AGP Executive Report

Tallahassee Politics & Community: Rev. Jesse Jackson is set to be honored with a renamed street in the Capital City, with a ceremony Tuesday at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. Housing Costs: A new push against Florida’s Amendment 3 warns the tax break could shift burdens onto renters, with a judge already forcing rewrites to better spell out impacts. Back-to-School Health: Tallahassee’s Packs 4 Success returns Saturday with free backpacks, supplies, haircuts, and heart screenings for students ages 10–25. Miami Public Safety: Police say a man followed a woman to work, then allegedly attacked her with a boulder and repeatedly struck her in the face with her umbrella; he’s charged and held on bond. Miami-Dade Education: Superintendent Jose Dotres delivered his final “opening of schools” address as more than 313,000 students head back for the 2026-2027 year. Local Economy & Culture: Whataburger officially reopens in Orlando, drawing overnight lines for the grand opening. Sports: The Miami Dolphins’ new defensive focus is physicality, with coach Jeff Hafley emphasizing cornerbacks shedding blocks.

Inter Miami Soccer: Lionel Messi returned to the pitch with a Leagues Cup statement, scoring twice to take over the tournament scoring lead as Inter Miami beat Atletico San Luis 4-2 in a rain-delayed match. Sports (Local): The Atlanta Braves completed a three-game sweep of the Miami Marlins, winning 11-3 behind Ronald Acuña Jr.’s two homers and Matt Olson’s blast. Public Safety (Miami-Dade): A 74-year-old woman remains on life support after a hit-and-run; DHS says ICE asked Miami-Dade not to release the charged suspect. Courts & Crime (Orlando): A Florida man was arrested in the death of his 71-year-old father-in-law, with authorities saying remains were found in three suitcases. State Politics: Gov. Ron DeSantis says he’s withholding endorsements in Florida’s GOP governor race as the primary nears. Education Policy (Head Start): The Trump administration proposes overhauling Head Start rules, pushing more local control and drawing backlash from advocates. Religion (Orlando): Pope Leo XIV will send a video message to a major Catholic women religious assembly in Orlando marking 70 years. Health & Tech: OpenEvidence and OneOncology announced a partnership to embed clinical evidence tools into oncology workflows. Entertainment/Internet: TikTok creator Sydney Towle, who documented a rare stage 4 cancer battle, died at 26.

Tallahassee Road Safety: Hazardous tree removal is triggering Friday closures at two major Tallahassee intersections, including Miccosukee Road and Dempsey Mayo Road. Child Safety & Courts: A Florida couple faces felony charges after a 5-year-old was brought to a Homestead hospital with extensive injuries. Tallahassee Crime Crackdown: Police arrested three people, including a 16-year-old, tied to a month-long smash-and-grab burglary spree targeting local smoke shops. Miami-Dade Mental Health Update: Perez Hilton’s family says he is able to communicate after a hospitalization tied to a livestream self-harm incident. Hate Crime in North Miami Beach: A Jewish teen was attacked at a Starbucks with a phone and a metal chair; police say the suspect faces multiple charges. School Meals in South Dade: Miami-Dade shifts from universal free meals to a school-by-school system for 2026–27, with CEP schools keeping free breakfast and lunch. Sports & Local Pride: USF will headline a new A-10/American Showcase on ESPN, while the Rays’ Victor Mesa Jr. is making an impact in Tampa Bay. Housing Innovation: St. Petersburg broke ground on its first 3D-printed home as part of an affordable housing push. Invasive Species: Florida’s 2026 Python Challenge removed 280 invasive Burmese pythons, with a $10,000 grand prize winner taking out 96.

Inter Miami Soccer: Lionel Messi returned to the field with a bang, scoring twice to become the Leagues Cup’s all-time leading scorer as Miami rallied past Atlético San Luis 4-2 in a rainy match at Nu Stadium. School Safety Tech: Broward County could soon deploy anti-shooter drones in schools, but officials say the pepper-spray capability is still being planned and not yet authorized. Healthcare Rankings: UF Health Shands and UF Health Jacksonville landed among Florida’s top hospitals in the latest U.S. News rankings, with Shands earning national specialty honors. Local Education Gains: Hillsborough schools highlighted strong state grades and fewer teacher openings as the new school year begins. Public Safety—Tampa Casino Robberies: Separate investigations are underway after alleged robberies targeting people leaving Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Tampa. Community & Jobs: A Florida nonprofit program is helping disabled adults build job skills as repair technicians, aiming for real employment pathways. Sports Calendar: MLB’s Miami Marlins head to Atlanta to face the Braves on Aug. 6.

