AGP Executive Report

Wisconsin Passenger Rail: A new statewide push to expand passenger rail in Wisconsin is set to kick off June 25 in Milwaukee, with a conference aimed at building faster, more frequent intercity service and highlighting the economic upside for routes linking Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay and beyond. Dairy Economy: Gov. Tony Evers marked June Dairy Month by spotlighting the industry’s scale—about 5,000 dairy farms and $52.8B in annual economic impact—and touting state support for research, exports and rural infrastructure. Higher Ed Costs: The UW System Board of Regents approved a 2% tuition increase for 2026-27, the fourth hike in four years, as leaders cite rising costs after a long tuition freeze. Workforce Training: NWTC Aurora is adding a path to a Wisconsin Class B commercial driver’s license, pairing online theory with an October road-and-range test to feed high-demand trucking jobs. PFAS Cleanup: Wisconsin reached a $10M settlement with Tyco over PFAS contamination in Marinette County, continuing the state’s push to address drinking-water impacts. Energy & Politics: President Trump’s Wisconsin farm roundtable in Chippewa Falls focused on lowering input costs and rural tax incentives, while the broader U.S.-Iran standoff remains a key driver of energy prices and uncertainty.

Higher Ed & Workforce: UW–Stout will rebrand as UW–Stout Polytechnic after a unanimous Board of Regents vote, signaling a stronger hands-on, lab-heavy career pipeline. Energy & Local Deals: Xcel Energy and St. Croix County have ended negotiations over a joint development agreement for a proposed solar farm, with Xcel saying it will proceed to the PSC. Agriculture & Politics: President Trump’s Chippewa Falls farm roundtable leaned on jobs, diesel and farm-payment promises—while Democrats countered with gas cards highlighting high fuel costs. Coal & Grid Reliability: Trump announced a $700M coal push using the Defense Production Act, including potential support for Wisconsin coal operations. Data Centers & Community Backlash: A national look shows states are paying big incentives for data centers, while Monterey Park, Calif. voters approved a ban—fueling Wisconsin’s ongoing debate. Public Finance Oversight: An audit of Milwaukee County Transit System points to governance and oversight failures behind a surprise deficit. Milwaukee Business: Tramont Manufacturing is expanding with a second plant tied to backup power demand from data centers. Food & Consumer: Old World Wisconsin will sell a limited run of the last Schlitz beer batch using the original 1948 recipe.

PFAS Accountability: Wisconsin reached a major PFAS settlement tied to Tyco Fire Products in Marinette, with Gov. Tony Evers calling it the state’s first such resolution and the largest handled exclusively by Wisconsin—Tyco will put $10M into the PFAS trust fund and provide clean water to affected residents for 20 years. Local Housing Finance: La Crosse secured $2.4M in WHEDA tax credits to create nearly 100 affordable units, including converting the old Lincoln Middle School into 51 homes and building 45 units on 7th Street. Milwaukee Election Legal Support: Milwaukee city and county are seeking outside legal counsel as federal scrutiny related to the 2020 election continues, after reports of FBI activity involving election officials. Energy Politics: President Trump announced a $700M push to expand “clean, beautiful coal” using the Defense Production Act, aiming to protect coal plants and mines and lower energy costs. Business & Community Events: Indie Bookshop Quest 2026 is launching a statewide “bookstore crawl” with 35 independent shops, while Milwaukee’s Schlitz bobbleheads are being sold as Pabst ends Schlitz production. Workforce & Retail Pressure: A new SNAP rule would require convenience stores to stock more categories of healthy foods, raising concerns for rural retailers.

PFAS Accountability in Marinette: Wisconsin DOJ and Tyco Fire Products reached a $10 million settlement tied to “forever chemicals” contamination, with money going to the state PFAS trust fund and Tyco continuing remediation and replacement wells. Higher Ed Costs: UW System regents approved a 2% tuition increase for resident undergraduates for 2026-27, passing 15-1, as universities cite inflation and rising operating costs. Affordable Housing Boost: WHEDA-backed funding is moving multiple projects forward, including a La Crosse development that could add 45 units via a $1.11M federal tax credit award. Health Care Price Transparency Debate: A UW-Madison economics center report challenges whether Wisconsin’s price transparency is actually saving consumers, sparking pushback from hospitals and insurers. Local Business & Community: Luther Group is pursuing a Wauwatosa plan to convert a North Avenue site into a specialty grocery store and bank; Hartland’s chamber launches its first Summer Market Series to spotlight local vendors. Sports Business Watch: Bucks trade chatter around Giannis Antetokounmpo continues as ownership signals openness to offers ahead of the NBA Draft.

