AGP Executive Report

Culture & Community: Milwaukee Public Schools students from 18 schools celebrated Hispanic heritage with displays, food and music. In Kenosha, free language exchange program Vive el Idioma brings English and Spanish speakers together to practice conversation. Local Creativity: Milwaukee Fashion Week put local designers in the spotlight, with organizers working to build resources and visibility for the city’s fashion scene. Neighborhood Energy: Walnut Way secured $1.1 million for a community solar project in Lindsay Heights, with plans for energy hubs and workforce training. Land & Tradition: Wisconsin land trusts are pressing ahead with plans for new preserves after the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program expired over the summer. More than 40 high school bands will bring music and pageantry to UW-Whitewater for the state championships on Oct. 17.

Community Tribute: Thousands gathered in Chippewa Falls to honor Wisconsin State Patrol Trooper Bradley Ritger, whose funeral service was held Saturday. Giving Back: Aaron Rodgers’ foundation awarded about $6.3 million in grants from 2020 to 2024, including support for Paul’s Pantry in Green Bay and other groups serving people in need. Wisconsin Foodways: The Cheese Fair Off the Square drew crowds and spotlighted the state’s cheesemakers. Milwaukee Arts: Black Arts MKE’s new director says the organization aims to create more opportunities for the next generation of Black artists. Fall Getaways: Lake Geneva’s Abbey Resort is leaning into the season with lakeside walks, fall-color cruises and hands-on activities.

Brewers Fever: Milwaukee bars and businesses are preparing for a surge of visitors as the Brewers meet the Dodgers in the NLCS, bringing playoff energy to an already busy weekend. Food & Culture: A downtown Milwaukee cafe is set to become the city’s first Yemeni-owned cafe. Madison’s Cheese Fair also celebrated Wisconsin makers, including one cheesemaker blending Pakistani spices with local cheese. Heritage & History: Growers are reviving the Indigenous Three Sisters planting tradition, while a Milwaukee program honored Indigenous children forced into non-Native culture through remembrance and jingle dress dance. Appleton plans a downtown historical marker for illusionist Harry Houdini. Fall Fun: Bay View’s Halloween House is bringing a Hogwarts theme to the neighborhood.

Schools & Self-Expression: Milwaukee’s Pius XI High School has updated its dress code, requiring collared shirts or school spirit wear with slacks or non-ripped jeans while leaving room for students to show their individuality. Indigenous Foodways: Growers, schools and Native communities are reviving the Three Sisters tradition of planting corn, beans and squash together, honoring a centuries-old Indigenous practice. Wisconsin Tourism: Edgerton is the starting point for the Rascal Trail, a tour inspired by Sterling North’s book and its beloved Japanese anime adaptation, with stops also planned in Milwaukee, Madison and Jefferson. Outdoors: Wisconsin’s Youth Deer Hunt returns this weekend for hunters 15 and younger, who must follow safety and blaze-orange rules. Live Entertainment: Chicago comedian Jayson Cross brings his “Moral Dilemma” tour to Shawano on Oct. 24, while Milwaukee’s Adult and Teen Challenge Choir performs gospel music and shares personal stories in Gillett on Oct. 25.

Youth Voices: Jefferson County young people with experience in the justice system created the T.R.U.E. Podcast to help others feel less alone and understand what to expect. Language & Heritage: Ojibwe scholar Dustin Morrow is carrying language revitalization from classrooms into pop culture, including voicing the Ojibwe dub of Star Wars: A New Hope. Wisconsin’s DNR also apologized to tribes for failing to consult them before killing nine wolves. Around Wisconsin: UW–Madison’s Homecoming parade is bringing thousands to State Street, while Ripon College marks its 175th anniversary with campus events and a Ghost Walk. Weekend picks include Milwaukee’s expanded Vegan Restaurant Week, featuring 35 businesses, and an Ozaukee County art studio tour. Family Support: Appleton’s new downtown Family Resource Center offers free play, learning spaces and support for families across the Fox Valley.

