Artificial intelligence is everywhere right now — writing emails, generating art, passing professional exams, and promising to “revolutionize” just about every industry. Depending on who you ask, it’s either the greatest productivity tool ever created or the beginning of the robot takeover. But for all the headlines about automation replacing human jobs, there’s a quieter truth we don’t talk about enough: some skills just can’t be downloaded. This week’s cartoon plays with the gap between tech-world hype and real-world reality, reminding us that while algorithms may be impressive, there’s still plenty of value in good old-fashioned hands-on know-how.

---

Each and every day we wake up and make a decision in the first five minutes to either be happy, angry or sad. It’s a choice! Now, there are exceptions for those who have a mental illness or might be going through some tough times, but in general, everyone else makes a choice.

As anglers, we also have choices to make when we’re on the water whether it’s in a tournament or just out fun fishing. So much of the time, the choices we make say a lot about who we are as a person.

Today, having so many boats on the water means there are a lot of eyes out there — people who are watching every move you make as an angler.

That’s why it’s important to set a good example and use discretion when fishing around other anglers. Over the last few years, I’ve had a few encounters that had me shaking my head in disbelief. Anglers do dumb things that make everyone scratch their heads and ask, “What are you doing?”

To quote the famous line from the 1994 Tom Hanks movie Forrest Gump as he was told by his momma, “Stupid is as stupid does.” This quote pretty much sums up how too many boaters and anglers alike handle themselves on the water today.

Here are a couple of examples: Last year while on Toledo Bend, I had two incidents on the same day! While fishing a point in the back of a cove, I was casting my Carolina rig directly up on the point in five feet of water. On this day I was scouting for an event I had coming up in three days.

As I’m fishing this point, another boat with two anglers (who looked like tournament anglers) came around the backside of the point (opposite from me) and gradually started to turn and fish their way in my direction about 100 yards away. Now at this stage, I’m really OK and feel like there’s not really a problem since I’m thinking this boat will go behind me.

Then he did the unthinkable as he turned his boat 90 degrees and ran right over the spot I was fishing! He literally trolled right over my line between me and the point! Outranged at his stupidity, I threw my hands in the air and asked him, “What are you doing? How dumb are you?”

He turned and looked at me like I had three heads and seemed bewildered at my question. So, I repeated my question where the entire north end of Toledo Bend could hear me.

As I lectured him on right and wrong and the dumb decision he just made, he turned his trolling motor on high and got away from me as quick as he could without even a response to my lecture. It was as if he never saw or heard me! I mean I was the ONLY BOAT fishing this point after all; how could he not hear me?

Later that same day, I had another incident with an angler who was fishing with his grandfather and his son. Basically, the same situation; I’m fishing a spot just off a bluff close to the boat road when this boat came running down the boat road and shut down behind me about 30 yards away.

As I’m fishing this spot just off the bluff, this boat starts to idle behind me and is going away from me. So, at this point I’m thinking he’s doing the right thing and fishing away from me … or so I thought!

But no, that’s not what he did! He actually turned his boat 180 degrees and cut between me and the spot I was fishing about 20 yards in front of me, right where I was throwing my lure!

Once again, I’m dumbfounded and about to lose my mind by his action. I told him it was a good thing he had his young son in the boat because otherwise he too would have gotten a verbal tongue lashing like the other angler I chatted with earlier that day! Again, I asked him the same question, “How dumb are you?”

But during these times we live in, it’s just another day on the water and incidents like these are now commonplace. Anglers and pleasure boaters continue to do the dumbest things I’ve ever seen.

At the end of the day, I’m exhausted pretty much every time I go on the lake as I’m always on high alert for anglers cutting me off or someone doing something else dumb.

The problem isn’t just on the lake, it’s also at the boat ramp, as people have totally forgotten what the word courtesy even means. So many boat owners have no understanding of boat ramp etiquette and the process of launching a boat! IT’S NOT HARD, PEOPLE!

If you want to be entertained one day, take the time to go to a boat ramp and watch the comedy show of people who can’t back a boat down a boat ramp or load a boat on to a trailer. It’s hilarious and makes for great entertainment!

