AGP Executive Report

Health & Safety: A new review links pesticide exposure during pregnancy and early childhood to higher risk of childhood leukemia and brain tumors, with the strongest signals around prenatal exposure. Public Health Policy: The Pan American Health Organization is urging extra caution over reports that Latin American institutions are negotiating to manufacture a Russian COVID-19 vaccine before standard safety and effectiveness trials are completed. Environment & Medicine: Republican attorneys general, including Nebraska’s, are pressing the EPA to classify mifepristone as a water contaminant, while experts say there’s no proof medication abortion harms water systems. AI Governance: After Trump warned states off AI rules, states like Illinois are moving ahead with more targeted laws focused on real-world risks, including how AI interacts with children and workplaces. Nebraska Research: UNK received a $500,000 federal grant to study the genetic path to peanut allergies, including why females are more likely to develop them. Campus & Cost: University of Nebraska regents are considering another tuition increase, with a proposed 4% jump for many programs. Food Supply: FDA issued a class one recall for Alfredo sauce tied to bacterial contamination, distributed across 41 states including Nebraska. Local Tech/Training: North Platte Community College unveiled its 2026 raffle car, a student-restored Malibu SS, to fund scholarships in automotive programs.

Health & Safety: A new review links pesticide exposure during pregnancy and early childhood to higher risks of childhood leukemia and brain tumors, with the strongest signals for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Nebraska Education: The University of Nebraska Board of Regents is weighing a tuition increase for the coming school year, proposing about a 4% jump for many students. Agriculture Research: UNK received a $500,000 federal grant to study peanut allergy genetics and why the condition develops. Policy Watch: Republican attorneys general, including Nebraska’s, are urging the EPA to classify mifepristone as a water contaminant, though experts say there’s no proof of harm in wastewater. Local Tech/Industry: Nebraska’s cattle and feed outlook remains pressured as packers respond to shortages, including reported JBS plant closures. STEM & Community: Nebraska joins national efforts aimed at improving STEM student success, while local conservation work continues to draw student interest.

Health & Research: A new review links pesticide exposure during pregnancy and early childhood to higher risks of childhood leukemia and brain tumors, with the strongest signals around prenatal exposure. Higher Ed Funding: The University of Nebraska Board of Regents is weighing a tuition increase—about 4%—as part of a proposed budget aimed at cutting costs and boosting state support. EV Costs: An Insurify report finds EV insurance averages $3,159 a year, about 42% higher than comparable gas cars, with big state-to-state swings that include Nebraska. Agriculture & Livestock: JBS plans beef plant closures amid a severe U.S. cattle shortage, adding pressure to already tight cattle markets. Nebraska STEM & Health: UNK received a $500,000 grant to study peanut allergy genetics, including why females are more likely to develop the condition. Policy Watch: Nebraska and other GOP attorneys general are urging the EPA to classify mifepristone as a water contaminant, despite experts saying there’s no clear harm shown in wastewater. Rural Events: The Bow Creek Watershed Project will host a 2026 field day in Hartington focused on drought-resilient forages and small grains.

Public Health & Water Policy: Nebraska AG Eliot Bostar joined 14 GOP attorneys general and 19 House Republicans urging the EPA to classify abortion medication mifepristone as a water contaminant, despite health experts saying there’s no proof it harms drinking water or aquatic life. Local Research Funding: UNK’s Dolence lab won a $500,000 federal grant to study the genetic path to peanut allergies, including why females are more likely to develop them. STEM & Workforce: SkillsUSA named Lincoln-area student Emma Uhler a national gold medalist in automotive refinishing after earning her associate degree at Southeast Community College—Milford. University Watch: The University of Nebraska Board of Regents will consider a 4.25% tuition increase June 18 to offset inflation, while also weighing UNMC leadership and housing renovations. Agriculture & Community: The Bow Creek Watershed Project will host a 2026 field day in Hartington focused on summer forages and small grains, with practical drill and grazing demos. Nebraska Economy Signals: Cattle futures slid on rumors and confirmed JBS plant closings, keeping traders on edge.

