Florida News That Impacts You – March 1st, 2023
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida. Gas prices continued lower through the weekend.
- Gas prices dropped another two cents over the past day. Statewide the average price for regular unleaded is $3.26 per gallon – seven cents lower than a week ago. In Palm Beach County the price is $3.51 per gallon, a penny lower than yesterday, though the price remains the highest in the state.
- While still low, Floridians are more optimistic about the economic outlook. The monthly consumer sentiment index rose by nearly two points to 67.2 - which is slightly above the national average. The index bottomed out at 50 last June and had reached a record high of 101 in February 2020 – just prior to the impact of the pandemic.
- Trip Advisor’s annual Traveler’s Choice List of the Top 25 Beaches is out. Eight of the top 25 ranked according to visitors over the past year are in Florida, though they’re almost all on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Clearwater Beach is #23, Sombrero Beach in Marathon is #22, Pensacola Beach #20, Panama City Beach #18, St. Pete Beach #14, St. Augustine Beach #13, Henderson Beach State Park in Destin #6 and Siesta Beach in Siesta Key #2. The top rated beach was in Lahaina (Maui).
- Today’s the official start of sea turtle nesting season – and it’s off to a fast start in the Palm Beaches. Conservationists in Delray Beach have already spotted what are believed to be leatherback sea turtle nests. During the season beachfront properties are to ensure property lights aren’t visible from the sand. The season runs through October.