https://freerepublic.com/tag/pearlclutchingdems/ en-us Thu, 9 Apr 2026 22:30:50 GMT Focus Forum 15 https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4374298/posts RAINELLE, W.Va. (AP) — Every month, Rebecca Michalski takes a deep breath before opening her electric bill. She lives on a fixed income, and heating her small house this winter has been staggering: Her February charge was $940.08 — more than her check. It makes no sense. She turns the lights off during the day and only burns one lamp with an energy-efficient bulb in the living room at night, but she keeps falling further behind on payments. In desperation, she took out a loan after getting a cut-off notice during an extended arctic blast that kept the state’s heaters... AP News https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4374298/posts#comment Thu, 9 Apr 2026 22:30:50 GMT