AGP Executive Report

Cybersecurity Education: UW–Superior is rolling out a computer science degree with a cybersecurity concentration for the fall 2026 semester, aiming to feed the growing demand for cybersecurity analysts. Sports & Community: The Madison Night Mares kick off their 2026 season Tuesday at the Duck Pond with replica championship rings for fans, while Wisconsin golf fans get a homecoming moment as Steve Stricker’s AmFam Championship run wraps up at TPC Wisconsin. Local Arts Spotlight: Milwaukee’s Riverside Theater is set for a July 26 Buddy Guy concert, and Skylight Music Theatre is previewing a world-premiere event featuring Gary Sinise and music from his late son. Baseball in Wisconsin: The Brewers add RHP Joel Kuhnel to the active roster ahead of the series vs. the A’s after bullpen injuries, and they just completed a sweep of the Rockies. Health & Science: Researchers report they can trigger sleep-like brain activity in mice to counter some effects of sleep deprivation. Recreation & Rules: Fargo police share a rider-by-rider guide on what’s legal for e-bikes and e-scooters.

Meet the Press Fallout (Wisconsin): President Trump’s NBC interview with Kristen Welker turned heated after she pressed him on California election claims and his “no new wars” promise—he said he “didn’t guarantee no war” and abruptly walked out. Local Film & Incentives: Two local filmmakers talk about how Wisconsin’s new film incentive is shaping their projects, including a Chippewa Valley returner building a sustainable regional movie scene. Pride in Milwaukee: A gay artist’s koi-fish sidewalk mural was vandalized again with anti-gay slurs, sparking community concern and calls for protection of public art. Pride Month in Schools (Watertown): Students rallied after a school board removed an instrumental musical inspired by Marsha P. Johnson and Stonewall. Sports & Summer Fun: Superior’s 4th of July parade and fireworks plan celebrates America’s 250th, while Wisconsin’s pick-your-own strawberry season is nearly here. Music: Bryson Tiller drops “Drop The Lo,” and announces “The Neo Trapsoul Tour.”

Broadway Buzz: The 2026 Tony Awards crowned “Schmigadoon!” as best musical, with “Ragtime” and major acting wins also taking center stage at Radio City Music Hall. High School Theater: Madison’s Overture Center hosted the 2026 Jerry Awards, spotlighting Wisconsin’s top musical theater talent and sending two standout leads to the Jimmy Awards in New York. Local Arts Call: “Paint Wisconsin” opened submissions for its juried exhibition celebrating Wisconsin-themed art across traditional and digital formats. Milwaukee Arts & Community: Chillwaukee is bringing weekend pop-ups to the Third Ward/Milwaukee Public Market patio with popsicles and shaved ice. Sports (Brewers): Milwaukee completed a Rockies sweep with a 12-4 win, blasting 10 extra-base hits. Sports (Hockey): Tickets are now on sale for the Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off in Milwaukee, featuring NMU and UW in late December at Fiserv Forum. Community Spotlight: The 46th Annual Dodge County Dairy Brunch drew nearly 1,800 guests for June Dairy Month festivities. Public Safety: Milwaukee police investigated a non-fatal shooting that left a teen injured on 41st Street. Local Culture: A new Green Lake pottery studio, Hands Down Pottery and Gifts, opened with a community-first, handmade focus.

Meet the Press Fallout: President Trump abruptly walked out of NBC’s Kristen Welker interview in Wisconsin after repeated fact-check pushback on election claims, California vote counts, and his “anti-weaponization” fund, calling multiple networks “crooked.” Iran Diplomacy: In the same NBC appearance, Trump dismissed the idea his Iran war broke his “no new wars” message, saying he “didn’t guarantee” no wars and arguing Iran will eventually have to negotiate. Milwaukee Missing Person: Police are searching for critically missing 39-year-old Jonathan Smith, last seen near N. Commerce St. and E. Pleasant St. Brewers Baseball: Milwaukee beat Colorado 7-1 with Jacob Misiorowski’s gem and five solo homers, setting up a Sunday sweep attempt in Denver. Madison Dairy Fest: “Cows on the Concourse” returned to the Capitol for National Dairy Month with kids’ activities, live entertainment, and local vendors. Local Arts & Books: Wauwatosa’s Art 64 brings live screen-printing and a $20,000 bracket-style art contest, while Wisconsin author A.K. Frailey announced four new books this year. Sports Pop Culture: WWE’s Liv Morgan is in bikini-season mode, and NBA Finals coverage keeps Wisconsin fans glued in.

