AGP Executive Report

Democratic Governor Race: Seven candidates for Wisconsin governor made their pitches at the state party convention in Madison, with Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez winning a straw poll and contenders spotlighting affordability, health care, and education. AI Data Centers: Francesca Hong pushed a moratorium on AI data center construction, while other candidates argued for different approaches as the crowded primary heats up. PFAS & Public Health: Wisconsin reached a settlement with Tyco Fire Products over PFAS contamination in Marinette County, including $10 million to the state PFAS Trust Fund and long-term water monitoring. Housing Costs: WHEDA announced nearly $50 million in housing tax credits aimed at creating affordable rentals for up to 5,000 working families. Health Snapshot: A new state health assessment finds many Wisconsinites report poor physical and mental health, pointing to gaps in housing, food, transportation, and access to care. Milwaukee Crime: Police are investigating a non-fatal shooting that injured a 15-year-old near 16th and North. Sports (WIAA): WIAA marked 50 years of the state softball tournament, honoring the 1976 Madison West champions.

Wisconsin Politics & Society: Protesters gathered in La Crosse for a “No Kings” rally against the Trump administration, with farmers’ worries about high gas, diesel, and fertilizer prices taking center stage, alongside concerns about the war in Iran. Public Health: The FDA upgraded a voluntary Alfredo sauce recall to Class I after potential salmonella contamination tied to a dry milk ingredient; the sauce was distributed to food service in 41 states. Milwaukee Community & Safety: Milwaukee police are asking for help locating critically missing 11-year-old Leo Pierce, last seen near 69th and Ruby. Sports (Local): Hamilton High School beat Muskego 8-3 for the WIAA Division 1 softball title in Madison. Arts & Culture: West Allis unveiled a new mural inspired by the Milwaukee Brewers’ City Connect campaign, painted by local artist Michael Cerda. Statewide Economy: Gov. Tony Evers highlighted record-breaking Wisconsin tourism, with 2025 generating $27 billion in total economic impact and 117.9 million visits. Environment & Heritage: Menominee leaders are working to bring wild rice back to northern Wisconsin waters using clay “seed balls” designed to help it survive harsh conditions.

Milwaukee Violence Update: Milwaukee police responded to four shootings Saturday morning, leaving one person dead and four others wounded, with investigators asking the public for tips. Lake Park Shooting: A 36-year-old Milwaukee woman was arrested after deputies say she fired two shots through her sunroof during a family picnic at Lake Park; no injuries reported. Delafield Drowning: A 38-year-old Milwaukee man died after going under in Nagawicka Lake; crews searched for about two hours before recovering his body. State Politics: Gov. Tony Evers wrapped up his final Democratic Party of Wisconsin convention keynote, urging unity and warning about GOP nominee Tom Tiffany. Campaign Trail: State Sen. Mark Spreitzer kicked off his re-election bid, filing signatures and focusing on childcare, healthcare, housing, and data center regulation. Elections & Courts: Wisconsin Supreme Court accepted another appeal tied to redrawing congressional maps. Sports (WIAA): Fox Valley Lutheran won the D2 softball title; Almond-Bancroft (D5), Mineral Point (D4), and Lomira (D3) also captured state championships. Weather: Storm chances ease Sunday with a cooler, drier stretch ahead. Community & Culture: Cambridge’s Midwest Fire Fest will unveil an 8-foot, 1,000-pound clay sculpture made in a custom kiln.

Alzheimer’s Advocacy: A Denmark-area woman, Suzanne Koss, just returned from Washington, D.C., where she met lawmakers as part of the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement to push for more research funding, better testing access, and stronger care support. Public Safety: Milwaukee police are asking for help locating critically missing 31-year-old Devonte Moss, last seen near 16th and North early Saturday. Weather & Storm Readiness: Southeast Wisconsin is bracing for more rounds of rain and storms, with forecasts calling for possible strong to severe weather and damaging winds. Sports Spotlight: Hamilton’s Ava Serembiczky delivered a dramatic walk-off win in a WIAA Division 1 softball semifinal, sending the Chargers to the state final for the first time in program history. Health Watch: Wisconsin is still in the spotlight as tick-borne illness concerns grow, with officials warning about a rare, more severe Lyme-type bacteria showing up beyond the usual states. Local Government: Germantown police clarified ATV/UTV route rules and reminded residents that many “e-motos” don’t meet Wisconsin’s electric bicycle definition.

