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A few of my favorites:

The Business Download •

How A Medical Diagnosis Led To Portland’s 1st Gluten-Free Brewery

Inspiration can come from anything. In the case of Tom Ruff, the “thing” was a gluten intolerance diagnosis that would ultimately lead him to launch Orange Bike Brewing Company — the first dedicated gluten-free brewery in Portland, Maine. A longtime entrepreneur, Ruff previously founded and grew a medical recruiting company for 32 years. After experiencing major health problems like inflammation, stomach issues, and arthritis a few years ago, he underwent medical testing and discovered that glut...
The Business Download •

World’s First Wooden Satellite Stands On The Shoulders Of Giants

There has been a long road of innovation to get to modern-day space exploration with rocketships and satellites. An ancient Alexandrian astronomer, mathematician, and astrologer, Claudius Ptolemy, developed a geocentric cosmology called the Ptolemaic system around 150 AD. Ptolemy wasn’t the first to introduce the world to the concept of geocentrism, the belief that the Earth is the unmoving, stationary center of the universe and all other heavenly bodies orbit around it.
The Business Download •

Detroit’s History Of Change Points Toward A Sustainable Future

The Fremen — native people hailing from the desert planet Arrakis in Frank Herbert’s sci-fi epic, “Dune” — speak in hushed whispers of Lisan Al-Gaib, the messianic savior prophesied to liberate them from their oppressors and turn the arid planet into a green, plant-rich ecosystem. The books and various movie adaptations have some fairly significant differences (and the movies take a lot of creative liberties), but they all depict an atmosphere of inevitable change around Arrakis...
The Business Download •

Three Numbers To Better Understand The Clean Energy Transition

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 was the largest single investment in climate and energy in United States history. Understandably, the comprehensive legislation has had sweeping effects on dozens of industries and businesses since it was passed, and the full scope of its impact has yet to be fully understood. However, what can be understood is that a new era of energy — renewable, clean, sustainable energy — is here, and it’s here to stay.

And a big serving of the rest: 

The Business Download •

BetterBev: Certifying New England’s Sustainable Craft Breweries

More than 1,200 Holiday Inn hotels are scattered across the spherical floating rock called Earth. While Holiday Inn may not scream out “ideation” or “entrepreneurship” the same way Pitbull screams out “Holiday Inn” in his hit 2009 release “Hotel Room Service,” some of its hotels have undoubtedly been the location in which the ideas behind innovative businesses and technologies took root. On March 7, 2023, at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland, Maine, for instance, the BetterBev Green Craft B...
The Business Download •

How A Medical Diagnosis Led To Portland’s 1st Gluten-Free Brewery

Inspiration can come from anything. In the case of Tom Ruff, the “thing” was a gluten intolerance diagnosis that would ultimately lead him to launch Orange Bike Brewing Company — the first dedicated gluten-free brewery in Portland, Maine. A longtime entrepreneur, Ruff previously founded and grew a medical recruiting company for 32 years. After experiencing major health problems like inflammation, stomach issues, and arthritis a few years ago, he underwent medical testing and discovered that glut...
The Business Download •

Record Viewership, Funding In Women’s Sports Are Just The Start

2023 was a big year for women’s sports. The FIFA Women’s World Cup brought in more than 2 billion viewers — a thirtyfold increase from 2011; volleyball fans shattered the women’s sporting event attendance record; and funding from sponsors and investors alike is reaching new heights. And while this new stratosphere of reach, viewership, and impact does bring new challenges, like protecting players amidst more rigorous schedules, it’s an exciting time for sports.
Garden and Health •

The Fish-Punching Octopus Leading Mixed-Species Hunting Parties

It’s not often that octopuses are described by scientists using terms like “online influencer,” “corporate executive,” and leader. However, it is the case for animal behaviorists and other researchers talking about a recent study from Nature Ecology & Evolution succinctly titled, “Multidimensional social influence drives leadership and composition-dependent success in octopus–fish hunting groups.”
The Business Download •

Southwest Launches Bamboo Cups To Cut 1.5M Pounds Of Plastic

The United States’ largest domestic carrier, Southwest Airlines, announced in October it will be swapping out single-use plastics with eco-friendly cups and stir sticks for its inflight cold beverages. Introducing these bamboo cups and wooden sticks is expected to reduce the airline’s single-use plastics by more than 1.5 million pounds annually — roughly the weight of 3.7 Boeing 747-400s.
The Business Download •

