AGP Executive Report

Food Inflation Watch: A slower, stickier grocery price surge is building nationwide as bad weather, tariffs, and a shrinking cattle herd squeeze supply—hitting household budgets harder than gas and likely lingering into 2027. Nebraska Ag Tech Policy: Nebraska’s LB 525 now sets state rules for collecting and using agricultural data, aiming to protect farm and ranch privacy while enabling tech-driven production. Cancer Care Upgrade: Nebraska Medicine is rolling out a proton beam treatment device at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, described as a major step toward more precise care for kids and patients across the region. Nuclear Energy Milestone: The U.S. Energy Department says a small advanced microreactor reached criticality at Idaho National Lab, a milestone that could speed electricity generation timelines. Health Data Privacy Fight: HHS is seeking access to identifiable medical records from state systems in an effort tied to vaccine-autism research, drawing sharp privacy and legal concerns—Nebraska’s CyncHealth is named as a major CDC-funded participant. STEM in the Heartland: Grand Island’s EPIC Discovery Center finally opens after seven years, offering hands-on STEAM learning for kids up to age 18. Research Participation (Cats): Darwin’s Ark is recruiting more cat owners nationwide for a genetics and behavior study, with Nebraska listed among underrepresented states.

Nebraska Ag Tech Policy: Gov. Jim Pillen and ag leaders celebrated passage of LB 525, a first-in-the-nation law setting rules for collecting and using agricultural data to protect farmers’ privacy. Health Coverage Rules: New Medicaid work requirements are raising alarms that people with fluctuating illnesses—like cancer—could lose coverage, with enforcement details still murky. Cancer Care in Nebraska: Nebraska Medicine unveiled a new proton beam treatment device at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, aiming to expand access for patients across a wide region. Nuclear Energy Watch: The U.S. Energy Department says an advanced microreactor hit “criticality” at Idaho National Lab, a step toward electricity generation. AI + Data Centers + Water: Google says it will replenish more water than it uses at U.S. data centers by 2030, as communities scrutinize AI infrastructure impacts. Research Recruitment: Darwin’s Ark is expanding a national cat genetics study and is calling for more participation from underrepresented states, including Nebraska. Livestock & Animal Welfare: Congress is considering farm bill language that could roll back state livestock welfare rules, targeting California’s Proposition 12.

Ag Data Privacy: Nebraska’s LB 525 is now law, creating first-in-the-nation rules for how farm and ranch data is collected, processed, and used—aimed at protecting farmers’ privacy while keeping innovation moving. Cancer Tech in Omaha: Nebraska Medicine is celebrating a new proton beam treatment device at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, designed to deliver more precise radiation and expand access for patients across a wide region. Nuclear Progress: The U.S. Energy Department says an advanced microreactor hit “criticality” at Idaho National Lab, a milestone that could lead to electricity generation within a few years. Health Records Privacy Fight: HHS is seeking access to identifiable medical records from state health data systems for vaccine-autism research, raising legal and privacy concerns, including involvement tied to Nebraska’s CyncHealth. STEM for Kids: Grand Island’s EPIC Discovery Center opened after seven years, offering STEAM hands-on learning for ages 0–18. Proton + Policy + Privacy: Together, this week’s Nebraska tech news is all about building new tools—then setting guardrails for data, patients, and access.

Nuclear Power Watch: The U.S. Energy Department says Antares Nuclear’s advanced microreactor at Idaho National Lab reached “criticality,” a first private-company milestone that could lead to electricity generation within a few years. AI in Healthcare: Banner Health named Dr. John Rares Almasan as its chief AI, data and infrastructure officer, aiming to use AI to streamline care and operations. Cancer Breakthrough: Revolution Medicine’s daraxonrasib drew a standing ovation after trial results showed pancreatic cancer survival nearly doubled versus chemotherapy. Nebraska Research & STEM: Grand Island’s EPIC Discovery Center opened after seven years, bringing hands-on STEAM learning for kids up to age 18. Agriculture Under Stress: UNL Extension livestock and wheat updates highlight drought and freeze damage forcing tough choices for High Plains producers, from grazing to hay and silage. Data Centers & Policy: A new tracker shows many states—including Nebraska—have offered major tax incentives to attract data centers, even as some communities push back. Cyber/Tech Security: Federal prosecutors say Jamshid Ghomi was arrested over an alleged long-running scheme to supply restricted U.S. tech to Iran’s nuclear and military programs.

