AGP Executive Report

Diplomacy Shock: Iceland summoned the U.S. ambassador after a Trump social-media map mocked Iceland’s sovereignty by folding it into a “United States of America.” College Football Buzz: Texas surged to No. 1 in the AP Top 25 after a 24-23 comeback over Ohio State, while Oregon fell to No. 21 and Michigan returned at No. 19; Missouri sits at No. 20. Missouri Sports Spotlight: The Cardinals’ Sunday matinee vs. the White Sox featured a strong start from Michael McGreevy before St. Louis’ late spark. Local Family Fun: West Central Missouri has kid- and family-friendly picks this week, including teen art hour in Marshall and multiple storytimes. Entertainment Picks: Springfield Metro’s calendar is packed with events like fused glass studio tours, bellydance classes, and open mic nights. Pop Culture: A new look at Netflix’s Breaking Bad “replacement” angle keeps the crime-drama conversation going.

AI & Privacy: Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley is widening his probe into AI-assisted surveillance, sending letters to Axon, Motorola Solutions and Verkada demanding details on data collection and retention. Missouri Politics: Amendment 6 is headed to Missouri voters after the state Supreme Court rejected a challenge, with a Saint Louis University poll showing many still unsure. Border War Buzz: Missouri’s 38-21 win over Kansas in Lawrence sparked social-media jabs and rivalry talk, with Austin Simmons throwing for 3 TDs. Local Sports Spotlight: Mizzou volleyball swept Wichita State at the Hearnes Center, while Helias softball went 4-0 across two days. Music & Community: Lost Carbondale band tapes were revived after 38 years using AI audio restoration, and a Kirksville Healthcare Expo mixed learning with screenings and demos. NASCAR (St. Louis): Qualifying and race info are set for the Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway (Gateway).

AI & Privacy Probe: Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley is widening his investigation into AI-assisted surveillance, sending letters to Axon, Motorola Solutions and Verkada after starting with Flock Safety, demanding details on data collection and retention. Tech Leaders Push Back: Top AI executives are also calling for slowing AI progress to give safety checks time to catch up. College Football Rivalry Fallout (MO-KU): Missouri’s Border War win over Kansas turned into a spectacle—plus a referee injury during the chaos—while coaches traded barbs over Kansas’ Civil War-themed hype video. Cy-Hawk Spotlight (IA): Iowa and Iowa State meet for the 73rd time with Iowa favored by 14 and the game set for NBC/Peacock. Venice Film Festival: Denmark drama “Woman Unknown” won the Golden Lion at the 83rd Venice Film Festival, with “Possible Love” taking the Silver Lion. Columbia Business Openings: New spots in town include Vessel Club wellness studio, a mobile hair tinsel bar, and a pet treat truck.

Border War Football: No. 23 Missouri rolled past Kansas 38-21 in Lawrence as Austin Simmons threw for three TDs and Robert Woodyard Jr. sparked the swing with back-to-back second-half turnovers. Rivalry Talk: Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz criticized Kansas’ Civil War-themed hype video and said he was “embarrassed” by it, pointing to the need for unity on 9/11. Next Up for KU QB: Isaiah Marshall’s rough night—two interceptions and a fumble—left Kansas coach Lance Leipold calling his play “inconsistent,” with Marshall expected to learn and bounce back. Local Arts: Springfield-Branson National Airport is bringing art back to its Sky Gallery after renovations, with “The Life I Choose” debuting in public spaces. Food Safety: The U.S. declared the largest recorded cyclosporiasis outbreak over, tied to contaminated iceberg lettuce. Health/Politics Poll: A Saint Louis University/YouGov survey finds more Missourians disapprove than approve of Trump and Gov. Mike Kehoe. Gardening Tips: Fall lilies are getting a spotlight as gardeners plan for next season’s blooms.

