Florida News That Impacts You – January 10th, 2025
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Florida’s graduation rate rose to a non-pandemic record 89.7% during the 2023-2024 school year according to Florida’s Department of Education. The grad rate represented an increase of 1.7% over the prior year, with gains across all demographics, and is among the highest in the nation.
- The ACLU of Florida is suing Governor DeSantis in an effort to speed up the special election process of two recently vacated positions within the state legislature. Former Republican State Rep. Joel Rudman and former State Senator Randy Fine are running for Congress in special elections to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz, however, Governor DeSantis has yet to call for special elections in those districts leading to the likelihood of vacancies in both seats for this year’s state legislative session which gets underway in March.
- Florida’s Attorney General Ashley Moody is the leading candidate to replace Marco Rubio in the Senate according to a report by Politico. Rubio has been nominated to be President-elect Trump’s Secretary of State, a move that once confirmed will prompt Governor DeSantis to appoint a replacement. The Politico report, citing unnamed sources, is suggesting Moody would be the pick. A move, that if true, that may indicate Governor DeSantis will attempt another presidential run in 2028.
- An ice rink is coming to Palm Beach Gardens. On Thursday the city council approved a proposed $40 million ice rink complex, backed by NHL Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky among others, to replace the skate park on Plant Drive. The project includes two ice rinks, a restaurant, retail store and additional training facilities. The goal is to have the complex completed by the summer of 2026.
- Another cold start to the day, though not quite as cold as yesterday. We’re starting the day with temps in the high 40’s and low 50’s throughout the area with highs in the upper 60’s along parts of the Treasure Coast to low 70’s throughout the Palm Beaches. The warming trend will continue through the weekend.
- Gas prices rose another three cents per gallon on Thursday. The average price for regular unleaded in Florida is currently $3.14 per gallon. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.27 per gallon, in Martin the average is $3.20 and in Indian River County the average is $3.15 per gallon.