Latest news with #McDuffie
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
DC Council votes to pause July 1 wage bump under Initiative 82
WASHINGTON () — The D.C. Council voted to pause Initiative 82, the voter-passed ballot measure that phases out the tipped minimum wage. 'Pausing the July 1 wage increase allows the Council to fully consider the data and the impact on our local restaurant industry as well as to assess the implications of federal tax changes on tipped income,' at-large councilmember Kenyan McDuffie said. Hospitality workers rally in DC to save Initiative 82 Under I-82, the tipped minimum wage gradually increases over the next several years until the wage matches the citywide minimum wage. The next wage increase would've gone into effect on July 1. The measure was passed overwhelmingly by voters in November 2022. However, restaurant owners have claimed the measure has made it more expensive to do business, pushing many to close shop altogether. One of the latest includes Haikan in Shaw, which posted on social media, 'the challenges of food costs, Initiative 82 and the economic climate in the city brought us to this decision.' It's why Mayor Muriel Bowser has proposed a full repeal of the measure in her 2026 budget. 'I would ask people to support this emergency bill,' said McDuffie, referring to the pause. 'To help provide clarity to businesses and workers as the council deliberates the budget.' Eight council members voted yes on the pause, though several stated they would not support a full repeal. Councilmember Brianne Nadeau voted no. 'A pause is akin to not respecting the will of the voters,' she said. 'But on top of that, we have workers here in D.C. who have been expecting this raise. People make plans when they know they're getting a raise.' Bowser proposes repealing Initiative 82 in upcoming budget Many of those people filled the council chambers on Tuesday, including Rachelle Yeung, who works at Aslin on 14th Street. 'I-82 has absolutely increased my pay,' she said. 'I make the tipped minimum wage currently and my employer is not willing to pay me more than the minimum. So the raises provided by I-82 is essential to increasing my wages.' Yeung, who has worked in the service industry since 2006, is against both the pause and the full repeal. 'I'm absolutely against the Mayor's proposal to repeal. That would essentially cut our wages in half,' she said. 'And who amongst us can afford to tell our medical providers, our cell phone providers, our landlords that we can only pay half our bills?' Many argued the restaurant industry is flourishing in D.C., despite I-82. 'Full service restaurant employment is back to pre-pandemic levels,' said councilmember Matt Frumin, reading from a report he requested from the city budget committee. 'The three months with the highest full-service restaurant employment since the data has been collected, since 1990, are No. 1, the most recent month for which we have data, April 2025. The next most recent month we have data, March 2025. And the next most recent month, February 205,' he said. 'The employment is strong. The wages we see from the data from the budget office show going up.' Others disagree. 'Certainly, the law boosted the cash wages employees are getting paid, but unfortunately, it's had an adverse effect on tips,' said Rebekah Paxton, research director with the Employment Policies Institute. Councilmembers evaluate impact of Initiative 82 on restaurant owners, employees She maintains I-82 has had the opposite effect than intended. 'What we're trying to get at is what is the overall take-home pay workers are getting now versus before hand,' Paxton said. 'The [Bureau of Labor Statistics] takes into account tips, overtime and all of those things and that is the data source that is showing employees are taking home less in tips. Maybe they're getting a higher hourly wage, but overall they're taking home less than before.' People on both sides of the issue said they plan to testify about the proposal to fully repeal I-82 during a public hearing Wednesday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Grassroots relief hub brings hope to north St. Louis tornado survivors
ST. LOUIS – From devastation to determination: What started as a quiet corner in north St. Louis has quickly become a symbol of resilience. A grassroots relief effort is rallying neighbors, churches, and even motorcycle clubs in a powerful show of unity. For those involved, recovery isn't just a goal. It's a daily mission. One parking lot on Euclid Avenue may look empty now, but every day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., it transforms into a lifeline for north St. Louis tornado survivors. Since just hours after the storm hit, hot meals, clothing, showers, and essential supplies have been offered right here, just steps away from the severely damaged Roosevelt Town Apartments. City Hope St. Louis's pastor Mikey Robinson and Committeewoman Yolonda Yancie organized this grassroots relief hub within five hours of the tornado hitting. They chose this site because of how close it is to the impacted residents, many of whom are still without power. 