AGP Executive Report

Kansas Courts & Money: Opponents of Kansas’ supreme court constitutional amendment spent nearly $14M, with about $7.8M (65%) going to a D.C. media buy/production vendor—leaving newspapers out of the mix. Privacy & Health Data: Kansas-area readers may care as Democrats push back on a federal plan to collect identifiable emergency-room health records far beyond the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s mission. Immigration Enforcement Lawsuit: A H-1B engineer sues ICE after alleged window-smashing, Taser use, and being dragged across state lines—testing whether state civil-rights claims can reach federal agents. Tribal Land Fight: The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation sues the Kansas Lottery over whether treaties legally extend reservation boundaries into Topeka. State Politics & Courts: A Kansas GOP senator’s past patient-debt lawsuits draw fresh scrutiny after reporting tied cases to arrests and garnishments. Trade War Hits Kansas Jobs: Trump threatens to block Bombardier sales unless it builds in the U.S.; Bombardier says it relies on a large U.S. supply chain including Wichita. Local Public Safety: A police-chase crash in Allen County sent a Junction City man and a Texas teen to the hospital. Aviation/Tech: Textron Aviation says Starlink high-speed connectivity is now available for Hawker 700/800/900 series aircraft.

Trade & Industry: President Trump escalated the U.S.-Canada fight by demanding Bombardier stop selling jets in the U.S. unless it builds in America, drawing pushback from Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran, who says Bombardier’s Wichita presence supports thousands of jobs. Kansas Politics: With under 60 days to the midterms, forecasts increasingly frame the Senate as a near dead heat, and Kansas is named among the competitive GOP-held seats Democrats could flip. State Fiscal Watch: Kansas tax collections missed targets enough to keep another income tax cut off the table, while severance tax receipts in 2024 fell sharply versus the prior year. Public Safety & Governance: Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson highlighted public safety funding and Labor Day priorities in recent posts, as campaign messaging ramps up. Aviation Policy: TSA rolled out “Gateside by TSA PreCheck,” letting some PreCheck members enter airport areas beyond security without a ticket at select airports, including Wichita.

KCK Homeowners Tax Sale Fight: Wyandotte County’s October tax sale is threatening dozens of Kansas City, Kansas homes as KCK Neighbors Alliance and AIRR canvass neighborhoods to find occupied properties before they’re auctioned, highlighting a county payment rule that can trap families in older delinquent debt. Kansas School Policy in Court: Federal officials are suing Kansas schools over gender-inclusive student policies, including claims tied to parental notification and transgender guidance, setting up another legal fight over how districts handle student rights. Airport Access Changes: TSA is expanding “Gateside” access for non-ticketed visitors at select airports, with Kansas City among the low-wait locations—another sign of how post-9/11 security rules are being reshaped. Local Government Calendar: This week’s Kansas focus includes county and city commission meetings across South Central, Southwest, and Northeast Kansas, plus planning sessions in Leavenworth. Community & Youth: Topeka’s Jayhawk Area Council, Scouting America named 20 local “Top 20 Under 40” honorees, spotlighting young leaders in Topeka and Shawnee County.

Kansas Press Freedom: A small Kansas town agreed to pay $850,000 to a former reporter to end her federal lawsuit over a 2023 raid on a weekly newspaper, reigniting national debate over police power and press protections. State Government & Health: Gov. Laura Kelly signed a proclamation making September “Hunger Action Month,” highlighting food insecurity impacts on Kansas kids and seniors and urging statewide partnerships. Kansas Economy: Kansas revenues are running about 10% above estimates for the early months of the new fiscal year, adding fuel to ongoing debates over taxes and state spending priorities. Airport Access Policy: TSA launched “Gateside by TSA PreCheck,” letting approved non-ticketed visitors pass security at 13 airports (including Wichita) to meet travelers or wait inside the terminal. Kansas Courts & Schools: Federal action continues to target Kansas City, Kansas school district policies tied to transgender student rules, keeping the state’s education-policy fight in the spotlight. Public Safety & Community: A Paola woman was taken into custody after a two-hour standoff, charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and criminal threat. Kansas Agriculture: Poultry sales are getting a boost as consumers shift toward lower-cost proteins, while cattle markets remain pressured by weak cash trade and harsh Plains weather.

