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April 30, 2026Volume 24 - #9APPROXIMATELY 51 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES ARE DEALING WITH DEPRESSION, WHY ARE THE NUMBERS SO HIGH? SR COVER.qxp_Layout 1 4/28/26 6:23 PM Page 1YOU ARE INVITED TO:Community Wide Memorial ServiceSaturday, May 2nd, 2026 at 10:00amLord of Life Lutheran Church5601 Washington Rd. (Corner of Hwy 31 and Hwy 142)Proudly sponsored by SR043026This FREE event will provide peace and comfort for those grieving a loved one, regardless of which funeral home you utilized

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3 SMART READER April 30, 2026 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800Rate of depression in US continues at higher levelIn the first quarter of2026, the percentage of U.S.adults who said they weredepressed or were receivingtreatment for depressionwas 19.1%, down slightlyfrom the high of 20% in thefourth quarter of 2025. Thismarks a rise of ninepercentage points from thefirst poll on the subject in2015, a Gallup poll shows.This 19.1% translates toabout 51 million people inthe United States dealingwith depression, the pollsaid.Over the past 11 years,trends included a jump fromthe third quarter of 2019 tothe second quarter of 2023,when this percentage hit19.2%. This was about thesame time the U.S. Centersfor Disease Control andPrevention declared the endof the COVID-19 pandemic.Over the next year, the rateslowly fell to 17.5% by thesecond quarter of 2024,when it started movingupward again.The poll also asked thoseresponding if a doctor ornurse has ever told themthey have depression. Thispercentage was 29.5% perthe recent poll, anotherincrease from 2024. In 2015,it was 19.6%.Breaking the numbersdown further, depressionrates in adults younger than30 jumped over the past 10years, with 13% reportingdepression in the fourthquarter of 2017 and 28%reporting it so far this year.Depression in the groupages 18 to 29 in 2017, nowages 27 to 38, is nowmeasured at 24.6%.Depression rates havealso increased in those inhouseholds earning less than$24,000 a year, jumping from22.1% in 2017 to 37.4% now.The poll noted that adultsyounger than 30 were abouttwice as likely to live in lowincome households as thoseage 50 and older.The poll noted aconnection betweendepression and loneliness,with 33% of adults who saidthey experienced lonelinessthe day before the poll sayingthey are depressed. About13% of those who did notexperience lonelinessreported depression.There is also a connectionbetween loneliness,depression and those whofeel their life is gettingworse. About 35 percent ofthose who said their life hasgotten worse over the pastyear also said they werelonely the day before thepoll. About 30 percent ofthose who said their life hasgotten worse also reporteddepression.The high levels ofdepression in U.S. adultscorrelate with reports ofpoor mental health. In 2012,48% of U.S. adults said theirmental health or emotionalwellbeing was \"excellent,\"while 29% said the same in2025.The percentage of thosewho say they've visited amental health professionalover the past year hasjumped from 10% in 2001 to24% now.This correlateswith a receding stigma tomental health care; 70percent of U.S. adults saidthey prefer their doctor toask about both mental andphysical health. However,32% of people (38% of men)said their primary doctorhas never asked about theirmental health at all.Gallup surveyed 5,017adults between Feb. 18-March 3 with a 1.4% marginof error and about 2% to 3%for reported subgroups.By Jill KeppelerSmart Reader is published bi-weekly by Carmichael CommunicationsEditor & Publisher/Frank J. Carmichael • Assistant to the Publisher/Reanna Stockdale Sales/Kim Carmichael, Madison Giannini • Reception/Sarah Coleman Ad Design & Layout/Glen Kelly, Dylan Valenta, Francis Flex • Editorial Manager/Jason HedmanCarmichael Communications 1420 63rd St. Kenosha, WI 53143April 30, 2026Volume 24 Number 9262-564-8800 • 1-800-568-6623 •www.hap2it.comHreonfinsixaffthaneadiofexhaespemremrethdaorthUidthjucowwrecaevetredenodijuregrin worrigimcahonominpeanmis frompethneunthwThteththWt Mental health challenges becoming more common -- know your rightsMental health challengescan affect anyone, regardlessof background orcircumstance, and they arebecoming more commonacross the United States.In 2022, a nationalsurvey found that about 60million American adults --approximately 23% of theU.S. adult population -- wereliving with a mental illness,defined as a diagnosablemental, emotional orbehavioral disorder.This translates to a nearly37% increase over the pastdecade.These conditions can havea profound and lasting effecton patients' lives, includingtheir ability to engagemeaningfully and sustainablyin the workforce.Globally, depression andanxiety are estimated to leadto 12 billion lost workingdays annually, costing anestimated $1 trillion peryear in lost productivityworldwide and $47 billion inthe United States.I am a medical directorand practicing psychiatrist. Iwork with graduatestudents, residents, facultyand staff on a health sciencecampus, supporting theirmental health -- includingwhen it intersects withchallenges in the workplace.I often meet with patientswho feel unsure about howto approach conversationswith their schools, programsor employers regarding theirmental health, especiallywhen it involves taking timeoff for care. This uncertaintycan lead to delays intreatment, even when it'struly needed.Mental health by thenumbersAnxiety and depression are the most common mentalhealth conditions in the U.S..Nineteen percent ofAmerican adults suffer froman anxiety disorder, andmore than 15% havedepression.Meanwhile, about 11% ofAmericans experience otherconditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder,commonly known asPTSD, bipolardisorder, borderlinepersonalitydisorder or obsessivecompulsive disorder.Rates of anxiety anddepression increasedworldwide duringthe COVID-19 pandemic.But one positiveconsequence of thepandemic is that talkingabout mental health hasbecome more normalizedand lessstigmatized, including in theworkplace.Struggling at workFor those with mentalillness, the traditionalexpectation of maintaining astrict separation betweenpersonal and professionallife is not only unrealistic, itmay even be detrimental.The effect of mental illnesson a person's work variesdepending on the type,severity and duration oftheir symptoms.For instance, severedepression can affect basicself-care, making it difficultto complete tasks such asbathing, eating or evengetting out of bed. Severeanxiety can also beprofoundly debilitating andlimit a person's ability toleave the house due tointense fear or panic. Thesymptoms of such severemental illness may make itdifficult even to show up towork.On the other hand,someone struggling withmild depression or anxietymay have a hard timeinitiating or completing tasksthat they would typicallymanage with ease and find itdifficult to interact withcolleagues. Both depressionand anxiety may affect sleep,which can contribute tocognitive lapses andincreased fatigue during thework day.Someone with PTSD mayfind that certainenvironments remind themof traumatic experiences,making it difficult to fullyengage in their work. And aperson experiencing a manicepisode related to bipolardisorder might need to taketime away from workentirely to focus on theircontinues on page 4A new Gallup poll shows 19.1% of U.S.adults say they’re depressed or are receivingtreatment for depression, which translatesto about 51 million people in the country.Surveys show mental health challenges can affect anyone, regardless of backgroundor circumstance, and they are becoming more common across the United States. SR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 4/28/26 2:15 PM Page 2

4 SMART READER April 30, 2026 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800nalt,\"inseaalastoesto70idtonder,n)oreir78-in%erIn June 2025, the WorldHealth Organizationreleased a landmark reporton social disconnection. Itsfindings were stark: one insix people worldwide isaffected by loneliness, andthe condition contributes toan estimated 871,000 deathseach year.The report also identifieddigital technology as a driverof the crisis, warning aboutexcessive screen time andharmful online interactions,especially among youngpeople. That finding deservesmore than a public healthresponse. It also calls formoral and philosophicalreflection.Hannah Arendt warned ofthe \"banality of evil:\" thedanger that arises whenordinary people stopthinking for themselves.Under the pressure ofideology or indifference,they lose the habit of moraljudgment and becomecomplicit in wrongdoingwithout fully confrontingwhat they are doing.Dietrich Bonhoeffer saw arelated danger: that stupiditycan be more dangerous thanevil because it paralyzesethical reflection and leavesreason powerless.Both thinkers weredescribing tendencies thatnow appear in new form indigital life.The WHO report is notjust a health document. Itreflects a deeper problem: agrowing crisis of the personin digital society. Around theworld, the internationalorder is under strain, humanrights are often violated withimpunity, and moral languagecan sound increasinglyhollow. Yet today's crisis isnot only political. It is also amoral crisis that reachesinto the religious andpersonal dimensions of life,and to understand it fully, wemust ask what digital societyis doing to human beingsfrom the inside.When agency weakensAs technology mediatesmore of daily life, manypeople surrender part oftheir agency to systems theyneither control nor fullyunderstand.Algorithms shape whatthey see, what they fear andwhat they believe matters.The problem is not only thattechnology is powerful. It isthat people gradually losethe habit of inwardjudgment. They react morequickly, but reflect lessdeeply.This shift affects public life,but it also reaches the innerlife. People now live underconstant external pressure:social expectations,workplace demands and therelentless gaze of others,amplified through screens.What was once occasionalhas become continuous.According to the WHOreport, lonely people aretwice as likely to experiencedepression, while socialdisconnection raises the riskof stroke, heart disease andcognitive decline.These figures are notmerely medical indicators.They suggest lives livedunder sustained strain,without enough interior restand without the depth ofhuman connection that givesstability and meaning.That creates a growingtension between the self andthe outside world. On oneside is the effort to remaininwardly grounded andfaithful to one's convictions.On the other hand, there isthe pressure to perform,adapt and remain visible.When that tension can nolonger be processedinwardly or expressedclearly in words, the bodyoften absorbs what the mindcannot resolve.In that sense, symptomssuch as burnout, insomniaand chronic fatigue are notalways isolated personalproblems. In many cases,they also reflect lives livedunder prolonged pressure.The body does not simplymalfunction. It can alsoregister distress that aperson has not fully beenable to name.The exhaustion societyThis is especially visible inwhat philosopher ByungChul Han has called the\"achievement society.\"People are no longercontrolled mainly by directexternal authority. Instead,they internalize pressure anddrive themselves in the nameof success and visibility. Theindividual becomes bothmaster and servant, pushingforward while quietlywearing themself down.The result is not greaterfreedom, but a new form ofexhaustion.The digital environmentintensifies this condition.Social media encouragesendless comparison. Publicdiscourse rewards reactionmore than thought.Relationships becomethinner and moreinstrumental. People areconnected all the time, yetmany feel unseen. They aresurrounded by signals anddemands, yet inwardlydisplaced from themselves.The WHO reportcaptures this paradoxclearly: we live in the mostconnected age in history, yetloneliness remainswidespread, especiallyamong the young. Amongadolescents and youngadults, loneliness rates rangefrom 17% to 21% globally.That helps explain why somuch suffering today feelsdiffuse. Many people are notonly tired but disoriented,not only anxious butestranged from deepersources of meaning.When the abnormalbecomes normalA further danger follows.Societies gradually adapt towhat should never havebecome acceptable.Corruption becomesroutine. Violence becomesbackground noise.Institutional decay is treatedas inevitable, and publicdishonesty is excused asrealism. Capable peoplebegin to minimize what, atanother time, they wouldhave clearly condemned.This is a form ofsociocultural normosis: thenormalization of dysfunctionuntil the disease is alreadywidespread. Somethingsimilar happens with morallanguage. Good wordscontinue to circulate, butwith less force. Public figuresspeak of democracy, dignityand peace, yet their conductoften empties those wordsof meaning.That is what I would callthe banality of good: notgoodness itself, but thepassive repetition of moralformulas without courage orcoherence. Evil advances notonly because bad actors act,but because too manydecent people retreat intocaution, convenience orsilence.Recovering the humancenterIf this diagnosis is evenpartly correct, the responsecannot be merely technical.It must also be moral andcultural.The WHO report calls ongovernments to treat socialconnection as a public healthpriority, alongside physicaland mental health. That isnecessary. But policy alonecannot restore the innerconditions that makeconnection meaningful. Wealso need people who canthink clearly, makeindependent judgments andresist manipulation. We needdigital tools, but not at thecost of human agency.The deeper question iswhether balance is stillrecoverable: betweenmaterial progress and innerlife, between productivityand meaning, between theself and the demands of theworld. What the WHO datamakes clear is that the costof imbalance is not abstract.It appears in illness, inisolation and in early death.That recognition is astarting point. When societyloses its moral center, thedamage does not remain inpolitics alone. It entersrelationships. It entersconsciousness. And sooneror later, it enters the body.By Carlos CanteroIn June 2025, the World Health Organization released a landmark report on socialdisconnection. Its findings were stark: one in six people worldwide is affected byloneliness, and the condition contributes to an estimated 871,000 deaths each year.When digital society disconnects fromthe self, the body speaksndheayinmes,lyaicarkerkeire 4SR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 4/28/26 2:15 PM Page 3FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800Kenosha Funeral Services and CrematoryPrepay for your funeral now and the price will be guaranteed. 8226 Sheridan Rd. 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5 SMART READER April 30, 2026 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800A catastrophe in globalaviation fuel is taking shape,and almost no one is payingattention.The culprit is theprolonged conflict in theMiddle East and the supplyinsecurity it has introducedinto global crude oilmarkets. Jet fuel is refinedfrom crude oil, and the vastmajority of jet fuelproducing nations -- SouthKorea, Singapore, India, andJapan among them -- importthat crude through the Straitof Hormuz, now undersustained threat of blockade.Unlike most petroleumderivatives, jet fuel isstructurally among the mostexposed products in thiscrisis.The consequences of asupply disruption would beswift and severe. Atminimum, one-third of theworld's airports could seefleets grounded as pricesspike beyond what carrierscan absorb. The cascadingdamage to business travel,logistics, and global supplychains would rival theeconomic toll of openwarfare. The early warningsigns are already visible: jetfuel prices have more thandoubled, inventories arethinning, and airlines arequietly cutting routes.On April 16, Fatih Birol,Executive Director of theInternational Energy Agency,reported that European jetfuel reserves had fallen toroughly six weeks of supply -- a warning that, one weekon, means approximately fiveweeks remain. With theStrait of Hormuz still closed,Europe's aviation sector is ina genuinely precariousposition.The same day Birol spoke,Britain's Daily Telegraphreported that Lufthansa andKLM had announced servicereductions. Lufthansa plansto ground all 27 aircraftoperated by its regionalsubsidiary CityLine, whichhas provided intra-Europeanbusiness routes, and willremove six additional longhaul aircraft from itsschedule after the summertravel season. A seniorLufthansa official citedgeopolitical instability andsurging jet fuel costs as thereasons.The European Union,which sources roughly 75%of its jet fuel from the MiddleEast, is now scrambling torespond. Options underdiscussion include joint EUprocurement, with Britainand other non-memberstates potentiallyparticipating. The UnitedKingdom alone consumesapproximately 13.5 milliontons (14.9 million U.S. tons)of jet fuel annually, refiningonly 4 million tons (4.4million U.S. tons)domestically and importingthe rest.The crisis is spreadingbeyond Europe. VietnamAirlines suspended itsHanoi-Auckland service inlate March due to fuelshortages; low-cost carrierVietJet has cut domesticroutes as well. Vietnamimports more than twothirds of its jet fuel needsand has effectively reached asupply crunch. New Zealandhas approximately 27 days ofreserves remaining, and AirNew Zealand has cancelledmore than 1,100 flights.Australia, with only 30 daysof supply left, appears likelyto follow. Japan's airportshave begun notifying carriersof potential refuelingrestrictions, prioritizingdomestic aircraft overforeign ones -- a sign thateven one of Asia's mostadvanced economies isunder pressure.All of this has focusedglobal attention on SouthKorea. China and Thailandhave already moved torestrict jet fuel exports.Now the world is watchingSeoul.Korea is not merely theworld's top jet fuel exporter.It is the dominant one -- by amargin that is difficult tooverstate. Korea exports251,000 barrels per day, avolume that effectivelymatches the combinedexports of the United States(132,000 barrels) and theNetherlands (123,000barrels). Korea controlsnearly 30 percent of theglobal jet fuel market.Without Korean jet fuel,roughly one aircraft in threeworldwide could not fly.Korea supplies more than50 countries, including theUnited States, Australia,Singapore, Japan, and NewZealand. The U.S.relationship is particularlycritical: approximately 70percent of American jet fuelimports originate in Korea.California, isolated from therest of the country by theRocky Mountains with nodirect pipeline connection toother regions, is effectivelyan energy island -- importingKorean jet fuel by sea issimply more economicalthan overland alternatives.The shipping data platformKpler, reports that the U.S.West Coast imported anaverage of 54,000 barrels ofjet fuel per day last year,roughly a third of whichcame from Korea. WereKorea to restrict thoseexports, West Coastairports would face nearparalysis, with perhaps oneaircraft in three grounded.Prices reflect themounting pressure. Since theconflict began, crude oil hasrisen 50 to 60%, but jet fuelhas surged more than 120percent -- from around $80per barrel before the war toa peak of $216. Airlines thathedged against crude ratherthan jet fuel specifically haveabsorbed hundreds ofmillions in unexpected costs.Much of this would neverhave come to light withoutthe conflict to expose it.Most Koreans themselveshad no idea. Jet fuel isproduced in limitedquantities, is difficult to storelong-term, and requiresrigorous quality controls: itmust remain fluid at minus50 degrees Celsius (-58degrees Fahrenheit) atcruising altitude, making ituniquely vulnerable tosupply chain shocks.Korea has no oil fields ofits own. What it has builtinstead -- throughtechnology, capital, and twodecades of relentlessrefinement -- is somethingthe world now depends on:the largest above-ground oilfield on earth. Over the pasttwo decades, Koreanrefiners including SK Energyand GS Caltex have investedmore than 40 trillion won($27 billion) in advancedupgrading facilities,converting imported heavycrude into high-grade jet fueland light petroleumproducts. Through relentlesseffort, they maximized yieldsthat others could not match.While the global averageupgrading ratio stands at25%, Korea operates atnearly 40&. Technology, inKorea's case, has substitutedfor the resources naturenever provided.By Nohsok ChoiA global jet fuel crisis is closer than the world knowsDepressioncontinued from page 2stabilization and recovery.Knowing when to ask forhelpIdentifying a trustedcolleague, supervisor orhuman resourcesrepresentative can bean important first step inmanaging your mentalhealth at work. Whileselecting the right person toconfide in may bechallenging, especially giventhe vulnerability associatedwith disclosing mental healthconcerns, doing so can openpathways to appropriateresources and tailoredsupport services.For instance, it mightencourage an employer toconsider offering access tofree or low-cost mentalhealth care if it's not alreadyavailable, or to provideflexible scheduling thatmakes it easier foremployees to get mentalhealth treatment.It's also important to beaware of changes in yourmental health. The earlieryou can recognize signs ofdecline, the sooner you canget the support that youneed, which might preventsymptoms from worsening.On the other hand,sharing sensitive informationwith someone who is notequipped to respondappropriately could lead tounintended consequences,such as workplace gossip,unmet expectations andincreased frustration due toperceived lack of support.However, even if yoursupervisor or manager isnot understanding, thatdoesn't change the factthat you have rights in theworkplace.The Americans withDisabilities Act providescritical protections forindividuals with disabilities inthe workplace. Under theact, it is unlawful foremployers to discriminateagainst qualified individualsbased on a disability.The law also requiresemployers to providereasonableaccommodations so thatpeople who qualify are ableto participate fully in theworkplace provided thatthey do not impose undueburden on the place ofemployment.There are manyreasonable accommodationsfor workers with mentalillness. These can includeprotected time to attendmental health appointmentsand flexibility in workschedules and workplace.For instance, if your joballows for it, working fromhome can be helpful. If yourjob requires being on site, aprivate work space isanother reasonableaccommodation. Someonewith anxiety might find thatworking in a quiet, privatespace helps reducedistractions that triggertheir symptoms, making iteasier for them to stayfocused and get things done.Other possibleaccommodations includeproviding sick leave orflexible vacation time to usefor mental health days orappointments, or allowing anemployee to take breaksaccording to their individualneeds rather than a fixedschedule. Employers can alsoprovide support by offeringequipment or technologysuch as white noisemachines or dictationsoftware.The role of the workplaceAn organization'scommitment to supportingemployee mental health canplay a large role in shapinghow well employeesperform at work -- and,ultimately, the organization'ssuccess.Relying on individualemployees to manage theirmental health is not asustainable long-termstrategy for employers andmay lead to significantworkplace disruptions, suchas more missed work daysand lower productivity.Studies show that whenemployers lead targetedinitiatives promoting mentalhealth, overall workplacefunctioning and resilienceimprove. These initiativesmight include educatingemployees on mental health,providing accessible care,helping employees havebetter work-life balance anddesigning supportiveworkplace policies for thosewho are struggling. Thesesteps help reduce stigma andsignal to employees that it'ssafe to seek support.By Julie WolfeismmrbSsLotsTmrmEh2usCmumawrsebhpstleBindrsptmdobcincecTaSR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 4/28/26 2:16 PM Page 4

