The minimum wage will increase in 15 states and cities in July, though lawmakers in other states have worked to slow down wage hikes.

Wage floor increases beginning July 1 in Alaska, Oregon and Washington, D.C., will benefit more than 880,000 workers by collectively raising their earnings by more than $397 million, according to an analysis by the Economic Policy Institute, a left-leaning think tank.

My guess is that most Nebraskans associate Los Angeles with the Hollywood sign, Disneyland, movie stars, mud slides, fads, freeways, Rodney King, Valley girls (and boys), the beach, earthquakes, horrific fires and a Southern California vibe that far too many disparage as being the home office of the “Left Coast.” Indeed, a recent sloganeering barb from the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce aimed at the entire Golden State (and others) bragged, “We don’t coast!”

HAYWARD, Calif. (AP) — Amazon is gearing up to make as many as 10,000 robotaxis annually at a sprawling plant near Silicon Valley as it prepares to challenge self-driving cab leader Waymo. Tesla CEO Elon Musk is also vying to join the autonomous race.