Wednesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 9/3/2014

Factory orders surge record 10.5 percent in July

New orders for U.S. factory goods jumped in July on robust demand for transportation equipment, with the overall trend pointing to strengthening manufacturing activity. More from Reuters and the AP.

Health Trends
Fist bumps get thumbs up from doctors

New research shows that fist bumping transmits far fewer germs than handshaking does. And with concerns about the spread of infections, there are calls from some quarters to make a cultural shift away from handshaking in the interests of good health.

» More from Gannett

Times poll: Rick Scott leads Charlie Crist, 41-36

Republican Gov. Rick Scott has opened up a 5-point lead over Democratic rival Charlie Crist as a new Tampa Bay Times/Bay News 9/UF Bob Graham Center poll finds Florida voters mostly optimistic about the state's economic direction but decidedly sour on their gubernatorial choices. More at the Tampa Bay Times.

Agritourism picking up a slice of Miami’s tourism market

Thousands of visitors flock to South Dade every year for an experience that has nothing to do with beaches or nightclubs. For those who host them, it’s all about redefining what it means to vacation in Miami through the area’s diverse agriculture. More at the Miami Herald.

FSU interim president applies for permanent job

Florida State University interim president Garnett Stokes is seeking the post even though there are high-profile politicians such as State Sen. John Thrasher already seeking the position. More at the AP.

Global firm seeking Miami trade hub

One of the globe’s largest industrial property owners is seeking to create a foreign trade zone magnet hub in Northwest Miami-Dade County. Prologis operates 574 million square feet of industrial logistics real estate property in 21 countries. More at Miami Today.

Business Profile
Liquid Gold Soaps

Convinced of breast milk's healing powers, one South Florida mom isn't just feeding her baby with it. She's been using this so-called "liquid gold" to make organic soap for the whole family. Now, Paula D'Amore is selling the bars, custom-made from each customer's own expressed milk.