AGP Executive Report

NBA on TV: Hall of Fame coach Doc Rivers says he’s “absolutely retired” from coaching and is joining NBC as an NBA analyst across NBC, Peacock and NBCSN this season. Volleyball Rankings: The AVCA Coaches Poll holds steady at the top, while Wisconsin rebounds to beat Marquette and UW-Milwaukee and moves into Big Ten play. Brewers Playoff Push: Milwaukee heads to Philadelphia needing just one win (or an Atlanta loss) to clinch a first-round bye, chasing a franchise-record 100-win season. Local Film/Entertainment Business: Beloit’s Classic Cinemas owner says he’d consider expanding to Janesville if an existing theater becomes available. Arts & Community Calendar: Water Street Dance Milwaukee kicks off Burlington Civic Music’s 97th season Oct. 2 at the Capitol Theater. Milwaukee Arts Spotlight: A Milwaukee typewriter poet turns conversations into personalized poems, keeping the city’s creative scene delightfully analog. Wisconsin Outdoors Festival: Bayfield’s Apple Festival returns Oct. 2–4, tracing its origin to a roadside flat tire that sparked a decades-long tradition.

Brewers on a roll: Milwaukee set a franchise record with win No. 98, blanking the Orioles 3-0 to sweep Baltimore and push their NL bye magic number down to one. Local sports buzz: Jackson Chourio made history with three straight 20-homer/20-stolen base seasons as the team keeps momentum into the postseason. Arts & culture: Forward Theater’s world premiere “Steady She Goes” brings to life a 19th-century sea adventure, inspired by a Cap Times Idea Fest panel with author Tilar J. Mazzeo. Community events: Whitewater’s Discover Whitewater Series Race went on despite the rain, and UW-Whitewater hosted a Back-to-School vintage flea for students. Music & festivals: Florida Georgia Line announced a 2027 festival tour, with Oshkosh’s XRoads41 already on the list. Media business: Civic Media expands radio in the region via a new Iowa subsidiary deal to acquire multiple stations. Weather: Milwaukee’s week ahead looks fall-like, starting with cloudy drizzle and breezy conditions.

Arts & Community: Luther Preparatory School in Watertown broke ground on a new $16M music center, aiming to replace its 1912-era space and expand ensembles, plays, and music classes. Film & Outdoors: “Canoe Dig It,” a freestyle canoeing competition documentary, premieres in Madison at the Bartell Theatre with a post-screening panel on Wisconsin state parks. Local Sports (Milwaukee): The Brewers chase a franchise-record 98th win in Sunday’s series finale vs. the Orioles, with Jacob Misiorowski on the mound. Entertainment (Milwaukee): Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. married in a vampire-esque wedding, sharing the look on Instagram. Wisconsin Lifestyle: A Milwaukee scooter rider says a pothole crash may leave her permanently injured, highlighting the city’s worsening pothole backlog. Family Fun (Central & Southern WI): Libraries across central and southern Wisconsin list family movie nights, storytimes, and kids’ coding and craft events for Sept. 20–26. Housing Watch: Zillow reports August typical home values rising in Marinette (+6.5%), Waupaca (+4.7%), and Wood (+3.6%), while Ashland County fell (-7.7%).

Wisconsin Sports Spotlight: Wisconsin Football rolled past Eastern Michigan 54-10, with Colton Joseph throwing for 362 yards and a school-record 14 catches to Tyrell Henry, plus three takeaways that flipped momentum fast. Marquette Volleyball: The Golden Eagles topped St. Thomas in five sets in a comeback thriller, turning a tight, error-prone start into a late-match surge. Local Community & Culture: Two Rivers’ 35th annual Ethnic Fest kept Main Street buzzing despite light rain, with food trucks and international flavors drawing families out. Milwaukee Life: Milwaukee residents are clearing storm drains ahead of heavy rain, sharing how quick cleanups can prevent flooding. Food & Neighborhood Pride: Monterrey Market in Milwaukee expanded again and hosted La Patria Fest, leaning into community staples and Mexican favorites. Sports Elsewhere: The Brewers shut out the Orioles 1-0, extending their hot streak with Robert Gasser’s seven shutout innings.

