Top Dawg rapper Ab-Soul is back with another thought-provoking track. On “Do Better,” which features his labelmate Zacari, Ab-Soul looks back on his life choices and how they’ve affected the people around him.

“Shades stuck to my face, hoodie glued to my head / Hidin’ from the same world that made me who I am / Depressed, can’t even get out of bed / Too blessed to be so stressed / I do all this shit, just to say, ‘Get off my d*ck’ / Mixed emotions, prohibit my focus,” he raps.

Zacari delivers his signature, soft-tinged vocals throughout, as he sings “I’m dyin’ / But I’m gone with the wind / And I’m gone with the wind, you leave / You feel me on your skin.”

In the video, he is seen in his neighborhood, dealing with issues in the home, and on the streets. He jumps from the ledge of a building, and is later rescued and supported by his community.

Ab-Soul hasn’t spoken much about his upcoming fifth studio album, however, in a teaser for “Do Better,” shared this past Wednesday on Instagram, he said the song and video were “Inspired by true events” and that “we’ll get into it later.”

He did reveal that his upcoming album is “done” in another Instagram post.

Check out the “Do Better” video above.

In a clear-skied canvas of tangerines and fuchsia stretching endlessly over the softly swaying waters of Central California’s mostly -majestic Modesto Reservoir, the Monday dawn is met with thousands of melancholic faces all departing the eighth edition of Dirtybird Campout. All sad because it’s over, but also awash in gratitude for the moments they shared.

Here the summer camp-themed music festival reached new heights as artists like Roni Size, Goldie, Honeycomb, and Mr. Carmack delivered high-octane performances on the fan-favorite stage, The Bass Lodge. Then, representing the next generation of ceiling-smashing talent, the label also marshaled hard-hitting acts like Chocolate Sushi, Nala, Mike Kerrigan, VNSSA, and N808 to the main stage, The Birdhouse. Claude VonStroke aka Barclay Crenshaw aka DJ Tree played six (!) sets over the weekend. Weird-o-meters in the campgrounds were topping out at a solid 11 as crews assembled from Costa Rica, Ukraine, France, Mexico, and more with over 20 separate renegades in full, unfettered swing. The festival’s first all-night stage, affectionately called ‘The Hideout’, added icing to the cake as “camp counselors” (the crew behind the event) gathered to throw their own soirée.

2022 was punctuated with operations that were smoother than our editor on a greased-up slip N slide. The festival achieved faster build times, more robust stage designs, and was accompanied by some of the coolest and weirdest kids the small-town folks in Modesto may ever see. During the event, campers competed in obstacle courses, dodgeball, archery, game show-style bingo, and so much more. Perhaps the most surprising part of the weekend was how effortlessly dance music fans at the event combined wide-eyed nostalgia with relentless sex appeal.

To relive the weekend or glimmer a bit of what you missed, take a few moments to peruse the pics below. And, buckle up, because if festival fashion, twerk-offs, and lap dancing can be a vehicle for communal seduction, then you’re definitely in for a wild ride.

Maggie Rogers is going on tour next year in support of her sophomore album, Surrender. The North American “Feral Joy” Tour marks Rogers’ first North American tour since 2019.

The “Feral Joy” tour will kick off in Boston and take place over the course of 13 dates, before concluding in San Francisco.

Pre-sale for members of Rogers‘ fan club will begin on Wednesday, October 26, and fans can register for their pre-sale code here. General on-sale begins Friday, October 28.

While Rogers enjoys touring, she said to Elle this past summer that recording Surrender while in quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic was a nice repreive.

“I started this record at my parents’ garage, and I got to have a studio space for one of the first times in a long time,” she said. “I got to have a real creative practice. I had that in high school, but in college I used school studios, which weren’t always open, and then I was on tour, so I was always cobbling it together. The idea of being stationary, as someone who is a touring musician, just makes my mouth water.”

Check out the tour dates below.

02/11 — Boston, MA @ Roadrunner
02/13 — Washington, DC @ The Anthem
02/15 — New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall
02/17 — Chicago, IL @ Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
02/18 — Minneapolis, MN @ The Armory
02/19 — Milwaukee, WI @ The Riverside Theater
02/22 — Atlanta, GA @ The Eastern
02/24 — New Orleans, LA @ Orpheum Theater
02/25 — Houston, TX @ 713 Music Hall
02/26 — Dallas, TX @ The Factory in Deep Ellum
03/01 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Shrine Auditorium
03/02 — San Diego, CA @ The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park
03/05 — San Francisco, CA @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

We’re fast approaching Halloween which means we’re deep into the spooky snack season! Right now, brands across the fast food landscape are dropping all sorts of seasonal treats, from the pumpkin spice latte, to Witch-inspired milkshakes, and Ghost Pepper cheeseburgers — there is a lot out there and most of it is worth the time spent in a drive-thru. But if for some reason you’re not a fan of lattes, milkshakes, or cheeseburgers (you okay, fam?) maybe Krispy Kreme is the answer!

