AGP Executive Report

Iowa Arts & Culture: Iowa PBS will broadcast Des Moines Metro Opera’s “Of Mice and Men” statewide on Sept. 18, with a limited-time stream on iowapbs.org and the PBS app. Cedar Rapids Arts Scene: A new “Frank’s Bar & Gallery” is coming to downtown Cedar Rapids, promising a colorful mix of drinks, music, and art—plus a peek-through “keep a secret” window during construction. Iowa Music & Events: Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s 30th anniversary tour returns with a reimagined “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve,” and the company is adding more lower-priced ticket options for families. Iowa Community Spotlight: VIVA Ottumwa’s Latino Festival is set to return after a two-year hiatus, with free entry, salsa lessons, live music, and family-friendly activities. Iowa Public Life: Iowa voters will decide in November on a proposed constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds supermajority in the Iowa House and Senate to approve future income tax increases. Local Sports: Iowa’s volleyball and football coverage continues to roll in, including Iowa PBS’s “Cy-Hawk Showdown” special ahead of the rivalry game.

Local Arts & Music: Alison Krauss & Union Station canceled remaining Arcadia tour dates, including a Davenport stop, after Krauss was advised to take vocal rest; tickets will be fully refunded. Stage Spotlight: “Wicked” is bringing Oz magic to the Des Moines Civic Center through Sept. 20, with local coverage highlighting the cast’s long-running dream roles. Iowa Housing & Community: Merle Hay Plaza and Apartments won Iowa’s 2026 Federal Housing Tax Credit Innovation Set-Aside, aiming to turn underused mall space into affordable senior housing near services. Mental Health Awareness: A Red Oak man is biking 200+ miles for the third year in a row to honor a friend lost to suicide and raise awareness, with support resources shared by Heartland Family Services and the 988 hotline. Sports (Iowa Interest): Team USA’s Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are leaning into chemistry at the FIBA Women’s World Cup after a big quarterfinal win over Hungary, while Iowa’s Cy-Hawk football coverage ramps up with “Cy-Hawk Showdown” airing Thursday at 6:30 p.m. on KCCI. Entertainment Calendar (North Iowa): Clear Lake’s library hosts “Growing Readers Baby Time” Friday, Sept. 11.

WNBA & Iowa Sports: Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever are back after the FIBA Women’s World Cup break, with their next game set for Sept. 18 vs. the Toronto Tempo. Metal & Music: Slipknot returns with “Arsenal,” their first new song in over three years, featuring Corey Taylor and a new lineup sound. Local Entertainment/Community: Linn County’s Free for All: Linn County Arts & Culture Week is coming Oct. 19–25 with 15 participating arts groups offering free experiences. Iowa College News: Coe College in Cedar Rapids announces a 45% tuition drop for 2027–28 under its “Clearly Coe” initiative. Iowa Business/Jobs: Cedar Crossing Casino & Entertainment Center in Cedar Rapids is holding a “Day One” hiring fair to fill about 350–370 roles ahead of a November opening. Sports Calendar: KMAland lists a big Sept. 10 slate, headlined by St. Albert at Fremont-Mills volleyball on KMAX-Stream.

Community Access & Lifelong Learning: Centennial Community Education is keeping school spaces open “24/7/365,” with adult sports, ice-skating for seniors, and new fall art classes (clay and glass mosaics) plus music and swing dancing. Local Arts & Fashion: Lucas County artists and makers are set for “OuterlandIA” at Mainframe Studios in Des Moines, with a First Friday opening and a fashion-themed showcase. Music & Performance: Upper Iowa University’s Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps is celebrating a DCI World Championships sixth-place finish—its best since 1977—after spring training at the Fayette campus. Sports Spotlight: Caitlin Clark and Team USA open FIBA World Cup quarterfinals vs. Hungary on TNT and HBO Max early Thursday. Iowa Entertainment Calendar: Stoughton’s fall lineup includes “Movies in the Park” (Coco) and a Retro on the River vintage sale. Broadcast & Community Radio: Riverfront Broadcasting is buying four shuttered Connoisseur Media stations in Iowa and plans to relaunch local formats in October.

