AGP Executive Report

FEMA Deadline: Wisconsin storm and flooding victims from April 13-23 have one month left to apply for FEMA help or SBA disaster loans, with the Aug. 31 deadline approaching. Milwaukee 911 Accountability: Two Milwaukee 911 call takers are on leave after a delayed response to a battery-in-progress against a 99-year-old, with the city’s emergency communications director saying the dispatch process “dropped the ball.” Public Safety on I-41: A Milwaukee County deputy stopped a wrong-way driver by positioning his squad car in front of hers on I-41/US-45, after she traveled about two miles in the wrong lanes. Elections Court Update: An appeals court reversed a Hartland man’s suit against the Wisconsin Elections Commission over how election complaints are handled, dismissing it for lack of standing. Data Center Fight: Wisconsin’s appeals court ruling and ongoing policy debate keep data-center power and costs in focus, including WEC’s CEO saying Oracle can meet regulator requirements. Weather: Southeast Wisconsin gets a soaking rain push Friday into Saturday, with no severe weather expected. Local Life: DNR is accepting nominations for the 2026 Recycling Excellence Awards through Sept. 14.

Democratic Shake-Up: Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes abruptly dropped out of Wisconsin’s governor race, saying it’s “very clear” who the nominee will be as Francesca Hong surged in polls; the move leaves Hong and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley as the main contenders. Election Rules: A Wisconsin judge ruled voters who already returned absentee ballots for the state primary can’t request new ones, adding more pressure on primary logistics. Data Center Fight: At a Milwaukee town hall, Democratic candidates faced voters’ concerns about AI and data centers—an issue tied to power, costs, and local impacts. Storm Recovery: The Wisconsin National Guard was requested to help Fox Valley communities with EF-3 tornado cleanup, including debris management and traffic control, while volunteers keep feeding and assisting residents in Menasha. Public Safety: A Milwaukee man was sentenced to 20 years for a hit-and-run that killed his ex-girlfriend’s 4-year-old daughter and seriously injured the mother. Health Alert: Authorities in a Marinette/Menominee border area reported multiple overdoses and a death tied to tainted cocaine, with more drug risk possible. Weather & Drought: Despite some heavy rain, drought conditions persist statewide, with officials warning runoff limited soil absorption.

Local Infrastructure Funding: Gov. Tony Evers and WisDOT say 101 Wisconsin communities will split nearly $30 million to repair or replace aging culverts and small bridges through the Local Small Structures Improvement Program. Higher Ed & Civil Rights: A conservative law firm sued UW–Madison in Waukesha County Circuit Court, alleging at least 20 scholarships unlawfully consider race; UW says it will defend its practices. State Labor Law: Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu praised a Court of Appeals ruling upholding Act 10, arguing it’s constitutional and has saved the state billions. Milwaukee Transportation & Safety: A Milwaukee County deputy used his squad car to stop a wrong-way driver going nearly 5 times over the legal limit; no one was hurt. Health & Emergency Relief: TRICARE authorized temporary prescription refill waivers for Outagamie, Winnebago, Forest and Vilas counties after severe storms. Weather: Southeast Wisconsin expects warmer, humid conditions with rain and storms returning Friday into Saturday.

Act 10 Fight: Wisconsin’s appeals court upheld the state’s collective bargaining limits for most public workers, setting up likely next steps toward the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Democratic Primary: A new Marquette Law School poll shows Francesca Hong widening her lead in the Aug. 11 Democratic governor race, with many voters still undecided. Madison Protest: Protesters blockaded downtown Madison streets after the police killing of Corey Ruiz, and the city is reportedly helping with supplies like portable toilets. Tornado Recovery: Day 3 cleanup continues in Menasha after an EF-3 tornado, with damage to key infrastructure including the water filtration plant. Milwaukee Water: Milwaukee Water Works will temporarily reduce fluoride due to supply chain issues, while saying water remains safe. Crime Lab: Wisconsin DOJ says the new Milwaukee Crime Lab is accredited and now processing evidence. Tony Romo: Bodycam and citations detail Tony Romo’s OWI arrest, including an open container citation. Sports: Daniel Susac hit his first two MLB homers as the Giants routed the Brewers 16-3.

