" ‘Hurricane Season’ ushered in by low precipitation percentages" by: Jessica Shepard

    The ‘2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season’ officially began Monday, June 1, this week.  Forecasters across the globe – and more importantly in our area – are predicting a “below average” season of activity.  The hardest part for me to reconcile is how they define such a phrase.

"Summer is here it couldn’t be much better no matter what is on your wish list" by: John Sample

   We have witnessed nine straight weeks of gains in the market with the S&P 500 climbing nearer to 7600.    When you reflect on the earnings, you have to think that this is not the bubble of 2000.    Of course that comparison is not going away anytime soon.

PSA: Four reasons a 529 plan might make sense for your family

   Whether your child is going to college or has other plans, here are four reasons to consider a 529 education savings plan.  First are tax advantages. Earnings grow federally tax-free, and many states offer tax deductions on contributions.  Second is the flexibility beyond college.

"Reel Reviews: Latest ‘Mandalorian’ installment features something for everyone in theaters" by: Jessica Shepard

   I have to be completely and totally honest with you - I had forgotten about Disney’s “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” was slated for release this year.

As Long as You Resist

   There is a particular kind of exhaustion that comes not from doing too much, but from fighting too hard.  Fighting circumstances. Fighting feelings. Fighting the version of life that showed up instead of the one we ordered.  We grip the plan. We brace against the outcome.

"Journalism exposure fuels support for public education" by: Jessica Shepard

   In the past when folks have asked me what I like about my job or how I got into a journalism career, my go-to answer has always been simply the fact that I love to write.    And while at the core of things, that’s probably the simplest answer I can give – things are more complicated than that.

"More new and little or no answers to the problems" by: John Sample

   Memorial weekend came a bit early this weekend.    I was lucky enough to spend time with your publisher and some very old high school friends reminiscing about the halcyon days of yore.

PSA: Saving for retirement: Are you guessing or planning?

   How much do you need to save for retirement?    Rather than picking a number out of thin air, $1 million, for example, find a number that will actually support the lifestyle you envision.    Begin by imagining your daily routine: Where are you living?   Are you still in your current home?

"Reel Reviews: CGI octopus best Netflix character for entirety of May" by: Jessica Shepard

   Look, I know that headline is a bit misleading, but I promise it’ll make sense once you’ve read this movie review column.  Last weekend, I was overloaded with graduation ceremony and newspaper coverage so I couldn’t carve out time to attend an in-theatre movie.

The Next Chapter

   There comes a moment in every woman’s life when she looks up from the beautiful, exhausting, purpose-filled work of raising her people and realizes — they are gone.  Not lost. Launched.  My husband and my eldest son are crafting stories frame by frame as a film editor.