Online Features
Lawn & Garden
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Don't let pests invade outdoor spaces
(BPT) - Most of us view lawns, porches, decks and gardens as extensions of our homes and look forward to enjoying these spaces during warm weather. Unfortunately, rising temperatures also bring invasive insects that can lay their claim to these spaces and cause hefty damage. New insect species make their way into the U...
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Budget-friendly ways to refresh old outdoor spaces
(BPT) - Indoors or outdoors, your home decor needs some TLC to look its best. Replacing worn or dated furniture or flooring inside your home is considered fairly easy. But when outdoor spaces start to appear shabby, do you decide to live with the tired look because you think freshening the space will be too time-consumi...
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Cool ways to enjoy your outdoor spaces through the dog days of summer
(BPT) - When warm weather arrives, does your family head outdoors to enjoy your patio or deck? Do they then turn around and head right back into the air-conditioned comfort when summer sun and temperatures make outdoor living spaces too hot to handle? “In many areas of the country, the window of opportunity for enjoyin...
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Father's Day gift guide for the outdoorsy dad
Year after year, moms and children are faced with the same question: “What are we going to get dad for Father’s Day?”  Finding the right gift can be stressful and the department stores filled sky-high with matching tie and sock combinations are less than helpful. This Father’s Day, take the guesswork out of gift-giving...
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Extend your living space outdoors into your backyard
(BPT) - The backyard is more than just a lawn to mow or a place for the pooch to run around. Many homeowners are turning their backyards into an extension of their homes, bringing the indoors outside for additional living space. Upgrading or building a deck is the first way to incorporate an outdoor living space into t...
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Steps to an updated outdoor entertaining space
(BPT) - With milder weather finally here, it’s time to start planning your outdoor projects. Is your outdoor patio or deck looking a bit dated and dingy? Does it reflect your home’s personality? Whether you’re planning to host outdoor festivities with friends and family or just grilling up gourmet creations, a few chang...
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Decked out for summer: Three easy tips for making your dream deck a reality
(BPT) - Summer means deck time for many Americans. A deck is an ideal spot for relaxation and entertaining. Imagine a cook-out with friends, snoozing in the sun on a hot day, snuggling with your sweetheart watching shooting stars, or having a backyard camp-out with the kids. Are you dreaming of deck time this summer, b...
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Effortless entertaining: Tips for hosting the perfect al fresco dinner party
(BPT) - Whether it’s in the backyard or on a rooftop, summer is an ideal time to entertain outdoors. The long days and warm nights create the perfect backdrop for a relaxing get-together with family and friends. While most love the idea of entertaining, 62 percent wish they did so more often, according to a national su...
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The buzz about Brood II cicadas [Infographic]
This month, billions of cicadas will emerge from the ground following a 17 year nap with the singular goal of finding a mate. They will shed their exoskeleton, make lots of noise, and find a perfect cicada love match. While these creatures may look scary, they are completely harmless to humans. In fact, the bug experts at Terminix , the nation’s largest pest control provider, give the following tips and pointers on how to spot the red-eyed insects.
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Curb appeal tips to transform your home
(BPT) - Sprucing up your home’s curb appeal brings new energy and life, not only to your property, but also to the entire neighborhood. It creates a welcoming and appealing environment, while also making it a better candidate for resale, if that’s in your near future. Curb appeal improvements can range from giving your...
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Recycled plastics in the garden: It's all about the 'green'
Our lawns and gardens seem to be all about the “green.” We spend a lot of green on our lawns and gardens – nearly $30 billion a year. We grow a lot of greens – nearly a third of us grow food in our gardens. And many companies now make outdoor gardening products with recycled materials, such as plastics – which contribut...
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Looking for a greener way to clean your pool?
(BPT) - There’s no better way to enjoy the summer than by lounging by the pool. Unfortunately, this backyard family oasis requires regular maintenance throughout the summer that can include expensive and sometimes unhealthy chemicals. Have you ever wished there was an easier way you could clean your pool, that was also ...
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national news
Wikileaks founder: We are helping NSA leaker Snowden

Wikileaks founder Assange speaks to the media inside the Ecuadorian Embassy in LondonWikileaks founder Julian Assange said Wednesday that his anti-secrecy group has been in touch with National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden’s legal team in a bid to help him secure asylum in Iceland. “I feel a great deal of personal sympathy with Mr Snowden,” Assange told reporters on a conference call. He joined the call [...]


2013-06-19 12:35:31 -0600
Obama revisits '08 promises in Berlin speech

US President Barack Obama delivers a speech in front of Brandenburg Gate in Berlin Wednesday, June 19, 2013. Obama is on a two-day official visit to the German capital. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)The president talks nuclear weapons, climate change and Guantanamo Bay.


2013-06-19 11:05:20 -0600
Afghan leader backs away from Taliban talks

Shafiullah Nooristani, a member of the Afghan High Peace Council, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, June 19, 2013. Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai's said Wednesday he will not pursue peace talks with the Taliban unless the United States steps out of the negotiations, while also insisting the militant group stop its violent attacks on the ground after it claimed responsibility for a rocket attack that killed four Americans. Karzai had said Tuesday that he would send representatives from his High Peace Council to Qatar for talks but aides said he changed his mind after objecting to the Taliban's use of its formal name "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan" in opening an office in Doha. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghanistan's president said Wednesday he will not pursue peace talks with the Taliban unless the United States steps out of the negotiations, while also insisting the militant group stop its violent attacks on the ground after it claimed responsibility for a rocket attack that killed four Americans.


2013-06-19 10:11:31 -0600