AGP Executive Report

Milwaukee Arts & Culture: A new one-week pop-up at the Charles Allis Art Museum, “Deadly Prey,” turns familiar movie posters into dark, Ghana-made art—opening May 31 and running through June 7. Madison Waterfront: Madison’s Fools’ Flotilla returns June 14 on the Yahara River with live music, costumes, and a 10:30 a.m. launch from Tenney Park (free; limited parking nearby). Live Music (Milwaukee): Hollywood Undead and In This Moment co-headline the Taste of Chaos 2026 tour, with a Milwaukee stop Oct. 3 at The Rave/Eagles Ballroom. Live Music (Milwaukee): Alter Bridge announces fall 2026 tour dates, including Nov. 12 in Milwaukee at The Rave/Eagles Club. Local History: Hermansville’s IXL Historical Museum holds a Fourth of July rededication celebrating a $50,000 exterior restoration. Sports/Community: UW Athletics names its 2026 Hall of Fame class, including Melvin Gordon, Sam Dekker, and Chris Borland. Food & Fun: Cap Times rounds up 11 Madison-area food festivals this summer, with details still updating.

Wisconsin Sports Spotlight: UW Athletics announced its 2026 Hall of Fame class, featuring Badgers legends like Chris Borland, Melvin Gordon, Sam Dekker and Olympian Kelsey Card, with induction set for Sept. 18-19. Brewers & Local Art: The Milwaukee Brewers’ Wisconsin Artist Series returns with Madison illustrator Ka Lee, whose design will be featured on special hats for the June 2 game. MLB Labor Watch: Major League Baseball’s first hard salary cap proposal since 1994—$245.3M cap and $171.2M floor—kicked off a fresh labor standoff, with the MLB Players Association already calling it a non-starter. NCAA Baseball (Wisconsin ties): NCAA regionals begin Friday, including Auburn vs. Milwaukee, with TV and streaming schedules rolling out for all 16 sites. Community Tech Access: Hope Network for Single Mothers and Everyone On handed out free laptops in Greenfield, aiming to boost education and career options for families. Arts & History: Whitewater Historical Society’s #FlashbackFriday highlights the German M.E. Church, a Wisconsin immigrant-era landmark still in use today.

Arts & Community: Stonecutter Arts has opened in downtown Oconomowoc, keeping the storefront gallery vibe while adding studio space and classes for local makers. Theater: Milwaukee students are set to perform “Complaint Department and Lemonade” at TBEY Arts Center, a satirical spring production built from youth auditions across the county. Music & Events: West Bend’s Music on Main kicks off with a downtown block party, and Madison’s Concerts on the Square adds hip-hop for the July 1 “United in Sound” show. Sports (Wisconsin): The Badgers women’s hockey team released its WCHA schedule for 2026-27, including a conference opener and finale vs. Ohio State. Local Business: Marcus & Millichap helped broker the sale of a Comfort Suites property in Johnson Creek. Remembering: A Milwaukee Journal photographer’s pre-fame Marilyn Monroe photos are headed to auction ahead of her June 1 centennial.

Local Housing & Community Building: Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity, the Milwaukee Brewers and Prime Financial Credit Union kicked off summer construction for 40 affordable homes, with plans to repair 200+ existing houses this year—plus a long-running Brewers Community Foundation partnership. Healthcare Training: ThedaCare is opening a new simulation lab in Neenah to train physicians and care teams, starting its first resident cohort July 1. Sports for Everyone: UW-Whitewater will host Special Olympics Wisconsin State Summer Games for the fourth straight year, June 4–6. Music & Nightlife in Wisconsin: Future Neenah is scaling back its Out to Lunch midday concerts to a monthly schedule and adding more pop-up performances downtown. Arts Picks (Milwaukee): This weekend’s lineup includes Bay View Gallery Night and new work from artist Christie Tirado at Latino Arts. Food Safety Alert: DATCP issued a public health warning for misbranded Starzer Meats mushroom & Swiss bratwursts due to an undeclared soy allergen. Baseball Buzz: The Brewers swept the Cardinals again, rallying in the eighth to win 2–1.

