AGP Executive Report

Book Marketing: Tampa author Kazor (CP Kazor) signed with Story Bridge Agency to bring Stories of the Mystery Trust Vol. 2: KARMA HAPPENS to market, with a November release planned. Local Libraries: The Key West Branch Library (with the Florida Keys History Center) will close for about four weeks starting Sept. 21 for a full roof replacement, with offsite programs and digital resources continuing. Retail Bookselling: Barnes & Noble’s “revival” continues, with the chain planning four new Florida openings in September, including Orlando—another sign of brick-and-mortar momentum. Newsroom Jobs: McClatchy’s cuts hit Florida hard: more than 30 jobs eliminated at The Miami Herald/El Nuevo Herald, including the entire writing staff of El Nuevo Herald, as the chain trims across multiple states. Publishing Community: The Miami Book Hub podcast highlights South Florida writers’ roundtable advice on getting a book into readers’ hands, with local library workshops and author events in the mix. History & Research: Kamau Sadiki, a shipwreck researcher tied to the transatlantic slave trade, is set to discuss discoveries Sept. 17 in Springfield, including work on the Guerrero and the Clotilda. Classifieds/Community Notices: Islander Classifieds runs a new local listings issue, plus volunteer and library event notices.

Local Arts & Culture: Sarasota Art Museum’s “Something Borrowed, Something New” is finally taking shape after years of relationship-building with local collectors, turning private works into public-facing contemporary art. Education & Youth: Sarasota County high school seniors are among nearly 50 named National Merit semifinalists for 2027, with the full Florida list released Sept. 9. Photography & Film: Bunny Yeager’s legacy is revisited in the documentary “Naked Ambition,” tracing her path from model to Playboy’s first female photographer and bringing her story to a wider audience. Publishing & Media Industry: McClatchy’s cuts hit Florida hard, with The Miami Herald losing 32 jobs (including the entire El Nuevo Herald editorial staff), raising fresh alarms about thinner local coverage. Community Events: Sarasota-area libraries and groups are lining up voter info fairs and homeschool meetups, plus a North Port health expo with screenings and flu shots. Sports Betting & Politics: Sports betting money is pouring into midterms via major PACs, as gambling addiction concerns grow.

Book Bans in Florida Schools: Florida’s Department of Education says nearly 600 books were removed or discontinued in 2025-26, with Clay and Escambia counties driving about two-thirds of the removals—another flashpoint for publishers and authors. Local Politics & Reading Rights: State Rep. Angie Nixon, long critical of Florida’s book restrictions, is profiled for opening Café Resistance, a bookstore/coffee hub built around challenged titles and Black history. Media Industry Shakeup: McClatchy’s layoffs hit the Miami Herald and other papers, with unions warning local coverage will suffer as dozens of communities lose reporters. AI & Rights Conversation: A Florida-based AI-rights advocate, Sunny Gandhi, discusses the push for more visibility into AI companies and stronger rules—especially around deepfakes and government tech. Publishing Adjacent Lawsuit: Florida’s lawsuit against Netflix alleges ad-tech tracking of children, challenging the streaming model that relies on targeted data. Florida Tech/Creative Industry: Saber Interactive’s chief creative officer says the company has “no real development in North America any more,” a reminder of how global production choices reshape creative jobs.

Book Bans Watch: Florida’s Department of Education says nearly 600 books were removed or discontinued from public schools in 2025-26, with Clay and Escambia counties driving about two-thirds of the removals—critics argue many target LGBTQ+ and racial justice themes. Local Author/Activist Spotlight: State Rep. Angie Nixon is highlighted for fighting book restrictions by opening Café Resistance, a Jacksonville bookstore and community hub stocked with challenged titles. Media Industry: McClatchy’s “massacre” cuts hit the Miami Herald and other papers, with 30 Miami Herald reporters laid off and broader newsroom losses raising fears for local coverage. Tech & Privacy: Florida sues Netflix over claims it secretly tracked children for ads after marketing itself as a safer alternative to social media surveillance. Publishing/Books & Mental Health: Brandon author Erica Matthews releases Navigating Life with Anxiety, a personal guide tying everyday fear patterns to practical steps for reclaiming peace. Higher Ed Climate: A Southwide AAUP survey finds faculty reporting a spike in fear, doxxing, and threats tied to political pressure on campuses. Community Reading: A local remembrance and community events round out the week’s Florida culture coverage, including shared reading and bookstore-centered programming.

