AGP Executive Report

Florida Politics: With Tuesday’s primary election looming, Florida’s GOP and Democratic races are set to shape the path to November, as early voting shows a big Republican turnout edge and candidates like Byron Donalds and David Jolly fight for momentum. Public Safety: Police investigated a multi-vehicle crash near the Golden Glades Interchange in Miami Gardens, with officers seen detaining a man at the scene. Food Assistance Fraud: Tampa Bay families say SNAP benefits were stolen through a scam tied to a Glendale, California address, with some reporting trouble getting local law enforcement to act. Elections Administration: Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd reminded voters that polls run 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., voter ID is required, and results will be posted on Florida Election Watch. Sports—Tampa Bay: Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan are day-to-day with injuries, while Tristan Wirfs returned to practice. Transportation: Electronic tolling begins Aug. 22 for the new Howard Frankland Bridge express lanes, using SunPass. Health & Science: University of Miami researchers are testing a system to turn beached sargassum into aquaculture feed using black soldier fly larvae.

Local Politics: St. Petersburg voters decide Tuesday whether Charlie Crist can win outright in the mayoral race or force a runoff, with housing costs, utilities, and the Tropicana Field site driving the debate. Miami Governance: Miami residents also vote Tuesday on the future of the Miami Marine Stadium, weighing a city-private partnership to restore the historic Virginia Key powerboat venue. Sports (MLS): Nashville SC kept its Supporters’ Shield push strong with a 4-1 win over Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, extending its lead to five points. Public Health: The CDC warns people on anti-CD20 drugs to take extra care as West Nile and other mosquito- and tick-borne viruses rise. Weather & Safety: Miami Township firefighters battled two structure fires in the same neighborhood within an hour; officials reported no injuries and said the homes were vacant. Business & Travel: Allegiant announced nine new nonstop routes from Florida, including Orlando-area service, aiming at spring travel demand. Community & Wildlife: A Tallahassee-area couple’s long-running swamp conservation effort is credited with supporting 275 nesting wood storks. Tampa Bay: Ridge IT Cyber earned its fourth straight Inc. 5000 spot, highlighting continued cybersecurity growth in the Tampa area.

MLB: The Baltimore Orioles kept rolling over the Tampa Bay Rays, blasting them 10-2 with a seven-run sixth inning at Tropicana Field. Colton Cowser homered, Christian Encarnacion-Strand drove in three, and Jackson Holliday added key RBIs as Baltimore won its third straight in the series, setting up a Monday finale. NFL Preseason: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 22 at Raymond James Stadium, aiming to build on their preseason win over the Jets. Heat & Local Services: Leon County libraries in Tallahassee are opening Monday as cooling stations after an extreme heat warning. Sports & Injuries (Dolphins/Commanders): Miami’s Quinn Ewers is dealing with a groin injury, while Washington backup QB Marcus Mariota is expected to miss the rest of the preseason with a sprained MCL. Lottery: A Central Florida woman won $1 million on a $5 scratch-off, claiming the prize as a one-time payment. Public Safety: FDA inspection results show Williams & Son - cubesmart in Tallahassee was found to need no corrective action. Community: A celebration of life was held for civil rights activist Rev. Derek Steele.

MLS Spotlight: Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi missed his third straight penalty as Nashville SC crushed the Herons 4-1, with Andy Najar scoring early and Hany Mukhtar adding two after the break; Messi also got booked for protesting and struck both posts late. Sports Betting/MLB Local: The Rays host the Orioles in St. Petersburg as Baltimore chases “meaningful baseball” in the wild-card race, while Tampa looks to snap a home skid. Disney Update (Orlando): Disney unveiled more about EPCOT’s Imagination Pavilion refresh and D23 details for the Magic Kingdom’s Villains Land, including the official name and new attraction plans. Weather & Safety (Central Florida): Central Florida heat is lingering longer, with heat advisories pushing earlier and lasting later; residents are urged to stay cool and protect themselves. Miami Public Life: Voters will decide whether the city can partner with a private company to restore the historic Miami Marine Stadium on Virginia Key, a Brutalist landmark tied to major South Florida cultural moments.

