AGP Executive Report

Wisconsin Travel Scams: State officials warn a family lost money after booking a hotel through a fake imposter website, then got hit with extra “refund protection” charges they didn’t uncheck. Milwaukee Activism: A Milwaukee vigil backed Corey Ruiz after his Madison police shooting death, with protesters pointing to circulating video and renewed calls for accountability. Packers Community: Jordan Love hosted a free youth football camp in Milwaukee ahead of training camp, focusing on drills, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Brewers on Fire: Jacob Misiorowski struck out 12 in a 11-2 rout of the Rockies, flashing triple-digit velocity as Milwaukee’s offense piled on. MLB Deadline Buzz (WI ties): Freddy Peralta says he “probably” won’t pitch for the Mets again before the Aug. 3 deadline, while trade chatter keeps linking Milwaukee-connected arms to contenders. Arts & Culture (WI): Eaux Claires returns with Justin Vernon’s Bob Dylan covers, and Shawano’s Folk Music Festival is set for Aug. 7-9. Local Happenings: Pulaski’s summer school turns into a hobby-filled, free program drawing thousands of students.

NBA & Milwaukee buzz: LeBron James’ move to the Philadelphia 76ers is fueling fresh NBA title talk and parity chatter, with oddsmakers putting Philly in the upper tier. Brewers on the field: Milwaukee keeps rolling with smart roster building, and Sunday’s matchup vs. the Rockies spotlights Jacob Misiorowski’s strikeout surge against Kyle Freeland. Riverwest 24 culture: The Riverwest 24 bike race doubles as a neighborhood food-and-fun crawl, with route stops built around playful snacks, drinks, and community vendors. Local arts spotlight: Keith Rocco’s history-meets-canvas paintings are on display in an “Artist of the Month” exhibit, showing how deep research drives his work. Milwaukee scams & housing: Multiple families say a Zillow listing led to cash payments and ghosting after a fake landlord setup. Madison accountability: Protests and renewed debate continue after Corey Ruiz’s fatal police shooting, with attention on body cameras and oversight. Sports betting reality check: A new report says Americans wagered about $166B on sports in 2025, outspending movies, music, books, and museums combined.

Milwaukee Sports & Community: The Brewers kept rolling, beating the Rockies 8-5 as rookies Cooper Pratt and Luis Lara drove in runs and helped Milwaukee build early momentum. Local Youth Sports: A Milwaukee football camp is returning with a mission of hope after the death of an 11-year-old player, aiming to keep kids focused on competition and community—not violence. Street-Festival Safety: Brady Street Fest is back with an enhanced safety plan, including more police/security and wristbands at beer tents to curb underage drinking. Northwoods Music for a Cause: Hodag Park hosted the inaugural Northwoods Benefit Concert to fund cancer care and “final dreams” for terminally ill patients across Northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Wisconsin Arts & Nature: Mr. Blink’s new album spotlights Wisconsin, while a Vilas County forest-bathing trail opens as the state’s first certified option for immersive nature time. Weather Watch: Extreme heat warnings hit much of western Wisconsin, with heat indexes up to 115 in affected counties.

NBA & Wisconsin Sports Buzz: LeBron James’ “last decision” is official—he’s joining the Philadelphia 76ers, and the move immediately reshuffles the league’s title talk. Local Music Law: Baltimore chain Ekiben is being sued by a music group over alleged unauthorized use of the “Space Jam” song in an Instagram promo video. Madison & Community Impact: A Madison police shooting of Corey Ruiz has sparked protests and helped disrupt major summertime events, with renewed calls for accountability and racial justice. Brewers Baseball: Milwaukee looks to rebound behind lefty Robert Gasser as the Rockies visit, with Colorado’s Tomoyuki Sugano recently boosting his trade stock. Festival Season (WI): Eaux Claires is back in Eau Claire at Carson Park, with Justin Vernon and friends kicking off day one. Food & Fun in Wisconsin: Fort Atkinson’s Fireside Dinner Theatre leans hard into the supper-club experience—theme dining, bar, and stage all built around “the show.” Weather Watch: Warmer, stormier weekend ahead—Sunday and Monday bring the best shot at thunderstorms, possibly severe.

