18,000 unionized Costco workers ready to strike over failed contract talks
Thousands of unionized Costco workers are warning the company that they could walk off the job in less than two weeks if a new contract isn’t reached. Eighty-five percent of workers in the Costco Teamsters union have voted to strike if the retailer and labor group fail to come to an agreement before the current contract expires at the end of the month.
Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien said, “If they refuse, they’ll have no one to blame but themselves when our members go on strike.”
“Our members have spoken loud and clear — Costco must deliver a fair contract, or they’ll be held accountable.”
Statement by Teamsters General President
The union claims Costco rejected its proposal for fair wages and instead presented a deal focused more on company profits than on the needs of employees.
Teamsters point to Costco’s reported net profit of more than $7 billion in 2024 as evidence the company has the financial resources to meet their demands, which include higher pay, better retirement benefits, and changes to holiday and weather policies.
“We drive its success and generate its profits. We hope the company will step up and do right by us, but if they don’t, that’s on them. The company will be striking itself.”
Costco worker in Baltimore, member of Teamsters Local 570
On the other hand, the retailer’s website highlights paid time off, benefits, and rewards as reasons why Costco is a good place to work.
As the contract deadline approaches, unionized employees across the nation are preparing for a potential strike, holding practice rallies from California to New York.
The union said about 18,000 workers are planning to walk out, which could disrupt operations at 56 Costco stores in six states.
Although most Costco employees are not unionized, Teamsters represents about 8% of the company’s 219,000 workforce.
Final contract negotiations between union members and Costco are set to begin Jan. 20.
Boar’s Head factories in violation for ‘mold, insects, blood’: USDA
Newly released inspection reports from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USDA) show unsanitary conditions at several Boar’s Head factories across the U.S. Multiple news outlets, including the Associated Press, pushed the USDA to release inspection records from Boar’s Head plants in Indiana, Arkansas, Virginia and Michigan.
According to the reports, inspectors found mold, insects, puddles of blood and trash in areas where workers prepared food. Some issues date back six years, with the most recent violation occurring in 2024.
Three of the factories revealed similar sanitation issues. They include a plant in Jarratt, Virginia, linked to a listeria outbreak that killed 10 people and sickened dozens more in September 2024.
The outbreak has been tied to liverwurst produced at the Jarratt facility. A U.S. Department of Agriculture report released on Friday, Jan. 10, said meat residue, mold and drippings from the ceilings contributed to the spread of listeria.
A recall has been issued for more than 7 million pounds of meat nationwide, but officials say less than half of it has been recovered so far.
Boar’s Head acknowledged the violations, saying the findings contradict the company’s high standards. The company also said it is hiring a food safety manager and continues to work closely with the USDA.
Republican lawmakers have blamed the USDA for failing to hold Boar’s Head accountable despite repeated safety violations. In a statement, they said, “These reports make clear that there is a culture of noncompliance of critical safety and sanitary protocols.”
In the report, USDA officials said they are tightening oversight with updated training and increased inspections to ensure factories comply with safety standards.
Multiple people impacted by the listeria outbreak have filed lawsuits. The Department of Justice is now investigating whether criminal charges will arise.
Richmond recovers from water crisis after storm wiped out power
A powerful winter storm struck the East Coast earlier this week which left residents in Richmond, Virginia, without power and caused a major water crisis, causing the city’s water treatment facility to go offline. The loss of power to the facility pushed the city into a state of emergency, with residents urged to boil water due to concerns over contamination.
Thursday, Jan. 9, marked the fourth day of the city’s water boil advisory. City officials said progress is being made in restoring normal water services.
“The system is now pressurized in all nine zones,” Richmond Mayor, Danny Avula said.
The restoration follows a concerted effort to bring the city’s water supply back online after the storm caused significant damage to the facility’s electrical systems.
Avula also announced the reservoir, which had dropped to low levels, is now fully replenished.
“The reservoir is at 18 feet, we’re at a full reservoir,” he said during a press conference Thursday.
The city has already begun taking samples from the filtered water in the system. Officials said they are hopeful the tests will show no contamination, allowing them to lift the boil water advisory.
