AGP Executive Report

Omaha Community: Ukrainian advocates and lawmakers met in Omaha as more than 100,000 Ukrainians across the U.S. face uncertainty over expiring temporary protected status. Fall in Omaha: Heartwood Park’s Fall Festival brings pumpkin carving, bingo and a giant hay sculpture this weekend, followed by a kite festival Oct. 17–18. Culture on Campus: UNO’s Salsa Club led a Hispanic Heritage Month dance and lunch event, while Grand Island Senior High students celebrated earning Nebraska’s Seal of Biliteracy. Neighbors Helping Neighbors: St. Vincent de Paul Omaha is giving away free winter coats at Assumption Church, with no income requirements; Lincoln’s U.G.L.Y. Quilters have made more than 500 quilts for people experiencing homelessness. Arts and Heritage: Lincoln’s Cathedral of the Risen Christ plans an international World Mission Sunday Mass Oct. 18, with cultural attire encouraged and international choirs invited. Farm to School: Nebraska educators are highlighting local and Indigenous foods this month through tastings, lessons and school meals.

Student Achievement: Ten Grand Island Senior High students earned Nebraska’s Seal of Biliteracy, recognizing proficiency in English and another language. Community Care: Omaha’s Society of St. Vincent de Paul will give away free coats Saturday at Assumption Church; there are no income requirements. Food & Culture: Nebraska schools can mark National Farm to School Month with local foods, farm visits and lessons that highlight Indigenous foods. Indigenous Community: People in Lincoln joined others in wearing orange to remember children affected by boarding schools, while jingle dress dance offers a path to healing. Arts & Heritage: Pius X High School brings its original “Alice in Wonderland” adaptation to North Star High School Oct. 15–18. UNK’s archives are also inviting Nebraskans to explore collections preserving campus and regional history. Faith & Fellowship: Lincoln’s Cathedral of the Risen Christ will mark World Mission Sunday Oct. 18 with international choirs and an invitation to wear cultural attire.

Community & Culture: Lincoln’s Asian Community and Cultural Center’s monthly Mahjong Club is welcoming newcomers and experienced players alike, using the traditional game to bring people together offline. Music Education: Jazz great Wynton Marsalis visited Lincoln and spoke about how music nurtures students, as school programs face rising costs and budget cuts. Great Plains History: Rob Bozel, the first recipient of the Rippeteau Prize, will discuss Sandhills archaeology at Morrill Hall on Oct. 13. Onstage: Lincoln-area theaters have a busy October lineup, including Nebraska Wesleyan’s “Underdog: The Other Other Brontë,” with performances through Oct. 11. Immigrant Stories: A new collection, “The Lives of Immigrants and Refugees,” brings together 31 essays about migration and finding home in Nebraska; contributor Phanomvan Pongdara summed up the book’s welcome: “Listening is welcoming.”

Counseling Rights: Christian counselors have sued Lincoln over an ordinance they say restricts therapy for minors seeking comfort with their biological sex or help with unwanted same-sex attraction. Childcare: Norfolk’s new childcare center is awaiting its final license; it plans to serve up to 71 children, from infants through kindergarten. Health Access: Medicaid changes that took effect Oct. 1 affect about 1,000 Nebraska refugees and asylum-seekers, according to state officials; advocates warn losing coverage could deepen health care barriers. Student Life: More than 100 students from eight Nebraska schools competed in a land-judging contest near Ord, with winning teams advancing to the state competition Oct. 14. Local Culture: Lincoln community radio station KZUM is set to join the new downtown library.

Campus Life: UNL’s student government approved a Halloween tailgate booth offering alcohol-safety tips, snacks and an interactive impairment demonstration before the Oct. 31 game. Arts & Culture: Lincoln’s Ross Media Arts Center is screening horror favorites through Oct. 25, while a sensory-focused exhibit at Omaha’s KANEKO invites visitors to experience the world in different ways. UNO students also contributed artwork to a Nebraskans for Palestine fundraiser for medical relief. Community & Culture: Lincoln radio station KZUM plans to move into the city’s new downtown library, expected to open by 2028. In Omaha, a care team helped Rose Blumkin Jewish Home resident Mary Kaiman fulfill her wish to attend the symphony. Higher Education: Southeast Community College set a fall enrollment record of 11,591 students, its seventh straight annual increase.

