AGP Executive Report

Pop Culture & Community Giving: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce donated $26 million to charities ahead of their wedding, including $1 million to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank—another reminder that big celebrity moments can still translate into real local support. Books & Education: Percival Everett’s “James” re-tells “Huckleberry Finn” from Jim’s point of view, shifting the Mississippi adventure into a darker, more dangerous story about slavery and survival. Missouri Schools & Local Leadership: Gilman City R-4 approved its 2026-27 budget and reviewed Missouri Assessment results, while Hamburg’s Alec Hendrickson officially stepped in as superintendent. Faith & Women’s Events: “American Idol” winner Hannah Harper is set to perform at the Rooted in Faith Women’s Conference at John 3:16 Ministries in Charlotte, Arkansas. Health & Equity: A new look at Black midwives highlights community-based care tackling the Black maternal health crisis beyond traditional pregnancy checkups. Missouri Civic Life: Missouri voters will decide whether to continue the Parks, Soils and Water Sales Tax via Amendment 1 on Aug. 4. Local Trades & Youth: Missouri Women in Trades is recruiting volunteers for a July 18 build at LitShop’s Food Patch in Carondelet Park, supporting girls’ hands-on learning in the building trades.

Student Life & Policy: Missouri’s education department submitted an A-F school grading framework to Gov. Mike Kehoe, with warnings attached as the state moves toward a new accountability system. Public Health & Recovery: Kehoe’s budget veto cuts $3 million from Missouri addiction recovery center funding, putting thousands of people’s access to support services at risk. Community Safety & Rights: Columbia police enforced a new median ordinance with warnings and citations, while protesters and First Amendment advocates argue it restricts where people can stand and interact with drivers. Housing & Homelessness: Columbia formed a steering committee to build a homelessness plan, using community input and data with an action plan due to City Council by year’s end. Local Arts & Culture: Springfield Ballet added an outreach coordinator for broader access, including transportation support for students through the Kennedy Center’s Any Given Child initiative. Faith in Action: St. Ambrose Society volunteers delivered home-cooked meals to Gateway 180, Missouri’s largest family shelter. Workforce & Education: Crowder College and MoDOT’s Southwest District partnership won a 2025 Governor’s Award for Quality and Productivity for diesel training that helps address industry shortages. Lifestyle & Community: Stems Flower Farm near Blue Eye opened as a Missouri-Arkansas U-pick destination, turning a family dream into a local summer outing.

Missouri Budget & Local Funding: Gov. Mike Kehoe signed the $50.7B FY2027 budget, with about $49.8B after vetoes and 65 vetoes totaling $30M+; Kansas City groups like the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center, Juneteenth KC, and the WWI Museum face cuts or losses. Education Policy: DESE sent Gov. Kehoe its A–F school grading framework, warning it could cost $518K to build and $715K a year to run, with extra strain if IT staffing is reduced. Elections & Voting Rights: Georgia AG Chris Carr joined a multistate effort backing Indiana’s voter ID law, arguing states can set election rules and that ID requirements don’t block voting. Sports & Culture: The Supreme Court upheld sex-specific women’s sports rules, a major win for states and a flashpoint for Title IX debates. Community & Heritage: Cherokee Phoenix Homecoming T-shirt designs are now available, featuring a Kansas City Cherokee artist’s work. Local Life: Jackson County Parks plans a July 4 Independence Day celebration at Missouri Town Living History Museum, with parade, demos, crafts, and live music. Higher Ed: Northwest Missouri State University approved new nursing and professional studies pathways. Business & Growth: FNBC Bank plans to acquire Riverwind Bank to reach about $1B in assets, pending regulators.

World Cup Watch Parties: Kansas City’s Hispanic community packed the Rock Island Bridge to celebrate Mexico’s win over Ecuador, turning a sports night into a real-time cultural pride moment. Education Policy: Missouri DESE submitted an A–F public school grading framework to Gov. Mike Kehoe, building on his push for clearer, student-outcome-based report cards. State Budget & Community Cuts: Kehoe signed Missouri’s $50.7B FY27 budget but vetoed and restricted tens of millions, including funding reductions that hit some mid-Missouri programs. Supreme Court Ripple Effects: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship and also cleared the way for state bans on transgender athletes in women’s and girls’ sports—sparking fresh political fights and local follow-through. Campus & Workforce News: Missouri S&T named Dr. Ming C. Leu associate vice chancellor for research and innovation, while Missouri State hired an associate provost for student success and OTC rolled out a workforce-focused aid program. Community & Culture: A Mother Road photo exhibit is bringing Route 66-era faces back to life, and a Cape Girardeau event is pairing July 4 history with a pet celebration.

