AGP Executive Report

Sports—Brewers vs. Twins: Milwaukee’s rally fell short in a 5-4 loss to Minnesota, with the Brewers going just 1-for-14 with runners in scoring position before heading to Chicago to face the Cubs. Sports—Cubs lineup boost: Chicago opens a Monday series at home with Michael Conforto in the mix as the Cubs try to snap out of a rough stretch. Politics—Wisconsin education stalemate: Gov. Tony Evers vetoed two education bills—one tied to a federal scholarship tax credit and another aimed at giving teachers more power to remove disruptive students—leaving schools stuck in a partisan deadlock. Politics—GOP convention momentum: Republicans endorsed Tom Tiffany for governor at their state convention, while Democrats blasted the move as costly and tied to Washington’s agenda. Local—Mitchell Park Domes: Wisconsin approved a $2M grant to restore Milwaukee’s Mitchell Park Domes, with major renovations expected to start next spring. Food safety: Straus ice cream was recalled in multiple states over possible metal contamination. Weather—Storm watch: First Alert coverage continues for rounds of rain and storms across southeast Wisconsin into Tuesday.

NBA MVP Repeat: Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just won back-to-back NBA MVPs, becoming the 14th player to do it and the eighth straight year the league’s MVP was born outside the U.S. Local Courts & Energy: A judge partially paused Enbridge’s Line 5 reroute work at four water crossings in northern Wisconsin until more permits are secured. Milwaukee Justice: A Milwaukee man sentenced to eight years after pleading guilty to a fatal hit-and-run crash from May 2025. Brewers vs. Twins: Minnesota avoided the sweep with a 5-4 win as Ryan Jeffers hit a tiebreaking homer. Weather Watch: Southeast Wisconsin is bracing for more storms into Tuesday, with the strongest risk Monday night into Tuesday. Campus & Community: UW-Whitewater celebrated 1,800+ graduates at spring commencement, while Fond du Lac County awarded Stephenson scholarships to seven students.

Alice in Dairyland: Anastasia Poull of Port Washington was crowned Wisconsin’s 79th Alice in Dairyland and will start her term July 6, aiming to bridge the gap between producers and consumers through agriculture marketing and communications. Local Education: A Richland Center teacher is turning farming into a schoolwide science-and-STEM culture, with students designing projects for younger kids and leading annual ag-literacy challenges. Northern Lights: A geomagnetic storm could push auroras farther south than usual this weekend, with Wisconsin in the best-odds list for at least a faint glow. State Funding: The Wisconsin State Building Commission approved about $248M for local infrastructure and community development, including $50M for 71 Non-State Grant projects. Weather Watch: Milwaukee-area forecasts point to scattered Sunday storms and a stronger severe-weather risk Monday. Sports: The Brewers keep rolling with young arms as they head to finish a road series vs. the Twins.

MLB Momentum: Cristopher Sánchez struck out a career-high 13 and extended his scoreless streak to 29 2/3 innings as the Phillies beat the Pirates 6-0, reaching .500 for the first time since mid-April. Brewers-Twins Tight Finish: Jackson Chourio delivered a go-ahead homer and a run-saving catch, and Logan Henderson plus Chad Patrick held Minnesota to a 2-1 Brewers win. Wisconsin Sports Spotlight: Baylor softball kept its season alive with a 5-2 win over Wisconsin in the Austin Regional, setting up a Region Final showdown with Texas; Wisconsin’s run ended after another NCAA loss. Community & Causes: Madison’s “Big Climb Wisconsin” at Camp Randall drew hundreds and raised over $200,000 for blood cancer research. Politics: Wisconsin Republicans officially endorsed Tom Tiffany for governor, framing it as a “common sense” reset in Madison. Local Life: A rescued African marabou stork found a home at Safari Lake Geneva in Lake Geneva.

Food Safety: Straus Creamery is voluntarily recalling select organic ice cream sold in 17 states, including Wisconsin, after the FDA flagged a potential for metal fragments; no injuries reported. Weather Watch: Milwaukee-area weekend plans come with a warm-up into the 80s, but storms are back—overnight Friday into Saturday, then another round Saturday night with damaging-wind and hail risk. Local Life: West Bend students just landed more than $1 million in scholarships across West Bend East and West, with 150 recipients. Public Safety & Health: A Milwaukee man pleaded guilty in a 2024 overdose death tied to fentanyl-related substances, facing up to 60 years. Outdoors: The DNR announced outdoor skills programs, including a Turkey Field to Fork learn-to-hunt event May 23-24 at Kettle Moraine. Travel Disruption: I-41 southbound exit ramp to Highway 60 closes Thursday for ramp reconstruction, with detours posted.