Local Media Leadership: Breeze Newspapers editor Chris Strine is retiring after 42 years, marking a major newsroom transition for Southwest Florida. Publishing & Books for Kids: A roundup highlights 9/11 books written to help children understand the attacks, including titles that follow young characters before and after Sept. 11. Community Reading Events: Underground Book Fair is set for Saturday at Kerouac House, adding another local stop for Florida’s grassroots book culture. Tech & Publishing Policy: TikTok is asking a Florida court to dismiss the state’s lawsuit over its minor social media ban, arguing the law is vague and violates the First Amendment—an issue that affects how platforms publish and distribute content. Higher Ed Under Pressure: A new survey of Southern university faculty finds growing fear on campuses, including reports of threats and intimidation—another reminder of the climate shaping what gets taught and discussed.

Legal Journalism Training: The Florida Bar is taking nominations for the 35th Annual Florida Bar Reporters’ Workshop in Tallahassee (Oct. 4-6), offering scholarships for hotel and meals and sessions on court coverage, public records, and the First Amendment. Health Care Transparency: A new report says 62% of Florida hospitals fully comply with federal price-disclosure rules, but 38% still fall short—highlighting gaps across major systems in Central Florida. AI Regulation Push: U.S. lawmakers are calling for new AI rules after Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon’s public warnings about safety and “escaping human control,” with OpenAI also backing mandatory national safety requirements. Press Freedom Fight: The Justice Department moved to drop wiretap charges against Florida journalist Tim Burke over his reporting on Kanye West’s antisemitic remarks, while other charges remain pending. Publishing & Community: Florida’s book-and-literacy ecosystem gets a boost with Scholastic and Marine Toys for Tots expanding access to books for Title I schools, distributing tens of thousands of books in 2026. Local Culture: Naples Art Institute is hosting a rare Rembrandt black-and-white prints exhibition opening Oct. 10, a major printmaking moment for Southwest Florida.

Legal Training for Florida Reporters: The Florida Bar’s Media & Communications Law Committee is taking nominations for the 35th Annual Florida Bar Reporters’ Workshop in Tallahassee (Oct. 4–6). Editors and publishers must submit by Friday, Sept. 11 at 5 p.m., and accepted reporters get scholarships covering two hotel nights and workshop meals. Local Publishing & Media: A new SW Florida Lighthouse online news site launched with a multi-part Substack investigation alleging sexual misconduct by Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson, with the case reportedly referred to state authorities. Books & Community Events: Wordier Than Thou’s Underground Book Fair returns Saturday at Kerouac House in St. Petersburg, bringing writers, sellers, and makers to a literary home base. Libraries & Book Sales: Dunnellon Public Library’s Friends group hosts a “$5 Bag of Books” sale Sept. 19, plus a reptile program the same day. AI & Safety Debate: An op-ed warns that AI development is racing ahead without safeguards, pointing to recent high-profile failures in protection. Tech Policy: TikTok asks a Florida court to dismiss the state’s minors social media ban, arguing the law is vague and violates the First Amendment.

Health Research: A new VA study out of UCF and the Orlando VA finds no meaningful link between GLP-1 receptor agonist use and hematologic cancers, comparing matched diabetes patients on GLP-1RA vs DPP-4 inhibitors. Local History & Community: UM architecture students are installing markers to preserve Liberty City’s “Millionaire’s Row,” pushing back against how fast historic Black spaces are being erased. Libraries & Reading Culture: Riverview Public Library hosts a Harley Quinn–themed comic day Sept. 19 with a creator panel featuring Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner, plus a free book giveaway while supplies last. Publishing/Media Ecosystem: A national public media initiative from Poynter and a public media company aims to shape the future of public media. Business & Travel: OneSkies promotes premium international business-class options from major U.S. cities, while Allegiant adds limited winter flights from PVD to Orlando-Sanford, Fort Lauderdale, and Sarasota. Sports (Florida tie-in): Miami opens Week 2 as a heavy favorite vs Florida A&M, with Hurricanes QB Darian Mensah and WR Malachi Toney highlighted as Heisman contenders.

