AGP Executive Report

Ag Health & Safety: A new review links pesticide exposure during pregnancy and early childhood to higher risks of childhood leukemia and brain tumors, with the strongest signals around prenatal exposure. Transportation & Construction: NDOT and Werner Construction will hold a June 24 public meeting in Bridgeport (4-6 p.m.) on upcoming highway work, with traffic maintained via temporary lane closures and a 12-foot width restriction; in the short term, I-80 near Cozad reopened after a crash briefly blocked lanes. Food & Manufacturing: JBS says it will close two U.S. facilities—one in Pennsylvania and a value-added plant in Memphis—citing modernization and competitiveness as beef consumption shifts. Higher Ed Costs: University of Nebraska regents are considering tuition increases for 2026-27, including a proposed 4% range for many programs. Nebraska Livestock: New World screwworm has been confirmed in North America, raising fresh concerns for Nebraska livestock producers. Local Development: Bennington City Council approved multiple development and infrastructure items, including a redevelopment plan tied to Prairie Ridge Townhomes. Public Safety: Nebraska State Patrol reports 65 impaired-driving arrests during the “Make It Click” campaign.

University of Nebraska Tuition: The NU Board of Regents is weighing another tuition hike—about 4% for many programs—adding roughly $22 million systemwide, with resident undergrads up $12 per credit hour and nonresidents up $40. Wildfire & Roads: The South Fork Fire near Crawford is at 42% containment, and Highway 20 has reopened as crews keep working steep, fuel-heavy terrain. Beef Processing Shakeup: JBS says it will close two beef facilities (including a Pennsylvania plant), a move already rattling cattle markets and raising fresh concerns about packing capacity. Livestock Health & Forage Pressure: Nebraska producers are dealing with drought-stressed grass and looming feed shortages, while screwworm risk and fly pressure keep herd management front and center. Cattle Industry Policy: Nebraska’s Brand Committee is set to operate under new rules after legislative changes, including a reworked board and updated fee structure for registered feedlots. Public Safety Campaign: Nebraska State Patrol reports 65 impaired-driving arrests during the “Make It Click” campaign, plus thousands of other traffic citations. Consumer/Tech Regulation: State AGs are backing Nebraska’s parental consent law for social media accounts, arguing it’s a consumer-protection measure as a federal court fight continues. Health Alerts: Nebraska extended harmful algal bloom warnings for Iron Horse Trail Lake and Rockford Lake, keeping swimming beaches closed and urging caution.

Wildfire Response: The South Fork Fire in Nebraska’s panhandle hit about 28,878 acres with 45% containment as crews improved firelines and Highway 20 reopened, though winds pushed growth in rugged terrain. Emergency Comms: A separate Cottonwood Fire report says spotty radios and weak cell service in canyons and open range slowed coordination, with leaders calling for better tools and funding. Meatpacking Shake-Up: JBS announced it will close two U.S. facilities—a beef plant in Souderton, Pennsylvania and a value-added plant in Memphis—saying output will shift to other sites, adding to ongoing capacity and labor pressure in the sector. Livestock Markets: Cattle futures slid on plant-closure worries, with traders expecting more shutdowns as cattle numbers stay tight. Ag & Water: The Bow Creek Watershed Project plans a Hartington field day focused on summer forages and small grains, while Nebraska issued harmful algal bloom alerts for Iron Horse Trail Lake and extended the alert for Rockford Lake. Local Business/Community: Grandel’s Roofing & Construction donated a new roof to a North Platte couple after insurance wouldn’t cover replacement. Policy & Industry Governance: Nebraska’s Brand Committee changes take effect July 17, expanding board seats and adjusting feedlot fee rules. Health Compliance: A roundup of False Claims Act settlements highlights recurring compliance problems across healthcare fraud cases. Politics: Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn filed about 12,700 signatures to get on Nebraska’s Nov. ballot.

Meatpacking shake-up: JBS says it will permanently close a beef plant in Souderton, Pa., and a value-added facility in Memphis, adding to recent capacity and labor turbulence that’s already hit Nebraska with Tyson’s Lexington closure and other industry disruptions. Agribusiness safety & workforce: A Kansas Highway Patrol report details a fatal collision involving a Rogator sprayer and a Union Pacific train, underscoring the risks around farm equipment and rail crossings. Rural emergency response: Nebraska’s Cottonwood Fire exposed communication gaps in rugged terrain, with spotty radio and cellphone service complicating coordination among agencies. Livestock policy spotlight: R-CALF USA’s June 16-18 convention in Rapid City lines up speakers including DOJ antitrust leadership and meat-industry voices, with a focus on competition, food security, and independent producer futures. Education & affordability: The University of Nebraska Board of Regents will consider a 4.25% tuition increase June 18 as it balances inflation pressures with scholarship support. Energy & infrastructure: A North Omaha town hall pushed for data-center transparency rules, citing power and water reporting needs as Nebraska lawmakers move to regulate the fast-growing sector. Local business: Lincoln’s Zipline Brewing is closing its brewing operations and taproom while keeping its restaurant business running. Health policy: Final Medicaid work-rule guidance is out, with states scrambling to enforce requirements without losing coverage for eligible Nebraskans and others.

