Many kids across the U.S. are back at school and the times are getting shorter, but there’s yet another opportunity to don your swimsuits and beach towels before packing them away: Labor Day.

Airports, highways, beaches and amusement parks are expected to be crowded over the long holiday weekend as many Americans rejoice the unofficial end of summer the identical way they celebrated the unofficial start of the season: by traveling.

The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen greater than 17 million people between Thursday and next Wednesday — a record for the Labor Day holiday.

AAA says domestic travel bookings over the vacation weekend were up 9% 12 months over 12 months, while international travel bookings were down 4%.

American Airlines plans to host its biggest Labor Day weekend ever and expects a 14 percent increase in passengers over last 12 months.

If you are heading out to benefit from the last moments of summer, here’s a list of every thing it is advisable to know.

What are the costs?

Drivers are getting a break on gas in comparison with last 12 months. The national average was recently $3.44 a gallon, down from $3.86 a 12 months ago, in response to AAA.

For electric vehicles, the typical price per kilowatt of power at a industrial L2 charging station is about 34 cents. The average is below 25 cents in Kansas and Missouri, but exceeds 40 cents in several states, including New Hampshire, Tennessee and Kentucky. Hawaii is the most costly, at 56 cents.

Average airfares in July fell 7.1% from June and 2.8% from July 2023, in response to the federal government’s consumer price index. That trend appears to be accelerating as the height holiday season draws to a close.

“We’re now entering the traditional fall season, when demand drops, and that’s reflected in airfares,” said Steve Hafner, CEO of travel metasearch site Kayak. “Airfares are already down about 26% compared to the summer, and even down about 4% compared to last fall.”

When is the most effective time to hit the road?

If you plan to start out driving on the Thursday or Friday before Labor Day, you’ll be sharing the road with commuters. You will probably want to leave before the morning rush hour or even within the evening to avoid traffic.

Transport data provider INRIX says the worst time to drive on Thursday is between 1pm and 7.30pm, and on Friday between 2pm and 6pm. The situation changes on Saturday, when it’s best to avoid driving between 8am and 11am.

According to INRIX, the return journey will be strenuous all day long on Monday — from 11:00 a.m. to eight:00 p.m.

Beware of dangerous drivers. New data from Arity, a part of insurance giant Allstate, shows that speeding above 80 mph is up 83%, and “very high speed” — above 100 mph — is up greater than 50%.

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In a surprising twist, though, Arity claims that distracted driving has actually declined over the past three Labor Days.

When will airports be busiest?

Friday, in response to the TSA. The agency expects to go looking 2.86 million people who day. While impressive, that number wouldn’t even rank in the highest 15 days in TSA history. The single-day record of three.01 million was set July 7, the Sunday after Independence Day.

TSA says it has enough screeners to maintain wait times in regular lines to half-hour or less and not more than 10 minutes in PreCheck lines.

American Airlines says Thursdays and Fridays will be its busiest days, with 6,400 flights per day; the subsequent day is Labor Day itself, when the carrier has 6,300 flights scheduled.

What should I do if my flight is delayed or canceled?

First, check your travel plans before heading to the airport. It’s higher to be stuck at home than stuck on the airport.

If your flight is canceled, the airline may routinely rebook you. This may not be the most effective option.

“Call (the airline’s help center), talk to an agent, reach out to the airline on social media if you have to, but find out what other options there are,” says Julian Kheel, founder and CEO of Points Path, a browser extension that lets users compare prices with frequent flyer points. “You can almost always find another option that might work better than the one the airline is offering.”

Kheel said agents on the airport have more leeway to assist, but they may be swamped if there are a lot of canceled flights. Rebooking on your individual on the airline’s website or app can be faster, he said.

Calling Tip: Some experts say that in case your airline has international helpline numbers, you need to call one in all those numbers. This will connect you quicker than for those who were calling from the U.S.

What about returns and refunds?

