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☆ Amazon was fined nearly $6 million over claims it violated a worker productivity law in California
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-19 | by ( Madeline Stone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

California fined Amazon $5.9 million, saying it failed to inform employees about work quotas. A state law requires written quota details to prevent pressure and injuries among workers. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementCalifornia's Department of Industrial Relations announced Tuesday it had fined Amazon more than $5.9 million, saying the e-commerce giant had violated labor laws that require companies to inform warehouse employees of any quotas they must follow. According to the state's Warehouse Quotas law, which went into effect in January 2022, those quotas must be provided to workers in written form.

Persons: — Organizations: Amazon, Service, California's, of Industrial Relations, Business

☆ Elon Musk's Starlink satellites could burn up the ozone layer, scientists warn
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewInternet satellite networks like Elon Musk's Starlink could contribute toward the depletion of the ozone layer, a new study claims. There are currently more than 8,000 internet satellites in low-earth orbit, of which about 6,000 are Starlink ones, a press statement said. SpaceX has plans to launch another 42,000 Starlink satellites, according to Space.com. The first launch carrying experimental Starlink satellites was in 2019. AdvertisementA 1987 ban on CFCs helped slow the process, and by 2013, authorities were projecting that the ozone layer would repair itself within a few decades.

Persons: —, Elon Musk's, Mark Handley, University College London Elon Musk, CFCs, Starlink Organizations: Service, Elon, University of Southern California's Department, Astronautical Engineering, Business, SpaceX, Amazon, University College London Elon, European Space Agency, USC Locations: Ukraine, Antarctica, Brazil

☆ Amazon hit with $5.9 million fine for violating California labor law
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Annie Palmer | In Annierpalmer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

California's labor regulator on Tuesday said it fined Amazon nearly $6 million for violating a state law aimed at curtailing the use of onerous warehouse productivity quotas. The California Labor Commissioner's Office said it investigated two Amazon facilities in Moreno Valley and Redlands, both located east of Los Angeles, and found 59,017 violations of the state's Warehouse Quotas law, officials said. The Warehouse Quotas law went into effect in 2022 and requires employers to disclose productivity quotas to employees and government agencies, as well as any discipline workers may face for not meeting them. The law also prohibits employers from requiring warehouse employees to meet unsafe quotas preventing them from taking state-mandated meal and rest breaks or using the bathroom. The Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has also cited Amazon numerous times for safety violations.

Persons: Lilia Garcia, Brower, Sen, Ed Markey, It's, Maureen Lynch Vogel, they're Organizations: Amazon, California Labor Commissioner's Office, Labor, Occupational Safety, Health Administration Locations: California, Moreno Valley, Redlands, Los Angeles, Washington, New York, Minnesota, U.S

☆ This startup wants to create software in minutes using AI. Here's the 11-slide pitch deck Proofs used to raise $2.6 million in funding
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Callum Burroughs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read previewProofs, a startup that builds software using AI agents, has raised $2.6 million in pre-seed funding. The startup, based in San Francisco and Warsaw, is utilizing AI to speed up the process of developing proof-of-concept software for companies. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Proof claims that using AI agents can drastically reduce the time taken to develop custom software to minutes at a much-reduced cost compared to traditional processes. Advertisement"Every year you have around $700 billion of software being sold, but unlike out-of-the-box SaaS products, the bar to build and integrate customized software is higher," Pucek told Business Insider.

Persons: —, Bartek, Pucek Organizations: Service, Business, EarlyBird, Expeditions Fund, RTP Global Locations: San Francisco, Warsaw

☆ The 91-year-old owner of the iconic Hollywood Arby's has closed the restaurant after 55 years due to the pandemic and California's $20 minimum wage
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

"Truth is, I think it was the pandemic that did us in," 91-year-old owner Marilyn Leviton told KTLA-5. California's $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers and a need for new equipment also led to the restaurant's closure, she said. AdvertisementBeef sandwich chain Arby's has closed its restaurant on Hollywood's Sunset Boulevard after 55 years of operating under one owner. California raised its minimum wage for workers at quick-service restaurant chains to $20 an hour in April — 25% more than the state's general minimum wage. Speaking about the closure of her restaurant, Leviton said: "I'm awfully sorry that it came to this."

