AGP Executive Report

Community Milestone: Community Lutheran Church in McAllister is marking its 100th anniversary, tracing roots to 1923 and a community-built church shaped by English- and Swedish-speaking families. Entertainment & Sports: The Dodgers’ legendary Tommy John—whose elbow surgery revolutionized baseball—has died at 83. Wisconsin College Hoops: UW will open the 2026 Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off at Fiserv Forum on Dec. 29, facing Northern Michigan, with the full schedule now set. Local Arts/History: “Drawn to Combat: Bill Mauldin and the Art of War” continues at the National WWII Museum through April 18, 2027, spotlighting the cartoonist’s wartime work. Policy Watch (Food & Media): Wisconsin lawmakers advanced bills tied to FoodShare restrictions (candy/soft drinks) and explicit-content warning labels, while also moving forward on PFAS programs and battery recycling funding. Milwaukee Crime & Youth: Sixteen teens were arrested after police shut down an unsanctioned rave at the Congress Theater.

Brewers vs. Dodgers: Jacob Misiorowski struck out Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman in a key jam and Milwaukee won 4-1, with Joey Ortiz and William Contreras going deep as the Brewers evened the season series. MLB Spotlight: Misiorowski’s slider work earned praise even from Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, while Kyle Tucker sat again due to brutal home-road splits. Brewers Moves: Milwaukee acquired infield depth Jonathan Ornelas from the Athletics and placed reliever Abner Uribe on the 15-day injured list, recalling Grant Anderson. Local Sports Culture: Yeonjun of Tomorrow X Together threw the ceremonial first pitch at Dodger Stadium during Korean Heritage Night. Wisconsin Arts: A Picasso “Torero” print stolen from a Milwaukee gallery in 2018 was found in a vacant apartment and returned to its owner. Community & Heritage: LogJam Fest in Mosinee celebrated the town’s logging history with hands-on crafts, music, and competitions. Wildlife Science: Boone and Crockett backed a new UW-Stevens Point wildlife professorship focused on black bear research and outreach. Golf Fun: Pine to Palm’s Legends division saw a new champion set up after Saturday’s semifinal shakeups.

Local Housing Finance: Wisconsin lawmakers advanced SB480, expanding how cities and villages can set up residential tax incremental districts with a tighter 3% property-value cap tied to owner-occupied single- and two-family homes. Small-Town Development: AB839 clears the way for the Town of Three Lakes to create a tax incremental district under city/village rules, easing thresholds that usually apply to towns. Family & Health Privacy: SB799 would change when parents can access minors’ health, mental health, and court treatment records, including removing a rule that let some developmentally disabled minors block access. School Transparency: AB1004 would bar education employers from hiding or erasing alleged “immoral conduct” records and adds civil immunity for information shared with prospective employers. Food Assistance Restrictions: AB180 would require DHS to seek a federal waiver to block FoodShare purchases of candy and soft drinks. Digital Safety for Kids: AB963 and AB962 push age verification and parental consent rules for minors on social media and app stores. Public Safety Funding: SB181 creates a levy-limit exemption for regional EMS systems. PFAS Policy: AB130 and AB131 move PFAS enforcement and program requirements, including exemptions tied to DNR-led remediation.

Brewers vs. Dodgers: Andy Pages and Tommy Edman homered as Yoshinobu Yamamoto struck out nine in six, but Milwaukee’s Edwin Díaz had a rough ninth before the Dodgers held on for a 3-1 win—keeping the Brewers right in the NL race. Milwaukee Art Mystery Solved: A Picasso “Torero” etching stolen from a downtown gallery in 2018 was found in a dusty vacant apartment after a landlord cleaned it out, bringing a long-running case to a full-circle return. Local Arts & Community: Viroqua’s Viroqua Mural Walk launched with nine outdoor murals, each with a QR code sharing the artist story—part of a downtown arts push. Sports & Entertainment Calendar: Phoenix Con rolled into Appleton with gamers of all ages, while Watertown Players debuted Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” to strong early reviews. Wisconsin Sports Prep: The Badgers volleyball team swept Butler in a final exhibition before opening regular season in Milwaukee vs. Kentucky. Outdoor Fun: DeerFest in Stevens Point aims to hook the next generation of hunters with youth activities and hands-on seminars.

