AGP Executive Report

Online Fraud: A Marion County woman, Gianna Abel-Venezia, was arrested after using Facebook Dating to allegedly fleece a disabled man by claiming she was trapped in an abusive relationship. Public Safety: Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal Fort Myers crash where an 18-year-old on a motorcycle hit a car making a left turn, killing the rider. Sports: Florida baseball blasted Alabama 13-3 in the SEC Tournament, while UF’s M&M Boys (Vernon Maxwell and Andrew Moten) were inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. Hurricane Prep Reality Check: Pinellas homeowners say they’re still waiting on Elevate Florida flood-elevation help as hurricane season nears. Legal Fight Over Speech: A free speech group says it may challenge Florida’s new domestic terrorism law. Weather & Travel: Memorial Day weekend looks hot and dry in South Florida, and AAA expects a record travel surge. Fisheries: A federal judge paused expanded South Atlantic red snapper permits just before the season start.

Wrong-Way DUI Tragedy: A 21-year-old USF student, Lauryn Akey, was killed early Sunday when a drunk driver went the wrong way on I-75 and hit her car; her family is urging the community to remember her with #lovelikelauryn. Health Coverage Fight: Florida residents say insurers are increasingly denying prescription coverage, forcing patients into repeated appeals while industry groups trade blame over the scale of denials. Domestic Violence Protections: Gov. DeSantis signed HB 277, expanding safeguards for survivors and targeting repeat offenders, with Rachael Kerr’s family present at the Capitol. Courts & Fishing: A judge blocked Florida’s new Atlantic red snapper season plan just before it was set to begin. Death Penalty: Richard Knight was executed Thursday for the 2000 murders of a pregnant woman and her 4-year-old daughter. Sports: Florida baseball run-ruled Alabama 13-3 to reach the SEC semifinals, and softball is set for a Super Regional showdown with Texas Tech.

NBA Draft Drama: Rueben Chinyelu is back in Florida for a senior season after testing the NBA process, keeping his eligibility and now aiming to build on a breakout year at Florida. Cuba Fallout: A federal grand jury indicted former Cuban leader Raúl Castro in the 1996 “Brothers to the Rescue” plane shootdown case, and Florida lawmakers are already framing it as a potential flashpoint for U.S.-Cuba tensions. Public Safety & Courts: Florida is set to pay $485,000 to a fired biologist after a free-speech lawsuit tied to a Charlie Kirk social media post; the Florida Supreme Court also rejected a death-row inmate’s appeal. Local Crime: A Lakeland flashlight argument turned into a choking arrest and a major drug bust. Sports: Florida baseball plays Alabama in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals Thursday, with weather shifting the start time. Education: Florida A&M football posted a 3.05 spring GPA and 41 players earned academic honors.

U.S.-Cuba Legal Shock: The Justice Department indicted former Cuban leader Raúl Castro in the 1996 “Brothers to the Rescue” shootdown case, and South Florida’s Cuban exile community is already gathering to celebrate what many call long-overdue accountability. Florida Courts & Public Safety: A man convicted in the 2006 killings of a woman and her 4-year-old daughter is set for Florida’s 7th execution of 2026, while a Cocoa neighborhood reels after a fatal dog attack caught on security video. Weather & Travel: Central Florida gas prices keep climbing, averaging about $4.54 a gallon, and I-4 traffic shifts are planned overnight in Osceola County. Sports: Florida baseball advanced in the SEC Tournament, and weather forced a revised start time for the Gators’ quarterfinal vs. Alabama. Tourism & Lifestyle: “Dr. Beach” ranked St. Andrews State Park in Panama City as Florida’s top beach in its 2026 list. Business: Drury opened its first Destin-area hotel, and Hialeah is offering up to a year of free rent to selected small businesses to revive a commercial corridor.

