AGP Executive Report

KU Research & Honors: KU’s AAAS fellows group met May 4 to welcome three newly elected members—Chris Beard (ecology & evolution), Jianming Qiu (virology), and Michael Wolfe (medicinal chemistry)—with Chancellor Douglas Girod highlighting KU’s growing research footprint and plans to keep meeting twice a year. KU Student Recognition: KU also named 11 students to its 2026 University Awards, spotlighting community engagement, leadership, and standout academics. Kansas Policy & Weather Data: U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids pressed the National Weather Service for transparency after records suggested Kansas missed most of its routine balloon flights, raising concerns ahead of tornado season. Big Kansas Business Move: Black & Veatch is planning a $1.34B Overland Park headquarters and mixed-use district, including major new office space plus housing, a hotel, and a park. Sports Shock: NASCAR icon Kyle Busch died at 41 after a severe illness, just days before the Coca-Cola 600.

NASCAR Shock: Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion and record-setting winner across NASCAR’s top three series, died Thursday at 41 after being hospitalized for a severe illness; no cause was released. Kansas Tech & Government: Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab unveiled a new public website replacing a 60-year-old paper filing system for lottery regulation, promising easier searches, email hearing notices, and fewer lost documents. Public Health: Manitoba’s first supervised drug consumption site is expected to open next month in Winnipeg as the province ramps up harm reduction alongside prevention and recovery. Science Spotlight: Paleontologists named a new giant mosasaur species, Tylosaurus rex (“T. rex”), based on 80-million-year-old fossils from northern Texas. Local Community: A Kansas City EMS reunion event highlighted stroke survival stories, while Kansas families are invited to a June 9 Lawrence-area conversation on strengthening family support and well-being.

Drought Watch: A new U.S. Drought Monitor map shows “extreme” to “exceptional” drought spreading across the West, High Plains, South, and parts of the Southeast, with the worst “exceptional” (D4) conditions flagged in areas of Idaho, Nevada/Utah, Colorado/Nebraska, Texas/Arkansas/Oklahoma/Mississippi, and Florida/Georgia/the Carolinas. Fed Payments: The Federal Reserve published a proposed “skinny” master account framework for nonbanks and is urging Reserve Banks to pause Tier 3 access decisions while policy work wraps up—aiming for final guidance by year’s end. Airport Security: TSA is rolling out “Gold+,” a public-private security screening plan that would expand private contractor roles at participating airports, with an “industry day” planned in Springfield, Va. Kansas in the mix: Kansas City Public Schools is phasing out 30,000+ Windows/Chromebook devices for an all-Apple classroom rollout. Tech & science: A new study on mosasaurs adds a fresh look at giant Tylosaurus fossils tied to Kansas rocks.

Local Leadership Watch: Lawrence’s four city manager finalists—Majed Al-Ghafry, Joe Fivas, Michael Kovacs and Joe Lessard—made their first community introductions at the Carnegie Building, with the City Commission set to pick a successor to Craig Owens later this week. Higher Ed Policy: Kansas Regents are moving to define and enforce new rules tied to anti-DEI/anti-CRT mandates, but educators warn the lack of clear definitions could chill classroom discussion. Crypto & Payments: President Trump ordered regulators and the Fed to streamline fintech rules and review whether non-bank firms can get more direct access to Fed payment accounts—an effort that could reshape how digital-asset companies plug into the system. Rural Broadband Fight: The FCC is weighing changes to rural internet subsidies after SpaceX argued Starlink has “solved” the gap, while an FCC commissioner pushes back on declaring victory too soon. Health & Courts: KU Hospital Authority sued CVS over alleged diversion of nearly $62M in 340B prescription savings. Tech Security: GitHub says a breach traced to a poisoned Visual Studio Code extension involved internal repository access.

Health Tech Award: Overland Park’s WellSky says its “WellSky Scribe for Home Health” won a MedTech Breakthrough “Home Healthcare Innovation Award,” using ambient listening plus an AI voice assistant to cut clinician paperwork while keeping them in control. Kansas Courts & Health Policy: A Douglas County judge temporarily blocked Kansas from enforcing its ban on non-surgical gender-affirming treatments for minors, citing likely irreparable harm and parents’ rights. Wheat Watch: K-State warns Kansas wheat is three weeks early but facing a rougher finish after March–April freezes, storm damage, and virus pressure in multiple counties. Severe Weather: The National Weather Service confirmed six tornadoes across north-central and northeast Kansas, while police warned storm chasers are creating dangerous traffic conditions. State Tech Upgrade: Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab moved a 60-year-old paper-based regulatory system online, aiming to reduce lost documents and save millions. Local Business/Community: Ellis County discussed terms for a Tallgrass Solar project, including projected early payments and remaining agreements.

