Tour de France, Nevada pot: 5 things you need to know this weekend
The Tour de France begins
The world’s biggest bike race kicks off in Duesseldorf, Germany, Saturday. Nearly 200 riders will take on the 2,200-mile course, starting in Germany and leading through all five of France’s mountain ranges. The race ends on the Champs-Élysées in Paris on July 23. The Tour stepped up its anti-doping efforts after a series of doping scandals tarnished the sport's reputation, but one athlete has already tested positive for banned hormones this year. Check out images of last year's Tour:
William and Harry honor Princess Diana's birthday
Princess Diana’s sons will honor their mother Saturday with a private re-dedication at her grave. The closed service, which will take place at the family’s estate Althorp House in the English countryside, will be officiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Prince William and Prince Harry will mark the anniversary with a statue of their mother in Kensington Palace, where the family lives. Princess Diana would have turned 56 on Saturday and died nearly 20 years ago.
Nevada's residents and tourists can now (legally) purchase weed
In Nevada, July 1 may become the new 4-20. On Saturday, the Silver State became the fifth state in the U.S. with stores selling marijuana for recreational purposes. Make sure you bring cash with you if you plan to be part of the “green rush,” because dispensaries won’t accept other methods of payment. Here's a list of some places where you can buy it and some tips for purchase and consumption.
Happy Canada Day, eh?
While Americans gear up for their Fourth of July barbecues, our neighbors to the north are celebrating Canada’s 150th birthday Saturday. Americans can get in on the celebration at select Tim Horton’s locations.The Canadian chain is offering poutine donuts and some maple-themed treats in honor of Canada Day. If you’re still swooning over Prime Minister Justin Trudeau or if you just want easier access to poutine (or healthcare), it’s easier than you think to move to Canada.
The urge to hit U.S. roads will come at a price this weekend
Gas taxes will rise in seven states Saturday just as a record number of travelers are expected to hit the road for the holiday weekend, according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. An estimated 44.2 million Americans are projected to travel for the Independence Day weekend — 1.25 million more than last year. Indiana motorists will see the biggest jump in gas taxes with a 9.9-cent-per-gallon hike. Montana, Tennessee, West Virginia, South Carolina, California and Maryland are the other states that will have per-gallon hikes.
Bonus: NBA free agency window opens with jaw-dropping deals
NBA free agency officially began early Saturday, and there was plenty of action before and after the market opened. In the biggest move, the Indiana Pacers agreed to trade All-Star forward Paul George to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Shortly after, two-time MVP Stephen Curry agreed to the richest contract in NBA history, a five-year, $201 million deal to re-sign with the Golden State Warriors. As the offseason spending spree rolls on, keep tabs on all the moves with Paste BN Sports' free agency tracker.
Contributing: The Associated Press