Latest news with #Bowser
Axios
5 days ago
- Business
- Axios
Tipped wage standoff leaves D.C. restaurants in limbo — what's next
D.C.'s tipped wage fight is firing up after the D.C. Council nixed a proposal to replace Initiative 82 with a new minimum wage for tipped workers — but the debate remains on the table. Why it matters: Independent businesses say they're in crisis, workers worry about their wages, and there's no clear consensus on what to do about I-82. Driving the news: The Council this week voted to uphold the law phasing out the lower "tipped minimum wage," rejecting a proposed repeal in the upcoming budget 7-5. Council member Janeese Lewis George cited the will of voters (74% approved I-82 in the 2022 election) and the need to protect workers counting on higher pay. Yes, but: Another proposal to replace I-82 could materialize by the council's second, final budget vote on July 28. Mayor Muriel Bowser — who's pushed for a repeal — said she's "optimistic" about reaching a final budget that "lives up to our DC values," but noted "there are issues our city needs the Council to move faster on." First in line: "predictability in the restaurant industry." Catch up quick: I-82 requires businesses to gradually pay tipped staff like servers and bartenders more, regardless of tips. The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) and some tipped workers have joined Bowser in calling for a repeal, citing higher costs and falling tips as businesses add service fees. Plus, record restaurant closures last year — and nearly 60 so far this year, per RAMW, which projects over 100 by 2026. Meanwhile, proponents argue I-82 has led to higher, more consistent and equitable wages — especially for workers in lower positions who might not speak English or have their voices heard. The big picture: Earlier this summer, the D.C. Council paused the next wage bump — from $10 to $12/hour — after RAMW and Bowser warned it could push more small restaurants to close. Council Chair Phil Mendelson presented a "compromise" a day before Monday's 2026 budget vote: Repeal I-82, set a new $8 base wage for tipped staff, and create a $20/hour "super minimum wage" for anyone who doesn't earn that in tips. The plan would have also capped restaurant service fees at 10% to encourage tipping. Reality check: I-82 isn't solely responsible for tough operating conditions — there's also pandemic repercussions, inflation, high rents and mass DMV layoffs. But, anti-I-82 groups argue, wage law is one of the few things the city can control. Plus, they argue, tipped workers still make D.C.'s $17.95/hr minimum wage if they don't get enough in tips. Employers are legally required to make it up.
CBC
5 days ago
- CBC
Baseball-bat killer who successfully challenged murder parole provision in B.C. court gets life
The B.C. Supreme Court has sentenced a man to life in prison with no parole or 25 years for beating his ex-girlfriend to death with a baseball bat as she slept beside her young daughter in 2021. The court ruling posted Monday says Luciano Mariani's killing of Caroline Bernard in her home in Bowser, B.C., was a crime of "obscene brutality" that was planned in advance for months. Mariani had pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, but filed a successful constitutional challenge against a provision in Canada's Criminal Code preventing those convicted of the crime from applying for parole for 25 years. The court agreed in January that it was unconstitutional to treat all offenders convicted of first-degree murder the same, but Justice Robin Baird says in sentencing that there was "nothing disproportionate about the mandatory penalty" for Mariani. Baird's ruling says the murder was "exceptionally violent," cold-blooded and against a vulnerable former intimate partner. Judge Baird's ruling says Mariani may apply to reduce his parole eligibility period after 15 years, but there's no "guarantee that it will be granted." "This was, it goes quite without saying, a crime of obscene brutality with maximally aggravating features fully justifying the severe penalty that the law requires me to impose," Baird's ruling says. "The damage that you have done to Ms. Bernard's family and friends is profound and permanent. The magnitude of the insult and injury that you have inflicted upon our local community is enormous. And first and foremost, you have brutally extinguished the life of a fine young woman who was beloved by all who knew her."
