Singer's home preserved
The dilapidated wooden cottage in Tyrone, N.C., that was the birthplace of singer and civil rights activist Nina Simone now has the protection of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The trust plans to develop and find a new use for the 660-square-foot house where Simone was born in 1933. Last year, four African-American artists purchased the home. National Trust President and Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Meeks says the trust will work with the new owners and the community to honor Simone's contributions to society and to "inspire new generations of artists and activists." Simone's original name was Eunice Waymon. She died in 2003 at age 70.
Associated Press
Sun Country adds routes
Eagan-based Sun Country said Tuesday it will offer seasonal service from Dallas-Fort Worth, St. Louis and Madison, Wis., signaling a two-pronged strategy for national expansion. St. Louis and Madison are new markets for Sun Country and fit into the company's goal of connecting Midwestern cities to western Florida during cold-weather months, while the Dallas metroplex is an example of a large market with room for more competitive leisure fares. All three markets are gaining twice-weekly service to and from Fort Myers Southwest Florida International Airport and Tampa International Airport. On Wednesday, the airline announced another batch of new routes, all from Portland, Ore., as it grows its network outside the Twin Cities.
Kristen Leigh Painter
Tops in visitorship
A recent survey on theme parks and museums would make the Mona Lisa smile: The Louvre was the world's most-visited museum last year, with 8.1 million people admiring the art at the Paris institution. Cinderella doesn't have to feel threatened by the woman with the enigmatic expression. Almost 20.5 million parkgoers chose Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom in Orlando as their happy place. Disney welcomed 150 million guests to its venues worldwide, taking first place in the Top 10 Theme Park Groups division. In North America, its parks swept the first five of 20 spots. For the 12th consecutive year, the Themed Entertainment Association and AECOM, a development services firm, have released their Theme Index and Museum Index, which ranks the top museums, water parks and theme parks in the world and by region, based on attendance.
Washington Post
Powders get more scrutiny
The Transportation Security Administration plans to add another item to the gels, liquids and laptops requiring additional scrutiny for U.S.-bound airline passengers: powders. Passengers carrying more than 12 ounces of powder, the size of a regular soda can, will be subject to additional screening starting June 30, TSA spokesman Michael England said. Such items include certain cosmetics, spices and powdered drink mixes. The policy was enacted partly in response to a foiled bomb plot on an Etihad Airways plane flying to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from Sydney in July, England said. The policy shouldn't affect domestic passengers, England said, as TSA has been screening powders, foods and other materials that can obstruct clear images on X-ray machines on domestic flights for about a year.
Washington Post
