Seven states report “very high” COVID-19 levels in wastewater. California’s levels match last winter’s peak for the first time. Wastewater surveillance provides early warning of community spread. This method detected COVID-19 increases 4-10 days before clinical case reports in previous waves. Los Angeles County Experiences Significant Increase Axios L.A. County’s wastewater COVID levels reach 27% of winter peak. Daily average cases rose from 215 to 307 in early July. The county, with over 10 million residents, serves as a bellwether. Historical data shows L.A. County often predicts national trends. FLiRT Variants Drive New COVID Wave Hindustan Times Two new variants,…
Author: Krishna Bora
California raised the minimum wage for fast-food workers to $20/hour on April 1, 2023. This law affects restaurants with 60 or more locations. The increase represents a 25% jump from the previous $16/hour wage. California’s minimum wage is now the highest in the nation for fast-food workers. Price Hikes Follow Wage Increase Fox Business Fast-food chains raised menu prices in response to the wage hike. Increases ranged from mid-single digits to mid-teens percentages. McDonald’s, for example, raised prices by about 8%. Historically, a 10% minimum wage increase typically results in a 0.36% increase in restaurant prices. Foot Traffic Declines Post-Wage…
Taylor’s Sausage Inc. has recalled 74 pounds of ready-to-eat Landjaeger sausage. The recall affects products sold in California and Oregon. Routine testing revealed undeclared soy in the sausages. This recall highlights the importance of accurate allergen labeling in food products. Undeclared Soy Allergen Prompts Action ABC27 Soy, one of nine major allergens, was not listed on the product label. The FDA requires clear labeling of these nine allergens on all food products. Soy allergies affect approximately 0.4% of children and 0.3% of adults in the U.S. Accurate labeling is crucial for consumer safety and informed purchasing decisions. Affected Product Details…
The Post Fire has consumed over 15,600 acres northwest of Los Angeles. Strong winds fueled the fire’s rapid spread along Interstate 5. Authorities evacuated over 1,000 people from the affected areas. This wildfire represents a significant threat to both property and air quality in the region. Wind-Driven Flames Defy Containment Efforts Trevor Bexon Strong winds have propelled the wildfire, making containment challenging. California experiences an average of 7,000 wildfires annually. Wind speeds in the affected area reached up to 30 mph, exacerbating fire conditions. The fire’s rapid spread underscores the dangerous combination of high winds and dry vegetation. Dry Conditions…
Park officials have noticed an increasing problem with improperly disposed toilet paper. Visitors are leaving used tissue in wilderness areas, especially near Rancheria Falls. This practice damages the environment and detracts from the park’s beauty. In 2023, park rangers reported a 30% increase in toilet paper litter compared to the previous year. The Perils of Burying TP SavvyDime Many visitors attempt to bury their used toilet paper. This method is ineffective as weather and erosion often expose the waste. Animals may dig up the tissue for nesting material. Studies show that buried toilet paper can take up to 3 years…
Cybersecurity researchers uncovered a file containing nearly 10 billion unique passwords. Hackers posted this file, named RockYou2024, on July 4, 2023. Experts believe it’s the largest password leak in history. The leak surpasses the previous record of 8.4 billion passwords from the RockYou2021 breach. Origins of Leaked Passwords The Hindu The leaked passwords come from over 4,000 databases breached in the past 20 years. Researchers found a mix of old and new data in the compilation. About 1.5 billion passwords are from breaches between 2021 and 2024. This demonstrates the ongoing nature of data breaches, with an average of 500…
Museum curator Kirsha Kaechele moved Picasso artworks into a women’s restroom. This decision came after a discrimination complaint about a female-only exhibit. The restroom now displays two paintings and a drawing by Picasso. This unusual exhibition highlights the intersection of art, gender, and public spaces. ‘Ladies Lounge’ Original Concept CNN MONA opened the ‘Ladies Lounge’ installation in December 2020. The exhibit offered women a lavish space with art, food, and drinks. A male butler served the female visitors in this green velvet-draped room. The concept aimed to create an exclusive experience for women, attracting approximately 50,000 visitors in its first…
Consumer prices rose 3.0% in June 2024 compared to the previous year. This rate outperformed economists’ expectations. Inflation has cooled for four consecutive months. The current rate marks significant progress from the 9% peak experienced earlier. Fed Faces Rate Cut Pressure Bonnie Cash/Getty Images The cooling inflation may pressure the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates. The Fed previously forecasted rate cuts in late 2023. Current inflation remains 1 percentage point above the Fed’s 2% target. The Fed has maintained high interest rates to combat inflation since March 2022. Gas Prices Offset Other Increases ABC7 News Declining gas prices in…
Target will stop accepting personal checks on July 15, 2024. The retailer cites “extremely low volumes” of check usage as the reason. This decision aligns Target with other retailers who have already discontinued check acceptance. Personal check usage has declined by 70% since 2000, according to the Federal Reserve. Elderly Consumers May Face Challenges CNN The discontinuation may affect elderly consumers who prefer checks. Approximately 55% of check users are over 55 years old. Some older adults may struggle to adapt to digital payment methods. Only 61% of adults over 65 own smartphones, compared to 96% of those aged 18-29.…
Oregon police recovered 4,153 stolen Lego sets. The sets hold a total value exceeding $200,000. Authorities seized the items on July 3, 2024. This bust ranks among the largest Lego thefts in recent U.S. history. Three-Month Investigation Concludes Successfully Facebook / Springfield Police Department – Oregon Springfield Police Department conducted a three-month investigation. They partnered with loss prevention teams from major retailers. The investigation targeted a local store called “Brick Builders”. Police investigations of organized retail crime typically last 3-6 months on average. Store Owner Faces Charges FOX 13 Tampa Bay Authorities served a warrant to 47-year-old Ammon Henrikson. Henrikson…