State Parks Access: Gov. Evers says WisDOT, DMV and DNR teamed up so drivers can buy annual state park/forest admission passes during vehicle registration renewals—about 5,000 already signed up. Weather & Safety: NWS confirmed three tornadoes touched down in Wisconsin over two days, including an EF-1 near Kenosha and two EF-0 storms in the north. PFAS & Enforcement: Save Our H2O criticized Wisconsin’s Tyco/JCI PFAS settlement as falling short, arguing it narrows responsibility compared with what residents were told. Beer Crackdown: Minocqua Brewing says DOR seized about $25,000 in canned beer after an excise-tax mix-up tied to product brewed in Illinois; taprooms remain open. Politics & Courts: Wisconsin Supreme Court accepted another appeal aimed at redrawing congressional maps. Sports (WIAA): The WIAA state baseball tournament runs June 15-18 in Grand Chute, and Pewaukee edged Medford 1-0 in a softball semifinal. Local Economy: Tourism keeps climbing—Lincoln County hit a record for the fourth straight year, and Bayfield County reported a record $100M economic impact in 2025. Milwaukee Police: Police say a north-side standoff ended with officers shooting and killing a 22-year-old man after an armed robbery attempt.

Severe Weather Watch: A tornado was confirmed near Sturtevant and storms tore through Somers, with officials warning residents to avoid damaged areas; power outages hit thousands across Kenosha and Racine. Milwaukee Accountability: More whistleblowers are alleging mismanagement at Veolia Water Milwaukee’s MMSD plants, including claims of falsified records and poor oversight. Democratic Politics: Wisconsin Democrats head into their state convention with rifts in the governor’s race; a new poll shows Mandela Barnes leading, followed by Francesca Hong and Sara Rodriguez. State Policy & Money: WEDC is accepting applications for Opportunity Zone designations, aiming to steer investment to low-income areas. Health & Tech: A study presented on an app for people with advanced cancer found better quality of life with nurse follow-up. Local Life: Oshkosh schools are offering free summer meals for kids, no registration needed. Infrastructure Watch: Wisconsin’s lead pipe count is dropping, but tens of thousands of service lines still need replacement. Sports & Community: The Packers’ season recap and a Wisconsin-to-Kansas football commitment highlight the week’s local sports buzz.

Severe Weather: Tornadoes and damaging storms tore through the Midwest again, with Wisconsin in the mix as outages and road closures hit communities in the southeast. Medicaid & Health Care: New federal Medicaid work rules for childless BadgerCare enrollees start Jan. 1, and advocates warn the “prove it every six months” requirement could cause coverage gaps for chronically ill people. State Courts & Voting Maps: The Wisconsin Supreme Court will take up another congressional redistricting appeal, deciding whether a lower court was right to dismiss a challenge. Local Government & Data Centers: St. Croix County’s Community Development Committee is set to discuss data center regulation options after a conditional permit approval in Hammond, with a potential moratorium on the table. Pride & Tourism: Gov. Tony Evers marked Pride Month in La Crosse, pointing to record tourism growth and the state’s welcome message. State Parks Made Easier: Wisconsin drivers can now buy a 12-month state park pass during DMV vehicle registration renewal. Milwaukee Justice: A former Milwaukee police officer pleaded guilty after prosecutors said he misused the department’s Flock Safety system to track someone he was dating. Missing Person Update: New age progression photos were released for James Jablonski, missing since 2023 from Devil’s Lake State Park. Sports: Waupun baseball punched its ticket to the state tournament for the first time since 2018; Somerset won its sectional title to reach state.

Voter Access Fight: The U.S. Postal Service is proposing a rule that would require states to hand over absentee voter names and barcode data to the Trump administration, raising fresh alarms in Wisconsin where election officials have already resisted similar efforts. Severe Weather Watch: Another round of storms is on the way for southeast Wisconsin, with a Level 4 risk for hail, damaging winds, isolated tornadoes, and flooding. Tourism Dollars: Marathon County says 2025 tourism generated nearly $490 million in economic impact, feeding Wisconsin’s record $27 billion visitor economy. Charter School Funding: DPI announced $18.5 million in federal subgrants to plan, open, and expand 27 charter schools statewide. Public Safety Staffing: Beloit Health System won a $65K Wisconsin Fast Forward grant to train EMTs into paramedics. Local Politics: A GOP primary ballot fight in Wisconsin’s 7th District continues after challenges over signature rules. Infrastructure: WisDOT started a roundabout project at Fond du Lac Ave/Division Rd in Germantown, with a detour in place.

