AGP Executive Report

Sportsmanship Spotlight: The Big 12 rolls out “Respect the Game,” a league-wide sportsmanship push aimed at curbing derogatory chants and boosting respect and belonging, with 30-second broadcast videos plus longer campus stories. Local Sports & Community: Chiefs DB Chamarri Conner is set to return for his 2026 debut after a knee injury, while left tackle Josh Simmons remains out with a bulging disc. Arts & Entertainment (TV): MeTV’s Svengoolie kicks off October’s Halloween BOO-nanza with “The Wizard of Oz” and “Invisible Man Returns,” plus sneak peeks for the month’s classic horror lineup. Arts & Entertainment (Dance): “Collective: Our Stories of Cancer” brings contemporary dance, original music, and storytelling to the Owen/Cox Dance Group at Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex on Oct. 18. Community Events: Topeka’s Gage Park Founders Fest runs Oct. 2–3 with live music, free zoo admission, train rides, and “Give like Gage” food donations. Local Culture: Elgin Lanes in Kansas is getting a renaissance under new ownership, refurbishing its classic wood lanes and revamping the bowling-alley atmosphere.

Kansas City arts & faith: Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa lands a major crossover concert when Matt Maher and Sarah Kroger bring their “CATHEDRALS Tour” on Oct. 22. Local culture & community: Wichita schools are adjusting to Kansas’ student cell-phone ban, and early reports say fewer distractions—and less social-media drama—are helping students connect in person. Music spotlight: Metallica kicked off its Sphere residency in Las Vegas with a classic-heavy set, including “Master of Puppets” and “Battery,” plus newer cuts. Folk music in Kansas: A McBain musician’s return to Kansas ties back to the Walnut Valley Festival’s hammered dulcimer championships—this time with personal stakes after a family loss. Sports (Kansas ties): Seattle Sounders rallied past Sporting Kansas City 2-1, with Cristian Roldan scoring in the 90th minute as SKC stayed stuck near the bottom. High school roundup: McLouth volleyball and cross country both saw tough results this week, with Rim Rock Farm hosting the Bulldogs’ latest meet.

Local Arts & Education: The Spencer Museum of Art in Lawrence is debuting “Looking After: Art and Care in Education Across Kansas,” a free, hands-on exhibition built around how art supports K-12 learning and emotional connection, running through Jan. 10, 2027. Sports & Community Events: “Go, See, Do” spotlights this weekend’s Lawrence arts calendar, including KU Theatre & Dance’s “Songs for a New World,” kids shows at the Lawrence Arts Center, and the Kaw Valley Farm Tour. Immersive Entertainment: Atlas 9 in Kansas City, Kansas marks its first anniversary with a free outdoor screening of “Back to the Future,” a live performance, and discounted admission through Friday. Kansas Sports Business/MLS: Seattle Sounders host Sporting Kansas City in an MLS matchup with lineup and prediction coverage. NASCAR in Kansas City: Vegas weekend coverage includes the NASCAR Cup Series schedule and how to watch, with Denny Hamlin noted as the defending winner.

Local Arts & Culture: Kansas City’s Citizens Opera House tour of “Wicked” continues with Susan Cella as Madame Morrible, bringing Broadway pedigree to the stage. Theatre & Performing Arts: The University of Kansas Theatre and Dance kicks off its 2026-27 season with “Songs for a New World” (Oct. 2-11), a decision-themed song cycle with genres from hip-hop to ballads. Sports (Kansas ties): The Kaw Valley Farm Tour returns Oct. 3-4 with self-guided stops across about 30 farms plus tastings, pumpkins, and heritage sites. Music/TV: New Orleans singer Robin Barnes launches a three-part docuseries, “Discovering Home,” premiering Oct. 4 on WLAE-TV and streaming. Community & Health: InvestigateTV+ spotlights how poor vision access may hurt reading, and features a Kansas City-area para-athlete pushing toward state titles. Pro Football Buzz: Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes’ Throne Sport Coffee lands new funding and retail expansion news as NFL Week 4 streaming/free-watch guides circulate.

