AGP Executive Report

Data Centers & Politics: In Wisconsin’s governor race, Tom Tiffany and David Crowley are both making data centers a central issue—Tiffany pushes to end roughly $2B in subsidies, while Crowley argues for accountability without automatically rolling them back. Public Safety Tech: Kenosha officials charged a former deputy with misusing Flock Safety license-plate cameras to track a coworker for an unauthorized personal purpose, prompting new audit and documentation rules. Transit & Infrastructure: Milwaukee County won nearly $13.9M in federal CMAQ funding to modernize the bus fleet and improve travel times with signal upgrades. Health Care Costs: A UW-Madison-led study says Wisconsin hospital prices run about 26% higher than Illinois, while a hospital trade group disputes the methods. Mental Health Research: UW–Madison researchers report mindfulness-based cognitive therapy doesn’t worsen depressive symptoms in people with recurrent depression. Food Safety: An alfalfa sprout outbreak linked to multiple bacteria has sickened people in Minnesota and Wisconsin, with investigators working to identify the source. Higher Ed & AI: UW–Madison is rolling out an “AI readiness” push as it faces record-low admissions rates and rising competition.

Exoplanet Mystery: UW–Madison researchers report GJ 523b, a “mega-Earth” about 23 times Earth’s mass yet mostly rocky and surprisingly low on atmosphere—challenging planet-formation ideas. AI + Power Politics: Oracle voluntarily dropped its legal bid over Wisconsin PSC review tied to its Port Washington Lighthouse Data Center, while the broader data-center backlash keeps shaping state and local debates. Election Tech Glitch: Modem-based systems used to post unofficial results reportedly malfunctioned in Green and Winnebago counties during Wisconsin’s August primary, raising fresh questions about reliability and election-night operations. Surveillance Cameras Under Fire: Wisconsin continues to see Flock license plate reader controversies, including a Germantown park camera dispute and a Kenosha case where a deputy allegedly misused Flock to track a fellow officer. Health + Regeneration Research: A new study highlights how transcription machinery can vary inside cells, and separate research spotlights axolotls’ limb-regrowth biology as a roadmap for future human therapies. Local STEM + Agriculture: UW–Platteville undergrads showcased summer research spanning history, social media, sports gambling, and bovine fertility; meanwhile UW–Madison work explores whether rye cover crops can protect soil without hurting next-season corn yields.

Medical Breakthrough: Children’s Wisconsin became the first U.S. center to deliver FDA-approved Otarmeni gene therapy for OTOF-related genetic hearing loss outside a clinical trial, treating two children after being an early trial enrollment site. Cardiology Tech: UW–Madison researchers unveiled a battery-free pacemaker concept that harvests power from every heartbeat, aiming to avoid repeat replacement surgeries. Public Health: Wisconsin’s measles outbreak keeps climbing, with new cases pushing the state total to 41 and most patients unvaccinated, as national policy debates swirl around MMR vaccine guidance. Surveillance & Privacy: A former Kenosha County deputy was charged for alleged misuse of Flock license-plate camera tech, while other communities weigh safeguards after reports that the systems can be used beyond intended purposes. Local Tech & Industry: Waukesha manufacturer INNIO plans a $300M expansion tied to data center demand, promising 500 jobs, and UWM launched a plastic film recycling push to cut landfill waste. Policy & Courts: Law Forward urged the Wisconsin Supreme Court to weigh whether courts can extend voting hours when polling places are understaffed.

Public Health Staffing Crisis: A new report says the CDC’s Alzheimer’s and other programs are “zombie” operations—funded but largely unstaffed—raising alarms as a new CDC director faces pressure to restart work. Conservation & Land Use: Gov. Tim Walz signed an order halting nonferrous mining near the Boundary Waters, aiming to end decades of conflict over copper and nickel extraction. Surveillance Tech Pushback: Flock Safety is tightening rules for its license-plate reader network—shortening data retention and adding controls—while Wisconsin communities and lawmakers continue to question privacy and misuse. Elections Integrity: Green Bay is adding extra verification steps after duplicate absentee ballot mailings, including a plan for multiple staff sign-offs to prevent repeats. Wisconsin Research & STEM: UW-Stevens Point honored alumni with a service/leadership award, while Marquette highlighted AI-focused business education and a new AI major. Energy & Jobs: INNIO plans a $300M+ expansion in Waukesha to add engine assembly and testing capacity for decentralized power, including for data-center demand.