Two rounds of tests will be needed before the advisory can be safely removed. Results are expected within 48 hours.
City engineers, working in the wake of the storm’s impact, rushed to repair the treatment facility’s power supply. Local officials acknowledged the storm exposed weaknesses in the city’s emergency preparedness. However, they noted steps have been taken to address the gaps.
“Making sure we have the right experts either onsite or a call away and increasing our surveillance and monitoring,” Avula said.
During the peak of the crisis, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin deployed water tankers to the city, providing emergency water supplies to hospitals and local distribution centers.
The governor also declared a statewide emergency, which allowed for a faster response and the delivery of essential water resources to affected communities.
5 dead, thousands of homes destroyed as fires rip through Los Angeles area
Five wildfires now burn in the Los Angeles area of Southern California, leaving death, destruction and devastation in their paths. And the infernos led President Joe Biden to cancel his final international trip in office. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.
5 dead, thousands of homes destroyed as fires rip through Los Angeles area
At least five wildfires were burning in the heavily populated Los Angeles area of California on Thursday, Jan. 9, destroying thousands of homes and putting millions of lives in danger. At least five people died from the blaze and more than 100,000 evacuated their homes.
Dry conditions and strong winds continue to fuel the flames.
The newest fire, the Sunset Fire, sparked Wednesday night in the famous Hollywood Hills region. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department’s latest update at 11:50 p.m. PST on Wednesday, the blaze engulfed 60 acres at 0% contained.
The Palisades Fire remains the biggest threat, covering over 17,000 acres at 0% containment.
Officials said it destroyed at least 1,000 buildings, making it the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history.
The deadly Eaton Fire near Pasadena and Altadena spanned more than 10,000 acres at 0% contained. All five reported deaths were linked to the Eaton Fire.
Fire crews made headway on the Hurst Fire in the San Fernando Valley, containing about 10% of the blaze that spread to almost 900 acres, according to CalFire.
Crews made the most progress in fighting the Lidia Fire in Acton, about 50 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. That fire scorched about 350 acres, but CalFire said it was 40% contained.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said more than 7,500 firefighters, including crews from Oregon, New Mexico, and Washington state, are battling the flames.
More than 7,500 firefighting personnel are on the ground working with local and federal partners to respond to California's ongoing historic wildfires.
Southern California residents — please remain vigilant tonight. Listen to local officials and be ready to evacuate if you're…
While mandatory evacuation orders are in effect for certain areas, officials told everyone in the area to pack a go-bag and be prepared to leave.
Celebrities among victims to lose homes in California wildfires
With tens of thousands of people impacted by the ongoing wildfires in California, come countless personal stories of loss, grief, shock and, in some cases, gratitude. Among those affected in the Los Angeles County and Hollywood area are some famous names.
Celebrities shared their accounts of the devastating scenes, something many said is like out of a movie.
“This Is Us” star Mandy Moore posted videos to her Instagram account of the fiery destruction in Altadena, writing, “I love you, Altadena. Grateful for my family and pets getting out last night before it was too late. Honestly, I’m in shock and feeling numb for all, so many have lost, including my family … our community is broken but we will be here to rebuild together.”
“Seeing our home burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience. The devastation is unimaginable. To know so many are waking up today without the place they called home is truly heartbreaking,” Hilton wrote.
Actor Billy Crystal released a statement with his wife after losing his Pacific Palisades home.
“Janice and I lived in our home since 1979,” Crystal said. “We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can’t be taken away. We are heartbroken of course but with the love of our children and friends we will get through this.”
James Woods, who once starred on the television show “Shark,” openly wept in a CNN interview as he talked about his immense loss and the search for his neighbors.
As the fires spread across the hub of the entertainment world, organizers postponed multiple movie premieres, TV productions and award shows.
The Critics Choice Awards, originally scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 12, have been moved to Jan. 26. The Oscar nominations announcement was pushed back two days to Jan. 19.
