California
California put up its fast-food wage to $20. Its governor is adamant it's not causing employment to fall.
Since Gov. Gavin Newsom first announced plans to raise wages for fast-food workers in California, both restaurant chain executives and franchisees have warned about the impacts it could have on their businesses.
As well as having to raise menu prices, some critics of the legislation warned that the higher wages could lead to restaurants laying off some of their workers, or even closing down.
Despite intensive lobbying from the fast-food industry, the new wage of $20 an hour for quick-service chains with at least 60 locations nationwide went into force on April 1.
The California Business and Industrial Alliance certainly isn’t happy with the legislation. It took out a full-page ad in USA Today in early June featuring mock obituaries for brands it says were “victims” of the new minimum wage.
The CABIA claimed in the ad that nearly 10,000 jobs had been cut between September, when Newsom signed the law, and January.
“Governor Newsom’s bad policy remains indefensible, and workers and businesses are suffering for it,” Tom Manzo, founder of the CABIA, told Business Insider over email. “It is obvious what is happening to the Fast Food industry no matter how Team Newsom spins the numbers.”
The CABIA ad cited data from the Hoover Institution, a public policy think tank and unit of Stanford University that aims to “limit government intrusion into the lives of individuals.”
It’s unclear where the Hoover Institution got its 9,500 figure from, though it did link a report by The Wall Street Journal, which said it used state figures.
Business Insider could not independently verify these figures, as data from both the California Employment Development Department and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows a drop of about 11,600 jobs when not seasonally adjusted.
The CABIA’s argument was based on a drop in employment between September and January. But BLS data shows that employment in California’s limited-service restaurant industry dips in the winter. In every year for at least the last decade, employment has been lower in January than in the preceding September.
It’s typically at its lowest in January and its highest in August.
The BLS data includes employment at all limited-service restaurants, including those exempt from the new minimum wage.
Restaurants typically hire more workers during the summer months as tourism fuels spending and people spend more time outside their homes.
Seasonally-adjusted BLS figures, which take yearly fluctuations into account, show that employment in California’s limited-service restaurant industry actually rose by about 6,000 people between September and January.
Newsom has clapped back at criticism of the new minimum wage
“California’s fast food industry has added jobs every month this year, including roughly 10,600 new jobs in the two months since Governor Gavin Newsom signed the fast food minimum wage bill into law,” his office said in a recent press release.
The following graph, made using BLS data, shows that employment in limited-service restaurants in California has been higher than 2023 levels for every month so far this year when not seasonally adjusted.
However, Newsom’s remarks have to be taken with a pinch of salt, too. The year-over-year growth in limited-service restaurant employment is a continuation of a trend seen before the pandemic, too, with total employment in the industry growing every year.
And the month-on-month growth in employment so far this year is nothing new. Employment typically grows in the buildup to the summer.
It is clear some fast-food chains have laid off workers in California, including in some cases by closing restaurants, partly in response to the new legislation. Seasonally-adjusted BLS data suggests that there has been a small dip in workers in California’s limited-service restaurant industry — about 2,500 — since January.
However, the BLS statistics suggest that the situation is not as dire as the CABIA paints it to be.
The $20 minimum wage was introduced to support workers in a state with a notoriously high cost of living. The fast-food industry is generally known for low pay, with some workers having to pick up a second job to make ends meet.
Analysts previously told BI that the legislation is also expected to boost wages in other industries, as employers will face more competition for workers.
Have you been affected by California’s new $20 minimum wage? Email this reporter at gdean@insider.com.
California
Utah woman missing for nearly a week from central California
SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah woman has been reported missing for nearly a week from a county in central California.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office said Danielle Staley, 35, of Holladay, was last seen near Rio Del Mar State Beach last Thursday night, Nov. 6.
She stands about 5-foot-6, with blond hair, and was last seen wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and leopard-print leggings, police said.
According to Zach West, spokesperson for the sheriff’s office, Staley had been traveling with a friend for over a month — the pair arrived in the Santa Cruz area, near Aptos Beach in Rio Del Mar about a week ago.
On the night of Nov. 6, about 11:30 p.m., Staley and her friend had met some people at the beach and had a bonfire; the friend somehow separated from the group, and Staley couldn’t be found the next day, though her belongings were still on the beach, West said.
The woman hasn’t had contact with her family or friends, which West said was “out of character for her.”
Detectives are trying to piece together and identify others who were at the beach; they are also working with local businesses to scour surveillance footage that may present some clues, according to West.
