AGP Executive Report

SNAP Court Fight: A federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s push to let states restrict food stamps from buying soda and candy, ruling USDA lacked authority to change what counts as “food,” a decision that could hit millions in Nebraska and other states. Plastic Packaging Lawsuit: Utah and other Republican-led states joined a federal lawsuit to stop California’s sweeping plastic packaging “producer responsibility” law, arguing it reaches beyond California and raises costs nationwide. Nebraska Grain Relief: The Nebraska Public Service Commission mailed $1 million in Hansen-Mueller grain dealer bond claim payments to 12 approved Nebraska producers. Hantavirus Update: UNMC said the last exposed passengers from the MV Hondius quarantine in Nebraska have returned home healthy after the monitoring operation ended. Housing & Economy: Nebraska’s unemployment stayed at 3.0% in May, while officials highlighted ongoing workforce activity. Data Centers Pact: Forty mayors worldwide backed a C40 agreement aimed at shaping data center development around energy, water, land use, and community concerns.

SNAP Fight: A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from letting states bar SNAP recipients from buying soft drinks, candy and other sugary items, saying USDA lacked authority for the “food restriction” waivers. Omaha Labor: A strike at Premier-Midwest Beer & Beverage is already changing what Omaha bars sell, after the distributor’s union contract talks stalled following a buyout. White House UFC Plot: The FBI and DOJ arrested two more suspects tied to a foiled drone-and-sniper attack plan targeting the White House UFC Freedom 250 event, with court filings describing cash and equipment transfers across states. UNL/UNMC Recognition: UNL and UNMC received federal approval for shared national reporting under a new accreditation structure, boosting how their combined research footprint ranks. Nebraska Community & Housing: Nebraska’s new housing push includes a Blair subdivision plan using Community Improvement Districts, plus Gering breaking ground on duplex townhomes aimed at easing local housing demand. Wildfire Update: The South Fork Fire was right-sized to about 39,696 acres and shifted toward suppression repair and post-fire assessments. Public Health: Hantavirus quarantine monitoring ended for the last M/V Hondius passengers at UNMC. Education Spotlight: The Daily Nebraskan marked 125 years of student journalism.

Housing & Local Finance: Gov. Jim Pillen signed LB 1114 creating community improvement districts, a new way for smaller Nebraska communities to finance housing and amenities—starting with the Bear Creek project in Blair. Ag Impacts: Severe storms left a south-central Nebraska farmer surveying flattened bins, bruised seed corn, and bare fields after high winds, hail, and heavy rain. Farm Health: UNL CropWatch reports low-incidence tar spot in a few Nebraska counties and says early fungicide sprays usually aren’t economical; timing matters. Workforce & Kids: Nebraska is among states that weakened child labor protections this year by lowering the minimum wage for 14- and 15-year-olds. Immigration Enforcement: ICE detained one person in Denver, with reports of SUVs blocking vehicles during arrests. Nonprofit Leadership: Hope Harbor in Grand Island named Kendra Lutz its new Operational Executive Director. Politics & Elections: A Nebraska Senate candidate running as an independent, Dan Osborn, is drawing scrutiny over donor ties and outside spending.

University of Nebraska Tuition: The NU Board of Regents approved a systemwide 4.25% tuition increase across all four campuses, part of a broader effort to offset inflation and budget pressure, with the hike set to take effect for the upcoming academic year. Immigration Enforcement: A new report says ICE arrests have continued across eastern Nebraska, with hundreds detained in Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, and Fremont since early 2026, as the administration tracks arrests through a public website. Food Assistance Pressure: A national analysis warns House Republicans’ reconciliation plan would cut SNAP by about 30%—nearly $300 billion through 2034—potentially leaving millions with less help affording groceries. Public Health in Nebraska: Quarantine for 18 American passengers exposed to hantavirus on a cruise ship ended after weeks at a Nebraska federal quarantine unit, with officials saying no related U.S. cases had been confirmed. Local Community & Culture: Lincoln’s LGBTQ+ lounge Das Haus announced it will close June 21 after an offer was accepted, with a GoFundMe launched to try to buy back the space or open a new venue. Sports (Omaha): North Carolina beat Oklahoma 6-2 in Game 2 of the College World Series finals, forcing a winner-take-all Game 3 Monday at Charles Schwab Field Omaha.

