Steve Reeder says it's no secret among his Facebook friends: He's a Republican. But after he began posting news articles and political cartoons on his page that reflect his support for GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, his friend count began falling off. Today, it's down by several dozen.

TECH-Pew-Voters-Smartphones (with art)

Nearly nine out of 10 registered U.S. voters own a cell phone -- almost half of which are smartphones. And many voters are using cell phones to get and share election information or news. By and large, however, they're not using their phones to connect directly with candidates, parties or interest groups, according to a new report by the Pew Internet & American Life Project.

TECH-Dishonored-Video-Game (with art)

In an entertainment environment where sequels often do better than the original, it could be considered risky for a gaming company to do something different. However, one team thinks it's the perfect environment to showcase new ideas and stories, not more of the same.

TECH-Sailing-Green-Merchant-Ship

With their billowing sails, towering masts and long wooden hulls, 19th century clipper ships were staggering feats of design -- and Europe's lifeline to the world's most exotic goods. Laden with spices, teas and chocolates from across the globe, the use of these wind-powered sailing vessels reached its peak during the late 1800's, a period often referred to as the "Golden Age of Sail." Abandoned in the advent of steamboats, the centuries-old transport is now enjoying a revival among cargo traders, with a new breed of merchant ships returning to wind power in an effort to promote environmentally sustainable trade. This week, the 32-meter brigantine Tres Hombres set sail from the Netherlands to the Caribbean in an eight-month voyage transporting ale, wine, rum and chocolate -- much the same way as merchant ships would have done 150 years ago.

TECH-XCOM-Enemy-Unknown

It is hard enough to make one good video game. Trying to make two at the same time is a challenge not many developers try to tackle. But the creators of a recently released, turn-based strategy game hope that by blending two differing styles of play in one title they will find a pot of gold at the end of the double rainbow. "XCOM: Enemy Unknown" is a science fiction, strategy game pitting Earth against an invading alien force. An elite group of soldiers, scientists and engineers from all over the globe is tasked with repelling the aliens and restoring peace to our planet. While most games take two to three years before hitting the shelf, lead designer Jake Solomon said his split-personality labor of love has taken more than four years to come to fruition.

TRAVEL

TRAVEL-Election-Year-Political-Travel (with art)

It's election time in the United States, and what better way to get into the spirit than by taking a politically inspired trip?

TRAVEL-Five-Foreign-Languages (with art)

When you travel to a foreign country, everything from greetings to requests to simple transactions can get "lost in translation." Since learning the language is one of the best ways to understand a culture, why not study it while you're there on vacation?

TRAVEL-Traveling-Well-Without-a-Trust-Fund (with art)

You're planning a trip but realize you've got Veuve Clicquot taste on a Bud Light budget. You don't need to be in the 1% -- or be a million-mile flier -- to roll like they do. Learn to travel strategically and get far more value for your dollars.

TRAVEL-Harvest-Experiences

Punching down the grapes. Digging up the clams. Harvesting the sugar cane. Harvest isn't just picking pumpkins for Halloween. Typically the back-breaking work of farm employees pushing against time to store the fruits of their labor before winter comes, harvest has also become a theme for travelers who want a taste of the bounty -- without all the work. Travelers vacationing during the fall harvest can celebrate all sorts of different food stuffs ripe for the picking (or digging, in some cases). And if you simply want the seasonal food brought to your dinner table, there are options for you.

LIVING

FEA-Royce-White-Anxiety (with art)

Royce White faces an extraordinary challenge at the start of his rookie year with the Houston Rockets, before the season even begins. He is terrified to fly.

FEA-Great-Food-With-a-Mission (with art)

Drake takes drink orders, greets regular customers with a warm handshake and sets the tables for the next wave of the lunch crowd. It's a stark change from the sheepish man who patrons first encountered when Harvest Café opened its doors in the beginning of 2011. "My goodness, it's like night and day. You'd see the change in him week by week," says Jean Ringhoff, a regular at the café who works at a nearby bank. "At first, he barely made eye contact." Drake, like the restaurant itself, now commands a second look. The pale yellow house with the white wrap-around porches serves not only as a fully-operating restaurant, but also as a day habilitation program for people with developmental disabilities.

FEA-Catholicism-and-the-Vice-Presidential-Debate (with art)

It was the first-ever debate between two Roman Catholics vying for a White House perch, and in Thursday's face-off between Vice President Joe Biden and vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan, the question was put plainly: How does your faith shape your position on abortion? It's one of the most divisive questions in American politics, and the query from debate moderator Martha Raddatz, asked near the end of the sole vice presidential debate, set the table for some of the night's most personal and poignant moments.