AGP Executive Report

Marijuana Fight in Federal Court: Nebraska, Indiana and Louisiana AGs sued to block the Trump Justice Department’s move to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, arguing the administration skipped normal rulemaking and may violate a 1967 narcotics treaty. Medical Marijuana Backlash: Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana criticized AG Mike Hilgers for using taxpayer money to oppose voters’ will in the same federal challenge. Healthcare Shortage Focus: UNMC chancellor priority candidate Dr. Dele Davies said fixing Nebraska’s healthcare workforce means better pay for educators and keeping students in-state after graduation. Omaha Crime: Omaha police say copper thieves hit Alter Metal Recycling four times in April, with surveillance footage showing at least one man and one woman. Public Safety Tech Warning: Researchers warn that AI-made storm images are spreading online, urging people to question what they see during severe weather. Statewide Media Expansion: Nebraska Public Media will launch a dedicated Omaha FM station on June 15, adding NPR and local news coverage on 101.9 FM. College Sports Spotlight: Nebraska softball opens the Women’s College World Series as No. 4 seed, riding a 26-game win streak and star Jordy Frahm. Drug Bust: Nebraska State Patrol seized about 525 pounds of suspected cocaine and 9.3 grams of suspected heroin during a traffic stop near Milford.

Hantavirus Quarantine in Nebraska: Monroe native Jake Rosmarin, quarantined at the National Quarantine Unit since May 11 after a cruise ship outbreak, says he’s still testing negative and is getting daily checks, meals, and updates while he waits to head back to Orange County next month. Education & Water: About 800 fifth graders filled Central Community College for the Nebraska Children’s Groundwater Festival, using hands-on water- and soil-based activities to learn how groundwater connects to farms and home water quality. Legal Fight Over Medical Marijuana Petitions: York-area notary Jacy Todd is appealing his conviction for official misconduct tied to 2024 medical marijuana petition notarizing, calling the case politicized. Accidental Gun Injury: In Scottsbluff, police say a dog accidentally triggered a loaded shotgun inside a parked truck, injuring a woman at a convenience store; officers stressed Nebraska’s ban on transporting loaded shotguns. Public Media Expansion: Nebraska Public Media will launch a dedicated Omaha FM station on June 15, adding local Omaha-focused NPR programming and statewide reach. Rural Broadband Reality Check: A new report finds Nebraska’s rural internet gains since COVID are real, but gaps and red tape still slow progress.

College Sports Showdown: A bipartisan college sports bill is expected “within days,” aiming to carve out a limited antitrust exemption for player eligibility and transfer rules—potentially limiting movement to as few as one transfer per career. Nebraska Politics & Courts: A lawsuit challenges Gov. Pillen’s use of Nebraska Environmental Trust funds, arguing money meant for conservation can’t be diverted to other purposes. Online Child Safety: Nebraska’s AG is part of a coalition opposing the KIDS Act, warning it would weaken state power to protect kids online; Connecticut meanwhile is investigating Roblox over child exploitation claims. Local Watch: A Sarpy County homeowner got a full refund after a contractor failed to start a driveway project for months. Tribal Update: The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska announced Vice-Chairman Isaac Smith’s resignation and set a special election to fill the seat. Health & Science: UNL researchers received a $4 million grant to develop a multi-strain bird flu vaccine.

Hantavirus Alert: A cruise-linked hantavirus outbreak is now hitting U.S. soil, with quarantined or hospitalized patients reported in Nebraska and Atlanta after the MV Hondius incident that already killed three worldwide—raising fresh questions about how fast the country can respond to exotic travel-borne threats. Broadband Push: Nebraska is reopening BEAD bids after some winning providers declined to sign contracts, leaving about 1,700 eligible locations still unfunded even as seven ISPs have signed to cover 88% of sites. Kids Online Safety: Connecticut AG William Tong announced a multistate investigation into Roblox over alleged child exploitation and harm, joining a wider push for stronger online protections. Education Watch: A new study warns of a “reading recession,” with only a handful of states showing meaningful gains since 2022. Local Economy: Great Plains Communications is expanding fiber footprint via its Fastwyre deal, while Milwaukee’s meatpacking era takes another hit as Cargill shuts a Menomonee Valley plant.

