AGP Executive Report

Severe Weather Watch: Hot, windy conditions set up southeast/eastern Nebraska Monday, followed by a cold front and strong to severe storms. Main threats include large hail (up to 2”+), damaging winds (up to 65–75 mph), and an isolated tornado (up to EF-2+). Water & Data Centers: Omaha’s “World O Water” event highlighted conservation, while the Sierra Club raised concerns that new data centers—already including Google sites in Omaha and Papillion—could strain local water supplies and worsen pressure on the Ogallala Aquifer without enough oversight. Outdoor Funding: Nebraska Game and Parks is taking applications for 2026 Land and Water Conservation Fund grants (50% match), with deadlines set for letters of intent Sept. 18 and applications due Oct. 30. Wildlife & Health: Nebraska issued health alerts for harmful algal blooms at Big Indian Lake (11A) and extended alerts for Cub Creek Lake, advising caution and avoiding swallowing water. Ag & Climate Research: A-State received $2.2M to study drought-tolerant rice and wheat using beneficial soil fungi, with Nebraska and Kansas State among collaborators.

Outdoor Recreation Funding: The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is taking applications for 2026 Land and Water Conservation Fund grants, with deadlines set for a Sept. 18 letter of intent and an Oct. 30 noon Central application cutoff; projects can range from playgrounds and ballfields to wildlife observation areas, with reimbursable awards requiring a 50% match. Water Safety: Nebraska extended health alerts for Harmful Algal Blooms at Big Indian Lake (11A) in Gage County and Cub Creek Lake in Jefferson County, advising people to avoid swallowing lake water and to keep pets out; sampling continues weekly through Sept. 14. Animal Health Watch: At a Crops & Cattle session, Kansas officials highlighted emerging cattle risks including New World screwworm and theileria, noting screwworm’s recent resurgence and the need for quick treatment. Community Trees: Lexington received 10 trees through the Trees for Nebraska Towns Initiative, adding shade and diversity to recreation areas. Weather Outlook: Central and eastern Nebraska face periodic showers and storms next week, with some hail and gusty winds possible.

Severe Weather Watch: A cooler, unsettled pattern is expected to keep bringing periodic showers and storms across central and eastern Nebraska into next week, with a stronger to marginally severe storm risk possible Monday, especially across southeastern Nebraska and southwestern Iowa. Harmful Algal Blooms: Nebraska extended a health alert for toxic blue-green algae at Big Indian Lake (11A) in Gage County and Cub Creek Lake in Jefferson County, with swimming beaches closed and residents urged to avoid swallowing lake water and keep pets out. Outdoor Recreation Funding: Nebraska Game and Parks is taking applications for 2026 Land and Water Conservation Fund grants, offering reimbursable projects with a 50% match (up to $600,000 for standard projects and $60,000 for small improvements); letters of intent are due Sept. 18 and applications close Oct. 30. Ag Animal Health: Kansas agriculture officials discussed emerging cattle disease threats at a Crops & Cattle session, including New World screwworm and theileria, highlighting how quickly treatment matters and how tick spread can drive outbreaks. Local Nature & Community: Lexington received 10 trees through the Trees for Nebraska Towns Initiative to boost shade and recreation-area comfort, using a diverse mix of species to reduce risk from insects and disease.

Outdoor Recreation Funding: Nebraska Game and Parks is taking applications for 2026 Land and Water Conservation Fund grants, with deadlines set for a Sept. 18 letter of intent and Oct. 30 submissions; projects can range from playgrounds and ballfields to wildlife observation areas, with reimbursable awards requiring a 50% match and offering up to $600,000 for full projects or $60,000 for small improvements. Public Health—Toxic Algae: The state issued a health alert for harmful algal blooms at Big Indian Lake (11A) in Gage County and extended it for Cub Creek Lake in Jefferson County, citing microcystin levels above the 8 ppb threshold; swimming beaches are closed, while boating and fishing are allowed with caution and people are urged to prevent pets from drinking or entering the water. Animal Health Watch: At a Crops & Cattle session in Kansas City, officials warned cattle producers about emerging threats including New World screwworm and theileria, noting screwworm’s return in recent years and the tick-linked spread of theileria. Ag Education on Pollinators: “Field To Table” brought about 800 students from 16 schools to farm stations near Vermillion, with bee-focused learning that highlighted pollinator roles and hands-on products like beeswax lip balm. Water-Resilience Research: A $2.2 million NSF-funded project led by Arkansas State will study how beneficial soil fungi can help rice and wheat handle drought stress, with Nebraska among the collaborating institutions.

