Convenience Big Store: Some California employers face $500/day fines in new policy aimed at rehiring former workers

California to require some hospitality employers to rehire workers laid off due to the pandemic – California will require some hospitality and service industry employers to rehire employees that were laid off due to the pandemic. Senate Bill 93, signed by Gov. Newsom on April 16 requires hotels, airports and large event centers to offer new positions to qualified former employees through 2024. The new rule means that those businesses could face fines up to $500 per day if they do not comply. Some groups are criticizing the mandate, saying the policy poses difficulties for an already struggling industry. However, Peter Hillan, spokesperson for the California Hotel and Lodging Association, said the industry wants their employees back and are ready and prepared to reopen. Hotels and airports could potentially face the same struggle that restaurants have recently encountered: former employees do not want to return to low paying jobs when pandemic unemployment benefits provide more money. (Giacomo Luca, Brea Love, ABC10)

Sacramento area community colleges look forward to fall despite downward trend in enrollment data – In a year with many ups and downs in several industries, it's perhaps no surprise that California community colleges also saw a general decline in enrollment in 2020. The drop actually differs from trends of past recessions that saw more students enrolling in community colleges. Modesto Junior College Acting President Dr. Santanu Bandyopadhyay says last year was unlike any other, though. "Whenever the economy tanked, our enrollment always boomed," Bandyopadhyay said. Modesto Junior College was one of many in the state to see enrollment decrease, but two Sacramento-area colleges actually saw a slight increase in enrollment. (Samantha Solomon, ABC10)

If food waste were a country, it would rank as the third largest emitter of greenhouse gas – The food we‘re throwing out is killing the planet and will soon be costing us more. A study by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations report says if food waste were a country, it would rank just behind China and the United States as the third largest emitter of greenhouse gas. In California, it’s a tragic imbalance. One in five children go hungry every day, yet we throw away more than six million tons of food a year. That’s why California is requiring nearly all food get diverted from landfills by January 1, 2022. (Monica Woods, ABC10)

TIP OF THE DAY

Combat 'Zoom fatigue' Zoom fatigue from virtual calls is probably affecting everyone just about now, but according to a Stanford study, women are even more affected. That's why ABC10 has put together some tips for dealing with Zoom fatigue. (Barbara Bingley, ABC10)

SMILE

Chicken and a biscuit Sacramento will be a taste tester for McDonald's new crispy chicken breakfast sandwich. Described as a very exclusive market rollout, the new breakfast option will only be available in certain California cities and in Columbus, Ohio. (Eric Escalante, ABC10)