New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani built part of his campaign around a bold promise: a $30 minimum wage by 2030.

His plan called for phased increases: $20 per hour in 2027, $23.50 in 2028, $27 in 2029, and $30 in 2030. After that, wages would automatically adjust each year based on cost of living or productivity growth.

‘You just can’t make this stuff up.’

As of January 1, 2026, New York City’s minimum wage is $17 per hour under state law.

But as a major winter storm approached the city this month, the Department of Sanitation activated an emergency snow-shoveling program paying $19.14 per hour. Overtime is set at $28.71 after 40 hours.

The temporary workers are tasked with clearing snow and ice from bus stops, crosswalks, fire hydrants, and step streets.

RELATED: Mamdani goes full ‘Batman villain’ and holds New York City hostage

Photographer: Adam Gray/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The pay rate quickly drew criticism online. Several users on X pointed to the gap between the mayor’s long-term wage proposal and the city’s current emergency pay scale.

Conservative commentator and former ESPN anchor Sage Steele weighed in: “Let me get this straight: Zohran Mamdani campaigned (ignorantly) on raising NYC’s min wage to $30/hour, but is now begging residents to shovel snow for $19/hour??”

Steele, like others, also focused on the documentation requirements tied to the job, contrasting them with New York’s voting rules, which generally do not require voters to present photo identification.

“This … from someone who believes requiring ONE form of ID to vote is racist?? You just can’t make this stuff up,” she continued.

RELATED: Mamdani threatens massive property tax hike if Albany blocks wealth tax plan

Photo by Stephani Spindel/VIEWpress via Getty Images

Mamdani has defended the employment documentation rules, stating that federal I-9 verification laws require all employers, including municipal governments, to confirm identity and work authorization before issuing pay.

A few critics labeled the rules “Jim Snow 2.0,” framing the documentation requirement as an unnecessary barrier.

Mamdani’s office did not respond to a request for comment from Blaze News.

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​Politics, Mamdani, Nyc, Snow 

Shortly after Team USA’s historic Olympic gold-medal victory in men’s hockey on Sunday, the team had a special guest join them in the locker room — and an even more special guest phone in his congratulations.

Following USA’s first gold-medal victory since 1980, the hockey team was joined by noted hockey fan FBI Director Kash Patel, who enthusiastically joined in the celebration.

‘We’re giving the State of the Union speech on Tuesday night. I can send a military plane.’

After pounding a beer and banging his fist on a table in the locker room, Patel called President Donald Trump, who spoke with the team for a few minutes and offered them the opportunity of a lifetime.

On the call, President Trump joked that the goalie “played not bad.”

“How you doing, Don?” said goalie Connor Hellebuyck in reply.

RELATED: ‘LOTS OF WINNING!!!’ Trump praises America’s historic hockey victory at Winter Olympics

Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

Then came Trump’s offer: “We’re giving the State of the Union speech on Tuesday night. I can send a military plane. … If you would like to, it’s the coolest night.”

The whole hockey team said they were in to attend.

Trump continued: “The nice thing about being president is, I can tell you, you don’t have to worry about the weather or landing. We don’t care if it’s snowing or if it’s the worst blizzard.”

Trump then joked, “I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that,” adding that he “probably would be impeached” if he neglected to invite the U.S. women’s team since they also won the gold medal.

The president then offered the men’s team his congratulations once more, saying: “You’re going to be proud of that game for 50 years. … I’m going to shake hands with everybody, but I got to shake hands with that goalie.”

Patel received some criticism for joining the team in the locker room, but he defended his actions in a response on social media that has since gone viral: “For the very concerned media — yes, I love America and was extremely humbled when my friends, the newly minted Gold Medal winners on Team USA, invited me into the locker room to celebrate this historic moment with the boys — Greatest country on earth and greatest sport on earth.”

President Trump also took to Truth Social to congratulate the team: “Congratulations to our great U.S.A. Ice Hockey team. THEY WON THE GOLD. WOW!”

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​Politics, Olympics, Trump, President trump, Gold medal, State of the union, Sotu, United states, America, Hockey, Womens hockey 

In a stunning attempt to appeal to an audience in a majority-black city, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) revealed what he really thinks about the voters.

Newsom embarked on a book tour for his new memoir, making stops in swing states like Georgia, leading people to speculate that he is soft-launching a 2028 presidential bid. However, his aspirations for higher office may have taken a hit after he made some tone-deaf remarks in Atlanta, unknowingly disparaging his audience in an attempt to relate to them.

‘He REALLY BELIEVES they’re slow.’