Airlines are required to refund money — including fees — to passengers whose flights are canceled for any reason. They aren’t required to pay money compensation, nonetheless, and no major U.S. airline does so. Only Alaska, Southwest and JetBlue even promise travel vouchers if the cancellation is their fault.

If you’re stranded overnight, ask your airline about covering hotel, meals and ground transportation. All major U.S. airlines except Frontier promise to assist with all three forms of “managed” disruptions, in response to the Department of Transportation’s dashboard of airline policies. But those commitments don’t apply to weather-related cancellations.

Keep receipts for all expenses incurred in case it is advisable to make a claim later.

Some final suggestions

— Leave early. Everything will take longer than you expect, including getting through airport security. If you plan to park on the airport, be certain there are spaces available while you arrive—many airports now publish this information online.

— Watch the weather. Even if the skies are clear at home, there could be storms at your flight destination or along your route. Prepare a backup route.

— Be nice. Flight cancellations and bumper-to-bumper traffic are frustrating, but you won’t be the just one stuck. Customer service agents are busy during peak travel periods, so it’s vital to be patient and respectful as they struggle to make it easier to.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Prosecutors on Tuesday charged 4 Milwaukee hotel employees with accessory after the very fact to murder in connection with the death of D’Vontaye Mitchell.

Mitchell was black. The incident has drawn comparisons to the 2020 murder of George Floyd, a black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into his neck for about nine minutes. Floyd’s death sparked a nationwide depending on race that has been marked by protests across the country.

Charged are hotel security guard Todd Erickson, front desk clerk Devin Johnson-Carson, baggage handler Herbert Williamson and security guard Brandon Turner. Each faces up to 15 years and nine months in prison if convicted.

Erickson was reached by phone Tuesday evening. Erickson referred a request for comment to his attorney, Michael Steinle, who didn’t respond to voicemails or emails.

It was unclear whether any of the opposite three employees had lawyers. Online court records didn’t list any of them Tuesday evening. Williamson’s phone records have been disconnected, and The Associated Press couldn’t immediately locate phone numbers or other contact information for Johnson-Carson or Turner.

The Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release that arrest warrants had been issued for all 4 employees. The office and the Milwaukee Police Department didn’t immediately respond to emails asking if the workers had been arrested or had attorneys.

According to a criminal grievance, 4 employees dragged Mitchell from the Hyatt on June 30 after Mitchell went into the ladies’s bathroom and held him on his stomach for eight or nine minutes. One worker told investigators that Mitchell was having trouble respiratory and was repeatedly asking for help, according to the grievance.

An autopsy showed Mitchell was morbidly obese and had used cocaine and methamphetamine, the grievance said.

Hyatt surveillance footage shows Mitchell frantically running into the hotel lobby after which into the gift shop before entering the ladies’s restroom, the grievance says. Just a few seconds later, a lady comes out and Turner, who was off-duty but visiting with staff, drags Mitchell out of the lavatory and into the lobby by his shirt.

The two begin to struggle, and Turner punches Mitchell, knocking him to the ground. He then punches Mitchell six times and drags him out of the hotel with the assistance of a bystander. Mitchell gets up and tries to get back inside.

Williamson, Johnson-Carson and Erickson, who was acting as a security guard, join the fight. He and Turner hold Mitchell in a prone position for eight to nine minutes before police and paramedics arrive. During that point, Mitchell is seen on video trying to break free several times, and Erickson hits him with a baton before he eventually stops moving, according to the grievance.

A video recording taken by a witness shows Mitchell groaning and saying he was sorry. An autopsy showed Mitchell was morbidly obese and had cocaine and methamphetamine in his system.

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The health worker ultimately determined that Mitchell died of “asphyxia due to restraint.” He might need survived if workers had allowed him to turn onto his side, the health worker said, according to the grievance.

Erickson told investigators that Mitchell was very strong and resisted them and tried to bite him. But the guard said he never did anything to intentionally hurt or harm Mitchell.

Turner told the detective he heard women screaming in the lavatory after Mitchell entered and thought Mitchell was high. At one point, while the group was holding Mitchell down, he pulled Mitchell’s clothes away from his face, he said, according to the grievance.

