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Study finds 61% of Americans aren’t comfortable returning to the…

Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk Management

As the country struggles to return to normal — or adjust to the new normal — navigating the world of work is particularly problematic. Some employees consider working from home an added stressor. On the other hand, other employees actually find solace in work, as it provides a respite from the daily deluge of COVID-related headlines. But there’s one thing these employees agree on. A new study by Qualtrics finds that the majority of employees who have been working from home would prefer to continue that arrangement.

Heathrow’s airlines must pay for failed expansion plans

Matt Falcus Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

A clash has recently developed between British Airways owners IAG and London Heathrow Airport after it was revealed that the airport can pass on the bill for the money it spent on its failed third runway proposal to its airlines. Plans to expand Heathrow with a third runway have been in the works since the 1970s, but in recent years a major push to gain approval was undertaken; so much so that early preparation and investigation works, not to mention the planning and legal work behind the bid, amounted to $650 million.

Urban exodus revives luxury home sales

Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

Not all the news about the coronavirus pandemic is bad news. After slowing to a crawl in April and May, sales of luxury single-family homes rebounded in late June and July as affluent urbanites fled from congested cities and the confines of their high-end condos to seek out safer, more open spaces. In some more desirable areas, sales more than doubled or tripled over the same time last year.

White oak genetics and tree improvement program: A range-wide collaboration

Laura DeWald Natural Resources

An eastern U.S. project focused on developing improved white oak (Quercus alba) and understanding its genetic potential has been established at the University of Kentucky. The project is working with forest, wood, and distilling industries and forestry, conservation, and wildlife agencies and organizations to answer a wide variety of questions associated with genetic variation in white oak. Any interested individual or organization is welcome to join the white oak genetics and tree improvement collaboration.

Will COVID-19 be a catalyst for more hotel mergers and acquisitions?

Linchi Kwok Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

COVID-19 has put many restaurants and hotels out of business. A recent example is the permanent closure of the iconic Hilton Times Square Hotel. Several restaurant chains recently rolled out new store designs to embrace contactless self-service and delivery capabilities demanded by customers. With more schools and businesses reopening, the restaurant industry has shown signs of recovery. The outlook for hotels, however, is not as optimistic.

How the CDC’s ban on evictions affects small landlords

Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk Management

On Sept. 1, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced an order to halt residential evictions through Dec. 31, 2020. The CDC issued the order under Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act in an effort to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. The CDC notes that the order doesn't relieve individuals of their obligation to pay rent, and doesn't preclude charging or collecting fees, penalties, and interest as the result of failing to pay rent in a timely manner.

COVID-19 migration study shows where people are flocking to, fleeing from

Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk Management

The pandemic has caused many people to shelter in place. However, people are also looking for new places in which to hunker down. And a new COVID-19 migration report by HireAHelper sheds light on not only where people are moving from and to, but also why. The report is based on moves that took place between January 2020 and June 2020. Among cities, San Francisco and New York had 80% more people moving out than moving in.

Dig this: Get in the garden for a long, healthy life

Bob Kowalski Recreation & Leisure

Getting to work in the garden can bring homegrown nutrition, but it also can improve your physical fitness and maybe extend your life. In this era of work-from-home and Zoom meetings, a garden provides a hobby that will get you up and moving, and give you a place to take a break from the keyboard. Cornell researchers recently reported that 10 minutes in a natural setting can act as stress relief. The study focused on college students, but the results translate to all walks of life.

How manufacturers are keeping their employees safe

Bambi Majumdar Manufacturing

The disruption that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused has been felt across the world of manufacturing. Manufacturers have been some of those companies on the front lines to lead the country through recovery and renewal. Unlike many industries that quickly pivoted to remote work, factories cannot function with a fully remote workforce. At the same time, they must ensure the safety of the employees on the job.

The touchless future of our airports

Matt Falcus Transportation Technology & Automotive

One thing that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought us is a step up in technology, particularly in areas that affect our travel and interaction with the world. Now it seems the technology to allow the process of transiting an airport from door to gate could become as close to "touchless" as possible thanks to innovations in technology being fast-tracked by different companies.

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