AGP Executive Report

Nebraska Housing Watch: Zillow data shows Johnson County’s typical home value rose to $215,198 in August 2026 (+0.6% year over year), while Cedar County climbed to $245,991 (+11.8%), Kimball County to $170,752 (+4.3%), Dodge County to $247,297 (+3.4%), Hall County slipped to $257,145 (-1.3%), and Saunders County jumped to $361,200 (+4.7%), underscoring uneven local momentum across the state. Consumer & Finance: Nebraska’s attorney general Jay Jones announced a $694 million multistate settlement with subprime auto lender Credit Acceptance Corporation, including cash and debt relief plus new consumer protections tied to loan disclosures and dealer add-on practices. Local Infrastructure Planning: Lincoln County residents got an early look at a federally funded North Platte-area transportation study that could lead to bypasses, a potential new I-80 interchange, and an added evacuation route, with findings due in about 18 months. Health Access: Hy-Vee will run drive-thru flu shot clinics in September in Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota, with shots available without appointments and free with Medicare and most insurance. Business Climate & Workforce: Gov. Jim Pillen honored 31 Nebraska employers with the 2026 Governor’s Wellness Award, highlighting workplace programs aimed at improving employee physical, mental and financial well-being.

Community & Fundraising: Hastings residents tested teamwork at the United Way of South Central Nebraska Plane Pull, hauling a 1,600-pound plane as teams from local businesses and groups competed. Public Safety Funding: Black Hills Energy’s Funds for Firefighters program awarded $165,000 via 72 grants across seven states; Nebraska received $40,000 for 24 volunteer and combination fire departments, including gear, drones, and wildland firefighting equipment. State Economy: Nebraska’s combined tax revenues fell 7.4% in Q1 2026 vs. the prior quarter, totaling $1.8 billion, with sales/gross receipts and income taxes driving most collections. Housing Snapshot: Zillow data showed mixed county trends: Cedar County typical home value rose to $245,991 (+11.8%), while Hall County dipped to $257,145 (-1.3%) and Cherry County fell to $228,666 (-5.6%). Ag & Industry: CLAAS, based in Omaha, rolled out new Axion and Arion tractor lines for North America, targeting lower workload and higher productivity for producers. Policy & Health: FDA issued a Class II recall for hand soaps sold in 15 states due to possible bacterial contamination. Workforce & Education: A report warns Nebraska’s tribal colleges face widening funding pressure from federal cuts and limited philanthropy.

Nebraska Tourism & Jobs: Gov. Jim Pillen and Visit Nebraska highlighted that travel spending in Nebraska hit $4.72 billion in 2025, up 2.6%, supporting nearly 42,000 jobs and $339.5 million in state and local tax revenue. Housing Market: Zillow data shows Cherry County’s typical home value fell 5.6% to $228,666 in August 2026, still below state and national levels. Public Safety Tech: Lancaster County described how its automated license plate readers help investigators track vehicles and times of travel, including past cases tied to out-of-state suspects. AI Policy Debate: A Nebraska lawmaker and a UNO professor weighed in on AI safety concerns, pushing for more scrutiny before action. Healthcare & Consumer Protection: A coalition of states is pressing for stronger safeguards in health supply chains, while Abbott faces major baby formula penalties tied to alleged safety failures. Local Economy & Growth: UNO broke ground on a $67.5 million Omaha Mavericks athletics investment, including a new training center and clubhouse. Tribal Education Funding: A new report warns federal cutbacks are squeezing Nebraska’s tribal colleges, threatening long-term progress.

AI Policy Debate: UNO professor Victor Winter and Nebraska Rep. Mike Flood are pushing for a fact-finding look at AI safety after concerns that generative tools could become dangerous without safeguards. Tourism & Local Economy: Gov. Jim Pillen and Visit Nebraska highlighted 2025 tourism results, including $4.72B in tourism profit and $33.9M in taxes, as they tout travel’s ripple effects across Nebraska. Public Safety Tech: Lancaster County is using automated license plate readers to track vehicles by plate and time, with Sheriff Terry Wagner saying it boosts investigations. Healthcare Supply Chain: AG Steve Marshall joined a 20-state warning to Rubio about Chinese national-security risks tied to pharmaceutical supply chains, including counterfeit GLP-1 drugs. Consumer Protection: Nebraska joined 19 other states asking for tougher federal action against counterfeit GLP-1s, citing Chinese-sourced ingredients linked to fentanyl production. Education & Growth: UNO broke ground on a $67.5M Omaha Mavericks Athletics project, including the Howard L. Hawks Training Center and Maverick Park Clubhouse. Agriculture Markets: USDA data show tight cattle supplies, with August placements down sharply nationwide—Nebraska placements fell 14%—adding pressure to feedlot planning and pricing. Food Insecurity: Heartland United Way’s annual food drive delivered nearly 13,700 pounds to pantries and backpack programs as demand rises. Corporate Leadership: Warren Buffett stepped down as Berkshire Hathaway chairman, naming his son Howard as successor—another major succession milestone for the Omaha-born investor.

