AGP Executive Report

Tuition Fight in Federal Court: A federal judge struck down Nebraska’s 2006 law letting undocumented students pay in-state tuition, ending a nearly two-decade policy and revoking related state scholarship eligibility. Healthcare Leadership: Mary Lanning Healthcare named Shanna Stofer as its new President and CEO, starting July 13. Community Pride & Culture: Siouxland Pride Alliance kicked off Pride Weekend in Sioux City with a parade and a full slate of free events. Arts & Community Events: Bloomfield’s 250th-anniversary Appreciation Dayz runs through the weekend, and Symphony at Sunset will wrap up Saturday with a D-Day remembrance concert. Education & Youth Development: UNL’s Nurture Nebraska campaign earned Prism awards for its work promoting early childhood social and emotional development. International Arts Collaboration: Kookmin University and UNL’s fine arts colleges signed an agreement to expand exchanges in design, film, and new media. Local Service & Milestones: Crofton’s principal Johnnie Ostermeyer received a distinguished service award, and West Marshall staffers Patti Edler and Tammy Keigan retired after decades. Weather Watch: Northeast Nebraska farmers are racing drought and crusted soil as extreme dryness threatens newly planted crops.

Immigration & Education: A federal judge struck down Nebraska’s in-state tuition and aid law for some undocumented students, saying it conflicts with federal rules—an abrupt shift that Gov. Jim Pillen praised. Higher Ed Culture: UNL faculty no-confidence votes are spotlighted in a new book as a sign of deeper leadership strain across American colleges. Nebraska Sports & Community: Nebraska men’s basketball starts summer practices next week as Coach Fred Hoiberg focuses on building a roster that fits the Huskers culture. Local Lifestyle & Arts: West Nebraska Arts Center hosts “Cowboy on a Fence” by Doug Michael—free June event and a month-long gallery run. Naming & Nostalgia: A list of the most popular girl names in Nebraska during the 1950s leans into classic “all-American” trends. Climate & Health: A national piece warns extreme summer weather is worsening and tied to fossil-fuel industry actions, while another story highlights the growing gap between care and affordability for doulas. Workplace Good News: Campfire earns Inc.’s 2026 Best Workplaces nod, celebrating management, perks, and culture.

Immigration & Education: A federal judge struck down Nebraska’s law that let some undocumented students qualify for in-state tuition and aid, saying it conflicts with federal rules. Community & Leadership: UNL researchers are testing a “systems” approach to leadership in Seward, embedding with local development work to build shared civic ownership. Public Safety & Outdoors: Nebraska Game and Parks will consider tighter deer permit limits for 2027 and other wildlife order changes at its June 12 meeting. Health Policy: The federal government rolled out Medicaid work requirements, setting a new 80-hours-a-month standard for many adults. Research & Business: UNL’s actuarial science research ranked No. 1 in North America and No. 12 worldwide, highlighting Nebraska’s strength in risk and insurance scholarship. Culture & Learning: UNK is dropping a widely used sexuality textbook after a review found graphic images. Local Growth: Neligh and Clearwater economic development efforts since 2018 have pulled in more than $1.47M in grants and investments, with housing and infrastructure leading the push.

Medicaid Work Rules: HHS/CMS rolled out a new Medicaid eligibility rule requiring many adults to complete 80 hours a month of work, education, job training, or community service to keep coverage. University Culture Clash: UNK is dropping a widely used human sexuality textbook after an internal review found “graphic images” in the course material, and the school says it will add clearer content notices going forward. Education Workforce: Maryland joined the Interstate Compact for School Psychologists to ease a shortage, where caseloads can run far above recommended levels. Nebraska Outdoors & History: The Nebraskaland Magazine Digital Archive now lets readers search 100 years of issues for free, spotlighting the state’s outdoor heritage and culture. Community Trees: UNL experts are helping Nebraska towns diversify tree canopies to reduce losses from pests like the emerald ash borer. Public Safety (Hastings): Hastings police logged 128 citations during a seat belt enforcement push funded by a state transportation grant. Health & Community: A new national report finds “deaths of despair” fell overall, but some Midwestern states saw increases, while Nebraska’s rate stayed flat. Higher Ed Leadership: Adrienne Freng was named vice provost for faculty affairs at the University of Wyoming.