Community Building in Fort Wayne: A northwest Fort Wayne “business mingle” is trying to knit together neighborhood associations and local shops, with residents pitching practical ideas like shared composting to strengthen ties. Drought Relief: The SBA is offering low-interest disaster loans to Nebraska small businesses and private nonprofits hit by drought starting April 1. Accidental Gunshot in Scottsbluff: Police say a dog accidentally pulled the trigger of a loaded shotgun in a pickup, injuring a woman; officers reminded Nebraskans it’s illegal to travel with a loaded firearm in a vehicle. Memorial Day Focus: Local ceremonies across Nebraska marked the holiday, while drought and wildfire impacts kept the message urgent. UNMC Leadership Search: Priority chancellor candidate Dele Davies begins public campus visits starting May 27. Sports: NCAA baseball bracket news keeps Nebraska’s postseason momentum in the spotlight, with regional matchups set for late May.

Gerrymandering arms race: A new suggested South Carolina map lands as the national redistricting fight shifts into a “forever war,” with both parties preparing to redraw districts as often as every two years—pushing elections toward winner-take-all outcomes and raising fears of minority rule. Nebraska politics & health: Nebraska AG Mike Hilgers is suing over alleged covert DEI policies by proxy firm ISS, while WHO says hantavirus is “stable for now” after cases tied to a Dutch cruise. Drought pressure: Western Nebraska wheat is still taking hits from drought and freezes, even as some Memorial Day rains bring brief relief. Sports—Huskers on the move: Nebraska softball is headed to the Women’s College World Series after a super regional sweep, and Nebraska baseball hosts an NCAA regional in Lincoln for the first time in 18 years. Local ag training: Youth Range Camp runs June 8–11 in Curtis, and the Grazing Lands Coalition’s Young Adult Ranching for Profit School is set for Aug. 4–7 in Kimball.

NCAA Baseball: Nebraska is back as a regional host for the first time since 2008, landing the Lincoln Regional at Hawks Field at Haymarket Park; the full bracket comes Monday and tickets go on sale Tuesday. Husker Baseball: The run ended fast in the Big Ten Tournament—Oregon shut out Nebraska 8-0 in the semifinal, setting up a Ducks-UCLA title game. Husker Softball: Nebraska’s No. 1 team is headed to the Women’s College World Series again after a 9-1 sweep over Oklahoma State, clinched with a seven-run fifth. Public Health: A hantavirus poll shows Utahns are increasingly anxious after reports of the Andes strain, including concerns about spread between humans. Agriculture: UNL researchers are spotlighting wheat curl mites and the viruses they carry as a growing, hard-to-see threat to cereal crops. Local Life: The Nebraska Humane Society’s “Barks & Rec” lets people take shelter dogs on daycation-style outings.

Nebraska Sports Shock: Oregon shut out Nebraska 8-0 in the Big Ten Tournament semifinal in Omaha, ending the Huskers’ eight-game win streak and their shot at a third straight tourney title; Oregon now faces UCLA for the conference crown. WCWS Momentum: The No. 1 Nebraska softball team punched its ticket to the Women’s College World Series with a 9-1 mercy-rule sweep of Oklahoma State, setting up Oklahoma City for the first time in 13 years. Public Health Watch: The WHO declared an Ebola emergency in the Democratic Republic of Congo as a rare strain spreads through cities, with hundreds of suspected cases reported. Native Rights Fight: Nine tribes sued to stop exploratory graphite drilling near a sacred Black Hills ceremonial site, alleging federal agencies failed to consult tribes. Local Spotlight: UNL honored Madelyn Martin of Hays as one of 203 seniors completing the University Honors Program, earning High University Honors. Politics & Power: Calls are growing for DNC chair Ken Martin to resign after a botched 2024 autopsy report, while Ro Khanna pushes term limits and Supreme Court expansion after a voting rights ruling.