6 SMART READER April 30, 2026 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800toofiltghwossngon:oilastangyedonedes,vyuelmssdsch.geatatinedrehoidthsndleesg,,edeeedseThe Trump administrationis changing the waymarijuana is regulated. In amajor policy shift, it isreclassifying some marijuanaby removing it from theSchedule I tier occupied bysuch drugs as heroin andLSD.A Justice Departmentorder on Thursday launchedthe shift, with a focus onstate-licensed medical use.The administration is alsomoving toward an expeditedreclassifying of marijuanamore broadly. A DrugEnforcement Administrationhearing is scheduled for June29.Marijuana still isn’t legalunder federal law, though 40states and the District ofColumbia permit itsmedicinal or recreationaluse. Now, with licensedmedical marijuana classifiedas a Schedule III substance, itwill be subject to fewerregulations. And businessesselling the product might beeligible for federal taxbreaks.President Donald Trumphas described his marijuanapolicies as a “commonsense” approach to a drugthat many Americans rank asless harmful than alcohol.But some prominent leadersin the president’s own partydisagree with thereclassification move, and aslim majority of Americanspolled by Gallup in 2024 saidthey think marijuana harmsmost users and isdetrimental to societyoverall. Views of the drugbecame more negative,compared with a poll takenin 2022, even as legalcannabis sales wereexpanding across thecountry.At the same time, otherrecent polls find that mostAmericans support someform of legal marijuana use.The reclassification,requested by Mr. Trump inDecember, comes days afterthe president signed anexecutive order requestingthat federal agencies loosenrestrictions on psychedelicdrugs such as psilocybin andibogaine. Influentialpodcaster Joe Rogan, aproponent of ibogaine,personally lobbied thepresident to initiate a reviewof the drug. Attending anOval Office signing of theexecutive order this month,Mr. Rogan recalled a textmessage from the president:“Sounds great. Do you wantFDA approval? Let’s do it.”The change in marijuana’sstatus is a continuation of aninitiative that began as adirective from President JoeBiden, whose 2019 electioncampaign platform includeda call to decriminalizecannabis. In 2023, theDepartment of Health andHuman Services proposedrecategorizing marijuana asa Schedule III substance. TheJustice Department formallymoved to reclassifymarijuana as a lessdangerous drug thefollowing year. The DEA hadbeen reviewing publiccomments on the matterwhen Mr. Trump took officelast year. In December, hesigned an order to fast-trackthat process.The president said themove was in response topeople seeking relief frompain but, he added, “Itdoesn’t legalize marijuana inany way, shape or form, andin no way sanctions its useas a recreational drug.”In response, 22Republican senators and 26GOP House memberswrote letters to thepresident last year tooppose the move.Kevin Sabet, chiefexecutive of the Foundationfor Drug Policy Solutionsand Smart Approaches toMarijuana, says the drugcurrently has no approvedmedical use through theFood and DrugAdministration, making itunprecedented to have aSchedule III drug without aprescription. The group heheads, which opposescommercialized legalizedmarijuana as well asincarceration for users,intends to mount a legalchallenge to thereclassification. It’s illegal tobypass the DEA’srulemaking process, says Mr.Sabet. He described thereclassification of marijuanaas a “giveaway” to themarijuana industry.“We need to not allow anindustry to copy Big Tobaccoas they are and usecelebrities, advertise onfreeways,” says Mr. Sabet.“You’d think we would havelearned from that.”In signing thereclassification, actingAttorney General ToddBlanche said the JusticeDepartment “is deliveringon President Trump’spromise to expandAmericans’ access tomedical treatment options,”with the move opening adoor for more “research onthe safety and efficacy of thissubstance.”Despite Americans’reservations, only 12% ofrespondents in a PewResearch Center survey lastyear said no form ofmarijuana use should belegal. One-third said itshould be legal for medicaluse only (33%), and morethan half (54%) favoredlegalizing both medical andrecreational use.“Trump is trying to drawwhat is essentially anartificial distinction betweenmedical and recreational,”says Alex Berenson, authorof the 2019 book “Tell YourChildren,” which posits thatcannabis has severepsychiatric consequences ina small but significantminority of users, and canlead to violent outcomes.“The worst part of thisactually, is that the way he’sdone this will just worsenthat confusion. This is arecreational drug, that’s allit’s ever been, that is all it istoday. If we’re going tolegalize it, we should legalizeon that basis.”Bryon Adinoff, presidentof Doctors for Drug PolicyReform, said in a statementthat, though thereclassification reducesbarriers to cannabisresearch, it leaves “virtuallyall cannabinoid productsillegal, except for a smallnumber approved by theFDA as medicines.” Dr.Adinoff called for endingcriminalization, allowingmedical access to the drug,and treating cannabis as apublic health issue, includingresearch into its potentialbenefits and risks.Advocates ofdecriminalization welcomedthe reclassification but saidit doesn’t go far enough.“Americans deservemarijuana reform that fullyends and addresses theharms of criminalization,which includes needlessarrests, incarceration, andlasting barriers to jobs,housing, and employment,”said Cat Packer, director ofdrug markets and legalregulation at the Drug PolicyAlliance, in a news release.Mr. Berenson sees politicsas a main impetus for themove by Mr. Trump and hisadministration: “I suspect hethinks that, politically, it’swhat a portion of his basewants.”By Stephen HumphriesTrump administration reclassifies marijuana, as public polls give mixed signalsSR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 4/28/26 2:35 PM Page 5SR060525Call Alex at 262-344-6736For a free estimateCall Alex at 262-344-6736For a free estimateAlex Fence & Repairs lex Fence & RepairsWhy settle for wood posts when you can get lifetime steel posts. 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7 SMART READER April 30, 2026 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800OPINIONU.S. Supreme CourtJustice Sonia Sotomayor’sverbal smackdown, thenapology to her colleague, hashopefully reached itsconclusion. But so muchmore troubles the nation’shighest court.The drama overSotomayor’s remarks aboutfellow Justice BrettKavanaugh hasovershadowed what she hasrepeatedly discussed inrecent remarks and writings.Sotomayor has been callingout the court’s increasinguse of shadow dockets, theshort-circuiting of thelengthy trajectory thatnormally brings casesforward.Recent reporting by TheNew York Times uncoveredthe origins of the shadowdocket, a method of issuingemergency decisions, oftenwith scant explanation, thenuanced parsing ofprecedents that builds caselaw.The Times, on April 18,published a trove of leakedmemos detailing the court’sshift during the last decade.The implications are real andbipartisan.Yet Sotomayor’s criticismhasn’t received much newscoverage, certainly nothingon the level of her recentinsinuation that Kavanaugh isout-of-touch with thefinancial realities of thecommon man.Sotomayor was uncharacteristically ungraciouswhen she criticizedKavanaugh. Unfortunately,her remarks were made onthe University of Kansascampus, tainting anotherwise special visit.Sotomayor didn’t nameKavanaugh in her comments.She didn’t have to, as the lawschool alums at the April 7address were given context.She was discussing herdissent to a decision fromSeptember, a case that cameup on an emergency docket.Sotomayor dissented,calling the case “yet anothergrave misuse of ouremergency docket.”OPINIONIt would be amusing if itwasn’t so serious. HouseMinority Leader HakeemJeffries (D-NY) and severalother Democrats were onweekend programs callingfor a toning down of thepolitical conversationfollowing the shooting atthe White HouseCorrespondents’ Dinner inWashington. Jeffries wentso far as to say we are allAmericans. This afterregularly denouncing thepresident in harsh tones.Another of the badrhetorical offenders hasbeen Rep. Jamie Raskin (DMD). He has called thepresident an authoritarianwho threatens theConstitution, rule of lawand democracy.There are otherDemocrats who have calledPresident Trump a “fascist,”a “dictator,” and a wannabeking. A few even comparehim to Hitler. Now they aresaying “never mind.” Noapologies. Noaccountability. It’s like thead that promotes a cleaningservice following acatastrophic weatherevent: “Like it neverhappened.”When the Alfred P.Murrah Federal Buildingwas bombed in April 1995,President Clinton visitedthe site and blamed “loudand angry voices” in rightwing media and talk radio,which many took to meanRush Limbaugh. Clintonsaid they spread paranoiaand hate that fostered acriminal climate whereviolence had becomeacceptable.Using Clinton’s formula,who is to blame after threereported attempts onPresident Trump’s life? TheLeft doesn’t have theequivalent of conservativetalk radio, but it has manyleftists who go on cablenetworks such as MSNOW and CNN, callingTrump outrageous namesand claiming he isdangerous and a threat tothe Constitution and freespeech.Did the accused gunman,31-year-old Cal Techgraduate Cole Tomas Allen,internalize some of thepoisonous hate speechdirected at the president?Perhaps.In a “manifesto” he sentto family members 10minutes before opening fire(obtained by the New YorkPost), Allen reportedlyreferred to himself as the“Friendly Federal Assassin.”He said he was “hell-benton killing Trumpadministration officials.”Allen’s reported “targets”did not include FBIDirector Kash Patel for anunknown reason. Allen issaid to have revealed hismotivation: “I am no longerwilling to permit apedophile, rapist, andtraitor to coat my handswith his crimes.” He was,presumably, referring to thepresident.Labels and similaraccusations have been usedto characterize thepresident by many voters,some elected Democrats,and by guests on cablenews (James Carvilleimmediately comes tomind). Yes, the presidentbears some responsibilityfor contributing to thename- calling. At a newsconference in the WhiteHouse briefing roomfollowing the incident, thepresident significantlytoned down his rhetoric,even praising the press,which he had reportedlybeen ready to skewer atthe dinner. He called for“national unity” and wassomber and evenconciliatory in his tone. Hesaid he would give adifferent speech to thegroup in 30 days at thesame location.Will this “new Nixon”continue? Is the president achanged man? Experienceand cynicism say “no.” Lookhow long the unity lastedafter the terrorist attack onSept. 11, 2001. Longer thanmost, but it had anexpiration date.Yes, security could havebeen better – althoughSecret Service agents didtheir job. In his “manifesto,”Allen reportedly mockedwhat he considered a lackof security that allowedhim to bring in his guns andknives as he checked in as aregular hotel guest daysbefore the attack.There may beimprovements in security,but there likely will be noimprovement in thelabeling too manypoliticians attach to thoseon the “other side.” Whycan’t the other side be theIranian leadership, Russia,North Korea and China?Don’t we already haveenough enemies withoutcreating new ones amongourselves?Who’s to blamethis time?with Cal ThomasReaders may email CalThomas [email protected] for Cal Thomas’ latestbook “A Watchman in theNight: What I've Seen Over50 Years Reporting onAmerica\" (HumanixBooks).my turnagSithwLohesttipbewToaptin19apLobeRawneanfratrstpoarsupotoonwacmanfaYewsoRemDnwstory continues on page 7Justice Sotomayor apologized, and the nation still missed her pointwith Mary SanchezReaders can reach MarySanchez [email protected] follow her on [email protected] Trump speaks during a press conference in the Brady BriefingRoom of the White House on April 25, 2026 in Washington, DCisgaimCstaralawasuagwppoMcoU.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor speaks at the Miami DadeCollege Padron Campus on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in Miami.Mary Sanchez joinsHappenings Q&A on Mon May 11th at 9:20am on AM1050 WLIPSR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 4/28/26 2:17 PM Page 6

8 SMART READER April 30, 2026 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800erommeet.ed,erurhd,”dkddasey,oeyeyea,a?etgOPINIONFor readers of a certainage, the cry of \"Hi Ho,Silver, Away\" followed bythe William Tell overturewill be instantly familiar.This was the storiedLone Ranger, the maskedhero aboard his whitestallion, Silver, with silvertipped bullets in his gunbelt. And riding alongsidewas his ubiquitous sidekick,Tonto, on his mount, Paint,appearing weekly on thetiny TV screens of the1950's.The image is particularlyappropriate today, as theLone Ranger is, in a sense,becoming the DroneRanger. The question iswhether the Drone Rangerneeds a sidekick. Thatanswer is not clear andframed by other questions.Are drones as trulytransformational as thestirrup, longbow, gunpowder, machine guns andartillery, aviation,submarines and nuclearpower and weapons wereto war?Some believe that basedon the fighting in Ukraine,where all forms of dronesaccount for the greatmajority of casualties, theanswer is yes. Indeed, thefact that the Houthis inYemen, not exactly theworld's most advancedsociety, can threaten theRed Sea with drones andmissiles reinforces this view.But are drones thattransformational? Couldthey become fullyindependent of all humancontrol and thus achievecomplete autonomy ofaction? Or, like Tonto, willdrones by necessitybecome companions to\"Kemosabe,\" the mannedDrone Ranger? Theargument was well put bytwo experts.Writing in last month'sForeign Affairs, retired ArmyGen. David Petraeus madethe powerful case andprediction that futuremilitary leaders would haveto be adept in defining thetactical, operational andstrategic parameters for theuse of all forms of drones,and thus become skilled inwriting and understandingAI software to accomplishthose tasks.On the other hand,retired Air Force Lt. Gen.John \"Jack\" Shanahan, wholed the Pentagon's ArtificialIntelligence Office, arguedthat AI was unlikely toenable full autonomy undervirtually all future scenariosand circumstances.A third argument camefrom former U.K. Chief ofDefense, retired ArmyGeneral Sir Nick Carter ina creative War on theRocks digital article. SirNick called forunderstanding andidentifying the strategiccontext and boundaries fordrones as the crucial firststep in determining where,how and when they couldbe applied -- and, asimportantly, where, howand when drones might notbe used or that their usewas exaggerated.Last week's annual Sea,Air and Space conference,hosted by the Navy Leagueand held at the NationalHarbor complex adjacentto the nation's Capitol,brings these issues frontand center.Many of the exhibitspresented leading-edgedrone technologies withmodels of unmannedvehicles that in real lifewould be 150 to 200 feetlong and reportedly capableof traveling thousands ofmiles at high speeds,completely untethered tohuman control-DroneRangers without Tonto.The U.S. Navy hasrequested proposals formedium-sized unmannedsurface vessels that are duethis week so decisions canbe made on which futurefleet composition might bebased.The argument made bythe new chief of NavalOperations, Adm. DarylCaudle, and his staff is thatdrones can exploit thispotentially transformationalnature of conflict and offsetthe huge costs of modernwarships. The price tag for anew battleship could be ashigh as $22 billion.But while submarinesdate to the Civil War andthe first real airplanes to1903, it took time todetermine the utility andstrategic value of each. Thesame time factor may notapply to drones. Thetechnology is changing soquickly that in the case ofthe Wright brothers, theirbiplane might have becomejet-propelled in months andnot decades.What is needed, as Gen.Carter noted, is aframework for determiningthe ultimate strategic utilityof air, surface andsubsurface unmannedvehicles, and not justtactical or operationaladvantages.From that context, youcan then define theessentials:command-and-control;self-defense and protectionfor surface drones;maintenance and repairwhile underway; rules ofengagement for when todeploy them; basing andhousing potentiallythousands of drones acrossall types; and the long-termcosts and supportrequirements that are oftenoverlooked.Whether we will hear \"HiHo, Silver\" and the maskedman and Tonto riding offtogether in the futureremains to be seen. But donot discount this metaphorwhen thinking about dronesDo Drone Rangersneed Tontos?with Harlan Ullmanmy turnHarlan Ullman is UPI'sArnaud de BorchgraveDistinguished Columnist; senioradviser at Washington'sAtlantic Council, chairman of aprivate company and principalauthor of the doctrine ofshock and awe. His next book,co-written with Field MarshalThe Lord David Richards,former U.K. chief of defenseand due out next year, is WhoThinks Best Wins: PreventingStrategic Catastrophe. Thewriter can be reached on [email protected] Ullman joinsHappenings Q&A on Thu May 7th at 9:20am on AM1050 WLIP7tU.S. Air Force Braden Schwartz, a 9th Air Force (Air Forces Central) Battle Labsoftware engineer, fires up drone operating equipment in November at Shaw AirForce Base, South CarolinaNoem v. Vasquez Perdomois an important case thatgave the court’s approval forimmigration agents inCalifornia to continuestopping people based onassumptions about theirrace, ethnicity, nativelanguage, occupations andwhere they wereapproached.The case stems from lastsummer when immigrationagents began profiling at carwashes, tow yards, farms, andparks.Sotomayor, in her dissent,pointed out that nearly 47%of the city’s central districtresidents are Latino and thatmore than 55% of people inLos Angeles County speak alanguage other than English.The court’s 10-page rulingto stay a lower court’sdecision was answered withSotomayor’s 21-page dissent,a portion of which read:“The Government, and nowthe concurrence, has all butdeclared that all Latinos, U. S.citizens or not, who worklow wage jobs are fair gameto be seized at any time,taken away from work, andheld until they provide proofof their legal status to theagents’ satisfaction.”This is the case thatSotomayor was discussingwhen she made the gaffabout Kavanaugh.Here is what Sotomayorsaid:“I had a colleague in thatcase who wrote, you know,these are only temporarystops. This is from a manwhose parents wereprofessionals and probablydoesn’t really know anyperson who works by thehour or the piece like I do.”Sotomayor’s blunt candorwas astute. But she didn’tneed to get personal. Shewas widely criticized, andapologized to Kavanaughpersonally, and then issued apublic statement of regret.The controversy tookattention from herconsistent remarkscriticizing the shadowdocket, of the court takingup cases before lower circuitrulings have had ample timeto weigh in.On April 9, two days aftershe made the commentsabout Kavanaugh in Kansas,she was at the University ofAlabama, also discussing theshadow docket. By then,attention was being drawnto her curt words days prior.Kavanaugh surely knowspeople who work by thehour. But he was born towell-educated, wellemployed and well-paidparents. His mother was acircuit court judge, and hisfather a corporate lawyer.Such a safety net is ablessing. It can protectpeople from the visceral,often life-changing anxiety ofnot being able to pay bills,afford college, pay rent, andbuy groceries.Sotomayor has been quiteclear in articulating therealities of people who havefar lesser means. She’s doneso in written dissents andcomments on universitycampuses, pointing out howemergency decisions canundercut the chances of allvoices from being heard inthe courts.“Immigration agents arenot conducting ‘brief stopsfor questioning,’ as theconcurrence would like tobelieve,” she wrote in herdissent to Noem v. VasquezPerdomo. “They are seizingpeople using firearms,physical violence, andwarehouse detentions. Norare undocumentedimmigrants the only onesharmed by theGovernment’s conduct.United States citizens arealso being seized, taken fromtheir jobs, and preventedfrom working to supportthemselves and theirfamilies.”Her points are well stated,and they bear repeating, farmore than her chidingremarks of Kavanaugh.Mary Sanchezcontinued from page 6SR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 4/28/26 2:17 PM Page 7

