AGP Executive Report

Brewers Spotlight: Jacob Misiorowski struck out a career-high 15 and tossed a one-hit shutout as Milwaukee beat the Phillies 6-0, highlighted by a 104.5 mph fastball. Brewers Update: Quinn Priester was recalled from rehab as he continues working through thoracic outlet syndrome, with the team reevaluating next steps. Wisconsin Rowing: The Wisconsin Rowing Hall of Fame honored legendary coach Randy “Jabo” Jablonic at the Porter Boathouse, celebrating decades of championships and the program’s legacy. Local Arts & Community: Riverwest’s Welcome 2 The Jungle opened as a plant-filled retail space built for calm and connection. Weather & Safety: The NWS confirmed three tornadoes touched down in Wisconsin over two days, including an EF1 near Kenosha. State Watch: DOR agents seized about $25,000 in canned beer from Minocqua Brewing Company taprooms amid a tax/permit investigation. Outdoor Season: Strawberry harvest is underway, but growers say late frosts and rain made this year tougher.

Milwaukee Arts & Community: A packed MMSD public hearing Thursday put a spotlight on the next 10-year, $700M sewer contract, with Common Ground and whistleblowers alleging Veolia mismanagement and falsified records—supporters urged pausing the process for an independent audit. Local Journalism: Alyssa N. Salcedo is profiled for her door-to-door reporting on Milwaukee’s south side, focusing on accountability, cleanup, and violence prevention. Health & Wellness Storytelling: “Aging Untold” tackles fatigue and brain fog as possible anemia, plus a Wisconsin man’s “Memory Lake” backyard oasis built after severe rheumatoid arthritis. Sports & Entertainment (Wisconsin): The Milwaukee Brewers open a weekend series vs. the Phillies Friday night at American Family Field, with Jacob Misiorowski on the mound. Music & Live Events: Muse announces The Wow! Signal Europa tour dates, including major European arena stops. Food & Fun for Families: Oshkosh schools launch a free summer meals program—no registration, breakfast and lunch for kids 18 and under.

World Cup Watch (Chicago): Nomad World Pub in Milwaukee is turning into a soccer hub for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with fans packing in for the Mexico–South Africa opener. Adaptive Sports: Shermalot’s adaptive water ski clinic in Rome, partnering with a La Crosse team, brought specialized equipment and a “water skiing is for everyone” message to Wisconsin families. Local Sports Spotlight: Somerset punched its ticket to the WIAA state tournament after winning its Division 2 sectional title, while Wisconsin dive families are scrambling after the UW denied pool time for the Wisconsin Dive Club. Milwaukee Pride & Tourism: Gov. Tony Evers visited an LGBTQ-owned La Crosse B&B to celebrate Pride Month and tout record tourism numbers. Entertainment/Pop Culture: Netflix’s “Little House on the Prairie” reboot trailer dropped, reviving nostalgia for the Ingalls saga. Business & Manufacturing: Harley-Davidson says Revolution Max production for North America will shift back to U.S. facilities, including Wisconsin, as part of its “Back to the Bricks” push. Weather: Severe storms around Chicago brought power outages, damage, and confirmed tornadoes in the region.

Milwaukee Arts & Community: Rainbow Summer returns to the Marcus Performing Arts Center July 14-19 with six nights of free music, interactive art, and family activities along the riverwalk, including a new “Harmonies” installation. Local Culture Calendar: Books & Company is lining up author talks and signings in Oconomowoc and Lake Country this summer, from Alison Hayes to Emily Giffin at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts. Music in the Park/Library: A free concert featuring Patrick O’Flaherty is set for June 18 at the White Sulphur Springs Library, bringing decades of Irish Gaelic music to the community. Sports & Entertainment: The Brewers’ Abner Uribe mound celebration sparks a wider MLB conversation about how pitchers should celebrate strikeouts. Wisconsin Outdoors & Tourism: Marathon County tourism generated nearly $490M in 2025, tied to outdoor recreation, sports travel, arts, and year-round experiences. Weather Watch: Southern Wisconsin faces another active severe-storm day, with damaging winds, hail, and isolated tornadoes possible.

