AGP Executive Report

Bridge Repair: Chetek’s Long Bridge on County Highway D starts Aug. 3 with one-lane traffic and temporary signals, aiming to finish in late October. Insurance Deal: Relation Insurance Services acquired Mid-State Insurance assets, effective March 31, expanding its Wisconsin presence. COVID Hearing: Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment and refused to answer questions in a GOP-led Senate panel hearing tied to COVID-19 origins. Robocall Crackdown: New York AG Letitia James and 49 AGs urged the FCC to strengthen “Know Your Customer” rules to curb illegal robocalls. Labor Rights: A Wisconsin appeals court overturned a ruling that had restored collective bargaining power under Act 10, setting up likely next steps to the state Supreme Court. Elections Watch: Wisconsin’s Aug. 11 primary is underway with early absentee voting, as Democrats fight a crowded governor race while Republicans line up for Tiffany’s seat. Local Business & Community: Kyote’s Bar and Grill in Belgium reopened after a major expansion; Logan Kelley’s “Free Blockbuster” in Kenosha keeps the neighborhood movie-exchange idea growing. Sports Media: SiriusXM launches a $5/month Sports Pass on Sept. 1, adding WWE Radio.

Democratic Primary Watch: Early in-person voting is underway in Wisconsin’s governor primary, with voters still split among Democrats including Francesca Hong, Mandela Barnes, Joel Brennan, Kelda Roys and David Crowley, as name recognition and uncertainty remain big themes. Madison Aftermath: The DOJ’s criminal investigation continues after Madison police shot and killed Corey Ruiz, while the Williamson Street memorial grows and city leaders weigh what happens next. Storm Recovery: An EF3 tornado hit the Fox Valley area, leaving parts of Menasha and Fox Crossing inaccessible; the Red Cross opened a shelter in Menasha and urged donations to specific sites. Data Center Fight: The Town of Janesville’s planning panel recommended a data center moratorium after public opposition, while other towns consider similar moves. Robocall Crackdown: Wisconsin AGs are pushing the FCC to strengthen “Know Your Customer” rules to curb illegal robocalls. Local Business/Alcohol: Minocqua Brewing’s permit to operate was revoked effective Aug. 4 after state action tied to permit/tax issues. Healthcare Access: Ascension Wisconsin and Outreach Community Health Centers launched a mobile clinic in Milwaukee to reach medically underserved residents.

Wisconsin Politics: Early in-person voting kicked off Tuesday in the state’s chaotic Democratic governor primary, with insurgent Francesca Hong trying to unseat Gov. Tony Evers’ choice replacement while Mandela Barnes, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, and others fight for momentum ahead of the Aug. 11 vote. Courts & Elections: A new twist in the governor race centers on a ballot/absentee dispute and competing claims about whether voters can recast returned ballots after guidance changes. Higher Education: Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty sued UW-Madison over alleged race-based scholarships and grants, arguing they violate equal protection. State Budget: Milwaukee County is again bracing for deep cuts, projecting a $50.8 million gap for the 2027 budget cycle. Agriculture & Food: DATCP opened Dairy Processor Grant applications (due Sept. 1) and a “hot July” report flags pollination stress for parts of the Corn Belt, including north central Wisconsin. Environment & Conservation: DNR launched a new chimney swift roost and nest monitoring tool for community “Swift Night Out” events. Business: Wisconsin moved to revoke Minocqua Brewing’s permit amid alleged tax violations, as the owner vows to appeal.

Madison Police Body Cameras: Corey Ruiz’s family and civil rights attorney Ben Crump renewed calls for body-worn cameras after the fatal Madison police shooting, with attention on transparency and accountability as protesters keep pressure on city leaders. State Politics & Campaign Finance: Complaints filed with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission allege Mandela Barnes’ campaign and a related PAC broke state campaign finance rules, including late PAC registration tied to a statewide poll. Education & Debt: After federal pandemic relief ended, Wisconsin student loan defaults surged, with AP reporting more than 108,000 borrowers now in default. Tech & Data Centers: Milwaukee-area transit and local governance debates continue as data-center concerns grow, including calls for moratoriums and tighter local rules. Packers Business: Packers shareholders gathered at Lambeau for the annual meeting, hearing updates on finances and the team’s long-term direction. Health Research: A new USC-led study finds blood tests can detect Alzheimer’s-related changes in people with Down syndrome, expanding access beyond typical testing groups.

