AGP Executive Report

Netflix Lawsuit: Florida AG James Uthmeier sued Netflix, saying the streamer “bait-and-switch” marketed itself as an ad-free alternative while tracking children and families and using that data to build its advertising business. Immigration Costs: DeSantis’ administration is asking for another $250 million to cover debts tied to the defunct “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration site, as hurricane-season disaster funding strains the state’s emergency budget. Terror Designations: DeSantis and Cabinet approved an emergency rule laying out Florida’s process for designating domestic terrorist organizations, tied to a new state law now facing court fights. 9/11 Remembrance: DeSantis marked the 25th anniversary in Clay County, ordering flags at half-staff and pushing a hard line on national security and immigration. Public Safety & Health: USF researchers unveiled an AI knee-sleeve project aimed at flagging ACL injury risk before a rupture. Transportation: FDOT will close westbound I-4 Express lanes overnight Sept. 14-15, with detours into general-use lanes. Energy Costs: Diesel hit record highs, averaging $6.06 statewide. Tourism & Community: Experience Kissimmee CEO DT Minich was inducted into the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame, and the Addition Financial Foundation awarded $175,000 to 10 Central Florida nonprofits.

Netflix vs. Florida AG: Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier sued Netflix, accusing the streamer of “bait-and-switch” privacy practices—tracking children’s viewing data and building an ad business—while Netflix denies wrongdoing. Public Safety Tech: Fort Pierce tightened rules on its Flock license-plate camera system after a former officer was accused of using it to search for a woman he dated 382 times, including limiting access and shortening how long data is kept. Death Penalty: Florida executed “Hog Trail Killer” Daniel Conahan Jr. for the 1996 Charlotte County murder of Richard Montgomery. Local Courts & Kids: A Central Florida grand jury report says DCF Circuit 5 shows “systemic patterns” of neglect and operational failures, citing cases tied to trauma and death. Politics & Money: Trump announced $500 Obamacare refunds for nearly a million Americans in states including Florida, tied to alleged federal “user fee” overcharges. Florida Sports: No. 7 Miami poured it on for a 77-7 win over Florida A&M, setting school marks for yards and points. Hurricane Prep: FPL urged residents to stay ready as peak hurricane season approaches, warning a slow start doesn’t mean the risk is over.

Property Taxes: Florida Realtors is backing the November Amendment 3 property tax cut, pledging $10 million to the “Yes On 3” campaign as critics warn it could squeeze local services. Privacy Fight: Florida sued Netflix, alleging the streamer misled subscribers and tracked children’s viewing data to fuel advertising. Nursing Discipline: A Florida administrative judge recommended a reprimand and fine for a Boca Raton labor nurse who posted a TikTok wishing Karoline Leavitt a difficult birth. Healthcare & Labor: Southwest Florida senior care providers warn a Supreme Court decision ending Haitian TPS is worsening staffing shortages in nursing homes and assisted living. Public Safety & Courts: A judge recommended the False Claims Act’s whistleblower provisions are constitutional, while Florida’s congressional map fight continues after a bid to use a jury was rejected. Local Business: Great American Self Storage opened in Ocala with climate-controlled drive-up units and a grand opening BBQ. Community Reminders: Sept. 11 is not a federal or Florida state holiday, but it’s observed as “9/11 Heroes’ Day.”

Immigration & Education: Florida’s Board of Governors voted unanimously to bar undocumented students from enrolling in public universities starting in 2027-28, a move critics say will close doors for students who grew up in Florida. Privacy & Tech: Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier sued Netflix, alleging the streamer misled families about tracking and advertising and secretly built a data-driven ad business using children’s viewing activity. Property Taxes & Local Services: Largo held an education session on Amendment 3, with city leaders warning the homestead change could cut the general fund by more than $15 million in 2028 and force tough service tradeoffs. Housing Costs & Energy: With Florida gas prices back over $4 after Labor Day, some South Florida businesses say they’re absorbing higher fuel costs to protect customers. Animal Policy: Palm Beach County is weighing tighter pet rules for hobby breeders, including higher fees, mandatory inspections, and insurance requirements for dangerous dogs—sparking debate from rescues and residents. Public Safety & Courts: ICE announced a new CDL fraud tipline, while separate reports highlight ongoing enforcement actions tied to serious crimes. Environment: Gov. DeSantis marked completion of the C-23 canal estuary discharge diversion project in Palm City, aimed at improving water quality in the St. Lucie Estuary.

