AGP Executive Report

Local Government Finance: Milwaukee County’s comptroller warns of a widening budget gap—projected to average $33 million a year and reach $168 million by 2031, driven by higher overtime, rising wages, and the end of federal pandemic funds. Courts & Voting Access: A judge blocked the Trump administration from getting Wisconsin’s voter registration list, rejecting efforts to force access to unredacted records. Agriculture & Federal Policy: A Wisconsin farmer’s lawsuit pushed USDA to end race-based farm program eligibility, a major shift for federal agriculture rules. Disaster Relief: Gov. Evers is urging storm-hit small businesses and nonprofits to apply for still-available SBA economic injury disaster loans (deadline June 11). Transportation: WisDOT says a Memorial Day-delayed closure is now set for May 28 at South 35th Street and West National Avenue, while another incident shows why drivers shouldn’t remove “road closed” barriers.

Safe Haven Baby Box: Wisconsin Rapids is preparing to install a Safe Haven Baby Box at Fire Station 2 after volunteers raised $35,000, with an alarm system still being selected so dispatchers can respond quickly. Public Safety & Travel: Memorial Day road work is easing in the region as Wisconsin officials urge patience in work zones and Michigan pauses many projects for the holiday rush. Politics Watch: A Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial candidate is drawing fresh scrutiny for calling to “defund then abolish” police, keeping the debate front and center in the crowded primary. Prediction Markets Clash: Wisconsin and the federal government are locked in a fight over who regulates prediction markets, with Wisconsin AG Josh Kaul suing major platforms. Community & Business: Kinship Community Food Center won a $900,000 state grant to build a new community food resource hub, while Kwik Trip opened a new employee health center in La Crosse. Historic Preservation: The Apostle Islands’ Chequamegon Point Light Tower is set to be dismantled this summer due to an imminent safety risk.

Courts vs. DOJ: A federal judge dismissed the Trump Justice Department’s push for Wisconsin’s unredacted voter rolls, dealing another nationwide setback after similar losses in Maine—again putting state election control front and center. Memorial Day logistics: WisDOT and DNR are urging drivers to plan ahead and slow down over the holiday, with peak travel Thursday through Monday and major work-zone impacts still active. Healthcare expansion: Mayo Clinic Health System is moving forward with a new six-floor surgical and procedural building in Eau Claire, targeting an opening in fall 2029. Local business & jobs: Lakeshore College launched a new in-person commercial truck driving program to train Wisconsin CDL drivers locally. Industry watch: Wisconsin’s PFAS drinking-water rules may face a legal challenge after EPA proposed rolling back limits on some chemicals. Milwaukee fire: Crews battled a dangerous vacant warehouse blaze near 32nd and Hampton, with officials warning about collapse risk. Food retail: Kwik Trip topped USA Today’s “best gas station food” list again, beating Buc-ee’s.

Milwaukee Construction Crunch: WisDOT is set to shut down part of the 35th Street and National Avenue intersection starting Tuesday, May 26, with northbound access to the 35th Street viaduct blocked for months—on top of already-heavy National Avenue work—raising fresh headaches for south-to-north commuters and nearby businesses. Manufacturing Hiring: Wisconsin Heavy Fabrication is expanding in Manitowoc and plans to hire 100+ workers, with an on-site hiring event and open interviews. Workplace Safety: A jury awarded $5.5 million to an Eau Claire Menards worker injured in 2019, finding the company 100% at fault. Food Safety Win: Kwik Trip earned the 2026 Black Pearl Award for corporate excellence in food protection. Public Health Watch: Eastern Congo health workers report being underprotected and undertrained as a rare Ebola outbreak spreads amid security threats. Local Spotlight: Marshfield won an $800,000 grant for a new police station, and the city says it’s been planning the project for more than a decade.

