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John Writes Stuff

@johnwritesstuff.bsky.social

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John Writes Stuff @johnwritesstuff.bsky.social · Nov 22

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.

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John Writes Stuff @johnwritesstuff.bsky.social · 2d

Story by Tony Cook / IndyStar @tonycook317.bsky.social | Peter Blanchard / Mirror Indy @peterblanchard.bsky.social | and Emily Hopkins / Mirror Indy @emilyhopkins.bsky.social can be read below:

Hogsett ignored Thomas Cook's secret relationship as money flowed to developers

An IndyStar and Mirror Indy investigation has found that Hogsett ignored conflicts of interest involving millions of dollars in city incentives.

www.indystar.com

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John Writes Stuff @johnwritesstuff.bsky.social · 2d

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.

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John Writes Stuff @johnwritesstuff.bsky.social · 2d

📰 | Story by IndyStar here:

'No Kings' rallies return to Indiana Oct. 18. What protesters can, can't do under the law

Can you video the police? What happens if you're arrested? Know your rights before you head to these Indiana "No Kings" protests Oct. 18.

www.indystar.com

John Writes Stuff @johnwritesstuff.bsky.social · 2d

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.

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John Writes Stuff @johnwritesstuff.bsky.social · 2d

Link to IndyStar:

Indiana's Gen Alpha kids are saying '6-7' and 'sendy.' What in the skibidi flop do they mean?

You might need to study up to figure out what the kids are saying these days.

www.indystar.com

John Writes Stuff @johnwritesstuff.bsky.social · 2d

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

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Alana @alanaedgin.bsky.social · 5d

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 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

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John Writes Stuff @johnwritesstuff.bsky.social · 5d

I'm usually left wondering by how many of these challenged books have been read in thorough detail for their literary merits vs. complained about from those among the professionally outraged.

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John Writes Stuff @johnwritesstuff.bsky.social · 5d

Story link to IndyStar:

These 46 books were challenged at Indiana libraries in 2024. Is your favorite listed?

The American Library Association provided IndyStar with a list of 46 books challenged at Indiana libraries. Is one of them your favorite?

www.indystar.com

John Writes Stuff @johnwritesstuff.bsky.social · 5d

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.

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Alana @alanaedgin.bsky.social · 13d

Which Lubbock coffee shop has the best Fall Flavor this season? Read to find out
#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

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John Writes Stuff @johnwritesstuff.bsky.social · 13d

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John Writes Stuff @johnwritesstuff.bsky.social · 22d

Tried to call in "raptured" today at work. Realized my mistake immediately.

John Writes Stuff @johnwritesstuff.bsky.social · 23d

Read about how social media reacted to Kimel's firing here:

Disney is losing subscribers over Jimmy Kimmel. What fans are saying as they hit 'cancel'

People are calling for a boycott of Disney, including streaming services Disney+ and Hulu after a recent decision. Here's what's behind the move.

www.indystar.com

John Writes Stuff @johnwritesstuff.bsky.social · 23d

Read all about it here:

Jimmy Kimmel returning to air after suspension for Charlie Kirk comments, Disney says

"Jimmy Kimmel Live!" is returning to air, Disney said in a statement, a week after ABC made the decision to suspend the show.

www.usatoday.com

John Writes Stuff @johnwritesstuff.bsky.social · 23d

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

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Emily Hopkins is reporting for Mirror Indy @emilyhopkins.bsky.social · 27d

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...

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

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Alana @alanaedgin.bsky.social · 28d

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...

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

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John Writes Stuff @johnwritesstuff.bsky.social · 28d

Story:

Pulitzer winner Ryan Martin returns to IndyStar as executive editor

Ryan Martin, who won a Pulitzer Prize with IndyStar in 2021, will return to lead Indiana’s largest newspaper as its new executive editor.

www.indystar.com

John Writes Stuff @johnwritesstuff.bsky.social · 28d

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.

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John Writes Stuff @johnwritesstuff.bsky.social · 29d

Read it on IndyStar here:

Charlie Kirk's death fuels Indiana Republicans' online fantasy of warfare | Opinion

We are not in a war. The only people musing about war are those chronically online and infected by outrage-boosting algorithms.

www.indystar.com

John Writes Stuff @johnwritesstuff.bsky.social · 29d

"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.

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John Writes Stuff @johnwritesstuff.bsky.social · 29d

Read it here on IndyStar:

Critical Role's live show from Fishers is streaming online. What to know before you watch

If you haven't seen it, Critical Role is akin to an hours-long TV episode set in a world of magic. Here's what happened when they visited Indiana.

www.indystar.com

John Writes Stuff @johnwritesstuff.bsky.social · 29d

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

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John Writes Stuff @johnwritesstuff.bsky.social · Sep 12

We’re guaranteed at least a two-parter “Groyper Wars” episode on Behind the Bastards, right?