An NHL hockey game involving the Los Angeles Kings was postponed Wednesday night. The NFL said it is monitoring the conditions as the Los Angeles Rams are slated to host a playoff game Monday night, Jan. 13.
Biden to deliver eulogy at Carter’s funeral, Trump to attend
On Thursday afternoon, President Joe Biden will deliver the eulogy at the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter at the Washington National Cathedral.
President-elect Donald Trump will also attend the funeral. Trump, along with his wife Melania, were among those to pay their respects as the 39th president was lying in state at the Capitol Rotunda on Wednesday.
After the funeral, Carter’s body will take one final trip back to his home state of Georgia where he will be buried next to his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn.
While in Washington on Wednesday, Trump held a private meeting with Republican senators at the Capitol to discuss a strategy for top priorities heading into his second term. While speaking to reporters, Trump called the wildfires in California “a true tragedy.”
Biden announced Wednesday he canceled his final international trip of his presidency. He said he will remain in Washington, D.C., to monitor the deadly fires in Southern California.
Biden was set to take part in a three-day trip to Rome and the Vatican where he would meet with Pope Francis and the Italian president. His announcement came just hours after meeting his first great-grandchild, born at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Capitol police arrest man who brought machete to Jimmy Carter viewing
As thousands of Americans paid their respects to Carter at the Capitol, authorities arrested a man Wednesday at a security screening for people waiting to view the late president as he lies in state in Washington.
Capitol police said the man, identified as Washington resident Mel Horne, carried a machete and three knives in a bag. Authorities spotted the weapons as the bag went through an X-ray machine. Horne now faces multiple charges of carrying a dangerous weapon.
Capitol police also said officers arrested a Virginia man who lit a bag containing accelerants on fire on top of his car near the Capitol. They do not believe the two incidents were connected.
Port strike averted after tentative deal reached
Longshoremen reached a tentative new contract deal Wednesday with shipping and port companies along the East and Gulf Coasts of the U.S., averting a potentially crippling strike for now.
The United States Maritime Alliance, which represents ship lines and port operators, and union International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) said they’ve agreed on a six-year deal. However, the agreement is not official until ratified by union members.
The ILA represents 50,000 members who fill 25,000 jobs at 14 ports from Maine to Texas. If this deal wasn’t reached, port workers were set to go on strike beginning next Thursday, Jan. 16.
Details of the agreement have not yet been publicly released, but sources close to the matter said it addresses a key sticking point for workers: automation.
In October, Longshoremen agreed to a wage increase of 62% over six years, and the two sides pushed other issues into 2025 to end a three-day strike.
Airbnb.org providing free, temporary housing for displaced California residents
Airbnb.org, the nonprofit founded by Airbnb, is providing free, temporary housing for people displaced by the Los Angeles County fires. The organization partnered with the non-profit 211 LA to connect those who lost their homes or have been forced to evacuate with a free place to stay.
Congress to certify Trump’s win; Biden issues warning to ‘not forget’ riots
Congress prepares to re-affirm President-elect Donald Trump as the next president of the United States on the fourth anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riots. And after a weekend of blizzard-like conditions in the Plains and Midwest, a major winter storm aims for the East Coast. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.
Congress to certify Trump’s win; Biden issues warning to ‘not forget’ Jan. 6 riots
Senators and members of the House of Representatives will gather to tally the electoral votes of all 50 states and Washington, D.C., confirming Trump will be the 47th president of the United States.
Speaking to Fox News on Sunday, Jan. 5, House Speaker Mike Johnson said a major winter storm heading toward the area would not prevent the congressional joint session from counting the electoral votes.
Monday’s joint session comes four years after the certification of votes affirming President Joe Biden’s 2020 victory. Biden’s certification turned into chaos when rioters stormed the Capitol, looking to prevent then-Vice President Mike Pence from presiding over the certification. Many rioters insisted the election was stolen from Trump.
This year, Vice President Kamala Harris will oversee the electoral count of the election she lost and declare Trump the winner. Harris already conceded the race to Trump after he won 312 electoral college votes, surpassing the 270 needed to win the presidency. Harris won 226 votes.
