AGP Executive Report

Medicaid Work Requirements: Gov. Jim Pillen directed DHHS to seek a CMS waiver that would temporarily exempt Dawson County Medicaid expansion recipients from Nebraska’s new work rules, citing the Tyson Foods closure and high unemployment. State Policy Watch: A separate report shows Nebraska’s Medicaid work requirement rollout is already chilling new enrollments, with community health centers seeing an unusual drop-off. Local Government: Lancaster County commissioners approved a slate of public safety and court-related contracts, plus reviewed road right-of-way changes near Wait Avenue. Omaha City Hall: Omaha City Council debated development items and a proposed ordinance on employee fundraising during work hours, with key motions failing on tight votes. Retail & Jobs: Bosselman Pump & Pantry will buy 21 Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh convenience stores across Iowa, Omaha-area Nebraska, and Minnesota, rebranding them starting mid-July. Agriculture & Drought: USDA data highlights severe pasture stress, with Nebraska among the worst states, adding pressure to cattle supplies and feed. Health & Community: Nebraska Humane Society is at 100% dog capacity and is urging adoptions over the weekend. Culture: Hastings hosts its 50th annual Czech Festival Saturday, with kolaches, polkas, and heritage week momentum.

Ukraine Aid Vote: The U.S. House passed the Ukraine Support Act (226-195), sending a new $8 billion military-loan package and tighter Russia sanctions to the Senate, where GOP support is uncertain. Nebraska Courts: A federal judge struck down Nebraska’s in-state tuition law for undocumented students, saying it conflicts with federal rules. Cattle Watch: USDA confirmed the New World screwworm in a Texas calf for the first time in 60 years; Nebraska officials urge vigilance, not panic, as containment steps begin. Gas Prices: An economics professor says Nebraska households could be paying about $150 more per month for gas after the Iran-related spike. Healthcare Leadership: Mary Lanning Healthcare named Shanna Stofer as its new president and CEO, starting July 13. Local Economy & Travel: Lincoln Airport celebrated American Airlines nonstop service to Chicago and Dallas-Fort Worth, with Phoenix starting in December. UNL & Beyond: Kookmin University will expand design exchanges with UNL’s Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts. Water & Parks: A Crofton open house will share details on the Weigand Marina improvement project at Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area.

UNMC Leadership Search: Interim UNMC Chancellor H. Dele Davies wrapped up a public vetting stop in Scottsbluff, laying out a five-year focus on clearer healthcare career pathways from middle school, plus training options that fit where students live. Immigration & Tuition: A federal judge struck down Nebraska’s in-state tuition law for undocumented students, saying it conflicts with federal law that doesn’t extend benefits to U.S. citizens. Aging Office Shakeup: The Aging Office of Western Nebraska is seeking a new executive director after the board placed top administrators on leave in February and terminated them in mid-May following an internal personnel investigation. Omaha/State Business: Mutual of Omaha crews are preparing to install the company’s logo on its new downtown tower so it’s visible during the 2026 College World Series. Agriculture Watch: Nebraska veterinarians are urging vigilance after a New World screwworm case was confirmed in the U.S., noting the fly’s limited range but the risk from animal movement. Air Travel: American Airlines launched new nonstop service from Lincoln to Chicago O’Hare and Dallas-Fort Worth, with Phoenix service planned for December. Community & Culture: Pink Lotus Project Nebraska’s “Strut for the Cure” fashion show celebrates cancer survivors and raises funds for local breast cancer research and support.

Education Policy: The Trump administration is steering TRIO college-access money toward states, letting governor-designated applicants win up to $10M a year for Talent Search—an approach critics say could shift control away from colleges and nonprofits. Health & Privacy: HHS is seeking federal access to detailed, identifiable state medical records, raising alarms among public health leaders and privacy advocates. Immigration & Courts: A federal judge struck down Nebraska’s in-state tuition law for some undocumented students as preempted by federal law. Agriculture: USDA confirmed a New World screwworm case in a Texas calf, triggering quarantine steps and renewed concern for livestock producers. Nebraska Research & Community: UNL’s actuarial science research ranked No. 1 in North America; UNL and Nebraska Extension are also testing a community-wide leadership model in Seward. Energy & Water: Google pledged $10M for Texas water stewardship tied to data-center expansion, with additional commitments including Nebraska. Local Governance: Lincoln petition drives aim to change city election dates, expand voting access, and add council term limits.

