AGP Executive Report

Food Safety: Minnesota and Wisconsin are among the hardest hit as a multistate outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts grows to 55 sickened and 4 hospitalized, with recalls covering Calco and Everything Sprouts brands sold nationwide. Public Health Research: The Minneapolis VA Health Care System is recruiting more than 600 veterans with alcohol-use disorder to study whether GLP-1 medications can help curb problem drinking. Mental Health & Crisis Response: Minneapolis officials are facing scrutiny after reports of mental health calls being diverted from police, while local experts urged people to stop spreading rumors after multiple deaths tied to mental health concerns; anyone in crisis can call 988. Community Health Access: My Pitbull is Family is merging with Access Veterinary Care in North Minneapolis to expand affordable pet care and tackle housing barriers that block families from keeping pets. Health & Safety in the Community: St. Paul firefighters responded to three separate fires within 90 minutes, including rescues of a woman and toddler. Injury & Trauma: A Wisconsin high school football player died from injuries sustained during a game, and Minneapolis police say a security worker was stabbed during an altercation at a nightclub.

Food Safety Alert: Everything Sprouts LLC is recalling specific alfalfa sprout products after an E. coli and Salmonella outbreak sickened 55 people across 15 states, with four hospitalizations reported; Minnesota and Wisconsin are among the affected states, and consumers are urged to throw away recalled lots and sanitize surfaces. Public Health & Nutrition Policy: A new analysis finds state bans on using SNAP benefits to buy soda can modestly reduce soda purchases among recipients, with water sales showing no similar change. Access to Care: North Dakota lawmakers are set for a second special session this year, including work on kratom regulations amid concerns about addiction risk. Mental Health & Community Response: Minneapolis is under scrutiny for diverting thousands of mental health calls away from police, raising questions about costs and oversight. Health in the News (Minnesota): A Minnesota woman died after a Highway 169 crash in Blue Earth County when her vehicle lost a tire and rolled; seatbelt use was not reported. Healthcare Workforce/Systems: Minnesota’s 988 crisis line calls are rising sharply, more than doubling since 2022, according to MDH.

Food Safety Alert: Federal and state health officials are investigating a multistate E. coli and Salmonella outbreak tied to alfalfa sprouts distributed by Minnesota-based Everything Sprouts LLC; 55 people in 15 states are sick, with 21 cases in Minnesota and 17 in Wisconsin, and four hospitalizations reported—FDA urges people to throw out or return affected sprouts sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands. Public Health Planning: Morrison County is set to hold a public meeting on Sept. 16 on how local leaders will use allocated Opioid Settlement Funds, with a Sept. 26 allocation meeting also noted. Healthcare Policy: A report says several states are rejecting a Trump administration proposal to lower Medicaid prices for weight-loss drugs, citing cost and uncertainty about savings. Community Health Access: North Country Food Bank will host a free produce “drop” Tuesday, Aug. 25, in East Grand Forks, with walk-up distribution from 5–7 p.m. Workplace Safety: Douglas Machine Inc. earned Minnesota Star (MNSTAR) certification for its safety and health management program.

Food Safety Alert: The FDA and CDC say a multistate E. coli and Salmonella outbreak is linked to alfalfa sprouts grown by Everything Sprouts (brands: Calco and Everything Sprouts), with 55 sickened across at least 15 states and four hospitalizations; officials advise people to throw away affected products and sanitize surfaces. Public Health & Prevention: Minnesota and Wisconsin health agencies are urging residents to watch for symptoms and seek care quickly, as the outbreak involves multiple strains and can hit hard. Mental Health Response in Minneapolis: A new report details how Minneapolis diverted thousands of mental health calls away from police using behavioral crisis response teams, but costs and oversight are now under scrutiny. Healthcare Costs & Fraud: A Q&A highlights how fraud drives up healthcare costs, pointing to federal efforts to target waste and abuse in health programs. Animal Health: Minnesota confirmed its first 2026 West Nile virus case in a Polk County horse; officials stress vaccination as the best prevention. Workforce & Training: Duluth welcomed the University of Minnesota Medical School’s Class of 2029 with white coats, emphasizing the need for more rural physicians. Policy Watch: Minnesota’s new Medicaid work requirements are coming soon, raising concerns for people who rely on Medical Assistance.

