SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " rep " 30,436 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
Health problems reported after Colorado cannabis vaporizer recall
Maui Wowie and Grape Gorilla vapes were recalled after a lab found methylene chloride. Now Colorado regulators are fielding health reports.
Jaren Jackson Jr. Knows What Comes After a Jazz Breakthrough
Memphis star Jaren Jackson Jr. warns a rising Utah core that sustained success demands an even-keeled temperament as the pressure of expectations replaces the freedom of rebuilding.
Thunder Must Replace Pressure, Not Just Production
Oklahoma City’s new-look depth must replicate the internal accountability that fueled last season’s success, ensuring competition—not just talent—drives the roster toward a championship standard.
Leading GOP Senate PAC pauses spending on NC candidate Michael Whatley
In a blow to Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley, the leading PAC to maintain the Republican majority withdrew from his campaign, while other North Carolina Republicans find their races at risk.
Parliamentary government and political competition are the oldest traditions in Russian politics. Where did they come from, and why did they disappear? Writer Mikhail Zygar explains in a new film.
It’s hard to believe today, but Rus’ had a parliament before Britain did and a woman with the political stature of a prime minister five centuries before Margaret Thatcher. The Novgorod Republic was a state in which the prince was a hired manager, major decisions were made by the veche or popular assembly, and political culture resembled that of Western Europe in many ways. In his new film, Mikhail Zygar explains how this system emerged, why it lost out to Moscow, and why Vladimir Putin is so fond of Alexander Nevsky.
What's at stake in Michigan's 10th Congressional District
Michigan's 10th Congressional District went from leans Republican to a toss-up. What does that mean for the this year's midterm?
Two Carolina Panthers the Detroit Lions Must Watch Out For
A dominant interior force and a towering vertical threat stand between Detroit and a crucial road win as the Lions prepare for a physical Sunday night showdown.
Solo law firm owner shares advice on running your own business
It offers general legal services but also has niches in representing other attorneys as well as designers, artists and publishers in the board gaming industry.
Bishop’s computer science chair says AI is eliminating ‘grunt work’ and reshaping digital jobs
Dr. Russell Butler, chair of Bishop’s University’s Department of Computer Science, says artificial intelligence is increasingly taking over routine digital “grunt work,” changing the skills students and workers may need in the years ahead. Photo courtesy of Bishop’s University. Click here to read our platform! Get local news like this every morning. Subscribe free below. Subscribe Pulse Newsroom Artificial intelligence is already taking over some of the routine digital work once performed by entry-level employees, according to Bishop’s University Computer Science chair Dr. Russell Butler — a shift he believes will make expertise, judgement and the ability to evaluate AI-generated work increasingly important. Butler described the change as automation reaching what he calls the “bottom of the cognitive pyramid” during an interview with The Pulse about AI, university education and the future of digital work. His argument is not that humans are disappearing from the workplace. Instead, he sees their role changing as AI becomes capable of handling more of the repetitive tasks involved in computer-based work. “Everything’s converging on just AI basically doing all the grunt work,” Butler said. The bottom of the cognitive pyramid Butler is from Lennoxville, completed his undergraduate studies at Bishop’s and later earned his PhD at the Université de Sherbrooke. He joined Bishop’s in 2019 and now chairs its Department of Computer Science. He uses AI in research, teaching and other creative work, and said the technology is increasingly capable of handling routine digital tasks that once required substantial human time. “You’ve got the grunt work, like moving things around in Excel, doing basic programming tasks,” Butler said. “That’s like the bottom grunt work that the entry-level worker would have done two or three years ago.” Butler went further, saying in his view that much of this type of work has already been absorbed by AI tools. He connected that change to a shift he sees taking place in computer science, where entry-level roles have declined while experienced workers can use AI to increase what they can produce. “A senior developer now has access to essentially an unlimited amount of junior developers on demand,” Butler said. He was describing AI systems metaphorically, not literal employees. His point was that one experienced developer can now ask AI tools to produce code or other technical work that might previously have been assigned to more junior workers. That raises a broader question for universities and employers. If some of the simpler work traditionally given to newcomers can now be done by machines, how do people gain the experience needed to become senior workers themselves? Students doing work that once required years of programming Butler said he is already seeing the change inside his classroom. He created a Bishop’s course called CS208, Coding in Plain English, to show students — including those without traditional programming backgrounds — what they can accomplish using AI. Some come from disciplines such as psychology or neuroscience with no previous programming experience. “What I’m finding is that students who have zero programming experience, they come in from another discipline like psychology or neuroscience or something, they are now able to get up and running with real data sets,” Butler said. Butler’s own doctoral work involved neuroimaging, and he said he has assigned students work he considers comparable to the kinds of analysis he performed during his PhD. He described giving students a real dataset, an expected result and instructions to use AI to complete the analysis. Butler said those students have been able to carry out work at a level he associates with tasks he once performed after years of programming experience. That does not mean a student using AI instantly acquires the same knowledge as an experienced computer scientist. But Butler sees it as evidence that AI can dramatically lower the technical barrier between having a problem to solve and producing a working result. The role of the person using the system then changes. They need to know what to ask for, understand enough about the subject to judge the answer and take responsibility for what is ultimately produced. What about AI hallucinations? One persistent concern surrounding generative AI is hallucination — when a system produces information that sounds convincing but is false or unsupported. Butler said that problem has improved substantially in newer systems and is not as severe