AGP Executive Report

Milwaukee Rep Casting Call: The Milwaukee Repertory Theater is seeking performers ages 8–13 for “A Christmas Carol,” with auditions July 11 (noon–5 p.m.) at 108 E. Wells St. and rehearsals after school/weekends Nov. 6–28, running through Dec. 24 at the Pabst Theater. Public Radio Shake-Up: Wisconsin Public Radio is preparing a gentle transition after Larry Meiller’s long-running midday show ends June 30—Lee Rayburn will take the 11 a.m.–1 p.m. slot starting July 6, while Jill Nadeau continues hosting “Garden Talk” on Fridays. Community Music for Memory Care: Friends of Uptown Social in Sheboygan won a $5,000 Giving Voice grant to launch the Janet L. Herrick Dementia-Friendly Choir, rehearsing Thursdays starting Sept. 10 with a free community concert Nov. 20. Milwaukee Arts Spotlight: Milwaukee honored Bob Uecker with an 80x100-foot downtown mural, adding to his long-running local legacy. Immigration Tensions in Milwaukee: A July 1 protest drew 150+ people at Kosciuszko Park against increased ICE activity, while federal prosecutors urged a “serious sentence” for Hannah Dugan in an ICE obstruction case. Heat & Travel Plans: Extreme heat and storm chances continue across southern Wisconsin, and construction is set to begin soon on the state’s first Buc-ee’s in Oak Creek.

NBA Blockbuster: The Boston Celtics agreed to trade Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George plus draft capital, ending Brown’s 10-year run in Boston and reshaping the Eastern Conference. Wisconsin Sports Spotlight: Milwaukee’s Garrett Mitchell powered a 4-for-4 night with a go-ahead triple as the Brewers beat the Reds 4-2, while another Brewers win over Cincinnati earlier in the week kept the momentum rolling. Local Arts & Community: Madison’s International Hyperbarics Association is staging its first benefit concert, “Harmonies for Hope,” featuring LeAnn Rimes on July 10. Family Fun in Wisconsin Rapids: The Boys and Girls Club’s 10-week “Wonderful Rapids” summer program is underway, mixing learning, STEM, arts, and daily activities for 300+ youth. Public Art Update: A downtown Milwaukee mural honoring Bucks legend Giannis Antetokounmpo was vandalized, with the artist restoring the work. Sports Betting Court News: Former NBA player Malik Beasley pleaded not guilty in federal court over alleged 2024 game-fixing tied to sports bettors. Powerball: Wednesday’s Powerball numbers were 2, 6, 26, 39, 68 with Powerball 6; jackpot estimated at $375M.

UW-Madison Athletics: Shawn Eichorst, a Wisconsin native and UW-Whitewater alum, has been named the Badgers’ new director of athletics, with former Bo Ryan praising his calm, player-first leadership. NBA Buzz: LeBron James says he’s leaving the Lakers and will play a 24th season elsewhere, while Kawhi Leonard is reportedly headed back to Toronto in a major trade. Summerfest & Heat Safety: Summerfest eases its water bottle carry-in rules for July 2-3 and expands cooling options as extreme heat continues. Arts & Community: Oak Park Festival Theatre is trying rotating repertory for the first time in its history, running Hamlet and The Importance of Being Earnest on alternating nights. Patriotism at 250: Milwaukee’s Summerfest is spotlighted as an official anchor for America’s Block Party tied to the U.S. semiquincentennial. Local Sports/Entertainment: Sweet Spot Golf Club turns a West Allis warehouse into an indoor golf hangout aimed at making the sport feel less intimidating. Food & Policy: DOJ and states reach a settlement with major egg producers over alleged price-fixing, with donations of millions of eggs to food banks.

NBA & Wisconsin Sports Buzz: Kawhi Leonard is reportedly headed back to the Toronto Raptors in a blockbuster deal with the Clippers, while the NBA Cup final is set for Dec. 11 at Indianapolis’ historic Hinkle Fieldhouse—an event that’s sure to pull in basketball fans nationwide. Milwaukee Arts & Baseball Culture: Milwaukee dedicated an 80-by-100-foot downtown mural honoring Brewers legend Bob Uecker, adding to the statues already at American Family Field. Brewers on the Field: Milwaukee kept rolling over the Reds with a 7-2 win, extending a dominant stretch in the rivalry. Streaming Picks: July’s new releases include Prime Video’s “Elle,” Netflix’s “Enola Holmes 3,” and more across major platforms. Food & Community: A multistate egg price-fixing settlement will send 53 million eggs to food banks and nonprofits, including Wisconsin. Local Human Interest: Milwaukee teen Joniah Walker, missing since 2022, has been found safe.