Schlitz’s Final Pour: Pabst Brewing is ending Schlitz Premium after 177 years, citing rising storage and shipping costs—Wisconsin brewers are lining up “last batch” events as fans mourn “the beer that made Milwaukee famous.” Food Safety Recall: Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons are being recalled in 17 states, including Wisconsin, over possible salmonella linked to powdered milk used in seasoning. Data Center Pressure: In Wrightstown, residents are speaking out against a potential data center even as officials say no formal proposal is on the table; the village’s earlier outreach to Cloverleaf is now under scrutiny. Clean Energy & Accountability: More than 600 Wisconsinites joined statewide virtual forums where gubernatorial candidates debated electric bills, utility accountability, and data center development. Biohealth Growth: Forward BIOLABS and BioForward opened applications for a commercialization pipeline program offering $25,000–$75,000 awards. Local Business & Jobs: Uline paused a Kenosha distribution center plan, while a new Madison iPSC manufacturing facility from Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics expands capacity.

Data Centers & Energy Policy: Oklahoma just passed a law requiring big AI data-center customers (75 MW+) to sign long-term agreements for infrastructure costs instead of pushing those bills onto everyone’s electric rates—another sign regulators are trying to keep the grid upgrade tab from landing on households. Local Development & Housing Finance: Sheboygan’s TID tools are at the center of a fight in Milwaukee, where Mayor Ryan Sorenson calls a proposed TID petition “obstructionist” and warns it could worsen the housing shortage and raise costs. Manufacturing & MedTech: Nissha Medical Technologies broke ground in New Richmond on a micromolding expansion, aiming to more than double capacity by 2027. Agriculture Risk: Red crown rot is moving north, with confirmations in Ohio, Wisconsin and Minnesota raising alarms for soybean growers. Public Safety & Courts: A former Columbus baseball treasurer is accused of using club money for personal expenses, while Milwaukee-area legal battles over a recovery facility in New Berlin head to a Board of Appeals hearing. Business & Community: New Richmond’s library secured an $800,000 state grant, and FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics cut the ribbon on a $200M Madison expansion. Culture & Industry: Schlitz is brewing its final batch, ending a Milwaukee legacy after 177 years.

Food & Local Flavor: Chippewa Falls’ Market on River is turning a 1916 mercantile building into a must-visit food hall—brick walls, big windows, and enough variety to derail “just one bite” plans. Roads & Funding: The Town of Oregon is asking Wisconsin for a comprehensive, inflation-proof transportation funding fix, arguing local aid still can’t cover maintenance, safety, and preservation. Public Health & Safety: Kroger croutons are back in recall mode—certain lots of Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons were pulled over possible salmonella risk. Infrastructure in Motion: Gov. Evers approved a $7M US 45 project in Oneida County, with resurfacing, culvert work, and guardrail updates starting May 26. Workforce & Growth: Wausau landed a $500,000 WEDC talent grant to attract and retain out-of-state workers. Business Expansion: Milwaukee Tool officially opened its first Canadian Service Hub in Georgina, a 54,000-square-foot repair center for tradespeople. Community & Parks: Milwaukee County reopened the Bender Park Boat Launch after sediment restoration. Politics: Milwaukee County Clerk of Circuit Court Anna Maria Hodges announced her reelection bid.

Food Safety Alert: Straus Family Creamery has issued a voluntary recall of select organic ice cream sold in 17 states, including Wisconsin, after the FDA flagged a possible presence of metal fragments; the company says no injuries were reported and offers replacement vouchers for customers who submit photos of affected cartons. Local Infrastructure & Water: Milwaukee’s sewer oversight is heating up—MMSD leaders are moving toward a third-party performance audit of Veolia after public pressure tied to flooding and maintenance concerns. AI Data Centers vs. Rural Wisconsin: Opposition keeps building around OpenAI’s proposed rural Wisconsin data center, with residents citing electricity and water strain and major changes to small-town life. State Transportation: Gov. Evers signed off on a WIS 29 resurfacing project spanning Chippewa to Clark counties, with single-lane closures and brief ramp shutdowns. Community & Culture: The Milwaukee Domes Alliance is getting state funding to push its “Domes Reimagined” plan, while Ludington hosted the premiere of “Railroad on Water,” a documentary on the S.S. Badger.

