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Storms likely in Nebraska Friday night into early Saturday. Damaging wind and hail are expected in spots. Flooding and tornadoes can't be ruled out. Get the latest on storm timing and how the hazards will vary across the state in our updated forecast video.

U.S. travelers are expected to visit U.S. destinations more in 2023 than they did before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data from the World Travel and Tourism Council. Thanks in part to rising inflation rates, which make international travel far more difficult to budget for a family, along with the general public's desire to freely move about now that COVID-19 restrictions are fully lifted. Combining that with the plethora of places to choose from when it comes to making your way across America, domestic travel rates went up 30.1% in 2022, and it seems to be on trend to continue its ascent.

With so much to do, however, who could blame someone for wanting to get in the car and leave their cares behind during an epic road trip? For booking that last-minute flight on a whim because the mood seems to strike. The U.S. is home to 424 National Parks, 620 amusement parks, over 35,000 museums, and don't even get us started on how many restaurants there are to try!

As summer approaches, and many are beginning to plot out their itineraries for the road, we wonderedwhich states are the most popular to visit by U.S. tourists? Using data from YouGov to determine what states Americans are visiting, Stacker has ranked the top 25 by the percentage of U.S. adults who have already made a visit. Check the rankings to see if your next destination is among these popular choices, or find your next adventure as you scroll.

Percentage of US adults who have been: 30%

In a state full of early American history, Oklahoma City visitors can take the opportunity to learn about the state's 39 Native American nations in Oklahoma by visiting the First Americans Museum. Tulsa's museum Greenwood Rising tells visitors about the city's Black neighborhood, Greenwood, a once-historic space known as a freedom colony after slavery was abolished. The area, lauded as Black Wall Street, was infamously bombed in 1921 during an incident known as the Tulsa Race Massacre.

Percentage of US adults who have been: 30%

Travelers who like visiting the cultural landmarks listed among the bevy of UNESCO World Heritage sites can see more here than in any other U.S. state. In order to achieve UNESCO World Heritage status, a place must be a work of human genius, contain superlative natural phenomena, or any of the eight other requirements on the qualifications list. The sites located in New Mexico, such as Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, and Taos Pueblo all manage to fit the criteria!

Percentage of US adults who have been: 30%

While Missouri may be most well known for the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, many are unaware upon first glance that the museum housed beneath the landmark is full of history about the "Show Me State" including how it got the nickname. Don't be fooled though, Missouri offers so much more. Branson, for example, is known as the "Live Entertainment Capital of the World" per their tourism site because of the amount of entertainment that is accessible at any given time, and the state has six national parks you can visit.

Percentage of US adults who have been: 30%

Michigan offers a mixture of natural beauty, history, and culture all wrapped up in one state. Visitors often make their way to Detroit to visit the Motown Museum, where curators pay homage to a form of music that, in essence, created the blueprint for all other music to follow. Home to four of the Great Lakes (Erie, Superior, Huron, and Michigan) travelers can also enjoy a car-free adventureincluding a side trip to Mackinac Island, home to Arch Rock. On top of that, the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor offers a huge list of attractions from the University of Michigan Museum of Arts, to the Museum of Natural History Planetarium.

Percentage of US adults who have been: 31%

There are some places that make you feel like you've stepped back in time and Louisiana is one of them. It is known for having a multitude of plantations, with at least 14 still open to visit, but they also represent a painful chapter of enslaved people in the state's history. New Orleans is home to the French Quarter, known for jazz on Bourbon Street, shimmery beads during Mardi Gras, and some of the best beignets you can find. Grand Isle is known as a "sportsman's paradise" with amazing fishing spots that offer unencumbered views of the Gulf of Mexico. Plus, if you've always wanted to delve a little deeper into understanding Voodoo, an African diasporic religion, there are plenty of places to dive in.

Percentage of US adults who have been: 34%

Travelers can walk through part of the world's longest-known cave system in Mammoth Cave National Park. With more than 400 miles of explored caves and nearly 53,000 acres of land to explore, you can spend a whole day there and not even notice. If you're in more of a sporty mood, you can head north to Louisville for river cruises, horse racing at Churchill Downs, and baseball nostalgia at the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory.