Local Education: Central Wisconsin Lutheran High School cleared a conditional-use permit to run a parochial high school at 5225 Heffron Court in Stevens Point, starting with grades 9-10 and a small first-year enrollment before a possible new building later. Sports (Brewers): Aaron Ashby became the majors’ first eight-game winner as the Brewers edged the Twins 3-2, with a controversial interference/obstruction call in the eighth helping Milwaukee rally. Sports (UW): UW-Whitewater opened its NCAA regional with a 13-4 win, while Wisconsin softball also advanced in the NCAA Austin Regional after a tense extra-inning walk-off. Community & Culture: Rally Madison FC debuted in Madison with its first home match, and the Madison Public Market set July 23 as its grand opening date. Environment: Milwaukee Riverkeeper deployed a beach robot at Klode Park to sift microplastics from Lake Michigan shoreline. State Politics: Wisconsin lawmakers are still reacting to the failed bipartisan tax-and-school deal after the Senate vote.

Beagle Rescue Wrap-Up: The final ~100 beagles are scheduled to be moved from Ridglan Farms to the Dane County Humane Society, completing the transfer of all 1,500 dogs released through coordinated rescue efforts that followed April’s raid after months of investigation. Youth Mental Health: Wisconsin ranks #12 for youth mental health, with access to care improving even as teens face newer pressures. State Politics: A $1.8 billion Wisconsin budget-surplus spending deal collapsed in the Senate, triggering a blame game over who blocked help for taxpayers and schools. Milwaukee Public Health: MPS is adding free lead-screening clinics in May and June for students and community kids, funded by a CDC grant. Sports—Brewers: Milwaukee heads into a big road stretch with a Twins series starting Friday after a strong homestand, including a 7-1 win over San Diego. Arts & Culture: Feminist artist VALIE EXPORT, known for provocative body-centered work, has died at 85.

Brewers’ Roll Continues: Luis Rengifo drove in three and Kyle Harrison struck out seven in five scoreless as Milwaukee beat the Padres 7-1, capping a 5-1 homestand and keeping the momentum rolling. Politics in Madison: Gov. Evers signed an order barring state workers from using insider information to profit, even as lawmakers remain stuck on the $1.8B tax-and-school funding deal that died in the Senate. Court Fight Over Care: A conservative law firm is suing to overturn Wisconsin’s conversion therapy ban, arguing free-speech concerns while LGBTQ advocates push back. Fire Risk Spike: DNR suspended outdoor burn permits across 31 northern counties as red flag warnings hit with windy, dry conditions. Midtown Data Center Scramble: Milwaukee’s City Plan Commission removed Midtown data-center items from its agenda, despite a proposal for a smaller research computing facility at the old Walmart site. Local Life & Crime: A burglary ring tied to Wisconsin and Minnesota netted two Chilean men with at least five years each, while an adaptive athlete in Waterford is preparing to defend an AdaptX Games title.

Manufacturing First Expo: Registration is now open for the 16th annual Manufacturing First Expo & Conference, returning Oct. 28 to Resch Expo in Green Bay, with 200+ booths, multiple learning tracks, and a keynote on “Leading Across Generations.” Milwaukee Public Schools: MPS staff and community members are pushing back on a proposed $1.6B district budget, warning that cuts—especially to equity and inclusion teams—could undercut hiring and long-term goals. Election rules in court: A federal judge refused to block Wisconsin’s law requiring people who circulate nominating papers (for most races) to be state residents, leaving the fight to play out on a tight 2026 calendar. Bird migration alert: Wisconsin is bracing for a major night migration surge—residents are urged to turn off non-essential outdoor lights to help birds stay on course. Sports & schools: Watertown students walked out after a board banned a wordless wind ensemble piece tied to Marsha P. Johnson, while local sports headlines include a Wolverines turnaround and an adaptive sports baseball season opener.

