(NECN: Peter Howe, Bedford, Mass.) As Independence Day comes, many of us will be thinking of those who fought to keep this country free, and those who serve today -- especially at war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Keeping over 250,000 U.S. troops stationed abroad well-supplied means a lot more than just uniforms and weapons. Ideally, it's all the comforts of home.

Like, chocolate milk.

(NECN) - In today's Talk Around the Globe, we're talking about the latest technology to streamline our telephonic lives.

Google Voice is now available in trial mode.

Hiawatha Bray has more from the Boston Globe newsroom.

He explains what Google Voice is designed to do, and how easy it is to use.

(NECN) - The bleak jobs news sent all the major stock indexes down more than two and a half percent.

The Dow Jones industrial average closed at nearly 8,281, falling 223 points.

For the week-- the blue chips are down almost two percent.

The Nasdaq composite finished at more than 1,796-- down 49 on the day.

That's a loss of more than two percent for the week.

The S-and-P 500 ended at 896-- dropping almost 27 -- nearly three-percent.

For the week-- the S-and-P turns in a loss of two and a half percent.

(NECN) - The Bay State's new budget includes a hefty increase in the sales tax, and plans for transportation reform. But it seems the gas tax increase could still be on the table.

We go "On the Record" with the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. Chamber President Paul Guzzi joins us.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Employers cut a larger-than-expected 467,000 jobs in June, driving the unemployment rate up to a 26-year high of 9.5 percent, suggesting that the economy's road to recovery will be bumpy.

The Labor Department report, released Thursday, showed that even as the recession flashes signs of easing, companies likely will want to keep a lid on costs and be wary of hiring until they feel certain the economy is on a solid ground.

June's payroll reductions were deeper than the 363,000 that economists expected.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The tally of newly laid-off workers filing for unemployment insurance dropped last week, the government said Thursday, a sign job cuts are easing.

The Labor Department said initial jobless benefit claims fell by 16,000 to a seasonally adjusted 614,000. That nearly matches analysts' estimates, according to Thomson Reuters.

Jobless claims are slowly declining from a peak reached in early April. The four-week average of claims, which smooths out fluctuations, dropped to 615,250, the lowest in almost four months.

(NECN) - Massachusetts' gift ban went into effect yesterday. It prohibits pharmaceutical and medical device companies from giving perks to doctors.

Promotional items are included in this ban -- mugs, tote bags, etc. The new Massachusetts law is designed to eliminate conflicts of interests in the medical field.

Lisa van der Pool of the Boston Business Journal has the details in the video player above.

(NECN: Brad Puffer, Hampton, NH) - On a typical July 1st, Hampton Beach would be packed. Not this day. Once again fog, rain and drizzle have put a damper on the start of summer. The temperature never even hit 60-degrees.

While miserable for vacationers, it's even more miserable for the businesses that line this typically busy strip.

Kristen Statires, Owner, K. Stats: "You got the economy plus the weather equals no people and no people equals no business."

(NECN: Amy Sinclair, Skowhegan, Maine) - In this economy, any business that can keep its doors open is considered to be a success story. But a small ice cream manufacturer in Maine is actually expanding their family business. The Giffords say their growth is rooted in small town values.

When the Gifford family first opened this ice cream stand on Route 201 in Skowhegan, Maine almost 30 years ago, sweet success seemed as far away as New York City.

But look at Gifford’s now. The company sells 1.5 million gallons of ice cream a year across the northeast.

(NECN) - Market volatility of late may make investors shy away from the market altogether. Rob Lutts however, says there's still a way to make your money work for you.

Lutts is President and CIO of Cabot Money Management of Salem, Massachusetts. He has just returned from his latest investment fact finding trip in Asia.