AGP Executive Report

Governor Race Set: U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds won the GOP nomination for Florida governor, backed by President Trump and a reported $111 million war chest, and will face Democrat David Jolly in November. U.S. Senate Upset: Democrat Angie Nixon pulled off a major upset in Florida’s Senate primary, defeating Alex Vindman, setting up a November matchup with GOP Sen. Ashley Moody. Congress Watch: Jared Moskowitz won the Democratic nod for Florida’s 25th District, while Scott Singer took the GOP nomination—another toss-up coast-to-coast seat. Local Politics: Florida Democrats’ “Take Back Local” program notched multiple primary wins and runoffs for school boards and city races. Courtroom & Rights: Catholic bishops urged the U.S. Supreme Court to require 12-person juries in Florida’s criminal cases, challenging the state’s six-person setup. Legal/Crime: A Florida man wanted for lewd and lascivious molestation was arrested in New Bern, North Carolina. Travel Lawsuit: Delta faces a passenger lawsuit after a seatbelt allegedly malfunctioned on landing, leaving the rider unconscious.

Primary Election Day: Florida voters head to the polls Tuesday for the 2026 primary, choosing nominees for governor, U.S. Senate, Congress and other statewide races; polls run 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (local), and ballots must be physically received by 7 p.m. to count. Local Enforcement: Orange County deputies are cracking down on slow drivers “camping out” in the left lane, reminding motorists the lane is for passing. Child Safety Back to School: Lee County officials urge drivers to stop for school buses and say cameras are catching illegal passers, with $225 citations. Gaming Crackdown: Cape Coral police and the Florida Gaming Control Commission seized 60 illegal slot machines from a bingo hall operation. Palm Beach Clerk Arrest: DeSantis-suspended Clerk of Courts Michael Caruso faces child sex abuse and kidnapping allegations, reviving earlier claims. Sports Media Loss: ESPN co-founder Bill Rasmussen, the “father of sports television,” died at 93 in Florida. Religion & Health Policy: Florida Catholic bishops push back on AG threats over vaccine exemption rules, citing religious freedom. Tech & Teens: OpenAI rolls out ChatGPT for Teens with stronger content limits as lawsuits and safety concerns continue.

Death Penalty in Florida: William Frances Silvia is set for execution Tuesday, the 13th this year in the state’s busiest death chamber, as Florida keeps pressing forward despite final appeals. Florida Politics—Primary Day: Voters head to the polls Tuesday in governor and congressional primaries, with early voting already topping 14% statewide; the races are poised to test Trump’s grip and reshape control of Congress. Gubernatorial Race Spotlight: Byron Donalds seeks the GOP nod to become Florida’s first Black governor, while Democrats battle in a reduced field under redrawn maps; Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and newcomer James Fishback are among the GOP challengers. Free Speech Lawsuit: A South Florida State College professor is suing after she says she was fired for a “political” assignment that offended a student, arguing First Amendment rights were violated. Local Governance & Housing Costs: Polk County is weighing a 1% infrastructure sales tax to offset projected losses tied to Amendment 3, while other localities consider higher development fees that could push up homebuilding costs. Public Safety Tech vs Privacy: Brevard County residents are debating Flock license-plate cameras after cities suspend or question deployments over permitting and surveillance concerns. Arts & Culture: A documentary, “News Without a Newsroom,” sold out a Coral Gables screening with a director Q&A that spilled into ongoing public conversation. Weather: Fort Myers hit a record 97 degrees with a 108 heat index, with heat advisories continuing through the week.

GOP Governor Race: U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds is leading the money race heading into Florida’s Aug. 18 GOP primary, with more than $111M raised as of Aug. 17 and major backing from the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Retail Federation, and President Trump—raising the question of whether voters will follow the fundraising momentum. Immigration & Families: A K-1 fiancé visa explainer highlights how the pre-marriage process links USCIS, the State Department, and consulates—and how delays can ripple into local housing, schools, and healthcare demand. Local Crime & Courts: Miami-Dade launched a disabled parking permit crackdown, reviewing 75,000 applications and arresting at least three people tied to alleged misuse. Tech Policing: North Palm Beach used a Flock camera network to track a boat burglary suspect across counties, linking a dealer-tag pattern to multiple theft attempts. Public Safety: Florida health officials warn about flesh-eating vibrio after a Pensacola mother’s near-fatal case, as cases and deaths are reported this year. Sports & Culture: PFL Tampa lands in Florida with Cris Cyborg’s retirement fight against Ketlen Vieira, and Disney unveiled major Walt Disney World updates at D23, including new lands and attraction changes. Community: United Way’s “Stuff the Bus” drive collected over $20K for Panhandle students, filling buses with supplies for Bay, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties.

