AGP Executive Report

Cancer Care Update: UW Health began offering proton therapy for adults through a clinical trial, aiming to target tumors more precisely and reduce radiation exposure to nearby healthy tissue. Health Access in Milwaukee: Ascension Wisconsin and Outreach Community Health Centers launched a mobile health clinic to bring preventive and acute care—plus chronic disease management, vaccines, and referrals—directly to medically underserved neighborhoods. Medicaid Changes: Wisconsin DHS leaders met with local officials in Eau Claire to discuss upcoming Medicaid administration shifts, including new work or volunteering proof requirements that could affect coverage. Public Health & Safety: A Wisconsin town in Oneida County (Stella) is dealing with PFAS contamination found at some of the highest levels in the U.S., after private wells tested positive and officials traced sources to older industrial sludge spreading. Community Response: The Red Cross opened a shelter in Menasha after an EF3 tornado, offering meals, overnight stays, and volunteer nurse support for medical needs. Drug Warning: Along the Michigan-Wisconsin border, tainted cocaine linked to at least one death and multiple overdoses prompted a joint investigation and public safety alert. Animal Health: The Wisconsin Veterinary Examining Board permanently revoked the license of Ridglan Farms’ lead veterinarian over allegations of unprofessional conduct, including improper anesthesia practices.

Cancer Care Update: UW Health began offering proton therapy at Eastpark Medical Center, aiming to deliver more precise radiation to tumors while reducing exposure to nearby healthy tissue. Medicare Advantage Watch: A growing number of health systems are dropping Medicare Advantage contracts in 2026, leaving some Wisconsin patients facing sudden out-of-network changes and tighter decision timelines. Public Health—Norovirus: CDC data show this season’s norovirus outbreaks are down sharply versus last year, but still fall in a typical range, not a “fixed” problem. Infectious Disease—Cyclosporiasis: Wisconsin reported over 100 cyclosporiasis cases amid a wider national surge, keeping food safety and outbreak monitoring in focus. Local Health & Safety: Milwaukee County is preparing for another year of deep budget cuts, raising concerns about services that affect residents’ health. Health Workforce Pipeline: Wisconsin Area Health Education Center Scholars Program applications for the 2026–28 cohort are due Oct. 15, supporting training for rural and underserved care. Community Program: Ozaukee County rolled out a Step Up program for teens who use violence toward parents, pairing skills-based therapy with restorative practice.

Alzheimer’s Care in Wisconsin: A USC-led study finds two FDA-approved blood tests can detect Alzheimer’s pathology in people with Down syndrome, a group often left out of testing advances. Public Health Alert: Wisconsin DHS reports 105 cyclosporiasis cases since May 1, with 3 hospitalizations, as the nationwide outbreak continues to spread. Blood Supply: The Red Cross declares a national blood crisis, warning O positive supply is below a day’s worth and urging donations. Emergency Response & Weather: Severe storms and a confirmed tornado hit the Fox Valley, knocking out power and delaying emergency response; WPS restored power to about 12,000 customers after damage to poles and lines. Local Health Access: Fox Crossing issued a boil water advisory after pressure loss, recommending boiling tap water for drinking and cooking. Care Infrastructure: Flight for Life–ThedaStar will open a new Waupaca helicopter base Nov. 1 to expand air medical coverage. Community Health Funding: Beloit Health System’s Pro-Am raised support for the Gold Family Care Center expansion, aimed at growing family health services. Health & Safety in the News: A Sheboygan-area e-bike crash killed a 14-year-old; a fundraiser has been launched for funeral costs.

Blood Supply Emergency: The American Red Cross declared a national blood crisis for only the second time in history, with type O positive supply now below a one-day level and distributions limited to hospitals; donors are urged to book appointments via the Blood Donor App, RedCrossBlood.org, or 1-800-RED CROSS, with incentives for donations through July 31 and August. Public Health & Food Safety: Wisconsin corn growers are being warned to watch for southern rust as it spreads north from warmer states, with early scouting emphasized because infections before the milk stage can hit yields. Farm & Mental Health: A new TV mini-series, “Perfect Sundays,” spotlights the financial and mental health strain on family dairy farms, including the aftermath of a suicide, and pairs storytelling with resources for farming communities. Local Health & Safety: Northbound I-41/94 in Oak Creek saw major delays after a crash involving a Milwaukee County sheriff’s deputy and a rear-end collision; the deputy and canine partner had non-life-threatening injuries. Community & Wellness Tech: A free Milwaukee Vibe Coding Summer Camp helped teens build AI-assisted apps aimed at tackling issues like literacy and mental health. Workplace Health: A federal appeals ruling allows a sex discrimination and retaliation lawsuit against Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry to proceed, highlighting ongoing workplace bias concerns.