Big Ten Baseball: Oregon shut out Nebraska 8-0 in the tournament semifinals, then moves on to the conference title game vs. No. 1 UCLA. WCWS Push: No. 1 Nebraska softball steamrolled Oklahoma State 9-1 (mercy rule) to clinch its spot in the Women’s College World Series. Severe Weather Watch: A Thursday storm risk put parts of Colorado and Nebraska—including the Denver metro—on alert for damaging winds and large hail. Politics: Republicans in Congress are openly clashing with Trump over a $1.776B “anti-weaponization” compensation fund, forcing a pause in a major immigration spending bill. Memorial Day Prep: Cities across the region are rolling out holiday road closures, parking rules, and trash-collection changes. Nebraska Water & Ag: Southwest Kansas plans an airborne electromagnetic survey of the Ogallala aquifer, while Nebraska livestock producers get a virtual fencing bus tour next month.

Ogallala Aquifer Mapping: Southwest Kansas is set for low-flying helicopter surveys from late May through late July, using airborne electromagnetic gear to map groundwater conditions in the Ogallala aquifer—flights won’t run over homes, livestock feeding operations, or wind turbines. Congress Clash: Republicans are openly revolting against Trump’s $1.776 billion “anti-weaponisation” fund, forcing a showdown over a $72 billion immigration enforcement bill and raising the stakes for the midterms. Workplace Safety Snapshot: A new national map flags workplace fatality risk as concentrated in energy, mining, trucking, and agriculture-heavy states, with Wyoming’s rate far above the safest states. Business Moves: ADH is buying cfm Distributors, expanding its HVACR footprint across the Midwest and Southeast. Nebraska Notes: UNL hit a record 3,885 degrees at spring commencement; and Lincoln is gearing up for Memorial Day ceremonies.

Hantavirus & Quarantine Confusion: Nebraska health officials say the risk to the public remains extremely low, but passengers in quarantine are still waiting on CDC guidance about how long they must stay—while reports describe daily life continuing inside the Nebraska Medical Center unit. Courts & State Money: Two former Nebraska officials sued the Pillen administration and the state treasurer, alleging Nebraska Environmental Trust funds were misused to plug budget gaps. Politics & Campaign Noise: President Trump hit a New York battleground to tout tax cuts for workers and small business, but veered into tangents that drew attention away from the economy. Weather: Severe storms rolled through Nebraska and Iowa, including tornado warnings near the Omaha area. Rural Economy: Creighton’s Rural Mainstreet Index fell again, pointing to weak grain prices and higher fuel costs squeezing farm operations. Local Business: Siouxland Feedlot Forum registration opened for June 16 in South Sioux City.

Trump vs. his own party: Senate Republicans abruptly shelved a major ICE funding vote after a revolt over a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund tied to Jan. 6—leaving the roughly $70 billion budget package delayed until next month and blowing past Trump’s June 1 push. Voter-roll fight: Federal judges in Maine and Wisconsin tossed DOJ lawsuits seeking expanded voter registration data, calling the requests improper and “half-hearted,” as the administration presses similar cases in multiple states. Nebraska immigration spotlight: Omaha’s Catholic community is dealing with a deacon beloved by local clergy and Guatemalan families—now under an ankle monitor and frequent federal home visits. Local governance: Otoe County paused permits for a new data center for up to a year, signaling more resistance ahead. Rural pressure: A new push highlights how small water systems struggle with costs and compliance, while Iowa’s renewable fuels groups urge faster action on Summit Carbon pipeline permits.

