AGP Executive Report

Weather & Risk: Remnants of Hurricane Polo are expected to merge with other systems into a “hybrid storm,” raising the odds of flash flooding across parts of the central U.S., with Nebraska-area impacts possible. Fuel Costs for Ag: Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell urged Gov. Andy Beshear to declare an energy emergency to ease diesel rules as harvest-season prices strain farmers; the push echoes similar emergency moves in other states. Nebraska Policy & Data: Sen. Pete Ricketts introduced a federal Agricultural Data Privacy Act to make farmers and ranchers the owners of farm-generated data and require consent before it’s used or sold, building on Nebraska’s LB 525. Local Business & Growth: Rightfiber completed the acquisition of Fastwyre Broadband’s Nebraska business, expanding its broadband footprint. Housing & Economy: Zillow data shows Jefferson County’s typical home value fell 1.9% year over year to $141,324 in August 2026. Health Care Costs: A coalition of states, including Oregon, announced a $400 million Sandoz settlement over alleged generic-drug price inflation and reduced competition. Election Watch: Trump and JD Vance kicked off a 32-day midterm campaign blitz in deep-red areas as polls show low approval on cost of living and the economy. Community Support: U-Haul is offering 30 days of free storage and U-Box use at select Nebraska and Iowa locations for flood-impacted residents.

Nebraska Research & Innovation: UNL biology professor Dai Shizuka is using a new nearly $875,000 NSF grant to study how birds’ social and communication networks shape ecology and evolution, sparked by a real-life Rock Island Trail “dive-bombing” incident in Lincoln. Education Policy: The Trump administration’s federal Scholarship Tax Credit program is moving toward a Jan. 1 start, with Treasury guidance for participating states and scholarship-granting organizations; the program is designed to let families use funds for private school, homeschooling, and related expenses. Ag & Trade: Former Nebraska Agriculture Director Greg Ibach was nominated to lead USDA’s trade role, drawing support from U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council and U.S. Meat Export Federation leaders. Local Business & Growth: Central Valley Ag is investing in a Nebraska feed mill in Howells, expanding local feed manufacturing capacity through a new Howells Milling LLC partnership. Weather & Public Safety: Heavy thunderstorms caused flash flooding in north Lincoln and parts of Lancaster County, triggering water-rescue calls and evacuations near 11th and Saunders. Retail Watch: Hy-Vee is ending its Dollar Fresh concept by 2027, converting remaining locations into smaller Hy-Vee stores. Energy Costs: A Basin, Wyo., town meeting highlighted how transmission-fee changes can sharply raise local electric rates—an affordability issue resonating across the region.

Consumer & Courts: Hall County Judge Andrew Butler sentenced Kelli Lepler to 15 years probation and ordered $266,636 in restitution after her Monument Advisors headstone scheme left dozens of families without the products they paid for. Public Safety Policy: A Gretna mother is pushing for a national violent felon registry named for her daughter, after Nebraska Rep. Mike Flood introduced the Karly Rain Wood Repeat Violent Felon Registration and Notification Program with a Senate companion. Banking & Community: First Interstate Bank wrapped its 9th annual Volunteer Day with nearly 400 service projects across a 10-state footprint, including Nebraska. Health Care Costs: The Trump administration began mailing $500 ACA refund checks to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, tied to alleged federal exchange “user fee” overcharges. Ag & Transportation: South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden issued an executive order to ease diesel-price pressure for farmers by expanding hauling allowances and suspending certain overweight permits. Energy & Investment: Trump highlighted a $54 billion South Korea investment tied to Alaska LNG, though Seoul says commercial viability still needs review. Nebraska Economy: Nebraska reported $8 million in Q1 2026 miscellaneous tax revenue, up 14.3% from the prior quarter. Housing: Zillow data put Clay County’s typical home value at $185,733 in August 2026, up 6.6% year over year. Local Business & Events: Project Connect Lincoln drew 440+ pre-registered attendees to connect people facing homelessness or financial hardship with on-site services.

