D.C. voters overwhelmingly authorised a poll initiative Tuesday to boost the minimal wage for District staff who obtain ideas, after months of debate about its results on town’s eating places and their staff.
Washington, D.C
D.C. voters approve higher minimum wage for tipped workers

On Tuesday, voters reiterated their help for the change. With most votes counted, the “sure” vote on the initiative had a commanding lead, in line with tallies from the D.C. Board of Elections, and the Related Press referred to as the competition in favor of the measure.
The measure roiled the District this election season as restaurateurs who favor the present system squared off with initiative proponents who declare meals companies don’t pay their staff pretty. Servers and bartenders had been divided on the query, with some arguing for the safety of a better wage and others fearing much less take-home pay in an setting the place tipping would possibly stop to be the norm.
Servers and different tipped staff within the District earn a minimal wage decrease than non-tipped staff. Although employers are supposed to trace ideas to make sure their staff earn at the very least the minimal wage, a latest research by advocates favoring the initiative confirmed that solely round 35 p.c do.
Ryan O’Leary, a former restaurant employee and labor organizer who proposed Initiative 82, mentioned the tipped wage is a part of the “legacy of slavery,” explaining that restaurant homeowners who employed African Individuals didn’t traditionally want to pay them, forcing them to depend on ideas. Awaiting outcomes of the initiative in a Northeast D.C. brewery amid chocolate bars supplied by Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, an initiative funder, and dozens of kegs, he mentioned he hoped the initiative would get rid of the tipped wage as soon as and for all.
“I’m hopeful we are going to win by greater than final time,” he mentioned.
Elizabeth Falcon, govt director of DC Jobs With Justice, which helped fund the research, mentioned final month that employers with tipped staff “simply shouldn’t function so otherwise from all of our different companies.”
“Eating places are an business with one of many highest charges of wage theft,” she mentioned. “There’s widespread noncompliance.”
Annie Herhold, a 34-year-old former waitress who had simply voted at Oyster-Adams Bilingual College in Woodley Park, mentioned she needed to conduct analysis earlier than voting for Initiative 82, however the Virginia Seashore native mentioned she helps paying tipped staff extra.
“I did some analysis and located that, sure, it would put strain on companies, however in the end you wish to ensure individuals receives a commission,” she mentioned.
Restaurateurs and a few tipped staff, nevertheless, argued that the employees would possibly make much less if the tipped minimal wage had been eradicated. If eating places add service fees to cowl the elevated wages, they worry, diners would possibly reply by chopping again on tipping, inflicting servers’ pay to say no. And if eating places are confronted with increased labor prices, they argue, some might exit of enterprise.
“I don’t suppose that is placing extra {dollars} in any of the servers’ pockets,” Geoff Tracy, proprietor of two Chef Geoff’s eating places in Northwest Washington, mentioned final month. “The system now we have proper now is a reasonably good one.”
“Initiative 82 was not supported by tipped staff or restaurant homeowners and operators,” Julie Sproesser, interim govt director of the Restaurant Affiliation Metropolitan Washington, mentioned in a press release after the measure handed. “We’re disillusioned with its passage and the brand new actuality that awaits our vibrant business throughout a time of already difficult financial restoration. This measure will disrupt our metropolis’s lots of of small and independently owned eating places and restrict the incomes potential of tipped staff, whereas additionally having regional repercussions.”
In Anacostia — the place Initiative 82’s predecessor, Initiative 77, carried out nicely in 2018 — 54-year-old Horace Dempsey mentioned he voted “no” on the measure as a result of it might worsen inflation and restrict wages for tipped staff.
“I feel it’s unhealthy for inflation,” Dempsey, a D.C. native and registered Democrat, mentioned as he left Barry Farm Recreation Heart. “I actually simply suppose it’s unhealthy for the individuals which might be working.”
Although initiative advocates claimed 90 p.c of tipped staff help it, critics mentioned this was not the case. Jason Cannata, 39, a former bar and restaurant employee, mentioned his recollection from 2018 was that many tipped staff opposed the measure as a result of they’ve the potential to earn extra underneath the present system.
“My understanding from final time is that most individuals working for bars and eating places are in opposition to it,” he mentioned. “[The business owners] already must pay the minimal wage, if there’s a distinction, so I rejected it. They’re already making minimal wage it doesn’t matter what, proper?”
Some voters had been reluctant to take a facet. When legal professional Nick Marrone left Anacostia’s Union Temple Baptist Church along with his 2-year-old daughter Diana in his arms, he snapped an image of them sporting “I Voted” stickers with extensive smiles. However he determined to depart the again of the poll, the place Initiative 82 was discovered, clean.
“There’s plenty of tipped staff that might reasonably have the information and so they’re fearful that they’re going to lose the information if the minimal wage goes up,” Marrone, 38, mentioned. “Fairly frankly, I used to be very on the fence with it.”
The initiative additionally spurred teams on either side of the talk, together with the anti-initiative Nationwide Restaurant Affiliation, to open their pockets. The measure’s opponents raised round $643,000 to quash it, whereas supporters raised round $439,000 to get it by way of, in line with marketing campaign filings.
How the initiative will have an effect on the District’s sturdy eating financial system isn’t clear. D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D-At Giant), who led the Initiative 77 repeal effort in 2018 and received reelection Tuesday, has indicated he doesn’t wish to repeal the initiative twice.
Tia Watkins, who voted at Takoma Elementary College, the place she additionally works, mentioned the initiative was probably the most urgent subject on the poll. She hopes its passage will ship a message to the D.C. Council to not overturn the need of the voters. “Possibly the second time is the attraction,” she mentioned. “Possibly it’s just a little center finger to the council: We’re nonetheless going to vote for it.”
Michael Brice-Saddler, Omari Daniels, Hayden Godfrey and Julie Zauzmer Weil contributed to this report.