Kansas Budget Watch: Kansas tax collections are trending up for fiscal year 2027, with July and August receipts reported 6.5% above estimates, including individual income taxes running ahead while corporation taxes lag. Healthcare Transparency: A Lawrence pharmacy says it’s feeling revenue pressure under Kansas SB 20, a bipartisan law aimed at increasing transparency around pharmacy benefit managers. Local Public Safety Funding: U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran announced about $160,000 in federal help for Yates Center to upgrade radios, buy a patrol car, and provide body armor. Hemp Policy Fight: Kansas hemp advocates are warning that a Dec. 11 federal crackdown on certain hemp-derived products could crush Kansas businesses unless rules change. Airport Access Update (Kansas): TSA is testing “Gateside by TSA PreCheck” at Wichita’s airport, letting approved non-ticketed visitors pass security to meet travelers sooner. Student Government: KU Student Body President Shea Marney outlined a 2026-27 agenda focused on transparency, communication, homecoming, and more parking expansion.

Hemp Policy Fight: Advocates at the Kanna Next conference in Wichita warned Kansas could face major headwinds for industrial hemp and hemp-derived products as a looming federal crackdown approaches Dec. 11, arguing Kansas lacks a regulated cannabinoid program and that businesses could “sink and fail” if the rules take effect. Airport Access: TSA is rolling out “Gateside” for TSA PreCheck members with Known Traveler Numbers, letting some travelers pass security to reunite with loved ones sooner—an update that could change how Kansans experience air travel. Public Safety Funding: U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran announced about $160,000 in federal help for the Yates Center Police Department to upgrade radios, buy a patrol car, and add body armor. Local Government Budgets: Johnson County commissioners adopted a roughly $1.9 billion 2027 budget while keeping the property tax rate essentially flat at 24.13 mills. Courts & Competency: A Kansas priest-murder suspect, Gary Hermesch, was declared not competent and ordered into involuntary commitment proceedings. Health Workforce: KU’s addiction medicine fellowship graduate Luke Rosebraugh is now Hutchinson’s first full-time addiction medicine specialist, aiming to expand rural treatment options.

DOJ vs. Kansas Schools: The Justice Department filed a “first-of-its-kind” lawsuit against Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools over alleged “secret gender transitions,” saying the district withheld information from parents and violated federal student-privacy rules. State Courts & Data Centers: A judge dismissed an Edgerton, Kansas lawsuit aimed at blocking a hyperscale data center petition from reaching the ballot, a reminder that local fights over AI infrastructure are heading into court. Kansas Politics & Campaign Trail: Sen. Roger Marshall is facing renewed criticism over a lack of public town halls and Florida residency claims, as he defends his Kansas travel schedule and outreach. Public Safety & Corrections: Riley County commissioners approved grant adjustments and continued recruiting part-time juvenile intake officers for community corrections. Health Care in Rural Kansas: KU Wichita’s first addiction medicine fellow is now expanding rural addiction care in the Hutchinson area. Courts & Competency: A man accused of murdering a Kansas priest was declared not competent to stand trial, triggering involuntary commitment proceedings. Local Government Hours: Lawrence and Douglas County offices, transit, and libraries will close or adjust hours for Labor Day.

Local Corrections Funding: Riley County commissioners approved $19,979 in grant line-item adjustments for community corrections, including adult and juvenile services staffing and purchases like sound-masking tools. Surveillance Cameras Debate: Wichita saw an anti-Flock protest (“Mock the Flock”) as residents argued license-plate readers are being misused and should be removed. Data Center Court Fight: A Johnson County judge dismissed Edgerton residents’ opponents in a lawsuit tied to a petition battle over a proposed hyperscale data center. Labor Day Service Changes: Lawrence and Douglas County offices, transit, libraries, and many city facilities will close or alter hours for the holiday. School Closures in Olathe: Olathe Public Schools outlined plans to close six schools amid declining enrollment, with a public hearing set for Sept. 22 and a board vote in October. Kansas Disability Funding Scrutiny: Kansas Republicans on a budget committee criticized KDADS for reallocated I/DD waiting-list money, arguing it wasn’t used as lawmakers intended. DOJ vs. KCK Schools: The Justice Department sued Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools over alleged “secret gender transitions” and parental notification rules. Wichita Homeless Shelter Funding: Wichita’s Second Light received a $5 million one-time city grant, with a condition to expand bed capacity. Unified Government Budgets: Unified Government commissioners approved 2027 Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas budgets, keeping the mill levy rate steady. Abortion Retrial Deadline Fight: Kansas AG Kris Kobach’s office argued a procedural filing issue should not block a retrial in a high-stakes abortion case. Foundry School Launch: Vance and Rubio launched Foundry School to train millions of skilled manufacturing workers, including through partnerships with Stanford and international participant pathways.

