AGP Executive Report

Alligator Tragedy: A 31-year-old woman, Brittany Clark, died after a deadly alligator attack in Little Big Econ State Forest; wildlife officials trapped two large gators and are analyzing which one was involved. Public Safety Over July 4: Tampa police say they’ll deploy officers on land, water, in the air, and in plain clothes for Liberty by the Bay, urging residents to avoid impaired driving and report suspicious activity. Crime & Courts: Prosecutors in Martin County have been granted access to Tiger Woods’ hospital records tied to his March DUI case, including substance-use and drug-screen information, under a protective order. Local Health Care: Orlando Health and Watson Clinic opened Lakeland Highlands Hospital, expanding inpatient beds and emergency services in Polk County. Water Safety: Sarasota police stopped an 8-year-old riding a personal watercraft alone off Lido Key; Florida law requires operators to be at least 14. Violence in South Florida: A man was shot and killed after a dispute over a Walmart parking spot in North Lauderdale, with the shooter claiming self-defense.

Public Safety & Crime: A Jacksonville dispute turned deadly when a man allegedly opened fire outside a home, killing a 4-year-old and critically injuring her 2-year-old sister and mother; the suspect was arrested after police located the stolen SUV. Domestic Violence Law: New Florida domestic violence and dating violence changes took effect, including tougher penalties for repeat offenders—coming right after the Jacksonville shooting. Alligator Risk: In Central Florida’s Little Big Econ State Forest, 31-year-old Brittany Clark died after an alligator attack while she was swimming; officials say the water was shallow and murky, and a local hiker shared a warning video about how fast gators can disappear. Holiday Fireworks & Fire Danger: With dry conditions and burn bans in play, Southwest Florida residents face patchwork rules for July 4 fireworks, including restrictions even where bans have lifted. State Politics & Security: Gov. Ron DeSantis says Florida will use a new law to designate dozens of alleged terrorist groups, with final approvals still requiring the governor and Cabinet. Higher Education: The UF Board of Trustees tapped Stuart Bell as the university’s new president, ending a long, contentious search. Health Care: HCA named Philip Marchesini as CEO of HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital.

Florida Supreme Court: The court ruled police “knock-and-announce” mistakes won’t automatically sink drug cases, overturning a decades-old rule that let judges throw out seized evidence. New Laws (July 1): More than 120 measures kicked in statewide, including harsher penalties for repeat unlicensed driving under “Isaiah’s Law,” tougher domestic violence and child abuse rules, and expanded authority tied to terrorism designations. Public Safety/Fireworks: Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia warned about Fourth of July fire hazards, while drought burn bans remain in place in Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties (Collier lifted its ban July 1). Crime/Police: A former Florida cop on death row saw his appeal move no further after a court decision tied to how arguments were filed. Local Crime: A 32-year-old Venice man died in a shooting at a south Sarasota apartment complex; police say no ongoing risk. Health/Access: Florida’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program is back to full eligibility after budget restoration. Alligator Alerts: Another deadly alligator attack was reported in the Econlockhatchee River, with wildlife officials capturing and killing gators after the incident.

Alligator Attack Tragedy: Florida wildlife officials identified 31-year-old Brittany Clark as the victim of a fatal Econlockhatchee River attack; multiple reports describe a “death roll” as her boyfriend tried to pull her free, and FWC says two large alligators were captured and killed afterward. Public Safety & Training: Pensacola police completed active-shooter scenario training with a new focus on triage and treating injured victims on scene, led by the University of Miami’s Gordon Center. Holiday Safety: Fort Lauderdale officials staged a fireworks safety demo, warning that consumer fireworks can cause severe burns and recommending professional displays. Local Governance: Voters will decide in November whether to merge the Fort Myers Beach and Iona McGregor fire departments, after DeSantis signed the measure despite a feasibility study finding no strong financial or operational case. Crime & Courts: A College Station woman was arrested in a Florida fraud case tied to an alleged $50,000 wire transfer; and a DeLand man was arrested after allegedly hitting a Daytona Beach fire truck, fleeing, and leading deputies on a chase. Health & Community: Lee Health scheduled a blood drive at the Pine Island Moose Lodge July 25.

