Many rural school districts have begun offering college-level courses and working to remove academic and financial obstacles to higher education, with some success. But college doesn't hold the same appeal for students in rural areas, where they often would need to travel farther for school, parents have less college experience themselves, and some of the loudest political voices are skeptical of the need for higher education.

College enrollment for rural students has remained largely flat in recent years, despite the district-level efforts and stepped-up recruitment by many universities. About 55 percent of rural U.S. high school students who graduated in 2023 enrolled in college, according to National Student Clearinghouse Research Center data. That's compared to 64 percent of suburban graduates and 59 percent of urban graduates.

College can make a huge difference in earning potential. An American man with a bachelor’s degree earns an estimated $900,000 more over his lifetime than a peer with a high school diploma, research by the Social Security Administration has found. For women, the difference is about $630,000.

A lack of a college degree is no obstacle to opportunity in places such as Wyoming County, where people like to say there are more cows than people. The dairy farms, potato fields and maple sugar houses are sources of identity and jobs for the county just east of Buffalo.

Around the country, many students feel jaded by the high costs of college tuition. And Americans are increasingly skeptical about the value of college, polls have shown.

In upstate New York, high school junior Devon Wells grew up on his family farm in Perry, but doesn't see his future there. He's considering a career as a welder or as an electrical line worker in South Carolina, where he heard the pay might be double what he would make at home. None of his plans requires college, he said.

“I grew up on a farm, so that’s all hands-on work. That’s really all I know and would want to do,” Devon said.

This article was provided by The Associated Press.

The best of the internet’s cat videos came to the big screen earlier this month. CatVideoFest is a 73-minute, G-rated selection of all things feline—silly, cuddly, sentimental and comedic—that’s playing in more than 500 independent theaters in the U.S. and Canada.

A portion of ticket proceeds benefits cat-focused charities, shelters and animal welfare organizations. Since 2019, it’s raised over $1 million.

The videos are curated by Will Braden, the Seattle-based creator of the comedically existential shorts, Henri, le Chat Noir. His business cards read: “I watch cat videos.” And it’s not a joke or an exaggeration. Braden watches thousands of hours of internet videos to make the annual compilation.

“I want to show how broad the idea of a cat video can be, so there’s animated things, music videos, little mini documentaries,” Braden said. “It isn’t all just what I call ‘America’s Funniest Home Cat Videos.’ It’s not all cats falling into a bathtub. That would get exhausting.”

Now in its eighth year, CatVideoFest is bigger than ever, with a global presence that’s already extended to the UK and Denmark, and, for the first time, to France, Spain, Japan and Brazil. Last year, the screenings made over $1 million at the box office.

In the early days, it was a bit of a process trying to convince independent movie theaters to program CatVideoFest. But Braden and indie distributor Oscilloscope Laboratories have found that one year is all it takes to get past that hurdle.

“Everywhere that does it wants to do it again,” Braden said.

Current theatrical partners include Alamo Drafthouse, IFC Center, Nitehawk, Vidiots, Laemmle and Music Box. The screenings attract all varieties of audiences, from kids and cat ladies to hipsters and grandparents and everyone in between.

“It’s one of the only things, maybe besides a Pixar movie or Taylor Swift concert, that just appeals to everybody,” Braden said.

And the plan is to keep going.

This article was provided by The Associated Press.

Fireflies are lighting up summer evenings across the U.S. Northeast, putting on dazzling shows in backyards and city parks. There's no official count, but experts say a particularly wet spring may have created the ideal conditions for young fireflies to grow into adults to set summer nights aglow.

Fireflies light the night everywhere: There are over 2,000 known species across the globe. They use their characteristic flashes to communicate and find the perfect mate.

In New York City, the lightning bugs are out in the five boroughs, sparkling once the sun goes down in places like Central Park and Prospect Park. The summer months are ideal to spot them as they start to dwindle throughout the month of August.

While northeastern nights may seem brighter this summer, the bugs are still on the decline, and they're waning at a faster rate than ever before. It would be a mistake to say firefly populations are high this year; therefore, there's no decline, said Matt Schlesinger with the New York Natural Heritage Program, who is part of an effort to count fireflies in state parks.

Some firefly species could be doing well this year, Schlesinger said, while others are still on the decline.

