AGP Executive Report

Big Tech Accountability: Wisconsin is set to receive up to $313 million from a multistate $17.1 billion Meta settlement over claims Instagram and Facebook were designed to be addictive to kids, with court approval still pending. The deal also forces child-safety reforms like daily time limits, “productive pauses,” nighttime blocks, and reduced school-hour notifications. Consumer & Competition Watch: U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Cory Booker are pressing the FTC to scrutinize Sysco’s proposed $29.1 billion acquisition of Jetro Restaurant Depot, warning it could reduce competition and raise costs for independent restaurants. Food Safety: An alfalfa sprout outbreak tied to Everything Sprouts LLC has sickened 55 people across 15 states, including 17 in Wisconsin, prompting recalls of specific lot numbers and sprout products. Energy & Infrastructure: Microsoft is objecting to a Wisconsin data-center power cost agreement, arguing it doesn’t go far enough to protect ratepayers from transmission upgrade expenses. Environment & Agriculture: An administrative law judge says a Pierce County CAFO permit for Ridge Breeze Dairy failed to adequately protect groundwater, sending the permit back to the DNR for stronger monitoring conditions.

Privacy & Courts: Michigan AG Dana Nessel and a coalition won a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from demanding a database of sensitive CDL driver records from AAMVA and threatening federal funding cuts. Public Safety & Homelessness: Eau Claire City Council unanimously urged Wisconsin AG Josh Kaul to issue statewide guidance after police from other jurisdictions allegedly drop off unhoused people without coordination. Workforce & Health Care: Gov. Evers toured Chippewa Valley Technical College to discuss workforce funding, while a separate dispute over an expired $15M hospital relief pot for the Chippewa Valley continues to play out in the state Senate race. Manufacturing & Jobs: Foremost Farms will permanently close a Marshfield facility, eliminating 68 jobs. Food & Consumer Risk: Wisconsin-based Fromm Family Foods recalled two canned dog pâtés over possible metal contamination. Energy Infrastructure: Midcontinent Grid Solutions held a Sauk County open house on the proposed BECI 765-kV transmission line, with landowners pressing for clearer details. Trade & Agriculture: U.S.-Canada tariff escalation is raising concerns for Wisconsin dairy and beef producers as retaliation ramps up.

Affordability & Taxes: Congressman Tom Tiffany rolled out an eight-point plan aimed at lowering property taxes, cutting a 10% working-families income tax break, and reducing utility costs—setting up a fresh contrast with Gov. Tony Evers’ camp and Democratic nominee David Crowley. Campaign & Cost Pressure: Crowley’s team is pushing back hard on Tiffany over diesel and trade-war fallout, arguing higher fuel costs are squeezing Wisconsin farmers and manufacturers. Trade War Watch: The U.S.-Canada tariff fight escalated after talks collapsed, with Wisconsin businesses bracing for higher input costs and retaliation risks. Defense Manufacturing: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Oshkosh Corp. to promote the “Arsenal of Freedom” push for domestic defense production. Local Development: Milwaukee-based Cobalt Partners is advancing phase two of Allis Yards in West Allis, targeting up to 400 housing units plus retail and public-space upgrades. Energy Policy: A new look at Wisconsin’s electricity price trend shows costs have risen notably since 2020, feeding into the broader affordability debate. Banking Innovation: Iowa bankers announced a new industry-owned blockchain network (BankChain Alliance) aimed at modernizing services for community banks. Healthcare Business: WellStack acquired DeLorean AI to expand predictive analytics and decision-support tools for healthcare organizations.

Defense Manufacturing: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth toured Oshkosh Corp. in an “Arsenal of Freedom” push for faster, commercial-first military production, highlighting Wisconsin’s defense workforce. Trade & Agriculture: Wisconsin leaders are warning that a Canada tariff fight could hit “Main Street,” with Evers saying it’s making life harder for farmers as retaliation looms. Manufacturing & Workforce: BizTimes’ Oct. 1 Manufacturing Summit will focus on strengthening Wisconsin’s supply chain, with major manufacturers and strategy sessions on taxes, AI, and succession. Public Safety & Courts: A federal jury in Chicago convicted a Mequon engineer tied to Philips Medical Systems trade-secret theft for a Chinese competitor. Food Safety: Fromm Family Foods recalled nearly 5,800 cases of canned wet dog food over possible metal contamination, adding to a busy stretch of U.S. food recall coverage. Local Business: New openings north of Milwaukee include a Cedarburg bookstore and other retail additions, signaling continued small-business momentum. Housing & Homelessness: La Crosse leaders debated ways to reduce homelessness, with officials pointing to the shortage of low-cost rental housing. Community & Education: Milwaukee Public Schools launched a first-ever foundation drive to give teachers classroom supplies without out-of-pocket costs.