Lincoln LGBTQ+ community: Das Haus, a safe-space lounge in Lincoln, announced it’s closing June 21 after owners voted to accept an offer; a GoFundMe is seeking about $140,000 to buy back the business or open a new venue. Nebraska agriculture: USDA data highlights a tough squeeze for wheat in drought-hit areas, with Nebraska wheat acres facing abandonment as cotton support programs continue to draw criticism. Wildfire updates (Northwest Nebraska): South Fork Fire containment remains at 90% with 39,696 acres; the incident command shifts to a Type 3 team at 6 p.m., and Fort Robinson State Park has partially reopened with some amenities still closed. State policy deadline: Nebraska Homestead Exemption applications are due June 30, 2026, with eligibility rules for seniors, disabled residents, and disabled veterans. Health policy: Final Medicaid work-requirement rules are out, with states scrambling to update systems ahead of the January 1, 2027 rollout. Sports (Omaha): College World Series Game 2 is set Sunday at Charles Schwab Field Omaha, with Oklahoma facing North Carolina after a 9-3 Game 1 win.

Nebraska Water & Fire Updates: Fort Robinson State Park has partially reopened as South Fork Fire risk shifts north, with the lodge, cabins, activity center, Sutler Store, Post Playhouse, restaurant, and museums back open, while horse/jeep/tube rides and some trails stay closed. Local Water Restrictions: Ponca residents and businesses are told to cut unnecessary water use due to a well issue, with restrictions expected through early next week. Agriculture & Economy: The Fed’s Beige Book says Corn Belt farm conditions were mostly unchanged but cost pressures are rising, especially from fuel and fertilizer spikes. Health Care Spending (Nebraska): Medicaid billing data shows Grand Island providers billed $260,313 for pathology and lab services in 2024, up 8.8% from 2023. Nebraska Politics & Policy: Nebraska hemp retailers are pushing back on a proposed state rule that would make food products illegal if they contain any amount of THC, arguing it goes beyond federal limits. Sports (Omaha): Oklahoma and North Carolina meet in Game 2 of the College World Series finals at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha on ABC.

Iran Deal Fallout: Senate Republicans are skeptical after the U.S.-Iran MOU faces fresh strain, with Iran again threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz and GOP lawmakers warning the proposed economic package could be a repeat of past mistakes. Nebraska Politics & Governance: Gov. Jim Pillen’s office says he didn’t use a state-issued phone on the job, drawing fresh criticism over disclosure rules. State Policy Watch: Nebraska hemp retailers and businesses packed a hearing to fight proposed rules that would effectively ban edible THC products with “any amount” of THC, arguing the state is going beyond federal standards. Health & Money in Nebraska: New data shows Papillion Medicaid spending hit $68,458 for medical and surgical supplies in 2024, while Lincoln logged $948,824 for temporary national codes (non-Medicare). Labor: UAW delegates backed President Shawn Fain’s aggressive organizing and strike strategy ahead of a potential Big 3 rematch in 2028. Community & Culture: Bishop Neumann’s marching band will represent Nebraska in Washington, D.C., for America 250’s Independence Day parade, with stops tied to Gov. Pillen and Sen. Pete Ricketts. Sports (Local): Nebraska softball added transfer Samantha Bolding to the 2027 roster.

Severe Weather Watch: Father’s Day weekend brings a strong storm push into south-central and southeast Nebraska, with damaging winds, large hail, and possible tornadoes; officials also warn flooding risk is rising after recent heavy rain. Nebraska Agriculture & Markets: Corn futures slid ahead of the Juneteenth holiday as export sales to Mexico stayed active, while cattle and hog markets finished the week mixed to lower. Livestock Health Breakthrough: UNL researchers unveiled a low-cost swine influenza vaccine approach using DNA in lipid nanoparticles, designed to be fast, effective, and adaptable for Nebraska’s major swine industry. Hemp Regulation Uncertainty: Nebraska’s Department of Agriculture proposed rules that could restrict many edible hemp products, including THC-infused beverages, after Gov. Pillen’s executive order drew pushback from retailers. Omaha Metro Animal Care: The Nebraska Humane Society announced an $8M plan to expand its spay/neuter work into a Pet Wellness Center, aiming to boost low-cost services by mid-2027. Public Safety & Courts: A DEA judge set the process for a marijuana rescheduling hearing later this month, while Nebraska’s AG also continues legal fights over minimum wage rules.

