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Chicago City Council committee in favor of eliminating subminimum wage for tipped workers

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:19 GMT

CHICAGO — Tipped workers in Chicago would see a change in how they are paid under a bill before a City Council Committee on Wednesday. City Council's Workforce Development Committee passed an ordinance impacting tipped workers paid the subminimum wage. The group is currently paid 60% of the minimum wage.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: City council members propose plan to eliminate sub-minimum wage for tipped workers  Under the measure, the workers would receive 8% annual pay increases, beginning July 1, 2024 until they reach the minimum wage level on July 1, 2028. The five-year phase was negotiated with the support of 'One Fair Wage,' as well as crucial restaurant industry leaders. The plan makes good on a campaign promise by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to eliminate the subminimum wage. Minimum wage workers to receive wage bump coming July 1 While the change would be massive, strong opposition remains from some restaurants and bars and even some tipped workers, who worry customers will not ...

WATCH LIVE: Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on FOMC's attempt of 'soft landing' for U.S. economy

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:19 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve left its key interest rate unchanged Wednesday for the second time in its past three meetings, a sign that it’s moderating its fight against inflation as price pressures have eased. But Fed officials also signaled that they expect to raise rates once more this year.The move to leave its benchmark rate at about 5.4% suggests that the Fed thinks it has time to wait and see if the 11 rate hikes it unleashed starting in March 2022 will continue to cool rising prices.Consumer inflation has dropped from a year-over-year peak of 9.1% in June 2022 to 3.7% last month. Yet it’s still well above the Fed’s 2% target, and its policymakers made clear Wednesday that they aren’t close to declaring victory over the worst bout of inflation in 40 years.Besides forecasting another hike by year’s end, their projections showed they envision keeping rates high deep into 2024. They expect to cut interest rates just two times in 2024, down from four rate cuts they had e...

Moe's Southwest Grill giving out free queso nationwide

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:19 GMT

(WSYR) – A restaurant chain is celebrating National Queso Day by giving out free cups of the "liquid gold."Moe's Southwest Grill is celebrating National Queso Day, which is Wednesday, Sept. 20, with a multi-day promotion filled with free cheese: Now through Sept. 24, all guests can get a free cup of queso (one per day) at participating Moe’s locations nationwide, no purchase necessary.  SNAP benefits are increasing Oct. 1: Here’s how much Of course, there's a small catch. In order to get the free queso, customers have to be members of the Moe's Rewards program. Thankfully for queso lovers, it's free to sign up by just downloading the smartphone app and creating an account. (Moe's Southwest Grill)In addition, Moe’s is offering a queso gift card promotion now through Oct. 1. Guests who buy $20 in gift cards will receive an eReward for a free cup of queso to be redeemed in the app through Oct. 15.Moe's currently has 628 locations in 37 states. More information about the chain's Queso...

‘We’re in the abyss’: How the UAW strike could hit the economy

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:19 GMT

(The Hill) – While the current economic impact of a targeted strike by the United Auto Workers (UAW) is limited, the threat of a full walkout looms over contract negotiations with auto giants Ford, General Motors and Stellantis.Right now, that threat is hard to quantify — any estimate will depend on the length of the strike and how many more workers are called to the picket line. Even so, the economic impact of a full-fledged 10-day strike against the Big Three could top $5 billion, the Anderson Economic Group estimated in an August report. A months-long work stoppage could also eat into the Big Three’s cash holdings, Fitch Ratings warned Friday, particularly if the targeted strikes balloon to a widespread shutdown.And autoworkers are already being laid off by some companies, as thousands more UAW members brace for making just $500 per week on the picket line.“Nobody knows now. We’re in the abyss,” Pete DeVito Jr., and automotive director of the United Service Workers Union, told Th...

