A sliver of Election Day swag: 'I voted' — and I got a sticker, too
ALLISON PARK, Pa. (AP) — The voting sticker has become an emblem of participation and power, a little talisman of democracy. In an era of splintered opinions and a polarized populace, it is one of the few things that unite us on a day when so much divides us. Put a sticker on yourself as you come out of the polls and you send two messages — not just “I voted,” but “I am an American and I have done what needs to be done.” The text is always the same. “I voted.” No party affiliation. No advocacy. No scorn. Simply a statement that lies at the heart of the American democratic republic.
Monarch butterflies get tiny trackers to help scientists follow their mysterious migration
Every August, monarch butterflies east of the Rocky Mountains begin their migration from southern Canada and the northern United States to central Mexico to hibernate. In the spring, when temperatures warm, they awaken, mate and begin their migration north again to lay their eggs. In Texas, scientists with the National Wildlife Federation are now tracking monarchs during their migration to understand where they roost and protect the habitats they rely on.
Director calls revival of ‘In the Heights’ at NY City Center a ‘balm for these times’
NEW YORK (AP) — David Mendizábal is directing a revival of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s "In the Heights," a musical that was Mendizábal's introduction to theater. The show, running for three weeks at New York City Center, features a new cast of Latino artists. Mendizábal emphasizes the importance of showcasing Latino communities, especially now. Miranda, who starred in the original production, reflects on the musical's enduring relevance. The revival comes amid immigration tensions, highlighting themes of gentrification and community. New and old cast members say the musical remains a celebration of the Latino immigrant experience, with its messages resonating strongly today.
Collins Dictionary chooses 'mogging' as its 2026 word of the year
LONDON (AP) — Collins Dictionary has named "mogging" as its word of the year. The slang term means to outshine someone or something and is often used playfully by young people. Experts said Tuesday that the word saw a 210% increase in usage in 2026. Other notable entries include “firewaves.” That's a term for a series of urban wildfires. And “P(doom).” The word stands for the estimation of the risk of artificial intelligence causing human civilization's collapse. Collins managing director Alex Beecroft said that "mogging" highlights how each generation influences language. The dictionary monitors a 27-billion-word database to track evolving language trends.
A medley of 12 holiday gifts for the music lover in your life
Is the music lover in life tough to shop for? No longer! We’ve got you covered. Here's a gift guide for the music obsessive in your life. Consider Dolly Parton's Cup of Ambition coffee, or a DIY ukulele kit. No? How about noise-cancelling wired earbuds courtesy of Bose. What about an official Madonna rhinestone tumbler, or a new book for the Fleetwood Mac fan in your life? That one is titled “Lessons & Lace: Everything I Know About Dreams, Heartbreak, and Magic I Learned from Stevie Nicks.” There's also rapper A$AP Rocky's all-metal sun and prescription glasses line for Ray-Ban.
The griller. The baker. The pizza maker. Gifts for these and other kinds of cooks
One good way to shop for holiday gifts for cooking enthusiasts is to focus on their culinary passions. For grillers, for instance, consider the ThermoPop 2 Instant Read Thermometer. Or you might splurge on the Traeger Westwood Grill Series. Pizza makers might love the simple Witt Pizza Peel or the high-end Witt ETNA Rotante oven. For bakers? There's the moderately priced Escali Primo kitchen scale or maybe the splurge-y KitchenAid Artisan Plus Stand Mixer. For ice cream lovers, consider the humble but classic Zeroll Ice Cream Scoop or the blow-out-the-stops Breville Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker.
From cozy board books to spooky manors, these kids’ titles top the 2026 holiday gift list
The holiday season is a great time to escape into a bookstore and find the perfect gift for kids. For the youngest readers, Jon Klassen's board books offer a cozy, imaginative read. Early readers can enjoy Tami and Chris Charles' book celebrating neurodiversity, or Josh Lieb's hilarious pick-a-path adventure. Middle-grade readers might like Rebecca Bendheim's novel exploring themes of friendship and identity, or Lisa Graff's, which tackles tough topics with grace. Young adults can dive into Kelly McWilliams' spooky period piece, or David Levithan and Gabriel Duckels' comprehensive look at the AIDS crisis. For those interested in science, Katy Doughty offers a graphic exploration of potential human extinction.
Craft gifts for the person on your list who prefers to work with their hands
This holiday season, let the appeal of screen-free activities serve as gift inspiration for the new and veteran crafters on your shopping list. Arts and crafts gifts range from stocking stuffers to specialty splurges. Craft kits can be great gifts since they cut down on decision fatigue and are an accessible way to test out a hobby or build skills. When you don't know a crafter's preferred material, tools like cordless glue guns, paper trimmers and sewing machines are safe options. Help them stay organized with project bags and inspired with arts and crafts magazine subscriptions.
8 gardening and garden-themed gifts for the holidays, from tools to smart tech
Looking for the perfect holiday gift for the gardener in your life? Vita’s Urbana Keyhole Composting Garden combines a vegetable garden and a composter in one. Your kitchen scraps will decompose naturally to nourish the surrounding plants. Or for digging in tight spaces, you might try Sneeboer’s Great Dixter Planting Spade. Cocktail lovers can toast last season's tomatoes with a glass of Crop Tomato Organic Vodka. Treleaf trellises add style to climbing plants. And the Birdfy Bath Pro birdbath streams live video to your phone. Parakito wristbands offer mosquito protection. And the LeafyPod uses AI to help care for houseplants.
Holiday gifts for movie lovers, from Robert Pattinson nesting dolls to a podcast's perfume
There are plenty of gifts for movie lovers this holiday season. Highlights include a 30-disc Stanley Kubrick collection with 4K restorations of all of his 13 features, “Killer's Kiss” to “Eyes Wide Shut.” A deep-dive Darth Vader book with new interviews starts at $225. Other picks include a fun Christmas-movie card game from Cinephile, and a Libby Holman-inspired perfume from “You Must Remember This” host Karina Longworth. A set of Robert Pattinson nesting dolls features some of his most memorable A24 roles, including Chris Hansen from “Primetime” and Constantine “Connie” Nikas from “Good Time.”
