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Want to get your kicks on Route 66 in Oklahoma? Passport is your road map

As we approach the Route 66 centennial in 2026, Oklahoma is in a perfect position to leverage the over 400 miles of the iconic highway in our state to welcome visitors from across the country and around the world looking to plan a trip around the Mother Road.

Our state is home to the nation’s longest drivable stretch of Route 66, with a large number of noteworthy and memorable stops in our charming towns along the way.

Route 66 elevates Oklahoma as a destination for international and national tourists. The revenue generated by guests seeking out Route 66 results in a positive economic impact for the many small towns and local businesses located on or near the highway.

More: Route 66 is almost 100 years old. Here's how Oklahoma towns along the road are promoting themselves

Recently, the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation released an updated Oklahoma Route 66 Passport to give visitors a road map to the historic businesses, shops and cultural landmarks along the highway that they may not know about.

Originally launched in 2020, the updated passport features new local stops, as well as longtime community favorites for travelers to enjoy as they road trip across the state.

The passport is divided into three sections — eastern, central and western Oklahoma. Stops include local restaurants, shops, museums and parks. Attractions range from iconic places such as the Blue Whale in Catoosa and Pops in Arcadia, to hidden gems such as Dallas’ Dairyette in Quapaw and the Route 66 Bowl in Chandler.

Following the completion of each section of the passport, participants can pick up a piece of a Route 66 magnet at one of the nine Oklahoma Tourism Information Centers in the state. Once all three sections are completed, participants receive a collectible coin commemorating Route 66.

Since its launch, hundreds of visitors from across the U.S. and other countries, such as Poland and French Polynesia, have completed the passport.

New stops featured in the updated passport include the Cherokee Nation Anna Mitchell Cultural and Welcome Center in Vinita, the historic Circle Cinema in Tulsa and the Elk City Chamber of Commerce in Elk City.

More: USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards: Tulsa's Mother Road Market named best food hall

Those interested in getting a Route 66 Passport can order a free copy and download a digital version of the accompanying Oklahoma Route 66 Guide at TravelOK.com/Brochures. They are also available to pick up for free at one of our Tourism Information Centers or State Park gift shops.

This passport plays a key role in ensuring our state makes a lasting impression on domestic and international travelers, as well as in-state residents. Pick up your passport to get your kicks this summer by discovering Route 66 in Oklahoma.

Shelley Zumwalt is the executive director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department.

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Travel chaos at airports across UK - as London and Manchester confirm nationwide border issue

Both Stansted and Gatwick airports said the issue was related to e-gates at passport control.

By Claire Gilbody Dickerson, news reporter

Tuesday 7 May 2024 22:45, UK

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Chaos has been reported at airports across the UK - as several airports have confirmed a nationwide border issue.

A Heathrow spokesperson said: "Border Force is currently experiencing a nationwide issue which is impacting passengers being processed through the border.

"Our teams are supporting Border Force with their contingency plans to help resolve the problem as quickly as possible and are on hand to provide passenger welfare. We apologise for any impact this is having to passenger journeys."

UK airports affected by Border Force issue

London Heathrow

London Gatwick

London Stansted

Southampton

Follow latest: 'Queues only getting bigger' after London and Manchester a irports confirm nationwide issue

Manchester Airport also confirmed that the UK Border System is down as part of a nationwide outage.

Bristol Airport said on X it had also been affected by the issue as it warned passengers that "e-Gates are not available and wait times may be longer than normal".

A spokesperson for AGS Airports which operates Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports has told Sky News they are impacted by the nationwide outage of the UK Border system.

The flights schedule means they are not currently affected by any queues, but Glasgow airport is due to have international arrivals later this evening.

The spokesperson said that if the situation continues they would expect passengers to be affected at Glasgow airport but contingency plans are in place and extra staff will be on hand to assist passengers.

A London Gatwick spokesperson said: "Some passengers may experience delays at immigration due to a nationwide issue with UK Border Force e-gates.

"Our staff are working with UK Border Force - who operate passport control including the e-gates - to provide assistance to passengers where necessary."

It said its teams are working to assist passengers in the airport.

Seems to be a UK nationwide airport system crash. No e gates working. This is the current queue in Gatwick airport with lots of children and no water #welcometotheuk pic.twitter.com/ckT21gJYXx — Rosie (@rxsiebo) May 7, 2024

A passenger at Gatwick Airport posted a video of the queues, saying on X that there were "lots of children and no water".

