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Angelenos are used to seeing fees for gratuity and even healthcare on the restaurant bill, but a downtown Los Angeles rooftop eatery is now charging a fee for security. Considered an essential experience in rooftop dining, diners at Perch, which is on the 15th floor of the Pershing Square Building at Hill and 5th streets, may soon notice the 4.5% surcharge on their receipt. “In L.A. it’s like the gratuity law, so all these extra fees on DoorDash, it’s kind of normal,” Simone Dill, who dined at Perch, told KTLA’s Samantha Cortese. What’s a little less normal, though, is that the security fee is not about protection from people outside the restaurant, rather it’s protection from other patrons.

In San Francisco, a baffling proposal by local lawmakers now allows residents to sue grocery stores that decide to close, adding another layer of absurdity to the city's already contentious relationship with its business community. This measure comes in response to a series of store closures due to safety concerns and rampant shoplifting, including a notable Whole Foods shutdown after a mere year of operation. The proposed legislation, aimed at combating the consequences of the city's drug and homelessness crises, demands a six-month notice before a store can close, under the guise of preserving local access to food. Critics argue this will only exacerbate the city's challenges with maintaining a vibrant retail environment, potentially leading to "food deserts" and discouraging new businesses from setting up shop. The city's struggle with crime, homelessness, and its impact on local businesses continues to spark debate over the effectiveness of progressive policies in addressing urban issues.

Squatters turned a Texas woman’s home into a “drug den” and sold her possessions at a yard sale — but police told her they couldn’t do anything about it. Terri Boyette was in Florida caring for her sick mother when a friend called to tell her someone had squatted her Dallas-area home. She had previously hired workers to renovate her house, but after she left a painter had broken in and wrecked the place, leaving crack pipes in her oven and needles in a drawer, Boyette told The Post.

Immigrants to the US can now decide they are not female or male, but a third unspecified gender when applying for citizenship. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services revised its N-400 Application for Naturalization form to provide applicants with the option of selecting “another gender identity” labeled “X,” it announced on Monday. “Historically USCIS forms and associated documents have only offered two gender options, ‘Male (M) and Female (F).’ This has created significant barriers for requesters who do not identify with either of those options,” immigration officials said in a news release. “Limiting benefit requesters to two gender options also creates administrative challenges for USCIS when we receive birth certificates or other official government-issued documents with a gender other than M or F.”

A video from inside a migrant shelter in Denver shows a city leader begging families to move on to other cities and warning of a bleak future if they stay. In the clip obtained by 9NEWS, Denver’s Newcomer Communications Liaison Andres Carrera, who also serves as Mayor Mike Johnston's political director, tells newly arrived migrants that Denver cannot support them. “The opportunities are over,” Carrera says to the group in Spanish. “New York gives you more. Chicago gives you more. So I suggest you go there where there is longer-term shelter. There are also more job opportunities there.” Denver is offering to pay for migrants' onward bus fare to destinations of their choice, a decision decried by other cities also struggling with the migrant crisis.

Recent data from the Center for Immigration Studies suggests that about 90% of the roughly 386,000 illegal immigrants that have been flown into the United States under the Biden administration’s parole program for illegal immigrants from certain countries have been admitted to the country at ports of entry in Florida and Texas. The data provided by the Center for Immigration Studies shows that a large majority of the 386,000 illegal immigrants documented as part of the Biden administration’s parole program have scheduled appointments to be arrested, to apply for asylum in the United States, and to be granted entrance to the country in Florida and Texas. Both states have strongly opposed the Biden administration’s border policies and have taken measures to reduce illegal immigration.

Hundreds of high-tech surveillance cameras are being installed in the city of Oakland and surrounding freeways to battle crime, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday. Newsom, a Democrat, said in a news release that the California Highway Patrol has contracted with Flock Safety to install 480 cameras that can identify and track vehicles by license plate, type, color and even decals and bumper stickers. The cameras will provide authorities with real-time alerts of suspect vehicles. Opponents say the technology infringes on privacy and will lead to further police abuse of already marginalized communities. But Newsom, who has deployed state attorneys and CHP officers to assist Oakland in its crackdown on crime, said the surveillance network will give law enforcement tools "to effectively combat criminal activity and hold perpetrators accountable — building safer, stronger communities for all Californians.” Public safety remains a concern statewide, especially retail theft, forcing even liberal leaders of Democratic cities to embrace increased policing.