Persons: Marilyn Leviton, —, Leviton, Rich Fury, Arby's Organizations: KTLA, Service, Local, Business Locations: California, —

☆ A lower-risk and lower-cost way to play increased electricity usage around the country
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-17 | by ( Michael Khouw | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

I'll review a way to play increased electricity use as electric vehicle adoption progresses around the country. Eversource Energy (ES) , a public utility holding company, operates in the electric distribution, electric transmission, natural gas distribution, and water distribution segments. It is involved in transmitting and distributing electricity, solar power facilities, and natural gas distribution. Eversource Energy was incorporated in 1927 and is headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts. ES 1Y mountain Eversource Energy, 1-year The stock hasn't traded particularly well recently, but that may present an opportunity.

Persons: I've Organizations: California Air Resources Board, Nvidia, Eversource Energy, Utilities, Energy Locations: California, United States, Los Angeles, Connecticut , Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Springfield , Massachusetts

☆ There's a silver lining to California's $20 fast-food wage, restaurant bosses say: it's attracting better workers
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Restaurant executives say California's $20 wage for fast-food workers has brought them at least one clear advantage. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementRestaurant executives told Business Insider that California's new $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers has at least one clear silver lining for their businesses: Better-quality candidates are applying for jobs. California raised its minimum wage for workers at limited-service chains with at least 60 locations nationwide by 25% to $20 an hour on April 1. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Business Locations: California

☆ We finally have some evidence that California's new $20 fast food wage is hurting business
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-13 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Restaurants raised prices to offset the new wageCalifornia raised its minimum wage for workers at limited-service restaurants to $20 an hour on April 1. To offset their higher labor costs, restaurants have raised prices, turned to technology and automation like order kiosks, and considered reducing their opening hours. In-N-Out told KTVU that it had raised prices "incrementally" on April 1. Californian residents are divided: Some acknowledge that fast food is a tough gig and support the new minimum wage, while others say it will push prices up too much.

Persons: —, Burger King, Hottovy, Jack Organizations: Service, Golden State, Business Locations: Burger, California, Golden, Placer.ai, McDonald's

☆ Steve Jobs' widow, Laurene Powell Jobs, just spent $94 million on her 4th Malibu property in 10 years
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-13 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Laurene Powell Jobs has dropped millions of dollars on four adjacent oceanside properties in Malibu. The billionaire investor recently spent $94 million on a property, the LA Times reported. AdvertisementLaurene Powell Jobs, the billionaire investor and widow of the Apple founder Steve Jobs, recently dropped $94 million on a prime oceanfront property in Malibu, California, the Los Angeles Times reported. The Paradise Cove plot is the latest addition to Powell Jobs' growing portfolio of properties in one of the country's most affluent neighborhoods. Since 2015, Powell Jobs has spent more than $170 million on neighboring Malibu properties in an apparent effort to build a sprawling compound on some of Southern California's most expensive cliffs.

Persons: Laurene Powell Jobs, —, Steve Jobs, Powell Jobs Organizations: LA Times, Service, Apple, Los Angeles Times, Business Locations: oceanside, Malibu, Paradise, Malibu , California, Southern

☆ Raising Cane's co-CEO AJ Kumaran on California's fast-food minimum wage hike
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailRaising Cane's co-CEO AJ Kumaran on California's fast-food minimum wage hikeHosted by Brian Sullivan, “Last Call” is a fast-paced, entertaining business show that explores the intersection of money, culture and policy. Tune in Monday through Friday at 7 p.m. ET on CNBC.

Persons: Cane's, AJ Kumaran, Brian Sullivan, “ Organizations: CNBC

☆ OpenAI seems to be hiring undercover security guards at its office and it's creeping out local business owners
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-09 | by ( Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewOpenAI's office in San Francisco is crawling with undercover security guards who don't take kindly to questions, locals say. Photographers for The San Francisco Standard, an online local news outlet, said they recently noticed what looked like undercover security guards standing outside the company's office. OpenAI first moved into its 59,000-square-foot office in San Francisco's Mission District in July 2023. Iain Langlands, a cashier at a pet store just one block from the office, told the Standard that the "vibe" surrounding the OpenAI office is "secretive." California's Bureau of Security and Investigative Services — which issues security guard licenses — did not immediately return Business a request for comment from Business Insider.

