AGP Executive Report

Tampa Bay Rays Stadium: The Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency voted 5-2 to delay its non-binding Rays stadium funding vote until August 20, saying negotiations aren’t finished yet. Miami-Dade Elections: The Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections rolled out a redesigned votemiamidade.gov website to make registration and voting info easier to find. Miami-Dade Solid Waste: Juneteenth holiday service updates: normal curbside pickup and landfill hours, but DSWM administrative offices closed and mosquito inspections paused unless needed. Condo Repair Help: Miami-Dade relaunched its Condominium Special Assessment Loan Program with about $15M available and a fully digital application system. Palm Beach Politics: President Trump urged Palm Beach County Mayor Sara Baxter to stay on the commission; Baxter then dropped her congressional bid and reentered the commission race. Palm Tran: Palm Beach County’s Palm Tran executive director resigned after nearly two years, following budget proposals that included service cuts. Public Health: Dengue risk is rising as Miami-Dade stays on mosquito alert amid a major national surge. Space Coast: SpaceX targets a Falcon 9 launch from Cape Canaveral carrying 29 Starlink satellites. Local Courts: A judge ruled for UCF’s Ted Roof in his breach-of-contract case. Housing Costs: Broward families face a growing “benefits cliff” as childcare costs and support eligibility collide with work.

Lawsuit & Safety: A Miami family is suing a private school in Miami-Dade after a campus security guard was charged with sexually assaulting a newly enrolled student, calling it a “catastrophic failure.” Crime & Courts: DeSantis signed a death warrant for Dennis Michael Sochor, convicted in the 1981 murder of Patricia Gifford, with execution set for July 14. Local Crime: A former Lake Worth jewelry store employee accused of stealing and pawning high-end items appeared before a judge and was ordered held on a $216,000 bond. Public Health: AIDS Healthcare Foundation rolled out World Cup-themed “safe sex” billboards in Miami to promote condom use during peak summer crowds. Violence in South Florida: Boynton Beach police say a Lake Worth man shot at his ex-girlfriend and her friend in a parking lot, then was hit by return fire. Politics: Lt. Gov. Jay Collins qualified for the GOP gubernatorial primary ballot, while David Jolly named Gwen Graham as his running mate. Space Coast: A SpaceX Falcon 9 launch from Cape Canaveral is set for June 12, with possible visibility from the Treasure Coast. Environment: Volunteers planted oyster shell habitats in Jacksonville’s Trout River to help restore water quality and oyster reefs.

Manatee County Crime Crackdown: Manatee detectives used a Facebook Marketplace sting to bust a statewide theft ring reselling freshly stolen Home Depot rental equipment, arresting Nakia Moore, Kitron Richardson and Jaquez Lane after undercover buys and fake-ID checks. Courtroom Tension: A Hillsborough murder trial was paused after allegations of juror intimidation in a courthouse elevator, prompting stern warnings from the judge and possible contempt charges. Crypto Fraud: A Canadian teen pleaded guilty in federal court to laundering proceeds from a $13M crypto scam that relied on impersonating major crypto firms to trick victims. Cost of Living Pressure: A new United Way Suncoast ALICE report says many Florida families can’t afford basics; in the region, a family of four may need $106,000+ to survive, with nearly half of households below the ALICE threshold. Public Safety & Justice: Broward detention center booking records show dozens processed in one day, reflecting a mix of domestic, violent, traffic and drug-related charges. Local Politics/Education: Dr. Bernard W. H. Jennings launched a Miami-Dade School Board District 1 campaign focused on safety, parent engagement and career readiness. Environment: The Conservancy of Southwest Florida reported removing more than 8,000 pounds of invasive Burmese pythons this season. Sports/Community: The Tampa Bay Rays held a community meeting on the Drew Park stadium plan as a key funding vote faces delays.

World Cup Fan Fest: Bayfront Park in Miami is gearing up to host a free FIFA World Cup 2026 fan hub, with 30,000+ expected daily, big screens for matches, and live entertainment plus food vendors. Local Sports Watching: Palm Beach County venues are rolling out game-day specials and big-screen viewing, including $5 nachos and $5 pulled pork during matches. Public Safety—School Buses: Broward approved stop-arm cameras on school buses, aiming to ticket drivers who pass stopped buses and potentially generate millions in penalties. Pedestrian Safety: A new national report ranks Florida as the 5th most dangerous state for pedestrians, with Tampa Bay the worst metro in Florida. Immigration Enforcement Funding: DeSantis and Cabinet OK’d $90M in grants for local law enforcement equipment tied to illegal immigration enforcement. Housing & Cost Pressures: ALICE data shows Sarasota families are falling further below the basic-needs threshold, while Manatee and Sarasota both show households needing $100K+ to get by. Crime: Miami-Dade charged a woman in two separate attacks using a power tool and a knife; Manatee arrested three people tied to stolen Home Depot equipment sold online. Politics: Jolly named Gwen Graham as running mate; Oliver Gilbert and Shevrin Jones launched bids for Florida’s CD 24. Other: Florida’s OnlyFans spending hit $159.6M in 2025; a Boca Raton Publix sold a nearly $30M Florida Lotto winner.

