AGP Executive Report

Milwaukee Public Safety Tech: University Police is moving toward a 60-day trial of Flock License Plate Reader cameras on campus, aiming to better investigate car thefts, larcenies, and hit-and-runs; meanwhile, nearby communities are also reviewing or pausing Flock use amid alleged misuse concerns. Elections & Voting Anxiety: A report says the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is launching a voter-fraud probe that includes Wisconsin, with critics calling it a politically timed distraction since voter fraud is rare. Back-to-School Wisconsin: State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly visited Monona Grove as students returned, highlighting literacy and math efforts and the push for a strong first day. Health Watch: Wisconsin measles cases are climbing, with Rock County saying concern is low but urging families to stay up to date on vaccinations as school starts. Culture & Community: Racine’s food-waste composting program is expanding to Starbuck International K-8, adding student cafeteria scrap collection to help divert thousands of pounds of organics from landfills. Sports & Local Pride: UW-Whitewater women’s soccer welcomed Veda Gisi for the 2026 season, and Wisconsin’s student mountain biking scene is gearing up for the Bluff Bash Festival over Labor Day weekend.

Back-to-school spotlight: Gov. Tony Evers kicked off his 50th back-to-school season with a video welcome for Wisconsin educators and staff, calling 2026 the “Year of the Neighbor.” Workforce & disability services: The Evers administration secured $11M in federal funding to expand vocational rehabilitation for Wisconsinites with disabilities and reduce the waitlist. Higher ed access: Wisconsin technical colleges are seeing long waiting lists for high-demand programs like welding, as campuses juggle inflation and years of underinvestment. Local community wins: Cedarburg’s Palette to Plate gala raised $65,000+ for the Cedarburg Art Museum, while a Waunakee woman celebrated turning 108. Milwaukee culture & planning: A Bay View redevelopment proposal could replace Unity Lutheran Church with a 55-unit apartment building that includes worship space. Public safety & tech: Milwaukee’s Flock camera debate continues as officials face pressure over use and oversight. Sports on the radar: The Brewers and Cubs meet again at Wrigley as the MLB regular season heads into its final month. Justice system update: A Lone Rock man was arrested on child pornography and child sex doll charges.

Public Health & Safety: Wisconsin opioid overdose deaths fell 42.5% from 2023 to 2024 as Narcan access, overdose test strips, and community education expand—La Crosse recovery advocates say bystander tools are making the difference. Education & Youth: CDC data shows 13% of Wisconsin kindergartners missed standard vaccines (measles-mumps-rubella), raising measles risk concerns as outbreaks spread regionally. Mental Health Care: Keys Medical Group Psychiatry adds psychiatric nurse practitioner Amanda DeBoer, expanding diagnostic care, therapy, and crisis support. Community Support: Inner Beauty Center’s “Where Hope Blooms” gala (Oct. 1) spotlights services for women facing exploitation, addiction, abuse, and poverty. Culture & Learning Abroad: UW-River Falls highlights its long-running Hessen, Germany partnership, boosting academic and cultural exchanges. Local Life: Price County’s Highway S closes Sept. 1 for repairs; and Milwaukee mourns the death of a 17-year-old shot Aug. 22, with police seeking a suspect. Civic Watch: WEAC recommends David Crowley for governor, citing conversations with educators about public education priorities.

IndyCar in Milwaukee: Rain and a wild schedule couldn’t stop Álex Palou from clinching his fifth IndyCar title in six seasons, while Pato O’Ward swept both Milwaukee Mile races—another big Wisconsin weekend for motorsports. Local Safety & Schools: State leaders urged drivers to slow down for school buses as kids head back, and a Wisconsin program focused on cardiac arrest response highlights how AEDs and fast action can save young athletes. Workforce & Opportunity: A new RESTART grant will fund BRIDGE-WI, training justice-involved youth and young adults for in-demand Wisconsin careers. Food & Health: Feeding America data shows Wisconsin’s food insecurity rose to 13.5% in 2024, and a sprouts recall expanded after salmonella/E. coli concerns, with Wisconsin among the hardest-hit states. Environment & Infrastructure: Enbridge temporarily halted Line 5 reroute work after a gas leak, while DNR and officials continue pushing for safer handling. Culture & Community: Amazon Ads launched “First Day Ready,” bringing brand experiences to college students, with a campus stop planned at UW–Madison. Sports Watch: The Brewers are set to take on the Cubs in a key Wrigley series as the MLB stretch run heats up.

