The National Safety Council and the University of Iowa have teamed to develop a first-of-its-kind virtual reality mobile app, designed to provide users with a 360-degree tour of advanced vehicle safety systems.

Arlington, VA — Now available in Spanish: a Mine Safety and Health Administration mobile app designed to promptly deliver safety and health information to miners and other members of the mining industry.

With the plug-and-play PDK ecosystem, owners get easy-to-use tools to manage access, set schedules for timed access and much more the announcement states.

The Eagle Eye Cloud VMS true cloud video surveillance platform is designed to safeguard businesses, while delivering cybersecurity assurance, business intelligence, flexibility and scalability. 

Washington — Chemical facilities should create processes to control or eliminate “dead legs” – stagnant sections of piping that may be susceptible to corrosion or hazardous materials, the Chemical Safety Board says.

Washington – A new YouTube video from OSHA aims to inform workers of all ages about the importance of taking precautions against heat illness.

Silver Spring, MD – An online resource offers guidance for employers and employees on preventing heat illnesses in the workplace.

Northbrook, IL-based Underwriters Laboratories is reminding families to keep safety on the Thanksgiving menu.

Connect ONE has introduced a new, one-time base price with no recurring monthly fees to integrators for its ESSENTIAL service level, providing a pathway to cloud system management for small commercial and residential clients.

Washington – A new booklet from NIOSH describes safe work practices to help residential construction workers avoid manual material handling injuries.

Washington — In response to the particularly heavy impact the opioid crisis is having on the construction industry, the National Association of Home Builders has introduced several free resources intended to help residential construction organizations combat the issue.

Washington — NIOSH has published a booklet intended to help miners learn about reducing their exposure to respirable dust in metal and nonmetal mines while lowering their risk for musculoskeletal disorders and traumatic injuries.

Washington — The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health is calling on OSHA to enact an emergency temporary standard related to COVID-19 – an action the advocacy group says won’t require OSHA officials to reinvent the wheel.

The CDC Foundation has released an extensive online resource to help employers and workers improve health and safety.

Atlanta – Preventing heart disease and improving health and productivity in the workplace is the goal of “Business Pulse: Heart Health,” released April 29 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation.

Rosemont, IL – The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons is advising people to be cautious when removing snow this winter.

Washington — OSHA has published a fact sheet and Quick Card intended to help employers protect workers from exposure to lead at indoor firing ranges.

Tumwater, WA — Health care workers should rely on their clinical recognition skills, workplace safety protocols and personal protective equipment to avoid contracting and spreading monkeypox, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries advises.

Washington — NIOSH is encouraging health care industry employers to craft mental health-related communications in a way that helps reduce the stigma around seeking support.

Boston — Intended to give small health care employers an “easy-to-use format” for a written exposure control plan, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has published sample written plans for a respiratory protection program and bloodborne pathogen exposure control.

Silver Spring, MD — Protecting workers who handle products containing nanomaterials begins by controlling exposures “like other potential hazards,” CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training says in a new fact sheet.

Washington — Swiftly isolating chemical releases and keeping workers safe “should not be mutually exclusive,” the Chemical Safety Board says.

In partnership with PepsiCo, a global leader in convenient foods and beverages, the thirst-stop destination will bring the storm with the exclusive and limited-edition flavor, Gatorade Lightning Blast. 

Choose from two tile, two tread and two wall base selections—each available in eight coordinated colorways.

Designed to transfer contamination-sensitive bulk solid materials from intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) to downstream processes, dust-free, the system’s discharger frame is mounted on casters for in-plant mobility.

Waterproof engineered stone flooring competes against ceramic tile.

Sherwin-Williams High Performance Flooring launched Accelera One is an advanced coating technology designed for decorative flake and quartz flooring systems that meet the rigorous demands of commercial and institutional environments, delivering a high level of performance, ease of application and chemical resistance.