Madison Police Accountability: Hundreds marched again through Madison after the police killing of Corey Ruiz, with protesters demanding answers as the officer who shot him remains unidentified and no charges have been filed. Wisconsin Elections Law: A state Democratic Party-backed lawsuit challenges Wisconsin Elections Commission guidance on whether absentee voters can request a new ballot if their chosen candidate drops out, sending the dispute back into the courts. Public Safety & Credibility: WEAU reports on how placement on the “Brady List” can affect law enforcement credibility and prosecutions, after Chippewa County prosecutors attacked Sheriff Travis Hakes’ fitness. Homelessness Pressure: Shawano County faces a shelter crunch after Newcap closed, leaving more people without year-round options. Data Centers & Local Control: More Rock County townships are weighing data center moratoriums as developers pursue sites, with Janesville considering next steps. Politics & Campaign Strategy: In the governor’s race, Sen. Kelda Roys discusses “electability,” voucher reform, and how undecided voters may shape outcomes. Sports & Local Pride: Sterling grad and UW volleyball player Grace Egan threw out the first pitch at a White Sox game. Business Watch: Rock County’s job market stayed steady in June, with unemployment ticking up seasonally while employment grew in key sectors.

Wisconsin Politics & Public Safety: Madison is still reeling after the July 22 fatal police shooting of Corey Ruiz, with protesters pushing for accountability and major event cancellations; the Legal Defense Fund is calling for a swift, transparent, independent investigation, and residents are again asking why there were no body cameras. Tech & Local Governance: A new report highlights the growing police use—and misuse—of Flock license-plate reader cameras, including cases tied to stalking and other alleged abuses. State Economy & Business: Jefferson’s Kikkoman Cookout drew more than 800 people and sold out 500 sampling tickets, raising money and food for the local pantry. Sports (Milwaukee): The Brewers keep rolling with a strong record despite a smaller payroll, and they host the Rockies Sunday afternoon. Weather: A heat dome is expanding across the central U.S., with dangerous triple-digit temperatures and heat advisories affecting tens of millions. National Policy: A federal court fight over a $100,000 H-1B fee continues after the First Circuit denied the Trump administration’s emergency request to keep it in place.

Madison Police & Protests: A police shooting in Madison killed Corey Ruiz and triggered calls for a swift, independent investigation, plus cancellations and disruptions to major summer events as protesters demand accountability and police reform. Governor Race: Gov. Tony Evers endorsed David Crowley after earlier backing plans shifted, as candidates trade blame and voters weigh how leaders would handle policing and public safety. Data Centers & Politics: Ahead of a July 29 Milwaukee town hall, Wisconsin candidates faced questions on data-center development and regulation; new polling shows growing opposition as more voters say costs outweigh benefits. DNR Hunting Update: The Wisconsin DNR released fall hunting regulations and forecasts for 2026-27, including an online rules version with filters and season outlooks for game species. Weather: Southern Wisconsin braces for hotter, stormier days Sunday and Monday, with some storms possibly severe. Local Government: Stearns County appointed Andrew Letson as county administrator starting Oct. 26. Sports (Wisconsin): Wisconsin football fall camp ramps up pressure on key players ahead of a Week 1 opener vs. Notre Dame at Lambeau. Business/Community: UWRF student Stephanie Garcia Villagomez is gaining Twin Cities-area business experience through a summer internship with the Metropolitan Council.

Madison Police Accountability: A police shooting that killed Corey Ruiz has triggered protests and event cancellations in Wisconsin’s capital, with experts questioning whether enough was done before officers fired during a brief knife encounter. Local Transportation & Health: More families are turning to cargo bikes to haul kids and groceries, a trend spreading through the Madison area. Packers Business: Packers CEO Ed Policy says the publicly owned franchise may need to get more aggressive on revenue as expenses rise, including a big jump in player costs. Medicaid Work Requirement: Racine County is preparing to implement the federal Medicaid work rule for 7,441 BadgerCare adults, but key details remain unsettled as letters are expected next year. Elections & Prediction Markets: Wisconsin election officials warn that betting on election outcomes through sites like Kalshi could create felony exposure if you still vote. Community & Local Economy: Milwaukee Irish Fest continues its partnership with the University of Limerick’s Irish World Academy, while Hartland welcomed B2E Solutions to its chamber. Consumer Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker shows Eldorado tied for 52nd in Wisconsin for June scam reports, with Milwaukee and Madison leading the list.

