Costco raised its minimum wage to $17 an hour
Costco has around 180,000 US employees, and 90% of them work hourly. Costco’s new starting wage puts the chain $2/hr above Amazon, Target, and other top retailers’ minimum wage, and $5/hr above Walmart.
United States
Cleveland Clinic launches human trials on first-of-its-kind preventative breast cancer vaccine
After two decades of preclinical research, human trials are set to begin on a unique preventative vaccine that is designed to target a protein commonly expressed by triple-negative breast cancers.
U.S. issues first passport with non-binary “X” gender marker in historic move
The X gender marker will become a part of the routine passport application process in early 2022.
McDonald’s to trial McPlant plant-based burger in the U.S.
McDonald’s is looking to expand its menu to include purely plant-based options, and began trialing its first such offering, the PLT, in Europe and Canada in 2019.
NFL to end race-based testing in dementia claims
“Race-norming” made it harder for black players to prove they suffered from injuries linked to their careers. The draft agreement means thousands of retirees may qualify for compensation.
Dr. Rachel Levine makes history as the United States’ first openly transgender four-star admiral
In March, Levine became not only the first openly transgender person approved by the Senate but also the highest-ranking #trans federal official in the country.
Johns Hopkins Medicine receives first federal grant for psychedelic treatment research in 50 years
Combined with preparation and structured support, psilocybin has shown promise for treating a range of addictions and mental health disorders.
Biden plans for 700% increase in community solar by 2025
If the Biden Administration reaches its targets, it would result in $1 billion in energy savings. Further, clean energy would create jobs while providing cheaper and sustainable energy for Americans.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announces plans to regulate cancer-causing ‘forever chemicals’
A handful of states including New Jersey, Vermont, Michigan, and New York, have already moved to regulate the chemicals on their own while the EU has banned many of the chemicals outright.
Biden administration plans massive offshore wind expansion
The seven lease sales are part of Biden’s plan to generate 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy in the next nine years and could create up to 77,000 jobs.