AGP Executive Report

Retirement Policy Watch: Florida TaxWatch is urging lawmakers to rethink the Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP), warning recent changes could raise costs for taxpayers and asking whether DROP should be closed or limited. Back-to-School Rules: Florida districts are rolling out new phone policies under HB 1105—no phone use for elementary and middle school students during the school day, and tighter wireless rules for high schoolers. School Safety Tech: Osceola County is moving toward stop-arm enforcement cameras for school buses, aiming to curb drivers illegally passing stopped buses. Local Education Strain: Orange County Public Schools kicked off the year amid enrollment decline and staffing pressures, with Superintendent Maria Vazquez marking her final first day. Public Health: Pinellas County confirmed two locally acquired dengue cases, triggering mosquito-control and surveillance efforts. Wildlife Incidents: A paddleboarder in Marion County helped rescue a woman after an alligator attack; officials also removed a 9-foot alligator. Community & Culture: Islamorada’s “Made on Morada Way” art exhibit spotlights Upper Keys artists, with more than 20 creators featured.

Flying Cars in Florida: Gov. Ron DeSantis says Florida will become a national hub for testing ultralight electric aircraft, with a Polk County track set to support active eVTOL testing by the end of the year. Local Government & Schools: Fort Myers Beach is creating six charter school ad-hoc committees as it prepares a charter application to replace Fort Myers Beach Elementary, closed since Hurricane Milton. Housing & Growth: Collier residents are buzzing over a proposed “Hyper Club” on a former automotive test site that would mix private club amenities with some residential use. Public Safety: A Florida sheriff’s deputy in Pasco County allegedly kidnapped and fatally shot his ex-girlfriend after a dispute over a TV, then killed himself. Crime: A Bonita Springs woman was arrested for allegedly faking cancer to scam more than 200 people out of nearly $40,000. Health Watch: Lee County is on alert for dengue as mosquito season ramps up, with local testing and spraying underway. SpaceX Update: A Starlink launch from Cape Canaveral was scrubbed Monday and is now set for Tuesday. Education Spotlight: Two Florida Credit Union “Amazing Teacher of the Month” winners were highlighted, including a third-grade teacher in Fort McCoy and a middle school English teacher in Ocala.

Back-to-School Watch: Broward County kicked off the new school year Monday, with Superintendent Howard Hepburn warning drivers about a new AI bus-safety ticketing program that starts with warnings and ramps to $225 citations starting Sept. 10. Public Safety & Courts: FDLE says South Florida brothers Alexander and Anthony Sanchez were arrested in a cocaine trafficking case tied to a S.A.F.E. investigation, with more than 480 grams seized plus cash, a rifle, and ammunition. Local Government: Citrus County earned 17 National Association of Counties achievement awards for programs ranging from a community Narcan access effort to workforce training and environmental restoration. Health & Workplaces: Sarasota Memorial Health Care System was named Florida’s top employer for women by Forbes, ranking No. 28 nationally. Crime & Jail Logs: Broward County booking records show multiple violent and domestic arrests over the weekend, while Orange and Pasco County also reported drug and warrant-related bookings. Weather & Daily Life: Florida residents are watching for the first real cool-down as almanac forecasts point to a wetter-than-normal winter ahead.

Federal Courts & Culture Wars: A federal court upheld Florida’s ban on children attending drag shows, rejecting an Orlando restaurant’s First Amendment challenge and leaving the case open for appeal. Public Safety & School Rules: Volusia County is requiring students who ride e-bikes or e-scooters to complete a safety course and get a permit sticker before riding to school. Wildlife Risk: A woman is recovering after an alligator attack on the Silver River in Marion County that led to a temporary closure while officials worked to locate the animal. Local Infrastructure: CSX work will close the US 301 ramp to SR 20 westbound toward Gainesville starting Monday at 5 a.m., timed to hit first-day school traffic. Environment & Enforcement: Florida AG James Uthmeier says his office will push for tougher criminal penalties for poaching, aiming to move many offenses from misdemeanors to felonies. Space & Tech: SpaceX plans to launch 29 Starlink satellites from Florida’s Space Coast on Monday.