Nuclear Breakthrough: The U.S. Energy Department says a private microreactor at Idaho National Lab hit “criticality,” a key step toward generating electricity—another sign the push to speed advanced nuclear is gaining traction. Nebraska STEM in Action: Grand Island’s EPIC Discovery Center finally opened after seven years, bringing STEAM hands-on learning for kids up to age 18. AI in Healthcare: Banner Health named Dr. John Rares Almasan as chief AI, data and infrastructure officer to expand AI-driven care and operations. Agriculture Watch: A southeast Nebraska soybean trial shows the upside and downside of early planting—warm weather helped until a May frost forced replanting. Tech & Community Infrastructure: Lincoln Airport is giving a behind-the-scenes look at its Runway 18/36 rebuild, aiming for safer, more reliable operations over the next two years. Open-Source Pressure: A report highlights how AI-generated code is overwhelming volunteer maintainers, raising concerns about burnout in open-source software. Broadband Oversight: A new report says state broadband offices need staying power and authority as BEAD and other programs roll out.

Proton Therapy Breakthrough: Mevion says it delivered the world’s first clinical proton treatment inside an existing conventional radiation vault at Stanford, aiming to cut the need for dedicated bunker builds. AI & Open Source Strain: A surge of AI-generated code is overwhelming volunteer reviewers, raising burnout fears for the open-source projects Nebraska and beyond rely on. Nebraska Infrastructure: Lincoln Airport is giving a behind-the-scenes look at its Runway 18/36 reconstruction, a phased rebuild to meet modern FAA standards and improve safety. Ag Under Pressure: USDA drought data shows Nebraska pasture and range in the worst shape nationwide, with cattle and hay stressed as ranchers weigh selling or moving herds. Local Tech/Community: UNO’s AI-CCORE Lab opens a public exhibit with a robot guide, Robo Ditto, designed to make AI more approachable. Health Policy Watch: HHS is seeking access to detailed medical records in an effort tied to autism research, sparking privacy concerns. Education & STEM Talent: UNK campaign leaders Brian and Carey Hamilton were recognized for service to the University of Nebraska.

Nebraska Research & Education: UNL soil scientist Rhae A. Drijber is retiring after 31 years, capping a career focused on soil microbes and how they shape organic matter. Local STEM & Community: UNL’s Jacht Ad Agency and journalism faculty helped launch Nurture Nebraska, a statewide campaign for kids’ social-emotional development that just earned Prism awards. Global Tech & Water: Google says it will replenish more water than its data centers use by 2030, with Nebraska included in $17M for water and conservation projects. International Collaboration: Kookmin University is expanding design ties with UNL, boosting student and faculty exchanges in graphic design, film, and new media. Health Policy & Privacy: HHS is seeking access to detailed, identifiable medical records as part of RFK Jr.’s push to study vaccines and autism, drawing privacy and legal concerns. Data Centers Watch: A Nebraska-related leak detection and water stewardship thread continues as data-center scrutiny grows. Agriculture & Livestock: Creighton researchers report on managed care and pancreatic surgery access in the Midwest, while Nebraska coverage also highlights horn fly impacts on pastured cattle and drought stress on newly planted crops.

Drought Watch (Nebraska): Northeast Nebraska farmers say the “save window” is shrinking as extreme drought hits newly planted corn and beans, with crusted, dry soil making it harder for sprouts to emerge. Sanctions & Cyber Tech: Federal prosecutors charged U.S.-Iranian tech CEO Jamshid Ghomi with allegedly supplying U.S. networking, security, and encryption gear to Iran’s nuclear and military programs, using front companies and UAE routing. AI Education Funding: A new analysis finds federal AI-related education dollars are increasingly concentrated in a few states, raising questions about whether students elsewhere get equal access to AI training. Health Privacy Fight: HHS is seeking access to detailed state medical records for research into vaccines and autism, drawing pushback from privacy and public health leaders. Water Use & Data Centers: Google pledged to replenish more water than it uses by 2030, investing $17M in water stewardship as AI drives higher data-center demand. Livestock Biosecurity: USDA confirmed a New World screwworm case in Texas, prompting containment steps and renewed concern for cattle producers. Space Weather: A rare “cannibal” solar eruption is expected to spark auroras across up to 23 states.

