Florida News That Impacts You – April 7th, 2026
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you throughout the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast.
- Governor DeSantis signed the Systems of Law and Terrorist Organizations bill into law on Monday. The bill is aimed at protecting Floridians against the application of foreign and religious laws—including Sharia law within the state. The legislation bans the use of taxpayer funds to “support or promote” designated terrorist organizations that are designated by Florida’s Department of Law Enforcement.
- Today is the runoff Election Day for voters in North Palm Beach’s Group 4 municipal election between Ron Okolichany and Zendra Zellner. Polls will be open from 7 am to 7 pm and you’ll vote at your assigned polling locations.
- An election volunteer recently arrested for stealing an election key prior to the House District 87 special election in Palm Beach County has a criminal record for theft and related offences dating back decades. John Panicci, a registered Democrat, was arrested after it was discovered he stole an election key used for training in advance of the special election. PBSO found Panicci with the key and electronic storage equipment when an arrest warrant was served. The background check by the PBC election supervisor’s office missed criminal history which would have precluded him from eligibility to volunteer with the office. Panicci worked three elections previously – 2016, 2018, and 2024. He was terminated prior to the recent special elections.
- The Martin County Sherrif's Office has issued an arrest warrant for the property manager and bookkeeper for a prominent property management company – Avant-Garde Property Management. Alexandra Gonzalez is wanted on two counts of fraud, two counts of grand theft, 59 counts of embezzlement, and 61 counts of uttering false instruments. Gonzalez is accused of using hundreds of thousands of dollars in HOA dues for her personal use. She’s believed be in Miramar or Vero Beach. Confirmed communities which were defrauded include the Whitemarsh Reserve Homeowners Association and the Dunes of Hutchinson Island.
- We’ll have heavy rain throughout the day today with a flood watch in effect for all of South Florida and the Treasure Coast. Flood watches are in effect throughout the entire area with localized rainfall totals of up to 7 inches possible over the next 24 hours. Today’s highs will be in the mid 70’s throughout the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast – which is well below average for this date. We can expect rain to continue through Thursday.
- Gas prices fell 2 cents per gallon Monday to $4.18 per gallon on average statewide. In Palm Beach County the average price is $4.33 per gallon, in Martin the average is $4.18, it’s $4.21 in St. Lucie, and in Indian River County the average is $4.19 per gallon.