AGP Executive Report

Nuclear Power (Indiana): Indiana is set to get its first small-scale nuclear reactor by September 2028 at Naval Weapons Station Crane, part of a joint Army-Navy effort to modernize military energy and improve resilience against physical and cyberthreats. Public Safety Tech (Valparaiso): Valparaiso expanded its automatic license plate reader policy, adding more categories and clearer rules on authorized use, training, data access/retention, audits, and misuse after local and national scrutiny of camera practices. AI Education (Indianapolis): The Mark Cuban Foundation is sponsoring a free AI bootcamp for high school students in Indianapolis this fall, with meals, transportation, and a capstone project included. STEM & Workforce (Indiana schools): Preble County eighth graders got hands-on career exposure across manufacturing, health care, IT, agriculture, public safety, and more. Community Tech & Privacy (Flock cameras): A missing teen case in Vigo County reportedly used automated license plate readers to track a vehicle and locate the girl safely, while other coverage highlights ongoing backlash and enforcement around camera misuse. Higher Ed (Evansville): Ivy Tech Evansville named Leslie Fella vice chancellor for advancement and community relations, overseeing fundraising, communications, and partnerships.

Nuclear Tech in Indiana: The U.S. says a power-producing nuclear microreactor will be deployed at Naval Weapons Station Crane by September 2028, with emergency planning still to be worked out locally. AI Safety & Abuse Online: A watchdog report alleges Meta ran 300+ ads using child sexual abuse material, including AI-altered images, raising questions about the effectiveness of Meta’s safety systems. Privacy vs. Surveillance in Indiana: Kosciusko County moved to de-fund Flock license plate cameras for 2027, and the prosecutor ordered a decommission plan that halts new searches and limits access to existing cases. Cyber/Tech Governance: An investigative report says Indiana data center details were hidden behind NDAs, leaving residents in the dark about major AI infrastructure plans. Public Health Update: Federal officials declared the nationwide cyclosporiasis outbreak over, ending a record multi-state event tied to contaminated iceberg lettuce. STEM & Community Learning: Jasper High School’s Centerstage theater program earned a national production grant, and a Whitley County conservation field day brought soil, water, and recycling lessons to fifth-graders.

School Board Watch (Marion County): Lawrence, Warren, Wayne, Washington, Decatur, Beech Grove, and Franklin Township races are heating up as candidates focus on fiscal responsibility and staffing while districts navigate Indiana’s property tax reforms and potential budget gaps. AI Skills Pipeline: The Mark Cuban Foundation and Indiana 4-H are bringing a free AI Bootcamp to LaPorte teens (grades 9–12) with hands-on generative AI, meals/transport help, and a capstone. Workplace Safety Tech: Blackline Safety will debut its connected G8 wearable at the NSC Safety Congress & Expo in Indianapolis, adding real-time worker safety features like gas detection and push-to-talk. Renewables & Property Values: Ball State research says nearby utility-scale wind and solar projects show no statistically significant negative impact on Indiana home values, using Indiana home sales data from 2004–2024. Internet Infrastructure: Sparklight claims top performance in Ookla testing across 14 states, reporting faster speeds than 5G Home Internet. Defense Energy (Indiana): The U.S. Navy plans its first advanced nuclear microreactor deployment at Naval Weapons Station Crane in Indiana by 2028.

Nuclear Power & Defense: The Pentagon picked Indiana’s Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane, for the U.S. Navy’s first advanced nuclear microreactor, targeting an operational date no later than Sept. 2028—an effort tied to national security timelines and Indiana’s defense footprint. Data Centers & Local Impact: A proposed DC Blox data center near Irvington Community Elementary is sparking a court fight over noise, construction impacts, and potential contaminants, with residents and school leaders worried about effects on students. Privacy & AI Governance: Indiana tapped its director of digital governance, John Stark, to also serve as chief privacy officer, expanding leadership over AI governance and responsible data use across state agencies. Cybersecurity & Scams: Indiana is seeing more AI-driven scams using voice cloning and targeted scripts, with experts urging people to verify identities through separate channels. STEM in the Spotlight: Auburn lecturer Eric Harshbarger’s math-driven fix—five 60-sided dice for fair first turns—earned international attention. Education & Community Tech: Talbot County school officials heard a pitch for ZeroEyes AI weapons detection that flags camera feeds and routes alerts for human review. Space & Internet: SpaceX reversed Starlink’s 5TB data cap throttling after customer complaints, restoring normal speeds. Weather & Climate: NOAA says 2026’s summer was the hottest on record, with Indiana also hit by extreme heat and heavy rain. Indiana Sports Tech: IndyCar completed its first oval test for the 2028 Dallara IR28 at IMS, with Alex Palou reporting similar feel to the current car.

