AGP Executive Report

Public Safety & Health: A flesh-eating bacteria outbreak is rising in Florida, with 14 Vibrio vulnificus cases reported this year; one Brevard County case involved a child, and a woman who lost part of her leg is urging people to stay out of water with any open cuts. Violent Crime: An Orange County dad, Daryl Hill, was fatally shot after he tried to break up a fight near his daughter’s school; suspect Raul Lionel Vazquez faces second-degree murder charges. Sports & Legal Fallout: Cornerback Terrion Arnold, facing eight felony charges, is signing with the Seattle Seahawks despite the pending case. Local Government & Immigration: Lake Worth Beach residents and immigrant-rights groups are pushing the city to reject a 10-year 287(g) contract extension with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Education: Florida is still dealing with thousands of teacher and support staff vacancies statewide, with hundreds open in South Florida as districts reopen. Space Coast & Tech: SpaceX filed permits for a new Starship testing site on Florida’s Space Coast, dubbed “Project Ignition.” Environment: Red tide warnings were issued near Fort George Inlet in Duval County. Animal Welfare: Hillsborough County found two dozen abandoned rabbits at McIntosh Preserve in Plant City; several died after rescue.

Public Health: Florida’s cyclosporiasis count keeps climbing, with the state reporting 407 cases statewide from May 1 to Aug. 8—up 19% from the prior week—and new local increases including Leon County (7). Local Government: Miami-Dade has regained control of the “Alligator Alcatraz” Everglades site after a joint inspection, with the county documenting airfield and environmental impacts and expecting state remediation. Education & Youth: Florida is still short on teachers and support staff, with 3,157 advertised instructional vacancies statewide as of Aug. 4, while South Florida districts also face ongoing back-to-school staffing gaps. Politics: A homophobic fake text targeting CD 24 Sen. Shevrin Jones is drawing backlash, and Equality Florida says it’s investigating. Housing & Economy: Home sales are down nationwide, and Florida markets are seeing more price cuts as sellers adjust. Safety & Crime: Hillsborough deputies arrested a man accused of exposing himself to children on the way to school, and a Tampa-area suspect was charged after impersonating a Walmart employee to steal Apple Watches. Health Alerts: Florida also reported rising Vibrio vulnificus cases and deaths, as Gulf Coast infections continue to spike.

Orlando Development: A $34 million project called “The Canopy” will reshape about 10 acres under I-4 downtown, adding parking, trails, event space and digital art, with construction expected soon and a late-2027 opening. Public Safety & Surveillance: Sarasota police are investigating after a Flock license-plate camera near Tuttle and Hibiscus was damaged and taken offline; it’s the first such camera hit in the city. Crime: Orange County Sheriff’s Office is offering up to a $5,000 reward for a trio accused of cemetery mausoleum thefts across multiple states, including Florida. Miami-Dade Budget: Mayor Daniella Levine Cava unveiled a $14.3B plan that includes transit cuts, including eliminating several routes, as residents raised concerns about services and costs. Environment: Federal changes to the Endangered Species Act could weaken habitat protections for Florida’s manatees and green sea turtles. Community Aid: Palm Beach County businesses and residents are collecting supplies and raising funds for Colombia earthquake victims. Local Courts/Legal: A former police officer accused in a New Orleans mass-shooting plot was released after prosecutors declined to indict him on a state terrorism charge. Sports: Former North, Central, Johnson, and South Miami-Dade/Broward area high school standouts are set for games Friday, Aug. 14.

Fatal Crash: A 45-year-old Port St. Lucie man died after a tractor hit him in an I-95 work zone near Gatlin Boulevard in St. Lucie County. Court & Elections: Florida Supreme Court barred Miami attorney Francisco Amador from the District 34 state senate ballot, ruling his qualifying-fee payment method violated state law. Earthquake Relief: Miami-Dade nonprofit Global Empowerment Mission kept up Colombia earthquake aid from its Doral warehouse and partnered with two local nonprofits. Public Safety: A man was shot dead in Apopka after intervening in a roadside fight; the suspect was already out on bond. Family & Mental Health: Perez Hilton’s mother filed for temporary custody of his three children after his hospitalization following a TikTok self-harm livestream. Local Crime: Miami-Dade deputies arrested three after finding two loaded guns in a car that had just left Miami Central High School. Environment: The U.S. Army Corps paused a “sand trap” project near Port Everglades after coral damage concerns. Schools: Broward County resumed classes, but some schools stayed closed as the district continues cost-saving consolidations. Health Alert: Flesh-eating Vibrio vulnificus cases rose to 14 statewide, including two deaths. Food & Community: Palm Beach County restaurants posted perfect health inspection scores, while Blessings in a Backpack packed thousands of snacks for students.

