AGP Executive Report

World Cup Health Tech in Kansas City: Kansas City hospitals say they’re ready for World Cup visitors, but worry international patients may struggle with the U.S. healthcare “menu” and complex navigation; leaders are expanding translation and staffing and focusing on clearer guidance on where to go and what care may cost. Water + Data Centers in Western Kansas: A proposed data center near Garden City is drawing scrutiny over water use; Triple Oak Power says it would use less water than current irrigation, but locals point to the Ogallala Aquifer’s decline and the region’s water sensitivity. Agriculture Biosecurity: Kansas officials are urging vigilance after New World screwworm was confirmed in a Texas calf, with K-State experts highlighting the larval stage and the need to watch for open wounds in livestock and pets. Local Tech for Learning: A Kansas middle school is cutting classroom screen time by shifting Chromebook use back to homework and in-class projects, aiming to boost learning and mental health. Education Gains: USD 253 reported preliminary state assessment improvements, especially in math and English language arts proficiency. Policy Watch: Kansans will vote in August on a constitutional amendment changing Kansas Supreme Court judge elections to partisan races.

Livestock Health Alert: Kansas agriculture and animal health officials are urging vigilance after New World screwworm was confirmed in a Texas calf, the first U.S. detection in decades, with K-State Extension warning to watch for open wounds and the larval stage as response plans gear up. Local Funding & Access: Ellis County commissioners reviewed 2027 budget requests, including increased support discussions around ACCESS Transportation, a disability-focused transit partnership involving DSNWK, Hays, Fort Hays State University and KDOT. Community Support: Wheatland Electric Cooperative awarded a $1,000 Sharing Success grant to Barton County Core Community to fund materials, technology and staffing aimed at helping families move from poverty to self-sufficiency. Severe Weather Watch: Hays reported minimal rainfall after storms elsewhere, leaving the city behind year-to-date moisture totals while forecasts call for heat and possible thunderstorms. Kansas Leadership in Dairy: Chelsea Good was named executive director of Kansas Dairy Association and Kansas Dairy Commission, starting June 1, to lead strategy, operations and communications for the state’s dairy community. Tech & Safety in the Spotlight: Valve is ending physical Steam gift cards at retailers, citing scam fraud tied to gift-card coercion. World Cup Countdown: With FIFA 2026 starting soon, Kansas City and other host areas are bracing for heat impacts and major event logistics as coverage ramps up across radio and TV.

Livestock Health Alert: Kansas officials are urging producers and pet owners to stay vigilant after New World screwworm was confirmed in Texas, the first U.S. detection in decades, with K-State noting the biggest concern is the larval stage that can invade open wounds. Local Budget & Services: Ellis County commissioners reviewed outside-agency funding requests for 2027, including support discussions around ACCESS Transportation for people with disabilities. Agriculture & Markets: USDA milk price updates show Class III and Class IV benchmarks rising, while grain markets remain pressured by weak weather risk and shifting crude oil headlines. Tech & Infrastructure: SpaceX says its orbiting “AI satellite” data centers will use liquid cooling with deployable radiators, and a Kansas City-area data center story continues to draw attention as communities weigh local impacts. Community Science & Safety: K-State Extension highlights lawn care basics—healthy turf and proper mowing and watering—as a practical defense against invasive weeds.

Kansas Screwworm Watch: Kansas agriculture and animal health officials are urging producers, vets, and pet owners to stay alert after a New World screwworm was confirmed in a Texas calf—the first U.S. detection in decades—while Kansas says it’s been preparing for months and remains at low risk. Higher-Ed Policy: The Kansas Board of Regents is set to vote mid-June on a reduced-credit option for undergraduate degrees (as low as 90 credits vs. 120), aiming to cut time and cost but raising concerns about maintaining rigor and how the degrees are labeled. Weather & Water Reality Check: Hays reported only trace rainfall Monday night, leaving the city behind its year-to-date moisture average, with hot conditions and a chance of thunderstorms in the forecast. School Leadership: Lawrence Public Schools named Mike Gillman interim principal of Lawrence High School and Loralea Hubert to lead early childhood programs. Tech & Privacy: A FCC anti-robocalling push is drawing privacy concerns, with critics warning new Know Your Customer rules could make burner phones and anonymous calling harder or impossible. STEM in Action: Team Dominator says it captured the first ground-up 3D dataset from inside a tornado in Blue Rapids, Kansas, using an air-cannon-launched probe to measure winds and thermodynamics. AI in Education: Teachers say classroom AI use is shifting beyond content generation toward feedback, formative assessment, and lesson support.

