AGP Executive Report

Meta & Safety: A nonprofit watchdog says Meta ran 300+ ads featuring child sexual abuse material on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads—even after the company rolled out a new AI safety tool. Local Remembrance: Iowa communities marked the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with ceremonies that included first responders, student-led tributes, and lessons meant to carry forward. Community & Learning: Walcott dedicated a youth football field to longtime coach Dennis Johns, while “Field To Table” brought hundreds of students to hands-on agriculture stations. Health & Care: Elite Casino Resorts is funding Alzheimer’s efforts across Iowa and neighbors through donation drives and employee walks. Education & Workforce: A North Iowa Area Community College student won a $1,000 Chime Workforce Scholarship to support career-focused training. Culture & Politics: In Iowa City, Zach Lahn drew young conservatives for a Charlie Kirk remembrance event tied to Turning Point Action’s push to mobilize voters.

9/11 Remembrance in Iowa: Maryville marked the 25th anniversary with a community ceremony, including remarks from Mayor John McBride and a bell salute led by the Maryville Fire Department, focused on educating students who weren’t alive for the attacks. Local First Responders: In Des Moines, firefighter Capt. Jeramie Eginoire said 9/11 pushed him to pursue a lifelong career in public safety. Education & Memory: A national look at how states teach Sept. 11 notes only about half require it, urging Iowa schools to keep the lessons and aftermath in the classroom. Community & Culture: The Des Moines Playhouse opens “Come From Away” to mark the anniversary, while Searsboro prepares for its 150th birthday celebration with a parade, food trucks, and fireworks. Schools & Teaching: Iowa named nine Regional Teachers of the Year, including three Northwest Iowa finalists. Higher Ed: UNI reported its biggest freshman class in years and overall enrollment at 9,366, the highest since 2020. Public Service Appointments: Prairie City selected Erica Haack as city administrator, starting Sept. 14.

9/11 Remembrance in Iowa: Gov. Kim Reynolds marked the 25th anniversary by ordering flags at half-staff and urging Iowans to keep teaching the day’s impact to younger generations. Immigration & Community Safety: A Des Moines-area family says ICE agents smashed windows while detaining a father of seven, while another Johnson County case describes a worksite arrest that split a family after 18 days in detention. Cultural Exchange & Arts: Ames Public Library is showing collages made by students after a sister-city trip to Koshu, Japan, and Quincy Community Theatre announced its 2027 season plus a major “Every Voice Heard” sound system campaign. Education & Civic Life: Iowa PBS set dates for governor, U.S. Senate, and House debates, and Marshalltown Community College hosts a free college fair Sept. 22. Community Health Careers: Great River Health plans a free healthcare career exploration event Oct. 8. Local Recognition: P.E.O. honored a Fairfield Union graduate with a STAR Scholarship, and Soroptimist International of Fort Madison announced its Golden Age Tea Party for residents 80+.

Water Quality & Health: A new Iowa voter poll finds 60% say water quality is a top issue heading into November, with advocates linking long-running environmental inaction to rising cancer concerns. Local Politics: In Johnson County’s District 3 race, first-time candidates Jennie Wunderlich (R) and Sue Dvorsky (D) square off on data center rules and a proposed $94 million jail borrowing question. Immigrant Community Life: Ottumwa’s Viva Latino Festival returns after last year’s cancellation tied to safety concerns, with music, food, vendors, and scholarships. Workforce & Education: UNI reports its largest freshman class in nearly a decade, while the Board of Regents seeks a $10 million bump in state funding for Iowa universities. Arts & Community: Wartburg Community Symphony’s conductor earns a second American Prize, highlighting Iowa’s classical music momentum. Business Leadership: Merchants Bonding Company announces a new CEO structure, with Larry Taylor shifting to chairman/CEO and Elisabeth Sandersfeld taking over as president.