For the remainder of the month, Krispy Kreme has rebranded as Krispy Skreme, offering up four different seasonal doughnuts that combine all the ingredients that make Krispy Kreme delicious. Are you into sprinkles? Kreme filling? Cute and festive sugar pieces? These donuts have it all. But which donut is best? We tried all four to find out which blend of ingredients is most worthy of the trip. This will be especially helpful if you plan on rolling up to Krispy Kreme on Halloween, October 31st, decked out in your costume because all customers who do will be able to receive a free donut of their choice with no purchase necessary. The only thing better than a donut is a free donut!

We’re here to help you figure out which donut to grab by ranking them worst to best, let’s dive in!

4. Neon Orange Sprinkle Doughnut

Tasting Notes:

Ranking this doughnut as the worst of the four should be taken with a grain of salt. We’re still talking about a donut here, it’s kind of hard to mess that up, and considering this is essentially an original Krispy Kreme glazed doughnut with extra stuff on it, it’s still pretty damn good. The Neon Orange Sprinkles features orange icing with mixed sprinkles on half, to which we say, why not sprinkle the whole damn thing?

Seriously, my major problem with this doughnut is that half of it doesn’t have the same textural mouthfeel, making the sprinkled half a much more enjoyable experience. The naked half allows you to focus too much on the sugar-forward flavor of the orange icing which is a bit too similar to the glazed icing that covers the whole doughnut. Overall, I just don’t think the orange icing adds very much to the doughnut, it just makes it stickier and sweeter.

The Bottom Line:

It adds sprinkles and icing to Krispy Kreme’s original glazed doughnut but doesn’t improve the experience of eating the OG in a meaningful way.

3. Boo Batter Doughnut

Tasting Notes:

Design-wise, the Boo Batter is my favorite new donut of the lineup. It’s not quite as festive as the other three, but it’s a bit more functional than the other donuts. It’s completely covered in sprinkles with no excessive decorations, providing a uniform experience across the entire pastry. Your first bite is going to be as good as the last, and I appreciate that in a doughnut!

The Boo Batter is a shell-style donut injected with a cake batter filling with neon green icing, tiny sugar sprinkles, and butter cream. There is a tiny ghost sugar piece on the top of the doughnut, which is cute but is completely inedible. It’s hard to chew and chalky. Skip the ghost. The donut itself has a great mouthfeel courtesy of the tiny sprinkles which mix well with the cake batter filling. But cake batter filling and buttercream?

Again, Krispy Kreme is doubling on two flavors that are too similar, resulting in something that comes across as way too sweet. I know calling a donut ‘too sweet’ seems stupid but, I’m just looking for a little balance here, and this doesn’t have that.

The Bottom Line:

Consistent from first bite to last, but a little too sugary sweet.

2. Scaredy Cat Donut

Tasting Notes:

My big issue with the Scaredy Cat is the design. It looks great, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t really like when Krispy Kreme throws consistency out of the window for looks, it’s shallow! You’ve got buttercream icing on some of the dnut, a big inedible chocolate-flavored sugar piece on a fourth of it, and an empty section of purple icing. Every bite is different! Who wants that?

Inconsistency aside, the flavor combination here is an improvement over the Neon Orange and Scaredy Cat because there is a bit of chocolate icing involved. Chocolate on a donut just tastes right, and instead of a cake batter filling, this shell-style donut features Krispy Kreme’s trademark Kreme filling, which is a lot less sweet and more savory like butter. That combination of Kreme filling and chocolate just make this donut come across as much richer, with less emphasis on the sugary sweetness.

The Bottom Line:

An inconsistent experience, but the flavors are on point.

1. Spooky Spider

Tasting Notes:

I’m sorry if you’re all about cream-filled donuts but the cream-less Spooky Spider is a near-perfect eating experience. As I keep harping on in this tasting, consistency in a donut is important. These pastries (are they pastries????) are round, and the circle has infinite lines of symmetry, so expecting a donut to taste the same for every bite isn’t asking for a whole lot. It should be easy, but Krispy Kreme keeps f*cking that up by favoring design over functionality, but the Spooky Spider finally gets that right.