At Gatwick airport, the queue is over an hour long, with people being given no information on how long it may take for them to get through passport control, Sky News understands, while getting people on trains into London has also become an issue.

One passenger at Heathrow Airport said they had already been in the queue for an hour and it was "only getting bigger".

They added there had been "no communication" on how long it may take to resolve the issue.

Sky News correspondent Sadiya Chowdhury, reporting from Heathrow Airport, said one passenger had been in a queue for about three hours.

Last year, at the end of May, there were similar problems with e-gates and it took a day to resolve the issue as human officers had to check people's passports while the automated machines were out of service.

The country's air traffic system also went into meltdown in August 2023 when a technical problem disrupted the National Air Traffic Service for several hours.

Long queues at Heathrow airport where passengers are being held at arrivals for a system failure. Been here already 1hour and the queue is only getting bigger. No communication given to anyone on what is the timeframe to sort this out. #welcomeback #heathrow #london #england pic.twitter.com/1BR71tetJh — A N D Y (@A_N_D_Y_3) May 7, 2024

Stansted Airport said on X: "UK Border Force is experiencing nationwide issues affecting e-gates at a number of airports, including London Stansted."

They said in a statement to Sky News: "Our operational and customer service colleagues are supporting passengers while UK Border Force and the Home Office fix the issue."

Edinburgh Airport said: "Border Force is experiencing a nationwide technical outage affecting UK airports.

"Although not in a peak arrivals period, some passengers may experience longer than normal waits at the Border while UKBF works to fix the issue." It added: "Thank you for your patience."

A Home Office spokesperson said: "We are aware of a technical issue affecting e-gates across the country.

"We are working closely with Border Force and affected airports to resolve the issue as soon as possible and apologise to all passengers for the inconvenience caused."

The disruption comes after Border Force workers staged a four-day strike at Heathrow in a dispute over working conditions last week.

The union said the workers were protesting against plans to introduce new rosters they claim will see around 250 of them forced out of their jobs at passport control.

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• America’s Best Small Towns 2023 Overview: America’s Best Small Towns 2023
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America's Best Small Beach Town Is an Old Florida Gem With Crystal-clear Waters and a Scenic Bike Path

Old Florida meets laid-back island living in elegant Boca Grande.

• The Best Times to Visit

Things to Do

Where to stay, where to eat and drink, where to shop, how to get there.

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While the state of Florida welcomes almost 140 million visitors each year, only a small portion of them make their way to serene Gasparilla Island and its main hub, Boca Grande. This upscale yet down-to-earth community on the Gulf of Mexico is just the right amount of under-the-radar, except when it comes to its role as “tarpon capital of the world."

In the words of Nikki Heimann, manager of The Pink Pony — an island-favorite ice cream shop opened in 1988 by her grandfather — the stoplight- and franchise-free community is “like stepping back in time.”

“Our beaches are stunningly clean and our water is usually clear and sparkling, with a bountiful variety of sea life,” she says. “A big allure is game fishing in our deep-water pass for tarpon. We have two well-maintained historical lighthouses with a museum and state park on the south end, and a smooth bike path that runs the whole length of the island, so many people enjoy renting a golf cart or bicycle to spend the day cruising around. It’s a great place to visit if you’re looking for peace, tranquility, and quiet time.”

Beyond its looks, Boca Grande is resilient — along with much of Southwest Florida, especially Sanibel and Captiva islands to the south, it was devastated by Hurricane Ian in September 2022. The Pink Pony reopened soon after the storm, but other establishments were not so fortunate. “Many iconic features of our landscape are gone forever," Heimann says. "Everyone around here has their story and struggle that they’re going through. We are just thankful we didn’t get washed out.”

Back in action, Boca Grande remains a captivating place to visit — a tranquil respite from the frenetic pace of our modern world (and many parts of Florida) with a beachy, small-town allure. In fact, Travel + Leisure rated it the best small beach town in the country in 2023. Find out why for yourself by exploring the village by golf cart, bike, or your own two feet.

Nikki Heimann, The Pink Pony

It’s a great place to visit if you’re looking for peace, tranquility, and quiet time.

Ben Krut/Getty Images

The Best Times to Visit 

Like many beach towns in Florida , Boca Grande is a seasonal destination. “Most people enjoy coming to the island during our busy ‘social season’ when the town is bustling with activity and the Florida sunshine is a delightful reprieve from the winter snow up north,” Heimann says. This period lasts from approximately Thanksgiving to spring break.

