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1 This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own. Community Corner The Summer Book Club requires students to read eight books, record the names of the books on a form to Hastings' office by Aug. 19. rtandon , Community Contributor Posted Reply FRANKFORT – To keep kids' minds engaged this summer, State Senator Michael E. Hastings is launching a Summer Book Club for children and young people who live in the 19th State Senate District. "Our goal is to help prevent summer slide during break by helping keep students sharp and ready for the fall," said Hastings (D-Frankfort). "I'm excited to host the summer reading program again this year and hope to have even more participation than we did last year." The Summer Book Club requires students to read eight books of their choice during the summer break, record the names of the books on a form and return the form to Hastings' office by Aug. … [Read more...] about Hastings launches summer reading program

New York (CNN Business) Decades-high inflation is leading to a split in American consumers' behavior. Affluent shoppers are splurging on new outfits at Macy's, Nordstrom and other high-end outlets, while lower-income customers are pulling back on discretionary items, leading retailers say. Macy's ( M ) said Thursday that comparable sales at stores open for at least one year grew 12.4% during its latest quarter compared with the same stretch a year ago. "While macroeconomic pressures on consumer spending increased during the quarter, our customers continued to shop," Macy's CEO Jeffrey Gennette said in a press release. What rotisserie chicken prices say about stores' inflation strategy Macy's saw a "notable shift" in consumers buying clothes for special events and shopping in stores, Gennette said. Dresses, women's shoes, accessories and men's tailored clothing saw strong sales performance during the quarter. … [Read more...] about Wealthy shoppers are splurging at Macy’s. Low-income shoppers are pulling back at Walmart

New York (CNN Business) Russia has spent the past half-century attempting to build a reputation on the world stage as a reliable supplier of energy. It took Vladimir Putin mere months to cast serious doubt on that reputation. "I wouldn't trust them," US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm told CNN in response to a question about whether Russia will ever again be considered a reliable energy supplier. "They have to prove they are a reliable partner and they're certainly not doing that." Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing sanctions from the West have sent oil prices skyrocketing, lifting gasoline and diesel prices in the United States to unprecedented levels. Natural gas prices also have climbed around the world. Biden is 'obsessed' with lowering 'outrageous' gas prices, but presidents don't control prices, says Energy Secretary After the West imposed tough penalties on Russia, Putin warned that "unfriendly" nations would … [Read more...] about ‘I wouldn’t trust them.’ Energy Secretary blasts Russia for ‘weaponizing’ energy

LOS ANGELES — Ellen DeGeneres brought her nearly two-decade daytime talk show to an end Thursday with a celebrity lovefest and a forceful assertion of her achievement as a gay woman daring to be herself. DeGeneres and guests Jennifer Aniston, Billie Eilish and Pink shared memories and affection as “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” concluded its Emmy-winning, 3,200-plus episode run that began in September 2003. “Twenty years ago, when we were trying to sell the show, no one thought that this would work. Not because it was a different kind of show, but because I was different,” DeGeneres said of the pushback from TV stations. When the syndicated show went on the air, she was prevented from saying the word “gay” or even the pronoun “we,” DeGeneres said, since the latter would imply she had a partner. She didn’t specify who imposed the ban. “Sure couldn’t say wife, and that’s because it wasn’t legal for gay people to get married — and now I say ‘wife’ all the time,” DeGeneres added, … [Read more...] about Ellen DeGeneres ends daytime show with plea for compassion

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 8 Just after daybreak Wednesday, Samuel James Cassidy stepped out of his front door in the Evergreen neighborhood of east San Jose. He was headed across town to the place he’d worked for two decades, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s Guadalupe light rail yard. Dressed in his dark uniform with reflective stripes, Cassidy, a maintenance worker for the agency known as VTA, walked to the white Ford F-150 pickup parked in his driveway. Then, as seen in a silent, choppy video captured by a neighbor’s security camera, he hefted a large bag into the passenger side of the truck, got in and drove away. It was 5:39 a.m. Less than an hour later, neighbors were calling 911. Heavy smoke and fire were pouring from the roof of Cassidy’s home. By that time, Cassidy had made his way to the Guadalupe yard on West Young Avenue 9 miles away. It was just after … [Read more...] about A killer’s path: Tracking the San Jose shooter’s movements toward massacre

Get started! Edited by Sprout Team Manager Across Indiana | News | 1d A Pastor Confessed To Adultery —​ The Woman Says She Was 16 An Indiana pastor admitted to adultery. Then the woman addressed the congregation with another revelation. Anna Bybee-Schier , Patch Staff Thank Share Across Indiana | News | Apr 20 Child Found Dead In Indiana Was Stuffed In Suitcase A 5-year-old boy whose body was found in Washington County over the weekend had been stuffed into a suitcase. Jeffrey Perkins , Patch Staff Thank Share Across America, US | Sponsored | May 19 How To Get Your Home Ready For Memorial Day Weekend In 5 Easy Steps Stay cool by outsourcing pre-summer tasks such as deep cleaning, yard work and pool maintenance using professionals in your area. … [Read more...] about Indiana State News