NBA Free Agency Watch: The Miami Heat are still hunting a veteran wing/guard, with DeMar DeRozan the biggest name left on their radar—and reports say Miami is the favorite over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Inter Miami & MLS: Inter Miami manager Guillermo Hoyos urged “silence, tranquility and peace” as Lionel Messi returns to training after his father’s death, while the club also signed Haitian attacker Delinois and keeps an eye on Messi’s availability for the Nashville match. NFL Preseason (Tampa Bay): The Buccaneers opened preseason with a 24-16 win over the Jets, led by Jalon Daniels’ strong second-half showing and a pick-six by Ayden Garnes. NFL Preseason (Miami): Malik Willis impressed in the Dolphins’ preseason opener at Washington, giving Miami fans a reason to believe early in the rebuild. Weather & Safety: Heat advisories remain in effect statewide, and the National Hurricane Center is tracking two Atlantic disturbances with low formation chances. Business & Travel: Shake Shack plans 11 new Florida-area openings, and Allegiant announced seven new routes to Florida airports. Local Public Safety: Florida Highway Patrol broke up a Tampa street takeover near U.S. 301 with 18 arrests. Sports (MLB): The Orioles snapped Tampa Bay’s nine-game win streak with a 6-5 win in St. Petersburg.

NFL Rules Watch: The NFL says Miami Dolphins advisor Troy Aikman will get the same access limits long used for Tom Brady—no practice access, only virtual production meetings and interviews outside facilities. Miami Sports: Malik Willis debuted for the Dolphins in a 20-7 preseason loss to Washington, leading a quick TD drive; meanwhile, Quinn Ewers struggled in backup QB work. College Football: Virginia Tech’s 2026 expectations are framed as “probably fine” after a major offseason rebuild. Miami Hurricanes: Running back Jordan Lyle was arrested on fleeing and reckless-driving charges, a fresh headache for the program. Local Crime: A bronze statue honoring a Miami Lakes cancer victim was recovered after two arrests tied to the theft. Inter Miami: Tickets are on sale for Inter Miami’s Sept. 16 Campeones Cup match vs. Cruz Azul, and the club continues MLS regular-season road play in Nashville. Weather: Tallahassee-area severe storm warnings include damaging winds and hail. MLB: Orioles snapped the Rays’ nine-game streak with a 6-5 win; in Cincinnati, the Reds edged the Marlins 1-0.

Courts & Elections: Florida voters will see revised, judge-ordered ballot language for Amendment 3 after the AG updated the summary and timeline details. Early voting is wrapping up statewide ahead of the Tuesday primary. Miami-Dade Housing & Schools: The county will open a September lottery for three newly built homes under its Welcome H.O.M.E. program, with income limits and a public ranking process. Miami-Dade schools also released key 2026-27 calendar dates for parents. Public Safety: A Largo house fire killed three cats; the cause is under investigation. In Miami-Dade, deputies say a woman used a forged doctor’s note to obtain a disabled parking placard. Sports: The Buccaneers open preseason tonight vs. the Jets at MetLife; in Tampa Bay baseball, the Rays host the Orioles. Culture: A new musical, “Soup The Musical,” brings Hy Vong’s Miami story to the stage in Coral Gables. Weather: Heat advisories continue across parts of Florida, with weekend heat index values forecast near 108.

Sports (MLB): Braxton Ashcraft fired a complete-game three-hitter as the Pirates crushed the Miami Marlins 13-1, snapping Miami’s winning streak. Sports (MLB): The Rays open a four-game set against the Orioles in St. Petersburg, with Tampa riding strong recent form. Local Crime: A Florida dad, Daryl Hill, was fatally shot while trying to break up a fight after dropping his 10-year-old daughter at school in Apopka; police say the suspect was out on bond. Public Safety/Weather: Flooding remains a concern this morning, with storm alerts and flood warnings in parts of the region. Politics/Law: Florida AG James Uthmeier rewrote the ballot language for a property tax amendment after a judge said the original wording was misleading. Courts/High-Profile Case: A judge postponed the detention hearing for Andrew and Tristan Tate, with their bail fate set for about two weeks. Business/Defense: The U.S. Navy awarded a $78M contract tied to ordnance storage at Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily, with an Orlando firm leading the work. Tech/Space: CesiumAstro is buying Jariet Technologies to expand semiconductor capabilities for its satellite plans. Orlando Growth: Orange County commissioners will review a first agricultural enclave proposal under a new state zoning law. Entertainment: A Latin-star benefit concert in Miami will raise money for earthquake relief in Venezuela and Colombia.

