Major coffee chain commits to using 100 percent ethically sourced beans by next year

A blizzard hit the northeastern states dumping 2.3 feet of snow and closing major highwaysA software company announced it will allow employees to work from any location worldwide

Local authorities opened a new food bank to provide meals for families struggling with food insecurityThe Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to a novelist from a small European countryA fast-food chain added vegan chicken nuggets and burgers to its permanent menu

Researchers found that students who take notes by hand retain information better than those who typeThe mayor announced a plan to build 8500 affordable housing units over the next four years

A luxury hotel chain replaced all single-use plastic items in its rooms with eco-friendly alternatives

A study revealed that cat owners have lower levels of stress and anxiety than non-pet ownersThe stock market closed at a record high after a week of strong gains

A charity organization started a campaign to raise awareness about mental health in schoolsScientists observed a rare astronomical event involving a comet passing Earth

The city introduced a bike-sharing program with 100 new bikes at 20 stationsResearchers studied the effects of sleep deprivation on driving ability

(责任编辑：Story Highlights)

• ·A retailer announced it would offer free returns on all online purchases for 60 days
• ·A hospital started a program to help patients with chronic pain manage symptoms without opioids
• ·The city council approved plans to create a new nature reserve for hiking and camping
• ·Newspaper reports increase in small business openings in downtown area this year
• ·A new study showed that regular exercise can improve mental health in adults
• ·A new study showed that social media use among teenagers has decreased by 9% in the past year with more time spent outdoors
• ·Camping store sells lightweight gear for backpacking trips
• ·Researchers found that children who learn to read at an early age have better vocabulary skills
• ·A sports team won a regional tournament to qualify for the national championship
• ·A severe thunderstorm with lightning strikes caused power outages for 6000 homes in the suburbs
• ·Study indicates that learning a musical instrument boosts memory in older adults
• ·A new restaurant opened in the neighborhood serving a variety of international cuisines
• ·Scientists developed a rapid test for a viral infection that provides results in 10 minutes
• ·The prime minister met with the president of a neighboring country to discuss border security
• ·A school district started a summer school program for students who need extra help
• ·A large retailer announced its first European store opening next year expanding globally