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How this Massachusetts sanctuary takes in hundreds of guinea pigs from across the US

SALISBURY, Mass. (AP) — Kimie Smothermon begins each day greeted by the squeals, chirps and purrs of nearly 400 guinea pigs. Depending on who you ask, tending to the daily barrage of guinea pig needs can be either a fairy tale or a horror show. For Smothermon, it’s often a mix of both. “If I could figure out how to get out of this at this point, I probably would,” Smothermon joked. “But I do believe that to a certain extent, I probably wouldn’t get out of bed if I didn’t have this.” Smothermon is the owner of the Guinea Pig Sanctuary, in Salisbury, Massachusetts, ...

AgSci Launchpad broadens perspectives and pathways in ag sciences

UNIVERSITY PARK — A new program in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences is enriching the summer research experience of undergraduate students through shared learning experiences aimed at preparing them for future success in research and beyond. Known as the AgSci Launchpad, the ...

Kids keep getting hurt and killed on e-bikes. Should parents be held responsible?

NEW YORK (AP) — As traumatic injuries and deaths surge among children involved in crashes on e-bikes and other electrified vehicles, one California prosecutor is cracking down by pursuing criminal charges against some of the young riders’ parents. It is just one way officials across the country are trying to tackle the growing issue, while families navigate a patchwork of local laws and guidance on what kind of souped-up cycles and scooters are safe or even legal for their kids to ride. New York City’s mayor recently sent cease-and-desist notices to dozens of online retailers ...

Hidden iPhone keyboard shortcuts to raise your texting and typing game

Texting friends, replying to a business email, tapping out some text for a social media post. We do a lot of writing on our smartphones, which are increasingly essential for our work and personal lives. But did you know about the many keyboard tips and tricks that can help raise your smartphone skills? If you own an Apple iPhone, there are a host of little-known shortcuts that could maximize your typing. These features, usually buried in lengthy instructions, are easy to overlook though they often come to wider attention through videos by social media influencers. Here are few ...

Extension workshop to highlight updates in organic farming methods

UNIVERSITY PARK — Farmers interested in organic farming or already using organic farming practices can learn the latest updates and research to apply in their operations at an upcoming Penn State Extension event. The “Organic Grain and Forage Research Demo and Field Walk” will occur from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Aug. 12, at the OROWS and Cover Crop Cocktails Research Site, Tadpole Road, Pennsylvania Furnace. Participants can share lessons learned from organic grain and forage research trials with other farmers, as Penn State Extension researchers discuss soil results from different ...