AGP Executive Report

Nebraska Football Season Opener: Matt Rhule and the Huskers open at Memorial Stadium Saturday at 11 a.m. vs. Ohio, with Anthony Colandrea set to start at quarterback and a running back committee featuring Mekhi Nelson, Isaiah Mozee and Jamal Rule; Nebraska also released its first depth chart and is warning fans about gate closures and construction impacts plus new iPronto shuttle service. Local Sports & Community: Nebraska volleyball stayed No. 1 after sweeping Texas, while Nebraska soccer played K-State to a 0-0 draw with a key penalty save. State Fair Spotlight: The Nebraska State Fair kept rolling with Older Nebraskans Day, plus family shows like Jurassic Bark Live and stunt riding from NowearBMX, and appearances by Sen. Pete Ricketts. Consumer Fraud Watch: Hay Springs was among 41 Nebraska cities tied for 14th in July BBB scam reports, with one identity theft report tied to a $372.65 loss. Agriculture & Weather: USDA crop ratings show Nebraska corn and soybeans holding steady to slightly down nationally, and local reports say recent rains have helped crops rebound; forecasters warn of a hot, humid stretch through Labor Day. Legal & Business: Nebraska AG Mike Hilgers joined a lawsuit accusing Amazon of secretly inflating ad prices, while Omaha police are still investigating where a newborn left at a fire station came from.

Nebraska Volleyball: No. 1 Nebraska swept No. 2 Texas 3-0 in the Players Era Showcase, using a strong service game to take control and set up another big week for the Huskers. Local Sports (Omaha): Mizzou soccer heads to Omaha to face Creighton Sunday after a 4-goal win over Northern Illinois; kickoff is 1 p.m. and the match streams on ESPN+. Energy/Industry (Norfolk): KBR was selected to provide front-end engineering design for the Live Oak consortium’s large-scale electric natural gas project in Norfolk, targeting commercial operations by 2030 and exports to Japan. Consumer Watch (Scams): Lexington is among 41 Nebraska cities tied for 14th in July scam reports, with one reported incident and a $35.80 online purchase loss. Agriculture/Health: Nebraska Extension is rolling out ScoutNebraska for real-time crop scouting updates, and Husker Harvest Days will feature a Health and Wellness Tent with multiple healthcare groups. Weather: Omaha could see a few showers Monday morning, followed by another hot, humid afternoon. Policy (National, hits Nebraska): The DOJ sued additional states over in-state tuition for undocumented students, including Nebraska in earlier actions.

Nebraska Sports: No. 1 Nebraska volleyball closed the Players Era Showcase at T-Mobile Arena with a straight-set sweep of No. 2 Texas, 25-19, 25-19, 25-16, holding the Longhorns to a .152 hitting mark while piling up 10 blocks and seven service aces; Player Spotlight: Andi Jackson led with nine kills on .571 and two blocks, while Manaia Ogbechie added seven blocks and seven kills; Weather Watch: Omaha and much of eastern Nebraska stayed in the 90s with heat and humidity, with only a few early showers or storms possible and more storm chances later in the week; State Fair & Community: The Nebraska State Fair continues drawing crowds with a wide range of food vendors, from Korean corndogs and Greek gyros to funnel cakes and smoked brisket sandwiches; Health & Policy: Nebraska’s governor and agriculture director questioned whether a push to import more beef would actually lower grocery prices, arguing the bigger fix is expanding the cattle herd and boosting processing capacity; Energy & Costs: Diesel prices in Franklin County hit a low of $5.15 per gallon in the week ending Aug. 22, with the statewide average at $5.19.

Old Market Shooting: Omaha police say a man was critically injured in an early Sunday shooting in the Old Market; officers heard shots near 13th and Howard, found the victim, and later tied a pursuit to the case, with a possible suspect in custody as investigators work to determine what led to the attack. Nebraska Sports Spotlight: No. 1 Nebraska opened its 2026 volleyball season with a sweep over UNLV at the Players Era Showcase in Las Vegas, led by Harper Murray’s 11 kills and Bergen Reilly’s 32 assists, setting up a big Sunday matchup with No. 2 Texas. Local Health Costs (Medicaid): New data shows Fremont Medicaid anesthesia billing totaled $7,442 in 2024 (up 21.6% from 2023), while Ogallala surgery bills hit $404 in 2024 (up 140.5%). Gas Prices Watch: In the week ending Aug. 22, Kimball County reported its lowest midgrade gas price at $4.66, with only one station reporting. Big Ten Softball: Nebraska will host the 2027 Big Ten Softball Tournament at Bowlin Stadium/Rhonda Revelle Field May 12-15, 2027.

