Florida News That Impacts You – November 8th, 2024
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Florida had four of the fastest cooling real-estate markets in the country according to the latest report from Realtor.com accounting for September's real-estate sales. The Miami metro, which includes Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, saw prices lower by 12.4% year-over-year for the largest decline in the country. Jacksonville was 6th, Orlando 8th and Tampa 9th. Hurricanes Helene and Milton are believed to be contributing factors for the decline, in addition to affordability challenges following the huge runup in prices after the pandemic. That’s in addition to high property insurance costs due to the state’s property insurance crisis.
- With all non-provisional ballots accounted for except in two counties statewide, Florida’s turnout in Tuesday’s presidential election has risen to nearly 79% - the highest for any election since 1992, and the third highest turnout in the state’s history trailing only 1992 with 83% turnout and 1968 with just over 79% of eligible voters voting. Turnout was nearly 2 points higher than four years ago.
- Florida’s Secretary of State Cord Byrd has ordered a recount of Florida’s District 93 State Representative race. The initial vote showed former Wellington Mayor, Republican Anne Gerwig, flipping the seat held by Democrat Katherine Waldron by 358 votes or 0.4%. Under state law recounts must take place with elections decided by a half point or less. The recount is scheduled for ten this morning.
- Partly cloudy and nice today with highs in the low to mid 80’s, a little warmer than usual for this date. The National Hurricane Center is tracking two systems. Hurricane Rafael is in the central Gulf of Mexico where it’s expected to spin without land interaction over the next seven days as it gradually weakens. A disturbance near the Leeward Islands has a 20% chance of developing over the next seven days.
- Gas prices were flat on Thursday – though a bit lower locally. The average price for regular unleaded in Florida is currently $3.14 per gallon. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.30 per gallon, in Martin the average is $3.17 and in Indian River County the average is $3.10 per gallon.