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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Farm Bill Showdown – Will Subsidies Come Down to Earth?

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Wednesday, November 7, 2007   

Columbus, OH – Ohio farmers are closely watching the U.S. Senate this week, with a vote expected on the new Farm Bill. Commodity subsidies are among the top issues, and a likely amendment would set a limit on the size of payments made to individual farms. Joe Logan with the Ohio Farmers Union says current commodity payments distort the market, and create an uneven playing field for the state's family farmers.

"The majority of payments go to the larger farmers. That is something that we really need to fix."

Logan believes money used for commodity payments would be better spent on developing and promoting crops for biofuels. He says that would provide a good alternative for farmers when crops like corn, soybeans, and wheat are being overproduced, and bringing in low prices.

Logan says another priority is a "safety net" for farmers, to provide assistance when disasters such as floods, droughts, and fires wipe out a big part of a season's crops.

"We have proposed a Permanent Disaster Provision, because even after a farmer has done everything right, when disaster strikes, they stand to get nothing in return."

Other priorities Ohio farmers are keeping an eye on in this week's debate include country-of-origin labeling for foods, and greater investment in farmland conservation programs.


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The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

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Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

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Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

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Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …


The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Social Issues

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Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

Environment

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New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …

Social Issues

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Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

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Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

 

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