AGP Executive Report

Data Centers & Labor Crunch: Construction demand is surging for data centers, but the industry says it needs 349,000 more workers this year and 456,000 next year—pushing contractors toward automation like robots that speed up layout and rebar work. Local Tech Governance: Kearney is moving ahead with a data center zoning ordinance (noise, water, energy limits) as other Nebraska counties consider moratoriums. Water & AI Infrastructure: A new analysis of Colorado River use breaks down where water goes and why measuring it is tricky—timely as AI and data center expansion raises scrutiny. Research Oversight: UNL’s Human Research Protection Program earned reaccreditation through 2031, reinforcing ethics and participant protections for human studies. Food Tech / AI for Agriculture: UH received a $2M NSF award to build AI-enabled food safety tools, aiming to strengthen how food production is monitored and protected. Education Policy: An AP review shows how states handle 9/11 teaching—some require specific instruction, others leave it to districts. Immigration & Tuition: DOJ sued multiple states over in-state tuition for illegal immigrants, arguing it violates federal law.

Public Health & Care Quality: A new analysis of CMS hospital survey ratings finds Wisconsin tops the U.S. for patient experience (4.06/5), while Florida, New Jersey, and New York land at the bottom. Housing & Cost Burden (Nebraska): HUD-assisted public housing data show big county-by-county differences in household income and rent share—e.g., Frontier County averages $22,324 income with $394 rent (~21.2%), while Johnson County averages $15,928 with $366 rent (~27.6%). Education Outcomes: Nebraska reports uneven six-year bachelor’s completion—Asian students in 2018 cohort reach 66.8% by 2024 statewide, while Lancaster County’s Hispanic/Latino rate is 54.6% and Wayne County’s white rate is 57.3%. Community Safety: A Council Bluffs father is turning suicide-loss grief into a suicide prevention mission, distributing sensory “calm kits” meant to help during panic moments. Tech Policy & Security: A DHS modernization showcase highlights how drones and AI are now central to homeland security training and operations. Higher Ed Access: DOJ challenges Colorado’s in-state tuition policy for undocumented students, arguing it unlawfully discriminates.

Rural Broadband Funding Stalled: States are waiting on federal guidance, leaving about $21B for rural internet projects in limbo under BEAD rules. Immigration & Tech Hiring: USCIS says it found H-1B wage manipulation and job misclassification in multiple cases, including in Nebraska where workers labeled “computer programmers” were doing higher-paid engineering work. AI for Food Safety: The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa leads a $2M NSF effort with UNL to build AI-enabled tools to spot environmental threats to food production systems early. Energy Efficiency at Home: Washington’s Energize Thurston expands heat pump rebates and, for some income-qualified households, subsidized or free installations. Biology Discovery in Nebraska’s Orbit: UNL-linked researcher Patrick Urban describes a newly identified dung beetle species from specimens collected in China. Housing Snapshot (Nebraska): Public housing occupancy varies widely across counties, with examples like Morrill County down to 84% in 2025 and Otoe County up to 98%—a reminder that local conditions still drive outcomes.

AI & Food Safety Funding: The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is leading a $2M NSF project (with UNL) to build AI-enabled tools that flag environmental threats to food production before outbreaks spread. Housing Snapshot (Nebraska): Public housing occupancy in 2025 ranged from full occupancy in several counties (like Cuming and Kearney) to lower rates such as York County at 82% and Custer County at 88%, with many counties showing small year-to-year shifts. Tech & Water Backlash: Across the U.S., communities are protesting data center expansion over water use and energy impacts, with experts noting water claims online vary widely and that data center water use is generally smaller than agriculture and some manufacturing. Higher Ed Outcomes: New county-level six-year bachelor’s completion figures highlight gaps by race, including Wayne State College’s 10% completion rate for Black students in the 2018 cohort by 2024. Local Life: A quick science explainer from the Nebraska Humane Society breaks down why dogs and cats drink so messily.

