AGP Executive Report

Workforce Training: Indiana is opting into the new federal Workforce Pell Grants, letting students use aid for shorter, job-focused certificate and credential programs at Ivy Tech and Vincennes University first—targeting advanced manufacturing, health/life sciences, IT/business services, and transportation/logistics. Agriculture Tech: Purdue researchers say they’ve identified a soybean trait that could boost yields and strengthen nitrogen fixation, potentially cutting fertilizer needs. Climate & Health: A study tied to Indiana University estimates Europe’s late-June heatwave may have killed about 20,390 people, underscoring the need for faster adaptation. Higher Ed Governance: More than 200 IU College of Arts and Sciences faculty signed an open letter criticizing IU’s removal of Executive Dean Rick Van Kooten. STEM Infrastructure: Purdue’s Ag Alumni Seed Phenotyping Facility uses advanced imaging to scan hundreds of plants quickly, aiming to breed crops that better handle drought and disease. Local Tech/Industry: Northeast Indiana’s regional economic development group earned IEDC accreditation and is being credited for a more data-driven marketing model.

AI & Workforce Readiness: A new Indiana-focused push argues the state can become “AI-ready,” but warns it’s already made missteps that could slow adoption and job growth. Local Tech & Community: Pike County residents continue organizing against data centers, sharing how they vet claims and push for a say in what comes to their area. Health Tech & Research: Telix says the FDA is aligned to move ProstACT Global Phase 3 into the U.S., advancing a prostate cancer trial with a clearer safety and study plan. Pharma Policy: CMS launches a Medicare GLP-1 “bridge” for Part D beneficiaries at a $50 monthly copay through 2027, while the FDA also advances a new T-cell therapy for chronic GVHD. Higher Ed Leadership: Purdue brings back Mitch Daniels as interim president after Mung Chiang’s abrupt exit, aiming to keep research momentum moving. Food Retail Business: Kroger’s $1.65B deal to buy Giant Eagle would keep the Giant Eagle name and expands Kroger’s Midwest and Mid-Atlantic footprint, including Indiana stores.

Reproductive Health Research: Indiana-linked study coverage highlights a small clinical trial suggesting regular vibrator use can improve sexual function, reduce pain, and ease depression symptoms—plus a broader IU survey finding many American women already own them. Maternal Care Workforce: Healthier Moms and Babies in Fort Wayne completed training and certification for 10 community-based doulas in Allen County, aiming to reduce barriers and deliver culturally responsive support from pregnancy through postpartum. Indiana Business & Retail Tech: Kroger’s $1.65B deal to buy Giant Eagle would expand its Midwest and Mid-Atlantic footprint, with integration expected to start after a 2027 close and potential store divestitures. Healthcare Access Gap: A nationwide study finds nearly half of kidney transplant referrals never even start evaluation, with only about 19% reaching the waitlist—raising urgent questions for Indiana’s transplant pipeline. AI Workforce Transition: Former Gov. Eric Holcomb co-chairs RAISE US, a $500M+ effort to help workers retrain for an AI economy, with Indiana ties via partners like Eli Lilly. Local Infrastructure Reliability: Portage Mayor Austin Bonta pushed NIPSCO toward a public meeting after storm-related outages, seeking transparency on upgrades and reliability plans. STEM/Engineering in Indiana: Aloft AeroArchitects opened an Indianapolis engineering hub and plans a ~30% workforce expansion to handle more aerospace modification work. Agriculture Innovation: Northern Indiana Organic Field Day (Aug. 5) brings Purdue Extension and researchers to share practical organic crop and livestock methods.

Drug Supply Chain & Biotech Manufacturing: The FDA picked seven companies for its PreCheck Pilot Program, aiming for earlier regulatory engagement for new U.S. manufacturing sites; Eli Lilly’s Lebanon, Indiana facility is among the selected. Health Coverage Pressure in Indiana: KFF reports nearly 60,000 fewer Hoosiers signed up for ACA coverage after enhanced tax credits expired, and more coverage losses could push emergency department use higher. Indiana Trans Athlete Policy: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld transgender athlete bans, clearing the way for Indiana’s 2022 and 2025 laws to remain in place. Agriculture Tech & Plant Disease: Purdue researchers confirm tar spot in Tippecanoe County and stress early scouting, including drones and AI-assisted crop monitoring. Local Medical Access: Spring View Hospital added board-certified OB-GYN Dr. Eric Griffin, expanding minimally invasive and robotic women’s health services. Workforce & Industry: ThyssenKrupp Presta North America will close its Terre Haute plant, cutting 207 jobs. Research Ethics Oversight: AAHRPP granted full accreditation to five more research entities, including Merck’s research operations and MedStar Health Research Institute. Public Safety: Three men were arrested in an Evansville armed robbery investigation using FLOCK license plate reader technology. STEM/Community Learning: Genesis ran multiple STREAM career exploration camps, from building trades to diesel and veterinary science. Science in the News (Indiana angle): Indiana’s data-center debate continues amid broader public backlash and policy scrutiny.

