AGP Executive Report

Energy & Utilities: Iowa consumer advocate and clean-energy groups asked the Iowa Utilities Commission to require more proof and a hearing before Alliant’s proposed Cerro Gordo gas peaker plant, arguing the company hasn’t shown it’s cost-effective and could shift billions in risk to customers. Healthcare & Labor: A central Iowa nurse practitioner sued DoctorsNow Walk-In Care, alleging unsafe patient volumes, retaliation after complaints, and unpaid overtime. Offshore Wind Legal Fight: New York AG Letitia James and other states sued the Trump administration over federal offshore wind lease buyout cancellations, challenging how reimbursement deals were handled. Diesel Prices & Policy: Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry urged a 90-day U.S. diesel export ban as prices hit records, while industry pushback warns it could backfire. Local Business & Community: DuTrac launched a regional campaign against financial scams; a Davenport wellness collective is opening a downtown healing hub; and Washington County Jail rolled out an education-based reentry program. Agriculture & Food: Iowa State Extension set free on-farm dairy processing forums; schools received Choose Iowa Local Food for Schools grants to buy Iowa-grown food. Consumer & Courts: Pork producers agreed to a $117M antitrust settlement over alleged price-fixing, with Iowa included in eligible states.

Diesel squeeze and GOP split: Iowa lawmakers are clashing over how to respond to record diesel prices, with Sen. Chuck Grassley pushing a temporary diesel export ban while Rep. Ashley Hinson backs a mix of gas-tax suspension, export pause, E-15 expansion, and targeted diesel relief for farmers and truckers. Data centers hit the policy wall: Dubuque approved a six-month moratorium on hyperscale data centers while it drafts rules, as other regions weigh power, water, traffic, and emergency-service impacts. Agriculture under pressure: Corn producers face tight margins as input costs, global trade shifts, and biofuels dynamics squeeze profitability, with fertilizer costs a major driver. Health costs bite workers too: A KFF report highlights how rising ACA premiums are pushing even healthcare workers to go uninsured, using an Idaho family medicine practice as a case study. Environmental accountability: Minnesota regulators fined an Iowa-based construction firm for sediment discharge into a trout stream, underscoring enforcement risks for local businesses. Livestock transparency: Sentient Media released a free Iowa factory-farm map, aiming to fill gaps in local information ahead of the election.

Diesel shock hits Iowa harvest: Record diesel prices are squeezing farm budgets as harvest ramps up, with AAA putting Iowa diesel around $6.32 and farmers reporting major added costs to run combines and haul grain. Iowa Senate fuel plans: In the race for the U.S. Senate, Ashley Hinson and Josh Turek both propose relief tied to diesel exports and federal fuel taxes, with Hinson also backing a diesel relief fund for farmers and year-round E15. Farm Bill momentum: The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced a new Farm Bill package, including year-round E15, while fights remain over SNAP and California’s Proposition 12. Policy pressure over diesel exports: UBS and others warn a global diesel squeeze could worsen if Russia extends export limits or if the U.S. moves toward an export ban—an issue now front-and-center in farm-state politics. Crop progress delayed by rain: Iowa corn and soybeans are slightly behind schedule after a week with less than two days suitable for fieldwork and widespread flooding in parts of eastern Iowa. Local business & jobs: Polk County launched a nationwide-style inmate education program (IGNITE) aimed at cutting recidivism, partnering with DMACC to expand training and credentials.

Diesel Shock Hits Iowa Economy: U.S. diesel prices topped $6.50 a gallon amid the Iran-driven fuel crunch, with record highs expected to ripple through trucking, farming, construction, and even home-heating costs. Farmers Push Back on Fertilizer Costs: More than 170 farmers from 13 states held a “Fed Up” fertilizer hearing in Iowa, urging USDA antitrust enforcement as fertilizer prices doubled (and sometimes tripled) since 2020. Ag Land Ownership Debate: Iowa governor candidates are targeting “outsider” farmland ownership, but researchers say much of the shift toward LLCs, trusts, and corporations is tied to succession planning rather than outside control. Pork Processing Plan Spurs Rural-Urban Tension: A Smithfield move in the Sioux Falls area is drawing lawsuits over odor and safety concerns as industrial growth presses closer to homes. Local Business & Community Moves: Civic Media’s Cedar Basin Media is expanding into Iowa radio with a deal to acquire six signals in Cedar Rapids and Waterloo, pending FCC approval. Workforce & Education: Iowa State’s career fair season kicks off with multiple employer events, including business/industry/tech and agriculture/life sciences days. Housing Market Signal: Realtor.com’s 2026 report cards put Des Moines at the top for affordability plus homebuilding, scoring 83.4/100. Consumer/Tax Relief for Scams: A House-passed bill would restore tax protections for fraud victims, after a “pig-butchering” scam left one victim owing $225,000 to the IRS.

