AGP Executive Report

State Government & Courts: Iowa’s SNAP soda-and-candy restrictions are being challenged after a federal judge ruled the state can’t block low-income families from using benefits for those items, and Iowa leaders are signaling they may keep pushing the policy even if it means bailing out of summer food aid. Consumer Protection: Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird sued Temu under the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act, alleging deceptive pricing, sign-up scams, and improper data practices tied to the Chinese Communist Party. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Black Hawk County officials say they need more time to adjust after Iowa’s new speed-limit law raised limits on many highways and paved rural roads, with safety reviews underway. Local Government: Johnson County supervisors are moving toward a $96M jail bond measure for the November ballot. Health & Community: A rheumatologist workforce study warns nonmetropolitan areas face major shortages. Federal/Regional Aid: FEMA disaster assistance is available for Wisconsin counties after April storms, with Iowa also listed for cost-sharing facility recovery in designated areas. Economy/Justice: DOJ and states reached an egg price-fixing settlement, with producers paying $3.3M and donating 53 million eggs. Iowa Education: Ann Jackson of Marshalltown was named National History Day Teacher of the Year.

Public Safety & Justice: Iowa AG Brenna Bird’s office says Polk County deputies acted legally in the June 1 fatal Johnston shooting of Austin Mark, after an Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation review. Local Government: Council Bluffs voted down a proposed one-year data center moratorium, while Mayor Jill Shudak also pushed back on a MidAmerican transmission line route, arguing alternatives weren’t fully explored and eminent domain should be a last resort. Rural Economy & Healthcare: Rural Iowans told lawmakers at Rural Listening Project 250 events that cost of living, weaker local economies, and shrinking healthcare access are threatening small-town survival. Energy & Environment: Summit Carbon’s pipeline permit path got adjusted after a Polk County court sent it back for rework tied to route and sequestration approvals. Immigration Enforcement: ICE detained four people in Iowa after Congress approved a $70B funding increase for ICE and Border Patrol. Sports & Policy: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld bans on transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports, and Gov. Reynolds praised the ruling. State Politics: Iowa Libertarian congressional candidate Marco Battaglia sued to get back on the ballot after GOP-led panel removal. Crime & Courts: A Little Sioux man was sentenced to 50 years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a minor and child sexual abuse materials. Roads & Travel: Iowa State Patrol is ramping up July Fourth enforcement as a new speed limit takes effect.

Public Safety & Courts: FBI Director Kash Patel joined Iowa AG Brenna Bird for a closed-door law enforcement leadership discussion on fraud, scams, and human trafficking, while Iowa’s new July 1 changes include dropping annual implicit bias training but keeping annual de-escalation training. Criminal Justice & Corrections: Iowa lawmakers’ “tough on crime” push is drawing fire for worsening prison overcrowding and missing root causes like addiction and untreated mental illness. Iowa Law Takes Effect: New rules start July 1 on speed limits (default 60 mph on some rural roads), abortion medication access (in-person doctor visit), and age verification for porn sites. Healthcare Access: Planned Parenthood is closing its Iowa City clinic, shrinking abortion access as new medication abortion restrictions begin. Consumer Protection: Iowa AG Brenna Bird sued Temu under the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act, alleging deceptive pricing and marketing plus privacy and IP issues. Local Government: Council Bluffs faces scrutiny over a proposed “closed meeting” construction-site tour, while Asbury reconsiders allowing ATVs/UTVs on city streets. Community & Crime: Council Bluffs reported a swatting incident at the Iowa School for the Deaf and a St. Patrick’s Day impaired-driving enforcement operation that led to multiple arrests.

