Receiver’s availability could be affected: LSU wide receiver Russell Shepard’s eligibility could be affected because of issues with NCAA rules regarding off-campus housing. According to TigerSportsDigest.com, Shepard moved out of campus housing this spring and into an off-campus apartment with his girlfriend, who works in the LSU football office. Shepard was set to attend SEC Media Days last week, but was scratched at the last moment for “personal matters.” TigerSportsDigest.com says Shepard probably doesn’t face long-term eligibility issues, but he could be suspended by the school or the NCAA from some practices or games. LSU Coach Les Miles says he was not “overly concerned at all” about Shepard’s status.
Fliers won’t see savings: The great tax holiday of 2011 for air travelers is just about over. By today, most U.S. airlines had raised fares to grab the benefit of lower federal taxes on airline tickets. A few airlines that were passing the savings on to consumers changed their minds and decided to keep the money. Several federal taxes on airline tickets expired over the weekend after Congress failed to pass legislation to keep the Federal Aviation Administration running at full speed. It could turn into a windfall for airlines if the stalemate in Congress drags on. The government estimates that the expiring taxes total $200 million a week. Airlines justified their move by noting that consumers will pay about the same amount for a ticket as before. And with fuel prices much higher than last year, airlines can use the cash. Airlines collect various federal fees, including a 7.5% tax on all tickets that expired at midnight Friday night. Once the taxes expired, airlines began raising fares by an equal amount. On some tickets, the taxes can top 10% of the price. The consumer pays the same total as before, but airlines pocket the amount of the taxes.
