White House official: Obama, family going to Florida’s Gulf Coast Aug. 14 for weekend vacation

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AP source: Obamas to vacation on Gulf Coast

WASHINGTON — A White House official says President Barack Obama and his family will vacation on Florida’s Gulf Coast next month.

The Obamas are scheduled to travel to the coast on Aug. 14 and stay the weekend.

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

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the trip had not been formally announced.

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