Best Food Stories Week: Starbucks Straws

We get it, you're busy. We're swamped, too—busy combing the Internet to keep you in the loop amid this fast-moving world, that is. Head into the weekend with these articles, food-related deep dives and Tasting Table reads stored away as dinner party conversation fodder.

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• Starbucks announces it's eliminating plastic straws from all stores by 2020.

• The founder of Papa John's steps down after using a racial slur. 

• Costco is pulling a famous item from its food court menu, and people aren't pleased.

• Why The Handmaid's Tale-branded wines were canceled . . . the same day they were announced.

• Reexamining one of the most controversial food stereotypes of all.

• How reusable water bottles became society's latest status symbol.

• Behold, the pecan pie vending machine. Let's hope nothing gets stuck.

• An American state receives three Michelin stars. 

• Finally, an airline that's giving the people what they want.

• This is the mesmerizing fireworks video actually worth watching.

• In a move surprising to no one, IHOb announces it's switching its name back to IHOP. 

• Get excited: Amazon Prime Day is right around the corner.

• This beer is brewed specifically for cancer patients.

• How the "Spotify for cookbooks" will bring you thousands of recipes.

• One particular TV show is transforming restaurants as we know them.

• How video games are training the next generation of restaurant workers.

• The kitchen prep station that combines more than 45 tools into one.