Data Center Policy Clash: In Eau Claire, state reps Jodi Emerson and Angela Stroud hosted a roundtable on data center growth, with local leaders pressing for clearer state guardrails—especially around grid risk and local control after recent controversy. Election Integrity Warning: A fake polling firm (“Median Strategies”) admitted it fabricated results used in Wisconsin and Los Angeles races, raising fresh concerns about unvetted election surveys. Public Health: Wisconsin measles cases jumped to 36, more than doubling in a week, as DHS works with local health officials and the CDC to trace exposures. Animal Research Oversight: A Wisconsin beagle-breeding facility faced years of scrutiny before activists raided it earlier this year; the last dogs have been removed. Biotech & Regenerative Medicine: Penn State researchers laid groundwork to 3D print cell spheroids that could help regenerate bone tissue and support new blood vessel formation. STEM Education: Cotter Schools students won first place in a national smart automation design challenge at UW–Stout. Tech & AI in the Real World: Reports say Amazon scanned/digitized rare used books at a Las Vegas facility, fueling concerns about AI training practices.

Cybersecurity Funding: Wisconsin opened a new State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program application round for local governments, with upgrades like multi-factor authentication and managed detection/response; deadline is Oct. 30. Data Centers & Elections: As the governor’s race heats up, both Tom Tiffany and David Crowley oppose a moratorium but back “guardrails,” after polling found most voters think data-center costs outweigh benefits. Health Costs: A UW-Madison think tank report says Wisconsin hospital prices are about 26% higher than in Illinois for comparable services, while the Wisconsin Hospital Association disputes the study’s transparency. UW Budget: UW System leaders propose $730M in additional state aid tied to a tuition freeze, with regents voting on the 2027-29 plan soon. Public Health & Vaccines: The American Academy of Pediatrics warns a White House childhood-vaccine executive order would reduce protection amid rising measles concerns. Education Tech in Milwaukee: Pius XI Catholic High School is rolling out an Applied Learning Lab with 3D printers and a CNC router to connect classroom lessons to hands-on engineering skills. Surveillance Backlash: Wisconsin’s Flock camera network faces renewed scrutiny as communities question safeguards and privacy controls. Criminal Justice: Wisconsin will hold public hearings on commuting sentences for incarcerated people on Aug. 21.

FTC Probe: The federal agency is investigating Verona, Wisconsin-based Epic Systems over how it grants or restricts access to health data, raising fresh interoperability and competition questions. Higher Ed Funding: UW leaders are asking the state for a $730M boost, including a possible tuition freeze and a work-and-learn style program, plus expanded research and AI ethics efforts. STEM & Workforce: Trident Technical College named Dr. Jennifer Cumpston as VP for Academic Affairs, while Wisconsin’s Healthcare Forward Symposium focused on building the talent pipeline for rural access and new tech. Data Centers & Utility Oversight: Citizens Utility Board says Oracle dropped its lawsuit against Wisconsin regulators, arguing safeguards are needed so data-center demand doesn’t leave customers holding the bag. Surveillance Tech Backlash: A Menasha officer was sentenced for off-duty misuse of Flock license-plate tracking, and Wisconsin communities continue reassessing Flock deals amid privacy concerns. Research Tax Policy: Wisconsin lawmakers advanced AB670, expanding sales/use tax exemptions for equipment used in contract research services. Local Impact Studies: UW–River Falls estimated $295M in annual economic output for Pierce and St. Croix counties. Public Health: Wisconsin measles coverage continues as measles cases rise, and a Walmart soup kit recall was issued over possible listeria risk.

Wisconsin Policy & Research: Wisconsin lawmakers advanced AB670, expanding sales and use tax exemptions for machinery and equipment used in qualified contract research services, with multiple senators and representatives voting yes as the measure clears the Legislature. Fusion Funding: AB657 also moved forward, creating sales and use tax exemptions for items used in certified nuclear fusion technology projects, as several Wisconsin lawmakers backed the bill. Healthcare Costs: A UW Center for Research on the Wisconsin Economy report finds Wisconsin hospital negotiated rates are about 26% higher than Illinois, even within the same health systems and across major insurers. Public Health: Wisconsin healthcare experts warn that new federal childhood vaccine recommendations could confuse parents ahead of the school year, even as state guidance remains in place. Education Oversight: ProPublica reports Wisconsin has “100% voucher” private schools with little oversight, including a Milwaukee example taking millions in voucher funding. Tech & Industry: Manufacturing coverage highlights major shifts in digital transformation and semiconductor production, including SpaceX’s Terafab announcement in Texas. Local Tech in Action: Talk to Medi is bringing AI voice and workflow automation to healthcare front-office and call-center tasks. Community & Safety: Wisconsin farm safety reporting flags ongoing risks for older farmers, roadway collisions, ATVs/UTVs, and suicide.

