Deployed Dad Surprises Kids At Baseball Game In Emotional Video

When two siblings got the chance to throw the opening pitches at a baseball game, they didn’t know they were in for a big surprise. 

On Wednesday, Cameron and Karley Daigle were the honorary first pitchers at a Carolina Mudcats baseball game in Zebulon, North Carolina. After they each threw their pitches, they realized they were throwing to a special catcher: their father.

Air Force Technical Sergeant Lance Daigle surprised his kids after a six-month deployment to Southwest Asia ― his fourth deployment. As the video shows, it was an emotional reunion.

Pass the tissues.

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Some Female Dragonflies Fake Death To Avoid Males

A researcher has observed female dragonflies doing something that many human women have probably considered when confronted with unwanted male attention: faking death.

The University of Zurich’s Rassim Khelifa, who has studied dragonflies for the past decade, told New Scientist that he was collecting moorland hawker dragonfly larva in the Swiss Alps when he first saw the phenomenon. A male was pursuing a female, at which point she dove to the ground and lay motionless on her back until the male left.

He’d never seen this behavior before, he told New Scientist. But it turns out it wasn’t an isolated incident.

Khelifa’s study on the behavior, titled “Faking death to avoid male coercion” extreme sexual conflict resolution in a dragonfly,” was published in the science journal Ecology this week. He observed 27 out of 31 female dragonflies attempting to avoid males in this way, and in most cases playing dead appeared to be successful.

So why might a female dragonfly be so desperate to avoid males? Khelifa told Gizmodo that sex can be hazardous for the female, and that sex with a male can remove the sperm left inside the female by a previous mate.

“In fact, males have evolved a sophisticated penis structure that sweeps sperm out of the reproductive tract of the female,” he said. “Therefore, since one copulation is enough to fertilize all eggs, it is disadvantageous to carry out extra-copulations…given the potential survival costs.”

While the situation for humans isn’t quite the same, a lot of women have been inspired by the idea.

 Isn’t nature great?

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Thousands Are Flocking To Washington This Weekend To Demand Climate Action

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WASHINGTON — For the second weekend in a row, thousands of environmentalists plan to descend on the nation’s capital and hold marches throughout the country, this time to resist President Donald Trump’s efforts to derail U.S. climate action.

The latest People’s Climate March is scheduled for Saturday, Trump’s 100th day in office. In addition to the main event in Washington, D.C., more than 300 sister marches are scheduled to take place across the U.S. and around the world.

Jamie Henn, co-founder of 350.org, one of several groups that organized the event, told HuffPost that the goal is to “push back on this administration’s attacks on our climate and communities and put forward our own vision of a clean energy economy.”

“This march is so important because [people’s] lives are on the line,” Henn said in an email. “The actions of this administration are having an immediate impact on communities across the country, sending more kids to the hospital with asthma, letting more lead and chemicals into our water. And they’re going to have a lasting impact on our planet, putting our entire future on the line.”

Since taking office, Trump has moved quickly to unravel Obama-era policies meant to reduce the United States’ carbon footprint and fight climate change ― a crisis Trump has dismissed as “bullshit” and a “hoax.” The president has proposed sweeping cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency and other scientific agencies, and made a hard push for increased fossil fuel production. He has also vowed to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, the landmark accord in which nearly 200 countries committed to slashing carbon emissions, although many in his inner circle have urged him not to do so

Adding to an already extensive list of decisions that have infuriated the scientific and environmental communities, Trump signed an executive order Friday aimed at opening up protected areas of the Arctic and Atlantic oceans to oil and gas development.

“Trump and his administration have been relentless, ruthless and shameless in attacking protections from pollution, exposing us to health threats, retreating from climate action, and renouncing science,” Michael Brune, executive director of the Sierra Club, another organizer of the event, told HuffPost in an email. “In fewer than 100 days, they have launched a truly extraordinary assault on our health, our climate, our public lands, and our future. We want this date to be remembered not just as Trump’s 100th day in office but also as the day we filled the streets with support for climate action, public health and environmental justice that no one can ignore.”

The last People’s Climate March, in September 2014, drew more than 400,000 people to New York City in advance of the United Nations’ Climate Summit. The demonstration was hailed as the largest climate march in history.

It’s not clear how many people will turn out for Saturday’s march in D.C. As of Friday, nearly 12,000 people had RSVP’d on Facebook. Organizers say more than 450 buses full of protesters are scheduled to arrive in D.C. from as far away as Louisiana and North Dakota. 

Henn told HuffPost it’s been “amazing” and “incredibly inspiring” to see people come together around a common vision of defending the planet. Some 900 organizations have partnered for the event, and more than 40,000 flyers have been distributed across the D.C. area in the past several days. 

“The Trump Administration started in protest and now on Day 100 the resistance is still going strong,” Henn said. “We’re not running on a lot of sleep right now, but people are fired up and ready to march.”

Among those expected to attend are actor and climate activist Leonardo DiCaprio and former Vice President Al Gore. 