Community Grants: The Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation’s Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Supporting Foundation approved spring grants for 25 applications, backing work that helps Nebraska’s newest residents through language, job support, and health services. Local Education & Culture: East High School held its final commencement before merging into Youngstown High School this fall, with seniors celebrating big milestones and personal stories. Urban Nature & Public Health: UNL experts are helping Nebraska communities diversify tree canopies to reduce losses from pests like emerald ash borer and from drought and severe weather. Agriculture & Food Systems: UNL unveiled new hard red winter wheat and forage triticale varieties aimed at helping western Nebraska producers handle harsh conditions, with wheat variety tours set for June 10–18. Women’s Health: A retrospective study highlighted that testosterone replacement therapy in women may improve symptoms beyond sexual function, including energy, mood, and quality of life. Rural Education Support: ESU 8 says its special education work reaches far beyond one building, with staff across counties and districts supporting students’ access and growth. Workforce & Community: Practical Farmers field days are planned across the Midwest, including Nebraska, with free farmer-led events focused on soil health, water quality, and practical farm solutions. Veterinary Pipeline: UNL’s Nebraska Elite 11 Veterinarian Program selected 21 students for its newest cohort to help address the state’s food-animal vet shortage. Workplace Recognition: NAVC was named to Inc.’s 2026 Best Workplaces list, spotlighting its people-first culture and professional development.

Medicaid Work Requirements: CMS issued nationwide guidance for Medicaid work requirements starting in 2027, requiring many adults to document 80 hours a month of work, education, training, or community service—an affordability hit that could disrupt coverage for working Nebraskans. EV Costs: New data shows insuring an EV costs about 42% more than a gas car, though the gap is shrinking for newer models as repair and tech costs change. Public Health Watch: A new discussion highlights rising outbreak concerns, including hantavirus and the Ebola situation in the DRC and Uganda, with experts warning the spread is outpacing response. Nebraska Culture & Youth: Hear Nebraska’s Andy Norman and Lincoln’s The Bay are spotlighted for building youth pathways through skateboarding, alternative education, and workforce development. Local Science: UNL researchers are launching a study on how much micro- and nanoplastics people may be consuming from everyday drink containers. Community Faith: Swan Lake Christian Camp dedicated a new worship center, drawing churches across Nebraska and neighboring states. Workplace Recognition: Multiple Nebraska-area and national firms announced Inc. Best Workplaces honors, including eVero and other culture-focused companies.

UNL Research: Nebraska researchers are launching a new project to measure how much microplastics and nanoplastics people may be consuming from everyday drink containers, backed by a $1.48M federal grant. Campus Visits: UNL assistant director Lupe Perez says the goal of Husker Weekdays and group tours is to make every prospective student and family visit “count,” including training student tour guides. Public Safety: An inmate is missing from the Community Corrections Center–Lincoln after failing to return from a job-seeking furlough; her electronic monitoring device was found in Lincoln. Education & Youth: A former Gretna preschool teacher, Tammy Haberer, was charged with child abuse without physical injury, and the district says she was removed from the classroom after the incident came to light. Health Policy: CMS released Medicaid work requirements guidance for states, setting standards and exemptions as rules move toward implementation. Food Security: New data says SNAP cuts are already removing food support for millions, with more losses expected as work requirements roll out. Community & Culture: Siouxland Pride Alliance announced a week of free, family-friendly events, including a Pride parade, festival, and interfaith service. Sports: Nebraska softball’s historic 2026 run ended at the Women’s College World Series, capping a 52-8 season and a return to the national stage.

Antisemitism Crackdown in Schools: Gov. Jim Pillen signed an executive order requiring Nebraska’s public education system and colleges to report antisemitic incidents annually and roll out statewide professional development and supplemental curricula on Jewish history and the Holocaust. Immigration Uncertainty: Undocumented Nebraskans say legal avenues are closing fast, leaving families in limbo as policies shift and attorney waitlists grow. Pride & Reading Lists: Scholastic released its Pride Month lineup spotlighting LGBTQ+ stories across middle grade and YA, with new and returning titles. Local Education Push: Wayne State College education students are working to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Wayne County through fundraising and community partnerships. UNO Baseball Hire: UNO named Rob Fournier as its seventh baseball coach, aiming to build a championship culture after Evan Porter stepped down. Housing Deal: Berkshire Hathaway will buy Taylor Morrison for $6.8B in cash, expanding its housing footprint; Berkshire is based in Omaha. STEM Interest Study: UNO research explores what motivates female students to re-engage in science research experiences, offering ideas to strengthen STEM pathways. Outdoor Community Action: Volunteers and divers joined a Prairie Queen Lake cleanup to raise awareness about aquatic invasive species and how to prevent their spread.

