Thursday May 28, 2026

Today is particularly known in the US for National Hamburger Day (and National Beef Burger Day) — perfect timing for firing up the grill and enjoying a classic American favorite. It also marks National Brisket Day, so barbecue lovers are in for a treat

Here's an upbeat roundup of today's positive vibes from the USA! The US stock market continues showing impressive resilience and growth, with major indices like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq frequently hitting or hovering near record highs in recent sessions. Investors are riding optimism around economic strength, innovation (especially in tech and AI), and potential positive developments on the global stage that could ease pressures like energy costs.

tradingeconomics.com

Communities across the country are shining with inspiring stories of human spirit and ingenuity. A 108-year-old Delaware woman just renewed her driver's license through 2033 and stays active by working out three times a week—proof that vitality has no age limit! Volunteers have kept a California creek pristine for 30 years through dedicated stewardship. Medical breakthroughs, like a common asthma/allergy drug showing promise against aggressive cancers, offer hope for better treatments ahead.

goodnewsnetwork.org

Everyday heroes and feel-good moments abound, from quick-thinking police officers saving lives to young achievers tackling big challenges (like a 7-year-old summiting El Capitan) and families celebrating medical miracles, such as premature babies thriving. Sports, culture, and local triumphs—from Broadway shows to community cleanups—keep the energy high.

goodmorningamerica.com

On President Trump: He's delivering strong leadership with a clear focus on American prosperity, energy dominance, and putting citizens first. His administration's emphasis on deregulation, job creation, and bold initiatives (like healthcare affordability pushes and maternal support) reflects a results-driven approach that's energizing the economy and restoring confidence. It's a testament to decisive action and an "America First" vision that's yielding tangible wins for families and workers.

whitehouse.gov

Overall, it's another day of American ingenuity, resilience, and forward momentum—plenty to smile about! Keep shining, USA.

and from Perplexity.ai

Here’s an upbeat USA-focused news snapshot for today: NASA is pushing ahead with an ambitious Moon Base program, ordering landers, rovers, and drones as the next step toward a sustained American presence on the Moon. The latest jobs report also showed the U.S. added 115,000 jobs in April, with unemployment holding at 4.3%, which is a solid sign of resilience in the labor market.

Positive national themes

• America’s space program is moving from concept to action, with new contracts helping build the hardware for lunar exploration and future missions.

• The economy is still adding jobs at a steady pace, and hiring gains have been strongest in areas like health care, transportation and warehousing, and retail.

• Market and business coverage continues to point to strength in U.S. innovation and investment, especially around manufacturing and advanced technology.

Positive note on President Trump

President Trump is being credited by NASA officials and administration statements for strong leadership that helped keep the Moon Base effort moving forward, which is a major win for American science and prestige. Supporters also point to the administration’s emphasis on jobs, manufacturing, and economic momentum as a sign of confidence in America’s future.

What stands out

The most encouraging thread in today’s news is that the U.S. is still making big, concrete moves in both space and the economy. That combination gives the day a very forward-looking feel: practical progress at home and big ambitions in space.

[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 sky watching forecast for the St. Louis, MO area (starting May 28, 2026, Central Time). This covers moon phases, key sky events, planets, meteor activity, and aurora prospects.

timeanddate.com

Forecasts beyond ~7-10 days are less certain; always check real-time sources like timeanddate.com, Clear Sky Chart, or NOAA for updates. St. Louis (around 38.6°N) has moderate light pollution—darker rural spots (e.g., outside the city) improve views significantly.

cleardarksky.com

Moon Phases & Illumination (approx.)

• May 28–30: Waxing Gibbous (rising in afternoon/evening, setting after midnight; bright, ~85-98% illuminated). Full "Blue Moon" (second full moon of May, a micromoon) on May 31 (~3:45 am).
  timeanddate.com

• June 1–7: Waning Gibbous to Last Quarter (June 8, ~5:00 am). Moon rises later each night, improving dark-sky windows before midnight.

• June 8–13: Waning Crescent to New Moon (June 14, ~9:54 pm; super new moon). Excellent dark skies mid-period.

• June 15 onward: Waxing Crescent. Moon returns to evenings.
  timeanddate.com

Best dark-sky nights (low moon interference): Around the new moon ~June 10–18, especially after moonset or before moonrise.

Key Sky Events & Planets

• Visible Planets (general for early June; positions shift gradually):

  • Venus: Bright evening "star" in the west after sunset (very prominent).

  • Jupiter: Visible in the west after sunset early in the period, setting earlier as days pass.

