AGP Executive Report

Nobel Spotlight: UW–Madison physicist Francis Halzen won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics for IceCube work detecting high-energy “ghost” neutrinos from space. Milwaukee Data Center Fight: Milwaukee’s Common Council committee advanced a one-year moratorium on new data centers while zoning rules are drafted, with possible site-by-site exceptions. Governor Race—Reproductive Rights: David Crowley announced a plan for a Wisconsin constitutional amendment to protect reproductive freedom, arguing Tom Tiffany is an anti-abortion extremist. Governor Race—Law Enforcement: The Wisconsin Fraternal Order of Police endorsed Tom Tiffany, pitching tougher crime and immigration enforcement. Campaign Clash on Taxes/Fees: Crowley’s 2027 budget proposal includes a 2.55% levy increase and expands parking fees at parks and near stadiums. Local Governance: Sheboygan alder Grazia Perrella stepped down; the council will fill the vacancy by appointment. Election Integrity/Residency: State Rep. Bob Donovan faced questions about whether he lives in his Assembly district after new maps. Water & Courts: Pierce County residents’ groundwater fight against Ridge Breeze Dairy heads to judicial review after a permit compliance ruling. Community Support: Milwaukee’s Bridge Project opened applications for expanded cash support for low-income pregnant mothers.

Milwaukee County & Elections: A new Milwaukee County executive budget fight is heating up as David Crowley proposes higher fees alongside a property tax levy increase, while Wisconsin voters also face decisions on governor partial veto power and three constitutional amendments. Law Enforcement & Surveillance: The Wisconsin debate over Flock-style automated license plate readers keeps spreading—Band of Lake Superior Chippewa leaders say Enbridge has “gone too far” after a Line 5 aquifer leak, and separate reporting highlights how Flock camera access is under legal scrutiny after alleged misuse by former officers. Midterms & Messaging: Republicans are doubling down on tough-on-crime and border themes for the midterms, while Democrats project a major milestone—100 women in the House—if they win enough competitive races. Crypto Politics: Fairshake is backing 32 House races and pushing crypto regulation through campaign spending and voter mobilization. Local Governance: In Winneconne, recall petitions against two school board members were rejected, and the board is moving toward finding an interim district administrator. State Services: Wisconsin is shifting more of the cost of FoodShare administration to the state, raising budget pressure as local pantries report record demand.

Governor’s Race Attack Ads: Tom Tiffany’s campaign released a new ad using David Crowley’s “I’m an accomplice” comments on illegal immigration, tying Crowley to promises to block immigration enforcement and to taxpayer-funded benefits. Election Access & Rules: League of American Workers founder Steve Cortes urged Wisconsin Republicans to vote early to avoid “huge advantage” from Democrats’ ballot-chasing, as absentee voting is already underway. School Board Activism: A conservative school-board network is expanding in Wisconsin, with Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty linked to efforts that include auditing a Watertown district. Constitutional Amendments: Wisconsin voters will decide on three amendments Nov. 3; past history shows only one of 14 proposed changes in 30 years was rejected. Early Voting & Cybersecurity: Votebeat reports many small Wisconsin clerks still use consumer email accounts for election business, raising cybersecurity concerns. State Government & Infrastructure: Gov. Evers announced $152.1M in Oct. 5 local transportation aid payments for roads and policing. Immigration Court Ruling: An immigration judge ruled Salah Sarsour, head of Milwaukee’s largest mosque, can be deported. Economy & Industry: Evers and WEDC celebrated EMD Electronics’ $200M Sheboygan Falls semiconductor materials R&D facility opening, expected to add 44 jobs.