LeBron James to 76ers: The NBA superstar says this is his “last decision,” joining Philadelphia and immediately reshaping title odds around an Embiid-led core. Packers business talk: Packers president/CEO Ed Policy says the team is in “great financial shape,” but warns the NFL’s revenue-sharing model is an “existential threat,” pushing for more aggressive revenue generation. Eaux Claires returns: Eau Claire’s Carson Park festival comes back after eight years, with music, art installations, and literature programming drawing big crowds. Radio coverage boost: Minnesota Public Radio’s “The Current” is teaming with Milwaukee’s Radio Milwaukee and Eau Claire’s Converge Media to simulcast Eaux Claires performances and interviews. Madison police shooting fallout: Corey Ruiz’s family and attorney Ben Crump speak publicly as protests keep rolling through downtown, demanding accountability and charges. Milwaukee celebrity legal trouble: Former Cowboys QB Tony Romo was arrested in Milwaukee on suspicion of OWI after a stop on I-43. Local arts in the spotlight: Janesville launches “Windows of Possibility,” placing local artists’ work in vacant storefront windows to bring new life downtown.

State Fair Shake-Up: The Wisconsin State Fair confirmed the Beach Boys won’t perform in 2026, and refunds are already rolling out for the Aug. 16 concert (plus other summer shows are being paused/canceled as the band “takes a short break”). Madison Protests & Accountability: After a Madison police shooting killed Corey Ruiz, protests kept growing and candidates traded sharp words over whether the incident was an “execution,” while officials pushed for calm and an independent review. Local Arts/Community Events: AtwoodFest was canceled for the weekend as neighbors mourn and regroup after the same shooting near Williamson and Baldwin. Wisconsin Sports & Media: UW Athletics is partnering with Good Karma Brands for Milwaukee-area radio broadcast rights, and the Brewers open a Friday series vs. the Rockies with a special Alumni Legends Game afterward. Food & Culture: Alice in Dairyland’s 79th pick, Anastasia Poull, shared her ice cream favorites ahead of statewide stops. Business/Heritage: Green Lake’s Heidel House property is set for a redevelopment plan with a new hotel condo building and homes.

Madison Police Accountability: Corey Ruiz, 38, was identified as the man killed in a Madison officer-involved shooting; officials say he had a knife, while protesters demand answers and the Independent Police Monitor is seeking more records beyond released body-cam footage. Milwaukee Arts & Culture: Artlink Contemporary Gallery opens two light-themed shows—Thomas Moberg’s nocturne paintings and Jamie Weinfurter’s LED-lit sculpture collages—plus a juried “Lucent” exhibition. Weekend Entertainment Picks (MKE): Milwaukee’s Air & Water Show returns with behind-the-scenes looks at performers, and the Milwaukee Croquet Club hosts a free doubles tournament at Lake Park. Local Sports Spotlight: Wisconsin Badgers softball star Dani Lucey’s path from Madison Night Mares to the NCAA and back to Warner Park is in focus. Community & Business: Beecher’s Handmade Cheese plans to restart operations at the Shullsburg plant after Prairie Farms’ closure announcement, aiming to bring back many laid-off workers. MLB Deadline Buzz: Teams are lining up for Aug. 3 moves, with Tarik Skubal and other contenders drawing the most attention.