9 SMART READER April 30, 2026 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800We know that what weeat matters. The right foodscan also help promote ahealthy pregnancy. That'sbecause proper nutritionhas a key role in the healthydevelopment of a fetus. Folic acid, for example, isimportant to help preventabnormal development ofthe spine and brain.Because of that, many foodsare now fortified with folicacid because it's needed inthe early stages of a fetus'life, often before a womaneven knows she's pregnant.Folic acid is the syntheticform of folate found infortified foods andsupplements. Food sourcesinclude fortified cereal,spinach, beans, asparagus,oranges and peanuts.Calcium and vitamin Dare other importantnutrients for normaldevelopment of the skeletalsystem in the mother anddeveloping fetus. Sources ofcalcium include milk,yogurt, cheese, fortifiedcereal or orange juice,salmon, spinach, broccoliand kale. Vitamin Dregulates the amount ofcalcium and phosphate inthe body, needed forhealthy bones and teeth.Sources include fatty fish,eggs and milk and juicesfortified with vitamin D. Thebody also makes vitamin Dwhen exposed to sunlight.Many pregnant womenare often short in iron andbecome anemic. Iron isused to make hemoglobinin red blood cells to carryoxygen to various tissues. Apregnant woman needstwice the amount of iron asa nonpregnant womanbecause her body needs tomake more blood to supplythe baby with oxygen.Good sources includefortified cereal, beef,poultry, spinach and beans.There are also foods toavoid when pregnant --alcohol; caffeine; certain fishhigh in mercury; deli itemswhich may contain listeriabacteria that can causepremature birth; and rawfoods, such as raw eggs,sprouts, meat, seafood andunpasteurized dairy, whichalso pose a risk forfoodborne illness. And for all of us --pregnant or not -- it's bestto choose a diet thatincludes whole grains,fruits, vegetables, dairy andlean protein. Charlyn Fargo is aregistered dietitian withSIU Med School inSpringfield, Ill. food & recipesHealthy Diet,Healthy BabyNutrition News with Charlyn FargoGreen Vegetable RiceQ: What are polyphenols? A: Polyphenols are compounds found in plant foods,including fruits and vegetables, herbs, spices, darkchocolate, tea and wine. There are more than 8,000types of polyphenols, broken down into four types:phenolic acids found in whole grains and seeds,flavonoids found in onions and apples, polyphenolicamides found in chili peppers and oats, and other typesfound in flax and whole grains. Polyphenols areantioxidants and may help neutralize free radicals thatcold be harmful to cells and increase the risk of heartdisease and diabetes.Serves 4 to 6Note: Wear rubber gloves when workingwith chiles, and wash the cutting surface andknife immediately afterward.1 tablespoon oil3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided1 medium onion, finely chopped1 cup long-grain white rice1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh Californiachiles, Anaheim (see note)1/4 cup chopped celery leaves2 medium cloves garlic, minced1 3/4 cups chicken stock1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 cup spinach leaves, stems removed2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley1. In a medium skillet or saute pan, heat oiland 1 tablespoon butter. Add onion andsaute over low heat, stirring occasionally,until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Addrice and cook, stirring occasionally, untillightly browned.2. Stir in chiles, celery leaves, and garlic. Pourin stock and add salt. Bring to boil, cover,reduce heat and simmer over low heat 15minutes.3. Thoroughly rinse spinach leaves and chopthem. Using a two-pronged fork, carefullystir spinach into rice. Cover and continue tosimmer about 5 minutes or until rice istender. Remove from heat. Let stand 10minutes.4. Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons butter andparsley and taste for seasoning. Serveimmediately.Advance preparation: This dish may be keptup to two hours at room temperature.Reheat carefully in the top part of a doubleboiler above hot water over medium heatfor 10 minutes.yeanin tugamglolikwomfrabloHoindSaofhanewavieththco(c$2doththth$3thMsbServings: 61 tablespoon refined coconut oil3 cups cubed butternut squash2 cups chopped carrots2 medium Granny Smith apples, cored and chopped1 cup chopped yellow onion1 tablespoon minced garlic3 cups vegetable broth1 tablespoon ginger paste1 tablespoon red curry paste1 teaspoon smoked paprika1 teaspoon ground cuminGarnish: Coconut cream; sweet Thai chili-flavored almonds, chopped; GrannySmith apples, cut in matchsticks; cilantro; black pepperIn 5-quart Dutch oven, melt coconut oil over medium-high heat. Add squash,carrots, apples, onion and garlic. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until onion issoftened, stirring occasionally. Add broth to vegetable mixture. Bring to boil;then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 30 to 35 minutes oruntil squash and carrots are tender. Stir in ginger paste, curry paste, smokedpaprika and cumin. Using immersion blender, blend mixture for 2 to 3minutes until smooth. To serve, ladle soup into serving bowls. Drizzle withcoconut cream, garnish with apple matchsticks, almonds, cilantro and blackpepper, if desired. Ginger Apple Butternut Squash SouptafinreIf quBuberedogeBool19haunwbotoasplcogaXanw“fsesyprCbGreen vegetable rice is a standby in my kitchenThis is a standby recipe in my culinary rotation. Long grain rice stays fluffy after it is cooked anddoesn’t clump together. Celery leaves, spinach, parsley, and mild green chiles lend a fresh and slightlyspicy touch to white rice. You can up the spiciness of this by replacing simple Anaheim green chilieswith poblano, serrano or jalapeno peppers. If you are short on time, use canned roasted mild chiles.You can use this as a template and add cilantro and a touch of tomatillo sauce for additional punchto this recipe. Start with this recipe and then improvise. Sometimes I change it up with different flavorprofiles. How about different spices for Italian, Indian, Persian, Asian or Middle Eastern flavorvariations? It’s fun to try different cultural tastes. Any of these rices make delicious side dishes. By Diane Rossen WorthingtonSR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 4/28/26 2:17 PM Page 8

10 SMART READER April 30, 2026 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800If at the beginning of theyear I told you that the U.S.and Israel would start a warin the Middle East, which inturn would drive up oil andgas prices for at least twomonths and snarl up theglobal economy, you wouldlikely presume that stockswould be in a full-on bearmarket.Sixteen weeks later, amid afragile ceasefire and the U.S.blockade of the Strait ofHormuz, stock marketindexes reached new highs.Say what?It seems like a good chunkof the investor communityhas decided that withnegotiations under way, thewar will soon be in the rearview mirror. If that’s the case,they argue, it would meanthat oil prices wouldcontinue to drift lower(crude is already down by$25 a barrel), helping to pushdown prices at the pump bythe end of the summer,though maybe not back tothe pre-war level of about$3/gallon.I know what you’rethinking: What could possiblygo wrong from here? Theanswer is quite a lot, but thatdoesn’t mean that youshould attempt to “sellbefore the next shoe drops.”That said, now that taxseason is behind us, it is anexcellent time to rebalanceyour retirement account. Asa reminder, rebalancingmeans that you are puttingyour allocation back intobalance.So, if you were targeting60 percent stocks, 30%bonds and 10% cash, andtoday those percentages areout of whack, either becauseyou got freaked out amid therecent volatility, or one partof the account performedbetter than another, youneed to move money fromthe overperformer into theunderperformer.In a retirement accountdoing this quarterly or semiannually is fine, becausethere is no tax liabilityassociated with changes. Inmany retirement plans, thereis an ability to autorebalance, which makes theprocess easier.If you have a taxablebrokerage account, it’sprobably best to rebalanceonce a year, with one caveat.If you need access to moneywithin the next 12 months,perhaps to make a housedown payment, purchase acar or pay a tuition bill, youneed to make sure that it isnot invested in anything thatcan fluctuate (stocks, bonds,crypto). Instead, keep it in asafe savings, checking ormoney market account. Inaddition to the cash needsfor a large purchase, you alsoneed 6 to 12 months of livingexpenses in a high yieldsavings or money marketaccount.Fed updateKevin Warsh, PresidentDonald Trump’s nominee tosucceed Jerome Powell asFederal Reserve Chair, finallybegan the process ofinterviewing with the SenateBanking Committee.This was the first step ingaining the chamber’sblessing, which is neededbefore Powell’s tenure endson May 15. One wrinkle isRepublican Senator ThomTillis who has said that hewon’t vote to confirm Warshuntil the Department ofJustice drops its investigationof Powell over his handling ofthe Federal Reserve buildingrenovation project.Eventually, it is likely thatWarsh will be confirmed,though maybe not by theMay 15 deadline. If that’s thecase, Powell said that hewould continue in the role as“chair pro tempore,” which“is what the law calls for.That’s what we’ve done onseveral occasions, includinginvolving me. And it’s whatwe’re going to do in thissituation.”The president againthreatened to fire Powell,though Treasury SecretaryScott Bessent said that otherFed governors could serveas the interim leader. WhenWarsh does eventually takeover, Powell may choose tostay on as a governor untilhis term expires in January2028.Jill Schlesinger, CFP, is a CBSNews business analyst. Aformer options trader and CIOof an investment advisory firm,she welcomes comments andquestions [email protected]. jill on moneyMaking sense ofstocks at new highsby Jill SchlesingerTraders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchangeat the opening bell in New York on April 20, 2026.Regardless of age, when Italk to people about theirfinancial lives, the wordretirement usually comes up.If they are over 50, thequestion is: “Can I retire?\"But if they are younger, itbecomes, \"Will I everretire?”The difference has a lot todo with the luck of ageneration. For BabyBoomers (1946–1964) andolder Gen X-ers (1965–1980), the economic systemhas generally (notuniversally) worked prettywell. People started working,bought houses, contributedto retirement accounts and,as a result, have been able toplan for a time when theycould take the foot off thegas and call it quits.But for some younger GenX, Millennial (1981–1996)and Gen Z (born after 1996)workers, there is a sense of“financial nihilism,” a deepsense that \"the economicsystem no longer rewardsprudence or long-termplanning,\" according toMorgan Camp of the WorldEconomic Forum (WEF).This is consistent withfindings from a recentNorthwestern Mutual study,which found 80 percent ofGen Z and 75% of Millennialsfeel behind financially. Manyturn to non-traditional waysto build wealth, from cryptobets to prediction markets,and even online gambling.Before you complain thatevery generation has its badluck, let’s look at somenumbers. Over the last 35years, the cost of college hasskyrocketed, and manyturned to loans to financetheir degrees. While gradsearn more than non-grads,Camp notes that the medianwage for a bachelor’s degreeholder, adjusted for inflation,has barely moved from$58,138 in 1990 to $60,000today.The younger generation isalso burdened by the ideathat homeownership is partof the “American Dream.”The Northwestern Mutualsurvey found that 75% ofU.S. adults agreehomeownership is essentialto building wealth, but abouthalf of Gen Z and Millennialssay they can’t afford thedown payment ormaintenance of a home.That makes sensebecause, according to Campat the WEF, “in 1990, themedian American home cost3.2 times the medianhousehold income. Today itcosts 5 times the medianincome, and for someoneaged 20–34, closer to 8times their annual salary.”Wow!Another reason some arechanneling financial nihilisminto big bets on volatileproducts is that many do nothave retirement plansavailable to them. Accordingto Torsten Slok of Apollo,“nearly half of working-ageAmericans don’t have aretirement account, with theshortfall most acute amongyounger, less-educated andlower-income workers.”Lack of access to a workbased retirement plan haslong been an issue, accordingto labor economist TeresaGhilarducci, a passionateadvocate for guaranteeingretirement security for allAmericans. She has turnedher research into abipartisan lobbying effort tomake retirement accountsavailable to all workers —which used to seem like apipe dream, but with theadvent of Trump Accounts,may gain traction.Changing the system willtake time, so what’s theanswer for navigatingretirement across allgenerations?First, it’s important foroldsters like me to take abreath before doling outadvice. As economiccommentator Kyla Scanlonhas written, “Young adultsaren’t confused orbamboozled by the risksthey’re taking. Theyunderstand them. They’reresponding to an economywhere the usual advice nolonger lines up cleanly withoutcomes.”Next, stop guessing andstart planning. Instead ofdoom scrolling or followinga “fin-fluencer” on socialmedia, crunching thenumbers can provide agency.Using one of the manyretirement calculators canprovide valuable insights andshow how the magic ofcompounding can work foryounger and older saversalike.Can I – or will I ever – retire?by Jill SchlesingerA recent study found that 80% of Gen Z and 75%of Millennials feel behind financiallySR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 4/28/26 2:18 PM Page 9