University of Nebraska Tuition: The NU Board of Regents will consider a 4.25% tuition increase at its June 18 meeting, aiming to offset inflation while protecting scholarships and academic quality. Public Health & Travel: A cruise passenger quarantined in Omaha over a hantavirus outbreak says she’s being “held hostage” in a dispute between Florida officials and the CDC. STEM in Nebraska: UNL is joining national efforts to improve student success in large introductory STEM courses, with a focus on math and better assessment. Rural Broadband: Nebraska customers say Starlink price hikes are squeezing rural households as satellite internet becomes the default option. Agriculture Research: UNL’s Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) program is running field trials across Nebraska, with water and nitrogen management front and center. Workforce Training: Women in Manufacturing Nebraska launched a first-of-its-kind girls STEM manufacturing camp at Metro Community College, teaching welding and skilled-trades skills. Local Tech Governance: Lincoln County is weighing updated data center regulations amid resident concerns about water use, electricity demand, and noise. Health Care Leadership: Box Butte General Hospital named Gabriel Behling as its new CEO, effective June 4.

Medicaid Work Rules: The Trump administration’s final Medicaid work requirement rules are out, with states scrambling to rebuild IT and staffing while advocates warn recipients could lose coverage over paperwork hurdles. University of Nebraska: The NU Board of Regents will consider a 4.25% tuition increase and a 2027 budget plan, alongside an advanced AI institute proposal. Agronomy & Food Tech: UNL’s Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) program is pushing precision field trials across Nebraska, while a June 16 wheat variety tour/field day at the Stumpf Center will share what’s working amid tough growing conditions. Rural Connectivity: Starlink’s rural customers in Nebraska and beyond are seeing steep price hikes as options remain limited. STEM Pipeline: Women in Manufacturing Nebraska launched a first-of-its-kind girls STEM manufacturing camp at Metro Community College, teaching welding and trades. Health & Safety Research: A new review links pesticide exposure in pregnancy and early childhood to higher risks of childhood leukemia and brain tumors. Cybersecurity: Rep. Don Bacon says his Signal account was compromised by Russian-linked actors. Defense & Research: SDSU engineering students won a category at NASA’s RASC-AL lunar sample return concept competition.

Cybersecurity & Politics: Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon says his Signal account was compromised via Russian-linked social engineering, and he’s working with the FBI and House IT specialists to investigate. Rural Broadband: Starlink’s price hikes are squeezing rural Nebraskans who have few alternatives, with advocates warning the “lifeline” model is shifting as competition stays limited. Public Health & Policy: In Nebraska’s hantavirus quarantine story, officials are debating whether people can finish isolation at home under strict monitoring—while the White House’s harsher hantavirus/Ebola approach draws sharp criticism. Higher Ed Costs: The University of Nebraska Board of Regents will consider a 4.25% tuition increase June 18, citing inflation-driven costs and changes to state funding and biomedical research. Agriculture Research: UNL’s Stumpf Field Day and Wheat Variety Tour (June 16) will share updated wheat, pea, and pest/disease management plans despite a tough growing season. Nebraska Tech & Health Compliance: Omaha’s CliniSight says 100+ staffing agencies adopted its CliniComply compliance platform in year one.

Cancer Risk Research: A new review links pesticide exposure during pregnancy and early childhood to higher rates of childhood leukemia and brain tumors, with the strongest signals around prenatal exposure. Nebraska Plant Science Honors: UNL’s Edgar Cahoon was elected to the National Academy of Sciences for plant lipid biotechnology work that could boost biofuels and crop resilience. Ag Tech & Biofuels: Nebraska startup MTE Biotech is developing enzyme-based tech to help ethanol and biodiesel plants pull more value from crop byproducts. Rural Health & Training: UNK/UNMC-linked NE-INBRE welcomed a new cohort of undergraduate researchers for summer lab work across Nebraska. Policy & Workforce: Senators reintroduced a bipartisan bill to fund agricultural education at community colleges, aiming to strengthen the ag workforce pipeline. Local Tech in Retail: B&R Stores in Lincoln rolled out Simbe’s Tally shelf-scanning robots to cut manual inventory time and improve in-store product data. Weather & Safety: NOAA reports May 2026 as the world’s second-warmest May on record, while a new study flags rising motorcycle fatalities in Colorado.

