AGP Executive Report

Measles Surge: Florida confirmed 4 new measles cases (3 in Orange County, 1 in Palm Beach), pushing the 2026 total to 154 as summer travel ramps up and the highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease spreads. Cancer Screening Breakthrough: Sarasota Memorial enrolled five sisters with a family history of pancreatic cancer in a study using LINFU (low-intensity non-focused ultrasound) plus endoscopic steps to catch abnormalities earlier. Maternal Health Support: Florida Blue expanded maternal health and well-being support programs, aiming to improve outcomes before and after birth. Opioid Accountability in Court: A judge granted a directed verdict for pharmacies in Florida’s opioid trial, ending a major push by hospitals to hold CVS/Walgreens/Walmart liable under state racketeering claims. Emergency Access Upgrade: Okeechobee County launched text-to-911 so residents can discreetly request help when calling isn’t safe or possible. Public Health & Safety: Florida reminded residents that feeding wildlife is often illegal and can increase aggression and dangerous human-animal encounters.

Colorectal Cancer Screening: The American Cancer Society is updating guidance to include a blood test option for people who avoid colonoscopy or stool tests—because the “best” test is the one you actually do. Planned Parenthood Access: Planned Parenthood of Gainesville will close June 26, ending in-person services (including STI screenings and vaccinations) while shifting some care to telehealth. E-Bike Safety Rules: Florida’s SB 382 would require e-bikes to stay under 10 mph near pedestrians, yield on shared paths, and use an audible signal before passing—aimed at reducing injury risk. HIV Funding: Florida lawmakers restored funding for HIV medication assistance after earlier cuts, easing patient fears it was temporary. Indian River Lagoon Restoration: Crews deployed more than 3.5 million “super clams,” pushing the Billion Clam Initiative past 100 million total to improve water quality. Local Health & Housing: Realtors report April home sales up in Pensacola, but warn higher mortgage rates and uncertainty could slow summer demand. Public Safety: A new cold-case arrest in Pinellas County links DNA to a 1998 armed sexual battery suspect.

Water Protection: Lee County’s “Fertilize Smart” rules kick in June 1, limiting fertilizer use June 1–Sept. 30 to curb nitrogen/phosphorus runoff tied to algae blooms and fish kills. Public Health & Access: A Pensacola clinic says uninsured adults are arriving sicker because they can’t afford meds and care, driving ER visits for issues like breathing problems and uncontrolled chronic disease. COVID Update: FDA advisers are weighing an updated COVID vaccine formula targeting a new variant (XFG/NB.1.8.1), with a vote expected later this week. Child Safety: Free swim lessons are reaching Pinellas Park elementary students during the school day through a partnership with CFY’s Fred Fisher Water Safety Program. Road Safety: Florida Highway Patrol reports an 87-year-old Wesley Chapel man died after a Tesla in autopilot mode crashed into a pond in Pasco County; cause remains unclear. Policy Watch: Florida lawmakers finalized a roughly $114.5B budget, with major funding for schools, health care, public safety, infrastructure, Everglades restoration, and water projects. Community & Wellness: Coral Gables is considering buying a medical office near City Hall as historic renovations begin nearby.

Wrong-Way Crash Update: Florida Highway Patrol and the Martin County Sheriff’s Office released more details on the May 24 wrong-way pursuit crash on U.S. 1 that killed Walter Turner II, 43, after a 16.5-mile chase; Turner’s 2022 Ford Escape was reportedly traveling north in the southbound lanes at high speed, hitting two cars before crashing into trees near Jonathan Dickinson State Park, while four victims were taken to St. Mary’s Medical Center and are expected to recover. State Budget: Lawmakers finalized Florida’s $115B budget over Memorial Day weekend, setting up a vote Friday and including tax relief tied to hurricane-ready windows and doors, plus major health funding moves. HIV Care: The budget deal restores funding for Florida’s HIV medication assistance program after earlier cuts and legal fights, reversing eligibility limits and coverage changes. Behavioral Health: Florida also moved to expand behavioral health options as part of the broader policy push. Health & Politics Watch: Meanwhile, federal attention stays on Trump’s repeated medical checkups, with new scrutiny after another “perfect” report from Walter Reed.

Courts & Safety: The U.S. Supreme Court refused to take Florida’s case blaming California and Washington for commercial driver licensing rules tied to a deadly 2025 Florida truck crash, leaving the criminal case against the accused driver to continue in Florida. Cruise Health: A Carnival Magic guest sued after alleging second-degree burns from a hot pool deck “within seconds,” with claims of repeated similar complaints over years. Road Trauma: A wrong-way driver died after a 16-mile chase on U.S. 1, crashing into two cars and injuring four people, including children. HIV Policy: Florida lawmakers struck a deal to restore AIDS Drug Assistance Program support, reversing earlier cuts and funding ADAP at $75 million while expanding eligibility. Nursing Home Watch: CMS data show mixed quality locally, including a Volusia facility earning a 4-star rating and other centers facing lower scores and at least some fines/penalties. Public Health & Care Access: Lee Health acquired Florida Heart Associates, adding 16 cardiologists and expanding its heart program in Southwest Florida.