Colorado River Drought: Cave Creek, near Phoenix, is capping growth and reopening wells, but Mayor Robert Morris warns a new federal plan may not be enough as the river basin crisis deepens. Nebraska State Fair: The Birthing Pavilion at the Nebraska State Fair lets visitors watch vets and staff oversee births of animals like ducks, chickens, sheep, goats, pigs, and calves. Public Safety: A St. Libory man faces three felony DUI charges after an Aug. 1 crash in Merrick County seriously injured three teens. Weather Watch: Lincoln and much of Nebraska are in for more heat this weekend, with only low chances for scattered storms and a small severe risk in the west. Husker Recruiting & Football: Nebraska’s 2027 class buzz is heating up after Trae Taylor and Tory Pittman starred in a Millard South–Millard North matchup, while Pittman’s early senior-season surge has him climbing. Elections: Douglas County Election Commission is hiring temporary customer service workers ahead of the 2026 election. Health & Community: UNL’s We Give Blood push aims to generate 20,000 donations and bring the Big Ten title back to Nebraska. Sports Betting: Nebraska’s online sports betting measures are set for the November ballot.

Ag Tech & Farming: Husker Harvest Days will add a new Ag Tech Pavilion Sept. 15-17 in Grand Island, spotlighting precision ag, automation, robotics, AI, irrigation efficiency, and drones, with daily panel talks. End-of-Life Planning: SDSU Extension is hosting a free, registration-required Zoom webinar Sept. 1 on the “Organize This!” program to help Nebraskans and others prepare for caregiving and legal end-of-life decisions. Nebraska Sports Spotlight: No. 1 Nebraska volleyball keeps rolling into the Players Era Showcase in Las Vegas, taking on UNLV on FS1, after winning the Spikes Under the Lights title. High School Football: Week 1 action brought big local results, including Johnson-Brock’s 59-20 win over Lourdes Central Catholic and Roncalli’s 61-14 victory over Nebraska City. Public Safety & Courts: Nebraska Supreme Court ordered Lincoln to certify charter petitions for the Nov. 3 ballot or explain why it won’t. Weather: Omaha is set for hot, humid, and breezy conditions with limited storm chances.

Lincoln Charter Fight: Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers has pushed Lincoln’s Good Government charter petitions to the Nebraska Supreme Court, ordering the city to certify the measures for the Nov. 3 ballot or explain why it won’t. Ballot Measure Watch: Voters will also decide in November on the “Fairness for Girls” constitutional amendment, which would require schools to designate sports teams by biological sex and bar males from female-designated teams. Public Safety: A report of an armed person led to a lockdown at Omaha Westview High School, but authorities say the student was found and there were no injuries. Health & Food Safety: The lettuce-linked Cyclospora outbreak has expanded again, with Georgia, Tennessee and Texas added as confirmed cases climb past 11,000 nationwide. Weather: Nebraska is in for a hot weekend, with highs near the 100s and a chance of isolated storms Saturday. State Fair Kickoff: The Nebraska State Fair opened Friday in Grand Island with Gov. Jim Pillen among speakers, kicking off 11 days of events through Labor Day. Local Government: The Central Platte NRD board will hold a public hearing Sept. 3 to set its property tax request and levy.

Local Politics: Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers sued Lincoln over the city’s decision to delay placing Good Government Lincoln’s charter amendments on the Nov. 3 ballot, arguing the Nebraska Constitution requires timely, legally sufficient petitions to go to voters at the next eligible election. Meta Settlement: Nebraska is set to receive up to $201 million from Meta’s landmark child-safety settlement, with Hilgers saying the deal brings “meaningful” changes to Facebook and Instagram aimed at teen mental health. Public Health: The FDA upgraded recalled lettuce tied to the cyclospora outbreak to its highest risk level and added Georgia, Tennessee and Texas, bringing the affected states to 20, including Nebraska. Weather: Omaha-area forecasts call for a spotty shower chance early Friday, then a warm-up and heat building through the weekend. Sports (Nebraska): No. 1 Nebraska won the inaugural Spikes Under the Lights championship at AT&T Stadium, sweeping No. 17 Florida and No. 11 SMU. Economy/Workforce: A data center labor shortage is pushing operators to widen hiring and train new workers for roles like electricians, HVAC techs and data center engineers.