Spiders love symmetry, have you ever seen a spider web before? They’re near-perfect structures, like nature’s stained glass window, if spiders weren’t so frightening to people you could probably open up a museum of just spider webs! So thanks to the spider for inspiring Krispy Kreme to finally get its act together.

This donut features chocolate icing on top with crumbly cookie pieces scattered throughout with extra icing in the design of a spider web with a tiny spider-shaped sugar piece. Throw that sugar piece away, and enjoy bite after bite of sweet Krispy Kreme glaze mixed with rich chocolate icing. The cookie crumbles add even more richness to the flavor palate, they look like Oreos but the mouthfeel is much softer and more cake-like than cookie. It’s amazing.

The Bottom Line:

If you don’t visit Krispy Kreme between now and Halloween, make sure you get your free Spooky Spider donut on October 31st. This is by far Krispy Kreme’s best Halloween-themed offering, combining the experience of eating a glazed donut and chocolate cake. It’s also decorated in a way that ensures your first bite is as delicious as your last.

Find your nearest Krispy Kreme here.

The best new hip-hop this week includes albums, videos, and songs from Armani Caesar, Jeezy, Roddy Ricch, and more.

A wild week of hip-hop releases the releases of videos for Lil Baby’s “Stand On It.” JID’s “Crack Sandwich,” and Future’s “Massaging Me.” New Music Friday was equally busy, as Pivot Gang returned with “Aang,” Nav dropped his “Ball In Peace” video, Roddy Ricch kicked off his next rollout with “Aston Martin Truck,” and Mount Westmore announced their new album with the video for “Too Big.”

Here is the best of hip-hop this week ending October 21, 2022.

Albums/EPs/Mixtapes

Armani Caesar — The Liz 2

The core Griselda trio might be experiencing some friction at the moment but that won’t stop the label’s first lady from going hard. All three Griselda guys appear (albeit on different songs), as well as outsiders Beatking, Kodak Black, and Queendom Come. Another late Griselda addition, Stove God Cooks, also spits a mean verse on “Hunnit Dolla Hiccup,” but for the most part, Armani is the star attraction, providing a feminine alternative to the gritty voices in rap’s underground and a grimy counterpart to the flashier women currently running rap.

Gucci Mane — So Icy Boyz 22

Gucci collects a slew of new songs to go along with the original So Icy Boyz compilation, continuing to highlight the young talent he’s assembled on 1017 Global. Enchanting is a standout, as is Big Scarr, but the absence of Gucci’s star players, Foogiano and Pooh Shiesty, is hard to miss.

Jeezy — Snofall With DJ Drama

Look, as funny as it is to see Jeezy dusting off his old Snowman persona in the wake of his marriage to Jeannie Mai, it’s hard to argue with the results. Snofall is one of Jeezy’s hardest projects in a long time; he sounds hungry, his crack tales sound fresh despite his chronological distance from them, and with the more polished flow he’s displayed over the last decade, they sound sharper than ever.

Loyle Carner — Hugo

Carner’s been a personal favorite for some time; the UK-bred rapper’s deeply personal tales and his deft, painterly way of conveying them in his raps makes him an engaging listen (although, let’s face it, his beat choices might well get him consigned to the same lane as J. Cole for many stateside fans while his accent will certainly put off a bunch). Once again, he comes through with a soulfully consistent record of his trials, tribulations, and growth since his last project. Also, there’s a sample of the T.L. Barrett version of “Nobody Knows,” which… yes.

RJmrLA — Rodney Brown Jr.

It has been a truly stellar year for blog era rap stars from Los Angeles. Following up The Game and YG, among others, RJmrLA comes back with 20 tracks of finger-twisting, neighborhood-walking, house party anthems. O.T. Genasis, Roddy Ricch, Ty Dolla Sign, and more offer contributions; the standout here is “Fruits Of My Labor” with Jayson Cash and Symba, two of California’s sharpest up-and-coming lyricists, against whom RJ’s style clashes in the best way.

Snow Tha Product — To Anywhere

San Diego native Snow has quietly carried the torch for women in rap for over a decade, even before the recent boom in female rappers, and has been branching out creatively in recent years — which really shows on her latest. She incorporates even more Latin sounds and collaborators, shining more light on the variety and breadth of Spanish-language musical styles (kinda like Becky G, who also grew in acclaim by embracing her roots). It’s paid off too — last year, she was nominated for her first Latin Grammy, and it looks like she’ll be doubling down to keep that momentum going.

Singles/Videos

Boldy James — “Flag On The Play”

The stuffy-voiced Detroit documentarian has maintained an astonishing production pace over the past few years and he shows no signs of stopping; his latest single is the first from yet another announced project, Mr. Ten08, which is produced entirely by Futurewave.