Persons: —, Candace Combs, Combs, OpenAI, Iain Langlands, James Organizations: Service, The San Francisco, Business, San Francisco's Mission, Health Ceramics, California's, of Security, Services Locations: San Francisco, San Francisco's

☆ Americans who moved to Latin America for cheaper retirement, starting a new life, and better work options explain the pros and cons
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-06 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Business Insider spoke to five Americans who moved to Latin America, many for their retirements. All agreed that life is in many ways better in Latin America than in the US. She said she feels more welcome in Costa Rica than in Illinois, even with a language barrier. Gary Keenan, 71, disagrees that Costa Rica is cheaper than the US, though he's fine paying the upcharge. Living and working in natureMoving to Latin America has allowed some Americans to advance their careers and retirement goals while living a more serene life.

Persons: —, Janet Sussman, Sussman, " Sussman, Cheryl Sands, didn't, she'd, it's, Sands, she's, Gary Keenan, Keenan, Jose Rodriguez, He's, Andy Wiesmann, Medellín, he's, Wiesmann Organizations: Service, Business, Illinois -, Social Security, Costa Rica, US Locations: Florida, New York, Panama, Airbnbs, Latin America, America, Illinois, Illinois - Kentucky, Costa, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, New Mexico, Central, San Jose, Chicago, São Paulo, Brazil, Medellín, Colombia, Inland, Mexico, California, United States, South America

☆ Triple-digit temperatures to hit parts of California and Arizona in early-season heat wave
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-04 | by ( Evan Bush | Dana Griffin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

A view of transmission towers in flames as Corral Fire continue in San Joaquin County, California, United States on June 2, 2024. "It's coming early," said Eric Kurth, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Sacramento, California. The forecast suggests temperatures may climb to 113 degrees Fahrenheit in Phoenix and could reach 108 in California's Central Valley. The National Weather Service is forecasting a heat wave throughout much of the Southwest and parts of California from Tuesday through Thursday as a ridge of high pressure centers over the region. Following a bout of extreme pre-summer heat in Texas and Florida , California and Arizona are next in line for temperature spikes.

Persons: It's, Eric Kurth, Cecile Juliette, Kurth Organizations: National Weather Service, Fire, California Department of Forestry, Atmospheric Administration, Southwest, Associated, for Disease Control, AP Locations: San Joaquin County , California, United States, Sacramento , California, Phoenix, Central Valley, California, Texas, Florida , California, Arizona, Tracy , California, San Francisco, U.S, Maricopa County

☆ Lyft's CEO faces pushback after driving for the app and posting about how great it was
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-04 | by ( Alex Bitter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewSome Lyft drivers are deriding a LinkedIn post by the company's CEO after he spent an hour and a half shuttling customers around Napa Valley over the weekend. The CEO, David Risher, posted on Monday about a series of rides he completed in California's wine county. Related storiesSome comments on the post lauded the CEO for seeing what the job that keeps his company running is actually like. "Some people claim that Lyft drivers are friendlier, but that's a misconception since most of us drive for both companies." AdvertisementA Lyft spokesperson told Business Insider that Risher completed the rides without a status boost under the Lyft Rewards program.

Persons: —, David Risher, Risher, LinkedIn Risher, Lyft, Uber, commenter, Dara Khosrowshahi, He's, Khosrowshahi Organizations: Service, Lyft, Business, LinkedIn, Gilbert AZ, Tempe AZ, Drivers Locations: Napa Valley, California's, Napa, Gilbert, San Francisco

☆ I made $100,000 selling my backyard. Now a developer will use it to build more homes California so desperately needs.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( Jordan Pandy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. I have a moderate front yard that wraps around because it's a corner lot, and then a large backyard. You don't do anything with your backyard and you're always complaining about affordable housing for people in Sacramento. It would become its own separate lot with its own separate address, and a developer would build a stacked duplex on it. I hate yard work, and now I'm going to have to do a lot less of it.

