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Is camaraderie a tradition we’re losing?

Frank R. Myers Law Enforcement, Defense & Security

With the advent of the digital age, we have become our own private islands and become immersed in looking at the screens of our electronic devices. What happened to communicating with people face-to-face or via phone rather than texting or emailing? Those days of interacting with our co-workers around a table are disappearing. I recall when I first walked into the fire station there was a palpable bond that was apparent with the crew(s). Everyone had a nickname and someone was always working on a project, whether for the station, apparatus or a personal endeavor.

Southeast Asia neighbors battle over street food

Bambi Majumdar Food & Beverage

Singapore and Malaysia’s fight over street food highlights an interesting development in the history of food. It shows how this once-disparaged form of cuisine has become popular for newer generations. Singapore is known for its street food; it has been called a foodie city for ages. It did not come as a surprise to many that the city-state made a bid for a UNESCO cultural heritage listing. But immediate neighbor Malaysia did not appreciate the move.

Environmental issues heat up as court ruling halts Keystone XL pipeline

Michelle R. Matisons Waste Management & Environmental

Evidence of environmental devastation looms in many places. However, one development that recently went the other direction regards the controversial Keystone XL pipeline. This 1,200-mile pipeline was slated to bring oil from Alberta to the Gulf Coast by TransCanada Corp. The latest development saw U.S. District Court Judge Brian Morris of Montana rule against the pipeline, claiming that a full environmental impact review was not completed for the project, and that the issue of climate change was not fully considered.

Tips to avoid travel fraud this holiday season

Bambi Majumdar Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

If a travel deal seems too good to be true...it probably is. Holiday scams aren’t new but the sophistication applied behind them has made it harder for a layperson to gauge the scams from authentic offers. That is why one has to scrutinize that holiday getaway deal before booking. The internet was recently abuzz with James McAvoy’s story of how he nearly fell for a $10,000 Tenerife holiday scam. He went online to tell the world about his horrifying experience when a fake hotel website duped him.

Wildfires in Northern and Southern California claim 31 lives so far

Michelle R. Matisons Waste Management & Environmental

Paradise, California, north of Sacramento, is a town of 27,000 people that has been all but wiped out as both Northern and Southern California burn up in another round of deadly fires. So far, 29 lives have been lost in the northern part of the state, where the Camp fire has burned up 6,700 structures. In Southern California, the Woolsley and Hill fires have caused a mass evacuation of 250,000 people, leaving two dead and more missing. When residents fled their homes, they encountered serious problems as clogged roads made evacuation difficult.

Travel2020: Can you take it on a plane? Surprising things TSA will allow

Lark Gould Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

Snakes on a plane? Probably not on your plane but you might be surprised about what is traveling with you as you surmise the surfeit of sleeping passengers, kids focused on video games, couples looking out the window and others loading up to watch a downloaded film or two. Lobsters, lizards, soups, spices, maybe a car engine, camp stove, coffee maker or waffle iron … there are a lot of things that can travel on a plane these days, according to TSA.

November is National Veterans and Military Families Month

Miranda Y. Brumbaugh Law Enforcement, Defense & Security

For the second year, Veterans Day will be extended throughout the entire month of November. The White House has declared November as National Veterans and Military Families Month and to be recognized as such via a presidential proclamation. Throughout the month, veterans and their families can look forward to tributes, celebrations, and special events in their honor. The best place to go in your community to find local Veterans and Military Families Month events is your Veterans Health Administration facility.

Building the ultimate Glock

Joshua Fry Recreation & Leisure

Five or so years ago, two of my fellow law enforcement officers and I began our love affair with competitive shooting, specifically 3-gun. Being in law enforcement, we walked a tightrope of trying to keep our "race" equipment as close to our "real-world" equipment as possible while still chasing that last bit of competitive equipment edge. In this pursuit, I built what I would call the "ultimate" Glock to satisfy the best of both worlds and still be competitive in the 3-Gun world.

Florida restores voting rights to 1.5 million with successful ballot initiative

Michelle R. Matisons Civil & Government

Over the past two decades, the phrase "prison industrial complex" has moved from an academic concept to one more likely to be heard around the kitchen table, as many criminal justice reform measures have bipartisan support. Many agree that society must act to improve prison conditions and treatment of formerly incarcerated individuals as they struggle to find work and housing in states that continue to punish them long after they’ve served their time. Perhaps most symbolic in the effort to end overly punitive corrections culture is the restoration of voting rights.

Law enforcement agencies face acute staffing shortages

Bambi Majumdar Law Enforcement, Defense & Security

Police departments across America are sounding the alarm for an impending human resources crisis. There are many departments across the country, especially in rural areas, that are cash-strapped and cannot afford to hire new officers. But others who can and are repeatedly posting job ads find few takers. Law enforcement leaders want to highlight the benefits of the job and a high level of job security to attract more talent. Despite these efforts, they are finding it hard to find talent.

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