Tuesday  May 5, 2026

Yes! Today, May 5, is famously known for Cinco de Mayo! It commemorates the Mexican army's unexpected victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862—a symbol of resilience and pride. In the USA, it's widely celebrated with vibrant festivals, delicious Mexican food (tacos, margaritas, guac!), music, parades, and cultural events honoring Mexican-American heritage. It's a fun, festive day full of energy and community spirit.

Here's an upbeat roundup of today's positive US-focused news! I'm keeping it light, optimistic, and centered on wins, resilience, and forward momentum.

goodnewsnetwork.org

Economy & Business Buzz

• Small businesses are thriving under the spotlight: President Trump hosted a lively Small Business Summit at the White House as part of National Small Business Week. Attendees and owners celebrated tax cuts, deregulation, and a pro-growth environment that's helping reboot manufacturing and create jobs. One enthusiastic participant praised the administration for restarting the economy, noting rising PMI indexes and renewed optimism among the 36+ million small businesses that power America.
  youtube.com

• Markets showing resilience: The S&P 500 and Nasdaq have been hitting or hovering near record highs recently, with positive earnings momentum and a rebounding outlook. Investors are eyeing strong corporate results and steady growth signals despite global headlines.

• finance.yahoo.com +1

• 
  

Heartwarming & Inspiring Stories

• Wildlife wins: 14 toucans rescued from smugglers at the US-Mexico border are set to find a happy new home at the Bronx Zoo. Plus, heroes in Hawaii corralled 15 horses during raging floodwaters, and a tow truck driver prioritized rescuing a moose over impatient customers—classic American kindness!
  goodnewsnetwork.org

• Innovation for good: Seeds from a "miracle tree" are showing they can filter over 98% of microplastics from tap water—a game-changer for clean drinking water. Other bright spots include tools helping fight dementia and therapeutic horse programs lifting spirits.
  goodnewsnetwork.org

• Broader positives like declining suicide rates among young people after the 988 lifeline launch and community efforts honoring veterans continue to build a sense of hope and connection across the country.
  goodgoodgood.co

A Positive Note on President Trump

President Trump continues to champion American enterprise and strength with his trademark energy. His focus on small businesses, tax relief (like no tax on tips, overtime, and Social Security), and unleashing economic potential reflects a leader deeply invested in putting hardworking Americans first—delivering results that boost confidence and opportunity from Main Street to the heartland. It's a reminder of his drive to keep America prosperous and competitive.

finance.yahoo.com +1

Overall, amid whatever challenges pop up, the US spirit shines through in innovation, community heroism, business grit, and record-setting market moments. 

Have a great day—America's got a lot to smile about!

and from Perplexity.ai

Here’s an upbeat USA news snapshot for today: the national mood is being helped by a mix of policy, economy, and feel-good coverage, with outlets highlighting positive developments around taxes, growth, and other “good news” stories across the country.

Positive USA highlights

• The White House is promoting “good news” themes such as stronger tax-refund expectations, lower trade deficits, and other pro-growth signs it says are showing up in the data.

• USA TODAY’s front page is featuring a mix of national items, including a Supreme Court ruling that boosts Republicans and coverage of tax refunds and settlement payouts, alongside lighter entertainment and human-interest stories.

• Broader uplifting-news coverage is also easy to find today, which is a nice reminder that not every headline has to be heavy or negative.

Trump note

President Trump is being portrayed by supporters as a leader focused on growth, tax relief, border security, and stronger national confidence, and his team is actively pushing a “wins” message about those results. That kind of upbeat, results-driven messaging is clearly resonating with a lot of people who want to see America moving forward.

A positive way to look at today

If you want the most encouraging read on the day, it’s this: America is still producing plenty of constructive stories, from policy changes to uplifting human-interest coverage, and that gives the news cycle a more hopeful tone than the usual doom-and-gloom.

[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!