AGP Executive Report

Data Centers & Local Impacts: Residents packed De Soto’s city council meeting to oppose two proposed data center developments, citing pressure on water and energy and pollution concerns. Local Governance: Dickinson County officials heard Kansas is “late” to the data center boom, with state leaders saying they’re often among the last to learn about early plans. Public Health & Water Safety: Russell County Rural Water District #4 issued a boil water advisory after a loss of pressure from a leak, warning customers to boil water and follow sanitation steps until further notice. Invasive Species Threat: Kansas is continuing its response planning after New World screwworm was confirmed in a Texas calf; officials say there’s no confirmed case in Kansas yet but are updating veterinarians and livestock owners about possible movement restrictions. Air Quality & Waste Concerns: Galena residents are pushing back on a landfill they say is producing hydrogen sulfide and smoke from a smoldering area, raising health and property-value worries. Heat & Livestock: K-State shared practical guidance for managing cattle heat stress, emphasizing monitoring conditions and animal comfort during hot, humid stretches.

Climate & Health: A new report warns Americans face a more dangerous summer of climate disasters, with extreme heat getting worse and arriving earlier—part of a broader pattern tied to fossil-fuel pollution. Kansas Water & Drought: Kansas received its Republican River water allocation for 2026, while a wider drought outlook shows parts of the country staying abnormally dry. Local Governance & Water Use: Osawatomie’s mayor, Nick Hampson, finally addressed residents’ concerns about a major data center proposal, including potential impacts like water use, noise, and tax abatements. Kansas Environment & Infrastructure: Rolling Hills Zoo near Salina installed new EV charging stations using federal KDOT grant funding, adding cleaner travel options for visitors. Kansas Water Storage Threat: A look at Tuttle Creek Reservoir highlights sedimentation as a growing threat to maintaining water supply and habitat in Eastern Kansas. Defense & Drones: Kansas and North Dakota airmen ran VAPOR 26.1 to test passive defenses against sUAS threats using camouflage, concealment, deception, and hardening.

Kansas Water: Nebraska delivered water to the Kansas account in Harlan County Lake to meet Republican River Compact obligations, cutting administration days to 16 versus an estimated 81 under a traditional approach. Local Environment & Energy: Rolling Hills Zoo near Salina installed four Level 2 EV chargers with federal support via KDOT’s Community Chargers Pilot Program. Public Pressure on Data Centers: Emporia residents packed a City Commission meeting to oppose the proposed Flint Hills Digital Campus, raising alarms about water use, power demand, noise, environmental impacts, and who’s behind the project. Wildlife & Community Science: Kansas wildlife officials are seeking volunteers to survey bumble bees, part of broader efforts to track pollinator health. Health & Community Support: Douglas County behavioral health leaders are exploring a “clubhouse model” to support adults living with serious mental illness through non-clinical, work-ordered community programming. Infrastructure & Safety: A CPKC derailment west of Thunder Bay involved cars carrying propane, asphalt, crops, and lumber; cleanup teams were on scene and the line reopened after repairs.

Water Rights: Kansas is set to receive Republican River water allocation for 2025, with Nebraska delivering about 12,950 acre-feet and Kansas asking for at least 57,000 acre-feet by June 1—an effort that reportedly cut administration days to 16 instead of an estimated 81. PFAS Monitoring: A new testing approach published in PLOS Water aims to detect ultra-low PFAS levels in drinking water faster and cheaper, potentially making routine monitoring more practical as regulations tighten. Algae Alerts: KDHE added Clearwater’s Chisholm Ridge Ponds in Sedgwick County to its blue-green algae warning list. PFAS Detection in Kansas: University of Kansas researchers reported a breakthrough that cuts the cost and improves detection of PFAS in drinking water. Invasive Species Protection: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded design and engineering support for the Brandon Road Interbasin Project, targeting invasive carp movement between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins. Local Landfill Concerns: Residents near Galena’s landfill say odors from hydrogen sulfide and a smoldering area are affecting quality of life and possibly property values. School Safety Tech: Perry-Lecompton USD 343 in Kansas is deploying ZeroEyes AI gun detection after receiving state grant funding. Agriculture & Weather: Kansas wheat harvest progress is advancing, but conditions remain shaped by stress and shortfalls, with about 79% of the crop at coloring stage and test cutting underway.