Healthcare & Data Privacy: Nebraska consumers get a fresh reminder of how vendor risk can turn into real money: a multistate settlement with Labcorp over the 2019 AMCA data breach totals about $2.3 million, tied to exposure of sensitive patient information. State Program Watch: Nebraska DHHS is set to launch a redesigned TANF Employment First pilot on Oct. 1, shifting the mandatory work program toward career coaching, education, and job pathways. Ag & Weather: Hurricane Polo’s remnants are pushing heavy rain into the central U.S., with flooding risk that could further slow harvest in parts of the Corn Belt while also easing drought-stressed areas. Energy Costs: Nebraska and nearby counties are seeing mixed gas pricing week-to-week, with local reports highlighting where regular and diesel hit the lowest marks in the Sept. 19 reporting period. Housing Snapshot: Zillow data shows some Nebraska counties rising year-over-year in typical home values, including Thayer (+3.4%) and Custer (+10.5%) for August 2026. Business & Tech: Lincoln-based ecommerce accelerator Spreetail launched a “Brand Benchmark” dashboard to help brands track competitive performance across major marketplaces. Local Economy & Workforce: UNL’s new Nebraska Digital Ag Hub aims to develop and scale digital agriculture tools with producers at the center.

TANF Employment Overhaul: Nebraska DHHS will launch a redesigned Employment First program Oct. 1 as part of a federal TANF pilot, shifting from compliance to individualized career planning with career coaches and education/training pathways. Veterans Funding: Omaha nonprofit At Ease USA won nearly $260,000 from the VA to expand veteran suicide-prevention services, adding a part-time peer specialist in Omaha. Diesel Costs & Policy: Gov. Jim Pillen signed 90-day diesel tax refund and weight-limit relief orders for harvest haulers, while also pushing a federal diesel export ban—an idea Nebraska’s GOP delegation is split on. FTC vs. Corteva: The FTC and states reached a proposed settlement with Corteva that dismantles pesticide loyalty programs and is expected to lower prices for farmers by restoring competition from generics. State Economic Push: Pillen created a statewide Economic Growth Working Group to build a unified site and asset inventory and coordinate business recruitment across Nebraska’s regions. Local Business & Community: A new Omaha-area school pantry opened at Ralston Middle School to reduce barriers to food access, and North Bend’s Borer’s BBQ and Brew is set to open Oct. 1. Energy Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports show Nebraska diesel and gasoline prices remain elevated, with notable low points varying by county in the week ending Sept. 19.

USDA Trade Leadership: President Trump nominated Nebraska agriculture leader Greg Ibach as USDA undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs, setting up a Senate confirmation that would put a familiar Nebraska hand back in the federal ag trade lane. Economic Growth Push: Gov. Jim Pillen is set to announce a coordinated strategy to strengthen Nebraska’s economic growth and competitiveness, with chambers and the Department of Economic Development involved, plus an executive order aimed at attracting investment and talent. Midterm Politics in Nebraska: Trump will speak at a midterm rally in Grand Island Oct. 5, with doors opening at 2:30 p.m. and remarks expected around 6 p.m., as Nebraska races tighten. Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports show E15 in Adams County at $3.89/gal (week ending Sept. 19) and diesel in Perkins County at $6.25/gal, underscoring continued regional price swings. Housing Snapshot: Zillow puts Lancaster County’s typical home value at $302,026 in August 2026, up 2.3% year over year. Education Policy: Rep. Adrian Smith introduced a bill to remove state opt-in rules for the education scholarship tax credit, aiming to streamline access for schools.

