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5 Things to Know Today: Free National Parks, the Grocery Squeeze, and Back-to-School Sticker Shock

  Friday, July 24, 2026 Here's what's moving your money today: a free-admission summer program gets a presidential — er, prime ministerial — plug, grocery bills keep outrunning the official inflation rate, and back-to-school shopping lists are starting to sting. Here are five things worth five minutes of your morning. 1. The Canada Strong Pass is still handing out free national park admission The Prime Minister spent part of today at a national park promoting the Canada Strong Pass , the federal program giving everyone — Canadian or not — free admission to all Parks Canada sites, plus a 25% discount on camping and roofed accommodations, through September 7, 2026 . There's no app or registration; you just show up. Museums and galleries also offer free or discounted entry for visitors 24 and under, and VIA Rail has discounted fares tied to the same window. What it means for you: If a summer trip is still on the wish list, this is a real, no-strings discount — but camping spo...

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Starbucks Workers Escalate Strike, Threatening Holiday Operations

 

Starbucks workers across the United States have launched a five-day strike, demanding better pay, staffing, and schedules. The strike, organized by the Starbucks Workers United union, began on December 20th in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle. The union warns that the strike could impact hundreds more stores by Christmas Eve.

Union members cite unresolved issues over wages and labor practices as key reasons for the protest. Despite earning an average of $21 an hour, baristas argue that this wage is inadequate given inflation and the high cost of living, especially since many employees don't receive 40-hour workweeks.

Starbucks has held multiple bargaining sessions with the union since April but claims that the union prematurely ended the latest session. The company has offered a 1.5% wage increase in future years, but the union has rejected this offer, demanding a more substantial raise.

As the holiday season approaches, the strike poses a significant challenge for Starbucks, which relies heavily on holiday sales. The union's actions reflect a broader trend of labor unrest in the service industry, with similar strikes occurring at other major companies.

The outcome of these negotiations remains uncertain, but the strike has already garnered significant attention and support from the public.



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