AGP Executive Report

JUCO Spotlight: Salt Lake Community College is set to defend its title at the JUCO World Series after a West District crown, with coach David Nelson saying the Bruins now have “a target on our backs.” NCAA Softball: Tennessee is one win from the Women’s College World Series, leading Georgia 3-1 after Game 1 of the Knoxville Super Regional, with Game 2 Friday on ESPN2. Local Business Watch: Cape Coral families want faster, clearer communication from boat lift contractors—because delays can cost a whole week on the water. Logistics & Growth: Roadway Moving is adding 85 vehicles ahead of peak summer demand. Defense Tech: Red Cat’s Blue Ops launched the Variant 7 autonomous USV, aiming to scale fast for military customers. Crypto & Politics: Trump Media moved another 2,650 Bitcoin, fueling speculation about a potential sale as losses reportedly top $455 million. Health Care Moves: Lee Health agreed to acquire Florida Heart Associates, folding its cardiology practice and ASC into its Heart Institute. Courts & AI: Miami-Dade and Broward courts issued unified rules requiring verification of AI-generated filings.

SpaceX Starship Drama: SpaceX scrubbed its planned Starship V3 launch at the last minute after a tower-arm pin failed to retract, pushing the next attempt to Friday—an especially high-stakes test as the rocket is central to NASA moon plans and SpaceX faces extra scrutiny ahead of its IPO. Big 12 Baseball: Oklahoma State surged late to beat UCF 12-6 in the Big 12 semifinals and set up a Friday matchup. Weather Disrupts Softball: Game 1 of the OSU-Nebraska Lincoln Super Regional was suspended after rain hit in the first inning, with the restart now set for Friday. Florida Softball Spotlight: Florida opens its Super Regional weekend vs. Texas Tech, with the Gators aiming for a third straight Women’s College World Series trip. Cost-of-Living Pressure: Kroger’s new CEO says price cuts are coming on thousands of products as shoppers “lighten baskets,” while Memorial Day travel demand is shifting as fuel prices stay high. Public Safety & Tech: The FBI shut down an India-based tech support call center tied to scams targeting elderly Americans.

Sports Spotlight: UNC baseball just locked in its first ACC Tournament opponent: No. 2 seed Tar Heels face No. 7 Virginia Tech in Charlotte on Friday, with the start time shifted for expected weather. Local Tragedy: A Florida high school senior, Christopher Brooke, died in a crash outside South Fork High School while heading to graduation practice. Hurricane Season Prep: FAU experts are lining up to brief media on forecasting, flooding, storm impacts, and recovery as the 2026 season kicks off June 1. Tech & Business: Patriot Select says it secured its 2026 catastrophe reinsurance program with coverage built for multiple storm events; OutboardListings.com is offering the first 100 free outboard listings to help small marine sellers get customers. Health Care: Mayo Clinic in Florida received a $75M gift to expand the Lee Ringhaver Tower and grow clinical and research capacity. Defense/Innovation: ParaZero staged a first U.S. live demo of its DefendAir net launcher, reporting successful interceptions of fast FPV drone threats.

AI Backlash at Graduation: Students at the University of Arizona and UCF booed speakers after AI job fears hit a nerve—on top of real-world glitches like an AI name-reader derailing a Glendale Community College ceremony. Local School Budgets: Lee County cut 457 jobs (including 275 teachers) to close a projected $92.4M deficit, while Seminole County’s teacher pay referendum window is closing fast as enrollment drops and a $26.1M gap looms. Florida Jobs & Community: Lee County’s staffing cuts and Pinellas-area growth both made headlines—76 FENCE is expanding across Pinellas with a new multi-territory owner, Patrick Schmitt. Space & Big Money: SpaceX is pushing ahead with Starship V3 testing and IPO paperwork, while Nvidia’s latest earnings keep the AI-factory spending story front and center. Sports: Texas Tech softball heads to Florida for a super regional after a comeback run; LSU baseball’s season ended with a loss to Auburn in the SEC Tournament.

AI Data Center Scrutiny: Jackson County officials are questioning a proposal near the Bay County line after hearing it may be more than a “solar farm and battery storage” plan—potentially an AI data processing center—raising alarms about water use, power demand, infrastructure strain, and environmental impact. Health Tech Partnerships: ResMed is teaming with ŌURA to connect sleep insights to clinical resources, while Stepful and Mount Sinai are launching a 12-week patient care associate training pipeline for NYC-area staffing needs. Education Systems Upgrade: St. Johns County is selecting Focus School Software to replace its MTSS/RTI and student information systems, with MTSS live in July 2026 and SIS targeted for 2027. Space & Research: Artemis III won’t touch the moon, but NASA says it’s a complex Earth-orbit rehearsal for the 2028 landing, and Axiom Space is expanding its University Alliance. Consumer Safety: Meta faces renewed pressure over alleged Medicare scam ads targeting seniors, as the FTC is asked to investigate Roblox over child safety and spending practices.

