AGP Executive Report

International Students & Visas: Iowa colleges are feeling the squeeze as Trump-era visa changes shrink the pool of international students, raising concerns for enrollment and tuition. Iowa State Fair Food & Culture: Fairgoers got a waffle-wrapped corn dog hit from an Iowa family tradition, plus Hot Glass Academy kept the spotlight on ancient glassblowing at the fair. Travel Infrastructure in Iowa: Davenport’s Hilltop Campus Village is painting a high-visibility crosswalk and making pedestrian improvements at 14th and Main to boost safety for students and neighbors. Local Tourism Funding: Nauvoo’s city council approved Hotel/Motel Tax support for its tourism director to attend a grant-writing institute, and also moved ahead with tearing down an old school building. Gas & Road Trip Planning: GasBuddy reports the lowest E85 in Tama County at $2.29/gal (week ending Aug. 8), while Iowa’s E85 statewide average sat at $2.88. Events Worth the Drive: Rock Falls hosts Art in the Park (Aug. 29) with a sculpture walk, outdoor art gallery, live music, food, and wine tasting. Community Travel Safety: TSA PreCheck enrollment is coming to Mason City’s airport, making future trips smoother for flyers.

Travel & Tourism: Buc-ee’s is reportedly filing plans for its first Iowa location in Urbandale, a 74,000-square-foot travel stop with 20+ EV chargers and 200+ jobs—another big draw for road trippers heading toward the Des Moines metro. Local Events & Community: Mason City Municipal Airport will host TSA PreCheck enrollment Sept. 1–4 in the new terminal, with in-person ID/citizenship checks and a 5-year membership if approved. State Fair Buzz: At the Iowa State Fair, Rep. Ashley Hinson and Senate nominee Josh Turek traded sharp attacks during a political soapbox stop, underscoring how the fair is turning into a major campaign stage. Health & Safety for Travelers: Wisconsin’s measles outbreak has jumped to 36 confirmed cases, with Iowa-linked concerns still in the mix—worth noting for anyone planning cross-state visits. Road Conditions/Costs: Gas prices remain volatile; diesel hit a low of $4.79 in Harrison County for the week ending Aug. 8, while Iowa’s statewide diesel average rose to $5.01. Sports Travel: Kansas is coming to Rhythm City Casino in Davenport on Oct. 23, a fresh reason for visitors to plan a fall trip to eastern Iowa.

Iowa State Fair Food & Fun: New “fusions” and elevated treats are drawing big crowds, with vendors leaning into global flavors and even using QR codes to help fairgoers skip long food lines. Health & Family Travel: Caitlin Clark’s foundation is rolling out “Turning Pages, Healing Hearts,” adding book vending machines and activities for pediatric patients at Iowa City’s UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital and later in Des Moines. Local Dining Spotlight: Vinton’s Beast & Bird is set for a national filming visit for “America’s Best Restaurants,” a win for Eastern Iowa food tourism. Digital IDs for Travelers: Apple Wallet is expanding digital driver’s licenses and state IDs to more states, including Iowa already supported, making airport and TSA check-in easier where accepted. Gas Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports show E85 and regular prices fluctuating across Iowa counties, with some of the lowest E85 deals hitting around $2.29 in Woodbury County for the week ending Aug. 8. Community Outdoors: A Dubuque-to-Iowa canoe fundraiser helped support environmental education at a Hmong charter school, highlighting river travel and local learning.

Gas Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports show Appanoose County’s lowest premium gas hit $4.48 for the week ending Aug. 8, with a $4.58 county average; across Iowa, premium averaged $4.63. Local Travel & Traffic: KU dorm move-in is set to bring heavy traffic this week around Bob Billings Parkway and other campus-area streets, with the busiest days expected Wednesday and Thursday. Family-Friendly Attractions: Lost Island Theme Park in Waterloo shared details for “The Forbidden Lair,” a shuttle coaster planned for summer 2027, with a 39-inch height requirement. Travel Convenience: Mason City Municipal Airport (Clear Lake terminal) will host TSA PreCheck enrollment Sept. 1–4, offering a local way to get a Known Traveler Number. Safety on the Move: N’West Iowa communities are ramping up conversations about e-scooter and e-bike safety as injuries rise heading into the school year. Health Alert: Wisconsin’s measles outbreak has grown to 15 confirmed cases plus 6 probable, with Iowa and nearby counties in the investigation mix.