“I’m not trying to impress you,” Newsom said, noticeably tense. “I’m just trying to impress upon you, I’m like you. I’m no better than you. You know, I’m a 960 SAT guy. I’m not trying to offend anyone, you know, trying to act all there if you got a 940.”

“You never see me read a speech because I cannot read a speech,” Newsom added.

RELATED: Clinton judge strikes down Newsom’s edict banning masks for ICE agents

Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Newsom’s remarks sparked outrage from all sides of the aisle, most notably from a new force on the political scene.

The Queen of Rap, Nicki Minaj, took to X to dismantle Newsom’s tone-deaf statements, shredding him for speaking to black voters “as if they’re children.”

“His way of bonding with black ppl is to tell them how stupid he is & that he can’t read,” Minaj said. “This means my first read on him was correct. He’s been handed so many things & put in high positions he never earned or deserved.”

“Do you wanna know the craziest part of this footage that will haunt him forever? He’s literally slowing his speech down & talking in a sporadic cadence.”

RELATED: Trump’s ‘number-one fan,’ Nicki Minaj, praises the president, shreds Gavin ‘Newscum’

Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP via Getty Images

“He’s not just TELLING them that they’re all probably stupid & probably can’t read, he’s LITERALLY SLOW-ING-DOWN-HIS-SPEECH to make them understand the words that are coming out of his mouth!!!!” Minaj added. “As if they’re children!!!! That means he REALLY BELIEVES they’re slow. He’s not just saying it — he didn’t misspeak!!!! He BELIEVES it!!!!”

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​Donald trump, Gavin newsom, Nicki minaj, Black voters, 2028 presidential race, Swing state, Politics 

Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are scheduled to be deposed by the House Oversight Committee this week regarding their ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

The Clintons, who had previously defied the committee’s subpoenas, agreed in early February to appear before lawmakers after months of back-and-forth and a vote that found the two in contempt of Congress.

‘Our goal for this investigation is straightforward: We seek to deliver transparency and accountability for the American people and for survivors.’

Hillary Clinton is scheduled to testify under oath on Feb. 26 and Bill Clinton on Feb. 27. Both hearings will be closed-door.

Committee lawmakers have agreed to hold the depositions in the Clintons’ place of residence rather than in Washington, D.C.

“The Clintons’ depositions will be held in Chappaqua, New York, on February 26 and 27 as an accommodation for their schedules. The depositions are in accordance with House and Committee rules,” a House Oversight Committee spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) has called the Clintons’ testimony “critical” to understanding Epstein’s and Ghislaine Maxwell’s “sex trafficking network and the ways they sought to curry favor and influence to shield themselves from scrutiny.”

“Their testimony may also inform how Congress can strengthen laws to better combat human trafficking. Our goal for this investigation is straightforward: We seek to deliver transparency and accountability for the American people and for survivors,” Comer told Fox News Digital.

RELATED: Bill and Hillary Clinton agree to testify about Jeffrey Epstein after contempt of Congress threat from Republicans

Photo by the US Justice Department/Handout/Anadolu/Getty Images

After initially defying congressional subpoenas, the Clintons have since pressured the committee to hold public hearings.

“I have called for the full release of the Epstein files. I have provided a sworn statement of what I know. And just this week, I’ve agreed to appear in person before the committee. But it’s still not enough for Republicans on the House Oversight Committee,” Bill Clinton wrote on social media of Feb. 6. “Now, Chairman Comer says he wants cameras, but only behind closed doors. Who benefits from this arrangement? It’s not Epstein’s victims, who deserve justice. Not the public, who deserve the truth. It serves only partisan interests. This is not fact-finding, it’s pure politics.”

“I will not sit idly as they use me as a prop in a closed-door kangaroo court by a Republican Party running scared. If they want answers, let’s stop the games & do this the right way: in a public hearing, where the American people can see for themselves what this is really about,” the former president added.

RELATED: Bill Clinton accuses GOP of setting up ‘kangaroo court’ over Epstein testimony — and demands public hearing

James Comer. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Comer has not ruled out public hearings, but has insisted on first holding depositions behind closed doors.

“The subpoena and the contempt was on a deposition. If we get to the deposition and there’s something meaningful to have a hearing, if they still want some more oversight, then I think the members of my committee would love to have them in for a public hearing,” Comer told reporters in early February.

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​News, Bill clinton, Hillary clinton, The clintons, Clinton, Clintons, James comer, House oversight committee, Jeffrey epstein, Epstein, Trafficking, Sex trafficking, Politics 

From render farm to red carpet?