Local Arts & Culture: A stolen Pablo Picasso etching (“Torero”) from a Milwaukee gallery in 2018 was found by a landlord cleaning out a vacant apartment, bringing the artwork “full circle” as police investigate. Entertainment & Community: WMT radio says goodbye to its local voices after iHeartMedia cuts staff and swaps in syndicated programming, raising concerns about losing neighborhood-specific coverage. Youth Media Policy: Wisconsin lawmakers advanced AB961, requiring warning labels on explicit sexual content sold or published for profit, and AB963, tightening social media rules for minors with age checks, parental consent, and limits on addictive features. Food & Safety Policy: AB1027 would require FoodShare data reporting to the USDA, while AB180 targets candy and soft drinks purchases with FoodShare benefits. Sports & Pop Culture: A Waukesha shop auctioned off rare, untouched Nintendo cartridges after a collector found a hidden stash—plus Cop on a Rooftop returns with law enforcement and Special Olympics Wisconsin teaming up at Dunkin’.

Tech & Health: Epic (Verona) rolled out “Care Everywhere Diagnostic Image Exchange,” letting hospitals share CTs, X-rays, MRIs and more with a one-click pull—no CDs needed. Entertainment & Collectibles: A Waukesha shop found nearly 100 ultra-rare Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt cartridges in storage; an online auction via Goldin Auctions starts Aug. 14. Sports (Milwaukee): The Brewers jumped on the Dodgers early and rallied late for a 5-4 win in the series opener, setting up a big four-game matchup. Local Fun: Tomahawk’s Main Street Mania kicks off Aug. 13-15 with sales, live music, and a Friday cookout. New Madison Attraction: Topgolf opened its first Wisconsin location in Monona with climate-controlled bays, a full bar-and-grill, and a music-and-light show. Anime Pop Culture: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Café opened in Chicago with themed food, drinks, and merch. Community Sports: Ethan James headlines the Price County Fair Aug. 22.

Brewers vs. Dodgers: Milwaukee opens a huge four-game series at Dodger Stadium with the NL’s top spot hanging in the balance, after a rough Padres sweep and with ace matchups including Shane Drohan vs. Roki Sasaki and Jacob Misiorowski set for later games. Local Dining: Brewers fans can now chase a soft serve margarita at American Family Field, a new hit that’s taken off during the homestand. Tourism & Culture: Wisconsin’s State Capitol and Capitol Square in Madison were named the 12th “Wonder of Wisconsin,” joining Lambeau Field and other top stops in Travel Wisconsin’s campaign. Community Fundraising: Above & Beyond Children’s Museum in Sheboygan is gearing up for the Sept. 11 Tastefully Childish adults-only fundraiser with live music, chef stations, and a signature gelato contest. Tech & Ethics: AI ethics leader Timnit Gebru discusses “Deep Unlearning” and algorithmic bias in a wide-ranging interview. Sports Betting Law: Wisconsin lawmakers advanced a bill carving out certain sports/event wagers under specific conditions tied to Indian lands and compacts.

Milwaukee Arts & Culture: The Milwaukee Irish Fest and the Wisconsin State Fair overlap this weekend, with Irish Fest’s 18 stages of Celtic music and the fair’s final stretch running through Aug. 16, plus major theater and indie-rock picks downtown. Local Theater: Red Barn Theatre in Rice Lake stages the Wisconsin premiere of “The Fisherman’s Daughters” Aug. 19-29, a Door County-set musical about two estranged sisters and a fight over land. Sports (Milwaukee): The Padres swept the Brewers with a 4-3 extra-inning win at Petco Park, moving into the NL wild-card race. Wisconsin Sports (College): Badgers coach Luke Fickell says Notre Dame at Lambeau on Sept. 6 is a “measuring stick” opener. Books & Events: John Green’s fall tour brings Brandon Sanderson as a special guest to Salt Lake City (Oct. 10). Community & Memory: Milwaukee journalist Everett Marshburn, longtime producer of “Black Nouveau,” dies at 78. Tech & Privacy (Wisconsin): Wisconsin hits a vape company with a $630K fine over banned products.