Diesel squeeze on Iowa farms: Sen. Chuck Grassley is pushing for a diesel export embargo as record fuel prices strain harvest margins, warning the policy could be the “common sense” fix similar to past ag export limits. Flood impacts Eastern Iowa businesses: Heavy rain flooded Marion parks and forced closures at Bass Family Farms, with Cedar Rapids crews responding to sewer and creek flooding concerns. Housing market snapshot: Zillow data shows Iowa’s typical home value at $239,547 (+2.9% year over year), while Iowa County rose to $236,499 (+3.9%) and other counties posted gains too. Rates back to “normal”: Creighton economist Ernie Goss says mortgage rates near 7% are the new baseline after years of ultra-low borrowing costs, with implications for foreclosures and affordability. Grid and jobs bet: NextEra secured up to $1.9B from the U.S. DOE to restart the Duane Arnold nuclear plant, targeting early 2029 operations. Local broadband leadership: Waterloo Fiber named Robert Houlihan CEO to expand its community-owned fiber network. Data center zoning in Iowa: Kirksville advanced draft rules to limit where data centers can be built, requiring special permits in heavy industrial zones. Public health policy shift: The FDA is embracing harm reduction by authorizing more vaping and nicotine pouch products with youth protections.

Regulatory Shake-Up for Vape Shops: Iowa expects to publish its first vapor products directory Oct. 15 after a court lifted an injunction blocking enforcement of the 2024 vape registry law. Once the list is live, retailers, distributors and wholesalers can only sell products approved for Iowa, with violations carrying civil and potentially criminal penalties—putting some independent shops, including Mediapolis owner Johna Kraft, at risk of shutting down. Diesel Costs Hit Farmers: Sen. Chuck Grassley urged President Trump to ban diesel exports, arguing record prices are “killing farmers’ income,” as Iowa diesel hit a record $6.29 a gallon. Health Access Update: Hy-Vee will offer drive-thru flu shot clinics at all Iowa pharmacy locations Sept. 22 and 29, no appointment or prescription needed. Local Business Spotlight: A new ice cream parlor, The Dairy Parlor, is opening in Manchester in a historic building tied to Iowa’s first creamery. Workforce & Education: Iowa AG Brenna Bird joined a multistate push to crack down on counterfeit GLP-1 weight-loss drugs using Chinese ingredients linked to fentanyl production.

State Policy & Health: Iowa AG Brenna Bird joined 19 other attorneys general urging federal action against counterfeit weight-loss drugs tied to Chinese suppliers, warning that knock-off GLP-1 ingredients may come from fentanyl-linked sources. Local Government & Housing: Fayette County supervisors will review its Annual Urban Renewal Report and a Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund update, alongside an ownership review for Big Rock Country Club. Cybersecurity & County Operations: Monroe County supervisors approved cybersecurity services via Iowa State University and required security awareness training for all county employees using county computers. Economic Development & Jobs: Iowa’s IEDA board approved assistance for six manufacturers, two startups, and community quality-of-life projects. Energy & Infrastructure: Corydon applied for State Revolving Fund support to replace aging drinking-water mains and expand fire hydrants and service connections. Housing Market Snapshot: Zillow reported Iowa home values rising in multiple counties, including Dubuque (+3.7% to $279,721) and Monroe (+5.5% to $175,518).

Farm Policy: Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig praised the Senate Agriculture Committee’s passage of a modernized Farm Bill, highlighting key provisions like permanent, nationwide year-round E15 and urging House-Senate agreement. Economic Development: The Iowa Economic Development Authority board approved tax credits and grants for multiple projects, including manufacturing expansions and startup support—aimed at creating 346 jobs and about $246.5 million in new capital investment across communities from Altoona to Woodbine. Local Economy & Workforce: A new Southeast Iowa “State of the Economy” conference in Ottumwa will bring in state finance officials and an Iowa State economist to discuss housing, workforce, and what federal policy means locally. Education Budget Pressure: Iowa City school leaders are preparing for “worst case” cuts, including potential school closures, as they project $13.8 million in reductions next year and $18.7 million over three years. Community Infrastructure: Ames opened the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center, a roughly $27 million, year-round facility designed to boost recreation and wellness access.