Landfill Air Concerns in Galena: Residents near a construction-and-demolition landfill outside Galena report strong odors, including hydrogen sulfide linked to KDHE, plus smoke from a smoldering area that they say worsens the gas emissions—raising worries about health and property values. Rural Health Funding: KDHE awarded nearly $5.47M to the PrairieLINK Health Alliance of Kansas to strengthen rural healthcare access and coordination across multiple northeast/north central counties. Big-Game Migration on Working Lands: USDA unveiled a new Farm Bill-backed framework expanding wildlife corridor conservation to 17 states, including Kansas, with funding for “wildlife-friendly practices” that keep ranch land in production. Kansas Water Scarcity & Rights: A University of Kansas law scholar argues courts must protect states’ ability to manage water viability as climate-driven drought reshapes domestic resettlement. Housing Affordability Policy: A national housing bill passed the House with provisions that include faster environmental reviews, but critics say it won’t fix the core affordability problem—income gaps. Aerospace Investment in Wichita: Hexcel broke ground on a new applications center at Wichita State’s NIAR, boosting Kansas’ aerospace research and manufacturing capacity. Rail Merger Pause: The federal Surface Transportation Board paused the Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger process and is seeking more details, including environmental review impacts.

Water Quality Alert: KDHE lifted the blue-green algae advisory for Eureka Lake but issued a new swim-beach advisory after elevated E. coli was found only at the recreation area in Greenwood County, urging residents (especially kids and pets) to avoid contact until follow-up testing clears it. Wildlife & Habitat: USDA rolled out a new migratory big game conservation framework across 17 states, including Kansas, aiming to improve landscape connectivity and forage for elk, pronghorn and mule deer while keeping working lands working. Bees & Research Funding: Kansas beekeepers and volunteers are being urged to help with a Great Plains Bumble Bee Atlas, as bee research and support face mounting pressure. Local Development & Data Centers: Emporia leaders are moving ahead with plans for a Flint Hills Digital Campus near Industrial Park IV, while nearby communities debate data center moratoriums and accountability. Aerospace Jobs & Training: Hexcel broke ground on a new applications center at Wichita State’s NIAR, expanding Kansas’ aerospace research and automated manufacturing capabilities. Policy Watch: Kansas Governor Laura Kelly proclaimed June 2026 as National Safety Month, spotlighting workplace injury prevention efforts.

Rail Merger Pause: The federal Surface Transportation Board paused the Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger and asked for more details, including public input and more clarity on impacts—meaning environmental review and timelines could stretch. Extreme Weather Risk: A new study in Nature warns a warming world could mean more hailstorms and bigger, more damaging hail, raising the odds of costly damage. Public Health—Ticks: CDC data show tick-bite ER visits are at their highest for this time of year since 2017, with Kansas among areas at risk as warmer weather boosts activity. Water Quality: KDHE issued a swim advisory for Eureka Lake due to elevated E. coli, urging people and animals to avoid the water until follow-up testing clears it. Biodiversity—Bumble Bees: Kansas is recruiting volunteers for the Great Plains Bumble Bee Atlas to survey under-sampled prairie areas and build a better conservation baseline. Local Governance—Data Centers: Jackson County and Gardner held public input on proposed data center moratoriums, with residents weighing tax benefits against transparency and accountability. Rural Health Funding: Clay County Medical Center won $2.536M from KDHE’s Rural Health Transformation Program to expand surgical capacity with a da Vinci 5 robot.

Pollinator Conservation: Kansas is asking for volunteers to help document bumble bees for the Great Plains Bumble Bee Atlas, with this year’s push focused on prairie areas in western Kansas that have been surveyed fewer than three times in the past three summers; KDWP and the Xerces Society will offer training, and since 2022 Kansas volunteers have logged 2,300 bumble bees, 263 surveys, and identified six species, including two at risk. Youth Nature Learning: The Kansas Wetlands Education Center is distributing its 2026 Summer Explorer Guide and running library programs tied to Cheyenne Bottoms wetlands, with hands-on activities and live “snake ambassador” encounters. Wildlife & Recreation: KDWP confirmed a new Kansas record longnose gar—63 inches and 33.6 pounds—caught by bow fisherman Michael Barnett near Baxter Springs, topping the prior 1974 rod-and-reel record. Climate & Health (Broader): A report ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup warns humid heat stress could endanger players, staff, and fans in hotter, more humid U.S. and Mexico host cities.