Washington, D.C
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority returns to D.C. for 57th National Convention

Andrea Stevens
AFRO Staff Writer
astevens@afro.com
Thousands of members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority gathered in the nation’s capital for the organization’s 57th National Convention, celebrating more than 111 years of sisterhood, scholarship and service. The biennial event, held July 8-13, welcomed more than 20,000 attendees to Washington, D.C., where the sorority was founded in 1913.
Founded by 22 collegiate women on the campus of Howard University, Delta Sigma Theta is one of the largest historically Black sororities, with more than 350,000 initiated members and over 1,000 chapters worldwide. The return to its birthplace marked a meaningful homecoming for many members and served as a powerful reminder of the sorority’s legacy and continued impact.
Elsie Cooke-Holmes, the 27th international president and chair of the board of directors, welcomed attendees and reflected on the significance of the convention.
“This is Delta’s home, and I know for some of my D9 (Divine Nine) brothers and sisters, you’re at home too,” she said. “This convention is more than a convening — it’s a homecoming of strength and purpose. A sacred opportunity to reflect on where we’ve been, what we’ve built and the vision we carry forward as we continue to serve.”

The five-day event featured a mix of business sessions, service initiatives, educational forums and cultural celebrations. One of the highlights was the public meeting held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, featuring remarks from civic leaders, educators and national figures who applauded the sorority’s commitment to social action, economic development and public service.
Several awards were presented during the public meeting, but for the AFRO team, the Lillian Award stood out with deep personal significance.
Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, publisher of the AFRO, received the Lillian Award. She is the granddaughter of the award’s namesake and a descendant of one of the sorority’s founders. The honor has been a part of her family’s legacy for generations. Dr. Draper shared a heartfelt tribute to her grandmother.

“‘Be strong. We’re not here to play, to dream, to drift. We have hard work to do and loads to lift.’ That hymn was my grandmother’s favorite — not just a melody, but a mandate,” Draper said. “She didn’t just hum it; she lived it. She leaned on those words through joy and heartbreak, from trials to triumph. She then passed that strength on to her family, her church and her beloved Delta Sigma Theta.”
Media personality Joy-Ann Reid, another recipient of the Lillian Award — named in honor of the sorority’s 15th national president, who championed the positive portrayal of African Americans — also spoke passionately about the power of Black storytelling.

“We have to call our own names. We have to tell our own stories. We have to assert our dignity on our own terms,” Reid said. “It is up to us to make sure that we don’t disappear, that our stories, our narrative, don’t disappear. Storytelling is how we do that, and I’m just honored to be in the business of telling our stories.”
The convention also brought significant economic impact to the region, generating an estimated $50 million for the District through hotel bookings, transportation and tourism.
“I am so delighted that you’re having your 57th national convention here,” said D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. “I was happy to hear that this is your second largest convening. I promptly asked, ‘Well, what was the first?’ And it was right here in Washington, D.C.”

