AGP Executive Report

Local Culture: Madison beer historian Robin Shepard is launching “A Keg of Their Best,” tracing Dane County brewing history from the 1800s to today, with an official July 10 Wisconsin Historical Society Press launch. Community & Youth Sports: Hartland is moving forward with a proposed ordinance for e-bikes and e-scooters, including safety and where riders can operate. Outdoor Life & Safety: The Town of Merton approved wake-boat restrictions on Moose Lake and Lake Keesus, targeting artificial wake-enhancing equipment over shoreline and public-safety concerns. Wisconsin Pride & Events: Madison’s Pride Month calendar is in full swing, highlighted by the Big Gay PRIDE Market (June 19–21) and Live on Queen (June 26). Education & Care: Milwaukee Public Schools is rolling out 50 electric buses this fall, with plans to add 100 more over the next three years. Health & Aging: Health Dimensions Group says nine Wisconsin senior living communities earned AHCA/NCAL 2026 Bronze—Commitment to Quality Awards. Agriculture & Learning: Wisconsin FFA announced new staff roles to expand ag education and chapter programming statewide. Local Government Watch: Two Democrats are seeking to challenge Treasurer John Leiber in November.

Politics & Voting Access: The Wisconsin Elections Commission rejected ballot-access challenges for several candidates, including keeping key names on the 7th CD primary ballot, while also denying Minocqua Brewing owner Kirk Bangstad after signature shortfalls. Reproductive Rights: Wisconsin Democrats and advocates marked Griswold’s 60th anniversary by calling for state birth control protections amid fears of federal and Supreme Court rollbacks. Community Safety: Milwaukee City Attorney Evan Goyke says a tougher reckless-driving approach is boosting convictions and cutting fatalities. Culture & Education: Verona Area High School students earned Jerry Awards recognition for “Hadestown: Teen Edition,” and the Wisconsin FFA Center named Jennifer Russell as managing director for chapter and member programming. Health & Outdoors: DHS reports rising young deer tick activity statewide, and Wisconsin’s tourism hit a fourth straight record year with 117M visits and $27B impact. Local Lifestyle Spotlight: A Sister Bay tradition returns—goats get their own parade before heading to the rooftop at Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant. Hate & Accountability: Wisconsin’s antisemitism audit found confirmed incidents jumped 83% in 2025, and federal prosecutors unsealed charges tied to a violent anti-Israel intimidation plot involving people connected to UMich. Work & Immigration: Wisconsin DOJ and partners won a court ruling blocking an unlawful $100,000 H-1B fee policy. Sports: WIAA track highlights include Landerud’s final-medal run for McFarland and state titles for Deerfield’s Drobac and Berryman.

Agritourism & Education: Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center in Manitowoc is turning agriculture into hands-on learning, using “fun” to get kids and families to actually absorb how food is made. STEM for Wisconsin youth: The Food + Farm Exploration Center in Plover is enrolling students for summer camps mixing cooking, greenhouse science, engineering, and food chemistry. Workforce & culture: Carl Sandburg College joins a Midwest maritime training consortium, while UW-Stevens Point earns national College of Distinction recognition for experiential learning. Health & safety: A rare Lyme-related bacterium has been found in New York ticks, and a Salmonella outbreak tied to moringa supplements has expanded to 119 cases across 36 states, including Wisconsin. Community & arts: Wisconsin Public Radio lands a grant to expand Classical Music Day statewide, and Milwaukee’s Polish Fest/Les Paul/Gorge & Gracie coverage spotlights local culture. Civic life: Birth control protections are back in the spotlight at the Capitol as Democrats and advocates push state action. Immigration & families: A Sheboygan mom’s ICE detention story continues to draw attention, and a legal win overturned a historical drug charge for Everlee Wihongi’s case. Sports: Top Chef crowns Filipina Rhoda Magbitang, and Big Ten women’s basketball opponents for Wisconsin are set.

