AGP Executive Report

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.

Water Safety: KDHE issued a boil water advisory for the City of Luray in Russell County after a loss of pressure that can reduce chlorine and raise the risk of bacterial contamination; residents are told to boil water for one minute before drinking or cooking and to flush lines if water looks dirty. Wildlife & Tourism: Kansas zoos are rolling out the statewide “KaZOO Wild Adventure Passport,” linking seven AZA-accredited sites with stamp collection, reciprocal admission discounts, and grand-prize animal encounter drawings through Sept. 7, 2026. Air & Climate (Local): A Journal-World investigation highlights coal ash impacts at the Lawrence Energy Center, saying legacy ash ponds have high toxic metal levels showing up in groundwater and possibly affecting nearby property. Industrial Accident (Regional): A chemical tank imploded at a Washington paper mill, killing at least one worker and injuring nine others, with responders warning the tank remains unstable and recovery is limited by hazardous conditions. Drought-Tough Landscaping: Gardening guidance for Kansas emphasizes drought-tolerant annuals and lawn care steps to prevent weeds without relying on constant chemical treatments.

Industrial Disaster: A Japanese-owned paper mill in Longview, Washington suffered a massive chemical tank implosion, killing at least one worker and injuring nine others; nine more were unaccounted for as crews worked to stabilize an unstable site before any further recovery. Water Safety in Kansas: KDHE issued a boil water advisory for Luray in Russell County after a loss of pressure raised bacterial contamination risk. Local Infrastructure: Alexandria, Kansas approved financing for a new $7M water tower via general obligation bonds, aiming to boost storage, pressure, and fire protection. Energy & Pollution Watch: A Kansas report highlights toxic coal-ash “pond” legacy sites near the Lawrence Energy Center, with metals showing up in groundwater. Health Update: Three Kansans exposed to Andes hantavirus were discharged from KU Health System and will be monitored; officials say there are still no confirmed cases in Kansas.

Water Safety Update: KDHE downgraded McDonald’s Rawlins County water risk from a Do Not Drink order to a Boil Water Advisory after nitrate levels tested safe but coliform bacteria showed up; the advisory stays in place until contamination risks are fully resolved. Health Watch: KDHE also rescinded a boil water advisory for Thayer after samples found no bacterial contamination. Drought & Food Supply: Kansas wheat is taking a hit—reports say this season could be the smallest since 1972, with drought and heat worsening crop disease and costs. Outdoor Access: KDWP set Free Fishing Days for June 6–7 and listed multiple free state park entrance dates across the summer and fall. Energy & Land Use: BLM opened a 30-day public input period for a November 2026 oil and gas lease sale that includes parcels in Kansas, along with New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Local Incident: Mitchell County authorities report a pursuit that ended with arrests after a multi-agency search near Beloit.

Kansas City Schools Tech Overhaul: Kansas City Public Schools says it’s replacing 30,000+ Windows PCs and Chromebooks with Apple devices, with older students getting about 4,500 MacBook Neos while younger grades keep existing iPads and MacBook Airs—district leaders cite security, durability, and “student pride.” Farm Safety Reminder: As summer farm routines ramp up, Kansas State University’s ag safety expert urges families to rethink hazards for every age, from hearing protection for little kids to safer play zones away from equipment. Herd Economics on the Ranch: K-State beef experts weigh how mature cow size can raise costs through higher feed needs, making forage and stocking rates key to deciding what “works” for each operation. BLM Oil & Gas Input Period: The Bureau of Land Management opened a 30-day comment window on a November 2026 lease sale covering 53 parcels across Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Food Access: Rapid City’s YMCA is running a free summer feeding program for kids and caregivers starting June 1. Wildlife on Roads: A bear was struck and euthanized after a crash north of Iola.

Outdoor Kansas Spotlight: Eisenhower State Park in Osage City is getting a rare moment in the spotlight—locals say its Melvern Lake fishing, hiking, archery, disc golf, and quiet tallgrass prairie views make it a low-key alternative to the bigger-name parks. Birding & Habitat: Quivira National Wildlife Refuge is highlighted as a top birdwatching stop on the Central Flyway, built for migrants to rest and refuel. Wildlife on Roads: Kansas wildlife officials are investigating bear strikes after a bear was hit and euthanized north of Iola, with the driver reporting the collision and walking away unhurt. Water & Health Watch: KDHE extended an algae warning for King Lake and issued a watch for Eureka Lake, flagging risks from harmful blue-green algae. Agriculture Under Pressure: Kansas wheat is facing a rough season—reports point to record drought and higher costs, with the crop projected at its smallest since 1972. World Cup Prep (Kansas City): Officials are still scrambling over drone security rules and equipment ahead of tournament matches.

World Cup Tech in Kansas City: FIFA says this summer’s World Cup will be the most technologically advanced yet, leaning on faster semi-automated offside, football AI, and referee body cameras—raising the question of whether the gadgets improve the fan experience or just distract. Water Watch: KDHE and KDWP extended a blue-green algae warning for Emporia’s King Lake and issued a watch for Eureka Lake, urging people to avoid contact and keep pets/livestock off lake water. Aquifer Mapping: Southwest Kansas is set for helicopter-based airborne electromagnetic surveys to map Ogallala groundwater conditions, with flights planned from late May into July. Wildlife on the Road: A bear was struck and euthanized after a crash north of Iola, with the driver reported uninjured. Climate Pressure on Farms: Reports point to worsening drought impacts on Kansas wheat, with growers bracing for a potentially worst-in-decades season.

Municipal Lawsuit Watch: Mesa, Arizona says it may join a growing antitrust fight accusing fire-truck makers of colluding to jack up prices and delivery times—an issue plaintiffs say has doubled costs over a decade and stretched waits to years. Wildlife & Roads: In Allen County near Iola, a driver hit a bear early Friday; Kansas wildlife officials euthanized the badly injured animal and the driver was not hurt. Water Safety: KDHE and KDWP kept an algae warning active for King Lake in Emporia and added a watch for Eureka Lake—harmful blue-green blooms can trigger illness in people and pets. Groundwater Mapping: Southwest Kansas is set for low-flying helicopter surveys to map Ogallala aquifer conditions, with flights planned through late July. Ag Under Pressure: A new report highlights Kansas wheat strain from drought and heat, with the state’s crop facing its worst production outlook since 1972.