Drag-show court fight: A federal appeals court upheld Florida’s ban on children attending “sexually explicit” drag performances, clearing the way for enforcement after earlier rulings blocked it—another legal win for Gov. Ron DeSantis. Politics in Tallahassee: Florida Democrats are set to decide how the party leans in key Senate primaries, with analysts watching whether Rep. Angie Nixon or retired Lt. Col. Alex Vindman sets the tone. Perez Hilton crisis in Miami-Dade: Newly released 911 dispatch audio says authorities responded for hours after reports of a possible suicide attempt tied to Hilton’s TikTok livestream; he was taken to a local hospital and is receiving medical care. Public safety and accountability: Florida AG James Uthmeier is pushing to make poaching a felony, with harsher penalties for offenses near homes or people and repeat offenders. Local housing: Miami Gardens broke ground on Serenity Gardens, a 153-unit affordable senior community for adults 62+ designed for aging in place. Sports business: UCF is seeking up to $119M in Tourist Development Tax funding for major athletics upgrades, including broadcast infrastructure.

Mental Health & Public Safety: Miami-Dade deputies responded to reports that celebrity blogger Perez Hilton livestreamed apparent self-harm on TikTok. Authorities said they spoke with family at his home, “tactically disengaged” to de-escalate, and later Hilton was “safely recovered” and taken by Fire Rescue to a local hospital with mental health professionals supporting his family; his TikTok account was suspended. Local Transit: Miami-Dade’s South Dade Transitway is still being adjusted months after electric buses began running, with advocates warning service changes could affect riders. Community & Culture: A West Grove reunion in Elizabeth Virrick Park drew residents and former residents celebrating a historically Black neighborhood facing pressure from gentrification. Food & Business: Miami Spice turns 25, but coverage notes few Black-owned restaurants are participating despite the program’s growth. Sports (South Florida): Dolphins padded practices continue as roster battles heat up, while Inter Miami prepares for Leagues Cup action at Nu Stadium. Tampa Bay Sports: The Rays’ Liam Hicks debuted with a grand slam in a win over the Rockies.

Dolphins Front-Office Shakeup: Tom Garfinkel is stepping down as Miami Dolphins president/CEO after 13 years, while Daniel Sillman takes over as CEO of the newly combined Ross Sports & Entertainment, with Garfinkel staying vice chairman and overseeing other roles. Property Tax Fight in Tallahassee: A Leon Circuit judge ordered Florida to rewrite the ballot language for the property tax amendment, saying the current wording is misleading and deprives voters of a meaningful choice. Court Ruling on Drag Shows: An 11th Circuit appeals court sided with Florida, lifting a block on the state’s law restricting children from “sexually explicit” drag shows. School Safety Tech: Florida is rolling out drones inside schools as a first-line defense in active-shooter situations, with deployments underway at high schools in Leon, Volusia and Broward. Education Standards: Cursive writing is back in Florida classrooms next week, with grades 3–5 required to master legible cursive by 5th grade. Public Safety & Crime: A pastor in Polk County faces charges for allegedly sexually abusing a 14-year-old and exposing him to HIV; in North Miami, a teen accused a man of sexual abuse after a marijuana lure and alleged recording. Business & Growth: Publix and Aldi are opening new Florida stores in August, and Walmart is expanding Wing drone delivery in Central Florida. Sports & Culture: Aspen Ladd makes her BKB debut in Miami on Aug. 29; Nu Stadium adds Miami Slice and La Birra Bar to matchday food.

Inter Miami & MLS: ESPN reports Inter Miami has not contacted Kevin De Bruyne and won’t pursue him right now, choosing instead to focus on the current roster as the club pushes through Leagues Cup and MLS; Miami sits second in the East after a 2-2 draw with Columbus and has added Casemiro and loan defender Frício Caicedo. Miami Hurricanes Football: Mario Cristobal is reportedly set for a long-term contract extension with the Hurricanes, keeping him in place after a 13-win season and a CFP title game run. South Florida Weather: Storms across Broward and Miami-Dade left flooding in Hollywood and downed trees and property damage in Miami Gardens, with residents cleaning up after strong winds. Public Safety/Local Life: Miami-Dade opened a Global Entry Enrollment Center in Tampa for faster in-person interviews; separate reports also highlight dengue alerts in Palm Beach and Miami-Dade. Sports (Tampa Bay): The Rays kept rolling after a busy deadline, beating Colorado 13-9 with Junior Caminero’s two homers and adding catcher Liam Hicks and reliever Tyler Wells. Politics (Florida Cabinet Primaries): Florida’s Cabinet primaries are moving toward incumbents, with CFO Blaise Ingoglia and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson leading in their GOP races.