D Smoke — “Switch Up” Feat. Davion Farris

The Inglewood native’s latest single features his brother Davion (yes, there’s another one. That’s one talented family) and signals that he might be nearing the release of his third album. He really does switch up here, employing a woozier, more laid-back production style than the more combative stuff on his last album.

Hit-Boy — “Tony Fontana III” Feat. Curren$y

I don’t know how Hit-Boy is finding the time to record his own rap records after producing four full-length projects for Nas and contributing to many others. The only logical conclusion is that he just doesn’t sleep. And while that’s probably bad for him, it’s great for us listeners, who get yet another groovy meditation on the benefits of hard work and persistence.

Icewear Vezzo — “God Bless The 6” Feat. Babyface Ray

Representing the other burgeoning sound of Detroit rap, Icewear Vezzo has been garnering a fair bit of attention in the past year or so alongside frequent collaborators like Babyface Ray, Babytron, Rio Da Yung OG, and Sada Baby. He and Ray team up again here, and their chemistry remains as strong as ever as they pass the mic back and forth.

Yungeen Ace — “Industry Invasion”

Yungeen Ace, hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, is another member of the growing contingent of wounded-sounding street crooners in the vein of Fredo Bang, YoungBoy NBA, Rod Wave, and the like. While he could use a bit more guidance as a songwriter, he really does convey the sense of trauma and loss that fuels him toward rap success. He’s probably a year or two out from his breakout but until then, he sounds good enough to warrant giving his most recent project, All On Me, a spin.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

It was nearly a year ago that Fox News finally drew an editorial line in the sand when Lara Logan decided to compare Dr. Anthony Fauci to the Nazi “Angel of Death” Josef Mengele. While that was the last we ever saw of Logan on Fox (she claimed the network just hates “independent thinkers”), Newsmax decided to take a gamble and give Logan a new platform from which to spread her batsh*t conspiracy theories by inviting her on as a regular guest and commentator. And now they’re regretting it.

On Wednesday evening, as The Daily Beast reports, Logan went on a total QAnon tear while appearing as a guest on fellow former Fox New staffer Eric Bolling’s show. The topic, unfortunately, was America’s immigration laws. Which led to a consensual conversation about the completely racist “Great Replacement Theory,” which only seemed to embolden Logan, who went on to talk about the “cabal” of global leaders who are blood-drinking pedophiles:

God believes in sovereignty and national identity and the sanctity of family, and all the things that we’ve lived with from the beginning of time. And he knows that the open border is Satan’s way of taking control of the world through all of these people who are his stooges and his servants. And they may think that they’re going to become gods. That’s what they tell us… You know, the ones who want us eating insects, cockroaches and that while they dine on the blood of children? Those are the people, right? They’re not going to win. They’re not going to win.

Ummmm… say what?!?

Fortunately, that was Newsmax’s response, too. After The Daily Beast reported on Logan’s rogue racism, the network actually took pretty swift action to ban Logan — who at one time was a well-respected 60 Minutes correspondent — from ever appearing on their airwaves again. Per the network’s official statement, “Newsmax condemns in the strongest terms the reprehensible statements made by Lara Logan and her views do not reflect our network. We have no plans to interview her again.”

(Via The Daily Beast)

Unlike when I first backpacked across Asia for two years on a shoestring budget a quarter of a century ago, 2022 sees a historically unprecedented wealth of useful travel information online (hey, like the Uproxx Fall Travel Hot List!). Too often, however, these travel resources focus on where to go and what to see, but not how to best attune yourself to the life-altering experiences that flow out of engaged journeys.

My new book, The Vagabond’s Way, was designed to inspire the reader into embracing the richer textures of travel from the initial process of dreaming and planning the journey; to the act of adjusting to life (and expanding your comfort zone) on the road; to coming full circle, and seeing your home as an intriguing new destination.

Here are three key bits of travel advice, taken from the book’s pages, that can help enrich your next journey.

1. Saving Money On The Road Is A Matter Of Attitude

In his book Libyan Sands, English explorer Ralph Bagnold posited that being able to travel long-term was less a matter of wealth than of attitude. “There are two kinds of travelers,” he wrote, “the Comfortable Voyager, round whom a cloud of voracious expenses hums all the time, and the man who shifts for himself and enjoys little discomforts as a change from life’s routine. Both may enjoy themselves, but the latter sees more of the country and its people, and has the added pleasure of going where lack of comfort excludes the former.”

