John Writes Stuff
@johnwritesstuff.bsky.social
Trending Reporter for IndyStar | Writer | Book Dragon | Nerd | Kindness Freak | Vegetarian | Anime Enthusiast | Dice Goblin | Retired Tricycle Pilot |
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Hello! If you're like me, journalism matters. It's more important now than ever, frankly. If you live in Central Indiana or the Midwest, here's a starter pack of reporters, columnists and sports folks at the Indianapolis Star, a 2021 Pulitzer Prize winning newspaper, that you can follow on Bluesky.
It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen, Charlie Brown.
November 24, 2025 at 8:56 PM
It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen, Charlie Brown.
For those who missed it last night, Indiana has another shot at seeing the northern lights.
Read more from IndyStar with a story linked in the comments.
Read more from IndyStar with a story linked in the comments.
November 12, 2025 at 8:37 PM
For those who missed it last night, Indiana has another shot at seeing the northern lights.
Read more from IndyStar with a story linked in the comments.
Read more from IndyStar with a story linked in the comments.
It could take weeks for SNAP benefits to return as Indiana braces for cold weather. Thousands of Hoosiers might face a difficult decision: having groceries in their home, or heat.
Indiana's Energy Assistance Program can help cover part of their utilities.
Free story from IndyStar in the comments.
Indiana's Energy Assistance Program can help cover part of their utilities.
Free story from IndyStar in the comments.
November 6, 2025 at 2:05 PM
It could take weeks for SNAP benefits to return as Indiana braces for cold weather. Thousands of Hoosiers might face a difficult decision: having groceries in their home, or heat.
Indiana's Energy Assistance Program can help cover part of their utilities.
Free story from IndyStar in the comments.
Indiana's Energy Assistance Program can help cover part of their utilities.
Free story from IndyStar in the comments.
Reposted by John Writes Stuff
Detroit elects its first new mayor since 2013, when we were under both bankruptcy and emergency management.
via @freep.com :
www.freep.com/story/news/p...
via @freep.com :
www.freep.com/story/news/p...
Mary Sheffield elected Detroit's next mayor, will make history as first woman to lead city
Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield made history, becoming the city's first woman mayor in an election she led from start to finish.
www.freep.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Detroit elects its first new mayor since 2013, when we were under both bankruptcy and emergency management.
via @freep.com :
www.freep.com/story/news/p...
via @freep.com :
www.freep.com/story/news/p...
Reposted by John Writes Stuff
Polls don't close until 9 p.m., but here's a gift link to the results page for the NYC mayoral election to bookmark to watch once they do. (No needle for this one.)
New York City Mayoral Election Results 2025 (Gift Article)
Get live results and maps from the 2025 New York general election.
www.nytimes.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Polls don't close until 9 p.m., but here's a gift link to the results page for the NYC mayoral election to bookmark to watch once they do. (No needle for this one.)
A lot of taxpayer money is funding this facility in Indiana. A LOT. Here's what an IndyStar investigation uncovered. Story by Kristine Phillips, @bykristinep.bsky.social.
November 4, 2025 at 8:15 PM
A lot of taxpayer money is funding this facility in Indiana. A LOT. Here's what an IndyStar investigation uncovered. Story by Kristine Phillips, @bykristinep.bsky.social.
Investigative journalists with IndyStar and @mirrorindy.org wrote an absolute banger of a story about how a secret relationship posing a conflict of interest in the Indianapolis mayor's office was ignored as millions of dollars flowed to city developers.
Read the story linked in the comments.
Read the story linked in the comments.
October 13, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Investigative journalists with IndyStar and @mirrorindy.org wrote an absolute banger of a story about how a secret relationship posing a conflict of interest in the Indianapolis mayor's office was ignored as millions of dollars flowed to city developers.
Read the story linked in the comments.
Read the story linked in the comments.
Millions are expected to protest Saturday, Oct. 18, during nationwide "No Kings" demonstrations. Here are the rights that protect you while protesting, and where you can find rallies in dozens of cities across Indiana.
Read IndyStar's #NoKings story linked in the comments.
Read IndyStar's #NoKings story linked in the comments.
October 13, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Millions are expected to protest Saturday, Oct. 18, during nationwide "No Kings" demonstrations. Here are the rights that protect you while protesting, and where you can find rallies in dozens of cities across Indiana.
Read IndyStar's #NoKings story linked in the comments.
Read IndyStar's #NoKings story linked in the comments.
Language is fun. Also weird. Fortunately, my Gen Alpha teen became a consulting expert for this story. A link to read it on IndyStar is provided in the comments.
#six-seven #skibidi
#six-seven #skibidi
October 13, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Language is fun. Also weird. Fortunately, my Gen Alpha teen became a consulting expert for this story. A link to read it on IndyStar is provided in the comments.