Packers Finances: The Green Bay Packers reported a $1.1 million operating loss for the 2025-26 fiscal year as expenses jumped 18.7%, driven by higher player costs, while net income rose 54.8% mostly from non-operating gains—prompting CEO Ed Policy to warn the team may need new ways to generate revenue to stay competitive. Data Centers & AI: Wisconsin governor candidates Kelda Roys, Mandela Barnes, Joel Brennan, Francesca Hong, and David Crowley all back tighter rules on data centers and AI, with proposals ranging from moratoriums to ending tax subsidies and banning non-disclosure deals with local governments. Madison Police Shooting: The family of Corey Ruiz is speaking out after the fatal Madison police encounter, with attorney Ben Crump pressing for criminal charges as protests and calls for transparency continue. Water & PFAS: Pewaukee is weighing a Lake Michigan pipeline after PFAS and radionuclides were found in its deep aquifer wells, echoing Waukesha’s earlier Great Lakes water project. Right to Repair: John Deere owners may soon have broader ability to fix their own equipment after an FTC-led settlement requiring diagnostic and repair tools be available to farmers and independent shops. Public Safety Funding Lawsuits: Oregon and a coalition of states are suing over alleged Trump administration grant conditions tying disaster funding to election and immigration requirements. Health Care: Medical College of Wisconsin plans a Milwaukee Trauma Recovery Center to provide free mental health support for survivors of violent crime and injury.

FEMA Funding Lawsuit: More than two dozen states, including Wisconsin, sued the Trump administration over new conditions tied to disaster and homeland security grants—accusing FEMA/DHS of trying to rewrite election rules, demand immigration cooperation, and allow grant cutoffs at any time. Madison Police Accountability: Madison officials identified Corey Ruiz, the man shot and killed during an officer-involved incident; protests erupted and Ruiz’s family hired Ben Crump, while residents renewed pressure over the city’s lack of body cameras. Absentee Ballot Fight: A Wisconsin lawsuit seeks a court order letting some voters void already-cast absentee ballots and request new ones ahead of the Aug. 11 primary. Environment & Industry: Wisconsin DOJ joined a multistate challenge to an EPA rollback weakening HFC greenhouse-gas phaseout deadlines. Tech & Economy: NSF announced new Regional Innovation Engines awards, expanding place-based federal investment; separately, the FAA tested digital IFR departure clearances via ForeFlight and Garmin Pilot at Appleton’s airport. Business/Local: Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin named its 2027 executive committee; Milwaukee’s office real estate market showed improvement in Q2.

Madison Police Accountability: City officials identified Corey Ruiz as the man shot and killed July 22, as a tense press conference was disrupted by protesters and Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway renewed calls for transparency and accountability. Governor’s Race Fallout: Every Wisconsin governor candidate is calling for an independent investigation into the Madison shooting, with Francesca Hong demanding body-camera footage be preserved and Tom Tiffany pointing to state law on independent probes. Election Rules in Court: Three Dane County voters sued the Wisconsin Elections Commission over guidance that bars voters from voiding a returned absentee ballot and casting a new one after a candidate drops out. Milwaukee vs. DOJ: The federal government sued Milwaukee over the city’s law-enforcement mask ban, arguing it’s unconstitutional and conflicts with federal authority. Local Business & Community: Madison Public Market postponed its grand opening after Ruiz’s death, while Stevens Point’s Bound to Happen Books prepares a five-year anniversary block party. Public Safety & Tech: Milwaukee’s raised Mitchell Street crosswalk failed after extreme heat, and the city plans repairs and more closures.

