California Voters Pass Proposition 1 to Address Homelessness Crisis
Video Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories - Duration: 01:31s - Published
California Voters Pass Proposition 1 to Address Homelessness Crisis
California Voters Pass Proposition 1 , to Address Homelessness Crisis.
In a state that accounts for close to a third
of all homeless people in the United States.
California counties will now be required to
spend money "on housing and drug treatment programs" to fight homelessness, NPR reports.
.
Gov.
Gavin Newsom raised over
$13 million to promote the measure.
Proposition 1 represents California's first mental health system update in 20 years, NPR reports.
.
This is the biggest change in
decades in how California tackles
homelessness, and a victory for
doing things radically different, Gov.
Gavin Newsom, via statement.
Now, counties and local officials must
match the ambition of California voters.
, Gov.
Gavin Newsom, via statement.
This historic reform will only
succeed if we all kick into action
immediately – state government
and local leaders, together, Gov.
Gavin Newsom, via statement.
Revenue from a tax on millionaires, enacted in 2004, brings in about $2 billion to $3 billion a year toward California's mental health budget, NPR reports.
.
Counties will now be required to spend two-thirds
of that money to tackle homelessness.
.
The state will also be allowed to borrow
$6.3 billion to create an additional 6,800 beds for mental health and addiction treatment.
That money can also be used to
construct 4,350 housing units.
Fast Food Chains Warn Consumers , That Worker Pay Increases
Will Impact Prices.
'Newsweek' reports that franchises have
warned an increase of the minimum wage
for fast food workers in California could also
force menu prices to climb.
As of April 1, fast food restaurants in California
will have to pay employees at least $20 an hour, an
increase of four dollars from the current $16 an hour. .
Business owners have warned that the new law,
signed in by Democratic governor Gavin Newsom,
will have an impact on margins and consumer costs. .
At the end of October, McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski
said that the impact of the minimum wage rise would
be partially "worked through with higher pricing.".
At the end of October, McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski
said that the impact of the minimum wage rise would
be partially "worked through with higher pricing.".
According to McDonald's numbers, the price of
the signature Big Mac burger is currently $5.89
in California, the 10th highest in the United States.
The latest data compiled by 'The Economist' shows that
the average price of a Big Mac nationwide is currently
$5.69, which is up from $5.36 at the same time in 2023. .
Last year, McDonald's , reported net profits of , almost $8.5 billion.
According to the company's latest financial reports,
sales increased 8.7% in the U.S. in 2023, which the
company attributed to "strategic menu price increases.".
According to the company's latest financial reports,
sales increased 8.7% in the U.S. in 2023, which the
company attributed to "strategic menu price increases.".
Meanwhile, Jack Hartnung, the CFO of fast food
chain Chipotle, told investors that the wage
increase would impact consumer prices with a
"mid-to-high single digit" percentage increase.
Meanwhile, Jack Hartnung, the CFO of fast food
chain Chipotle, told investors that the wage
increase would impact consumer prices with a
"mid-to-high single digit" percentage increase.
In December, Pizza Hut cited the wage
increase as the reason behind laying off
the company's in-house delivery drivers. .
In December, Pizza Hut cited the wage
increase as the reason behind laying off
the company's in-house delivery drivers.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
How to Be , a Better Neighbor.
You don't even know
your neighbors, do you?.
Per a Pew Research study conducted in 2018, only a quarter of adults under 30
said they know even one of their neighbors.
A fostered sense of community may be what's missing in your young life.
A fostered sense of community may be what's missing in your young life.
Here are a few ways to
become a better neighbor:.
Say
Hello.
Obvious, yes, but the logical first
step to becoming a better neighbor
is to introduce yourself.
Don't do anything grandiose so you
don't come on too strong.
You don't have to show up with a fresh apple pie or anything like that. , Chris Loggins, supervising producer
Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, via NPR.
