AGP Executive Report

Construction Technology: Wheeler Machinery plans to acquire SITECH Intermountain, adding Trimble grade-control, positioning and software services for contractors across Utah and parts of Nevada. Cybersecurity: A University of Nevada conference will examine the risks and benefits of AI, as questions grow about how the technology can be secured. Data Centers: Nye County has set rules for data center development, amid wider debate over the facilities’ impacts on Nevada’s land and resources. Water Research: A new study finds groundwater in the Upper Colorado River Basin fell faster than in the Lower Basin during recent extreme drought, underscoring the need to manage surface and underground supplies together. Biodiversity: A Nevada researcher is helping track species that have gone unrecorded for years, as fewer endangered species are being listed.

AI Security: A Chrome attack built by XBOW researchers using a public OpenAI model won a $250,000 bug bounty after chaining three flaws to break through browser protections. Google has fixed the bugs; users should restart Chrome and update. Nevada Data Centers: Nye County is setting data-center rules as projects on federal land become an issue in the governor’s race. A University of Nevada cybersecurity conference will also examine AI’s risks and rewards. Digital Privacy: Google is challenging an LVMPD warrant seeking identities of people who searched specified terms, calling it an unconstitutional dragnet. Science Funding: The Interior Department blocked six Yellowstone and Glacier research projects involving Nevada-based Great Basin Institute, citing updated grant-review rules. Biodiversity: A Nevada scientist is helping track species that have gone unseen for years, as fewer endangered species are being listed. Western Water: Falling Lake Powell levels are exposing deep mud deposits that the Colorado River is now carving through, complicating navigation and raising concerns for the reservoir’s future.

Data Center Debate: Nye County approved rules for data center development outside Pahrump’s protected groundwater basin, as proposals to build on federal land fuel debate in Nevada’s governor’s race. Critical Minerals: Sen. Jacky Rosen joined a bipartisan effort to create a federal strategy for minerals essential to modern technology, addressing U.S. reliance on imports for 16 key minerals. AI in Las Vegas: At Workday’s Las Vegas conference, the company introduced a tool that tracks how AI is changing work task by task, alongside a new AI-powered interface for completing workplace tasks. Nevada Biotech: Carson City-based BioVie will present Phase 2 study results on its drug candidate for Parkinson’s disease and Long COVID at an upcoming neurology meeting. Biodiversity Research: A Nevada scientist is among researchers tracking species that have gone unseen for years, as fewer species are added to endangered lists.

AI and Nevada’s Land: Data-center plans on federal land are roiling the governor’s race, as unions back projects and residents question their effects. Water Science: New NASA satellite comparisons reveal errors in river models, particularly on waterways shaped by dams and reservoirs—a concern for Western water planning. Biodiversity: UNR entomologist Matthew Forister is helping track “lost” species; Nevada has hundreds of plants and animals with few known populations, and some may have disappeared. Critical Minerals: A Nevada tungsten project is lining up six drill holes, reviving interest in a historic mining camp amid supply-chain concerns. Rural Health: UNR’s Orvis School of Nursing received a $3 million federal grant to train rural nurses at its Lake Tahoe campus. Battery Reuse: Redwood Materials has put a 12-megawatt, 63-megawatt-hour system made from used EV batteries to work at a Nevada AI data center.

AI and Public Lands: A proposed data center near Boulder City has become a flashpoint after federal officials approved use of public land without local input. Construction is stalled while the project’s environmental review is reconsidered, as similar proposals raise questions about land, power and water. Health Tech: Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada has rolled out ambient AI documentation and pre-visit tools to 59 clinicians across 13 locations; the group says more than 90% have adopted the system. Patient Safety: New federal contracts will bring virtual monitoring and fall-prevention technology to the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System, with tools for remote observation, alerts and two-way communication. Nevada Research: A Nevada scientist has joined a national effort to track species that haven’t been seen in years, as fewer endangered species are being listed. Rural Health Education: UNR received a $3 million grant to prepare rural nursing students at its Lake Tahoe campus.

Nevada Research: The Desert Research Institute is leading an $18.4 million Antarctic genomics project to build reference genomes for more than 250 species and analyze 600 environmental samples, creating a shared resource for researchers worldwide. Wildfire Watch: Nevada had 35 active fires and nearly 497,000 acres burned as of Oct. 9. University of Nevada, Reno’s Living With Fire program urges residents to clear dry vegetation and take care with activities that could spark a blaze.

Critical Minerals: Nevada lithium-boron developer ioneer is seeking partners and equity to move its permitted Rhyolite Ridge project toward a final investment decision, as weaker lithium prices pressure its shares. Nevada Research: A Nevada scientist has joined efforts to track “lost” plants and animals—species not seen for years—as fewer endangered species are being listed. Privacy Tech: Reno has ended its contract with Flock Safety, renewing questions about the use of surveillance cameras and license-plate data. Advanced Manufacturing: Gov. Joe Lombardo joined Amperesand to mark a new advanced manufacturing facility in Reno. Small-Business R&D: The SBA awarded Nevada a technology grant to help small businesses compete for federal research and development funding. EV Infrastructure: Tesla has filed a permit for a Semi service center in Las Vegas as the company ramps up its electric-truck network.

Biodiversity Research: A University of Nevada, Reno biologist joined a global effort to find species missing from surveys for a decade or more. Nevada’s list includes a Las Vegas-area wildflower with no confirmed sighting in nearly a century. Clean-Energy Tech: Digital workflow tools could help geothermal projects manage risk and scale, while the U.S. Department of Energy selected an AI-driven geothermal prospecting project for a grant. Surveillance & Privacy: Reno is the latest Nevada city to end its contract with Flock Safety, bringing renewed attention to automated license-plate cameras and oversight. Nevada’s Tech Economy: Reno marked the opening of an advanced-manufacturing facility, and a separate SBA technology grant aims to help Nevada small businesses compete for federal research funding. Autonomous Vehicles: Waymo opened its driverless ride service to public riders in Las Vegas, adding the city to its growing network.