Wisconsin Protest & Police Accountability: Madison is roiled after a fatal officer-involved shooting of a man police said had a knife, with video sparking accusations of an “execution” and calls for transparency; Gov. Tony Evers is demanding accountability as officers involved are placed on leave. Milwaukee Sports Media: The Wisconsin Badgers are returning to Good Karma Brands’ Milwaukee radio lineup, with football, men’s basketball and volleyball set for 620 WTMJ-AM and 94.5 ESPN Milwaukee starting the 2026 fall schedule. MLB Trade Deadline Watch (Brewers): Milwaukee opens the second half hosting the Rockies, while the wider deadline buzz keeps circling top names like Tarik Skubal and Aroldis Chapman—plus what it could mean for contenders. Outdoor & Conservation: Northern Wisconsin walleye declines are raising alarms, with DNR and tribal biologists pointing to habitat loss and warmer-water pressures. Local Arts & Community: A Milwaukee screening of the documentary American Madness lands July 30 with a Q&A, and a Kiel benefit concert Friday raises funds for an injured man after a May assault. Privacy vs. Surveillance: Verona officials are covering Flock cameras with trash bags amid growing ALPR privacy backlash.

Madison Police Accountability: Protesters gathered after a Madison officer shot and killed a man officials say was armed with a fixed-blade knife during an attempted arrest, with cellphone video sparking outrage and the DOJ investigating. Local Arts & Culture: Milwaukee’s Bob Uecker documentary “Ueck” hits theaters Thursday, and a Wisconsin Honors Orchestra conductor spotlight puts a spotlight on Matthew Kasper’s statewide music work. Reading & Summer Culture: Madison Magazine rounds up must-read books for the season, from Lily King’s “Heart the Lover” to Min Jin Lee’s “Pachinko.” Sports (Milwaukee): The Mets snapped the Brewers’ winning streak with a 4-0 win, while Milwaukee’s Bucks are holding auditions for Grand Dancers and Young Bucks in August. Community & Events: RiverFest’s opening day included a St. Croix River cleanup in Hudson, and a weekend rundown points readers to what’s happening across Wisconsin. Public Safety Grant: FEMA approved a tornado safe room for Potosi School District, with the facility also planned to serve as a community fitness center.

Ripon Summer Concerts: Road Trip brings a high-energy rock-and-pop set to the Village Green Friday (7–10 p.m.), part of the free Horicon Bank Ripon series. Local Music Honors: A Burlington native, Steve Hugg, is set for the Iowa Rock ’n Roll Hall of Fame this fall, with a homecoming concert Aug. 1 in Burlington. Throwback Aviation: Sheboygan’s early landing field story traces Anton Brotz’s 1923 aviation push, public rides, and daredevil wing-walking. Screen & Streaming: Disney’s Descendants returns with Descendants: Wicked Wonderland coverage on the Streamed & Screened podcast. Arts in Cedarburg: Cedarburg Art Museum wraps and launches new exhibits, including “Deeply Rooted” and openings like “Every Artist Matters” and “Ephemeral Florals.” Music News: Hatebreed announces Fatal Paradox (Nov. 6) and drops “Kill Count Increase,” with a Milwaukee stop Sept. 6 at The Rave. Sports TV (Milwaukee): Mets vs. Brewers rubber match Wednesday at 2:10 p.m. at American Family Field, with streaming options highlighted.

Milwaukee Entertainment & Sports: The Brewers kept rolling Monday with a 8-3 win over the Mets, but Tuesday’s rematch swung the other way as Zac Thornton blanked Milwaukee 4-0, handing Brandon Sproat a rough former-team start. Community Arts & Culture: West Bend’s Masquers and The Bend Theater pulled off a hit run of “1776 The Musical,” with local leaders and performers filling the stage for a lively, sold-out summer crowd. Family-Friendly Fun: Wade House Historic Site in Greenbush is serving up goat yoga and outdoor pizza nights through September, pairing baby-goat classes with Three Guys and a Grill food. Campus Spotlight: UWM kicked off AAPI Month with dance, music, and hands-on cultural activities, tying performance to mental and physical well-being. Local Notes: A FEMA grant is funding a tornado safe room at Potosi schools, and Milwaukee’s Amani neighborhood is moving ahead with 40 new affordable homes after a $1.2M tax-credit award.