Nearly a century later, Bagnold’s observation still holds true, particularly since so much of what tourists pay for on the road (particularly what they pay for in advance) involves amenities and efficiencies that can insulate them from the very cultures they’re trying to experience. Indeed, for all the perks offered by luxury hotels and tourist-district restaurants, sleeping in locally-owned guesthouses and dining on street food is not just cheaper, it’s far more likely to embed travelers in the daily life of their destination.

On the road, rich journeys don’t flow from extravagant budgets. They are found in forgoing the comforts and conveniences we’ve been told we want, and using what money we have to embrace what a place offers us.

2. Looking For Local Crowds Beats “Crowdsourcing”

Some years ago while visiting the Indonesian city of Bukittinggi, I decided to seek out rendang, a local dish consisting of slow-cooked meat caramelized in coconut milk and spices. Using the Wi-Fi connection in my guesthouse, I found a TripAdvisor review with a header along the lines of, “Best rendang in Bukittinggi!!!” The place was just a five-minute walk from where I was staying, so I decided to go.

As it happened, the TripAdvisor-approved rendang restaurant was empty when I arrived. The owner opened the kitchen for me, apologetically explaining that she usually catered to the tourist bus trade and that she hadn’t expected the buses to arrive until later that evening.

Her rendang tasted okay if a bit dry. When I left, I was still her only customer. On the walk home, I noticed something I’d overlooked on the way to the TripAdvisor-sanctioned restaurant, the street that led back to my guesthouse was lined with food tents packed with local diners. Somehow, I had completely overlooked a local street-food scene that had attracted throngs of Bukittinggi locals at the very hour my internet-approved restaurant sat empty. Had I simply used my eyes and my nose (rather than an online review), I no doubt would have had a more enjoyable meal.

This experience thus taught me a simple but elegant travel lesson. If you’re going to crowdsource an eating recommendation, the virtual advice of bygone travelers counts far less than the presence of a real-life crowd.

3. Sitting Still In A Place Can Be A Great Travel Strategy

I’ve been teaching a creative writing workshop in Paris each summer since the mid-2000s, and over the years I’ve hosted dozens of American friends in the city. Though my guests always enjoy themselves, I’ve found that first-time visitors in particular suffer anxiety when they dine at the storied brasseries and cafés in the French capital. Eager to get out and see the sights of the city, they become exasperated at how unhurried the waitstaff is in taking their order, bringing out their food, and in presenting them with their bill. This lunchtime procedure, which can be accomplished in well under thirty minutes in American establishments, can stretch across hours in a place like Paris.

I’ll admit I also felt irritation at the unconcerned tempo of French dining my first few summers in Paris. What I eventually came to learn was that the leisurely pace of brasseries and cafés was a far more genuine evocation of Paris. In France, a lunch that stretched out across three hours didn’t compromise one’s ability to experience the city, it was the experience of the city.

Often in our travels, the best way to appreciate a place isn’t to hurry off on an itemized sightseeing agenda but to first slow down. It’s to sit still for a few hours and let the place reveal itself through its own rhythms and rituals.

As a long-time National Park traveler, I have seen a marked shift in the average visitor to public lands. As you read our 2022 Fall Travel Hot List, you’ll see that more travelers want to see the famed and awe-inspiring sights that come along with places like the Grand Tetons or Yosemite’s Dome Rock while also trying to understand the story of the people who lived in these magnificent places for millennia. Some travelers are (finally) seeking out the real story of the Indigenous genocide carried out on some of the most sacred lands in present-day America. There’s a sense that people are willing to understand that brutal past while building toward much-needed repair (again, finally) in hopes of finding common ground in some of the most stunning corners of the country.

It’s not enough anymore to read a couple of plaques in a visitor center telling the story of Indigenous people who “once lived here.” Besides those plaques often being outright lies, Indigenous folks are still here to tell their stories. Travelers are starting to want to hear the stories from the people who stewarded these lands. If we are going to recreate and take our selfies and sometimes even profit off of our social media followings while on Indigenous lands, especially national parks which were often among the most sacred lands of Indigenous people across this continent, we need to spend time listening to the Indigenous people themselves and start learning from them directly.

I had the opportunity to do just that in Idaho this summer through cultural tourism programs. Here is what I learned and why you should consider a similar option for your next trip.

Part 1: What is “Cultural Tourism?”

Cultural tourism is just what it sounds like, visiting a place in order to learn more about another culture or place. It’s not just visiting a new city, it’s visiting with the intention to immerse oneself in the culture and people that inhabit and have inhabited that place throughout history.

