AGP Executive Report

Law Enforcement: East Volusia County’s “Operation Holy Rollers” ended Tuesday after five simultaneous search warrants netted more than two dozen targets tied to fentanyl trafficking and drug manufacturing. Public Safety: Miami-Dade officials urged boating safety ahead of the July 4 weekend, pointing to a long-running Boater Safety Task Force and new community recommendations. Education & Culture: A report says Florida could follow Texas by moving toward mandatory Bible reading in public schools. Immigration & Courts: Central Florida Haitians under Temporary Protected Status face deportation risk after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling, raising fears for families and local employers. Environment & Weather: June was the slowest month for tropical storms since 2019, but experts warn even quiet seasons can still bring major hurricanes. Space & Tech: ULA launched Amazon’s Leo broadband satellites from Florida’s Space Coast, adding to a growing constellation. Arts & Community: The Exchange awarded $500,000 to arts groups and students, backing arts education and local cultural projects. Wildlife: Jacksonville Zoo released its first manatee from a new critical care center, marking a milestone for the state’s rescue network.

Missing Persons: Florida issued a Spectrum Alert for 17-year-old Dominick Harris, last seen in DeLand near S. Alabama Avenue; officials say he may still be local or traveling toward Alabama. Public Safety Training: The Florida SWAT Association held its first active shooter conference at Florida Southern College, using realistic drills and triage practice. Immigration & Education: Florida’s education board approved rules blocking undocumented students from enrolling in the Florida College System and from adult general education/GED programs. Legal & Courts: The Florida AG is appealing a ruling in a textbook pricing case, while a separate antitrust probe targets FICO’s credit practices. Consumer Protection: A new Florida law requires restaurants to disclose mandatory fees upfront before customers order. Housing Relief: A new law expands state funding for manufactured home emergency repairs and storm-hardening retrofits. Arts & Culture: The Jewish Museum of Florida will reestablish as an independent organization while keeping its FIU partnership. Local Security Option: A new law lets houses of worship use armed volunteers instead of hired security, with sheriff-approved plans and permit/background checks.

Restaurant Fees Law: Florida’s new rules kick in requiring restaurants to clearly disclose mandatory added charges (like service or “operations” fees) before customers order, including the amount or percentage and the reason for the charge. Education Overhaul: Nearly 140 new laws take effect July 1, including new education requirements such as cursive instruction in grades 3-5 and updates to teacher certification and diploma requirements. Data Center Protections: A new Florida law aimed at large-scale data centers starts July 1, limiting how costs can be shifted to ratepayers and adding local standards plus security and disclosure requirements. Immigration Uncertainty: After the U.S. Supreme Court move ending TPS protections for Haitians and Syrians, Florida’s Haitian community faces renewed fear about work and deportation risk. Housing Watch: Florida home sales rose in May for the ninth straight month as mortgage-rate worries eased, with the median single-family price reported at $425,000. Local Growth: Miami-Dade developer plans a 376-unit Live Local Act project replacing an older office building in Aventura.

Food Prices: Florida’s tomato losses from early-year freezes and Mexico’s weather setbacks are fueling “Tomatoflation,” pushing the national average fresh tomato price to a record $2.689 a pound in April, with Florida’s industry hit by an estimated $164 million in damage. Education & Immigration: The Florida Board of Education approved rules barring undocumented students from state colleges and from adult GED programs, with one dissenting vote. Public Safety: A new Florida law expands free swimming lesson vouchers for kids ages 1 to 7, aiming to cut drowning risk. Politics & Culture: Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled a new Abraham Lincoln statue in The Villages as part of America’s 250th anniversary. Law Enforcement: A Volusia County wiretap probe tied to overdose deaths led to 50 arrest warrants in “Operation Holy Rollers.” Sports: The Florida Panthers moved on from Sergei Bobrovsky, trading for Jacob Markstrom as free agency reshuffles the goalie market. Local Crime: A Florida man accused in a deadly Bradenton deputy-shooting case was sentenced to 110 years in Georgia.

