AGP Executive Report

Supreme Court Watch: The U.S. Supreme Court kicked off its new term Oct. 5, with cases touching religious liberty, guns, immigration, and the environment—an early sign of how closely Indiana’s policy debates may track national court fights. Clean Communities: Terre Haute unveiled an Indiana Department of Environmental Management Bronze Level Clean Community sign, highlighting local efforts tied to environmental quality. Energy Costs at Home: An Indiana I-Team investigation into a 126-year-old west-side home found unusually high electricity use and led to questions about aging housing efficiency and how bills can spike. Outdoor Access & Restoration: Clark County’s Origin Park project got a $20 million Lilly Endowment boost for the next phase, including Buttonbush Woods access and environmental restoration. Wildlife & Recreation: Indiana DNR launched a rewards program that lets visitors earn points for checking in at state parks and wildlife areas, with gift cards as rewards. Food Safety: The FDA announced a 10-point plan to prevent future Cyclospora outbreaks after nearly 20,000 U.S. infections, including thousands tied to recalled iceberg lettuce. Drones: The FAA awarded $12 million for 19 drone research and testing projects aimed at safer drone integration. Local Transportation Equity: Indianapolis’ Week Without Driving runs Oct. 1–8, asking drivers to temporarily experience barriers faced by people who can’t drive.

Data Centers & Local Impacts: AWS CEO Matt Garman warns that anti-data-center efforts are already blocking $68B in projects and could harm U.S. AI leadership, while arguing common complaints about water use, diesel backup pollution, and power bills are “myths.” Severe Weather & Insurance: A new look at Midwest hail shows it’s driving home insurance crises—hail losses are costing insurers more than nearly every hurricane on record, with the Midwest including Indiana in the spotlight. Youth Funding: Indiana Youth Institute awarded 168 grants totaling $40M to youth-serving groups statewide, including outdoor education and mental health supports. Community & Nature: A North Webster library class will teach beginner birding and how to join local citizen-science bird counts. Wildlife Rescue: Navy/Army personnel and a rehab center helped rescue a bald eagle with impaired vision near Naval Station Crane, then moved it toward recovery. Health & Schools: South Bend’s Notre Dame is expanding community mental health access with a new psychology clinic while building a research hub; Southwest Allen County Schools is also rolling out accessible playground upgrades.

Energy & Health Costs: A new Energy Innovation model says federal energy policy changes since Jan. 2025 will drive big household energy spending increases by 2040, with higher bills, more pain at the pump, dirtier air, and rising healthcare costs. Education & Pay: A survey reported by Public News Service finds Indiana teachers are burning out and considering leaving, citing low pay, extreme workload, and lack of administrator support. Wildlife Rescue: At Naval Support Activity Crane, staff and partners rescued a bald eagle with severely impaired vision, later diagnosed with avian pox strains. Local Power Rates & Oversight: Porter County candidates debated NIPSCO oversight, data centers, and affordable housing, including sharp electricity bill increases since 2016. PFAS & Courts: Indiana’s AG Brown joined a bipartisan suit targeting corporate liability for PFAS pollution. Outdoor Learning: North Webster Community Public Library hosts a beginner birding class Oct. 5 with Tippecanoe Audubon, plus local citizen-science bird counts. Youth Funding: Indiana Youth Institute awarded 168 grants totaling $40M to youth-serving groups statewide. Healthcare Access: Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes joined Suburban Health Organization to share services and strengthen sustainability.

Wildlife Rescue: Two service members at Naval Weapons Station Crane in southern Indiana helped save a juvenile bald eagle found unable to fly; it was later diagnosed with avian pox (including the severe “wet” form) and sent to a rehab center. Federal Disaster Aid: USDA designated parts of Indiana and Illinois as natural disaster areas after March tornadoes, hail, and high winds, unlocking low-interest physical loss loans for farmers; deadlines are late April. Water & Permitting Watch: Kankakee River downstream concerns are growing over an Indiana plan to use river water to cool a proposed Amazon Web Services data center power plant, with county officials reviewing IDEM documents. Local Infrastructure: INDOT will hold an Oct. 8 public hearing on a US 35 intersection redesign in LaPorte County, aiming to cut crash frequency and severity; construction is expected to start in 2029. Energy Transition: South Korean battery makers are shifting U.S. EV lines toward grid-scale energy storage, including mass production of storage batteries in Jeffersonville, Ohio. Agriculture & Land: Purdue recognized nine Distinguished Agriculture Alumni, including Indiana’s state veterinarian, as livestock and biosecurity challenges continue to evolve.

