AGP Executive Report

Milwaukee Arts & Libraries: The Library Show turned Milwaukee’s Central Library into a local-music hub as artists and fans packed the rotunda for National Library Card Sign-up Month, with limited-edition cards and after-hours performances drawing a crowd that’s hungry for community support. Housing & Development: La Crosse’s Finance and Personnel Committee advanced the Copper Rocks mixed-use plan at the former K-Mart site—214 apartments plus townhomes and commercial space—and also moved to end the Girl Scouts’ 99-year lease so the building can transfer to the city for $1. Farm Economy: Democratic leaders and the Wisconsin Farmers Union met with state officials to warn that farm bankruptcies have surged and could rise again, pointing to trade pressures and the need for leaders who understand rural realities. Homelessness Response: SSM Health physicians assembled safety kits for unhoused neighbors—food, water, and hygiene items—scheduled for shelters across multiple Wisconsin communities. Politics & Surveillance Cameras: Wisconsin’s governor candidates are clashing over Flock license-plate cameras, with both parties attacking or defending the technology as a midterm issue tied to privacy and AI-era power. Back-to-School Health: Wisconsin health officials urged vaccination checks as measles cases continue to climb, warning families to prepare before school starts.

Supreme Court Race: Milwaukee labor leaders are lining up behind Judge Pedro Colón, with IUPAT District Council 7 endorsing the Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate and praising his apprenticeship-focused approach. Gubernatorial Debate: David Crowley and Tom Tiffany will meet in a televised, one-hour debate Oct. 21 at Marquette University, moderated by WISN-12 reporters and streamed statewide. Labor Push: Ahead of Labor Day, four major unions announced they’re backing Crowley, framing the race as crucial for working families and public workers. Mail Voting Fight: Election officials warn new USPS mail-ballot rules are “virtually impossible” to implement on time, raising fears of delays and disenfranchisement. Energy & Tech: Madison Gas and Electric is partnering with fusion startup Realta Fusion on a future grid-connected plant, as utilities race to position for next-gen power. Public Safety: DNR wardens and recreation deputies are stepping up ATV/UTV enforcement over the holiday weekend, citing 31 fatal crashes statewide this year. Water & Housing: Wisconsin released $10 million for PFAS cleanup in the Marinette area, while Acts Housing secured $299,000 to rehabilitate and resell affordable homes in Janesville.

UW-Madison Housing Push: The Board of Regents approved a 2027-2033 plan and 2027-2029 budget request that includes funding for a new UW-Madison residence hall and demolition of the Mosse Humanities building, plus a two-year in-state tuition freeze. School Tech Debate: State Rep. David Steffen wants pre-K through 2nd grade classrooms to be screen-free, arguing “paper, pencil, books” work better than early tech. Public Safety & Courts: A Milwaukee-area law firm says the city’s botched handling of two 911 calls during a home invasion left a 99-year-old woman to fend for herself for hours, and it’s weighing legal action. Milwaukee Food/Health Access: The League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County is hosting a Sept. 26 forum on food and health care equity amid grocery closures and new pressures on FoodShare and Medicaid. Education Funding: Wisconsin DPI received a $10.5 million grant to address special education teacher shortages, expanding training and support. Local Politics: Democrats leaned into unity at Sen. Brad Pfaff’s annual corn roast in western Wisconsin.

PFAS Cleanup Funding: Wisconsin’s Joint Committee on Finance released $10 million from a Tyco Fire Products PFAS settlement to the DNR, with lawmakers and Gov. Tony Evers trading blame over the timing. Wildlife & Outdoors: The DNR says the 2026 Wisconsin bear hunt runs Sept. 9 to Oct. 13, with rules varying by management zone on whether dogs are allowed. Public Safety & Justice: The DOJ’s Division of Criminal Investigation is probing an officer-involved death in Green Bay after a welfare check turned into a shooting. Local Infrastructure: Belleville won a $1.716 million federal grant for a bicycle-and-pedestrian underpass under highways 69 and 92 near the school district. Education & Community: Milwaukee Public Schools’ Pulaski-area Lincoln Avenue elementary program is restarting after a fire, moving into Pulaski High School space for the new school year. Sports Spotlight: Lambeau Field will host college hockey again in 2027, with a Wisconsin–Michigan men’s game and Wisconsin–Ohio State women’s matchup. Surveillance Debate: A Wisconsin county supervisor points to a Texas “master agreement” behind rapid Flock camera adoption, fueling calls for clearer local control. Weather/Agriculture: Cooler, uneven rainfall offered limited relief, but drought stress remains worst in northwest Wisconsin.

