AGP Executive Report

Higher Ed Growth: UW-Green Bay is welcoming momentum with 3.3% enrollment growth over last fall and 32% growth since 2020, with 75% of grads staying in the region. Milwaukee Campus Boom: UW-Milwaukee is also up, welcoming 5,056 new undergrads (including its largest first-year class in 17 years). Community Health & Fitness: Emplify Health by Gundersen Hillsboro is running the Arthritis Foundation Walk with Ease program this fall (Sept. 22–Oct. 30). Local Culture & Heritage: Dane County recognized National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15–Oct. 15) and highlighted the theme “Unidos, Somos Más.” Environment & Land Protection: The Dane County Board received a National Sierra Club Environmental Achievement Award for buying 165 acres and returning it to the Ho-Chunk Nation. Faith-Based Giving: Ripon Area Kids Church Camp-VBS donated beds and bedding to Sleep in Heavenly Peace in Fond du Lac/Dodge counties. Sports & Spotlight: Packers RB Josh Jacobs was convicted of misdemeanor battery and fined $1,000 after a plea deal. Public Safety Checks: Sauk County reported a 79% compliance rate after underage alcohol purchase attempts at 127 retailers. Privacy/Surveillance Watch: Sen. Josh Hawley expanded an AI surveillance probe, sending letters to Axon, Motorola Solutions, and Verkada.

Local Schools & Health: Milwaukee Public Schools superintendent wants $12M to add air conditioning to classrooms after extreme heat canceled classes, with most rooms currently lacking A/C. Public Safety & Privacy: Jefferson County Sheriff Travis Maze says he’s voluntarily suspended Flock Safety camera use after data was released without permission, while Milwaukee County Sheriff clarifies jail tablet rules. Politics & Community Impact: Data centers are heating up in the governor’s race, with both candidates backing local control but voters largely opposing the projects. Culture & Learning: Wisconsin’s 9/11 memorial in Kewaskum launches a capital campaign for a new education center, aiming to bring interactive learning to the Midwest. Indigenous Food & Environment: Wisconsin wild rice (manoomin) is rebounding, but long-term threats remain as stewardship efforts continue. Sports & Community Pride: Lake Mills boys won the Ladish Invitational; Wisconsin women’s soccer held Illinois to a 0-0 draw; Green Bay released full men’s and women’s basketball schedules. Youth Sports: Girls flag football is pushing toward WIAA-sanctioned status, with Packers-backed momentum.

Courts & Immigration: Massachusetts’ highest court issued a rare public reprimand to a judge accused of helping an immigrant escape ICE custody, citing an appearance of impropriety. Reproductive Rights: Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin announced a lawsuit challenging two state abortion restrictions, including a nurse-provision ban and a 24-hour in-person counseling wait. Milwaukee Public Schools: MPS is reissuing the bid process for demolition of fire-damaged Lincoln Avenue Elementary, after earlier steps stalled. Politics & Money: Trump doubled down on a “Trump dividend” promise—$5,000 to every adult if Republicans keep control—while also rolling out $500 Obamacare refunds for some Americans. Community & Health: Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley signed legislation approving $7.46M in opioid settlement funds for prevention and treatment initiatives. Local Nonprofits: The Packers Foundation awarded $1.6M in grants to Racine and Kenosha groups supporting homelessness, human services, and animal welfare. Culture & Family: Milwaukee Public Library hosts a free back-to-school story event with author Kelly Melton, plus WUWM’s “Swing State of the Union” returns for a new season on who shapes Wisconsin’s future. Sports & Wisconsin Pride: Packers RB Josh Jacobs entered a “no contest” plea in a battery case; and the Brewers are positioned to clinch a better postseason record with a win.

Politics & Money: Trump kicked off the GOP’s first-ever midterm convention in Dallas with a headline-grabbing promise: if Republicans keep the House and Senate, he’ll issue a “Trump Dividend” of $5,000 to every American adult—while critics flag the lack of details on how it would be paid. Voting Rights: The Trump administration is pushing hard to restrict mail ballots, filing emergency requests tied to efforts to purge rolls and limit access. Wisconsin Education: UW jumped to sixth best public university for entrepreneurship, and UMD added a new Early Childhood Education major aimed at filling a teacher shortage. Local Governance & Privacy: Wisconsin communities are reconsidering Flock automated license-plate cameras amid surveillance concerns. Public Health: DHS is warning Wisconsinites to prevent mosquito bites after Eastern Equine Encephalitis was found in Portage County. Community & Culture: Ironman Wisconsin returns Sept. 13 with a new Verona bike route, and a new Tai Chi Animal Frolics sculpture is now on display in Century School Park. Sports (Wisconsin): Brewers beat the Cubs again in a late comeback, while Packers RB Josh Jacobs heads to court Thursday after a battery charge.

