AGP Executive Report

Kansas City leadership: Police Chief Stacey Graves says she plans to retire after four years as the first woman permanent chief, with the Board praising crime-fighting results including a higher homicide clearance rate in 2026. Primary election prep: Missouri voters are already facing a flood of ads ahead of the Aug. 4 primary, with ballot-measure campaigns raising nearly $40 million—led by Amendment 5 backers—while early voting ramps up. Amendment 5 fight: Missouri’s constitutional amendment debate over phasing out the state income tax is heating up, with critics warning it could expand taxes on goods and services and weaken voter limits on tax hikes. Flood recovery: Gov. Mike Kehoe asked the Trump administration for a major disaster declaration for nine flood-damaged Missouri counties, citing more than $26.5 million in emergency response and infrastructure damage. Courts and accountability: A Florissant woman pleaded guilty to stealing $170,574 in Social Security benefits after a relative’s death. Death penalty spotlight: A report says Missouri has executed prisoners at a high rate since the death penalty returned 50 years ago. National politics spillover: Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment at a Senate hearing, as Republicans push contempt votes. Local governance and privacy: Columbia residents raised concerns about Flock Safety surveillance cameras as the city weighs data and AI-related privacy risks. Military update: Whiteman Air Force Base was selected as the sole site for 24 F-15E Strike Eagles, a move framed as protecting jobs and the 442nd Fighter Wing.

Missouri Courts & Elections: A Missouri judge is weighing whether to strike down the state’s county-by-county property tax cap law tied to Royals stadium incentives, with school and fire districts arguing it violates the state constitution’s ban on local or special laws. State & Local Government: Columbia is fighting a lawsuit over a $750,000 American Airlines deal, denying it’s an unconstitutional “gift” and saying the payment serves public benefits like commerce and regional access. Public Safety & Emergencies: Gov. Mike Kehoe asked President Trump for a major disaster declaration after July 9-11 flash flooding hit nine counties, seeking FEMA Public Assistance for repairs and debris removal. Criminal Justice: A man was arrested after nearly three hours perched in a Columbia power plant smokestack, facing burglary and charges tied to obstructing government operations. Federal Politics With Missouri Ties: GOP-led states including Missouri urged the U.S. Supreme Court to lift a block on Trump’s vote-by-mail restrictions, setting up a high-stakes fight before November. Health & Food Safety: A cyclospora outbreak has sickened people in Kansas and Missouri, prompting some shoppers to rethink produce choices. National Political Drama: Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment repeatedly in a Senate hearing, as Republicans threaten contempt and possible criminal prosecution. Military: Whiteman Air Force Base was identified as the sole location for the F-15E Strike Eagle mission, a win highlighted by Rep. Mark Alford.

Missouri Death Penalty: A Marshall Project analysis says Missouri ranks near the top for executions since capital punishment resumed, with critics pointing to racial disparities and flaws in how courts handle capital cases. Election 2026: As the Aug. 4 primary nears, Missouri Senate District 6 Republicans spar over Amendment 5, with candidates arguing about whether phasing out the state income tax and expanding sales taxes helps or hurts the economy. Local Elections: Cole County Clerk candidates Dave Griffith and Jeff Ahlers faced questions on election integrity and turnout, with both backing outreach to boost younger voters. Constitutional Amendments: Opinion pieces and a constitutional-amendments primer keep Amendment 4 and 5 front and center, including debate over changing how citizen initiatives qualify for the ballot. Student Loans: Missouri borrowers are bracing for higher federal payments as the SAVE plan ends and new repayment options roll out, while new graduate loan caps raise concerns about access to medical and law degrees. Public Safety & Courts: A Missouri football player sued the NCAA over immediate eligibility after the NCAA approved an age-based eligibility model. Health & Community: North Central Missouri College approved nursing lab purchases, and Livingston County Health Center opened a new Milk Depot partnership to expand access to donor breast milk. Infrastructure: Columbia police and fire leaders warned that aging facilities are undermining service delivery, citing leaks, crumbling structures, and outdated systems.

Local Infrastructure & Public Safety: Columbia police and fire chiefs warn that aging, failing facilities could undermine service levels, pointing to leaks, broken HVAC, and crumbling conditions at the police headquarters. Election 2026 (Aug. 4): Boone County early voting is surging ahead of the August primary, with no-excuse absentee already driving turnout near 2024 levels; Greene County also reports no-excuse absentee underway, and Missouri voters face four constitutional amendments plus a major tax question. Constitutional Amendments: A guide to the Aug. 4 ballot spotlights Amendment 4’s proposed higher bar for citizen-initiated constitutional changes and Amendment 5’s potential to end Missouri income tax and charitable tax incentives, raising alarms from lawmakers and nonprofits. State Politics & Culture Wars: Missouri Republicans threaten to cut library funding after a “rainbow story time” at the Daniel Boone Regional Library, with state officials signaling grant leverage. Attorney General & Consumer Protection: Missouri joins a bipartisan push urging the FCC to strengthen “Know Your Customer” rules to curb illegal robocalls. Federal Disaster Aid: FEMA announces more than $16.6M in disaster recovery and mitigation funding for Missouri communities. Courts: A federal judge remands a Cheddar’s slip-and-fall case back to Boone Circuit Court after agreeing it doesn’t meet federal diversity thresholds. International: Reuters reports a Guatemalan couple found dead in a sugarcane field after U.S. deportation, with their 1-year-old found alive.