Food Insecurity: Northeast Iowa Food Bank is in a final push to finish its $14M Capacity Campaign for a Waterloo facility expansion, aiming to lift annual meals from about 8.4M to 10.5M over five years as food insecurity affects roughly 45,000 people across 16 counties. Higher Ed & Business: The University of Iowa broke ground on a two-year expansion linking the Pappajohn Business Building and Gilmore Hall, adding space for active learning classrooms, labs for sales/AI/marketing, and the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center to ease a major student space shortage. Farm Costs: Iowa farmers are bracing for margin pressure as diesel prices stay high, with concerns that rising fuel costs will hit both established and newer operations heading into harvest. Cattle Market: USDA data shows tight cattle supplies in August, with feedlot placements down 9% year over year, a setup that could support prices but keeps producers watching costs and demand. Local Flood Recovery: Rock Valley is working through FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant buyouts, managing a timing gap between local upfront costs and later federal/state reimbursements. Policy & Fraud: The House advanced the GUARD Act, backed by Iowa Rep. Zach Nunn, to help police investigate elder financial fraud and “pig butchering” scams. Campaign Trail: Vice President JD Vance returned to Iowa to energize GOP voters in Council Bluffs, tying trade and jobs messaging to farm and working-family concerns.

Settlement Watch: Athene Holding and former Caldera executive Imran Siddiqui announced a Bermuda settlement, with Siddiqui acknowledging he breached fiduciary duties by sending and receiving Athene-confidential documents in 2016-17. Banking & Earnings: West Bancorporation (West Des Moines) set its Q3 results for Oct. 29 and will host a 2 p.m. Central conference call the same day. Small Business Spotlight: Iowa’s entrepreneurs are among five finalists in the Trump administration’s $1 million “Million Dollar Pitch Competition” in Washington, D.C., part of the SBA’s Freedom 250 push. Iowa Politics & Marijuana: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand told voters to treat recreational marijuana like alcohol, with limits on public use, child-appeal packaging, and potency labeling. Affordability & Data Centers: Republicans face mounting pressure as Senate action on a data-center energy affordability measure stalls, while gas prices and election-year costs keep rising. Local Growth & Housing: Grinnell was named an Iowa Thriving Community for 2027-28, unlocking Low-Income Housing Tax Credits for more affordable projects. Tech & Markets: A new USDA report shifted corn and soybean expectations, but traders say it didn’t fully answer the harvest-demand questions driving prices.

Education & Workforce Funding: The Iowa Board of Regents approved FY 2028 state appropriations, including $10 million in new funding tied to the University of Iowa’s rural physician pipeline and Iowa State’s AI-Ready Workforce and Innovation Initiative, while also moving ahead on plans for a Chuck and Barbara Grassley Center at UNI. Energy & Infrastructure: The Iowa Utilities Commission proposed hearing dates for Summit Carbon Solutions’ amended carbon pipeline segments, with supporters pushing for earlier 2027 dates and opponents warning the schedule clashes with harvest, winter holidays and calving. Local Energy Projects: Mills County’s zoning board cleared a major step for Orion Renewable Energy’s Folsom Lake Solar Project, a roughly 3,200-acre, 800-megawatt solar plan with battery storage. Agriculture Policy: The Senate Ag Committee advanced the Agricultural Act of 2026 out of committee on a party-line vote, setting up a House-Senate conference. Economy & Jobs: Iowa’s unemployment rate held at 3.2% in August, with job growth led by manufacturing, plus gains in health care and leisure/hospitality. Community & Food Security: Midwest Food Bank is expanding into a Tri-State division in Sioux Falls to serve South Dakota, northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota with a new local distribution facility. Business Finance: The Iowa Finance Authority named its 2027 Preferred Homeownership Partners, highlighting lenders and real estate agents for IFA homebuyer programs. Public Safety & Courts: Benton County sent a letter to Linn County opposing a proposed gas plant, while Iowa County District Court saw multiple recent charges filed.

STEM & Workforce: Registration opened for the 2026 Iowa STEM Summit (Nov. 6 in Des Moines), with a “Where Bold Ideas Take Flight” theme and 40+ hands-on breakout sessions aimed at career pathways and Iowa’s aerospace growth. Ag Markets: USDA’s Sept. crop report lowered the 2026 U.S. corn yield estimate while nudging up soybean yield, keeping meal strength and soybean prices in focus for Iowa grain buyers. Farm Bill Momentum: The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced the 2026 farm bill on party lines after McConnell returned, with nutrition provisions still a sticking point for Democrats. Defense Tech: BAE Systems launched its compact “Shadow EW” electronic-warfare family for smaller airborne platforms, with hardware production in Cedar Rapids. Local Development: Central City leaders backed a proposed ~18,500-square-foot data center, touting major tax revenue while residents question impacts on water, power, and noise. Consumer Protection: Rep. Zach Nunn’s TRAPS Act advanced to target payment scams before they drain Iowans’ savings, alongside broader fraud-fighting proposals. Education Spotlight: Lone Tree business/computer science teacher Jessica Howard was named Iowa’s 2027 Teacher of the Year.