Nebraska Education & Workforce: A new report says nearly 40% of certified Nebraska teachers aren’t teaching in classrooms, with quitting driven by burnout and impossible work-life balance. State Government Transparency: Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen is facing fresh scrutiny after his office said he doesn’t carry a state-issued phone, raising questions about how much of his communications are shielded from public records. Health Care Access: Rural Nebraska is seeing dialysis clinic closures, forcing patients to drive hours for life-saving care even as new state funding rolls in. Agriculture & Rural Economy: A Creighton survey finds Iowa’s Rural Mainstreet Index is up eight points, with rural hiring improving and ag exports rising. Public Radio Funding: Public radio engineering teams are dealing with federal funding cuts, tightening budgets and staffing in the wake of CPB changes. UAW Leadership: The UAW finalized leadership nominations for a consequential election this fall, with ballots expected later this summer. Agriculture Spotlight: Nebraska State Fair partners with the Great American State Fair to showcase Nebraska ag on the National Mall for America’s 250th.

University Funding & Tuition: Nebraska’s Board of Regents approved a 4.25% tuition hike across the NU system, voting 6-2 on a $1.19 billion budget while cutting $8 million in the next budget cycle—regents cited inflation and staffing needs, while opponents warned students are getting priced out. Local Health Careers: UNK students are spending time at rural Nebraska hospitals through a Rural Immersion Program, shadowing clinicians at Mary Lanning Healthcare in Hastings to explore careers in healthcare. Nebraska Agriculture & Land Stewardship: A Sandhills rancher’s decades of grassland-focused ranching is feeding into a new UNL research initiative interviewing multigenerational ranch families about stewardship and grazing decisions. Public Safety & Policy: Nebraska’s Department of Agriculture is proposing strict rules that would treat any amount of THC in food and beverages as illegal, drawing heavy opposition from the hemp and CBD industry. Terror Plot Update (Nebraska ties): Homeland Security says the alleged ringleader in the foiled UFC Freedom 250 White House plot was in the U.S. illegally and had DACA status; reporting also links him to Central Nebraska through UNK and Cozad. Tourism: Tour de Nebraska’s 2026 route will include Vermillion, South Dakota, with the ride running June 23-28 starting and ending in Hartington, Nebraska.

White House UFC Plot: DHS says the alleged ringleader of a disrupted “UFC Freedom 250” attack is Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, a Mexican man in the U.S. under Obama-era DACA after overstaying a visitor visa; federal charges include conspiracy to commit murder and violence, with arrests tied to plans involving drones and snipers. Local Courts & Wages: Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers sued Lincoln over its minimum-wage ordinance, arguing the city is overriding state law on wage growth and youth pay rates. Disaster Aid for Storm Damage: Gov. Jim Pillen requested a federal disaster declaration for May storms hitting eight Nebraska counties, seeking help for damaged roads, schools, and power infrastructure. UNL/Regents Update: The NU Board of Regents approved a 4.25% tuition increase and moves toward sole ownership of Nebraska Medicine, including major payment and donation agreements. Husker Sports Honors: Nebraska announced its 2026 Athletics Hall of Fame class, including volleyball coach John Cook and six former student-athletes. Ag & Livestock Training: Husker Harvest Days will host NCBA’s Stockmanship & Stewardship program Sept. 15-17, focusing on low-stress handling and facility design. Nebraska Home Insurance Pressure: A new poll of homeowners in Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas finds most residents worried about rising insurance costs and want elected officials to push for lower premiums.

UNL Cybersecurity: Students say UNL’s Canvas learning system was hit by a hack that locked them out of finals, showing a ransom-style screen before redirecting to “scheduled maintenance,” with officials saying grades won’t be jeopardized. Local Public Safety: Omaha leaders reacted to a deadly day that included multiple murder-suicide incidents, a fatal apartment fire, and a homicide tied to gang and gun violence. Consumer Watchdog: An Omaha-area driveway job left a homeowner out $5,500 after a downpayment was taken without work, renewing warnings to get contracts and payment terms in writing. State Politics & Courts: Nebraska Supreme Court agreed to hear a Knox County courthouse records dispute tied to a security investigation and an affidavit. FTC vs. Trans Healthcare: Nebraska joined the FTC and other states in suing WPATH, alleging misleading claims about pediatric gender-affirming treatments. Nebraska Policy & Community: Six Nebraska women lawmakers urged House Speaker Mike Johnson to remove a rideshare liability provision they say could endanger assault victims and drivers. Water & Weather: Bloomfield enacted outdoor watering limits amid dry conditions. Animals & Community: Scatter Joy Acres announced it will close its Nebraska location in Murray by July 31 and move full-time to Florida.

