AGP Executive Report

Nebraska Elections: Nebraska’s GOP primary set up a new era in the secretary of state race, with Scott Petersen beating incumbent Bob Evnen and Democrats nominating Sarah Slattery to challenge him on election administration and voting-rights concerns. Energy & Utilities: Nebraska regulators approved the $800 million, 220-mile Sandhills transmission line despite landowner opposition, a major Sandhills fight that ended 3-1 at the Public Service Commission. Health Policy: The federal government rolled out new Medicaid work requirements guidance and a rule requiring many adults to complete 80 hours a month of work, training, or community service to keep coverage. Higher Ed & Culture: University of Nebraska at Kearney dropped a widely used human sexuality textbook after a complaint about pornographic images was confirmed. Public Safety & Courts: A Louisiana AG withdrew from a multi-state lawsuit challenging Trump DOJ’s medical marijuana rescheduling move, leaving Nebraska and Indiana in the fight. National Politics: Medicaid work requirements and other Trump-era policy moves are drawing backlash as states weigh costs and implementation. International/Legal: A US-Iranian tech CEO, Jamshid Ghomi, was arrested over alleged sanctions-busting sales of networking and encryption gear tied to Iran’s military and nuclear efforts.

UNK Textbook Overhaul: University of Nebraska at Kearney will discontinue a required human sexuality textbook after a student complaint triggered an internal review finding “graphic images,” with officials promising a replacement that meets course and accreditation standards and adding clearer syllabus notice. Energy Policy: Gov. Jim Pillen signed LB 1261 to let Nebraska public power districts use public-private partnerships for new infrastructure, aiming to reduce ratepayer cost risk as demand grows for data centers and other power-hungry users. Election Politics: Tuesday’s primaries sharpened the map, including Iowa Democrats rallying behind Josh Turek in a marquee Senate race and California’s governor contest drawing major attention despite fewer traditional star candidates. Public Safety & Health: UNMC reported five hantavirus-exposed cruise passengers have left the National Quarantine Unit, with remaining travelers still monitored in Omaha. Local Government: Omaha City Council rejected a proposal to revive firefighters’ “Fill the Boot” fundraiser, citing state limits on using city resources for private entities. Community Funding: The Goldstein Supporting Foundation approved spring grants for 25 applications, highlighting work by the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (CIRA). Military & Communications: Sen. Deb Fischer highlighted “Keeping Nebraska Connected and Protected” after hosting FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty for a Nebraska tour focused on communications, including national security at Offutt. Sports Leadership: Nebraska softball pitching coach Lori Sippel announced her retirement after 41 years with the program.

Hantavirus Response in Omaha: UNMC says five cruise passengers exposed to hantavirus have left the National Quarantine Unit after completing the first three weeks of monitoring; Gov. Jim Pillen called the coordinated departures a “positive development,” with remaining passengers still under watch. Nebraska Energy Policy: Gov. Pillen signed LB 1261 to let public power districts use public-private partnerships for new infrastructure without eminent-domain takeovers, aiming to ease costs as demand rises for data centers and other users. Rail Merger Pause: The federal Surface Transportation Board paused the Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger, asking for more details and more public input before it can move forward. Election Security Stakes: Nebraska’s GOP secretary of state primary set up a new race focused on election security, with Scott Petersen beating incumbent Bob Evnen and Democrat Sarah Slattery positioning herself against “drastic” changes. Consumer Scam Alert: BBB warned Nebraskans about a fake Omaha car sales website using stolen photos and fabricated paperwork, with at least one reported $1,500 loss. Legal/Permitting Fight: West Virginia AG J.B. McCuskey leads a 21-state push at the Supreme Court to limit activist groups from suing to halt federal permitting before states act.

Marijuana Legal Fight: Nebraska Attorney General joins a multi-state lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s cannabis rescheduling, arguing the federal move was mishandled and could disrupt state medical programs. Rail Oversight: The Surface Transportation Board paused the Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger, asking for more details and signaling a slower path to environmental review. Medicaid Work Rules: CMS guidance spells out who can be exempt from Medicaid work requirements, including people deemed medically frail—Nebraska’s program already relies on a large list of qualifying medical codes. Local Government & Growth: Lincoln County commissioners backed away from a data-center zoning moratorium for now, instead directing updates to zoning rules. Public Health in Nebraska: Some hantavirus-exposed patients at UNMC’s quarantine unit are now eligible to leave, though others must complete monitoring under strict 24/7 oversight. Elections & Civic Life: Voters head to the polls Tuesday for primaries in multiple states, while Nebraska’s own political focus remains on statewide races and final appeals. Road Safety: A dust-storm-linked 16-vehicle crash in western Nebraska killed a man and injured five others.

