AGP Executive Report

Wildlife-Friendly Manufacturing: Subaru of Indiana Automotive says its 832-acre campus is a National Wildlife Federation Backyard Wildlife Habitat, with bald eagles, coyotes, deer, and snapping turtles living on-site, plus “zero landfill” claims. Local Data Center Pushback: Residents in west Louisville raised noise, pollution, and heavy power-demand concerns at a meeting about a proposed hyperscale data center; the plan would clear 150 acres and draw about 400 megawatts. Indiana’s Data Center Debate: A proposed 2,000-acre Madison, Indiana data center is also in the spotlight as communities weigh jobs and tax revenue against environmental impacts. Severe Weather Watch: Multiple storm rounds are expected across Indiana Saturday, with damaging wind gusts, hail, tornado potential, and flash flooding risks from Fort Wayne through Indianapolis. Animal Health Alert: Federal and Texas officials confirmed a screwworm case in a calf in South Texas and halted animal movement around the site to prevent spread. College Sports & NIL: Nick Saban warned lawmakers that NIL has turned college athletics into an “arms race,” raising concerns about costs and fairness. Indiana Health Coverage Strain: Indiana hospitals report rising emergency department visits tied to more Hoosiers losing insurance or shifting to high-deductible plans.

Severe Weather Watch: Multiple rounds of thunderstorms are expected to hit Indiana on Saturday, June 6, with a conditional risk of damaging winds (up to 60 mph), hail (up to 1.25 inches), spin-up tornadoes, and flash flooding—especially across the Fort Wayne–South Bend–Lafayette corridor. Energy & Air Quality: The Trump administration is pushing nearly $700 million in federal support for coal power, including $425 million via the Defense Production Act that reaches Indiana coal plants, plus additional DOE grants tied to new builds and restarts. Wildlife & Public Safety: Indiana’s animal-welfare spotlight grows as Inotiv (West Lafayette) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after federal citations tied to animal welfare violations at its Envigo unit. Invasive Species: Armadillos continue expanding their foothold in Indiana, raising new questions for landowners and wildlife managers. Local Water & Health: Hoosiers are facing rising emergency department use as more people go uninsured, a trend that could worsen health outcomes and strain local systems. Community Nature: Indiana DNR is rolling out new citizen-science tools for tracking bats, helping residents contribute to local wildlife monitoring.

Coal & Grid Policy: President Trump says the federal government will spend about $700M to modernize and restart coal power, using Cold War-era Defense Production Act authority; the plan includes Indiana coal plants and is framed as grid reliability and job support. Local Water Safety: Citizens Energy Group issued a 72-hour boil advisory for northwest Indianapolis after a water main break dropped pressure; residents in defined boundaries are told to boil tap water. Data Centers & Community Impact: A proposed Indiana data center boom continues to draw scrutiny, with residents questioning unclear use, environmental effects, and the scale of tax incentives. Animal Welfare & Industry Accountability: West Lafayette-based Inotiv filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after animal welfare violations tied to its Envigo RMS unit, as activists push creditors to address past misconduct. Watershed Planning: Allen County officials are revising the St. Marys Watershed Management Plan, supported by IDEM grant funding, to guide longer-term water improvements. Air Quality: IDEM issued an Air Quality Action Day for much of Indiana due to rising ozone, urging residents to cut emissions and adjust routines. Outdoor Access: River Heritage Conservancy received a grant to improve public access at Blackiston Mill on Silver Creek, adding ADA-friendly features and habitat-minded landscaping. Agriculture: Indiana crop advisers caution soybean growers that foliar micronutrients may help only when timed to real needs, not as a guaranteed yield boost.

Planned Parenthood access: Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawaii, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky is offering “Just In Case Abortion Pills,” letting non-pregnant people in Indiana get mifepristone in advance via in-person or remote appointments. Water & habitat: Amazon is funding a Starke County habitat restoration in the Kankakee River watershed, targeting 425 acres to remove invasives and restore native sand prairie and woodlands, with leaders estimating major water-recharge benefits. Local outdoor access: River Heritage Conservancy won a $15,000 grant to improve Blackiston Mill access on Silver Creek, including ADA picnic areas, native landscaping, signage, and safety upgrades. Agriculture inputs: Indiana Certified Crop Advisers say foliar soybean micronutrients can help in specific situations, but growers shouldn’t expect guaranteed yield boosts and should run on-farm comparisons. Storms: Rain and storm chances are ramping up across Indiana, with more widespread chances expected Saturday. Air quality: IDEM issued statewide Air Quality Action Day guidance as ozone levels rise. Data centers & water: A public hearing is set for an Amazon data center wetlands permit, as Indiana communities weigh growth impacts. Coal funding: Trump’s plan would direct $700M+ toward coal plant upgrades/restarts, including about $425M tied to Indiana and other states.