Supreme Court & Trans Sports: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld state bans on transgender girls and women playing on school teams that match gender identity, ruling the limits can be based on biological sex under Title IX—another major setback for LGBTQ rights. Immigration & Citizenship: In a separate ruling, the Court preserved birthright citizenship, rejecting efforts to deny citizenship to children born in the U.S. to undocumented parents. Missouri Outdoors & Family Life: Missouri Department of Conservation events are rolling out across the Southwest Region, including “Snakes in the Parks” in Joplin and virtual darter identification sessions, plus fly-tying classes in Springfield. Education & AI Prep: Missouri S&T is using AI-focused coursework to help students think critically about how the technology can support marketing, storytelling, and business communication. Labor & Voting Access (Kansas): Delayed ballots in a KU Health System pharmacy worker union election must be counted after a Kansas board ruling, keeping the organizing fight in play. Community & Homeless Services (Columbia): New Day Columbia opened as part of the VAC Opportunity Campus, expanding day-center services for people experiencing homelessness. Culture & Faith: Pope Leo XIV appealed to a traditionalist Catholic group planning unauthorized bishop ordinations, warning of schism and excommunication.

Community & Culture in the Heartland: Columbia’s Shops at Sharp End is at a crossroads after residents raised concerns about funding, visibility, and whether the retail incubator is meeting its mission—organizers are now gathering input on what a future version could look like. Local Civic Life: Missouri’s Amendment 5 is drawing intense debate, with a Q&A session in Joplin focused on the plan to phase out the individual income tax and expand sales and use taxes. Health & Family Support: Nodaway County Health Center expanded its Happy Bottoms diaper program after it quickly filled slots, with eligibility tied to WIC for now. LGBTQ+ Community: Springfield groups say support can’t wait for Pride to end, after thefts of Pride and Black Lives Matter flags at First Unitarian Universalist Church. Sports & Community Identity: Kansas City World Cup energy is spilling into neighborhoods, with Dutch fans adding new allegiances after fan events and watch parties. Education & Leadership: Missouri State named a new associate provost for student success, signaling a continued push on retention and support. Arts & Heritage: A new look at St. Louis’ Forest Park highlights how Jewish history is woven throughout the park, not just in one monument.

Catholic Life: St. Louis’ archdiocese kicks off a Bicentennial Jubilee Year, looking back to early Mississippi Valley roots and urging renewed commitment to the “light of Christ.” Community Health: A mobile women’s health unit is set to bring prenatal, postpartum, primary care, and maternal mental health services to rural southeast Missouri. Education & Access: Insight School of Missouri launches as a tuition-free statewide virtual option for high school students, with flexible pathways for credit recovery and scheduling needs. Youth & Learning: Missouri students shine at National History Day in Maryland, earning special prizes and finalist placements tied to this year’s “Revolution, Reaction, Reform” theme. Local Governance & Schools: Maryville R-II board discusses summer enrollment, policy updates, and field repairs after heavy rains. Public Safety & Care: Missouri treatment center abuse allegations surface in a new report, with former residents describing physical and sexual abuse claims. Food & Daily Life: Missouri food pantries report rising demand and shifting supplies as grocery prices climb and SNAP access tightens. Culture & Civic Life: A new “patriotism” question series spotlights what it means to people ahead of America’s 250th anniversary.

Local Sports & Community: Webster Groves alumni Rayshawn Simmons and Kendal Shell launched “Hoops and Beyond,” using basketball to teach mental health and financial literacy. Youth Learning & Play: The “LEGO Librarian” at Givens Elementary in Webster Groves retired by giving every student nearly five pounds of LEGOs through First Book’s LEGO Replay program. Higher Ed & Immigration: As international enrollment falls, U.S. universities face program cuts and higher costs, with one North Texas president blaming visa crackdowns for a major budget hit. Public Safety & Privacy: Privacy advocates say automated license plate readers need guardrails after Dayton suspended ALPR use over outside access tied to immigration-related searches. Missouri Culture & Faith: Pope Leo XIV will bestow the pallium on 32 archbishops, including four U.S. leaders. Missouri Arts & Education: Marian Middle School named Quanisha Major principal, highlighting leadership and student growth. Missouri Cannabis: Missouri’s microbusiness marijuana license lottery opens July 13–27, aiming to expand equity in the legal market. World Cup Culture: “Made in China” products are prominent at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, from gear to stadium upgrades. Local Events: The Truman Library Institute announced free July 4 America 250 activities, including a giant Declaration chalk mural.

