AGP Executive Report

AI in everyday life: The Newsfeed checked in with Missourians on how they use AI—some use it for research and planning, while others say they try to avoid it. Local food tech meets nostalgia: Farm stands in Missouri are leaning into direct-to-consumer sales, social media, and preorders as demand for local food keeps rising. Health misinformation, corrected: A new look at penicillin allergy labels says most people who carry the label likely aren’t truly allergic, and the label can steer clinicians toward costlier alternatives. Rural connectivity delays: Federal guidance is still holding up about $21B for rural broadband projects, leaving states waiting. Renewables in rural Missouri: University of Missouri research finds wind and solar can boost rural jobs, wages, and local economic output—while also raising tough community tradeoffs. Workplace safety training: An OSHA Top 10 webinar frames the agency’s most-cited standards as a self-check for hazard recognition, training, and safety management. Aviation & logistics: FAA testing of a pilotless cargo aircraft highlights how drone-like delivery could scale up for faster rural healthcare supply runs. Tech + privacy politics: Data center backlash is shaping midterm messaging, with some leaders pushing moratoriums or audits after community pushback. Retail payments: Walmart is rolling out tap-to-pay in Missouri, expanding mobile wallet checkout options.

Renewables & Rural Jobs: A University of Missouri study finds wind and solar projects can lift rural economies—solar boosts employment and wages, while wind adds to local GDP. Weather & Farms: Missouri growers are bracing for flash drought and heat stress as soil moisture drops and yields near final stages. Payments Tech: Walmart is rolling out tap-to-pay in Missouri via major mobile wallets, continuing the shift away from cards and toward phone-based checkout. Public Safety Law Updates: New Missouri laws take effect covering critical infrastructure damage, drone limits near sensitive sites, traffic and boating rules, and tougher penalties tied to intoxicated driving. Surveillance Cameras Debate: A Massachusetts judge ordered public release of automatic license plate reader locations, adding fuel to the national fight over Flock-style surveillance. Higher Ed Outcomes: New county-by-county completion-rate reporting shows uneven bachelor’s degree progress across Missouri demographics, with several notable gaps. AI in Schools: New rules banning or limiting student AI use are spreading nationwide, leaving districts to improvise on what’s allowed and what’s not. Rare Earths Recycling: Ionic and US Strategic Metals plan a magnet recycling plant in Missouri to recover high-value rare earth materials.

AI in classrooms: New school rules are banning or limiting student use of AI tools in major districts, showing how fast education tech policy is changing—and how uneven it is across the country. Missouri energy research: The University of Missouri broke ground on the Payne Energy Innovation Center, a $50M-backed push to make power-and-water tech more sustainable, with a planned 2028 opening. Missouri AI funding: Missouri State University received an NSF award of $489,183 to expand undergraduate AI research opportunities. Workforce & aging: Missouri is taking nominations for its “Outstanding Older Worker of the Year” program, plus awards tied to the Senior Community Service Employment Program. Surveillance cameras backlash: Massachusetts courts ordered the release of automatic license plate reader location records, adding fuel to the national privacy fight over ALPR networks. Local tech & safety: A Texas County wildfire response credited drone tech for helping crews protect homes during a fast-moving blaze. Higher-ed spotlight: SIUE will host a free October screening of “A Black History Tour of St. Louis,” blending local history with campus research and community voices.

AI & Research Funding: Missouri State University’s AI program landed a $489,183 NSF award to expand undergraduate research in AI and related tech. Surveillance Cameras: A Missouri lawmaker is pushing back hard on federal “Flock” license-plate camera expansion, while a separate tracker says 153 U.S. communities have rejected or shut down ALPR systems amid privacy backlash. Local Tech in Action: Texas County crews used drones to get ahead of a fast-moving 220-acre wildfire, helping protect nearby homes in tough terrain. Education Outcomes (Missouri): New six-year bachelor’s completion figures highlight gaps by county and student group, including Boone (68.1% for Hispanic/Latino students), Greene (62.9% for Asian students), and Lincoln (15.4% for Black students). STEM/Infrastructure & Materials: Researchers are testing plastic-infused asphalt to improve road heat resistance, with a Texas pilot road holding up after extreme temperatures. Community Tech & Safety: Cooper County is installing its 16th Safe Haven Baby Box, funded by nearly $28,000 in local fundraising. Workforce Programs: Missouri is accepting nominations for its “Outstanding Older Worker of the Year” and related SCSEP awards.