Cultural tourism is booming as travelers are looking for opportunities to travel with purpose and support local economies. While cultural tourism can be as simple as sampling Indigenous food or visiting a museum on your travels, there are increasingly much more immersive ways to learn as you travel.

It’s important to note that not all cultural tourism operators are necessarily Indigenous-owned, and doing your research on that front is crucial to responsible travel. For too long, the stories of Indigenous people — from Greenland to Sweden to California to Mexico to Argentina and beyond — have been told by second and third-hand colonizers rather than told by the people who are living the experience right now. And that only caused and continues to cause harm.

Part 2: Schitsu’umsh Nation (Coeur d’Alene)

While there are many definitions and ways to experience cultural tourism, I wanted to be fully immersed, specifically with the Coeur d’Alene and Nez Perce Nations in northwest Idaho. So I hopped on a plane for a quick ride to Spokane, Washington, to begin my trip.

I started the week on the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation just outside Spokane, heading toward Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. I checked in to Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort — owned by the Coeur d’Alene Nation — and immediately found myself relaxing at Spa Ssakwa’q’n, a beautifully designed spa within the resort.

Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort has stylish rooms, a championship golf course, delicious upscale dining, and a thriving cultural tourism program, including a very popular cultural dinner. I was able to experience the dinner with a visiting tour group during my trip and was captivated the entire time.

During the dinner, we ate a traditional meal while watching members of the Schitsu’umsh nation drum, dance, and tell stories of their ancestors and their lives today. It felt very generous and we all asked questions and learned from their history and stories firsthand.

After watching a gorgeous sunset over the rolling Idaho hills and a nightcap at the resort bar, I was ready for another day of immersion and learning. The next morning, I was fortunate to be able to visit the first Indigenous-owned eagle aviary in the Northwest.

The aviary is also an eagle feather repository, meaning they’re able to collect and distribute naturally shed feathers to tribal members who request them for ceremonies and traditional regalia. It was a very moving and educational experience, all with the backdrop of gorgeous Idaho hills and regal bald eagles chattering away.

Beyond the dinner and aviary, there are many ways to recreate responsibly on the land with the Coeur D’Alene cultural tourism programs through biking tours, canoeing excursions in Heyburn State Park, and tours of the rebuilt The Old Mission at Coeur d’Alene’s Old Mission State Park, which offers a glimpse into early religious colonialism in the area.

Part 3: Nimíipuu Nation (Nez Perce)

After leaving the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation, I headed to Lewiston, Idaho, to spend a few days immersing myself in the Nez Perce Nation.

Known as the “Jetboat Capital of the World” with the Clearwater, Snake, and Salmon Rivers all running through the area, Lewiston is the gateway to Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North America. It has long been a top-rated recreation site with many tour operators. However, Nez Perce Tourism’s Hells Canyon Jet Boat tour is the only one owned and operated by Indigenous folks.

Nez Perce Tourism was founded and is operated by Stacia Morfin, a Nimíipuu citizen, and true powerhouse. Morfin founded Nez Perce Tourism in 2017 after a vision from one of her ancestors while hiking a sacred mountain with her daughter. Her elder instructed her to create a tourism business that would help to preserve Nimi’ipuu traditions and to provide a platform to share the Nimíipuu side of history with others. She conducted intense market research for years before opening in 2019 and has thrived as a cultural and economic driver in the area despite the challenges of the last few years.

The most popular offering is the Saqánpa Hell’s Canyon Jet Boat Tour, a three-hour tour on the Snake River led by Nimíipuu guides. I was fortunate to experience the tour with Morfin as our guide, who was assisted in song and stories by her uncle. As we floated over the water into the deep canyon, Morfin pointed out sites that are sacred to the Nimíipuu in such a moving and powerful way, sharing a perspective we could never have otherwise.

Dressed in full regalia, Morfin guided us to Buffalo Eddy, where she pointed out ancient Nimíipuu petroglyphs on the rocks, helping us to fully understand why this area and this water are sacred to them. We were able to enjoy a traditional dance by Morfin on the banks of the Snake River that was truly transformational and unlike anything I have experienced traveling in the United States. Our group was entirely mesmerized by the experience and filled with gratitude that we were able to visit these places with those who call them home.

Nez Perce Tourism operates several different cultural tours outside of the very popular Hells Canyon Jet Boat Tour, including cultural wine tours, sit and paint, dinner with the Nez Perce, Appaloosa horse riding, and even whitewater rafting. You can also opt to book several day experiences to fully immerse yourself into the culture.

The next day, I was happy to visit the Lewis and Clark Discovery Center in Lewiston, where Morfin led us all in a sacred smudging ceremony and explained the significance of the area to the Nimíipuu.

