AGP Executive Report

Public Health: CDC and FDA say a multistate hepatitis A outbreak is linked to imported frozen clams, with 37 cases reported and 30 hospitalizations so far. Courts & Crime: “Looksmaxxing” influencer Braden Peters, known as “Clavicular,” faces Massachusetts charges tied to an alleged drugging-and-rape case involving a 17-year-old at his family’s Cape Cod home. Health Policy: Florida SHOTS provider rules are being revised to require practices to tell parents of patients under 18 how to opt out, with new consent and notification paperwork. Healthcare Workforce: Florida’s Linking Industry to Nursing Education fund approved $6 million to expand nursing capacity and scholarships through university partnerships. Local Government: Jacksonville City Council approved a $2 billion budget, restoring an affordable housing trust fund and fully funding public service grants. Food Safety: Escambia and Santa Rosa restaurant inspections found one temporary closure over raw sewage, plus multiple high-priority violations. Environment & Safety: Sarasota County says Midnight Pass is officially stable after months of monitoring. Business: Swiss dermatology firm Galderma opened a new Miami headquarters for the Americas, expanding staff and operations.

AI Data Centers in the Governor Race: Florida Democrats are pushing back on Byron Donalds’ pro–data center stance, pointing to his past comments about “pristine land” and accusing him of aligning with big AI money. Broward Fire Rescue Control: Broward commissioners voted to bring the fire department back under civilian control after years under the Broward Sheriff’s Office, with Sheriff Gregory Tony calling it a “betrayal.” Sex Assault Charges (Clavicular): “Looksmaxxing” influencer Braden Peters, aka “Clavicular,” faces Massachusetts criminal charges including rape and drugging a 17-year-old, tied to an alleged 2025 Cape Cod incident. Suicide Death in Media: Former Fox Business producer Jennifer Eckhart, 36, died by suicide in Hobe Sound, after her high-profile lawsuit accusing Ed Henry of sexual assault. Child Neglect Sentence: A Cape Coral nurse was sentenced to prison after court findings that she failed to respond when a child’s oxygen levels dropped dangerously low. Local Crime: Riviera Beach police arrested three teens in a planned gun-sale robbery that ended with a 17-year-old girl shot to death. Health & Weather: Seminole County is preparing for a potentially stormier winter tied to El Niño, while Florida continues to grapple with dengue and its first-death updates.

Dengue Surge: Florida health officials confirmed the state’s first dengue death of 2026 as locally acquired cases climb, including 152 cases reported for the week ending Sept. 12, with Hillsborough leading at 134. Public Health Response: Orange County issued a dengue “alert” after new locally acquired cases, and mosquito control teams are spraying and targeting neighborhoods around reported infections. Governor Race—Insurance: Byron Donalds and David Jolly are sharply divided on how to cut homeowners insurance costs, with Jolly backing a state catastrophe fund to move hurricane/wind risk out of private policies. Crime & Courts: A Florida teacher facing charges over a Facebook post about Charlie Kirk got an administrative judge recommendation to drop the case for lack of substantial proof of harm. Local Safety: A Breeze bus crash in Sarasota County injured seven people after the bus hit a vehicle and then the State College of Florida sign. Mental Health & Community: A Suntree Mental Health Fair is set to offer free seminars and resources, aiming to address untreated mental health needs. Health Care Expansion: Orlando Health opened a freestanding 24/7 ER in Lutz, adding exam rooms and imaging/lab services for Pasco County. Personal Tragedy: Former Fox Business producer Jennifer Eckhart, 36, was found dead in Martin County; authorities ruled it a suicide.

Law Enforcement & Crime: An 83-year-old Florida man, Walter Edgerton III, is charged with second-degree murder after allegedly shooting his chronically ill wife in Venice, saying she begged for her pain to stop for 45 minutes. Public Safety & Health: Florida confirmed a dengue death in Hillsborough County, spotlighting higher risk for older adults even as mosquito testing hasn’t found the virus recently. Courts & Justice: Haiti extradited 18 suspects tied to the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse to face trial in Florida, with U.S. officials saying planning and financing involved a wider network. Immigration: A Bahamian man deported five times was convicted of illegal re-entry and faces another deportation after Tallahassee police encountered him during a theft and assault investigation. Local Governance & Surveillance: Florida lawmakers and sheriffs are seeking middle ground on Flock license-plate camera rules as the state moves to limit or shut down the technology. Health Care & Ethics: A Florida nurse accused of posting a TikTok mocking Karoline Leavitt is set for a DOH reprimand and fine recommendation after an administrative law judge’s review. Animal Welfare: A dolphin stranded on a sandbar in Matlacha was rescued and released after a coordinated response.