“Then, we roll into tarpon season, when the fishing families come to town and enjoy the island through summertime,” she continues. “Many downtown businesses close during August and September, so that’d be the time to come if you like to sweat in solitude.”

While mid- to late summer is a crowd-free, quieter time in Boca Grande, you may have trouble securing a stay, as the Gasparilla Inn closes annually from mid-July to early October. However, other hotels stay open, and there are assorted vacation rentals available. When planning your visit, remember that the best time to visit Florida , in general, is spring and winter as hurricane season lasts from June 1 through Nov. 30 each year, so there’s always a chance of storms during the summer and fall. 

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As one might expect of America’s best small beach town, the best things to do in Boca Grande are in, around, or on the water — namely, fishing, shelling, boating, beaches, and biking. Heimann says the No. 1 thing she recommends is not so much an activity but an experience: enjoying a sunset either on the beach or a paddleboard. Other things to do include climbing the Gasparilla Island Lighthouse (known locally as the “range light”) and heading to Gasparilla Island State Park for swimming, snorkeling, or fishing. Keep an eye out for the tarpon that often jump and roll in the deep waters of Boca Grande Pass. Or, for more tarpon time, go during the annual World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament , a tradition dating back to the early 1980s. Thousands of dollars in prize money is on the (literal) line.

You can see much of what Gasparilla Island has to offer on the Boca Grande Bike Path . The island is only seven miles long and a half-mile across at its widest point, and this 6.5-mile path runs past highlights like Banyan Street, the Boca Grande Historical Society , and the pretty-in-pink Johann Fust Community Library . The north end is close to Glass Bottom Rentals , where Heimann recommends renting a clear kayak to paddle around the old railroad trestles nearby.

Try to score an invite to the members-only Useppa Island ; otherwise, a day trip to Cayo Costa should scratch the island-adventure itch. It’s accessible only via boat or kayak, with a ferry service available from several mainland locations.

Courtesy of The Gasparilla Inn & Club

Gasparilla Inn & Club 

The Gasparilla Inn & Club represents old Florida at its finest, striking the perfect balance between ritzy and relaxed. The inn has a variety of accommodation options, from rooms and suites in The Main Inn to private cottages and two- to four-bedroom villas. Guests can take part in a range of activities, from golf to croquet, fitness classes, and spa treatments. The inn has four eateries — just be sure to pack with the dress code in mind.

Boca Grande Hotel

The quaint Boca Grande Hotel offers more laid-back accommodations on the north end of Gasparilla Island, near Uncle Henry’s Marina , but the closest public beach access is three miles away. The property has an outdoor pool, loungers that you can rent out and bring with you to the beach, and a guest laundromat for cleaning up before you repack your suitcase. Next door, you can grab a deli sandwich or ice cream from Kappy’s Market .

The Palmetto Inn

A sister to the Boca Grande Hotel, The Palmetto Inn is located in the Downtown Boca Grande Historic District and just a short walk from the beach. Built as a private residence in 1900, it’s now a charming inn with seven suites and some of the lowest in-season rates on the island.

The Innlet on the Waterfront

Located on the waters of the Boca Grande Bayou, The Innlet on the Waterfront is an unfussy charmer with about 30 waterfront and courtyard-facing rooms. Amenities include a pool, on-site restaurant serving breakfast and lunch, plus a full-service marina if you BYOB (Florida-speak for "bring your own boat"). Be on the lookout for manatees as you enjoy your breakfast on the patio of The Outlet.

Gasparilla Inn

Guests of the Gasparilla Inn will be delighted to find that its restaurants are some of Boca Grande’s best. It has an elegant main dining room (open for breakfast and dinner), the casual Pink Elephant (open for lunch and dinner), and the atmospheric BZ’s, where the public and guests alike can enjoy beverages and snacks while taking in views of The Gasparilla Golf Club and Charlotte Harbor. The Beach Club is another favorite for poolside beverages and lunch but is reserved for inn guests and members only.

The Temptation Restaurant 

To experience Boca Grande like a local, order the fish of the day at The Temptation Restaurant . Signature dishes include crab cakes served with roasted shrimp sauce and pan-fried lemony-garlic snapper, while the daily special might be blackened tripletail or chargrilled pompano. The wine list is equally impressive.

Scarpa’s Coastal

Sister to the beloved, family-owned Scarpa’s Italian in Lakeland, Scarpa’s Coastal serves fresh Florida seafood with an Italian flair. It also offers an extensive wine menu with bottles imported from Napa Valley and Italy. Patrons rave about the crab cakes, pasta, and chicken dishes.