So, my advice today to all boaters/anglers who understand how to act on any body of water is to have patience and be prepared to help people launch their boat while teaching them how to do this the right way.

On the fishing side of things, you’ll also need patience as other anglers continue to cut you off as you’re going down a stretch of boat docks or a tree line.

So many boat owners and anglers have no idea about the unwritten rules of the water, or as I call it, common sense! I guess it’s up to us old anglers to teach and share our knowledge because they aren’t going to learn it from anyone else. Good luck, good fishing and stay safe!

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

---

In 1965, Washoe was born in West Africa. Ten months later, she and four other youngsters, Dar, Pili, Tatu, and Moja, were brought to the United States to be raised by foster parents Allen and Beatrix Gardner. Allen and Beatrix played with them, talked to them, fed them, chased them, ran from them, gave them a comfortable and intellectually stimulating home, and all the other things most parents do to bond with and raise their children. Washoe and the others acted very much like children of their age with one exception, they could not speak. Fostering Washoe and the others was difficult because they were unable to communicate vocally, but Allen and Beatrix both worked as scientists at the University of Nevado in Reno and understood that getting the desired result usually took a long time to achieve. One of the most important tools in their arsenal as scientists was patience. Most doctors concluded that they would never be able to communicate because they all lacked a specific gene, the FOXP2 gene, which is essential for the normal development of speech. They would never be able to speak. They accepted the prognosis that the youngsters would never be able to communicate verbally, but Allen and Beatrix were determined that they would be able to communicate.

Rather than trying to get Washoe and the others to speak verbally, the Gardners stopped using verbal communication around them altogether. When in their presence, Allen and Beatrix communicated with each other using American Sign Language (ASL). The Gardners feared that trying to communicate with them verbally and with sign language simultaneously would be confusing. The Gardners hoped the youngsters would learn by watching them communicate with each other. Washoe was especially interested. They used the proper sign language to each other when Washoe was eating, bathing, and while she was being dressed. They invented exciting games; introduced new toys, books, and magazines; all of which were designed to stimulate sign language. They made scrapbooks of Washoe’s favorite pictures and used the proper sign language for whatever was shown in the photos. Dinner time began with Allen and Beatrix shaping their dominant hands into a flattened “O” with the fingertips touching the thumb then tapping the fingertips to their lips once or twice. In American Sign Language, this is the sign for “food” or “to eat.” Then one day at dinner time, long after doctors and other experts had given up hope that she would ever be able to communicate, Washoe told Allen and Beatrix that she was hungry by signing the word “food.” The Gardners were overjoyed. Within a short time, Washoe could tell the Gardners that she was thirsty and that she wanted to play with her toys by using sign language. She quickly learned the sign for “more” to let the Gardners know she was still hungry, still thirsty, or that she wanted more toys. Her vocabulary continued to grow. Then she began to learn to answer questions such as “Who is that?” and “What do you want?”

As her vocabulary grew, the Gardners noticed something extraordinary. Washoe began teaching the other youngsters the sign language she knew, and they were signing back correctly. With the help of the Gardners, Washoe and the others learned a sign language vocabulary of hundreds of words and expressions. Washoe became the first of her kind to learn a human language and teach it to another primate. Washoe and the others were all chimpanzees.

 

Sources:

1. “Friends of Washoe,” accessed February 22, 2026, https://www.friendsofwashoe.org/learn/chci_history/project_washoe_begins.html.

2. “Meet Tatu and Loulis—the last of the ‘talking’ chimpanzees,” National Geographic, accessed February 22, 2026, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/chimpanzee-sign-language-experiments.

3. “FOXP2 gene,” MedlinePlus.com, accessed February 22, 2026, https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/foxp2/.

---

March 4 holds a unique place in pop culture as National Grammar Day, a lighthearted observance that has grown in popularity thanks to social media, memes, and the internet’s enduring fascination with language.

The date itself is a playful nod to grammar rules, sounding like the command “March forth.” Over the years, it has become a day when grammar enthusiasts, writers, educators, and casual word lovers alike celebrate the quirks of language.