After a filling and delicious lunch of fry bread tacos at the Nez Perce-owned Clearwater Casino, we hopped back on the bus towards The Nez Perce National Historic Park. The historic park is managed by the National Park Service and spans over four states and 38 locations that are significant to the Nimíipuu tribe. Nez Perce Tourism offers guided trips to the park as well as Lewis and Clark Discovery Center, both led by Nimíipuu guides who will give you a much-needed perspective on those time-worn stories usually only told by the white colonizers.

At the historic park, we were able to participate in a tipi program led by a park ranger — who was also a Nimíipuu tribal member — and explore The Wetxuuwíitin’ Collection of artifacts in the museum. Throughout the day, Morfin never seemed to tire. She’s an incredible guide who’s able to recount stories from her ancestors beautifully while answering any and all questions with an honesty and warmth that is extremely admirable. Her passion for her mission is clear and she is changing the tourism landscape in Northern Idaho and within the United States as a whole.

These are stories you won’t find in history books but have been passed down through generations, and it is an honor to be able to hear them from the people who live them.

John Fetterman – who’s currently campaigning to beat Dr. Mehmet Oz in the race for Pennsylvania’s State Senate seat – has just nabbed a big endorsement from another popular Democrat with a knack for trolling his political rivals.

Friday morning, Fetterman’s campaign announced that former President Barack Obama would be cutting multiple ads supporting his Congressional run. One commercial would be a 30-second clip airing across digital platforms while the other would be a 60-second ad airing on media across the state.

“I was proud to be one of the only elected officials in western Pennsylvania to endorse President Obama in the 2008 presidential primary, and it is truly an honor for him to get behind our campaign and cut ads for us across the commonwealth,” Fetterman said of the public display of support.

In the 30-second ad, Obama can be seen enthusiastically asking voters to check Fetterman’s box on their ballot come November.

“When the fate of our democracy and a woman’s right to choose are on the line, I know John will fight for Pennsylvanians,” Obama says. “You can count on John Fetterman. Make sure he can count on you. Vote Democrat on Nov. 8.”

Fetterman’s amassed thousands of new followers on Twitter after deftly outmaneuvering his opponent on social media. He successfully trolled Oz’s out-of-touch photo opps at tailgates, supermarkets, and more before running ads reminding voters that the TV doctor once experimented on puppies. But we can’t imagine he’d turn down the extra clout of having Obama in his corner. Your move, Oz.

(Via The Hill)

You probably already know that rum is, in the simplest terms, a spirit made from fermenting and distilling sugarcane or sugarcane juice. And while that is the simple explanation, there’s so much more to this sweet, rich, spirit than that. It can be unaged, matured for months or years at a time, or flavored with spices.

Most popular in the Caribbean, but made all over the world, it’s a spirit dominated by a handful of big names. And while we won’t go into detail as to whether brands like Bacardi, Sailor Jerry, and Captain Morgan are overrated or not, we do want to shine a light on some of the lesser-known, underrated, and underappreciated rums on the market.

“I have long held the belief that rum is the most underrated category in sipping spirits,” says Fred Minnick, author and spirits expert. “So many rums are geared towards cocktails that the public doesn’t think about the category the same was as they do whiskey.”

We could have spent hours perusing the aisles at our local liquor store or scrolling through online retailers, but we decided to ask for some help from the professionals. We asked a handful of well-known spirits experts and distillers to tell us their picks for the most underrated rums to drink right now. Keep scrolling to see all of their picks.

Copalli Cacao

Frank Caiafa, author of “The Waldorf Astoria Bar Book” and creative director at Handle Bars NYC in New York City

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $29.99

Why This Rum?

Copalli Cacao Flavored Rum, one of the surprise items of the year. Natural tasting because it is. A pleasing canvas for obvious cream and dessert cocktails (Espresso Martini) but also intriguing in more savory applications as in Negroni or Manhattan-style recipes.

Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva

Patrick Pistoles, mixologist at NIO Cocktails in Milan, Italy

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $39.99

Why This Rum?

With South American origins, its ingredients derive from those flavors we can call “dark”, such as coconut, vanilla, sugar cane, coffee, that immediately launch into the fascinating world of South America. Between the hidden craftsmanship and the carefree festivity of those places, where moments of great celebration involve political and social spheres and customs with strong flavors on the palate as well as in the soul. An underrated rum that fits all of these criteria is Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva.

KoHana White Rum

Eric “ET” Tecosky, founder of Dirty Sue in Los Angeles

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $35

Why This Rum?

