A popular coffee chain announced plans to open 30 new stores in Southeast Asia next year

A coffee shop started offering "bring your own mug" discounts to reduce disposable wasteA university’s basketball team made it to the national tournament for the first time

A taxi company started offering "late-night safe rides" for students and workersA fashion store started selling vintage clothing alongside new itemsA library added a collection of books in multiple languages to support immigrant families

A farm used drones to monitor crop health and reduce pesticide useA fire department taught local businesses how to create fire evacuation plans

A software company released a new tool that helps users edit photos on their smartphones

A community organized a "senior tea party" that brought together 70 elderly residentsScientists discovered that poor posture while working at desks contributes to back pain

The city hosted a global summit on reducing plastic waste in oceans and waterwaysA new study showed that writing by hand improves memory retention better than typing

Local farmers markets started accepting food stamps to make fresh produce more accessibleThe government passed a law to ban the use of harmful pesticides in protected wildlife areas

(责任编辑：Health Bits)

• ·A school district updated its technology policy to allow students to use their own devices in class
• ·Researchers found a new oil spill cleanup method
• ·A musician went on a tour of small towns to support local music venues
• ·A severe flood hit a rural area destroying dozens of homes and forcing residents to seek temporary shelter
• ·A major snack company recalled a batch of chips due to possible salmonella contamination
• ·A flood in a river valley damaged 50 homes and a local elementary school
• ·Researchers developed a new battery that is smaller lighter and more powerful than current ones
• ·Doctors created a new surgical procedure that allows patients to recover from knee surgery faster
• ·A strong hailstorm hit the midwestern states damaging crops and vehicles in rural areas
• ·Community group organizes festival to celebrate local culture and traditions
• ·Heavy rainfall in coastal regions caused flash floods that damaged over 100 homes
• ·The country’s unemployment rate rose slightly due to seasonal job changes
• ·The stock market recovered after a short downturn caused by international tensions
• ·A fire department responded to a small wildfire in a rural area and contained it before it spread to homes
• ·Local artists painted murals on the walls of an abandoned factory to brighten the neighborhood
• ·Dance school holds winter recital with ballet and tap performances