AGP Executive Report

Flood Disaster: Indiana is still reeling from historic flooding, with at least six deaths reported and more severe weather expected; Indianapolis DPW says flood-control infrastructure is being monitored as water recedes, while south-side water levels rise and shelters/updates are being set up. School Disruptions: Northwest Indiana districts are delaying or closing due to storm damage and power issues, including generator-dependent buildings and uncertain reopening dates. Tech & Policy: U.S. Sen. Jim Banks is pushing for stricter AI oversight and chip controls tied to national security, framing unreleased AI models as a risk. Federal Funding Watch: Indiana saw federal receipts drop by $733M year over year, with Medicaid up but competitive grants down sharply, including major shifts in broadband funding. Local Science/History: Grants totaling $205,000 will restore 15 Indiana African American historic sites, supporting preservation work tied to Eli Lilly chemist Stan Cox’s funds. Community Tech Privacy: A new license-plate-linked surveillance system called SignalTrace is raising fresh privacy concerns as Flock-style monitoring expands.

Indiana Flood Crisis: At least five people have died as severe flooding hit Indiana, with officials warning residents about dangerous water levels and urging evacuations along the White River and other affected areas. Public Safety Tech: Indianapolis police are investigating an officer accused of improper use of automated license plate readers, raising fresh concerns about how surveillance tools like Flock are handled. Privacy & Surveillance Tech: A new report spotlights “SignalTrace,” a system that can identify vehicle device types and link them to people—an escalation from basic plate reading that could widen privacy risks. AI Policy & Research: Indiana Sen. Jim Banks pushes for open-weight AI incentives to counter China, while another story warns that U.S. moves to restrict research with China could harm American science. Tech Industry & Supply Chains: Apple faces pressure to avoid Chinese memory chips as AI-driven demand strains supplies, and GM made major battery-plant moves involving Samsung SDI. Education & STEM: Indiana’s IREAD results show continued reading gains for third graders, while IU Health is preparing to open a new Fort Wayne hospital with an emphasis on evidence-based practice and research skills.

U.S.-China Research Clash: A proposed White House rule would sharply restrict federally funded research collaborations with China, shifting grant power away from peer review and expanding the reach of older NASA-China limits. Indiana Education Wins: State lawmakers say Indiana’s IREAD reading scores rose for a fifth straight year, with more than 88% of third graders passing and literacy gains across student groups. AI Arms Race: Sen. Jim Banks urges incentives for U.S. firms to build open-weight AI to counter Chinese advances, warning open models can be misused. Chip Supply Pressure: Apple faces U.S. pressure over Chinese memory chips as demand surges from the AI boom; meanwhile SK hynix is scouting Indiana for front-end wafer fab work. Indiana Flood Response: After historic White River flooding and storms, Gov. Braun secured a federal emergency declaration and urged residents to stay away from floodwaters. Public Safety Tech Scrutiny: An Indianapolis officer is under criminal investigation for improper personal use of automated license plate readers. Health Care Hiring: IU Health says it’s on track for a May 1, 2027 opening of its new Fort Wayne hospital and is recruiting 270 nurses, emphasizing research and evidence-based practice.

Cancer Care Delays: A UCLA study using National Cancer Database records finds cancer patients are waiting longer to start treatment than a decade ago, with median delays rising across multiple cancer types—raising urgency for system-level fixes. Industrial AI on the Plant Floor: Rockwell Automation says it’s pushing software-driven control platforms, embedding AI and cloud-native updates to speed deployments from development to manufacturing sites. Steel’s Cleaner Turn: A new report argues direct reduced iron could cut emissions about 40% versus blast furnaces and sharply reduce local air pollution, with Northern Indiana included in the analysis. Data Center Pressure in Indiana: Coverage highlights how data centers are reshaping local power and environmental concerns, including a prior Indiana case involving an Amazon facility and pollution-control disruptions during extreme cold. Cyber-Physical Infrastructure: SLB Pipe Solutions expands trenchless sewer repair with UV-cured Blue Light Pipe Lining, pitching faster curing and longer-lasting repairs. Indiana Flood Scam Warnings: Indiana AG officials warn storm-hit homeowners about out-of-state scammers offering urgent “help,” often pushing cash discounts. Tech Supply Chain & Policy: The U.S. warns Apple against using Chinese memory chips amid quality and pricing concerns, as Apple weighs options during a memory market squeeze. Local Tech & Education: Indiana reports continued gains on IREAD/ILEARN literacy testing, while Purdue’s digital reactor work adds AI/ML testing to nuclear safety and control research.

