Obamas to vacation on Gulf Coast in Aug

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama and his family are vacationing next month on the Gulf Coast, as they've urged other Americans to do to help the area's battered economy.

The White House said the Obamas will visit the Florida coast on Aug. 14 and spend the weekend.

Obama has made four trips to the Gulf region, including one overnight stay, since an underwater well exploded and began spewing oil into the Gulf of Mexico in April. First lady Michelle Obama is making her second visit to the area on Friday.

Both Obama and Mrs. Obama have made a point of encouraging people to visit Gulf Coast beaches that are open and free of oil damage to help the local economy.

The White House did not say exactly where the Obamas would spend their time while in Florida.