Habitat loss, pesticide use, and light pollution are responsible. In cities, blaring lights from billboards, cars and storefronts can drown out the bugs' glow, making it harder for them to find their kin and pass their genes onto the next generation.

Fireflies are part of the story of summer, said entomologist Jessica Ware with the American Museum of Natural History. Her children grew up seeing them flash in her backyard, but the bugs started to disappear once her kids hit their teenage years.

In the past few months, her family has seen the fireflies come back. Their return made her think about all the kids who are glimpsing the glowing bugs for the very first time.

It shouldn't be new, Ware said. It should be something that is a universal part of summer.

To look out for fireflies, consider turning the lights off at night and avoiding spraying front lawns with insecticides.

This article was provided by The Associated Press.

A promenade of strollers, mothers wearing red sashes and toddlers trotting to keep up was part of a little festival in Flint, Michigan, where families received diapers and children gleefully played with each other and their parents.

It’s called a “baby parade.”

The sashes indicated the women were participants in a growing program that aims to help pregnant women and new moms by giving them cash at one of the most expensive times of their lives.

Backed by a mix of state, local and philanthropic money, Rx Kids gives mothers of newborns up to $7,500, with no income requirements and no conditions on how the money is used. Supporters believe the program could be a model solution to mitigate the high costs of having children, an issue that persists for many voters as President Donald Trump’s administration floats a policy to reverse the nation’s declining birth rate.

“The goal of Rx Kids is to improve health, to address this root-cause pathogen that makes so many of our kids sick and makes it really hard for them to be healthy and successful in their future,” said Dr. Mona Hanna, a Flint pediatrician and the founder of Rx Kids.

The program started in Flint last year.

Most participants need diapers, feeding supplies and baby clothes. The monthly payment can also help buy food and cover rent, utilities and transportation. One mom at the parade said diapers cost her $70 a month.

For some, the extra cash allows them to return to work earlier and pay for childcare. For others, it allows them to stay home longer with young kids.

Hanna said the program’s data shows nearly all pregnant women in Flint have signed up since it became available.

The program relies heavily on philanthropic donations. Hanna’s long-term goal is for the government to be the main provider in the future to ensure its longevity.

“We cannot wait to bring this plug-and-play program, this super-efficient, highly effective program to communities across the nation,” she said.

This article was provided by The Associated Press.

Fatigue is a major challenge in today's fast-paced world. As the need for efficient rest and recovery grows, the recovery wear market is seeing a significant boom. This trend is not just about passive rest—it’s about actively promoting recovery simply by wearing specialized garments. From business professionals to athletes, a wide range of people are taking notice. This market expansion is fueled by increased health consciousness, driven by tools like smartwatch sleep trackers and the growing popularity of high-performance mattresses. Going beyond typical loungewear, the novel concept of promoting recovery by wearing perfectly matches the needs of busy modern individuals.

Leading this trend is TENTIAL's BAKUNE. BAKUNE is recovery wear that uses a special functional fiber called SELFLAME®︎. This material contains a fine ceramic powder that absorbs far-infrared rays emitted by the body and re-emits them back to the skin. This process is said to improve blood circulation and help reduce muscle stiffness, among other benefits. Notably, BAKUNE has been filed as a general medical device, and its functionality is backed by scientific evidence, ensuring its reliability. Through collaborations with universities, corporate partners, and joint development with athletes, the product has undergone continuous improvements, earning a high level of consumer trust.

BAKUNE's greatest feature is how easily it fits into your daily routine. Because it supports fatigue recovery simply by wearing it to bed, busy people can easily incorporate it into their daily lives. The three-dimensional cut, designed for ease of movement during sleep, and its comfortable feel are also key factors that contribute to high-quality rest. Many users report sleeping more comfortably. As a result, it is gaining popularity among those who prioritize physical conditioning, such as busy executives and athletes. Beyond its functionality, its wide range of colors and sophisticated design are also appealing. While positioned at a higher price point, this makes it an increasingly popular choice not only as an investment in one's own health but also as a health-conscious gift for parents, grandparents, and other loved ones.

The recovery wear market is expected to continue its growth. As technology advances, more effective and comfortable products will emerge, significantly changing how we approach rest and recovery.

