AGP Executive Report

Tick season update: Scientists warn fall brings a second surge in tick activity, with deer ticks driving most Wisconsin tick-borne illness; Lyme cases hit a record 2025 high, and ER visits show another October bump. Fishing rules for recovery: The Wisconsin DNR adopted faster “special bag and size limits” for walleye on lakes where natural reproduction has dropped, including a one-fish-a-day limit, an 18-inch minimum, and a ban on keeping fish between 22 and 28 inches. Local environment leadership: Monona-based First Supply won a Wisconsin Business Friend of the Environment Award for an energy-focused distribution center with a large rooftop solar array. Water & weather watch: Southeast Wisconsin stays in the 60s with mostly dry weekend conditions, but rain and wind are expected late Tuesday into Wednesday. Mosquito control beyond Wisconsin: San Diego County plans early-morning ultra-low volume pesticide spraying in Coronado after elevated mosquito activity and West Nile virus cases. Community impacts: Milwaukee County redirected $2.5 million in affordable housing funds after a Franklin project stalled, shifting support to other county housing efforts.

PFAS Watch: Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin DNR marked the state’s first PFAS Awareness Week, highlighting how the long-lasting chemicals contaminate water and offering community tools to check local risk. Wildlife Health: An EHD outbreak has been confirmed in Washington County deer, with suspected cases reported across southeastern Wisconsin as the DNR ramps up testing and urges hunters to get deer tested. Conservation & Water Quality: Dane County won a National Sierra Club Environmental Achievement Award for buying 165 acres in the Lower Mud Lake area and protecting wetlands, wildlife habitat, and Ho-Chunk cultural sites. Energy & Data Centers: The League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County plans an Oct. 8 webinar on electricity affordability and environmental impacts as data-center demand rises. Public Health & Food Access: A $600,000 grant will help 12 southwestern Wisconsin food pantries expand cold storage to keep more fresh food available longer. Accountability: Wisconsin DOJ announced an initial settlement with generic drug makers over alleged price-fixing, with eligible consumers urged to check claim options. Local Environment & Cleanup: Ozaukee County will hire a firm to assess pollution at the Waubeka Mill site using a WEDC-funded grant, with possible remediation costs still uncertain.

PFAS Watch: Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin DNR marked the state’s first PFAS Awareness Week, highlighting long-lasting “forever chemicals” and pointing to a $125 million PFAS Trust Fund plan for clean drinking water. Wildlife Health: The DNR reported an EHD outbreak that has killed about 1,100 deer in Washington County, with hunters pushing for stronger restrictions as the toll rises. Public Health: Wisconsin confirmed a measles case in Chippewa County; DHS says 167 cases statewide since July, mostly among unvaccinated people. Clean Water & Habitat: UW-Superior will host environmental activist Alexandra Cousteau Oct. 6 to discuss freshwater restoration and Lake Superior impacts. Local Growth & Environment: Grafton moved closer to approving a 245,000-square-foot Woodman’s store, while residents raised traffic and “regional destination” concerns. Energy & Policy: A Wisconsin wolf delisting decision is set to hinge on the next governor after Trump’s federal move, keeping the debate over management and hunts front and center. Data Centers Tension: Rock County officials questioned a conference session that they say read like a data-center sales pitch.

Winter & road salt: Dane County and Wisconsin Salt Wise will host a free Winter Equipment Open House (Oct. 20) to share snow-and-ice practices aimed at safer roads and less unnecessary salt runoff into lakes and streams. Wild rice & climate pressure: A Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission wild rice camp reports a good harvest, but warns the sacred plant still faces water-level swings, runoff, pollution, boat wakes, and climate-linked vulnerability. CWD testing push: Wisconsin DNR is urging deer hunters to test for chronic wasting disease, noting 24/7 sampling kiosks while warning budget cuts may reduce carcass disposal dumpsters. EHD in deer: DNR says it has received 1,600+ reports of dead deer tied to epizootic hemorrhagic disease in southeast Wisconsin, while stressing people aren’t at risk and harvest rules won’t be reduced. Offshore wind legal fight: California AG and the California Energy Commission filed another federal lawsuit challenging a Trump administration offshore wind buyout, arguing it unlawfully removed projects and steered money toward other energy. Line 5 cleanup update: State and federal crews continue investigating environmental impacts after a Line 5 natural gas liquids release near Saxon, with soil and water sampling ongoing. West Nile Virus: Human West Nile cases were confirmed in Dane and Sauk counties, with officials urging repellent and mosquito-avoidance steps. Home heating costs: Wisconsin is bracing for higher fall/winter heating bills, with the biggest jump projected for heating oil users.

