AGP Executive Report

Milwaukee County Budget Watch: County Executive David Crowley’s proposed 2027 plan would lower the property tax rate while raising the total tax levy 2.5%, a move critics call tax hikes in disguise. Election Money & Voter Mood: New Marquette polling keeps Wisconsin’s governor race tight, but fundraising reports show Tom Tiffany far ahead—boosted by three billionaire donors—fueling fresh debate over who’s really driving the campaign. Local Culture & Inclusion: Milwaukee broke ground on Stella’s Playground, the city’s first universally inclusive playground, built for kids of all abilities and expected to open in fall 2027. Education Data: DPI reports modest statewide gains in reading and math, but persistent achievement gaps—especially in early grades. Community Safety & Health: Gov. Evers launched a statewide domestic violence awareness campaign, while 988’s specialized LGBTQ youth “Press 3” service is back. Historic Preservation: The Pabst Mansion won a $750,000 federal grant to fund the next restoration phase. Fall Events: UW-Madison’s Oktoberfest at Memorial Union returns with music, crafts, and German-inspired food. Transit Rules: Waunakee and other communities are tightening e-bike and e-scooter rules after crash spikes.

Domestic Violence Prevention: Gov. Tony Evers and the Milwaukee Bucks launch the statewide “Real Love is Respect” campaign, backed by $200,000, as Wisconsin reports record domestic violence deaths in 2024. Workplace Rights & Religion: Generac will revise religious accommodation policies and pay a settlement after an EEOC finding tied to a transgender-related pronoun dispute. State Politics & Money: A new AP report says GOP gubernatorial nominee Tom Tiffany has raised $26M in two months, with $24M coming from just three donors. Privacy vs. Policing: A Marquette Poll finds 63% of Wisconsin voters view Flock cameras as an unacceptable privacy violation. Climate Fight: Wisconsin AG Dan Rayfield joins legal action challenging EPA’s rollback of greenhouse gas limits on power plants. Community & Family Support: Milwaukee Diaper Mission’s BIG Give Back distributed 40,000+ diapers, with All My Sons moving and delivering seven pallets. Local Events: Weekend picks include Oconomowoc’s Senior Resource Fair, Waukesha’s Antiques show, and the Lake Country Canine Carnival.

Immigration & Community Safety: An immigration judge ruled the U.S. can deport Salah Sarsour, president of Milwaukee’s Islamic Society, on foreign-policy grounds—he says he’ll appeal, and supporters call it targeted for his Palestinian and Muslim identity. Health & Prevention: Wisconsin health officials are urging updated flu and COVID shots (plus RSV for older adults and pregnant people) as respiratory virus season approaches. Local Education & Youth: Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy raised more than $1.6 million at its gala to support K4–12 programs on Milwaukee’s north side. Politics Watch: A Marquette Law School poll shows Gov. race tightening—David Crowley leads Tom Tiffany 49% to 46% among likely voters. Culture & Weekend Plans: Milwaukee’s Oktoberfest and other metro events kick off the first weekend of October, while Applefest preparations are underway in Franklin. Sports & Community: The Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon is set for Sunday with major street closures, and the Birkie Trail Run drew nearly 900 runners to autumn trails.

Wisconsin Politics: A new Marquette Law School poll shows the governor’s race tightening, with Democrat David Crowley leading Republican Tom Tiffany 49%–46% among likely voters as absentee voting ramps up. Public Health & Care: Children’s Wisconsin named Bill Hanna president of Chorus Community Health Plans, expanding leadership for BadgerCare Plus and foster-care coverage. Education & Culture: Watertown students staged protests after the school board canceled the spring musical “Flashdance,” arguing the title was too risqué despite plans for a youth-modified version. Community & Family Life: Pumpkin Science Night returns Oct. 15 with free hands-on activities and take-home pumpkins at multiple Kenosha-area locations. Local Safety Tech: Watertown police say someone stole a Flock camera, while Milwaukee County supervisors continue weighing removal of Flock cameras from parks. Health Innovation: A Wisconsin physical therapist is creating a more affordable crawling device for children with disabilities, aiming to make key developmental practice easier to access. Immigration & Faith: An immigration judge ruled Salah Sarsour, leader of Milwaukee’s largest mosque, can be deported, setting up an appeal.