Wisconsin Elections: Early absentee voting is underway for the Aug. 11 GOP and Democratic primaries, with Democrats split in a crowded governor race that includes Francesca Hong, while Republicans narrow to Tom Tiffany vs. Andy Manske on the ballot. Local Government & Courts: A federal judge dismissed a wake-surfing lawsuit challenging a Burnett County township’s wake-boat rules, a win for local lake protections. Severe Weather & Recovery: Wisconsin continues storm cleanup after an EF-3 tornado hit the Fox Valley, with thousands still dealing with outages and FEMA/SBA urging April flood victims to apply by Aug. 31. Milwaukee Flood Resilience: One year after Milwaukee’s major flood, MMSD and city leaders are pushing projects like dredging and pond lowering at Jackson Park to reduce future flooding. Transportation & Infrastructure: West Bend won $600,000 in WisDOT grants to upgrade Highway 33 traffic signals. Sports: The Brewers beat the Giants 8-2, and Wednesday’s matchup at Oracle Park features Shane Drohan vs. Logan Webb. Business: Generac and WEC Energy both reported second-quarter earnings that beat Wall Street expectations.

Severe Weather & Recovery: An EF-3 tornado tore through Wisconsin’s Fox Cities, with NWS estimating a 12-mile damage swath and winds near 140 mph; Menasha and nearby areas are assessing wreckage and power outages as cleanup ramps up, while FEMA assistance is available for earlier April storm impacts. Local Housing: The Medical College of Wisconsin broke ground on Trailmark at MCW, the first on-campus student housing development, expected to open in spring 2028. Elections: Early voting is underway in Wisconsin’s governor primary, with Democrats facing a crowded field and undecided voters; a Dane County judge is set to rule Wednesday on whether absentee voters can cast a new ballot if their chosen candidate drops out. Public Safety: Milwaukee’s 911 call center director says “obvious” mistakes contributed to a delayed response in a case involving a 99-year-old beating victim. Politics & Faith: Interfaith leaders urged the next governor to accelerate Wisconsin’s clean energy transition. Sports: The Brewers’ Jake Bauers is out with a fractured right big toe, while the Giants’ Casey Schmitt faces a potential season-ending meniscus injury. Milwaukee Legal: Former NFL QB Tony Romo was officially cited after his Milwaukee OWI arrest, with an initial court appearance scheduled for September.

Severe Weather: An EF-2 tornado ripped through Wisconsin’s Fox Cities, hitting Menasha and Fox Crossing hardest, triggering emergency declarations, a curfew, and a boil-water advisory as crews assess major damage. Local Politics: Early voting is now underway for Wisconsin’s Aug. 11 governor primary, with in-person absentee voting running July 28–Aug. 9. Milwaukee Housing & Homelessness: Milwaukee County’s “housing first” approach is drawing federal pushback that could threaten the county’s homelessness and affordable housing gains. Waukesha Public Safety: Two candidates are set to replace outgoing Waukesha County Sheriff Eric Severson, with the Aug. 11 primary effectively deciding the next sheriff. State Law & Renters: Wisconsin rules limit what landlords can add after a lease is signed, with “reasonable cost” tied to tenant-caused damage and new, undisclosed fees generally off-limits. Business & Community: South Milwaukee’s Bucyrus redevelopment is moving ahead with a senior center and new housing, while Logan Square’s Megamall site begins construction on a new public plaza.

Severe Weather: A confirmed tornado tore through northeastern Wisconsin on Monday, darkening skies, damaging homes and businesses in Appleton and Menasha, and knocking out power to more than 30,000 people as crews assessed damage. Local Roads: In Green County, a busy intersection near Monroe will switch to an all-way stop Tuesday ahead of a planned 2030 roundabout. Elections Watch: Two Wisconsin Elections Commissioners—Ann Jacobs and Mark Thomsen—are now backing a lawsuit challenging absentee ballot guidance, setting up a key Dane County court hearing just before the Aug. 11 primary. Madison Police Debate: After the Corey Ruiz police shooting, Madison’s lack of body cameras is again in the spotlight, fueling fresh calls for policy change. Politics & Campaigns: Seven Democratic candidates for governor will debate Tuesday night at Marquette University. Sports: The Brewers open a series at San Francisco against the Giants, while Packers camp continues with updates from Green Bay.