'Over here, we've had clothes for the children. We've had clothes for adults. Undergarments for our seniors. A lot of the seniors in the building without power didn't have those necessities, personal necessities. We have men's items, socks and laundry detergent—things we take everyday for granted,' said Yanice. World Vision donated towels, pillows, and humidifiers. Local caterers have pitched in with hot meals. And last Sunday, they even hosted a full community dinner. At least 700 meals are served daily here. 'I get the resources. I've been making phone calls, driving the van to pick up ice from Arctic ice, and delivering. Whatever I can do,' said Marcia McDuffie with Hope Nation International Church. McDuffie is one of many volunteers helping power this effort, including a motorcycle group who didn't just ride in but rolled up with hot meals and solar lamps. 'They have given away clothes. They cooked hot meals. They didn't give away just hot dogs, hamburgers, or sandwiches. They had mashed potatoes and corn. They gave away hygiene items, batteries, and solar lamps,' said McDuffie. 'I've seen so many people with just with nothing, and I was like, we got to do something. I mean, you know, for the people. So far, it's been so good,' said Ty Frazier, National Vice President of Dem Boyz Motorcycle Club. From faith-based groups to the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, dozens have stepped up to make this possible. McDuffie says if you or someone you know needs help, call her directly at 314-662-7129. They plan to remain on site every day until further notice. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Miami Herald
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Miami erupted in a riot after McDuffie verdict 45 years ago. Why we can't forget
Last Saturday, I sat with Dr. Marvin Dunn and Shanreka Perry under the great big oak tree in front of Florida International University's library. It was a beautiful day — cool breezes chasing away the heat, and leaves rustling softly under drifting clouds. It was on such a day 45 years ago — May 17, 1980 — that Miami erupted in violence when word reached our city that an all-white jury in Tampa acquitted four white Metro Dade police officers in the death of Black insurance agent Arthur McDuffie. McDuffie, 33, a Marine, was beaten into a coma in December 1979 at North Miami Avenue and Northeast 38th Street after he fled cops on his motorcycle and they chased him. He died in the hospital. Somehow, sitting under the big tree seemed appropriate to me. Earlier, Dr. Dunn had explained the significance of sitting under a big tree in the Black community. He told the group that in every Black community there is a tree, where elderly Black men meet to impart their knowledge to a younger generation. His words brought back pictures of old men in my Liberty City neighborhood, sitting under a tree on wooden carts and broken-back chairs playing checkers. I can still hear the scratching sound of bottle caps as they slammed them down on the red-and-black checkerboard, showing off as the younger men watched and listened. Under the tree was where all the neighborhood news was told — the good news about Black accomplishments that never made the Miami Herald and hadn't yet made The Miami Times, the Black-owned newspaper. It was a sacred space where life, and death, was celebrated. So, on this 17th day of May, 45 years after the McDuffie riot, sitting under this great tree with Dr. Marvin Dunn telling our story, seemed the right place to be. I looked out at the people who had gathered to hear our stories. Seeing their faces, I realized how much has changed in Miami over the past 45 years, and yet how much has stayed the same. For while we have grown in many areas, some of the same old problems — bigotry and hatred, to name two — are deeply embedded. And now some people want to destroy our history — our story — and our contributions to this country. This is a threat not only to Blacks, but to all Americans. It's one of the reasons that 'Sitting under the tree with Dr. Dunn' as he teaches and celebrates our history is so important. It was especially so on May 17. Some of us came to remember that day. Some who weren't born in 1980 came to learn the truth. And so there we were, a scattering of young and old, Black and white, sitting peacefully as the story of the McDuffie riot unfolded from the mouths of some of us who were there. I spoke first — the memory of the fateful day still as fresh in my mind as though it had happened yesterday. It was a Saturday afternoon, and I was just finishing up my weekly housecleaning chores when the phone by the kitchen door rang. I ran to answer it, and heard the voice of a classmate, yelling into the phone: 'Bea, the N---- have gone crazy over this thing [the verdict]! They are headed down to the Civic Center to tear up things…' I remembered the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. I knew trouble was brewing. This would be a riot like we had never seen before. I told my sons to stay close to home that night. I was right to do so. The violence erupted almost immediately after I got that phone call. One of the first victims was 10-year-old Shanreka Perry. As word of the acquittal reached her neighborhood, and Blacks were starting to take to the streets in protest, Shanreka was oblivious to what was going on around her. She was busy playing softball with some of her playmates. As she played, a car filled with whites — Michael Kulp, 18, his brother Jeffrey, 22, and Debra Getman, 23, unknowingly drove into the developing riot. They were on their