Water Infrastructure Funding: Gov. Jim Pillen highlighted $15 million in state drinking and clean water loan/forgiveness support for Gibbon, including nearly $10 million to address elevated manganese in the city’s water supply. Local Government & Budgets: Hastings City Council gave final approval to its 2026-27 budget, setting $237.25 million in total expenditures amid a general fund deficit tied to rising costs and inflation. Agriculture & Weather: Southeast Nebraska farmers are dealing with harvest stress after unusually wet conditions, complicating field access and grain hauling. Energy Costs at the Pump: GasBuddy reported Douglas County’s lowest regular price at $3.80 (week ending Sept. 19), while Sheridan County hit $4.29; diesel pricing also varied, with Antelope County’s low at $5.99. Cyber & Consumer Risk: Nebraska saw 196 cybercrimes in 2025 totaling $18.8M in losses, underscoring ongoing business and household exposure. Workforce & Community: A new family-friendly workplace certification (FFW-37) is rolling out for rural employers in Phelps County, aiming to help with scheduling, leave, and childcare support. Agribusiness Trade: USDA trade nominee Greg Ibach was sent to the Senate, with Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer praising his experience for expanding overseas markets.

Diesel & inflation politics: President Trump said he’s “thinking very seriously” about a diesel export ban but admitted it could backfire by pushing up gasoline prices; the White House is weighing alternatives like “voluntary” export limits, a diesel excise tax pause, and state involvement. Nebraska agriculture relief: Gov. Jim Pillen signed 90-day executive orders to ease harvest-season costs, including a diesel tax suspension/refund for seasonally hauling ag products and livestock and higher weight limits (up to 25%) without extra permits. Education funding: UNL won a $5 million TRIO grant to expand Talent Search, boosting student services from 950 to about 2,000 annually across five Nebraska communities. Weather & risk tools: NOAA’s flood mapping tool expanded to cover nearly 100% of the U.S., adding neighborhood-scale river and stream inundation forecasts for emergency planning. Local business & infrastructure: UNL installed 35 new U.S. Army Corps-funded mesonet monitoring stations to improve water-level management and fill data gaps across Nebraska. Energy prices at the pump: GasBuddy reported Lancaster County’s lowest diesel at $5.25 (week ending Sept. 19) and Hamilton County’s lowest regular at $3.97; Nebraska averages stayed elevated. Housing snapshot: Zillow pegged Banner County’s typical home value at $386,548 in August, up 1.6% year over year.

Nebraska Politics & Economy: In Nebraska’s 1st District race, Rep. Mike Flood touts legislative experience and bringing federal dollars home, while challenger Chris Backemeyer centers his pitch on affordability, ending what he calls a trade war “tax,” and criticizing Flood on Iran and separation-of-powers issues. Ag & Energy Costs: Gov. Pillen is issuing diesel-related executive orders aimed at easing pressure on Nebraska’s agriculture community, as ranchers and farmers keep warning that high fuel costs are squeezing operations. Tax Policy Watch: Nebraska Farm Bureau opposes removing sales tax exemptions tied to ag inputs, arguing any shift could raise costs for farmers and ranchers; Pillen says no sales tax on farm equipment is planned. Healthcare & Consumer Impact: The Trump administration canceled ACA marketplace coverage for about 760,000 people, citing fraud and “non-existence,” while also freezing new agent/broker registrations for 2027 open enrollment. Local Business/Workforce: Nebraska reported 1,163 H-2B worker approvals tied to worksites in fiscal 2026 through June 30, with a 97.5% approval rate. Housing Snapshot: Zillow data show Antelope County typical home values rising to $221,059 (+4.9%) in August 2026, while other counties show mixed movement. Fuel Prices (GasBuddy): Week ending Sept. 19 brought some of the lowest regular gas readings in the state around $3.99 in Furnas County, while diesel lows hit $5.97 in Box Butte County.

