AGP Executive Report

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.

Data centers & power policy: Gov. Jim Pillen ended ImagiNE Nebraska tax incentives for new data centers, directing state agencies to assess benefits and resource impacts (land, water, electricity) and setting up a data center task force. Trade & farm economics: Nebraska ag leaders and Gov. Pillen pushed to renew the USMCA rather than renegotiate it, warning that low crop prices and high inputs make trade uncertainty especially risky. Energy infrastructure: NPPD held a Clearwater open house on preferred and alternate routes for a proposed Holt County–Antelope 345-kilovolt transmission line aimed at boosting capacity and reliability. Local business & consumer risk: A Grand Island dealership is accused of writing a bad check for about $31,000 to buy a vehicle; separately, a public reminder from Nebraska officials urges residents to watch for phone scams and fraud tactics. Public finance accountability: A Herman village clerk was charged with felonies and a misdemeanor for allegedly using municipal funds for personal purchases. Business growth: CRISP & GREEN announced a new Papillion location, expanding its Omaha-area footprint. State business climate: U.S. News ranked Nebraska fifth best overall in its 2026 Best States report, highlighting strong infrastructure and fiscal stability. Corporate earnings: NorthWestern Energy reported second-quarter 2026 results, citing new rates and retail volumes.

Nebraska Agriculture Policy: Nebraska Corn Growers Association is applauding LB 525, a new law that gives farmers ownership of their ag data and bars companies from selling it without written consent—Nebraska is the first state to pass an agricultural-data ownership measure. Rural Health Funding: Nebraska posted new Request for Applications under the Rural Health Transformation Program, including school kitchen modernization grants (over $2.2M total) and upgrades for critical access and rural emergency hospitals, with applications due Aug. 31, 2026. Local Business & Community: Hastings City Council delayed a decision on additional funding for Heartland Pet Connection, citing a cooling-off period and pushing renewed talks to January 2027. Workforce & Education: UNK summa cum laude graduate Thomas Safago is set to start a software development career after earning bachelor’s degrees in computer science and mathematics. Entrepreneurship: Omaha resident Lisa Nielsen launched Hope 402, a garage-based nonprofit that has delivered more than 3,500 meals in eight months.

Robocall crackdown: Nebraska’s AG Rayfield joined a coalition urging the FCC to tighten “Know Your Customer” rules, arguing current safeguards aren’t strong enough to stop scam calls that cost Americans nearly $2 billion last year. State politics & agriculture: Democratic gubernatorial nominee Lynne Walz named Richardson County farmer Ben Steffen as her lieutenant governor pick, highlighting his Farm Bureau and rural water leadership. Energy & infrastructure: Nebraska’s trade delegation led by Gov. Jim Pillen pushed beef, pork, wheat and low-carbon energy in Japan and the Philippines, with meetings focused on expanding export demand. Local governance: Douglas County commissioners are set to vote next week on whether to renew Duet’s contract for developmental-disability services after Duet presented financial and operational reforms. Sports business: Memorial Stadium’s “Big Red Rebuild” has delayed Nebraska men’s basketball season ticket reseat plans, with the arena reseat now targeted for 2029. Health policy: A federal judge blocked Illinois in-state tuition and aid for undocumented students, marking another DOJ win after similar outcomes in Nebraska and other states.

Data Centers & Power: The U.S. Department of Energy ordered the Southwest Power Pool to dispatch extra generation across a 17-state region as extreme heat strains the grid, with the order set to run through Aug. 3—another reminder that AI-driven electricity demand is colliding with reliability limits. Nebraska Energy & Renewables: Fortitude Mining says it has energized a new 12 MW Grand Island facility and is pushing toward a larger Zcash mining expansion tied to a HeartSciences merger; separately, Adapture Renewables and REC Power completed a sale of 68 MW of operating distributed solar projects that includes Nebraska assets. Healthcare & Eligibility: Nebraska began enforcing federal Medicaid work requirements May 1, and the reporting burden is heavy—states must rebuild eligibility and verification processes, with CMS estimating about $15 million per state. Research & STEM Funding: NSF awarded Nebraska EPSCoR $10 million to expand statewide STEM partnerships and innovation through the NSPIRE program. State Economy Snapshot: Nebraska gaming revenue neared $25 million in June, up 20% year over year. Education/Policy: The DOJ is suing states over in-state tuition for undocumented students, adding to a growing legal fight that includes Nebraska. State Rankings: Nebraska placed No. 5 in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best States, ranking top-10 in infrastructure and fiscal stability.

