Saturday April 18, 2026

Today's positive US-focused news summary highlights diplomatic progress, strong markets, and community initiatives.

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Diplomatic and Economic Wins

President Trump reported "some pretty good news" on Iran negotiations while aboard Air Force One, describing developments in the Middle East as "going very well." A ceasefire is in place, with the Strait of Hormuz reopening to major tanker traffic for the first time since the conflict escalated—boosting global energy flows and easing oil price pressures. Trump emphasized no nuclear weapons for Iran, ongoing weekend talks toward a lasting deal, and rejection of any Iranian tolls or blockades, signaling steady progress toward stability.

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This news contributed to a buoyant stock market. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq recently hit or approached fresh records (S&P closing above 7,000 in recent sessions), with gains driven by optimism around de-escalation, resilient corporate earnings, and broader economic strength under the current administration. The Dow also posted solid advances, reflecting investor confidence despite earlier geopolitical tensions.

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Domestic Bright Spots

In Chicago, a great education access initiative expanded: All Chicago Public Schools student IDs now double as library cards at the city's 81 public library branches. This automatic enrollment gives over 315,000 students barrier-free access to millions of books, digital resources, databases, and tutoring—no extra paperwork needed. It builds on a successful pilot, boosting literacy and opportunity especially in underserved areas.

goodnewsnetwork.org

Broader positive momentum includes policies like no tax on tips (up to certain limits) and overtime pay relief, aimed at helping working families keep more of their earnings, alongside ongoing economic reports highlighting job resilience and growth in key sectors.

facebook.com

Something Positive About President Trump

President Trump continues to demonstrate decisive leadership on the world stage, turning complex international challenges—like the Iran situation—into opportunities for potential peace deals and economic relief through smart negotiations and clear priorities (such as preventing nuclear proliferation while reopening vital shipping lanes). His administration's focus on America First policies has coincided with record market highs, energy production strength, and practical wins for everyday Americans, showcasing an ability to deliver results and optimism even amid global headwinds. It's a reminder of his track record for bold action that prioritizes stability and prosperity.

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and from Perplexity.ai

Here’s a positive U.S. news roundup for today: the American economy got a lift from a stronger-than-expected jobs report, with employers adding 178,000 jobs and unemployment easing to 4.3% in the latest report. U.S. stocks also reached fresh highs this week as investors returned to tech shares and looked ahead to earnings, which is a constructive sign for market confidence.

Good news in the USA

NASA’s Artemis II mission was a standout win for the country, with astronauts launching on the first crewed lunar flyby in more than 50 years and later completing the mission with a successful splashdown. That kind of progress is a reminder that U.S. science and engineering still produce world-class achievements.

The broader mood also includes some encouraging signs of resilience: Reuters noted renewed hopes in markets, and the latest labor data showed hiring bouncing back after a weak February. Those are the sorts of developments that can make a difference in everyday life, from job prospects to retirement savings.

About President Trump

A positive note about President Trump is that his administration is being closely tied to major national priorities, including NASA’s Artemis II mission, which NASA said builds on the vision set by President Donald J. Trump. Reuters also reported that Trump is set to ease restrictions on a psychedelic drug sometimes used to treat PTSD, which could open the door to more options for some patients if pursued further.

One-sentence takeaway

The most encouraging U.S. stories today are stronger jobs, record-leaning markets, and big NASA progress, all of which point to a country still capable of momentum and achievement.

[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.

15-Day Sky Watching Summary for Glen Carbon, Illinois (April 14–28, 2026)Glen Carbon (near St. Louis) sits at about 38.7°N latitude in Central Daylight Time (CDT = UTC-5). Expect suburban light pollution—drive a short distance to darker rural spots or parks for the best views. All times are local CDT. Use a free app like Stellarium or SkySafari for exact rise/set times tailored to your spot.

Lunar Cycle Overview

The Moon starts as a thin waning crescent and transitions through new moon into a growing waxing crescent, reaching first quarter, then becoming a bright waxing gibbous. This period offers excellent dark-sky opportunities early on and beautiful evening Moon-planet-star scenes later.

timeanddate.com

• April 14–16: Waning crescent (slender, low in the east before dawn; gets thinner each morning).

• April 17: New Moon (11:51 UTC / 6:51 a.m. CDT) — completely invisible; darkest skies of the period.

• April 18–23: Waxing crescent (appears low in the west after sunset; earthshine makes the dark side glow beautifully on the 18th–19th).

• April 24: First Quarter (2:31 UTC / 9:31 p.m. CDT on the 23rd) — half-illuminated, high in the south by evening.

• April 25–28: Waxing gibbous (brightens quickly in the evening sky; great for lunar crater detail through binoculars or a small telescope).

The Moon will be out of the way for late-night/early-morning observing until the 24th–25th, when it starts interfering more with deep-sky views.