Harmful Algal Blooms: Nebraska health officials issued a health alert for toxic blue-green algae at Big Indian Lake (11A) in Gage County and extended it for Cub Creek Lake in Jefferson County, with microcystin levels above the state threshold; swimming beaches are closed, while boating and fishing are allowed with caution and people are told to avoid swallowing lake water and keep pets out. Water & Soil Resilience Research: Arkansas State University received a $2.2 million NSF grant to lead a multi-institution project (including the University of Nebraska) testing whether beneficial soil fungi can help rice and wheat handle drought and water stress. Irrigation Innovation: Nebraska’s Reinke Manufacturing won “Irrigation Innovation of the Year” for its E3 center pivot system, touting more precise, efficient water application to help growers conserve water. Local Trees for Shade: Lexington received 10 trees through the Trees for Nebraska Towns Initiative, planting a diverse mix to strengthen the community forest and expand long-term shade at recreation sites. Climate & Disaster Links: Nebraska scientists weighed in on reports that Nepal’s recent floods may be tied to climate change, pointing to warming-driven shifts like glacial melt and permafrost breakdown.

Medicaid & Autism Care: Nebraska providers say “anti-fraud” Medicaid crackdowns and tighter supervision rules are cutting access to autism therapy, with one Nebraska clinic reporting children losing care and staff reductions tied to new requirements. Climate & Disasters: Nebraska scientists weigh in on Nepal’s floods, pointing to rapid regional warming, glacial melt, and permafrost changes as factors that can intensify extreme events. Drought Watch: A new U.S. drought update says abnormal dryness is expanding across parts of the central and south-central Plains and Corn Belt, with flash drought worsening in many areas. Ag & Biofuels: ADM executives highlight growing biofuels demand and new oilseed crush and facility modernization plans, signaling more investment in ethanol and related production. Wildlife Range: An armadillo found as roadkill in southwest Ohio may be the first natural arrival in the state, adding to evidence of expanding northern range. Nebraska Preparedness: The Nebraska National Guard trained for CBRNE disaster response near Yutan, strengthening local and state emergency readiness. Weather Outlook: “False fall” chatter continues as cooler air arrives but warmer-than-average late-September conditions are still favored.

Climate & Disasters: Nebraska scientists weigh in on how climate change may have contributed to Nepal’s deadly floods, pointing to faster warming and impacts like glacial melt and permafrost breakdown. Drought Watch: A new U.S. Drought Monitor update says flash drought and abnormal dryness are expanding across parts of the central and south-central Plains and Corn Belt, even as heavy rain hits parts of the upper Midwest. Water & Wildlife Restoration: Iowa’s restored oxbow river bends are bringing back wetlands and wildlife, including support for the endangered Topeka shiner and improved nutrient filtering. Ag Tech & Soil Health: UNL researchers are testing nitrogen scheduling tools at Husker Harvest Days to cut waste and protect the environment while keeping yields steady. Rangeland & Conservation Events: Grassland Gallery returns to the Nebraska Sandhills with a free, multidisciplinary event blending art, agriculture, and conservation at Haythorn Land & Cattle Co. Public Safety & Preparedness: Norfolk Catholic earns a Heart Safe designation through Project ADAM, adding AEDs and training for sudden cardiac emergencies. Workforce & Bioeconomy: A South Dakota pilot-scale biomanufacturing training effort aims to build local skills for supply-chain resilience.

Wildlife Damage Control Push: USDA Wildlife Services asked western Nebraska counties (Kimball, Cheyenne, Banner, Scotts Bluff, Garden) to help persuade the state to restart funding for a wildlife damage control program aimed at protecting ranchers and farmers. Drought Watch: A new national drought update says dryness and flash drought expanded across parts of the central and south-central U.S., with warmer-than-normal temperatures and mostly dry weather driving worsening conditions, while heavy rain eased some areas. Nebraska Plastic-to-Road Test: South Sioux City paved Foundry Road with asphalt mixed with shredded plastic bags—about two million bags turned into a working road surface in a small-scale trial. Climate Resilience Grant (North Omaha): A Maya community group won $96,440 to build a climate resilience plan for an 8-acre site along the Beltline Trail, focusing on stormwater, green space, and heat reduction. Biomanufacturing Workforce Pilot: A pilot program led by Dakota BioWorx and South Dakota Biotech is training biomanufacturing technicians to support national security and supply-chain resilience. Research on Drought-Tolerant Crops: A $2.2M NSF-funded project led by Arkansas State will study how mycorrhizal fungi can help rice and wheat handle water stress, with UNL among the partners. Conservation Outreach: Michael Forsberg brought wildlife and conservation storytelling to Peru State College, aiming to connect Nebraskans with birds and the natural world. Local Governance (Data Centers): Kearney adopted stricter data center code amendments as the city tries to regulate a fast-growing industry. Forest Festival: Nebraska Forest Service’s free Forest Festival Family Fun Night returns at Horning State Farm Demonstration Forest with outdoor activities and conservation education. Plastic Packaging Policy Signal: A federal court upheld Oregon’s packaging extended producer responsibility law, a potential roadmap for other states’ recycling rules, including Nebraska-related litigation.