Data Center Fight in Kansas: A judge cleared the way for Edgerton’s citizen petition to ban high-impact data centers to move forward, rejecting the city’s attempt to shut it down early. Local Governance: The City of Emporia says it will follow state guidance on how petition questions land on the Nov. 3 ballot, even as legal review continues and a ruling date is still pending. Disaster Response: Kansas lawmakers extended a Wyandotte County storm disaster declaration through Oct. 4, with debris removal and reconnection work still underway. Education & Community Impact: Emporia’s Logan Avenue Elementary closure debate underscores how enrollment declines are forcing Kansas districts to consolidate, even when families grieve the loss. State Finances: Kansas property tax collections jumped in Q1, while other tax categories also moved upward. Public Safety: KBI arrested a Chanute man on alleged child sex crimes. Federal Policy Pressure on Schools: The Trump administration’s DOJ sued Kansas City, Kansas schools over transgender student policies, arguing federal parental-rights rules were violated. Health & Research: A Kansas-linked medical study reports pulmonary artery denervation reduced clinical worsening at 2 years in a major trial.

Disability Care in Crisis: Advocates say Kansas and other states’ hospital triage rules could push people with disabilities to the back of the line for scarce care, prompting complaints and legal pressure. Labor Day Gas Spike: AAA reports Kansas drivers face higher prices heading into the holiday, with national pump costs near record levels as Middle East tensions keep crude elevated. Local Agriculture Appointments: Kansas Dept. of Agriculture named four Kansans—including an Ellsworth teacher—to its Marketing Advisory Board, starting Sept. 18. School District Fight: Olathe Public Schools is weighing closure of six schools after a broader facilities shakeup, as enrollment and building use don’t match. Immigration Medical Neglect: A Belarusian woman held at a CoreCivic-run ICE facility in Leavenworth County is described as deteriorating while awaiting a federal hearing. Kansas Data Center Court Battle: Edgerton’s lawsuit against residents who launched a nonprofit to block hyperscale data centers heads into a courtroom fight. Federal Suit on School Gender Policies: The DOJ accuses Kansas City, Kansas, public schools of secretly supporting student gender transitions without parental consent.

DOJ vs. Kansas schools: The Justice Department sued Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools over alleged “secret gender transition” practices, saying the district kept written plans from parents and violated FERPA and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, seeking to halt the internal Transgender Guideline and restore parental access. Kansas City school safety claim: A pending $5M notice says an 11-year-old was sexually assaulted in a school restroom in April, after restrooms were reportedly closed for prior issues, with the claim focusing on missing adult monitors. Kansas tax update: Kansas reported July–August receipts running 10% above estimates, with individual income tax up 8.7% while corporation taxes lagged 10.9%, and officials pointed to restrained spending and military spending as growth drivers. Fed watch for Kansas economy: Fed Gov. Christopher Waller said he’s inclined to hold rates steady if August inflation cools, but warned a hike is on the table if prices re-accelerate. Beef tariff backlash: Republicans warned Trump’s move to lift foreign beef tariffs is hurting ranchers and farmers in beef-heavy states, including Kansas, as voters feel “let down.” Local government procurement: Harper County issued an RFP for one mower, with bids due Sept. 18 and opening Sept. 21. Courts and crime: An Olathe arrest report listed multiple bookings and releases, including marijuana possession and driving-without-license cases.

DOJ vs. KCK schools: The U.S. Justice Department sued Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools over alleged “secret gender transitions,” saying district guidance lets students seek changes without telling parents and violates federal parent-rights rules. Death penalty push in Topeka: Former Kansas corrections professionals rallied at the Statehouse urging Gov. Laura Kelly to commute death sentences to life without parole, citing cost and wrongful-conviction concerns. SNAP delays in Wichita: Wichitans report long waits and missed SNAP benefits, with the state pointing to new verification requirements and staffing shortfalls after Kansas and federal eligibility changes. Federal disaster aid for June storms: FEMA approved public assistance for Kansas counties hit by June 4-15 severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding, with a federal coordinating officer named. Data-center politics in Kansas: A new multi-state campaign backed by major tech money is pushing voters in Kansas (plus Ohio and Wisconsin) to see data centers as “good neighbors,” as local fights over land, power, and water intensify. Gas prices watch: GasBuddy reports lowest diesel and midgrade deals in parts of Kansas this week, with county-by-county variation.