Education Equity Watch: Lincoln University in Cole County reported a 15.4% six-year bachelor’s completion rate for Black/African American students (2018 cohort through 2024), well below the statewide 36.4%. Higher Ed Outcomes: Cape Girardeau County’s Black/African American completion rate hit 39.4% at Southeast Missouri State; UMKC in Johnson County-area reporting shows Hispanic/Latino completion at 44.9% (UMKC) and 48.5% (University of Central Missouri in Johnson County). Public Safety & Health: A Cooper County Safe Haven Baby Box is set for an Oct. 1 installation after the county raised nearly $28,000. Classroom Spotlight: Missouri named seven finalists for the 2027 Teacher of the Year, including science and reading intervention educators from across the state. Tech & Society: A national backlash over data centers is driving recall efforts against officials tied to projects, with voters citing power, water, noise, and privacy concerns. AI Compute Finance: Jane Street’s massive AI compute commitments to Crusoe are reshaping the AI infrastructure demand picture. Privacy Tech: Florida moved to revoke permits for automated license plate readers on state roads, citing misuse and surveillance worries.

Critical Minerals & Recycling: Ionic Rare Earths and US Strategic Metals are lining up a US$100M rare-earth magnet recycling campus near Fredericktown, aiming to recover end-of-life neodymium and samarium-cobalt magnets and strengthen domestic supply chains. Higher Ed Tech & Funding: UMKC is leading a push to make Kansas City a critical materials hub after an NSF award (up to $160M over a decade) to expand R&D, commercialization, and workforce for onshoring key minerals. Data Centers & Local Politics: Missouri voters recalled a council member tied to a data center tax break, adding fuel to the growing fight over whether these projects deliver real local benefits. Surveillance Cameras: Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley is expanding his surveillance investigation beyond Flock to other camera and AI platforms, as privacy backlash spreads. Workplace Safety Training: A new webinar breaks down OSHA’s Top 10 citations as a self-check tool for hazard recognition, training, supervision, and safety management. Public Health Research: Saint Louis University researchers report autism diagnoses rising fastest among girls and women, pointing to improved recognition rather than a sudden surge in new cases. Weather & Agriculture: MU Extension warns drought and heat are cutting soybean yields as soil moisture drops and plants near final growth stages. Community Tech Access: Greyhound launched a new Kansas City-to-Minneapolis/St. Paul route, giving UMKC students another travel option across the Midwest.

Youth Sports Tourism: O’Fallon is betting big on out-of-town youth soccer and baseball spending, adding batting cages after synthetic turf upgrades at the Ozzie Smith Sports Complex. Workplace Safety Training: A new OSHA Top 10 self-check webinar is aimed at helping Missouri employers spot deeper safety program gaps, not just chase citations. Telehealth Peptides: Bowery Clinic expanded its Selank program, pitching physician-guided synthetic peptide education for stress, anxiety, and cognitive support. Higher Ed Outcomes: New federal data show Adair County’s Truman State completion rate for Hispanic/Latino students at 52% (2018 cohort), while Jasper County’s Missouri Southern rate is 30.8% and Phelps County’s Missouri S&T rate is 68%. AI in Missouri Universities: The UM System Board of Curators announced an AI general education requirement across all four campuses. Surveillance Cameras Pushback: Rep. Eric Burlison and allies are pushing the Flock-Off Act to block federal funding for license plate reader and biometric surveillance networks. Missouri Tech & Industry Partnerships: Missouri S&T and Insper (Brazil) signed an MOU to expand international projects, including a team innovation effort tied to banking modernization. Transportation Policy: Missouri’s new law lets MoDOT raise some rural speed limits from 70 to 75 mph, with safety concerns already surfacing.

Missouri Courts & Elections: The Missouri Supreme Court ordered Secretary of State Denny Hoskins to put both a congressional-map referendum and an initiative petition strengthening the initiative/referendum process back on the November ballot, reversing lower-court rulings and tightening election officials’ discretion. AI in Education: Teachers across the country are weighing new AI classroom limits; Missouri’s own system is also moving toward AI-focused requirements, while educators debate what’s appropriate for younger students. Utilities & Infrastructure: Missouri American Water completed its $34.5M acquisition of Neosho’s water and wastewater systems, adding about 5,400 customers and 25 employees. Grid & Power Training: Mitchell Technical College dedicated a new underground powerline training facility, expanding hands-on instruction for utilities workers. Tech & Privacy: Automatic license plate reader cameras (often tied to Flock) keep drawing backlash and regulatory scrutiny, with Missouri lawmakers and others pushing for limits. Workforce & Skills: St. Louis workforce group SLATE is expanding apprenticeship training as it grows its role with employers and the U.S. Department of Labor.

