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Robotaxis take over the wheel

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — I won’t forget the first time I took a ride in a car without anyone sitting in the driver’s seat. It happened one night last September when a Chevy Bolt named Peaches picked me up outside a San Francisco bar. Our ensuing half-hour ride together produced, at first, a titillating display of technology’s promise. Then an unexpected twist made me worry that the encounter had turned into a mistake I would regret. Peaches and I were getting along great for most of our time together as the car deftly navigated through hilly San Francisco streets similar to those ...

Edmunds picks the top convertibles on the road in 2023

By NICK KURZEWSKI Edmunds The arrival of warmer weather across the U.S. will soon have a number of shoppers considering a wind-in-the-hair convertible. That’s because, for many people, having limitless headroom and a mobile means of sunbathing is automobile nirvana — though perhaps not for drivers who prefer loose-fitting hats. There’s no shortage of makes and models available with a folding roof, and at prices on some models that won’t necessarily jeopardize a summer vacation fund. The automotive experts at Edmunds have helped refine these sun-loving car searches by ...

Tastings, tours, rescue goat: on trip to Sky Farm

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — A local couple has turned a 50-acre farm into a rescue home for animals and a respite for human visitors. Chef Taylor and Fran Montgomery have a lot on their plates between owning and managing operations at their home, Montgomery Sky Farm in Leicester, and delivering farm fresh ingredients to the plates of diners at Urban Wren restaurant in Greenville, South Carolina. “There are times when Fran wakes up at 5 or 6 o’clock in the morning, and she’s like, ‘What the hell are you doing?’ And I’m packing boxes of tomatoes. I’m filling orders,” ...

Planning a road trip adventure

Family Features With near-endless sunshine, world-class theme parks and abundant outdoor experiences, California is an ideal destination to embark on an unforgettable adventure. To make it easy for travelers to plan their trips, the 2023 California Road Trips guide includes 13 action-packed itineraries that begin and end at one of the state’s 27 commercial airports, highlighting how easy it is to fly into any region of the Golden State and hit the road. “California’s natural beauty, diverse topography and culturally rich communities are the perfect backdrop for an epic road ...

Why Hyundai and Kia have everyone else playing catch-up

By Nick Kurczewski Edmunds In the past few years, Hyundai and Kia vehicles have skyrocketed to the top of Edmunds’ rankings in some of the most popular vehicle segments. For example, you’ll find a Hyundai or Kia in the top spots for three-row midsize SUVs, midsize sedans, and multiple categories of electric vehicles. This changing of the guard can come as a surprise for car shoppers expecting to see more familiar brands like Chevrolet, Ford, Honda and Toyota. This success isn’t attributable to one single factor, such as short-lived marketing schemes like rock-bottom pricing ...

Five tips to tackle a home remodel

By Annie Millerbernd NerdWallet Spring is kickoff season for many kitchen remodels, bathroom updates and deck repairs, but recent economic turmoil may have homeowners questioning their home improvement plans. Spending on home renovations is expected to slow this year because of factors such as declining home sales and values, rising interest rates , continuing inflation and rumblings of a coming recession, says Abbe Will, senior research associate with Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. As economic growth slows, planning and prioritizing will be key to ...