AGP Executive Report

NHL Blockbuster: Brady Tkachuk is headed to the Florida Panthers, reuniting him with brother Matthew after Ottawa traded him for a package of draft picks—while the Tkachuk family also celebrated Keith Tkachuk’s Hockey Hall of Fame election. UF Governance Fight: The University of Florida Board of Trustees unanimously tapped Stuart Bell as interim president, after the Florida Board of Governors chair delayed confirmation and UF trustees moved to sidestep the stall. Alligator Alcatraz Closure: State contractors were told to begin “full demobilization” of the Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention facility, ending a DeSantis-era project that drew years of controversy. Local Ballot Watch: Port St. Lucie voters will decide in November whether to increase residential trash pickup from one to two days per week, raising costs and staffing needs. Public Safety Law: Gov. DeSantis signed the Officer Jason Raynor Act, creating a mandatory life sentence without parole for killing a law enforcement officer. Education & Politics: A Highlands County School Board District 5 race spotlights a push for literacy, early intervention, and expanded vocational/trade options. Business/Real Estate: Spirit Airlines’ former Dania Beach headquarters is up for sale with a June 24 initial bid deadline as the bankruptcy process continues.

Immigration Detention Closure: Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” is being emptied and moved into full demobilization, with remaining detainees transferred or deported and the site set to reopen as a small pilot-training airport. Election Administration: About 48,000 Sarasota County voters will get new voter cards after redistricting split the county between CD 16 and CD 17. State Politics & Higher Ed: DeSantis’ “anti-woke” New College expansion is set to triple in size as it takes over USF Sarasota-Manatee’s campus, drawing fresh criticism of the plan. Public Safety & Courts: A gubernatorial candidate, James Fishback, is still not complying with a judge’s order to disclose financial details in a civil case, raising the risk of court action. Tech & Local Governance: Santa Rosa County voted to draft a 12-month moratorium on data center development reviews, joining other Florida counties moving to slow the buildout. Campaign Watch: St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch was outraised in the latest filings by three challengers, though his political committee still keeps him competitive. Federal/Legal: The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a Fourth Amendment case involving whether race can be considered in police “seizure” standards. Florida Economy/Community: Midwest Food Bank Florida says demand for food aid keeps rising as economic pressure grows, including its weekend “Hope Packs” for kids. Sports (Florida angle): Brady Tkachuk’s trade to the Florida Panthers is confirmed, reuniting him with brother Matthew and reshaping the NHL offseason.

NHL Blockbuster (Florida): The Ottawa Senators traded captain Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers, reuniting him with brother Matthew. Florida sends draft picks including this year’s No. 9 and No. 25, plus a 2027 second-rounder and a top-10 protected 2029 first. Federal Hate-Crime Case (Florida): A federal grand jury indicted Gainesville resident Forrest Kendall Pemberton on attempted mass-shooting charges targeting Jewish victims, alleging he armed himself with an AR-15-style rifle with a silencer. Energy & Tech Regulation (U.S., with Florida ties): The U.S. energy regulator (FERC) approved orders to speed AI data center hookups to electric grids, pushing utilities to move faster and requiring data centers to pay for their own power needs. Foreign Policy Clash (Cuba/Florida politics): Cuba’s foreign minister again attacked Marco Rubio, accusing him of “chronic lying” and contradicting President Trump. Travel Industry Fallout (global): Eleven UK travel firms entered liquidation, canceling trips and disrupting flights amid Middle East-related uncertainty.

Florida Politics & Governance: Florida TaxWatch is assembling a panel to scrutinize the 2030 U.S. Census, arguing the state’s fast growth and past undercounts have cost it billions and political power. Public Safety & Accountability: A Florida MMA fighter, Dustin Lampros of 561 Predator Catchers, is credited with exposing a suspected child predator in a South Florida sting, with court records describing a decoy posing as a 13-year-old and a planned meet-up at a Home Depot. State Policy & Courts: A Florida property tax amendment is drawing sharp backlash from residents who warn it could trigger major local budget strain. Environment & Health: The Florida Department of Health issued a health alert for harmful blue-green algae toxins in Lake Okeechobee, urging people to avoid contact and keep pets away. Education & Culture Wars: DeSantis-linked New College of Florida is set to triple in size by acquiring USF Sarasota-Manatee, a move critics call an “anti-woke” grift that would disrupt programs and students. Tech & National Security: Sen. Rick Scott is pushing an FCC probe into whether Chinese-made health wearables and smart devices could expose biometric data.

