AGP Executive Report

Nebraska Politics & Elections: Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn says his campaign turned in about 12,700 petition signatures, aiming for a spot on Nebraska’s November ballot and pitching a working-class coalition. Campaign Trail: Texas Sen. Ted Cruz campaigned in Lincoln for incumbent Pete Ricketts, framing the race as a must-win GOP fight and attacking Osborn as tied to Democrats. State Government: A Nebraska Examiner report says a second former state lawmaker, Bob Krist, is considering a nonpartisan statewide run (including secretary of state) but says he won’t enter a three-way race. Policy & Regulation: Republican AGs, including Nebraska’s, urged the EPA to classify the abortion pill mifepristone as a water contaminant—an argument experts dispute. Agriculture & Rural Life: Nebraska’s Brand Committee meeting highlighted changes from a new law taking effect July 17, including a larger board and fee adjustments for registered feedlots. Local Governance: Aurora City Council voted to enter contract talks with EMS Unlimited to run the city’s EMS, a move opposed by some responders over staffing and fire-call coverage.

College Sports Legal Fight: Texas Tech and QB Brendan Sorsby are still in the spotlight after a judge let him play while his gambling case continues, as the NCAA pushes the Protect College Sports Act and warns it could override the ruling if it passes. Nebraska Elections: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz campaigned in Lincoln for Pete Ricketts, framing the race as a must-win GOP fight against independent Dan Osborn. Ballot Access: Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn turned in about 12,700 signatures to seek a spot on Nebraska’s November ballot. State Politics & Policy: Gov. Jim Pillen signed a proclamation making June “Marriage and Family Month,” drawing attention from anti-LGBTQ groups. Environment & Health Policy: Republican AGs, including Nebraska’s, urged the EPA to treat mifepristone as a water contaminant. Agriculture & Livestock Regulation: Nebraska’s Brand Committee is set to change under new law, including a larger board and fee adjustments effective July 17. Local Government: Aurora City Council voted to negotiate a contract with EMS Unlimited to run the city’s EMS, a move opposed by some responders. Public Safety/Health: A review links pesticide exposure in pregnancy and early childhood to higher risks of childhood leukemia and brain tumors.

College Sports & Courts: A Texas judge granted Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby a temporary injunction to play after an NCAA ineligibility ruling tied to gambling, reigniting the debate over whether NCAA rules still hold up in court. Nebraska Government & Public Safety: Aurora City Council voted to enter contract talks with EMS Unlimited to run the city’s EMS, a move opposed by current responders over how it would affect fire cross-coverage and work comp. Nebraska Politics & Policy: Nebraska lawmakers and advocates are pushing back on “tuition equity” fights as a Nebraska judge quashed a similar law, signaling the legal battle could escalate. Statehouse Watch: Nebraska lawmakers also advanced data-center oversight, with a bill requiring reporting on power and water use after concerns about major new facilities’ impact. Health & Accountability: DOJ and HHS continue False Claims Act settlements in health care, including a lab kickback case tied to Medicare/Medicaid/TRICARE testing referrals. Public Health Update: CDC says most people repatriated from the hantavirus cruise quarantine in Nebraska are still under monitoring, with some nearing the end of the monitoring period. Immigration & Welfare: A new analysis finds immigrant-headed households use means-tested welfare at much higher rates than citizen-headed households. Agriculture & Energy: A push for year-round E15 sales could boost corn demand but may complicate soybean markets depending on Senate action and compliance rules. Local Community: A Nebraska-area blood drive scholarship program is encouraging students to organize drives this summer.

Nebraska Senate race heats up: Independent Dan Osborn turned in more than 12,500 signatures to qualify for the November ballot against Sen. Pete Ricketts, framing his bid around a working-class coalition. Ballot access fight over: A separate Nebraska petition effort aimed at property taxes and election changes has been pulled back after volunteers reported frustration with paid circulator “disconnects” and authenticity concerns. Gun policy proposal: Osborn floated “preemptive” mental health checks every five years for AR-15-style owners, drawing pushback from gun-rights groups. Medicaid work rules land: Final federal rules require many Medicaid enrollees to prove work or other activities, with states scrambling to update systems and advocates warning coverage could be lost for paperwork reasons. Local governance pressure: Lincoln advocates are launching a petition drive to force a minimum staffing level of 450 sworn officers citywide. Public safety court update: The case against a snowplow driver accused in a Nebraska trooper’s death was dismissed after a mistrial.