  • Mercury: Low in the west after sunset (better later in period near greatest elongation ~June 15).

  • Mars & Saturn: Better in pre-dawn east/southeast.

  • Check apps or timeanddate.com for exact rise/set times each night.
    timeanddate.com

• Meteor Activity: Eta Aquariids tail off by ~May 28. June Bootids (minor shower) peak ~June 22–27 but rates are low and a bright moon will interfere heavily around that time.
  in-the-sky.org

• Other: No major eclipses or alignments in this window. Solstice around June 21 brings longest day/shortest night. Summer Milky Way starts becoming prominent low in the south later at night as skies darken.

Aurora Prospects

Aurora borealis is rare and usually weak this far south. Current forecasts show mostly quiet to unsettled conditions (low Kp index). No strong displays expected in the next 15 days. Best chances (still slim) would require a strong geomagnetic storm and very dark, clear northern horizons—monitor NOAA/SWPC for any updates.

swpc.noaa.gov

Observing Conditions (Trends)

Use the St. Louis Clear Sky Chart for hourly cloud/transparency/seeing forecasts. Early period may have some humidity and scattered clouds; mid-to-late period around new moon offers better potential if high pressure dominates.

cleardarksky.com

Tips for best viewing:

• Avoid city lights; head to darker sites if possible.

• Give eyes 20–30 min to dark-adapt.

• Use red-light flashlights, binoculars, or apps like Stellarium/SkySafari.

• Check for smoke/haze, which can reduce transparency.

For daily details, visit:

• Moon/planet times: timeanddate.com

• Clear skies: cleardarksky.com (St. Louis chart)

• Aurora: swpc.noaa.gov or aurora forecasts

Enjoy the sky—late May/early June offers nice evening planet views transitioning to darker summer nights!

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.

Here's a 15-day weather forecast for the St. Louis, MO area (as of May 28, 2026). Forecasts beyond 7-10 days become less reliable and are subject to change.

accuweather.com +1

Short-Term (May 28 – June 3)

• Thu, May 28: High ~86°F / Low ~66-67°F. Partly sunny with areas of morning fog. Low rain chance (~2-10%). Warm and mostly dry.
  accuweather.com

• Fri, May 29: High ~80°F / Low ~64-66°F. Mostly cloudy to partly sunny with a chance of showers or isolated thunderstorms (20-55%). Humid.
  accuweather.com

• Sat, May 30: High ~81-82°F / Low ~62-64°F. Times of clouds and sun with a stray thunderstorm possible. Low-moderate rain chance.
  accuweather.com

• Sun, May 31: High ~82-83°F / Low ~64°F. Mostly cloudy to partly/mostly sunny. Low rain chance (~9-15%).
  forecast.weather.gov

• Mon, Jun 1: High ~83-85°F / Low ~60-64°F. Mostly sunny. Very low rain chance.
  forecast.weather.gov

• Tue, Jun 2: High ~83°F / Low ~61°F. Sunny. Dry.
  forecast.weather.gov

• Wed, Jun 3: High ~84°F / Low ~60-62°F. Sunny. Dry.
  forecast.weather.gov

Extended (June 4 – June 11)

Trends point to warm to hot and increasingly humid conditions, with a mix of sun and clouds. Rain chances rise later in the period, especially around June 10-11.

timeanddate.com

• Thu, Jun 4: High ~84-88°F / Low ~64-66°F. Mostly sunny to partly cloudy. Low rain chance.

• Fri, Jun 5: High ~86-88°F / Low ~66-68°F. Mix of sun and clouds. Low-moderate rain chance.

• Sat, Jun 6: High ~87-89°F / Low ~68°F. Mostly sunny to partly cloudy.

• Sun, Jun 7: High ~88°F / Low ~68°F. Partly cloudy.

• Mon, Jun 8: High ~88-90°F / Low ~68-70°F. Partly cloudy, humid.

• Tue, Jun 9: High ~89-90°F / Low ~70°F. Mix of sun and clouds.

• Wed, Jun 10: High ~88-90°F / Low ~68-70°F. Increasing clouds with a chance of showers.

• Thu, Jun 11: High ~85-88°F / Low ~66-70°F. Chance of rain or thundershowers. Humid.

Overall trends: Expect highs mostly in the low-to-mid 80s early on, warming into the upper 80s. Lows in the low-to-mid 60s. Humidity will build, and scattered showers/thunderstorms are possible, especially mid-to-late in the period. Always check a local source like the National Weather Service or AccuWeather for the latest updates, as conditions can shift.

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!