RNC Midterm Convention: In Dallas, President Trump used the first-ever midterm GOP convention to push a $5,000 “Trump Dividend” promise for adults if Republicans hold Congress, while also urging supporters to “pretend I’m on the ballot.” Culture & Community: Iowa City’s Pentacrest Museums hosted “Postcards on the Pentacrest” to help students stay connected as they transition into college. Sports Spotlight: Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever return Sept. 18 after the WNBA paused for the FIBA Women’s World Cup. Workforce & Innovation: A pilot biomanufacturing training program is launching to build a skilled pipeline for national security and supply-chain resilience. Local Arts & Events: Linn County’s Free for All: Arts & Culture Week runs Oct. 19–25 with free experiences across 15 organizations. Civic Life: Hancock County planners denied a rezoning request for a proposed data center near Garner. Education: Cornell College students will showcase real-world problem research in a Sept. 15 Second-Year Seminar event.

Iowa Politics Watch: New reporting says Iowa’s 2026 governor race now “leans Democrat” and the open U.S. Senate seat is a “toss-up,” as the state’s once-reliable GOP margins face fresh pressure. 9/11 in the Classroom: A New York history teacher marks 25 years teaching 9/11, noting how firsthand family memory is fading and classroom assignments now carry more of the load. Community Education: Centennial Community Education keeps school buildings open for adults and kids alike, from ice skating and open gym nights to art, music, and swing dancing. Water Quality & Agriculture: Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig pushes back on a “blame game” over water quality, arguing for science-based fixes upstream and downstream. STEM in the Real World: Two Red Oak teachers join Iowa’s STEM externships, learning from a landfill’s recycling and water monitoring work and from DNR fisheries research. Land & Legacy: Sustainable Iowa Land Trust (SILT) hosts events to help protect farmland from development and keep it in farming for future generations. Health Care Recognition: Gov. Kim Reynolds honors Fellowship Village in Inwood with a Governor’s Quality Award for Health Care Facilities. Education Costs: Coe College announces a 45% tuition cut under its Clearly Coe initiative. Local Culture Calendar: Stoughton’s Sept. 10-20 lineup includes teen trivia, free family movie night (“Coco”), and a retro vintage sale.

Education & Health Equity: Iowa’s Department of Education is offering WIIN grant funding so public schools and child care centers can voluntarily test and reduce lead in drinking water, with priority for sites serving kids under 6, built before 1985, and with high free-and-reduced-meal enrollment. Civic Life on Campus: A new wave of youth voter outreach is showing up on campuses with “fun-first” tactics—like donuts and voting info—to reach young people who aren’t registered or engaged. Politics & Power in Iowa: Internal polling shared by Josh Turek’s campaign shows him narrowly leading Ashley Hinson in Iowa’s U.S. Senate race, while the broader campaign focus keeps circling back to Iowa’s cancer rate and water quality. Community Events: HSNEI is raising funds for low-cost spay-neuter services at the White Barns Fall Market in West Union, and Marion’s Oktoberfest returns Sept. 19 with beer tastings plus family-friendly festivities. Arts & Culture: The University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop announced alumnus Tony Tulathimutte as the first winner of a new award.

Education & Access: The University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop named alumnus Tony Tulathimutte as the inaugural $150,000 Jack Galef Award winner, a prize aimed at under-recognized writers. Higher Ed Pathways: UI and Midwestern University launched a new admissions and articulation agreement to give health science students a clearer route into graduate study. Local Culture & Community: Iowa City’s new Cubs-themed bar, Wrigleyville, is giving Chicago fans a home base for games and postseason watch parties. Public Life & Policy: Johnson County’s proposed $94.5 million jail project is sparking a fight over capacity, diversion, and whether more beds will change incentives—setting up a major bond vote. Arts & Education: Orchard Place named Adam Haselhuhn vice president of advancement, bringing more than a decade of higher-ed and healthcare philanthropy experience. STEM Spotlight: Iowa announced 44 National Math Stars for 2026, part of a statewide partnership supporting advanced math through high school. Midterms Watch: Iowa politicians are ramping up fundraising as Senate control remains a toss-up heading into November.