Food Security & Policy: Nebraska pantry leaders warn that a new push to require citizenship checks for TEFAP emergency food could force more people to turn away, even though 20–25% of pantry food is federally funded. University Strategy: The University of Nebraska system is hiring Deloitte to run a systemwide assessment aimed at improving alignment, coordination, and long-term effectiveness, including a financial sustainability review. Power Grid Resilience: The U.S. Department of Energy authorized extra resources for the Southwest Power Pool to reduce blackout risk across 17 states during extreme heat, including Nebraska. Agribusiness & Risk Management: Nebraska Extension urges western growers to scout for western bean cutworm after heavy moth flight activity, with treatment timing tied to trap counts and field scouting. Local Economy & Community: C&S Wholesale Grocers is cutting prices on thousands of grocery items across multiple states including Nebraska, targeting value for rural shoppers. Workforce & Family Costs: A Nebraska child care affordability report says the crisis starts before birth and costs the state’s economy nearly $2 billion a year, squeezing working families. Sports Business: Nebraska volleyball ticketing details were announced for the Aug. 16 Red-White Scrimmage and the Sept. 16 Nebraska-Creighton home match.

Energy Reliability: The U.S. Energy Department issued an emergency order letting the Southwest Power Pool tap idle backup generation to prevent heat-wave blackouts across a 17-state region, after warnings of tight reserves from outages, weaker wind, and reduced imports. Nebraska Policy & Business Climate: Gov. Jim Pillen’s administration is pushing back on data-center incentives, with an executive order placing a hold on large applications tied to the ImagiNE Nebraska Act, while critics argue subsidies are increasingly hard to justify. Agriculture & Costs: Nebraska farmers are facing rising expenses on top of low crop prices, with one report highlighting health insurance costs more than doubling this year. Local Consumer Watch: BBB Scam Tracker shows Dixon and other Nebraska cities tied for 13th with one scam report in June, including a counterfeit weight-loss product scheme. State Economy Snapshot: USDA data ranks Nebraska 4th nationally for 2024 agricultural production value at $34.2B. Insurance/Finance: Mount Logan Capital said AM Best assigned Ability Insurance a B+ (Good) financial strength rating and bbb- (Good) long-term issuer credit rating. Community & Growth: Les Schwab Tires announced a new Scottsbluff store opening Aug. 12, adding jobs and services.

Nebraska Incentives Debate: A Nebraska lawmaker argues Gov. Jim Pillen’s hold on large data center applications under the ImagiNE Act is justified, saying the state doesn’t need extra incentives to attract data centers. Panhandle Jobs: Les Schwab Tires will open a new Scottsbluff store Aug. 12, with a sixth Nebraska location planned for Sidney in early September. Trade Mission: Gov. Pillen leads a Nebraska delegation to Japan and the Philippines to push exports in agriculture, ethanol and advanced manufacturing, including Japan’s push for E10 ethanol. Health & Food Safety: A multistate cyclospora outbreak tied to recalled Mexican iceberg lettuce keeps expanding, with federal officials warning the response may be nearing a “catastrophic level.” Energy Costs Watch: Gas prices remain elevated nationally, with AAA citing crude oil volatility as the driver. Local Business/Community: A Grand Island historical marker dedication at Fonner Park highlights ongoing local investment in Nebraska history. Public Safety: A heat dome is forecast to bring extreme heat to western Nebraska and much of the central U.S., with millions under advisories.

Heat Dome Watch: A dangerous heat dome is keeping roughly 80 million people under advisories across the central U.S., with western Nebraska among areas forecast to hit extreme heat levels and with overnight lows not cooling enough to recover. Local Health Response: Lincoln-Lancaster County extended cooling center hours and urged residents to hydrate and prevent heat illness as heat index values climb. Omaha Immigration Court Backlog: Omaha’s immigration court saw a surge of 100-plus deportation cases packed into a single day, raising due-process concerns among advocates. Nebraska Ag Security Law: Gov. Jim Pillen and Sen. Eliot Bostar ceremonially signed LB 1096, aimed at shielding Nebraska’s agriculture, grids, and communications from hostile foreign threats and biological risks. Food Safety & Business Impact: A widening cyclospora outbreak tied to recalled iceberg lettuce has driven consumer avoidance of leafy greens and is already hitting sales for retailers and restaurants. Community & Workforce: Goodwill and partners handed out 750 backpacks and school supplies in North Omaha, reflecting continued demand for help amid economic strain. Wildfire Tragedy: A Nebraska firefighter, Nathan Matthews of Lincoln, died while battling a fast-moving wildfire near the Colorado-Utah border. Nebraska Politics: Commentary highlights independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn as a working-class alternative with momentum heading into November.

