Friday, May 22, 2026

Here's an upbeat roundup of today's positive vibes from the USA on this sunny Friday! The American economy keeps showing resilience with jobless claims dropping to just 209,000 last week, signaling that layoffs are staying low and the job market remains strong for hardworking families.

abcnews.com

Walmart delivered a solid quarter, and tech powerhouse Nvidia crushed revenue expectations, proving American innovation is thriving and defying any AI slowdown fears.

abcnews.com

Exciting tech momentum continues as Elon Musk’s SpaceX filed for a stock listing—opening the door for even more investment in American space leadership and exploration!

abcnews.com

A deal was reached to end the Long Island Railroad strike, easing commutes for hundreds of thousands of New York-area workers and restoring smoother days ahead.

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On the education front, universities like the University of Maryland wrapped up their 2026 commencement ceremonies, celebrating the next generation of graduates ready to build the future.

umd.edu

Communities are also seeing boosts in public safety and local priorities, with cities like Los Angeles approving budgets that include hiring more police officers.

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A special shoutout to President Trump: He's been laser-focused on making healthcare more affordable for everyday Americans, recently highlighting big wins like the launch of TrumpRx.gov for major discounts on prescription drugs and pushing forward on maternal and family healthcare initiatives. His leadership continues to energize supporters with a can-do spirit, record investments flowing into the U.S., and a commitment to putting American prosperity and strength first—it's inspiring to see that fighting drive in action!

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Overall, it's a day full of American ingenuity, steady progress, and reasons to feel optimistic. 

Have a fantastic weekend!

and from Perplexity.ai

Here’s a bright, USA-focused news snapshot for today: the American economy is still showing resilience, with April job growth beating expectations and manufacturing hiring picking up as new investments keep flowing into U.S. industry. On the science side, there are genuinely encouraging developments, including progress in cancer prevention, infant malaria treatment, and other medical and energy breakthroughs that could help people in practical ways.

A few upbeat themes stand out:

• The labor market remains steady, with job gains stronger than many analysts expected and unemployment staying in a healthy range.

• U.S. manufacturing is getting a boost from new capital spending and factory construction, which is a hopeful sign for workers and local communities.

• Science continues to deliver real-world wins, from better treatments to new environmental and health innovations.

On President Trump, a positive note is that his administration is highlighting job growth and manufacturing strength as signs of economic momentum, and the latest White House job report says the economy is “roaring ahead” with private-sector gains. He is also being portrayed as a leader focused on American industry and work opportunities, which many supporters see as a strong, pro-growth message.

One encouraging example: if a factory project creates even a few hundred jobs in one region, that can ripple outward into restaurants, suppliers, and local services, giving a whole community a lift.

[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 Friday, May 22, 2026). This combines cloud cover trends, moon phases, visible planets, and other highlights for stargazing, planet viewing, or casual sky observing. Note that forecasts beyond ~7-10 days are more about general trends. Clear skies are best after midnight when possible, away from city lights.

cleardarksky.com

Key Ongoing Highlights:

• Evening planets: Brilliant Venus (very bright) low in the west after sunset, with Jupiter higher and bright nearby. They're getting closer throughout late May—great for naked-eye viewing! Mercury may peek low in the west later in the period. Mars and Saturn are better before dawn.
  earthsky.org

• Meteor activity: Eta Aquariids active until ~May 28 (best pre-dawn, though moonlight may interfere early on).
  amsmeteors.org

• Moon phases: First Quarter on May 23 (good for lunar features), building to Full Moon (Blue Moon) around May 31—brighter nights reduce faint star visibility but enhance moon watching.
  timeanddate.com

Day-by-Day Outlook:

• Fri, May 22: Cloudier with showers likely → limited viewing. Waxing crescent moon. Venus & Jupiter possible in brief clear moments after sunset.

• Sat, May 23 (First Quarter Moon): Partly cloudy, improving. Decent chance for evening planets. Great for spotting lunar craters.

• Sun, May 24: Mixed clouds, possible early storms. Moderate sky conditions; watch west after dark.

• Mon, May 25 (Memorial Day): Mostly pleasant, lower storm risk. Good window for planets as moon grows.

• Tue, May 26: Warm/humid with scattered storm chances → variable clarity. Evening planets visible in clearer slots.

• Wed, May 27–Thu, May 28: Warm with periodic thunderstorms. Best viewing post-sunset before clouds build; Eta Aquariids winding down.

• Fri, May 29–Sat, May 30: Warmer, mostly drier trend. Improving conditions for Venus-Jupiter pairing in the west.

• Sun, May 31 (Full Moon): Brighter skies but excellent for moonrise views. Planets still visible low west early evening.
  timeanddate.com

• Mon, Jun 1–Tue, Jun 2: Humid pattern with daily storm chances. Look for clearer breaks in the evenings.

• Wed, Jun 3–Fri, Jun 5: Continued warm/unstable air. Moon waning → darker skies later in the night favor stars if clouds part. Venus-Jupiter conjunction building toward early June peak.
  earthsky.org

Overall trend: After a damp start, expect typical late spring humidity with afternoon/evening clouds and storms. Best stargazing often after midnight or in drier windows mid-to-late period. Use apps like Clear Sky Chart for real-time transparency/seeing forecasts.

cleardarksky.com

Pack binoculars or a telescope for planets, and enjoy the longer daylight and warming nights—perfect for outdoor sky time! Always check local updates, as weather can shift.

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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 (starting today, Friday, May 22, 2026). Forecasts beyond 7-10 days are less certain and tend to show trends rather than exact details.

accuweather.com

• Fri, May 22: High 68°F / Low 60-61°F. Cloudy with a chance of showers (40-60%). Cooler and damp start to the weekend.
  accuweather.com

• Sat, May 23: High 79-80°F / Low 61-64°F. Partly to mostly cloudy, warmer with isolated thunderstorms possible (20-30% chance).
  ksdk.com

• Sun, May 24: High 81°F / Low 63°F. Mix of sun and clouds, chance of early thunderstorms (20-50%).
  ksdk.com

• Mon, May 25 (Memorial Day): High 81°F / Low 64-66°F. Mostly pleasant with a low chance of isolated storms (20%).
  ksdk.com

• Tue, May 26: High 82°F / Low 67°F. Warm with a 30% chance of afternoon/evening storms.
  ksdk.com

• Wed, May 27: High 84°F / Low 68°F. Warm and humid, scattered storm chances (~30%).
  ksdk.com

• Thu, May 28: High 85°F / Low 68°F. Hotter with continued low-end storm risk (~30%).
  ksdk.com

• Fri, May 29: High 86°F / Low 67°F. Warm and mostly dry (20% chance).
  ksdk.com

• Sat, May 30: High 86°F / Low 69°F. Sunny to partly cloudy, low storm chances (20%).
  ksdk.com

• Sun, May 31: High around 84-86°F / Low ~68°F. Warm with possible scattered thunderstorms.

• Mon, Jun 1: High mid-80s°F / Low upper 60s°F. Humid with daily storm chances.

• Tue, Jun 2: High upper 80s°F. Continued warm and unstable pattern.

• Wed, Jun 3: High near 85-88°F. Similar conditions.

• Thu, Jun 4: High upper 80s°F.

• Fri, Jun 5: High around 85°F.

Overall trend: After a cooler, cloudier Friday, temperatures rebound nicely into the low-to-mid 80s for Memorial Day weekend and beyond. Expect typical late May humidity with periodic chances for afternoon thunderstorms. Perfect for outdoor plans with some sun protection! Always check a local source 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!