Gas Prices: Florida’s average hit $4.07 a gallon, the first post–late May jump above $4, as oil-price pressure tied to the Iran conflict pushes both wholesale and pump costs higher. Meta Lawsuit: Three users filed a class-action in federal court accusing Facebook/Instagram of helping run crypto scams via ad targeting and WhatsApp funnels, arguing Meta’s AI tools boosted scam effectiveness. Public Safety: After a fatal Hendry County officer-involved shooting, a Southwest Florida sheriff’s office reported threats and arrested two men tied to threatening law enforcement. Elections & Activism: “No Kings: Vote Early” protests are set for Oct. 17, with Florida early voting beginning Oct. 24 (dates vary by county). Aviation Tragedy: NTSB says preliminary data from Miami’s deadly Amazon cargo crash suggests pilots considered a go-around before aborting; investigators plan pilot interviews. Tech & Crime Policy: Florida AG James Uthmeier proposes criminal penalties for companies whose AI chatbots allegedly assist violent crimes. Weather: South Florida stays stormy with scattered showers and thunderstorms, plus more rain chances into the weekend.

UF Football & Culture: Florida brought back the “Gator Bait” chant for the first time since 2020, with UF leaders saying the cheer itself isn’t racist but pointing to “horrific historic racist imagery” tied to it. Public Health: More than 1,500 pounds of imported pork guanciale are recalled in Florida and beyond over possible listeria contamination. Aviation Safety: The NTSB says data from the Miami Amazon cargo crash suggests pilots initiated a go-around seconds before impact, killing five on the ground. Missing Persons: A small plane carrying a Florida family vanished off the Bahamas coast, and search efforts continue amid bad weather. AI & Crime Policy: Florida AG James Uthmeier proposes criminal penalties for AI companies whose tools are used to facilitate crimes. Privacy & Surveillance: FDOT orders removal of license plate reader “flock” cameras from state roadways; Collier County says it will pull 72 units. Local Politics: Lee County growth-plan changes sparked backlash, and a senior oversight committee member resigned.

Israel-Palestine Trade Fallout: The U.K. is banning imports of goods from illegal Israeli West Bank settlements, with France and Canada moving the same way—prompting sharp warnings from Israel and a U.S. envoy. Florida Immigration & Schools: Florida’s Board of Governors is moving to bar undocumented students from enrolling at state universities, while the state’s surgeon general backs changes that would loosen school vaccine requirements and expand religious opt-outs. Missing Plane Off the Bahamas: A small plane carrying a Florida family vanished after departing the Bahamas; one person has been found dead and search crews are still looking for the rest near Andros Island. Weather & Flood Risk: South Florida braces for scattered thunderstorms and localized flooding risk Tuesday, with heat staying in the low 90s. FSU Game Disruption: A power outage at Doak Campbell Stadium delayed Florida State’s opener vs. SMU, forcing a more “old-school” setup for the televised game. Business Moves: Coca-Cola Beverages Florida names Cecilia M. Pacheco as VP of Human Resources. Tech/Markets: XTEND AI Robotics begins trading on the NYSE, marking its public debut.

FSU vs. SMU Delay: A power outage at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee knocked out the press box, sound system and floodlights, delaying the Labor Day matchup nearly two hours before kickoff. State Tech & Privacy: FDOT ordered local agencies to remove automated license plate readers from Florida state road rights-of-way, citing misuse and privacy concerns. Labor Day Safety: Bay County Fire Rescue reported a busy holiday weekend, including an emergency landing at ECP and warnings about distracted driving and alcohol-related incidents. Cybersecurity Warning: Winona County, Minnesota, paid a ransomware bill in January—then got hit again 11 weeks later, with a second gang stealing millions of files. College Football Culture: The University of Florida brought back the “Gator Bait” cheer after a six-year ban, as officials say traditions matter. Business & Finance: WaFd and EverBank announced a definitive merger agreement, with WaFd continuing and a new Nasdaq ticker planned. Weather Watch: The Panhandle expects warm, muggy Labor Day conditions with limited rain overnight, with storms more likely later in the week.