Local Education Wins: Wisconsin Rapids’ Grant Elementary earned national recognition for its Professional Learning Communities at Work® approach, while Lincoln High School celebrated strong AP results and student achievement. Community & Culture: Madison tourism hit 9 million visitors and $1.6B in 2025, and Milwaukee’s Parks committee advanced a resolution to remove Flock cameras and ALPR tech from county parks. Health Care Access: HealthPartners and Essentia Health approved a merger plan aimed at expanding care and affordability. Public Safety & Policy: The Wisconsin Supreme Court agreed to hear a case on whether judges can extend polling hours after election-day disruptions, though it won’t be decided before midterms. Local Government Watch: Janesville approved a one-year data center moratorium as incentives and revenue impacts spark debate. Food & Family Fun: A new Puerto Rican spot opened in Cameron, plus a community jazz night is set for Oct. 3 in Pittsville. Sports & School Spirit: The Milwaukee Bucks opened training camp, and WIAC named its players of the week.

Assisted Suicide Debate: Wisconsin Catholic advocates are warning lawmakers about renewed efforts to legalize assisted suicide, arguing it conflicts with the Church’s view of human dignity even at the end of life. Milwaukee Education Leadership: Marquette University High School named Jesuit Fr. Daniel Kennedy as its new president, emphasizing continuity of its “dynamic tradition.” Public Safety & Health Access: Oneida County launched a 24/7 public health vending machine with free supplies like hygiene kits, dental kits, condoms, first aid items, and gunlocks. Disability Support: A pediatric physical therapist in Hillsboro is creating a more accessible crawling device for children with disabilities after seeing existing options fall short. Workplace Rights: A Franklin ski hill agreed to pay $20,000 and face monitoring after an EEOC religious discrimination lawsuit over firing a Christian employee for social media posts. Local Government & Tech: Microsoft scaled back its Mount Pleasant AI data center plans after local opposition, and the village says incentive money will be redirected to help stabilize property taxes. Community & Youth: The Stride Youth Leadership Conference returns to UW–Madison with hands-on labs and career exploration for high school students. Sports & Culture: Caroline Harvey signed a three-year deal with the Vancouver Goldeneyes after starring at Wisconsin and winning major honors.

College Sports Policy: The U.S. Senate passed a sweeping college sports bill that sets a national framework for athlete pay and eligibility, adds NCAA antitrust protections, and heads to the House next after Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin’s amendment protecting state personal-injury and wrongful-death laws. Campus Safety & Consent: UW issued a crime warning to students about two separate off-campus fraternity drugging incidents tied to sexual assaults, urging vigilance and reporting. Elections & Voting Access: Sen. Tammy Baldwin introduced the Safe Access to the Polls Act to block federal funds from sending ICE/CBP or the National Guard to polling places or interfering with voters. Wisconsin Schools: Wausau School Board adopted the Wisconsin Seal of Biliteracy stamp test, aiming to expand language learning and add employer-recognized credentials. Community Health: Walk to End Alzheimer’s events drew hundreds in Green Bay and across the region, funding local support and research. Local Jobs: Milwaukee hosts a free Veterans job fair Oct. 1 with on-site interviews and employer connections. Outdoor Calendar: Wisconsin DNR reminded hunters to check October season openers and licenses ahead of multiple start dates. Sports & Culture: WWE Raw hits Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum with major storylines, while MLB’s Wild Card Round kicks off Tuesday with Wisconsin’s Brewers getting a bye.

Local Culture & Community: Madison’s Ironman weekend vibe gets a local-food spotlight in “Madison on my Mind,” mixing cycling, cuisine, and Cuban jazz. Arts & Identity: Latino Arts’ longtime leader Jacobo Lovo reflects on decades of bringing Latin American art into Milwaukee classrooms and neighborhoods. Public Health: ThedaCare urges measles vaccinations as Wisconsin cases hit their highest level in decades, with outbreaks concentrated among unvaccinated residents. Civic Life & Safety: “See Tracks, Think Train” rolls into De Pere to warn people about rail crossings after Wisconsin’s rail deaths and collisions. Education Access: Madison College launches “Promise to Complete,” a last-dollar scholarship for adult learners 23+ to finish associate degrees and technical diplomas. Local Business & Tech: Data As A Product helps Milwaukee-area textile brand Kilo Delta Designs move from Etsy to an AI-ready Shopify platform. Politics & Rights: A judge blocks a Trump immigration-status check rule for federally funded programs, affecting Head Start and adult education. Milwaukee & Memory: Milwaukee Indian boarding school graves are uncovered, renewing attention to local history. Sports & Entertainment: Brandi Carlile adds Milwaukee dates for her phone-free “Burn The Setlist” tour at Pabst Theater, and WWE RAW returns to Fiserv Forum.