Trade & Tariffs: A new trade-war warning is landing in Wisconsin’s key industries as tariffs and retaliation could hit exports to Canada hard, with Wisconsin’s top export market at $7.52B in 2025. Public Health: Wisconsin’s measles outbreak keeps climbing in the southwest, jumping to 102 confirmed cases, with health officials urging people to verify MMR records and call ahead if symptoms show up. Local Government & Data Centers: St. Croix County approved a one-year moratorium on medium- and large-scale data centers while it drafts zoning and regulatory standards. Elections & Federal Scrutiny: Reports say DHS is pushing a multistate voter-fraud investigation “surge,” drawing criticism from state officials who say the effort targets a rare problem. Milwaukee Surveillance: Milwaukee leaders are tightening rules around Flock license-plate camera use amid privacy and misuse concerns. Sports & Community: Wisconsin’s fall festival season is gearing up with a Milwaukee-area roundup, while local school sports results and previews keep rolling.

PFAS Funding Vote: Wisconsin lawmakers cleared $10 million from the Tyco Fire Products settlement to tackle “forever chemicals” in northeastern Wisconsin, sending money to the DNR for cleanup and local coordination. Measles Surge: DHS says southwest Wisconsin’s outbreak has hit 102 confirmed and 6 probable cases in Iowa, Grant and Lafayette counties, urging residents to check MMR status and get vaccinated if needed. Water & Groundwater Planning: The Groundwater Coordinating Council delivered its 2026 recommendations to the legislature, spotlighting PFAS, nitrates, pesticides, and water-stressed areas. State Politics & Debates: The Oct. 21 governor debate is set for Marquette Law School with WISN moderators, with topics including cost of living, taxes, immigration enforcement, data centers and election security. Milwaukee Flock Cameras: Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley is pushing tighter rules and a public-facing portal for Flock license-plate cameras, while the state also weighs broader Flock restrictions. Agriculture Watch: UW-Extension warns soybean tentiform leafminer has been confirmed near the Minnesota border and is now showing up in cultivated soybeans. Traffic Safety: Wisconsin State Patrol plans aerial enforcement in multiple counties through Labor Day, including I-94 and I-41 corridors. Local Life: Grafton’s inaugural night market drew strong crowds and vendor sales, with plans for future spring and fall events.

Tech & Elections: President Trump doubled down on data centers, telling Wisconsin voters they’ll be “backwards and poor” if they oppose them, while Gov. Evers’ and candidates’ positions keep circling back to local control and grid-cost guardrails. Public Safety & Privacy: Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson announced major limits on Flock Safety camera access after misuse charges—searches now require supervisors, only serious-crime investigations qualify, and data sharing with other agencies is ending. Health: Wisconsin’s measles outbreak is now at 92 confirmed cases and 6 probable in the southwest; Pecatonica School District says it’s ready with training and close coordination with health officials. Opioids: Overdose Awareness Day in Eau Claire County featured 139 purple flags and renewed access to Narcan and fentanyl test strips. Infrastructure: Wisconsin and Minnesota broke ground on the Blatnik Bridge replacement, pitching it as a once-in-a-generation project with major jobs. Sports: Wisconsin soccer closed senior day with a 5-1 home win over UIC, with multiple first-career goals.

Milwaukee Public Safety: Mayor Cavalier Johnson orders major changes to Flock license-plate camera use after misuse cases, limiting access to supervisors, restricting use to serious crimes and critical missing persons, and promising a public dashboard plus an audit by the Fire and Police Commission. Elections & Voting Rules: The Wisconsin Elections Commission says new USPS mail-in ballot requirements won’t apply to clerks because a federal judge blocked the rule and the needed federal portal doesn’t exist; meanwhile, late mail-ballot rejections are rising nationwide, with Wisconsin seeing a big jump in spring rejections. State Workforce: Gov. Evers and DWD secure $11M+ in federal funding to keep vocational rehab services running without restarting a waitlist for Wisconsinites with disabilities. Local Courts: Sister Bay asks the Wisconsin Supreme Court to review an appeals ruling that overturned its short-term rental limits. Campaign Watch: WEAC backs multiple Assembly candidates (Ryan Clancy, Margaret Arney, Angelito Tenorio). Public Health & Safety: Lundberg Family Farms issues a recall warning for certain white jasmine rice; Wisconsin’s measles outbreak continues to climb. Energy & Growth: Regulators review proposals including new natural gas plants in northeast Wisconsin, while pro–data center groups ramp up political spending in Wisconsin.

