Florida News That Impacts You – October 2nd, 2023
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Two disturbances remain active in the Atlantic. Tropical storm Philippe, which forecasters have had trouble projecting, is near the Leeward Islands prompting a Tropical Storm watch for the islands. It’s expected to head north, without making landfall and strengthening into a hurricane prior to dissipating. Post-tropical cyclone Rina will soon dissipate in the mid-Atlantic.
- Brightline, which recently launched service from South Florida to Orlando, has been awarded a $1.6 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration to develop an A.I. safety monitoring system. The grant money will be used to collect trespass activity on railroad tracks which will be used in the development of a safety monitoring system. Images and video from train tracks between Miami and Orlando will be collected and used as part of the initiative.
- A recent Lending Tree study found the cost of raising a child to the age of 18 in Florida is now over $200,000 – though Florida remains one of the most affordable states to raise a child nationally – ranking 34th in total cost. Hawaii is the most expensive state with the cost of raising a child topping $314,000. South Carolina is the most affordable with an 18-year cost of $169,000.
- Gas prices were steady through the weekend. Statewide the average price for regular unleaded is $3.48 per gallon – 12 cents lower than a week ago. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.70 per gallon, which is the ninth highest price in the state and the best relative value of the year.