I am one of those people who likes daylight saving time.
In case you have not heard, daylight saving time (DST) starts early this year. It will be Sunday morning (Saturday night), March 8, which is this weekend.
Why would you not like the extra hour of daylight? It sure helps me, especially if I am driving. As I have gotten older, I really like being able to travel in daylight rather than in the darkness.
If you are a baseball and softball fan like me, you will appreciate having more time for teams to play and practice in daylight hours, rather than playing under the lights.
As the weather starts to get warmer and we head toward spring, it gives you more time to get out and do little chores around the yard. If you like to have a backyard garden like me, it gives you more time to start getting your soil ready for the upcoming planting.
Daylight saving time offers several advantages in the United States, including:
Extended daylight: DST provides more daylight in the evenings, which can be beneficial for outdoor activities and leisure.
Energy conservation: While the impact on energy conservation is debated, the original intent of DST was to save energy by reducing the need for artificial lighting.
Reduced road accidents: Some studies suggest that DST may help reduce road accidents and fatalities by improving visibility during evening rush hours.
Boost to economy: DST can benefit certain businesses and sectors, like retail, sports, and other industries that capitalize on extended daylight hours.
Health and Well-being: More daylight can improve mood and offer more time for exercise and outdoor activities, which can benefit physical and mental health.
There has been much discussion by the U.S. Senate and other government officials to end daylight saving time and not switch the clocks back in the fall. But that bill has not passed yet. I am all for that recommendation.
Most of the United States observes daylight saving time with a few exceptions, including Arizona, Hawaii, and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands.
The U.S. first adopted DST in 1918 as a wartime energy-saving measure, but it was unpopular and repealed after World War I. During World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt reinstated DST year-round from 1942 to 1945.
After the war, DST became inconsistent across states and localities, causing confusion for transportation and broadcasting. The Uniform Time Act of 1966 standardized DST in the U.S., initially setting it from the last Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 later modified the schedule to the current period: the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November. Thus giving us longer days in a year.
So get ready to change your clocks again. Hopefully, in the future, we can leave them and stay on daylight saving time year-round.
Short stuff
The Mingo County Commission will hold its annual covered electronic devices (CED) recycling event on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the courthouse. It is free for Mingo County residents. Call 304-235-0338 for more information.
… The high school regional basketball tournaments are being held throughout the area for both the boys and girls teams. Get out and support your school’s student athletes.
… If you are like me, you are loving these early spring-like days and warmer temperatures. The sunshine and warmth make you feel so much better.
Until next time.
(Kyle Lovern is a longtime journalist in the Tug Valley. He is now a retired freelance writer and columnist for the Mountain Citizen.)