Online, March 4 often brings viral debates over Oxford commas, homophones, and common grammatical pet peeves. Brands, news outlets, and public figures frequently join in, posting tongue-in-cheek corrections and wordplay that engage audiences in a way few other observances do.

National Grammar Day also highlights how language shapes pop culture. Catchphrases, slang, and internet shorthand evolve rapidly, reflecting how communication adapts to technology and social trends. What was once considered “incorrect” grammar often becomes widely accepted usage, blurring the line between rules and cultural norms.

In an era dominated by text messages, emojis, and memes, March 4 serves as both a celebration and a reminder: language is alive, constantly changing, and deeply connected to how people express identity and humor.

From classrooms to comment sections, National Grammar Day proves that even the smallest details of language can spark big conversations — and plenty of laughs.

---

Mr. Alan Scott Clingan, age 55, of Winnfield, Louisiana, passed away on February 28, 2026 at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi after a brief illness. Scott was born August 1, 1970 in Little Rock, Arkansas to the union of Warren Don and Rose Marie Stinnett Clingan.

Scott loved the simple things in life- spending time outdoors, fishing, and hunting, Arkansas Razorback sports, Nascar and relaxing while watching TikTok videos. He found comfort in the familiarity and joy of everyday moments. He was deeply loved and will be missed more than words can express.

He was preceded in death by his parents Warren Don and Rose Marie Stinnett Clingan.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 5 years, Melinda O’Neal Clingan; his sons, Brett Clingan, Christopher Clingan (Bri); his grandchildren, Acey and Aliza, who lovingly knew him as “Big Papa”and where truly the love of his life; his beloved fur baby Ellie; and his cat Jasper who was his TikTok watching companion. He also leaves behind extended family and many friends who will cherish his memory.

The family wishes to extended special thanks to Lagniappe Skilled Nursing Facility in Bastrop, Louisiana as well as the doctors and staff of St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi for their kindness, compassion, and care.

Scott’s wishes were to be cremated. Services are under the care of Southern Funeral Homes of Winnfield. A private family memorial will be held at a later time.

---

The National Weather Service is forecasting warm temperatures and gusty winds for Winn Parish through midweek, with rain and thunderstorm chances arriving Thursday before sunny skies return for the weekend.

Wednesday will be partly sunny with a high near 77 degrees. South winds will range from 10 to 15 mph, with gusts reaching up to 25 mph, creating breezy afternoon conditions.

Wednesday night will turn mostly cloudy, with overnight lows around 61 degrees.

On Thursday, there is a slight chance of showers during the morning hours, followed by a higher chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Skies will be partly sunny with a high near 81 degrees. The chance of precipitation stands at 50 percent.

Thursday night brings a 30 percent chance of showers before midnight, then mostly clear skies with temperatures cooling to around 50 degrees.

Friday will be sunny with a high near 74 degrees, while Friday night will be mostly clear with a low around 47 degrees.

The weekend forecast looks bright and pleasant. Saturday will be sunny with a high near 79 degrees, followed by mostly clear skies Saturday night and a low around 51 degrees.

Sunday continues the sunny trend with highs near 79 degrees.

Residents are encouraged to remain weather-aware Thursday afternoon as scattered thunderstorms could develop across the parish.

---

I did not put my sense of humor away for Lent. Honestly, I’m not sure I could if I tried. My sense of humor has a mind of its own and occasionally needs to be told, “Hush now, we’re in church.” I once preached a funeral with the “Exit” sign burned out over the doors we’d be leaving through. My brain, unhelpfully, started processing the symbolism — we all exit eventually — and before I knew it, my mouth was dangerously close to sharing that observation with the grieving family. That’s when I realized: for Lent, I may fast from many things, but my sense of humor is apparently not one of them.