Baseball Drama: Brewers reliever Abner Uribe apologized after his “crotch chop” celebration sparked backlash from Cardinals and even his own manager, Pat Murphy, after Milwaukee’s 6-0 win. Local Arts & Culture: Cedarburg Cultural Center named filmmaker Debra Zarne its June artist in residence, with writing/editing sessions and a smartphone/DSLR filmmaking workshop. Education Watch: A new DPI staffing analysis says Wisconsin schools hit an all-time record staffing ratio (1 adult per 7 students), fueling fresh debate over referenda and classroom priorities. Community & Events: Camerama returns May 29-31 in Cameron with live music, a library book/puzzle sale, car show, and family-friendly activities. Wisconsin Sports on TV: A June 1-7 schedule roundup highlights what to watch across MLB, NHL, and WNBA. Nature & Art: DNR is accepting artwork for its annual bird stamp design contests, with submissions due Aug. 1. Health & Safety: A Racine mom says her 14-year-old was tased and beaten at a quinceañera in Sturtevant, and the investigation is underway.

Packers Shock: Green Bay RB Josh Jacobs was arrested in Wisconsin and booked on five charges tied to a domestic disturbance, including felony strangulation and suffocation; his camp denies wrongdoing and says the case is still early. Local Politics: Pulaski County’s quorum court passed a 12-month moratorium on new data center permits—then amended it to “grandfather” one project, setting up a legal and political headache. Sports Swing: The Cavaliers’ season ended in a Knicks sweep after a 130-93 Game 4 blowout, while Milwaukee’s Brewers kept rolling with a 6-0 shutout over the Cardinals behind Kyle Harrison. Music & Culture: Halestorm paid Stevie Nicks’ birthday tribute with a live “Gold Dust Woman” cover, and Wisconsin’s SS Badger photo history continues to draw attention. Community Good News: UW-system schools awarded degrees to 29 incarcerated students—first time in 50+ years for several campuses.

NBA Finals Set: The Knicks steamrolled the Cavaliers 130-93 in Game 4 to complete a 4-0 Eastern Conference sweep and lock in a Finals matchup starting June 3, with New York riding an 11-game streak and a brutal run of late-game momentum. Politics & Policy: Tennessee AG Skrmetti joined a coalition pushing back on the federal KIDS Act, arguing it would weaken state power to protect kids online while shielding Big Tech. Food & Local Life: Schlitz’s Milwaukee legacy gets a fresh spotlight, and Stoughton’s Wendigo restaurant closed after 12 years. Tech & Business: Modine shares jumped after a up-to-$4B data-center cooling deal, while Florida lawmakers backed an AI system aimed at reducing SNAP errors. Wisconsin Watch: DNR updated rules for handling frogs, snakes, and turtles, with changes set to take effect Jan. 1, 2027.

NBA Playoffs: The Knicks are headed to the NBA Finals after a 130-93 Game 4 rout of the Cavaliers, completing a 4-0 Eastern Conference sweep and pushing their streak to 11 wins. Western Conference Finals: Meanwhile, the Spurs vs. Thunder series is still a chess match—2-2—with Game 5 set Tuesday in Oklahoma City. Brewers Baseball: Milwaukee snapped a skid with a 5-1 win over the Cardinals as Jacob Misiorowski struck out 12 and threw 57 pitches at 100 mph or more, a new single-game high since tracking began. Memorial Day Spotlight: Powerball is climbing for the holiday drawing at an estimated $141 million, and Wisconsin communities marked the day with ceremonies—from the Gary-New Duluth Veterans Memorial to Milwaukee’s Forest Home and Calvary observances. Milwaukee Public Safety: Police are asking for help locating a missing 8-year-old boy, and a separate incident saw an officer bitten by a dog.