White House Security: Federal prosecutors say a Nebraska man, Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez of Omaha, was among five charged in a thwarted plot to attack the UFC Freedom 250 event on the White House grounds using explosive drones and snipers, with the alleged plan aimed at “high value targets” and a chaotic evacuation. Local Justice: Court filings describe Daniel K. Eskridge of Kidder as playing an active planning role, as arrests were made across Ohio, Missouri, Nebraska and California after investigators learned of the threat. Civil Liberties Clash: A Wall Street Journal report says RFK Jr. ordered a Florida woman exposed to hantavirus to remain in federal quarantine in Nebraska despite a CDC recommendation to monitor at home, setting up a due-process fight over forced confinement. Nebraska Economy & Health: UNL researchers unveiled a low-cost swine influenza vaccine approach using DNA in lipid nanoparticles, designed to protect pigs without worsening respiratory illness. Community & Agriculture: FNBO announced nearly $40,000 in agricultural education support across the region, including $24,450 to more than 60 Nebraska FFA chapters. Medicaid Policy: Final Medicaid work requirement rules are out, spelling out what millions of enrollees must do to keep coverage. America250: The 900-pound national time capsule is sealed for burial in Philadelphia, with items from every state and territory.

White House Terror Plot: Federal prosecutors say a mother’s tip helped unravel a multi-state plan to attack President Trump’s UFC Freedom 250 event with explosive drones and snipers, with five men arrested, including Omaha’s Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, who allegedly used an encrypted “safe zone” church in Western Nebraska. Public Safety & Health: US experts say Ebola risk for the 2026 World Cup is “extremely low,” but host-city hospitals are still on alert. Nebraska Science & Energy: UNL researchers unveiled a low-cost swine vaccine approach aimed at better protecting pigs from influenza, and a $1.4 million DOE grant will fund nuclear reactor safety training and workforce development in Nebraska. Local Governance: Omaha city leaders debated a minimum-wage ordinance for teens, while lawmakers also permanently raised Nebraska child-care subsidy income eligibility with LB 304. Community & Business: RMS Dumpsters launched a monthly donation drive for the Omaha Veterans Food Pantry, and Creighton businesses are rebuilding after a May fire.

Public Health & Policy: A Florida woman exposed to hantavirus on a cruise remains under a federal quarantine order in Omaha, despite CDC recommending she finish isolation at home—raising fresh questions about how Nebraska handles federal health directives. Violence Prevention & Courts: Federal prosecutors say a Knox County man, Tycen Proper, helped lead an alleged plot to attack the White House UFC event using explosive drones and snipers; Nebraska is tied to the case with another suspect arrested in Omaha. Nebraska Business & Growth: Grain’s deal to combine Ritter Communications and Blair’s Great Plains Communications into Rightfiber aims to expand fiber service across 20 states, reaching 300,000 homes and businesses. Local Government & Community: Nebraska Humane Society broke ground on a new low-cost pet wellness center in Omaha to expand affordable vet care. State & Agriculture: Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission suspended Hall of Fame trainer Dave Anderson through 2030 after a prohibited drug test and related findings. Wildfire Update: South Fork Fire is at 64% containment and nearly 39,057 acres, with Gov. Pillen scheduled to visit crews Tuesday.

College Sports & Gambling: The NCAA asked a Texas appeals court to pause a ruling that let Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby play despite gambling in college, but the fight ended Monday with Texas Tech saying Sorsby won’t suit up this fall and will enter the NFL supplemental draft instead. Big 12 vs. Texas Tech: The Big 12 also filed in federal court seeking authority to sanction Texas Tech and warned Texas AG Ken Paxton to stay out, escalating a case that has shaken college sports. Health Policy: Fourteen Republican state attorneys general urged the EPA to investigate mifepristone as a potential water contaminant, arguing telehealth and mail-order use is sending drug waste into waterways. Nebraska Agriculture & Safety: A review links pesticide exposure during pregnancy and early childhood to higher risks of childhood leukemia and brain tumors. Wildfire Update: Gov. Jim Pillen said the South Fork Fire in Nebraska’s panhandle has burned tens of thousands of acres, with aircraft helping protect Fort Robinson as conditions remain dangerous. Medicaid Work Rules: Final rules for Medicaid work requirements are out, pushing states to rebuild systems and enforce new eligibility checks.