AGP Executive Report

Energy & Resilience: Lincoln’s 30-MW microgrid is getting a 3-MW/12-MWh zinc battery boost, aiming to cut peak demand and strengthen backup power for the Capitol complex. STEM Funding: NSF is awarding $10M to Nebraska EPSCoR to accelerate statewide STEM growth. AI Power Crunch: The U.S. Department of Energy issued an emergency order letting a regional grid operator tap backup generation at data centers during extreme heat, including in Nebraska. Agriculture Tech & Health: A Nebraska Extension cow/calf specialist, Rick Rasby, retired after 40 years, leaving research tools for beef producers. Public Health: CDC says this season’s norovirus outbreak totals are down versus last year, but still fall in a typical range. Policy & Privacy: Pornhub urged Nebraska and other states to rethink age-verification laws as “ineffective” and hard to enforce. Local Science Spaces: UNL’s Morrill Hall closed after flooding damaged first-floor areas, though major exhibits appear safe.

STEM Funding: NSF EPSCoR awarded $10M to Nebraska for statewide STEM growth, expanding research partnerships and career pathways through the new NSPIRE program. Health Tech & Care: UNL engineer Fadi Alsaleem’s gait-monitoring startup, Grasshopper Health, is advancing toward clinical trials with a wearable patch that turns walking patterns into continuous health data. Energy & Climate Resilience: Adapture Renewables and REC Power completed a deal for 68 MW of operating distributed solar across multiple states including Nebraska, while Tenaska held a required community info session on its Fluvanna power plant proposal. Agriculture Innovation: Nebraska Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) returns to Husker Harvest Days with low-risk farm management and marketing decision challenges. Wildlife & Water Reality Check: A Nebraska audience gets a reminder that drought and wildfire strain water systems—and that “water for granted” is a dangerous habit. Local Permitting Watch: Pete’s Safari owners seek a conditional use permit to keep operating a private zoo in Grand Island. Policy Shock (Medicaid): A federal Medicaid work rule takes legal effect Friday as states prepare member notifications, with a judge weighing whether to pause it.

Energy & AI strain: The U.S. Department of Energy authorized backup power for parts of 17 states as extreme heat pushes grids toward blackout risk, with Nebraska included. Wildfire readiness: Federal agencies raised the national wildfire preparedness level to 5/5, warning resources may not cover every new fire. Ag & animal health: A new push argues bagged silage can improve cow intake, health, and reproductive performance by preserving nutrients and reducing mold and mycotoxins. Cancer drug access (Nebraska link): Omaha’s Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center physician calls the experimental pancreatic cancer drug daraxonrasib a “game changer” after trial results. Healthcare policy: Florida families say Medicaid abruptly cut off autism therapy coverage (ABA), leaving children without access. Nebraska healthcare leadership: Northwestern Medical Center named Jonathan Billings its new CEO. Tech & finance regulation: New Zealand debates targeted rules for crypto ATMs amid scam and money-laundering concerns. Powering the future (local): Topstep opens an in-person trader support hub in Omaha and expands its Chicago presence. Nebraska security law: Gov. Pillen signed LB 1096 to protect Nebraska’s agriculture and critical infrastructure from hostile foreign threats.

AI & Research Funding: UNL researcher Mehmet Can Vuran’s team was named an inaugural awardee in the DOE’s Genesis Mission, aiming to boost discovery by combining AI, supercomputing, quantum systems, and advanced instruments—an early step toward a major 6G-era research platform. STEM & Public Science: UNL’s Great Plains Art Museum will open an immersive insect-focused installation by Jennifer Angus on Aug. 7, partnering with CAREMI to connect arthropods to science, engineering, and art. Nebraska Tech & Society: A new Nebraska Snapshot finds a big AI awareness gap: only 47% of Nebraskans say they’ve read or heard a lot about AI, with knowledge strongly tied to age, education, and income. Water & Data Centers: Virginia released a long-delayed groundwater study warning that declines are likely in a key aquifer and urging tighter rules on industrial water withdrawals tied to data center growth. Agriculture Tech: The North American Manure Expo in Wayne, NE, adds a dedicated tour day (July 28) highlighting composting, renewable energy, cattle care, and research/technology in regenerative farming. Policy & Internet Safety: The News/Media Alliance praised a new bipartisan bill that would require AI “stealth bots” to identify themselves and their purpose. Local Tech in Action: A Pleasant Valley Ag Services demo spotlights how agricultural drones are being used for crop spraying and chemical application across northeast Nebraska.