Eagle Grille and Miller’s Dockside at Boca Grande Marina

The Boca Grande Marina is home to two restaurants, Eagle Grille and Miller’s Dockside . At Eagle Grille, you’ll find a quieter setting with second-floor waterfront views, while Miller’s Dockside has a sports bar atmosphere right on the water. They have the same menu, full of fresh coastal cuisine like oysters, Gulf grouper, and shrimp.

Sisters Restaurant

It’s not vacation unless you go out for pizza at least once, and Sisters Restaurant is the place to do it. This homey spot offers classic Italian comfort foods to eat indoors or out — and, yes, it really is owned by twin sisters.

The Pink Pony

What’s a beach day without a stop for ice cream? The best place to grab a sweet treat is The Pink Pony, the kind of hometown ice cream shop that once rented out movies on VHS and developed photo film. Things are different now, but visitors can continue at least one generations-old Boca Grande tradition and stop in for hand-dipped Amish ice cream, sorbets, specialty sundaes, shaved ice, all-fruit smoothies, açaí bowls, and coffee drinks. The Pink Pony also has snacks, beer, wine, bagged ice, and souvenirs. And don’t miss Tortuga , the outdoor walk-up window serving authentic Mexican food behind the storefront.

Boca Grande has local, family-owned shops selling souvenirs, art, clothes, and more. Heimann recommends Fugate’s — “a classic island gift store that has a little bit of everything,” she says. Or stop by Barbara Anne’s for a special piece of jewelry to commemorate your trip. 

At the family-owned Smart Studio Art Gallery & Shop (which has another location in Maine), you’ll find stunning local art, including original paintings, prints, driftwood sculptures, gifts, and home decor. Or, if you’re in the market for light tackle or outdoorsy clothing and accessories, stop by Boca Grande Outfitters .

Samuel Foster/Getty Images

Aside from the private Coral Creek Airport, which is less than 10 miles from Boca Grande, there are several public airports nearby. The closest is Punta Gorda Airport (PGD), about an hour away, which is serviced by Sun Country and Allegiant Air with nonstop flights from about 50 cities.

There’s also Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) and Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), both of which are about an hour and a half away, and Tampa International Airport (TPA), which is about two hours away by car. Boca Grande is over three hours from both Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Miami International Airport (MIA). No matter where you fly into, there’s just one road onto Gasparilla Island: the Boca Grande Causeway.

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CIA director may travel to Israel for more cease-fire and hostage negotiations

CIA Director William Burns may travel to Israel for more cease-fire and hostage release talks after holding discussions on Sunday in the Qatari capital, Doha, a source with knowledge of the matter told NBC News.

Burns, whose schedule remained fluid amid uncertainty over the outcome of the talks, has emerged as a key figure in the negotiations. The CIA director had previously been in Cairo, where Hamas stated that cease-fire discussions concluded Sunday following “in-depth and serious discussions.”

The militant group reiterated key demands that Israel again rejected. After earlier signs of progress, the outlook appeared to dim as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu  vowed to resist international pressure to halt the war.

Israel closed its main crossing point for  delivering badly needed humanitarian aid for Gaza  after Hamas attacked it. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant claimed Hamas wasn’t serious about a deal and warned of “a powerful operation in the very near future in Rafah and other places across all of  Gaza .”

Early Monday, the Israeli military urged civilians in eastern Rafah to evacuate. The southernmost Gaza city, on the border with Egypt, is where more than half of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents now seek shelter from Israeli attacks.

Follow live updates here.

Israel didn’t send a delegation to the talks mediated by Egypt and Qatar. Egyptian state media reported that the Hamas delegation went for discussions in Qatar, where the group has a political office, and will return to Cairo for further negotiations on Tuesday.

A senior Arab negotiator directly involved in the talks with Israel and the United States said that the negotiations are not over and have not collapsed.

Separately, an Israeli official said that Burns' presence in the region was an indication that there are still ongoing discussions. Burns was in the Qatari capital Doha for talks on the subject yesterday.

However, another threat to talks came as Israel ordered the local offices of Qatar’s  Al Jazeera satellite news network to close , accusing it of broadcasting anti-Israel incitement. The ban did not appear to affect the channel’s operations in Gaza or the West Bank.