Food Safety Alert: U.S. health officials say an E. coli and salmonella outbreak tied to alfalfa sprouts has sickened at least 55 people across 15 states, with Minnesota and Wisconsin hit hardest; CDC and FDA link cases to sprouts produced by Minneapolis grower Everything Sprouts and sold under Calco and Everything Sprouts, and are urging people to check for affected lots, throw them out, and contact a clinician if symptoms worsen. Public Health Guidance: Minnesota experts warn sprouts are a higher-risk food, especially for young kids, older adults, pregnant people, and immunocompromised residents, and note that thorough cooking can reduce risk. Medicaid Policy: Minnesota is preparing for new federal Medical Assistance work and reporting requirements starting in 2027 for many adults ages 21–64 without dependent children, with the state estimating about 140,000 could be at risk of losing coverage; an online tool is available to see if exemptions apply. Autism Safety: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a nationwide push to speed search-and-rescue and alert coordination when autistic people go missing, highlighting Rochester’s Project Lifesaver as a model. Rural Access: Rural leaders are focusing on the tight connections between childcare, housing, and healthcare, with a forum planned to discuss solutions. Community Health & Wellness: A University of Minnesota study finds TikTok food content can drive teen hunger and cravings, while family meals and face-to-face conversations can help parents reduce the impact. Healthcare Innovation: A Minnesota-based company reports progress on an off-the-shelf bioengineered blood vessel for coronary bypass that could reduce reliance on harvested vessels and anticoagulants.

Nursing Home Wages Upheld: A federal judge dismissed an industry lawsuit trying to dissolve Minnesota’s Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board, clearing the way for scheduled minimum wage and employment standard increases for nursing home workers starting in September. Food Safety Alert: Wisconsin and Minnesota health officials are warning people to throw out alfalfa sprouts from Everything Sprouts and Calco after a multistate outbreak of E. coli and Salmonella; Wisconsin reported 17 illnesses (one hospitalized) and Minnesota reported 23, with officials urging symptom monitoring and medical contact if illness worsens. School Health: New research highlights that stricter cell phone rules in classrooms can improve student mental health and teacher satisfaction, with Minnesota educators pushing for stronger limits as the school year starts. Rural Emergency Care: Fairview’s expanded mobile ECMO program is credited with saving a rural patient’s life after cardiac arrest, bringing specialized care to more Minnesotans when time is critical. Public Health & Prevention: Dakota County marked National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day, with Sheriff Joe Leko citing high overdose numbers and emphasizing addiction as a public health issue. Caregiving Planning: A webinar in South Dakota will explain an end-of-life and future caregiving planning program designed to help communities prepare legally and practically.

Food Safety Alert: Minnesota health officials say 23 people have been sickened by an outbreak traced to locally produced alfalfa sprouts sold under the Everything Sprouts and Calco brands, with two hospitalizations; the unusual part is that both salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) are showing up, and MDH/MDA advise people to discard any sprouts from those brands and watch for symptoms. Public Health Guidance: A mold and air quality expert urges Minnesotans to check outdoor air quality daily and limit exposure when pollution spikes, citing wildfire-smoke summers and links to respiratory and longer-term health risks. Health IT Spending: The VA raised the ceiling on its Oracle Health electronic health record modernization contract to nearly $27B as deployments continue, with only 14 of 164 medical centers switched so far. Care Access & Community Support: Otter Tail County commissioners reviewed progress on Family Resource Centers aimed at helping families stay healthy and successful, supported by Sauer Family Foundation grants. Veteran Homelessness: A HUD count shows veteran homelessness hit an all-time low in 2025, but 25 states still saw increases.

Air Quality & Health: A mold and air quality expert urges Minnesotans to check outdoor pollution daily and limit exposure indoors when air quality worsens, citing links to respiratory problems, inflammation, headaches, fatigue, and longer-term risks like heart disease and cancer. Domestic Violence Accountability: Families in multiple states, including Minnesota, are pushing “hidden homicide” laws that require extra scrutiny when deaths may be misclassified as suicides or accidents; bills have stalled over training and cost concerns. Cancer & Workplace Rights: Minnesota’s Department of Human Rights reached a settlement with Glacier Ice House in Brainerd after finding the company discriminated against and retaliated against an employee for taking disability leave for cancer; the worker will receive $115,000 and the company must improve policies and training. Dementia Prevention: A new study finds people with normal blood pressure, no diabetes, and no smoking lived about 13 years longer without dementia, supporting midlife risk-factor prevention. Diabetes Eye Research: A cross-sectional study links serum “meteorin-like” with OCTA measures in type 2 diabetic nonproliferative retinopathy, pointing to earlier detection signals. Public Safety (Crash): A head-on crash near Princeton killed one and injured three; alcohol is suspected. Local Housing & Health: Clare Housing marked nearly 40 years of housing support for people living with HIV/AIDS, highlighting how stable housing helps people manage health.