Public Health & Safety: A new review links pesticide exposure during pregnancy and early childhood to higher risks of childhood leukemia and brain tumors, with the strongest signals around prenatal exposure. Climate Watch: NOAA reports May 2026 as the world’s second-warmest May on record, with a high chance 2026 lands among the four warmest years. Nebraska Agriculture: The U.S. cattle herd is at a 75-year low, raising fears of more beef packing plant shutdowns after Tyson’s Lexington, Nebraska closure. Local Tech & Retail: B&R Stores is rolling out Simbe’s Tally shelf-scanning robot to Lincoln locations to automate inventory work and improve in-store product availability. Nebraska Research & STEM: UNL plant science director Edgar Cahoon was elected to the National Academy of Sciences, recognized for plant lipid biotechnology work tied to biofuels and crop resilience. Education & Workforce: Doane University plans to cut five majors and four minors next fall to better match student demand and job-market needs. Ag Lab Fieldwork: UNL’s Haskell Ag Lab hosts a June 23 field pea plot tour focused on variety trials and drought-relevant agronomy.

Whooping Crane Conservation Ride: Husker faculty member Michael Forsberg and International Crane Foundation director Andy Caven are biking Nebraska’s stretch of the “Whooper Highway” to spotlight habitat loss along the 2,500-mile migration route. Rural Health Research Network: A new Greater Nebraska Rural Research Network is launching to connect researchers with rural hospitals so patients can help drive studies on persistent health gaps. Data Centers vs. Water in Lincoln County: The Lincoln County Planning Commission weighed data center rules as groundwater limits and water demand—hundreds of thousands to over a million gallons per day—collide with rural aquifer protections. AI Governance in Health Care: A new guidance-style report warns that many health systems are adopting AI faster than they’re building governance, raising risks around privacy, bias, and patient safety. Nebraska STEM in Space: UNK was selected for the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program, sending a student-designed microgravity experiment to the International Space Station in 2027. Engineering Pipeline in Nebraska: UNL’s Mid-America Transportation Center runs a 5-day STEM Academy for 9-12 graders, including shake-table building tests and hands-on structural engineering. Health Care Leadership: Box Butte General Hospital named Gabriel Behling as its new CEO, aiming to strengthen rural access.

Space STEM: UNK is joining the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program, sending a student-designed microgravity experiment to the International Space Station in spring 2027. Rural Healthcare Leadership: Box Butte General Hospital named Gabriel Behling its new CEO, aiming to strengthen rural access and operations. Ag Water Quality Research: UNL researchers are testing a new approach to fight harmful algal blooms using “virovory,” where organisms eat viruses to help shift nutrients and reduce toxic cyanobacteria. Plant Science Breakthrough: UNL mapped a key region inside chloroplasts that helps build and repair photosynthetic membranes, a step toward better stress-resilient crops. Nebraska Soil Recovery: Extension researchers are studying how wildfire affects Sandhills soils, focusing on erosion and organic matter loss after major burns. Local Tech Policy: Lincoln County commissioners rejected a data-center moratorium, but will update zoning rules to protect water and power supplies. Public Health Monitoring: The U.S. will screen wastewater for disease outbreaks during the World Cup, pairing lab work with real-time monitoring. Energy & Nuclear Interest: A report highlights growing nuclear attention in Nebraska, including potential site discussions in Gage County. Healthcare Workforce: A new analysis suggests the radiologist shortage is real but more localized than previously thought.

Nebraska Research & Water Quality: UNL researchers are testing “virovory” — using organisms that eat viruses — as a new way to reduce nutrient-driven toxic algal blooms, funded by a nearly $1.1M NSF grant. Plant Science Breakthrough: UNL mapped a key “assembly line” region inside chloroplasts that helps build and repair photosynthetic membranes, published in Nature Communications. Local Tech & Energy Policy: Lincoln County commissioners rejected a temporary moratorium on data center applications, choosing instead to update zoning rules while still requiring decisions within 120 days. Public Health Tech: A World Cup monitoring effort will screen U.S. wastewater and track online chatter to spot disease outbreaks early as crowds surge. Ag Data Privacy: Nebraska’s LB 525 passed, setting rules to protect farmers’ and ranchers’ agricultural digital data and limit unauthorized sales. STEM Workforce Pipeline: UNK associate professor Joe Dolence won a $500,000 NIH SuRE grant to study why peanut allergies differ by sex. Ed-Tech in Nebraska: Milford-based startup Short Answer is helping K-12 students improve writing, reaching 80,000 educators nationwide.

