By JULIE WATSON

CAMPO, Calif. (AP) — Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail is a challenge, especially for adventurers making the entire run from Southern California to Canada, and Eric Kipperman’s job is to greet them at the start and lay bare the difficulties ahead.

He has lately begun warning that the journey may be even tougher. Following cuts by the Trump administration, plans to clear downed trees and rebuild storm-battered stretches in 2025 have been scrapped.

“This year, we’re going to have less trail work done on the trails, so just know that going into your hike, safety is the most important thing,” Kipperman told a group of backpackers from Europe and the United States at the trailhead near Campo, California, an hour’s drive east of San Diego.

He cautioned there is “no trail” at all in parts of the 2,650-mile path through California, Oregon and Washington state.

The cutbacks are not just on the West Coast. Ahead of the busy summer hiking season, funding freezes and mass layoffs also are disrupting repairs on the East Coast’s Appalachian Trail after nearly 500 miles were damaged by Hurricane Helene, underscoring how President Donald Trump’s dramatic downsizing of the U.S. government is touching even the nation’s remote backcountry where vacationers, wanderers and escapists alike retreat to leave modern life behind.

Wildfires and more intense storms due in part to climate change have been taking a toll on the legendary trails. The federal cuts threaten their very existence, according to the Pacific Crest Trail Association and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, which oversee their preservation in partnership with the government and receive millions in federal dollars.

The U.S. Forest Service called the situation “dynamic and evolving” in an email to The Associated Press, but said they are committed to ensuring public safety and access to recreation areas that are vital to local economies.

The Trump administration has let go some 3,400 workers at the U.S. Forest Service, and nearly 1,500 at the National Park Service, including trail repair specialists. The associations said the cuts also led to the rescinding of job offers for seasonal crews with technical skills to rebuild boardwalks, bridges and campsites and train thousands of volunteers.

Courts have ordered federal agencies to rehire thousands of workers, but some say they are not coming back.

“For hikers, they’re going to be crawling, navigating, working their way through downed trees across the trail that won’t get cut out,” said Justin Kooyman, director of the Pacific Crest Trail operations. “It’s going to make for a little more rough and tumble.”

A backlog of projects

While the trails are not in total disarray and many hikers may not see any damaged areas, maintenance is critical to their existence, the associations say. More than 20 miles (32 kilometers) of the Appalachian Trail remain closed following Helene and downed trees could fuel wildfires.

Last month, the Appalachian Trail turned 100 years old. The footpath stretches 2,193 miles between Georgia’s Springer Mountain and Maine’s Mount Katahdin.

Its founder, the late forest scientist Benton MacKaye, saw a need for a place to escape stress following the end of World War I and the 1918 flu epidemic.

The Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail officially became the country’s first National Scenic Trails under the 1968 National Trails System Act. Completing them has come to symbolize the strength of the human spirit, inspiring books and movies. Only a fraction are thru-hikers, a term for those who walk the trails from end to end. Many don’t succeed and several people have died trying. Most users hike for a day or two to enjoy the breathtaking beauty.

“I am so concerned with what seems to be a general lack of appreciation for what these protected outdoor spaces can bring to not just our physical well-being but to our souls,” said Sandi Marra, head of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. “If we lose these things, we are really going to be lost as a species, and definitely as a country.”

The Pacific Crest Trail Association said it is operating with a third less federal grant money than anticipated. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy said at least $1.5 million is at risk from federal downsizing.

The National Park Service said its funding has continued for the Appalachian Trail as it works to “address challenges collaboratively and seek solutions” to support the footpath’s “enduring legacy.”

Both trails already had a backlog of projects. Wildfires have scorched nearly 250 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail in recent years.

The disruption exacerbates the deteriorating conditions and the spread of invasive plant species, which will ultimately increase costs, said Megan Wargo, head of the Pacific Crest Trail Association.

Cutting back

The Pacific Crest Trail crosses searing desert and traverses forests of giant sequoias, the world’s largest trees, before climbing by snow-covered peaks in the rugged Sierra Nevada. After snaking over 50 mountain passes, it ends in Washington’s remote Pasayten Wilderness at the Canadian border.

As the trail’s popularity grew through social media and the bestselling memoir “Wild” that inspired a Hollywood film, drawing less experienced backpackers, the association hired what they call “crest runners.”

Kipperman is one of two at the southern end. Their duties include greeting hikers at the Mexican border, checking their permits and providing safety tips before they set off. The crest runners normally work from March until August, covering the hottest, riskiest months for that section.

Last year, a crest runner also worked the northern end at the Canadian border. But this year they only will be at the southern end until mid-May unless more federal funds are unfrozen.

