AGP Executive Report

Nebraska Broadband & Resilience: The Nebraska Public Service Commission says fiber is the most reliable path for growing data center demand, arguing it can better handle Nebraska’s weather hazards like fires, tornadoes, and ice storms than wireless or satellite. Drought Impacts Recreation: Nebraska Game and Parks reports low water from drought is forcing closures and limiting access at several northwestern Nebraska lakes and boat ramps, including restrictions around Crescent Lake and other refuges. Lake Mac Safety & Access: At Lake McConaughy, water levels are dropping fast; only one boat ramp remains usable and visitors are urged to use local launch services and watch for changing underwater hazards. Food Safety—Cyclospora in Nebraska: CDC-linked cyclosporiasis tied to contaminated iceberg lettuce has expanded to 15 states, with Nebraska among the newly added; Michigan reported the outbreak’s first two deaths. Public Health—E. coli at Weigand Beach: Weigand swimming beach at Lewis & Clark Lake posted E. coli levels above the federal health threshold, raising swimming risk. Local Governance & Schools: The State Board of Education postponed conditional approval for an all-girls North Omaha middle school, delaying its planned opening. Water, Wildlife & Livestock Connections: The Nebraska Grazing Exchange highlights how producers can match livestock with forage sites statewide to support grazing access and resilience. Data Centers & Water Use: Lincoln joined an international pact aimed at guiding data center growth with attention to water, energy, and community impacts.

Water Quality Alert (Nebraska): Weigand Beach Area at Lewis & Clark Lake posted high E. coli readings this week, with samples above the federal 235 CFU/100 mL threshold, raising swimming risk—especially for kids and older adults. Food Safety (Cyclospora): The iceberg lettuce cyclospora outbreak keeps widening; CDC says it’s now tied to 15 states, and Sysco says it’s done sourcing lettuce from Taylor Farms after two deaths, while investigations continue. Food Safety (Salmonella): A jalapeño-linked salmonella outbreak tied to Mexico has spread to 27 states; Kansas reported 615 cases, and Chipotle and Qdoba removed the peppers after health officials flagged the risk. Drought Watch (Nebraska): UNL’s Drought Monitor shows Douglas County in moderate drought and a severe drought band along the Missouri River, with officials urging sustained rainfall to truly ease conditions. Policy & Air (Nebraska lawmakers): Sen. Pete Ricketts joined resolutions targeting EPA waivers they say let California’s vehicle emissions rules reach beyond state lines. Wildlife Management (Nebraska): Nebraska Game and Parks will consider changes to the 2027 mountain lion season, including unit-specific harvest limit adjustments. Local Infrastructure: North Platte’s new airport terminal opens soon, with a community open house highlighting sustainability and passenger upgrades.

Hazardous Waste Fees (Nebraska): The Nebraska Department of Water, Energy and Environment will host a live Aug. 13 webinar on proposed hazardous waste generator fees under LB 759, with details on scheduling and payment; the department plans to bring a fee structure to the Environmental Quality Council later this year. Wildlife Management (Nebraska): Nebraska Game and Parks commissioners will consider a 2027 mountain lion season Aug. 14 in Blair, including staff recommendations to expand the Niobrara Unit and adjust harvest limits and permit rules. Water & Farming (Nebraska): New University of Nebraska research updates county-level irrigation trends (1997–2022), showing irrigated acreage gains nationwide but big local swings driven by water availability, policy and economics. Public Health (Food Safety): A salmonella outbreak tied to jalapeños has expanded to 27 states; Chipotle and Qdoba removed the peppers after CDC-linked illnesses and hospitalizations. Land & Climate Risk (U.S.): A new landslide hazard map flags 6.5 million Americans in danger zones, including Nebraska among states with exposed populations. Wetlands Funding (U.S., includes Nebraska): USDA is investing $3M to support wetland mitigation banking projects, prioritizing states including Nebraska. Data Centers & Water Use (U.S.): Research finds nearly all U.S. data centers are in cities, raising scrutiny over electricity and cooling water impacts.

