Labor Department Investigation Finds Taziki’s Violated Overtime Rules
UPDATE – 2/12/18
The U.S. Department of Labor Friday announced Taziki’s Mediterranean Café will pay $135,844 to employees after an investigation found the company violated overtime rules.
The restaurant chain failed to combine the hours individual employees worked at multiple locations to determine whether they were due overtime, according to the labor department’s investigation. The company instead issued the 26 employees involved multiple paychecks at each location, despite their combined hours exceeding 40 in a workweek.
Taziki’s also failed to pay workers for time spent traveling between restaurants, according to the labor department. “The resolution of this case puts these wages into the hands of those who earned them, and demonstrates how Department of Labor enforcement levels the playing field for law-abiding employers,” Kenneth Stripling, district director of the Wage and Hour Division said. “We encourage all employers to make use of the many tools our agency offers to help them understand their obligations and to avoid violations.”
Auburn tabs USF’s Alex Golesh as its next coach, replacing Hugh Freeze on the Plains
The 41-year-old Golesh, who was born in Russia and moved to the United State at age 7, is signing a six-year contract that averages more than $7 million annually to replace Hugh Freeze. Freeze was fired in early November after failing to fix Auburn’s offensive issues in three seasons on the Plains.
Alabama Power seeks to delay rate hike for new gas plant amid outcry
The state’s largest utility has proposed delaying the rate increase from its purchase of a $622 million natural gas plant until 2028.
Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones announces run for Alabama governor
Jones announced his campaign Monday afternoon, hours after filing campaign paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office. His gubernatorial bid could set up a rematch with U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the Republican who defeated Jones in 2020 and is now running for governor.
Scorching Saturdays: The rising heat threat inside football stadiums
Excessive heat and more frequent medical incidents in Southern college football stadiums could be a warning sign for universities across the country.
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor to join our award-winning team covering important regional stories across Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.
Judge orders new Alabama Senate map after ruling found racial gerrymandering
U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco, appointed by President Donald Trump during his first term, issued the ruling Monday putting a new court-selected map in place for the 2026 and 2030 elections.

