AGP Executive Report

Meta Settlement for Kids: Nebraska is set to receive up to $201.1M from a landmark $17.1B multistate Meta deal, with required changes to Instagram and Facebook aimed at limiting addictive features for children and teens. Public Health Watch: The FDA says the cyclospora outbreak tied to recalled iceberg lettuce has now spread to three more states, bringing the total to 20 states and 11,458 reported illnesses. Cancer Breakthrough: The FDA approved Rasonque, a pancreatic cancer drug from Revolution Medicines, with trial results showing nearly double the median survival time for eligible patients. Law & Tech Oversight: 22 state AGs are challenging taxpayer funding of the National Academies’ climate review, calling it a “sham” and setting up a legal fight tied to a major climate lawsuit. Nebraska Agriculture Innovation: Broken Bow broke ground on a renewable natural gas project turning manure into pipeline-quality fuel, part of a broader push for value-added ag. Safety Tech Debate: ICE moved forward with a $16.7M contract for electric shock gloves, while Nebraska-related backlash continues over use in schools and policing.

FDA Breakthrough: The FDA approved Rasonque (daraxonrasib), a once-daily pill for advanced pancreatic cancer that targets RAS mutations and nearly doubles median survival (13.2 vs. 6.7 months in trials), with a reported month cost around $39,800. Nebraska Tech & Health Policy: Nebraska is set to receive up to about $200M from Meta’s child-safety settlement over Instagram/Facebook design features; the deal also requires stronger protections like nighttime blocking for teens. Rural Tech & Energy: Adams Land & Cattle and Neogenyx Fuels broke ground on a renewable natural gas project near Broken Bow, using manure digesters to produce pipeline-quality RNG and cut emissions. AI & Agriculture Research: A University of Idaho-led NSF project will use AI and sensing tech to breed stronger, less lodging-prone wheat and other cereal crops, with UNMC among collaborators. Blockchain in Banking: 39 state bankers associations formed the BankChain Alliance, aiming for a 2027 bank-owned blockchain network for tokenized deposits, stablecoins, and automated settlement. Community Tech/Training: Nebraska’s NCFF won nearly $10M to expand early reading programs, studying impacts across 120+ sites.

Pancreatic Cancer Breakthrough: The FDA has approved Rasonque (daraxonrasib), a once-daily pill that targets KRAS-driven tumors, nearly doubling median survival for advanced pancreatic cancer patients to 13.2 months (vs. 6.7 with chemotherapy). Nebraska Health & Early Learning: The Nebraska Children and Families Foundation won a nearly $10M federal grant to expand Nebraska Growing Readers and study how to boost preschool literacy statewide. Meta Settlement Hits Nebraska: Nebraska will receive about $201M from Meta’s landmark teen social media addiction settlement, with new child-safety steps including nighttime blocking for users 17 and under. Renewable Energy in Central Nebraska: Ground was broken south of Broken Bow on a renewable natural gas project that will turn manure into pipeline-quality RNG using anaerobic digesters. Public Accountability: Nebraska’s Accountability and Disclosure Commission fined Adams and Hall County assessors for using public office resources in re-election campaigns. AI for Crops: A Nebraska-linked research effort is set to use AI and sensing tech to breed stronger, less lodging-prone cereal crops. Tech Policy & Safety: An AI Pact signed by Nebraska’s Dan Osborn calls for AI model safety reviews and legal remedies for AI harms.

AI Infrastructure & Power: OpenAI is reorganizing energy planning inside its data center team, hiring a clean-energy lead to evaluate flexible power, storage, grid response, and low-carbon backup as projects like its 3.2 GW Georgia campus lean on demand-response deals. Local Tech & Education: OpenAI expands “ChatGPT for Teachers” with Kamehameha Schools, adding secure, educator-managed AI access and training for more than 100,000 additional staff across 20 states. Nebraska Biomanufacturing Workforce: Novonesis is partnering with Metropolitan Community College in Omaha to build a biotech technician pathway and launch a biomanufacturing scholarship aimed at removing financial barriers. Healthcare Policy Shock: Medicaid work requirements tied to the “Big Beautiful Bill” are set to roll out in 40+ states, with faster renewals and new work/volunteer rules expected to reduce coverage for millions. Data Centers vs. Communities (Nebraska): In Murdock, rural eastern Nebraska’s data center debate is uniting conservative farmers and left-leaning environmentalists over farmland, water, and electricity impacts. Privacy & Surveillance: Flock Safety is tightening license-plate reader retention and adding controls as Nebraska communities weigh safeguards and oversight. 3D Printing for Health: UNO and MCC’s momentum and a new Nebraska Center for 3D Innovation (NE3D) focus on AI-assisted, patient-specific 3D-printed healthcare tech, backed by an $8M NSF grant.

