AGP Executive Report

North Hudson zoning fight: Concerned Homeowners LLC sued the Village of North Hudson, asking a court to block zoning changes that cleared the way for Railroad Properties LLC to pursue housing near the St. Croix River, arguing the village’s 2025 comprehensive plan and rezoning process weren’t properly adopted. Courts & crime: Former Hartford Fire Department Lt. Aaron Moratz was sentenced to nine years plus 11 years’ extended supervision for attempted child sexual exploitation and child pornography. Education politics: Wisconsin’s budget fight keeps circling education dollars and special education, with critics saying more money won’t fix test outcomes. Student loan showdown: Wisconsin officials are part of a broader legal push against new federal rules that narrow which “professional” programs qualify for student loan limits—aimed at protecting access for healthcare and other workforce fields. Public safety: The state kicked off its “Click It or Ticket” seat belt campaign for Memorial Day travel. Local infrastructure: Marshfield won an $800,000 grant toward a long-planned new police station; Wisconsin Rapids landed $2.7 million for airport terminal upgrades.

School Board Culture War: In Watertown, the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church hosts a community performance tonight by composer Omar Thomas after the Watertown School Board banned his song “A Mother of a Revolution,” citing “celebration of violence,” triggering a student walkout. Elections & Trust: A bipartisan push to rebuild confidence in Wisconsin’s election system is back in the spotlight as former officials J.B. Van Hollen and Tom Barrett speak at Viterbo with the Democracy Defense Project, while GOP nominee Tom Tiffany again dodges whether Biden won in 2020. Public Safety & Justice: Gov. Evers is seeking applicants for Washburn County Sheriff after Sheriff Dennis Stuart’s resignation; meanwhile, convicted cop killer Ted Oswald’s early-release petition is moving forward, with the original prosecutor vowing to fight it. Sports & Politics Collide: Mavericks part ways with coach Jason Kidd after five seasons, just as new team president Masai Ujiri takes charge. Health & Environment: Wisconsin officials are reviewing how EPA PFAS rollbacks could affect state rules, as communities with high contamination await clarity.

Ballot Access & Local Politics: Dylan Helmenstine says he’s already cleared the signature threshold for Wisconsin State Treasurer, while Wisconsin Rapids-area voters are set for fall 2026 partisan races (with Aug. 11 primaries if needed). Election Integrity: A bipartisan election-trust event at Viterbo drew J.B. Van Hollen and Tom Barrett as Tom Tiffany keeps dodging whether Biden won in 2020. TID Fight in Sheboygan: Lisa Salgado’s citizens’ petition push for voter approval on big TIF deals is met by Mayor Ryan Sorenson calling it obstructionist and a threat to housing and economic growth. DNR Rule Change: Wisconsin bans keeping wild snakes, turtles, and frogs as pets beyond 24 hours, with a registration option for current owners. Higher Ed & Healthcare Funding: Wisconsin joins a multistate lawsuit challenging federal student loan limits that could hit nursing and other healthcare programs. Public Safety & Courts: A Chippewa Falls DA says an officer acted in self-defense in a deadly April shooting. Statewide Appointments: Gov. Evers names 24 members to a new Wild Rice Stewardship Council.

Student Loans Fight: Wisconsin DOJ is suing the U.S. Department of Education over a new rule that narrows what counts as a “professional degree,” potentially cutting off federal loan access for many healthcare and other workforce programs—Attorney General Josh Kaul says it will make it harder to pay for nurse practitioner and physician assistant training. Gubernatorial Race: Polling shows GOP Gov. candidate Tom Tiffany running close with Democrats despite Trump’s low approval in Wisconsin, while Tiffany still won’t say whether the 2020 election was stolen and is backing a federal probe into Wisconsin’s 2020 vote. Roads & Infrastructure: Gov. Evers approved a $7M highway project in Oneida County to resurface US 45 and replace culverts, with work starting May 26. Local Government & Housing: Milwaukee County Clerk of Circuit Court Anna Maria Hodges filed for reelection, and Chicago’s zoning committee advanced multiple housing and landmark proposals. Tech/Privacy: The FBI is seeking access to nationwide license-plate reader data via private vendors. Public Health/Community: A Wisconsin tribe says the state misreads an 1854 treaty in a fishing dispute, and Wisconsin families report major barriers to summer programs.