AI for Food Safety: UH Mānoa won a $2M NSF award (with UNL) to build AI tools that flag environmental threats to aquaculture, livestock, and crops before they become food-safety problems. Surveillance Policy Clash: Ord voted to remove Flock cameras inside city limits, while county officials say cameras outside town will stay—another Nebraska debate over tech and oversight. Cyber/Workforce Scrutiny: USCIS says H-1B petitions in Nebraska misclassified workers as “computer programmers” even when site visits found higher-paid engineering duties, triggering tighter enforcement. Energy & Ag Tech: A Broken Bow RNG project broke ground to turn cattle manure into about 1.2M MMBtu of pipeline-quality natural gas per year. STEM Education: Bennington science teacher Lindsey Wilson was named a Society for Science Advocate to expand student research opportunities. Broadband/Infrastructure: The U.S. Army Corps updated plans for a massive underground communications network tied to the Sentinel ICBM program. Tech & Community: Nebraska’s statewide AI chatbot push and the growing backlash to AI data centers both keep local tech policy in the spotlight.

AI for Food Safety: The University of Hawaii at Manoa won a $2M NSF grant (with UNL as a partner) to build AI tools that flag environmental threats to aquaculture, livestock, and other food systems before outbreaks spread. Public Housing Snapshot (Nebraska counties): HUD data shows many counties with steady public housing counts in 2025 vs. 2024, including Garfield (64), Nemaha (49), Garden (18), Madison (17), Nuckolls (16), Fillmore (18), and Hamilton (38). Energy From Manure: A Broken Bow RNG project broke ground with eight digesters aiming to turn feedlot waste into about 1.2 million MMBtu of pipeline-quality natural gas per year. Snow-Melting Bridge Tech: A Nebraska bridge in Roca uses electrically conductive concrete to melt ice—effective but still too costly to roll out everywhere. STEM Education: Bennington science teacher Lindsey Wilson was named a Society for Science Advocate to expand student research and STEM competition opportunities. Tech & Transit: Lincoln’s new Husker gameday shuttle switch to Pronto saw smooth starts for some riders but pickup-location confusion for others.

AI Data Centers Backlash: Across the U.S., residents and local officials are pushing back on new AI data centers, citing higher power-grid strain and rising electricity costs—Texas is even freezing new grid connections while auditing proposed projects. Green Energy Cost Reality Check: Economist Michael Greenstone’s research argues renewable mandates drive up retail electricity prices (11% after seven years, 17% after twelve) at high carbon-reduction costs. Local Surveillance Fight in Nebraska: After Ord voted to remove Flock Safety cameras, Valley County says it will keep cameras outside city limits, fueling a debate over public control and how often license-plate data gets accessed. Child Tech Safety Policy: Scholars weigh U.S. and global child online safety laws as Meta’s $17B settlement pushes for school-hour restrictions and other protections. Nebraska Higher Ed & Research: NU leaders face pressure to stop underinvesting; meanwhile, Nebraska Public Media’s Bill Kelly is retiring after decades of science-and-community reporting. Broadband Funding: NTIA is opening a new BEAD proposal round to cover newly identified unserved locations. Cancer Breakthroughs: New biotech wins—Moderna’s melanoma vaccine results and an FDA-approved prostate cancer “molecular glue” pill—signal a shift toward personalized and mutation-targeted treatments.

Entrepreneurship in the Heartland: Grand Island’s Big Idea Grand Island opens applications for its fifth annual push to fund for-profit startups, with local sponsors including the CCC Grand Island Entrepreneurship Center and NACCE. UNL Graduation Spotlight: Ava Lucille Brauer of Fallbrook earned a B.S. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln during the Aug. 15 commencement. Water & Ag Tech Training: CPNRD approved switching its nitrogen management testing to V-TAPS, aiming for more interactive producer education every four years. Broadband Funding: NTIA plans to accept new state proposals for BEAD broadband grants to reach newly identified unserved locations. State Tech & AI: Nebraska expands its statewide AI chatbot support after a DMV pilot, rolling out Nebraska Navigator on Nebraska.gov. Higher Ed Finance: Nebraska Treasurer Joey Spellerberg highlights College Savings Month and NEST 529’s tax-advantaged options. Public Housing Snapshot: HUD’s Picture of Subsidized Households shows many Nebraska cities holding steady unit counts in 2025, with Lincoln and Omaha among the largest systems. Education Policy Fight: Nebraska’s education board deadlocks on new social studies standards, keeping debate over what gets taught front and center.