Iran Sanctions Case: Dual U.S.-Iranian tech CEO Jamshid Ghomi was arrested and charged with allegedly smuggling U.S. networking and encryption equipment to Iran’s military and nuclear programs, using front companies and routing through the UAE. Nebraska Public Safety: The Nebraska Humane Society staged a hot-car demonstration showing how quickly temperatures inside parked vehicles can spike, urging pet owners to keep animals out of cars in warm weather. Nebraska Energy & Grid: Nebraska regulators approved the controversial 220-mile, $800 million Sandhills transmission line project (the R-Project) after a 3-1 vote, despite landowner concerns about impacts to the fragile ecosystem. Water for Data Centers: Google announced new water stewardship commitments totaling $17 million, including $3 million for Omaha’s Metropolitan Utilities District to expand leak detection across 500 miles of priority water lines. Ag Policy: Five Midwest senators, including Nebraska’s Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts, defended ethanol and E15 year-round sales in a letter to the Wall Street Journal. Health Policy: CMS rolled out a new Medicaid work requirement rule requiring many adults to complete 80 hours a month of work, training, education or community service to keep coverage.

Energy & Data Centers: Gov. Jim Pillen signed LB 1261, a new law meant to protect Nebraska public power ratepayers by allowing private partners to build major energy infrastructure without public districts taking over projects through eminent domain—aimed at keeping up with rising electricity demand from data centers and other heavy users. Local Governance: North Platte City Council approved a tax increment financing deal for Newberry Village, a planned park of up to 247 single-wide homes, after a split vote that turned on how the manufactured homes would be taxed and how TIF dollars would be repaid. Agriculture Innovation: UNL rolled out new wheat and triticale varieties for Nebraska producers, including NE Daybreak, NE Fenster, and NT Pronto, with variety tours set for June 10-18. Public Health: UNMC said five of 18 hantavirus-exposed cruise passengers have left Omaha’s National Quarantine Unit to finish monitoring at home; 13 remain. Education & Culture: UNK will discontinue a human sexuality textbook after complaints it contained “graphic images,” and will add clearer course notices for the replacement. Community & Youth: Snow-Redfern Foundation announced 2026 Root2Rise and Young Men Rising youth leadership cohorts, with statewide virtual sessions and $2,000 scholarships for completers.

Energy Law in Focus: Nebraska lawmakers and Gov. Jim Pillen celebrated LB 1261, calling it “transformative” for meeting rising electricity demand while aiming to keep costs off public power ratepayers by letting private firms finance and build major generation projects. Rail Merger Pause: The federal Surface Transportation Board paused the Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger, asking for more details and more public input before it can move forward. Hantavirus Update in Omaha: UNMC said five quarantined cruise passengers have been released from the National Quarantine Unit after completing the first part of monitoring; 13 remain. Bank Expansion: FNBO announced it will buy Blue Ridge Bancshares in Independence, Missouri, adding to its Kansas City-area buildout. Consumer Safety Alert: The BBB warned of a fake Omaha car sales website using stolen photos and fabricated paperwork, with at least one reported $1,500 loss. Ag and Wildlife: USDA unveiled a migratory big game conservation framework across 17 states, including Nebraska, to support elk, pronghorn and mule deer while keeping working lands working. Retail/Workplace Notes: Several companies earned Inc. “Best Workplaces” recognition, including eVero, iSeatz, Opkalla and Opus Training.

Nebraska Politics & Elections: Nebraska’s GOP secretary of state primary turned into a referendum on election security, with candidates Petersen and Slattery positioning their campaigns around how the state should protect voting. Rural Health: A bipartisan push to extend the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration cleared the Senate, giving rural hospitals a path to test Medicare payment models for five more years. Agriculture & Land: Land transition planning is forcing Nebraska families to tackle how to treat newer acres versus long-held ground as values rise and heirs negotiate the future of the farm. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Lincoln County commissioners backed away from a data-center zoning moratorium for now, instead directing planners to update zoning rules and revisit the issue next week. Business & Jobs: Creighton’s Mid-America Business Conditions Index points to manufacturing growth but also a weak labor market and inflationary pressure. Sports: Nebraska softball’s historic WCWS run ended in Oklahoma City, but the program’s opening-round TV audience set new ESPN viewership records. Consumer Watch: The Better Business Bureau warned Omaha consumers about a lookalike online car dealer scam tied to a fake “Thrifty Auto Sales Shop” using an Omaha address.