State Budget & Local Impacts: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Florida’s $117.6B budget, vetoing $810M in line items, while boosting reserves and paying down debt; vetoes included millions tied to Palm Beach State College, a Palm Beach County helicopter plan, and water treatment projects. Property Taxes: A Save Our Homes referendum is set for Nov. 3, with Gulf Breeze and Milton warning of major revenue hits if homestead exemptions jump sharply. New July 1 Rules: Nearly 140 laws kick in July 1, including limits on net-zero goals, new data-center utility protections, and rules affecting school, dining fees, and emergency alerts. Education & AI: A surge in AI cheating accusations is pushing students into misconduct proceedings amid concerns over flawed detection and uneven campus policies. Public Safety & Weather: The National Hurricane Center is watching a weak Atlantic disturbance near the Fourth of July, with heat advisories in multiple counties. Sports & Health: Former NFL star Chris Johnson says he has ALS; and Florida’s school testing shows gains in FAST scores for many districts.

For Haitian families: The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians, and South Florida community leaders are urging Congress to act as deportation fears rise. Election rules: The Supreme Court ruled mail-in ballots arriving after Election Day can still be counted under a Mississippi law, a decision likely to shape disputes in other states. Public safety in Florida: FDLE is moving its Orlando toxicology lab to UCF’s Lake Nona campus and opening a new Central Florida crime lab aimed at faster testing for victims. AI and violence: Florida sued OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, alleging ChatGPT helped enable the FSU mass shooting. Budget and justice: DeSantis signed Florida’s budget including $4 million for descendants of the Groveland Four. Health care access: A new Florida law requires sickle cell training for doctors and drug prescribers. Community relief: Venezuelans in South Florida are collecting supplies and searching for missing relatives after deadly earthquakes. Sports & culture: Ye drew crowds at Raymond James Stadium despite backlash.

Alligator Safety Tragedy: A woman swimming with friends in the Econlockhatchee River near Orlando died after an alligator bite, part of multiple alligator incidents across Central Florida this week that have officials urging people to stick to designated areas and daylight hours. Missing Child Alert: FDLE issued a Missing Child Alert for 11-year-old Sinsira Jackson, last seen in Cocoa; authorities say not to approach and to call 911 or Cocoa police. Shark Attack Alerts: “Lulu’s Law” was enacted federally, expanding emergency alerts for shark attacks so officials can send Wireless Emergency Alerts to phones near incidents. Hidden Fees Crackdown: Starting July 1, Florida restaurants must clearly disclose mandatory extra charges like service or credit card surcharges on menus and receipts. Energy & Data Centers: A debate is heating up over whether Florida’s power customers should subsidize the fast-growing electricity demands of data centers, with critics warning the bigger challenge is grid capacity and water use. Space Coast Launch: SpaceX launched a SiriusXM radio satellite from Cape Canaveral, boosting coverage and replacing older satellites. 4th of July Plans: South Florida communities are gearing up for major America 250 celebrations with fireworks, parades, concerts, and drone shows.

NFL Draft Buzz: Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza and Vanderbilt runner-up Diego Pavia keep the spotlight on Latino quarterbacks as the draft nears, with other Latino prospects also in the mix. Small-Town Florida: Sopchoppy is being pitched as the “hidden gem” base for a Bald Point State Park weekend, with uncrowded beaches, wildlife, and trails. Crime & Safety: A South Florida man says a fake Wells Fargo caller tricked him into withdrawing over $250,000; separately, a crash into a home in Ocoee sent one person to the hospital. Alligator Alerts: A woman died after an alligator bite in Geneva, and Central Florida has seen multiple bite incidents in a week. Local Life & Culture: EPCOT guests narrowly avoided a falling “Living with the Land” branch; and History Fort Lauderdale debuted an interactive George Washington AI exhibit for the 250th anniversary. Sports: The Rays’ Junior Caminero is driving a hot streak with franchise-history home run feats. Law & Consumer Watch: Florida’s new “hidden fees” dining transparency law takes effect July 1. Weather: Forecasters are tracking a possible tropical system off Florida with a 20% chance of development.

