AGP Executive Report

Religious Freedom Clash: Florida Catholic bishops accuse Attorney General James Uthmeier of infringing on First Amendment rights after he threatened to pull state scholarship funding from Catholic schools over vaccine exemption policies. Courts & Rights: A federal appeals court ruled Hillsborough County unlawfully seized a former tenant’s $3,600 during an eviction case without adequate notice. Public Safety: A fatal crash shut down SR-29 near SR-82 in Immokalee, and a Riverview mother faces charges after deputies say an 11-year-old drove an SUV into a gas station. Election Focus: With Florida’s closed primary system in play, the governor’s race is in the final stretch as voters head to the polls Tuesday. Heat & Community Help: FPL and the Harry Chapin Food Bank distributed Summer Savings Kits to help families cut energy costs during peak heat. Sports & Local Life: Florida Poly’s men’s soccer team plays its first official match in athletics history, while Destin’s football jamboree was cut short by lightning and rain.

Primary Election Countdown: Early voting has wrapped up for Tuesday’s Florida primary, with 738,788 early ballots cast in Orange County and statewide early turnout reported at 13.5% (1,816,729 total ballots including mail). Politics & Cost of Living: Rep. Byron Donalds made a Lakeland push focused on insurance and health-care affordability ahead of the Aug. 18 vote. Local Governance & Growth: Crestview officials are weighing a potential ordinance to restrict new data center development, citing land-use and utility pressures. Public Safety & Courts: A man accused in a murder-for-hire plot tied to a tire ambush outside a Jacksonville Beach vehicle is headed to trial in Florida. Health Care Spending: Florida’s Medicaid program spent $6.57 billion on ABA therapy for kids with special needs from 2023-2025, prompting a closer-look review. Wildlife & Risk: Florida reported nearly 500 alligator attacks since 1948, including 33 fatal incidents. Space & Community Events: NASA’s Kennedy Space Center is set to host the Max Power Aerospace Expo with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds in November.

Heat Watch: The National Weather Service has the whole state back under a heat advisory, with Central Florida heat indices well over 100 and Volusia/Flagler still facing feels-like near 110 as rain chances stay low. Public Safety: A Hillsborough County deputy was involved in a fatal crash with a pedestrian outside a marked crosswalk near Tampa; the Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. Drugs & Kids: Lee County deputies arrested two people after a 10-year-old was found unresponsive in a Fort Myers hotel room; investigators say fentanyl and trafficking amounts were accessible to children. Legal Fight Over Everglades: Environmental groups say state and federal officials withheld key info from judges in an updated lawsuit over the Alligator Alcatraz detention center. Space & Defense: SpaceX launched eight Globalstar satellites from Florida, then just 38 minutes later sent a classified U.S. Space Force mission from California. Sports: Baseball mourns Tommy John, the 83-year-old legend whose surgery changed the game. Local Life: Legoland Florida reopened its wooden roller coaster, “Coastersaurus,” after structural upgrades.

Heat & Weather: South Florida stays under a heat advisory as Saharan dust helps suppress storms, pushing heat index values to about 105–110 degrees and keeping conditions dangerous through the weekend. Local Safety: A Brightline train struck and killed a person in Jupiter as they walked along the tracks; police are investigating. Space Coast Buzz: SpaceX launched Globalstar’s replacement satellites from Cape Canaveral, and a booster landing sparked sonic booms reported across Brevard and Central Florida. Politics & Voting: With Florida’s Aug. 18 primary days away, candidates and voters are in a final push—early voting is closing in Northwest Florida, and a new poll shows Ryan Elijah leading Cory Mills in the GOP 7th District race. Education Accountability: A Hillsborough County middle school teacher was arrested after investigators alleged inappropriate messages with a former teenage student since 2023. Wildlife: Deputies rescued about 75 baby sea turtles that were heading inland on a Volusia County beach, then returned them to the ocean. Business/Real Estate: A rare inland private island, Bannon Island near Lake Marion, is on the market for $12 million for the first time in about 150 years.