Space & Tech: SpaceX set a new record by launching two Falcon 9 rockets from Florida and California just 38.5 minutes apart, with booster landings and satellite deployments in the mix. Local Politics: Miami voters will decide on a plan tied to the long-shuttered Miami Marine Stadium, a historic Brutalist landmark on Virginia Key. Public Health & Safety: Florida’s rhesus macaques—introduced for tourism in the 1930s—are now flagged for carrying a potentially fatal virus that can spread to humans. Environment: On Anna Maria Island, volunteers say artificial lighting is harming sea turtle hatchlings, including a recent spike where dozens were found dead. Law & Courts: A Florida appeals court ruled against a liquor-liability lawsuit after plaintiffs delayed swapping in a different driver for years, leaving key evidence lost. Sports: FSU’s Jack Whaley won the U.S. Amateur at Merion after a rain-slogged, dramatic finish. Crime: Florida Highway Patrol is seeking a hit-and-run SUV driver after a woman was seriously injured in Christmas, Fla.

Baseball & Community: Tommy John, the 83-year-old MLB legend whose 1974 elbow surgery became the sport’s most famous medical breakthrough, died at his Florida home in Lakewood Ranch, with tributes highlighting how “Tommy John surgery” helped pitchers extend careers for decades. Politics & Voting: Brevard County voters are gearing up for Florida’s Aug. 18 primary, a closed-primary state for party races, while nonpartisan contests and universal primary options remain open to eligible voters. Public Safety: Florida is under renewed heat advisories with heat indices around 105–112 degrees, as the National Hurricane Center tracks three tropical waves but no storms are expected soon. Local Culture & Travel: Quincy’s vintage “Candy Bomber” era-style Gulf gas station is drawing history-hunters, while Universal is sending off Fast & Furious Supercharged at Universal Studios Florida. Courts & National News: The BBC asked a Florida federal court to help serve Trump-family testimony in its $10 billion defamation case. Sports: LSU soccer opens its home season Sunday against Northwestern State.

Housing & Local Governance: Sarasota County residents are urging vigilance over how the state’s Live Local Act projects get approved, warning that later amendments have created new friction for counties trying to balance affordable housing with zoning rules. Local Politics: Miami voters will decide Tuesday whether the city can partner with a private firm to restore the historic Miami Marine Stadium on Virginia Key, a Brutalist landmark tied to Elvis and Jimmy Buffett. Public Safety & Courts: Florida’s Middle District received more than $3.5 million in federal criminal justice grants, with funding aimed at violent crime, immigration enforcement, and safer communities. Immigration & Human Rights: New reporting says ICE is moving toward “electric shock” gloves, and advocates are calling it a cruel escalation. Community & Culture: A Festival of India filled Marina Park with music, dance, food, and cultural events, continuing Sunday with the Festival of Colours. Health & Families: A 2-year-old born in Florida with a rare heart condition now needs a combined heart and double-lung transplant, with a GoFundMe seeking help for medical costs. Lottery: Powerball is back in the $900M+ range, with Monday’s estimated jackpot at $905 million.

Powerball: The jackpot is now estimated at $905 million for Monday’s drawing after no one matched all six numbers; four Florida tickets won $1 million for matching the five white balls. Miami Beach History: Al Capone’s last Miami Beach home site on Palm Island sold for $21 million, despite earlier preservation protests. Local Culture: The iconic Hard Rock Cafe at Bayside Marketplace in Miami will close Aug. 19 after 30 years. STEM Education: Jacksonville educator Dr. Cynthia Smith’s tuition-free K-12 STEM school, Minds of the Future Academy, received full accreditation July 17. Public Safety: Lake County deputies are investigating possible gunfire into a Leesburg home. Politics & Community Tensions: A Jewish-owned Fort Lauderdale venue canceled a Rashida Tlaib rally after a state lawmaker accused it of being “anti-Jew,” citing security concerns. Schools: Columbia County School District enrollment fell to 9,508 in 2024-25, down 277 from the prior year. Gas Prices: Premium gas hit a low of $4.09 in Brevard County for the week ending Aug. 8. Crime/Justice: Florida Highway Patrol arrested 18 in a Tampa street takeover near U.S. 301 after doughnuts and drifting in a warehouse area.