Climate Resilience Grant: A North Omaha Maya community is using a $96,440 Climate Smart Communities Initiative grant to build a climate resilience plan for its roughly 8-acre site along the Beltline Trail, focusing on stormwater management, more green space, and cooling strategies as heat advisories push feels-like temps above 105°F. Outdoor & Wildlife: Nebraska’s state recreation areas open to hunting only starting Sept. 8, with rules on vehicle permits, check-ins, and no-hunting buffers near public-use facilities. Weather Data Upgrade: UNL will host a Sept. 23 ribbon cutting for 35 new Nebraska Mesonet stations funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, expanding soil and wildfire-risk monitoring. Biodiversity Note: Nebraska Wildlife Rehab helped document and relocate Nebraska’s first recorded cave myotis after the bat was found in an Omaha office building. Local Governance: Kearney adopted stricter data center code amendments, aiming to keep pace with rapid growth in the industry. Health & Community: Norfolk Catholic received a Heart Safe designation through Project ADAM, adding AEDs and emergency response training for sudden cardiac arrest preparedness. Happiness Rankings: WalletHub ranked Nebraska the sixth happiest state, citing strong work environment and community factors.

Nebraska Water Safety: Bayard issued a “Do Not Consume” order after a drinking-water sample showed nitrate at 61.6 mg/L, far above the 20 mg/L risk threshold—residents are told not to use tap water for drinking, brushing teeth, cooking, or ice, and boiling won’t fix it. Climate & Data Centers: A new wave of AI data centers is straining the electric grid and water supplies, prompting climate-justice activism aimed at the “windowless warehouses” powering generative AI. Weather Monitoring: UNL will host a Sept. 23 ribbon cutting for 35 new Nebraska Mesonet stations funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, expanding soil and wildfire-risk data—especially in the Sandhills. Public Health & Wildlife: Nebraska Wildlife Rehab helped relocate a rare cave myotis bat found in an Omaha office building, marking the first recorded Nebraska sighting of the species. Agriculture & Policy: A regional Federal Reserve roundtable in Cheyenne will bring together Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska producers to discuss on-the-ground farm and ranch conditions. Tech in Schools: Parents filed a federal lawsuit challenging a district’s move to revoke an opt-out policy for internet-connected devices during school hours. Outdoor Recreation: Hunters get a clear start date: Nebraska state recreation areas open to hunting again Sept. 8, with standard rules and vehicle permits required.

Drinking Water Alert (Bayard): Nebraska issued a Do Not Consume order for Bayard’s municipal water after a nitrate test hit 61.6 mg/L—residents are told not to drink, brush, cook, or make ice, and boiling won’t fix it. Recycled Materials in Roads (South Sioux City): A 4,000-foot Foundry Road stretch now uses about 2 million shredded plastic bags in asphalt, backed by a $500,000 Nebraska Environmental Trust grant to track durability under Nebraska’s weather. Water Scarcity (Lake McConaughy): With the reservoir at record-low levels during drought, Keith County leaders are pressing the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District to conserve water for farms, wildlife, and local impacts. Ag & Water Policy (Husker Harvest Days): UNL/Extension is spotlighting water management, disaster preparedness, and farmer-led research at the Sept. 15-17 show. Climate Legal Fight (State AGs): 25 state attorneys general urged defunding the National Academies over alleged bias tied to climate-related lawsuit support. Rural Health (Bryan Medical Center): Bryan won a $750,000 federal grant to plan a rural family medicine residency in Crete, aiming for its first class in 2029.

Home Insurance Transparency: A new Public Citizen survey finds many state insurance commissioners aren’t making homeowners insurance market data public at the ZIP-code level, turning the home insurance crisis into an information crisis as climate risk and coverage gaps grow. Nebraska Research Momentum: UNL’s CAREMI is gaining traction by rallying researchers around arthropods—linking ecology with medicine, agriculture, and materials science. Senate Control Watch: A major forecast shift puts the U.S. Senate race back into a near-perfect toss-up, with key battleground states like Maine, Texas, Ohio, Alaska, and Iowa now treated as especially pivotal. Nebraska Water Stress: Lake McConaughy is at record-low levels amid drought, and Keith County leaders are pressing the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District to conserve water—impacting farms, cities, wildlife, and tourism. Flood Planning in Kenesaw: Local officials are moving toward a proposed flood control project, including upgrades to dams, levees, culverts, and creek stabilization along Thirty-Two Mile Creek. Wildlife Update: Nebraska Wildlife Rehab reports a female cave myotis bat found in an Omaha office building—apparently the first record of the species in the state. Outdoor Sports & Weather: Nebraska’s outdoor volleyball match at Wrigley Field was suspended after condensation made the court slick, reigniting the debate over open-air play and athlete safety.