Wisconsin Tech Policy: Wisconsin lawmakers kept moving AB670 and AB657, expanding sales and use tax exemptions tied to contract research services and certified nuclear fusion technology projects—votes rolled in across the Assembly and Senate, including multiple “yes” tallies for AB670 and a 30–3 Senate OK for AB657. Local Engineering & Housing: Kenosha is set to redevelop the former McKinley school site with plans for 28 single-family homes, plus a new park centerpiece built around preserved playground equipment, with a Milwaukee engineering firm slated to handle platting and road connections. AI & Chips: A new report raises questions about whether Microsoft’s AI datacenter build-out is constrained by advanced chip availability, pointing to a gap between stated targets and internal counts. Tech Workforce & Learning: The Leviathans returned to the Pablo Center for the 2026 Robotics Rampage, giving Wisconsin FIRST teams a hands-on run at the next season’s build, code, and autonomous scoring challenges. Research & Conservation: UW–Madison researchers helped identify a new endangered baobab species in Madagascar, a genetic reclassification that could shift conservation priorities. Weather Tech: Wisconsin’s wind turbines are again in the spotlight for how they can interfere with Doppler radar readings, a reminder that clean energy can complicate sensing.

Mass Timber & Healthy Building: A new push for mass timber frames it as a low-carbon, healthier alternative to steel and concrete, with builders and financing incentives driving faster adoption. Northern Lights Forecast: NOAA says auroras could be visible across Wisconsin and nearby states Sunday night, with best viewing around 10 p.m.–2 a.m. Wisconsin Research Tax Breaks (AB670): Multiple lawmakers voted Yes on AB670, expanding sales and use tax exemptions for machinery and equipment used exclusively for qualified contract research services. COVID Vaccine Safety Scrutiny: Newly released emails say an FDA leader urged NIH to study possible COVID vaccine side effects, warning that unaddressed problems could “come back to bite you later.” Wildlife Science in Your Backyard: Wisconsin DNR is inviting residents to help track deer and game birds via Operation Deer Watch and the Game Bird Survey using its Survey123 app. Surveillance Backlash: Reporting highlights fusion centers monitoring social media posts tied to protests against Flock automatic license plate readers. Tech in Agriculture Training: UW–River Falls’ Humane Handling Institute is bringing on-farm dairy training to Kansas sites, including augmented-reality “Cattle Vision” goggles to help workers see from a cow’s perspective.

Humane Livestock Training: The Humane Handling Institute at UW–River Falls brought its first on-farm dairy training to McCarty Family Farms’ Kansas locations, using hands-on handling, facility design coaching, and augmented-reality “Cattle Vision” goggles to help workers see from a cow’s perspective. Wildlife Science Funding: The Boone and Crockett Club backed a new $1 million endowment at UW–Stevens Point for a permanent wildlife professor focused on black bear management and conservation. STEM in Action: High school teams from Wisconsin and Minnesota competed at Leviathan Robotics Rampage in Eau Claire, showing off new builds and mentoring across the FIRST Robotics cycle. Tech Policy & Privacy: Flock Safety says it’s tightening its license plate reader network rules—shortening data retention to seven days and adding tools to limit data sharing and flag abusive searches—after widespread backlash. Research Tax Incentives: Wisconsin lawmakers advanced AB670, expanding sales and use tax exemptions for machinery and equipment used in qualified contract research services. Public Safety Tech: Wisconsin Attorney General candidate Eric Toney campaigned on cutting delays in state crime labs.

Agriculture Tech: Humane Handling Institute (UW–River Falls) brought its first on-farm dairy training to McCarty Family Farms in Kansas, using augmented-reality “Cattle Vision” goggles to help workers understand how cows perceive shadows and layout changes before facilities are modified. State Policy & Research Funding: Wisconsin lawmakers advanced AB670, expanding sales and use tax exemptions for machinery and equipment used in qualified contract research services—backed by multiple legislators including Rep. Renuka Mayadev, Rep. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, Sen. Jodi Habush Sinykin, and Sen. Brad Pfaff. Public Health: Wisconsin DHS says its childhood vaccine guidance will stay put despite a federal executive order pushing changes, citing continued reliance on scientific reviews and established pediatric schedules. Education & AI: Google enabled Gemini for students of all ages in Classroom, letting kids use an AI tab for math help, writing support, and study materials—while schools can enable or disable access. Local Tech & Privacy: Green Bay police will adopt Flock Safety’s updated rules, including shorter data retention (down to seven days) and added audit/search safeguards. STEM in the Community: Grants from Alliant Energy and its foundation supported Ho-Chunk and Menominee youth projects, including tree planting and 4-H camp and counselor training.