Privacy & Surveillance Crackdown: New court records allege a former Joplin officer misused Flock license-plate searches for personal reasons, using department databases over a year-plus span. Statehouse Pushback on AI Cameras: Missouri lawmakers are backing a federal-funding ban proposal (“Flock-Off Act”) that would force removal of federally funded Flock systems and stop local operation within 180 days. Local Tech in Health Care: WashU Medicine and Barnes-Jewish reported a first-reported robotic combined liver-kidney transplant, extending minimally invasive options for patients needing both organs. Missouri Research Breakthrough: WashU researchers found immune T cells in Alzheimer’s brains are instructed by lymph nodes outside the brain, pointing to a new treatment pathway. Energy & Industry: MU broke ground on the Payne Energy Innovation Center, a major new facility aimed at making power-and-water tech more sustainable. STEM Education Spotlight: Rockwood School District high schools earned top state and national rankings in U.S. News’ 2026-27 Best U.S. High Schools. Critical Minerals: Ionic Rare Earths and Missouri-based US Strategic Metals outlined a magnet-recycling joint venture near Fredericktown.

Energy & Research: MU broke ground on the $50M Payne Energy Innovation Center, a 116,000-square-foot hub meant to connect engineering, water/power tech, and shared labs—planned to open in July 2028. AI Surveillance & Privacy: Sen. Josh Hawley’s Missouri probe into Flock Safety adds to the national debate; New Jersey’s ALPR rules emphasize training, authorized-user logs, and annual audits, while Joplin officials defend Flock use and say storage was cut from 30 to 7 days. Workplace Safety Tech: An OSHA “Top 10” webinar frames the list as a self-check for hazard recognition, training, supervision, and safety management gaps. Rural Economy & Renewables: Mizzou research finds wind/solar can boost rural jobs, wages, and GDP in host counties, while noting local concerns like farmland and property values. Fiber & Data Centers: Light Source Communications is building a 500-mile dark fiber route between Tulsa and St. Louis, targeting AI data-center connectivity. Local Tech Governance: Independence voters recalled a councilman over AI data-center tax incentives, and O’Fallon rejected a senior housing permit amid traffic/maintenance concerns. Health Tech in Care: Saint Luke’s pilot study suggests weighted blankets can reduce hospital anxiety.

Defense Tech: Boeing won a $12.68M Navy modification for MQ-25 Stingray electronics integration, with about 85% of the work in St. Louis and completion targeted for 2029. Broadband & Business Tech: Missouri fiber provider Socket Fiber launched CDG’s cloud OSS/BSS platform, aiming to scale operations after expanding its Missouri footprint. Healthcare AI: WashU Medicine and BJC Health expanded Abridge to about 4,000 clinicians after a pilot that cut documentation time and improved clinician experience. Education & Community: Blair Oaks High School in Wardsville opened Phase 2 of its expansion, unifying high school operations under one roof and adding classrooms plus an ag facility. Public Safety & Privacy: Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri opened an investigation into Flock and other automated license plate readers; a look at New Jersey rules highlights training, access tracking, and limits on personal data retention. Local Economy: Jarrell Contracting plans a Hazelwood expansion with a new HQ and 105 jobs. STEM in Schools: Rockwood students completed environmental science work at the Missouri Botanical Gardens’ Litzsinger Road Ecology Center through a summer internship program.

Medical Research in Missouri: Mizzou researchers won a $2.8M NIH grant to study what drives aortic valve calcification and test whether blocking DOCK2 could become the first drug treatment for the condition. Plant Science: U. of Missouri and partners mapped chemical defenses on wild tomatillo fruit surfaces, finding 300+ sticky acyl sugars—often more on fruits than leaves. Education & Safety: Extreme heat is forcing Missouri school districts to adjust sports schedules and outdoor practices using heat-safety guidance. Public Health: A review finds both low and high testosterone may raise risk of atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disorder. Tech & Privacy: Missouri’s debate over license plate reader cameras continues as communities weigh crime-fighting value against privacy concerns. Local Tech/Business: Root and Carvana extended their embedded insurance partnership through at least Aug. 2028. STEM in the Classroom: Missouri State students must verify class participation early to keep federal aid flowing.