Local Sports Spotlight: Wisconsin’s Tyrell Henry set a school single-game record with 14 catches as the Badgers routed Eastern Michigan 54-10, while Colton Joseph threw for 362 yards and four TDs. NHL Prospect Watch: Wild rookie camp has Charlie Stramel smiling again after a broken ankle sidelined him last spring—he says the leg is fully healed. Brewers in the Playoff Push: Milwaukee hosts Baltimore at 3:05 p.m. CT with Robert Gasser on the mound, as the Brewers chase a postseason bye (96-58 record). College Football (Wisconsin Fans): Wisconsin wraps nonconference play Saturday at Camp Randall vs. Eastern Michigan, streaming on Peacock. Entertainment & Community: A Wisconsin choir teacher, Paul Sadergaski, was charged with child sex crimes, including grooming and possession of child pornography. Arts/Collecting: A painting bought for $30 at a Michigan estate sale—signed by surrealist Gertrude Abercrombie—could sell for up to $250,000 at a Manhattan auction.

Local Arts & Theater: Salem Community Theatre and Cultural Center wraps up its final weekend of “The Spitfire Grill,” with performances Friday-Saturday at 7 p.m. and a Sunday matinee at 3 p.m. in Salem. Community Art: Two Rivers is adding a new mural outside City Hall, part of a push for more public art downtown. Fashion & Vintage: Racine’s Von Schrader Vintage Trunk Show is tonight, spotlighting local style and small-business shopping. Sports (Wisconsin ties): The Milwaukee Brewers edged the Baltimore Orioles 6-5 in 10 innings as Sal Frelick drove in the winner; Milwaukee also clinched its NL Central title earlier this season. MLB Playoff Picture: The Atlanta Braves locked in a postseason berth with a 6-2 win over the Astros, while their NL East magic number dropped to three. Outdoor & Recreation: The Town of Bradley approved an enhanced wake ordinance for Lake Mohawksin, matching Tomahawk’s rules to curb erosion and protect shorelines. Environment: A report from Upper Kelly Lake highlights worsening algae growth, with residents and DNR pointing to runoff and nearshore conditions.

Big Business in Wisconsin: Gov. Tony Evers joined Kikkoman and WEDC for the grand opening of a new $560M production facility in Jefferson, adding 80+ high-paying jobs and building on the company’s broader Wisconsin investment. Privacy & Policy: Wisconsin’s AG helped secure a preliminary injunction blocking the federal government from demanding sensitive personal data from 17 million commercial drivers. Literary Spotlight: UW-Milwaukee English professor Derrick Harriell discusses his memoir work with 2 Chainz, turning Milwaukee-rooted poetry into a mainstream literary moment. Music News: Rise Against and Alkaline Trio are swapping songs for a new split record ahead of a joint tour. Broadcast Watch: NBC says this weekend’s Eastern Michigan vs. Wisconsin college football game will be free to stream on YouTube as part of its Peacock/YouTube Premium deal. Local Arts & Culture: Freeport Art Museum unveiled a new mural and is seeking public input tied to the city budget. Sports (Brewers): Milwaukee dropped a game to Pittsburgh 7-4 in the latest roundup.

UW-Madison & Humanities: UW-Madison officially opened Irving and Dorothy Levy Hall, a new home for humanities classes including history, African American studies, gender and women’s studies, and religious studies. Cancer Care: UW Health began offering proton therapy at Eastpark Medical Center, bringing a more precise radiation option to Madison-area patients who previously had to travel out of state. Local Arts & Community: Milwaukee’s Kate Razo is profiled for portraits and offbeat objects, with her Wisconsin roots and Bay Area/ Mexico rhythm shaping her work. Sports (Wisconsin ties): The Milwaukee Brewers remain in the NL playoff hunt as the Dodgers clinched the NL West; meanwhile, local coverage highlights Alexandria’s undefeated girls tennis run and Ellie Saksena ’26’s Team USA triathlon path to the 2027 world finals in Hamburg. Health & Fitness: A guide breaks down how long people should hold a plank based on age, emphasizing form over raw duration.