Health & Science: A new blood-based screening approach is cutting unnecessary Alzheimer’s PET scans for trial recruits, aiming to speed earlier treatment for people with amyloid buildup. Public Health: Wisconsin measles concerns keep rising, with guidance for families to check school vaccine records as outbreaks spread in the southwest. Culture & Community: Milwaukee’s Quadracci Pavilion marks 25 years, reflecting on how the landmark became a lakefront symbol for the city. Arts & Music: Margaret Glaspy released a video for “Martin Luther King Jr.” ahead of an upcoming tour. Local Events: Blake’s Prairie Battle at the Bog returns Sept. 20 in Bloomington—mud bog racing, free and family-friendly. Education: Demand for Milwaukee Public Schools Montessori programs is surging, with waitlists driven largely by a shortage of Montessori-trained teachers. Sports (Milwaukee): The Brewers edged the Cubs 4-3 in 10 innings as the Cubs’ bullpen struggled again late. Environment & Outdoors: Monarch butterflies are migrating south, and Wisconsin-area shorelines can be prime spots to spot roosting clusters.

Behavioral Health Boost: Emplify Health by Gundersen in La Crosse won accreditation to launch a psychiatry residency program, aiming to ease a regional shortage by training three residents per year over four years. Local Remembrance: Kewaskum is pushing to expand the Wisconsin 9/11 Memorial—adding a museum and community center—25 years after the attacks, with organizers stressing education and year-round tours. Public Health & Outdoors: Wisconsin’s archery and crossbow deer seasons open Saturday as the DNR warns of a major epizootic hemorrhagic disease outbreak that has killed nearly 900 deer in the southeast. Community Safety & Justice: The Wisconsin Supreme Court heard arguments on whether a 10-year-old charged with homicide should have easier pathways to move from adult to juvenile court. Elections Watch: Federal prosecutors charged a noncitizen in Beloit with unlawful voting, part of a broader crackdown on illegal voting and registration. Sports & Culture: The Cubs’ bullpen again blew a late lead vs. the Brewers, while Milwaukee-area fans keep finding new ways to show up—like a Fourth Wing-themed soccer night tied to LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention.

Community & Health: Wisconsin’s measles outbreak is still expanding, with DHS reporting nearly 140 cases statewide and most tied to three southwestern counties—health officials urge families to check vaccine records and stay home if exposed. Education & Equity: A proposed constitutional amendment on fall ballots would ban preferential treatment in government programs, putting some targeted equity efforts at risk and reigniting the equity-versus-equality debate. Local Courts & Schools: A judge struck down a Milwaukee County budget provision that redirected money from the state school library fund, a win for advocates defending the Common School Fund. Public Safety & Families: Wisconsin voters also face a school funding fight in the background, while families are reminded about child seat safety and school meal access remains a key support for kids. Politics & Labor: In the 6th District race, Brad Smith picked up an AFL-CIO endorsement, signaling a strong labor push into the midterms. Business & Jobs: Schneider Elite Machining Group acquired Toolcraft Machining in Germantown, expanding precision capabilities under a new company name. Culture & Events: Ironman returns to Madison this weekend with IRONKIDS on Capitol Square, and the Wisconsin Singer Songwriter Series announced its 2026-27 lineup in Mequon.

Labor Day in Milwaukee: Hundreds packed Labor Fest and the Labor Day parade, with union groups marching downtown and families showing up for music, solidarity, and a push for better pay and safer workplaces. Wisconsin Politics & Work: Candidates for governor sparred over Act 10 and wages as the election sprint ramps up, with Labor Day events drawing undecided voters back into the race. Health Watch: Wisconsin measles cases keep climbing, with wastewater testing turning positive in more counties—DHS is urging families to check vaccines before school starts. Everyday Safety: Parents are calling for accountability after a child was allegedly left on a hot school bus, while officials warn about heat and dehydration risks. Culture & Community: Bronzeville Center for the Arts announced a new national speaker series tied to plans for Milwaukee’s Black Arts and Culture Museum, starting with Smithsonian leader Lonnie Bunch III. Sports (local): The Bucks begin a new era without Giannis, and the Brewers keep pressing in the playoff race. Lifestyle (food & fun): A new coffee-and-fudge spot, The Caffeinated Elk, is drawing skiers and families as a cozy stop with games and treats.