3D-Printed Prosthetics: UNO is launching the Nebraska Center for 3D Innovation (NE3D) with an $8M NSF grant to build next-gen, patient-specific prosthetics and antimicrobial 3D-printing materials, tying AI and medical imaging directly into healthcare device R&D. Public Safety Tech Pause: Alliance Police Chief David Leavitt withdrew a FY27 request for Flock Safety cameras and license plate readers, citing the need to pause amid national scrutiny and concerns about policies, auditing, training, and accountability. Agriculture & Water Monitoring: An Iowa kayaker set a river record while testing East Nishnabotna nitrate levels as part of Nitrate Watch, a citizen-science effort feeding national data used to study cancer-linked nitrate exposure. Nebraska Hemp Processing: A new hemp processing plant in Culbertson is moving from crop to processing, built by a local farmer after drought pushed him to find alternatives to soybeans. Nuclear Construction Boom: Omaha-based Kiewit says nuclear work is accelerating toward a billion-dollar business as electricity demand and federal reactor support expand the market. Student Success & Transfer: UNO and MCC marked one year of Momentum, aligning curricula and support to smooth transfers and keep students on track to graduation. Data Privacy & Food Costs: Sixteen state AGs, led by Nebraska’s Mike Hilgers, challenged Big Four accounting firms over climate/ESG disclosure costs they say will hit farmers and consumers.

Helmet Law Impact: A new UNMC study links Nebraska’s motorcycle helmet law repeal to a sharp rise in severe traumatic brain injuries, with helmet use dropping from 84% to 20% after the change. Ag Tech on the Ground: Husker Harvest Days is rolling out an Ag Tech Pavilion focused on practical farm tech—autonomy, AI, drones, and irrigation—with sessions built for real-world adoption. Corn Genome Breakthrough: UNL researchers helped create the first complete map of the corn genome, a major step toward improving crop resilience and productivity. Energy Storage Partnership: Colorado’s WATTMORE and Eos Energy Enterprises announced software and hardware integration for long-duration zinc battery projects, including controls for grid and data-center use. Child Care Policy Push (Nebraska): A new statewide coalition, Child Care Can, launches with a single focus on Nebraska childcare policy. Food Safety Watch: FDA/CDC investigations and recalls keep food safety in the spotlight, including a multistate Salmonella outbreak tied to imported jalapeños. Tech & Crime: An Omaha man used ChatGPT to plan a bank robbery and was sentenced to 10+ years in federal prison.

Helmet Science in Nebraska: UNMC reports that after Nebraska’s universal motorcycle helmet law was repealed, helmet use in crashes fell from 84% to 20%, and not wearing a helmet more than doubled odds of severe traumatic brain injury. Public Health & Transfusions: Dartmouth-led research links tick-borne alpha-gal syndrome to higher risk of dangerous allergic reactions during plasma or platelet transfusions. Energy Storage Tech: Colorado’s WATTMORE will integrate its Intellect Operate software with Eos Energy’s DawnOS and zinc-based Z3 long-duration storage, including work tied to Nebraska’s Lincoln Electric System. Agriculture Genomics: UNL researchers and partners created the first complete map of the corn genome, aiming to speed crop resilience and productivity improvements. Drone Delivery Expansion: Amazon Prime Air is pushing drone delivery into more U.S. areas, including Nebraska, as regulators move toward broader rules. Nebraska Child Care Policy: A new statewide coalition, Child Care Can, launches with a single focus on recurring child care policy changes. Food & Policy: A study finds SNAP “junk food” restrictions cut soda purchases by about 12% among recipients in states where bans were active. Local Safety Backlash: Nebraska schools and police face renewed scrutiny after electric-shock gloves use drew public backlash.

Nebraska Child Welfare Tech: Nebraska won a federal grant to test predictive analytics in child welfare, aiming to spot risk earlier, connect families to prevention services, and reduce unnecessary foster-care entries. School Safety & Tech Policy: Omaha police agreed to stop using electric-shock gloves in most schools after backlash over a proposed ICE rollout; the move follows requests from educators and a school board outcry. Cybersecurity & Consumer Protection: Nebraska AG Hilgers reached a settlement with Resideo and ADI to end Nebraska sales of Dahua and Hikvision surveillance products tied to serious cybersecurity weaknesses. Agriculture Research & Training: UNL’s engineering announced its sixth Kiewit Scholars cohort, while a Seed Industry Scholars program targets a growing shortage of seed-science agronomists. Public Health Lab Watch: Cornell researchers reported live H5N1 virus found in fetal bovine serum, raising biosafety and lab quality-control scrutiny. Science for Farmers: UNL-linked work highlights early detection tools for soybean disease, including UV-glowing plants to flag nematode threats before symptoms show.