Campus Life: UNL groups marked Oct. 7 in different ways: Students for Justice in Palestine displayed a flag memorial, while Jewish students gathered privately to mourn the Hamas attacks. Community Health: Antelope Memorial Hospital has launched a free four-week series in Neligh, helping residents build sustainable habits around nutrition and chronic disease prevention. Giving Back: Grand Island’s St. Leo’s Church will hold its annual coat giveaway Oct. 22, with children’s mittens and hats especially needed. Arts & Aging: Omaha’s Dreamweaver Foundation helped Rose Blumkin Jewish Home resident Mary Kaiman return to the Omaha Symphony, a favorite she once enjoyed with her late husband. Nature & Recreation: Gibbon’s Rowe Sanctuary offers year-round bird and wildflower walks, story times and event space alongside its famous sandhill crane season. Youth Opportunities: Nebraska’s second Governor’s Youth Summit brought more than 640 people to Kearney, connecting students with employers, colleges, scholarships and career paths. Conservation: Lincoln photographer Joel Sartore’s Photo Ark has documented more than 18,500 animal species, using portraits to inspire wildlife protection.

Grand Island Rally: Thousands turned out for President Donald Trump’s Nebraska campaign visit, while protesters gathered nearby. His remarks suggesting Iran could “take out” Los Angeles or San Diego drew swift condemnation. Campus Climate: UNL says its protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity remain in place despite changes to federal Title IX rules. Omaha Civic Life: Faith leaders launched the “Vote is Sacred” bus tour at the Tri-Faith Initiative, promoting voter education and turnout. UNO students also tested their Constitution knowledge for cupcakes at a campus event. 4-H Community: Custer County clubs marked National 4-H Week with a hay-bale decorating contest; displays are up through Oct. 10. Heritage: Hispanic Heritage Month runs through Oct. 15, celebrating communities with roots across Spain, Latin America and the Caribbean—and identities that span generations.

Politics & Community Safety: President Trump’s Grand Island rally drew national backlash after he suggested Iran could “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego, with California leaders calling the remarks dangerous and disqualifying and Democrats and Harris branding him a “tyrant.” Local Civic Life: Omaha hosted the “Vote is Sacred Bus Tour,” bringing faith leaders together to push ballot education, poll safety, and Election Day turnout. Education & Workforce: Western Nebraska Community College will end its Lifelong Learning Department effective Jan. 1, 2027, while Central Community College honored career and workforce leaders at the Nebraska Community College Association awards. Disability & Employment: Nebraska VR recognized partners and a champion for inclusive hiring and disability employment at the Nebraska State Capitol. Culture & Entertainment: Anime NebrasKon keeps growing as a community-centered convention, and HBO’s “Lanterns” finale sparked talk about its DCU future. Sports & Campus: Omaha swept Rockhurst in swimming and diving, while Penn State’s coaching shakeup continues to fuel college football debate.

Nebraska Politics & Economy: President Donald Trump rallied in Grand Island, signing an executive order easing limits on tax-free red-dyed diesel—promising farmers savings and lower costs as midterms near. Foreign Policy Backlash: Trump also said Iran could “take out” Los Angeles or San Diego as a “small price to pay,” sparking fast condemnation from California Gov. Gavin Newsom and both city mayors. Immigration & Civil Rights: A new tally claims more than 500 U.S. citizens have been detained during Trump’s immigration crackdown, including cases involving handcuffs or being held at gunpoint. Local Governance & Safety: Nebraska’s GOP rally stop followed a fatal Omaha-area crash; updates focus on the suspect’s ICE detainer and “Sarah’s Law” custody rules. Arts & Education: UNL and UNMC held an inaugural summit to streamline collaboration, while Nebraska Letters About Literature invites young readers to write authors for a 2026 contest. Community Life: Dakota Wesleyan crowned 2026 homecoming royalty, and a new Yankton-area diaper bank nonprofit, Delivering Hope, began monthly distributions.

