FAVORABLE TREND: Here’s a bit of silver lining though all the downbeat Covid-19 news.
A slight improvement in business conditions has led to fewer architecture firms reporting declining billings, according to a new report from the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
AIA’s Architectural Billings Index (ABI) score for September was 47 compared to 40 in August (any score below 50 indicates a decline in firm billings), according to the release. Last month’s score indicates overall revenue at U.S architecture firms continued to decline from August to September, however, the pace of decline slowed significantly. Inquiries into new projects during September grew for the second time since February, with a score of 57.2 compared to 51.6 in August. The value of new design contracts moderated to a score of 48.9 in September from 46 the previous month.
But that good news should be taken in context, an industry expert says.
“Despite the multifamily residential sector showing signs of improvement, overall business conditions are recovering at a disappointingly slow pace,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker. “Other sectors may begin to stabilize in the coming months, but across the board improvement shouldn’t be expected until the economic impact of the pandemic subsides significantly.”
Here are the regional ABI averages, according to the report:
Midwest (45.6); West (45.6); South (43.7); Northeast (41.5).
Sector index breakdown: multifamily residential (54.0); mixed practice (47.3); commercial/industrial (43.3); institutional (40.5).
BACK TO SCHOOL IN WAKE: Monday marks the return to in-person learning for PreK through 3rd grade students in the Wake County Public School System.
The return of 6th- through 8th-graders will happen on Nov. 9 and 4th- and 5th-graders return on Nov. 16. High school students will stay in virtual learning for the semester.
For perspective, only 8,000 of the district’s 162,000 students will return to school Monday. Even when other grades return, about half of all Wake County Public School students will remain in virtual learning by choice, WRAL reports.
Classroom sizes are smaller and daily health screenings will be required. Students are being asked to wear masks and socially distance themselves.
See the new requirements here:
GOLF AT DBAP?: The Durham Bulls are inviting you to play at their ballpark, it's just that the ball is a little smaller than you're used to seeing at DBAP.
Dubbed Lollygagger Links, the athletic park is calling golfers of all abilities to come out and take aim at the greens on the field. Players may only use a 9-iron or wedge to tee off from elevated platforms at nine different tee locations throughout the ballpark and see who gets the closest to the pin. Golf balls will be provided.
The event takes place between Oct. 28 and Nov. 1. Tee times are limited to four to six people per booking. Check out more details here.
MORE THAN 3M BALLOTS CAST IN NC: With just over one week until Election Day, more than 3 million ballots have already been cast in North Carolina.
The turnout for early voting combined with mail-in ballots that have been returned shows 3.17 million people have voted so far in the Tar Heel state. Overall, 2.4 million ballots have been cast through early in-person voting while 778,000 mail ballots have been returned and accepted. Of the in-person votes, 911,000 were from registered Democrats and 800,000 were Republicans.
North Carolina has 7.3 million registered voters, which means around 43 percent of the state's registered voters have already cast a ballot. In 2016, the state had voter turnout of 68 percent.
Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 5 p.m. is the last day to request an absentee ballot in North Carolina.
DELTA BANS HUNDREDS OF ANTI-MASKERS: Airlines continue to take measures to make flyers feel safe amid the pandemic. And news came out Sunday that Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) has banned hundreds of passengers who refused to wear a mask.
The airline, traditionally RDU's biggest carrier, has banned 460 anti-maskers.
"As of this week, we've added 460 people to our no-fly list for refusing to comply with our mask requirement," Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in a message to employees.
The latest figure is up from 270 in August.
Take our poll:
NC SEC GETS HONORED: N.C. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall was chosen to receive the 2020 John A. (Pete) Eberhart Ray of Light Award from Greensboro-based nonprofit, Boundless Impact.
According to the release, Marshall is being awarded for decades of work that advanced North Carolina’s global competitiveness and her profound impact on businesses, students, educators and communities throughout the state.
The Ray of Light award recognizes individuals who exemplify Boundless Impact’s vision of building thriving communities that are intentionally diverse, inclusive and equitable. Marshall will be presented the award at the NC Global Advantage Forum on Nov. 13, hosted by the NC Coalition for Global Competitiveness.
TREAT TIPS: Even though Halloween might look a little different this year due to Covid-19, many children – and adults, too – will still get their candy fixes.
And the North Carolina Dental Society has issued a “candy survival guide” to keep you and your family cavity-free this Halloween.
From the NCDS:
• Chocolate: Chocolate dissolves quickly, and washes off your teeth easier than other candies. Dark chocolate is your best bet, as it contains less sugar than milk chocolate.
• Sugar-free chewing gum: Chewing sugarless gum increases the flow of saliva and neutralizes cavity-causing bacteria, which aids in preventing tooth decay.
• Gummies: Sticky candies can be a nightmare. These candies tend to cling to teeth, giving ample time for cavities to form – gummies often get stuck on the tooth’s surface and in crevices between teeth.
• Hard candy/Lollipops: Hard candy is hard on teeth and can result in chipped or cracked teeth.
• Sour candy: Sour candy typically contains citric acids that produce the sour flavor. These acids can attack the tooth’s enamel.
Happy socially distant trick or treating!
CAREER SHOWCASE: The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences hosts the 8th annual STEM Career Showcase for Students with Disabilities on the afternoon of Nov. 17.
The Showcase is a free educational event where students in grades 6–12 meet role models with disabilities who have thriving careers in STEM fields. This year’s showcase will be an entirely virtual experience that will feature remarks from keynote speaker Gina-Maria Pomann of DCRI and the opportunity for students to engage with several panelists.
