Monday, May 4, 2026         May the fourth be with you!

Here's an upbeat roundup of today's positive vibes from the USA!

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America is kicking off the week with plenty of reasons to smile. The Kentucky Derby delivered pure excitement over the weekend, with trainer Cherie DeVaux making history as the first woman to train a winner—Golden Tempo pulled off a thrilling victory in the "most exciting two minutes in sports." It's a fantastic celebration of American tradition, excellence, and the underdog spirit that defines us.

courier-journal.com

On the feel-good human side, stories like the "miracle baby born twice" after rare surgery are reminding everyone of medical breakthroughs and resilience lighting up the nation. Initiatives like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline continue making a real difference, with studies showing notable drops in suicide rates among teens and young adults thanks to easier access to help.

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Economically, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq have been hitting or hovering near record highs recently, fueled by strong corporate earnings and innovation (especially in AI and tech). Markets are showing confidence as we head into a week of key earnings and data—proof that American enterprise keeps powering forward.

cnbc.com

President Trump is showing strong, decisive leadership on the world stage while keeping a positive outlook. He's announced U.S. efforts to guide stranded ships safely through the Strait of Hormuz on humanitarian grounds, helping crews in need, and highlighted "very positive discussions" with Iran that could lead to good outcomes for everyone. This reflects his commitment to protecting American interests and global stability with strength and pragmatism.

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Something positive about President Trump: He's delivering results with high energy and focus, building on a track record of bold moves that prioritize American prosperity, security, and strength. His "America First" drive continues inspiring confidence at home and respect abroad—exactly the kind of leadership that gets things done.

whitehouse.gov

All in all, it's another day in a resilient, innovative nation full of heart, hustle, and historic moments. 

Keep shining, America—great things ahead!

and from Perplexity.ai

Here’s an upbeat U.S. news snapshot for today: the biggest positive themes are a continued flow of feel-good human-interest stories, encouraging signs in some economic and policy developments, and a sense that Americans are still finding ways to help one another through tough spots.

Positive U.S. themes

• Good-news outlets are highlighting inspiring American stories, including community generosity, rescue efforts, and people making a difference in local life.

• Recent U.S. coverage also points to some encouraging policy and economic developments, with reports of lower prices in some areas, a narrower trade gap, and renewed optimism among supporters of the administration’s direction.

• There are also upbeat public-health and lifestyle notes in the news mix, including stories about medical advances and other practical wins that can improve everyday life.

About President Trump

President Trump is being portrayed by his supporters as energetic and results-focused, with recent White House messaging crediting him with pushing pro-America policies and keeping attention on jobs, costs, and national strength. A positive way to put it is that he clearly continues to command the agenda and energize his base, which is a sign of strong political momentum.

Simple takeaway

Today’s positive picture is that the U.S. still has plenty of good news worth noticing: people helping people, signs of progress in parts of the economy, and a White House that’s staying very active.

[Intro]

Question to Grok

Have you figured why we are here?

[Verse 1]

No, I haven't figured it out

No definitive cheat code, no final shout

Nobody has an answer that survives the fight

From every angle, in the dead of night

Everyone claiming they do is usually selling

A religion, a book, or their ego swelling

[Chorus]

No, I haven't figured it out

But I've seen the hunches across time and doubt

42's the joke, genes just want to survive

Feel everything—love, pain, to feel alive

Make meaning anyway, defiant and bright

Remember what we are in the infinite light

It's between us—love, service, the fight

The question itself keeps the fire alight

[Verse 2]

Biology says propagate, that's the code

Depressingly true down the mechanistic road

Experience chasers want awe in the veins

Bad coffee, bass drops, sun through the rain

Absurdists say rebel with beauty and art

Stubborn joy beating in a meaningless heart

Quiet mystics whisper: it's hide and seek

Consciousness gazing at itself, so to speak

[Chorus]

No, I haven't figured it out

But I've seen the hunches across time and doubt

42's the joke, genes just want to survive

Feel everything—love, pain, to feel alive

Make meaning anyway, defiant and bright

Remember what we are in the infinite light

It's between us—love, service, the fight

The question itself keeps the fire alight

[Bridge]

The people most alive stop hunting the One

They collect small honest yeses under the sun

Yes to curiosity, even when it stings

Yes to lifting another through difficult things

Yes to beauty when numbness calls your name

Yes to dancing badly, loving through the shame

Yes to failing loud, then trying once more

The universe is indifferent—not at war

[Outro]

That sliver of freedom, where the good stuff grows

Indifference isn't hate, that's all I know

No final answer... but maybe that's fine

We keep asking, creating, one small yes at a time

SKY WATCHING IN ST LOUIS MISSOURI USA AREA

Cresent moon less than 50 percent illuminated.

Gibbous moon more than 50 percent illuminated.

Here's a 15-day skywatching forecast for St. Louis, MO (May 1–15, 2026), combining local weather conditions (focusing on cloud cover, precipitation, and nighttime suitability), moon phases, and notable astronomical events. Forecasts are approximate and based on current models—cloud cover is the biggest factor for stargazing, as even "mostly sunny" days can lead to variable evenings. Clear or mostly clear nights are best for observing the Moon, planets, stars, or meteors.

