AGP Executive Report

Medical Tech & Health Care: Tactile Medical launched a next-generation AffloVest airway-clearance system, aiming to improve comfort and connected care for people with chronic respiratory conditions like cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis. University of Minnesota Health: The U of M, Fairview, and M Physicians finalized a new 10-year partnership, with Attorney General Keith Ellison helping broker the deal to protect training and patient care. Biotech Funding: Shattuck Labs began a public offering of common stock (or pre-funded warrants), signaling continued momentum in its monoclonal/bispecific antibody pipeline. AI at Work: A new report says Minnesota employers are buying AI fast, but training lags badly—93% of spending goes to the tools, not people. STEM Education & Testing: Minnesota Department of Education updates show wide variation in MCA participation and proficiency across schools, with multiple districts reporting standout participation rates in math and reading. Rural Tech & Energy: Rural Minnesota is eligible for microgrid funding and technical help, and utilities are increasingly turning to energy storage as data centers strain reliability. Local Science Spotlight: UMD researchers continue work on neutrinos—tiny, elusive particles that could unlock big questions about the universe.

Medical Tech in Minnesota: Tactile Medical (Minneapolis) rolled out a next-generation AffloVest airway-clearance system, aiming to boost comfort and “connected care” for chronic respiratory conditions like cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis. Cancer Screening: A new FDA review is underway for “C the Signs,” a tool that flags early cancer risk from existing medical records and is already used in the UK’s NHS. Public Health & Environment: A University of Iowa study says wildfire-driven ozone has reversed years of U.S. air-quality gains, raising summer health risks and calling for better monitoring. Wildfire Tech (Minnesota): Momentum Aeronautics in St. Paul is deploying Heatwave Floats that let aircraft scoop 800 gallons from lakes in about 15 seconds to speed up firefighting. STEM Education & Workforce: Rochester’s Middle School Summer Career Academy is pairing students with hands-on pathways (including IT, health, construction, and meteorology) via local colleges, employers, and state agencies. Privacy & Data Tech: Columbia Heights voted to cover Flock license-plate cameras with bags and move to cancel the contract amid surveillance and data-access concerns. Policy Watch: A federal judge struck down Trump’s $100,000 H-1B fee as an unlawful tax, a potential win for U.S. tech hiring.

UMD Neutrino Research: University of Minnesota Duluth physicist Alec Habig is working to better understand neutrinos—infamous for barely interacting with matter—hoping to unlock clues about the sun, distant stars, black holes, and the early universe. TB Immunology Grant: The U of M Medical School won a $3.8M, five-year NIH grant to study the earliest lung immune responses to tuberculosis, focusing on how lung macrophages may help control infection or allow it to spread. Bell Museum Renovation: The University of Minnesota is seeking design proposals for a $50M renovation of the former Bell Museum building, aiming to repurpose the mostly unused 10 Church St. space with new classrooms, study areas, and upgrades by 2029–2030. Medicaid/SNAP IT Modernization: Minnesota approved $90M to modernize human services IT systems supporting Medicaid and SNAP, creating a new advisory council and grants for county-led upgrades. Data Center Disaster Risk: New insurance research says more than half of planned U.S. data centers are in disaster-prone states, raising concerns for storms and other severe weather. Lyme Season Warning: Warmer conditions are driving a fast-growing tick season, with guidance on how to reduce Lyme risk. Farm-to-School Grants: Minnesota’s Department of Agriculture awarded over $1.3M to expand local food purchasing in schools and early care, including grants to Pine Point and Menahga. Forpak Automation Leadership: Minnetonka-based Forpak Automation named Tim Swedberg president as it expands sanitary automation for food manufacturers. H-1B Fee Blocked: A federal judge struck down a proposed $100,000 H-1B visa fee as an unlawful tax, a potential relief for U.S. tech hiring.

Precision Livestock in South Dakota: A Minnesota-born engineer and U of Minnesota researcher donated 132 acres to help fund SDSU’s precision livestock systems program, linking farm know-how with research on livestock waste and air quality. Diabetes Tech in Minnesota: A new CONNECT trial presented at the American Diabetes Association meeting found continuous glucose monitoring can improve glucose control for adults with type 2 diabetes not using insulin—work tied to HealthPartners/International Diabetes Center in Minneapolis. Diabetes Research Under Pressure: Police removed researchers from an American Diabetes Association conference after they distributed an editorial criticizing NIH cuts, highlighting tensions between science and politics. PFAS Accountability: Australia sued Minnesota-based 3M over “forever chemicals” from firefighting foam at defense bases, escalating global pressure on PFAS cleanup and disclosure. Minnesota Education (MCA math): Multiple schools reported grade-by-grade math MCA participation and proficiency results, with statewide math proficiency still down vs. pre-pandemic levels. Local STEM-adjacent land use: The University of Minnesota Board of Regents will consider selling Les Bolstad Golf Course for $30.5M, a reminder that campus land decisions shape future research and housing capacity.