as it was with earlier models. He pointed in particular to newer AI systems’ ability to search the web, consult scientific databases and return source links rather than simply generating a citation from their internal model. Butler nevertheless said users should verify what AI produces. “You should verify,” he said while discussing citations generated with AI. His position is that hallucinations have become less common in the systems he uses, not that incorrect AI output is impossible. Human checking remains part of the process. Hours of work compressed Butler offered another example from his administrative work at Bishop’s. The university has been comparing CEGEP courses with first-year Bishop’s courses to determine where students may qualify for advanced standing. Traditionally, Butler said, that means reviewing two sets of course descriptions and manually matching one institution’s courses with another’s. As department chair, that could require hours of reading and comparison. He said AI can now be given both sets of material and asked to generate an initial mapping automatically. “It saves me hours and hours of work,” Butler said. Butler said the AI-generated mapping can also produce a better result than he would produce himself. He sees similar opportunities in businesses. A company may receive specifications, drawings, emails or other digital material from customers and then have employees convert that information into an internal format before anything can be manufactured or delivered. AI can increasingly perform parts of that intermediate processing. In Butler’s view, the employee does not necessarily disappear. Instead, the job becomes more about checking the result. “The human is still there,” he said. Judgement could become more valuable That change is central to Butler’s view of where digital work may be headed. If AI can produce a first draft, write basic code, compare documents or process large amounts of information, he argues that knowledge and judgement become increasingly important. “The real scarce resource going forward is going to be domain knowledge, expertise, and… credentials, authority, the ability to work with other people,” Butler said. He is therefore encouraging students not only to learn AI tools but also to broaden their education. He mentioned acting, fine art and photography as examples of courses that can help develop what he described as taste and intuition — the ability to recognize what is good, what is not and what should be changed. “And that’s the skill that they need now because the grunt work has been automated and now it’s about evaluating what the AI produces and telling it how to improve or expand the output,” Butler said. That does not remove the need for technical knowledge. Butler’s argument is that the emphasis may shift away from manually completing every step of a task and toward directing, checking and improving work produced with AI assistance. He also stressed that humans remain responsible for final decisions. “At the end of the day, the human has to make the final call,” Butler said, pointing to the question of accountability. Physical work may be different Butler draws a distinction between digital work and jobs requiring people to manipulate the physical world. He expects AI to continue advancing quickly in tasks performed almost entirely on computers. He is more cautious about claims that humanoid robots will soon be able to replace workers such as plumbers or electricians. Butler said those trades would not be replaced “anytime soon” in his view and described some current robotics demonstrations as overhyped. He described the situation as counterintuitive. “It’s almost like we solved the highest level first,” he said, contrasting advances in digital AI with the harder problem of building robots capable of operating reliably in the physical world. Butler’s argument is that some digital occupations could face automation sooner than trades requiring complex physical work. The wider AI shift in the Townships Butler’s comments come as local institutions are increasingly grappling with how AI should be used. The federal government recently announced up to $162 million over five years for 10,000 AI-related placements through Mitacs. The Université de Sherbrooke told The Pulse that the number of its collaborative research and innovation projects supported through Mitacs has approximately doubled since 2018-19, while the number of placements has approximately tripled. UdeS also said it already has projects involving both AI adoption and the application of AI to other fields. At Bishop’s, Butler said part of his role involves building the Computer Science department’s local presence, connecting students with regional partners and strengthening relationships with the Sherbrooke technology ecosystem. Those developments put universities in a difficult position. They have to prepare students to use the tools employers increasingly have available while also making sure graduates understand enough to recognize when those tools are wrong, incomplete or being applied to the wrong problem. The risk of losing human skills Butler does not see AI as risk-free. Later in the interview, he raised a separate concern: as AI becomes better at reading, writing, programming and other cognitive tasks, people could lose some of the underlying skills that historically helped produce new ideas. “The other danger is that we’re going to lose the human skills,” Butler said. He specifically mentioned reading and writing and argued that people could lose some of the lower-level understanding that contributes to breakthroughs. Butler said AI systems are based on existing human knowledge and argued that they become much more powerful when paired with a capable person. That tension runs through his view of the technology. AI can remove hours of routine work. It can allow beginners to perform tasks that once required substantial technical training. It can give experienced workers significant leverage. But the more capable the technology becomes, the more important it may be for people to develop the judgement needed to decide what should be done in the first place. For Butler, that is where education may have to change. Students still need to understand their field. They still need to know when something is wrong. And they still need to be able to make the final decision. But if AI increasingly handles the bottom of the cognitive pyramid, the value of a worker may depend less on how quickly they can perform the grunt work and more on whether they understand what the work is supposed to accomplish. Don’t miss the next story that affects your community. Join thousands of readers getting The Pulse every morning—plus breaking news alerts when it matters most. If you value this kind of local journalism, consider supporting it. Subscribe, share and like! Subscribe Share
The bright spots in the rough September jobs report
White-collar sectors continued to struggle in September, according to a dreary jobs report. But healthcare and construction were bright spots.