Space Coast Watch: SpaceX is set to launch Globalstar’s Globalstar 2-R mission Saturday night from Cape Canaveral, with a backup attempt Sunday; officials warn some Central Florida residents could hear sonic booms from a booster landing. High School Football: Florida’s Kickoff Classics kicked off the season, including St. Thomas Aquinas’ dominant win over Cardinal Mooney and a Carol City overtime thriller vs. West Boca Raton; one preseason game between Hernando and Sunlake ended early after a bench-clearing brawl. Politics & Protests: A South Florida venue canceled a Rashida Tlaib rally after complaints from a Florida lawmaker who called it “anti-Jew,” citing security concerns. Environment: Scientists and restoration teams are moving vulnerable coral to deeper waters as heat returns; meanwhile, 55 newborn sea turtle hatchlings died on Anna Maria Island after nearby lights lured them away from the ocean. Public Safety & Health: Central Florida remains under heat advisory with triple-digit heat index values, while the USDA recalled nearly 30,000 pounds of Argentine beef shipped to Florida and Texas without required reinspection.

GOP Primary Watch: Trump’s endorsement is steering Florida’s governor race toward Rep. Byron Donalds, even as rivals trade attacks and DeSantis stays out of it. Democratic Rift: A South Florida venue canceled a Rashida Tlaib rally after a Florida lawmaker called it “anti-Jew,” citing security concerns. Property Taxes: Florida AG James Uthmeier rewrote the Amendment 3 ballot summary and title after a judge said the original wording was misleading, with homestead exemptions and non-homestead caps changing. Election Logistics: The Florida Keys warned results for the Aug. 18 vote will be delayed until about 10 p.m. after landlines were removed from polling sites. Public Safety & Courts: Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal Melbourne crash; in another case, a Florida man was indicted in a Phoenix senior scam. Weather: Heat advisories continue, with North Florida and the Panhandle facing a flash-flood risk from storms. Wildlife & Community: A sea turtle hit by a boat is back in the water after long rehab; South Florida aid shipments are heading to earthquake-hit Colombia.

Red Tide Watch: Florida wildlife officials found Karenia brevis in 20 East Coast water samples, including Duval County’s first bloom levels of the season. Primary Election Countdown: Early voting is wrapping up statewide ahead of the Aug. 18 primary, with ID rules and key deadlines still in play. Space Coast Noise: A SpaceX Falcon 9 launch from Cape Canaveral is set for Saturday night, with expected sonic booms over Brevard if it lifts off on schedule. Weather & Health: The entire state is under a heat advisory, with heat indices pushing 105–114 in spots; officials also warn some antidepressants can make heat illness riskier. Hurricane Vulnerability: A new FEMA-based ranking puts Monroe County at No. 13 and Miami-Dade at No. 20 among the most hurricane-vulnerable counties. Politics & Courts: Florida’s AG is in a records showdown with The New York Times over editorial oversight, and a judge-ordered rewrite changes Amendment 3 property tax ballot wording. Public Safety: Seven people were arrested in a South Florida $100 million shell-company workers’ comp and insurance fraud scheme. Business & Housing: South Florida’s real estate market is gaining momentum as inventory tightens, while a Central Florida steakhouse brand touts Inc. 5000 growth.

K-9 Heroism: Polk County’s K-9 Ace returned to the sheriff’s office after being shot while protecting deputies; doctors amputated his injured leg and he’ll retire. Fatal Local Crime: An Apopka-area dad, Daryl Hill, was killed trying to break up a fight after dropping his 10-year-old daughter at school; suspect Raul Lionel Vazquez faces second-degree murder charges. Public Health Watch: Florida confirmed five equine eastern equine encephalitis cases this year, with the latest horse result flagged as an early warning that mosquitoes are carrying the virus. Elections & Misinformation: Florida’s District 24 Democratic primary is roiled by accusations of fake headlines and false texts, including an HIV claim tied to candidate Shevrin Jones. Statehouse: Florida AG James Uthmeier rewrote the property tax amendment’s ballot title and summary after a judge said the original wording was misleading. Education Staffing: Florida still has thousands of teacher and support vacancies statewide, with hundreds unfilled in South Florida. Space Coast Update: SpaceX filed permits for a new Starship testing site, “Project Ignition,” on the Space Coast. Cost of Living: South Florida shoppers are adjusting to grocery prices up nearly 21% since 2022.