Line 5 Fallout: The Bad River Ojibwe and other tribal leaders are declaring Enbridge’s Line 5 spill a disaster, arguing the leak and reroute plans threaten treaty rights to hunt and fish. Public Safety Tech Backlash: Cottage Grove voted to deactivate Flock Safety license plate reader cameras, joining other Wisconsin communities reacting to privacy and oversight concerns. Bird Flu Impact: Wisconsin’s bird flu losses topped 8 million birds, with massive commercial outbreaks driving the toll as avian influenza spreads along migration routes. PFAS Water Focus: Gov. Evers and the DNR marked PFAS Awareness Week, highlighting state efforts to keep water safe. Energy & Land Use: Residents in Minnesota and southwest Wisconsin are pushing back on a proposed high-voltage transmission line, citing wildlife and karst sinkhole risks. Diesel Costs for Farmers: Midwest diesel prices surged past $6 a gallon, squeezing harvest budgets and raising delivery costs. Transit Equity: Milwaukee’s MCTS route changes are under debate amid a budget gap, with blind riders warning cuts could limit access. Weather/Season Shift: Southeast Wisconsin is settling into fall-like conditions with cool temps and only small rain chances.

PFAS & Clean Water: Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin DNR kicked off the state’s first PFAS Awareness Week, pointing to $125 million released from the PFAS Trust Fund and $10 million in settlement funds to help communities hit by contamination. Water Infrastructure: Watertown will close East Main Street for lead service line replacement, funded through a Wisconsin DNR grant, with work running weekdays 7 a.m.–5 p.m. Sustainability in Industry: Inland Packaging earned Wisconsin DNR “Green Tier Certified Company” recognition for reducing waste and cutting its environmental footprint across all three La Crosse locations. Agriculture Under Stress: Weekend storms dumped 3.5–4.5 inches on a Jefferson County farmer, leaving harvest timing tight as corn and soybeans face mixed conditions. Public Health & Mental Health Access: Advocates warn Wisconsin’s 988 crisis lifeline funding runs only through 2027, risking call reroutes and understaffed local support. Wildlife & Safety: As temperatures drop, bats are seeking warm roosts—health officials stress not touching bats due to rabies risk. Community Action: Northcentral Technical College’s Timberwolf Day of Service included trail cleanups, fire truck washing, and animal care support.

Agrivoltaics in Wisconsin: UW–Madison is testing how to pair utility-scale solar with farming at the Kegonsa Research Campus, measuring impacts on water use, soil carbon, and crop growth—aiming to avoid the “solar vs. crops” trade-off. Dairy checkoff limits: After a lawsuit by Wisconsin dairy farmers, USDA says dairy promotion funds can’t be used for greenhouse-gas or sustainability-focused projects tied to ESG/net-zero goals, reshaping how Wisconsin producers’ dollars can be spent. Data centers backlash: A national look at how data centers are reshaping politics “one community at a time,” with residents pushing back over noise, secrecy, and AI-driven fears. Flooding hits Kenosha theater: Heavy rain sent water through the ceiling at the Rhode Center for the Arts, forcing an emergency cleanup before a scheduled performance. Wild rice stewardship: The third annual wild rice camp at Pokegama Bay brought tribes and community members together to harvest manoomin and reseed for healthier returns. Weather watch: Southeast Wisconsin starts the week cool and breezy with drizzle chances, plus hazardous Lake Michigan swim conditions.

Flood & Storm Impacts: Southern Wisconsin saw a soggy weekend, with Kenosha topping the list at 2.11 inches and Milwaukee at 1.24, as showers lingered and flood concerns shaped local planning. Weather Shift to Cooler, Drier Days: Multiple forecasts point to a mostly dry stretch after rain clears, with highs staying in the 60s and breezy conditions returning. Lake Michigan Safety: Lake Michigan beach hazard warnings were issued as winds ramp up, raising dangerous swim conditions. Wildlife & Citizen Science: Monarch tagging efforts continue in the Milwaukee area, with researchers fitting butterflies with tracking tags to study migration. Outdoor Learning in State Parks: Kohler-Andrae State Park is hosting prairie and bird-walk events this week, encouraging hands-on nature watching. Community & Resilience: Ukrainian war veterans shared their stories at Milwaukee Central Library, highlighting local support and perseverance. Local Governance & Infrastructure: Milwaukee’s mayor previewed a 2027 budget with record street funding aimed at potholes and road repairs. Aviation Noise: The 115th Fighter Wing will run evening F-35 training flights Sept. 21–24, with activity expected until about 9:30 p.m.

