July 4 News...

An F18 jet flew over downtown Calgary, to officially kick off the 2008  Stampede. Today's 2-hour parade gets underway with former Stampede Queen Patsy Rogers leading the way to the music of the Stampede Showband. This year there are 170-entries with 4-thousand participants and more than 800 horses.  And if you're going down to the grounds, behave yourself.  City police say there will be more than 100-officers at Stampede each day.

New liquor laws kick in August 1st in Alberta, with the goal to curb binge-drinking and drunken fighting. Bars will have to charge a minimum $2.75 for all hard liquor, beer and coolers in twelve ounce cans and bottles. As well, happy hour prices will only be allowed until 8 p.m. Also under the new rules, you'll only be able to order 2-drinks at a time after 1a.m. 

Hundreds of police and civilians are gathering in Mayerthorpe, Alberta for the opening of a memorial park today to remember four slain Mounties. Prime Minister Stephen Harper will be there to unveil life-sized bronze statues of the young men and a monument to remember all peace officers who have died in the line of duty.

Toronto's police chief is outraged to find two of his officers are among more than 20 people arrested for allegedly being part of a large marijuana growing operation. The officers allegedly bought and sold properties they converted to grow-ops. A realtor, three corrections officers and 14 civilians are also charged.

Get set for higher gasoline prices. After oil hit its third straight record closing high yesterday, it's up 23 cents this morning to $145.52 U-S a barrel. Traders say the markets are rattled by a Saudi Arabia's suggestion that it won't boost its production. They also say oil is being pushed up by low supplies in the United States. 

The former hot-dog-eating champion is hungry for a new title. Renowned competitive eater Takeru Kobayashi is aiming to chomp his way back to the top of the annual Fourth of July hot dog eating competition on New York's Coney Island. A disappointing loss last year shattered his six-year winning streak. 30-year old Kobayashi, who weighs just 128 pounds, managed to scarf 63 dogs and buns in 12 minutes last year. But that was three fewer than the winner, up-and-comer Joey Chestnut, a 24-year-old Californian who outweighs him by more than 80 pounds. Kobayashi and Chestnut are among 21 competitors in today's showdown.