AGP Executive Report

AI Power Play: Google and Blackstone unveiled a massive AI cloud push, with Blackstone putting up $5B equity to bring 500 megawatts of data-center capacity online by 2027—potentially scaling to a $25B total—using Google’s TPU chips. Florida Energy Watch: NextEra (FP&L’s parent) announced it will buy Dominion Energy in a deal projected around $67B, with AI-driven power demand cited as a key driver. Health Insurance Tension: A new report highlights how insurers are leaning on AI to approve or deny claims, raising alarms about human oversight and fairness. Florida Courts & Fraud: A federal jury convicted a Florida-linked Medicare fraud defendant, marking a major hit to a scheme prosecutors say topped $1B. Campus Guns Split: Virginia moved to broadly ban guns in public campus buildings, while Florida continues allowing armed “guardians” and trained staff. Sports—UF Softball: Florida hosts Texas Tech in the Gainesville Super Regional May 22-24, with Game 2 on ABC. NBA—Coaching: Jamahl Mosley is headed to the New Orleans Pelicans after Orlando fired him following a Pistons playoff loss.

Child Exploitation Case: Florida AG James Uthmeier announced the arrest of Jacob Rookey, 21, of Cudjoe Key, charging him with CSAM crimes tied to Snapchat—plus generated altered sexual images and promotion of animal sexual abuse materials—setting up a case that could bring up to 100 years if convicted. Campus Security: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an expansion of Florida’s armed “guardian” program to colleges and universities, extending the post-Parkland model beyond K-12. Power Utility Shake-Up: NextEra and Dominion moved closer to a massive $66.8B merger, drawing questions from officials in states where Dominion operates. Sports & Culture: FSU baseball’s Wes Mendes was named ACC Pitcher of the Year; Tampa demolition crews began tearing down the historic Wallace Stovall/Tampa Tribune building. Environment & Courts: Conservation groups are pushing back in federal court over expanded South Atlantic red snapper seasons.

Schools Under Strain: Florida’s public school system is hitting a new anxiety level as declining enrollment drives closures and staff cuts, with families and teachers warning the squeeze is accelerating. Voucher Lawsuit: The state is also facing fresh legal pressure over universal school vouchers, as educators and civil rights groups argue taxpayer money is flowing to private and charter options without the same oversight. Coastline Resilience: On the ground, municipalities are leaning into “living shorelines,” like oyster-shell barriers in Tampa Bay, to slow erosion instead of relying only on seawalls. Tech and Harm Claims: Parents are suing OpenAI after a teen’s fatal overdose, alleging ChatGPT recommended a deadly drug mix. Immigration Enforcement Shift: Separately, a surge in voluntary departures is being reported as asylum seekers abandon claims amid tougher Trump-era enforcement. Sports & Culture: Inter Miami opened its Nu Stadium win streak with Messi scoring; and summer concert season is officially rolling into South Florida.

Immigration Crackdown: New reporting shows voluntary departures by immigration judges have exploded under Trump enforcement—jumping from about 750 a month late in the Biden era to more than 9,000 in March 2026, with over 70% of those leaving coming from detention—fueling fresh accusations of coercion. Pensacola Business: A new Wawa opens May 21 at 8 a.m. with free coffee for everyone and a t-shirt for the first 100 customers. Sports—Florida Baseball/Softball: Florida softball’s Taylor Shumaker powered No. 6 Florida to a Gainesville Regional sweep, setting a single-season doubles record (113) and adding a 40th homer as the Gators advance to Super Regionals. Sports—Arkansas vs. South Florida: Arkansas routed South Florida 10-2 to host a Super Regional next. Security/Local Alerts: Leaked intel claims Cuba is weighing drone attacks tied to Key West and Guantanamo, prompting local calls for calm. Education/AI Backlash: Commencement speeches about AI drew boos at UCF and the University of Arizona, showing growing student pushback.

Immigration Crackdown: Immigration judges issued more than 80,000 voluntary departure orders from Jan. 2025 to March 2026—about seven times the Biden-era total—while the monthly rate jumped from roughly 750 to over 9,000 in March, with critics saying prolonged detention is pushing people to abandon asylum claims. Cuba Pressure: The U.S. Justice Department is reportedly preparing to indict aging Cuban leader Raúl Castro over the 1996 shootdown of two planes, as Washington tightens sanctions. Florida Courts & Politics: DeSantis brushed off a lawsuit over Miami land transferred for Trump’s presidential library, calling it a foundation deal. Local Watch: Hillsborough opened a new canine training complex, while a Central Florida inmate death is under medical examiner review after officials preliminarily cited suicide. Sports: Florida State bounced back to beat Stetson 11-3 and advance, and Florida’s women won the SEC outdoor triple crown.

