AGP Executive Report

School Safety: Wisconsin State Patrol and the Wisconsin School Bus Association are running Operation Safe Stop Week (Sept. 21-25), urging drivers to stop for buses with flashing red lights and reminding people that passing illegally can bring major penalties. Community Open Doors: Doors Open Milwaukee returns this weekend with 190-plus free sites, including a big UW-Milwaukee presence and special tours at select locations. Local Learning & Culture: A new Great Lakes shipwrecks book club launches this fall, pairing regional reads with talks from maritime archaeologists. Civic Conversation: The League of Women Voters in La Crosse is hosting an event to unpack three constitutional amendments on the ballot, including issues tied to veto power and worship during emergencies. Education Pressure: A new survey finds Wisconsin teachers are stretched thin—more stress, more second jobs, and growing worry about classroom pressures. Nature & Family Fun: Turtle Joe’s long-running turtle-egg rescue program is bringing kids in to see baby snapping turtles, while Water Circus is wowing families at its big-top run. Milwaukee Schools: Milwaukee Public Schools is filling hundreds of teacher vacancies by recruiting laid-off educators from Chicago.

Public Health: The CDC says a pet-turtle Salmonella outbreak has more than doubled to 20 cases across 12 states, with five hospitalizations—especially risky for kids under 5 and for turtles with shells under 4 inches. Local Culture & Community: Milwaukee’s child-run Ube MKE is bringing Filipino-inspired ube treats to the Shorewood Farmers Market, turning family food into a neighborhood tradition. Civic Life & Privacy: Milwaukee’s Community Collaborative Commission is looking to Baltimore’s community policing plan as it works on more resident voice and oversight around policing. Elections & Voting: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Trump’s bid to restrict mail ballots for the midterms, keeping long-used state processes in place. Wisconsin Education & Equity: New federal graduation data highlights persistent gaps for Black students across UW regional campuses, including UW-Whitewater, UW-Parkside, and UW-Milwaukee. Health Watch: Wisconsin health officials urge residents to check measles vaccination status as cases rise statewide and nationally. Sports (Milwaukee): The Brewers clinched a fourth straight NL Central title and can chase a franchise-record 98th win in Sunday’s finale at Baltimore.

Election & Voting Rights: A new federal push tied to Trump-era voting rules raises fresh worries for Wisconsin voters, including concerns about how voter data could be collected and used. Politics & Cost of Living: Wisconsin Democrats are framing the attorney general and governor races around affordability, arguing GOP candidates are “all in” on the Trump agenda that drives up everyday costs. Community Care: Milwaukee-area parishes are offering a nine-week grief support ministry, giving people a confidential, faith-based path toward healing after loss. Sports (Brewers): The Brewers chase a franchise record 98th win in the season finale against the Orioles, with a playoff bye and top seed still in play. Outdoors & Family Fun: Kohler-Andrae State Park has free, kid-friendly nature events this week, from tall-grass prairie walks to bird walks. Local Culture: Oktoberfest celebrations continue across Wisconsin, including the naming of the 2026 Mrs. Oktoberfest in La Crosse. Health & Safety: A Walmart frozen berry blend recall affects multiple states; Michigan shoppers are told the specific product wasn’t shipped there.

Wisconsin Culture & Food: A Madison chef’s new Pakistani cookbook, Zamine, blends South Asian recipes with Wisconsin ingredients and seasons, aiming to connect diaspora flavors to local produce. Community & Heritage: Milwaukee’s lowrider car show on 5th Street celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month, with dozens of clubs bringing culture, pride, and family stories alongside the cars. Local History & Housing Justice: A Dane County Historical Society director is set to speak on the history of racial covenants—deed restrictions that shaped neighborhood ownership patterns long after they were ruled unenforceable. Politics & Voting: The DOJ announced charges against 16 people across multiple states in alleged illegal voting and election crimes, including cases involving Wisconsin. Weather & Daily Life: With heavy rain and flood-watch concerns, Milwaukee residents are clearing storm drains to keep water moving and reduce flooding. Education & Back-to-School: Gov. Evers continued his UW-Superior back-to-school tour, highlighting new UW System school investments. Sports: The Brewers kept rolling toward October with another win over the Orioles, while Wisconsin’s offense leaned on its run game in a rain-tinged win.