Wisconsin Governor Race & Cost of Living: A new Marquette Law School poll finds Democrat David Crowley and Republican Tom Tiffany essentially tied, with likely voters at 49%-46% and registered voters at 46%-45%, while Donald Trump’s approval sits at 38% with 60% disapproval—suggesting the contest is about the candidates, not just the president. Childcare as a Voting Issue: A separate affordability-focused report highlights childcare costs as a major driver of Wisconsin election stakes, with both campaigns backing more help but diverging on solutions—Crowley pushing universal childcare and paid family leave, Tiffany emphasizing regulatory streamlining to expand provider capacity. Milwaukee Education & School Closures: North Side parents and staff are challenging Milwaukee Public Schools’ closure scoring approach, saying it penalizes neighborhoods shaped by years of disinvestment; they argue the closure threshold can swing dramatically depending on how capacity cutoffs are set. Local Government Watch (Racine): Racine Mayor Cory Mason’s 2027 budget heads to the Common Council this week, with a budget address Monday and committee review Tuesday, alongside items including lawsuit settlements and election-worker resolution. Public Safety & Community: Madison held a “Ride and Walk for Your Life” event honoring Sasha Rosen, calling for safer streets after his February death. Environment & Infrastructure: Enbridge’s Line 5 reroute work reportedly breached an aquifer near Marengo, raising concerns about water impacts while the company says it’s monitoring and containing the flow. Tech/Power Grid: Oracle’s Wisconsin AI campus faces major delays as regulators restart review for transmission approvals, pushing customer delivery beyond 2027.

G20 Trade in Milwaukee: U.S. Trade Rep. Jamieson Greer wrapped up the G20 Trade Ministerial by arguing there’s “a cost” to offshoring and that tariffs are meant to push more production back in the U.S., pointing to Harley-Davidson as an example. Veterans & Community: Madison’s Badger Honor Flight flew 85 Wisconsin veterans to Washington, D.C., for memorial visits and a long-overdue welcome home. Wisconsin Elections & Money: A WisPolitics review found Wisconsin parties are driving fundraising for Gov. candidates David Crowley and Tom Tiffany, with major GOP transfers tied to top donors. Public Safety: Wisconsin State Patrol Trooper Bradley Ritger died after a fall from an I-94 bridge during a traffic pursuit. Local Government: Racine’s Common Council will take up Mayor Cory Mason’s 2027 budget and election-worker resolution, plus sewer and transit items. Immigration & Courts: Coverage continues on the Trump administration’s push to deport legal residents, including Wisconsin’s Milwaukee mosque leader Salah Sarsour. Missing Person: Glendale police issued a Silver Alert for 64-year-old Anthony Gardner, last seen after leaving a Milwaukee hospital.

Wisconsin Elections: A TMJ4 guide lays out key deadlines and what’s on the Nov. 3 ballot, including the governor’s race between Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany plus state Senate/Assembly contests and three constitutional amendments. Governor Race Politics: A new Marquette poll keeps Tiffany and Crowley within three points, even as about a quarter of voters say they’re unsure about Crowley—while reporting highlights Tiffany’s heavy donor backing from three Wisconsin billionaires. Medicaid & Hospital Tax: A fact-check of U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil’s “$1 billion” Medicaid claim finds the headline largely matches nonpartisan estimates, but his rural-health dollar figure is overstated. Data Centers: A Wisconsin Policy Forum report says data centers could push peak electricity demand up by as much as 30%, while incentives may shift costs mainly onto the projects and help local property-tax bases. Public Safety & Privacy: Wisconsin cities and counties continue moving to restrict or cut ties with Flock license-plate cameras amid privacy and misuse concerns. Law Enforcement Tragedy: Wisconsin State Patrol Trooper Bradley Ritger died after a Sept. 21 fall from a bridge during a traffic pursuit; Gov. Evers and state officials offered condolences. Indigenous Affairs: Ojibwe leaders gathered on Madeline Island to commemorate the 1854 Treaty and discuss rights and the meaning of remembrance.