IndyCar in Milwaukee: Alex Palou clinched his record-tying fourth straight IndyCar championship at the Milwaukee Mile after rain reshuffled the doubleheader, finishing 10th in the resumption race while Pato O’Ward swept both Milwaukee wins. Local Schools: Racine Unified rolled out a new cellphone policy under Wisconsin’s statewide law—phones off and stored for K-8, limited use for high school—aimed at cutting classroom distractions. Consumer Safety: The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau warned of rising text-and-phone scams, saying scammers increasingly rely on legitimate-looking services and AI to trick people. Public Safety & Privacy: A report says DHS used a “Worst of the Worst” register to add 10 Nigerians linked to serious alleged crimes, as immigration enforcement ramps up. Community & Culture: The National Eagle Center opened registration for winter eagle-viewing field trips in the Driftless Area, with guided outings designed for families and accessibility needs. Sports Notes: Pitt beat Wisconsin volleyball in a ranked matchup, while Wisconsin’s tennis and education stories continued building momentum into the new school year.

IndyCar & Milwaukee Mile: Rain kept reshuffling the Snap-on Milwaukee Mile doubleheader, with the Makers and Fixers 250 delayed and the second race moving up, as officials adjust start times for TV and track drying. Local Politics & Tech Surveillance: Sheboygan Mayor Ryan Sorenson says the city is moving to end its contract with Flock, alleging contract violations and prompting citywide camera coverage. Elections & Polling: A Marquette Law School Poll shows Democrat David Crowley leading Republican Tom Tiffany among likely voters, while registered voters are tied. Culture & Food: Milwaukee chef Gregory León’s Amilinda is featured in the national documentary series “Humble Kitchen,” spotlighting immigrant-led kitchens. Community & Civic Life: Greater Milwaukee Committee names Cristy Garcia-Thomas as permanent president and CEO. Health Policy Watch: New Medicaid billing reports show sharp local swings in categories like Temporary Codes, Vision Services, and ambulance/transport across multiple Wisconsin communities. Local News Ecosystem: A Northeast Wisconsin study maps how residents access and value local news, highlighting gaps in coverage and relevance.

IndyCar in Milwaukee: Rain forced the first Milwaukee Mile race (Snap-on Makers and Fixers 250) to be suspended after 90 laps; it resumes Sunday at 9 a.m. on FS1, with the second race set for 1 p.m. on FOX. Public Health: Wisconsin’s measles outbreak keeps climbing, with national reporting noting the state’s largest outbreak in decades as clusters expand. Food & Families: Feeding America reports 1 in 8 Wisconsin residents (and 1 in 5 children) are food insecure, with hunger tied to rising living costs. Local Schools: Several Milwaukee-area districts have November referendums on spending, including operational costs and facilities projects. Tech & Politics: A new poll finds most voters want communities to be able to limit data centers if they strain electricity, water, land, or infrastructure. Community & Culture: Milwaukee Film’s “Horsegirls” lands in the spotlight as a neurodivergent coming-of-age story, while Wisconsin’s Great Wisconsin Quilt Show and a new digital Smokey Bear sign in Minocqua highlight the state’s arts and outdoors.

Food Access & Community Building: Milwaukee’s Food Justice Collective is pushing a plan to turn the former Pick ’n Save site into Kingdom Kitchen & Grocery, a community-owned grocery plus wellness hub aimed at fixing a north-side food desert. Public Health & Safety: The FDA issued a Class I recall for Whole Foods Mild Guacamole Dip over possible salmonella contamination, sold in Wisconsin and 11 other states. Local Culture & Music: Wisconsin bluegrass band Chicken Wire Empire is bringing its roots sound to the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, highlighting the state’s growing Americana scene. Education & Equity: The U.S. Department of Education ordered schools to stop race-based discipline practices, saying behavior—not skin color—must drive consequences. Environment & Infrastructure: Enbridge’s Line 5 work faces renewed scrutiny after a rupture spewed natural gas liquids, with DNR and Gov. Evers calling for a halt while the leak is investigated. Outdoor Life: DNR reminds hunters that multiple September seasons are opening soon, with new online hunting regulations available. Sports (Wisconsin): Brewers host the Rangers in Milwaukee as the interleague series continues.

