Welcome to Monday, May 16th, rock and rollers...

Gas prices reached new all-time highs in the U.S. on five consecutive days this week, according to AAA.

Each day from Tuesday through Saturday, gas prices topped the previous record of $4.33 per gallon on March 11th. 

AAA Spokesperson said in a statement that decreased global oil supplies and higher consumer demand have driven gas prices:

“With the cost of oil accounting for more than half of the pump price, more expensive oil means more expensive gasoline.”

Are you feeling the financial hit from gas prices reaching record highs?

Drought and Wildfire Brought by Climate Change in the Plains Leaves Farmers in Dire Conditions

Farmers in Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma are experiencing an unusually dry season, leading to concern over crops and profits. More than 80% of farmers in this region reported severely dry conditions.

Drought conditions have been building since October, which long-term projections show will hold throughout the summer. Droughts are natural in the Plains, yet scientists believe that climate change could be worsening the dryness. 

Is your area experiencing droughts and wildfires?

Finland’s Leaders Announce Support for Joining NATO Alliance

Finland’s government announced Thursday that the country is going to join NATO in the coming days. That will start a formal process that will likely conclude this summer with its membership in the NATO alliance. 

Finland’s decision to end its longstanding policy of non-alignment between NATO and Russia (or the Warsaw Pact during the Soviet era) comes amid Vladimir Putin’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. 

Are you in favor of Finland joining NATO?

Senate to Take Up $40B Ukraine Aid Bill, House Considers Letting the President Halt ‘Excessive’ Energy Price Hikes

The Senate is set to take up the $40 billion aid package for Ukraine this week after it passed the House on a bipartisan vote last week.

Meanwhile, House lawmakers are expected to consider legislation letting the president freeze “excessive” energy price hikes during declared emergencies, among a number of other bills. 

How do you feel about this week’s congressional schedule?

#TeamSeas for NFTs

Planning to support efforts to clean the oceans of toxic plastics? May as well get something for all that giving you do...

We call it a "charitable sweepstakes"—each dollar you donate to #TeamSeas earns you entries for a chance to win 1 of 4 NFTs by famed Japanese artist Hiroshi Yoshii. 

All the Memes Fit to Post

And, In The End...

Today is Love a Tree Day, so get out there and hug a tree. What's not to love?

—Jamie Epstein

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