iconic places, such as the Route 128 tech corridor around Boston, Massachusetts; Research Triangle Park in Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Austin, Texas; Seattle, Washington; and, of course, California’s white-hot Silicon Valley. Internet of Things, smart cities, etc.); MORE

Supply Chain Impact and Potential Disruptions: As early as Wednesday, September 12, as a safety precaution, operations at Charleston International Airport in South Carolina and Port of Wilmington in North Carolina were halted until further notice. The Port of Charleston will also be closed starting Thursday, September 13, with the possibility of reopening on Sunday. The eastbound lanes of several major highways have been shut to accommodate motorists travelling inland. MORE

While US manufacturing has been hit hard by nearly two decades of policy failures that have damaged its international competitiveness, it remains a vital part of the U.S. percent of total US employment. percent more than similar workers in the rest of the economy in 2012–2013. MORE

In-store fulfillment of ecommerce orders; a more knowledgeable and demanding consumer; new labor legislation; rising minimum wages; emergence of the millennial workforce; there are so many recent developments impacting retail store labor. MORE

Companies Detail Use of ‘Conflict’ Metals. First Reports Filed to SEC on Potential Use of Minerals From a Region of War-Torn Africa. A majority of companies whose filings were reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, including Walt Disney & Co., MORE

and its owner were found guilty by the Court of International Trade (CIT) in 2011 for violating 19 U.S.C. 1592 for the undervaluation of imported merchandise. The case was appealed to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC), which reversed the CIT in July 2013. MORE

Ace Hardware is a renowned worldwide leader in home improvement, and their forward-thinking approach to supply chain planning will enable powerful results going forward,” stated Greg White , CEO of Blue Ridge. MORE

Last week we published this breakdown of what to expect from Florence, as well as a list of best practices to help businesses defend their operations from the elements. Parts of I-95 could remain flooded through the weekend, cutting off access to Wilmington. Storm surge remains one of the biggest risks, and residents in the Carolinas are being warned of flood threats well into the rest of the week. MORE

However, truck drivers often travel through many states during the course of their work, and many of the drivers testing positive for marijuana are consuming it without realizing it. Medical marijuana is legal in 29 states and the District of Columbia. MORE