A July 3 executive order will hike entrance costs for non‑U.S. visitors, give Americans first dibs on coveted permits, and roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) directives across federal recreation sites. Overseas adventurers eyeing the Grand Canyon or Great Smoky Mountains may want to pad their travel budgets. President Donald Trump says the new policy will … Read more
Shoppers exhausted from fishing for coins can now breeze into the store: a key‑ring‑size trolley token takes a quarter’s place and frees both hands for groceries. Aldi’s cart‑for‑a‑quarter policy keeps parking lots tidy, yet it can catch cash‑light customers off guard. A lightweight aluminum slug—molded to quarter dimensions—solves the scramble by sliding into the lock, … Read more
West Michigan diners can soon relive a drive‑thru legend. Gun Lake Investments and developer Jeff Konczak confirmed Tuesday that Hot ‘n Now will fire up the grills again this summer at 1146 129th Ave., just off US‑131 in Wayland Township. Will it taste like the ’90s—yet stay affordable in 2025? That’s the promise driving the comeback. The revived … Read more
A fresh surcharge of up to 1.5 % will appear on every ride, funding road repairs and nudging passengers toward carpooling. North Carolina travelers will soon notice a new line on their receipts. Beginning July 1, every Uber, Lyft, and traditional taxi ride will include a state‑imposed surcharge dedicated to shoring up the Tar Heel State’s road … Read more
The quirky grocer just planted a second branch across Riverside Drive from its 1973 original, aiming to ease crowding and turn up the heat on Walmart, Costco, and Aldi. A grocery chain opening two nearly identical stores a few yards apart sounds counter‑intuitive—yet Trader Joe’s believes the move will let loyal shoppers breeze through checkout instead … Read more
Nearly a dozen popular items sold through the warehouse giant must be pulled from use right away, officials warn. Costco has posted recall notices covering everything from pocket‑size electronics to rolling coolers, and shoppers nationwide should pay close attention. Which specific Costco products are now under an urgent safety recall Before you toss yesterday’s receipt, … Read more
No-drain hose‑and‑vac hack helps American backyards sparkle before the first cannonball of summer. Summertime is almost here, and nobody wants a dingy pool greeting the season. Luckily, you can keep yours picture‑perfect without coughing up four figures for a robot vacuum. The secret? A five‑minute hose‑to‑shop‑vac adaptation that pulls leaves, grit, and sand straight off … Read more
Texas chain lines up first stores in Ohio, Wisconsin and Arizona as construction crews race toward 2027. It has been a whirlwind summer for Buc‑ee’s. After cutting ribbons in Mississippi, Virginia and Georgia, the convenience giant now runs 54 stores across nine states—yet that number could top 70 within two years. Who stands to benefit from … Read more
Virginia’s move could reshape how states tackle chronic speeding—will other legislatures follow suit? Reckless driving kills thousands each year, and traditional fines aren’t stopping repeat offenders. A newly signed Virginia law aims to change that by letting courts order speed‑limiting devices instead of suspending licenses or handing down jail time. How Virginia’s House Bill 2096 brings … Read more
The City Council’s Law 47 wipes criminal records but promises tougher sidewalk inspections. In a major shift for the city’s 20,000‑plus sidewalk sellers, the New York City Council on June 30 approved Law 47, a measure that erases criminal penalties—fines up to $1,000 or even three months behind bars—for operating without a vendor license. So, what does that mean for … Read more
Thousands of former and current employees—and even some loyal customers—could soon receive cash and credit‑monitoring services after the food‑distribution giant settled a class action tied to last year’s cyberattack. Sysco’s 2023 breach exposed personal data and sent recipients scrambling to guard against fraud. Now, under a settlement filed in federal court, the company has set … Read more
New York will soon send “inflation refund” checks—worth $150 to $400—to taxpayers who filed a 2023 state return, giving households a timely boost without any extra paperwork. The payments, funded through the 2025‑2026 budget and overseen by the Department of Taxation and Finance, will arrive by mail starting this autumn. Officials estimate over eight million families, especially in … Read more
With markets on edge and wars simmering, three of Europe’s largest economies are asking the Federal Reserve for something simple yet symbolic—give us our bullion, now. Washington has stored thousands of metric tons of European gold since the Cold War. Today, Berlin, Paris and Amsterdam say the geopolitical weather has changed and so must the metal’s … Read more
New pilot lets consumers trade empty bottles for app points, aiming to cut plastic waste and spark wider civic action. Coca‑Cola’s latest sustainability experiment has landed in Puri, East India, where bright‑red “reverse vending machines” (RVMs) swallow used plastic bottles and pay users back with discounts on their next drink. The idea is simple: drop … Read more
Prosecutors allege Westminster Police Officer Nicole Brown pocketed more than $600,000 in workers’‑comp payments while running 5Ks and dancing at the Stagecoach Music Festival. Weeks after reporting a “severe concussion,” Officer Nicole Brown was spotted under the desert lights at Stagecoach, clapping and swaying to country hits. Now, the 39‑year‑old faces 15 felony charges that could send her to … Read more
You don’t need a bachelor’s degree to break the $100,000 barrier—here’s the proof and what it means for your career prospects. Americans worried about tuition costs have good news: the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data show dozens of occupations where experience, short‑term training, or a two‑year program can still lead to eye‑popping wages. In … Read more
When Jamie discovered his 72‑year‑old mom owed six figures, he feared the worst — but experts say there’s still a roadmap to relief. Jamie’s mother, a retired receptionist, recently admitted she carries $150,000 on a handful of high‑interest cards. With no savings and a monthly Social Security check of roughly $1,950, she’s falling further behind … Read more
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
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
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