AGP Executive Report

Data Centers Debate: Journalists are set to host a free public forum in Venice on Aug. 11 on the Suncoast data center boom, weighing promised investment against electricity, water, and community impacts. Local Appointments: Gov. Ron DeSantis named Tony Smith to the Charlotte County School Board, filling the seat after Kim Amontree moved to a county commissioner bid. Public Safety & Crime: A Citadel cadet was among two young men found shot dead in DeLand, and police are still piecing together what happened. Back-to-School Help: United Way volunteers in Miami-Dade packed nearly 1,000 backpacks for students ahead of the new school year. Lottery Fraud: A USPS letter carrier in South Florida was arrested for allegedly stealing and cashing a $2,600 Pick 4 ticket. Immigration Courts: A key federal funding contract ended, putting thousands of unaccompanied immigrant children at risk of navigating immigration court without legal help. Weather: August is starting hot across South Florida, with heat advisories and storms possible this weekend.

Florida Politics & Courts: Florida AG James Uthmeier warned Gainesville Police to change its gender-identity search policy or face legal action, arguing it violates state law and puts officers and detainees at risk. Public Safety & Justice: A judge rejected a plea deal in a first-degree murder case, reigniting the fight between Uthmeier and the Ninth Judicial Circuit state attorney. Elections: With Florida’s Aug. 18 primary approaching, officials are urging voters to show up—because primaries often decide outcomes. Education: A new report says only 44% of Florida children are ready for kindergarten, with VPK attendance linked to higher readiness. Health & Environment: Cyclospora concerns keep growing as Florida grapples with outbreaks and food-safety questions. South Florida Weather: Heavy storms snapped traffic arms on the 79th St. Causeway drawbridge in Miami, prompting repairs. Business & Community: Gainesville’s sister-city partnership with Brazil won a Sister Cities International innovation award. Sports: FSU freshman Izayia Williams is already turning heads in preseason after returning from an ACL injury.

Death Penalty Update: Gov. DeSantis signed a new execution warrant for Harold Gene Lucas, 74, scheduled for Sept. 1 for the 1976 murder of 16-year-old Jill Piper in Bonita Springs—coming just days after Florida’s rare double execution. Health Care Costs: UHealth is set to go out of network with UnitedHealthcare for many members starting Aug. 1, raising out-of-network costs for scheduled care at South Florida’s academic medical center. Public Safety & Environment: Two men were arrested after hundreds of mothballs were allegedly spread on a St. Petersburg beach to deter shorebirds, including black skimmers, a protected species. Recreation & Rules: Florida’s regular spiny lobster season runs Aug. 6 through March 31, with a six-lobster daily bag limit and required licenses. Housing & Growth: Affiliated Development secured a $74M construction loan for The Cove, a 376-unit mixed-income project in Fort Lauderdale. Elections: Miami and Sweetwater voters face August ballot questions, including changes tied to city election timing and major local deals.

Hurricane Preparedness: After Hurricane Irma, a 16-year-old South Florida student built “Storm Smart,” a student-led program now teaching nearly 500 kids how to prepare for hurricanes and stay safe. Autism Therapy Crisis: South Florida parents say Medicaid cuts and insurance changes are slashing autism and behavior therapy hours, leaving clinics with empty schedules and families scrambling. Affordable Housing Fight: London Bay filed to bypass Fort Myers Beach’s council for a denser Outrigger redevelopment under the state’s Live Local Act, escalating local control vs. state housing rules. Insurance Update: Florida regulators report home insurance premiums are falling in 51 counties, pointing to reforms and fewer lawsuits. Data Centers Debate: Communities and candidates are clashing over whether new data centers should face limits due to heavy power and water demands. Hope Florida Pressure: Alex Vindman is urging Sen. Ashley Moody to back releasing a grand jury report tied to the Hope Florida investigation. Public Safety—Alligator: An autopsy confirms a Seminole County woman died from blunt force trauma during an alligator attack. Elections: Bay County canvassing board began election testing ahead of the Aug. 18 primary. Health Alert: Florida reported its first confirmed “flesh-eating bacteria” death of the year, with 12 more infections statewide.

