AGP Executive Report

College Sports: No. 25 Missouri crushed No. 8 Florida 45-17 in Columbia, handing the Gators their first loss of the season and exposing struggles on both sides of the ball. Local Housing & Policy: A Florida Senate candidate is pushing a national rent freeze and eviction moratorium, while Amendment 3 debate heats up as Realtors argue property-tax cuts boost homeownership and opponents warn home values could jump. Public Safety: A Seminole County teacher was arrested after allegedly dragging a seventh-grader about 20 feet; in Orange County, an FHP trooper shot a suspect after a hit-and-run, with FDLE investigating. Community Health: Free mammograms and breast/cervical screening options are available in Martin County, and Jacksonville’s First Coast Heart Walk drew thousands for CPR and prevention. Local Government & Infrastructure: Fort Lauderdale’s years-long water leak still awaits a permit for repairs, and a North Fort Myers homeowner faces potential fines after Hurricane Ian roof work lacked a final inspection. Community Life: Highlands County’s Garden Week initiative and Brevard’s new Space Coast Blues Society are building local culture through events and memberships.

Local Politics: Cocoa Beach candidates for City Commission seats will face voters at a public forum Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Cocoa Beach Library. Education: Martin County has named 24 Teachers of the Year, with one educator set to advance to the statewide competition. Courts & Public Safety: A Florida jury acquitted former Okaloosa County deputy Eddie Duran in the 2024 shooting death of Airman Roger Fortson, while a separate Florida appeals ruling reversed a felony murder conviction tied to a baby left in a hot car. Environment: Key West commissioners advanced a first step toward a sargassum removal feasibility plan for Smathers Beach. Water & Drought: Alachua County is keeping water restrictions in place despite a wetter August, citing low groundwater levels. Development Pressure: Residents in Osceola County are alarmed by a proposed hyperscale data center plan covering more than 2,000 acres. Crime: A teen was charged in a Central Florida mall shooting that killed a 15-year-old in Brandon. Health Alert: Florida is recalling a Walmart frozen pasta product after possible listeria contamination.

Roads & Growth: Gov. Ron DeSantis marked the completion of Sarasota County’s $61M River Road (SR-777) widening, expanding five miles from two to six lanes to ease congestion. Public Safety: Charlotte County is spotlighting its deadliest intersections, including U.S. 41 and Chamberlain Blvd, after years of serious crashes and fatalities. Transit & Trade: Florida won an $85M federal INFRA grant to widen a 20-mile stretch of I-4 in Seminole and Volusia, adding a lane each direction and upgrading systems. Health Watch: Florida’s dengue outbreak is now the largest in the continental U.S. in decades, with most cases in Hillsborough; officials are spraying and counties are issuing emergency actions. Local Government & Taxes: Bay County leaders warn Amendment 3 could squeeze funding for libraries, parks, and public safety as voters weigh homestead exemption changes. Community & Nonprofits: The Community Foundation of the Florida Keys will host a Leadership Success Academy for nonprofit leaders Oct. 27-28. Travel: JetBlue adds daily nonstop service from Fort Lauderdale to Barranquilla, with introductory fares starting at $139.

Election & Voting: Florida’s voter registration deadline for the Nov. 3 general election is Monday, Oct. 5, with the cutoff especially important for new residents and first-time voters. Public Health: Hillsborough extended its dengue emergency through Oct. 8 as locally acquired cases climb, with mosquito-control efforts ramped up. Courts & Safety: A Clay County man was indicted for threatening to “hunt” Jews in social media videos, and a Flagler County teen was arrested for using the FortifyFL school safety app to make swatting threats. Law Enforcement Tech: St. Lucie County officials say police don’t know who owns 11 unpermitted Flock cameras, fueling privacy concerns. Local Government & Infrastructure: Gov. Ron DeSantis celebrated completion of the $61 million River Road widening in Sarasota County to ease congestion. Community & Culture: Boys & Girls Clubs of Saint Lucie County named its teen as the 2026–2027 National Youth of the Year.