Freedom to Read in Florida: A Florida Senate candidate, Angie Nixon, is spotlighted for pushing back on GOP book-banning efforts by opening a bookstore in Jacksonville, framing the fight as part of a broader national battle over what readers can access. Local Publishing & Community: Poynter and Public Media Company are launching a Future of Public Media Initiative, aiming to reshape public media around community needs over the next year. Books as Social Life: A growing trend of shared reading events is turning books into a low-key alternative to nightlife, with gatherings that mix silence, music, and optional conversation. Florida Real Estate & Publishing Adjacent: A Sarasota-area explainer breaks down how Florida’s Save Our Homes property tax cap can leave new buyers facing much higher first bills—useful context for anyone writing about Florida life and costs. Florida Culture & Media: A new Barnes & Noble opened in Orlando, adding to the chain’s 2026 expansion.

Freedom to Read in Florida Politics: A Florida Senate candidate, Angie Nixon, is spotlighted for responding to Republican book-banning efforts by opening a bookstore in Jacksonville, positioning the move as a direct stand for the right to read. Public Media Future: Poynter and Public Media Company launch a national “Future of Public Media Initiative” to reshape public media for the next 50 years, starting with community-driven recommendations in early 2027. Local Bookselling Expansion: Barnes & Noble keeps growing, with a new larger store opening in Lexington, plus more openings planned nationwide, including Orlando. Cost of Living for Florida Families: Disney World’s peak one-day ticket pricing reportedly tops $200, with add-ons like parking and Lightning Lane pushing the real cost higher—an issue for Florida visitors and relatives buying tickets. Election Clarity for Voters: A Florida voting guide reiterates key deadlines and eligibility rules ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms, including the Oct. 5 registration cutoff. Homeowners Insurance Transparency: Public Citizen reports many state insurance commissioners aren’t fully answering questions about homeowners market data transparency, raising concerns for consumers facing the insurance crisis.

Local Writing & Community Publishing: Florida Weekly kicks off its next reader-writing series, spotlighting the top 10 stories from its annual Writing Challenge—419 submissions across genres, with winners and interviews rolling out weekly. Publishing Transparency & Public Records: The “Epstein files” debate is back in the spotlight as DOJ releases massive batches under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, while court fights over redactions and viral “PDF” versions leave readers sorting real documents from online rumor. Accessibility in Voting Systems: Georgia lawmakers hold hearings on a potential shift to hand-marked paper ballots and ballot-on-demand, with Florida election officials testifying and disability advocates warning that accessibility details must stay intact. Federal Rule Change for Hunters: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ends annual migratory bird rulemaking, moving season parameters into a three-year memorandum cycle. Florida Education Spotlight: U.S. News ranks five Miami-Dade high schools among the nation’s top 100, plus 15 more in Florida’s top 50. Community Events & Local Media: The Islander highlights its free obituary service for Anna Maria Island residents, underscoring the paper’s long-running community role.

Local Transit Funding: Miami’s Metromover stays free while the city quietly draws down $89M from a transit tax district to patch operating gaps, raising the question of who pays for service and who gets it. Community & Culture: Miami Grill and the Miami Children’s Museum team up for a 43-year partnership—museum visitors can redeem for a free Kids Meal with an adult meal purchase. Education & STEM: FPL rolls out classroom makeover grants, Drones in School, and other free programs to boost STEM learning as students head back. Schools Spotlight: U.S. News ranks five Miami-Dade high schools in the national Top 100, with 15 more in Florida’s Top 50. Publishing/Media Note: Florida’s print industry gets a direct hit—“Message from the Publisher” says FLT is reducing print production to three days. Public Safety: An Amazon cargo plane crash at Miami International Airport killed at least five people after an overrun and fire.

Local Education & Youth Programs: South Florida After-School All-Stars launches “Keeping the Lights On” to close a roughly $1 million funding gap, aiming to protect after-school hours across its 26 sites. STEM Investment: FPL is rolling out free classroom makeover grants ($50,000), plus “Captain Wattage” shows and a Drones in School initiative to boost STEM learning. School Rankings: U.S. News & World Report names five Miami-Dade high schools among the nation’s Top 100, with 15 more in Florida’s Top 50. Aviation Jobs & Infrastructure: AAR expands its Airframe MRO footprint at Miami International Airport, adding 100,000+ square feet and creating 200 full-time jobs. Aviation Safety Tragedy: An Amazon cargo plane crash at MIA after an overrun killed at least five people, according to officials. Publishing/Media Note: Florida’s “From the Publisher” item flags concerns about whether LGBTQ+ communities are being taken for granted.