Florida News That Impacts You – May 3rd, 2024
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Governor DeSantis signed two bills into law on Thursday including the Chief Financial Officer bill which adds consumer protections including barring financial companies from debanking customers due to political considerations and legal purchasing habits. The bill also amends state law to enable state funds to be held at community-based credit unions within the state and protects employees from ideological discrimination in the workplace. The Educator Preparation Programs bill, which will take effect July 1st, prohibits the teaching of ideological theories such as the country being systemically racist and sexist. The new law will also regulate teacher preparation programs from including similar materials.
- A month after Palm Beach Gardens officials approved a plan that would replace the existing Plant Drive Park with two indoor ice rinks in a project led by the Palm Beach North Athletic Foundation, a Wayne Gretzky backed non-profit, a community group Save Gardens Skatepark, showed up at Thursday’s meeting to oppose the plan. The group has opened a change.org petition that’s collected over 2,800 signatures thus far. Under the approved plan the PBNA has 15 months to raise the $40 million necessary for the new complex to be built before next steps take place.
- Sunfest kicks off at five this afternoon in West Palm Beach. The three-day music festival’s opening acts for this afternoon and evening include Billy Idol, Quit Riot, Shaggy and Nelly.
- Clear skies and highs in the mid 80’s today, which is about three degrees warmer than for this date. We should have similar weather through the weekend.
- Gas prices have been flat statewide over the past day, however we’ve seen increases locally. The average price statewide for regular unleaded is currently $3.64 per gallon. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.79 per gallon, in Martin the average is $3.68 and in Indian River County the average is $3.62 per gallon.