Demonstrators are expected to gather near the Capitol on Saturday morning. The march will kick off at 12:30 p.m., with protesters walking down Pennsylvania Avenue to surround the White House in a mass sit-in. A post-march rally will follow near the Washington Monument. 

Henn said the march will show American lawmakers that the public wants a green-energy future. 

“This is a winning agenda: it saves the planet, it creates millions of jobs, and it promotes social justice,” he said in his email. “It’s an agenda we’re going to take back to every city and state across America. This is a movement not a moment and the march is just the beginning.”

Last Saturday, Earth Day, thousands of people swarmed the National Mall to participate in the March for Science

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Patagonia's New Clothes Are Made From Poop And Dried Beetles

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Patagonia is putting bug poop in its new clothing line. You heard that right.

In an effort to dye its clothes without using toxic chemicals, the green-minded apparel company is making its new Clean Color Collection with natural dyes sourced from 96 percent renewable resources. Those include dyes derived from the poop of silkworms, dried beetles and byproducts of food waste, Patagonia announced Thursday.

“Why the alchemy?” the company said in a press release about its new experiment. “Because dye is dirty.”

The apparel line debuts at a time when consumers are increasingly aware of the hazardous materials used to produce clothing, even among big-name brands.

In 2012, Greenpeace conducted a major investigation into the contents of clothing items from 20 global fashion brands ― including Armani, Levi’s and Zara. Among its findings, it concluded that two articles of clothing from Zara contained cancer-causing amines from its use of azo dyes. Just days after Greenpeace published its report, Zara committed to going “toxic free” by 2020.

Patagonia said that many of its synthetic dyes use less water, energy and carbon dioxide than its competitors do, but it’s looking to further reduce its environmental impact.

Patagonia is also addressing the food waste crisis by incorporating byproducts of food waste into the line. Across the world, one-third of the food produced is lost or squandered. These byproducts are being saved from decomposing in landfills, where they’d otherwise release methane, an extremely potent greenhouse gas. 

This is just another example of the way in which Patagonia is using its merchandise to tackle serious global issues.

Starting in April, for instance, customers can bring in used Patagonia items and get credits to buy new items in return. Patagonia plans on cleaning and repairing the older items and selling them at a discounted price on its new Worn Wear website.

Back in November, the company donated $10 million in sales on Black Friday to numerous grassroots environmental groups. 

“We felt that these were issues that united us and I think this is a demonstration that people agree,” company spokeswoman Corley Kenna told HuffPost in November. “Our customers agree.”

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50 Of The Best Indie Bookstores In America

“Indie Bookstores are Back,” The New York Times proclaimed early last year. “People Are Still Buying Books At Indie Bookstores,” Forbes announced a few months later, somewhat incredulously. A quick piece from The New York Post on the “indie-bookstore boomlet” this month seems to seal the deal: independent bookshops are definitely not dying. 

Those who tolled the death knell too early are probably just as happy as everyone else. No one wants to see a neighborhood bookshop suffer. Who can resist the pungent smell of old novels, the shadowy intimacy of packed aisles, or the incredibly satisfying feel of a heavy tote bag filled with staff picks? If anything, we’re buying more books than we can actually read, which is hardly a problem for the brick-and-mortar booksellers still threatened by behemoths like Amazon.

If the mere mention of book odor makes you want to sprint into the shop around the corner, your timing couldn’t be better. April 29 is Independent Bookstore Day, and in honor of the occasion, we asked people across the HuffPost newsroom to nominate a few stores they’ve grown to love over the years. After days of waxing poetic, we came up with a mega-list of incredible indie bookstores that are alive, well and deserving of your patronage on this most holy of literary holidays. 

Behold, 50 of the best indie bookstores in America:

1. John K. King Used & Rare Books (Detroit, Michigan)

”One of the most unique bookstores in the Midwest, John K. King is one of the hidden jewels of Detroit. The shelves are filled with books you can’t find anywhere else. The bookstore holds around 1 million books in stock.” ― Philip Lewis, Front Page Editor

Check out John K. King here.

2. Taylor Books (Charleston, West Virginia)

“Taylor Books is a beloved spot on a quaint street in West Virginia’s capital city that offers a good read, beautiful art, a solid cup of coffee and a quiet place to enjoy it all. Taylor doesn’t just have a great selection of books ― the store hosts live musicians, holds book signings with notable authors and even serves as a place for creative types, like creative writing and improv groups, to meet. I love that they make sure to feature authors, artists and publications based in and around West Virginia and work to promote other arts-related businesses in the community.” ― Paige Lavender, Senior Politics Editor

Check out Taylor Books here.

3. Literati (Ann Arbor, Michigan)

”A great bookstore for a great college town, Literati sits right in the middle of Ann Arbor’s downtown shopping district. It’s the perfect place to spend an hour ― or two or three ― browsing the staff recommendations, which are reliably excellent.” ― Jonathan Cohn, Senior National Correspondent

Check out Literati here.