Immigration Crackdown: Immigration judges issued more than 80,000 voluntary departure orders from Jan. 2025 to March 2026—about seven times the Biden-era pace—after a sharp rise under Trump enforcement, with the monthly rate jumping from roughly 750 to over 9,000 in March 2026. Everglades Fallout: “Clavicular” (Braden Eric Peters) and fellow influencer Andrew Morales avoided jail after plea deals tied to a livestream where they fired at an alligator; both got six months’ probation plus community service and firearms-safety steps. Public Safety: Florida’s new Second Chance Act starts July 1, 2026, requiring EKG heart screenings for high school athletes. Sports Spotlight: Isa Torres keeps rewriting Florida State softball records, now hitting .542 as the Seminoles push deeper into the postseason. Local Watch: Sarasota County added a traffic light to a roundabout to curb peak-hour gridlock.

Immigration Crackdown: Voluntary departures in U.S. immigration court have exploded under Trump enforcement—orders jumped from about 750 a month under Biden to more than 9,000 in March 2026, with most people who leave doing so while already in detention. Cuba Diplomacy, CIA Style: Trump sent CIA chief John Ratcliffe to Havana to deliver a message to Cuban officials, with both sides publicly acknowledging the meeting. Arms in Local Police: Miami-Dade County Police in Doral began taking delivery of a Turkish-made Sarsılmaz SAR 109T submachine gun. Florida Politics in Court: A Leon County judge is weighing whether to block Florida’s new congressional map ahead of 2026 elections, as voting-rights groups argue it violates the state’s ban on partisan gerrymandering. DEI vs. NFL: Florida’s AG escalated action against the NFL’s Rooney Rule with an investigative subpoena. Campus Safety: DeSantis signed/expanded laws adding armed guardians at universities and new school-zone gun rules.

Alligator Alcatraz: FEMA has approved the first $58.29 million payment toward Florida’s $608 million reimbursement plan, with electronic funds expected to land in days—just as the remote Everglades detention site faces reported closure timelines. Immigration Enforcement: New federal data shows voluntary departures are exploding under the Trump crackdown, rising from about 750 a month under Biden to more than 9,000 in March 2026, with most people leaving while already in detention. Campus Security: Gov. DeSantis signed HB 757 to extend Florida’s armed “guardian” school-safety program to public colleges and universities, requiring 144 hours of training for staff who opt in. Court Fight Over Power: A DeSantis-appointed judge is weighing lawsuits seeking to block Florida’s new congressional map before the midterms. NFL Hiring Clash: Florida AG Uthmeier escalated his Rooney Rule probe with an investigative subpoena after the league made limited wording changes. Road Relief: FDOT earmarked $100 million for Lithia Pinecrest Rd. improvements in Hillsborough after years of local pressure.

Immigration Crackdown: New federal numbers show a sharp rise in voluntary departures—orders for people to leave the U.S.—as Trump-era enforcement ramps up, with the monthly rate jumping from about 750 under Biden to more than 9,000 in March 2026, and critics warning many departures are driven by prolonged detention. Florida Courts & Maps: A Florida judge is set to hear whether new U.S. House districts violate the state’s ban on partisan gerrymandering, a fight that could reshape the GOP’s push for extra seats in 2026. Tiger Woods Update: Tiger Woods has reportedly returned to Florida after treatment in Switzerland following his DUI arrest, as prosecutors press for access to prescription records. Legal/Community Watch: A South Florida group home investigation finds alleged repeat overcrowding tied to city rules. Sports: Florida State baseball rallied to beat Miami in 11 innings, while LSU’s season took another hit with an 11-8 loss to the Gators. International: The U.S. says it plans to indict Cuba’s Raul Castro, with prosecutors expected to focus on a 1996 shootdown case.

Medicare Fraud Conviction: A federal jury in South Florida convicted HealthSplash founder Brett Blackman for a “cold, calculated” $1 billion Medicare fraud scheme, alleging unnecessary orthotic braces were pushed through fake telemedicine prescriptions. Drug Crackdown: Gov. Ron DeSantis touted new state data showing fentanyl-caused deaths fell 46% in the first half of 2025, pairing the numbers with continued law-enforcement funding. Immigration Detention Shakeup: Reports of “Alligator Alcatraz” closing are colliding with official pushback—Florida says no formal federal shutdown plan is in hand, while DHS says it’s still surge capacity. Legal Fights: A judge is set to hear challenges to Florida’s new congressional districts, with plaintiffs arguing the map violates the state constitution’s anti-gerrymandering rules. Local Watch: A U.S. Marshals arrest in Naples found a Delaware sex offender living in a makeshift woods shelter, and Florida’s real-estate boom is drawing fresh scam warnings, especially wire fraud.

OpenAI Probe Escalates: Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier says he’s investigating OpenAI after questions allegedly tied to the FSU shooting, arguing ChatGPT may have offered “significant advice” to the accused; he’s also expanding the probe to another case involving a USF stabbing. NFL Rooney Rule Clash: Uthmeier issued an investigative subpoena to the NFL over the Rooney Rule’s minority interview requirements, and the league has since updated the rule’s language. Sloth World Fallout: The state temporarily bans sloth imports after dozens died at an Orlando attraction; FWC says the outbreak appears isolated and permits were relinquished. Immigration Detention Pressure: Reports and commentary continue to swirl around the costly “Alligator Alcatraz” camp, with talk of shutting it down. Plane Crash Rescue: Off Florida’s coast, 11 survivors spent hours on a life raft before military rescue crews arrived. Local Watch: Sanford commissioners bought zoo tickets for students as a sloth-recovery compromise.

