New York Mayor Eric Adams is was met with a pointy response from the hotel and catering industry after signing the controversial Safe Hotels Act, reports.

The laws requires hotels in the city’s five boroughs to acquire business licenses. Also often called “Introduction. 0991”, the law opens up space for more stringent safety, staffing, cleansing and licensing standards to make sure the protection of employees and visitors.

“Our top priority from day one has been keeping people safe, and that includes protecting employees and tourists at our city’s hotels,” Adams said. “That’s why we’re expanding protections for the working-class New Yorkers who run our hotels and the guests who use them. The Safe Hotels Act ensures our hotels are safe, healthy and clean so the tourism industry can thrive and create jobs. This is a victory for working people, the tourism and hospitality industry, and all New Yorkers.”

The bill, sponsored by City Council member Julie Menin, was amended twice before it was passed and drew criticism from industry groups including the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) and the American Hotel and Lodging Association. AAHOA President Miraj Patel says the recent law sheds light on issues that actually concern hoteliers.

“While we acknowledge the passage of the Safe Hotels Act and its attempt to accommodate smaller properties, this change still fails to address our broader concerns,” Patel said. “Hoteliers of all sizes deserve flexibility in managing their operations. The unintended consequences of the bill will disproportionately impact minority-owned businesses, stifling entrepreneurship and innovation in the hospitality industry.”

With nearly 800 hotels in municipalities, all will now should be licensed by the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), in accordance with . As crime increases in the city, hotels will likely be required to employ front desk and housekeeping staff over contract employees, in addition to have emergency buttons for workers in case of dangerous situations.

Under the DCWP, 45,000 businesses in New York are licensed, excluding hotels. Menin, a former DCWP commissioner, said it’s one among the few industries without regulation.

“There are many cases where hotel workers, mostly women, experience real sexual violence,” Menin said. “It also protects guests because ultimately we don’t want guests to come to our great city and have an experience in one of these crappy hotels… This is important because it’s a public safety issue. There have been 39 murders in hotels in recent years.”

Thirty-four of the council’s 51 members signed the bill, but the industry says the recent regulations will result in job losses and room rate increases, leading to an absence of tourists visiting the Big Apple.

“Hotels are now safe,” said New York Hotel Association President and CEO Vijay Dandapani. “New York has the best, cleanest and safest hotels in the country, if not the world. It’s an innovation center. We are the center of ideas. So to say that our hotels are not safe is a travesty.”

Over the past five years, the New York Police Department has filed greater than 14,000 complaints about crimes committed at hotels and motels.

A famous metro Atlanta soul food restaurant has announced that it is going to soon be closing its Panola Road location, but not by selection.

This is it! is situated in DeKalb County on Panola Road near Interstate 20. The restaurant, which has 10 other locations within the Atlanta metro area, announced the closure on Instagram.

“Since 2010, our Panola Road location has been more than just a restaurant — it’s a place for family, friends and treasured memories,” the statement read.

“Due to GDOT’s new development, we will soon be saying goodbye to Panola,” the statement read.

According to the Instagram post, the restaurant plans to shut its doors on November 11 but hopes to stay open until December.

Customers who frequent the restaurant were surprised to learn that the restaurant was at risk of closing.

This is it! Patron of Mark Somerville they praised the restaurant employees for customer support.

“The food is excellent and the service is excellent. I’m a bit of upset,” said a Somerville patron

Restaurant owner Shelly Butch Anthony said the state is using existing eminent domain laws to shut the restaurant together with three other nearby businesses. Anthony says replacing the restaurant, which is in a main location, can be a challenge.

“We sit here on I-20 and Panola Road. Where can we find another way Panola?” said tconcerning the socket.

The Panola Road expansion is a part of the I-285/I-20 East Interchange project. The Georgia Department of Transportation is planning develop the interchange at 1-20 and Panola Road. GDOT says the improvements will “address inefficient traffic flow and safety.

Eminent domain laws allow the federal government to seize private property if the owner refuses to sell. The Fifth Amendment states this seized property under eminent domain laws, they need to be for “public use” and owners must receive “just compensation.”

Anthony didn’t discuss the financial details of the acquisition, but said he has retained a lawyer to assist them navigate the method.

After a luxury travel group for Black women shut down just days before an upcoming trip, customers are left wondering what happened to the cash they spent.

The now-defunct group “Ladies and Luggage” has abruptly canceled a visit to Dubai that was scheduled for this week. One woman, Virginia Gasber, sent a travel agent nearly $11,000 for the experience.

“I’m disappointed that the trip was canceled and I’m disappointed that she’s giving us a hard time about the money.” expressed Gasber to.

More women, including retiree Deborah Wells, spent 1000’s on business trips on the agency. This could be Wells’ second trip with the group she once considered a “sisterhood.”

Wells explained: “It was a sisterly bond. And now you can imagine your sister saying, “We’re not doing this anymore.” Wait, what?”

However, Ladies and Luggage owner Davia Woods posted a lengthy video on Facebook explaining their sudden closure. While expressing that it intends to repay all customers, refunds will not come as quickly as expected.

In a follow-up email, Woods explained that predatory lending, an “unexpected” tax break and the departure of a business partner had created quite a few financial challenges for the tour group. She also added that she would notify individuals who purchased insurance about reporting claims.

Woods also said she was unaware of the questionable business practices resulting in the financial collapse.

“Unfortunately, material details regarding the company and its operations have not been disclosed to me, and these undisclosed issues have ultimately contributed to the challenges we currently face,” Woods wrote on this news site. “I work closely with my attorney to follow up with each client individually, ensuring that each claim is reviewed and each person receives complete treatment.”

However, it’s unclear when or if the cash will likely be returned.

“But you’re not telling me how to get my money back,” Wells continued. “We have a steady income and are making payments on these promised great locations. And here we are.”

Still, the agency’s lawyer stressed that the clients’ money had indeed been used for “appropriate expenses.” However, there’s currently no deadline for refunds.