Livestock Health Alert: Kansas agriculture and animal health officials are urging producers, vets, and pet owners to stay vigilant after USDA confirmed New World screwworm in Texas, with the latest U.S. total rising to five cases (calf and goat in Texas, plus a dog in New Mexico), a reminder that open wounds can be targeted by the larvae. State Education Tech: The Kansas State Board of Education discussed how technology should be used in classrooms after a new law bans student cell phone use during the school day, with board members questioning whether tech is “moving the needle” and what’s appropriate by age. World Cup Heat & Safety: Scientists and FIFA coverage are spotlighting whether 2026 World Cup heat protections are enough, noting many venues may exceed wet-bulb globe temperature limits and that only some stadiums have air conditioning. Kansas Agriculture Workforce: Central Christian College of Kansas is set to launch the Bradbury School of Manufacturing and Innovation in McPherson to train for high-skill manufacturing roles. Food Safety in Summer: K-State experts shared guidance for safer outdoor meals during harvest and for keeping kids’ summer eating and hydration on track. Pet Animal Oversight: Kansas’ Pet Animal Advisory Board will meet June 12 in Manhattan to discuss ongoing animal health priorities.

Livestock Biosecurity: A flesh-eating New World screwworm has been confirmed in Texas for the second time, with officials tracking how it could spread quickly through cattle movement—meaning Kansas producers and veterinarians should stay alert for open wounds and report suspected cases. Water & AI Infrastructure: A new analysis finds most planned U.S. data centers are being sited in drought-affected areas, raising fresh questions about how AI growth will compete with limited water supplies. Kansas Education Policy: Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a student health bill aimed at daily recess and physical fitness, arguing the State Board of Education already addresses it—an example of how school health ideas can get tangled in politics. Space Tech: Globalstar says it plans to begin launching its C-3 satellites for iPhone connectivity in early-to-mid 2027, as FCC approval and service timelines remain pending. Local Tech & Community: Panasonic announced a major battery manufacturing push that includes a Kansas line for data center battery components, while Kansas City hospitals prepare for World Cup patient surges and translation needs.

Data Centers in Kansas: Emporia’s Flint Hills Digital Campus is still in early planning, with questions lingering on timing (tentative 2029 start), power needs, and water/cooling choices; a new Q&A pegs direct jobs at roughly 300–500 when built out, plus 1,500–2,000 construction jobs. Public Health: New Abbott data at the American Diabetes Association meeting highlights rising diabetic ketoacidosis hospitalizations and ongoing gaps in recognizing symptoms early for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Livestock Biosecurity: Kansas is stepping up outreach after New World screwworm was confirmed in a Texas calf, warning ranchers about the parasite’s threat to warm-blooded animals while stressing it’s an animal health issue, not food safety. Aerospace & Manufacturing: Wichita State’s NIAR broke ground on a new Hexcel Applications Center to expand composite development and automated manufacturing research with industry partners. Climate & Food Systems: Research warns global “breadbasket” failures could become more simultaneous as climate stress spreads through markets and supply chains, raising the risk of higher food prices.

Flint Hills Digital Campus Q&A: Emporia residents are still pressing Kanza Park Place and the Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas on a gigawatt-scale data center plan, with questions focused on timing (possible 2029 start), job estimates (300–500 permanent roles plus 1,500–2,000 construction jobs), and water/cooling choices (final technology not yet selected, with closed-loop options discussed). Animal Health Alert: Kansas agriculture officials are educating ranchers after New World screwworm was confirmed in a Texas calf, warning it’s an animal health threat that can spread as livestock move, though it’s not a food-safety issue. Aerospace Research Boost: Wichita State’s NIAR broke ground on a Hexcel Applications Center to expand end-to-end composite development and strengthen Kansas’ aerospace manufacturing and materials research pipeline. Healthcare Facility Update: LMH Health is nearing completion of Therapy Services renovations, moving about 35 therapists into a larger, tech-ready clinic in phases (July move-in, October patient opening). Public Safety Tech Debate: A new study claims a “Scarecrow” system can help evade automated license plate recognition without breaking laws, adding fuel to Kansas-area discussions about guardrails for ALPR data.

