AGP Executive Report

Fourth of July Travel & Safety: AAA expects a record 72.2 million Americans to travel at least 50 miles this July 4 weekend, with the worst driving times Friday noon-7 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Florida officials also warn about impaired driving and fire hazards. Public Health Reminder: Ahead of the holiday, officials in New York cautioned beachgoers about Vibrio vulnificus (“flesh-eating bacteria”) in warm coastal waters, noting infections can turn deadly fast. Farm Aid Push: The White House is asking Congress for about $11.1B for farmers, including $1.1B for Florida growers to rebound from winter storm losses, as farm groups say current aid isn’t enough. Local Business & Jobs: Neptune’s Bar & Grill in Daytona Beach is gearing up for its grand opening during Biketoberfest 2026 and launching an immediate hiring drive for all positions. Defense Tech Expansion: Orion Edge Group plans a $6M Tampa expansion creating 25 jobs for tactical electronic warfare and counter-drone systems. Data Center Debate: Lakeland is set for a July 6 public hearing on a potential one-year data center/large industrial moratorium, while Charlotte County commissioners weigh property tax impacts ahead of November votes.

Airport Construction: Tampa International Airport is giving a first look at its new $1.5B Airside D terminal—16 gates and about 600,000 square feet—where crews are already installing elevator towers and steel for the structure. Politics & Elections: U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody is ramping up her Florida Senate race against Alex Vindman, leaning on tax-cut messaging as polling tightens. Legal/Accountability: Florida’s AG is probing FICO, issuing a civil investigative demand tied to claims of anticompetitive behavior that could raise costs for consumers. Wildlife Safety: A Seminole County woman, Brittany Clark, died after a fatal alligator attack in the Little Big Econ State Forest; officials captured two large gators as the investigation continues, while her father calls for more safety steps. Holiday Travel & Costs: AAA expects 72.2M Americans to travel for July 4, with gas averaging about $3.83 nationally and around $3.87 in Lee County; families are also bracing for higher cookout grocery bills. Water & Environment: The Everglades are seeing drought-level water shortages, with experts linking low water to more intense wildfires.

Fourth of July Travel & Safety: Tens of millions are expected to hit the roads and skies for the holiday weekend, with Florida officials urging extra planning for delays and fire hazards. Local Fire Rules: Charlotte County is extending its burn ban through the Fourth, keeping fireworks off the table and pushing residents to celebrate safely. Immigration & Jobs: Central Florida Haitians face heightened deportation risk after a Supreme Court ruling tied to Temporary Protected Status. Wildlife Tragedy: New 911 audio details a fatal alligator attack on the Econlockhatchee River, renewing safety worries as multiple attacks have been reported statewide. Florida Business & Growth: DXD Capital opened a 928-unit Class-A self-storage facility in Sarasota, while Valencia College trustees saw reappointments including an Universal Orlando CFO. Trade & Agriculture: Farm groups are pushing to renew USMCA as the U.S. weighs whether it needs trade deals with neighbors, and Sen. Rick Scott demands action on Mexican strawberry imports squeezing Florida growers. Tech & Defense: Quantum Cyber unveiled its PHANTOM-950 long-range autonomous drone platform, and XTEND advanced in the $1B U.S. drone dominance program.

Restaurant fee transparency: Florida’s new law kicks in July 1, requiring eateries to disclose mandatory charges (service fees, delivery fees, credit card surcharges) before customers order, aiming to cut “surprise” totals. Consumer protection & fraud: A Southwest Florida grandmother says she got more than $60,000 back after a WINK News investigation prompted Citibank reimbursement. Legal/antitrust: The DOJ and 17 states settled egg price-fixing claims with major producers, with $3.3M in penalties and 53 million eggs to be donated. Public safety: Florida wildlife officials identified Brittany Clark, 31, as the woman killed in a Little Big Econ State Forest alligator attack; DNA will determine which gator was responsible. Travel/airports: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is seeing rapid airline expansion after Spirit’s exit, with carriers like Avianca, Breeze, and JetBlue adding routes. Local economy: Port Canaveral is weighing the future of its long-empty Exploration Tower after years of high lease costs and limited interest.

