Costco Wholesale announced its plans to increase its annual membership fees for its U.S. and Canada customers for the first time since June 2017.

The current “gold star” and business membership price will increase from $60 to $65, while the executive membership fee will increase from $120 to $130. The big-box warehouse club retail chain’s membership offers discounts on food, gas, home insurance and grocery items, as well as an annual 2% reward on qualified purchases.

Costco said the raised fees could result in its maximum annual 2%  reward for executive members increasing from $1,000 to $1,250. The changes will affect an estimated 52 million members, half of whom are already paying the executive membership fee, the store confirmed.

Costco has benefited from its commitment to offering low prices amid inflation with shares nearly doubling and its market value increasing by about $180 billion during the past 18 months.

• Luis Severino pitched six shutout innings as the Mets blanked the Marlins, 1-0.
• After the game, Severino said he was feeling “really good” as he turned in another quality start.
• In what was potentially his final rehab outing, Kodai Senga allowed five earned runs in three innings for Triple-A Syracuse.
• After meeting with doctors on Friday, Starling Marte said he feels “close” to returning from his bone bruise injury.

Two Texas-based companies have teamed up to create a delicious new flavor of ice cream. Dr Pepper and Blue Bell Creameries have unveiled their latest creation, the Dr Pepper Float.

The new flavor is a combination of Blue Bell’s vanilla ice cream swirled together with a Dr Pepper sherbert.

“Our Texas heritage is so important to us at Dr Pepper, and we are excited to team up with fellow Texas-born brand, Blue Bell, to create this new delicious treat,” a rep from Dr Pepper Brand Marketing, said. “We can’t wait to provide our fans with another refreshing way to enjoy Dr Pepper.”

The new ice cream will be available in 23 states at stores where Blue Bell ice cream is sold.

“The best ice cream floats are made with Dr Pepper poured over a few scoops of Blue Bell,” said a Blue Bell Vice President.