Here is the AP Lifestyles Digest for the week of Aug. 18. For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, contact apcustomersupport@ap.org or call 877-836-9477. For reruns of stories, call Customer Support, customersupport@ap.org, 877-836-9477. For photo reruns, visit the photo archive. For questions, contact Julia Rubin at jrubin@ap.org or Mallika Sen at msen@ap.org.
SUSTAINABLE LIVING
Climate-Choices-AC-Savings: Some of us have been told it’s more energy-efficient and cost-effective to turn off our air conditioning when we leave home for work. Others hear it’s best to just leave it running. Three experts all say setting the thermostat a few degrees higher than normal while you’re away is generally the most energy-efficient, economical option. Also, how to keep your home cool without air conditioning. UPCOMING Tuesday, photos, video.
LABOR DAY
Labor Day-Travel: Updated on merit. Americans are expected to mark the unofficial end of summer the same way they celebrated the season’s unofficial start: by traveling. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen more than 17 million people between Aug. 29 and Sept. 4, a record for the holiday. AAA says motorists should avoid hitting the road in the afternoon and early evening on Thursday and Friday. Video, photos, broadcast.
BACK TO SCHOOL
US Education-Girls in STEM: In the decade preceding the pandemic, girls had largely closed the gap with boys on science and math scores. But since then, girls’ performance on science and math tests has plummeted. During the pandemic, teachers and experts say schools stopped many of the interventions that had worked. In many cases, this is the first school year where those will be up and running again. UPCOMING Friday, photos, video.
Be Well-Education-Pet-Friendly Dorms: Some colleges welcome students’ pet in campus residences. Students say having a pet nearby helps their mental health and stress levels. UPCOMING Wednesday, photos, video.
US Education-Artificial Intelligence-Cheating: As educators and students turn increasingly to AI chatbots and other tools, where are schools drawing the line on what is considered cheating? UPCOMING Thursday.
BE WELL
Chatbot Study: A study finds that popular AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Anthropic’s Claude are inconsistent in responding to suicide-related queries. Published Tuesday in the medical journal Psychiatric Services, the research highlights the need for “further refinement” in these tools. SENT Tuesday, photos.
Be Well-Non Alcoholic Drinks: Non-alcoholic beer and mocktails can help people stay sober or drink less, but they can be dangerous for those in recovery. UPCOMING Wednesday, photos, video, broadcast.
GARDENING
Greece Urban Beekeeping: High above the traffic of Athens, beekeeper Nikos Chatzilias is on rooftops tending to the buzzing colonies producing honey flavored by each neighborhood’s unique local flora. From the northern suburbs to the southern coast, urban honey harvests are thriving in the Greek capital. UPCOMING Saturday, photos, video.
Gardening-Be Well-Health Benefits: Research shows gardening is good for us in all kinds of ways — our bodies and our spirits alike. By Jessica Damiano. SENT Tuesday, photos.
FOOD
Food-Labor Day-Corn-Potato Salad: For Labor Day gatherings and to celebrate summer, a recipe for corn and potato salad. By Katie Workman. SENT Monday, photos.
Pumpkin Spice Latte-By The Numbers: Want a little autumn in your August? The seasonal Pumpkin Spice Latte has returned to Starbucks menus in the U.S. and Canada. It's Starbucks’ most popular seasonal beverage. Here’s a look at the Pumpkin Spice Latte by the numbers. SENT Tuesday, photo.
Sweden Arctic Cheesesteaks: Forget Philly cheesesteaks. In northern Sweden, Arctic cheesesteaks are on the menu. At Stejk Street Food in Kiruna – some 200 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle – moose meat is on the menu. Reindeer meat makes an appearance, too. UPCOMING Thursday, photo, video.
PETS
Lithuania Corgi Racing: Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius, has become the center of corgi universe with fun races, solo sprints, mightiest voice contest, a clever corgi event, costume contest, 50-meter races, and World Corgi Meetup via city portal with the USA, Ireland and Poland. SENT Sunday, photos, video.
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In case you missed it:
SUSTAINABLE LIVING: Climate Choices-Buying Sustainably.
BE WELL: Moving Stress, Hormone Therapy, Working Well-Entry Level; MED-COVID Shots.
BACK TO SCHOOL: Education-Phones In Schools, with Education-Phones In Schools-Localize It.
GARDENING: Espaliered Trees; Germany-Monk Garden.
TRAVEL: Airlines-Windowless Seats; France-0vertourism; Las Vegas Tourism.
HOMES: Climate Choices-Heat Pumps; Climate Coastal Restoration.
FASHION: Poland-Lace.
CELEBRATIONS: Muslim Marriage; Boots-On-The-Ground-Line-Dance.
DRIVING: Rethinking Speed Limits.
FOOD: Japan-Matcha Tea.
TRAVEL: Dog Mountain Vermont.
NEW WORDS: Britain Cambridge Dictionary.
— The AP