SNAP Funding Shake-Up: New Trump administration rules tied to SNAP payment accuracy could push more than 40 states to pay a bigger share of benefit costs starting next year, raising fears some states may cut food assistance if they can’t absorb added expenses. Madison Police Aftermath: Williamson Street stayed closed a day after a Madison officer shot and killed a man armed with a knife during an attempted arrest, with protests and viral video fueling renewed debate over police body cameras and use-of-force. Data Center Power Lines: Wisconsin regulators released a final environmental impact statement for Port Washington data center transmission lines, but late design changes and missing details leave some areas needing more analysis. Water Infrastructure Boost: USDA Rural Development is investing nearly $8 million in Cedar Grove water and wastewater upgrades, including work aimed at eliminating lead service lines. DNR Hunting Online: The DNR rolled out an online fall-through-spring hunting regulations portal with filters and forecasts to help hunters plan seasons and access rules. Local Business & Community: Madison Public Market opens with nearly half its booths filled, signaling a new downtown draw for local vendors.

Wisconsin Courts: The state court system is testing a new online portal that lets people file domestic abuse temporary restraining order petitions from phones or computers, with plain-language steps and help routed through participating courthouses and partner advocate sites in eight counties. Madison Police Shooting: Leaders including Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Dane County Executive Melissa Agard are calling for transparency and accountability as the DOJ investigates a fatal officer-involved shooting. Governor Primary Politics: New Marquette Law School polling shows Francesca Hong leading the Democratic governor race, with 45% of voters still undecided, as David Crowley returns and Sara Rodriguez exits amid a chaotic campaign. Milwaukee Public Safety: Milwaukee police say a man was shot and killed near Appleton and Congress; family identified him as a father and business owner. Natural Resources: DNR and GLIFWC biologists point to habitat loss and warmer-water conditions as key drivers behind walleye declines in parts of Northern Wisconsin. Home & Insurance: A homeowner guide warns that hail and wind damage often isn’t visible from the ground and can cost thousands if claims are delayed or missed. Local Economy & Jobs: A $200,000 grant aims to recruit out-of-state residents to fill Brown County healthcare jobs.

County Government & Broadband: Barron County Board approved $20,000 for a “Uniquely Wisconsin” tourism video and backed a partnership letter supporting a broadband expansion grant. Local Development: Menomonee Falls is weighing rezoning for “The Reserve at Lannon Road,” a 40-acre luxury subdivision of up to 52 homes, with lots far above the village’s median home value. Agriculture: UW–Madison Extension will host a free manure composting field day Aug. 5 in Lancaster, with lunch, CEUs, and sessions on composting sites, regulations, weed seed destruction, and herbicide carryover. Business & Jobs: AIRO Group’s consolidated Phoenix avionics/drone facility earned AS9100D certification. Milwaukee Water Contract Watch: Veolia, a key MMSD contractor, is facing audit scrutiny as its next 10-year, roughly $700M contract approaches. Public Finance: PFA issued revenue bonds for Inperium to finance human services facilities, including mental and behavioral health programs. Weather & Agriculture Risk: Wisconsin corn faces stress from hot, dry conditions and wildfire smoke impacts. Data Centers & Power Costs: Oracle’s Port Washington AI data center faces a Wisconsin regulator requirement tied to a $7B power guarantee, raising costs and complicating plans.

Kenosha County Energy Debate: A proposed Red Oak Ridge natural gas plant in the Town of Paris faces its last public hearing, with residents split between jobs/economic opportunity and fears of being “pushed out.” Dairy Prices in Wisconsin: Ice cream prices in the Madison area are dropping as new dairy manufacturing capacity boosts butterfat supply, according to UW-Madison Extension. Public Safety Tech: Fitchburg police are exploring a Real-Time Information Center with drones and analytics as violent crime and staffing limits strain response capacity. Homeless Services Funding: MacCanon Brown Homeless Sanctuary is moving ahead with a new commercial kitchen after a $100,000 Impact100 grant. Democrats vs. Voting Rules: Wisconsin Democrats are urging the Elections Commission to rescind guidance blocking absentee ballot “revotes” if a candidate drops out. Election Betting Warning: The state Elections Commission warns voters that betting on an election and then voting could jeopardize eligibility. Storm Recovery Help: FEMA opened a new Milwaukee Disaster Recovery Center for April flood victims, with help for applications, appeals, and uninsured losses. Housing Progress: A $1.2M tax-credit award is advancing 40 affordable homes in Milwaukee’s Amani neighborhood. AirVenture Innovation: Electric planes and drone tech drew attention at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, including crop-spraying drones.