way home from a day at the beach. As they drove, their car was attacked and pelted with rocks and bottles, smashing the windshield. The car spun out of control hitting Shanreka, pinning her between the building and the car, and hitting another pedestrian, Albert Nelson, 75. The mob dragged the Kulp brothers out of the car and beat them so severely that Jeffrey died of his wounds on June 12 at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Michael was left with severe injuries. Debra escaped with minor injuries and was hidden by neighbors until she was able to leave via a Black taxi driver. While brave neighbors tried to save Shanreka by pulling her away from the wreckage, pulling freshly washed bed sheets off a clothesline to wrap her mangled leg, they couldn't save her left leg. Shanreka remembered, 'They couldn't get an ambulance to me, but a Magic City Cab (Black-owned) was in the area and that's how they got me to the hospital.' Shanreka, now a retired Miami-Dade corrections officer, is a picture of resilience. She made it with the support of her 'village' — her family and friends, many of whom were with her Saturday under the tree. She said the ordeal never made her want to be treated differently from her siblings or her playmates. And she was never bitter. She thanked the man who helped her through some of her darkest days of recovery, her physical therapist, Curtis Clark, who was present with us under the tree. 'He never gave up on me and wouldn't let me give up,' Shanreka said. 'Throughout my life, he has always been there to support me, not matter what.' Kind of like Dr. Dunn. At 84, he never gives up on telling the truth about our history, which is why he was one of the seven honorees at Mosaic Miami's 2025 Silver Medallion Humanitarian Dinner on May 18. He was presented with the Robert H. Traurig Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in preserving history. The other Silver Medallion honorees were Alan and Vivian Dimond, of Greenberg Traurig and Bayshore Grove Capital, respectively; Richard Milstein, Akerman; Shabbir Motorwala, Coalition of South Florida Muslim Organizations; Madeline Pumariega, president of Miami Dade College; and the Rev. Guillermo Garcia-Tuñón, president of Belen Jesuit Preparatory School.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kansas City Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie earns a spot on Pro Football Focus' 25 under 25 list
The accolades continue to roll in for the Kansas City Chiefs as one of their top players earns a distinguished honor. Chiefs starting cornerback Trent McDuffie was announced on the Pro Football Focus 25 under 25 list, which features the best players in the NFL under 25 years old. McDuffie earned the spot for the second consecutive year and ranked fifth. Advertisement "McDuffie went from being a top-five nickel cornerback in PFF overall grade for Steve Spagnuolo's defense in 2023 to a top-five outside cornerback in 2024. He is the NFL's highest-graded cornerback since 2023 (89.7)." Wrote Jonathon Marci. "McDuffie has earned an 89.4 PFF coverage grade since entering the league in 2022, which is a top-five mark among all cornerbacks and makes him the only one in the top 10 to have spent more than 25% of their career snaps in the slot." Since being selected No. 21 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, McDuffie has emerged as one of the NFL's best cornerbacks. He's tallied 27 passes defensed, seven forced fumbles, two interceptions, and 4.5 sacks in his career. The former Washington Huskies standout was a first-team All-Pro in 2023 and a second-team selection in 2024. This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie earns a spot on PFF's 25 under 25 list
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chiefs Trent McDuffie Praised As Top Cornerback
The Kansas City Chiefs have enjoyed a lot of success the past few seasons, and some of that can be attributed to some solid player for one of their young stars. In a recent article by PFF's Jonathon Macri, he ranks who he believes are the top 25 players under the age of 25 in the NFL. At No. 5, he has Chiefs defensive back Trent McDuffie ranked as the best young cornerback in the league. Advertisement "McDuffie went from being a top-five nickel cornerback in PFF overall grade for Steve Spagnuolo's defense in 2023 to a top-five outside cornerback in 2024," Macri writes. "He is the NFL's highest-graded cornerback since 2023." His first two years in the league, McDuffie did not record an interception, but he was perhaps the best tackling corner in the league. But now, Chiefs defensive coordinator Stever Spagnuolo has him on the outside. He recorded his first two career interceptions in 2024, and he was tied for sixth in the NFL in passes defended with 13. He was also able to show his versatility with six tackles for loss and four quarterback hits. All of this led him to be named to one of the All-Pro teams for the second time in just his first three seasons in the league. Advertisement The Chiefs fell short of the three-peat this past season, losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl. McDuffie and the rest of the team's defense will be looking to help the team get back to the mountaintop. Related: Chiefs New WR Dubbed Most Impactful Late-Round Pick of NFL Draft Related: Chiefs Win Projection Revealed as 8-Straight Achievement