Iowa Politics & Government: Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird wrapped up a 99-county tour, saying her job is to hear local needs and focus on violent crime, victims, scams, and enforcement across the state. Elections & Congress: CNN analyst Harry Enten argues Democrats face a “math problem” in trying to flip the U.S. Senate—Republicans lead in key pickup states that include Iowa, Alaska, and Ohio. State Policy (Health): A new Iowa law creates “emeritus” medical licenses for doctors 60+ to mentor and supervise residents, aiming to help with Iowa’s physician shortage. Public Safety & Courts: Two federal judges in Iowa sharply criticized ICE for repeatedly violating court orders in immigration cases, with one officer held in contempt. Human Trafficking: Iowa’s updated human trafficking law takes effect, expanding protections for victims and requiring screening of minors in child-abuse investigations. Transportation: Iowa’s default 60 mph speed limit on many rural two-lane roads begins July 1, with posted limits still controlling in special zones. Opioid Prevention: Youth-serving nonprofit YSS launched a statewide opioid prevention campaign using opioid-settlement dollars, pushing early awareness and red-flag recognition. Food & Antitrust: DOJ and state AGs announced a $3.3M settlement tied to egg price-fixing allegations, with 53 million eggs headed to food banks and nonprofits. Local Law Enforcement: Mason City police arrested three men after search warrants tied to two shootings, with charges including attempted murder and riot-related counts.

Reproductive Health: Planned Parenthood North Central States is cutting 38 jobs and ending in-person care at its Iowa City clinic July 31, consolidating services in Des Moines while virtual care continues statewide, citing rising uncompensated costs and state restrictions. Public Safety & Law Enforcement: Webster County and Fort Dodge created a new Public Safety Authority to build and finance a future Law Enforcement Center, with a referendum still ahead; Webster County also approved a new animal control bid. Economy & Consumer Costs: The DOJ and 17 states reached settlements with major egg producers Cal-Maine, Versova and Hickman’s over alleged price-fixing, requiring $3.3M and 53 million donated eggs, with the complaint filed in Iowa. Transportation: Iowa’s rural paved-road speed limit rises from 55 to 60 mph starting July 1, but gravel roads stay at 55 (day) and 50 (night), and drivers are warned not all signs change immediately. Workforce: Iowa unemployment benefits increase for the July 5 benefit week, with the maximum weekly amount set at $790. Immigration Politics: Iowa groups and leaders reacted to the Supreme Court birthright citizenship ruling, with supporters calling it a win and opponents vowing to keep fighting.

Reproductive Health & State Policy: Planned Parenthood is closing its Iowa City clinic July 31, leaving only the Des Moines location in Iowa, citing federal funding cuts and Iowa’s abortion restrictions; the change comes as a new in-person dispensing requirement for abortion medication takes effect. Public Safety & Transportation: Iowa’s new 60 mph minimum speed limit starts July 1, but drivers shouldn’t assume every road changes immediately—sign updates will take about a week on state highways, longer on county roads. Local Housing & Taxes: Voters approved a local option sales tax increase that will add 1% sales tax in Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty, raising an estimated $22M for local projects. Water Quality: Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig expanded the Streamside Buffer Pilot Project to all 22 counties in the Greater Des Moines Watershed, aiming to cut nutrient runoff and erosion. Health & Weather: Extreme heat hit parts of Iowa with triple-digit heat index readings Monday, with more dangerous conditions expected Tuesday. Sports & Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld state bans on transgender girls and women playing school sports teams matching gender identity, a ruling likely to affect Iowa and many neighboring states. SNAP & Federal Rules: A federal judge blocked USDA-approved SNAP “junk food” restrictions in five states, raising questions about similar waivers elsewhere. Community & Civic Life: A bipartisan group of Iowa leaders is pushing “Iowa Nice” style civility efforts ahead of the 2026 election.