Ripon Live Music: Doozey is set for a free Horicon Bank Ripon Summer Concert Series stop Friday, Aug. 14 (7-10 p.m.) at the Village Green in downtown Ripon, with the Appleton trio mixing pop, rock, alternative and indie for an interactive show. Next Night’s Big Draw: The Village Green follows Saturday, Aug. 15 with a special concert event featuring national recording artist The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. Wisconsin Politics Meets Sports/Arts: Wisconsin lawmakers continue moving bills that touch culture and community life, including AB1034 on UW student-athlete name, image and likeness compensation and AB963/AB962 on minors’ social media and app-store protections. Local Governance Watch: Sun Prairie is preparing for a possible data-center moratorium after a year of work on ordinances and impacts, with public presentations slated for Aug. 17-18. Business/Entertainment Crossover: Pharos Brands names Matt Smith CEO as its hemp-THC beverage push expands into hundreds of retail doors.

Local Politics & Arts/Community: Wisconsin’s Democratic governor primary stayed razor-thin as Francesca Hong and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley battled to a near tie, with Milwaukee absentee ballot counting hiccups delaying results. Statehouse & Representation: In the 76th Assembly District, Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford won a Democratic primary to succeed Francesca Hong, setting up a fall matchup in a heavily liberal Madison seat. Entertainment & Live Events: WPR’s “Pint-Sized Concert” returns to the Middleton Night Market with local makers and live classical music plus funk-fusion headliner WURK. Sports (Milwaukee): The Brewers fell to the Padres 11-2 in a rough opener, with Luis Rengifo launching a first career grand slam. Sports (Wisconsin & Beyond): Tom Tiffany won the GOP governor primary; in the NBA, LeBron’s 76ers debut vs. the Knicks and his Christmas matchup with the Lakers were highlighted in the league’s schedule sneak peek. Health & Public Life: Wisconsin confirmed additional measles cases, urging residents to check MMR vaccination status.

Wisconsin Arts & Community: Oshkosh’s Boys & Girls Club hosted National Night Out with nearly 40 partners connecting families to safety, health, housing, and education resources. Milwaukee Entertainment & Culture: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Neighborhood Dispatch marks its first year with a community-centered impact report and an open invitation for residents to help shape local coverage. Tech & Health in Milwaukee: St. Luke’s Medical Center is buying the da Vinci 5 robotic platform to advance robotic gynecologic oncology, aiming for better team coordination and minimally invasive outcomes. Aviation Spotlight: AirVenture wrapped in Oshkosh, drawing about 734,000 visitors and 10,000+ aircraft for a week of airshows, education, and family events. Sports Buzz: Dave Matthews Band announced a fall arena run with Madison dates, plus additional Midwest stops. Local Events: BEAMING Inc. announced a fundraiser in Neenah (Oct. 10) to offset rising horse-care costs.

Local Arts & Community: Wade House in Greenbush brings back its Arts & Crafts Fair Aug. 30, with Wisconsin artisan shopping, food vendors, live entertainment, and historic site tours for discounted $6 admission. New Dining in Milwaukee: Bartolotta Restaurants’ High Stakes opens this summer and adds the Peacock Lounge—an Art Deco, Las Vegas-inspired upscale cocktail spot for pre-/post-dinner drinks and small plates. Wisconsin Sports Spotlight: The Brewers kick off a West Coast trip with a 3-2 loss to the Padres after Jackson Merrill’s two-run homer; Milwaukee also gets a fun crossover moment as WWE’s The Miz calls in to Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski. Marquette Volleyball on TV: Four Marquette matches land on national broadcasts, including FOX Sports and the Big Ten Network. Arts Calendar: Madison First Tee’s summer tournament wraps up with character-building golf for kids. Food Safety: Taylor Fresh Foods recalls jalapeño dips and prepared items sold at major retailers, including Trader Joe’s, over Salmonella concerns. Public Health/Politics: Francesca Hong addresses backlash over past posts, saying she “let my feelings out into the world” as Wisconsin’s primary nears.