Extreme Heat & Public Safety: The National Weather Service issued an extreme heat warning for Lincoln and Lancaster County through Sunday night, with heat indices near 110°F, and Lincoln-Lancaster County Health extending cooling center hours to keep residents safe. Food Safety & Supply Chain: A widening cyclospora outbreak tied to recalled iceberg lettuce has sickened thousands across dozens of states, with Taylor Farms recalling product shipped to 27 states—another hit to leafy-greens demand and grocery planning. Agriculture & Beef Prices: The USDA is lifting a yearlong ban on Mexican cattle imports in phases starting Aug. 24, aiming to ease supply pressure on the $100B U.S. beef industry, though price relief may take months. Nebraska Business Climate: Nebraska’s film and TV push is facing disruption after DED funding for Fallen Giant Films was frozen, leaving a $5M grant-funded project in suspension. Local Economy & Community: A Nebraska State Historical Marker was dedicated at Fonner Park in Grand Island as part of Hall County’s centennial marker project, highlighting the region’s heritage alongside ongoing community development.

Energy & AI Costs: President Trump expanded his Ratepayer Protection Pledge at the EPA, aiming to keep AI-driven data center growth from raising electricity bills, with utilities and developers backing the plan. Nebraska Policy: Gov. Jim Pillen signed LB 1096 to bolster security by criminalizing illegal import of dangerous pathogens or pests, framing it as protection for Nebraska’s agriculture and economy. Agriculture Trade: USDA lifted its ban on Mexican cattle imports after more than a year tied to New World screwworm risk, with phased reopening planned. Local Business & Economy: Omaha’s Fallen Giant Films says a DED-funded $5M grant suspension has left it unable to work or pay staff, raising questions about state support continuity. Food & Community: Lincoln’s Food Bank held a “Canned Creations” competition where businesses built sculptures from food to generate thousands of meals. Public Health: Nebraska Community Blood Bank marked its Eagle Run anniversary while warning supplies are at their lowest since COVID, urging donations. Infrastructure: Lincoln announced July 27 and July 29 street closures for paving and repairs. Ag Operations: NDOT will accept hay harvesting permits online starting July 30, with roadside limits and a wildfire donation option.

Foreign Policy & Security: Gov. Jim Pillen signed LB1096, aiming to criminalize illegal import of dangerous pathogens or pests and bolster protections for Nebraska’s agriculture, energy grids, and critical infrastructure. Agriculture & Trade: USDA lifted its ban on imports of Mexican cattle tied to New World screwworm controls, with phased reopening starting at a Douglas, Arizona port in 30 days. Healthcare & Community: Nebraska Community Blood Bank marked its first anniversary at a second Omaha-area location while warning supplies are at the lowest levels since COVID-19, urging donations as summer demand rises. Politics & Elections: Sen. Pete Ricketts ramped up fair-and-festival outreach, arguing his record for Nebraskans contrasts with independent challenger Dan Osborn, as the ballot fight tightened after a Democratic candidate’s name was removed. Energy & Data Centers: Trump expanded a “Ratepayer Protection Pledge” to cover data center electricity costs, but critics say it’s non-binding and enforcement is unclear—an issue Nebraska leaders are watching as growth pressures utilities. Public Safety: A multi-agency team tied to a federal overdose case was named Midwest HIDTA’s Outstanding Overdose Investigative Effort of the Year.