Following the 2021 Capitol attack, Congress passed the Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022. This act clarified that the vice president does not have the power to determine, accept, reject or adjudicate the vote results.
On Sunday, Biden spoke to new Democratic members of Congress about the events that unfolded in 2021 and the importance of the date.
“Tomorrow’s Jan. 6; we gather to certify the results of a free and fair presidential election and ensure a peaceful transfer of power,” Biden said. “It’s a day that [for] most of our history we took for granted, the sixth, but I hope we never take it for granted again.”
Biden wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post on Sunday. In it, he told Americans that while some may no longer want to mention what happened four years ago, it cannot be forgotten.
“We should be proud that our democracy withstood this assault. And we should be glad we will not see such a shameful attack again this year…” he wrote. “The election will be certified peacefully. I have invited the incoming president to the White House on the morning of Jan. 20, and I will be present for his inauguration that afternoon. But on this day, we cannot forget.”
Monday’s proceedings are the last official opportunity for any member of Congress to object to the electoral votes. Following the certification, Trump will be sworn into office on Jan. 20 for his second term. He vowed to pardon those convicted in connection with the Jan. 6 riots.
Biden signs Social Security Fairness Act into law
Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law Sunday. It’s expected to be one of the last major pieces of legislation of his term.
Today, I signed legislation expanding Social Security benefits for millions of teachers, firefighters, nurses, police officers, other public employees, and their spouses and survivors.
The law repeals a rule that limited certain public sector job retirees who collect pensions — such as firefighters, teachers, postal workers and police officers — from also claiming social security benefits.
The new law also eliminates limits on the benefits that surviving spouses can receive after they die.
The Senate passed the bill in December after the House approved it in November with overwhelming bipartisan support.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to resign this week: Reports
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to announce his resignation as early as Monday, according to multiple news outlets. It comes as his party, the Liberal Party, is set to hold its national caucus meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
Last month, Trudeau’s finance minister, Chrystia Freeland, publicly announced her resignation in a letter criticizing the prime minister. Since then, calls for his resignation have grown publicly and privately within his own party.
This is just the latest in a series of recent political struggles for the prime minister. In September, Trudeau faced a no-confidence vote in parliament, which later failed.
Trudeau and Trump have been locked in a public back-and-forth over tariffs with Trump threatening to put a 25% levy on Canadian imports.
Details emerge about New Orleans suspect’s actions in weeks before attack
More details emerged about the man authorities said killed 14 people and injured dozens more when he drove a rented truck into a crowd of revelers in New Orleans on New Year’s Day.
The FBI said Sunday the attacker, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, visited the city twice in the weeks leading up to the deadly act of terrorism and recorded video of the area using Meta Smart Glasses.
The glasses allow users to record video hands-free and can also livestream on Meta platforms. Investigators said Jabbar wore the glasses to capture video while he rode a bicycle through the city’s French Quarter. He reportedly wore the glasses during the attack on Bourbon Street but was not livestreaming.
Authorities also believe Jabbar set fire to a short-term rental house in New Orleans where investigators found bomb-making material. They said he planted two bombs in the French Quarter before the truck attack but neither detonated.
Jabbar was killed after opening fire on responding police officers.
Millions of Americans under blizzard alerts as winter storm moves east
A major winter storm will continue to move through the Mid-Atlantic region today, followed by dangerously cold temperatures spreading across the central and eastern U.S. pic.twitter.com/sogRlbC6Y9
Major cities like Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Philadelphia are preparing for snowy and icy conditions Monday and into Tuesday, Jan. 7. Meanwhile, parts of Virginia are expecting 5 to 12 inches of snow.
Impacts of this weather system could also be felt in the South, with severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes and damaging winds expected to hit Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and other southern states Monday night.
2025 Golden Globes crown best in movies, television
The 2025 Golden Globes rolled out the red carpet Sunday night for the best and brightest stars of film and television — but only a select few walked away with awards.
In the movie categories, the big winners were the films “Emilia Pérez” and “The Brutalist.” “Emilia Pérez” won four awards, including best musical or comedy. “The Brutalist” took home best drama and two other awards.
