Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1889, The Wall Street Journal published its first issue: a four-page paper costing two cents, launched by Charles Dow, Edward Jones, and Charles Bergstresser. See the issue here.

Tipping has become a complicated activity these days, with pre-set tips of up to 30% showing up on digital payment screens, even if you only bought a single cookie at the counter. One of our top stories today lists average tipping amounts by state, but we're curious how our readers feel: Do you tip at fast-food restaurants? Do you think 20-25% is an appropriate tip for full service? Let us know your thoughts by replying to this email.

If you want to hear more on the tipping topic, The Flyover Podcast recently dove deeper into whether tipping has gotten out of hand, and why the rest of the world finds America's tipping culture so confusing. Watch it here.

Today's sponsor is Surfshark, offering an easy way to browse more privately by encrypting your internet connection, blocking trackers, and protecting unlimited devices for just $2.49 per month with 3 extra months.

States Seek $1.4 Trillion from Meta

Four states are seeking a whopping $1.4 trillion in penalties from Meta, claiming Facebook and Instagram were designed to addict children and that the company misled the public about the platforms' safety.

The sum approaches Meta's entire market capitalization of roughly $1.5 trillion. California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey calculated the figure by multiplying estimated young users harmed by fine amounts set under state law.

Meta called the amount unsupported by the facts and far in excess of any previous consumer-protection fine. The trial is set for next month in Oakland, California.

Walmart Slashes Summer Prices

Walmart announced it was cutting prices on thousands of groceries and household items at both Walmart and Sam's Club, with discounts on beef, soda, produce, and seasonal goods to help consumers struggling with high prices.

President Trump praised Walmart for the move, saying the cuts came at his administration's request. Walmart declined to comment on Mr. Trump's post.

Among the steepest drops: 24-packs of Coca-Cola fell 33% to $9.97, ground beef dropped 12%, and fresh corn plunged 63% to $0.25 an ear. The cuts come as inflation has hit its highest level in more than three years.

List: Which States Tip the Most

America's average restaurant tip has slipped to 18.8 percent, an indication that the long-standing 20% benchmark is no longer the norm, according to a 2026 state-by-state report.

At the state level, Delaware customers tipped the most, at an average of 22.1%, and California the least at 17.3%. Overall, full-service restaurants receive much larger gratuities than quick-service restaurants, averaging 19.3% versus 15.8%.

The growing use of digital payment screens has expanded tipping requests well beyond traditional restaurants, prompting debate over when gratuities are appropriate. You can see where your state ranks here.

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ Iran has resumed missile strikes on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. officials say, threatening the peace deal. (Hear Details)

➤ Ukrainian forces have struck deep into Siberia, putting Russia's largest refineries within reach for the first time. (Hear Episode)

➤ Discarded items found behind a Georgia Cracker Barrel have helped authorities crack a man's 1985 killing in Ohio. (Listen Now)

➤ President Trump renewed his stated push to acquire Greenland at the NATO summit in Ankara, suggesting the U.S. could pull troops from Europe over allies' resistance. (More)

➤ Maine Democrats are eyeing replacements for Senate nominee Graham Platner, whose campaign was paused after he was accused of rape. Potential replacements include former state Senate President Troy Jackson and former state CDC director Nirav Shah among others. (See Details)

➤ Sen. Mitch McConnell spoke to Senate GOP leaders on Monday and Tuesday amid growing speculation about whether he will return to the Senate before the end of the year. He remains hospitalized three weeks after emergency dispatch audio indicated a possible cardiac arrest at his Washington home. (More)

➤ The Treasury Department announced that it has scrapped plans from the Biden administation for abolitionist Harriet Tubman to be placed on the $20 bill. (More)

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➤ Grand Canyon rafting guide Kelsey Pfendler rowed solo from Monterey, California, to Honolulu in 43 days, shattering both the women's (86 days) and men's (52 days) records for the crossing. (More)

➤ The Big 12 announced a conference-wide sponsorship deal with Monster Energy that will put co-branded jersey patches on every team's football and basketball uniforms. (More)

➤ Former Bucknell strength coach Mark Kulbis was charged with felony aggravated hazing and involuntary manslaughter in the 2024 death of freshman football player Calvin Dickey Jr. Prosecutors say Kulbis forced the 18-year-old to do 100 up-downs, and didn't call for help until Dickey had passed out. (More)