Sanctions Tech Crackdown: Federal agents arrested Jamshid Ghomi, a Newport Coast CEO, alleging a decade-long scheme to route restricted U.S. networking and encryption gear to Iran’s nuclear and military sectors via UAE intermediaries. Livestock Health: USDA confirmed a New World screwworm case in a Texas calf, reviving fears for U.S. cattle and prompting quarantine and testing; Nebraska vets say don’t panic, but stay alert. Nebraska Research Spotlight: UNL’s actuarial science and risk management business school research ranked No. 1 in North America. Rural Leadership: UNL researchers and Nebraska Extension are testing a community-wide leadership model in Seward, embedding into local development work instead of running a standalone program. Energy Watch: Nebraska Public Power District identified four potential nuclear plant sites, including a Gage County location, as utilities weigh next steps. Space Weather: NOAA issued a strong geomagnetic storm watch for June 4–5, with aurora visibility possible across up to 23 states.

Medicaid Overhaul: CMS rolled out a new Medicaid work requirement rule, setting a unified federal framework for states to require 80 hours a month of work, education, job training, or community service to keep coverage. Senior Workforce Snapshot: A new analysis of Census data finds 18.7% of Americans 65+ worked in 2025, with Nebraska leading at 31.3% of working seniors. UNL/UNK Education & Content: UNK will drop a widely used human sexuality textbook after an internal review found graphic images; UNL also announced free Discovery Days on East Campus this summer. Ag & Food Tech: Purdue’s DIAL Ventures Fund II held its first close, building on a $30M+ agrifood portfolio, while Nebraska Extension pushed its ACREE irrigation scheduling app for the 2026 season. Rail Safety Tech: Rail Vision says its ShuntingYard sensing tech is now integrated into Railserve’s YardGUARD railyard safety system. Public Health: A new report finds “deaths of despair” fell overall, but some Midwestern states saw increases, with Nebraska unchanged. Nebraska Outdoors Archive: Nebraskaland’s digital archive now covers 100 years of issues, fully searchable online.

Campus Policy: UNK will stop using a human sexuality textbook after complaints it included “graphic images,” and it will update course notices and materials for the fall. Telecom & Security: Nebraska’s FCC commissioner tour highlighted how communications infrastructure ties into national security, with stops at Offutt and Boys Town. Agriculture Research: UNL unveiled new wheat and triticale varieties aimed at helping western Nebraska producers handle drought and freezes, with wheat variety tours set for June 10–18. Local Housing Finance: North Platte City Council split 5–3 on TIF for Newberry Village, a planned single-wide home park tied to workforce housing needs. Veterinary STEM Pipeline: UNL selected 21 students for the Nebraska Elite 11 Veterinarian Program to address food-animal vet shortages in rural communities. Public Health & Care: Hillcrest Health & Rehab ranked as Sarpy County’s largest nursing home by bed count in Q1 2026, according to CMS data. Cancer Breakthrough: A new pancreatic cancer pill, daraxonrasib, is reported to nearly double survival in late-stage trials. Veterans Protection: Rep. Don Bacon and others introduced the SAFEGUARD Veterans Act to crack down on “claim sharks” charging fees for VA benefits help.

Cancer Breakthrough: A new pancreatic cancer pill, daraxonrasib, drew a near-minute standing ovation at ASCO after late-stage trial results showed it nearly doubled survival for previously treated metastatic patients. Nebraska Tech & Health Policy: The Trump administration’s CMS rule sets nationwide Medicaid work requirements starting in 2027, with states already gearing up for reporting and exemptions—raising concerns about coverage loss and added bureaucracy. AI in Healthcare: Minnesota advanced a bill that would block health insurers from denying prior authorizations based solely on AI recommendations, requiring licensed physician review. Ag Tech in Nebraska: Fremont-based DPA Auctions acquired AgIQ, adding fleet valuation tools for producers, dealers, and cooperatives. Autonomy for Agriculture: Nebraska startup ALA Engineering is developing autonomous feed trucks for cattle feedlots, aiming for commercial deployments next year. Weather & Safety: Severe storm threats are building across the Northern Plains, including parts of Nebraska, with hail, damaging winds, and a tornado risk.