Nuclear Energy in Indiana: The U.S. Defense Department plans to install a modular nuclear microreactor at Naval Weapons Station Crane, Indiana, by Sept. 2028—aimed at keeping military sites running during grid outages. AI & Education: Wichita State is considering making AI literacy a core part of its general education, alongside writing and information skills. Cyber/Surveillance Policy: Indiana State Police is seeking nearly $30M in federal funding for surveillance tech tied to immigration enforcement, as local debates over data collection continue. STEM Funding for Schools: Indiana Michigan Power is opening applications for Teacher Vision and FIRST Robotics grants to support hands-on classroom projects. Health Research: A lung-disease drug trial (rentosertib) suggests patients may show “biologically younger” signals on aging measures, though researchers stress it’s not proven life extension. Climate Watch: NOAA says the U.S. just had its hottest summer on record, with widespread above-average temperatures. Local Tech & Jobs: Forbes highlights Eli Lilly and Cummins among top tech employers for 2026. Data Centers & Tax Incentives: A U.S. senator proposes a federal move to cancel out state/local tax breaks for data centers. Community Tech & Privacy: Meade County residents pressed their sheriff on Flock license-plate cameras, with privacy concerns driving the discussion. Flood Early Warning: Ohio researchers argue streamgages could help communities get advance notice as central Appalachia faces more frequent flash flooding.

Nuclear Power & Defense: The U.S. Navy plans to deploy its first shore-based advanced nuclear microreactor at Naval Weapons Station Crane in Indiana by September 2028, aiming to keep critical operations running during grid, physical, and cyber disruptions. Tech Jobs & Industry: Forbes named Indiana tech employers Eli Lilly (No. 64) and Cummins (No. 257) to its “America’s Best Employers for Tech Workers 2026” list. Data Centers & Local Accountability: U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz is asking for an independent federal review of Indiana’s LEAP Research and Innovation District and major data center projects, citing concerns over energy/water demands and transparency. Accessibility Tech: Fort Wayne International Airport and the Grand Wayne Convention Center added GoodMaps indoor navigation to help visually impaired visitors find destinations safely. Surveillance Cameras Debate: West Lafayette residents raised concerns about automated license plate reader cameras and neighborhood changes, as Flock camera use faces growing backlash. Climate & Heat: NOAA reports the U.S. just had its hottest summer on record, with August also setting a new heat high. Education Policy & Campus Climate: FIRE ranked IU Bloomington near the bottom for free speech, while Purdue placed much higher. Housing & Affordability: Realtor.com says home sellers are cutting asking prices as the market cools and mortgage rates stay high.

Manufacturing Pulse: Industrial SalesLeads says August 2026 brought four straight months of growth in planned industrial capital projects, with 160 new projects across North America—10 in Indiana—spanning new builds, expansions, and equipment upgrades. Indiana Tech & Research: Indiana University researchers report a hidden weak spot in how bacteria build the whip-like tails they use to move, pointing to new angles for fighting drug-resistant infections. AI Security Funding: Rider University’s computer science team won its first NSF grant ($650,000) to expand undergraduate AI security and privacy training, partnering with IU Bloomington and other R1 schools. Public Safety Tech Debate: Indiana Capital Chronicle reports growing backlash to license plate reader networks and renewed legislative interest in regulating them. Healthcare & Policy: ProPublica analysis finds ectopic pregnancy deaths nearly doubled in recent years, with abortion bans complicating diagnosis and care. Local Tech/Infrastructure: Fort Wayne announced a third round of opioid settlement funding ($520,350) for 14 nonprofits, including veterans-focused support. Energy Storage Supply Chain: Sungrow plans to procure battery cells from Samsung SDI to sustain its U.S. energy storage deliveries. Tech Industry Legal Watch: Huawei’s long-running U.S. case is finally heading to trial in Brooklyn, with jury selection underway.

Rural Health Boost: The Trump administration announced a $120M push to strengthen Indiana rural health through the Rural Health Transformation Program, targeting workforce recruitment, transportation, mental health, and maternal/infant care. Education & Equity: A new Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination update shows Starke County’s third-grade pass rates rising for a fifth straight year, while separate reporting on Indiana University-Indianapolis and Purdue Fort Wayne highlights persistent gaps in six-year bachelor’s completion by race/ethnicity. School Meals Access: A national State of School Lunch report ranks Vermont No. 1 for 2026 meal reach and participation, underscoring how breakfast and lunch access can shape student outcomes. Privacy Leadership: Indiana named John Stark as its new chief privacy officer, bringing the CPO role back under permanent direction within the Indiana Management Performance Hub. Tech & Policy: Indiana State Police is seeking a $30M DOJ immigration grant tied to investigative tech and enforcement partnerships. Renewables & Housing: Ball State research finds no widespread home-value drop near Indiana utility-scale wind or solar projects.

