AGP Executive Report

Election Watch: Nearly 2.8 million Floridians have voted early, with Election Day a week away. The U.S. Senate contest between Republican Ashley Moody and Democrat Angie Nixon is drawing attention, as is Amendment 3, a proposed homestead tax break that critics warn could squeeze local budgets and public services. Public Safety: Authorities say a multistate investigation dismantled a Sinaloa-linked cocaine pipeline into Tampa Bay; 12 people face racketeering charges. A 15-year-old has been charged as an adult in the shooting near Florida A&M’s homecoming that injured 12. Rural Health: Florida received $193.7 million in federal funding for rural care, including telemedicine, remote monitoring and community paramedicine. Coastal Concerns: King tides are flooding parts of South Florida, while another vehicle strike in Collier County brings the Florida panther death toll to 15 this year. Local News: Manatee County plans a community garden at Parrish Community Park, expanding a program that began to address food insecurity and now also offers gardening education.

Tallahassee Shooting: A 15-year-old has been ordered to face adult charges after a shooting near Florida A&M’s homecoming injured 11 people; a 12th person was hurt fleeing. Six of those shot were minors, and police say the attack followed a dispute. Election Watch: More than 2.8 million Floridians have voted early or by mail, with early voting now statewide. Candidates are making a final push as voters weigh races and ballot measures. Local Budgets: Amendment 3’s proposed property-tax relief is drawing fresh scrutiny over its impact on local services; Marion County’s library budget could be nearly cut in half, and the state Senate president has come out against the measure. Coastal Flooding: King tides, strong winds and rain are bringing flood concerns and street closures across South Florida. Public Health: Florida’s locally acquired dengue cases have reached 425, with Manatee County reporting its first infection.

Tallahassee Shooting: A 15-year-old has been charged as an adult with 11 counts of attempted murder after gunfire near Florida A&M’s stadium injured 12 people, including six minors. Police say the shooting followed a fight between people who knew one another; more arrests may follow. Mosquito-Borne Disease: Florida has reported 425 locally acquired dengue cases this year across 11 counties, with Hillsborough accounting for most. Sarasota County also issued an advisory after a local West Nile virus infection. Coastal Flooding: King tides, strong winds and rain are raising flood concerns across South Florida, with advisories and street flooding reported. Local Elections: Vero Beach and Port St. Lucie council and mayoral candidates outlined priorities including city finances, staffing, growth and infrastructure. State Lawsuit: Attorney General James Uthmeier sued property-risk firm First Street, alleging its flood assessments mislead homeowners and hurt sales; the company says its models use validated methods.

Tallahassee Shooting: Police are seeking tips, photos and video after gunfire near Florida A&M’s Bragg Memorial Stadium injured 12 people, including six minors. One victim remained in critical condition; no arrests had been announced. Coastal Weather: Strong winds, rough surf and king tides are prompting beach closures along Central Florida’s Atlantic coast, with coastal flooding possible during high tides Monday and Tuesday. Gulf Coast Reef: Okaloosa County expects to sink the historic SS United States southwest of Destin in November, creating a major artificial reef and potential tourism draw. School Safety: A special-needs teacher in Flagler County faces felony child-abuse charges after allegedly throwing and pinning a 6-year-old student. Property Taxes: Florida voters are weighing Amendment 3, which would sharply increase homestead exemptions; an analysis projects billions in annual cuts to local-government revenue. Insurance: Security First Insurance says it will lower condo policy rates by an average 7.3% statewide, offering some relief to owners after years of rising costs.

Tallahassee Shooting: Police say 12 people, including six children, were injured near Florida A&M’s stadium during homecoming weekend. No arrests have been announced, and investigators are seeking tips, photos and video. Housing: Central Florida had 1,342 listings with recent price cuts; 57% had been on the market at least 60 days, a sign buyers may have room to negotiate. Election Watch: Early voting is underway ahead of Nov. 3, as candidates campaign and debate affordability. A proposed property-tax cut is also drawing opposition from Florida Senate President Ben Albritton, who says it could squeeze local governments. Public Health: Dengue concerns persist, with 425 locally acquired cases reported in Florida and Hillsborough County extending its emergency. Wildlife: Ten people face charges in an alleged illegal fishing and sea-turtle poaching operation. Investigators say the group sold about 23,000 pounds of fish and five protected turtles. Paychecks: Florida’s minimum wage reached $15 an hour on Sept. 30, completing annual increases approved by voters in 2020.

