AGP Executive Report

Free Speech Under Pressure: Bogus copyright takedown claims are reportedly scrubbing dozens of stories about Florida congressional candidate Michael Carbonara from Google search results, raising alarms that automated, anonymous complaints are being used to suppress election coverage. Local Politics & Media: New records say a Sarasota-area “war-room” operation for county commission races was planned before a nonprofit was even incorporated, with files directing voters to specific candidates—an issue that hits how campaigns use “neutral” platforms. Housing Watch: After a major federal housing law, Florida-area experts are parsing the fine print with cautious optimism, while local rental data shows Leesburg listings staying near last year’s levels. Book & Author Events: Northwest Passages is set to host bestselling novelist Michael Connelly this fall for “The Hollow,” continuing the region’s push for major author programming. Community Publishing: A local grandmother self-publishes a grief-and-healing book, using community support as the engine for getting stories into print. Kids & Learning: A report highlights how many families miss recommended autism and speech-delay screenings—an early-intervention gap that can shape what kids read, learn, and access next.

Free Speech Under Fire: Bogus copyright takedown claims are scrubbing dozens of stories about Florida GOP congressional candidate Michael Carbonara from Google search results, raising alarms that automated, anonymous complaints are being used to suppress election coverage. Local Housing Watch: After a major federal housing law, Sarasota-area advocates are parsing what it could mean locally, while Leesburg rental listings show little movement year over year, keeping affordability pressure front and center. Author on the Road: Michael Connelly is bringing his new legal thriller “The Hollow” to Northwest Passages this fall, with a stop at the Bing Crosby Theater. Community Journalism Training: The Florida Bar is accepting nominations for its 37th Reporters’ Workshop in Tallahassee, aimed at helping new Florida and court reporters cover legal issues. Publishing & Censorship: “The Librarians” documentary spotlights the ongoing fight over banned books in schools, with Florida librarian stories at the center. Tech/Media Policy: DOT proposed changes that could make airfare pricing harder to compare, shifting how consumers see taxes and fees. Public Records & Privacy: A push for vehicle miles traveled taxes is colliding with privacy concerns about surveillance.

Publishing & Books in Florida: The Miami Book Hub spotlights South Florida’s reading and publishing scene, including a South Florida Writers Roundtable focused on writers, publishing, and AI. Local Book Retail: Flutterbuy Books & More in Southwest Florida is hosting an Aug. 22 author signing with Richard Ballo for MomDad. Literary Community: Florida Bar Reporters’ Workshop is now accepting nominations for Oct. 4-6 in Tallahassee, aimed at training new Florida court and legal reporters. Censorship & Libraries: The Librarians documentary (PBS) keeps the spotlight on book-banning fights in schools, with filmmakers pointing to Florida’s own cases as the debate spreads. Publishing Industry News: Rizzoli Universe will publish The Art of Wildwood (Oct. 6) tied to LAIKA’s Wildwood film. Community Data & Accountability: A Venice panel with Suncoast Searchlight and Seeking Rents highlights how residents can slow or stop proposed hyperscale data centers. Public Notices: A debate over legal notices in newspapers underscores how local publishing can be tied to public access.

Publishing & Books in Florida: Manatee County opened a 30-day public comment period on a Draft Substantial Amendment to its “Lasting Manatee” CDBG-DR Action Plan, expanding homeowner reimbursement after Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton—an example of how local policy updates can directly shape residents’ recovery. Local Media & Public Notices: A debate over whether to keep publishing legal notices in newspapers underscores the stakes for transparency and access to government information. Literary Community: The Miami Book Hub highlighted South Florida’s book culture through a conversation on reading, storytelling, and building community around authors and book clubs. Book Industry News: IDW Publishing and LAIKA are teaming up for The Art of Wildwood, a companion volume to Wildwood, bringing film-to-page publishing to the forefront. Florida Journalism Training: The Florida Bar Reporters’ Workshop is accepting applications for a courts-and-legal reporting course in Tallahassee. Banned Books Spotlight: The Librarians documentary continues to fuel the national fight over school book removals.

