AGP Executive Report

AI Data Centers & Water/Energy: Florida counties and cities are pausing or weighing moratoriums on AI data centers as residents push back over huge water and electricity demands, with some adopting one-year pauses to “add guardrails” before projects move forward. Consumer Safety: Morrisons recalled Coronation Chicken Pasta after some packs may contain Florida Salad with milk not listed on the label, putting milk-allergic shoppers at risk. Firearms Rights: A Florida appeals court struck down the state’s concealed-carry ban for law-abiding 18- to 20-year-olds, vacating a conviction and citing Second Amendment limits. AG & Plastics: Florida joined a multi-state lawsuit challenging California’s single-use plastics packaging rules, arguing the law will raise costs for everyday goods. Tech & Privacy/Health: MCNA Dental reached a multimillion-dollar settlement tied to a 2023 LockBit ransomware attack affecting nearly 9 million people. Retail/Travel: Buc-ee’s says it’s expanding with 15 new locations in the pipeline, including St. Lucie, Florida. Local Business Growth: Edge Home Finance expanded mortgage services statewide, positioning itself as a broker for FHA/VA and first-time buyer programs. Energy Deals: FuelCell Energy signed a binding data-center power deal to supply up to 380MW of fuel-cell generation in Florida. Food & Community: Port St. Lucie police arrested a woman accused of dumping pork products outside a Middle Eastern market, charging harassment tied to religious or ethnic heritage.

Retail Expansion: BJ’s Wholesale Club is still in the planning stages for a new Sebring location on U.S. 27 north of Keiber Boulevard, with the project moving through property platting and FDOT steps. Consumer Costs: The American Farm Bureau says a Fourth of July cookout for 10 now costs $73.82—up 4% from last year—pushing shoppers to expect higher grocery bills. Tech & Jobs: LG CNS launched an agentic AI ERP testing tool aimed at speeding up SAP system testing and reducing migration headaches. Florida Utilities: FPL outlined 2026 storm-resilience upgrades across Sarasota and Manatee counties and Longboat Key, including undergrounding projects, stronger lines, and major vegetation trimming. Legal/Online Safety: YouTube settled a Florida teen’s social media addiction lawsuit, keeping the July trial on track against other platforms. Local Service Disruption: A crash at the Hobe Sound-Osprey water treatment plant disrupted water service in parts of Martin County, with crews working to restore pressure. Food & Fun: Spammy Jammy wrapped up its hurricane-season sendoff weekend in Goodland.

Retail & Travel: Buc-ee’s is eyeing a 74,000-square-foot mega travel center in Greenwood, Indiana, off I-65, with 120 gas pumps and EV charging—another sign the chain keeps expanding beyond Florida. Consumer Safety & Fraud: A Florida Walmart employee in DeLand faces felony charges after police say she pocketed a customer’s winning $2,700 lottery ticket instead of returning it. Food & Budget Pressure: A Fourth of July cookout for 10 now averages $73.82, the highest on record, with higher prices for beef, pork, buns, strawberries, and pork-and-beans. SNAP Rules: A federal judge blocked USDA-approved state waivers that restrict candy and soda from SNAP, warning the move could hit sales in targeted categories. Local Tech & Utilities: Zephyrhills approved a one-year moratorium on new large data center proposals while officials review infrastructure impacts. Healthcare Enforcement: DOJ announced a massive $6.5B healthcare fraud takedown involving 455 defendants and thousands of provider billing suspensions. AI & Costs: Congress is advancing a plan to stop households from subsidizing AI data center power-grid upgrades, with Florida Rep. Kathy Castor backing the effort. Real Estate & Dining: Lincoln Road in Miami Beach is seeing a leasing surge, including a new City Food Hall and multiple restaurant/wellness openings.

Prime Day Watch: Amazon Prime Day 2026 is back for four days, starting June 23, with deals for Prime members only. Consumer Health: The FDA approved bemotrizinol, a newer sunscreen ingredient, but critics say U.S. sunscreen rules still treat it like a high-risk drug. Local Business & Jobs: Tampa-based Akumin is partnering with CGS Premier to scale mobile imaging clinics through a new Wisconsin facility. Tech & Safety: YouTube settled a Florida teen’s lawsuit alleging social media addiction harmed his mental health; the terms are confidential, and other platforms still face trial. Home & Insurance: A new Florida home-insurance approach, Stand Insurance Exchange, is pitching mitigation-first policies to lower premiums after storms. Retail Expansion: Target plans to open 11 stores in July, including a new Orlando location. Fraud & Enforcement: DOJ announced a massive $6.5B health care fraud crackdown charging 455 people across 45 states. Consumer Complaints: Brevard investigators are looking into allegations against a window installer accused of taking deposits and not finishing jobs.

