As commercial space race grows, student interest takes off

A job scene once dominated by military-trained government workers has shifted toward the private sector. The number of Florida students enrolling in aerospace engineering and other space-related majors has taken off as a new commercial space race lifts the industry's profile. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Related, from Florida Trend:
» Community Portrait of Florida's Space Coast (region's economy, demographics, quality of life, much more)
» Video interview with Frank DiBello of Space Florida on the future of Florida's space industry

UK urges pregnant women to reconsider travel to Zika-hit Florida

British health officials have urged pregnant women to consider postponing non-essential travel to Florida after the southern U.S. state confirmed the first cases of the Zika virus that were not linked to travel. Full story from Reuters, here.

See also:
» Could Zika pose a problem for Florida's tourism industry?
» Officials encourage travelers not to shun Florida for Zika
» Do you need to cancel your Florida vacation?
» More bug spray, less dining al fresco planned in Florida's Zika zone

Florida Trend Exclusive
Coca-Cola Beverages Florida: ‘It's about the brand'

Less than two years ago, Troy Taylor founded Coca-Cola Beverages Florida. By the end of 2017, his Coke franchise will control the production, sales and distribution of Coca-Cola products — more than 750 beverages — in all of Florida east and south of the Tallahassee area. Taylor has created an instant billion-dollar company. Access full story.

Today -- August 1 -- is deadline to register to vote in Florida primary

It's the last day to register to vote before Florida’s Aug. 30 primary election. Floridians who want to switch their party affiliation for the primary also must act by the deadline. Voter registration applications sent by mail and post-marked by August 1 will be accepted. More information at the Florida Division of Elections. [Source: AP]

Florida kids face dental crisis

. Florida ranks 50 out of 51 states and the District of Columbia in the percentage of kids on Medicaid getting preventive dental care—just 27 percent of kids got dental treatment for any diagnosed problem in 2015. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

See also:
» In Texas’ about-face, an example for Florida

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Florida's back to school tax holiday shorter and smaller [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
The sales tax holiday kicks off this coming Friday at 12:01 a.m. and will last the entire weekend. Last year's back to school tax holiday lasted 10 days.

› USTA names pros for national campus in Orlando [Orlando Sentinel]
Two former tennis pros, Kathy Woods and Chris "Mick" Michalowski, have been appointed to leadership positions at the USTA National Campus being built in Orlando's Lake Nona community.

› Cargo ship crew trapped in Port Everglades for 3 months [Miami Herald]
The 11-member crew of the Delphinus is caught in a web of maritime and immigration law leaving them stuck on their ship, a mile offshore near Port Everglades.

› Osceola high tech center becomes concrete reality [Orlando Sentinel]
A new high-tech research center in Osceola County is becoming a more concrete reality — literally. The centerpiece of the new Florida Advanced Manufacturing Research Center is a clean room, which will be a dust-free, vibration-free laboratory.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› KSC seeks video nominations for Heroes attraction [Orlando Sentinel]
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is seeking input for its upcoming exhibit called "Heroes & Legends featuring the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame."

› Florida Lottery overhauls long-running daily games [AP]
The Florida Lottery is overhauling some of its long-running daily games. State economists anticipate that the additional two games should boost overall sales by nearly $31 million in the first year.

› Cuban officials touring St. Petersburg as they eye consulate location [Tampa Bay Times]
Tampa has the historic and cultural link to Cuba, but it might be St. Petersburg that lands the first Cuban Consulate in the United States in more than five decades.

› Florida is home to the country's worst drivers, study says [South Florida Business Journal]
Personal finance tech company SmartAsset analyzed four driver-related metrics to determine which U.S. state is plagued by the most road perils. It concluded that Florida is, indeed, teeming with terrible drivers. SmartAsset said this:

1. Florida: Florida is often plagued with a reputation for bad drivers. The numbers seem to show that this might, in fact, be true. Floridians google “speeding tickets” and “traffic tickets” more than any other state. They also have the second lowest number of insured drivers in the nation.

» Your turn: A recent study found that Florida has the worst drivers in the nation. Do you agree with this assessment?