Health Infrastructure: LMH Health is nearing completion of phased renovations for its Therapy Services at Sixth and Maine, moving about 35 therapists and expanding specialty space, with the new clinic opening to patients in October. Agriculture Biosecurity: Kansas officials are stepping up outreach after New World screwworm was confirmed in Texas calves, stressing it’s an animal health threat (not food safety) and warning it could spread as livestock moves. Public Safety & Privacy: A new study argues the “Scarecrow” approach can defeat automated license plate recognition without breaking laws, while lawmakers in multiple states push limits on sharing plate-reader data. Security & Tech: The FBI and DOJ announced arrests of three men tied to an alleged ISIS support plot involving crypto and plans discussed over encrypted platforms. STEM & Space: A total solar eclipse is set for Aug. 12, with totality visible in parts of Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and Portugal. Aerospace in Kansas: Wichita State and Hexcel broke ground on a new Hexcel Applications Center at NIAR to expand composite development and automated manufacturing research.

DOJ & Public Safety: Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche says he’s honored to be nominated permanently to lead the Department of Justice, pointing to major recent arrests tied to drug trafficking and an ISIS plot involving U.S. service members. Animal Health: Kansas agriculture officials are warning ranchers about a New World screwworm case found in a Texas calf, stressing it’s a livestock threat that can be deadly without treatment. Diabetes Care: Abbott released new data showing diabetic ketoacidosis is still often missed, with rising DKA-related hospitalizations across age groups. Aerospace Research: Wichita State’s NIAR broke ground on a Hexcel Applications Center to expand end-to-end composite development and advanced manufacturing. Space Science: A total solar eclipse is set for Aug. 12, with totality visible from parts of Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and Portugal. Environment & Water: A report flags the Ogallala Aquifer as steadily running dry, raising stakes for irrigation and future food prices. Tech at Scale: T-Mobile is rolling out AI-driven network optimization for major events, including World Cup travel and crowds. Kansas Watch: Kansas City-area businesses are gearing up for World Cup watch parties with audio/visual upgrades.

Privacy & Tech Policy: Kansas lawmakers are pushing “guardrails” on sharing license plate camera data, as privacy groups warn the systems can enable long-term tracking across agencies. Space & Communications: SpaceX’s Starlink is tightening its Roam rules, cutting how long users can use satellite service outside their home country without upgrading. Public Health & Rural Care: Avel eCare, Great Plains Health Alliance, and Pioneer Health Network are expanding telemedicine across rural Kansas hospitals under the Kansas Rural Health Transformation Program. Agriculture Tech: Kansas State University precision ag expert Deepak Joshi says drones can speed early-season crop scouting and reduce labor by covering large fields in minutes. Livestock Risk: Kansas officials are warning ranchers about a New World screwworm case in Texas and urging preparedness to protect herds. Federal Funding for Kansas Agriculture: Rep. Tracey Mann backed the FY2027 agriculture appropriations package, highlighting support for Food for Peace and animal health research.

Kansas Ag Tech: Kansas State University precision agriculture expert Deepak Joshi says more farmers are using drones with RGB and multispectral imaging to scout early crop emergence, stand counts, and field conditions fast—covering a 150-acre field in about 30 minutes instead of half a day. Livestock Health Watch: Kansas officials are warning ranchers about a New World screwworm case found in a Texas calf, urging vigilance because the parasite fly’s larvae can destroy livestock herds. Rural Care Expansion: Avel eCare, Great Plains Health Alliance, and Pioneer Health Network are partnering with Kansas Rural Health Transformation funding to expand telemedicine across rural hospitals, including emergency, inpatient, and behavioral health. Space Tech Buzz: A firmware update hints SpaceX may be preparing a next-gen Starlink dish (“rev5”), potentially smaller and closer to the portable Starlink Mini. Kansas Research Funding Concern: Kansas leaders and lawmakers question why NIH research funds are delayed, citing staffing shortages slowing grant distribution. Dairy Upgrade at K-State: K-State’s dairy unit is on track for upgrades as the current facility nears the end of its useful life, with plans to better support research, teaching, and heat-abatement needs.