Kansas City Housing Ballot Question: Kansas City voters will weigh Aug. 4 Question 1 to let the city issue up to $100 million in general obligation bonds for the Housing Trust Fund, aiming to create or preserve 4,761 affordable units for households at 60% of area median income for at least 30 years. State Government Accountability: Newly released emails say the Missouri State Treasurer’s Office downplayed a MOScholars voucher data leak that exposed student names and contact info, while drafting a statement blaming its software contractor—though the contractor disputes that and the file appears to have moved through a treasurer’s employee computer. Health Care Policy: Gov. Mike Kehoe signed HB 2372, expanding insurer prior-authorization transparency and adding real-time electronic prior authorization for many drugs starting in 2027, plus hospital workplace safety signage requirements. Public Safety & Courts: Kansas City-area federal/state/local raids seized fentanyl, meth, marijuana, firearms, and cash, with multiple conspiracy charges filed. Immigration Enforcement: A reported ICE surge in New York City drew national attention, with Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt backing the effort. Local Politics: Jackson County executive race is heating up in the Aug. 4 primary, with all six Democrats listing property taxes as their top issue.

Primary Countdown: Missouri Democrats are ramping up get-out-the-vote efforts ahead of the Aug. 4 primary, including rural outreach events. Amendment Fight: Gov. Mike Kehoe is defending Amendments 4 and 5, arguing Amendment 4 would curb out-of-state influence on citizen initiatives and Amendment 5 would cut the state income tax—while critics warn of knock-on costs. Election Access: No-excuse absentee voting is underway across the state, with county clerks reporting active turnout and set hours. Courts & Accountability: The AG says a barred Ray County prosecutor used the court docket like a “dating app,” while a Boone County judge pushed back on a requested delay in a dog breeder’s animal abuse trial. Healthcare & Abortion Access: Planned Parenthood began medication abortion appointments in Springfield for the first time in nearly 21 years, following a June court decision. Higher Ed & Tech: Missouri’s workforce grant application is open for 2026-27, and a major university CIO appointment was announced. Local Politics: Columbia’s Fourth Ward council candidates are centering public safety, including a proposed sales tax for more police. Business/Jobs: Kansas City landed a $38.1M federal award to expand biologic medicine manufacturing.

Election & Taxes: Missouri voters Aug. 4 will weigh Amendment 5, which would gradually eliminate the state income tax while expanding sales tax options. Education Funding: Jackson County districts and education advocates warn the plan could trigger a statewide public school funding shortfall, with KCPS citing a potential $1.4 billion loss. Local Government: Nixa voters will consider a 1% sales tax for the Nixa Fire Protection District to add staffing and equipment after a prior property tax levy increase was rejected. Congressional Politics: Missouri’s Aug. 4 primaries include a high-stakes Democratic rematch between Cori Bush and Wesley Bell, with Israel policy tensions driving voter anger. Campaign Finance: A conservative watchdog alleges a Missouri GOP congressional candidate funneled $165,000 through a charity pass-through, setting up a potential ethics and legal fight. Health Policy: Planned Parenthood’s Medicaid ban on routine care expires, and national abortion policy continues to draw scrutiny after new research links strict bans to increased suicidal thoughts among teen girls. Public Safety & Policy: Missouri broadcasters are pushing the AM radio “for every vehicle” push, arguing it’s vital for emergency alerts. State Government: Gov. Mike Kehoe announced eight appointments to Missouri boards and commissions.

Democratic Israel Divide: Missouri’s Aug. 4 primaries set up a high-stakes rematch between Cori Bush and Rep. Wesley Bell, with voters split over how far the U.S. should go in pressuring Israel. Election Rules & Ballot Power: Missouri voters will weigh Amendment 4, which would raise the bar for citizen-led initiatives by requiring district-by-district majorities, and Amendment 5, which would eliminate the state income tax while expanding sales taxes to replace revenue. Congressional Map Fallout: In Missouri’s gerrymandered 5th District, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver says he won’t “panic” despite a tougher path, as six Republicans line up for the Aug. 4 primary. Federal Court Fight Over Elections: A First Circuit panel kept an injunction blocking parts of Trump’s election-integrity executive order in 23 states, including limits tied to citizenship lists and mail-ballot rules. Health Policy: Congress is again pushing health care price transparency, while Medicaid reimbursement rules for routine care at Planned Parenthood clinics have resumed federally but may still be blocked in Missouri. Public Safety & Privacy: A Missouri column highlights concerns over Flock camera misuse after a Joplin officer allegedly ran license plates hundreds of times, with residents using Sunshine Law logs to uncover it. Immigration Pressure: As Haiti TPS expires July 27, Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt is cited in a Senate block that has renewed calls for Congress to act.