Property Tax & Local Budgets: Florida’s homestead exemption amendment is headed to the November ballot, boosting the exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, with CPI increases after that—plus caps on non-homestead assessment growth—while critics warn it could squeeze local services without a clear funding plan. Auto Retail Expansion: Mavis Tires & Brakes opened new stores in Ocala and Port St. Lucie, offering tires plus services like brakes, alignments, batteries, and suspension, with new-customer discounts through Dec. 31. Fireworks Safety: Florida won’t impose a statewide fireworks ban, but officials are urging “responsible” use as wildfire risk lingers after 2,440 wildfires and 176,000+ acres burned this year. Pharmacy Competition Probe: Florida AG James Uthmeier issued a civil investigative demand to CVS/Caremark over alleged anticompetitive practices that could affect medication access and choices for Florida families. Consumer Pricing & Travel: JetBlue is cutting flight attendant base operations at Newark and LaGuardia while shifting focus to Fort Lauderdale; Delta CEO Ed Bastian says ticket prices fall only when supply increases. Retail Growth: Target plans 11 new store openings in July, including Florida, as it pushes toward 300 new locations by 2035. Lottery Theft Case: A Walmart cashier in DeLand was arrested after allegedly pocketing an elderly customer’s $2,700 winning lottery receipt, preventing him from cashing the prize. Uber/Lyft Fare Fairness: Consumer Reports found riders can get very different prices for the same trip at nearly the same time, raising concerns about “discount” displays.

Drug Policy Crackdown: Florida AG James Uthmeier signed an emergency rule putting highly concentrated 7‑OH and related compounds into Schedule I, aiming to curb a fast-growing gas-station drug tied to hundreds of overdoses. Local Consumer Impact: Port St. Lucie voters will weigh a non-binding November ballot on raising curbside trash pickup from once to twice weekly, which would increase costs and add trucks and staff. Health & Food: Alpha-gal syndrome is rising after tick bites, and officials say a new drug is now approved for the meat allergy—so consumers should know symptoms and treatment options. Retail & Services: FINO Cannabis opens its first Florida dispensary in Clermont with an education-first, terpene-guided shopping approach, and a Port Richey Self Storage grand opening is offering limited-time specials ahead of the July 4th rush. Tech & Travel: SpaceX is set to launch its Starfall cargo capsule from Cape Canaveral, a step toward automated space logistics that could include military supply drops. Consumer Safety: A Tesla Autopilot-linked crash in Texas is under investigation after a fatal home impact.

Grocery Shake-Up: Winn-Dixie has finished converting eight Harveys Supermarkets to the Winn-Dixie banner across Florida (plus one in Georgia), rolling out refreshed stores, expanded Hispanic offerings, and the Winn-Dixie Rewards program. Food Safety Watch: In the Florida Keys, Hungry Tarpon Restaurant at Robbie’s of Islamorada was ordered shut after state inspectors found rodent activity, live insects, and sanitation and temperature violations. Consumer Safety & Law: Florida AG James Uthmeier signed an emergency rule expanding the ban on highly concentrated 7-OH and related compounds, aiming to keep these products off shelves. Budget Pressure: Florida TaxWatch says the Iran conflict has worsened the state’s short-term outlook, hitting tourism and raising costs for transporting and traveling goods. Local Help for Families: Midwest Food Bank Florida in Fort Myers says demand for food aid is rising as prices and fuel costs squeeze households. Retail/Travel Deals: Miami-Dade will offer free World Cup shuttles from verified ticket-holder hubs to cut down on pricey stadium parking. Scam Alert: A Walmart cashier in Volusia County was arrested after allegedly stealing a $2,700 winning lottery ticket.

Insurance & Homeowners: Tugboat, an AI-powered insurance claims help platform, raised a $3 million seed round to help homeowners squeeze more value from denials and delays, charging $99/year for analytics similar to what carriers use. Real Estate (Florida): Suncoast Searchlight reports a sharp cooling in North Port–Sarasota–Bradenton vacation and second-home sales, with a 67% plunge since 2021 tied to higher mortgage rates, insurance costs, and economic uncertainty. Local Tech & Utilities (Pinellas Park): Pinellas Park council is reviewing a proposed data center site near Bryan Dairy and Belcher, with a member warning the process is still early and the city doesn’t want to be a “guinea pig.” Energy Costs & Data Centers (Congress): Rep. Kathy Castor filed the Ratepayer Protection Act to stop Florida consumers from paying for power plants and grid upgrades needed for AI data centers. Consumer Safety/Health: A UF-led study suggests glucosamine, a popular joint supplement, may carry unexpected risks for vulnerable brains, raising questions for older adults. Retail/Travel: Eleven travel firms have collapsed into liquidation, leaving customers facing canceled trips and refund headaches. Florida Crime: A Florida cashier was arrested for allegedly stealing a winning lottery ticket from an elderly man.