Nebraska Softball: The Huskers’ historic 2026 run ended at the Women’s College World Series, but the program’s culture message—“loving, serving and caring”—stayed front and center after a 52-8 season and a first-ever NCAA Super Regional at home. Ag & Food: UNL’s hard red winter wheat line NE20620 just earned a national Miller’s Choice Award for top milling, mixing and baking performance, underscoring Nebraska’s push for end-use quality. Public Health: UNMC says some of the hantavirus-exposed cruise passengers quarantined in Omaha are expected to leave this week, with at least two New York residents planning to return home to finish monitoring. State Policy: Nebraska’s cannabis rescheduling fight continues as Nebraska AG joins a lawsuit challenging the federal move, even as Louisiana withdraws from the case. Community & Local Government: An ACLU of Nebraska mayoral pardons clinic in Omaha helped residents sort out which past ordinance violations may qualify for relief. Business: Berkshire Hathaway’s new CEO signaled a shift as the company agreed to buy Taylor Morrison for $6.8B, expanding its housing footprint.

Nebraska Politics: Independent Senate hopeful Dan Osborn has quietly scrubbed “abortion” from his website while still taking money from a Planned Parenthood figure, a move that could reshape how voters read his platform. State Education: Gov. Jim Pillen signed an executive order targeting antisemitism in Nebraska schools, requiring annual reporting and new Holocaust/Israel-related professional development. Agriculture: Nebraska’s 2026 wheat variety tour was altered after drought and freeze damage, with several field days canceled or moved indoors. USDA Grants: A USDA move canceled $300M in farm grants over fraud claims, raising questions about how the agency handled the cases. Insurance & Housing: A new report says homeowners’ odds of getting paid are barely 50% as roof and hail volatility drive costs higher. Sports: Nebraska’s softball season ended with a 3-1 loss to Texas in the WCWS after a 52-8 run. Business: Berkshire Hathaway announced it will buy Omaha-based Taylor Morrison for about $6.8B. Local/Community: The Nebraska Humane Society is seeking foster families for kittens as shelter demand rises.

Education & Civil Rights: Gov. Jim Pillen signed an executive order aimed at combating antisemitism in Nebraska’s public schools, requiring annual reporting on incidents and directing statewide professional development and curricula on the Holocaust, Israel, and Jewish American history. Sports: Nebraska’s softball team faces Texas in an elimination game at the Women’s College World Series in Omaha, with the Huskers trying to keep their run alive. Agriculture: UNL adjusted its 2026 Wheat Variety Tour after drought and freeze damage, canceling some field days and moving others indoors to keep growers connected with research. Local Economy & Planning: Lincoln County commissioners will consider a potential data center proposal from Tenaska, including a possible temporary moratorium and zoning review. Public Health & Safety: Nebraska City first responders responded to an ammonia leak at a Cargill facility; officials say exposures were treated as precautionary and the building was cleared after readings dropped to zero. Health Policy: States are pushing back on Medicaid work requirements as budgets tighten, with lawmakers weighing cuts to health care and education to meet new obligations.

Hazmat Response in Nebraska City: Multiple ambulances responded to a reported ammonia leak at the Cargill Value Added Meats plant on Industrial Road. Officials say the building was evacuated, 10 people were treated as a precaution, and ammonia readings dropped to 0 ppm after crews cleared the area. State Education Policy: Gov. Jim Pillen signed an executive order requiring Nebraska K-12 districts, colleges, and universities to track and report antisemitic incidents to the Governor’s Office. Marijuana Legal Fight: Nebraska AG Mike Hilgers joined Indiana and Louisiana in asking a federal appeals court to block the Trump administration’s medical cannabis rescheduling move. Rural Health Funding: The Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Reauthorization Act cleared the Senate, extending a Medicare program that includes Nebraska hospitals. Agriculture & Markets: China lifted HPAI-related poultry import restrictions for 17 U.S. states, potentially reopening export access for Nebraska-area producers. Workforce & Economy: Nebraska’s unemployment picture continues to diverge from other states, with a widening gap between strong and weak job markets nationwide. Capitol Life: “Cameron the Capitol Cat” remains a familiar Nebraska State Capitol presence, drawing visitors and lawmakers alike.

