New York City tourist alert… Pack your cigarettes. New York State adds another $1.60 to a pack of cigarettes starting today. In NYC, where the city places an additional tax on cigarettes, that puts the average price of a pack to over $11.

Starting today, the government takes over the taxpayer-backed college student loan program, eliminating the government from having to pay private banks fees to handle the paperwork.

Freelancers' and independent contractors' windfall, as Starbucks offers free Wi-Fi at all its locations beginning today.

NBA free agency window opens, with the futures of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, and others, up in the air.

First Friday of the month, and thus the latest unemployment figures will be released at 8:30AMET.

In Brittany, the start of the 96th Tour de France.

Scheduled women’s finals of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships.

UFC 116 on pay-per-view, featuring the return of Brock Lesnar to the ring, against interim heavyweight title holder Shane Carwin.

Independence Day

Scheduled men’s finals of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships.

Malia Obama’s 12th birthday.

The federally observed Independence Day holiday

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu makes his postponed visit to the White House today.

Funeral for Sen. Robert Byrd, at Memorial Baptist Church in Arlington, VA.

Queen Elizabeth is in NYC, to address the United Nations General Assembly.

Probation violation hearing for Lindsay Lohan.

Pretrial hearing for Anna Nicole Smith’s longtime companion, Howard K Stern, and Dr. Khristine Eroshevich, charged with conspiring to furnish drugs to an addict, and other related charges.

Former President George W. Bush turns 64 today, and Nancy Reagan 89

SYFY Channel with the 2nd season premiere of WAREHOUSE 13.

Terrorist bombings in three Underground stations and a double-decker bus killed 52 people and four suicide bombers in London, five years ago today.

In Honolulu, the opening of the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease 2010, with expected releases of the latest research developments in the treatment of the disease, including a new screening method to determine if a person will develop symptoms.

In Kansas City, the annual NAACP Convention opens.

World Population Day

Official start of the 2nd quarter earnings report parade, with the traditional leader of the pack, Alcoa.

TNT with the series premiere of RIZZILI & ISLES, featuring the series television return of Angie Harmon.

With all the talk of federal deficits, the 2:00PM ET announcement of the current treasury budget figures has more political import these days

Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game, at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA

A&E with the series premiere of THE GLADES.

USA Network with the series premiere of COVERT AFFAIRS.

Amidst fears of a economic slowdown, June retail sales figures are released at 8:30AM ET

In Paris, Bastille Day.

In Los Angeles, SNL’s Seth Meyers hosts the 18th annual ESPY AWARDS.

Industrial production figures for June are announced today.

In Las Vegas, the Tea Party Unity Convention opens. Lou Dobbs keynotes.

Consumer Price Index is released at 8:30AM ET

Auditions for the 10th season of AMERICAN IDOL begin today, starting in Nashville, TN.

The IRS has designated today Gulf Coast Assistance day, a special initiative by the agency to help taxpayers affected by the Gulf oil spill crisis.

In Vienna, Austria, opening of the XVII International AIDS Conference.

National Ice Cream Day, or for those of you who prefer another delicacy, it is also National Caviar Day

Housing has taken a hit of late, and housing starts figures for June are released today.

The so-called “Monkey Trial,” ended in Dayton, OH, with John Scopes convicted of violating state law for teaching Darwin’s theory of evolution.

Existing home sales figures for June released today

Tiger Woods became the youngest player ever to win the “Career Grand Slam” with his victory at the British Open, ten years ago today.

At Derby Downs, in Akron, OH, the 73rd All-American Soap Box Derby

In Cooperstown, NY, induction ceremonies at the Baseball Hall of Fame. The Class of 2010 includes Andre Dawson, Whitey Herzog, and umpire Doug Harvey.

In Paris, the end of the 2010 Tour de France.

On AMC, season premiere of MAD MEN

New home sales figures for June released this morning

In Louisville, trial start for Karen Sypher, charged with trying to extort Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino, with whom she had a sexual encounter back in 2003.

George W Bush signed into law the “American’s With Disabilities Act,” 20 years ago today.

Back in court is Anna Chapman, the accused attractive redhead Russian spy, arrested in late June along with nine others.

FOX-TV with the season premiere of MASTERCHEF

Barring any delay from lawsuits, Arizona’s new immigration law is scheduled to go into effect today.

At the Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, WA, the 2010 U.S. Senior Open begins.

In Los Angeles, ESPN begins X-Games 16