Mobile IDs in Indiana: Indiana lawmakers discussed a rollout that could let residents use digital driver’s licenses via an app or phone wallet within about 18 months, with facial recognition or fingerprint verification—while physical IDs would still be required. Biotech leadership moves: MBX Biosciences named Jeff Held as Chief Legal Officer, and Kura Oncology appointed Jennifer Fulk as Chief Financial Officer, both signaling next-phase scaling for Indiana-linked life-science ecosystems. AI and courts: A report highlights judges cracking down on AI hallucinations in Indiana courts, pushing for more reliable handling of AI-generated claims. Public health/tech: Indiana’s “bell to bell” phone ban took effect, aiming to reduce classroom distraction—while raising concerns about what happens when kids go online off-campus. Education outcomes (Indiana counties): New federal data spotlights six-year bachelor’s completion rates across Indiana counties, with wide gaps by race and county—useful for local STEM and workforce planning. Tech industry recognition: Cleveroad was named a Summer 2026 Clutch Global Award honoree, ranking third worldwide in software development.

AI in Healthcare: OSF HealthCare is rolling out an AI stroke-assessment tool (“Rapid AI”) across its hospitals, including OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington, aiming to improve CT scan interpretation and speed decisions for stroke patients. Public Health & Regulation: The FDA opened a botanical drug docket seeking input on how to accelerate approval of plant-based medicines, while the wild ginseng harvest season in Appalachia continues under federal trade rules. Tech & Local Governance: A Pennsylvania-style debate over data-center transparency is showing up in Indiana too, with Jefferson County officials weighing whether to impose a moratorium after concerns about how much developers can hide behind NDAs. Education Outcomes: Multiple Indiana counties show big gaps in six-year bachelor’s completion rates by race/ethnicity, including St. Joseph County (Hispanic/Latino: 32.5%) and Tippecanoe County (white: 83.5%), highlighting uneven access and support. Immigration & Cities: Indy faith leaders are pressing Mayor Joe Hogsett for more than statements as federal immigration enforcement raises fear among families. Environment & Infrastructure: Cambridge City council approved $245,675 for emergency water restoration after flooding, with more costs expected as equipment rentals and debris disposal continue.

Pharma Manufacturing: Eli Lilly says it will more than double its U.S. manufacturing investment since 2020, topping $50B, with four new sites and thousands of high-skilled jobs—an Indiana-relevant signal for reshoring and supply-chain resilience. Biotech & Health Research: A randomized trial reports serial ketamine infusions can meaningfully reduce depressive symptoms in treatment-resistant bipolar depression, with no treatment-emergent mania or psychosis—another data point for mental-health innovation. Public Health & Climate: A new UN push frames “strategic retreat” as warming accelerates past the Paris 1.5°C goal, while Indiana-area readers also get a reminder that extreme heat is becoming the new normal. STEM & Community Science: The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum’s monarch tagging event highlights hands-on research and citizen science—plus a broader push for science education. Local Tech & Privacy: Ongoing debate around Flock cameras and license-plate readers keeps raising questions about surveillance, misuse, and what rules should govern police tech. Education & Equity: New Indiana graduation-rate reporting shows gaps by race and county, underscoring where support and policy attention still matter. Workforce & Money Stress: Indiana United Ways launches an interactive ALICE budgeting tool to show how asset-limited, income-constrained households make impossible tradeoffs. Energy Infrastructure: Indiana utilities seek public input on power grid upgrades and transmission projects, tying local planning to reliability and future demand.

AI & Energy Crunch: Tech investor James Altucher argues AI’s real bottleneck is electricity, not chips, and claims Elon Musk’s approach points toward moving AI operations into orbit. AI in Indiana Courts: A separate legal thread highlights how judges in Indiana are cracking down on AI hallucinations in court. Public Safety Cameras: Coverage continues to swirl around Flock camera misuse and proposed limits, including Indiana-related scrutiny and calls for tighter rules. Manufacturing & Research: Christian Odueme expands AI-driven engineering research after a smart manufacturing milestone, focusing on safety and reliability in energy systems. Local STEM & Community Tech: Indiana’s libraries and digital access get attention, including concerns about free internet funding and a Milford Public Library rummage sale that will support disaster recovery. Education Outcomes (Indiana): New county-by-county six-year bachelor’s completion figures show wide gaps by race and county, including Tippecanoe (Black students 70%) and Monroe (two or more races 74%). Industry Watch (Indiana): U.S. Steel completes the $350M blast furnace #14 reline at Gary Works, touting safety and long-term competitiveness.

