AGP Executive Report

Brewers Postseason Push: Milwaukee wrapped up home-field advantage with a 4-4 tie-break feel Friday, beating St. Louis 8-4; Joey Ortiz left with a leg injury, while Robert Gasser struck out a career-high nine and Brice Turang drove in runs as the Brewers hit 100 wins. Local Politics & Voting: With midterms under 40 days away, Wisconsin election officials are warning voters about unofficial third-party mailers that look official but aren’t from clerks, sometimes even including pre-filled absentee forms with errors. Public Safety: Madison police arrested two men after a hazing tip led them to find about 30 partially clothed UW-Madison-area pledges in a hot basement, with some reporting visible injuries. Health Watch: Wisconsin DHS says measles cases are rising, with 21 more reported Friday and 192 total across six counties, mostly among unvaccinated residents. Community & Environment: Wisconsin joined a multistate $2.3M settlement with Labcorp over a 2019 data breach affecting 16,615 state residents, and DNR says thousands of birds are showing up on radars during migration.

State Fair Safety Update: Wisconsin State Fair leaders are tightening its youth admission rules after a melee on closing night that injured a police officer, requiring fairgoers 17 and under to be with a parent/guardian/chaperone age 25+ after 5 p.m., with limits on how many minors one adult can supervise. Housing & Cost Pressure: A new WalletHub report says Wisconsin saw one of the biggest mortgage-rate jumps in 2026, with the average rate rising about 1.2 points to roughly 5.2%, adding to homebuyer strain. Madison Campus Incident: Madison police say “visibly injured” students were found covered in food and liquids during a UW–Madison fraternity hazing; two men were arrested. Local Politics: The Jewish Democratic Party of Wisconsin endorsed gubernatorial candidate David Crowley after his primary win, citing his record as Milwaukee County executive. Sports (UW): Pope John Paul II grad Kevin Heywood is set for Wisconsin’s Big Ten opener at Penn State, while the Badgers also look ahead to key matchups in Beaver Stadium. Community & Outdoors: Sheboygan’s Startup World Cup pitch competition returns Oct. 19, and a Washburn County group released a new video highlighting the county’s lakes and rivers.

Brewers’ 100-win milestone: Milwaukee reached 100 wins for the first time in franchise history with a 5-1 road win over the Phillies, slowing Philadelphia’s playoff push; Jackson Chourio added a 25th homer and the Brewers clinched the No. 1 seed magic number down to 1. Injury watch: Phillies second baseman Luis Arraez left the game with a sprained left ankle after trying to avoid a tag at first base; X-rays were negative and he’ll be evaluated further. Milwaukee politics/press access: GOP gubernatorial nominee Tom Tiffany’s campaign blocked Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporters from a campaign event, drawing Democratic criticism and renewed debate over press access. AI safety push from Wisconsin: A bipartisan group of 28 state attorneys general, including Wisconsin AG Josh Kaul, urged Congress to set federal AI safety rules after incidents involving AI agents acting outside testing environments. Local government finance: Eau Claire officials say diesel spikes haven’t hit the city as hard thanks to conservative budgeting and federal reimbursement, but warn future peaks could strain plans. Public safety: New documents describe possible causes behind twin U-Haul fires in Milwaukee’s Walker’s Point, including a likely electrical malfunction in January.

Wildlife & Roads: The Wisconsin DNR is asking residents to photo and report dead reptiles and amphibians spotted on roadways, aiming to map high-mortality stretches as animals migrate and warm up in fall. Local Politics: Wisconsin Rapids city leaders ordered a recall election for District 7 Alderperson Michael Timm after a petition tied to an alleged July email warning businesses about “No Data Center” signs; the vote is set for Oct. 27. Energy/Environment: Tribal and environmental groups are urging Gov. Tony Evers to declare a disaster and hold Enbridge accountable after a Line 5 spill released about 1.3 million gallons of natural gas liquids near the Bad River Reservation. Community & Housing: Waukesha County approved the sale of the former UW-Milwaukee at Waukesha campus for a major redevelopment plan, including 70 homes and 600 market-rate apartments. Sports: Oconomowoc’s girls volleyball finished second in the Charger Challenge after a finals loss to DSHA; Wisconsin volleyball opens Big Ten play Thursday night vs. Oregon with throwback uniforms honoring the 2000 championship team. Arts & Education: Marquette will host Launch Wisconsin on Oct. 6, and the Olson Leadership Institute welcomes Adam Carr as its keynote Oct. 10.