Agribusiness & Research: Nebraska’s Game and Parks is expanding its Open Fields and Waters Program, paying landowners for public hunting and fishing access—often tied to CRP, wetland easements, and grassland habitat upgrades. Crop & Farm Economy: UNL’s Henry J. Stumpf Wheat Research Center will host a free field day and shortened Wheat Variety Tour June 16, with updates on wheat varieties, pea trials, cover crops, and pest/disease management. Public Safety & Local Traffic: Nebraska State Patrol is stepping up impaired and distracted-driving enforcement for the Savannah Bananas weekend in Lincoln, while NDOT and the City of Lincoln push drivers to use Nebraska 511 and plan around Omaha construction and closures. Rural Broadband: A Washington Post report says Starlink raised prices for rural Nebraska customers, with advocates warning the company has limited competition to pressure users. Legal/Health Policy: Employer groups urged the 8th Circuit to revisit class certification in a Compass Group ERISA case tied to tobacco-use health plan surcharges. Community & Workforce: Women in Manufacturing Nebraska launched a first-of-its-kind girls STEM welding camp at Metro Community College, aiming to build confidence and interest in skilled trades.

Rural Broadband Pressure: A Washington Post report says Starlink is raising prices for rural Nebraska customers, with one former state senator facing a 44% jump—raising concerns that limited alternatives let providers “raise prices at will.” Public Health & Quarantine: UNMC/Nebraska Medicine says two more passengers from the MV Hondius hantavirus quarantine in Omaha have left for home states, with remaining monitoring continuing under CDC guidance. Severe Weather Disrupts Power: Early Thursday storms hit eastern Nebraska and western Iowa, knocking out thousands of customers (including major outages in Omaha metro and Council Bluffs) and bringing hail, damaging winds, and tornado warnings. Road & Event Planning: NDOT urges drivers heading to the Men’s College World Series to use Nebraska 511 and expect construction delays into Omaha. Agriculture Outlook: USDA reports the U.S. winter wheat crop is shrinking to the smallest in decades, with production down sharply year over year. Education Costs: UN regents will consider a 4.25% tuition increase at their June 18 meeting. Defense Investment: Sen. Deb Fischer secured major FY27 NDAA funding tied to Offutt Air Force Base and STRATCOM.

Drought Support for Nebraska Producers: USDA is stepping in as drought stretches across nearly all of Nebraska, with a June 23 webinar offering technical and financial help for affected farmers and ranchers. Biofuels Innovation: A Nebraska startup, MTE Biotech, is developing enzyme-based tech to help ethanol and biodiesel plants pull more value from crop byproducts. Ag Safety & Risk: A new review links pesticide exposure during pregnancy and early childhood to higher risks of childhood leukemia and brain tumors, raising fresh concerns for farm and home pesticide practices. Public Health Accountability: Nebraska is among states in a $4.87M multistate GS Labs COVID test settlement over alleged overcharging and delayed results. Transportation Tech & Safety: NDOT is installing ITS cameras across District 4, while the State Patrol says it removed 65 impaired drivers during the “Make It Click” campaign. Road Work Updates: NDOT crews begin Highway 6 work in Waverly June 22, and a micro-surfacing project is underway near Chambers. Local Business & Growth: Creighton’s new Omaha baseball practice field opens with a state grant, and a Crofton gymnastics program is holding a grand reopening after a fire.

Consumer Protection: Nebraska AG Mike Hilgers announced a $4.87M multistate settlement with GS Labs over overpriced and delayed COVID-19 tests, including restitution and reimbursement for Nebraskans. Public Safety: Nebraska State Patrol arrested 65 impaired drivers during the “Make It Click” campaign (May 15–June 1) and issued 1,616 speeding citations, plus seat belt and open container tickets. Ag & Rural Education: Nebraska Agriculture in the Classroom recognized educators statewide, while Custer County hosted youth animal quality assurance training to strengthen food safety and animal welfare skills. Workforce & Business Growth: Gov. Jim Pillen opened registration for the 2026 Governor’s Summit (Sept. 28–29 in Kearney), with tracks on workforce, healthcare, and feeding/fueling Nebraska’s ag and manufacturing future. Research & Innovation: UNL plant science leader Edgar Cahoon was elected to the National Academy of Sciences, highlighting Nebraska’s plant biotech impact. Energy & Infrastructure: Black Hills Corp. updated progress on a 1.8-gigawatt Cheyenne data center project, targeting early 2028 service. Local Industry Spotlight: A field pea plot tour is set for June 23 at the Haskell Ag Lab near Concord, featuring variety trials and agronomic research.

