AGP Executive Report

Flood & Resilience: The U.S. Department of Transportation is sending Indiana $26 million in emergency relief to repair storm-damaged roads and bridges, including the Hazel Dell Parkway bridge in Carmel and multiple Wayne County bridges. Public Health & Water: Indiana’s mosquito risk stays in focus as health officials warn about West Nile virus after additional positive tests in southern Indiana. Climate Impacts in Real Life: A week of fallout from a northwest Indiana derecho left residents dealing with prolonged power outages, spoiled food, and disrupted medical needs like insulin refrigeration. Agriculture & Biodiversity: Purdue researchers are sounding the alarm on red crown rot in Indiana soybeans, urging farmers to scout and submit samples; meanwhile, weed scientist Bryan Young says waterhemp resistance to multiple herbicide groups is rising, threatening corn and soybean yields. Energy & Infrastructure: Enbridge says Michigan’s Line 5 tunnel project faces a significant delay after a state Supreme Court ruling requiring regulators to redo a permit review for environmental impacts. Local Environment & Community: Indiana DNR urges landowners to adjust fall mowing to protect native plants and wildlife.

Flood Recovery Funding: The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration is sending Indiana $26 million for emergency repairs after severe storms, including work on the Hazel Dell Parkway bridge in Carmel and damage on I-70, State Road 38, and multiple Wayne County bridges. Pipeline & Waterway Impacts: Enbridge says Michigan’s Supreme Court ruling is causing “significant delay” for Line 5’s tunnel project after regulators must redo a permit process that considered environmental impacts. Indiana Agriculture Under Pressure: Purdue weed scientist Bryan Young warns waterhemp resistance is spreading in Indiana, with group 15 herbicides and 2,4-D failing more often, pushing growers to rotate practices and herbicides. Plant Disease Watch: Purdue Extension pathologist Darcy Telenko urges Indiana soybean farmers to scout for red crown rot, a soil-and-debris spread disease that can resemble SDS; she’s asking for samples if found. Public Health & Water Safety: A North Carolina teen is critically ill with the heat-loving brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri, renewing focus on warm freshwater exposure risks as the organism’s range shifts north. Mosquito Monitoring: Floyd County health officials report more West Nile virus-positive mosquito pools in southern Indiana, with no human cases yet. Local Community Gardening: Rochester residents are growing produce in a new community garden, part of a city-linked effort to boost food access and reduce stress.

Water & Flood Recovery: Hamilton County extended its disaster emergency through Sept. 3 after White River flooding, lifted the White River travel ban, and said testing shows the river is safe again—though officials warn about hidden debris; Public Health After Storms: health officials in Noblesville say mosquito control is now a community job as floodwaters recede, urging weekly checks to drain standing water and use EPA-registered repellents; Data Centers vs. Water: at the White River Alliance’s Indiana Water Summit, experts and officials discussed how to limit data-center impacts on waterways as Indianapolis weighs zoning standards after approving multiple projects; Local Rules for Data Centers: Posey County and other Indiana counties are pushing draft ordinances and study groups as residents keep showing up to challenge environmental impacts; Semiconductors & Industry Growth: SK hynix broke ground on an Indiana HBM packaging and testing facility in West Lafayette, targeting volume production in 2029; Clean Energy & Agriculture: INDYCAR says it will switch to 100% Indiana-grown ethanol in 2027, spotlighting corn growers; Air & Indoor Health: a Purdue-led study warns scented cleaners can react with ozone indoors, forming ultrafine particles that may irritate lungs; Wildlife: Indiana DNR urged reporting suspected deer virus outbreaks as epizootic hemorrhagic disease season arrives.

Flood Recovery & Public Health: Hamilton County extended its disaster emergency through Sept. 3 after White River flooding, but lifted the White River recreational travel ban once water tests showed safer conditions—while officials warn about hidden debris and note mosquito control will require community action. Local Governance & Data Centers: Indiana counties are moving fast on data-center rules—ERI says 13 counties adopted data-center ordinances, 24 put moratoria in place, and three banned construction—while Posey and Warrick continue ordinance work amid heavy public pushback. State Policy & Environment: Goshen approved a new trash and recycling environmental service fee starting next year, citing multi-million-dollar losses tied to Indiana tax changes. Indoor Air & Health: A Purdue-led study warns scented cleaners can react with ozone indoors, forming ultrafine particles that may reach deep into lungs; researchers urge low-fragrance products and better ventilation. Education & Well-Being: The 2026 Indiana Girl Report highlights gaps in girls’ physical, academic, emotional, and social wellness, and new data shows virtual school enrollment is now about 1 in 80 public students. Climate/Heat Risk: Coverage points to rising heat deaths and the growing toll of extreme heat on communities and workers.

