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California Fast-Food Workers Move Closer To $20 Minimum Wage

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:32 GMT

California fast-food workers may soon earn $20 per hour as local unions and restaurants came to a tentative agreement.A new California bill will reflect the wage increase, while at the same time eliminating Assembly Bill 257, which would have asked Californians to vote on a $22 per hour minimum wage for fast food workers on the November 2024 ballot.The negotiations and agreements were made by representatives within the the Save Local Restaurants group, which is made up of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the National Restaurant Association and the International Franchise Association (IFA).“Fast food workers are on the cusp of winning a seat at the table + $20/hr,” SEIU President Mary Kay Henry said Monday. “This is what it looks like when workers rise up and demand elected leaders stand with them to unrig the rules and hold corporations accountable. I’m honored to be in this fight.”The previous bill was approved by California Gov. Gavin...

From Hollywood Studios to NFT Stardom: The Journey of Meta Monopoly’s Animators

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:32 GMT

As the brainchild of an ex-cartoon animator from a prominent Hollywood studio, Meta Monopoly is steadily showcasing a fascinating fusion of artistic expertise with the NFT world. By turning every character into an animated video, Meta Monopoly NFT’s characters come to life, with each one exemplifying a relatable personality. The NFT project transforms cinematic artistry into digital collectibles, becoming a giant in the social media landscape. Meta Monopoly’s viral success comes from decades of animation experience, which is now playing a pivotal role in sculpting the next big thing in the NFT world.The profound understanding of artistic principles lies at the heart of Meta Monopoly‘s attainment, as the animators involved in the project have spent years perfecting their craft. With an unparalleled ability to create captivating and visually stunning digital collectibles, Meta Monopoly‘s animators’ artistic mastery displays the epitome of their depth and detail withi...

The iPhone 15 and five other takeaways from Apple’s ‘wonderlust’ event

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:32 GMT

(CNN) — Apple unveiled its iPhone 15 lineup along with other, major updates during its September keynote event it called “wonderlust” Tuesday. The company confirmed rumors that it will switch to USB-C from its proprietary lightening charging cable with the iPhone 15. Apple also announced its updated Appwle Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches, with new colors and features.Although the annual iPhone event has become formulaic over the years — often with incremental changes to battery life, camera systems and displays — this year’s USB-C announcement marks the biggest change to the iPhone’s design in 11 years. The change could streamline the charging process across various devices and brands. The charger update comes as Apple looks to give consumers more reasons to upgrade their iPhones. Last month, Apple’s sales fell for the third consecutive quarter. iPhone revenue came in at $39.7 billion for the quarter, marking an approximately 2...

Cal Bears expect Ott in lineup for Idaho game after airborne injury in loss to Auburn

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:32 GMT

BERKELEY — Cal running back Jaydn Ott, injured over the weekend against Auburn, is expected to be ready to play Saturday when the Bears welcome Idaho to Memorial Stadium, coach Justin Wilcox said.“We’re anticipating that (he will play),” Wilcox said Tuesday. “He’s day-to-day but we’re anticipating that.”Wilcox said Ott told him at morning practice that “he felt great today.”BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 24: California running back Jaydn Ott (6) is all smiles while resting on the bench after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter of their game at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. Cal defeated Arizona 49-31. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) Ott, who leads the Pac-12 Conference with 266 rushing yards through two games, was injured in the third quarter when he went airborne trying to leap over linebacker Eugene Asante.Instead, he was hit, landed hard on the Memorial Stadium turf and remained down for at least two minutes. Ott...

5 officers charged with civil rights violations in Nichols’ death

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:32 GMT

By Adrian Sainz and Jonathan Mattise | Associated PressMEMPHIS, Tenn. — Five former Memphis police officers were charged Tuesday with federal civil rights violations in the beating death of Tyre Nichols as they continue to fight second-degree murder charges in state courts arising from the killing.Tadarrius Bean, Desmond Mills, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin and Justin Smith were indicted in U.S. District Court in Memphis. The four-count indictment charges them with deprivation of rights under the color of law through excessive force and failure to intervene, and through deliberate indifference; conspiracy to witness tampering; and obstruction of justice through witness tampering.The new charges come nine months after the violent beating during a Jan. 7 traffic stop near Nichols’ Memphis home. Nichols died at a hospital three days later, and the five officers have pleaded not guilty to state charges of second-degree murder and other alleged offenses in the case. The five forme...