Local Accountability: A Milwaukee County Transit System audit says key MCTS contracts weren’t reviewed or approved by the county board, raising questions about oversight for millions in spending. Public Safety & Weather: With more flooding possible this week, Milwaukee-area officials are being pressed on how prepared they are for severe storms. Education & Workforce: Arcadia schools won a $25,000 WEDC Fab Lab Grant to expand automotive fabrication labs, while Carthage College launched an MSN Nurse Educator program aimed at easing the nursing shortage. Health & Access: Wisconsin DHS rolled out info on a new federal Medicaid work requirement coming in 2027, and advocates warn it could disrupt coverage. Reproductive Rights: Wisconsin leaders marked the 61st anniversary of Griswold v. Connecticut, urging action to protect contraception access. Community & Culture: Milwaukee’s tourism hit a record $4.431B economic impact in 2025, and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center celebrated 50 years. Immigration & Care: Attorneys say Milwaukee mosque leader Salah Sarsour is deteriorating in ICE custody due to denied diabetes care. Civic Life: A new “Green Bay Blueprint” campaign targets clearer property tax transparency, including voucher-related disclosures.

Community & Culture: Wisconsin Watch’s “Public Square” photo project is bringing community storytelling to Green Bay with a short outdoor exhibit and panel discussion. Arts & Heritage: Cedarburg Art Museum adopted new mission and vision statements to deepen its role as a regional arts hub. Local Business & Lifestyle: Schmidt & Bartelt is moving its Oconomowoc office next to its closing location, and a new dog-friendly cafe, Brody’s Coffee, is opening in the area. Sports & Youth: Verona’s Aaron Yarbro surged to a state podium finish in the 3,200, while Wisconsin’s summer sports calendar keeps rolling with WIAA lacrosse championships set for Sun Prairie. Health & Aging: Brookfield’s Enjoy Life Active Aging Symposium returns Wednesday with fitness, food, and pet-adoption fun. Environment & Science: Researchers say invasive bloody red shrimp are now established across all five Great Lakes. Politics & Rights: Lawyers say Milwaukee Islamic Society leader Salah Sarsour is losing weight, denied diabetes care, and blocked from religious practice in ICE detention. Tourism: Gov. Evers and the tourism department announced a record 2025 run—117.9 million visits and $27B in economic impact.

Summerfest 2026: Common will replace The Roots at the BMO Pavilion on June 25 after a scheduling conflict forced The Roots to cancel. Milwaukee Education: The Milwaukee Reading Coalition says DPI reneged on promised support for an early literacy teacher training push, leaving the initiative in jeopardy. Community Loss: Michael Johnson, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County, died at 50; he was known for youth advocacy and community rebuilding after the Tony Robinson shooting. Public Health: Wisconsin pediatricians mark 20 years of the HPV vaccine, but state data shows nearly half of teens still aren’t getting the shots. Health & Safety: UW doctors highlight firearm education in medical schools as a harm-reduction approach, noting Wisconsin’s high share of firearm deaths tied to suicide. Family Budget Pressure: A new study finds many Wisconsin families can’t afford summer learning programs, with cost the biggest barrier. Local Business & Pride: Bay View businesses plan grand openings, and Milwaukee Pride events keep drawing community groups into the spotlight. Sports (Big Ten): Big Ten released Wisconsin women’s basketball home/away matchups for 2026-27. Science & Culture: Taliesin Preservation announces an America 250 lecture series exploring Frank Lloyd Wright’s ideas.