Nebraska Cannabis Fight in Federal Court: Nebraska AG Mike Hilgers is among the attorneys general challenging the Trump administration’s medical marijuana rescheduling, arguing the move was procedurally improper; Louisiana later withdrew from the case, leaving the dispute alive with other states still in. NIL Rules and Nebraska Athletes: A Nebraska-related NCAA NIL arbitration story highlights how the College Sports Commission can review denied NIL deals and let athletes resubmit or seek arbitration. Omaha Ordinance Pardons Clinic: The ACLU of Nebraska held a mayoral pardons clinic in Omaha, with attorneys reviewing residents’ records and finding many people were confused about which past offenses qualify. Consumer Scam Alert: The BBB warned Nebraskans about a fake Omaha car-sales website using a stolen address and photos, after at least one victim lost $1,500-plus. Nebraska Politics Under Scrutiny: Complaints filed with the Nebraska AG allege two Senate candidates aren’t serious about serving if elected, claiming they could be “plants” to shape the race. Energy Watch: A report says Nebraska Public Power District is studying potential new nuclear sites, including a Gage County location.

Nebraska Education: Gov. Jim Pillen signed an executive order expanding protections against antisemitism in Nebraska public schools, using the IHRA definition and requiring annual reporting by districts and higher-ed institutions. Nebraska Courts & Public Safety: Nebraska AG Mike Hilgers joined a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s medical marijuana rescheduling, arguing the move exceeds authority and should be blocked. Nebraska Agriculture: UNL adjusted its 2026 Wheat Variety Tour after drought and freeze damage, canceling some field days and moving others indoors to keep growers connected with research. Nebraska Research: UNL awarded stipends to 129 Husker undergraduates for summer research through UCARE, with projects spanning multiple disciplines and a campus symposium in August. National Politics: Mike Pence condemned the proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund as “deeply offensive,” while Senate Republicans weigh whether to back it amid party splits. National Policy & Health: States are grappling with the high cost and strain of Medicaid work requirements, with budget crunches forcing cuts elsewhere. National Economy: A new report finds many major home insurers pay out on less than half of resolved claims, leaving homeowners to absorb more repair costs. Energy & Tech: The DOE is pushing small modular nuclear reactors, pitching them as a path to more clean power—while critics warn about costs, waste, and safety questions.

Marijuana Policy: Nebraska AG Mike Hilgers joined Indiana and Louisiana in suing to block the Trump administration’s medical cannabis rescheduling, arguing the move exceeds federal authority and skips required procedures—while states still wait for clearer federal guidance on what changes for businesses. Federal Courts & Health: A bipartisan rural hospital bill extending Medicare’s Rural Community Hospital Demonstration for five years passed the Senate, keeping Nebraska among the states eligible for the program. Education & Hate Protections: Gov. Jim Pillen signed an executive order expanding Nebraska’s antisemitism protections in public schools, folding in the IHRA definition and requiring annual reporting by districts and higher-ed institutions. Public Safety & National Security: A Scottish university student pleaded guilty in the U.S. for unauthorized photos at Offutt Air Force Base, including reconnaissance aircraft and the “Doomsday plane,” facing up to a year in prison. Agriculture: UNL adjusted its 2026 Wheat Variety Tour after drought and freeze damage, canceling some field days and moving others indoors. State Government Watch: Nebraska’s Board of State Canvassers moved toward certifying primary results, as election administration continues to draw attention heading into the next political cycle.

Senate GOP infighting: Nebraska’s political world is getting pulled into a national fight over Trump’s $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund, with nearly half of Senate Republicans reportedly balking and leadership pausing a broader $72 billion immigration package while DOJ is pushed for “guardrails.” Local politics: Nebraska Rep. Mike Flood faced a chaotic town hall in Norfolk, with voters heckling him over Trump’s “slush fund” and Iran war questions. Marijuana policy: Nebraska AG Mike Hilgers joined Indiana and Louisiana in asking a federal appeals court to block Trump’s medical cannabis rescheduling, arguing the administration exceeded its authority. Education & hate reporting: Gov. Jim Pillen signed an executive order requiring Nebraska schools and universities to track and report antisemitism using the IHRA definition, plus new prevention and training resources. Courts & access: Lincoln City Libraries now offer free, on-site access to Nebraska court case databases (JUSTICE and SCALES). Public safety & justice: A federal case tied to a Nebraska hotel sex-trafficking operation led to a 10-year sentence for Kavan Kumar Patel. Infrastructure: Eppley Airfield received another $10.5 million for terminal and boarding-bridge upgrades.