Indiana Infrastructure & Tech-Adjacent Growth: Indiana’s Community Crossings Matching Grant Program is pushing road and bridge upgrades with new awards totaling millions across Senate Districts 7 and 44, including funding for Lawrence County, Seymour, Brownsburg, Zionsville, and more. Data Centers & Power Pressure: A national look at the AI boom highlights growing state and local pushback, with at least 14 states weighing bans or moratoriums on new data centers amid electricity and water concerns—Indiana is cited among places with existing restrictions. AI Education: The NSF-backed Presidential AI Challenge crowned a national champion built on hands-on, mentored AI learning, underscoring how K-12 programs are turning AI into classroom projects. Life Sciences & Jobs: Indiana’s life sciences momentum gets a boost as Boston Scientific plans a $138M medical device distribution facility in Hendricks County, targeting up to 300 high-wage jobs. Public Lands & Governance: Three Indiana Natural Resources Commission members resigned, citing limits on resident input and friction with the Braun administration. Local STEM & Community Funding: The Lilly Foundation opens a Marion County grant cycle focused on K-12 STEM education and economic mobility, with pre-applications due July 3. Water-Agency Process: Indiana DNR Division of Water streamlines public inquiries by routing questions to a single dedicated email for faster handling. Science in the Community: A Valparaiso seminar on “Living With Lakes” spotlights ecosystem science, including insect declines and why they matter for food and pollination.

Energy Policy & Costs: A new column argues Indiana-area utility bills can reflect payments for electricity that never gets generated, pointing to how day-ahead and capacity market rules let generators get paid even when they don’t run. Public Health Tech: A growing debate asks whether continuous glucose monitors should be used earlier in type 2 diabetes, not just for insulin users, citing recent reviews showing modest improvements. Healthcare Standards: An international expert consensus updates how heart failure is defined and classified, aiming to improve early detection and care worldwide. Indiana STEM & Engineering: WKU’s concrete canoe team won first place at the ASCE Civil Engineering Student Championships, building and racing an in-house design. Indiana & AI Workforce: Former Gov. Eric Holcomb is tied to a new $500M coalition (RAISE US) pushing states and employers to prepare workers for the AI economy. Local Tech Controversy: Indiana lawmakers and residents are weighing data center impacts, with calls for moratoriums and stronger environmental/infrastructure requirements. Campus Sports Policy: A bipartisan college sports compensation bill cleared a Senate committee, but faces conference opposition. Safety & Tech at Airports: TSA says live smoke grenades were found hidden in a peanut butter jar at Indianapolis International Airport.

Data Center Backlash: Residents urged Jefferson County commissioners to pause new data center approvals, citing worries about water, electricity, possible eminent domain for power lines, and the need for environmental/infrastructure requirements plus decommissioning bonds. AI & Education: An Indiana University digital literacy expert says students need more than fact-checking—practice evaluating claims against peers and AI chatbots to build independent thinking. Healthcare Manufacturing: The FDA selected Eli Lilly and Regeneron for a pilot that speeds review of new U.S. drug manufacturing sites while facilities are still under construction; Lilly’s Indiana facility is included. MedTech & Clinical Tech: TRIMEDX announced a partnership with OSF HealthCare to improve clinical asset reliability, visibility, and medical device cybersecurity using analytics and AI. Local Governance & Policy: Indiana lawmakers highlighted new laws taking effect July 1, including immigration enforcement, social media protections for adolescents, and expanded childcare. Community Science: A Southern Illinois University robotics team will compete in an Indianapolis agricultural robotics event using 3D-printed corn stalks to test navigation and identification skills. Indiana Tech Watch note: Also watch the ongoing legal fight over proxy adviser disclosure rules, with a federal judge blocking Indiana’s new requirements.