Percentage of US adults who have been: 34%

Massachusetts is the kind of state where the kid in you can come out and play! Baseball fans will feel right at home in Boston's Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox and the oldest ballpark of any Major League Baseball team. Fans can surround themselves with the peanuts and Cracker Jacks as the stadium is open for tours all year round. In the fall, Salem, Massachusetts, becomes the state's focal point as a popular destination to celebrate Halloweenand no wonder, considering the town's history! The infamous Salem Witch Trials took place in the state, a time when religious persecution and fear allowed women to be burned at the stake if they were found to be witches. Speaking of American history, you can also visit Plymouth Rock, known as the landing spot of the Mayflower.

Percentage of US adults who have been: 36%

Winter sports are definitely the draw when it comes to the popularity of Colorado, or at least one of the big ones thanks to the Rocky Mountains as the state's backdrop. Aspen, Vail, and Breckenridge are some of the most well-known ski towns in the country. Colorado is also home to one of the most amazing outdoor amphitheaters, Red Rocks, which gets world-class musical acts on a constant basis and is housed within a natural rock formation. For history fans, the Chicano Movement was a heavy influence on the landscape of the state, and you can visit the Chicano Humanities and Art Council Gallery to learn about the rich history of the 60s and 70s.

Percentage of US adults who have been: 38%

When you think of white sand beaches you might not necessarily think of anywhere statesidebut that's where South Carolina comes in to prove you wrong. The state has a bevy of beaches, including the popular family tourist attraction Myrtle Beach, which offers 60 miles of white sand and a fantastic boardwalk full of carnival rides, games, and delicious food. Speaking of the cuisine, culinary tourists can head to Charleston, which is known for making a killer bowl of shrimp and grits. For a sweet treat, the brown sugar and butter explosion known as Charleston chewies is the local favorite. Both of these borrow heavily from the influence of the Gullah Geechee, descendants of West and Central Africa forced upon the lands during the trade of enslaved people, and who have been well known for preserving and maintaining their cultural heritage.

Percentage of US adults who have been: 38%

Maryland is another state well-loved for its seafood dishes, but here crab is king. Travelers will find plenty of unique local dishes, including Maryland Crab Soup, Smith Island Cake, and stuffed ham. Travelers can also make their way to Baltimore, where you can find everything from the National Aquarium, to the Baltimore Museum of Art, and Oriole Park to spend a day traversing.

Percentage of US adults who have been: 39%

Lucky be a lady in Nevada, or at least she does in its most famous city, "Sin City" Las Vegas, Known as the kind of destination where what happens there, stays there, you can hit the Strip for gambling, fine dining and residency shows that alternate throughout the season. If the bright lights of the big city aren't your thing, Nevada also has spectacular natural attractions like Red Rock Canyon and Lake Tahoe.

Percentage of US adults who have been: 39%

Ohio is full of family-friendly stops, like Cleveland's Great Lakes Science Center and the Cleveland Botanical Garden. Tourists can head out of town to learn about a different way of life with a visit to Amish country, where you can learn about what life is like without technology.

Percentage of US adults who have been: 40%

Nashville, Tennessee, is where country music and bachelorette parties meet in the lively downtown honky-tonks. Head west to Memphis for the soulful sounds of blues music on Beale Street. If you're looking for a strong drink, the Tennessee Whiskey Trail is home to at least 30 distilleries open for a visit.

Percentage of US adults who have been: 40%

Boardwalk and beach lovers get both along the Jersey Shore, which is far more entertaining than what the MTV series made it seem like. In fact, it's known for being a well-loved family destination, especially in Ocean City, which is known as an alcohol-free city. Gamblers can try their luck by heading north to the casinos in Atlantic City, home to the first boardwalk built in the world.

Percentage of US adults who have been: 41%

The natural red-rock formation known as the Grand Canyon may be Arizona's top stop, but Arizona has many natural feats to admire. Saguaro National Park protects the state's majestic cacti, as well as the petroglyphs left behind by the Hohokam tribe. Guided tours in Antelope Canyon can feel like hiking through another world, with canyons and formations that look more like they belong on Mars than in America.

Percentage of US adults who have been: 42%

North Carolina is a regular pit stop for racing fans. Charlotte's NASCAR Hall of Fame not only tells the history of the sport but puts visitors in the driver's seat in its racing simulators. Those who want off the roads and into the great outdoors can make their way to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, full of lush forests, wildflowers, and waterfalls as far as the eye can see.

Percentage of US adults who have been: 42%

Outdoor lovers have plenty to choose from between Virginia's Atlantic Ocean beaches and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Literary fans can enjoy the Poe Museum in Richmond, dedicated to one of the United States' most famous writers and a tragic tale in literary history, Edgar Allen Poe. Fans of history can visit the sites for the Battle of Yorktown, the last battle of the Revolutionary War, as well as the colonial town of Williamsburg known as the world's largest living history museum.