Opioid-Crisis Progress, With Friction: Wisconsin’s opioid settlement money is moving into northwest communities, but a new report says the spending process is uneven—rural areas feel the squeeze of smaller budgets and staffing even as leaders track what’s working. State Budget Standoff: Gov. Evers and GOP leaders’ $1.8B surplus deal cleared the Assembly, but it failed in the Senate after changes left lawmakers short of support. Local Infrastructure Push: The state Building Commission approved about $248M for projects, including $50M for 71 local community development efforts. Public Safety & Accountability: A Milwaukee wastewater whistleblower alleges mismanagement at MMSD/VeoIia plants, while Green Bay fentanyl ring members were sentenced after a probe seized 175,000 pills. Sports: Misiorowski dominated early, but Gavin Sheets’ late homer flipped the Brewers-Padres game; UW-Madison named a search committee for a new athletic director.

MLB Labor Talks: MLB and the MLB Players Association opened collective bargaining in New York with face-to-face presentations—no proposals yet—but the clock is loud: the current deal expires Dec. 1, and a new lockout could threaten the 2027 season if there’s no agreement. Wisconsin Sports & Local Life: Packers fans get a schedule tease—Green Bay won’t play any international games this year—while Madison’s Breese Stevens Field gets a new women’s soccer home for Rally Madison FC. State Politics: Wisconsin Senate Republicans are one vote away from needing Democratic help to pass a $1.8B tax cut package, as at least two GOP senators publicly question it. Public Safety & Health: A stroke-awareness push highlights how fast action matters, and a new Pew study points to modern apartments as safer in residential fires than older homes. Community Notes: Madison Night Market returns with 100+ vendors and new cultural spotlights.

Evers Deal Push: Wisconsin’s $1.8B package is moving fast—its budget committee passed a special education + property tax relief plan Tuesday, with Republicans touting it as bipartisan while Democrats voted no and warned schools won’t get enough. Road Work: Highway 80 in Iowa County is set for a major repave and bridge replacement starting May 26, with through-traffic detours during construction. Voting Talk: Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon says this year’s midterms should be “high turnout, low drama,” arguing for secure, layered mail-ballot checks. Beagle Fallout: Another wave of Ridglan Farms beagles has reached California, as an SF activist faces felony charges tied to rescuing dogs before they were legally cleared. Sports—Badgers & Brewers: Wisconsin softball is back in the NCAA Tournament after a long gap, while the Brewers extended their win streak to five with a 6-4 win over the Padres, powered by Joey Ortiz’s first homer in nearly 10 months. NBA Buzz: The Bucks hold the 10th pick, and Giannis trade talk keeps heating up as league scrutiny around his injury dispute wraps up.

Giannis Trade Talk Heats Up: The Bucks are “open for business” on Giannis Antetokounmpo, with ESPN reporting the Celtics could be in the mix as Milwaukee looks to settle his future before the June 23 draft. Local Sports: Wisconsin’s search for a new athletic director is underway, with a nine-person committee hired to replace Chris McIntosh this summer. Animal Welfare: Twenty Ridglan Farms beagles arrived in Green Bay for foster care and rehab before adoption, as more dogs are expected later this week. Courts & Work: A Wisconsin judge dismissed Veeva’s lawsuit challenging Epic’s noncompete terms “for now,” clearing a procedural hurdle. Business & Growth: Rockford is weighing $103M in city bonds to build a Hard Rock hotel and conference center, while Uline paused a Kenosha facility expansion amid economic uncertainty. Health & Safety: Wisconsin teens’ AI chatbot use is widespread, and a new study flags harmful experiences for many users. Weather/Outdoors: The Trump administration is easing hunting and fishing rules at some national park and refuge lands.