Affordable Housing Safety Debate: States are loosening building code rules to cut costs, including allowing some low-rise apartments to use just one stairway—critics warn this could raise risk when worst-case events hit. Emergency Tech in Indiana: INDIGITAL’s MEVO platform earned recognition for keeping 911 call handling running during major hurricanes, including Starlink-backed backup options when local systems fail. Neonatal Brain Monitoring: Cork startup NeuroBell raised about $5.5M (€4.8M) to push its AI-assisted, pocket EEG monitor for seizure detection in NICUs into the U.S. AI Workforce Push: A new bipartisan effort, RAISE US, aims to coordinate national training for AI-era jobs, backed by major employers. Indiana Tech & Policy Commentary: Ball State’s Michael Hicks argues Indiana’s AI push may “doom” itself by focusing on adoption help instead of deeper infrastructure and long-term investment. Indiana STEM in the Spotlight: IU and Upland Brewing teamed up for an “America 250” beer using wild yeast from a 250-year-old campus tree. Public Health Reminder: A neurologist urges Americans to recognize warning signs of ruptured brain aneurysms, noting millions may have unruptured aneurysms.

Indiana Tech Watch: Clean-water science meets misinformation: A national push is urging the EPA to review mifepristone as a water contaminant, but scientists say there’s no solid proof of environmental harm—raising concerns about a disinformation campaign that blends reproductive-rights fights with legitimate water-quality worries. AI + rural infrastructure backlash: A new study co-authored by Purdue researchers finds rural Americans fear AI-driven data centers will drive up electricity costs, strain water supplies, and eat into prime farmland—fueling a widening tech-versus-community rift. Public safety and tech policy in Indiana: The Indiana Gaming Commission tabled an NCAA request to ban player-specific prop bets on college athletes, keeping the debate alive for its September meeting. Local tech-adjacent updates: Elanco (Indianapolis) says it’s mobilizing resources as New World screwworm reaches the U.S., and Daikin issued a nationwide recall of Amana air conditioners/heat pumps due to a ground-fault fire/burn hazard. STEM-in-the-community: IU molecular biologists and Upland Brewing released “Declaration of Fermentation,” using wild yeast from a 250-year-old campus tree to connect lab research with public science.

Indiana Energy & Water Resilience: Deerfield approved a $137,840 bid to install a 100-kilowatt natural gas generator for Well House 3, including an automatic transfer switch and SCADA upgrades, aiming to keep the water system running during outages. Flood Risk & Public Safety: Kentucky flooding killed four people as heavy rain triggered flash flood warnings that also reached Indiana; officials urged residents to avoid dangerous areas. AI Infrastructure Backlash: A Purdue-led study finds rural communities are worried about AI data centers’ hidden costs—higher electricity bills, water strain, and loss of prime farmland—fueling a widening divide with tech builders. Sports Betting Policy (Indiana): The Indiana Gaming Commission tabled an NCAA push to ban player-specific college prop bets, with the issue set to return in September. STEM Education in Indiana: Indiana University Northwest hosted a forensic investigation summer camp for high schoolers, including hands-on work on fingerprinting and cold case analysis with visits from local police and the state crime lab.

STEM Education: Indiana University Northwest hosted a four-day Forensic Investigation Summer Camp for high schoolers, with hands-on work like fingerprinting, cold-case analysis, and visits from Gary Police and the Indiana State Police Crime Lab. Robotics & Global STEM: A Kerala robotics expert became the first Indian selected as a judge for the FIRST Tech Challenge Michiana Premier Event in South Bend, evaluating student innovations in robotics, AI, engineering design, and software. Tech & Industry in Indiana: Indiana’s cybersecurity pathway gets a boost as the state partners on a statewide effort to build skills for the AI and security workforce. Higher Ed Governance: Indiana lawmakers are increasingly pushing into public university affairs, echoing broader national fights over who controls curriculum and academic decision-making. Policy & Wildlife: Indiana DNR proposes raising the bobcat trapping quota from 250 to 400, while animal advocates and two commission members resign over transparency and data concerns. Local Ethics: Indianapolis Democrats call for a modest ethics change after an investigation into the mayor’s campaign and potential conflicts of interest.

AI & Local News Rights: A lawsuit filed in federal court targets OpenAI and Microsoft, with publishers arguing AI systems used copyrighted local reporting without permission and harmed subscription and licensing revenue. Rural Connectivity: Tractor Supply and Starlink are teaming with 4-H to expand broadband access in rural areas, aiming to narrow the digital divide. Indiana Agriculture Tech: Indiana FFA members are using a Goodyear tire tread made with soybean oil, part of a broader push for bio-based materials in farm and school programs. STEM in the Classroom: A new Indiana internal medicine residency allocation sparked controversy after seven of eight slots went to non-Americans, raising questions about hiring and visas. Wildlife Management: Indiana DNR proposes raising the bobcat trapping quota from 250 to 400, while animal advocates and two commission members resign over data and transparency concerns. Health Research: A new national analysis highlights the human and economic burden of idiopathic hypersomnia, including links to accidents and mental health strain.

