AGP Executive Report

Earthquake Watch: A 6.1 quake off Cuba rattled parts of Florida from Brevard to Miami and as far as Flagler, prompting brief evacuations and service disruptions, though officials reported no major damage and no tsunami threat. Fire & Safety: Brevard crews battled a fast-moving blaze at a Merritt Island Sonny’s BBQ; no injuries were reported and the cause is under investigation. Public Health Threat: Florida is on alert after New World screwworm cases were confirmed in Texas and New Mexico, with officials racing to stop the flesh-eating parasite from spreading. Local Accountability: A WINK Investigates report says Fort Myers ordered reimbursement after records showed taxpayer dollars flowed to a councilmember-linked company for “social media management.” Politics & Power: Palm Beach County Mayor Sara Baxter filed for Florida’s new 22nd Congressional District, stepping away from her commission re-election bid. Community & Crime: A Fort Pierce pastor was charged with felony child neglect after police said five children were found living in unsafe, deplorable conditions. Sports: The Everblades returned home to face a 2-0 series deficit in the Kelly Cup Finals, with fans urging calm as Game 3 heads to Estero.

Teen Takeovers: St. Augustine Beach and the St. Johns County Sheriff say “zero tolerance” plus electronic monitoring helped stop planned teen beach takeovers before they turned violent. Road Work: Tampa is moving toward more speed cameras, and New Tampa’s school zones are on the list after thousands of speeding violations were recorded. Local Rules: Tarpon Springs approved tighter limits on how long food trucks can stay at one spot, with a six-month review. Data Centers Debate: Palm Coast is drafting “high-impact” vs “low-impact” categories for future data centers, focusing on water, power, and noise. Gun Law Fight: Florida AG moves to end the state’s handgun waiting period, arguing it’s unconstitutional. Weather: Central Florida stays hot and humid with afternoon rain chances and a flash-flood risk at times. Space Coast: SpaceX launched another Starlink batch from Cape Canaveral. Wildlife Health: USDA confirmed New World screwworm in south Texas, prompting ranchers to watch herds closely.

World Cup Security: A shooting near England’s 2026 World Cup base in Kansas City left nine adults injured early Saturday; police say injuries are non-life-threatening and no suspects are in custody, with England’s players still in Florida at the time. Public Safety: Two people died in a wrong-way, head-on crash on I-10 in Madison County early Saturday, according to Florida Highway Patrol. Local Community & Safety: The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens evacuated guests and staff after a bomb threat; the sheriff’s office later said the threat wasn’t credible and the zoo reopened Monday. Weather Watch: North Central Florida is settling into hot summer days with afternoon thunderstorm chances building through the week. Community Spotlight: St. Johns County volunteers collected 651 pounds of trash during the Turtletown USA Beach Cleanup, timed to sea turtle nesting season. Politics (Local): A PAC was ordered to stop implying a Lake County congressional candidate has President Trump’s backing in the GOP primary.

Dog Attack Tragedy: A Brevard County woman, Jodi Cowan, died after a pair of dogs allegedly attacked her; the owner, Linda Cutler, is charged and the dogs are being held for euthanization. Hurricane Readiness: Highlands County hosted a 2026 Hurricane Preparedness Expo with dozens of vendors and guidance from meteorology experts. Summer “Teen Takeover” Crackdown: St. Augustine Beach police stopped an unsanctioned pier gathering before it could spark chaos, using monitoring to identify the plan early. Health Insurance Shakeup: Cigna is exiting Florida’s Obamacare marketplace in 2027, following Aetna’s earlier departure—raising fears of a broader coverage crunch. Power Grid Upgrades: FPL plans major Brevard County reliability work in 2026, including converting neighborhood lines underground and trimming vegetation. Local Politics & Affordability: Rep. Byron Donalds drew a packed Palm Coast crowd on his “Defending the Florida Dream” tour, pushing affordability and regulatory relief. Property Tax Fight Looms: South Florida cities warn that Florida’s proposed property tax cuts could strain local services as voters head to November. Wildlife Safety: A tourist sued a Florida wildlife attraction after an alleged alligator bite during a “free encounter,” spotlighting visitor risk at animal attractions. Invasive Species Watch: South Florida is seeing more Nile monitor lizards, with experts urging residents not to handle or approach them.

