AGP Executive Report

Fulbright & Culture at the Fair: Nebraska State Fairgoers at Fonner Park got a taste of the world as UNL Fulbright ambassadors shared music, dance, and hands-on booths from 19 countries. Community Faith Calendar: Multiple Nebraska regions posted Catholic gathering schedules for Sept. 6–12, including adoration and confession times across the Panhandle, East Central, Northeast, and Southeast. Housing Snapshot: Valley County public housing occupancy slipped to 92% in 2025 (about 126 units filled), while Webster County hit 97% and Jefferson County fell to 93%—all with rent levels and HUD-assisted categories tracked by county. Food Safety Tech (Nebraska tie-in): The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa won a $2M NSF award to build AI tools to spot threats to food production systems, partnering with UNL. Local Business: Smith Pauley opened a third Nebraska office in Grand Island, led by litigation attorney Tanya Hansen. Public Safety Training: Sarpy County held a live fire drill at a former Super 8 motel tied to a 2025 sex trafficking raid, with nearby residents warned in advance. Sports & Culture: Nebraska’s Labor Day weekend in the Omaha metro includes family-friendly events like monarch tagging at Lauritzen Gardens and first-responder night at Werner Park.

Food & Tech Grant: The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa won a $2 million NSF award to build AI tools—partnering with University of Nebraska–Lincoln—to spot environmental threats to aquaculture, livestock, and agriculture before outbreaks hit. Public Power Spotlight: Detroit Lakes Public Utilities GM Vernell Roberts earned a national leadership award, praised for modernizing the system while keeping electric rates among the cheapest in Minnesota. Sports & Community: Volleyball Day in Nebraska is credited with inspiring outdoor volleyball “volcanoes” nationwide, with a Nebraska standout reflecting on the stadium flyover moment. First Responders Remember: Lincoln firefighters marked the Sept. 11 anniversary by recalling the rubble, remains, and resilience of responding that day. AI Backlash: Across the U.S., residents are pushing back on AI data centers—especially over power-grid strain and rising electricity costs. Immigration & Work Rules: USCIS says H-1B petitions in Nebraska misclassified workers as “computer programmers” even when they were doing higher-paid engineering work, triggering a crackdown. Local Business: Smith Pauley opened a third Nebraska office in Grand Island, led by litigation attorney Tanya Hansen. Education: Bennington teacher Lindsey Wilson was selected as a Society for Science Advocate to expand STEM research opportunities for students. Health Alerts: Nebraska DHHS detected Heartland and Bourbon tickborne viruses in tick surveillance, with no human cases reported yet.

Local Business Expansion: Smith Pauley opened its third Nebraska office in Grand Island on Sept. 1, led by litigation attorney Tanya Hansen, expanding services across corporate law, M&A, estate planning, real estate and litigation. State Fair & Youth Development: 4-H entries at the Nebraska State Fair topped 7,000 exhibits, with non-livestock projects judged by 100 judges and supported by hundreds of volunteers. Education & STEM Growth: Bennington science teacher Lindsey Wilson was named a Society for Science Advocate, joining a year-long program to expand authentic STEM research opportunities for students. Infrastructure & Mobility: Gov. Jim Pillen highlighted new federal transportation funding—$5.15 million total—aimed at speeding delivery of projects across seven Nebraska counties. Community & Culture: Omaha’s Labor Day weekend lineup includes family-friendly events like monarch tagging at Lauritzen Gardens and first responders night at Werner Park. Public Safety & Privacy: Ord’s fight over Flock surveillance cameras is spilling into county-level decisions, raising new questions about who gets a say in automated monitoring. Health Watch: Nebraska DHHS reported tick surveillance detections of Heartland and Bourbon viruses, with no human cases yet reported.

Surveillance & Local Control: After Ord voted to remove Flock license-plate cameras, Valley County says it will keep the tech outside city limits, even as residents question who gets access and why. Higher Ed & Nebraska’s Future: A University of Nebraska regents op-ed argues the system is a long-term investment—and warns that underfunding forces painful cuts. College Access in Nebraska: EducationQuest awarded 24 Nebraska high schools $187,500 over four years to build college-going programs, including York High School. College Savings Month: Nebraska State Treasurer Joey Spellerberg spotlights NEST 529 plans as costs rise, urging families to start saving early. School Sports Ballot Fight: A Lincoln voter refiled a challenge to a measure that would tie school sports participation to sex at birth after the state Supreme Court declined review. Community Culture: Omaha Public Library announced free fall events connecting readers with authors and local writing workshops. Agriculture Water Planning: Central Platte NRD approved switching nitrogen management testing to V-TAPS, aiming for more hands-on producer education. Tech & Kids Online Safety: A new look at child online safety laws follows Meta’s $17B settlement and renewed calls for stronger protections. Arts & Heritage: Nebraska’s Quazy band is set for induction into the South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