Heat Safety in Florida: UNF opened a new heat lab at the Korey Stringer Institute to study extreme heat impacts on athletes, outdoor workers, and Jacksonville’s military community—built around the legacy of NFL player Korey Stringer, who died of heat stroke in 2001. Energy & AI: NextEra is moving to acquire Dominion in a massive all-stock deal aimed at meeting AI-driven power demand from data centers, part of a broader utility consolidation wave. Florida Tech & Space: SpaceX is set to test an upgraded Starship, a key step toward Artemis moon missions—Florida Tech’s Spaceport Education Center director called it “absolutely critical” for getting to orbit. Local Policy: Seminole City Council rejected a Walmart drone-delivery proposal, citing missing details and concerns about the amendment process. Sports (Florida): Florida baseball climbed in national rankings after sweeping LSU, while Florida softball is set to host Texas Tech in the NCAA Super Regional.

AI Backlash at Graduation: Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt got booed at the University of Arizona as students pushed back hard on AI’s job and future impact—part of a wider Gen Z skepticism wave. Student Loan Fight: A coalition of 24 states sued over Trump-era limits that restrict federal grad student loans in certain healthcare fields, arguing it will worsen provider shortages. Power Deal in the Spotlight: NextEra Energy moved to acquire Dominion Energy in a roughly $67B merger, with AI-driven electricity demand cited as a key driver. Florida Tech & Industry: FAU announced a U.S. patent for a human-AI manufacturing system, while Tampa Bay Wave expanded its innovation and workforce pathways with St. Petersburg College. Local Tech/Business: Amazon is ending support for older Kindle models, and Florida’s recruiting visits are shifting toward “luxury” experiences—plus theme-park deals for FIFA travelers heading to Orlando.

Utility Mega-Merger: NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy just announced a $67B all-stock deal to create the world’s largest regulated electric utility, serving about 10 million customers across Florida, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, with the pitch that scale will mean affordability as AI-driven power demand surges. Legal Fight in the Spotlight: The DOJ unveiled a $1.7B “Anti-Weaponization Fund” to compensate Trump allies after the administration agreed to drop Trump’s IRS tax-return lawsuit—prompting immediate backlash from Democrats and watchdogs. UF Leadership: The UF presidential search committee named Stuart R. Bell as the sole finalist, setting up board review next month. Space & Safety: A new space debris report says nearly half of tracked orbital objects are uncontrolled junk, raising fresh concerns for satellites and missions. Florida Sports: Florida softball hosts Texas Tech in an NCAA Super Regional starting May 22, while UF’s recruiting buzz includes Santaluces edge rusher Jayvon Dawson committing to Miami. Tech & Society: FSU alum Joseph Visconti launched Delilah, an AI app aimed at making legislation easier to understand for everyday voters.

DOJ Deal Fallout: The Trump administration announced a $1.7B “Anti-Weaponization Fund” to compensate allies it says were unfairly targeted by the Biden-era Justice Department, tied to Trump’s move to withdraw a $10B IRS tax-returns lawsuit—Democrats and watchdogs are already calling it a corrupt payout. Legal Fight Over Kids Online: NetChoice sued to block Nebraska’s parental consent and age-verification rules for social media, arguing they violate the First Amendment. Power Sector Shake-Up: NextEra agreed to buy Dominion Energy in a roughly $67B all-stock deal, aiming to create the world’s largest regulated utility and serving about 10M customers across multiple states. Florida Tech & Health: A UWF professor received a U.S. patent for an EEG-based early Alzheimer’s detection platform. Local Tech/Business: A new Center of Excellence in Altamonte Springs will help international firms navigate U.S. federal procurement rules. Sports (Florida): Florida softball set up a Super Regional with Texas Tech after beating Georgia Tech, while the Rays host the Orioles Monday.

Consumer Safety Scrutiny: Southwest Florida locksmiths are under fresh pressure after residents say “urgent” calls turned into damaged property and surprise bills, with one Sanibel case describing an unmarked technician and a “three seconds” job that still came with a hefty charge. Public Health & Property: In Miami Beach, Fix Mold says it’s expanding certified, same-day mold abatement as South Florida’s humidity keeps fueling growth and health risks. Security Tensions: New reporting claims Cuba has acquired 300+ military drones and discussed possible strikes on Guantanamo and even Key West, while Cuban officials deny the threat framing. Water Protection: Wildwood officials are pushing back on a proposed deep injection well tied to landfill runoff, warning it could endanger drinking water. Sports—Florida Softball: Florida punched its Super Regional ticket with a 5-2 win over Georgia Tech, setting up a best-of-three vs Texas Tech or Ole Miss. Tech & Defense: DroneShield says it’s speeding up plans to double US counter-drone production capacity.

UCF AI Backlash: UCF graduates booed a commencement speaker who praised AI as the “next industrial revolution,” with students pushing back on fears that AI will wipe out entry-level jobs and replace creative work. AI Safety for Teens: A new peer-reviewed study finds nearly half of U.S. teens using conversational AI report exposure to serious digital, emotional, or behavioral harm—especially younger teens. Data Center Politics: Florida gubernatorial candidate Evelyn Castillo-Bach is calling for a ban on data-center NDAs and a new affordable housing fund funded by Big Tech. Florida Tech & Space: SpaceX’s Dragon successfully docked with the ISS, delivering 6,000+ pounds of supplies after launching from Kennedy Space Center. Cybersecurity Win: Blue Goat Cyber was named Medical Device Cybersecurity Partner of the Year at MedTech World North America in West Palm Beach. Business on the Move: PopUp Bagels plans to open at least 30 Florida locations over the next four years, starting with Winter Park and Rockledge.