Immigration & Education: Florida’s Board of Governors approved a rule barring people described as “present in the United States unlawfully” from initial enrollment at certain public universities starting in 2027-28, adding fuel to the fight over who gets access to higher education. Public Safety: A 71-year-old woman was fatally shot after firing a gun inside the Port Orange police station lobby, with video showing officers firing more than a dozen times. Travel Disruption: A deadly Amazon cargo plane crash at Miami International Airport killed five and injured five, leaving two runways closed and causing major Labor Day delays. Weather & Community: South Florida braces for another round of intense storms on Labor Day, while Southwest Florida is recruiting “Weather Watchers” volunteers to help track conditions. Local Politics & Accountability: Jacksonville City Council President Nick Howland drew scrutiny after flying on a billionaire’s private jet to catch a Rays game. Sports: Florida’s football opener vs. FAU delivered big offensive numbers, and attention turns to the FSU vs. SMU matchup Monday.

Aviation Tragedy: Five people were killed and five others injured after an Amazon cargo plane overran the runway and crashed at Miami International Airport, striking vehicles and bursting into flames; officials say more than 60 fire units responded and the FAA and NTSB are investigating. College Sports (FSU): Florida State is hunting a top 2028 quarterback, with four-star Chandler Dyson set to visit ahead of the SMU opener, while FSU’s radio booth honors Gene Deckerhoff’s legacy with a dedication at an SMU game. College Sports (Florida): The Gators opened strong with a 66-21 win over FAU, led by QB Aaron Philo’s debut and RB Jadan Baugh’s 160-yard, three-touchdown performance, though coach Jon Sumrall flagged defensive fixes. Public Safety/Crime: Seven people were charged in a $100 million workers’ comp fraud scheme involving shell companies and cash payrolls. Local Watch: Altamonte Springs marked 9/11 with 2,977 flags lining a neighborhood street. Weather: Labor Day brings scattered coastal-to-inland storms and dangerous lightning risk across South Florida.

Severe Weather & Holiday Travel: Central Florida gets a brief drier break Sunday before storms ramp back up for Labor Day, with rain chances climbing again Monday and a low-end flood risk lingering into midweek. Public Safety: A lightning strike sent a South Florida sheriff’s deputy to the hospital, and Florida Highway Patrol reports a milk truck crash on I-75 near Wesley Chapel that airlifted the driver after a serious wreck. Law & Order: A rabies advisory is in effect in St. Johns County after a confirmed rabid raccoon was found, urging residents to avoid wild animals and keep pets vaccinated. State Budget Watch: Florida’s Legislative Budget Commission meets to update the state’s long-term financial outlook, with lawmakers weighing a projected $7.1 billion surplus that could shrink fast. Local Economy/Real Estate: Ares Management bought two fully leased Miami-Dade warehouses for $108.7 million, including a Target distribution center in Hialeah and a LaserShip facility in Sweetwater.

College Football: Florida kicked off the Jon Sumrall era with a 66-21 rout of FAU at The Swamp, racing to a 38-14 halftime lead behind QB Aaron Philo’s 275 yards and 3 passing TDs and RB Jadan Baugh’s 160 yards and 3 scores. Gator Traditions: Florida also revived the “gator bait” cheer after more than six years, saying it’s “meaningful to the Gator family” despite earlier bans tied to “historic racist imagery.” Local Politics/Privacy: Florida’s statewide pushback on surveillance tech continues as the state orders local agencies to remove Flock cameras from state roads, with the debate spreading into elections. Weather: Labor Day weekend stays stormy for Central Florida, with showers and thunderstorms likely through Monday. Boating Economy: New state data highlights Southwest Florida’s boating footprint, with Collier County showing fewer facilities but concentrated capacity around Naples Bay, Marco Island, and the Ten Thousand Islands. Public Safety: A Miami police motorcycle officer was injured in a Florida Turnpike crash, and Jacksonville logged the most truck-involved crashes in Florida again.

