AGP Executive Report

School Choice Study: A peer-reviewed Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty report says low- and middle-income students in voucher-funded choice programs outperformed comparable public-school peers on the Wisconsin Forward Exam, adding fuel to the debate over whether limits on choice would hurt families. Public Safety Tech: A new look at Flock license-plate camera systems raises fresh privacy and misuse concerns as more cities and departments rely on AI-driven tracking. Health Watch: Wisconsin is among the top states in a multistate Salmonella outbreak tied to recalled jalapeños, with major chains pulling the product after CDC updates. State Fair Spotlight: Gov. Tony Evers got a surprise “Tony Evers Bakery” unveiling at the Wisconsin State Fair, honoring his long-running Cream Puff love. Local Arts & Culture: The Milwaukee Ballet community and beyond mourn Katherine Kersten, longtime artistic leader and educator whose work helped shape major dance institutions. Sports (Brewers): Milwaukee closes out its series with Pittsburgh today, with Dustin May set to start against Braxton Ashcraft.

Arts & Community (Wisconsin): UWRF’s Speech-Language and Hearing Clinics team up with Traveling with a Purpose to bring hearing and speech services to children in Jamaica, supporting Robin’s Nest Children’s Home, Montego Bay Community Home for Girls, and the Montego Bay Autism Center. Live Entertainment (Monona): Topgolf is set to open Aug. 14 in Monona, bringing 72 climate-controlled hitting bays, a full bar-and-restaurant, arcade games, and game-day suites to the Beltline. Music Spotlight (Regional): Chandler Travis releases “Branches Out,” a long-gestating album shaped by loss, creative shifts, and the pandemic. Film Culture (Out of state, but big-screen buzz): Film buffs are making “Odyssey” pilgrimages to Michigan’s only IMAX 70MM showing. Sports (Brewers): Kyle Harrison returns from the injured list with a one-hit, 10-strikeout five-inning outing as Milwaukee tops Pittsburgh 4-2. Local Fair Fun (West Allis): Wisconsin State Fair ride inspections are underway, including the new America 250 Wheel.

Wisconsin Sports & Community: The Packers are inviting fans into the creative mix with an Aug. 7 paint-and-brush fence mural near Lambeau Field, plus a public Badgers practice on Aug. 18 at Camp Randall. Local Arts & Culture: Marquette University High School in Milwaukee is set to expand scholarships and financial aid after two anonymous donors pledged $100 million—an enormous boost for the school’s Jesuit mission. Entertainment Spotlight: The Streamed & Screened podcast digs into “Westhampton,” an independent film flying under the radar, and also looks at the HBO docuseries “The Man Will Burn.” Film/Internet Buzz: A deep dive on “Backrooms” traces how the YouTube horror phenomenon became a mainstream hit. Music: King Crimson offshoot BEAT announces a major 2026 North American tour with Adrian Belew and Tony Levin, plus Steve Vai and a new drummer. Wisconsin Weather/On-the-Ground: Madison saw overnight unrest with fires and street disruption, while Milwaukee’s forecast stays stormy through Wednesday.

Brewers & Baseball Buzz: Milwaukee hit 70 wins in record time, beating the Pirates 4-2 behind Jackson Chourio’s big night and Logan Henderson’s six strong innings, then moved on as the trade deadline reshuffled the rotation with Dustin May set to debut and Brandon Sproat optioned. Local Arts & Community: A Fitchburg artist is teaming up with the Brewers on a new 50-foot mural, “7th Inning Stretch,” part of a statewide push to bring baseball art beyond Milwaukee. Wisconsin Style on the Cheap: A Wisconsin creator went viral by turning thrifted clothes into fresh outfits without buying anything new—proof that “new” can mean reworked. Milwaukee Media Crime Case: Radio Milwaukee’s former executive director Jordan Lee was charged with first-degree sexual assault of a child. Tech & Local Governance: Lee County supervisors are seeking expert legal advice for data center ordinance planning as the debate continues. Travel Disruption: United’s return to Central Wisconsin Airport is delayed after O’Hare restrictions were extended through 2027. Sports Pop Culture: Tony Romo’s CBS future is under fresh scrutiny after an OWI-related leave, with pundits debating how contract leverage and public fallout could shape what comes next.