Pollinator Watch: Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is recruiting volunteers for the Great Plains Bumble Bee Atlas, a community-science effort to survey bumble bees and prairie habitat; KDWP says Kansas participants have logged 2,300 bumble bees and 263 surveys since 2022, and this year’s push targets unsampled western areas with training offered online and in-person. Wildlife & Community: Rolling Hills Zoo is joining the statewide KaZOO Wild Adventure Passport program, encouraging families to visit all seven AZA-accredited Kansas zoos, collect stamps, and enter a grand-prize drawing for animal encounter experiences. Severe Weather Watch: Forecasters are flagging another round of possible severe storms in northeast/east-central Kansas this evening, with large hail the main threat and tornadoes possible if storms develop. Climate & Research: KU’s Monarch Watch is using new butterfly tagging tech to turn migration questions into trackable data, with monarchs fitted with tiny solar-powered radio tags to map their journeys.

Pollinator Help Wanted: KDWP is recruiting volunteers for the Great Plains Bumble Bee Atlas, a community-science effort running through summer to survey bumble bees and habitats—especially in western Kansas prairie areas where data is thinner. Wildlife Education: Seven Kansas AZA-accredited zoos are rolling out the KaZOO Wild Adventure Passport program, with stamps and a grand-prize drawing for families who visit all locations. Monarch Research Update: KU’s Monarch Watch is using new butterfly tagging tech to track monarch migration across the U.S., turning migration questions into mapped, measurable routes. Health Funding in Rural Kansas: KDHE announced $79.1 million in grants statewide through the Kansas Rural Health Transformation Program, including major support for rural hospitals and emergency care upgrades. Severe Weather Watch: Forecasters are flagging an increasingly active severe weather setup for the Central Plains, with parts of western Kansas in the main corridor through early June. Outdoor Safety Note: A reported copperhead bite at El Dorado State Park has locals surprised, but wildlife experts say snake activity is high during breeding season.

Rural Health Funding: KDHE announced $79.1 million in grants through the Kansas Rural Health Transformation Program, with 39 organizations statewide set to receive Regional Partnerships and Rural Emergency Hospital conversion funding to strengthen access to care in rural Kansas. Water Safety Updates: KDHE rescinded a boil water advisory for the City of Luray after pressure and testing concerns were resolved, and issued a separate lake swim advisory for Eureka Lake’s north swim beach due to elevated E. coli, with follow-up testing pending. Outdoor & Wildlife: Kansas anglers set a new state record longnose gar—Michael Barnett landed a 33.6-pound, 63-inch fish on the Spring River, topping a mark that stood for more than 50 years. Severe Weather Watch: A forecast warns of a potentially dangerous severe weather setup across the Central Plains into early/mid June, with western Kansas flagged as a key corridor.

Rural Health Funding: KDHE announced $79.1 million in grants through the Kansas Rural Health Transformation Program for 39 organizations statewide, including major awards for Pratt Regional Hospital, HaysMed, and Salina Regional Health Center, aimed at strengthening rural access to care. Drinking Water Updates: KDHE rescinded a boil water advisory for the City of Luray after pressure loss concerns were resolved by lab testing; KDHE also rescinded a boil water advisory for Coal Hollow Water Company after samples showed no bacterial contamination. Recreation Water Safety: KDHE issued an E. coli lake advisory for the swim beach at Eureka Lake north of Eureka, telling residents to avoid contact with the water until follow-up testing clears it. Wildlife & Fisheries: Kansas set a new state record longnose gar—Michael Barnett of Baxter Springs landed a 33.6-pound, 63-inch fish on the Spring River, ending a record that stood for more than 50 years. Local Development Pressure: Osawatomie moved forward with “Project Catalyst,” a 500+ megawatt data center campus, as residents continue to push for a moratorium amid controversy.