Milwaukee Bucks Basketball: The Bucks open the 2026-27 season without Giannis Antetokounmpo for the first time since 2012-13, after trading him to the Miami Heat for Tyler Herro and draft assets—now the big question is how Milwaukee’s younger core looks in “Season 1” post-Giannis. Local Business & Food: Dolcezza Gelato is “coming home” to Washington, D.C., but Wisconsin readers get their own sweet news too: Chocolate Shoppe’s Yippee Skippee ice cream and other flavors took top honors at World Dairy Expo’s contest, with winners auctioned Sept. 28 to fund dairy scholarships. Milwaukee Culture & Nightlife: Kickstand Cocktails is partnering with Pabst Theater Group to roll out across six major Milwaukee venues, doubling down on local live-entertainment energy. Community & Family: A Milwaukee couple completed an eight-year foster journey by adopting four children, celebrating the new chapter at Humboldt Park. Public Safety: In Kewaskum, a sheriff’s office is recommending charges after a bus driver left a 4-year-old unattended on a hot bus; parents say it fits a troubling pattern. Education Outcomes: New data highlights gaps in UW-Milwaukee and UW-Oshkosh six-year bachelor’s completion rates by race/ethnicity, including 52.9% for UWM Asian students and 48.9% for Hispanic/Latino students at UW-Oshkosh. Sports (Wisconsin Ties): The Cubs’ playoff push keeps looking toward Milwaukee—Monday’s series opener at American Family Field is framed as a key swing for the NL Central and wild-card race.

IndyCar & Local Sports Buzz: Scott McLaughlin finally snapped a long IndyCar winless drought, winning the season finale at Laguna Seca while Alex Palou secured the championship—another big Wisconsin sports weekend with Lambeau Field excitement and fans packing in for Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin. Community & Culture: Janesville murals are spreading beyond downtown, with new Brewers-themed and other public art projects bringing fresh color to everyday spaces. Native Heritage: A debate in Whitewater over Effigy Mounds Preserve signage is putting respect for sacred Native burial grounds against calls for more visitor-facing interpretation. Family & Learning: UW-Whitewater music students are adapting to practice-room changes during Center of the Arts renovations, using temporary spaces in the University Center. Public Safety & Kids: Whitewater police say a major internet crimes against children investigation has identified thousands of victims worldwide. Faith & Family Calendar: Central Wisconsin’s Sept. 6-12 events list includes story times, grief support groups, and family movie nights.

Immigration & Courts: A Milwaukee family says DHS falsely accused their father of threatening President Trump and is preparing to sue, after investigators later learned he didn’t write the note and was allegedly framed. Public Safety & Justice: Wisconsin’s prison population is at record highs, and GOP candidate Tom Tiffany says he’s open to expanding prison capacity to avoid releasing violent offenders. Education & Workforce: Wisconsin school districts are grappling with teacher retention and recruitment, with special education retention notably lower, as educators head back to class. Back-to-School Programs: Wisconsin Technical College System leaders highlight growth in dual-enrollment programs, aiming to boost enrollment and career pathways. Local Culture: Oak Creek LionsFest returns for Labor Day with free admission and major fundraising, including an $8,000 cash raffle and millions funneled back into the community. Community Health: Two Senior Fairs in Janesville and Beloit will offer flu shots plus services on health, housing, and finances. Sports & Community Life: Kenosha’s 23rd annual Classic Cruise-In drew 1,500+ classic cars and shut down downtown streets for the weekend.

Green Bay Game-Day Buzz: Notre Dame and Wisconsin fans flooded Lambeau’s area with rival rallies—Badger Bash North in red downtown and the Shamrock Kickoff in Titletown—closing roads and turning the city into a full-on matchup mood. Civic Engagement: The League of Women Voters-Greater Chippewa Valley is running a free Zoom volunteer training to help college students register to vote, with role-play practice and resources for answering questions. Gun Violence Prevention (Milwaukee): A Milwaukee initiative is expanding its “I Will Not Die to Gun Violence” program for younger kids, using a new coloring book to teach gun safety early. Community Remembrance & Loss: A Milwaukee family is mourning Marris Virgil, killed Friday in a neighborhood shooting, calling for accountability. Election Threats: A new report argues the biggest fall election threat is federal election subversion efforts, including moves aimed at voter access and investigations. Local Health Event: Rice Lake will host the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Oct. 3 with a Promise Garden ceremony and family activities. Tech & Privacy Watch: Flock cameras remain a hot campaign issue as Wisconsin leaders weigh limits and privacy concerns.