NBA Gambling Fallout: Former Bucks Malik Beasley and Ed Davis were indicted in a federal performance-fixing scheme tied to alleged under/overperformance for bets, with prosecutors pointing to a 2024 Milwaukee game. Milwaukee Heat Safety: Mayor Cavalier Johnson urged residents to use cooling sites as an Extreme Heat Warning continues, with heat indexes near 107 and reminders to check on vulnerable neighbors. Local Sports Leadership: Waunakee High School named Nina Rouse as its new athletic director, bringing experience from Greenfield High School. Wisconsin Athletics Hiring Watch: ESPN reports UW is targeting Shawn Eichorst for athletic director. Arts & Community: Milwaukee’s long-running Airport Lounge strip club closed permanently, with the property now listed for redevelopment near Mitchell International. Food Culture: Cottage cheese is selling out in parts of the U.S. after a TikTok “protein maxxing” trend boosts demand. World Cup in Wisconsin: Madison-area fans are packing watch parties as the U.S. heads into knockout play July 1 vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina.

NBA & Wisconsin Sports: Ja Morant’s Grizzlies run is over—Memphis traded him to the Portland Trail Blazers for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray, a move that reshuffles the league’s point-guard picture and adds more offseason buzz for Wisconsin fans watching the Bucks’ orbit. Milwaukee Independence Day Plans: Milwaukee’s July 3 drone show returns at McKinley Beach (9:15 p.m.), replacing fireworks with 900 drones over 45 minutes, plus family activities and parking details. Brewers Baseball: Joey Ortiz powered a Brewers comeback, launching a two-run homer in the eighth to beat the Reds 5-3 and keep Milwaukee atop the NL Central. Powerball (Wisconsin): A Oneida couple, Tammy and Cliff Webster, claimed about half of a $632.6M Powerball jackpot, taking the cash option for a massive payday. Wisconsin Arts & Community: Indie Under the Stars brings a traveling drive-in format—five short films, audience voting, and filmmaker feedback—to Jefferson County. Public Safety: Southern Wisconsin heat is driving cooling-center use and pool time as families and seniors brace for dangerous temperatures.

Sports & Integrity: Former Milwaukee Bucks forward Malik Beasley and ex-NBA teammate Ed Davis were indicted in a federal betting probe, with prosecutors alleging they manipulated on-court performance using inside prop-bet trends. Local Arts & Community: Eaux Claires Music and Arts Festival is back in Eau Claire after an eight-year break, with Justin Vernon performing as “Bon Dylan” at Carson Park. Music in Milwaukee: Summerfest’s 58th edition returns, with a lineup tilt toward country and the MKE Live Groove spotlighting local Wisconsin acts. Cycling Spotlight: The Tour of America’s Dairyland pro cycling series rolls through Wisconsin, bringing multi-city racing and community events. Family Fun Calendar: Racine Zoo previews its summer lineup, including the Animal Crackers Concert Series and Margaritafest. Health & Daily Life: UW–Madison will temporarily close nearly two dozen buildings due to air-conditioning failures during extreme heat. Public Media: Black Public Radio Network launches to help Black-audience stations grow revenue and sustainability. Ticket Watch: The Brewers host the Reds June 29 at American Family Field—TV and streaming options available.

Extreme Heat Watch: Wisconsin is bracing for a dangerous stretch of days with heat indexes near or above 100°F, with warnings and safety tips urging hydration, cooling breaks, and check-ins on neighbors. Milwaukee Arts & Media: WUWM’s “Behind the Mic” brought two generations of journalists together at UWM, with a lively focus on how AI is reshaping reporting. Local Courts & Justice: JusticePoint says it can keep running Milwaukee Municipal Court alternatives while its lawsuit plays out, after a judge ordered the city to continue paying. Police Surveillance Debate: Privacy advocates are pushing for rules—or bans—around automated license plate readers, citing concerns about misuse and data access. Voting Rights: A federal judge blocked key parts of Trump’s 2026 election overhaul, including centralized citizen lists and expanded USPS control over mail voting. Brewers Community Giving: Brewers players are hosting an emergency relief drive for earthquake victims in Venezuela, with drop-off hours running through July 3. Summerfest Spotlight: Hank Azaria and the EZ Street Band delivered a joyful Bruce Springsteen tribute at Summerfest. Sports (Wisconsin): The Cubs edged the Brewers 4-3 in 10 innings to take the series, while Wisconsin football coach Luke Fickell is leaning on summer relationship-building with new QB Colton Joseph.