4. The Strand (New York, New York)

“I worked at The Strand when I first moved to New York City and it truly embodies so much about what makes this global city so amazing. Not only have numerous influential creatives worked here at some point in their careers, but the space itself is a defining part of the history of New York City. The last remaining staple of the historic ‘Book Row’ ― a massive area of 48 different bookstores dating back to the late 1800s ― The Strand is now the second-biggest used bookstore in the entire country. Go get lost in the literal miles of books while you discover some of the rich history of the store itself.” ― James Michael Nichols, Deputy Queer Voices Editor

Check out the Strand here.

5. Left Bank Books (St. Louis, Missouri)

”When I was going to college in St. Louis, Left Bank Books was a short bike ride from my apartment. The shop has incredible new and used book selections, ingeniously themed reading groups, impressive author events, and just a generally inclusive vibe that makes it seem like a neighborhood spot for anyone and everyone.” ― Katherine Brooks, Senior Arts & Culture Editor

Check out Left Bank Books here.

6. Old Tampa Book Company (Tampa, Florida)

“Old Tampa Book Company is this little store in downtown that usually gets overlooked, but the second you step in it’s the best place you’ve ever been. All the shelves are filled to the brim and you can find so many out-of-print or unique editions of books. And the entire place just smells like books ― overwhelmingly so.” ― Doha Madani, Associate Trends Reporter

Check out Old Tampa Book Company here.

7. Women & Children First Bookstore (Chicago, Illinois)

”Women & Children First is the kind of indie bookstore that belies an easy, convenient characterization. Sure, it’s a feminist bookstore with a name eerily similar to a certain Portlandia sketch. But it’s not some caricature. This place has a real heart and cares about their neighborhood and city, hosting regular community events spotlighting both emerging local and established international names. And their handwritten book recommendations throughout the store have never led me astray. It’s the real deal.” ― Joseph Erbentraut, Senior What’s Working Editor

Check out Women & Children First here.

8. Dickson Street Bookshop (Fayetteville, Arkansas)

“Dickson Street Bookshop is located just a short, lovely walk from the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville, so it’s a huge draw for college students and bibliophiles alike. Its towering, overstocked bookshelves wind in and out of rooms, almost as if they go on for miles. As an undergraduate, I needed a copy of Arthur Miller’s ‘Death Of A Salesman’ for a theater class I was taking that semester, and the shop owner knew exactly which room, which shelf and which precise stack of books was home to the one I needed, leading me right to it. I still have the tattered, out-of-print copy to this day.” ― Brittany Nims, RYOT Studio Editor

Check out Dickson Street Bookshop here.

9. Powell’s Books (Portland, Oregon)

“If there’s a list of great wonders of the literary world, Powell’s sits at the top. They call it ‘Powell City of Books’ for a reason ― it occupies a full city block and supposedly contains more than a million volumes.” ― Jonathan Cohn

Check out Powell’s here. 

10. Farley’s Bookshop (New Hope, Pennsylvania)

”Farley’s is nestled on the Delaware River in the historic and queer enclave of New Hope, Pennsylvania. There’s always an angelic cat that greets you (and every good independent bookstore should have that). It feels like a quintessential Americana place that could’ve easily been in a scene in ‘Hocus Pocus’ or something.” ― Melissa Radzimski, Social Media Editor

Check out Farley’s here.

11. The Book Barn (Niantic, Connecticut) 

“I never miss a chance to visit the Book Barn when I’m up in Connecticut. I could spend hours perusing the shop’s collection, which is actually spread out over four small locations in the coastal town of Niantic, which is worthy of exploring in its own right. Every visit is an adventure!” ― Curtis Wong, Senior Queer Voices Editor

Check out the Book Barn here.

12. The Last Bookstore (Los Angeles, California)

”Part bookstore, part art collective and sculpture, this shop has a solid selection of indie new stuff plus an extensive user collection that is worth checking out. A beautiful place.” ― Robb Monn, Head of Engineering

Check out the Last Bookstore.

13. Prairie Lights (Iowa City, Iowa)

”It’s everything you could want in a bookstore. A staff that knows their stuff? Check. A kids section that feels like a secret hideaway? Check. Coffee, cookies, and booze upstairs? Check. A secondhand books section so you can splurge? CHECK.” ― Chloe Angyal, Senior Front Page Editor

Check out Prairie Lights here.

14. The Children’s Bookstore (Baltimore, Maryland)

“This little bookstore is tucked away on a side street in the Roland Park neighborhood of Baltimore, and it’s so great. The staff is super knowledgeable, and they have a great selection of books for all different ages. Back when Harry Potter books were still coming out, The Children’s Bookstore would host a huge celebration leading up to the midnight release. They’d close off the street and have tons of activities for all of the dressed-up wizards and witches. You could get your book there at midnight, or they had a delivery service that would drop books off to the houses in the neighborhood (starting at midnight). It’s a great bookstore and community.” ― Hollis Miller, Associate Voices Social Editor

Check out the Children’s Bookstore here.