Airport Security Shake-Up: TSA Gold+ is rolling out as a new opt-in public-private screening model, aiming to keep checkpoints running smoothly even when federal funding gets shaky after shutdowns—plus a separate trial lets some passengers pre-clear security off-site before a bus ride to the airport. Crypto Meets the Fed: Trump has ordered a Fed review of whether fintech and crypto firms can get direct access to central bank payment “master accounts,” reviving the fight between banking groups and digital-asset players. Kansas Tech & Safety: Kansas just digitized a 60-year-old paper-based regulatory system, while Lenexa had to pull exposed residential gate codes after they were found on its public mapping server. Weather Tech in Action: Storm chaser Reed Timmer is asking Kansans to spot a bright red parachute probe launched into a tornado near Blue Rapids—hoping to recover it for better storm data. Health Care Innovation: Overland Park’s WellSky says its AI home-health documentation tool won a MedTech Breakthrough award.

Local Public Safety: Butler County investigators, with help from KBI and multiple agencies, arrested four men accused of trying to buy sex from people they believed were minors, including Colwich’s Dalton Spexarth and Harper’s Derek Vandolah, as charges ranged from attempted aggravated human trafficking to electronic solicitation of a child. Health Tech: Overland Park-based WellSky says its WellSky Scribe for Home Health won a MedTech Breakthrough “Home Healthcare Innovation Award,” using ambient listening and an AI voice assistant to speed up home-visit documentation. Kansas Research & Resilience: KU’s WiSH project will test three full-scale manufactured homes in simulated hurricane-force winds at FIU’s Wall of Wind facility May 13, aiming to inform building-code changes. Crypto & Money: New Fed survey data finds 10% of U.S. adults used or held crypto in 2025, up from 7% in 2024. Food & Safety: A new CRB report says food makers are racing to meet faster digital traceability demands, with regulators expecting traceability data within 24 hours of a request. Data Centers: In the Kansas City metro, Tonganoxie residents submitted a petition for an 18-month moratorium on a proposed hyperscale data center.

Medicare Fraud Conviction: Kansas CEO Brett Blackman was convicted in federal court for a $1B Medicare fraud and kickback conspiracy tied to HealthSplash, with sentencing set for Aug. 26. Local Courts & Safety: In Pawnee County, Jeffrey Dorian faces charges after an alleged firearm threat and assault; in Wichita-area coverage, a Lake Afton death suspect was released because final autopsy/toxicology results weren’t ready within the 72-hour charging window. Data Center Pushback: Tonganoxie residents filed for an 18-month moratorium on the proposed “Project BlueStem” hyperscale data center, joining other Kansas communities slowing similar plans. Tech & Health Tech: WellSky’s home-health AI documentation tool won a MedTech Breakthrough award. Higher Ed: UF’s search committee named Stuart Bell the sole finalist for president, moving him to board review.

Public Safety Crackdown: Butler County investigators and partners arrested four people accused of trying to buy sex from children, including Colwich man Dalton Raymond Spexarth and Harper man Derek Vandolah, with charges ranging from aggravated human trafficking to child solicitation. Local Crime: In Wichita, police say a disturbance led to a fatal shooting in a North Washington parking lot; detectives used Flock tech and a patrol dog to identify and arrest Daniel Francisco Martinez. Space Watch: A newly found “blue whale-sized” asteroid, 2026 JH2, will pass Earth Monday—close enough for a rare look, but with no impact risk. Tech & Health: WellSky’s home-health AI documentation tool won a MedTech Breakthrough award, aiming to cut clinician paperwork using ambient listening and guided follow-ups. Kansas Politics: A Democrat with military experience is pushing a bid for Kansas’ 4th District House seat, betting on voter disapproval of Trump to challenge GOP Rep. Ron Estes. Weather: Eastern Kansas braces for storms Monday with hail up to softball size and damaging winds, plus a flood watch for parts of the northeast.

Public Safety Crackdown: Rose Hill and Butler County investigators, with help from KBI, El Dorado PD, Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations, arrested four people accused of trying to buy sex from children—three from Kansas and one from Texas. Digital Health Innovation: WellSky says its WellSky Scribe for Home Health won a “Home Healthcare Innovation Award,” using ambient listening and an AI voice assistant to speed up clinician documentation. Space Watch: A bus-sized asteroid (2026 JH2) passed within about 56,000 miles of Earth—no impact, but scientists say it was spotted only days before. World Cup Heat Reality Check: FIFA’s planned hydration breaks may not be enough for extreme heat and humidity, with climate change raising the odds of dangerous conditions. Kansas Sports Betting Crossroads: Kansas continues to tally the costs and consequences of legalized sports wagering as contracts near a 2027 expiration. Agriculture & Weather: Drought remains severe to extreme across much of Kansas, with wheat and field conditions still under stress.

Local Justice Crackdown: Butler County investigators, with KBI and federal help, arrested four people accused of trying to buy sex from children, including suspects from Colwich and Harper, Kansas, and one from Texas. Public Safety in Wichita: Police say a disturbance led to a fatal shooting in a Wichita parking lot; detectives used Flock tech and other tools to arrest Daniel Francisco Martinez. Health Tech in Kansas City: WellSky’s home-health AI scribe won a MedTech Breakthrough award, aiming to cut clinician paperwork by turning in-home conversations into EHR notes. Kansas Courts on Gender Care: A judge in Kansas blocked the state’s gender-affirming care ban while a case plays out, as Texas Children’s Hospital faces pressure to restrict care. Energy Debate: Commentary argues wind power is being targeted with “fact-free” attacks that could raise costs. Sports & Community: Royals-Cardinals set for Sunday, while Kansas City’s Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride returns to push men’s mental health and prostate cancer awareness.

