Florida News That Impacts You – June 20th, 2024
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Today is the Summer Solstice, the start of the astronomical summer and marks the longest daylight hours and shortest day of darkness.
- Citizens Property Insurance, the state’s insurer of last resort, and currently the largest insurer with approximately 1.2 million policies, will seek a 14% increase for insurance renewals. Citizens’ Board of Governors approved the proposed increase for policy renewals that would take effect in 2025 if approved by state regulators. Annual rate increases for Citizens policies are limited under state law and are currently 38% below market rates.
- Lobster mini season is being extended by an extra day this year. The two-day lobster mini season is scheduled for July 24th and 25th. In advance of the two-day event, Florida residents will have the opportunity on Sunday, July 14th for a one-day residents-only expansion this year. In announcing the expansion, Governor DeSantis also said the lobster limit will be upped by two lobsters per person per day over prior years.
- Windy with a chance of passing thunderstorms today. Highs will be in the upper 80’s. Temps will be about 2 degrees higher than usual for this date. The National Hurricane Center is tracking two disturbances. Tropical Storm Alberto has made landfall in Mexico with top sustained winds of 50 mph. Another disturbance off of Florida’s coast has a 30% chance of development, as it’s expected to approach the Southeast coastline between northern Florida and the South Carolina tomorrow.
- Gas prices rose significantly on Wednesday – by nine cents per gallon. The average price for regular unleaded in Florida is currently $3.32 per gallon. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.49 per gallon, in Martin the average is $3.37 and in Indian River County the average is $3.30 per gallon.