15. Elliott Bay Book Company (Seattle, Washington)

”I love reading staff recommendations, and this enormous bookstore had way more than I could skim in one visit. There’s a comfy coffee shop inside, so it’s the perfect zen stop, whether you’re working in the city or visiting from out of town. Grab a book, relax and people-watch.” ― Katherine Brooks

Check out Elliott Bay here.

16. Books Galore (Erie, Pennsylvania) 

“Independently owned and operated, I’ve frequented the place since I was a kid and continued to do so until I moved to Louisiana last year. When I was a kid, I liked going there every week to get my favorite comics. As I got older, they were a great resource for old books ― especially rare and hard-to-find books. They are great people and always friendly. They also do a lot of things for kids in the community, such as hosting games, having folks dress up as superheroes and hosting a free comic book day.” ― David Lohr, Senior Crime Reporter

Check out Books Galore here.

17. J. Michaels Books (Eugene, Oregon)

“A cozy and colorful fixture of one of Americas most colorful small cities. The owner is usually behind the counter, obscured by his curated selection of new releases. His arrangements never fail to compel even this most casual of bookworms to purchase. On your way out, take a peek at first editions and antique copies of many of Americas greatest writers. My wife and I once drove a Penguin Books–branded Mini Cooper across America, visiting indie bookshops all along the way. There is none quite like J Michaels.” ― Isaac Schmidt, Software Engineer

Check out J. Michaels here.

18. Westsider Rare & Used Books Inc. (New York, New York) 

“If there were a car air freshener called ‘Used Bookstore’ they would go to Westsider Rare & Used Books Inc.” ― Marc Janks, Multimedia Platforms Manager

Check out Westsider Rare & Used Books here.

19. The Iliad Bookshop (North Hollywood, California)

”Iliad Bookshop is a place you can get lost in ― and if you’re a book lover like me, you might suddenly discover that hours have elapsed while you were blissfully exploring that rabbit hole. They specialize in literature and the arts and have an impressive collection of rare books, in particular. If you somehow tire of the endless maze of books, you can take a break to play with the shop cats (yes, literal cats, not just cool people) or chat with the very friendly staff.” ― Antonia Blumberg, Religion Reporter

Check out the Iliad here.

20. The Montague Bookmill (Montague, Massachusetts)

“You know those bookstores where you can spend a whole afternoon? The Bookmill is like that, but more like days, or weeks ― I’d rent a room there if I could. The 1800s gristmill is home to thousands of used books, thoughtfully organized and sprawled out in room after room designed for wandering and hiding out among the shelves. If you somehow get bored of book buying, you can take a picturesque stroll by the Sawmill River or bring your finds to the Lady Killigrew Cafe, order a local beer and start reading.” ― Kate Abbey-Lambertz, National Reporter

Check out the Montague here.

21. Green Apple Books (San Francisco, California)

“Green Apple is the kind of bookstore that reminds you what an otherworldly escape reading is and makes you wonder why you spend so much time watching Netflix. It’s sizable but divided up into smaller rooms and alcoves you’ll want to hole up in for hours. It was named Publisher’s Weekly bookstore of the year in 2014, but it’s remained a humble neighborhood spot exactly as I remember it as a little kid growing up around the corner.” ― Lydia O’Connor, Reporter

Check out Green Apple here.

22. Maxwell’s House of Books (La Mesa, California)

“Maxwell’s has a lot of rare academic and scholarly titles as well as other hard-to-find titles. The owners are happy to engage in deep conversations about the books. It’s in a cozy neighborhood in a San Diego suburb and I feel like everyone is stopping by to say, ‘Hi.’” ― David Moye, Reporter

Check out Maxwell’s here.

23. Chamblin Book Mine (Jacksonville, Florida)

“I used to get lost in this place when I was a nerdy high school kid in Jacksonville. The aisles go on forever, and it’s basically impossible to leave empty-handed. It’s a great place to sell your old books, too. Highly recommended.” ― Kate Palmer, Lifestyle Editorial Director

Check out Chamblin Book Mine here.

24. Book Culture (New York, New York)

“This is everything a modern bookstore should be. It has something for everyone. Best Part: They have mystery books wrapped up so you can have a blind date with a book.” ― Marc Janks

Check out Book Culture here.

25. Books and Books (Coral Gables, Florida)

“Every author who’s done a tour knows about Books and Books, because it’s practically a South Florida institution. Worth visiting for the architecture alone, but it’s the reading that will keep you coming back.” ― Jonathan Cohn

Check out Books and Books here.

26. William Caxton Ltd Books (Ellison Bay, Wisconsin)

”This is one of the finest book stores I’ve ever been too, made even more incredible due to its location, completely off the beaten path on the Wisconsin peninsula. The owner is a retired professor and collector of rare books. This is a place you go to find books you’ve never seen before.” ― Andy McDonald, Comedy Editor

Check out William Caxton Ltd here.