Kansas Data Centers: Kansas is seeing more data-center interest, but the state still lags the national pace as communities debate power, water, and fiber needs. Cybersecurity: Dashlane says a hacker exploited a login quirk to steal encrypted vaults from fewer than 20 users, highlighting how “device registration” flows can become attack paths. Public Health & Research Funding: Kansas leaders and lawmakers are pressing HHS/NIH over delayed research payouts that slow work on cancer, dementia, diabetes, and rare diseases. Livestock & Climate Resilience: K-State extension vets outline practical steps to reduce cattle heat stress, while Kansas tracks a New World screwworm case in Texas that could threaten herds. Education Tech Policy: Kansas is among states moving toward stricter cellphone rules in schools, as new research questions whether bans deliver promised learning gains. Sports Tech in Kansas: The Good Game, a Kansas sports-tech firm, is partnering with KU Athletics as the exclusive app for youth lessons, camps, and clinics. Infrastructure & Safety: A KDOT-backed study in Derby weighs school-area pedestrian crossing changes, using traffic and crash data to guide recommendations.

Kansas Infrastructure & Roads: A new national DOT-based look finds Kansas has only 2.8% of major roadways in poor condition—best in the U.S.—but the report warns that federal road funding is set to expire in October 2026, threatening safety and shipping-cost projects. Kansas Public Service Appointments: Gov. Laura Kelly announced 25 appointments to Kansas boards and commissions, including roles tied to sentencing policy, deaf and hard-of-hearing services, agricultural remediation, and propane safety. Kansas Archaeology & STEM Learning: The Kansas Archeological Training Program field school returns June 4–15 in Russell, with excavations at multiple local sites plus evening tours and certification. Defense Tech (Kansas): Kansas and North Dakota airmen ran VAPOR 26.1 at Florida’s test range to evaluate passive defenses against small drones using camouflage, concealment, deception, and hardening. Kansas Tech & Gaming: Prairie Band Casino & Resort is rolling out resort-wide Class II mobile gaming via IGT’s Everi Vi platform. Kansas City Tech/Policy: A Kansas City man faces charges after an alleged roommate shooting that left one dead and another critically injured.

Kansas Higher Ed: The Kansas Board of Regents is weighing a shift to accelerated bachelor’s degrees—90 credits in three years instead of 120—raising big questions about employer and field-specific acceptance, especially in nursing, engineering, and medical tracks. State Infrastructure: Gov. Laura Kelly and KDOT announced $40.5M for 31 local bridge projects, including Russell and Rush County awards, with matching funds pushing total project value near $44.5M. Forensics Funding: The U.S. Justice Department is sending $700K+ to Kansas to upgrade forensic testing and cut backlogs, including new toxicology equipment for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. Tech & Industry: Wichita-based Textron Aviation’s Cessna Citation M2 Gen3 completed its first flight in Wichita, targeting service in 2027. Kansas Tech Growth & Debate: Ottawa residents are pushing back on a proposed 300-acre “technology campus” with an AI data center, citing transparency and environmental concerns. Health Research: KU Cancer Center researchers are working to expand CAR T-cell therapy use, building on the growing set of FDA-approved options. Space/Scams: SpaceX joined a DOJ crackdown on Starlink-enabled scam operations, while Starlink also disclosed a session limit that can disrupt heavy-use connections.

Internet & Telecom: Starlink says its Residential and Roam plans can hit a 1,200 concurrent-session limit; once reached, older connections drop—especially affecting VoIP, video calls, gaming, and VPNs. Education Policy: Kansas educators and a school-funding task force debate whether paraprofessionals and classroom supports improve outcomes as funding hangs in the balance. Public Health & Food: A new American Journal of Public Health report links ultra-processed foods to higher dementia risk, and says big tobacco used similar marketing tactics to sell both cigarettes and UPFs. Safety Tech in Schools: ZeroEyes AI gun detection is deployed in Perry-Lecompton USD 343 in Kansas using state grant funding. Agriculture Tech: K-State precision ag expert says drones can speed early crop scouting—cutting field checks from hours to about 30 minutes. Space/Community STEM: Curiosity Cube™ brought hands-on synthetic biology lessons to students in Zambia. Local Kansas Tech/Infrastructure: Emporia is considering a zoning change to allow data centers via a Digital Infrastructure Overlay District. Energy & Industry: Black & Veatch-Stantec won an $85M Corps contract for design work on the Brandon Road Interbasin Project to help block invasive carp.