11 SMART READER April 30, 2026 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800yedenetoit usbemanWanupflubeOsmfothhidwefluAgnolowathcodotothmweVea thboalmsofro—hain yomimbecocoteplaHPwSurender Singh Negimoved from a remoteHimalayan town to Delhi in1987 – young, energetic, andby his own admission,“somewhat clueless.” He wasdrawn to the big city – butalso to a bigger paycheck. Helanded a job as anaccountant at apharmaceutical firm, placinghimself firmly inside aburgeoning middle class.Mr. Negi, who didn’tattend college, was able topurchase a three-bedroomapartment in East Delhi.There, he and his wife raisedthree children and put eachof them through college.One of them, Akhil Negi,lives in that same familyhome. He works as asoftware engineer for an ITcompany, earning around160,000 rupees ($1,700) amonth – compared to the7,000 monthly rupees hisfather made at the same age.In fact, his salary is almostdouble what his fatherearned before he retiredafter nearly 35 yearsworking.Yet buying a decent homein the Indian capital todayfeels like a distant dream forthe younger Mr. Negi, who isgetting married later thisyear. He and his wife plan tomove into a rentedapartment instead.“Apparently, I earn a hugesalary compared to what mydad was earning at my age,but it’s simply not enough,”says Mr. Negi at the familyhome, a third-floor walk-up.“It will take me years to savefor a down payment, andthen I’ll be tied to a loan fordecades.”It’s a conundrum felt bymembers of the middle classaround the world: FromNigeria to Venezuela, familiesfeel they are struggling – notjust to get ahead, but tosimply make ends meet.Plenty of people in theUnited States, where rentsand housing prices haveclimbed faster than medianincomes, can relate. Lack ofjob opportunities droverecent youth-led proteststhat toppled governments inNepal and Bangladesh. Now,the Iran war is driving up gasprices and transit fares incountries across the globe,exacerbating the affordabilityissue for millions.In February, a first-of-itskind survey of 107 countries’national priorities by theglobal polling firm Gallupfound that a median of 26%of adults cited economicissues as their top concern. Ifyou include respondentswho said they are mostworried about employment,the total rises to 36%.Economic worriesoutweighed political,security, social, andenvironmental issuescombined.But there’s a disconnectbetween these concernsover cost of living, and whateconomists are observingglobally.“In most of the world, themiddle class is actuallygetting richer and canactually afford more things,”says Homi Kharas, seniorfellow at The BrookingsInstitution and author of“The Rise of the GlobalMiddle Class: How theSearch for the Good LifeCan Change the World.”Global inflation hasdeclined since its 2022 peak,and the global middle class isgrowing – with India andChina leading the pack. By2030, India is set to have upto 700 million people in itsmiddle class, making thecountry a huge force drivingthe world economy.Yet in India, where middleclass incomes have risensharply, financial security stillfeels increasingly elusive tomany. A lot of Indians saythey feel poorer thanmembers of their parents’generation, despite earningmore.“What the squeeze isshowing is that the middleclass is also increasinglyworried about volatility andshocks. ... They’re concernedabout whether they’ll be ablein the future to sustain thesame kind of standard ofliving,” explains Dr. Kharas.“It’s [about] expectations, it’sstability, and it’s security.”The definition of “middleclass” changes depending onwho you ask.Gallup allows people toself-identify their social class.The Pew Research Centerdefines the middle class inrelative terms, as householdswhose annual income is twothirds to double the nationalmedian. Dr. Kharas – whoco-founded the World DataLab, which forecasts detailedconsumer and demographictrends – looks at spendingrather than income.“I actually think it’s easierto define what’s not in themiddle class ... because it’ssuch a heterogeneousgroup,” he says.The rich have so muchexpendable income that theydon’t really need to thinkabout how they spend it. Thepoor simply don’t have theluxury, with most of theirmoney going toward baselinenecessities. “And the middleclass are actually the peoplewho are making what Iwould call ‘economicchoices,’” he explains. “Theyhave a certain budgetconstraint, they have somediscretionary spending, andthey basically are makingconstant choices about whatto do with that discretionarymoney.”More than half the world’spopulation, the global middleclass makes choices thatshape regional and globaleconomies.Yet it is a relatively newdemographic. In his book, Dr.Kharas traces the globalmiddle-class roots back toVictorian England, when theIndustrial Revolutiontransformed the economyand created a need formiddle-tier workers – suchas factory managers,accountants, or engineers –that were neither laborersnor aristocracy. Post-WorldWar II economic growthexpanded the middle class inEurope and the UnitedStates, with manyeconomists and historiansdescribing the 1940s-70speriod as the “golden age” ofAmerica’s middle class. Butfrom a global standpoint, thiswas just the beginning.Over the next fewdecades, the rise of thedigital economy,urbanization, theglobalization of trade, andeconomic liberalizationpropelled the middle classforward across the GlobalSouth – especially in Asia.By 2030, two out of everythree members of the globalmiddle class will reside inAsia.All are searching for whatDr. Kharas describes as “thegood life.” And a fundamentalpart of that, valued acrosscultures and throughouttime, is stable housing. Butit’s getting harder to comeby.In the Netherlands,Portugal, and otherEuropean countries, surginghome prices have beenlinked to the rise of far-rightpopulism. A lack of affordablehousing in Seoul has beenblamed in part for SouthKorea’s declining birth rates.Meanwhile, in the U.S.,demand for housing isoutpacing supply, pushing upcosts and deferring homeownership. Last year, themedian age of first-timehomebuyers reached arecord high of 40, accordingto the National Associationof Realtors.This is all part of what theWorld Economic Forum callsthe “global housingmismatch.” And it’s apparentin cities such as Delhi andMumbai, which rank amongthe least affordable housingmarkets in India. Homeprices there cost anestimated 10 to 14 timesaverage annual householdincomes, according to a 2024analysis by the Indian realestate platform Magicbricks.Their analysts say that’smore than double theglobally accepted benchmarkfor affordable housing.Monthly mortgage paymentscan consume up to 40%-50%of household income.“In India, housing isincreasingly built with aspeculative intent – it’sproduced to sell, notnecessarily to live in,” saysMukta Naik, a fellow atSustainable FuturesCollaborative, a researchorganization based in Delhi.Uneven urbanization andartificial land scarcitiescontinue to push pricesupward, she explains,pointing to large tracts heldby public agencies andlimited release fordevelopment.Meanwhile, India faces anurban housing shortage ofroughly 10 million units,which could reach 30 millionby 2030, while new supply isincreasingly skewed towardpremium housing. Rents arealso rising, adding to thepressure. Residential rents inmajor Indian cities haveincreased by about 7% to 9%in 2025, following evensteeper annual hikes of 12%to 24% between 2021 and2024.Nowadays, people moveto cities for better jobs, onlyto find that the cost ofhousing erodes much oftheir income gains. Thesystem forces families intotrade-offs between the costsof rent, commuting, andquality of life.“It’s a nightmare,” says Mr.Negi’s father. “Had I knownthere would be such badcrises in future, I would havebought a bigger house, and Icould have afforded it.”Housing is just onepressure the middle classfaces. In their recentlyreleased book “Breakpoint:The Crisis of the MiddleClass and the Future ofWork,” Saurabh Mukherjeaand Nandita Rajhansa arguethat the cost of living forIndia’s middle class iseffectively doubling everyeight years – far outpacingincome growth for manyhouseholds.“When I look at mymonthly expenses, I’msurprised,” says Mr. Negi,who is still paying off aJapanese SUV he bought twoyears ago. “Everything iscostly.”This is backed up by data.A home-cooked vegetarianmeal now costs about 11%more year on year, accordingto a recent analysis by TheHindu. Medical inflation, ataround 14% annually, isamong the highest in Asia.Schooling has become yetanother major expense asfamilies seek betteropportunities for theirchildren in an increasinglycompetitive economy.Private school fees haverisen by roughly 60% in justthree years.At the same time,household debt is rising.More than half of Indianfamilies have taken personalloans, and a growing share ofborrowers are under age 30.For many, debt servicingtakes up a significant portionof income, leaving less roomfor savings or asset building.These numbers haven’tsignificantly affected politicalpolling. India’s Prime MinisterNarendra Modi, in power fornearly 12 years, draws asignificant share of hissupport from India’s middleclass, which continues toexpress a degree ofoptimism about theeconomy. Many supportersattribute their financialstrains to the legacy ofprevious governments or toglobal disruptions, ratherthan to current policy. Butthe pressures are reshapinghow middle-class familiesallocate income.“Earlier, housing was theone big investmenthouseholds made,” says Dr.Naik. “Now it has tocompete with spending oneducation and otheraspirations.”Adeeb Anwar, who is in hisearly 30s and lives with hiswife and parents in acongested neighborhood insouth Delhi, says even smallapartments have becometoo expensive.“My father managed toraise children and buy ahouse. For me, just havingchildren and sending them toschool will make thingsharder,” says the Universityof Delhi graduate, whoIn India, being part of the middle class isn’t what it used to bestory continues page 15SR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 4/28/26 2:18 PM Page 10

12 SMART READER April 30, 2026 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800Dear Cathy, My twoyear-old Siamese Cat hasdecided she no longerneeds to use the litter boxto poop. She seems to thinkit is perfectly acceptable touse our bed instead. She hasbeen doing it for about amonth. Our vet ran testsand found her to be healthy.We honestly can't think ofanything that could haveupset her.The vet put her onfluoxetine cream. It was tobe administered in her ear.Our cat, Mai, is extremelysmart and stubborn. Shefought tooth and nail forthe first few days, then shehid until I was asleep. Nowwe are trying liquidfluoxetine in her food.Again, very smart, she willnot eat the food.Both my husband and Ilove Mai very much andwant to find a resolution. Atthis time, we are veryconcerned because wedon't see a good outcometo this problem. Anythoughts or suggestions youmight have would be sowelcome. — Barbara, LasVegas, NevadaDear Barbara, Whena cat suddenly stops usingthe litter box, especially forbowel movements, it’salmost always a sign thatsomething has changedfrom the cat’s point of view— even if nothing obvioushas changed for the peoplein the home. The fact thatyour veterinarian ruled outmedical problems is animportant first step,because discomfort,constipation, and pain arecommon causes. When thetests are normal, the nextplace to look is stress, litterbox preferences, or learnedhabits.Cats often choose thebed because it smellsstrongly like their personand feels safe. If a catbecomes anxious oruncomfortable using thelitter box for any reason,she may look for thesoftest, most familiar placeinstead. Once that patternstarts, it can become a habitvery quickly. This does notmean Mai is being stubbornor spiteful. Cats don’t thinkthat way. She is trying tosolve a problem the bestway she knows how.Start by going back tobasics with litter box setup.Make sure you have at leasttwo boxes per cat, placed inquiet, easy-to-reachlocations. Try a differenttype of litter, especially anunscented, fine-grain litter,which many cats prefer.Some cats also like largerboxes with lower sides sothey feel less confined.Clean the boxes twice daily,since some cats will avoid abox that has already beenused.You can also try makingthe litter box moreappealing by sprinkling alitter box attractant in thebox to draw her back tothe box. These are availableonline and at pet stores. Ialso recommend putting afeline pheromone collar onher. You have to replacethem every 30 days, butthey can be helpful increating a calmerenvironment during aretraining period.Because she is choosingthe bed, management is alsoimportant while you workon the behavior. Keep thebedroom door closed whenyou are not in there orcover the bed with awaterproof liner or plasticsheet temporarily. This isnot punishment; it simplyprevents her frompracticing the behaviorwhile you are helping herrelearn a better one.Most importantly, don’tlose hope. Litter boxproblems can feeloverwhelming, but manycats return to normal oncethe cause is found and theroutine becomespredictable again. Yourwillingness to keep lookingfor solutions tells me Mai isin a home where she isloved, and that gives her thebest chance of workingthrough this.Dear Cathy, I readyour column aboutbreeders, and have only onething to add, which is thatethical breeders take theirpuppies back no matter thereason or age if the ownercan no longer care forthem, which is stated clearlyin the puppy contract. Both the dam and sire’sbreeders consider that theyare responsible for everypuppy produced for the lifeof that puppy. If theythemselves cannot keep thereturned dog, they willrehome that dog and thatrehoming process is just asvigorous as when thatpuppy was first offered forsale. — Anonymous,Bartlett, IllinoisDear Anonymous,You are right that manybreeders include a returnto-breeder clause andremain committed to thewell-being of the dogs theyproduce. When followed,these practices can helpensure that dogs are safelyrehomed and supportedthroughout their lives andstay out of the animalshelter system.At the same time,shelters and rescueorganizations continue tocare for many purebreddogs who don’t have thatguarantee, whichunderscores theimportance of thoughtfuldecision-making whenadopting a pet.Cathy Rosenthal joinsHappenings Q&A on Fri May 15th at 9:20 on AM1050 WLIP 'Really big pig' on the looseAuthorities in North Carolina are asking local residentsto keep an eye out for a \"really big pig\" seen wanderingloose in Durham County. The Durham County Sheriff'sOffice said on social media that the \"new heavyweightchampion\" was spotted in the Mason Road area but animalservices personnel were unable to locate the \"hambassador.\" \"To put it lightly: he is a REALLY big pig. We'retalking 'absolute unit' status,\" the post said. \"He's currentlyliving his best life on the lam, but we'd like to get himsomewhere safe before he decides to move intosomeone's backyard permanent-like.\" The sheriff's officesaid residents should report any sightings of the pig andnot attempt to capture it themselves. The pig's owner hasnot yet been identified. The post asked residents to helpcome up with a nickname for the county's new \"porcinepal.\" \"Since he's clearly a local celebrity now, he needs aname fitting of his stature. 'Tiny' feels a bit too ironic, and'Sir-Oinks-A-Lot' is a classic, but we know you can dobetter,\" officials wrote.Helping a cat get back on trackPet Worldwith Cathy RosenthalAs well as being a recuringguest on Happenings Q&A,Cathy M. Rosenthal is alongtime animal advocate,author, columnist and petexpert who has more than30 years in the animalwelfare field. Send your petquestions, stories and tips [email protected] control stickstheir necks out to capture emu on the runNashville's Metro AnimalCare and Control division hadan unusual visitor -- Picassothe emu. Picasso escaped herenclosure at home in Mt. Juliet,a suburb of Nashville. She wasfound about a mile from home.She was only on the loose for a few hours. Animal controlofficers were able to find and corral Picasso into a trailerthey renovated for her needs, according to MACCspokesperson Matt Peters. \"The owner reached out to usright away. We talked with them. The emu's very well takencare of at home. [It] turned out the latch just gave way onthe gate,\" Peters told WKRN . The MACC staff has beenbringing her fruits and vegetables to try to make hercomfortable during her stay. It's legal to have a pet emu inTennessee, but they require a lot of care and maintenance,MACC said.Ultra-rare split-coloredlobster not to be eatenA lobster fishing boat offthe coast of Cape Codlanded an extremely raresplit-color lobster, whichofficials said is considered a 1in 50 million catch. TheWellfleet Shellfish Companysaid the fishing vesseldiscovered the lobster withrare half-and-half coloring onApril 16. The company decided to donate the lobster tothe Woods Hole Science Aquarium, where it will live outthe rest of its life and be viewable by the public. \"Splitlobsters like this are extraordinarily rare -- caused byunique genetic variations that create their striking halfand-half coloring,\" Wellfleet said on social media.mymgi,awoista.an%ngheatisia.etasereirglymy.vestme,ng.annalof30.ngonmg.n’tcalerorahisletoofhersaloftoerutngeshentDr.toonerhishisainallmetoangtogstyho15SR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 4/28/26 2:36 PM Page 11

13 SMART READER April 30, 2026 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800My 52nd weddinganniversary is less than fivemonths away. I was so luckyto find my beautiful andloving wife. In all those manyyears, I think we’ve hadfewer than four seriousarguments. I discoveredyears ago that it doesn’t payto cross swords with awoman with Irish blood.More often than not, mydear sweet wife grumbleswhen trying to find aparticular spice bottle. Shefrequently laments aboutthe random placement ofthe glass cylinders filled withall sorts of tasty powders,leaves, or who knows what.I discovered long ago notto open my mouth tosuggest she organize themthe way she’d like to havethem, so what she needs isexactly in its spot. I madethat mistake and didn’t likethe look of flared nostrilsand wide eyes.Fast forward to a monthago. She Who Must BeObeyed was complainingonce again about how shecouldn’t find a particular jar.I knew early the followingmorning my 16-month-oldgranddaughter and I wouldhave the kitchen toourselves. I decided to tryto organize the spicesalphabetically while mysoulmate was stillslumbering.Our spice cabinet is anormal 12-inch-deep wallcabinet. There are foursmall, shallow shelves on theback of each door. Each ofthese shelves holds 4 typicalspice jars. There are 9 inchesof shelf space in the cabinetonce the doors are closed.This is where the troublestarts. You can fit four rowsof spice jars on each of theinterior cabinet shelves. It’simpossible to see 75percent of the labels.I did my best to organizethem, but my efforts wererewarded with a big bowl ofgrumble soup. I know mylovely wife appreciated mythoughtfulness, but truth betold, I hadn’t solved theproblem.I’ve seen slide-out spiceracks and suggested those.She didn’t seem impressed. Iknow what she wants, andthat’s the magic-wandsolution. She’d prefer agenie in a bottle blink hereyes, and the labels to all thespices be visible when youopen the door.Just days ago, I saw thisexact solution while visitinga friend in SouthernCalifornia. He lives in hischildhood home, which wasbuilt in 1911. This grandCraftsman-style home has amodest 12-foot by 12-footkitchen. Windows, astaircase, and threedoorways consume valuablewall space.The architect or buildercame up with an ingenioussolution for spice storage.The void space normallyhidden by plaster or drywallbetween two vertical wallstuds was used to storespices. The finish carpenterplaced 1x3 smooth trimaround the opening. A faceframe door that matchedthe base cabinets was usedto cover this enormous,shallow cavern.There were seven shelvesinside the space, but it couldhave been nine or 11 withlittle effort. I measured myspice jars, and the tallestone is less than 5 inches tall.The diameter of the spicejars is two inches. Thismeans you can fit seven jarson each shelf if you want toplace just one row per shelf.A 6-foot-tall openingwould allow you to havealmost enough space for 80spice jars. Two taller shelfspaces could be allocatedfor bottles or boxes thatneed more space.This unused space in anormal 2x4 wall would giveyou 4 inches of storagedepth from the back side ofthe drywall on the otherside of the wall to the faceof the drywall in yourkitchen. The typical spice jaris 2 inches in diameter. Youcould have two rows ofspices per shelf, but theback row labels would beinvisible. I recommend justputting one row of jars pershelf.You can just paint theback of the drywall and thesides of the studs if youwant to go the economyroute. The better solution,in my opinion, is to gluepieces of 1/4-inch-thick luanplywood to create a finishedwood look inside the space.You have the room to dothis.If you’re building a customhome or remodeling yourcurrent kitchen, you canenlarge the width of thisspice storage space. You canmake it as wide as you want,assuming you’ll purchase astandard-sized tall cabinetdoor to hide the jars. A 24-inch cabinet door couldcover a 23-inch-wideinterior space with noproblem. Imagine how manyspice jars you could fit in aspace 23 inches wide, 72inches tall, and 4 inchesdeep!A unique solution for spice storage Ask the Builder with Tim CarterSubscribe to Tim’s FREE newsletter atAsktheBuilder.com. Tim offers phonecoaching calls if you get stuck during a DIYjob. Go here:go.askthebuilder.com/coachingthPrheondiscosidtothyebefrowhonPrmoenthopon20thPlawatwmalarStasigallof pluWJCnudipagnuropanuthMMAWAuthorities in Colombiaand the United Statesdismantled a moneylaundering network linked tothe Jalisco New GenerationCartel that allegedly movedmore than $190 million since2023 throughcryptocurrencies, shellcompanies and couriers.The joint operationresulted in five arrests forextradition purposes,according to Colombianpolice.The operation was carriedout simultaneously inBogotá, Cali and Jamundí,where agents conducted atleast seven raids.Among those detainedwas Johan Alberto GutiérrezAlonso, a ColombianAmerican citizen known as\"Dans\" or \"Gordo,\"identified as a key liaisonwith the Mexican cartel.Authorities told localmedia that Gutiérrez Alonsocoordinated cocaineshipments to the UnitedStates while maintaining apublic image as abusinessman in Medellín,with high-value propertiesand armored vehicles.According to the CriminalInvestigation Directorate, orDijín, those acused not onlycoordinated drug traffickingto the United States, but alsomanaged to infiltrateColombia's financial systemthrough legally establishedcompanies in sectors such asautomotive and real estate,local media outlets Semanaand El Colombianoreported.\"The group maintaineddirect ties with internationalcartels, specifically theCJNG, facilitating the entryof large sums of money intoColombia from cities such asCleveland and Miami,\" Dijíndirector Col. Elver AlfonsoSanabria said.The investigation, whichran for more than sixmonths, identified a hybridmoney laundering schemecombining technologicaltools with traditionalmethods.The network used digitalwallets for cryptocurrencytransactions while relying onhuman couriers to transportcash between bothcountries.During the operations,authorities seized firearms,more than $13,500 in cash,nearly 40 electronic devicesand documents consideredkey to the judicial process.Authorities also initiatedasset forfeiture proceedingson 27 properties, bothmovable and immovable,valued at more than $5million.According to police, theassets originated from drugtrafficking activities and werefunneled through shellcompanies to give them aveneer of legality.All those detained arebeing investigated for crimesincluding money laundering,criminal conspiracy and drugtrafficking.The Office of the AttorneyGeneral said it is advancingprocedures to export thesuspects to the UnitedStates, where they are toface charges related to drugtrafficking and moneylaundering.By Mar PuigColombia, U.S. bust crypto laundering network tied to Mexican cartelSR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 4/28/26 2:19 PM Page 12