Gemini app gains new ‘Map’ tool, replacing ‘/’ with ‘@’
Google has introduced a “Map” tool to aid your location-based Gemini app prompts on Android and iOS. Meanwhile...
Rising costs, health insurance, abortion: The issues driving Michigan’s Senate election
A look at policy proposals from Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed and Republican nominee Mike Rogers.
Sandusky County Public Health reports West Nile virus case
The infected person resides in Vickery and is the first human case of West Nile virus in Sandusky County since 2016.
AP report: Senate Republicans move cash from North Carolina to Kansas as battle for majority shifts
The moves offer a stark sign of how dramatically the Senate map has shifted just a month before midterm elections that will determine control of Congress.
Apple’s new ‘homeOS’ will launch this month, here’s what’s coming
Apple reportedly plans to launch new Home products on October 13 alongside an all-new operating system rumored to be called ‘homeOS.’
FBI releases classified ‘Patel Report’ examining past failures at the bureau
The FBI has released a classified report to the workforce examining what it says are chapters from the bureau’s history when it "fell short." That's according to an internal message
Abbott ramps up attacks on Democratic challenger, Gina Hinojosa, as Texas governor’s race tightens
Gov. Greg Abbott is escalating attacks on Gina Hinojosa as some polls show a closer race and Republicans confront voter concerns about the economy.
Schumer vies for the Senate majority in a looming leadership headache
Only one thing could put a damper on a good election night for Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY): the arrival of Senate nominees who, if successful in November, have vowed to oppose him as Democratic leader. Schumer told reporters this week that he will run for another term as the top Senate Democrat, and that he […]
Your Weekly Michigan Political Brief
The Detroit Free Press endorsed Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed. He also received endorsements this week from Sierra Club Michigan and the Michigan Laborers’ International Union of North America, or LiUNA. Republican U.S. Senate nominee Mike Rogers was endorsed by the Michigan Corn Growers Association. The Michigan Professional Firefighters Union and National Security Leaders […]
Remembering Howard Stevenson, Who Transformed the Study of Entrepreneurship
Howard Stevenson transformed entrepreneurship from a study of founders’ personalities and business formation into a way of managing: pursuing opportunity beyond the resources currently controlled. His approach emphasized testing ideas, committing resources in stages, assembling teams, and rewarding value creation—practices that could benefit organizations of any size. His ideas reshaped business education and influenced generations of entrepreneurs and managers around the world.
Comedian Joey Clift writes funny, accessible book on Native history
Author and Cowlitz Indian Tribe member Joey Clift spoke with The Seattle Times about inspiration, representation and why he loves his tribe’s casino.
Politics Friday: Keith Ellison, Ron Schutz appear in their first attorney general race debate
Friday at noon, the first head-to-head debate in the race for Minnesota attorney general. In his bid for a third term, DFL incumbent Keith Ellison faces Republican Ron Schutz, a prominent Twin Cities attorney.
Wyman Duggan launches campaign for Jacksonville Mayor
The Republican argues incumbent Donna Deegan isn't functioning like a 'strong Mayor' should.
Skydance Is New Name for Paramount-Warner Bros. Company
Paramount and Warner Bros. will operate under the Skydance corporate name as the companies prepare to complete their $111 billion merger.
Top Senate GOP-aligned super PAC pauses N.C. spending, in sign of deepening woes
The Senate Leadership Fund’s pulling money from North Carolina is the latest signal the Republican Party is giving up hope of holding that Senate seat.