Berkshire Leadership Shift: Warren Buffett stepped down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway and will become chairman emeritus, with his son Howard G. Buffett taking over—closing a decades-long Omaha business era after Greg Abel became CEO earlier this year. Consumer Finance: South Carolina and 40 other states reached a $694 million settlement with subprime auto lender Credit Acceptance, requiring cash/debt relief and new consumer protections tied to loan affordability and dealer add-ons. Nebraska Housing Snapshot: Zillow data put Morrill County’s typical home value at $159,764 in August 2026, up 1.3% year over year. Agriculture Policy: USDA pushed back ARC/PLC enrollment for the 2026 and 2027 crop years, with new election dates and a major base acres update that could affect farm planning. Local Governance & Business Climate: Hastings City Council candidates fielded questions on what should be “essential” vs. “non-essential” spending as they shape municipal priorities. Statewide Nonprofit Funding: Nebraska Cultural Endowment launched an advocacy push to protect state matching funds for arts and humanities as budget pressure could return.

SNAP Pressure in Nebraska: Nebraska Appleseed says SNAP participation keeps dropping, with about 7,600 fewer people on the program in July and nearly 33,000 fewer than a year earlier—raising alarms at a legislative hearing about hunger and access. Farm Costs & Weather Reality Check: An Elkhorn-area farmer reports harvest is a “roller coaster” after rain and heat, while diesel, fertilizer and equipment costs keep squeezing margins. Conservation Funding Deadline: USDA’s NRCS is accepting Nebraska conservation applications for FY2027, with key programs like EQIP, CSP and ACEP open year-round and a Nebraska deadline of Oct. 16, 2026. Consumer Finance Crackdown: Nebraska Attorney General Hilgers joined a multistate $694 million settlement with Credit Acceptance over alleged predatory auto lending, including cash/debt relief and stronger consumer protections. Amazon Antitrust Suit: Florida AG Uthmeier joined a FTC-led, multistate lawsuit accusing Amazon of secretly inflating ad prices for businesses, with costs allegedly passed to shoppers. Data Center Energy Politics: Nebraska’s Rep. Mike Flood backed House passage of the Ratepayer Protection Act aimed at stopping data-center utility costs from being passed to consumers. Local Business & Community: Omaha firefighters resume Fill the Boot for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, while families at Hickory Villa Assisted Living face an Oct. 15 relocation deadline after the facility is sold.

Fed & Small Business Pressure: The Federal Reserve raised interest rates to a 3.75%–4% range, and Omaha small-business lenders say the added borrowing cost is squeezing already-tight margins amid tariffs and high gas. Nebraska Higher Ed Finance: Western Nebraska Community College’s 2026-27 budget pays off remaining debt and cuts nearly 9% in spending, with position reductions and early retirement options. Ag & Commodity Signals: USDA’s Sept. WASDE lowered the 2026 U.S. corn yield estimate, while soy projections held up, keeping farmers watching input and harvest economics. Digital Agriculture Push: UNL launched the Nebraska Digital Ag Hub to speed adoption of decision tools and precision tech with producers at the center. Payments Tech: ACI Worldwide expanded ACI Connetic with cloud-native financial messaging aimed at helping banks handle real-time payments and ISO 20022 complexity. Public Health Recall: FDA classified a hand-soap recall affecting six products in 15 states, including Nebraska, as Class II over possible bacterial contamination. Local Business Growth: Jim Hughes Real Estate opened a new Shenandoah office, expanding its regional footprint. Sports Business Spotlight: No. 1 Nebraska volleyball drew a program-record 15,405 fans at Pinnacle Bank Arena in a sweep of Creighton.

Nebraska Economy & Energy: Nebraska Farm Bureau warned producers about a squeeze from higher fuel and fertilizer costs, citing diesel prices lifting expenses by nearly 45% and projecting major profit losses for corn and soy. Fuel Prices: GasBuddy data showed sharp week-to-week volatility, with the cheapest midgrade in Otoe County at $3.72 and Knox County diesel hitting $4.95; statewide averages for midgrade and diesel were also reported. Ag Labor & Costs: North Dakota farmers are increasingly relying on H-2A foreign workers as job openings remain hard to fill, with record diesel prices hitting at the wrong time. Policy & Business Climate: Nebraska voters will decide in November on legalizing online sports betting, with backers and major sportsbooks already spending heavily on ballot efforts. Consumer & Health Alerts: FDA issued a Class II recall for multiple hand soap products sold in 15 states due to potential bacterial contamination. National Business/Legal: The FTC and multiple states sued Amazon over alleged hidden surcharges that they say inflated ad prices and costs for families. Local Business Spotlight: Modivcare named Matt Williams to a top corporate affairs role, underscoring continued healthcare-industry policy and stakeholder focus.