LGBTQ+ Community Leadership: The Center Project in Columbia named Mel Constantine Miseo as its first full-time executive director, expanding youth programs, support groups, emergency help, education, advocacy, and community partnerships. Public Safety & Community Grief: In Pope, Miss., hundreds gathered for the funeral of 1-year-old Kohen Wiley after a Senatobia police shooting; protests paused, but families and attorneys vowed to keep pushing for accountability. Missouri Education & Enrollment: Bethany College in Lindsborg named JoEllen Lindner vice president of admissions, student financial services and marketing, aiming to strengthen recruitment and support for prospective students. Arts, Faith & Tradition: Pope Leo XIV will bestow the pallium on four U.S. archbishops, including New York’s Ronald Hicks, New Orleans’ James Checchio, Denver’s James Golka, and Mobile’s Mark Rivituso. Local Culture Calendar: The Truman Presidential Library in Independence announced free July 4 America 250 events, including a giant chalk mural and family activities. State Policy & Everyday Life: Missouri’s marijuana microbusiness license lottery opens July 13–27, with selections set for Sept. 9. Sports & Community Pride: Truman Library events and Missouri Valley Conference basketball leadership stories also highlight how local institutions keep culture moving.

Child Safety & Accountability: Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is pushing a bipartisan crackdown on non-disclosure agreements in sexual abuse cases, spotlighting Missouri’s Kanakuk Kamps after a family says an NDA silenced a survivor’s story. Firefighting Training: Noel, Mo. and cadets trained with Kansas departments in Arma, focusing on hose nozzles, water placement, and live-fire smoke behavior. Voter Education: The League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri hosted a “Know Your Ballot” event ahead of the Aug. 4 primary, translating ballot issues into plain language. Religion & Community: A Missouri State Historical Society exhibit, “W[a]rn and Transformed,” uses military uniforms from Missouri veterans to tell America’s 250-year story through changing uniforms and personal letters. Maternal Health: A new report finds maternal mental health bills surged in states, with Missouri included among those passing more substantive measures. Local Civic Life: Soroptimist International of Joplin installed its 2026–27 board and honored award recipients supporting women’s education and empowerment. Sports & Culture: The St. Louis Cardinals again struggled in a loss to the Miami Marlins, while Netherlands star Cody Gakpo asked for privacy after the death of his unborn son.

Missouri Arts & Education: Gov. Mike Kehoe announced appointments including Karie Black to the Missouri State Council on the Arts and Jennifer Hoppenthaler as Daviess County circuit clerk. Health Policy & Accountability: Rep. Bob Onder’s bill to strengthen transparency in employer-sponsored health plans cleared a committee, while a separate report claims Missouri State University’s MBA program trained Chinese state-linked managers, including defense-linked personnel—MSU disputes the allegation. Legal & Culture Clash: A major U.S. Supreme Court ruling blocks thousands of Roundup cancer lawsuits, and the fallout continues to ripple through Missouri politics and public debate. Missouri in the Spotlight: The DOJ charged more than 450 people in a $6.5B health care fraud takedown, including 24 Missourians. Community & Faith: Cultivate KC announced summer events, volunteer roles, and expanded food access, and a church-led farmers market launched at a former school. Sports & Local Life: Jefferson City’s new “Play on High Street” indoor playground is set to open in early July, and Missouri sports headlines include coaching moves and Cardinals bullpen drama.

Local Entrepreneurship: Northeast Missouri’s 13-year-old Walt Dunlap is expanding Gigglewoods Bakery and Farm with new treats, cotton candy machines, and plans to sell at the Show Me 4-H Wares booth in Sedalia. Community & Faith: Black Pride STL highlights why Black LGBTQ+ patients need culturally competent, welcoming care—from the front desk to the doctor—while a St. Louis-area priest’s friendship with Harry Truman gets fresh attention in a new history feature. Public Safety & Immigration: In Sedalia, the Pettis County sheriff defends a joint ICE operation that led to 18 arrests, while community reactions continue to swirl. Education & Youth Support: Southern Boone families get a boost as local Masonic groups raise $13,452 to reduce student meal account balances. Culture & Learning: The Stokes County Historical Society invites residents to hear Daniel Boone’s Revolutionary-era story, and Linn Creek’s Camden County Museum hosts a free Living History Weekend with reenactments and craft demos. Sports & Campus Life: SEMO unveils a $160.6M budget with a “Fearlessly Forward” plan to expand internships, and Lyon College releases its spring 2026 dean’s list. Health Policy: The U.S. Supreme Court sides with Bayer in major Roundup cancer lawsuit limits, a decision that could reshape how Missourians and others pursue claims.