Foster Care Finance: First Lady Melania Trump announced “Fostering the Future Accounts,” letting states open $1,000 Treasury-backed savings/investment accounts for eligible foster children, with at least 23 governors already on board, including Nebraska. Medicaid Work Rules: New Trump-era Medicaid guidance is raising alarms for seriously ill Nebraskans and others nationwide, with recipients worried they’ll have to “prove” they’re too sick to work to keep coverage. Rural Broadband Costs: A Nebraska former senator’s Starlink experience shows the squeeze: rural customers face steep price hikes after being locked into the satellite option. Cybersecurity & Foreign Influence: Rep. Don Bacon says his Signal account was compromised by Russian-linked actors, underscoring ongoing warnings about targeting U.S. officials. Nebraska Ballot Access: Dan Osborn submitted signatures to challenge Pete Ricketts as a nonpartisan U.S. Senate candidate, aiming for a November spot. Public Safety/Justice: The case against a man accused in the death of Nebraska State Patrol trooper Kyle McAcy will be dismissed after a mistrial. Local Governance: Grant City Council approved electric and water rate increases and reviewed library funding cooperation. Health Quarantine Clash: Nebraska quarantine conditions tied to a hantavirus cruise case are in the spotlight as federal and state officials dispute enforcement.

College Sports & Gambling Fallout: A Texas judge granted an injunction letting Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby play in 2026 despite NCAA ineligibility tied to sports betting, triggering backlash across conferences and talk of scheduling boycotts and possible antitrust fights. Nebraska Government & Law: Rep. Don Bacon says Russian operatives hacked his Signal account; federal and House cybersecurity officials are investigating. Public Safety: Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson says illegal car meetups are escalating and is pushing tougher penalties while adding weekend enforcement tactics. Health Care Oversight: Nebraska’s state auditor is questioning nonprofit hospital pay practices after Faith Health in Norfolk paid a gastroenterologist nearly $5 million in 2024, largely via incentive bonuses. Elections & Ballot Access: Nebraska’s Board of State Canvassers certified the May 12 primary results, with no automatic recounts flagged. Tribal Politics: Winnebago Tribe special election filled two vacant council seats with Margaret Scott and Keely Purscell. Agriculture & Cost Pressure: Nebraska Farmers Union leaders say the Iran war is worsening already-stressed farm finances through higher energy and fertilizer costs. Title IX Compliance: The U.S. Education Department admitted it violated a federal court order in Title IX cases tied to gender identity and sexual orientation.

College Sports Fallout: Texas Tech AD Kirby Hocutt backed QB Brendan Sorsby after a judge let him play despite an NCAA gambling ban, saying Tech supports Sorsby’s treatment and isn’t “a party” to the lawsuit—while the Big 12 and other programs weigh whether to keep scheduling Tech. Nebraska Elections: The Nebraska Board of State Canvassers certified May 12 primary results, calling the process “very smoothly,” with Secretary of State Bob Evnen set to leave office in January. COVID Testing Settlement: Nebraska and Iowa are among 18 states getting nearly $5M from GS Labs over alleged overpriced, delayed COVID-19 tests, with the company denying wrongdoing while agreeing to resolve claims. Inflation Watch: U.S. inflation hit 4.2% in May, driven by energy costs tied to the Iran war, raising pressure on consumers and the Fed. Agriculture & Food Supply: Low cattle numbers are raising fears of another beef packing plant shutdown after Tyson’s Lexington, Nebraska closure. Public Health/Environment: A review links pesticide exposure in pregnancy and early childhood to higher risks of childhood leukemia and brain tumors.

Immigration Enforcement Backlash in Omaha: South Omaha marked one year since a Glenn Valley Foods ICE raid that led to 76 detentions, with immigrant advocates and some businesses saying the community is still less safe and commerce is still down. Local Law Enforcement & Federal Cooperation: DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin told the National Sheriffs’ Association conference in Omaha that 287(g) partnerships are speeding ICE arrests, highlighting growing state-and-local cooperation. College Sports Fallout: A Texas judge’s temporary injunction lets Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby play despite an NCAA gambling ban, triggering backlash across college athletics; Nebraska and Georgia athletic departments moved to block future Texas Tech scheduling. Nebraska Courts & Accountability: Knox County’s special attorney David Begley responded to formal Nebraska Supreme Court disciplinary charges tied to alleged misconduct and confidentiality issues. State Government Watchdog: Nebraska Auditor Mike Foley flagged problems in the WIC program, including beneficiaries exceeding income thresholds. Education & STEM: UNK was selected for the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program, with a microgravity experiment headed to the International Space Station. Local Governance Training: County board members gathered in Lincoln for NACO’s workshop, including land-use permitting and wildfire response sessions.