USDA Disaster Aid: USDA opened low-interest physical loss loans and designated disaster areas after March tornadoes, hail and high winds, including Indiana’s Lake and Newton counties, with deadlines in late April. Water & Permits: Kankakee County officials are reviewing an Indiana plan to use Kankakee River water to cool a proposed Amazon Web Services data center, raising downstream concerns. Local Infrastructure: INDOT will hold an Oct. 8 public hearing on a US 35 intersection redesign in LaPorte County, aiming to reduce crashes with a hybrid multilane roundabout. Clean Energy & Grid Storage: South Korean battery makers are shifting EV lines toward grid-scale energy storage, including production tied to Jeffersonville, Ohio. Wildlife Rescue: Service members at Naval Weapons Station Crane helped save a juvenile bald eagle later released to rehab. Community Needs: Indiana groups are working to fill the transitional housing gap for women, highlighting the strain between crisis care and long-term stability. Small Business Procurement: Gov. Braun launched an Indiana Small Business Program to expand Hoosier firms’ access to state purchasing.

Great Lakes Restoration: U.S. Sen. Todd Young says the Senate passed his Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2026, a results-driven push through 2030 to tackle pollution, debris, and invasive species. Data centers and local power/water strain: Amazon says it will invest $1B over five years in communities hosting data centers, aiming to address electricity and water impacts amid growing opposition; a new coalition (OpenAI, Softbank, Blackstone and unions) is also forming to counter moratorium efforts, including in Indiana. Northwest Indiana tree canopy recovery: Environmentalists and the NIRPC are updating NWI 2050 goals after the Aug. 11 derecho, targeting higher urban tree canopy and better “right tree, right place” planting. Groundwater testing cost rise (Allen County): County commissioners discussed higher site investigation costs after a monitoring well at the Highway Department North facility was found contaminated, with IDEM requesting more wells. Local governance and elections: Allen County races include a contested recorder race (Nicole Keesling vs. Cheyenne Stoppenhagen) and commissioner-seat contests, while Fort Wayne Community Schools at-large board seats draw multiple candidates. Outdoor recreation: Fall event listings highlight hikes and nature programming across Indiana parks.

Groundwater Watch (Allen County): Allen County commissioners discussed higher costs for extra groundwater testing at the Highway Department North site after a monitoring well showed contamination, with IDEM requesting three more wells and the estimate rising by about $15,294. Data Centers & Local Power/Water (Indiana + U.S.): Amazon says it will invest $1B+ over five years in communities hosting data centers, as opposition grows over electricity and water impacts; a new coalition of tech firms and unions plans to push back against local moratoriums, including in Indiana. PFAS Legal Push (Indiana region): An AG-led bipartisan suit targets corporate liability for PFAS pollution, adding to the pressure on companies tied to “forever chemical” cleanup costs. Tree Canopy Recovery (Northwest Indiana): After the Aug. 11 derecho, NIRPC updates its NWI 2050 plan to raise urban tree canopy goals and avoid repeating large-scale tree losses. Wildlife & Wind Project Scrutiny (Illinois, nearby): A Peoria County zoning hearing heard testimony that endangered bats could be killed even with curtailment measures, underscoring how species risk is being challenged in permitting. Community Environment Event (Harbert): The Episcopal Church of the Mediator hosts a Blessing of the Animals Oct. 3.

PFAS Accountability Fight: Indiana AG Nick Brown joined a bipartisan lawsuit targeting DuPont (EIDP), Corteva and a new Vylor entity, alleging a “shell game” to dodge cleanup costs tied to “forever chemicals” contaminating drinking water and natural resources. Data Centers & Local Impacts: Amazon Web Services says it will invest $1B+ over five years in communities hosting data centers, promising steps on electricity and water use, plus lower-emission backup generators and annual public reporting—amid widespread moratorium talk and political pushback. PFAS Spinoff Challenge: Separate reporting highlights states suing Corteva over a Vylor spinoff meant to shield “crown jewels” while leaving PFAS liabilities behind, with Indiana named in the case. Flood Health in Indianapolis: After August White River flooding, Marion County faces major public-health funding cuts, leaving residents with ongoing mold, drinking-water and tetanus-risk concerns as the city’s health budget drops sharply. Local Conservation Win: Zionsville’s Carpenter Nature Preserve earned a statewide Community Green Project of the Year award for restoring habitat on a former golf course.

