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Travelers head to 'most welcoming cities' in America: See if yours made the list
When you’re plotting your next domestic getaway or road trip in the U.S., kindness may count.
Booking.com recently announced the “most welcoming” U.S. cities in its 2025 Traveler Review Awards, which relied on 360 million verified customer reviews.
Ben Harrell, managing director of Booking.com, said more than 70,000 partners have been recognized in the United States alone in this year’s global awards.
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Hawaii; Maine; Washington, D.C.; Utah and Idaho are the most welcoming states and districts in the United States, the group said.
The most welcoming places in the United States include Saint Augustine, Florida; Cape May, New Jersey; Newport, Rhode Island; Joshua Tree, California; and Sedona, Arizona.
If you’re looking to meet some of the nicest people across America, look no further than these most welcoming destinations across the country. (iStock)
“Notably, St. Augustine, Florida, is featured as one of the ‘Most Welcoming Cities’ globally,” added Harrell.
Read on for ideas on what to see and do at these destinations.
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St. Augustine, Florida
History and kindness go hand in hand when visiting St. Augustine, the oldest city in America. (St. Augustine Ponte Vedra)
America’s oldest city — it’s been continuously inhabited since 1565 — rolls out the red carpet for all who visit.
Consider scoping out the architecture of St. Augustine’s Historic District, an eye-catching assortment of Spanish Colonial, Mediterranean Revival and Moorish styles.
You can also visit the Castillo de San Marcos. On St. Augustine’s bayfront, you’ll find a sprawling coquina stone fort designed to defend the city from foreign invaders that’s complete with water vistas.
It’s a chance for history buffs to note that it’s one of the best-preserved examples of 17th-century military architecture in the U.S.
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Other spots to see include the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum.
There are also numerous walking and riding tours where you can learn about the city’s history from friendly tour guides.
When you need to rest, check out the St. George Inn or Marker 8 Hotel and Marina.
Newport, Rhode Island
You’ll feel like you’re coming home to see friends when you check out Newport, R.I. (Discover Newport/Corey Favino)
Newport is said to be the kind of place that greets all visitors with open arms.
Check out Mend Yoga, a wonderfully warm yoga spot that’s owned by two sisters who also own The Nitro Bar, a popular coffee shop with two locations in Newport and one in Providence.
While in town, stop by The Sailing Museum to educate yourself on one of the “Sailing Capitals of the World,” and visit as many of the Gilded Age Mansions as you can (open seasonally).
Some include The Breakers, Marble House and The Elms, though Doris Duke’s Rough Point Museum and Rosecliff mansion are great, too.
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You can tour the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Touro Synagogue, a preserved national historic site that dates back to the mid-1700s and serves as a symbol of religious freedom for all Americans. It was visited by George Washington.
Cape May, New Jersey
There is plenty to do and there are plenty of people to meet when you’re in the city of Cape May, N.J. (Visit Cape May MAC)
For a place to stay in Cape May, consider Angel of the Sea Bed and Breakfast or La Mer Beachfront Resort, two of Booking.com’s top picks for this welcoming shore town.
After a visit to Cape May Beach, you can plan a stop at Washington Street Mall, an outdoor shopping center featuring historic Victorian-era architecture, boutiques, dessert spots and restaurants aplenty.
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For vacationers 21 and up, venture to Cape May Winery & Vineyard, where you can savor a wine tasting or have brunch on the 100-acre farmland property.
Joshua Tree, California
Want a place to relax that feels like a home away from home? Check out Joshua Tree in California. (Gry Space)
Joshua Tree is inhabited by 6,700 residents.
Consider checking out Reset Hotel, slated to open in May 2025, which is just a five-minute drive to the north entrance of Joshua Tree National Park and boasts desert scenery.
Some of Booking.com’s top choices for accommodations on the market include The Bungalows by Homestead Modern and Desert Cove.
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You can soak up some local spirit at Pappy & Harriet’s, established in 1982, which serves as a barbecue house, live music venue and roadhouse-style saloon all in one.
Another option is to grab a table at Kitchen in the Desert. The fare is a blend of Caribbean and New American cuisine, and the restaurant has spacious patio seating.
Sedona, Arizona
When you visit Sedona, you’ll experience a wide range of views with deserts and cliffs in your surroundings. (L’Auberge de Sedona)
Sedona is said to be a place where travelers go for spiritual awakenings.
Pack comfy sneakers or hiking boots when hiking anywhere in Red Rocks Country, an area of sandstone cliffs featuring hues of reds and rust.
Consider a stay at L’Auberge de Sedona, a resort located along the banks of Oak Creek, which offers experiences like the Shamanic Breathwork experience, “7 Bowls for 7 Chakras” sound healing and Shamanic Drum Reiki.
