M over three years to expand a skilled-trades apprenticeship program for high school students. Road Work: MoDOT resurfacing and utility projects are scheduled across the state, including Route 28 moving next week and multiple Northwest Missouri closures.

Amendment 5 Fight in Carthage: Missouri lawmakers and supporters are pushing the Aug. 4 ballot measure to phase out the state income tax and replace it with higher sales or use taxes, while healthcare workers warn it could raise costs for patients. Healthcare Price Transparency: The Trump administration has warned more than 500 hospitals to post basic pricing or face penalties up to $2 million a year, signaling tighter enforcement. World Cup Prep in Kansas City: KC is bracing for major FIFA traffic and spending as Kansas and Missouri host teams and matches, with local agencies also ramping up anti-human trafficking stings. Public Safety Grants: Charleston earned the Missouri Blue Shield Designation for 2026, and the state is seeking to expand funding for local police support. Road Work Update: MoDOT says Columbia’s Highway 63/Grindstone Parkway interchange and nearby ramps are now open after an $11 million project. Agriculture & Water: North Dakota officials highlighted an irrigation study showing potential to expand irrigation acreage and boost economic output.

Medicaid Work Rules: CMS released final rules for Medicaid work requirements, with states scrambling to update systems ahead of a Jan. 1, 2027 rollout. Healthcare Costs Transparency: The Trump administration warned 500+ hospitals to post clearer pricing or face penalties up to $2 million annually. World Cup Watch in KC: Kansas City is bracing for crowds as FIFA brings four teams and at least six matches to the metro, with local planners still unsure how big watch parties will get. Missouri Politics: Sen. Eric Schmitt kept the spotlight on his viral Congressional Baseball diving catch while also pushing ICE funding. Legal & Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Florida’s challenge to other states’ commercial driver licensing programs. Local Justice Access: The Missouri Bar will hold a rural legal services listening session in Worth County June 18. Business & Growth: Sagility is buying Kansas City-based CareSeed to expand Medicare Advantage and AI-led quality work. Public Safety: Police say a Belton man admitted stealing Ford F-350 wheels and tires from a Clinton business. Federal Surveillance: The House failed to extend FISA 702 for now, setting up another fight over warrantless data collection.

Health Care Costs: The Trump administration has warned more than 500 hospitals to post clearer pricing or face penalties up to $2 million a year, with enforcement set to tighten as patients can’t shop for costs like blood work and imaging. Missouri Budget Watch: Missouri’s top auditor warns the state could run out of money by fiscal year 2028, putting voters’ income-tax elimination plan into question as spending outpaces revenue. World Cup in Missouri: With Kansas City expecting huge crowds, DHSS is urging heat-safety steps for outdoor events and watch parties as humidity can turn dangerous fast. Local Courts: Missouri’s Eastern District Court of Appeals dismissed a property dispute appeal and ordered $10,000 in damages, citing serious procedural problems including AI-generated fictitious cases. Business & Tech: Sagility is buying Kansas City-based CareSeed to expand AI-led quality and Medicare Advantage performance work. Data Centers: Nodaway County is seeking a written development agreement before a proposed data center starts, as residents worry about water impacts. Sports & Culture: Dialed In launched World Cup-themed rosin gummies in Missouri, tying soccer fandom to local retail activations.

Child Care Crisis: Child care centers across Missouri are struggling with staff retention as low wages and limited education requirements push turnover, leaving families with fewer options. Higher Ed Watch: Columbia College’s finances are raising red flags, with experts pointing to declining revenue and years where spending outpaced income. Public Safety—Sex Crimes: Cass County authorities are investigating alleged sex crimes involving a Kansas man accused of abusing middle school-age girls, with charges including statutory rape and sexual exploitation of a minor. Courts & Voting: A Missouri judge delayed a key step in the GOP redistricting fight, raising the odds opponents miss the Aug. 4 referendum window. Energy & Utilities: The Missouri Public Service Commission set multiple intervention deadlines tied to Evergy, Ameren, Spire, and Missouri-American water/sewer filings—watch these if you care about future rates and infrastructure. Storm Damage: Severe storms hit Putnam County, destroying a mobile home and flattening a barn. World Cup in KC: Kansas City is in full World Cup mode, with thousands of volunteers ready to welcome fans and local match-day guidance rolling out.

Budget Crunch Warning: Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick says the FY2027 plan is set up for deficit spending of more than $1.7 billion, with the General Revenue Fund projected to be nearly exhausted by early FY2028—urging Gov. Mike Kehoe to balance now to avoid “emergency” cuts. Public Money Accountability: Fitzpatrick also found Francis Howell R-III School District paid a $229,167 settlement after officials allegedly failed to properly vet a former superintendent before signing a three-year contract. Election Court Fight: A first hearing is set Wednesday in a case accusing Missouri officials of pressuring county clerks over use of a gerrymandered congressional map for voter rolls, with potential impacts on 2026 primaries and the general election. Title IX Compliance: The U.S. Education Department confirmed a whistleblower claim that it violated a federal court order in Title IX cases tied to gender identity and sexual orientation. Local Governance Spotlight: Springfield-area Rep. Bill Owen was selected as the next House budget chair, pending reelection. Business & Jobs: EquipmentShare named two new directors, while Missouri Chamber officials highlighted a healthcare apprenticeship program tied to former Sen. Roy Blunt’s work.

