Florida News That Impacts You – March 12th, 2026
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you throughout the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast.
- Among the bills passing the Florida legislature on Wednesday...The Official Action of Local Governments bill. The bill would prevent local government from funding or promoting DEI programs. The legislation followed DOGE findings with many local governments engaged with DEI programs in recent years – despite previous actions taken by the state aimed at ending the practice. The Athletics in Public K-12 Schools bill also advanced. The legislation would allow coaches to provide financial support of up to $15,000 annually to assist with the financial hardships of players. The legislation was inspired by the case of former NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater who provided support to a high school football player he was coaching. The Crime Victims bill aimed at protecting the identities of victims of crime and law enforcement has passed the legislature. Courts struck down portions of “Marsy’s Law”, which passed two years ago, and the new legislation is aimed at addressing gaps created by court rulings.
- Recounts from Tuesday’s elections in Palm Beach County will begin after 5 pm today, which is the deadline to cure vote-by-mail ballots, for the Boca Raton mayor’s race. While only six votes separate Mike Liebelson and Andy Thompson, 24 outstanding vote-by-mail ballots had yet to be cured as of Wednesday morning. A recount will also take place for Lake Worth Beaches’ question 5 which is currently tied. Machine recounts occur when the margin is 0.5% or less, followed by a manual recount if the margin is under 0.25%.
- The Palm Beach County School Board has approved a rezoning plan for elementary schools in Rivera Beach. The new plan which will take effect for the 2026-2027 school year with West Riviera Elementary will serve pre-k to 2nd grade and Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary will serve 3rd to 5th grade. Lincoln Elementary School will be renovated to become a campus for Inlet Grove Community High School.
- It’ll be another sunny and unseasonally warm day with highs reaching the upper 80’s throughout the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast in advance of a cool front that will begin to enter into the area this evening. A chance of rain enters the forecast along with the arrival of the front – with rain chances daily over the next week.
- Gas prices rose 2 cents per gallon on Wednesday, the lowest increase since the onset of the Iran war. The average price for regular unleaded in Florida is currently $3.72 per gallon. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.84 per gallon, in Martin the average is $3.77, it’s $3.74 in St. Lucie, and in Indian River County the average is $3.76 per gallon.