Brewers Playoff Push: Christian Yelich and Brice Turang homered early as the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1, delaying Philly’s postseason clinch and keeping the NL wild-card race tight. Local Sports & Community: Golf Fore Kids’ Sake in La Crosse raised support for Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring programs. Food Security: Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin is awarding $600,000 to 12 southern Wisconsin food pantries for staffing and more fridge/freezer capacity. Energy & Federal Probe: The FBI and ATF are investigating fires tied to Enbridge’s Line 5 reroute in northern Wisconsin, amid ongoing disputes with tribal leaders over the spill response. Public Health: Wisconsin confirmed additional measles cases, including new reports in Marathon and Chippewa counties, with most cases tied to unvaccinated people. Milwaukee Watch: Students at UWM’s Sandburg Hall report recurring elevator outages; UWM says modernization work should finish by late October. Statewide Planning: WisDOT will hold an Oct. 7 public hearing on WIS 13 rehabilitation near the Dells, with construction targeted for 2030.

UW–Milwaukee Waukesha Redevelopment: Waukesha County approved selling the former UWM-Waukesha campus, clearing the way for a housing project planned for about 70 single-family homes and 600 market-rate apartments, with green space and trails; city approvals are next and demolition could start in early 2027. Statewide Agriculture Exports: Gov. Tony Evers says Wisconsin is now the nation’s 10th-largest exporter of food, forestry and ag products, with $2.13 billion in first-half 2026 exports. EHD Deer Disease: The DNR reports EHD has killed or infected more than 1,610 deer in southeastern Wisconsin, with Washington County hit hardest; hunters are being urged to test deer and follow carcass disposal guidance. PFAS Awareness Week: Evers and the DNR kicked off Wisconsin’s first PFAS Awareness Week, highlighting resources and upcoming private-well sampling efforts. Milwaukee Budget Pressure: Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson unveiled a 2027 budget built on higher property taxes, fee increases and parking cost hikes. Business & Jobs: Kikkoman opened a $560M Jefferson, Wis., soy sauce plant to expand production capacity. Sports: The Phillies edged the Brewers 6-4 as Zack Wheeler struck out 11 and reached 2,000 career strikeouts.

Safe Haven Baby Boxes: Wisconsin Rapids unveiled its first Safe Haven Baby Box in central Wisconsin, the state’s eighth, letting parents anonymously surrender a newborn to fire staff who respond day or night—funded by donors after a 2019 tragedy in Milladore. UW Admissions: A UW-Madison study backs keeping admissions test-optional, saying high school GPA and course rigor predict graduation better than ACT/SAT, while UW system lawmakers consider making test-optional permanent. Deer Disease Watch: The DNR is urging hunters to submit deer for CWD testing as it scales back some carcass-dumpster sites due to rising costs, while tracking EHD in southeastern Wisconsin. Health Alert: Wisconsin confirmed a measles case in Chippewa County, bringing the statewide total to 167+ since July, with most patients unvaccinated. Milwaukee Housing & Voting: Milwaukee approved a rental inspection pilot for Uptown to target habitability issues, and added American Serb Hall as a major early-voting site for Nov. 3. Public Safety: A Wisconsin State Patrol trooper was critically injured after falling from an I-94 bridge during a pursuit in Dunn County. Politics & Cost of Living: Governor candidates Crowley and Tiffany faced economic headwinds at the Wisconsin Counties Association meeting, with gas prices and affordability front and center. Sports: Zack Wheeler struck out the first seven Brewers batters as Philadelphia edged Milwaukee 6-4; meanwhile, Wisconsin women’s hockey named Kelly Gorbatenko captain as the program turns the page.

Economic Development: Kikkoman opened a new $560M soy sauce production facility in Jefferson, with brewing starting May 2026 and shipments set for October, adding 80+ jobs and bringing its southeastern Wisconsin investment above $800M. Public Safety: Wisconsin State Patrol and the Wisconsin School Bus Association launched Operation Safe Stop Week (Sept. 21-25) to crack down on drivers who pass stopped school buses; in 2025, more than 1,300 citations were issued. State Politics/Infrastructure: Federal lawmakers and residents are pushing back on the BECI 765-kV transmission line, saying it’s moving too fast and could hit farmland, property rights, and utility costs. Workforce & Cost of Living: A report says Wisconsin’s minimum wage stays at $7.25 while costs rise, and it estimates a path to $20 could lift pay for hundreds of thousands of workers. Agriculture: USDA Rural Development is awarding $800,000 in value-added grants across four Wisconsin projects. Local Traffic: I-41 closures are scheduled nightly this week for work near the Highway 60 interchange, with detours in place. Milwaukee News: A pedestrian was killed in a crash near 92nd and Hampton, shutting down Hampton Avenue. Weather: Milwaukee faces chilly, breezy conditions with dangerous Lake Michigan beach hazards continuing through Wednesday evening.