Custody Case in Oshkosh: John Madigan, an Oshkosh father, is set to stand trial after allegedly violating a custody order by taking his 6-year-old son to California; he was arrested at Appleton International Airport and faces up to 12 years if convicted. Education & Public Safety: Milwaukee teens and city leaders kicked off Peace Week with a “Real Talk with 414 Youth” listening session focused on teen takeovers and summer safety, while St. Croix County’s judge warned that underfunding can leave defendants waiting weeks for public defenders. Wisconsin Politics: The fallout from Wisconsin’s failed $1.8B surplus/tax relief school funding deal keeps rolling, with Gov. Evers and GOP nominee Tom Tiffany trading blame. AI Data Center Fight: Rural Wisconsin continues to see organized resistance to OpenAI’s proposed massive data center, with residents raising concerns about water, power, and local disruption. Corrections & Workforce: UW System awarded bachelor’s degrees to incarcerated students for the first time in decades through the Prison Education Initiative.

Courts & Public Safety: The state is pushing back hard against a bid for a new trial in the Alexander Kraus case, arguing the jury was right to reject his insanity plea after he was convicted in the 2019 killings of his grandparents. Elections & Voting Rules: A Dane County judge ruled Madison must count 23 late-arriving absentee ballots, rejecting the Elections Commission’s order to exclude them. Law Enforcement Oversight: Madison’s independent police monitor says officers violated policy—and that the arrest of PCOB chair Maia Pearson “shouldn’t have happened”—even as an earlier internal review found no violations. Water & Accountability: Milwaukee County supervisors are calling for an independent audit of MMSD and Veolia over claims of mismanagement and safety risks. Politics Ahead of August: In Wisconsin’s 3rd District Democratic primary, Emily Berge and Rebecca Cooke will face off Tuesday in a La Crosse forum before the winner challenges Derrick Van Orden. Energy Pipeline Fight: A Bayfield County judge issued a partial stay affecting Line 5 construction at four water crossings, keeping the legal fight alive.

Wisconsin GOP Power Struggle: At its Wisconsin Dells convention, the state GOP tried to move past internal fights over chair Brian Schimming and rally behind endorsed Gov. candidate Tom Tiffany—while Schimming defended himself and speakers urged unity. Line 5 Legal Pressure: A Wisconsin judge partially halted Enbridge’s Line 5 reroute work, pausing construction only at water crossings where the company still needs additional permits—keeping the dispute alive for the Bad River area. Tribal Gaming vs. Sports Markets: A federal judge let the Ho-Chunk Nation’s lawsuit against Kalshi’s sports prediction markets proceed, setting up an early test of whether these “event contracts” count as illegal sports betting on tribal lands. Milwaukee Housing Stress: A new study finds more Milwaukee seniors are slipping into homelessness, driven by income loss, family conflict, and health problems. State Budget Aftershocks: The fallout from the failed bipartisan tax-and-school surplus deal continues to shape the campaign narrative, with technical college funding and property-tax relief still in the crosshairs.

GOP Convention Fallout: Wisconsin Republicans are warning voters that a Democratic midterm win would “turn the state into Minnesota,” with Tom Tiffany using the message to frame the November stakes as a cost-of-living and tax fight. Tax Relief Deadlock: The backdrop is the collapse of Evers’ bipartisan tax-and-school relief deal in the Senate, which Evers blames on politics and GOP leaders tie to spending priorities—leaving $300 rebates and property tax relief off the table for now. Party Power Struggles: At the same convention, unity talk also doubles as damage control after attempts to oust GOP chair Brian Schimming. Election Integrity Pressure: Meanwhile, reporting says the FBI has pressed Wisconsin election officials tied to the 2020 vote, keeping the state’s election-security debate front and center. Culture-War Flashpoints: In local races and school fights, LGBTQ-related controversies and partisan attacks on “Madison politics” keep showing up as campaign fuel.

