AGP Executive Report

Legal Alerts: The Florida Bar says scammers are sending fraudulent emails impersonating Bar leaders, including a fake message from Executive Director Joshua Doyle and another spoofing President Michael Fox Orr—members are told not to click links or share info and to report any contact. Bar Deadlines: Nearly 20,000 Florida Bar members still haven’t renewed; fees are due by Aug. 17, with a $50 late fee and possible delinquency and reinstatement costs after Sept. 30. Courts & Elections: A judge rejected Lt. Gov. Jay Collins’ bid to remove Republican candidate James Fishback from the Florida governor ballot, keeping Fishback on the Aug. 18 primary ballot. Public Safety: Orlando Police reported downtown crime is down 19% year-to-date, while also calling the area a “challenging environment,” as arrests and gun seizures continue. Health & Food: FDA expanded a Publix frozen berry recall, warning additional GreenWise lots may be tied to an E. coli outbreak. Environment & Wildlife: Shark Week wraps this weekend, with Florida again highlighted for having the most shark bites in the U.S. Business & Travel: Breeze Airways is adding major new Florida routes for late summer and early 2027, including new airport pairs.

Housing & Consumer Fraud: A class action lawsuit filed in federal court in Florida alleges LGI Homes and loanDepot misled renters into mortgages they couldn’t afford, setting up a major fight over housing affordability and alleged deception. Local Arts & Culture: Naples is adding more glass public art, including a new “Traveler” sculpture planned for Park Shore, with designers touting hurricane-resistant glass and how it changes with coastal light. Real Estate Development: London Bay has filed to bypass Fort Myers Beach’s council for its Outrigger redevelopment, invoking the state’s Live Local Act to pack in more multi-family units. Tech & Utilities: Florida communities are debating data centers as AI demand grows, with some considering bans or moratoriums over water and power strain. Immigration & Community Impact: Haitian TPS protections are ending, leaving hundreds of thousands facing uncertainty and possible detention, with South Florida leaders and advocates warning about job and healthcare fallout. Politics & COVID: Florida AG James Uthmeier is launching an investigation into Dr. Anthony Fauci after a Senate hearing where Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment repeatedly. Sports & Local Pride: Polk State College and Florida Polytechnic signed a new transfer pathway expanding options into 10 Florida Poly bachelor’s programs. Space & Workforce: A new report warns NASA staffing cuts are starting to affect major programs, raising concerns for future Moon missions. Sports Cards: A 1-of-1 Shohei Ohtani dual Gold Logoman autograph card surfaced in Boca Raton and was reportedly bought for $11 million.

Gun Violence & Courts: Colin Gray, the father who gave his son the rifle used in the Apalachee High School massacre, was sentenced to 15 years in prison after his son received life without parole. Public Safety & Surveillance: Florida election monitors won’t be allowed inside polling places under state law, with DOJ told to stay outside. Law Enforcement Tech: A review says officers in at least 12 states have been accused of misusing Flock Safety license plate readers for personal tracking. Health Policy: Florida’s AG says he’ll open a Fauci probe after Fauci invoked the Fifth more than 100 times before the Senate; Rand Paul says he’ll share a “mountain of evidence.” Gun Control: Gov. Rick Scott signed a bipartisan gun bill raising the purchase age from 18 to 21 and adding a three-day waiting period, plus provisions for trained school staff. Local Culture: Delray Beach’s “Party in Paradise” returns for Florida’s Jimmy Buffett Day at Old School Square with free live music and island-themed contests. Lottery: A single Mega Millions ticket sold at a Bradenton Wawa won $803 million.

Property Tax Fight in Court: A Leon County judge heard arguments over whether Florida’s Amendment 3 ballot language is misleading or just political sales talk, with challengers saying the “Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes” title uses emotional rhetoric; the measure would raise the homestead exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, while also changing non-homestead assessment caps. Public Health—Diarrhea Outbreak: Health officials are tracking a fast-spreading cyclosporiasis outbreak, with more than 6,000 lab-confirmed cases across many states, and doctors stressing oral rehydration with the right mix of water, salt, and sugar. COVID Accountability: Dr. Anthony Fauci faced renewed Republican fire after pleading the Fifth during a Senate hearing, turning the focus back to what he did and didn’t answer about COVID-era decisions. Wildlife & Habitat: An editorial warns gopher tortoises are losing habitat as development pressures mount, raising questions about whether removal and relocation rules are being followed. Local Safety & Crime: Jacksonville reported a toddler’s accidental self-inflicted gunshot death and reminded families about keeping firearms locked away; separately, Florida’s lobster mini season is underway with FWC cracking down on size and gear rules. Health—Leprosy Surge: Florida is seeing a leprosy uptick, and officials suspect nine-banded armadillos may be part of the story.