Storm Recovery & Grid Reliability: Indiana’s federal disaster declaration is now approved for multiple counties after the Aug. 11 storms and flooding, unlocking FEMA help for households and communities. In Northwest Indiana, the long blackout in Gary continues to draw scrutiny, with state regulators investigating NIPSCO’s storm response and vegetation practices after residents reported weeks without power. Severe Weather Trends: Illinois has already logged more than 200 tornadoes in 2026, smashing the prior state record and raising questions about whether the Midwest’s tornado activity is shifting eastward. Data Centers & Local Power/Water Pressure: Indiana utility analysts warn that regulatory “political intervention” could raise risk and squeeze profits, while reporting also highlights growing pushback on data centers—plus federal moves to limit public input on data centers. Pollution Monitoring & Public Health: Michigan’s air-quality monitoring gaps show how residents can go without reliable local readings during wildfire smoke and other pollution events—an issue Indiana audiences should watch as regional air problems intensify. Community Resilience Education: IU Indianapolis is renaming a public safety management program to community resilience and risk management, tying sustainability and emergency preparedness to Indiana’s increasingly extreme weather reality. Agriculture & Land Stewardship: Coverage also points to ongoing farmland pressure and conservation choices in the Great Lakes region.

Storm Recovery: Indiana’s federal disaster declaration is approved for 21 counties, unlocking FEMA help for people and households still recovering from August 11 flooding and severe weather. Utility Accountability: In the wake of the Gary blackout, NIPSCO’s restoration timeline and storm-day rate filings are drawing fresh scrutiny as investigators look at whether promised grid funds were spent as promised. Data Centers & Power: A growing backlash to data centers is being framed as an environmental justice issue, with concerns about how new load will strain Indiana’s grid—especially after recent outages. Energy Siting Policy: Researchers say 2027 could be the biggest year for state energy siting bills, with many proposals aiming to restrict renewable projects even as a smaller share passes. Wetlands Permitting: Indiana regulators and the public are facing more friction around data center wetlands reviews, including calls for stricter standards and more public input. Nuclear Worker Compensation: A new federal bill would expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to cover Rocky Flats, potentially opening compensation for affected workers and downwind residents. Health & Environment: A study links living near dry cleaners to higher Parkinson’s risk, adding to concerns about chemical exposure from everyday businesses. Local Transit: South Bend received federal funding to move passenger rail service back to downtown Union Station, including design and environmental review work. Community Resilience Education: IU Indy is renaming its public safety management major to community resilience and risk management, tying sustainability and emergency preparedness together. Kids’ Online Safety: Indiana’s Meta settlement is set to fund major child-safety reforms on Facebook and Instagram, building on new state rules for minors’ social media access. Wildlife & Homes: A Hammond woman reported two raccoons crashing through her ceiling—an unusual reminder that wildlife and housing safety still collide.

Data Centers & Public Input: Indiana regulators held a hearing on Google’s Fort Wayne wetlands plan as IDEM accepts public comment, with residents warning that once wetlands are destroyed they can’t be replaced. Local Power & Disaster Costs: After major storms, thousands in Gary and northwest Indiana have faced prolonged outages, with Hoosiers reporting spoiled food, added bills, and frustration over restoration timelines; Gov. Braun has pushed for investigation and relief access via 211. Climate Change Debate: An Indianapolis Public Editor column argues local meteorologists often avoid climate change discussion during extreme weather, even as Hoosiers face flooding and tornado impacts. Indiana Water/Spill Notice: A public notice reports an incident at the Handy Andy 18 facility in Grant County, with IDEM notified. Wildlife & Invasives: A regional update says spotted lanternfly numbers in the D.C. area may decline as predators adapt and tree-of-heaven removal continues.

