California Highway Patrol cracks down on cell phone drivers with some new regulations today. Unless it’s hands free, no cell phone using while driving, and even then, you have to be over 18 years old.
The automobile industry announces U.S. motor vehicle sales for June.
When this day ends at midnight, we will have reached the halfway point for the year.
NBC-TV launches a primetime version of FAMILY FEUD, hosted by Al Roker, featuring scattered list of B-list celebrities, including foreclosure target Ed McMahon, bringing their families around to raise money for various charities.
40th anniversary of Medicare.
In Washington, the annual National Education Association meeting begins.
For what its worth, the U.S., Britain, Soviet Union, and 58 other nations signed the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty 40 years ago today. (1968)
They seemed so happy together at one time, but alas, when 49-year-old man fools around with 18-year-old assistant, a 10-year marriage can take a hit. The divorce trial between Christie Brinkley and Peter Cook begins today on Long Island.
In Arlington, VA, the 2008 National Right To Life Convention opens.
Since tomorrow is a holiday, the normal first Friday unemployment report will be released at 8:30am ET this morning instead.
Perhaps fireworks a day early at Yahoo Inc.’s annual shareholders meeting, many of which are disappointed at CEO Jerry Yang’s rejection of a Microsoft takeover bid.
The Dog Days of Summer begin, and with it, Air Conditioning Appreciation Days. (www.ari.org
Independence Day
In Brittany, the start of the blood-doping plagued Tour de France. Race ends in Paris on the 27th..
Super Saturday, with the Men’s semi’s, and the Ladies singles final at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships.
In Colorado, tonic water and Doritos may see a spike in Sunday sales figures today, as liquor stores will be allowed to stay open, ending the 75-year-old ban on hard alcohol and beer with a 6% alcohol content being sold on Sundays.
On TBS, the 2008 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show, where starting rosters will be announced.
President Bush turns 62, and Nancy Reagan 87.
Men’s singles final at Wimbledon.
Mandatory 2-week vacation begins for all Chrysler employees, in an effort to increase efficiency by the automaker.
In Nashville, opening of the 59th International Auctioneers Conference and Show.
In New Orleans, the National Association of the Deaf Conference opens.
AFTRA gets word on whether its 70,000 members have approved its deal with producers today. The leadership of Hollywood’s other actors union, SAG, has criticized the agreement, and are hoping it is rejected.
In Leipzig, Germany, the International Johann Sebastian Bach Competition begins, regarded as one of the major international competitions for young adults, for instrumentalists and singers ages 16-32. Simon Cowell is not a judge.
US Airways joins the list of carriers charging $15 for passengers to check their first bag.
Nobody is holding their breath, but Rep. John Conyers has subpoenaed Karl Rove to appear in front of the Judiciary Committee’s Commercial and Administrative Law Subcommittee this morning, to answer questions concerning his role in the firings of U.S. attorney’s.
Back in 1969, John Lennon gave Gail Renard the hand-scribbled lyrics to “Give Peace A Chance,” telling her to hold onto them as they will be “worth something someday.” Christie’s auctions them off today, expected to fetch in the neighborhood of $400,000.
CBS-TV premieres new competition series GREATEST AMERICAN DOG, where owners and their pets compete.
USANetwork premieres a 2nd season of BURN NOTICE.
World Population Day
CBS-TV premieres FLASHPOINT, a drama series centered around a cop unit that specializes in hostage rescues, bomb scares, suicide take downs, and the like.
Pope Benedict XVI heads off for a 10-day trip to Australia, centered around World Youth Day.
In Milwaukee, opening of the 130,000 square-foot Harley-Davidson museum.
In Cincinnati, the opening of the 99th Annual NAACP Convention. Both Sen. McCain and Sen. Obama are scheduled to address the convention later in the week.
Milton Berle was born Mendel Berlinger, in Harlem, NY, 100 years ago today. (1908)
A jury in Poughkeepsie, NY, ruled that Rev. Al Sharpton and two others had defamed a former prosecutor by accusing him of raping Tawana Brawley, ten years ago today. (1998)
CBS-TV with the premiere of the 10th edition of BIG BROTHER.
The 57th Annual Miss Universe Pageant in Nha Trang City, Vietnam.
In Brooklyn, sentencing hearing for former NBA ref Tim Donaghy. Facing up to 25 years in prison, Donaghy has been singing to prosecutors, hoping for a much lighter sentence. However, if some of his charges concerning “the fix being in” are considered nonsense, it could have the reverse affect.
At Murphy Creek Gold Course, in Aurora, CO, the 2008 U.S. Amateur Public Links Golf Championship.
In Paris, Bastille Day.
FOX-TV debuts the six week run for the WENDY WILLIAMS SHOW.
