Florida News That Impacts You – March 26th, 2024
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Governor DeSantis signed the Online Protections for Minors bill into law. The law, which will take effect January 1st, prevents those under the age of 14 from operating a social media account. Parents must authorize social media accounts for 14- and 15-year-olds and can request that existing accounts be deleted.
- Martin County Sheriff William Snyder warned residents on Monday to be on the lookout for squatters. Quoting Snyder, I would recommend to anybody out there who thinks that they've looked at this TikTok, maybe it's a good idea to go into someone's house and claim residency, I'll move your residency to the Martin County Jail. Snyder was referring to a viral video on TikTok posted by an illegal immigrant from Venezuela instructing illegal immigrants on how to exploit loopholes in state laws to “invade” homes. Florida has a soon-to-be enacted bill which will criminalize squatting as of July 1st.
- Briny Breezes has been granted $1.4 million by the federal government for stormwater pumps to combat flooding in the coastal mobile home community. Flooding, especially during King Tides and tropical systems, has been a growing concern for the community.
- A groundbreaking ceremony took place at the future site of a new PopStroke location near Palm Beach International Airport. The entertainment complex will include 18-hole putting courses, a restaurant, multiple bars including a sushi bar, several jumbotrons and a children’s playground. The location is expected to be open by the end of the year.
- Warm and windy today with highs in the lows 80’s, or about five degrees warmer than usual this date. Wind gusts will continue to be in the 20’s throughout the day. Similar weather is expected through Thursday.
- Gas prices dropped two cents per gallon on Monday. The average price statewide for regular unleaded is currently $3.48 per gallon. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.71 per gallon, in Martin the average is $3.58 and in Indian River County the average is $3.54 per gallon.