Nebraska Education & Community Safety: Gov. Jim Pillen signed an executive order aimed at combating antisemitism in Nebraska schools, expanding reporting and prevention requirements and pushing Holocaust and Jewish history resources into classrooms. Sports & Local Pride: Nebraska softball’s run at the Women’s College World Series ended with a 3-1 loss to Texas, capping a 52-8 season and a return to the WCWS after 13 years. STEM & Student Life: UNL awarded summer stipends to 129 Huskers through UCARE, funding mentored research and creative projects across disciplines, with student posters set for an Aug. 5 symposium. Culture & Service: A Lincoln-area accounting firm, Cuentas Claras, earned “Lincoln’s Choice” Best Accounting Firm recognition, highlighting bilingual support for Spanish-speaking clients. Environment & Outdoors: Sarpy County volunteers and divers cleaned Prairie Queen Lake while raising awareness about aquatic invasive species and the “clean, drain, dry” boat-prep message. Health & Tech: A report on AI chatbots explores why some models don’t refuse harmful requests, raising new concerns for families and educators. Weather Watch: Nebraska saw showers and thunderstorms in the forecast, with overnight storms possible but not expected to be severe.

Sports: Nebraska softball’s WCWS run hits a big moment as the Huskers face Texas in an elimination game in Omaha’s backyard at Devon Park. Education & Community Safety: Gov. Jim Pillen signed an executive order aimed at eradicating antisemitism in Nebraska schools, requiring annual reporting and adding Holocaust/Israel-focused training and curricula. Culture & Inclusion: A new CAM weekly antisemitism report says far-left and Islamist-inspired incidents are showing up at similar levels, with Jewish LGBTQ+ groups also facing “weaponized Pride” concerns. Public Health Policy: States are pushing back on Medicaid work requirements, warning budget crunches could mean cuts to health care and education. Justice & Human Rights: A Nebraska hotel sex-trafficking case landed a 10-year federal sentence for an Indian-origin hotel worker, tied to hidden monitoring and exploitation of two trafficked teens. Sustainability: Central Community College earned a STARS Gold rating for sustainability, citing student research, campus clean-energy moves, and pollinator-focused projects. Weather: Showers and thunderstorms are possible overnight, with only a low severe risk expected.

Antisemitism in Nebraska schools: Gov. Jim Pillen signed an executive order requiring K-12 and higher-ed institutions to use the IHRA definition of antisemitism, strengthen prevention and reporting, and submit annual incident reports to the state. Local community support: Lincoln Public Schools raised $411,801 in its Extra Mile Walk to fund Food Bank of Lincoln programs, including weekend BackPack support and School Food Markets. Justice system spotlight: A federal case tied to an Omaha hotel alleges hidden cameras were used to monitor the sexual abuse of two teenage girls; another hotel worker, Kavan Kumar Patel, was sentenced to 10 years. Politics with local fallout: Nebraska Rep. Mike Flood faced heckles at a town hall over Trump-era issues, including the DOJ-backed “anti-weaponization” fund. Culture & youth sports: Creighton landed Omaha wing London Dada, while Texas’ WCWS win featured Arizona transfer Kaiah Altmeyer’s key homer. Everyday life: Nebraska drivers are urged to watch for turtles during nesting season, and gardeners are reminded to use frost cloth, mulch, and indoor moves to protect plants.

Education & Hate-Prevention: Gov. Jim Pillen signed an executive order requiring Nebraska K-12 schools and colleges to track and report antisemitic incidents, using the IHRA definition and adding prevention and training. Local Governance & Community Health: SNAP cuts are already hitting vulnerable households hard, with new data showing millions losing access and more expected to follow as work requirements roll out. Immigration & Human Rights: Migrants detained in ICE facilities across multiple states have launched hunger strikes, citing unsafe conditions and lack of care. Public Safety & Justice: A hotel worker in Omaha, Kavan Kumar Patel, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for minor sex trafficking, with deportation expected after release. Sports & Local Pride: Creighton landed Omaha Westside wing London Dada, who says he’s staying home for the program’s culture. Sustainability in Nebraska: Central Community College earned a STARS gold rating for sustainability work spanning campus, academics, and community projects. Family Fun: Le Mars is gearing up for Ice Cream Days, June 17-20, with new events and a parade.

