Florida News That Impacts You – February 5th, 2026
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you throughout the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast.
- Most Floridians started the year more optimistic about the state of the economy than they’ve been over the past eight months. The University of Florida’s consumer sentiment index rose by nearly 5-points, most recently to 77.2 out of a possible 150. Views of personal finances also rose by five points. Out of five total categories four increased with one declining.
- A last-ditch legal effort by the Smart & Safe Florida PAC to place its recreational marijuana proposal on this year’s mid-term election ballots has failed. As of Sunday’s deadline, the PAC had failed to produce enough legally verified signatures to merit consideration by the Florida Supreme Court for inclusion on this year’s ballot. This followed tens of thousands of ballot petitions being invalidated due to petition fraud and forgery – which has already led to one conviction. The PAC sued the state on multiple occasions seeking to find a path towards inclusion this cycle, but on Wednesday the Florida Supreme Court in a 6-1 ruling dismissed the case. There will be no citizen-led proposals on this year’s ballot.
- The Martin County Sheriff’s Office is warning of scams throughout the county targeting seniors. According to officials, approximately $40,000 has been stolen from residents over the past week through two types of scams. One involves a call with a scammer purporting to be from their bank stating their account has been compromised and instructing victims to withdraw money and to hand it to a courier who will collect it from their home. Another scam involves scammers calling victims, telling them that a loved one is in jail and needs a bond payment. If you’ve come across either of these scams – you should report them to the Sheriff’s office.
- It’s the warmest start to the day in a week with temps starting out in the 50’s throughout the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast with highs topping out in the low 60’s along parts of the Treasure Coast and upper 60’s in the Palm Beaches. By midday another, milder, cold front will make its way into our area with showers and colder temps by tonight.
- Gas prices were a penny per gallon higher on Wednesday. The average price for regular unleaded in Florida is currently $2.88 per gallon. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.05 per gallon, in Martin the average is $2.92, it’s $2.91 in St. Lucie, and in Indian River County the average is $2.92 per gallon.