Coal Funding Push: President Trump announced nearly $700M to back coal-fired power plants and coal exports, using the Defense Production Act to support 13 plants, restart a shuttered Maryland facility, and speed a long-delayed Oakland export terminal—actions tied to thousands of jobs and upgrades meant to extend plant lives. Indiana Air Oversight: IDEM held an online public hearing on proposed air permit changes for NIPSCO’s R.M. Schahfer Generating Station in Wheatfield, with residents arguing the changes would worsen local air quality and increase pollution. Wildlife Management Debate: Indiana DNR is proposing a 60% jump in the annual bobcat killing limit (250 to 400) despite limited data from the first post-recovery trapping season, drawing sharp criticism from conservation advocates. Public Health Watch: Indiana health providers warned that ticks are surviving longer and expanding due to warmer winters, raising concern for tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease and alpha-gal. Local Conservation & Community: Fort Wayne moved its July 4 fireworks site to protect peregrine falcons nesting nearby, and the city coordinated the change with state wildlife guidance.

Air Quality Alert: IDEM issued an Air Quality Action Day for all Indiana counties as ozone is expected to hit “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” levels today, driven by warm, dry, sunny weather and a steady air mass; officials urged Hoosiers with heart or lung conditions, kids, and older adults to limit time outdoors and cut ozone-forming habits like refueling and idling. Conservation Training: Indiana Land Stewardship Leadership Academy graduated its first class of conservation practitioners, pairing Purdue Extension and The Nature Conservancy in Indiana to train early- to mid-career professionals on working with farmers and improving conservation on private land. Coal Push: Nationally, President Trump announced nearly $700 million to support coal plants and exports, including Defense Production Act authority—an energy move that could affect Indiana’s air and climate policy debates. Livestock Health Watch: USDA confirmed New World screwworm in a Texas calf, triggering alerts for ranchers and a market reaction that could ripple through cattle prices. Local Outdoor Access: Indianapolis youth outdoor opportunities get a boost as Camptown received a $400,000 grant to expand its Base Camp property, including a lake expansion and native tree plantings.

Data Centers & State Policy: Indiana lawmakers appear poised to pass a one-year moratorium on new data center permits, paired with energy-efficiency goals and host-community and labor standards, after a bill advanced in the final stretch of session. Water Quality & Public Health: Citizens Energy crews are replacing lead service lines in Indianapolis’ Near Northwest Riverside, where 97% of homes have them, as federal rules tighten lead-and-copper requirements. Environmental Cleanup: Indiana lawmakers visited Bruce Lake in Fulton County to observe a bentonite-clay approach aimed at pulling phosphorus and ammonia from freshwater. Wildlife & Conservation: Continental Divide Park and the Indiana Dinosaur Museum announced the birth of their first two bison calves, with a possible third soon. Local Nature Events: Elkhart Environmental Center is gearing up for tree planting, a free kids fishing clinic, and a Junior Indiana Master Naturalist camp. Health Access: Super Shot and the Allen County Department of Health will run free “Summer Health Hubs” in June and July, offering vaccines plus lead testing and sports physicals. Animal Rescue: A Madison Township fire captain rescued a baby deer swept into floodwaters, highlighting how fast flash flooding can turn dangerous for wildlife.

Drinking Water Safety: Citizens Energy crews are replacing lead service lines in Indianapolis’ Near Northwest Riverside, where 97% of homes have them, as federal rules tighten lead/copper requirements. Wildlife & Habitat: Continental Divide Park and the Indiana Dinosaur Museum welcomed the first two bison calves, with a possible third soon, highlighting prairie restoration and local natural heritage. Aquatic Health Monitoring: Indiana DNR fisheries biologists are launching summer surveys to track fish communities and water quality across lakes and reservoirs statewide. Climate Outlook: New reporting warns El Niño could be rough this year, and that impacts may grow worse as the planet warms. Water Restoration: Amazon announced a new Northwest Indiana water replenishment project in Bogus Run, aiming to restore native habitats and boost water retention. Outdoor Preparedness: Indiana DNR is urging hunters to use the off-season to review regulations and plan with online maps and resources. Animal Conservation Tracking: Kentucky wildlife officials are banding peregrine falcon chicks at utility sites and tracking them long-term to support recovery after DDT. Food Safety: More than 10 recalls have been linked to potentially contaminated milk powder, including products sold nationwide.