Death Penalty Watch: A federal appeals court says Alabama’s nitrogen gas execution method needs more review after an inmate lawsuit raised constitutional “cruel and unusual punishment” concerns. Nebraska Government: Nebraska Auditor Mike Foley is flagging possible problems in the state’s WIC implementation, saying some higher-income households—and even state employees—received benefits meant for low-income families. Immigration Enforcement: Sen. Deb Fischer is among Republicans backing a push to make “sanctuary city” policies face federal consequences, as DHS considers pulling CBP resources from some jurisdictions. Sports & Courts: Nebraska and Georgia are telling athletic staff not to schedule Texas Tech after a judge let QB Brendan Sorsby play despite a gambling-related NCAA ban. State Politics: Sen. Pete Ricketts held a tele-town hall on Iran, women’s sports, and the SAVE Act, drawing criticism from Democrats over question screening. Local Infrastructure: Lincoln Airport is moving ahead with a roughly $100 million runway reconstruction project. Campus STEM: UNK was selected for a national student space experiment program sending a project to the International Space Station. College Hoops: Nebraska will play Butler in Chicago on Nov. 22.

Nebraska Elections: The Nebraska Board of State Canvassers certified the 2026 primary results after reviewing the May 12 vote totals, finding no automatic recounts for statewide races. State Government & Policy: Nebraska’s top officials also framed the election as “very smooth,” with Secretary of State Bob Evnen praising local election workers as the state’s “gold standard.” Healthcare Fraud: A federal judge ordered Nebraska pharmacist Joan Kicken and her company to pay $3.4 million for alleged Medicare and Medicaid billing fraud. Labor & Federal Policy: A House Armed Services Committee amendment would block President Trump’s executive order ending collective bargaining rights for DoD civilians, with Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon among those backing it. Sports Betting Fallout: A Texas judge’s injunction restoring Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby’s eligibility after NCAA gambling rules sparked nationwide backlash, including calls for conference self-governance. Public Health: Federal health officials plan to monitor wastewater and public chatter during the World Cup to spot infectious disease threats. Food Assistance: USDA guidance expands SNAP restrictions on non-nutritious items, including Nebraska. Energy & Agriculture: Congress is still debating year-round E15 ethanol sales, with the Senate vote count uncertain.

Immigration & Work Authorization: Federal agencies proposed a rule that would require E-Verify for recipients and subrecipients of federal grants, with public comments due July 13—an enforcement tool Nebraska has already seen tested in the meat industry. Food Policy: SNAP restrictions are expanding nationwide, and Nebraska is among the states putting limits on “non-nutritious” items like soda and candy, raising new questions about access as participation declines. Public Health: U.S. measles cases are on pace to top the 2025 record, with most cases tied to unvaccinated people—while Ebola in the DRC and Uganda continues to prompt preparedness warnings from Nebraska public health experts. Energy & Environment: Nebraska’s nuclear prospects are back in the spotlight as utilities study potential sites, including a Gage County city, even as communities weigh safety and local control. State Government & Policy: Nebraska lawmakers Margo Juarez and Dunixi Guereca were selected for a Midwest legislative leadership fellowship, and Gov. Pillen highlighted LB 525, a first-in-the-nation agricultural data privacy law. Local Infrastructure: EPA approved a $40 million WIFIA loan for South Sioux City’s wastewater expansion to boost capacity and protect the Missouri River.

Data Center Pushback: Protesters packed county board chambers urging a moratorium on large data centers over water and energy use, a fight spreading across the Midwest as communities demand zoning rules. Nebraska Politics & Ethics: A Nebraska governor’s political consultant was fired after a no-bid contract controversy surfaced, and the fallout is now tied to outside MAGA-linked consultants and talk of an independent run. Medicaid Work Requirements: Federal guidance on Medicaid work rules is raising alarms that chronically ill Nebraskans and other states will face coverage gaps, paperwork burdens, and stricter exemption tests. Health Records Privacy: HHS is seeking access to Americans’ identifiable medical records in RFK Jr.’s push to study autism and vaccines, drawing privacy and legality concerns, including links to a Nebraska nonprofit. Ag Policy: Gov. Pillen and ag leaders celebrated LB 525, a new Nebraska law setting rules to protect farmers’ and ranchers’ agricultural data. Energy Costs: New reporting warns another inflation wave is headed for groceries as gas volatility continues, with Nebraska drivers seeing some of the lowest diesel prices in recent weeks. Sports & Identity Politics: Kansas is among states banning boys from playing girls’ high school sports, a policy fight that also touches Nebraska. Defense & Immigration: Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s D-Day migration remarks as not helpful for honoring WWII veterans. Local Campaign Trail: An Omaha-area UNO graduate student is pressing a legislative bid after knocking on more than 14,000 doors and winning a primary.