14 SMART READER April 30, 2026 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800n,ueanede.omuranisannt,aet4-ddeonya72esIran’s nuclear program isthe main reason U.S.President Donald Trump saidhe had to attack the countryon Feb. 28. Resolution of thedispute over that programcould help move the twosides beyond a ceasefire andtoward a negotiated end tothe war.Mr. Trump has vowed foryears to deliver a “muchbetter” deal preventing Iranfrom attaining a bomb thanwhat he calls the “disastrous”one concluded underPresident Barack Obamamore than a decade ago.A comprehensive dealending the Iran war could bethe president’s last bestopportunity to make goodon his pledge.The Iran nuclear deal of2015 – formally known asthe Joint ComprehensivePlan of Action, or JCPOA –was reached after more thantwo years of intense,marathon negotiationslargely between the UnitedStates and Iran, though othersignatories to the deal wereall the permanent membersof the U.N. Security Council,plus Germany.At the time, the ObamaWhite House hailed theJCPOA as a new high mark innuclear nonproliferationdiplomacy, citing theagreement’s limits on Iran’snuclear program and theroadblocks it placed on Iran’spath to ever acquiring anuclear weapon. But fromthe outset, critics – includingMr. Trump and Israeli PrimeMinister BenjaminNetanyahu – blasted the dealas seriously flawed, at bestonly postponing Iran’snuclear threat to the U.S. andits partners, and rewardingIran for its bad behavior.During his first term, in2018, President Trump pulledthe U.S. out of the JCPOA.That freed Iran from thedeal’s limits on its nuclearprogram and cleared the wayfor the progress that Mr.Trump, in his second term,has so far chosen to addressmilitarily: with airstrikes lastJune, and now as part of theU.S.-Israeli war.Yet, as recently as Monday,the president was on socialmedia vowing to replace“one of the Worst Dealsever made” with a great one.So, what were the JCPOA’spros and cons?• Under the JCPOA, Iranwas required to relinquishalmost all of its stockpile ofenriched uranium (above acertain threshold of purity,the fissile material for anuclear weapon), and, indeed,it sent all but a small amountout of the country.• Iran was required todismantle thousands of itsmost advanced centrifuges –the machines that processuranium to higher degrees ofenrichment – and was barredfor a decade from operatinganything beyond severalthousand older centrifugesto produce low-enricheduranium for medical andresearch purposes.• Under the deal, Iran wassubject to unprecedentedtransparency and inspectionmeasures and required toallow the InternationalAtomic Energy Agency(IAEA) to monitor withcameras and inspectors itscentrifuges and stockpiling ofuranium.• The deal awarded Iransanctions relief forcompliance but also included“snapback” provisions forreapplying sanctions in theevent of violations.• Sunset provisions thatallowed the strict limits onenrichment to phase outafter a decade, including areturn to industrial scaleenrichment after 2030. Thesunset clauses led critics todescribe the JCPOA as moreof a speed bump than a stopsign for Iran’s nuclearambitions.• A lifting of sanctions thatallowed Iran to accessbillions of dollars of frozenassets – critics claim up to$100 billion – held inoverseas accounts. As earlyas his successful 2016presidential campaign, Mr.Trump has cited to greateffect what he says were the“pallets of cash” that the U.S.shipped to Tehran over thefinal days of Mr. Obama’spresidency. Critics say thosesums helped Iran fund andarm its regional allies,including Hezbollah.• Transparency provisionsthat stopped short of“anytime, anywhere”inspections and that allowedTehran to put its militarybases off-limits to IAEAinspectors.• The agreement saidnothing about Iran’s ballisticmissile developmentprogram – thus ignoring thevehicle that could potentiallybe used to deliver a nuclearweapon to its target – nordid it address Iran’s use ofproxies to further itspolicies.Now, in the midst of acostly war, it is the critics’turn to lambast thepresident’s “strike first, thentalk” approach to Iran’snuclear program – and topoint out that, as imperfectas it might have been, theJCPOA was reached withoutdestabilizing and inconclusivemilitary action.Still, some protagonistsinvolved with the 2015nuclear deal say Mr. Trumpmight have a way to deliversomething “better” than theJCPOA. Noting that WhiteHouse officials have said thepresident is demanding a“suspension” of all nuclearactivity for an extendedperiod of time, even someJCPOA negotiators say a dealrequiring a full stop of Iran’snuclear program would bestronger than one that onlyputs limits on it.By Howard LaFranchiA nuclear deal could end the Iran war. What was Obama’s version Trump rejected?gsthe,$5heugreellareesg,ugeyngheedtougeyigSR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 4/28/26 2:19 PM Page 13SR04302610SR06151930DAYGUARANTEEDLOWEST PRICEWE WILLMEETPRICEBEAT ORANY ADVERTISEDon any tire we sellwith the purchaseof 4 tiresFREELIFETIMEROTATIONS Over 18 Brands including BFGoodrich,Bridgestone, Michelin, Goodyear & more!262-694-15007110 74th PL, Kenosha, WI“Located next to Menards”YOUR CERTIFIED GM SERVICE CENTER... 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15 SMART READER April 30, 2026 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800DEAR MAYOCLINIC: My brother hadlingering hoarseness and asore throat. When he finallywent to the doctor, he wasdiagnosed with tonsil cancer.He’s in treatment, but it’sbeen tough. Chemo makeshim sick, and radiation isdoing a number on his throatand salivary glands, making ithard to eat. He’s on a feedingtube, but he has lost a lot ofweight and is fatigued. I’mworried about him. I neverheard of tonsil cancer beforethis. I’d like to help spreadawareness.ANSWER: Dealing witha life-threatening illness —for yourself or a loved one— can be devastating. It canhelp to learn more.Spreading awareness andlearning about preventionare so important.Tonsil cancer is a type ofhead and neck cancer. Headand neck cancers includecancers of the tongue; theback of the tongue, whichyou can’t see when you lookin the mirror; the tonsils; orthe throat, which includesseveral body parts, such asthe larynx or voice box. Wealso see other rare cancers,including salivary glandcancers and cancers in thesinuses and nose.Tonsils, located on the leftand right sides of the back ofthe throat, are part of theimmune system, a complexnetwork that protects thebody against infection. Tonsilsare part of the lymphaticsystem and have lymphoidtissue. That’s why they canlook lumpy and bumpy.They’re filled with immunecells. That same lymphoidtissue is on the surface of theback of the tongue. Cancersthat arise in the tonsil orback of the tongue areclassified as oropharyngealcancer, and most of these(approximately 70%) arecaused by HPV.Head and neck cancers,especially those caused byHPV, are more common inmen. The most common wayin which HPV head and neckcancers are found is from itspreading into the lymphnodes in the neck. The storywe often hear is, “I wasshaving, and I felt a lump inmy neck.” Most of the timepatients don’t have a lot ofother symptoms. They maynotice discomfort whenthey’re swallowing or asensation that there’ssomething in their throatthat doesn’t feel right.HPV is a virus that almosteverybody will get exposedto in their lifetime. Theprimary mode oftransmission is sexual. Mostpeople get exposed in theirteenage years or early 20s.The virus typically doesn’tcause any symptoms, andthere is no treatment.Fortunately, most people’simmune system will clear thevirus from the body afterexposure. However, inapproximately 10% ofpeople, the virus is notcleared, and they becomechronic carriers of HPV andat risk for cancerdevelopment decades later.HPV-associated cancerstypically respond better totreatments. They tend tohave a higher cure rate. Weoften treat HPV cancersdifferently than how we treatsome non-HPV cancers,which are largely related tosmoking and alcohol use. Butwe do actually see non-HPVcancers in nonsmokers aswell.When somebody isdiagnosed with a type ofhead and neck cancer, we doa lot of testing to see if thecancer has spread into lymphnodes or other parts of thebody. That helps usdetermine treatment.If the cancer has notspread, treatment isindividualized based on thepatient’s needs, and ittypically includes acombination of surgery,radiation or chemotherapy.But if a patient’s cancer hasspread to another organ,chemotherapy andimmunotherapy deliveredthroughout the body via thebloodstream are typicaltreatments.In 2016, the Food andDrug Administration (FDA)approved immunotherapy totreat advanced head andneck cancer. What’spromising for the future isthe next generation ofimmunotherapy that aims tofurther engage the immunesystem. Research is ongoinginto therapeutic vaccinesthat try to get the body’simmune system to recognizeMayo ClinicTonsil cancer: What is it andhow do you prevent it? More than 152 millionpeople in the United States -about 44%-- live in areas thathave unhealthy levels ofozone or particle pollution,the American LungAssociation said in the 2026State of the Air report.The report also notedthat 44.6% of U.S. childrenlive in counties that havefailing grades for at least onemeasure of airpollution,while 10% ofchildren live in counties withfailing grades in all threemeasures. These measuresinclude ground-level ozone(smog) and both short-termand year-round particlepollution (soot).\"Infants, children andteens are especiallyvulnerable to the healthharms of breathingpollution,\" the report said.\"Their lungs are stilldeveloping, they breathemore air for their body sizethan adults and theyfrequently spend more timeoutdoors.\"The report showed thattrends from last year'sedition continued and oftengrew worse, includingextreme heat in many placesthat affected ozone levelsand wildfires in Canada thataffected ozone and particlepollution.\"Clean air is notsomething we can take forgranted,\" American LungAssociation PresidentHarold Wimmer said inannouncing the report, theWashington Post reported.\"For decades, people in theU.S. have breathed cleanerair thanks to the Clean AirAct. Unfortunately, thatprocess is now at risk due toextreme heat and wildfires,fueled by climate change, andpolicy changes that aremaking the problem worse.\"The Clean Air Act becameeffective in 1963. This is the27th edition of the State ofthe Air report, which wasfirst released in 2000. Thereport has reflected the act'ssuccesses over the years, butover the past decade, alsothe challenges of thechanging climate, theAmerican Lung Associationsaid.\"Increases in high ozonedays and spikes in particlepollution related to extremeheat, drought and wildfiresare putting millions ofpeople at risk and addingchallenges to the work thatstates and cities are doingacross the nation to clean upair pollution,\" the reportsaid.The authors of the Stateof the Air report noted thatlevels of unhealthy air varywidely across the countryand that people of colordisproportionately live inareas with poor scores. Aperson of color is 2.42 timesas likely as a white person tolive in an area with poorscores for all three airpollution measures.For the seventh year in arow, Bakersfield, Calif., wasthe metropolitan area withthe worst level of yearround particle pollution.Fairbanks, Ala., moved to theworst spot for short-termparticle pollution. LosAngeles remained themetropolitan area with theworst ozone pollution. It'sheld that spot for 26 yearsof the report's 27-yearhistory.Only one city - Bangor,Maine - had good marks inall three measures.In county rankings, SanBernardino in California hadthe highest level of ozonepollution; the five worstcounties in the country inthis measure were all inCalifornia. In short-termparticle pollution, FairbanksNorth Star Borough inAlaska was ranked as theworst. In long-term particlepollution, Kern County inCalifornia held that spot.Twenty countiesthroughout the UnitedStates had failing grades forall three measures of airpollution: Maricopa inArizona; Fresno, Imperial,Kern, Kings, Los Angeles,Merced, Riverside, SanBernardino, Stanislaus andTulare in California; Lake andMarion in Indiana; WayneCounty in Michigan; Butlerand Cuyahoga in Ohio;Allegheny, Dauphin andPhiladelphia in Pennsylvania;and Bexar County in Texas.By Jill KeppelerOver 150 million Americansexposed to harmful air pollutionhealth Ttohiwada AefitsdrthfraddobamthinTrSeTusoremhebubaanloanmloSpduTumgoonwmprwfe90FrwFDA begins push to studypsychedelics for mental health The Food and DrugAdministration announcedregulatory actions Friday tosupport development ofserotonin-2A agonists andrelated products, includingpsychedelic drugs.President Donald Trumpsigned an executive order tospeed up research onpsychedelic drugs for mentalhealth disorders.\"Today's order will ensurethat people suffering fromdebilitating symptoms mightfinally have a chance toreclaim their lives and lead ahappier life,\" Trump saidduring the signing.The FDA said it is issuingnational priority vouchers tothree companies studying:psilocybin for treatmentresistant depression andmajor depressive disorder;and methylone for posttraumatic stress disorder.\"We are accelerating theresearch, approval, andresponsible access topromising mental healthtreatments -- includingpsychedelic therapies likeibogaine -- to confront ournation's mental health crisishead-on, especially for ourveterans,\" said Health andHuman Services SecretaryRobert F. Kennedy Jr. \"TheFDA will prioritize therapieswith Breakthrough Therapydesignation, where earlyevidence shows meaningfulimprovement over existingoptions for serious mentalillness.\"The agency is alsoallowing an early-phaseclinical study of noribogainehydrochloride after anInvestigational New Drugsubmission. The sponsor ofthe research is investigatingnoribogaine as a possibletreatment for substance usedisorder and otherconditions.This will allow thecompany developing thenew drug, DemeRx NB, tobegin a Phase I clinical studyof the drug in a monitored,clinical setting in the UnitedStates.\"These medications havethe potential to address thenation's mental health crisis,including conditions liketreatment-resistantdepression, alcoholism andother serious mental healthand substance abuseconditions,\" said FDACommissioner MartyMakary in a statement. \"Asthis field moves forward, it iscritical that theirdevelopment is grounded insound science and rigorousclinical evidence. We owe itto our nation's veterans andall Americans who aresuffering from theseconditions to evaluate thesepotential therapies withurgency.\"By Lisa Hornungstory continues on page 15McoanalwtrmnetrteonvacahepravUm45weaseSR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 4/28/26 2:21 PM Page 14

16 SMART READER April 30, 2026 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800eitay,py.asn,ddealdA)od’sisofoeges’seTrump’s move to bail out Spirit Airlines sparks Republican criticismIn a highly unusual moveto shield a company fromhigh fuel prices caused by itswar on Iran, the Trumpadministration is negotiatinga bailout for troubled SpiritAirlines.President Donald Trump’seffort to buoy an airline inits second bankruptcy hasdrawn both criticism fromthe right and skepticismfrom within his ownadministration.“What we don’t want todo is put good money afterbad, and there’s been a lot ofmoney thrown at Spirit, andthey haven’t found their wayinto profitability,”Transportation SecretarySean Duffy told Reuters onTuesday. “Or does Spirit havesome pathway to make it?”Mr. Trump has beenrelatively quiet on thematter. He has said only thathe would prefer to find abuyer for Spirit, but backs abailout as a way to save jobsand prevent the collapse of alow-cost carrier – a neededand affordable choice formany Americans.“Spirit’s in trouble, and I’dlove somebody to buySpirit,” the president saidduring a CNBC interview onTuesday. “It’s 14,000 jobs, andmaybe the federalgovernment should help thatone out.”The deal reportedlywould give Spirit up to $500million to resolve itsproblems, in exchange forwarrants that would give thefederal government up to a90% stake in the airline.Free-market advocatesworry the president issetting a dangerousprecedent for federalinterference in America’seconomy.A deal “would set thestage for a shocking federaltakeover of a privateAmerican airline company inall but name,” Tad DeHaven,a policy analyst at thelibertarian Cato Institute,wrote in an analysis Tuesday.The loan, he argued,amounts to “quasinationalization.’’“Once Washingtonnormalizes bailouts andgovernment ownershipclaims, further – andpotentially more dubious –interventions become likely,’’Mr. DeHaven added.The federal governmenthas intervened in theeconomy before, and in bigways, during difficult times. Inthe 1970s, it bailed outrailroads by creating Amtrak,which took over theirmoney-losing passengeroperations. It has savedautomaker Chrysler twice,most recently during thefinancial crisis of 2008 and2009, when it also bailed outGeneral Motors and banksthat had been deemed toobig to fail.Airlines have also gottenfederal help repeatedlyduring crises, including theaftermath of the terroristattacks of Sept. 11, 2001, andduring the COVID-19pandemic, when passengertraffic plummeted.What stands out about apossible Spirit deal is that itwould help a single companywith 14,000 employees andless than 5% of the airlinemarket share. Though it’strue that high fuel priceshave pushed the company’sfinances to the brink, otherairlines are facing the samecost pressures. Spirit’stroubles predate the spike infuel prices nearly twomonths ago, when theUnited States and Israelbegan bombing Iran.Several Republicans havealready spoken out againstthe deal.“This is an absolutelyTERRIBLE idea,” Sen. TedCruz of Texas posted on X.Advancing AmericanFreedom, an advocacy groupfounded by former VicePresident Mike Pence, said ina memo: “American familiesshouldn’t be forced to bailout Spirit and theshareholders or pay the billto see if the federalgovernment can run anairline. Conservatives mustoppose this bailout.”Some analysts point thefinger at the Bidenadministration, whichblocked a 2023 merger ofSpirit with JetBlue, acompeting budget airline, onantitrust grounds. Had themerger gone through, theseanalysts say, Spirit’soperations wouldn’t be intheir current dire situation.The negotiations might beunusual from a historicalperspective. Still, theyrepresent another step inwhat has become a string ofsingle-companyinterventions by the Trumpadministration during thepresident’s second term.Last August, Mr. Trumpstruck a deal in which thefederal government receiveda nearly 10% stake in Intel inexchange for $8.9 billion infederal funds to keepcomputer chip research,development, andmanufacturing in the U.S.In the same month, heconvinced Nvidia and otherU.S. chipmakers to give thefederal government 15%(later 25%) of their sales ofcertain semiconductors toChina in return for approvalof those sales.Then, in January, theWhite House said it wouldtake a 10% stake in USARare Earth to help thecompany develop a U.S.-based rare earths mine in abid to counter Chinesedominance in the strategicminerals field. Rare earthminerals play a key role inpowering high-performancemagnets, electronics, greenenergy systems, and defenseapplications.In the Spirit deal, “anequity stake would make thefederal government anowner, not merely aregulator or temporarysource of relief,” wrote Mr.DeHaven of Cato. “Andonce the governmentbecomes a shareholder, thetemptation to meddle doesnot disappear when theimmediate crisis passes.”By Laurent Beliseeoyd,dees,etdheAyssrnstdeeehg5Mayo Cliniccontinued from page 14and then fight the cancer.Prevention, of course, isalways better thantreatment. While we curemost people with head andneck cancer, no cancertreatment is without longterm side effects and impacton life. While the HPVvaccine cannot prevent allcancers, it is considered ahelpful measure in HPVpreventionThe HPV vaccine has beenavailable since 2006 in theU.S. It’s FDA-approved formales and females ages 9 to45. For cancer prevention,we know from studies thatearlier is better, beforesexual activity begins, but wealso know there’s still benefitover time, even up to age 45.In addition to vaccinatingyourself and your loved onesagainst the HPV virus, othertips to prevent head andneck cancers include:• Stop smoking or usingtobacco products. Betteryet, don’t start.• Drink alcohol sparingly, ifat all.• Consider healthybehaviors, including physicalactivity and a plant-baseddiet with more fruits andvegetables.— Katharine Price, M.D.,Oncology, Mayo Clinic,Rochester, MinnesotaIndiacontinued from page 10works as a cinematographer.After researching themarket, Mr. Anwar estimatesit would take him at least fiveyears to save for a downpayment at his currentincome level. Adding amortgage on to that feelsdaunting to him. “It’s scary tothink about the kind ofstress that would bring,” hesays.Gallup found that positive,national growth statistics dolittle to assuage such fears –people in countries thatwere experiencing massiveGDP growth were just aslikely to name economicissues as their country’sbiggest problem.“This disconnect betweenmacroeconomic indicatorsand public perception,” thereport says, “suggests thatpeople judge nationaleconomic progress based onwhether they feel secure andable to live well on theirhousehold income.”Within India, one of theworld’s most rapidly growingeconomies, the data paints acomplicated picture. A 2023Gallup poll showed Indianswere more optimistic abouttheir economic future thanpeople surveyed incomparable economies, likethe U.S., Germany, and Japan.Recent consumer spendingdata backs that up.But the 2026 IpsosHappiness Report tells adifferent story. India dropped16 percentage points fromlast year’s report, withfinancial insecurity being thetop reason drivingunhappiness.A growing mismatchbetween education and jobsis adding to this insecurity.Nearly 40% of younggraduates in India areunemployed, and fewer than1 in 10 secure a stablesalaried job soon aftergraduation, according to theState of Working India 2026report by Azim PremjiUniversity. And the threat ofartificial intelligence loomslarge.“People are terrified by AIand what AI is going to do tothe middle class,” says Dr.Kharas. “Historically,technological change hasreplaced what people havecrudely called ‘brawn,’” orphysical labor. Now, it’scoming after “brain,” too.That’s rattled India’s ITsector, an engine of India’smiddle class growth and theindustry in which Mr. Negi,the son, works. It also haspeople questioning the valueof education, which wasonce seen as a basic ladderto middle-class life, but isbecoming increasinglyexpensive.In many countries,students are asking: “‘Is this agood investment or not?’And the answer to that,which 10 years ago was ano-brainer, is no longer a nobrainer,” says Dr. Kharas.This uncertaintycomplicates long-termfinancial decisions. For anearlier generation, thesenior Mr. Negi argues thatthe pathway to middle-classstability was relatively clearand easy: Secure a stable job,buy a home, educatechildren, and build modestsavings.For many younger Indians,including his son, theaspiration remains the same,but the economics behind ithave fundamentally shifted. Ithas Mr. Negi thinking abouthis father’s hometown ofChinyalisaur, a quiet hamletalong the banks of theBhagirathi river, en route toseveral Hindu pilgrimagesites. Most residents rely onfarming, growing rice, wheat,and millets on terraced fieldscarved into the hillsides.“With each passing day, itfeels increasingly difficult forme to have my own house,”he says with a sigh. “Maybe Iwill keep a savings till I retireand then buy one affordablein some remote part [ofIndia] and live there. Maybein the town where my fathercame from.”SR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 4/28/26 2:21 PM Page 15