Cuba-US Legal Shock: The U.S. indicted former Cuban leader Raúl Castro and five others in Florida tied to the 1996 downing of two civilian Brothers to the Rescue planes, escalating pressure on Havana; Cuban exiles in South Florida reacted fast, with some calling for maximum penalties. Middle-Class Math: A new study pegs Florida’s “middle class” household income at about $51,823 minimum, with the state’s median middle-class figure around $77,735. Local Crime: A beach wedding dispute in Volusia turned violent, landing a Florida man in custody after he punched a 65-year-old officiant. Public Safety: Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly Orlando hit-and-run on John Young Parkway, and Clay County is reeling after a fatal head-on crash. Sports & Culture: The MVPW-04 boxing card in Orlando is set for June 13, and Palm Beach County’s weekend picks plus a Food Network spotlight for a West Palm BBQ spot are drawing attention.

Murder-for-hire case hits Central Florida: A Lake Mary attorney, Francisco Gonzalez, and his TikTok influencer daughter, Gabriela “Gabbie” Gonzalez, are accused of plotting to pay a hitman $10,000 to kill pop singer Jack Avery during a custody fight. Investigators say the plan involved surveillance and was meant to stage Avery’s death as a car accident. Legal pressure on schools: A Miami-Dade mother is suing the school board and school police after her autistic daughter was arrested and charged with battery following a school incident. The family is seeking $1 million. NFL vs. Florida AG: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says the league is cooperating with Florida AG James Uthmeier after a subpoena tied to the Rooney Rule and other employment practices. Heat safety push: A new heat lab at UNF opened to help athletes and outdoor workers manage extreme temperatures. Invasive species countdown: Florida’s 2026 Python Challenge registration opened, with the event running July 10–19. Sports, Florida-style: Ben Simmons’ sportfishing team, the South Florida Sails, won the Walker’s Cay Blue Marlin Open in the Bahamas.

Wildlife Watch: Florida wildlife officials are asking local boaters, anglers, and divers to help explain a sudden drop in cownose rays, with virtual public workshops set to gather reports. Education: A new reading-growth report ranks Florida last among states, showing students slipping since 2022. Legal Fight: A federal judge said FIU may have violated students’ free-speech rights over an offensive group chat, but dismissed the case for now while discipline plays out. Politics: SEIU Florida endorsed Jose Javier Rodríguez for attorney general, pitching him as a worker-and-consumer advocate. Business & Travel: Disney World named Joe Schott as its next president, and Allegiant is adding new nonstop Florida routes. Weather: South Florida stays stormy with windy conditions and dangerous rip currents, while Central Florida bakes under heat and humidity.

Medicare Fraud Verdict: A Florida jury convicted HealthSplash CEO Brett Blackman on multiple conspiracy counts tied to a scheme that bilked Medicare and other federal programs out of more than $1 billion, with sentencing set for Aug. 26. Fatal Hit-and-Run: A 14-year-old bicyclist from Havana was killed in a DUI hit-and-run on U.S. 27 in Gadsden County; the driver was later arrested after police found the vehicle in Leon County. Court Limits State Liability: A federal court ruled Florida’s Department of Financial Services owed no legal duty in fraud probes, dealing another blow to a roofer’s claims. Education & Safety: DeSantis signed a law expanding the armed “Guardian” program to public postsecondary schools and requiring active assailant response planning. Local Governance: Newberry’s school board appointed Jessica Norfleet to fill a vacancy as the district prepares to open its new school. Public Health & Consumer Watch: A daycare worker in Panama City was charged after an infant suffered severe injuries; and Florida officials issued a recall of enoki mushrooms potentially contaminated with Listeria. Sports & Culture: UF’s presidential search narrowed to sole finalist Stuart Bell; and the Florida Gators set for an NCAA softball Super Regional vs. Texas Tech starting May 22.