Public Health: Wisconsin measles cases jumped to 192, with 180 in southwest counties and nearly all among unvaccinated people—DHS is urging residents to check protection as Illinois reports 23 cases. Local Infrastructure: Wausau is moving fast on lead service line replacements, with a city finance committee voting to cover 100% of resident costs—aiming to replace remaining lines by end of 2028. Politics & Civic Life: The Wisconsin AG race heats up with a Kaul vs. Toney debate set for Oct. 11, and governor candidates Crowley and Tiffany both hit La Crosse’s Maple Leaf/Oktoberfest parade to talk affordability. Community & Culture: Milwaukee launched the Brew City Trail to connect breweries, beer gardens, and history across the city—plus Green Bay’s Untitled Town book festival returns. Health & Support: Madison’s Badger Challenge drew record turnout and raised $1.2M for UW cancer research, while Milwaukee’s Bread of Healing Clinic prepares for more patients after Medicaid changes. Education & Opportunity: UWM and the University of Seoul signed an engineering dual-degree deal, letting students earn degrees from both schools. Immigration Enforcement: ICE charter flights shifted to Akron-Canton as landing fees piled up, with invoices reported as overdue. Sports: Brewers closed the regular season strong and the Astros clinched the AL West; local college and high school sports kept rolling.

Wisconsin Supreme Court race: Court of Appeals Judge Pedro Colón is pitching himself as an “American traditionalist,” arguing the Constitution belongs to all citizens and that his legislative and budget experience can help the high court navigate a turbulent decade. Campus safety: Alpha Epsilon Pi has issued a cease-and-desist order to its Madison chapter while a hazing investigation continues after arrests tied to alleged hazing. Civil rights in schools: The Trump DOJ ended decades-old federal consent decrees aimed at undoing Jim Crow-era school segregation, a move critics say could roll back protections. Local policing and accountability: Madison is moving toward body cameras for all public-facing officers by end of 2027, accelerated by a $350,000 donation after public pressure following a fatal shooting. State politics and culture: Wisconsin voters decide three constitutional amendments on religion, taxes, and race this November. Elections watch: Marquette Law School’s upcoming poll will track the Crowley–Tiffany governor race plus views on data centers, AI, and election integrity. Milwaukee public safety: A criminal complaint alleges a classmate shot and killed 16-year-old Camron Bowen on Milwaukee’s south side. Sports (women’s hockey): Wisconsin women’s hockey stayed unbeaten with a 6-0 shutout sweep over St. Lawrence. Community & outdoors: Inmates at a western Wisconsin facility are raising monarch butterflies as a conservation and education project. Arts in southeast Wisconsin: Racine Art Museum is bringing “Accidentally Wes Anderson: Adventures in Wisconsin” to downtown Racine in 2027, with a statewide photo submission call.

Community & Culture: Doors Open Milwaukee returns this weekend with 150+ free stops for behind-the-scenes tours of historic landmarks, neighborhoods, and cultural spaces. Public Safety & Community Memory: A memorial at the Fox River’s McHenry Dam honored Marine veteran Magdalena Jablonska, killed in a July boat crash; her death is tied to charges against the driver. Family Support: Milwaukee Diaper Mission held a drive-thru giveaway on the south side, distributing 40,000 diapers plus essentials for families facing diaper insecurity. Education & Caregiving: UW-Madison is launching a free Badger Caregiving Clinic next week to support unpaid caregivers with in-person and telehealth help. Local Events: Madison’s Cheese Fair Off the Square drew thousands for artisan dairy samples and a new Born To Dairy Milk Bar. Sports (Milwaukee): The Brewers kept their late-season push going with Brice Turang’s two-run homer in a win over the Cardinals. Workforce & Training: New Tecumseth is moving toward a Skilled Trades and Technology Training Centre, meeting with post-secondary partners ahead of a feasibility study.

Education & Funding: Wisconsin Superintendent Jill Underly used her State of Education address to push for major changes to the school funding formula, saying 90% of districts have relied on referendums over nine years. Milwaukee Schools & Civil Rights: Milwaukee Public Schools is caught between its discipline-reform efforts and a federal probe alleging race may have been improperly considered in student discipline. Community & Culture: La Crosse Public Library hosted a Dolly Parton “crafternoon” with a screening of “9 to 5,” tied to early literacy through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Arts & Music: Frankly Music’s Season 23 kickoff, “Soul of a Nation,” brings a Milwaukee premiere work and performances featuring Milwaukee Symphony players. Public Safety & Health: DHS reported 20 more measles cases, bringing Wisconsin’s total to 191 this year, with most cases among unvaccinated or unsure-status people. Local Life & Outdoors: Friends of Camp Bird held Appreciation Day in Crivitz, celebrating the camp’s history and future for youth since 1943. Sports: Wisconsin women’s hockey opened with a 6-2 win over St. Lawrence. Higher Ed Milestones: Multiple counties reported 2023-24 degrees and certificates, including Eau Claire (5,407), Winnebago (2,233), Oconto (2,025), and Pierce (1,230).