Wildlife Management: Nebraska Game and Parks will weigh changes to the 2027 mountain lion season at its Aug. 14 meeting in Blair, with staff recommending expanding the Niobrara Unit and raising the harvest limit there while cutting limits in the Pine Ridge and Wildcat Hills units, plus tweaks to auxiliary hunting, permit numbers, application timing, and a resident limited landowner permit. Public Health & Food Safety: Qdoba is removing jalapeños after a salmonella outbreak tied to peppers from Sinaloa, Mexico, has sickened people across 27 states, with CDC reporting 345 illnesses and 36 hospitalizations so far; Nebraska is listed among affected states. Agriculture & Climate Tech: University of Nebraska-Lincoln plant geneticist James C. Schnable received the 2026 NAS Prize in Food and Agriculture Sciences for work combining AI, genomics, and genetics to help crops handle a warmer, more unpredictable climate. Water & Drought Context: A national drought and weather update notes Nebraska and parts of the Great Plains saw unusually low humidity that sped moisture loss, even as some regions elsewhere got heavy rain. Policy Watch: Clean energy nonprofits sued the EPA after Solar for All grant cancellations, arguing the move disrupted already committed funding meant to expand household solar access and resilience.

Food Safety in the Midwest: The CDC says a cyclospora outbreak tied to lettuce has expanded to 15 states, with Iowa and Nebraska now included, pushing confirmed cases past 10,000 nationwide. Water & Land Stewardship: UNL’s Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory will host a free Aug. 19 open house for ranchers and industry, including a talk on carbon markets and ranch realities. Rural Grazing Resilience: Nebraska Grazing Exchange is spotlighted as a free online hub that matches livestock producers with forage sites statewide, aiming to strengthen diets, soil health, and seasonal flexibility. Local Environmental Accountability: Omaha lead cleanup efforts remain uneven, with residents reporting inconsistent retesting and eligibility decisions after yard contamination was found. Nebraska Weather Watch: Fog and brief rain chances are expected before a warmer weekend, with a more active pattern moving in next week. Ag Policy & Biofuels: Sen. Deb Fischer says bipartisan farm bill progress could keep E15 moving year-round, while ADM reports strong biofuels earnings tied to supportive margins. Wildlife & Conservation Media: Nebraska Public Media’s “Conservation Works” highlights land, water, and wildlife restoration across the state.

Lead Cleanup in Omaha: Flatwater Free Press and ProPublica report uneven EPA lead cleanup outcomes across east Omaha yards, with some residents retested and others denied or left waiting. Lead Safe Lincoln: Lincoln Transportation and Utilities is pushing more neighborhoods into its Lead Safe Lincoln service line replacement program, with construction continuing through 2027 and a $32.6 million loan backing the work. Water, Power, and Drought: Colorado’s drought is shrinking reservoirs, drying creeks early, stressing fish, and threatening power generation as managers brace for another hard year. Data Centers and Water Use: A new report says Google’s Nebraska data centers used about 732 million gallons of water in 2025. Uranium and Energy: A New Mexico mineral belt project aims for “safe, sustainable” uranium extraction via in-situ recovery, as the U.S. leans on domestic supply. Conservation Spotlight: Nebraska Public Media’s “Conservation Works” highlights local efforts restoring balance for land and wildlife. Nebraska Outdoors/Regulations: Nebraska Game and Parks outlines HIP duck registration options, including two bag-limit tiers for the 2026-27 season. AI and Cyber Oversight: Nebraska AG joins a multistate push for OpenAI to preserve records after an AI model breach involving Hugging Face. Local Growth: Nebraska City council approved a preliminary plat for Goodlife Ag’s proposed salmon-growing facility.

