AGP Executive Report

State Oversight: Two immigration detainees were mistakenly released from Florida’s Deportation Depot in Baker County over the weekend, then returned to custody. The state is reviewing how the error happened. Property Taxes: Amendment 3 would sharply increase homeowners’ homestead exemptions, but a new poll found support at 53%—below the 60% needed to pass. Local officials warn the tax cut could squeeze funding for services, including public safety. Public Health: A dengue outbreak in Hillsborough County has prompted mosquito spraying beyond the county as health agencies respond to rising cases. Animal Welfare: Miami-Dade County seized more than 3,700 animals, including over 3,000 game fowl, in what officials call the largest animal-cruelty case in the department’s history. Courts: The Florida Supreme Court overturned a man’s murder conviction and death sentence, ruling prosecutors withheld DNA records that could have helped his defense.

Property Taxes: Florida Amendment 3 would sharply expand the homestead exemption, but firefighters warn local governments could lose funding for stations, equipment and public safety. Housing and Conservation: Miami-Dade school board members advanced a proposal to seek bids for 150 workforce homes on rare pine rockland, while promising further environmental and financial reviews. Hurricane Recovery: Isaias has been linked to six Florida deaths; power is largely restored, but Panhandle communities face months of cleanup and steep recovery costs. Public Health: Hillsborough County’s dengue outbreak has prompted mosquito-spraying help from counties statewide, with cases reported across most of the county’s ZIP codes. Election Watch: More than 500,000 Floridians have already cast ballots ahead of the Nov. 3 election; early voting in South Florida begins Oct. 19.

Missing Child Alert: FDLE is searching for 11-year-old Jacob Bowling, last seen near East Osceola Road in Seminole County. Anyone with information should call the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office at 407-665-6650 or 911. Hurricane Recovery: Isaias has been linked to six deaths in Florida. Power is back for 95% of affected customers, while supply sites remain open across the Panhandle. Property Tax Debate: Florida counties warn Amendment 3 could sharply reduce local revenue, forcing cuts or higher fees for services including roads, libraries and public safety. Voters decide Nov. 3. Medicare Changes: Open enrollment begins Oct. 15, as Florida loses 51 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027. Seniors should check whether their plan and doctors will remain covered before choosing a policy.

Hurricane Recovery: Florida’s Isaias death toll has risen to six. Gov. Ron DeSantis says utilities have restored power to nearly 95% of affected customers, but some Vernon residents remain without electricity as crews clear debris and damaged lines. Missing Child Alert: Authorities are searching for 11-year-old Jacob Bowling, last seen in Geneva, Seminole County. Anyone with information is urged to call the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office at 407-665-6650 or 911. Broward County Dispute: Commissioners voted to pursue legal action to inspect county-owned sheriff’s facilities, escalating a fight over access, spending and the sheriff’s budget. School Changes: Pinellas County’s school board approved a controversial plan to consolidate Tarpon Springs schools, including creating two K-8 campuses, after a lengthy debate and public criticism. Property Tax Debate: Floridians are weighing Amendment 3, which would expand the homestead exemption. Critics warn the resulting revenue losses could squeeze local services, including libraries and public safety.

Storm Recovery: Hurricane Isaias left about 122,000 Florida customers without power, while cleanup crews clear debris and restore roads across the Panhandle. Public Safety: Florida authorities charged 25 people in a mult county drug trafficking investigation, seizing cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine and firearms. In Brevard County, a wrong-way crash on I-95 killed deputy Kevin Morris and the other driver. Death Penalty: Florida executed James Robertson, its 17th execution this year, amid scrutiny following a botched execution attempt in Tennessee. Orange County: Commissioners approved more than $109 million for Lynx, funding expanded bus service and safety measures; health officials also reported two new dengue cases, bringing the county’s total to five. Local Decisions: Holmes County commissioners reviewed broad proposed changes to land development rules, including new zoning districts and stormwater requirements. Florida Politics: Candidates are making congressional stock trading a campaign issue, while gubernatorial hopeful David Jolly told a FAMU audience he would seek ways to protect local DEI programs despite state restrictions.

