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Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
› Tampa’s Yacht Starship starting a new jet boat thrill ride
Beginning Friday, Yacht Starship is launching the Bay Rocket jet boat thrill ride in Tampa. The company reports it will be one of only five such rides in the United States. Bay Rocket takes passengers on a fast-paced 45 to 55 minute cruise that includes views of the skyline and bay with narration, as well as thrilling 180-degree spins, tight turns and steep bow dips.
› One week after election, Fort Lauderdale in turmoil
Call it news of the weird. Fort Lauderdale might have chosen three new commissioners on Election Day last week, but don’t expect any of them to be sworn in to office as originally planned. Here’s why: Winner John Herbst’s qualifications are being challenged by two losing candidates; winner Warren Sturman won by just 49 votes and the results won’t be certified until Friday; and winner Pamela Beasley-Pittman doesn’t want to be sworn in until the official results are in.
› SeaWorld unveils Pipeline coaster car at IAAPA
SeaWorld Orlando has shared its first in-person look at the ride vehicles for its upcoming Pipeline roller coaster. The surf-themed ride was the subject of the first news conference of this year’s IAAPA Expo at Orange County Convention Center on Tuesday. “It is a gnarly, gigantic surfboard,” Jonathan Smith, vice president of rides and engineering for SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, who helped pull off the tarp concealing the Pipeline vehicle on the exhibit floor.
› Former JEA executives take aim at indictment on federal conspiracy, fraud charges
Defense lawyers launched a multi-pronged assault Monday on the federal indictment accusing JEA's former top executives of conspiracy and wire fraud, hoping to convince U.S. District Judge Brian Davis to either dismiss the charges entirely or weaken the hand of prosecutors before the case ever reaches a jury. Those varied requests could add time and complexity to an already complicated and high-profile criminal case that was set to go to trial in May.
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