Health & Wellness: Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin are using advances such as proton therapy and theranostics to target cancer more precisely while limiting harm to healthy tissue. Wisconsin History: A memoir from the Ripon Historical Society recalls a childhood of hay ropes, family barns and play until the streetlights came on—an era far removed from today’s cell phones. Local Traditions: Kuhtz General Store in Stone Bank marked 100 years as a neighborhood gathering place, now centered on its restaurant and bar. Arts & Culture: John Green’s Madison stop with the Wisconsin Book Festival filled all 1,089 seats, with hundreds more turned away; the event offered attendees a free signed copy of his new novel. Community & Heritage: Hmong New Year celebrations in the Chippewa Valley mark 50 years of tradition in the region, while a proposal to recognize German Heritage Month has sparked debate in Fitchburg. Outdoors: Wisconsin’s Youth Deer Hunt runs Oct. 10-11, giving young hunters a chance to learn safe practices with an adult mentor.

Immigrant Communities: A Milwaukee Rohingya community center received hundreds of donated laptops, offering practical support as refugees navigate uncertain pathways in the U.S. Heritage & Exchange: Fitchburg’s proposal to recognize October as German Heritage Month stalled over who can issue city proclamations. In Jefferson, Japanese student dance group Badgers7 shared Yosakoi and contemporary performances through a Wisconsin-Japan cultural exchange. Tribal Relations: Wisconsin’s DNR apologized after nine wolves were killed without consulting tribes, raising renewed concerns about shared stewardship in treaty territory. Fall Outings: From Devil’s Lake to Holy Hill, nearby hikes and drives offer colorful autumn views; Eau Claire’s AVEnue Orchard is also welcoming visitors during apple harvest. Arts & Events: Milwaukee’s Oct. 9-11 lineup includes a salsa social hosted by Latino Arts and United Community Center, plus “Ghostbusters” with a live orchestra. The Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum has also reopened with four new exhibits.

Early Learning: Wisconsin’s Department of Children and Families urged federal officials to withdraw proposed Head Start changes, warning that weaker safety rules and added barriers for children experiencing homelessness could put families at risk. Arts & Culture: The Chazen Museum of Art will host an online Oct. 19 panel with curators from three museums on how prints and drawings are displayed in collections. Civic Life: Northwoods residents can hear local clerks explain how ballots are handled and how to prepare for Election Day at a free League of Women Voters conversation in Arbor Vitae. Community & Youth: Clark County has expanded its smoking restrictions to include vaping in county-owned spaces and near playgrounds. Barron County also recognized four young people with its 2026 4-H Key Awards for leadership, achievement and community service. Music: The Red Cedar Symphony is accepting applications for its Jan. 16 concerto competition, open to high school, college and post-college musicians in Northwest Wisconsin.

Health & Care: A JAMA Network Open trial found an EHR-based, non-drug perioperative pain program cut postoperative opioid exposure by about 10% over 3 months, without worsening pain or function. Indigenous Culture: The Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum reopened with four new exhibits, including a permanent “Indigenous Chicago” display built with Native input. Education & Youth: Cross Plains educators say literacy focus is boosting reading proficiency; Glacier Creek Middle School saw gains after years of targeted professional development. Public Health: Wisconsin reports 243 confirmed measles cases this year, the fourth-highest total in the U.S., with cases in seven counties. Community & Lifestyle: UW’s “We Give Blood” campaign helped a Verona hockey player share the ice with a leukemia survivor at Madison. Local Schools & Money Skills: A credit union opened inside Burlington High School, offering student accounts and hiring teens as youth apprentices. Sports & Campus Life: Marquette’s Jellycat bingo drew 400+ students, showing how campus traditions keep community buzzing. Politics & Rights: With weeks left, David Crowley is pushing a Wisconsin constitutional amendment to protect reproductive rights as the governor’s race tightens.