Fuel Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports show Nebraska fuel remains volatile but easing from spring highs, with local deals including the lowest E85 in Buffalo County at $2.07/gal (two stations) and the lowest premium in Cuming County at $4.84/gal (one station) for the week ending Sept. 19. Housing Market: Zillow data finds mixed county trends: Gosper County’s typical home value fell 3.2% to $319,894, while Box Butte County rose 4.3% to $180,978 and Scotts Bluff County climbed 2.9% to $197,069 (all August 2026). Regulatory & Consumer Risk: Omaha’s Dorsey Funeral Home and Cremations was placed on two years of state probation after regulators said it cremated three unclaimed bodies without a license, tied to an internal training exercise. Healthcare Data & Oversight: A multistate coalition reached a $2.3 million settlement with Labcorp over a 2019 data breach involving its debt collector, with 451,558 Maryland residents affected. Public Policy: A “benefits cliff” issue is leaving some Nebraska families worse off when earnings rise enough to lose SNAP eligibility.

State Tax Snapshot: A new map using Tax Foundation data shows Nebraska’s top marginal individual income tax rate at 4.55% in 2026, while eight states levy no individual income tax (Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Wyoming). Child Welfare & Accountability: A former Nebraska state employee accused of sexually abusing a youth at YRTC-Kearney is in jail, but families say suing the state is hard—raising pressure for lawmakers to change how victims can seek relief. USDA Staffing Strain: A USDA staffing shift is leaving some rural areas—especially North Dakota—with longer waits and fewer on-the-ground staff, as farmers and ranchers brace for more program delays. Beef Policy Politics: Polling shows President Trump’s approval slipping across major beef states, including Nebraska, as the administration weighs higher beef import quotas to lower grocery prices. Fuel Watch (Nebraska): GasBuddy reports show diesel lows like $5.59 in Dawson County and $5.99 in Nemaha County for the week ending Sept. 19, with Nebraska averages still hovering around $6.08 for diesel.

Energy & Agriculture: Nebraska’s diesel and gasoline squeeze stayed in focus as reports tracked sharp pump-price swings, including a Richardson County diesel low of $5.99 (week ending Sept. 19) and broader statewide averages rising week over week. Infrastructure: Kansas regulators scheduled public hearings for a proposed 180-mile, 345 kV transmission line that would run toward western Nebraska, with the project extending to the Sidney area. Health & Data: Nebraska’s Attorney General actions added to the national compliance drumbeat, including a multistate Labcorp settlement tied to a patient data breach. Local Economy & Growth: Gov. Jim Pillen highlighted a major ONE RED investment for Norfolk’s wastewater project, touting $38 million in grant support for anaerobic digestion and energy upgrades. Education & Workforce: New federal data showed Lancaster County colleges awarded 8,096 degrees and certificates in 2023-24, while Douglas County colleges conferred 11,482 awards—useful signals for local talent pipelines. Governance: The University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved four new members to represent Nebraska Medicine on its board, formalizing governance with the Omaha Community Foundation. Business Climate: Nebraska’s H-1B Employer Data Hub update found three approved H-1B petitions in 2025 from employers in the “Other Services (except Public Administration)” category.

Diesel cost fight: The White House is weighing options to lower U.S. diesel prices, including suspending fuel taxes and changing rules around “red” dyed diesel used off-road, as pump prices hover near record levels around $6.50 a gallon. Ag policy pressure: Nebraska’s Gov. Pillen is pushing emergency actions for agriculture, including diesel-related executive orders and a 90-day pause on diesel taxes for ag producers, as record fuel costs squeeze harvest and rural businesses. Healthcare data & access: Nebraska regulators and attorneys general keep targeting data security and drug supply risks—Hilgers announced a multistate Labcorp settlement tied to a patient data breach, and AG Fitch urged the National Security Council to protect GLP-1 drugs from unsafe foreign ingredients. State infrastructure: Pillen highlighted a $38 million ONE RED wastewater grant for Norfolk to expand anaerobic digestion and energy infrastructure. Local business & compliance: Omaha’s Dorsey Funeral Home was put on probation after cremating three unclaimed bodies without a license. Economy snapshot: A Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City report says Nebraskans’ savings are about double the national average, pointing to resilience heading into higher-cost pressures. Ag innovation: Nebraska Farmers Network is developing “Meat Pods,” on-site beef processing units aimed at boosting local profitability. Community recycling: Clay County held a state-grant-funded electronics recycling event to keep old devices out of landfills.