Public Health: Florida’s cyclosporiasis count keeps climbing, with the state reporting 407 cases from May 1 to Aug. 8—up 19% from the prior week—and Tallahassee (Leon County) now at 7 confirmed cases as the statewide total tops 400. Elections & Voting: Florida election officials are warning voters not to “over vote” in the governor race because the ballot says “Governor and Lieutenant Governor (Vote for one),” and some voters have mistakenly selected two candidates. Education & Youth Safety: Central Florida districts are testing vape-detecting sensors in school bathrooms as teacher and student vacancies remain a major staffing problem statewide. Crime & Justice: Florida AG James Uthmeier announced the 2,000th child predator arrest of his term, including a Lee County middle school teacher charged with child sexual abuse material and animal sex abuse files. Local Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Merritt Island logged two scam reports in July, part of a broader pattern of costly fraud across Florida cities. Weather: Heat advisories cover all 67 counties with heat indexes around 105–110 degrees.

Extreme Heat: A heat advisory is in effect across South Florida with feels-like temperatures topping 110 as humidity and a Saharan Air Layer keep relief limited into early next week. Local Budget Fallout: Clearwater warns a Florida property tax amendment could force cuts of nearly 140 jobs and more than $20 million in savings over two years. Housing & Growth Tensions: Residents near Leesburg oppose a 23-home plan over flooding and drainage worries tied to County Road 44. Wildlife Safety: Florida wildlife officials are investigating a deadly bear shooting in Marion County that left cubs without their mother. Sports Disruptions: Two high school football programs—Jefferson County and Sarasota Booker—are canceling or shrinking their 2026 seasons due to low participation and program turmoil. Education & Campus Expansion: Florida Tech opened its $96 million, 556-bed Crimson Crossing student housing complex in Melbourne. Tourism Research: CHTA selected FIU to lead a Caribbean-wide tourism demand study. Public Safety Grants: North Central Florida law enforcement agencies will share over $10 million in DOJ grants. Legal & Courts: An Eleventh Circuit revived an ADA lawsuit against a Florida fire department over alleged failure to accommodate disabilities. Alligator Attack: A woman suffered an arm amputation after a Silver River alligator bite, highlighting peak-season risks.

Shipbuilding Jobs: Gov. Ron DeSantis announced $9 million for Pensacola to expand Port of Pensacola facilities, aiming to build complex Navy ship modules for submarines and warships up to 400 feet—projected to create about 2,000 jobs. Election Court Fight: Florida Supreme Court rejected a Miami attorney’s bid to get on the ballot for the District 34 state senate race, ruling his qualifying-fee payment method violated state law. Immigration Protest Fallout: FIU students sued after the university disciplined them for a brief, silent ICE protest, arguing the school punished protected expression. Sex Offender Registry Challenge: A lawsuit filed by the Florida Action Committee claims the state’s sex offender registry amounts to unconstitutional punishment and violates due process and other rights. Public Safety Tech: Lake City police say Flock cameras helped locate a man accused of kidnapping children after allegedly strangling his girlfriend and driving off in her car. Politics & Hate Speech: Investigation alleges Dan Bilzerian’s campaign posts contain antisemitic hate speech ahead of Florida’s Aug. 18 primary. Weather Watch: Forecasters say Invest 92L could become a tropical depression soon as Florida keeps monitoring Atlantic development. Health Alert: Officials warn about potentially deadly Vibrio bacteria after deaths in Florida and Louisiana.

Invasive Species: Florida’s invasive-species fight is bigger than pythons, with new pressure on wildlife, pets, and agriculture as non-native predators spread. Local Utilities: The Florida Public Service Commission is holding an all-week hearing on whether Sunshine Water Services can buy Placid Lakes Utilities, with residents worried about possible rate hikes. Legal/Personal Injury: National Power Alliance launched a statewide concierge service for Florida personal injury attorneys to quickly connect clients with vetted medical providers. Public Safety & Courts: A Collier County report shows vote-by-mail requests dropped sharply this cycle, tied to tighter state rules and political pushback. Health & Education: UF named Dr. Brian Hoh dean of the College of Medicine. Space: SpaceX launched another batch of Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral after delays. Environment & Wildlife: FWC approved American shad catch-and-release only in Florida waters, and Brevard Zoo began rehab for “Avocado,” a Florida black bear cub. Politics: Florida’s 9th Congressional District GOP primary is heating up after new district lines.

