AGP Executive Report

Pharma Fight: Novo Nordisk sued Eli Lilly in federal court over alleged false advertising comparing weight-loss and diabetes results using outdated dose benchmarks for Zepbound and Mounjaro. Energy & Industry: Indiana officials are pushing nuclear development alongside natural gas at the Rockport site, aiming to win local support through the new “Advanced Nuclear Ready Community” program. Data Centers & Power: A new projection says U.S. data centers could consume about one-fifth of electricity by 2035 as AI-driven demand strains the grid. Solar Backlash: Indiana’s solar boom is drawing rural opposition in places like Jasper County, where landowners worry about impacts on farms even as developers point to clean-power demand from data centers. Education Policy: Gov. Mike Braun’s bell-to-bell cellphone ban takes effect this fall, tightening student device limits across the entire school day. Small-Business Health Coverage: Indiana Chamber and Indy Chamber are expanding ChamberCare access by partnering with more local chambers to help small employers find affordable plans. Local Government Finance: Garrett approved a stormwater utility ordinance with new residential and commercial user fees starting Jan. 1, 2027. Food Safety: The Cyclospora outbreak continues to spread across multiple states, with federal officials investigating clusters tied to recalled lettuce. Scam Watch: Indiana State Police warned of phone scams using Publishers Clearing House impersonation and caller ID spoofing.

IndyCar Business: Dreyer & Reinbold Racing bought an IndyCar charter from Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, setting up a return to full-time IndyCar competition in 2027 after a long stretch without it. Food Safety & Retail Impact: The FDA is investigating another cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to an unidentified source, as cases keep climbing nationwide; the Taylor Farms lettuce situation remains central, with recalls and shifting test results adding uncertainty for consumers and businesses. State Budget & Gas Prices: Gov. Mike Braun says he’s still undecided on whether to call a special session to extend Indiana’s gas tax holiday, which is set to expire Aug. 6, while the state works to reimburse local governments. Workforce Watch: Indiana’s unemployment rate held at 3.3% in June, and workforce centers like WorkOne Indy report steady client volumes but a shift in who’s seeking help. Local Infrastructure: Indiana Bond Bank financing is flowing to towns and counties for road, bridge, and parks upgrades, including Walkerton and Henry County. Banking Earnings: Horizon Bancorp and First Merchants both reported solid second-quarter results, highlighting continued profitability and loan growth.

Crypto Scams: A new report details how “cash-in only” crypto kiosks can trap victims’ money, with law enforcement in Massachusetts using warrants and physical containment after a woman lost $21,790. Health & Food Safety: The U.S. cyclosporiasis outbreak hit record levels, with 4,173 confirmed cases across 41 states since May 1, as investigators keep probing whether shredded iceberg lettuce tied to Taco Bell and Taylor Farms is the main driver. Pharma Competition: Novo Nordisk sued Eli Lilly over alleged misleading Zepbound and Mounjaro ads, arguing Lilly’s comparisons omit higher-dose options. Indiana Business/Policy: Indiana regulators and state leaders are moving to reimburse local governments for losses from Braun’s gas tax holiday, with $121M-plus transfers approved to help cities and counties. Public Safety Tech: Michigan City is seeking $300,000 to expand its Flock camera system, adding license plate readers and integrating more private cameras for faster investigations and response. Housing & Finance: A Fort Wayne man is fighting a Mercedes-Benz Financial Services loan claim, saying he was misled into signing paperwork he didn’t understand.

Food Safety & Public Health: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says the multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak is “under control,” while the FDA continues investigating after a Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce sample produced a false positive on lab review; health officials still urge people not to eat recalled lettuce and to ask restaurants about lettuce sources. Indiana Economy & Infrastructure: The Indiana Board of Finance approved a $121.16 million transfer to reimburse local governments for revenue lost during the state’s gas tax holiday, with more transfers possible for remaining months. Workforce & Childcare: Gov. Mike Braun visited an Indianapolis childcare center to push for faster voucher waitlist reductions after $200 million was added to the childcare and development fund, while critics question whether affordability moves could affect care quality. Business & Tech: Meta reinstated a Bloomington journalist’s Facebook page after AI flagged it as “inauthentic behavior,” highlighting ongoing risks for local media. Finance & Fraud: A former Indianapolis nonprofit IT director was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for nearly $550,000 in wire fraud. Energy & Manufacturing: A new Advanced Machine and Vehicle Innovation Center opened in Columbus with $2+ million in public support to help test and train for next-gen vehicle and energy technologies.

