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Florida News That Impacts You – May 13th, 2022
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Covid cases are continuing to rise. With 7,812 new COVID-19 cases reported on Thursday – the highest in over three months, Florida’s weekly trend has risen to the highest level since February 18th. It’s widely believed actual totals are far higher than officially reported totals.
- The record setting surge in gas prices continued into Friday. The average statewide average for a gallon of regular unleaded gas is now a new high of $4.47 per gallon – a seven cent increase over the past day. Gas prices have now risen an average of 28 cents per gallon over the past week. In South Florida, prices range from a low of $4.47 in Miami-Dade, to a statewide high of a record-setting $4.59 per gallon In Palm Beach County today.
- Judge J. Layne Smith issued the official order striking down Florida’s recently ratified congressional map. Notably, Smith opted to select a map submitted by a Harvard professor which retains most of Governor DeSantis’ map while only redrawing five North Florida districts. Based on Smith’s ruling, the only District in question is Florida’s 5th currently represented by Al Lawson. The state will appeal the ruling to Florida’s Supreme Court.
- Florida’s casinos had a record first quarter, with March being the best month in the industry’s history. Total first quarter revenue to the casinos totaled $182 million.