Broadband Push: NTIA says it will accept new BEAD proposals to reach newly identified unserved locations, after all 56 states’ final broadband plans were approved and construction is next. State Tech Services: Gov. Jim Pillen is expanding the Nebraska Navigator AI chatbot statewide after a DMV pilot cut call volume and boosted off-hours online help. University Momentum: UN System President Jeffrey Gold used the State of the University address to tout research and Nebraska Medicine governance progress while warning that continued investment is critical amid budget pressure. Innovation & Workforce: Nebraska Innovation Studio named Michael Burton as its new director, and UNL’s Peter Kiewit Engineering Academy announced its 2026-27 cohort with full-tuition support. Food & Health Research: UNL doctoral student Prabhashis Bose is studying digestion to connect nutrition labels to what the body actually absorbs, while UNMC and UNL hosted students on behavioral health career pathways. Privacy Fight: A Nebraska county dispute over Flock license plate readers continues after residents raised concerns about data access by law enforcement agencies.

Broadband Boost: NTIA says states can run a second BEAD funding round using leftover money to reach newly identified unserved locations, extending Nebraska’s push for universal connectivity. University Funding: UN System President Jeffrey Gold used his State of the University Address to warn that continued budget cuts could shrink programs and economic impact, urging lawmakers to invest in teaching and research. AI for Food Safety: A $2M NSF award (with UNL) will develop AI-enabled tools to spot threats to food production systems earlier, aiming to protect aquaculture, livestock, and crops. Ag Tech at Husker Harvest Days: The new Ag Tech Pavilion spotlights startups and tools—from satellite-driven crop nutrition to soil and farm decision support—geared toward practical, on-farm innovation. STEM for Nebraska Kids: Edgerton Explorit Center launched a Trades Science program for schools, and Chimney Rock’s new free K-5 Junior Pathfinder program brings hands-on history and natural science learning. Public Health & Pets: FDA issued an emergency authorization to prevent and treat New World screwworm in dogs and cats, expanding options for veterinarians. Community Safety: AAA’s free Tow to Go returns for Labor Day weekend in Nebraska and Iowa to get impaired drivers and their cars home safely.

AI & Kids Safety: California lawmakers advanced “Adam’s Law” (SB 1119), pushing for tougher safeguards for children using AI companion chatbots, including annual safety risk checks, independent audits, and age-assurance steps. Local Tech Policy: Westside Community Schools parents are pushing Nebraska lawmakers after the district tightened classroom tech rules—no iPads during recess, tighter YouTube access, and a ban on YouTube Shorts. State AI Services: Gov. Jim Pillen announced the “Nebraska Navigator” AI chatbot on Nebraska.gov, expanding from a DMV pilot that reportedly cut call volume and handled hundreds of thousands of questions. Education Staffing Crunch: Omaha Public Schools faces the worst student-teacher ratio in the metro and statewide, with poverty levels far higher than peer districts. Energy & Industry: KBR won FEED work for the Live Oak e-methane project in Norfolk, Nebraska, aiming for commercial operations by 2030. Agriculture Tech: Nebraska Extension launched a real-time crop scouting program. Health Policy: Rheumatologists are urging changes to looming Medicaid work rules, warning new exemption standards could disrupt care for autoimmune patients.

State AI Services: Gov. Jim Pillen says Nebraska Navigator, a resident-assistance chatbot, went live on Nebraska.gov after a DMV pilot showed a 95% success rate and cut call volume by 20%. School Tech Policy: Westside Community Schools faces pressure from the parent group Pencils Before Pixels, which wants tighter limits on iPads and YouTube—including banning Shorts and restricting use during recess/free time. Local Housing + Tech Finance: Omaha City Council is weighing new rules that tie tax-increment financing (TIF) approvals to affordable-housing requirements, including rent-roll reporting and bedroom minimums. Cyber-Safety for Families: Nebraska AG Mike Hilgers’ office released “Parenting in the Digital Age,” a free guide covering screen time, grooming, sextortion, and AI risks, alongside the state’s $17.1B Meta settlement. Ag Tech + Equipment: CLAAS is pushing deeper into North America at the Farm Progress Show with new tractors and continued Omaha-based R&D and customer experience investment. Public Safety: AAA’s Tow to Go returns for Labor Day weekend, offering free rides (and vehicle transport) for impaired drivers in select states, including Nebraska.