USDA Precision Ag Funding: Sen. Deb Fischer backed a $37M USDA-ARS facility at UNL’s Innovation Campus, part of a push for resilient, regenerative precision agriculture. Early Disease Detection for Nebraska Soybeans: UV-glowing soybean trials aim to flag infections like white mold before symptoms show, giving farmers a better fungicide timing window. Nematode Management Guides: New science-based soybean nematode tools target soybean cyst nematode and other yield-robbing pests, urging soil testing during the post-harvest window. Health Tech & Research: Nebraska research is helping detect Parkinson’s and dementia earlier, focusing on earlier signals that could improve outcomes. Education Safety Backlash: Omaha Public Schools asked police to stop using electric-shock gloves on students; Omaha police agreed, after reported use in 2025-26. University Milestone: UN Foundation says private support for the University of Nebraska topped $500M for the first time, with $532.8M committed in FY2026. Defense Tech Tour: Pete Hegseth’s “Arsenal of Freedom” includes stops in Nebraska, including Strategic Command near Omaha.

Nebraska Ag Tech: UV-glowing genetically modified soybeans in UNL trials could flag disease earlier than leaf symptoms, giving farmers more time to time fungicide use. Local Research Funding: Sen. Deb Fischer backed a USDA $37M boost for a UNL Agricultural Research Service facility at Nebraska Innovation Campus. Data Center Policy: Kearney’s planning commission advanced a conditional use permit for a new data center, paired with stricter rules and sound-study requirements. Health Security in Nebraska: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited UNMC’s Global Center for Health Security, highlighting rural health preparedness and infectious-disease response. Education & Safety: Omaha Public Schools and police agreed to stop using electric-shock gloves on students after backlash, including concerns tied to ICE plans. Tech & Delivery: Amazon expanded Prime Air to five more U.S. metro areas, aiming for nearly 500 towns/cities by year-end—Nebraska remains in the active list. Higher Ed Support: The University of Nebraska Foundation reported record private giving, surpassing $500M for the first time.

USDA Precision Ag Boost: University of Nebraska System leaders backed a new USDA-ARS Center for Resilient and Regenerative Precision Agriculture on the Nebraska Innovation Campus, aiming to speed next-gen tools for farmers while protecting natural resources. University Funding Milestone: The University of Nebraska Foundation announced record private support—$532.8M in new commitments—pushing annual fundraising past $500M for the first time. Data Center Push in Kearney: Kearney Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit to redevelop a former crypto site into a multi-phase data center, alongside tighter code rules on sound and other impacts. Drone Delivery Expansion: Amazon’s Prime Air plans to grow from 11 to about 500 U.S. locales by year-end, with Nebraska among current service areas. School Safety Backlash: Omaha Public Schools asked police to stop using electric shock gloves on students; police agreed, while nearby Bellevue reportedly plans to continue. Health Security in Nebraska: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited UNMC’s Global Center for Health Security, highlighting Nebraska’s role in infectious-disease preparedness. Agriculture Tech & Research: UNL extension warned pests and diseases are spreading west, including soybean cyst nematode and tar spot, urging early detection and resistant varieties.

University of Nebraska fundraising: UN Foundation says private support hit a record $532.8M in FY, surpassing $500M for the first time, with 58,433 donors backing research and student funds. Renewables & local tax policy: A Grist report looks at how Nebraska’s renewable “nameplate capacity” excise tax can help schools fund upgrades, while some counties tighten rules that can leave projects behind. Data centers in Kearney: The city’s planning commission advanced a conditional use permit for a large data center tied to new, stricter code amendments—aimed at noise, water, and energy-rate concerns. Agriculture & environment: Nebraska approved a Cherry County hog operation (TK Angus) after state permit steps, while UNL extension warns pests and diseases are spreading west, including tar spot and soybean cyst nematode. Tech in education: UNO’s aviation program is using VR cognitive training (NeuroTrainer) to boost student skills for flight performance. Public safety: Omaha Public Schools asked police to stop using electric shock gloves on students after reported uses. Aviation logistics: Amazon says Prime Air will expand to five more U.S. metro areas, with Nebraska already in the current service footprint.

