AGP Executive Report

Rail Safety Shock: A Tri-Rail train hit an SUV in Oakland Park, killing the driver and closing Oakland Park Boulevard; a bus bridge is in place between Cypress Creek and Fort Lauderdale stations while investigators look into what happened. Mail Accountability: USPS invited WINK Investigates into its Fort Myers sorting center tied to a Port Charlotte widow’s missing cremated remains case—after the ashes were scanned and then disappeared for 11 days. Invasive Species Watch: On Sanibel, Peter’s rock agamas have surged since Hurricane Ian, prompting renewed questions about whether residents should trap or remove the invasive lizards. Local Governance: Lake County advanced a “Bill of Rights Protection Act” saying it won’t enforce federal directives it views as violating constitutional rights. Travel Pressure: Memorial Day demand is expected to hit record levels, even as gas and airfare stay high.

Micromobility Safety Push: Orange County is moving toward tougher rules after 13-year-old Colton Remsburg died in an e-scooter crash with a pickup truck. His mom urged commissioners to require road-safety education for minors and consider a county speed limit, safety classes, fines/citations, and parent warnings. Public Safety on I-75: Three people were hospitalized after an ambulance rollover near Ocala’s I-75 mile marker 354, with lanes blocked and responders from multiple agencies on scene. Rail Trespass Prevention: Tri-Rail is launching “Are You OK?” with Henderson Behavioral Health, using a federal grant to train staff and curb fatal trespassing and suicide incidents. Cuba Tensions: Federal prosecutors are expected to announce whether Raúl Castro faces indictment tied to the 1996 Brothers to the Rescue shootdown, as U.S.-Cuba confrontation escalates. Local Mobility Improvements: Construction has started on a new Fort Fraser Trail bridge over SR-60 in Bartow to make crossings safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

Airport Safety Upgrade: Miami International Airport is moving ahead with a new $33M operations center meant to coordinate emergency response across 30 agencies, with AI cameras and a high-definition video wall—planned to open in 2027. World Cup Mobility: Brightline is teaming up with the Miami Host Committee as an official supporter, building match-day transit hubs around MiamiCentral and Aventura Station for fans heading to Hard Rock Stadium. School Bus Enforcement: Miami-Dade’s school bus camera ticketing is officially back in action after a warning period, with AI-powered citations for drivers who don’t stop for buses and a $225 civil penalty. Road Safety & Disruptions: A fatal crash involving a freight train shut down State Road 520 in Cocoa before reopening, while a Lynx bus crash near UCF sent two people to the hospital. Local Rules for Drivers: Volusia County is allowing beach driving again in designated areas—speed limits, vehicle restrictions, and conservation-zone parking rules apply. Legal/Local News: Former Flagler County Commissioner Joe Mullins filed a defamation lawsuit against FlaglerLive and its editor.

Transit & Safety: A Lynx bus was among four vehicles hit in a crash on University Boulevard near SR-417 in Orlando, sending two drivers to the hospital and triggering a partial roadblock while FHP investigates. Road Conditions: FDOT flagged a roadway depression near the I-75 off-ramp to Corkscrew Road in Lee County, warning of slowdowns during the evening and morning commute. Crash & Enforcement: In Pasco County, a man accused of DUI manslaughter after a wrong-way-style multi-vehicle crash fled the scene before being found at a Walgreens. Local Mobility Rules: Orange County is weighing new e-bike and e-scooter safety rules after a 13-year-old died in an e-scooter crash. Public Health: CDC says the general public risk of hantavirus remains low after a cruise outbreak, with monitoring continuing for exposed passengers. Aviation/Travel: CBP is set to staff IPW in Fort Lauderdale as Brand USA pushes “Get Facts. Get Going” to address entry-screening misconceptions.

Impaired driving with a child onboard: Hillsborough deputies charged 26-year-old Patrick Voegtly after they found him passed out in the driver’s seat of a parked truck with his 5-year-old son in back; he allegedly refused sobriety tests and blew more than twice the legal limit, and officers found guns on him. School bus enforcement back in Miami-Dade: The county’s stop-arm camera program is fully running again after a pause, with drivers who pass stopped buses facing $225 citations by mail and footage reviewed by deputies. Cuba drone dispute heats up: Cuba’s foreign minister called U.S. claims about 300+ drones “fraudulent” after Axios reported possible drone scenarios targeting U.S. assets, including Guantánamo and Key West. Air traffic modernization: The FAA plans major upgrades to aging control towers, including Pocatello Regional Airport, as part of a broader modernization push. Safety spotlight: Florida panther habitat pressure in Collier County is driving more roadkill and stressing evacuation routes. Local traffic: A rollover crash is backing up I-275 northbound on the Skyway Bridge.