Data Centers & Local Impacts: Amazon Web Services is in talks with Wheatfield and Jasper County about a potential data center on NIPSCO property near the Schahfer Generating Station, with plans for up to nine buildings and thousands of jobs during construction. Community Q&A: Jefferson County residents are pushing for answers on a proposed data center, and a town hall is set for Friday at the 4-H Fairgrounds. Autism Care Oversight: Indiana is pausing enrollment of new ABA therapy provider agencies for at least six months, citing rising Medicaid spending and concerns about sustainability and program integrity. Childcare Access: An Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute analysis finds subsidized childcare programs will serve under 20% of eligible Hoosier children by end of 2026, even after a $200 million state budget boost. Wildlife & Invasives: Wildlife officials are tracking peregrine falcon chicks in Kentucky and urging residents to kill invasive Argentine tegus spreading disease. Urban Trees: IU’s Environmental Resilience Institute is expanding a tree-canopy resilience program to nine Indiana communities to help cool cities and manage stormwater. Flood Resilience: Madison Mayor Bob Courtney joined a national flood summit focused on local infrastructure and long-term resiliency planning.

Indiana Beach Season Prep: IDEM is urging Hoosiers to use its BeachAlert tool for daily updates on bacteria levels and closures, with EPA grant funding supporting beach water-quality monitoring. Mid-States Corridor Review: Federal Highway Administration and INDOT have started the next phase of environmental reviews for Mid-States Corridor Section 2, launching a Tier 2 EIS for a 23-mile stretch in Dubois County and narrowing route options. Indiana Severe Weather Check-In: Indiana’s most severe month, May, stayed tornado-free for the first time in five years, despite being typically active for storms. Local Wetlands Protection Push: A new report argues that as federal agencies step back from wetland protections, local governments will be the frontline for safeguarding wetlands. Indiana Climate Education: About 160 students at IU Bloomington’s second annual Geoengineering Summit presented climate-slowing technologies and discussed the ethics of large-scale interventions. Health & Access: Indiana announced a temporary moratorium on new ABA provider agency enrollments starting June 6, aimed at strengthening program integrity while keeping access via exceptions. Farm Economy Pressure: A Purdue/CME survey finds Indiana farmers facing high input costs and weaker current conditions, with investment intentions dropping.

Air & Climate: Environmental groups held an info session on NIPSCO’s proposed Jasper County power plant tied to data centers, warning the draft air permit would allow over 7 million tons of greenhouse gases a year; Local Environment & Health: Residents near Microsoft’s Granger data center construction say dust clouds are thick enough to be seen from blocks away, raising concerns about dust controls and neighborhood impacts; Water & Wildlife: A dam-removal push highlights how removing dangerous low-head dams can improve safety and conservation, with Indiana’s Blue River featured as a case study; Energy Costs: EIA data shows Indiana residential electricity prices rising to 17.85 cents/kWh in March 2026, and summer bills are trending higher; Outdoor Access: Indiana DNR’s free fishing weekend encourages new anglers while keeping bag limits and rules in place; Agriculture: Indiana corn disease scouting advice focuses on tar spot and southern rust, with weekly checks starting around V12–V15 and fungicide timing tied to lesion findings and conditions.

Urban Forestry in Indiana: IU’s Environmental Resilience Institute is expanding its urban tree canopy work, adding a 2026 cohort track for long-term urban forest master plans in Gary, Huntington, Lafayette, Logansport, South Bend, plus Dearborn County, Lawrence, Richmond, and Evansville. Air Quality & Health: A Northwest Indiana ozone alert was issued alongside the Chicago region, warning “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” conditions and urging residents to limit prolonged outdoor activity. PFAS & Refrigerants Watch: HVAC regulators are tracking fast-moving PFAS rules and evolving building codes tied to A2L refrigerants, as states push new limits and guidance. Data Centers vs. Rates: Utilities argue data centers could lower electricity bills by spreading fixed costs, while regulators and advocates demand proof that new demand won’t trigger costly grid upgrades. Recycling Claims Law: U.S. Sen. Todd Young is reviewing the Recycled Materials Attribution Act, which would set nationwide standards for recycled-content marketing claims. Outdoor Recreation: Indiana and Kentucky are offering free fishing June 6–7, with Indiana also planning another free-fishing day Sept. 26. Local Nature & Community: Indiana’s lightning bug season is arriving early, and a cover-crop incentive program is reopening with higher payments and simpler contracts.