Microplastics in drinks: UNL and UNMC researchers won a $1.48M grant to study how much micro- and nanoplastics people may ingest from everyday bottles and cups. Local zoning vs data centers: Lincoln County commissioners punted a proposed moratorium on data center zoning, instead directing planners to update local rules. Hantavirus update: Five of 18 U.S. cruise passengers quarantined at UNMC in Omaha were allowed to go home after symptom-free monitoring, with remaining cases continuing under strict surveillance. Medicaid work rules guidance: CMS released interim guidance spelling out exemptions and implementation steps for states rolling out Medicaid work requirements. AI IPO watch: Anthropic confidentially filed for an IPO, signaling another major AI money moment for Wall Street. Nebraska wheat quality: UNL’s hard red winter wheat line NE20620 earned a 2026 Miller’s Choice Award for milling and baking performance. STEM on campus: UNK’s internal review found no support for claims of DEI programming or political bias. Agronomy careers: UNL agronomy admin Kay McClure retires after 20 years supporting a large faculty and research/extension operation.

Nebraska Research & STEM: UNL awarded stipends to 129 Husker undergrads for summer research, spanning engineering, chemistry, psychology, art, architecture, and fisheries & wildlife. STEM Access: UNO research highlights what motivates female students to pursue STEM research experiences, pointing to science-fair style engagement as a key on-ramp. Severe Weather & Climate: A new forecast explains why tornado risk shifts north in June, with Northern Great Plains states facing some of the year’s most intense storm conditions. Agriculture Tech: UNL adjusted its 2026 Wheat Variety Tour after drought and freeze damage, moving some stops indoors and canceling others. Public Health & Biosecurity: Cruise passengers exposed to hantavirus can leave Nebraska quarantine after weeks of isolation and monitoring. Energy & Infrastructure: Tributary dams managed by the Omaha District are credited with reducing flood damage by coordinating storage and timed releases during major storms. Policy Watch: Nebraska AGs joined a broader push against the federal KIDS Act, arguing it could preempt state child online safety enforcement.

Undergraduate Research: UNL awarded stipends to 129 Husker undergraduates for summer research and creative projects, with students presenting posters at a campus symposium Aug. 5. Housing & Insurance Costs: Verisk reports residential roof replacement costs rose 33% in 2025 and repair costs climbed 25%, even as overall claims volume fell—driven by hail volatility and aging roofs. Severe Weather Outlook: Forecasters say June’s tornado threat shifts north toward the Central and Northern Great Plains as jet-stream patterns and high instability (CAPE) ramp up. Nuclear Energy Watch: A push for small and micro nuclear reactors aims to expand U.S. clean power, but critics warn about costs, waste, and safety/regulatory uncertainty. Medical Breakthrough: A phase 3 pancreatic cancer trial of daraxonrasib reported doubled survival versus chemo, prompting clinicians to explore next uses. Nebraska Policy: Gov. Pillen signed an executive order strengthening antisemitism protections in public schools, expanding reporting and educational access. Sustainability in Nebraska: Central Community College earned a STARS Gold rating for sustainability work, including student research on native plants and pollinators. Tech for Nature Monitoring: Repurposed old smartphones are being turned into low-cost ecosystem sensors to track climate impacts on trees and rivers.

Medical Breakthrough: A new pancreatic cancer pill, daraxonrasib, showed “unprecedented” results in a phase 3 trial—doubling average survival to 13.2 months vs. 6.7 with chemo—pushing doctors to explore other uses for the KRAS-targeting drug. Nebraska Agriculture: UNL’s 2026 Wheat Variety Tour is being reshaped by drought and freeze damage, with several field days canceled or moved indoors to keep growers getting data. Public Health Policy: States are balking at the high cost and admin burden of Medicaid work requirements as budgets tighten, with new reporting and verification demands stressing health systems. AI Safety: A new wave of “free, private” AI models is raising alarms because some won’t refuse harmful requests, renewing calls for stronger safeguards. Nebraska Tech & Governance: Lincoln City Libraries now offer free, on-site access to Nebraska court case databases (JUSTICE and SCALES), expanding public access to legal information. Sustainability in Higher Ed: Central Community College earned a STARS Gold rating for sustainability work spanning campus operations, student research, and clean-energy efforts.