Florida News That Impacts You – April 12th, 2024
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Census estimates show Florida’s young children were the most likely not to be counted during the 2020 Census survey. According to Census Bureau estimates approximately 112,000 children aged 4 and younger weren’t counted during the Census survey – about 10% of the state’s total. That figure was nearly twice the national average and contributed to Florida not gaining an additional congressional seat and electoral college vote as was anticipated headed into the Census.
- Initial polling from Emerson on Florida’s proposed constitutional amendment which would allow abortions up to the point of “viability”, a subjective standard that would allow abortions past the previous Roe standard of 20 weeks, suggests that the measure currently lacks the necessary support to pass. In the survey 42% of voters said they would vote for the proposed amendment, while 25% plan to vote against it (with the balance of voters undecided). The measure needs 60% to pass.
- Homelessness in Palm Beach County rose by about 15%, or 300 people, in 2023 according to the annual Point-In-Time count conducted by Palm Beach County Community Services. The largest percentage increase in homelessness came from minors. The homeless population of minors more than doubled from 32 people in 2022 to 72 last year. The data comes amid a crackdown on homelessness statewide with a new law banning sleeping or camping on public property.
- Great weather today and throughout the weekend. Today’s high will be near 80, slightly cooler than usual for this date. Similar and slightly cooler weather this weekend with overnight temps reaching the upper 50’s and highs in the upper 70’s with sunny skies.
- Gas prices took a breather on Thursday dropping by a couple cents per gallon. The average price statewide for regular unleaded is currently $3.55 per gallon. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.75 per gallon, in Martin the average is $3.62 and in Indian River County the average is $3.59 per gallon.