Local Elections & Voting Access: Orange County elections office faced backlash for ditching mailed sample ballots for the 2026 primary, sending voters only an info mailer with a QR code; the League of Women Voters says it could hurt older and lower-income residents. Voting by Mail Trends: Collier County reports a sharp drop in vote-by-mail requests this cycle, tied to 2021 state restrictions requiring voters to request a ballot each election and provide ID details. County Governance: Miami-Dade commissioners advanced a charter change on the Nov. 3 ballot to revise how commission vacancies trigger elections and set minimum municipal qualifying dates, plus they adopted a property tax rate matching last year. Public Safety Tech Debate: A contentious hearing in Nevada County centered on whether Flock automated license plate readers should be removed, with residents questioning data use and search counts. Space Coast: SpaceX launched a new batch of Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral after delays, with the next Florida launch planned for Aug. 15. Flooding & Infrastructure: Tampa’s South Howard Storm Relief Project heads toward a key City Council vote amid disputes over design and cost. Animal Safety: A Brevard magistrate ordered euthanasia for two dogs after a fatal mauling, but a judge’s order in the owner’s criminal case delays it until at least Oct. 8.

Local Courts & Elections: The Palm Beach Post Editorial Board backed candidates in the Port and County Court judge races, arguing the region needs clearer public explanations and stronger leadership. Public Health: Rep. Lois Frankel blasted President Trump’s executive order reshaping childhood vaccine schedules, warning it pushes misinformation and could harm children. Community Budgeting: Key Biscayne residents can weigh in on the Village’s 2026-27 budget at a Aug. 19 meeting, including beach and dune renourishment and public safety upgrades. Education & Safety: Pinellas County Schools held “Planning for Progress” talks as it weighs consolidation and K-8 options; Osceola County is moving toward stop-arm bus cameras. Transportation: Cocoa’s Brightline station cleared a major step with a $56.48M federal grant. Public Safety Tech: Palm Bay paused Flock license plate reader cameras while officials review permits and installation. Weather & Health Alerts: Florida counties ranked among the nation’s most hurricane-vulnerable, and heat-assistance resources were highlighted for people experiencing homelessness. Earthquake Relief: South Florida groups are collecting first-aid and camping gear for Colombia quake victims. Crime Update: Tampa police say an escaped court-ordered mental facility patient was recaptured after a traffic stop.

Elections & Voting: Brevard voters are gearing up for the Aug. 18 Florida primary, with reminders that Florida is a closed primary for party races but nonpartisan contests (like judicial and school board) are open to all eligible voters. Back-to-School: Most of the state, including Broward through the Treasure Coast, kicked off the 2026-27 school year, with early voting already underway for the Aug. 18 primary. Tourism Tax Watch: Manatee County’s bed tax hit a new June record, pulling in $4.6 million—up 27.6% from June 2025. Public Safety & Health: Florida and the U.S. are seeing more “flesh-eating” Vibrio vulnificus deaths, with Florida reporting a second 2026 death and health officials urging caution around open wounds and raw shellfish. Broward Courts & Crime: Prosecutors dropped domestic battery charges against former NFL/ESPN personality Marcellus Wiley, citing testimony not supported by physical or other evidence. Space: SpaceX’s next Florida launch attempt is set for Aug. 11 after a scrub, deploying 29 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral. Animals: A Brevard woman was arrested after allegedly stabbing and whipping a horse in front of a child; authorities say the animal was severely malnourished.

New Business: Buddy Brew Coffee opens its first Pinellas County café Friday, Aug. 14 inside the Sprouts Farmers Market on Seminole Blvd, with a 9:45 a.m. ribbon cutting and $3 drinks all day. Education Staffing: The Florida Education Association says statewide school vacancies are rising, with thousands of students heading back without fully certified teachers; Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach are among the hardest hit. Public Safety—Heat: NOAA reports record-breaking July temperatures across Florida, with South Florida and the Treasure Coast seeing the biggest spikes. Public Safety—Crime: An 18-year-old faces manslaughter charges after a 4-year-old was fatally shot in an Orlando apartment; in Palm Beach County, police say there are still no suspects in a weekend killing of a 19-year-old. Health Alerts: Florida reported a second 2026 death from Vibrio vulnificus, the “flesh-eating” bacteria linked to brackish water exposure. Transportation: Florida is fast-tracking I-4 congestion relief, including 17 miles of express lanes in Hillsborough and new truck parking in Polk. Local Courts/Politics: Four candidates are running for Orange County mayor in the Aug. 18 primary, all focused on housing, infrastructure, and tourism taxes.