Florida Justice & Public Safety: A federal grand jury indicted Forrest Kendall Pemberton, 27, for an alleged attempted mass shooting targeting Jewish employees at an AIPAC office in Plantation, with charges including attempted hate crime and firearm offenses. Immigration Enforcement: U.S. Sen. Mike Lee is pushing higher fines on illegal entry and on employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers, with Florida Sen. Rick Scott backing the measure. Florida Politics & Representation: A Democratic fight over Florida’s redistricting fallout is heating up, with intraparty tensions emerging as Debbie Wasserman Schultz seeks reelection in a new South Florida district after GOP map changes. State Government & Accountability: Florida’s property tax amendment debate continues as counties push back on the state CFO’s claims about local budget impacts. Regional Weather & Emergency Response: Tropical Storm Arthur’s Gulf Coast damage estimate is now $4B–$6B, with flooding and dam-failure fears driving evacuations, including impacts across the Florida Panhandle. National Court/Constitution Debate: A new argument in the national conversation challenges the idea that courts should “fix” constitutional meaning, emphasizing the public’s role alongside Congress.

Treasure Coast Election Guide: With June 12 qualifying now set, Florida’s 2026 election season is officially underway, and candidates have until Aug. 18 for primaries and Nov. 3 for the general. UF Governance Fight: Florida AG James Uthmeier says the University of Florida Board of Governors’ delay in confirming Dr. Stuart Bell is legally incorrect, escalating a governance dispute. MLB vs. Florida AG: Florida AG James Uthmeier sent an investigative subpoena to MLB over warnings to Christian players who wore Bible verses during a Giants Pride Night game, framing it as selective enforcement that could discriminate against Christians. Elections Security Push: Sen. Rick Scott is urging Senate Republicans to pass the “Save America Act” to lock in voter ID and election security, calling for steady pressure even as hurdles remain. Local Politics/Development: Collier County is weighing a new rezoning push to turn the South Naples Citrus Grove into a private golf course with up to 10 cabins, after earlier housing plans drew heavy opposition. Medicaid Billing Watch (South Florida): New data shows Miami Medicaid “Procedures/Professional Services” claims jumped 65.1% in 2024, while Miami Beach “Temporary National Codes (Non-Medicare)” rose 22.8% and Miami Lakes “National Codes Established for State Medicaid Agencies” climbed 22%—a reminder that public health spending patterns are shifting city by city. International With Florida Ties: Cuba’s National Assembly adopted sweeping free-market reforms, while Trump heads to Camp David as Iran talks remain stalled.

Teen Summer Jobs: A new AP report finds fewer teens are getting summer work, leaving students like 17-year-old Jaelyn Chester stuck in a frustrating search. Cuba Economic Reforms: Cuba unveiled sweeping free-market changes, but the U.S. State Department called them “superficial,” while Florida’s South Florida lawmakers urged skepticism over whether politics will ever change. MLB Religious Discrimination Probe: Florida AG James Uthmeier launched an investigation into MLB after Giants pitchers were warned for Bible verses on Pride Night caps, escalating a national fight over religion and uniform rules. Juneteenth in Florida: Local offices across the state closed for the federal holiday, with communities marking the day with events and observances. Property Tax Fight: Florida’s homestead/property-tax referendum continues to trigger local budget warnings, including Palatka’s projected general fund hit. GOP Politics & Debates: Florida’s Republican governor primary debate fight remains a live wire as candidates trade barbs over whether voters deserve a full showdown. Epstein Case Fallout: Fresh coverage continues to swirl around unsealed Maxwell deposition material and ongoing public questions about the Epstein network. Florida Crime & Courts: A Pasco County teacher faces discipline after alleged classroom remarks about violence toward Trump, while a Miami man was arrested in a designer-clothes theft case.

MLB Religious Rights Clash: Florida AG James Uthmeier served MLB with a subpoena over Pride Night uniform enforcement after Giants players were warned for adding Bible verses to caps, arguing it may be religious discrimination. Reflecting Pool Fallout: A $1.7M no-bid Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool water system contract tied to Trump donor John J. Cafaro is under scrutiny after algae returned, reigniting questions about contracting and conflicts. Data Center Fight in St. Lucie: St. Lucie County’s proposed data center moratorium is headed toward adoption after residents pressed concerns on water, energy, and costs, with a final hearing set for July 14. Local Government Watch: Florida DOGE is again targeting Pensacola, demanding detailed records on purchases and non-competitive contracts as its authority nears expiration. Public Safety & Courts: Anna Paulina Luna urged the Florida AG to seek the death penalty in a Seminole foster parent case; FDLE also arrested an Orlando sex offender for failing to register online identifiers. Gun Rights Ruling: A Florida appeals court struck down the state’s concealed-carry ban for 18-to-20-year-olds as unconstitutional. Housing/Business Moves: Palm Coast planning advanced a Walmart SR 100 site plan, while St. Lucie County’s administrator appears set to leave for a west-coast town manager job.

