AGP Executive Report

Public Health Update: Omaha officials and federal partners are briefing this morning on the hantavirus quarantine tied to a cruise ship—two passengers have been ordered to stay at UNMC’s National Quarantine Unit, while 16 others were requested to remain through month’s end. Local Sports & Weather: Memorial Day weekend is already getting hit by storms, with rain and lightning delays possible for outdoor events and Nebraska softball/super regional games affected by weather. College Sports Power Play: At the SEC-Big Ten standoff over College Football Playoff expansion, the SEC is pushing for 24 teams while Big Ten leadership says it won’t budge from 16—plus NIL enforcement rules are being emphasized as leagues debate what comes next. Community & Culture: Farmer’s Alley Theatre is bringing an immersive “Into the Woods” to life, and Nebraska’s UNL just set a record with 3,885 degrees awarded in May. Education & Growth: Nebraska’s Crops Judging Team finished fifth nationally, and the state track championships roll on today for classes C and D.

Defense/Europe: Trump says the U.S. will send an additional 5,000 troops to Poland, adding fresh confusion after weeks of talk about drawing down in Europe. Nebraska Journalism: UNL’s “Nebraska Behind Bars” won a Kennedy journalism award, spotlighting problems inside the state prison system. Weather/Storm Damage: NWS confirmed multiple tornadoes from the weekend storms across the region, with reports of EF-1 activity in Nebraska and Iowa. Hantavirus Watch: University experts say hantavirus isn’t a repeat of COVID-19, as Nebraska’s medical center continues handling quarantined cruise passengers. Sports—Huskers Softball: OSU vs. Nebraska Super Regional Game 1 was suspended by weather and lightning, with the restart pushed to late Friday. Recruiting/Local Sports: Treynor’s Lilley Casson signed to play soccer at Central Community College. Pro Football: Heinrich Haarberg signed with the Carolina Panthers.

Public Safety Update: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office held a fresh briefing on the May 8 South Omaha shooting, saying deputies confronted wanted suspect Jaquan Marion near 19th and Washington; Sgt. Robert Stern was shot in the leg, Marion was killed, and all involved deputies remain on administrative leave while the case heads to grand jury review. Health & Preparedness: A new look at Nebraska Medicine’s role in the hantavirus response shows how the state’s national quarantine unit is built for outbreaks—while broader U.S. travel restrictions tied to Ebola and hantavirus raise concerns about rights and future volunteer help. Sports Spotlight: Nebraska’s Super Regional buzz is building around the OSU-Nebraska matchup, with Ruby Meylan returning home to face Jordy Frahm. Local Impact: Nebraska Wildlife Rehab says severe weather has driven intake to record levels, with storms spiking the number of animals needing care. Business Watch: Union Pacific filed a complaint with the Surface Transportation Board over BNSF rate and service changes that UP says are hitting Nebraska grain routes hard.

Digital Economy Deal: UBX Tanzania is extending its nearly two-decade partnership with ACI Worldwide to boost payments capacity across Tanzania—supporting 18 banks, 250+ ATMs, and 1.3M+ transactions monthly. Nebraska Sports Spotlight: Nebraska’s softball Super Regional is a homegrown pitching showcase, with UNO-area coach Darren Dubsky behind Jordy Frahm, Ruby Meylan, and Alexis Jensen—three elite arms, one weekend, and only two can advance. Local Organizing: Omaha Tenants United formed a new union at Dewey Apartments after residents raised concerns about bugs and stains, sending 13 demands to the owner. Memorial Day in Lincoln: The city is hosting multiple ceremonies Monday, including wreath casting and flag folding events. Health Watch (National): The White House reportedly resisted sending an Ebola-exposed U.S. doctor back to the U.S., delaying evacuation and care.

Nebraska storms and tornado damage: The National Weather Service confirmed six tornadoes in eastern Nebraska over Sunday and Monday, including EF1 twisters near Winnebago, Ashland, and Plattsmouth, plus EF1/EF0 damage near Elk Creek, Auburn, and Julian—no injuries reported. State policy with a West Virginia echo: Nebraska passed a “Raylee’s Law”-inspired bill that pauses a parent’s request to homeschool for 14 days if they’re under investigation for child abuse or neglect. College sports recruiting momentum: Nebraska landed a major commitment that pushed its class into the Top 15, while former Husker Heinrich Haarberg signed with the Carolina Panthers. Big Ten pressure points: Iowa State AD Jamie Pollard is urging the Big 12 to break away from the SEC/Big Ten, pointing to ongoing governance fights. Public safety and scams: A woman lost nearly $10K in a jury-duty crypto scam after a fake sheriff’s caller pressured her to pay via a Bitcoin ATM. Health watch: The hantavirus cruise outbreak continues to roil federal quarantine rules, with some passengers saying they were blindsided by orders to stay in Nebraska.