Madison Police Accountability: Protesters held a State Street sit-in and renewed demands after the police killing of Corey Ruiz, including arrest of the officer, full independent investigative info to the civilian oversight board, and expanded board power to discipline officers; Ruiz’s death is still under an open homicide investigation and officers remain on administrative leave. Milwaukee Violence Update: Milwaukee police are investigating a fatal Sunday shooting that killed a 19-year-old near 7300 W. Beckett Ave; investigators are asking the public for help identifying the suspect(s). Emergency Response & Trauma Care: Oak Creek rescue swimmers pulled a person from the water at Bender Park after a traumatic injury; the victim was stabilized and transported to a trauma center. Severe Injury Crash: A 17-year-old from Merrill was airlifted to Marshfield Hospital with critical injuries after a head-on crash on STH 64 in the Town of Corning; her 2-week-old son was uninjured. Public Health & Food Safety: Federal regulators moved on radiation protection standards, proposing changes that would replace the long-used ALARA approach with a graded system—an issue with implications for hospitals and research labs. Community Health & Culture: A Menominee Nation project is compiling a community cookbook with recipes and stories, aiming to support food sovereignty and preserve local culinary knowledge.

Extreme Heat Safety: A heat dome is expanding across the central U.S., with about 70–80 million people facing heat advisories and temperatures above 100°F; Wisconsin and nearby areas are included, raising risks like heat exhaustion, heat stroke, dehydration, and worsening heart and lung conditions. Food Assistance & Costs: Gov. Tony Evers’ radio address says Wisconsin will avoid up to $205.5 million in new federal FoodShare penalty fees tied to the “Big Beautiful Bill,” after earlier SNAP cuts and added red tape. Food Recall: Amy’s Kitchen recalled 184,200 cans of Organic Lentil Soup (single lot) due to a pull-tab seal defect that can lead to spoilage—check lot number 60D0924 and best-before April 2027. Public Health & Air Quality: Coverage highlights how wildfire smoke and poor air quality can linger, with guidance to protect vulnerable people and limit exposure. Local Trauma Care: Upper Mississippi Surgery Center in Jamestown Township continues growth as an ambulatory option, while Wisconsin burn-center transfers are reported after a Cedarburg shed explosion critically injured two men and a dog. Injury Alerts: A Sheboygan teen died after an e-bike crash at a stop sign, and Milwaukee reported a fatal shooting near 91st and Appleton.

Public Health & Safety: A chlorine spill at Milwaukee’s Carver Park sent four people to the hospital as a precaution, with hazmat crews responding to the basement leak. Injury & Emergency Response: In Cedarburg, an explosion destroyed a metal outbuilding and critically injured two men (ages 54 and 82); a dog was also hurt and taken to an animal hospital, with the cause still under investigation. Community Health Risks: A “hazardous heat” forecast is expanding across the central U.S., with major heat risks flagged for Wisconsin and nearby states—especially dangerous for people without cooling or adequate hydration. Food Safety: Multiple recalls are in the mix for summer shoppers, including Amy’s Organic lentil soup (spoilage risk) and other food alerts tied to contamination concerns. Health-Related Policy Watch: Wisconsin Medicaid spending data highlights how local billing patterns are changing, including surgery-category claims in Kenosha rising in 2024. Local Violence & Health Impacts: A Wauwatosa hit-and-run sequence left one woman critically injured and led to arrests, underscoring ongoing injury risks from crashes.

Medicaid & Access: Racine County is preparing to implement a new federal Medicaid work requirement for 7,441 BadgerCare adults, with letters expected in August or September and key details still unsettled for caseworkers and residents. Public Health Funding: Eau Claire City Council will consider asking the state for more money for the local health department, which currently gets just $7,000 annually for communicable disease work. Health Care Workforce: Gov. Evers announced Wisconsin ranked top five nationally for veteran employment services for the third straight year. Clinical Care Expansion: Medical College of central Milwaukee plans a trauma recovery center, and Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s welcomed cardiologist Dr. Priscilla Ababio. Community Safety & Trauma: Police are investigating a deadly double shooting in Milwaukee; separate reports include a body recovered from Lincoln Creek and a fatal falling tree-branch incident. Animal Welfare & Research Ethics: Coverage highlights Wisconsin dog breeding and testing facilities, including claims about unlicensed invasive procedures and large-scale animal confinement. Food Safety: FDA recall alerts include Amy’s Kitchen lentil soup cans recalled over spoilage risk.