Wildlife & Schools: A Palm Coast assistant principal at Rymfire Elementary shooed a small alligator nicknamed “Snappy” out from under a teacher’s car ahead of the Aug. 10 school start. Crash & Injuries: A Hendry County Sheriff’s SUV overturned at a Clewiston intersection after running a stop sign, injuring two people. Public Health: A Marion County resident died after contracting the rare Vibrio vulnificus bacterium, according to the Florida Department of Health. Home & Environment: UF/IFAS is pushing back on “super termite” rumors, saying hybrid termites are rare and don’t change how homeowners should manage subterranean termite risk. Violence & Crime: In Central Florida, a man was arrested in a violent attack on a pregnant woman and toddler; separately, Hillsborough deputies investigated a domestic-related shooting in Brandon where both involved adults died. Community & Safety: Marion County is seeking a $25,000 state grant for bear-resistant trash cans to reduce bear-trash conflicts. Elections: Early voting is underway across Southwest Florida ahead of the Aug. 18 primary. Space & Tech: SpaceX is set for another Starlink launch from Cape Canaveral on Aug. 10, with viewing tips for the Space Coast.

Public Safety: A 5-year-old boy with autism was found dead in a retention pond behind his Greater Northdale apartment in Hillsborough County after a frantic search involving more than 140 deputies and a dive team. Elections: Early voting is underway for Florida’s Aug. 18 primary, with Manatee and Sarasota counties opening weekend sites and voters urged to check locations and hours. Wildlife & Health: Florida wildlife officials are investigating an alligator bite in Marion County after a woman was bitten on the arm while swimming in the Silver River; she was taken to a hospital and a trapper was dispatched. Crime: In Lee County, deputies arrested a Fort Myers-area father accused of killing and injuring kittens as punishment for his teenage daughter, according to authorities. Environment: NOAA-backed scientists and partners say Indian River Lagoon clam restoration is underway, with millions of clams outplanted after decades of decline. Sports: Lake Mary Little League advanced in the Little League Softball World Series after beating Washington 5-0 in an elimination game, setting up a semifinal matchup. Weather: Severe thunderstorm warnings were issued for parts of Central Florida, including Flagler County and southeastern Marion County.

Property Taxes: Gov. Ron DeSantis says Florida’s ballot language for a constitutional amendment to gradually phase out property taxes is being rewritten after a judge flagged the original wording, with supporters touting about $3,000 in average annual relief while critics warn local budgets could be hit and court challenges may follow. Voting & Elections: Broward County opens early voting for the Aug. 18 primary at 21 sites starting Saturday, with voters urged to bring ID and note tight deadlines for mail ballots. Public Safety (Schools): Martin County schools start Aug. 10, and the district is pushing extra school-bus caution as some stops mean students wait in the dark. Crime & Courts: Three Palm Beach County men were sentenced to 12 to 20 years in federal prison for exploiting missing foster teens. Consumer/Everyday Life: Florida Lotto’s Aug. 5 drawing produced a $6 million winner from a Lakeland Sunoco; the jackpot resets to $1 million for Aug. 8. Environment: Cape Coral residents are upset that a sidewalk project displaced a threatened burrowing owl nest, despite city permits. Sports (Local): Gadsden City QB Sam Sollie committed to Auburn.

Courts & Elections: A Leon County judge ordered Florida to rewrite the ballot language for the property tax cut (Amendment 3) after finding the original wording misleading and laced with political rhetoric; Gov. DeSantis says the state won’t appeal and expects clearer language for the November vote. Local Schools: Sarasota County Schools is gearing up for the Aug. 10 start with transportation and start-time changes, while Duval and St. Johns districts say they’ve closed budget gaps ahead of the new year. Public Safety: Hillsborough County is mourning a 5-year-old boy with autism found dead in a retention pond after wandering away; officials say it’s the second such drowning at the same apartment complex in two months. Education & Workforce: Broward County launched the Space Florida Academy at nine schools to build aerospace and engineering career pipelines. Immigration & Community Tensions: An Argentinian pro soccer player says he was detained by ICE at Fort Lauderdale Airport while traveling within the U.S., despite a pending asylum case. Health Care: The Florida Supreme Court is set to decide whether Citizens Property Insurance’s mandatory arbitration system is constitutional, a ruling that could reshape homeowners’ dispute rights.

