2024.12.20

Bring Me the News reports Boludo in Minneapolis has been fined over $105,000 by the U.S. Department of Labor for overtime violations and illegal labor practices. “According to DOL, Boludo denied overtime to 51 employees at its four Minneapolis restaurants: Boludo El 38, Boludo Downtown, Boludo Uptown and Boludo Como.” MinnPost
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-business/acclaimed-minneapolis-pizza-chain-boludo-fined-105k-for-federal-labor-violations

Decades after it disappeared, wild rice is booming again on the upper Mississippi River
For some, the resurgence is a source of wonder. For others, it’s more of a nuisance, making it hard to maneuver boats through areas that were once easily passable.
by Madeline Heim, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
https://www.minnpost.com/other-nonprofit-media/2024/12/decades-after-it-disappeared-wild-rice-is-booming-again-on-the-upper-mississippi-river/

Shocked! I'm just shocked!
Wisconsin
Major Trump donors who complained of immigrant ‘invasion’ used Mexican workers illegally, sources allege
Exclusive: Experts believe the alleged ‘shuttle support’ program used by Uline – a company owned by billionaires Liz and Dick Uihlein – is likely illegal and exploitative of workers
Stephanie Kirchgaessner and Alice Herman in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/20/uline-mexican-workers-trump

Best movies of 2024 in the US: No 1 – The Brutalist
Brady Corbet’s ambitious saga starring a fantastic Adrien Brody as a Hungarian architect seeking a new life in the US, is a colossal achievement
Guy Lodge
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/dec/20/best-movies-of-2024-the-brutalist

Pictures! 2024 bestest!
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20241219-12-of-the-most-striking-images-of-2024

Soldier-spies in Myanmar help pro-democracy rebels make crucial gains
Rebecca Henschke, Ko Ko Aung, Jack Aung & Data Journalism Team
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c390ndrny17o

For those o' you with youngins — you know who you are:

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