Minnesota Education: Kelliher Secondary, Nevis Secondary, Park Rapids Senior High, Bagley Secondary, Red Lake Alternative Learning, Sebeka Secondary, Menahga High, and Laporte Middle all reported 2024-25 MCA math participation and proficiency by grade, with statewide math proficiency still down more than 7% since 2019. PFAS & Accountability: Australia sued 3M for $1.4B over “forever chemical” PFAS contamination tied to firefighting foam used at defense bases, alleging withheld risk information. Earth & Water Science: U of M researchers studied how underground rock pressure can pinch fracture intersections, changing how groundwater and pollution move. Rare Earth Supply Chains: The U.S. DOE awarded $134M to projects that recover and refine rare earth elements from mine tailings and e-waste to reduce foreign dependence. AI Infrastructure Water Use: Google pledged to replenish more water than it consumes at U.S. data center sites by 2030, expanding air-cooling and alternative water sourcing. STEM Workforce & Training: Mayville Fire and Rescue in North Dakota is raising funds for a regional firefighter training facility that could serve Minnesota and South Dakota. Local Tech in Agriculture: A Minnesota-focused farm story highlights camera-guided cultivation to improve weed control, alongside the real-world costs and learning curve of adopting new equipment.

AI & Water Use: Google says it will replenish more water than its U.S. AI data centers consume by 2030, expanding air-cooling, reclaimed water, utility upgrades, and public reporting as backlash grows. Science & Research Freedom: University of Minnesota diabetes expert Aaron Kelly was among scientists escorted out of an American Diabetes Association conference after distributing journal reprints criticizing Trump-era research attacks. PFAS Regulation: A state-by-state crackdown on “forever chemicals” is accelerating, with Minnesota among states moving toward disclosure and restrictions that could reshape consumer products nationwide. Minnesota STEM in the Field: Illinois researchers used satellite imagery plus machine learning to map Midwest tillage practices from 2000–2022, aiming to better track soil health and erosion impacts. Local Tech & Health: A new Minnesota mobile ECMO program is highlighted as helping save cardiac arrest patients. Education Metrics: Multiple Minnesota schools reported strong MCA math participation rates for 2024–25, alongside statewide declines in math and reading proficiency since 2019.

University of Minnesota Housing Plan: U of M picked Rachel Development to buy and redevelop the Les Bolstad Golf Course near Minneapolis for a mixed-use residential project, with $30.5M proceeds aimed at funding student support and research. Science Under Pressure: Five diabetes researchers, including U of M’s Aaron Kelly, were removed from an American Diabetes Association conference after distributing a journal editorial criticizing attacks on biomedical research; the ADA cited a code-of-conduct violation. Materials Breakthrough: U of M researchers report that tiny interface changes can tune a metal’s electronic behavior—using interfacial polarization to shift ruthenium dioxide’s surface work function by more than 1 electron volt. Medical Tech in Action: M Health Fairview launched a mobile ECMO program using an air-mobile team to extend life-saving cardiac emergency care to remote patients. Minnesota Tech for Outdoors: The DNR is rolling out a new electronic licensing system June 9, adding more ways to buy and carry licenses and enabling harvest registration even with limited cell service. STEM in Schools (MCA Math Participation): Multiple districts reported strong math participation rates in 2024-25, including Ponemah (3rd grade), Nevis (5th), and Bemidji Middle (6th), alongside broader statewide concerns about lower pre-pandemic proficiency.

Water Quality & Public Health: East Medicine Lake beach in Plymouth is closed after high E. coli was found, while both Lake Nokomis beaches face blue-green algae advisories due to microcystin—officials warn people and pets to avoid the water and algae. Materials Science: U of Minnesota researchers report a new way to tune metal electronics by engineering the interface between materials, using interfacial polarization to shift ruthenium dioxide’s surface properties. Higher Ed & Research Infrastructure: Rochester City Council approved up to $3M to expand UMR lab space as enrollment grows, aiming to strengthen the Med City’s science and startup ecosystem. STEM Education & Community Science: New Ulm Area Foundation funded Friends of Minnesota Valley’s student river sampling program with trainers, testing equipment, and transport for water quality checks. Cyber/Tech & Security: Federal prosecutors arrested Jamshid Ghomi, accused of helping Iran obtain restricted U.S. networking and encryption equipment for years. Policy & Tech Governance: Minnesota passed a law limiting kids’ social media use and banning some addictive features, with implementation starting in July 2027. Climate/Environment Monitoring: A federal judge blocked Trump administration SNAP funding conditions, while separate reporting warns ocean monitoring cuts could leave the world “flying blind.”