Iowa Arts Funding: Iowa City approved a nearly $2 million arts endowment fund, using a new 1% local option sales tax to stabilize support for groups like the Englert Theatre and FilmScene. Iowa Education & Community: A new Emerson College poll finds close Iowa races—Rob Sand up slightly for governor and Ashley Hinson leading Josh Turek for Senate. Campus Culture: Iowa State’s Black Student Alliance highlights how long-running community spaces help Black students feel less alone and more supported. Local History & Pride: Davenport Central will honor its 1976 state championship team at homecoming, celebrating decades of “brotherhood.” Rural Mental Health: The Midwest Farm Dog initiative spotlights stigma-busting mental health support for farmers, tied to National Suicide Prevention Month. Sports & Spotlight: UNI assistant coach Klint Carlson returns to the area, while Iowa football fans get fresh coverage after the Hawkeyes’ season opener.

Higher Ed & Equity: University of Iowa data shows Johnson County’s six-year bachelor’s completion rate for students of two or more races hit 71.3% by 2024, topping the statewide 67.4% figure. Immigrant Community Life: Johnson County’s Welcoming Week returns Sept. 10-19 with free events aimed at building belonging, including a Coralville library picnic, intercultural festival, and resource fairs. Mental Health in Rural Iowa: The Midwest “Farm Dog” initiative is tackling rural mental health stigma by funding farm-tailored care and connecting farmers to support via QR-coded apparel. Arts & Culture: Morningside University professor Shelby Prindaville was named a 2026 Iowa Artist Fellow, with her ecologically focused work rooted in her 4-H start. Health & Wellness: Orange City Area Health System expanded cardiac rehab with the Pritikin Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation program, adding nutrition and stress-management tools. Community Events: Oktoberfest celebrations are rolling across Iowa, and Sept. 9-16 event listings include music, markets, and local workshops.

Midterm Politics: Republicans in battleground states are quietly removing Trump references from campaign sites as his approval sinks and the GOP scrambles to protect narrow House and Senate majorities. Campaign Strategy: Candidates in purple states are leaning on cross-party endorsements to win over independents, while the RNC’s Dallas convention aims to build momentum with Trump and Vance front and center. Iowa Civic Life: Iowa City native Emily Galvin Almanza is turning her public defender background into a middle-grade mystery series, bringing kids’ rights and due process into the spotlight. Community & Culture: Ottumwa marked Jaluit Day with Marshallese families, food, prayer, and baseball—plus a push to educate neighbors about a shared history. Sports & Campus: UI students are gearing up for Ruby Bridges’ Oct. 5 visit, and Iowa cross country opened strong with Hawkeye Invitational team titles. Local Faith Calendar: Multiple Iowa regions posted weekly religious gathering schedules for Sept. 6–12.

Education & Equity: Black Hawk County’s only public four-year college, UNI, saw 57.4% of Hispanic/Latino bachelor’s-seekers from the 2018 cohort finish within six years by 2024—about 11 points below the statewide pooled rate (68.4%). Local Civic Life: Democratic treasurer candidate John Norwood says he wants an “independent voice” and more visible accountability in the state Treasurer’s office, framing the role as part banker, part investment chief, part finance officer. Community Spotlight: Osceola County 4-H volunteer Charlotte Rollefson was inducted into the 2026 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame for more than 30 years of club leadership and equine work. Culture & Sports: The World 100 at Eldora Speedway returns as a dirt-track tradition—this year’s “World 100: Decades” series looks back at the race’s 1976 roots and its cultural staying power. Faith Calendar: Des Moines-area Catholic adoration and confession listings run Sept. 6-12, with similar weekly schedules posted across Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, and West Des Moines.