Data Centers vs. Communities: St. Louis is the latest battleground over new data center plans, with residents and scientists raising alarms about noise, water use, electricity demand, and a lack of clear environmental impact studies. Healthcare Access in Missouri: Kansas City-area doctors are increasingly offering direct primary care—flat-fee visits without insurance—aimed at patients priced out of traditional coverage, while critics warn it won’t replace full insurance. Biotech & Infant Formula Fallout: Abbott Nutrition agreed to pay $670M to resolve claims tied to preterm infant formula and necrotizing enterocolitis, including a Missouri case. Missouri Tech/Business Readiness: A Jefferson City communications provider is urging Central Missouri businesses to run phone and remote-access continuity checks during National Preparedness Month. Public Safety Tech in Schools: Missouri’s new “Missouri Ranger” program gives schools a voluntary option for specially trained security personnel, including training on emergency response and communications tech. Local Infrastructure: MoDOT will close the Route O bridge over Weaubleau Creek for rehabilitation starting the week of Sept. 8, with up to 176 days of impacts. Biotech Funding: Immunophotonics (St. Louis) closed a $10M Series C and named Robert Arch as CEO. Health Research: A Kansas City pilot study found weighted blankets can reduce anxiety in acutely ill hospitalized adults.

Baby Formula Litigation: A federal jury in Chicago sided with Mead Johnson in the first NEC-related baby formula trial, dealing a blow to plaintiffs seeking major payouts over alleged failure to warn. Surveillance & Privacy: St. Louis is now a battleground over AI data centers and their environmental footprint, while Missouri and other cities face renewed scrutiny of public surveillance cameras and license-plate monitoring. Climate Resilience: St. Louis planners are redesigning roads, stormwater, and outdoor spaces as temperatures and rainfall rise, using tools like rain gardens and permeable pavement. Social Media Age Rules: Meta’s settlement will restrict minors’ Instagram and Facebook use, with Missouri expected to decide how to spend its share, likely on public messaging. Education & Workforce: UCM hit $63.5M in its Dreams Unite campaign, and Missouri is rolling out “Missouri Rangers” school security training. Tech & Infrastructure: JE Dunn is expanding into power generation, citing AI infrastructure and aging grids. Sports Betting Tech/Policy: Missouri sportsbooks saw a July dip in wagers but steady taxable revenue, with football season expected to drive spikes. Rural Research: A Kirksville resident was selected for a rural childcare cost-of-care fellowship to guide policy.

AI Privacy in Court: A Washington Post review finds chatbot transcripts showing up in lawsuits, including cases where police or opponents searched users’ devices—raising fresh questions about how “private” tools like ChatGPT really are. Missouri Tech & Surveillance: Sen. Josh Hawley is launching a probe into Flock automated license-plate cameras, as Missouri lawmakers push tougher penalties after misuse cases and cities debate keeping the systems. Local Tech in Agriculture: MU and Boone County opened a new Jefferson Farm and Garden learning center aimed at hands-on research and demos, including drones and other ag technologies. Health Tech in Practice: A JAMA Network Open study finds default scheduling of postpartum primary care visits can boost mental health support for new mothers. Smart Lighting Partnerships: Govee teamed with Texas A&M Athletics for “Light Up Aggieland,” signaling how consumer tech keeps moving into sports experiences. Wildlife Safety: A Missouri DOT-backed study highlights where roads need animal crossings after deer collisions show up even in urban areas.

Surveillance & Privacy: U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley opened a federal probe into Flock Safety’s AI-driven license plate camera network, demanding documents on how the system collects, retains, and shares data—while Missouri cities like Columbia keep debating whether the benefits outweigh privacy risks. Courts & AI: A new report highlights how ChatGPT-style chatbot chats are showing up in court, raising concerns that “private” AI conversations may not stay protected. Local Tech & Community: Missouri Southern State University opened Café Roar in its health science building, and students say it’s already become a practical study stop. Public Safety Tech: Columbia police say its Flock cameras are being used for traffic-focused license plate reading (not the AI features critics fear), as residents push back. STEM & Nature: The Missouri Conservation Corps scheduled monarch migration tagging sessions across mid-Missouri in September, pairing hands-on learning with conservation data. Health & Policy: Missouri’s early childhood programs face strain as state funding cuts hit pre-K and child care supports, forcing districts and providers to rethink budgets.