Immigration & Courts: A Mexican man living in Bozeman was sentenced to eight months in prison for illegal reentry for the fourth time, with supervised release after he serves. Education & Community: Missouri parents are organizing against Amendment 5 over school funding concerns, arguing the proposal could reshape resources for districts. Local Public Safety: Monett has a new school resource officer—Jason Lacey—returning to the role after years in law enforcement and DARE training. Agriculture & Lifestyle: MU Extension is hosting a July 15 workshop in Mount Vernon on how to grow and market watermelon, pairing hands-on demo-site learning with market and pest-management tips. Outdoor & Heritage: Fort Leonard Wood hosted training on protecting archaeological sites, emphasizing how cultural resources can’t be replaced once damaged. Culture & Travel: Springfield’s West College Street is getting a historical survey as part of a revitalization plan, with surveyors documenting older housing details tied to the neighborhood’s evolution.

LGBTQ+ Literature & Community: Christopher Conner credits gothic fiction as an escape from a conservative upbringing, and argues that “queerness is its own magic,” spotlighting his queer web series and YA novels. Missouri Civic Life: Jefferson City School District faces a projected $2.4 million state-funding shortfall for 2026-27, with leaders warning reserves won’t last forever. Sports & Culture in Missouri: Dutch fans turned Kansas City streets and Parkville watch parties orange for the Netherlands’ World Cup run, showing how global fandom becomes local tradition. Health & Family Support: A Moberly mother and community health worker, shaped by domestic violence and community programs, is now building an emergency resource for others. Education & Leadership: Former Mizzou standout Morgan Eye Scott takes over Jefferson City’s head girls basketball program, bringing CMAC “gauntlet” experience and a focus on community culture. Religion & Service: Lutheran women’s groups plan a July convention in Spokane centered on “Love in Action” service projects. Food & Lifestyle: Chefs weigh in on standout fast-food burgers, from Burger King’s Whopper to In-N-Out favorites. Legal & National Policy: Supreme Court rulings on immigration and Roundup reverberate nationwide, with Missouri readers likely feeling the fallout through courts, schools, and public health debates.

Child Safety & Justice: Boone County authorities arrested multiple men on child enticement charges after alleged online attempts to meet minors, with prosecutors citing Missouri’s strict felony penalties. Health Care Accountability: A lawsuit filed in Missouri alleges children were sexually abused during inpatient behavioral health treatment at Heartland Behavioral Health Services, naming corporate operators including Universal Health Services. Education & Wages: Kansas City Public Schools teachers won a “historic” 5% base salary raise in a new collective bargaining agreement, with similar boosts for classified and child nutrition staff. Reproductive Rights in Missouri: A judge issued a permanent ruling in an abortion lawsuit, and Planned Parenthood says it has resumed medication abortion appointments after the decision—while Missouri’s attorney general signals an appeal. Courts & Consumer Health: The U.S. Supreme Court blocked thousands of Roundup cancer lawsuits, including a Missouri case, limiting state failure-to-warn claims. Community & Culture: Columbia’s Mark Twain Storytelling Festival drew local history fans, while St. Louis Lambert airport security officers ratified a first union contract. World Cup & Local Life: Kansas City’s World Cup spotlight continues alongside coverage of local gun violence concerns and community celebrations.

Local Education & Youth: Kansas City Public Schools warns of an impending fiscal crisis, pointing to state funding gaps and the potential hit from Missouri’s income tax repeal. Teacher Recognition: Neosho and Bronaugh educators advance in the regional Teacher of the Year competition. College Access: Crowder College’s Upward Bound program hosts hundreds of first-generation students on campus for hands-on summer learning. Community & Housing: Columbia’s Voluntary Action Center Opportunity Campus is set to open in late July, expanding shelter and services for thousands. Small Business: Columbia’s Shops at Sharp End retail incubator will close at month’s end as grant funding runs out. Culture & History: Springfield is featured in a Route 66-focused art documentary season highlighting local landmarks and creators. Religion & Civic Life: A St. Louis church receives an EPA grant to support brownfield cleanup planning and community outreach. Reproductive Rights: Four years after Dobbs, Missouri’s abortion fight continues in court and at the ballot box, with Planned Parenthood returning after a ruling. Sports & Identity: Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley celebrates MLB’s response to the Giants’ Pride Night Bible-verse uniform controversy. Health & Safety: Missouri conservation officials urge wildfire-safe fireworks and campfire practices as summer ramps up.