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7 of the best national parks for a spring visit

Dave G. Houser Recreation & Leisure

It is always a good time to visit a national park — but certain parks are at their very best in the spring. Nature is springing (pun intended) to life, while mosquitoes, extreme heat and big crowds are mostly at a minimum. So, here's our choice of parks that reach their peak from March to May.

How US schools are reckoning with the coronavirus

Bambi Majumdar Education

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has reported that 290 million students worldwide are out of school due to the coronavirus. The outbreak that emerged in China about two months ago has now claimed over 3,000 lives and infected more than 100,000 people globally. In the U.S., there are now over 500 cases confirmed, and the death toll has risen to 22. As the United States deals with the coronavirus, the big question is: How are schools planning to respond?

US employers add 273,000 jobs; unemployment drops to 3.5%

Seth Sandronsky Business Management, Services & Risk Management

In February, total U.S. nonfarm payroll jobs increased by 273,000 after January's growth of 225,000, while the unemployment rate dipped to 3.5% from 3.6% the previous month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The jobless rate has been 3.5% or 3.6% since September. In February, nearly all major groups of workers had scant change in the rate of employment versus January's figures. Meanwhile, wage growth remained rather tepid.

What are the features homeowners want the most?

Terri Williams Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

Americans are a diverse group, and as a general rule, that's a good thing. But a level of uniformity, especially as it relates to homes and neighborhoods, can also be good. For example, despite the snickers and snide remarks surrounding "cookie-cutter homes," these types of properties sell very well. And millions of people choose to live in a community that has a homeowners' association to ensure that no one paints their house purple. A survey by Porch and Homes.com has identified the top features that people want when they're looking for a home — and how much they’re willing to bust the budget to pay for it.

Designers upbeat as remodeling boom continues

Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

With market conditions trending in their favor, residential interior designers are looking forward to another profitable year. Reluctant to give up their current homes, homeowners planning to stay in place for the long haul are choosing to spend instead on improvements and updates. Although industry forecasts predict remodeling and renovation activity will slow during the second half of the year, at present surveys show a sizable majority of homeowners have plans to undertake home improvement projects in the coming months.

Single-use plastic bans, taxes are on the rise around the world

Scott E. Rupp Waste Management & Environmental

On March 1, New York became the second U.S. state to ban plastic bags. The ban in California, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, has reduced disposable plastic bag usage by as much as 80%. In 2019, Canada did away with single-use plastics and eliminated other plastic pollution. More than 60 other nations are attempting to reduce single-use plastics through bans and taxes, according to the United Nations.

Heathrow’s future stalled as third runway is ruled unlawful

Matt Falcus Transportation Technology & Automotive

Plans to build a third runway at London's Heathrow Airport have stalled as the U.K.'s Court of Appeal ruled the government's decision to allow it to be built was unlawful. The decision has been seen as a victory for climate change activists and those living around the airport who faced compulsory land purchase and years of disruption followed by the misery of extra noise and air pollution. However, for Heathrow and the U.K.'s air travel industry, it is a major blow that will mean a complete rethink over future strategy.

Threats on tap: Why America’s water woes are even worse than you…

Dave G. Houser Waste Management & Environmental

Unregulated perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — chemicals stubbornly resistant to environmental breakdown and linked to serious health problems — are contaminating drinking water in communities across the country. Tests carried out by the watchdog organization Environmental Working Group have uncovered these chemicals in tap water samples from 44 sites in 31 states. The nation's drinking water problem, however, goes way beyond just PFAS contamination. There are three additional concerns affecting our most precious of resources.

Why preventive building maintenance is crucial to the health of organizations

Scott E. Rupp Facilities & Grounds

A U.S. Energy Information Administration Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey found that about half of all commercial buildings were constructed before 1980. U.S. schools are older, at more than 40 years old, on average. Building age means maintenance is critical and should not be overlooked. While delayed maintenance may seem a suitable way to save money quickly, neglect can lead to the need for additional repairs and create bigger budget holes in the long run.

New home sales soar while inventories plummet

Michael J. Berens Construction & Building Materials

If you can’t buy 'em, build 'em. With inventories of existing homes for sale at their lowest levels in years, would-be homebuyers are turning to the new home market in droves. New housing starts and permit requests have increased by double digits compared to a year ago, and sales of new homes in January were up substantially following three months of decline. Whether this is the beginning of trend or just a temporary bump remains to be seen.

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