AGP Executive Report

Workforce & Training: The SBA, U.S. Department of Labor, and OpenAI are teaming up for the first-ever Manufacturing Workforce Expo on Aug. 26 at Atlantic Technical College in Coconut Creek, aiming to connect students to apprenticeships and good-paying small-business manufacturing jobs. Education & Talent Pipeline: Orvis School of Nursing named Tarnia Newton as associate dean for Inclusive Excellence and Belonging, starting Sept. 1, to strengthen culture and student success. Local Jobs & Growth: Duos Technologies reported Q2 results and major AI/data-center deal momentum, including new hosting agreements and contracted revenue tied to edge AI infrastructure. HR in the Real World: Florida families say SNAP benefits were stolen through a fraud scheme tied to a California address, with investigators and detectives now involved. Community Hiring & Public Sector: Sanibel Fire and Rescue approved change orders for a station rebuild and moved forward on apparatus purchasing steps, keeping the project on track under federal disaster-recovery funding. Workplace/Industry Signals: A Florida restaurant chain closed two Sarasota-area locations, another reminder of shifting demand and staffing pressures in the dining sector. Policy & Rights: Florida Catholic bishops pushed back on the state AG’s threat to participation in the school voucher program over vaccine-related religious exemptions.

Workplace & HR: A Florida appeals court upheld a Tampa bowling alley case tied to liquor liability, saying plaintiffs can’t swap in a new drunken-driver narrative years later because key evidence and witnesses were lost—an HR-adjacent reminder for employers to preserve incident records and document training. Public Safety & Justice: A murder-for-hire trial begins in Florida over the 2022 ambush of a Microsoft design manager in Jacksonville Beach, with prosecutors alleging a tire was used to lure him out while his child sat in the car. Local Governance: Crestview officials move toward a data center development ban, weighing land, water, and sewer pressures as the city drafts an ordinance. Business & Hiring: Ridge IT Cyber, a Tampa Bay cybersecurity firm, earns Inc. 5000 recognition for the fourth straight year and expects about 20 more local hires in 2026. Immigration Enforcement: ICE expands 287(g)-style agreements with state police in Indiana, Oklahoma, and Wyoming, raising concerns that routine traffic stops could lead to immigration detentions. Sports & Culture: Tommy John, the Bradenton-based baseball pioneer whose elbow surgery changed pitching, dies at 83.

AI & Elections: AI-focused super PACs are pouring money into midterm races, including state contests where Florida is among the targets, as lawmakers fight over whether AI should be regulated federally or left to states. Sports Medicine Legacy: Former MLB pitcher Tommy John, who died at 83 in Bradenton after hospice care, left a major HR-adjacent lesson for workplaces: medical innovation can extend careers and reshape long-term planning. Workforce Shortage in Schools: Highlands County is scrambling to cover a bus-driver shortage, with supervisors driving routes and district leaders discussing hiring and pay to stabilize transportation. School Budget Pressure: Highlands school board members say reserve-building may not be enough and are weighing deeper cuts, including possible school closures or consolidation, to stay compliant with Florida’s reserve requirements. Public Safety: A Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputy was involved in a fatal crash with a pedestrian near Tampa; the Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. Education Policy Watch: Arkansas officials project a 12% jump in students using its Educational Freedom Account program, a reminder for Florida HR and education leaders to track how school-choice staffing and reimbursement models evolve. Local Community Moment: Timmy the loggerhead sea turtle returned to the Atlantic after rehab in Key West, a feel-good reminder of Florida’s ongoing conservation work.

Living Wage Push: Gubernatorial candidate Evelyn Castillo-Bach says Florida needs a living wage tied to local costs, citing United Way ALICE data showing 46.8% of households are struggling. Telehealth Growth: OmniRx Health hit 10,000 subscribers and expanded virtual primary care to 44 licensed states, aiming to cut wait times and insurance friction. Public Works & HR Angle: Punta Gorda addressed residents’ complaints about tire-tracked crosswalk markings from a paving project, explaining tack coat and contractor practices. Local Housing Policy: Sarasota County neighborhood leaders urged vigilance on the Live Local Act, warning recent amendments could complicate how counties handle affordable housing approvals. Workforce & Education: A Florida middle school teacher was arrested after investigators alleged inappropriate messages with a former teenage student since 2023. Legal/City Hiring: Fort Pierce leaders launched a search for a new city attorney after contract nonrenewal, with HR already activated. Election & Pay: Florida’s primary races are heating up, with candidates including for U.S. Senate pushing themes around affordability and Medicare funding.

