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[h=4]The Short List: A speed bump for Uber, sad LeBron and the end of a Starbuck's experiment[/h]Out of the loop today? We've got what you missed on a ruling against Uber, LeBron's fading legacy and the end of Starbuck's French experiment.
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The California Labor Commission ruled in favor of an Uber driver who sought compensation for costs during her stint in 2014.(Photo: Julio Cortez, AP)
California ruling could spin Uber into a U-turn
We're watching to see whether the Uber of everything takes a detour after a ruling in California. The California Labor Commission ruled this week that a driver who filed a complaint against Uber Technologies was an employee — not an independent contractor. So what's the big deal? It could mean big bucks. If Uber is forced to treat drivers as employees, it could bear a greater share of costs that drivers currently shoulder — and that would eat into profits. Uber has consistently held its global fleet of drivers at arm's length by claiming it is an app, not a driving service, and it is merely matching drivers with riders. But the labor commission said Uber "is involved in every aspect of the operation" and maintains a lot of control over its drivers, which makes it more of an employer than "a neutral technological platform." Uber drivers are currently saddled with major costs — including the vehicle itself, maintenance, insurance and gas. One driver, Barbara Berwick, argued for reimbursement for costs and extra compensation for her stint as a driver in 2014. The commission denied her claim for minimum wage but awarded her $4,152 — chump change for the $40 billion start-up. Even so, the technology giant is appealing the ruling, which Uber says is "non-binding and applies to a single driver." The company also says the ruling contradicts a previous ruling by the same commission, which concluded in 2012 that the driver "performed services as an independent contractor, and not as a bona fide employee."
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Uber drivers in California could soon be receiving wages and benefits due to a ruling by the California Labor Commission.
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The slow fade of LeBron James's legacy
Two titles in 12 seasons. That's the current résumé of the greatest player in the world. LeBron James single-handedly kept his beat-up Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, only to lose again and raise questions about his ever-ping-ponging legacy. No one doubts LeBron is the greatest player of his generation. But, at this point, he's the only player ever to earn that honor who hasn't dominated the NBA Finals while in his prime. Perspective: Michael Jordan had five titles in his first 12 years with the Bulls and six in 13 seasons overall. Magic Johnson had five in his first eight seasons and went to the Finals nine times in the 12 seasons he played. So what do LeBron's NBA Finals performances mean for his legacy? Well, nothing — yet. He's still only 30 and maybe has five more prime years. LeBron's narrative is far from over. But no matter how Herculean his effort in these playoffs were, the loss is what will be remembered.
LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts June 16, 2015, in the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors during Game Six of the 2015 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Ezra Shaw, Getty Images)
Starbucks bids au revoir to its French experiment
That was fast. Remember a few years ago when Howard Schultz wanted to be a baker and bought La Boulange cafes? (No, seriously, he literally said, "After more than 40 years, we will be able to say that we are bakers, too.") The Starbucks CEO was intent on upping the company's food game, so he bought La Boulange in 2012 for $100 million. Food is a big deal for Starbucks. As other fast-food chains keep getting better at brewing coffee, the company is under pressure to gain a bigger presence in the food business. Schultz's French experiment, however, didn't go as well as planned. The company announced it's closing all 23 of its La Boulange locations by the end of September because they "weren't sustainable for the company's long-term growth." The good news for La Boulange fans is you'll still see the brand in Starbucks stores (which means we won't have to part with those adorable pink pastry envelopes).
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Starbucks will close all 23 of its La Boulange bakery-cafes, saying the stores "weren't sustainable for the company's long-term growth."The cafes, known for their French-inspired decor and menus, and the pink envelopes that now cup pastries sold a Wochit
Teen shark attack victim has a more positive attitude than most of us on a normal day
Hunter Treschl lost his arm in a shark attack this week. Instead of dwelling on it, the 16-year-old is vowing to live a normal life. He wants to go home. He wants to see his friends. He wants to move on. "I can try to live my life the way I was and make an effort to do that even though I don't have an arm, or I can kind of just let this be completely debilitating and bring my life down and ruin it in a way," Treschel said. "Out of those two, there's really only one that I would choose to do and that's the first — to try to fight and live a normal life with the cards I've been dealt." Treschl spoke about the attacks in a series of videos uploaded by the New Hanover Regional Medical Center in North Carolina, where he's receiving treatment. Treschl of Colorado Springs and Kiersten Yow, 12, of Archdale, N.C., were maimed in separate shark attacks Sunday on the same stretch of a North Carolina beach.
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Hunter Treschl lost his arm in a shark attack off the coast of Oak Island, North Carolina, but the 16-year-old won't let the loss shake his spirit.
None of the world's best airlines are American
The next plane trip you book better be international. The annual World Airline Awards just came out with its list of top airlines. The ratings from SkyTrax, a U.K.-based travel consultancy, are based on reviews from more than 18 million passengers that represent more than 100 countries. No U.S.-owned airlines made the top 10. Here are the top five: 1. Qatar Airways. 2. Singapore Airlines. 3. Cathay Pacific. 4. Turkish Airlines. 5. Emirates. Other notable awards — World's best cabin staff: Garuda Indonesia (fight in-flight sass). World's best first-class airline: Etihad Airways (splurge). World's best first-class lounges: Lufthansa (pre-flight binge before first-class meal).
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Extra Bites:
Hobbes the stuffed tiger had a big adventure recently when his owner, 6-year-old Owen Lake, left him behind at Tampa International. The airport staff were all too happy to show Hobbes a fun time before reuniting him with Owen.
Awww or ewww? We don't know whether we're enchanted or creeped out by this palm-size baby ray that lives in the Kindergarten Aquarium at AquaDom & Sea Life in Berlin. Swipe through more great shots from the Day in Pictures.
This palm-size baby ray lives in the 'Kindergarten Aquarium' at AquaDom &<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Sea Life in Berlin.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Jens Kalaene, European Pressphoto Agency)
Have you seen it?
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Burger King customers in Japan are getting a new choice on the menu -- a red burger with red buns and cheese. Mara Montalbano (@maramontalbano) shows us the chain's latest weird creation. Buzz60
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This is a compilation of stories from across USA TODAY.
Contributing: Kaja Whitehouse, Laura Mandaro, Ben Mutzabaugh, USA TODAY; Mary Bowerman and Lori Grisham, USA TODAY Network; Chris Chase, For The Win; Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY Sports
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