Wisconsin Arts & Community: Whitewater’s Whitewater Arts Alliance opened the 17th Annual Fran Achen Juried Photography Exhibition at the Cultural Arts Center, with a record 502 submissions and a new emphasis on both traditional prints and digital work. Milwaukee Pride & Music: La Crosse’s Chances R hosted a Pride Fest with a full drag show, live local music, and community games—one more sign of how Wisconsin venues are leaning into Pride Month. Capitol Square Family Fun: Madison welcomed National Dairy Month back with Cows on the Concourse—petting, scavenger hunts, live music, and hands-on learning about Wisconsin’s dairy culture. Sports Spotlight (Wisconsin ties): The Brewers made a roster move, acquiring RHP Joel Kuhnel from the Athletics for cash, as the team continues its push in the Rockies series. Local Sports/Prep: At the WIAA state track meet, Cloquet’s Makenzie Lynch and Providence Academy’s Maddyn Greenway battled in the Class AA 300 hurdles, with Greenway resetting the record.

Pride Reading List: A new “Books for Pride” roundup spotlights Wisconsin-relevant queer memoirs and stories, including Qtopia and Gay Mormon Dad, as June marches and events kick off. Milwaukee Music Spotlight: Sheboygan’s student garage band the Doorknobs earned a Rockonsin Summerfest slot and will play a June 9 sendoff show at 8th Streatery. Local Arts & Community: Whitehall’s library is hosting “Memories in the Making,” a no-experience-needed watercolor program for people with dementia and their caregivers. Road America Flavor: Road America debuts a designer bratwurst with New Berlin’s Pritzlaff Meats—seasoned for track fans and sold at select stands. Sports on the Wisconsin Radar: The Brewers keep rolling in Denver with Jacob Misiorowski slated, while Wisconsin’s WIAA action includes Brookfield East’s softball season ending in a sectional final. Weather Check: Milwaukee’s Saturday looks mostly sunny and sticky, with more storm chances next week.

Arts & Economy: Madison’s Overture Center for the Arts is projected to pump nearly $67 million into the local economy over the 2025-26 season, with a big jump from earlier years and hundreds of jobs tied to its audience draw. Milwaukee Art Scene: JK Art House opened in the Historic Third Ward with 55 artists and a mission to make gallery culture feel more welcoming, plus plans for pop-ups and community programming. Film & Community: A PBS series spotlights an award-winning Wisconsin short, “Four Nights and a Fire,” rooted in Ojibwe funeral traditions and personal grief. Sports (Brewers): Milwaukee placed DL Hall on the 15-day IL with a left pectoral strain and made roster moves as injuries pile up on the road trip. Local Weather/Alerts: Tornado warnings briefly hit parts of Dodge and Fond du Lac counties before expiring. Big Ten/SEC Talk: A super-league mailbag keeps Wisconsin in the mix as fans debate what a future mega-conference could look like.

PFAS Accountability: Gov. Tony Evers announced Wisconsin’s first settlement with a Marinette firefighting-foam maker, with Tyco/Johnson Controls ordered to invest $10M into the state PFAS trust fund and provide clean water to affected residents for 20 years. Historic Wisconsin: The Wisconsin Historical Society listed the John Evenson tugboat shipwreck in Lake Michigan on the National Register, and also added the Tostenson Pier Archaeological District to the State Register—both spotlighting the state’s maritime past. Local Governance & Tech: Dane County approved an 18-month moratorium on new hyperscale data centers (with at least 5,000 servers) while it studies environmental, utility, and land-use impacts tied to AI demand. Arts & Community: Oshkosh students built Wisconsin-shaped charcuterie boards using CNC tech, with proceeds supporting a middle school tech/engineering program. Entertainment & Culture: A Milwaukee-based documentary spotlights Luke Prokop, the first openly gay pro hockey player in North America, reflecting on his path from the Admirals to today. Summer Fun: Wisconsin’s “movies in the park” lineup is back with free outdoor screenings across multiple communities.