Tony Romo out at CBS Sports following his arrest
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo will no longer work for CBS Sports, according to reports.
Tony Romo out at CBS Sports following his arrest
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo will no longer work for CBS Sports, according to reports.
Tony Romo out at CBS Sports following his arrest
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo will no longer work for CBS Sports, according to reports.
GOP super PAC pauses spending in North Carolina Senate race, shifting money to Kansas
The new moves from the Senate Leadership Fund reflect a difficult landscape for Republicans, with increasingly competitive races in red states.
How Digital Innovation Is Reshaping U.S. Small Businesses
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Technology Engagement Center (C_TEC) report Empowering Small Business: The Impact of Technology on U.S. Small Business examines the pivotal role that diverse technology platforms play in helping small businesses operate and compete.
Stand Up for Science Endorses Pro-Science Congressional Candidates in Critical Districts
Endorsements promote candidates who will protect science and democracy, replace anti-science members of Congress in 2027.
Trump to name intelligence chief Clayton as AI tsar: Reports
The possible selection comes amid increasing calls for the government to intervene in the rapidly developing technology.
What's that under construction at Salem's Willamette Town Center?
Crews are preparing to turn a portion of the parking lot at Willamette Town Center into a Maps Credit Union.
Red Wings Make Major Dylan Larkin Replacement Decision
The Red Wings are expected to use Andrew Copp between Alex DeBrincat and Lucas Raymond while Dylan Larkin misses the first two games.
Flurry of Lawsuits Shows Both Parties Preparing for Post-Election Challenges
Republicans are using the courts to hunt for noncitizen voters. Democrats worry the G.O.P. is trying make it harder for eligible voters to cast ballots — and paving the way to try to toss valid election results.
iOS 27.2 gives Apple Podcasts the big fix I’ve wanted for years
I’ve long had major issues with Apple Podcasts’ central Up Next queue feature, but I’m happy to report that iOS 27.2 has the solution.
Cardinals reportedly take stance on Marvin Harrison Jr. trade rumors
This stance from the Cardinals should not be a surprise.
PAHO regional meeting of health ministers concludes with new measures to strengthen health security and address key health threats
Health authorities approved new regional strategies to strengthen preparedness for health emergencies, tackle antimicrobial resistance, curb dengue and other arboviral diseases, and improve food safety, while advancing access to vaccines, medicines and other essential health technologies across the Americas.
How prepared are you for a disaster?
From emergency kits to evacuation plans, Live Science asks readers how prepared they are for the unexpected.
Sophie Cunningham’s playoff presence draws attention beyond the court
Sophie Cunningham turned heads before the WNBA playoffs with a striking all-white look featuring a mini dress, dark sunglasses and strappy heels. The Indiana Fever guard’s fashion statement added another memorable moment to her growing reputation for standout pregame tunnel style.
Veteran Business Project Hosts Third Annual Valor to Venture Gala in Naperville Oct. 29
Veteran Business Project's third annual Valor to Venture gala is Oct. 29 at Hotel Arista in Naperville. Tickets are $300 and support veteran entrepreneurs.
Top Senate GOP group puts pause on spending in North Carolina
National Republicans are starting to make major moves to divert resources away from the North Carolina Senate race where GOP candidate Michael Whatley has long been trailing in polls.
How the Instinct AI agent helped an entrepreneur run his new business
A tech entrepreneur put the Instinct AI agent to work on marketing, operations, shipping, tariffs, and more.
Apple’s Flirtation With Surveillance Tech Could Put Its Reputation to the Test
Will you care if Apple devices see and hear everything, so long as they don’t actually keep the video or audio?
A Heart Valve That Grows Up With The Patient Wins FDA Approval
By Ellyn Vohnoutka HealthDay ReporterFRIDAY, Oct. 2, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Children born with certain heart defects may face fewer open-heart surgeries, thanks to a new replacement valve that grows with them. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday approved the Autus ...
Miami Heat to Celebrate Grand Theft Auto VI Release with 'A Night in Vice City' Promotion vs. Bucks
The Miami Heat announced Friday that they will hold a special promotional night on Nov. 18 in celebration of the release of the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI video game on Nov. 19.
Fed rate hike odds plunge, stocks soar after dismal jobs report
The soft September jobs report suggests the Fed might not have to rush to raise rates this month. Stocks surged and bond yields dropped on Friday.
Anthropic tells IPO investors US government actions could hit its business
Anthropic’s IPO prospectus warns that US government actions could harm its commercial customer and partner relationships, Reuters reports.