PFAS Accountability Fight: Indiana AG Nick Brown joined a bipartisan lawsuit targeting DuPont (now EIDP), Corteva, and a new entity, Vylor, alleging a “shell game” to dodge PFAS “forever chemical” cleanup liabilities by shifting valuable assets. Corporate Liability in Court: A separate Reuters report says 15 states (including Indiana) sued in Indiana state court over the Corteva-to-Vylor spinoff, arguing Vylor took the “crown jewels” without PFAS responsibility. Local Environmental Win: Zionsville’s Carpenter Nature Preserve won a statewide “Community Green Project of the Year” award for restoring habitat and turning a former golf course into a 215-acre public nature space. Energy & Grid Pressure: The U.S. plans $5.25B to modernize the grid for AI data center demand, aiming to ease transmission bottlenecks across 26 states. Data Center Debate: Kentucky communities are weighing temporary data center moratoriums amid concerns about utility bills, while utilities argue new load could stabilize rates. PFAS Litigation Expands: Firefighter turnout-gear PFAS lawsuits grew as 28 public entities sued major manufacturers, seeking recovery for contamination-linked losses.

Water Quality & Permits: IDEM opened a 30-day public comment period on proposed wastewater permit changes for AES Indiana Petersburg Generating Station, including relocating discharges from Lick Creek to the White River and adding new outfalls—raising questions for Pike County residents about where the water goes and what safeguards will apply. Energy Reliability: An Indiana Statehouse committee held a six-hour hearing on the Aug. 11 outage that left parts of northern Indiana without power for up to two weeks, with lawmakers pushing for answers and prevention steps after NIPSCO restoration practices came under scrutiny. Recycling & Waste Systems: At RCon 2026, Indianapolis sustainability leaders and recycling operators discussed how to treat recycling like a material supply chain, including plans for a universal curbside recycling system in Indianapolis aimed for 2028. PFAS Exposure: A new report highlights PFAS “forever chemicals” may enter the body not just through food and water, but also through skin—citing research that includes Indiana University’s work. Wildlife & Community Science: Indiana State University’s Bat Festival drew families for conservation-focused learning, live animal sessions, and hands-on activities.

Indiana Data Center Fight: Frankfort voted 5-2 to approve DataOne’s proposed $7 billion data center, but officials say more votes and permit conditions still stand—while critics argue public support is weak and concerns about water and lighting weren’t fully addressed. Public Trust & Federal Government: A Public News Service report says a national poll finds trust in the federal government is slipping, with many Hoosiers and Americans viewing government as wasteful. Wildlife Watch: A rare Mexican long-nosed armadillo was found dead near Miami University in southwest Ohio, adding to reports of the species migrating north. Local Government & Infrastructure: Indiana marked a major milestone on the $655 million joint campus for the School for the Deaf and the School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, with the final steel beam placed. Education & Community: A Q&A highlights how IU Northwest uses online outreach and incentives to boost participation in a student survey—aiming to better serve its commuter student population.

Solar and storms: A new look at “solar waste” shows how hail, hurricanes, and tornadoes can turn working panels into emergency cleanup sites, with modules needing specialized testing and recycling. Local environment action: Elkhart is launching a three-day tree blitz to plant 600 more trees before winter, aiming for 1,000 new trees this year to boost shade and stormwater control. Wildlife and nature: A guide to Indiana’s native dogwoods highlights how to tell the nine native species apart by leaf and twig traits. Food safety: Consumer Reports finds baby foods are cleaner than in 2018, but heavy metals still show up in a few products and microplastics appear in all tested samples. Public health and environment: Indiana’s regulators are probing NIPSCO’s handling of August storm outages, while St. Joseph County candidates debate data centers’ environmental impacts. Community governance: The Association of Indiana Counties conference spotlights county priorities like infrastructure, housing, cybersecurity, and long-term sustainable growth.