Transportation & Tech: Gov. Ron DeSantis says SunTrax in Polk County will start testing electric air taxis by year’s end, building on the state’s autonomous-vehicle work. Public Health: Florida pediatricians and the state’s top pediatric group are pushing back hard on Trump’s vaccine executive order, calling it politics over science. Rural Care: DeSantis announced nearly $188 million to expand rural health access across 31 rural counties. Weather & Safety: A new Atlantic disturbance has a 70% chance to develop into a depression or storm within a week, while officials also reported a pedestrian killed in a Haines City crosswalk crash. Consumer Watch: The CFTC filed a complaint against Goliath Ventures and its CEO over a $400 million crypto fraud scheme. Local Life: Escambia’s West Florida Public Libraries director resigned after five months. Education: Florida schools are back with new phone rules for students, and districts are working through early bus adjustments.

Election Watch: Brevard voters are gearing up for Florida’s Aug. 18 primary, with reminders that Florida is a closed primary state for party races but keeps many nonpartisan contests open to all eligible voters. Wildlife & Safety: An Ocala-area woman lost her arm in a Silver River alligator attack, but a nearby boater rushed in with help as she was bleeding heavily. Public Health: Florida confirmed another death tied to flesh-eating Vibrio vulnificus, as cases continue to rise along the coast. Environment & Growth: The Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage voted to oppose a Sarasota Bay development permit, warning a proposed wall could harm wetlands and mangroves. Law & Privacy: A former Monroe police officer accused of using Flock camera-linked systems to track an actress avoided jail through a pre-trial intervention deal. Space: SpaceX scrubbed a Starlink launch attempt from Cape Canaveral and is now targeting Tuesday. Business/Tech: Collaboratory’s “AI Fridays” workshop is set for Aug. 14 to help Southwest Florida businesses use AI safely.

Transportation & Tech: Gov. DeSantis highlighted Florida’s SunTrax testing grounds in Polk County, touting electric air taxis and autonomous vehicle trials expected to expand statewide by the end of 2026. Public Safety: Bay District Schools held a school bus safety press event ahead of the Aug. 10 start, with officials saying more than 8,300 students ride buses daily. Health: FixMold Miami pointed to new CDC findings on invasive mold disease, saying the study found high death rates among hospitalized patients. Weather & Climate: NOAA reports record-breaking July heat, with a dozen Florida counties setting new temperature highs. Community & International Aid: South Florida leaders and the Global Empowerment Mission mobilized emergency relief for victims of a 7.4 earthquake in western Colombia. Local Crime & Courts: An 18-year-old was charged in the fatal shooting of a 4-year-old in an Orlando apartment; in Broward, booking records show multiple violent, drug, and domestic-related arrests over the past week.

Radioactive waste fight: A phosphogypsum waste pile in a historically Black Florida community is again raising alarms about cancer risk, with residents pressing for stronger protections. Aviation tech: UF researchers are using AI and digital twins to model airports and prevent delays and bottlenecks. Hurricane watch: The National Hurricane Center is monitoring three Atlantic disturbances, but none pose a direct threat to Florida. Space Coast updates: SpaceX is set to launch 29 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral on Monday, and Blue Origin says it traced a New Glenn pad explosion to a BE-4 oxygen valve issue. Courts and voting: A judge ordered Florida to rewrite misleading ballot language for the homestead property tax amendment. Public health: Florida reports a second death from flesh-eating Vibrio vulnificus, with 14 cases this year. Sports politics: Florida AG James Uthmeier escalated his response to a WNBA hard foul, saying he’d pursue assault charges if it happened in Florida. Local safety: A 9-foot alligator bit a woman while she was swimming in the Silver River.