Music & Pop Culture: Carrie Underwood turned Velocity Festival in Dyersville into a rock detour, covering Limp Bizkit’s “Break Stuff” plus Linkin Park and more—proof she’s not afraid to mix country with nu-metal energy. Live Events (Iowa): Mitchell Tenpenny added new dates to his 2026 “Speed of Light Tour,” with a fresh leg kicking off Sept. 18 in Des Moines. Community Arts & Entertainment: Marion’s Oktoberfest returns Sept. 19 with brewery samples, live music, and classic games like stein-holding—plus a new “Weiner Sprintzel” race. Local Sports Culture: Glenwood is tackling a youth referee shortage by training 11-to-13-year-olds to officiate, with mentors on the field to keep games running smoothly. Arts & Theater: Samuel D. Hunter’s work is getting attention for its intense, two-person dramas—highlighted by “Grangeville” and “A Case for the Existence of God” productions. Scam Alert (Home Warranty): Quincy-area BBB warns of fake “final notice” home warranty calls that use public property details to sound legit.

Performing Arts & Community: The University of Iowa Dance Department is relocating from Halsey Hall to a new Dance Building, with an official Sept. 24 opening ceremony and plans for closer collaboration with nearby theatre and performance spaces. Sports & Culture: A new Cedar Rapids spot, Victory Social Club, is leaning into “dining as an experience” with sports screens and tableside favorites like Caesar salad and a $115 tomahawk steak flambeed. Iowa Music Spotlight: Carrie Underwood headlined the Velocity Festival at the Field of Dreams in Dyersville, surprising fans with rock covers including Limp Bizkit’s “Break Stuff,” Linkin Park, Papa Roach, and Collective Soul. Local Sports Atmosphere: Iowa City’s Wrigleyville bar is giving Chicago Cubs fans a themed place to watch games. Public Safety: UI marching band mellophone leader Derek Phillips died after collapsing in extreme heat during the Sept. 5 opener; the family says sudden cardiac arrest led to life-support removal. Arts & Events: Cancer Support Community Iowa and NW Illinois hosts a free origami workshop Sept. 21 in Davenport, with registration required. Nuclear Energy: The U.S. has closed a nearly $2 billion loan to help NextEra restart Duane Arnold near Palo, targeting late 2028/early 2029.

Iowa Sports Spotlight: Iowa opened its 2026 season with a 40-0 shutout over Northern Illinois, and the Hawkeyes’ reserves stayed locked in—Ferentz praised the lack of any late letdown. Local Game Day Buzz: The Cy-Hawk week is heating up, with Iowa City’s big football calendar also featuring the annual Iowa Ladies Football Academy returning in 2027 for a special cause. High School Football & Volleyball: KMAland rolled out fresh state football rankings and a packed Tuesday schedule, including Clarinda at Shenandoah and multiple volleyball and cross-country meets. Arts & Community: Iowa City approved nearly $2 million for an arts endowment fund, while local library programming celebrates International Dot Day with a Yayoi Kusama theme. Music Moment: Carrie Underwood surprised festival-goers in Dyersville by covering Limp Bizkit’s “Break Stuff,” sparking big online debate. Science & Health (Iowa): University of Iowa researchers received CMTA funding to advance CMT1A/CMT1E treatment timing and biomarkers.

Sports & Community Fundraising: The University of Iowa opened registration for the Iowa Ladies’ Football Academy: Wave Edition on June 12, 2027 at Kinnick Stadium, with behind-the-scenes access, player/coaching instruction, and a “The Wave” moment for the Stead Family Children’s Hospital NICU; it’s $100 plus a required $750 fundraising minimum. Big Ten Football Buzz: Minnesota’s Javon Tracy earned Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week after a record-setting 59-7 opener vs. Eastern Illinois, including two punt-return TDs. Local Arts & Culture: Morningside University art professor Shelby Prindaville was named a 2026 Iowa Artist Fellow, recognized for ecologically focused work. Iowa Sports Calendar: Iowa men’s golf hosts the 2026 ANF Fall Classic Sept. 7-9 at Blue Top Ridge in Riverside. Music in Iowa: Carrie Underwood faced backlash for covering Limp Bizkit’s “Break Stuff” during the Velocity Festival at the Field of Dreams Movie Site in Dyersville. Fall Fun: Oktoberfest celebrations are rolling across Iowa, with a guide to 12 events.