Public Safety Tech Upgrade: Milwaukee’s emergency communications department is rolling out Motorola Solutions’ next-gen 9-1-1 platform, aiming to speed call handling and improve real-time info for first responders. Privacy vs. Policing: Communities across Wisconsin are rethinking contracts with Flock Safety after concerns about license-plate camera misuse and oversight, with public hearings and contract pullbacks underway. Workforce & Disability Services: The Joint Finance Committee approved funding to reduce Wisconsin’s DVR waitlist, with $600,000 in 2026 and $6.4 million in 2027 to move thousands of people off the list. Housing Finance: WHEDA announced about $47.5 million in housing tax credits, supporting additional affordable housing development. Agriculture Policy: Mandela Barnes released a Wisconsin-focused ag agenda ahead of President Trump’s rural visit, including antitrust enforcement, tariff refunds, and limits on certain farmland purchases. Local Roads: Dodge County is weighing how to fund long-term road repairs, targeting higher annual reconstruction levels. Community Business & Culture: Cedarburg’s Hmong Wisconsin Chamber is launching the first Wisconsin Asian Summer Festival at the Ozaukee County Fairgrounds, featuring vendor commerce, tournaments, and a ticketed concert.

Education & Legal Fight: Nevada AG Aaron Ford led a coalition suing the U.S. Department of Education over a student-loan rule that narrows “professional degree” access, a move critics say could block funding for many healthcare and workforce programs. AI & Big Tech: NVIDIA and Microsoft expanded their partnership at Microsoft Build, pitching a full “agentic AI” stack for Windows and Azure, including new RTX Spark and DGX Station for Windows. Housing Finance: Gov. Evers and WHEDA announced nearly $47.8M in competitive multifamily housing tax credits for 35 developments across 15 counties, targeting about 5,000 residents. Data Centers & Local Control: Shawano County leaders are weighing a data center moratorium after public pushback over economic and health concerns. Workforce & Hiring: Bank of America says it will hire nearly 4,000 summer interns and campus recruits. Manufacturing/Recall: Harley-Davidson recalled models over a potential crankcase pressure issue that can spray oil when dipsticks are removed. Scams: BBB warned of a Hartford-address employment scam targeting job seekers nationwide, including in Wisconsin.

Education & Tax Policy: Missy Hughes pledged to opt Wisconsin into the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, aiming to route $1,700-a-year contributions through Wisconsin scholarship grant organizations after lawmakers failed to pass a school budget surplus deal. Health & Consumer Safety: A salmonella probe tied to imported “super greens” supplements has been reopened after additional illnesses, bringing totals to 119 sick across 36 states; regulators urge shoppers to check homes even if they haven’t bought recently. Elections & Voting Rules: The U.S. Postal Service proposed major changes to absentee voting, including a new “Mail-In and Absentee Participation List” of eligible voters and barcode tracking—Wisconsin officials say they may not rush to respond given likely legal fights. Workforce & Disability Services: Wisconsin lawmakers released $7 million to clear a waiting list of more than 7,000 people with disabilities seeking help entering the workforce. Local Land Use & Data Centers: Brown County residents packed a meeting pushing for a data center moratorium, but county counsel said state law blocks county-wide moratoriums without zoning authority. Defense & Manufacturing: Oshkosh Defense is positioned to regain Joint Light Tactical Vehicle production as the Marine Corps seeks a potential second supplier amid reported AM General delivery delays. Sports & Milwaukee Business: Kyle Harrison struck out 12 as the Brewers beat the Giants 8-3, while local kids customized Nike Air Force 1s at American Family Field—another reminder of how sports partnerships keep Milwaukee-area commerce humming.

Salmonella Recall Watch: Federal health officials reopened a salmonella investigation tied to imported moringa leaf supplements, expanding recalls and urging consumers to check homes even if they haven’t bought recently. State Elections: Minocqua Brewing owner Kirk Bangstad fell short of Wisconsin governor ballot signatures after submitting 1,504 valid signatures by the June 1 deadline. UW & Higher Ed Costs: UW Board of Regents is set to vote on a 2% tuition hike for resident undergrads, its fourth straight increase, plus a 3.5% rise in segregated fees. Energy & Data Centers: Wisconsin lawmakers urged the FERC to reject a utility request to pause competition for major transmission projects, arguing it could raise costs as the data center buildout accelerates. Milwaukee Housing & Growth: A Bay View affordable apartment plan faces a third community meeting after neighborhood concerns slowed Common Council review. Business & Community: Overture Center is projected to generate $66.9M for Madison’s economy in 2025-26, up sharply from 2021-22. Animal Welfare: Ridglan Farms will release 135 more beagles as rescues continue moving dogs to adoption.