Meta Settlement & Child Safety: Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers says the state is set to receive more than $200 million from Meta’s landmark teen-safety settlement, and his office is rolling out a free “Parenting in the Digital Age” guide at the Nebraska State Fair to help families spot hidden apps, manage screen time, and address grooming and cyberbullying. AG Lawsuit Over Home Climate Scores: Hilgers also filed suit against climate-risk data company First Street, alleging its flood and risk scores are misleading, don’t properly reflect homeowners’ protections, and are tied to real-estate listings in ways that can depress home values. Big Tech Watchdogs: A coalition of 22 state AGs is challenging taxpayer funding of the National Academies, calling its climate review “sham”-like and warning it could be used to support climate litigation. Sports—Nebraska Volleyball in the Spotlight: Nebraska volleyball is set for “Spikes Under the Lights,” a historic exhibition inside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, with the Cornhuskers among top teams competing in a modified format. Local Notes: Creighton moved its women’s basketball game vs. Nebraska to Nov. 22 to accommodate the Big East Volleyball Tournament. Public Health: Two Rivers Health Department says West Nile virus was detected in mosquito pools, with no confirmed human cases yet. Weather: Omaha-area forecasts point to a mild Friday, then hotter and more humid weekend conditions with storm chances Saturday morning.

Meta Settlement: Meta agreed to pay up to $18 billion and add stronger child-safety tools for Instagram and Facebook after a landmark teen social media addiction trial, with states racing to implement new rules. Nebraska Politics: Nebraska’s attorney general and courts continue to shape the 2026 ballot landscape, including certification of new political parties and ongoing disputes tied to election petitions. Health & Safety: The FDA approved a new pill for advanced pancreatic cancer, a major step for patients after prior chemotherapy. Food Assistance: SNAP rules are tightening nationwide as states work to cut payment errors to avoid penalties, with Nebraska listed among states below the key error threshold. Agriculture & Weather: Crop yield estimates are showing wide variability in parts of Nebraska, while forecasts point to a mild stretch before a hotter weekend with storm chances. Sports Spotlight: Nebraska volleyball opens its season in “Spikes Under the Lights” at AT&T Stadium against Florida, with the winner advancing to the championship. Local Community: Nemaha County recognized graduates of its 12th leadership class, highlighting ongoing community-building efforts.

Meta Settlement for Nebraska: Nebraska is set to receive about $201 million from Meta’s $17.1 billion multistate deal over alleged harms to children on Facebook and Instagram, including a required overnight block for teens and added safety steps. State Politics: The Nebraska Supreme Court cleared the way for two new parties, and the Secretary of State has certified the Nebraska Working People Party and America First Party for the ballot. Elections Court Fight: A Lancaster County judge threw out a lawsuit trying to put Democrat William Forbes back into the U.S. Senate race, backing the party’s decision not to fill the vacancy. Local Government Accountability: The Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission fined Adams and Hall County assessors $750 each for using public resources in re-election campaigns. Transportation: A new private company, Pronto, will run shuttle service for Husker football home games, replacing StarTran’s Big Red Express. Public Safety & Health: Nebraska DHHS urged residents to stay current on MMR as measles cases rise; and the state auditor’s office highlighted alleged fraud in a WIC-related program. Weather: Isolated storms linger, with hotter conditions building toward the State Fair weekend.

Trade & Tariffs: The U.S. and Canada are escalating their trade war with steep new tit-for-tat tariffs, but analysts say a deal is still possible before the damage spreads further. Beef Politics: Republicans are publicly pushing back on Trump’s plan to ease tariffs on imported ground beef, warning it could hurt U.S. ranchers—Nebraska’s Sen. Pete Ricketts is among those criticizing the move. Nebraska Data Centers: In Murdock, Neb., and across the state, data center plans are sparking cross-ideology fights over jobs versus farmland, water, and power needs; some areas are pausing projects as midterms approach. Food Access in North Omaha: After several grocery closures, a new nonprofit grocery store is planned for North Omaha, aiming to cut residents’ long drives for fresh food. Weather & Safety: Omaha is seeing early fog and a warm, less humid Wednesday; meanwhile, a central Omaha crash has Dodge Road closed as two people are hospitalized. Sports: Nebraska-area prep action included Auburn’s girls golf win and Ashland-Greenwood’s Morgan Zahnow reaching 100 career softball wins.