Percentage of US adults who have been: 43%

Foodies have many options in Illinois' biggest city, Chicago, from the city's deep-dish pizza and Chicago-style hot dogs to upscale dining from award-winning chefs. Tourists and locals alike flock to the lakefront in the summer, when the weather is ideal. The state is also known for playing a heavy role in the Underground Railroad, and in Alton, you can partake in either driving or walking tours that guide you along some of the most important landmarks.

Percentage of US adults who have been: 46%

Atlanta's film and music industries make Georgia's capital city an entertainment hub. You can take a tour of Tyler Perry's massive production studio, or catch a glimpse of The Dungeon, the studio where Outkast recorded their albums. Tourists who want a more relaxing pace choose Savannah's historic downtown and coastal living.

Percentage of U.S. adults who have been: 48%

Head to Philadelphia to bring a U.S. history lesson to life, with visits to Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and the Benjamin Franklin Museum. Art lovers can hop over to Pittsburgh to The Andy Warhol Museum, home to the largest collection of Warhol art and archives. You can also get your fill of chocolate as Pennsylvania is the home of Hershey's Chocolate World.

Percentage of US adults who have been: 52%

Trips to Texas leave a lot of ground to cover, from Space Center Houston for NASA lovers, to the Alamo in San Antonio for history buffs, and Big Bend National Park's limestone cliffs in the western part of the state. Fans of live entertainment can also make their way to Austin for SXSW every March for a week-long festival and conference centering around music, arts, technology, and culture.

Percentage of US adults who have been: 54%

Considering this state can take nearly 12 hours to drive the full length of it, it comes as no surprise that there are tons of sights to see in California. Los Angeles is known as the home of Hollywood, the rich and famous, and of course the neighbor to Anaheim's Disneyland. San Francisco offers a wealth of culture with the de Young Museum, Museum of the African Diaspora, and the Mission Cultural Center of Latino Arts. Sacramento, the state's capital, is a burgeoning city recently voted by Forbes as the top place to live in the state and is home to the California State Fair. That doesn't include the nine state parks like Joshua Tree, Yosemite, and more.

Percentage of US adults who have been: 55%

The city that never sleeps is also the city that brings the most visitors to the state of New York. First-time U.S. and international tourists love to visit Times Square, catch a Broadway show, and eat a New York slice of pizza. Music lovers can take walking tours that show you the birthplace of punk in Greenwich Village and the East Village or the birthplace of hip-hop in Harlem. Not to mention the city's countless museums, galleries, live music venues, and more.

Percentage of US adults who have been: 61%

For countless families, a visit to Orlando's Disney World makes a childhood, or adulthood, dream come true. Florida's pristine beaches also make it the top-ranked state for a trip in the U.S. Everglades National Park offers a great day trip for families, and if you happen to have a birdwatcher in your family, the wetlands in the park are home to the largest breeding ground for tropical wading birds in North America.

Data reporting by Lucas Hicks. Story editing by Olivia Monahan. Copy editing by Robert Wickwire. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick.

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Severe storms expected in Nebraska Friday night - Scottsbluff Star Herald

Warning! The following contains spoilers for the Stars On Mars episode "Water Crisis." Read at your own risk!

Tom Schwartz admitted during the latest Stars On Mars episode that he joined the show to take a break from the drama in his life, which included a pretty messy and public divorce. Schwartz has managed to escape the controversy that partly revolved around his kiss with Raquel Leviss, but given his latest performance in the show, he may be on his way back to Earth and that intense Vanderpump Rules reunion pretty soon. This revelation came after Schwartz miraculously survived another week in the Mars colony after flubbing a mission that would've ruined an actual space exploration.

The episode bid farewell to Tallulah Willis after the team decided the failure of the mission ultimately fell on her inability to lead and ensure its success. Tom Schwartz got off pretty easy in my opinion, and I can't imagine he'll survive another week if he makes a blunder quite as bad as he did in the latest episode.

The Stars On Mars crew was tasked with obtaining more water after losing access to the supply they had. Tom Schwartz was initially given the job of traveling into a cave with others to help hold a tarp and extract water but swapped duties with actress Ariel Winter at the last minute. She went into the cave while Schwartz stayed above ground with Marshawn Lynch to help fill and count the barrels being filled with water.