Higher Ed & Costs: The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents will consider a 2% below-inflation resident tuition increase for 2026-27, aiming to cover rising operating costs while keeping UW “among the most affordable.” Workplace & Regulation: New workplace rules are rolling out nationwide, including pay-range requirements in job ads, limits on noncompetes for laid-off workers, and expanded discrimination coverage. Health Care Real Estate: The Ensign Group says it acquired a 62-bed skilled nursing facility in Iowa and bought real estate for a 46-unit memory care site in California, both effective June 1. Local Business & Community: Milwaukee’s Riverwest adds a new plant/record/book shop, “Welcome 2 The Jungle,” while Lucky’s Ice House is temporarily closed after a basement fire. Public Safety & Courts: A Winnebago County judge sentenced a former Oshkosh prison guard to two years for sexually assaulting an incarcerated man. Energy Planning: A new fact sheet urges Wisconsin counties to plan for wind and solar decommissioning so end-of-life cleanup and costs don’t fall on taxpayers.

Trump in Wisconsin: President Donald Trump is set to visit Chippewa County Friday, touting lower farm input costs, new trade markets, less red tape, and Rural Opportunity Zones—his first Wisconsin stop since winning in 2024. Higher-ed costs: The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents will consider a 2% resident undergraduate tuition increase for 2026-27, plus about a 3.5% rise in segregated fees. Retirement rules fight: Wisconsin DOJ joined a coalition opposing a Trump administration proposal that could steer more 401(k) money into riskier investments, including crypto. Local business moves: Fox Communities Credit Union opened a new Bellevue branch; Gage Marine Corp. bought Norton’s of Green Lake, keeping the supper club operating through summer 2026. Public safety & enforcement: OSHA is investigating a May 28 fatal Milwaukee boat accident; Red Wing police arrested a glass business owner after a meth-and-cash drug bust. Policy pressure on data centers: Brown County is weighing a data center moratorium as other Wisconsin communities add guardrails. Dairy & prices: USDA data shows the U.S. dairy herd at its largest since mid-1993, while beef prices remain elevated.

Local Business Openings: New shops and services are popping up around the Milwaukee area, including Tock Custom Sewing & Arts Center in Thiensville, Hahn Ace Hardware in Sussex, and a new drive for community events and local spending. Community & Health Nonprofits: Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness is relocating on Madison’s South Side and is asking residents to help outfit its new home at 2801 Coho St. Education & Workforce Pipeline: Sánchez Scholars will honor graduates and welcome a new class at Madison College, highlighting mentorship tied to long-term student success. Agriculture & Climate-Smart Farming: A cover crop incentive program is reopening with higher annual payments for eligible Wisconsin producers, aiming to reduce barriers to adoption. Insurance Tech: Liberty Mutual is rolling out a ChatGPT-based motor insurance quoting app, expanding conversational AI quotes to Wisconsin and more states. Media & Consumer Impact: Scripps pulled 54 local TV stations from DirecTV after a retransmission-rate dispute, threatening access to local sports and election coverage. Sustainability Watch: A report accuses major meat and dairy companies with Wisconsin operations of widespread greenwashing, with most claims lacking supporting studies.

Labor & Sports Economics: MLB’s owners and players are still far apart on a new collective bargaining deal, with the league pushing a strict cap-and-floor approach and a 50/50 revenue split while the MLB Players Association seeks upgrades to minimum pay and other economic levers. Wisconsin Politics & Taxes: Wisconsin lawmakers face fresh fallout after a failed tax relief deal, with Assembly Speaker Robin Vos blaming Senate Republicans and new polling showing broad public support for the measure. Milwaukee Housing: Whitefish Bay’s new affordable housing project, The Hampton (17 units), is moving forward after years of controversy, with tenants set to begin moving in this weekend. Workforce & Training: Gov. Evers and DWD announced new WisTRAIN job training grants aimed at advanced manufacturing and AI. Local Business & Community: Shorewood’s Love Cafe is launching a summer residency at Bay View, partnering with Sugar Leaf Coffee Roasterie. Public Health: A Milwaukee doctor returning from Uganda says mistrust of officials, cultural practices, and limited access to care are major obstacles in containing Ebola in Central Africa.

