Closing the year with an open office plan

A tweet from presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg about making the East Room in the White House an open office plan set the internet ablaze. Open plan office spaces have been trending for a few years now, but research shows there are quite a few downsides, like increased illness and decreased communication. Will the end of the decade bring the end of the open office? Plus: an update on U.S. trade relations, how a retired government contractor is winding down on the vineyard and a look at this decade in housing.