State Fast Food Council to Weigh Placing Another Wage Hike on the Agenda at February 26 Meeting as Job Losses and Food Prices Surge SACRAMENTO – A new study released today by the Berkeley Research Group (BRG) found a series of harsh downstream impacts resulting from California’s increase to $20 minimum wage for fast food workers, which went into effect in April of 2024. The study confirms that Californians are bearing the cost of the 25 percent wage hike through significant job losses and steep food price hikes for consumers. The findings come as the Fast Food Council’s Planning Subcommittee prepares to meet…
Author: SBE Staff
INGLEWOOD – As a result of the overwhelming support for the FireAid benefit concert from thousands of individuals around the world, dozens of sponsors and streaming partners, and the generous donation of time and talent from the music industry’s top performers, FireAid has proudly raised to date an estimated $100 million, half of which is being deployed today for immediate relief through a $50 million first set of grants. This initial phase of gifting prioritizes community-based organizations that are on the front lines of wildfire relief. The selected organizations have the infrastructure, experience, and relationships necessary to efficiently and equitably deliver assistance to…
LOS ANGELES — District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced today that two more individuals have been charged in connection with the ongoing wildfires — bringing the total number of individuals charged in fire-related cases to 25. These latest cases include felony charges of first-degree residential burglary and attempt to burn in Santa Monica and Brentwood. “As I have stated from the beginning of this wildfire crisis, for those who commit crimes from looting to arson to impersonation of firefighters to price gouging to financials scams, justice will be swift and significant,” District Attorney Hochman said. “You will be arrested, prosecuted,…
Los Angeles, CA — The Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF), the largest international Black film festival in the United States, proudly announces the release of its highly anticipated 2025 Film Guide. The PAFF Film Guide offers a first look at the extraordinary lineup of films selected for this year’s festival taking place February 4-23, 2025, in Los Angeles. While PAFF runs through the 23rd, all of its films will screen February 10-17. This year PAFF will showcase an exceptional selection of over 150 films, with a lineup that includes 46 documentaries, 100 narratives, 46 features, 100 shorts, and six web series. The festival…
By Tyler Shaun Evains | Daily Breeze The City Council this week approved draft language for ordinances that would allow and regulate cannabis business operations in Redondo. It’s a step toward having two dispensaries open in the city. The panel voted 4-1, with Councilmember Scott Behrendt dissenting, to approve the draft language. Behrendt has lobbied against dispensaries opening in the city, especially in his District 5, which, he said, is already saturated with liquor stores and smoke shops. Two of the ordinances, if approved, would allow marijuana dispensaries to operate in inland and coastal areas of the city, and the…
By Jeff Collins | Orange County Register Once debris from the Los Angeles County wildfires is cleared and rebuilding begins, attention will likely shift to the financial health of a small, but growing California fire insurance provider. The California FAIR Plan has an outsized share of the state’s riskiest policies because it is the insurer of last resort for home and building owners who can’t get coverage elsewhere. If the FAIR Plan is unable to pay all of its claims, virtually every insured homeowner in the state could end up paying a portion of the LA County fire losses. The nonprofit…
Lil Wayne, Chris Brown and Marshmello are just a few of the musicians who applied for and received payouts as part of the Shuttered Venue Operations Grant, a government program meant to aid independent venues and arts groups struggling during the pandemic. But according to a new report, they allegedly used the money to instead pay themselves or throw lavish parties at the cost of taxpayers. In a detailed report from Business Insider, the musicians who received the grants — also including Alice in Chains, Shinedown, Rae Sremmerd and Steve Aoki — applied for assistance after the grant was signed into law by Donald Trump…
By David Zahniser and Libor Jany FBI agents searched the home of a Los Angeles deputy mayor as part of an investigation into a bomb threat made against City Hall, officials said Wednesday. The agents searched the home of Brian Williams, who is deputy mayor for public safety, on Tuesday while looking into a bomb threat Williams “allegedly made against City Hall earlier this year,” said Zach Seidl, a spokesperson for Mayor Karen Bass. In a separate statement, the Los Angeles Police Department identified Williams as the “likely” source of the bomb threat. Read more at: LA Times
During Hunger Action Month, DoorDash is proud to announce that California-based organizations will receive 12 of 70 Project DASH Impact Grants totaling over $300,000 awarded this year to organizations working to eliminate barriers to accessing food and essential goods. “Project DASH is proud to help empower local communities to better serve those in need,” said Caitlin Gillis, Senior Manager, Government and Nonprofit – DoorDash Drive.“Home delivery has become an increasingly important tool in connecting people with food and essential goods in a way that prioritizes convenience and dignity, and Project DASH helps our partners break down barriers to access. We look forward to seeing how these…
The Compton Community College District is pleased to announce the facility design for Compton College’s future student housing was recently honored with a 2024 award of merit in the project design category by the Community College Facility Coalition. The professional design award will be presented on November 7, 2024 to the architectural firm HPI Architecture led by President Lawrence Frapwell, and the Compton Community College District. Courtesy of HPI Architecture “The skyrocketing cost of housing in California adds extra financial burden to college students when they are trying to focus on academics and job training with the goal of making…