Pasadena – A white peacock long familiar to residents of an East Pasadena neighborhood is on track for a complete recovery after an attack by a mail carrier last week. The incident, captured on home security video, drew widespread concern and prompted investigations by animal control and postal authorities. Shelter officials now report the bird...
The agreement marks one of the largest corporate settlements in U.S. history and signals a turning point in how major technology platforms must account for their influence on young users. Meta will pay the sum and implement new safeguards across Facebook and Instagram to resolve claims brought by attorneys general in 47 states. The deal...
In 1995 the author shut down Holbrook Farm and Nursery in North Carolina after fifteen years and returned to Louisville, Kentucky, unsure what came next. The move marked the end of a long chapter in horticulture and the start of an uncertain search for purpose. A rejected film idea and an unexpected job offer soon...
Texas – The Ross Fire has surged across vast stretches of land west of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, reaching 80,000 acres in a matter of days and leaving firefighters with only 12 percent containment so far. The rapid growth has drawn widespread attention, with satellite imagery providing stark visual evidence of the blaze’s footprint across...
Across many neighborhoods, the familiar sight of neatly mowed grass is giving way to surfaces covered in smooth stones and gravel. The change often begins with a simple observation: the steady crunch of pebbles underfoot offers a different kind of satisfaction than the soft give of turf. Homeowners cite rising water costs, frequent mowing, and...
Hudson, Wisconsin – Kathleen’s backyard reaches its fullest expression each summer, when dense borders and repeated hues turn the space into a continuous sweep of color. The gardener reports that the plot has never looked better, and the layered approach she has refined over time now fills nearly every sightline with blooms and foliage. What...
Many gardeners wait until spring to sow their vegetable beds, yet a straightforward autumn practice can shift the timeline in their favor. By placing certain seeds in the ground before winter sets in, plants often emerge earlier and stronger once temperatures rise. This approach draws on natural cycles rather than indoor starting trays or greenhouse...
Across the American West, gardens and landscapes have long depended on reliable spring snowmelt and steady summer streamflows to keep plants thriving through dry seasons. A new study now shows that emissions from the world’s largest fossil fuel and cement producers have driven roughly half of the climate-related reductions in those water sources over the...
Many gardeners assume all hydrangeas require the same annual trim, yet the timing and technique vary sharply by type. This single error often leads to sparse blooms or none at all the following season. Understanding the differences prevents disappointment and keeps plants healthy year after year. Pruning Rules by Hydrangea Type Bigleaf and lacecap hydrangeas...
Homeowners who inherit or plant popular landscape species often discover later that some of these choices spread aggressively and reduce local biodiversity. A single property can contain multiple ecologically destructive plants that were installed for practical reasons, such as erosion control or visual screening. Rushing their removal without evaluation can trigger new problems, including altered...
Santa Monica Mountains – A mountain lion cub rescued after its mother abandoned it at just three weeks old is showing clear signs of progress following surgery that removed one of its legs. The young animal, found in the Santa Monica Mountains of Southern California, faced an early and severe challenge yet continues to adapt....
Nashville, Tenn. – Dolly Parton, whose soaring vocals, heartfelt songwriting and glittering stage presence lifted her from a remote Tennessee cabin to worldwide acclaim, died peacefully Tuesday at age 80. The news arrived quietly from her publicist, marking the end of a life that bridged generations through music, film and quiet generosity. Her passing leaves...