Kipperman, whose trail name is “Pure Stoke,” is infectiously cheery as he rattles off the dangers from rattlesnakes to dehydration and distributes bags for discarded toilet paper. He steers clear of discussing politics and instead talks about protecting water quality, burying human waste, packing out trash and building safe campfires.

“Remove the ego. Address the situation. See if going forward is really the right thing for you,” Kipperman said, warning hikers to beware that Mile 225 or so is washed out.

Plowing ahead

After hearing Kipperman’s spiel, backpacker Joshua Suran said he planned to try helping restore the trail where possible.

Marias Michel of Germany trudged over, concerned about the weight of his backpack draped with gear, water bottles and a pair of Crocs. After quitting his job, he said he needed to do the trail, calling it “a resetting, a big detox.”

He was aware of the federal cuts but said he couldn’t worry about that.

“I’m just going to be learning by doing because I don’t want to be too much up here,” Michel said, pointing to his head. “I want to test myself. No expectations. It’s an attempt until you make it.”

By Jessica Haggard, Food Drink Life

Few Easter candies divide people quite like Peeps – 25% of Americans polled by Finance Buzz claim there’s no treat they love more. But 16% say they’d rather eat anything but the colorful, sugar-coated marshmallowy Easter staple, then there’s the Red Dye No. 3 controversy. Whether you’re a fan or a critic, there’s no denying that Peeps have become one of the most talked-about treats of the season.

Some love their sugary, marshmallowy goodness, but others can’t stand their artificial flavor and gritty texture. With changing consumer preferences and health concerns, is it time to say goodbye to Peeps, or will they remain a holiday staple?

A sticky sweet legacy: The rise of Peeps

Peeps have been around for more than 70 years, solidifying their status as nostalgic Easter treats. First introduced by Just Born in 1953, the original Peeps took a painstaking 27 hours to make by hand. Today, thanks to technological advances, the process takes just six minutes, allowing the company to churn out 2 billion Peeps every year, according to the same Finance Buzz article.

The Easter candy Peeps, made by Just Born Quality Confections, are displayed for sale on a store shelf on April 6, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Over the decades, Peeps have evolved from basic yellow chicks to a rainbow of colors, shapes and seasonal flavors. Limited-edition varieties, like Peeps Hot Tamales, Dr Pepper and Cotton Candy, keep the brand fresh, even for those who don’t love the traditional marshmallow flavor. Yahoo News via NBCUniversal reported that Peeps launched three new flavors earlier this year – cookies and cream, tropical punch and chocolate pudding – giving new Easter basket ideas for teens, kids and even adults.

Fluffy fun or sugary nightmare?

For many, Peeps are a nostalgic must-have. The chewy texture, sugary crunch and bright colors are reminiscent of childhood Easters filled with egg hunts and baskets brimming with candy. “I didn’t give a peep about Peeps as a child, but now that I’m solidly middle aged, these sugar-coated, unnaturally colored marshmallow candies are an essential part of my holidays,” says Jennifer Osborn of Kitchen Serf.

For some, Peeps aren’t just for Easter – they’re a year-round tradition. “I celebrate every holiday with Peeps – not just Easter,” Osborn reports. “There are Valentine’s Peeps, Ghost Peeps for Halloween and Reindeer Peeps at Christmas, and the possibilities are endless.”

In this photo illustration, the famous Easter candy Peeps, made by Just Born Quality Confections, is displayed on April 6, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo Illustration by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Beyond snacking, Peeps have become a playful ingredient and decoration. They float as festive cocktail garnishes, get dipped in chocolate and even face off in microwave battles with toothpick swords. They also make a great addition to Easter charcuterie boards and make for colorful props for Easter photoshoots.

However, not everyone is a fan. The hosts of “Good Mythical Morning,” a popular YouTube talk show with over 19 million subscribers, tried every flavor of Peeps and shared that the candy came in second in their Worst Easter Candy Tournament. Michelle Price of Honest and Truly also shared her sentiments about the Easter treat saying, “I like marshmallows, but Peeps aren’t marshmallows. They’re a nasty candy masquerading as marshmallows. They’re cute and fun, but they do not taste good.”

This illustration shows Peeps marshmallows laying on a table in Washington, DC on April 2, 2021. (Photo by EVA HAMBACH/AFP via Getty Images)

She continues, “That said, I have one kid who likes them and one kid who does not, so I’ll support the child who enjoys Peeps and put them in the Easter basket. They do make fun decorations for Easter desserts, but that’s it – they get thrown away after the meal. Even my kid who likes them can only eat so much!”