AI & Courts: Indiana judges are cracking down as AI hallucinations show up in court filings, with dozens of cases cited since 2024 and attorneys facing tougher consequences for fabricated citations. Surveillance Tech Backlash: Flock Safety license-plate cameras are under renewed scrutiny after reports of officer misuse in Michigan City, while national political pressure is growing as governors move to restrict spending and deployments. Local Tech & Privacy: Owen County residents are pushing for a data-center moratorium or ban, citing water, power, noise, and property impacts as the county weighs next steps. Energy Infrastructure: Indiana Michigan Power is seeking public input on major transmission upgrades across the state to improve grid reliability, with multiple 765-kV line projects proposed. STEM & Workforce: Christian Odueme is expanding AI-driven engineering research tied to smart manufacturing and energy system reliability after studies at Ivy Tech. Education Access: Indiana libraries warn that proposed federal cuts to the E-Rate program could reduce free internet access, especially after recent storms drove more people to library Wi-Fi. Manufacturing & Chips: The U.S. and Japan are emerging as key production bases for Samsung and SK hynix as AI chip demand surges, with incentives and reliable utilities driving site choices.

AI Surveillance Backlash in Indiana: Former Pentagon AI policy director Mark Beall warns that expanding license-plate camera systems like Flock could enable a “China-like surveillance state” without guardrails and judicial oversight. Local Misuse Cases: In Michigan City, an officer resigned after an internal audit found questionable searches using Flock camera data; the case follows similar scrutiny in nearby Indiana agencies. Courts Crack Down on AI Errors: Indiana judges are increasingly sanctioning attorneys over AI hallucinations in filings, as reported cases tied to fabricated citations and legal claims keep rising. Grid Upgrades, Public Input: Indiana Michigan Power is seeking community feedback on proposed 765-kV transmission line projects across Indiana to improve reliability. Libraries vs. Internet Funding Cuts: Northwest Indiana libraries say federal E-Rate funding could be reduced or ended, threatening free Wi-Fi access that surged during recent storms. Education Completion Gaps: New county-by-county six-year bachelor’s completion figures highlight uneven outcomes by race and campus across Indiana, including IU Bloomington, IU East, IU Indianapolis, and Purdue Northwest. Energy & Tech Policy Watch: A national analysis flags 2026 renewable energy siting bills as often restrictive, with researchers expecting another intense push in 2027 as data centers expand.

Indiana Flood Aftermath: Seven people died in last month’s record August flooding, and survivors say FEMA and other aid has been slow and limited, with Cambridge City and Gary among the hardest hit. Higher Ed Policy: Indiana’s public colleges are holding a two-year in-state tuition freeze, but reporting notes the “sticker price” vs. fees and aid can make the real savings more complicated. STEM in the Great Lakes: A Marshall High teacher joined an EPA Lake Superior research immersion aboard the Lake Guardian, helping sample and analyze water tied to sunlight-driven breakdown of brown organic molecules. Robotics Research: An NSF center will study how assistive robots learn to co-adapt with people over long periods in homes and care settings, with University of Utah researchers playing a central role. Autonomous Vehicles: The Indy Autonomous Challenge brought university teams to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, running autonomous IndyCars in more complex passing scenarios. AI & Mental Health: A Yale psychiatry researcher weighs in on whether AI hallucinations can trigger real delusions, discussing what’s known and what’s still unclear. Public Safety Tech: Indiana’s Flock camera use continues to face scrutiny, including reports of misuse and calls for tighter rules.

Utility Accountability: Citizens Action Coalition alleges NIPSCO faulty gas meters overcharged 4,000+ customers, with some cases possibly involving decades of inaccurate billing, as the utility continues meter module replacements. Grid Reliability & Public Input: Indiana Michigan Power is asking residents to weigh in on three proposed 765-kV transmission projects totaling about 185 miles, with no final routes chosen yet. AI for Small Business: Indianapolis firm NevTech is expanding “done-for-you” AI services for Indiana companies, pitching production-ready AI receptionists, agents, and custom MVPs delivered quickly. Digital Identity/Privacy: WBOI adds “Click Here,” a tech-focused narrative show hosted by Dina Temple-Raston, aiming to explain surveillance and disinformation without fear. Education Tech Funding: Schools in northeast Indiana are watching the FCC’s E-Rate review, which could reshape how districts budget for internet and technology. Workforce Crunch: New labor data shows a record 106 million working-age Americans sidelined from the labor force, driven by factors like childcare and immigration uncertainty. Local Tech Governance: Concerns over Flock license-plate camera data sharing keep growing, with scrutiny on how police access and safeguards work. STEM & Careers: Heartland BioWorks tackles Indiana’s biotech labor shortage, while Rose-Hulman highlights summer internships focused on real-world community projects.