Milwaukee Arts & Culture: Bronzeville Cultural & Arts Festival kept the spotlight on Milwaukee creativity, fashion, and community art, with festival-goers painting “Bronzeville” letters and enjoying live music and food. Local Planning: Milwaukee County floated a proposed route for the 30th Street Corridor Trail, a seven-mile bike-and-ped path linking the Hank Aaron State Trail to Havenwoods State Forest, with feedback open until Aug. 28. Entertainment Business: Marcus Corporation (Milwaukee-based theater and hospitality giant) raised its quarterly dividend to $0.09 per share, underscoring continued momentum in its entertainment footprint. Sports (Wisconsin angle): The Brewers fell 4-3 to the Pirates as Spencer Horwitz delivered a bases-clearing hit, while the MLB trade deadline fallout had Milwaukee adding pitching with Dustin May. Music: Chicago indie-rock trio Krill released its first new music in a decade, “Commemorative Plaque,” marking a fresh chapter for the band. Energy in Wisconsin: We Energies broke ground on three grid-support projects—Darien battery storage, Dawn Harvest solar-plus-storage, and Badger Hollow wind—approved by the PSCW.

Wisconsin Arts: Michelle Grabner is donating more than 2,000 works to the John Michael Kohler Arts Center, making it the principal home for her career-spanning art and teaching archive. Local Outdoors: Kohler-Andrae State Park in Sheboygan is rolling out Aug. 9-15 family-friendly nature programming, from bug hunts and bird walks to forest therapy, kite building, and drumming. Community & Culture: Bronzeville Week keeps going with panels, makeup tutorials, and neighborhood events spotlighting health, art, and local business. Sports (Milwaukee): The Brewers add rotation and bullpen help in the Dustin May/JoJo Romero trade, then open a four-game set vs. the Pirates. TV & Media: Spectrum customers report a major outage hitting TV, apps, and websites nationwide. Local Public Safety: National Night Out events in Janesville bring police and fire together with a live burn demonstration. Theater Memorial: Milwaukee’s Turner Hall hosted a celebration of life for longtime theater journalist Dominique Paul Noth.

Arts & Community Calendar: Kohler-Andrae State Park’s Aug. 3–9 lineup spotlights invasive removal, “Music in the Park” with Tonic Roots, and family-friendly nature programming like Indian Mounds and moths/bugs. Theater on the Road: Uncommon Productions and Citizen56 announce a 7-city run of neo-noir thriller “The Poisoner,” inspired by the Flint water crisis, with stops including Kenosha and Madison (Sept. 17–Oct. 31). Movies & Local Screens: Marcus Theatres says “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” set major opening-weekend records across its Wisconsin-area locations. Sports (Local + Big-Time): Wisconsin men’s basketball releases a non-conference slate featuring Marquette and a Baha Mar Invitational; meanwhile, the MLB trade deadline buzz keeps circling Wisconsin teams as the Dodgers add Tarik Skubal and the Brewers react. Food & Nightlife: Uppa Yard is opening a more upscale Water Street location in Milwaukee with live-music-ready space for reggae, jazz, and blues. Education/Health: MMSD offers free sports physicals at multiple high schools this month to help student-athletes meet WIAA requirements. Public Safety & Justice: Madison leaders push for body-cam changes after the Corey Ruiz shooting, as the city weighs what comes next.

MLB Trade Deadline Shock (Wisconsin angle): Tarik Skubal is headed to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a blockbuster deal, a move that’s already sparked outrage over what it means for baseball’s economics—and it lands right in the middle of the Brewers’ push to “get over the hump.” Local Sports & Community: Duluth’s 32nd annual Art Von youth baseball tournament drew 79 teams, while a growing Jugger and Belegarth scene is bringing foam-fighting sports to the Northland. Wisconsin Politics Meets Pop Culture: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong hosted Hasan Piker at a Milwaukee rally, deepening the fight over the party’s socialist wing. Arts & Entertainment: Milwaukee’s Bronzeville Week spotlights African-American arts, culture, and commerce with music and events running Aug. 1–8. Road America Racing: Wayne Taylor Racing celebrated a big IMSA win at Road America, breaking a long IMSA drought. Weather/Recovery: Tornado cleanup in the Fox Cities continues with curbside pickup and debris collection shifting into longer-term support.