EMS Leadership: Putnam County EMS Chief Kelly Russ was named 2026 Indiana EMS Association Leader of the Year, praising her team’s push for innovation and better tech and training. Flood Relief: U-Haul says 34 Indiana locations will offer 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box container use for residents hit by storms and flash flooding. School Tech & Literacy: Indiana lawmakers highlighted that 2026 third-grade IREAD pass rates rose for a fifth straight year, topping pre-pandemic levels, with “science of reading” supports cited as a driver. Cancer Care Delays: A UCLA study reports cancer patients are waiting longer to start treatment than a decade ago, with delays especially affecting Medicaid patients and those at large academic centers. Weather Science: A derecho—an organized, long-lived line of thunderstorms producing widespread straight-line wind damage—was identified as the cause behind this week’s destructive storms in Indiana and beyond. Public Health & Food Safety: FDA and CDC began onsite inspections at Taylor Farms’ Mexican plant tied to a Cyclospora outbreak reaching 17 states, while a separate salmonella pet food recall includes Indiana. Indiana Tech & Research: Purdue’s PUR-1 reactor is testing machine learning and AI in a reactor environment, aiming to make future nuclear systems easier to control and maintain. Higher Ed Funding: IU trustees approved $50M for Memorial Stadium renovations and requested $150M more from the state. Data Center Security: A report says thieves used a “bump-and-run” tactic to steal nearly $111M in data center freight, pointing to carrier verification failures.

Public Safety Tech & Privacy: Indiana’s cold-case law update (Carmen’s Law) now lets more family members request advanced DNA testing and allows collaboration with approved nonprofits to fund private-lab work—aimed at solving long-stalled homicide, sex offense, and high-risk missing-person cases. Health Care Access: A new national study finds cancer patients are waiting about 10 days longer to start treatment than a decade ago, with median delays rising across multiple cancer types. Cybersecurity for Small Business: A practical guide highlights how employee training, tighter access controls, and basic data-protection planning can reduce the odds and damage of cyberattacks. STEM Youth Programs: Genesis: Pathways to Success wrapped up Kids Building Bikes and Camp Scrubs & Stethoscopes, using hands-on activities to spark interest in STEM and healthcare careers. Education & Literacy: Marion County lawmakers point to five straight years of rising IREAD scores, with more than 88% of third graders passing. Funding & Broadband: An analysis says Indiana received $733M less in federal support last year, with Medicaid up but competitive grants down sharply, including a major drop in broadband funding.

Education Gains: Marion County lawmakers highlighted a fifth straight year of rising 2026 IREAD scores, with more than 88% of Hoosier third graders passing and literacy improving across student groups. Cybersecurity in Health Tech: Cook Medical disclosed a July 2 incident tied to social engineering that let an outside party access some systems, including customer contact info and internal files—while saying patient care and manufacturing were unaffected. Arts Leadership: Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne named music educator Julie Hill as its new president and CEO, starting Sept. 21 as the nonprofit moves into strategic planning. Sports Tech & Data Privacy: A relaunch of SignalTrace pairs wireless device signals with license plate reader data, raising concerns about “anonymous” device signatures becoming persistent identity. Healthcare Access Costs: A study found cancer patients are waiting longer to start treatment than a decade ago, with delays linked to shortages and prior authorization. Community & STEM Learning: Trine University faculty brought math and communication teaching through board games to Gen Con, showing how play can support classroom skills.

AI & Chips in Indiana: SK hynix is set to break ground on a $3.9B advanced chip packaging plant in West Lafayette on Aug. 27, with a research center aimed at high-bandwidth memory for AI supply chains. Surveillance & Privacy: Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith says he’s pushing lawmakers to limit police use of Flock cameras and other automated license plate readers, warning against “mass surveillance.” Energy Grid Shift: PJM’s reformed interconnection process is seeing natural gas surge in first-round accepted projects, driven by data center demand, after earlier clean-energy proposals stalled in the old queue. Local Tech/Industry: GM and LG Energy Solution’s Ultium Cells battery plant in Ohio is restarting after a seven-month shutdown, bringing back 1,400 workers. Health Policy: Indiana lawmakers are calling for transparency after Medicaid disability waiver denials rose following rollout of interRAI assessments. Education & STEM: Greater Clark County Schools credits Indiana’s “Science of Reading” push for improved I-READ results, while Indiana is also rolling out rural maternal and pediatric emergency care improvements. Environment & Development: Google’s next data center phase near Fort Wayne could convert federally protected wetlands, raising flood-control concerns. Public Safety & Weather: Tornado risk is shifting eastward, increasing insurance exposure in more populated areas.

