Be MKE: This wild competition is coming, big Kohl's news and Sprecher sodas on new TV show

Who we are. Where we go. What we need to know.

If you haven't already heard, a pretty wild competition is coming to Wisconsin this month for the first time ever.

Milwaukee will be hosting Red Bull Flugtag — named after the German word for "flying day" — at Veterans Park on July 16.

Forty teams will be launching homemade, human-powered airships off of a 27-foot-tall flight deck and gliding over — and then into — Lake Michigan. They'll be judged on creativity of their airship's design, their performance and the distance of their flight.

I got to catch up with a few local teams that are participating. Here's what they had to say.

Let’s talk business

A MAJOR KOHL'S UPDATE: Kohl's Corp. is no longer in talks to sell the company. The Menomonee Falls-based retailer also said on Friday that its upcoming second-quarter earnings would be lower than forecast amid a weakening retail environment. The Friday news sent Kohl's shares down nearly 20%. In June, Kohl's had announced that it was in negotiations for a possible sale to Franchise Group Inc. But there ended up being significant obstacles reaching a fully executable agreement.

Have you started watching "The Bear" yet? It's a dark, new sitcom airing on FX and streaming on Hulu. If you have, you might've noticed a local connection. Two of Sprecher Brewing's sodas — its Green River and root beer — have cameos. "I've been getting inundated with calls and social media messages and texts from people who are like, 'Saw you guys on "The Bear."' said Tim Cigelske, director of communications for the Glendale-based business. "It's a pretty cool moment."

Once again, there was A LOT of Bucks news this week. Let's get ya caught up:

• Looks like the "Bobby! Bobby! Bobby!" chants will ring out at Fiserv Forum once again. After opting out of his contract last week Wednesday, Bobby Portis agreed in principle to return to the Bucks for a four-year, $49 million deal, according to a league source familiar with the negotiations.

• Marquette University alumnus Wesley Matthews agreed in principle to return to the team on a one-year free agent deal.

• The Bucks agreed in principle to a one-year, $6.5 million deal with sharpshooter Joe Ingles. Ingles suffered a torn left anterior cruciate ligament in late January and will not be available to play at the beginning of the regular season. But his rehabilitation is going well enough for the team to feel good about making the move to bring him in.

• The Bucks committed to a two-year, $4.6 million deal in principle on Thursday with Jevon Carter. The second year is a player option.

Any free agent signing cannot become official until July 6, as the NBA entered its “moratorium” period at 5 p.m. on Thursday. Teams can agree to trades and contracts, but no deals outside of a select few can be signed. It is possible for players or teams to change their minds on an agreement in this period.

Out and about

Stormy weather on Monday ... and Tuesday put a damper on most Fourth of July fireworks shows across the area. While some were canceled, others have been postponed to new dates. Here's the latest on those.

Burnham Playfield, located on the city's south side, underwent about $4.4 million in renovations. Upgrades include a synthetic turf field, a new playground, a new splash pad, new basketball courts, shade trees and more walking paths. The playfield's reopening was celebrated with a ribbon cutting last week.

In 2023, three permanent courts for Tuj lub, a 5,000-year-old Hmong game, will open at Carmen Playfield. For years, those who played the sport in Milwaukee had to set up the court themselves. When the new courts open, there will be a potential for classes on how to play and also tournaments. The courts will be the fourth of their kind in the country. Here's more on the game and how it's played.

And just like that, Summerfest is approaching its final weekend of the year. I spent Friday night bopping from Stone Temple Pilots to Alessia Cara to 2 Chainz, then saw Halsey on Saturday. If you're heading there Thursday, Friday or Saturday, here's the lineup and also a guide on tickets, parking and more.

Don’t go hangry

Dog parents, perk up your ears. A new dog-friendly bar, Riley's Social House, opened at 411 E. Menomonee Street in the Third Ward. Dogs must be leashed and should sport a color-coded carabiner supplied by the bar to show whether or not people can approach them. The owners, Jessica and John Ludwig, also debuted Riley's Sandwich Co. — the sandwich shop's second location — next door at the same time. At the social house, patrons can walk up to the bar to order drinks. To order from the sandwich shop, which operates separately, customers can use two kiosks in the bar or order on their phones. Dogs can't accompany people into the sandwich shop, so patrons who are alone with their dogs can flag a staff member to watch 'em. All the establishments are named for the owners' dog, who joined their lives as a rescue in 2008.

There will soon be a second spot to get Mae Velma's Corned Beef, which has its original location at 4101 N. 76th Street. The new location, 7276 N. Teutonia Avenue, is expected to officially open Aug. 1, according to owner Tyron Smith. Mae Velma's serves up reuben sandwiches and reuben rolls, chicken wings and fried catfish, ocean perch and shrimp dinners, and more. While Mae Velma's focus is on to-go, the new restaurant will also have eight seats for customers and a big-screen TV. Patrons can order online and for delivery through the business' website, maevelmascornedbeef.com, or can call in their orders at 414-236-5590.

Here are the talkers

The more than 50-year-old tradition that is Milwaukee County's famous July 3 fireworks returned Sunday night after a two-year hiatus. "Love the July 3rd fireworks at the lakefront," said Christine Chmielewski, who has attended the annual event with her family for about 25 years. "There's nothing like it." The fireworks typically attract more than 100,000 people to the lakefront.

The following day, hundreds in Milwaukee traded usual Fourth of July traditions for the People's Independence Day protest in response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Protestors gathered at Red Arrow Park, then marched to the U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building on Wisconsin Avenue. "We are standing up for women's rights and human rights," said attendee Jennifer Shevey. "That's more important than celebrating Fourth of July right now."

Be MKE,

Hannah

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To see what I'm up to around the city, follow me on Instagram @hannahhopekirby. Always keeping it pretty profesh over on Twitter @hannahhopekirby. Be MKE love or comments can be sent to hannah.kirby@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Be MKE: Wild contest coming, big Kohl's news, Sprecher sodas on show