Florida News That Impacts You – October 23rd, 2023
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Two disturbances are active in the tropics. Hurricane Tammy is now north of the Lesser Antilles after making landfall in the island chain over the weekend. It’s expected to slowly move north throughout the week prior to weakening into a tropical storm and perhaps taking a turn towards the west south of Bermuda. Another disturbance in the south Caribbean Sea has a 60% chance of developing into a tropical cyclone prior to an expected landfall in Nicaragua tomorrow.
- The Florida Legislature will hold a special session from November 6th through the 9th which will address Florida’s efforts to support Israel in their war with Hamas, Iranian sanctions and Hurricane Idalia recovery efforts.
- Another study has found Florida’s colleges are the most affordable in the country. A new Research.com study of over 1,700 colleges factored in the total cost of college expenses for students. The University of Florida ranks as the most affordable in the US, with Florida State 2nd and the University of South Florida 4th.
- Following the July 1st implementation of Florida’s new “bathrooms” legislation – which mandates students use restrooms which correspond to their sex at birth, a new Florida Board of Education rule has applied the law to all private schools – including colleges.
- Gas prices continued to trend lower through the weekend. Statewide the average price for regular unleaded is $3.22 per gallon – 11 cents lower than a week ago. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.45 per gallon, which is the 11th highest price in the state. Oil prices are about 5% higher since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war, however it hasn’t yet translated into higher prices at the pump.