Florida Policy Watch: A new opinion piece warns that proposed Amendment 3 could have “unintended consequences,” including opening the door to a state income tax, while critics say the plan lacks a clear fiscal analysis. Health & HR Impact: A study ranks New York high for medical malpractice payments, with Florida also cited among the higher-rate states—useful context for HR leaders managing healthcare risk and provider credentialing. Workforce & Education: Jacksonville’s Fire and Rescue CORE opioid recovery program earned a top-10 Florida recognition and a $64,000 award, highlighting how coordinated care models can reduce barriers to treatment. Community Support: An Orange County food drive underscores ongoing hunger, citing a large meal gap and food deserts across Central Florida—an HR-relevant reminder for employers supporting working families. Local Talent Pipeline: Jacksonville educator Dr. Cynthia Smith’s tuition-free K-12 STEM school in the city moves toward full operation after accreditation, pointing to growing demand for STEM workforce pathways. Public Safety: A Georgia hot-car death case has advocates calling the prosecution too harsh—likely to fuel renewed debate on caregiver support, training, and workplace policies around child care. Business/Jobs: Hard Rock Cafe Miami will close Aug. 19, ending 115 jobs, while other Florida locations remain open.

Workplace Culture: A new office lighting debate is going viral, with some workers saying bright “big lights” boost focus while others report glare, headaches, and anxiety—another reminder for Florida employers to treat comfort as a people-first issue. Education & HR Compliance: A Florida college fired an Indian-origin teacher after students were assigned “political” fiction, reigniting concerns about classroom content rules and staff protections. School Staffing & Background Checks: A Chartwells employee at a Florida middle school says she was terminated after a Level 2 background screening found an old drug charge, highlighting how new fingerprint-based checks can reshape hiring and volunteer eligibility. Healthcare Workforce & Innovation: Florida lawmakers approved $2M for FIU’s myFORCE personalized cancer program, expanding clinical trials and staffing for tumor-cell testing. Public Safety & Recovery: Manatee County opened a 30-day public comment period on updates to its storm-recovery plan, including homeowner reimbursement and contractor-selection refinements. Regulation & Finance: The OCC granted preliminary conditional approval for World Liberty Trust Bank in Florida tied to USD1 stablecoin custody and reserves. Community Impact: A Pasco County 10-year-old injured in a June crash has been transferred to a skilled nursing facility in Broward.

Workforce & HR in the spotlight: FEMA staffing cuts are raising alarms in Southwest Florida, with a watchdog warning the agency may be short on the right people and skills just as the next storm season hits. Property tax & local budgets: Florida’s Amendment 3 ballot language has been rewritten after a judge said the original wording was misleading, with the updated plan increasing the homestead exemption and tightening caps on non-homestead assessment growth—changes that county leaders warn could strain local services. Rural health hiring pipeline: Northwest Florida Community Hospital is set to expand care-at-home and preventive services through nearly $188M in rural health awards, a move that could boost staffing needs and strengthen regional specialty access. Education-to-work pathways: A hospitality internship program at Mariners Landing Country Club, built with Liberty University, is giving students paid-style hands-on hours across golf, recreation, events, and food service. Economic development & jobs: Planet Fitness is expanding in Florida via new development agreements, while Cirrus is growing manufacturing in Grand Forks with added capacity and new jobs. Business growth recognition: Katpro Technologies CEO Kothand Rajangam was named a Tampa Bay Titan 100 honoree, highlighting Florida’s tech leadership and enterprise automation momentum.

Workplace Safety: Congress is moving to block OSHA’s federal heat rule, even as July hit record heat and workers face rising risk without guaranteed rest, shade, and water. Immigration Enforcement: ICE’s planned “shock gloves” for agents is sparking fresh abuse fears, with Florida Rep. Maxwell Frost calling it taxpayer-funded harm. Local Economy & Jobs: Florida invests $350,000 in The Immokalee Foundation to strengthen workforce development, aiming to connect residents to better employment pathways. Tourism & Workforce: Florida’s Gulf Coast is sinking more ships and concrete reefs than ever to build year-round diving and fishing tourism for Destin and Fort Walton Beach. Public Safety & Privacy: License plate camera company Flock Safety says it will tighten privacy rules nationwide, including shorter data retention, after Florida misuse concerns. Community & HR: A Florida Homesteader “Mercantile” marketplace is back in Sebring, spotlighting local producers and creating a direct sales boost for small vendors. Corrections: Three executions in the U.S. on the same day included one in Florida, underscoring continued pressure on the death penalty system.