The Sun
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Trump weighs federal takeover of Washington DC, criticises New York leadership
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump revealed his administration is evaluating a federal takeover of Washington DC's governance, citing dissatisfaction with local leadership. During a White House cabinet meeting, Trump hinted at extending similar intervention to New York, criticising its Democratic mayoral nominee. Trump reiterated his authority to impose federal oversight, claiming his team could manage the capital more effectively than elected officials. 'We have tremendous power at the White House to run places when we have to. We could run D.C.,' he stated. His chief of staff, Susie Wiles, reportedly maintains contact with DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, who advocates for statehood. The District of Columbia operates under the Home Rule Act, granting limited self-governance while Congress controls its budget. A federal takeover would require legislative approval to revoke the act, an unlikely scenario given Democratic opposition. Statehood for DC, supported by Democrats, would grant its 700,000 residents congressional representation—a move Republicans resist over political concerns. Trump dismissed Bowser's governance, asserting an appointed leader would reduce crime and improve administration. 'We would run it so good, it would be run so proper,' he claimed. Meanwhile, he lambasted New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, calling him a 'disaster' and vowing to 'straighten out' the city. Bowser's office declined to comment, while Mamdani's team did not immediately respond to Reuters. - REUTERS
Tom's Guide
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Nintendo takes on Prime Day with this massive Switch game sale from $3 — 17 deals I'd shop now
Nintendo's summer sale is live, and it's giving Prime Day a run for its money! Right now some of the best Nintendo Switch games are seeing epic discounts that you don't want to miss. Right now Nintendo has Switch game deals from $3. This includes some massive indie hits like Enter the Gungeon on sale for $3, as well as some of Nintendo's finest like Super Mario Odyssey on sale for $39. However, don't totally discount Prime Day's offerings. Physical collectors can shop Switch game deals from $19 at Amazon. One of my favorite deals is Sonic X Shadow Generations on sale for $29 at Amazon. My favorite Switch game deals are listed below! Also see our Nintendo Switch 2 restocks live blog to score yourself a new console, and make sure to stay tuned to our Prime Day deals live blog for all the best sales as they come in. Super Meat Boy was one of the first indie game franchises to take the world by storm, so it's awesome to see this little guy make a comeback on Nintendo Switch. You'll need to navigate a gauntlet of brutally tough action platforming levels and boss battles, with new procedurally generated endless runner stages giving this entry in the series its name. Try your best to beat 200 fast paced levels in Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble. Each course is physics based, meaning you'll need to roll, tilt and turn your character with precision to make it through. You can play each level alone or with friends through local or online multiplayer, and there are even customization options to dress up your favorite monkey in style. A terrific return to form for the medium's most famous hedgehog. Sonic Superstars must rank as one of the finest series entries in the iconic franchise over the past 15 years. It wisely takes Sonic and chums back to their 16-bit platforming roots, delivering old school speedster thrills that will any gamer who ever owned a Sega Genesis/Mega Drive will love. Sonic X Shadow Generations combines a remaster of 2011's Sonic Generations, a love letter to the Blue Blur that remains a fan-favorite to this day, with a new Shadow-focused campaign. It's a strong package and perfectly timed with the theatrical release of the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 movie. A full remake of the original Super Mario RPG released in 1996 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), this role-playing game sees Mario, Bowser, Peach and some new friends embark on an adventure to repair a wish-granting star. With updated graphics, gameplay and new cinematics, Super Mario RPG has never looked (or played) this well, but the original game's charms have been carefully retained as well. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is one of the most popular Switch games available. Even years after its launch it continues to dominate the best-sellers chart. This means any form of discount is pretty rare, but you can currently save on this must-have family-friendly hit. And if you want even more courses, be sure to pick up the Booster Pack DLC that adds 48 new tracks including fan-favorite picks. Mario & Luigi: Brothership follows Mario and Luigi on Shipshape Island, blending RPG combat, puzzles, and exploration across themed islands. Players team up with quirky characters, using Bros. Moves and Attacks that combine nostalgia with modern mechanics and charming humor. While our Pokémon Scarlet and Violet review noted that this game had some performance issues, there's still plenty of fun to be had here. So if you've been holding off on trying out Game Freak's take on open-world Pokémon, it's now seen a discount. Travel to the sprawling new region of Paldea in Pokémon Scarlet to battle gym leaders, uncover new Pokémon and, of course, catch 'em all... Ultimate by name, ultimate by nature. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate brings together every single fighter in the franchise's history for a showdown of epic proportions. This hugely popular party game is now on sale. This side-scrolling adventure is a wonderfully refreshing spin on the classic Mario formula. Venturing to the Flower Kingdom, you'll discover stage-altering Wonder Flowers which can warp levels, create new platforming challenges and even turn Mario into an elephant. Playable in up to four-player co-op, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a platforming marvel for the entire family and one of the very best Nintendo Switch games you can play now. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the highly-anticipated sequel to Breath of the Wild, and it doesn't disappoint. Step back into the world of Hyrule, and embark on Link's most perilous quest to date. You'll need to master new abilities such as Ultrahand and Fuse in order to unravel the mystery of what happened to Princess Zelda and defeat the sinister Ganondorf.
NBC Sports
01-07-2025
- Politics
- NBC Sports
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is concerned Commanders' stadium deal will collapse
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser wants to bring the Commanders back to the site of RFK Stadium. She's worried that's not going to happen. Appearing Tuesday on The Team 980, Bowser was asked by Kevin Sheehan to put a number on her level of concern regarding the deal, with 0 being 'not concerned' and 5 being 'very concerned.' She went with a 4. The problem is that the D.C. Council isn't moving quickly enough for her or the Commanders' liking. The goal is to get approval in place so that the project can get started. The deal between the Commanders and Bowser calls for D.C. Council to approve the stadium by July 15. The team recently said that even a small delay could keep the new facility from opening in 2030. D.C. Council is clearly operating on its own timeline. Public hearings have been set for July 29 and 30, two weeks after the July 15 deadline comes and goes.