College Savings Month: Nebraska State Treasurer Joey Spellerberg is urging families to plan ahead for rising education costs, highlighting the Nebraska Educational Savings Trust (NEST 529) as a tax-advantaged way to save for everything from tuition to trade school and other recognized credentials. Local Water & Farming: The Central Platte Natural Resources District approved switching from UNL’s nitrogen management test to V-TAPS, requiring producers to attend an in-person V-TAPS session once every four years, plus it set its 2026/27 property tax request and levy. Education Policy: Nebraska’s education board deadlocked on new social studies standards, with debate over wording like “marginalized” and whether the changes will be properly measured. Catholic Community Life: Lincoln’s School Sisters of Christ the King unveiled major renovations to Villa Regina to help aging sisters stay in community longer, and the Diocese of Lincoln marked Blue, White and Red Masses honoring first responders, legal professionals and medical workers. Health & Family Rights: A national legal fight over parental rights and school policy continues, while a Nebraska-related “No Shock Act” targets ICE “shock gloves” tied to deportation enforcement. Community & Belonging: Welcoming Week is being promoted as a chance to bring neighbors together, especially in growing immigrant communities. Higher Ed Costs: Nebraska’s public four-year institutions reported an enrollment-weighted in-state tuition and fees total of $9,366 for 2024-25.

Local Education Wins: Nebraska FBLA brought home 70-plus top awards at the national leadership conference, with York High and Heartland Community High earning “Champion Chapter” honors. Community College Momentum: Southeast Community College reported a record fall enrollment of nearly 11,600 students, marking seven straight years of growth. Campus & Workforce Pathways: UNL’s Boots & Cats marked 15 years with a new album, “Bittersweet,” while UNL Honors and UNMC hosted “Healing Nebraska: Talent Meets Need” to spotlight behavioral health careers. Makerspace Spotlight: Michael Burton was named director of the Nebraska Innovation Studio, taking over leadership of the community makerspace. Ag & STEM in the Classroom: A David City teacher completed an Animal Health and Veterinary Science training to bring hands-on STEM lessons to students. Privacy vs. Surveillance: A Nebraska City voted to remove Flock license plate reader cameras inside city limits, while the county wants to keep broader surveillance running. Arts & Community: Kearney’s Destination Downtown returned with music, food, and a night market for local creatives. Public Pulse: Readers weighed in on immigration reform and whether Nebraska state government is due for change.

Sports & Identity Ballot: Nebraska voters will decide in November whether “Fairness for Girls” should require school sports teams to be designated by biological sex, a move supporters frame as protecting fairness and safety. Higher Ed & Local Economy: UN System President Jeffrey Gold used his State of the University Address to argue continued investment is critical, citing joint accreditation, a new Nebraska Medicine governance structure, and major fundraising momentum. Public Health & Outdoors: DHHS reports tick surveillance found Heartland and Bourbon viruses in Nebraska tick pools, with no human cases yet—plus reminders on repellents, protective clothing, and permethrin-treated gear. What Public Health Means: A new explainer breaks down public health as prevention in everyday life, not just vaccines and infectious disease. Community & Faith: Beemer is saying farewell to Pastor Lewis Miller and his wife Norma after more than 20 years of service. Education in the Real World: Chimney Rock’s new free K-5 Junior Pathfinder program brings hands-on Nebraska history and science learning to classrooms. Culture & Conversation: Omaha’s “Bishop & Brews” returns for an AI-and-human-dignity panel at the German American Society. Learning Support: UNK will host a free Sept. 24 professional learning event for special education teachers and paraeducators focused on stronger classroom partnerships. Local Life & Safety: A rural Osmond-area double shooting is under investigation, with community leaders urging support and mourning for the two victims.

Omaha Public Schools Staffing Crunch: A Flatwater Free Press analysis says Omaha Public Schools has the worst student-teacher ratio in the metro and the state, with class sizes rising even as poverty rates are far higher than neighboring districts. LGBTQ+ Nightlife in Lincoln: Das Haus reopened after closing when owners voted to sell, but the community says more LGBTQ+ spaces are still at risk—especially after Dame announced it will close Sept. 26. Campus Rights & Activism: Students for Justice in Palestine hosted a “Know Your Rights” event at the Nebraska Union, focusing on free speech, protest rules, and how international students can navigate campus policy. School Tech Pushback: Westside parents behind “Pencils Before Pixels” say they’re gaining momentum to limit classroom screen time, citing new district iPad and YouTube restrictions. Health Care Policy Watch: Rheumatology groups warn new Medicaid “community engagement” exemption rules could unfairly disrupt care for people with autoimmune conditions. Community & Culture: Grand Island’s library is bringing back bilingual Prime Time Family Reading, and Heartland United Way’s Scoops at the Nebraska State Fair is raising money through volunteer-run ice cream sales.

