Florida News That Impacts You – February 6th, 2024
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Movers in Monday’s legislative session included the Age Verification for Social Media Platform Accounts. A Senate companion bill to the social media ban for children under 16 which recently passed in the Florida House, the bill cleared its first senate committee hearing on a 7-2 vote despite concerns raised by Governor DeSantis about the constitutionality of the legislation. The Defamation bill, which would make it easier for Floridians to pursue defamation claims against members of the media and media organizations, advanced through a Senate committee on a 7-2 vote as well. The Harassment of Election Workers bill advanced unanimously in its first senate committee stop. The bill would toughen penalties for threats and harassment of election workers and officials.
- The Palm Beach County Health Department flagged irregularities in Rivera Beach’s water quality reporting which revealed that residents may have been exposed to E. Coli and Fecal matter in the City’s water supply last June. Rivera Beach is opening an investigation into the matter.
- Harbourside Place has proposed a plan to the Town of Jupiter to address the shuttered fountain following the death of a father due to electrocution. The plan would remove power from the fountain while restoring power to the amphitheater. Jupiter officials have yet to comment on the proposal.
- A new irrigation system which should aid water quality in the Indian River Lagoon has been announced. A plan is in place to run an irrigation pipe under the Indian River Lagoon to the main relief canal that spills into the Lagoon. The water would be filtered and sent to John’s Island. The total estimated cost of the project is $9 million - $3 million of which is already accounted for by grants. The project is tentatively scheduled to commence in May.
- Temperatures will remain well below usual with highs in the mid to upper 60’s, about 8 degrees cooler than usual for this time of year. Passing showers and increased wind are expected throughout the day. Cooler than usual temps are expected at least into Thursday.
- Gas prices dipped a penny on Monday. The average price statewide for regular unleaded is now $3.21 per gallon - a penny higher than a week ago. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.38 per gallon, in Martin the average is $3.28 and in Indian River County the average is $3.21 per gallon.