Medical Breakthrough: Children’s Wisconsin says rare hearing-loss sisters Cleo and Lennon Plumb are among the first U.S. kids to get newly approved gene therapy, Otarmeni—already showing small signs like responding to sound. Community & Safety: Milwaukee police say a 7-year-old was seriously hurt after being struck while crossing near Washington Park; the driver was turning and the car hit a fence. Education & Recovery: Waukesha opens Crosspoint Academy, a recovery-focused secondary school for students returning from substance use treatment and mental health challenges. Local Privacy Debate: Waukesha ends Flock Safety funding after 2026, joining other Wisconsin cities raising Fourth Amendment and personal-data concerns. Student Life: UW–Madison’s Wisconsin Union expands alcohol-free connection grants so non-drinkers can find community. Sports & Culture: Packers name Waukesha South’s Darnell Wiltz High School Coach of the Week; Milwaukee Zoo hosts Ride on the Wild Side, a one-day bike event to fund a new rhino home. Weather: Flood watch extended for Racine and Kenosha through Saturday evening as scattered storms linger.

Milwaukee Brewers: Jackson Chourio’s three-run homer and Sal Frelick’s go-ahead 10th-inning single lifted the Brewers over the Orioles 6-5, keeping the NL Central champs chasing a playoff bye and home-field advantage. MLB Playoff Picture: The Dodgers clinched the NL West with an 8-2 win, while the Braves secured a postseason spot with a 6-2 win over the Astros—setting up a tight race for seeding. Local Culture & Heritage: Chippewa Falls Oktoberfest returns for its 23rd year, and a separate explainer traces how German immigrants helped shape Wisconsin’s Oktoberfest tradition. Community & Family: A South Side Milwaukee mural honoring Latino workers and Lincoln Elementary students took on new meaning after a school fire. Public Safety & Health: Milwaukee County opened a new $140M medical examiner facility in Wauwatosa to speed up autopsies, and rural Wisconsin EMS leaders warn rising call volumes are stretching volunteer crews. Education & Sports: Del-Aire/Pike-Delta-York School Board approved policy updates and staffing items, while UWL kicked off with a 2-1 comeback win to extend its early streak.

Milwaukee Public Safety & Privacy: The Fire and Police Commission reviewed new Milwaukee Flock camera guardrails, including tighter software access, a seven-day data limit, and a ban on civil-immigration-related searches—while questions lingered about whether data ever reached federal agencies like ICE. Local Justice: A Racine County sheriff’s deputy faces felony charges after a shooting injured a fellow deputy and that deputy’s 7-year-old son during a turkey hunt. Education & Safety: A second teacher from the same Wisconsin school admitted sexually assaulting minors, adding to a growing local accountability push. Health Watch: Wisconsin measles cases continue to rise, with health officials urging families to keep vaccinations up to date. Community & Culture: Thrive for Life opened St. Bakhita House in Milwaukee, expanding its House of Studies model to support women rebuilding lives after trafficking and sexual exploitation. STEM for Girls: Sheboygan’s AAUW will host its 9th annual Girls STEM Day Conference this fall. Sports & Local Pride: The Packers named Waukesha South’s Darnell Wiltz High School Coach of the Week after a 4-0 start.

Public Health: Wisconsin reports two lab-confirmed measles cases in Vernon County, with officials urging anyone exposed who isn’t immune to watch for symptoms and expect follow-up notifications. Local Safety & Accountability: Milwaukee residents packed the Fire and Police Commission meeting to demand an end to Flock camera use, after police acknowledged earlier data-sharing and misuse concerns; separate reporting also details a Kenosha deputy’s first court appearance on felony charges tied to alleged misuse of Flock and GPS tools. Education & Community: UW–Madison opened Irving and Dorothy Levy Hall, a new humanities home for classes including African American studies, gender and women’s studies, and religious studies. Immigration & Family Support: Roots4Change hosted a Dane County event spotlighting Latina and Hispanic birthing experiences and pushing for system accountability in maternal care. Arts & Culture: A new Madison shop, Pocket Cheese, is preparing to open at Atwood with an international lineup inspired by the owner’s multicultural background. Sports & Local Pride: UW–Green Bay enrollment is climbing as online and direct-admission options expand; UW–Whitewater women’s soccer shut out North Park 3-0, and the Wisconsin Herd named Schuyler Rimmer as head coach. Environment & Outdoors: Wade House Historic Site in Greenbush will plant 49 trees as part of a reforestation push after major forest loss.

Retail & Community Growth: Natural Grocers is opening a new Appleton store Sept. 30, bringing its affordable organic groceries and nutrition education to the Fox Valley. Local Food & Culture: Madison Black Restaurant Week named winners across five categories, spotlighting Black-owned spots like Fya Syde Kitchen and Marys Kitchen. School Spotlight: A Sun Prairie educator received a NEA award for teaching excellence, while Sheboygan’s Alyssa Boutelle was named Wisconsin School Social Worker of the Year. Public Safety: Wausau police are urging drivers to slow down in school zones after speeding complaints; Fort Atkinson updated e-bike and e-scooter rules after crash increases. Privacy & Surveillance Backlash: Wisconsin lawmakers and local leaders keep pushing back on Flock cameras, with new reporting raising fresh concerns about how the system stores and handles data. Immigration & Rights Debate: Rep. Derrick Van Orden sparked backlash after comments about Black voters and a gay president; Tiffany also renewed calls to end sanctuary policies. Arts & Lifestyle: Milwaukee Opera Theatre is staging a staged reading featuring Monica West’s “Nina/Violetta” (Sept. 17-20). Health & Safety in Schools: Indian Community School in Franklin will stay closed through Monday after a handgun threat involving staff.