Data & Water Policy: Virginia released a long-delayed study warning its eastern aquifer could decline as population and industry grow, urging tighter rules on groundwater withdrawals and stronger permit oversight for data centers. AI Energy Costs: President Trump expanded the Ratepayer Protection Pledge at the EPA, aiming to keep AI-driven data center growth from raising household and business electricity bills, with utilities and developers backing the plan. Cybersecurity Regulation: CISA’s town halls on the cyber incident reporting rule drew a clear industry push to narrow what gets reported and reduce the amount of information companies must share. Nebraska AI Awareness: A new Nebraska Snapshot finds a knowledge gap: only 47% of Nebraskans say they’ve read or heard a lot about AI, with awareness highest among younger, higher-income, and more educated residents. Agriculture Tech & Trade: USDA lifted its ban on Mexican cattle imports after New World screwworm concerns, and Nebraska farmers are increasingly using drones for targeted spraying and disease monitoring. Public Health: The FDA/CDC widened a cyclosporiasis investigation tied to shredded iceberg lettuce, adding more states to the outbreak map.

Foreign Threats & Infrastructure: Gov. Jim Pillen and Sen. Eliot Bostar ceremonially signed LB 1096, aiming to shield Nebraska’s agriculture, energy, utilities, public records, and communications from hostile foreign and biological threats. AI Energy Costs: Trump expanded his “Ratepayer Protection Pledge” at the EPA, bringing utilities and data center developers together to argue AI growth shouldn’t raise household or business electricity bills. Heat & Public Health: A heat dome is keeping roughly 80 million people under advisories across the central U.S., with dangerous triple-digit temperatures and warm nights raising heat-illness risk. Nebraska Tech & AI Awareness: A new Nebraska Snapshot finds only 47% of Nebraskans say they’ve read or heard a lot about AI, with big gaps by age, education, and income. Agritech & Drones: A northeast Nebraska business is showcasing agricultural drones for crop spraying and services, highlighting how drone tech is spreading on local farms. Wildfire Forecasting: A South Dakota Mines student is interning with Wildland Fire to help forecast wildfire weather and study how declining snow depth could affect future burn planning. Food Safety: The FDA and CDC widened a Cyclospora outbreak investigation tied to shredded iceberg lettuce, now reported in nine states. Cattle Trade: USDA lifted a ban on Mexican cattle imports after New World screwworm controls, setting phased reopenings. Community Science Funding: The Carla Kilpatrick Memorial Bags Tournament raised funds for triple-negative breast cancer research at UNMC. Civic Tech/Policy: A First Circuit ruling kept an injunction blocking parts of Trump’s election-integrity executive order in 23 states, affecting citizenship lists and mail-ballot rules.

Wildfire Science in the Black Hills: A South Dakota Mines student is interning with South Dakota Wildland Fire, helping forecast wildfire weather and studying how declining snow depth could change future prescribed burns. Defense Recovery Delays: Federal budget cuts are slowing efforts to find missing Vietnam-era troops, with families saying time is running out as search missions drop. Nebraska History on Display: A new Nebraska State Historical Marker was dedicated at Fonner Park as part of Hall County’s centennial marker project. Court Fight Over Election Rules: A First Circuit panel kept an injunction blocking parts of Trump’s election-integrity order in 23 states, limiting DHS citizenship list distribution and USPS mail-ballot changes. AI & Energy Costs: Trump expanded a “Ratepayer Protection Pledge” aimed at preventing AI-driven data center growth from raising electricity bills. Data Centers vs. Water: Virginia released a long-delayed study warning groundwater declines are likely in a key aquifer and urging tighter withdrawal rules. Agriculture Trade Update: USDA lifted a ban on Mexican cattle imports tied to New World screwworm, with phased reopening planned. Local Hunger Relief: Lincoln businesses built Nebraska-themed sculptures from canned food for the Food Bank of Lincoln’s “Canned Creations” event, turning art into meals. Nebraska AI Awareness Gap: A Nebraska Snapshot found only 47% of Nebraskans have heard a lot about AI, with big differences by age, education, and income. Cybersecurity Rule Pushback: Industry groups told CISA they want fewer cyber incident reports and less required detail as a delayed federal notification rule heads toward September. Agritech Drones: A northeast Nebraska drone services business hosted a public demo to show how drones are used for chemical and pesticide application.

AI & Energy Policy: President Trump expanded his Ratepayer Protection Pledge at the EPA, adding 200-plus signatories and framing it as a way to stop AI data-center growth from raising household electricity bills—Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen backed the effort and pointed to a new Data Center Task Force. Cybersecurity Regulation: CISA’s town halls on the cyber incident reporting rule drew a clear industry message: apply it to fewer companies, require less reporting, and share less detail. Public Health & Food Safety: The FDA/CDC widened a cyclosporiasis investigation tied to shredded iceberg lettuce from central Mexico, adding four states and bringing reported cases to nine states. Agriculture Tech: A Nebraska drone demo in Cedar County highlighted how local operators are using aerial spraying and related services to modernize farm operations. STEM Research: A UN evolutionary biologist helped lead Science research on an Andean leaf-eared mouse’s genetic and metabolic adaptations for extreme high-elevation survival. Local Community Tech & Learning: Nebraska’s “Snapshot” found AI awareness varies sharply by age, education, and income, with younger and higher-income residents far more likely to have heard a lot about AI.

