Minimum wage hikes at the start of 2019 will affect millions of workers across 20 states. According to NBC News: “Millions of U.S. workers will see increased pay in 2019 due to minimum-wage increases in 20 states and 21 cities. With the federal minimum wage stuck at $7.25 an hour since 2009, many states and cities have taken it upon themselves to raise the rate for the lowest-paid workers. Eight states — Arizona, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, and Washington State— are phasing in increases that will eventually put their minimum wages at $12 to $15 an hour, according to the National Employment Law Project (NELP), a nonprofit that advocates for higher minimum wages.”
A family missing for four days in the New Mexico wilderness was found. According to USA Today: A New Mexico family of four, stranded in the mountains for four days during a snowstorm, has been found safe, according to New Mexico State Police. Cutter Rogers of Carlsbad went elk hunting on Christmas Eve in Curtis Canyon with his three children, ages 11 to 14, said Officer Dusty Francisco of New Mexico State Police. When the family did not return to a hotel in the area, about 100 miles northeast of El Paso, Texas, the Otero County Sheriff’s Office in Alamogordo, New Mexico, was notified Thursday and officers contacted state police to help with a search.
President Donald Trump continued to insist that the Congress fund a border wall between the United States and Mexico, harming a chance to end a partial government shutdown. According to The New York Times:
The television is on. The phone is never far away. And President Trump is repeatedly calling allies such as members of Congress and conservative radio hosts, telling them privately that he will not give in on his demand for funding for a border wall. What the president who campaigned on his ability to cut deals has not done, nine days into a partial government shutdown over his signature campaign issue, is reach out to Democratic congressional leaders to strike one.
A retired general attacked President Trump’s ethics on TV. According to NBC News:
Retired four-star Gen. Stanley McChrystal did not mince words about President Donald Trump in a wide-ranging interview with ABC’s “This Week,” saying the president is dishonest and immoral and adding that he could not work for Trump. “I don’t think he tells the truth,” McChrystal told ABC’s Martha Raddatz who questioned the general on whether he feels Trump is a liar. When asked if Trump is immoral, McChrystal said: “I think he is.”
“Aquaman” posted another weekend at the top of the box office. According to The Wrap:
“Aquaman” is becoming exactly what Warner Bros. hoped it would be for the DC Universe. After passing the worldwide total of “Justice League” on Friday, the James Wan film is on its way to becoming the studio’s first billion-dollar release since “The Dark Knight Rises” in 2012. In the second weekend of its domestic run, “Aquaman” has added an estimated $51.5 million, holding on strong this holiday season with just a 24 percent drop from its $67.4 million opening. The film now has a 10-day total of $188.7 million, with IMAX accounting for 13 percent of that total with $24.8 million.
In other news, the Indianapolis Colts beat the Tennessee Titans to get into the NFL playoffs. According to the Associated Press, the Indianapolis Colts have Andrew Luck healthy and throwing the ball all over the field. That’s more than enough with an injured Marcus Mariota stuck watching from the Tennessee sideline. Luck threw for 285 yards and three touchdowns and the Colts beat the Titans 33-17 on Sunday night for the final spot in the postseason as the AFC’s No. 6 seed.
Amazon.com may increase the number of Whole Foods stores it operates. According to Reuters, Amazon is planning to expand its Whole Foods Market portfolio by adding more stores to put more customers within its two-hour delivery service range, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing sources. Whole Foods employees have visited regions of Western North America for potential retail spaces in parts of Idaho, southern Utah and Wyoming where it currently has no stores, the Wall Street Journal reported citing a source.
Disney is offering special ticket deals for people to visit four of its major amusement parks, but with some limitations. According to Travel Pulse, Visiting Walt Disney World is a dream vacation for any family, and the theme park company is offering special 4-Park Magic Tickets for 2019. Beginning January 18, travelers will be able to purchase four-day, 4-Park Magic Value Ticket for $85 per day (plus tax) for a total price of $340 (plus tax). The tickets include one day of admission to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and the Animal Kingdom, for a total of four admissions over four separate days.
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