AGP Executive Report

Politics at the Capitol: Wisconsin’s bipartisan $1.8B tax-and-school deal collapsed in the Senate, with Gov. Tony Evers and GOP leaders blaming election-year maneuvering as Tom Tiffany and Democrats argued it didn’t target people “actually hurting.” GOP unity test: At the Wisconsin GOP convention in the Dells, party leaders urged activists to stop infighting after failed attempts to oust chairman Brian Schimming, while endorsing Tiffany for governor. Courts and gaming: A federal judge let the Ho-Chunk Nation’s lawsuit against Kalshi’s sports prediction markets move forward, setting up an early test of whether “event contracts” count as illegal class III gaming on tribal lands. Energy infrastructure: A Bayfield County judge partially halted Enbridge’s Line 5 reroute work, staying only parts needing extra permits. Business/tech: DCN, Range & WIN Technology announced a $700M Heartland Fiber Project spanning seven states, aiming to feed AI-driven data center demand—right as Ohio lawmakers create a data center committee to hear impacts.

Fusion Push: Wisconsin leaders and scientists gathered at the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery to pitch the state as a national hub for nuclear fusion, with Gov. Tony Evers calling it a priority and the summit drawing about 400 people. Storm Watch: Southeast Wisconsin is bracing for several days of strong to severe storms, including heavy rain, large hail, gusty winds, and a small tornado risk. Legal Pressure on Banks: A coalition of public-interest groups sent a letter condemning Bank of America’s plan to add forced arbitration to its online banking terms starting May 18, arguing it blocks customers from court. Rural Entrepreneurship: UW-Extension’s Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities conference in Green Lake drew nearly 200 leaders and business owners to build rural “ecosystems” for small-town startups. Ag Spotlight: Wisconsin Farm Technology Days kicked off its 2026 countdown ahead of the Stratford event July 14-16. Food & Consumer Safety: Organic ice cream sold in multiple states, including Wisconsin, is under recall after possible metal contamination.

Higher Ed & Philanthropy: The University of Arkansas says a $1.5M gift will fund full-tuition scholarships for architecture students through the Daniel Roger and Terry L. Tate Endowed Scholarship. Agriculture Spotlight: Wisconsin has named Anastasia Poull of Port Washington as the 79th Alice in Dairyland, set to start her term July 6 after this weekend’s finals. Food Safety: Straus Family Creamery is recalling select organic ice cream flavors in 17 states, including Wisconsin, over possible metal fragments; no injuries reported. Business & Policy: Data-center opposition is surging nationwide, with local and state moratorium efforts rising sharply as AI-driven buildouts expand. Sports (Local): The Brewers edged the Twins 2-1 as Jackson Chourio delivered a go-ahead homer, while Byron Buxton missed another game for Minnesota with hip soreness.

Food Safety Recall: Straus Family Creamery is voluntarily recalling select organic ice cream pints and quarts sold in 17 states, including Wisconsin, after the FDA flagged the potential presence of metal fragments; no injuries were reported, and consumers are told not to eat the affected “best by” dated lots and to discard them. Public Health: A CDC-linked salmonella outbreak tied to backyard poultry has sickened more than 180 people across 31 states, with Wisconsin among the states reporting more than 10 confirmed cases; health officials urge strict handwashing and keeping birds and supplies outdoors. Local Business & Consumer Tech: Milwaukee Packout is expanding again this summer with new compatible storage products, while Johnson Controls rolled out a new TEC4000S thermostat aimed at cutting setup and commissioning time for contractors. Policy & Politics: Small business owners are warning lawmakers that proposed federal data privacy rules could restrict how they market and operate online. Environment & Courts: A judge partially halted Enbridge Line 5 reroute work at four waterway crossings, tightening the legal pressure on the project.

Community Spotlight: Appleton’s Light the Night Market drew big crowds Friday, turning downtown into a full-on family festival. Campus Safety: Mid-State Technical College director Andrew Dewitt won a statewide risk-impact award for upgrades like better emergency alerts, secure classroom access, and expanded surveillance. Local Business & Growth: Camp Bar is set to open in Cedarburg with a soft opening May 22–28 and a grand opening May 29. Food & Consumer Watch: Straus Family Creamery recalled select organic ice cream in 17 states, including Wisconsin, over possible metal fragments—check “best by” dates. Weather: A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect for parts of southeast Wisconsin until 5 a.m. Saturday. Politics & Policy: Wisconsin’s $1.8B surplus tax-and-schools deal collapsed in the Senate, reigniting fights over rebates and K-12 funding. Energy & Courts: A judge partially halted Enbridge’s Line 5 reroute construction at four waterway crossings while legal challenges proceed.