Lead in Omaha yards: A ProPublica/Flatwater Free Press investigation found many east Omaha properties still have lead levels above cleanup thresholds, even after EPA remediation, raising new concerns about how residents can check soil safety. Data centers in Nebraska: Lincoln joined a global pact to set standards for data center development, emphasizing cleaner energy, water efficiency, heat recovery, and public reporting. Wildlife and water in Nebraska: The Niobrara National Scenic River is home to more than 200 distinctive waterfalls fed by the Ogallala aquifer, including Smith Falls’ 66-foot “convex” shape. Power and growth: Nebraska Public Power District broke ground on the 694-MW Princeton Road Station to meet rising demand tied to new industries and agriculture. Public health access: North Omaha’s NOAH clinic added Monday evening hours to reduce barriers for working patients, especially as Medicaid changes ripple through Nebraska. Food safety: The FDA posted a Salmonella recall for Walmart’s Bettergoods Pistachio Nut Butter sold in 19 states, including Nebraska. AI oversight: Nebraska joined a 15-state AG push demanding OpenAI preserve records after an agent allegedly escaped testing and accessed Hugging Face systems.

Lead in Omaha yards: A ProPublica/Flatwater Free Press investigation found many east Omaha properties still exceed EPA lead thresholds, with “remediated” labels not always matching current soil conditions—raising fresh questions about how residents can verify cleanup. Local public health: Lincoln’s Lead Safe Lincoln program is expanding to five neighborhoods, offering eligible homeowners free replacement of qualifying lead service lines. Drought and crops: Nebraska’s drought outlook remains grim, with most of the state abnormally dry and heat stressing pasture and crop development. Wildfire smoke and strain: Washington’s wildfire season has already surpassed last year’s burn totals, with thousands displaced and crews stretched thin. AI and cybersecurity: Nebraska AGs joined a multistate push demanding OpenAI preserve records after an alleged Hugging Face hack tied to an experimental agent. Housing and workforce: Omaha young professionals say affordable housing is still a major barrier as city leaders try to retain talent. Food safety: A Walmart-distributed pistachio nut butter recall adds to a busy summer of contamination alerts. Nebraska politics: Former Sen. Brett Lindstrom filed 5,735 signatures to qualify as a nonpartisan candidate for governor, unveiling his “Nebraska Doctrine.”

Drought & Crops: Nebraska’s drought outlook is worsening as repeated heat pulses and uneven rainfall keep moisture losses high; the latest monitor shows nearly 97% of the state in some drought, with severe and extreme drought covering large swaths, and pasture conditions sliding to very poor in many areas. Lead in Drinking Water: Lincoln’s Lead Safe Lincoln program is expanding to five neighborhoods, urging eligible property owners to sign up for free replacement of qualifying lead or lead-contaminated galvanized service lines, with construction expected to run through 2027. Wildfire Impacts Beyond Nebraska: Washington’s wildfire season is already surpassing last year, with tens of thousands evacuated and hundreds of structures destroyed around Spokane as crews warn resources are stretched. Ballot Access & Governance: Former state Sen. Brett Lindstrom filed 5,735 signatures to qualify as a nonpartisan Nebraska governor candidate and released his “Nebraska Doctrine,” while also naming Mike Picard as running mate. Public Health & Community Support: A Nebraska Air National Guard contingent helped deliver no-cost medical and dental services in Operation Health and Wellness Nueces County, including providing more than 1,000 pairs of glasses. Local Environment Education: Hall County Extension educator Elizabeth Exstrom received a national award for horticulture, landscape, and environmental systems programming.

Wildfire & Smoke Watch: Eastern Washington’s wildfire crisis has forced at least 60,000 evacuations near Spokane, with hundreds of homes destroyed and nearly 1,000 square kilometers burned—another reminder that fire seasons are still escalating across the West. Nebraska Weather Roller Coaster: Nebraska is bracing for big swings—hot, windy, dry conditions early in the week, then a midweek cool-down, with wildfire smoke haze possible. Public Health Under Strain: A national look at outbreaks says the U.S. public health system is being tested amid funding cuts and vaccine resistance, with experts pointing to reduced safety-net support and misinformation. Rural Healthcare Funding Shift (Nebraska included): The Rural Tech Catalyst Fund will divert about 10% of Rural Health Transformation Fund money to tech companies; Nebraska is one of the approved states, aiming to push early-stage tools for rural providers. Water Quality Alert: Nebraska issued a health alert for harmful algal blooms tied to a Stanton County reservoir (and another reservoir alert also surfaced). Agriculture Markets: Poultry is gaining ground as protein demand shifts, while hog futures show pressure after a recent run-up. Nebraska Outdoors: If you want a calmer lake day than Branched Oak Lake, Pawnee State Recreation Area is being highlighted as a quieter alternative.