Line-of-Duty Death: Wisconsin State Patrol Trooper Bradley Ritger, 29, died Oct. 2 after falling from a bridge while deploying a tire deflation device during a pursuit near the Dunn/Eau Claire line; Gov. Tony Evers and state officials offered condolences. Flock Cameras Backlash: Milwaukee County supervisors voted unanimously to remove Flock Safety cameras from county parkland, including 25 ALPR units, as cities across Wisconsin continue to cover, cut ties, or ban the technology amid privacy and misuse concerns. Federal Surveillance Pushback: Sen. Bernie Sanders introduced the Ban Flock Act to restrict federal use of automatic license plate readers and vehicle-location data, with limited toll exceptions. Local Governance & Public Safety: Madison police are investigating an apparent accidental shooting after a teen arrived at a hospital with a gunshot wound; reports say he’d been living alone for a month. State Politics & Money: New fundraising reports highlight billionaire Diane Hendricks’ major cash edge helping Republicans defend Wisconsin legislative control. Agriculture & Food Systems: FoxRAP named Harley Fredriksen its new executive director to expand regenerative farming and strengthen the local food system. Sports Betting & Law: A new report spotlights how Americans are shifting wagers toward prediction markets like Kalshi, fueling a fast-growing legal fight over what counts as gambling.

G20 Trade Talks in Milwaukee: U.S. trade officials say the G20 was “severely disappointed” after most members rejected a statement targeting excess industrial capacity and forced labor, while ministers did reach rare consensus condemning the weaponization of food. Wisconsin Elections & Tech: Wisconsin election offices are being flagged for not using cybersecurity best practices, and the state is also pushing reminders on election protections and intimidation rules as Nov. 3 nears. Public Safety & Local Policy: Milwaukee leaders are moving toward stricter penalties for illegal fireworks after hundreds of calls and dangerous incidents. Criminal Justice: Gov. Tony Evers appointed Chad La Lor as Douglas County district attorney, filling a vacancy. Health & Community Support: The 988 hotline’s “Press 3” option for LGBTQ+ youth is back after a 2025 cut. Local Politics: A Madison mayoral race grows with Marcus Robert Johnson entering a crowded field.

Election Integrity & Voting Rights: U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin and other Wisconsin-led lawmakers warned DHS to stop actions they say could undermine trust in the 2026 midterms, including pressure to release sensitive voter-roll data and threats involving federal law enforcement at polling places. State Election Security: Wisconsin DOJ reminded voters and election workers about state and federal protections against intimidation and threats, highlighting criminal penalties for disrupting voting. Ballot Measures Watch: A national roundup flags November ballot questions—especially elections/redistricting, taxes, and transgender policy—as the biggest themes in direct democracy this year. Governor Race Money: New reporting shows Wisconsin GOP legislative races are being flooded by “MAGA billionaire” cash, with three donors driving tens of millions—fueling scrutiny over who’s really funding candidates. Data Centers & Power: Oracle’s Wisconsin AI data center faces years of delays tied to power-grid approvals, while We Energies says it struck a deal to supply nuclear electricity to help meet demand. Energy Policy Fight: Wisconsin AGs and other attorneys general sued over Trump-era fuel economy rollbacks, arguing the changes violate federal law and raise costs and pollution. Diesel Diplomacy: The EU rejected U.S. threats to ban diesel exports unless Europe taps reserves, with G7 coordination urged to lower prices.

Milwaukee County Budget: Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley’s proposed 2027 budget would lower the property tax rate while raising the overall tax levy 2.5%, a move Republicans call tax hikes while Crowley says the rate drops for typical homeowners. Governor Race Money: New reporting and polling show Wisconsin’s governor’s race staying tight, but fundraising isn’t—Tom Tiffany’s campaign has a major cash edge fueled largely by three billionaire donors. Milwaukee Police Release Fight: A judge ruled Darreon Parker-Bell is a candidate for conditional release after the 2022 District 5 shooting, drawing outrage from the Milwaukee Police Association. New Berlin Mayor Fallout: Public records show backlash and support after New Berlin Mayor Dave Ament’s controversial comments, including staff concerns and criticism letters. Diesel Price Pressure: At G20 talks in Milwaukee, the U.S. urged European allies to release diesel reserves “immediately” to cool fuel prices. Domestic Violence Push: Gov. Tony Evers launched a statewide domestic violence awareness campaign with Wise Women Gathering Place. E-bike Rules: Communities like Waunakee are tightening e-bike and e-scooter regulations after crash spikes. Wisconsin Ballot Questions: Three constitutional amendments are headed to voters Nov. 3, including changes tied to taxes/fees, emergency closures of places of worship, and government use of race/sex and other listed traits.