Milwaukee Arts & Broadway Buzz: Milwaukee Rep Artistic Director Mark Clements previews the 2026 Tony Awards on “What’s On Tap,” with local tie-ins like the Milwaukee Gold Rush cheese-themed finale and a Gobbler Theater grand reopening in Johnson Creek. Theater & Film Watch: “Backrooms” leans into surreal found-footage dread, while “Keerah” at Definition Theatre spotlights a young love story with sharp emotional stakes. Community Events: Wausau’s Hope on the Block drew about 1,000 people for music, food trucks, and family-friendly support; Milwaukee’s MLK Community Center marks 50 years with murals and performances. Oktoberfest Culture: La Crosse unveiled its 2026 Oktoberfest button design, a pop-art, photo-based tribute by UW–La Crosse professor Natalia Rocafuerte. Sports Injuries & Local Sports: Brewers relievers DL Hall and Grant Anderson left Thursday’s loss with injuries as Milwaukee heads west. Wisconsin Business/Legal: Tyco Fire Products agreed to pay $10M to resolve Wisconsin PFAS contamination allegations.

Milwaukee Music & Events: Milwaukee Public Market is bringing back the free Riverwalk Commons Concert Series every other Tuesday June–September, with local bands plus food trucks and a full bar. ROCKONSIN Spotlight: Ten Wisconsin youth “garage bands” are set for the ROCKONSIN State Finals at Summerfest (June 19-20) on the Aurora Pavilion Stage. Sports & Wisconsin Pride: The WIAA Boys Golf Championships tee off in Madison for their 100th year at University Ridge, with live streaming for key holes. Local Arts & Community: Reedsburg Public Library kicks off summer reading with challenges for all ages plus a new Seed Library and watercolor society reception. Food Buzz: Martha Stewart’s $97 smashed baked potato is making waves again, with a Wisconsin YouTuber saying he ordered it twice. Summer Safety: Dane County officials mark June 3 as Heat Awareness Day with tips to avoid heat illness. Baseball Trade Talk: MLB’s trade season is heating up, and Tarik Skubal is widely expected to be available as contenders weigh the deadline.

Milwaukee Brewers: Kyle Harrison struck out 12 as Milwaukee beat the Giants 8-3, with Jake Bauers launching a three-run homer; the club’s hot stretch continues as it heads into a matchup featuring Logan Webb. Giants vs. Brewers (pitching drama): Webb then carried a no-hitter into the seventh in a 1-0 win over Milwaukee, allowing just one hit and leaving after seven. NFL media move: Russell Wilson confirmed he’s joining CBS Sports as an analyst on NFL Today, signaling an end to his 14-season playing career. Local film spotlight: La Crosse’s Rivoli screens Wisconsin-made hospice drama “Winter Hymns” in a one-day event tied to filmmaker Nathan Deming’s Tomah roots. Summerfest season: Organizers say Summerfest is 15 days out and ready to welcome fans to the Milwaukee lakefront with major headliners plus local talent and new Wisconsin-themed experiences. Community arts & pride: PrideFest returns June 4-6, with Milwaukee’s LGBTQ festival spotlighting local performers and multiple stages. Sports + campus: UWL demolition of Cowley Hall is underway for the Prairie Springs Science Center expansion, aiming to add new labs by 2028.