Data Centers in the Spotlight (Kearney): Kearney’s Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for a new data center east of town, but only after reviewing tougher code amendments aimed at noise, water, and energy-rate concerns. Drone Delivery Push: Amazon says Prime Air will expand from 11 locations to about 500 U.S. cities and towns by year end, with local regulatory approvals still required. Public Health & Preparedness (Nebraska): HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited UNMC’s Global Center for Health Security, highlighting Nebraska’s role in infectious-disease response and rural health transformation. Micromobility Safety: Bennington and Nebraska-wide calls are rising for helmet and safety rules as electric scooters and mini vehicles lead to serious injuries. Local Environment & Agriculture: Nebraska Extension warns pests and plant diseases are spreading west, including soybean cyst nematode and tar spot. Education Tech: UNO’s Aviation Institute is using VR cognitive training (NeuroTrainer) to boost student performance. State Economy: Nebraska’s unemployment rate held steady at 2.9% in July.

Aviation Education: UNK launched the Loper Flight Academy with a ribbon cutting after Chancellor Neal Schnoor flew in on a new Tecnam plane, signaling UNK’s shift to fully owning and running its flight training. AI Safety for Kids: Roblox is sharing updates to its AI safety models and testing tools after concerns about grooming pathways on the platform used by millions of children. Drone Delivery Expansion: Amazon says Prime Air will expand to nearly 500 U.S. towns and cities by year-end, including Nebraska-area operations, while noting each new location still needs its own regulatory approvals. Public Health & Vaccines: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited UNMC’s quarantine unit and backed a new childhood vaccine schedule as Nebraska clinicians push back over changes to MMR timing. Rural Healthcare Funding: A $50B rural health program is facing transparency complaints, with oversight hampered by slow public reporting. School Safety Tech Backlash: Omaha agreed to stop using electric shock gloves on students after scrutiny of the devices in schools. Agritech Research: UNL leaders celebrated USDA funding that fully backs a precision agriculture facility at Nebraska Innovation Campus. Food System Shock: Tyson Foods shuttered beef plants in Illinois and Utah, adding pressure to an already shifting cattle and meat supply chain.

Health & Preparedness: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. toured UNMC’s National Quarantine Unit after the May hantavirus response, praising “zero detected cases” and pointing to UNMC’s role in training for a planned biocontainment center in Kenya. Vaccines Debate: During the same visit, Kennedy backed a new federal childhood immunization schedule that would reduce the number of recommended vaccines and split MMR into separate shots, drawing pushback from Nebraska pediatric groups and UNMC leadership. USDA Precision Ag: Nebraska Innovation Campus is set to host a fully funded USDA precision agriculture research center after $37M was reappropriated, with work aimed at resilient crops, livestock systems, and conservation. School Safety Tech: Omaha Public Schools asked police to stop using electric shock gloves on students; Omaha police agreed for most district schools, while Bellevue said it will keep using them. Connectivity Policy: The FCC opened a review that could raise costs or reduce E-Rate discounts for internet access at schools and libraries. Aviation Education: UNK launched the Loper Flight Academy, expanding flight training with UNK-run operations. Medical IT: The VA increased an Oracle Health EHR modernization contract ceiling to nearly $27B. Drone Delivery: Amazon plans to expand Prime Air to nearly 500 U.S. cities and towns by year end, but each site still needs its own FAA clearance.

School Safety Backlash: Omaha Public Schools faces mounting pressure after police confirmed electric shock gloves were used on two students; the district says it’s suspending use while parents demand a ban. Drone Delivery Boom: Amazon Prime Air plans a sixfold expansion to nearly 500 U.S. cities and towns by year-end, including new metro launches like Chicago, Atlanta, Cleveland, Syracuse, and Boise, with deliveries often under an hour. Agriculture Research Funding: U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer says USDA will direct $37M to build a new Agricultural Research Service facility at UNL’s Nebraska Innovation Campus for precision and regenerative agriculture. Cybersecurity & Elections: Clay Parikh, a cybersecurity and election-security expert, endorses Scott Petersen for Nebraska Secretary of State, arguing election tech must be tested and withstand scrutiny. Public Health in Nebraska: CDC’s NHANES mobile clinic is arriving in Northeast Nebraska for exams through October, with households randomly selected. Food Safety Watch: Cyclosporiasis cases linked to recalled lettuce may be trending down, but the outbreak has still been severe nationwide. Local Tech & Business: Azoteq appoints Johnson Company to represent its sensing tech across the Midwest, including Nebraska.