Georgia State

Axios

Hurricane Beryl, currently battering the Windward Islands as the most intense hurricane to form in the Atlantic so early in the year, is validating meteorologists' worst fears about the 2024 season. Why it matters: Beryl has shattered records for rapid intensification, overall strength and location at this time of year....

Why Hurricane Beryl is a warning of what is to come this season

Virginia State

Axios Richmond

Data: CDC; Map: Rahul Mukherjee/AxiosThe annual summer COVID wave has begun in Virginia.Why it matters: People congregating indoors to avoid extreme heat and upcoming July 4 travel are expected to drive up infections.Between the lines: Experts say this summer's surge could stay mild, but it still poses a risk, especially to immunocompromised people and other medically vulnerable residents.There's also the unknown role that the new so-called FliRT variants, which are accounting for the majority of infections, might play these next few months.Plus, cases are likely undercounted since not everyone gets tested.The big picture: Virginia is one of 39 states where cases...

COVID is on the rise again in Virginia

Columbus, OH

Axios Columbus

We're just days away from the Fourth of July, which means many of you are getting ready to fire up the grill.Yes, but: If you want to kick back and let somebody else prepare your patriotic plate this year, we've got plenty of ideas.What we did: We rounded up reader recommendations for the best hot dogs in Central Ohio.Vote for your favorites before noon Wednesday in the survey below:What's next: Check back Friday for the next round.Disclaimer: As always, this "food fight" is fun, casual, and totally not scientific.If you don't see your favorite listed, hit reply and voice your frustrations to our complaints department — but please be kind.The bracketBracket: Axios Visuals

Round 1: Vote for the best hot dog in Columbus

Salt Lake City, UT

Axios Salt Lake City

Independence Day is Thursday and there are a few places to watch free fireworks and drone shows in Salt Lake City.Salt Lake BeesWhen: Thursday 6–8pmWhere: Smith's BallparkAdmission: $37 per adult; $28 per childFireworks at The GatewayWhen: Thursday 10pmWhere: Olympic PlazaSalt Lake City Drone ShowWhen: Friday 8–10:30pmWhere: Jordan Park

Where to watch Fourth of July fireworks and drone shows in SLC

Rogers, AR

Axios NW Arkansas

It's been over a week, and I'm still thinking about the beef shawarma wrapped in pita bread. And the Syrian cheese. And the falafel. Don't make me pick.State of play: I tried Toot Beirut at the Village on the Creeks center in Rogers, and it's a new favorite. We should all be grateful for a place that adds diversity to our culinary scene in an area where one has to hunt a little for this style of cuisine.Those unfamiliar with Middle Eastern food should get their first taste here. If you like chicken, you are bound to like chicken shawarma....

Monday Munchies: Must-try Middle Eastern food in Rogers

Utah State

Utah has the nation's highest melanoma rate — by a long shot. Why it matters: Although melanoma accounts for only about 1% of skin cancers, it's responsible for the large majority of skin cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). By the numbers: Utah averaged 40.8 new...

Utah's melanoma rate highest in the country

Chicago, IL

Axios Chicago

Season Three of "The Bear" hit Hulu on Wednesday night, and the River North neighborhood remains one of its main stars.Why it matters: The depiction of the neighborhood reminds us how much it's changed over the decades, especially around Mr. Beef (opened in 1979), which inspired the show's Original Beef of Chicagoland.Flashback: In the 1830s, the area was occupied largely by industrial buildings and Irish workers at breweries, tanneries and soap factories. A couple of decades later, Chicago's first railroad brought more European immigrants to the neighborhood.Around the Depression, the eastern edge closer to Michigan Avenue became wealthier, while the...

River North before "The Bear"

Hundreds of new laws take effect in Virginia on Monday. Here's a roundup of some of the most notable or interesting ones.Animals🐻 Anyone can claim roadkill like deer or bears to use however they want.🐱 Declawing cats is now illegal unless it's for health reasons.👨‍💻 Localities can create a public online animal cruelty registry that includes people convicted of felony animal cruelty crimes.Casino🎰 Richmond is no longer eligible to host a casino, and any city with a failed casino referendum has to wait three years before trying again.Petersburg will take Richmond's spot.Crime📝 The definition of a hate crime has expanded...

The new Virginia laws going into effect on July 1

Indianapolis, IN

Downtown Indianapolis is home to a dish that is pretty close to the perfect summer meal. Where to go: Vicino, the newish Italian spot on Mass Ave that replaced Hedge Row. What to order: The watermelon salad ($14). It's summer in a bowl. Crunchy, fresh cubes of watermelon are tossed...

Summer in a bowl at Vicino on Mass Ave

Portland, OR

Portland is a great place to bike after all, ranking fifth among large U.S. cities in PeopleforBikes' best places to bike list. Why it matters: Portland's bike town image has taken a hit in recent years, with a decline in bike commuting that's been slow to recover, and a steady rate of bike fatalities.