World Cup in Miami: Colombia topped Group K with a 0-0 draw against Portugal at Hard Rock Stadium, booking the Round of 32 and denying a late winner after an offside flag. Sports & records: Cristiano Ronaldo matched another World Cup milestone with his 25th appearance as Portugal advanced; elsewhere, Lionel Messi rewrote the men’s World Cup scoring record with a goal for Argentina. Education: Gov. Ron DeSantis says Florida hit a new high, with over 60% of students scoring at or above grade level in both reading and math. Healthcare access: A new investigation finds uninsured gunshot patients in Florida often get shorter hospital stays than insured patients, raising concerns about post-hospital care. Public safety & law: The Florida Supreme Court kept new congressional districts in place for the midterms after rejecting a bid to block the map. Local Keys community: The Florida Keys Fishing Guides Association hosted a free Kids Fishing Expo in Islamorada to teach water skills and conservation. Drought & water: Fishing guides warn drought is squeezing freshwater access, with some waterways down sharply and harder to navigate.

Death Penalty: Andrew Richard Lukehart, 53, is set for Florida’s eighth execution of 2026 Tuesday after confessing to killing his girlfriend’s infant daughter in 1996, with the state prison near Starke scheduled to begin a three-drug injection at 6 p.m. Public Safety: Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed a bipartisan e-bike safety bill that would have required riders to slow near pedestrians and give an audible warning before passing, citing enforcement challenges. Immigration & Enforcement: Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” alligator detention/immigration facility is moving toward permanent closure after about a year, as the state continues to reshape its approach to immigration detention. Environment & Energy: A 100-acre wildfire was reported in Sarasota County’s T. Mabry Carlton reserve, while Florida is also expanding floating solar on highway stormwater ponds that could power 200,000+ homes. Local Crime & Courts: In Brevard County, multiple arrests were logged June 26, including DUI and reckless driving cases. Sports & Community: The Florida Panthers drafted North Bay Battalion center Ryder Cali in round two, and student-athletes in Orange County are getting free heart screenings ahead of a new state requirement.

Education & Accountability: Gov. Ron DeSantis says 60% of Florida students are now at or above grade level in English, math and core subjects, touting gains since the state ended the Florida Standards Assessments. Public Safety: A rabies advisory was issued in Charlotte County after a confirmed case in a raccoon near Jarvis Street in Port Charlotte; officials say a dog is in a 180-day quarantine. Immigration Detention: DeSantis moved to shut down “Alligator Alcatraz” after about a year, with supporters calling it a success and critics slamming the cost. Healthcare Fraud: Federal authorities charged nine people in a major Medicare/Medicaid/VA fraud crackdown tied to wound-care and COVID test schemes. Community & Culture: St. Petersburg’s Pride weekend is expected to draw hundreds of thousands with major police planning and no credible threats reported. Environment: Florida marks World Sea Turtle Day with a celebration of recovery and a reminder that pollution and coastal pressures still threaten turtles. Sports: Navy’s QB Blake Horvath is a key health question as the Midshipmen host USF in a tight AAC title race.

Immigration & Courts: DeSantis signed bills renaming Florida roads for Trump and Charlie Kirk, while also vetoing an e-bike safety measure over “enhanced surveillance” concerns; meanwhile, the Supreme Court’s TPS move is rattling Haitian communities in South Florida and beyond. Education: DeSantis touted major gains on FAST progress monitoring, saying over 60% of students hit grade-level in both ELA and math. Civil Rights: A Tampa woman alleges race and disability discrimination by her staffing employer, claiming inferior pay and missed commission opportunities. Public Safety: Cape Coral firefighters rescued a coyote pup from a canal with help from residents and wildlife rehab partners. Legal System: Nevada AG Ford urged a Florida court to scrutinize a Trump v. IRS “settlement” as a collusive setup. Health: National HIV Testing Day spotlights stigma-free testing and faster linkage to care. Sports (Florida ties): The Bruins reportedly acquired JJ Peterka from Utah in a deal involving Florida’s Panthers’ future first-round pick. Local Pride: St. Pete police gear up for Pride festivities with extra staffing and traffic planning.