The updated list includes select food ingredients (including food and color additives), food contact substances and contaminants under FDA review.

 Torlys Smart Laminates offer the beauty of wood, with the durability of laminate.

The GroundWorx Pet Perfect Underlayment offers a wide range of benefits, including sound suppression, moisture mitigation, smooths subfloors, thermal insulation and comfort underfoot. 

Riva Max, a new engineered hardwood collection from Riva Spain, comes in two grades, Select and Character. 

VersaCap is used to create custom, matching, flush stair treads and returns that perfectly compliment the floor plank to provide an elegant cohesive look. 

Versatrim's new Quick Ship program offers seven trim profiles in 60 stock colors ready to ship next business day with no minimums. 

The collection is organized into palettes, profiles and sizes that make it easy to achieve a coordinated look across flooring, treads, risers, wall base and more. 

With precise, automatic and synchronized control of dough sheet length, conveyor speed and number of laminations, the operator has an efficient and effective process, resulting in consistent, high-quality product.

CFI is hosting a Subfloor Substrate Prep Inspection (SSPI) course April 20-21, in Tampa, Fla.

Check out some of the latest packaging and processing solutions exhibitors plan to debut or showcase at PACK EXPO, set for Nov. 3-6 in Chicago.

AHF Products introduces new Crossville Argent 2.0 porcelain tile, offering a timeless aesthetic that can complement a variety of design styles.

The Brazilian Stone Tour aims to connect U.S. specifiers to the natural riches of Brazil through a series of informative lectures, taking place in Texas and California. 

Cambria unveils four new designs that demonstrate Cambria’s ability to respond to market demands for beautifully designed surfaces while pushing the boundaries of what is possible with quartz and now offers a newly curated design palette in 1cm thickness that is available in 19 designs. 

by Taylor Griggs

If you’re reading this, you probably know the value of the Mercury’s news reporting, arts and culture coverage, event calendar, and the bevy of events we host throughout the year. The work we do helps our city shine, but we can’t do it without your support. If you believe Portland benefits from smart, local journalism and arts coverage, please consider making a small monthly contribution, because without you, there is no us. Thanks for your support! 

Good morning, Portland. I need to keep it real with you—I'm not doing too hot on an emotional level. I know I'm not alone in that feeling. But it's going to be 60 degrees and sunny out today (ahead of cold and rain for days to come) so I recommend going outside, taking a walk, trying to breathe. Now, am I going to do that? HELL NO! Just as your elementary school teachers lived in the school, I live in the computer and I cannot get out, even when it would serve me and others to do so. Okay, fine—I will try to take a short walk today. But you have to, too. I'm going to stop talking to myself now because I know what you came here for was the NEWS, not little platitudes about self-care. But, I mean, we should take care of ourselves. 

IN LOCAL NEWS: 

• THE SECOND ROUND OF CITY COUNCIL RESULTS ARE IN...and nothing has changed. Well, okay, the candidates who were leading on election night are still in good positions to win, though Multnomah County has more than 100,000 ballots left to count (and more are likely en route to the Elections Office).

Right now, it's looking like there's going to be a pretty solid progressive majority on City Council, with candidates Tiffany Koyama Lane and Mitch Green (both endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America) in good positions to win a seat. Other notable progressive candidates in the top three of their districts include Candace Avalos (D1), Sameer Kanal (D2), and Angelita Morillo (D3). This evening's drop should bring a bit more certainty, but there's good reason for optimism.

Business poured a ton of money into these races and money was unable to compete with community, a strong ground game, and the literal power of love and friendship (yes I’m talking about me and Tiffany ????)

— Angelita for PDX (@pnwpolicyangel) November 7, 2024

BUT! I buried the lede here, because we do know one thing: Keith Wilson is going to be Portland's next mayor. Current Mayor Ted Wheeler posted his congratulations on social media, and mayoral candidate Rene Gonzalez said he conceded the race. We ranked Wilson second on our list of endorsements, and his win is a pretty resounding disapproval of our current City Council members, three of whom ran mayoral campaigns of their own. Also...our city sure has a type. 