Local Sports Honors: Topeka’s Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame will induct four new members Oct. 14 at the Cyrus Hotel, spotlighting basketball and soccer standouts including Washburn Rural alum Sam Winter and Washburn MVP in two sports Jessica Mainz. Pro Bull Riding: PBR is set to hit Topeka’s Memorial Coliseum Saturday, with rider Marcus Mast leaning into the “from farm to bulls” story that started on an Amish dairy near the city. College Hoops (Big News for Fans): Gonzaga released its full 2026-27 schedule as it begins its first Pac-12 season, including a Jan. 6 opener at Washington State and a loaded nonconference slate. NFL Kansas City Watch: Chiefs coach Andy Reid said left tackle Josh Simmons is dealing with a bulging lower-back disk and is progressing in rehab, with no firm return timeline yet. MLB Attendance Boost: Major League Baseball attendance climbed to 71.75 million for a fourth straight year, helped by the Rays’ return to Tropicana Field. High School Sports Tech: KSHSAA partnered with Musco Lighting to upgrade sports lighting for safety, playability, and better gameday experience. Community Events: Concordia’s “Big Kansas Road Trip” rolls into town with a free, all-day choose-your-own-adventure lineup of tours, workshops, and history stops.

NFL Week 4 Buzz: ESPN insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano map the early-season “panic meter” for quarterbacks and what trade chatter could be next after J.J. McCarthy’s move to the Giants. Taylor Swift Mania (Kansas City): Swift dropped The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore with “Cleveland!” and Travis Kelce is all-in—Jason Kelce says the track is “incredible,” while the new video for “Patient Zero” is set to premiere at the VMAs. Women’s Sports Stadium Watch: Kansas City Current owners are weighing a major CPKC Stadium expansion that could add 6,500 seats. Local Arts & Entertainment: Alter Bridge released live footage from its Blackbird Festival and announced a fall U.S. run that includes a Kansas City stop. Community & Culture: The Bloomsburg Fair highlights big music, food, and exhibits, plus a parking change and new pumpkin weigh-site details. Sports Health Talk: A report revisits the push for diagnosing CTE in living players, sparked by former NFL RB Larry Johnson’s concerns.

Sneaker + sports star power: Caitlin Clark’s Nike Caitlin 1 hits retail Oct. 1 in Iowa City, with a pop-up shop and multi-day celebration tied to her Hawkeye roots. Live music + local arts: Emporia State’s Music Gala benefit marked Beach Music Hall’s centennial, raising nearly $17,000 for scholarships and spotlighting community honoree Ron Thomas. Film for adventure fans: The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour lands in Emporia Oct. 3 at the Granada Theatre with six outdoor-themed shorts. Museum fight in western Kansas: Fort Hays State says the Sternberg Museum will close public operations Dec. 18 unless funding is found, sparking “Save the Sternberg” fundraising and letters from supporters. Community care at Arrowhead: The Chiefs and GEHA’s TeamSmile event gave 300+ kids free dental exams and screenings, aiming to make dentistry less scary. NASCAR culture + Kansas drama: Kyle Larson’s Kansas win came with ongoing debate over NASCAR’s Chase format, plus fresh talk after a Bristol fight and NASCAR’s decision to avoid penalties.

Arts & Culture (Kansas): Fort Hays State says it will close the Sternberg Museum of Natural History on Dec. 18, citing a $2.4M state funding cut and a need to trim programs that don’t directly benefit students—prompting supporters (including the Kansas Herpetological Society) to rally to preserve the museum’s research, education, and its living animal collection. Music (Kansas City): Brandi Carlile announces her “Burn The Setlist” trio tour for fall 2026, with phone-free shows and fan-request setlists, including stops at Kansas City’s Uptown Theater. Community Giving (Kansas): Heartland Community Foundation’s Give Fest returns Oct. 7 with a $110,000 match pool and 73 participating organizations across Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties. Film/Local Scene (Kansas City): A Kansas City Underground film festival update highlights a direct-submission-friendly path for indie filmmakers seeking premieres and audience reach. Pop Culture (National, with Kansas ties): Lunchables launches a limited-edition Lunchables Pizza Grill for National Pizza Month, turning the “hot or cold?” debate into a heated-at-home showdown. Sports/Entertainment (NFL): Chiefs coach Andy Reid gets compared to Phil Jackson after Kansas City’s 3-0 start, while Taylor Swift’s “Patient Zero” video keeps pulling in major sports cameos.