Food Safety: Wisconsin health officials say alfalfa sprouts tied to an outbreak have sickened at least 18 people in the state, as Minnesota reports 55 cases nationwide and multiple E. coli and salmonella strains. Higher Ed Costs: UW system leaders are pitching a tuition-freeze deal—more state aid plus a cap on tuition increases—aimed at keeping costs predictable for 2029-31. Immigration & Colleges: New U.S. limits on how long international students can stay are already disrupting enrollments, with colleges citing lost revenue and added compliance costs in court filings. Data Privacy & Business Risk: A fresh wave of breach notices includes ASOS US Sales, Turner Construction, and multiple other firms, with lawyers urging affected customers to consider identity monitoring and potential claims. Public Safety Funding: Baraboo-area fire and EMS officials warn of service cuts or restructuring if a $2.2M shortfall isn’t closed, with proposed assessment jumps for local governments. Tech & Policy: UW’s new AI college dean argues universities should act as a “counterbalance” to industry as AI reshapes research and company-building. Road Safety: Wisconsin State Patrol is ramping up impaired-driving enforcement for the Labor Day weekend.

Trade & Tariffs: Canada will apply dollar-for-dollar countertariffs on $20 billion of U.S. goods starting Sept. 8 after U.S. tariffs took effect, escalating a dispute that’s already rattled markets and threatens major cross-border supply chains. Local Development: Janesville voters will decide this November whether future GM/JATCO site projects over $450 million require a public vote, a move supporters say boosts accountability and opponents say could slow redevelopment. Defense Construction: Fort McCoy’s $55.76 million officers quarters project is nearly 80% complete and ahead of schedule, with an early June 2027 completion target. Energy Costs: E15 prices in Wisconsin averaged $3.79 per gallon for the week ending Aug. 15, with the lowest reported spot at $3.66 in Chippewa County. Food Safety: Alfalfa sprouts tied to E. coli and Salmonella outbreaks have triggered recalls affecting products sold in Minnesota and Wisconsin, with illnesses reported across 15 states. Housing Market: WalletHub ranks Madison among the top 10 U.S. cities for homebuyers, while Green Bay, Kenosha and Milwaukee also appear on the list.

Farmland Outlook: A Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago survey finds Upper Midwest farmland values are cooling, with Wisconsin seeing declines as competition from data centers, solar and wind projects, and shifting crop/livestock economics reshapes demand. Food Safety & Business Risk: A multistate E. coli and Salmonella outbreak tied to alfalfa sprouts from Everything Sprouts, LLC has sickened 55 people across 15 states, prompting recalls of sprouts sold under Calco and Everything Sprouts brands—an operational hit for growers and retailers, especially in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Milwaukee Public Safety: Milwaukee’s 3rd District held a July 15 public safety town hall after June violence on the Lower East Side, with residents pressing for practical, community-driven solutions. Defense Manufacturing: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is scheduled to visit Oshkosh Corp., spotlighting U.S. defense manufacturing and the company’s major Army contracts. Local Emergency Services: Cambridge Volunteer Fire Department received $48,000 in grants to replace aging portable radios, boosting firefighter communications and safety. Consumer Fraud Watch: Glenwood City logged one BBB scam report in July, landing among Wisconsin’s higher-scam cities, as fraud losses continue nationwide. Sports & Local Economy: The Brewers aim to sweep the Braves in Sunday’s series finale at Bowman Field, keeping Milwaukee’s strong season in the spotlight.

Trade Shock for Wisconsin: U.S.-Canada talks collapsed, setting up new tariffs—Washington plans a 50% tariff on $20B in Canadian imports, and Canada says it will retaliate “dollar-for-dollar” starting Sept. 8, with dairy, farm machinery, steel and electronics in the crosshairs. Food Safety & Local Supply Chains: Everything Sprouts LLC recalled alfalfa sprouts tied to a 15-state E. coli/Salmonella outbreak; 55 people have been sickened, including 17 in Wisconsin, prompting disposal and sanitation guidance. Higher Health Costs: A new analysis finds Wisconsin hospitals charge about 25% more than Illinois for the same inpatient procedures, even within the same health systems—raising pressure on premiums for workers and small businesses. UW Affordability Plan: UW System regents proposed a tuition freeze for 2027-29 if the Legislature invests $190M, plus a work-and-learn tuition elimination program for lower-income in-state students. Data Center Backlash in Politics: Nationwide AI data center protests are spreading, and Wisconsin’s governor race is treating data centers as a wedge issue, with candidates clashing over incentives and local control. Local Business Risk: Oak Creek firefighters responded to an explosion and fire at Redwall Screen Printing after a spray adhesive can fell into a dryer and ignited.

