AGP Executive Report

Homelessness Relief: Anchorage’s Good Neighbor Fund hit about $186,000 in donations, helping move nearly 300 people into transitional housing and cover basics like food, shelter, IDs, and travel. Heat Wave Watch: The National Weather Service warns a dangerous heat dome will bake much of the Midwest and East into the July 4 weekend, with high humidity pushing heat indexes around 105–115°F and little overnight relief. Wildfire Tragedy: Three firefighters were killed and two hurt battling fast-moving blazes along the Colorado–Utah border, as extreme fire weather and drought drive rapid spread. Food Aid Hurdles: Wisconsin’s FoodShare replacement is coming after outages spoiled food, but advocates say the process is still hard for recipients to navigate. Local Crime: A man died after a stabbing in Cold Spring, with another suspect taken into custody. Tech & Energy: Researchers are racing to understand how AI is driving up data-center energy use. Sports: The World Cup knockout stage begins, with the U.S. set for its next match as tournament momentum builds.

World Cup & Public Health: Scientists say influenza and Covid still matter during the 2026 FIFA World Cup as crowds, travel, and close contact boost respiratory spread, while avian influenza is being watched for any sign of sustained human-to-human transmission. World Cup Shock Result: Austria and Algeria stunned Group J with a 3-3 thriller in Kansas City, knocking Iran out and sending both teams to the knockout round—Algeria face Switzerland, Austria take on Spain. Western Wildfires: Hot, dry, windy weather is driving fast-moving blazes across the West, with Utah’s Cottonwood Fire surging to nearly 400 sq km and threatening cabins and a ski resort. Heat Dome Threat: A major heat dome is expected to bake much of the East and Midwest into the July 4 weekend, with heat indices pushing 100–115 in parts of the region. Severe Weather Watch: Illinois is seeing record tornado activity early in the year, raising pressure on local response as federal disaster aid remains uncertain. Power & Tech: Microsoft says its Wisconsin Fairwater AI campus is fully operational, positioning it as a large-scale GPU “supercomputer” built for heavy power demand. Higher Ed Integrity: Brown University faces scrutiny after a professor alleges major AI cheating in an advanced economics class, calling academic integrity “at risk.” Lottery: Powerball numbers for June 27: 3, 16, 28, 30, 59; Powerball 11; jackpot estimated at $348M.

Retail Expansion: Casey’s General Stores says it’s planning at least 400 new stores over the next three years, leaning on pizza, prepared foods, and nonalcoholic drinks while investing in forecasting and tech. Public Health & Culture: Alcohol use is shifting nationwide as more adults cut back or go alcohol-free, with rising demand for zero-proof options. Weather & Safety: A heat dome is building for the July 4 stretch, with forecasts calling for dangerous heat and humidity across much of the Midwest and East, plus a separate severe-storm threat for parts of the Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic. Wildfire Risk: The Four Corners faces extremely critical fire weather conditions, with dry fuels and strong winds raising the odds of fast-moving fires. Local Economy: Wisconsin’s early-stage investing scene is still lagging neighbors, even as a new $2.4M venture fund backs Beloit’s Mastercraft Ventures. Community & Sports: Birdcall, a Colorado chicken-sandwich chain, plans to expand into Indiana; and Michigan and Tennessee set for an Elite Eight matchup. Politics: North Carolina Republicans overrode the governor’s veto of a bill requiring state law enforcement to coordinate with federal immigration officials.

Wildfire & Fireworks: Utah declared an emergency and restricted fireworks as the fast-moving Cottonwood Fire surged amid extreme wind and low humidity. Severe Weather Recovery: Tornado damage hit parts of Illinois and Indiana south of Chicago, with cleanup and long power-restoration timelines underway. Flood Insurance Gaps: Northern Michigan flood victims say FEMA flood maps left many without coverage, exposing how rainfall-driven flooding and outdated mapping can miss risk. Energy Infrastructure: Partners celebrated completion of Ohio’s $1.2B Trumbull Energy Center, built to meet rising Midwest power demand tied to AI and data centers. Data Centers in the Midwest: Edged topped out Project Lola in Council Bluffs, advancing large-scale “AI-ready” infrastructure. Local Transit Push: Wisconsin submitted a bid for a $218.2M federal grant to extend Amtrak service to Madison. Sports (NCAA): Tennessee earned a sixth seed and beat Virginia to reach the Sweet 16, while N.C. State moved toward a new coach with Justin Gainey. Agriculture & Markets: Cattle ranchers report strong prices but worry about tariffs and deportation threats to farm labor. Community & Culture: Budweiser Clydesdales drew crowds in Cedar Falls for Sturgis Falls festivities, and Wisconsin tourism hit record numbers in 2025.