Power Outages & Accountability: Indiana Gov. Mike Braun called for an investigation into NIPSCO’s preparation and response after August storms left thousands in Gary and northwest Indiana without electricity for nearly two weeks, with residents and officials questioning restoration pace. Environmental Permitting: IDEM held a virtual public hearing on a Hobart wetlands permit tied to a shipping/warehouse project that would fill 5.49 acres of wetlands and 325 feet of stream channel; the hearing drew little comment and one attendee initially confused it with the nearby Amazon data center. Data Centers vs. Public Input: A report says the Trump administration plans to roll back federal requirements for public comment on certain air permits for data centers and gas plants, raising concerns that Indiana residents could lose a key chance to weigh in. Local Conservation & Trails: Fort Wayne advanced the Pufferbelly Trail pedestrian bridge with right-of-way acquisition funding, aiming to improve safety on the long Poka-Bache trail network. Waste & Flood Cleanup: IDEM reminded Hoosiers to sort and dispose of flood debris safely as communities continue recovery. Wildlife: Indiana State Police rescued an injured bald eagle hit by a vehicle on State Road 60. Pollution & Health: A UC Riverside study linked greater access to dollar stores with higher obesity and related conditions, while Walmart announced tap-to-pay rollout in Indiana starting Sept. 28.

Power Restoration Crisis in Gary: After the Aug. 11 derecho, thousands in Gary and Portage still lack electricity nearly two weeks later, with Gov. Braun demanding an investigation into NIPSCO’s storm prep and response and residents describing conditions as “end times.” Public Health Watch: Monroe County logged Indiana’s first Gulf Coast tick, which can carry spotted fever rickettsiosis, while Michigan reported two separate swine-flu variant infections tied to the same agricultural fair. Data Center Backlash: Neighbors and schools sued to stop a planned DC BLOX data center in Irvington, citing emissions, low-frequency noise, generators, construction impacts, and traffic. Community Relief Efforts: Food influencer Keith Lee and the Salvation Army teamed up with Gary for relief as families cope with outages. Wildlife & Land: Vermont plans to secure timber rights for 949 acres of Snake Mountain WMA, expanding protected habitat. Climate/Weather Context: Coverage also highlights how Indiana is studying recent climate changes and weird weather patterns.

Northwest Indiana Power Crisis: Gov. Mike Braun is pushing for a state investigation into NIPSCO after nearly two weeks of outages left thousands in Gary and Portage without electricity, with regulators asked to review storm prep, vegetation clearing, and whether promised reliability upgrades were delivered. Local Legal Fight Over Data Centers: Neighbors and Irvington Community Schools sued to stop a DC BLOX data center from moving forward, arguing a zoning variance approval for a former Ford plant site fails to follow law and could bring emissions, noise, traffic, and other environmental impacts. Storm Aftermath and Equity: Reports from Gary describe “apocalyptic” conditions as residents—especially Black and low-income families—wait for restoration, highlighting how disasters don’t hit everyone equally. Public Health Watch: The FDA and CDC are investigating a multistate E. coli and salmonella outbreak tied to alfalfa sprouts sold by Everything Sprouts, with Indiana among affected states. Wildlife and Habitat: Indiana’s fall bird migration is underway, and experts urge people to reduce light pollution to help migrating birds avoid collisions. Solar Co-op Momentum: A Southwest Solar United Neighbors co-op in Indiana is nearing its Aug. 31 sign-up deadline, with about 150 residents enrolled and battery-backed solar systems planned for homes.

Storm recovery in NW Indiana: Two weeks after the Aug. 11 derecho, thousands in Gary and Portage still lack power, with residents describing it as “end times” and officials blaming long restoration delays; NIPSCO says no outage is being overlooked while crews and mutual-aid groups keep rushing in. Local environment oversight: Fort Wayne councilman Geoff Paddock urges IDEM to apply strict standards to Google/Hatchworks’ wetlands request tied to a data center expansion, arguing prior impacts weren’t fully reviewed locally. Flood and climate pressure on farms: Mid-August flooding and heavy rain are threatening corn and soybean yields across the Midwest, adding uncertainty heading toward harvest. Wildlife hit by vehicles: A bald eagle rescued after a road strike in Washington County died despite rehab efforts, underscoring ongoing dangers for scavenging raptors. Great Lakes microplastics push: Scientists are pressing governments to tackle microplastics pollution in the Great Lakes, warning the threat is spreading. Indiana data-center backlash: Jasper County residents are raising funds for legal help against a major data center project, citing noise, dust, and water concerns.

Food Safety: Everything Sprouts, LLC recalled alfalfa sprouts and two related sprout-mix products after CDC-linked E. coli and Salmonella outbreaks tied to at least 55 illnesses across 15 states. Storm Recovery & Power: Northwest Indiana relief efforts ramped up as thousands remain without electricity after Aug. 11 storms; NIPSCO reported major damage (about 1,200 poles broken in the region) and still tens of thousands in the dark, with groups like World Central Kitchen delivering meals and supplies. Community Resilience: Indiana flooding is spotlighting how aging roads, stormwater systems, and power networks fail together, pushing communities into cascading problems and underscoring the need for better risk planning. Wildlife: A bald eagle hit by a vehicle near Salem died after rescue and transfer for specialized care. Local Governance & Land Use: Jasper County residents are organizing legal help to fight a proposed $7 billion data center, arguing impacts to water, noise, and livability.