Supreme Court & Voting: Wisconsin justices heard arguments over whether the state’s congressional map should be redrawn, with possible ripple effects for elections beyond 2028. Public Health: Dane County urged parents to double-check kids’ vaccination records as measles spreads, while Vernon County confirmed additional cases and contact tracing continues. Campus Culture Clash: Pro-life protesters and pro-choice UW–Madison students faced off at Library Mall, underscoring how abortion debate is playing out on Wisconsin campuses. Tech & Security: A UW–Madison cyber expert warned that AI is accelerating geopolitics and cybersecurity threats, from drone warfare to decision-making systems. Local Civic Life: Rogers voters will choose among four council candidates (with the mayoral race unopposed) as the city prepares its 2050 comprehensive plan. Community & Schools: After a fire displaced Lincoln Avenue students, the Milwaukee Bucks surprised kids at their new school with lunch, supplies, and hats. Sports & Community Pride: The Brewers clinched a fourth straight NL Central title, while Lake Mills boys won the Dana Waddell Invitational and UW–Platteville beat Wartburg 2-0. Family-Friendly Fun: Kalahari in Wisconsin Dells announced its $85M Aquadome indoor waterpark expansion opening Oct. 10.

Public Health & Safety: The FDA classified a recall of six hand soaps made by Intercon Chemical Co. as Class II, citing possible bacterial contamination; Wisconsin is among 15 states affected. Community & Culture: Aurora’s City of Lights Film Festival kicks off Friday with “Adult Children,” plus a Saturday lineup featuring documentaries and student films from across the Midwest. Sports & Local Pride: Marquette Law School polling points to “trouble” for Republicans in November, while Wisconsin sports fans get plenty of action—from Grafton’s rebuilding cross country program to Port Washington’s runners and Cedar Grove-Belgium’s Nightfall Classic win. Education & Kids: Experts say recess matters for focus and stress relief, and UW-Whitewater names student teachers for fall 2026. Civic Life & Privacy: A community debate is heating up over surveillance cameras like Flock, with concerns about how license-plate tracking affects everyday privacy. Elections & Voting Rights: A new push targets nursing homes after concerns about ballot harvesting and protecting residents’ voting choices.

Health & Education: Children’s Wisconsin climbed to No. 12 in the Midwest in the latest U.S. News pediatric hospital rankings and earned national recognition in six pediatric specialties. Community Support: Milwaukee’s Bridge Project is expanding to provide monthly cash stipends to 180 mothers (aiming for 200) with $3M+ in new local funding, while Blessings in a Backpack is pushing into Madison to help students facing food insecurity. Schools & Opportunity: Milwaukee Public Schools was selected for a national Social Mobility Leadership Network to expand access to AP/IB and dual enrollment. Public Safety & Politics: Milwaukee County Clerk Regi Waligora warned voters about confusing third-party mailings that are only absentee ballot request forms, not ballots. Higher Ed Spotlight: Gov. Tony Evers toured UW-Stout Polytechnic and other UW campuses, highlighting a $250M UW System investment. Sports (Milwaukee): The Brewers clinched a fourth straight NL Central title with a 5-1 win over the Pirates, powered by Jacob Misiorowski’s shutout and timely runs. Culture & Events: Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations kicked off across Wisconsin, including lawmakers marking “Together We Are More.” Elections Watch: A WISN 12 debate is set for Oct. 21 between Gov. candidates Tom Tiffany and David Crowley, with topics including cost of living, taxes, immigration enforcement, data centers, and election security.

Insurance & Transparency: Public Citizen says Wisconsin’s homeowners insurance data calls aren’t consistently answered and that without public access, climate-driven premium and coverage signals stay hidden. State Politics: Two candidates are set for Wisconsin Senate District 9 after Sen. Devin LeMahieu steps aside—Republican Amy Binsfeld and independent Christian Ellis. Local Water Safety: The DNR wrapped up its Lead Service Line Community Outreach Grant, awarding $3.5M to 21 communities; outreach funded by the program will keep going through 2028. Kenosha Accountability: Kenosha County DA Xavier Solis’ law license was reinstated a day after suspension, tied to cooperation with an Office of Lawyer Regulation investigation (details remain confidential). Campus Dialogue: UW’s “Wisconsin Exchange” and the push for pluralism are being discussed as students navigate today’s political climate. Milwaukee Culture: Milwaukee Film’s Dialogues Documentary Festival returns Sept. 24–27 with more than 30 screenings, including a world premiere about a local violence interrupter. Food & Community: Madison’s Las Islas Filipinas food truck is drawing buzz for its ube tres leches, and Near West Side Dining Day brings neighborhood specials on Sept. 19. Sports: No. 2 Maryland hosts No. 8 Wisconsin men’s soccer Sept. 18 at Ludwig Field. Education & Youth: A Wisconsin middle school banned caffeine pouches after confusion with nicotine pouches. Foster Care Need: Family Works is seeking more foster parents and respite providers statewide, especially for ages 10–17 and sibling groups.