Flood Watch & Storm Cleanup: Heavy rain is still driving flood concerns across southern Wisconsin, with a Flood Watch in place and residents in Milwaukee clearing storm drains to keep debris from blocking flow and worsening flooding. Local Weather Outlook: Showers are tapering off, but more rain chances return Monday into Tuesday before a drier stretch settles in with cooler temperatures. Lake Michigan & Flood Risk: Milwaukee is also bracing for dangerous Lake Michigan waves as the wet pattern continues. Wildlife & Water Quality: Wisconsin water monitoring flags fecal contamination in a large share of sampled sites, adding urgency to protecting waterways during stormy weather. Community Spotlight: UWSP’s 16th annual Pink Game raised support and awareness through football, while Milwaukee’s lowrider car show celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month despite weather worries.

Flooding & Storm Risk: A flood watch is extended across parts of southern and southeast Wisconsin, including Racine and Kenosha, with 2–4 inches of rain expected and locally higher totals; Milwaukee also faces heavy rain and dangerous Lake Michigan waves, so officials urge people to avoid flooded roads and exposed shorelines. Clean Energy & Policy: Gov. Evers highlighted Wisconsin clean energy work during National Clean Energy Week, while USDA ended ESG-linked funding in the dairy checkoff program, ending support for net-zero and greenhouse-gas initiatives. Data Centers Debate: A new report looks at how “data center” fears are driving moratoriums and pushback in communities nationwide, including how local leaders weigh jobs against environmental and community concerns. Wildlife Safety: Wisconsin is flagged among states with higher odds of animal-vehicle collisions, renewing attention on wildlife crossings. Local Community Health: Communities in Antigo and Stevens Point held Walk to End Alzheimer’s events, and Waukesha opened Crosspoint Academy, a recovery-focused high school.

Flooding Watch: Heavy rain and storms are set to hit southern and southeast Wisconsin through Saturday morning, with a Flood Watch in effect and totals around 1–3 inches (locally 3–6+), raising flash-flood risk in low-lying areas and along rivers and small streams. Local Weather Prep: Milwaukee and other communities are tracking flooding hotspots and urging residents to avoid flooded roads—“turn around, don’t drown.” Climate Context: A new report flags Wisconsin’s growing exposure to heat, drought, and heavier precipitation as global temperatures rise, with El Niño conditions adding extra risk. Water Quality Concern: A Korean War veteran on Upper Kelly Lake says algae growth is the worst he’s seen, pointing to nutrient runoff; DNR notes filamentous algae nearshore. Jobs + Environment: Kikkoman opened a new $560M Jefferson facility, creating 80+ jobs, and donated $250,000 to native prairie restoration. Rural Strain: Rural EMS agencies in southern Wisconsin are struggling with rising call volumes and volunteer shortages, slowing response times.

Flooding Watch: Milwaukee and much of Wisconsin are bracing for heavy rain and possible flash flooding, with Flood Watches and “flooding hotspot” maps from the City of Milwaukee and the NWS covering areas including Racine, Kenosha, Rock, and parts of the Madison region. Storm Impacts: Madison crews are clearing storm grates and warning residents about street flooding in known low spots as rain moves in Friday night into Saturday. Community Safety: Special Olympics Wisconsin canceled its Fall Games at DeForest Athletic Complex due to flood warnings, severe weather forecasts, and unsafe field conditions. Climate Context: A new look at global records ties this year’s extreme heat to a strengthening El Niño, with Wisconsin facing higher risks from precipitation, heat, and drought over the next 30 years. Local Environment & Wildlife: Inmates at Redgranite Correctional Institution are raising monarch butterflies for migration, part of a prison-to-nature conservation effort. Energy & Land Use: Oakland, Wis., joined other towns opposing a proposed 765-kV transmission line, citing impacts to farmland, wetlands, wildlife, and property values. Clean Water Education: Dane County and partners kicked off Wisconsin Stormwater Week, urging residents to keep rain where it lands to protect waterways.