Iowa City Schools Leadership: Amy Kortemeyer will serve as Iowa City Community School District’s interim superintendent starting July 1, after Matt Degner stepped down for family medical reasons; the board will vote on her one-year contract Monday, with Kortemeyer tasked with helping stabilize a budget described as “mind-boggling.” Local Government & Public Safety: Bremer County supervisors discussed opioid settlement funding, roadside vegetation management, and speed limit changes, including a HIPAA compliance service agreement for county public health. Roads & Transportation: Iowa’s default speed limit on paved two-lane roads rises from 55 to 60 mph July 1 under Senate File 378, with counties and the DOT updating signage over the next couple weeks. Health & Law: Iowa’s July 1 law changes include new in-person requirements for abortion pills, plus other criminal justice and consumer protection updates. Community Grants & Preservation: Downtown Charles City is accepting applications for Main Street Iowa Challenge grants up to $100,000 (with dollar-for-dollar matching) to improve commercial buildings. Education & Community: Sheldon Public Library received state accreditation effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029. Statewide Law Enforcement: Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and FBI Director Kash Patel met with more than 100 Iowa law enforcement leaders on fraud, scams, violent crime, and human trafficking.

Iowa Education Policy: A new Iowa law starting in 2027 will require school boards to use uniform guidelines to screen, identify, and serve talented and gifted students, including English learners and special education students, with supporters arguing it boosts consistency statewide and opponents warning it could raise district costs. Public Safety & Law Enforcement: Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and FBI Director Kash Patel hosted more than 100 Iowa law enforcement leaders and county attorneys, focusing on cooperation on fraud and overseas scam recovery. Statehouse/Local Governance: Iowa’s new “social districts” law lets cities create temporary zones where people can buy alcohol and carry it on public streets and sidewalks during set hours. Courts & Voting: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld states’ ability to count late-arriving mailed ballots if they’re postmarked by Election Day, rejecting a Trump-led challenge. Appointments & Health Oversight: Gov. Kim Reynolds appointed Elizabeth Lee as a district associate judge in Judicial District 8A; the Iowa Board of Medicine fined a Des Moines transplant surgeon $5,000 after allegations of failing the standard of care. Local Government Watch: In Sioux County, the City of Hull is leaning on e-scooter/e-bike safety education instead of new ordinances, while other nearby cities use targeted rules.

Labor & Health Care: Centerville-area River Hills Community Health Center workers and Teamsters Local 90 rallied against the clinic’s July 31 closure, alleging the timing followed unionizing efforts and could violate federal labor law. State Policy & Services: Thrive Iowa launched in Webster County, with “navigators” routed through schools and other systems to connect families to help under the Iowa Department of Human Services. Local Government & Taxes: Iowa City and nearby Johnson County cities begin a 1% local option sales tax July 1, lifting the rate to 7% and earmarking half for property tax relief and half for affordable housing and other programs. Environment & Public Health: Iowa waterways face renewed scrutiny over nitrate levels as a summer watering ban highlights water quality concerns. Courts & Consumer Safety: The U.S. Supreme Court blocked thousands of Roundup “failure to warn” lawsuits, limiting state-law claims after EPA-approved labeling. Weather & Preparedness: An extreme heat warning and cooling-center list were issued for parts of Iowa and neighboring counties. Community & Culture: Fort Dodge’s Karl L. King Municipal Band plans a July 5 America 250 concert, and local Pride events continue across Iowa campuses.

Iowa Water Watch: A new KCCI “Close Up” segment spotlights how high nitrate levels are stressing Iowa’s waterways and drinking-water sources, tied to fertilizer and manure runoff and worsening enough to drive a lawn watering ban and renewed monitoring efforts. Local Water Crisis: Princeton, Iowa, spent nearly $800,000 on a backup well and water tower—then tests found the replacement well pumping nitrate-tainted water above the EPA limit, raising urgent questions about how the town will secure safe backup supply. State Politics & Elections: Iowa Libertarian candidates are fighting to get back on the ballot after a dispute over whether an affidavit was required; the Gluba-Cutler campaign has petitioned for judicial review in Polk County District Court. Public Safety: Fort Dodge and Webster County are advancing plans for a new Public Safety Authority, arguing the current jail is too small and forces costly out-of-county housing. National GOP Power: In Louisiana, Trump-backed Rep. Julia Letlow won the GOP Senate nomination runoff, keeping the seat in the Trump orbit heading into November. Congress & War: A push is gaining momentum to let Congress use frozen Russian funds to help Ukraine, aiming to avoid new costs to U.S. taxpayers. Community & Culture: Des Moines soccer attendance is up at Mediacom Stadium, with World Cup interest cited as a key driver.

