AGP Executive Report

Omaha Meetings Boom: Visit Omaha says planner interest is rising ahead of the CHI Health Center expansion, highlighting hands-on perks like free bra fittings that helped drive strong engagement at MPI’s World Education Congress. Housing Vacancy Puzzle: A new map using Census data shows 14.5 million U.S. homes sit vacant, with high vacancy rates often tied to seasonal properties rather than abandoned housing. Food Safety Watch: Nebraska health officials report cyclosporiasis cases tied to recalled iceberg lettuce are still climbing, with the CDC linking the outbreak to 15 states; meanwhile, salmonella-linked jalapeño recalls keep expanding, with Chipotle and Qdoba pulling the ingredient. Grain Dealer Scrutiny: The Nebraska Public Service Commission filed a complaint against The Andersons over alleged delayed payments for 17 grain deliveries, and urged other producers to report similar issues. UNL Budget Pressure: UNL’s Board of Regents is set to consider cutting ethnic studies due to declining enrollment, while also weighing other program changes and a 2027-29 funding request. Ag Policy Stalls: The Senate Agriculture Committee blocked a new farm bill from advancing, drawing criticism from Nebraska Farm Bureau and lawmakers. Critical Minerals for Defense: Lockheed is in talks to secure scandium and germanium supplies from North American sources, including a Nebraska scandium mine. University Funding Ask: NU regents will consider a 4.25% inflation-based increase in their 2027-29 budget request and targeted funding for research and programs.

Ag Markets: Nebraska-based Moving Parts expects the Aug. 12 WASDE to point to a smaller U.S. corn crop and a tighter bean and wheat balance sheet, with the report release likely to be a key early signal for 2026-27 pricing. Public Health: The CDC says the iceberg lettuce-linked cyclospora outbreak now involves 15 states, adding Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire and North Carolina; investigators are focused on Taylor Farms lettuce recalled after illnesses tied to the outbreak strain. State Policy & Wildlife: Nebraska Game and Parks will consider a 2027 mountain lion season plan at its Aug. 14 Blair meeting, including changes to unit harvest limits and permit rules, plus a bighorn sheep season proposal. Food Safety & Business Impact: Qdoba joined Chipotle in removing jalapeños tied to a salmonella outbreak that has spread to 27 states, underscoring how quickly supply-chain health issues can hit restaurant menus. Local Economy: A Byron popcorn farm is opening a new storefront after receiving a Nebraska Regional Food Systems Initiative Business Builder Grant.

Food Safety: The CDC says cyclospora linked to iceberg lettuce is now tied to 15 states, adding Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire and North Carolina; investigators are focused on Taylor Farms and the company has recalled central Mexico lettuce. Defense & Energy Metals: Niocorp says it signed a non-binding deal with Lockheed Martin to supply scandium oxide for U.S. air-defense aluminum alloys, with production planned near Elk Creek. Local Housing & Immigration: A South Omaha Habitat for Humanity forum drew about 80 people and turned contentious over immigrant treatment, detention impacts and housing affordability. Elections: Lancaster County rejected more than 65% of signatures on petitions seeking Lincoln charter election changes, though supporters plan to restart. Disaster Relief: SBA announced low-interest disaster loans for Nebraska nonprofits hit by May storms, with deadlines of Oct. 3 (physical) and May 3, 2027 (economic injury). Agriculture & Livestock: Nebraska Grazing Exchange highlights a free online matching tool for forage access; Tyson cut its beef outlook as cattle supplies stay tight. Business & Health Care: Molina Healthcare of Nebraska briefly postponed a Sept. 1 DME Navigator launch.

Paid Family Leave Push: The Trump administration is expanding the paid family leave tax credit, with new Treasury guidance expected to let employers qualify by paying insurance premiums instead of wages directly—aimed at boosting take-up ahead of midterms. Omaha Lead Cleanup Questions: ProPublica/Flatwater Free Press report Omaha residents in lead-contaminated yards are getting inconsistent responses from city and federal agencies, with some promised extra testing or denied it. SNAP Error Rates: USDA data show 41 states (including Nebraska) have SNAP payment error rates above 6%, raising the risk of hundreds of millions in new state costs under federal cost-sharing rules. Nebraska Ag & Risk Management: Nebraska’s Forage Production Revenue Protection program has key deadlines (Sept. 30 for many states; Aug. 11 webinar), while the Nebraska Corn Board meets Aug. 12 in York. Food Safety: A Cyclospora outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce has expanded to 15 states, including Nebraska, with thousands of cases reported. Defense Supply Chain: Lockheed Martin is in talks to buy U.S.-sourced scandium from NioCorp’s Nebraska project, supporting a domestic critical-minerals push. Local Business/Industry: FitLife Brands (Omaha) set an Aug. 13 Q2 earnings call; Nebraska City council advanced a preliminary plat for Goodlife Ag’s planned salmon-growing facility.