Haitian Assassination Case: A key suspect in the 2021 killing of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse and 17 Colombian commandos were flown to the U.S., with 18 suspects headed for trial in federal court in Florida. Retail Crime Crackdown: Florida-linked investigators say a Tampa Bay organized retail theft operation recovered about $300,000 in stolen goods and arrested four people tied to multi-store thefts. Public Safety Tech Backlash: Flock Safety is offering buyouts to employees as cities and communities pull back from its license-plate surveillance network amid mounting anger and vandalism. Health Alert: Locally acquired dengue cases in Florida climbed to 152, with Tampa Bay accounting for nearly all infections this year, prompting mosquito-control warnings. Local Crime & Courts: A Deltona man told police he accidentally shot his wife and 4-year-old daughter while clearing a handgun; no charges filed. Transportation: Two people died and two were seriously hurt in a head-on crash in Davenport on U.S. 17-92, according to Florida Highway Patrol. Environment/Innovation: Coconut Creek launched Florida’s first fully electric residential recycling and waste collection fleet.

Public Safety: Sanford police say at least 6 people were shot at a social gathering, with 2 in critical condition; officials called it an isolated incident and no arrests were reported yet. Police Tech & Enforcement: North Miami rolled out a new Mark43 platform to modernize dispatch, records, analytics and mobile operations. School Zone Crackdown: Davenport is launching speed cameras at Horizons Elementary after a study found widespread speeding; after a 30-day warning period, violators face $100 citations. Health Alerts: FDA reports a nationwide recall of thousands of bottles of generic chlorthalidone after failed dissolution testing. Public Health—Mosquitoes: Florida confirmed another dengue death as cases surge, including a Tampa-area death reported by the health department. Immigration Detention Oversight: A DHS inspector general report says “Alligator Alcatraz” detention conditions failed federal standards, including hygiene, medical care and food service. Crime: Central Florida authorities arrested a suspect in a carjacking and wrong-way chase after Flock camera tracking. Sports (Local Interest): Port Orange police are stepping up patrols for pedestrian and bicycle safety as part of a statewide enforcement push.

Death Penalty: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an Oct. 20 execution warrant for William Reaves, convicted in the 1986 killing of Indian River County deputy Richard Raczkowski. Public Safety: Palm City police activity ended after an armed, dangerous person was no longer barricaded following shots fired, with deputies asking residents to avoid the area. Crime & Courts: A Port St. Lucie road-rage shooting suspect was booked into the St. Lucie County jail after being treated for gunshot wounds; police say the dispute escalated into a shooting. Health: Florida confirmed a locally acquired dengue death tied to a Tampa-area case, as the outbreak continues to cluster in Hillsborough County. Elder Abuse Case: Port St. Lucie police arrested a caregiver accused of draining an elderly man’s assets and exploiting him. Child Injury: A 7-year-old suffered severe burns after a “science experiment” with household chemicals went wrong in Deltona. Business/Privacy: Surveillance camera company Flock Safety offered voluntary exit packages to employees amid contract pullbacks and privacy concerns. Sports: Lightning delayed Florida State’s game at Alabama; FSU’s Norvell faces more scrutiny as the rematch continues.

Local Budget Watch: Auburndale approved a $124.5 million budget for FY 2027 and kept its millage rate unchanged at 4.2515, with capital projects like a new fire station driving spending. Economy: Florida’s jobless rate fell to 4.5% in August, down from 4.6% in July, marking the third straight monthly drop. Public Health—Dengue: Florida confirmed its first known dengue death of 2026: an 80-year-old Hillsborough County woman, Gay Small, died Sept. 4 after being hospitalized on her birthday. Public Health—Measles: A measles case was confirmed in Minnesota in an unvaccinated adult, adding to national concern as outbreaks spread. Crime & Courts: A Central Florida man was sentenced to 42 years for the hot-car death of his 18-month-old toddler. Open Government: Hope Florida court records remain hard to access, with advocates saying they’re stuck facing a “black box” in the records fight. Law Enforcement: A hit-and-run suspect was captured after a swamp manhunt in Florida’s Martin/St. Lucie area.