Music & Identity: Beartooth frontman Caleb Shomo’s wife Fleur Shomo broke her silence after his public reveal as a “proudly gay man,” describing months of confusion and hurt while pledging to love and support him. Local Sports: Trine University’s Bailey Puckett capped her career with a fifth-place finish in the D-III 1,500 final at UW-La Crosse, setting a school and MIAA record. Community Life: Public pools and splash pads across the Coulee Region are lining up for summer openings, with several sites scheduled to start in early June. NBA Buzz: Jaylen Brown landed second-team All-NBA after missing first-team by one vote to Cade Cunningham, while the Knicks’ recent surge remains a hot topic heading into the NBA Finals conversation. Wisconsin Culture: Schlitz’s last batch was brewed in Wisconsin Brewing Co.’s recreation using a 1948 recipe—an end of an era with a local twist. Memorial Day Baseball: MLB standings talk is back—ESPN’s crew notes how the AL’s uneven start could keep more teams alive longer.

World Records & Local Pride: Milwaukee author R.M. Almonte just locked in a second “fully documented” world record—finishing a 50-state book tour (ending May 23) plus 64 Barnes & Noble signings at one chain. Sports Spotlight: The Indy 500 went to Felix Rosenqvist in a razor-thin finish over David Malukas, while the Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto credited Milwaukee’s aggressive approach for forcing precision. Wisconsin Community: Wisconsin Rapids Rafters families are opening their homes for the Northwoods League season, helping college players and interns settle in fast. Memorial Day Notes: Here’s what’s open and closed around Milwaukee for May 25. Quick Hits: Wisconsin Lottery Pick 3/Pick 4 results for May 24 are out, and a Kenosha County Jail inmate was found dead Sunday morning, with an outside agency investigating.

NBA Playoff Shockwave: The Knicks are one win from the Finals after a historic 10-game postseason streak, now up 3-0 on the Cavaliers and averaging 122 points while allowing under 100. MLB Sunday Spotlight: Memorial Day weekend keeps rolling with Dodgers vs. Brewers at 2:10 p.m., plus big-name prop chatter featuring Ohtani and Schwarber. Sports Betting Buzz: Fresh promo offers are flooding in for Thunder-Spurs and MLB, including theScore Bet, DraftKings, Polymarket, and Novig. Prediction Markets Fallout: A New York Times report says CFTC officials who challenged prediction-market firms were suspended and pushed out, raising fresh questions about how politics shapes enforcement. Milwaukee Community: The 10th annual “Divas Brunch” is back, bringing women together for shopping, speakers, and connection. Health Watch: Mayo Clinic highlights stroke warning signs with BE FAST as summer travel ramps up.

Lottery Buzz: Powerball climbed to a $131M jackpot for Saturday’s drawing, with the winning numbers 4-16-41-48-66 and Powerball 26 (2x multiplier). Wisconsin Numbers: Wisconsin Lottery Pick 3 and Pick 4 results for May 23 are out, plus Badger 5, SuperCash, and Megabucks. Brat Fest Heat: Thousands packed Madison’s Alliant Energy Center for day two of Brat Fest—beer, brats, live music, and local vendors—with the festival raising money for nonprofits. Brewers vs. Dodgers: The Dodgers roll into Milwaukee for Sunday’s 2:10 p.m. ET matchup at American Family Field, with streaming and TV options listed. Community Safety: Milwaukee’s MKE Peace Week wrapped with a march and leaders pushing momentum into a “Summer of Healing.” Local Sports Notes: Packers QB Jordan Love and wife Ronika Stone welcomed their first child, sharing the news on Saturday. Bear Alert: Wausau police asked residents to avoid a downtown area after reports of a black bear and cub.