Storm Recovery in Northwest Indiana: After 99 mph winds and a derecho left Gary and surrounding areas dark for nearly two weeks, researchers point to rain-saturated soil, uprooted trees, and overhead-line vulnerability—raising the question of what grid upgrades Hoosiers need next. Public Health & Water Security: Federal officials warn of nationwide cyberattacks targeting water systems, while Indiana utilities say they’re prepared. Microplastics in the Great Lakes: Scientists are pushing governments to curb microplastics after new work shows how these particles move through lake ecosystems and into fish. Indiana Flood Risk: A study highlights growing threats from large-area extreme rainfall events in the eastern U.S., a pattern that can mean widespread flash flooding and overwhelmed response. Local Animal Relief: Humane Indiana and partners transferred more than 70 pets after storm damage in Merrillville, with shelters operating by flashlight during outages. Policy & Infrastructure: Gov. Braun agreed to pay fired IURC commissioner Andy Zay $625,000, and Indiana also faces pressure to fund more resilient, sustainable infrastructure as storms expose gaps.

Severe Weather & Flooding: Indiana’s storms are leaving a long tail—Indy reported flood damage to 552 homes (about $36.8M) and Northwest Indiana shelters ran on flashlight power after outages. Power Outages in Gary: Tens of thousands in Gary and the region have been without electricity for more than a week, with residents still skeptical about restoration timelines. Water System Cybersecurity: The FBI warned Indiana utilities to brace for cyberattacks on water systems; Citizens Energy says its control networks are separated and already follow best practices. Climate Risk Planning: A new Indiana Climate Change Impacts Assessment 2.0 effort is using hyper-local projections (including hotter days and more spring rainfall) to guide planning. Storm Rainfall Research: A study highlights that large-area extreme rainfall events are becoming more common in the eastern U.S., raising the odds of widespread flash flooding. Local Environmental Review: Fort Wayne councilman Geoff Paddock urged IDEM to apply the strictest wetlands standards to Google’s data center expansion. Wildlife & Habitat Education: Vincennes University approved naming a new greenhouse tied to plant science and sustainability learning.

Flooding & Extreme Rain: New research warns that in the eastern U.S., large-area extreme rainfall events are becoming more common—raising the odds of widespread flash flooding that can overwhelm multiple communities at once. Indiana Storm Impacts: Central Indiana’s White River and other waterways surged last week, with Indy water-rescue crews pulling people to safety and officials reporting hundreds of rescues and large power outages. Local Damage Update: Indianapolis says storms damaged 552 residential properties, with an estimated $36.8M in residential losses as crews inspect thousands of homes and businesses. Power Outage Aftermath: In Northwest Indiana, animal shelters kept caring for frightened pets by flashlight for days as outages stretched into a second week. Water System Cybersecurity: The FBI is warning utilities nationwide about cyberattacks targeting water systems; Indiana providers say they’re preparing even though no specific threats have been reported. Data Centers & Wetlands: Fort Wayne councilman Geoff Paddock urged IDEM to apply the strictest possible review to Google’s wetlands permit request tied to a data center expansion. Road Funding Pressure: Indiana’s gas-tax suspension is costing about $5M a day, highlighting the need for more sustainable transportation funding as repairs and replacement costs rise. Heat Outlook: NOAA’s fall forecast leans warmer for much of the U.S., with Indiana in the “equal chances” zone. Public Health: CDC/FDA are investigating a multistate E. coli and salmonella outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts, with cases reported in Indiana.

Wetlands Fight: Fort Wayne council President Geoff Paddock is urging IDEM to use the “strictest possible” standards as it reviews Google’s request to fill about 2.13 acres of forested, isolated wetlands for more data center buildings. Public Health: The CDC and FDA say a multistate E. coli and salmonella outbreak tied to alfalfa sprouts has sickened at least 55 people in 15 states, with 4 hospitalizations. Parkinson’s Risk: A new study reports higher Parkinson’s odds for people living within 500 feet of dry cleaners, pointing to chemicals used in the industry. Local Conservation: The 101 Lakes Trust honored longtime leader Ken Erlenbaugh for 20 years of conservation and education work in Steuben County. Agriculture & Food Safety: Farmers and markets are also facing volatility after USDA crop updates, while the sprout outbreak adds another reminder that food safety can’t wait.