Federal Court Fight: In a civil lawsuit tied to alleged fraud involving Francis “Alfie” Oakes III’s North Naples operations, Oakes’ former acting CEO says more wrongdoing is emerging, while Oakes remains uncharged and says his attorneys are keeping him silent due to an ongoing federal probe. Space Coast Watch: Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket reportedly exploded during a Kennedy Space Center static fire test; NASA and Blue Origin say personnel are accounted for, while SpaceX’s Starship is also temporarily grounded after a mishap pending FAA review. Property Tax Shockwaves: DeSantis’ homestead property tax plan is heading to a special session, but new Senate language and early scrutiny raise alarms about funding gaps for schools, public safety, and local services—plus questions about how revenue would be replaced. AI Data Center Pushback: Escambia residents are protesting a proposed “smaller” AI data center after reports of talks, while Lakeland officials are weighing an early-stage hyperscale data center proposal. Local Business Wins & Growth: Pensacola’s A Mano Panino earns a Michelin “Bib Gourmand,” and Naples-based PaddleWar announces new ownership and expansion plans. Small Business Struggles: Bradenton breweries face closures—3 Keys is ending operations and Motorworks is dealing with eviction tied to a foreclosure case. Community Support: New Port Richey businesses and residents launch a community-funded effort to buy summer recreation passes for families who can’t afford them.