17 SMART READER April 30, 2026 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800The American LibraryAssociation released its listof the \"Top 11 MostChallenged Books List of2025,\" including titles byJohn Green and Sarah J.Maas.The list, part of the 2026State of America's LibrariesReport, is based on datafrom the ALA's Office forIntellectual Freedom, whichtracked 4,235 unique titleschallenged across 2025. Thenumber was the secondhighest ever documentedby the ALA, after 4,240books were challenged in2023.The 2025 challengesincluded 713 attempts tocensor library materialsand services through accessrestrictions, including 487books.The most challengedbook of 2025 was Sold byPatricia McCormick,followed by The Perks ofBeing a Wallflower byStephen Chbosky, GenderQueer: A Memoir by MaiaKobabe, and Empire ofStorms by Sarah J. Maas.There was a tie for fifthplace between Last Night atthe Telegraph Club byMalinda Lo and Tricks byEllen Hopkins.The seventh book on thelist was A Court of Thornsand Roses by Sarah J. Maas,followed by a four-way tiebetween A ClockworkOrange by AnthonyBurgess, Identical by EllenHopkins, Looking for Alaskaby John Green and Stormand Fury by Jennifer L.Armentrout.The challenged titles of2025 included 1,671representing the livedexperience of LGBTQpeople and people of color-- about 40% of the totalchallenges.The report was releasedto coincide with NationalLibrary Week\"Libraries exist to makespace for every story andevery lived experience,\"ALA President SamHelmick said in a newsrelease. \"As we celebrateNational Library Week, wereaffirm that libraries areplaces for knowledge, foraccess, and for all.\"The ALA said less than3% of the challenges camefrom individual parents,with 92 percent of thechallenges coming fromgovernment officials andpolitical pressure groups.\"In 2025, book bans werenot sparked by concernedparents, and they were notthe result of localgrassroots efforts,\" saidSarah Lamdan, executivedirector of ALA's Office forIntellectual Freedom. \"Theywere part of a well-funded,politically-driven campaignto suppress the stories andlived experiences ofLGBTQIA+ and BIPOCindividuals andcommunities.\"A total 5,668 books werebanned from Americanlibraries in 2025, and 920others were censoredthrough access restrictions.By Ben HooperbooksALA releases list of 'Top 11 MostChallenged BooksList of 2025'BbaaslibreyeceedBsesorelitpatocumsokedathBpuevstthbaLthSDofplpobegrDhathinreNmov\"TFiPaNbecoPuIvFoThese are the fictiontitles our reviewers likedbest this month.Inheritance, by JaneParkIn Jane Park’s poignantdebut novel, Anne Kim, asuccessful KoreanCanadian lawyer in NewYork, returns home to theAlberta prairie followingthe death of her father.Memories, frustrations, andsurprises await. Inflashbacks to the 1980s and’90s, Anne’s childhoodstruggles and sacrificesbecome clear – from livingin the shadow of herspoiled older brother tonavigating school as one ofthe lone Asian students. It’san affecting story of honor,tradition, and expectationssometimes buoying – butnearly burying – oneimmigrant family. – ErinDouglassTranscription, by BenLernerWhen a magazine writerinadvertently destroys hissmartphone on his way tointerview his formermentor, he’s left withnothing to record theirvital conversation. In thissuccinct 144-page novel,Ben Lerner explores theimpact that our ubiquitousdevices have on our abilityto connect with oneanother. Are they a barrieror do they help bridge ourshortcomings? Do theyshape our memories ordemand authenticity? –Joan GaylordThe Keeper, by TanaFrenchTana French hasdescribed her Ardnakeltytrilogy as “mysterysoftware running onwestern hardware.” That’sa perfect description of“The Keeper,” the finalouting starring retiredChicago police officer CalHooper, his wary fiancéeLena Dunne, and theiradopted teen Trey Reddy.Cal moved to the Irishvillage looking for peace.Instead, he discovered apeat bog’s worth of secrets– dark, dank, andpotentially deadly. A youngwoman is found dead in ariver. Was it suicide?French, one of the greatestmystery writing talents,ratchets up both themenace and the stakes asCal and Lena breakArdnakelty’s primedirective: Talk plenty ... butsay nothing. – Yvonne ZippMs. Mebel Goes Backto the ChoppingBlock, by Jesse Q.SutantoSelf-described trophywife Mebel lives the highlife in Jakarta – that is, untilher longtime husbanddecamps into the waitingarms and apron strings oftheir 20-something chef.Miserable Mebel,determined to win himback, enrolls ASAP in afancy European cookingschool. The only problem:The Paris program is full, soMebel gets shunted to thesatellite campus in anEnglish backwater.Bestselling author Jesse Q.Sutanto serves up a snappyfish-out-of-bouillabaissetale that will leave readersgrinning. – Erin DouglassMrs. Benedict Arnold,by Emma ParryEmma Parry’s freshrendition of the country’smost notorious act oftreason involves patriotGen. Benedict Arnold andhis loyalist wife, PeggyShippen. Told in Peggy’senthusiastic voice, thenovel details family life,friendships, politics, parties,and war. Come for thebanter, stay for the intrigue,and enjoy this fascinatingtale of the AmericanRevolution. – StefanieMilliganThe Lost Book ofElizabeth Barton, byJennifer N. BrownA page-turnerinterweaving historical anddetective fiction, “The LostBook of Elizabeth Barton”toggles between theReformation, whenElizabeth lived, and thepresent day when scholarsare hot on her trail.Through Elizabeth’s risefrom servant to visionarywho resisted Henry VIII’sbreak withthe Roman CatholicChurch to gain a divorce,Brown explores historicalwomen’s stratagems forself-determination. Thesethemes are mirrored bythe brilliant but haplessprofessor Alison Sage, andscholars around her, whomay be more interested inuncovering material –rather than intellectual –treasures. – ElizabethTooheyThe Ending WritesItself, by EvelynClarkeIf a reclusive authorinvites you to his privateisland, send regrets. In “TheEnding Writes Itself,”Evelyn Clarke, thepseudonym for authors V.E.Schwab and Cat Clarke,strands a half-dozenwriters on a Scottishisland. Their task: Finishbestselling author ArthurFletch’s final mystery andscore a $1 millionpublishing contract. Theyare firmly midlist writers,or, as the horror authorputs it, “disposable.” Howdisposable becomesapparent over theweekend. The novel is adarkly comic satire of thepublishing industry and anelegy for formerly idealisticstorytellers who areSpring forecast: Showers of great books for the month of Aprilcontinues on page 18SR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 4/28/26 2:22 PM Page 16

18 SMART READER April 30, 2026 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800dofCdrean20ds.erIn celebration of WorldBook Day, we're lookingback at some of the mostastonishing tales of overduelibrary books that werereturned more than 100years late.World Book Day is acelebration of literacy andeducation that began inBritain in 1998. It's nosecret that libraries aresome of the most importantresources for promotingliteracy in the world, withpatrons able to borrowtomes that pique theircuriosity free of charge.Sometimes, though, theymay come to like the bookso much that ends up beingkept past its established duedate -- sometimes for morethan a century.In celebration of WorldBook Day, and as tribute topublic and school librarieseverywhere, here are fivestories of borrowed booksthat took the long roadback to the stacks.Life of King Henrythe Fifth, by WilliamShakespeareA woman named CynthiaDelhaie found a bound copyof Shakespeare's historicalplay while going through thepossessions that hadbelonged to her deceasedgrandmother, ArleneDelhaie, and discovered ithas been checked out fromthe Paterson Public Libraryin 1923.The younger Delhaiereturned the book to theNew Jersey library in 2024,making it a full 101 yearsoverdue.William Shakespeare's\"The Life of King Henry theFifth\" was returned to thePaterson Public Library inNew Jersey 101 years afterbeing checked out. Photocourtesy of the PatersonPublic LibraryIvanhoe, by SirWalter ScottPoudre Libraries inColorado said the copy ofScott's classic adventuretale had been due back atthe Fort Collins PublicLibrary and Free ReadingRoom on Feb. 13, 1919, butwasn't returned until 2024,with the woman whoreturned it explaining herbrother had found it whilegoing through theirmother's belongings.The book, 105 yearsoverdue, would haveaccrued $760 in late feesunder the 1919 rate of 2cents per day, but the libraryeliminated late fines in 2020.A copy of \"Ivanhoe,\" bySir Walter Scott wasreturned to a Coloradolibrary 105 years past itsdue date. Photo courtesy ofPoudres LibrariesThe Cruise of theEsmeralda, by HarryCollingwoodEmployees from theHawley Library inPennsylvania found a usedcopy of this book for sale,and a closer examinationrevealed it had beenchecked out from TheCarbondale Public Libraryin 1904 -- and a card tuckedinside identified theborrower as Horace Short.The book was checkedout for 43,641 days (119years, 5 months and 24days), which would haveaccrued a fine of $872.82 atthe 1904 rate of 2 cents perday, or $10,910.25 at thecurrent rate of 25 cents perday, but library officialswrote: \"Mr. Short is verylucky we currently cap finesfor books at $10.\"An ElementaryTreatise onElectricity, by JamesClerk MaxwellThe curator of rarebooks at West VirginiaUniversity Libraries wasgoing through a stack ofdonations when she found acopy of Maxwell's book thathad been due back at theNew Bedford Free Libraryin Massachusetts on Dec.10, 1903.The nearly 120-yearsoverdue book was mailedback to the New Bedfordlibrary, where librarianswere surprised to discoverit did not have a\"withdrawn\" sticker on it,meaning it was stillconsidered the library'sproperty and was, in fact,nearly 120 years overdue.Great Expectations,by Charles DickensThe ToowoombaGrammar School inQueensland, Australia,received a visit in 2022 froma man named John Lamb,who brought along asurprising gift.The copy of Dickens'book had apparently beenchecked out by Lamb'sgrandfather, who was astudent at the school duringthe 1902-03 school year,leading librarians to suspectit was a full 120 years pastdue.By Ben HooperNon-Fiction (Print & E-Book) Fiction (Print & E-Book)1. Hope Rises (Baldacci)2. Project Hail Mary (Weir)3. Theo of Golden (Levi)4. Yesteryear (Burke)5. The Correspondent (Evans)6. The Faith of Beasts (Corey)7. Game On (Allen)8. Dungeon Crawler Carl (Dinniman)9. Rites of the Starling (Perry)10. Go Gentle (Semple)1. Famesick (Dunham)2. Strangers (Burden)3. Poisoned Ivies (Stefanik)4. London Falling (Keefe)5. The Future is Peace (Sarah/Inon)6. Last Branch Standing (Isgur)7. A World Appears (Pollan)8. The Body Keeps the Score (van der Kolk)9. Into the Wood Chipper (Enrich)10. Ghosts of Sicily (Harmon/Carroll)NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLERSFive times library books wereover 100 years overdue”eE.e,nhhrdnys,rwseaence8Turning Gut PunchesInto Punch Lines byGreg Schwem is amemoir that exploreshow humor can helpnavigate life’s mostdifficult moments. Bestknown as a stand-upcomedian andcorporate speaker,Schwem shifts fromstage to page to recounta period marked bymajor personalchallenges, includingdivorce and a cancerdiagnosis.Rather thanpresenting theseexperiences in a purelydramatic way, Schwemapproaches them with thesame observational stylethat defines his comedy.The book follows hisadjustment to unexpectedlife changes, from livingalone after years ofmarriage to reentering thedating world and rethinkinghis daily routines. Thesetransitions are presentedthrough a mix ofstorytelling and reflection,grounded in real-lifesituations rather thanexaggerated setups.A central theme of thebook is perspective.Schwem does not ignorethe seriousness of what hefaces, but instead examineshow humor can coexistwith uncertainty and loss.His background as aperformer allows him tofind moments of irony andrelatability, even inuncomfortable situations.At the same time, thenarrative remains focusedon the realities of startingover and adapting tochange later in life.The book also highlightsthe importance ofconnection, whetherthrough friendships,professional interactions,or shared experiences withaudiences. Schwem’s voiceremains consistentthroughout—measured,candid, and rooted in livedexperience.Ultimately, Turning GutPunches Into Punch Linespresents a straightforwardidea: difficult momentsare unavoidable, but theway they are interpretedand shared can shapehow they are endured.Schwem'sobservationsAround the worldcruises: (They) arebecoming quite popular,with multiple linesoffering them and theitineraries becominglengthier until, I feel, oneline will add a day inspace providingeverybody can be backon board by early dinnerseating.Rideshare employment:If you are not currentlyincarcerated, you arequalified to drive for Uber.Zoom communication:Despite Zoom's immediatepopularity and soaringstock price, the technologywas rushed into the worldbefore it was actuallyperfected. Sort of likeletting paying customersboard a new roller coasterbefore testing it with crashdummies.Greg Schwem is in the business of being funny, even when it’s notGreg Schwem returns to the Kenosha Comedy Club May15th & 16th.Get your ticketsnow at hap2it.comAttendees willreceive a free,signed copy ofGreg’s book (one per household)Tune in to Happenings Q&A on Tues., May 12th at9:20am to AM1050 WLIP for a sneak previewSR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 4/28/26 6:28 PM Page 17