Missouri Health & Families: A new Missouri Department of Health report says 340 Missourians died during or within a year of pregnancy from 2019-2023, with nearly 80% deemed preventable—raising alarms that budget cuts could stall maternal health gains. Statehouse & Elections: With the Aug. 4 primary looming, Missouri voters are weighing Amendment 4 (raising the bar for citizen-led constitutional changes) and Amendment 5 (eliminating the income tax while expanding sales taxes), while local races like Cole County’s contested judge and clerk primaries draw attention to law-and-order themes. Energy & Consumer Costs: Missouri Senate Bill 4’s “large-load tariffs” for data centers are under fire as critics say the protections may not go far enough for utility customers. Courts & Civil Rights: Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway is suing Kansas City in federal court over alleged race- and sex-based discrimination in contracting, even as a key plaintiff in the case faces federal bribery and mail-fraud charges. Workforce & Veterans: The state opened applications for the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant for 2026-27, and officials marked “Hire A Veteran Day” at the Capitol with job booths and Gov. Mike Kehoe speaking. National Politics With Missouri Stakes: A federal appeals court kept an injunction blocking parts of Trump’s election-integrity order in 23 states, while Missouri’s own election debate continues to center on voting rules and redistricting.

Citizen Initiatives: Missouri voters are weighing Amendment 4, which would raise the bar for citizen-led ballot measures by requiring approval in each of the state’s eight congressional districts instead of a simple statewide majority—critics call it a power grab by Jefferson City, while supporters argue it’s harder to pass. Tax Policy: Amendment 5 would let lawmakers eliminate the state income tax if they replace the revenue by expanding the sales tax base to any good or service, with supporters citing jobs and modernization and opponents warning it could hit low- and middle-income households hardest. Congressional Politics: The GOP is lining up challengers in Missouri’s redrawn 5th District against longtime Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, with multiple Republicans seeking the Aug. 4 primary nod amid arguments over gerrymandering and the district’s new geography. Election Integrity Litigation: A First Circuit panel kept in place an injunction blocking parts of Trump’s election-integrity executive order in 23 states, including limits tied to citizenship lists and mail-ballot requirements. Health Care: Medicaid reimbursement rules for Planned Parenthood-type clinics have resumed after a one-year ban expired, though Missouri’s own restrictions still limit practical impact. Public Safety/Justice: A Fenton woman pleaded guilty to aggravated DWI after multiple prior DWI convictions, receiving probation and an ignition interlock requirement.

Election Watch: Missouri’s early voting is drawing a strong primary turnout signal, with local officials reporting higher first-day numbers for absentee and no-excuse voting than in past primaries. Redistricting Fight: A Kansas City-area referendum petition could delay Missouri’s new congressional map if signatures are verified, while election officials also test voting equipment ahead of the primary. Statehouse & Courts: Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway moved to block a Ray County prosecutor from exercising office after alleging misconduct, including a claim that she used the court docket “as her dating app.” Voting Rules on the Ballot: Voters will also weigh a 10-year renewal of Missouri’s sales tax for state parks and soil/water conservation. Local Governance: Monett’s comprehensive plan cleared its final form stage, heading to planning and zoning review before council adoption. Culture Wars: Columbia’s library faced threats over an LGBTQ-themed children’s story time, with the AG citing state law. Congressional Races: Interviews spotlight Missouri’s 3rd District Democratic candidates and the GOP primary matchup shaping who advances to the general.

Election Integrity & Ballot Rules: Missouri voters are heading into the Aug. 4 primary with Amendment 4 at the center of a fight over whether constitutional changes need approval in each of Missouri’s eight voting districts, not just statewide. Redistricting Court Fight: A congressional map veto petition could still derail the new lines if Secretary of State Denny Hoskins verifies more than 300,000 signatures by Election Day, setting up a likely court battle. Voting Access & Readiness: Missouri election officials are testing voting equipment ahead of the primary, while counties continue staffing and logistics for polling places and no-excuse absentee voting. AG vs. Prosecutor: Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway moved to remove Ray County Prosecutor Camille Johnston, arguing she used the court docket “as her dating app,” and a judge temporarily barred Johnston from exercising office authority while the case proceeds. Kansas City Contracting Lawsuit: Hanaway also sued Kansas City over its MWBE contracting program, alleging unlawful use of race and sex—while court records show one plaintiff has a decades-old federal fraud conviction. Abortion Litigation: A federal judge ruled FDA restrictions on mifepristone are unlawful, adding pressure to abortion access battles nationwide.

