Online Features
All Categories
EI9W_1768534_web.jpg
How to keep your scents light and sensible this summer
(BPT) - The seasons affect everything we wear, eat and feel – including the scents we choose. When weather warms, Americans turn to lighter scents in everything from body lotions and perfumes to clothing fabric softeners. “Annual American perfume sales are around $5.2 billion,” notes Sue Phillips, founder and president...
full story
New survey shows working from home sometimes means working from bed [Infographic]
From checking emails and surfing the web, to watching television and making phone calls, respondents in a recent Serta-sponsored CARAVAN omnibus survey showed that seven in 10 (69%) Americans regularly do work related and personal activities in their bed.  
full story
A13K_1803267_web.jpg
Making summer fun to teach your kids life lessons
(BPT) - Ah, the hot days of summer when a neighborhood lemonade stand is the perfect place to buy – or sell – a cold, refreshing drink. While a lemonade stand is a classic summer activity for kids and their parents, it’s also a great way to help teach children about earning money, building community and expressing creat...
full story
91FH_1823989_web.jpg
Five unexpected ways to get your kids to eat veggies - and like them
(BPT) - Peas, carrots, broccoli and spinach ... some kids love vegetables, but many do not. We know that veggies provide nourishment, especially for growing children, but getting your kids to eat healthier can be a challenge. Luckily, there are plenty of creative ways to increase the amount of veggies in your kids’ diet...
full story
52C1_17123270_web.jpg
Greener decorating for your deck and patio
(BPT) - Outdoor living spaces cry out for an eco-friendly touch. Whether you’re adding a patio, updating a deck or livening up your landscaping, the last thing you want to do is harm the environment. Greener decorating and building practices can help you protect and pay homage to Mother Nature while creating a space whe...
full story
Sun safety: How to protect your eyes and vision [Infographic]
As summer approaches, consumers will stock up on sunscreen to help protect against skin cancer. However, what people don’t realize is that prolonged sun exposure without proper UV protection for their eyes may also lead to a variety of vision disorders.
full story
GWF8_1771983_web.jpg
Guidance to help parents keep kids smoke-free
Children often learn by example. They grow up watching Mom and Dad’s behaviors, learning at a very early age how to mimic their elders. In school, the examples shown by peers help to develop children, both academically and socially. So when it comes to smoking, children might not be prepared to take an individual stanc...
full story
AMTY_17396956_web.jpg
Celebrate the dairy days of summer by keeping products cool and fresh
(BPT) - Nothing says summer like dairy products from the number one dairy state, California. From scoops of cold, creamy ice cream to melted cheese atop juicy grilled burgers, dairy and summer menus go together like sweet corn and butter. But nothing spoils the summer fun like spoiled milk, which is why it’s important t...
full story
CV3K_17496602_web.jpg
One size doesn't fit all in reproductive health
(BPT) - Every woman knows that in the world of fashion, there’s no such thing as “one size fits all.” Yet for decades, American women have seemingly accepted the “one size fits all” approach when it comes to dealing with reproductive health issues. This one-size approach has meant that each year, thousands of women unde...
full story
G2PY_18093691_web.jpg
Speedy recipes for a flavor-filled summer
Summertime is filled with fun activities from local festivals to neighborhood parties and vacations. These events always seem to have one thing in common – the wonderful food – which can be difficult to avoid with tasty temptations around every corner. However, by taking advantage of the season’s best fruits and vegetab...
full story
C09X_18079392_web.jpg
Tips and tricks for your next summer soiree
(BPT) - Looking to throw an all-out summer soiree that is bound to be the talk of the neighborhood? Or maybe just an intimate barbecue with some of your friends? Don’t be afraid to explore new ideas for hosting your summer party, showing off your hosting skills to all your friends. Try some of the tips and tricks at a ...
full story
9V8W_17346439_web.jpg
Four simple steps to help DIYers get pro-level painting results
(BPT) - When it comes to simple, low-cost home improvements that can add value and completely change the look of a room, you just can’t beat painting. From giving a room a whole new look to protecting the walls and boosting the value of your home, painting delivers many benefits – all at a fraction of the cost of other ...
full story
national news
Murkowski becomes third Republican U.S. senator to back gay marriage

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry sits next to U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski during the Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting in KirunaBy Yereth Rosen ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska publicly backed gay marriage on Wednesday, becoming the third Republican senator to do so as she spoke out ahead of potentially landmark rulings from the Supreme Court on the issue. Murkowski, 56, wrote in an essay posted on her Senate website that her decision was swayed, in part, by meeting a lesbian couple from Anchorage, one of whom was in the National Guard, who had adopted four children. "This first-class Alaskan family still lives a second-class existence," Murkowski said in her essay. ...


2013-06-19 15:59:11 -0500
Three U.S. Naval Academy football players charged with rape
By Ian Simpson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Three U.S. Naval Academy football players have been charged with raping a female midshipman and making false statements, the school said on Wednesday, the latest in a string of sexual assault allegations in the U.S. military. The midshipmen will face an Article 32 proceeding, similar to a preliminary hearing in civilian law. The hearing will kick off a process similar to a grand jury to determine if a general court-martial is warranted. ...
2013-06-19 17:09:34 -0500
Louisiana teen charged with killing girl with TV wrestling moves
By Karen Brooks (Reuters) - A 13-year-old boy has been charged with murder in New Orleans after causing the death of his 5-year-old half-sister using wrestling moves he had seen on television, police said. Viloude Louis died Sunday afternoon of blunt force trauma to her body, including broken ribs and a damaged liver, police said, after the boy wrestled with her using World Wrestling Entertainment-style moves while babysitting her at their home. No parents were at the home at the time, police said. The boy, who is not being named because he is a juvenile, was charged with second-degree murder. ...
2013-06-19 16:16:17 -0500
Baby-size burritos lead to unusual photos
America’s problem with portion size has sparked a strange new photo trend, one in which parents set their newborn babies alongside massive burritos on restaurant tabletops. According to the U.K.’s Daily Mail, a Mexican restaurant in Seattle, Wash., is saying that any diners who take photos of their babies next to one of the restaurant's [...]
2013-06-19 15:51:08 -0500