Healthcare Cost Controls: Indiana’s new law caps what five major nonprofit hospital systems can charge patients with job-based plans, with penalties including loss of tax-exempt status and $10,000-a-day fines for noncompliance. Workforce & Education: Microsoft and Ivy Tech are partnering with La Porte schools on what’s billed as Indiana’s first Data Center Academy, aiming to start in 2027-28 and feed local jobs. Public Health & Food Safety: The Cyclospora outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce remains under investigation, with FDA clarifying a “false positive” lab result while still pointing to Taylor Farms-linked products. Housing & Credit Stress: Student loan defaults hit record levels as payments resumed, while a new foreclosure report shows U.S. filings up 21% in the first half of 2026, with government-backed loans showing the most strain. Infrastructure & Traffic: INDOT schedules overnight I-70 lane and ramp restrictions in downtown Indianapolis and continues Revive I-70 work in Wayne County. Local Business & Growth: Zionsville’s plan commission approved a new Friendly Market gas station despite resident protests over traffic and environmental concerns. Manufacturing: Indianapolis-based Mears Machine ordered a fifth Velo3D Sapphire XC metal 3D printer to expand capacity for aerospace, defense, energy and space.

Food Safety & Retail: The FDA says a Cyclospora-positive lab result tied to Taylor Farms lettuce was a false positive, but it insists its investigation still converges on shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms in central Mexico, keeping the multistate recall and outbreak focus in place. Public Health Impact: Federal officials report Cyclospora clusters across the U.S., with the largest outbreak still linked to Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, and cases continuing to be reported as recently as last week. Indiana Business & Economy: Indiana opted out of the federal SUN Bucks summer grocery assistance program for a second year, a move critics say cuts off food support for children while the state runs a large surplus. Energy & Jobs: Indiana Michigan Power is seeking approval for the Rockport Energy Center natural gas facility, saying it won’t affect planned rate reductions and projecting major construction employment. Economic Development: Redwire opened a new 30,000-square-foot space research and manufacturing facility in Georgetown, aiming to create high-wage jobs and support NASA and life sciences work. Local Finance: A Greencastle resident reduced credit card debt costs by consolidating high-interest loans through a HELOC partnership with Everwise Credit Union. Education & Community: Rock Creek Community Academy in Sellersburg is finishing a solar project expected to cut long-term utility costs and add hands-on STEM learning for students. Consumer Spending: Giant Eagle joined other grocers rolling out summer price cuts on thousands of items as households feel food-cost pressure. Legal/Business Risk: A Seventh Circuit ruling says text messages aren’t “phone calls” under the TCPA, limiting a key basis for many class-action claims. Indiana Culture & Workforce: Bloomington’s Pigasus Pictures is seeking thousands of local extras for “Little Five,” a movie filming around IU tied to the first Women’s Little 500.

Food & Agriculture: The FDA walked back a key finding in the multistate cyclospora outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana and other states, saying a Taylor Farms de Mexico sample was a false positive after lab experts re-reviewed results; Taylor Farms said the FDA apologized and the company’s earlier recall remains in place while investigators continue. Energy & Cost of Living: Gas prices climbed back to about $4 a gallon nationally, while Indiana’s average stayed lower at roughly $3.35, according to AAA. Statehouse/Politics & Business Climate: Gov. Mike Braun raised more than $1.1 million in the first half of 2026 for his 2028 reelection and also funneled large sums toward GOP primary defeats tied to redistricting fights. Local Infrastructure: INDOT announced nightly I-69 lane and ramp closures in Madison County for paving work, with schedules running through July 23. Indiana Economy & Workforce: Indiana Farm Bureau opened registration for a Farm Business and Diversification Conference focused on practical strategies like contracts, digital marketing and insurance. Legal/Privacy: An Indiana judge is set to hear arguments after a lawyer alleged the Clark County Sheriff’s Office read attorney-client texts in a murder case.

Food & Retail: Indiana Statehouse market vendor Scott Sims says he’s been booted after complaints about his “meat in your mouth” slogan, even as he says he got no prior warning. Public Health: Taylor Farms expanded its voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce tied to a cyclospora outbreak, now reaching 27 states; FDA says a separate lettuce sample tested positive even though it’s not part of the current recall, while Taco Bell says the implicated lettuce was removed from its supply chain. Energy & Policy: U.S. Rep. Andre Carson backs making daylight saving time permanent after a House vote, as Indiana also moves away from race- and sex-based contracting preferences. Tech & Local Economy: A coordinated wave of protests—142 rallies across 42 states—targets AI data-center expansion over land, power and water concerns. Biopharma: Eli Lilly will buy AtaiBeckley for up to $3.8 billion to expand treatment-resistant depression options, including late-stage and mid-stage psychedelic-based therapies. Weather: Severe storms are forecast to hit parts of Indiana and the Midwest, with risks including hail, damaging winds and flooding. Sports Business: The NBA’s Lu Dort trade reshuffles roster economics across OKC, Atlanta and Dallas, with Indiana’s Andrew Nembhard’s brother moving to Atlanta.