Politics & Budget Fight: Gov. Tony Evers says Democrats are in an “untenable position” after the state Senate rejected a $1.8 billion tax relief deal, a split that education and business groups call a missed opportunity. Elections & Federal Scrutiny: Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson says the FBI is reaching out to city elections officials about the 2020 election. Local Governance: Oconomowoc will appoint a new District 2 alderman after Rusty McConnell’s resignation, with Lou Kowieski, Andy Moroni and Jason Cook in the mix. Business & Consumer Costs: Wisconsin ranks 36th for financial reporting transparency, scoring 67/100 in a new audit-focused review. Industry & Energy: An ethanol producer argues E15 pricing could drop further if savings are passed to drivers and more retailers compete. Beer Culture: Schlitz’s final batch will be brewed in Verona by Wisconsin Brewing Company, marking the end of a 177-year run. Aviation & Travel: Allegiant is launching 19 new routes over three days, including new service to California from Appleton.

NBA Draft Combine Buzz: The 2026 combine’s second day wrapped with key withdrawals—Baylor’s Cameron Carr and Texas’ Dailyn Swain stepped away after stock gains, leaving Vanderbilt’s Tyler Tanner as the top name still taking reps. Milwaukee Housing & Cost Pressure: A growing slice of Gen Z is managing to buy homes in their 20s, even as Milwaukee shoppers feel the squeeze from higher gas prices and grocery bills. Cybersecurity & Manufacturing: Foxconn confirmed a North American cyberattack tied to the Nitrogen ransomware group, with reports pointing to Wisconsin among affected sites. State Policy Watch: Gov. Evers signed an order barring state workers from using insider info to profit via prediction markets. Consumer Protection: Wisconsin’s new law limits crypto kiosk transactions to $1,000 per day and requires scam warnings on machines. Local Business: Amazon is preparing a second ultra-fast delivery hub in Milwaukee’s Riverwest. Public Safety: Fond du Lac County released dashcam/bodycam from a chase that ended with a car going airborne and the driver taken into custody.

Milwaukee Downtown: An 80-foot-by-100-foot Bob Uecker mural is taking shape on the Wintrust Financial Center building at 731 N. Jackson St., commissioned by the BID and Visit Milwaukee—another big sports landmark for downtown. Housing & Growth: Milwaukee neighborhoods are bracing for more blight as out-of-state landlords sell hundreds of properties; local groups see a chance to restore homes and keep communities stable. State Budget Fight: Sen. Kelda Roys voted no on a rushed, “budget-busting” deal that opponents say won’t put Wisconsin kids first, while Democrats and Republicans trade blame over surplus spending and tax relief. Education & Philanthropy: UWM’s School of Freshwater Sciences announced a $10 million Lynde B. Uihlein gift to expand research, policy work, and vessel operations. Business & Consumer: The Milwaukee Auto Show opens May 14 at State Fair Park Expo Center, with test drives and a kids EV track. Public Health: The FDA issued a nationwide recall of an eczema cream sold via Amazon and H-E-B due to possible staph contamination. Politics Beyond Wisconsin: Foxconn confirmed a Nitrogen ransomware attack affecting some North American factories, with production disruptions reported.

Elections Probe: FBI agents visited Milwaukee County elections director Michelle Hawley’s home, leaving a business card after she wasn’t available, as federal interest reportedly centers on Milwaukee’s 2020 absentee ballots that have not been destroyed—prompting pushback from county officials who say the election was repeatedly upheld. State Budget Fight: Wisconsin Senate Republicans failed to pass Gov. Tony Evers’ bipartisan surplus plan, with the bill collapsing after pressure from Tom Tiffany and Democratic lawmakers—despite support in the Assembly for school funding and tax relief. Public Health & Safety: A nationwide FDA recall hit MG217 multi-symptom skin cream over potential staph contamination, while Milwaukee-area violence news also surfaced after a deadly shooting tied to a home with a long record of 911 calls. Business & Tech: Google spotlighted a Milwaukee auto recycler using AI to boost call capture and revenue, and Kalshi crossed $1 billion in weekly non-sports volume for the first time. Sports: NBA closed its investigation into the Bucks–Giannis Antetokounmpo injury dispute with no further action.

Wisconsin Budget Showdown: Wisconsin lawmakers kept debating Wednesday as the $1.8B Evers-GOP tax relief and K-12 package hit Senate resistance, with GOP holdouts and even the likely governor candidate Tom Tiffany signaling opposition—leaving the deal’s path uncertain even as Assembly support looks strong. Workforce Education: The 16 Wisconsin Technical College presidents pushed back on the proposal’s “$50 million” framing, saying it shifts money from local property taxes to state support rather than adding new long-term funding for training capacity. Sports & Business: The Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo trade chatter stayed hot, but Warriors’ Draymond Green’s likely retention could complicate any blockbuster pursuit. Tech & Schools: A Canvas hack disrupted classes during finals week, and Wisconsin’s own systems were among those hit. Animal Welfare: Hundreds of beagles rescued from a Wisconsin research breeding facility are now in Florida, starting a new life after national attention on the case. Consumer Safety: Albright’s Raw Pet Food recalled a chicken dog product sold in Wisconsin after possible Salmonella contamination.