You don't have to show up with a fresh apple pie or anything like that. , Chris Loggins, supervising producer
Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, via NPR.
Small Acts
of Kindness.
Show your neighbors that you can
be a kind and generous person.
Always clean up after your pets,
and don't litter.
Connect.
Often it may feel easier to just go home, but experts believe human connection is worth the effort.
Overcoming the initial anxiety may trouble you, but meeting new people could increase your happiness
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Biden Is Giving $6 Billion , to Micron Technology , for Semiconductor Production.
On April 25, President Biden will travel to Syracuse, NY, to announce over $6 billion in federal grants that his administration is awarding to Micron Technology, NPR reports. .
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who was heavily involved in enacting the CHIPS and Science Act, issued a statement about the investment. .
This is the federal government taking back the reins, putting money where its mouth is when we say we want the future of tech to be stamped: 'Made in America.', Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, via statement.
Micron will invest $100 billion of the funds to construct a manufacturing facility in Syracuse.
Schumer referred to the plan as "quite a
great return" on the government's investment.
A factory will also be built in
Boise, Idaho, NPR reports. .
That facility is expected to be ready for production by 2026, while two New York factories will likely be ready by 2028 and 2029.
The White House estimates that
the projects could create 20,000 jobs
in construction and manufacturing.
in addition to "tens of thousands of
indirect jobs in the regions," NPR reports. .
The CHIPS and Science Act has also provided funding for Intel, TSMC and Samsung
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Are You in a Creative Rut? , Here's How to Stay Inspired.
Have you had a hard time accessing the creative part of your brain lately?.
Maybe you're hoping for a magical breakthrough
like something you'd see in a movie.
Experts say it may not be so easy, but it's still possible to pull yourself out of a creative rut if you keep these things in mind:.
Creativity Is for Everyone.
Most folks are creative, and experts
say you don't have to be a genius
to harness the power.
I think we are already
creative beings and
how you use that
[creativity] is
up to you, Sarah Urist Green, producer of
'The Art Assignment,' via NPR.
You don't need to have particular skills; you don't need to have
particular materials. , Sarah Urist Green, producer of
'The Art Assignment,' via NPR.
Take a Break.
Experts say allowing your brain to de-stimulate is great practice
if your schedule allows. .
What our brains actually need is periods of destimulation, Rahaf Harfoush, host of 'The Thought Experiment,' via NPR.
which means no screens, no emails, no audiobooks. , Rahaf Harfoush, host of 'The Thought Experiment,' via NPR.
Don't Force
Yourself.
Experts say don't use stress as a tool
to get things done.
Being overly reliant on pressure and stress may deepen your creative rut.
It could also increase chances of
anxiety attacks and depression
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
How to Be , More Timely.
Have you been rolling out
of bed with minutes to spare?.
Maybe you've been wondering to yourself: "where does all the time go?".
Strive to be on time with these helpful tips:.
Timeliness is
a Sign of Respect.
Being timely can project respect for ourselves and others.
I think it's very important to be on time. , Rashelle Isip, professional organizer-productivity consultant, via NPR.
You can always let time pass, but you can't
get it back once it's already gone. , Rashelle Isip, professional organizer-productivity consultant, via NPR.
Plan Ahead.
For the chronically late, experts
say it helps to have a plan.
There's a lot of steps
that I think people just don't consider. , Rashelle Isip, professional organizer-productivity consultant, via NPR.
There's a lot of steps
that I think people just don't consider. , Rashelle Isip, professional organizer-productivity consultant, via NPR.
Help yourself by picking out tomorrow's outfit today. Pack your bag, and confirm appropriate directions before you depart.
Be Honest With Yourself and Others.
Everybody is late for something now and then. True character is how you respond to it.
If you know you're going to be late to something, the very best thing you can do is communicate right away, Rashelle Isip, professional organizer-productivity consultant, via NPR.