Gulf Coast Retail Battle: Casey’s is making a big push into Florida’s Panhandle and Gulf Coast after buying Fike’s Wholesale, opening multiple new stores in Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, Fort Walton Beach and more—turning up the heat on Buc-ee’s as both chains chase the region’s post-pandemic travel boom. Teen Driving Safety: Florida is still investigating a crash that killed 16-year-old Toryann Mcfarlane, with experts warning that Memorial Day-to-Labor Day is the “100 deadliest days of summer” for teen drivers. School Enrollment Crunch: The public school enrollment drop is hitting hardest where students need support most, as districts cut counselors and mental health staff. Public Health Watch: A Marion County rabies alert is in effect after a rabid raccoon was found near Ocala. Legal/Politics: Florida AG James Uthmeier issued an NFL investigative subpoena over the Rooney Rule. Weather & Travel: South Florida braces for scattered storms and a high rip-current risk on Atlantic beaches ahead of Memorial Day.

Cuba-U.S. Tensions: Cuba’s foreign minister rejected an Axios report alleging Havana discussed drone strikes on U.S. bases including Guantanamo and Key West, calling it a “fraudulent case” to justify aggression after Trump’s oil embargo and threats. Public Safety: Florida Highway Patrol reported a 14-year-old killed in a hit-and-run in Gadsden County, and a separate Okeechobee County UTV crash killed one woman and injured three others. Consumer Protection: Florida’s unregulated locksmith industry is drawing scrutiny after residents describe rushed service that turned into big bills and property damage. Crime: Orlando police say they busted an EBT fraud ring using stolen card info to drain accounts through fake purchases. Sports: Florida State softball is out after losing to UCF 4-2 in the Tallahassee regional final; Florida’s softball is headed to super regionals after beating Georgia Tech 5-2. Space: SpaceX is gearing up for Starship’s 12th flight test as soon as Wednesday. Weather/Travel: FDOT posted St. Johns County lane closures May 18-22 and Tampa I-4 ramp closures Sunday and Monday nights.

UCF Backlash Over AI: UCF commencement speaker Gloria Caulfield praised Jeff Bezos and an “Age of AI”—and graduates booed her off the stage, saying entry-level jobs are being squeezed out by automation. South Florida Politics: Democrat gubernatorial candidate Evelyn Castillo-Bach says she’d ban data-center NDAs and fund affordable housing with mandatory Big Tech fees. Crime & Courts: A man wanted for a 2013 Dania Beach sexual battery was arrested in Georgia after Florida investigators revived the case using DNA. Public Safety: A wrong-way crash on I-75 in Charlotte County killed a Bradenton woman and sent three others to the hospital; the suspect was charged. Animals: Florida paused sloth imports after Sloth World deaths, and wildlife officials ordered a 60-day suspension on permits. Weather/Community: South Florida saw rainy morning conditions with more pop-up storms later; Fort Pierce held a vigil for a mother and her son after a Turnpike crash.

Sports: Florida closed its regular season with a statement, sweeping LSU in Baton Rouge as Hayden Yost went 4-for-5 with three homers and five RBIs in a 15-11 win. NCAA Softball: Florida State kept rolling in the Tallahassee Regional, beating Jacksonville State 11-0 and then topping Stetson 11-3 to reach the regional championship. NCAA Baseball/Softball: Arkansas softball stayed in cruise control, running through South Florida 9-1 to move one win from super regionals. Weather & Safety: Tropical Storm Eta’s heavy rain already triggered flooding across South Florida, stranding cars and swamping neighborhoods. Wildlife & Courts: Florida wildlife officials temporarily banned sloth imports after 55 sloths died at Orlando’s Sloth World, and federal authorities charged a man in a turtle trafficking case involving nearly 1,800 protected turtles shipped overseas. Public Money: FEMA approved Florida’s first $58.3 million reimbursement tied to “Alligator Alcatraz,” with more payments expected. Local Life: A Fort Pierce community held a vigil for a mother and son killed in a wrong-way crash.