Back to School: Students in 38 Florida public school districts head back Monday, Aug. 10, with families stocking up through local giveaways and services like Volusia’s Payit4ward event that served more than 3,000 people and handed out 1,600 backpacks. Education Policy: Florida’s later school-start law is reversed, letting districts set their own middle and high school start times again. Local Elections: State Rep. Kevin Steele resigned his House seat as he runs for Florida’s U.S. House District 14 after redistricting shifted his congressional area. School Board Races: Santa Rosa County candidates shared Q&As for Districts 1, 3, and 5 as the primary approaches. Public Safety: A DeLand man was charged as accessory after the fact in the Citadel cadet double-murder case; separately, a Lee County middle school teacher was arrested on child pornography and animal cruelty charges. Transportation Debate: FDOT wants to redirect nearly $197 million in federal EV charger money toward charging and landing pads for electric air taxis. Community & Health: Orange County advanced a proposal to restrict commercial imports of exotic wildlife after the Sloth World Orlando deaths.

Local Government & Economic Development: Lee County supervisors voted to hire specialized legal counsel to help craft ordinances regulating data centers and other major economic development projects, aiming to protect taxpayers as rules get more complex. Public Safety: A Sarasota County crash on I-75 sent two vehicles overturning, while Polk County’s sheriff said a woods shootout left a K-9 injured and ended with the suspect dead. Courts & Rights: A federal appeals court upheld Florida’s law barring kids from attending drag shows, calling it a regulation of obscenity. Health & Food Safety: Florida’s cyclospora outbreak keeps climbing, with 352 confirmed or suspected cases statewide and Palm Beach County reporting 16 new infections tied to recalled iceberg lettuce. Education & Community: Bay District Schools’ “Stuff the Bus” supply drive, plus a YMCA $1.5M state boost for a new Lake Lytal community center, highlight back-to-school support across the state. Environment & Agriculture: Florida Southern College planted citrus trees as a “living laboratory” to help growers tackle the industry’s long-running disease challenges.

Media & Education: UF’s College of Journalism and Communications is teaming up with Saga Communications in a seven-year deal to market ad inventory for WRUF-AM/FM starting Sept. 1, 2026, with a big focus on student training and newsroom-style career pathways. Community & Culture: Lakeside Social officially opens Aug. 27 at Lakeside at Viera Town Center, bringing waterfront dining, events, and programming to Brevard. Public Safety: A Guatemalan man is in custody after a hit-and-run left a 74-year-old trapped under a truck, with ICE seeking to keep him detained. Violence in Public: Two men face charges after a machete fight at a Publix parking lot in Panama City. Health Watch: Florida’s Cyclospora outbreak keeps climbing—352 cases reported statewide through Aug. 1, with Lee County among the hardest hit. Elections: Seminole County held a public logic-and-accuracy test for the Aug. 18 primary, a key step before ballots are counted. Local Life: Broward County Animal Care is seeking adopters for Lemon, an energetic dog looking for a forever home.

Property-Tax Fight: A Tallahassee judge ordered Florida’s Amendment 3 ballot language rewritten, calling the current title misleading and “political rhetoric,” and the state’s attorney general has 10 days to fix it. Public Safety & Schools: Lake County will equip 240 school buses with stop-arm cameras to catch drivers who illegally pass stopped buses, with warnings first and citations later. Housing & Insurance: A new state report says 25% of required condo milestone inspections were never completed, with many local governments failing to report data. Local Government & Growth: Suwannee County is seeking bids for engineering and design work on an elevated water tower at the Catalyst Site, delaying a major project start. Crime & Courts: A Flagler County man was arrested for allegedly stalking a woman and stealing a teddy bear holding her child’s ashes. Politics: In Florida’s 7th District GOP race, incumbent Cory Mills and challengers traded barbs in a New Smyrna Beach debate over ethics and alleged investigations. Community & Health: Manatee County officials faced residents’ concerns about conditions at Bishop Animal Shelter, with the county acknowledging issues still need work.