NCAA Softball Spotlight: Florida’s Gainesville Regional keeps rolling—No. 6 Gators mercy-rule Georgia Tech 8-0 in five, with Kenleigh Cahalan launching a three-run homer and Keegan Rothrock tossing a complete-game shutout as UF heads toward Sunday’s regional title game. NCAA Athens Regional: Georgia softball also stays hot, beating UNC Greensboro 8-0 in a mercy-rule win to keep its Athens Regional momentum. Sports Drama: In the Fayetteville Regional, USF’s Ken Eriksen was ejected after a heated argument, and the Bulls rallied in an elimination win over Washington. Local Community: Key Biscayne Community Center kicks off its 20th annual summer camps, with programs for ages 3–17. Health Care: Health First and Parrish formalize a stroke network partnership in Brevard to coordinate and standardize stroke care. Tech & Society: Robots are expanding in Philly, but residents are split—some welcome the convenience, others push back hard.

NCAA Softball Spotlight: Florida’s Gators steamrolled Georgia Tech 8-0 in five innings to reach the Gainesville Regional finals, powered by a Calahan three-run homer and a big third inning that turned the game early. Public Safety & Justice: In the Nancy Guthrie case, the Pima County sheriff says investigators are nearing an arrest as FBI DNA work continues and chilling ransom letters resurface. Immigration Fallout: ICE is blaming a deported mother for her son’s death months later, a claim she disputes. State Policy: DeSantis signed a law banning surrogacy contracts tied to China and other countries, with the measure set to take effect July 1. Consumer Watch: Straus Creamery recalled select organic ice cream flavors in 17 states over possible metal contamination. Local Business/Health: FDA inspections in Broward County dropped sharply in April—only three companies were inspected, all with “no action indicated.”

Trump–Xi Summit: In Beijing, Xi used a stroll through Zhongnanhai to underline China’s rise and urge avoiding a “Thucydides Trap,” while Trump played along—setting the tone for a high-stakes, image-heavy endgame on trade and global power. Florida Softball: Florida opened the NCAA Gainesville Regional by run-ruling FAMU 12-0, while UCF survived an extra-inning scare, beating Jacksonville State 2-1 on Coco Jaimes’ walk-off single. Hurricane Readiness: Engineers are pushing beyond “past storms” with better wind and storm-surge modeling as the Atlantic season nears June 1. Local Community: Cape Coral’s mayor’s scholarship fund handed out a record $60,000 to 21 students. Tech & Health: AI chatbots can answer addiction questions accurately in general, but often miss the real-life details people need. Sports Elsewhere: LSU baseball got run-ruled by Florida 11-1, and Auburn’s Georgia series ended in a 9-7 loss.

Local Arts & Culture: The Jacksonville Symphony just announced its 2026-27 season, timed with upgrades to Jacoby Symphony Hall and featuring major works from Mozart to Mahler plus a live score for a 1926 silent film. Education & Community Service: Notre Dame seniors are lining up postgrad service through the Alliance for Catholic Education and the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, placing graduates in classrooms and faith-based community roles. Sports (College Football): Clemson’s 2026 ACC slate got reshuffled—Syracuse now on Nov. 7 and Duke on Nov. 20—after earlier date plans shifted. Healthcare & Policy: UNF is keeping AI rules faculty-led, using course-by-course syllabus expectations instead of one campuswide policy. Politics (South Florida): Miami-Dade service and healthcare unions endorsed Commissioner Vicki Lopez, backing her campaign with a focus on working families and Jackson Health System staff. Tech & Science: UF researchers published a new DNA-guided CRISPR approach aimed at safer, more precise diagnostics and treatments. Sports (Softball): NCAA softball regionals begin May 15, with Florida State hosting Tallahassee action as Stetson and UCF open the bracket.

U.S.-China Wrap-Up: President Trump is set to finish his Beijing visit with a private meeting at Xi Jinping’s residence, with both sides signaling they want stable management of the relationship as they tackle Iran, trade, technology, and Taiwan. Florida Power Prep: Florida Power & Light is running its annual storm drill, highlighting underground lines, concrete poles, and AI-assisted damage checks as hurricane season starts June 1. Cybersecurity Watch: Mindcore Technologies says Tallahassee’s April cyberattack was contained with no operational disruption, while also warning other schools after the Canvas ransomware disruption. Local Schools Under Pressure: Florida’s Family Empowerment Scholarship program is back in court as critics argue public-school funding is being drained. Sports (Florida): LSU jumped early but couldn’t hold on, falling to Florida 11-8 in the SEC opener; and Florida softball’s NCAA regional run starts Friday with pitching questions looming.