Alligator Attack Update: Florida wildlife officials identified the woman killed in the June 28 alligator attack in the Little Big Econ State Forest as 31-year-old Brittany Clark of Orlando; FWC says she was bitten in about 3 feet of water, died from injuries, and two alligators were captured and killed for DNA testing. Public Safety—Heat & Kids: A new hot-car death was reported in Plantation: an 18-month-old boy died June 29, marking the 9th child death in a hot car this year and the third in Florida since March. Local Crime/Investigations: Plantation police are investigating the death of a child found in a black SUV parked outside a preschool; authorities say it appears to involve a parent and child situation, and the investigation is ongoing. Health Policy: A major pediatric Medicaid provider sued Florida’s AHCA over rate changes it says jeopardize care for hundreds of thousands of children. Wildfire Watch: Crews gained ground on Broward’s Atlantic Fire, now about 50% contained after burning more than 5,500 acres. New Laws July 1: About 140 bills signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis take effect July 1, including changes to traffic offender rules and airport naming.

Alligator Attack (Central FL): A 31-year-old woman died after an alligator tore off one of her arms while she was hiking and wading in the Econlockhatchee River near Orlando; officials say two large gators were trapped afterward, and the boyfriend called 911 as she suffered “horrible” injuries. Alligator Surge (Statewide): The fatal attack adds to a week of Central Florida alligator incidents, including a child bitten while fishing and another bite reported days earlier. Public Safety (Drought): Southwest Florida extended “extreme” water shortage rules through Oct. 1 and Manatee County renewed a burn ban, limiting outdoor watering by street-address schedule and banning open burning and personal fireworks. Crime/Justice (Local): Titusville’s police chief was fired after a crash involving a city vehicle and refusing a required drug test; the Florida Highway Patrol is handling the investigation. Health & Care Access: Elevance Health Foundation awarded $5.8 million in behavioral health grants to expand mental health and substance-use services. Budget Watch (Tallahassee): Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Florida’s $117.6 billion budget with major line-item vetoes, including cuts to some Central Florida projects.

Alligator Safety: A 31-year-old Orlando woman died after an alligator attack in the Econlockhatchee River near Oviedo; FWC says she was bitten on both arms while swimming, and two alligators were captured and killed afterward. Public Safety: The weekend also brought more wildlife danger, with officials reporting multiple alligator incidents across Central Florida, including a child bitten while fishing. Local Government & Services: Key Largo Fire-EMS District hired Jeffrey Morse as new fire chief as the district merges the fire department and ambulance corps under one umbrella. Courts & Crime: Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold was granted $1 million bond while facing felony kidnapping and armed robbery charges, with conditions including passport surrender and no contact with co-defendants or witnesses. State Policy: DeSantis signed a budget that includes $2.75 million to rebrand Palm Beach International Airport after Trump. Health & Kids: Acorn Health expanded autism diagnostic evaluations in Tampa and Orlando for children as young as 18 months. Community Aid: South Florida groups and an NFL player joined relief efforts for Venezuela after deadly earthquakes, collecting supplies and sending aid. Space & Tech: Florida’s Space Coast set a record with 109 orbital rocket launches in 2025, and 43 launches have already happened in 2026.

Immigration Enforcement: Florida law enforcement joined a wider illegal immigration operation on state highways, as Mississippi’s new law would let the state compile identities of “illegal immigrants,” alarming advocates. Cybercrime & Fraud: A 79-year-old Manatee County woman lost more than $200,000 to scammers—then helped trigger an undercover sting that netted a ring tied to millions from elderly victims. Public Safety—Alligators: A 31-year-old woman died after an alligator attack while swimming in Seminole County; two other Central Florida incidents involved a child bitten while fishing and another bite reported in the region. Local Leadership: Jacksonville swore in Deputy Police Chief Ashley Weaver as interim chief after Jarad Phelps resigned for Boca Raton. Disaster Response—Venezuela: South Florida firefighters deployed to Venezuela with FEMA Urban Search and Rescue as the quake death toll climbed to about 1,450. Health & Preparedness: DeSoto County opened registration for the Florida Special Needs Shelter Registry ahead of hurricane season. Crime & Courts: Two Argentinian YouTubers face felony charges in South Florida after allegedly sneaking past World Cup stadium security. Fire Risk: Broward crews battled a fast-growing brush fire near the Sawgrass Expressway, while other wildfires continued to burn in the region.

