As of Jan. 1, Seattle’s minimum wage increased by 79 cents, reaching $20.76 per hour for all businesses, regardless of size. The other half of the building will also close for in-person business later this year, another casualty of Seattle’s rising business costs.

Seattle's latest minimum wage increase proved to be the final straw for one restaurant owner, who decided she was better off to just close her doors for good.

Medicare enrollees will now pay a maximum of $2,000 on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs annually as part of another provision of the Inflation Reduction Act. The limit applies to prescription drugs bought at pharmacies and through mail orders, which are covered through Medicare Part D.

State Area in 2025 01:49. NEW YORK -- New year, new laws. Here's what people in New York need to know about the changes taking

New York State Paid Prenatal Leave Law. Employees of non-profit organizations are also covered by this law, but federal, state, and local government employees are not covered. Under this policy employees are entitled to 20 hours of paid prenatal leave per year.