Permanent Deacons: Eleven men are set to be ordained to the permanent diaconate for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee on Sept. 12 at St. Monica Parish in Whitefish Bay, with stories of faith calls shaped by prayer and encouragement. Local Culture: Milwaukee’s “Polka Riot” brings a genre-bending twist to a Wisconsin tradition at Linneman’s Riverwest Inn on Saturday. Education & Equity: New data from UW-Whitewater shows Walworth County’s six-year bachelor’s completion rate for students of two or more races at 51% by 2024, while UW-Platteville reports Grant County’s Hispanic/Latino completion rate at 57.1%. Immigration & Due Process: A Milwaukee family says their father was falsely accused of threatening President Trump and plans a $5.5 million lawsuit against DHS, arguing the threat was fabricated. Tech & Privacy: Coverage highlights how Flock cameras work and why they’re drawing opposition over privacy and misuse, including in Wisconsin politics. Sports & Community: A steady stream of Wisconsin-area athletes is landing on college rosters for the week ending Sept. 6, from volleyball to soccer.

Immigration & Public Safety: ICE says arrests in Wisconsin hit new highs this summer, with more than 2,100 detentions since Jan. 2025, fueling fresh debate over enforcement and immigrant protections. Civil Rights & Faith: An Arrowhead High School graduate reached a settlement after being denied a Bible verse for a graduation slide; the district also agreed to First Amendment training and will stop student-written graduation slideshow messages. Health & Families: Wisconsin nonprofits and clinicians are pushing for better understanding of postpartum psychosis after the Lindsay Clancy case, while federal courts continue to wrestle with how AI-created child sexual abuse material fits First Amendment rules. Elections & Voting Access: Midterm mail ballots are going out amid litigation over Trump’s efforts to limit mail voting and concerns about Postal Service changes. Local Culture & Learning: UW-Stevens Point won a Wisconsin Historical Society Governor’s Award for Archival Innovation for an interactive census-based history project. Community & Sports: The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra returns to Ripon College for a free Sept. 20 concert, and Wisconsin youth hunting weekends and fall season openings are set to kick off.

Health & Community: Sanford Health has agreed to acquire North Memorial Health, with Minnesota Attorney General oversight and $600 million in guaranteed local hospital investments aimed at keeping care available in Robbinsdale and Maple Grove. Campus & Local Life: UW Athletics and Spectrum are teaming up for more branding at Camp Randall, including logo placement on the field and LED boards plus Spectrum charging stations. Public Safety & Accountability: Wisconsin’s Sex Offender Registry shows Green Lake County had 19 registered sex offenders in May. Education Outcomes: Dane County’s UW-Madison six-year bachelor’s completion rate for students of two or more races (entering 2018) hit 85% by 2024. Sports & Hometown Pride: A wave of Wisconsin high school athletes is landing on college rosters for the week ending Sept. 6, including multiple Mukwonago, Central, and Sheboygan Christian alumni. Food Safety: Walmart expanded a frozen-berry recall to 16 states, including Wisconsin, over possible E. coli contamination. Culture & Faith: A look at what permanent Catholic deacons do beyond the Sunday pulpit—Word, liturgy, and charity.

Flock Cameras in Wisconsin Politics: Wisconsin governor candidates are clashing over Flock surveillance cameras, with campaigns pushing limits or bans as voters question tech power and mass tracking. Voting Access Under Pressure: Midterm mail ballots begin statewide amid legal fights over Trump’s efforts to restrict mail voting, adding uncertainty for voters and election officials. Measles Back-to-School Push: Wisconsin health officials report measles cases rising in the south and urge families to check vaccination records before school ramps up. Local Public Safety: Milwaukee police and fire responded to a reported vehicle strike that sent one child to Children’s Hospital. Education & Workforce: CVTC and UW–Eau Claire launched a smoother teacher transfer pathway to help address the teacher shortage. Community & Culture: Viterbo University honored community leaders with its Saint John XXIII Award, while Indigenous Biz Con returns to Milwaukee for Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Food Insecurity Help: Nora’s Cupboards opened an Eau Claire location, joining 24-hour pantry efforts across Wisconsin. Health Research: A UW-Madison study finds postpartum health coaching plus blood pressure monitoring can boost follow-up care and improve blood pressure outcomes.