Report shows $1B Maine budget gap
The report comes as Republicans and Democrats battle for control of the Legislature and governor’s mansion.
Everest sells its Canadian retail operation
Bermudian firm Everest Group Ltd. has completed the sale of its Canadian retail insurance business to Winnipeg-based The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company, The Royal Gazette reported.
Big 12 launches sportsmanship campaign in wake of derogatory chants directed at BYU
The Big 12 has a zero-tolerance policy toward discriminatory behavior, but repeat issues sparked increased scrutiny and calls for action.
Disappointing 29,000 jobs added in September as unemployment ticks up
Friday's jobs report is the last one that will come out before the Nov. 3 elections that will determine whether President Donald Trump's Republicans maintain full control of Congress.
Cristante to miss Como match, at risk vs Real Madrid
Confirmation has arrived regarding Bryan Cristante’s condition, following previous rumors. The Roma midfielder will miss the away match against Como due to serious knee inflammation. Sky Sport repor...
Apple Is Reportedly Building A Smart Home Camera That Won't Record Video Footage Of You Or Anyone Else
The device will apparently use AI to analyze activity in your home without actually filming it.
A job layoff leads Hispanic family into filling needs in the community with help of the TROY Small Business Development Center
For Gilberto Laines and Jocabet Cortes, entrepreneurship did not begin with a business plan, a loan or even the certainty that they would one day own a business. It began with work.
Multiple Washington Nationals to Suit Up in Arizona Fall League
The Washington Nationals will be well represented in the Arizona Fall League, set to begin on Saturday, Oct. 3
Why tracking business expenses matters — and how to get started
QuickBooks Free can help small business owners understand their cash flow, prepare for tax season and make informed spending decisions.
Depeche Mode fans flock to Prague’s Charles Bridge to recreate 1988 band photo
A new trend has emerged at Prague's Charles Bridge, where tourists now line up to recreate a famous photo of the members of Depeche Mode | WBBM Newsradio 780 AM & 105.9 FM
Halo's new steward Activision reportedly considering rebooting the series, with a team in Sledgehammer Games leading the charge
New rumours suggest Sledgehammer Games have pitched some ideas for Activision's newly-announced Halo takeover.
New Paramount Warner Bros. Name is Skydance, David Ellison Says
Paramount and Warner Bros. will exist as sub-brands in the larger corporate brand.
Ivey touts Alabama's ranking among top 10 states for doing business
Officials pointed to low costs, tax advantages and workforce investments as Alabama climbed in a national business climate report.
Coastal forces shape building sciences practice
When Built Environments relocated to Wilmington, the firm’s partners weren’t looking for the lazy tranquility one hopes for when on vacation. Instead, they sought sultry heat. They wanted to understand whipping coastal winds and punishing precipitation – the kind that tropical storms produce. That’s because how materials degrade can reveal a lot about how they can be improved. “We specifically chose the Wilmington market because it does fall within Climate Zone 3A, which is a coastal warm-humid climate,” said Jarrett Davis, who joined Built Environments in 2023 to lead the company’s building science practice. “There’s not a lot of product research in that climate zone, but there are a lot of structures here that get weatherized pretty severely.” Built Environments has provided building science, material testing and code compliance consulting for 25 years, ever since principal materials scientist Steve Doggett founded the company in Minnesota. “There are very few manufacturers that understand fully how their own materials and products work, whereas we know their shortfalls and their benefits out in the real world on jobsites,” Doggett said. “That’s why the original Built Environments was formed, to make buildings better.” He said the 15-employee company is just as comfortable on a jobsite, retrofitting a high-end beachside property, for example, as it is recreating some of the coast’s most intense weather conditions in the great indoors. The company operates an A2LA-accredited ISO/IEC 17025 mechanical testing laboratory on Wright Street. The year-old facility has expanded Built Environments’ in-house capabilities, Doggett said. “We’re able to simulate that hurricane wind (and) rain and perform structural and impact testing on wall assemblies, roof assemblies and glazing assemblies,” he said. “There are certain requirements that those windows and doors need to meet as far as wind ratings and pressure ratings and things of that nature.” Standard Glass Co.