Community & Care: St. Camillus Hospice shares the story of Patricia Belger, 85, who moved from Philadelphia to Milwaukee for family support and later received hospice care at home. Public Health & Safety: Wisconsin officials urge students and families to complete the FAFSA during October, with College Goal Wisconsin events offering help. Local Support for Families: Milwaukee’s Bridge Project opens applications for expanded cash support for low-income pregnant mothers, backed by the Zilber Family Foundation and others. Education & Equity: La Crosse Public Schools seeks state approval to start earlier in 2027-28 to cut costly busing tied to private school schedules. Culture & Arts: Marquette’s Acatoberfest brings campus and UW-Madison acapella groups together for a fun, competition-free night. Science Spotlight: UW-Madison physicist Francis Halzen wins the Nobel Prize in Physics for work tied to the IceCube neutrino observatory. Wisconsin Lifestyle Note: A food-safety reminder: don’t bite fresh-picked apples on the spot—outdoor germs can stick around. Business & Growth: New North names Barbara Koldos interim president and CEO, aiming to accelerate regional economic development.

Food & Farming Culture: The award-winning documentary “World Without Cows” is expanding its theatrical tour with select screenings (including Wisconsin) and panel discussions starting Oct. 14, aiming to spark local conversations about agriculture, land, and the future of food. Local Government & Cost of Living: Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley’s proposed 2027 budget would raise the property tax levy and add new or higher fees tied to parking, airport services, the Zoo, parks, and Medical Examiner costs. Public Safety & Tech Backlash: Milwaukee-area readers may be watching the fallout from Flock license plate camera controversies—East Peoria is considering expanding its Flock program as Creve Coeur faces allegations of misuse. Education & Equity: Madison schools identified 10 hazardous crossings and will offer free busing for about 100 students, using a scoring formula to speed up safety fixes. Community & Belonging: River Falls becomes the first Wisconsin public school district partnering on a food-waste digester project, turning campus scraps into renewable natural gas. Health & Daily Life: DHS released updated flu, COVID-19, and RSV immunization recommendations as respiratory virus season ramps up. Sports & Community Events: The Milwaukee Lakefront Half Marathon saw a runner die after collapsing mid-race, while Holy Hill’s new hippie-themed “Bonestock” skeleton display brings Woodstock-style fun back to the Northwoods.

School Safety Communications: Donovan Group is expanding its 24/7 crisis communication support to Alaska and Oklahoma, bringing the service to 15 states and 3,500+ school districts. Elections & Voting Access: Wisconsin absentee voting is underway, with reminders on how to vote in the Nov. 3 midterms and pushback from political groups urging early ballots. Native Voting Outreach: Wisconsin Native Vote held a pow wow to boost turnout and make voting part of Native community tradition. Immigration & Faith: An immigration judge ruled Salah Sarsour, president of Milwaukee’s largest mosque, can be deported on national security grounds. Domestic Violence Help: Wisconsin’s court system launched a statewide online restraining order portal to make filing easier for survivors. Politics & Public Policy: Wisconsin’s Act 10 faces a reckoning as the Nov. 3 election and Supreme Court challenges could reshape public employee union rules. Culture & Community: EMU’s Center for Jewish Studies and Zingerman’s Roadhouse team up for “Cooking Up History,” linking Milwaukee immigrant food history with author Nora Rubel. Sports Pop Culture: The Miami Heat plan “Vice City Night” against the Bucks tied to GTA VI release hype.