Food Safety: Everything Sprouts (and Calco) recalled alfalfa sprouts after Salmonella and Shiga-toxin E. coli tests; the company says products were shipped mainly to Minnesota and Wisconsin, with illnesses reported in more states. Public Health: Wisconsin’s measles outbreak in southwest counties surged again, hitting 92 confirmed cases (and climbing toward 98), with officials urging parents to check vaccine records as kids head back to school. Local Justice & Tech: A Milwaukee judge criticized the county’s use of jail tablets, saying defendants can intimidate witnesses and victims; Milwaukee police also defended Flock license-plate cameras amid misuse investigations. Community Resilience: Menasha schools held a back-to-school supply drive for families still recovering from a tornado, including students displaced from another damaged school. Culture & Dining: Madison’s Begonia opens on Monroe Street with Latin-inspired shareable plates and tacos, a retooling of the former Kettle Black Kitchen. Sports & Wisconsin Life: Wisconsin volleyball returns to TV tonight (vs. Stanford), while the Milwaukee Mile IndyCar doubleheader follows a practice crash that damaged two cars. Environment & Infrastructure: Jefferson County parks officials are preparing public feedback on a proposed high-voltage transmission line that would cross near parks and natural areas.

AI & Elections: A document dump tied to DHS election-denial efforts reportedly exposed a secret hire connected to post-election audit threats, adding fuel to Wisconsin’s fight over voting integrity and AI-generated political content. Surveillance & Privacy: Flock Safety’s license-plate cameras keep getting pushed back—cities are shutting them off, and lawmakers are demanding safeguards as privacy concerns spread beyond Wisconsin. Lake Ontario Rename: Trump’s “Lake America” order is drawing mixed reactions in Wisconsin, with Republicans and Democrats trading barbs while voters watch the broader tariff fallout. Trade & Prices: Canada’s retaliatory tariffs could hit Wisconsin businesses and shoppers, creating a “double whammy” as midterm politics turns on affordability. Local Roads: State 54 construction between Wisconsin Rapids and Plover is running longer than expected, with more closures planned after Labor Day. Community & Culture: Milwaukee teens and local groups are keeping busy—an LGBTQ-focused charity music festival is set for Bayview, and IndyCar returns to the Milwaukee Mile with a full weekend of events. Education & Access: Lakeland University is hosting a community open house at its Lakeshore College location, highlighting continued workforce-focused higher-ed pathways. Health & Outdoors: DNR reminds hunters about September season openings, while scientists warn a very strong El Niño could bring warmer fall and winter.

Public Safety & Politics: Wisconsin AG Josh Kaul is touting a public safety record in Madison, citing lower violent crime and expanded school safety and online child-crime investigations ahead of November. Food Insecurity: Second Harvest reports a 28% jump in food-insecure children across its 16-county service area, with about 1 in 5 kids now affected as families struggle with rising essentials. Kids Online & Mental Health: A Madison parent says Meta’s $17.1B settlement is a “step in the right direction,” with Wisconsin expected to receive at least $219M and possible added protections for teens on Instagram/Facebook. Surveillance Cameras: Milwaukee and other leaders are pushing for guardrails and oversight of Flock cameras after misuse concerns, while Two Rivers officials defend their use amid privacy questions. Elections Uncertainty: Wisconsin DOJ is joining a lawsuit challenging USPS mail-in voting rules, raising concerns about how voting will work in November. Health & School Readiness: Wisconsin measles cases keep climbing as school starts near, and districts are also facing a special education teacher shortage—now met with a $10.5M grant to improve recruitment and mentorship. Community & Culture: The Milwaukee Astronomical Society hosted a lunar eclipse watch party, and Rock County’s children’s museum is clarifying its “WonderVault” naming rollout.

Youth Health & Reproductive Care: Washington and other states are suing to block new Title X funding conditions that would force providers to drop nondiscrimination protections and discourage contraception, with Wisconsin also tied to the broader fight over family planning access. Tech & Privacy: Tempe, Arizona is removing Flock license-plate cameras after “misuse” concerns, while Wisconsin lawmakers and others keep pressing for safeguards as the surveillance debate spreads. Youth Online Safety: Wisconsin is set to receive about $219M from a landmark Meta settlement, with funds aimed at youth mental health and Meta required to add Instagram/Facebook child-safety features. Schools & Community: Oconomowoc High School’s upper gym is renovated into a modern training center for the new school year, and Milwaukee Public Schools leaders are laying out priorities for a fresh start. STEM After School: A new Wisconsin report finds afterschool STEM is growing but gaps remain—cost, transportation, and availability still keep many kids out. Local Culture & Wellness: Madison’s Glow and Gather returns to celebrate Black women through storytelling and community. Outdoors & Family Fun: Hunt Hill Nature Center and other Wisconsin events highlight hands-on learning, from swans to mushrooms. Sports & Weekend Energy: IndyCar’s Milwaukee Mile gets major sponsor extensions, keeping the race weekend a big Wisconsin draw.