CDC advisers recommend updated Covid-19 vaccines

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:32 GMT

(CNN) — The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s independent vaccine advisers voted 13-1 on Tuesday to recommend updated Covid-19 vaccines for all Americans 6 months of age and older.The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, is a panel of experts that advises the CDC on its vaccine recommendations.Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the CDC, must sign off on the recommendations before the shots can be administered. The committee heard in its meeting Tuesday that the new vaccines will be available in pharmacies within 48 hours of her signoff.The endorsement from the committee means the vaccines will be covered by public and private insurance plans.The new vaccines have been updated to fend off the currently circulating viruses that cause Covid-19. They’re arriving amid a late summer uptick in Covid-19 hospitalizations and deaths.The most recent data from the CDC shows that hospitalizations for Covid-19 rose 9% from the week prior. Despite the increase, hospitaliz...

San Jose's Bellarmine preps for campus updates

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:32 GMT

(BCN) -- Bellarmine College Preparatory, a prestigious private Catholic boys high school in San Jose, is planning for several updates to facilities on its campus in the city's College Park neighborhood. The 17.6-acre campus could see an expansion to its building space--from 347,000 square feet to 487,000 square feet -- if San Jose leaders approve a rezoning and redevelopment plan for the 172-year-old school. The city's Planning Commission will consider approval at its meeting Wednesday, and the San Jose City Council will have the final say at a later date. The planning commission will also consider approval of environmental review documents for both short-term and long-term potential redevelopment on the campus. Plans include relocating a 107-year-old historic home known as Berchmans Hall, located at 870 Elm St., at the corner of West Hedding Street. Apple’s new iPhones get faster chips, better cameras and new charging ports The goal is to move it across Elm Street into ...

Why the new COVID booster shot could be costly for some people

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:32 GMT

The updated COVID-19 booster shots are expected to be available to the public in the coming days, but for adults without insurance, they will be costly.“This is the first time that COVID vaccines are basically entering the commercial market,” said Jennifer Kates, a vaccine policy analyst with KFF, an independent policy research organization. “Up until this time, the federal government had purchased them all and given them for free.”That is why people are encouraged to bring proof of insurance when they get the new booster.“The good news is that virtually everybody with private or public insurance will still not have to pay anything for these vaccines,” Kates said.People under 18 years old will be able to get the boosters for free.However, uninsured adults will need to pay an estimated $110 to $130 for a single dose, unless they can get access to a federal program that offers the new boosters for free.“It’s going to be like the flu shot...

McCarthy pide una investigación formal de juicio político contra Biden en medio de la presión de los conservadores

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:32 GMT

(CNN) — El presidente de la Cámara de Representantes, Kevin McCarthy, anunció este martes que pedirá a sus comisiones dar inicio a una investigación formal de juicio político contra el presidente Joe Biden, a pesar de que todavía no se han probado las acusaciones acerca del presunto beneficio directo que el mandatario podría haber obtenido de los negocios de su hijo en el extranjero.La decisión de McCarthy se produce en medio de la creciente presión de su flanco derecho para que siga adelante con la investigación, incluidos algunos miembros de la extrema derecha que han amenazado con destituir a McCarthy como presidente de la Cámara de Representantes si no avanza lo suficientemente rápido en dicha investigación. McCarthy también está tratando de conseguir votos en el marco de las negociaciones para mantener la financiación del gobierno y evitar un cierre de la administración, más allá de la fecha límite del 30 de septiembre.Fiscal especial acusará a Hunter Biden de cargos rel...

Vaccine skeptics dominate South Carolina pandemic preparation meeting as COVID-19 cases rise

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:32 GMT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A meeting Tuesday of South Carolina lawmakers considering how to best counter future pandemics was dominated by vaccine skeptics pushing concerns about COVID-19 immunizations that are unaccepted by the greater medical community.Members of the all-Republican panel seeking more independence from federal health regulators were receptive to speakers who sewed doubt about vaccine safety and efficacy, as well as distrust in the scientific establishment. Testimony began with an hourlong presentation from Aaron Siri, the managing partner at a New York law firm that 2021 tax filings show received over $3 million from an influential Texas-based group that campaigns against vaccine requirements.The previously scheduled pandemic preparedness listening session convened just one day after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved updated COVID-19 vaccines in an attempt to temper any surge this fall. Health officials are now treating the shot like the flu immunizations t...