Stroke Care Recognition: Aspirus Health says 17 hospitals earned American Heart Association “Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke” awards, highlighting faster, guideline-based stroke treatment across Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota. Food Safety & Public Health: CDC and FDA report Cyclospora outbreak investigations are broader than first thought, with at least two linked outbreaks and cases approaching 7,000; Taylor Farms issued an updated statement amid recalls of potentially implicated iceberg lettuce. Local Health Access: Medical College of Wisconsin plans to open a Milwaukee Trauma Recovery Center at ThriveOn King, offering free mental health care and support for youth and adults affected by violent crime or injury. Maternal/Family Health & Wellness: A Wisconsin family’s lemonade stand fundraiser raised awareness and support for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Southeast Wisconsin. Health Policy & Workforce: Wisconsin’s veteran employment services ranked top five nationally for the third straight year, as state leaders highlighted job and support programs for veterans. Emergency Response Expansion: Flight For Life-ThedaStar will open a new Waupaca helicopter base Nov. 1 to improve critical care coverage in central and northeastern Wisconsin. Community Health & Environment: Wisconsin’s first certified forest-bathing trail opens Sunday in Vilas County, aiming to encourage time in nature for wellness.

Wildfire Smoke & Health: Reuters reports Canadian wildfire smoke driving hazardous PM2.5 readings across the Midwest, including Milwaukee, with experts warning of both short- and long-term respiratory impacts. Public Safety/EMS: West Bend firefighters back a proposed countywide EMS levy, arguing it could stabilize staffing and protect emergency response capacity. Police Shooting Update: Dane County Medical Examiner says the cause and manner of death for Corey Ruiz are still pending after he was shot by a Madison officer following a struggle involving a knife. Heart Care Recognition: Aspirus earned multiple American Heart Association “Get With The Guidelines” stroke awards, including Stroke Gold Plus honors for Wausau and Langlade hospitals. Food Safety Recall: FDA says Amy’s Kitchen recalled 184,200+ cans of Organic Lentil Soup (Light Sodium) due to potential spoilage, affecting Wisconsin among 28 states. Nutrition Access: Oshkosh Area Community Pantry launched “Food for Health” to expand fresh, Wisconsin-grown foods and nutrition education for families. Community Wellness: Chix 4 a Cause held Survivors Day in the Sun for cancer survivors and caregivers in West Bend. Infectious Disease Watch: Wisconsin tick activity is peaking, and a citizen science tick-sampling program is inviting residents to send in ticks to help track Lyme risk.

Madison Police Accountability: A fatal Madison shooting of Corey Ruiz, 38, after a struggle involving a knife has sparked protests and calls for transparency, with Madison officials and the governor weighing in as the state DOJ investigates and the city considers funding body-worn cameras. Workplace Health & Labor: The NLRB certified a union election for nurses at SSM Health St. Mary’s in Madison, a major win for staff seeking better staffing and responsiveness. Public Health From the Sky: Canadian wildfire smoke continues to drive dangerous air quality across the Midwest, worsening respiratory and heart risks and straining emergency care. Food Safety Watch: Amy’s Kitchen recalled 184,200 cans of lentil soup distributed into Wisconsin after a pull-tab defect that can compromise the seal. Health & Caregiving: Dr. Nate Chin shared practical tips for communicating with loved ones living with dementia, emphasizing simpler language, patience, and reducing distractions. Community Safety: A Milwaukee woman faces charges after allegedly shooting a 12-year-old over bottled water, while animal groups are offering a $2,500 reward in a Shawano County dog abuse case.

Police Accountability in Madison: Gov. Tony Evers is calling for “transparency and accountability” after a Madison officer fatally shot a man police said was resisting arrest with a knife; cellphone video sparked protests and a memorial, while officials say the footage is only one perspective and note officers were placed on administrative leave and not wearing body cameras. Public Safety & Health: Milwaukee reported a deadly motorcyclist crash on North Teutonia Avenue after an SUV turned left into the rider’s path; impairment wasn’t believed to be a factor. Food Security Policy: New Trump administration SNAP rules could raise costs for many states if payment error rates stay high, with concerns some may cut food assistance. Community Health Access: Sheboygan’s Warming Center added a mobile shower trailer through Kohler and Street Angels, expanding hygiene support for people without reliable access. Rural Infrastructure: USDA Rural Development is investing nearly $8M in Cedar Grove water and wastewater upgrades to improve reliability and cut costs. Health Care Innovation: EvoEndo says more than 3,000 sedation-free transnasal endoscopy procedures have been completed nationwide, including in Milwaukee. Food Safety Alert: FDA updates continue around a Cyclospora-linked lettuce recall affecting 27 states, including Wisconsin. Mental Health Leadership: STAT+ reports the Trump administration quietly picked Timothy Westlake to lead the mental health agency overseeing substance use and mental health policy. Blood Supply: Wisconsin is facing emergency-level blood shortage conditions. Data Center Backlash: A Marquette Law School poll finds only 22% of voters think data centers’ benefits outweigh costs, with opposition rising across parties.