-Glass Depots, of Wilmington, is currently testing a new glazing system using Built Environments’ stress testing, the partners said. One method involves what’s called a “large missile cannon.” “We take 8-foot two-by-fours, and we shoot them at assemblies, so they have to withstand that impact,” Davis said. “It’s pretty cool to see, I’m not going to lie.” In many cases, the lab can run a full, wall-scale test of a product in a matter of weeks or months, whereas “it might take midrange manufacturers years,” Doggett said. “We’re nimble. We can cut that time in half.” The lab also develops intellectual property. Doggett, for example, shares a patent with Sustant LLC, of Minnesota, on a fastener patch to increase the air and water tightness within building envelopes. “We have too many ideas and not enough time,” he said. But the partners noted that they or their fellow principals – of which the company has four total, including a principal engineer and a principal codes and standards expert – could be anywhere on a given day, including in the courtroom providing expert testimony in contentious insurance cases. “Let’s say there is a fire on a structure,” Davis said. “We can analyze all the specific materials within that assembly – an exterior wall or something like that – because there are loads that require certain heat release. And so, we can measure each one of those materials, if need be, to say if this was likely or not a code-approved assembly.” Despite what can be inferred in a lab, the partners said nothing beats learning from how materials change over time under real-world strain. Take, for instance, the curious case of the creaking condo. “We recently had a customer that came to us trying to assess a sound issue of a roof. It was making noises that no one could explain or account for. How do you tackle something like that?” Doggett asked rhetorically. “There’s really no generally agreed-upon methodologies.” The problem turned out to be a faulty installation of a commercial roof system. “The building in this particular case was not local,” he said. “In the initial installation, the commercial roofing contractor installed the wrong fasteners in the wrong locations into the deck, and essentially the solar radiation was causing the building to move quite substantially early in the morning when the sun initially hit that assembly after a quite cool evening, causing the threads on the fasteners to kind of jump within the material, within the metal.” Built Environments designed an effective repair methodology that was within budget, the partners said. “We get the bizarre,” Doggett said. “I will say that’s something that has stayed the same over 25 years.” The partners said they are hiring, and that Cape Fear Community College is one of their main recruiting grounds. Davis and Doggett look for talented people who can understand traditional methodologies yet are open to on-the-job training and new understandings, they said. After all, it’s not just weather that can ruin a building. “My favorite saying is,” Davis said, “‘What are the eight most expensive words in construction? That’s how my daddy used to do it.’”
Coastal forces shape building sciences practice
When Built Environments relocated to Wilmington, the firm’s partners weren’t looking for the lazy tranquility one hopes for when on vacation. Instead, they sought sultry heat. They wanted to understand whipping coastal winds and punishing precipitation – the kind that tropical storms produce. That’s because how materials degrade can reveal a lot about how they can be improved. “We specifically chose the Wilmington market because it does fall within Climate Zone 3A, which is a coastal warm-humid climate,” said Jarrett Davis, who joined Built Environments in 2023 to lead the company’s building science practice. “There’s not a lot of product research in that climate zone, but there are a lot of structures here that get weatherized pretty severely.” Built Environments has provided building science, material testing and code compliance consulting for 25 years, ever since principal materials scientist Steve Doggett founded the company in Minnesota. “There are very few manufacturers that understand fully how their own materials and products work, whereas we know their shortfalls and their benefits out in the real world on jobsites,” Doggett said. “That’s why the original Built Environments was formed, to make buildings better.” He said the 15-employee company is just as comfortable on a jobsite, retrofitting a high-end beachside property, for example, as it is recreating some of the coast’s most intense weather conditions in the great indoors. The company operates an A2LA-accredited ISO/IEC 17025 mechanical testing laboratory on Wright Street. The year-old facility has expanded Built Environments’ in-house capabilities, Doggett said. “We’re able to simulate that hurricane wind (and) rain and perform structural and impact testing on wall assemblies, roof assemblies and glazing assemblies,” he said. “There are certain requirements that those windows and doors need to meet as far as wind ratings and pressure ratings and things of that nature.” Standard Glass Co.-Glass Depots, of Wilmington, is currently testing a new glazing system using Built Environments’ stress testing, the partners said. One method involves what’s called a “large missile cannon.” “We take 8-foot two-by-fours, and we shoot them at assemblies, so they have to withstand that impact,” Davis said. “It’s pretty cool to see, I’m not going to lie.” In many cases, the lab can run a full, wall-scale test of a product in a matter of weeks or months, whereas “it might take midrange manufacturers years,” Doggett said. “We’re nimble. We can cut that time in half.” The lab also develops intellectual property. Doggett, for example, shares a patent with Sustant LLC, of Minnesota, on a fastener patch to increase the air and water tightness within building envelopes. “We have too many ideas and not enough time,” he said. But the partners noted that they or their fellow principals – of which the company has four total, including a principal engineer and a principal codes and standards expert – could be anywhere on a given day, including in the courtroom providing expert testimony in contentious insurance cases. “Let’s say there is a fire on a structure,” Davis said. “We