Online Features
Travel
36ZW_17876533_web.jpg
Tips to select the right camp for your child
(BPT) - Soccer camps, wilderness camps, chess camps, language camps – whatever interests your child, there’s a camp for him or her. Whether you’re looking for a local day camp or an overnight experience far from home, the key to finding the right camp involves research. That means not only learning about all the option...
full story
54NN_17533877_web.jpg
What are America's most popular travel plans?
It’s never too early to make your summer travel plans. DreamPlanGo , the popular website and social community devoted to bringing travelers vacation ideas and trip inspiration, surveyed a cross-section of Americans and found some interesting answers to that age-old question, “What are you doing this summer?” True to f...
full story
IAWI_17311502_web.jpg
Hitting the road or water? Tips to make outdoor time fun, memorable and safe
(BPT) - Americans are falling in love with Mother Nature all over again, which could be why ownership of boats and recreational vehicles is more popular than ever. If you own a boat or RV, do you use it frequently, or is it sitting in your driveway? It’s time to get the most out of it, and with a few simple ideas, you’l...
full story
82OB_17890310_web.jpg
How your unused airline miles can help a child
(BPT) - Helping a child in need may be easier than you think, by redirecting a common resource that often just goes to waste. Industry experts say Americans collectively are holding on to 9.7 trillion unused airline miles. Many people don’t have enough miles to qualify for reward travel. Others aren’t able to use the m...
full story
GIU0_17285410_web.jpg
Safer flying strategies for travelers with peanut allergies
(BPT) - From bag-checking charges and unexplained delays to rude fellow passengers and flight attendants who are having a bad day, flying can be a huge hassle. If you’re among the approximately 1 to 1.5 percent of Americans living with a peanut or tree nut allergy, boarding a commercial airplane can raise concerns that ...
full story
7U6A_17663308_web.jpg
Ease travel worries with three simple tips
(BPT) - Traveling has its fair share of challenges, from never-ending lines to unexpected layovers and uncomfortable flights. Fortunately, by incorporating just a few expert tips, traveling can be less stressful whether you are jetting off for business or pleasure.  New York City lifestyle expert, Justine Santaniello, ...
full story
3KM1_17029675_web.jpg
Keep your cool: Don't get stuck on the road this summer
(BPT) - Summer is the time for road trips, whether they cover thousands of miles across the country, or are “staycation” day trips. As we head into the summer months, gasoline prices continue to fluctuate and are expected to average $3.56 per gallon for regular-grade gasoline, according to the U.S. Energy Information Ad...
full story
GWR6_17262488_web.jpg
Tips for traveling solo
Is there such a thing as a typical traveler? Not anymore. Travelers run the gamut in age, interests, preferences, likes and dislikes. For couples, families and solo travelers alike, travel preferences have never been so diverse. Nor has the world of travel been so accessible and appealing. And, if you’re thinking about ...
full story
8A46_17586863_web.jpg
Traveling made simple: easy, convenient snacks to tag along on your next trip
(BPT) - With family vacation time nearly here and plans for road trips underway, it’s tempting to give in to quick, unhealthy solutions while packing snacks for the road. Here are some creative ways to revitalize your family’s snack routine and help you enjoy delicious and nutritious snacks on the go. Crunch time Crun...
full story
HAWV_17581593_web.jpg
From metropolis to countryside, the top 5 things to see on a China tour
Defining China succinctly is a difficult, if not impossible, task. Perhaps that’s what travelers love so much about it: a trip to China can be virtually anything you want it be. The country’s incredible range of landscapes, from rice paddies to river gorges, and cultures, from ultra-modern to fiercely traditional, ensur...
full story
Today's RVs and travel trailers are not one-size-fits-all
Like many products and pursuits that have developed over the decades, recreational vehicles have come a long way from the tow-a-longs of the early to mid-20th century. Before motorized recreational vehicles hit the road, pulling a trailer behind your car or truck – loaded with food, sleeping and cooking gear – was the best way to get you and your family out of the city and into nature for a long weekend. Today there are many types of RVS available from wholesale RV dealers or individuals,...
full story
484L_17582514_web.jpg
Must-do trip for any traveler: a Panama Canal cruise
It might seem that, to find a relatively untouched tropical paradise, you’d need to travel halfway around the world. However, one of the best-kept secrets in travel – Panama – is close at hand and has everything you could want in a warm-weather getaway. The country combines the modern (its capital and the engineering ma...
full story
national news
Boy Scouts of America votes to end century-old ban on gay scouts

Jennifer Tyrrell hugs Pascal Tessier after a resolution passed to allow openly gay scouts in the Boy Scouts in GrapevineBy Marice Richter GRAPEVINE, Texas (Reuters) - The Boy Scouts of America voted on Thursday to lift a century-old ban on openly gay scouts in a major victory for gay rights activists, but the decision means a sea of change for an organization that depends heavily on faith-based groups. More than 60 percent of the group's National Council, comprised of some 1,400 delegates, voted in favor of ending the ban, effective January 1, 2014, the group said in a statement. A prohibition on openly gay adult leaders remains in place. ...


Thu May 23 21:55:35 UTC 2013
Bridge collapses in Washington state, sending cars into river
(Reuters) - Part of a four-lane freeway bridge over the Skagit River in Washington state collapsed on Thursday, sending vehicles and people into the water below, authorities said. The collapse on Interstate 5 took out the northbound and southbound sides of the span and occurred at about 7 p.m. local time in Mount Vernon, 55 miles north of Seattle, Washington State Patrol spokesman Trooper Mark Francis said. "I've got reports of vehicles and people in the water," Francis said. He added that he did not know if anyone was injured. The cause of the collapse was not immediately known. ...
Thu May 23 22:26:35 UTC 2013
Magnitude 5.7 quake strikes Northern California - U.S. Geological Survey
(Reuters) - A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck in Northern California on Thursday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The epicenter of the quake was located 2 miles north-northeast of the town of Canyondam, the USGS said. Initial reports said the quake was magnitude 5.9. A 5.7 magnitude quake is considered moderate, but has the potential to cause considerable damage. (Writing by the Americas Desk)
Thu May 23 23:01:51 UTC 2013
Boy Scouts vote to end ban on gay youth members
[Updated at 6:55 p.m. CT] DALLAS – The Boy Scouts of America, one of the country’s largest and oldest youth organizations, decided on Thursday to break 103 years of tradition by allowing openly gay members into its ranks. The controversial move was approved by more than 60 percent of the approximate 1,400 votes cast by [...]
Thu May 23 18:55:38 UTC 2013