Omaha-area public safety: Douglas County says Jose Ortega-Romero, accused in a fatal red-light crash, posted bond but was taken into custody after ICE was notified under a federal “Sarah’s Law” hold; the Nebraska State Patrol transported him before release. Faith & community events: Concordia students brought entertainment to the Lincoln Saltdogs’ Faith Night, while Sarah Hart is set to lead Catholic music and a “Night of Peace” concert in New Berlin. STEM & youth programs: Nucor is investing $250,000 in the Northeast iHub and expanding youth robotics teams to build local pathways into tech and manufacturing. Campus life: Concordia’s esports program is growing with a new Christ-centered coach and upgraded gaming computers. Politics & culture: Trump drew major crowds in Grand Island for a midterm rally as polls show his approval at a record-low 32%. Childcare crunch: New Horizon Academy opened four Nebraska childcare schools this year, adding hundreds of spots as families still face shortages. Arts & learning: The UNK Board of Regents meets Oct. 9 in Kearney, with updates on health sciences and Project Health.

Nebraska Lottery: The Nebraska Lottery sent $11,456,576 to beneficiary funds, including $4.88M each for education and the Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund, plus support for the State Fair and compulsive gamblers assistance. Politics & Voting: A new wave of midterm focus has Democrats targeting GOP “red states,” while Nebraska’s Senate race stays in the spotlight as President Trump ramps up campaign travel. Education Access: UNL is offering Open Educational Resources Grants to help instructors cut student costs and improve course materials; applications are due Nov. 23. Culture & Community: UNL kicked off the year with the Homecoming parade and Cornstock Festival, and hundreds gathered for the Cornstock celebration. Health & Families: A Trump proposal could make it easier to suspend or expel Head Start kids, raising alarms about losing protections for vulnerable children. Local Life: Rural Nebraska hospitals are getting hands-on OB emergency training through simulation programs. Arts: Wynton Marsalis is set for a Lincoln residency with concerts and school master classes. Sports Betting/Media: A Nebraska college controversy continues to ripple after a drag-themed “Mass” creator is no longer teaching. Public Safety: A fatal Omaha-area crash followed a pickup running a red light, according to deputies.

Maternal Health: The Climb, a Nebraska Postpartum Support International fundraiser, brought families and providers together at Zorinsky Lake Park to spotlight maternal and perinatal mental health—and the state’s gaps in specialized care and referral pathways. Rural Healthcare: Methodist Women’s Hospital is running hands-on OB Skills Fellowship simulations for rural Nebraska and Iowa hospitals, training teams for fast-moving deliveries, shoulder dystocia, neonatal resuscitation, stabilization, and emergency C-sections. Pets & Science: New research challenges the idea that cats are aloof, including findings that cats can learn household members’ names and adjust their vocal behavior. Queer Literature: A new YA novel-in-verse, The Unpoetic Life of August Grey, debuts with a trans coming-of-age story set in a small Nebraska town. Midterms & Medicaid: Five governors warn Trump’s Medicaid work rules could trigger coverage losses over paperwork delays starting in 2027, raising urgent questions for eligible families. Culture & Community: UNL crowned homecoming royalty Caleb Burnside and Hannah Miller, reflecting campus involvement across agriculture and education. Sports & Local Pride: Nebraska’s football win over Maryland is getting attention for a strong second-half turnaround.