Wisconsin Politics & Community: Wisconsin’s lieutenant governor race is heating up with Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski set for the general election and two Republicans battling in the Aug. 11 primary. Local Education: Oregon School District selected Edustaff as its official substitute staffing partner, aiming to keep classrooms covered with screened, prepared substitutes. Culture & Outdoors: Riveredge Nature Center is stepping into a more accessible era, expanding programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, memory loss communities, and mobility needs. Nature & Public Safety: Xcel Energy is using AI-powered wildfire cameras across Wisconsin, with more locations being considered for the next phase. Heritage & Art: La Crosse installed a new Ho-Chunk healer sculpture, replacing a controversial earlier work and tying the art to indigenous plants and river history. Lifestyle & Food: You-pick strawberry season is nearly here, with growers bracing for a short, weather-driven window. Sports & Youth: Camp of Champs returns to Kingsford with basketball sessions for grades 3–12, plus attitude-focused awards. Business & Workwear: Brady Corporation announced a CEO transition, and Duluth Trading reported improved first-quarter results.

Obituaries & Public Life: Pulitzer-winning psychiatrist Robert Coles, who helped reshape how the U.S. thinks about children, health, and civic policy, has died at 97. Milwaukee Community & Culture: Lincoln Creek Week returns with a full week of free, family-friendly nature events—paddling, biking, hiking, and more—aimed at reimagining the greenway. Latino Heritage: Rep. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez is named grand marshal for the 2026 Fiesta Puerto Rico Parade & Festival, celebrating Puerto Rican history and community leadership on Milwaukee’s south side. Pride in Milwaukee: Hundreds marched in Walker’s Point for Milwaukee’s annual Pride Parade, capping a weekend of LGBTQ+ celebrations. Youth & Health Pathways: A new K-12 Medical Assistant pathway is helping Milwaukee students graduate with medical certification through a partnership with MedCerts, Boys & Girls Clubs, and Froedtert Hospital. Local Arts & Community Spaces: A Green Lake pottery studio, built from a family dream, is turning a storefront into a handmade hub for art and connection. Religion & Relationships: The Presbyterian Church (USA) faces internal backlash over a proposed rule requiring clergy to be in monogamous sexual relationships. Food & Family Summer Tips: Milwaukee-area experts share quick, affordable meal ideas for families during summer break, with guidance on serving size, added sugar, sodium, and hydration. National Parks & History: A federal request to flag “un-American” signage in national parks backfired, drawing praise for rangers and calls for a fuller, honest history. Politics & Media: President Trump abruptly walked out of an NBC “Meet the Press” interview after Kristen Welker pressed him on election claims and his “weaponization” fund.

Wisconsin Politics & Community: UW–Madison is investigating a student animal-rights group over a flyer tied to the April 18 beagle breeding facility raid, sparking debate over free speech and animal welfare. Local Culture & Family Fun: “Cows on the Concourse” returned to Madison’s Capitol Square for National Dairy Month, with petting, farm talks, grilled cheese, and hands-on learning. Arts & Neighborhood Events: Wauwatosa’s Art 64 brings a live bracket-style live painting tournament plus screen-printing pop-ups from Milwaukee streetwear brand Unfinished Legacy. Health & Safety: A national CDC-linked salmonella outbreak tied to backyard chicken flocks has reached Wisconsin, with young children hit hardest. Sports & Wisconsin Pride: Marathon repeated as Division 3 boys track state champions, while Stevens Point’s Curt Clausen returned home as a race-walking legend. Education & Child Care: Wisconsin’s child care “bridge payments” are set to expire, and providers warn tuition hikes and closures could follow. Sports Business (Wisconsin angle): At TPC Wisconsin, Packers legends Donald Driver and Jordy Nelson joined Caroline Harvey for a celebrity foursome benefiting American Family Children’s Hospital.

Capitol Square Dairy Kickoff: “Cows on the Concourse” brought live cows and grilled cheese to Madison as a family-friendly start to June Dairy Month. LGBTQ+ Community Life: Milwaukee’s Corner House, a Lutheran campus ministry at UW-Milwaukee, is highlighting its LGBTQ+ affirming mission under a transgender pastor; in La Crosse, Chances R hosted a Pride Fest with drag and live music. Education & Costs: UW System regents approved a 2% tuition increase for 2026-27 and elected a new regent president, keeping student access and affordability front and center. Civic Milestones: The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center marked 50 years on Vliet Street with music, food, and kids’ activities. Public Health Watch: West Allis Medicaid dental claims jumped 76% in 2024, signaling shifting local demand for care. Safety & Tragedy: A bicyclist killed in Chicago’s Bridgeport crash was identified as a CDOT employee devoted to bike infrastructure. Voting Rights Tension: Postal workers criticized a new USPS rule tied to restricting mail-in voting, calling it unconstitutional.