Restaurant Fee Transparency: Florida’s new law kicks in requiring restaurants to clearly disclose mandatory charges and service fees before diners order, including the amount or percentage and why they’re added. Holiday Travel Disruptions: Road closures for July 4 affect Cape Coral and Fort Myers Beach, with bridge and parade-route shutdowns plus fireworks-related closures—drivers are urged to plan extra time. Local Development & Housing: A developer is lining up a 376-unit Live Local Act project to replace an office building near Aventura, signaling continued South Florida office-to-apartments redevelopment. Food & Community: Just Salad and Rethink Food launch the Rethink Food Bowl for July, donating 10% of proceeds to the nonprofit; Tabla Indian Restaurant rolls out a limited-time Fourth of July fusion menu across Central Florida. Wildlife Update: Two female Florida panthers were killed by vehicles in Collier County within a week, raising concerns since females are key to the endangered species’ recovery. Public Safety Training: FDOT partnered with local fire rescue agencies for hands-on emergency response drills inside hotel buildings slated for demolition for an I-95 interchange project.

NHL Moves: The Florida Panthers made a major goalie shakeup, acquiring Jacob Markstrom from the New Jersey Devils in a deal that also sent Evan Rodrigues and Jesper Boqvist to New Jersey, while the Ducks signed AJ Greer to a four-year deal after trading for negotiating rights tied to Radko Gudas. Grocery Shock: “Tomatoflation” is hitting Florida and the nation as tomato prices surge after winter freezes cut Florida production hard, with experts expecting prices to ease as harvests rebound. Local Transit Watch: Miami-Dade is nearing a taxpayer-funded deal with Brightline for a commuter “Coastal Link” corridor, even as Brightline faces financial strain. Florida Business & Travel: Staycations are rising as higher gas prices squeeze budgets, and Royal Caribbean’s new Legend of the Seas sets fresh family cruise routes from Fort Lauderdale. Public Safety: A woman identified as Brittany Clark of Orlando died after a deadly alligator attack in the Little Big Econ State Forest, with 911 calls detailing the frantic response. Politics & Policy: New Florida laws take effect July 1, including restaurant fee transparency and limits on local net-zero rules.

Hockey Moves: The Florida Panthers acquired goalie Akira Schmid from the Vegas Golden Knights for a 2028 third-round pick, after Vegas issued a qualified offer earlier in the day. Holiday Travel: AAA expects a record 4th of July travel surge, with Orlando among top domestic destinations and airlines bracing for millions of passengers. Space Coast Spotlight: Two rocket launches are set for Independence Day week from Cape Canaveral, including an Atlas V Amazon-satellite mission and a SpaceX Starlink launch. Local Politics & Taxes: Florida’s big property-tax fight heats up as DeSantis-backed homestead changes face legal and voter hurdles, with Milton and Gulf Breeze warning of major revenue hits. Public Safety: DeSantis vetoed about $3.1M for Escambia public safety projects, including 911 and fire alert upgrades. Environment & Safety: A woman died after an alligator attack while swimming in Florida’s Econlockhatchee River; wildlife officials are investigating and trapping the animal. Business & Growth: Just Salad announced a long-term partnership and equity deal with NBA champ Jalen Brunson. Sports Business: Ballislife HYDRO expands in Central Florida after a seven-figure investment from Egypt Dean.

Forensic & Public Safety: FDLE is relocating its Orlando toxicology lab to UCF’s Lake Nona campus, aiming to speed up forensic testing and deepen research ties. AI & Consumer/Youth Safety: Florida sued OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman over claims ChatGPT helped enable violence, including an alleged role in the FSU shooting. Environment & Coastal Resilience: Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed $750,000 for Tampa Bay Watch’s habitat restoration plan for Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge, a hit to oyster reefs and storm-surge protection. Local Government & Funding: Palm Beach County projects got mixed results in Florida’s finalized 2026–2027 budget, with Tri-Rail preserved but other items vetoed. Immigration Policy: Haitian community leaders in South Florida criticized the Supreme Court’s move allowing TPS termination, warning of deportation risk and urging Senate action. Health & Treatment Access: Serenus Outpatient Detox opened in Jacksonville, offering medically supervised withdrawal care without inpatient admission. Business/Travel: BermudAir will shift its Central Florida nonstop service from MCO to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) starting October 2026. Lottery: A Fantasy 5 top-prize ticket worth about $39,830 was sold at a Publix in The Villages, with the winner still unclaimed. Public Safety (Wildlife): Multiple recent alligator attacks in Florida left at least one woman dead, prompting renewed FWC attention.

