John Raby
@johnraby61.bsky.social
Gardener, baker, storymaker in my 5th decade as a writer for The Associated Press. I am a native of Southeast Michigan and currently live in West Virginia USA (gardening zone 7A)
BREAKING: Sen. Mitch McConnell says he was hospitalized because of a fall and developed mild pneumonia, in first statement on his condition.
McConnell says a fall led to his hospitalization, breaking weeks of silence about health condition
Sen. Mitch McConnell is revealing for the first time that a fall led to his hospitalization, breaking the silence about his condition after weeks of mounting speculation about the Kentucky Republican’s health.
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Lindsey Graham died from an aorta rupture stemming from hardening of arteries, according to the medical examiner's preliminary findings.
US Senator Lindsey Graham has died after a brief and unexpected illness, his office says
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham died Saturday after a brief and unexpected illness, his office said in statement posted on social media.
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BREAKING: US Senator Lindsey Graham has died after a brief and unexpected illness, his office says in a statement.
US Senator Lindsey Graham has died after a brief and unexpected illness, his office says
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham died Saturday after a brief and unexpected illness, his office said in statement posted on social media.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo is getting traded to the Miami Heat in a blockbuster move. Tyler Herro and several other players and draft picks are heading to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Giannis Antetokounmpo getting traded to Heat in blockbuster, AP source says
Giannis Antetokounmpo is getting traded to the Miami Heat in a blockbuster move. Tyler Herro and several other players and draft picks are heading to the Milwaukee Bucks.
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The fireflies are putting on a show around sunset each night. My lawn is covered with them. Did you call them fireflies or lightning bugs when you were a kid? 🌱 #bugsky
I planted these red hot pokers over 30 years ago. They’ve survived drought, neglect, and children accidentally running over them with the lawnmower. One of my favorite all-time flowers.🌱
BREAKING: The New York Knicks win their first NBA title since 1973 with a 94-90 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5.
Game 5: Knicks, and their fans, are in San Antonio, hoping to close out the NBA Finals with a title
The Larry O’Brien Trophy will be in the building in San Antonio. The rehearsals for the presentation ceremony, if one is needed, are complete.
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Happiness is … harvesting broccoli from the backyard garden. 🥦🌱
It’s always exciting when I pick my first potatoes of the season. These are Yukon Gold. 🥔 🌱
A man who goes by “Chud the Builder” and livestreams himself saying racially derogatory statements in public settings was taken into custody after being involved in a shooting outside a Tennessee courthouse, authorities said.
Man known for racially derogatory livestreams taken into custody after a shooting in Tennessee
Authorities say a man who livestreams himself saying racially derogatory statements to Black people in public settings has been taken into custody after being involved in a shooting outside a Tennessee courthouse.
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apnews.com/article/west... Catholic priest who criticized Trump immigration crackdown named West Virginia bishop
Catholic priest who criticized Trump immigration crackdown named West Virginia bishop
West Virginia's next Catholic bishop was born in El Salvador and has been critical of President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.
apnews.com
A West Virginia transgender girl is focused on competing in what could be her last season on the girls track team as a Supreme Court decision looms. apnews.com/article/supr...
Transgender athlete focuses on what may be her last track season as Supreme Court ruling looms
A West Virginia transgender girl who competes on her high school girls' track team says she's focused on having fun with her friends.
apnews.com
Let’s hear it for the blooming white dogwood tree at my house. Show off! 🌱🥰
I wish I had a better close-up, but I just love this blooming pink dogwood tree down the street. Every time I pass it, I have to stop. 🌱
The eastern redbud trees are starting to put on a show🌱📷 😍
Happy happy, joy joy. The local store finally put seed potatoes out for sale. Rough winter weather had delayed their delivery for two weeks. I bought three dozen Red Pontiac, Yukon Gold and Kennebec. Now they’ll sit in the window to allow their eyes to grow before planting in mid-March. 🌱🥔
Meant to do this a week or so ago, but here are some of my favorite photos from the garden and yard in 2025. Here’s to an even better 2026. 🌱📷
BREAKING: FAA bans U.S. commercial flights in Venezuelan airspace over "ongoing military activity" ahead of explosions in the capital, Caracus. The Pentagon and White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
At least 7 explosions and low-flying aircraft are heard in Venezuela's Caracas
At least seven explosions and low-flying aircraft are heard around 2 a.m. local time Saturday in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas.
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At least seven explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard around 2 a.m. local time Saturday in Venezuela's capital, Caracas.
At least 7 explosions and low-flying aircraft are heard in Venezuela's Caracas
At least seven explosions and low-flying aircraft are heard around 2 a.m. local time Saturday in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas.
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Took this photo tonight with the moon coming over the horizon. One last chance to get a picture of the outside Christmas ornaments before I take them down. 📷🌱
Critically wounded West Virginia National Guard member who was shot in DC is being moved to in-patient rehabilitation apnews.com/article/west...
Critically wounded National Guard member being moved to in-patient rehabilitation
A West Virginia National Guard member who was shot last month in the nation’s capital is being transitioned from hospital acute care to in-patient rehabilitation.
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Three Omaha police officers have been wounded in an exchange of gunfire with a shooting suspect who was killed.
3 officers and a man were wounded and a suspect is killed in Omaha shootings
Three Omaha police officers have been wounded in an exchange of gunfire with a shooting suspect who was killed.
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A group of public school students' parents and taxpayers has filed a lawsuit challenging Tennessee's new statewide school voucher program.
Lawsuit claims Tennessee's new school voucher program violates the state constitution
A group of public school students’ parents and taxpayers has filed a lawsuit challenging Tennessee’s new statewide school voucher program.
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The body of a coal miner has been found in a flooded West Virginia mine, the governor says apnews.com/article/floo...
The body of a coal miner has been found in a flooded West Virginia mine, the governor says
Gov. Patrick Morrisey says crews have found the body of a coal miner missing for days after a mine flooded in West Virginia.
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Deployment of West Virginia National Guard members in nation’s capital can continue, judge says apnews.com/article/trum...
Deployment of West Virginia National Guard members in nation’s capital can continue, judge rules
A West Virginia state judge has allowed the continued deployment of more than 300 West Virginia National Guard members to Washington, D.C.
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