Louisiana GOP Senate: Trump-backed Rep. Julia Letlow won the Louisiana GOP Senate nomination in a runoff, defeating state Treasurer John Fleming and setting up a likely win in November—another sign of how much Trump’s endorsement is reshaping GOP primaries. Iowa Public Safety: Fort Dodge and Webster County are moving toward a new Public Safety Authority, citing jail crowding and rising cite-and-release needs as the current Webster County jail strains city and county law enforcement. Iowa Schools & Tech: Iowa City Community School District is revisiting its K-5 device rules after the state’s “released time” and screen-time requirements under the Make America Healthy Again law, with teachers and families pushing for less distraction and more balance. Iowa Charter School Lawsuit: The founder of a Cedar Rapids charter school is suing her former employer over alleged theft accusations, saying the board effectively fired her by cutting off access ahead of a June 29 decision. SNAP Court Fight: A federal judge blocked Trump administration SNAP restrictions, saying the executive branch can’t change what benefits can buy without Congress—an issue that could ripple into Iowa’s food-aid rules. Iowa Justice/Health Fraud: A Cedar Rapids healthcare owner faces federal charges tied to alleged veterans care fraud, including claims for services not provided. National Politics Watch: An Iowa-led Senate Judiciary release says the FBI analyzed phone records of multiple GOP lawmakers, including Sen. Cynthia Lummis, as part of the 2020 election overturn effort probe.

USMCA & Iowa Ag: A new look at the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement highlights how much Iowa’s farm economy depends on stable North American trade, with tens of billions in ag exports tied to the pact and millions of jobs in the broader supply chain. Iowa SNAP Fight: A judge blocked Iowa’s effort to restrict SNAP purchases of soda and candy, and Iowa leaders are signaling they’ll keep pushing even as the policy threatens to leave kids without summer food help. Social Security Pressure: A new poll finds 96% of voters want Senate candidates to explain how they’ll stop an automatic 22% Social Security cut, as the trust fund heads toward a 2032 deadline. Iowa Politics Watch: Opinion pieces raise alarms about Zach Lahn’s ties to Koch-backed groups and past Iowa fertilizer controversy. Local Public Safety: Davenport promoted a 27-year veteran to assistant chief of police, a leadership move following a new chief appointment. Mental Health on Bridges: Advocates renewed calls for suicide-prevention upgrades on the I-74 Bridge, pushing for barriers, signage, and emergency call options. Invasive Species Reminder: Iowa DNR urges boaters and anglers to clean, drain, and dry equipment this Fourth of July to stop aquatic hitchhikers.

SNAP Fight in Federal Court: A judge paused Iowa and four other states’ SNAP waivers that would have restricted purchases of soda and candy, saying USDA exceeded authority and skipped required notice—another reminder that Iowa’s food-aid rules are still being litigated. Iowa Supreme Court: The Iowa Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of a 2018 law banning state-funded pornography in prisons, ruling inmates’ First Amendment rights are more limited behind bars. Labor Watch: A proposed class-action lawsuit accuses Hy-Vee of dodging overtime pay by using “department manager” titles for workers who allegedly work over 40 hours; Hy-Vee says the claims lack merit. Rural Health Funding: Iowa Republicans are highlighting federal Rural Health Transformation dollars and pushing Medicare payment pilots for “tweener” rural hospitals. Public Safety/Local Government: Fort Dodge and Webster County are exploring a new joint public safety authority to finance a replacement law enforcement center after voters rejected a prior bond plan. Iowa Politics & Elections: A new analysis argues Trump-backed candidates are winning GOP primaries at a near-perfect rate, keeping Senate control in play as Democrats look for pickups. Child Safety Law: Chuck Grassley and Dick Durbin are backing the James T. Woods Act in the NDAA to update sentencing and target online child exploitation. Business & Jobs: Whirlpool Amana announced additional layoffs tied to ending second-shift production as part of a modernization plan.

