AGP Executive Report

Digital Oversight: Missouri’s attorney general has opened an investigation into TikTok. State leaders are also touting consumer protections for data centers, as Ferguson residents push to repeal local data center tax breaks or put them to a vote. Research & Innovation: Missouri S&T has launched a glass science lecture series honoring Delbert Day, and several S&T researchers rank among the most-cited scientists in their fields. Rail Technology: Missouri company Intramotev plans to launch an autonomous freight rail service; a separate federal grant is supporting autonomous railcar technology. Environment & Energy: A report found PFAS at every Missouri waterway testing site. Ameren Missouri also won approval for new solar and storage projects.

Data Center Expansion: Amazon is exploring a second Montgomery County campus, with plans for 15 buildings across 890 acres. Missouri rules require large-load customers to cover their share of grid costs, but the proposal’s price tag has not been announced. Glass Research: Missouri S&T has launched a lecture series honoring researcher Delbert Day, whose specialty-glass work has contributed to cancer treatment, bone regeneration and wound care. Electric Aviation: Perryville Regional Airport hosted a BETA Technologies electric aircraft, the first known aircraft to use Missouri’s only electric-aircraft charging station. Autonomous Rail: Intramotev plans to launch an autonomous freight rail service in Missouri, another sign of emerging transportation technology taking root in the state.

Digital Policy: Missouri’s attorney general joined a legal brief backing age checks and parental consent for minors’ social media accounts, arguing states should be able to set safeguards. Invasive Species: MU Extension specialists warn that Chinese fountain grass is spreading through Missouri pastures and hayfields. Its viable seeds make it difficult to control. Water Quality: A report says PFAS were found at every Missouri waterway testing site, raising concerns about widespread contamination. Research: A Saint Louis University discovery could help farmers cut fertilizer costs, while a Mizzou researcher is working toward Alzheimer’s prevention. Transportation Tech: Intramotev plans to launch an autonomous freight rail service in Missouri.

Water Research: Funding cuts threaten Missouri’s lake-monitoring programs, which have tracked water quality for more than 50 years across 65-plus lakes. Losing the data could hinder scientists’ ability to track pollution and algal blooms. Clean Energy: Missouri regulators approved Ameren’s new solar and energy-storage projects, expanding the utility’s renewable power plans. Water Quality: PFAS were found at every Missouri waterway testing site, according to a recent report, raising concerns about contamination across the state. Transportation Technology: Missouri-based Intramotev is preparing to launch autonomous freight rail service, backed by a $16 million federal grant. Data Center Debate: Ferguson residents submitted enough signatures to seek a vote on tax breaks for a proposed technology hub and data center at the former Emerson campus.

Missouri Research: A Saint Louis University discovery could help cut fertilizer bills, while a Mizzou researcher is working toward Alzheimer’s prevention. Several Missouri S&T researchers also ranked among the world’s top 2% of cited scientists. Technology & Workforce: A $3.54 million federal grant will fund skilled-trades and IT training in 14 southeast Missouri counties, including drone technology. Intramotev plans to launch autonomous freight rail service in Missouri, and autonomous railcar technology has received a $16 million federal grant. Earth & Environment: Missouri’s Geological Survey is issuing an expanded 50th-anniversary guide to the state’s geologic sites. Separately, a report says PFAS were found at every Missouri waterway testing site.

Water Quality: PFAS were detected at all 20 Missouri waterways tested from 2022 to 2024, with 44 types identified across the sites. Researchers warn contamination could threaten wildlife, drinking water and fish. Missouri Research: A Mizzou researcher is working on Alzheimer’s prevention, while a separate discovery by Missouri scientists could help farmers cut costs. Tech Investment: Columbia’s COLT Railroad won a $16.2 million federal grant for modernization. In St. Louis, a proposed $3 billion tech hub is drawing scrutiny over the data center planned as its anchor.

Government AI: Google says Missouri’s state government is among the early users of its new Gemini service for public agencies, which can help with policy analysis, records redactions and procurement compliance. Neuroscience: Washington University researchers found that a buildup of a normally harmless enzyme disrupts brain growth in mice with Angelman syndrome; blocking it restored normal development, pointing to a possible treatment target. Rail Innovation: Columbia’s COLT Railroad will test autonomous freight railcars with $16.2 million in federal support. St. Louis-based Intramotev will supply the technology as the project moves from remote switching toward autonomous service. Water Quality: PFAS were detected at all 20 Missouri waterways tested in a new report, raising concerns about wildlife, drinking water and fish.

Research: Missouri S&T says 94 current and former researchers rank among the world’s top 2% most-cited scientists, based on career-long impact or 2025 citations. Public-Sector AI: Missouri is an early user of Google’s Gemini for Government, a new platform designed to automate agency paperwork and other multistep tasks. Cancer Care: Lake Regional Cancer Center is investing $4.2 million in a new linear accelerator to deliver more precise radiation therapy in mid-Missouri. Surveillance Tech: Maries County is ending its Flock Safety camera partnership and seeking a refund of more than $13,000 after a company representative missed a public meeting on residents’ data concerns. Road Safety: A new study reports Missouri e-bike and e-scooter deaths rose from one in 2022 to nine in 2024. Family Services Research: University of Kansas researchers received a $1.8 million federal grant to evaluate FosterAdopt Connect’s program supporting adoptive families in Missouri and Kansas.

