MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The most-played series in major college football history, the bitter border-state rivalry between Minnesota and Wisconsin, is punctuated each year with a postgame ritual by the winning team that could be described as jubilant yardwork.

At The Gentle Barn, this flock of turkeys isn't going to end up on your plate, but they might cuddle up in your lap. The animal rescue farm in Tennessee offers animal-based therapy sessions with horses, cows, sheep, goats and, well, why not turkeys, too? People can cozy up to a turkey any time of the year at the sanctuary. With Thanksgiving coming up, founder Ellie Laks wants to change public perception about the big, feathered birds. Laks says turkeys are extremely intelligent and talkative and can give people comfort and one-on-one attention.

HERRNHUT, Germany (AP) — Bright Christmas stars have long been a familiar sight across Germany during the darkest days of the year, but none is more famous — and lately as popular — as the Moravian stars from the eastern village of Herrnhut near the Polish and Czech borders.

The holidays are a time of merriment, festivity — and, for many, tense family gatherings.

NEW YORK (AP) — Writers in U.S. prisons will have a new path to getting their work seen through a website managed by PEN America that includes information on publishers, agents, journalists and other potential contacts.

An increasing number of farm animal sanctuaries across the country have started promoting an alternative version of Thanksgiving. Rather than dipping turkeys into gravy, families “adopt” them, donating money to their lifelong care. In return they receive photos, certificates and sometimes one-on-one visits with the birds. At Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary in Colorado, a $25 donation comes with a certificate, photo and either a virtual or in-person visit. The funds help pay for extending the turkeys’ outdoor pasture area, their feed and sometimes their pricey vet bills. The sanctuary says the program is about educating the public that turkeys are more than just centerpieces.

Burt Meyer, who invented toys like Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots, Lite-Brite and MouseTrap in the 1960s that delighted generations of children, has died. He was 99.

Every time I am feeling a little too much, or sometimes not enough, I bake a pie. I bake a pie when I celebrate something, make a new friend, figure out something hard, go on an inspiring trip, and, most of all, when I am trying to create a feeling of home.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Shut down for more than six years, part of a scenic road loop in North Dakota's Theodore Roosevelt National Park reopened Tuesday, giving visitors a better opportunity to see wildlife and panoramic views of the rugged Badlands.

The Vatican has doubled down on the value of monogamous marriage between a man and woman. It's responding to concerns raised by African bishops about the practice of polygamy in their flocks. The document from the Vatican’s doctrine office said the Catholic Church had a well-documented position upholding the indissolubility of marriage as a lifelong union. But it said the church’s position on the unique and exclusive nature of monogamous marriage was less well known. In recent years at Vatican meetings of bishops, African bishops have regularly complained that polygamy is widely practiced in their flocks and asked the Vatican for guidance. “On Flesh: In Praise of Monogamy,” is the Vatican's response.

NEW YORK (AP) — Designer Jeffrey Banks spent years co-authoring seven books on fashion before finally deciding it was time to share his own story.

As daily cannabis use rises to historic levels in the U.S., some longtime users are finding it harder to quit. Once celebrated as a safe alternative to alcohol or a tool for relaxation and healing, marijuana has quietly become a source of dependence for many — especially amid the spread of high-potency products. In Massachusetts, some people including regular users and former dispensary workers describe how routine use turned into addiction. Experts warn that the risks of heavy, daily use remain underrecognized as legalization and commercialization make cannabis more accessible than ever before.

Cannabis use among young adults has reached historic levels, with nearly 18 million Americans using marijuana daily in 2022. This increase coincides with more states legalizing marijuana and products becoming more potent. Despite the rise in use, seeking treatment for cannabis use disorder has become less common. Experts say this is partly due to the misconception that marijuana is safe and nonaddictive. The drug's increased potency has been linked to various health issues, and emergency room visits for cannabis intoxication have risen. Experts emphasize the need for education on the risks and available treatment options.

So, you want to grow an avocado tree from seed? It’s not only a fun off-season activity, especially for kids, but it’s also very easy.

As travel picks up for the season, flyers can find a moment of quiet and relaxation at interfaith chapels or meditation spaces in many U.S. airports. Employees at Boston’s Logan International Airport also get to practice their faith right in their sprawling workplace. Logan's Our Lady of the Airways is widely considered the country’s first airport chapel and is still a Catholic church — not an interfaith venue. Two cousins who work for JetBlue said they come to the brick-faced modernist chapel every day to pray for a couple of minutes before their shifts.

A copy of the first Superman issue, unearthed by a trio of brothers cleaning out their late mother’s attic, netted $9.12 million at a Texas auction house which says it is the most expensive comic book ever sold. This month's sale surpassed the previous record of $6 million from another Superman-related comic sold last year. The 1939 Superman No. 1 was one of 500,000 first edition copies printed by Detective Comics Inc and is one of a small number of copies known to be in existence. Three brothers, who like the buyer remain unidentified, discovered the copy beneath old newspapers and cobwebs while cleaning out the attic in their deceased mother's house in San Francisco last year.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A coalition of nursing and other health care organizations are angry over a Trump administration plan that could limit access to student loans in some cases.

NEW YORK (AP) — ‘Tis the season to put on some brand-new holiday music. The best way to get festive is to sing along to Christmas classics new and old. But don’t know what to press play on? We've got you covered.

BERLIN (AP) — Traditional Christmas markets were opening across Germany on Monday, drawing revelers to their wooden stands with mulled wine, grilled sausages, potato pancakes or caramelized apples.

Even though there are many options on our Thanksgiving table, we pay attention to the breadbasket. And every year, one of the non-negotiable items is cornbread. This year, it’s going to be this nicely cheesy version, with shredded cheddar incorporated into the batter, and then some more stre…

A major highlight of Thanksgiving is the menu, but the big meal can come with a lot of wasted food. Experts say a pinch of extra planning can ensure more gets eaten.

What is “we mode,” and how can you tap into it to improve your life? ‘We mode’ is that ineffable feeling you have when you finish a group exercise class or cheer together in a stadium with thousands of sports fans. Researchers say the heartbeats and brain waves of people engaged in an exciting group activity sync up. Kelly McGonigal is a Stanford University health psychologist who says group exercise classes, concerts, religious festivals and sporting events are all places where you can experience ‘we mode.’ You can search out in-person group activities that get your body moving. Use your voice. And get into it. Passive observers won’t get the same feeling.

Paul Costelloe, the Irish-American designer who dressed the late Princess Diana and became a stalwart of the London fashion scene, has died, his company confirmed. He was 80.

TOKYO (AP) — Sanae Takaichi made history by becoming Japan's first female prime minister in October. She must now decide whether she'll break another barrier: the taboo barring women from the sumo ring.