AI Workforce Push: Former Gov. Eric Holcomb and Commerce ex-leader Gina Raimondo back RAISE US, a $500M initiative to retrain workers for an AI-driven economy, starting with pilots in Arkansas, Connecticut, Maryland and Utah. Health Tech & AI in Care: An IU psychiatry discussion highlights what’s ready—and what’s not—for AI in mental health practice. Local STEM/Ag Education: Ouabache Land Conservancy hosts a free July 1 tallgrass prairie walk led by Purdue Extension and an Illinois entomologist. Bio-Based Materials in Action: Indiana FFA’s state convention featured an E85-fueled car and soybean-oil tire tread, with Goodyear and the Indiana Soybean Alliance promoting bio-based replacements. Indiana Policy Watch: An Indianapolis lawmaker urges Marion County’s prosecutor to investigate the Hogsett administration after IndyStar/Mirror Indy reporting. Tech & Logistics: GNC in Whitestown uses drones and onboard AI from Corvus Robotics to cut warehouse backorders by tracking inventory more frequently. Robotics Recognition: A Kerala robotics expert becomes the first Indian judge at the FIRST Tech Challenge FTC Michiana Premier Event in South Bend.

AI Workforce Lab: Former Gov. Eric Holcomb and Gina Raimondo are co-chairing RAISE US, a $500M+ push to retrain workers for an AI-driven economy, with pilots and partnerships spanning states, employers, and universities. Energy Crunch for AI: A new report-style look at the AI boom’s biggest bottleneck points to power delivery and grid upgrades, arguing data centers are hitting physical infrastructure limits. Indiana EV/Manufacturing: Slate unveiled its $24,950 “blank slate” electric truck (and SUV options) with deliveries planned from its Warsaw, Indiana, manufacturing base in late 2026. Purdue Tech in the Real World: Purdue students in Indianapolis built a World Cup-themed pinball machine with partners in Germany, blending embedded computing with mechanical design. Local STEM & Education: Indiana Connections Academy graduated more than 1,000 students statewide, highlighting online learning supports and in-person community activities. Indiana Climate & Weather: Q&A with Illinois state climatologist Trent Ford links 2026’s tornado surge to broader patterns—and why forecasting and preparedness matter. Indiana Outdoors: A new guidebook, “Hike Indiana State Parks,” aims to map nearly 200 hiking trails across the state’s parks. Workforce Hiring Risks: An Indiana workforce equity CEO warns AI hiring tools can scale bias and miss qualified candidates when employers rely on the same flawed systems. Industry Watch: Michelin plans to shift most BFGoodrich output to its Fort Wayne site as it closes the Tuscaloosa plant by 2028, signaling wider pressure in the tire market.

AI Workforce Push: Former Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb and Gina Raimondo launched RAISE US, a new nonprofit backed by major tech firms (including OpenAI Foundation, Anthropic, Amazon, and Microsoft) to help states retrain workers for AI-driven job disruption, with $500M+ already committed toward a $1B goal. Local Tech & Privacy: Bloomington residents raised concerns about Flock license plate reader cameras after a public records request surfaced thousands of emails, fueling debate over data handling and vendor oversight. Energy Storage in Indiana: Valgotech opened a new Noblesville battery production facility to scale domestic lithium-sulfur manufacturing for drones, aerospace, and defense uses. Education Policy: Southwestern Jefferson County schools adopted a plan for Indiana’s July 1 cell phone ban, allowing phones on campus but requiring them to be turned off and locked away during the school day. Public Health & Policy: Indiana’s animal health board issued an advisory on New World screwworm after detections in New Mexico and Texas, triggering movement restrictions to protect livestock. Cost of Living Watch: May CPI showed the Midwest running hotter than the national average, with gasoline and housing-related costs driving pressure.

Local Tech & Ethics: Mirror Indy/IndyStar built a searchable database of Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett’s campaign donors, finding his money since 2014 is driven largely by law firms and engineering companies that often do business with the city—while the old city portal made donor discovery hard. Public Health: A new report warns Lyme disease risk is spreading into Indiana and nearby states as deer ticks move; CDC-linked data show tick-bite emergency visits up sharply year over year. AI & Industry: The U.S. is backing “physics-based” AI supply-chain work with a $500M CHIPS award aimed at rare-earth and other critical materials needed for chipmaking. Education & STEM Pipeline: Indiana University Fort Wayne’s Kids College is giving middle schoolers hands-on healthcare experiences, including dental technology. Rural Infrastructure: A rural broadband op-ed argues reliable internet is now the key medical infrastructure for telehealth in southern Indiana. Local Governance & Data Centers: Pike County residents continue pushing back on new data center development, with a Q&A capturing concerns about vulnerability and impacts.