Wisconsin Election Watch: A new Marquette Law School poll puts Gov. race rivals David Crowley and Tom Tiffany nearly tied, with Donald Trump’s approval at a low 38%—but party loyalty still keeping the contest tight. Childcare Costs: A fresh affordability focus highlights how childcare strains ripple through communities and workplaces, with Wisconsin candidates debating universal support versus regulatory streamlining. School Choice: Wisconsin’s school choice voucher programs are now without enrollment caps, raising questions about how fast participation could grow. Community & Safety: Madison held a memorial walk for 17-year-old Sasha Rosen, calling for safer streets after he was killed crossing South Park Street. Racine Violence: Police report a 17-year-old killed and a 16-year-old shot and arrested after an early-morning incident at Lockwood Park. Culture & Family Fun: Jefferson’s Historical Museum marks its 190th anniversary with a free concert, while Jefferson’s Rotary Park hosted a Family Fun Fest for kids. Arts & Learning: A new Watertown alumni giving fund forum challenged high school classes to raise $30,000 by 2030 to support future Goslings. Outdoors & Heritage: Minnesota Point is set for a culturally guided prescribed burn to “return the spirit of good fire,” supporting red pine growth and Ojibwe fire traditions.

Fishing & Conservation: An independent researcher says synthetic pond liners used in walleye hatcheries may be skewing sex ratios toward females, potentially undermining Wisconsin and tribal stocking efforts. Science & Nature: UW–River Falls biology professor Benjamin Crain helped identify a previously unknown orchid species found only on Babeldaob Island in Palau. Food Safety: Frozen berries sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s are recalled due to possible E. coli contamination—check lot codes and “best if used by” dates, especially since many people eat berries without cooking. Community & Culture: The Overture in Madison kicks off its Broadway season with “The Wiz,” while Chippewa Falls hosts Leinenkugel’s After Dark Boo-ery Tour for a 21+ haunted brewery experience. Sports (Milwaukee): The Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon saw one person transported to the hospital during the race. Local Politics & Civic Life: A League of Women Voters forum is set for Oct. 7 in Ripon for the 39th Assembly District race.

Brewers in the spotlight: Milwaukee opened the NLDS with a 3-2 win over the Padres, capped by a bizarre 9th-inning moment where Ty France’s flyball hit the roof and Jackson Chourio made the catch for the out. Election season, Wisconsin style: A Marquette poll shows Tom Tiffany and David Crowley separated by just three points, even as big-donor money pours in—plus a guide to what voters need to know ahead of the Nov. 3 general election. Learning support for families: Cottage Grove hosted a dyslexia awareness event aimed at helping parents spot reading struggles and find local support. Disability-friendly work: In Madison, a Dane County family is building a popcorn business so brothers with mitochondrial disease can work when they’re well. Community safety debate: Milwaukee County supervisors voted to remove Flock cameras from county parks, reigniting the privacy vs. policing fight. Culture & history: Watertown’s Armenian Genealogy Conference returns for its 10th anniversary, bringing new research and family-history tools back home. Local remembrance: A Milwaukee 5K honored domestic violence victims, including Kamonti McFarlane, one year after her death.

Milwaukee County & Privacy: Supervisors voted to remove Flock Safety cameras from county parkland, including automated license plate readers, after growing public backlash. Local Governance: Across Wisconsin, more communities are covering, switching off, or cutting ties with Flock as trust in the data practices keeps eroding. Public Safety & Community: Madison police say a 16-year-old was shot after reportedly living alone for a month on the East Side, prompting child welfare involvement. Culture & Kids: First Stage’s 40th anniversary season kicks off with a bilingual English/Spanish “Go Dog Go!” musical at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center. Health & Prevention: Washington/Ozaukee partners plan a drive-thru-style prescription drug takeback event, while statewide groups urge flu/COVID/RSV immunizations as respiratory season ramps up. Education: UW-Whitewater admitted Sheboygan students into its Professional Education program, moving them toward licensure. Sports: Wisconsin hockey swept Boston University, and the Badgers women’s soccer and Badger hockey both posted wins as the weekend’s action rolled on. Food & Land: FoxRAP named Harley Fredriksen its new executive director as regenerative farming efforts expand in the Fox River watershed.