AGP Executive Report

Student Arts & Community: UWRF’s Rodeo Club staged the 62nd annual Falcon Frontier Days, a fully student-run rodeo in River Falls, showing how campus groups keep local traditions alive. Local Sports TV: KMAland’s Sept. 22 volleyball slate spotlights Fremont-Mills at East Mills, plus a full lineup across Iowa conferences. High School Spotlight: Newton girls cross country and tennis both turned in standout results—Alexis Sorensen set a school-record in the Roy Griak Invitational, while Newton’s tennis team placed sixth at its conference tournament. Music & Media in Iowa: Pioneer PBS is celebrating 18 Upper Midwest Emmy nominations, including arts and history categories. Food & Fun Around Iowa: A growing Waukee dining scene adds multiple new spots, from Charlotte’s Kitchen to LUX Asian Restaurant & Bar. Entertainment Watch: Here’s how to catch Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever vs. the Minnesota Lynx on ESPN tonight.

Local Music & Campus Arts: Count-Me-In A Capella (Iowa State) welcomed new members for the 2026-27 ICCA season and kicked off with a performance during the Downtown Ames Music Walk. Film & Media: A new take on AI in filmmaking argues the industry needs “tolerance” and human-centered workflows, not fear-driven rejection. Horror & Pop Culture: A roundup spotlights the best horror movies to watch after Resident Evil, which is praised for strong box office and high critic/audience scores. Community Events (Iowa): North Des Moines lists a Sept. 20-26 entertainment calendar, while North Iowa highlights a Sept. 25 “Growing Readers Baby Time” at Clear Lake Public Library. Sports-Entertainment Crossover: The World Baseball League is bringing a first-ever Field of Dreams Festival to Dyersville (Oct. 15-17) with live entertainment between innings. Arts in the Community: Linn’s Haunted House in Des Moines is dedicating its 2026 season to founder Merlyn Keith Linn, who died Sept. 17. Local News: Pickle Barrel Subs temporarily closed its Asbury Road location after a car crash; the Main Street spot remains open.

Iowa Sports Spotlight: Iowa’s next big test is set—Hawkeyes vs. Michigan at 2:30 p.m. CT Sept. 26 in Ann Arbor on CBS, with Michigan favored by 4.5 and Iowa’s injury watch including TE DJ Vonnahme. Local Arts & Entertainment: A fresh 2027 calendar is taking shape across Iowa, with new stops at venues like Wooly’s (Des Moines) and Cedar Crossing Casino (Cedar Rapids), plus comedy headliners including Billy Gardell and improv duo Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood. Community & Culture: Cedar Rapids is finally opening its first new senior center in nearly 20 years—the B. Young Center at Horizons’ facility—after the 2008 flood wiped out the old Witwer Senior Center. Remembering a Champion: Des Moines native Mike Burton, a three-time Olympic swimming champion who won consecutive 1,500 freestyle golds, has died at 79 after a battle with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Midwest Media: Civic Media expands in Iowa—Cedar Basin Media will acquire six radio signals in Cedar Rapids and Waterloo, including Rock 108 and KXEL news/talk.

College Football (AP Top 25): Ole Miss jumped to No. 4 after beating LSU 32-24, giving the SEC 10 ranked teams; LSU fell to No. 10 and Iowa sits at No. 17 after its 55-0 win over Northern Iowa. Iowa Arts & Education: Humanities Iowa and the University of Iowa invite high schoolers statewide to join Poetry Out Loud, with winners advancing to Iowa’s Feb. 28, 2027 state competition and then nationals in Washington, D.C. Local Film Culture: A spotlight on The Cameo Cinema highlights Iowa’s deep movie-theater history, including the State Theater in Washington Park (opened as an opera house in 1893, then films in 1897). Community Health: Hundreds gathered in Johnston for the inaugural Walk for FTD, with Emma Heming Willis joining advocates for frontotemporal dementia awareness. Outdoor Fun: Cedar Rapids’ Linn County Izaak Walton League hosts a free National Hunting and Fishing Day open house Sept. 26 with archery, air-gun shooting, and fishing lessons.