Alligator Safety: FWC says a juvenile was bitten Saturday at Nelson’s Fish Camp in Umatilla by an 8’7” alligator; the animal was killed and the teen was taken to the hospital. It’s the second Central Florida alligator bite in a week, after a snorkeler was bitten at Rainbow Springs. Fatal Crash: Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a Port St. Lucie driveway incident where a SUV rolled backward, knocking down a 78-year-old woman who later died at a hospital. Firefighters in Action: Jupiter and Palm Beach County firefighters joined a FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force deployment to Venezuela for earthquake search-and-rescue, with crews expected to stay at least two weeks. Public Safety—Hit-and-Run: FHP is asking for help identifying a driver in a fatal hit-and-run on U.S. 27 in Hendry County. Wildfire Tragedy (National): Three firefighters died and two were injured battling Colorado-Utah border wildfires. Local Justice: A federal jury in Fort Lauderdale convicted Willie James Skipper Jr. after prosecutors said he set a vehicle on fire loaded with fentanyl disguised as oxycodone, crack, cash, and a firearm.

Wildfire Watch: Utah’s massive Cottonwood Fire kept surging through rugged terrain, damaging an Eagle Point ski resort and forcing closures as crews battled extreme fire weather. Local Safety & Emergencies: A teen drowned in Florida City while another teen was airlifted in critical condition; in Sarasota County, a 100-acre brush fire in the T. Mabry Carlton reserve was reported 10% contained. Public Health & Crime: Florida’s AG stayed out of major utility rate fights as bills jumped sharply, while a new Florida healthcare fraud crackdown targeted billions in alleged schemes. Fire/Rescue Deployments: Palm Beach County firefighters joined Florida Task Force 2 heading to Venezuela after earthquakes. Courts & Corrections: A man convicted of killing his girlfriend’s infant is set for execution Tuesday, Florida’s eighth this year. Water Rules: Punta Gorda residents must keep conserving water under extended Phase III restrictions through Oct. 1, 2026. Road & Pedestrian Risk: Sarasota-Bradenton ranked among the most dangerous metros for pedestrians, with officials pointing to infrastructure and driver attention.

Wildfire & Fire Safety: Utah’s Cottonwood Fire surged overnight, with gusts around 45 mph and evacuations expanding; officials warned extreme fire behavior could return as conditions only slightly improve. Marine Incident: A missing diver’s body was recovered off Fort Pierce Inlet after a Coast Guard-led search joined by civilian boaters. Child Safety & Crime: A St. Augustine Instacart delivery video shows a mother allegedly slapping her 6-year-old son for struggling with heavy groceries; deputies say she’s been arrested. Sex Abuse Sentencing: Punta Gorda teacher Dagoberto Miguel Pena was sentenced to 26 years in state prison and designated a sexual predator after lewd acts involving a child; he already faces a 60-year federal sentence. Public Health: A pasta salad recall covering Florida and six other states warns of undeclared allergens that could cause serious health effects. Healthcare Fraud: DOJ actions tied to a massive Medicare fraud crackdown include Florida cases involving stolen Medicare beneficiary data and telehealth billing for visits that never happened. Local Emergencies/Traffic: A wrong-way crash on I-295 near Baymeadows killed a 31-year-old man; northbound I-75 in Pasco County was also shut down after a crash. Hurricane Readiness: North Port is ramping up for the 2026 season and urging residents not to get complacent. Community/Health Care: FIU Medicine received a $1 million gift to expand a neighborhood-based medical education and care program.

Fireworks & Wildfire Risk: Florida will not impose a statewide fireworks ban for July 4, but Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson is urging “responsible” use as drought-linked danger persists; the state says 2,440 wildfires have burned 176,028 acres this year, and several counties still have burn bans. Local Fire Response: In North Port’s Orange Hammock Wildlife Management Area, lightning-sparked blazes have grown to more than 1,000 acres, stretching firefighting resources across multiple agencies. Public Safety Reminders: Officials reiterate that only certain consumer fireworks are generally legal, and local burn rules can still make fireworks illegal in specific counties. Tribute to a First Responder: Charlotte County released the procession route for the funeral of Firefighter/Paramedic Jan A. “Jay” Sanders Jr., who died after a battle with occupational cancer. Crime & Courts: A St. Augustine Instacart delivery woman pleaded guilty to child abuse after viral Ring footage allegedly showed her slapping her crying 6-year-old son. Law Enforcement: Florida Highway Patrol reported an officer injured in a Hudson crash after a driver rear-ended a stopped trooper at a red light.