NCAA Softball Surge: Florida steamrolled Georgia Tech 8-0 in the Gainesville Regional final, breaking it open with a four-run third inning that included Kenleigh Cahalan’s 16th homer and Cassidy McLellan’s triple, then adding more in the fourth and fifth as Keegan Rothrock pitched five shutout innings. Baseball Shockwave: Florida also kept rolling in the LSU series, blasting four homers in an 11-1 run-rule win Friday and setting up Saturday’s regular-season finale at Alex Box Stadium as LSU tries to avoid a sweep. Public Safety Clash: Florida AG James Uthmeier is threatening to personally sue officials after Atlantic Beach police tried to ban guns at a street festival. Courts & Crime: A Marathon man is jailed after federal authorities flagged death threats against law enforcement that ended with a supervisor being choked, and a Lake City hospital lockdown followed threats to shoot staff. State Watch: CFO Blaise Ingoglia is pressing the Cabinet’s land giveaway for a Tampa Bay Rays stadium, drawing fresh scrutiny over the price tag.

High School Sports Crisis: The Wall Street Journal says Florida’s transfer boom is turning youth athletics into a free-agent market, with 7,028 transfers this year and coaches openly recruiting—while the FHSAA admits it can’t police misconduct, leaving students juggling credits across multiple schools. Campus Safety Law: Gov. DeSantis signed a new safety measure expanding armed “guardians” at universities and creating a new school-zone gun offense. Redistricting Fight: A Leon County judge heard arguments over Florida’s new congressional map, with voting-rights groups asking to block it before 2026 elections; Rep. Angie Nixon was arrested after a five-hour sit-in outside DeSantis’s office. Sports: Florida baseball kept rolling over LSU with another mercy-rule win, and Florida softball advanced in the NCAA Gainesville Regional while FAMU fell 12-0. Public Safety: Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly Orlando pedestrian crash. Drugs, Courts: A plane-crash survivor off Central Florida faces federal drug charges tied to a cocaine conspiracy.

Plane Crash Rescue: Eleven people survived after a twin-engine Beechcraft ditched about 50 miles offshore near Vero Beach, drifting on a life raft for nearly five hours before the Coast Guard and Air Force Reserve found them. Public Safety: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a campus safety bill that expands the “guardian” program to Florida colleges and universities and allows optional armed, trained staff, paired with threat-management teams and mental health training. Courts & Politics: A Tallahassee judge is weighing whether to pause Florida’s newly redrawn 2026 congressional map as election officials face a May 25 printing deadline. Law Enforcement: A Marion County deputy was stabbed in an ambush while responding to a suspicious person call; officials say a bulletproof vest likely saved his life. Culture & Community: Southern Living spotlighted Jupiter’s Ralph’s Stand Up Bar as a rare “Old Florida” holdout. Business & Growth: Quest Workspaces was named South Florida’s largest coworking operator as the region’s flex space tops 6 million square feet. Sports: Five Florida Panthers players are in the IIHF World Championships in Switzerland, including captain Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk for Team USA.

Plane Crash Rescue: Eleven people survived after a private Beechcraft 300 King Air went down about 50 miles off Vero Beach, spending nearly five hours in a life raft before U.S. military crews pulled them to safety. Reports say the crash followed engine trouble during a flight between Bahamas islands. College Sports: Florida jumped on LSU early and held on for an 11-8 win in the series opener, handing LSU its 19th SEC loss of the season and a school record. Local Housing Watch: South Florida cities are cracking down on “group homes” as Lauderhill residents say an overcrowded rental home kept violating occupancy rules after a prior stabbing. Politics in Court: Florida’s new congressional map heads to its first legal test Friday, with voters and groups arguing it violates the state ban on partisan gerrymandering. NFL Scrutiny: Florida AG James Uthmeier’s probe into the NFL’s Rooney Rule continues after the league adjusted its public language, and the state is pressing for answers. Memorial Day Prep: South Florida agencies and banks will close Monday, while many retailers keep modified hours.