Data Centers & Water: Cass County residents are pushing for an 18-month pause on a proposed Tenaska data center after concerns about water use, utility impacts, and effects on family farms, with critics citing Google’s reported 732 million gallons used in Nebraska in 2025. Disaster Loans for Drought Impacts: The SBA opened low-interest disaster loans for Nebraska drought-impacted counties (including Clay, Fillmore, Franklin, Harlan, Jefferson, Kearney, Nuckolls, Phelps, Saline, Seward, Thayer, Webster, York) and Kansas counties, offering up to $2 million with rates as low as 4% for small businesses. Public Health Watch: Nebraska health officials are monitoring cyclospora cases as the parasite spreads nationally, noting it’s linked to contaminated produce and can cause prolonged severe diarrhea. State Politics & Ballot Access: Former state Sen. Brett Lindstrom confirmed he’s entering the 2026 Nebraska governor’s race, focusing first on collecting signatures to qualify for the ballot. Workforce & Local Grants: Gretna nonprofit Café Hope received a $10,000 Jacques Pépin Foundation grant to expand paid culinary workforce training for young adults. Community Development Training: Nebraska DED announced CDBG Certified Grant Administrator Training for Sept. 29–Oct. 1, 2026, a requirement for communities using CDBG funds. Agriculture Skills Pipeline: A welding camp in Central City is training students for high-demand manufacturing jobs, with tours of local employers like Strobel and Reinke. Housing Market: Home price growth picked up in May, with year-over-year gains rising as affordability gaps persist.