Iowa Football: Iowa opened the 2026 season with a 40-0 rout of Northern Illinois, leaning on a dominant rushing attack led by Kamari Moulton (183 yards, two TDs) while the offensive line paved the way for 289 rushing yards. Local Culture & Heritage: Des Moines brought people together for an Italian heritage celebration featuring a historic brick oven that baked 500+ loaves of bread and honored local preservation efforts, with Mayor Connie Boesen presenting a key to the city. Immigration & Community Services: Iowa immigration advocates warned that shrinking federal support is straining legal services for immigrants and refugees, leaving some people without representation as deportation and benefit issues pile up. Education & Student Support: Lewis Central received a $180,000 grant for a new therapeutic classroom aimed at helping younger students manage severe behavior issues and re-enter regular classrooms with an Iowa behavior intervention plan. Arts & Entertainment (Pop Culture): Long Beach Comic Con 2026 opened with big fandom energy—Pokémon, Power Rangers, TMNT, and more—plus cosplay programming and guest Q&As. Sports Beyond Iowa: Volleyball Day in Nebraska inspired outdoor matches nationwide, with the tradition now reaching major venues like Wrigley Field.

Iowa Politics & Community: A new poll shows Ashley Hinson leading Josh Turek in Iowa’s Senate race, as the campaign sharpens over Trump-era trade and law-enforcement priorities. Immigration & Daily Life: Refugees in Iowa say SNAP cuts are pushing families into “limbo,” with food pantries reporting thinner shelves. Education & Student Support: Lewis Central is rolling out a $180,000 grant for a new therapeutic classroom aimed at helping younger students with severe behavior issues re-enter regular learning. Local Culture & Agriculture: Spencer-area farmer Doris Scully is a finalist for the national “Women in the Field” producer award for no-till, cover-crop practices. Sports & Local Pride: Iowa opened the season with a 40-0 rout of Northern Illinois, with Hank Brown expected to start at quarterback as the Hawkeyes keep rolling. Public Health & Safety: Restaurant inspections in the region flagged serious issues including dead mice, expired food, and kitchen closures.

Immigration & Courts: A second Des Moines priest is suing Homeland Security over work authorization, after an earlier case was dismissed once the government processed his application—another reminder that immigration paperwork can collide with religious life. Politics & Mobilization: Turning Point Action is using Iowa’s Republican caucuses as a practice run for 2028, registering voters and pushing county-by-county conservative turnout. Education & Access: Iowa State Treasurer Roby Smith cut ISave 529 fees again, dropping the plan’s fee to 0.15% to make college savings cheaper for families. Culture & Community: Fuego Hot Glass is hosting a “Glass Pumpkin Patch” with 1,000 blown-glass pumpkins and fall festivities in the Cedar Valley. Public Safety & Tech: Iowa State Patrol Trooper Jason Marlow says technology has reshaped law enforcement, from training to day-to-day operations. Sports & Local Pride: Iowa State’s Cyclone Preview was delayed by storms, but the meet still delivered strong early performances from underclassmen.

Education & Equity: Starmont Elementary in Arlington dismissed students early after classrooms hit 94 degrees, cutting periods short and underscoring how uneven school cooling can derail learning. Local Schools & Community: Red Barn Schoolhouse in Crescent is preparing to open as a nature-focused charter hub after Crescent Elementary closed, aiming to keep a local “school as community center” in place. Culture & Language: The Luxembourg Heritage Society of Northwest Iowa is hosting a tour of a Luxembourg language exhibit at Remsen Public Library, with multilingualism displays and museum stops open to anyone. Arts & Identity: A Buffalo museum exhibition spotlights Karla Diaz’s “Uncle’s Crossing,” a Latinx portrait of a “coyote” role in undocumented journeys and the complicated ethics behind it. Public Health: Health officials are urging Iowa families to check measles vaccinations as cases spread, with school-age children among those most affected. Civic Life & Debate: Iowa’s fall debate calendar is filling up, with two Sioux City debates set for mid-October between Zach Lahn and Rob Sand. Energy & Jobs: Gov. Reynolds released the Iowa Nuclear Energy Task Force final report, arguing nuclear can help meet rising electricity demand tied to growth in data centers and manufacturing.