AI in the classroom: Google is rolling Gemini into Google Classroom for students of all ages, letting kids ask for help with math and writing and generate study materials—an escalation in the race to put AI tools directly into school workflows. Privacy and policing: Flock Safety is tightening its license-plate reader rules after misuse concerns, including cutting default data retention to seven days and requiring case codes and audits for searches. Health tech scrutiny: The FTC is investigating Epic Systems, the Verona-based electronic health records giant, focusing on how it grants or blocks data access and whether it uses its market power to limit rivals. Public health in Wisconsin: Wisconsin health officials confirm a growing measles outbreak, with more cases expected as investigations continue. Education policy: Wisconsin’s new school cellphone limits take effect as districts prepare for the school year, citing research on impacts to social skills and focus. Agriculture training: UW–River Falls’ Humane Handling Institute is expanding on-farm dairy training, including augmented-reality “Cattle Vision” goggles to help workers see from a cow’s perspective. Local tech & infrastructure: WisDOT’s I-894 resurfacing work in Milwaukee County earns an AASHTO technology and innovation award.

Alzheimer’s Diagnostics: The FDA approved Tauklarify (MK-6240), a tau PET tracer that helps clinicians map Alzheimer disease stage in adults with cognitive impairment, with a key limitation for non-AD tau disorders. Public Health & Vaccines: Wisconsin DHS pushed back on a federal childhood vaccine order, saying there’s no new science to justify changes, as measles cases keep rising in southwest Wisconsin. Privacy vs. Policing Tech: Flock Safety rolled out new safeguards for its AI license-plate cameras after reports of misuse and surveillance concerns, while Brookfield officials reconsider a local contract after an incident tied to outdated data. Research Funding Fight: Sen. Tammy Baldwin and allies demanded HHS reverse canceled AHRQ research grants, including Wisconsin projects tied to safer, smarter healthcare. State Policy for Innovation: Wisconsin lawmakers advanced AB670, expanding sales/use tax exemptions for machinery and equipment used in contract research services. Agriculture Tech & Risk: Michigan researchers warned Wisconsin growers to scout for red crown rot, a soil-borne fungal disease spreading north. Healthcare After Pregnancy: A UW-led randomized trial found postpartum health coaching improves blood pressure control and follow-up care for women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Education Workforce: Wisconsin legislators moved to address educator shortages, citing long-term impacts from Act 10 and high early teacher attrition. Data Centers & Local Impact: A Wisconsin-focused debate continues over data centers, including community concerns about water and costs.

Humane Livestock Tech: UW–River Falls’ Humane Handling Institute brought its first on-farm dairy training to McCarty Family Farms, using augmented-reality “Cattle Vision” goggles to help workers see from a cow’s perspective and test facility tweaks before permanent changes. Public Health: Wisconsin DHS says measles in southwest counties has jumped to 15 confirmed and 6 probable cases, warning more exposures are likely as vaccination rates lag and officials push back on a federal MMR schedule change. Surveillance Debate: South suburban Harvey is adding Flock Safety drones and more camera coverage, even as critics question safeguards and how license-plate data is used. Workforce & Research Funding: UW Regents will vote on the 2027–29 budget proposal, including Tech for Tomorrow and Accelerate Wisconsin, aimed at training workers and speeding lab-to-market tech. Food & Health Policy: A new review challenges the federal push for higher protein targets for sedentary adults, arguing the guidance may not deliver promised benefits. Data Center Economy: Vantage Data Centers is reportedly exploring a roughly $100B IPO, highlighting how Wisconsin’s tech and infrastructure ecosystem keeps expanding.

Livestock Tech in Action: McCarty Family Farms in Rexford welcomed UW–River Falls’ Humane Handling Institute for on-farm dairy training, including augmented-reality “Cattle Vision” goggles that let handlers see from a cow’s perspective to improve humane handling and facility design. Public Works & Infrastructure: In Grafton, residents urged the Board of Public Works to move fast on Bridge Street Dam repairs after a 2025 flood inspection found cracks and vegetation; the village is weighing hydraulic cylinder refurbish vs. replacement bids. Neuroarts & Community STEM: Wisconsin’s weekend calendar spotlights neuroarts—art, music, and science at Olbrich Botanical Gardens—plus other hands-on local events that mix creativity with learning. Policy for Research & Fusion: Wisconsin lawmakers advanced tax exemptions tied to contract research services (AB670) and nuclear fusion technology projects (AB657), expanding sales/use tax relief for qualifying equipment used in certified research. Privacy Tech Under Scrutiny: Flock rolled out new safety controls for its automated license plate reader network amid ongoing concerns about surveillance misuse and misidentifications. Gene Editing Breakthrough: UW–Madison researchers developed a platform to screen thousands of genes to find targets that can reduce detours that lower CRISPR editing success, aiming to improve gene therapies and related biotech.