Antisemitism in Nebraska Schools: Gov. Jim Pillen signed an executive order requiring Nebraska K-12 schools and colleges to use the IHRA definition of antisemitism, strengthen prevention and reporting, and submit annual incident reports to the Governor’s Office. Child Sex Trafficking Case: A 27-year-old Indian national, Kavankumar Patel, was sentenced to 10 years in federal court in Omaha for trafficking two minor girls, with deportation likely after release. Local Economy & Jobs: Kellogg’s Omaha plant will lay off more than 450 employees in two phases between late July and mid-August, with the facility slated for sale. Public Health: Passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship remain under hantavirus quarantine in Omaha; officials say none are currently symptomatic or positive, and two New Yorkers are expected to finish quarantine at home in New York. Transportation Funding: Eppley Airfield in Omaha is getting an additional $10.5 million to modernize terminals and boarding bridges. Food Security: New data says millions of Americans are losing SNAP access as work requirements expand, hitting Black, Latino, and Native households hardest. Education & Care Access: Creighton dental students provided free screenings for Special Olympics athletes, highlighting ongoing barriers to dental care for people with disabilities. Agriculture & Livestock: Rural areas still struggle to recruit large-animal veterinarians, with Nebraska communities facing shortages and relying on incentives to fill gaps.

Health Access in Omaha: Creighton dental students offered free screenings and mouthguards to Special Olympics athletes, highlighting how training and access barriers can keep people with special needs from getting routine care. Nebraska Agriculture Exports: A U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council team brought Mexican feed nutritionists to Nebraska to learn how corn co-products like DDGS can fit into livestock diets, including tours of a POET ethanol facility and local farms. Omaha Job Losses: WK Kellogg says the remaining Omaha plant workforce will be laid off starting late July through mid-August, with severance and the complex set for sale. State Election Process: Nebraska’s Board of State Canvassers will meet June 8 to certify 2026 primary results, with a possible June 10 recount trigger. Public Health & Food Support: DHHS begins issuing Summer EBT benefits, with new rules barring soda and energy drinks. Crime Commission Leadership: Gov. Jim Pillen appointed Scott Gray to lead the Nebraska Crime Commission starting Aug. 3. Local Community: LifeNet of the Heartland expanded regional helicopter EMS in Siouxland, already transporting more than 90 patients since last November.

Rail & Business: The Surface Transportation Board accepted the Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger application but paused formal review, saying parts of the filing are unclear; the railroads have until July 27 to supplement details before the process moves forward. State Policy: Nebraska enacted a “mini-WARN” law requiring 90 days’ advance notice for certain business closings or mass layoffs, taking effect July 17, 2026. Agriculture & Rural Workforce: Gov. Jim Pillen is backing LB 1165 and LB 847 as part of a broader push to strengthen Nebraska’s business climate, while UNL’s Nebraska Elite 11 Veterinarian Program selected 21 students to help address the state’s food-animal vet shortage. Public Health & Safety: Nebraska quarantine rules for Americans exposed to Andes hantavirus may allow return home early next week if states post 24/7 monitoring. Community & Infrastructure: Nebraska Public Power District is urging boaters to clean, drain, and dry to stop invasive species from spreading on NPPD waterways.

Summer EBT: Nebraska’s first summer EBT payments of $120 per eligible child went out Thursday, with cards mailed to families and a new rule barring soda and energy drinks. Elections & governance: The Nebraska Board of State Canvassers is set to certify 2026 primary results in June, with no automatic recounts expected unless certification triggers one. Marijuana lawsuit: Nebraska AG Mike Hilgers joined Indiana and Louisiana in suing to block the Trump Justice Department’s marijuana reclassification, arguing the federal move skipped proper rulemaking. Crime commission leadership: Gov. Jim Pillen appointed Omaha Police executive deputy chief Scott Gray to lead the Nebraska Crime Commission. Rail update: Federal regulators paused the Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger review and asked for more details, including public-interest questions. Drought & wheat: Nebraska producers are bracing as drought worsens winter wheat prospects, with much of the crop rated very poor to poor. Business & growth: Kwik Trip is exploring expansion into Nebraska, while Nebraska casino revenue jumped in April. Community & culture: The Omaha Tribe began its second Genoa Indian School memorial walk, honoring Indigenous children sent to the school.