Florida News That Impacts You – October 6th, 2023
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- There are two disturbances in the Atlantic. Tropical Storm Philippe is expected to cross over Bermuda on its way towards the northeast for a potential landfall in Maine or Nova Scotia. There’s also a disturbance off the coast of Africa which is being given a 50% chance of development over the next week according to the National Hurricane Center. It doesn’t appear as though it will be a threat to populated areas.
- Six new insurance companies are entering Florida’s property insurance market amid stabilization following a series of legislative actions taken to curb abuses fueling a crisis within the state. The new companies authorized by the state to underwrite policies are Edison Insurance, TypTap Insurance, Florida Peninsula, SafePoint Insurance, Slide Insurance and American Traditions. The companies will begin by assuming over 150,000 policies from Citizen’s Insurance, the state’s insurer of last resort.
- A Florida-led effort to recover funds lost by citizens in all 50 states in a ransomware attack of software company Blackbaud in 2020, has resulted in a recovery of $50 million. Florida’s share is $3 million. Quoting AG Ashley Moody We are holding Blackbaud, an international software company, accountable for a massive ransomware attack that compromised the personal information of potentially millions of consumers across the country, including those donating to charities, health care organizations and other nonprofits. Speaking of Moody...
- The State of Florida has sued the Biden Administration over threats by the federal government to withhold $800 million in federal grants from the state due to the Florida’s new law which prevents public sector unions from automatically deducting union dues from paychecks, among other related reforms.
- The Palm Beach Gardens City Council has approved a plan to redevelop the PGA Marina. Central to the development was a decision to allow construction height of up to 83 feet, from the current 36-foot limit. City officials claim the higher construction will be more aesthetically pleasing and will limit noise.
- Gas prices are a penny lower today. Statewide the average price for regular unleaded is $3.51 per gallon flat with a week ago. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.70 per gallon, which is the 6th highest price in the state.