With six minutes left in the challenge, Tom Schwartz informed the team they had three and a half containers filled of the four they needed to complete the mission. Shortly after that announcement, a pipe became disconnected, and the team struggled to reconnect it immediately. Once the pipe was finally reconnected, Schwartz jumped on to explain that he had miscounted, and they had only filled two and a half containers. Time ran out, and the mission failed.

Ultimately there are a few reasons the challenge failed. Quite frankly, Tom Schwartz and Ariel Winter shouldn't have swapped roles, as his strength was needed more than his counting ability. Had he been down there to fix the pipe, it might've been connected faster, and Winter could've delivered an accurate count of containers filled and put more pressure on the team to work faster. Schwartz accepted responsibility for his part of the mission failing and found himself in the bottom three for elimination. As mentioned, he survived the elimination, but readers can revisit the episode with their Hulu subscription and make their own judgments on whether that was earned.

Stars On Mars' latest episode was another poor outing for Tom Schwartz, who only just barely escaped elimination the week prior. Christopher Mintz-Plasse took the fall on that one, but one could make the argument that the only thing that separated his effort from Schwartz's was Marshawn Lynch calling the former McLovin. Mistaking two filled barrels for three is a rough look, and it has me wondering if Schwartz is really present during these challenges on the Fox competition.

If he isn't, that's completely understandable, but I'd love for the other Stars On Mars contestants to pick up on that. He's arguably been the least mission-critical member two weeks in a row now, and if he lands there again in the upcoming episode, I don't really think anyone can justify keeping him another week.

Stars On Mars airs on Fox on Mondays at 8:00 p.m. ET. It's one of many must-watch shows popping up in the month of June, so be sure to stay ahead of the game by peeping CinemaBlend's 2023 TV schedule to see what's around the corner.

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Stars On Mars' Tom Schwartz Miraculously Survived Another Week ... - CinemaBlend

Mars is one of Earths neighboring planetswith Venus. This star has, for years, been the object of study by various European agencies, as signs of past life may be found there or even a new opportunity to establish a human colony there.

Therefore, the NASA is already preparing missions to the Red Planet Also, other organizations such as the European Space Agency are investigating how life might be possible there. In a new study, researchers at the University of Warwick have explored how the Red Planet can harness solar energy.

With this power, the Plant photosynthesis on Mars. In addition, space travel will be more stable and will require it Less storage space and less cost. Scientists have tested a new technique to achieve this using renewable green energy.

They take advantage of plants photosynthesis To generate energyThey are their mouse study, published in the journal Nature Communications. Theyll do it on the Moon and Mars using semiconductors that absorb and store light.

These are Artificial Photosynthetic Devices They undergo the same processes that keep plants alive on Earth: using only sunlight to convert water into oxygen. Meanwhile, they recycle carbon dioxide.

Considering the future, this energy, if installed on the Moon or Mars, can Helps boost rockets or to complement the astronauts systems Produces oxygen This allows you to breathe properly. Other chemical products may also be formed, which are illustrative University of Warwick.

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They've discovered a method to colonize Mars: through ... - Nates's Crest

Cellular Agriculture in Space: Feeding Astronauts and Colonizing Mars

Cellular agriculture, a rapidly growing field that uses biotechnology to produce animal products without the need for traditional farming, has the potential to revolutionize not only the way we produce food on Earth but also how we feed astronauts and colonize other planets, such as Mars. As the global population continues to grow and the demand for sustainable food sources increases, cellular agriculture offers a promising solution to meet these challenges. Moreover, the ability to produce food in space could significantly reduce the cost and complexity of long-duration space missions and enable the establishment of permanent human settlements on other celestial bodies.

One of the main challenges of space travel and colonization is providing a sustainable and nutritious food supply for astronauts. Currently, astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) rely on pre-packaged meals that are shipped from Earth, which is both expensive and resource-intensive. Furthermore, these meals have a limited shelf life and may not provide all the necessary nutrients for long-duration missions, such as a trip to Mars. Cellular agriculture offers a potential solution to this problem by allowing astronauts to produce fresh food in space, reducing the need for resupply missions and improving the overall health and well-being of space travelers.

Several companies and research institutions are already working on developing cellular agriculture technologies for space applications. For example, Aleph Farms, an Israeli startup, successfully produced the first lab-grown meat in space in 2019. The company used a 3D bioprinter to create a small piece of muscle tissue from bovine cells aboard the ISS, demonstrating the feasibility of producing meat in microgravity conditions. This achievement marked a significant milestone in the development of sustainable food sources for space missions and future Mars colonies.