On these grounds, you can treat yourself to some rest and relaxation at L’Apothecary Spa, where the Chai Hands and Feet Renewal Scrub or the Infinite Love Massage will round out your time in one of the most welcoming destinations in the U.S.
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Florida college student who allegedly shipped 1,500 rounds of ammo to dorm had AR-15 under bed
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A Florida college student who allegedly ordered 1,500 rounds of ammunition to his dorm room also had a semi-automatic rifle under his bed, according to authorities.
Constantine Demetriades, a 21-year-old senior at Rollins College, was arrested by Winter Park police on Wednesday and charged with possession of a weapon on school property after the ammunition order was reported to police by the school’s assistant campus safety director, according to an arrest affidavit, WKMG reported.
After the purchase was flagged, the assistant safety director searched Demetriades’ dorm and allegedly discovered an unloaded AR-15 under his bed inside an unsecured black carrying case with one loaded magazine and five empty magazines, as well as a tactical vest, knives, a black security vest and ear protection.
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Constantine Demetriades, 21, was charged with possession of a weapon on school property. (Winter Park Police Department)
Demetriades, who said he likes to shoot as a hobby, told police he had the rifle on school property because he had recently returned from a Thanksgiving trip to New Jersey, where he said the guns were purchased and registered legally, according to the affidavit.
He said he did not have ill intentions and that he usually stores the firearm at a friend’s home off school property, the affidavit stated. He also said he only brought the gun to campus on one other occasion.
Constantine Demetriades said he did not have ill intentions. (Getty Images)
While Florida allows open carry, Rollins College bans all weapons on campus. Demetriades allegedly said he is aware that weapons are not allowed on campus and that his New Jersey concealed carry permit does not apply in Florida.
The college said in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital that he is banned from campus until the situation is resolved, adding that an internal investigation has been opened.
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While Florida allows open carry, Rollins College bans all weapons on campus. (Getty Images)
“On Wednesday, the College received a report indicating a violation of our weapons policy,” Rollins College said in a statement. “After receiving this information, we immediately initiated an investigation.”
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“We quickly identified and contacted the student, who cooperated fully with College officials and local law enforcement as we investigated the matter further,” the statement continued. “The student was arrested and is not permitted to be on campus while the College proceeds with the student conduct process.”
The school said Demetriades was additionally charged with a violation of the college’s weapons policy, and will go through the on-campus conduct process.
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Marjorie Taylor Greene spars with ’60 Minutes’ host over ‘accusatory’ questions
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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., briefly sparred with “60 Minutes” host Lesley Stahl over what she claimed was “accusatory” behavior from the journalist.
Greene gave her first sit-down interview with Stahl since announcing her resignation from Congress last month. During the segment, Stahl and Greene spoke about the Georgia lawmaker’s apology for taking part in “toxic politics.”
“I would like to say humbly, I‘m sorry for taking part in the toxic politics,” Greene told CNN in November. “It’s very bad for our country, and it’s been something I’ve thought about a lot, especially since Charlie Kirk was assassinated, is that we, I’m only responsible for myself and my own words and actions, and I am committed, and I’ve been working on this a lot lately to put down the knives in politics.”
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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., gave her first sit-down interview with “60 Minutes” since announcing her resignation. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
“But you contributed to that,” Stahl asked Greene Sunday. “You. You, you were out there pounding, insulting people.”
Greene pushed back, claiming that Stahl had contributed to toxic politics herself.
“You’re accusatory, just like you did just then,” Greene said.
“I know you’re accusing me, but I’m smiling,” Stahl responded.
“You’re accusing me,” Greene said. “But we don’t have to accuse one another.”
The two continued to go back and forth, with Greene repeatedly insisting that Stahl should also acknowledge her own contribution to toxic politics.
“I don’t insult people,” Stahl said.
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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., previously apologized for her role in “toxic” politics. (Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters)
“You just, you do in the way you question,” Greene said. “And you are, you’re accusing me right now.”
Fox News Digital reached out to CBS News for comment.
Greene previously sat down with Stahl in April 2023, when the two had a fiery exchange over the congresswoman’s claim that Democrats are the “party of pedophiles.”
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“They are not pedophiles. Why would you say that?” Stahl exclaimed.
“Democrats support — even Joe Biden, the president himself — supports children being sexualized and having transgender surgeries. Sexualizing children is what pedophiles do to children,” Greene said.
“Wow,” Stahl reacted.
“60 Minutes” correspondent Lesley Stahl had a tense exchange with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., over her claim that Democrats were the “party of pedophiles” during an April 2023 interview. (Screenshots/CBS News)
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Greene shocked the political landscape last month when she revealed she would leave Congress Jan. 5. Many believe her abrupt exit was the result of her soured relationship with President Donald Trump.
