AGP Executive Report

Leadership & Business: Boca Raton’s “Called to Lead” returns Oct. 1 with a 600-attendee women’s leadership and founder event, plus limited in-person tickets and a virtual option. Education Costs: A new Florida State University proposal would raise out-of-state tuition about 10% for undergrads and 8% for grads, drawing criticism that it adds barriers for non-Florida students. Campaign Trail & Data Centers: Byron Donalds says he’ll “respect” local data-center bans if elected, while also promising to share more facility details with Floridians; he’s also naming Bryan Ávila as his running mate and pushing a Doral stop on his tour. Space & Tech: NASA launched the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope from Cape Canaveral, and Blue Origin broke ground on a Florida payload processing facility. Health & Housing: Florida’s PBM fight heats up as the AG sues Express Scripts and Prime over alleged price-fixing, while condo lending rules shift for Tampa Bay buyers and associations. Local Community: Parkland’s 17 Memorial Foundation moves into the engineering phase, targeting completion by Feb. 2028.

Space Coast & Economy: NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center, a major Florida win for science and jobs as it heads about one million miles out to map dark matter/dark energy and hunt exoplanets. Local Business & Community: Southwest Florida’s Sizzle Dining returns for its 10th year in September, expanding to 140 restaurants in Lee and Collier counties and donating $1 per meal to Blessings in a Backpack. Politics & Accountability: A Florida grand jury found DeSantis’ administration “misappropriated” $10M tied to Hope Florida, though it declined criminal charges over who was responsible. Retiree Migration: New data shows Florida barely gained retirees in 2025, with many choosing other states instead. Housing & Growth Watch: Lake Park residents are reacting to plans for high-rise towers, raising concerns about how development will reshape the area. Travel & Tourism: Anna Maria Island businesses are bracing for a proposed paid parking plan, saying it could cut beach traffic and hurt restaurants. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports show Hamilton County’s lowest premium gas hit $4.50 for the week ending Aug. 22.

Space & Science: NASA launched the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope from Kennedy Space Center on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy, aiming to map the universe, probe dark matter and dark energy, and search for exoplanets; it’s headed to Lagrange Point 2 and should start returning first images in early 2027. Politics & Culture: President Trump surprised NASA officials by calling into the Roman launch press conference to congratulate the team. Local Business: Merritt Properties bought Jacksonville’s Center Point Business Park, an 11-building, 537,800-square-foot industrial site, nearly doubling its Jacksonville footprint. Air Travel: Allegiant is adding nine new routes from Orlando Sanford International Airport in September, including Key West and several Midwest and East Coast destinations. Consumer/Cost of Living: GasBuddy reports the lowest E15 price in Marion County hit $3.62 per gallon in the week ending Aug. 22. Public Safety & Tech: Anti-surveillance groups say more Florida-area and nationwide local governments are dropping Flock’s AI camera systems amid concerns about surveillance reach and data sharing. State Policy: Florida will restrict TANF cash purchases, including a ban on theme park tickets, starting with the September schedule.

Investigative Journalism: The Miami Herald and WLRN won top honors at the 2026 Sunshine State Awards for their “Killer Train” Brightline investigation, finding the deadliest major passenger rail record in the U.S. Local Government & Procurement: Sanford is modernizing municipal buying with PlanetBids, covering about $64 million in annual purchases and streamlining bids, vendor management, and emergency procurement. Space & Tourism: A SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch from Cape Canaveral will carry NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, promising a faster, wider view of the universe. Local Improvements: Vero Beach is replacing aging streetlights along 14th Avenue to refresh downtown’s look and safety. Florida Economy & Travel: VISIT FLORIDA says Florida’s tourism brand hit a record $162B value, even as visitor numbers dipped in early 2026. Sports Business: Hillsborough hotel “bed tax” revenue is helping fund the Tampa Bay Rays’ new stadium, with $300M tied to tourist development taxes. Weather & Travel Caution: Storms and flash-flood risk are in the forecast across parts of Florida, with tropical activity also being watched.