Property Tax Fight: Florida’s historic property tax overhaul heads to a November vote, and campaign rhetoric is already turning sharper as leaders warn local services could be squeezed. Fatal Crash: A drunk driver allegedly crashed through a Volusia County toll booth, killing the worker, then fled onto Daytona Beach; the suspect is in custody. Crime & Courts: Central Florida’s “Polk Around and Find Out” operation netted 266 arrests tied to prostitution and human trafficking, while Flagler County handed down sentences in two child sex crime cases. Public Safety: A head-on crash on US-19 in Citrus County killed one and sent two others to the hospital. Local Life: Jacksonville prosecutors filed felony animal cruelty charges after a woman allegedly ran over 11 ducklings. Community Prep: Flagler County is moving toward National Weather Service “tsunami ready” certification. At the Pump: GasBuddy reports show select low prices across counties, with diesel and premium deals appearing in multiple areas. Business/Real Estate: Roberto Carlos bought two luxury apartments in Fort Lauderdale for about $5 million.

Local Governance: Fort Pierce city commissioners will decide by June 12 whether to renew City Attorney Sara Hedges’ contract, with the June 8 agenda expected to spotlight lingering questions about her handling of a wage garnishment dispute and tensions with City Manager Richard Chess. Public Safety: Sarasota County firefighters contained a brush fire near Venice’s Stoneybrook neighborhood, burning about 41 acres and evacuating 10 homes as crews worked with the Florida Forest Service. Housing & Community Law: A Florida condo leak question is getting attention: generally, associations handle repairs to common elements while unit owners cover damage inside their units, with different rules depending on whether the cause is “insurable” or not. State Politics: Florida lawmakers advanced a property tax amendment that would exempt the first $150,000 of home value in 2027 (rising later), raising concerns that local services could be squeezed without replacement funding. Economy & Growth: In rural Florida, anti–data center organizing is gaining momentum, with residents in Citrus County and beyond pushing back against large industrial projects. Sports: Kansas City Mavericks shut out the Florida Everblades 6-0 in Game 1 of the Kelly Cup Finals.

Immigration Detention Spending: Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office has signed at least 55 contracts totaling about $1 billion for state-run immigrant detention centers, including the soon-to-close Everglades tent city “Alligator Alcatraz.” Local Wildlife Watch: Polk County residents are being warned about invasive tegu lizards after sightings in Dundee, with officials urging caution as the reptiles spread. South Florida Economy & Sports: Local businesses are debating whether FIFA’s World Cup events will deliver promised economic gains, as Miami prepares for major fan activity. Politics & Health: Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings suspended his Florida governor campaign after a prostate cancer diagnosis, reshaping the Democratic field. Property Taxes: Florida voters will weigh a homestead exemption increase this November, with residents split over how much local services could be affected. Courts & Transparency: The Florida Bar marks 75 years, revisiting the long fight over courtroom cameras and what it meant for public access. Public Safety: A Citrus County head-on crash on US-19 killed one man and sent two others to the hospital. Health Regulation: The Florida Health Department filed a third administrative complaint against a Ponte Vedra dentist after a patient died during dental implant work.

Property Tax Shakeup: Florida lawmakers approved a plan to lower a home’s assessed value by $250,000, sending the big question to voters in November—while critics warn essential services like public safety and schools could take a hit. Local Politics: Clearwater City Council approved transferring a street to the Church of Scientology for an L. Ron Hubbard Hall project, reigniting a fight over public land. Health Care: BayCare and UnitedHealthcare reached a last-minute multi-year deal to keep about 150,000 West Central Florida patients in-network. Courts & AI: The Florida Supreme Court tightened rules after “AI hallucinations,” requiring attorneys to verify cited legal authorities. Public Safety: Police crackdown efforts continue as “teen takeovers” spread online, with incidents reported in Tampa and Clearwater. Environment & Utilities: St. Petersburg advanced a feasibility study on leaving Duke Energy for a city-owned utility, and Google is seeking approval to release 64 million Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes in Florida and California. Health Alerts: Charlotte County issued a rabies warning after a raccoon tested positive in Port Charlotte. Crime: A woman charged in a deadly beach toll booth crash in Daytona Beach Shores after a Baker Act release.