Brewers in Vegas: Brandon Sproat’s strong start ends in a 4-3 loss as the A’s rally with two homers in the seventh, then shut Milwaukee down late. Local Arts & Music: Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) talks Milwaukee music education and launches the Chad Smith Foundation, with a GuitarTown festival preview. Milwaukee Weather: Severe storms are back in the forecast, with tornadoes, damaging winds, and hail possible. Milwaukee Community & Youth: “Safe Night MKE” returns citywide for teens at MLK and Kosciuszko community centers with food, meditation, and DJ dance. Wisconsin Festivals: Verona’s Paige Kleber wins two MAMA Awards, and Milwaukee’s summer calendar keeps rolling with Lakefront Festival of Art and Tosa Greek Fest. Sports & Packers: Packers OTA minicamp notes include Trey Smack’s kicking progress and injury updates for Luke Musgrave. Data Center Debate: Midtown Center’s property owner denies plans for a traditional data center, calling it research-only. Homeschooling Trend: Rusk County sees rising home schooling, with DPI data showing statewide growth.

Local Arts Funding: Madison Arts Commission awarded $107,000 for arts projects, with support flowing through the Wisconsin Arts Board and the National Endowment for the Arts. Community Events: Olio Arts & Music Center kicks off its “Hidden in Plain Sight” exhibit June 11 in Wisconsin Rapids, featuring live music and a first look at the Cranberry Blossom Festival poster. Music & Summer Fun: Summerfest and FuzzPop are teaming up for the immersive “Radiant Echoes” installation at Henry Maier Festival Park. Arts on Stage: “& Juliet” is set to roar into the Marcus Performing Arts Center, bringing Broadway energy to Milwaukee. Food & Culture: Asteria Ice Cream & Soda is opening in Sun Prairie with “magic sodas” and ice cream flights. Farm Traditions: June Dairy Month continues with dairy breakfasts across north central Wisconsin. Sports & Entertainment Crossover: The Milwaukee Brewers’ Vegas series keeps turning into a slugfest, while “LETTERKENNY LIVE” announces a 2027 North American tour stop in Milwaukee. Wisconsin Pride of Place: Port Washington’s farmers market returns June 13, expanding into a “mega-market” later in the summer with more vendors, music, and activities.

Wisconsin Tourism Boom: The Wisconsin Department of Tourism says 2025 hit a record $27B in economic impact, 117.9M visits, and $1.7B+ in state and local revenue—four straight years of growth, with advertising credited for the rebound. World Cup Watch Parties: Wisconsin soccer fans are gearing up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup (June 11–July 19), with local groups planning watch events across Green Bay, the Fox Cities, and Oshkosh. Milwaukee Summer Arts: Chill on the Hill kicked off its 21st season at Humboldt Park in Bay View with local music, food trucks, and family-friendly fun. Library Culture, Upgraded: A new roundup highlights how Wisconsin-area public libraries are more than books—think museum passes and “library of things” borrowing. Music & Theater Calendar: Marcus Performing Arts Center announced Rainbow Summer 2026 (July 14–19), plus Milwaukee Rep’s George & Gracie: A Love Story gets a spotlight. Local Sports Spotlight: University School of Milwaukee’s season ended after an 8-1 loss in a WIAA regional, while Hudson’s boys and girls lacrosse teams advanced to state title games. Community Remembrance: Hundreds gathered in Madison to mourn Michael Johnson, longtime CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County. Heat Safety: Milwaukee health officials are warning residents about dangerous heat and pointing people to cooling options like libraries and movie theaters.

Tourism Boom: Gov. Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Tourism say 2025 delivered a record $27B visitor economy, with 117.9M visits and $1.7B+ in state and local tax revenue. Community Movies: Stevens Point families can catch a free “Zootopia 2” Movie in the Park at Pfiffner Pioneer Park on June 9, with food trucks and local vendors. Catholic Renewal: The Archdiocese of Milwaukee’s Love One Another campaign is showing results, including major renovations at Queen of Apostles Church in Pewaukee. Local Arts & Culture: artOPENer returns to the St. Croix Valley, spotlighting 31 artists across Wisconsin and Minnesota studios. Sports Spotlight: WIAA’s State Softball Tournament runs June 10-13 in Madison, with WIAA.TV streaming and TV coverage for all five divisions. Youth Sports Achievement: Catholic Memorial’s Finn Milleman and Brady Latus win a historic threepeat in boys tennis doubles. Music & Faith: CAIN announces a 25-city Live and In Worship tour starting Sept. 17, with rotating color themes and special guests.

