Author: Gesi Lloyd

Mississippi has held its minimum wage at the federal level for years, leaving many workers in the state tied to a pay floor that has not moved in step with rising costs. The current rate stands at 7.25 dollars per hour, which translates to about 15080 dollars annually for someone working a standard 40 hour week across a full year. Workers who earn tips often receive a base rate of 2.13 dollars per hour, with employers expected to ensure total earnings meet the federal minimum when tips fall short. Because the state has not created its own higher minimum wage…

A fire aboard the USS Higgins disrupted one of the United States Navy’s forward deployed destroyers this week, knocking out both electrical and propulsion systems while the ship was operating in the Indo Pacific region. No injuries were reported, but the incident immediately raised questions about the condition of key surface assets positioned across a strategically sensitive maritime theater. Officials have not confirmed what triggered the blaze or how extensive the damage may be. The Arleigh Burke class destroyer is part of the Navy’s 7th Fleet and operates under US Indo Pacific Command. The ship is built for multi mission…

A major federal operation unfolded in Minnesota on Tuesday as law enforcement agencies executed a series of coordinated raids tied to an ongoing investigation into alleged welfare fraud. The action involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation along with state and local partners, according to officials. Authorities said the operation is focused on suspected misuse of public assistance programs. They emphasized that it is not connected to immigration enforcement, addressing early speculation surrounding the scale and scope of the raids. Dozens of search warrants executed Officials confirmed that at least 22 federal search warrants were carried out across multiple locations in…

One of Texas’s oldest candy makers is preparing to shut down, bringing an end to a long running chapter in Austin’s retail and cultural history. Lammes Candies, a family operated business that began in the late 1800s, is closing after 141 years, citing economic pressure and changing market conditions. The decision marks the end of a brand that has been woven into the identity of Austin for generations. Known for its pralines, chocolate covered treats, and seasonal gift boxes, the company has long been part of holiday traditions and local celebrations across Central Texas. A legacy rooted in Austin history…

A new chocolate recall is putting food safety back in focus, especially for consumers with allergies. The alert, published by the Food and Drug Administration, centers on undeclared walnuts in a popular bonbon assortment. While recalls are not uncommon, this case highlights how a simple labeling mistake can create real health risks. For many consumers, especially those with food allergies, accurate labeling is not just helpful. It is critical. Chocolate recall highlights labeling risks The recall involves boxed chocolates sold in different sizes, all tied to specific batch numbers. These products were distributed across multiple states over a short period…

The Donald Trump administration has widened its approach to immigration enforcement, introducing stricter background checks that are already slowing parts of the legal immigration system. Internal guidance issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services outlines a new process requiring many pending applications to undergo enhanced federal screening. The directive applies to a wide range of cases, including asylum requests, green card applications and citizenship filings. Officials have instructed immigration officers to hold off on approving any case that has not completed the updated checks. The change has effectively paused progress on thousands of applications while the system adjusts. New FBI…

The story around Bloom Energy has shifted from niche clean power to a central player in the artificial intelligence buildout. The company’s latest results underline that change. Its first quarter revenue reached $751.1 million, up 130% from a year earlier, with margins improving and cash flow turning positive. Investors responded quickly. Shares surged more than 20% in early trading, extending a rally that has pushed the stock to record highs. The move reflects a broader realization that AI is not only about chips and software. It is also about power, and lots of it. Behind the numbers sits a deeper…

Kamala Harris delivered her first major keynote address since losing the 2024 presidential election on Saturday night, appearing before a packed ballroom in Little Rock at the Democratic Party of Arkansas’s annual Fisher Shackelford Dinner. The choice of venue was notable on its own. Arkansas is one of the most reliably Republican states in the country. Harris lost it to Donald Trump by 30 percentage points last November, and Republicans currently hold every statewide office, all of the state’s congressional seats, and majorities in both chambers of the legislature. She arrived in Little Rock earlier in the day, stopping first…

Comedian Kevin Fredericks, known widely as KevOnStage, built his career performing stand-up in churches across the country long before streaming specials or viral fame. That background has always made his voice on matters of faith carry a certain weight. Now it has placed him at the center of one of the internet’s most charged recurring debates. A clip from his recent appearance on former NFL quarterback Cam Newton’s ‘Funky Friday’ podcast spread rapidly over the weekend, drawing strong reactions from Christian audiences across social media. The interview covered KevOnStage’ career, his mentorship of younger comedians, and his television work, but…

Gunfire erupted Saturday evening outside the ballroom of the Washington Hilton, where the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner was underway, sending President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump rushing off the dais and out of the building. The incident unfolded roughly five minutes into the dinner hour, around 8:43 p.m., when a commotion broke out near a security checkpoint at the back of the venue. Trump later described the scene at a White House news conference, saying a suspect armed with multiple weapons charged toward the checkpoint before Secret Service agents moved in. He said he initially mistook…