Iowa Politics & Congress: Iowa Libertarian Rep. candidate Rick Stewart says HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called him two weeks ago urging him to consider dropping out, with Kennedy suggesting Stewart could still push policy if he made an “agreement” (and noting legal limits on specifics). Public Safety & Courts: Iowa Supreme Court upheld a prison ban on published materials with nude pictures, saying the limits are justified for staff safety and to prevent spread of contraband. State Government & Policy: GOP Sen. Joni Ernst says she’ll introduce a bill requiring alleged fraudsters to surrender passports as a condition of pretrial release. Legal/Justice Watch: Senate Democrats pressed Acting AG Todd Blanche for answers on the $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund and whether DOJ followed its own settlement rules. Iowa Infrastructure: Iowa DOT is rolling out secure, verifiable temporary tags to curb counterfeits. Local Iowa: Winneshiek County identified a 1980s hay-barn body as Clifton Todd Womack using DNA breakthroughs. Community & Economy: SIMPCO honored regional leaders at its annual meeting, including Akron as “Community of the Year.” Agriculture & Environment: Iowa LICA opened a new conservation demonstration facility in Marshall County to train contractors and officials on soil and water protection.

Iowa SNAP Accuracy & Costs: USDA’s latest SNAP payment error report shows South Dakota as the most accurate state (2.47% error), while Iowa lands at 5.34%—below the 6% threshold that triggers state cost-sharing penalties, but still a reminder that billions are on the line if error rates slip. State Government Leadership: Gov. Kim Reynolds named Patrick Tomka as Chief Operating Officer of the Governor’s Office, replacing Jacob Nicholson as Nicholson moves to lead efficiency work at the Board of Regents. Opioid Response in Lee County: Lee County’s Opioid Committee approved $25,864.80 to fund Narcan training for K-9 units, aiming to equip handlers and expand medical readiness. Public Safety & Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled marijuana users can own guns, a decision Iowa prosecutors say may still leave room for OWI-style danger findings. Agriculture & Legal Pressure: The Supreme Court also blocked many Roundup “failure to warn” cancer claims against Bayer, shifting future cases toward proving the product itself was unsafe. Local Governance & Infrastructure: Council Bluffs residents are pushing back on MidAmerican Energy’s proposed transmission line upgrades tied to data-center demand, citing routing, property impacts, and health concerns. Water Policy: Iowa DNR posted draft water use permits for public review, including a Keokuk County request to modify withdrawals for a rural water system. Conservation Politics: Iowa Secretary of Agriculture candidate Chris Jones frames his uphill bid against incumbent Mike Naig as a fight against polluted water tied to agri-industry.

SNAP Fight in Iowa: A federal judge blocked West Virginia’s waiver that would have barred SNAP purchases of soda, and the ruling pauses similar restrictions in Iowa and other states, sending USDA back to redo how it approves “healthy choices” waivers. Local Governance: Woodbury County supervisors approved a one-year moratorium on new data centers after Salix annexed farmland for a MidAmerican project, with residents and officials arguing over transparency, tax impacts, and farmland vs. industrial siting. Immigration Legal Services: Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice says it will cut immigration legal services by 40% by September, leaving 1,000+ people with less access as federal funding ends. Public Safety: A Keokuk man faces multiple charges after a drug raid found more than 2,000 grams of marijuana plus firearms. Food Policy Costs: USDA released SNAP payment error-rate data showing Iowa’s rate is below 6%, meaning it won’t have to match a portion of federal SNAP costs starting in 2027. Agriculture & Health: Iowa’s response to a pseudorabies case kept the state pseudorabies-free, protecting pork trade confidence. Iowa Courts & Records: Iowa State agreed to share financial records tied to its Ireland football trip after an FOI lawsuit.