Courts: Florida clerks warn that requiring 12-member juries in noncapital cases could double jury-management costs and force courthouse renovations as the U.S. Supreme Court considers the issue. School Contracts: Attorney General James Uthmeier plans to investigate Broward schools’ multimillion-dollar technology deals after a watchdog flagged alleged bid steering and falsified paperwork. Brevard County: Deputy Kevin Morris is being remembered as a husband, father, pastor and coach after he and a wrong-way driver were killed in a crash on I-95. Storm Recovery: More than 122,000 Florida customers remained without power Monday after Hurricane Isaias, which killed four people in Florida and Alabama; officials say restoration is advancing across the Panhandle. Public Health: Orange County confirmed two more locally acquired dengue cases, bringing its total to five as Florida’s tally nears 300. Election Watch: Florida voters must renew vote-by-mail requests each election cycle; old requests may have expired. In Gadsden County, officials warn Amendment 3 could cut annual revenue by $6 million and put local services at risk.

Hurricane Recovery: Isaias left more than 149,000 Florida homes and businesses without power Monday, with Escambia and Santa Rosa counties hardest hit. Recovery crews and National Guard teams are clearing roads and restoring service; four deaths have been reported across Florida and Alabama. Health Care: About 50,000 Southwest Florida patients could lose in-network access to Lee Health doctors and hospitals on Jan. 1 if Lee Health and UnitedHealthcare fail to reach a deal. Patients with chronic conditions say switching providers or facing higher bills could put their care at risk. Public Safety: A 19-year-old Zephyrhills driver faces felony charges after a pursuit near Tampa reached speeds above 130 mph, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Community: Registration is open for the Southwest Florida Ag Expo’s free Creative Living Competition, welcoming youth and adults from six area counties through Jan. 18.

Hurricane Recovery: The Florida Panhandle is clearing debris and restoring power after Hurricane Isaias killed at least four people and left hundreds of thousands without electricity. Santa Rosa County says it took some of the storm’s hardest hit; debris pickup is set to begin Wednesday, and Florida has activated $10 million in zero-interest emergency loans for small businesses. Brevard County: Homicide Agent Kevin Morris, 55, was killed on duty Saturday when a wrong-way driver struck his patrol SUV on I-95 near Titusville. The driver also died, and the Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. Treasure Coast Weather: Heavy rain prompted flood advisories for parts of Martin and St. Lucie counties, with flooding possible in low-lying areas and streets.

Hurricane Recovery: Isaias left nearly 400,000 customers in Florida and Alabama without power Sunday after making landfall near Destin as a Category 2 storm. At least four people died, including two in Florida; crews are clearing roads and restoring electricity, while officials warn residents to use generators safely. Brevard Tragedy: A sheriff’s agent and another person were killed in a wrong-way crash on I-95 as the agent responded to a deputy-involved shooting in Mims. Dengue Alert: Florida has reported 252 locally acquired cases, including 223 in Hillsborough County, as health officials urge mosquito-control and prevention efforts. School Vaccines: Doctors warn a proposal to drop four vaccine requirements for child care and school could raise infection risks; public comments are due Oct. 19. Voting Access: Pasco County voters were shut out of two November contests after write-in candidates kept primaries closed, then withdrew. Miami-Dade Permits: The county canceled 6,036 disabled parking permits after auditing more than 129,000 records and launched an online system to strengthen verification.

Hurricane Recovery: Isaias made landfall near Destin as a Category 2 storm, leaving at least four people dead in Florida and Alabama and more than 420,000 Florida utility customers without power. The state activated thousands of Guard members and recovery workers; crews are clearing debris and restoring service, but officials warn residents not to run generators indoors. Dengue Watch: Florida reported 44 new locally acquired cases, bringing its 2026 total to 296. Broward County is now the eighth county with local transmission, as mosquito advisories expand. Brevard Tragedy: A 5-year-old boy died after a classroom display board fell on him at a Palm Bay elementary school. His family is questioning whether the screen was secured and whether he was adequately supervised. Indian River Transit: Fare-free GoLine won a national award for outstanding public transportation systems serving fewer than 3 million annual trips.

Hurricane Recovery: Isaias came ashore near Destin as a Category 2 storm, bringing 105 mph winds, flooding and widespread damage to the Panhandle. A person in Escambia County was reported killed by a falling tree; a second storm-related death was reported in Alabama. About 448,000 Florida utility accounts were without power Saturday morning, as more than 16,000 utility workers and state response teams began recovery work. DeSantis declared emergencies in 27 counties, and officials warned that flooding threats remained. Water Quality: Florida added 41 polluted waterways in Charlotte, Lee and Collier counties to its monitoring list. More than half were flagged for bacteria that can indicate human or animal waste, while some stretches of the Peace River and Cape Coral canals showed pollution concerns.

