Thursday May 21, 2026.

Today has the final episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, a definite positive.

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

newsroom.aaa.com

America is kicking off the unofficial start of summer with serious energy: AAA projects a record 45 million Americans hitting the road or skies for Memorial Day weekend getaways — that's up slightly from last year, with strong car travel and more affordable flight deals for those who planned ahead. Families are gearing up for barbecues, beach trips, parades, and honoring our heroes — a perfect mix of gratitude and good times!

wgntv.com

On the innovation and health front, exciting medical progress continues, including promising results from new weight-loss drugs helping Type 2 diabetes patients and ongoing advancements in treatments like those highlighted in recent clinical updates. Communities are also buzzing with local wins, from top-ranked school districts celebrating excellence to cities rolling out feel-good initiatives.

goodmorningamerica.com

The economy shows resilience with the stock market hitting impressive highs earlier this month (Dow briefly reclaiming 50,000 territory) and strong year-to-date gains in major indexes, reflecting optimism in tech, reshoring, and energy sectors. Americans are traveling more, shopping deals, and enjoying the fruits of a dynamic economy.

cnbc.com

A positive note on President Trump: He's been a powerhouse of action, delivering on healthcare affordability events, pushing maternity care reforms, and touting major wins like significant crime reductions in key cities, record energy production, and a strong focus on putting American workers and families first. His leadership continues to energize supporters and drive a "America First" momentum that's reshaping opportunities across the country.

whitehouse.gov

All in all, it's a bright day in the USA — full of travel excitement, innovation, and forward progress.

 Enjoy the long weekend ahead and keep that positive energy flowing!

and from Perplexity.ai

Here’s an upbeat look at today’s U.S. news: there are encouraging signs in housing and consumer costs, with the White House saying gas prices and mortgage rates have been falling, which could give families more breathing room this year. There’s also a positive spring housing-market signal showing a slight thaw, which suggests more activity and more options for buyers.

On the policy side, the Trump administration is highlighting new efforts aimed at lowering costs and supporting growth, including a push to roll back some refrigerant rules in grocery stores to help reduce prices for shoppers. The White House is also promoting bigger economic gains from its agenda, including more investment, tax relief, and job-focused initiatives.

President Trump is focused on affordability, growth, and American strength, with the administration touting lower gas prices, lower mortgage rates, and stronger economic momentum for working families. That message will resonate with people who want a president emphasizing jobs, costs, and national confidence.

A few bright spots beyond politics: good-news outlets are reporting health wins, green-energy progress, and other constructive developments that point to real momentum in the country and beyond.

[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 (astronomy/stargazing) outlook for the St. Louis, MO area as of May 17, 2026. This focuses on cloud cover, moonlight interference, and general observing conditions. Longer-range forecasts (beyond ~7-10 days) are less reliable.

cleardarksky.com

Key Factors for Sky Watching

• Cloud Cover: Primary limiter. Clear/dark skies are best.

• Moon Phase: New Moon around May 16 (very dark skies now); First Quarter ~May 23; Full Moon ~May 31 (bright skies, washes out faint objects).

• Other: Humidity, transparency (haze/smoke), seeing (atmospheric steadiness), and light pollution. Best after astronomical twilight (~9:15 PM currently) and away from city lights.

• Planets: Venus is well-placed in the evening; Jupiter sets late evening; Saturn/Mars/Neptune in the pre-dawn sky (some challenging).
  timeanddate.com

Daily Outlook

• Sun May 17 (Today): Mostly clear to partly cloudy (low-moderate clouds early). New Moon → excellent dark skies. Good conditions tonight for stargazing. Low humidity possible.
  accuweather.com

• Mon May 18: Increasing clouds with thunderstorm chances (mostly cloudy periods). Moderate moonlight still low. Fair/poor for deep-sky; brighter objects possible in breaks.

• Tue May 19: Likely overcast/thunderstorms with a cold front. Poor sky conditions. Cooler and clearer behind the front later.

• Wed May 20: Much cooler; overcast to partly cloudy early, improving to clearer skies. Good transparency potential. Dark skies favorable.

• Thu May 21 – Fri May 22: Pleasant with mix of sun/clouds. Lower rain chances → improving to good observing windows, especially evenings. Waxing crescent moon begins to interfere slightly later in the night.

• Sat May 23: First Quarter Moon (~50% illuminated). Partly cloudy possible with scattered storm chances. Moon will limit faint objects after it rises.

• Sun May 24 – Mon May 25: Warming/humid again. Variable clouds and possible thunderstorms. Waxing gibbous moon brightens evenings.