Tallahassee Politics: Florida governor candidates are in full closing mode with the Aug. 18 primary looming, while Republicans fight internally and Democrats appear closer to settling their side. Public Health: Cyclosporiasis cases are rising in Florida, with Tallahassee reporting new counts and the parasite now showing up across more counties statewide. Immigration Detention Aftermath: Miami-Dade has regained control of the “Alligator Alcatraz” Everglades site after a state inspection, setting up documentation and possible remediation. Crime & Courts: A Florida City mom faces aggravated manslaughter charges in the June shooting death of her five-year-old daughter. Sports (South Florida): Lionel Messi returned for Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup match, including a viral hug from Club León’s Jhohan Romana, but Miami was eliminated 3-2. Weather: Central Florida remains under intense heat with advisories and scattered storms, and forecasters warn conditions could stay punishing into the weekend. Local Business/Community: North Port arrested two Hialeah men tied to organized retail theft targeting Home Depot stores.

Leagues Cup Shock in Miami: Lionel Messi returned to Inter Miami after his father Jorge’s death, coming on at halftime in a 3-2 loss to Club León that knocked Miami out of the tournament; Messi also posted fresh doubts about his future in football. NFL Training Heat: Buccaneers and Jets joint practice turned chippy with multiple fights, including helmet-throwing and trash talk during drills. Public Safety Tech: Lockheed Martin and Verizon tested drone detection using existing cell towers in the Miami area, part of a growing push to spot threats faster. Aviation in Florida: Israeli startup AIR is setting up U.S. operations at Florida’s SunTrax campus for electric flying aircraft manufacturing. Hurricane Season Prep: A new resource, HurricaneLaw.Pro, launched to help Florida and South Carolina homeowners track storm timelines and handle insurance claim denials. Local Budget Pressure: Pinellas County leaders are weighing cuts that could end funding for Weedon Island and Shell Key preserves starting in 2027. Business & Housing: Miami metro home prices dipped as listings shrank, while an expanded Florida property records directory aims to make parcel research easier statewide.

Tampa Bay Politics & Courts: Florida Supreme Court rejected a Miami attorney’s bid to get on the ballot for the District 34 state Senate race, ruling his qualifying-fee payment method violated state law. Miami-Dade Public Safety: Police say a woman repeatedly struck another with a cellphone during a restroom fight at a Miami restaurant, leading to an aggravated battery charge. Tampa Bay Sports: Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka limped off during a Jets joint practice and didn’t return; the team is still sorting out the injury. Miami Sports: Inter Miami hosts León in Leagues Cup group play Wednesday, but Lionel Messi’s return remains uncertain after his father’s death. Florida College Life: Thousands of FGCU students moved into on-campus housing ahead of classes, with heat advisories in play. State Politics: Byron Donalds said he entered politics after getting “mad” during the 2008 financial crisis and defended Florida’s election laws in a new interview. Community & Relief: A Miami-based earthquake aid effort continues for Colombia after a major quake, with donations and new local partnerships. Entertainment: Marc Anthony, Chayanne and others will perform a Miami livestream benefit concert for Venezuela and Colombia earthquake relief. Sports Business: Miami men’s basketball coach Jai Lucas agreed to a five-year contract extension with a pay raise.

Storm Aftermath & Power Cuts: After strong storms moved through the region, thousands were left without electricity and officials reported thousands of outages, with crews working to restore service. Flood Risk: A Flash Flood Warning and Flood Watch were issued as more heavy rain and storms were possible into the morning. Miami-Dade Ballot Fight: Miami-Dade voters will be asked to approve advertising in county-owned parks, a charter amendment that could open the door to new forms of outdoor and digital promotion. Local Government Planning: County leaders debated how much authority to keep at the county level versus letting cities handle day-to-day issues, with critics warning about “big picture” neglect. Arts & History: The Museum of Miami is preparing an exhibit marking the 1926 Miami hurricane, using photos, film, and letters to bring the disaster’s impact to life. Real Estate Watch: A historic Miami-Dade County courthouse is up for auction on GovDeals, drawing heavy interest but no bids yet. Sports (Tampa Bay): The Rays extended their winning streak to eight with a 12-4 win over the Athletics, highlighted by Taylor Walls’ homers from both sides of the plate.