Public Health: Orange County issued a dengue fever alert after two new locally acquired cases were confirmed in Apopka, prompting targeted mosquito control and enhanced surveillance. Water Safety: Boca Raton posted a health alert, no-swim and no-irrigation advisory after a wastewater spill near the Intracoastal Waterway tied to the Camino Real area; officials say drinking water isn’t affected but residents should avoid exposure and wash thoroughly. Crime & Courts: A federal judge kept alive a challenge to DOJ’s “anti-weaponization” fund, while Florida faces a lawsuit alleging mentally ill defendants are kept in county jails far past legal limits. Law Enforcement: FDLE reported a fatal officer-involved shooting in southwest Miami-Dade that locked down a nearby middle school. Justice & Public Safety: Gov. DeSantis signed a death warrant for William Reaves Jr., setting his execution for Oct. 20. Local Policy: Gainesville voted to eliminate roam towing and booting citywide, with a final vote still needed. Space/Rules: A Chinese tourist pleaded guilty to flying a drone in restricted airspace above Kennedy Space Center. Sports: Florida’s Week 3 trip to Auburn headlines the SEC slate, while FSU coaching turmoil continues with reports of Jimbo Fisher interest.

Traffic Fatality: A 17-year-old died after a motorcycle crash on eastbound I-44 in St. Louis County, Missouri, when a driver couldn’t see him in an unlit roadway and struck the overturned bike. Public Health: Florida reported a fourth death this year tied to Vibrio vulnificus, with 21 infections recorded in 2026; officials note the bacteria is often linked to raw or undercooked shellfish and can also enter through open wounds. Crime & Courts: A Lake City woman, Shateria Glenn, was arrested on DUI manslaughter charges after her SUV hit and killed a bicyclist on Tower Road; she also faces allegations involving children in the vehicle. Healthcare Safety: Port St. Lucie police arrested an MRI technician, Gabriel Cruz, accused of sexually assaulting a sedated 64-year-old patient during a scan. Politics/Health Debate: GOP gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds blamed measles outbreaks on immigrants, while pediatricians say declining vaccination rates among Americans are the real driver.

Putnam County Justice: Ramon Gomez-Hernandez, 19, was sentenced to life in prison for a 2023 East Palatka shooting that killed one man and injured others, with investigators finding a ski mask and loaded handgun in his crashed vehicle. Public Health: Florida reported 22 Vibrio vulnificus cases and four deaths this year, and health officials lifted a “no-swim” advisory at Phil Foster Park in Riviera Beach after bacteria levels dropped. Mosquito Season Watch: Dengue cases jumped to 152 statewide (41 new in a week), mostly in Hillsborough, while measles totals rose to 161 with new Collier County cases. Local Disruptions: A North End water main break in Palm Beach could mean road closures near Tangier Avenue and North Lake Way. Animal Cruelty: A woman faces dozens of charges after nearly 40 cats and kittens were found suffering in extreme heat without food or water. Politics & Accountability: Florida’s AG race is heating up around the Hope Florida scandal as Jose Javier Rodríguez calls for a full investigation.

Public Safety & Health: A Florida deputy and K9 Hank were named the 2026 Florida Missing Children’s Day Jimmy Ryce K-9 Trailing Team of the Year after helping recover a missing, endangered teen in Highlands County. Crime & Courts: A Florida woman, Malia Nummerdor, was arrested after police say her husband found surveillance footage allegedly showing her engaging in sexual acts with the family dog. Road Safety: A 68-year-old cyclist died after being hit by an SUV on Tower Road in Gainesville, according to Florida Highway Patrol. Local Tech & Privacy: Collier County began removing 72 license plate readers from state roads after Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered LPR/Flock cameras taken down statewide. Healthcare & Staffing: Florida’s UCF Lake Nona Medical Center construction is moving fast with prefabricated wall panels, aiming to keep the project on schedule. Sports: Lane Kiffin returns to Ole Miss with LSU for a big SEC matchup, while Florida football coverage highlights the science behind the Gators’ physical transformation.