Tallahassee Shooting: Twelve people, including six children, were injured in gunfire near Florida A&M’s Bragg Memorial Stadium after a homecoming game. One victim is in critical condition; police say a fight may have preceded the shooting, and no arrests have been made. Sebring’s Downtown Plans: City council is seeking public input on a proposed open-container district downtown. The plan would require state legislation before the city could adopt it. Midterm Voting: Early voting is underway in Florida. President Donald Trump cast his ballot in Palm Beach County as campaigns intensify ahead of Nov. 3. Dengue Cases Rise: Florida reported 425 locally acquired cases through Oct. 17, with infections recorded in 11 counties. Seminole County has issued its first mosquito-borne illness advisory of the year. Flood Aid Untapped: Fort Lauderdale still has $12.4 million in recovery grants for flood-hit homeowners, but some residents say fears of inspections, tax increases and permit trouble are keeping people from applying.

Election Watch: Early in-person voting began in Florida on Saturday, with the Nov. 3 midterms approaching and Amendment 3’s proposed property-tax cuts drawing debate over effects on local services and water resources. Road Safety: Six people died when an SUV struck a Road Ranger truck on Florida’s Turnpike in Orange County; FHP says the crash is under investigation. A separate Orange County chain-reaction crash killed an 18-year-old and sent six others to the hospital. Public Safety: A 3-year-old died after accidentally shooting himself in his father’s car at a Polk County Burger King. In the Lower Keys, a multi-agency sweep led to 15 arrests on sex-related charges, including child-exploitation allegations. Health: Dengue concerns are rising, with Manatee County confirming a locally acquired case and Hillsborough extending its emergency declaration. Coastal Protection: Manatee County is replacing a failing seawall at Bishop Point Park with its first living shoreline, using natural materials and native plants to reduce erosion.

Child Safety: A 3-year-old died after finding his father’s gun in a car at a Bartow Burger King. The sheriff’s office is not recommending charges, but referred the case to prosecutors. Domestic Violence: Volusia County launched Florida’s first county-run database of people convicted of qualifying domestic abuse and dating violence offenses. Public Health: Florida has recorded more than 400 locally acquired dengue cases this year; Manatee County confirmed a case and is stepping up mosquito prevention. Local Services: Palm Beach County says new garbage contracts are behind a surge in pickup complaints, with more than 5,500 customer reports in the first two weeks. Kissimmee Politics: Mayor Jackie Espinosa was fined $2,000 and censured over an ethics violation tied to COVID relief grants; she also faces separate felony charges. Fort Myers Rally: President Donald Trump announced $275 million for a nursing-home nurse initiative and renewed talk of action against Cuba after the Iran conflict.

Public Health: Florida’s locally acquired dengue cases have topped 400, with new cases confirmed in Manatee County and Sarasota County issuing a mosquito advisory after a West Nile case. Pinellas extended its dengue emergency as mosquito control expands. Cape Coral: City Council approved up to $30.95 million in incentives for an HCA hospital, planned to open with 100 beds. The maximum package is not an immediate payment. Election Watch: More than 1.6 million Floridians had voted by Thursday, about 11.7% of registered voters. Reports of federal agents near early-voting sites have raised scrutiny, while Amendment 3’s proposed property-tax cuts prompt debate over how cities and counties would fund services. Rural Healthcare: Florida secured $193.7 million in federal grants for 45 organizations to expand rural care through mobile clinics, telehealth and community paramedicine. In Gilchrist County, an audit found staffing shortages can leave a new third ambulance out of service.

Kissimmee Charges: Mayor Jackie Espinosa was arrested on grand theft and fraud charges. Prosecutors say she and family members received $50,000 from a COVID-relief program she created; she maintains her innocence. Polk County Tragedy: A 3-year-old boy died after accidentally shooting himself with a handgun inside a car at a Bartow Burger King. The State Attorney’s Office will review the investigation. Public Health: Seminole County issued its first mosquito-borne illness advisory of 2026 after confirming a locally acquired dengue case. Election Watch: Federal immigration agents were reported near Florida early-voting sites, prompting election supervisors to contact the FBI. Animal Welfare: After 58 sloths died at a failed Orlando attraction, bipartisan lawmakers proposed a bill to sharply restrict imports of wild sloths. Property Tax Debate: Amendment 3 is fueling a fight over local budgets, with Gov. Ron DeSantis backing the measure and Florida Senate President Ben Albritton opposing it over concerns about cuts to cities and counties. Local Concerns: Wakulla Gardens residents say recurring brown water and low pressure are damaging appliances and driving up costs. Overdose Data: State figures show fentanyl deaths fell sharply from 2023 to 2025, but the data alone cannot establish that the state’s S.A.F.E. program caused the decline.