He said numerous people have called claiming to have seen Staley, and detectives intend to follow up on those tips.
As of now, police said they don’t have any indication that she has traveled outside of the county, so the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office is the only agency investigating right now.
Staley’s friend is said to be cooperating with police.
Those with information are asked to call the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office at 831-471-1121.
California
Thousands advised to stay indoors in California, Oregon, Arizona
Parts of three states face potentially unhealthy levels of air pollution early Wednesday, a live map from AirNow shows.
The map shows multiple pockets of fine particle (PM2.5) pollution in the “unhealthy” category. In Arizona, the pocket is centered around Payson, while another area is located along the border between California and Oregon, encompassing parts of Red Rock Valley, Butte Valley, Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Langell Valley, Spring Lake Valley, and areas around Klamath Falls.
At these air-quality levels, the Environmental Protection Agency advises that sensitive groups avoid long or intense outdoor activities and consider moving or rescheduling them indoors. The EPA also recommends the remainder of the population to reduce long or intense activities, and to take more breaks during outdoor activities.
Why It Matters
Officials and experts say that deteriorating air quality heightens health risks for vulnerable populations, such as older adults, children and individuals with respiratory illnesses.
What To Know
AirNow—an air quality data resource—is a partnership between the EPA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and other agencies.
The Air Quality Index measures air pollution on a scale from 0 to 301 and above:
- 0—50 (Green): Good—Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
- 51—100 (Yellow): Moderate—Air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
- 101—150 (Orange): Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups—Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected.
- 151—200 (Red): Unhealthy—Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
- 201—300 (Purple): Very Unhealthy—Health alert. The risk of health effects is increased for everyone.
- 301 and higher (Maroon): Hazardous—Health warning of emergency conditions. Everyone is more likely to be affected.
What People Are Saying
The EPA says on its website: “The size of particles is directly linked to their potential for causing health problems. Small particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter pose the greatest problems, because they can get deep into your lungs, and some may even get into your bloodstream.
“Exposure to such particles can affect both your lungs and your heart. Numerous scientific studies have linked particle pollution exposure to a variety of problems, including:
- premature death in people with heart or lung disease
- nonfatal heart attacks
- irregular heartbeat
- aggravated asthma
- decreased lung function
- increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing or difficulty breathing.
“People with heart or lung diseases, children, older adults, minority populations, and low socioeconomic status populations are the most likely to be affected by particle pollution exposure, either because they are more sensitive or may have higher exposures.”
What Happens Next
AirNow’s map is regularly updated.
Update, 11/12/2025, 5:01 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
California
California Upsets No. 14 Louisville Cardinals in Overtime Thriller
California traveled to Louisville, Ky., in search of a statement win against the No. 14 Louisville Cardinals (7-2, 4-2 ACC), and the Golden Bears (6-4, 3-3 ACC) pulled out all the stops Saturday evening to earn the upset, 29-26, in overtime.
On the first play of the game, California quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele threw a lateral to his slot receiver, Jacob de Jesus, who then connected with Trond Grizzell on a deep 27-yard pass. While the Golden Bears would not score on the drive, their fast and aggressive play early on silenced much of the 51,381 in attendance.
California out-gained Louisville in total yards and offensive plays throughout the entire game. The Golden Bears never once trailed the nationally ranked Cardinals by more than one score, despite entering the game as three-score underdogs, according to many sportsbooks’ odds.
Sagapolutele earned the game-winning touchdown in overtime with a nail-biting throw on fourth down. California’s first-year signal-caller found his favorite target of the evening, de Jesus, who brought in the three-yard reception to close out the game.
De Jesus had a game-high 157 receiving yards and hauled in 16 of 23 passes in which he was targeted. His 16 receptions tie Geoff McArthur’s school record for receptions by a receiver in a single game.
In his post-game press conference, Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm praised de Jesus, calling him California’s “best player.”
“… Even at the end, to allow their best player to be one-on-one for an easy throw in the corner… you know, we need to coach better; we need to play better,” Coach Brohm said.
Sagapolutele completed 30 out of 47 passes attempted and racked up 323 passing yards—both career highs. In addition to the game-decider, the quarterback threw his first touchdown of the game in the first quarter, a 20-yard bomb to tight end Landon Morris.
The last time California beat a nationally ranked, top-25 team was on Dec. 5, 2020, when the Golden Bears upset the No. 20 Oregon Ducks, 21-17, for their first win in the 2020 college football season.
With the win, California is now eligible for a post-season bowl bid.
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