Author: Georgia McKoy

California has increased the hourly wage for fast food workers to $20, effective from April 1. This substantial rise from the previous $16 has prompted some franchise owners to reduce the number of working hours available to their employees to manage the increased labor costs. Franchise Owners Adapt to Wage Changes Source: Wikimedia Commons Lawrence Cheng, who owns several Wendy’s locations, now finds himself working alongside his employees, taking orders and preparing food. This change allows him to cut down on staffing costs by reducing the number of people working each shift. “We kind of just cut where we can,”…

Over the July 4th weekend, Chicago witnessed a harrowing surge in gun violence with 19 deaths and over 100 injuries.  In the aftermath, Mayor Brandon Johnson pointed a finger back through decades to former President Richard Nixon, igniting a fiery debate on accountability and historical influence. Mayor Johnson’s Bold Historical Connection Source: Brandon4Chicago/X “Let’s tell the full story of what happened,” Mayor Johnson urged during a press conference, suggesting that the seeds for today’s violence were sown during Nixon’s era.  His comments have stirred controversy and criticism for connecting current city violence with past presidential policies. Nixon Foundation Fires Back…

Last week, Senators Sheldon Whitehouse from Rhode Island and Ron Wyden from Oregon reached out to Attorney General Merrick Garland.  They’re calling for a special counsel to look into Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas following several ethics scandals. This request illustrates a broader concern about maintaining ethical standards at the very pinnacle of our judiciary. Unreported Luxuries Spark Scrutiny Source: Wikimedia Commons Justice Thomas is under the microscope for reportedly accepting luxury vacations and expensive gifts from affluent friends, which he allegedly didn’t list on his financial disclosures.  These revelations have thrown a spotlight on the transparency we expect from…

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has stumbled upon a real cosmic gem—a ‘super-Earth’ just 48 light-years away.  This thrilling find has us all wondering about neighbors in this vast universe, especially since this planet is among the nearest that could possibly be like our own Earth. Meet LHS 1140 b Source: Wikimedia Commons Thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope, an international team of scientists has been studying a fascinating exoplanet called LHS 1140 b.  This world is showing promise as a potential twin to our Earth, sparking significant excitement in the scientific community. A Neighbor in the Cosmos Source:…

Senator Ted Cruz issued a hurricane warning to his constituents via a social media post over the weekend, urging them to stay safe in anticipation of Hurricane Beryl’s landfall.  He shared a video by Jim McIngvale, known as Mattress Mack, who offered help should the storm worsen. Cruz highlighted Mack’s efforts, writing on X, “Mack is an American hero. Stay safe & avoid high water as the hurricane makes landfall.” Public Reaction to Cruz’s Warning Source: Wikimedia Commons The reaction to Senator Cruz’s hurricane warning was overwhelmingly negative, with many social media users recalling his previous decision to leave Texas…

When retired Judge J. Michael Luttig took to the airwaves on MeidasTouch’s “Legal AF” show, he didn’t hold back.  He labeled the Supreme Court’s decision to grant immunity to former President Donald Trump as “abominable,” criticizing it for undercutting the rule of law, a cornerstone of American justice. A Threat to the Core of American Values Source: Wikimedia Commons During his appearance, Judge Luttig voiced his fears about what this decision could mean for the country.  He said, “The Supreme Court cut the heart and soul out of America with this abominable decision, of constitutional interpretation or, should I say,…

New York City has initiated another phase of distributing prepaid debit cards to migrant families, a move that has sparked bipartisan concerns.  Councilwoman Julie Won supports the initiative, stating it helps migrants avoid “rotten” food supplied by city vendors. Critics argue that the effort may have unintended consequences by encouraging more migrants to come to the city. Bipartisan Leaders Question Debit Card Distribution Source: Wikimedia Commons Leaders from both political parties have expressed disapproval of Mayor Eric Adams’ administration’s decision to issue thousands more prepaid debit cards to migrants.  The program was initially introduced as a cost-saving measure, estimated to…

Josie expected a typical dinner run at El Pollo Loco but was floored by the drive-thru prices.  When she saw the $43.99 tag on a 12-piece chicken meal, she was shocked: “I did not buy. I went home and made dinner. I was not going to get ripped off,” she shared in her now-viral TikTok video. Customer Loyalty Tested by Soaring Prices Source: El Pollo Loco/Facebook Looking back at previous prices, Josie recalled in her video, “I remember when the 12-piece family meal was $12.99. Now, it’s $43.”  This dramatic price increase has jolted longtime customers, leaving them both surprised…

Amid a daunting $47 billion deficit, California has earmarked up to $12 million for reparations.  Governor Gavin Newsom signed off on this initiative, highlighting the state’s commitment to address its historical wrongs against Black Californians, despite a long history of inaction at the federal level. Unpacking the Budget Source: CAgovernor/X Governor Newsom’s approval of the $297.9 billion budget, which includes funds for reparations, raises eyebrows and questions alike.  With no specifics on how the funds will be used and no immediate plans for direct payments, Californians are left wondering what comes next. Steps Toward Righting Wrongs Source: leslibless/X The state’s…

Idaho’s public libraries are causing a stir with a new rule that bans kids from entering. This drastic step comes after conservative lawmakers passed a law targeting “obscene” books.  Now, libraries must either isolate these books or face legal actions from parents. New ID Policy Source: Wikimedia Commons Idaho libraries now require under-30s to show ID, sparking an online backlash.  Comparisons are being drawn to restrictive abortion laws, with pointed remarks about the contradictory treatment of young people in Idaho. Small Libraries, Big Changes Source: Donnelly Public Library/Facebook The Donnelly Public Library, due to its small size, has gone completely…