Sentencing Update: Samuel Bateman, a polygamous sect leader already serving a 50-year federal child-sex sentence, was hit with an additional 24 years after state convictions tied to hauling girls in an unventilated trailer in northern Arizona. Public Safety & Courts: A semi-truck driver was charged with motor vehicle homicide after an I-80 crash near Brady, where a parked truck pulled into traffic and was struck; investigators say it was one of multiple deadly rear-end crashes in Lincoln County in days. Nebraska Sports: Nebraska running back Mekhi Nelson addressed his offseason arrest, saying he’s reflected on the impact of his actions and is “grateful to be back.” Statehouse & Community: Supporters are pushing to turn Cameron the “Capitol Cat” into a permanent bronze statue outside the Nebraska State Capitol. Weather & Agriculture: Wet August rain eased drought in Omaha and parts of eastern Nebraska, but 77% of the state still shows drought conditions. Drugs & Enforcement: Nebraska State Patrol reports a Cherry County traffic stop that led to more than five pounds of methamphetamine and cocaine seized from a motel room. Wildlife Management: Game and Parks is urging deer hunters in CWD testing zones to order free mail-in sampling kits before heading into the field.

Omaha Infrastructure: More sinkholes were found in the Blackstone area before a foundation collapse near the streetcar line, with city officials confirming four minor voids on Farnam St. and noting crews packed dirt to limit further sloughing. Weather Watch: Omaha is looking at a slight chance of storms Tuesday afternoon and evening. Attorney General: Nebraska’s Marty Jackley joined a 16-state coalition warning the “Big Four” accounting firms about climate-related financial activism and possible consumer-protection issues. Sports Tickets: Iowa’s Sept. 5 opener vs. Northern Illinois is sold out, but tickets remain for other home games including a November matchup with Nebraska. Ag & Tech: Husker Harvest Days is set to feature an ag tech pavilion with hands-on sessions on autonomy, AI, drones and irrigation, plus startup demos. Health Access: EducationQuest awarded $187,500 in College Access Grant funding to 24 Nebraska high schools to expand college-going programs. Public Safety: Amazon Prime Air is expanding drone deliveries to nearly 500 Nebraska-included cities and towns by end of 2026. Community & Culture: Omaha’s Little Italy is seeing a resurgence as Italian families return to the neighborhood’s long-running traditions.

State Government Watch: Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley says his office found “questionable billing” in the state’s $434 million aged and disabled waiver program, including providers billing for more than 24 hours in a day and getting paid while working elsewhere. Public Safety: A Lancaster County sheriff says an off-duty Lincoln police captain was cited after a toddler was found alone in a locked van at Pawnee Lake while she and a partner were fishing; the child was left at least 28 minutes. Elections & Ballot Rules: Nebraska’s Secretary of State will decide whether the “Respect Nebraska Voters” measure is too broad for the November ballot, after challengers argued it violates the state’s single-subject rule. Child Care Push: A statewide campaign is calling for more investment in Nebraska’s child care industry, highlighting low pay and high costs for families and providers. Affordable Housing: Omaha announced four affordable housing projects tied to a $40 million Urban Core Housing Fund, including renovations to the City View apartment building. Sports (Nebraska): Nebraska women’s flag football will start in spring 2027, a year earlier than planned.

Nebraska Medicaid Watchdog: A new state audit flags questionable billing in Nebraska’s $434 million-a-year Aged and Disabled Waiver program, including providers billing for 47 hours in one day, getting paid while records show they worked elsewhere, and possible workarounds to the Electronic Visit Verification system. Local Government & Costs: North Platte is weighing utility rate hikes that could add about $9.78 per month for an average household, with proposals including 6% electric and water increases and a 9% wastewater increase. Public Safety: The Nebraska Department of Transportation’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign is underway, with local agencies like the Custer County Sheriff’s Office stepping up enforcement to cut alcohol-related crashes. Crime & Tech: An Omaha man was sentenced to more than 10 years in federal prison for an armed bank robbery he planned using ChatGPT. Weather: Omaha-area residents may see showers Monday morning, with a wetter start for some commuters. Nebraska Sports: Nebraska football named Anthony Colandrea its Week 1 starting quarterback after fall camp.