Identity Theft Protection: A new guide says identity theft now often involves account takeovers, phone-number swaps, and data-broker scams—so good protection should explain what happened, help you decide next steps, and offer recovery support. Community & Local Giving: Slick’s Kicks, honoring late Homestead runner Victoria “Slick Vick” Hoppe, is distributing sneakers to southern Miami-Dade nonprofits and students via partnerships. Sports (Jaguars): Jacksonville begins the roster cutdown from 90 to 53 after a 19-0 preseason win, with practice-squad decisions looming. Politics (Byron Donalds): Donalds pushed back on Bill Maher’s claim he lost Panhandle counties due to racism, calling Florida a “meritocracy.” Weather & Travel: Forecasters are watching tropical development near the Bahamas and Gulf for Labor Day weekend impacts, with Florida potentially seeing the earliest effects. Florida Business/Travel: Bahama Breeze is in its final stretch as Darden closes and converts remaining locations, including several in Florida. Environment/Science: Swallow-tailed kites—normally tied to Florida—have been confirmed breeding on Cape Cod for the first time.

Florida Economy: Florida’s unemployment rate dipped to 4.6% in July for a second straight month, with job gains in health care, hospitality, manufacturing and construction. Job Market Watch: First-time jobless claims also eased for a third straight week, with 5,033 initial applications filed in the latest week. Tourism & Business: A new Brand Finance valuation puts Florida’s tourism brand at a record $162 billion in 2026, up 14% from 2024. Trade Pressure: Local manufacturers in Central Florida warn proposed U.S.-Canada tariffs could spike costs fast, with some parts from Canada facing steep increases. Public Safety: Melbourne police arrested Jason Kerr in a 2025 fatal hit-and-run that killed bicyclist James Griffin. Space Coast Spotlight: Artemis II astronauts received the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, with the ceremony tied to new U.S. space plans. Local Development: Sebastian awarded shoreline dredging and stabilization work tied to Florida Inland Navigation District grants.

Space & Travel: SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy is set to launch NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope from Florida this weekend, with possible sonic booms and views from Jacksonville Beach to West Palm Beach. Local Roads: FDOT will run overnight lane closures on U.S. 1/Overseas Highway near North College Road in Monroe County Monday and Tuesday (9 p.m. to 7 a.m.). Health & Safety: CDC data shows dengue cases rising in multiple Florida counties, including jumps in Hillsborough and Miami-Dade. Legal & Consumer Costs: Florida AG James Uthmeier sued two pharmacy benefit managers, alleging a price-fixing scheme that underpays pharmacies and threatens access to meds. Community & Housing: Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters donated $200,000 to Habitat for Humanity of the Middle Keys to sponsor a new home. Business/Compliance: DOJ announced a $21.5 million False Claims Act settlement with Deloitte, including payments tied to Florida. Weather: A hot, mostly dry weekend is forecast across the Tampa Bay/Magnolia area, with Tropical Storm Dolly moving across the Atlantic.

Local Government & Public Works: Charlotte County leaders walked residents through how Public Works keeps services running, from asset tracking to hurricane debris mapping. Juvenile Justice: Hillsborough County Juvenile Detention Center is set to close, with teens moved to other counties after the state’s shutdown plan. Aviation & Telecom: The FAA tapped AT&T for its next-generation telecom backbone, replacing Verizon as prime contractor for the long-running network upgrade. Healthcare Costs: Florida is feeling the squeeze after ACA drop-offs, with rising healthcare bills hitting residents and coverage decisions. Tech & Courts: Meta’s teen-safety settlement leaves its core money-making tools intact, while a judge approved Bank of America’s $72.5 million Epstein accuser settlement. Sports & Community: A Navy veteran couple is bringing dance-based workouts to Florida seniors, and UWF kicked off its Division I era with a win. Business & Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data shows multiple Florida cities still ranking high for scam reports. International/Trade: The U.S.-Canada trade fight escalated with retaliatory tariffs, and the “Lake America” naming stunt sparked border backlash.