State Budget Deal: Gov. Tony Evers and GOP lawmakers announced a bipartisan plan to steer surplus money to schools and tax relief, including $600M for K-12 (with special education reimbursement boosted to 50%), $850M+ in tax refunds ($300 single, $600 married), $350M for property tax relief, and eliminating income tax on cash tips and overtime. Universities of Wisconsin Shakeup: UW-Superior chancellor Renée Wachter was named interim president of the UW system after Jay Rothman’s firing, with a 25-member search committee set to find a permanent replacement. Health Care: Children’s Wisconsin Fox Valley expanded its NICU in Neenah, adding a six-bed pod to raise capacity from 22 to 28. Local Spotlight: WFRV sports director Burke Griffin is back on air after months off, saying he’s “back in the saddle.” Community & Safety: Oscar’s Frozen Custard in Brookfield reopened 18 months after a fire, and Dane County Humane Society began taking in beagles from Ridglan Farms. Sports: The NCAA softball bracket set Alabama as the top overall seed, but its regional draw is anything but easy.

NBA Draft Fallout: The Bucks now know the stakes: Milwaukee will pick 10th in the 2026 NBA Draft after the lottery set the order, putting fresh pressure on Jon Horst to land a real difference-maker. Local Sports & Schools: Wisconsin’s postseason is rolling—UW-Eau Claire’s baseball season ended in the WIAC tourney, while Wisconsin softball earned an NCAA bid and the NCAA regional schedule is set. Public Safety & City Hall: Milwaukee is pushing back on illegal dumping in Metcalfe Park, with officials touring hot spots and adding security cameras as landlords and out-of-state rentals get blamed for repeat dumping. Food & Community: A Milwaukee-area crowd is getting a reason to celebrate—Stevie Wonder’s Detroit birthday gala is “expected” to bring the Motown legend out, with proceeds tied to a youth crime-prevention effort. Agriculture & Research: Driftless dairy farms are part of a new soil-health baseline study, tracking how field practices are improving soil health and carbon storage.

In the last 12 hours, coverage in Wisconsin has been dominated by a mix of public-safety, local institutions, and sports updates. A major local public-safety thread continues with an opioid-crisis reporting series focused on how northwest Wisconsin communities are spending opioid settlement money and whether they’re incorporating “best practices,” including the idea that people with lived experience should have a seat at the table. The most recent installment includes testimony from a peer recovery coach in Barron County and notes that implementation varies across counties, while also emphasizing that lived-experience input is only one part of what experts say should guide spending.

Several other “service and community” stories also ran in the same window. A Sheboygan County volunteer recognition event highlighted record nominations and attendance for United Way of Sheboygan County’s Spirit Awards, while a separate piece described NIACC honoring student leaders at its Pathways to Success event. In addition, a Wisconsin-focused feature on native plants encouraged residents to choose species matched to local conditions (sunlight and soil), tying the gardening advice to the Friends of the Arboretum’s upcoming native plant sale.

Legal and criminal-justice developments appeared as well. In Merrill, a teen accused in the death of youth-prison counselor Corey Proulx withdrew his plea, with the state upgrading the charge after the withdrawal; the article also says a trial over mental responsibility was taken off the books and the defense is aiming for juvenile-system treatment. Separately, AP reported that Democratic senators—including Wisconsin’s Tammy Baldwin—pressed U.S. Central Command for answers about Israel’s “evacuation zones” in Lebanon and Iran, warning the practice may violate international law; this is not Wisconsin-specific, but it includes a Wisconsin senator and reflects a broader political/legal escalation.

Sports coverage in the last 12 hours included both Wisconsin teams and national storylines. The Badgers’ football season opener was set for 6:30 p.m. Sept. 6 at Lambeau Field against Notre Dame, and another piece framed the Badgers’ 2027 recruiting class as building momentum with an emphasis on in-state recruiting. On the Milwaukee Bucks side, coverage highlighted the new head coach Taylor Jenkins’ press conference and included a “countdown” framing around Giannis Antetokounmpo’s decision timeline (draft and contract-extension timing). Meanwhile, baseball coverage included Brewers results from St. Louis, and college sports briefs covered softball and baseball tournament matchups.

Older items from the 12–24 hours and 3–7 days windows provide continuity rather than a single new “breakthrough” event. The Bucks/Giannis narrative continues with multiple pieces about ownership setting a timeline for a decision before the draft, while Wisconsin’s broader policy and community themes show up repeatedly—such as mental-health planning, lead-pipe replacement efforts, and ongoing beagle rescue/relocation updates. However, the most recent 12-hour evidence is comparatively rich on opioid-abatement process, local community events, and specific legal/sports developments, while other topics (like beagles or broader policy) appear more as ongoing background than as newly confirmed turning points.