Ag Policy Fight: Congress is weighing a farm bill change that would block states from regulating livestock raising, aimed at California’s Proposition 12-style rules on space and confinement for pigs and other animals. Immigration & National Security Riff: Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s D-Day remarks that tied the Normandy anniversary to today’s migration debate. Medicaid Work Rules: New CMS guidance tightens how states can grant “medically frail” exemptions, raising fears that chronically ill Nebraskans and others could lose coverage. Nebraska Agriculture Tech: Gov. Pillen and lawmakers celebrated LB 525, a new state law setting rules to protect farmers’ and ranchers’ agricultural data. Tribes vs. Drilling: Nine Native tribes, including from Nebraska, sued to stop exploratory graphite drilling near a sacred Black Hills site, alleging federal agencies violated law. Energy Update: The Energy Department says a private advanced nuclear microreactor hit “criticality” at Idaho National Lab, a step toward power generation. Nebraska Elections Process: Nebraska Secretary of State guidance highlights upcoming deadlines and rules for ballot initiative circulators ahead of the 2026 primary season.

Ag Policy: Gov. Jim Pillen and ag leaders celebrated passage of LB 525, Nebraska’s first-in-the-nation law setting rules to protect farmers’ and ranchers’ agricultural data. Medicaid & Health Policy: CMS issued a tougher Medicaid community engagement/work requirement rule, narrowing “medically frail” exemptions and raising the odds of coverage loss; Nebraska is already being treated as an early test case. Energy & Defense: The U.S. Energy Department says a private microreactor at Idaho National Lab hit “criticality,” a milestone aimed at electricity generation in the next few years. National Security/Environment: A coalition of 21 states and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce backed the Air Force in a Supreme Court-linked lawsuit over the Tarague Beach detonation range in Guam. Local Government & Wages: Omaha City Council is considering a minimum wage ordinance that would set a single rate for non-tipped workers and tie future increases to inflation. Nebraska Infrastructure: Lincoln Airport is moving ahead with a $100 million runway rebuild (18/36) to support both civilian travel and military missions. Ukraine: The U.S. House passed a major Ukraine aid package with bipartisan support, sending it to the Senate.

Nuclear Energy: The U.S. Energy Department says a private microreactor at Idaho National Lab hit “criticality,” a first milestone that could lead to electricity generation within a few years—part of a Trump-era push to speed advanced nuclear. Medicaid & Health Policy: CMS issued a tougher Medicaid work requirement rule, narrowing who qualifies for “medically frail” exemptions and raising the odds that sick Nebraskans and other expansion adults could lose coverage. Nebraska Courts/Immigration: A federal judge struck down Nebraska’s in-state tuition policy for undocumented students, continuing the legal fight over state benefits. Local Labor: Omaha City Council is weighing a minimum wage ordinance that would set one rate for non-tipped workers regardless of age and tie future increases to inflation. Infrastructure & Defense: Lincoln Airport is moving ahead with a $100 million runway revamp, while Offutt AFB will run a mass accident response exercise Saturday. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports show Douglas County’s lowest premium at $4.39 (week ending May 30) and Butler County’s lowest regular at $3.89; diesel averaged about $5.05 statewide. Ukraine: The U.S. House passed a major Ukraine aid package, with Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon among supporters, sending it to the Senate.

Medicaid Work Requirements in Nebraska: Gov. Jim Pillen directed DHHS to seek a temporary high-unemployment exemption from CMS for Dawson County after the Tyson plant closure, aiming to pause federally mandated work requirements for Medicaid expansion adults there. Local Labor Policy: Omaha City Council is weighing a minimum wage ordinance that would set a single rate for non-tipped workers and tie future increases to inflation, pushing back against the state’s age-based minimum wage schedule. State Budget/Tax Politics: A Nebraska lawmaker-focused piece argues rising property valuations can quietly raise tax collections under existing levy rates, raising questions about whether officials should adjust levies instead of letting burdens grow. Public Safety & Government Ops: Offutt AFB will hold a mass accident response exercise Saturday, with simulated emergency activity and possible entry delays. Infrastructure: Lincoln Airport’s $100 million Runway 18/36 reconstruction is underway, with officials targeting completion in fall 2027 and emphasizing both commercial and military needs. Federal Courts/Immigration: A Nebraska resident, Adam Dean Hoffman, was ordered to register as a sex offender in Nebraska after a Texas child sexual abuse plea. National Security/Tech: Federal prosecutors say California tech executive Jamshid Ghomi helped Iran obtain restricted U.S. computer equipment for more than a decade.