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Opinion | Think carefully before changing tipped-wage laws

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Opinion | Think carefully before changing tipped-wage laws


Regarding the Feb. 15 Metro article “Tipped wage may go to voters”:

As the owner of restaurants in D.C. and Maryland, I suggest Maryland residents do their homework before eliminating the tipped minimum wage, as D.C. has begun to do.

First, do a study of how much tipped employees earn and why these employees choose tipped employment over hourly-wage employment. Tipped employees in my restaurants earn between $35 and $40 per hour. Tipped workers typically make far more than cooks or dishwashers in most full-service restaurants.

Second, do a study of how much restaurants really earn. It is a lot less than you think. It is why they are constantly going out of business. Few industries have the failure rate that full-service restaurants have.

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Third, determine who will likely pay for the massive payroll increase caused by eliminating the tipped minimum wage. It will be the guests in the form of service charges and higher menu prices. Restaurants’ bottom lines cannot absorb the increase in payroll.

Fourth, find a constituency that will be happy about this change. In D.C., guests are confused by service charges or increased prices. Restaurant owners struggle to manage a dwindling bottom line. Tipped employees are not making more money. Of course, the D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue is happy. It is collecting extra sales tax on all the service charges.

D.C. voters were given a choice on a ballot initiative to save or eliminate the tipped minimum wage. More than 75 percent voted to eliminate it without fully understanding it. Will Maryland follow suit, or will the voters do their homework?

Geoffrey Tracy, Washington

The writer is owner of Chef Geoff’s and Lia’s restaurants.

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Washington, D.C

Police seek suspect in Southeast DC dog stabbing case

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Police seek suspect in Southeast DC dog stabbing case


Authorities in Washington, D.C. are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man accused of stabbing a dog in Southeast, an incident that left the animal seriously injured but now recovering.

What we know:

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The case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department after officials say they received an anonymous report that a man attacked a dog on the 2300 block of Nicholson Street SE around 9:30 Saturday morning.

Responding officers located the injured dog, identified as Edward, a pit bull who was later taken into care by the Brandywine Valley SPCA, according to police. 

The suspect fled the scene before authorities arrived, and a search of the surrounding area did not turn up any leads. 

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What they’re saying:

At the shelter, officials say Edward is now in stable condition and continuing to recover.

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“We’re very happy to report after receiving care from our medical team, at our facility, that he is in stable condition, and he’s doing well,” Erin Johnson with Brandywine Valley SPCA said.

She added that anyone with information about the incident should contact the Humane Rescue Alliance, which handles animal cruelty investigations in the District.

What you can do:

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Officials say they are continuing to investigate what led to the attack and are urging anyone with relevant information or video to come forward. The goal, they say, is both to identify the suspect and to ensure accountability in the case.

Once fully recovered, Edward is expected to be placed for adoption through the shelter system.

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The Source: Information from FOX 5 D.C. reporting. 

D.C. CrimeNewsWashington, D.C.Crime and Public Safety



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Washington, D.C

Maryland man sentenced to 25 years for sextorting young girls on social media

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Maryland man sentenced to 25 years for sextorting young girls on social media


A Maryland man was sentenced to over two decades in prison for sextorting young girls through social media platforms, the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Monday.

25-year-old Isaiah Poole, of Suitland, was sentenced to 25 years in prison, followed by 20 years of supervised release, for one count of producing child sexual abuse material.

The sentence was announced by the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, Kelly O. Hayes, alongside Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI Baltimore Field Office.

According to official records, Poole manipulated and coerced at least six girls — ranging from ages 9-14 — to send him sexually explicit photos and videos of themselves through Snapchat and other social media accounts.

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Pretending to be a teenage girl, Poole manipulated the girls to produce and send him the images under the ruse of playing truth or dare.

ALSO READ | Teen charged with first-degree murder after surrender in killing of 15-year-old

He would direct the young girls to expose their genital areas and engage in sexual conduct, according to authorities.

After some of the girls informed Poole that they didn’t want to send him any more images, he would then threaten to send the images to their families and friends.

Additionally, Poole distributed the sexually explicit images he received from two of the girls.

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U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI for its work in the investigation, along with the Maryland State Police and Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office for their valuable assistance.

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Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alex Treiger and Brooke Oki who prosecuted the case.



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APPLY NOW: The College Fix’s paid fall 2026 D.C. journalism fellowships | The College Fix

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APPLY NOW: The College Fix’s paid fall 2026 D.C. journalism fellowships | The College Fix


EDITORS’ CORNER

ACADEMIA

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A student journalist in Washington, D.C.; Grok image

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During the fall of 2026, the Student Free Press Association, parent organization for The College Fix, will offer paid internships at Washington, D.C.-based media organizations.

Who is eligible?

The internships are open to college students and recent college graduates.

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Where will I work?

SFPA will match its intern with an appropriate host organization. Previous fellows have worked at National Review, Real Clear Politics, Daily Wire, Daily Caller, Reason, Washington Examiner, Washington Free Beacon, The Dispatch, EWTN, and Just The News, among others.

(To learn more about their experiences, go here and here.)

How long will it last?

The internship will run for about 14 weeks, beginning in September. The specific start and end dates will be determined with the intern and media organization.

What will it pay?

SFPA will provide a stipend of $8,400.

Are there other benefits?

In addition to supplying the internship, the Student Free Press Association will offer customized career advice and networking opportunities.

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When is the deadline?

Applications must be received by July 15, 2026.

How do I apply?

Email a brief resume, cover letter, and links to three writing samples to internships [at] thecollegefix.com, subject line: fall 2026 internship.

Any other questions?

Contact The College Fix editorial staff.





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