Across America|News|
Elephant-Sized Meteor Buzzes Earth: Weird News & Oddities
People are entering NYC sewers, and no one knows why. A man fell into a septic tank, but the stench kept a rescuer away. Animals run amok.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
US News
Across America|News|
E-Scooter Crashes Spark Questions About Rider Rules: Block Talk
Fatal and serious e-scooter crashes raise fresh safety questions. How should your town balance safety and the convenience of e-scooters?
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
How To Respond To Nosiness Without Being Rude [The Question]
Rude questions, real boundaries: Patch readers debate whether personal questions deserve grace, deflection, humor or a hard stop.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
![How To Respond To Nosiness Without Being Rude [The Question]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/shutterstock/790386/20260604/063505/styles/patch_image/public/shutterstock-2723662743___04182525550.jpg)
Across America|News|
High Grocery And Gas Prices Change What Americans Put On The Dinner Table
As grocery and gas prices climb, readers say they’re cutting meat, skipping meals and stretching leftovers.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
Re-mapping Congress Dominates Primary Season - “The Sunday Political Brunch” - May 31, 2026
My political analysis if the week's top stories
Mark Curtis, Patch Contributing Writer
Across America|News|
Hell Is For Sale For About $666K: Weird News & Oddities
Parrot saves family from fire; woman gives birth in night court; car that hasn’t moved in years gets $50 ticket; world’s oldest oak spared.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
Memorial Day 2026 Grocery, Hardware Store Hours: What’s Open
With one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year approaching, some stores will have reduced hours on Memorial Day.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
Memorial Day Shopping Trends: What Consumers Are Buying And Skipping
Memorial Day shopping this year may look less like a spending spree and more like a values test.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
The Right And Wrong Way To Fly The Flag On Memorial Day 2026
More flags than usual will fly this Memorial Day Weekend as America gears up for its 250th anniversary. How to display the flag matters.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
The Backyard Burger Has Never Been Pricier
As National Burger Day approaches, cattle ranchers are having a moment. So are consumers who are paying for it.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
Cellphone Etiquette Doesn’t Allow These Rude Habits [The Question]
Some cellphone etiquette guidelines should be obvious, such as not using them in restaurants, stores and public bathrooms, readers said.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
![Cellphone Etiquette Doesn’t Allow These Rude Habits [The Question]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/shutterstock/790386/20260522/043415/styles/patch_image/public/shutterstock-1977846431___22162612231.jpg)
Across America|News|
Push To Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent Resurrected
With year-round daylight saving time, winter sunsets in much of the country would occur after 5 p.m.; sunrises would be as late as 9 a.m.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
The Midterm Election Season is in Full Swing – “The Sunday Political Brunch” - May 24, 2026
My political analysis from the week's top stories!
Mark Curtis, Patch Contributing Writer
Across America|Sponsored|
10 Books Patch Readers Can’t Stop Talking About
From a brand partner: From page-turning mysteries to unforgettable historical fiction, readers share the books they loved most.
Across America|News|
How To Shut Down Nosiness Without Being A Jerk [The Question]
What’s the best way to deflect nosy questions and set boundaries without being rude — or over-explaining yourself?
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
![How To Shut Down Nosiness Without Being A Jerk [The Question]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/shutterstock/790386/20260527/114104/styles/patch_image/public/shutterstock-1973829677___27113909278.jpg)
Across America|News|
The Simple Neighborhood Traditions That Are Quietly Disappearing: Block Talk
Porch chats, block parties and back-and-forth favors once defined neighborhood life. Now, even small connections feel harder to find.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
When To See Rare Blue Moon; It’s Also A Micromoon
Of the two definitions of a blue moon, this one — the second full moon in a calendar month — is the more common.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
As Food And Gas Costs Rise, How Is Your Budget Changing? [Patch Survey]
Consumers feel squeezed by higher gas prices, rising grocery bills, and more expensive health care. How is your budget changing?
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
![As Food And Gas Costs Rise, How Is Your Budget Changing? [Patch Survey]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/shutterstock/790386/20260527/041306/styles/patch_image/public/shutterstock-2359189757___27160553023.jpg)
Across America|News|
3 Carmakers Say Airbags Don’t Deploy Correctly In 520K Vehicles: Recall Roundup
E. coli, salmonella and other issues prompt food recalls; a lounge chair poses an amputation threat; and plush toys contain asbestos.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
Strangers Next Door May Prefer Keeping Their Distance: Block Talk
A survey suggests the American neighborhood remains important but no longer plays a central role in everyday social life.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
