More than 70 people were displaced Tuesday in a huge apartment-house fire in Southeast Washington, the D.C. fire department said.
Washington, D.C
Here’s what Initiative 82 could mean for tipping in D.C.
![Here’s what Initiative 82 could mean for tipping in D.C.](https://images.axios.com/1llPGy67USSxnBUHDUvtQ5tba1A=/0x0:3200x1800/1366x768/2022/10/24/1666643435008.jpg)
Illustration: Allie Carl/Axios
For the second time in roughly 4 years, D.C. voters will decide how tipped staff receives a commission, this time by way of the Initiative 82 poll measure.
What’s occurring: The initiative would require employers to pay minimal wage to tipped staff resembling restaurant servers, nail salon staff, and valets no matter how a lot they earn in ideas.
- The rise could be gradual, with full implementation by 2027.
Presently, employers pays lower than minimal wage so long as every worker makes sufficient in tricks to meet or exceed $16.10 an hour.
- For instance, Waiter A makes $5.35/hour from their employer and earns $7 in ideas over the course of an hour, so their employer has to pay a further $3.75 to make sure they meet the $16.10 minimal wage.
- Waiter B makes $5.35/hour from their employer and $20 in ideas in a single hour, in order that they’d exceed the minimal wage and their employer would not must pay them any further.
- Initiative 82 would require employers to pay each Waiters A and B the identical base pay of $16.10 an hour.
OK, so are ideas eradicated if I-82 passes? No. Tipping would nonetheless be your selection.
- Some servers need the established order as a result of they make properly past $16.10 an hour and fear that diners will cease tipping if issues change.
- There are additionally considerations that small, impartial eating places must shut as a result of added prices, and that enterprise homeowners would possibly in the reduction of on workers.
So who would possibly profit if I-82 passes? These in favor of the initiative argue it could assist to erase disparities confronted by usually marginalized back-of-house restaurant workers who often make a lot lower than their front-of-house friends. In a Washington Publish op-ed, one I-82 proponent argues that younger line cooks and different extremely expert workers usually quit on the business as a result of low pay.
There’s additionally an argument that employers do not all the time observe the principles and make up for gaps between minimal wage and hourly ideas. Passing the poll measure would hold this from being a problem.
Moreover, if I-82 passes and clients proceed to tip the identical quantity, tipped staff would earn extra.
One wrinkle that’s inflicting (extra) confusion: Diners are already uncertain of how a lot to tip amid the surge of service costs and charges that arose through the pandemic.
- Generally service charges are break up between workers or used for well being advantages. And there’s no proper reply when deciding whether or not or to not add a further tip on high of those charges.
- Some fear that service charges will solely change into steeper and extra widespread if I-82 passes, additional discouraging clients from tipping.
Of word: For the reason that final time Washingtonians voted on a tip-related poll measure, some eating places, together with 2Amys, have ditched the previous system and begun paying their servers minimal wage or extra. The Cathedral Heights pizzeria didn’t add a service cost however as an alternative raised costs and reduce its income, whereas staff receives a commission break day and well being advantages.
Zoom out: Different states together with California and Alaska have I-82-esque legal guidelines requiring tipped staff to be paid the usual minimal wage, however most states across the nation nonetheless depend on the old style tipping system.
![](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/np-logo.png)
Washington, D.C
Huge fire in Southeast displaces dozens, fire department says
![Huge fire in Southeast displaces dozens, fire department says](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=https://arc-anglerfish-washpost-prod-washpost.s3.amazonaws.com/public/BBU3T3AZXQNWNG4TNBCQNQAX3Q_size-normalized.jpg&w=1440)
The two-alarm blaze broke out in the 2600 block of Bowen Road SE and was extinguished by 4 p.m., according to the department.
At least one person was rescued by ladder, the department said. Two people, including a firefighter, were taken to hospitals. No serious injuries were reported.
The fire apparently broke out on the top floor and attic area of a four-story apartment house and spread to adjoining buildings.
The cause was not immediately known.