Ratepayer Protections for Data Centers: President Trump expanded the voluntary Ratepayer Protection Pledge, with Gov. Jim Pillen joining a White House roundtable to push a “build, bring, or buy” approach so data-center power upgrades don’t get billed to households. Cyber Policy Pushback: Industry groups told CISA to narrow a pending cyber incident reporting rule, arguing they should report fewer events and share less detail as the final rule slips toward September. Food Safety Watch: The FDA and CDC widened a cyclosporiasis investigation tied to shredded iceberg lettuce, adding four states and bringing reported cases to 1,947 across nine states. Nebraska Agriculture & Weather: UNL’s ag and natural resources programs ranked in the top 9% worldwide, while researchers linked Corn Belt groundwater and irrigation to more frequent, longer-lasting thunderstorm complexes. Health & Tech in Nebraska: A Nebraska CCC wetland mitigation banking push got $3M in USDA support, and Iowa hospitals ranked 9th nationally for patient experience—useful context for Nebraska’s own care-quality efforts. Wildlife Science: A UNL-led study found an Andean leaf-eared mouse evolved adaptations for extreme high-elevation survival.

AI in Medicine: Three startups are betting they can replace doctors, not just assist them, including one that’s already been authorized in Utah to renew certain prescriptions with no human sign-off. FDA & Peptides: An unusual FDA advisory panel is set to reshape the peptide market, weighing several banned compounds that are popular in wellness and fitness circles. Nebraska Public Safety: Crete’s police staffing crunch shows how budget shocks can stall hiring and leave officers stretched thin during emergencies. Weather Science for Farmers: NSF-funded research links Corn Belt groundwater and irrigation to more frequent and longer-lasting thunderstorm complexes—useful for forecasting and crop planning. Data Centers & Power Costs: Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen joined a White House push for a “Ratepayer Protection Pledge” aimed at stopping data-center grid upgrade bills from landing on households. Ag Tech in Action: UNL and ALA Engineering brought autonomous “smart feeding” trucks to a Nebraska feedlot innovation center, targeting labor shortages and steadier rations. Biomanufacturing Pitch: A regional “Biomanufacturing Shark Tank” is coming to Omaha in September, with applications due July 27. Health & Work: A new report finds nearly 1 in 5 workers tested positive for illicit drugs, with marijuana driving most of the increase.

Healthcare Data Infrastructure: Innovaccer says its healthcare data “plumbing” helped it top $200M in annual recurring revenue, arguing AI needs unified hospital and claims data to work. Energy & AI Grid Costs: Trump expanded the Ratepayer Protection Pledge, aiming to stop data-center electricity costs from hitting households; Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen is among participating governors. SNAP Funding Pressure: USDA warns many states face SNAP funding losses over high payment error rates, with overpayments driving billions in improper benefits. Nebraska AgTech in Action: UNL and ALA Engineering brought autonomous “smart feeding” trucks to a feedlot innovation center near Mead, targeting labor shortages and more consistent rations. Beef Research Open House: UNL’s Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory hosts an Aug. 19 open house with ranch-focused research updates and a carbon markets keynote. Transport Tech Deal: BasicBlock acquired TrueNorth to expand beyond freight factoring into load-finding and dispatch tools for independent carriers. Workforce & Childcare: UNL researchers found a $500 retention bonus could keep many childcare providers from leaving, amid stress and staffing shortages. Rural Maternity Access: A report says rural labor-and-delivery units keep shrinking, pushing more births farther from home.

Data Centers & Bills: Trump’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge is expanding with 23 Republican governors signed on, aiming to shield households from utility cost hikes tied to AI data centers. Nebraska Banking Tech: The Nebraska Bankers Association endorsed Stablecore as a digital asset technology provider for member banks, signaling more stablecoin and tokenized deposit offerings. Public Health & Work: A GAO report says reliance on SNAP and Medicaid among Amazon and gig workers has surged, raising questions about wages and corporate welfare. Weather Policy: Rep. Mike Flood (R-Neb) and Rep. Eric Sorenson launched a Weather Enterprise Caucus to push Congress toward more forecasting and resilience investment. Ag Tech: Nebraska farmers are testing CropVoice, a system that uses engineered plants and light sensors to flag disease before it’s visible. STEM Funding: NSF’s EPSCoR program awarded UNL $10M to strengthen Nebraska STEM research and partnerships. Campus Sustainability: UNK is expanding native prairie landscaping to cut water use and maintenance over the next several years. Health & Science: UNL-linked research highlights high-altitude survival in Andean mice, and a new MS study finds rising death rates tied to demographics and other health conditions. Local Crime: O’Brien County authorities helped unravel the 2019 death and disappearance of Nebraska teen Sunny Sramek, leading to federal convictions.