Food Safety: The FDA expanded a recall of 27,000-plus packages of Lundberg Family Farms White Jasmine Rice sold in 13 states, including Wisconsin, after concerns about foreign material; the recall is now Class II and lists specific lot codes and best-by dates. Crash & Roads: A rollover crash on I-39/90 near the U.S. 12/18 ramp in Madison left one man dead and a 25-year-old woman injured, and the ramp was closed for hours as crews investigated. Local Flavor Tourism: The Underground Donut Tour is launching Milwaukee and Madison sweet-treat tours, mixing stops for donuts, pastries, coffee, and local history. Back-to-School: Southcentral Wisconsin districts are kicking off the new school year now that Labor Day falls late, with many starting Sept. 1 and at least one district pushing to Sept. 8. Education Pathways: Northwest Wisconsin partners gathered in Ashland to plan youth apprenticeship pathways with employers, workforce agencies, and colleges. Health & Community: Wisconsin took an early lead in the Big Ten Blood Drive, with Nebraska chasing the $1 million grant prize. Public Safety: Wisconsin’s new school cellphone limits are rolling out, including a Racine Unified policy that restricts phone use during instructional time. Sports (Milwaukee): IndyCar’s Alex Palou clinched his fourth straight title at the Milwaukee Mile doubleheader weekend, while Pato O’Ward won one of the races.

Pipeline & Environment: Wisconsin regulators are demanding Enbridge halt work on the Line 5 reroute after a northern Wisconsin gas rupture, citing “immense frustration” over spill details, air monitoring, and outreach to Tribal Nations. Elections & Voting by Mail: The U.S. Postal Service’s push to restrict mail voting is tied up in lawsuits, with Wisconsin DOJ efforts to block key parts while officials warn it could disrupt fall election administration. State Budget Watch: Wisconsin tax collections came in about 2% higher than expected, putting the surplus on track to top $3 billion and reigniting talks about renewed surplus-spending or tax relief. Public Safety: A Racine County sheriff’s deputy faces four felony charges after a turkey-season shooting where a 3-year-old allegedly triggered a gun, injuring a mentor and the mentor’s child. Health Care Costs (Medicaid): New data show sharp local billing swings in Wisconsin Medicaid categories, including big jumps in “Temporary Codes” claims in places like Wisconsin Rapids and Portage. Milwaukee Business: Milwaukee-based hard seltzer PRESS was sold to Go 4 It Beverage for $825,000. Sports: Week 0 is done across the Big Ten, with Wisconsin’s opener set for Sept. 6 at Lambeau against Notre Dame.

IndyCar at the Milwaukee Mile: Rain forced a suspension of the Snap-on Makers and Fixers 250 after 90 laps, with Pato O’Ward leading; officials say safety and track dryness kept it from restarting, and the race is set to resume Sunday. Milwaukee Public Safety: Police are searching for a hit-and-run suspect after a pedestrian was seriously injured near 27th and Highland. Health Care Spending Watch: New Lisbon Medicaid billing for “Medicine Services and Procedures” rose to $14,862 in 2024; Hurley saw a 201.3% jump in “Pathology and Laboratory Procedures,” while Shell Lake’s “Surgery” claims climbed 42%. Community & Youth: Evolve Church’s Stop the Violence tournament returned to St. Augustine Prep, awarding $2,500 scholarships to championship teams; a Milwaukee parent was cited after video showed him tripping a 9-year-old during youth football. Sports & Local Culture: Jackson Chourio joined an exclusive club with three 20-homer seasons before turning 23; a new Badger State Splash Invitational drew regional swimmers and divers. Statewide Food Security: Feeding America reports 1 in 8 Wisconsin residents are food insecure, including 1 in 5 children.

Politics & Money: A Wisconsin 3rd District House hopeful, Rebecca Cooke, faces fresh scrutiny after a delayed financial disclosure tied her payroll to Soros-linked groups Third Way and the Pipeline Fund. Public Health: Wisconsin DHS says measles cases tied to a southwestern outbreak have surged, jumping from 42 to 92 confirmed cases in days, with additional probable cases. Local Safety: Milwaukee police are investigating a Friday hit-and-run that left a 61-year-old with life-threatening injuries. Outdoors Tragedy: A 7-year-old boy and his mother were seriously hurt after lightning struck their Wisconsin campsite near Lake Superior. Milwaukee Community: A new effort aims to fix a north-side food desert by building a community-owned grocery and wellness hub at the former Pick ’n Save site. Sports (Milwaukee): IndyCar’s Milwaukee Mile doubleheader saw schedule changes due to rain, while Pato O’Ward earned pole for one race.