Midterm Momentum in Dallas: The RNC kicks off its first-ever midterm national convention in Dallas on Sept. 9-10, with Trump speaking both nights and J.D. Vance keynoting, as the party tries to build energy for Nov. Iowa City Books: Iowa City native Emily Galvin Almanza turns her public defender background into a middle-grade mystery series, “Andromeda Diaz and the Reasonable Doubt,” aiming to teach kids their rights. Music & Pop Culture: Carrie Underwood surprised fans at Iowa’s Velocity Festival in Dyersville with a nu-metal detour—covering Limp Bizkit’s “Break Stuff” plus Linkin Park and Papa Roach. Sports Spotlight (Iowa City-area): Iowa City Press-Citizen Athlete of the Week nominees highlight standout Week 2 performances, including Solon QB Maddox Kelley’s four TD passes and Iowa City West’s Atari Brown’s big rushing day. Local Arts & Theater: Theatre Cedar Rapids prepares for renovations, while a letter argues Iowa needs a more accessible, state-of-the-art high school theater space. Community & Faith: FaithFest in Wilkesboro is sold out for its 10th annual run, underscoring how music festivals keep drawing major acts.

Iowa Arts & Events: Jacob Glandon, a local filmmaker, will share how Iowa connects to the movie business at the English Valleys History Center on Sept. 27 (free, donations welcome). Local Entertainment Calendar: North Des Moines has a Knights of Columbus Fish Fry at St. Luke The Evangelist Catholic Church on Sept. 11 (4:30–7 pm), and North Iowa’s Clear Lake Public Library hosts Growing Readers Baby Time on Sept. 11 (10:30–11 am). Sports-to-Community Buzz: Dyersville businesses say the Field of Dreams and summer events (Velocity Festival and an MLB game) drove major sales, turning movie tourism into real local foot traffic. Culture & Media: A major Asia-Pacific Media Forum opened in Shenzhen, expanding regional media cooperation and launching new partnership plans. Opinion/Policy: Brenna Bird’s push to bury antitrust law Iowa pioneered is drawing sharp debate.

Iowa Football: Iowa opened the season with a dominant 40-0 shutout over Northern Illinois, with the offense averaging 7.6 yards per carry and topping 500 yards while the defense held NIU to 120 yards and six sacks. Sports TV & Events: Caitlin Clark and Team USA play Italy in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup today (1:45 p.m. CT on TNT/HBO Max). Local News: Council Bluffs police are investigating a deadly motorcycle crash near 27th and Fifth Avenue; the rider died after being taken to UNMC. College Sports Buzz: Penn State’s Matt Campbell debuted with a 45-0 win over Marshall, while the weekend also featured big national college football storylines and matchups. Pop Culture: Long Beach Comic Con 2026 kicked off with Pokémon, Power Rangers, TMNT, and more across comics, TV, movies, gaming, and cosplay.

Iowa Football: Kamari Moulton exploded in Iowa’s 40-0 Week 1 rout of Northern Illinois, hitting 183 rushing yards and two TDs in just 11 carries, while Tony Diaz made an early statement with 7 catches for 84 yards. Iowa State Football: Iowa State opened under new coach Jimmy Rogers with a 38-10 win over Southeast Missouri State, highlighted by Jaylen Raynor’s 184 passing yards and two TD throws plus two rushing scores, and a standout one-handed interception by Beni Ngoyi. College Sports Watch: Wisconsin kicks off its season Sunday at Lambeau Field against No. 5 Notre Dame, and Penn State began the Matt Campbell era with a 45-0 shutout of Marshall. Arts & Culture: The Metropolitan Opera is staging Mozart’s “Cosi fan tutte” with a boa constrictor (Princess) auditioned for the role, plus an Iowa-based book tour stop for Lizzie Buehler’s “The Obsessed.” Local Life: Two people died in a head-on crash in North Iowa, and one passenger was flown to Mayo Clinic.