Artemis III Spotlight: NASA named the four-person Artemis III crew, including Miami Sunset Senior High grad Frank Rubio, a mission specialist with deep South Florida roots. South Florida Politics: Palm Beach County Mayor Sara Baxter dropped her commission bid to run for the newly drawn District 22 congressional seat, with candidates now scrambling to introduce themselves across a bigger, reshaped district. Property Taxes & Schools: Duval City Council voted to put a Duval school property-tax referendum on November’s ballot, while Ocoee officials warned Tallahassee’s homestead exemption changes could squeeze local services. Public Safety Upgrades: Broward approved a major 911 overhaul that lets callers livestream video to dispatchers and improve location accuracy. Road & Crime Alerts: I-95 in Brevard saw major closures after a fuel-tanker crash and a fatal multi-vehicle crash near Mims; in Miami Beach, police identified a man killed outside the Sandbar and charged a suspect with second-degree murder. Animal Welfare: Sloth advocates urged Florida regulators to tighten protections after Sloth World deaths tied to a failed Orlando attraction. Local Sports: Former North Broward and South Miami-Dade high school standouts are set to play Thursday, June 11. Business/Community: Fix Mold Miami announced expanded mold inspection and removal services across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach.

Leadership Change: Community Foundation Tampa Bay CEO Marlene Spalten says she’ll retire in June 2027 after more than a decade growing assets past $1.1 billion and expanding grants across Tampa Bay. Public Safety & Health: A 6.1 earthquake off Cuba was felt across South Florida, prompting precautionary evacuations in Miami-Dade and brief transit disruptions. Local Crime & Courts: In Lauderhill, a judge heard testimony tied to a fatal shooting that “could have been prevented,” while a Miami-Dade man confessed to firing a “warning shot” with a pellet gun during a road rage argument. Education & Families: Palm Beach County school meals are changing—families may need to apply for free or reduced-price lunches/breakfasts, and the district is ending automatic free meals for all students. Immigration: DeSantis and the Cabinet approved $87M in immigration enforcement tech grants for 56 agencies, and a Palm Beach County Guatemalan community leader faces deportation. Community & Youth: West Palm rallies against gun violence with mentoring and support for young people. Business & Growth: Ellianos Coffee site-clearing is in review on Beach Boulevard in Jacksonville, and Palm Beach Maritime Academy secured a permanent home for its Lantana campuses.

Earthquake Watch: A rare 6.1 quake off western Cuba rattled Florida from West Palm Beach to Orlando, with tremors reported as far as Miami and even Disney World briefly shutting rides as a precaution; no tsunami threat was issued. Local Politics: Palm Beach County Mayor Sara Baxter announced she’s dropping her county commission re-election bid to run for Florida’s newly drawn 22nd Congressional District. Community Safety: Palm Bay Estates residents in Brevard County are pushing for a permanent fix after a roadway collapse left seniors stuck at home, arguing the city’s drainage pipe failed. Public Safety & Crime: Boca Raton selected Jarad Phelps as its next police chief, pending pre-employment steps; in Broward, a woman died after being struck by a vehicle and homicide detectives are investigating. Education & Workforce: Heart of Florida United Way hosted 300 Seminole County middle schoolers for a Future United STEAM Day linking classroom learning to real career paths. Sports (Local Interest): Here’s who from South Miami-Dade, Clay County, and North Broward high schools is set to play Wednesday, June 10. Environment: A record sargassum bloom is making landfall, with Florida beaches seeing some of the worst impacts.

CFO Race Heats Up: Former state Sen. Annette Taddeo formally launched her bid to unseat GOP CFO Blaise Ingoglia, calling the CFO a “watchdog” and targeting rising property insurance costs and government waste. Local Politics: Taddeo’s campaign also faces Democrats lining up behind her as the Chief Financial Officer race becomes a major statewide showdown. Brevard Power Reliability: Florida Power & Light says it’s pushing 2026 Brevard upgrades, including 39 storm-secure underground projects and major tree-trimming to cut outages. Road Closures: Hillsborough warns drivers that I-4 construction will shut all northbound lanes of McIntosh Road under the interstate starting at 9 p.m. June 8. Pulse Memorial Update: Orlando’s Pulse memorial design team says the permanent memorial is on track, with construction planned to begin in September. World Cup Security & Transit: Miami-Dade is using $105M in federal funds for counter-drone and detection efforts, while fans are urged to use Brightline and Tri-Rail to get to Hard Rock Stadium. Crime & Courts: Boca Raton police arrested Willie Byrd Jr. in the April killing of a Plantation father; in Brevard, a woman was killed by two pit bulls despite repeated neighbor reports, and the owner faces manslaughter charges. Weather: Forecasters say midweek rain chances return after a brief drier stretch, with heat and humidity climbing again.