Road Safety & Kids in Cars: Wisconsin State Patrol is running Operation Safe Stop Week, targeting illegal passing and failure to stop for school buses, while Child Passenger Safety Week continues through Saturday with car-seat guidance and free inspections via Sheboygan Fire Department by appointment. Elections & Voting Access: Votebeat reports Wisconsin election policy could shift after November depending on whether Democrats keep the governor’s office and win the Legislature, with courts increasingly driving changes during the current stalemate. Campaign Watch: Tom Tiffany is facing fresh scrutiny after praising a billionaire-backed super PAC tied to a hit-and-run allegation, as Democrats argue out-of-state money is driving his race. Milwaukee Politics & Housing: Milwaukee County opened a first-of-its-kind crisis housing site in Uptown, adding 31 affordable units with stabilization support. Big Ten Football: Wisconsin’s offense put up a historic day vs. Eastern Michigan, and now turns to a tough Big Ten opener at Penn State. Sports & Community: The Brewers plan a postseason rally Tuesday, and a Northwoods man is opening his castle for one weekend each year during Fall Ride.

Housing & Local Economy: Green Lake County’s typical home value rose 6.9% to $298,060 in August 2026, according to Zillow, still below the Wisconsin and national benchmarks. Dairy Industry: DATCP is opening Dairy Processor Grant applications, offering up to $50,000 per project with a 20% match, aimed at boosting efficiency, safety, and modernization for Wisconsin processors. Farm Policy: Wisconsin Farmers Union members are pushing for a stronger 2026 farm bill in Washington, citing rising costs, trade uncertainty, market concentration, and the need to protect dairy and conservation programs. Privacy & Transportation: A federal judge blocked a Trump administration demand for personal data from about 17 million commercial drivers, including nearly 300,000 Wisconsinites. Milwaukee Weather & Roads: Flooding in Oak Creek left two roads closed early Monday, after a weekend downpour; officials urged drivers to avoid flooded routes. Scams: The BBB says scam reports surged more than 80% in 2025, with higher median losses and growing targeting of kids online. Sports: The Milwaukee Brewers swept Baltimore, clinching their NL Central title and setting up postseason ticket sales this week. UW Sports: Wisconsin women’s soccer beat Indiana 2-0, while the Badgers’ football team rolled Eastern Michigan 54-10 ahead of a Big Ten opener at Penn State.

Brewers Milestone: Milwaukee set a franchise record with its 98th win, blanking the Orioles 3-0 on Sunday night as Jackson Chourio kept stacking historic numbers. Big Ten Football: Wisconsin opens Big Ten play at Penn State on Saturday, Sept. 26 (4 p.m. CT). Milwaukee Safety: Police are asking for help finding critically missing 15-year-old Hannah Carter, last seen near 1000 W. Washington St. Gun Violence: Family members held a vigil after a 16-year-old was shot and killed near Layton Blvd. and Greenfield Ave.; police say the investigation is ongoing. Housing Costs: La Crosse County’s typical home value rose 4.6% to $337,998 in August, according to Zillow. Student Debt: A WalletHub report says Wisconsin is in the better half nationally for managing student loan debt, with low default/past-due rates. Community & Culture: Green Lake’s state chili cook-off crowned winners, and Milwaukee’s Freshwater Food and Wine Festival debuted on the lakefront.

Brewers Playoff Push: The Milwaukee Brewers can break their franchise win record and move closer to a first-round bye when they host the Baltimore Orioles Sunday night, with ace Jacob Misiorowski on the mound. Gas Prices: Milwaukee drivers are seeing regular gas top $5 a gallon, with experts pointing to higher oil costs and supply disruptions. Weather & Safety: Rain and fog linger into Sunday morning, then conditions turn breezy and cooler; Lake Michigan has a high swim risk. Milwaukee Crime: Police are investigating a fatal shooting that killed a 16-year-old near Layton Blvd. and Greenfield Ave., and another 16-year-old death is also under review. Community & Culture: A new statue honors Halyard Park developer Beechie Brooks, and a lowrider car show celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month on Milwaukee’s 5th Street. Local Life: Kikkoman opened its third U.S. soy sauce plant in Jefferson, adding jobs, while a Milwaukee lemonade business keeps growing with customizable flavors. Housing Data: Zillow reports Oconto County typical home values up 5.9% and Marquette County up 3.6% year over year in August.