Advanced Nuclear in Nebraska: Nebraska Public Power District is studying new nuclear plant sites, including a Gage County location, as local attitudes shift from past energy fights to a fresh debate over nuclear’s promise and tradeoffs. Microreactor Milestone: The U.S. Energy Department says an advanced microreactor at Idaho National Lab reached criticality, a step toward electricity in the next few years. Ebola Preparedness in Nebraska’s Orbit: A University of Nebraska epidemiology expert weighs in as a fast-moving Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda raises concerns about future spread. Cancer Breakthroughs: University of Nebraska Medical Center is offering CAR T cell therapy trials for autoimmune disease, and Nebraska Medicine is also highlighting a new cancer treatment device. Food & Ag Tech Policy: Nebraska’s LB 525 now protects farmers’ and ranchers’ agricultural data, setting statewide rules for how farm data can be collected and used. Public Health at Mass Gatherings: Health teams plan to screen U.S. wastewater for disease outbreaks during the World Cup, using sewage monitoring to spot threats early. STEM & Research Pipeline: UNK received an NIH grant for peanut allergy research, and six UNK students joined NE-INBRE summer biomedical research. Education Tech (Local): Nebraska startup Short Answer is helping K-12 students improve writing while pushing back against overreliance on AI. Teacher Shortage Fix: Nebraska Teachers of Tomorrow is launching a new state-approved online pathway to get more qualified educators into classrooms.

Food Inflation Watch: A slower, stickier grocery price surge is building nationwide as bad weather, tariffs, and a shrinking cattle herd squeeze supply—hitting household budgets harder than gas and likely lingering into 2027. Nebraska Ag Tech Policy: Nebraska’s LB 525 now sets state rules for collecting and using agricultural data, aiming to protect farm and ranch privacy while enabling tech-driven production. Cancer Care Upgrade: Nebraska Medicine is rolling out a proton beam treatment device at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, described as a major step toward more precise care for kids and patients across the region. Nuclear Energy Milestone: The U.S. Energy Department says a small advanced microreactor reached criticality at Idaho National Lab, a milestone that could speed electricity generation timelines. Health Data Privacy Fight: HHS is seeking access to identifiable medical records from state systems in an effort tied to vaccine-autism research, drawing sharp privacy and legal concerns—Nebraska’s CyncHealth is named as a major CDC-funded participant. STEM in the Heartland: Grand Island’s EPIC Discovery Center finally opens after seven years, offering hands-on STEAM learning for kids up to age 18. Research Participation (Cats): Darwin’s Ark is recruiting more cat owners nationwide for a genetics and behavior study, with Nebraska listed among underrepresented states.

Nebraska Ag Tech Policy: Gov. Jim Pillen and ag leaders celebrated passage of LB 525, a first-in-the-nation law setting rules for collecting and using agricultural data to protect farmers’ privacy. Health Coverage Rules: New Medicaid work requirements are raising alarms that people with fluctuating illnesses—like cancer—could lose coverage, with enforcement details still murky. Cancer Care in Nebraska: Nebraska Medicine unveiled a new proton beam treatment device at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, aiming to expand access for patients across a wide region. Nuclear Energy Watch: The U.S. Energy Department says an advanced microreactor hit “criticality” at Idaho National Lab, a step toward electricity generation. AI + Data Centers + Water: Google says it will replenish more water than it uses at U.S. data centers by 2030, as communities scrutinize AI infrastructure impacts. Research Recruitment: Darwin’s Ark is expanding a national cat genetics study and is calling for more participation from underrepresented states, including Nebraska. Livestock & Animal Welfare: Congress is considering farm bill language that could roll back state livestock welfare rules, targeting California’s Proposition 12.

Ag Data Privacy: Nebraska’s LB 525 is now law, creating first-in-the-nation rules for how farm and ranch data is collected, processed, and used—aimed at protecting farmers’ privacy while keeping innovation moving. Cancer Tech in Omaha: Nebraska Medicine is celebrating a new proton beam treatment device at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, designed to deliver more precise radiation and expand access for patients across a wide region. Nuclear Progress: The U.S. Energy Department says an advanced microreactor hit “criticality” at Idaho National Lab, a milestone that could lead to electricity generation within a few years. Health Records Privacy Fight: HHS is seeking access to identifiable medical records from state health data systems for vaccine-autism research, raising legal and privacy concerns, including involvement tied to Nebraska’s CyncHealth. STEM for Kids: Grand Island’s EPIC Discovery Center opened after seven years, offering STEAM hands-on learning for ages 0–18. Proton + Policy + Privacy: Together, this week’s Nebraska tech news is all about building new tools—then setting guardrails for data, patients, and access.