Higher Ed & Workforce: The University of Minnesota Board of Regents will review a proposed FY2027 budget tied to its Elevate Extraordinary 2030 plan, emphasizing student affordability, workforce investments, and mission-driven growth. Public Health & Environment: A new CDC report highlights Parkinson’s risk tied to pesticide exposure in Texas’s Rio Grande Valley, where researchers are linking environmental exposures to higher disease burden. Bio & Disease Surveillance: New York health officials reported a rare Lyme strain (Borrelia mayonii) in a local adult case, underscoring how tick-borne threats can shift geographically. STEM Policy & Data Infrastructure: A proposed data center beside Nashville Zoo is drawing major pushback over noise, water use, and animal impacts, with a petition reportedly nearing 150,000 signatures. Tech & Governance: California and other states’ finance leaders are challenging bond rating agencies to keep ratings focused on financial risk rather than political pressure. Minnesota Education Metrics: Multiple Minnesota schools posted standout math MCA participation results, even as statewide math and reading proficiency remain below pre-pandemic levels. AI & Health Tech Oversight: Minnesota’s new social media mental health warning label law takes effect July 1, requiring pop-up warnings and crisis resources each time apps are opened.

Rare Earth Supply Chain Boost: Phoenix Tailings won a $66M U.S. Department of Energy grant to scale rare-earth separation, partnering with MIT and the University of Minnesota to strengthen domestic processing. Public Health & Environment: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designated about 1.5M acres as critical habitat for the rusty patched bumblebee, including parts of Minnesota, shaping how federal projects are planned. Climate & Ocean Monitoring: Scientists warned a Trump plan to dismantle U.S. ocean observation systems could “severely degrade” storm and El Niño forecasts. Health Risk From Pesticides: Research links Parkinson’s disease to pesticide exposure, raising concerns for farmworkers in Texas’s Rio Grande Valley. AI in Politics: Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan attacked an opponent’s “AI deepfake” ad, pointing to state rules meant to curb realistic election misinformation. Local STEM-Adjacent Policy: Barnesville fixed emergency sirens and pushed residents toward digital alert tools. Education Funding Pressure: Northern Minnesota districts, including Ely, are moving toward four-day school weeks as budgets strain. Minnesota Water Quality: Lake Zumbro may be recommended for removal from Minnesota’s impaired waters list after phosphorus levels dropped.

NHL & Health Philanthropy: Minnesota Wild’s Marcus Foligno won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for leadership and service, with the NHL donating $25,000 to the Janis Foligno Foundation supporting breast cancer research. Science & Climate Policy: A University of Minnesota-led study in Science finds better land use and land management could boost biodiversity, cut climate impacts, and raise farm and forestry value across 146 countries. Space Weather: NOAA issued a Strong Geomagnetic Storm watch (G3) that could bring northern lights visible as far as Minnesota and other lower-midwest states, though clouds may interfere. STEM Education & Training: UW–Stout in Wisconsin officially rebrands as “UW-Stout Polytechnic,” reflecting its applied, career-focused mission. Public Health & Environment: A report highlights Parkinson’s disease risk tied to pesticide exposure, with farmworker and nearby community concerns raised in Texas’s Rio Grande Valley. Fraud & Public Programs: Minnesota Council of Nonprofits says fraud in state-funded health and childcare programs often used for-profit entities, raising concerns about how crackdowns could affect subsidized services. Tech & Data Centers: Google and Intersect broke ground on a 1+ GW co-located data center and generation complex in Texas using wind/solar/storage plus on-site gas for reliability. AI Safety: Minnesota’s “nudification” ban is prompting lawmakers elsewhere to move faster on deepfake harms.

Nuclear for data centers: States including Minnesota are weighing nuclear reactors to feed surging data-center power demand, but costs and timelines are a big question mark. Space/energy policy: A U.S. Senate hearing on the “Blue Economy” focused on fisheries, maritime strength, and coastal jobs—plus workforce gaps. Climate + water tech: Madison’s Yahara WINS Watershed Carbon Project issued verified carbon credits, showing watershed conservation can cut emissions while meeting phosphorus rules. Wildlife research in Minnesota: Duluth’s Minnesota Power Hibbard site banded peregrine falcon chicks to track survival, migration, and social behavior. Public tech + privacy: Wisconsin communities are debating and in some cases dropping Flock license-plate cameras over privacy and misuse concerns. Health care access: Guam Regional Medical City named its only board-certified obesity medicine specialist, expanding evidence-based treatment locally. Biotech/health: Celcuity priced an upsized convertible notes offering as it pushes targeted cancer therapies forward. STEM education: Minnesota’s MCA results highlighted standout math participation at several schools, with fifth- and third-graders leading in their buildings.