Food Safety & Recalls: Everything Sprouts is recalling certain lots of alfalfa sprouts after a multistate E. coli and Salmonella outbreak tied to the product sickened at least 55 people across 15 states, including 17 in Wisconsin; FDA/CDC say four people were hospitalized and urge consumers to throw out or return the recalled sprouts sold under Calco and Everything Sprouts brands. State Economic Development: Waupun was accepted into the WEDC Main Street Program, a move that brings technical help, training, networking and potential grant access aimed at revitalizing its historic downtown. Film & Tourism Incentives: Gov. Tony Evers and Film Wisconsin announced the first round of tax credits for six productions, with more than $1 million in credits going to projects that will spend on local wages and highlight Wisconsin stories. Local Business & Growth: Carbliss announced partners for its new Plymouth headquarters, naming Miron Construction as construction manager, Excel Engineering for design/engineering, and Nicolet National Bank as the banking partner. Fraud Watch: La Crosse ranked tied for 16th among Wisconsin cities for July scam reports, with five Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker reports, as Wisconsin continues to see high fraud losses nationwide.

Milwaukee Development: Midtown Commons, a 200-unit affordable apartment project on a former Walmart lot, got a $1 million city loan to clean up contaminated soil found from an underground storage tank, with construction targeted for October. Food Safety: A multistate E. coli and salmonella outbreak tied to Minnesota’s Everything Sprouts alfalfa sprouts has grown to 55 confirmed cases across 15 states; the FDA says retailers and consumers should not eat the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands, and Everything Sprouts has moved to recall affected lots. Politics & Business Climate: GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany is ramping up attacks on data centers during farm stops, saying he’d end subsidies and push for more local control over projects. Healthcare Tech: Epic, headquartered in Wisconsin, is facing an FTC antitrust investigation tied to how it grants access to patient data and restricts employee moves, even as it pushes ahead with AI agent plans. Local Governance & Infrastructure: Waukesha County is closing CTH E after a 95-year-old box culvert failure; emergency repairs are set to start Aug. 24 with a projected reopening in mid-September. Public Safety: A Madison woman is charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide after prosecutors say she ran over a woman with an SUV following a fight at a bus stop.

Mariners Prospect Watch: Seattle promoted left-hander Kade Anderson from Double-A Arkansas to start Saturday vs. the Cubs, a move that underscores how quickly Milwaukee-area fans will hear about the next wave of MLB pitching talent. AI in Marketing: New UW-Madison research says a carefully designed generative AI system can beat human designers on live ad performance—an 18-month advantage that matters for Wisconsin brands watching the AI boom. Child Care Crunch: A Brown County survey finds only 7,900 child-care slots for 13,700 children in need, with rising costs and limited availability squeezing parents and threatening workforce stability. Food Safety: Minnesota and Wisconsin health officials linked alfalfa sprouts from Everything Sprouts to a dual E. coli and salmonella outbreak, urging consumers to discard affected products. Healthcare Costs: A UW study reports Wisconsin hospital prices are about 26% higher than Illinois, while a trade group disputes the methods. Public Safety Tech: West Salem removed all Flock cameras, citing low local use, outside-agency reliance, costs, and vandalism risk. Local Growth & Jobs: Associated Bank awarded NeighborWorks Green Bay a $150,000, three-year grant to expand homebuyer and homeowner counseling. Workplace Safety: U.S. Labor Department penalties hit Janesville food maker NaturPak after two incidents killed three workers and injured two.

Data Center Politics: Wisconsin’s governor race is turning into a referendum on AI infrastructure, with Tom Tiffany pushing to end subsidies and protect farmland and water while David Crowley argues for accountability and a “global AI hub” vision. Regulatory Fight: Oracle dropped its Wisconsin lawsuit after regulators required stronger credit support for a Port Washington data center, underscoring how power and finance rules can make or break big projects. Rural Impact: A report highlights how rural Wisconsin communities are organizing against data centers, framing the fight as urgent and local—not hypothetical. Healthcare Costs: A UW-Madison study says Wisconsin hospitals charge about 26% more than Illinois, while a trade group disputes the methods. Transit & Infrastructure: Milwaukee County won $13.9M in federal CMAQ funding for bus fleet upgrades and traffic-signal improvements to cut delays and boost ridership. Education Funding: UW Board of Regents approved a 2027-29 operating budget request that includes a tuition freeze proposal backed by $190M. Workforce Shortage: Wisconsin is grappling with a rural veterinarian shortage, leaving farm calls and emergency coverage harder to staff. Milwaukee Housing/Real Estate: 136 home sales were reported in Milwaukee for the week ending Aug. 15, with a median price of $210,000.

