Impact!

More Fun Than A Barrel of Bourbon: An Analysis of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau’s Decision Against Defining “Oak Barrel”

More Fun Than A Barrel of Bourbon: An Analysis of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau’s Decision Against Defining “Oak Barrel”

Think all bourbon barrels should be the same? In staffer Scott Abney’s debut post, he thinks otherwise as he analyzes a proposed federal rule that would require distillers to use a new industry standard. This post breaks down the pros and cons of such a rule and discusses the major pushback from the industry. In the end, Scott will show that the proposed rule not being enacted is worth celebrating - perhaps with a glass of bourbon!

Recent Trump Legal Opinion Puts Migratory Birds at Risk

Recent Trump Legal Opinion Puts Migratory Birds at Risk

An administration change usually brings with it a slew of rollbacks, most to be expected…but what about the unexpected? In this post, Notes Editor Sam Lukens discusses the arguably unexpected environmental consequences associated with the Trump administration’s changes to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. If you thought climate change was the only environmental issue worth debating, you may want to think again.

The Beauty Industry Needs a Serious Makeover: Why More FDA Regulations in the Cosmetic Industry are Imperative

The Beauty Industry Needs a Serious Makeover: Why More FDA Regulations in the Cosmetic Industry are Imperative

While in quarantine, a lot of adults have taken the time to self-pamper. But even in our free time, most of us neglect to read the ingredients label on our favorite beauty products. Unbeknownst to many Americans, one in eight (of the 82,000) ingredients used in cosmetic products are industrial chemicals. In this cheeky blog post, Online Editor Lauren Beeman discusses the lack of product disclosure requirements for beauty products and the harsh implications unregulated cosmetics have on consumers.

Dinnertime Details: Two Divergent Approaches to Addressing Food Insecurity

Dinnertime Details: Two Divergent Approaches to Addressing Food Insecurity

Food insecurity is a problem that impacts millions of people on a global scale. In this post, Staffer Taygen Mullins examines European NGO’s solution to hunger and compares them to current federal food programs in the United States. Mullins identifies strengths in European food banks that, if implemented, could aid the U.S. in its food crisis.

“Bourbon on the rocks, hold the tariffs”

“Bourbon on the rocks, hold the tariffs”

Over the last decade, the bourbon industry experienced tremendous growth revitalizing the Kentucky economy. However, as the expansion of this beloved Kentucky beverage spread across the nation's borders, the bourbon's industry's push for a more international presence was not met without challenges. In this blog post, staffer Jonas Bastien analyzes retaliatory tariffs' impact on Kentucky bourbon and what lies ahead for the whiskey industry.

Keeping Sacred Sites Sacred: Federal Agencies Role in Protecting Native American Land

Keeping Sacred Sites Sacred: Federal Agencies Role in Protecting Native American Land

Historically, the United States has not done the best job protecting Native American land. Currently, the Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation is fighting in federal with the city of San Antonio over a sacred cemetery. In this post, Savannah Baker examines federal agencies’ role in keeping sacred sites sacred.