Community & Arts: Mead Library is running a summer homesteading workshop series with hands-on sessions on naturalized landscape design, seed starting, and beekeeping (Thursdays July 23–Aug. 27; registration required). Local Weather: Milwaukee and southeast Wisconsin are heading into a hot, humid stretch with an extreme heat watch Monday into Tuesday, plus storm chances that could bring brief relief. Public Safety & Health Policy: A New York state senator urged Wisconsin to “proceed with caution” as Wisconsin considers a Medicaid long-term care vendor change tied to a New York DOJ lawsuit. Arts & Culture Events: Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva debuts adults-only “Tavern 1776” through Aug. 2, pairing patriotic dining and cocktails with live entertainment for America’s 250th. Sports (Brewers/Cubs): The Cubs beat the Brewers 8-2 Saturday, with David Peterson’s first start as a Cub including a first-batter homer allowed; Sunday’s rubber match has Brandon Woodruff back for Milwaukee. Human Interest: A Wisconsin journalist, Shelly Kittleson, was reported kidnapped in Baghdad, with Sen. Tammy Baldwin pushing for her return.

Milwaukee Arts & Community: Brady Street leaders launched a six-week summer safety pilot after two shootings left one dead and three wounded, aiming to curb reckless driving, loud music, loitering and underage drinking. Beer & Local Culture: Wisconsin Brewing Company in Verona held a farewell for Schlitz before the brand goes on hiatus, with a 1948-recipe release event, food and live music. Music Spotlight: Post Malone stopped by a Milwaukee barber shop ahead of his Summerfest performance. Sports (Wisconsin): The Cubs beat the Brewers 8-2 at American Family Field as Ian Happ homered and Milwaukee’s bullpen concerns linger beyond the top arms. Hockey Coaching: Scott Davidson was hired as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Gladiators, the ECHL affiliate tied to Milwaukee’s hockey pipeline. Arts & Hobbies: Lodi artist Greg Marshall brings an autobiographical hip-hop storytelling show to Milwaukee’s Vivarium Theater. Family-Friendly Events: Green Lake’s Party on the Pond kicks off July 4 weekend with live music and food by the water.

Wisconsin Politics & Civic Life: A new Legislative Reference Bureau report finds women now make up one-third of the Wisconsin Legislature—44 women total, including 34 Democrats—marking a major shift since the state’s first women legislators were sworn in a century ago. Open Government: An opinion piece argues Wisconsin lawmakers are cracking down on public recording of legislative meetings, especially after WisconsinEye shut down, raising fresh questions about access. Health & Fitness: StrongBodies, a strength-training program for mid-life and older adults, is opening registration for sessions in Peshtigo this fall. Local Environment: Residents near Lake Monona say blue-green algae blooms are showing up more often, with weather patterns blamed for feeding cyanobacteria growth. Arts & Music: Skillet announces a fall 2026 “Comatose: 20 Years, Still Screaming Tour,” with a Milwaukee stop at Landmark Credit Union Live. Sports (Wisconsin): The Brewers keep rolling in the NL Central, with Jacob Misiorowski’s blazing fastball and Kyle Harrison set to face the Cubs at American Family Field. Community & Entertainment: Summerfest picks for Saturday, June 27 highlight a packed lineup and note a free-admission window for active-duty military, veterans, and first responders.

Wisconsin Sports & Pride: UW-Whitewater alum and Paralympic gold medalist John Boie was named the 2026 Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, set for July 8 at Milwaukee’s Marcus Performing Arts Center. Milwaukee Arts & Community: Two new animal mosaics were unveiled along the Beerline Trail, part of a community info board tied to Milwaukee River restoration and habitat recovery. Summerfest Spotlight: Summerfest Weekend One kicked off June 18-20 with 100+ performances across 10 stages, mixing big names, rising acts, and local artists. Local Music & Culture: Menominee’s Art for All marks its 30th anniversary June 28 at Great Lakes Memorial Marina Park, showcasing regional artists and mediums. Community Support: Wounded Veterans of Wisconsin hosts a truck show and convoy fundraiser June 26-27 in Arcadia to benefit veterans and first responders. Wisconsin Talent Pipeline: The Bucks’ rebuild continues with draft additions Brayden Burries and Nate Ament, while Nick Boyd signed with the Golden State Warriors as an undrafted free agent.