Pipeline Fight in Northern Wisconsin: A Bayfield County judge issued a partial stay on Enbridge’s Line 5 reroute, pausing work at four waterway crossings while the rest moves forward—another legal setback for opponents after earlier permit approvals. Severe Weather Watch: A new round of storms is driving a First Alert Day across southern Wisconsin, with damaging wind gusts the main threat late Monday into early Tuesday. Food Safety: Straus Family Creamery recalled select organic ice cream flavors sold in 17 states, including Wisconsin, due to possible metal fragments—customers are told to discard affected “best by” dates. Power & Storm Fallout Nearby: Michigan reported nearly 69,000 customers without power as thunderstorms rolled through, underscoring how fast conditions can turn. Local Build-Outs: Milwaukee keeps pushing housing and culture—47 apartments are underway in a historic factory, and the $255M Nature & Culture Museum hit a construction milestone toward a 2027 opening. Investigative Journalism: ProPublica selected 11 journalists for its 2026 Investigative Editor Training Program.

Psychedelic Policy Push: UW–Madison researchers are pressing for clearer answers on what it takes to get real medical benefit from psilocybin and other psychedelics as a new Trump executive order speeds federal review of these treatments. MicroLED Licensing: Ingantec just secured an exclusive WARF license tied to UW–Madison IP aimed at fixing the “green gap” in sub-10μm III-nitride microLEDs—an efficiency problem that’s been a commercialization bottleneck. Pipeline Court Fight: A Bayfield County judge partially paused Enbridge’s Line 5 reroute work only at specific water crossings unless more permits are obtained, keeping most construction moving while the dispute continues. Data Center Politics: Ohio lawmakers are forming a bipartisan data center committee to hear from workers, residents, and major tech firms about economic, environmental, and security impacts. Health & Safety Watch: FDA-linked recalls keep hitting shelves—this time organic ice cream in multiple states over possible metal fragments—while kratom exposure reports show a sharp rise nationwide. Local Life: The SS Badger opened its season on Lake Michigan, and Wisconsin’s weather outlook stays stormy through Tuesday morning.

Agribusiness & Tech: Wisconsin Farm Technology Days kicked off its 2026 countdown with a media day at Redetzke’s No Joke Dairy in Stratford, setting the stage for July 14–16 and years of planning by organizers and volunteers. Energy Policy: State leaders and researchers met at the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery to push Wisconsin’s bid to become a national hub for nuclear fusion, with Gov. Tony Evers calling it a priority. Consumer Watch: The FDA announced a recall of organic ice cream sold in Oregon due to possible metal fragments, with Straus Family Creamery pulling select flavors distributed across 17 states including Wisconsin. Rural Entrepreneurship: UW-Extension’s Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities conference drew nearly 200 leaders to Green Lake to build small-town startup ecosystems through workshops, tours, and coaching. Local Economy: The Wisconsin State Building Commission approved about $248M for infrastructure and community development, including $50M for 71 local projects. Agriculture Spotlight: Anastasia Poull was selected as Wisconsin’s 79th Alice in Dairyland, starting her term in July.

Food Safety Recall: Straus Family Creamery is voluntarily pulling select organic ice creams in 17 states, including Wisconsin, after the FDA flagged a possible presence of metal fragments; no injuries reported, and shoppers are told to discard affected pints and quarts tied to specific “best by” dates. Wildfire Readiness: In the Pacific Northwest, controlled burns meant to prevent future blazes are being slowed by delayed federal funding tied to new “America First” requirements—raising stakes as heat and drought push fire risk. Energy & Growth Fight: Across the U.S., data center moratoriums and bans are surging, with local governments moving to slow new builds amid AI-driven demand and rising community pushback. Wisconsin Agriculture Spotlight: Port Washington’s Anastasia Poull was named Wisconsin’s 79th Alice in Dairyland, set to start her term July 6. Community & Health: Madison’s Casting for Kids fundraiser brought in about $220K–$225K for children’s hospital and cancer center programs.