Farm Policy: The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced “Farm Bill 2.0” on a 12-11 vote after Sen. Mitch McConnell returned, moving the package forward along party lines while Democrats pressed for changes to nutrition timelines. Iowa Food & Schools: Iowa Sec. of Agriculture Mike Naig announced 125 schools will get Choose Iowa Local Food for Schools grants (about $1,600 each, matched by schools) ahead of Iowa Local Food Day. Energy & Ag Trade: USDA unveiled a biofuels trade plan aimed at expanding ethanol exports and easing market restrictions, targeting countries across Latin America and Asia. Local Business/Workforce: Iowa Workforce Development launched a $3.5M career training grant program for high-demand jobs, while a metro supportive-housing award totaled $1.5M. Consumer Safety: FDA recalled multiple hand soap products sold in 15 states due to possible bacterial contamination. Politics & Costs: Two Iowa GOP lawmakers—Zach Nunn and Mariannette Miller-Meeks—broke with their party to support a War Powers resolution to end the Iran conflict as gas prices climb.

AI Policy Debate: Iowa candidates are weighing whether to regulate AI as major AI firms urge a slowdown for stronger guardrails. Childcare & Workforce: Danfoss and Everbrook Academy are opening a new 16,000-square-foot childcare center in Ames, aiming to ease Iowa’s post-pandemic childcare shortage. Defense & Federal Spending: The U.S. House again voted to limit Trump’s Iran war powers, with Iowa’s Zach Nunn and Mariannette Miller-Meeks joining Democrats; separately, Trump signed the “Stop Secret Spending Act” to boost transparency for certain federal research/prototype deals. Agribusiness & Markets: Global shipping woes and war-related uncertainty are pushing grain prices higher, while states sue to block Corteva’s split over alleged PFAS liability. Energy & Data Centers: Iowa’s power demand pressure is back in focus as scientists warn data centers are accelerating electricity needs; Lee County is holding town halls on data-center rules. Local Business & Real Estate: A West Des Moines land sale dispute heads to post-trial briefs, and Council Bluffs is moving ahead with a $200M Hollywood Casino replacement project. Iowa Economy Snapshot: Iowa collected $787.7M in motor vehicle license taxes in 2024.

Workforce & Training Funding: Iowa Workforce Development launched a $3.5 million Career Training Physical Expansion Grant Program to help community colleges, trade unions, and apprenticeships expand training capacity in high-demand fields, with $1.5 million reserved for healthcare. Energy Demand & Renewables: Iowa scientists warned the state is at a “fork in the road” as electricity demand rises, urging a wind-and-solar-led system backed by reliable carbon-free power instead of new fossil generation. AI & Power Costs: A separate report says data centers in Iowa are worsening the rapid jump in electricity demand, adding pressure on the grid and local planning. Education Leadership: Des Moines Public Schools named Matt Smith permanent superintendent after his interim stints, as the district faces enrollment decline and ongoing modernization work. Local Business & Growth: Corteva approved splitting into Vylor (seeds/genetics) and New Corteva (crop protection), effective Oct. 1, with Iowa’s Johnston set as Vylor’s HQ. Public Safety & Policy: FBI Director Kash Patel faced tough questions at a Senate Judiciary hearing, including whether agents could be sent to polling places.

Ag & Food Industry: A new report says the Food and Beverage sector added 63 planned projects in August—its second-strongest month of 2026—led by processing facilities and distribution/warehouse builds. Fertilizer Pressure: USDA held a “Fed Up” hearing in Johnston where more than 170 farmers pressed officials over alleged fertilizer cartel behavior and high prices, while USDA deputy secretary Stephen A. Vaden said the agency will pursue antitrust enforcement. Iowa Data Centers: In McDonald, residents and opponents are pushing for moratoriums and stronger safeguards around a proposed data center; in Lee County, supervisors are drafting “guardrails” after residents voiced concerns about water, electricity, and zoning gaps. Iowa Tech/Workforce: Iowa will distribute $25 million from the Meta settlement into a restitution fund for teens harmed by social media, with daily time limits also planned by Meta. Higher Ed: UNI reported its highest enrollment since 2020, with 9,366 students and a 10.3% jump in freshmen. Local Business: Senator Joni Ernst named Five Sons Landscaping & Design as Iowa’s Small Business of the Week.