State Budget Deal: Florida lawmakers finalized a $115B budget over Memorial Day weekend, reversing major cuts to HIV care and funding Everglades work and schools, with lawmakers also agreeing to restore eligibility for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program after earlier reductions. Public Health & Access: The ADAP fix restores eligibility to 400% of the federal poverty level and brings back key meds like Biktarvy—after advocates said more than 12,000 people lost coverage. Local Health Watch: Central Florida Zoo extended quarantine for rescued sloths tied to Sloth World to at least 90 days as surviving animals transition diets and recover from arrival conditions. Safety & Tragedy: A 2-year-old girl died after being hit by a car on a New Smyrna Beach sand roadway, renewing calls for clearer separation between vehicles and families. Sports (Florida angle): Florida’s NCAA baseball bracket news continues to roll, while Mets pitcher Nolan McLean struggled again and the Canadiens’ shot totals stayed painfully low in OT losses.

AI & Agriculture: Pasco County installed BeeHome, an AI robotic beehive system at Angeline farm in Land O’ Lakes to track hive health and flag threats like disease, temperature swings, and varroa mites in real time. Budget Deal: Florida lawmakers reached a final budget agreement for the fiscal year starting July 1—nearly $115B—protecting K-12 funding tied to declining enrollment and boosting cancer research and HIV programs, with a formal vote set for Friday before Gov. DeSantis reviews it. Public Health & Safety: Lee Health says hospitals aren’t hurricane shelters and urges special-needs residents to preregister with Lee County Emergency Management; Florida also issued a water quality advisory for Carrabelle Beach over enterococcus bacteria. Wildlife Care: Brevard Zoo is treating three orphaned black bear cubs with plans to rehabilitate and return them to the wild. Crime & Health: A Florida man was sentenced to seven years after a naked rampage that injured an officer, and police are searching after two adults were shot outside a Boca Raton bar.

State Budget Breakthrough: Florida lawmakers wrapped up a roughly $115B budget deal after a special session, with House and Senate leaders aiming for a final vote Friday before sending it to Gov. Ron DeSantis; the plan keeps $4.5B for K-12 scholarships tied to homeschool and private tuition inside the main school formula and includes protections to limit deep district cuts. Health & Community: A Sun City Center family dedicated a memorial plaque for 16-year-old Lexi Ringo, killed in a holiday crash involving an impaired driver, while in St. Petersburg a Memorial Day concert and silent auction raised money for homeless veterans and Gold Star families. Research & Environment: Nova Southeastern University was named NOAA’s Atlantic coral reef research coordination hub, boosting funding and coordination across Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Sports Watch: Lionel Messi left Inter Miami’s match early with a possible hamstring concern as Argentina heads toward World Cup break.

White House Security: A gunman was killed in a shootout near a Secret Service checkpoint while Trump was inside, with a bystander reported critically injured—another reminder of the escalating pattern of attacks tied to Trump’s orbit. Florida Public Safety: In Delray Beach, police say a 3-year-old unintentionally shot a man after accessing an unsecured gun; investigators are still looking at what charges could follow. Health Watch: In the DRC, Ebola suspected cases and deaths are rising fast, with WHO warning the spread risk is “very high.” Environment & Health: NASA is using AI to spot harmful algae blooms earlier, aiming to help Florida coastal communities respond sooner. Local Care Quality: CMS data highlights nursing home ratings across Florida counties, including multiple facilities landing below the state average. Sports & Rehab: Tiger Woods’ private jet returned to Switzerland as he continues rehabilitation after a Florida trip. Travel Advisory: Memorial Day weekend warnings include high rip-current risk and heavy traffic timing.

White House Security Incident: The U.S. Secret Service says an armed 21-year-old opened fire at a checkpoint near the White House on Saturday, was killed in the exchange, and a bystander was critically injured; President Trump was inside but not impacted. Florida Public Safety: In West Palm Beach, CPR helped save a 2-year-old after a pool accident; in Marion County, a motorcycle crash left the driver dead. Health & Care: Florida’s nursing-home world keeps publishing CMS-style rankings, while a Florida Panthers–American Cancer Society event delivered comic books to pediatric patients at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. Sports (Florida ties): Australia’s Socceroos World Cup camp in Sarasota got a jolt as Nicholas D’Agostino withdrew with a leg injury, while Riley McGree’s hamstring is under review. Community Spotlight: In Sebastian, a teen-led nonprofit, Hank’s Heroes, keeps visiting kids and families with disabilities and serious illnesses—dressed as superheroes.

Public Health Alert: Florida DOH issued a water quality advisory for Carrabelle Beach after routine testing found excessive Enterococcus bacteria, urging people to avoid water-related activities until levels drop. Mental Health Access: In Baton Rouge, the Bridge Center for Hope is using Mental Health Awareness Month to spotlight its walk-in crisis stabilization services for adults, including short-term psychiatric care and detox/withdrawal support. Health & Safety: A Miami Paint Walk for Teen Mental Health drew hundreds to raise suicide prevention awareness and connect families to local resources. Medical Tragedy: NASCAR star Kyle Busch’s family says his death followed severe pneumonia progressing to sepsis. Sports Spotlight: England named its 26-man World Cup squad with Harry Kane as captain, while Florida Gators basketball is again drawing national championship buzz.

