Florida News That Impacts You – July 5th, 2024
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- We’re in the midst of what’s expected to be the busiest Independence Day travel period on record. Many have taken an extended weekend with the 4th falling on Thursday. AAA is estimating a total of 71 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home including 4.5 million Floridians.
- Floridians continue to be more optimistic about the economy than Americans overall. The University of Florida’s monthly consumer sentiment index showed Florida closing out the first half of the year with a 73.2 reading (on a scale that goes up to 150), up slightly from May and from the start of the year. Nationally consumer sentiment stands at a 68.2 reading with sentiment having fallen for three consecutive months.
- A new decade long study of traffic accidents released by transportation nonprofit TRIP, found fatalities on Florida’s roads have increased by 43% over the past ten years with the rate of fatalities rising by 18% over that time. The study, which is based on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, did show that Florida fatalities have fallen by 8% since peak levels two years ago.
- Sunny skies this morning will give way to increasing clouds with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Highs will be around 90 - four degrees warmer than usual for this date. Hurricane Beryl is making another landfall this morning in Mexico as a category 3 hurricane. The hurricane is expected to cross over into the Gulf regaining hurricane strength yet again for another landfall in Mexico or Texas Sunday night. There are no other disturbances in the Atlantic as a significant Saharan dust cloud is currently crossing the Atlantic.
- Gas prices have continued to rise this week. The average price for regular unleaded in Florida is currently $3.53 per gallon. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.67 per gallon, in Martin the average is $3.60 and in Indian River County the average is $3.54 per gallon.