Heat & Safety: Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is in Day 4 of a major AC outage, leaving guests in sweltering conditions during a triple-digit heatwave. Wildfire Impacts: West Miami-Dade wildfires have prompted road closures, but officials reopened key lanes on the Florida Turnpike and Krome Avenue so residents can return home. Water Quality Alert: Florida health officials issued guidance for Lake Okeechobee after harmful blue-green algae toxins were detected—avoid contact and keep pets away. Consumer Tech & Privacy: Sen. Rick Scott is pushing an FCC probe into whether Chinese-made smartwatches and health tech could expose biometric data. Groceries & Deals: Aldi is rolling out limited-time free “blind boxes” of groceries delivered to shoppers’ doors. Housing & Costs: Credit card delinquencies are at a 15-year high, with counselors warning households are getting squeezed by high interest and everyday expenses. Local Business: A Fort Myers Beach food truck park and beer garden broke ground, though it’s still tied to a neighbor lawsuit.

Consumer Safety & Local Impact: A Kissimmee River airboat capsizing left three people dead; early indications point to possible overloading, but officials say the full cause depends on Florida Fish & Wildlife’s investigation. Violence & Consumer Trust: In Central Florida, a nightclub customer allegedly followed an employee after her shift, struck her vehicle, then attacked her at a Davenport-area gas station before being arrested. Retail & Dining Expansion: Jack in the Box is returning to Brevard County with three planned locations (Cocoa, Melbourne, Palm Bay), adding to a fast-growing Central Florida restaurant pipeline. Banking Disruption: Bank of America customers reported a major mobile and online banking outage, leaving many unable to access accounts during the weekend. Tech & Privacy: A Miami hotel Wi‑Fi explainer highlights what properties can collect when guests connect, from device and network details to potential third-party visibility. Travel & Costs: Southwest’s route cuts include multiple Florida cities, while Delta adds new Orlando service options (including Austin). Home & Lifestyle: A Classic Marcite expansion brings pool resurfacing to Kissimmee, targeting homeowners and vacation rentals.

Retail & Groceries: Dollar General is pushing ahead with a major expansion, planning about 450 new stores in 2026 after 575 in 2025, targeting small towns and rural areas where big chains are thinner. Consumer Costs: A new Florida law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis will end the 25% surcharge municipal utilities can charge customers outside city boundaries, starting in 2027—after North Miami Beach’s surcharge boosted about 130,000 bills by roughly $10M a year. Food Prices: Florida’s “Tomatoflation” hit hard after winter freezes cut tomato production by about 80%, driving record tomato prices nationwide, though prices are expected to ease as Florida rebounds. Shopping Deals: Trader Joe’s announced nine more store openings, including a Florida location in Sarasota. Travel Savings: Airbnb is running an Instacart promo for select markets, including parts of Florida—$10 off a $50 grocery order plus free delivery for guests. Health Policy: HHS is requesting updates to testosterone therapy labels, including removing a statement that safety/effectiveness for age-related low testosterone hasn’t been established. Local Business Growth: Classic Marcite expanded pool resurfacing services to Kissimmee; Southern Sandblasting & Painting expanded industrial coating work to Oviedo; and Local Ranking Coach expanded home-services SEO into Orlando and Tampa.

Cost-of-Living Pressure: A new United Way ALICE report says many Southwest Florida families need six figures to cover basics and childcare, with Sarasota and Charlotte among the hardest-hit counties. Consumer Safety & Health: A Sarasota mom is urging parents to take vaping seriously after her daughter’s nicotine addiction was linked to fatal seizures. Retail & Deals: McDonald’s is bringing back its fried apple pie for a limited run, while other seasonal restaurant promos are circulating. Crime Watch: Miami police arrested Dhir Patel, accused of stealing up to $60,000 in designer clothes from a Wynwood store over months. Travel & Airport Experience: JetBlue is weighing a dedicated lounge at Fort Lauderdale, and it’s also restoring a San Diego–Fort Lauderdale nonstop with Mint premium service. Weather Alerts: Tallahassee-area residents face severe storm warnings with damaging winds, hail, and flash-flood risk. Sports Economy: World Cup watch parties in Jacksonville and West Palm Beach are boosting local bars and businesses. Tech & Compliance: A legal alert warns about “finders” helping raise capital without proper broker-dealer registration. Wildlife: A non-native monkey was reported near Mount Dora’s Lakeside Inn, prompting wildlife response.