Food Safety Recall: Straus Family Creamery is voluntarily recalling select organic ice cream pints and quarts in 17 states, including Wisconsin, after the FDA flagged a possible presence of metal fragments; no injuries have been reported, and shoppers are told to check “best by” dates and discard affected tubs. Public Health: A CDC-linked backyard poultry salmonella outbreak has sickened 180+ people across 31 states, with Wisconsin among states reporting more than 10 confirmed cases; health officials urge strict handwashing and keeping birds and supplies outdoors. Regulatory Pressure on Animal Research: A USDA inspection report details alleged veterinary care and recordkeeping violations at a Fort Collins animal lab, adding fuel to scrutiny of animal research practices. Local Business & Tech: Small business owners are pushing back on federal data privacy proposals, warning that new rules could disrupt online marketing that keeps shops afloat. Infrastructure Watch: WisDOT ramp closures tied to the I-41 interchange project are shifting, with weather blamed for delays.

Northern Lights Watch: NOAA is forecasting a G1 aurora for Saturday night into Sunday, with Wisconsin among the states that could see faint green or red glow if you get away from city lights. Food Safety: The FDA is warning shoppers about Straus Family Creamery organic ice cream recalled in 17 states, including Wisconsin, after the company flagged possible metal fragments—check “best by” dates on specific pint/quart flavors. Energy & Courts: A Wisconsin judge partially halted Enbridge’s Line 5 reroute work, pausing activity at four waterway crossings while legal challenges continue. Local Business: Stoughton businesses got a weekend reprieve as Main Street temporarily reopened for the Syttende Mai festival after construction disruptions. Agriculture: USDA data shows Wisconsin cheese production up 8% in March, while the U.S. Soybean Board saw five nominees denied seats, including multiple women. Money & Markets: The dollar climbed for a fifth straight day as Treasury yields rose and inflation worries returned.

AI & Learning: A neuroscientist warns that AI tools are built for productivity, not real learning—arguing students “cognitively offload” thinking and miss the slow practice that sticks. NFL Streaming Fight: The NFL pushes back on criticism from Trump and the DOJ over 2026 games spreading across multiple services, raising the cost for fans who want every matchup. Public Safety: Two separate Iowa County traffic stops led to four arrests, including meth-related charges and an operating-while-revoked arrest. Energy Costs: Milwaukee’s Common Council unanimously challenges We Energies’ proposed ~14% residential electric rate hike for 2027–2028. Dairy & Agriculture: The Midwest Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference is set for June 3–4, with a focus on feed efficiency and herd health. Local Business & Jobs: Wangard Partners plans a 200,000-square-foot food and beverage facility in Jefferson. Education Pathways: Lakeshore College launches “Lenny’s Leap” to help high schoolers earn college credit while finishing graduation requirements.

Foxconn Cyberattack: Foxconn confirmed a cyberattack hit North American facilities, with the Nitrogen ransomware crew claiming massive data theft—raising fresh alarms for Wisconsin’s advanced manufacturing supply chain. Milwaukee Development: City Plan Commission removed Midtown Center “research computing center” items from its agenda, even as Amazon prepares a second ultra-fast delivery hub in Milwaukee—both moves keep the city’s growth debate front and center. Cost Pressure: Milwaukee gas prices jumped sharply, and shoppers say it’s showing up in grocery bills, with experts pointing to fuel-driven logistics costs. Consumer Protection: A new Wisconsin law targets crypto kiosk scams with a $1,000 daily transaction limit and required warning signs. Northern Lights: NOAA forecasts a possible aurora “strike zone” Friday night into Saturday, including Wisconsin. Workforce & Housing: Gov. Evers’ $5M talent recruitment grant backs retention/relocation pilots in communities like Wausau, while Milwaukee weighs multiple affordable housing proposals.