Florida News That Impacts You – October 31st, 2024
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- A total of 5,697,987 Floridians, or 41% of Florida’s voters have voted via vote by mail ballots or through early voting with Republicans having outvoted Democrats by 667,969 voters. Turnout is 49% in Palm Beach County, 55% in Martin and 51% in Indian River County.
- Early in person voting continues today. In Palm Beach County there are 26 early voting locations that will be open from 7 am to 7 pm daily through Sunday. For residents of Martin County, there are six early voting locations operating from 8 am to 5 pm daily through Saturday and in Indian River County early voting will be held at three locations from 8 am until 4 pm through Saturday. As a reminder you’re able to vote in any early voting location within the county that you’re registered to vote in. You need to bring a government issued photo ID when you go to the polls.
- A Martin County hosted workshop aimed at getting assistance for those impacted by the tornadoes during Hurricane Milton contained a common theme - issues with federal assistance programs. Numerous residents complained of FEMA outright rejecting claims or delaying the decision process for many of the community’s 400+ homes damaged by tornadoes. Complaints by business owners about the Small Business Administration not meeting needs were also apparent. Martin County officials helped connect residents with experts and resources to aid in the recovery process going forward.
- It’ll be partly cloudy and windy again today with highs in the low 80’s - a little warmer than usual for this date. The National Hurricane Center is tracking one system. A disturbance in the Southwestern Caribbean Sea has a 50% chance of developing over the next seven days. The disturbance is expected to drift north but it’s too early to tell in what direction.
- Gas prices dropped by four cents per gallon on Wednesday. The average price for regular unleaded in Florida is currently $3.08 per gallon. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.27 per gallon, in Martin the average is $3.15 and in Indian River County the average is $3.11 per gallon.