Higher Education & Community Safety: Madison police say they found about 30 young men partially clothed and covered in food and liquids in an Alpha Epsilon Pi basement hazing incident; two 20-year-olds were arrested, and a hazing researcher says many cases go unreported. Public Health & Families: Children’s Wisconsin says the FDA-approved gene therapy FAYUVI will be available in Southeast Wisconsin for Sanfilippo Type A, offering new hope for families facing a rare, fatal childhood disorder. Local Housing: Tomahawk broke ground on a 72-unit apartment complex aimed at easing rental pressure, with one-, two-, and three-bedroom options. Wisconsin Culture & Learning: La Crosse Public Library marked Dolly Parton with a “9 to 5” crafternoon tied to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Civic Remembrance: Wisconsin flags will fly at half-staff Sept. 26 and Oct. 10 to honor fallen firefighters and EMS professionals. Sports & Community Pride: The Milwaukee Brewers beat the Cardinals 8-4 as Robert Gasser struck out nine; UW-Madison volleyball coach Steve Lowe is remembered for filling seats and building a fan culture.

AI & Privacy: A Wisconsin-linked federal court ruling has parents pulling kids’ photos offline as AI-fueled child sexual abuse fears rise. Public Safety & Justice: Madison police arrested two leaders after finding about 30 pledges in a sweltering, filthy fraternity basement with injuries in a hazing probe. Immigration Enforcement Fallout: Unpaid landing fees are piling up as ICE deportation flights surge through Akron-Canton, raising questions for local oversight. Education & Community: Watertown schools will replace “Flashdance” after backlash over an “X-rated” musical choice. Health & Family: Mercyhealth expands genetic counseling access to help families understand inherited breast cancer risk. Culture & Local Life: St. Matthias Parish in Milwaukee marked 175 years of Catholic community life, from early German roots to today. Civic Engagement: UW-Oshkosh is hosting free fall public talks on immigration and AI data centers. Sports & Lifestyle: Rocky Horror Show bobbleheads launch via Kickstarter in Milwaukee.

NBA & Sports Culture: ESPN’s NBA Rank 2026 wraps with a tight top-10 race for No. 1, separated by just three voting points among Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Wembanyama. Local Arts & Community: Red Cedar Symphony opens applications for its 2027 Concerto Competition (Jan. 16 in Rice Lake), and Rhinelander’s library teams up with Rhinelander High School for a Local Author Fair featuring 24 writers plus keynote by Michael Perry. Wisconsin Economy & Food: Gov. Tony Evers says Wisconsin is now the 10th largest U.S. exporter of ag products, hitting $2.13B in Q2 2026. Health & Safety: Wisconsin faces worsening wildfire smoke health risks, while Milwaukee reports lead hazard removal orders since 2023—costly and hard for landlords to complete. Workforce & Immigration: Immigration crackdowns are deepening Wisconsin’s caregiver crisis as agencies struggle to hire overseas workers. Civic Life: Wisconsin State Fair Park updates youth admission rules: minors 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult after 5 p.m.

Civic Engagement & Voting Rights: U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin introduced the “Safe Access to the Polls Act,” aiming to block federal agents—including ICE, CBP, and the National Guard—from being used near polling places. Constitutional Amendments: The League of Women Voters in La Crosse hosted an education event on three Nov. 3 amendments covering the governor’s partial veto power, emergency rules for places of worship, and government discrimination protections. Local Government & Community Spaces: Denmark celebrated the opening of a new community center and library space in a former school building, adding resources like JobPod for jobseekers. Culture & Identity: Milwaukee’s Omen Alternative is spotlighted as a rare Midwest shop for punk, emo, goth, raver, and rockabilly styles—built for creative self-expression. Public Safety & Daily Life: Fort Atkinson finalized updated e-bike/e-scooter rules, including lighting, age limits, and parent accountability. Community Safety During Celebrations: La Crosse police are ramping up for Oktoberfest week with extra patrols and reminders to plan safe rides. Sports & Community Interest: Gregg Popovich reportedly married Mary Barth Budenholzer, and Wisconsin readers also got a steady stream of local election-and-lifestyle coverage alongside sports updates.