Florida News That Impacts You – January 18th, 2024
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- The Florida State Board of Education has enacted a rule permanently banning DEI, or Diversity Equity and Inclusion programs throughout the Florida College System. The rule states taxpayer funds may not be used for programs for the “purpose of differential or preferential treatment”. The controversial DEI programs contributed to what the Supreme Court determined were unlawful admissions practices in colleges in other states.
- Movers in Tuesday’s state legislative session included the Traveling Across County Lines to Commit Criminal Offense bill. The proposed legislation increases penalties for criminal offenders who commit crimes outside of the country they live in. The Online Access to Materials Harmful to Minors bill, which requires age verification services for pornographic websites advanced. The Social Media Use for Minors bill, which would require social media companies to use age verification services and that would prevent those under the age of 16 from having social media accounts also advanced in Wednesday’s session.
- A new affordable housing development has opened to residents of Delray Beach. The Island Cove Apartment complex on Southwest 12th Avenue has 60 units with monthly rents ranging from $1,449 to $1,674. The development of the complex was led by Delray’s community redevelopment agency.
- Highs in the mid-70's today will be a couple of degrees above the seasonal average. There’s a chance of rain again late this afternoon into this evening as we continue to experience one of wetter “dry seasons” on record.
- Gas prices fell again on Wednesday. The average price statewide for regular unleaded is $3.03 per gallon - 10 cents lower than a week ago. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.25 per gallon, in Martin the average is $3.16 and in Indian River County the average is $3.04 per gallon.