Missouri Transportation: MoDOT pushed back the final 21-day, around-the-clock eastbound I-44 lane closure in Pulaski County to start Sept. 20, with work expected to wrap in early October—plus a Columbia I-70/US 63 flyover ramp install this weekend that will narrow westbound I-70 and affect access to the connector. Local Sports & Rivalries: Kansas hosts Missouri in the Border War Friday night (7 p.m. CT, FOX), while Blair Oaks and Helias both gear up for big home openers and top-ranked matchups in Missouri high school football. Entertainment & Culture: Ted Lasso returns for season four, kicking off in Kansas City, Missouri, with the cast leaning into optimism and kindness. Arts/Media Economics: A new discussion ahead of the Emmy Awards digs into how Hollywood productions can bring jobs and money—but often more service work than skilled local roles. Community & Memory: KMA’s 9/11 coverage reflects on local impact 25 years later, including how communities and schools helped people process the day. Science/Outdoors: A roadkill armadillo in Ohio may be the first natural arrival in the state, exciting researchers studying range expansion.

Supreme Court & Missouri Politics: The U.S. Supreme Court again rejected Missouri Republicans’ push to use a Trump-backed congressional map, sending the state back to the 2022 districts for the November election—an outcome that could shift choices for more than a million voters. GOP Convention Buzz: At the Dallas midterm convention, JD Vance and Trump kept the spotlight on turnout, including Trump’s controversial promise of $5,000 checks for adults if Republicans hold power. College Football Focus: Missouri State coach Casey Woods is preaching stability as the Bears chase consistency, while Missouri’s Border War with Kansas is set for Friday night. Local Sports & Community: Truman State’s Hall of Fame weekend is packed with football, soccer, tennis, cross country, and volleyball in Kirksville. Women’s Pro Baseball in the Midwest: St. Louis’s Adelaide Frank is drawing attention in the new Women’s Professional Baseball League, with games in Springfield, Illinois. Family-Friendly Weekend Picks: Seymour’s Apple Festival returns with music, contests, and parade fun Sept. 10–12. Arts & Culture: TIFF continues to heat up with major film buzz, including “The Obsession” talk and star-studded festival highlights.

Missouri Sports Betting: Missouri’s first full NFL season is underway, and the state says legal sports wagering is tracking toward its $25M first-year tax goal after collecting $11M nine months in. Local Arts & Culture: Missouri’s MOSI highlighted its August Artist of the Month, keeping arts programming front and center for families. Radio & Media Business: One Media is buying classic rock “101.7 The Vault” KHST and “Somo Sports Radio” WMBH in Missouri, a deal that could reshape local listening options. Community Fundraising: Missouri Sports Hall of Famers teed off in Kirksville to raise about $300,000 for a new cancer center, aiming to cut long travel for radiation treatment. Sports Spotlight: Nebraska’s volleyball home opener at the remodeled Devaney Center follows a historic Wrigley Field matchup vs. Missouri that was suspended due to court conditions. Rugby Talk: South Africa’s Naas Botha previews the Springboks’ All Blacks decider in Baltimore, leaning on psychological edge as much as physical play.

CFL Spotlight: B.C. Lions look to regroup after a 37-30 loss to the Montreal Alouettes, then face those same Alouettes again Saturday at B.C. Place. Local Sports Buzz: Missouri fans get a heads-up on Border Showdown travel as MoDOT schedules I-70 work in Columbia this weekend, including lane and access changes. Missouri Public Safety: A St. Louis-area postal worker faces federal charges after authorities allege he dumped 30,000 pieces of mail in vacant lots. Family Health Scare: A 9-year-old boy is recovering after a copperhead bite while fishing at Pomme de Terre Lake. Community & Culture: Granby, Missouri, is investing about $11 million to rebuild water and sewer systems and launch a business incubator to attract new entrepreneurs. Music on the Air: Tootsie Guevara’s “It’s Tootsie” remix is climbing into U.S. Top 40 radio, including Kansas City. Entertainment Industry: Netflix is teasing “The Mosquito Bowl,” a World War II football story from Buzz Bissinger and Peter Berg.