AI & Work Politics: A new look at AI “techlash” maps where AI-exposed workers live and how that may shape election-year attitudes toward regulation. Immigration Enforcement Training: DHS says ICE officer training will return to “regular standards” starting July 1 after earlier cuts. Sanctions & Tech Supply Chains: DOJ charged Iran-linked tech CEO Jamshid Ghomi for allegedly supplying U.S. networking and encryption-related equipment to Iran without required licenses. Minnesota Health & Education: Minnesota State Board approved a 6.25% tuition hike for fiscal year 2027. Environment & Pollinators: USFWS finalized critical habitat protections for the endangered rusty patched bumble bee, including exemptions for some military lands. Food Industry Competition: An antitrust settlement bars Agri Stats from sharing sensitive data among competing meat processors, spotlighting consolidation pressures on grocery prices. Plastics Pollution: A study links overseas “recycled” plastic burning to toxic air pollution and health harms. Local STEM/Innovation: Autodesk agreed to buy MaintainX to expand into building operations and asset management. STEM Minnesota Watch: Minnesota’s Nice Ride bike-share is set for a comeback, signaling renewed focus on urban mobility tech.

Student Housing & Evictions: A New America report using eviction court records (2000–2018) finds student parents—especially ages 35–39 with school-age kids—face eviction filing rates around 22%, double nonstudent peers, pointing to gaps in how financial aid supports adult learners. Public Safety on Campus: In St. Paul, a school bus carrying about a dozen children crashed into Hamline University’s Robbins Science Center; three kids and the driver were hospitalized with minor injuries, and police are investigating. Wildlife & Trees: University of Minnesota researchers say they’ve found fungi-based “opponents” for the emerald ash borer, offering new hope against the invasive beetle that has devastated ash across Minnesota. STEM in Action (Ag Research): Texas celebrated a rebuilt USDA lab facility focused on controlling screwworms, ticks, and other pests—aiming to protect cattle and the food supply. Energy & Grid Tech: Xcel Energy highlights major grid investments and carbon reductions as electrification accelerates, including demand from data centers and vehicle charging. Health Tech: Parkview’s cancer institute begins recruiting for a trial using a device designed to help prevent chemotherapy-related nerve damage.

AI Policy: The Trump administration signed a new executive order on artificial intelligence, keeping a voluntary federal review for powerful AI models but cutting the review period from 90 to 30 days—while Minnesota’s lawmakers and other states keep pushing their own guardrails. Health Tech & Insurance: Minnesota advanced a bill requiring licensed physician review for health insurers’ prior authorization denials that rely on AI recommendations, with a Jan. 1, 2027 start date. Public Health Preparedness: Coverage highlights how deep federal health cuts are colliding with outbreaks, as hantavirus spreads on a cruise ship and Ebola continues in Africa. Medicaid Oversight: Minnesota providers report delays and mismatches in the state Medicaid revalidation process, leaving some organizations in limbo. Ag & Climate Resilience: Upper Midwest planting has been uneven after cool weather, heavy May rains, winds, dust storms, and some frost damage—while experts urge gardeners to protect soil moisture during hot spells. Biogas Innovation: AURI is partnering with Swedish firm BPC Instruments to expand biogas research and standardize anaerobic digestion methods. Pollinator Protection: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designated about 1.5 million acres of critical habitat for the endangered rusty patched bumble bee, including parts of Minnesota. Economy & Labor: A study estimates Operation Metro Surge cost Minnesota’s leisure and hospitality sector about 4,600 jobs and $71 million in wages. STEM/Industry in Minnesota: ZEISS PiWeb updates aim to help manufacturers act on quality data faster, and Stratasys opened new Americas headquarters in Minnesota.

AI & Business: Anthropic confidentially filed for an IPO as it pushes Claude into enterprise “governed” AI via Snowflake’s Cortex AI, signaling a major next step for Minnesota’s AI ecosystem and the broader Wall Street AI rush. Public Health: CDC reports tick-bite ER visits are at their highest for this time of year since 2017, with warmer Midwest/Northeast conditions driving more Lyme risk—quick removal matters. Water Safety Tech: Great Lakes Search and Rescue received a $10,000 Minneapolis-based grant to buy forward-looking sonar, aiming to reduce diver exposure in low-visibility recoveries. Minnesota Research & Education: UW–Eau Claire student Taylor Thelen earned a Fulbright UK Summer Institute award for study in Belfast. State Policy & Energy: DOE guidance ends federal home-efficiency rebates for switching from fossil heating to electricity, a blow to electrification plans. STEM People: Children’s Minnesota named Sameer Gupta, MD, MBA, chief medical officer to lead clinical quality and support research/education. Community Science Learning: Eden Prairie students earned honors at Minnesota History Day, advancing to nationals with projects tied to major historical “revolution, reaction and reform” themes.