And speaking of Lent, that little moment of funeral foolishness reminded me how this season always brings out our quirks, our questions, and our wellintentioned attempts at spiritual discipline. Many congregations observe Lenten practices, and you can usually spot us by the annual question: “So… what are you giving up for Lent?” Some of my Roman Catholic friends give up meat on Fridays, which has sparked many a conversation — and, fun fact, is the reason McDonald’s invented the fish sandwich. Stick with these Ponderings long enough and you’ll be ready for Jeopardy!

Which brings me to one of my favorite Lenten stories.

John Smith was the only Protestant to move into a large Catholic neighborhood. On the first Friday of Lent, John was outside grilling a big, juicy steak. Meanwhile, all his neighbors were dutifully eating cold tuna fish. This went on every Friday. Finally, the Catholic men decided something had to be done — John was tempting them beyond what any human should endure.

So they set out to convert him.

They talked with him, brought him to church, and the priest sprinkled water over him saying, “You were born a Baptist, you were raised a Baptist, and now you are a Catholic.” The men rejoiced. Their Lenten temptations were over.

Until the next year.

The first Friday of Lent rolled around, and just as the neighborhood sat down to their tuna, the unmistakable aroma of steak drifted through the air. They rushed to John’s yard, ready to remind him of his new commitments.

And there he stood, sprinkling water over his steak, saying, “You were born a cow, you were raised a cow, and now you are a fish.”

It’s funny — and it’s also a gentle reminder. It’s not what our neighbors call us that defines us. It’s not even what we call ourselves. Our actions, our habits, our quiet choices — those speak louder than our reputations or our labels.

Lent invites us into that quieter truth. Not the showy kind, not the “look what I’m giving up” kind, but the kind that shapes us from the inside out.

This Lent is Jesus shaping your heart and your journey to Easter?

---

Ever notice how quickly opinions travel faster than facts? This week’s cartoon plays with that idea, leaning into the humor of how we debate, react and sometimes overreact in the digital age. Inspired by the game-show energy of Jeopardy!, it’s a lighthearted reminder that not every buzzer needs to be hit — and sometimes it’s okay to wait for the full answer.

---

When you’re young and full of pee and vinegar, you think you’re bullet proof. You have a younger mindset that nothing can happen to you. But nothing could be further from the truth. For an angler, or anyone who spends a great deal of time in the outdoors, there are three words you never want to hear, “You have Melanoma.”

This is the number one form of cancer that takes more lives than any other. Like so many others, I thought something like this would never happen to me. But God had other plans as that day came for me in June of 2023. Never in a million years did I think I would be that guy who would have to battle cancer, but here’s my story.

A couple of years earlier I started seeing a dermatologist on a regular basis. Then one day while my sister-in-law was cutting my hair, she asked if I knew about this small black dot on the back of my ear. Since none of us can see the back of our ears, I had never seen this spot. She suggested I get it looked at, so I took her advice and made an appointment.

It was March of 2023 when I had this appointment, and my dermatologist suggested we try some chemo cream to help get rid of this spot. Well, after two weeks of chemo cream the spot went away. I thought my worries were over until mid-April when the spot returned. So once again, I made another appointment scheduled for the first week of May.

While I wasn’t overly concerned, we were planning a family vacation to Disney World the last week of May and I wanted this spot off my ear. But as fate would have it, my dermatologist had to go out of town to attend a convention, and my May appointment was cancelled. So, they rebooked me for the last week of June which was basically eight weeks.

Again, at this point, I’m still not overly concerned but really wanted this off my ear. Well, let’s just say when I returned for my appointment the last week of June, this spot had ulcerated and was now a deep purple color. Then the day of my appointment, the minute I was called to the back, the nurse took a look at my ear, and she instantly got very concerned and rushed out of the room to get my dermatologist.

This got my attention and now I’m nervous as my doctor walked in and said, “Oh, Steve this is not good, and I’ll go ahead and prepare you that this is probably going to come back positive for Melanoma.”

She biopsied the spot and overnighted it to a lab for testing. The next day around 10 that morning, she called and told me, “You have Melanoma.” My heart sank and I was a little overwhelmed and wasn’t sure what to think. But my dermatologist did an outstanding job of reassuring me that everything will be OK, as hopefully we’ve caught this early.