World Cup Security: The AP reports the 2026 World Cup’s security plan is unlike anything before, with federal, state, and local agencies using drones, robot dogs, X-ray trucks, and AI cameras amid war-related and AI-fueled disruption fears. Healthcare Costs: The Trump administration warned 500+ hospitals nationwide—including Missouri patients’ neighbors in the AP list—over missing price transparency, with penalties up to $2 million a year for noncompliance. Local Government Watch: Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick launched a performance audit of Pleasant Hill after a petition with enough signatures to trigger review, and will also scrutinize the municipal court over possible financial discrepancies. Public Safety Grants: The Northwest Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety is taking grant applications for traffic-safety programs, with a Wednesday deadline and awards capped at $5,000. Community & Culture: Carl Sandburg College joined a regional maritime training consortium, and UCM’s Gallery of Art and Design is hosting its annual “Seasons” exhibition and reception. Crime & Courts: A federal judge dismissed a Missouri candidate’s challenge to GOP ballot access rules, while Harrisonville police charged an Emporia, Kansas man in alleged sex crimes involving minors.

Public Safety: Missouri Conservation Department is proposing a $5 camping permit system for conservation areas after camping violations and warnings jumped from 13 in 2015 to 183 in 2024, with a public comment window running July 16 to Aug. 14. USDA & Rural Economy: USDA deputy secretary Stephen Vaden says the agency’s reorganization is on track, with mission areas shifting to regional hubs including Kansas City, Missouri, and no reductions in force planned. Healthcare Costs: The Trump administration warned more than 500 hospitals to post clearer price information or face penalties up to $2 million annually, as enforcement of 2019 price transparency rules ramps up. Missouri Courts: Missouri Supreme Court dismissed the state’s appeal in a St. Louis police funding dispute over $67.5 million, ruling the lower court didn’t issue a formal preliminary writ. World Cup Watch (KC): Kansas City is moving to close a rental-car “loophole” so peer-to-peer platforms like Turo pay the same fee as traditional companies ahead of the tournament. Local Business: Western Smokehouse Partners won New Markets Tax Credits for a Mexico, Mo. expansion expected to create 377 jobs. Community & Culture: HindiUSA Saint Louis marked 25 years with a St. Louis Kavi Sammelan celebrating Hindi language and culture.

World Cup Security: The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off next week with an unprecedented security setup across 16 cities, as federal, state, local, and private teams lean on drones, robot dogs, X-ray trucks, and AI cameras amid war-related tensions and fears of tech-fueled disruption. Missouri Politics: The Missouri Supreme Court upheld Gov. Mike Kehoe’s authority to call an extraordinary session in August 2025, rejecting a NAACP-backed challenge. Human Trafficking Watch: Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway launched a World Cup-focused campaign with It’s a Penalty and the Simply Report app to push the public to report suspected trafficking. Local Government & Public Safety: Kansas City police investigated a mass shooting on Troost Avenue that left nine injured, with city officials pointing to an unlicensed after-hours club. Business & Growth: Breedon agreed to buy a Missouri limestone quarry for $120 million to expand U.S. aggregates operations near St. Louis. Community & Culture: The final Kansas City Symphony Designers’ Showhouse opens June 13 and runs through July 5, ending a long-running local fundraiser. Transportation: MoDOT says Route 71 in Nodaway County will see rolling closures Wednesday for Evergy utility work.

World Cup Security: The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off next week with an unprecedented security buildout across 16 U.S. cities, using robot dogs, AI cameras, and drone-detection tech as federal, state, and local agencies coordinate stadiums, fan zones, and team protection. Kansas City Violence: In Kansas City, Missouri, nine people were shot early Saturday near 79th and Troost; injuries were reported as non-life-threatening, and police say the incident followed a large gathering. Boone County Flood Rescues: Floodwater closed Route E in Boone County, where firefighters rescued multiple people from vehicles and urged drivers to use alternate routes. SNAP Restrictions in Missouri: USDA says Missouri is among states rolling out limits on SNAP purchases of non-nutritious items like soda and candy, with implementation dates varying by state. Local Public Safety & Courts: A Kansas City, Kansas man was charged federally for possessing Molotov cocktails tied to alleged plans targeting ICE and the Missouri National Guard; separately, an Emporia man faces charges involving illegal sexual activity with minors. State Policy Watch: Missouri Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal tied to Amendment 5 ballot language, keeping the measure moving. Community & Culture: Missouri Stream Teams is inviting residents to join National Rivers Month activities, with events and cleanup opportunities statewide.

World Cup Security: A Kansas City shooting left nine people injured near England’s World Cup base camp area, with police stressing it was not connected to the tournament; the incident adds pressure as federal, state, and local agencies plan for “78 Super Bowls over 39 days” of security across 16 cities. Missouri Politics & Maps: A new push to redraw districts is framed as a threat to minority voting power after Supreme Court changes that make partisan gerrymanders harder to challenge, with Missouri named among states facing map fights. Education & Local Governance: Missouri’s 2026 education session is called a “dud,” while Pea Ridge School District fills major leadership roles after resignations and Kirkwood faces backlash over a controversial Facebook post. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Kirkwood asks MoDOT to lower the speed limit on Manchester Road to protect students and pedestrians. Community & Growth: Columbia’s North Village Park project is set to add accessibility features and new downtown event space. Business & Tech: Lightedge says it will start selling IBM PowerVS to IBM i customers, signaling more cloud competition in the region. Health & Consumer Protection: Missouri AG charges a Greene County builder with felony fraud allegations involving elderly victims.