Water & Drought: Keith County leaders are urging Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District to conserve water as Lake McConaughy sits at record-low levels, raising concerns for farms, wildlife, and the tourism economy. Flood Resilience: Kenesaw is moving toward a new flood control plan, including upgrades to the K-Dam/K-Dike system, sediment removal, and larger culverts to better handle runoff from Thirty-Two Mile Creek. Wildlife & Biosecurity: Nebraska Wildlife Rehab says an unusual female cave myotis bat—never before documented in the state—was found in an Omaha office building, likely arriving via shipment or transport. Public Health & Food Systems: UNL partners with the University of Hawaiʻi on a $2M NSF effort to use AI plus environmental sampling and lab analysis to spot threats to aquaculture, livestock, and agriculture before they escalate. Climate Accountability: A coalition of state attorneys general, including Nebraska, is warning that corporate climate reporting could expose major accounting firms to state-law liability. Policy Watch (Migratory Birds): The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ended annual federal rulemaking for migratory game bird seasons, shifting season details into a recurring memorandum cycle.

Climate & Policy: A new UN “strategic retreat” framing says the world has missed key warming-prevention goals, pushing governments toward coping and containment as impacts intensify. Nebraska Water & Environment: Nebraska’s Legislature candidates forum put issues like nitrates in water, tree canopy, native prairies, and cutting carbon pollution front and center, with six candidates showing up and others skipping. Corporate Climate Reporting Fight: A coalition of 16 state attorneys general, including Nebraska, warns that Big Four climate disclosure efforts could expose firms to liability under state law. Food & Farming Tech: The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa won a $2M NSF award (with UNL) to build AI tools that flag environmental threats to aquaculture, livestock, and agriculture earlier. Energy From Manure: A Broken Bow, Nebraska RNG project broke ground to turn feedlot manure into about 1.2 million MMBtu of pipeline-quality natural gas each year. Heat & Storms: Severe weather and flash-flood risk are in the forecast for parts of the Dakotas and the Midwest, with Nebraska also under heat and storm watch conditions. Local Safety: Nebraska State Patrol renewed calls for information in two long-running investigations, including a Fairbury woman missing since 2021 and a Lincoln man killed in 2014.

Food & Water Safety Tech: The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa won a $2 million NSF award (with UNL as a partner) to build AI-enabled tools that can spot environmental threats to food production systems earlier, including work tied to cyclospora investigations. Nebraska Energy From Manure: A Broken Bow RNG project broke ground, using anaerobic digesters to turn Adams Land & Cattle feedlot manure into about 1.2 million MMBtu of pipeline-quality natural gas per year. Aquatic Invasive Species Watch: Nebraska Game and Parks is warning waterfowl hunters after brittle naiad was found in Missouri River backwaters near Niobrara and Bazile Creek WMA; officials urge “Clean, Drain, and Dry” to stop spread. Data Centers vs. Communities: Across the U.S., residents are increasingly protesting AI data centers over water and power use, and some local officials are facing recalls tied to approvals and incentives. Local Governance & Infrastructure: Gov. Pillen highlighted new federal transportation funding for projects across seven Nebraska counties, including grants aimed at speeding delivery and improving mobility and safety. Weather & Risk: Severe storms are expected to move through the Dakotas and Upper Midwest over the Labor Day weekend, with a heightened flash-flood risk in parts of Iowa.

Food & Water Security Tech: The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa won a $2 million NSF award (with UNL) to develop AI tools that flag environmental threats to aquaculture, livestock, and agriculture before they trigger foodborne illness outbreaks. Heat & Storm Risk: Nebraska remains under oppressive heat while a cold front may bring more rain mid-week; severe thunderstorm and flood watches were issued for parts of western/southwestern Nebraska. Aquatic Invasives: Nebraska Game and Parks says brittle naiad was found in Missouri River backwaters near Niobrara and Bazile Creek WMA, urging “Clean, Drain, Dry” steps—especially for waterfowl hunters—to stop spread by tiny fragments. Groundwater Protection in Ag: Central Platte NRD approved switching nitrogen management testing to V-TAPS education for producers, aiming for more hands-on decision support tied to crop and resource outcomes. Energy From Manure: Neogenyx Fuels broke ground on a renewable natural gas project in Broken Bow that will digest feedlot manure into about 1.2 million MMBtu of pipeline-quality gas annually. Public Health: Lancaster County reported Nebraska’s first West Nile death of the season as mosquito activity is described as very high statewide. Infrastructure Grants: Gov. Pillen highlighted $5.15 million in federal transportation funding to speed project delivery across seven Nebraska counties.