College Sports Power Play: Big Ten leaders are openly weighing self-governance as the College Sports Commission stalls and Congress action drags on, with Ohio State AD Ross Bjork saying, “We cannot govern nationally right now,” and conference officials discussing a backup plan to police revenue-sharing in-house. NCAA Push: The NCAA moved women’s flag football closer to a real championship, recommending it as an NCAA sport with a possible first title as soon as spring 2028. Nebraska Spotlight (Sports): Nebraska baseball stars Dylan Carey and Drew Grego swept Big Ten honors—Carey Defensive Player of the Year and Grego Freshman of the Year—while Nebraska also set an Oct. 9 home exhibition vs. Saint Louis. Public Health: CDC ordered two cruise passengers into mandatory quarantine in Omaha after a hantavirus outbreak, with others under monitoring through May 31. Weather: Severe storms and tornadoes have been hammering the Plains, with NWS ratings listing multiple EF-1 tornadoes in eastern Nebraska. Local Life: Nikko Jenkins’ latest court motions were denied in Douglas County, and Miss Nebraska is urging rural students to stop comparing themselves on social media.

NPSC Approves Major Utility Merger: Nebraska just signed off on the Black Hills–NorthWestern Energy merger, with the Public Service Commission saying it won’t change customer service or rates and adding a base-rate increase moratorium through 2027–2028 (pending approvals in Montana, South Dakota, and federal review). Storm Recovery in Auburn: Cleanup is underway after Monday’s severe weather hit southeast Nebraska hard, including tornado damage that led Auburn Public Schools to cancel classes Tuesday. Weather Watch: More tornado warnings and damage reports rolled through the region over the weekend, with communities still assessing outages and structural damage. College Sports Power Shift: The Big Ten is pushing ahead at spring meetings—talking playoff expansion and eligibility changes—while the College Sports Commission scored a major NIL enforcement win tied to Nebraska football players. Nebraska Sports & Community Wins: Nebraska high school rodeo results rolled in from Thedford and Stapleton, and Nebraska’s tourism commission approved grants that could support a major volleyball event eyeing Omaha.

Severe Weather Aftermath: Tornadoes and flash flooding ripped through southeast Nebraska on Sunday, with Gov. Jim Pillen touring Howard County damage after an EF-3 tornado (up to 160 mph) leveled homes near St. Libory; Auburn Public Schools canceled Tuesday classes as power outages hit the Omaha area and tornado warnings swept through multiple counties. Local Impact: Storm damage also prompted cleanup efforts across communities, with residents sharing photos and officials urging people to stay alert as another round of threats loomed. Travel & Business: Allegiant announced eight new nonstop routes starting fall 2026, including expanded Florida service, with limited-time fares from $59. Sports (Nebraska ties): Nebraska’s Lincoln Regional baseball picture continues to form as the NCAA field nears, while Fort Hays State’s Tiger Media Network won national TV production honors for a live sports broadcast. Higher Ed: The University of Florida named Stuart Bell as the sole finalist for its next president.

Heartland Storms: About 50 million people braced for another round of tornado threats Monday after Sunday’s severe weather tore through Nebraska and neighboring states, including a confirmed twister near St. Libory (north of Grand Island) and damage reports in Saunders County. Local Damage & Recovery: Howard County officials said four homes took major hits near 7th and Denton, with Gov. Jim Pillen and state leaders touring the damage; the sheriff’s office set up a donation drop at the courthouse. Power & Safety: Omaha Public Power District reported thousands without power after storms, while NDOT logged 11 traffic deaths in April. Legal Fight in Nebraska: NetChoice sued to block Nebraska’s social media age-verification and parental-consent rules for minors, arguing First Amendment violations. Sports Spotlight: Nebraska softball advanced in the NCAA bracket, and college baseball rankings kept UCLA on top as conference tournaments begin.

Severe Weather Aftermath: Sunday’s storms left real damage across Nebraska and Iowa, including a tree splitting and falling onto two homes in Council Bluffs, plus thousands still dealing with outages—Omaha Public Power District reported 109 outages and 7,700+ customers without power by 9:30 p.m. Next Round Looms: The threat doesn’t end—Monday afternoon and evening are flagged again, with tornado potential especially south of Omaha and far southeast Nebraska. Sports—Huskers Keep Rolling: Nebraska softball is headed back to the NCAA Super Regionals after a 1-0, one-hit shutout over Grand Canyon; the Huskers will host Oklahoma State next weekend. Sports—Cowgirls Advance Too: Oklahoma State punched its ticket with an 11-5 win over Stanford, powered by a two-run homer and a grand slam, setting up a Lincoln Super Regional matchup with Nebraska. Weather Disrupts State Events: NSAA moved Nebraska state soccer and baseball championships to new dates/times due to severe weather.

Nebraska Softball: The Huskers keep rolling at the Lincoln Regional—Jordy Frahm fired a one-hit shutout as Nebraska beat Grand Canyon 2-0, setting up Sunday’s regional final at 2 p.m. NCAA Tournament Run: Nebraska’s offense finally broke through in the fifth inning with a Hannah Coor RBI triple and an extra run on a GCU error, while Frahm added 16 strikeouts and a hit to match the moment. Weather Watch: Severe storms remain a live concern for the Omaha area after 6 p.m. Sunday, with another round possible Monday afternoon. Politics & Courts: A lawsuit could push Pennsylvania toward an independent-style primary system, following Nebraska’s move to let more voters participate. Local Wins: Regional West volunteers awarded $33,500 in healthcare scholarships, and North Platte’s Music on the Bricks drew hundreds for Rascal Martinez.