UW System & Tuition Affordability: The UW Board of Regents is pitching lawmakers a deal: add $730M in aid over two years while freezing tuition if the state covers the lost revenue, aiming to keep future increases at or under inflation. Tech & Privacy: U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley is investigating Flock Safety’s AI camera network over concerns about location data collection and misuse, after Wisconsin-related misconduct allegations involving license-plate tracking. Youth Online Safety: Meta’s $17B+ settlement with states—including Wisconsin—would require new Instagram/Facebook child-safety rules like daily time limits, nighttime blocks, and stronger age checks, with Wisconsin’s share pegged at $219M and potentially more. Road Safety for Families: WisDOT hosted its Safer Together event in Madison with school-bus safety, K-9 demos, and hands-on tech to push safer driving and walking as school starts. Culture & Reading: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is expanding in Wisconsin community-by-community, with local groups already enrolling hundreds of kids. Food Insecurity: A Feeding America report says food insecurity is rising in southwestern Wisconsin, hitting one in eight people and sharply increasing need among children. Health Guidance: ASTRO updated pancreatic cancer radiation guidance, reflecting new trial data and more precise delivery.

Big Tech & Kids Online: Wisconsin’s share is in the spotlight as a multistate $17.1B Meta settlement moves forward, with sweeping child-safety changes for Instagram and Facebook. Voting Rights & Mail Ballots: AG Brown and other states sue USPS over a rule aimed at reshaping vote-by-mail on an “impossible timeline,” arguing it risks disenfranchising eligible voters. Public Health: A Minnesota-grown alfalfa sprout outbreak tied to E. coli and salmonella has sickened people across many states, with Wisconsin reporting 17 cases so far. Local Culture & Community: Milwaukee’s Democratic leaders meet to talk year-round organizing and policy priorities as the party eyes possible legislative control. Civic Debate: Wisconsin experts push back on a Census noncitizen voting report, calling its methods seriously flawed. Outdoors & Safety: Letters weigh in on e-bikes and trail rules, arguing for safe sharing and clearer facts. Sports & Schools: DeForest kicks off the girls’ swim season with a strong showing at the Norski Invite.

Privacy & Courts: Michigan AG Dana Nessel and a coalition won a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from demanding CDL drivers’ personal data and threatening funding cuts tied to the AAMVA database. Immigration Enforcement: The U.S. Justice Department sued an Ohio municipal court over a rule meant to stop federal immigration arrests near courthouses, escalating the fight between federal agents and local institutions. Education & Workforce: Gov. Evers toured Chippewa Valley Technical College to highlight Wisconsin’s Workforce Solutions Initiative and how UW-Eau Claire and CVTC are building smoother pathways into in-demand careers. Local Schools: Baraboo’s district is urging an alternate route for a proposed transmission line after concerns it could run near North Freedom Elementary. Culture & Reading: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library continues in Wisconsin communities, including Madison and Fargo, mailing free books to kids under 5. Sports & Community Pride: UW-Madison unveiled its $285M Kellner Family Athletic Center, and IndyCar’s Freedom 250 in Washington, D.C. drew record TV attention. Public Safety Tech: Milwaukee council members renewed calls for more oversight and limits on the city’s Flock Safety camera system, pushing for clearer retention and auditing rules.

Local Politics: La Crosse County DA Tim Gruenke declined to charge Elon Musk over a 2025 Supreme Court election bribery complaint, saying a jury likely wouldn’t convict after Musk’s posts were clarified and “nobody was paid anything of value for voting.” Public Safety & Health: Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health is urging back-to-school support that helps students feel safe, connected, and equipped with coping skills, including student-led wellness programs. Environment & Outdoors: Wisconsin Point in Superior saw its first piping plover nesting in nearly 50 years, a milestone tied to a major habitat restoration effort. Education & Campus Life: UW–Whitewater golfer Abbie Reiser earned a nomination for a national Division III student-athlete award. Community & Culture: A Milwaukee mom’s fight for a universally accessible, city-owned playground is gaining attention after her daughter’s cancer treatment. Sports & Entertainment: IndyCar’s Freedom 250 in Washington, D.C. delivered a reminder that politics doesn’t have to ruin everything.