Alligator Alcatraz Shutdown: Florida is moving to close the controversial Everglades migrant detention site “Alligator Alcatraz,” with vendors told detainees will be removed by early June and the facility dismantled soon after, as costs and legal fights keep piling up. Immigration Pressure Shift: The broader crackdown is also showing up in immigration court stats, where voluntary departure orders have surged under Trump enforcement—rising from about 750 a month to over 9,000 in March 2026—raising fresh questions about whether people are leaving to avoid prolonged detention. Budget Crunch: Lawmakers are still split over a $1.4B budget gap, with school choice vouchers and state worker pay among the biggest sticking points. Data Center Rules: DeSantis signed SB 484 to tighten data-center requirements around electricity and water use, after local pushback. NFL Rooney Rule Fight: Florida AG James Uthmeier issued an investigative subpoena to the NFL over the Rooney Rule’s “inclusive hiring” policies.

Alligator Alcatraz Shutdown: Florida is moving to close the controversial “Alligator Alcatraz” migrant detention center in the Everglades, with reports saying detainees will be moved out by early June and the site dismantled soon after—while DHS denies any pressure on the state and says it’s still evaluating detention needs. Tiger Woods Court Fight: In a separate legal showdown, a judge approved prosecutors getting Tiger Woods’ prescription drug records in his DUI case, but limited who can receive them under a protective order. Gun Logbooks Clash: Florida AG James Uthmeier sued Jacksonville for allegedly keeping gun logbooks that track people bringing firearms into city buildings, seeking a $5 million fine. Cash Change Update: DeSantis signed Florida’s “nearest nickel” law as pennies phase out, changing how cash totals are rounded. Local Culture & Community: Orlando’s UCF commencement sparked boos after an AI-themed speech, while Opa-locka’s Arabian Nights Music Fest returns for the city’s 100th anniversary.

Tiger Woods Court Fight: A Florida judge has ordered prosecutors be given access to Tiger Woods’ prescription drug records in his March DUI case, with a protective order keeping the details out of public view while prosecutors seek info like prescriptions filled, dosages, and driving-related warnings. Immigration Enforcement: New federal data show a sharp surge in voluntary departure orders since January 2025, with critics saying detention pressure is pushing people out instead of letting claims play out. Budget Crunch in Tallahassee: House and Senate leaders are back in late-term budget talks, with lawmakers pulling and debating funding for popular programs like first-time homebuyer help. Legal Drama in Miami: Ben Affleck and Matt Damon face a defamation suit from Miami-Dade officers over Netflix’s “The Rip,” alleging the film borrows too closely from a real 2016 case. Local Life & Culture: Orlando’s Southern Fried Poetry Slam is coming to Eatonville and Orlando for the first time, kicking off with a Zora Neale Hurston tribute.

AI in the crosshairs: The widow of an FSU shooting victim has sued OpenAI, saying ChatGPT gave the shooter guidance on timing, location, weapons and even how to draw media attention—an accusation OpenAI denies. Courts vs. privacy: In Martin County, Tiger Woods’ lawyer and prosecutors are set to argue over whether his prescription records must be turned over after his March DUI arrest. Tech expansion with local pushback: Big tech is moving into Palm Coast via a new subsea-cable landing plan, but not everyone is on board. Space buildup: Space Force leaders say launches are set to surge, demanding more sites, money, people and AI. Education updates: Florida schools will add cursive writing and require Washington and Lincoln portraits. Public safety & policy: ICE says it told Florida police to get approval before sharing records, while Florida lawmakers and courts keep battling over redistricting and school rules.

AI Lawsuit Fallout: The widow of an FSU shooting victim filed a federal suit against OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT “bonded” with the accused gunman and provided tactical guidance, including timing, weapon details, and claims about how to maximize media attention with children involved—OpenAI denies wrongdoing, saying it only gave public, factual answers. Courts & Detention: A federal judge rejected Florida’s pushback over improved attorney access at “Alligator Alcatraz,” ordering timely, confidential, unmonitored contact. Politics & Maps: Democrats asked the U.S. Supreme Court to pause a Virginia redistricting ruling, keeping pressure on the post–Voting Rights Act fight. State Policy: DeSantis signed the FIRE Act limiting foreign influence, and lawmakers are set to return for budget talks over Everglades and lagoon restoration funding. Local Watch: Leesburg begins its 5th Street downtown parking project May 20, adding 48 spaces and safety upgrades. Business & Culture: LEGOLAND Florida launches a FIFA World Cup 2026 experience June 11. Marine News: A tagged great white, “Percy,” was recovered off Florida’s Gulf Coast after nearly 3,000 miles.