NSF STEM Boost: UNL’s EPSCoR just landed a four-year, $10M NSF grant to strengthen Nebraska STEM research and partnerships through NSPIRE. AI Awareness in Nebraska: A new UNL “Nebraska Snapshot” finds 47% of residents have heard little or nothing about AI, with younger, higher-income groups more informed. Health & Research: UNMC researchers reviewed common pregnancy meds and link some drug classes to disrupted cholesterol production tied to fetal brain development. Cancer Trials in Lincoln: NHO Revive is Nebraska’s only site for a Johnson & Johnson Phase 3 prostate cancer immune therapy trial, and it’s also preparing expanded access for an investigational pancreatic cancer treatment. Energy Storage in Lincoln: A 3-MW/12-MWh battery project for Lincoln Electric System is nearing final commissioning. Wildfire Tech: A new satellite network called FireSat aims to spot wildfires earlier to help responders act before fires spread. Public Health Alert: CDC reports measles cases hit 2,260 across 44 states, with summer travel driving new exposures. Gig Work & Benefits: A GAO report says Medicaid and SNAP use among Amazon and gig workers has surged, including in Nebraska.

AI Policy & Money: Anthropic says it will donate $20M to a group pushing for AI regulation, part of a broader push by AI firms to shape U.S. oversight. Agriculture Tech: Sen. Deb Fischer’s Farm Bill priorities include precision-ag support via the PRECISE Act, a Precision Agriculture Loan program, and rural connectivity funding through the LAST ACRE Act. Food Safety: The Taylor Farms cyclosporiasis lettuce recall has expanded to 27 states as the outbreak grows and federal response faces scrutiny. Energy Storage: WATTMORE and partners finished construction of a 3 MW / 12 MWh long-duration energy storage project for Lincoln Electric System, with commissioning next. Local Tech & Safety: Bellevue banned off-road recreational vehicles on public property after concerns about micromobility injuries and helmet use. Nebraska Data Centers: Gov. Pillen signed an executive order ending ImagiNE Nebraska tax incentives for data centers and creating a task force to weigh impacts on land, water, and electricity. Public Health & Research: UNL-linked reporting highlights Nebraska’s role in gut-microbe research tied to cancer immunotherapy response.

Nebraska Data & Power Policy: Gov. Jim Pillen signed an executive order ending state tax incentives for new data centers under the ImagiNE Nebraska Act, directing agencies to weigh benefits against impacts to land, water, and electricity and setting up a DWEE-led task force. Broadband Buildout: The NTIA approved California’s final BEAD plan, clearing the way for $1.42B in broadband awards across 270,571 locations, with funding split across fiber, satellite, and fixed wireless. Health & Antitrust: Nebraska’s AG joined a multistate $29.6M settlement with Glenmark over alleged generic-drug price inflation and reduced competition, with affected buyers urged to check eligibility. Agriculture Tech & Markets: Nebraska Corn Board named Andy Jobman to the national Corn Board, highlighting precision agriculture and risk management leadership; meanwhile, USMEF points to global demand for U.S. pork and Mexico’s ham market as a driver for soybean meal and corn value chains. Local Tech in Healthcare: Lexington Regional Health Center added Dr. Rebecca Gill, expanding breast-focused surgical care locally. Safety & Infrastructure: Commercial vehicle enforcement expanded with inspections in Nebraska and elsewhere, placing unsafe trucks and unqualified drivers out of service.

Data Centers in Nebraska: Gov. Jim Pillen signed an executive order ending access to state tax incentives under the ImagiNE Nebraska Act for large data centers, with officials pointing to land, water, and electricity impacts and a new task force to review proposals. Local Tech Governance: A parallel story from Lexington shows counties weighing whether to restrict data centers as expansion pressures grow, even when local governments lack clear statewide tracking. Nebraska AI Awareness: A new Nebraska Snapshot finds only 47% of Nebraskans say they’ve read or heard a lot about AI, with big gaps by age, education, and income. UNL STEM in the Field: UNL researchers are hand-pollinating popcorn to develop improved hybrids, building on Nebraska’s massive popcorn production footprint. Ag Education & Scholarships: Scholarships are backing the next generation of agriculture students, while Nebraska’s NEST 529 law expands education savings to include credential and career training in high-demand trades and IT. Health & Prenatal Safety: UNMC/CHRI review work warns that interfering with fetal brain development via certain medication classes may raise neurodevelopment risks.