Sports & Health: The Miami Marlins put Kyle Stowers on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain, recalling Graham Pauley as the team keeps chasing a wild-card spot. Local Law & Safety: Miami police arrested a man accused of dumping trash into Biscayne Bay after an Instagram video surfaced showing him throwing waste from a Brickell Key bridge. Politics & Public Health: Florida pediatricians are pushing back hard on President Trump’s vaccine executive order, with the state’s pediatric association saying it won’t recommend changes to the childhood schedule. Tech & Transportation: Gov. DeSantis says Florida will begin testing electric flying taxis at SunTrax in Polk County by the end of 2026, building on autonomous vehicle work already underway. Elections & Civic Life: Early voting is underway ahead of Florida’s primary, with voters also being reminded to pay attention to judicial races. Community & Culture: Inter Miami players say they’re affected by Lionel Messi’s father’s death and sent support to Messi as the club marks the moment.

Marlins vs. Pirates: Miami opens a 3-game series at home Tuesday with Eury Pérez on the mound against Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes, as the Marlins look to bounce back from a rough stretch while the Pirates chase consistency. Alligator attack: A woman in the Silver River near Ocala lost her arm in an alligator attack, and a nearby boater helped intervene as she was rushed for treatment. Miami court case: OnlyFans model Courtney Clenney was sentenced to six years for manslaughter in the 2022 stabbing death of her boyfriend in a Miami condo, with probation terms and mental health evaluations part of the deal. Sports—Rays surge: Tampa Bay rallied with an eight-run eighth to beat the Athletics 10-6, extending its winning streak to seven. Inter Miami update: Lionel Messi is reportedly stepping away on an open-ended leave after his father’s death, with no set return date. Florida politics & sports: Florida AG James Uthmeier warned he’d pursue assault charges against WNBA players over hard fouls after a high-profile incident involving Sophie Cunningham. Local governance & safety: Hialeah’s Bucky Dent Water Park is shut down again days after reopening, after state inspection findings flagged unsafe pH levels and permit issues.

Public Safety: An 18-year-old has been charged with manslaughter after a Florida 4-year-old was fatally shot inside an Orlando apartment. Courts & Crime: Courtney Clenney, the OnlyFans model accused in the 2022 stabbing of her boyfriend in a Miami luxury high-rise, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to six years in prison. Health & Science: FixMold Miami is highlighting new CDC findings that invasive mold disease may be more common and deadlier than previously thought. Transportation: Gov. DeSantis toured Florida’s SunTrax testing grounds in Auburndale, touting electric air taxis and other next-gen tech expected to begin testing statewide by end of 2026. Weather: The NHC is tracking three Atlantic disturbances, with one showing a 60% chance of forming in the coming week. Local Infrastructure: FDOT will replace the Cortez drawbridge with a taller fixed span starting next month, aiming to end traffic backups to Anna Maria Island.

MLB Spotlight: The Tampa Bay Rays keep rolling, sweeping Seattle and now heading into Monday’s 9:40 p.m. matchup at the Athletics after Chandler Simpson’s 4-hit game; Tampa Bay is 71-46 and first in the AL East, with Freddy Peralta vs. Jacob Lopez on the mound. Inter Miami & Messi: Inter Miami honored Lionel Messi after his father’s death, but Messi missed the Leagues Cup loss to Monterrey as Rodrigo De Paul scored early and Diego Rossi later sealed it. Aviation Safety: An Alaska Airlines flight out of Miami (Flight 305) returned to the gate after crew reported threats; deputies investigated and officials later said there was no credible threat. Voting Watch (Miami-Dade): Early voting is lagging, with only 7% of registered voters having cast ballots after the first week. Legal/Policy: A federal court upheld Florida’s ban on children attending drag shows. Wildlife: A nearly 3-meter alligator bit a woman while she swam in Florida’s Silver River.