Indiana Mine Reclamation Win: Indiana’s Abandoned Mine Land program earned a top regional award for the South Lake Highwall Project, removing 3,550 feet of dangerous highwalls and revegetating 71 acres in Greene-Sullivan State Forest, with improved wildlife habitat cited. Wildlife Health in Indiana: Fort Wayne Zoo reports lioness Ina, now 19, was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in June 2025 and is being managed through training, monthly blood draws, and weekly fluids. Avian Flu Returns to Indiana: Highly pathogenic avian influenza is back in the state; more than 24,000 birds were depopulated at a Jay County duck operation, with a control area and surveillance zone set for parts of Jay, Adams, and Wells counties. Data Centers vs. Communities: A national push is building against state moratoriums on data centers, with a coalition of major tech and unions arguing for standards—while residents raise concerns about water, electricity, and costs. Local Education & Workforce: NIPSCO and the Indiana FFA Foundation launched a $100,000 grant initiative to expand agricultural education and student leadership across northern Indiana.

Indiana Water & Sewage Monitoring: OmniSite says its GuardDog cloud software helps municipal water and wastewater utilities track alarms and trends at remote pumping stations, aiming to prevent overflows into local waterways. Public Transit & Air Quality of Life: A new study ranks Indianapolis among the worst U.S. cities for public transportation, citing low ridership and concerns about usefulness and operational safety. Flood Preparedness & Water Data: An Illinois opinion piece warns that shutting off streamgages weakens flood readiness and pollution tracking, pointing to high nitrate readings in the Spoon River. Local Environmental Liability: Richmond is weighing next steps after a federal jury found the city partially responsible for a 2023 plastics fire, with attorneys exploring appeal options. Wildlife & Health: Indiana confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza in a commercial duck flock in Jay County, triggering quarantine and expanded surveillance. Chemicals in Waterways: A national analysis reports atrazine at levels harmful to aquatic wildlife across hundreds of thousands of river miles, renewing calls for stronger action. Energy Resilience: Speakers at Climate Week NYC discussed bidirectional EV charging as a potential way to support the stressed grid during extreme demand.

Data Centers & Transparency: A new coalition of AI firms, private equity and unions is pushing states—including Indiana—for data center standards in 2027, aiming to head off local moratoriums, while a separate bipartisan bill would ban government NDAs that keep data center details from the public. Public Health & Environment: The Indiana Environmental Health Association named Daviess County’s Karl Glaze Environmental Health Specialist of the Year for work on on-site septic rules, including mine-spoil ground septic protections. Local Governance & Wildlife: The Indianapolis Zoo lost AZA accreditation, citing longstanding organizational concerns, even as it says animal care and guest experience remain priorities. Jobs & Industry: Amazon plans a 585,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing facility in Greenwood with 300 jobs, and Indiana’s IEDC highlighted multiple high-wage expansion announcements. Water & Conservation: Lawmakers introduced a Great Lakes conservation bill to strengthen federal support for regional research and protection efforts. Agriculture: Pro Farmer’s crop ratings show corn and soybeans holding steady after minor changes.

Herbicide Harm: A new review says atrazine is contaminating nearly 25% of continental U.S. rivers at levels that can harm wildlife and potentially people, with impacts tied to hormone disruption. Indiana Energy & Grid: Indiana’s SPARK push to modernize the power grid is getting federal backing, aiming to boost reliability and ease congestion—an issue that matters as electricity demand rises. Local Data Center Fight: In Indiana, a community group says it’s pressing for a “fair share” deal tied to Microsoft’s data center plans, weighing whether incentives like TIF districts should come with stronger community commitments. Water & Resilience: A Beverly Shores passive-home example shows how well-insulated buildings can keep power during outages, highlighting the cost and adoption challenge for broader resilience. Wildlife Education: Northeast Indiana students placed 14th at Envirothon, competing in aquatic ecology, forestry, soils, wildlife, and nonpoint-source pollution. Public Health Research: Indiana University researchers link infant gut microbes and diet-derived metabolites to later childhood asthma risk.