Florida News That Impacts You – February 4th, 2026
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you throughout the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast.
- Florida’s life expectancy has reached a new high and is about a year longer than the national average. Last week the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics produced its annual mortality study which showed the average American born in 2024 is expected to live to the age of 79, while the figure for Floridians was 80. The age adjusted death rate declined by 3.8% over the past year adding an extra seven months to the average lifespan in the process.
- Amid reports of teachers encouraging anti-ICE protests across the country, and attempts to establish them within Florida, Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas issued a memo to school superintendents warning against the activity citing state law. Quoting Kamoutsas: We will not tolerate educators encouraging school protests and pushing their political views onto students, especially ones that disparage law enforcement.
- Palm Beach County school bus driver Matthew Bush has been arrested for the alleged molestation of a child under 12 years of age. Bush drove students on the E517 and E525 school bus routes. Charges brought against Bush include lewd and lascivious molestation – he's been fired by the school district. The school district is encouraging anyone who may have related information or other potential victims to contact School Police.
- It’s a warmer start to the day with temps starting out in the upper 40’s and low 50’s throughout the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast with highs topping out in the low 70’s. Today will likely be the warmest day this week as another system will move into our area Thursday bringing passing showers and slightly cooler temps with it.
- Gas prices dropped a penny per gallon on Tuesday. The average price for regular unleaded in Florida is currently $2.87 per gallon. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.04 per gallon, in Martin the average is $2.93, it’s $2.91 in St. Lucie, and in Indian River County the average is $2.92 per gallon.