Nebraska U.S. Senate: At the Nebraska State Fair debate in Grand Island, Sen. Pete Ricketts and independent Dan Osborn traded sharp lines on immigration enforcement, health care, beef imports, and tariffs—Ricketts repeatedly framed Osborn as “Democrat Dan” backed by out-of-state liberals. School Tech & Parenting: Westside Community Schools is tightening iPad and YouTube rules after parents formed Pencils Before Pixels, pushing for more intentional screen time. Sentencing: Charles Dean Massie was sentenced in Nebraska to 30–40 years for sexual assault and 19–20 years for incest with a minor, with parole eligibility not until 2040. Local Culture & Faith: Wayne State College will host a free, public Sept. 10 performance by pianist Philip Daniel, while a Spiritual Life Center event in Bel Aire on Sept. 22 brings four bishops for “A Pilgrimage of Sacred Beauty.” Community Life: Longs Creek Village marks National Assisted Living Week (Sept. 13–19) with resident-focused events and celebrations. Banking Growth: FNBO agreed to buy Denver’s InBank in a deal valued up to about $204 million, expanding its Colorado footprint.

Nebraska Politics: At the Nebraska State Fair, Sen. Pete Ricketts and independent Dan Osborn faced off in a rare, high-stakes debate, trading barbs on tariffs, health care, immigration enforcement, and beef imports—setting up a tight, working-class-focused Senate race. Education & Community: Nebraska’s school funding debate is getting messier after lawmakers boosted money outside the TEEOSA formula, creating two competing aid models and raising the question of whether they can be merged fairly. Higher Ed: Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt’s tenure ban is already hurting rural university hiring, a cautionary tale for Nebraska’s own education leaders. Health & Safety: A new study compares antiplatelet therapy vs. thrombolysis for spontaneous spinal cord infarction, finding lower all-cause mortality with antiplatelets. Food Insecurity: The Food Bank for the Heartland received a major donation from the Omaha Millard Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as Hunger Action Month ramps up. Culture & Belonging: Lincoln’s People’s City Mission highlighted how student volunteers help deliver food, shelter, and health services—while the annual All Are Welcome reception returned to build campus community. State Fair Fun: Zombie Walk came back to Lincoln after a 10-year break, and the fair also featured kids’ academic contests and a big-cat “Tiger Encounter” show. Ag & Livestock: Husker Harvest Days’ BEEF Building lineup spotlights cattle handling, stewardship, and chute-tech demos.

Nebraska Agriculture Watch: The Nebraska Public Service Commission is reminding grain producers, dealers, and warehouse operators to review 2026 harvest rules, including a new Grain Dealer Act payment timeline and requirements for emergency ground storage. Local Business & Community: A 17-year-old Omaha entrepreneur, Zariah Champlin, turned $600 into Z RiseDesignsCo., now selling art products at seven Omaha locations while balancing school and community service. Politics & Rights: A Nebraska Democratic House candidate, Denise Powell, is facing renewed scrutiny after past posts opposing a measure that would block minors from sex-change surgery. Culture & Learning: UNK is hosting free fall planetarium shows, including talks on constellations, a planets tour, and solar eclipses. Agriculture Research: UNL is part of a major NSF-funded effort led by A-State to study drought-tolerant rice and wheat using mycorrhizal inoculants. Faith & Community Events: Concordia University is partnering with the Lincoln Saltdogs for Faith Night, bringing students and local faith leaders into the ballpark. Sports & Youth: Nebraska State Fair 4-H livestock exhibitors say the shows build real-world skills through hundreds of hours of care and practice.

College Football Odds: Nebraska fans get a numbers-first look at the 2026 season, with national and conference title chances built from 1 million simulations. Immigration & College Costs: The Trump administration keeps pressing lawsuits aimed at charging undocumented students up to triple for public college, with multiple states now in the legal crosshairs. Nebraska Politics & Elections: Midterm races are heating up with both parties trading accusations of “cheap tricks,” from confusing spending to deadline tactics that shape who actually gets on the ballot. Local History & Community: Omaha’s historic Potter’s Field is revisited as a long-ignored “dumping ground” for the poor, homeless and ill. Faith & Youth: A Nebraska coach ties football and mentorship to using God’s gifts to guide young people. Health & Education: SSM Health adds a new infectious disease physician, while the Mediation Center in Lincoln welcomes Dr. Bonnie Hotz-McMahon to its board. Tech & Culture: Tech Nebraska becomes an independent statewide organization, and Nebraska City’s America 250 mural project brings community art to life. Gambling Help for Youth: NeCPG launches Education Has the Best Odds to reach teens and young adults with prevention and support.