Republican lawmakers in Georgia are taking aim at the ongoing squatting problem in Atlanta, proposing a bill that would make it a criminal offense. According to the National Rental Home Council trade group, 1,200 homes have been taken over by squatters in the city. With law enforcement bound by tenant right laws, homeowners are left with limited options to reclaim their property, but the new law could make it easier. The proposed bill, named the Georgia Squatter Reform Act, expands criminal trespassing to include persons who enter property without the consent of the owner for any period of time. The new law means that anyone caught squatting in a home without consent or legal authority will be arrested and charged with a misdemeanor and hit with a fine.

Oregon has legislatively completed its U-turn on a short-lived liberal policy that decriminalized the possession of small amounts of certain drugs. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat, on Monday signed into law a bill that reverses Measure 110, a 2020 law that voters approved to decriminalize most illegal possession of controlled substance offenses and redirect much of the state's marijuana tax revenue to fund grants for addiction services. Around 58% of Oregon residents approved the initial measure but since then, addiction and overdose deaths have skyrocketed in Oregon and nationwide as fentanyl swept across the country. In August, 56% of Oregonians said they disapproved of the pioneering drug law and both Republicans and Democrats introduced legislation to roll back the controversial measure.

Seven people have died at a hotel-turned-shelter for Denver’s homeless people since it opened in December, according to the city's medical examiner. The former DoubleTree by Hilton hotel serves hundreds of homeless people under a campaign by Mayor Mike Johnston to move 2,000 individuals out of the city's streets by the end of this year. That figure counts the 1,000-plus homeless individuals who moved into temporary shelters, including at the former DoubleTree hotel, last year. The hotel, located at 4040 Quebec St., came under scrutiny following a double homicide on March 16, when police said two victims were found dead inside a room. The medical examiner’s office later determined they were shot to death. In addition, five other deaths occurred at 4040 Quebec St. since Jan. 19, according to the data obtained by The Denver Gazette via a public records request.

A new, 2,000-person migrant caravan is making its way north to the US border — and is expected to reach El Paso, Texas, in just the next few days. Videos posted online show a swarm of people walking through the streets of southern Mexico on Monday. In one clip, an apparent leader could be seen encouraging the group through a bullhorn to chant “A la frontera” — meaning “To the border.” The group proclaimed in Spanish, “We are not criminals, we are international workers.” Church-run border shelters are preparing for the group’s arrival, as they run out of space to house the thousands of migrants trying to make their way into the United States, according to Border Report.

Gov. Ron DeSantis says "squatting" is a scam that violates private property rights and signed a bill intended to help protect homeowners in Orlando on Wednesday. According to a video Florida's governor posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), squatters commandeering homes have become an issue nationwide. However, he says the state will be putting an end to this scam. "We are in the state of Florida ending this squatters scam once and for all. And momentarily I'll be signing HB 621, which will give the homeowner the ability to quickly and legally remove a squatter from a property and which will increase criminal penalties for squatting," shared DeSantis during Wednesday's press conference at the Orange County State Attorney's Office. HB 621 will take effect on July 1, 2024. It creates a new way for property owners to remove squatters from their homes.

New rules are coming to strip clubs that could make work conditions safer for dancers and eventually allow alcohol sales at these businesses. Gov. Jay Inslee signed SB 6105 into law on Monday. The legislation was sponsored by Sen. Rebecca Saldana (D-Seattle) and it requires a series of worker protections for dancers, eliminates lewd conduct rules for establishments that serve alcohol, and creates a path for adult entertainment businesses to get liquor licenses. “It's pretty simple why we are passing this bill. These are working folks and working people deserve safety in the environment in which they work,” the governor said.