Housing & Cost Pressures: The Federal Reserve’s quarter-point rate hike is expected to further cool South Florida’s condo market and squeeze affordability as mortgage costs rise on top of high insurance and HOA fees. Public Safety: Sarasota police released bodycam from a motel fire where officers ran room-to-room to evacuate guests; one person was taken to the hospital. Crime & Courts: An 18-year-old Gainesville man was arrested on murder and attempted robbery charges tied to a poolside ambush involving a rifle and a botched pistol sale. Health & Jobs: Health First announced layoffs of 214 workers, ending its Hospital at Home program and absorbing other patient programs internally. Environment: Blue-green algae was found in Collier County’s Faka-Union Canal; officials warn residents to avoid contact and don’t rely on boiling to make it safe. Animal Health: A new world screwworm case in Texas has Florida horse and livestock owners on alert. Road Safety: Melbourne police will join a high-visibility enforcement push targeting speeding and dangerous behavior around pedestrians and bicyclists. Cybersecurity: FLHSMV says a driver license breach was enabled by credentials stored on a personal device.

Wildlife Mystery in Cape Coral: Florida wildlife officials found no violations after “fake black cats” appeared in empty lots near burrowing owl habitat, sparking fears of harm to the state-threatened birds; volunteers say the area’s protection effort helped produce a record 7,800 owls in this year’s census. Privacy Fight Over Tech: A Pennsylvania editorial and related debate highlight lawmakers’ push to restrict or ban automated license plate readers and AI camera systems that track vehicles and build databases. Education Under Pressure: Florida professors say they fear being targeted or “canceled” by students and politics after DEI changes, while a separate controversy alleges climate-change textbook publishers are minimizing human-caused warming content for Florida classrooms. Immigration Detention Scrutiny: Florida Democrats demand accountability after a DHS watchdog report described “closet-sized” metal cages at the shuttered “Alligator Alcatraz” facility. Public Safety & Health: Bay County leaders warn property tax Amendment 3 could cut about $36 million in revenue, while Sunshine Behavioral Health expands ABA therapy access across South Florida. Crime Update: A Florida man was extradited to Georgia in a 2016 kidnapping and rape case after a DNA match.

Law Enforcement Funding: Gov. Ron DeSantis announced more than $10 million in recruitment bonuses for 1,506 new Florida law enforcement officers, pushing the program past $83 million since 2022. Public Safety & Voting: First responders packed a Lake Mary meeting to urge voters to reject Amendment 3, warning it could cut property-tax money used for police, fire, and emergency services. Crime & Courts: A Broward man was arrested after allegedly threatening to kill a couple outside a McDonald’s. In another case, a Florida judge denied Trump’s request to pause sanctions tied to a disputed IRS lawsuit. Search & Rescue: The Coast Guard and local agencies are searching for a paddleboarder missing off Jupiter for a second day. Local Police Accountability: Miami-Dade released body-camera footage from a deputy-involved shooting that killed a 17-year-old; FDLE is investigating. Health & Safety: Florida officials confirmed a cyberattack on the DMV, with hackers claiming 200,000 driver records stolen. Public Health: Cancer advocates and physician groups pushed back against Florida’s move to drop vaccine mandates, arguing they protect vulnerable patients.

Immigration Detention Fallout: A federal watchdog report says Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” held detainees in cramped, small metal cages used as “calming areas,” with overcrowding and sanitation concerns raising “significant risks” to health and safety. Public Safety & Crime: Lakeland police arrested a mother after her 3-month-old died from blunt-force trauma, with investigators saying her “accidental sleeping” story didn’t match medical findings. Education & Kids: Miami-Dade authorities charged a former elementary teacher accused of showing pornography to third graders, including images of himself, and of inappropriate touching. Politics & Guns: The NRA endorsed gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds with an “A+” rating as he and David Jolly clash over gun-safety policy. Local Government & Taxes: Amendment 3 is drawing fresh scrutiny for how property tax cuts could reduce funding and services, including in Clearwater’s fire-rescue planning. Health & Crisis Support: Florida received more than $8 million in federal funding to strengthen 988 suicide and crisis services, plus support for emergency-department pain care. FSU Shakeup: Florida State fired athletic director Michael Alford, adding pressure and uncertainty around football coach Mike Norvell’s future.