College Football Watch: Washington State is eyeing a faster-than-expected return for TE Trey Leckner, now listed as a game-time decision vs. Fresno State as the Cougars try to steady a 1-3 start. Local Sports Spotlight: Kansas volleyball kept rolling with an 8th straight sweep over Texas Tech, and Kansas soccer topped Arizona 2-0 with goals from Jillian Gregorski and Livvy Moore’s playmaking. Pro Football News: Jalon Daniels is set to start for the Buccaneers after Baker Mayfield dislocated his thumb, while the Vikings stay undefeated by leaning on defense and special teams. Arts & Community: KU alum Katie Garey is using documentary film to spotlight endangered wildlife and environmental work, and Sporting KC surprised a beloved Olathe North teacher with a community award visit. Live Entertainment/TV: United Airlines is rolling out live NFL and college football on seatback screens via Starlink. Music & Culture: Crossroads Music Fest wrapped with a big community celebration, and Brandi Carlile’s “Burn the Setlist” all-request tour continues to draw buzz. Tech/Security: ShinyHunters says it won’t leak stolen FBI data after earlier claims of a massive breach.

MTV VMAs Buzz: Taylor Swift just became the most-awarded artist in MTV VMA history, taking the inaugural Artist Director Honors and Video of the Year, then debuting her “Patient Zero” video—while dedicating the night’s top prize to Dolly Parton. Chiefs & Pop-Culture Crossover: Travis Kelce skipped the VMAs, but he still showed up in the conversation—Snoop Dogg told Swift to send Kelce “love,” and Kelce reacted to Swift’s win from afar after Kansas City’s Week 3 win over the Dolphins. Kansas Sports Spotlight: KU women’s volleyball dedicated “Ray Bechard Court” at Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena, honoring the former Jayhawks coach after his retirement. Local Arts & Community: Sedalia’s first Cigar Festival is set for Oct. 3 with bourbon/whiskey tastings and live music from Soul Root. Tech Watch: Lawrence Livermore researchers unveiled an AI camera system that can spot tiny issues in 3D-printed structures while they’re being made.

NFL Week 3 Buzz: The Commanders pulled off the biggest upset of the young season, stunning the Seahawks 33-31 as Marcus Mariota stepped in for injured Jayden Daniels. Chiefs Spotlight: Kansas City stayed perfect at 3-0 with a 24-10 win over the Dolphins, capped by a late Travis Kelce touchdown after a 48-yard opener that had fans buzzing. Injury Watch: Miami’s De’Von Achane left early with a knee injury and the Dolphins sounded worried about the severity. International Moment: The Ravens beat the Cowboys in Brazil with a dramatic, last-seconds finish. NASCAR Kansas: Kyle Larson dominated the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway, scoring a historic perfect points day; rain and a late restart also sparked a multi-car crash involving Bubba Wallace and Carson Hocevar. Local Culture: KC’s “Rails to Riverfront” run at CPKC Stadium highlighted the city’s push for a more walkable riverfront, with more community events planned. Music & Pop Culture: Taylor Swift hit the 2026 MTV VMAs red carpet for a major honor, while Kelce stayed in Miami for Chiefs duties. Family Fun (SW Kansas): Finney County library and church events fill the Sept. 27–Oct. 3 calendar, including “Movie Mania” and multiple kids clubs.

Immigration & Meatpacking: Kansas livestock and cattle groups say heightened ICE activity in Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma is causing missed work, delayed cattle shipments, and millions in lost revenue—raising fears of higher beef prices—while DHS says it’s not running worksite raids in Kansas. MTV VMAs: Taylor Swift is set for the inaugural Artist Director Honors and will debut her “Patient Zero” video at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards; the show airs Sunday on CBS and streams on Paramount+. NFL Sunday Spotlight: Week 3 TV plans are stacked, with Chiefs-Dolphins (CBS/Paramount+) and Rams-Broncos (Sunday Night Football) among the marquee matchups, plus Texans-Colts and Steelers-Bengals. Pop Culture Critique: Critics are calling Swift’s “Cleveland!” track “appalling” ahead of Chiefs’ game, even as the song’s Kelce tie-in keeps the buzz high. Kansas Politics & Faith: Insight Kansas profiles Rev. Adam Hamilton’s campaign against Christian nationalism, arguing he’s already shaped a “populism of decency.” NASCAR at Kansas: The Chase heads to Kansas Speedway after rain-affected qualifying and a delayed Truck race, with Bubba Wallace and Toyota aiming for strong results.