In a striking revelation, downtown Portland faces the highest office vacancy rate in the nation, a direct aftermath of the chaotic "Summer of Love" and subsequent control by groups such as Antifa and Black Lives Matter. The city's once-vibrant heart now grapples with an alarming exodus of businesses and a dwindling foot traffic recovery rate, placing it significantly below national averages. Critics point to Measure 110, Oregon's controversial drug decriminalization policy, as a catalyst for the increase in homelessness, drug addiction, and perceived lawlessness, exacerbating the city's decline. Local business leaders and residents demand urgent actions to reclaim and revitalize downtown, advocating for both short and long-term solutions to address safety, cleanliness, and public order. This scenario underscores the broader debate on urban policy effectiveness, security, and economic resilience, spotlighting Portland as a cautionary tale of good intentions gone awry.

Chicago's handling of its migrant crisis, led by Mayor Brandon Johnson, has sparked controversy and raised questions about transparency and financial accountability. Nearly $1 million weekly is being funneled into just three hotels serving as migrant shelters, with allegations of financial mismanagement and cover-up. Investigations have highlighted potential health risks due to overcrowding and challenges in providing initial healthcare to migrants. Legal battles ensue as NBC investigates the city's reluctance to disclose spending details, pointing to gaps in the city's response to migrant health needs. With over $300 million spent on the crisis, the lack of clarity on where these funds are allocated—especially regarding out-of-state companies' profits—erodes public trust. Amidst this turmoil, Chicago grapples with broader issues like homelessness and gun violence, struggling to manage the influx of asylum seekers. This scenario underscores the need for transparency and effective leadership in addressing complex urban challenges.

In an audacious move that's stirring controversy across the board, New York City has embarked on a plan to issue prepaid debit cards to immigrant families lacking legal status. This initiative aims to alleviate the financial strain on these families by providing them with $350 weekly for essential purchases such as food and baby supplies, exclusively at local bodegas and grocery stores. The scheme, intended to mirror the SNAP food assistance program, has faced criticism for potential fraud risks and its impact on the city's budget. Despite these concerns, city officials argue the program could save up to $600,000 monthly by offering more flexible food choices and boosting the local economy. Yet, detractors question the logistics, fearing misuse and the indirect encouragement of illegal immigration, spotlighting the broader debate on managing such populations amid rising urban challenges.

In Portland, Oregon, the city is bracing itself for a potentially tumultuous election season, reflected in the preparation of new crowd control measures and steel barriers around federal buildings. This initiative stems from past experiences, particularly the 2020 protests, which left scars on the cityscape and its community. Amidst concerns of renewed violence, Portland's police force is assembling a specialized team trained to handle violent protests, equipped with enhanced gear and training. The narrative captures a city still grappling with the aftermath of previous conflicts, seeking to fortify itself against future unrest. The discussion touches upon the broader implications of civic preparedness, public safety, and the right to protest, highlighting the delicate balance cities must maintain in a politically charged atmosphere. This scenario underscores the challenges urban centers face in ensuring peace and security while respecting democratic expressions of dissent.

An Atlanta property owner is frustrated after he says people have been living on his land without permission for years. David Morris, who now lives in California, says squatters have been living on his southeast Atlanta property since the pandemic, and it's been quite an ordeal getting them to leave. However, according to his attorney, David Perrie, they were granted Writ of Possession on March 21. Morris says he now plans to install fencing to keep unwanted visitors out. Meanwhile, he says he was contacted by code enforcement to clean up the property. "It's frustrating that I'm having to spend so much money. I spent $10,000 on cleaning up garbage from vagrants," Morris told FOX 5.

Video shows a team of Los Angeles home inspectors giving a group of a dozen squatters a reality check before they entered the home, changed the locks and boarded up the windows. "The police are gonna come," one of the squatters tells the inspectors in the front yard in cellphone video recorded earlier this month in the frontyard of a San Fernando Valley home. "That's fine," the inspector replies. "We're coming in." A group known as the Squatter Squad took the video and says it has been legally removing squatters from private property since 2018. They use various legal techniques, applicable on a case by case basis, to remove people who invade homes and refuse to leave.