NBA Bucks Update: The NBA has wrapped up its investigation into the Bucks’ handling of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s knee shutdown and says no further action or sanctions are needed, even as the star’s future in Milwaukee stays a hot question. Trade Talk: ESPN also reports the Bucks are open to taking trade calls for Antetokounmpo ahead of the draft. Cybersecurity: Foxconn confirmed a ransomware attack hitting some North American operations after a gang claimed theft of nearly 8TB of data; Foxconn says affected factories are resuming normal production. Local Governance: Hammond Village Board voted down a data center proposal, citing concerns about environmental and cultural impact. Agriculture: Wisconsin farmers are feeling the squeeze from sky-high diesel prices tied to the Iran war, with one Manitowoc County grower saying costs are running thousands of dollars higher than recent years. Education & Budget: Wisconsin lawmakers advanced a bipartisan K-12 and tax relief deal, including higher special education reimbursement. Health & Community: Milwaukee mourns Dr. William Finlayson, a pioneering Black physician who delivered more than 10,000 babies and helped shape early civil rights efforts.

Health Care Deal: Sanford Health has signed a definitive agreement to merge with North Memorial Health, aiming to close this year and invest about $600 million into North Memorial’s Robbinsdale and Maple Grove hospitals—an effort to shore up long-term access and stability in the Twin Cities. Energy & Growth: Wisconsin utilities and regulators are still wrestling with how to balance generation and transmission as demand rises, while WEC Energy Group says it’s in talks with data center developers after the PSC approved special rates for large customers. Public Accountability: MMSD is creating a whistleblower hotline as a major $700M wastewater contract looms and scrutiny continues over the private operator’s performance. Politics & Schools: A lawyer for the Eau Claire Area School District says a new bipartisan school funding deal is “welcome” but doesn’t fix the system’s structural problems. Economy & Costs: Inflation and fuel pressures remain in focus, with gas prices tied to the ongoing Iran conflict and USDA projecting the smallest U.S. wheat harvest since 1972.

Food Safety Watch: Wood County Health Department inspections found multiple issues at local restaurants, including a Marshfield spot with handwashing-sink problems and another with sanitizer testing and cooler gasket upkeep violations—triggering reinspection for at least one establishment. Childcare Policy: Wisconsin advocates warn proposed federal childcare rule changes could roll back wage support and loosen cost controls, leaving providers and families with fewer options. NBA Offseason Shockwave: The Bucks are again open to trade offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo ahead of the draft, with ESPN reporting Milwaukee wants premium young talent or a major draft haul. Legal Fight Over Prediction Markets: A Wisconsin lawsuit against prediction platforms could reach the U.S. Supreme Court, with Coinbase arguing federal regulation already covers the space. Tech Disruption in Schools: Canvas is recovering after a cyberattack that briefly disrupted classes at thousands of campuses, including UW-Green Bay. Local Business Resilience: Oscar’s Frozen Custard in Waukesha is back after an 18-month rebuild following a fire.

Bucks Trade Watch: ESPN reports the Milwaukee Bucks are “open for business” on trade calls for Giannis Antetokounmpo, with sources saying the team expects a strong market and could hold its asking price of a young star and/or draft picks as a June 23-24 decision deadline nears. Education Deal: Gov. Tony Evers signed an executive order clearing the way for a bipartisan package that pours $600M+ into K-12—boosting special education reimbursement to 50%—while adding $300M in general school aid and delivering statewide property tax relief plus eliminating state income tax on tips and overtime. Local Learning & Conservation: Manitowoc County Lakes Association kicked in $1,000 for a mobile land-and-water learning lab, bringing hands-on soil, water and watershed tools to schools and community events. Environment Enforcement: Wisconsin DOJ announced a $200,000 settlement with Neenah Foundry over alleged air pollution permit violations. Sports Moment: A La Salle-Rhode Island baseball game story ended with a quick response after a spectator’s heart stopped—showing how fast action can save lives.

Wisconsin Business Press coverage over the past week is dominated by a mix of local business/school developments and broader economic pressures—especially energy and fuel costs—alongside a steady stream of sports and policy stories. In the most recent 12 hours, several items point to day-to-day community impacts (schools, public safety, and local business operations), while other headlines reflect larger national or global forces affecting Wisconsin companies and residents.