Johnson-Carson told investigators that Mitchell was “not in a mentally stable state” and was speaking “in gibberish,” the grievance says.

He said he remembers Mitchell saying “stop” and “why” and something about respiratory while he was being held down. He told Williamson to stop pushing, which he did. Johnson-Carson said Mitchell showed “obvious signs of extreme distress, including choking, difficulty breathing and repeated requests for help,” according to the grievance.

The grievance says the workers should have known Mitchell was in danger. “All of these factors, DM’s panting, his actions and words, the distress he was in, show that all four defendants knew that holding DM face down was ‘virtually certain’ to worsen his physical condition,” the grievance says.

Mitchell’s relatives and their attorneys had previously reviewed hotel surveillance footage provided by the district attorney’s office. They described seeing Mitchell being chased into the hotel by security guards after which dragged outside, where he was beaten.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is a component of the legal team representing Mitchell’s family, said video footage recorded by a bystander and circulating on social media shows security guards kneeling on Mitchell’s back and neck.

On Tuesday evening, Crump posted a press release on X calling the fees (*4*)

DeAsia Harmon, Mitchell’s widow, said Tuesday the choice was a relief. But she wondered why it took weeks.

“These people are on camera taking my husband’s life,” she said. “They should have been charged the moment they did it.”

Aimbridge Hospitality, the corporate that manages the hotel, previously said several employees involved in Mitchell’s death had been fired.

The company released a press release Tuesday evening saying it had fully cooperated with law enforcement and would proceed to cooperate with prosecutors. “Our hearts are with Mr. Mitchell’s family and loved ones as this matter moves forward,” the statement said.

Whether you are able to hop on a plane to try the best chili crab in Singapore or the tastiest po’boy in New Orleans, we’re here to assist.

Here are a few of the must-visit places in the world in terms of cuisine.

New Orleans, Louisiana:

Given that New Orleans is steeped in African, Italian, and Spanish influences, foodies can expect adventure on the plate. A couple of must-try dishes include the grilled oysters at Acme Oyster House, the po’boy sandwich at Parkway Bakery & Tavern, the red beans and rice at Willie Mae’s Scotch House, and you actually cannot leave the city without trying the beignet at Cafe Du Monde.

Barcelona, ​​​​Spain:

Once you’ve gotten past the city’s breathtaking architecture and incredible art collections, you possibly can replenish on wine and delicious tapas at considered one of Barcelona’s many restaurants, cafés, or bars. While each restaurant makes a speciality of something different, listed here are a couple of dishes you absolutely must try: paella (a rice dish with seafood or meat), jamon (cured ham), escalivada (roasted vegetables), fried calamari, manchego cheese, and croquetes de pollastre and pernil (chicken and ham croquettes). Check Out Travel Advisor best restaurants in Barcelona.

Bangkok, Thailand:

Amidst the hustle and bustle of Bangkok are the best street food chefs and restaurants. From eating the best pad tai (fried rice noodles) and satay (meat or chicken) grilled over an open flame in China Town to Hainanese chicken rice (Khao mun gai) cooked in chicken oil in Sukhumvit, there are many foodie spots to pick from. Check Lonely PCurse’12 dishes you absolutely must try in Bangkok.

Singapore:

Even the pickiest restaurant snob will find something delicious to eat at Hawker Food Stalls, a semi-enclosed constructing with rows of tiny food stalls. But be warned, there’s no romance here, and no reserved seating. Here are a couple of must-try dishes: Nam Sing Hokkien Mee (much like seafood noodles), shrimp noodle soup, fish head curry, and Hainanese-style satay.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:

While the cheesesteak is synonymous with Philadelphia, visitors shouldn’t underestimate the otherworldly cuisines served throughout the city. From the hummus and cucumber salad at Middle Eastern restaurant Dizengoff to the full buffet of South Indian dishes at Devi’s, Philadelphia’s food scene is flourishing with a brand new wave of restaurants, cafes, and even food trucks.