Iowa State Fair: The 2026 Iowa State Fair runs Aug. 20–23, with big crowds expected and plenty of new food stops—plus fair coverage highlights the Biscuit Bar’s returning “party biscuit” and new drink ideas. Local Travel & Roads: Mason City crews are partially closing the Pierce Avenue intersection with Iowa 122 Monday for reconstruction, with detours and access notes for Mercy Hospital. Family Fun: The Little League World Series bracket is set, featuring Iowa’s team among 20 squads heading to Williamsport. Sports Tourism: Brother Rice’s Brady Cunningham visited the Field of Dreams in Dyersville for the High School All-American Game, adding to the site’s growing draw for youth events. Community & Heritage: A Fort Dodge-area “Barnology 101” event shared how Iowa is losing about 1,000 barns a year and what groups are doing to preserve them. Cycling: Gravel Earth Series CORE4 in Iowa City crowned Geerike Schreurs and Tobias Kongstad as winners in the penultimate event. Gas Prices: GasBuddy reports Iowa E85 and E15 prices easing in the week ending Aug. 8, with multiple counties listing low-cost stations.

Field of Dreams tourism buzz: The Phillies’ Field of Dreams game in Dyersville keeps pulling fans in—plus MLB says the event is sticking around with a permanent ballpark, and more matchups are lined up for 2027. Local sports spotlight: Brother Rice’s Brady Cunningham made the trip to the Iowa site for the High School All-American Game, calling the stadium reveal “unreal.” Community events: Waterloo’s Friday Loo summer concert series wraps Aug. 21 in Lincoln Park with The Fabulous Trutones, a downtown-friendly sendoff with food and music. Outdoor recreation: Iowa City hosted the CORE4 gravel race, where Geerike Schreurs powered to a solo win in the Gravel Earth Series. Travel-adjacent local life: UI Health Care in Iowa City is raising employee parking permit prices starting Nov. 1, sparking a petition from thousands of staff—an issue that could affect visitors who park for appointments. Food-fair planning: The Iowa State Fair keeps adding visitor-friendly touches like QR codes to skip lines, while nearby Minnesota’s State Fair is seeing 11 food vendors not returning.

Road & Safety: The Iowa DOT says I-80 eastbound will shut down Sunday night for emergency pothole repairs between the Northeast Mixmaster and US 65, with ramp closures at 9 PM, the interstate at 10 PM, and reopening expected by 5 AM Monday; detours will be posted and fines are doubled in work zones. Politics & Travel Planning: The DNC approved a 2028 presidential primary calendar that moves Iowa out of the early lineup, making South Carolina the first primary on Jan. 22, 2028, followed by Nevada Feb. 1—an update Iowa Democrats are already criticizing. Gas Watch: GasBuddy reports Iowa regular averages $3.75 for the week ending Aug. 8, with standout lows including $3.47 in Floyd County and $3.79 in Humboldt County. Family Fun & Sports: High school volleyball is underway, and Iowa’s Field of Dreams baseball buzz continues as MLB returns to Dyersville in a permanent ballpark setup. Community & Culture: The Iowa State Fair keeps rolling out new food ideas, including creative fusion items and ways to cut down on food lines with newer tech.

Democratic 2028 Primary Calendar: The DNC approved a new presidential primary order that moves Iowa off its traditional early spot, with South Carolina leading Jan. 22 and Nevada Feb. 1—prompting Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart to criticize the plan. Field of Dreams Tourism Boost: Dyersville, Iowa, is calling MLB’s return to the permanent Field of Dreams ballpark a “huge success,” with visitors filling bars and bringing big crowds to the cornfield experience. Iowa State Fair Food Buzz: The fair’s latest food lineup is drawing attention for bold fusions and new vendor trends, keeping the “try something weird” spirit front and center. Local Fiber Event: Bagley’s Aug. 22 Elder Wisdom event spotlights fiber artists and includes a free lunch, with a free-will donation option. Gas Watch: GasBuddy reports Iowa E15 and midgrade prices at some of their lowest weekly points in select counties, a useful check for road-trip planning. Travel Safety Note: TSA is issuing another warning tied to upcoming changes affecting travelers.