Immigration & Voting Rights: A federal appeals court rejected the Trump administration’s bid to revive the SAVE voter-purge system, saying it risks canceling registrations based on inaccurate citizenship data. Privacy & Policing Tech: Florida is pulling Flock-style license plate readers from state roads, with local agencies like Gainesville suspending ALPR use after FDOT revoked permits. Local Crime & Courts: Two former guards at the shuttered “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor battery charges tied to a January incident. Campaign Trail: State Rep. Angie Nixon announced Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez endorsed her U.S. Senate run. Public Safety: A Fort Myers pedestrian was killed Friday night after being struck while crossing U.S. 41. Weather: Central Florida is bracing for warm conditions and heavy rain with possible strong thunderstorms through the weekend. Sports: Florida opens its 2026 season Saturday vs. FAU in Gainesville.

Health & Tech: A new FIU-led study finds popular smartwatches can overestimate calorie burn by roughly 15% to 25%, with accuracy getting worse as body fat increases—so don’t treat watch numbers as exact. Public Safety: A North Fort Myers crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian shut down lanes on Evergreen Road. Courts & Crime: A Florida woman who shot a man after a Walmart parking-spot dispute in North Lauderdale will not face charges under Florida’s Stand Your Ground law. Local Life: Gainesville’s $4.5 million “streatery” pedestrian corridor is wrapping up just in time for UF’s season opener. Politics & Education: Florida’s Board of Governors voted to bar undocumented students from initial enrollment at selective public universities starting in 2027-28. Weather/Travel: Labor Day weekend looks stormy across Central Florida with frequent lightning and heavy downpours possible. Sports: Florida opens its 2026 season Saturday vs. FAU, with the Gators heavily favored and selling out Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Policy Watch: Florida revoked permits for license plate reader cameras on state roads, ordering agencies to tear down systems within 30 days.

Immigration & Higher Education: Florida’s Board of Governors voted unanimously to bar undocumented students from initial enrollment at the state’s 12 public universities starting in the 2027-28 school year, a move that follows similar restrictions already approved for other Florida education programs. Public Safety & Weather: Florida is seeing extreme lightning activity statewide, and a Miami-Dade sheriff’s sergeant was hospitalized after a lightning strike hit a car; meanwhile, South and Central Florida are bracing for a rainy Labor Day weekend with storms each day. Transportation & Privacy: FDOT ordered state law enforcement to remove automated license plate reader cameras from Florida state highways within 30 days, while local agencies say they’ll keep using the tech elsewhere. Utilities: Duke Energy Florida is seeking lower electric rates for 2027, projecting about a 71-cent drop on a typical 1,000 kWh monthly bill if approved. Local Life: Volunteers and businesses are rebuilding an elderly couple’s Miami-Dade home, including donated plumbing and a newly inspected roof. Business & Community: Curaleaf opened a new Riverview dispensary, expanding its Florida retail footprint.

Immigration & Higher Education: Florida’s Board of Governors voted unanimously to bar undocumented students from enrolling in the state’s 12 public universities starting in 2027-28, requiring proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful status. Public Safety & Courts: A Florida Highway Patrol search is underway for a woman believed to have helped after a deadly Orange County crash on Aug. 16, where a speeding driver ran a red light and a 41-year-old woman died. Crime & Federal Enforcement: The FBI is offering a $150,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a Turkish national tied to a defense fraud scheme involving counterfeit military parts, with alleged Florida connections. Transportation & Safety: FHP says a man died after being struck while changing a tire on I-75 in Miramar; a 2-year-old in the car was not hurt. Local Governance & Privacy: Palm Beach County paused new permits for Flock-style license plate reader cameras after FDOT moved to remove them from state right-of-ways over privacy concerns. Community & Health: A Broward hospital’s volunteer concierge team is helping patients feel like VIPs during visits. Sports: FSU volleyball begins a new era under coach Lindsay Allman as the program works to establish its identity in the 2026 season.