In the last 12 hours, school-related news includes Verona Area’s recognition of Rita Mortenson as a “Distinguished Guest” for the VAHS commencement, and Sugar Creek Elementary being named one of “America’s Healthiest Schools,” with the designation tied to a multi-area assessment of health services, nutrition, physical activity, social-emotional learning, tobacco-free policies, and staff/family engagement. Other education coverage also includes a Milwaukee school bus drop-off mistake that left an 8-year-old nearly a mile from home, and a separate report that Wisconsin school personnel distanced themselves from staff social media posts related to an attempted assassination of President Trump—framing it as a personnel matter and emphasizing the district’s condemnation of violence.

Energy and cost pressures also show up prominently in the last 12 hours. A report on rising diesel prices describes how higher fuel costs are hitting businesses that rely on travel, using a Fargo event-production company example where fuel bills run high during busy periods. Separately, coverage of gas-price politics and broader fuel-price spikes appears in the news cycle, including commentary around national gas prices and how they’re affecting consumers. Wisconsin’s business environment is also reflected in a biotech hiring/capital story: biotech R&D job postings and employment are described as improving, tied to a better capital environment for smaller biotechs and rising follow-on offerings.

Several of the most recent headlines connect Wisconsin to larger corporate and regulatory trends. Microsoft is reported to be considering delaying or abandoning its 2030 clean-energy matching goal due to the energy demands of AI-driven data centers, while Harley-Davidson is laying out a turnaround plan focused on lower-priced entry models and a stronger dealer network. On the policy/regulatory side, the prediction-market fight is highlighted as intensifying, with states pushing back on CFTC oversight—framed as a dispute over whether sports-related prediction markets should be treated as wagers under state gambling rules or as federally regulated derivatives.

Finally, a major Wisconsin-specific public-safety and community engagement thread appears in the last 12 hours: a natural gas line break briefly evacuated the Town of Iron River and shut down Highway 2 (with an update indicating the evacuation order was lifted after containment). There’s also local government action on traffic safety in Walker’s Point, where the city is seeking feedback on a South 2nd Street project aimed at reducing reckless driving and improving protections for bicyclists. Compared with older coverage, the last 12 hours are more “incident-and-service” focused (schools, safety, and near-term business impacts), while earlier days add continuity through broader themes like housing/school funding pressures, ongoing Medicaid fraud enforcement, and the continuing Wisconsin-to-national sports and policy storylines.

In the past 12 hours, Wisconsin Business Press coverage skewed toward local business openings and near-term community impacts. Bank of America plans to redevelop a former Dollar Tree at 1300 W. Historic Mitchell St. into a new south-side branch with a drive-thru ATM. In Greenfield, Cheba Hut “Toasted” Subs is preparing to open May 11 at 8871 W. Sura Lane (84 South Shopping Complex), with a kickoff event and details on its toasted-sandwich and full-bar concept. The same window also included a Milwaukee Public Schools budget proposal aimed at addressing a nearly $46 million deficit—cutting central office positions while adding classroom staff—along with a report that MPS is projecting a much larger multi-year shortfall without major changes.

Several items in the last 12 hours also pointed to policy, legal, and public-safety developments. Madison City Clerk Lydia McComas defended the city’s decision to count 23 absentee ballots that arrived after the April 7 8 p.m. deadline, arguing the delays were caused by courier errors rather than voters. Bayfield County issued and then lifted an evacuation order for Iron River residents and businesses after a gas line break and Highway 2 closure, with officials reporting the leak was contained but some homes remained without heat. Other coverage included a Milwaukee woman facing felony charges alleging more than $2 million in Wisconsin Medicaid fraud, and a Wisconsin DNR update on an additional manure spill at a central Wisconsin dairy operation, with regulators monitoring impacts after dead fish were observed in a nearby tributary.

Business and economic signals appeared alongside these local stories. Harley-Davidson reported a sharp first-quarter profit decline (nearly $25 million, down 81% year over year) even as North American sales rose 14%. The period also featured corporate/industry moves and services: Pennant Group reported first-quarter 2026 results, and Vita Fitness & Physical Therapy opened a fourth clinic in Glendale. There was also continued attention to broader cost pressures and consumer behavior, including coverage of headliners canceling tours amid budget squeezes and a report that Delta will reduce in-flight drink/snack service on shorter flights starting May 19.

Looking beyond the most recent 12 hours, the coverage shows continuity in several themes—especially elections, regulation, and economic strain. Earlier reporting included Wisconsin’s ongoing disputes around election administration (including WEC-related ballot counting issues) and continued scrutiny of state policy impacts on health care and budgets (including Protect Our Care’s critique of GOP Medicaid cuts). There was also sustained attention to Wisconsin’s energy and infrastructure environment, including data-center sales tax break debates and traffic/operational concerns around major projects, as well as recurring coverage of rising fuel costs affecting farms and schools. However, the newest evidence in this rolling window is more concentrated on immediate local developments (openings, budget proposals, and specific incidents) than on a single overarching “big event.”