Tim Phillips Show, 7/6/26

A new survey by AAA reveals that fewer than half of drivers believe they would pass the written portion of their driving test if they retook it today. Other findings:

- 59% of people lack an understanding of the general rules of the road

- 50% of people lack an understanding of road signs

- 78% of people are confident they could pass their driving test again

Monday Morning Mystery - WITHOUT YOUR LOVE - ROGER DALTREY, #20 IN 1980

From London, lead singer of a Rock N Roll Hall of Fame group that started out as The Detours #20 in 1980

A ranking of the Most Popular Diners in the U.S. has just come out from ACE.com.

The company analyzed hundreds of diners across the country, comparing review counts and star ratings, social media activity, and online search demand.

Based on their research, Sunliner Diner in Gulf Shores, Alabama, tops the list.

It has the most Google reviews of any diner in the ranking with 28,555, along with a near-perfect 4.8-star rating. The 50s-themed restaurant has a devoted following of both locals and tourists, thanks to its retro decor, gift shop stocked with nostalgic treats and souvenirs, and the menu of classic comfort foods and all-day breakfast.

Blueberry Hill in Las Vegas lands at number two, thanks to more than 37-thousand Instagram posts and over 24-hundred TikTok mentions, making it the diner with the most social media buzz in the study.

America’s Top 10 Most Popular Diners

Sunliner Diner — Gulf Shores, Alabama

Blueberry Hill — Las Vegas, Nevada

Marietta Diner — Marietta, Georgia

Ellen’s Stardust Diner — New York City, New York

Diner 24 — New York City, New York

Little Goat Diner — Chicago, Illinois

Becky’s Diner — Portland, Maine

Lou’s Diner — Las Vegas, Nevada

Diner 50 — Phoenix, Arizona

Frank’s Diner — Spokane, Washington

Source: Travel & Leisure

Tim's News You Can't Use 

A new study suggests that even so-called “good” lies — the little fibs people tell to avoid hurting someone’s feelings or to keep the peace — can still come at a cost in relationships. Researchers found that while these lies may seem harmless in the moment, they can gradually undermine trust and create emotional distance between partners. People generally appreciate honesty, even when the truth is uncomfortable, because it promotes authenticity and stronger connections. The study also found that being open and truthful tends to improve relationship satisfaction and emotional well-being for both partners. Basically, sparing someone’s feelings with a small lie might feel easier, but honest communication is usually the healthier choice for building long-term trust and closeness.
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A new study on adult brains may surprise some parents. Despite the exhaustion most feel from the many emotional ups and downs of raising kids — along with a lack of sleep and constant worrying — parents' brains were found to be stronger and smarter than non-parents. Studies tracking tens of thousands of adults found that parents tend to have "younger-looking" brains and stronger brain connections than non-parents. Scientists think it’s the experience of raising children — constant problem-solving, social interaction, and adapting to new challenges — that helps build what’s called cognitive reserve. In fact, the effect appears in both mothers and fathers, and can even grow stronger with more children. So while parenting may feel like it’s draining your brain in the moment, over the long run, it might actually help keep it sharper.
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USA Today says the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest took place over the weekend in New York. Contestants trained for eight weeks and stretched their stomachs by drinking incredibly large amounts of water. They snacked on watermelon, grapes and cabbage in the days before the competition. NBC says Joey Chesnut won the Nathan’s Famous hot dog eating contest by downing 66 weiners in 10 minutes. He took home the Mustard Belt for the 18th time. 
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Sporked says Halloween candy has hit store shelves. Workers at various stores have been spotted filling shelves and aisles with treats from Brach’s, Hershey, Reese’s, and York. Some items are labeled ‘Summerween’ as retailers jump the calendar. 
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Sporked says the Logan’s Roadhouse steakhouse chain is serving an Uncrustables Burger for a limited time. The sandwich uses two fried grape Uncrustables instead of buns. The combo pairs sweet peanut butter and grape jelly with a beef patty.
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Sora News says 7-Eleven’s in Japan are selling tiny dessert burgers. A pink bun has a firm cream cheese center with almonds and orange peels.
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Sporked says Dove is releasing a line of body washes that smell like ice cream flavors.  The Ice Cream Parlor Collection is available at Target and has four scents including Pistachio Gelato, Raspberry Sorbet, Strawberry Swirl, and Coconut Vanilla. The line also has scrubs, antiperspirants, and deodorant mists.
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Physical keepsakes are making a comeback as more people look for ways to preserve memories beyond their phone screens. Instead of letting thousands of photos sit in a camera roll, many are printing their favorite snapshots, saving ticket stubs from concerts and sporting events, pressing flowers from special occasions, and creating scrapbooks or junk journals filled with mementos. Part of the trend is driven by a growing desire for something tangible. People are realizing that while they take more photos than ever, they often have very few physical copies to display or revisit. A printed album, scrapbook, or journal offers a more personal way to re-live experiences and tell the stories behind them. 
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WTHR says a van full of fireworks in Westfield, Indiana recently exploded. The fire started after a malfunction. The Westfield Fire Department responded to the scene.  Fire crews worked to control the flames. No injuries were reported.  The fire department investigated and says a firework discharged in the van 
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Streamline says a Columbus, Ohio trucker recently ruptured one of his containers. He spilled 40,000 pounds of Frank's RedHot sauce on Interstate 71. First responders closed the northbound lanes for hours. The Ohio EPA and Firefighters led the cleanup.
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The Daily Dot says a Church's Chicken customer was recently filmed climbing over a counter before grabbing a box of chicken and some tongs.  Employees did nothing to stop the woman. She got stuck when she tried to climb back over the counter. The woman can be heard saying, "I can't get back over." 
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The Courier says a shoplifting suspect in the UK recently hid from the police inside a large shopping bag.  The man stole from a local store.  Police arrested the suspect after seeing the bag move in his home.
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The Daily Star says a Hangzhou, China man was recently banned from a health club for life after complaints about his overwhelmingly noxious body odor.  The man paid $1,500 for a three-year membership. The gym tried measures like cordoning off an area and letting him workout during off-peak hours. The man was offered a partial refund and a three-month pass at a different gym