Online Features
Travel
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How to get more out of your Tuscany tour
The Italian region of Tuscany has taken on legendary status for travelers – it’s an absolute must on everyone’s list, whether they love wine, food, history, art or the simple beauty of nature. But with so many attractions, it’s easy to end up feeling like you’re rushing – and still not getting a complete experience. How...
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Top 5 hot food trends for 2013
(BPT) - Grab your fork and knife. Amateur and professional foodies alike highly anticipate the newest food trends, and 2013 will not disappoint. Throughout the country, restaurants and home cooks are utilizing their creativity to make food that satisfies the palate and leaves a lasting impression. Indulge your passion ...
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Top 6 tips to save money on winter travel
(BPT) - Whether you need a break from the cold, some time off after the busy season at work, or simply need to get away after a hectic holiday season, a winter vacation can be a welcome respite. Winter can also be the most cost-effective time of year to book a vacation, before the summer travel season heats up and famil...
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Travel: What's hot in 2013
(BPT) - There are two kinds of travelers out there: those who plan and those who wing it. But what they have in common is a love of travel and exploring new destinations. Whether you take two-day weekend trips or 10-day vacations, here are some must-see destinations that travel-inspiration site Away.com selected for 2...
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Tanzania: the ultimate African safari destination
It’s the trip that tops most travelers’ lifetime dream lists: an African safari . The words themselves evoke a magic that is unmatched, and conjure visions of lions stalking across the savannah and wildebeest running in thundering, vast herds. It’s not uncommon to think that those amazing sights will remain a distant f...
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Snow-fighters keep roads clear and save lives
(BPT) - Snow and ice affect more than 70 percent of the U.S. population, according to the Federal Highway Administration. Each winter the average driver in these areas will see more than five inches of snow on the roads. And when the snow is falling there are few things more comforting than the sight of snow plows and s...
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How to avoid getting sick before and during your travels
(BPT) - You research what museums and restaurants you want to visit, plan everything you’re going to pack, and count down the days until you leave. Anticipating a vacation is exciting – unless you suddenly get sick. Falling ill before or during your trip can derail the fun quickly, and that’s why it’s so important to ...
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Start new holiday traditions with family vacations
If you’re looking for a fresh and convenient way to celebrate the holidays, it might be a good time to consider a getaway with the whole family. Choosing a holiday-friendly destination can add an extra element of fun to your holiday get-together, and allow everyone to relax and enjoy each other since nobody needs to host. You only have so much time off, you can maximize the vacation time you get during the holidays and spend it with the ones you love. Doing something a little different and ...
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Runflat tires: many pumped up about them
(BPT) - The last thing any driver wants is a flat tire. It’s also the last thing tire manufacturers want to happen. Even though tires are a lot more high-tech than the average consumer imagines, tire makers are well aware that flats can deflate the public’s opinion of a tire. That’s why tire engineers have been working ...
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Tips for traveling safely with your food-allergic child
(BPT) - Traffic delays, long wait times and hungry little tummies – for all the rewards of spending time with your children, traveling with kids can be a challenge. But when the child has food allergies, those challenges can start to look like insurmountable - and even life-threatening - obstacles. “It is possible to t...
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Pamper yourself with a winter wonderland vacation
(BPT) - The holiday season is magical, with colorful lights sparkling in the snow and festivities abounding. But once the holidays are over, don’t let the lingering winter force you inside. Instead, use the winter months as the perfect opportunity to take a winter wonderland vacation . When the snow arrives, the outdo...
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Niagara Falls vacation: a natural wonder - and so much more
Even when compared to the many astounding sights the natural world has to offer, Niagara Falls stands out for its spectacular power and beauty. In fact, it’s counted among the seven natural wonders of the world, along with Mount Everest, the Grand Canyon and more. For travelers, a visit is, quite simply, an essential pa...
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national news
Whole neighborhoods razed by Oklahoma tornado that killed 24

Danielle Stephan holds boyfriend Thomas Layton as they pause between salvaging through the remains of a family member's home one day after a tornado devastated the town Moore, OklahomaBy Carey Gillam and Ian Simpson MOORE, Oklahoma (Reuters) - Rescuers went building to building in search of victims and survivors picked through the rubble of their shattered homes on Tuesday, a day after a massive tornado tore through the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, wiping out blocks of houses and killing at least 24 people. ...


Tue May 21 23:17:22 UTC 2013
Los Angeles voters choose from two Democrats for mayor

Supporters hold signs as they wait during the election night party for candidate for Mayor of Los Angeles Wendy Greuel in Los AngelesBy Steve Gorman and Sharon Bernstein LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Voters in Los Angeles went to the polls on Tuesday to choose a new mayor in an election between two liberal Democrats seeking to lead America's second-largest city as it faces an increasingly gloomy financial outlook. City Councilman Eric Garcetti, 42, and Controller Wendy Greuel, 51, are vying for the city's top spot in a race shaped by dire fiscal constraints, the political clout of its public employee unions and a largely disinterested electorate. ...


Tue May 21 23:57:01 UTC 2013
Moore shows that as cities grow, tornado damage grows with them

Rescue workers look through the rubble at Plaza Towers Elementary school in MooreBy Ben Berkowitz and Julie Steenhuysen (Reuters) - Moore, Oklahoma, has had the bad luck of being hit by two highly destructive tornadoes, both in the month of May, 14 years apart. But the Moore that got struck on Monday is not the same as in 1999. Like a lot of towns across America and in the so-called "Tornado Alley," rapid growth has made it a bigger target, vulnerable to more damage. The tornado, with winds that may have topped 200 miles per hour, killed at least 24 people and injured hundreds more, with many of the casualties children from two schools that were destroyed. ...


Tue May 21 15:34:25 UTC 2013
Witnesses describe deadly Oklahoma tornado; Gov. Fallin says death count unknown
[Updated at 2:30 p.m. CT] MOORE, Okla. –As a hailstorm bore down on the devastated region Tuesday afternoon, first responders continued to sift through debris to try to find survivors and figure out how many people died in the massive tornado that ripped through southern Oklahoma City and other towns a day earlier. Twenty four [...]
Tue May 21 18:36:00 UTC 2013