Wetlands Protection Rollback: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it’s “getting out of the business” of regulating wetlands, following EPA moves that narrow Clean Water Act coverage—raising alarms that millions of acres of Indiana-relevant wetlands could lose federal safeguards. Dam Safety & Conservation: A Milltown, Indiana dam-removal discussion highlights why low-head dams are “drowning machines,” with conservation groups pushing removal for public safety and fish passage. Air Quality Watch: IDEM meteorologist Mark Derf says ozone alerts are most likely in summer, especially when stagnant weather and wildfire smoke stack up; fine particle pollution can also spike year-round near industrial sources. Data Centers vs. Communities: Across the region, local opposition keeps growing as universities and developers pursue new data centers, with residents citing water, noise, and environmental risk. Severe Weather Outlook: Forecast coverage notes tornado risk shifting north in June toward the Central and Northern Great Plains, with very high instability values expected. Wildlife Rescue: An owl tangled in an Indiana soccer goal sparked a neighborhood chase before rehab responders secured the injured bird for transport.

Data Centers & Power-Water Strain: A national look at how states are responding to the data center boom finds a patchwork approach—some push incentives, others add guardrails or consider moratoriums—as lawmakers wrestle with grid costs, water demands, and household utility bills. Indiana Health & Research: IU Health’s continued expansion in Greater Lafayette highlights a broader push to grow clinical trials and improve access to new treatments across Indiana. School Food Innovation: Portage Township Schools’ food service director won a Chef Ann Foundation fellowship to boost scratch-cooked breakfasts at the middle and high school level, aiming to raise participation. Community & Nature: A National Dam Safety Awareness Day feature spotlights dam removal as a public safety and habitat strategy, using Milltown’s Blue River low-head dam as a local example. Wildlife Rescue: An owl tangled in an Indiana soccer goal sparked a neighborhood chase before rehab specialists secured it for transport. Outdoor Lighting Policy (Neighboring State): Illinois advanced stricter outdoor lighting rules for state-funded properties to reduce glare and light pollution.

Data Center Backlash Meets Grid Reality: A new summer reliability assessment says the U.S. grid is in better shape this season thanks to rapid solar and battery additions, even as states wrestle with how to handle data-center power demands and costs. Local Water & Wildlife Co-Stewardship: White Earth Nation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are moving toward a multi-year Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge co-stewardship agreement, expanding tribal roles in water, wild rice, forestry, and visitor services. Dam Safety and River Health: Indiana dam-removal advocates are pushing back against dangerous low-head dams, highlighting how conservation and public safety can align when barriers are removed. Soil Health Incentives: Farmers for Soil Health reopened enrollment for 2026 with higher per-acre payments and simpler one-year contracts to speed cover-crop adoption. Air Quality & Community Impacts: Northwest Indiana continues facing air quality alerts, with officials issuing action days as ozone levels and pollution risk rise.

Dam Safety & River Health: In Milltown on Indiana’s Blue River, advocates and the Nature Conservancy highlight why low-head dams can be “drowning machines,” even when locals want to keep them—making the case for safer dam removal. Citizen Power vs. Quarry Expansion: In Allen County, more than 1,000 residents packed a zoning hearing to oppose Heritage Group’s $145 million quarry; the board rejected the rezoning request, killing the plan. Air & Public Health Awareness: Indiana’s EarthFest returns to Garfield Park this Saturday with 100+ exhibitors focused on conservation, transportation, and outdoor recreation. Wildlife in Floods: A Madison Township firefighter rescued a baby deer swept downstream during floodwaters, underscoring how extreme weather strains local response. Energy Efficiency in Indiana Industry: Southwire’s Lafayette upgrades won Duke Energy Smart $aver rebates, cutting energy use by about 75% and cutting carbon emissions. Agriculture & Nitrogen Risk: Purdue reports Indiana corn planting and emergence are on pace, but late planting and windy conditions could raise weed pressure and nitrogen-loss concerns. Community Safety for People Experiencing Homelessness: Safe Park Indy 2.0 is set to reopen in Indianapolis June 22, offering overnight parking with a new check-in and waitlist process.