February 2023

The Morning After

Well, I amazed that the sun is coming up after all this morning. At least in Kansas City! I can imagine there are people in that great city that haven’t gone to bed yet because they didn’t want Sunday to end! I am at least wise enough to know which side “my bread is buttered on” with my family.

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Make winter bearable

Three book-reading bears in a display in the children’s section at Hamburg Public Library proclaim the message “Winter is Bearable with Books.” Of course, the books they are suggesting for young readers all feature bears. For toddlers wanting to hold the books themselves, the library has an assortment of board books.

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Tax season underway

Q: What should taxpayers know before filing their 2022 tax returns? A: As lawmakers roll up their sleeves and get to work in the new session of Congress, taxpayers are getting their ducks in a row for tax season that got underway on Jan. 23.

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Protecting energy independence, supporting Main Street businesses

In the United States, we are blessed with an abundant supply of energy – from ethanol and biodiesel to natural gas and oil – to power our nation and fuel our economy. Regrettably, just months ago, President Biden sold oil from our reserves to China to compensate for his war on American energy production. No price, no matter how high, justifies supplying China with American-made energy.

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The most popular Valentine’s Day gifts

Valentine’s Day sparks one of the busiest shopping seasons of the year. Though it might not inspire the masses quite like Black Friday, Valentine’s Day compels millions of people to find gifts for that special someone in their lives each February. In fact, the National Retail Federation’s Annual 2022 Valentine’s Day Spending Survey found that the average person expected to devote $175 to Valentine’s Day spending in 2022.

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Grants to optimize, expand Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program

USDA Food and Nutrition Service today announced $50 million in grants to 47 states and tribes to modernize and expand the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program at farmers markets, roadside stands and community supported agriculture programs. These grants will allow states to reach more eligible seniors by funding the $50 maximum benefit for up to 250,000 more eligible seniors, while expanding geographic areas served and transitioning to online training and electronic benefits transfer in some states.

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My talks with an AI

What is the meaning of creativity when it comes to works of art, music and writing, and can they be faked by something that isn’t even human. This is a question I’ve been debating over the last few days as I had a talk with an AI chatbot.

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New county judge focuses

on In his first month on the job, Grayson County Judge Bruce Dawsey announced that the county court would like to know more about excellence in local schools and will be keeping its public comment policy. Commissioners court recently honored state winning football and volleyball teams in Gunter and Dawsey said they would like to expand that recognition to all local students who make it to state level competitions and those who exceed academically.

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