Governance & Civility: Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Service is hosting a bipartisan Oct. 1 Wausau panel on “Effective Governance and Civility in Polarized Times,” featuring Ambassador Tom Barrett, Rep. Tom Petri, and former Gov. Tommy Thompson. Elections & Transparency: Attorney General Josh Kaul says the DOJ needs more funding to speed up public records responses ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Campaign Watch: Tom Tiffany’s ad claims Milwaukee County property taxes rose five times under David Crowley; a rebuttal argues the tax rate has fallen for five straight years even as the levy rose with new construction. Courts & Immigration: A judge ruled Milwaukee mosque leader Salah Sarsour is deportable on foreign-policy grounds, while attorneys plan further challenges. Public Safety Tech: A new Marquette Poll finds 63% of Wisconsin voters oppose Flock cameras as a privacy violation, fueling calls to end Milwaukee’s contract. Domestic Violence: Gov. Evers and the Milwaukee Bucks launched a statewide “Real Love is Respect” campaign tied to domestic violence awareness. Local Government: Marinette County approved up to $10,000 for a Design Wisconsin campus study for the former UW campus. Legal/Environment: Democratic AGs sued the EPA over its repeal of power plant emissions rules; Wisconsin is among the coalition. Business & Labor: Generac will revise religious accommodation policies after an EEOC dispute over pronouns.

G20 Trade in Milwaukee: U.S. Trade Rep. Jamieson Greer kicked off the G20 trade talks pushing a “new international economic order,” spotlighting food “weaponisation,” steel overcapacity, Most-Favoured-Nation reform, and forced labor. Wisconsin Politics & Courts: A federal immigration judge ruled the U.S. can deport Salah Sarsour, president of Milwaukee’s Islamic Society, on foreign-policy grounds; he has 30 days to appeal. Governor Race Polling: A Marquette Law School poll finds Gov. Tony Evers’ successor race tightening: David Crowley 49% vs. Tom Tiffany 46% among likely voters. Healthcare & Fraud Oversight: CMS is pressing Michigan and seven other states—including Wisconsin—for answers after reporting zero Medicaid fraud referrals, raising questions about whether oversight is working. Cost Pressures for Wisconsin Farmers: USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins hinted at upcoming fuel relief for farmers as diesel prices strain operations. Local Government & Public Safety: Milwaukee officials highlighted how sprinklers can save lives in a fire demo, while Wisconsin Rapids’ updated ATV/UTV ordinance takes effect. Environment & Infrastructure: Gov. Evers and DOA announced $1.3M in grants for resilient coastal communities and Great Lakes protection.

