I think most of the airports are working under new directions from the FAA. I'm experiencing the tower manager never providing an OK to fly within 5 miles. I believe that has to be issued by the FAA now as a waiver, which requires your 107 cert# to apply. Waivers take 90 days for approval, and they are only good for a specified period of time. Once you get the waiver, you then call the tower on flight day and tell them you have the FAA waiver and you're going to be flying near the airport, with coordinates and elevation. ATC can inform you of anything special going on in your area, but you have the waiver so you can fly if it's safe.
If anyone is experiencing anything different, please chime in. Sorry for the hijack.