Indiana Data Centers: Rep. Ro Khanna’s “Data Center Bill of Rights” resolution would set big buffer zones (no sites in residential areas and none within 2,500 feet of homes, schools, hospitals, and more), require public reporting on power, health, noise, water use, and rate impacts, and add labor standards plus clawbacks for missed commitments—aimed at communities pushing back on AI power hunger. Local Tech & Public Safety: Warrick County became the first Indiana county to formally pause data center permits, creating a committee to study impacts after residents packed a special meeting with concerns about projects like “Project Zora.” Rural Health Tech: Indiana’s IDOH and IU School of Medicine launch a $30M, five-year readiness program to improve rural ER obstetric and pediatric care, training staff and funding equipment through IU’s clinical network. Emergency Response Funding: Lilly Endowment’s GIFT IX awarded $725,000 to Fayette County first responder groups for radios, dispatch upgrades, rescue gear, and shared training facilities. Storms & Systems Reliability: A software glitch delayed National Weather Service warnings during deadly Midwest storms, including impacts in Indiana; Lakeshore Public Media reported reduced operations while outages persisted. Food Insecurity: Feeding Indiana’s Hungry reports 76% of households using charitable food assistance expect to need help as often or more in the coming year, with food insecurity present in every Indiana county. CTE Research in Indiana’s Orbit: Former NFL QB Matt Hasselbeck joined Boston University scans to help develop ways to diagnose chronic traumatic encephalopathy in living people. Indiana STEM/Workforce: Purdue AI research projects were selected for early Genesis Mission awards, and Southern Indiana Career & Technical Center debuted a hands-on “Style Lab” cosmetology classroom for high school students.

Semiconductor Boom in Indiana: SK hynix will hold a groundbreaking ceremony Aug. 27 for a $3.87B advanced chip packaging and R&D plant in West Lafayette, targeting high bandwidth memory for AI. Education Funding Shift: The Trump administration is granting waivers that let states consolidate and flex federal education dollars; Indiana is among the states using the approach. Indiana Literacy Update: New IREAD results show 88.7% of third graders proficient readers—up for a fifth straight year and nearly 89% statewide. Healthcare Costs Pressure: Hospitals are increasingly requiring upfront payments, adding new friction for patients trying to understand insurance and financial responsibility. Tech, Privacy, and Surveillance: Reports highlight how “Flock” license-plate readers may expand tracking capabilities, raising concerns about transparency. Public Health Watch: CDC says emergency room visits for cannabis hyperemesis syndrome jumped after a new diagnosis code took effect in Oct. 2025. Local STEM/Innovation: IU’s Media School is launching an immersive KIX Lab for virtual and augmented reality production. Outdoor/Community Tech: Slick City’s indoor, waterless slide park is set to open in Geist later this month.

Severe Weather: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is up for parts of Indiana, with damaging winds (up to 70–80 mph), hail, and flash flooding risk as storms move through the day and into tonight. Education Testing: Indiana’s ILEARN results are set for district and school release next month after the State Board approved new ILEARN cut scores; the new baseline can’t be compared to prior years. Indiana Literacy Gains: Indiana IREAD/third-grade reading proficiency continues climbing, with Indiana reporting a fifth straight annual increase and Greater Clark County Schools touting gains tied to “Science of Reading” training and data-driven instruction. Public Safety & Courts: Preble County’s grand jury returned 14 indictments, including formal charges tied to an alleged arson case involving a chicken coop fire. AI in Classrooms: IU and Purdue are adding AI requirements to curriculum, including IU’s GenAI 101 and a Kelley AI course sequence. Surveillance Tech: License plate reader systems are being paired with device-signal tracking, raising privacy concerns about how phones and wearables can be linked to investigations. Data Centers Debate: Experts say data center opponents may soften with more transparency on power and water use plus stronger ratepayer protections. EV Batteries: Samsung SDI is buying out GM’s stake in an Indiana battery venture, keeping the New Carlisle plant moving while shifting its end use toward energy storage. Agriculture Tech: USDA crop data modernization gets a boost as Indiana grower Kip Tom is tasked with updating NASS reporting methods.

Cybersecurity & Public Safety: Suisun City, California, declared a state of emergency after malicious software disrupted 911 routing, police/fire dispatch, records, and city services—online operations were shut down while investigators look for a federal lead. Local Tech for Law Enforcement: tip411 is being promoted at the Midwest Security and Police Conference, with Kokomo Police saying anonymous text tips helped solve more cases. Critical Infrastructure Threats: A new wave of suspected Iranian-linked cyberattacks is targeting U.S. water utilities, highlighting how small systems may lack strong defenses. Indiana Tech & Industry: Samsung SDI will take full control of its New Carlisle, Indiana EV battery plant by buying out GM’s stake, while continuing joint next-gen battery development. Data Center Policy in Indiana: Indiana communities are debating moratoriums; one argument warns blanket pauses can scare off investors and suggests clearer zoning and transparency instead. Health Privacy: A consumer-focused report warns that home health apps and devices may not get the same protections as medical records, depending on who holds the data.