Traffic & Infrastructure: Tampa is shifting the I-275 Airport Exit ramp—starting Monday, Aug. 10 at 10 p.m., the Exit 39 ramp to S.R. 60 West, S.R. 589 North and Tampa International Airport moves about half a mile north. Accessibility in State Parks: The Florida State Parks Foundation is funding new EcoRover track chairs for four parks—Delnor-Wiggins Pass, Hugh Taylor Birch, St. Andrews, and T.H. Stone—via a $100,000 grant. Local Government Scrutiny: Cape Coral has turned over hundreds of records to Florida DOGE for review of spending, contracts, staffing, and technology purchases from 2024–2026. Elections & Uncertainty: Early voting is underway in multiple counties, but Florida’s election outcomes remain hard to forecast as vote-by-mail returns climb and polling gets more partisan. Public Safety & Taxes: Florida sheriffs and firefighters groups are warning voters about Amendment 3, arguing higher homestead exemptions could squeeze local public safety budgets. Miami-Dade Crash Investigation: New surveillance video shows a hit-and-run that left a 74-year-old woman critically injured near SW 153rd Ave. and Lincoln Drive; detectives say the suspect was arrested after fleeing. Sports (South Florida): Inter Miami is dismissing reports about Kevin De Bruyne talks, saying the club never contacted him and will focus on the current squad; meanwhile, the Marlins agreed to trade Liam Hicks to the Rays for three prospects.

Local Justice & Courts: Florida’s Supreme Court disciplined 10 attorneys, disbarring four and suspending five, including cases tied to unlicensed practice and missed required filings. Public Safety: A Central Florida man was sentenced to 20 years after shooting his “uncle” during an argument over keeping a gun around kids. Tallahassee & Community: Compost Community in Tallahassee faces a major setback after its only work truck was totaled, threatening weekly compost pickups until help comes in. Sports (Miami): Lionel Messi returned for Inter Miami, coming off the bench in a 2-2 draw with Columbus Crew; Suarez scored early, but Columbus leveled late on a Brais Mendez free kick. Sports (Tampa Bay): The Tampa Bay Rays face the Rockies Monday night, while the White Sox beat the Rays 9-1 to take the series. Health & Veterans: Orlando VA earned a CMS 5-Star rating for the third straight year, highlighting top performance for veteran care. Housing (Tampa): Urban ReWorx is pushing affordable housing along Tampa’s Nebraska Avenue corridor, aiming to revitalize without displacing longtime residents.

MLB Deadline Moves: The New York Mets agreed to trade right-hander Freddy Peralta to the Tampa Bay Rays for three prospects—Aidan Smith, Emilien Pitre, and Gary Gill Hill—giving the Rays a veteran boost as they chase the AL East. MLS Spotlight: Lionel Messi returned for Inter Miami on Saturday, coming off the bench in the 53rd minute and helping spark a 2-2 draw with the Columbus Crew, after Casemiro’s own goal and a late free kick. NFL Training Camp: Miami Dolphins fans packed the stands for the first open practice under Jeff Hafley, with Malik Willis and De’Von Achane turning in strong moments as rookies like Chris Johnson and Jacob Rodriguez stood out. Public Health Watch: Florida reported 17 leprosy cases in 2026 so far, with many concentrated in central counties along the I-4 corridor. Wildlife Control: Florida biologists removed a record 8,080 pounds of invasive Burmese pythons in six months by tracking breeding males with radio implants. Education & Community: Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Bend hosted an agriculture workshop for students, including hands-on growing activities and seed take-home kits.

MLS Spotlight: Lionel Messi returned to Inter Miami after the World Cup, coming on in the 53rd minute, but the defending champions settled for a 2-2 draw with Columbus Crew at Nu Stadium. Match Recap: Luis Suárez scored early (16th) and Noah Allen added a first-half header, yet Columbus leveled via an own goal by Casemiro (34th) and a late free-kick equalizer from Brais Méndez (84th). Local Sports: In Tampa, the Rays shut out the White Sox 1-0 as Drew Rasmussen struck out 10 over six innings, with Nick Fortes driving in the only run. Public Safety: A Sarasota man, Brayton Laschinger, was arrested after throwing a brick through the window of the Chabad of Downtown SRQ, with police calling it a hate crime. Community & Learning: Bubbles for Vets launched a Discover Scuba STEM Experience in the Tampa Bay area, offering 30 scholarships for kids ages 8-15 to learn marine science with scuba gear. Weather Disruptions: Storms across the Miami Valley left thousands without power and caused road closures due to high water.