Spirit Fallout: Days after Spirit Airlines shut down, its lawyer apologized in bankruptcy court, warning some customers may be “priced entirely out” as Memorial Day travel ramps up and jet-fuel costs keep pressure on fares. Aviation Shakeups: JetBlue is also pulling back—ending service at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport this summer—while analysts argue Spirit’s collapse won’t permanently spike prices. Road & Work Zones: FDOT is scheduling multiple St. Johns County lane closures May 18-22, plus a Courtney Campbell Causeway overnight closure May 18-19. Safety Watch: Florida Highway Patrol reports a deadly Okeechobee County UTV crash; and separate reports highlight wrong-way and high-speed incidents across the state. Cruise Relief: Carnival’s Mardi Gras rescued nine people adrift near Sebastian Inlet, handing them to Bahamian authorities after the ship reached Nassau.

Wrong-Way Crash: Florida Highway Patrol says a Sarasota man driving the wrong way on I-75 near mile marker 150 in Charlotte County struck two vehicles, killing a 21-year-old Bradenton woman and seriously injuring three others; troopers arrested the driver after he was released from the hospital and charged him with DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide. Road Disruptions: The same I-75 area saw lanes shut down earlier, with officials diverting traffic as the crash was investigated. Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports diesel hit a low of $5.19 in Holmes County and premium hit $4.42 in Hernando County for the week ending May 9, while statewide averages stayed elevated and volatile amid Strait of Hormuz supply worries. Transit & Growth: St. Petersburg approved removing parking minimums along the SunRunner corridor, pushing denser, transit-oriented development. Space Coast Economy: Amazon says it has invested $400M+ on the Space Coast, including Project Leo satellite internet plans.

Storm Aftermath: Tropical Storm Eta’s heavy rain already flooded South Florida, stranding cars and swamping neighborhoods as the system moved through the Keys and threatened more inland flooding. Road Disruptions: I-4 eastbound in Orlando reopened after a multi-vehicle crash sent three people to the hospital, while Orange County crews responded to a sinkhole on N Wymore Road with detours in place. Safety Watch: Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal Christmas hit-and-run where a driver fled on foot after striking a pedestrian and getting stuck in mud. Wildlife Crime: Federal and state officials say nearly 2,000 turtles were poached in Florida and shipped overseas in a trafficking scheme, with suspects still under investigation. Space & Ports: SpaceX launched the CRS-34 resupply mission from Cape Canaveral, and the Navy welcomed home the USS Gerald R. Ford after a record deployment.

Cuba Crackdown: The DOJ is reportedly preparing to seek an indictment of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro tied to the 1996 Brothers to the Rescue shootdown, as CIA Director John Ratcliffe visits Havana to press for economic and security changes while fuel shortages deepen pressure on the island. Florida Policy: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law banning surrogacy contracts with citizens of China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela and Syria, with the ban set to take effect July 1. Transportation & Safety: Brightline is facing a major financial squeeze, with bondholders bracing for a potential multi-billion-dollar restructuring, while Miami-Dade rolls out free World Cup match-day shuttles from four transit hubs to reduce stadium traffic. Road Rules: A Florida explainer breaks down what counts as distracted driving under state law. Local Pulse: Jacksonville police are investigating a late-night party shooting that sent a man to the hospital with a non-life-threatening leg wound.

USF Sarasota-Manatee Fight: Florida’s House revived a plan to transfer the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus to New College, but the Senate still isn’t buying it—leaving the proposal stuck in budget negotiations. Aviation Update: Palm Beach International Airport will officially switch its identifier to DJT on July 9, becoming President Donald J. Trump International Airport. Safety on the Roads: Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly Orlando crash where a vehicle hit a bicyclist; the rider died. Campus Security: Gov. DeSantis signed HB 757 expanding the armed “school guardian” program to colleges and universities, adding training and new felony penalties. Fuel + Food Pressure: Higher fuel costs are squeezing South Florida restaurant profits and consumer spending. Plane Crash Fallout: One of the 11 rescued after a small plane crash off Central Florida is now facing a federal drug charge. Local Transit/Health: Okeechobee’s MOM Mobile is launching weekly prenatal care at the county library starting May 19.

Air Travel Safety: A small medical plane crashed in New Mexico’s Capitan Mountains before dawn Thursday, killing all four aboard and sparking a wildfire that had grown to 35 acres by midday; the FAA and NTSB will investigate. Florida Infrastructure: Fort Pierce opened its new North Causeway Bridge (A1A) Friday, replacing a decades-old drawbridge to cut marine delays and improve reliability for drivers. Aviation Funding: The DOT announced $835.8M for air traffic control upgrades, including a new tower for Tamiami, Florida. Public Transit for Big Events: Miami-Dade will run free, verified game-day shuttles for World Cup matches from multiple hubs to reduce traffic and parking demand near Hard Rock Stadium. Ongoing Local Water Fight: North Florida’s Water First North Florida project is “going back to the drawing board” after a state senator raised concerns, with details still unclear. Cruise Health Watch: This week’s cruise coverage continues to spotlight outbreaks and onboard incidents, including norovirus and a fatal fall at a Bahamas port.