Credit: AFRO Photo/ Andrea Stevens
Mayor Bowser went on to thank the sorority for its long-standing political engagement and for choosing the nation’s capital as its convention site.
“Thank you for your advocacy in City Hall during ‘Delta Days’ every single year for budgets that affect us. Thank you for your advocacy on Capitol Hill. Your legislators must hear from you,” Bowser said. “We appreciate you for spending those long Delta dollars in the nation’s capital, but beyond that, thank you for choosing this city for your convention.”
Washington, D.C
Family of congressional intern gunned down in DC speaks out: ‘He had big plans’

Family of congressional intern gunned down in DC speaks out
Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a 21-year-old UMASS Amherst student from Massachusetts was tragically killed in Northwest D.C. near the convention center. Tarpinian-Jachym, a finance major was in the nation’s capital this summer interning for Congressman Ron Estes after completing a fellowship with The Fund for American Studies.
WASHINGTON – Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a 21-year-old UMASS Amherst student from Massachusetts was tragically killed in Northwest D.C. near the convention center.
Tarpinian-Jachym, a finance major was in the nation’s capital this summer interning for Congressman Ron Estes after completing a fellowship with The Fund for American Studies.
Family speaks out:
His mother, Tamara Tarpinian-Jachym says Eric worked tirelessly to secure the internship.
“He banged on doors down in D.C.. He really wanted to work for a congressman,” she said. “He wasn’t partisan. He didn’t care. Democrat or Republican.”
Tamara says her son dreamed of one day living and working in Washington, D.C.
But Eric’s bright future was cut short.
The backstory:
According to D.C. police, officers responded to the 1200 block of 7th Street, Northwest, after hearing the sound of gunfire just before 10:30 p.m.
Upon arrival, officers found an adult man, unconscious and suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to an area hospital by D.C. Fire and EMS where he was later pronounced dead.
While investigating, officers also found an adult woman and a juvenile male, both conscious and breathing but also suffering from gunshot wounds. They were also taken to local hospitals for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
The victim was later identified as Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a resident of Granby, Massachusetts. He was in D.C. working as an intern for the office of U.S. Congressman Ron Estes.
What they’re saying:
“I was prepared to stay in D.C. and help him in the hospital, but it didn’t work out that way,” his mother said.
His sister, Angela Tarpinian-Jachym remembers him as selfless and determined.
“Eric would do anything for anybody,” she said. “He had big plans and big dreams. We had big plans and big dreams with him.”
Now the family is asking the community for help in finding justice.
“My brother had to pay the ultimate price,” Angela said. “I know Eric would want justice for himself because he wasn’t ready to leave.”
What you can do:
Police continue to investigate the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to come forward by calling (202) 727-9099 or text your tip to the Department’s tip line at 50411.
Washington, D.C
Gov. Jim Pillen in Washington D.C. to speak on ag security measures

WASHINGTON D.C. (KSNB) – Just under 2% or 795,839 acres of Nebraska’s farmland is owned by foreign entities, according to a report from the University of Nebraska.
That figure was enough to prompt a high-profile meeting this week between Governor Jim Pillen and several members of President Donald Trump’s cabinet to discuss measures aimed at protecting American agriculture from foreign threats.
The conversation comes partially in the wake of a U.S. Department of Agriculture report that cited recent charges from the Department of Justice against foreign nationals, including a member of the Chinese Communist Party, accused of smuggling a noxious fungus into the U.S. Officials say the fungus, used as a potential agroterrorism weapon, has caused billions of dollars in crop losses globally.
Governor Pillen, a longtime advocate for securing family farms, says Nebraska has already taken steps to prevent foreign adversaries from acquiring farmland in the state.
“In my first year in ‘23, we were able to pass legislation that took all Chinese equipment off telecommunications across the state,” Pillen said. “That was the first step. The second step was making sure that no land is purchased by any foreign adversaries in the state of Nebraska.”
Pillen emphasized that safeguarding farmland is about more than just ownership, it’s about national security.
“I believe in family farm security. I believe in food security, and that equates to national security,” he said. “We all in agriculture risk everything we have every single day.”
State and federal officials say more policy steps could follow as lawmakers weigh how best to protect America’s agricultural supply from international threats.
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