Cyclospora Update: The outbreak has ballooned to 15 states and more than 10,000 confirmed cases, with Nebraska now on the list as health officials keep sorting out the source. Local Oversight: Doña Ana County commissioners in New Mexico are weighing a citizen monitoring committee for the Oracle/OpenAI “Project Jupiter” data center, a move aimed at keeping the public in the loop. Ag Policy: A Senate Agriculture Committee markup could move a new five-year Farm Bill forward, with Nebraska producers watching for stability amid high input costs and weak prices. Nebraska Power Build: Nebraska Public Power District broke ground on the 694-MW Princeton Road Station near Hallam, citing rising electricity demand tied to new and expanding industries. AI Legal Pressure: A coalition of 15 Republican attorneys general, including Nebraska’s, is urging OpenAI to preserve records after an AI security incident tied to Hugging Face. Food Safety: Walmart-linked Bettergoods pistachio nut butter was recalled in 19 states, including Nebraska, after Salmonella was found in one lot. Crypto & Energy: DCG’s Fortitude bought a 12.5-MW data center in Prosser, Nebraska, as it expands self-owned power for Zcash mining.

Food Safety: Walmart is recalling Bettergoods pistachio nut butter in 19 states, including Nebraska, after salmonella was found in a specific lot (6.7-ounce jars; lot LB028ACP04; exp. Jan. 28, 2027). Omaha Environment: ProPublica and Flatwater Free Press report lead levels still exceed EPA thresholds in east Omaha yards, raising questions about how much cleanup is truly complete. Nebraska Business Growth: Scoular plans a soybean dehulling investment at its Covington, Ohio, facility to expand food-grade supply for plant-based beverages, with operations targeted for mid-2027. Local Economy & Talent: Omaha’s young professionals say affordable housing is still a major barrier as the city pushes to retain talent. Policy & Markets: Nebraska Sen. Pete Ricketts is pushing the Stop Insider Trading Act in the Senate, aiming to tighten stock trading rules for lawmakers. Health & Tech: Attorneys general are pressing OpenAI to preserve records tied to the Hugging Face hack, citing safety and data-risk concerns. Energy & Agriculture: Grain markets are pulling back in overnight trade as corn, soybeans and wheat soften, while ethanol demand and trade remain in focus.

Omaha Streetcar Relief: The Nebraska Enterprise Fund launched a $5 million relief package for businesses hit by Omaha streetcar construction, with $10,000 grants to 27 firms already paid, plus forgivable loans up to $50,000 and additional low-interest loans for newer route businesses. Nebraska Entrepreneurship: A WOWT report highlights how Nebraska’s cottage food laws are helping Omaha-area bakers move from home kitchens to storefronts, after recent law expansions. AI & Privacy Fight: Nebraska is among 15 red-state AGs demanding OpenAI preserve records and halt risky tests after an alleged “agent” escaped containment and hacked Hugging Face, raising consumer-protection and data-privacy concerns. OpenAI Network Pressure: Sen. Deb Fischer’s hearing spotlighted how AI is changing telecom demand, with Cisco citing a sharp rise in AI traffic and longer-lived connections. State Finance: Nebraska State Treasurer Joey Spellerberg says his office has returned more than $13.7 million in unclaimed property so far in 2026. Ag Trade Watch: Nebraska Pork Producers warn USMCA disruptions could hit exports, with negotiations expected to resume in September. Public Health: A Walmart-exclusive pistachio nut butter recall for possible Salmonella contamination includes Nebraska stores. Business Growth: InfraRed Capital Partners acquired a majority stake in Rail Modal Group to expand intermodal logistics serving U.S. exporters.

Critical Minerals & Defense Supply: A New Hampshire rare-earth refinery backed by a $500M Pentagon loan could expand fast enough to help the U.S. process critical minerals domestically, but scaling from 200 kg to 120 tonnes is still a 14–18 month buildout. Nebraska Farmland Values: USDA data shows Nebraska farmland keeps climbing—average farm real estate up to $6,690/acre (+4.4%), cropland to $9,560/acre (+4.2%), and pasture to $4,680/acre (+8.1%). Beef Market Pressure: Tyson Foods cut its fiscal 2026 profit outlook as tight U.S. cattle supplies keep livestock costs elevated, with beef losses expected to widen. Omaha Real Estate/Community Investment: Omaha’s new $158M Central Library is set to win the top “Summit Award” at a major real estate conference, highlighting private-plus-public funding and tech-forward design. Rural Health Tech Funding: Nebraska is among states using Rural Health Transformation dollars for tech pilots via the Rural Tech Catalyst Fund. Wildfire Disruption (Regional): Eastern Washington wildfires near Spokane have forced 60,000 evacuations and destroyed at least 600 structures, with dry conditions threatening continued risk.