In addition to meat, cellular agriculture can also be used to produce other animal products, such as milk and eggs, as well as plant-based foods. Researchers at Penn State University are developing a method to produce nutritious and edible cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, using only water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight. This process, called biomanufacturing, could provide a sustainable source of protein and other essential nutrients for astronauts on long-duration missions or living in extraterrestrial habitats.

Another advantage of cellular agriculture in space is its potential to reduce the environmental impact of food production. Traditional livestock farming is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and water pollution. By producing animal products without the need for large-scale farming, cellular agriculture could significantly reduce the environmental footprint of food production. This is particularly important for Mars colonization, as the planets limited resources and harsh environment make traditional agriculture challenging, if not impossible.

Moreover, cellular agriculture technologies could also contribute to the development of life support systems for space habitats. For instance, the waste products generated by cellular agriculture processes, such as carbon dioxide and water, could be recycled and used to support plant growth in hydroponic or aeroponic systems. This closed-loop approach would minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency, which is crucial for the sustainability of extraterrestrial settlements.

In conclusion, cellular agriculture holds great promise for addressing the challenges of feeding astronauts and colonizing Mars. By enabling the production of fresh, nutritious food in space, this innovative technology could reduce the reliance on Earth-based resupply missions, improve the health and well-being of space travelers, and pave the way for the establishment of permanent human settlements on other planets. Furthermore, the environmental benefits of cellular agriculture make it an attractive solution for sustainable food production on Earth and beyond. As research and development in this field continue to advance, the dream of a self-sustaining Mars colony may soon become a reality.

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Cellular Agriculture in Space: Feeding Astronauts and Colonizing ... - CityLife

Space-based solar power (SBSP) has long been a topic of interest for scientists, engineers, and policymakers alike. The concept of harnessing the suns energy from space and transmitting it back to Earth has the potential to revolutionize the way we generate and consume electricity. With the increasing need for clean, renewable energy sources to combat climate change and meet growing global energy demands, the role of satellite technology in SBSP is becoming more critical than ever.

One of the primary advantages of space-based solar power is the ability to collect sunlight continuously, without the limitations of weather, atmosphere, or the day-night cycle. In space, solar panels can receive up to eight times more sunlight than on Earth, making them significantly more efficient at generating electricity. This constant, uninterrupted energy source could provide a stable and reliable power supply for various applications, from powering remote communities to supporting large-scale industries.

Satellite technology plays a crucial role in the realization of SBSP. Satellites equipped with solar panels would be placed in geostationary Earth orbit (GEO), approximately 36,000 kilometers above the Earths surface. At this altitude, satellites remain in a fixed position relative to the Earth, allowing them to continuously collect sunlight and transmit the generated power back to the ground.

The conversion of sunlight into electricity in space can be achieved using photovoltaic cells, similar to those used in terrestrial solar panels. However, the challenge lies in transmitting the generated power back to Earth. One proposed method involves converting the electricity into microwaves or laser beams, which can then be directed towards ground-based receivers, known as rectennas. These rectennas would convert the microwave or laser energy back into electricity, which could then be fed into the power grid.

Developing the necessary satellite technology for SBSP is a complex and challenging task. In addition to the technical hurdles of power generation and transmission, satellites must be designed to withstand the harsh environment of space, including extreme temperatures, radiation, and micrometeoroid impacts. Furthermore, the launch and deployment of these satellites present logistical and financial challenges, as the cost of launching payloads into space remains high.

Despite these challenges, several countries and private companies are actively pursuing the development of SBSP technology. In 2020, the United States Air Force Research Laboratory announced plans to test a small-scale solar power satellite, aiming to demonstrate the feasibility of microwave power transmission. Similarly, China has outlined ambitious plans to develop a space-based solar power station by 2035, with ongoing research and development efforts supported by the China Academy of Space Technology.

Private companies are also exploring the potential of SBSP, with firms such as Solaren Corporation and SpaceX expressing interest in the technology. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, has previously stated that SBSP could be a viable solution for powering a future Mars colony, highlighting the potential applications of this technology beyond Earth.

As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change and the need for sustainable energy sources, the role of satellite technology in space-based solar power is becoming increasingly important. While significant technical, logistical, and financial hurdles remain, the potential benefits of SBSP are too great to ignore. With continued research, development, and international collaboration, satellite technology could play a pivotal role in unlocking the vast potential of space-based solar power, providing a clean, abundant, and reliable energy source for generations to come.

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The Role of Satellite Technology in Space-Based Solar Power - EnergyPortal.eu