Campus & Culture: UNO welcomes Dr. Omri Senderowicz as the new Director of the Schwalb Center for Israel and Jewish Studies, aiming to create a more nuanced space for discussing the Israel/Palestine conflict. Investigations & Education: A Daily Nebraskan reporter, Justin Diep, is a finalist for two national journalism awards after reporting that UNL used “bad data” in $27.5 million academic program cuts. Community & Housing: Redwood Living plans 109 new single-story apartment homes in New Haven, with move-ins expected by November. Public Safety & College Life: UNL’s “Red Zone” period is back, with campus police urging students to watch out for sexual violence and look out for friends. Agriculture & Nebraska Events: The Nebraska State Fair’s Tractor Supply Birthing Pavilion will livestream animal births, while a Dry Edible Bean Open House runs Sept. 2 in Scottsbluff. STEM & Youth: Bennington teacher Lindsey Wilson was selected for a national STEM Advocate program, expanding research opportunities for students. Politics & Rights: The DOJ is suing multiple states over in-state tuition for undocumented students, including Nebraska. Sports: Nebraska-Kearney is ranked #8 in Division II after St. Cloud State jumped to #1 in the national poll.

Ag & Rural Health: Husker Harvest Days is bringing a Health and Wellness Tent to help farmers and ranchers with farm safety, heat stress, physical therapy info, and other support—plus new stops like Mary Lanning Healthcare. Community Health: Nebraska is chasing a Big Ten Blood Drive title, sitting second as donations roll in while the American Red Cross warns of a national blood crisis. Ag Tech: Nebraska Extension is rolling out ScoutNebraska for real-time crop scouting updates, pest monitoring, and quick Q&As through social media. Education & Student Support: UNO advisor Angie Centarri was named 2025-2026 Academic Advisor of the Year, recognized for student-first advising. Arts & Local Culture: Artist INC Express is set for Sept. 11-13, offering a hands-on workshop to help Nebraska-area artists build a sustainable practice. Higher Ed Access: The DOJ is suing multiple states over in-state tuition for undocumented students, including Nebraska, as the legal fight expands. Arts Spotlight: Edinburgh Fringe hits the U.S. with standout shows, including a Nebraska-themed musical “Hole!” Local Governance: Scottsbluff Public Schools will review a facility assessment and consider a property-tax authority increase at a special Aug. 31 meeting. Military Partnership: Nebraska’s National Guard signed a State Partnership Program agreement with the Marshall Islands, boosting disaster and emergency response cooperation.

Buffett at 96: Warren Buffett marked his 96th birthday with fresh lookbacks on his “modest” Nebraska roots and money habits that still guide his investing style. AI & data centers: Rural Nebraska is part of a growing, cross-party backlash to AI data centers, with residents and farmers raising concerns about water, farmland, and rising electricity costs. School choice fight: A new legal push highlights the school-choice debate’s next turn, with arguments centered on how public funding ties to what students are taught. Property taxes on the radar: Central Platte NRD set a Sept. 3 public hearing on its property tax request, keeping the request level while budgets shift. Nebraska State Fair livestock magic: The Birthing Pavilion returns at the Nebraska State Fair, letting families watch veterinarians care for animals and witness births from chicks to calves. Head Start promise: ESU 13 says Head Start doors stay open as proposed federal standards are discussed, urging families to keep enrolling. Culture & community: Logan Lynn’s documentary “The Pain and The Power” lands for a Sept. 11 screening in Nebraska, spotlighting queer faith, addiction, and survival.

School Choice & Free Speech: A new lawsuit says Nebraska’s K–12 funding rules force families into public schools that deliver messaging they say conflicts with their values, with threats of penalties for parents who can’t afford private options. AI Data Centers: In rural eastern Nebraska, a rare cross-party coalition is pushing back on fast-moving data center development over farmland, water, and electricity costs. Immigration Tuition Fight: The Trump administration sued Arizona (and earlier, other states) over voter-approved in-state tuition and aid for students without lawful immigration status, arguing it violates federal law. Nebraska Sports Participation: High school football is down sharply statewide, with fewer athletes and fewer 11-man teams blamed on shifting interests and “pay-for-play” club options. Local Culture & Learning: The Nebraska State Fair’s Birthing Pavilion returns with hands-on livestock birth experiences, plus Game & Parks highlights major conservation milestones. Community & Housing: Habitat for Humanity in Yankton won a First National Bank of Omaha grant to support student-built CTE housing and neighborhood repairs. Arts Spotlight: Logan Lynn’s documentary The Pain and The Power screens Sept. 11 at Tin Pan Theater in Bend, blending queerness, faith, addiction, and rebuilding.