Over on the TV side of things, “Shōgun” topped the competition with four awards, including Best TV Drama. “Hacks” won Best TV Series – Musical or Comedy.
It was an especially memorable night for actress Demi Moore, who won her first acting award. She won the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for her role as an aging Hollywood star who undergoes a cloning procedure in “The Substance.”
FBI seizes historic amount of homemade explosives in Virginia home
An FBI raid of a Virginia home uncovered a stockpile of more than 150 homemade explosive devices, the largest the agency has encountered in its history. Federal prosecutors are now asking that the alleged owner of the explosives, Brad Spafford, remain in custody following a search of his home.
Spafford was arrested on Dec. 17 for allegedly having an unregistered short-barrel rifle.
However, the investigation into Spafford began after a neighbor tipped off authorities that he was stockpiling weapons and ammunition. The neighbor also told investigators that Spafford had told them he lost several fingers during an accident involving a homemade bomb in 2021.
Prosecutors said when FBI agents executed a search warrant in December at Spafford’s 20-acre property, they found pipe bombs, an instruction book for building explosives, and hazardous materials in areas his family could easily access.
Court documents indicate that Spafford labeled some of the bombs “lethal,” while others were already loaded into a vest.
Prosecutors argue Spafford should stay in custody because he “poses an extreme danger to the community.”
During a hearing on Monday, Dec. 30, a counterterrorism FBI agent testified that Spafford holds anti-government beliefs and supports political assassinations.
According to court documents, investigators found a majority of the explosives in a detached garage on Spafford’s property. Other “unsecured” devices were reportedly in a backpack that investigators found in a bedroom.
On Monday, a federal judge granted Spafford’s release pending trial. However, the judge put the decision on hold after the Department of Justice requested further review, citing new evidence.
Spafford’s attorney argues that the government is speculating he poses a danger based solely on his political views and says there is no evidence he has ever threatened anyone.
In a Tuesday, Dec. 31 filing, Spafford’s attorney said he is “a hard-working family man with no criminal record.” His attorney also said he is not a threat to others.
The judge will make a final ruling on whether Spafford should remain out of jail while awaiting trial.
World’s first nuclear fusion power plant set to be built in Virginia
Virginia is planning to build the world’s first grid-scale nuclear fusion power plant. This week, Commonwealth Fusion Systems announced the project, which aims to produce 400 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 150,000 homes, by the early 2030s.
“In the early 2030s, all eyes will be on the Richmond region, and more specifically Chesterfield County, as the birthplace of commercial fusion energy,”Commonwealth Fusion Systems Co-founder and CEO Bob Mumgaard said. “Virginia emerged as a strong partner as they look to implement innovative solutions for both reliable electricity and clean forms of power.”
To support the initiative, the state has provided $2 million in funding and multiple tax incentives, while the Department of Energy has also contributed additional funding.
“This is an historic moment for Virginia and the world at large,” Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said in a statement. “Commonwealth Fusion Systems is not just building a facility, they are pioneering groundbreaking innovation to generate clean, reliable, safe power, and it’s happening right here in Virginia. We are proud to be home to this pursuit to change the future of energy and power.”
Fusion technology mimics the energy-producing process of the sun, combining hydrogen isotopes under extreme heat and pressure. Powerful magnets confine these elements, generating heat that produces steam to spin turbines and create electricity. Generating nuclear fusion energy produces no greenhouse gases, and unlike fission, avoids long-living radioactive waste, while eliminating the risk of a meltdown.
However, achieving the intense heat necessary for fusion remains a significant challenge. Partly because of this, fusion is currently four times more expensive than nuclear fission, and experts warn the project could encounter delays due to fusion technology still being in its infancy.
The energy demands in Virginia make the project particularly relevant. The state hosts the largest global market for data centers, with facilities that consume energy on par with small cities. Over 35% of all data centers worldwide — and nearly half in the U.S. — are located in Virginia.
With energy requirements from these facilities in the state expected to triple from 10,000 megawatts today to 30,000 megawatts by 2040, Virginia faces an urgent need to expand its power capacity.