WNBA & Social Media Fallout: Chicago Sky’s DiJonai Carrington is backpedaling after posting “WHITE PRIVILEGE @indianafever” following a Flagrant 2 ejection in Saturday’s Fever game vs. Sophie Cunningham, insisting she never claimed the call was based on race while critics—including former NFL player Emmanuel Acho—argue the post undermines the term. Public Health Watch: A doctor warns the Pennsylvania measles outbreak could reach Pittsburgh “in a matter of time,” as Indiana County is now on the list and vaccination rates remain below the 95% threshold needed to prevent outbreaks. Indiana Talent & Workforce: Bloomington highlights its “Startup Summer” talent pipeline aimed at keeping students, interns, and founders local, while Wayne County’s “Make My Move” program reports 98 movers and $3.7M in estimated impact. Tech for Accessibility: Meta and Bosma Enterprises delivered Ray-Ban Meta AI smart glasses to blind and visually impaired veterans in Indianapolis, pairing the devices with hands-on training. Cancer Research Access: UChicago Medicine and Eli Lilly launched a two-year partnership to expand patient access to cancer clinical trials and reduce delays in opening sites. Climate & Heat Records: NOAA says July 2026 was the hottest month ever recorded in the contiguous U.S. Agriculture on the Ground: Indiana farmers report uneven corn and soybean emergence and late-season disease pressure as harvest approaches. Local Tech/Privacy: North Manchester residents are questioning Flock Safety license plate reader use after a public-records request about vehicle alerts.

AI & National Security: Indiana’s Sen. Jim Banks backs tighter U.S. limits on advanced chips to China, with proposals aiming to keep China’s AI compute capped at a share of U.S. capacity. Public Safety Tech: Indianapolis officials are still paying for Flock automated license plate readers, even as some cities elsewhere move to restrict or remove the systems after audits. Health Tech: IU researchers tested an explainable AI scoring system to flag patients at high risk of internal bleeding after severe heart attacks, using info available in catheterization. Biotech/Pharma: Aquestive says human factors and pharmacokinetic results support resubmission of its Anaphylm sublingual film for Type 1 allergic reactions. Food & Nutrition Science: A new nutrition debate highlights research suggesting bananas may reduce absorption of beneficial berry compounds in smoothies. Medical Innovation: The FDA approved the first mRNA flu vaccine for older adults, signaling faster updates as flu strains change. Agriculture & Energy: Indiana’s Ag Policy Summit tied farm policy to the stressed electrical grid and the growing power demand from data centers and biofuels. Business & Data Privacy: New state laws target “surveillance pricing,” limiting how companies use personal data to set individual prices. Manufacturing: Toyota Material Handling opened a $100M electric forklift factory in Columbus, adding about 140 jobs. STEM Education: Indiana higher ed and local partners push workforce and business training, including free Spanish classes for area owners.

Education Policy: Indiana is getting more flexibility with federal education dollars as the U.S. expands “Returning Education to the States” waivers; Indiana’s pilot would let up to 15% of districts combine funding streams and adjust how schools’ college-and-career readiness is scored. Public Tech & Privacy: Muncie and Delaware County are paying for Flock automated license plate readers, but local agencies are resisting public records requests for audit logs and access details, raising fresh transparency questions. Health & Environment: A nationwide Medicare study links living within about a tenth of a mile of a dry cleaner to higher Parkinson’s odds, though it can’t prove cause. Economy: A new report says last year’s tariffs cost the average Indiana household about $2,600 and hit manufacturing jobs and state GDP. Science & Society: A new look at “brain aging” highlights everyday habits tied to feeling younger and protecting memory and attention. Higher Ed Finance: Moody’s changed Valparaiso University’s credit outlook to stable, citing improved momentum. Local Tech/Infrastructure: Indiana is removing variable speed limit signs after a 2026 state law challenge to INDOT’s authority.

Rural Broadband Expansion: Indiana is preparing to roll out BEAD funding expected to bring high-speed internet to about 123,000 homes and businesses across 91 of 92 counties, aiming to close long-standing service gaps that have hurt students, telehealth access, and rural businesses. PFAS on Farmland: Indiana’s biosolids rules protect against many pollutants, but advocates say “forever chemicals” (PFAS) are still a weak spot, raising concerns about long-term contamination from wastewater sludge. Park Tech for Parking Chaos: Save the Dunes won a $625,000 grant to deploy sensors and data systems to improve parking, safety, and traffic flow at Indiana Dunes National Park. Public Safety Tech: A Hodges farm is training search dogs with tracking collars to help families find answers faster when the worst happens. AI Backlash Warning: One analysis argues AI-driven economic change could spark major social backlash if people lose agency and resentment spreads. Heat Stress Health Risk: A new study finds nighttime “feels-like” heat stress is rising faster than daytime, with most of the world’s population now facing dangerous heat for months each year.