Free Speech & Social Media Law: A Florida-linked dispute over a state law punishing social media platforms for blocking political candidates heads to a September bench trial after a judge refused to grant a quick win to either side. Hate Crime Case: A Gainesville man was indicted for allegedly plotting a mass shooting targeting Jewish employees at a pro-Israel nonprofit in Plantation, with federal charges including attempted hate crime and firearms counts. Native Repatriation Push: Sen. Brian Schatz renewed pressure on museums and universities—including UF—to quickly return Native ancestral remains and cultural items under NAGPRA. Public Health & Mosquitoes: Everglades City leaders are asking for emergency mosquito spraying after residents report swarms so intense they can’t stand still. Social Media Age Rules: A federal appeals court cleared Ohio’s parental-consent requirement for social media users under 16, reviving the law after a First Amendment challenge. Gun Rights Ruling: Florida’s courts struck down concealed-carry restrictions for 18-to-20-year-olds, treating their right to self-defense as equal to other adults. Property & Flood Risk: Moody’s warned the flood insurance gap will squeeze local governments and homeowners as losses and costs keep rising. UF Leadership: The UF Board of Governors delayed a vote on Dr. Stuart Bell, with trustees considering an interim president. Local Politics: St. Pete mayoral candidates held a second debate focused on taxes, housing, infrastructure, and City Hall accountability.

Public Safety & Crime: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed five public safety bills aimed at tougher penalties, cracking down on gangs and dangerous drugs, and adding oversight for repeat offenders. Veterans Courts: A new law expands Florida’s veterans treatment court programs statewide and gives courts more flexibility to divert eligible nonviolent felony cases into treatment-focused programs. Property Taxes: A lawsuit challenges the ballot language for DeSantis-backed property tax relief, while a bill analysis warns the amendment could cost local governments about $11.86B a year. Gun Rights: A Florida appeals court struck down the state’s ban on concealed carry for adults under 21, saying 18-to-20-year-olds can’t be singled out after recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings. Local Politics: Two Marion County Commission races are set after incumbents Kathy Bryant and another commissioner opted out, with development and infrastructure front and center. Free Speech at Work: A second former FWC employee sued after being fired over a social media comment about Charlie Kirk, following a prior near-$500K settlement in a similar case. Immigration Enforcement: The Coast Guard interdicted a vessel off Key Biscayne carrying 25 Chinese nationals attempting illegal entry. Tampa Concert Fallout: Sen. Rick Scott pressed for answers on who’s paying for Kanye West’s Tampa shows amid renewed scrutiny from Jewish leaders and the Holocaust Museum.

AI & Crime: Florida AG James Uthmeier is probing whether OpenAI could face criminal liability after a Florida State University shooter allegedly used ChatGPT to plan his attack. Immigration Detention: DHS says all detainees at Everglades “Alligator Alcatraz” have been transferred due to hurricane-season safety concerns, though activists say the legal fight over the facility continues. Gun Rights Ruling: A Florida appeals court struck down the state’s ban on concealed carry for 18- to 20-year-olds, calling it a “second-class” Second Amendment right. Local Government: Escambia County attorney Alison Rogers recommends a ban on data centers after residents raised fears of a secret deal; FloridaWest denies active negotiations. Public Safety & Health: An ICE officer is credited with saving a drowning 6-year-old in Pasco County with CPR. Courts & Elections: Avon Park recall efforts move to a special election after no council members resigned by deadline. Education Politics: Highlands County School Board District 1 is now a three-way race after Kari Pritchett qualified.

Autonomous Defense Industry: MARTAC says it’s partnering with Florida boatbuilder Intrepid Powerboats to scale production of its Devil Ray unmanned surface vessels to 200–300 per year, leaning on the state’s marine manufacturing base. Cuba Policy Shock: Cuba’s communist leadership convened an extraordinary plenary to fast-track liberal reforms amid economic collapse and U.S. pressure, with uncertainty over how Washington will respond. Florida Legal/Justice: The Florida Bar Convention kicks off in Orlando with the installation of new leadership, spotlighting the judiciary and the “Framework of Freedom” theme. Elections & Maps: Florida’s Supreme Court declined to block the GOP congressional map, letting it proceed for 2026 while litigation continues over the Fair Districts Amendment. Public Safety & Health: DeSantis signed a law phasing out cancer-linked firefighting foam (AFFF) and requiring water testing for PFAS. Local Government Watch: Hillsborough County commissioners moved to escalate potential ethics concerns involving the Tampa Sports Authority, directing record-gathering and draft letters to state officials. Hurricane Prep: Tropical Storm Arthur formed in the Gulf, with Florida and the Panhandle bracing for heavy rain and flooding risk. Campaign Pulse: A Change Research poll shows David Jolly leading Byron Donalds in Florida’s governor race by 5 points, fueling debate over likely-voter turnout and strategy.