19 SMART READER April 30, 2026 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800watopoucaLiopTeaOclLitomhoouKevimreAvKeC54seSaOThp.noKeou2. thtolomExChiCthwkiTDAvofHToHseOhimadHraseRaMCalroevde“unable to break out, only to break even.” – Yvonne ZippThe Last Woman of Warsaw, by Judy BatalionIn 1930s Warsaw, two young Jewish women fromdifferent backgrounds must work together to solve adisappearance. Fanny, daughter of an elite family, dreams oflife as a photographer. After Zosia escapes violence in hervillage, she works with a youth movement protesting forsocial equity. When a Jewish professor vanishes, Fanny andZosia defy danger to search for her. – Stefanie MilliganDog Person, by Camille PagánFloundering Michigan bookstore owner Miguel is stuck,grieving the death of the love of his life, novelist AmeliaMay, and worrying about the potential closure of theirbeloved bookstore. Harold, their devoted mutt, doggedlynarrates his mission: help Miguel heal and fetch him asecond love. Camille Pagán’s novel uplifts with enormouscanine charm, a twisty plot, and an endearing cast. –Stefanie MilliganDreamt I Found You, by Jimin HanCousins Dahee and Channing – Korean American youngwomen born hours apart – are lifelong besties, but nearopposites. Cautious Dahee works as a teacher in NewYork; impulsive Channing has a summer babysitting gig inher coastal New England hometown. After Channingcomplains about a creepy local politician, Dahee decides tovisit with their beloved grandfather, Harabeoji. Mirroring afamous Korean love story, Jimin Han’s immersive, winningstory grapples with community loyalty, courage, anddevotion. – Erin DouglassThese are the nonfiction titles our reviewers liked bestthis month.Small Town Girls, by Jayne Anne PhillipsJayne Anne Phillips’ memoir in 22 linked essays makesclear how her family’s deep roots in the AlleghenyMountains in West Virginia shaped her as a writer. Phillipsleft her hometown after college, but its stories and localhistory have continued to fuel her fiction, including herpowerful Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “Night Watch,” setin the aftermath of the Civil War. (Her town sided with theUnion.) “Small Town Girls” encompasses a detailed recapof the infamous Hatfield-McCoy feud, and a lament for theenvironmental devastation wrought by mining and fracking.Phillips’ tributes to her hardworking mother – a gradeschool teacher who made sure all her students were fedand warmly clothed – and to West Virginia writers StephenCrane and Breece D’J Pancake are particularly moving. –Heller McAlpinThis Vast Enterprise, by Craig FehrmanHistorian Craig Fehrman offers a revelatory take onLewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery expedition. Thechapters alternate among characters, presenting thearduous journey from different perspectives. In addition toMeriwether Lewis and William Clark, Fehrman highlightsSacajawea, the Native American teenager who joined thecorps as interpreter and guide, and York, the Black manenslaved by Clark who was compelled to join the trek. Thedeeply researched account also foregrounds lesser-knownfigures, including soldier John Ordway and Lakota leaderBlack Buffalo. – Barbara SpindelLaw on Trial, by Shaun Ossei-OwusuThe words “Equal Justice Under Law” are engraved onthe front of the United States Supreme Court. Butaccording to law professor Shaun Ossei-Owusu, the legalsystem is far more likely to deliver inequality andunfairness than justice, especially among the nation’s mostvulnerable populations. He argues that at every level –from law school to the highest court in the land – the legalsystem favors the rich and powerful. Aimed at averagereaders as well as lawyers, the book is evenhanded, eyeopening, and authoritative. – Terry W. HartleSeydou Keïta: A Tactile Lens, exhibitioncatalog edited by Catherine E. McKinleyThe master portraitist of Mali, Seydou Keïta, gainedWestern fame for his midcentury photographs – on a parwith Richard Avedon – in the 1990s. His images of Africansas they wished to be seen, referencing their ownpersonalities and tastes, reflect both his clients’ aspirationstoward a modern, urban identity and their reverence forAfrican traditions. This extensive catalog shows, throughthe eyes of a premier portrait photographer, a society intransition. – Carol StricklandPMSpring bookscontinued from page 16Best-selling authorVeronica Roth hasannounced she has in theworks two new books setin an alternate timeline forher dystopian Divergentuniverse.\"A new duology from #1New York Times bestsellingauthor Veronica Rothbegins. The Sixth Factionpublishes on 8th October,in hardback with specialsprayed edges. Pre-ordernow,\" publisher HarperFire wrote on social mediaSaturday. \"Book Two willfollow in February 2027.\"Divergent was publishedin 2011 and followed byInsurgent in 2012 andAllegiant in 2013.The trilogy was adaptedas movies starring ShaileneWoodley and Theo James.Roth told USA Today hernext two new books wouldnot be sequels, prequels,spin-offs or newperspectives on stories shehas already told.Instead, they will be \"analternate universe ofDivergent where Trischooses a different faction.\"I think the question of'who is Tris withoutDauntless' is an interestingone,\" she told thenewspaper.By Karen ButlerVeronica Rothrevisiting'Divergent' universewith 'Sixth Faction'SR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 4/28/26 2:24 PM Page 18REMINDER: Maximum 3 Listings Per Person. MISCELLANEOUS KENOSHA CAR CLUB monthly breakfasts are at 8am on the first Tuesdays of each month at the Gateway Cafe, 3619 30th AvenueGERMAN CONVERSATIONALIST GROUP - Kenosha/Racine If you speak German or are enthusiastic about the German language and culture, come and join us. There are no membership fees and attendance is whenever you are available to join. Meetings will be held in the Kenosha and Racine area. This is an excellent group to practice speaking German as members' language skills are from beginners to advance and we all have a good time. Please contact me if you are interested in joining - Susan Blust [email protected] CLUB BINGO Come have some fun! Doors open at 4:00. Raffles, pull-tabs and pregames start at 6:45. Bingo 7:00-9pm. Wednesdays. 2700 9th St.,Schlader Building, Winthrop Harbor. Food SaleRITA RINELLI MEMORIAL MASS:12 noon on Saturday, June 21 at St. Elizabeth Church, Eighth Avenue at 48th Street.REMEMBERING SILVIO RUGANI - July 20, 1893 / August 29, 1975.FOR SALESOFA W/OAK TRIM, excellent condition/quality. Smoke/Pet free home. $225.00 Curt 262-865-01932019 KODIAK MODEL travel trailer Price 15,900 Exterior White Discrimination Has 3 Queens size beds Refrigerator, fridge and stove, toilet, and shower and heating and air conditioning. Everything works perfectly Contact 262 620-6755SNOWMOBILE TRAILER, 3 place Triton with winch. $3,200 OBO 262-948-1864 please leave messageLOTS OF AMERICAN FOSTORIA for sale. Please contact:Karon Baumgarten 317-764-7662 [email protected] HEATER NEW. $55. 262-498-4021. Contact info: Val Zamecnik email address: [email protected] phone :262-498-4021.ONE BURIAL LOT in Northshore Garden of Memory in North Chicago. Very nice location. Discounted price. BowFlex exercise unit like new. All there including leg exercise unit and book. 600.00. Call Herb at 847-305-0897. Please leave message if I miss your call.GAS TANK, NEW for 73-87 GMC Blazer $100 Transfer case for 73-87 GMC $100MILK CANS $15 Call Alex 262-945-1275CAMERS/LENSES/FILTERS and other equipment. Please contact: Don at 262-694-7573 or 262-287-8575.VARIOUS FARICS, prices start $1/yr (262) 629-0291.VINTAGE LAMP, good condition $15. Large black rooster, brand new $15. Please call 262-771-8764TWO RAMPS FOR VEHICLES, Beanie Babies (Regular and McDonalds), and Two Schwinn bicycles. BEST OFFER. Call 262-654-6485.BLACK LEATHER CHAIR AND OTTOMAN, PERFECT IN BOTH TRADITIONAL AND MODERN SETTINGS. VERY GOOD CONDITION FROM A SMOKE-FREE HOME. $75. CALL OR TEXT - 262-960-547(2) GRAVE SITES in All Saints Cemetery. I'm asking for $1,000 each plus transfer fees. Call (608) 317-9518 Elizabeth Smith [email protected] CADET LAWN tractors, old 1962 to 1976. Decks and other attachments. Glenn at 262-891-2377. Leave messageHEY KENOSHA FOLKS! I am selling everything from four houses. Let me know what you need by texting or calling Barb at 262-902-5663.JOHN DEERE TRACTOR Lawn Mower with Briggs & Straton engine and Frame Cutting Deck FOR sale for PARTS ONLY 847-244-9256 NO texting - Please leave a voicemail.LARGE CRAFTSMAN TABLE saw, $100 OBOEldridge peddle sewing machine, early 1900's, best offer- Milwaukee Plumbers band saw, $50 OBO Call Tom (224) 219-3645.LAKE FRONT PROPERTY Ready to rebuild existing home & Garage 1.48Acre on Large Spring Feed Lake in North East WI near Green bay WI. Located in Marinette county in the town of Lake Great Fishing, & water skiing Tubing Jet skiing Air Boat all Water sports activities call (847) 244-9256.VARIOUS FABRICS - Price per yard. Call for info(262) 629-0291BEANIE BABIES 200+ $200. Proform Treadmill, new belt $300. 7' vinyl boat with new motor, 4-cyli n d e r w i t h a c c e s s o r i e s $ 5 0 0 . (262) 652-5929.TREK 900 TANDEM 26\" 2 1 speed. Updated tires and rims. E x c e l l e n t c o n d i t i o n . Tw o n e w h e l m e t s p l u s a c c e s s o r i e s . $500 OBO 262-883-4210SEARS ZIGZAG SEWING machine and cabinet. Fine condition, All attachments. Model #1750 Asking $60 (262) 657-6049.GAS LAWN MOWER. Sears Craftsman 6.75 self-propelled. 22” cut. Mulch or side eject. Ready for spring. New oil, spark plug, & air filter. $75. Call Rich, 224- 730- 2564.WOOD DINING TABLE. Solid wood, Oval, 58” long x 41” wide w/o leaves. Two 12” x 41” leaves & top pad included. Mahogany finish. $25. Call Rich, 224- 730- 2564.FUN FAMILY BOAT 2006 Bayliner 175 Capris Bowrider w/trailer, Mercruiser 3.0L 135HP I/O motor, custom covers, Bimini w/cover, power trim & steering, stereo, Dave 262-455-1079 leave messageROOMS FOR RENT Shared LR, Kitchen, bathroom by Silver Lake $480 a mo. includes wifi and laundry please call for more info (262) 758-136.COLLECTIBLES FOR SALE watches, clocks, pens and more. Call Don 262-694-7573.47\" DIAMETER ROUND TABLE $30, girls bike $50 Call Kathy 262-909-7968DELUXE WALKER Like new. Make an offer.Call Rich @ 262-652-4591.08 RAM TOO many new parts to list. Serious inquiries only. Text message to 262-705-9999. Chad Sekuris.LIKE NEW TIRES see in Kenosha at 4121-7th. Ave. 53140 Russ 262-237-1343 call, text or stop by. $4440 Nice economical well maintainedLARGE VINTAGE MIRROR with flowers $20, Small lamp with flowers, new $20, Large lamp with shade, new $15 Please call 262-771-8764.LIONEL TRAIN SET - Complete 1953 Set plus a Seaboard Diesel Engine, Maine Boxcar, 3 pr. switches, original boxes & instructions, 43 tracks, and miscellanious Lionel items. All clean, runs great. $525 Call 262-924-5227.TOTS BEAN BAGS Baseball & Hockey Puck $25.00 .Call JOE 262-859-2564.WANTED MOBILE MIG WELDER S m a l l job need to complete by MKE Airport. Negotiable rate. (734)768.0338 jacobsendaniels.comCUT GRASS a n d w e e d i n g . Call 2628980605MODEL TRAINS. All scales. Call for a quote upon viewing. 262-331-0392.WANTED TO BUY: Vintage Movie Posters, Comic Books, LP Records, Vintage Toys, Horror VHS, Horror Memorabilia, Science Fiction Pulps & Magazines, Video Store Promotional Items. PH 262-237-0318.WANTED TO BUY: Old Post Cards, B&W Photos, B&W Photo Albums, Vintage Advertising, Old Hunting Licenses & Advertising, Scrapbooks, Old Misc.Paper, Old Automobile Advertising, Fountain Pens, Gillette Razors & More. Local Collector/Neutral Safe & Secure Site to meet if desired. Cash Paid. Call or Text Stan 262-496-1822.LOOKING FOR NURSES A i d for in home care. Call Barbara 262-455-3953.OLD COMPUTERS WANTED. Call, text, or voicemail on (262) 595-7556 and ask for Mike.SERVICES HI MY NAME IS GAYLE & I'm retired.I will do dog sitting or cat sitting. If interested please contact me at 262-748-4748. Thank you.TAX PREPARATION & ADVISORY Services. 20+ Years Experience. Virtual Or In-Person. For Appointment Call Or Text 262-496-2208.CONCRETE WORK DRIVEWAYS PATIOS SIDEWALKS AND MORE CALL OR TEXT 262 492 9730. KURT.LAWN MOWING SERVICES Reliable lawn care services in Kenosha & Pleasant Prairie. call/text 262-914-9796 [email protected] & MEDICARE EXPERT. Appointments only. Se Habla Español. 262.833.7070.CHINESE LANGUAGE / Calligraphy Lessons: Fun, fascinating and very cool. Beginning and advanced - all ages! Text Dr. Tim at 520.704.3832.DOLL CRAFTERS! FREE remnants...ideal for making doll clothes. Also various doll clothes patterns.Call - 262-551-8478 and leave a message if no answer.DRUM LESSONS PRIVATE instruction. Band, orchestra, marching and drum set. Rock and many other musical styles. Learn to read music. Call Tom for details. 262-818-2869.PROFESSIONAL LED TEETH whitening for a fraction of the price! $99 at cabana tan spa. call to book: 262-843-2411. 20 minute session = a bright white smile! mycabanatan.comCOMPUTER REPAIR/INSTALLATION. For free estimate call, text, or leave voicemail to Mike at (262) 595-7556.COMPUTER INSTALLATION. Call, text, or voicemail Mike at (262) 595-7556.VEHICLES 142K MILES LIKE new tires cold a/c see in kenosha at 4121-7th. Ave. 53140 Russ 262-237-1343 call, text or stop by $25001999 SEBRING CONVERTIBLe Very good condition $2,590 OBO Call or test Bob @262-945-9224.2005 MERCURY SABLE, 90k miles, leather interior. Has vacuum leak, needs tow. Clean title in hand. Great project car. $1500 OBO. Call/text 262-612-9142. 2003 SUBARU BAJA - G o o d running condition$4,950 OBO Call or text: Bob @262-9459224.2017 FORD F150 O n e O w n e r 4WD 4 Door See In Kenosha A t 4 1 2 1 - 7 t h . Av e . 2 1 7 k M i l e s 262-237-1343 Russ Call Text Or Stop By $7495 Very Nice TruckDUAL EXHAUST SYSTEM Ram V6 dual exhaust system custom built. Make offer.262-942-1266.2009 JEEP LIBERTY 4WD see at 4121-7th. Ave. 53140 Kenosha russ 262-237-1343 call or text 195k miles $4450 nice jeep ready for winter2013 CHRYSLER 200 Loaded Limited See At 4121-7th. Ave. 53140 Russ 262-237-1343 Call Or Text 189k Miles $4950.2002 XK8- WHITE Jaguar Convertible Good Condition - 38K Miles $18,500 obo Call or Text Bob 262-945-92241999 - SEBRING CONVERTIBLE - good Condition $2,850 obo Call or text Bob (262)-945-9224.1981 DATSUN/NISSAN 280ZX low mileage Loaded Glass T top's Hatch Back Stainless Steel MFG wheels New Clutch New break System New thermostat & radiator 5 speed New Interior Exterior Blue/Silver call 847-244-9256 Please leave a message.2003 GMC ENVOY 142K miles Great Shape, Garage Kept 1 owner, Leave Message $6000 obo 262-515-43861994 HONDA GOLDWING Aspencade 64K miles Great Shape, Black, Leave Message $6000 obo 262-515-4386.4X4 4DOOR see in Kenosha at 4121-7th. Ave. 53140 Russ 262-237-1343 call, text or stop by $9995 1/2 ton nice truck at a nice price1991 CHEVROLET CORVETTE one owner, yearly maintenance, 12,000 original miles, original parts $38,000 Email [email protected] BOX TRUCK 1986 OH Door 35 V8 (nearly new) solid body, 2\" oak floor in box, needs some work $1200. Snowblower $100 262-857-2695 Leave message or email [email protected] NISSAN ALTIMA $4950 One owner fleet maintained like new tires 287k miles kenosha at 4121-7th. Ave. 53140 Russ 262-237-1343 call, text.2011 TOYOTA SIENNA Silver 8-passenger Minivan, strong engine, smooth riding, 184k miles, excellent for winter driving, it also has a backup camera. $5,495, text Don at 920-809-0833LOADED REMOTE START, heated seats and steering wheel, power sliding doors. See in kenosha at 4121-7th. Ave. 53140 Russ 262-237-1343 call, text or stop by. 189k miles $5500 great value.E-mail your 170 character classified to: [email protected] include your contact information in the classified. (Name and Phone number / e-mail address) First 3 words will be boldface type.NO ANIMALS • NO PERSONALS ALLOWEDClassified Deadline Is Friday, May 1st 2026 At 12PMFREE CLASSIFIEDS!EMPLOYMENT/OPPORTUNITIES • LOST & FOUND • MISCELLANEOUS REAL ESTATE • RENTALS • RUMMAGE SALES • VEHICLES • WANTED

20 SMART READER April 30, 2026 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800This is the time of yearwhen many seasonalattractions and activities reopen/start again – and moreoutdoor events fill thecalendar.The seasonal SouthportLight Station Museum reopens May 1. It’s openThursday through Sundayeach week throughOctober 25. Have youclimbed the 1866 SouthportLighthouse tower yet? Ortoured the maritimemuseum inside the keeper'shouse?2026 marks the 24thoutdoor season forKenosha HarborMarket, thevibrant European-stylemarket. The locationremains the same: 2ndAvenue, just west of theKenosha Public Museum andCivil War Museum, between54th and 56th Streets. Theseason will run everySaturday, May 2 throughOctober 31, except July 4.The hours are 9 a.m. to 2p.m.Kenosha Public Market isnow located year-round atKemper Center. Theoutdoor season starts May2. It’s open every Saturdaythrough October 31, 9 a.m.to 2 p.m. Shop your favoritelocal vendors and enjoy livemusic along Lake Michigan.Explore Anderson ArtsCenter and walk thehistoric Kemper grounds.The Kenosha HistoryCenter is continuing itsthree different historicwalking tours. The seasonkicks off May 2 with theThird Avenue HistoricDistrict Walking Tour. Along with the ThirdAvenue tour, the museumoffers the Library ParkHistoric District WalkingTour and the Old NorthsideHistoric Walking Tour onselect dates throughOctober. Led by volunteerhistorians, you need tomake a reservation inadvance with the KenoshaHistory Center.See you at the dirt trackraces! 2026 marks the 76thseason of racing for WilmotRaceway. Opening night isMay 2. Head to the KenoshaCounty Fairgrounds for funall summer long! Auto races,rodeos, a monster truckevent, truck & tractor pulls,demolition derbies, andmore can be enjoyed at thetrack.May 16 is the WildflowerRun at Pringle NatureCenter. This is a 5k trail runand 2-mile hike/run throughthe trails of beautiful BristolWoods Park during peakwildflower viewing time.The kickoff weekend for anew season at the KenoshaBeach House on SimmonsIsland is May 22-25. Therewill be music, recreationalgames, and college/gradstudent specials. Thefollowing weekend, theBattle of the Bands will beMay 30, while the Touch aTruck (and Boat) event willbe May 31.May 23, a new seasonbegins for the KenoshaCommunity Sailing Center.Did you know you can renta sailboat, single kayak,tandem kayak, stand-uppaddle board, duck pedalboat, or water trike fromthe nonprofit organization?The Aquanut WaterShows start again at LancePark / Lake Mary on May 23.The free water ski showsare most Wednesdays andSaturdays at 6:30 p.m.; theseason concludes LaborDay weekend\"Take Me Out to the BallGame\" at historic SimmonsField! May 29 is the homeopener for the KenoshaKingfish.Book a tee time at a localgolf course or book a LakeMichigan fishing excursionwith the Kenosha CharterBoat Association.Reach for the sky atBoundless Adventures –you’ll have a bird’s eye viewas you climb, balance, andtraverse through thetreetops at Bristol WoodsPark.Also, remember it’sNational Travel and TourismWeek May 3-9. VisitKenosha celebrates theweek by offering TourismWeek Free Days inpartnership with localbusinesses and attractions,who provide FREEadmission and/or productsduring this week for all toenjoy. Go toVisitKenosha.com/TourismWeek for the details.Be sure to useVisitKenosha.com whenlooking for #KenoshaFun.Meridith Jumisko isPublic Relations Directorat Visit Kenosha. Contact her [email protected] your May calendardeerds,wenofisn.ofutgeereSR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 4/28/26 2:25 PM Page 19