Courts & Culture: The 11th Circuit lifted a block on Florida’s law restricting minors from “sexually explicit” live performances, sending the case back to a trial court while enforcement can begin. Local Government & Housing: In Coconut Grove, residents questioned a West Grove Live Local Act project that has ballooned from one tower to twin 750-unit buildings, raising concerns about density and community impact. Schools & Taxes: Broward schools’ superintendent warned more closures are coming as enrollment drops and the district weighs consolidating campuses; meanwhile, Baker County adopted a tentative 2026-27 school budget and property tax rate. Public Safety: A Polk County nurse was found murdered, and her son faces a first-degree murder charge after investigators say he overdosed on Tylenol and crashed her car. Community & Health: Lee County reopened the Lakes Park splash pads after a $2.6 million Hurricane Ian replacement project. Business & Growth: Walmart and Wing launched faster drone delivery in Central Florida, reaching 50,000+ homes from local stores. Crime & Justice: A Flagler County man is accused of stalking a dating-app match and stealing a teddy bear containing her child’s ashes.

Data Centers & Local Control: Lee County supervisors voted to hire specialized legal counsel to help craft ordinances regulating future data centers and other major economic projects, as the county weighs how to protect taxpayers while managing a growing development push. Property Taxes & Amendment 3: A judge ordered Florida’s Amendment 3 ballot language rewritten, keeping the measure headed to voters; the fight could reshape affordable housing, CRAs, and Miami-Dade services if it passes. Public Safety on Roads: Sarasota County is launching high-visibility enforcement aimed at protecting pedestrians and bicyclists, with education first but citations possible. Health Watch: Palm Beach County residents are reacting to a cyclospora outbreak tied to recalled iceberg lettuce, with many avoiding lettuce while officials investigate. Community Tragedy: Boynton Beach police say a 3-year-old died after her head became stuck in a toy kitchen playset at a babysitter’s home, and the case remains under investigation. Wildlife & Environment: Scientists warn seaweed sargassum is smothering coastlines across the Caribbean and Gulf, driven by unusual growth patterns.

Property Tax Fight: A Leon County judge says Florida’s Amendment 3 ballot language is misleading and orders the state to rewrite it, arguing the summary reads like a political pitch instead of a fair explanation of what the measure would do. Local Government & Growth: Palm Beach County commissioners are drafting new noise, power-grid, and water rules after rejecting a proposed $2 billion AI data center plan, with one commissioner pushing data centers away from the county. Immigration: A Venezuelan woman with TPS says she was detained by ICE for nearly three weeks at South Florida facilities, and another ICE detainee in Broward was released after lawmakers intervened. Public Safety: A small plane made an emergency landing on a Florida interstate after engine trouble, narrowly missing a highway sign; separately, a Palm Coast woman allegedly used her 9-year-old daughter to help steal from a store. Tech in the Real World: Walmart and Wing launched drone delivery in parts of Central Florida, with orders lowered to addresses by tether.

Immigration & Community: Another 147 Venezuelans arrived in Venezuela from Miami under the “Mission Back to the Fatherland,” with officials saying the return was handled with “comprehensive protection protocols.” Local Governance & Public Safety: South Florida cleanup continues after storms brought flooding and downed trees across Broward and Miami-Dade. Elections: Putnam County’s election chief is urging voters to use early voting (through Aug. 15) or mail ballots before the request deadline. Environment: A lawsuit says federal officials missed a deadline to protect queen conch habitat in the Florida Keys, leaving breeding areas exposed to dredging. Health: Dengue fever alerts were issued in Palm Beach and Miami-Dade after locally transmitted cases were confirmed. Property Taxes: A report warns Hernando and Brooksville could face major losses if Florida’s property tax referendum passes. Education: Florida is developing rules that would bar undocumented students from postsecondary career and technical programs. Business/Community: Sanibel Captiva Community Bank donated $5,000 to United Way’s regional campaign.