Persons: —, Jeremy Cullifer, I've, It's, BuildCasa, Bill, it's, I'm, Cullifer, you've, We've Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Sacramento, New York City, California, It's

☆ Pee-wee's Hollywood Hills playhouse is up for sale for $5 million after actor Paul Reubens' death
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-02 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Paul Reubens bought his Los Feliz home for $415,000 with earnings from "Pee-wee's Big Adventure." Now, a year after his death from cancer, the estate has been listed for sale at $4.995 million. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementYou may not want to get mixed up with a guy like him, but the iconic loner and comedic actor Paul Reubens had great taste. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: Paul Reubens, —, Reubens, Allison Berry Organizations: Los, LA, Hollywood, Service, California's Hollywood Hills, Wall Street, Business Locations: California's, Pee

Rent costs across U.S. continue to fluctuate, but there are some major areas where prices are trending up year-over-year. California is the only state with two metro areas in the top five. The rise in rent for one-bedroom apartments in California's Stockton metro area was similar, going from $1,161 in 2023 to $1,175 in 2024 — a 1.2% increase. It is important to note that the Census Bureau defines the Albuquerque, New Mexico metro area to be part of the core-based statistical area of Albuquerque-Santa-Fe-Las Vegas, New Mexico combined statistical area, falling under the southwest and western regions of the United States. Despite the nationwide median rent trending down year-over-year, the following metro areas in the western U.S. have seen the highest increases in rent for 1-bedroom apartments, similar to several areas in the Northeast.

Organizations: U.S, CNBC, Census, Thousand, Venture, Stockton , California metros, Thousand Oaks Locations: California, Oxnard, Stockton , California, Ventura, Los Angeles, California's Stockton, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Santa, Las Vegas , New Mexico, United States, U.S

☆ An ex-California official quietly stole over $1.5 million of water in a heist that lasted decades, but mysteries remain
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A former California official pleaded guilty to conspiring to steal more than $1.5 million of water, but the decadeslong water heist case still has more questions than answers. The US attorney said Falaschi was responsible for stealing somewhere between $1.5 million and $3.5 million worth of water. Falaschi's plea agreement claims he's responsible for stealing only a fraction of the original $25 million prosecutors accused him of taking in the original indictment. The plea agreement also said Falaschi was one of several people involved in the misconduct and that he was unaware of the full extent of the misconduct. Of the water Falaschi took, the plea agreement said almost all of it was taken to "blend down and reuse drainage water, which helped protect farmland and improve water quality in the San Joaquin River."

Persons: Dennis Falaschi, Falaschi, should've, Robin Hood, he's Organizations: Service, US, Eastern, Eastern District of, Business, Prosecutors, Los Angeles Times, Times Locations: California, Fresno, Merced Counties, Eastern District, Eastern District of California, San Joaquin

☆ A jaywalker launched a campaign of revenge against a cop who gave him a $196 ticket, lawsuit says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewA Fresno police officer issued a California man with a ticket for jaywalking in 2019. But instead of taking the fine on the chin, John Christopher Spatafore launched a campaign of revenge against the cop, which included filing false police reports about him, according to a civil lawsuit. AdvertisementAccording to the local outlet, the officer's lawyer, Brian Whelan, described the lawsuit as addressing a "cyber campaign of hate and revenge" waged against the policeman and his family. According to the lawsuit, Spatafore then filed two false police reports against the officer. In the second, Spatafore alleged that the officer's wife was a victim of domestic violence, according to the lawsuit.

Persons: —, John Christopher Spatafore, John Doe, Brian Whelan, Spatafore Organizations: Service, Fresno, jaywalking, Business, Fresno Bee, Fresno City Hall Locations: California, Fresno

☆ McDonald’s franchisee owner Scott Rodrick on $5 value meal
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailMcDonald’s franchisee owner Scott Rodrick on $5 value mealMcDonald's franchisee owner Scott Rodrick joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss how California's $20 minimum wage hike in the fast-food industry has impacted the business, what a $5 value meal means for their business, and more.