Outdoor Air Guidance: A mold and air quality expert urges Minnesotans to check outdoor pollution daily and limit time outside when air quality is elevated, noting smoke can worsen respiratory and cardiovascular issues and raise stress and anxiety. Hospital Wedding Moment: A Minnesota couple moved their wedding into the groom’s hospital room so his father—paralyzed after an ATV crash—could attend, highlighting how care settings can become part of family healing. FDA Leadership: President Trump nominated policy aide Heidi Overton to lead the FDA, a potential shift for drug and medical oversight after a period of major leadership churn. Crash Response: A MnDOT truck and an SUV collided on I-35 in Freeborn County; the MnDOT driver was taken to Mayo Clinic Health System with non-life-threatening injuries. Stroke Care Recognition: Aspirus hospitals across Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota earned American Heart Association “Get With The Guidelines” stroke awards for meeting evidence-based treatment standards. Mental Health Coverage: Medicaid psychotherapy spending rose sharply, with one analysis citing a 156% increase in core psychotherapy spending from 2018 to 2024. Nursing Home Labor Fight: A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit seeking to dissolve Minnesota’s nursing home labor standards board, a win for workers ahead of planned raises. Local Health & Safety: A 15-year-old was airlifted after a southern Minnesota dirt bike crash; officials said the teen was found unresponsive at the scene. Sports Medicine: Dallas Wings rookie Azzi Fudd will undergo right knee surgery and miss the rest of the season, a reminder of how injuries can quickly reshape health and performance plans.

Nursing Home Pay Raises: Minnesota’s Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board secured final federal approval for new minimum wages that take effect Sept. 10, with hourly floors rising to $22.50 for CNAs, $23.50 for trained medication aides, $27 for LPNs, and $19 for other workers (plus another $1.50 bump on Jan. 1), a major win for long-stalled staffing and retention efforts. Medicaid Fraud Crackdown: A former Minneapolis-area prosecutor, Andrea Leigh Sampson, faces 26 felony charges alleging she used shell companies to funnel profits from a Twin Cities sex-trafficking operation while billing Medicaid from a commercial sex house converted into assisted living. Public Health Data Fight: U.S. senators including Amy Klobuchar criticized the Trump administration’s push to access foreign health data as a condition for lifesaving aid, warning the terms could expose personal information. Childhood Vaccines: CDC data show vaccination rates continue to slip and exemptions keep climbing in the 2025-26 school year, raising concern for outbreaks. Air Quality Guidance: A mold and air quality expert urges Minnesotans to check outdoor pollution daily and reduce exposure during smoke-heavy stretches. Community Hospice Support: Rice County approved moving Faribault Area Hospice’s “Light Up a Life” memory tree to the courthouse lawn to expand visibility and help patients facing financial hardship.

Rural Healthcare Access: Sen. Amy Klobuchar is campaigning on a plan to protect rural Minnesota care by lowering costs and replacing expiring Affordable Care Tax Credits, warning that fewer primary-care visits and staffing shortages are pushing hospitals and clinics toward cuts or closure in places like Detroit Lakes. Hospital Experience Watch: A new national analysis ranks New York hospitals near the bottom for patient experience, using CMS survey scores—another reminder that “how patients feel” is a real quality signal. Environmental Health: An air-quality expert urges Minnesotans to check outdoor pollution daily and limit exposure during smoky or high-pollution days, citing links to respiratory, inflammatory, and longer-term health risks. Public Health & Policy: Minnesota’s SNAP changes under H.R. 1 could remove refugees, asylees, and some youth from benefits and add new work rules, with advocates warning of major pressure on food shelves. Medicaid Fraud: Minnesota AG Keith Ellison announced charges tied to an “outstanding refugee” award recipient accused of more than $1.5 million in Medicaid theft connected to alleged fabricated mental health services. Boundary Waters Protection: Gov. Tim Walz issued an executive order pausing state permitting and review for nonferrous mining in the Rainy River Headwaters watershed while litigation plays out.

Student Mental Health: Brainerd and St. Cloud schools are expanding how they spot risk and route students to help, including anonymous reporting and crisis teams, with 9-8-8 for immediate support. Community Well-Being: A Minnesota professor weighs in on the “August blues,” describing a common end-of-summer mix of anxiety and sadness that isn’t a formal diagnosis. Public Health Support: Waseca County WIC is promoting breastfeeding support during National Breastfeeding Month, highlighting education, extra foods, and lactation help. Lead Pipe Deadline Pressure: Minnesota’s lead pipe replacement is free for residents, but funding is set to expire after 2027, raising concerns about how quickly cities can finish projects. Healthcare Fraud & Exploitation: Minnesota Medicaid fraud charges tie a St. Paul man to alleged autism and adult mental health billing schemes linked to a sex trafficking operation. Outdoor Air Safety: A mold and air quality expert urges Minnesotans to check outdoor pollution daily and reduce exposure during high-alert days. Tobacco Prevention: Byron Public Schools is pushing Olmsted County to ban flavored tobacco sales to curb youth vaping and nicotine addiction. Care Access in Remote Areas: The Coast Guard airlifted two Isle Royale patients after medical emergencies, transferring them to higher-level care.