Portland ranks fifth among best large bike cities

Get to know Columbus Humane's new CEO with this latest entry in our Best Day Ever series.Erich Hunker started the new role on June 20, continuing an expansive career with experience in law enforcement, zoos, and private schools.His local favorites:🎵 Music to start your day: The soundtrack to the movie "Bohemian Rhapsody." There are songs to fit any mood, and listening to Freddie Mercury's voice never gets old.I'm partial to "Don't Stop Me Now" for something to get the blood rushing and wake up the brain.🥓 Breakfast: French toast with a side of thick-cut bacon at any Bob Evans.📺 Morning...

Best Day Ever: Columbus Humane's new CEO

Missouri State

Writers represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program and self-verified their accounts. Writers are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

writer

CJ Coombs

The first time my family walked into a Ponderosa Steakhouse was in the late 1960s. It was new and the experience was great. Like other new restaurants, if the management doesn't stay on top, the quality of service can decline. The location we went to did change through the years, but in the beginning, it was great.

The 1960s: the Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouses are still around in some states

Minnesota State

Minneapolis, MN

When Dean Anderson signed a long-term lease to open a low-dose THC shop in Southwest Minneapolis in April, he had hopes to eventually turn the store into a full-scale marijuana dispensary. Yes, but: His future is looking much less certain these days following what he's calling a "bait and switch"...

Minnesota THC shop owners upset over new dispensary licensing rules

Chicago's minimum wage for tipped workers jumps today from $9.48 to $11.02 per hour. Why it matters: It's the first tangible benefit of the One Fair Wage ordinance, which was passed last year to close the pay gap between tipped and non-tipped workers.The regular minimum wage jumps to $16.20.Yes, but: The new rule is causing concern among some restaurant owners and confusion among consumers.How it works: Each year the city's tipped minimum wage will grow by 8% until it matches the regular minimum wage in five years.Currently if workers' wages plus tips don't bring them to the regular minimum wage...

New tipped minimum wage draws mixed predictions

San Antonio, TX

San Antonians are apparently craving steak this summer, according to OpenTable bookings. The latest: Reservation site OpenTable recently released Diners' Choice, a monthly collection of the most-booked restaurants. Steak spots dominate the list. Details: Chart House, Chama Gaúcha, Brasão Brazilian Steakhouse, Perry's Steakhouse & Grille, Fogo de Chão, La Fonda...

Steak restaurants dominate list of San Antonio's most-booked spots

Axios Nashville

Extreme heat is pushing Metro trash pickups an hour earlier.State of play: Starting Monday, the city's curbside trash and recycling pickups will begin at 6am rather than 7am to allow crews to shift more of their work outside of the hottest times of the day.Metro Waste Services is urging residents to make sure their bins are in place the night before.The big picture: Dangerous heat has pummeled the nation for weeks now, and hot conditions aren't going anywhere. July, which is typically the hottest month of the year, could be even hotter than usual, according to an outlook from the National Weather Service.

Trash pickups shift earlier

Arizona State

Axios Phoenix

Arizona allows the sale and use of some fireworks this week in celebration of the Fourth of July, but the rules are complicated and violating them could cost you.The big picture: Arizona only permits certain ground-based fireworks on a few days per year around Cinco de Mayo, Fourth of July, Diwali, Christmas and New Year's Eve.Violation fines vary by city but can run up to $1,500.State of play: The sale and use of fountains, spinners and sparkling wheel devices is permitted now through July 6. You must be 16 or older to purchase fireworks.Between the lines: Aerial fireworks, like rockets...

Know the fireworks laws in Arizona this Fourth of July

"Inside Out 2" crossed $1 billion in worldwide box office sales this weekend, making it the first movie of the year to reach the milestone. Why it matters: It's the fastest animated picture to gross $1 billion — reaching the marker in 19 days, according to Disney. Previous record...

"Inside Out 2" crosses $1 billion at box offices worldwide, sets new record for animated film

Fairfax County, VA

Axios DC

"You can grow more food than you can eat in a 10x10 space," according to DMV homesteader Elias Castillo.The big picture: In a 2022 Homesteaders of America survey, roughly 40% of homesteaders reported adopting the lifestyle within the last three years.Why it matters: People are leaning into more self-sufficient lifestyles in attempts to improve their health and make more eco-friendly choices.Zoom in: Castillo started with a few seeds on his balcony 13 years ago. He worked for an organic grocer and wanted to try his hand at growing his own organic produce.Now he has a quarter-acre in Fairfax County that...

A few seeds to homesteading: How a DMV resident did it

Cobb County, GA

Acworth, GA

DeanLand

While most of Cobb County's incorporated cities experienced growth over the last three years, one saw a population loss. The cities of Austell, Kennesaw, Marietta, Powder Springs and Smyrna all experienced population growth from 2020 to 2024. But Acworth, or at least the specific area within the city's incorporated limits, saw a small population decrease.

Cobb County's Incorporated Cities Fuel Local Growth, Except for Acworth

NewsBreak

Georgia Tech's forthcoming thrift store

Georgia Tech is planning to open a free thrift store for students on campus. How it works: Georgia Tech's Green Goodbyes program collects clothing, household items,...

Georgia Tech's forthcoming thrift store

Comments / 0