NBA Trade Buzz: The Charlotte Hornets agreed to send LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid plus a haul of draft picks and swaps, a move that reshapes the league’s chessboard. Milwaukee Bucks Rookies: The Bucks introduced first-round picks Brayden Burries (10th) and Nate Ament (13th) to the media, with Milwaukee’s next schedule expected in mid-August. Local Sports Nightlife: The Lake Country DockHounds are hosting “Olympics Night,” featuring Olympic gold medalist Jordan Stolz and Paralympian Laura Dwyer throwing out first pitches. Baseball Friday in Milwaukee: The Brewers open a key series vs. the Cubs with Jacob Misiorowski vs. Colin Rea, and the matchup is set for Apple TV+. Summerfest Spotlight: Meet Christopher Gilbert, the American Family Insurance House emcee known for keeping the crowd buzzing before the big acts. Community Arts/Film: Beloit’s “The Withering” is set for an online release in July, shot locally by Janesville filmmaker Daniel Pico. Health & Safety: Washington-Ozaukee Public Health is offering free medication lockboxes to prevent accidental poisonings.

Milwaukee Bucks & NBA Buzz: The Bucks unveiled first-round picks Nate Ament and Brayden Burries at a press event at the Pieper-Hillside Boys & Girls Club, kicking off a new era after the draft. Pro Sports Moves: In Detroit, the Pistons traded Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies for three second-round picks, a move framed as creating cap flexibility. Local Labor & Schools: MTEA and Milwaukee Public Schools settled a months-long dispute over cost-of-living pay raises, with a phased 2.63% adjustment. Wildlife Watch: The Wisconsin DNR released its latest estimate: about 1,162 gray wolves in 321 packs statewide. Arts & Entertainment: Ella Langley extended her sold-out “Dandelion Tour” with 21 new dates, including a stop in Green Bay. Community & Culture: Summerfest fans can enjoy music from the water, with paddleboat and hydro bike options near the festival grounds. Rail & Travel: Passenger rail advocates gathered in Milwaukee as Gov. Evers pursued a major grant application to expand the Hiawatha line westward. Food Fun: Chefs shared their picks for the best frozen pizza—because sometimes the easiest night out is still at home.

Milwaukee Arts & Community: A new north-side mural, “Breath of Promise,” uses zeolite paint to trap air pollutants and includes a sensor that alerts officials when air quality turns unhealthy. Downtown Development: New Land Enterprises unveiled “Zenith,” a proposed 25-story, 226-unit owner-occupied condo tower in Milwaukee expected to generate about $4.26M in annual property tax revenue. Music & Live Events: Brookville’s Alium Spiritum brings “An American Dream” to the historic Brookville Presbyterian Church July 5, mixing folk, classical, and pop. Sports & School Spirit: UIS women’s flag football will join the GLIAC as an affiliate starting 2028. Local Culture Calendar: Summerfest weekend and the Cedarburg Strawberry Festival headline a busy June 26–28 stretch, with family-friendly concerts and outdoor events across the region. Health & Safety: Wisconsin’s tick season is heating up—public health experts warn Lyme risk is rising as warmer weather brings more ticks.

NBA & Milwaukee Sports: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s blockbuster trade to Miami is still rippling through the league, with Rising Stars Invitational player Rui Hachimura noting how quickly careers can shift when management changes. Locally, Bucks fans are processing the end of an era at Giannis’ downtown mural, while Milwaukee Rep is set to debut “MKE MVP,” a new musical about the 2021 championship run opening in January. Draft Talk: The Bucks’ post-trade rebuild continues with Nate Ament headed to Milwaukee, and Celtics chatter keeps swirling around Jaylen Brown. Local Arts & Community: WISC-TV marks 70 years on air in Madison, and Neenah/Menasha’s CommunityFest Fourth of July celebration is set for July 3–4 with mostly free events. Wisconsin Life: A DOJ-Bayer seed deal would pause parts of a loyalty program for seven years, aiming to boost competition and lower seed prices. Weather: FOX6 forecasts storms easing out, with Thursday in the 70s and a hotter, more humid stretch next week.