Washington, D.C
Washington DC expected to see record travel for Independence Day Weekend
![Washington DC expected to see record travel for Independence Day Weekend](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox5dc.com/www.fox5dc.com/content/uploads/2023/01/1280/720/GettyImages-1230832833.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Fireworks go off above the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the US Capitol during an Independence Day fireworks display in Washington D.C., United States on July 4, 2023. (Photo by Mehmet Eser/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON – More than 1.8 million Washington-metro area residents are projected to travel 50 miles or more over the Independence Day holiday weekend, according to AAA.
This marks a 6% increase compared to last year and over 5% more than in 2019.
“With school out across the country, summer vacations are in full swing, and the 4th of July holiday seems like the perfect time for a getaway,” said Ragina Cooper Ali, spokeswoman for AAA in Maryland and Washington, D.C.
![](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox5dc.com/www.fox5dc.com/content/uploads/2024/02/932/524/Airport-baggage.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
FILE-Travelers search for their suitcases in a baggage holding area for Southwest Airlines at Denver International Airport on December 28, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
“We are seeing that a residual impact of COVID has been greater work flexibility, affording many the opportunity to work remotely and extend weekend and holiday trips,” Ali added.
AAA estimates that more than 1.6 million metro-area residents—nearly 90% of travelers—will drive during the holiday week. This is an increase of nearly 6% compared to both last year and 2019. “Nationally, gas prices are trending about 11 cents lower than last year. Here, in the D.C. metro area, Tuesday’s average of $3.49 is a penny less than a year ago,” noted Ali. She added that while pump prices are expected to remain stable until after Labor Day, the hurricane season could potentially impact Gulf Coast oil production and refining centers, leading to fluctuations.
![](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox5dc.com/www.fox5dc.com/content/uploads/2024/06/932/524/vcsPRAsset_523962_157729_c84a4b4d-ac73-4902-8e7f-d9959ad1e860_0.png?ve=1&tl=1)
Air travel is also anticipated to be strong, with AAA projecting more than 129,000 D.C. area travelers flying to their July 4th destinations. This is nearly 7% higher than last year and more than a 12% increase compared to 2019. AAA’s booking data shows domestic airfare is 2% cheaper this Independence Day week compared to last year, with the average price for a domestic round-trip ticket at $800. Ali recommends travelers arrive at airports two hours early, reserve parking in advance, and opt for carry-on luggage to save time and money.
The “other” travel category, which includes buses, trains, and cruises, is also seeing a rebound, with over 79,000 District travelers expected to take these modes of transportation. This represents an increase of nearly 12% compared to last year, although it is still down more than 8% from pre-pandemic levels in 2019. “Baltimore and other hometown ports remain popular and convenient for many in our region,” stated Ali. She also noted that cruise travelers can find deals this summer as new ships entering the market lead to targeted discounts on older inventory.
Nationally, a record 71 million people are predicted to travel for the holiday this year, with more than 60 million hitting the roads. Air travel is also expected to set a record with nearly six million travelers, reflecting a 7% increase from last year and more than a 12% rise compared to pre-pandemic days in 2019.
Washington, D.C
Hunter Biden suspended from practicing law in D.C. after gun conviction
![Hunter Biden suspended from practicing law in D.C. after gun conviction](https://assets2.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2024/06/25/5efcd38c-7156-400c-9f84-70e11280fd40/thumbnail/1200x630g3/9717e66dcb1a3a9a8dc33a59cd10b727/ap24163557416394.jpg?v=d44ea471ad55b1f821a0763c85064960)
Washington — The District of Columbia Court of Appeals has suspended Hunter Biden from practicing law in Washington, D.C., the court’s chief judge said in a filing Tuesday.
The “immediate” suspension, as Chief Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby put it, follows Biden’s conviction on federal gun charges by a federal jury in Delaware. Federal law prohibits someone who improperly uses controlled substances from purchasing or possessing a firearm. The president’s son was found guilty of three felony counts related to his purchase of a gun in 2018 while he was addicted to crack cocaine.
The court said the “serious crimes” warranted the suspension of Biden’s ability to practice law in the district.
“[T]he respondent is suspended immediately from the practice of law in the District of Columbia pending resolution of this matter,” the order said, referring the matter to the D.C. Bar’s Board on Professional Responsibility for further investigation.
Biden is a Yale Law School graduate, although he hasn’t been a particularly active user of his law degree recently. He has been licensed to practice law in D.C. since 2007.
Scott MacFarlane contributed to this report.
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