Food Safety: Taylor Farms expanded its voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce from central Mexico tied to the Cyclospora outbreak, now covering 27 states including Indiana; Sysco halted distribution and customers are told to discard impacted product. Public Health: The FDA confirmed a Cyclospora-positive lettuce sample from Taylor Farms de Mexico that was not part of the current recall, while federal and state officials continue tracing how more product may be in commerce. Local Governance: New Haven, Indiana, said no city funds were forwarded to developer Andy Card & Associates amid a federal inquiry tied to the Mishawaka Fieldhouse project, as the city emphasized it owns the design plans. Workforce & Retirement: An AARP survey finds retirees are returning to work—often for basic expenses—highlighting how rising costs are reshaping retirement plans. Tech & Supply Chains: SK Hynix warned of a prolonged AI memory chip shortage, with demand for high-bandwidth memory expected to outstrip supply through 2027. Energy & Infrastructure: Nationwide protests against data center expansion drew 142 demonstrations across 42 states, reflecting growing local pushback over water, land use, and accountability. Sports Business: The Indiana Fever kept rolling at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with Kelsey Mitchell’s 33-point night and Caitlin Clark’s continued star power driving attention for the franchise.

Food Safety & Supply Chain: Taylor Farms expanded a voluntary recall of shredded iceberg lettuce tied to a Cyclospora outbreak, pulling products distributed in 27 states—including Indiana—after federal health officials linked the lettuce to illnesses associated with Taco Bell. The company says it stopped sourcing from an implicated central Mexico lot and is asking consumers to discard recalled items; Walmart also removed select bagged iceberg salad products as a precaution. State Policy & Contracting: Gov. Mike Braun moved to end Indiana’s race- and sex-based diversity contracting preferences, replacing them with merit-based practices after AG Todd Rokita said the program was unconstitutional. Indiana Economy & Demographics: A new Indiana-focused analysis warns the state faces a demographic dilemma as fertility rates fall and workforce pressures build. Sports Business & Governance: The NBA is investigating the Milwaukee Bucks’ signing of Gary Trent Jr. for possible salary-cap circumvention. Local Business & Free Speech Fight: An Indiana food truck owner says state officials “censored” his business by canceling Statehouse Market appearances over a suggestive slogan, escalating a dispute over branding and regulation.

Food Safety Fallout: CDC says shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia is linked to a cyclospora outbreak now tied to at least 1,644 illnesses and 94 hospitalizations, with FDA traceback pointing to Taylor Farms/Taylor Fresh Foods and Taco Bell committing to stop using the implicated lettuce. State Budget & Energy: Indiana closed fiscal 2026 with a $1.86 billion surplus and nearly $4 billion in reserves, while officials push affordability steps tied to utility regulation and advanced nuclear planning. Local Growth vs. Backlash: Indianapolis City-County Council committee advanced a proposal to pause new data center approvals through Dec. 31, 2027, sending it to the full council Aug. 10 amid neighborhood opposition. Transportation Updates: INDOT seeks public comment on amendments to the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, while lane restrictions hit Indianapolis-area High School Road to U.S. 36 starting July 20 and I-70 bridge maintenance brings short-term lane closures in Wayne County next week. Workforce & Housing: HUD Secretary Scott Turner will join an NFL youth-development announcement in Indianapolis July 21, and Indiana residents are invited to weigh in on transportation planning changes through July 23.

Food Safety & Litigation: Federal health officials say shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia is linked to the cyclospora outbreak, with the CDC reporting 1,644 lab-confirmed cases and more than 5,000 additional tests underway; Taco Bell and supplier Taylor Farms are pulling the implicated lettuce, and lawsuits have started targeting both Taco Bell franchisees and Taylor Farms over alleged “explosive diarrhea” harm. Business Impact: Taylor Farms says it’s removing iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico indefinitely, while the company’s Colorado Springs operation reportedly remained open as investigators focus on the supply chain. Small Business Relief: The SBA reminded Kentucky and eligible Indiana counties that Aug. 17 is the deadline to apply for low-interest disaster loans tied to the Nov. 4, 2025 Louisville airplane crash. Indiana Economy & Community: READI grants topped $62 million for arts and culture projects statewide, including major theater rehabilitation awards. Local Governance: Allen County commissioners appointed new Fire & EMS board trustees as the county builds a new entity. Health & Consumer Convenience: Planet Fitness offered free weekend entry at select Indiana locations during Michiana air-quality action days.