Capitol Police Staffing: Congress moved to let U.S. Capitol Police officers extend service—aimed at easing a growing threat-and-retention crunch. Wisconsin GOP Convention: In Wisconsin Dells, Republicans formally endorsed Rep. Tom Tiffany for governor, pitching unity and “America First” momentum as the party tries to energize turnout. Primary Politics: The convention also featured endorsements for lieutenant governor and other statewide races, while 7th CD candidates argued over turnout, experience, and energy. Election Integrity Probe: The FBI is again reaching into Wisconsin’s 2020 election investigation, contacting Milwaukee election staffers. Public Safety & Courts: A federal judge sentenced former Outagamie County HR director Adam Westbrook to a decade in prison for child pornography distribution. Wildfire Policy Fight: New federal rules and burn restrictions are hitting wildfire prevention work, with Wisconsin-area impacts part of a broader national trend.

GOP Convention Pushes Unity: U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson urged Wisconsin Republicans to “unify” at the state convention in the face of a tough midterm map, warning low turnout could cost control of the Legislature and Congress. Governor Race Messaging: GOP lawmakers and activists also leaned hard into the Tom Tiffany campaign, with speakers warning a Democratic trifecta could mean higher taxes and expanded government programs. ActBlue Under Scrutiny: Nationally, ActBlue CEO Regina Wallace-Jones is set for a June 10 congressional grilling after reports that internal memos warned she may have misled Congress about blocking illegal foreign donations. Line 5 Court Fight: In Wisconsin, a judge partially halted Enbridge Line 5 reroute work at key waterway crossings, keeping the dispute alive. Evers Judicial Appointments: Gov. Tony Evers extended the deadline for Waukesha County judge applicants to June 5. Local Public Safety & Community: Memorial Day observances continue across the state, alongside DNR outdoor skills programming.

Election Integrity: The FBI is seeking interviews with additional Milwaukee election staff tied to the 2020 vote, adding fresh pressure to Wisconsin’s ongoing probe. Courts & Environment: A Wisconsin judge partially halted Enbridge’s Line 5 reroute work, freezing activity at four waterway crossings as legal challenges from the Bad River Band and environmental groups continue. State Budget Fallout: Wisconsin lawmakers are reacting to the collapse of the $1.8B tax-and-school deal—Senate Democrats helped sink it, while school districts warn special education funding shortfalls will hit students hard. Local Governance: West Allis moved to revoke a bar’s liquor and entertainment licenses after allegations of disorder and drug trafficking tied to a broader federal case. Public Safety: A Milwaukee-area police chase ended in Glendale with two arrests. Economy & Agriculture: Wisconsin cheese production rose 8% in March, and the dollar climbed for a fifth straight day amid shifting rate expectations.

State Senate Fallout: Gov. Tony Evers says Democrats are in an “untenable position” after the GOP-led Senate rejected a $1.8B tax relief and school funding deal—leaving Democrats to explain why they couldn’t win votes for rebates, property-tax relief, and special education money. Elections & Courts: A judge ordered Wisconsin to count 23 late-arriving Madison absentee ballots after courier errors, and the Wisconsin Elections Commission certified the revised canvass. Public Trust & Law Enforcement: Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson says the FBI has been reaching out to city elections officials about the 2020 election. Judicial Appointments: Evers extended deadlines for Waukesha County circuit court applicants and is still taking applications for the Oconto County district attorney vacancy. Education: New data shows only 52.6% of Wisconsin’s new teachers stay in the classroom by year eight, with special education retention even lower at 43.2%. Local Politics: Oconomowoc is set to appoint a new District 2 alderman after Rusty McConnell’s resignation.

