Florida News That Impacts You – January 25th, 2024
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Movers in Wednesday’s legislative session included the Social Media Use for Minors bill. The bill would require social media companies to use age verification services and would prevent those under the age of 16 from having social media accounts. The proposed legislation passed the Florida House with broad bipartisan support. The state senate will now consider whether to take up the legislation. The Impeding, Threatening, or Harassing First Responders bill also advanced and is ready for a vote before the House and Senate. The legislation would make it a crime to impede a first responder during an emergency. The Exposures of First Responders to Fentanyl bill also advanced. The bill would add criminal penalties for exposing first responders to fentanyl while they’re responding to an emergency.
- Six new property insurance companies are entering Florida as the property insurance recovery continues to take hold following two years of reforms passed by the state aimed at curbing litigation abuses. The new companies which will begin offering policies are: Condo Owners Reciprocal Insurance, Mainsail Insurance Company, Orion 180 Insurance Company, Orion 180 Select Insurance Company, Orange Insurance Exchange, and Tailrow Insurance Company.
- Following the announcement that the state of Florida had a record high graduation rate of 88% for the 2022-2023 school year, Palm Beach School Superintendent Michael Burke highlighted Palm Beach County’s record high graduation rate. The Palm Beach County School District’s graduation rate was well above the state average at 90.5% and was the highest of all large school districts. Two schools, the Village Academy Center and the Palm Beach County Virtual school, had perfect graduation rates.
- Windy and warm again today with a high near 80 – which is about seven degrees warmer than usual. Our weather will remain warmer than usual through the weekend before a cold front makes its way into our area Sunday night.
- Gas prices rose for a third straight day. The average price statewide for regular unleaded is now $3.18 per gallon- 2 cents higher than yesterday and 15 cents than a week ago. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.34 per gallon, in Martin the average is $3.24 and in Indian River County the average is $3.20 per gallon.