Florida News That Impacts You – July 21st, 2023
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- The Intracoastal Waterway in Boynton Beach has been deemed safe for people to use. A stormwater system failure led to the dumping of millions of gallons of sewage into the Intracoastal starting July 3rd until the leak was repaired July 6th. The Florida Department of Health and Palm Beach County Health Department issued warnings about unsafe levels of contamination which were present until testing yesterday determined bacteria levels were once again safe for people.
- The Discovery Channel is introducing a new Florida-based series as part of Shark Week called Cocaine Sharks. The series will study the level of illicit drug contamination Florida’s sharks have been exposed to as a result of drugs lost in Florida’s waters during trafficking operations. Scientists believe sharks have eaten bundles of drugs, including bricks of cocaine.
- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has decided Florida won’t hold a bear hunt this year. A bear hunt was last authorized in 2015 when 304 bears were killed within two days. The last estimated Florida bear count, which was in 2017, placed the population at 4,050 bears.
- Gas prices rose another two cents per gallon on Thursday. Statewide the average price for regular unleaded is currently $3.48 per gallon – 4 cents higher than a week ago. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.61 per gallon, which is the highest price in the state.