Florida News That Impacts You – July 31st, 2026
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you throughout the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast.
- ICE detentions of Haitians remaining in the country without lawful status – following Monday’s expiration of TPS protections has begun. According to the Consulate General of Haiti, 257 Haitians were known to have been detained as of Thursday. The Haitian Consulate is advising all Haitians to have a passport available for identification at all times.
- An auto theft ring targeting Range Rovers has been taken down by the Palm Beach County’s Sheriff’s Office. PBSO announced the arrests of Pavert Cutino, Reheen Spencer and Raul Hernandez in connection with thefts and attempted thefts of Range Rover vehicles from numerous counties. The scheme involved switching out unprogrammed key fobs for legitimate key fobs – later returning to steal vehicles. The arrests followed a police chase on I-95 southbound to the Gateway Blvd. exit in Boynton when the driver of the stolen vehicle rammed into a patrol vehicle, and jumped a retaining wall attempting to escape prior to being tased and taken into custody.
- Three West Palm Beach Police captains have had their terminations upheld following an internal affairs investigation revealing what was described as “double-dipping” or being paid for private work while also on duty for WPBPD. A total of $37,000 in double-dipping earnings was identified by the department. The Fraternal Order of Police has argued that former leadership allowed for the occasional dual work to be performed.
- Jarad Phelps has been sworn in as Boca Raton’s new police chief. The 30-year law enforcement veteran was selected following a nationwide search. Phelps has previously served as a sheriff in North Carolina and in Jacksonville. During a speech Thursday, Phelps indicated that addressing homelessness would be a top priority.
- It'll be partly cloudy and hot with a chance of thunderstorms that will be highest late into the afternoon and this evening. A heat advisory is back in place from Palm Beach County south through to Monroe County today as highs will be in the low 90’s in the Palm Beaches and near 90 along the Treasure Coast. Similar and wetter weather is expected through the weekend. The National Hurricane Center’s Tropical Weather Outlook is clear for the next seven days. Persistent Saharan dust from the coast of Africa extends over most of the southern and mid-Atlantic with dust extending over the Caribbean, Cuba, with another round just starting to enter the Gulf of America.
- The price of gas dropped another 2 cents per gallon on Thursday. The average price for regular unleaded fuel is currently $3.88 per gallon. In Palm Beach County the average price is $4.05 per gallon, in Martin the average is $3.86, it’s $3.89 in St. Lucie, and in Indian River County the average is $3.89 per gallon.