Property Taxes: Florida AG James Uthmeier rewrote the ballot summary and title for Amendment 3 after a judge said the original wording was misleading, shifting it to “Increased Homestead Exemption, Lower Cap on Increases in Non-Homestead Property Assessments.” The measure would raise the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, while cutting the non-homestead annual cap from 10% to 5%. Courts & Juries: A push is growing to require 12-person juries for serious criminal trials, targeting Florida’s use of six-person juries. Local Justice: Fort Lauderdale cleared a parking lot used by some registered sex offenders, but advocates say the housing problem for people under supervision remains. Public Safety: A severe thunderstorm warning in the Big Bend includes damaging 60 mph winds and hail. Immigration Debate: Reports say ICE plans to buy electric-shock “distraction and de-escalation” gloves, sparking abuse fears from critics. Crime & Scams: A Miami man was indicted in a senior scam after traveling to Phoenix to steal money from elderly victims. Sports & Culture: Disney confirmed “Zootopia 3” is in the works; NASA says Artemis will be accelerated, with Artemis III targeting a 2028 return to the moon. Community: A stolen bronze statue honoring 5-year-old Jakey Duque was recovered and two men were arrested.

Powerball: The jackpot is back above $900 million, now estimated at $905 million for Monday’s drawing after last night’s roll; Florida is among the states that sold $1 million tickets matching the five white balls. Elections & Voting: With Florida’s Aug. 18 primary nearing, early voting is underway Aug. 8-15 and voters are urged to check local polling locations; key races include U.S. Senate/House and statewide posts. Public Safety Tech: Flock is tightening rules after privacy and misuse backlash, including mandatory search reasons and new safeguards as license plate reader cameras face vandalism and scrutiny. Child Safety & Crime: Florida says it has arrested more than 2,000 child predators since Feb. 2025, tied to statewide operations. Weather & Health: A heat advisory covers all of Florida, with heat indices often 105-114; officials warn antidepressants can raise heat-risk. Legal & Courts: A judge temporarily blocked New York’s “pied-à-terre” tax, but an appeals court allowed the rollout to continue while the fight goes on. Local Florida: Venice hosted a forum on data centers and community pushback; Upper Keys welcomed new teachers as students returned.

Immigration & Civil Rights: Florida Rep. Maxwell Frost blasted a DHS plan to buy ICE “shock gloves” that deliver low-voltage electric shocks, warning the devices could be misused by an enforcement agency already accused of overreach. Public Safety & Courts: A Florida judge ordered the AG to rewrite ballot language for the November property tax amendment after ruling the prior wording was misleading; the new title is “Increased Homestead Exemption; Lower Cap on Increases in Non-Homesteaded Property Assessments.” Local Crime: A Polk County K-9, Ace, returned for a hero’s welcome after being critically injured while protecting deputies; he’ll retire after an amputation. Tragedy in Central Florida: A dad in Apopka, Daryl Hill, was fatally shot while trying to break up a fight after dropping his 10-year-old daughter at school; the suspect was out on bond. Health & Community: The Florida Department of Health expanded its swimming lesson voucher program for kids up to age 7, aiming to reduce drowning risk. Consumer Watch: Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkins are back for Halloween after a Florida lawsuit over alleged misleading packaging was dismissed. Lottery: Powerball climbed to an estimated $905M for Monday after no jackpot winner; Florida sold $1M tickets matching the five white balls.

Ballot Fight: Florida Supreme Court rejected a Miami attorney’s bid to get on the ballot for a South Florida Senate seat, ruling his qualifying-fee payment method violated state law. Gun Policy: A Texas judge’s injunction took effect, letting gun groups celebrate a shift that removes a key silencer restriction while DOJ weighs next steps. Surveillance & Privacy: Flock Safety says it’s adding safeguards after reports of police misuse of license-plate reader cameras; critics say the systems enable warrantless tracking. Public Safety Tech: A new device-tracking system called SignalTrace is raising fresh concerns about “anonymous” wireless signatures becoming persistent identifiers. Lottery: Powerball hit $1.04B in Illinois, while a Florida ticket won $1M in the same drawing. Health: All Florida counties are under a heat advisory with heat indexes near 105–110; officials warn people without air conditioning face higher risk. Local Sports: Orlando Magic games move to WRDQ TV 27 with select broadcasts on WFTV Ch. 9.