Brewers: Jacob Misiorowski set a Brewers franchise record by striking out seven straight to start Sunday’s game, finishing with 12 K’s over five innings in an 11-2 rout of the Rockies. Weather & safety: Wisconsin faces an “Impact Day” with dense fog, dangerous heat, and two rounds of storms that could bring damaging winds, hail, and an isolated tornado. Milwaukee crime: Separate shootings left one person dead and a 14-year-old wounded Monday morning, and police are still seeking suspects. Scam alert: The state DWD is warning workers about a sophisticated fake email scheme that tries to trick injured workers into paying for bogus workers’ compensation hearings. Data center fight: Oracle is suing Wisconsin’s utility regulator over a $7 billion collateral requirement tied to AI power needs. Politics (Dem primary): National Democrats are worried Wisconsin’s governor race could be derailed by a democratic socialist frontrunner. Local transit: WisDOT is preparing new rail cars for Amtrak’s Hiawatha service between Milwaukee and Chicago.

Brewers Spotlight: Jacob Misiorowski lit up American Family Field, striking out the first seven Colorado Rockies batters and finishing with 12 strikeouts in five innings—one hit allowed—while setting a Brewers franchise record for consecutive opening strikeouts. Severe Weather Watch: Forecasters warn of rounds of storms overnight into Monday, with damaging winds the main threat, plus hail and a possible isolated tornado. Wisconsin Politics: In the governor’s race, Sen. Kelda Roys sat down to discuss “electability,” her stance on school vouchers, and how the Democratic primary is shaping up. Madison Public Safety: A federal judge sentenced a Stoughton man to more than seven years for distributing child sexual abuse materials. Milwaukee Update: Police reported a large presence near 73rd and Beckett on Milwaukee’s north side, with officials still tight-lipped on what prompted the response. Sports & Community: Beloit’s 16U Junior Legion Bandits advanced in the state tournament after a 1-0 win in extra innings.

Madison Police Accountability: A fatal Madison police shooting of Corey Ruiz has triggered renewed calls for reform, with protesters disrupting major summer events and the Legal Defense Fund demanding a swift, transparent, independent probe—especially as Ruiz’s family points to the department’s lack of body cameras. Gov. Evers: In his radio address, Tony Evers said Wisconsin will avoid up to $205.5 million in new federal FoodShare penalty fees tied to the Trump administration. Court Appointment: Evers appointed Jeffrey Erickson to the Grant County Circuit Court, filling a vacancy from Judge Craig Day’s retirement. Weather & Safety: Heat advisories and extreme-heat warnings are in effect across much of southeast Wisconsin, with storms possible Sunday night into Monday; the SPC also flagged a Level 1 tornado risk centered over southern Wisconsin. Milwaukee Sports: The Brewers beat the Rockies 8-5 behind rookies Luis Lara and Cooper Pratt, and Milwaukee hosts Colorado again Sunday afternoon. Local Tragedy: A 14-year-old died after an e-bike crash with a sedan in Sheboygan.

Madison Police Accountability: Corey Ruiz’s family held an emotional Capitol press conference demanding charges for the officer who shot him and body cameras for Madison cops, after protests renewed anger over the deadly shooting. Voting Access Fight: The League of Women Voters sued the Wisconsin Elections Commission over guidance that blocks voters from getting a new ballot at the polls if an absentee ballot is mailed back late. Heat & Storms: First Alert Days are set for Sunday and Monday, with heat advisories across much of southern and central Wisconsin and extreme heat warnings in the west, plus storm chances. Milwaukee Crime: A Virginia man is charged with kidnapping a Milwaukee teen and abusing her for four years, and Milwaukee police are investigating a separate early-morning shooting near 91st and Appleton that left one dead and one wounded. Sports (Milwaukee): The Brewers host the Rockies again Saturday after Friday’s 5-2 loss, with Robert Gasser starting; elsewhere, the Bucks’ Summer League spotlight went to rookie Brayden Burries. Outdoors: The DNR released fall hunting regulations and forecasts for 2026-27.