NASCAR (Kansas Speedway): Kaden Honeycutt dominated the Race to Stop Suicide 200 in the Craftsman Truck Series, leading 111 of 134 laps before rain threatened to end things early. NASCAR (Cup Series): Joey Logano earned the Kansas pole after rain wiped out qualifying, setting up the Hollywood Casino 400 start. Books & Community (Topeka): Washburn hosted the Kansas Book Festival, featuring story times, author events, food trucks, live music, and a Kansas Kids Book Parade. Arts (Wichita): “4 Days in June,” a documentary about creativity and community, lands for a special theatrical run Oct. 1–4 at Boulevard Theatres. Arts (Kansas City): The Plaza Art Fair spotlights longtime collaborators Lou Ann Townsend and Mary Filapek, blending painting and drawing inspired by Japanese printmaking and animation. Sports (Big 12): Kansas State opens Big 12 play at Cincinnati tonight, while Kansas volleyball keeps rolling with another sweep. TV (MeTV): “House of Svengoolie” screens “Night of the Living Dead” tonight as part of its Halloween lineup. Local Arts (Emporia): Chalk Fest moved indoors due to rain but still drew chalk artists and featured creators.

Kansas Sports Spotlight: The Chiefs head into Sunday’s Dolphins matchup with key injury updates—Josh Simmons is ruled out, while Mansoor Delane, Chris Jones, L’Jarius Sneed, Jaden Hicks and Patrick Mahomes are not listed, keeping KC’s core intact. Big 12 Football: Kansas State opens its Big 12 road debut under new coach Collin Klein as the Wildcats (3-0) visit Cincinnati (3-0) at Nippert Stadium. MLB Playoff Push (KC): The Royals host the Guardians with Kansas City looking to swing momentum in a high-stakes AL Central race. NASCAR Kansas: Hollywood Casino 400 predictions put Kyle Larson in the driver’s seat, with Tyler Reddick also drawing strong picks. Pop Culture + Kansas City: Taylor Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore” drops new tracks and sets fresh Spotify records, with “Cleveland!” tied to Travis Kelce. Local Arts/Community: Kansas City’s 95th Plaza Art Fair returns with big turnout expectations, plus more arts events across the region. Immigration + Local Industry: ICE enforcement in southwest Kansas is disrupting meatpacking operations, with organizers and producers warning of delays and rising beef prices.

KU Sports: Tre White is back at Kansas after a judge granted him a fifth year of eligibility, and the Jayhawks say he’s returning with “experience, talent, leadership” after a strong 2025-26 run. Women’s Soccer: Kansas beat Arizona State 2-0 at Rock Chalk Park, with goals from Jocelyn Herrema and Caroline Castans, plus two assists from Livvy Moore. Local Childcare: KU-affiliated Hilltop Child Development Center will close by late October, with care continuing through Oct. 23/30 depending on classroom needs. Arts & Culture: Kansas City’s 18th and Vine Arts Festival opens for its fourth year with 115 artists, and the Aaron Douglas Art Fair returns Saturday in Topeka. Music: Taylor Swift releases “The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore,” her first new music since marrying Travis Kelce. Community Events: Parkville joins 9/25 Day celebrations honoring Dolly Parton with local shop specials and literacy-focused donations. Sports Business/Policy: Cattle groups warn that heightened ICE activity in Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma could disrupt staffing and raise beef prices. NASCAR: Ryan Blaney says tensions with Carson Hocevar have eased after their Bristol fight, even as he’s still dealing with a shiner.

NFL Fines & Celebrations: Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase and teammate Tee Higgins confirmed hefty fines for their “people’s elbow,” while 49ers FB Kyle Juszczyk also got fined for an “imitation of chugging a beer,” sparking fan confusion and player pushback. MLB Playoff Drama (Kansas City ties): The Chicago White Sox clinched a playoff berth after three straight 100-loss seasons, then host the Rockies as the AL Central race tightens; the Cubs also locked in postseason play. Sports Betting & Media Buzz: Audacy’s NFL Attention Index ranks Buffalo top for avid NFL fandom and says radio reaches the most sports superfans—plus more Week 3 betting coverage. Local Arts & Fashion: “Queer AF in Denim” returns as a major art-and-fashion night, spotlighting LGBTQ creativity through bespoke looks and runway talent. Kansas Weekend Plans: Kansas City-area forecasts warn of wet stretches with passing waves of rain through Sunday morning, which could affect outdoor events. Taylor Swift Pop Culture: Swift’s “Showgirl” encore rollout keeps rolling with new tracks and nonstop fan chatter.