Free Republic

PUEBLA, Mexico - A cold front moved over most of Mexico Wednesday, leaving coastal cities chilly and windy, and dusting mountaintop towns with snow. In the central state of Puebla, temperatures dropped to a low of 23 degrees, and more than 100 shelters were opened for residents who live in frigid shacks. Winter snow is not uncommon at high altitudes in Mexico, including atop the Popocatepetl Volcano outside the capital. But this week's frost dusted buildings in towns that normally don't see such cold weather. In Mexico City, residents accustomed to 80-degree afternoon temperatures bundled up in winter coats as...

WASHINGTON - Bundle up, kids. It's getting cold inside. As oil and natural gas prices soar, public schools are having to make some tough decisions: turning down the thermostat, finding alternative sources of fuel, even cutting back on the school week. At Menomonie High School in western Wisconsin, principal Tom Wiatr has dropped the temperature a few degrees. Students started wearing zip-up sweatshirts and fleeces to stay warm, raising questions about a school rule against wearing jackets indoors. So the school clarified its policy, even scheduling a fashion show to highlight acceptable clothing. Naturally, it was snowed out. So far,...