Public Safety Crackdown: Butler County investigators, with help from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and other agencies, arrested four people accused of trying to buy sex from children, including suspects from Colwich and Harper, plus two others from Kansas and Texas. Digital Health in Kansas: Overland Park-based WellSky says its “WellSky Scribe for Home Health” won a MedTech Breakthrough award, using ambient listening and an AI voice assistant to speed up home-visit documentation. Kansas Courts on Gender Care: A Kansas judge protected access to gender-affirming care for transgender minors as Texas Children’s Hospital agreed to open a “detransition clinic” under pressure from the Trump administration. Space & Science: SpaceX’s Cargo Dragon C209 is headed to the ISS with a space-weather sensor after a G2 geomagnetic storm highlighted why monitoring matters. Agriculture Watch: K-State’s wheat streak mosaic virus guidance warns the mite-borne disease can flare with warm weather, pushing growers to manage volunteer wheat and summer “wheat-free” periods.

Xenotransplant Breakthrough: United Therapeutics says the FDA cleared it to proceed with a pig-heart (10 gene edits) clinical trial, with the EXPRESS study starting with up to two patients. Space & Tech: SpaceX’s Cargo Dragon C209 is on approach to the ISS with a space-weather sensor and medical experiments aboard, while Starlink raises US prices by $5–$10/month for most plans. Kansas Public Safety: In Butler County, a multi-agency operation led to four arrests tied to attempts to buy sex from children. Local Industry Upskill: Boeing and WSU Tech announced a new Wichita Workforce Training Center to build and sustain aerospace talent. Health & Community Tech: WellSky’s home-health AI documentation tool won a MedTech Breakthrough award. Sports & Science Buzz: A close asteroid flyby (2026 JH2) is set for May 18, and MLB’s ABS strike-call challenge keeps drawing attention. Policy Watch: Kansas bankers warn a stablecoin “rewards” loophole in the GENIUS Act could siphon deposits and squeeze lending.

Public Safety Crackdown: Butler County investigators, with help from KBI and multiple agencies, arrested four people accused of trying to buy sex from children, including suspects from Colwich and Harper. Healthcare Tech: WellSky’s home-health AI scribe won a MedTech Breakthrough award, aiming to cut clinician paperwork by turning in-home conversations into EHR notes. Kansas Education & Workforce: Boeing and WSU Tech announced a Wichita workforce training center to build aerospace skills locally, while Olathe North senior Ethan Smith earned early admission to K-State’s veterinary program. Local Tech & Community: Lawrence’s Jayhawk Watershed construction is still squeezing Ninth Street businesses, and Iola’s library system is rolling out a mobile makerspace using a broadband grant. Agriculture & Weather: Kansas wheat outlook stays bleak after freeze-and-drought damage, and cattle futures bounced as markets reacted to shifting trade rumors. Sports & Policy: The DOJ’s NFL pricing probe keeps heating up as the league’s 2026 schedule rollout goes full spectacle.

Public Safety Crackdown: Butler County investigators teamed up with the KBI and federal partners to arrest four people accused of trying to buy sex from children, including suspects from Colwich and Harper, Kansas, plus one from Texas. Healthcare Tech: WellSky’s home-health “Scribe” won a MedTech Breakthrough award, using ambient listening plus clinician review to speed up documentation. Workforce & Aerospace: Boeing and WSU Tech announced a Wichita Workforce Training Center to build production-ready aerospace skills. Schools & Kids: Olathe Public Schools updated its anti-bullying policy, adding a new anonymous online reporting route to building administrators. Wireless & Competition: SpaceX is pushing regulators to scrutinize a joint satellite-to-phone venture by AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Local Planning Fight: Kansas residents are packing public meetings over data center-plus-solar proposals, arguing sales-tax breaks could shift costs and control. Health Alert: Kansas reported a measles case in Osage County, with a separate Topeka church exposure prompting guidance for certain facilities.

Child-Safety Sting: Butler County investigators, with help from KBI and federal partners, arrested four suspects accused of trying to buy sex from children—three from Kansas and one from Texas—charging them with attempted sexual exploitation and related counts. Local Tech & Health: WellSky’s “Scribe for Home Health” won a MedTech Breakthrough award for AI-assisted documentation in home visits. Workforce Pipeline: Boeing and WSU Tech announced a new Wichita Workforce Training Center to build and sustain aerospace skills in a production-style setting. Public Safety Upgrades: Dickinson County approved new jail fingerprinting machines and an electronic medical records system for faster, better inmate health access. Kansas Agriculture Watch: K-State warns Kansas wheat is three weeks ahead but faces freeze damage and emerging disease in multiple counties. Community Calendar: Hays opened the Seven Hills Park splash pad for the 2026 season.