27. Relay Bookhouse (Bethel, Connecticut) 

“It literally has tunnels of books from floor to ceiling — it’s like a maze. Books are piled up on the floor, you can hit dead ends and you can spend hours in it. I didn’t know bookstores like this still existed. Whenever I’m in the area I always stop in and walk around for a bit.” ― Samantha Tomaszewski, Associate Social Media Editor

Check out Relay here.

28. Inquiring Minds Bookstore (Saugerties, New York)

“In upstate New York, nestled in the quaint town of Saugerties, lies Inquiring Minds Bookstore. During a recent weekend stay in the area, I stumbled upon this cozy independent shop, filled to the brim with both new and used books. There’s a coffee shop inside, and you can get lost wandering around and browsing the journals, CDs and toys, which are also for sale. Inquiring Minds has a sister shop in New Paltz, New York.” ― Lauren Moraski, Entertainment Editorial Director

Check out Inquiring Minds here.

29. Skylight Books + Art Annex (Los Angeles, California)

”The most solid new bookstore for fiction and art books. Great staff picks and great staff. I’ve found many gems here that I’d never have known existed.” ― Rob Monn, Head of Engineering 

Check out Skylight here.

30. McNally Jackson (New York, New York)

“This is my favorite bookstore in the city ― it’s really well-organized and I love all of the recommendations from the staff. They also have a great magazine section, and they even have a little cafe where you can grab a coffee and read your newest purchase.” ― Hollis Miller, Voices Associate Social Media Editor

Check out McNally Jackson here.

31. Book Revue (Huntington, New York) 

“Growing up on Long Island surrounded by lacrosse bros and meatheads, Book Revue served as an oasis of art and literature. Big-name authors came to town for talks there. The 17,500-square-foot space is flanked by book shelves in nearly every possible space, a café with Korean candies and decent loose-leaf tea and a used book section where I bought my first W.H. Auden book for just $1. It’s always amazed me that, even as the record stores and other shops I loved folded, this place remained open. Thank God for that.” ― Alexander Kaufman, Business & Environment Reporter

“I usually force whichever family member I’m visiting on Long Island to make a stop at Book Revue, located in the picturesque, walkable downtown of Huntington. The store is expansive enough to easily kill an hour or two browsing, and they have a nice selection of inexpensive literary remainders — useful for anyone wishing to build up their classics library. With ample readings and events, they’re a good resource for the bookish who don’t want to travel all the way into Manhattan.” ― Jillian Capewell, Entertainment News Editor

Check out Book Revue here.

32. Little City Books (Hoboken, New Jersey)

”It’s a super-friendly atmosphere with welcoming staff, and carries a diverse range of novels and nonfiction. It’s also has a vast children’s section. It frequently holds readings and Q&As with authors and hosts a variety of book clubs focussing on different genres and writers.” ― Will Tooke, Producer

Check out Little City here.

33. Main Street Books (Saint Helena, California)

“Tucked between pricey boutiques and wine shops, this tiny gem of a bookstore was a saving grace for me growing up in a small Napa Valley town when I was too young to enjoy the tasting rooms and vineyard tours the region is famous for. I’d spend hours in this little shop (roughly the size of a small bedroom), picking up dozens of used novels (better for my babysitting-fund budget) while always eyeing the new titles with envy. I still make a point of dropping in when I’m home for a visit, particularly to check out the latest additions to the well-curated cooking section or ask for a recommendation. And if they don’t have a book in the shop, the owner will happily order it for you. I’ll forever be grateful for when she pre-ordered Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix for me and let me pick it up before the store opened for the day.” ― Mollie Reilly, Deputy Politics Editor

Check out Main Street here.

34. Prospero’s Bookstore (Kansas City, Missouri)

“As a high school kid in Overland Park, Kansas, Prospero’s was an oasis. Its basement smells like centuries-old book pulp ― it’s where I found one of the strangest used Cold War history books I’ve ever read and will never get rid of. On the main floor, you can find more precariously stacked books, plus work from students at the Kansas City Art Institute, or see performances from local musicians and poets. It’s much more than a bookstore, as it should be.” ― Katherine Brooks

Check out Prospero’s here.

35. Book Beat (Oak Park, Michigan)

“A short drive outside of Detroit, Book Beat was one of my favorite destinations as a kid. From the inconspicuous storefront ― they’re located in an outdated suburban strip mall ― you’d never guess that inside it’s warm and lively, with thousands of books are crammed into every inch of available space, stacked up to the ceiling. Friendly staff members are always happy to help you locate a title in the piles, or recommend a book you didn’t know you wanted. They carry a wide range of subjects, but their children’s book collection is truly unbeatable.” ― Kate Abbey-Lambertz

Check out Book Beat here.

36. Karma (Amagansett, New York)

”Karma (with locations in NYC and Amagansett) is both a gallery and a bookseller. They boast a beautiful collection of contemporary art books, many of which they publish themselves.” ― Willa Frej, Reporter

Check out Karma here.