Local Publishing & Community: Manatee County is asking residents to weigh in on a Draft Substantial Amendment to its “Lasting Manatee” CDBG-DR plan, including new homeowner reimbursement options tied to Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, plus updates to rental recovery and contractor-selection rules. Book Censorship Watch: “The Librarians” documentary keeps spotlighting the fight over banned books in school libraries, with Florida librarian stories at the center of a wider national push. Investigative Media & Policy: A Venice panel on hyperscale data centers highlighted how community pushback can shape local decisions, with reporters from Suncoast Searchlight and the Tampa Bay Times urging public engagement. Publishing Industry: Florida Trend marks 20 years with its inaugural Florida Trend ICON special edition, compiling 60 influential business leaders in a new commemorative format. Local Literary Scene: The Miami Book Hub spotlights Aileen Sabanal and the Reads by Aileen book community, while Flutterbuy Books & More in Southwest Florida hosts author Richard Ballo’s “MomDad” signing Aug. 22. Book Retail: Barnes & Noble is set to open a new South Florida store this fall at The Collection at Midtown Miami.

Publishing & Books in Florida: Florida Trend marks a milestone with the inaugural Florida Trend ICON special edition, spotlighting 60 influential business leaders in stories told “in their own words.” Local Book Retail: Barnes & Noble is set to open a new South Florida store at The Collection at Midtown Miami this fall, with plans pointing to an early October opening. Community Journalism & Training: The Florida Bar Reporters’ Workshop is accepting applications for a two-day Tallahassee program aimed at helping print, online, TV, and radio reporters cover courts and legal issues. Publishing/Media Accountability: A Washington Post report says surveillance company Flock is rolling out new safeguards after allegations of police misuse, including search labeling and shorter default data storage. Local Book Events: Southwest Florida bookstore Flutterbuy Books & More will host author Richard Ballo for a signing of MomDad on Aug. 22. Books Beyond Florida: Rizzoli Universe will publish The Art of Wildwood, tied to LAIKA’s film Wildwood, releasing Oct. 6.

AI & Media Licensing: Apple is reportedly in talks with news publishers to license “up-to-the-minute” information for its AI voice assistant, after earlier Apple Intelligence news summaries sparked major accuracy backlash. Publishing Industry & Ethics: Forbes fired former top editor Randall Lane after learning he accepted a $6 million payment tied to a Florida research firm collaborator, raising fresh questions about editorial conflicts. Local Book Retail: Barnes & Noble is set to open another South Florida store this fall at The Collection at Midtown Miami, continuing the chain’s post-pandemic expansion. Community Reading: Tampa Bay’s Little Free Libraries keep growing, with one St. Petersburg resident’s tiny “house” cabinet library restocked weekly and drawing steady kid readers. Homeschool Funding: Some Florida homeschool parents using the state’s Personalized Education Program say they’re being denied reimbursements, even as new projections suggest more money than earlier forecasts. Books & Publishing Events: South Florida author Ryan P. Carroll launched the thriller “Havana Hearts,” a Miami-set mystery mixing suspense, romance, and family secrets. Government & Procurement: A Florida-focused guide breaks down bid protest rules, deadlines, and who can challenge state agency contract decisions. Tech/Defense Publishing: Quantum Cyber unveiled a quantum photonic antenna and published its inaugural technical white paper.

Book Publishing & Local Authors: South Florida novelist Ryan P. Carroll launched the thriller “Havana Hearts,” a Miami-to-elsewhere suspense ride about a Cuban immigrant whose best friend vanishes. Retail & Reading Culture: Barnes & Noble is set to open another South Florida store—this fall in Midtown Miami’s Collection at Midtown complex—continuing the chain’s post-pandemic expansion. Homeschooling & Education Funding: Florida’s Personalized Education Program (PEP) is denying some homeschool families scholarship reimbursements, even as new projections suggest more money than earlier estimates. Community Libraries: Tampa Bay’s Little Free Libraries keep growing, with one St. Petersburg “house” cabinet stocked weekly and picked up fast by kids. Media Industry Policy: Florida lawmakers are backing a “bad bots” crackdown via the Stealth Bot Prohibition Act, pushing for bot transparency to protect publishers’ sites. Healthcare Costs (Publishing-adjacent impact): Hospitals are increasingly demanding upfront payments from insured patients before care, adding new financial pressure for families.