Fox News’ Joseph Wulfsohn contributed to this report.
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FBI’s renewed push in DC pipe bomb case shows how fresh eyes can change a stalled investigation
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Federal agents searching the Virginia home of Brian Cole Jr., accused of planting pipe bombs in Washington on Jan. 5, 2021, carried out a step-by-step operation this week that indicated investigators have re-energized a case that had seen little movement for years.
Cole was arrested in Woodbridge, Virginia, last week after federal investigators identified him as the suspect accused of planting the pipe bombs on Jan. 5, 2021, near the Capitol complex, the Republican National Committee (RNC) and the Democratic National Committee (DNC). His arrest marked the first major break in a case that had been largely dormant for years.
Retired FBI Special Agent Jason Pack, who previously helped lead Evidence Response Teams, told Fox News Digital the search followed the standard sequence used in explosive investigations, beginning with hazard clearing before evidence work. He said the careful pace shows investigators treating the case as if it had just happened.
The operation began with the standard safety sweep used in federal explosives investigations.
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Brian J. Cole was arrested by the FBI for alleged involvement in the D.C. pipe bomb incident. (Department of Justice)
“Federal agents are following a deliberate and familiar sequence as the search of the Woodbridge residence continues,” Pack said. “The presence of explosive ordnance disposal technicians, bomb techs and specialized K-9 teams indicates that the first priority is safety.”
He explained that investigators must first clear the property of possible explosive hazards to protect personnel and preserve the scene before they can begin collecting evidence.
One of the clearest indications of the work underway came from the metal paint cans agents carried out of the home.
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The FBI is carrying out “court enforced activity” at a home in Woodbridge, Va., after authorities arrested a suspect who allegedly planted pipe bombs blocks from the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 5, 2021, sources told Fox News on Dec. 4, 2025. (WTTG)
Pack said metal paint cans are a preferred method for collecting and transporting suspected explosive material because they limit contamination and protect volatile samples. The cans also allow forensic laboratories to analyze residues, components and chemical signatures that might connect a device to a specific individual or technique.
Once the scene is declared safe, evidence teams can move inside the home.
FBI Evidence Response Team members, guided by a federal search warrant and its attachments, typically handle the next phase of the search and use those documents to determine what they are authorized to seize.
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The FBI swarmed the home following the suspect’s arrest. (WTTG)
Those categories include explosive components or precursor chemicals; tools or materials used to construct destructive devices; electronic devices such as phones, hard drives and laptops; records, notes or digital communications that could show planning, motive or knowledge; and items that confirm identity, occupancy or control of the residence.
In this investigation, agents are looking for evidence that establishes intent, capability and any links to the explosive devices planted on Jan. 5, 2021.
Once the evidence is collected, it moves into the long analytical phase of the investigation.
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Sketch of Brian Cole Jr.’s first federal court appearance in Washington, D.C. Friday, December 5, 2025. Cole is the lead suspect in the D.C. pipe incident. (Dana Verkouteren)
Any electronics seized will undergo digital forensics to recover communications, searches or location data that may reveal planning or coordination. Laboratories will also examine residues or components to determine whether they match the devices used at the Capitol complex, the RNC or the DNC.
Pack said the search in Woodbridge shows the FBI is treating the investigation as if it had just begun, which he said can “change the entire trajectory” of the case.
“I have been the fresh set of eyes on cold cases, and I worked them as if the crime happened that morning,” he said. “The initial investigators often do excellent work. A new perspective simply asks different questions and sometimes spots the detail that finally brings the guilty to justice.”
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The suspect is seen walking outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters moments before placing one of two pipe bombs discovered near party offices in Washington, D.C. (FBI)
Pack said the U.S. Attorney’s Office is responsible for obtaining the warrants and court orders that move an investigation from suspicion to proof.
“When the immediate danger has passed, older cases often end up folded into the stack of files handled by overworked Assistant United States Attorneys who are already juggling emergencies of their own,” he said. “That can slow down warrants and subpoenas, not because anyone is dragging their feet, but because they are drowning in urgent matters.”
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The same pressures hit FBI agents, Pack said, as new threats emerge each day and older cases get pushed back while “investigators run to the sound of guns.”
“There are only 12,000 FBI agents in the world, and that small group is responsible for handling every threat that comes our way,” Pack said. “When leadership pours fresh resources back into a case, the whole machine turns forward again. Sunlight finds what shadows hide, and a second look often makes all the difference.”
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Cole had his first court appearance Friday after being arrested the day before and charged with transporting an explosive device in interstate commerce and with maliciously attempting to destroy property using explosive materials.
He has been speaking with investigators and reportedly admitted to planting the devices and expressing doubts about the outcome of the 2020 presidential election, a source close to the investigation told Fox News.
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