Midterm momentum: With less than a month to Election Day, Democrats are gaining leads or dead-heats in traditionally Republican Senate states like Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Ohio and Texas, fueling fresh talk of a possible Senate flip. Campaign culture: President Donald Trump has launched a midterm blitz of frequent rallies, and some Republicans privately worry his signature style is becoming a liability as approval ratings sink. Nebraska civic life: UNL crowned homecoming royalty—Caleb Burnside and Hannah Miller—highlighting student leadership across agribusiness and education. Local health focus: “The Climb” in Omaha is raising awareness about maternal and perinatal mental health, pointing to gaps in specialized care connections statewide. Faith & community: Nebraska Catholics and communities are remembering Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s lasting influence, while local church events and retreats continue to draw attention to heritage and service. Travel & lifestyle: Brand USA is promoting the 2027 railroad bicentennial, encouraging visitors to experience America “mile by mile” by train. Reading freedom: Banned Books Week runs Oct. 4–10, spotlighting ongoing book restrictions and the push to protect the freedom to read.

Nebraska Tax Snapshot: Nebraska collected $3.7 billion in sales and gross receipts taxes in 2024, up 7.7% year over year, as state-only tax totals reached $8.1 billion. Maternal Mental Health: Omaha hosted The Climb, a fundraiser and awareness event for maternal and perinatal mental health, with organizers pointing to gaps in specialized care and referral pathways. Community Service Spotlight: Local volunteer firefighters and rescue workers were celebrated for the training, fundraising, and real-life courage they bring to emergencies. Faith & Culture: Nebraska Catholics shared memories tied to Blessed Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen after his beatification, highlighting lasting influence in the Diocese of Lincoln. Education & Opportunity: Nebraska Sen. Barry DeKay encouraged eligible students to apply for the 2027 U.S. Senate Youth Program, with applications due Oct. 16. Health Policy Watch: A federal push tied to Medicaid work rules put up to 900,000 NYC enrollees at risk starting in 2027, underscoring how paperwork can affect coverage. Politics & Money: With less than a month to Election Day, Democrats gained Senate momentum in key states, while House Republicans privately worry about holding the majority.

Abortion & Politics: Doctors are stepping into statehouse fights after Roe’s fall, with medical professionals now clashing publicly over abortion laws in multiple states. Midterm Mood & Money: A new jobs report shows slower hiring and higher unemployment ahead of Election Day, while House Republicans privately worry about losing the chamber. Nebraska Tax & Affordability Debate: A Nebraska-focused opinion argues the state must overhaul its tax system to help families, pushing back on property-tax policy priorities. Local Education & Faith: Nebraska Catholics are reflecting on Blessed Archbishop Fulton Sheen after his beatification, and Lincoln’s Calvary Cemetery continues All Souls traditions for unburied cremated remains. Health Care Watch: UNL’s Project Health in Omaha faces a proposed $500M+ cost increase as regents weigh construction and capacity changes. Scholarships: Federal guidance is out for the new K-12 scholarship tax credit program rolling in January. Community & Culture: Wayne State College hosts a free public “My Ántonia” presentation Oct. 8, and Nebraska Newman Centers highlight faith and student support across UNL/UNO/UNK. Youth Opportunity: Nebraska’s Senate Youth Program applications are due Oct. 16, 2026.

Community Events: UMass Amherst is inviting locals to Homecoming 2026 Oct. 9-10, with family-friendly activities, performances, athletics, and downtown festivities that spotlight campus-community ties. Sports & Local Pride: Scottsbluff teen Gavin Carrizales won his fifth Nebraska Youth Smallbore Silhouette Invitational state title, hitting 39 of 40 targets and surviving a shoot-off. Arts & Education: Wayne State College will host a free public “My Ántonia” presentation Oct. 8 featuring Tracy Sanford Tucker from the National Willa Cather Center. Faith & Community: Nebraska Catholics marked the beatification of Blessed Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen with personal memories and parish connections, while Lincoln hosted a panel on AI and human dignity. Health & Safety: TRICARE beneficiaries in Nebraska can get temporary prescription refill waivers through Oct. 12 due to flooding. Education Policy Watch: Nebraska ranked 25th in Defending Education’s Integrity in State Education report, with its top score in gender and sexuality. Local Campus Health: UN Board of Regents will consider a major cost increase to Omaha’s Project Health teaching hospital at its Oct. 9 meeting.