Mega Millions: A Florida ticket holder finally claimed the $800 million Mega Millions jackpot from the July 28 drawing after a four-month wait. The winning numbers were 34-48-49-59-70 with Mega Ball 12; the cash option is $344.2 million, and winners can take a lump sum or an annuity that grows 5% each year. Local Sports: Stetson University named Shane Gierke its new head baseball coach, bringing him back to DeLand after a 2026 assistant stint at UCF. Public Safety & Health: Florida’s schools are bringing cursive back: DeSantis signed a law requiring grades 3-5 students to write in cursive for the 2026-27 school year. Courts & Accountability: A federal judge ended a long naming dispute between Orlando Sanford International Airport and Orlando International Airport, clearing the way for Sanford to trademark its name and logo. Environment & Culture: Key West’s Lobsterfest returns to Duval Street with free entertainment and street lobster events through August. Politics: Alex Vindman says Sen. Ashley Moody’s Senate seat was a “payoff” tied to a Medicaid settlement transfer to the Hope Florida Foundation.

Death Penalty: Florida carried out a rare same-day double execution Tuesday, killing former police officer James Aren Duckett (68) for the 1987 murder of 11-year-old Teresa McAbee and 80-year-old Dominick Occhicone for killing his girlfriend’s parents—marking the first double execution in more than 60 years and Occhicone as the oldest executed in modern Florida history. Local Privacy: In St. Petersburg, a retired resident is staging weekly protests outside Flock license-plate cameras, arguing the surveillance tech raises unanswered storage and access concerns. Child Safety: DCF is investigating the death of a 17-month-old foster child found unresponsive in a hot car after being left in a vehicle for hours; the case is tied to prior agency contact. Public Safety Tech: Central Florida officials say license plate reader cameras helped track suspects in two cases, even as privacy advocates keep pushing back. Immigration: South Florida Haitians are bracing for a federal judge’s expected TPS decision that could end protections for about 330,000 people. Space & Deregulation: The Trump administration says it will exempt parts of the private space sector from several environmental laws to speed launches, including waivers tied to the Endangered Species Act and other rules.

Capital Punishment: Florida is set for a rare double execution Tuesday, with former Lake County officer James Duckett (scheduled first) and 80-year-old Dominick Occhicone (scheduled about six hours later) after the U.S. Supreme Court denied Occhicone’s stay—making Occhicone the oldest person Florida has executed. Faith & Policy: Florida bishops are urging Catholics to help end the death penalty, calling it a “culture of death” and saying mercy should be possible when “bloodless means” can protect public safety. Immigration & Human Rights: Haitian leaders and rights groups are raising alarms that deporting Haitians whose TPS ended could violate human rights if they’re sent back to gang-controlled violence, with no clear plan for reintegration. Public Safety Tech: In South Carolina, Greenville-area agencies fired staff over misuse of automated license plate reader tools, echoing privacy concerns as more Florida-area law enforcement adopts similar systems. Local Culture: Dunedin Fine Art Center is launching a community conversation series after artwork defacement, and Tampa’s Florida Museum of Photographic Arts is set to host a student photography exhibition. Business/Tech: A Florida-based AI governance product claims it keeps humans accountable for workplace AI use.

Secret Service Hazing Charges: A Miami-Dade case has charged a Secret Service agent and two others over alleged fraternity beatings that left two University of Miami law students hospitalized. Governor Ballot Fight: A judge ruled James Fishback can stay on Florida’s governor ballot, rejecting residency challenges and saying voters will decide. Courts & Media: A federal judge in Florida let Trump amend his $15 billion defamation suit against The New York Times, deferring a dismissal request. AI Data Center Power Push: Florida Rep. Byron Donalds’ bill would require large AI data centers to supply their own power and water, aiming to protect ratepayers. Public Safety: Florida reports more than 70 child drowning deaths this year, with experts urging stricter supervision around water. Health Policy Watch: An FDA expert panel backed adding six peptides to compounding lists, a move that could expand telehealth and pharmacy access while safety questions remain. Local Business & Community: Oviedo Mall keeps adding new tenants and experiences, including martial arts, vintage retail, and upcoming apparel and pottery studios. Lottery: Powerball numbers for July 27 were 6, 26, 46, 58, 65 with Powerball 25.