School Policy Clash: The Trump Justice Department has filed a first-of-its-kind federal lawsuit against Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools, alleging “secret gender transitions” that violate FERPA and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment by keeping parents out of student gender-transition planning. Local Elections & Voting Rules: Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab is pushing back on mid-election changes to mail-ballot rules, after a court restored a three-day grace period—while Kansas also certified that the Aug. 4 primary drew the second-highest turnout in state history, with more than 650,000 voters. KCKPS Legal Fallout: The suit follows an Education Department investigation tied to complaints about students competing in sports based on gender identity without parental disclosure. Community & Facilities: USD 251 in North Lyon County is inviting residents to tour Northern Heights High School ahead of a Nov. 3 bond vote for a new high school and athletic complex. Kansas Politics Watch: A new AP report spotlights Adam Hamilton’s bid for the U.S. Senate seat, framing the race as a rare test of whether a megachurch pastor can break a long Kansas GOP streak.

Federal Court Fight Over Trans Student Policies: The U.S. Department of Justice filed a first-of-its-kind lawsuit against Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools, alleging its transgender student guidelines violate FERPA and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment by allowing “gender plans” and withholding information from parents without consent. DOJ says more investigations and suits are coming. Local Governance & Taxes: Lawrence City Commissioners voted to increase property taxes for 2027 and raise stormwater rates over the next three years, with the exact tax impact still being worked out. Elections Administration: Johnson County’s new election commissioner appointment drew concern from the county’s board chair, who questioned how candidates were identified and interviewed. Solar Development Court Order: A Douglas County judge ordered planning commissioners to produce documents within 30 days in a dispute over a proposed 159-megawatt solar farm. Constituent Services Modernization: A Kansas government modernization push highlights AI and data upgrades to speed online services and reduce staff training time. Public Safety: Kansas Highway Patrol and local agencies arrested three drivers during an impaired-driving enforcement operation in Cherokee County.

Federal Reserve Watch: Gov. Michael Barr said inflation is still too high and he’s ready to raise rates “decisively” if August data doesn’t show cooling, while keeping the door open to waiting if progress toward 2% looks real. Kansas Courts & Public Safety: In Lyon County, prosecutors filed charges in an attempted 1st-degree murder case tied to an Aug. 21 stabbing; a preliminary hearing is tentatively set for Sept. 30. Immigration & Health: A Belarusian cancer survivor in ICE custody in Kansas is facing serious medical deterioration, with court filings alleging she hasn’t had timely specialist care. Federal Crime: Five Venezuelan nationals pleaded guilty in Kansas for failed ATM “jackpotting” attempts targeting machines in Wamego and Manhattan. Education & Disability Policy: New federal guidance could roll back special education transition services, threatening how high school plans prepare students with disabilities for adult life. Kansas Tech & Privacy: A report says Kansas has the second-most automated license plate readers per capita, raising fresh questions about surveillance and access rules.

Federal Reserve Watch: Kansas City Fed Chair Kevin Warsh told markets inflation is still too high, and traders leaned hawkish—rate-hike expectations jumped after his Jackson Hole remarks. Local Government: Dickinson County approved a 2027 budget of about $32.1 million, cutting the mill levy and lowering the property tax burden. Public Safety & Courts: Three Kansas cities (Edgerton, El Dorado, Emporia) are in court over citizen petitions that would restrict large data centers, turning a local ballot fight into a legal battle over voter power. Education Accountability: A lawsuit notice says KCK Public Schools failed to prevent an alleged assault of an 11-year-old at Eisenhower Middle School. Community Services: Topeka’s The Villages Inc. highlighted how it has repeatedly pivoted to meet changing foster-care and shelter needs. Health & Environment: An orange ozone alert was issued for the Kansas City area, urging residents to limit activities that worsen ground-level ozone. Sports/Policy Crossroads: Polymarket pulled a Patrick Mahomes Week 1 availability market after CFTC pressure tied to player-injury trading concerns.