Legal & Health Costs: Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier sued pharmacy benefit managers Prime Therapeutics and Express Scripts, alleging a price-fixing scheme that cut reimbursements and harmed local pharmacies. Sports & Business: UEFA asked a U.S. federal court to obtain FIFA documents and testimony from Florida-based FIFA entities as it prepares a planned criminal complaint in Switzerland involving Gianni Infantino. Space Coast Watch: NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is set to launch Sunday from Kennedy Space Center on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy, with weather possibly affecting timing. Tech & Power Debate: A new wave of AI data centers is raising alarms nationwide over farmland loss, water use, and strain on power grids—while Florida-area voices argue for smarter, not anti-technology, development. Local Life: A Tallahassee student housing complex, Perla Apartments, delayed move-in and says it’s compensating residents with credits, lodging, and other help. Public Safety: Pasco County ended its license plate reader deal after privacy concerns and Fourth Amendment worries. Travel: American Airlines announced new summer 2027 international routes, including Porto, Vienna, and Reykjavik.

Workforce Shock in South Florida: Florida is bracing for fallout after the Trump administration ended Temporary Protected Status for Haitians, with home-care agencies shutting down and nursing homes and restaurants scrambling to fill jobs. AI Rules in Higher Ed: Florida’s Department of Education is proposing statewide requirements for public colleges to adopt AI policies covering integrity, grading, and campus use. Meta Kids-Use Settlement: Meta agreed to pay up to $18B and limit teen Facebook/Instagram use to two hours daily plus a midnight-to-6 a.m. block without parental consent. Local Governance & Accountability: Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry says he’ll take a state audit’s findings to residents once the report lands. Transportation Growth: Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is moving ahead with an expansion plan, including clearing 350 acres for stormwater, roads, and more parking. Space & Jobs: SpaceX unveiled a $100B Starbase Louisiana plan on the Gulf Coast, aiming for thousands of jobs and Starship launches starting in 2029. Public Safety & Crime: Coral Gables police say a home tied to Kenya helicopter crash victims was burglarized and robbed shortly after the deaths.

Florida Social Security: September 2026 checks for nearly 5.3 million Floridians will follow the usual schedule—SSI on Sept. 1, and Social Security on Wednesdays by birth date—while experts warn future cuts could hit benefits as soon as 2032. Home & Insurance: New data shows some states saw home insurance premiums drop in 2026, with Florida homeowners still watching rate relief efforts and insurer pricing shifts. Local Business & Jobs: Revive Design and Renovation, based in Tampa Bay, landed on the Inc. 5000 after 242% three-year growth and expanding into Orlando. Rays Stadium Plan: The Tampa Bay Rays released a proposed community benefits plan tied to the $2.3B stadium proposal, including housing, anti-displacement, local hiring, and youth programs. UNF Leadership: UNF’s presidential search committee is advancing University of North Georgia president Michael Shannon as the sole candidate for final board consideration. Tech & Healthcare: UNF and WareWorks are pairing students with hands-on engineering and skilled trades work, including solar microgrids and water-design projects. Space Watch: NASA’s $4B Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is set to launch Sunday from Florida aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy.

Cybersecurity & Health Policy: Sen. Rick Scott is pushing Congress to cut off Medicare/Medicaid funds from any hospital or clinic that buys Chinese-made medical devices, citing FDA warnings about internet-connected equipment like the Contec CMS8000. Coastal Development Watch: SpaceX’s $100B “Starbase Louisiana” on Pecan Island is moving ahead, but some nearby residents say they were left in the dark and worry about impacts on marsh wildlife and migratory birds. Local Business & Housing: Holiday Builders, a 43-year Florida homebuilder, was acquired by Stanley Martin Homes, expanding its footprint across multiple Florida regions. Maternal Health Investment: Karlie Kloss and Joshua Kushner’s $2.5M gift is expanding the Karlie Kloss Center for Maternal Health at Jackson Memorial. Consumer Safety: A Largo dog grooming business was fined $148 after a 10-year-old Great Pyrenees died during a grooming appointment; the owner disputes neglect. Tourism & Dining: South Beach Grille on Fort Myers Beach reopened after Hurricane Ian flooding, and the Marina at Bonita Fish Company added shore power for slip leasing.