Presidential travel power struggle: A new Air Force One controversy is being framed as the latest fight in a decades-long battle over how presidents move in office, from early presidential rail-and-ship eras to modern aircraft politics. Space Coast launches: Florida’s Space Coast hit a record 109 orbital rocket launches in 2025, and as of July 27 there have been 48 launches in 2026, with fans watching for a Falcon 9 launch July 30 and more in August. Florida politics & privacy: With Florida’s Aug. 18 primary looming, Byron Donalds is pushing for general-election debates while GOP rivals attack his focus on the front-runner; meanwhile, a local fight over license-plate camera surveillance is reigniting privacy concerns. Death penalty timeline: Florida is set to execute two death row inmates Tuesday, scheduled within hours of each other, as attorneys seek stays from the U.S. Supreme Court. Local land fight: Naples’ South Naples Citrus Grove faces a potential rezoning into an exclusive private golf course, with residents warning about traffic, noise, and the loss of rural character. Health & food safety: Contaminated lettuce is tied to the year’s biggest cyclosporiasis outbreak, reviving questions about how often produce triggers major illness spikes. Sports: Fort Myers’ Mussels couldn’t hold a big early lead in the series finale against St. Lucie, while Okeeheelee’s 8U Chiefs earned a spot at the Cal Ripken World Series in Alabama after a dominant run.

Immigration & Health Care: CBS News reports ICE plans to ramp up arrests and deportations of Haitian migrants as TPS protections end, raising fears for South Florida families and workers who rely on Haitian caregivers. Local Courts & Rights: The Florida Supreme Court backed a conservative attorney’s free-speech rights, rejecting Florida Bar discipline tied to campaign criticism. Education & Culture Wars: An early childhood education professor at UF removed “anti-racist/anti-bias” readings from her syllabus after inquiries, sparking a fresh debate over transparency in course materials. Public Safety: A Port St. Lucie family filed a wrongful death suit against Urban Air over an alleged go-kart safety failure that killed 6-year-old Emma Riddle. Law & Animals: Florida arrested a man for allegedly importing Texas sheep and goats without required health certifications during a screwworm emergency. Sports: UF’s preseason All-SEC picks include Jadan Baugh, Vernell Brown III, and Jayden Woods. Community & Memory: Cape Coral identified remains found in a canal as Rose Marie Gayhart, reopening her 1985 disappearance as an active homicide case.

Education Innovation: Miami-Dade’s Venetian Parc Academy becomes Florida’s first state-approved “Innovation School of Technology,” letting students advance by demonstrated mastery instead of seat time, with mentors, project work, and digital dashboards. Public Safety & Law Enforcement: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed five bills aimed at tougher penalties and better oversight, including measures targeting xylazine (“tranq”), career-offender registration, and protections for officers. Politics & Voting Rights: Organizers announced “March on Washington 2026: Defend the Vote” for Aug. 28, framing it as a response to the Voting Rights Act being weakened. Health: Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo suggested measles concerns may be linked to vaccine refusal tied to Ave Maria University, as confirmed cases rise. Crime & Courts: The FBI extradited COVID-relief fraud suspect Elaine Angene Escoe from Jamaica to face charges tied to more than $32 million. Local Culture: Work has started on Florida Studio Theatre’s McGillicuddy Arts Plaza in downtown Sarasota, adding theaters and artist housing. Sports & Community: A Florida-linked U.S. Junior Amateur final saw Noah Maclauchlan win, while a Wildwood sex offender was jailed for registration violations.

Local Crime: Miramar police arrested Jerry Saint Vil, accused in a July 22 fatal stabbing at a Mobil gas station after a gas-station argument, ending a manhunt. Cold Case Update: Cape Coral identified human remains found in a canal as Rose Gayhart, missing since 1985, and the case is now treated as an active homicide. Public Safety: Coast Guard and The Turtle Hospital in Marathon rescued a distressed loggerhead sea turtle off the Florida Keys, with staff cautiously optimistic about a full recovery. Community & Sports: Tallahassee’s James Coleman hosted a backpack-and-groceries giveaway and said he’ll return next year, while Florida’s Miles Russell and Noah Maclauchlan battled in the U.S. Junior Amateur—Maclauchlan won the all-left-hander final. Justice & Accountability: Faith leaders urged ICE to release two detained pastors, saying they face threats of family separation despite religious-worker visas. Health & Tech: A Florida pastor sued OpenAI over alleged harmful ChatGPT medical advice that delayed care.