Teacher Hiring Crunch: Florida Education Association data shows 3,157 advertised instructional vacancies statewide (plus 2,379 support staff openings), with South Florida still carrying hundreds of gaps—another reminder that staffing is the HR story for the new school year. Child Welfare Workforce Shift: One Hope United plans to transition away from residential services at its Lake Villa campus, with the CARE Residential Program ending June 30, 2027, while youth are moved into individualized placements. Pharmacy Pay Lawsuit Tossed: A federal judge dismissed a class-action antitrust case alleging hospitals and ASHP suppressed early-career pharmacist wages; the ruling was without prejudice, giving plaintiffs until Sept. 11 to refile. School Leadership Changes: Plantation Key School names Maida Court as its new principal, continuing a leadership handoff after Lisa Taylor’s retirement. Local Government Staffing: Marathon City Council appears to move forward with interim manager/City Attorney Steve Williams for the permanent city manager role, with a contract review planned. Workplace Fraud Crackdown: Florida AG charges seven people in a workers’ comp fraud scheme tied to underreported payrolls and “rented” insurance certificates, alleging nearly $100M processed. Business & Jobs: Winnebago announces manufacturing realignment that will relocate some production and close two campuses, with sites later offered for sale. Food Safety: A Florida-based importer recalls nearly 30,000 pounds of beef shipped to Florida and Texas after inspection issues.

Adoption & Licensing: A new report highlights how Pennsylvania allows unregulated adoption brokers, with one Pennsylvania adoptive hopeful saying she paid nearly $20,000 to a California intermediary that allegedly misplaced her file—critics warn the setup can turn adoption into a transactional market. Public Sector Hiring: MARTA’s board is set to choose a new general manager from three finalists—an HR and leadership moment for the Atlanta transit agency as it tries to rebuild trust and ridership and shape future expansion. Workplace & Compliance: Florida’s labor and public-safety ripple effects show up in multiple local cases, including a Sumter County sheriff’s deputy accused of using a department plane for personal trips and a Punta Gorda contractor arrested for violating probation tied to unlicensed work allegations. Local Government Budgets: Clearwater officials warn a property tax amendment could force cuts of about 140 positions, while Pinellas County leaders consider reducing funding for Weedon Island and Shell Key preserves amid a $42 million gap. Jobs & Economic Development: Buc-ee’s’ new San Marcos opening is projected to create 200+ jobs with benefits, and Florida’s Port of Pensacola is set to receive $9M to expand shipbuilding capacity—both tied to workforce demand. AI & Workforce Readiness: A Jacksonville-focused study says the city is adopting AI but still lacks the talent and innovation base to turn it into an economic edge. Community Leadership Moves: The Englewood Chamber’s executive director resigns to lead the Englewood Board of Realtors, signaling another leadership transition in Florida’s business ecosystem.

Workforce Recognition: BayCare Health System landed No. 21 on PEOPLE’s 2026 Companies That Care list, the highest Florida health-care ranking, highlighting employee surveys and a culture focused on care and community. Economic Development & Jobs: Gov. Ron DeSantis awarded $9 million to the City of Pensacola to expand shipbuilding at the Port of Pensacola, supporting two new boat-building facilities under “Project Maeve,” projected to create about 2,000 manufacturing and related jobs. Hiring Push: CareerSource Research Coast is hosting a Port St. Lucie job fair Thursday with nearly 80 employers, aiming to connect job seekers to interviews and offers on site. Public Safety Tech Debate: An 18-year-old Port Orange man was arrested for allegedly vandalizing Flock license plate reader cameras, adding fuel to ongoing concerns about automated surveillance and misuse. Legal & HR Risk: A federal lawsuit challenges Florida’s sex offender registry as unconstitutional, arguing it harms housing, employment, and access to medical care. Employee Culture Spotlight: Publix (Lakeland) joined Wegmans and other major retailers on PEOPLE’s Companies That Care list, reinforcing how workplace culture is becoming a hiring and retention signal.

Healthcare Costs & HR Impact: Hospitals are pushing for upfront payments as insurers and ACA marketplace choices tighten, with 2027 filings hinting at another round of double-digit premium increases for Florida enrollees. Higher Ed Funding Pressure: Commentaries warn that unfunded mandates and a ballooning deferred-maintenance backlog are squeezing colleges’ budgets and workforce-development capacity. Higher Ed Compliance & Student Rights: ACLU of Florida sued FIU over punishing students who protested ICE enforcement, arguing the school’s “expressive activities” limits violate the First Amendment. Workplace/Benefits Stress: A Mayo Clinic case highlights a growing practice of requiring large pre-service deposits after insurers are reclassified, raising financial-responsibility friction for patients. Public Sector & Elections: Collier County reports a sharp drop in vote-by-mail requests tied to new state rules and political pushback. Local Governance: Miami-Dade commissioners advanced a charter change to better sync election vacancy processes and set minimum qualifying dates. Education Leadership: UF named Dr. Brian Hoh dean of the College of Medicine, filling a key leadership vacancy.