To shorten this story, I had two ear surgeries to remove the upper portion of my left ear and four difficult immunotherapy sessions that were hard to get through due to my reaction to the drug OPDIVO. But since then, all of my scans have been clear and bloodwork has been good.

Immediately I started the first year going to M.D. Anderson in Houston every three months. Then in late 2025, they scheduled me for testing every six months which is where I’m at today. Hopefully, if my PET scans, MRI’s and bloodwork continue to be clear, I’ll soon be moving to testing annually for the rest of my life.

The one thing my cancer doctor has told me is that Melanoma is the worst form of cancer that can hide in the body for long periods of time. It can come back at any point and that’s why I’ll continue to go back to M.D. Anderson from now on.

Here’s my advice to anyone (especially anglers) when it comes to protecting yourself from the harmful rays of the sun. First, understand this: Melanoma does not discriminate, and no one is immune to getting this form of cancer. Wear long sleeve SPF shirts with built-in sunscreen. Wear long pants instead of shorts to protect your legs. Wear a wide brim hat — even if you look goofy. I also wear fishing gloves to help protect my hands.

Always apply sunscreen to any portion of the skin that might be exposed. Do everything you can to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Because the words you never want to hear are, “You have Melanoma.”

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

---

February 25 marks the birthday of Nina Simone, an artist whose music blurred the lines between entertainment, activism, and cultural revolution. Born in 1933, Simone became one of the most uncompromising voices of the Civil Rights era, using her platform to challenge injustice while reshaping the sound of American music.

Trained as a classical pianist, Simone defied expectations by blending jazz, blues, folk, gospel, and classical influences into a style uniquely her own. Her performances were emotionally raw and politically charged, reflecting both personal struggle and collective Black experience. Songs like “Mississippi Goddam” and “To Be Young, Gifted and Black” became anthems of resistance and pride.

Unlike many artists of her time, Simone refused to separate art from politics. Her willingness to address racism directly often made her controversial, but it also cemented her place as a cultural truth-teller. February 25 serves as a reminder of how her music functioned not just as entertainment, but as commentary on American life.

Simone’s influence on pop culture has only grown over time. Her music has been sampled and referenced by modern artists across genres, from hip-hop to indie pop. Filmmakers and television creators frequently use her songs to underscore moments of tension, empowerment, or historical reflection, introducing her voice to audiences far removed from the 1960s.

Beyond her music, Simone’s image and persona have become cultural symbols. Her unapologetic authenticity and refusal to conform resonate strongly in today’s conversations about artistic freedom and racial justice. Documentaries, biopics, and streaming playlists have renewed interest in her life, prompting deeper discussions about how Black women artists are treated by the industry.

February 25 also invites reflection on Simone’s complicated legacy. Her life was marked by brilliance, struggle, and resistance — elements that mirror the broader Black American experience she so often sang about. Today, she is widely recognized not only as a musical innovator but as a cultural icon who spoke truths others feared to voice.

As Black History Month nears its close, Nina Simone’s birthday serves as a powerful reminder that pop culture can be a force for change — and that music can carry the weight of history.

---

William J. “Bill” Blythe Jr. had recently been honorably discharged from the Army and had just been hired as an equipment salesman by the Mankee Equipment Company of Chicago. Immediately following World War II, so many soldiers were returning home and looking for work that jobs were scarce. 29-year-old Bill could find no work in his hometown of Hope, Arkansas, and was lucky to find work even if it required him to relocate to the windy city. It could not have come at a better time. Bill’s wife, 22-year-old Virginia Dell Cassiday, was six months pregnant. After calling home with the happy news, Bill began the 750-mile drive back to Hope, Arkansas, to prepare the family for the move.