Tech & Kids Privacy: Florida and Roku settled a lawsuit over alleged sale of children’s data; Roku will add stronger child-protection features and parental controls, at an estimated $25 million cost, rolling out over about a year. Immigration & Public Safety: DHS says ICE filed detainers in two separate cases in Florida—one involving a man accused of raping a woman in Miami and another accused of murdering a stepfather in Miramar—urging Florida not to release the suspects. Capital Punishment: Florida executed 74-year-old Dusty Ray Spencer for the 1992 murder of his wife, making him the oldest person put to death in the state’s modern history. Local Government & Taxes: North Port Fire Chief Scott Titus warned that a proposed homestead property tax cut could gut public safety funding; Monroe County is also weighing service cuts or new revenue as the ballot measure heads toward a 60% vote threshold. Wildfire & Fire Safety: Lightning-sparked brush fires kept crews busy in the Myakka State Forest area, while drought conditions mean burn bans and fireworks restrictions remain in parts of Southwest Florida. Crime & Courts: A Gainesville man was indicted on federal hate crime and firearm charges tied to an alleged attempted mass shooting targeting Jewish victims. Health & Environment: DOH-Lee lifted a water quality advisory for the Sanibel Causeway after bacteria levels dropped. E-bikes: Gov. DeSantis vetoed an e-bike safety bill that would have set speed limits near pedestrians.

Wildfire Aftermath: Miami-Dade Fire Rescue says its crews have cleared the front lines of West Miami-Dade wildfires, with the Florida Forest Service now monitoring end-of-blaze conditions after nearly 30,000 acres burned. Public Safety & Fire Restrictions: Collier County keeps its Fourth of July home-fireworks ban in place due to drought and sporadic brush fires, with fines up to $15,000 for violations. Health & Care Fraud: Osceola County court filings allege a couple ran unlicensed assisted living facilities, with claims including withheld medication, abuse, dehydration, malnutrition, and stolen EBT cards. Animal Welfare: Florida rescuers treated an abandoned, parasite-heavy 2-month-old panther cub after it was left behind by its mother. Crime & Courts: NFL cornerback Terrion Arnold appeared in Tampa and was ordered held without bail as prosecutors seek to keep him jailed in a kidnapping/armed robbery case. Corrections: Florida executed 74-year-old Dusty Ray Spencer for the 1992 murder of his wife, making him the oldest inmate put to death in the state’s modern history. Food Recall: Morrisons recalled Coronation Chicken Pasta due to possible undeclared milk ingredients for people with milk allergies.

Immigration Enforcement: Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the permanent shutdown of the Everglades detention site “Alligator Alcatraz,” saying it now has zero detainees and that the mission is complete after processing and staging more than 21,000 people for deportation. Humanitarian Response: South Florida leaders are mobilizing aid for Venezuela after back-to-back quakes killed at least 164 and injured nearly 1,000, with Doral partnering with Global Empowerment Mission to send relief supplies. Public Safety & Crime: Tampa police charged Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold with kidnapping and armed robbery, alleging he helped orchestrate a gunpoint attack on three people; he’s held without bond. Health & Justice: Tampa Police say they arrested Brian Schaaf on more than 100 felony counts tied to alleged AI-generated child pornography. Local Governance: St. Petersburg reported record housing growth but also a sharp rise in homes bought by LLCs after 2024 storms, raising displacement concerns. Politics: James Fishback named Sean Lozano as his running mate for Florida governor.

Public Safety Tech: Orlando Police rolled out a drone-as-first-responder program, launching from docking stations to send live video and help crews judge 911 calls faster. Major Crime: Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold turned himself in and faces felony kidnapping and armed robbery charges tied to a February Tampa case, with prosecutors saying the allegations could carry up to life in prison. Health & Fraud: The DOJ announced hundreds of charges in a multibillion-dollar healthcare fraud crackdown, including a Florida doctor accused of unnecessary cardiovascular screening tests for college athletes. Consumer/Youth Protection: YouTube settled a Florida teenager’s social media addiction lawsuit, while Florida’s AG continues pushing child-safety claims tied to online platforms. Environment & Water: Some Florida counties are moving to ban AI data centers over water concerns, as El Niño forecasts point to a “buggier” summer with more mosquitoes and other pests. Local Government: Gov. DeSantis signed legislation tightening rules around local property tax increases and accountability.