Meg’s Law: Florida’s statewide crackdown on nitrous oxide sales took effect Oct. 1, banning smoke shops and other licensed retailers from possessing or selling the canisters and making violations a third-degree felony, as the law also ramps up penalties tied to xylazine trafficking. Local Development: Clearwater City Council voted 3-2 to vacate portions of downtown streets to clear the way for an EVO Family Entertainment Center backed by the Church of Scientology, reigniting a public debate over giving up public space for private projects. Public Safety & Health: Hillsborough deputies used a Grappler device to stop a fleeing felony suspect on I-75; separately, Clay County reported a new child case of flesh-eating vibrio vulnificus, the third in Northeast Florida this year. Dengue Watch: A Polk County woman is sharing her dengue diagnosis as locally acquired cases rise, while Hillsborough continues mosquito response efforts. Government & Cost of Living: Orange County commissioners approved pay raises for themselves as the county budget looks for savings, and Nassau County library hours are being cut with a branch closure looming. Politics: Byron Donalds held a UF town hall as the gubernatorial race tightens, with JD Vance rallying Republicans in Lakeland.

Dengue Emergency: Hillsborough and Pinellas counties extended local states of emergency as Florida reports its largest dengue spread on record, with mosquito crews ramping up aerial and ground treatments to slow transmission. Election Deadlines: Florida voters have until Oct. 5 to register or update; vote-by-mail requests are due Oct. 22, and early voting runs in multiple counties ahead of Nov. 3. Amendment 3 Fallout: The Florida Policy Institute released a local-impact calculator warning Amendment 3 could cut billions in funding for cities, counties, and special districts, drawing pushback from library advocates. Campaign Trail: JD Vance and Byron Donalds are stumping across Florida as polls tighten, including Donalds’ pledge to revisit sovereign immunity caps after a DeSantis veto. Public Safety & Courts: A man was sentenced for kidnapping and torturing an 11-year-old boy; a fourth suspect was charged in a 2023 double murder tied to a gang hit. Local Projects: Madeira Beach seeks public input on John’s Pass boardwalk resiliency upgrades, while St. Petersburg broke ground on Azalea Cay, a major affordable multifamily development.

Dengue Response: Lee County sent mosquito-spraying helicopters to Hillsborough as Florida grapples with its largest modern dengue outbreak, with local transmission driving cases north of the usual hotspots. Local Housing Policy: Cape Coral’s Affordable Housing Committee will weigh allowing accessory dwelling units, aiming to expand affordable rentals while navigating state encouragement for ADUs. Property Tax Fight (Amendment 3): Osceola County leaders warn Amendment 3 could trigger major budget cuts, including potential impacts to school resource officer funding, while Palm Beach arts advocates call the measure “devastating” for museums and community programs. Government & Surveillance: Florida began phasing out automated license plate readers on state roads, a move tied to concerns about misuse and privacy. Public Safety: Pinellas County deputies face charges after investigators say they improperly accessed law enforcement databases and Flock camera data for personal reasons. Community & Health: A missing 17-year-old from Palm Harbor was found safe after a Tampa Bay-area search, and Florida rolled out redesigned driver’s licenses and ID cards with added fraud protections.

Hispanic Voter Push: A national progressive Latino group is rolling out “Vota con Swing” in Florida, including a Puerto Rican culture watch party in Kissimmee on Oct. 24, aiming to mobilize the state’s 3.3 million eligible Latino voters ahead of Nov. 3. Amendment 3 Fight: Common Cause Florida is joining “Save Our Services” in opposing Amendment 3, calling it a “power grab scam” that could drain local budgets and raise costs. School Budget Crunch: Palm Beach County Schools is recommending a salary freeze for staff and cutting 1,200 positions after a $60 million shortfall tied to enrollment losses. AG Race Focus: Democrat José Javier Rodríguez is campaigning to unseat incumbent Florida AG James Uthmeier on “crime, costs and corruption,” citing a grand jury report involving $10 million routed through a charity. Public Health: Dengue continues to surge, with Hillsborough expanding mosquito control and Lee County sending helicopters; Florida also reported its first dengue death of 2026. Housing Affordability: Miami got a failing grade on a national new-home report card, while other Florida metros passed. Weather Watch: El Niño is strengthening, with higher odds of a wetter-than-normal winter for the Tampa Bay region.