Healthcare & Consumer Safety: The FDA issued a Class II recall for six hand soap products distributed to 15 states, including Nebraska, citing potential contamination with antibiotic-resistant bacteria (Pseudomonas and Serratia). Public Health & Community Support: The Junior League of Lincoln says 1 in 3 Nebraska families struggles to afford diapers and is pushing donations through its diaper bank campaign. Immigration Enforcement & Logistics: ICE announced arrests of unlawfully present commercial drivers at New Jersey travel stops and a New Hampshire inspection station, as federal operations target truckers at checkpoints. Agribusiness & Trade: Analysts flag uncertainty in U.S. grain exports, with China’s non-soybean buying lagging and corn exports behind last year’s pace, while Mexico’s purchasing and USMCA dynamics remain key. Energy Costs: Record diesel prices are hitting farmers and harvest schedules, with Nebraska and neighboring states feeling the squeeze as fuel demand spikes. State Government & Elections: Nebraska’s Secretary of State unveiled a redesigned voter tool combining registration and ballot tracking, with an online registration deadline of Oct. 16. Public Finance Oversight: A Nebraska audit finds nearly $1 billion in accounting errors in Lancaster County Treasurer’s office, raising questions about internal controls.

Nebraska Tax & Budget: Nebraska’s August tax receipts came in above forecast for the first time in months, with sales and use taxes running 16% over projections, adding about $7.6 million to the state’s coffers. Local Government Accountability: A new state audit says Lancaster County Treasurer’s Office accounting “blunders” and mishandling of local tax revenues total nearly $1 billion, though the treasurer says no taxpayer money was lost. Flood Resilience: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is partnering with local governments on a feasibility study to improve flood-control protections for the lower Big Sioux River, including the McCook Lake area hit in 2024. Energy Costs: Nebraska farmers are bracing for harvest with diesel near record highs, and GasBuddy reports show pockets of cheaper regular gas across the state even as diesel remains elevated. Ag Tech & Data Centers: UNL launched a digital ag hub to connect producers and reduce siloed platforms, while farmers are debating risks and resource demands from data centers. Nonprofit & Community: Greater Grand Island Community Foundation and UNL will host nonprofit financial leadership training in October, and Nebraska groups are rallying to address diaper need affecting 1 in 3 households. Business & Finance: BOK Financial set its Q3 2026 earnings call date, and a crypto mining firm is expected to open in South Sioux City.

State Finance & Accountability: Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley says Lancaster County’s Treasurer’s Office made nearly $1 billion in accounting errors, including misstatements in 2025 financial reports and improper distribution of state property tax credit funds from 2023-2025 that overpaid local taxing entities and underpaid the state by about $1.27 million. Public Safety & Spending: A Nebraska investigation finds at least nine counties/cities used opioid settlement money for surveillance and enforcement tools, including Flock cameras and police equipment/training—raising questions about whether the spending matches the settlements’ intended purpose. Fraud Crackdown: Nebraska Treasurer Joey Spellerberg signed a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division to improve coordination on fraud detection and prevention involving taxpayer-funded programs. AgTech & Local Economy: Husker Harvest Days opens with a focus on new ag technology, including hands-on demonstrations of equipment and innovations aimed at helping producers use irrigation and inputs more cost-effectively. Healthcare Business: Nice Healthcare launched “Nice Plan,” a cost-controlled health plan for employers in Nebraska and 14 other states, designed to reduce avoided insurance claims by pairing the plan with in-home/virtual primary care. Housing Sales: Launch Homebuyers says it will buy Nebraska homes in as-is condition with cash offers and closings in as few as seven days, aiming to cut repairs and fees.

Healthcare & Policy: The U.S. Department of Education approved Nebraska’s first Workforce Pell Grant programs, letting eligible students at Metropolitan Community College use federal Pell dollars for short, career-focused training in IT support, pharmacy tech, and phlebotomy—aimed at faster pathways into in-demand jobs. Workforce & Fraud Prevention: Nebraska State Treasurer Joey Spellerberg joined a federal-state partnership in Kansas City to crack down on fraud tied to taxpayer-funded programs, signing an MOU with DOJ’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. Public Safety & Drugs: Nebraska State Patrol and state leaders highlighted major interdictions, including nearly 20,000 pounds of drugs seized in Dawson County and a semi-trailer recovery of stolen electronics and retail items. Ag & Business Growth: Husker Harvest Days in Hastings is expanding its ag tech and startup focus, with first-time exhibitors showing new equipment like remote-controlled livestock sorting. Local Economy & Infrastructure: A water main replacement project in downtown Sioux City is disrupting traffic and parking, with business owners saying sales are slipping. Energy Costs: GasBuddy price reports show Nebraska regular gas averaging about $3.88 statewide in the week ending Sept. 5, with notable low points in several counties. Weather: A tornado watch was issued for parts of SW Iowa, NW Missouri, and SE Nebraska until midnight CDT.

