AGP Executive Report

Heat Wave & Safety: A dangerous heat dome is baking the Midwest and pushing into the Northeast, with the National Weather Service warning of record-breaking highs and “little or no overnight relief,” including heat indexes up to about 115°F in the mid-Atlantic—prompting cities to shift or cancel Fourth of July events and urging people to stay hydrated and find cooling. Transit Disruptions: Amtrak canceled multiple Northeast Corridor trains due to temperature-related conditions, citing heat restrictions that slow service to protect rails and overhead wires. Public Health: The CDC is tracking a parasite outbreak of cyclosporiasis tied to contaminated food, with a major spike reported in southeast Michigan and dozens hospitalized nationwide. Food Recalls: The FDA is investigating cyclospora-linked packaged salad mixes from Hy-Vee, Aldi, and Jewel-Osco, while a separate salmonella-linked onion recall has reached 34 states. Business & Finance: Regions Financial closed its “bolt-on” deal to buy Alabama investment bank Frazer Lanier to expand municipal and corporate securities services across its 16-state footprint. Local Notes: A Navy Gold Star surprise helped a Conestoga Valley student land a role carrying a flag at a World Cup match in Philadelphia.

Extreme Heat & July 4 Safety: A heat dome is pushing dangerous conditions into the East Coast, with New York, Boston, and Philadelphia bracing for triple-digit “feels like” temperatures as cities expand cooling centers and utilities urge conservation. Power Grid Strain: Officials warn the surge in demand from air conditioning could stress electrical systems during the holiday rush. Grocery Deal Watch: Kroger announced it will buy Giant Eagle for $1.65B, expanding its Midwest and Mid-Atlantic footprint and keeping Giant Eagle’s brand names in place. Real Estate Legal Fight: Zillow’s CFO testified in Chicago as the company argues losing Midwest Real Estate Data listings could trigger a “downward spiral,” with a judge weighing a preliminary injunction. USMNT World Cup: The U.S. advanced in knockout play with a gritty win over Bosnia, setting up the next matchup as the tournament heats up. Midwest Agriculture Update: In parts of the Midwest, corn growth is strong with improved moisture, while drought concerns are shrinking in some areas. Local Notes: Hawaii will replace the Sony Open with a PGA Tour Champions event starting in 2027, preserving tourism at Waialae.

Heat Dome Watch: A dangerous heat wave is pushing “feels-like” temperatures toward 100–115°F across the Midwest and East, with New York, Boston, and Philadelphia under multiday warnings as the Fourth of July (America’s 250th) approaches—cities are opening cooling centers and expanding help for vulnerable residents. Fourth of July Costs: A new survey finds the average Independence Day cookout now costs $73.82 for 10 guests, up 4% year over year, with the Northeast and Midwest among the lowest regional averages. USMCA Talks: The U.S., Canada, and Mexico begin bumpy negotiations to renew USMCA, with auto rules, tariffs, and Trump’s threat to exit hanging over a $1.9T trade relationship. Chicago Real Estate Fight: Zillow faces MLS operator MRED and Compass in court over access to listing feeds, after a temporary restraining order earlier this year. Travel & Business: American Airlines plans to restart nonstop Chicago–Tokyo in 2027 and add two new O’Hare domestic routes; Spectrum expands rural Ohio fiber service in Perry County. Local Spotlight: Illinois farm bankruptcies rise again as lawmakers face a growing “farm crisis,” while Wisconsin’s America250 plans put Summerfest at the center of the state’s Block Party.

Supreme Court & Immigration: The Court upheld birthright citizenship, rejecting Trump’s push to limit citizenship for children of people in the U.S. illegally or temporarily, while also boosting presidential power over independent regulators. Trade & Industry: Trump’s team is expected to declare the U.S. won’t extend USMCA, starting a six-year review and a decade-long wind-down clock as the U.S., Mexico and Canada haggle over changes. Heat Emergency: A dangerous Midwest and Great Lakes heat wave is baking millions with heat indexes over 100°F, while the East braces for more through the Fourth of July, with cooling centers and emergency measures ramping up. Wildfires & Safety: Three firefighters died battling a Colorado wildfire, underscoring how extreme conditions are turning routine response into life-threatening work. Public Health & Crime Policy: Bereaved families, law enforcement and veterinary groups are urging Congress to pass the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act as part of the NDAA. Local Life: A Milwaukee teen missing since 2022 has been found, and a new Ziggi’s Coffee opened in downtown Huntington, adding to Midwest small-business momentum.