Governor Race: A new Marquette Law School poll finds Democrat David Crowley slightly ahead of Republican Tom Tiffany—46% to 45% among registered voters and 49% to 46% among likely voters, with the race tightening since August. Immigration & Civil Liberties: An immigration judge ruled Salah Sarsour, president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, can be deported under a cold-war era “foreign policy threat” standard, rejecting claims he lied on his green card application. Election Integrity: A report on noncitizen voting backlash argues the bigger issue is tens of thousands of rejected mail ballots across states for technical reasons, while Wisconsin election officials also warn about unofficial third-party mailers. Public Safety & Health: Wisconsin’s Good Samaritan Coalition pushes for stronger overdose-call protections after a Waukesha case where a woman spent 37 days in jail for calling 911. Surveillance Cameras: Milwaukee County supervisors advanced a plan to remove Flock cameras from parks, citing civil-rights and accountability concerns. State Policy: DATCP begins accepting applications Oct. 1 for the 2027 Tribal Elder Community Food Box Grant Program, with up to $1.5M available.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Voting Access: The DNC won review of a case over whether Wisconsin judges can extend polling hours after Election Day disruptions, but the court won’t fast-track it—so any statewide guidance likely won’t land before the November midterms. Milwaukee Hosts G20 Trade Talks: G20 trade ministers opened meetings in Milwaukee amid tariff fights and concerns about forced labor and export overcapacity, with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer defending the approach. Data Centers vs. Local Control: Janesville approved a one-year data center moratorium as activists push for safeguards; meanwhile, Mount Pleasant got nearly $5M back after Microsoft waived a development incentive. Healthcare Cost Fight: Gov. candidate David Crowley is pitching a public option to open BadgerCare to everyone, while Tom Tiffany counters with utility-cost plans amid rising energy bills. Utility Rates: The PSC is weighing a proposed 15% WPS rate increase over two years, drawing sharp resident backlash. Local Government & Public Safety: New Berlin’s council met with legal counsel over a petition seeking Mayor Dave Ament’s removal. Criminal Justice: A Fitchburg man was sentenced to 52 months for illegal gun possession as a convicted felon. Cybersecurity: Stevens Point reported a targeted ransomware attempt that shut down city phone and email systems, with services expected to come back gradually.

Assisted Suicide Debate: Catholic advocates are warning Wisconsin lawmakers about a possible push to legalize assisted suicide again in 2027, citing the Church’s view of human dignity. Religious Liberty Ballot Fight: The Wisconsin Family Council is launching a six-figure statewide campaign to persuade voters on the November constitutional amendment on religious liberty and emergency worship closures. Health Care & BadgerCare: David Crowley’s campaign says he’ll open BadgerCare as a public option statewide, arguing Tom Tiffany helped end ACA tax credits that left 45,000 Wisconsinites without coverage. Utility Rates: Sen. Jamie Wall urged restraint as Wisconsin Public Service seeks major 2027-28 rate increases, arguing ratepayers shouldn’t absorb every projected cost. Data Centers & Local Control: Jefferson County is drafting ordinances to require notice for large data center projects, while Wisconsin Policy Forum research highlights how incentives could cost the state billions. Milwaukee Court Win for Small Business: Milwaukee rescinded a food truck curfew after a lawsuit, ending a 10 p.m. shutdown requirement. Workplace Protections: Wisconsin recovered $17,000 in unpaid wages for 23 minor workers after child labor violations tied to a McDonald’s franchisee. Election Law in Federal Court: A judge rejected a 22-state bid to block DHS from accessing TANF welfare data, allowing the data-sharing to proceed while the case continues. Write-Ins Reminder: Wisconsin voters are being reminded that most write-in votes won’t count unless the write-in candidate is properly registered.

UW-Madison Safety Alerts: UW-Madison issued a crime warning after two separate reports of possible drugging and sexual assault tied to off-campus fraternity houses, including one case reported to city police and another where the victim did not pursue an investigation. Rural Courthouse Security: A gun found inside the Langlade County Courthouse in Antigo has renewed debate over rural building security and who should pay for upgrades. Election Access & Federal Agents: Sen. Tammy Baldwin introduced the Safe Access to the Polls Act to bar federal funds from sending ICE, CBP, or the National Guard to polling places or interfering with voters near election sites. College Sports Pay Bill: The U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan college sports overhaul; Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin’s amendment would prevent the measure from preempting state personal-injury and wrongful-death laws. 7th District Race: The Wisconsin 7th Congressional District contest is intensifying in traditionally Democratic northern counties as both candidates push affordability and local concerns. Milwaukee G20: Indonesia’s trade minister is heading to Milwaukee for G20 trade talks focused on WTO rules and supply-chain issues. Safe Haven Baby Box: Racine firefighters reported a newborn surrendered safely via the Safe Haven Baby Box, the second use at that station.