If you know you're going to be late to something, the very best thing you can do is communicate right away, Rashelle Isip, professional organizer-productivity consultant, via NPR.
It's not thinking about it and then calling or texting
30 minutes later.
It means right at that moment. , Rashelle Isip, professional organizer-productivity consultant, via NPR.
It's not thinking about it and then calling or texting
30 minutes later.
It means right at that moment. , Rashelle Isip, professional organizer-productivity consultant, via NPR
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
FTC to Decide , Whether Noncompete Agreements , Should Be Banned.
After receiving over 26,000 public comments about the issue, the Federal Trade Commission is set to deliver its verdict on April 30, NPR reports. .
The commission said that if approved, the
final rule "would generally prevent most
employers from using noncompete clauses.".
The commission said that if approved, the
final rule "would generally prevent most
employers from using noncompete clauses.".
Approximately one in five Americans, spanning minimum wage workers to CEOs, are subject to noncompete agreements, the FTC estimates. .
The Biden administration says that these types of agreements hurt workers by decreasing wages.
The White House also argues that these
agreements harm the U.S. economy because entrepreneurship isn't allowed to freely flourish. .
FTC Chair Lina M. Khan issued a statement when
the proposed ban was initially introduced.
The freedom to change jobs is
core to economic liberty and to
a competitive, thriving economy, FTC Chair Lina M. Khan, via statement.
Noncompetes block workers from
freely switching jobs, depriving
them of higher wages and better
working conditions, and depriving
businesses of a talent pool that
they need to build and expand, FTC Chair Lina M. Khan, via statement.
Businesses argue that noncompete agreements are essential for safeguarding investments and proprietary information.
Those businesses also question whether
the agency has the power "to regulate
such agreements," NPR reports. .
If the FTC votes to issue a final rule, enforcement wouldn't occur for 180 days,
and legal challenges would likely ensue.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Harvey Weinstein’s Rape Conviction , Is Overturned.
New York's Court of Appeals
overturned the movie mogul's 2020 rape conviction by a vote of 4-3 on April 25.
According to the appeals court, trial judge James Burke "prejudiced Weinstein with 'egregious' improper rulings," AP reports. .
For example, he let women bring forth allegations against Weinstein that he wasn't charged with.
The action was an "abuse of judicial discretion," the appeals court said. .
Without question, this is appalling,
shameful, repulsive conduct that
could only diminish defendant’s
character before the jury, New York's Court of Appeals, via AP.
Although this conviction has been overturned, the 72-year-old will remain in prison due to a separate 2022 rape conviction in Los Angeles.
His lawyers have chosen to
appeal that conviction as well. .
Jennifer Bonjean, who helped free Bill Cosby from
prison, issued a statement about the development.
Jennifer Bonjean, who helped free Bill Cosby from
prison, issued a statement about the development.
A jury was told in California that
he was convicted in another
state for rape ... turns out he
shouldn’t have been convicted
and it wasn’t a fair conviction… , Jennifer Bonjean, Harvey Weinstein's attorney, via AP.
It interfered with his
presumption of innocence in
a significant way in California, Jennifer Bonjean, Harvey Weinstein's attorney, via AP.
On April 25, prosecutors said that "the legal issues identified by the New York Court of Appeal are
not present in the Los Angeles County Case.".
The Manhattan district attorney's office
said they will "do everything in our power to
retry this case, and remain steadfast in our commitment to survivors of sexual assault."
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Chris Pine's got the California surfer look down ... a style he seemingly raided from the set of his new movie "Poolman," and seems comfortable keeping long.. TMZ.com
Google Fires More Staffers , Following Protests Over , $1.2 Billion Israel Deal.
Google Fires More Staffers , Following Protests Over , $1.2 Billion Israel Deal.
'The Independent' reports that Google has fired at least
20 more workers following protests over the company
supplying Israel with technology amid the Gaza war.