Health concerns: What’s really inside a Peep?

Peeps aren’t just controversial for their taste – some of their ingredients have raised health concerns. The candy has been criticized for containing Red Dye No. 3, a food coloring linked to potential health risks and recently banned in cosmetics. After mounting pressure, abc27 News recently reported that Just Born will remove the Red No. 3 dye from all Peeps products. But for some parents, the damage was already done.

The Easter candy Peeps, made by Just Born Quality Confections, are displayed for sale on a store shelf on April 6, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

“As a mom who prioritizes a healthy lifestyle, I would never buy my kids Easter Peeps,” says Tamara Tsaturyan of Thriving in Parenting. “They’re nothing but artificial colors, corn syrup and preservatives – things I actively avoid in our home. The fact that some varieties were banned due to Red Dye No. 3 just proves how problematic they are. If a chemical is too risky for certain states, why would I want my children eating it?”

Beyond artificial dyes, USA Today has reported that each Peep contains a high sugar content, with one serving packing over 34 grams of sugar – more than a can of soda. While indulging in Easter candy is expected, why not try a homemade treat like peanut butter brownies this year instead? Bake and decorate them with the kids – they’ll remember this more than having a basket full of store-bought candy.

“There are so many healthier, homemade and naturally sweetened treats to enjoy for Easter. My kids don’t need neon-colored marshmallows filled with questionable ingredients to celebrate the holiday,” Tsaturyan adds.

The internet’s love-hate relationship with Peeps

Despite the controversy, Peeps continue to be a pop culture phenomenon. They regularly trend on TikTok and social media, where users debate whether they’re delicious or disgusting.

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A TikTok video uploaded by @ggflavour shows her enjoying pink Peeps, while another TikTok video created by @3sunzzz shows her disgust with the new Peeps Delight flavor she tried. Viral Peeps challenges – where people microwave them to see how big they expand or freeze them to test their texture – have fueled their continued relevance.

Peeps have also made headlines for their unexpected collaborations. According to News-Press, Milk-Bone, maker of dog treats, has recently teamed up with Peeps and released marshmallow-flavored dog treats for Easter this year. The dog biscuits come in three shapes: the classic bone, the iconic Peeps bunny and a chick, all of which are in festive spring colors.

The future of Easter’s most divisive treat

Despite growing health awareness and evolving tastes, Peeps aren’t disappearing anytime soon. Their ability to reinvent themselves with new flavors, partnerships and even craft projects, like Peeps dioramas, has kept them relevant. Each Easter, Peeps continue to be one of the top-selling seasonal candies. While some may cancel them from their own baskets, millions of others still reach for these sugary chicks year after year.

Final verdict: Keep or cancel?

Peeps may be one of the most polarizing Easter candies, but their longevity speaks for itself. While some will never acquire a taste for the sugary marshmallow treat, others will always associate them with childhood traditions and Easter fun. Love them or hate them, Peeps aren’t hopping away anytime soon.

Jessica Haggard is dedicated to helping people cook easy everyday recipes focusing on bioavailable and nutrient-dense foods. She helps people overcome food allergies and discover healthy recipes that make a difference in their health with gluten-free, low-carb and keto cooking at Primal Edge Health.

By DAVID A. LIEB, Associated Press

About 45 years have passed since a U.S. state last eliminated its income tax on wages and salaries. But with recent actions in Mississippi and Kentucky, two states now are on a path to do so, if their economies keep growing.

The push to zero out the income tax is perhaps the most aggressive example of a tax-cutting trend that swept across states as they rebounded from the COVID-19 pandemic with surging revenues and historic surpluses.

But it comes during a time of greater uncertainty for states, as they wait to see whether President Donald Trump’s cost cutting and tariffs lead to a reduction in federal funding for states and a downturn in the overall economy.

Some fiscal analysts also warn the repeal of income taxes could leave states reliant on other levies, such as sales taxes, that disproportionately affect the poor.

Which governments charge income tax?

The 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution grants Congress the power to levy income taxes. It was ratified by states in 1913. Since then, most states have adopted their own income taxes.

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Eight states currently charge no personal income tax: Alaska, Florida, New Hampshire, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming. A ninth state, Washington, charges no personal income tax on wages and salaries but does tax certain capital gains income over $270,000.

When Alaska repealed its personal income tax in 1980, it did so because state coffers were overflowing with billions of dollars in oil money.

Though income tax eliminations have been proposed elsewhere, they have not been successful.

“It’s a lot easier to go without an individual income tax if you’ve never levied one,” said Katherine Loughead, a senior analyst and research manager at the nonprofit Tax Foundation. “But once you become dependent on that revenue, it is a lot more difficult to phase out or eliminate that tax.”