Indiana AG Probe: Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s office is investigating Bloomington landlord Jeff Jones and his Pendragon Properties after allegations tied to widespread housing code violations. State Contracting Politics: Gov. Mike Braun’s move to end race- and gender-conscious goals in Indiana’s Diversity Business Enterprises program is drawing sharp criticism from the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus, which says it erases opportunities for minority- and women-owned firms. Energy Costs Oversight: The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission is launching two investigations into what’s driving higher electric bills and how to improve affordability and customer service. Local Water Funding: The Indiana Finance Authority approved $76.3M in low-interest drinking-water loans, including $14.5M for South Bend to address lead service lines and PFAS planning. Food Safety: The FDA and CDC linked a multistate Cyclospora outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell; Indiana is among the affected states, and officials say customers should avoid the lettuce while investigations continue. Agriculture Real Estate: A Wabash-area farm real estate market is showing signs of softening, with farmland values potentially down about 10% as input costs squeeze margins. Business & Courts: A Judicial Watch release says ODNI records allege intelligence officials identified election-system vulnerabilities but withheld details from the public.

Auto Retail Deal: Big Brand Tire & Service will acquire Belle Tire, expanding the Midwest footprint across Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, with a close expected in Q3 2026. Small-Business Pressure: A Hardee’s franchisee, Superior Star LLC, filed for Chapter 11 after closing more than 30 locations and citing struggles to reach consistent profitability. Energy & Cost Control: Indiana’s Utility Regulatory Commission released a new energy affordability report and launched investigations into utility profits and how often rates can change, aiming to lower bills. Local Infrastructure: State Reps. Sweet and Snow announced more than $760,000 in Community Crossings matching grants for Wabash County road and bridge projects. Housing & Growth: New Haven cut the ribbon on Z Place Village, a 135-unit luxury townhome complex aimed at boosting local housing supply and economic momentum. Food Safety: General Mills recalled nearly 736,000 Pillsbury bread rolls in Indiana and other states due to possible glass contamination. Data Centers: Warrick County tabled a proposed data-center zoning amendment after a long public hearing filled with concerns about water, noise, pollution and utilities.

Hospital Price Caps: Indiana’s new law sets government price controls on five major nonprofit hospital systems for employer-covered care, with penalties including potential loss of tax-exempt status if they miss caps by 2029. Energy Costs & Data Centers: A PJM auction analysis says data-center-driven demand is adding billions in electricity costs across 13 states, raising affordability concerns for regular customers. Local Data-Center Fight: Indianapolis’ DC BLOX has revised its data-center plan, but a council committee advanced a moratorium on new approvals until Dec. 31, 2027, teeing up a full-council vote. State Procurement Overhaul: Gov. Mike Braun will end race- and sex-based contracting preferences in Indiana state procurement after an AG opinion, shifting to a merit-based approach. Property Values: Indiana assessed values rose nearly 10% from 2025 to 2026, with commercial and industrial values climbing faster than residential. Economic Development: LaGrange County’s innovation center is getting a $921,614 READI grant payment to support coworking, business space, and a child care component. Healthcare Workplace Recognition: Parkview Health in Fort Wayne earned a “Best and Brightest in Wellness” award for the eighth time since 2017. Consumer Data Enforcement: Indiana AG actions are part of a multistate push to settle 23andMe bankruptcy claims tied to the genetic data breach.

Indiana Contracting Overhaul: Gov. Mike Braun says Indiana will end race- and sex-based preferences in state contracting after AG Todd Rokita ruled the Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (DBE) program unconstitutional, shifting to a merit-based approach. Nuclear Energy Push: Braun launched the Indiana Advanced Nuclear Ready Community program to help communities pursue small modular reactor and advanced nuclear development, aiming to strengthen local readiness and workforce pipelines. Data Center Tension: Indiana’s regulators released action items on energy affordability, while local governments continue to debate data center impacts, including a Munster plan commission tabled a data center-related ordinance. Workforce + Agriculture: Walmart, General Mills and ADM announced a regenerative agriculture initiative spanning Illinois, Indiana and Missouri, targeting 40,000 wheat acres with technical help and incentives. Healthcare/Legal: Indiana is among states in a multistate settlement tied to 23andMe’s genetic data breach, with claims limited by bankruptcy funds. Sports/Workplace Accountability: Hilton Grand Vacations fired an employee accused of sending a racist slur to WNBA player Chelsea Gray, following her public post. Lottery: Powerball climbed to $498 million for Wednesday’s drawing.