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Orlando Sentinel Tourism Central

Killer whale dies unexpectedly at SeaWorld San Diego Sad news out of SeaWorld San Diego, as SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment announced last night that a 12-year-old killer whale named Sumar died unexpectedly. SeaWorld said trainers noticed that the male orca began “acting lethargic” Monday afternoon, prompting park veterinarians to begin a regimen of antibiotics. His conditioned worsened Tuesday, forcing SeaWorld San Diego to cancel [...]

Save the date: CFHLA’s 9/11 breakfast The Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association is hosting its annual Patriot Day Community Breakfast on Friday, September 10. The event remembers victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks and recognizes regional “first responders.”  CFHLA said this year’s program will honor several first responders and feature: Jeff Cox, Orange County Citizen of the Year for District 1, [...]

AirTran Airways signs 7-year lease for Atlanta airport Orlando-based AirTran Airways said it has reached a deal with the city of Atlanta on a 7-year lease at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. AirTran, which runs much of its operations from its primary hub in Atlanta, said the long-term lease “brings economic certainty to the airline and sets the platform for future growth.” The airline did not [...]

Tourist family sues SeaWorld, claims child who saw orca attack is traumatized A New Hampshire family who witnessed the Feb. 24 death of a killer-whale trainer at SeaWorld Orlando has sued the company in Orange County Circuit Court, claiming their child has been traumatized by the event. The family of 10-year-old Bobby Connell says the boy has been bothered by nightmares ever since seeing trainer Dawn Brancheau battered [...]

Husband of deceased SeaWorld killer-whale trainer hires law firm The husband of Dawn Brancheau, the 40-year-old SeaWorld Orlando killer-whale trainer who was drowned earlier this year by a six-ton orca named Tilikum, has hired a law firm that specializes in wrongful-death litigation. Story here.

The Buzz-Florida Politics

Rick Scott to Koran burners: 'stop, reflect, change plans' Rick Scott just sent this statement regarding plans to burn dozens of Korans on the anniversary of 9/11 at a Gainesville church: “As an outsider fighting to turn our state around, my priority remains focused on creating jobs and getting...

Obama headed back to Florida for fundraiser On Oct. 11, President Obama will travel to Florida where he will attend a fundraiser for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in Coral Gables, an admistration official confirmed to The Buzz today. More details will be released at a later...

Don't listen to Twitter, Lindsey Graham didn't endorse Charlie Crist Rumors quickly spread this morning that Lindsey Graham was bucking his party and endorsing no party candidate Charlie Crist for the U.S. Senate. Not true, says PolitiFact. Read what happened here.

Crist gets another Democrat backer in Skip Campbell Former state Sen. Skip Campbell, a Democrat who ran for attorney general in 2006, endorsed Charlie Crist's independent bid for U.S. Senate today, and will host a fundraiser for him on Thursday. "I love Kendrick," Campbell said in an interview,...

Sink calls on Scott to release 5 years of tax returns UPDATED: Democrat Alex Sink said Wednesday she will release her tax returns for the last five years and called on GOP rival Rick Scott to do the same. Sink plans to make public her tax returns and those of her...