Middle East Politics: Trump publicly turns on Israeli PM Netanyahu as he tries to lock in an Iran deal, escalating a rift that’s now playing out in the open. Florida Elections & Campaigns: A progressive South Florida candidate, Oliver Larkin, is betting Florida can “swing blue,” while Lt. Gov. Jay Collins is pushing back on Byron Donalds’ debate stance in the governor’s race. Property Tax Fallout: Hillsborough County warns a November property tax amendment could cut about $367 million a year, while Manatee reworks Piney Point cleanup funding after a deadlocked vote. Local Governance & Growth: Pasco County advances a 12-month data center construction moratorium amid complaints about water, flooding, and impacts on residents. Environment & Public Safety: USF’s marine science lab in St. Petersburg is still recovering after a lightning-caused fire destroyed major research equipment. Courts & Rights: A federal judge blocks Idaho’s most restrictive transgender restroom enforcement, limiting the law while litigation continues. Immigration Detention: ICE is emptying Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” ahead of hurricane season, moving detainees to other facilities. State Policy: Florida’s AG continues targeting TikTok over minors’ protections. Community & Culture: Juneteenth history gets renewed attention as Florida marks the holiday’s growing national role.

Federal Animal-Cruelty Database Push: Rep. Greg Steube is backing the LEASH Act, a federal plan that would expand Florida’s “Dexter’s Law” model into a national database tracking people convicted of aggravated animal cruelty. Miami-Dade Mobile Home Fight: Little Havana trailer park residents are asking a judge to pause evictions, arguing the owner skipped required local zoning approvals under Florida’s mobile home protections. Public Safety Legislation: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed five new public safety bills at Winter Haven, including tougher rules targeting habitual violent offenders and gang activity, plus measures aimed at drug-related harm. AI in Government Spotlight: A new report highlights how states are already using high-risk AI in real decisions, raising fresh questions about transparency and oversight. Elections & Campaigns: Florida’s school board races are heating up, including Alachua County’s contested seats, while Florida GOP debate drama continues to swirl. South Florida Mental Health: Miami-Dade commissioners unanimously backed a new mental health center pilot aimed at breaking the jail-and-street revolving door. Child Safety Initiative: LifeNet4Families launched a regional effort to distribute 400,000 free child ID kits across South Florida counties. World Watch (Iran Deal): As Trump and Iran move toward a framework deal, Republicans in Congress say they still haven’t seen the text—leaving the terms in limbo.

Big Tech & Kids Online: Florida AG James Uthmeier sued TikTok, alleging HB3 violations for minors and “addictive” design features that keep kids scrolling. Education & Rights: A St. Johns County school district was accused of unlawfully firing an intersex teacher after he was perceived as transgender, with the case heading to the EEOC. Reproductive Policy: A coalition of 14 Republican attorneys general urged the EPA to treat the abortion pill mifepristone as a water contaminant, warning about wastewater impacts. Elections & Courts: The Florida Supreme Court refused to suspend or disbar election-lawyer Kenneth Chesebro, issuing a public reprimand instead. Local Government & Public Safety: Osceola County’s property tax overhaul debate continues, with officials warning road work and emergency response could take hits. Justice System: A teen accused in a Carnival Cruise killing was ordered detained after a judge revoked pretrial release once the case moved to adult court. Accountability & Investigations: Miami Herald and WLRN won top honors for a Brightline “Killer Train” investigation into the rail line’s deadly record. Law Enforcement Pressure: Southwest Florida agencies reported multiple swatting hoax calls, raising concerns about cascading emergency delays. Health Care Jobs: Sanitas Medical filed a WARN notice for 211 layoffs statewide, citing restructuring and budget limits.

Child Safety & Tech Regulation: Florida AG James Uthmeier sued TikTok under the state’s online child protections law, alleging minors can open accounts without parental consent and that the app downplays mature content. Gun Violence Watch: A Jacksonville pop-up party shooting left four people injured, marking Florida’s 12th mass shooting of 2026 and putting the state on pace to top last year’s total. World Cup Security & Local Politics: As Miami’s FIFA matches begin at Hard Rock Stadium, officials are emphasizing strict clear-bag rules and cashless entry, while activists push back on fears of ICE involvement around games. Hate Speech & Public Funding: Florida U.S. Sen. Rick Scott and Jewish community leaders rallied to oppose Ye’s Tampa-area concerts, arguing public dollars shouldn’t platform antisemitic rhetoric. Animal & Agriculture Protection: Florida expanded screwworm-related restrictions, blocking rescue pets from Texas and New Mexico to protect livestock and wildlife. Insurance & Disaster Readiness: Florida’s insurance landscape update includes USAA refunds to policyholders, changes to how regulators handle claim complaints, and Citizens managing policy counts heading into hurricane season. Local Government Accountability: Leon County touted its 36th straight Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, highlighting long-term fiscal planning. Wildfire Response: Crews battled a 600-acre wildfire in Volusia County’s Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge area, with drought and lightning cited as key factors.