Property Taxes & Local Budgets: Florida’s homestead exemption and property tax caps head to the November ballot, and local officials say the change could mean major revenue shortfalls—Palm Beach County alone estimates hundreds of millions in losses over the next two years. Public Safety—“Teen Takeovers”: Florida prosecutors are coordinating with law enforcement to pursue organizers behind social media-fueled “teen takeover” gatherings that have led to violence and arrests. Crime—Cross-Country Kidnapping: A Lee County woman escaped a months-long kidnapping ordeal after allegedly being held by her ex-boyfriend and driven across multiple states; he’s now arrested. Health—Beach Water Advisory: Hillsborough County issued a bacteria warning for Bahia Beach after tests showed unsafe levels. Business & Growth: Sprouts is expanding in Florida with new stores in Naples, Citrus County, and a June opening in Lake Nona. Economy—Fuel Watch: Gas prices show pockets of relief statewide, with multiple counties reporting lower regular gas in the week ending May 30. Local Events: Charlotte County will host a free New Businesses Networking Event in Port Charlotte on June 16.

Weather Watch: Central Florida cools off after hot days, with low humidity and highs in the low-to-mid 80s, breezy gusts, then a warmer, more humid weekend and storm chances returning next week. Space & Tech: SpaceX launched another batch of 29 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral after a Wednesday scrub, with the booster landing on a droneship offshore. Traffic: An I-95 southbound stretch in Brevard County near Port St. John Parkway is closed after a crash while Florida Highway Patrol investigates. Public Safety: A town hall in Pensacola highlighted social media risks for kids, citing survey data that most teens use it and many are online nearly constantly. Fireworks Policy: With drought and wildfire danger high, a statewide Fourth of July fireworks ban is “absolutely possible,” as many counties already have burn restrictions. Wildlife Alert: Scientists warn an invasive Asian swamp eel could be even more damaging than pythons, spreading from Tampa to Miami and threatening Florida’s food chain. Courts & Crime: Florida’s DMV system update is causing major delays for Polk County customers, while a federal judge halted Florida’s expanded red snapper season, angering anglers.

Property Taxes: Florida lawmakers sent a DeSantis-backed constitutional property tax relief plan to the Nov. 3 ballot, raising the homestead exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, with inflation adjustments later—Republicans say it helps homeowners, while Democrats and local leaders warn it could cut funding for cities and services. Public Safety: Orange County deputies shot and killed a woman after she allegedly came out with a large knife and advanced toward officers; three deputies are on paid administrative leave while the FDLE investigates. Crime: A Winter Park Wawa surveillance video shows a brazen daylight abduction; a man was arrested after authorities say he forced a woman into his truck. Health & Welfare: Florida is budgeting $4 million for an AI system to help verify SNAP eligibility, but advocates warn it could make face-to-face help harder for families. Community & Culture: Jacksonville’s LGBTQIA+ community plans a Pride March across the Acosta Bridge on June 5. Sports & Local Interest: Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp fireworks return June 5-6 after Duval’s burn ban was lifted.

Local Agriculture: UF/IFAS spotlights okra as a “Food is Medicine” crop for Florida gardens and small farms, noting it thrives year-round in South Florida and can help growers manage seed-borne disease. Public Health & Tech: A new AI approach can predict Alzheimer’s progression with 78% accuracy up to six years early, but Florida’s neurologist shortage and legal/medical readiness remain major hurdles. Sports Business: Tampa Sports Authority is negotiating to run USF’s new on-campus stadium, with a deal starting July 1 and revenue splits for non-USF events. Arts Funding: Florida lawmakers propose about $65.9M for arts and culture in 2026–27 after volatile funding and a DeSantis veto in 2024, but the split funding streams complicate comparisons. State Government: The Florida Legislature passed a $114.5B budget after delays, with education, public safety, and healthcare in focus. Weather: A slow-moving front keeps South Florida in a wetter pattern with heavy rain and storm risks into the week. Safety: One person died in a Flagler County RV fire; investigators are assisting.