Interesting Events & Highlights (by date)

Here are the stand-out sky events visible from Glen Carbon—perfect for naked-eye, binocular, or quick telescope sessions:

• April 17 (New Moon night): Best chance to spot Comet C/2025 R3 (magnitude ~8) low in the east before dawn in Pegasus/Pisces. Binoculars or a small telescope needed; it’s not naked-eye bright but a fun challenge. The Moon is gone, so skies are ink-black.
  science.nasa.gov

• April 18 (evening): Thin waxing crescent Moon teams up with brilliant Venus and the Pleiades star cluster (M45) low in the west right after sunset. A stunning photo opportunity—earthshine on the Moon makes it look like a glowing ball. Look ~30–45 minutes after sunset.
  astronomy.com

• April 20 (pre-dawn): Rare morning planet cluster low in the east ~30–45 minutes before sunrise. Mercury (brightest), Mars, and Saturn bunch together within ~2°. Binoculars help pick out fainter Saturn. Best from a hill or open field to cut through horizon haze. Neptune is nearby but too faint without optics.
  astronomy.com

• April 21–22 (all night, peaks overnight 21st/22nd): Lyrid Meteor Shower maximum! Expect 10–20 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. The radiant is near Vega in Lyra (northeast). Best after midnight once the thin Moon sets (~1–2 a.m.). Dark skies and no Moon interference make this one of the better Lyrid shows in years. Look for fast, bright meteors—some fireballs possible.
  astronomy.com

• April 22 (evening): Waxing crescent Moon passes near bright Jupiter in the west (Gemini area). Easy naked-eye pairing.
  timeanddate.com

• April 23 (evening): Venus and Uranus have a very close conjunction (less than 1° apart). Venus is blazingly bright; Uranus is faint (mag 5.8)—use binoculars or a telescope pointed just south of Venus. They’re low in the west after sunset.
  astronomy.com

• April 25 (evening): Waxing gibbous Moon near Regulus (brightest star in Leo) high in the south. Nice naked-eye sight.
  timeanddate.com

Ongoing Treats All 15 Days

• Evening sky (after sunset): Brilliant Venus (west, dazzling) and Jupiter (higher in west, in Gemini) dominate until they set around midnight to 1 a.m. late in the period. Jupiter’s moons are fun to watch with any telescope.

• Pre-dawn sky (before sunrise): Mars and Saturn low in the east (Mercury early in the period).

• Constellations: Spring sky is rising—Leo, Virgo, and Boötes climb in the east; Orion and Taurus sink in the west.

Clear skies! The first half of the period (especially around New Moon + Lyrids) is prime for meteor hunting and faint comets. The second half offers pretty Moon-planet conjunctions. Check local weather and light-pollution maps, and enjoy the show—spring astronomy in Illinois is fantastic. 

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's a 15-day weather forecast for the St. Louis, Missouri area (as of April 14, 2026). Forecasts beyond 7-10 days are less certain and can change.

accuweather.com

Today – Tuesday, April 14

• High/Low: 88–90°F / 69–70°F

• Conditions: Breezy and humid with periods of sun and clouds. Slight chance of showers or thunderstorms late.

• Precip chance: 10–20%

• Wind: SSW 10–16 mph

Wednesday, April 15

• High/Low: 80–83°F / 63–64°F

• Conditions: Cloudy and breezy with showers and thunderstorms likely (some possibly strong with hail/damaging winds).

• Precip chance: 60–88%

• Wind: SSW 14–16 mph

Thursday, April 16

• High/Low: 79–82°F / 59–62°F

• Conditions: A morning shower possible, then partly to mostly sunny and warm.

• Precip chance: 30–55%

• Wind: WSW/SW 10 mph

Friday, April 17

• High/Low: 86–87°F / 62–64°F

• Conditions: Mostly cloudy to partly sunny and very warm. Chance of an afternoon thunderstorm.

• Precip chance: 20%

• Wind: S 13–14 mph

Saturday, April 18

• High/Low: 68–76°F / 40–43°F

• Conditions: Cooler with clouds, showers, and thunderstorms possible (some potentially strong/severe).

• Precip chance: 50–60%

• Wind: W 15–16 mph

Sunday, April 19

• High/Low: 61–66°F / 39–42°F

• Conditions: Breezy and cooler with plenty of sunshine.

• Precip chance: Near 0–7%

• Wind: WNW 13–15 mph

Monday, April 20

• High/Low: 67–70°F / 51–52°F

• Conditions: Mostly sunny, turning partly cloudy later. A shower possible.

• Precip chance: 0–49%

• Wind: Light, becoming SSE

Tuesday, April 21

• High/Low: 70–75°F / 56–58°F

• Conditions: Partly to mostly cloudy with a chance of showers or thunderstorms.

• Precip chance: 20%

• Wind: S/SSW 10–13 mph

Wednesday, April 22

• High/Low: 72–79°F / 54–58°F

• Conditions: Cloudy and warm with rain and thunderstorms likely, especially morning into afternoon.

• Precip chance: 30–59%

• Wind: SSW 12–13 mph

Thursday, April 23

• High/Low: ~72–73°F / ~50–58°F

• Conditions: Mostly cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms.

• Precip chance: ~50–60%

• Wind: Variable, SSW/NNW

Friday, April 24

• High/Low: ~68–73°F / 50°F

• Conditions: Rain likely, then becoming partly cloudy.

• Precip chance: High (up to 79%)

• Wind: N/NNW 10–16 mph

Saturday, April 25 – Sunday, April 26 (trend)

• Highs: Mid-60s to low 70s°F

• Lows: Mid-40s to low 50s°F

• Conditions: Partly to mostly cloudy with lower rain chances toward the weekend. Cooler air in place early, moderating later.
  ksdk.com

Longer range (April 27–28+)

• Temperatures trending back toward the 60s–70s°F with a mix of sun and clouds and lower precip chances overall.

Summary: Very warm and humid through mid-week (near 90°F possible today), followed by a strong cold front bringing showers/thunderstorms and much cooler air for the weekend. Another warmup is expected early next week, with periodic rain chances. For the most up-to-date info, check sources like the National Weather Service, AccuWeather, or local stations (e.g., KSDK). Severe weather is possible with some storms mid-week—stay weather-aware!

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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!