21 SMART READER April 30, 2026 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800healthlifestylecommunityKenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center newsApril 30, 2026Online LearningPlatform for Family CaregiversOffered FreeTrualta is a free online educationaltool for family caregivers inWisconsin. Trualta helps caregiverslearn about health issues, caretechniques, and managing care forloved ones. The Aging and DisabilityResource Center of KenoshaCounty offers registration support.If you provide care for a loved one,friend, or neighbor, you areconsidered a family caregiver. As afamily caregiver, it can be hard tofind the right resources. Even harderwhen your time is limited. Trualta’scollection of professional content isdesigned for the family caregiver tomake it easier to manage care athome. Trualta is available 24 hours aday, 7 days a week, 364 days a year.With lessons as short as 5 minutes,Trualta makes it easy for you to fitcaregiver training in whenever itworks for you. Trualta providespractical caregiver tips andtechniques that you can start usingright away. With Trualta, you can alsolearn alongside other caregivers inyour area and learn from others’experiences.In addition to learning skills tomanage your care receiver’s currentcare, Trualta’s learning library canhelp you prepare and plan for whatthe future holds. Discover ways toconnect with your loved one and beconfident you’re doing your best.To participate, caregivers will needinternet access and access to acomputer, iPad, or other tablet.Participants will receive an emailwith a link to register. To register,call Margaret Ricchio at the ADRC,262-605-6650 or [email protected]. Kenosha CountyADRC to OfferPowerful Tools for CaregiversOnline ClassNext free six-week courseto begin May 6Powerful Tools for Caregivers is anevidence-based educational seriesintended to teach skills to thosewho are caring for another adult,such as a loved one, friend, orneighbor. The class helps familycaregivers reduce stress, improveself-confidence, communicatefeelings better, balance their lives,increase their ability to make toughdecisions, and locate helpfulresources. The 6-week educational series isoffered by the Aging and DisabilityResource Center of KenoshaCounty and will be led by MargaretRicchio, Caregiver SupportCoordinator. The series will be heldWednesdays, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., May6 through June 10. It will be held atHospice Alliance, 10220 PrairieRidge Blvd., Pleasant Prairie. There isno cost, however donations areaccepted to defer costs.Registration is required by Friday,May 1. To register, or to learn moreabout Powerful Tools and theADRC’s Caregiver Supportservices, call the ADRC at 262-605-6646.ADRC offers FreeMemory ScreensThe Aging and Disability ResourceCenter (ADRC) of Kenosha Countyoffers free, confidential memoryscreens, weekdays, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.Memory screens are suggested foranyone concerned about memorychanges, at risk of Alzheimer’sdisease due to family history, orwho wants to check their memorynow for future comparison.Some memory problems can bereadily treated, such as those causedby vitamin deficiencies or thyroidproblems. In general, the earlier thediagnosis, the easier it is to treatmemory loss. Memory screeningcan:• Provide relief for individualsconcerned about normal memoryloss• Lead to diagnosis of treatableconditions• Offer the ability to make lifestylechanges early when they have thegreatest potential for positive effectand the opportunity to participatein making future decisionsWarning signs of dementia includeforgetting people’s names andevents, asking repetitive questions,loss of verbal or written skills,confusion over daily routines, andpersonality changes.Screening results are not adiagnosis, and individuals who haveconcerns are encouraged to pursuea full medical exam. Appointmentsare recommended. Interestedpersons may call the ADRC at 262-605-6646 to make an appointment.MMlivstthth(AfoNAse1NmatGLdT(AuSR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 4/28/26 2:25 PM Page 20

22 SMART READER April 30, 2026 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800heysatngalsrylelehecttedendns,ls,ndaveuetsed2-t.Your Kenosha ADRC UpdateMemory CafeMemory Café is a monthly gathering for personsliving with Mild Cognitive Impairment, earlystage Alzheimer’s, or a related dementia, andtheir care partners to socialize and have fun. Jointhe Aging and Disability Resource Center’s(ADRC) Dementia Care Specialist, Alex Troupis,for a Memory Café at the Kenosha NorthsideNeighborhood Library, 1500 27th Avenue,Activity Room A. Meetings are offered thesecond Wednesday of every month from 10:30 –11:30 a.m. The next gathering will be on May 13.New members are requested to register. Formore information and to register call the ADRCat 262-605-6646.Going on Medicare?Learn about the decisions you’ll needThe Aging and Disability Resource Center(ADRC) of Kenosha County offers no-cost,unbiased, Medicare workshops for those new toMedicare, or who want to learn more. Trainedbenefit specialists will be available to answeryour questions and discuss the decisions you’llneed to make, including the basics of Medicarecoverage, options for private health and drugcoverage, and public benefits that can help withhealth care costs. If possible, we recommendsigning up for a workshop 3-4 months beforeyour Medicare starts.UPCOMING MEDICARE 2026 WORKSHOPS: Kenosha County Job Center, 8600 SheridanRoad, Entrance A, Room N2• Thursday, May 21, 1– 3 p.m.• Wednesday, July 15, 10 a.m. – noonWestosha Senior Community Center, 1920093rd Street, Bristol, Great Room• Wednesday, June 24, 1 – 3 p.m. Twin Lakes Community Library, 110 S Lake Ave,Twin Lakes, Meeting Room• Tuesday, August 25, 1 – 3 p.m.Due to limited seating, reservations arerequired. Call the ADRC at 262-605-6646 tomake a reservation or to learn more. REGULAR SENIOR DINING SITES• Meals include dessert and beverage• Suggested donation: $5• Open to anyone age 60+ and aspouse regardless of age• Reservations must be made by10am the day priorKenosha Senior Center2717 67th StMonday - Friday, 11:30amReserve at 262-351-6246Parkside Redeemer Church2620 14th PlaceMonday - Friday, 11:30amReserve at 262-552-7737Lakeside Towers5800 Third AveMonday - Friday, 11amReserve at 262-455-7919Westosha Senior Center19200 93rd StMonday - Friday, 11:30amReserve at 262-358-5554Village Pub of Silver Lake307 N Cogswell DriveWednesday & Friday, 11:30amReserve at 262-358-5779SR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 4/28/26 2:26 PM Page 21

23 SMART READER April 30, 2026 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800Dear Eric: I have beenmarried to a wonderfulman for 44 years. Myhusband has a largefollowing on social mediaplatforms due to his formercareer. For the most parthe makes interesting postsand these posts are seenand commented on bymany people.My complaint is this: myhusband seems to (whetherintentionally orunintentionally)continuously postextremely unflatteringpictures of me on socialmedia. If I comment on anunflattering picture that hehas posted, he will ratherbegrudgingly take theoffensive picture down.His response to me isthat I don’t like having mypicture taken and he’s notwrong. Knowing that mypicture, whether flatteringor not, is going to beposted (or shared with ourfamily) is extremelydaunting. When my husbandtakes a photograph, henever looks at it. He thinksall of the pictures he takesare perfect with the firsttake.My question for you is,how do I approach thishabit of constantly postingunflattering photos withhim? Or do I let this be theone minor thing wrongwith this otherwisewonderful man?– Photo ShyDear Photo Shy: It’sworth bringing up becauseit makes you uncomfortableand is, therefore, creatingan issue in your marriage.Honestly, it’s notunreasonable to say, “pleasedon’t post pictures of meon social media at all.” Thisgets around the issue ofdebating “what is a goodphoto,” which could justdistract you both and isn’treally the point. He has adifferent standard than youdo, but it doesn’t matter ifhe thinks the photo is fine.You don’t want thesephotos online, especially infront of a large audience.It’ll be important to pointout to him that this is aprofessional space that hasgarnered a lot of attentionand therefore it has to beheld to a different standard.There are ways of usingsocial media as just aprivate photo album or adiary, but it is designed tobe public and for content tospread beyond its context.Remind him that you have adifferent relationship withhis public than he does andask that he keep photos ofyou to himself.Dear Eric: After doingall chores and maintenancearound the house for 40years I advised my husbandhe must help. Not sure if it’sa benefit or curse. I giveinstructions as to howthings work best, and Iswear he purposely refusesto follow through. He’ll runthe dishwasher when it’sonly a quarter full. He didthe laundry, but he stuffedthe machine withoutseparating colors. Then hehas the kazoos to tell methat since he’s taken overthings are better.If he vacuums, he nevermoves anything, just goesaround a cat toy or hisshoes. One day he said he’dclean the bathroom, Ithought that’s nice. Not. Heput the toilet bowl cleanerin the toilet and walkedout. When I asked aboutthe rest of the toilet, sink,countertop, bathtub, mirror,floor and garbage, hebecame ugly and said I’mnuts that it’s not necessary.He’s 79 and I’m muchyounger, but the stress ofhis complacency isoverwhelming. He’sbecome a crabby, stubborn,mean, old man. I neverunderstood when grandmawould complain because hewas so nice to me, but nowI see how wives becomemothers to old husbandsand they become stressed,overworked, unhappyspouses. How do I fix this?– Messy HouseDear House: It soundslike you could use a thirdparty here to help diffusesome of the tension. Thismight be a friend who canhelp you decide whatcleaning tasks are mostimportant to you and canperhaps walk him throughmodifying the way he doesit, or a couple’s therapistwho can help youcommunicate better.A lot of the validfrustration you’re feeling ispent up from 40 years ofnot having your effortsmatched by his. So, while itwasn’t fair that you weredoing all of the homemaintenance, you may wantto temper yourexpectations around himchanging immediately. I’mnot saying this is right orthat he can’t change. I’msaying that he should havedone this earlier and noamount of dishwasherloading is going to make upfor the fact that he hasn’taddressed that imbalance.So, I suggest that you talkwith him about how youfelt and ask him if heunderstands, then talkabout what’s going on withthe chores now and askhim his perspective. Youmay find that there aresome chores that you’llnever see eye-to-eye on. It’sup to you to decide ifyou’re happier having itdone or having it done theway you do it. Butaddressing what happenedin the past will help youboth clean up the presentsituation.Dear Eric: I am part ofa group of friends fromchurch. We have knowneach other for more than40 years. There is onemember who has donevery well in business. Weare all doing fine financially.The group containsmultiple doctors andlawyers. This man howevercannot stop bragging aboutthe money and privileges hehas acquired. He mustworkshop segues on howto inject his latest win intoevery conversation; it'suncanny how he can wormhis successes into any topic.My question is how topolitely tell this man tostop. We all know he's richand powerful and we don'tcare. – Unimpressed andBoredDear Unimpressed:One option is to say to him,“I’ve noticed you have thispattern. It’s coming acrossas bragging and making ithard to feel connected.Have you noticed that?”But the caveat here is that ifhe’s been doing this for 40years, or even the betterpart of 40 years, it’s unlikelythat he’ll be inclined tostop. This might be just whohe is, whether he’s speakingfrom pride or insecurity orsome other emotion.Do you like spendingtime with him, otherwise? Isthere a way of engagingwith him otherwise at all?Or is it all bragging? Theseare helpful considerationswhen thinking throughwhat you want from thisconversation and what’sreasonable to expect.Directness is helpful andpolite. But be prepared forhim to turn theconversation back aroundto his riches if he doesn’tlike what he’s hearing.Dear Eric: My son hasa wonderful family. We havetried to be friends to himand his wife and family. Ourson is adopted. I only tellyou in case it matters forour problem.He married his wifewhen she had a 3-year-olddaughter who is now 15.They have a 1-year-old son.We go to softballtournaments for the 15-year-old. We love them all.Here is the problem. Ourdaughter-in-law will not letgrandma pick up the newbaby or hug him. It killsgrandma. She wants to begrandma. Do we confrontmom and try to begrandparents? We thinkmom has issues with herown mother that sheprojects on to our son'smom. We do not know anddo not understand.Do we call out the baby'smom and do what? Wewalk on eggshells the way itis. Help. It is killing grandmaand me too. – Want to BeLoving GrandparentsDear Grandparents:I want to start byacknowledging that wantingto show physical care foryour grandchild is notunusual nor, in the abstract,unreasonable. However, itwill help everyone involvedif you can work onrecalibrating yourexpectations. There areways to show up and begrandma that don’t involvehugging or picking up rightnow. Your relationship withthis child will continue tochange and grow over time.It’s possible that hismother’s comfort level willchange, as well.A confrontation is notthe way to go. But aconversation is possible andwill be fruitful. First, talk toyour son about the wayyou’re feeling. He mighthave more information foryou that will inform yourthinking. Go into theconversation with curiosityrather than demands. Forinstance, you might say, “Irespect the request that Inot hold the child, but it’shard for me because that’sthe way I show love. Canyou help me understandwhere this is coming from?”This conversation mightbe all you need. But it’s alsopossible that talking to yourson’s wife, or your son andhis wife together, will behelpful. This talk can focuson what they would like thegrandparent relationship tobe and what you’d like it tobe and how you can build ittogether. The mostimportant thing is that yourespect what they ask andremember that theirdecisions, like yours, arecoming from a place oflove.asking ericHusband postsunflattering photosto his large socialmedia audienceBestselling author R. EricThomas brings his signaturewit and warmth to “AskingEric,” an advice columntackling life’s quandaries.Drawing on his stint asSlate’s “Dear Prudence,”Thomas dishes out insightful,humorous guidance fornavigating relationships, work,and everything in betweenpayotoSebeopeagodomfrpeandisowbedoauenIsscmthmindiwvefodiopenprhaSoprSoelstaneadiwhidiprfragseknstdilawanprAlemthsLSwCaring for an adult family member or friend? Family Caregiver Support Group Meets in-person and virtuallyFamily caregivers often don’t see themselves as caregivers, they simply think of themselves as thehusband, sister, daughter, or friend. Defined, a family caregiver is a person who provides support foran adult who needs assistance with daily living activities, such as cooking, driving, shopping, laundryand paying bills. The role of a family caregiver, while rewarding, can also be challenging when trying to balance life’sresponsibilities along with supporting the needs of another individual, family member or friend. TheAging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Kenosha County offers a Family Caregiver SupportGroup the first Thursday of every month. If you are a family caregiver, this group is for you! Join fellow caregivers, either virtually or in-person,as you share your experiences, ask questions and learn from others. The group is facilitated byMargaret Ricchio, ADRC Caregiver Support Coordinator. The next meeting will be Thursday, May 7,4-5 p.m. In-person location is 8600 Sheridan Road, entrance D. To register, learn more or to receivethe virtual link, call the Kenosha County ADRC, 262-605-6646.SR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 4/28/26 2:26 PM Page 22

24 SMART READER April 30, 2026 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800'sWeitmaBes:byngorotct,itdnurreevehtthoe.isillotadoayhtoruretyor“II’s’snd?”htourdeuseooitstudirreofQ: You have writtenpast columns in whichyou said it is very difficultto qualify for SocialSecurity disabilitybenefits. I think just theopposite is true. It is soeasy to get on thegovernment disabilitydole. After all, you see somany commercials on TVfrom lawyers who tellpeople that they can getanyone on Social Securitydisability. They mustsomehow be in cahootswith the government. I'llbet they have their owndoctors whoautomatically get peopleenrolled in the program.Isn't that a big scam?A: No, it's not a bigscam. And you aremissing the point if youthink that the fact thatmany law firms specializein Social Securitydisability law proves I waswrong when I said it isvery difficult to qualifyfor Social Securitydisability benefits. Just theopposite is true.Why do you think anentire cottage industry ofprivate legal specialistshas grown up around theSocial Security disabilityprogram? It's because theSocial Security disabilityeligibility rules are sostringent. Or, to put itanother way, if it wereeasy to qualify fordisability benefits, whywould people need tohire lawyers to get them? In the world ofdisability benefitprograms, including thosefrom other governmentagencies and the privatesector, Social Security isknown for having thestrictest definition ofdisability. Essentially, thelaw says you must havean impairment thatprevents you from doingANY kind of work for atleast 12 months. Or youmust have a conditionthat is terminal.Despite this rathersimple-soundingdefinition of \"disability,\" itcan be such acomplicated and such apersonal issue. As Ialways point out, oneperson's disablingcondition may beanother person's minorinconvenience. Forexample, I have a friendwho is a paraplegic andmust use a wheelchair. Ifyou were to see him, youwould say, \"There is adisabled guy.\" Yet heworks full-time and getsupset when people referto him as disabled. Onthe other hand, duringmy career with the SocialSecurity Administration, Ihelped hundreds ofpeople file for SocialSecurity disabilitybenefits because theyhad conditions asrelatively minor as badknees or a sore back. That's one of thereasons why it is sodifficult to administer adisability program. Hereis another. Think of thehundreds of differentkinds of possibledisabling conditions:heart trouble, kidneydisease, brain damage,cancer, nervousdisorders, muscular andskeletal issues, mentalhealth problems, etc. Thelist goes on and on. QHow do you decide howbadly damaged a heartmust be before someonecan get disability? Howdysfunctional must akidney be to keepsomeone from working?How much pain must aperson endure to makehim or her unemployableand eligible for benefits?The SSA has establishedguidelines to help itsdisability claimsevaluators make thatdecision for eachpotential condition. Yetno matter how muchthey try to objectify thatprocess, the decision isstill ultimately asubjective one. And that's what leadsto so muchdisagreement. And that'swhy sometimes lawyersget involved. But despiteyour allegations, the legaland other firms thatspecialize in disability laware definitely not \"incahoots\" with thegovernment. Instead, it isvery much an adversarialrelationship. And theycertainly don't\"automatically get peopleon the program.\"Having said that, I willpoint out that they dohave a high degree ofsuccess helping folksqualify for Social Securitydisability. Why is that?Remember thosedisability guidelines Imentioned earlier? Thefolks who work at theselaw firms have thoseguidelines memorizedbackwards and forwards.And when they arerepresenting a disabilityclaimant at a hearingbefore one of SocialSecurity's \"administrativelaw judges,\" they can\"talk the talk\" and \"walkthe walk.\" They knowexactly how to present acase convincingly.That is not to say thatlawyers or otherspecialists are alwaysneeded to help adisability claimant get hisor her Social Securitybenefits. Let me back upa few steps. No one needs a lawyerto file his or her firstclaim for disabilitybenefits. That's arelatively simple processof filling out a bunch offorms and then sittingback and waiting (usuallyabout three to sixmonths) for a decision.My book, \"Social SecuritySimple and Smart,\" has achapter on filing fordisability benefits withtips on getting a claimapproved.About 35% of firsttime claims are approved.Of course, that means65% are denied. Thereason a high percentageof first-time claims aredenied is that many folksfile for disability benefitsout of desperation. Mostof them are simplyunemployed and notreally \"disabled.\"If your disability claimis denied, the first appealis what the SSA generallycalls a \"reconsideration.\"And that is merely amatter of filling out a fewmore forms and waiting acouple more months fora decision. Areconsideration is just aninternal review of thedisability claim by SSApersonnel. The laststatistics I saw showedthat between 10 and 20%of disability claims areapproved at this level.But if your claim isturned down again, thenthe next step in theappeals process is ahearing before theaforementioned SSAjudge. You don't needlegal help for thisprocess. But many peoplefeel more comfortablehaving an attorneyrepresent them at thehearing. And if you usesuch help, you've gotabout a 70% chance ofgetting your disabilityclaim approved. That'sthe good news. The badnews is that it will costyou. Most of these firmswill take 25% of any backpay benefits you receive.social securityLawyers and SocialSecurity Disabilitywith Tom MargenauIf you have a SocialSecurity question, Tom Margenau has twobooks with all the answers.One is called \"Social Security-- Simple and Smart: 10Easy-to-Understand FactSheets That Will Answer AllYour Questions About SocialSecurity.\" The other is \"SocialSecurity: 100 Myths and 100Facts.\" You can find the booksat Amazon.com or other book outlets. Or youcan send him an email [email protected] youeorry’sertn,by7,veSR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 4/28/26 2:26 PM Page 23

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