Fauci Fallout in Florida: Florida AG James Uthmeier says his office is launching an investigation into Dr. Anthony Fauci after the former “COVID czar” invoked the Fifth Amendment repeatedly during a Senate hearing, arguing Biden’s pardon doesn’t block state-level scrutiny. Property Tax Fight: A judge is weighing a challenge to Florida’s proposed property tax amendment language, as supporters push relief and opponents warn it could strain local budgets and raise costs for some homeowners. Child Safety & Accountability: DCF outlined how Florida handles child fatality reviews and investigations when a child in state care dies, including coordination with law enforcement and the medical examiner. Public Health Leadership: A Senate committee advanced Dr. Erica Schwartz’s nomination to lead the CDC, moving it toward a full vote. Local Impact: Tractor Supply’s Petsense unit plans to close 74 stores nationwide, including eight in Florida. Weather: South Florida faces another round of dangerous heat, with heat advisories and a risk of heat illness. Community & Culture: A new Palm Beach North Wellness Collective is set to launch Aug. 20 at Loggerhead Plaza.

Property Taxes in Court: A Leon County judge heard arguments over whether Amendment 3 ballot language is neutral or a political pitch, with opponents saying the “Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes” title uses emotionally loaded rhetoric and could cost local governments billions. COVID Fallout: Florida AG James Uthmeier launched an investigation into Dr. Anthony Fauci after Fauci repeatedly invoked the Fifth Amendment during a Senate hearing on the federal COVID response. Hurricane Recovery Delays: Elevate Florida homeowners in St. Petersburg say they’re still stuck on “pending” despite FEMA updates, raising fresh questions about funding and timelines. Public Safety & Crime: Police say a Fort Myers woman was shot and killed days after a breakup; in West Melbourne, two adults face charges after a toddler died from kratom ingestion. Health Care Milestone: An MRI center at JN France General Hospital is in its final construction phase, with services expected by year-end. Outdoor & Community: South Florida’s lobster mini season kicked off, while Volusia County officials consider a 6-month pause on AI data centers to study water and infrastructure impacts.

Immigration & Public Safety: South Florida community leaders and immigrant rights advocates are set to hold a Wednesday news conference after a surge in ICE arrests, as Haitians with Temporary Protected Status brace for the end of TPS and employers face confusing work-permit uncertainty. Capital Punishment: Florida carried out a rare double execution Tuesday, killing Dominick Occhicone and James Duckett, as Catholic bishops urged Catholics to oppose the death penalty. Lottery: A single Florida ticket won the Mega Millions $800 million jackpot (cash value about $344.2 million), sold at a Wawa in Bradenton; the next drawing is Friday. Weather: Extreme heat warnings and advisories are in effect across much of Florida, with heat index values pushing past 100 degrees and storms raising flooding risk in Central and South Florida. Housing & Local Budgets: Lakeland is weighing possible budget cuts tied to a proposed Florida property tax initiative that could reduce city revenue by millions. Business & Health: Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute highlighted leadership and infrastructure needs as cancer care shifts with precision medicine and digital tools.

Capital Punishment: Florida carried out two executions in one day for the first time in decades, killing former police officer James Duckett and 80-year-old Dominick Occhicone hours apart, as Gov. Ron DeSantis defended the pace as making up for pandemic delays. Immigration & Health Care: South Florida Haitians are bracing for the end of TPS after a federal judge’s order, with healthcare leaders warning the change could disrupt long-term care for thousands. Public Safety & Courts: A federal hazing case in Miami has charged Secret Service agent Marquez Pinder and others over an alleged fraternity ritual that left two men seriously injured. Housing & Cost of Living: Rent is dropping sharply in Southwest Florida, with Fort Myers, Naples and Sarasota leading the nation in vacancy-driven price declines. Environment & Wildlife: Researchers say blacktip sharks are spending more time along Florida’s coast as warmer waters shift migration patterns. Politics & Policy: Florida’s governor’s race is heating up around AI data centers, with a new poll showing most voters oppose building one in their community. Education: Florida’s State University System is ranked No. 1 for higher education for a 10th straight year, launching a “Florida 10 for 10” scholarship program.