Public Safety: A 31-year-old woman died after an alligator bite while swimming with friends in the Little Econ River near Orlando; the trailhead was closed during the response, and officials say daylight-only swimming in designated areas is key. More Attacks: It follows other Central Florida incidents this week, including a boy bitten while fishing and a snorkeler hurt in the Rainbow River. Holiday Travel & Consumer Impact: AAA expects 72.2 million Americans to travel for Independence Day, with most driving; AAA also warns travelers will judge transportation hubs harshly if restrooms are dirty. Local Business & Banking: Portrait Bank received its Florida charter to begin serving Central Florida businesses and residents. Tech & Security: Tampa-headquartered SureView Systems was acquired by Volaris Group to expand enterprise security monitoring. Environment & Awareness: Sea Turtle Week kicked off in southwest Florida as groups urge the public to help prevent vessel strikes during nesting season. Health/Medical: United Therapeutics won FDA approval for its LungFX device for centralized ex vivo lung perfusion.

Alligator Safety: A 31-year-old woman died after an alligator attack while swimming in Seminole County’s Little Big Econ River; officials say it’s the third Central Florida alligator attack in a week, with trapping efforts underway. Student Health Law: Florida’s new student-athlete ECG requirement takes effect Wednesday, with families saying it helps catch heart risks earlier. Consumer Scams: A South Florida couple says a third-party travel site scammed them out of nearly $12,000 after promising refunds for undelivered plane tickets. Local Grants: The Barancik Foundation awarded more than $7M in grants in Sarasota, including major housing and mental-health support funding. Business & Travel: Pensacola is moving ahead on a $76M shipyard grant tied to 2,000 jobs, while Naples Airport reportedly eyes American Airlines scheduled service after 25 years. Weather Watch: Saharan dust and dangerous heat are impacting millions, with health tips urging people to limit exposure and stay hydrated.

Education Update: Gov. Ron DeSantis says Florida hit a new milestone, with more than 60% of students scoring on or above grade level in both reading/ELA and math. Animal Health & Agriculture: Florida adopted emergency rules to brace for the New World screwworm, tightening animal import requirements and inspections to protect cattle. Local Transit: Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority plans a new 727 express bus to Tampa International Airport starting in October, using the Howard Frankland Bridge express lanes. Healthcare Partnership: Baptist Health South Florida and Amazon One Medical are teaming up to expand coordinated primary and specialty care across the region. Business & Growth: Babcock Ranch celebrated the opening of Curry Commerce Center, a large mixed-use commercial complex aimed at attracting new employers. Retail Expansion: SALT LIFE opened a new Sanibel Island store as part of a broader coastal retail push. Water & Tech Debate: A Florida op-ed warns data centers could strain the state’s water supply, pointing to the Floridan Aquifer’s importance. Economy & Travel Costs: Gas prices in Florida rose week over week amid oil-market jitters tied to the Iran conflict.

NHL Draft & Florida Sports: The Florida Panthers added center Ryder Cali in the second round and followed up with other key moves, while the NHL draft wrapped with plenty of trade talk and team-by-team draft grades. Local Education Leadership: Monroe County School District selected Edward C. Tierney as its top choice to become superintendent, with contract talks next. Community Hunger Relief: All Faiths Food Bank says it needs 800 volunteers from May through September to cover summer mobile food distributions and keep kids fed when school meals end. Florida Politics & Property Taxes: Lawmakers tweaked DeSantis’ property tax cut plan ahead of floor votes, carving out school district levies and setting up a November ballot. Hurricane Readiness: Resiliency and reinsurance are highlighted as Florida ramps up for another storm season. Environment & Wildlife: Florida conservation coverage includes invasive reptiles research and ongoing habitat protection efforts. Business & Travel: As July 4 travel ramps up, gas prices keep easing and Florida state parks plan free admission over the holiday weekend. Lottery: Powerball and Florida Lotto jackpots continue rolling toward the July 4 stretch.