What is Mississippi doing?

Republican Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves recently signed a law gradually reducing the state’s income tax rate from 4% to 3% by 2030 and setting state revenue growth benchmarks that could trigger additional incremental cuts until the tax is eliminated. The law also reduces the sales tax on groceries and raises the gasoline tax.

If cash reserves are fully funded and revenue triggers are met each year, Mississippi’s income tax could be gone by 2040.

Supporters of an income tax repeal hope it will attract both businesses and residents, elevating the state’s economy to the likes of Florida, Tennessee and Texas. Their theory is that when people pay less in income taxes, they will have more money to spend, thus boosting sales tax collections.

The tax repeal “puts us in a rare class of elite, competitive states,” Reeves said in a statement. He added, “Mississippi has the potential to be a magnet for opportunity, for investment, for talent –- and for families looking to build a better life.”

Mississippi is among the most impoverished states and relies heavily on federal funding. Democratic lawmakers warned the state could face a financial crises if cuts in federal funding come at the same time as state income tax reductions.

The income tax provides “a huge percentage of what the state brings in to fund things like schools and health care and services that everybody relies on,” said Neva Butkus, senior analyst at the nonprofit Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.

What has Kentucky done?

A 2022 Kentucky law reduced the state’s income tax rate and set a series of revenue-based triggers that could gradually lower the tax to zero. But unlike in Mississippi, the triggers aren’t automatic. Rather, the Kentucky General Assembly must approve each additional decrease in the tax rate.

FILE – The Kentucky state Capitol in Frankfort, Ky., is pictured on April 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File)

That has led to a series of tax-cutting measures, including two new laws this year. One implements the next tax rate reduction from 4% to 3.5% starting in 2026. The second makes it easier to continue cutting the tax rate in the future by allowing smaller incremental reductions if revenue growth isn’t sufficient to trigger a 0.5 percentage point reduction.

Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear signed the legislation for next year’s tax cut but let the other measure passed by the Republican-led legislature become law without his signature. Beshear called it a “bait-and-switch” bill, contending lawmakers had assured the guardrails for income tax reductions would remain in place while pushing for the 2026 tax cut, then later in the session altered the triggers for future years.

What actions have other states taken?

New Hampshire and Tennessee already did not tax income from wages and salaries, but both states had taxed certain types of income.

In 2021, Tennessee ended an income tax on interest from bonds and stock dividends that had been levied since 1929.

New Hampshire halted its tax on interest and dividends at the start of this year.

Some other states also are pushing to repeal income taxes. The Oklahoma House passed legislation in March that would gradually cut the personal income tax rate to zero if revenue growth benchmarks are met. That bill now is in the Senate.

New Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe, a Republican, also wants to phase out the income tax. The House and Senate have advanced legislation that would take an incremental step by exempting capital gains income from taxes.

By ALEX VEIGA, Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — This spring homebuying season is shaping up to be more favorable for home shoppers than it’s been in recent years — as long as they can afford to buy.

Home prices are rising more slowly. Mortgage rates remain elevated, but have been mostly easing and could be headed lower if the U.S. economic outlook continues to darken over the Trump administration’s widespread tariffs, which have rattled financial markets and stoked fears of a recession.

Most importantly, the number of homes on the market is up sharply from a year ago.

While the inventory of homes for sale nationally is still low by historical standards, active listings — a tally that encompasses all homes on the market except those pending a finalized sale — surged 28.5% last month from a year earlier, according to data from Realtor.com. Listings jumped between 44% and 68% in many large metro areas, including San Diego, Las Vegas, Atlanta and Washington D.C.

As homes take longer to sell, prices have started dropping in many markets. The median listing price was down last month from a year earlier in most of the nation’s biggest 50 metro areas, including a more than 6% drop in Austin, Miami and Kansas City.

These trends should give prospective homebuyers more leverage as they negotiate with sellers this spring, though they are unlikely to be a game-changer for many aspiring homeowners priced out of the market after years of soaring prices.

“It’s a little hard to say that it’s a buyer’s market, but I’d call it a much more balanced market than it’s been in the last couple of years, where it’s really been a predominantly seller’s market,” said Joel Berner, senior economist at Realtor.com.

Ryan Vasko and his wife, Whitney, recently navigated both sides of the housing market equation in their move from Oregon to Colorado.

In December, the couple sold their three-bedroom, one-bath house in Portland for $505,000. That was $10,000 below their list price, but still above the $500,000 minimum they hoped to get.