Traffic & Safety: A Leesburg man was killed and a Miami man seriously injured Friday night when a Chevy hit them as they tried to cross SR-574 near Tampa, according to Florida Highway Patrol. Environment: Miami-Dade says its recycling contamination rate fell to 36.5%, the lowest in years, after education, expanded options, and enforcement. Elections: Early voting for Miami-Dade’s Aug. 18 primary starts Monday, Aug. 3, with 23 sites and different daily hours. Health & Community: Miami Gardens hosted a “Get Moving” wellness event with free groceries and screenings for diabetes and heart disease, plus a walking audit for safer streets. Education Support: Unity on the Bay’s backpack drive in Miami Gardens handed out supplies and backpacks to thousands of local students. Sports (Inter Miami): Lionel Messi returned to Inter Miami training after the World Cup, but his match status vs. Columbus remains undecided. Public Safety (Weather): A flash flood warning was issued for parts of North Florida counties including Gadsden, Decatur, Grady, and Seminole.

Inter Miami & MLS Spotlight: Casemiro says Lionel Messi is “the God of football” as the superstar returns to training ahead of Saturday’s home match vs Columbus Crew, though his start time remains uncertain after World Cup final heartbreak. Miami Recruiting Boom: A’mir Sears, a top Florida five-star prospect who reclassified to the 2027 class, committed to the Hurricanes, giving Miami a historic run of elite recruits. South Florida Weather & Drought: Despite weekend showers and storms, Florida’s drought remains widespread—97% of the state still under drought conditions, with major rainfall deficits year-to-date. Public Safety & Crime: FDLE arrested a Virginia woman accused of making threats to Florida officials, and in Tampa a driver accused of fleeing a fatal crash that killed an 82-year-old pedestrian has been taken into custody. Real Estate: MIAMI REALTORS + RWorld completed a merger with Martin County REALTORS, expanding a five-county MLS footprint for about 94,000 members. Sports (Tampa Bay): The Rays opened a series with a 6-1 loss to the White Sox, while Miami’s Marlins beat the Mets 5-2.

Inter Miami & Messi: Club boss Guillermo Hoyos says he’ll sit down with Lionel Messi to set his return date after the World Cup, with Inter Miami set to host the Columbus Crew next. Tampa Bay Rays: Left-hander Shane McClanahan was placed on the 15-day injured list with tightness in his left mid-back, and Alex Cook was recalled. Miami-Dade Health: Miami-Dade County will offer free back-to-school vaccines at 11 clinics on Aug. 8, with parents required to bring immunization records. Public Safety (Florida politics): Lt. Gov. Jay Collins unveiled a “Florida Internal Shield” 12-point plan focused on intelligence sharing, anti-trafficking efforts, cybersecurity, and limits on H-1B use in state government. FSU Real Estate: An iconic FSU fraternity house on College Avenue sold at auction for $5 million to the FSU Board of Trustees. Sports (NFL): Dolphins rookie Kadyn Proctor is learning at guard early in camp, while Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield contract comments are stirring frustration in the Bucs’ camp. Crime & Courts: Two Las Vegas women were arrested in a meth trafficking case tied to USPS shipments into Miami-Dade. Weather/Travel: Central Florida starts August with unsettled conditions as showers and storms roll through.

Inter Miami Soccer: Brazilian star Casemiro was unveiled in Miami and said he joined to play with “the god of football” Lionel Messi, while Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas defended the signing amid an MLS investigation. Local Public Safety: A driver in Hillsborough County turned herself in after a deadly hit-and-run that killed an 82-year-old man; deputies say the crash happened at Bruce B. Downs Blvd and N. 43rd St. Politics & Voters: Campaign text messages and mobile polling requests are flooding phones ahead of primaries, with experts warning the tactics can feel invasive even when they’re legal. Sports (MLB): The Mets host the Marlins as Miami tries to end a seven-game road skid; Luis Robert Jr. helped New York beat Miami 4-2 in the opener. Community & Education: Hillsborough County School Board leaders may revisit a leggings dress-code policy after pushback from parents and students. Immigration Update: Haiti’s consulate is urging Haitians in the U.S. to get passports as TPS winds down, citing identity needs for people in ICE custody.