Twins’ Carlos Correa placed on injured list, Royce Lewis to get MRI

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:19 GMT

CINCINNATI —The Twins are in line to clinch the American League Central in the coming days in large part because of their depth, which has helped them remain competitive even in the face of injuries. They’ll need that depth in the coming days with both members of the left side of their infield hurting.Carlos Correa, who further aggravated the plantar fasciitis in his left foot that he has dealt with for most of the season, was placed on the injured list, while Royce Lewis, who left Tuesday’s game with left hamstring tightness, hopes to avoid it.“You’ve seen it throughout the entire year, a lot of guys have gone down. You bring up the young guys from Triple-A and they’ve stepped up big time and they made a name for themselves,” Correa said. “I don’t see it being any different now. We’re not going to be in the lineup, but we have a lot of talent in this clubhouse in order for us to accomplish the mission that we have right now.”While Correa will not be eligible...

Enjoy a nighttime walk under the full moon at Grafton Lakes State Park

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:19 GMT

GRAFTON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Want to enjoy an educational walk under the full moon? The Grafton Lakes State Park is offering a nighttime hike through the park on Friday, September 29, from 6 to 7 p.m. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Participants can observe the full moon while listening to a tale of fascinating facts and fantastic fiction about the moon. The event is suitable for participants ages seven and up. Registration is required and costs $5 per person. To register, contact (518) 279-1155.

2023 Halloween events, ghost tours in the Capital Region

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:19 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- It's only September, but many cities and towns are starting to get into the Halloween spirit. Some spooky attractions start September 22 and 23 including Troy's Field of Horrors, Schenectady's Hollowed Harvest and Ballston Spa's Double M Haunted Hayrides. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Other attractions, such as Halloween events and ghost tours, will also be taking place around the area. Here's where you can some of these in the Capital Region. More spooky events will be added to this article as they are announced. AlbanyAll-Hallow e’en FestivalAlbany’s All-Hallow e’en Festival returns for 2023 with a myriad of events throughout October including ghost-themed tours, pumpkin carving, parties and more. Ghost tours take place around Albany, including downtown, Shaker Cemetery, and Cherry Hill. You can view the full schedule on the Discover Albany website. Haunted attractions in the Capital Region for 20...

Kohl's looking to hire hundreds in St. Louis area ahead of holiday season

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:19 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The holiday season will be here before you know it, and Kohl's is looking to hire hundreds around the St. Louis area in preparation. Kohl's announced two upcoming hiring events on Wednesday for seasonal jobs this holiday season. The company hopes to fill at least 600 openings around its St. Louis-area stores. Video of Missouri politicians using flamethrowers goes viral Job-seekers can attend one of two national hiring events in the near future: Sept. 21-23Oct. 12-14For this week's hiring event, candidates can visit their local Kohl's store from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for on-site job interviews. The company could potentially offer seasonal jobs on the spots. Kohl’s is recruiting for a variety of positions with seasonal associate openings across stores, distribution centers and e-commerce fulfillment centers. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News ...

Teen shot while sitting in vehicle in O'Fallon, Illinois

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:19 GMT

O'FALLON, Ill. - A teenager was shot while sitting in a vehicle Monday evening in O'Fallon, Illinois. The O'Fallon Police Department says the victim, a 17-year-old boy, was treated for various injuries at a hospital and was released as of Wednesday morning. The shooting happened around 9 p.m. Monday in the 100 block of Countryside Lane. Investigators say two teenagers were sitting in a vehicle parked along a roadway when two unknown suspect approached them and fired several gunshots into the vehicle. Federal agents head operation on I-270 in St. Louis County One teenager was struck in the foot, while the other teenager avoided gunfire. The suspects ran away from the scene before police arrived. Both suspects remain wanted, though police have not disclosed their identities. Police say circumstances around the shooting are unclear, but the teens "appear to have been specifically targeted.If you have any information relevant to this case, contact the O'Fallon Police Department at 61...

Arrest made in fatal August shooting in south St. Louis

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:19 GMT

ST. LOUIS – An arrest has been made in connection with a deadly shooting that happened on August 26 in south St. Louis.Arthur Richardson, aged 34, has been charged with the murder of 23-year-old Anthony Kent at Kent's residence in the 3500 block of California Avenue. Federal agents head operation on I-270 in St. Louis County On August 26, Anthony Kent was found on his front porch with a gunshot wound to the head. He was brought to the hospital, but he was pronounced deceased two days later.Several weeks later, Richardson was taken into custody. He has been charged with first-degree murder as well as possession of a firearm during the murder.