Wisconsin Arts & Culture: Mitchell Park Domes’ summer stained-glass show, “Glass Under Glass,” opens June 6 with more than a dozen pieces set inside a living floral display. Local Music & Community: The Kiel Municipal Band kicks off its summer concert run June 10 at Kiel City Park, with marches, Disney medleys, and Wisconsin composer selections. School Arts & Student Life: Milwaukee Public Schools is at a turning point on restorative practices after budget cuts, with staff and researchers warning the shift could move discipline from relationship-building to reactive responses. Entertainment & Media: Streamed & Screened spotlights why catching Broadway in New York feels different—even when you can “stay near home”—and highlights buzzworthy shows. Sports on TV (Wisconsin angle): Brewers vs. Giants coverage is set for June 3 at American Family Field, with TV/streaming options and injury notes for both teams. Outdoor Fun: Kohler-Andrae State Park’s week of walks, birding, bee surveys, kite-building, and night sounds runs June 7–13.

Packers x Potawatomi: The Green Bay Packers and Potawatomi Sportsbook ink a multi-year deal, with the sportsbook becoming the Official Sportsbook Partner and taking naming rights to Lambeau’s south gate and the Champions Club. Baseball buzz (MKE): The Brewers keep rolling in a Brewers–Giants matchup, with Kyle Harrison set to face Trevor McDonald after Milwaukee’s 16-2 rout. Music on the rise: Death Cab for Cutie drops “Stone Over Water” ahead of I Built You A Tower and a Milwaukee stop on July 11; Bouncing Souls share “Only Echoes,” and Hatebreed announces the next leg of Summer Slaughter Tour. Local arts + community: UW–Stout grad Maya Anderson’s Tokyo-made music video caps her degree; UW–Stevens Point opens a compostability testing lab. Sports entertainment: Ben Askren returns to competition in Milwaukee at RAF 11 on July 18. Civic culture: Cows on the Concourse returns to Madison’s Capitol Square June 6 for June Dairy Month.

Wisconsin Sports & Media: Former Badgers star Russell Wilson is reportedly finalizing a deal to join the NFL on CBS studio crew, bringing a familiar Wisconsin face to national broadcasts. Brewers Baseball: Milwaukee erupted for a 16-2 win over the Giants as Brice Turang snapped an 0-for-21 slump with a double and two-run triple; the Brewers’ offense went off without a single homer. Local Health & Outdoors: Dane County is rolling out free tick check stations at Warner Park, Pheasant Branch Conservancy, and Indian Lake County Dog Park as urgent care visits rise. Arts in Wisconsin: Door County Contemporary returns June 4-7, aiming to “build an experience” around Wisconsin art with galleries, a live podcast, and inflatable installations. College Sports: Mike Leach is on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot for the first time after eligibility rules were adjusted. Community Calendar: “What’s Happening: June 5-14” spotlights family-friendly events and local festivals across the state.

NBA Finals Buzz: The Knicks are set for the Spurs again after clinching their first Finals berth since 1999, with Jeremy Sochan already in a “ring either way” situation thanks to his Spurs start to the season. Wisconsin Courts & Accountability: A former Central Wisconsin attorney, Jerome J. Babiak, had his law license revoked after a sexual assault conviction. Milwaukee Politics: A write-in gubernatorial candidate, Carlos Lemar Dixon, admitted stealing campaign signs and posted videos of it online. Community Loss: A Sheboygan man, Gabriel “Gabe” Solis, died after a bicycle incident at Horace Mann Middle School; the district canceled classes. Music & Touring: Goose announced a fall tour that includes a Milwaukee stop (Nov. 6-8) after sold-out Amsterdam shows. Local Arts & Events: The 22nd annual Rhubarb Festival returns June 6 in Lanesboro with bake-offs, costume contests, and live music. Wisconsin Sports (NCAA Baseball): Auburn baseball beat Milwaukee 8-1 to force a winner-take-all regional final. Entertainment PR: Laughlin Constable PR earned major national and Chicago rankings from PRWeek and O’Dwyer’s. Milwaukee Culture: A Milwaukee pop-up exhibit is turning familiar movie posters into dark art.