Court Ruling: A Florida appeals court tossed a drug conviction after finding police impermissibly prolonged a traffic stop for a K-9 sniff, overturning the case of Nicholas Jamal Hudson. Public Safety & Crime: Walton County is still hunting Isabelle Johnson, accused in the murder of Jason Coulthart; investigators say she may have changed her appearance and released new tattoo details. Local Government: Fort Pierce is seeking proposals for a permanent $50,000 City Hall sculpture meant to reflect the city’s history and identity. Property Taxes: A statewide police union joined firefighters and fire chiefs in opposing Amendment 3, warning the homestead exemption expansion could drain local budgets. HOA Watch: A new report says developers are delaying HOA turnover by tweaking rules and adding homesites, keeping control longer than residents should. Tech & Privacy: A growing trend of AI tools recording conversations without obvious notice is spilling from workplaces into personal life, raising legal and ethical alarms. Health: Cyclospora outbreaks are surging nationwide, and officials still can’t pin down how contamination gets into the food supply.

Budget Watch: Lakeland’s tentative FY2027 general fund budget is up to about $195.8M, with commissioners keeping the property tax rate at 5.4323 mills even as spending rises and most homeowners will still see higher bills from property values. Public Safety Hiring: Tampa and the University of Tampa are launching a new pathway for criminology students to complete police academy training in their final semester, with a scholarship covering costs and paid academy time. I-75 Violence: A St. Petersburg sanitation worker was killed in a targeted attack, and the I-75 standoff suspect, Ladavion King, now faces multiple attempted murder and gun charges after being booked and charged by Florida Highway Patrol. Surveillance Scrutiny: Sumter County is suspending its license plate reader program after a detective was accused of misusing the system and databases. Health & Community: Florida’s measles situation is part of a nationwide surge, with cases surpassing last year’s total as outbreaks continue. Sports & Culture: Florida recruiting momentum continues under new coach Jon Sumrall, while a Hemingway exhibit at Key West’s Custom House spotlights rare artifacts tied to the author’s World War I service.

Endangered Species: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service added three rare South Florida reptiles to the Endangered Species Act—Florida Keys mole skink, Key ring-necked snake, and rim rock crowned snake—citing tiny ranges and sea level rise as major threats. Home Insurance Reality Check: Florida’s tort reforms have reduced lawsuits, but homeowners still aren’t seeing relief, with premiums remaining the highest in the nation. Immigration & Families: ICE detained a British father of U.S. citizen twin boys during a green card interview, raising fresh concerns about enforcement and family separation. Consumer Safety & Fraud: A Naples contractor was sentenced to four years in federal prison for defrauding homeowners out of more than $1.26 million after Hurricane Ian. Public Safety Ops: Florida authorities announced 49 arrests in a multi-county fentanyl and drug trafficking takedown, including seizures tied to alleged overdose deaths. Local Watch: Cape Coral moved forward on the Seven Islands project by approving a community development district, while some residents objected over environmental concerns.

Florida Politics: Democrats Annette Taddeo and Earle Ford are now competing to face GOP CFO Blaise Ingoglia in November, with the CFO race framed around oversight of insurance and financial services. Space & Tech: SpaceX’s Starship “flight 13” is drawing attention in Florida as it nears launch, with visibility expected in Palm Beach County depending on weather. Local Government: Tampa City Council made history with a rare 4-3 “no” vote blocking a land-use transmittal tied to a proposed Tampa Bay Rays development. Public Safety & Crime: A Sumter County sheriff’s detective was fired and arrested for allegedly misusing law enforcement databases for personal reasons. Murder Manhunt: Walton County authorities released new details and tattoos in the hunt for Isabelle Rose Johnson, wanted in a Freeport murder case. Health & Justice: Florida’s death-penalty docket includes an upcoming execution of 80-year-old Dominick Occhicone, raising fresh debate over whether age and health make executions cruel. Immigration Enforcement: A Catholic nun detained by ICE after walking to Mass in Texas says she still lives in fear and uncertainty. Education Safety: Broward schools will use AI cameras to ticket drivers who pass stopped school buses, starting with a warning period before enforcement.