"Controversy Erupts Over Panera Bread's Wage Exemption and Billionaire Donor's Influence on California Politics"
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and billionaire donor Greg Flynn are disputing a report suggesting they mutually benefited from an exemption to the state's new $20 minimum wage for the fast-food industry. Newsom's office stated that Panera Bread, owned by Flynn, is not exempt from the law as it mixes its dough off-site before baking it at the restaurant locations. Flynn denied asking for an exemption and suggested an amendment to exclude "fast casual restaurants" from being defined as fast-food restaurants. The report has sparked outrage and calls for an outside probe from California Republicans.