Pipeline & Public Safety: Wisconsin DNR is pressing Enbridge to halt Line 5 reroute work after a liquified natural gas spill near Saxon, demanding answers on vapor release, controls, timelines, air monitoring, and outreach to tribes. Health Alert: Wisconsin’s measles outbreak keeps climbing, now at about 98 confirmed and 6 probable cases in Grant, Iowa, and Lafayette counties, with officials stressing the risk is mainly to unvaccinated close contacts while investigations continue. State Budget: Wisconsin’s projected surplus could reach $3 billion as tax collections come in higher than expected, driven by income, sales, and corporate taxes—though lawmakers still face spending pressure. Elections & Voting: Wisconsin and other states are challenging mail-in ballot rules tied to a Trump order, after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to rule on the legality for now; meanwhile Milwaukee election officials say a “human error” delayed results reporting in the August primary. Courts & Crime: A Milwaukee judge criticized jail tablet use, saying it can be used to intimidate witnesses, while another case saw a Racine public defender admit to false accusations against a deputy. Local Life: A massive Pistons & Props Airshow hits Janesville this weekend, and Abundant Life Christian School rolled to a 52-6 win to start 2-0.

USPS Mail Voting Fight: Wisconsin DOJ and a 25-state coalition won a temporary restraining order blocking key parts of a new USPS rule that would have forced states to seek federal approval for ballot and return-envelope designs and upload voter data to a new portal ahead of Nov. 3. Elections Watch: The Wisconsin Elections Commission will decide Monday whether former Green Bay clerk Celestine Jeffreys acted “contrary to law” after duplicate absentee ballots were sent in April and August. State Budget: Wisconsin collected about $450 million more than expected, pushing the projected surplus to nearly $3 billion—fueling renewed calls for tax relief and energy reform. Local Health Planning: A look at how Wisconsin communities build Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIPs) through local assessments and partnerships—no single statewide plan, just local priorities. Campaign Trail: Dem nominee David Crowley highlighted expanding BadgerCare and “No Wrong Door” care during a Wausau clinic visit. Weather: A soggy pattern is returning across the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes, with renewed flash-flood risk. Sports & Community: WFCA asked teams to hold a moment of silence for Alma Center Lincoln QB Adam Massman after his death.

Campaign & policy fight over data centers: Republicans try to pivot toward “standing up” to data centers as public backlash grows, but Trump keeps backing the projects—an issue now tied directly to the midterms. Elections & misinformation: A fake election-poll stunt is raising fresh worries about how prediction markets could be nudged with made-up numbers and viral posts. Milwaukee public safety fallout: Milwaukee’s mishandled 911 response that left a 99-year-old waiting hours is still under procedural review, with resignations tied to the incident. Stalking case turns into remains probe: A Wisconsin stalking investigation led to a search finding “human skeletal remains,” triggering a second investigation. AG politics: Josh Kaul touts a public-safety record in Madison ahead of November. Local life & health: Ragweed is running high across Milwaukee; experts recommend keeping windows closed and changing clothes after outdoor time. Sports & community: Dane County Regional Airport announces non-stop flights for select Badger football games; Milwaukee restaurants raised money for Children’s Wisconsin in “Do Good with Food.” Entertainment: Paoli Art in the Park returns Sept. 5-6.

Meta Settlement: Wisconsin is set to receive about $219 million from a landmark multistate Meta deal tied to youth mental health and safety changes on Instagram and Facebook. Data Centers & Power Costs: Wisconsin regulators and Microsoft are challenging a utility plan that could shift transmission costs tied to a Mount Pleasant data center onto other customers. Surveillance Fight: Lawmakers are pushing new limits on Flock Safety cameras and automated license plate readers, as privacy concerns keep growing in Wisconsin. Trade War Impact: With U.S.-Canada tariffs escalating, Wisconsin businesses and exporters are bracing for higher costs and retaliation. Local Public Safety: Milwaukee police are asking for help identifying a suspect in a Nov. 2025 sexual assault. Courts: The cousin of a 10-year-old Wisconsin girl killed in 2022 pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison. Economy & Jobs: July unemployment dipped slightly in Dodge and Jefferson counties, keeping Wisconsin’s jobless rate among the lowest in the nation.