Sports & Community: Illinois State rolled to a 49-13 win over Eastern Illinois in the 114th Mid-America Classic, keeping the Redbirds unbeaten and taking the trophy in front of a sellout Family Weekend crowd. Local Arts & Culture: Orchestra Kentucky’s Jeff Reed is set for his “Final Bow” farewell concert after 26 years leading the ensemble, with a program spanning classical favorites and film music. Iowa Spotlight (Sports): Iowa’s Sen. John Kennedy told a Des Moines crowd inflation is tied to the Iran war, predicting the conflict ends within six months. Women’s Basketball Buzz: Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever hosts the Washington Mystics today (3 p.m. CT), and fans are already reacting to her new Chiefs-inspired Nike colorway. Des Moines History: A photo roundup looks at the evolution of the Des Moines skyline, from early downtown landmarks to later growth. Weather: Heavy rain triggered a flood watch, with cancellations and schedule disruptions across parts of the region.

Iowa Football: Iowa rolled past Northern Iowa 55-0 at Kinnick, with the Hawkeyes’ backups taking over after a dominant start and scoring every touchdown. Iowa State Update: Cyclones cornerback Jaheim Singletary was released from a hospital after a scary backboard collision, with the team saying he was showing movement in his extremities. Volleyball: RCTC kept its strong start going, sweeping Border Bash matchups with NIACC and Ellsworth. Local Outdoors & Family Fun: Council Bluffs opened the MidAmerican Energy Adventure Tower, featuring climbing, caving, and a treetop walk 138 feet up. Arts & Community: Dubuque’s Land and Water Fest returns Sept. 20 with climate author Bill McKibben headlining, plus music and local art. Politics & Media: Trump said he’s banning CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House, drawing First Amendment concerns and vows of legal action. Weather Watch: September rain is setting records in parts of Iowa, with storms complicating harvest plans.

College Football (Iowa focus): Week 3 kicks off Saturday with Iowa-area viewers getting a full slate, including Bowling Green at Iowa State (11 a.m. on ESPNU) and Northern Iowa at Iowa (3 p.m. on FS1). Local sports TV: A broader Sept. 19-20 schedule also highlights Eastern Michigan at Wisconsin (11:30 a.m. on Peacock) and Kent State at Ohio State (noon on FOX). Arts & culture (Iowa): Willmar’s wood sculptor Fred Cogelow is set to be the centerpiece of a planned Cogelow Art Center, with an exhibit running Sept. 28–Oct. 30. Stand-up: Taylor Tomlinson tickets go on sale for her 2027 stop at Detroit’s Fox Theatre. Business/industry: The Iowa Economic Development Authority approved tax credits and grants tied to manufacturing expansion and startups across multiple Iowa communities. Politics/media: Trump says he’ll ban CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, while new U.S. intelligence warns Russia is targeting Americans with covert election disinformation.

Iowa City Culture: Latino Fest returns Saturday to the Pedestrian Mall with nearly 20 food vendors, plus music, dancers and family activities—marking 15 years of the community celebration. Local History: A judge ruled the Iowa City State Historical Society research center must stay open, reversing plans to close the Centennial Building archives and collections. Arts & Community Events: The Southwest Iowa Art Tour runs this weekend, and the Greater Quad Cities Renaissance Faire is set to offer family ticket giveaways. Health & Wellness: Great River Health launches “Nutrition 101,” a four-week dietitian-led course in West Burlington with hands-on cooking. Sports Spotlight: Illinois State swept its first home cross country meet, taking top honors in both men’s and women’s races. Entertainment & Media: Kelly Osbourne made a London Fashion Week appearance with a bat-themed tribute to late dad Ozzy. Pop Culture Legal News: “That’s So Raven” star Bobb’e J. Thompson was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for illegal firearm possession.

