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Gov. DeSantis to Sheriffs: Florida distinguishes itself with law and order

It was a law and order kind of night in ChampionsGate, where Gov. Ron DeSantis told Florida’s Sheriffs that the Sunshine State is a source of inspiration for officers nationwide.

The Republican Governor addressed Florida’s Sheriffs and supporters Tuesday for the Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) Banquet, scheduled during its summer conference this week. Some communities are reversing course, returning to stronger public safety policies after “destructive” results in other states and communities, the Governor told attendees.

“As long as I’m Governor, we’ll be standing with the folks who wear the uniform, we understand that public safety is paramount, and we truly believe that the folks who are working for our sheriff’s departments and our police departments really are serving in a noble profession,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis has staked his claim as the “law and order” 2022 gubernatorial candidate by signing Florida’s anti-riot law and legislation to crack down on organized retail theft. He has also vociferously condemned lax enforcement policies and violent protests.

USF surpasses $150M in fundraising, setting a new record

The University of South Florida announced Tuesday that it surpassed $150 million in fundraising during its 2021-22 fiscal year, the most in its 70-year history.

The $151.8 million came from more than 34,000 donors, including over 6,300 who were giving for the first time, according to a news release.

The donations included $23 million for an indoor training athletic facility, $10 million to go toward an on-campus stadium, $14 million to establish a financial technology program, $5.6 million to USF Health and $10.6 million for a career and training center for business students.

The total also included more than $16 million for scholarships — up 45% from last year, the release said.

How far can it fall? AAA says gas prices dropped another 17 cents

The steady and swift decline in gasoline prices continued in the past week, leaving June’s peak of nearly $5 per gallon far behind.

The latest survey shows Florida drivers are finding an average of $4.10 per gallon, down 17 cents in a week and down 79 cents since mid-June, reported AAA — The Auto Club Group.

That’s an improvement of about $12 to fill a 15-gallon tank.

Many places in Florida are seeing prices well below $4, for the first time in more than three months, AAA reported Monday morning.

The pump prices are being preceded by global declines in prices for oil, indicating the fall may continue yet another week.

Tampa and Miami have the highest home price increases in the country

For the second month in a row, Tampa and Miami topped other metro areas across the country in an analysis of housing price increases.

The Tampa area had a 36.1% price increase in May when compared to a year earlier, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index released Tuesday. Tampa was followed by the Miami area at 34% and Dallas at 30.8%.

Tampa and Miami also led other metro areas in April. They were the only areas of Florida included in the 20-market analysis. Craig J. Lazzara, managing director at S&P Dow Jones Indices, said in a prepared statement that prices were strongest in the South and Southeast, though he pointed to the possibility that prices will not continue increasing at recent levels.

“We’ve noted previously that mortgage financing has become more expensive as the Federal Reserve ratchets up interest rates, a process that was ongoing as our May data were gathered,” Lazzara said. “Accordingly, a more-challenging macroeconomic environment may not support extraordinary home price growth for much longer.”