AGP Executive Report

World Cup Security: Federal and local officials are stepping up protection for FIFA World Cup matches in South Florida, setting “no drone zones” around venues like Hard Rock Stadium and warning violators face steep penalties. Local Government Finance: Florida’s proposed property tax amendment is drawing pushback from county property appraisers, who warn it could slash billions in revenue and force cuts to services. Community & Food Access: Palm Beach’s Wild About Wildlife launched its “Nature Renaissance” campaign with a $20,000 matching gift, while Fort Pierce’s community garden model is producing thousands of pounds of produce for residents in a food desert. Public Safety & Courts: A man accused in a deadly I-75 wrong-way crash in Charlotte County is set for arraignment, and Florida’s summer “Arrive Alive” campaign is urging safer driving during the July holiday stretch. Sports & Local Culture: Major League Pickleball debuts in St. Pete with a five-day event, and the Florida Everblades head to Kansas City for the Kelly Cup Finals.

Severe Weather & Public Safety: Central Florida braced for severe thunderstorms with flood concerns, damaging winds, and intense lightning, as warnings stretched across parts of the region. Wildfires: Florida Forest Service crews contained a 115-acre brush fire in Martin County and battled a separate 525-acre blaze in Hendry County near Big Cypress, with both incidents under active monitoring. Road & Infrastructure: Marion County’s Southwest 66th Street bridge over I-75 is set to close for at least a year for reconstruction after repeated truck hits, with clearance increasing from 15 feet 8 inches to 21 feet 3 inches. Local Politics & Elections: Florida’s 2026 governor’s race is heating up after qualifying reshaped the ballot, including a Democratic ticket launch by David Jolly and Gwen Graham and GOP-only fights in some county commission races. Homelessness: Collier County senior homelessness reportedly tripled in a year, with advocates pointing to hurricanes and rising costs. Community & Courts: A Florida judge freed a detained immigrant after the government ignored a court order, while other local legal stories included a wrongful-arrest dispute tied to facial recognition errors.

World Cup Disruption: England’s World Cup camp in Kansas City was hit by a “heist” of training gear after the team traveled from West Palm Beach, and two men were charged; police say most items were recovered, including boots tied to Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham. Severe Weather: On the team’s first night at the Kansas City base, tornado warnings and severe storm alerts forced players to shelter indoors as sirens blared and FIFA fan events shut early. Fatal Crash in Sarasota: Florida Highway Patrol and Sarasota County deputies investigated a deadly early-morning crash on I-75 northbound near Exit 213. Tragedy in Kissimmee: Osceola authorities say 5-year-old twin sisters drowned in a rental home pool while on vacation. Insurance Watch: A Florida homeowners insurance explainer points to reinsurance rate changes as a key factor that could lower bills this year. Community & Safety: Summer BreakSpot free meals continue across Florida for kids and teens, with local sites running through late June and into July.

World Cup Disruption: England’s World Cup squad arrived in Kansas City after training in Florida, but police say equipment was stolen from team vehicles during the trip; two people are in custody as local, state and federal investigators trace where the gear went. Local Safety: A crash in Levy County killed an Orlando man and sent a woman to the hospital with minor injuries after a sedan failed to stop at a stop sign. Public Safety Tech: A Florida bill would create a “blue card/envelope” for drivers with autism to help during police encounters, plus expanded autism training for recruits. Community & Memory: Orlando and beyond marked 10 years since the Pulse nightclub massacre, with survivors gathering separately from city officials and a vigil held in San Francisco’s Castro. Health & Environment: Seaweed (sargassum) continues to pile up on South Florida beaches, keeping some swimmers out of the water. Local Governance: Economists warn a proposed homestead exemption increase could cost counties nearly $12 billion a year.

