Florida News That Impacts You – August 1st, 2024
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- The Florida Sheriffs Association and the Florida Police Chiefs Association are opposing Florida’s proposed recreational marijuana amendment, Amendment 3. According to sheriff's association President Bill Prummell: The well-being and health of the citizens of Florida are threatened through the legalization and normalization of recreational marijuana. Our priority is the safety and security of our communities, and the data clearly shows that legalization leads to increased public health issues, road safety concerns, and a rise in youth marijuana use.
- Florida’s consumer sentiment continues to rise while overall sentiment across the country continues to fall according to the University of Florida’s monthly report. In the monthly sentiment index, Florida saw a 1.2-point increase in consumer confidence in July compared with a 1.8-point decline nationally. Florida’s index has risen each of the past two months while consumer sentiment has fallen for four consecutive months nationally.
- South Florida based OneBlood, a blood donation not-for-profit, has been hit with a ransomware attack. OneBlood’s digital assets are currently impacted by the attack and the non-profit is attempting to assess the extent of data that may be compromised - this includes whether donor information has been compromised. OneBlood is still accepting blood donations, however all processes are currently being handled with manual paperwork.
- Today’s weather will be similar to yesterday with a mix of clouds and sun with a high in the low 90’s. Temperatures will be about 5 degrees warmer than usual for this date. The National Hurricane Center is tracking a disturbance in the Atlantic that could develop into a tropical depression this weekend with the potential to impact Florida. The system currently has a 60% chance of development as Saharan dust continues to mitigate the development of tropical systems in the Atlantic.
- Gas prices dropped a penny on Wednesday. The average price for regular unleaded in Florida is currently $3.39 per gallon. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.57 per gallon, in Martin the average is $3.43 and in Indian River County the average is $3.39 per gallon.