Education & Hate-Prevention: Gov. Jim Pillen signed an executive order requiring Nebraska public schools and universities to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism, provide prevention/education resources, and file annual incident reports to the Governor’s Office. Elections & Voting Rights: The Trump administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court to let states purge voter rolls for noncitizens close to elections, a move critics say could disenfranchise eligible voters. Public Safety & Health: After a hantavirus outbreak tied to the MV Hondius, two New Yorkers will finish quarantine at home in New York next week, while one remains in Nebraska to complete monitoring. Justice & Privacy: Nebraska AG Tim Griffin led a multistate amicus brief challenging the SEC’s Consolidated Audit Trail, arguing it’s an unlawful surveillance tool that threatens financial data privacy and security. Courts & Access to Justice: Lincoln City Libraries now offer free, on-site access to Nebraska court case databases (JUSTICE and SCALES) for the public. State Policy & Cannabis: Nebraska is among AGs suing to block Trump’s marijuana rescheduling order, arguing the action exceeded federal authority. Infrastructure: Eppley Airfield received an additional $10.5 million for terminal and boarding-bridge reconstruction as part of a broader federal airport modernization push. Higher Ed Review: UNK says an internal review found no evidence of political bias after allegations tied to conservative complaints; it also dropped a textbook and referred a faculty member for action.

Marijuana Lawsuit: Nebraska AG Mike Hilgers joined Indiana and Louisiana in a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s marijuana rescheduling, arguing the DOJ bypassed proper rulemaking; the case is consolidated with a separate challenge by prohibition groups. Election Administration: The Nebraska Board of State Canvassers will meet June 8 to certify 2026 primary results, with a possible recount if certification triggers one. Public Safety Leadership: Gov. Jim Pillen appointed Scott Gray, a 30-year Omaha Police veteran, to lead the Nebraska Crime Commission starting Aug. 3. Consumer/Health Policy: DHHS begins issuing Summer EBT today—$120 per eligible child for summer groceries—with new limits on soda and energy drinks. Agriculture & Trade: Nebraska and Ghana signed a 10-year livestock modernization deal aimed at dairy development, traceability, workforce training, and reducing meat and dairy imports. Infrastructure: The FAA announced $523 million in airport grants across 43 states, including projects tied to runway, terminal, and safety upgrades. Local Governance: Mills County heard renewed calls for updated ordinances amid carbon pipeline developments tied to Summit Carbon Solutions.

Nebraska WARN: Gov. Jim Pillen signed LB 921 creating a state “mini-WARN” law requiring 90 days’ notice for business closings or mass layoffs of 100+ full-time workers; it takes effect July 17, 2026 and differs from federal WARN in triggers and notice rules. Elections Administration: The Nebraska Board of State Canvassers will meet June 8 to certify 2026 primary results, with possible follow-up June 10/15 recount steps if needed. Public Safety Leadership: Pillen appointed Scott Gray, a 30-year Omaha Police veteran, to lead the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice as executive director starting Aug. 3. Health & Courts: UNMC’s Pancreatic Cancer Center director filed a federal complaint alleging discrimination and retaliation; separately, AG Jay Jones joined a coalition opposing the federal KIDS Act over online safety and age-verification concerns. Public Health Response: The U.S. may soon let exposed passengers from the MV Hondius hantavirus quarantine return home, but only with 24/7 monitoring for the remainder of quarantine. Marijuana Legal Fight: Nebraska joined other AGs suing to block Trump administration marijuana reclassification. Economy & Taxes: Economist Ernie Goss says Nebraska must cut local government spending to improve competitiveness and lower taxes.

Marijuana Lawsuit: Nebraska, Indiana and Louisiana AGs filed suit to block the Trump Justice Department’s marijuana reclassification, arguing it skipped normal rulemaking and may violate a 1967 narcotics treaty. Rail Merger Watch: The federal Surface Transportation Board paused the Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger review and asked for more details, including public-interest impacts, before any environmental review moves forward. Crime Commission Leadership: Gov. Jim Pillen appointed Omaha Police Deputy Chief Scott Gray to lead the Nebraska Crime Commission, succeeding Bryan Tuma. Omaha Human Trafficking Case: Omaha police say a hotel sting led to charges against six people tied to alleged sex trafficking of two teen girls; one suspect learned his sentence. UNO Child Care Closure: After decades of service, UNO’s Child Care Center permanently closed, with faculty and staff still seeking answers after a dispute over bargaining and “co-management.” Ebola Policy: Reports say the U.S. plans to send Ebola-exposed Americans to a Kenya facility for quarantine and treatment rather than bringing them home. Nebraska Gaming: Nebraska casino revenue jumped to $27.1 million in April, up 28.3% year over year, driven mostly by slots. Internet Safety: AG Jay Jones joined a coalition opposing the KIDS Act, calling it a weak approach that would undercut state and parent authority.