#six-seven #skibidi
#six-seven #skibidi
Reposted by John Writes Stuff
Looking to reach new heights? inSPIRE ROCK climbing gym opens tomorrow. Here's what to know before you go.
#Lubbock #RockClimbing #NewBusiness
www.lubbockonline.com/story/busine...
#Lubbock #RockClimbing #NewBusiness
www.lubbockonline.com/story/busine...
Lubbock Indoor climbing gym inSPIRE ROCK opens soon, here's what to know
Lubbock is finally getting an indoor rock climbing gym. Here's what to know before you go.
www.lubbockonline.com
October 10, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Looking to reach new heights? inSPIRE ROCK climbing gym opens tomorrow. Here's what to know before you go.
#Lubbock #RockClimbing #NewBusiness
www.lubbockonline.com/story/busine...
#Lubbock #RockClimbing #NewBusiness
www.lubbockonline.com/story/busine...
It's Banned Books Week. A spokesperson for PEN America said there's a "quiet" sort of banning happening at libraries across the country. To find out what we learned, and to see a list of 46 books challenged in Indiana, read IndyStar's story linked in the comments.
October 10, 2025 at 12:41 PM
It's Banned Books Week. A spokesperson for PEN America said there's a "quiet" sort of banning happening at libraries across the country. To find out what we learned, and to see a list of 46 books challenged in Indiana, read IndyStar's story linked in the comments.
Reposted by John Writes Stuff
Which Lubbock coffee shop has the best Fall Flavor this season? Read to find out
#Lubbock #Coffee #PSL
www.lubbockonline.com/story/busine...
#Lubbock #Coffee #PSL
www.lubbockonline.com/story/busine...
Here's which Lubbock coffee shops have the best fall flavor drinks in 2025
The A-J review team returns to find the best fall-flavor drink at four Lubbock coffee shops. Here's what was crowned the best of the season.
www.lubbockonline.com
October 2, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Which Lubbock coffee shop has the best Fall Flavor this season? Read to find out
#Lubbock #Coffee #PSL
www.lubbockonline.com/story/busine...
#Lubbock #Coffee #PSL
www.lubbockonline.com/story/busine...
Tried to call in "raptured" today at work. Realized my mistake immediately.
September 23, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Tried to call in "raptured" today at work. Realized my mistake immediately.
Jimmy Kimmel will return to the air, according to a statement Disney provided to USA TODAY, after the company had several "thoughtful conversations" with the late show host.
We might never know how many other "thoughtful conversations" happened over cancelled Disney+ accounts.
Link in the comments
We might never know how many other "thoughtful conversations" happened over cancelled Disney+ accounts.
Link in the comments
September 22, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Jimmy Kimmel will return to the air, according to a statement Disney provided to USA TODAY, after the company had several "thoughtful conversations" with the late show host.
We might never know how many other "thoughtful conversations" happened over cancelled Disney+ accounts.
Link in the comments
We might never know how many other "thoughtful conversations" happened over cancelled Disney+ accounts.
Link in the comments
Reposted by John Writes Stuff
Under the agreement, ICE will pay Indiana a rate of $291.94 for each detainee per day — far higher than the $42 per day Indiana pays county sheriffs to house state inmates, and nearly four times the $75 cost for current inmates at the Miami facility.
indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/09/17/b...
indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/09/17/b...
Budget panel approves $15.79M for immigration detention upgrades at Miami Correctional Facility • Indiana Capital Chronicle
Indiana budget regulators approved $15.79 million to prep Miami Correctional Facility for use in a federal immigration detention agreement.
indianacapitalchronicle.com
September 18, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Under the agreement, ICE will pay Indiana a rate of $291.94 for each detainee per day — far higher than the $42 per day Indiana pays county sheriffs to house state inmates, and nearly four times the $75 cost for current inmates at the Miami facility.
indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/09/17/b...
indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/09/17/b...
Reposted by John Writes Stuff
In the latest part of my #KeepDiscovering journey, I got a first look inside a stunning historic renovation in #Levelland.
www.lubbockonline.com/story/busine...
www.lubbockonline.com/story/busine...
Historic Levelland theater to roll out red carpet for grand reopening after 40 years
Levelland's historic Wallace Theater is rolling out the red carpet after a decades-long renovation. Here's how to join, what to expect.
www.lubbockonline.com
September 17, 2025 at 10:10 PM
In the latest part of my #KeepDiscovering journey, I got a first look inside a stunning historic renovation in #Levelland.
www.lubbockonline.com/story/busine...
www.lubbockonline.com/story/busine...
This is great news for Indiana journalism! Congrats @byryanmartin.bsky.social on becoming IndyStar's new Executive Editor! Also, welcome back!