EBT Crackdown: Florida is expanding restrictions on Temporary Cash Assistance/EBT purchases, banning “inappropriate” non-essentials like tobacco, vaping, drugs, pornography, video games, theme-park/entertainment tickets, tattoos, tanning/spa services, and psychic/fortune-telling, with phased rollout starting at SNAP-authorized retailers. Politics: Byron Donalds named state Sen. Bryan Ávila as his lieutenant governor pick, framing the ticket against “socialist” Democrats; meanwhile, Democrats launched “ScammerStrada.com” targeting GOP House candidate James Pericola’s opponent Joe Strada over a lawsuit alleging unsafe home electrical work. Business & Jobs: Valley National Bancorp is buying Providence Financial for $247M to boost its Chicago presence, with the deal expected to close in early 2027; separately, City National Bank expanded its private banking team in California. Tech & Healthcare: ClaimsRevenue™ is rolling out a claims-denial prevention platform aimed at smaller practices, and a Florida strategist says she cut her work week to two days after years of applied AI. Local Government: Broward College trustees approved a mutual exit agreement with embattled president Torey Alston. Community & Safety: A Surfside rally demanded accountability after a hate-fueled attack on a visiting Jewish couple; in Miami-Dade, a man was charged after deputies said he stole $30,000 in U-Haul dollies.

Mail Voting Fight: The U.S. Supreme Court let part of Trump’s mail-ballot order move forward, but critics say the real danger is DHS building eligibility lists that could shape who gets ballots. Property Taxes: Florida’s Amendment 3 debate is heating up as Polk County officials warn the plan could squeeze local governments’ budgets. Higher Ed & Careers: Polk State College adopted an institutional neutrality statement, while Florida Poly’s senior turned an EA Madden 27 internship into a full-time software engineering offer. Local Governance & Costs: Altamonte Springs may cut its Red Hot & Boom fireworks event from next year’s budget as expenses near $950,000. Tourism Watch: Florida tourism dipped again, with Canadian visits falling sharply in the latest quarter. Public Safety: A Florida woman says scammers posed as Wells Fargo employees and coerced her into withdrawing $8,000; deputies say her quick actions helped lead to an arrest. Health & Community: Florida reported 16 locally acquired dengue cases in one week, with Hillsborough now leading local transmission. Business & Tech: A new Jellyfish Museum opened in Pompano Beach, and Levitt Capital Management opened a New York office for U.S. expats in Europe.

Statewide Business & Growth: Blueleaf Capital and 3VP completed their acquisition of the Aloft Hotel in Gainesville (University Area), a 146-key Marriott-adjacent property, signaling continued Florida hospitality expansion. Local Economy & Jobs: Spark Dealer Group closed on the purchase of Commercial Lawn Equipment in Lakeland, adding another Central Florida location as it grows its outdoor power equipment footprint. Tourism & Community: Sizzle Dining returns for its 10th year across Southwest Florida in September, with 140 participating restaurants and $1 from each meal supporting Blessings in a Backpack. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Florida Power & Light says it has 120 solar energy centers operating statewide, while Orange County is reminding residents about year-round cooling locations during heat. Food & Consumer Watch: SNAP enrollment keeps falling nationwide as work requirements tighten, with Florida among states seeing pressure on benefits. Culture & Travel: A new Jellyfish Museum opened in Pompano Beach, bringing immersive exhibits and a mini lab to the coast.

Aviation & Safety: Jessica Dubroff’s story spotlights how a child pilot dream ended in disaster, raising tough questions about training and oversight. Local Education: Two JFK High School Air Force Junior ROTC cadets earned Flight Academy wings after rigorous testing, with training tied to Florida-based Embry-Riddle. Business & Growth: Mr. C Hotel & Residences West Palm Beach says it’s sold 85% of units as construction climbs, aiming for a 2027 finish. Privacy & Policing: Sarasota-area coverage warns that Flock-style license plate cameras can function like “dragnet surveillance,” with more cameras and apps expanding the reach. Banking & M&A: Big banks are eyeing regional lenders as regulatory doors swing open, with Citigroup and Wells Fargo seen as likely buyers. Sports & Community: Florida Legends Experience in Gainesville brought Heisman winners Steve Spurrier, Tim Tebow and Danny Wuerffel together for a card show and gala benefiting foster-care housing. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports show diesel prices averaging about $5.34 statewide, with some counties seeing lower deals.