MLB & Tourism: The Phillies’ Field of Dreams stop in Dyersville is still drawing big buzz—organizers say the cornfield spectacle brought major fan energy and helped local businesses, with one estimate putting the local economic lift at about $6 million. State Fair Tech: Iowa State Fair visitors can skip long food lines thanks to Des Moines-based EatFuti—QR codes route orders to yellow-tent pickup spots across the grounds. Local Events & Family Travel: Oshkosh native Tyrese Haliburton helped run a Back 2 School Fair for about 1,400 kids, pairing community support with a hometown partnership. Outdoor & History: Keokuk SIRRC awarded its first round of grants to projects aimed at improving river-area sites and keeping attractions like the George M. Verity River Museum viable for visitors. Health & Access: A Vinton-area patient story highlights how Mercy’s oncology outreach clinic can bring cancer care closer to rural Iowans. Safety Note: Iowa County crash near Mineral Point involved a livestock trailer rollover; occupants reported minor or no injuries.

Field of Dreams Tourism: MLB’s Field of Dreams game is now a permanent draw for Iowa fans—after Thursday’s Phillies-Twins matchup in Dyersville, the league confirmed the next event: the Royals vs. Red Sox on Aug. 12, 2027, bringing another major travel weekend to the corridor. Food Safety & Travel: The FDA is sending investigators to Taylor Farms’ Mexico operation tied to the cyclospora outbreak, as Iowa and the Midwest continue tracking cases. Public Health: Wisconsin reported a growing measles outbreak centered in Iowa County, with Iowa also in the mix as health officials monitor spread. Local Visitor Economy Grants: Keokuk’s SIRRC awarded its first round of grants totaling $245,604 to projects aimed at improving community spaces and keeping river tourism strong. Road & Travel Safety: An Iowa County crash near Mineral Point involved a truck towing a livestock trailer; authorities said the driver fell asleep. Community Events: Oronoco’s Gold Rush Days returns for its 54th year with hundreds of vendors and family activities. Local Media for Travelers: WMT radio says farewell to its local voices, raising concerns about what visitors and residents will hear during emergencies.

Food Safety: The FDA says the nation’s largest cyclospora outbreak now hits 17 states, tied to iceberg lettuce (including Iowa). Cases total 9,481 with at least 398 hospitalizations, and officials are still tracing the source to Taylor Farms. Public Health: Measles is spreading in southwest Wisconsin, with Iowa County now reporting 15 confirmed and 6 probable cases; health officials say most patients weren’t vaccinated and more cases may surface. Sports Tourism: MLB’s Field of Dreams returned in Dyersville with a newly built permanent ballpark and a Hall of Fame pregame—Kyle Schwarber powered the Phillies to a 7-1 win over the Twins. Local Travel & Family Fun: Stockport added a new history panel at Hiatt Park along the Historic Hills Scenic Byway, giving visitors a self-guided stop for photos and local stories. Road & Travel Disruption: Construction-related crash reports in Johnson County’s I-380 zone show a sharp jump in accidents, with officials urging extra caution in narrowed lanes. Community: Cedar Rapids assisted living residents partnered with Van Buren Elementary on a school supply drive for students.

Field of Dreams (Dyersville): MLB’s first “Field of Dreams” game in four years is Thursday night at the new permanent ballpark, with the Phillies vs. Twins streaming exclusively on Netflix; expect heavy traffic and road slowdowns around Dyersville, plus limited access for ticket holders. Iowa State Fair Weather Disruption: Heavy rain and flash flooding delayed opening plans, with overflow parking/camping closed and the historical walk pushed back to 3 p.m. Severe Weather in Iowa: Strong storms brought notable rainfall, including 2.38 inches in Des Moines, with more showers and storms possible Friday. Gas Prices (Iowa): Fuel costs stayed in flux, with E15 deals reported as low as $3.69 in Howard County and $3.69 in Dubuque County, while diesel hit a low of $4.89 in Guthrie County. Public Health (Measles): Wisconsin’s measles outbreak grew to 15 confirmed and six probable cases, with additional Iowa County cases tied to the same southwestern Wisconsin spread—most cases among unvaccinated people. Travel & Tourism (Rural Access): Avera’s mobile research unit is bringing clinical study visits to rural communities like Mitchell, reducing the need for long trips. Outdoor Recreation: Winnebago announced manufacturing shifts that could affect RV availability for future travel planning.