No sooner had the lights come up on Utah’s final year hosting the Sundance Film Festival than state officials announced a very different cinematic bet: artificial intelligence.

‘Nuovo has presented a forward-thinking approach.’

According to Variety, Utah has approved a $2 million grant for a new initiative called the Nuovo Film Festival, described by the state as a “film ecosystem” built around AI-driven production. Plans reportedly include a filmmaking lab, an AI-powered soundstage, and expanded incentive programs aimed at attracting filmmakers to the state.

Founded in 1981 by Robert Redford, Sundance grew into one of the premier cultural and commercial forces in American film, launching independent directors, shaping awards seasons, and helping define modern indie cinema. As its contract expired and Boulder offered both financial incentives and a cultural climate seen as more aligned with the festival’s direction, Sundance chose to leave Utah after more than four decades.

Nuovo organizers outlined five “pillars” in presentation materials cited by Variety.

The first proposes a lab to “teach new filmmakers how to tell their story using technology and AI.” The second centers on incentive programs. The third focuses on constructing an AI soundstage — one that may require its own dedicated power source.

RELATED: ‘Shut the f**k up!’ Actor Jamie Kennedy slams Hollywood’s hypocrisy over ICE

Your browser does not support the video tag. Footage by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

The cost-saving claims are ambitious. Organizers suggested a $200 million film that traditionally takes three years to complete could be produced in nine months for roughly $10 million using AI-assisted workflows. Those figures remain projections, not proven results.

The fourth pillar involves collaboration with Harbor Fund, a Utah-based nonprofit. Founded in 2018, Harbor Fund describes its mission as pairing filmmakers with philanthropic capital to support “films that matter.” It’s website prominently features a quote from movie critic Roger Ebert: “The movies are like a machine that generates empathy.”

In effect, Utah’s proposed AI film hub would not only streamline production but also align itself with what organizers describe as “impact-driven filmmaking.”

The fifth pillar calls for certificate programs at high schools and colleges to train students in makeup, set design, sound, staging, and editing — building a workforce tailored to AI-enabled production.

“Utah would have the dedicated and trained workforce to allow filmmakers to come here and use the local workforce instead of bringing them here,” the presentation reportedly stated.

RELATED: ‘They can’t take us all down’: Actor Giancarlo Esposito declares it’s ‘time for a revolution’ in unhinged rant

Photo by: Visions of America/Joe Sohm/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Lance Soffe, director of targeted industries for the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development, framed the move as forward-looking.

“Traditional festivals are not generating the same impact they once did,” Soffe said. “Instead of trying to recreate an aging model, Nuovo has presented a forward-thinking approach that builds on Utah’s legacy while embracing where the industry is going.”

The new Utah festival will be led by a board comprised of former MGM Television chief Mark Burnett, advertising moguls, and venture capitalists.The announcement comes as the broader film industry remains unsettled over AI.

On the same day the Utah investment drew attention, AMC Theatres faced backlash over reports it would screen an AI-generated short film before previews. The short “Thanksgiving Day” won the Frame Forward AI Film Festival and was reportedly slated for wide theatrical exposure. After criticism mounted, AMC said its locations would not participate.

While policymakers and investors see efficiency and reduced costs, audiences appear less certain about replacing human-driven filmmaking with algorithmic production.

​Lifestyle, Align, Tech, Ai, Artificial intelligence, Movies, Sundance, Film festival, Woke, Entertainment 

A trio of 14-year-old car thieves slammed a stolen vehicle into a Baltimore police officer who opened fire as he was hit — and while the teens managed to get away from the scene, police said they arrested them days later.

Officer William Cole responded around 12:05 a.m. Sunday to an attempted break-in call, WBAL-TV reported.

‘I need a medic!’

Police released Cole’s body-worn camera video, which showed the officer arriving at the location on West Lombard Street; he soon encountered multiple people in a Kia sedan that backed up and struck a parked vehicle, the station said.

When Cole ordered the driver to stop, the driver backed up again and struck the officer, WBAL said, citing the video.

Police said Cole fired his gun once at the car as he fell, the station said, adding that the driver fled the scene and hit another vehicle as well as the officer’s patrol car in the process.

Video then shows an injured man approaching the officer from across the street and collapsing.

The officer is heard saying on the bodycam video, “I need a medic! You good, bro? I got you. What’s wrong, bro, you OK?”

RELATED: 3 males — ages 8, 11, 12 — steal car, crash into house; driver, 11, says he learned how to steal cars from YouTube: Cops

Police said the officer rendered aid to the 21-year-old injured man who was assaulted by multiple people before the officer’s arrival at the scene, WBAL reported; the victim wasn’t taken to a hospital.