can analyze all the specific materials within that assembly – an exterior wall or something like that – because there are loads that require certain heat release. And so, we can measure each one of those materials, if need be, to say if this was likely or not a code-approved assembly.” Despite what can be inferred in a lab, the partners said nothing beats learning from how materials change over time under real-world strain. Take, for instance, the curious case of the creaking condo. “We recently had a customer that came to us trying to assess a sound issue of a roof. It was making noises that no one could explain or account for. How do you tackle something like that?” Doggett asked rhetorically. “There’s really no generally agreed-upon methodologies.” The problem turned out to be a faulty installation of a commercial roof system. “The building in this particular case was not local,” he said. “In the initial installation, the commercial roofing contractor installed the wrong fasteners in the wrong locations into the deck, and essentially the solar radiation was causing the building to move quite substantially early in the morning when the sun initially hit that assembly after a quite cool evening, causing the threads on the fasteners to kind of jump within the material, within the metal.” Built Environments designed an effective repair methodology that was within budget, the partners said. “We get the bizarre,” Doggett said. “I will say that’s something that has stayed the same over 25 years.” The partners said they are hiring, and that Cape Fear Community College is one of their main recruiting grounds. Davis and Doggett look for talented people who can understand traditional methodologies yet are open to on-the-job training and new understandings, they said. After all, it’s not just weather that can ruin a building. “My favorite saying is,” Davis said, “‘What are the eight most expensive words in construction? That’s how my daddy used to do it.’”
King County youth mental health facility may soon see changes
While the state says the changes are largely administrative, families and youth advocates say they represent a shift from the original plans for the facility.
US economy added 29,000 jobs in September, a slower pace than expected
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released the September 2026 jobs report on Friday which showed the economy added 29,000 jobs last month, below expectations.
Panthers defense looks to slow down Jared Goff and the Lions
The Carolina Panthers are preparing to face the Detroit Lions without both starting cornerbacks, who are on injured reserve.
Small business job growth edges higher in September, Paychex finds
Paychex reports small business employment edged higher in September, with the Midwest leading growth and wage increases moderating below 3%.
In brief: 'Reacher' spinoff gets a second season and more
We’ve got an official trailer for NBC’s Newlyweds, the new sitcom starring real-life married couple Tim Daly and Téa Leoni. The show, co-created by Jamie Lee Curtis, follows a later-in-life love story between a free-spirited woman and a professor who marry after a quick courtship. It premieres on Oct. 23 …The Reacher spinoff Neagley is getting a second season, just two weeks after the first season debuted on Prime Video. Maria Sten stars as the fan-favorite character Frances Neagley, a private investigator from Chicago and the former protégé of Jack Reacher, in the action series. The original Reacher series, starring Alan Ritchson, was picked up for a sixth season earlier this week … TNCMS.AdManager.render({region: 'fixed-big-ad-top-asset', slot: 1, fold: "above"}); Bradley Cooper is gearing up to star in Paramount’s new G.I. Joe film. He’ll be playing Duke, the leader of the Joes. Danny McBride is on board to direct. Further details on the project have not yet been revealed …Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. Thank you for reading kmaland.comAt KMA, we attempt to be accurate in our reporting. If you see a typo or mistake in a story, please contact us by emailing kmaradio@kmaland.com.
Is Trump too focused on political content creators as midterms approach?
With Republicans deeply worried about the looming midterms, is President Trump focusing too much on politically obsessed content creators and consumers instead of ordinary voters? Join The Hill’s s…
Do the Massillon Tigers play an OHSAA football game tonight?
The unbeaten Massillon Tigers do not play in tonight. Here's what's ahead for the Tigers and where they sit in the OHSAA football playoff picture.
North Carolina Could've Made Much Better Hire Than Bill Belichick After Report
Things would've been much better.
Ascension’s 2026 Ministry in Action report highlights progress in advancing health and strengthening communities
Ascension, one of the nation’s largest non-profit and faith-based health systems, today released its 2026 Ministry in Action Report, highlighting how the organization is putting its Mission into action by caring for all.
NFL Predictions: Buccaneers vs. Packers Week 4 Picks and Scores
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still searching for their first win of the season as they prepare to host the Green Bay Packers Sunday afternoon at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay enters Week 4 at 0-3 following last week’s 23-16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The Buccaneers will also be without starting quarterback Baker Mayfield, […]
Steelers stock report after Thursday night loss to Browns
Steelers stock report after Week 4 loss to Browns.
