Florida News That Impacts You – July 29th, 2024
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Florida’s Back to School Sales Tax Holiday is underway today and runs through August 11th. Most school supplies valued at $50 or less are tax exempt in addition to clothing, shoes and accessories valued at $100 or less and computers and accessories valued at $1,500 or less.
- Florida’s so called “Stop Woke Act” has had a key provision of the law permanently blocked. On Friday federal Judge Mark Walker made his temporary injunction against DEI-related hiring practices by private employers permanent. The decision comes following a federal appeals court siding with Walker’s initial ruling.
- The Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections office conducted its first test of voting equipment and systems at the new headquarters located at 4301 Cherry Road in West Palm Beach. Supervisor of Elections Wendy Sartory Link stated the tests were successful and that the county is prepared for Florida’s August 20th primary elections. Early voting runs from August 10th – 18th.
- A mix of clouds and rain today with a high in the upper 80’s. Temperatures will be about 2 degrees warmer than usual for this date. The National Hurricane Center is tracking a disturbance in the Atlantic that could develop into a tropical depression later this week with the potential to impact Florida. The system currently has a 50% chance of development over the next seven days.
- Gas prices dropped about five cents per gallon over the weekend, though they’re still higher than a week ago. The average price for regular unleaded in Florida is currently $3.38 per gallon. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.58 per gallon, in Martin the average is $3.45 and in Indian River County the average is $3.39 per gallon.