This article was created in collaboration with TENTIAL.

Nishijin-ori is the intricate weaving for kimonos that dates back more than a thousand years. But the traditional Japanese craft is getting some high-tech assistance from artificial intelligence (AI).

Giant looms clatter inside a textile shop in the Nishijin district of Kyoto, a city where ancient weaving arts are still preserved to this day. Despite the craft’s heritage, its future is uncertain. Demand for kimonos has declined sharply in Japan, particularly among younger generations. Many now rent formal wear for special occasions, if they wear it at all.

In response, some artisans are turning to technology to help sustain the tradition. At the heart of the loom, a small device is visible. It's an artificial intelligence-assisted tool developed by Sony Computer Science Laboratories, or Sony CSL.

While it doesn’t weave fabric, it supports the design process, helping artisans translate traditional aesthetics into a modern pattern.

Lana Sinapayen, Ph.D. researcher at Sony Computer Science Laboratories Inc., says, “We try to integrate modern technologies with traditional craftsmanship. For example, here we have a traditional kimono made by the technique of Nishijin-ori, which dates back hundreds of years.”

In practice, this means AI learns from human corrections and can replicate those decisions across a full design. It reduces what used to take days or weeks to a matter of seconds, allowing artisans to focus more on creative decisions than technical labor.

Jun Rekimoto, a professor at the University of Tokyo and chief science officer at Sony Computer Science Laboratories Inc., says, “Happiness is not only about money or efficiency, but when that person feels content, I think. And I think we can promote that happiness by combining the traditional and latest technology.”

The final weaving, however, is done entirely by hand and loom in the traditional way.

Nishijin-ori kimonos can sell for as much as a million yen: the equivalent of several thousand dollars.

This article was provided by The Associated Press.

New York City is going car-free this summer, turning normally congested streets into pedestrian and cyclist-friendly roads.

“Summer Streets is an opportunity that we have to give a break to our streets, not to have cars and trucks and those vehicles and open the streets for fitness, wellness, cultural, entertainments, walking,” Ydanis Rodriguez, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation, said.

The annual tradition began in 2008 in Manhattan, closing almost 7 miles along Park Avenue and Lafayette Street to motorized vehicles. Summer Streets has expanded to all five boroughs. This year, the program has added over 22 miles of car-free roadways.

NYC Summer Streets kicked off in Queens and Staten Island in July.

“Now all New Yorkers of different socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds, they also can use our streets, not only to ride the bike, but also to walk, and also to enjoy the different cultural expression that are a big part of our city,” Rodriguez said.

Summer Streets is part of a broader effort by the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) to prioritize equity in transportation.

The event includes free fitness classes, bike-riding lessons, art installations, and performances, fostering a sense of community and promoting active lifestyles.

Colby Oliver biked in from neighboring Long Island City and liked the idea of carless streets.

“I think just the freedom to get on your bike, walk, run, whatever you want to do and not worry about cars in the way,” Oliver said.

The streets are car-free from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine.

“I think it’s something I look forward to every single summer,” Erik Edeen said. “I’m a big runner and cyclist, and I like to be able to see the city from different angles that you usually don’t get to see when you’re constrained to just the sidewalks or some of the running paths.”

This article was provided by The Associated Press.

Coffee hasn't always been an easy sell in Nepal. The Himalayan country is a major tea producer, as well as a major consumer. When people greet each other in the morning, they don't ask, How are you? They say, Have you had your tea?

Tea—usually served as a sweet, milky beverage in a piping hot glass tumbler—is as much a part of Nepal's culture as rice, a constant presence at homes, meetings and social gatherings. But a growing number of Nepalis are warming up to coffee, as trendy cafés spring up on street corners in cities and towns across the country.

Nepalis started trying coffee in the 90s. One café in the capital, Kathmandu, is widely seen as the pioneer.

Gagan Pradhan began Himalayan Java as a single café in an alley, and it's grown to a chain with 84 locations in the country. Pradhan estimates there are around 7,000 cafés across the country, although so far international brands like Starbucks aren't in Nepal.

There are lot of tea shops throughout the nation, but the kind of setup they have is still kind of old-fashioned, Pradhan said. I think with investors and people like us, when it comes to coffee shop, we are more serious not only with machines, we are serious with everything like the lighting, the setup, the furnishings, the location.