Netanyahu, under pressure from hard-liners in his government, continued to lower expectations for a cease-fire deal, calling the key Hamas demands “extreme” — including the withdrawal of Israel forces from Gaza and an end to the war. That would equal surrender after the Hamas attack on Oct. 7 that triggered the fighting, he said.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said in a statement earlier that the militant group was serious and positive about the negotiations and that stopping Israeli aggression in Gaza is the main priority.

But Israel’s government again vowed to press on with a military operation in Rafah, a key entry point for aid.

Kerem Shalom , now closed, is another. The Israeli military reported 10 projectiles were launched at the crossing in southern Israel and said its fighter jets later struck the source. Hamas said it had been targeting Israeli soldiers in the area. Israel’s Channel 12 TV channel said 10 people were wounded, three seriously. It was unclear how long the crossing would be closed.

The head of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, Philippe Lazzarini, called for an independent investigation and “accountability for the blatant disregard of humanitarian workers.” He also said Israel this week denied him entry to Gaza for a second time.

The closing of Kerem Shalom came shortly after the head of the U.N. World Food Program asserted there was a  “full-blown famine”  in devastated northern Gaza, one of the most prominent warnings yet about the toll of restrictions on food and other aid entering the territory. The comments were not a formal famine declaration.

In expanded remarks as the full NBC News interview was released Sunday, WFP chief Cindy McCain said famine was “moving its way south” in Gaza and that Israel’s efforts to allow in more aid were not enough. “We need more ability to be able to get more trucks in,” she said. “We have right now a mass on the outside border, about enough trucks and enough food for 1.1 million people for about three months. We need to get that in.”

Gaza’s vast humanitarian needs put further pressure on the pursuit of a  cease-fire . The proposal that Egyptian mediators had put to Hamas sets out a three-stage process that would bring an immediate six-week cease-fire and partial release of Israeli hostages taken in the Oct. 7 attack, and it would include some sort of Israeli pullout. The initial stage would last for 40 days. Hamas would start by releasing female civilian hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Netanyahu claimed that Israel has shown willingness to make concessions but said it “will continue fighting until all of its objectives are achieved.” That includes the stated aim of crushing Hamas. Israel says it must target Rafah to strike remaining fighters there despite  warnings from the U.S.  and others about the danger to civilians.

An Israeli strike Sunday on the al-Attar family house in an urban refugee camp near Rafah killed four children, including a baby, and two adults, according to Abu Youssef al-Najjar Hospital.

In a fiery speech for Israel’s annual  Holocaust memorial day , Netanyahu added: “I say to the leaders of the world, no amount of pressure, no decision by any international forum will stop Israel from defending itself. If Israel is forced to stand alone, Israel will stand alone.”

The Hamas cross-border attack on Oct. 7 killed 1,200 people, and 250 others were taken hostage. Israel says militants  still hold around 100 hostages  and the remains of more than 30 others. Netanyahu is under growing pressure from some hostages’ families to make a deal to end the war and get hostages freed.

Israeli’s air and ground offensive has killed over 34,500 people, according to Palestinian health officials, who don’t differentiate between civilians and combatants but say women and children make up a majority of those killed.

Israel blames Hamas for civilian deaths, accusing it of embedding in residential and public areas. The Israeli military says it has killed 13,000 militants, without providing evidence to back up the claim.

Dan De Luce is a reporter for the NBC News Investigative Unit. 

Courtney Kube is a correspondent covering national security and the military for the NBC News Investigative Unit.

The Associated Press

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Oogie Boogie Bash return to Disney parks in August

Halloween may not be until the fall, but at Disney theme parks , the spooky season starts in August.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is coming back to Walt Disney World and Oogie Boogie Bash – and A Disney Halloween Party will return to Disneyland Resort. The after-hours events – which are not included in regular theme park admission – will take place on select dates at Magic Kingdom and Disney California Adventure Park from August through October.

Kids and grown-ups alike can see their favorite characters dressed up, don costumes of their own and go trick-or-treating in the parks. Here’s what to expect this year:

When is Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2024?

The celebration will run from 7 p.m. to midnight on the following dates:

◾ Aug. 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30

◾ Sept. 2, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29

◾ Oct. 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31

Tickets go on sale May 15, but guests staying at select hotels can get advance access beginning on Wednesday (a full list is available on Walt Disney World’s website ).

What’s new at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party?

This year Disney Parks will introduce a new DescenDANCE Party inspired by the film “Descendants: The Rise of Red,” coming to Disney+ in July. The rave will take place at Tomorrowland's Rockettower Plaza Stage.