Nebraska Softball Marches On: No. 1 Nebraska shut down Grand Canyon 2-0 at Bowlin Stadium, with Jordy Frahm firing a one-hit shutout (16 strikeouts) and the Huskers scoring in the fifth on a Hannah Coor RBI triple plus an error. Nebraska Baseball Momentum: The Huskers finished their regular season by sweeping Minnesota, clinching the No. 2 seed with a 12-7 win in the finale after a 14-11 loss earlier in the series. Storm Watch: Weekend weather brought multiple rounds of severe storm chances, including a destructive warning tied to abnormally large hail near Plymouth and moving north. Hantavirus Update: Canada reported a presumptive positive hantavirus case tied to the MV Hondius cruise, while France said the Andes virus sequenced from a French passenger matches known strains with no signs it’s more transmissible. Politics Nationally: Louisiana Republicans ousted Sen. Bill Cassidy after he voted to convict Trump in 2021, a reminder that impeachment votes still carry consequences.

Hantavirus Watch in Nebraska: WHO says the Andes hantavirus hasn’t mutated to become more contagious, while the CDC says 41 people are being monitored in the U.S.—including two more former MV Hondius passengers moved into Nebraska’s National Quarantine Unit. Local Nonprofit Update: Foster Care Closet of Nebraska ran Mobile Closet events May 1–2 in Sidney and Scottsbluff/Gering, outfitting 61 foster youth with free seasonal clothes. Big Ten Track in Lincoln: Oregon’s men and women are chasing a rare “triple crown” at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships, with day-one titles already piling up. Nebraska Sports—Baseball & Softball: Nebraska baseball rallied for its 40th win with a six-run ninth over Minnesota, while top-ranked Husker softball survived South Dakota 4-1 in the NCAA tournament. Statewide Weather: Omaha-area residents are bracing for multiple rounds of severe storms this weekend. Charity Buzz: An anonymous bidder paid $9,000,100 for lunch with Stephen Curry and Warren Buffett in Omaha.

Hantavirus watch hits Nebraska hard: Two more former MV Hondius passengers were moved into UNMC’s National Quarantine Unit in Omaha, bringing the total being assessed and monitored there to 18, while the CDC says no cases have been reported in the U.S. and public risk remains low. Public health politics collide with expertise: A federal outbreak briefing in Nebraska put Dr. Brian Christine—known for penile implants and the “Erection Connection” show—at the center of backlash over whether the response team has the right infectious-disease experience. Nebraska softball keeps rolling: No. 1 Huskers survived South Dakota 4-1 in the Lincoln Regional, with Jordy Frahm’s big hits and Kacie Hoffmann driving in runs to set up a Saturday matchup vs Grand Canyon. Local human-interest bright spot: Husker volleyball star Jordan Larson surprised an Elkhorn girl who lost her signed ball in a house fire. Weather: Severe storm risk remains in the region, with power outages reported in western Iowa.

Nebraska Politics: State Sen. John Cavanaugh has officially conceded the Democratic nomination in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District to Denise Powell, after Douglas County’s latest mail-ballot totals tightened the final margin; Powell’s win is now locked in as the AP had already called it earlier this week. Public Health: The hantavirus scare keeps rolling nationally, but the CDC says no one in the U.S. has tested positive so far among the 41 people being monitored, including Omaha-area patients. Severe Weather: Omaha and eastern Nebraska are bracing for another round of storms Friday night into the weekend, with hail and strong winds the main threats. Sports: Nebraska softball’s NCAA Regional is set to begin amid the weather watch, while UCLA’s Megan Grant just broke the NCAA single-season home run record with No. 38 in the Big Ten tournament. Community & Campus: UNK and UNMC are spotlighting rural health education with a new complex, and Nebraska-area schools are lining up volunteer help for kids’ fishing days.

Hantavirus Watch: The CDC says 41 people across the U.S. are being monitored for possible hantavirus exposure, with no confirmed U.S. cases—yet Nebraska remains in the spotlight because 16 of the monitored cruise passengers are at UNMC’s National Quarantine Unit in Omaha. Broadband Milestone: Nebraska marked a first-in-the-nation win under the federal BEAD program: a household near Ogallala is now online through Vistabeam, with speeds reported above 800 Mbps down. E15 Push: The House passed year-round E15 legislation, backed by Nebraska’s delegation, sending the bill to the Senate and calling it a milestone for corn and ethanol markets. Sports: Nebraska softball is set to host its first NCAA regional in more than a decade, while Auburn’s series-opener vs Georgia turned into a low-scoring pitching duel. Community & Local: Omaha’s Cinco de Mayo festivities kick off this weekend, celebrating 106 years of South Omaha fiestas.