Cybersecurity Education: UW–Superior is rolling out a computer science degree with a cybersecurity concentration for the fall 2026 semester, aiming to feed the growing demand for cybersecurity analysts. Sports & Community: The Madison Night Mares kick off their 2026 season Tuesday at the Duck Pond with replica championship rings for fans, while Wisconsin golf fans get a homecoming moment as Steve Stricker’s AmFam Championship run wraps up at TPC Wisconsin. Local Arts Spotlight: Milwaukee’s Riverside Theater is set for a July 26 Buddy Guy concert, and Skylight Music Theatre is previewing a world-premiere event featuring Gary Sinise and music from his late son. Baseball in Wisconsin: The Brewers add RHP Joel Kuhnel to the active roster ahead of the series vs. the A’s after bullpen injuries, and they just completed a sweep of the Rockies. Health & Science: Researchers report they can trigger sleep-like brain activity in mice to counter some effects of sleep deprivation. Recreation & Rules: Fargo police share a rider-by-rider guide on what’s legal for e-bikes and e-scooters.

Meet the Press Fallout (Wisconsin): President Trump’s NBC interview with Kristen Welker turned heated after she pressed him on California election claims and his “no new wars” promise—he said he “didn’t guarantee no war” and abruptly walked out. Local Film & Incentives: Two local filmmakers talk about how Wisconsin’s new film incentive is shaping their projects, including a Chippewa Valley returner building a sustainable regional movie scene. Pride in Milwaukee: A gay artist’s koi-fish sidewalk mural was vandalized again with anti-gay slurs, sparking community concern and calls for protection of public art. Pride Month in Schools (Watertown): Students rallied after a school board removed an instrumental musical inspired by Marsha P. Johnson and Stonewall. Sports & Summer Fun: Superior’s 4th of July parade and fireworks plan celebrates America’s 250th, while Wisconsin’s pick-your-own strawberry season is nearly here. Music: Bryson Tiller drops “Drop The Lo,” and announces “The Neo Trapsoul Tour.”

Broadway Buzz: The 2026 Tony Awards crowned “Schmigadoon!” as best musical, with “Ragtime” and major acting wins also taking center stage at Radio City Music Hall. High School Theater: Madison’s Overture Center hosted the 2026 Jerry Awards, spotlighting Wisconsin’s top musical theater talent and sending two standout leads to the Jimmy Awards in New York. Local Arts Call: “Paint Wisconsin” opened submissions for its juried exhibition celebrating Wisconsin-themed art across traditional and digital formats. Milwaukee Arts & Community: Chillwaukee is bringing weekend pop-ups to the Third Ward/Milwaukee Public Market patio with popsicles and shaved ice. Sports (Brewers): Milwaukee completed a Rockies sweep with a 12-4 win, blasting 10 extra-base hits. Sports (Hockey): Tickets are now on sale for the Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off in Milwaukee, featuring NMU and UW in late December at Fiserv Forum. Community Spotlight: The 46th Annual Dodge County Dairy Brunch drew nearly 1,800 guests for June Dairy Month festivities. Public Safety: Milwaukee police investigated a non-fatal shooting that left a teen injured on 41st Street. Local Culture: A new Green Lake pottery studio, Hands Down Pottery and Gifts, opened with a community-first, handmade focus.

Meet the Press Fallout: President Trump abruptly walked out of NBC’s Kristen Welker interview in Wisconsin after repeated fact-check pushback on election claims, California vote counts, and his “anti-weaponization” fund, calling multiple networks “crooked.” Iran Diplomacy: In the same NBC appearance, Trump dismissed the idea his Iran war broke his “no new wars” message, saying he “didn’t guarantee” no wars and arguing Iran will eventually have to negotiate. Milwaukee Missing Person: Police are searching for critically missing 39-year-old Jonathan Smith, last seen near N. Commerce St. and E. Pleasant St. Brewers Baseball: Milwaukee beat Colorado 7-1 with Jacob Misiorowski’s gem and five solo homers, setting up a Sunday sweep attempt in Denver. Madison Dairy Fest: “Cows on the Concourse” returned to the Capitol for National Dairy Month with kids’ activities, live entertainment, and local vendors. Local Arts & Books: Wauwatosa’s Art 64 brings live screen-printing and a $20,000 bracket-style art contest, while Wisconsin author A.K. Frailey announced four new books this year. Sports Pop Culture: WWE’s Liv Morgan is in bikini-season mode, and NBA Finals coverage keeps Wisconsin fans glued in.