However, the officer at the scene injured his ankle and was treated and released from a hospital, the station said.

Police told WBAL that officers found the Kia in question abandoned on South Arlington Avenue and that the vehicle was reported stolen Saturday from East Chase Street.

More from WBAL:

Police said detectives were able to identify two of the Kia’s occupants as two 14-year-old boys who have prior charges of robbery and auto theft and were on electronic monitoring as a result. Detectives arrested the boys Monday on aggravated assault and auto theft charges. They remain detained at Juvenile Booking.

Police said detectives later identified the driver of the Kia as a 14-year-old girl. During her arrest on Tuesday, police said officers learned the girl had been treated at a hospital on Sunday for a wound to her right wrist. The girl’s mother told detectives that the injury may be a gunshot graze wound; police said further investigation is needed to determine the cause of the injury. The girl was taken to Juvenile Booking, where she was charged with aggravated assault and stolen auto. She was later released on electronic monitoring.

Teen crime in Baltimore despite electronic monitoring is not a new phenomenon. Last summer, a 13-year-old with a GPS ankle monitor who had been arrested 18 times for felonies was charged in connection with a violent city crime spree.

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​Baltimore police, Teenagers, 14-year-old kids, Police officer shoots, Arrests, Injuries, Car theft, Crime 

Before a call from President Donald Trump and a few drinks with FBI Director Kash Patel, Team USA men’s hockey made a heartfelt tribute to one of their compatriots.

After the players received their gold medals for a stunning 2-1 win over Team Canada on Sunday, viewers may have noticed a couple of youngsters on the ice posing for the team picture, along with a loose hockey jersey.

‘When we got the call to come out, it felt like maybe he did make the team.’

No, those were not captain Auston Matthews’ children. Nor were they superstar goalie Connor Hellebuyck’s children. They were Noa and Johnny Jr., children of the late Johnny Gaudreau.

In 2023, Gaudreau, 31, and his younger brother Matthew, 29, were tragically killed by a drunk driver while riding bicycles in Oldmans Township, New Jersey. Gaudreau was one of the star players for the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, while Matthew was a former professional hockey player who last played in the ECHL.

In yet another wonderful gesture, Team USA invited Johnny Gaudreau’s widow, Meredith, to join the team in Italy on Saturday, along with the Gaudreau brothers’ parents, Guy and Jane. The whole family was in the audience for the gold-medal game.

“To be able to get it done like that, to win, to have his jersey out there in the team photo, have his kids come out and be with us, we’re obviously thinking of him,” Auston Matthews said, per ESPN. “Just felt like the impact that he’s had on so many guys in this room is special. He was with us in spirit the whole tournament,” Matthews added.

RELATED: ‘LOTS OF WINNING!!!’ Trump praises America’s historic hockey victory at Winter Olympics

“It’s fun to be a part of this,” Meredith said before the game.

“When we got the call to come out, it felt like maybe he did make the team. So it’s fun. Here to represent him and support everyone that’s honoring him, as well.”

Meredith revealed to a reporter that she only had two days’ notice before making the trip overseas to join the squad, but she said it was something she simply could not pass up.

“Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the kids. So that was the main reason that drove me out here,” the mother continued, before delivering some truly heartbreaking remarks.

“I feel like I have two roles in life now: It’s honor John, my husband, and make sure these kids know how special their dad is and give them some special opportunities.”

RELATED: NHL superstar Johnny Gaudreau and brother killed by suspected drunk driver on eve of sister’s wedding: ‘Unimaginable tragedy’

Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

USA forward Dylan Larkin firmly stated that “Johnny and Matty should be here.”

“That is the biggest loss that all of us at USA Hockey, their family, our family, has gone through,” Larkin continued. “And to have Johnny Jr. and Noa out there, it just felt right.”

Larkin added that he thought the Gaudreau brothers may have had a hand in stopping some pucks from going into the USA net.

“And I think part of those, the puck not going in our net, was somehow him standing there doing something, laughing with Matty. Just somehow they put a spell around our net where that puck didn’t go in.”

Larkin then joked around, reportedly smiling while saying, “Ironic, on the defensive side; he would’ve never been back there,” he said about Johnny.

These comments nearly mirrored what was said about the late brothers by their sister, Katie.

Katie jokingly told Fox News that while her brothers were “never quite defensive,” she thought a couple of saves had some assistance from above.

“Up there, they were definitely helping out.”

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​Fearless, Gaudreau, Usa hockey, Olympics, Italy, 2026 winter olympics, Nhl, Gold medal, United states, New jersey, Sports