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Monday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
› JEA trial: Former CEO Zahn guilty, co-defendant CFO Wannemacher not guilty
The two juries in the criminal trial of former JEA executives Aaron Zahn and Ryan Wannemacher found former CEO Zahn guilty and former CFO Wannemacher not guilty March 15, a climactic moment in a white-collar corruption scandal that comprised four years of investigations, indictments and court proceedings. Both defendants were charged with conspiracy and wire fraud, with the government alleging that they schemed to pocket tens of millions of dollars of undeserved bonuses from a sale of the city-owned utility.
› Developer proposes huge entertainment complex near Disney
One of the worst blighted areas in Orlando’s tourism corridor could be transformed into a sprawling new entertainment district called Ovation with luxury hotels, dining and attractions, including a 175-foot-tall Ferris wheel that can be seen from Interstate 4. “It’s going to be very cool,” said Bill Shewalter, vice president of development for Meyers Group, which wrapped up more than two years of planning to create the Ovation master plan.
› Tampa Bay region teachers’ unions rallying to survive
Teachers unions in Pinellas and Polk counties say they have successfully met the requirements to hold elections to continue their representation of public school teachers, while the Hillsborough union faces a deadline later this month to do so. In Pasco, the teacher’s union has until August to meet its deadline, and its president says he’s confident.
› Looking for a great place to get a beer? Jacksonville named to Best Beer Cities in US list
With more than two dozen craft breweries around town and dozens of restaurants serving their brews, Jacksonville’s beer scene is a source of pride for Jaxsons and one to envy by other cities. Since the founding of Bold City Beer in 2008 and Intuition Ale Works in 2010, the city’s craft brewery scene has exploded, expanding beyond the edges of Riverside and into the heart of downtown, its historic neighborhoods, Jacksonville’s Beaches and into the suburbs.
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