Ag Policy & Transportation Relief: Gov. Jim Pillen issued two executive orders to blunt harvest-season diesel pain—allowing highway-registered vehicles to use untaxed dyed diesel for 90 days (with refunds via Form 84AG) and easing weight limits for crop and livestock hauling up to 25% over legal limits without extra permits. He also urged a 90-day federal pause on U.S. diesel exports to rebuild domestic supply. Fuel Prices Watch: GasBuddy reported the lowest E15 in Dawson County at $3.84 (week ending Sept. 19) and diesel lows including Phelps County at $5.89 and Lincoln County at $5.97, underscoring still-volatile regional costs. Local Government & Finance: Lancaster County Commissioner Matt Schulte will hold a livestreamed briefing on a State Auditor review alleging nearly $1 billion in Treasurer’s Office accounting errors, with officials saying no property taxes were lost. Business & Growth: A $130 million Sioux Honey bottling plant broke ground in Iowa, expanding capacity and jobs in the region. Housing Snapshot: Zillow data showed Brown County’s typical home value rising 4.8% to $156,826 in August 2026. Energy & Infrastructure: A Lancaster County land option near Lincoln for a potential data center signals continued investment interest—and local regulatory scrutiny.

Diesel tax relief for Nebraska ag: Gov. Jim Pillen signed orders pausing diesel taxes for 90 days for vehicles hauling Nebraska seasonally produced products or livestock, and raising weight limits up to 25% to reduce permit and fee burdens for farmers. Fuel squeeze on the farm: Multiple reports point to record diesel pressure hitting Northeast Nebraska businesses ahead of harvest, with GasBuddy data showing diesel prices still elevated statewide. Medicaid work rules confusion: Nebraska’s early Medicaid work requirements are leaving enrollees anxious and unclear, with enforcement starting earlier than most states and disenrollment beginning Aug. 1. Local governance scrutiny: Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson says he’ll investigate a county program for the poor after a state auditor flagged potential improper gift-card distribution. Housing snapshot: Zillow data shows Platte County typical home values up 1.9% to $280,084 in August, while Richardson County rose 10% to $121,678. Immigration paperwork: Nebraska employers in Public Administration filed 9 H-1B petitions in 2025, all approved. Business & community: FNBO awarded $300,000 in grants across Northern Colorado and Boulder-area nonprofits, including housing and workforce efforts.

Early Childhood & Workforce: Kearney was selected for Nebraska’s Communities for Kids initiative, aiming to plug gaps in early care and education by matching local partners with data, quality tools, and financing options. State Finance & Consumer Property: The Nebraska State Treasurer will auction abandoned safe-deposit box contents online Oct. 6–13 via eBay, with proceeds held for owners or heirs who come forward later. Ag Tech & Drought Resilience: PlantArcBio says its first open-field corn trial in Israel produced more than double cob weight versus controls, including under severe drought, as it advances drought-tolerance genes for seed partners. Fuel Costs Hit Nebraska Drivers: GasBuddy reports show E85 hit a low of $1.89 in Douglas County and $3.57 in Lincoln County for the week ending Sept. 19, while diesel averaged $6.06 in Dakota County—another reminder of cost pressure for farms and businesses. Farm Policy Fight: Sen. Peter Welch says he’ll back the farm bill on the Senate floor if Republicans accept a delay to SNAP state cost-sharing, keeping negotiations centered on how states pay for benefit errors. Education & Research Pressure: The AAUP is urging the AAU to reject UNL’s membership bid, arguing last year’s department cuts and layoffs damaged UNL’s research standing. Local Business & Growth: RedotPay says it has secured Nebraska and Idaho lending licenses, clearing a step toward launching regulated lending products in the U.S.