World Cup Update: The Netherlands rolled past Tunisia 3-1 in Group F, with Brian Brobbey scoring again and the Dutch finishing first as Japan’s draw left the bracket set for Monday’s big matchup. Weather Watch: Showers and storms linger in parts of the Midwest today, but a hot, humid stretch is locking in next week, with July 4 approaching under heat-index concerns. Public Health Alarm: A Kansas physician warns that 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) is being sold like a harmless product and calls for stronger federal action as addiction risks grow. Housing & Local Development: A Minnesota nonprofit is studying Rock County, Wisconsin, for a resident-owned cooperative mobile home park, while a Janesville developer seeks zoning approval to convert a former Crazy Joe’s store into climate-controlled self-storage. Energy & Jobs: A Wisconsin manufacturer is hiring as data-center demand spreads, and Minnesota’s CERTs seed grants are funding clean-energy upgrades across underserved communities. Safety & Tragedy: A worker died in an industrial accident at a Cold Spring poultry plant. Environment: Lake Minnetonka leaders are stepping up efforts to protect against starry stonewort.

World Cup Knockouts Set: The Netherlands finished Group F on top with a 3-1 rainy win over Tunisia, with Brian Brobbey scoring and two more goals deflecting into the net; Japan’s 1-1 draw with Sweden locked in the bracket, sending the U.S. to face Bosnia-Herzegovina next. Local Governance & Voting Access: Kansas officials are pushing to reopen Johnson County early voting sites after closures ahead of the August primary, arguing access was reduced in dense areas. Public Health: Wisconsin’s DNR closed Crescent Beach in Algoma after elevated E. coli levels were found during a cruise ship visit. Infrastructure: Virginia marked completion of the Norfolk Harbor dredging project, deepening the channel to support larger ships on the East Coast. Weather & Safety: Illinois state climatologist Trent Ford says 2026 tornado totals are “remarkable,” with the state far ahead of prior records. Community & Transit: New bus routes link Mason City and Clear Lake to major Iowa and Midwest destinations starting June 30.

Severe Weather & Aid: Illinois logged a record tornado count this year, even as a new analysis says Democratic-led states are getting less federal disaster help—leaving local governments to absorb more of the hit. Energy & Gas Prices: The Trump administration is pushing Congress to make E15 gasoline sales permanent year-round, aiming to lower pump costs while regulators weigh air-quality concerns. Health & Safety: Vermont became the first state to ban paraquat, a weed killer tied by advocates to Parkinson’s risk, even as the EPA reviews safety. Public Health Watch: The CDC warns COVID could surge again in the South and West this summer, especially if immune-evasive variants spread. Food & Home Risks: The CDC also reports a growing Salmonella outbreak tied to backyard poultry, urging families—especially kids under 5—to avoid handling birds. Local Business & Community: In Michigan, Comfort Keepers is highlighting VA home care and companion care options for families navigating aging at home. Earthquakes: Four major quakes struck Venezuela within hours, with damage and casualties still rising.

Fourth of July Costs: A new American Farm Bureau survey says a cookout for 10 now costs $73.82—about $7.38 per person—up 4% from last year, with higher prices for staples like beef, chicken, and strawberries. Severe Weather & Flooding: Forecasters warn millions across the Central and Southern U.S. to brace for flash flooding as a 700-mile rain threat lingers, with saturated ground raising the risk. Heat Dome Watch: Michigan is heading into a four-day stretch of 90-plus-degree heat, with high humidity and limited overnight relief. Earthquake Alerts & Safety: A 5.6 quake near Mendocino, Calif., triggered emergency alerts in Sacramento with little felt shaking—seismologists say the early-warning system worked as intended. Venezuela Quakes Raise California Alarm: Two back-to-back major earthquakes devastated parts of Venezuela, highlighting the dangers of non-ductile concrete buildings—an issue also seen in California. Medicare Drug Change: Starting July 1, Medicare will offer a $50 monthly copay for certain weight-loss meds under a temporary “GLP-1 Bridge,” with major limits to note. Local Government: Robinson, Wis., annexed land for a new police station as renovations move forward. Business & Energy: Trumbull Energy Center in Ohio officially completed a $1.2B power plant project aimed at growing electricity demand.