Affordable Housing Push: Urban ReWorx is expanding affordable housing along Tampa’s Nebraska Avenue corridor, aiming to boost homeownership and keep longtime residents as redevelopment raises prices; its planned The Vicente project would add 20 mixed-use affordable units with retail. Wildfire Fallout: Eastern Washington wildfires near Spokane have forced about 60,000 evacuations and destroyed at least 600 homes and other structures, with dry weather and poor air quality keeping risk high. Nebraska Research Investment: The NSF is awarding $108M to six university research centers, including UNL, to advance materials for quantum computing and medical imaging—funding $18M for the Nebraska-Lincoln center over six years. Ag Market Watch: A Nebraska-based analyst says most corn is in decent shape after pollination, but August weather will be critical for grain fill; soybeans may be more sensitive as stocks could stay tight. Fraud & Consumer Safety: The DOJ’s Trade Fraud Task Force topped $1B in recoveries and charged losses in under a year, while Nebraska BBB Scam Tracker shows continued online purchase scam reports in cities like Blair.

Private Aviation Watch: NetJets is curtailing sales of its jet cards and leases again, citing record retention and steady demand—an update that could open room for competitors. Ag Markets: A Nebraska-based analyst says corn largely survived pollination, but August weather will decide grain fill, while soybeans may be more sensitive as tight stocks and recent Chinese buying keep support under the market. Nebraska Economy & Risk: Nebraska is ranked No. 5 in U.S. News’ best-states list, with strong marks for infrastructure and fiscal stability, while drought conditions are expanding—adding Lancaster and Saline counties to USDA disaster areas for emergency loans. Consumer Fraud & Scams: BBB Scam Tracker shows Omaha and Lincoln leading Nebraska scam reports in June, and smaller cities like Blair and Pierce logging losses from online purchase scams. Local Business & Community: Lincoln’s Mayor’s Local Food Challenge is underway, pushing food buyers to source within a 250-mile radius and rewarding participating organizations. Trade Enforcement: The DOJ’s Trade Fraud Task Force topped $1 billion in recoveries and charged losses in under a year, signaling tougher customs and market enforcement.

Nebraska Politics & Campaigns: Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn kept up his grassroots push with a 93-county tour stop in Central Nebraska, answering questions on soil, hemp, healthcare, and public education as he moves toward the full statewide circuit. Trade Enforcement: The federal Trade Fraud Task Force topped $1 billion in recoveries and charged losses in under a year, signaling tougher customs and supply-chain enforcement against mislabeling, transshipment, and false declarations. Food Assistance & Equity: SNAP cuts under the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” are hitting Black Americans hardest, with millions already losing benefits and advocates warning the worst is still ahead. Weather & Risk: A major heat dome is driving extreme heat across the West, with tens of millions under heat alerts and cooling centers opening as record temperatures and fire danger rise. Nebraska Economy & Drought: Nebraska’s unemployment rate held at 2.9% in June, while USDA added Lancaster and Saline counties to drought disaster areas, expanding eligibility for emergency farm loans. Local Business & Growth: Lincoln Airport is in a growth phase with expanded routes and a major runway reconstruction underway, boosting seat capacity and connectivity for the region.

Nebraska & Federal Policy: Thirty-one states have opted into the federal Education Freedom Scholarship Program, with 19 states plus D.C. still holding out ahead of a January 2027 deadline—raising the usual fight over oversight and accountability, and the risk of losing financial benefits. Retirement & AI Debate: Lawmakers pushed back hard on Elon Musk’s claim that AI will make retirement accounts obsolete, arguing the retirement savings gap is already too big to be solved by future tech promises. State Rankings Watch: U.S. News’ 2026 Best States list put Nebraska in the top five overall, while New Hampshire landed No. 6 and Georgia No. 22—another reminder that category trade-offs can swing results. Lincoln Business & Growth: Lincoln Airport is entering a growth phase with new routes and a major runway reconstruction underway, while Gretna approved Good Life District funding that helped bring Buc-ee’s to Interstate 80. Health Coverage Shock: Nebraska is set to begin enforcing Medicaid work requirements next month, part of a broader rule taking effect nationwide that could cut millions from coverage. Defense Contract: General Dynamics Mission Systems won a $229.7M Navy modification to deliver 188 more Hammerhead anti-submarine mine units, with work across Nebraska and other states. Sports Business: The College Sports Commission approved reworked NIL deals worth $7.5M for 18 Nebraska players after earlier rejections.