Extreme Heat: A heat dome is baking the Midwest and Great Lakes with “dangerous” heat indexes over 100°F, and warnings stretch into the East ahead of the July 4 weekend, with cooling centers opening as records loom. Gas Prices: Pump prices keep easing after the U.S.-Iran Strait of Hormuz disruption eased, but drivers are still paying more than last year as Trump presses stations to cut prices faster. Housing Watch: A new analysis warns the U.S. could swing from shortage to surplus in under 10 years if construction keeps rising while demand stays constrained by affordability. SNAP Shopping Tech: In Kansas and Missouri, McKeever’s Market is rolling out EBT SNAP payments directly on smart “Caper Carts,” aiming to make checkout smoother for SNAP households. Tropical Update: Forecasters are tracking a low-pressure system off the Southeast that could become Tropical Storm Bertha as it nears Florida. East Coast Sharks: New York is urging beachgoers to be “Shark Smart” with guidance and added drone surveillance during the usual summer migration.

Extreme Heat & Heat Dome: A heat dome is building over the Midwest and East, pushing many areas into the 90s and heat-index values over 100 through the Fourth of July, with some places seeing near-record highs and humid nights that don’t cool off much. Public Safety: Communities are opening cooling centers and canceling outdoor plans as officials warn kids, older adults, and people with health conditions to hydrate and limit time outside. World Cup Weather Watch: The same heat dome is also expected to affect World Cup knockout matches, raising player-safety concerns as temperatures stay dangerous even after sunset. Politics & Courts: The Supreme Court let Fed governor Lisa Cook keep her job for now, while also expanding presidential power by upholding other Trump firings; it also rejected a GOP push to block late-arriving mailed ballots. Midwest Local Life: Chicago’s United Center area redevelopment kicked off with a major mixed-use plan, and Fort McCoy hosted Army-history tours for local Scouts. Crime & Drugs: A Mesquite, Nevada K-9 helped seize hundreds of pounds of meth and other drugs over 18 months. Travel & Shopping: Americans are shifting Fourth of July spending toward cookout staples, while some travelers are looking beyond Florida for summer trips.

Wildfire Crisis in the Southwest: Three firefighters died battling blazes along the Utah–Colorado border as high heat, strong winds, and low humidity fueled a critical fire season; Utah banned fireworks for July 4 and Colorado declared a state of emergency. Heat Dome Across the Midwest and East: Extreme, humid heat is forcing cancellations and opening cooling centers from Iowa to Chicago and then pushing toward the Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast through the holiday week, with heat index values that can turn deadly. Local Safety Push: Chicago expanded cooling options, while Kentucky and other Midwest communities issued heat-safety guidance and urged hydration and vigilance for heat illness. Retail Fraud Crackdown: Mecosta County deputies arrested two suspects after a traffic stop tied to attempted retail fraud, alleging more than $6,000 in thefts across Walmart and Meijer stores. Housing and Markets: A new look at home buying finds investors are still active, with mom-and-pop buyers driving much of the recent shift. Supreme Court and Immigration: A court decision leaves Indiana’s Haitian community facing heightened deportation risk as TPS fights continue. Community and Health Outreach: Munson Army Health Center will share summer safety tips at Fort Leavenworth’s PX. Earthquake Report: A 3.5 quake rattled southern Illinois, felt across parts of Indiana and Kentucky. Retail Expansion: Meijer plans a new Meijer Grocery store in Livonia on Aug. 19.

Extreme Heat Alert: A dangerous, potentially record-setting heat wave is set to bake the central and eastern U.S. into the Fourth of July, with heat index values pushing 110+ and cities like Chicago, Philadelphia, New York and Washington flagged for triple-digit “feels like” conditions. Wildfire Risk: The same week brings severe fire weather across the West as new blazes flare. Immigration & Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court ruling lets the Trump administration end Haitian and Syrian TPS, putting thousands in Indiana at risk of deportation. Local Governance: Wisconsin residents in Polk County are threatening a lawsuit over rules governing large livestock farms, reviving the fight over local control. Business & Industry: New Jersey touts its life sciences strength in a new 2026 report, highlighting biotech, pharma and biomanufacturing growth. Community & Sports: GLIAC adds women’s flag football for 2026-27; Midwest youth and college sports keep rolling, from Upper Midwest Classic baseball to UMC tournament results. Culture & Travel: Fort McCoy’s Commemorative Area welcomed visitors for Army Heritage Month, while Chicago’s Pride Parade drew thousands despite attacks.

