“Amid Drought, some California farmers in near survival mode”

On more recent news, occurring with the water droughts affecting California, farmers are the groups substantially affected by the decrease in water cutoff. Famers are cutting down their farming acres by one third of their overall production. Now in correlation with food prices and the scare that prices will spike from low crop production, California will regain these crops from the South to fill the gap of rice to the state since there is an abundance in crop diversity.

As of for Northern California, water reservoirs remain at an all time low which has resulted in devastating affects for the agricultural community. In order to resolve this issue, Gov. Jerry Brown unveiled an emergency $1 billion spending plan to fight the draught affecting all regions of California.

Article: http://www.cnbc.com/id/102527195

“US consumer prices rebound, underlying inflation firming”

An inflation boom has struck the US with the rise of gasoline prices since June 2014 . From June to January, of the following year, crude oil prices fell 60% as a result from a global fear that Saudi Arabia might cut its ties with the US oil export. After December 2014, domestic prices rose 2.4% after gas prices have been rising substantially. With the increase in gas prices come the increase in consumer goods. The US has increased food prices, apparel prices and shelter costs within 0.2-0.3 CPI.

Article: http://www.cnbc.com/id/102529573

“Silicon Valley can afford to end poverty”

Supporters from a small group yielding the signs “March to Heal the Valley” arrived at Apple campus. Among these supporters included homeless people as well as residents from Silicon Valley protesting for the valley’s rents.

Around the Silicon Valley, tech companies such as Apple, Google and Facebook reside among the area. The supporters are creating an awareness to these companies know that now only are they important to the economy but also play a role in the economic foundation of the community.

How Silicon Valley is defined is the “the rich survive.” With the expansion of malls across the area and high designated places for the rich, the poor are slowly driven out of their “home.”

Article: http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/23/opinions/sutter-apple-google-poverty/index.html

“Uber drivers protest against proposed New Jersey rules”

Several Uber drivers (on the hundreds) gather in New Jersey to protest current rules and regulations set forward in the state that may jeopardize their jobs.

With the current rise in own transportation start-ups which include Lyft and Uber, it is creating a major competition with limo and taxi companies. With the rise of independent transportation services comes with concern over insurance coverage. Assemblyman, John Wisniewski, wants to allow services in New Jersey be be fulfilled by obligation “to ensure that those services (insurance coverage) are provided safely.”

Now jumping to the Western US, in the bay area, suits have arising against Lyft and Uber involving drivers who want to be considered employees of the company rather than independent contractors.

Article: http://www.cnbc.com/id/102519598

“McDonald's is giving 90,000 workers a raise”

McDonalds in increasing wage to 10% percent of its workers starting July 1st. Only 90,000 of its workers are bound to receive a dollar more from their paychecks. What about the other 90%? McDonalds will only raise its wage to its owned store and not to franchise-owned stores. Also in connection with employees, the company will start providing paid time off due to its new policy which inclines workers working 20+ hours will earn PTO.

Article: http://money.cnn.com/2015/04/01/news/companies/mcdonalds-pay-raise/index.html?iid=SF_BN_River