Conservation Research: A University of Nevada, Reno biologist has joined a global effort to find species not seen for at least a decade. One Nevada example is a wildflower near Las Vegas with no confirmed sighting in nearly a century; researchers hope classifying such species as “lost” will spur new searches. Defense Technology: Nellis Air Force Base renewed its UNIFY.C2 contract after a year-long evaluation of counter-drone technology.

Electric Freight: Tesla and Pilot plan a Megacharger site at the North Las Vegas travel center, part of a heavy-duty truck network. Each stall can deliver up to 1.2 megawatts. Advanced Manufacturing: Gov. Joe Lombardo joined Amperesand to celebrate a new advanced manufacturing facility in Reno. Defense Technology: Nellis Air Force Base renewed its UNIFY.C2 contract after a year-long evaluation of counter-drone technology. AI in Education: A Touro University Nevada professor is using AI to teach future physical therapists. Surveillance Oversight: Reno has become the latest Nevada city to end its contract with Flock Safety.

Data Privacy: Reno is the latest Nevada city to end its contract with Flock Safety, renewing questions about the use of surveillance technology. AI and the Courts: A Nevada federal judge ruled that an expert’s prompts to a generative AI platform are protected from disclosure, but AI-generated case summaries must be produced—a distinction that could shape future legal disputes. Reno Manufacturing: Gov. Joe Lombardo joined Amperesand to celebrate a new advanced manufacturing facility in Reno. Small-Business Research: The SBA awarded Nevada a technology grant to help small businesses compete for federal research and development funding. Space Research: Sandia National Laboratories is using an automated observatory to track satellites. AI Infrastructure: SunPower has broken ground on an AI data center in Reno.

Surveillance Tech: Reno has become the latest Nevada city to end its contract with Flock Safety, renewing local scrutiny of police camera networks. Lake Tahoe Research: A researcher is working to connect Tahoe science with the communities involved in protecting the lake. Electric Trucks: Tesla has filed for a Semi service center in Las Vegas as it expands its heavy-truck operations; a planned Megacharger site in North Las Vegas is among locations being developed with Pilot. Research Funding: Nevada received an SBA technology grant to help small businesses compete for federal research and development funding. Energy and Infrastructure: The Energy Department selected an AI-driven geothermal prospecting project for a grant, while SunPower has broken ground on an AI data center in Reno. Space Science: Sandia National Laboratories is using an automated observatory to track satellites.

Lake Tahoe Research: UNR graduate researcher Kylie Papson is studying the politics of water policy and helping connect Tahoe science with communities working to protect the basin. Critical Minerals: Nevada-based SAFE is advancing a U.S. Army Corps–tasked pilot to recover gallium from domestic materials, including gold-mine tailings, aiming to move lab-proven technology toward field use. Reno Manufacturing: Gov. Joe Lombardo joined Amperesand to mark the opening of an advanced manufacturing facility in Reno. Nevada R&D: A federal technology grant will help Nevada small businesses compete for research and development funding. Water Outlook: New research finds California and the Great Basin—including most of Nevada—often share drought and runoff conditions, a challenge for water managers planning for dry years. Electric Trucking: Tesla has filed a permit for a Semi service center in Las Vegas as it ramps up its electric-truck program.

AI in Hospitality: Las Vegas’ Rio Hotel & Casino says guests can use ChatGPT to book rooms, request services and explore resort amenities, making it the first resort to offer a fully transactional ChatGPT experience. Electric Trucking: Tesla and Pilot plan a heavy-duty charging site at a North Las Vegas travel center, part of a new network for freight routes. Research Funding: The SBA awarded Nevada a technology grant to help small businesses compete for federal research and development funding. Water Outlook: A study finds California and the Great Basin—which includes most of Nevada—often share drought conditions, limiting options for water managers. Tech Education: UNR plans a bachelor’s program aimed at filling a gap in Nevada and attracting students from across the West.

Agriculture Tech: The University of Nevada, Reno has launched the state’s first bachelor’s program in animal science. Its research includes GPS collars and virtual fencing to guide cattle, protect waterways and help reduce wildfire risk. AI in Health Education: A Touro University Nevada professor is using AI to teach future physical therapists, while UNR faculty are rethinking course assignments and assessments for an AI-shaped classroom. Space Monitoring: Sandia National Laboratories is using an automated observatory to track satellites. Data Center Debate: Nevada’s growing data-center demand is raising questions about who will pay for the power these facilities require.

UNR Workforce: The University of Nevada, Reno has launched a bachelor’s degree in animal science, giving students a way to train in-state for careers in ranching, research and livestock production. The program also connects to work on GPS-enabled virtual fencing to guide cattle and protect rangelands. AI in Education: UNR faculty are being urged to rethink assignments and assessments as artificial intelligence reshapes college learning. Defense Technology: Nellis Air Force Base renewed its counter-drone platform contract after a yearlong evaluation, continuing a shared effort with Creech Air Force Base and the Nevada Test and Training Range. Research and Safety: Sandia National Laboratories is using an automated observatory to track satellites, while Nevada’s workplace safety program earned national recognition for its heat-illness prevention work. AI Infrastructure: SunPower has broken ground on an AI data center in Reno as communities nationwide debate the power, water and other costs of data center growth.