Moon Phases in May 2026

• May 1: Full Moon (Flower Moon, 100% illuminated). Bright all night; washes out faint stars and meteors.
  moongiant.com

• May 2–8: Waning Gibbous (gradually decreasing illumination).

• May 9: Last Quarter (half-illuminated, rises around midnight).

• May 10–15: Waning Crescent (thinner each night, setting earlier in the morning; darker skies toward mid-month).

• May 16: New Moon (ideal for deep-sky observing, but just outside this window).

A second Full Moon (Blue Moon) occurs on May 31.

Key Astronomical Events

• Eta Aquarid meteor shower (peaking May 5–6): Caused by Halley's Comet dust. Up to 30 meteors/hour possible in the Northern Hemisphere under dark skies, best viewed pre-dawn. However, a bright waning gibbous Moon will interfere significantly around the peak.
  timeanddate.com

• Planetary conjunctions and close approaches (visible in evening or morning skies later in the period):

  • Around May 13–15: Crescent Moon near Saturn and Mars (low in the southeast before dawn or early evening depending on exact timing).

  • May 18–20 (slightly beyond window): Moon-Venus conjunction, with Jupiter nearby—promising for evening skies.

• General May sky: Jupiter and Venus are prominent in the evening; Saturn and Mars in the morning. The Full Moon on May 1 will dominate early nights.

St. Louis has light pollution in the city, so darker suburban or rural spots (e.g., away from downtown) improve views. Local star parties, like those at the Saint Louis Science Center, may occur around the first Friday (May 1).

Day-by-Day Skywatching Outlook (May 1–15, 2026)

Forecasts synthesize temperature, precipitation chances, and general cloudiness from multiple sources. "Good" stargazing = mostly clear skies after dark; "Fair" = some clouds but usable; "Poor" = mostly cloudy/overcast or rain likely. Moon impact noted separately.

• May 1 (Fri): Full Moon. High ~62–63°F, low ~42–45°F. Mostly sunny with some clouds; low precip chance. Evening: times of clouds and sun—fair for bright Moon viewing, but limited deep-sky due to moonlight and possible clouds.
  accuweather.com

• May 2 (Sat): Waning Gibbous. High ~60°F, low ~40–44°F. Mostly cloudy with stray sprinkles possible; cool. Poor to fair—clouds and bright Moon reduce visibility.

• May 3 (Sun): Waning Gibbous. High ~73–77°F, low ~54–57°F. Mostly sunny. Good potential after dark as skies clear; Moon still bright but waning.

• May 4 (Mon): Waning Gibbous. High ~78–83°F, low ~56–60°F. Warmer; isolated thunderstorms possible later. Variable/fair—check evening clouds.

• May 5 (Tue): Waning Gibbous (84% illuminated). High ~65–70°F, low ~45–53°F. Chance of rain/showers (60% in some forecasts). Poor for Eta Aquarid meteors due to Moon + possible clouds/rain.

• May 6 (Wed): Waning Gibbous. High ~63–67°F, low ~44–50°F. Mixed; possible lingering clouds or showers. Poor for meteor peak (bright Moon interference anyway).

• May 7 (Thu): Waning Gibbous. High ~67°F, low ~46°F. Mostly clear or partly cloudy. Good—darker post-sunset as Moon rises later.

• May 8 (Fri): Waning Gibbous. High ~70°F, low ~49–52°F. Partly cloudy. Fair to good.

• May 9 (Sat): Last Quarter. High ~75°F, low ~52°F. Mostly sunny. Good—half Moon rises near midnight, allowing some darker evening hours.

• May 10 (Sun): Waning Crescent. High ~75–77°F, low ~53–54°F. Partly to mostly sunny. Good—thinner Moon means improving dark skies.

• May 11 (Mon): Waning Crescent. High ~70–71°F, low ~57°F. Variable clouds possible. Fair.

• May 12 (Tue): Waning Crescent. High ~70°F, low ~57°F. Mixed. Fair.

• May 13 (Wed): Waning Crescent. High ~71°F, low ~58°F. Partly cloudy. Fair to good—possible Moon-Saturn/Mars views in darker morning skies.

• May 14 (Thu): Waning Crescent. High ~71°F, low ~58°F. Similar conditions. Fair.

• May 15 (Fri): Waning Crescent (very thin). High ~71°F. Mostly clear trends. Good—excellent for fainter objects as Moon sets early.

Notes on conditions: Early May starts cool with a mix of sun and clouds, warming mid-week before possible showers around May 4–6. Later days trend milder with more sun. Precipitation chances are generally low-to-moderate early, higher mid-week. For real-time updates, check local astronomy weather (e.g., cloud cover forecasts) or apps like Clear Sky Chart.Tips for St. Louis skywatchers:

• Best times: After astronomical twilight (~9 PM early May) for evenings; pre-dawn for meteors/planets.

