Oct 26, 2020

The outdoors aren’t so great right now

A two-person crew sprays down the playground at McIntosh Park in Dayton, Ohio. The city expects to spend $60,000 this year just on sanitizing playground equipment. Leila Goldstein

Plus: Dunkin's potential sale, shrinking homes and COVID's ripple effect on the HVAC business.

Segments From this episode

COVID-19

Virus fatigue is changing people's risk tolerance

by Mitchell Hartman

Oct 26, 2020

New COVID-19 cases are on the rise, but so is people's willingness to go out.

Kena Betancur/Getty Images

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COVID-19

Home builders see demand for bigger houses

by Amy Scott

Oct 26, 2020

After falling for several years, the average size of a new single-family home may be growing again.

iStock / Getty Images Plus

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Why Dunkin' is looking to private equity, again

by Erika Beras

Oct 26, 2020

In a year of mixed fortunes, the coffee and doughnut giant may sell the business to private equity.

Dunkin’ Brands was sold to private equity firms in 2005, then it went public again in 2011.

Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

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COVID-19

As restaurants reopen for indoor dining, HVAC systems get an upgrade

by Justin Ho

Oct 26, 2020

The heating, ventilation and air-conditioning industry has seen a boost as some businesses strive to improve indoor air quality to make customers feel safe.

A waiter tends to a diner at a New Jersey restaurant in September. Owners of restaurants, nail salons and other businesses are considering HVAC equipment as they reopen during COVID-19.

Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

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COVID-19

Parks departments face cuts, even as people have headed outdoors during COVID-19

by Leila Goldstein

Oct 26, 2020

Intensive use can take a toll on green spaces, and parks need to be maintained to keep from deteriorating.

A two-person crew sprays down the playground at McIntosh Park in Dayton, Ohio. The city expects to spend $60,000 this year just on sanitizing playground equipment.

Leila Goldstein

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COVID-19

How the television industry is getting back to work

by Kai Ryssdal and Andie Corban

Oct 26, 2020

"It has been a real tough puzzle for Hollywood to figure out," Hollywood Reporter's Bryn Sandberg says.

Reality TV productions got back to work before most scripted projects.

David McNew/Getty Images

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Can plastic-eating bacteria help cut down on pollution?

by Stephen Beard

Oct 26, 2020

British and American researchers have developed a “super-enzyme” to reduce the cost and improve the efficiency of recycling of plastic waste.

Municipal workers clear plastic from a canal in Bangkok in June.

Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP via Getty Images

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Music from the episode

That Girl Justin Timberlake

Confessions Sudan Archives

Kodiak Whale Fall

Scenic Drive Poolside

Brokenfolks Georgia Anne Muldrow

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

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