A large fire in Minneapolis destroyed four abandoned commercial buildings, spreading across multiple structures and causing partial collapses, but was contained by firefighters by 9 a.m. with no injuries reported.
Severe storms in Rogers, Arkansas, early Sunday morning caused extensive damage to commercial buildings near Walnut St. and 24th St., leaving some stores unrecognizable. A thrift store owner expressed shock at the destruction of their 13-year-old business, and a laundromat owner reported cars trapped under debris. A gas leak prompted emergency crews to close roads. The storms also caused damage in other parts of Northwest Arkansas, including Decatur.
Two more roofs collapsed in Anchorage over the weekend due to heavy snow, bringing the total to at least eight this season. No one was injured in either incident, and the buildings were unoccupied at the time. The collapses come after government officials warned over 1,000 commercial property owners about the risk of roof failure due to record-breaking snow loads. The collapses are primarily occurring in buildings with a specific type of flat roof constructed before 1990, and efforts are underway to clear snow from at-risk structures.
LED lighting has become increasingly popular, accounting for 50% of global lighting sales. While LEDs are more energy-efficient, the total energy consumed by lighting is still rising due to increased installation. Residential properties have adopted LEDs more quickly than commercial buildings, but government policies and smart systems could encourage businesses to switch. The efficiency of LEDs continues to improve, with the potential to double within the next 20 years. However, concerns remain about the health effects of blue light emitted by LEDs. Despite the upfront cost, businesses can achieve significant financial savings by switching to LED lighting.