Bills considered by lawmakers, Cork & Bull lawsuit, Minnesota leaders subpoenaed: Sunrise Brief

TOP STORIES: Bills considered by lawmakers, Cork & Bull lawsuit, Minnesota leaders subpoenaed

1. The Democratic-controlled General Assembly is considering proposals that have been blocked in previous years, including a paid family leave program and an increase to the state's minimum wage.

   Under the proposed legislation, the Virginia Employment Commission would create and run a program to provide up to 12 weeks each year of paid leave. That leave could be used for reasons like the birth or adoption of a child, caring for a sick family member, or if the worker has a serious medical condition. The program would be funded by a payroll tax paid by employers and employees and would cover up to 80% of a person's average weekly wage, but no more than the state average weekly wage.

   Republican lawmakers say the reasons to grant leave are so broad that many people will maximize their time and lead to it costing even more.

   Another bill — which would raise the state's minimum wage to $13.75 an hour in 2027 and $15 an hour in 2018 — is heading to a full vote in the House of Delegates. Previous efforts to raise the state's minimum wage were vetoed by former Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Opponents worry higher wages could force small businesses to cut hours or raise prices.
   

2. A group of nine Black women who say they experienced racial discrimination while dining at Cork & Bull Chophouse in Chesapeake in November 2025 filed a $5 million lawsuit against the restaurant Tuesday.

   Women file $5 million racial discrimination lawsuit against Cork & Bull Chophouse I I

   Shakoya Somerville-Holt, one of the plaintiffs, told News 3 in a previous interview that the incident happened when she and eight friends were having dinner at the restaurant on Nov. 6, 2025. Shortly after, Somerville-Holt said two other Black women at a nearby table got into a fight. Despite not knowing the women involved in the altercation, Somerville-Holt said restaurant management also told her group they had to leave.

   All the women in Sommerville-Holt's group were dressed in white tops and denim bottoms, making them "visibly distinguishable from all other patrons." According to the lawsuit, Dallas Walton, a Cork & Bull chef, approached the women aggressively while they were gathering their belongings and said, "I run this [expletive]" and "Get the [expletive] out."

   Chesapeake Neighborhood Reporter Erin Holly went into Cork & Bull and spoke to the manager on duty. He said the restaurant is aware of the lawsuit and has no comment at this time.
   

3. The Justice Department on Tuesday issued subpoenas to several Minnesota officials, beginning an investigation into whether those people obstructed federal immigration operations in the state.

   Department of Justice subpoenas Minneapolis Mayor Frey, Minnesota Gov. Walz

   Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her and two other officials from Ramsey and Hennepin counties received subpoenas. A spokesperson for the City of Minneapolis confirmed to Scripps News that Mayor Frey received a grand jury subpoena.

   At the time, both Frey and Walz characterized the investigation as an intimidation tactic.

   It comes as the Department of Homeland Security and its agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, continue an unprecedented immigration crackdown called Operation Metro Surge. At a press conference on Tuesday, DHS officials said agencies had made more than 10,000 arrests of undocumented immigrants since President Trump took office. 113 arrests occurred over the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend.

This morning's weather: Warming trend to end the week, Snow & ice this weekend

Meteorologist Myles Henderson says we'll have a very cold start this morning with temperatures in the teens and 20s. We will take a step warmer today with highs in the upper 40s, about 10 degrees warmer than yesterday afternoon. Expect mostly sunny skies with clouds building in this afternoon to evening.

Snow chances this weekend:

WTKR News 3

Colder air and messy weather is set to move in this weekend as an area of low pressure slides across the Southeast. A mix of snow, rain, and ice is possible for much of VA and NC Saturday and Sunday. Snow showers will build in Saturday PM and we will see a mix of precipitation during the day Sunday. Significant snow and ice accumulation is possible.

For the latest weather updates, watch Myles live on News 3 This Morning here.

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For the latest traffic updates, watch Conor live on News 3 This Morning here.

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