Capital Punishment: Florida executed 74-year-old Dusty Ray Spencer for the 1992 murder of his wife, becoming the oldest inmate put to death in the state’s modern era as Catholic leaders renewed calls to end capital punishment. Immigration & Courts: Rep. Maxwell Frost blasted a Supreme Court ruling ending Temporary Protected Status protections for Haitians and Syrians, raising fears for thousands in Florida. Detention Policy: DeSantis moved to permanently close the controversial “Alligator Alcatraz” migrant detention site after it processed or staged more than 22,000 people. Higher Education: Florida’s Board of Governors advanced a rule that would bar undocumented students from enrolling in more selective public universities starting in 2027–28. Space Coast: A watchdog report warns Kennedy Space Center’s aging infrastructure can’t keep up with rising launch demand, putting future NASA goals at risk. Local Culture: Fort Myers Beach Art Association opened “Beach Bliss,” a coastal-themed exhibit running through July 18.

Immigration Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court dealt a major blow to Haitians and Syrians on Temporary Protected Status, clearing the Trump administration’s move to end protections and leaving many in South Florida facing possible deportation. Local Impact: In Miami, families say local immigration enforcement authority is already tearing households apart, with children left behind as parents are detained and deported. Detention Center Shutdown: Florida confirmed “Alligator Alcatraz” is closing permanently after processing more than 22,000 people, with officials calling it a mission success and critics questioning the cost. Public Safety & Crime: A 74-year-old man, Dusty Ray Spencer, was executed for the 1992 murder of his wife, while Tampa police charged Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold in a kidnapping/robbery case. Drugs: DEA lab officials in Miami warn fentanyl and carfentanil are surging again, including extremely potent samples. Courts & Consumer Tech: A Riviera Beach AI chatbot lawsuit is expanding into 160 filings under Florida’s wiretapping law. Environment & Local Life: Lake Wales approved a new Arts, Culture and Entertainment alcohol district, letting patrons carry drinks in a designated downtown area. Health Research: HSS researchers identified immune cells driving abnormal joint tissue growth in rheumatoid arthritis.

Artemis II Honors Push: U.S. lawmakers nominated the four Artemis II astronauts for a Congressional Gold Medal, aiming to make the crew only the second ever to receive the honor after Apollo 11. World Cup Miami Buzz: Brazil crushed Scotland 3-0 in Miami Gardens, with Vinícius Jr. scoring twice as the Seleção advanced to the knockout stage; meanwhile, the U.S. heads into its next Group D match vs. Turkey in Los Angeles. Local Sports & Events: Inter Miami’s new Nu Stadium is gearing up for World Cup crowds and year-round concerts and events, while EDC Orlando announced its 2026 lineup for Nov. 6-8. Public Safety & Justice: Tampa police arrested Detroit Lions player Terrion Arnold in a kidnapping and robbery case, with felony weapon and kidnapping-related charges pending. Health Watch: A new American Heart Association statement stresses that catching perinatal heart failure early in pregnant and postpartum women can prevent life-threatening complications. Consumer Costs: A federal judge blocked Trump-era SNAP limits on buying sugary drinks and candy, saying the government exceeded its authority. Tech in Florida: HOPE Therapeutics began treating first patients using Zeta TMS navigation in West Palm Beach and Sarasota, bringing AI-guided outpatient care into routine use.

Local Government & Taxes: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a property-tax and transparency package in Bradenton, including SB 4-F, which tightens how local governments can raise revenue ahead of a November homestead exemption vote. Public Safety Infrastructure: FDOT is turning on a new pedestrian hybrid beacon along Palm Beach Boulevard in Fort Myers, with more crossing signals planned to improve safety at midblock locations. Surfside Anniversary: Federal investigators released updated findings on the Champlain Towers South collapse, pointing to design and construction flaws and deterioration in support columns weeks before the 2021 tragedy. Courts & Consumer Protection: Florida’s AG opened a probe into CVS’ ownership of Caremark, raising concerns about steering patients and squeezing independent pharmacy rivals. Environment & Growth: Sanibel is set to begin dredging Sanibel Slough to reduce storm flooding and nutrient pollution. Education: Lee County and UF are expanding dual enrollment for high school juniors and seniors, and Florida is bringing cursive back in grades 3-5. Sports & Culture: Scotland’s Tartan Army keeps flooding South Florida for the Scotland-Brazil World Cup match, while PFL announced Cris Cyborg’s final fight in Tampa Aug. 22.