'The Independent' reports that Google has fired at least
20 more workers following protests over the company
supplying Israel with technology amid the Gaza war.
A group representing the fired
workers said the total number of staff
terminated for protesting is now over 50. .
Internal turmoil at the tech giant revolves around
'Project Nimbus,' a 2021 contract for both Google and
Amazon to provide the Israeli government with technology. .
Internal turmoil at the tech giant revolves around
'Project Nimbus,' a 2021 contract for both Google and
Amazon to provide the Israeli government with technology. .
The $1.2 billion contract includes
cloud computing and artificial
intelligence services. .
The $1.2 billion contract includes
cloud computing and artificial
intelligence services. .
Last week, workers held sit-in
protests at Google's offices in both
New York and Sunnyvale, California.
The protests were organized by the group
No Tech For Apartheid, who said that 30 workers
were fired following the initial sit-in. .
According to Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for
No Tech For Apartheid, Google has now fired
"over 20" more workers, “including non-participating
bystanders during last week’s protests.”.
Google’s aims are clear:
the corporation is attempting
to quash dissent, silence
its workers, and reassert
its power over them, Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For Apartheid, via 'The Independent'.
In its attempts to do so,
Google has decided to
unceremoniously, and
without due process,
upend the livelihoods of
over 50 of its own workers, Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For Apartheid, via 'The Independent'.
In its attempts to do so,
Google has decided to
unceremoniously, and
without due process,
upend the livelihoods of
over 50 of its own workers, Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For Apartheid, via 'The Independent'.
Google has disputed the group's claims,
stressing that the company carefully found that, “every single one of those whose employment
was terminated was personally and definitively
involved in disruptive activity inside our buildings.”
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
California was definitely hit with a few good April showers this year ... but as the warmer weather washes over the West Coast, we are bubbling up some of.. TMZ.com
How Did '4/20' Become
a Holiday for Weed?.
One common theory is that it stems
from a California criminal code for
those who distribute the drug.
According to CNN, California's 420 code is actually for obstructing entry on public land.
The state's medical marijuana
program was created from a bill
with the number 420.
Oaksterdam Cannabis Museum's Chris Conrad
says "4/20" started as a code in
Marin County, California, at San Rafael High School.
In the 1970s, a group called
"The Waldos" would get together at
4:20 PM to smoke pot.
The time of the day was convenient as it
was right after school ended with
no parental supervision just yet.
"4/20" became a code word that allowed
them to notify each other in front of
unsuspecting parents.
From there, the phrase likely
spread across the country
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:02Published
![Fast Food Chains Warn Consumers That Worker Pay Increases Will Impact Prices [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20240326/1370961080-Fast-Food-Chains-Warn-Consumers-That-Worker-Pay.jpg)
![How to Be a Better Neighbor [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20240425/1373753528-How-to-Be-Better-Neighbor.jpg)
![Biden Is Giving $6 Billion to Micron Technology for Semiconductor Production [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20240425/1373731970-Biden-Is-Giving-Billion-to-Micron-Technology.jpg)
![Are You in a Creative Rut? Here's How to Stay Inspired [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20240425/1373732016-Are-You-in-Creative-Rut-Here.jpg)
![How to Be More Timely [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20240424/1373647484-How-to-Be-More-Timely.jpg)
![FTC to Decide Whether Noncompete Agreements Should Be Banned [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20240423/1373526476-FTC-to-Decide-Whether-Noncompete-Agreements-Should-Be.jpg)
![Harvey Weinstein’s Rape Conviction Is Overturned [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20240426/1373839236-Harvey-Weinstein-Rape-Conviction-Is-Overturned.jpg)
![Google Fires More Staffers Following Protests Over $1.2 Billion Israel Deal [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20240423/1373560084-Google-Fires-More-Staffers-Following-Protests-Over.jpg)
![How Did '4/20' Become a Holiday for Weed? [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20240419/1373202636-How-Did-20-Become-Holiday-for.jpg)