Local Public Health & Aging: Lincoln wrapped up its Age-Friendly Community Action Plan and renewed its AARP Age-Friendly designation through 2029, aiming to improve communication, mobility, and housing for older adults. Education & Student Support: Nebraska Department of Education moved DHHS Superintendent letters into a new portal, and the state also announced three students selected for the Great American Leadership Program at no cost. Agriculture & Innovation: UNL’s methane-powered production tractors were donated to the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center, highlighting a potential waste-to-energy fuel loop for farms. Community & Family Life: Wisner Lions Club is hosting a Family Fishing Night June 6 in memory of Cole Uhing, with Nebraska Game and Parks providing fishing poles and outdoor education activities. Culture & Learning: A Nebraska Elite 11 Veterinarian Program cohort selected 21 students to help address food-animal vet shortages, while Nebraska Public Media prepares a dedicated Omaha public radio signal launching June 15. Politics & Rights: Native voting rights advocates are pushing back after a Supreme Court decision that they say will worsen barriers for Native communities ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Local Media Launch: Nebraska Public Media is preparing to officially debut a dedicated Omaha public radio signal on June 15 after acquiring 101.9 The Keg, with NPR-style news plus local neighborhood coverage and Omaha music in the evenings. Education & Literacy: The Nebraska Department of Education unveiled a plan to boost reading and writing, training thousands of teachers in the science of reading and adding literacy coaches and family-focused support. Health & Accountability: UNMC’s Pancreatic Cancer Center director filed a federal complaint against the University of Nebraska, alleging racial discrimination and retaliation. Youth & Mental Health: An Auburn student’s short film, “Disconnected,” explores how teens use AI and phones for relationships and coping, aiming to spotlight warning signs. Community Justice: Omaha’s mayoral pardon clinic is helping residents with low-level misdemeanor convictions move forward with job and opportunity access. Sports & Pride: Auburn’s Jackson Warner earned KMAland Nebraska Baseball Player of the Year after a breakout senior season. Culture & Community: Mitchell’s Palace City Brewing is hosting “Switchyard Social,” a new craft beer festival built around the town’s railroad roots. Agriculture & Learning: UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources will hold free Discovery Days this summer, including tractor restoration and a kids’ entrepreneur market.

Local Libraries: In Grant, the Hastings Memorial Library Board and the City traded pointed letters over a proposed library budget shift, with the board saying it has already cut spending and pushed costs to other funding sources while asking residents to show up to meetings for answers. STEM & Education: A University of Nebraska at Omaha study looks at what helps girls re-engage with science fairs and research, offering ideas to boost women’s participation in STEM. Civic Engagement: Stop AAPI Hate is launching Stop AAPI Hate Action, a nonprofit aimed at registering and mobilizing Asian American and Pacific Islander voters ahead of midterms. Public Health: The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to send Ebola-exposed Americans to a new Kenya facility for quarantine and treatment, a plan that marks a sharp break from past approaches. Nebraska Sports: Nebraska softball’s Jordy Frahm is being recognized as a top player while chasing another championship moment at home. Community & Culture: El Paso Opera is bringing free, touring opera to neighborhoods—another reminder that arts don’t have to stay behind ticket counters. Agriculture: Nebraska Extension shares practical guidance on managing stored grain in spring heat, plus drought-related options for CRP grazing.

Ebola Response: The Trump administration plans to send Americans exposed to Ebola while abroad to a new quarantine and treatment facility in Kenya, aiming to avoid long medical evacuations to the U.S. Public Health & Policy: A separate report says the administration is also using Medicaid fraud crackdowns to push state-by-state changes, even as experts note it’s hard to measure how well states catch fraud. Homelessness in Omaha: Omaha leaders are pushing back on criminalizing homelessness, arguing it backfires by adding records and blocking access to housing and dignity. Tech & Safety: Nebraska and southwest Iowa officials are warning that AI-made storm photos can spread fast and mislead the public during severe weather. Education & Culture: Western Nebraska Community College’s vocal music director is leading an Italy singing institute, while UNL grads earned NSF Graduate Research Fellowships. Community Spotlight: The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation recognized 40 “Ag in the Classroom” educators, and Omaha’s College World Series countdown is underway with community events planned. Local Life: Gering officials are weighing fireworks limits or a ban due to dry conditions. Sports & Pride: Nebraska’s presence at national Quiz Bowl and the Husker pipeline of young talent keep showing up in the headlines.