Just before midnight on May 17, 1946, Bill had driven about half of the 755 miles to Hope when, about three miles west of Sikeston, Missouri, one of the front tires on Bill’s 1942 Buick sedan blew out. Bill lost control of the car, and it rolled over twice before coming to a stop on the side of the Brown Spur drainage ditch along Highway 60. Sikeston was surrounded by drainage ditches to help prevent flooding. Bill suffered a head injury and crawled out of the wrecked car. He could hear the sounds of passing cars and could see their headlights as they passed. He began crawling up the steep embankment toward the highway. As he was crawling, he slipped and fell into the drainage ditch which contained four feet of water. There, he drowned.

Virginia was devastated. Three months after the accident, she had her child and named him William J. Blythe III in honor of her late husband. Everyone called him Billy. Virginia, now a single parent, went to nursing school in New Orleans, Louisiana. Virginia’s parents took care of Billy while she was away. In 1950, Virginia returned to Hope and went to work as a nurse. In that same year, she met and married a car dealership owner named Roger. In 1956, Roger and Virginia had a son whom they named Roger Jr. At some point, Billy Blythe began using his stepfather’s last name, and, in 1962, Billy legally changed his last name so that he and his half-brother would have the same last name. In the following year, Billy was selected to be a delegate to Boys Nation, a special youth leadership conference held in Washington D.C. Billy was among the other boys from Boys Nation who, along with the Girls Nation, were invited to the Rose Garden at the White House to meet President John F. Kennedy. Billy was one of the first in line to shake JFK’s hand. Billy said later that meeting JFK had a profound impact on his life.

Imagine just for a second that Bill Blythe’s car wreck never occurred. Billy Blythe III would probably have been born in Chicago. The whole trajectory of his life would have been different. He probably would not have become President of the United States. If he had, we would know him as Bill Blythe rather than Bill Clinton.

Sources:

1. Daily American Republic (Poplar Bluff, Missouri), May 18, 1946, p.1.

2. “It All Began in a Place Called Hope: Biography of the President Bill Clinton,” National Archives, accessed February 15, 2026, https://clintonwhitehouse5.archives.gov/WH/EOP/OP/html/Hope.html.

---

Carolyn Gaar, age 88, entered into her eternal rest peacefully at her home in Gaars Mill on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Mrs. Gaar was known to many throughout Winn Parish and the surrounding communities as the beloved owner of Billie’s Flower Shop, where for more than 30 years she brought beauty, color, and comfort to countless families during both joyful celebrations and moments of sorrow. Through her artistry and compassionate spirit, she left an enduring mark on the community she so dearly loved.

In addition to her years as a business owner, Carolyn faithfully served the children of Winn Parish for over 20 years as a school bus driver at Dodson High School. She considered it a privilege to safely transport generations of students, many of whom remembered her warm smile and steady presence.

Her life was one of service. She was an active member of the Pilot Club and the Home Demonstration Club, always willing to lend her time and talents to community efforts. During the years her children and grandchildren attended Dodson High School, she could often be found volunteering, supporting school activities, and cheering them on with pride.

Above all, Carolyn dearly loved her boys, and they, in turn, took the very best of care of their mamma. She was a loyal and devoted friend; on Friday nights, she enjoyed fiercely competitive card games with Joann McDaniel, Linda Bustin, Totsy Gaar and Betty Parker-games marked by laughter, intensity, and cherished fellowship.

She was preceded in death by her father, Virgil Samples; her mother, Christine Williford Samples; her husband, Shelby Gaar, Sr.; her son, Ralph Jenkins; her siblings, Mary McGill, Linda Bowman, and Bobby Samples.

Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Shelby Gaar, Jr. (Quanita) of Dodson, Louisiana; her grandchildren, Meagan Jenkins Garrett (Bryan), Dallas Jenkins (Jami), and Lane Johnson (Sydney); her great-grandchildren, Memphis Northcutt, Madilyn Jenkins, Westin Jenkins, Kase Johnson, and Korleigh Johnson; and her brother, Billy Samples, along with a host of extended family and friends who will forever hold her memory close to their hearts.

The family received friends at Southern Funeral Home in Winnfield, Louisiana on Saturday, February 21, 2026 from 5:00PM until 8:00PM. Visitation occurred again on Sunday, February 22, 2026 from 12 noon until time of services which were held at 2:00PM in the chapel of Southern with Rev. Kevin Womack officiating. Interment immediately followed the service in New Hope Cemetery in Dodson, Louisiana under the direction of Southern Funeral Homes.