Death Penalty Watch: Three inmates are scheduled for execution Thursday in Alabama, Oklahoma, and Tennessee, as capital punishment continues to rise nationwide. Earthquake Response: A new AP report compares Colombia’s faster, more resourced rescue push after a 7.4 quake with Venezuela’s slower government response and reliance on outside help. Local Budget & Conservation: Pinellas County leaders are weighing cuts that could end funding for Weedon Island and Shell Key preserves starting Jan. 1, 2027, as they cite a $42M budget gap and state-imposed financial burdens. School Safety: Bradenton police say 68 drivers sped through school zones on the first day of school, up from 50 last year, with more cameras planned. Surveillance Backlash: A Volusia teen faces felony charges after allegedly cutting down multiple Flock cameras with a reciprocating saw. Housing Growth: Florida Tech opened Crimson Crossing, a $96M, 556-bed student housing complex in Melbourne. Arts & Community: Marco Island’s Amendment 3 impact and a local leadership class spotlight are driving more civic conversation. Powerball: The jackpot climbed past $900M, with Monday’s estimate at $905M after no one matched all numbers.

Powerball: The jackpot is now estimated at $905 million for Monday’s drawing (cash value $391.1M) after no one matched all six numbers; four Florida tickets hit the five white balls for $1M each. Public Safety & Tech: Lake City police say “Flock” cameras helped locate a suspect accused of strangling his girlfriend and driving off with her car and two children inside. Courts & Fraud: A Miami attorney says AI-enabled scams used fake court filings and impersonated a judge and officer via a fake Zoom hearing. Health: Florida’s Health Department and CDC guidance point to flu shots in September or October, with early shots only for certain groups. Environment: USACE says a 2,560-acre stormwater treatment area in the Indian River Lagoon-South project is complete, designed to store 4,750 acre-feet of runoff. Politics & Voting: Black civic groups are urging Miami-Dade voters to turn out early for the Aug. 18 primary. Weather: The National Hurricane Center is tracking Tropical Storm Cristobal and Invest 92L, with Dolly next if 92L strengthens. Animals: The Humane Society of the Treasure Coast is treating 36 Border Collies rescued from severe hoarding conditions.

Courts & Public Safety: The 4th Circuit sided with Outback Steakhouse in a contentious Florida slip-and-fall injury fight, backing the trial court’s decisions on attorney removal and expert testimony. Elections: Collier County reports a sharp drop in vote-by-mail requests, blaming new 2021 ID and per-election-cycle requirements and noting lingering distrust after political attacks on mail voting. Health & Education: UF named Dr. Brian Hoh dean of its College of Medicine, while a new study links shorter daily eating windows to modest memory gains in older women. Law Enforcement & Community: Polk County’s K-9 Ace returned to the sheriff’s office after being shot while protecting deputies, losing a leg in the line-of-duty incident. Environment & Wildlife: FWC approved American shad catch-and-release only in the St. Johns River to help reverse declining stocks. Food & Consumer: FDA officials urged confidence in the food supply after a Cyclospora outbreak traced to iceberg lettuce from central Mexico, and Powerball climbed to a $905M jackpot for Monday.

Retirement Policy Watch: Florida TaxWatch is urging lawmakers in the 2027 session to overhaul the Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP), arguing recent extensions have raised costs for the Florida Retirement System and may need to be closed or limited. Education & Safety: Orlando’s school-zone speed cameras are rolling out as legal questions linger statewide, while HB 1105 keeps phones off during class for elementary and middle schoolers and restricts wireless use for high school students unless a teacher allows it. AI & the Courts: ACLU of Florida and partners sued FIU over disciplining students for a silent anti-ICE protest, arguing the university can’t turn campus into a “protest-free zone.” Local Culture: Islamorada’s “Made on Morada Way” summer art exhibit spotlights Upper Keys artists with more than 20 creators and nearly 70 works. Space Coast: SpaceX successfully launched a Starlink mission from Cape Canaveral after a Monday scrub, with more Florida launches on deck. Public Health: Taylor Farms recalled jalapeño products in multiple states, including Florida, due to a possible salmonella risk. Crime & Justice: FDLE arrested a Venice man accused of making mass-shooting threats online, citing an AI-produced video and a manifesto. Sports Business: The NFL’s stadium upgrades keep accelerating, with Jacksonville and other teams planning major changes through 2031. Arts & Community: Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan named Darnell Smith as chief of staff, bringing decades of executive experience from Florida Blue.