Data Centers vs. Consumers: Washington County residents and Florida regulators kept pressure on a proposed data center moratorium, with debate focused on water, energy use, and whether costs get passed to customers. Power Access for AI: FERC issued show-cause orders to grid operators, pushing faster connections for massive electricity users like AI data centers. Retail Expansion: Palm Coast’s planning board advanced a Walmart Supercenter on SR 100, adding major retail space plus a convenience store and fueling. Consumer Safety Tech: Florida Sen. Rick Scott and Sen. Dave McCormick urged the FCC to investigate Chinese-made health wearables over potential access to sensitive biometric data. Local Food & Community: Charlotte County has 14 products competing in “Coolest Thing Made in Florida,” and Fort Myers awarded arts grants to 19 organizations. Wildlife & Public Safety: Mount Dora’s Lakeside Inn reported rhesus macaques on-site; officials warn people to keep distance due to Herpes B risk. Travel & Scams: The FBI warned World Cup fans about fake FIFA sites, counterfeit tickets, and fraudulent travel deals.

Housing & Insurance Pressure: Moody’s warns the flood insurance gap will squeeze Florida homeowners and local governments as storms intensify, development expands in flood zones, and federal aid shrinks. Retail & Consumer Spending: City Furniture rebrands as City Home, signaling a shift from furniture-only shopping to full “home” categories and services under one roof. Travel & Local Economy: Pyramid Global Hospitality will manage South Seas on Captiva, overseeing dining, golf, marinas, events, and more at the 330-acre resort. Road & Cost of Doing Business: FDOT is buying right-of-way for a major Highway 231 widening in Panama City, forcing some businesses to relocate. Food & Safety: CBP in Miami seized 8,400 counterfeit Nike World Cup jerseys tied to shipments from China. Gun Rights Ruling: Florida’s appellate court says 18- to 20-year-olds can carry concealed firearms, ending the state’s under-21 concealed-carry ban. Health Policy: Evelyn Castillo-Bach calls for a ban on all medical debt and proposes paying providers directly via “Florida Direct Care.”

Energy & Investing: NextEra Energy’s stock slump after its near-$67B all-stock deal to buy Dominion is framed as a potential long-term buy, with the merger set to create a “power supermajor” and accelerate growth tied to Florida Power & Light. Retail & Food: Jack in the Box is back in Florida after 40+ years, with new openings in Longwood and Tallahassee and more planned in Orlando. Local Business & Community: The Dog Patch launched mobile dog grooming in Brandon to cut appointment stress for anxious pets. Consumer Safety: A Florida appeals court struck down the state’s under-21 concealed-carry ban, ending a 40-year rule. Housing & Costs: Florida TaxWatch forecasts slower economic and population growth over the next decade, with labor-market headwinds. Home Improvement Health: A national push highlights engineered-stone “quartz” countertop risks, linking the material to silicosis and lung-transplant cases. Crime & Retail: A man accused of stalking Publix customers with a knife was arrested in the Florida Keys. Tech for Homeowners: Kaloop rolled out an AI community hub for Florida HOAs/condos to search governing documents and answer resident questions. Entertainment: Grand Theft Auto VI preorders begin June 25, with the game heavily inspired by Florida.

Local Real Estate & Taxes: Collier County’s preliminary property market values dropped about 5.8% year over year, though taxable value is projected to rise—so many homeowners may not see relief right away. Retail & Consumer Costs: Papa John’s plans to close 300 underperforming stores by 2027 and has already shut 44, including locations in Florida. Tech & Consumer Protection: Florida lawmakers and advocates are pushing for stronger AI transparency rules after concerns that AI tools can quietly disadvantage job applicants. Public Safety & Utilities: FPL and Lee County Electric Cooperative say they’ve strengthened the grid since Hurricane Ian, using smart-grid tech to reroute power faster. Gun Rights Ruling: A Florida appeals court struck down the state’s concealed-carry ban for 18- to 20-year-olds as unconstitutional. Food & Dining: Olive Garden is leaning into heat with Calabrian chilies expanding across multiple menu items. Wildlife & Pets: Cane toads in Florida can be deadly to dogs if they lick or bite them. Business Expansion: Amazon is doubling down in Deltona with a second distribution center planned to finish in fall 2027. Travel & Deals: Disney World is bringing back a restricted 2-day, 2-park ticket (Animal Kingdom + EPCOT) starting Aug. 3, with prices beginning at $199.