Serving as pallbearers were Bryan Garrett, Lane Johnson, Donnie McDaniel, Chase Hemperly, Michael Gray, and Dylan Womack. Honorary pallbearers will be Shelby Gaar, Jr., Dallas Jenkins, Memphis Northcutt, and Kase Johnson.

The family wishes to thank the doctors and staff of Winn Parish Medical Center and Hand in Hand Hospice for their unending services.

Carolyn’s legacy is one of devotion to her family, her community, and her friends. Her hands arranged flowers that spoke when words failed, her steady driving carried children safely to and from school, and her life reflected a quiet strength and enduring love that will not be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to New Hope Cemetery, 109 Mistye Lane, Winnfield, Louisiana 71483.

---

Residents across Winn Parish can expect warm temperatures and mostly cloudy skies through midweek, with rain chances gradually increasing heading into the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

Wednesday will bring mostly cloudy conditions with a high near 79 degrees. Southwest winds between 5 and 10 mph are expected, with gusts reaching up to 20 mph at times.

Cloud cover will continue Wednesday night, with overnight temperatures falling to around 61 degrees.

Rain chances return Thursday, with a 20 percent chance of showers developing after noon. Skies will remain mostly cloudy, and temperatures will climb to near 80 degrees. A slight chance of showers will continue into Thursday night, with lows around 59.

Friday will remain warm, with partly sunny skies and a 20 percent chance of showers. The daytime high is expected to reach near 79 degrees. Rain chances increase Friday night, with a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms and overnight lows dropping to around 56.

The likelihood of rain continues to rise into Saturday, when there is a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Despite the rain chances, skies will become mostly sunny at times, with cooler temperatures and a high near 73 degrees. Saturday night will bring a continued 40 percent chance of showers and a noticeable drop in temperatures, with lows around 44 degrees.

Conditions are expected to improve by Sunday, with mostly sunny skies returning and cooler temperatures, as the high reaches near 65 degrees.

Residents are encouraged to stay weather aware, especially heading into the weekend when thunderstorm chances increase.

---

February 18 marks the birthday of Toni Morrison, one of the most influential literary figures in American history and a towering voice in African American culture. Born in 1931, Morrison reshaped how Black stories were told, studied, and valued, leaving a permanent mark not only on literature but on pop culture, education, and national conversations about race and identity.

Morrison’s novels centered Black life with depth, complexity, and honesty at a time when those perspectives were often marginalized or excluded altogether. Works such as Beloved, The Bluest Eye, and Song of Solomon explored themes of history, trauma, love, and resilience, challenging readers to confront uncomfortable truths about America’s past and present.

While Morrison’s work is frequently studied in academic settings, her cultural influence extends far beyond classrooms. Her storytelling style, which blended folklore, realism, and lyrical prose, has inspired filmmakers, musicians, and writers across genres. References to her work appear in song lyrics, visual art, and modern television narratives that focus on generational memory and identity.

February 18 offers a moment to reflect on how Morrison helped redefine whose stories mattered. In 1993, she became the first Black woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, a milestone that elevated African American voices on the global stage. Her achievement wasn’t just personal — it signaled a broader recognition of Black literature as essential to understanding the human experience.

Morrison was also deeply engaged in popular discourse. Her interviews, essays, and public speeches were widely shared and quoted, especially during periods of heightened racial tension in the United States. She had a rare ability to speak with clarity and authority while remaining accessible, making her a cultural figure whose influence reached well beyond literary circles.

Even after her passing in 2019, Morrison’s presence in pop culture continues to grow. Book clubs, social media discussions, and film adaptations have introduced her work to new generations of readers. Quotes from her novels regularly circulate online, often used to frame conversations about justice, beauty, and self-worth.

As Black History Month continues, February 18 stands as a reminder of the power of storytelling — and of Toni Morrison’s role in ensuring African American stories were not only told, but honored.

---