Disaster Recovery: FEMA is sending Florida more than $94 million for 121 projects, including storm repairs in Pinellas and Sarasota counties and upgrades to reduce future damage. Election Watch: Supervisors in Leon and Monroe counties contacted the FBI after reports of federal agents near early-voting sites. Leon’s supervisor said his office received no calls from voters about the sighting; early voting is underway across Florida. Local Government: Kissimmee Mayor Eva Jacquelyn Espinosa was arrested and charged over allegations that she and her family improperly received $50,000 from a city COVID-relief grant program she helped create. Property Taxes: Gov. Ron DeSantis is promoting Amendment 3 in Miami-Dade, while critics warn the proposed tax cuts could sharply reduce local-government revenue. Severe Weather: South Florida faces a weekend flood threat as heavy rain, strong winds and king tides coincide, with some areas forecast to receive 3 to 6 inches of rain and isolated totals above 10 inches. Florida Music: Apopka-born Country Music Hall of Famer John Anderson, known for “Seminole Wind” and “Swingin’,” has died at 71.

Election Watch: Early voting is underway across Florida, but voter-lookup tools went down as polls opened. A new UNF poll puts the governor’s race within two points, with Byron Donalds narrowly ahead of David Jolly. Kissimmee Probe: Mayor Jackie Espinosa was arrested on charges alleging she steered $50,000 in COVID-relief grants to businesses tied to her and her family; the allegations have not been proven in court. Property Taxes: Gov. Ron DeSantis is campaigning for Amendment 3, which would expand homestead exemptions and could eventually eliminate some property taxes. Senate President Ben Albritton opposes the measure, while local officials weigh its effects on services. South Florida Weather: King tides and heavy rain are raising coastal-flooding risks. Florida Roots: Apopka-born Country Music Hall of Famer John Anderson, known for “Swingin’” and “Seminole Wind,” has died at 71. Healthcare: South Florida State College’s nursing programs received accreditation through spring 2034.

Kissimmee Arrest: Mayor Jackie Espinosa was arrested on charges of grand theft and organized fraud. Florida’s attorney general says she improperly steered $50,000 in COVID relief grants to her family’s businesses. Dengue Response: Seminole County confirmed a locally acquired dengue case as mosquito-control efforts ramp up across Florida, including aerial spraying in Pinellas County. Election Watch: Early voting is underway, with more than 1 million ballots already cast statewide as candidates make final campaign pushes. Local Decisions: Marion County commissioners rejected a settlement that could have reopened a permit dispute over a food-waste composting operation. In Palm Beach County, staff approved a plan expanding space for a proposed data center despite neighborhood opposition. Death Penalty: Florida executed William Reaves, 77, for the 1986 killing of an Indian River County deputy — the state’s 18th execution this year.

Death Penalty: Florida executed William Reaves, 77, for the 1986 killing of an Indian River County deputy, marking the state’s 18th execution this year. At the Pump: Gas prices briefly hit $4.23 a gallon, and crude oil topping $100 a barrel could drive another increase. Taxpayer Tools: A free state budget explorer lets Floridians see how the $113.8 billion budget allocates money and compare local projects. Public Safety: A Lauderhill officer is accused of taking over a dead man’s home and posing as his friend to claim it; he was arrested after suing the heirs for renovation costs. Local Politics: Early voting is underway, with voters weighing races and Amendment 3, which could cut local property-tax revenue for services such as fire protection and roads. Development Debate: Broward County commissioners are advancing a one-year pause on large data centers in unincorporated areas to study their effects on water, power costs and neighborhoods. Health: Mosquito spraying is expanding in Pinellas and Citrus counties after locally acquired dengue cases.

Election Watch: Early voting is underway in 34 Florida counties ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms. Polk County is offering free rides to the polls, and voters have until Oct. 22 to request mail ballots. Data Center Debate: Martin County is moving to freeze large data centers over concerns about power and water use, while a developer has announced a proposed $325 million South Florida project. Democratic candidates are also criticizing gubernatorial hopeful Byron Donalds over industry-linked donations. Conservation: Florida divers removed a record 36,187 invasive lionfish during the state’s annual challenge, about 5,000 more than last year. Public Safety: A 71-year-old fisherman was killed by an alligator near Winter Garden, and Citrus County confirmed two locally acquired dengue cases. State Affairs: Florida has secured an arrest warrant for former Cuban leader Raúl Castro over the 1996 shootdown of civilian aircraft. The state is also set to execute Vietnam veteran William Reaves for the 1986 killing of an Indian River County deputy.

Castro Warrant: Florida has issued an arrest warrant charging former Cuban leader Raúl Castro with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder over the 1996 shootdown of two civilian planes that killed four men. Election Season: Early voting is underway in counties across the state ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms. The Republican Party of Florida is also suing to block a Democratic ad about the Hope Florida controversy. Death Penalty: Florida is scheduled to carry out its 18th execution of the year Tuesday, nearing last year’s record of 19. Tourism Spending: Orange County approved hundreds of millions of dollars in tourist-tax funding for major projects, despite public objections over the plan and timing. Coastal Hazards: Flooding and high winds have closed parts of Playalinda Beach, while Winter Garden residents mourn a 71-year-old fisherman killed in an alligator attack.