Elections & Voting: Missouri early voting opened with a rush that points to high primary turnout, with counties reporting sharp jumps in day-one and early absentee numbers, including St. Charles (four times 2024’s first-day total) and St. Louis County (about 7% by midday Tuesday), while officials say statewide turnout projections will firm up next week. State Government & Courts: Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway sued Kansas City in federal court, alleging the city’s Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise contracting program discriminates against white people and men and asking a judge to bar race- and sex-based consideration. Public Safety & Accountability: In Sikeston, residents are demanding answers after a man died in police custody, with family and community members questioning the circumstances and the handling of the case. Constitutional Amendments: Catholic bishops are urging Missourians to consider how voting to eliminate the state income tax (Amendment 5) could affect low-income residents, arguing it would likely shift burdens onto social service providers. Congressional Politics: Rep. Eric Burlison faces two GOP challengers in the Aug. 4 primary for Missouri’s 7th District. Local Government: Creve Coeur is hiring a Plans Examiner to review construction plans for code and zoning compliance. Corrections & Parole: Friends of James Scott say they’re hopeful after his parole hearing following his 1993 role in the Great Flood of 1993. Human Stories: Strangers turned out for a homeless Missouri Navy veteran’s funeral, providing the “family and friends” he never had.

Election Law & Courts: Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway defended the state’s voter ID law as a federal challenge to Indiana’s similar statute moves forward, while also facing lawsuits tied to her crackdown on slot-style game machines. State Politics & Ballot Measures: A new look at Missouri’s income tax elimination push (Amendment 5) weighs lessons from Kansas and Tennessee—warning that tax cuts can squeeze services. Local Government Transparency: A Maryville City Council records review alleges a pattern of improper closed meetings, including votes from absent members, amid public anger over data center concerns. Data Centers & Power Costs: GOP governors joined Trump’s “Ratepayer Protection Pledge” aimed at shifting data center infrastructure costs away from consumers. Legal/Health Policy: A Missouri panel said an exclusion blocks coverage for opioid-related claims tied to Mallinckrodt marketing. Maternal Health: Missouri’s latest pregnancy-associated mortality review finds many deaths are preventable, with cardiovascular disease and mental health/substance use leading causes. Community & Agriculture: Missouri FFA plans to pack 250,000 meals during the State Fair’s Drive to Feed Kids.

Kansas City Contract Fight: Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway sued Kansas City over its Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise contracting program, arguing race- and sex-based quotas violate equal protection and should be halted. SNAP Cost Shock: Missouri and Kansas face major federal payment-error penalties tied to SNAP changes, with Missouri’s projected hit around $151 million if error rates stay high. Election Security Scrutiny: States using the same DMV voter-registration vendor as New Jersey are reviewing whether noncitizens were mistakenly registered, raising fresh questions for Missouri election systems. Immigration Deaths at Issue: Mexico filed 20 complaints in U.S. jurisdictions, including Missouri, over 17 Mexican citizens who died during or after ICE custody/operations. Data Center Democracy Debate: A St. Louis-region data center push is drawing renewed complaints about how projects move forward without enough local input. Sports Culture War: WNBA star Sophie Cunningham is again at the center of the trans-athlete debate after comments about protecting women’s sports. Parole Watch: A parole hearing for James Scott, convicted in the 1993 Great Flood case, is drawing attention as the board weighs release.

Redistricting & Elections: A new congressional map in Missouri was upheld by the state Supreme Court, but a petition drive by People Not Politicians is still pushing for a referendum—raising fresh questions about transparency and voter confusion ahead of the Aug. 4 primary. Congressional Ethics: The House passed a partial stock-trading restriction bill, limiting new stock purchases by members (and requiring advance sale notices), but Democrats criticized it as too weak and tangled it with a voter ID provision. Missouri AG vs. Kansas City Contracting: Attorney General Catherine Hanaway filed a federal lawsuit to block Kansas City’s minority- and women-owned business contracting program, arguing it violates equal protection by using race- and sex-based quotas. Early Voting Surge: Missouri’s no-excuse absentee period is underway, with early returns in several counties suggesting turnout is already running high for the primary. State Courts & Local Power: Missouri’s auditor accused the Bates County sheriff of wasteful spending over a mounted patrol and events; the sheriff disputes the findings. Public Health: The U.S. measles count hit 2,260 cases across 44 states, with summer travel driving new exposures. Abortion Law: Gov. Kehoe signed Missouri’s “born-alive” abortion bill into law, intensifying the fight over abortion policy in the state’s election season.