Severe Weather Watch: FOX6 says Milwaukee-area storms could bring tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail through Thursday night, with flooding possible and temps in the mid-80s. Local Government: Monroe County election officials denied a petition to remove sheriff candidate Mike Krause from the Aug. 11 ballot after a dispute tied to old “sovereign citizen” filings. Public Safety Funding: Only in Wisconsin Giving awarded Sugar River EMS a $20,000 grant for a new cardiac monitor defibrillator and a fourth ambulance as a regional 911 collaboration expands. Education & Policy: A conservative nonprofit sued Wisconsin DPI over alleged open-meetings violations tied to 2024 state testing standards for the Forward Exam. Community Health: Wisconsin DHS is urging tick precautions as blacklegged tick activity peaks statewide. Milwaukee Water: Ladysmith adopted ordinances requiring lead service line replacement, pushing costs to private property owners over the next decade. Sports & Local Interest: Verona’s Paige Kleber won two MAMA Awards, and WIAA postseason action continued with Catholic Memorial beating Wisconsin Lutheran 3-1.

Immigration & Work Permits: Wisconsin DOJ and a coalition won a federal court ruling vacating the Trump administration’s unlawful $100,000 fee on certain H-1B petitions, a move aimed at protecting access to health care and education workforces. Local Rules & Safety: Chetek announced a ban on operating golf carts and motorized scooters on key city roadways, citing safety and traffic concerns. Education Transparency: The Institute for Reforming Government sued DPI over a secret $368,885 Wisconsin Dells meeting tied to test-score standards, alleging violations of the Open Meetings Law. Tech & Jobs: The Wisconsin Technology Council received a talent recruitment grant to help southcentral Wisconsin companies compete for specialized workers in frontier tech. Culture & Arts: Madison Arts Commission awarded $107,000 for arts projects, while Milwaukee’s Adopt-A-School initiative reported improved attendance and fewer discipline issues. Weather Watch: Central Wisconsin braces for “very volatile” storms today, with hail, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes possible. Data Center Backlash: Western Wisconsin residents are planning community events to push for protections against hyperscale data center proposals. Sports: Middleton shattered WIAA boys golf records to win the state title at University Ridge.

Data Centers & Local Power: Brown County can’t slap on a data-center moratorium because Wisconsin bars “development moratoriums,” but Manitowoc tried a workaround by wording its limits as something else—raising the question of how courts will treat future “data center” bans. Public Safety: Milwaukee police say a shooting near two schools and a day care left one person injured, while another pursuit ended in a crash and arrests after a nonfatal shooting. Courts & Justice: An appeals court upheld Jereme Newton’s conviction tied to a fatal drug overdose, rejecting claims about jury-instruction handling. Tourism Boom: Wisconsin logged a record $27B in tourism economic impact in 2025 with 117.9M visits—four straight years of record-breaking numbers. Health Watch: A Salmonella outbreak linked to moringa supplements has expanded to 119 cases across 36 states, prompting additional recalls. Community & Culture: Hundreds mourned Michael Johnson, longtime Boys & Girls Club of Dane County leader, at a Madison-area vigil. Weather: Southeast Wisconsin braces for heat and humidity plus rounds of severe storms, with cooling sites open for residents.

WisDOT Road Safety: With hotter temps moving in, WisDOT is warning drivers about pavement buckling—slabs can expand and push, causing dips and bumps. Slow down, watch for slowing traffic and crews, check 511 Wisconsin, and call 911 if you spot a serious problem. Tourism Boom: Wisconsin tourism hit a record in 2025: 117.9 million visits and $27 billion in total economic impact, supporting 183,000+ jobs statewide. Marathon County alone generated nearly $490 million. Milwaukee Baseball Upgrade: The Brewers’ new Truss Club is coming in 2027, adding a high-end private club and new first-row seats as part of a renovation backed by public funding. Local Community Fun: Stevens Point families can catch a free “Zootopia 2” Movie in the Park at Pfiffner Pioneer Park on June 9, with food trucks and lawn-chair vibes. Politics in Milwaukee: A debt collector has sued state Rep. Kalan Haywood II over about $6,000 in alleged credit card debt; his staff says he denies it and is looking into the missed court date. WIAA Sports: Wisconsin prep sports keep rolling—WIAA softball state is set for June 10-13 in Madison, and track medal moments continue to pour in from La Crosse.

