Farewell to Galveston’s iconic rooftop brewery: it closes this Sunday and the owner confirms a party to say goodbye

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Stuttgarden Tavern rooftop beer garden in Galveston with Carnival cruise ship docked in the background

Co‑owner cites mounting pressures as the Strand district mainstay plans a final weekend blow‑out to pay staff and say goodbye. Stuttgarden Tavern—a three‑story German‑style beer hall that became a ritual stop for island visitors—will close its doors after service on Sunday, July 6. Co‑owner John Mortensen announced the decision Thursday in a Facebook video, telling fans the … Read more

A major clothing rental company in New York closes its doors after a financial scandal

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Businessman holding Chapter 7 bankruptcy document amid financial scandal

A once‑shining name in the clothing‑rental boom is shutting its doors for good. CaaStle, the New York–based “closet as a service” platform, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and will liquidate its remaining assets after months of turmoil and a headline‑grabbing fraud scandal. CaaStle’s petition, lodged in U.S. Bankruptcy Court on June 27, lists just $10 million to $50 million … Read more

TSA greenlights Apple Wallet passport ID for domestic boarding without a license

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TSA agents checking passenger identification at airport security checkpoint

Travelers soon won’t need to fumble for plastic licenses or Real ID cards at U.S. airports. A forthcoming Apple Wallet feature, expected with iOS 26 this fall, lets passengers create a secure digital ID from their U.S. passport and present it at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints for domestic flights. The TSA has confirmed it will accept … Read more

Say goodbye to Santa Clara’s iconic theme park: it plans to close after 50 years

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California's Great America entrance with fountains and carousel on a sunny day in Santa Clara.

Merger economics and an expiring land lease put Northern California’s only major thrill‑park on the brink. Six Flags fans in the Bay Area got a jolt this week: top company executives signaled that California’s Great America in Santa Clara could operate for just two more summers, closing after the 2027 season unless a costly lease … Read more

Ford warns millions of drivers: “Do not drive” after recalling more than a million Ford vehicles nationwide

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Ford factory worker inspects brake system on vehicle assembly line during safety recall operations.

The automaker’s sprawling safety campaign covers faulty brakes, frozen cameras, and a back‑seat lockout risk that could leave passengers stuck. Ford Motor Co. has launched one of its largest safety drives in years, telling drivers of certain 2024–2025 Super Duty pickups not to get behind the wheel until a simple—but critical—brake‑pedal spring is confirmed to be … Read more

Goodbye to this McDonald’s breakfast item: the fast food company will remove it from its menu on July 2

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Exterior of a modern McDonald's restaurant with welcome sign, ahead of Krispy Kreme doughnut removal on July 2

The fast‑food giant and the iconic doughnut maker call it quits after a brief nationwide rollout that never left the test phase. McDonald’s lovers who added a glazed treat to their morning coffee will have to look elsewhere beginning July 2, when the chain officially pulls all Krispy Kreme doughnuts from its breakfast menu. The move ends … Read more

Say goodbye to plastic: Walmart’s new card aims to transform how millions shop and pay

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Walmart storefront with new co-branded Mastercard credit card displayed in the foreground

New program will fold rewards, instant approvals and biometric security into the OnePay app for millions of U.S. shoppers. The world’s largest retailer is getting back into the credit‑card game. Walmart confirmed it will launch a new co‑branded card this autumn in partnership with its majority‑owned fintech OnePay, consumer‑lender Synchrony and the Mastercard network. The … Read more

It’s official: New rules going into effect in Washington on July 1 could affect your wallet and your job

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U.S. Capitol building with justice scale and gavel overlay symbolizing new Washington state laws effective July 1, 2025

Fuel will cost more, estates may owe extra, and employees gain fresh protections as Governor Bob Ferguson’s first legislative package takes effect. Washington State is about to feel the impact of a sweeping batch of statutes that become active on July 1, 2025. From higher gas taxes to tougher equal‑pay rules, the measures aim to patch budget holes … Read more

Say goodbye to this amusement park: it is slowly approaching closure as the lease expiration date draws near

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Roller coaster at California’s Great America as it approaches possible closure by 2027 lease expiration

California’s Great America may shut its gates after the 2027 season Six Flags hints at a ticking lease clock while Bay Area favorite still lines up summer fun California’s Great America has thrilled Northern California families for nearly half a century, but the ride appears to be approaching its final lap. During a June investors‑day Q&A, … Read more

Before and after: Social Security benefit dates shift around July 4 (Independence Day)—see full payment calendar

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Young woman holding cash in front of American flag and 4th of July Independence Day sign

Many retirees and disability recipients will wake up to their benefits either just before or shortly after July 4, 2025—here’s exactly when the money lands, and who should check their account. Independence Day is around the corner, and having your benefit in hand before the cookout sure helps. Between SSI, retirement, and SSDI, different groups will … Read more