Cuba Humanitarian Crisis: A new on-the-ground report paints daily life in Havana’s Centro Habana as a grind of near-total power loss, empty bakery shelves, and food scarcity—residents describe days without water and queues for basic goods as heat and garbage pile up. Florida Public Safety: Officials are urging residents to be vigilant around water as summer ramps up, with drowning-prevention tips aimed at parents and pool watchers. Health Care Pressure: Bay Area doctors warn that “stretching” baby formula by adding extra water can be life-threatening for infants, especially under 6 months. Legal/Justice: Federal prosecutors move to seize luxury assets tied to an alleged Goliath Ventures crypto Ponzi scheme. Corrections Scrutiny: Accusations continue to rise over whether Florida executions are humane, with defense claims about improper lethal-injection procedures. Local Community: Suffolk has started construction on Fort Myers’ All Veterans Memorial at Centennial Park.

Red Snapper Court Clash: A federal judge froze Florida’s Atlantic red snapper exempted fishing permits just before Memorial Day weekend, forcing NOAA to stall the permits and the FWC to rescind its order—while DeSantis says state-water fishing can continue under a 2-fish-per-person, 20-inch limit. Unlicensed Dentistry Crackdown: Miami-Dade detectives arrested Maria Fontaine-Uliver after an undercover sting found her performing dental work in a home “office,” charging her with practicing dentistry without a license. Daylight Saving Fight: U.S. lawmakers advanced the Sunshine Protection Act to make daylight saving time permanent, with Trump backing it and the bill now heading to the House floor. Public Health Watch: Florida issued a water advisory for bacteria at Crandon Park North in Key Biscayne. Local Safety: A Lehigh Acres teen died in a Fort Myers motorcycle crash; and a Jacksonville-area unemployment report shows job losses continuing. Medicaid Fraud: Federal prosecutors charged a former Newington nurse with $1.35M in Medicaid fraud, and she now lives in Lehigh Acres.

Prescription Denials: Florida residents are hitting a wall when insurers refuse to cover doctor-prescribed meds, with advocates saying coverage denials are becoming routine and patients feel like “insurance companies are becoming our doctors.” Tick Season Spike: The CDC reports record-high ER visits for tick bites in April, and Florida clinicians warn summer and Memorial Day bring more exposure—plus more people may be treating bites at home. Dangerous Dogs Probe: Brevard County authorities are investigating a deadly Cocoa attack by two dogs, with the animals now in animal control custody as officials weigh whether strengthened dangerous-dog laws apply. Public Health Alerts: A water advisory remains in effect for Crandon Park North in Key Biscayne after samples showed elevated bacteria. Child Safety & Justice: Orange County deputies arrested a former “gay cure” ministry leader in a Winter Park sting, alleging he tried to meet a 14-year-old after explicit online messages. Tech in Care: OpenEvidence launched a hands-free “Voice Mode” for clinicians to ask medical questions and hear cited answers.

Cuba Pressure Escalates: President Trump says he may be the one to intervene in Cuba after U.S. prosecutors charged former Cuban leader Raúl Castro over the 1996 downing of civilian planes flown by Miami-based exiles—an indictment Florida officials are calling justice for the deaths of Cuban Americans. Child Safety in Florida: A new report highlights that Florida lacks a clear “youngest legal age” for leaving kids home alone, but state welfare agencies recommend not before age 12, while parents can face felony neglect charges if a child lacks food, shelter, clothing, or medical care. Elder Care Fraud: A North Port woman is accused of using an elderly client’s credit card for nearly $1,000 in unauthorized Amazon purchases while working as a caretaker. Medicare Fraud Sentencing: Three Florida men are headed to federal prison after a judge sentenced them for a multi-million-dollar Medicare scam. Nuclear Power Debate: A Cedar Key story ties climate and sea-level threats to renewed interest in nuclear energy as a low-emissions option for Florida’s coastal economy.

Teacher Pay Deadline: Seminole County’s window to place a teacher pay referendum on the November ballot is closing fast, with the district citing a $26.1M deficit and enrollment drops, while a union campaign races to meet the July 6 deadline. Nursing Home Watch: CMS data spotlights big swings across Florida—Solaris Healthcare Plant City ranks No. 3 in Hillsborough by size with a 5/5 overall rating, while other facilities land lower (like Club Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center at the V in Sumter at 2/5). Health & Wellness: Vanessa Trump says she’s been diagnosed with breast cancer and had a procedure earlier this week, asking for privacy as she starts treatment. Public Safety: A Cocoa woman, Jodi Cowan, was killed in a coordinated dog attack captured on neighborhood video, leaving residents demanding accountability. Business/Travel: Drury Hotels opens its first Destin-area property in Miramar Beach, with more expansion planned.