MLB (Wisconsin focus): The Brewers keep rolling as Jacob Misiorowski takes the mound Sunday vs. the Angels, with Milwaukee favored to win and end a rough stretch for Los Angeles. Big-league shakeup: Tarik Skubal is now a Los Angeles Dodger after the Tigers dealt him for three prospects, a move that’s already fueling talk of a possible league-wide lockout and a Dodgers rotation stacked for October. Local sports & community: Manitowoc’s Malt City Brewfest drew craft-beer fans despite light rain, with dozens of brewers and live music filling Quay Street. Parade spotlight: Mendota’s Sweet Corn Festival Grand Parade on Aug. 9 will feature the Chicago Golden Knights Drill Team. Milwaukee public safety: Police are investigating two separate double shootings, both with non-life-threatening injuries. Wisconsin politics (watch): Francesca Hong’s Democratic governor bid faces a “prove-it” moment as her rivals drop out and the primary tightens.

MLB Blockbuster: The Dodgers reportedly land Tarik Skubal from the Tigers in a deadline-shaping trade, while Milwaukee keeps rolling—Brice Turang and Jake Bauers power the Brewers past the Angels as the club moves atop the majors. Brewers Moves: Milwaukee also reinstates Brandon Lockridge from the IL and recalls Garrett Stallings, adding depth right as the postseason push tightens. Local Baseball Context: The Brewers-Angels series continues with lineup and pitching updates as Jose Soriano is scratched and Brent Suter gets the start. Sports-Entertainment Crossover: Tony Romo’s CBS future hangs in the balance after his OWI arrest and the release of bodycam footage, with the network reportedly scrambling for what comes next. Wisconsin Arts & Culture: The Wisconsin Vintage Pyrex Swap draws hundreds to Cottage Grove, and Milwaukee’s Bronzeville Week and Brat Days keep the summer calendar packed. Music & Live Shows: Air Supply brings its “Lost in Love” tour to the Grand Sierra Resort, and Gary Payton II is reportedly returning to the Warriors. Community & Recovery: Free ACA support meetings are available in Oshkosh, and Adult Children of Alcoholics support meetings continue locally.

Wisconsin Politics & Leadership: A new letter argues Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley is the “best chance” to beat election-denier Tom Tiffany, warning democracy is at risk and urging a moderate, cross-party governor. Milwaukee Media Shock: Tony Romo’s CBS Sports future looks shaky after his Milwaukee OWI arrest and bodycam release, with reports saying he’s on indefinite leave and must “make quite a case” to return before the NFL season. Ag Journalism Legacy: Madison-based agriculture reporter Alan Guebert announced his retirement after 45 years, reflecting on how tech and social media reshaped farming coverage. Local Education Spotlight: UW-Green Bay nursing program welcomes a Sheboygan high school senior as the first student to join the BSN track while still in high school. Music & Touring: Godsmack adds fall 2026 U.S. dates, including a Milwaukee stop, with Dorothy as direct support. Sports Trade Watch (Brewers): Milwaukee acquires catcher Bo Naylor and RHP Codi Heuer from Cleveland, boosting catching depth ahead of the deadline. Community Events: Ely Watercross Race and concert returns Aug. 7-9 after a fire scare.

Wisconsin Sports & Community: The Milwaukee Brewers got a West Coast spark from Shane Drohan and a big fifth inning, beating the Angels 6-2 behind Brice Turang and Jake Bauers homers. Pro Sports Spotlight: At WWE SmackDown in Green Bay, CM Punk and Cody Rhodes set up more drama before SummerSlam, with Haku making a surprise appearance. Local Events: Bronzeville Week returns to Milwaukee’s Harambee and Halyard Park Aug. 1–8 with music, art, fashion shows, and natural hair workshops. Arts & Culture: A Milwaukee physical therapist helped keep the “Frozen” cast performing smoothly, showing how behind-the-scenes care supports live theater. Golf & Giving Back: Eddie Lacy headlined a Chippewa Valley celebrity golf outing raising money for the Village Project Scholarship Fund. Wisconsin Women’s Golf: Kate Villegas won the Wisconsin Women’s Golf Championship at TPC Wisconsin, finishing 11-under. Entertainment Picks: Prime Video’s “Patriot” (Milwaukee-set spy dark comedy) and “Catastrophe” are among weekend streaming standouts.

