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Important 3-D technologies arrive at police departments
Bambi Majumdar Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityThe Santa Ana, California, Police Department is of one the latest to use new 3-D scanning technology to survey crime scenes. The latest version of the Leica 3-D scan station that Santa Ana PD is using can help officers and detectives process crime scenes faster and with more accuracy. The technology creates a virtual image of a crime scene in less than two minutes. The St. Louis County Police Department is also now using new 3-D technology that is quite similar to Santa Ana's.
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New interpretation of public charge rule poses health threat to immigrant…
Michelle R. Matisons Medical & Allied HealthcareRecent immigrant mass detentions and deportations, including the practice of family separation and detention of children, have been controversial enough. Now, a new interpretation of the public charge rule, based on a provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act, will enact changes that some states claim target poor immigrants of color. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that: "The rule will likely increase confusion and fear broadly across immigrant families about using public programs for themselves and their children, regardless of whether they are directly affected by the changes."
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Employees want to be recognized, but not how you think
Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementYour employees want you to recognize their hard work and efforts, but a survey of 16,000 professionals in 4,000 companies representing various industries and roles reveals that they may not want to be recognized for only major accomplishments, don’t necessarily want a cash reward, and some would prefer that the recognition didn’t occur in front of everyone in the organization. According to a recent Deloitte Greenhouse survey, most employees (54%) would prefer a verbal "thank you" for day-to-day accomplishments, while 31% would prefer to have that thanks in writing.
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Steps to help close the divisions in our society
Simma Lieberman Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementAccording to Forbes magazine, hate crimes in 30 major U.S. cities rose by 9% in 2018. Most of the victims were black, Jewish, LGBT or immigrants. This is serious and not only impacts us in our communities but also in the workplace. Racist rhetoric is on the rise, along with the perpetuation of stereotypes and bullying based on religion, skin color, ethnicity and sexual orientation. What impacts the community impacts the workplace. If people are afraid of being verbally or physically attacked outside of work, they can't be productive at work.
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Access to K-12 computer science education grows across the country
Bambi Majumdar EducationOne recent change in education involves a multistate initiative to expand access to and diversity in K-12 computer science. 33 states have passed legislation to that effect in 2019, and about $42.5 million has been funded for this cause. Interest in computer science education is rising, as it should in the digital age. Stakeholders, from parents to policymakers, recognize the importance of this investment. Much of this success can be attributed to the Code.org Advocacy Coalition, which has worked hard at advocating the cause since 2013.
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Infographic: Could universal basic income work?
Brian Wallace Civil & GovernmentA universal basic income means different things to different people, and presidential candidate Andrew Yang has once again brought the concept to the forefront. Many people say that it could alleviate poverty or mitigate the financial fallout from the next Industrial Revolution, in which artificial intelligence and robots could displace a large percentage of the workforce. Is it time to give this idea some serious thought? Or is it better left to the annals of history?
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The economic impact of our aging population
Patrick Gleeson Civil & GovernmentA 2016 article in The Lancet on the implications of rapidly aging world populations cites some disturbing statistics. Important among them is this: Although over the past six decades the world population aged 60 or older has increased only slightly — by around 9% — in the next 40 years this group will more than double. The U.S. is one of the countries that will be most affected by this dramatic increase, resulting in lower birthrates, lower labor participation rates, and dramatic increases in Social Security payouts and healthcare expenditures.
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Why PIPs should be a manager’s favorite tool
Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementPerformance improvement plans (PIPs) are these amazing little forms that can pave a smoother path to professional growth or termination. They can end bad behavior and create positive new habits. Unfortunately, they require a few things of which we do not often have enough: time, patience and focus. Here are a few reasons why PIPs should be a manager’s favorite tool and how they should be used.
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Study: Fluoride may decrease liver, kidney function in adolescents
Tammy Hinojos Oral & Dental HealthcareNo one debates the many dental benefits of fluoride. They are widely established and scientifically backed. But in recent years, concerns have been raised regarding the appropriateness of the widespread addition of fluoride to drinking water and salt in North America. Now, a study published by Mount Sinai researchers in Environment International asserts that fluoride exposure may lead to a reduction in kidney and liver function among adolescents. The group of young people was participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a group of studies that assess health and nutritional well-being in the United States.
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Some communities are putting the brakes on factory farming
Scott E. Rupp Food & BeverageWisconsin's Burnett County Board of Supervisors recently passed a one-year moratorium on large-scale farms with 1,000 or more animal units. The moratorium is inspired by plans from Cumberland LLC, which earlier this year announced plans to build a $20 million farm for up to 26,000 hogs in the town of Trade Lake. Don Taylor, Burnett County board chair, said a committee will examine potential impacts of large-scale farms, known as concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) or "factory farms." Burnett County represents a microcosm of farming practices throughout the United States.
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