CVS Health has teamed up with UPS' Flight Forward unit to test the use of drones for delivering prescription drugs and other retail products to the homes of its customers, and the service is expected to be launched in one or two cities in the coming weeks. UPS also signed deals with Kaiser Permanente for moving supplies between hospitals, University of Utah Health for transport of biological samples and AmerisourceBergen for deliveries to medical campuses.
Labor laws are designed to protect employees from discrimination and unfair workplace practices, Maryalene LaPonsie writes. LaPonsie outlines eight common ways employers break these laws, including prohibiting employees from discussing salaries and punishing workers for job-related comments they make on social media.
Ohio high-school senior Saideepika Rayala, 17, has started a monthly email newsletter to keep immigrants and refugee people informed about area news and help them feel included in and connected to their communities. The publication is translated into Telugu, Tamil and French and has about 300 readers.
Deere & Co. this year has increased its purchasing of tractors and construction equipment for leasing to farmers and builders. Leasing is more complicated than selling, and the company runs the risk that customers will come to prefer leases over outright purchases, Bob Tita writes.
Dunkin' will roll out breakfast sandwiches made with plant-based sausage patties from Beyond Meat at 9,000 US restaurants in early November, about two months ahead of the original schedule, the company said Monday. A test of the sandwich in New York City revealed strong demand throughout the day.
Researchers at University of Florida Health Shands Hospital are testing a virtual reality platform for intensive care patients that simulates soothing environments and guides meditation. Results of a pilot study have been positive, and the program might also have applications in hospice care and pediatrics, says co-developer Marko Suvajdzic.
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US online ad spend totaled a record $57.9 billion for the first half of the year, a 16.9% increase from the same period in 2018, but "first half revenues were less than previous second half revenues" for the first time, according to IAB's biannual report prepared by PwC. IAB executives say that new data privacy laws could hurt the industry; they also suggest video, digital audio and advanced TV are expected to continue to grow.
⋅ Fortune
Under Armour founder Kevin Plank will move aside as the company's CEO on Jan. 1, and will be succeeded by President Patrik Frisk. Plank, who launched the performance wear brand in 1996, will remain with the company as executive chairman and brand chief, with a focus on product innovation.
⋅ Engadget
Google has confirmed that the wireless feature for its Stadia controller will be available only for those with Chromecast Ultra at next month's launch. The company is focused on improving wireless on TV; it did not say when wireless play would be available on other platforms.
Pfizer is the sole US manufacturer of pediatric cancer drug vincristine since Teva discontinued production, and treatment centers such as Texas Children's Hospital and the MD Anderson Cancer Center are concerned that available doses may need to be rationed. Vincristine deliveries are scheduled to resume by late October, but the shortage may last into December, according to the FDA.
Silicon Valley companies such as Amazon, Google and Facebook are likely to jump into the bidding for National Football League TV rights that expire in 2021 and 2022, ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro said, though he expressed confidence his network would retain an NFL deal. Pitaro also pointed to the success of ESPN+, a premium streaming service with more than 2 million subscribers.
Contractors and subcontractors can take steps to verify that owners are on secure financial footing before agreeing to projects. Many construction contracts allow contractors to ask for "reasonable evidence" of financing, legal experts say.
High school students have inspired throngs of activists and ordinary citizens worldwide to join the Global Climate Strike today to demand action on climate change from their national leaders. Over a million students were excused from school in New York City to participate in strike protests, while similar demonstrations are occurring in major cities all over the world.
UPS Chief Operating Officer Jim Barber will retire at the end of the year. Barber, who was named COO last year, has worked for UPS since 1985, starting as a delivery driver.
⋅ Forbes
"HoneyTrek" bloggers Anne and Mike Howard have authored "Comfortably Wild: The Best Glamping Destinations in North America" to combat the typical website lists that "tend to bring many of the same properties to the forefront," Anne says. Visiting more than 62 destinations, they found truly interesting options that really have "heart," Mike says.