Wildfire Recovery for Nebraska Producers: Gov. Jim Pillen asked USDA for a Secretarial Disaster Designation for Garden, Grant, Lincoln and Morrill counties after March-April fires burned through more than 850,000 acres, damaging pasture and power infrastructure and worsening feed shortages for cow-calf operations. Farm Costs Under Pressure: A Reuters report links the Iran war to record diesel prices in the Midwest, squeezing corn and soybean growers already dealing with tight margins. Water Watch: Nebraska issued a Harmful Algal Bloom health alert for Rockford Lake in Gage County after microcystin levels exceeded thresholds; swimming beaches are closed while boating and fishing continue with caution. Local Governance & Mobility: Broken Bow advanced an e-bike ordinance after community concerns about speeding and near misses, with the measure moving through required readings. Public Health Recall: FDA/CDC say a Salmonella outbreak tied to moringa supplements has expanded to 119 cases across 36 states, prompting expanded recalls. Rural Community Spotlight: Omaha’s inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 drew thousands through the metro, including Bennington, boosting local visibility for the endurance event. Energy & Infrastructure Oversight: A Colorado judge partially blocked a federal approval for a Nebraska Sandhills transmission line, citing missed cultural and environmental consultations. Health Care Leadership: Box Butte General Hospital named Gabriel Behling as its new CEO, effective June 4. Consumer Protection: Nebraska continues urging residents to check NebraskaLostCash.gov for unclaimed property. Agriculture Research & Water Quality: LENRD discussed a vadose zone study aimed at tracking nutrient and water movement underground under different farming practices.

Rural Safety & Rail Crossings: A Kansas Highway Patrol report says a Rogator sprayer driver failed to stop at a stop sign and yield to a Union Pacific train near Marysville, Kansas; the driver, Ryan S. Friedrichs, died at the scene and two train conductors were seriously injured. Healthcare Leadership: Box Butte General Hospital named Gabriel Behling as its new CEO, effective June 4, following an interim period led by Dr. Brian Shelmadine. Dairy Growth: Nebraska leaders marked National Dairy Month in Lincoln, pointing to new processing capacity—like a Seward-area plant under construction—as a path to keep more value-added production in-state. Public Health Update: UNMC says three hantavirus-exposed cruise passengers have left Omaha for home states, but will stay under local/state monitoring for two more weeks. Ag Policy & Food Access: Nebraska’s state auditor raised concerns that WIC benefits may be reaching some higher-income households, while DHHS says some cases may be technically legal under federal eligibility rules. Skilled Workforce: The Legislature passed LB 748 to expand NEST 529 uses for post-secondary credentials and certifications, including trades like welding, manufacturing, HVAC, CDL training, and more. Broadband Accountability: FCC notices say multiple Rural Digital Opportunity Fund providers defaulted on commitments, triggering repayment or potential letters of credit action. Infrastructure: Lincoln Airport kicked off a roughly $100 million runway 18/36 reconstruction to support commercial, military, and emergency operations.

Energy Policy: Gov. Jim Pillen signed LB1261, clearing the way for large private energy projects (1,000+ MW) to build their own generation facilities if they secure a power purchase agreement with local public power and get approval from the Nebraska Power Review Board. Ag Tech & Data Privacy: Nebraska agriculture leaders celebrated LB 525, the first-in-the-nation law setting rules to protect farmers’ and ranchers’ agricultural data, including limits on unauthorized sales and security standards. Local Infrastructure: Bridge reconstruction is underway on I-80 near Odessa, with lane closures starting immediately and work expected to run through February 2027. Water & Wastewater Funding: EPA approved a $40 million WIFIA loan for South Sioux City’s wastewater treatment expansion, aiming to cut operating costs and reduce rate pressure while keeping wastewater local. Workforce/Compliance: Federal agencies proposed requiring E-Verify for recipients of federal grants, with public comments due July 13. Business & Competition: Nebraska AG Ford joined a coalition filing an amicus brief in the Meta antitrust case. Public Safety: Nebraska officials warned about possible human trafficking risks tied to CWS crowds in Omaha. Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports Nebraska gasoline averaging $3.97, down 11.2 cents week over week.