Girl Scouts Gold Award: Two Port St. Lucie-area Girl Scouts, Carmela Bustamante and Angelyka Valdez, were among 22 Southeast Florida honorees earning the 2026 Gold Award, the highest Girl Scouting achievement, for major community projects. E-bike safety: Brevard County officials report a rise in e-bike crashes, including a fatal crash, with many incidents involving teens and confusion over whether riders are on legal e-bikes or higher-powered “e-motos.” Fatal crashes (Orange County): Florida Highway Patrol is investigating two separate deadly incidents in Orange County, including a 90-year-old man who veered off the road after a possible medical episode and hit a fire hydrant. Dog attack case (Brevard): A 29-year-old woman faces manslaughter charges after pit bulls allegedly mauled and killed a neighbor, with authorities citing prior calls about the dogs. Rescue on I-4 (Hillsborough): Deputies used CPR and an AED to save a woman after a crash on I-4; she’s reported stable. World Cup transit (Miami-Dade): Miami-Dade is rolling out free shuttle options for verified ticket holders to help fans reach Miami Stadium with less traffic and fewer parking headaches. Pulse remembrance (Orlando): Orlando marks 10 years since the Pulse nightclub shooting with a week of remembrance events, exhibits, and ceremonies honoring the victims.

World Cup Transit Push (Miami-Dade): Miami-Dade is rolling out free, verified-ticket shuttles for World Cup matches, including the Miami Game Day Express linking major transit hubs to Miami Stadium to cut traffic and parking stress. PortMiami Fuel Fight (Miami-Dade vs. Fisher Island): The county is abandoning a $400M purchase plan and moving to eminent domain to take over the Fisher Island fuel depot, escalating a long-running dispute tied to PortMiami fuel supply. Health Insurance Shakeup (Statewide): Cigna is exiting Florida’s Obamacare marketplace in 2027, joining Aetna and raising fears of a “death spiral” as options shrink and premiums climb. Property Tax Amendment Heads to Voters (Tallahassee): Lawmakers approved a constitutional amendment to raise the homestead exemption to $250,000 by 2028, with local governments warning of service cuts if it passes. Teen Takeover Crackdown (Wellington): Palm Beach County officials responded after a viral “teen takeover” post, with law enforcement stepping up presence and parents pushing for prevention. Public Safety Tragedies (Brevard): A front-yard argument ended in an arrest, and escaped pit bulls killed a neighbor—both cases are now in the hands of investigators. Space Coast Launch Watch (Volusia/Cape Canaveral): SpaceX plans a Falcon 9 launch June 8 carrying 29 Starlink satellites, potentially visible from Jacksonville Beach to West Palm Beach. Summer Meals (Miami-Dade): Miami-Dade schools will offer free breakfast and lunch to kids up to 18 through the summer, with meals required to be eaten on-site.

Violent Crime: Orange County deputies say two toddlers (ages 1 and 2) were shot in an apartment Friday night and died at a hospital; investigators say the father was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot. Public Safety: A man was airlifted after a dispute in northwest Miami-Dade turned violent, with deputies taking another suspect into custody after a reported vehicle strike. Legal/Accountability: Tampa City Council Chair Alan Clendenin wants to delay a Rays CRA vote tied to the stadium proposal, saying negotiations aren’t ready for a decision. Courts/Business: South Florida Law won an $8 million unanimous jury verdict in a Broward business dispute, including punitive damages. Health & Community: Brevard Cancer Survivors Day spotlighted local survivors Julie Spurlock and Jessica Bernstein; also in Brevard, Parrish Healthcare launched a supply drive for people experiencing homelessness. Disaster Response: The Red Cross is assisting families after house fires in Loxahatchee Groves, Fort Pierce, and Boynton Beach. Animal/Local Interest: A Florida tourist sued an airboat attraction after alleging an alligator bite during a “free gator encounter.” Sports/Local: Former North Broward high school standouts are set to play in the week starting Monday, June 8.