Pradhan said tea shops usually offer just black tea or tea with milk, whereas a typical coffee menu has 10-15 hot beverages and about 10-15 cold beverages.

Pradhan said it's an appealing business because the initial investment to open a café is very low, they're clean and simple enough for a single person or a family to run, and customers are willing to pay more for coffee.

Several tea plantations in the mountains of eastern Nepal, famous for the tea, are now joined by coffee plantations.

Nepal is part of a regional trend. Coffee consumption has soared across traditionally tea-drinking countries in Asia as members of growing middle classes seek out novel flavors and adopt international trends.

This article was provided by The Associated Press.

For the past couple of years, concerns about cheating at school have dominated the conversation around kids and AI. But artificial intelligence is playing a much larger role in many of their lives. AI, teens say, has become a go-to source for personal advice, emotional support, everyday decision-making and problem-solving.

More than 70% of teens have used AI companions, and half use them regularly, according to a new study from Common Sense Media, a group that studies and advocates for using screens and digital media sensibly.

The study defines AI companions as platforms designed to serve as “digital friends,” like Character.AI or Replika, which can be customized with specific traits or personalities and can offer emotional support, companionship and conversations that can feel human-like. But popular sites like ChatGPT and Claude, which mainly answer questions, are being used in the same way, the researchers say.

As the technology rapidly gets more sophisticated, teenagers and experts worry about AI’s potential to redefine human relationships and exacerbate crises of loneliness and youth mental health.

“AI is always available. It never gets bored with you. It’s never judgmental,” says Ganesh Nair, an 18-year-old in Arkansas. “When you’re talking to AI, you are always right. You’re always interesting. You are always emotionally justified.”

In the Common Sense Media survey, 31% of teens said their conversations with AI companions were “as satisfying or more satisfying” than talking with real friends. Even though half of the teens said they distrust AI’s advice, 33% had discussed serious or important issues with AI instead of real people.

Those findings are worrisome, says Michael Robb, the study’s lead author and head researcher at Common Sense, and should send a warning to parents, teachers and policymakers.

Adolescence is a critical time for developing identity, social skills and independence, Robb said, and AI companions should complement—not replace—real-world interactions.

“If teens are developing social skills on AI platforms where they are constantly being validated, not being challenged, not learning to read social cues or understand somebody else’s perspective, they are not going to be adequately prepared in the real world,” he said.

This article was provided by The Associated Press.

Manuka honey often steals the spotlight when it comes to honey's healing properties. However, stingless bees also create a type of honey known as sugarbag honey. Used in Indigenous Australian medicine for thousands of years, scientists now believe it could play a role in combating antibiotic resistance in the future.

These tiny bees may be no bigger than a matchhead, but they pack a powerful punch. Their sugarbag honey has been a cornerstone of First Nations bush medicine for millennia.

Now, researchers suggest that even a small amount could outperform certain antibacterial and antifungal treatments. “When we talk about natural products like honey, they have a lot of different compounds in them that are all working together to do different things. So, it's much, much harder for microbes to gain resistance,” explains Dr. Kenya Fernandes of the University of Sydney.

Dr. Fernandes was already familiar with the antibacterial qualities of Manuka honey and began to wonder if sugarbag honey might have similar effects. She tested honey from three types of native stingless bees against E. coli, tinea, golden staph, and a yeast called Cryptococcus neoformans.

Amazingly, each honey sample displayed both antibacterial and antifungal properties, and Dr. Fernandes believes the bees themselves may be the key. “The stingless bee honey gets its effectiveness from, we think, something that the bees are adding to the honey, or the way that they're processing the nectar,” says Dr. Fernandes.

Because of their tiny size, stingless bees produce just half a liter of honey annually. To support further research, a greater supply is needed.

One potential way to increase production is by encouraging more people to take up stingless beekeeping as a hobby. “Anyone can own these bees. They're really low maintenance compared to honey bees,” says Ph.D. student Jasmin Li.

If more people began keeping these bees, it could lead to increased honey production and open the door to future medical uses. Although this honey hasn't yet received official approval for clinical use, researchers are excited about its promising scientific potential.

This article was provided by The Associated Press.