Community & Mental Health: Florida Care Team’s Vet-A-Bration Family Fun Day at Fireman’s Field drew veterans, first responders, families, and kids—plus Hometown Heroes Awards for local first responders and a veteran. Courts & College Sports: A Gonzaga eligibility fight for Xaivian Lee and Ines Bettencourt continues after a Santa Clara County injunction hearing; no ruling yet, next session set for Oct. 20. Local Government & Waste: Miami-Dade sued Reworld Dade for $750 million over the 2023 Doral incinerator fire, alleging failures in fire-protection maintenance and controls. Federal Policy & Drones: A coalition of states and Harris County sued the FAA over its environmental review for expanded commercial drone delivery rules. Public Safety & Health: Florida reported another Vibrio vulnificus death as cases rise; officials warn the bacteria can be deadly, especially for people with underlying conditions. Crime & Courts: A Florida woman accused of firing bullets at Rihanna’s home was found mentally competent to stand trial, allowing the case to move forward. Transportation: DeSantis highlighted $20B+ to widen Florida’s Turnpike and improve service plazas and truck parking.

Dengue Response: Clearwater is releasing 10,000 mosquitofish into four lakes, after Pinellas County declared a local state of emergency as dengue cases climb across Tampa Bay. Public Safety: Doctors warn Florida parents that high-speed e-bikes and e-scooters are driving a surge in pediatric ER visits, with many kids not wearing the right helmets for faster speeds. Health Alert: Florida logged a fifth Vibrio vulnificus death of 2026, including a Pinellas County case, as officials stress the warm-water bacteria risk. Local Politics & Housing: Miami-Dade met with West Grove residents over the Coconut Grove Playhouse plan, with officials outlining conditions meant to address traffic and neighborhood impacts. Ballot Watch: A new online tool from the Florida Policy Institute lets residents see how Amendment 3 could cut two years of funding for local services, including special districts. Keys & Environment: Monroe County approved $90,000 for 18 new mooring buoy anchors to protect coral reefs in the Florida Keys. Crime & Courts: A Hernando County man was killed after deputies say he fired at family members and responding officers during a violent dispute. Community & Culture: Miami Dade College’s “The Louies” documentary grants opened applications with $100,000 in funding for Miami-based filmmakers.

AI Fight in Court: Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier asked a judge to temporarily halt OpenAI from developing new AI models, arguing for stronger safety guardrails and seeking limits tied to ChatGPT use and other alleged risks. Haitian Justice in Miami: A Haitian-American pastor accused in the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise went on trial in federal court in Miami, with prosecutors saying the plot was financed and coordinated from South Florida. Dengue Watch in Central Florida: Orange County confirmed three locally acquired dengue cases this month, while mosquito-control and surveillance efforts ramp up; nearby Hillsborough has declared a local emergency. Local Elections & Voting Prep: Broward election officials held a public test of voting equipment ahead of Nov. 3, and Florida has already sent nearly 1.47 million vote-by-mail ballots. Insurance Pressure: A new UNF poll finds voters more worried about property insurance than property taxes as gubernatorial candidates clash over hurricane-risk plans. Public Safety Incidents: A 4-year-old in Sarasota died after finding a loaded gun in his mother’s purse; in Osceola, parents were arrested after a toddler was found wandering in the road at night.

AI Fight: Florida AG James Uthmeier asked a Highlands County judge for a temporary injunction to halt OpenAI from developing new ChatGPT models without independent safety guardrails, warning the tech is being sold to kids and can’t regulate itself. Local Courts & Safety: Deputies say a shooting in an Orange County courthouse parking garage led to the arrest of Kenneth Jerome Logan Jr., and court operations were disrupted for hours. Elections: Florida’s Division of Elections reports nearly 1.5 million vote-by-mail ballots have been sent statewide, with more than 2,200 already returned. Property Tax Debate: Miami-area town halls are set to explain Amendment 3’s property tax exemption impacts, as Black leaders call it a “tax shift.” Public Health: Hillsborough County declared a local emergency over a dengue outbreak, citing rapid spread and the need for aggressive mosquito-control steps. Housing: McDowell Housing Partners broke ground on Ekos at Rockledge Park, a $38.2 million affordable housing project in Brevard County. Crime & Courts: Jury selection begins in Miami federal court for a South Florida pastor accused in a Haiti presidential assassination conspiracy. Community: A breast cancer fundraiser in Central Florida drew more than 125 people to support local treatment assistance.