Property Taxes Vote: Florida lawmakers approved a sweeping homestead exemption expansion that will go to voters in November, with the plan raising the non-school homestead exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028—while critics warn it could force cuts to services and shift power toward Tallahassee. Local Impact: Escambia County estimates the proposal would cost local governments $124.8 million over two years, with schools facing major losses. Public Safety & Accountability: Daytona Beach faces a new Florida AG subpoena tied to COVID-19 spending and claims of “retroactive” changes to city commission agendas. Space & Tech: Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket explosion is still under investigation after a May 28 “anomaly,” while SpaceX is set for another Falcon 9 launch from Florida carrying 29 Starlink satellites. Education & Youth: A 14-year-old in Alachua County was arrested over an alleged “joke” bomb threat at Santa Fe High School. Wildlife & Community: A bobcat kitten was rescued in the Bayshore area and taken to a wildlife rehab clinic on Sanibel. Health & Sports Safety: Who We Play For helped usher in Florida’s Second Chance Act, requiring ECG screening for high school student-athletes starting July 1.

Property Taxes Special Session: Florida lawmakers are back in a special session as Gov. Ron DeSantis pushes to slash or eliminate property taxes on primary homes, but cities and towns warn the plan could gut budgets for schools, police, fire, and other core services—especially bedroom communities that rely heavily on property-tax revenue. Local Governance: A Vero Beach op-ed argues home rule still matters, warning state preemption like the Live Local Act is tightening the leash on local land-use decisions. Public Safety—Roads: Crews put out a car fire on I-75N in Charlotte County near Tucker’s Grade; no injuries were confirmed. Health—Mosquitoes & Bacteria: Google is seeking federal permission to release up to 32 million sterilized mosquitoes across Florida and California, while health officials also flag rising flesh-eating Vibrio vulnificus infections as summer warms coastal waters. Courts & Tech: Florida AG and the state are suing OpenAI over claims the technology is dangerous and exploits users. Crime & Consumer Protection: Maryland’s AG accuses Florida-based MV Realty of deceptive “Homeowner Benefit Agreements” that allegedly trap homeowners in predatory terms. Capital Punishment: Florida is scheduled to execute Andrew Lukehart for the 1996 murder of a 5-month-old baby.

Property Taxes: Florida lawmakers kicked off a special session as Gov. Ron DeSantis pushes a ballot measure to raise the homestead exemption and potentially eliminate property taxes for many homeowners, sparking sharp fights over funding for schools and local services. AI Lawsuit: Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a sweeping lawsuit against OpenAI and Sam Altman, accusing ChatGPT of deceptive safety claims and harmful impacts, including alleged kid-safety failures. Local Housing: Sarasota residents heard how the Live Local Act could reshape zoning and height rules for affordable projects, with concerns about local control. Public Safety: A Tesla crash on I-75 near Pine Ridge Road killed three, including a Good Samaritan, and Florida Highway Patrol urged drivers to call 911 and move to safety. Keys Incident: In the Florida Keys, a runaway boat hit about 35 mph after passengers were thrown overboard. Community & Health: Make-A-Wish Southern Florida and Bass Pro Shops granted a 12-year-old cancer survivor his own fishing boat. Environment/Tech: Corkscrew Swamp bird calls are helping train an AI app to identify species by sound. World Cup Transit: Miami-Dade and Broward outlined ticketed shuttle plans to reduce driving stress for fans heading to Hard Rock Stadium.

Local Courts & Safety: A Fort Myers mother accused of attacking a 13-year-old during a youth football game is set to be arraigned Monday on felony charges including cruelty to a child. Weather: Central Florida is bracing for more downpours, with forecasts calling for up to 4 inches of rain possible before a drier stretch later in the week. Housing & Growth: Orange County’s Pine Hills just opened Barnett Villas, a 156-unit affordable apartment complex that’s already fully occupied. Property Taxes: Jacksonville city auditors warn a proposed boost to Florida’s homestead exemption could cost the city more than $300 million a year, raising concerns about funding for local services. Public Health & Tech: Google is seeking EPA approval to release up to 32 million Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes across Florida and California, with public comments due June 5. Hurricane Prep: As the 2026 hurricane season begins, FPL and Duke Energy are ramping up year-round readiness for worst-case storm restoration.