Wisconsin Arts & Culture: Cedarburg Art Museum is gearing up for its sixth annual fundraiser, “Palette to Plate,” with a farm-to-table dinner, Celtic rock live music, and auctions on Aug. 22 in the museum’s outdoor courtyard—tickets are $150 and reservations are due July 31. Music: Sylvan Esso just announced their first album in four years, Ow ∞, landing Sept. 11, with the Sigur Rós-sampling single “Concrete Glen” already out. Local Entertainment & Community: Wisconsin Veterans Creative Art Festival winner Alan O’Connor, 92, took second place with a patriotic painting inspired by a resident mural project at Lasata Care Center. Sports (Wisconsin angle): The Milwaukee Brewers host the Mets as Brandon Sproat faces rookie Zac Thornton, with Milwaukee riding a strong second-half push. Outdoor & Hobbies: Wisconsin’s DNR is offering up to $75,000 in Hunter R3 grants to recruit new hunters and reactivate former participants, with applications due Sept. 15.

Wisconsin Politics: With the Aug. 11 governor primary looming, Democrats are still in flux after Sara Rodriguez exited and Milwaukee County Exec. David Crowley re-entered with Gov. Tony Evers’ endorsement—while voters question what the shakeup means for the crowded field. Voting Rights: The Wisconsin Elections Commission says early absentee voters can’t re-vote if their chosen candidate drops out, raising concerns about disenfranchisement. Brewers & Baseball Culture: Milwaukee marked Hank Aaron’s 50th anniversary of his final 755th home run with a new mural and game-day tributes as the Brewers also rolled past the Mets 8-3 in a series opener featuring former Brewer Freddy Peralta. Local Sports: Mondovi’s Layla Risler earned a two-time All-American nod after placing seventh at USA Wrestling Junior Nationals. Community & Safety: Police are investigating a triple shooting in Milwaukee that sent three teens to the hospital, and a heat-damaged raised crosswalk in Milwaukee is causing cars to scrape as crews plan repairs. Arts & Tech Curiosity: MIT researchers unveiled “FloatForm,” a swarm of robot boats that can assemble into floating structures—an idea that could reshape waterfront events and emergency response.

Severe Weather Watch: Forecasters warn of flash-flood–capable thunderstorms across parts of the Midwest and East Coast, with a tropical storm brewing in the Gulf and wildfire smoke still hanging over the Great Lakes. Wisconsin Schools: A new WalletHub study puts Wisconsin at No. 5 for school systems nationwide, praising academics and safety while flagging bullying and weapon-carrying on campus. Milwaukee Politics: Milwaukee County Exec. David Crowley relaunches his Wisconsin governor bid with Gov. Tony Evers’ endorsement after Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez exits the race. Health & Food Safety: The FDA says a cyclospora-positive lettuce sample tied to Taylor Farms was a false positive, though the recall effort continues. Arts & Community: Lake Mills hosts an Aug. 8-9 art sale benefiting local bird and arts groups, while the Fox Valley Chorus celebrates a name change to SingUnited International. Local Sports/Entertainment: The Lumberjack World Championships keep Hayward buzzing, and Two Rivers’ SnowFest returns July 24-26 with live music and a parade.

EAA AirVenture & wildfire haze: Oshkosh’s EAA is kicking off Monday with smoky skies from regional wildfires, but officials say pilots are making their own go/no-go calls and visitors can duck into air-conditioned museum and exhibitor spaces. Maritime culture: The Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc will open the Wisconsin Sailing and Maritime Hall of Fame Sept. 19, with an induction ceremony for 18 inaugural inductees. Timber-sports spotlight: Hayward’s Lumberjack World Championships wrapped with three women’s world records, including Karolina Urbanová’s two chopping marks and Meredith Ingbretson’s Boom Run time. Milwaukee arts & food: A new tiramisu trend is taking over local dessert menus, with matcha, pistachio, Biscoff, and crème brûlée versions popping up at Milwaukee spots and even some boba shops. Local gallery move: Raven’s Wish is relocating within downtown Janesville to a new storefront later this summer, keeping its creative momentum on the riverfront. Sports in the spotlight: William Contreras’ walk-off homer lifted the Brewers over the Marlins in a sweep, while Ben Askren officially retired after RAF 11 in Milwaukee.