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Economics key in new Endangered Species Act rules
Michelle R. Matisons Waste Management & EnvironmentalIn the grand scheme of federal vs. state-level environmental battles, we have nearly seen it all lately. With the Department of Interior steering the helm of the most controversial environmental issues of the day, we witness a shifty and complex federal culture when it comes to environmental rules. It’s on-again and off-again, with federal departments mainly deregulating and the federal judiciary emerging with some surprising decisions. The Trump administration appears to want to lift any restriction blocking land development; some federal judges have protected precarious rules or have challenged executive actions.
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Risky business: The trade war and American farmers
Seth Sandronsky Food & BeverageChinese authorities recently announced an end to U.S. agricultural imports following President Trump’s threat to hike tariffs by 10% on $300 billion on Chinese imports, effective Sept. 1. That is bad news for U.S. farmers. What follows is a look at what some industry groups and politicians are doing and saying in response to the situation. "This trade war with China needs to come to an end. It is doing a lot of damage now and we are concerned about the long term," said Gary Wertish, the elected president of the Minnesota Farmers Union.
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New Hampshire’s North Woods provide rare relaxation
Steve and Diane Owens Recreation & LeisureThe North Woods area of New Hampshire is such a distinctively relaxing American region. It reminded us of our travels through British Columbia. At the Moose River RV Park in Saint Johnsbury, Vermont, locals told us to be extra careful driving on New Hampshire Highway 3. "Be very watchful of moose on the highway," they said. The countryside with the meadows and wetlands is ideal for moose yet the only animal we saw was a squirrel crossing the road. Hardly a cause for an accident!
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Vanilla Ice is back with a brand-new invention
Jason Zimmerman Construction & Building MaterialsVanilla Ice built a legacy as an iconic hip-hop music artist. Now he’s building dreams. World-famous rapper, actor and TV reality show personality Robert Van Winkle — professionally known as Vanilla Ice — served as the opening keynote speaker Aug. 7 for the 2019 Sunbelt Builders Show™, hosted by the Texas Association of Builders, at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine. Best known for his No. 1 hit song, "Ice Ice Baby," Vanilla Ice has become a successful real-estate entrepreneur and remodeling expert with more than 15 years of hands-on home improvement experience.
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5 easy ways to protect your patients from superbugs
Lisa Mulcahy Healthcare AdministrationAntibiotic-resistant infections create massive challenges for hospitals. There’s no doubt you strive to practice scrupulous infection control procedures at your facility — but did you know that sometimes the easiest fixes may be among the most effective ways to protect your patients? Research backs this up — implement these tips immediately to potentially cut your hospital's infection numbers.
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The frightening security risks and potential dangers of IoT
Joseph Zulick Science & TechnologyImagine you are running late one morning, speeding to the airport to catch a flight. You suddenly realize that you forgot to turn off the heat back at home. If your thermostat is networked, then you can remotely shut down the heater using your smartphone. Sounds great, right? What could possibly go wrong? A lot, it turns out. To better illustrate the security issues that "internet of things" devices have and continue to suffer, l will share some of my personal experiences with IoT operational security.
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Green buildings can make employees more productive
Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementThere are a lot of things that you can do to increase employee productivity, but there’s one thing you probably haven’t considered: the physical workplace. According to a new report, creating a "green" environment isn’t just good for the environment; it’s good for your company’s bottom line. The World Green Building Council's (WorldGBC) report, "Doing Right by Planet and People," demonstrates the additional benefits that green buildings can offer besides decreased energy use.
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Smaller and new are the prevailing trends in luxury homes
Michael J. Berens Construction & Building MaterialsChanging customer lifestyles and preferences are realigning the market for luxury homes. Sales are declining in some areas long considered to be havens for the wealthy and are rising in desirable suburbs and city centers. As younger, affluent buyers and relocating baby boomers opt for simplicity and convenience over opulence, the demand for smaller and new, move-in-ready homes is growing.
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How Milan’s airports are handling the temporary closure of Linate
Matt Falcus Transportation Technology & AutomotiveClosing one of a country's busiest airports for three months in the summer period might sound like a recipe for disaster, but that's exactly what's happening in Milan as Linate Airport has ceased flights to undertake essential upgrades. Linate closed on July 27 following the final departure to Palermo late the previous evening. Work has now commenced on a string of upgrades to the airport — the most notable of which is the complete resurfacing of main runway 18/36. It is expected to reopen on Oct. 27.
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Native Alaskan tribe’s lawsuit fights ANWR drilling
Michelle R. Matisons Natural ResourcesJuly 31 was a fateful day in the climate change struggle. Just as the Gwich’in tribe of Alaska and Canada launched an important anti-drilling lawsuit, Greenland’s ice sheet lost 12.5 billion tons of ice in one day. Although an offshore drilling ban was recently upheld by Alaska federal court for some Arctic areas, the Trump administration seems set on drilling the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge's (ANWR) 1002 Area, with speculated returns of up to 9 billion gallons of oil. The Gwich’in tribe, along with the Wilderness Society, Alaska Wilderness League, and Defenders of Wildlife, want to keep the oil in the ground.
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