UW-Madison & Community Culture: A $20M lead gift behind Irving & Dorothy Levy Hall is getting a tasty Wisconsin twist—Babcock Dairy will debut “Levylicious Salted Turtle” ice cream during the Sept. 17 grand opening. Civic Safety & Education: A community-backed back-to-school push focuses on safer routes for students, echoing local “care ethic” stories about slowing down and protecting kids on the way to class. Local Government & Public Works: MMSD’s Operations Committee advanced a 10-year wastewater contract with Jacobs to the full commission, but without a recommendation as Veolia’s lawsuit continues. Milwaukee Public Safety: A Milwaukee family mourns 22-year-old Sonny Bond, shot and killed near 14th and National. Libraries & Access: Delavan Public Library won a WiLS Ideas to Action Fund grant for “Learning Link,” aiming to reduce barriers for students getting library cards. Sports & School Spirit: Badgers fans tested their aim at the Kohl Center for free season tickets, while a D.C. Everest volleyball standout, Ella Eckhoff, committed to play at University of Alaska-Anchorage. Health & Community Support: The VA awarded $17M in Wisconsin grants to help prevent and end veteran homelessness. Indigenous Culture: The Aquinnah Powwow highlighted Indigenous dance, community, and education through the Wampanoag Tribe’s annual gathering. Housing & Quality of Life: Residents in Peoria report weeks of uncollected trash and overflowing dumpsters at an apartment complex, raising health and safety concerns.

Housing & Affordability: Redfin says the U.S. is short about 4.03 million homes, squeezing first-time buyers and raising pressure on rents—while the debate heats up over whether vacation homes reduce options for year-round residents. Local Business & Food: Westby Cooperative Creamery marked the Sept. 9 completion of a $14.1 million modernization that swaps aging open-vat cottage cheese production for new enclosed-vat technology to boost capacity and food safety. Education & Equity: A lawsuit challenges Wisconsin’s Minority Teacher Loan forgiveness program, arguing race-based eligibility violates equal protection after similar court rulings on other minority-based aid. Immigration Policy: Wisconsin is among states suing to block the Trump administration’s “public charge” rule, which would let immigration officials weigh use of public benefits when deciding green cards. Everyday Costs: A commute-cost report puts the average Wisconsin trip at $5,171 per year, with the priciest commutes in St. Croix, Washington, Ozaukee, Waukesha and Polk counties. Environment: Experts urge faster action on Lake Superior algal blooms, calling for more research funding and real-time monitoring to protect people and pets. Community Care: SC Johnson awarded $8,000 to Faith, Hope & Love’s Duffels for Kids program, helping provide hundreds more duffel bags for children. Health & Aging: A Racine County sleep guide breaks down what’s normal after 60—and what’s worth treating—aiming to separate aging patterns from fixable problems. Sports & Culture: Marquette PhD students are moving into senior living at St. Camillus to run activities like yoga, brain games and origami, blending campus life with community living.

Health & Science: A new pooled analysis in The Lancet Neurology finds plasma p-tau217 can flag who may develop cognitive impairment sooner, with APOE genotype shaping the timing. Cancer Care: Iylon Precision Oncology named Dr. Razelle Kurzrock as Chief Medical Advisor to guide expert, individualized cancer discussions for patients and physicians. Community & Culture: UMOS hosted its Mexican Independence Day Parade and Festival on Milwaukee’s south side, drawing big crowds for food, music, and “Roots and Culture.” Sports & Local Pride: A 102-year-old WWII Navy veteran wowed a sold-out Brewers crowd with “God Bless America” on the 9/11 anniversary. Public Safety & Politics: Wisconsin GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany survived an emergency plane landing on Lake Wausau, crediting a seatbelt and pilot skill after minor injuries. Arts & Neighborhood Life: 5 Points Art Gallery and Studios in Milwaukee is listed for sale at $2 million, raising questions about the future of the space for underrepresented artists. Family & Events: Fall plans are rolling in, from kids-and-family calendars to community gatherings across central Wisconsin.