World Cup Security: England’s World Cup prep hit a snag after Kansas City police investigated a theft of training gear—including boots and balls—during transport from Florida to Swope Soccer Village; two people were taken into custody as officials work to replace what’s missing. Civil Rights & Tech: A federal lawsuit backed by the ACLU says Florida police wrongfully arrested a man after relying on a mistaken facial recognition match, raising alarms about AI-driven policing. Local Governance: A Tallahassee take highlights how state lawmakers keep preempting local governments, limiting cities and counties from setting their own priorities. State Law Updates: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed multiple bills, with several taking effect July 1, including changes tied to public records and court reporting. Community Safety: Pasco County issued a Missing Child Alert for 14-year-old Emanuel Olivo from Wesley Chapel. Sports: The Florida Everblades topped Kansas City Mavericks in overtime to stay rolling in the Kelly Cup Final. Politics: Bay Area Democrats David Jolly and Gwen Graham held their first joint rally in Tampa as the governor race heats up.

Local Politics: Palm Beach County Mayor Sara Baxter dropped her congressional bid after a call from President Trump, saying she’ll stay in the county commission race instead. Elections & Representation: A plan to consolidate Black support in Florida’s District 20 unraveled, leaving multiple candidates to challenge Debbie Wasserman Schultz in the new district. County Governance: Glades County will decide on impact fees June 22, reigniting a debate over whether the charges slow growth or help fund schools and services. Public Safety & Justice: An Ohio police chief accused in a 70-count child sex indictment was arrested in Florida and faces up to 280 years if convicted. Courts & Ethics: Florida’s ethics commission tossed a complaint against Lee County Undersheriff John Holloway, saying the allegations relied on hearsay. Infrastructure: Collier County opened its first diverging diamond interchange on Pine Ridge Road, aiming to cut delays and improve safety. Environment: Sea turtle nesting in Volusia County is on track to shatter records, with more than 700 nests documented so far. Health & Weather: Saharan dust is moving into Southwest Florida, bringing hazy skies and drier conditions that can affect storm development.

Property Taxes Fight: A lawsuit in Leon County challenges Florida’s proposed property tax exemption ballot language as “biased” and “misleading,” arguing the summary reads like a political pitch rather than a neutral explanation. Local Budgets at Risk: Palm Beach County leaders warn the November vote could trigger nearly $400M in operational cuts over two years, threatening services like parks and libraries. School Voucher Clash: In Lee County, a teachers union lawsuit targets the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, while district data shows enrollment drops and families shifting to homeschooling, private schools, or out of state. Public Safety & Crime: Florida’s AG escalates the crackdown on “teen takeover” organizers, saying organizers could face serious charges; separately, a Collier County K9 stop led to a cocaine bust after cocaine was found in a pickup. Housing Costs: HUD data shows Wellington has the highest Palm Beach County rents, while Belle Glade is far cheaper. Community & Preparedness: Lee County received a $25,000 grant to improve disaster response for pets, adding rescue gear and training.

Lottery & Poverty: Florida Lottery data show scratch-off sales are higher relative to income in lower-education, lower-earnings neighborhoods, with one Gainesville store topping $860,000 in annual scratch-off sales. Legal Accountability: The Henry Latimer Center says Local Professionalism Panels’ biannual activity reports are due June 15, as Florida’s Supreme Court pushes more consistency and transparency in lawyer discipline. State Scrutiny: Florida’s “DOGE” task force has demanded a large data trove from the City of Fort Lauderdale, including vendor and contract details tied to water and sewer projects. Disaster Funding: FEMA approved more than $90 million for Florida hurricane recovery and hazard mitigation, including utility restoration, dune work, and repairs across multiple counties. Courts & Maps: The Florida Supreme Court let new GOP-drawn U.S. House districts stand for 2026 midterms, rejecting a request to pause the new map. Public Safety & Crime: A Poinciana mother accused of drowning her 14-year-old daughter was found competent for trial. Immigration Crackdown: Border Patrol arrests in South Florida have quietly surged, with state and local agencies playing a major role. Economy & Costs: A United Way Suncoast ALICE report says nearly half of Florida households can’t meet basic needs, with a family of four needing over $106,000 in the Bay Area. Sports: Florida Everblades won an overtime thriller in Game 3 of the Kelly Cup Final.