Brewers-Pirates (Milwaukee sports): The NL Central champs’ late-season momentum hit a snag as the Pirates edged the Brewers 7-4, with Konnor Griffin’s two-run hit sparking a five-run second and Henry Davis adding a two-run homer. Milwaukee Fashion Week: Milwaukee Fashion Week returns Sept. 25-26 in the Third Ward, spotlighting local designers and streetwear alongside high-fashion runway showcases. American Girl (kids’ culture): American Girl named Wisconsin’s Daisy Davenport as its 2027 Girl of the Year, set in Madison and headed to Camp Gowonagin. Local arts & community: Rally for the Valley brings music, comedy, storytelling, and giving to Downtown Menasha on Oct. 3 as Fox Cities tornado recovery continues. Manufacturing spotlight: Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce launched the 2026 “Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin,” with public voting starting Sept. 21. Historic Wisconsin streets: A look at Ripon’s and Ripon Drug’s Watson Street roots highlights how upper-story businesses shaped the area’s past. Tech + land fight: A Port Washington data-center transmission plan was rerouted away from a Saukville artist’s property after a legal challenge.

Brewers Sweep Push: Milwaukee kept its momentum rolling with a 5-4 win over the Pirates, setting up a chance to sweep as the NL Central champs chase a strong finish. Badger Football: Wisconsin rebounds and looks ahead to Eastern Michigan in its final nonconference game before Big Ten play, after a 36-9 rout of Western Illinois. Art & Culture Loss: Pop artist Peter Max, a key figure in the “flower power” era, died at 88, leaving behind a colorful legacy that also drew on his Jewish refugee story. Local Sports Spotlight: Carthage men’s soccer fell 5-1 to No. 8 Chicago in Kenosha, despite a late goal from Gileroh Kolty. Comedy & Wisconsin Talent: “Saturday Night Live” added Saidah Belo-Osagie and Wisconsin’s Grace Reiter to Season 52, with Reiter bringing Netflix buzz from “Minimum Wage.” Community & Music: A WWII veteran, Sverre Vinje, went viral after singing “God Bless America” at a Brewers game—his lifelong love of music still resonated with a packed crowd. Transmission Talk: Copperton project community sessions are slated for October, giving residents a chance to ask questions about major new power lines affecting Wisconsin.

Local Arts & Culture: Towle Theater in Hammond closes its season with Stephen King’s “Misery,” opening Sept. 25 and running through Oct. 11. Wisconsin Music & Community: WPR’s “Chapter A Day” book club lands in Madison Oct. 7 for a discussion of Patricia McConnell’s “Away to Me.” TV & Comedy: “Saturday Night Live” adds Wisconsin-born Grace Reiter and Nigerian American comedian Saidah Belo-Osagie to complete Season 52’s featured cast. Entertainment in the Badger State: Milwaukee’s Doors Open spotlights hidden gems inside familiar buildings, while the city’s Oktoberfest and other fall events keep the calendar packed. Sports (Wisconsin angle): Wisconsin’s Kellner Family Athletic Center at Camp Randall is moving forward as a major new hub for Badger sports. Film & Podcast: “Streamed & Screened” previews “The Weight” (Ethan Hawke, Russell Crowe) premiering Sept. 18.

Brewers Clinch: Jacob Misiorowski struck out seven in five shutout innings as the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Pirates 5-1, then clinched their fourth straight NL Central title when the Cubs fell to the Braves—another classic, homegrown Brewers celebration built on pitching and timely hitting. Local Transit: Milwaukee County Transit System says it’s making progress on fare evasion, but leaders are still weighing a plan that would cut bus service by 25% amid a 2027 deficit. School Safety & Accountability: A Wisconsin teacher, 25, pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 15-year-old after being caught texting about abuse with another predatory educator. Power Lines & Health Concerns: A Walworth County-area researcher is bringing electromagnetic-field worries to the public as opposition grows to a proposed 765-kilovolt transmission line. Arts & Campus: Gov. Tony Evers toured UW-La Crosse for back-to-school updates, highlighting progress on the Prairie Springs Science Center and new UW operational funding. Community Closures: Easterseals’ adult day services in Kenosha is set to close Nov. 6, leaving families scrambling for alternatives.

