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Death of a blacktail

Chester Moore Jr. Recreation & Leisure

The Sacramento River in Northern California is magnificent. With cool waters running from the Klamath Mountains in the shadow of magnificent Mount Shasta, it flows over smooth, gray stones along wooded shorelines. As I made my way up a game trail leading from the main river, a shocking scene unfolded before me. Lying on the edge of the trail was a massive, dead blacktail buck. With antlers that would make any hunter proud, it was evident this buck had died within the last 24-36 hours.

Will climate relief meet prison closures in California’s budget?

Michelle R. Matisons Civil & Government

As the upcoming holiday season promises a new year and new budget proposals, Northern California’s PG&E remains in limbo, with wildfire victims remaining largely uncompensated. The saga involves mismanagement distributing an essential commodity, power, to 16 million people. As climate disasters mount, the world's fifth-largest economy may adopt a publicly owned utility. PG&E remains court-ordered to pay past wildfire victims — customers and insurance companies — back, but company and state officials share the view that customers should pay for (at least some) future damages.

What is the future of leadership?

Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk Management

If everything rises and falls on leadership, are we in good hands, or should we be concerned? While technology is moving at the speed of light and leveling everything in its path, leaders often seem hesitant to change their rather archaic traditions and beliefs. This is causing some uneasiness among employees and other stakeholders. So, what is the future of leadership, and how can leaders be effective and successful in this brave new world?

Does a jump in personal loans signal economic trouble ahead?

Seth Sandronsky Business Management, Services & Risk Management

As night follows day, economic expansions end in recessions. Consumer debt is a part of each chapter. On that note, the consumer credit agencies — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — are reporting a rise in personal loans over recent months. Is this a sign of trouble for the U.S. economy? Thomas Oppel is the executive vice president for the American Sustainable Business Association. "Short term, an increase in personal loans obviously helps continue to fuel consumer spending," he told MultiBriefs in an email. Debt-fueled consumer demand has a downside, though.

Domestic violence cases can create acute danger for police

Bambi Majumdar Law Enforcement, Defense & Security

Approximately 10 million women and men are victims of domestic violence in the U.S. each year. Law enforcement officers are on the front lines of these cases as first responders to these assaults and are often vulnerable to sudden attacks themselves. In many domestic violence assault incidents, alcohol and drugs are key factors that make the situation even more unpredictable. Earlier this month, a Pittsburgh man opened fire on police officers when they responded to a report of a domestic disturbance. Officers had no choice but to return fire.

Is there something you’re meant to do?

Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Whether it is the cold weather sweeping across the country, the shorter daylight hours or the end of the year, many of my clients and colleagues have recently wondered aloud whether they are in the right place or doing the right thing. While questioning our professional purpose can be disconcerting, it can also be a healthy exercise. Here are a few tips for facing the big question of whether we are doing what we are meant to do.

Strategies for surviving the next recession

Lloyd Princeton Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Will we or won't we? The verdict is still out on whether the U.S. economy is headed into recession sometime next year. More worrisome at the moment is the number of other leading economies that are teetering on the brink of recession, such as Germany, Italy and, of late, Hong Kong. Growth is slowing in China and other BRIC countries. And who knows what impact Brexit will have on the European Union economies. Directly or indirectly, any of these eventualities could impede our industry. While there is no cause for alarm at the moment, it’s always wise to be prepared for any eventuality.

How to end the divide between generations in the workplace

Simma Lieberman Business Management, Services & Risk Management

For over 10 years, I’ve been facilitating cross-generational dialogues. I started them because I was tired of one-dimensional conversations filled with bias and wrong assumptions about people who were older or younger. After the first three sessions, it was clear to me that we have a lot to learn from each other. Cross-generational mentoring became an integral part of my inclusive leadership coaching process. Here are some of the generalizations that are permeating the mainstream media and examples of assumptions and stereotypes based on age that I find irritating.

California rewards climate-friendly automakers amid NHTSA lawsuit

Michelle R. Matisons Transportation Technology & Automotive

Ford and General Motors (GM) workers have new UAW labor contracts with some reported positive takeaways. But they part ways on a lawsuit contesting national emissions enforcement authority. For decades, California has enjoyed a Clean Air Act waiver to set its own standards. Suffering under pollution from transportation, industry, and wildfires, California is seeking to reduce pollution to 66 million metric tons per year by 2030. The state has joined 23 others as lawsuit plaintiffs against the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Study: Patients aren’t accessing medical information online

Scott E. Rupp Healthcare Administration

Patients are not accessing their medical records online, according to recent research published in Health Affairs. Hospitals that are part of a more extensive system saw their patients engage more with online records. That was also the case for teaching and public hospitals, the research says. But the lowest access rates were for people at hospitals receiving the most in disproportionate share hospital payments and those with a high mix of dual-eligible Medicare and Medicaid patients.

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