Surplus Deal Implodes: Wisconsin’s $1.8 billion tax relief and school funding package died in the state Senate, with Democrats and three Republicans voting no—leaving districts warning of immediate harm to staffing and student programming. Capitol Fallout: Gov. Evers and GOP leaders had framed the plan as a bipartisan fix for rising costs, but Sen. Melissa Ratcliff called it reckless and one-time, while Senate Democrats argued it could worsen next budget cycle gaps. Election-Integrity Clash: Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley escalated his fight with the FBI after agents visited a Milwaukee County elections official’s home, calling it intimidation tied to Trump’s 2020 claims. Consumer Protection: A new Wisconsin law targets crypto kiosk scams with a $1,000 daily transaction cap and required scam-warning signage. Campus Tension: UW-Milwaukee revised its plan to consolidate student resource centers after backlash—keeping most identities intact while relocating them into one hub.

Surplus Deal Collapses: Wisconsin’s $1.8B “surplus” package—rebates, school funding, and property tax relief—died in the Senate after passing the Assembly, with Gov. Evers and Democrats blasting the move as election-year theater while GOP lawmakers and candidates argued over whether the checks were too small or the spending too risky. Budget Fight Fallout: Sen. Kelda Roys and others voted no, warning the “projected” surplus isn’t real money yet; disability advocates also raised concerns the plan didn’t adequately protect key programs. Elections & Trust: Milwaukee County Clerk George Christenson says an FBI agent visited the elections director’s home, sparking fresh questions about how election probes are handled. Courts & Appointments: Evers appointed Sara Gehrig-Woodman to the Rock County Circuit Court. Local Watch: Milwaukee’s Auto Show opens at State Fair Park Expo Center, and community groups see new chances as out-of-state landlords sell neglected homes. Education & Policy: WHPA won a Libertarian Party award, while Wisconsin’s conversion therapy ban faces fresh legal challenges.

Budget Showdown: Wisconsin’s $1.8B surplus plan for school funding and tax relief collapsed in the Senate late Wednesday, after the Assembly passed it—leaving Gov. Tony Evers blasting lawmakers and GOP gubernatorial front-runner Tom Tiffany for helping kill the deal. The package would have boosted K-12 (including special education), sent rebate checks, cut taxes on tips and overtime, and lowered property taxes—but it died 15-18 with all Democrats opposing. Elections Probe: In Milwaukee County, FBI agents visited the home of elections director Michelle Hawley, leaving a business card as officials say the interest is in 2020 absentee ballots that haven’t been destroyed. Public Safety: In Green Bay, eight people were sentenced in a fentanyl trafficking case tied to shipments of more than 175,000 pills. Community & Culture: Flags will fly at half-staff Thursday for Hmong-Lao Veterans Day, and Stoughton’s Syttende Mai festival runs May 14-17.

Budget Fight: Wisconsin’s $1.8B Evers–GOP tax relief and K-12 deal is headed toward a vote after a Senate hold-up, with GOP holdouts and Gov. candidate Tom Tiffany signaling opposition—while critics say the plan is regressive and leaves many households with little or no help. Education & Workforce: Technical college leaders warn a “shift” of funding from local property taxes to the state would make them more dependent on less predictable state dollars. Student Safety: Verona Area School District is rolling out training aimed at preventing educator sexual misconduct, including how grooming works and how staff should report concerns. Hmong-Lao Veterans Day: Evers ordered flags at half-staff statewide Thursday for Hmong-Lao Veterans Day, marking a state recognition still lacking federal benefits. Health Policy: AG Brown joined a coalition urging the FDA to tighten flavored e-cigarette guidance as youth addiction concerns grow. Local Watch: A Green Bay bridge closure on I-43 is tied to law enforcement activity; Milwaukee unveiled a $22M King Park housing and street-improvement plan funded via a downtown TIF.