College Sports Commission: Big Ten spring talks are heating up as the new College Sports Commission chief Bryan Seeley vows to enforce NIL rules “as written,” even as schools warn the current setup—especially pricey third-party NIL deals—could splinter the sport. Immigration Funding Fight: In Washington, Senate Republicans shelved a vote on ICE/Border Patrol funding after Trump-linked additions turned into a revolt over a $1.8B “anti-weaponization” fund, pushing action to June. Trump on the Road: Trump heads to a competitive New York district to sell his tax law as economic approval sags. Nebraska Housing: HUD Secretary Scott Turner visited Omaha to promote “red tape” cuts for builders and Opportunity Zones, spotlighting the Highlander redevelopment. Local Watch: Buffalo County won’t press charges against a former Lincoln officer tied to a sexual assault investigation. Nebraska Sports: Heinrich Haarberg has signed with the Carolina Panthers. Weather/Politics Oddity: Red Willow County’s commissioner primary tie was settled by a coin flip.

Labor Clash: Cargill escalated its beef-plant fight in Fort Morgan, Colorado, locking out about 1,700 workers after they rejected a contract—slaughter was already paused in April, and the union says pay stopped after the vote. Nuclear Siting Push: Nebraska’s SMR search is now down to four towns—Beatrice, Brownville, Norfolk, and Sutherland—with Lincoln County leaders keeping pressure on Sutherland as the next-generation nuclear study narrows. Native Repatriation Fight: A federal appeals court revived a Winnebago Tribe case seeking the return of two boys’ remains from a federal boarding-school era, saying NAGPRA could apply if the remains are tied to a federal “holding or collection.” Public Health & Trust: New U.S. restrictions tied to Ebola and hantavirus exposures are drawing rights concerns and could discourage volunteers, while the broader public is still processing COVID-era fear. Insurance Watch: A new report says home premiums jumped sharply since 2019 but 2025 showed the first real slowdown—Nebraska was among the biggest risers. Local Notes: Omaha’s Memorial Day weekend lineup includes a drone show and major ceremonies, and Great Plains Communications is moving to buy Fastwyre’s Nebraska broadband assets.

County Leadership: Santa Barbara County picked Jana Petersen as its next county executive officer, with a contract vote set June 9 and a planned Aug. 20 start. Pipeline Fight: In Iowa, landowners urged the Iowa Utilities Commission to reject Summit Carbon Solution’s revised pipeline plan, arguing it still drags on “since 2021” and preserves eminent-domain power. Nebraska Courts: Gov. Jim Pillen appointed Jennifer A. Huxoll to the Third Judicial District district court seat in Lancaster County, filling a retirement. Nuclear Watch: NPPD narrowed small modular reactor siting to four Nebraska communities—Beatrice, Brownville, Norfolk, and Sutherland—though it’s not a go-ahead for construction. Local Culture & Travel: Nebraska launched a statewide Nebraska Book Trail for summer 2026, sending readers to 20+ independent bookstores for passport punches and prizes. Health & Safety: The White House denied it resisted bringing an Ebola-exposed American doctor home for treatment, after a report claimed internal delays. Agriculture Pressure: Plains farmers keep getting squeezed by drought plus higher fuel and fertilizer costs.

Politics & Power: A small but growing “YOLO caucus” inside the GOP is testing Trump’s agenda, with Sen. Bill Cassidy breaking ranks on Iran-related votes after losing his primary—raising the odds of more internal friction in a razor-thin Congress. Elections: Pennsylvania’s 7th District Democratic nomination went to firefighter/union leader Bob Brooks, setting up a fall challenge to GOP Rep. Ryan Mackenzie. Nebraska Health: A woman exposed to hantavirus on the MV Hondius cruise ship is being held in Omaha’s National Quarantine Unit under a federal order, even after a negative test—while officials keep stressing the public risk is low. SNAP & Health Policy: Montana is moving to restrict SNAP purchases of junk foods, joining a growing list of states rolling out similar bans. Broadband: Great Plains Communications says it will buy Fastwyre’s Nebraska business, promising seamless service and upgrades. Weather: NWS confirmed six tornadoes in eastern Nebraska over the weekend, with no injuries reported.