Wisconsin Watch: Election clerks are telling voters to return absentee ballots at least 10 days early, warning that past mail delays left hundreds of ballots too late to count. Privacy vs. Power: Flock Safety surveillance cameras are getting vandalized nationwide, and cities—including Madison—have deactivated or ended contracts amid privacy backlash. Sports Media: CBS has placed NFL analyst Tony Romo on leave after his Milwaukee OWI arrest; J.J. Watt is set to step in alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson. Local Arts & Culture: Hayward Cinema 4 says ticket sales are booming again, with schedules “packed” and more films drawing wider audiences. Community Events: Milwaukee’s District 5 National Night Out returns with games, petting zoo fun, and a chance to meet officers. Grassroots Energy Fight: A “Farmland First!” push is rallying Wisconsinites against industrial wind and solar projects, arguing they drive up costs and pressure landowners.

Irish Music Spotlight: Altan’s Máiréad Ní Mhaonaigh talks Belfast’s first Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and says the band will follow up with Milwaukee-area workshops and performances. Northern Lights Watch: NOAA says a moderate aurora could be visible Thursday night, with Wisconsin among the smaller-odds spots—best bets are farther north and away from light pollution. Family Cycling Event: Stillwater’s Bridge the Valley Bike Rally (Aug. 9) adds a kid-focused “Kids Zone” plus multiple routes, including an adaptive category. Local Sports & Community: Appleton’s Mile of Music (July 30) filled venues from Lawrence Lawn Main Stage to Chadwick’s Bar with live acts and fans. Wisconsin Powerlifting: Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln grad Ashton Fischer heads to the World Powerlifting Championships in South Africa Aug. 20. Animal Lovers Fundraiser: The Wisconsin Humane Society’s Pet Walk returns Sept. 12 in Mequon with music, vendors, and a 5K/1-mile format.

Hospital & Community Giving: Marshfield Children’s Hospital unveiled a renovated Pediatric Family Lounge thanks to RMHC of Marshfield, a $15,000 Jayna Kelley Memorial Foundation gift, and local donations—adding comfort upgrades and new artwork for families staying close to kids. Local History: Ripon’s Fenelon family story explains the barn behind the Veterans Memorial Walkway at 404 Ransom St., tying a vanished 1911-era home to today’s Steel Magnolia salon site. Music & Touring: Bailey Zimmerman canceled his summer U.K./Europe run to focus on family and new music, while keeping North American dates (including Wisconsin) on track. Sports Culture: Wisconsin shows up at the cornhole world championships on ESPN, with Janesville’s Collin Powers and teammates competing for top doubles honors. Arts & Entertainment: Milwaukee’s Marcus Performing Arts Center will host “The Unauthorized Hallmark(ish) Parody Musical” this winter, a pop-filled spoof of holiday movie tropes. Food & Drink Buzz: Fitger’s Barrel Room in Duluth rolled out a new smokehouse menu built around in-house smoked meats. Wisconsin Branding: Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin’s “Born to Dairy” campaign earned Ad Age recognition, spotlighting real dairy farmers. Tech/Innovation: MagniX announced preorders for its magniAIR electric engine, aiming for first flight in early 2027. Weather/Recovery: Prestige Roofing LLC is offering free emergency tarping for tornado-damaged homes in Menasha and Appleton.

MLB Trade Buzz (Wisconsin ties): The Dodgers’ Andrew Friedman says they’ll “participate” in star trade talks, with Tarik Skubal still the big name on the market as teams weigh starting-pitching needs. Local Sports (Wisconsin): Milwaukee’s Luke Osburn is getting early praise as a Sabres prospect, while the Brewers’ bullpen struggles again in a 16-3 loss to the Giants. Politics & Policy (WI): Wisconsin Democratic governor candidates spar over data centers, with frontrunners pushing for “guardrails” as proposals bring big investment and big community pushback. Education & Community (WI): G-E-T School District is asking voters to approve a $44.755M capital referendum for building upgrades and capacity needs. Arts & Culture (WI): Stevens Point author Lisa Lehmann will sign copies of “RADIO STARR,” a debut novel rooted in Wisconsin radio life. Film & Tourism (WI): Superior launches a 25% cash rebate for film crews to boost local production activity. Weather & Safety (WI): Rain chances return for the Friday-Saturday stretch, and tornado recovery updates continue after severe storms.