Persons: Scott Rodrick

☆ Asian Americans were left off judge benches last year, employment data shows
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

That means the iconic profession is not only drastically underrepresenting Asian Americans, but historical data shows the community isn't making up ground like other minority populations. While the federal data may shock those outside the community, it connects to a long-documented problem of those who have historically held power mentoring others who look like them. Yet there has never been an Asian American judge appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. A Washington Post analysis found Biden has appointed the most non-white judges of any president, and approximately 14% have been Asian. It's also worth noting that the share of Asian judges has jumped around over the past decade rather than moving in a straight line.

Persons: Goodwin Liu, Lance Ito, Simpson, Biden, It's Organizations: Getty, U.S, Supreme, American Bar Association Locations: Asian, Washington

☆ Mom fined $88,000 after her children collected 72 clams — not seashells — at a California beach
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-25 | by ( Lauren Edmonds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read previewA California mother received a $88,000 fine after her children collected dozens of clams they believed were seashells. The residents dubbed Pismo Beach the "Clam Capital of the World" in 1947, according to the Pismo Beach Conference & Visitors Bureau. "My kids, they thought they were collecting seashells, but they were actually collecting clams, 72 to be exact," she told the outlet. "It was definitely one expensive trip to Pismo," Russ told the outlet. California's Department of Fish and Wildlife representatives did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Persons: —, Charlotte Russ, Harri Jarvelainen, Russ Organizations: Service, Pismo Beach Conference & Visitors Bureau, Business, Getty, ABC, California's Department of Fish, Wildlife Locations: Pismo, , California, San Luis Obispo County

☆ New pictures of the US Air Force's newest stealth bomber — the B-21 Raider — just dropped as flight testing continues
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The US Air Force just released more photos of the B-21 Raider, its newest stealth bomber. The long-range aircraft is working through flight testing in California. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementThe US Air Force on Wednesday published more photos of its newest stealth bomber, the B-21 Raider, as the penetrating strike aircraft continues to work through flight testing. The photos, captured in January and April, show the sleek-looking new bomber in the middle of its testing — consisting of ground testing, taxiing, and flight operations — at California's Edwards Air Force Base.

Persons: — Organizations: US Air Force, Pentagon, Service, Edwards Air Force Base, Business Locations: California

☆ This unexpected corner of the market offers quality dividend payers, Bank of America says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Darla Mercado | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Investors hunting for income ought to look to small-cap stocks for a few high-quality dividend payers, according to Bank of America. There are names within it that offer quality dividend yields, according to Jill Carey Hall, equity strategist at Bank of America, in a Monday research report. Further, once the Federal Reserve begins cutting rates, yields paid on cash will fall, and that will make these dividend payers even more attractive for income. Finally, Bank of America added Essential Properties Realty Trust to its list of buy-rated dividend payers. The stock has a dividend yield of 4.2%, and shares are up 7.5% in 2024.

Persons: Russell, Jill Carey, Peter Galbo, Utz, Alton Stump, Stump, Nick Joseph Organizations: Bank of America, Nasdaq, Federal Reserve, Brands, Properties Realty Trust, Citi Locations: West, Midwest, Southwest, Hanover , Pennsylvania, comps

☆ California's new 'Honest Pricing Law' will require cruise lines to be transparent about fees
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Lauren Edmonds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewA new California law will force cruise lines to be more transparent about their prices, bolstering a Biden administration crusade against junk fees. Senate Bill 478, also known as the "Honest Pricing Law," will go into effect on July 1. AdvertisementA Carnival Corp. representative told the outlet it would follow guidelines set out by the "Honest Pricing Law." Carnival Corp. is the parent company of brands like Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Holland America. Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

Persons: —, Biden, Bill, general's Organizations: Service, Business, Companies, Royal Caribbean International, Norweigan, The Washington, Corp, Carnival, Princess Cruises, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Royal, Carnival Corp, Cruise, Federal Trade Commission Locations: California, Royal Caribbean

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