Rural Health & Drugs: Civica Rural Hospital Program is launching with a $3.2 million grant to help rural hospitals pool purchasing power for cheaper generics, aiming to reduce drug shortages that hit small providers hardest. Water Infrastructure: EPA approved a $40 million WIFIA loan for South Sioux City’s wastewater expansion, boosting local treatment capacity and cutting long-term operating costs while protecting the Missouri River. Ag Data Privacy: Nebraska leaders celebrated passage of LB 525, a first-in-the-nation law that defines agricultural data and makes farmers and ranchers the owners, with limits on unauthorized sales and added security standards. Livestock & Workforce: UNL’s Nebraska Elite 11 Veterinarian Program selected 21 students for a new cohort focused on growing food-animal vets to support rural communities and food security. Rural Connectivity: Sen. Pete Ricketts pushed an “AM Radio for Every Vehicle” push to keep emergency, weather, and market info available to rural Nebraska. Local Business Leadership: Joseph Young was tapped to lead the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry in mid-July after recent leadership turnover. Energy & Costs: Gas prices continue to cool in Nebraska, with multiple county-level lows reported by GasBuddy as summer travel ramps up.

Ag Data Privacy: Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen and ag leaders celebrated passage of LB 525, a first-of-its-kind law that sets rules for collecting, processing, and using agricultural data to protect farmer and rancher privacy. Local Governance: Lincoln County commissioners are set to revisit a possible moratorium on data center development, citing concerns that current zoning may not adequately protect water, electricity, and public safety. Energy Costs: Gas prices remain a strain for summer plans, with AAA reporting regular fuel up sharply year-over-year and ethanol-free options costing even more—an added hit for boaters and other fuel-sensitive users. Food Inflation: A new inflation wave is expected to reach grocery stores as weather, tariffs, and a tighter cattle supply push food prices higher into 2027. Water Security: Farmers are sounding alarms as major underground aquifers are depleted faster than they can recharge, raising big questions about irrigation’s future—especially across the Great Plains. Livestock Policy: Congress is weighing changes that could roll back state animal welfare rules tied to the federal farm bill, setting up a new fight over how states regulate livestock practices.

Nebraska Ag Policy: Gov. Jim Pillen and ag leaders celebrated passage of LB 525, a first-in-the-nation law setting rules to protect farmers’ and ranchers’ agricultural data—covering how it’s collected, processed, and used. Tribal Energy Fight: Nine Native tribes in South Dakota, North Dakota and Nebraska sued to stop exploratory graphite drilling near a sacred Black Hills meadow, arguing federal agencies violated law and that the project threatens wildlife. Energy Tech Watch: The U.S. Energy Department says a private advanced nuclear microreactor hit “criticality” at Idaho National Lab, a step toward generating electricity. Fuel Costs: Gas prices in Nebraska continue to cool in recent reporting, with county-by-county lows noted for regular, premium, diesel and E85. Industry & Labor Pressure: A new push to meet bigger EPA renewable diesel/biodiesel blending targets is forcing producers to ramp up capacity fast. Local Business/Community: A $4M Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka grant program opens for Native housing projects in Nebraska and three other states.

Ag Data Privacy: Gov. Jim Pillen and ag leaders celebrated passage of LB 525, a first-in-the-nation Nebraska law that sets rules for collecting, processing, and using farm and ranch agricultural data to better protect farmers’ privacy. Energy & Industry: The U.S. Energy Department says a small advanced nuclear microreactor at Idaho National Lab hit “criticality,” a milestone that could lead to electricity generation in the next few years. Biofuels Mandates: U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel producers are ramping up to meet EPA Renewable Volume Obligations for 2026-27, with the mandate jumping sharply from 2025 and plants needing to run near full capacity. Beef Supply Shock: A New World screwworm case has helped keep Mexican cattle out of the U.S., tightening beef supplies and squeezing feedlots and processors, with ripple effects for jobs and prices. Local Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reported the lowest Douglas County premium gas at $4.39 (week ending May 30), while Butler County regular hit $3.89 and diesel hit $4.99. Housing Finance: Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka opened a $4M Native housing grant program for tribes in Nebraska and three other states, with applications due July 10.

Native Housing Funding: Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka opened a $4M Native American Housing Initiatives Grants Program, with tribes and tribally designated housing entities in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma eligible for up to $500,000 each for construction, rehab and community development; applications run through July 10. Aviation & Runway Upgrade: Lincoln Airport is moving ahead with a $100M reconstruction of its 18/36 runway to support civilian travel, trade and military missions. Water Infrastructure: South Sioux City won a $40M EPA WIFIA loan to expand its wastewater treatment plant, aiming to cut financing costs and avoid steep sewer bill hikes. Energy & Nuclear: The U.S. Energy Department says an advanced microreactor at Idaho National Lab reached “criticality,” a milestone that could lead to electricity production within years. Agriculture & Livestock Risk: A new world screwworm case in Texas is reshaping cattle supply and beef market expectations, with ripple effects for feedlots and prices. Fuel Costs & Summer Travel: Gas prices remain a planning factor for boaters and drivers, with ethanol-free fuel often costing more and E15 deals showing localized price swings in Nebraska.