Florida News That Impacts You – October 30th, 2024
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- A total of 5,141,915 Floridians, or 37% of Florida’s voters have voted via vote by mail ballots or through early voting with Republicans having outvoted Democrats by 592,715 voters. Turnout is over 45% in Palm Beach County, 51% in Martin and 47% in Indian River County.
- Early in person voting continues today. In Palm Beach County there are 26 early voting locations that will be open from 7 am to 7 pm daily through Sunday. For residents of Martin County, there are six early voting locations operating from 8 am to 5 pm daily through Saturday and in Indian River County early voting will be held at three locations from 8 am until 4 pm through Saturday. As a reminder you’re able to vote in any early voting location within the county that you’re registered to vote in. You need to bring a government issued photo ID when you go to the polls.
- FPL is seeking a surcharge on bills to account for losses related to hurricane damages and power restoration over the prior two years. In a request to the Florida Public Service Commission, FPL stated the company’s storm reserves had been depleted following the impact of four hurricanes in the state over the course of two years. The surcharge sought would increase utility bills by $12 per month, per 1,000-kWh used in 2025.
- The Town of Jupiter will swear in a new police chief today. Deputy Chief Michael Barbera will be promoted to the top post replacing retiring Chief David England. Barbera has worked for Jupiter PD since 1996.
- It’ll be cloudy and gusty today with highs in the low 80’s - a little warmer than usual for this date. The National Hurricane Center is tracking one system. A disturbance in the Southwestern Caribbean Sea has a 40% chance of developing over the next seven days. The disturbance is expected to drift north but it’s too early to tell in what direction.
- Gas prices were flat on Tuesday. The average price for regular unleaded in Florida is currently $3.12 per gallon. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.29 per gallon, in Martin the average is $3.16 and in Indian River County the average is $3.14 per gallon.