The crosstown rivalry just got financial. The White Sox have joined a group of Cactus League teams protesting a proposed ticket surcharge for spring training games, part of which would be used to fund the Cubs' new facility in Mesa. The Sox joined the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and the Cincinnati Reds in boycotting an annual kickoff breakfast to protest the proposed a $2.25 surcharge. Part of the revenue would fund the new facility which was promised to the Cubs to keep them from bolting for newer, better Spring Training digs. Angels spokesman Tim Mead told the Arizona Republic, "In a nutshell, we continue to feel it's fundamentally wrong to implement a tax on loyal baseball fans. We just fundamentally disagree." more ›

As gas prices continue to plummet, the gas surcharge on taxis is going away for good. The $0.50 surcharge kicks in when gas prices reach $2.70 per gallon and then rises to $1 when gas hits $3.20 a gallon. The surcharge was dropped back to $0.50 on Halloween, prompting the first warning of a cabbie strike and as the surcharge is now slated to go away Friday, the cabbies of Chicago are renewing that threat. United Taxidrivers Community Council chairman Fayez Khozindar has set a November 25th press conference during which the date for the strike will be announced. more ›

That cut in the gas surcharge has enraged the city's cabbies to the point they've threatened a strike unless Mayor Daley enacts a proposed 16 percent fare hike, tentatively scheduled to go into effect next spring, by January 1, 2009. They've given the Mayor a two-week deadline. United Taxidrivers Community Council chairman Fayez Khozindar said, "We refuse to be subjected to this roller coaster. We are not beggars. We need a permanent fare increase — 16 percent on the meter. If the city will not treat its ambassadors decently, then we'll act ourselves and paralyze the city one day, two days or three days. We’ll do it when it’s successful for us. It will be a surprise for the city." Yeah, guys, strong arm Mayor Daley; we're sure he'll love that. more ›