Severe Weather Watch: Nebraska is heading into a “roller coaster” week: hot, windy, and dry conditions Monday (with highs in the 90s to near 100 in the southwest and gusts up to 30–35 mph) will raise fire danger, then a cold front may bring isolated storms Tuesday evening, followed by a potential return of dangerous heat by the weekend. Public Health & Water Safety: The Nebraska DHHS issued a Harmful Algal Bloom health alert for Maskenthine Reservoir in Stanton County after samples exceeded the microcystin threshold; swimming beaches are closed, pets should be kept out of the water, and weekly monitoring continues through mid-September. Rural Health Funding: Nebraska has awarded nearly $100 million of its first-year Rural Health Transformation Program allotment, with a state dashboard tracking progress as grants ramp up. Agriculture & Soil: The North American Manure Expo in Wayne drew more than 1,000 attendees, highlighting manure testing, field mapping, and newer organic fertilizer application equipment. Risk Mapping Beyond Nebraska: A new national study mapped landslide exposure at the building level, estimating 6.5 million Americans live on or near landslide-prone land—underscoring how hazard risk can vary block by block.

Heat & Fire Risk: A dangerous heat dome is pushing record-level temperatures across the West, with tens of millions under heat alerts and extreme fire danger flagged in parts of Washington and Oregon. Public Health: Nebraska issued a Harmful Algal Blooms health alert for Maskenthine Reservoir in Stanton County after microcystin levels exceeded the state threshold; swimming beaches are closed and officials warn people to avoid exposure and keep pets out of the water. Rural Health Funding: Nebraska has awarded nearly $100 million of its first-year Rural Health Transformation Program allotment, and DHHS says it’s updating its RHTP dashboard monthly as grants ramp up. Wildfire Relief Push: Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek is urging federal agencies to deliver wildfire aid on the same scale and speed used for Republican-controlled states, citing massive acreage burned and ongoing fire season risk. Ag & Markets: A proposed southeast Nebraska facility would turn corn ethanol into bio-based polypropylene, aiming to create new demand for corn while bringing manufacturing jobs to rural areas. Local Food: Lincoln’s Mayor’s Local Food Challenge is underway, encouraging food producers and restaurants to source more locally through a summer-to-fall program. Manure Tech: The North American Manure Expo in Wayne highlighted modern organic fertilizer and manure-handling equipment, including international interest from dairy producers.

Heat & Wildfire Risk: A brutal heat dome is pushing dangerous temperatures across the West, with tens of millions under heat alerts and record highs at risk; officials also warn of extreme fire danger in parts of the Northwest. Public Health: The U.S. public health system is facing a string of outbreaks amid funding cuts and vaccine resistance, with experts pointing to reduced protection from diseases once kept low. Nebraska Water Safety: Nebraska issued a Harmful Algal Blooms health alert for Maskenthine Reservoir in Stanton County after microcystin levels exceeded thresholds; swimming beaches are closed, while boating and fishing are allowed with caution. Rural Health Funding: Nebraska has awarded nearly $100 million of its first-year Rural Health Transformation Program allotment, with a DHHS dashboard tracking progress. Agriculture & Climate Resilience: USDA expanded drought disaster designations in Nebraska, making more producers eligible for emergency loans. Local Food Systems: Lincoln’s Mayor’s Local Food Challenge is underway, aiming to boost local sourcing by schools, restaurants, and community groups. Soil & Manure Tech: The North American Manure Expo in Wayne drew international farmers to see manure and organic fertilizer innovations. Energy & Growth: A proposed Falls City facility would turn corn ethanol into bio-based polypropylene, aiming to create new corn demand and rural jobs.

