Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya, has long been a fixture in specialty produce sections. Yet many gardeners are discovering that this striking cactus can thrive in home settings with the right approach. The choice between small sweet yellow fruits and larger tangy red-fleshed types allows growers to match plants to both local conditions and...
In a modest Maine yard, a collection of pitcher plants, sundews, and Venus flytraps has taken root alongside more conventional perennials. The plants stand out for their ability to supplement nutrients by trapping and digesting insects, a trait that sets them apart in a region known for its short growing season and acidic soils. What...
President Donald Trump left a NATO summit in Turkey aboard one of the older Air Force One aircraft rather than the recently retrofitted jet gifted by Qatar. The switch occurred as tensions with Iran flared again, prompting questions about the new plane’s readiness. Both aircraft later converged at a U.S. base in Britain before the...
Evacuees began returning to hotels and workplaces near a Midtown Manhattan high-rise with buckling beams on Thursday. The gradual movement came after an earlier order to stay away from the affected area. Lingering closures and unresolved concerns kept many people displaced or restricted in their movements. Structural Concerns Persist The high-rise in question showed signs...
San Francisco – Julius’ Castle, the 1922 landmark perched on Telegraph Hill below Coit Tower, will resume operations in September following an extended closure that began in 2007. The building has undergone more than a decade of renovations aimed at preserving its historic character while addressing structural needs accumulated over years of inactivity. This return...
Missouri families who lose a parent to a drunk driving crash will gain new financial protections under legislation signed by Gov. Mike Kehoe. The measure directs courts to order child support payments from offenders convicted in such cases, shifting part of the long-term burden away from surviving relatives or guardians. The change takes effect August...
Grapevine, Texas, has lost one of its most quietly determined residents. Wally Funk, who completed the same demanding astronaut training regimen as the original Mercury 7 men in 1961, died at age 87. Her story highlights both the barriers women faced in early space exploration and the persistence that eventually carried her into the skies...
Social media users often capture and share images of their homes, gardens, and daily routines without a second thought. Yet those same posts can reveal enough detail about a house key for someone with technical skills to produce a working copy. The concern centers on how little information is actually required and how fast the...
Palm Coast, Florida – A body camera recording has preserved the moment law enforcement officers located a 14-year-old girl with autism who had gone missing while riding her bicycle along a darkened trail. The footage documents the conclusion of a nighttime search that ended with the teen found safe and the visible relief shared by...
In July, when many gardens are at their peak with warm-season produce, a different kind of planning is underway. Gardeners who want fresh vegetables later in the year are already starting cool-season crops indoors. This timing allows the plants to mature during the milder conditions of fall rather than struggling through summer heat. The Practical...
Phoebe Smyrell and her family had lived in their home for twelve years before they decided to remove the old garden shed. The structure had stood on the property long before their arrival, and they gave little thought to what might lie beneath it. Dismantling the shed revealed a hidden World War II bunker that...
Many gardens reach a noticeable lull by mid-July, with earlier flowers spent and foliage looking tired under the summer sun. This seasonal dip leaves beds looking sparse just as outdoor living peaks. Gardeners who plan ahead can counter the decline with perennials that deliver fresh color and structure through August and into September. The Practical...