In a controversial move, Toronto Police have suggested that residents leave their car keys readily available to thieves to prevent potential home invasions and violence. This advice, met with widespread ridicule and disbelief, underscores a growing concern over crime rates and the effectiveness of law enforcement strategies in urban areas. Critics argue that such measures encourage criminal behavior rather than addressing the root causes of crime, such as inadequate policing and social policies. The recommendation has sparked a heated debate about safety, property rights, and the responsibilities of law enforcement in safeguarding citizens without compromising their rights. The broader implications of this advice reflect on societal attitudes towards crime prevention, law enforcement's role, and the balance between public safety and individual freedoms.

Parents of students at University of California Berkeley have become so concerned about their offspring’s safety they have hired private security to secure the local vicinity. SFGATE reports that parents were forced to take matters into their own hands amid a surge in violent crime around the UC Berkeley campus located outside of San Francisco: Parents and community members of SafeBears, a nonprofit organization started in 2022, raised $40,000 at the end of 2023 to launch the pilot program, which started March 6 and concludes on Saturday, according to the group’s website. Six security guards from Streetplus, a third-party contractor, are patrolling five routes around the campus and the university’s residence halls on foot and by bicycle from 6:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. daily. The security guards are not armed and will not enter university property, the website says, but are trained in de-escalation and CPR. They also must earn a California “guard card” from the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, requiring them to clear a background check from the California Department of Justice and FBI. While the program will not be continuing beyond this weekend, parents hope that they will be able to convince the university to take more action. “While we will not be extending the length of our private safety pilot beyond March 23, we will certainly continue to push the administration at UC Berkeley to do more to protect students from violence,” Sagar Jethani, president of SafeBears, told SFGATE.

California restaurants are reportedly laying off staff and reducing hours for other team members in an effort to cut costs ahead of a California state law taking effect on April 1 that will raise fast-food workers’ hourly wage to $20. In the months leading up to the wage mandate, California eateries, particularly pizza joints, have established a plan to cut jobs, according to state records obtained by The Wall Street Journal. Pizza Hut and Round Table Pizza — a Menlo Park, Calif.-founded chain of 400 pizza parlors, mostly on the West Coast — have said they plan to lay off around 1,280 delivery drivers this year, according to records that major employers must submit to the state before large layoffs, The Journal reported. Pizza Hut already sent notices to employees informing them of their last day. Michael Ojeda, a Pizza Hut driver for eight years in Ontario, Calif., received one of the notes from Pizza Hut franchisee Southern California Pizza in December telling him that his last day of work would be in February.

In the first three months after the City of Denver converted a hotel in Denver's Central Park neighborhood to a shelter for the homeless, calls for police and first responders rose 2,900% compared to the previous three months when it served as a hotel, according to city data obtained by CBS News Colorado.

A federal judge in Illinois appointed by President Barack Obama ruled that the Constitution protects the rights of noncitizens who enter the US illegally after a Mexican immigrant living in Chicago was found in possession of a handgun. US District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman ruled earlier this month that a federal ban on undocumented immigrants owning firearms is unconstitutional, and dismissed charges against Heriberto Carbajal-Flores, who was arrested in 2020 after violating a federal law that prohibits noncitizens from possessing guns. Coleman ruled that since Carbajal-Flores has no criminal record and the circumstances behind his arrest were not violent, he should not be deprived of his Second Amendment right to bear arms in self-defense, Fox News Digital reported.

The Washington State Supreme Court has ruled that the bar exam is no longer a requirement for prospective lawyers. On Friday, The Bar Licensure Task Force explained that the bar is “minimally effective for ensuring competency” and “disproportionally and unnecessarily blocks marginalized groups from becoming practicing attorneys.” According to The Spokesman-Review, after appointing the task force in 2020 to assess “disproportionate impacts on examinees of color and first-generation examinees,” the courts agreed to substitute the exam with “experiential-learning alternatives.” The task force was made up of over 50 groups of representatives and “examined the character and fitness process for lawyer licensure.” Although students have historically interned under another lawyer before becoming attorneys, they still had to pass the bar to get their license to practice. Under the new guidelines, lawyers can forgo the bar, first administered in Delaware in 1783, by participating in a six-month apprenticeship and finishing three courses.