Supercross in Missouri: Historic Crew Stadium is getting a major makeover for the Sept. 12 Monster Energy AMA Supercross event, with crews hauling in 200 million pounds of locally sourced dirt to build the track for the SMX World Championship lead-in. Border War on TV: Week 2 college football headlines Missouri vs. Kansas (Sept. 11, 8 p.m., Fox), a huge Big 12 reputation game for the Tigers and Jayhawks. Missouri politics hits the courts: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Missouri’s bid to use a new GOP-backed congressional map in November, even as a federal judge ordered the state to use the redrawn districts anyway—leaving election officials in a legal tug-of-war. Local music drop: Twin Temple teased its next single, “Love You To Death,” from the Shooter Jennings-produced “Doomed Lovers” album. Film industry buzz: Kansas City keeps climbing as a production hub, with incentives helping films like “Don’t Move” choose the metro for shoots. Sports calendar: UMSL athletics published its Sept. 7–13 schedule, including soccer, tennis, volleyball, and more.

Fall Fun at Worlds of Fun: The park kicks off its fall season with Oktoberfest in the Europa section (starting Sept. 5), then brings back Tricks and Treats weekends Sept. 19–Nov. 1, blending family daytime festivities with nighttime thrills. Local Tragedy: A Zenith CH701 plane crash near Neosho killed both people aboard; police and the NTSB are investigating. Community Festival: Ste. Genevieve’s “Fly with the Hive” returns Sept. 12 for free honey demos, food and craft vendors, kids’ activities, and live music. Missouri Sports Spotlight: Missouri’s Week 2 Border War at Kansas is set for Sept. 11 on FOX, with both teams ranked in major polls. Big Picture Courtroom News: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Missouri Republicans’ bid to use a Trump-backed congressional map for midterms. Road Safety: Missouri State Highway Patrol reports eight traffic fatalities over the Labor Day counting period. Northwest Missouri Events: Maryville’s Martindale Hall ribbon-cutting/open house is Sept. 18, and the 17th annual Great NW Winefest runs Oct. 3.

WNBA Spotlight: Sophie Cunningham keeps turning heads as the Indiana Fever guard becomes one of the league’s biggest off-court personalities, with fans piling on for her social-media buzz and on-court production. Local Arts & Sustainability: St. Louis triennial Counterpublic is building a climate-impact plan for its Coyote Time run, pushing lower-waste builds and zero-carbon visitor options like bikes and electric shuttles. Sports Tech Debate: Michigan’s late win over Western Michigan sparked fresh chatter after coaches said the stadium clock they saw didn’t match the official tracking system—then one extra second changed everything. Missouri Rivalry Preview: Mizzou is set for its first trip to Kansas in 20+ years for the revived Border War, with KU coaches focused on new QB Austin Simmons. Baseball in KC: The Diamondbacks visit the Royals for a Tuesday night matchup as Arizona tries to extend a road streak. Community Culture: Kansas City, Kansas kicks off its first Black Restaurant Week, spotlighting 11 local spots ahead of 913 Day. Live Music: The Encore in Lake Ozark hosts Marcus Words for an upcoming live set.

Sports Spotlight (Missouri): Missouri State’s season opener ended in a rough note as Texas A&M rolled 50-0, with the Aggies’ offense clicking early and recruits on campus for the matchup. Border War Build-Up (Kansas/Missouri): Kansas followed up its opener with a 51-6 win over LIU, and now turns to the Missouri rivalry—though two key Jayhawks, linebacker Bam Crouch and receiver Cam Pickett, are still listed as uncertain ahead of Friday. Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Buzz: A historic Missouri vs. Nebraska college volleyball showdown at Wrigley Field was suspended after humidity left the court dangerously slick, turning a major sports moment into a reschedule headache. Local Crime Alert (St. Louis): Police say a dispute tied to a Jimmy John’s in St. Louis ended with a 14-year-old shot in the leg; a 27-year-old employee faces multiple felony charges. Arts & Culture: Scholastic Graphix announced a middle-grade graphic novel adaptation of Alan Gratz’s Ground Zero, arriving next September. Community/Travel: Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis gets a fresh spotlight as a surprisingly engaging stop beyond the monument itself.