Virginia Gov. Youngkin threatens to pull state funding for sanctuary cities
Virginia Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin made several announcements regarding the state’s budget ahead of January’s legislative session. On Monday, Dec. 16, Youngkin emphasized that Virginia is not a sanctuary state and warned that local municipalities that fail to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in deporting violent migrants would face cuts in state funding.
“And so, if you don’t cooperate with ICE when there’s a detainer in place, I’m going to go to work and take your funding away in the Commonwealth of Virginia. We are not a sanctuary state, we will no longer allow this to happen,” Youngkin said.
Last week, the governor introduced a “No Sanctuary Cities” budget amendment that would require local law enforcement, sheriffs and jail directors to notify ICE agents 48 hours in advance before releasing an undocumented immigrant who has been accused of committing a crime.
Youngkin noted that some Democratic leaders in Virginia cities and counties have declared their localities to be “sanctuary cities.”
“Fairfax County, Alexandria, Arlington, City of Richmond, and we have to cooperate with ICE. When there is somebody in custody who has been accused and, by the way, convicted of a violent crime and they’re released because someone says ‘we’re not going to cooperate with ICE,’ that’s just flat wrong. This is common sense stuff,” he said.
Youngkin emphasized that elected officials must prioritize protecting their communities over supporting undocumented immigrants who commit crimes.
In response, the Arlington County Manager’s Office issued a statement to WJLA News saying, “Arlington County will comply with all legal requirements.”
Latino advocacy group CASA also released a statement criticizing Youngkin’s budget plan.
“Governor Youngkin’s budget plan does not protect Virginians — it divides us. It pits community members against one another, driving a wedge between law enforcement and the very people who contribute to making our state great,” the statement said. “It punishes cities for supporting immigrant families and breeds an atmosphere of fear.”
Additionally, Gov. Youngkin announced a proposal to exempt service tips from Virginia’s state income tax, aligning with President-elect Donald Trump’s call to eliminate taxes on tips.
It remains unclear whether Virginia Democrats will support Youngkin’s proposal to remove taxes on tips.
Defense contractor ordered to pay former Abu Ghraib detainees $42 million
A federal jury has awarded three former Abu Ghraib prisoners, who were tortured at the hands of U.S. interrogators, $42 million. The ruling stems from a lawsuit filed on behalf of former detainees in 2008 against a Virginia-based defense company.
Earlier this year, a different jury couldn’t decide whether defense company CACI should be held liable for things its civilian interrogators, who worked alongside the U.S. Army in 2003 and 2004, did.
While they didn’t say the company’s interrogators explicitly inflicted the abuse themselves, the former detainees said the company was complicit because its interrogators conspired with military police to “soften up” detainees for questioning with harsh treatment.
This case marked the first time a U.S. jury heard claims brought by Abu Ghraib survivors in the 20 years since photos of detainee mistreatment — accompanied by smiling U.S. soldiers inflicting the abuse — shocked the world during the occupation of Iraq.
Monday, Nov. 11 is Veteran’s Day in the United States. As Americans thank those for their service, numbers are coming on how veterans voted in the recent presidential election. It seems many backed President-elect Donald Trump.
According to exit polling from The Washington Post, 12% of voters served in the U.S. military. Of those, 65% say they voted for, Trump while 34% said they cast a ballot for Vice President Kamala Harris.
The Trump campaign played up its ties to the military as Vice President-elect JD Vance served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Iraq.
Trump advocate Tulsi Gabbard also served in the military. She served in the Army National Guard and was deployed to the war in Iraq. She was also later stationed in Kuwait. Gabbard campaigned heavily for Trump during the election.
The veteran turnout for Trump exceeded polling expectations. A recent Pew Research poll found that 61% of registered voters who are veterans, said they would vote for Trump while 37% favored Harris.
The most recent census data shows Alaska, Virginia and Montana have the highest population when it comes to veterans. All three have rates between 9% and 10.5%.
The District of Columbia, New York and New Jersey have the lowest percentages.