@tonycook317.bsky.social has the story. Link in the comments.
@tonycook317.bsky.social has the story. Link in the comments.
September 17, 2025 at 6:22 PM
This is great news for Indiana journalism! Congrats @byryanmartin.bsky.social on becoming IndyStar's new Executive Editor! Also, welcome back!
@tonycook317.bsky.social has the story. Link in the comments.
@tonycook317.bsky.social has the story. Link in the comments.
"Attorney General Todd Rokita, who as recently as July invoked the need for 'protecting open discourse in classrooms,' has launched a statewide manhunt for school employees who've said anything about Kirk that might offend him."
IndyStar's @jamesebriggs.bsky.social has this opinion piece.
IndyStar's @jamesebriggs.bsky.social has this opinion piece.
September 16, 2025 at 3:06 PM
"Attorney General Todd Rokita, who as recently as July invoked the need for 'protecting open discourse in classrooms,' has launched a statewide manhunt for school employees who've said anything about Kirk that might offend him."
IndyStar's @jamesebriggs.bsky.social has this opinion piece.
IndyStar's @jamesebriggs.bsky.social has this opinion piece.
This makes my nerdy heart happy. Critical Role came to Indiana. Here's where to stream it, and what to know about "Oaths & Ash," the one-shot campaign filmed live in Fishers. Click the link to IndyStar in the comments.
#CriticalRole
#CriticalRole
September 16, 2025 at 2:41 PM
This makes my nerdy heart happy. Critical Role came to Indiana. Here's where to stream it, and what to know about "Oaths & Ash," the one-shot campaign filmed live in Fishers. Click the link to IndyStar in the comments.
#CriticalRole
#CriticalRole
Reposted by John Writes Stuff
BREAKING: Conservative influencer Charlie Kirk has died after being shot in the neck during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah on Sept. 10, President Donald Trump confirmed.
September 10, 2025 at 8:51 PM
BREAKING: Conservative influencer Charlie Kirk has died after being shot in the neck during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah on Sept. 10, President Donald Trump confirmed.
At least 21 employees at WISH-TV have left the company after it demanded they sign a new contract barring them from working in nearly any form of media for a year after leaving the station. IndyStar examined who's been scrubbed of their website. Click the link in the comments to read more.
September 9, 2025 at 5:25 PM
At least 21 employees at WISH-TV have left the company after it demanded they sign a new contract barring them from working in nearly any form of media for a year after leaving the station. IndyStar examined who's been scrubbed of their website. Click the link in the comments to read more.
If you walked outside last night and wondered why the "blood moon" wasn't red, there's a good reason for that. The total lunar eclipse wasn't visible in North America. For images and video of what millions across Europe and elsewhere saw, click the story link to IndyStar in the comments.
September 8, 2025 at 1:52 PM
If you walked outside last night and wondered why the "blood moon" wasn't red, there's a good reason for that. The total lunar eclipse wasn't visible in North America. For images and video of what millions across Europe and elsewhere saw, click the story link to IndyStar in the comments.
Here it is, your moment of DnD Zen.
(on alternating weekends, I’m either a helpful alchemist or a foxy rogue)
(on alternating weekends, I’m either a helpful alchemist or a foxy rogue)
August 24, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Here it is, your moment of DnD Zen.
(on alternating weekends, I’m either a helpful alchemist or a foxy rogue)
(on alternating weekends, I’m either a helpful alchemist or a foxy rogue)
I'm shocked. Are you?
"IndyStar analyzed hundreds of lobbying disclosures from the most recent legislative session to map the influence of lobbyists on lawmakers. The documents revealed a dominant energy lobby that spent tens of thousands of dollars currying favor with legislators."
"IndyStar analyzed hundreds of lobbying disclosures from the most recent legislative session to map the influence of lobbyists on lawmakers. The documents revealed a dominant energy lobby that spent tens of thousands of dollars currying favor with legislators."
Energy lobby ramped up spending on meals and gifts for lawmakers amid push for nuclear. It worked
Powerful utility committee chairmen Sen. Eric Koch and Rep. Ed Soliday heralded pro-nuclear bills while accepting paid meals from utilities.
www.indystar.com
August 21, 2025 at 2:23 PM
I'm shocked. Are you?
"IndyStar analyzed hundreds of lobbying disclosures from the most recent legislative session to map the influence of lobbyists on lawmakers. The documents revealed a dominant energy lobby that spent tens of thousands of dollars currying favor with legislators."
"IndyStar analyzed hundreds of lobbying disclosures from the most recent legislative session to map the influence of lobbyists on lawmakers. The documents revealed a dominant energy lobby that spent tens of thousands of dollars currying favor with legislators."