Public Safety: Fort Myers Police reports fewer offenses in the first half of 2026, with person crimes down 26% and property crimes down 24% versus the same period in 2025, following broader declines in theft, robberies, and even murders. Workforce & Education: Palm Beach/Treasure Coast school leaders say the new school year is mostly smooth, but districts may need early adjustments and are hiring bus drivers; Osceola County also opened a new transportation hub aimed at cutting route times and supporting driver training. Economic Development & Housing: Martin County is reviewing its first agricultural enclave proposal under Senate Bill 686, a change that could allow homes and businesses on qualifying farmland. Health Care Access: Gov. DeSantis announced nearly $188M to expand rural health care access, workforce, and services across 31 rural counties. Business & HR Growth: Leaf Health and PriceMDs integrated PriceMDs’ API into LeafIQ to streamline pharmacy pricing analysis and clinical referrals for brokers and TPAs. Local Community Support: The Conklin Davis Center for the Visually Impaired received a $500K state appropriation to expand vocational training and employment preparation.

Workforce & Hiring: President Trump’s “Freedom Haulers” initiative is pushing to fast-track military veterans into trucking careers by speeding up CDL pathways, aiming to address driver shortages and safety concerns. Education Policy: Orange County election staff acknowledged a printing error on about 1% of mail ballots for the Aug. 18 primary and are copying/repairing ballots to ensure votes are counted correctly. School Rules: Lee County is enforcing a district-wide “bell-to-bell” cell phone ban for 2026-27, while neighboring districts use different storage and access rules—parents are urged to check local policies. Talent Pipeline: Electronic Arts’ free “Get in the Game” STEAM camp in Orlando is mentoring Central Florida students with coding lessons and career connections tied to local tech jobs. Career Spotlight: SGMC Health named Alex Le as Senior VP and COO, highlighting a focus on workforce engagement and operational leadership. Local Business & Growth: Publix continues expanding in Florida, including opening stores very close to each other, citing congestion, accessibility, and population growth. Public Safety: Oviedo swore in four new firefighters, completing orientation and training across EMS, rescue, and fire operations.

Advanced Transportation & Workforce Training: Gov. Ron DeSantis highlighted SunTrax in Auburndale as Florida ramps up advanced air mobility, saying the state will begin testing eVTOL “flying cars” by the end of the year and partner with Embry-Riddle and Polk State to build a pipeline for transportation tech jobs. Public Safety Funding: Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia announced $1 million in grants for fire departments, including cancer decontamination support and mental health emphasis for first responders. Local Government Hiring: Walton County staff will host a public workshop on recreation plans, while Lancaster County approved a new chief financial officer as part of a reorganization—an HR-and-staffing signal for how budgets are reshaping county roles. Transportation Infrastructure: FDOT is replacing the Cortez Bridge drawbridge with a fixed span starting next month, a major project that will affect commuting and local labor demand for years. Workplace & Talent in Sports: SFA athletics is using an AI platform to speed up game recaps and bios, and USF beach volleyball added assistant coach Reilly Allred. Business & Jobs: Tractor Supply’s Petsense is closing underperforming stores in Sarasota and Polk, and a national tutoring provider (Varsity Tutors for Schools) shut down services as school funding shifted. Healthcare Equity: Holy Cross Health in Fort Lauderdale earned a top LGBTQ+ healthcare honor from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Elections Watch: Florida primary turnout data shows more Democrats than Republicans voting so far, with an “enthusiasm gap” and vote-by-mail differences cited.

Immigration & Work Rules: DHS is weighing ending the 60-day job-loss grace period for H-1B and other visa holders, which could force workers and families to leave the U.S. sooner after termination. Housing & Cost of Living: Florida’s proposed Amendment 3 would cut property taxes for homeowners but critics warn it could raise costs for renters and low-income residents by shifting burdens and weakening public services. Public Safety & Staffing: Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle is celebrating pay increases for prosecutors, assistant public defenders, and support staff—aimed at reducing turnover and improving retention. Social Media & Youth Protections: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay another $567 million over Instagram/Facebook harms to minors, including limits on push notifications and default changes tied to addictive design. Healthcare Careers: Immunocine Cancer Center named Johns Hopkins oncologist Dr. Stephen J. Noga as Chief Medical Officer, overseeing personalized immunotherapy programs. Higher Ed & Policy: Education Secretary Linda McMahon’s new outreach to university leaders is drawing backlash as a softer approach to earlier pressure campaigns. Workplace/Compliance: Florida’s AG says the state is pursuing “truth” in its probe of Dr. Anthony Fauci, raising the stakes for accountability. Research & Skills: UF researchers are using AI and digital twins to improve airport resilience and operations—work that could translate into new tech jobs in Florida.