Elections & Voting: Miami-Dade early voting is lagging hard, with only about 7% of registered voters casting ballots after the first week ahead of the Aug. 18 primary. Back-to-School Safety: Brevard and other South Florida districts are kicking off the school year with renewed warnings to drivers to follow Florida school bus stopping laws; Brevard says more than 17,000 citations were issued during last year’s camera enforcement push. Space Coast Watch: SpaceX plans to launch 29 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral on Monday. Courts & Culture: A federal court upheld Florida’s ban on children attending drag shows, rejecting a challenge by Orlando’s Hamburger Mary’s. Public Health: Florida reported a second 2026 death tied to flesh-eating Vibrio bacteria, this time in Marion County. Crime & Safety: A 5-year-old autistic boy reported missing in Hillsborough was found dead in a pond; in Brevard, a 23-year-old man died after a car crashed into the Banana River waterway. Politics (Congressional race): Ten Democrats are seeking to replace retiring Rep. Frederica Wilson in Florida’s 24th District, with front-runners including Miami-Dade Commissioner Oliver Gilbert III and State Sen. Shevrin Jones. Local Government/Traffic: Construction near Olympic Heights High School in Boca Raton will change traffic patterns as classes begin.

Public Health: Florida reports a second 2026 death tied to Vibrio vulnificus in Marion County, with officials noting the bacteria thrives in warm coastal/brackish waters and can enter through cuts or from raw seafood. Back-to-School Safety: Palm Beach County construction near Olympic Heights High School will shift traffic patterns as classes begin, with deputies directing traffic on the first day. Road Watch: Florida’s Turnpike saw lane closures near Griffin Road in Broward due to a vehicle fire. Crime & Courts: Hillsborough investigators say a search warrant in Tampa led to nine felony charges after a firearms probe. Drugs Bust: Another Tampa case: a probation check turned into a major narcotics investigation and multiple drug trafficking charges. South Florida Community: Multiple organizations held last-minute back-to-school shopping events across Miami-Dade and Broward, including large giveaways at malls and community centers. Space Coast: SpaceX is set to launch Starlink from Florida’s Space Coast Monday, Aug. 10, with viewing tips for residents. School Security Tech: Broward schools may soon get campus drones as part of a state-funded pilot, though rollout details are still pending.

Space Coast Watch: A SpaceX Falcon 9 launch is expected to send another batch of Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit Aug. 10, with possible visibility from Jacksonville to West Palm Beach depending on weather and trajectory. Mental Health & Public Safety: Miami-Dade officials say Perez Hilton remains “serious but stable” and will need surgery after injuries from a TikTok self-harm incident; he’s hospitalized under Florida’s Baker Act and the family is asking for privacy. Elections: Early voting is underway across multiple counties, including Palm Beach where about 4,700 votes were cast at 28 sites on day one, plus thousands voting early in five counties overall. Tragedy in Hillsborough: A 5-year-old boy diagnosed with autism was found dead in a retention pond behind his Greater Northdale apartment after a large search. Boating Death in Tampa Bay: A 61-year-old man died after a 27-foot vessel crashed into a rock jetty near Picnic Island Park; one survivor was taken to a hospital. Back-to-School Help: Citrus Park’s Back-to-School Fair handed out 1,000 free backpacks, while the Palm Beach County Food Bank’s back-to-school food drive runs through Aug. 31. Health Alert: Florida and Louisiana are reporting deaths tied to Vibrio vulnificus, with warnings to avoid exposing wounds to warm coastal waters and to be cautious with shellfish.

Back-to-school push: Palm Beach County Food Bank’s sixth annual back-to-school drive runs through Aug. 31, asking for canned and shelf-stable pantry staples. Early voting: Early voting starts Saturday in Palm Beach and Treasure Coast counties (with Palm Beach extending through Aug. 16) and opens in Broward at 21 locations from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Health guidance: Florida’s newest rules advise against prescribing psychotropic meds for most kids ages 5–17 for conditions like depression and anxiety. Public safety: A 10-foot alligator was spotted near Coconut Creek High School and later relocated; in Tampa, a 5-year-old autistic boy was found dead in a retention pond after a massive search. Crime & courts: A man was sentenced to 10 years for a 2016 shooting death west of Delray Beach; three Palm Beach County men were sentenced for exploiting missing foster teens. Health alert: Vibrio vulnificus warnings follow six deaths across Louisiana and Florida this year. Community wins: Palm Beach County’s biggest Boys and Girls Club is set to open at Dreher Park.