Wisconsin Arts & Community: Whitewater’s Whitewater Arts Alliance opened the 17th Annual Fran Achen Juried Photography Exhibition at the Cultural Arts Center, with a record 502 submissions and a new emphasis on both traditional prints and digital work. Milwaukee Pride & Music: La Crosse’s Chances R hosted a Pride Fest with a full drag show, live local music, and community games—one more sign of how Wisconsin venues are leaning into Pride Month. Capitol Square Family Fun: Madison welcomed National Dairy Month back with Cows on the Concourse—petting, scavenger hunts, live music, and hands-on learning about Wisconsin’s dairy culture. Sports Spotlight (Wisconsin ties): The Brewers made a roster move, acquiring RHP Joel Kuhnel from the Athletics for cash, as the team continues its push in the Rockies series. Local Sports/Prep: At the WIAA state track meet, Cloquet’s Makenzie Lynch and Providence Academy’s Maddyn Greenway battled in the Class AA 300 hurdles, with Greenway resetting the record.

Pride Reading List: A new “Books for Pride” roundup spotlights Wisconsin-relevant queer memoirs and stories, including Qtopia and Gay Mormon Dad, as June marches and events kick off. Milwaukee Music Spotlight: Sheboygan’s student garage band the Doorknobs earned a Rockonsin Summerfest slot and will play a June 9 sendoff show at 8th Streatery. Local Arts & Community: Whitehall’s library is hosting “Memories in the Making,” a no-experience-needed watercolor program for people with dementia and their caregivers. Road America Flavor: Road America debuts a designer bratwurst with New Berlin’s Pritzlaff Meats—seasoned for track fans and sold at select stands. Sports on the Wisconsin Radar: The Brewers keep rolling in Denver with Jacob Misiorowski slated, while Wisconsin’s WIAA action includes Brookfield East’s softball season ending in a sectional final. Weather Check: Milwaukee’s Saturday looks mostly sunny and sticky, with more storm chances next week.

Arts & Economy: Madison’s Overture Center for the Arts is projected to pump nearly $67 million into the local economy over the 2025-26 season, with a big jump from earlier years and hundreds of jobs tied to its audience draw. Milwaukee Art Scene: JK Art House opened in the Historic Third Ward with 55 artists and a mission to make gallery culture feel more welcoming, plus plans for pop-ups and community programming. Film & Community: A PBS series spotlights an award-winning Wisconsin short, “Four Nights and a Fire,” rooted in Ojibwe funeral traditions and personal grief. Sports (Brewers): Milwaukee placed DL Hall on the 15-day IL with a left pectoral strain and made roster moves as injuries pile up on the road trip. Local Weather/Alerts: Tornado warnings briefly hit parts of Dodge and Fond du Lac counties before expiring. Big Ten/SEC Talk: A super-league mailbag keeps Wisconsin in the mix as fans debate what a future mega-conference could look like.

PFAS Accountability: Gov. Tony Evers announced Wisconsin’s first settlement with a Marinette firefighting-foam maker, with Tyco/Johnson Controls ordered to invest $10M into the state PFAS trust fund and provide clean water to affected residents for 20 years. Historic Wisconsin: The Wisconsin Historical Society listed the John Evenson tugboat shipwreck in Lake Michigan on the National Register, and also added the Tostenson Pier Archaeological District to the State Register—both spotlighting the state’s maritime past. Local Governance & Tech: Dane County approved an 18-month moratorium on new hyperscale data centers (with at least 5,000 servers) while it studies environmental, utility, and land-use impacts tied to AI demand. Arts & Community: Oshkosh students built Wisconsin-shaped charcuterie boards using CNC tech, with proceeds supporting a middle school tech/engineering program. Entertainment & Culture: A Milwaukee-based documentary spotlights Luke Prokop, the first openly gay pro hockey player in North America, reflecting on his path from the Admirals to today. Summer Fun: Wisconsin’s “movies in the park” lineup is back with free outdoor screenings across multiple communities.