A standard breakfast always includes eggs as it is a good source of protein. But lately it had become difficult for some American families to afford the basic due to a price hike. According to the data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the price of a dozen eggs was up 150% from January last year.The U.S. Department of Agriculture pointed out the historic outbreaks of avian flu, which have killed more than 58 million backyard and commercial chickens and turkeys since February 2022 as a reason for the soaring prices of eggs.

Parth Patel, manager of the grocery store Patel Brothers said they have no control over the increase of price of the eggs as the businessis buying at a higher price. "We do get eggs at a higher price now from our vendors. We have no explanation for that. We do get affected, customers complain," said Patel.

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A customer, Divyajyoti, said she can feel the increase in the prices of groceries but not particularly eggs. "It doesn't matter to me as we buy eggs from Sam's Club.It is like the same price as before. So, it doesn't matter to me. But I heard a lot about that," said Jyoti.

A farm group recently asked federal regulators to investigate whether egg companies were price gouging.When reaching out to a farm located in Virginia about the issueof price gouge, Carmen Brown, Assistant floor manager of Loudounberry farm said they had to increase the price to make profit from selling eggs. "We see a lot of the reason that the prices of eggs are increasing even we have chickens here and we raise the price also just because the price of chicken feed is actually rising and it's kind of just everything in general is getting more expensive. So, in order to maintain our profit from eggs we have to charge more because of the feed, because we're spending more," said Brown.

At the annual USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer said wholesale egg prices will fall 26.8% in 2023. The price drop would be a great relief for families who had to pay much more or even do without eggs in recent months.

Story of Derrick Lowe

One Sunday morning as I was walking by the stores at Ice Rink Plaza in Ashburn, this barber shop that has a very lively colorful and has a welcoming aura caught my attention. A very curious me walks in to have a chat with the people working.

As I step in everybody stops talking and looks at me. As curious as me they try to understand what I am there for. I forgot that I had my camera hanging over my shoulder, that was the reason for the curious eyes.

Frank walks towards me asking how he could help me with a large smile on his face. I told him that the shop got me interested and wanted to know more. Derrick comes in at that moment and asks me why I had a camera and if I was a journalist. I replied to him saying, yes, I am a journalism student and am looking for my subject for the assignment. To my surprise he asked me if he could be of help with my assignment. They all wanted to be heard about even though they did have a little concern being the African American barber shop in the neighborhood. But they were missing out on one detail, everyone at the store was American. They may have different culture and ethnicity, but they are all Americans.
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In one instance the mood changed, and they were all posing for me. They all wanted me to write about them, the love and passion they have for their profession. They were talking about their experiences that got them started. As customers walked in, I could feel the reason they had been coming to this shop for years. It is more because of the bonding these people built with their customers more than anything else.

Derrick Lowe was 15 years old when he got inspired to be a barber. He used to watch this guy come into his neighborhood to do the hair ofall male living there. Driven by great passion he started with his cousins wholoved his different styles. Ever since that day he never thought of any othercareer but to be a barber.

Derrick Lowe laughs as he gets teased by his colleagues. 02 February, 2023.

Ayaan tells Derrick the kind of style he wants this time. 02 February, 2023.

Frank, Derrick's colleague tells Ayaan to get a new style. 02 February, 2023.

The sign to make appointments for service hangs as customers often try to get a walk in. 02 February, 2023.

The young customer Ayaan loves to get his haircut at this barber shop and Derrick is one of his favorite. 02 February, 2023.

Derrick pays attention to every details of his customer's needs. 02 February, 2023.

The barber shop is busy on weekends as they take customers by appointments only. 02 February, 2023.

Frank and the others busy with young customers. 02 February, 2023.

Story of a Place-The National Mall

A man sitting on the bench in front of Smithsonian Metro Station at the National Mall. 09 Ferbruary, 2023

Every year millions of people around the world come to see theNational Mall in Washington DC. Surrounded by inspiring monuments, memorials and museums the place is known to be the stage for many historic events.The long grassy strip stretching from Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol Building is a recreational place for tourists.

People gather at the mall with family and friends on special events like the inauguration of Presidents, watch the extravagant fireworks on Independence Day.For the residents it is where they go for walks, bike or run. Some spend hours on the benches to feel the change of season, listen to the birds, enjoy the beautiful nature.

People walking on the street between Capitol Hill and Monument. The National Mall, 09 February, 2023

Covid had forced people to make adjustments which had been termed to be the new normal life. An afternoon at the mall seemed like more of thenormal times.

Why did egg prices go up?