J.W.’s News Update: Thursday June 16, 2011

Good Thursday, Here are some stories making headlines today:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Traffic on North Bishop Street in Texarkana, Texas has been moved to its new intersection with New Boston Road (U.S. Highway 82).

The street was moved too its new intersection on the west side of Jarvis Parkway (U.S. 59/Loop 151). The old intersection has been closed to traffic. The Texas Department of Transportation is also closing Plummer Lane permanently between Walton Drive and North Bishop Street.

Officials ask that local motorists use extra caution driving in and around the construction zones as other motorists familarize themselves with the new traffic pattern.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fewer Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week though applications remain above levels consistent with a healthy ecnomy.

The Labor Department says unemployment benefit applications fell 16,000 to a seasonally adjusted 414,000, the 2nd drop in three weeks. Officials hope that's a positive sign that layoffs are slowing.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In Sports;

The Dallas Mavericks celebrated their first ever NBA Championship with a Victory Parade through downtown Dallas today. The Mavericks beat the Miami Heat 4-2 to take the title last weekend in Miami.

The Boston Bruins are NHL Champions for the first time since the Bobby Orr era of 1972. The Bruins beat Vancouver on the road last night to take the best of seven series 4-3.  Boston's victory was the only road victory during the Stanley Cup Finals.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------