Marijuana Lawsuit: Nebraska joined Indiana and Louisiana in suing the Trump Justice Department to block its move to reclassify marijuana from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3, arguing the feds skipped required rulemaking and may have violated a 1967 narcotics treaty. State Politics: Nebraska Democrats asked the DOJ to investigate Republican congressional candidate Brinker Harding for failing to file overdue personal financial disclosures. Elections & Voting Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court is being asked to let states purge voter rolls for noncitizens close to elections, a move advocates warn could disenfranchise eligible voters. Public Safety: Nebraska State Patrol says it seized more than 500 pounds of cocaine and about 9 grams of suspected heroin during a traffic stop near Milford. Health & Federal Response: Reporting says the Trump administration plans to send Americans exposed to Ebola abroad to a new Kenya facility rather than evacuating them to the U.S. Community & Culture: A Nebraska notary convicted over improper medical cannabis petition notarizations is appealing his sentence.

BEAD Broadband Shake-Up: Nebraska is reopening its BEAD portal after some providers declined final agreements, leaving about 12% of eligible locations unserved—raising fresh questions about whether the federal broadband push can hit universal coverage. Federal Tech & Speech Fight: Rep. Don Bacon joined Democrats to push back against cuts to CISA, arguing the agency’s cybersecurity role matters even as critics say it has been tied to speech-policing controversies. Public Health Watch: A hantavirus outbreak tied to the MV Hondius has led to quarantines and Nebraska-based evaluations for U.S. passengers, while separate reporting says U.S. infectious-disease experts were restricted from directly communicating with WHO during Ebola response. State Government & Licensing: The Nebraska Board of Examiners for Land Surveyors reviewed complaints, discussed rule/renewal updates, and weighed surveying standards changes. Legal/Politics: A York man convicted over medical marijuana petition notarization is appealing, calling the case politicized. Local Governance: A Nebraska town hall turned chaotic as Rep. Mike Flood faced heckling over Trump’s “anti-weaponization” fund and the Iran war. Elections: Nebraska’s Secretary of State GOP primary saw an upset win by Scott Petersen over incumbent Bob Evnen.

NSF & Harvard Honors: Three UNL grads just landed 2026 NSF Graduate Research Fellowships, while UNL law professor Jessica Shoemaker was named a Harvard Radcliffe Institute fellow for climate-justice work on property and rural land fights. Local Culture & History: Omaha’s Great Plains Black History Museum is expanding its story—preserving the legacy of Bertha Calloway and rolling out a Negro Leagues baseball exhibit timed with the College World Series. Nebraska Politics: Rep. Mike Flood faced a Norfolk town hall grilling him on affordability, the Iran war, and the “anti-weaponization” fund—plus voters are watching the next election cycle closely. Courts & Policy: A lawsuit challenges Gov. Pillen’s administration’s use of Nebraska Environmental Trust funds, arguing the money can’t be diverted outside the grant process. Community & Safety: UNL Extension’s tractor-safety program is certifying Nebraska teens to legally operate farm equipment, and the Winnebago Tribe announced a vice-chair resignation with a special election set for June 10.

Nebraska Politics & Primaries: Democrats are crying foul after “mysterious” super PACs reportedly spent $4.3 million across five primaries—including Nebraska—boosting candidates party leaders call “toxic” or beatable. U.S. Senate Ballot Fight: Nebraska Democratic nominee Cindy Burbank says she’ll drop out if she wins the primary, but election officials are already asking whether she can be removed from the November ballot after certification—setting up a possible lawsuit. Public Health: Hantavirus remains the week’s biggest national scare story after a cruise-ship outbreak tied to the Andes strain led to quarantines, including confirmed cases involving people exposed on the MV Hondius; officials stress the public risk is still low. Policy Watch: Nebraska’s agricultural data privacy law (LB525) is now the nation’s first mandatory framework, and other states are moving toward similar rules.