Small Business Spotlight: The Trump administration’s Million Dollar Pitch Competition heads to Washington, D.C. today, with five finalists from across the U.S. (including Iowa) pitching for a total $1 million prize, hosted by Dean Cain and judged by celebrity panelists like Nicki Minaj; the event will be taped for a TV special airing in October. Local Development: In Ottumwa, city and Main Street partners are pushing downtown upgrades, including a plan to turn the old Fidelity Bank building into apartments plus an entertainment venue. WNBA & Iowa Pride: Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever return Friday night to face the Toronto Tempo (ION/Prime Video). Arts & Community Music: Iowa City’s Folk Machine is expanding with a new “Wild Women” themed concert and plans for an FMShop brick-and-mortar space for workshops, classes, and live music. Sports on TV: A full Sept. 18–19 viewing guide rounds up major college football, WNBA, and more for fans.

Sports Spotlight: Iowa’s UNI rivalry weekend is set at Kinnick, with former Hawkeye Mike Elgin named honorary captain for the Saturday matchup. Local Sports & Talent: Sioux City swimmer Carson Hoak (Siouxland Wave) committed verbally to the University of Cincinnati for fall 2027 after standout IHSAA and Futures Championship performances. Music & Live Shows: Kenny Chesney and Sheryl Crow are bringing the Original Vibe Room Tour to ECU’s Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, with an Iowa stop at Iowa State on June 5. Community Events: Sioux City’s Southern Hills Mall debuts an indoor “Show & Shine” car show Oct. 17, plus River Bend Food Bank kicks off its 40th Student Hunger Drive Sept. 21 in Davenport. Arts & Culture: The African American Museum of Iowa announces its 2026 History Makers Celebration in Cedar Rapids on Oct. 8. Iowa Economy: Iowa’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.2% in August, with job growth led by manufacturing and hiring in health care and hospitality. Energy News: Mills County’s 3,200-acre solar project cleared a major zoning hurdle, targeting 800 megawatts.

Chamber Music: Waverly Chamber Music Series marks its 10th anniversary with a free, biggest-ever season starting Oct. 4 at St. Paul’s Lutheran (Pro Arte String Quartet kicks things off). Sports & Culture: Billie Jean King will present Lisa Bluder with the Joe Lapchick Character Award, honoring the Iowa legend’s 40-year coaching career and her impact on players like Caitlin Clark. Local Business/Ag Tech: Edible Garden promotes David Ross to Senior VP of Sales and Marketing, with a bigger role in retailer partnerships and commercialization tied to its Iowa clean-nutrition RTD plans. Community Events: Omaha’s weekend calendar highlights big fundraisers and free festivals, including a One Community Cultural Festival at Gene Leahy Mall. Iowa Civic Life: Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate speaks to ISU student government about the Catt Collegiate Challenge, pushing more young voters to register and vote. Weather History: A photo roundup revisits Iowa tornado impacts from 1937 to 1984.

College Sports (Big Ten): The Big Ten’s Week 3 football slate is getting roasted for weak matchups, and the talk is now tied to the push for College Football Playoff expansion. Iowa Football Spotlight: Iowa linebacker Cam Buffington earned the Lott IMPACT Trophy Player of the Week after a standout Cy-Hawk performance, and Iowa turns to UNI next at Kinnick. UNI vs. Iowa Prep: Northern Iowa is gearing up for Iowa with plenty of players who grew up as Hawkeye fans, plus practice tweaks to handle Kinnick’s crowd noise. Basketball Schedules (Big Ten): Iowa men’s hoops released its Big Ten slate, starting with a road opener at Purdue, while multiple Big Ten teams also unveiled full conference schedules. Arts & Community: Waukon’s Star City Film and Theater Festival returns Sept. 25-26 in its new home at Three Dolphins Theater, with films, talk-backs, and a live set by Mike McAbee. Local Weirdness: A “drunken raccoon” was found in a Des Moines brewery dumpster and turned into a playful promotion.