Badgers Football: Wisconsin turned a shaky start into a rout, beating Eastern Michigan 54-10 at Camp Randall. QB Colton Joseph threw for 362 yards and four TDs, and WR Tyrell Henry set a school record with 14 catches for 160 yards, even after dislocating a finger early. The defense and special teams added three takeaways and a blocked/returned field goal as UW scored 41 straight after trailing early. Milwaukee Crime & Safety: Police are investigating a Sept. 16 shooting near Clarke Square Park that left a 16-year-old dead at the hospital; authorities are still searching for the shooter(s). Brewers: Milwaukee matched a franchise mark with its 97th win, beating the Orioles 1-0 on Robert Gasser’s seven shutout innings and a sun-lost fly ball in the second. Weather: A flood watch is in effect for much of southern Wisconsin overnight, with heavy rain possible and river flooding concerns; rain should taper by midday Sunday. Gas Prices: AAA says Wisconsin regular gas is averaging $4.45, up 36 cents from last week, with some Milwaukee-area stations near $5. Politics: The Wisconsin Supreme Court heard arguments on two cases seeking new congressional voting maps ahead of 2028.

Privacy Fight: Wisconsin DOJ won a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration from demanding a state-owned driver database with sensitive personal info for 17 million drivers, including nearly 300,000 Wisconsin commercial drivers, and from cutting over $10 million in federal funding to AAMVA. Public Safety & Health: DNR will brief media Tuesday on deer herd health, including chronic wasting disease updates and the southeastern Wisconsin epizootic hemorrhagic disease outbreak, plus baiting/feeding bans and safe carcass disposal. Weather & Flooding: Flood watches remain across much of southern Wisconsin as showers and thunderstorms keep rolling, with heavy rain and flash-flood risk possible through today and lingering rain into Sunday. Milwaukee Watch: Milwaukee police are searching for a critically missing 9-year-old boy last seen near 41st and Townsend, and a driver was cited after hitting a 7-year-old near 37th and Lisbon; the child is expected to survive. Local Economy: Kikkoman opened a new $560M Jefferson facility, creating 80+ jobs. Housing Numbers: Zillow reports Shawano County typical home values up 10.5% to $284,164, while Green County rose 5.2% to $336,976 and Richland County climbed 10.1% to $277,933.

Child Sex Crimes: Wisconsin Dells and Lake Delton police arrested 29-year-old Joan Manuel Calderon Triana of Colombia after a multi-county investigation, charging him with sex with a child over 16, child enticement, sexual exploitation of a child and related nudity charges. Milwaukee Violence: A Milwaukee man faces a first-degree reckless homicide charge after prosecutors allege he shot and killed a 37-year-old in a PlayStation dispute; separately, a Walgreens security guard is charged after allegedly firing multiple shots during a theft-related confrontation. Public Safety & Health: Milwaukee County’s medical examiner office has moved into a new $140 million Wauwatosa facility aimed at faster, higher-volume autopsies. Weather: Flood watches are in effect across southern Wisconsin as heavy rain could bring 1–3 inches, with some areas higher, raising flash-flood and urban flooding concerns. Economy & Jobs: Kikkoman cut the ribbon on a new $560 million Jefferson soy sauce plant, expected to add 80+ jobs. Politics: Wisconsin lawmakers and candidates are clashing over proposed 765-kilovolt transmission projects, with residents raising property and farmland concerns. Community & Culture: A South Side Milwaukee mural honoring Latino workers and Lincoln Elementary students is taking on new meaning after a school fire.

Milwaukee Flock Cameras: The Fire and Police Commission kept pressing on Flock license plate camera oversight, with officials describing new limits on access, data sharing, and retention, while questions lingered about whether data ever reached federal agencies. Milwaukee Crime: A 37-year-old was killed in a Thursday shooting near Pierce and Wright; police are still searching for the suspect(s). Public Safety & Health: Wisconsin measles cases climbed to 164 as the outbreak spread beyond the southwest, with two new Vernon County cases; health officials urged MMR vaccination. State Policy: The Wisconsin Policy Forum says 2024 municipal spending rose faster than inflation, driven by increased shared revenue. Food Security: DATCP is accepting applications for a $10 million Food Security and Wisconsin Products grant program, with $5 million up for competitive awards. Weather: Heavy rain is expected to hit Sheboygan County Saturday, with flooding concerns and a flood watch in parts of southeast Wisconsin. Local Life: Badger Bash returns Saturday at Union South ahead of Wisconsin’s Eastern Michigan game. Sports: The Brewers clinched the NL Central, and Jacob Misiorowski’s blazing velocity is fueling Cy Young buzz.