Publishing & Books in Florida: A Florida couple, Ceyon and Christal Calvert of Pembroke Pines, remains in federal custody as prosecutors say they helped run a Publishers Clearing House scam targeting elderly victims with fake multimillion-dollar prize claims and upfront “taxes and fees.” Disney Books: Gallery Books (Simon & Schuster) sets a Sept. 29 release for former Disney CEO Bob Chapek’s memoir, Behind The Castle Walls, covering his 30-year Disney run and the behind-the-scenes turmoil from his 2020 appointment to his 2022 exit. Education & Culture Wars: A new book, Pushed to the Edge: Teachers’ Stories from the Culture Wars, spotlights how book bans, firings, and personal attacks are reshaping classrooms and chilling educators. Tech for Readers & Accessibility: HD Barcode LLC announced HD VisionGuide, a hands-free navigation and information system using embedded HD InfoCodes for offline guidance in places like hospitals and hotels. Local Politics (Reading Audience): The Observer previews Q&As for Florida’s 11th Congressional District GOP candidates ahead of the Aug. 18 primary.

Healthcare Costs & Prepayment: KFF Health News and CBS News report hospitals increasingly demand big upfront deposits before care, leaving insured patients with little recourse and higher financial exposure. AI Transparency Fight: Elon Musk’s xAI loses a bid to block California’s AI training-data disclosure law, setting up a First Amendment showdown over what companies must reveal. Florida Vaccines Update: Florida’s surgeon general still pushed to end vaccine mandates, but mandates remain; meanwhile, exemption rates are at their highest in a decade and hesitancy is rising. Voting Rights Push (Miami-Dade): Black civic groups urge early turnout for Florida’s Aug. 18 primary as Miami-Dade turnout lags and rules keep shifting. Publishing/Books & Community: UCF’s FanFest highlights the bookstore opening and signings, while a University Times immigrant-rights project shows student storytelling tied to publishing and campus media. Accessibility Tech (Florida): HD Barcode LLC unveils HD VisionGuide, an offline-capable navigation and instruction system using embedded codes.

Union & Tech Ethics: USA TODAY Co. unionized journalists say the company’s partnership with Palantir threatens reader trust and raises data-security questions. Local Elections Access: Orange County’s elections office is under fire for stopping mailed sample ballots for the 2026 primary and pushing voters to a QR-code online option. Renewables vs. Heritage: A proposed wind farm near New York’s Holy Trinity Monastery is sparking protests over historic preservation and cultural landscapes. Publishing & Books: Palmetto Publishing releases D.A. Bennett’s Texas Gulf Coast thriller Brushstrokes and White Lines, while Indigo River Publishing promotes Marketing for Leaders for navigating AI-driven noise. Florida Community & Culture: A 100th-episode South Florida Comedy Calendar spotlights local stand-up and venues. Sports & Local News: Jacksonville signs LB Amari Burney as camp depth concerns mount; Downtown Daytona’s “renaissance” and a push to name Daytona’s barrier island keep local identity stories in the spotlight. Publishing Industry Policy: Florida lawmakers back a Stealth Bot Prohibition Act aimed at forcing “bad bots” to disclose themselves.

Florida Publishing & Books: Palmetto Publishing released D.A. Bennett’s Texas Gulf Coast thriller Brushstrokes and White Lines, launching River Fitzhugh into a storm-torn mystery with ties to a deadly past. Local Literary Community: The Florida Authors and Publishers Association (FAPA) named 2026 President’s Awards winners, with Tallahassee-area authors and publishers taking Gold and other honors across memoir, crime/suspense, history, and more. Comics & Retail Industry: Ink Alliance debuted with a limited 1,000-copy Sanford Greene variant cover for DC’s New Titans #38, available in-store through participating Black-owned independent shops starting Aug. 19. Publishing & AI Business: Indigo River Publishing promoted Marketing for Leaders, its latest “For Leaders” title aimed at helping leaders cut through AI-driven marketing noise. Media/Publishing Watch: Florida AG James Uthmeier demanded access to New York Times internal documents over admitted Israel-Hamas coverage errors, arguing shareholders should be able to review board materials. Tech & Small Business Reputation: A report highlights how Google’s AI summaries can mislead consumers about businesses, raising new accountability questions for publishers and platforms. Florida Culture & Events: Sunshine City Scare returns to St. Petersburg with vendors and Monster High creator Garrett Sander for signings, panels, and cosplay.