High School Sports: Oswego East junior Jacsen Tucker was named Record Newspapers Player of the Year after setting school records with 12 homers, 27 stolen bases, and a .379 average as an Oklahoma State commit. Business Leadership: Coast Southwest promoted Olivia G. Cimo to regional vice president for the Midwest, citing seven years of growth and continued expansion. Healthcare Policy: Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Reproductive Health Records Privacy Act to shield abortion-related digital medical records from out-of-state access. Energy & Prices: EIA data shows U.S. crude inventories plunging to the lowest since 1984, while local reports highlight diesel and gas price swings tied to supply tightness. World Cup Watch: Sounders captain Cristian Roldan is day-to-day with a muscle strain and hopes to play for Team USA against Türkiye. Local Culture & Community: Blue Springs, Missouri unveiled a World Cup-themed public art exhibit with four soccer sculptures across the city. Ag & Events: Wisconsin Farm Technology Days will feature live equipment field demos July 14–16, including baleage and manure-spreading gear. International Security: North Korea leader Kim Jong Un vowed to arm its navy with nuclear weapons and expand naval bases.

Port Update: PortMiami named Jonathan Daniels—formerly Maryland Port Administration and Port of Baltimore leader—as its new CEO, a major East Coast shipping shake-up after Baltimore’s Key Bridge recovery. Housing Policy: The Senate cleared the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act 85-5, aiming to boost home supply and curb investor buying. Food & Farming: Illinois SNAP cuts tied to federal changes are expected to hit hundreds of thousands, with ripple effects for small farmers through lost customers. Weather & Health: Connecticut reports new spread of tick-borne threats, with lone star and Asian longhorned ticks showing up in multiple southern counties. Space Security: A Mitchell Institute report urges the Space Force to tighten conflict-in-space policies and rehearsals as satellite attacks and escalation risks grow. Sports: The Bucks traded Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat, ending an era in Wisconsin. Local Outdoors: South Dakota’s Highway 46 hillside repair is set to start after the July 4 holiday, with an underdrain system planned.

Space & Tech: SpaceX is clearing the way at Vandenberg Space Force Base for a second California Falcon launch complex after controlled demolition work, as West Coast rocket activity keeps climbing. Courts & Civil Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled a Louisiana prisoner can’t sue for damages after guards forcibly cut his dreadlocks, even as the state acknowledged the act violated religious freedom. Public Health (Upper Midwest): Michigan confirmed its first invasive elm zigzag sawfly detection in St. Clair County, urging residents to report sightings. Weather & Safety: Flood risk is rising across parts of the central and southern U.S., with watches expanding into Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri as storms roll in. Energy Policy: The Interior Department announced a settlement that ends four offshore wind leases, redirecting funds toward other domestic power projects. Health Care Fraud: The Justice Department says 455 people were charged in healthcare fraud schemes totaling $6.5B. Illinois Funding: Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority awarded 147 Restore, Reinvest, and Renew grants totaling $50.8M for communities hit by systemic racism. Housing & Elections (Michigan): Michigan governor candidates are laying out competing plans on affordability, taxes and housing ahead of the Aug. 4 primary.

Labor & Local Impact: Omaha bars like The Underwood Bar are pulling popular beers and ciders after a strike at beverage distributor Premier-Midwest Beer & Beverage, where Teamsters Local 554 workers are fighting for contract terms after a Glazer’s Beer & Beverage buyout. Public Health: Tick-bite ER visits are spiking nationwide, and the University of Nevada, Reno is using a $1 million gift to build a secure research facility aimed at genetically modified tick control and future vaccine work. Politics & Voting: Michigan’s Aug. 4 primary kicks off with absentee voting starting this week, with clerks ensuring ballots and dropboxes are ready. Food Assistance: Illinois faces major SNAP cuts under federal changes, threatening both recipients and the farmers who supply them. Insurance Watch: State Farm CEO Jon Farney says the insurer wants “proof” before moving fast on New York auto insurance reforms. Energy & Weather: Natural gas prices jumped as forecasts turned hotter, while the U.S. braces for severe weather and wildfire risk. Shipping & Jobs: Baltimore’s Howard Street Tunnel now supports double-stacked rail containers, boosting East Coast capacity. World News With U.S. Stakes: The U.S. authorized two months of limited Iranian oil and petrochemical transactions amid ongoing talks. Travel & Safety: Powerball numbers for June 22 were 17-19-21-45-48, Powerball 13.

