Florida News That Impacts You – April 18th, 2024
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Governor DeSantis signed the History of Communism bill into law on Wednesday. The new law builds on the state’s existing Communism history standards education initiative, authorized the Institute for Freedom in the Americas at Miami Dade College and recommends the creation of a history of Communism museum.
- The Treasure Coast appears to have bucked the state’s overall trend of rising homelessness last year. According to the latest report by the Treasure Coast Homeless Service Council, homelessness in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River Counties declined by 24% over the past year. That stands in contrast to an 18% increase statewide. The primary catalyst was the successful shifting of sheltered individuals to permanent housing.
- A sophisticated Colombian crime ring has been busted. Seven members of what’s known as the Colombian South American Theft Group, which has been burglarizing homes since at least late last year were caught in the act while attempting to burglarize a Doral home. The group, which uses surveillance techniques, GPS trackers and radio jammers is responsible for a series of thefts targeting Asian business owners between Port St. Lucie and Doral dating back to at least November.
- Two Miami men were arrested for theft of Vero Beach businesses. The two suspects were responsible for stealing thousands of dollars of merchandise from area businesses. The arrests are the latest in a string of issues with criminals targeting businesses for organized retail theft across county lines. The state recently passed a new law increasing penalties for those who commit crimes outside of their home counties to combat the growing problem.
- Another warm and pleasant day today with highs in the mid-80’s, about five degrees warmer than usual for this date. Temperatures are expected to continue gradually rising for the next few days approaching potential record highs in the process.
- Gas prices were flat statewide on Wednesday after significant increases to start the week...however not in our area where we have the highest prices of this year this morning. The average price statewide for regular unleaded is currently $3.64 per gallon. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.81 per gallon, in Martin the average is $3.72 and in Indian River County the average is $3.67 per gallon.