Stet News🔎 The DeSantis administration diverted more than $35 million in taxpayer money to defeat ballot amendments last fall easing abortion limits and allowing recreational marijuana. Much of the state money was intended to assist needy Floridians, including children. Instead, it paid for political consultants, lawyers and thousands of advertisements that helped DeSantis and his supporters win at the ballot box. (Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times $$$)
🛒 The downtown West Palm Beach Florida Public Utilities property, the gas company’s vacated 2.9-acre downtown onetime headquarters, has sold for $7.5 million to an affiliate of developer Stephen Ross’ Related Ross. It gives Ross the entire block north of Banyan Boulevard between Rosemary and Sapodilla avenues, where his company has submitted plans to build a 47,000-square-foot Publix. (South Florida Business Journal $$$)
- Stet first reported on Ross’ efforts to assemble the block in 2023. (Stet News)
🪧 A deeper conversation about ICE immigration raids in Lake Worth Beach came after immigration advocates rallied Dec. 11 and placed signs around the city reading “ICE kidnapped a community member here.” City commissioners said they see both sides. (Lake Worth Beach Independent)
🛋️ A proposal for apartments on nearly 60 acres northeast of Interstate 95 and Indiantown Road in Jupiter is advancing to the Town Council in January. (The Palm Beach Post $$$)
🤝 Kolter Group and Perko Development bought 11 of the 12 condos at the Beach Sound Condominium at 19930 Beach Road near Jupiter to tear down and rebuild. They paid a combined $25 million. (South Florida Business Journal $$$)
🏆 Congratulations to West Palm Beach’s Cardinal Newman High School football team! The Crusaders won their first state championship title on Thursday. (WPTV)
🎄 The 10th annual Christmas on Clematis Block Party is from 10 am to 2 pm Saturday in the 500 block. Organizers are seeking fun-loving volunteersto staff the pre-party and event. Sign up here.
- Or you can drop off unwrapped gifts at any Subculture Restaurant/coffee shop.
- More info here.
🎙️ “Top of Mind Florida,” the podcast by Michael Williams and Brian Crowley, explores who to trust for news, an important question in the 2025 world of spin and secrecy. (Listen now; watch now.)