Wisconsin Sports & Community: The Little League Baseball World Series regional road to Williamsport is heating up, with ESPN carrying U.S. regional championship games and a full watch guide for fans. Baseball (Milwaukee): The Brewers keep rolling into a Padres series at Petco, with Logan Henderson set to start Aug. 10 and the matchup previewed game-by-game. Music (Regional): Apollo Music Festival returns Aug. 15-29 with 10 free chamber concerts across southeast Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Local Education: Milwaukee Public Schools expands literacy training for teachers and support staff ahead of the new school year, including an instructional summit Aug. 10-11. Arts & Dining: Bartolotta’s new Art Deco Peacock Lounge is slated to debut in summer 2026 as part of its High Stakes fine dining push. Aviation Hobby: A grandfather-granddaughter team from Temperance won top honors at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh for an RV-12iS they built together. Weather/Events: The Wisconsin State Fair reopened after a storm shutdown and extended a promotion through 6 p.m. Food Safety: Taylor Fresh Foods recalls jalapeño products tied to a multi-state salmonella risk, including items distributed to Wisconsin.

Basketball Loss: Don Nelson, the Hall of Fame coach and five-time NBA champion as a player, died at 86. He finished with 1,335 regular-season coaching wins and shaped the Bucks, Warriors, Knicks and Mavericks with his fast, innovative style. Wisconsin Politics: The Democratic governor primary is in its final stretch, with Francesca Hong drawing fresh scrutiny after national figures weighed in on her past “cancel Thanksgiving” and “abolish prisons” comments. Campaign Trail: On the last day of early voting, Hong canvassed Waukesha and Kenosha while Gov. Tony Evers backed Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley as the candidate he says can beat Tom Tiffany. Health & Safety: Target, Walmart and Whole Foods joined recalls tied to a Salmonella outbreak linked to jalapeños. Local Sports/Community: A Milwaukee padel club is set to open on the far northwest side, bringing a pickleball-squash mashup to the city. Crime Watch: A Wisconsin mother and father face charges after a 3-week-old baby died following alleged meth use during pregnancy.

NBA & Local Sports: Don Nelson, the second-winningest NBA coach and a Milwaukee Bucks legend, has died at 86, leaving behind a coaching legacy that reshaped how the game is played. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Herro says he’s not stressing his contract as he settles into his hometown Bucks role. Brewers Baseball: Milwaukee looks to keep rolling in the Sunday finale vs. the Twins, with ace Jacob Misiorowski on the mound and the bullpen carrying momentum. Entertainment & Pop Culture: WWE has filed a trademark for “The Mike,” a nod to a Brewers-related nickname debate. Music & Community: Milwaukee rock ’n’ roll pioneer Larry Lynne, 85, is still taking the stage. Arts & Performance: Drum Corps International crowned the Bluecoats as 2026 World Champions, with Wisconsin’s Blue Stars finishing sixth. Wisconsin Culture: A Green Bay Packers receiver, Matthew Golden, is spotlighted through a Goodwill partnership. Weather: Severe storms are possible in southeastern Wisconsin Sunday, with heavy rain and strong winds in the mix. Gaming Collectibles: Rare Nintendo cartridges found in Waukesha could be worth millions. Lottery: Powerball climbed past $900M after the Aug. 8 drawing went unclaimed.

Wisconsin Politics & Community: Democrats held a “Heart of the North” candidate potluck at Ojibwa Town Park, with live music, local vendors, and direct meet-and-greets for voters in a key swing region. Madison Arts & Culture: The Teejop Community Art Project opens in Madison with Indigenous artists creating outdoor installations honoring Ho-Chunk history across multiple locations. Milwaukee Arts & Festivals: The Third Ward Moon Festival runs downtown for the Historic Third Ward Association’s 50th anniversary, featuring live art, music, and a giant Luke Jerram moon installation. Green Bay Sports for All: Miracle League of Green Bay wraps its 2026 season, celebrating 219 players and the community impact of inclusive baseball for ages 4–19. Brewers Baseball: Andrew Vaughn’s go-ahead RBI single in the eighth lifts Milwaukee to a 4-3 win over the Twins, with Brice Turang driving the offense and the bullpen holding on. Bucks Basketball: Tyler Herro says he’s not stressing contract talk as he settles into Milwaukee after the Giannis trade, focusing on building a new Bucks culture. Food Tradition: Rising costs are forcing some Wisconsin fish fry prices up, with one Biron spot citing multiple fish price hikes while keeping quality.