Tragic Child Death: A 5-year-old boy with autism drowned after wandering into a retention pond behind a Hillsborough County apartment complex, prompting a massive search and renewed calls for swim lessons. Public Safety Tech: Brevard County mailed nearly 18,000 tickets to drivers who passed stopped school buses, using AI cameras that flag violations for deputies to review. Legal Fight on the Water: Miami-Dade prosecutors asked Gov. Ron DeSantis to move an attempted murder boater case, citing a conflict of interest tied to the suspect’s role on a boater safety task force. Local Crime: A Titusville man was arrested for allegedly vandalizing hearses at two funeral homes, with police saying surveillance helped identify him. Housing & Growth: Palm Beach County home sales jumped 22.3% in June as inventory shrank and luxury transactions surged. Education Pipeline: Broward launched the Space Florida Academy in nine schools to build aerospace career pathways. Politics & Voting: Florida’s early primary voting numbers show mail ballots leading as in-person early voting ramps up. Healthcare: Hillsborough’s paramedic fired over medical marijuana use is headed toward Florida Supreme Court. Business/Real Estate: Palm Bay’s older Publix is being demolished for a larger replacement as part of a redevelopment project.

Airport Security: A Florida man was charged after deputies say he climbed into a parked JetBlue Airbus A320 at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and hid in the bathroom, delaying service by about $2,400. Public Health: Florida reported a second death this year from flesh-eating Vibrio vulnificus linked to oysters and beach exposure, with 14 cases so far. Missing Child: Hillsborough County recovered the body of a missing 5-year-old autistic boy from a retention pond behind his apartment after a large search. Elections & Politics: Early voting is underway statewide for the Aug. 18 primary, including key races in Broward and Hillsborough; a poll shows Shevrin Jones leading in CD 24. Back-to-School Support: Tallahassee’s Packs 4 Success drive offers free backpacks, supplies, haircuts, and heart screenings for students. Local Services: Hillsborough County libraries announced free August programs for all ages. Emergency Preparedness: Hillsborough County Office of Emergency Management earned national accreditation. Housing: A new report says the Miami metro area has a shortage of affordable home listings.

Public Safety & Courts: A 44-year-old Orlando man, Jose L. Proano, was arrested in the killing of his 71-year-old stepfather after remains were found in three suitcases near the victim’s home. Violent Crime: Families of two teens killed in a DeLand shooting are pushing for tougher juvenile justice accountability as officials trade blame over whether earlier intervention could have stopped the deaths. Health & Environment: Residents in Hillsborough’s Progress Village are warning a proposed expansion of a radioactive waste stack could put about 11,000 people at risk of cancer, with the dispute tied to phosphogypsum waste and radon. Local Government: Hillsborough County commissioners moved toward a one-year data center moratorium while demanding studies on water, noise, wildlife, and other impacts. Education & Community: Palm Beach County schools are bracing for 2,700 fewer students, and early voting for the Aug. 18 primary runs Aug. 8–16. Business/Local Life: Palm Beach County’s clerk is offering more than $1.6M in unclaimed funds with a Sept. 1 claim deadline.

Education & Food Access: Miami-Dade is ending universal free school meals for most students, shifting to a school-by-school system; 121 Community Eligibility Provision schools keep free breakfast and lunch, while others will require free/reduced applications. Back-to-School Safety: Hillsborough’s Plant City High is rolling out a clear bag policy for the new year after last school year’s gun incidents. Public Health: Florida reported 352 Cyclospora cases statewide as the lettuce-linked outbreak expands, with Miami-Dade leading locally; meanwhile Vibrio vulnificus cases rose to 14 with a second death reported. Environment & Courts: Environmentalists and divers sued to stop a sand trap near Port Everglades, arguing it threatens coral and queen conchs. Local Crime & Courts: A PBSO deputy was reprimanded over a viral one-armed texting stop; a Miami-Dade woman was arrested for allegedly uploading a TikTok showing child molestation. Health Care Watch: Federal data shows Palm Beach County hospitals among the worst in the country for patient satisfaction. Transportation & Construction: Port Canaveral began a $95M Terminal 10 expansion, targeting completion in Nov. 2027. Community Spotlight: The Miami Heat hosted a back-to-school shopping spree for students in South Dade.