NHL Draft & Trades: The 2026 offseason is rolling with major moves, including the Florida Panthers’ blockbuster trade sending Brady Tkachuk to South Florida and multiple first-round pick swaps across the league. Luxury Real Estate: Branded “fashion-and-car” condos keep spreading in Miami, with developers betting amenities and global names will draw out-of-state buyers. Travel & Costs: AAA says Fourth of July travel demand is set to surge, while gas prices continue to fall heading into the holiday. Public Safety & Voting: Early voting for Florida’s Aug. 18 primary runs Aug. 3–16, with secure ballot intake at each site. Local Economy: DeSoto-area officials warn DeSantis’ property tax cut plan could cost Suncoast counties hundreds of millions and strain services. Environment & Community: Florida marks Sea Turtle Day with conservation wins but renewed calls to fight pollution and coastal pressures; St. Pete Pride weekend is expected to draw massive crowds. Workforce & Education: Miami-Dade Fire Rescue welcomed new EMT scholarship recipients, reinforcing a pipeline into public safety careers.

Haitian TPS Fight: South Florida leaders and Democrats rallied in Little Haiti after the Supreme Court cleared the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians, warning it could uproot work authorization and legal protections for about 350,000 people, with Miami-Dade’s Haitian community among the hardest hit. Immigration Policy Push: Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz announced the TPS Review Act to limit executive power over TPS decisions, while local officials urged Senate action. Education & Politics: The Florida Education Association endorsed gubernatorial candidate David Jolly, citing support for teachers and public schools amid cost-of-living pressure. SNAP Warning: A Florida SNAP program could face major cuts or closure if a high error rate triggers federal penalties, putting food assistance for vulnerable residents at risk. Business & Jobs: Jabil announced a $102M expansion in Henderson County creating 148 jobs, with wages pegged above area median income. Public Safety: A shark attack victim in Panama City remains in intensive care, and a GoFundMe has raised over $38,000 for recovery. Local Economy/Travel: Air Canada plans to add its Airbus A321XLR on routes connecting Montreal and Toronto to Los Angeles and Miami later this year.

Immigration Fallout: The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians, triggering fear and scrambling across Florida’s Haitian community as work permits and protections run out. Local Economy & Jobs: Florida’s unemployment rate held at 4.8% in May, with small-business hiring described as “flat,” while the number of unemployed rose over the past year. Property Tax Fight: Florida’s historic property tax reform heads to a November vote, and local governments warn of major service cuts if revenue drops—especially for libraries, transportation, and public health. Data Centers & Water/Power: A new wave of Florida data center rules takes effect soon, as critics raise concerns about strain on water and electricity. Travel Safety: AAA expects nearly 4.6 million Floridians to travel for the Fourth of July, with officials urging safer driving as holiday fatalities typically spike. Business/Legal: Florida’s AG is probing CVS over alleged pharmacy competition practices, while a separate court case highlights how local and state rules can collide with federal immigration enforcement.

NHL Trades in Florida: The Florida Panthers kept their “grit” by acquiring winger Garnet Hathaway from the Philadelphia Flyers, sending a fifth-round pick and a fourth-rounder next year. The move follows their blockbuster Brady Tkachuk trade that reunites him with brother Matthew. Immigration Rulings: The U.S. Supreme Court dealt the Trump administration major wins on immigration, including allowing the stripping of TPS protections for Haitians and Syrians and reshaping asylum rules at the U.S.-Mexico border—issues that will hit Florida hard. Florida Higher Ed Access: Florida’s Board of Governors adopted a rule barring undocumented students from enrolling in public universities starting in the 2027-28 school year. Tech + Privacy Lawsuits: A Riviera Beach case is tied to a wave of 160 lawsuits alleging Florida’s wiretapping law was violated by website chatbots that recorded conversations without consent. Business + Healthcare Growth: NeoGenomics added board member Carolyn Starrett; Hera raised $27M to expand AI-enabled senior care into Florida and other states; OpenEvidence and JOMI partnered to bring peer-reviewed surgical videos to clinicians. Local Economy: Lake Wales approved an Arts, Culture and Entertainment District that lets patrons carry alcohol in a defined downtown area.