Banana Ball Meets Wisconsin: Former Red Sox CF Jackie Bradley Jr. is taking his circus-catch act to Banana Ball’s Indianapolis Clowns, with sold-out shows stretching through September. Prison Rehab, Real Dogs: Two beagles rescued from Ridglan Farms are now in Michigan’s Alger Correctional Facility for inmate-led rehab through the DAWGS Adapt program. Tech vs. Small Towns: City councils are getting dragged into big-tech fights, with one Michigan township leader stepping down after death threats tied to an Oracle/OpenAI data-center zoning battle. Brewers-Dodgers Spotlight: Milwaukee keeps rolling—winning the opener 5-1—and turns to Roki Sasaki for the next matchup, while Max Muncy is expected to miss a couple days after a wrist hit. Local Openings: Young Blood Beer Co. is launching a 6,500-square-foot flagship in DeForest on May 29. Lake Winnebago Buzz: Lake flies are back, and residents are bracing for the annual swarm. Sports & Culture Calendar: Memorial Day weekend programming and TV listings are packed, from MLB to Isle of Man TT coverage.

Brewers vs. Dodgers: Milwaukee opened its homestand with a statement—Logan Henderson shut down L.A. for five innings and the Brewers won 5-1, with William Contreras blasting early as the offense jumped on Dodgers starter Justin Wrobleski. Local Sports & Culture: The team’s City Connect rollout keeps rolling—West Allis unveiled “The Launch” mural at Slingshot Bar, part of the Wisco Pop-Up series. Public Safety & Accountability: A Milwaukee judge pushed for bars and bartenders to be held responsible for overserving drunk drivers after a deadly crash case, while a separate Milwaukee five-alarm fire is tied to a cigarette flicked inside a vacant building. Community Fundraising: Madison’s Brat Fest is back, with thousands of volunteers grilling to raise money for more than 100 charities. Travel & Leisure: Rockford Airport is adding three tropical destinations in 2027, including Cancun. Sports on the Air: Friday’s TV schedule is packed, including Brewers coverage and more regional sports.

Beer Farewell in Chicago: Schlitz’s final days are playing out in bars like Schubas Tavern, where fans line up for last pours tied to Milwaukee’s brewing legacy. Data Center Pushback: Comedian Charlie Berens is joining a free, two-day western Wisconsin event (June 13-14) to help residents organize against hyperscale data centers and protect land and water. PWHL Front Office Shuffle: Meghan Duggan lands as GM for Hamilton’s expansion, while Troy Ryan takes the dual coach/GM role for San Jose. Wisconsin Road Safety: A Milwaukee County driver removed a barrier and drove into wet concrete—WI DOT posted the “FEELING STUCK” photo as a blunt warning. Animal Cruelty Spotlight: Activists held “open rescues” at Ridglan Farms over beagle suffering, with legality questioned but participants saying help never came. FTC AI Ads Fallout: Cox Media Group and partners face a near-$1M FTC settlement over “Active Listening” claims that allegedly didn’t work as promised. Local Culture: Pfister Hotel names antique dealer Megan Dorsey its first “Storyteller in Residence.”

A’s Stadium Update: The Athletics’ $2B Las Vegas Strip domed ballpark is still on track for a pre-2028 opening, with the lower-suite level “progressing substantially” and the upper deck rising since April—though a temporary northwest plaza may be needed if Bally’s financing for an elevated plaza slips. Milwaukee Public Safety: A woman has been arrested after a massive fire at a vacant building near 32nd and Hampton; Hampton Avenue at 32nd could close for up to two weeks while the unsafe structure is demolished. Threats to Evers: A Milwaukee man faces charges after investigators say he sent a message threatening to kill Gov. Tony Evers. Politics Fallout: Pressure is mounting on DNC Chair Ken Martin after the party released an autopsy report on the 2024 loss that critics say is incomplete and doesn’t mention Gaza. Local Life & Culture: La Crosse’s Southern Bluffs Elementary opened a new school garden for hands-on learning, and Milwaukee’s Brewers unveiled a south-side paletero mural celebrating Latin street vendors. Sports: Arrowhead’s Trey Resch kept the sprint spotlight on May 14, while Verona/Mount Horeb clinched an outright Badger Conference girls lacrosse title with a 15-6 win.