Kelly O'Connell

FIU’s Turning Point USA chapter President Ian Valdes has stepped down from leadership after reporting revealed his involvement in a racist group chat among Miami campus conservatives.

Miami's Alexander brothers are convicted of s*x trafficking in case that shocked real estate world and South Florida. All 3 brothers, including 2 of the nation’s most successful luxury real estate brokers, were convicted of s*x trafficking charges this Monday after a five-week trial over accusations they used drugs and force to r**e scores of women they had dazzled with their wealth and opulent lifestyle. The women described attacks that occurred after they were invited to vacation locales, including the Hamptons, a Caribbean cruise, and a ski trip in Aspen, Colorado. More than 60 women say they were r**ed by one or more of the brothers, according to prosecutors. 11 testified at trial.

Alexander brothers are convicted of s*x trafficking in case that shocked real estate world | CNN Three brothers, including two of the nation’s most successful luxury real estate brokers, were convicted of s*x trafficking charges Monday after a five-week trial over accusations that they used drugs and force to r**e scores of women they had dazzled with their wealth and opulent lifestyle.

Not employment update but I am a World Cup Fan... As always, more drama over FIFA happening in the Americas this summer. "We're 107 days out from the tournament but, more importantly, we're about 70-something days out from starting to build the fan fest. These decisions have to be made... Without receiving this money, it could be catastrophic for our planning and coordination."

Why haven't World Cup host cities received critical funding? With fewer than 100 days until the World Cup, host cities still need funding for security, fan zones and more. What's taking so long?

A federal judge in Manhattan has denied DoorDash and Uber Eats’ plea to keep New York City from enacting new tipping legislation, aimed at putting more money in the pockets of tens of thousands of delivery workers. https://gothamist.com/news/new-nyc-tipping-rules-for-doordash-uber-eats-grubhub-start-monday-judge-says?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=dhfacebook&utm_content=app.dashsocial.com%2Fgothamist%2Flibrary%2Fmedia%2F634217094

Unfortunately I see this very often

FT Exclusive: A former Citigroup managing director is suing the bank over claims that its HR department forced her out after she was s*xually harassed by one of the bank's most senior executives, Andy Sieg. https://ft.trib.al/UprMPaC

A victory for "palak paneer," and the South Asian community! Two Indian PhD students reached a $200,000 settlement after facing targeted kitchen rules that effectively discouraged them from opening or heating their lunches containing Indian food in shared spaces. The university called their meals "pungent," made other hostile comments, and retaliated when they refused to back down.

Palak paneer 'smell' sparks discrimination case, Indian PhD students win Rs 1.8 crore in US Two Indian doctoral students at the University of Colorado Boulder have secured a significant civil rights settlement after what began as a seemingly ordinary lunch break spiraled into a prolonged legal battle over discrimination, cultural bias, and retaliation. Aditya Prakash and Urmi Bhattacheryya...

DOL Proposes Rule to Reinstate Companionship & Live-in Exemptions from Minimum Wage and Overtime for Third-Party Employers - - - The Department of Labor (DOL) does not expect that losing the right to receive federal minimum wage would have much if any impact on most workers, as the median hourly wage for home health and personal care aides was $16.12 per hour in 2023 – well above the $7.25 per hour federal minimum wage. The DOL recognizes, however, that losing the right to overtime pay could negatively impact pay and morale of affected home care workers, which in turn could lead to increased turnover and difficulty attracting skilled workers to the industry. No final effective rule yet. Expect an update in September. https://www.littler.com/news-analysis/asap/dol-proposes-rule-reinstate-companionship-live-exemptions-minimum-wage-and?fbclid=IwY2xjawLwcoJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHmYYChcs6TwXw7L_cfUiVJ_1OvPOYr9oPC57Mv8TiknLE8_SD1L598lurTEo_aem__B4Yqr1BTFSjHmfJ_Ywb4w

DOL Proposes Rule to Reinstate Companionship & Live-in Exemptions from Minimum Wage and Overtime for Third-Party Employers | Littler On July 2, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division issued a proposed rule that would reinstate the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) minimum wage and overtime exemption for home care workers employed by third-party home care agencies. The proposed regulation’s comment perio...

The Supreme Court on Thursday sided with a straight woman in Ohio who filed a “reverse discrimination” lawsuit against her employer when her gay boss declined to promote her. The ruling will make it easier to file such suits in some parts of the country. This case will add to case law supporting that the standard for proving disparate treatment under Title VII does not vary based on whether or not the plaintiff is a member of a majority group. For instance, men can be victims of s*xual harassment, and white people can also be victims of racial discrimination. Just because it is less known does not create an absence of rights.

Supreme Court sides with straight woman in decision that makes it easier to file ‘reverse discrimination’ suits | CNN Politics The Supreme Court on Thursday sided with a straight woman in Ohio who filed a “reverse discrimination” lawsuit against her employer when her gay boss declined to promote her. The ruling will make it easier to file such suits in some parts of the country.

In the news again! In a two-part settlement, the NYC law firm Foley Hoag LLP has agreed to pay $50,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by former IT support employee Gregory Modny, who alleged violations of wage laws. In a separate "executed a confidential settlement agreement," the parties resolved the remaining claims, which include discrimination based on national origin and disability retaliation. Read more here:

Foley Hoag, Ex-IT Worker Settle Wage, National Origin Suit (1) Foley Hoag LLP will pay $50,000 to a former tech support worker to end his claims that the law firm violated wage laws.

Another big corporate shift coming in 2025. Just like more return to office mandates, 2025 will bring many changes for workers and corporations.

Starbucks making customers pay to use bathroom under CEO’s new code of conduct

Be prepared for more reversals of expansions coming through either the courts or the executive branch which overseas many departments like the DOL and EEOC, which affect many employees.

Judge scraps Biden's Title IX rules, reversing expansion of protections for LGBTQ+ students (Associated Press) FILE - President Joe Biden pauses during a photo opportunity with Medal of Valor recipients in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Jan. 3, 2025...