Public Safety: Madison police fatally shot a man they said was armed with a knife during an arrest struggle near Baldwin and Williamson; cellphone video sparked protests and the Wisconsin DOJ is investigating. Food Safety: Milwaukee health inspectors are ramping up checks at the Milwaukee Night Market, noting they can’t test directly for Cyclospora but coordinate with state and federal partners on recalls. Health Access for Seniors/Disability: Lakeland Health Care Center is partnering with the Walworth County ADRC and UW-Whitewater to offer free one-on-one digital support for adults 50+ and people with disabilities starting Sept. 8. Community & Wellness: RiverFest’s opening day included a St. Croix River cleanup in Hudson, tying local volunteering to environmental health. Injury/Deaths: An 11-year-old died after a one-car rollover in Fond du Lac County; officials say the crash involved a minivan that rolled multiple times. Wildlife & Environment: DNR and GLIFWC experts discussed why walleye are declining in Northern Wisconsin lakes, pointing to habitat loss and warmer water. Health Policy/Costs: Wisconsin’s “Healthier Wisconsin” grants awarded $10.6 million for 43 health improvement projects.

Senior Care Expansion: SSM Health will build a $42M senior living campus in Fond du Lac with independent living, assisted living, memory care, and high-need assisted living, with a planned early-2027 groundbreak. Public Health & Safety: Milwaukee reported a garbage-truck explosion that injured a sanitation worker after improperly disposed oxygen tanks were thrown away; officials urge residents to use household hazardous waste drop-offs or returns to medical suppliers. Community Health & Research: UWM neuroscientist Karyn Frick is studying how estrogens shape memory and brain function, aiming for better treatments for age-related memory loss and dementia. Air Quality Watch: Wildfire smoke continues to drive hazardous air conditions across Wisconsin, with guidance focused on limiting outdoor exposure and protecting sensitive groups. Mental Health Access: Milwaukee County awarded $2M in grants for “Better Ways to Cope” projects, including opioid prevention and recovery work. Youth Health: A study links higher African ancestry to increased asthma risk and allergen sensitization in Black children. Local Health Services: Custom Health is set to acquire Wisconsin’s Evergreen Pharmacy for $3.5M. Caregiving in the Community: A benefit is planned for Jacob Noha’s upcoming open-heart surgery after an atrial septal defect was found during a routine follow-up.

Food Safety & Public Health: Wisconsin restaurants and shoppers are still reacting to the cyclospora-linked iceberg lettuce recall, with guidance emphasizing that most whole-head lettuce is considered safe while specific shredded and salad-mix products tied to the recall chain are the main concern. Air Quality & Health: Wildfire smoke from Canada and northern Minnesota pushed Wisconsin air quality to hazardous, historic levels, renewing calls to limit exposure indoors and protect vulnerable residents. Healthcare Workforce: Gov. Evers approved an emergency rule letting qualified registered nurses teach clinical courses without a master’s degree, aiming to ease Wisconsin’s nursing instructor shortage. Local Health Access: Lafayette County approved a nurse scheduling change at Lafayette Hospital and Clinics, allowing clinic nurses to work 36 hours weekly without losing full-time benefits. Veterans Care: Tomah VA Medical Center received $4.8B in nationwide VA infrastructure funding to modernize systems including emergency power, water safety, and digitizing health records. Legal & Policy: Wisconsin DOJ won a court order requiring EPA to implement strengthened soot standards under the Clean Air Act, citing health impacts from fine particle pollution. Community Health Support: FEMA opened a new Milwaukee Disaster Recovery Center for April storm victims, offering help with federal aid applications and appeals. Health Costs & Competition: Wisconsin AG Ford announced a $29.6M multistate settlement with Glenmark over alleged generic-drug price inflation and reduced competition.

Wildfire & air quality: Wisconsin residents are still dealing with hazardous smoke conditions as alerts extend and experts warn wildfire pollution can return and linger, affecting breathing and outdoor plans. Food safety & cyclospora: Health officials are working through the Taylor Farms lettuce recall fallout as FDA guidance shifts from an initial cyclospora link to a “false positive,” while Wisconsin monitors case reports and urges caution. PFAS in private wells: Oneida County’s limited private well testing offer is winding down, with dozens of wells showing PFAS detections and some above state health advisory levels. Stroke care access: Essentia Health-Sandstone highlighted rapid stroke treatment coordination, including telehealth support, that helped reverse a major stroke. Mental health support: NAMI Ozaukee is offering a free Family to Family class starting Sept. 16 for caregivers and loved ones of people living with mental illness. Healthcare workforce: Gov. Evers approved an emergency rule allowing qualified registered nurses to teach clinical courses to help address Wisconsin’s nursing shortage. Prevention basics: Eye exams are being encouraged before kids return to school, with reminders that screenings aren’t the same as comprehensive exams.