AI & Policing: A Jacksonville Beach man cleared after an “error-prone” facial recognition match is suing local agencies, arguing officers treated a 93% AI result as a substitute for real investigation. Immigration & Families: A federal judge ordered the deportation of a Mayan translator who helps courts, schools, and hospitals across Florida, leaving four U.S.-citizen children in Lake Worth Beach. Elections & Redistricting: The Florida Supreme Court let DeSantis’ new congressional map stand for 2026 after rejecting an emergency bid to block it, with candidate qualifying deadlines looming. Local Budgets & Property Taxes: Palm Beach County warned it could lose $221 million in year one—and $324 million the next—if a property tax reform referendum passes. Public Safety & Health: Seminole County ranks third in Central Florida for rabies exposures, while officials say most exposures happen at home. Environment: South Florida beaches are dealing with a “tsunami” of smelly seaweed as cities try raking and disposal solutions. Politics: Democrat David Jolly named Gwen Graham as his running mate in the Florida governor’s race.

Space Coast Growth: Space Coast Town Center sold 32.65 acres in West Melbourne to Barron Collier Investment Partners for “The Landing at Space Coast,” a grocery-anchored mixed-use project with retail, restaurants, and about 300 multifamily units. Local Business & Legal Tech: Safe and Signed™—founded by estate planning attorneys—will debut its custody service for signed original documents at the Florida Bar Annual Convention in Orlando. Politics & Public Safety: Florida City police and the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office are investigating a fatal shooting in a neighborhood where a child was transported to the hospital; details on victims and suspects are still limited. Community & Crime: Fort Pierce and Stuart police releases weekly arrest listings, including drug possession and burglary-related charges. Transportation & Risk: A state crash-safety report ranks Hamilton County as the deadliest for fatal crashes per population, while Seminole County is listed as the safest. Politics Watch: Congressional candidate Joe Kaufman unveiled his “S.E.A. Plan” for Florida’s 25th District, focusing on security, economic prosperity, and affordability.

International Students: After graduation, hundreds of Florida’s international students face possible detention or deportation as Trump-era travel bans and visa grace periods leave them stuck in limbo. Local Government & Climate Resilience: Sanibel is holding a public workshop on its Adaptation Plan to cut flood risk and strengthen resilience. Environment: Lee County’s annual fertilizer ban kicks in, restricting nitrogen and phosphorous to protect waterways during the rainy season. Housing & Permits: Cape Coral is preparing for state changes that limit local building requirements, including a $7,500 permitting exemption for certain low-risk projects. Education & Sports: FHSAA is launching an eight-team Open Division in 11 sports for 2026-27, reshaping high school matchups statewide. Public Safety: A Cuba earthquake triggered tremors in Lake County’s Tavares admin building, prompting a temporary evacuation and inspection. Immigration Enforcement: DeSantis and Cabinet approved $90 million in grants for local law enforcement equipment tied to illegal immigration enforcement. South Florida Watch: Miami Beach is ramping up security and rescue planning for World Cup watch parties and events.

Notre Dame Soccer Commit: Crystal Lake South junior Gracey LePage says she’s headed to Notre Dame after a campus visit, switching from a prior Michigan State commitment. Local Government & Speech: Coconut Grove Spotlight has filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Miami over a policy that routes employee-to-press communications through city leadership, calling it a First Amendment “gag order.” Public Safety: A Brevard County woman was killed in a pit bull attack, and authorities say the owner had been reported to police at least 14 times. Weather & Travel: Central Florida is seeing rain chances return as tropical moisture moves in, with a wetter pattern expected later this week. State Budget Watch: Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia renewed criticism of Jacksonville spending, alleging nearly $276 million in overspending. Utilities & Costs: Lake County commissioners will consider a second gas tax hike in less than a year, from 7 cents to 12 cents, to fund roads. Energy Debate: St. Petersburg voted to study leaving Duke Energy for a city-run electric utility. Health & Hunger: Volusia County residents received thousands of pounds of free produce through a Mobile Farmers Market aimed at fighting hunger. Earthquake: A 6.1 quake off Cuba sent tremors across parts of Florida and Mexico. Sharks: Two shark incidents in the Florida Panhandle left people injured in separate attacks.

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.