Data Center Debate in Osawatomie: Osawatomie and Alcove Development announced Project Catalyst, a 500+ megawatt data center campus on a 283-acre site—while residents push for a moratorium amid concerns about impacts on the community. Water Safety Update: KDHE rescinded a boil water advisory for the Coal Hollow Water Company after lab samples showed no bacterial contamination following a pressure loss tied to Thayer’s system. Native Landscaping Fight in Lawrence: The city’s sustainability board is weighing changes to weed control rules to allow more native, “natural” landscaping—after earlier drafts stalled during Land Development Code work. Rural Health Funding: KDHE awarded nearly $79.1 million across Kansas through the Kansas Rural Health Transformation Program to strengthen rural hospitals and emergency care access. Ag Economics & Inputs: A Penn State study finds common fungicide soybean seed treatments often don’t pay off unless costs are low and soybean prices are high. Wildlife Moment: A Baxter Springs angler set a new Kansas state record longnose gar at 33.6 pounds and 63 inches.

Native-Plant Landscaping Fight in Lawrence: The Lawrence Sustainability Advisory Board is revisiting the city’s weed control ordinance, weighing changes that would allow more native “natural” landscaping after advocates say current rules favor mowing over biodiversity. Local Governance vs Data Centers in Osawatomie: Residents packed City Hall to push for a moratorium on a proposed massive data center near their homes, arguing it could harm rural life and raise concerns about pollution and farmland impacts. Kansas Drought Hits Wheat Hard: A new report highlights record-setting drought stress across the Plains, with Kansas wheat facing some of its worst conditions in decades and farmers bracing for lower yields and higher costs. Water Under Pressure: Coverage also points to long-term depletion concerns for the Ogallala Aquifer, underscoring how groundwater loss could drive future food and price volatility. Wildlife & Habitat Note: Kansas-related zoo programming continues to expand, including a statewide “zoo passport” initiative aimed at boosting public engagement with wildlife.

Drought & Wheat: Kansas farmers are bracing for a brutal harvest as record-setting drought and heat drive wheat yields to their worst levels since 1972, with crop stress worsened by plant diseases and rising input costs. Groundwater Watch: A new report highlights the Ogallala Aquifer’s long-term depletion, showing how heavy pumping in parts of Kansas and the region is outpacing natural recharge. Local Water Safety: A chemical leak at Salina’s Kenwood Cove water park sent two people with minor inhalation injuries to care, and the park closed for repairs before reopening. Wildlife Guidance: Kansas wildlife officials warn residents to leave fawns and other baby animals alone during “fawning season,” saying parents are nearby and handling can harm survival. Energy & Land Use: Finney County will consider special use permits for a proposed Sherlock solar project and battery energy storage system on June 1. Community & Agriculture Events: High Plains Journal’s Crops and Cattle Conference & Ag Expo is set for Aug. 4–6 in Kansas City, with sessions on soil health, grazing, and emerging cattle threats.

Solar & Storage Zoning: Finney County will consider Special Use Permit requests for the Sherlock Solar and Sherlock Battery Energy Storage projects at its June 1 agenda, with approval only addressing zoning fit—not construction. Wildlife Protection: KDWP is urging Kansans to leave fawns (and other baby animals) alone during “fawning season,” explaining that mothers are nearby and handling can be illegal and harmful. Water Quality Funding: The Kansas Water Office is accepting applications for the Kansas Reservoir Protection Initiative (June 1–July 3) to help landowners cut sediment above major reservoirs, including Tuttle Creek, Kanopolis, Cheney and others. Local Conservation Tourism: Kansas zoos statewide are launching the “KaZOO Wild Adventure Passport” program (through Sept. 7) with stamps at all seven AZA-accredited Kansas zoos and prizes for completing the set. Community Resilience: A look back at Greensburg’s 2007 EF5 tornado highlights how social support helps small towns recover after disasters. Energy & Environment at City Scale: Pittsburg leaders heard about potential data center expansion, including economic upsides and local environmental concerns.