Heat & public safety: Nebraska schools and families are getting practical guidance for extreme heat at football game days, including use of a Wet Bulb Globe Thermometer and schedule tweaks to reduce heat stress. Water quality alerts: The state extended health alerts for Harmful Algal Blooms at Cub Creek Lake and Rockford Lake, advising caution and avoiding swallowing water while weekly sampling continues through mid-September. Mosquito-borne disease: Nebraska recorded its first West Nile death of the season in Lancaster County as statewide mosquito activity is very high, with the heaviest activity in eastern and central Nebraska. Groundwater & farm nitrogen: The Central Platte NRD approved switching nitrogen management testing to V-TAPS, aiming for more interactive producer education every four years. Drought pressure on crops: A climatologist warns drought and heat could hit western and northwestern Corn Belt crops, including parts of Nebraska, as conditions worsen in the broader Midwest. Wildlife rehab: Nebraska Wildlife Rehab saved a duck after a nearly 5-foot shoelace was removed from its stomach, with plans to rejoin local mallards. Monarch outreach: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge will host monarch learning and tagging events in September, using recovered tags to support migration research. Beef policy debate: Lawmakers urged the Trump administration to pursue long-term stability for American cattle producers and avoid actions that could raise beef imports or disrupt tariff quotas. Defense infrastructure shift: A new Sentinel missile system is set to replace Minuteman III, with major changes planned for the F.E. Warren missile field and launch infrastructure.