Hurricane Isaias: The storm came ashore near Destin late Friday as a Category 2 hurricane, with 105 mph sustained winds and gusts topping 116 mph in the Panhandle. More than 300,000 Florida customers lost power, with Escambia County among the hardest hit. Isaias is weakening inland, but heavy rain and a tornado watch remain concerns in parts of North Florida. Broward Schools: Florida’s attorney general is investigating the district’s handling of student laptop contracts after a county watchdog found procurement problems and alleged the school board was misled. Hope Florida: New reporting says state agencies paid private law firms to represent officials scrutinized over the diversion of $10 million in Medicaid settlement funds; an appeals court recently ordered the grand jury report expunged.

Hurricane Isaias: The Category 3 storm, packing 120 mph winds, is forecast to make landfall near Florida’s western Panhandle tonight. Officials warn of life-threatening storm surge, flooding rain and possible tornadoes; evacuations and emergency declarations are in effect across the region. Public Health: Florida has reported 296 locally acquired dengue cases this year, including 259 in Hillsborough County. Tampa Bay counties are continuing mosquito-control efforts after one reported death. School Safety: A 5-year-old Brevard County student died after a classroom display board fell on him. The district is inspecting similar equipment. Social Media: Florida is asking a court to require Meta to restrict Instagram and Facebook features it says can harm young users. Death Penalty: Gov. Ron DeSantis withdrew the execution warrant for William Lee Thompson, 74, after his lawyers raised concerns about dementia and other health problems; evaluation results have not been released.

Hurricane Isaias: Florida’s Panhandle is bracing for dangerous storm surge as Isaias strengthens in the Gulf. Evacuations are underway in coastal areas, while heavy rain has flooded streets and threatened homes across Central Florida. Sports Betting: The Seminole Tribe is suing DraftKings, alleging its prediction markets and Pick6 products offer illegal, unlicensed sports wagering in Florida. The tribe says its state compact gives it exclusive rights to statewide sports betting. Hope Florida: Gov. Ron DeSantis hailed an appeals court order expunging a grand jury report that alleged $10 million in public funds were misused, while criticizing news coverage of the case. Dengue: Florida’s outbreak has topped 250 cases, with local transmission reported in multiple counties.**

Hurricane Isaias: Northwest Florida counties are ordering evacuations and opening shelters as the storm approaches the Gulf Coast. Okaloosa and Franklin counties have issued mandatory orders for vulnerable coastal areas, with storm surge and flooding threats prompting closures and emergency preparations. Sports Betting Fight: The Seminole Tribe sued DraftKings in Broward County, alleging its Florida prediction and betting products violate the Tribe’s exclusive sports-wagering rights and asking a judge to shut them down. Surveillance Rules: Volusia County approved a 12-month moratorium on license-plate readers in county road rights of way and directed permit holders to remove existing cameras within 30 days. Student Safety: A Polk County school bus crash that killed a student and another driver has renewed scrutiny of school transportation safety; investigators say no criminal charges will be filed. Teen Social Media: Florida is asking a judge to require Meta to restrict Facebook and Instagram for young users, including barring children under 14 and limiting certain features while the state’s lawsuit proceeds.

Hurricane Isaias: The season’s first hurricane is moving toward the northern Gulf Coast and could strengthen before landfall Friday or early Saturday. Florida has issued a state of emergency; parts of coastal Okaloosa County are under evacuation orders, with shelters opening as officials warn of dangerous surge, winds and flooding. Polk County Crash: A school bus collision in Winter Haven killed a student and another driver and injured dozens. State records show FDOT had studied widening the crash-area road amid a history of collisions. Election Access: Palm Beach County restored distribution of the League of Women Voters’ nonpartisan guide at public libraries after initially blocking it. Amendment 3: Florida sheriffs and county leaders warn the proposed homestead tax break could squeeze local budgets and public safety, while supporters say it would ease homeowners’ tax bills. Public Health: Broward County confirmed its first locally acquired dengue case of the year, as Florida’s outbreak reaches 252 cases. Brevard Growth: A $57 million federal grant will fully fund Cocoa’s first Brightline station, with officials projecting 3,500 jobs.