Homelessness Relief: Anchorage’s Good Neighbor Fund hit about $186,000 in donations, helping move nearly 300 people into transitional housing and cover basics like food, shelter, IDs, and travel. Heat Wave Watch: The National Weather Service warns a dangerous heat dome will bake much of the Midwest and East into the July 4 weekend, with high humidity pushing heat indexes around 105–115°F and little overnight relief. Wildfire Tragedy: Three firefighters were killed and two hurt battling fast-moving blazes along the Colorado–Utah border, as extreme fire weather and drought drive rapid spread. Food Aid Hurdles: Wisconsin’s FoodShare replacement is coming after outages spoiled food, but advocates say the process is still hard for recipients to navigate. Local Crime: A man died after a stabbing in Cold Spring, with another suspect taken into custody. Tech & Energy: Researchers are racing to understand how AI is driving up data-center energy use. Sports: The World Cup knockout stage begins, with the U.S. set for its next match as tournament momentum builds.

World Cup & Public Health: Scientists say influenza and Covid still matter during the 2026 FIFA World Cup as crowds, travel, and close contact boost respiratory spread, while avian influenza is being watched for any sign of sustained human-to-human transmission. World Cup Shock Result: Austria and Algeria stunned Group J with a 3-3 thriller in Kansas City, knocking Iran out and sending both teams to the knockout round—Algeria face Switzerland, Austria take on Spain. Western Wildfires: Hot, dry, windy weather is driving fast-moving blazes across the West, with Utah’s Cottonwood Fire surging to nearly 400 sq km and threatening cabins and a ski resort. Heat Dome Threat: A major heat dome is expected to bake much of the East and Midwest into the July 4 weekend, with heat indices pushing 100–115 in parts of the region. Severe Weather Watch: Illinois is seeing record tornado activity early in the year, raising pressure on local response as federal disaster aid remains uncertain. Power & Tech: Microsoft says its Wisconsin Fairwater AI campus is fully operational, positioning it as a large-scale GPU “supercomputer” built for heavy power demand. Higher Ed Integrity: Brown University faces scrutiny after a professor alleges major AI cheating in an advanced economics class, calling academic integrity “at risk.” Lottery: Powerball numbers for June 27: 3, 16, 28, 30, 59; Powerball 11; jackpot estimated at $348M.

Retail Expansion: Casey’s General Stores says it’s planning at least 400 new stores over the next three years, leaning on pizza, prepared foods, and nonalcoholic drinks while investing in forecasting and tech. Public Health & Culture: Alcohol use is shifting nationwide as more adults cut back or go alcohol-free, with rising demand for zero-proof options. Weather & Safety: A heat dome is building for the July 4 stretch, with forecasts calling for dangerous heat and humidity across much of the Midwest and East, plus a separate severe-storm threat for parts of the Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic. Wildfire Risk: The Four Corners faces extremely critical fire weather conditions, with dry fuels and strong winds raising the odds of fast-moving fires. Local Economy: Wisconsin’s early-stage investing scene is still lagging neighbors, even as a new $2.4M venture fund backs Beloit’s Mastercraft Ventures. Community & Sports: Birdcall, a Colorado chicken-sandwich chain, plans to expand into Indiana; and Michigan and Tennessee set for an Elite Eight matchup. Politics: North Carolina Republicans overrode the governor’s veto of a bill requiring state law enforcement to coordinate with federal immigration officials.

Wildfire & Fireworks: Utah declared an emergency and restricted fireworks as the fast-moving Cottonwood Fire surged amid extreme wind and low humidity. Severe Weather Recovery: Tornado damage hit parts of Illinois and Indiana south of Chicago, with cleanup and long power-restoration timelines underway. Flood Insurance Gaps: Northern Michigan flood victims say FEMA flood maps left many without coverage, exposing how rainfall-driven flooding and outdated mapping can miss risk. Energy Infrastructure: Partners celebrated completion of Ohio’s $1.2B Trumbull Energy Center, built to meet rising Midwest power demand tied to AI and data centers. Data Centers in the Midwest: Edged topped out Project Lola in Council Bluffs, advancing large-scale “AI-ready” infrastructure. Local Transit Push: Wisconsin submitted a bid for a $218.2M federal grant to extend Amtrak service to Madison. Sports (NCAA): Tennessee earned a sixth seed and beat Virginia to reach the Sweet 16, while N.C. State moved toward a new coach with Justin Gainey. Agriculture & Markets: Cattle ranchers report strong prices but worry about tariffs and deportation threats to farm labor. Community & Culture: Budweiser Clydesdales drew crowds in Cedar Falls for Sturgis Falls festivities, and Wisconsin tourism hit record numbers in 2025.