Madison Police Accountability: Graphic footage and outside experts are raising fresh questions after Corey Ruiz was shot and killed in Madison while officers tried to restrain him during an incident involving a knife, with protesters demanding transparency and an independent look at the use of force. Milwaukee Court Case: A Milwaukee County prosecutor charged Luis Barahona Lopez with first-degree intentional homicide after he allegedly broke into his ex-girlfriend’s West Milwaukee home and stabbed a man in the early hours of July 19. High-Profile OWI: Former Cowboys QB and CBS analyst Tony Romo was arrested in Milwaukee County on suspicion of OWI after a stop on I-43; he was booked and released and is set to appear in court Sept. 21. Local Safety & Tragedy: Milwaukee police said a falling tree branch killed a 55-year-old, and crews recovered a body from Lincoln Creek near 35th and Congress. Sports: The Rockies beat the Brewers 5-2 in Milwaukee, and the Timber Rattlers fell 4-2 to the South Bend Cubs. Community Calendar: Waukesha’s “Run With The Cops” 5K is set for Aug. 21, and German Fest returns to Milwaukee’s lakefront July 24-26.

Milwaukee Politics & Courts: The U.S. government sued Milwaukee over the city’s ordinance barring federal officers from masking, arguing the city can’t regulate federal law enforcement. Elections & Voting Rights: The League of Women Voters and Law Forward sued the Wisconsin Elections Commission over absentee guidance that blocks voters from switching to an in-person ballot if their mail ballot arrives late. Madison Police Accountability: Corey Ruiz’s family demanded accountability after a deadly Madison police shooting, with protests and calls for transparency as the DOJ investigates. Milwaukee Energy & Growth: Milwaukee alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic is pushing a data center moratorium while city rules are delayed, aiming to slow proposals until zoning and energy standards catch up. Public Safety & Health: Wisconsin’s DNR is accepting nominations for 2026 Recycling Excellence Awards, and forecasters warn heat and storms could return to SE Wisconsin this weekend. Sports: Brewers activated David Hamilton from the injured list and designated Braden Shewmake for assignment; Tony Romo was arrested in Milwaukee on suspicion of OWI.

Madison Police Shooting Fallout: Corey Ruiz, 38, was fatally shot during an attempted arrest in Madison after police said he injured an officer with a knife; protests erupted and the Wisconsin DOJ’s Division of Criminal Investigation is handling the case. Ruiz’s family hired civil-rights attorney Ben Crump, demanding all footage be preserved and released, including squad car and bystander video, as debate grows over whether force was excessive. Local Accountability & Policy: Madison officials faced a chaotic police briefing as protesters took over the microphone, while lawmakers and community leaders renewed calls for transparency and accountability. State Environment: Wisconsin DOJ joined a coalition challenging an EPA rollback of greenhouse-gas rules tied to refrigerants. Milwaukee Education & Transit: Milwaukee Public Schools is weighing sending more students on county buses to cut transportation costs, and Veritas High School will open a second campus in 2027-28. Elections & Voting Access: New Berlin is reviewing absentee ballot mailing problems it links to USPS processing errors. Business & Sports: UW Athletics struck a Milwaukee-area radio partnership with Good Karma Brands; Milwaukee’s DockHounds held a tie for first in the East Division.

Madison Police Accountability: Wisconsin governor candidates are again calling for an independent investigation into the fatal Madison police shooting of Corey Ruiz, with protesters demanding answers and renewed scrutiny after video circulated and it was revealed officers involved had no body cameras. Elections Court Fight: A new lawsuit challenges Wisconsin Elections Commission guidance that blocks voters from “spoiling” a returned absentee ballot to cast a new one after a candidate drops out, sending the dispute back to court. Milwaukee Federal Clash: The U.S. Department of Justice sued Milwaukee over the city’s anti-masking ordinance for officers, arguing local rules can’t regulate federal law enforcement. Local Governance & Public Safety: Milwaukee County leaders are weighing how to rebuild the Public Safety Building, a project expected to carry a major price tag. State Politics & Disclosures: In the 3rd District race, Derrick Van Orden is pressing Rebecca Cooke to release personal financial statements ahead of the Aug. 11 primary. Transportation: WisDOT plans Wisconsin Dells Parkway reconstruction starting in September, with long-term lane closures and staged traffic shifts. Environment: Wisconsin DOJ joined a multistate petition challenging an EPA rule that would weaken HFC limits.