Ko Hana is my pick. When it comes to underrated rum, I think the white rum category fits the bill. Because of our love for American Whiskey, I kind of think people started reaching for darker, aged rums with the qualifier, ‘If you love Bourbon or Tennessee Whiskey, you will love this rum’. Well, what if I just love rum too? Sure, aged, dark rums are delicious, but we can’t discount the category of white rum. Truth be told, I love a well-made Piña Colada and the rum I find outstanding for that cocktail is Ko Hana white rum. I recently grabbed a bottle at a wedding in Hawaii. It has a great depth of flavor and an almost tropical fruit note that make it the perfect rum to add to my blender (which became a very popular late-night spot that weekend).

Foursquare Sovereignty

Dr. Nicola Nice, founder and CEO at Pomp & Whimsy in Los Angeles

ABV: 62%

Average Price: $99

Why This Rum?

My husband and I recently came back from a trip to Barbados and came back with a bottle of Foursquare ‘Sovereignty’, which is their 2021 release from the Exceptional Cask series and a blend of two single blended 14-year rums (one matured in ex-Bourbon barrels, the other in Bourbon/Sherry). Clearly, we’ve come late to the Foursquare party but were completely blown away by this rum. It gives some of the best Scotches and single malt whiskies a serious run for their money. Its flavors are richly soaked with sumptuous dark fruit, toasted nuts, and caramel, with a complex underbelly of tobacco and dark chocolate, and an understated overlay baking spice. A highly underrated rum.

Stiggins’ Fancy Pineapple

Melissa Katrincic, founder of Conniption Gin in Durham, North Carolina

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $35

Why This Rum?

Stiggins’ Fancy Pineapple Rum hits all the right points of a flavored rum for me. This has crème Brulee-like pineapple flavor. Authentic flavors are key (nothing artificial here) and this one covers all the bases. Is it sacrilegious to say this makes a really amazing Mai Tai? There’s no doubt that this is one of the most underrated rums on the market.

St. Lucia Chairman’s Reserve

Fred Minnick, author and spirits expert in Louisville, Kentucky

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $43

Why This Rum?

St. Lucia Chairman’s Reserve is amazing for the money. It packs a great deal of molasses, brown sugar, and fruit flavors in a complex way. Before Foursquare took off, you could see rum fans valuing the brand in much the same way rum fans do St. Lucia‘s Chairman’s Reserve. It’s only a matter of time before this brand bleeds into the bourbon and Armagnac scenes in the sipper’s rotation.

SelvaRey White Rum

Josh MIller, co-founder of Owen’s Craft Mixers in New York City

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $32

Why This Rum?

I recently tried SelvaRey Rum. The white rum is fantastic with notes of vanilla, pineapple, coconut, and light citrus flavors that work well neat or mixed into a cocktail. This is a rum more drinkers should know about. To add to that, SelvaRey also has some other unique flavor offerings like chocolate and coconut-flavored rums.

Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaican Rum

Rob Masters, head distiller at The Family Jones Spirit House in Denver

ABV: 57%

Average Price: $34.99

Why This Rum?

I’m not sure Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaican Rum is the most underrated rum brand in the world, maybe outside the bar world it is. But man, I love the consistent funk, dried fruits, vanilla, and caramel flavors in that rum. It makes the best daiquiri and will stand up in an eight-ingredient tiki drink. It’s a popular rum among the bar community but definitely deserves a little more attention from the general rum-drinking world.

Appleton Estate 8 Reserve

Nora Ganley-Roper, co-founder of Lost Lantern in Weybridge, Vermont

ABV: 43%

Average Price: $33

Why This Rum?

Appleton Estate 8 Reserve. We don’t have access to a wide range of rums in Vermont (yet) so we generally have this on hand for a wide range of cocktails. It plays well with ginger beer and it can create a really tropical frozen daiquiri. One of our favorite things to do in the summer is to throw whatever fruit is in season into a blender to make simple but special frozen daiquiris (cruise ship cliches be damned). What we like about this rum is that it has some dominant tropical fruit notes (banana, mango, etc.) while also having enough oak spice to stand up to some sweeter ingredients.

Montanya Rum Exclusiva

Jason Barrett, founder and master distiller at Black Button Distilling in Rochester, New York

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $56.99

Why This Rum?

Montanya Rum Exclusiva is highly underrated. If a whiskey drinker is going to go for a rum, it has to have all the complexity of a good sipper. What flavors make it great? It’s sweet but not too sweet, it’s oak and vanilla and cinnamon swirling around and pulling you in to take another sip. A great rum for whiskey drinkers.