College Football (Iowa opener): The No. 22 Iowa Hawkeyes kick off the 2026 season Saturday, Sept. 5, hosting Northern Illinois at 3:16 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network, with Iowa holding a big edge in the matchup and quarterback competition still unfolding. Sports Betting (college football): A wave of Week 1 betting coverage is rolling in, including a bet365 promo tied to Clemson vs. LSU that’s available in Iowa. Local Sports Calendar (KMAland): Saturday’s Iowa-area slate is packed with volleyball, cross country, and softball tournaments across multiple towns. True Crime Author Event (RCHS): Rice County Historical Society is bringing author Jeff Sauve to talk about “Wheels of Murder,” his true-crime book on a 1896 bank robbery that shocked a small prairie town. WNBA Leadership Talk: Skip Bayless weighs in on the pressure facing the next WNBA commissioner as Cathy Engelbert steps down at year’s end. WWE Updates: WWE is cutting more talent in a second wave, with multiple NXT names reportedly released. Tourism & Public Art (Clinton): Grow Clinton says more than 100,000 people have visited Thomas Dambo’s trolls in Clinton since early May, driving major local economic impact.

Iowa Sports Spotlight: Sedrick Shaw returns as honorary captain for Iowa’s Northern Illinois opener at Kinnick, a nod to his record-setting Hawkeye rushing career. Field Hockey: Iowa rolled past Lehigh 9-0 in a heat-shifted match, with Dionne van Aalsum and Frédérique van Cleef leading the scoring. Entertainment & Pop Culture: WWE NXT releases are reportedly ongoing, with Kansas/UNI alum Jasper Troy among those said to be departing. Streaming/Media Buzz: Ted Sarandos weighs in on Netflix’s evolution, calling it both “classy and massy.” Local Community Notes: DeWitt broke ground on detention ponds to speed up industrial growth at Crossroads Business Park. Public Safety: Iowa agencies plan extra enforcement for Labor Day, targeting impaired driving and seat belt use. Civic/Everyday Life: Landlines are being phased out statewide as CenturyLink moves customers toward internet-based calling. Food Insecurity: Northeast Iowa Food Bank kicks off Hunger Action Month with volunteer and awareness events across its 16-county region.

Local Arts & Culture: Toledo artist Hannah Mullen’s work is getting a big Iowa spotlight, with paintings displayed at both the Des Moines Botanical Garden and the Des Moines Public Library. Museum News: The Charles H. MacNider Museum in Mason City earned top national accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums, praised for its care and community education. Music: Waterloo’s Katie and the Honky Tonks released “Last Call Lies,” a classic, two-steppin’ country follow-up to last year’s breakout album. Sports & Community Events: Conrad is set to host the first stop of the annual RV-TV tour before Iowa and Iowa State kick off in Iowa City, with Main Street shut down for music, games, and food trucks. Education/Health Tech: Classroom Clinic says it’s expanded telehealth mental health services across Iowa schools, now serving dozens of districts and thousands of appointments. Iowa Football (preseason buzz): Iowa’s QB battle is still a headline as the Hawkeyes head into the season opener vs. NIU with no single starter named.

College Football Spotlight: Armorion Smith is back at Spartan Stadium—now suiting up for Toledo—returning for MSU’s Sept. 4 opener in a deeply personal homecoming. Iowa Football Watch: Iowa’s specialist battles are still settling in, with coach Kirk Ferentz pointing to “consistency” as the deciding factor for kickers and punters as the season starts. Local Sports & Community: Tonganoxie’s Addy Schooler earned All-American status at the AAU Nationals after a 44.47-meter discus throw, while Sioux County teen Kayle Englin’s last-minute steer purchase paid off with grand champion honors and a Community Hero Award. Arts & Events: Dyersville’s Field of Dreams Velocity Festival brings Creed, Carrie Underwood and Shinedown for a Labor Day weekend concert run expected to draw big crowds. Iowa Governance on Stage: KCRG and Gray Media partners announced a statewide Iowa governor debate series in October, with live broadcasts and streaming options. Public Safety Debate: An ACLU of Iowa report raises concerns about the growing number of school resource officers, arguing there’s no clear link to preventing tragedies.