Infrastructure Funding: Gov. Tony Evers announced more than $19.7 million in Community Development Block Grant Public Facilities awards for 20 Wisconsin communities, with projects ranging from roads and drainage to water, sewer, sidewalks and other public works. Data Centers & Politics: Oracle voluntarily dropped its request for a judicial review of a Wisconsin Public Service Commission decision tied to the Lighthouse Data Center campus in Port Washington, even as the broader backlash to data centers keeps shaping Wisconsin’s political debate. Elections Tech: Wisconsin counties reported problems sending unofficial election-night results over modem-based systems in the August primary, raising renewed questions about reliability and operational strain. Agriculture & Health Costs: Wisconsin Farmers Union says Affordable Care Act subsidy changes are hitting farm budgets, with some producers reporting health insurance cost increases in the thousands and concerns about coverage for workers. Food Security: The DNR is boosting Deer Donation Program reimbursement rates for meat processors to encourage more participation, including higher pay when chronic wasting disease testing is required. Business & Courts: A Milwaukee-area car dealership faces an EEOC retaliation lawsuit tied to alleged firing and discipline after employees reported racial harassment. Local Business Regulation: Oconomowoc denied a gas-station tenant’s request to add beer and wine sales for on-premise consumption, citing community concerns and prior liquor-license issues.

NBA Trade Watch (Wisconsin ties): The Cavaliers, Nuggets and Clippers finalized a multi-team deal sending Peyton Watson to Cleveland and Max Strus to the Clippers, with Denver getting a 2031 Cavs first-round pick and a 2032 Kings second-rounder. Local Business & Jobs: Cleary Building Corp. says it has sold its 132,000th building, a milestone tied to continued growth in custom pre-engineered structures. Manufacturing Sustainability: Trelleborg Sealing Solutions received Emerson’s 2026 Sustainability Award; the company makes precision components at its River Falls, Wis. facilities. Banking Workforce Development: Mount Vernon Bank & Trust employees Jake Krob and Chris Kerr graduated from UW–Madison’s Graduate School of Banking, highlighting ongoing investment in community-bank talent. Energy Infrastructure: A Janesville open house will gather public input on a major 765-kilovolt power-line expansion that could bring 175-foot towers through Rock County. Housing Finance Policy: A new Wisconsin law will double how long municipalities can extend tax increment districts, aiming to boost affordable housing funds. Legal/Consumer Tech: Prediction market firm Novig sued Wisconsin DOJ to block enforcement of the state’s sports gambling law, arguing its contracts aren’t “gambling.” Public Safety & Health: Wisconsin’s kratom market faces scrutiny as federal officials consider restrictions, while Janesville police arrested a THC retailer owner in an “illegal THC products” investigation. Sports Economy (Brewers): Milwaukee rebounded from a historic 22-0 loss to beat Seattle 7-5, keeping the Brewers in the playoff conversation.

Conservation & Energy Policy: Gov. Tim Walz signed an order banning nonferrous mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, aiming to end decades of conflict over copper and nickel in the Rainy River headwaters. Data Centers & State Politics: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is tightening data-center permitting and tax incentives, requiring full electricity cost coverage, water-use limits, and local approval—part of a broader backlash as communities push back. Wisconsin Elections & Money: Wisconsin’s richest person, Diane Hendricks, maxed out a legal contribution to Jim Croft, renewing scrutiny of ultra-wealthy backing for candidates tied to right-wing training networks. Privacy & Public Safety Tech: Flock Safety is tightening rules for its license-plate reader network, including shorter data retention and limits on data sharing as cities and residents challenge surveillance practices. Manufacturing & Jobs: INNIO plans a major Waukesha expansion, investing $300M+ and adding 500+ jobs to meet demand for decentralized energy solutions tied to data centers. Capital Markets: Treasury’s plan to double longer-dated bond buyback support helped push long yields down sharply. Elections Integrity: A polling firm shut down after admitting fake Wisconsin and Los Angeles surveys were a “social experiment,” raising concerns about how unverified polling spreads.

Energy & Infrastructure: A proposed 190-mile, 765-kilovolt BECI transmission line is drawing backlash from southern Wisconsin landowners who say early study letters raise concerns for farms, property and health. Local Governance: Superior City Council advanced a resolution to pursue a city takeover of water utilities, setting up an April ballot referendum after publishing requirements. Real Estate & Development: Pleasant Prairie’s plan commission approved a 152,000-square-foot speculative warehouse at Lakeview Corporate Park proposed by Milwaukee-based Zilber Property Group. Housing & Finance: Wisconsin lawmakers advanced measures tied to housing finance, including a WHEDA workforce home loan fund and updates to low-income housing tax credit rules. Business & Policy: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order tightening data center development rules—aiming to limit permits and tax breaks unless projects meet energy, water and community standards—while Wisconsin lawmakers continue debating similar “guardrails.” Sports (Local Economy Angle): The Brewers delivered a 22-0 shutout over the Mariners, matching MLB’s modern-era record, while a Wisconsin man and wife sued Delta over an alleged seat belt malfunction.