Mickey’s party will also feature other firsts, including a debut appearance from Bruno Madrigal. “For the first time during the party, you can meet the clairvoyant character from ‘Encanto’ alongside Mirabel at their Casita in Fairytale Garden,” Disney Parks said in a blog post .

There will also be more villain sightings, new neon spiderweb-themed looks for Mickey and Minnie and an earlier start time for Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade – 8:15 p.m., an hour earlier than past years – allowing younger guests to attend before bedtime. There will be plenty of familiar programming, too, including Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular fireworks show, the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular stage production and more.

Reservations for Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular Dessert Party – which offers the chance to watch fireworks from Tomorrowland Terrace or Plaza Garden – will be available on June 7.

How much does Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party cost?

Tickets range from $119 to $199 per ticket – before tax – depending on the date. Disney Vacation Club members and annual pass holders can get a $10 discount on each ticket for August and September dates.

Ticketholders can enter Magic Kingdom beginning at 4 p.m. and do not need a separate day theme park ticket or reservation.

Disney Halloween, holiday events: Are they worth it?

When is Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party 2024?

The event will take place on the following dates:

◾ Aug. 25, 27, 29

◾ Sept. 3, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29

◾ Oct. 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29, 31

Disney Parks will share more details about the celebration, including when tickets will become available, in the coming weeks.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

Man arrested at Yellowstone for allegedly kicking bison while drunk

The 40-year-old Idaho man is banned from Yellowstone National Park while charges are pending

A 40-year-old man from Idaho was arrested at Yellowstone National Park this month after rangers received a report that he had harassed a herd of bison and kicked one of them in the leg.

Clarence Yoder of Idaho Falls is facing charges in federal court for the District of Wyoming for allegedly approaching and disturbing wildlife, being under the influence of alcohol in a park area, and disorderly conduct. Yoder suffered minor injuries in the encounter, and rangers took him to a nearby medical center for treatment before transporting him to Gallatin County Detention Center.

Mckenna Bass, 37, also of Idaho Falls, was arrested along with Yoder for allegedly driving under the influence, disturbing wildlife and failing to yield to an emergency light activation.

According to court documents, Yoder and Bass pleaded not guilty and were each released on a $3,500 bond. They are banned from Yellowstone while their cases are pending. Yoder has a status hearing scheduled for May 23. Bass’s is scheduled for July 2.

Violations at national parks related to wildlife, plants and natural or cultural features carry a maximum penalty of $5,000 and up to six months in prison.

Tourists harassing wildlife has long been a problem at national parks, with social media making incidents more visible. The National Park Service said this was the first time this year that a bison had injured a visitor at Yellowstone.

Jared Beaver, an assistant professor and wildlife management specialist at Montana State University, said wildlife harassment has started early this year.

“June and July is usually when it gets cranked up,” he said.

Of all the wildlife in Yellowstone, he said bison cause the great number of injuries to visitors . Last year, the park reported its first incident in July, when a bison gored a woman from Arizona. She was flown by helicopter to a medical center.

Beaver said the bigheaded bison , which can weigh up to 2,000 pounds, can turn aggressive when they sense a threat in their personal space. He said almost all bison attacks have occurred when the victim was within 10 to 15 feet of the animal. The national park requires visitors to stay at least 75 feet away.

Bison exhibit clear signs of agitation. Beaver said they will snort, toss their head and may fake a charge. A flat tail is a relaxed bison. An extended tail aligned with its back means that it is on alert. When the tail stands straight up and resembles a question mark, an attack could be imminent.

“Be aware of your surroundings and make sure that you’re responding to that animal’s movement and giving it plenty of room,” he said. “All it takes is one wrong movement that might upset that animal.”

More travel news

How we travel now: More people are taking booze-free trips — and airlines and hotels are taking note. Some couples are ditching the traditional honeymoon for a “buddymoon” with their pals. Interested? Here are the best tools for making a group trip work.

Bad behavior: Entitled tourists are running amok, defacing the Colosseum , getting rowdy in Bali and messing with wild animals in national parks. Some destinations are fighting back with public awareness campaigns — or just by telling out-of-control visitors to stay away .

Safety concerns: A door blew off an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 jet, leaving passengers traumatized — but without serious injuries. The ordeal led to widespread flight cancellations after the jet was grounded, and some travelers have taken steps to avoid the plane in the future. The incident has also sparked a fresh discussion about whether it’s safe to fly with a baby on your lap .