Public Art & Sports: The Milwaukee Brewers will unveil a new Janesville mural, “Off The Trail,” at the Janesville Youth Sports Complex on Wednesday, created by Madison artist Emily Balsley as part of the team’s mural initiative. Community Events: Milwaukee Night Market’s College Night returns Wednesday, Sept. 16, with scavenger-hunt prizes, free tote bags for the first 300 students, and a lineup of 100 local makers. Music & Weird Culture: The Milwaukee Jazz Gallery hosts “The Brain in The Cupboard,” a Saturday, Sept. 19 experimental sound festival curated by Paul Maceri, featuring artists mixing electronic, dark ambient, and field recordings. Local Business: Raising Cane’s opens its first Wausau location Oct. 5 on Rib Mountain Drive, bringing about 100 jobs and community giveaways. Wisconsin Sports Spotlight: The Packers Heritage Trail gets a new “Uniquely Wisconsin” episode debuting tonight on Discover Wisconsin’s YouTube channel. Church & History: St. Mary Parish in Lyndon Station marks 175 years, tracing its Irish-settler roots back to 1851.

Voting Watch: Wisconsin researchers say long early-voting calendars can dilute turnout by lowering social pressure, but same-day registration can offset the drop—Virginia’s 45-day early voting starts Friday. Courts & Elections: The U.S. Supreme Court blocked Trump’s push to restrict mail ballots for the midterms, keeping states’ usual processes in place. Midterm Chaos Prep: Officials nationwide are rehearsing for worst-case scenarios, including federal interference, voting-machine demands, and threats of violence. Music & Milwaukee: Kerry King teased his crushing follow-up solo album and says he played Summerfest in Milwaukee this summer; Victoria Monét’s “Frequency of Love” Tour dates and ticket details are out. Arts & Community: Charles Allis Art Museum named Dena Kopolovich its new executive director; Milwaukee’s Halyard Park marks 50 years with a bronze statue unveiling and neighborhood celebration. Sports (Wisconsin tie-in): Dodgers clinched a playoff spot and pulled within two games of the Brewers for the NL best record.

Big Ten Sports Buzz: The latest Big Ten power rankings paint a rough picture for the conference after a brutal weekend, with multiple top teams stumbling and the SEC flexing its strength. Wisconsin Hockey Spotlight: Wisconsin opens the season No. 1 in the USCHO preseason women’s poll, while Minnesota starts at No. 3—good news for WCHA fans. Volleyball Watch: Nebraska stays No. 1 in the AVCA Coaches Poll, and the story matters for Wisconsin readers because the poll includes a Wisconsin transfer making waves. Brewers Division Push: Milwaukee keeps inching toward a division clinch with a key road series against the Pirates, with Jacob Misiorowski slated to start. Kenosha Legal Update: Kenosha County DA Xavier Solis’ law license is suspended after he allegedly missed an OLR deadline, with a deputy stepping in. Arts & Community: UW-Superior’s new floating classroom vessel, the Sadie Ann, is set to bring hands-on learning to Lake Superior research and teaching. Local Culture: Art All Night returns to Georgetown, spotlighting hands-on art stops, live music, and community creativity. Food & Drink: Westby Cooperative Creamery celebrates a $14.1M modernization project boosting cottage cheese production.

AI & Privacy Watch: Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley is widening his probe of AI-assisted surveillance, sending letters to Axon, Motorola Solutions, and Verkada asking for details on data collection and retention tied to camera networks and license-plate readers. EV Charging Boost: Wisconsin approved $25 million for 42 new fast-charging sites, adding DC fast chargers across the state with multiple CCS ports. Brewers & 9/11 Remembrance: A 102-year-old WWII Navy veteran led a sold-out Brewers crowd in “God Bless America” during the 25th anniversary of 9/11, as Milwaukee routed Cincinnati 20-0 to clinch a postseason spot. Local Arts Spotlight: 5 Points Art Gallery and Studios in Milwaukee is listed for sale at $2 million, raising questions about the future of the community art space. Fall Fun Calendar: Brill Harvest Days wrapped with a produce contest and parade, plus food and family activities. Sports Notes: Lake Mills snapped a six-game skid with a 35-7 win over Columbus; UW-Whitewater women’s flag football is launching, and the season’s Wisconsin events guide points to plenty of arts-and-community stops.