AI & Health Liability: A Florida pastor, Scott Winters, sued OpenAI and Sam Altman after he says ChatGPT’s faith-tinged medical advice discouraged him from seeking care, preceding a near-fatal pulmonary embolism. CFO Race: Teamsters and top Democrats are lining up behind Annette Taddeo’s bid for Florida CFO, while Sen. Ashley Moody endorsed Blaise Ingoglia for a full term, framing both as affordability-and-accountability watchdog races. Governor Ballot Fight: A judge ruled James Fishback can stay on Florida’s primary ballot after dismissing a residency challenge. Politics & Immigration: Sen. Rick Scott says Haitians shouldn’t be allowed to remain under TPS, but argues Congress should create a vetting-based pathway for those who qualify. Courts & Public Safety: Florida is set for a rare double execution Tuesday. Weather: An extreme heat warning hit the Panhandle, with “feels like” temps up to 113. Local Business: Hilton opened its fourth LivSmart Studios in Pensacola, targeting longer stays with kitchens and EV charging.

Public Safety: Florida is seeing a surge in child drownings, with more than 70 deaths reported this year and experts warning families to treat water hazards as constant risks. Beach & Weather: A heat advisory hit the Panhandle with heat index values pushing toward the low-to-mid 110s, while Central Florida braces for dangerous heat and storms. Health Watch: A Cyclospora outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico has sickened people in Palm Beach County, prompting recalls and fresh food-safety questions. Local Courts & Accountability: Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann was sentenced to 10 days in jail for violating DUI probation after testing positive for cannabinoids. Politics: A judge ruled James Fishback can stay on Florida’s Aug. 18 governor ballot, rejecting a residency challenge from Lt. Gov. Jay Collins. Education & Leadership: UF set Nov. 18 for President Stuart Bell’s inauguration, as the new president focuses on staffing and university priorities. Community & Culture: Orlando Economic Partnership backed the Orlando Dreamers’ push for Major League Baseball, citing major job and tourism impacts.

Cancer & Medical Research: Vivos Inc. says the FDA cleared its feasibility IDE, letting it start a first-in-human study at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville for non-resectable papillary thyroid cancer. Education Policy: Florida’s 2023 law requiring later school start times for 2026-27 is reversed, returning start-time decisions to local districts citing bus and staffing costs. Public Safety & Courts: A judge delayed a triple-fatal Turnpike homicide case to Oct. 1 as attorneys seek more time to review forensic material. Weather & Health: South Florida braces for another round of storms with heavy downpours and flooding risk, while Central Florida faces heat advisories and triple-digit heat index conditions. Local Business & Growth: All Languages Specialists in Tampa was acquired in a deal aimed at expanding legal and healthcare interpretation and translation services. Higher Ed Funding: UNF received $31.3 million in performance-based funding after improving its statewide score for a second straight year. Driving Rankings: Port St. Lucie topped Florida’s “safest drivers” list in Allstate’s report, while Lehigh Acres landed at the bottom statewide.

Haitian TPS Fight: South Florida leaders are rallying as Haitian Temporary Protected Status protections are set to expire Monday, with ICE planning to ramp up arrests and deportations—raising fears for thousands working in the region’s healthcare system. Public Safety & Courts: A Florida man was arrested after allegedly importing Texas sheep and goats without required health paperwork tied to a screwworm emergency, while a separate case has a Publix parking-lot death in Panama City Beach sparking outrage over alleged immigration status and accountability. Weather: Central Florida remains under elevated rain and storm chances through the workweek, with strong to severe storms possible. Environment: University of Miami researchers are moving endangered Elkhorn coral fragments to safer, shadier and deeper areas to prevent bleaching as heat returns. Community & Sports: “It’s Bigger Than Us” hosted its seventh back-to-school event in Little Haiti for 500+ families, and Team Florida brought home 73 medals from the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. Business & Crime: The FBI says a fugitive tied to a $32M COVID relief fraud scheme was captured in Jamaica and returned to South Florida.