Three Numbers To Better Understand The Clean Energy Transition

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 was the largest single investment in climate and energy in United States history. Understandably, the comprehensive legislation has had sweeping effects on dozens of industries and businesses since it was passed, and the full scope of its impact has yet to be fully understood. However, what can be understood is that a new era of energy — renewable, clean, sustainable energy — is here, and it’s here to stay.
Garden and Health •

3 Endangered Animal Species On Rhode Island And In Its Waters

The smallest state in the United States by size, Rhode Island covers roughly 1,214 square miles. On May 29, 1790, it became the last of the original 13 colonies to achieve statehood some 150 years after Roger Williams founded the colony as a bastion of religious tolerance. Nicknamed Little Rhody and currently boasting a population of just more than 1 million residents, the New England state also boasts a wide variety of plants and animals, some of which are endangered.
The Business Download •

Google’s Multi-Faceted Approach To Clean Energy, Sustainability

Founded in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin from a small garage in California, Google now operates on six continents and more than 200 cities. A pioneer at the forefront of internet-driven innovation, the company has also strived to be an industry leader in a different sector: sustainability. A decade after achieving carbon neutrality in 2007, the internet company began matching all of its annual electricity consumption with 100% renewable energy.
The Business Download •

World’s First Wooden Satellite Stands On The Shoulders Of Giants

There has been a long road of innovation to get to modern-day space exploration with rocketships and satellites. An ancient Alexandrian astronomer, mathematician, and astrologer, Claudius Ptolemy, developed a geocentric cosmology called the Ptolemaic system around 150 AD. Ptolemy wasn’t the first to introduce the world to the concept of geocentrism, the belief that the Earth is the unmoving, stationary center of the universe and all other heavenly bodies orbit around it.
Garden and Health •

By Land, Air, And Sea: Tennessee’s Endangered Animal Species

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 was established to protect and conserve imperiled plant and animal species in the United States. More than 1,300 species are now listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA. A combination of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Department of the Interior, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), other federal agencies, and numerous state organizations work in concert to maintain, regulate, enforce, and update the act.
Garden and Health •

3 Animals On Wyoming’s Endangered Species List

Wyoming became the 44th state in 1890, some four years after it was first designated as a U.S. territory. The same year, it would receive its nickname as the Equality State — it was the first state to grant full voting rights to women. Today, the landlocked state in America’s Mountain West region sports a population of approximately 581,000, and its stunning mountain ranges, sprawling valleys, and beautiful parks draw in thousands of visitors every year.
Garden and Health •

A Spotlight On 3 Of Virginia’s Endangered Animal Species

According to the state motto, Virginia is for lovers. However, it’s also full of thousands of plant and animal species. A growing number of these species are threatened by climate change, habitat loss, and other human-led causes. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (VDWR), the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation work together to protect the state’s threatened and endangered species.
Garden and Health •

3 Of The Rarest Animals On Texas’ Endangered Species List

Texas is big. The second largest state in the United States (Alaska being first), the Lone Star State is more than one and a half times larger than California. Roughly 30 million Texans live across its approximately 268,580 square miles of land. The three biggest clusters of residents can be found in Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas — in that order. While Texas will always be associated with barbecue, among other things, it’s also the birthplace of two iconic beverage-related products: Dr. Pepper...
Garden and Health •

3 Of The Evergreen State's Endangered Animal Species

As of March, Washington’s list of endangered, threatened, and sensitive species holds a total of 47 animals. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is tasked with not only updating and maintaining the list but also protecting the mammals, reptiles, birds, fish, amphibians, and insects under threat of extinction (aka on the list). There are also an additional 70 listed as “candidate species,” meaning they aren’t currently in as much danger as their counterparts but could soon find...
Garden and Health •

Three Non-Halloween Observances In October Worth Celebrating

In North America, October acts as a turning point, a month of transition from the end of summer to the early creep of winter. The trees and foliage shed their greens for oranges, yellows, and browns. The ground’s call for the leaves above to join it below grows more enticing, and the presence of pumpkins steadily increases. Even when November begins to creep into view, October is just reaching its proverbial peak: Oct. 31.
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