Teen Takeovers: A new wave of “teen takeovers” is spreading nationwide, with social media helping large groups of teens converge fast—sometimes turning violent or chaotic, including recent incidents tied to Milwaukee. Pediatric Care Honor: Dr. Simon S. Rabinowitz was named IAOTP “Top Pediatric Gastroenterologist of the Year,” spotlighting Wisconsin-area medical leadership. Local Health Policy: Dane County supervisors urged UW Health and Children’s Wisconsin to restart gender-affirming care for transgender youth after a January pause. College Affordability: UW System regents approved a 2% in-state tuition increase for 2026-27, citing rising costs after years of freezes. Workforce Training: NWTC Aurora added a path to earn a Wisconsin Class B commercial driver’s license locally. Sports & Community Pride: PWHL Detroit announced its first player, Canadian star Daryl Watts, a Wisconsin Badgers alum. Arts Impact: Madison’s Overture Center projects nearly $67M in economic impact for the 2025-26 season. Food Justice & Literacy: Milwaukee Reading Coalition says DPI won’t route state literacy funds to its planned commission. Politics in the Dairyland: Trump visited western Wisconsin to court farmers, while a federal judge blocked new SNAP restrictions.

Higher Ed & Community Input: The Universities of Wisconsin kick off a statewide search for a new system president with public listening sessions, including a Milwaukee stop June 9, as regents also approved a 2% tuition increase for 2026-27. Campus Identity: UW-Stout officially becomes UW-Stout Polytechnic, a name change meant to spotlight hands-on, career-focused applied learning. Local Culture & Food: Milwaukee’s Korean restaurant Char’d is closing after eight years, but the space is set to reopen next month as bb.q Chicken. Historic Places: La Crosse’s City Hall and other local landmarks were added to the State Register of Historic Places, including the Congregation Sons of Abraham. Sports & Community Events: The American Family Insurance Golf Championship returns to Madison with pair play, plus local events tied to the tournament’s kids’ hospital support. Pride & Identity: Pride celebrations continue across Wisconsin, with coverage also highlighting Two-Spirit meaning and Native women making history in elections. Agriculture Politics: President Trump holds a Chippewa Falls roundtable with farmers, promising relief on costs and touting farm income gains. Energy & Solar: Negotiations between Xcel Energy and St. Croix County over a solar farm joint development agreement have stalled, with Xcel moving toward a PSC filing.

Education & Community: Escanaba’s Kathy Miron is set to retire after a 40-year run as a music teacher and more, with Superintendent Coby Fletcher praising her care, high expectations, and lasting impact on students and staff. Higher Ed Costs: The UW System Board of Regents approved a 2% in-state tuition increase for 2026-27, plus a 3.5% rise in segregated fees, marking the fourth straight annual hike as costs climb. Local Housing: La Crosse secured $2.4 million in tax credits for two affordable housing projects, including converting the old Lincoln Middle School into 51 units. Childcare Crunch: Wisconsin childcare providers are bracing for major fallout as state funding tied to the Child Care Bridge Payments Program expires June 30, with some warning of closures or reduced services. Politics & Courts: The Wisconsin Supreme Court voted to create a committee to study judicial recusal rules, a move that delays immediate action amid growing scrutiny. Immigration & Rights: Milwaukee County is seeking outside legal help as an FBI probe touches the 2020 election, while Wisconsin-based Palestinian activist Salah Sarsour’s family and attorneys report serious health decline in ICE custody. Culture & Learning: Caramel Crisp Bookstore in Oshkosh is hosting two late-June author events featuring Wisconsin writers, including a Menasha native’s YA novel and a kids’ storytime.