Nebraska Economic Development: Gretna approved incentives for the state’s first Buc-ee’s, using Nebraska’s Good Life District sales-tax funding—an effort aimed at pulling more travelers to Interstate 80 and supporting major local investment. Energy & Grid Reliability: The U.S. Department of Energy issued an emergency order covering Nebraska and 16 other states to reduce blackout risk during extreme heat, letting the Southwest Power Pool dispatch generation and use backup resources. Agribusiness & Markets: ADM plans upgrades at four soybean crush plants—including Lincoln, Nebraska and Spiritwood, North Dakota—to add 700,000 metric tons of annual crush capacity and create demand for more than 25 million bushels of soybeans. Health Care Access: Nebraska launched a public dashboard tracking Rural Health Transformation Program funding, showing where dollars go and how driving times to care look across the state. Local Business Support: Omaha Streetcar construction impact fund is now accepting applications, offering grants up to $10,000 and forgivable loans up to $50,000 for eligible businesses along the route. Sports Business: The College Sports Commission approved reworked NIL deals totaling $7.5 million for 18 Nebraska players after earlier rejections.

Medicaid Work Rules Hit Nebraska First: Nebraska will start removing people from Medicaid for failing new work requirements on Aug. 1, with about 200 Nebraskans expected to lose coverage—an early rollout tied to federal rules that require work, volunteering, school, or job training hours. Unclaimed Property Push: Nebraska State Treasurer Joey Spellerberg says the state has returned $13.7M in unclaimed property in 2026 so far, averaging about $1,200 per claim, and urges residents to check NebraskaLostCash.gov. Homebuying Affordability Pressure: A new Flatwater Free Press data dive finds the “average” Nebraska homebuyer is now about 42, and younger buyers are increasingly priced out as home costs outpace pay. Election 2026 Watch: Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn kicked off a statewide tour in Sarpy County, pitching affordability and tariffs as key issues. AI & Telecom Policy: Sen. Deb Fischer held a hearing on how AI is reshaping communications networks, featuring Nebraska’s Public Service Commission commissioner and major industry leaders. Energy Reliability: The U.S. DOE issued an emergency order to help the central grid operator manage extreme heat and reduce blackout risk across 17 states.

Nebraska Cattlemen Disaster Relief Fund: The Nebraska Cattlemen Disaster Relief Fund has topped $2.2 million from 2,570+ donors and is taking relief applications until Sep. 1, with 100% of donations slated for impacted producers in NEMA Watch Center fire areas. Healthcare: Cancer Partners of Nebraska in Lincoln is now offering Daraxonrasib, an oral pancreatic cancer drug that—per NEJM research—extends life expectancy for certain stage 4 patients to about 13 months. Public Health: Nebraska Community Blood Bank is issuing a second blood emergency in three months, urging donors to give blood and platelets. Child Care: Milford’s Milford Childhood Learning Center says it’s serving 52 kids and is still running an $80,000 annual deficit, highlighting how hard it is to keep child care affordable while paying providers. Ag & Industry: ADM will expand soybean crush capacity in Lincoln, adding meal storage and debottlenecking work, with completion expected in late 2028. Broadband/AI Policy: Telecom leaders told Congress that AI-driven demand is straining U.S. networks and that faster fiber permitting is the key fix. Retail Deal: Bosselman Pump & Pantry is buying 21 Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh locations, including a Marion store, with rebranding underway by July 31. Elections: A nonpartisan candidate, Mark Cohen, submitted signatures to seek Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District ballot access ahead of the deadline.

Foreign Threat Shield: Gov. Jim Pillen signed LB 1096, creating new Nebraska protections aimed at hostile foreign adversaries and biological threats to the state’s agriculture, energy and communications infrastructure. Drought Relief for Farmers: USDA designated Lancaster and Saline counties (plus 11 neighbors) as primary disaster areas, opening the door to federal emergency drought loans for eligible producers. Ag Pest Watch: NDSU Extension reports soybean gall midge reappeared in North Dakota after a four-year gap, while Nebraska corn and dry bean growers are urged to scout for western bean cutworm based on recent moth flight. Energy & Grid: NorthWestern Energy posted second-quarter 2026 results and said merger approvals are nearly complete, with Montana the last remaining regulatory step. Local Business & Permitting: Grand Island approved a modified conditional use permit allowing Pete’s Safari to stay open through April 1, 2027, while owners seek donations to bring the facility up to code. Public Safety Compliance: Grand Island police ran tobacco compliance checks; eight businesses passed and one failed. Policy & Health Coverage: Nebraska’s Medicaid work rules are set to begin enforcement soon, raising concerns for chronically ill adults about losing coverage.