• Commissioners Rene Gonzelez, Mingus Mapps, and Dan Ryan have dropped their controversial, expensive plan to terminate the city's homeless services agreement with Multnomah County. Why? Well, as much as I'd like to think common sense prevailed, it seems more likely that Gonzalez and Mapps are just not in the mood for political stunts following their poor showing in Tuesday's mayoral election. The trio pulled the agenda item to consider terminating the joint homeless response agreement a little more than 24 hours before it was set to be considered by Council today.

And folks, this is a win! Terminating the Homelessness Response Services Intergovernmental Agreement between the city of Portland and Multnomah County would've cost about $40 million in cold hard cash and even more in wasted energy and political capital. Plus, with the intergovernmental agreement dissolution off the table, it's official: Gonzalez really did not do ANYTHING during his short time in Portland City Hall. (And I feel confident saying he will not be productive in his lame duck period.) No matter what happens with the new City Council, it's only uphill from here.  

Last night was a repudiation of this kind of politics. Good to pull it as 2/3 of its sponsors will not even be on the next council. I'm calling on council to also pull the Clean and Safe ESD vote from next week's agenda. Let the next council take that up. https://t.co/I0e6DXbDCB

— Mitch Green for Portland City Council, District 4 (@mitch4portland) November 6, 2024

• If you're looking for some non-election related news, our Corbin Smith has you covered with a wonderful recap and stunning photos from the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) Global Championship this past weekend, where Portland's roller derby squad won the day. Smith says the roller derby championship was "sports. Major sports." So READ ALL ABOUT IT RIGHT HERE. 

• There's really not much local news available right now that's not related to the election (which is fair and good and obviously important but I figure you guys might want to read about something else for a second of your day). But there is this: Intel is bringing back free coffee and tea for employees. This was an employee benefit it slashed during budget cuts last summer, but in an attempt to improve employee morale, it's back. The chipmaker is currently doing layoffs at its Oregon facility and has cut other, more important employee benefits that will likely not return, but I guess a cost-benefit analysis showed saving money on coffee wasn't worth the fight. If Mike Rogoway at the Oregonian deems it important, who am I to disagree? (That wasn't sarcasm, Rogoway's a great reporter.) 

IN NATIONAL/WORLD NEWS: 

• The country is reacting to the news of a second Trump presidency, and there are obviously some different takes. I took note of a few notable perspectives during the rare moments when I was able to make the outrageously difficult effort to lift my head from my pillow yesterday. Senator Bernie Sanders (of "Bernie would've won" fame) probably said it best, IMO.

Sanders wrote in a statement yesterday that "It should come as no great surprise that a Democratic Party which has abandoned working class people would find that the working class has abandoned them. While the Democratic leadership defends the status quo, the American people are angry and want change." He also acknowledged the futility of asking the "big money interests and well-paid consultants who control the Democratic Party" to "learn any real lessons from this disastrous campaign."

          View this post on Instagram                      

A post shared by Bernie Sanders (@berniesanders)

"Will they understand the pain and political alienation that tens of millions of Americans are experiencing? Do they have any ideas as to how we can take on the increasingly powerful Oligarchy which has so much economic and political power? Probably not," Sanders wrote. 

DAMN. That's harsh but real. I hope others will join Bernie in calling on the Democratic Party to meet the moment instead of handing their ass to the increasingly fascistic Republicans. I do believe the election results also need to fall on the MAGA fools who have sold their soul to the devil in exchange for the promise of cheaper gas, but we aren't going to win by further alienating the working class. The Democrats better start bringing something to the table, or it'll be even more Joever than it is right now. 

