Rick Donovan
Trades Editor
Rick Donovan brings over 15 years of experience in the trades to his role as Trades Editor at AllTradesJournal. Before joining the publication, Rick worked as a lead carpenter for a regional construction firm, where he oversaw numerous residential and commercial projects. He also holds certifications in welding and HVAC, giving him a broad understanding of various trade disciplines. Rick's practical experience and commitment to quality reporting make him a trusted voice for professionals and enthusiasts in the trades.
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Latest Articles
Yarbo offers big discounts on robotic lawn mowers and snow blowers
Yarbo is slashing prices by up to $1,400 on its robotic lawn mowers and snow blowers during its Prime Summer Sale, making 2026 a key year for potential buyers.
Jun 28, 2026 · 3 min read
Discover Effective Organic Fertilizers for Plants
Farmers applying soybean meal to their crops have seen winter wheat yields jump by an astonishing 299% compared to treatments without organic fertilizers.
Jun 28, 2026 · 2 min read
Girls construction camp inspires young women in skilled trades
On Wednesday, June 24, 2026, female high school students at Orange Technical College, West Campus, built planter boxes and wired light switches.
Jun 27, 2026 · 3 min read
Meta's $115M Academy Fights Skilled Trades Gap With New Training
In just seven days, Meta's Level-Up fiber installation training program received 35,000 applications.
Jun 27, 2026 · 5 min read
Skanska Lands $325M Cincinnati Marriott Hotel Construction Contract
Skanska recently secured a $325 million contract from Portman Holdings to build a 21-story Marriott hotel in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio.
Jun 27, 2026 · 4 min read
Dallas leads US metro areas in housing unit growth since 2020
Between 2020 and 2025, Dallas added more new housing units than any other large U.
Jun 27, 2026 · 3 min read
Granite secures contract for Utah highway extension project
Granite Construction has secured nearly a quarter-billion dollars in Utah Department of Transportation contracts in recent months.
Jun 27, 2026 · 4 min read
Balfour Beatty appoints Ed Egerton as new Chief Legal and Commercial Officer
Effective this September, Balfour Beatty will place its entire commercial, legal, procurement, and company secretariat functions under the leadership of a single new officer, Ed Egerton.
Jun 27, 2026 · 3 min read
Mantis Robotics Unveils MR-X Robot, Accelerating AI Automation
JD.com founder Richard Liu declared on June 22, 2026, that robots will eventually replace all 700,000 of the company’s delivery workers. Automation systems are becoming more robust, adaptable, and eas
Jun 26, 2026 · 4 min read
Texas Gov. Abbott Boosts Skilled Trades Training for High-Demand Jobs
Governor Greg Abbott has directed four Texas state agencies to immediately overhaul workforce development programs.
Jun 26, 2026 · 3 min read
DOE's $17M clean energy funding amid $23B cuts
While the Department of Energy (DOE) just announced $17 million in new clean energy funding, it recently jeopardized or terminated nearly $23 billion in existing awards.
Jun 26, 2026 · 3 min read
What are modern HVAC refrigerants and why do regulations matter?
Starting January 1, 2025, manufacturing or importing new HVAC systems that use R-410A, a refrigerant with a global warming potential (GWP) of 2088, becomes illegal.
Jun 26, 2026 · 4 min read
Nvidia CEO: AI boom needs 130,000 more electricians
The United States needs 130,000 more trained electricians by 2030, just to keep pace with AI infrastructure expansion.
Jun 25, 2026 · 2 min read
Gen Z professionals prioritize steady growth over quick promotions
A striking 74% of younger workers now report using AI in their daily jobs, a sharp increase from just last year, fundamentally shifting how they approach productivity and career development.
Jun 25, 2026 · 3 min read
Vaulted Success Pushes Limits Amid Injury Concerns
Isabella Cox stands alone as the only gymnast on this list to achieve a perfect 10.
Jun 25, 2026 · 2 min read
Western Australia sees fewer trade apprentices as demand rises
Western Australia's skilled trades pipeline has shrunk to a five-year low, with nearly 5,000 fewer apprentices and trainees enrolled since 2021.
Jun 24, 2026 · 2 min read
Summer Home Maintenance: Franchise Service Warnings
Last summer, a Phoenix homeowner faced a $1,200 quote for an 'urgent' AC coil cleaning from a national franchise.
Jun 24, 2026 · 3 min read
Chicago City Council Approves $19M Greyhound Station Purchase
Chicago's City Council approved a $19.
Jun 23, 2026 · 3 min read
Carollo Engineers Wins Placer County WTP Management Contract
Placer County is embarking on a $210 million water treatment plant, yet the crucial construction management contract for the first phase was awarded to Carollo Engineers for just $271,960.
Jun 23, 2026 · 2 min read
AI services startup Baseten reaches $13B valuation
In June 2026, AI-services startup Baseten, largely unknown two years prior, secured a staggering $13 billion valuation after closing a $1.
Jun 23, 2026 · 3 min read