Milwaukee & State Politics: Indivisible South Shore is hosting a June 11 Democratic gubernatorial forum focused on K-12 education, with Milwaukee Public Schools students asking questions and candidates including Mandela Barnes, Francesca Hong, and Kelda Roys. Public Health: Wisconsin marks 20 years since the FDA approved the HPV vaccine, but local rates still lag—just over half of Wisconsin teens ages 13-18 complete the full series. Courts & Rights: The 7th Circuit revived a Kenosha County forced-labor lawsuit, saying the forced labor statute doesn’t cover jail work “on pain of solitary confinement” or loss of phone privileges. Environment & Wildlife: A Lake Tomahawk man faces 10 charges after DNR says he dumped poisoned beaver carcasses on state forest land. Local Sports: The Brewers swept Colorado and added RHP Joel Kuhnel to the bullpen ahead of a series vs. the A’s. Community & Weather: Wisconsin DNR reports a strong spring turkey season, while forecasters warn of sticky conditions and midweek severe storm chances.

Elections & Courts: The FBI has reached Wisconsin election officials tied to the 2020 probe, with Milwaukee-area contacts confirming interviews or outreach, while Madison’s clerk reassigned a former deputy clerk who admitted mishandling late-arriving ballots in a Supreme Court election case. Energy & Utilities: Milwaukee will hold a June 24 hearing on whether to move We Energies into public ownership, as state regulators also ruled AI data-center firms must cover the full power and grid costs. Public Health: Wisconsin health officials say Ebola risk remains low, but three Milwaukee-area travelers are being monitored after returning from Africa. Education & Transit: Milwaukee Public Schools is rolling out grant-funded electric school buses, starting with 50 to serve about 6,000 students this fall. Local Government & Accountability: Wisconsin Center District board voted to fire CEO Marty Brooks “with cause,” citing alleged misuse of corporate credit cards. Sports & Community: Marshfield softball clinched a state tournament berth after a long drought; Milwaukee’s Mitchell Park Domes were added to the State Register of Historic Places.

Brewers Sweep Rockies: Milwaukee put together a big sixth inning and beat Colorado 12-4 on Sunday to finish the three-game set, with Gary Sánchez homering for the first time since April 14 and rookie Shane Drohan working 6 1/3 innings. Milwaukee Sports & Community: The American Family Insurance Championship wrapped at TPC Wisconsin with Darren Clarke and Ben Crane winning by one stroke, while the Jerry Awards filled Madison’s Overture Center with top high school musical theater talent statewide. Local Transit Update: MCTS summer route and schedule changes took effect Sunday, with officials pointing to a budget surplus and fare-evasion improvements. Milwaukee Police Response: Police responded to an apparent street takeover on the city’s south side near 13th and Mitchell, where traffic was blocked and a large crowd gathered. Wisconsin Weather & Health: Milwaukee saw an ozone air-quality alert earlier this week tied to a weather pattern that kept pollution near the ground. Arts Call: “Paint Wisconsin” opened submissions for a juried exhibition celebrating Wisconsin life through traditional and digital artwork.

Meet the Press Fallout: President Trump abruptly walked out of NBC’s “Meet the Press” with Kristen Welker after she pressed him on election claims, California’s vote-count delays, and his now-scrapped “anti-weaponization” fund—then he accused multiple TV networks of being “crooked.” Wisconsin Weather: Milwaukee-area forecasts call for a comfortable Sunday, then a warm, humid week with rain and storm chances building Monday and stronger storms possible late Wednesday into Thursday. Milwaukee Public Safety: Police are searching for critically missing 39-year-old Jonathan Smith, last seen near downtown Milwaukee Saturday night. Milwaukee Parks: Milwaukee County Parks is studying fixes for recurring algae and cyanobacteria problems at Veterans Park Lagoon and is asking residents what improvements they want. Brewers Baseball: Jacob Misiorowski struck out eight and hit a velocity record in a 7-1 win over the Rockies as Milwaukee eyes a Sunday sweep. Local Sports: Appleton North won a WIAA Division 1 sectional softball title over Kimberly, 9-8. Community Outdoors: Union Sportsmen’s Alliance hosts “Take Kids Fishing” events across Wisconsin this weekend.