• Among the MANY deep concerns I have about Trump's reelection, the climate crisis ranks at the top. Trump is a known climate denier and has stated his desire to boost oil production, get rid of subsidies for electric cars, and overall do a bunch of damage to any small amount of progress we've been able to make on the climate crisis in the last four years. So I'm freaking out, because this issue isn't exactly something we have time to fuck around on. 

Something that made me feel a bit better: Clean energy analysts and activists say though a second Trump administration will make it harder to transition to renewable and clean energy, it won't make it impossible. The market has already embraced clean energy for its financial benefits and the economic devastation that climate change is and will continue to cause. And that's not changing. (Obviously, the free market is not going to solve the climate crisis, but that reality would remain the same under any capitalist president.) 

Also, there are a lot of climate activists and scientists and lawyers who are a lot smarter than I am and already planning their resistance to Trump's inevitably horrible policies. If you, too, are deeply worried about climate action under Trump, consider supporting or joining an environmental organization or law group. Also, ride your bike more. Even if it won't solve the climate crisis on its own, it'll make you feel a little better. 

          View this post on Instagram                      

A post shared by NRDC (@nrdc_org)

Now, topic change needed for my sanity. Sorry.

• A federal labor judge ruled Amazon workers in Alabama should get a third chance to vote on unionizing. The first time warehouse workers at a facility in Bessemer voted about unionizing in 2021, they voted no, but labor officials ruled that Amazon influenced the vote and the result shouldn't be expected. Workers voted again in 2022, but the election was too close to call and has remained in limbo. Now, a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) judge has ordered a third election. But Amazon, AKA Union Busters R US, will surely contest the decision and continue to stomp union activity wherever it can. And under a Trump NLBR...ugh. The doom is creeping in. Sorry. Just here to report the news. 

• There's a major wildfire in Southern California, just northwest of Los Angeles, prompting evacuation orders for more than 10,000 people. Powerful winds are fanning the flames and the fire has already destroyed dozens of homes and blanketed neighborhoods in smoke. Hoping for more favorable fire-fighting conditions soon.

• Finally, there's this. Happy Thursday. TTYL.

Many people will continue struggling to come to terms with the election results, but there’s still a lot you can do:

1) Be irritable at work
2) Withdraw from people who love you/need you
3) Make an impulsive and self destructive major life decision

— Noah Garfinkel (@NoahGarfinkel) November 6, 2024

Six years after playing at Tell Me More's first anniversary, the the jazz group performs as the show closes.

Nexi, the European PayTech, now enables merchants in Italy to accept in-person contactless payments seamlessly and securely with Tap to Pay on iPhone, and will continue to expand the availability of Tap to Pay on iPhone to its customers in Europe where the service is available.

At drupa 2024 (Messe Düsseldorf, 28 May – 7 June 2024, Hall 8a), Canon is showcasing its full capabilities as a leading provider of end-to-end digital production print solutions and services. Under the banner of ‘The Power to Move’, Canon is demonstrating how, in collaboration with partners, it works closely with customers to deliver the transformative technologies...

Catawba County offers electronics and paint recycling, year round, at Blackburn Landfill during regular landfill operating hours, as of July 1.

To meet the bodys daily energy and nutritional needs while minimizing risk for chronic disease, adults should get 45 percent to 65 percent of their calories from carbohydrates, 20 percent to 35 percent from fat, and 10 percent to 35 percent from protein.

Medication errors are among the most common medical errors, harming at least 1.5 million people every year, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.

The National Research Council today released its assessment of U.S. doctoral programs, which includes data on over 5,000 programs in 62 fields at 212 universities nationwide.

A report released today by the National Research Council presents a new framework for K-12 science education that identifies the key scientific ideas and practices all students should learn by the end of high school.

Nearly half of the nation’s spending on health care is driven by 5 percent of patients, and improving health outcomes and curbing spending in health care will require identifying who these high-needs patients are and providing coordinated services through successful care models that link medical, behavioral, and community resources, says a new National Academy of Medicine special publication.