Power Back On For Most Floridians Following Helene
(Madeira Beach, FL) -- The power is back on for most Floridians almost a week since Hurricane Helene made landfall on the Gulf Coast. Governor Ron DeSantis gave an update while in Madeira Beach yesterday, saying the state has restored electricity for more than two-million customers. Restoration efforts are still underway for about 20-thousand residents, primarily in the Big Bend area. As communities continue to recover, DeSantis says property tax relief is available for affected homeowners and tax deadlines have been extended for impacted businesses. He also emphasized how there is zero tolerance for looting in the wake of the storm.
CFO Talks Dangers Of Electric Car Batteries Following Helene
(Tallahassee, FL) -- Florida's chief financial officer is warning residents about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries following severe flooding from Helene. Jimmy Patronis says at least 16 battery fires have been reported in connection to storm surge from the hurricane. Six of those incidents involved electric vehicles. He is urging people who own an EV, electric scooter, hoverboards or golf carts to check if they are wet. If they are, the vehicles should be moved away from homes and to an open space in case it catches fire. Patronis is encouraging manufacturers to continue notifying customers about these hazards, saying the vehicles are ticking time bombs.
Jet Fuel Pipeline To OIA Damaged In Storm
(Orlando, FL) -- Repairs are complete for a fuel supply line that feeds Orlando International Airport. The Central Florida Pipeline runs over 100 miles from Port of Tampa to OIA. It was damaged during Hurricane Helene, and fuel had to be trucked in the last few days. The company that owns the pipeline said yesterday it has been fixed, and operations have resumed. An OIA official tells the Orlando Sentinel the airport had plenty of fuel in reserves, and travelers were not affected.
Federal Court Rules To Allow Betting On Elections
(Washington, DC)-- Betting on the 2024 election will be allowed. A federal appeals court made the ruling, going against the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The government agency argued that allowing betting could undermine election integrity. It asked the court to block the prediction exchange platform Kalshi from offering bets on which party will control each house of Congress. The site advertises itself as "a regulated exchange & prediction market where you can trade on the outcome of real-world events."
Today in History
1990, East and West Germany reunified 45 years after the two sides divided after World War II.
1960, "The Andy Griffith Show" debuted on CBS.
1922, Rebecca Felton of Georgia became the first woman to gain a seat in the United States Senate.
1913, the Federal Income Tax was signed into law.