Florida News That Impacts You – May 21st, 2026
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you throughout the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast.
- Celebrations broke out across South Florida’s Cuban community amid Wednesday’s federal indictment of former Cuban President Raul Castro. This included a celebration at Jose Marti Park in West Palm Beach. Expectations are that the indictment of Castro could facilitate his removal from the country potentially collapsing the legacy Communist Castro regime.
- Florida approved three new property insurance companies amid a continued recovery in Florida’s insurance market following years of legislative reforms. Builder Reciprocal Insurance Exchange, Frontline Insurance Reciprocal Exchange, and Wingsail Insurance Company were approved by Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation. Over twenty insurers have either entered Florida’s property insurance market over the past three years as litigation abuse has been reined in or reentered in the market.
- Due to the expected impact of El Nino this hurricane season, forecasters have lowered the odds of a major hurricane impacting the United States this year to 55%, with a 12% chance of a major hurricane landfall in Florida. Preseason forecasts have generally called for this year’s hurricane season to have slightly below average-to-average activity. El Nino, which creates increased wind shear inhibiting tropical development, was originally expected later in hurricane season – however now appears to be arriving for the start of it.
- It’ll be warm, sunny and humid today with highs in the upper 80’s – a little warmer than usual for this date. Similar weather with higher rain changes are expected heading into the weekend.
- The price of gas dropped by a penny per gallon on Wednesday. The average price for regular unleaded fuel is currently $4.51 per gallon statewide – though prices remain higher locally. In Palm Beach County the average price is $4.66 per gallon, in Martin the average is $4.52, it’s $4.52 in St. Lucie, and in Indian River County the average is $4.53 per gallon.