Volleyball at Wrigley Field: Nebraska’s outdoor showdown with Missouri at the Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge was delayed twice and then suspended after just 18 points when condensation made the court too slick for safety, with Nebraska leading 11-7; both teams dried the floor and players later thanked fans in a bittersweet moment at the Cubs’ ballpark. Missouri Film & Arts: Missouri Film Office director Andrea Sporcic Klund highlights how the state courts productions with real-world problem-solving, including upcoming work tied to Kansas City talent. Local Screenings: Webster University’s Film Series will host a screening of “Winter Hymns,” a hospice palliative-care drama by Webster alum Nathan Deming, with a Q&A after the Sept. 10 show. Mental Health Facility Update: KVC Missouri’s new children’s mental wellness hospital in Webster Groves is nearing completion, with construction on track for a 2026 opening. Music Tour: JPEGMAFIA announced a UK and European leg of his Experimental Rap Tour for late February, with tickets going on sale Sept. 11. Community Food Spotlight: Kansas City, Kansas kicks off its first Black Restaurant Week, spotlighting Black-owned spots like Mrs. R’s Cafe.

Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Showcase: No. 1 Nebraska takes on Missouri at Wrigley Field tonight (8 p.m. CT, FOX), with the Huskers riding a 4-0 start and a dominant 74-3-1 series lead. Local Sports Pipeline: Several Missouri-area prep standouts are landing on college rosters this week, including former Parkway South and Mater Dei athletes with programs like Missouri-St. Louis, Lindenwood, Truman State, and Ball State. Baseball & Pop Culture Crossover: Kansas City’s Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is seeing a surge in visitors after “Ted Lasso” featured it, with sales up 50–60% versus last year. Stadium Upgrade Buzz: Mizzou football’s season opener returned to a newly renovated Memorial Stadium, highlighted by new lighting, a video board, fireworks, and the reinstalled Rock M. Arts & Community: SIUE will host a free screening of “A Black History Tour of St. Louis” in October, spotlighting local African American history through documentary storytelling. Music News: Godsmack frontman Sully Erna says new material is coming, aiming for a summer 2027 release. Everyday Life: Walmart is rolling out tap-to-pay in Missouri stores and Sam’s Club locations through September and October.

Stage & Screen: “The Phantom of the Opera” lands at ASU Gammage in Tempe Sept. 16–Oct. 4, bringing Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Paris-under-the-opera-house drama to the road with a revitalized production. Arts & Community: MU leaders broke ground on the Payne Energy Innovation Center in Columbia, a major new engineering research hub opening in July 2028. Volleyball Buzz: Nebraska’s Volleyball Day in Nebraska inspired outdoor “volcano” matches nationwide, and now the Huskers bring the spectacle to Wrigley Field for the Big Ten/SEC showdown vs. Missouri (Fox, fubo). Music & Local Culture: Spire’s $130,000 rebate supports upgrades at the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s Jack C. Taylor Music Center as part of Powell Hall’s expansion. Sports Safety: Riverview Gardens marching band members were treated for heat-related symptoms during halftime at a high school game; officials say “mass casualty” reports were unfounded. Family Fun in Branson: Wings of Pride Air Show and PBR Thunder Days continue Labor Day weekend in the Ozarks.

Local Film/TV Production: The new “Sheriff Justice” TV series shot a scene outside Wentworth in southwest Missouri, with Hollywood veteran Doc Elliot directing and Sean Bailey starring as the iconic lawman’s younger days. Community Events: Downing Appreciation Days returns Sept. 10-12 with a Twin States Pulling Association truck-and-tractor pull (Sept. 5), a Depot Park church service (Sept. 6), and family-friendly festival staples like bingo and a baby show. Sports Spotlight (Missouri): Iowa State opened its season with a 38-10 win over Southeast Missouri State, led by Jaylen Raynor’s four-touchdown performance. College Football (Missouri fans): Missouri State begins its FBS season opener at Texas A&M on ESPN, with the Aggies heavily favored in betting previews. Celebrity Buzz: Taylor Swift is reportedly staying out of Kansas City for now, frustrated with Travis Kelce’s NFL schedule and planning to split time between New York and travel. Arts & Culture: “Too Much Sugar,” a new Robert Greene documentary co-made with a Missouri carpenter, premiered at the Venice Film Festival. Weather/Outdoors: A wildfire in Texas County burned 220+ acres and sent multiple firefighters to the hospital with heat exhaustion.