Outdoor Air Health: A mold and air quality expert urges Minnesotans to check outdoor pollution daily and limit exposure indoors when air quality is poor, noting wildfire smoke can worsen respiratory and other health effects. Healthy Aging Month: University of Minnesota Extension is offering 30+ free September webinars on aging well, including brain health, nutrition and food safety, physical safety, and fraud protection. Rural Health & Dementia: Georgia Today highlights rural healthcare challenges and a new dementia memory program, underscoring how access gaps shape outcomes. Measles Watch (WI): Wisconsin health officials report 15 confirmed measles cases plus 6 probable, with local spread suspected; they stress MMR vaccination as the key prevention step. Hospital Leadership (MN): Essentia Health names Jason Craig executive vice president of administration and operations, aiming to strengthen access to care across Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. Policy & Coverage (MN): Sen. Amy Klobuchar pitches a Minnesota state tax credit to replace expiring federal health insurance subsidies, targeting premium increases for about 90,000 people. Sports Medicine (MN): Vikings safety Jamal Adams is out for the season after a torn quadriceps tendon, with the team planning for him to stay involved while he recovers.

Rural Health & Costs: Gov. candidate Amy Klobuchar toured Cloquet’s Community Memorial Hospital and laid out a healthcare plan focused on lowering out-of-pocket costs and premiums, protecting rural access, and expanding the healthcare workforce. Lead in Drinking Water: Minneapolis is replacing lead service lines house-by-house, but federal and state funding for lead pipe removal is set to expire after 2027, forcing tough neighborhood-by-neighborhood choices. Outdoor Air Safety: A mold and air quality expert urged Minnesotans to check outdoor pollution daily and limit exposure when air quality is poor—especially during wildfire-smoke season. Sports Medicine Access: Essentia Health is offering free high school sports physicals in Brainerd and Staples, with forms available through MSHSL. Public Health Research: A Mayo Clinic study found psychiatric conditions are common early in MOGAD, with depression, anxiety, and ADHD often appearing within the first year after neurologic onset. Injury & Concussion Monitoring: Coverage around NFL concussion checks continues after Giants QB Jaxson Dart said he’s “puzzled” by repeated medical-tent evaluations. Environmental Health for Workers: Research highlights how hotter temperatures can increase farmworkers’ pesticide exposure and risk of poisoning. Animal Health Alert: Minnesota confirmed its first 2026 West Nile virus case in a Polk County horse, with officials stressing vaccination and mosquito prevention. Community Health & Caregiving Policy: Wisconsin’s AB598 would allow patient representatives to help with nursing facility admissions without guardianship petitions.

Air Quality Guidance: A mold and air quality expert urged Minnesotans to check outdoor pollution daily and limit exposure indoors during smoke-heavy stretches, citing links to respiratory, heart, and longer-term health risks. Public Health & Environment: Researchers and local leaders are weighing how wake-surfing and wakeboarding can worsen shoreline erosion and water quality, especially in shallow Minnesota waters, with some states using designated “wakesports zones.” Workplace Health Costs: UI Health Care in Iowa City raised employee parking rates, prompting a petition from staff who say the out-of-pocket burden is unfair. Sports Medicine Legacy: Former MLB pitcher Tommy John, whose elbow surgery became a widely used treatment, died at 83—another reminder of how medical breakthroughs can reshape care. Injury & Safety: Vikings linebacker Jamal Adams left a preseason game with a serious knee injury, while Giants QB Jaxson Dart said he’s “puzzled” by repeated concussion checks. Community Health Access: A Minnesota couple’s nonprofit is providing resources for kids with disabilities in Africa. Food Safety: Salmonella-related recalls expanded for jalapeños, with FDA risk-level updates.

Outdoor Air Guidance: A mold and air quality expert urges Minnesotans to check daily pollution readings and limit exposure indoors during spikes, citing wildfire-smoke health risks from headaches and fatigue to longer-term heart and cancer concerns. Disability & Long-Term Care Costs: New reporting highlights how disabled Americans fear a return to institutions as federal protections fade, while long-term care costs keep rising—pushing families toward impossible tradeoffs. Food Safety & Outbreak Response: Coverage of the Chipotle salmonella investigation shows how the chain traced illness to jalapeños and moved fast with recalls, underscoring the growing role of rapid private tracing alongside public health agencies. Healthcare Policy in Minnesota: Minnesota lawmakers weigh bills affecting patient representation in nursing facility admissions and healthcare premium relief efforts. Local Health & Safety: A guidance piece on composting in August also points to practical wellness habits tied to safer home routines. Sports Medicine Watch: Vikings preseason injuries and concussion protocol scrutiny keep attention on player health monitoring, including Jamal Adams’ knee injury and QB Jaxson Dart’s repeated concussion checks.