Gas taxes change across USA for holiday weekend
Happy traveling. With travel-industry experts projecting the lowest gas prices in a decade and record travelers expected on the road for Independence Day, some states are hiking their gas taxes for the occasion.
The gas taxes are up 4.9 cents in Washington state and and 0.9 cents Maryland effective Friday. Meanwhile, the New Jersey Assembly passed legislation supported by Gov. Chris Christie approving a 23-cent per gallon increase, but the bill faces opposition in the state Senate, which did not vote on it Thursday. Other states, though, are reducing their gas taxes; California’s rate drops 2.2 cents per gallon, while Nebraska’s and North Carolina’s each drop 1 cent.
NBA, NHL free agency mayhem has begun
NBA free agency kicked off in the early hours of the morning Friday, but we’ll have to wait a few days before hearing where unrestricted free agent Kevin Durant decides to take his talents. With salary caps exploding for the 2016-17 season allowing teams to have higher payrolls, many NBA free agents will be looking to cash in on big paydays this offseason. Other notable free agents this year are LeBron James (though he’ll likely stay in Cleveland), Al Horford, Dwight Howard, and DeMar DeRozan. The NBA isn’t alone either as NHL free agency season starts Friday after a big day of trades Wednesday.
Walmart responds to Amazon's Prime Day experience
Walmart is launching special deals on Friday, a promotion that marks the retail giant's latest attempt to rival Internet-based retailer Amazon. Walmart hopes sales will be sprung by its announcement that it will offer a free 30-day trial of ShippingPass, which like Amazon Prime offers unlimited two-day shipping. The promotion also comes as Amazon gears up for Prime Day July 12, a successful blowout sale similar to Black Friday that exceeded the company's expectations last year as a way of driving interest and membership in Amazon Prime.
Star-studded telethon seeks to aid West Virginia flood victims
Celebrities will come out in full force Friday night at "Rebuild West Virginia", a telethon aiming to help victims and survivors of the West Virginia flood that killed over 26 and caused widespread damage to homes, roads and bridges last week. The event, featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, will include America’s Got Talent winner Landau Eugene Murphy Jr., and best-selling author Homer Hickam – both West Virginia natives. Other big names like country star Brad Paisley and golfer Bubba Watson have also led donation efforts through GoFundMe pages and direct donations. President Obama declared a major disaster in three counties in the state and began preparing federal funds to be deployed for housing, food and rebuilding.
Jack Daniel’s is rolling out barrels in a big, big way
Get studying, folks! As part of its 150th-anniversary celebration, Jack Daniel's Distillery is kicking off a whiskey-driven scavenger hunt Friday by scattering barrels to more than 50 countries in 90 days. Special barrels will be hidden at “historic and cultural sites” with clues released on Jack Daniel’s Facebook pages to help guide fans. Those expecting Jack’s finest inside the drums will be greatly disappointed, as laws limit barrels to include non-liquor cool prizes in its stead — including a commemorative bar setup made from barrel oak. For more information on the scavenger hunt's dates and locations, click here.
And the essentials:
Weather: Showers and thunderstorms will pay visits to many parts of the U.S. on Friday.
Stocks: U.S. stock futures were lower Friday, while global markets made small gains.
TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch this weekend? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at The Hunt and The Great British Baking Show.
Be inspired: Elephant in need of a friend finds perfect match.
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