Downtown Development: Orlando City Commission is set to vote Monday on a $1.1 million contract to oversee construction of “The Canopy,” a long-planned public gathering space under Interstate 4. Housing Market: A four-county Central Florida analysis finds 1,319 active listings with price cuts, with 54.06% of reduced homes stuck on the market more than 60 days. Crime & Courts: A former Palm Beach County Fire Rescue captain, William Barbre, was sentenced to 10 years for possessing child sexual abuse material, and a Florida man was tased after an armed sword burglary in Gainesville. Public Safety: High surf and rip currents prompted a dramatic rescue off Palm Beach County, while South Florida braces for more king-tide flooding. Immigration Enforcement: A Cuban national was convicted in federal court for running a travel-agency front tied to a $20 million alien smuggling and money-laundering scheme. Local Sports: Florida’s football team surged to a big win over Ole Miss, jumping to No. 8 in the AP Top 25.

Public Safety: Osceola County deputies arrested two parents after a 2-year-old was found wandering in the middle of Jones Road late Saturday; the child was unharmed and the Florida Department of Children and Families was notified. Fatal Crashes: A pedestrian was killed and a motorcyclist seriously injured in an overnight SR 429 crash in Lake County, while Alachua County reported a deadly four-vehicle crash tied to a U.S. 441 median crossing. Local Courts: Former Fort Pierce City Manager Nicholas Mimms’ trial begins Monday over alleged official misconduct and bid rigging tied to a $500,000 lease/grant arrangement. Invasive Species: Florida biologists removed 177 Burmese pythons and about 4,100 eggs from Collier County, aiming to curb the next generation. Energy Watch: GasBuddy data shows the cheapest E15 in Bradford County at $3.94/gal and lowest diesel in Alachua County at $5.89/gal for the week ending Sept. 19. Community/Health: St. Johns County deputies rescued a man from the Vilano Bridge during a mental health crisis after about 30 minutes of de-escalation.

Local Health Access: Rotonda West is hosting a Senior Friendship Centers “Community Connections Fair & Resource Expo” with 40+ vendors to help adults 50+ find healthcare options without the usual travel and tech barriers. City Hall & Housing: Sebring Mayor John Shoop gave a development update, including momentum at Lakeshore Mall, expansion plans for Waterside parks, and new townhomes near Sebring Parkway. Leadership Change: Sebring Councilman David Leidel says he plans to resign after relocating to Alabama. Public Safety: Manatee County commissioners approved rural land protection easements for nearly 1,500 acres, preserving working ranches and wetlands. Education & Costs: Orange County Public Schools is weighing major health-insurance deductible hikes that union leaders say could cut teachers’ pay by about 7%. Environment & Wildfire Risk: A UF study links invasive cogongrass to faster, hotter wildfire behavior—especially in North and Central Florida. Sports (Biggest Florida Story): No. 21 Florida jumped to 4-0 with a 52-28 win over No. 4 Ole Miss in The Swamp, powered by Jadan Baugh’s 142 yards and three TDs. Weather Preparedness: State College of Florida Venice installed a new “Dorothy” monitoring station to feed real-time data to forecasters and the community. Legal System: Florida judges are cracking down on AI-generated hallucinations in court filings.

Volleyball & Sports: Omaha and Orlando are set to host the 2027 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Cup, with pool play and key rounds at CHI Health Center and Kia Center. Local Safety: A Manatee County mother faces charges after a loaded handgun in her purse led to her 4-year-old’s fatal self-inflicted shooting. Public Health: Dengue continues to drive emergency actions across Florida counties, including mosquito control efforts and state of emergency moves. Housing & Taxes: St. Johns County will hold a town hall on Property Tax Amendment 3, warning of major revenue impacts if it passes. Energy Costs: GasBuddy reports show spotty but low prices across the state, including $3.94 E15 in Duval and $3.76 regular in Walton, while diesel remains higher statewide. Community Support: Highlands County’s sheriff’s office partnered with United Way to pack and distribute nearly 100 food boxes amid local food insecurity. College Football: No. 4 Ole Miss visits No. 21 Florida at 3:30 p.m. Saturday on ABC in a marquee SEC matchup.