World Cup Update: The Netherlands rolled past Tunisia 3-1 in Group F, with Brian Brobbey scoring again and the Dutch finishing first as Japan’s draw left the bracket set for Monday’s big matchup. Weather Watch: Showers and storms linger in parts of the Midwest today, but a hot, humid stretch is locking in next week, with July 4 approaching under heat-index concerns. Public Health Alarm: A Kansas physician warns that 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) is being sold like a harmless product and calls for stronger federal action as addiction risks grow. Housing & Local Development: A Minnesota nonprofit is studying Rock County, Wisconsin, for a resident-owned cooperative mobile home park, while a Janesville developer seeks zoning approval to convert a former Crazy Joe’s store into climate-controlled self-storage. Energy & Jobs: A Wisconsin manufacturer is hiring as data-center demand spreads, and Minnesota’s CERTs seed grants are funding clean-energy upgrades across underserved communities. Safety & Tragedy: A worker died in an industrial accident at a Cold Spring poultry plant. Environment: Lake Minnetonka leaders are stepping up efforts to protect against starry stonewort.

World Cup Knockouts Set: The Netherlands finished Group F on top with a 3-1 rainy win over Tunisia, with Brian Brobbey scoring and two more goals deflecting into the net; Japan’s 1-1 draw with Sweden locked in the bracket, sending the U.S. to face Bosnia-Herzegovina next. Local Governance & Voting Access: Kansas officials are pushing to reopen Johnson County early voting sites after closures ahead of the August primary, arguing access was reduced in dense areas. Public Health: Wisconsin’s DNR closed Crescent Beach in Algoma after elevated E. coli levels were found during a cruise ship visit. Infrastructure: Virginia marked completion of the Norfolk Harbor dredging project, deepening the channel to support larger ships on the East Coast. Weather & Safety: Illinois state climatologist Trent Ford says 2026 tornado totals are “remarkable,” with the state far ahead of prior records. Community & Transit: New bus routes link Mason City and Clear Lake to major Iowa and Midwest destinations starting June 30.

Severe Weather & Aid: Illinois logged a record tornado count this year, even as a new analysis says Democratic-led states are getting less federal disaster help—leaving local governments to absorb more of the hit. Energy & Gas Prices: The Trump administration is pushing Congress to make E15 gasoline sales permanent year-round, aiming to lower pump costs while regulators weigh air-quality concerns. Health & Safety: Vermont became the first state to ban paraquat, a weed killer tied by advocates to Parkinson’s risk, even as the EPA reviews safety. Public Health Watch: The CDC warns COVID could surge again in the South and West this summer, especially if immune-evasive variants spread. Food & Home Risks: The CDC also reports a growing Salmonella outbreak tied to backyard poultry, urging families—especially kids under 5—to avoid handling birds. Local Business & Community: In Michigan, Comfort Keepers is highlighting VA home care and companion care options for families navigating aging at home. Earthquakes: Four major quakes struck Venezuela within hours, with damage and casualties still rising.

Fourth of July Costs: A new American Farm Bureau survey says a cookout for 10 now costs $73.82—about $7.38 per person—up 4% from last year, with higher prices for staples like beef, chicken, and strawberries. Severe Weather & Flooding: Forecasters warn millions across the Central and Southern U.S. to brace for flash flooding as a 700-mile rain threat lingers, with saturated ground raising the risk. Heat Dome Watch: Michigan is heading into a four-day stretch of 90-plus-degree heat, with high humidity and limited overnight relief. Earthquake Alerts & Safety: A 5.6 quake near Mendocino, Calif., triggered emergency alerts in Sacramento with little felt shaking—seismologists say the early-warning system worked as intended. Venezuela Quakes Raise California Alarm: Two back-to-back major earthquakes devastated parts of Venezuela, highlighting the dangers of non-ductile concrete buildings—an issue also seen in California. Medicare Drug Change: Starting July 1, Medicare will offer a $50 monthly copay for certain weight-loss meds under a temporary “GLP-1 Bridge,” with major limits to note. Local Government: Robinson, Wis., annexed land for a new police station as renovations move forward. Business & Energy: Trumbull Energy Center in Ohio officially completed a $1.2B power plant project aimed at growing electricity demand.