Obamacare Refunds: President Trump says nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Nebraska, will get $500 refunds tied to alleged Biden “user fee” overcharges on federal ACA exchanges. Healthcare & Business Growth: Modivcare named Matt Williams as chief corporate affairs officer, adding deep healthcare policy and government affairs experience as the company positions for growth. Data Center Power Push: DC BLOX tapped Tricia Pridemore as EVP for energy, regulatory and policy to expand data center development and negotiate power deals. Automation Deal: Tavoron announced it is buying Power Motion, expanding industrial automation, robotics, machine vision and motion control reach across the Midwest and nearby states. Nebraska Energy Costs: GasBuddy reported the lowest regular gas in Pierce County at $3.59 (week ending Sept. 5), with other county spotlights ranging from E15 at $3.64 in Madison to premium at $4.69 in Butler. Sports Betting Politics: Nebraska lawmakers are pushing back on online sports betting ballot measures, arguing the money would flow mainly to operators rather than the state. Agriculture & Trade: A new look at US–Mexico agricultural integration highlights how the two countries both compete and complement each other across key food categories.

Obamacare Refunds: President Trump says nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Nebraska, will get $500 refunds for Obamacare “user fees” tied to federal exchange overcharges under the Biden administration. Nebraska Housing & Veterans: The VA Home Loans Index ranks Nebraska 33rd for average VA home loan size in Q2 2026, while Nebraska’s VA home-loan volume totals about $340,268 in issued loans. Fuel Watch (Nebraska): GasBuddy reports Nebraska E85 as low as $2.94/gal in Lancaster County (week ending Sept. 5) and diesel as low as $4.99/gal in Dawson County; statewide averages show regular gas easing while diesel remains higher. Corn Belt Economy: A Federal Reserve Beige Book update says Corn Belt agriculture conditions improved slightly, with mixed pressure still showing in parts of the region. Rail & Travel: Illinois secured funding to restore Amtrak service between Chicago and the Quad Cities after nearly 50 years, adding two daily round trips. Local Business/Infrastructure: Omaha’s “World O Water” event highlights conservation, while Lincoln announced multiple street closures for the week of Sept. 14. Sports (Nebraska): Nebraska opened strong with a 56-7 win over Bowling Green, earning top grades for offense and defense, with special teams the main concern.

Healthcare & Consumer Relief: The White House says it will issue $500 Obamacare overcharge refunds to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Nebraska, tied to federal exchange “user fees” allegedly collected beyond operating needs. Higher Ed & Immigration Policy: A federal judge ended Kansas’s in-state tuition benefit for undocumented students, siding with the federal government that federal law preempts the state program—part of a broader push affecting multiple states. Veterans Housing Finance: VA Home Loans Index data shows Nebraska’s VA home-loan activity in Q2 2026 is part of a wider national picture, with states ranked by average loan size (Maryland and Connecticut highlighted in the latest reporting). Nebraska Economy & Demographics: SSA ZIP-level data for 68510 reports 4,220 Social Security beneficiaries in Dec. 2024, up 3.1% year over year. Nebraska Sports (Local Business Angle): No. 1 Nebraska volleyball kept its momentum, beating Georgia Tech in four sets at the renovated Bob Devaney Sports Center, a reminder of the economic draw of major events in Lincoln.

Health Care Policy: The White House says it will refund about $500 per person for Obamacare “overcharges” tied to federal exchange “user fees,” including Nebraska residents in the 30-state federal-exchange group. Local Community & Food Security: Husker Harvest Days returns Sept. 15-17 in Grand Island, with a food drive aimed at central Nebraska hunger relief; last year’s drive collected 16,241 pounds across Hall, Hamilton, Howard and Merrick counties. AgTech & Livestock Economy: The show highlights new AgTech Pavilion sessions on autonomous equipment, AI, irrigation efficiency and drones, plus livestock handling and beef quality programming. Education & Tuition Enforcement: The DOJ filed final lawsuits challenging in-state tuition and aid for immigrants in Hawaiʻi, Arkansas, Utah and D.C., saying it conflicts with federal law. Sports (Nebraska Business Angle): Top-ranked Nebraska volleyball rallied past Georgia Tech 3-1 at the renovated Bob Devaney Sports Center, improving to 7-0. Arts/Community Events: West Nebraska Arts Center opened registration for its Sept. 26 “Sip and Squash” painting class in Scottsbluff.