37. Faulkner House Books (New Orleans, Louisiana)

”This teeny, tiny bookstore is housed in a building that was constructed in 1840. William Faulkner lived there in the early 20th century — hence the name — and wrote his first novel Soldiers Play. The space is as charming and mythic as any bookstore lover would hope, with low-slung chandeliers and books lining the walls, ‘Beauty and the Beast’-style. It has a great selection of New Orleans-centric books, from history to cookbooks, for people from out of town.” ― Priscilla Frank, Arts & Culture Writer

Check out Faulkner House here. 

38. Book Thug Nation (Brooklyn, New York)

“So intimate, so cozy and so friendly. I don’t know how they get by selling books for $2.50, but I try to always check out their selection first before I go anywhere else. And Book Thug gets new books every day, so there’s always something to discover.” ― Allison Fox, Lifestyle Trends Editor

Check out Book Thug Nation here.

39. Linden Tree Children’s Books (Los Altos, California)

”You won’t find the children’s books tucked away in a corner here. It’s the entire store. Linden Tree has a friendly and helpful staff, great selection and plenty of in-store events.” ― Ed Mazza, Reporter

Check out Linden Tree here.

40. Half Price Books (Dallas, Texas)

”Half Price Books might be a chain, but it’s family-owned, and, more importantly to some readers, it lives up to its name. Like any used bookstore, visiting comes with the wonder of discovery, a sensation absent from, say, shopping on Amazon. But the flagship store in Dallas is essentially a vast warehouse of books, and getting lost in its aisles is half the fun.” ― Maddie Crum, Books & Culture Writer

Check out Half Price Books here.

41. Haslam’s Book Store Inc (St. Petersburg, Florida)

“Finding refuge in stacks of books from the humidity of Florida and losing track of time was a common occurrence for me at Haslam’s, a massive new and used bookstore established in 1933. I’d take short vacations to St. Petersburg while studying in university to visit friends and wander through the expansive bookshelves, read excerpts on the back of book covers and then flip through pages upon pages of poetry, fiction, memoirs and essays. The science collection in Haslam’s is astounding, and this bookstore helped nurture my love of science out of the classroom. It has an unassuming facade but, as with most good bookstores, once you step inside you are transported into another place and time, lost in your own thoughts, to a place just waiting to be explored.” ― Madeline Wahl, Associate Editor

Check out Haslam’s here.

42. Book Woman (Austin, Texas) 

“In its annual collection of book review and book reviewer data, VIDA has shown that gender parity still hasn’t been achieved when it comes to literature. Women are less likely to get reviewed in several major outlets than men, and they’re less likely to win awards, too. Which is why the concept of the simply named BookWoman is so great. The store showcases women writers, and particularly women writers working in Austin — and it hosts intersectional reading events, too.” ― Maddie Crum

Check out Book Woman here.

43. Off the Beaten Path (Steamboat, Colorado)

”I’ve approached the staff at Off the Beaten Path with as little info as: ‘I’m looking for a really good book. Like, really, really good.’ And I always walk out with something I can’t put down and that I insist pretty much every friend and family member read. The people who work here are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about books and will keep pulling titles until they find something you’re excited to sit down with. They support local authors, and the ‘staff picks’ are the best way to find out about little-known writers and remember why you should go back and read the classics from high school. And the coffee … OMG, amazing.” ― Eleanor Goldberg, Impact Editor

Check out Off the Beaten Path here.

44. Housing Works Bookstore Cafe (New York, New York)

“Housing Works, a smallish yet well-stocked two-story shop in Manhattan, is more than a bookstore. The organization takes seriously its role as an advocacy group for people with HIV/AIDS, and raises funds through events to that end. This alone makes it a worthwhile place to buy books, but the spot itself is charming, too, with winding stairways and high ceilings and timely author readings.” ― Maddie Crum

Check out Housing Works here.

45. Stone Soup Books (Camden, Maine)

“Stone Soup is a tiny used bookstore that sits at the top of a creaking staircase in an almost comically narrow building in Camden, Maine’s downtown area. Inside, it feels like the kind of place where the protagonist of a children’s movie would find a long-lost book that unlocked a portal to some sort of fairy tale world. It’s packed with books, most of them well-loved, extremely affordable paperbacks, lining every available inch of wall space and occupying numerous other shelves and piles throughout the store. Every time I’ve been there, one of the owners has been there behind the desk reading, and is exactly the kind of of older gentleman you’d hope to presiding over a charming secondhand bookstore.” ― Hilary Hanson, Reporter

Check out Stone Soup here.

46. Parnassus Books (Nashville, Tennessee)

“I stopped into Parnassus Books during a trip to Nashville a few years ago, and, like many of the city’s other small businesses I visited with friends, it felt like a place that really serves the local readers, both in terms of book recommendations and community space. Fun fact: The store is co-owned by author Ann Patchett.” ― Katherine Brooks

Check out Parnassus here.