University of Missouri Research: A Mizzou team developed MeLSI, a machine-learning tool that pinpoints gut microbes behind biological changes. The work could help researchers detect disease signals before symptoms appear. Agricultural Science: MU researchers joined K-State and industry partners to test ways to reduce aggression among group-housed sows late in pregnancy. Farm Innovation: A Saint Louis University discovery could help Missouri farmers cut fertilizer costs. Digital Government: Missouri is testing Google’s Gemini tools for public agencies and ranked fifth nationally for digital government services. Surveillance Tech: Maries County ended its Flock camera contract after a company representative missed a public meeting, amid wider privacy concerns. St. Louis Tech Hub: Plans for a proposed $3 billion tech hub face local opposition over the data center expected to anchor it. Research Funding: Retired Missouri S&T faculty members donated $1 million to support graduate psychology research.

Agricultural Research: Saint Louis University scientists uncovered a protein structure involved in helping microbes turn atmospheric nitrogen into plant-usable nutrients. The finding could eventually cut fertilizer costs for Missouri farmers, who are projected to spend more than $1.5 billion on fertilizer and soil treatments this year; researchers say practical use in crops still needs work. Rail Technology: Columbia will use a $16.2 million federal grant to modernize its 21-mile COLT Railroad and test autonomous railcars, with demonstrations planned across 57 crossings. Surveillance and Privacy: Excelsior Springs voted to end its contract with Flock Safety, directing the city manager to terminate the agreement within 30 days and barring city payments in 2027. Local IT: Joplin named longtime technology professional Eric Parker its next IT director. He brings experience in cybersecurity and infrastructure management and will oversee systems serving 15 city departments and 600 employees.

Alzheimer’s Research: A University of Missouri trial found that low-dose rapamycin improved brain blood flow in adults carrying the APOE4 risk gene. The early result is promising, but it does not establish that the drug prevents Alzheimer’s. Farm Technology: MU researchers launched a free tool to help farmers compare 2026 federal crop-support payments; enrollment closes Dec. 11. Aerospace Engineering: Boeing won an $80 million Navy contract for MQ-25A drone development and integration, with the work based in St. Louis through 2031. St. Louis Tech Hub: A proposed $3 billion development anchored by a data center is drawing local pushback. Cancer Research: Missouri S&T researchers are developing personalized immune therapy for triple-negative breast cancer.

Maternal Health: Missouri has lost 11 maternity wards since 2009, while rules requiring nurse-midwives to partner with physicians push some providers to Kansas. A $879,000 federal grant will help launch the state’s first nurse-midwife training program. St. Louis Tech Hub: A proposed $3 billion development anchored by a data center is drawing backlash, putting local concerns about the project alongside ambitions to build a major tech hub. Digital Oversight: Missouri is suing Temu over alleged consumer deception and data collection, while the attorney general investigates TikTok’s effects on children. Cancer Research: Missouri S&T researchers are developing personalized immune therapy for triple-negative breast cancer.

Tech Investment: St. Louis’s proposed $3 billion tech hub is drawing pushback over the data center planned to anchor it, putting local concerns alongside ambitions for a major technology development. Digital Privacy: Missouri is suing Temu over alleged consumer deception and data collection, while state agencies have launched an app to help retailers verify customers’ ages. Cancer Research: A Missouri S&T lab is working on personalized immune therapy for triple-negative breast cancer. Medical Research: MU researchers received a $2.77 million grant for a pulmonary study.

Rural Health: Missouri has secured more than $2 million in federal funding, including $879,000 to start the state’s first nurse-midwife training program, with rural clinical placements planned. Data Center Buildout: A proposed $3 billion St. Louis tech hub is drawing backlash over its planned data center anchor. Tech Oversight: Missouri is suing Temu over alleged consumer deception and access to phone data, and has opened a TikTok probe focused on children; the state also launched an age-check app for retailers. AI Computing: Alpha Compute signed an $81.7 million, four-year GPU lease for its Missouri “Superintelligence Factory.” Cancer Research: Missouri S&T researchers are working on personalized immune therapy for triple-negative breast cancer.

Transport Technology: Columbia won $16.2 million in federal funding to modernize its 21-mile COLT Railroad, with plans to improve safety and demonstrate autonomous rail technology. Data Center Debate: St. Louis’s proposed $3.1 billion Armory Innovation District would be anchored by a 120-megawatt data center. Supporters tout jobs and tech investment; opponents have raised concerns as the project faces public backlash and legal challenges. Medical Research: Missouri S&T researchers are working on personalized immune therapy for triple-negative breast cancer, while MU researchers received a $2.77 million grant for a pulmonary study. Digital Government: Missouri launched a state app to help retailers verify customers’ ages for restricted purchases.

St. Louis Tech Hub: A proposed $3.1 billion Armory Innovation District, anchored by a 120-megawatt data center, promises new tech space and jobs but faces public backlash and legal challenges. Autonomous Rail: Columbia received a $16.2 million federal grant to modernize its 21-mile COLT line, including a demonstration of autonomous railcars. Digital Privacy: Missouri’s attorney general sued Temu, alleging the app secretly collects personal data and misleads shoppers; the state is also investigating TikTok’s impact on children. Cancer Research: A Missouri S&T lab is working on personalized immune therapy for triple-negative breast cancer, while MU researchers received $2.77 million for a pulmonary study. Road Technology: Missouri researchers are using MRI-style technology to spot failing roads before potholes form.