Wednesday's Afternoon Update

Provisional ballots could be hanging chads of 2012

Florida is one of several states in which some races in this fall's election may come into dispute because of provisional ballots. A provisional ballot is used to record a vote when there are questions in regards to a given voter's eligibility. "In a close election, all eyes are going to be on those provisional ballots, and those same canvassing boards that were looking at pregnant chads and hanging chads back in 2000," said Daniel Smith, a political scientist at the University of Florida. "It's a potential mess." More from AP.

Companies promote programs to keep employees fit, well

Finding time to exercise is one of the biggest challenges American workers struggle with today. Around the country and in Florida, businesses are stepping in to help employees who lack motivation to exercise on their own.

They’re opening on-site fitness centers, creating walk trails and swimming pools, encouraging gym membership, offering lunchtime workouts and even bringing in at-the-desk exercise equipment. More at the Miami Herald.

Related:
» Polk School Board mulls weight-loss programs

Florida study says markets not to blame for Florida cities' pension problems

Florida State University's LeRoy Collins Institute issued a follow up to a "report card" that last year graded pension plans in Florida's 100 largest cities. At the time, the Collins Institute gave grades of D and F to a third of those cities because municipal pension plans were underfunded. The Institute's new report includes data from 2005 through 2011 and concludes underfunding began before the market fell. The full report from the Collins Institute is here. More also from AP.

Tropicana plans indicate long-term commitment to Bradenton

Orange juice giant Tropicana Manufacturing Co. Inc. has filed a new master site plan with Manatee County indicating a long-term committment to the Bradenton area. The plan would allow the company to streamline any future redevelopment at its 186-acre complex in Bradenton. Tropicana is one of Manatee largest employers, with about 1,200 workers staffed at its Bradenton headquarters. More at CFNews13.com.

Rising bank fees scare off some South Florida consumers

South Florida has some of the highest bank fees in the nation, according to the study released this week by Bankrate.com. South Florida ranks third nationwide in fees charged to use automated tellers machines at $1.90 a transaction, trailing only Philadelphia, $1.96, and Atlanta, $1.95. Because of this, many South Florida consumers have closed their bank accounts, and others are finding ways to trim their charges. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Out of the Box

Alligator pool parties for kids take off in Florida

According to ABC News, the cost of having a gator at your pool party can run about $175. It's also a welcome antidote to the been-there, done-that problem of children's birthday parties, Bob Barrett explained. Barrett is owner of The Alligator Attraction in Florida, and he brings the alligators to private homes. Video:

More from the Huffington Post.

Related: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to take closer look at gator pool party business

Today's Daily Pulse was compiled by Joyce Edmondson