CNN —

A restaurant in China that challenged its customers to eat more than 100 dumplings in return for a free meal has fallen foul of authorities, who are investigating whether it has violated the country's anti-food waste law.

Related video above: How to reduce food waste

Local authorities in Yibin City in the southwestern province of Sichuan swooped on the restaurant after hearing of its "king of big stomach challenge," the state-affiliated news outlet The Cover reported this week.

The challenge reportedly involved patrons competing to eat 108 chaoshous, or spicy wonton dumplings, as quickly as possible to win a free meal and additional prizes.

To drum up interest, the restaurant had advertised the offer on social media to entice patrons only to find itself in the hot seat when the State Administration for Market Regulation said it would open an investigation into whether it had breached the law surrounding food waste.

While eating contests are relatively common in Western countries and can bring fame for their winners – like Joey Chestnut, who last week won Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island by downing 62 hot dogs in 10 minutes – they can be a sensitive matter in China.

Many in the country still have memories of the famine of the 1950s and 60s that killed an estimated 45 million people.

The Cover said the restaurant, which it did not name, was one of several being probed by the authorities over similar competitions.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has in the past called food waste "shocking and distressing" and in March this year said agricultural supplies were like the foundation of national security.

The law against wasting food was enacted in 2021, following pointed government criticisms of online bloggers who live-streamed themselves binge eating to draw in viewers. Many of their accounts were subsequently suspended by the social media platforms.

Under the law, restaurant owners can be fined up to 10,000 yuan ($1,400) if their establishments "induce or mislead customers to order excessively to cause obvious waste."

Radio and television stations, as well as online video and audio providers, face a maximum fine of 10 times that amount if they are found to be involved in "making, publishing, promoting programs or audio messages about eating excessively and binge eating and drinking."

The restaurant in Yibin "demonstrates behaviors of binge eating and drinking and inducing customers to order excessively," the Cover said, citing the local market regulator.

However, some Chinese internet users have criticized the authorities for overreaching.

"Is this counted as a waste? Why not let people compete for the biggest eater? Will the food not consumed there actually go to the poor?" wrote one user on Weibo, China's version of Twitter.

Another user pointed to the country's poor track record on food safety, which has included scandals ranging from contaminated baby milk powder to the use of "gutter oil" – recycled oil tainted with food waste or even sewage.

"You didn't regulate food safety … but this?" the user said.

Video above: Best cell phone plans for seniors

Verizon is raising the prices on some of its older cell phone plans, the company confirmed to CNN on Monday. The move is part of a broader effort to get more of its customer base on 5G plans.

Customers who decide to stay on one of Verizon's older Unlimited plans will be charged an additional $2 a month. The change will take effect on April 10.

"Customers who are currently on — or choose to stay on — older Unlimited postpaid wireless plans from seven years ago will be notified of a new rate plan adjustment by email, direct mail and in their next bill to account for the added cost of maintaining these legacy plans," the company said in a statement.

Plans facing a rate change include Beyond Unlimited, Beyond Unlimited 55+, Go Unlimited and Verizon Unlimited. The company is encouraging customers to upgrade to plans such as 5G Get More, 5G Start and others that provide more "choice" and "flexibility."

The price hike comes as Verizon looks to grow its consumer unit, a part of the business that's struggled to keep up with competitors. AT&T raised rates last year on some of its older plans by up to $6 for individual lines and $12 for family plans. Verizon followed with the same price increases.

Verizon, whose shares are down 30% over the past year, did not say how many customers will be impacted by the latest price hike.

Last week Verizon announced a management shakeup and appointed Sowmyanarayan Sampath as CEO of the consumer business unit. Verizon's chairman and CEO Hans Vestberg said the appointments reflect the company's mission to strengthen its "competitive capabilities."

CINCINNATI —

Shopping for beef, pork or chicken? Be prepared to spend a little extra than you have in the past.

The prices of all three have gone up during the pandemic, particularly in the last few weeks.

"I haven't really paid that much attention to the meat prices, but if you do watch the news at all, you do know that there is a surge in the prices across the board for a lot of commodities," said 12-year Avril & Bleh customer Jim Whalen.

According to new consumer inflation data report from the Labor Department, beef prices alone jumped 12.2% over the last year. Pork prices jumped 9.8% in the last year, and chicken prices jumped 7.2%

"Actually the past two to three months have been awful," said Main Street Market owner Christina Busch.

Busch's family has been in the meat business for decades, and they say right now is the worst inflation they've seen with prices from suppliers steadily going up each week.

"Usually, you know, it'll fluctuate a few cents every week, whether it go up, whether it go down a few cents, but the past two to three months, it has done nothing but go up, and it hasn't been by sense, it's been by dollars," Busch said.

The Biden administration believes a handful of big meatpacking companies like Tyson Foods and JBS USA, which control most of the country's supply, are making the market less competitive.

In July, the president signed a new executive order to promote competition in the economy as a whole.

Market owners say they welcome any kind of help to keep them off the chopping block.

"I don't know how much longer we're going to be able to last if prices keep rising, because I know people aren't going to want to spend $25-plus on the steak — there's just there's no way," Busch said.

The administration is setting aside $500 million to help supply new meat processors to compete with the big four.

The justice department is also investigating alleged price-fixing in the chicken market.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Police investigators are praising staff at a Florida bar for rescuing a woman who was allegedly being sexually assaulted in a restroom.

According to St. Petersburg police, Jarrod Kennedy Matchett lured the female victim into the bathroom at The Dog Bar St. Pete Sunday afternoon.

Investigators say the man and woman met that day and had been bar-hopping beforehand.

“They went into the restroom together,” said Yolanda Fernandez with the police department. “At that point, things changed.”

WFTS learned the victim used her cell phone to send an urgent message to the bar’s Facebook page while the violent attack was underway.

Management at The Dog Bar shared the message with WFTS. It reads in part, “Help me, please call the police.”

“When I first saw the message, I don’t think I really even stopped to think about what was going on,” said manager Stephanie Marble. “I just felt like I needed to act.”

Marble and a trusted customer immediately went to the restroom area, pounding on every door.

Marble soon rescued the victim, escorting her to a safe space, and called the police.

“Pretty traumatized by the event, still,” said Marble. “I think it’s going to take a little while for it to leave me.”

According to the police report, the victim said, “I don’t give you permission.” She reportedly told officers she did not attempt to fight Matchett, fearful of what might happen due to his level of aggression.

Police arrested Matchett, charging him with sexual battery. Matchett has an extensive criminal history in Pinellas County, but nothing of a violent nature.

Vlad Cruz, a customer in the bar, says he spotted Matchett after the attack and tracked him walking down Central Avenue until police arrived.

“I was able to follow him down the street for a bit just to keep eyes to make sure he didn’t disappear anywhere," Cruz said.

Police are giving credit to both staff and that customer for their swift action Sunday.

“I hope more people take the opportunity to take action or speak out,” said Cruz.

This story was originally published by Ryan Smith at WFTS.