Beef Prices: Record-high beef costs are being blamed less on general inflation and more on a shrinking U.S. cattle herd after drought-driven herd losses, with economists warning sticker shock could linger. Housing Affordability: A New York Times analysis using Moody’s data finds Milwaukee and Madison are among the least affordable metros in the Midwest, with home prices running about 5x median household income. MPS Facilities: Milwaukee Public Schools says there’s still no timeline for closing or merging low-enrollment buildings, as it works through finances and community pushback. Prediction Markets: Kalshi is suing Minnesota to block a first-in-the-nation felony ban on prediction markets, setting up a major fight over federal versus state authority. Air Travel Disruption: A United flight from Chicago to Minneapolis diverted to Madison after a passenger made multiple attempts to breach the cockpit; the person was detained. Local Business: Culver’s cleared final approvals for a new Lake Placid restaurant, moving toward building permits. Community & Safety: Milwaukee’s Heal the Hood block party drew hundreds with housing and employment resources, while a Milwaukee marina boat accident killed a worker and is under OSHA investigation.

Public Safety: Whitewater police arrested a 19-year-old tied to multiple vehicle break-ins and residential burglaries, with a search warrant in Sheboygan Falls turning up additional case material; he faces charges including burglary, theft of a firearm, and card crimes. Workforce & Education: UW-Madison will debut free metals casting and CNC machining workforce hubs this summer—METAL and ACE—aimed at building hands-on skills for Wisconsin employers. Housing & Finance: The VA reported 920 home purchases in Wisconsin in Q1 of fiscal 2026 totaling $303.7M, down from 1,087 purchases and $377.6M in the prior quarter. Local Business & Community: A former Milwaukee Public Schools board member, Aisha Carr, was ordered to pay $2,808 in restitution after a guilty plea tied to a defective campaign finance report. Aviation Disruption: A United Airlines flight diverted to Madison after a passenger made multiple attempts to breach the cockpit; the FBI was notified and the traveler was detained. Food & Prices: Beef hit record highs, with economists pointing to a shrinking U.S. cattle herd driven by drought and strong demand. Sports Business: Brewers manager Pat Murphy moved struggling pitcher Quinn Priester from Triple-A to the Arizona Complex League to reset his rehab progress.

Courts & Politics: The Wisconsin Supreme Court will hear an appeal in a business-backed lawsuit seeking a new congressional map, after a lower court dismissal—an outcome that could reshape Wisconsin’s House seats. Regulation & Markets: Wisconsin told a federal judge the CFTC failed to spell out harms in its fight to block the state’s prediction-market rules, while platforms seek to intervene. Education & Budgets: Milwaukee Public Schools’ board approved a $1.6B 2026-27 budget, closing a $46M gap, adding 159 teaching roles, and targeting smaller class sizes and higher educator pay. Housing Finance: A Wisconsin developer’s affordable senior housing plan at Ohio’s Ocie Hill was denied a key low-income tax credit, putting the project’s timeline in limbo. Local Economy & Infrastructure: A United flight from Chicago to Minneapolis diverted to Madison over an unruly passenger security concern, underscoring how disruptions ripple through regional travel. Agriculture: A Fed survey found “good” farmland values in the Seventh District rose year over year but dipped over recent quarters, with Wisconsin still leading gains. Business & Community: MD Hyperbaric expanded its footprint with new centers opening soon, including its recently welcomed Wauwatosa location.

Courts & Politics: The Wisconsin Supreme Court agreed to hear a business-backed challenge to the state’s congressional maps, but refused to fast-track new lines for the 2028 election—setting up another partisan fight over whether the districts function as an “anti-competitive gerrymander.” Public Safety & Housing: A federal judge ordered Milwaukee-area landlord Sam Stair released from jail to house arrest while he awaits trial in a drug-stash-house case tied to his large portfolio of south-side rentals. Education & Workforce: Milwaukee Public Schools approved a $1.6 billion budget that closes a $46 million gap, adds 159 teaching jobs, and includes pay increases—while critics warn about longer-term financial strain. Local Business & Consumer Access: Milwaukee residents are feeling pharmacy access pressure as Walgreens closures continue, with lease terms at shuttered stores reportedly blocking new pharmacies from opening. Economy & Growth: Wisconsin’s DATCP plans to deploy about 6,700 spongy moth traps across 36 counties this summer to limit damage to trees. Sports & Labor Watch: MLB’s first salary cap proposal in decades has triggered a major standoff with the players’ union, raising the odds of a long, contentious CBA fight.