State Capitol Politics: Wisconsin Senate Republicans say they’re open to a new vote on the $1.8 billion surplus tax relief and school funding package if two more GOP senators flip, after the deal failed last month with all 15 Senate Democrats voting no. Higher Education & Cost of Living: The UW Board of Regents approved a 2% tuition increase for 2026-27, the fourth straight annual hike, with critics warning it will hit students hard. Road Safety for Families: Safe Kids Wisconsin is urging teens to join the Safe Roads Challenge during the “100 Deadliest Days,” when teen crash risk spikes in summer. Kenosha Court Update: A Kenosha father accused in a Thanksgiving 2025 fire that killed three children is headed to trial after a probable-cause finding. Community & Culture: Milwaukee PrideFest returns this weekend, and the Milwaukee Jewish community is hosting “God Cafe” workshops and lectures in June. Environment & Health: Tyco’s firefighting-foam PFAS fallout continues with a reported $10 million settlement with Wisconsin. Local Education Leadership: UW-Stout officially becomes “UW-Stout Polytechnic,” reflecting its applied, career-focused mission.

Wisconsin Asian Summer Festival: The Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce is bringing the first Wisconsin Asian Summer Festival to the Ozaukee County Fairgrounds on June 13, with free cultural activities, sports and dance competitions, plus a ticketed concert featuring Wisconsin Hmong artists. Summer Music & Community: Summerfest is getting a student spotlight with School of Rock students performing June 25–26, while 906 Fest in Iron Mountain offers two days of music, food trucks, and local vendors. Madison Weekend Spotlight: The AmFam Championship returns to TPC Wisconsin June 5–7, mixing PGA TOUR Champions golf with a Friday night Little Big Town concert and major fundraising for American Family Children’s Hospital. Local Culture Calendar: A neighborhood events roundup runs June 6–12 with family-friendly picks like a State Fair job fair and community park events. Privacy vs. Policing: Wisconsin communities are weighing Flock Safety license-plate cameras, with contract pullbacks and concerns after reports of misuse. Health Access Worry: Federal Medicaid work rules could make it harder for eligible Wisconsinites to enroll or stay covered. Court Watch: A federal judge postponed sentencing for former Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan and is weighing whether to overturn her obstruction conviction. Wildlife & Education: UW is investigating a student group tied to the Ridglan Farms beagle raid, while Marshfield Clinic was recognized for its partnership with UW-Stevens Point.

Western Wisconsin Politics: Army veteran Keith Purnell announced he’s running for the 94th Assembly seat, challenging Steve Doyle, with a campaign focus on housing and rising everyday costs. Student Debt & Higher Ed: Wisconsin’s issues are tied to a broader fight as Nevada AG Aaron Ford leads a coalition suing the U.S. Department of Education over a student-loan rule that narrows access for professional degree programs. Summer Outdoors & Family Fun: The DNR’s 14th annual Free Fun Weekend is set for June 6-7, with waived state park fees, free fishing clinics, and free access across parks, forests, trails, rivers, and lakes. Local Culture & Pride: Madison’s Night Market celebrates LGBTQ+ culture on June 11, and Milwaukee Film is running Pride Month programming with queer film series at the Oriental and Downer theaters. Community & Safety Rules: A Greenfield festival incident is sparking debate over hoodie/face-covering policies and how summer event rules are enforced. Local Arts & Museums: Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach announced a museum task force exploring a partnership between the Neville Public Museum and the Children’s Museum of Green Bay. Sports & Community Spotlight: UW-Superior named its 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame class, and Milwaukee will host MMA comeback Ben Askren’s July 18 bout after a double-lung transplant. Education & Civic Engagement: Leaders Igniting Transformation is launching a statewide candidate forum series in Milwaukee this summer.