47. Source Booksellers (Detroit, Michigan)

“Source Booksellers opened just a few years ago, but it’s thriving, with tons of readings and events ― probably because owner Janet Jones has been collecting and selling books since 1989. Her compact but extensively curated selection of nonfiction books ― with great titles on local subjects, history, culture, art and spirituality, are chosen with an eye toward educating people and enhancing their lives.” ― Kate Abbey-Lambertz

Check out Source Booksellers here.

48. 2nd Edition Books (Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina) 

“An independent bookstore in an airport? Yup. You’ll find 2nd Edition in the terminal at Raleigh-Durham International, past security near the gates. They sell only previously used books, but they have a wide selection (and many are barely used). They’ll even ship to your destination if you want.” ― Jonathon Cohn

Check out 2nd Edition here.

49. Books on the Square (Providence, Rhode Island)

“As a college student in Providence, I had the opportunity to explore some great local spots, and Books on the Square was a true highlight. Located in Wayland Square, it’s welcoming neighborhood shop with a cozy atmosphere and loyal customer base. The staff is very friendly and they often host events and speakers.” — Caroline Bologna, Parents Editor

Check out Books on the Square here. 

50. Politics & Prose (Washington, D.C.)

”No roundup of indie bookstores would be complete without mentioning Politics & Prose, the D.C. institution that, beyond selling books, hosts open mics, nerdy trivia, teach-ins and conversations with politicians, authors, filmmakers and more. When I first visited D.C., I knew enough to add this shop to my itinerary, squeezing it in between tourist spots. And it was worth it.” ― Katherine Brooks

Check out Politics & Prose here.

There are many other indie bookstores that we didn’t write about, but are excellent destinations you should probably check out. Including…

  • Myopic Books in Chicago, Illinois
  • Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi
  • Tattered Cover Bookstore in Denver, Colorado
  • Bluestockings in New York, New York

Share this post, tag us on Facebook, and we’ll add more indie bookstores to the bonus list!

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Congress Buys Some Time To Finish A Massive Spending Deal

WASHINGTON ― Still lacking an agreement on an omnibus spending deal to keep the government open, Congress passed a one-week funding measure on Friday so that Republicans and Democrats could continue negotiations.

Lawmakers generally saw the so-called continuing resolution as yet another letdown. Congress has already passed two previous continuing resolutions to give members more time to complete the 2017 appropriations process, which was supposed to be finished by the end of last September. Republicans were also hoping that passing an omnibus deal this week would allow President Donald Trump to tout the agreement as an accomplishment in his first 100 days, even if there are hardly any wins in the deal for Republicans.

The House easily passed the bill by a vote of 382-30, and then the Senate passed it by voice vote later Friday afternoon. Now the stopgap bill moves to Trump’s desk for his signature before midnight to avoid a government shutdown. With the extra time gained and barring any unexpected hiccups, lawmakers sound confident they can come to an agreement next week on legislation that will fund the government until October.

Democratic and Republican leaders, however, have yet to settle all their issues on the larger bill. Lawmakers are still hammering out some lingering provisions dealing with environmental, financial and drug regulations.

“Our people on the Appropriations Committee stayed up till 1:30 last night,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said on Friday. “They made a good deal of progress, but we still have some progress to go.”

Schumer said that Republicans had removed a number of policy riders that Democrats thought were inappropriate for a spending bill, but there were still some more provisions that Democrats want out. “And so we’re willing to extend things for a little bit more time, in hopes that the same kind of progress can continue to be made,” Schumer said. “But we still have a little bit of a ways to go, and they still have some poison pill riders that they haven’t dropped yet.”

Republicans and Democrats have agreed to the overall framework of the omnibus deal. Lawmakers and aides said the bill would appropriate money at levels consistent with the sequestration caps set in 2011 ― save for “emergency” border security funding and some money for the Overseas Contingency Operations fund. In a blow to Trump and other Republicans, the spending deal would not put money toward the construction of a border wall. In a blow to Democrats, it would not appropriate money for the Obamacare subsidies.

Even though many Republicans favor the government continuing to pay those subsidies, Republican appropriators said it would be unfair to force members of their party to vote for that money. “Because then you’d have to have members voting to sustain a system that they were against, and that’s not fair to ask them that,” Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) said Friday.

The House is technically suing over the executive branch’s authority to make those payments. But Republicans seem to believe the situation is sustainable as long as the Department of Health and Human Services keeps making the payments and a court ruling in favor of the House remains stayed pending an appeal.

Lawmakers are also looking to close deals that would offer a permanent fix on health care benefits for retired miners and provide money to address a Medicaid shortfall in Puerto Rico, although both items are somewhat in flux. Members are still figuring out how much money will go to Puerto Rico and how miners’ health care costs will be offset in the budget.

“As long as they work out the details between how it’s going to be paid for,” said Rep. David McKinley (R-W.Va.), who’s been pushing for the miners, “we think it’s going to be fine.”