AI in Government: Nebraska is rolling out a statewide “Resident AI Assistant” after a DMV pilot cut call volume by up to 20% and handled 88,000+ questions in three months, aiming to reduce pressure on agency staff. Energy & Tech Research: UNL researcher Jun Wang won a 3-year, $1.8M DOE grant to build high-voltage power tech to make AI data centers more energy efficient. Healthcare & Community Tech: Omaha Community Foundation becomes a governing partner of Nebraska Medicine, boosting research, recruitment, and education. Public Health Access: South Heartland District Health Department launched “CredibleMind,” a free, confidential 24/7 mental health platform for four Nebraska counties. STEM in Agriculture: UNL researchers are exploring how internal market dynamics drive 70–80% of commodity price volatility, challenging the idea that outside shocks do most of the work. Local Workforce & Training: UNK agribusiness student Ryan Arbuthnot is building his future on the family ranch, reflecting Nebraska’s push to keep talent tied to land and production.

State Tech Rollout: Nebraska is expanding its DMV “Resident AI Assistant” statewide after a pilot cut call volume by up to 20% and logged 88,000+ questions in 3 months, with support from Tyler Technologies. Public Safety & Privacy: Omaha City Council held a public hearing on school resource officer agreements with four districts amid renewed scrutiny of shock gloves used by OPD SROs. Health Access: South Heartland District Health Department launched CredibleMind, a free, confidential 24/7 mental health platform for four central Nebraska counties. Ag Research: A-State and partners landed a $2.2M NSF lead award to study drought-tolerant rice and wheat using mycorrhizal fungi. Policy Watch: The DEA’s marijuana rescheduling fight is in the spotlight, with Nebraska among the states opposing the shift. Space & STEM Events: UNK’s free planetarium shows return this fall, covering night-sky tours, planets, and solar eclipses.

Nebraska Tech Ecosystem: Tech Nebraska launched as an independent, member-driven statewide technology association, aiming to keep policy, convening, and signature programs moving without interruption. Energy & Climate Tech: KBR was selected to deliver FEED for the Live Oak consortium’s large-scale e-methane (e-NG) project in Norfolk, targeting commercial operations by 2030 and export to Japan. Rural Connectivity: Federal delays are leaving states waiting on guidance for about $21B in rural broadband BEAD funding, slowing how quickly money can be spent. AI Regulation: The EU designated ChatGPT as a “Very Large Online Search Engine” under the Digital Services Act, putting new compliance obligations on the AI chatbot. Public Safety Tech: Omaha police say smart glasses footage from an Old Market employee is now part of the investigation into a recent shooting. Digital Kids Safety: Nebraska is set to receive up to $201M from a multistate Meta settlement tied to stronger protections for teens on Instagram and Facebook. Local Software: Lincoln’s CodeBuddy is helping small businesses replace costly SaaS with owned custom software built in weeks. Ag Innovation: Husker Harvest Days adds a new ag tech pavilion featuring startups, including first-time exhibitors.

Public Safety Tech: Omaha Police say they’re ramping up Old Market security after an Aug. 16 shooting, including more officer presence plus movable cameras and lights tied to a real-time operations center. Renewable Energy & Ag: Ameresco and Neogenyx Fuels broke ground on a renewable natural gas facility at Adams Land & Cattle in Broken Bow, aiming to turn manure into RNG. AI Regulation: The EU designated ChatGPT as a “Very Large Online Search Engine” under the Digital Services Act, putting new compliance duties on OpenAI alongside major platforms. Consumer Tech & Law: The FTC and 22 states sued Amazon over alleged “hidden surcharges” in ad pricing, arguing the company misled advertisers about how auction prices are set. Nebraska Health Policy: Nebraska DHHS issued an RFP to hire an independent firm to evaluate the state’s use of interRAI assessment tools amid concerns from disability advocates. STEM in the Field: Nebraska Extension launched ScoutNebraska for real-time crop scouting updates, using social media to share pest and crop health guidance fast. Food Safety Research: UNL and OSU will host an HPP protein workshop on high pressure processing, including work on listeria control and dark-cutting beef recovery.