Public Safety & Justice: A Venezuelan man accused of killing an 82-year-old Florida grandma outside a Publix in Panama City Beach after backing over her with an SUV is in jail, with court records citing ICE detainers. Weather & Heat: South Florida faces another round of afternoon showers and storms today, with heat index values around 105–110 and a minor flooding risk. Environment & Water: Sarasota County water-violation complaints tripled after drought enforcement tightened, with most reports coming from communities actively policing restrictions. Housing & Utilities: St. Petersburg says it has “no current negotiations” with Duke Energy as its franchise agreement expires July 31, while the city weighs next steps on municipalization. Health & Consumer Watch: Amy’s Kitchen recalled 184,200 cans of Organic Lentil Soup (single lot) due to a pull-tab manufacturing defect that can lead to spoilage. Space & Education: UCF’s Exolith Lab in Oviedo is letting students test moon-base equipment in simulated lunar regolith. Immigration Aid: South Florida groups and businesses continue fundraising for Venezuelan earthquake victims a month later.

Pediatric Care Spotlight: Orlando Health’s Arnold Palmer Hospital ranks No. 1 in Florida for pediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery and lands 35th nationally on Newsweek’s America’s Best Children’s Hospitals 2026 list. Water Safety Push: After a string of Central Florida drownings, Orange County Fire Rescue and the YMCA are hosting hands-only CPR and rescue training events, while South Florida families also turn to YMCA pool parties and free swim lessons. Public Safety & Justice: FBI says a “Most Wanted” fraud suspect tied to a $32M COVID-19 relief scheme was arrested in Jamaica and returned to South Florida; in Walton County, investigators are still searching for a murder suspect after remains were found in a shallow grave. Wildlife Protection: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed two rare Florida snakes as federally endangered, boosting protections for species found only in tiny parts of the Keys and Miami-Dade. Local Crime Update: Cape Coral identified human remains found in a canal as a woman missing since 1985, now treated as an active homicide investigation. Weather Watch: Central Florida faces strong storm warnings with damaging winds, lightning, and hail.

HOA Power Struggle: Florida developers are reportedly delaying HOA turnover by gaming sale thresholds and amending declarations, keeping control longer and pulling in millions in resident-funded revenue—lawmakers are weighing firm deadlines and penalties. AI & Data Centers: Trump is expanding a pledge with governors and utilities to shield consumers from higher data-center utility bills, but critics warn savings may not reach voters. Health Care Deadline: South Florida’s UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage members face shifting in-network rules tied to a July 31 deadline for UHealth, with access protections ending later than previously described. Insurance Watch: A new AM Best breakdown shows auto physical-damage premiums are falling in some states, while Florida’s trend is a standout—good news for some drivers, but not a full relief story. Local Crime & Courts: A Polk County 7-Eleven theft case led to arrests of teen players and a coach accused of lying to protect them. Public Safety: Cape Coral police are searching for new clues after identifying remains tied to a woman missing for decades. Weather: Storm chances rise over the weekend as tropical moisture returns to the peninsula. Community Good News: Make-A-Wish Southern Florida granted a Keys wish for a 7-year-old to swim with dolphins.

Politics & Elections: Byron Donalds’ school-meals and clean-water plan is taking center stage as he pushes back on data-center moratorium talk, while his campaign gets a major boost from Ken Griffin’s $10 million donation. Public Health: Measles cases across the U.S. have now surpassed last year’s totals, with Florida reporting 141 confirmed cases as of July 23 and Collier County’s Ave Maria University tied to most of them. Local Government: Lee County commissioners approved $3.9 million in repairs for Bowditch Point Regional Park on Fort Myers Beach after Hurricane Ian damage. Business & Aviation: Jet Aviation opened a new FBO at Miami-Opa Locka, expanding hangar and ramp capacity. Weather & Travel: Tropical Storm Bertha’s lingering impacts are fading, but weekend rain timing remains a big deal for Florida plans. Community & Crime: A Deltona man was arrested for allegedly stealing nearly 300 gallons of diesel from Central Florida Circle K stations using a magnet to bypass fuel controls.