Business

National

Fourth of July fireworks canceled due to pyrotechnician shortage

4:42pm July 01, 2022

Some fireworks companies are still reeling after the pandemic hit the industry hard. Due to a pyrotechnician shortage, some cities and towns are rescheduling or canceling their July Fourth fireworks.

It's Bobby Bonilla Day, the day each year the Mets pay the former player $1.2 million

4:42pm July 01, 2022

Each year on July 1, the New York Mets must send a $1.2 million check to an All Star player named Bobby Bonilla. The strange thing is: Bonilla hasn't played baseball in over 20 years.

Shoppers drink juice in plastic cups at a market in New Delhi, on Wednesday. India banned some single-use or disposable plastic products Friday as part of a longer plan to phase out the ubiquitous material in the nation of nearly 1.4 billion.

India begins to ban single-use plastics including cups and straws

4:32pm July 01, 2022

by The Associated Press

Other items like water or soda bottles or snack bags aren't banned yet. But the government has set targets for manufacturers to be responsible for recycling or disposing of them after their use.

The number of new pilots entering the industry is below the demand.

National

A pilot shortage that's been brewing for years adds to the summer travel chaos

2:56pm July 01, 2022

by Alejandra Marquez Janse

The pipeline of new pilots has been shrinking for years. As summer travel demand increases, the shortage is adding to the strain in airlines and chaos at the airports.

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Simone Biles poses wearing her bronze medal from balance beam competition during artistic gymnastics at the Summer Olympics on Aug. 3, 2021, in Tokyo. President Biden will present the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Biles and 16 others at the White House

Biden will award the Medal of Freedom to Biles, McCain, Giffords and others

12:56pm July 01, 2022

by The Associated Press

The president will present the nation's highest civilian honor to 17 people, who also include Oscar-winning Denzel Washington, the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs and soccer Olympian Megan Rapinoe.

A placard featuring an image of Russian President Vladimir Putin and reading "We are with him for the sovereignty of Russia! And you?" is seen left in front of the Russian State Duma building in central Moscow on Feb. 24.

World News

Are sanctions actually hurting Russia's economy? Here's what you need to know

11:08am July 01, 2022

by Ashish Valentine

Russia's economy is weathering sanctions over the war in Ukraine, but tough times may be ahead, according to an assessment from experts.

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Fourth of July food costs more this year: Hot dogs: +6.3% since last year. Produce: +7%. Shrimp: +8.2%. Buns: +10%. Ground beef: +11.8%. Soda: +13%. Chicken breast: +24%. Beer: +25%. Wings: +38%.

Economy

Fourth of July parties will cost more this year but you can save with a bit of math

10:27am July 01, 2022

by Jacqueline GaNun

Hosting a July 4th barbeque is 11 percent more expensive than last year, thanks to inflation. The prices of chicken wings, ground beef and beer have all skyrocketed. Still, there are ways to save.

The Simpsons is the longest running show on television. Production workers who make the show say they deserve the same protections as the writers and animators.

Arts

'The Simpsons' production workers go union, saying they deserve a place at the table

9:55am July 01, 2022

by Andrew Limbong

Employees at the studio behind shows like The Simpsons and Family Guy say their parent company has recognized their union, and it could signal a big shift in animation.

Queue Listen Now

Patients and the consumer advocates say there are things people should do to try to avoid, or navigate, the medical debt trap. Financial assistance is available, but it all requires self-advocacy.

How to get rid of medical debt — or avoid it in the first place

9:46am July 01, 2022

by Yuki Noguchi

Bills can add up fast when you're dealing with a health crisis. And if you can't pay them, they can wreak havoc on your finances. Here's how to stay out of medical debt — or make it go away.

Fireworks explode during a show in Las Vegas on July 4, 2020.

National

What's open and closed on July 4th

7:56am July 01, 2022

by Shauneen Miranda

Nonessential government offices and buildings, the post office and banks will be closed Monday, but most major retailers will stay open.