Florida Python Challenge: The FWC’s annual hunt wrapped with Tom Rahill of Lutz winning the $10,000 grand prize for removing 96 pythons, while the pro longest-catch winner logged a 16-foot-5-inch snake from Everglades National Park. Public Health: Florida’s cyclospora outbreak keeps expanding, with new cases reported in Lee and Collier areas. Press Oversight: Florida AG James Uthmeier demanded access to New York Times internal board records over admitted Israel-Hamas coverage errors, warning he could sue if the paper doesn’t respond. Local Publishing & Community: The Miami Book Hub’s South Florida Writers Roundtable returns for a second chapter, spotlighting local authors and digging into how AI is changing writing and publishing. Tech & Growth: Ealixir reported second-quarter 2026 results, highlighting its shift toward a digital reputation and identity platform. Events for Readers: Tampa Bay’s “Sunshine City Scare” in St. Petersburg brings a Monster High creator for signings, panels, and cosplay this weekend.

Florida Education & Ideology: A national investigation claims the Zinn Education Project is feeding Howard Zinn–linked materials into classrooms via free teacher resources, raising alarms about how much discretion educators have over history lessons. Florida Health Policy: Florida’s surgeon general may have pushed to end vaccine mandates, but school requirements remain; meanwhile, reports point to rising hesitancy and higher exemption rates. Florida Courts & Media: Florida AG demands access to New York Times internal board documents after the paper acknowledged major mistakes in its Oct. 7 Hamas coverage. Publishing Deal: SLKY World acquired rights to Rwanda-based author Lamana Ali’s sci-fi/fantasy novel The Celestial Ashes, reworking it for release in early 2027. Local Publishing/Books: A Florida author’s Baseball in Paradise book tour spotlights Bradenton spring-training history, with signings and talks at the Center on Anna Maria Island. Tech & Manufacturing (Florida): St. Petersburg firm Haddy says it built a U.S.-military drone boat using large-format robotic 3D printing, signaling faster, more flexible maritime production.

Publishing Deal: Orlando-based SLKY World acquired exclusive global rights to Rwanda author Lamana Ali’s self-published sci-fi/fantasy novel The Celestial Ashes, with a re-edit and new cover planned for early 2027. Local Crime & Schools: St. Johns County authorities say a 14-year-old student had homemade firearms and explosive devices and conspired with a friend to rob someone, prompting adult charges and a public “prevented a tragedy” message. Health & Coastal Safety: Louisiana reported five Vibrio vulnificus deaths and nine hospitalizations in 2026, with all cases tied to wounds exposed to warm seawater (not raw shellfish), urging coastal caution. Books & Community: Ohio Mama Bears is stocking little free libraries with LGBTQ+ books to expand representation amid ongoing anti-LGBTQ+ pressure. Florida Tech Manufacturing: St. Petersburg firm Haddy says it produced a TF-179 drone boat for the U.S. military using large-format robotic additive manufacturing. Media & Mental Health: Perez Hilton remains hospitalized in Florida under the Baker Act after a livestream self-harm incident; his family says recovery will be long and asks for privacy.

Publishing Rights Deal: SLKY World acquired exclusive global rights to Rwanda-based author Lamana Ali’s self-published fantasy novel THE CELESTIAL ASHES, planning a re-edit and new cover for an early-2027 release. Miami Book Buzz: S.M. Chase’s Midnight Miami launches a Grits & Gravy mystery series that blends werewolf horror, 1981 South Beach crime, and detective buddy energy. Local Author Spotlight: Pasquale Carlucci’s Baseball in Paradise highlights Bradenton spring-training history, with book signings and talks at the Center on Anna Maria Island. First Amendment & AI: A guest viewpoint argues against rolling over to AI, while another piece asks how the First Amendment should govern liability for AI—both feeding the ongoing debate over speech, tech, and regulation. School Safety: St. Johns County authorities say a middle schooler had homemade firearms and explosive devices, a reminder that kids’ online talk can turn into real-world publishing-worthy public safety stories.