Aviation Rescue: Eleven people survived after a private plane went down in the Atlantic off Florida’s central coast, spending nearly five hours in a life raft before U.S. military crews pulled them to safety. Safety & Disruption: The crash was reported about 50 miles off Vero Beach after engine-power trouble, adding to a busy week of Florida-area air incidents. Road Tragedy: A 75-year-old Crystal River woman died in a Citrus County intersection crash involving her Kia Soul and a dump truck. Public Safety: Marion County released bodycam from an ambush stabbing of a deputy; investigators say the deputy survived thanks to a protective vest. Legal/Policy: The Supreme Court’s Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II LLC ruling is poised to reshape broker liability in trucking. Energy Watch: Gas prices stay volatile as Iran-related shipping fears keep pressure on the pump.

Navy Logistics Move: The USS Cleveland (LCS 31) is set to be commissioned in Cleveland Saturday, then sail Monday through the St. Lawrence Seaway toward its home port at Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville—an eye-catching reminder of how Florida’s ports and waterways stay tied to national defense. Air-Sea Rescue: In the biggest Florida transport story of the week, U.S. Air Force and Coast Guard crews rescued 11 people after a small plane crash-landed in the Atlantic east of Florida; survivors spent about five hours on a life raft before being hoisted to safety. Federal Relief: FEMA approved more than $1.2B for recovery across Florida and other southeastern states, including COVID-19 reimbursements and disaster recovery work. Local Mobility Watch: Gas prices remain volatile—Volusia and Miami-Dade both saw a single lowest-reported regular station under $4 in the week ending May 9, while averages stayed above $4 statewide. Budget Fight: Florida’s Senate and House are still split in special-session budget talks, including competing approaches to funding courts and case processing.

Rescue Drama Off Florida Coast: Eleven adults survived a Beechcraft King Air crash into the Atlantic and spent about five hours on a life raft with no way to call for help before U.S. Air Force Reserve, Coast Guard, and Air Force crews found them as a thunderstorm rolled in, dropping food, water, and flotation. Road Safety: In Orlando’s Lake Nona, a 13-year-old died after an e-scooter crash with a pickup; in the same area, an earlier Lake Nona e-scooter crash also proved fatal days later. Public Safety & Crime: A twice-convicted sex offender was arrested in Naples after hiding in woods; separately, Florida prosecutors moved on a fentanyl case after a man allegedly blew fentanyl powder toward a deputy. Transit/Infrastructure: Wellington is pushing a $3.4M safety upgrade for Greenbriar Boulevard with new bike lanes and improved crossings. Aviation/Industry: Allegiant completed its purchase of Sun Country, reshaping airline competition.

Air Rescue Update: Coast Guard and Air Force teams rescued 11 people after a small plane went down about 80 miles off Florida’s east coast near Melbourne; the survivors spent hours in a raft before being found, and all were flown to area hospitals as investigators work to determine what caused the crash. Memorial Day Traffic: AAA expects a record 45 million Americans to travel for the holiday, with the worst drive times forecast for Thursday and Friday afternoons—Florida theme parks are a top draw. Ultrafast Delivery Push: Amazon is rolling out a 30-minute delivery service in more U.S. cities, using small local hubs to stock thousands of items for urgent needs. Local Road Work: FDOT plans an overnight closure of the U.S. 27 off-ramp from northbound I-75 (9 p.m. May 13 to 6 a.m. May 14) for milling and resurfacing, with detours via State Road 40. Public Safety Watch: Florida’s red-light camera program continues to generate major revenue, but legal and accuracy questions keep resurfacing.

Aviation Rescue: A small plane crash off Florida’s coast turned into a fast, large-scale rescue. The Coast Guard says all 11 people survived after a Beechcraft BE30 went down about 80 miles east of Melbourne, with crews pulling everyone from the water and sending them to hospitals for evaluation. Air Mobility Watch: Archer and Joby say commercial air-taxi service could start this year, with the FAA’s integration pilot program shaping where the first routes land—including Florida. Everglades Flashpoint: “Alligator Alcatraz” detention is reported to be closing in June, as environmental groups keep pushing for remediation and removal of fencing and lighting. Road & Fuel Pressure: Trump floated pausing the federal gas tax amid Iran-driven price spikes, while Florida’s SNAP restrictions are reshaping grocery trips for low-income families. Public Safety Tech: A court ruling is raising questions about whether some Florida school speed-zone cameras are operating legally. Space Coast: NASA and SpaceX are set for another ISS supply launch from Cape Canaveral.