Florida News That Impacts You – March 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.
- Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the takedown of a retail theft operation spanning multiple counties throughout South Florida and the Treasure Coast resulting in the arrest of seven people in Martin County. The AG also announced a new statewide initiative with the Florida Retail Federation aimed at combating organized retail theft throughout the state.
- The Animal Welfare bill is headed to Governor DeSantis’s desk to sign into law after unanimously passing the state legislature. The bill increases penalties for those guilty of animal cruelty or abuse – establishing a new third-degree felony offense. Additionally, in conjunction with Dexter’s Law passed last year, the FDLE will maintain an animal abuse database with information to be stored and made public for a minimum of three years following a conviction.
- Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross has announced a deal to sell 1% of the Dolphins and high-profile real-estate assets including Hard Rock Stadium to Lin Bin, co-founder of the Chinese company Xiaomi.
- A newly established nature preserve, called, The Preserve, in Port St. Lucie opened on Wednesday. The 13-acre park has a half mile of trail and boardwalk at the North Fork of the St. Lucie River.
- It’ll be another beautiful but windy day with highs around 80 throughout the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast. Gusty conditions persist for coastal communities. We can expect similar weather for the rest of the week.
- Gas prices rose by another 5 cents per gallon on Wednesday on the back of the war with Iran. The average price for regular unleaded in Florida is currently $3.24 per gallon. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.37 per gallon, in Martin the average is $3.29, it’s $3.28 in St. Lucie, and in Indian River County the average is $3.28 per gallon.