➤ New research found that people who watch sports experience higher well-being than those who don't, with the boost comparable to the effect of gaining employment. Researchers say the social aspect of watching is likely the key factor. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: World Cup | Wimbledon | MLB | WNBA

➤ Argentina rallied from two goals down in the final 11 minutes to beat Egypt 3-2 in Atlanta on Tuesday, with Enzo Fernández heading in the winner in stoppage time. Lionel Messi scored in a record sixth straight World Cup knockout match to spark the comeback. (More)

➤ The Paraguayan senator who directed racial slurs at French star Kylian Mbappé after her country's World Cup elimination has retracted the offensive remarks, but is now demanding Mbappé apologize, threatening to sue him for calling her "a despicable woman unworthy of her office." (More)

➤ Belgium's national team posted "Overturn this" on social media after it routed the USA men's team 4-1 Monday night, a pointed reference to FIFA's decision to reinstate American striker Folarin Balogun after his red card was rescinded under pressure. (More)

➤ Team USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino declined to say whether he would remain in the job after the U.S. loss. "Now is not a moment to talk about that," he said. (More)

Daily Market Report 07/07/2026

▼	NASDAQ National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations	25,818.69	-1.16%
▼	SPX S&P 500	7,503.85	-0.45%
▼	DJI Dow Jones Industrial Average	52,925.15	-0.25%
▼	BTC Bitcoin	$63,718.45	-0.43%
▼	GOLD Per Ounce	$4,125.50	-0.71%
▼	SILVER Per Ounce	$60.71	-1.95%
▲	OIL West Texas Intermediate Crude	$71.98	5.00%
▼	RIVN Rivian Automotive Inc.	$16.49	-18.14%

Bitcoin, gold, silver, and oil are traded 24 hours a day.

➤ Big Stock Move: Rivian Automotive stock fell over 18% on Tuesday after the company announced it would sell 75 million shares of its Class A common stock. (More)

➤ Toyota will invest $3.6 billion to expand its San Antonio plant, shifting most Tacoma pickup production from Mexico and adding 2,000 jobs to Texas. (More)

➤ The U.S. Postal Service plans to raise Forever stamp prices from 78 to 82 cents on July 12 as part of a broader 4.8% USPS rate hike across mailing services. (More)

➤ The average new car payment in the U.S. hit a record $770 per month in the first quarter as outstanding auto loan debt nationwide reached $1.68 trillion. (More)

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➤ SpaceX launched the first nuclear-powered commercial satellite, built by Florida-based City Labs, aboard a Falcon 9 rideshare mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. (More)

➤ China released the first photo of Earth's quasi-moon Kamo'oalewa, captured by its Tianwen-2 probe from 12 miles away, revealing a small, jagged rock scientists believe may be a lunar fragment. (See Photo)

➤ Swiss researchers at ETH Zurich invented a new type of pixel that can both control and analyze light, a breakthrough that could dramatically improve digital photography. (More)

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➤ A 104-year-old Baltimore woman says the secret to her longevity is refusing to let her age define her, though she does have surprising information about the way she eats. (See Details)

➤ A health psychologist raided behavior-change science to finally beat her own issues with housecleaning, turning it into nine small tricks that make the tidying habit stick. (See Tips)

➤ A happiness expert who's studied thousands says the most secure people share seven quiet but powerful traits, and none involve winning the argument or the room. (See Traits)

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➤ Nine buildings near Manhattan's East 42nd Street were evacuated Tuesday after support beams began buckling at a 37-story office-to-residential conversion site, with no injuries reported. (More)

➤ Fiat opened orders for its all-electric Topolino vehicle in the United States, a small two-seat quadricycle starting at $13,995. With a top speed of 19 mph and 46 miles of range, it functions more like a stylish golf cart than a traditional car. (See Photos)

➤ An official Star Wars exhibition featuring more than 70 screen-used artifacts will debut at Philadelphia's Franklin Institute in February 2027 for the franchise's 50th anniversary. (See Details)

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Will Walmart's grocery price cuts entice you to shop there?

Yesterday's Results:

Do you have a pet?

Dog(s): 34%
No, and that's fine: 31%
Cat(s): 15%
Both: 13%
Other (rabbit, reptile): 7%

Daily Quote

"A sanction of that size has no analog in the history of consumer protection enforcement."

— Meta legal response to four states seeking a total of $1.4 trillion in damages from the company for claimed social media harm to children