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Electric bikes can be fast and dangerous. Here’s how to stay safe

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — The 14-year-old was riding an electric bicycle at an estimated 25 mph when he slammed into Janet Stotko during her evening walk, leaving her unconscious and bleeding on a sidewalk in her Minnesota neighborhood. The 2024 crash nearly killed Stotko, who was raced to a hospital with severe brain injuries, a facial fracture and broken eardrum. But after being on a ventilator for two days, spending three weeks in the hospital and enduring brain surgery, she survived, surprising even her doctors. At a checkup, she said, her doctors told her, “Wow, we can’t ...

People ‘bathe’ in nature to get respite from chaotic news cycle

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — For two hours, Claire Jefferies wanted to get away from the war in Iran and the rising gas prices and just commune with nature. And, so, she treated herself to a little forest bathing. “When I’m here, it’s almost like a protective bubble around me," the human ...

ServSafe certification accelerated course offered by Penn State Extension in Centre County

STATE COLLEGE — Penn State Extension is offering the “ServSafe Review and Exam,” a one-day recertification course designed for individuals renewing their ServSafe food protection manager certification. The course will be offered from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 6 at State College Municipal Building, 243 S. Allen St., State College, Pa. This accelerated program is appropriate for individuals who have completed the ServSafe course in the past and are looking to recertify. It covers key food safety concepts, including core principles and best practices; safe food purchasing and ...

Austria plans to ban social media use for under-14s, joining a string of other countries

VIENNA (AP) — Austria’s governing coalition on Friday announced plans to ban social media use for children under 14, joining a string of other countries in drawing up restrictions for young people. Alexander Proll, the official in Chancellor Christian Stocker’s office responsible for digitization, said that draft legislation will be drawn up by the end of June. He said that “technically modern methods” of age verification will be used that allow users to verify their age while respecting their privacy. It wasn’t immediately clear when the plan to introduce a minimum age, ...

French bulldog frenzy may be cooling in US, but dachshunds are riding high

NEW YORK (AP) — Americans still dig French bulldogs, retrievers and German shepherds. But dachshunds are increasingly hot dogs. For the first time in over two decades, the sausage-shaped hounds were among the top five most prevalent dog breeds, according to American Kennel Club rankings ...