Exynos 2700 Enters Mass Production, Claims Tipster, 10% Higher Volume Than Exynos 2600 & 10% Higher Multi-Core Performance Than Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6
Exynos 2700 is reportedly in mass production, a tipster claims, with 10% higher volume than Exynos 2600 and 10% faster multi-core speeds than Snapdragon
‘Containerabad’: Pakistan’s capital and truckers bleed money amid lockdown
As Islamabad prepares for another opposition march, drivers and businesses are counting the cost of the barricades.
A familiar Android feature is disappearing and users have plenty to say
Google is replacing Google Assistant with Gemini on Android phones, with some users reporting issues during the transition.
Chicago entrepreneurs plan $250 million deep-tech fund
Jeremie Bacon and Garry Cooper will lead Senu Ventures with help from Chris Gladwin.
Congressional District 4
Republican Lauren Boebert and Democrat Eileen Laubacher are competing in Colorado's 4th Congressional District. Read where the candidates stand on healthcare, immigration, affordability and rural communities.
The Democratic Playbook for Investigating Trump
Congressional oversight committees are quietly preparing for next year.
Bills vs. Patriots: Thursday injury reports for both teams
Here are the injury reports for both the Bills and Patriots ahead of their Week 4 clash.
Steve Hilton faces steep odds in bid for California governor after 20-year GOP drought
Republican Steve Hilton's biggest obstacle to becoming California's next governor is simple math.
GLP-1s Show Benefit For Kids With Type 2 Diabetes
By Ernie Mundell HealthDay ReporterFRIDAY, Oct 2, 2026 (HealthDay News) — A real-world study finds GLP-1 medications helped kids, teens and young adults with type 2 diabetes lose weight, as well as improve their blood pressure and blood sugar control. “Our results confirm that GLP-1 receptor ...
Grand jury indicted ex-Idaho health official on felony misuse of funds. A judge dropped the case.
The first criminal charges, now dismissed, emerged from a yearslong investigation launched by Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador.
Laurels and Darts: Following the political money.
Illuminating campaign finance reporting from LAist on the city’s mayoral race. Plus: A poor choice of words in the Cornell case, and the value of five-dollar obituaries.
Commentary: Can Letterboxd stay Letterboxd under studio ownership?
Letterboxd, once a niche social network for cinephiles to review, recommend and discover films, is now the subject of a potential nine-figure acquisition. As reported by the New York Times
Islanders News: Darche on summer, Duclair on target
Good morning and happy Friday, the New York Islanders are last in the Metro. Islanders News Elsewhere Last night’s scores included the Jack Hughes getting the Devils the win in overtime after he objected to a mid-game question from AJ Mleczko about bubble wrap and plastic utensils (he was reportedly injured during a team dinner […]
Wisconsin tight ends prepare for Michigan State, familiar faces
Emmett Bork and his Badgers teammates are developing a "mess-you-up" mindset and await their next test vs. the Spartans.
MORNING BUSINESS REPORT: Colleges offering social media influencing degree, monthly jobs report
Jane King has these stories and more from the New York Stock Exchange for your Friday Morning Business Report.
How speed cameras in East Canton are impacting local businesses
Some business owners in East Canton claim business has slowed after the village installed automated traffic enforcement cameras around town.
Cambodia: Imprisonment of Activists, Politicians, and Journalists Amid Unrelenting Crackdown
Human Rights Watch thanks the Special Rapporteur for his report, which describes the deteriorating situation for civil society and the political opposition amid an unrelenting crackdown on freedom of expression.
Lubbock business news includes Optimum grant, openings, closings
Business Reporter Alana Edgin reviews recent Lubbock area businesses news and hints at upcoming articles in the Around the Hub column.
Capitol News Illinois | Optimistic data-center report met with criticism
A new study predicts data centers expected to be built in Illinois over the next decade would create thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in property-tax revenue.
Empowering Small Business: The Impact of Technology on U.S. Small Business
A new Chamber report finds AI use is leading to small business job growth.
Some new Medicaid rules have already changed: Why New Jersey officials and residents are worried about what happens next
Hundreds of thousands of Garden State residents covered by NJ FamilyCare will need to fill out paperwork on a new reporting schedule starting Jan. 1.
Panicked Red-State Republicans Learning Politics on the Fly
GOP candidates in places like Kansas and Texas are having to really campaign for the first time.
What to expect from today’s jobs report
Americans have kept spending despite more than five years of higher prices. But the paychecks that have powered that spending are starting to lose steam.
With a steel mill and campaign cash, Trump and GOP leaders launch an Iowa rescue mission
Republicans are on a rescue mission in Iowa, touting new plans for a $15 billion steel mill as President Donald Trump and the state’s GOP leaders rush to blunt the political impact of a battered economy and prevent the governor’s office, a Senate seat and three House seats from slipping into Democratic hands in November.