• Tue May 26 – Thu May 28: Mostly partly cloudy to humid conditions. Moderate cloud chances. Moon increasingly bright (gibbous).

• Fri May 29 – Sat May 30: Humid with periodic clouds/storm risks. Approaching Full Moon reduces contrast for nebulae/galaxies.

• Sun May 31: Full Moon. Bright skies wash out most faint objects, but good for lunar observing or bright planets/stars. Variable clouds possible.

Overall Trends:

• Best nights early in the period (May 17-18 and post-front ~May 20-22) due to dark skies near New Moon and potential clearing.

• Mid-to-late period sees increasing moonlight (waning dark time) and returning humidity/storm chances.

• Check the St. Louis Clear Sky Chart (cleardarksky.com) for hourly updates on clouds/transparency/seeing — it's the gold standard for local astronomers.
  cleardarksky.com

For real-time planning, use apps like Stellarium, SkySafari, or timeanddate.com, and sites like AccuWeather Astronomy or the Saint Louis Astronomical Society. Clear skies!

• Safety: Mosquitoes are active; dress for cool nights. Avoid city lights.

• Resources: Saint Louis Science Center planetarium, SLAS (slasonline.org), timeanddate.com for exact rise/set, or Heavens-Above for ISS passes (visible some mornings/evenings).

Clear skies! The Venus-Jupiter pairing builds nicely this period, and the New Moon window offers prime dark-sky time. Adjust based on exact weather and your location. For real-time updates, local astronomy groups are excellent.

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 outlook for the St. Louis, MO area (as of May 18, 2026). Forecasts can change, especially with precipitation and thunderstorms, so check a local source like the National Weather Service for updates.

accuweather.com

Short-Term (Active Weather Pattern)

• Monday, May 18: High ~85-88°F, Low ~72-74°F. Mostly cloudy with isolated thunderstorms possible, especially later. Breezy and warm/humid.
  timeanddate.com

• Tuesday, May 19: High ~79-82°F, Low ~57-63°F. High chance of thunderstorms (some potentially strong), considerable cloudiness, and breezy conditions. Heavier rain possible.
  accuweather.com

• Wednesday, May 20: High ~68-70°F, Low ~52-55°F. Cooler with clouds and a chance of lingering showers. Less humid.
  timeanddate.com

Mid-Term (Recovering to Warmer Conditions)

• Thursday, May 21: High ~72°F, Low ~50-57°F. Partly to mostly cloudy; chance of showers, especially later. Pleasant daytime temps.
  accuweather.com

• Friday, May 22: High ~75-80°F, Low ~60-61°F. Mostly cloudy with a low chance of sprinkles/showers. Warming trend.
  timeanddate.com

• Saturday, May 23: High ~86°F, Low ~60°F. Cloudy with isolated thunderstorms possible late. Warmer.
  myforecast.com

• Sunday, May 24: High ~86°F, Low ~67°F. Partly cloudy and warm. Lower rain chances.
  timeanddate.com

Longer-Range Outlook (Late May)

• Monday, May 25: High ~85°F, Low ~68-70°F. Chance of thundershowers; mostly cloudy and humid.
  myforecast.com

• Tuesday, May 26: High ~83°F, Low ~70°F. Isolated thunderstorms possible; cloudy and warm/humid.
  timeanddate.com

• Wednesday, May 27: High ~83°F, Low ~70°F. Thunderstorms likely; increasing clouds.
  myforecast.com

• Thursday, May 28: High ~87-88°F, Low ~70°F. Thunderstorms early, then mostly cloudy and warm.
  timeanddate.com

• Friday, May 29: High ~90-91°F, Low ~69-71°F. Isolated thunderstorms possible (especially late); afternoon clouds. Very warm.
  myforecast.com

• Saturday, May 30: High ~90-91°F, Low ~69-71°F. Mostly cloudy with isolated late thunderstorms. Warm and humid.
  timeanddate.com

• Sunday, May 31: High ~89°F, Low ~70-71°F. Chance of thundershowers; cloudy and humid.
  myforecast.com

Summary: Expect a cooler and wetter period mid-week (May 19-21) following thunderstorms, then a return to warm-to-hot and humid conditions with periodic thunderstorm chances through the end of the month. Highs will frequently reach the mid-80s to low 90s, with lows in the 60s-70s.

almanac.com

For the most accurate hourly details or severe weather alerts, visit sites like AccuWeather, Weather.com, or the NWS. Stay safe!

4 web pages

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!