While the various agreements all seem to be coming together, there’s still the possibility that congressional talks could derail. It appears that Trump and his administration have periodically jumped into the talks and nearly wrecked already settled deals. A Trump tweet this week seemed to oppose money going to Puerto Rico even after Republicans had already conceded that point. Office of Management and Budget director Mick Mulvaney almost caused a health care crisis himself when he appeared to threaten a stoppage in the Obamacare subsidies, pressing Democrats to reconsider whether they could accept an omnibus deal without those “cost-sharing reduction” payments.

And then there is the larger push to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act hanging over the whole process. House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said Thursday that he would urge Democrats to vote against the continuing resolution if Republicans tried to pass their health care bill this week. He sounded like a man at wits’ end over the entire situation.

“I am going to vote for this continuing resolution,” Hoyer said on the House floor Friday, “but I want to put my colleagues on notice, and the American people on notice, Mr. Speaker, that I will not vote for another one.”

Michael McAuliff contributed to this report.

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Let's Go! Shania Twain Drops New Single Off First Album In 15 Years

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This DOES impress us much.

Shania Twain was the most iconic country star of the ‘90s, but she’s not done yet ― she just announced her first album in 15 years.

Twain appeared on “The Voice” on Monday night as the first-ever fifth judge on the show and told the world about her album.

Of the new album, entitled “Life’s About to Get Good,” Twain said in a statement:

I was at home looking out at the ocean and I said to myself, “Here I am stuck in this past of negativity, but it’s so beautiful out. I’m not in the mood to write a “feeling-sorry-for-myself” song … You can’t have the good without the bad. And that’s what the song ended up being about.

Shania, you’re the best ― forever and for always. The new album drops in June 2017.

‘Life’s About To Get Good’. June 2017….

A post shared by Shania Twain (@shaniatwain) on Apr 27, 2017 at 9:27am PDT

It looks like Shania fans are quite excited:

We’ll be looking for a leopard-print outfit in the interim to wear when the new tunes arrive.

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Bipartisan Pressure Builds On Paul Ryan Over War Authorization

WASHINGTON ― A bipartisan group of 46 lawmakers wrote to House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) on Friday, urging him to schedule a debate on Congress’ role in authorizing wars ― and on the need for President Donald Trump to get their approval before he takes any further military action overseas.

“It’s long past time for Congress to take responsibility for the war against ISIS by finally holding a debate and vote on whether to authorize any future military action,” said Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), a leading voice on the issue who signed Friday’s letter.

“With his recent military strike against Syria, we are also declaring that President Trump must not undertake any new military operations without the approval of Congress,” he said. 

The Constitution says that it’s Congress’ role to declare wars, and the president is supposed to get lawmakers approval before any U.S. military action. But in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Congress hastily passed a sweeping Authorization for the Use of Military Force that allowed President George W. Bush to attack anyone connected to al Qaeda, anywhere, at any time. That AUMF never expired, and President Barack Obama stretched its limits to argue he could use it to take military action against the so-called Islamic State, too, since the terror group is an offshoot of al Qaeda.

Today, that means Trump can use a 16-year-old war authorization to unilaterally take military action in Syria or anywhere else in the Middle East, if he can make the case that Islamic State or al Qaeda targets are there. Trump bombed Syria earlier this month, in what was the United States’ first direct military strike against Bashar al-Assad’s regime. He took that action in response to Assad gassing his people, which was not connected to the Islamic State.

The prospect of Trump taking military action without consulting Congress is troubling to many lawmakers, who say it’s time to finally get rid of the 2001 AUMF and pass a new one, with more narrowly tailored limits on the scope, duration and costs of a potential new war. To some, the old AUMF has amounted to a blank check for endless war.

“One of our most sacred responsibilities in Congress is that of debating war policy and deciding whether or not we send our service members into conflict,” said Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.), who signed the letter. “We owe that to the American people, and we owe that to our men and women in uniform.”

A Ryan spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment.

Despite the urgency some feel, Congress has demonstrated for years it has little appetite for taking a tough vote on authorizing war. Obama sent Congress a draft AUMF proposal in 2015 that went nowhere. A couple of senators introduced a bipartisan AUMF bill in 2015, which also went nowhere. The only thing left for concerned lawmakers to do, it seems, is to keep pressuring party leaders to take them seriously.

They do have momentum for their cause, though. Friday’s letter to Ryan is the largest bipartisan coalition yet demanding action on war authorization. It includes seven bipartisan members of the Armed Services Committee, nine bipartisan members of the Appropriations Committee and four bipartisan members of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Republicans on the letter include Reps. Tom Cole (Okla.), Thomas Massie (Okla.), Paul Gosar (Ariz.), Ted Yoho (Fla.) and Justin Amash (Mich.). Read the full letter here.

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Even the World's Largest Internet Companies Get Phished, Just Like Your Grandma

If you’ve ever been duped by a phishing scam, you can feel a little less stupid about it today, because you’ve been joined in that sad club by Google and Facebook.

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