Great Lakes Energy & Public Safety: Line 5 is back in service after a 1.3-million-gallon spill, but scrutiny is intensifying as the Bad River Band and environmental groups warn the reroute plan and aging infrastructure keep raising the odds of another disaster. Climate Watch: UW–Madison researchers warn a potentially “super El Niño” could push record global temperatures in 2027, with Wisconsin likely feeling it through a warmer winter and knock-on effects for the state’s economy and environment. Flood-Ready Weather: Southeast Wisconsin is bracing for a wet weekend—rounds of rain and storms with 1–3 inches possible and localized flooding risk, plus hazardous lake conditions from strong winds. Wildlife & Health: Wisconsin measles cases are rising, with health officials confirming new infections in western and southwestern parts of the state and urging vaccination. Local Governance & Privacy: Milwaukee residents again pushed to end Flock license-plate camera use, while Sun Prairie is switching providers and tightening retention and access rules. Cost Pressure: Diesel hit record highs statewide, and reporting links the spike to higher prices for groceries and other goods. Community Action: UWRF is hosting Watershed Week with free events on water quality, habitat restoration, and native plants.

Climate Watch: NOAA says the U.S. just logged its hottest summer on record, but Wisconsin’s summer ranked 22nd warmest overall—still above normal, with north central and southeast both seeing notable heat. Public Health & Environment: Wisconsin residents are being warned after an FDA upgrade of a hand soap recall tied to possible bacterial contamination sold in 15 states. Energy & Land Use: Wisconsin Republicans are pushing Gov. Tony Evers to pause two major transmission line proposals (BECI and MariBell), citing impacts to farms, groundwater concerns, and environmental effects. Great Lakes & Water Protection: A bipartisan Great Lakes Partnership Act cleared a key Senate panel, aiming to boost federal support for research and conservation. Pipeline Fallout: The Bad River Band and environmental groups are urging a state disaster declaration after Enbridge’s Line 5 spill and its return to service via a temporary bypass. Local Resilience: Fox Cities tornado recovery continues as homeowners sort out insurance coverage after an EF-3 storm. Wildlife & Nature: A Wisconsin photographer’s wildlife images are set for a major juried show, spotlighting birds, insects, and other local species.

Data Center Power Lines in Ozaukee: American Transmission Co. has refiled a revised Ozaukee County interconnection plan after the PSCW revoked the original filing’s completeness, citing route changes, added environmental info, and feedback tied to the Port Washington AI data center. Local Governance & Energy Siting: In Wisconsin Rapids, the Planning Commission voted 7-0 to recommend denial of a data center permit for the former paper mill site, pointing to major application shortcomings while a city moratorium is being drafted. Wildlife & Glass: UW-Madison researchers warn that bird-safe glass matters during migration because birds can’t detect glass and may mistake reflections for habitat. Public Health: Wisconsin health officials confirmed two new measles cases in Vernon County, bringing 2026 total to 166, with most cases tied to unvaccinated people. Weather & Flood Risk: NWS is flagging substantial rain for southern Wisconsin Friday into Saturday, with Sheboygan County near 2.5 inches and higher totals possible in storms. Cost of Living: AAA reports Wisconsin diesel hit a new record, pushing up costs for farmers and the broader grocery supply chain.

Public Health: Wisconsin reported two new measles cases in Vernon County, as officials investigate whether they connect to the larger southwest Wisconsin outbreak and warn that the spread is harder to track as it reaches new counties. Air & Climate Tech: NASA’s TEMPO satellite is helping regulators and researchers see “chemical weather” in near real time, improving how communities respond to fast-changing bad air days. Energy & Environment: Tribal nations and environmental groups are pressing Gov. Evers and state officials to take stronger action after Enbridge’s Line 5 reopened following a major spill, arguing the bypass work lacked state approvals. Local Transit: Milwaukee County Transit System is seeking public input on possible 25% bus service reductions to close a projected $15M budget gap, with riders weighing more frequent service on fewer routes versus broader coverage with longer waits. PFAS Cleanup: Dane County Regional Airport won a national environmental award for its PFAS mitigation pilot project, highlighting efforts to protect local natural resources. Weather: Milwaukee and much of southeast Wisconsin face unsettled conditions with showers and storms returning, including heavy rain risk late week.