AI Policy Watch: Iowa candidates are weighing how much regulation is needed as major AI labs urge a slowdown to build stronger guardrails. Arts & Community: Ames is getting a new Everbrook Academy Childcare Center on the Danfoss campus, opening Sept. 21 with ribbon-cutting Sept. 22. Music Spotlight: Iowa metal fans get a jolt—Slipknot drops “Arsenal,” its first new song in years, with a new lineup chapter for the band. Local Entertainment & Tourism: The Iowa Barn Foundation’s All-State Barn Tour returns Sept. 19-20 with 108 stops, including first-time barns and free self-guided routes. Live Events: Kenny Chesney is set to bring his 2027 “Vibe Room Tour” to Iowa State’s Jack Trice Stadium. Sports Buzz: Cedar Rapids police warn drivers after multiple I-380 crashes tied to construction-zone distractions. Volleyball Notes: KMAland highlights a big milestone night in area volleyball, with several players hitting program records.

Iowa Arts & Culture: Orchestra Iowa kicks off its America 250 “Masterworks” season this weekend (Sept. 19-20) with American classics, starting with Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man,” featuring pianist Michelle Cann, and ending with Dvořák’s “New World Symphony.” Cedar Rapids Food Scene: Leela’s Kitchen—Dosa Corner is drawing online buzz for South Indian specialties, with its dosa-focused menu now serving lunch and dinner from inside an Amoco gas station. Live Music & Touring: Kenny Chesney and Sheryl Crow are headed to Greenville next year as part of the U.S. stadium tour, with an Iowa stop at Iowa State’s Jack Trice Stadium on June 5. Local Community: Bloomfield’s Fall Festival and Car Show returns Sept. 19 with live music, vendors, food trucks, and a kids’ tractor pull. Sports (Iowa): Iowa football turns to Northern Iowa after a 16-13 Cy-Hawk win, with kicker Caden Buhr earning Big Ten special teams player of the week. Public Safety & Politics: Gov. candidate Rob Sand says Iowa’s property-tax changes should prioritize public safety, pointing to Des Moines budget cuts affecting first responders.

NFL Power Rankings: After a high-scoring Week 1, the Bills land atop the early NFL rankings as the league’s new-look debuts get spotlighted. Local Sports & Community: Iowa native Zach Johnson felt at home in Sioux Falls, winning the Sanford International in a dramatic finish, while Roosevelt’s football program notched its first Metro win in years. Concerts & Live Music: Kenny Chesney announced a 2027 Iowa stop at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames with Eric Church, Sheryl Crow and Greylan James; tickets go on sale Sept. 25. Food & Dining: Tommy’s opened a second Cedar Rapids location in the old Outback Steakhouse building on 1st Ave. Tech, Policy & Debate: In McDonald, residents and the data-center company behind a proposed project face off at upcoming forums over water, power, noise and transparency. Iowa Money for Teens: Iowa will set up a $25 million Meta restitution fund for teens harmed by social media, aiming at about $100 per affected teen. Performing Arts: Storm chaser Reed Timmer brings his “Dominate the Storm” show to Mason City Sept. 29. Sports Media/Entertainment: Slipknot released behind-the-scenes for “Arsenal,” adding to the buzz around their latest single.

Latino Arts Spotlight: Iowa City kicked off Cultural Latino Week with Entretejiendo Corazones at the James Theater, blending Latin music, dance, poetry, and community performances across downtown venues through Sept. 19. Local Sports & Community: The Iowa Hawkeye Marching Band honored Derek Phillips, who collapsed and died during the season opener, with a stadium moment of silence, black ribbons, and a halftime “Derek” formation at the Cy-Hawk game. Meta Settlement (Iowa): Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird outlined how the state’s $126M Meta settlement will flow—$25M for teen restitution (about $100 per eligible person), plus funding for school resource officers, consumer protection, and online exploitation response. Prep Football Buzz: LSWA Week 3 polls set up a marquee Nos. 1-vs.-2 showdown: Ruston vs. Karr in the Caesars Superdome. Housing & Arts/Design: Merle Hay Plaza and Apartments won up to $14M in federal housing tax credits for senior affordable housing, with plans for public art and a senior-friendly plaza park. Entertainment Calendar: EntreCon Midwest is expected to draw 225+ to Beloit College for a two-day entrepreneur conference.