Travel & Cost Watch: With gas and inflation squeezing budgets, Dunhill Travel Deals ranked states for budget-friendly 2026 road trips, pointing to cheaper driving and lodging outside pricey coasts, with Missouri highlighted as a value pick. Weather & Safety: El Niño is back, with forecasts calling for a strong-to-very strong event by late 2026—raising risks for extreme heat and disruptions. Severe Storms: A major tornado outbreak tore through the Midwest, including heavy damage in Illinois and nearby states. Public Health: Tick bites are spiking in the Midwest; the CDC says ER visits for tick bites are at their highest since at least 2017. Community & Faith: The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage continued along the East Coast, including major events in Washington, D.C. Local Business: Allegiant is adding new Florida routes from parts of the Midwest and East Coast, while a new nationwide plumbing referral marketplace launched to connect homeowners with vetted local pros. Sports & Culture: USMNT World Cup watch parties drew big crowds, and Missouri 4-H raised more than $80,000 at its Clover Classic.

Severe Weather: A fresh Midwest tornado outbreak is underway, with nearly three dozen reports logged as supercells track toward the Ohio Valley, following earlier deadly storms that damaged homes and left residents without power. Local Politics: In Missouri’s Nodaway County, residents and the Maryville mayor are pushing back on a proposed AI data center, arguing it could hurt quality of life and rural land. Environment: Alaska officials are investigating the death of an endangered fin whale found dead on a cruise ship’s bow in Seward; NOAA says initial findings suggest the whale was pregnant. Business & Growth: Saia is expanding Midwest freight capacity with new terminals in Duluth, Minnesota, and Columbia, Missouri. Sports & Community: Iowa State’s 2025-26 season ended with a strong run to the Big 12 semifinals, while local racing in Wisconsin was wiped out by rain on Father’s Day. Health & Safety: Elevated bacteria levels are forcing beach closures and swimming advisories across parts of the U.S.

Gullah Geechee Land Fight: On Hilton Head and St. Helena Island, unclear titles and heirs’ property are driving missed taxes and delinquent sales, while rising assessments and development pressures push families off ancestral land—local groups are stepping in with legal help and tax support to keep property in the community. Severe Weather Watch: A persistent storm track is keeping the central and eastern U.S. on alert, with damaging winds, large hail, flooding downpours, and a few tornadoes possible from the Midwest into the I-95 corridor early in the week. Housing & Money: Mortgage rates slipped to 6.47% for a 30-year fixed, while a Realtor.com affordability report puts Indiana at the top for buying a home in 2026. Tech & Infrastructure: A new map shows data centers are clustering in a few states—Texas, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Ohio—raising concerns about uneven growth. Energy Reliability: Blackout risk is rising as power grids struggle to share electricity across regions during extreme events. Sports: Wyndham Clark surged to a big lead at the U.S. Open as Scottie Scheffler charged into contention. Local Color: Rochelle’s fire station repainted patriotic doors to honor America’s 250th birthday.

World Cup Moment: Curaçao made history in Kansas City, earning its first-ever World Cup point with a 0-0 draw vs. Ecuador, powered by goalkeeper Eloy Room’s 15 saves at Arrowhead Stadium. Royal Watch: Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima swapped orange for blue to cheer Curaçao as the Netherlands advanced earlier in the day. Severe Weather: Tornado-like winds battered northwest Kansas, knocking down trees and power poles and leaving about 3,000 customers without electricity, with flash flooding warnings in place. Public Safety & Heat: Officials warned of extreme heat risks across the Pacific Southwest as World Cup crowds and holiday travel ramp up. Local Costs: Springfield, Missouri residents face a 4% sewer rate increase starting July 1 to fund upgrades and meet Clean Water Act requirements. Immigration & Labor: Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative praised new Trump administration H-2A guidance that allows dairy operations to use the work-visa program for seasonal labor needs. Community & Culture: Thousands are expected to join International Day of Yoga events across the southern U.S., with Spanish-language and adaptive chair yoga aimed at underserved groups.