92k-plus Mercedes-Benz vehicles pulled for safety fix: find the affected trims

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Close-up of the Mercedes-Benz front grille and emblem on a recalled GLC model from 2023 to 2025

Structural weakness in the rear roof pillar could let occupants’ heads hit metal during certain impacts, prompting a nationwide fix at no cost to drivers. Mercedes‑Benz is pulling almost 93,000 of its newest compact SUVs off the road after federal regulators found that the rear roof pillar, known as the C‑pillar, may not soften a blow the way … Read more

Working and receiving Social Security in 2025: what every retiree needs to know

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Elderly man weaving basket while receiving Social Security income with cash and benefits documents in background

If you’re juggling a job and a Social Security check, 2025 brings fresh income limits that could nibble away at your benefits. Here’s the fine print—plus a few ways to stay ahead. For millions of beneficiaries who haven’t yet hit full retirement age (FRA), the Social Security earnings test decides how much of each monthly … Read more

How to shop smart this summer if you’re receiving Social Security: must-have items from Dollar Tree

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Hand holding Social Security card in front of Dollar Tree store during summer shopping

From poolside shades to patriotic porch signs, here’s how retirees can fill a cart without emptying their wallet. Social Security beneficiaries know every dollar counts—especially when temperatures (and utility bills) climb. Dollar Tree’s nationwide chain offers a surprising range of summer staples, many priced at $1.25, that rival far costlier big‑box options. The discount retailer’s … Read more

Living on $2,000 a month at 79: how this couple is trying to avoid running out of money

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Smiling elderly couple embracing at home, representing retirees living on Social Security income and managing expenses

The squeeze is real: A 79‑year‑old couple living on a combined $2,000 Social Security check and $50,000 in savings faces average annual household costs topping $53,000, according to 2022 Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Can they avoid draining their nest egg? Below are practical moves—many you could try today. Why let equity sit idle? Selling … Read more

2,000-year-old Roman shoe found belonged to soldier with massive feet: comparable to a modern U.S. men’s size 15

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Archaeologists excavating at Magna Roman fort near Hadrian’s Wall where a 2,000-year-old Roman sandal was found

Archaeologists at the Magna fort in northern England have unearthed a remarkably intact leather sandal measuring 32 cm—evidence that a supersized soldier once patrolled Rome’s frontier. A freshly uncovered leather sandal from the 2,000‑year‑old Roman fort of Magna, just south of Hadrian’s Wall, is causing a stir among researchers. The shoe is so large—comparable to a modern … Read more

Confirmed: Retail giant and Lowe’s rival confirms aggressive 90-store expansion by 2025

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Tractor Supply store exterior with employee helping customer and dog outside, surrounded by outdoor equipment

Rural lifestyle giant accelerates expansion with 75 more locations, plus a boost for its Petsense pet chain. Tractor Supply Company, already the nation’s largest rural‑lifestyle retailer, is charging ahead with one of its most aggressive growth spurts ever. After cutting the ribbons on 15 new outlets so far this year, the Tennessee‑based chain says it … Read more

FBI issues urgent alert—delete these scam texts from your phone immediately

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Man looking at smartphone with FBI seal, illustrating urgent scam text warning to smartphone users.

Americans are waking up to a fresh FBI bulletin that urges more than 150 million iPhone and Android owners to trash suspicious texts the second they arrive. The campaign, driven by organized groups operating from China, is flooding phones with urgent “unpaid toll” or “traffic ticket” notices that link to look‑alike payment pages. Click once and … Read more

Travel alert across the United States | The TSA will reject licenses that do not meet these requirements

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REAL ID-compliant Pennsylvania identification card with gold star in upper right corner

Since May 7, 2025, non‑compliant state driver’s licenses are no longer valid for domestic flights, certain federal buildings, or nuclear facilities—so travelers and visitors need to check their wallets fast. The nationwide rollout of the REAL ID Act has finally arrived. Congress first approved the measure in 2005, but the key provision kicked in on May 7 of this … Read more

Avoid taxes on Social Security: Where your Social Security is tax-free—State-by-state breakdown

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Map of U.S. states highlighting where Social Security income is tax-free in 2025 with red "Tax Free" stamp

Congress weighs wider relief for retirees even as a handful of states keep levies in place. Millions of Social Security recipients may soon pay less to the IRS, yet state tax bills could still bite. Lawmakers are debating the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which cleared the House by a single vote and now faces the Senate’s gavel. Its … Read more

The new accessibility law requires all ATMs in these countries to be upgraded: it comes into effect on June 28

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Accessible ATM at a Santander bank branch in Spain, subject to June 28 accessibility law changes

Are you planning to travel to a European country? Larger on‑screen text, audio prompts, and tactile layouts aim to make cash withdrawals’ barrier‑free for millions—including older adults and customers with disabilities. The long-awaited European Union Accessibility Act, passed in May 2023, will officially come into force on June 28, 2025, and banks in EU countries … Read more