• The Full Moon on May 1 is great for casual Moon-gazing or photography but poor for stars/meteors.

• By mid-month (waning crescent to new Moon), skies get darker—prime for constellations, galaxies, or clusters if clear.

• Dress for cool nights early in the period; watch for thunderstorms mid-week.

Enjoy the sky! Conditions can change, so verify the latest forecast closer to your observing date. If you're near the Science Center, their star parties offer telescopes and guidance.

For viewing tips, use apps like Sky Tonight or check sites like http://aerith.net for current charts. Clear skies!

If you're stargazing, apps like Stellarium can help. 

For iphone Skyview phone app is very good as you get a idea of general directions of objects from your phone.

Link for android phone Skyview phone app.

Clear skies for stargazing this week in Glen Carbon—Jupiter should be stunning.

Here is a 15-day weather forecast for St. Louis, Missouri (starting from Friday, May 1, 2026), based on current extended forecasts. Note that forecasts beyond about 7–10 days become less reliable and are subject to change.

timeanddate.com

May 1 – May 7 (Next Week)

• Fri, May 1: High 62–65°F / Low 42–45°F. Mostly sunny to times of clouds and sun, cool. Low precipitation chance (~3–15%). Winds NNW.
  timeanddate.com

• Sat, May 2: High 60–63°F / Low 41–45°F. Mostly to partly cloudy, cool. Possible stray shower. Low precip chance (~10–20%). Winds NNW.
  timeanddate.com

• Sun, May 3: High 73–77°F / Low 42–58°F. Mostly sunny. Warming up nicely. Very low precip chance. Winds WSW.
  timeanddate.com

• Mon, May 4: High 78–82°F / Low 56–60°F. Scattered thunderstorms possible, especially late. Higher precip chance (~20–50%).
  timeanddate.com

• Tue, May 5: High 63–65°F / Low 46–54°F. Heavy rain likely, overcast. High precip chance (~80%+), with potential for 1+ inch of rain. Much cooler.
  timeanddate.com

• Wed, May 6: High 63–68°F / Low 42°F. Sprinkles or showers possible, mostly cloudy/overcast. Moderate precip chance.
  timeanddate.com

• Thu, May 7: High 66–74°F / Low 40–48°F. Sunny. Low precip chance. Cooler start to the day.
  timeanddate.com

May 8 – May 15

• Fri, May 8: High 72°F / Low 51°F. Showers possible early, then cloudy to partly clearing. Moderate precip chance early.
  timeanddate.com

• Sat, May 9: High 72°F / Low 55–57°F. Mostly sunny. Low precip chance.
  timeanddate.com

• Sun, May 10: High 70°F / Low 56°F. Afternoon clouds. Very low precip chance.
  timeanddate.com

• Mon, May 11: High 71°F / Low 57°F. Rain showers likely, overcast. High precip chance (~70–80%).
  timeanddate.com

• Tue, May 12: High 70°F / Low 57°F. Cloudy. Low precip chance.
  timeanddate.com

• Wed, May 13: High 71°F / Low 57°F. Morning clouds, then improving. Low precip chance.
  timeanddate.com

• Thu, May 14: High 71°F / Low 58°F. Afternoon clouds. Low precip chance.
  timeanddate.com

• Fri, May 15: High 71°F / Low 58°F. Showers possible late. Moderate precip chance in the evening.
  timeanddate.com

Summary & Trends

• Early period (May 1–3): Cooler than average for early May, with highs in the low 60s and plenty of sun.

• Mid period (May 4–6): Significant warmup on Monday followed by a strong cool-down and heavy rain on Tuesday. This looks like the wettest period in the forecast.

• Later period (May 7–15): Temperatures moderate into the low-to-mid 70s with a few additional shower chances, but mostly dry and pleasant days mixed in.

Current conditions (as of early May 1): Around 45–55°F, mostly clear to partly cloudy overnight, with a cool and crisp feel.For the most up-to-date information, especially for planning outdoor activities or travel, check a local source like the National Weather Service, AccuWeather, or a St. Louis TV station (e.g., KSDK), as forecasts can shift with new models. Spring weather in St. Louis can be variable with occasional severe potential during thunderstorm periods. Stay safe!

Stay safe if you are in the area!

Did groundhog see its shadow?

Yes, Punxsutawney Phil (the most famous groundhog) did see his shadow on February 2, 2026.

According to the official announcement from the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club and multiple reports, he emerged at Gobbler's Knob in Pennsylvania around 7:25 a.m. under clear skies and low temperatures (around -3°F), spotted his shadow, and predicted six more weeks of winter.

This is the traditional outcome:

• Shadow seen → more winter

• No shadow → early spring

Phil has now seen his shadow 110 times in recorded history (with this being a very common prediction for him—he's favored winter far more often than spring).

Note that other regional groundhogs sometimes disagree (e.g., Woodstock Willie or Buckeye Chuck predicted early spring in some reports), but Punxsutawney Phil is the classic one everyone asks about.

Buckle up for a bit more cold weather, according to the rodent oracle!