Ryan Vasko and his wife are shown outside the home they just bought after moving from Oregon Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Littleton, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

At the same time, the couple searched for a home in the Denver metro area, which is among the markets that’s had the biggest increase in homes for sale this year. Active listings soared 67.3% in March from a year earlier. As listings jumped, the median listing price fell 5.6% to $585,000.

Last month, the Vaskos closed the deal on a four-bedroom, three-bathroom house in Littleton, Colorado, about 10 miles south of Denver, that had been on the market at least three weeks.

“We got under contract week one, we found out we were pregnant week two and we put an offer on this house week three,” said Vasko, 41, a creative director at an advertising agency.

The price: $680,000, or $5,000 above the list price. Still, the seller agreed to cover the cost of lowering the couple’s 6.9% mortgage rate for the first two years of the loan to 4.9% and 5.9%, respectively.

“It gives us a little wiggle room, if we need it,” said Vasko, noting that he’s hoping to eventually refinance to a lower fixed rate.

A mixed market

The U.S. housing market has been in a sales slump since 2022, when mortgage rates began to climb from pandemic-era lows. Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell last year to their lowest level in nearly 30 years. Easing mortgage rates and more homes on the market nationally helped drive sales higher in February from the previous month, though they were down year-over-year.

Last year, higher mortgage rates dampened the start of the spring homebuying season. This year, the average rate on a 30-year mortgage is down to 6.6% from just over 7% in mid-January, according to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac, although that’s still elevated relative to the 2-year low of about 6% it fell to in September.

Another plus for buyers: Lower prices. The median listing price fell in March from a year earlier in 32 of the 50 largest metro areas, including Kansas City, San Francisco, Miami and San Diego. Nationally, it was $424,900 last month, unchanged from a year earlier, according to Realtor.com.

The market shift may give home shoppers more leverage when sellers ask that buyers waive home inspections. Sellers may also be more willing to pay for closing costs, contribute cash to make repairs or make other concessions, real estate agents say.

“Pretty much every buyer is asking for concessions, unless they know that they are in a multiple offer situation,” said Afton Hartmann, a Redfin agent in Denver.

Such situations, although less common than a few years ago, still exist.

Gilad Hoffman, executive director at a synagogue, knew his home search was over when he spotted a four-bedroom, 2.5-bath house for sale in Escondido, 30 miles northeast of San Diego. He felt the home, listed by the estate of its late owner for $1.079 million, was “severely underpriced.”

Hoffman, 41, paid $13,000 above the asking price for the home in February as he fended off bids from three other prospective buyers — including one offering to pay all cash.

Elevated mortgage rates didn’t dissuade Hoffman. He accepted a 7% rate in exchange for a credit from his lender to put toward closing costs.

“My philosophy going into the whole thing was: get into something now that you can afford with these high interest rates,” Hoffman said. “Hopefully in two years, they’ll come down and then you can refinance. And that’s still my intention.”

Affordability and uncertainty are still hurdles

Despite some buyer-friendly trends, the housing market remains largely out of reach for many Americans, especially first-time buyers who don’t have home equity gains to put toward a new home. While home price growth has been slowing, the decline is negligible against the 47% gain in prices over the last five years.

And while home listings are up, many more are needed to return the market to more of a balance between buyers and sellers. Consider, there were 1.24 million unsold homes on the market at the end of February. While up 17% from a year earlier, that’s still about 44% below the 2.21 million monthly average going back to 1999, according to data from the National Association of Realtors.

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As of January, a household earning the median U.S. annual income of $79,223 would have to spend 47% of that to cover payments on a home at the median price of $390,333. That share of income matches the highest it has ever been on records going back to 2005, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. When the annual cost of homeownership exceeds 30% of the median U.S. household income, it’s considered unaffordable by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

If the decline in mortgage rates accelerates in coming months, that would boost homebuyers’ purchasing power.

Economic forecasts generally have the average rate on a 30-year mortgage staying around 6.5% this year, but those forecasts may be outdated now.

A sharp downward move last week in the 10-year Treasury yield as bond investors reacted to rapidly escalating trade war between the U.S. and nations around the globe points to lower mortgage rates.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury note, which banks use as a guide to pricing home loans, dropped to 4.01% Friday, its lowest level since October, as global trade tensions escalated.

Still, tariffs are typically inflationary, and the 10-year Treasury yield tends to rise on expectations of higher inflation. That could keep mortgage rates where they are, or nudge them higher.

If the trade war worries do pave the way for further mortgage rate drops, “those lower rates may be cold comfort to prospective buyers who are increasingly worried about job security and inflation,” said Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist at Bright MLS.