Field of Dreams (Dyersville) Baseball Tourism: MLB is back in Iowa’s cornfield with the Twins hosting the Phillies Thursday night at the newly renovated, permanent Field of Dreams ballpark—upgrades include dugouts, locker rooms, a video board, a press box, and permanent water and sewer, turning the movie-site stop into a true pro-ready venue. Severe Weather & Travel Disruptions: Midwest storms and a derecho brought tornadoes, flash flooding, and widespread power outages; first responders rescued people from floodwaters as crews worked to clear downed trees and wires. Camping Plans for 2027: Linn County Conservation is moving all campgrounds to fully online reservations for 2027, ending first-come/first-served cash or check spots and using real-time availability through MyCountyParks.com. Roadwork for Iowa Travelers: Iowa DOT resurfacing is underway/finishing in New Hampton (Iowa 24/East Main St) and Charles City (Iowa 18/218/South Grand Ave), with lane impacts and weather-dependent schedules. Local Community & Outdoor Fun: Cedar Falls-area updates and local events continue, while North Iowa’s Lady Bison keep busy with volleyball camps ahead of the season.

Severe Weather: A powerful derecho tore through the Midwest on Aug. 11, with Iowa in the path and widespread outages reported; by Aug. 12, more than 20,000 people were still without power in the Quad Cities, and officials noted the storm’s straight-line winds can be as damaging as tornadoes. Public Safety & Travel Disruptions: If you’re driving near the Iowa-Missouri border, the U.S. 69 ramp to I-35 southbound is postponed to Aug. 13-14 for concrete work, and in Iowa, Red Oak Creek bridge replacement on Iowa 48 is underway with lane restrictions through late November. Tourism & Events: Buc-ee’s is pushing for its first Iowa location in Urbandale, and Arnolds Park is landing a major comedy stop—John Mulaney performs Aug. 14 at Preservation Plaza. Local Community: Hartley’s Highway 18 pedestrian crossing project is back on track after an earlier delay, and a missing Leland man with dementia, Ralph Westerberg, was found safe. Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports the lowest E85 in Worth County at $2.89/gal for the week ending Aug. 1, while Des Moines County saw E15 as low as $3.62/gal.

Severe Weather & Travel Disruptions: A powerful storm system slammed the Chicago area and northwestern Indiana with tornadoes, damaging winds, flooding, and widespread power outages; flights were temporarily halted at Chicago’s major airports, and at least one death was reported in the region. Iowa Road & Commute Watch: MoDOT plans an around-the-clock closure of the U.S. 69 ramp to I-35 southbound at the Iowa state line for concrete replacement, with work starting Aug. 12. Tourism & Regional Business: Urbandale took a first step toward bringing Buc-ee’s to Iowa, approving a zoning plan change that could lead to the chain’s first (and possibly only) Iowa location near I-80/35. Local Safety Alerts: Authorities are searching for a missing man with dementia in Winnebago County. Gas Prices Snapshot: GasBuddy reports show diesel and E15 prices varying across Iowa counties in the week ending Aug. 1, with some of the lowest diesel deals near $4.79 and select E15 offers as low as the low $3s. Community Events: The Siouxland Series Luncheon highlights how tourism and economic development can drive growth across Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

Roadside Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports show Iowa regular averaging about $3.80 statewide for the week ending Aug. 1, with Des Moines County’s low at $3.69 and multiple county-by-county spot lows for midgrade, premium, E15, and diesel—useful if you’re planning a drive and want to time stops. Big Travel Retail: Buc-ee’s is moving closer to its first Iowa location as Urbandale’s planning panel approved a land-use change that could clear the way for a travel center near I-80/35, with the company projecting major visitor traffic and jobs. Airport Food & Shopping: Hudson won an eight-year retail contract at Des Moines International Airport’s new terminal, bringing an Iowa-made lineup to the River & Grand by Hudson store, while Wingert Bakehaus opens a Gateway Café at Southeast Iowa Regional Airport for early-morning travelers. State Fair & Tourism Diplomacy: Ambassador Jamieson Greer is set to tour Titan Tires and then visit dozens of Iowa State Fair vendors with Gov. Kim Reynolds and members of Iowa’s congressional delegation. Family Fun & Events: The Iowa volleyball season preview is ramping up with Iowa’s free Black and Gold Scrimmage Aug. 15 in Coralville, plus the Phillies’ Field of Dreams return to Dyersville. Skywatch: A partial solar eclipse will be visible across parts of the U.S., and the Perseids peak the night after—another easy add-on for weekend travel plans.