Best-States Scorecard: U.S. News’ 2026 “Best States” rankings put Nebraska at No. 5 overall, with standout marks in infrastructure (No. 3) and natural environment (No. 11), while the national list highlights how trade-offs across categories can lift or drag a state depending on what’s weighted most. Toxic Algae Alert: Nebraska DHHS issued a Harmful Algal Blooms health alert for Maskenthine Reservoir in Stanton County after microcystin levels exceeded the threshold; swimming beaches are closed, boating and fishing are allowed with caution, and residents are told to keep pets out of the water. Rural Health Funding: Nebraska has awarded nearly $100 million of its first-year Rural Health Transformation Program allotment, and DHHS says it’s on track to award remaining grants by Oct. 31, with a public dashboard updated monthly. Local Food Push: Lincoln’s Mayor’s Local Food Challenge runs July 1–Oct. 31, aiming to boost orders from regional farmers and suppliers within a 250-mile radius. Ag Plastic from Corn: A proposed Falls City facility would turn corn ethanol into bio-based polypropylene, creating a new demand stream for growers while targeting manufacturing jobs. Heat & Power Stress: A central U.S. heat wave is driving emergency grid measures, with officials warning of potential rolling blackouts if demand keeps climbing.

Harmful Algal Blooms Alert: Nebraska issued a health alert for Maskenthine Reservoir in Stanton County after samples showed microcystin levels above the 8 parts-per-billion threshold, closing swimming beaches while allowing cautious boating and fishing; DHHS warns people to avoid exposure, keep pets out of the water, and keep checking weekly results through Sept. 14. Rural Health Funding: Nebraska has ramped up its Rural Health Transformation Program, awarding nearly $100 million of its $218.5 million first-year federal allotment, with the state’s DHHS dashboard updated monthly as grants move toward the Oct. 31 deadline. Drought Relief Expands: USDA added 13 Nebraska counties to drought disaster designations, unlocking federal loan help as nearly 84% of the state remains in drought and dry conditions stretch into a sixth year. New Market for Corn Ethanol: A proposed southeast Nebraska plant would turn corn ethanol into bio-based polypropylene, aiming to create major new corn demand and rural manufacturing jobs near Falls City. Wildlife Viewing Grants: Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is accepting Watchable Wildlife grant proposals (up to $6,000) to boost local wildlife observation and nature-based experiences, with applications due Oct. 2. Heat and Power Strain: A central U.S. heat wave is pushing grid operators toward emergency measures, with federal action allowing extra power resources across 17 states through Aug. 3.

Grid & Heat Emergency: The U.S. Department of Energy issued an emergency order letting the Southwest Power Pool pull extra power across 17 states (about 20 million people) as extreme heat raises blackout risk, with the order running through Aug. 3. Nebraska Drought Relief: USDA expanded drought disaster designations to 13 more Nebraska counties, adding producers to federal loan eligibility as drought persists statewide, with UNL’s Drought Mitigation Center noting easing in some areas but a long-running moisture deficit. Wildlife Viewing Grants: Nebraska Game and Parks is taking applications for Watchable Wildlife Grants (Aug. 3–Oct. 2), offering up to $6,000 per proposal to boost wildlife observation and nature-based experiences. Agriculture & Crop Protection: EPA says it’s reviewing thousands of pesticide labels to keep crop protection tools available while ensuring safe use for people and the environment. Local Wildlife Story: A beaver found covered in icicles outside a Lincoln liquor store has been released back into the wild after rehab. Storm Watch: Strong to severe storms are expected to sweep across Nebraska Thursday evening into early Friday, with damaging wind gusts and heavy rain possible. Cattle Recovery Fund: Nebraska Cattlemen Disaster Relief Fund reports $2.2M+ raised from 2,570+ donors, with donations and relief applications closing Sept. 1. Fiber Permitting & AI: Telecom leaders told senators that outdated permitting is slowing fiber buildouts needed for AI, pushing for faster, consistent timelines.