PortMiami Fuel Fight: Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava ordered eminent domain to seize a PortMiami fuel facility after negotiations broke down, keeping the port’s fuel supply and jobs in focus. Public Safety: Broward deputies released video of a rapid rescue after a woman’s car sank in a Pompano Beach canal—officers broke a window and pulled her out seconds before it went under. Courts & Crime: Jacksonville’s State Attorney says more than 2,000 people contacted her office over the April duckling case; prosecutors have now filed 11 felony animal cruelty counts against Beverly Sasberry, who pleaded not guilty. Health Care: OMNI Healthcare added trauma surgeon Dr. Edgar Figueroa to its Brevard physician group, alongside his pending Florida Senate confirmation for a board reappointment. Local Life: ChildNet held its Palm Beach County graduation celebration for 35 foster youth. Weather/Travel Prep: Hillsborough opened two new pop-up disaster relief centers to help Hurricane Helene and Milton survivors apply for federal rebuilding funds.

World Cup Watch Parties & Security: Broward and Miami-Dade kicked off World Cup preparations with free fan events, big-screen viewing, and stepped-up security as crowds gear up for matches at Hard Rock Stadium. PortMiami Fuel Depot Fight: Miami-Dade Mayor Levine Cava says the county will pursue eminent domain to secure the Fisher Island fuel facility after negotiations broke down, a dispute that’s already reshuffled top port leadership. Local Politics—Demings Exits: Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings suspended his Florida governor campaign after a prostate cancer diagnosis, prompting reactions from GOP and Democrats. Public Safety: A bomb threat shut down and evacuated a Palm Bay Walmart; police later said no devices were found and it reopened. Crash & Crime: Florida Highway Patrol reported a fatal wrong-lane crash on Normandy Blvd. at U.S. 301; Boca Raton police arrested Willie Byrd Jr. in an April parking-lot homicide. Environment: Scientists warn dolphin entanglements in the Indian River Lagoon are rising, driven by discarded fishing line. Housing Pressure: Palm Beach County ended districtwide free meals for many students, citing federal reimbursement changes.

Health & Politics: Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings announced he’s suspending his Florida governor campaign after a prostate cancer diagnosis, saying he’ll finish out his mayoral term and focus on treatment. Public Safety (Broward): Bodycam shows deputies diving into a canal to pull an elderly woman from a sinking car in Pompano Beach just seconds before it disappeared. Crime (Brevard): A Cocoa man was arrested after an argument led to a deadly shooting that killed Xavier Carroll; investigators say the suspect shot him multiple times. Courts/Personal Injury: A Broward man filed suit against an airboat attraction after he claims an alligator bit him in the face during a “free alligator encounter.” Local Government (Miami-Dade): Miami-Dade has started eminent domain to secure a PortMiami fuel depot on Fisher Island after negotiations failed. Cost of Living/Travel: Tampa International Airport approved parking rate hikes effective Aug. 4, with the first hour free. Community & Food: Miami-Dade Public Schools is again offering free summer breakfast and lunch to kids at 170 schools. World Cup (Broward): Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise will host free World Cup watch parties starting June 12. Missing Person (Miami-Dade): Deputies are searching for 72-year-old Raymond Wayne Chambers, last seen May 17.

Property Taxes Fight: Florida’s proposed homestead exemption expansion could slash what homeowners pay, but county and city leaders warn the lost revenue could force cuts or even insolvency for some municipalities. Local Crime: A Plant City quadruple murder probe added details from a newly released search warrant, including firearms, ammunition and blood swabs seized from the home. Murder-Suicide in Miami-Dade: A prominent Doral real estate agent, her ex-husband and their two daughters were found dead with stab wounds; investigators say it’s being treated as a murder-suicide. USF Safety Update: After a USF off-campus double stabbing, the university announced a new voluntary off-campus housing safety program with standards for service, safety and communication. World Cup Prep: South Florida is ramping up anti-human-trafficking efforts ahead of the June 11 World Cup, with state and federal agencies coordinating increased resources. Capital Punishment: Florida executed Andrew Lukehart, the eighth person put to death in the state this year. Health & Community: Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital held its first pediatric patient graduation for long-term patients.

Space Coast Tourism: A new guide highlights how to plan a rocket-launch trip in Florida, with viewing options at Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral plus tips for schedule changes. Public Safety & Courts: Florida lawmakers approved nearly $1M for a judicial threat workgroup to coordinate responses to threats against judges statewide. Local Crime: A 25-year-old woman was arrested in Palm Beach County for alleged online threats and harassment; in Boca Raton, police arrested a man accused in a double shooting outside a restaurant. Threats & Violence Allegations: A Broward man was arrested after alleged threats to kill his parents and himself. Education Watch: Volusia County approved new principal appointments, while Palm Beach County school leaders asked for more details on a proposed AI data center near Saddle View Elementary. Transportation & School Safety: Jacksonville mailed 3,000+ tickets for drivers illegally passing stopped school buses after AI stop-arm cameras went live. Weather & Health: South Florida braces for possible flooding as early-June rain eases drought, and officials urge hurricane prep ahead of peak season. Wildlife: Researchers documented Florida’s first recorded olive ridley sea turtle nest at Jupiter Beach.