Data Center Ratepayer Fight: President Trump expanded his Ratepayer Protection Pledge, adding 200-plus signatories—utilities, energy sellers and major data center firms—aimed at stopping households from paying for new power generation and grid upgrades as AI demand grows. Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen joined a White House roundtable, stressing protection of public power and pointing to the state’s low rates, Offutt Air Force Base and the Ogallala Aquifer, while noting a new Nebraska Data Center Task Force. Gas Prices Watch: AAA says the national regular gas average jumped 15 cents to $4.09, with crude volatility tied to Middle East risk. Nebraska Higher Ed: UNL’s agriculture and natural resources programs moved into the top 9% worldwide in the QS rankings. Local Business & Fraud: Better Business Bureau reports Nebraska cities tied for scam activity in June, with Omaha and Lincoln leading. Ag Community Relief: Farm Rescue says it helped 24 Nebraska families after spring wildfires through its Operation Hay Lift.

Data Center Cost Fight: President Trump expanded his Ratepayer Protection Pledge, adding nearly 200 utilities, governors, and tech firms to argue that AI data centers should pay for needed power infrastructure instead of households—Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen is among the signers. Nebraska Policy: Pillen also recently moved to end state tax incentives for new data centers, while the pledge leans on “behind the meter” protections and rate stability claims. Healthcare & Costs: A new push to cut Medicaid is framed as a nonpartisan hit to coverage, with estimates tied to millions more uninsured under the latest federal changes. Ag & Risk Management: Nebraska Extension is offering landlord-tenant cash rent workshops and a Nebraska Recovery Roundup on tax planning for drought- and wildfire-affected producers, including livestock sale deferrals and replacement rules. Business Growth: Lincoln-based BasicBlock is buying TrueNorth to expand beyond freight factoring into AI dispatch and load matching for independent carriers. Local Economy: A new Worthington nutrition shop, NoCo Nutrition, opened June 25 with customizable loaded teas, shakes, and protein balls.

Nebraska Politics & Elections: Independent Dan Osborn is gaining traction for Nebraska’s U.S. Senate race, with coverage focusing on his working-class pitch and the need to win over moderate Republicans. AI Power & Data Centers: The White House expanded its Ratepayer Protection Pledge, with 23 governors signing on to argue data-center builders should cover grid upgrade costs instead of shifting bills to households. State Economic Development: Gov. Jim Pillen nominated 28 census tracts for federal Opportunity Zones under “OZ 2.0,” including 10 in Omaha, aiming to spur housing and jobs. Banking & Fintech: The Nebraska Bankers Association endorsed Stablecore as a digital asset technology provider for member banks. Agribusiness & Trade: Critical Metals Corp advanced to the final stage of Kenya’s tender for its Mrima Hill rare earth and niobium project. Nebraska Budget Watch: Nebraska’s budget hole is projected to top $1 billion across two upcoming deficits, tightening pressure on lawmakers when they return. Small Business & Repair: NFIB pushed to expand right-to-repair efforts after an FTC settlement involving John Deere. Public Safety & Courts: Omaha FBI seized 71 firearms and $40,000 in a money laundering and trafficking case. Health & Benefits: A federal GAO report found gig workers and Amazon staff increasingly rely on SNAP and Medicaid, raising new scrutiny of low wages.

Opportunity Zones 2.0: Gov. Jim Pillen and Nebraska mayors announced 28 new federal Opportunity Zone nominations, including 10 in Omaha and five in Lincoln, aiming to steer private investment toward affordable workforce housing as designations are expected to take effect Jan. 1, 2027. State Budget Pressure: Nebraska’s projected deficits are widening, with a $208 million shortfall for the current biennium and an $864 million gap for 2027-29, leaving lawmakers facing tough choices with less than five months until the next session. Antitrust & Drug Prices: Nebraska Attorney General Derek Brown joined a multistate $29.6 million settlement with Glenmark over alleged generic-drug price inflation and competition restraints, with cooperation promised for ongoing litigation. Housing & Public Safety: Grand Island launched a Residential Knox Box Loaner Program to speed emergency entry and reduce forced entry, while Omaha’s City Council narrowly advanced a minimum wage ordinance after a legal authority debate. Ag & Rural Economy: Corn growers urged a faster Senate Judiciary probe into fertilizer industry competition as prices stay elevated; a Rural Response Hotline update says calls tied to farm financial stress are rising. Labor & Benefits: A GAO report found a surge in gig and Amazon workers using SNAP and Medicaid, raising new scrutiny of “corporate welfare” claims. Business Growth: Cheba Hut announced its first Lincoln location, and Birdcall is expanding with a five-unit Indianapolis deal that includes Nebraska in its Midwest pipeline.