Child marriages decline, led by big fall in South Asia

Setting up a likely legal fight with the Trump administration, Washington has become the first state to enact its own net-neutrality requirements. Rats, mold and fists: Education Secretary Betsy DeVos gives state education chiefs some "tough love" as she pushes them to innovate.

South Korea meeting thrusts North’s Kim into the limelight

In this Monday, March 5, 2018 photo, provided by the North Korean government on March 6, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, front right, meets South Korean National Security Director Chung Eui-yong,... . In this Monday, March 5, 2018 photo, provided by the North Korean government on March 6, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, front right, shakes hands with South Korean National Security Director Chu... .

A Promising Backup to the Honeybee Is Shut Down

The almond industry contributes an estimated $21 billion annually to California's economy and it is completely dependent on honeybees for its existence. For eight years the Wonderful Company, the world's largest almond grower, had been funding a large research project to breed another commercial pollinator - Osmia lignaria, aka the blue orchard bee, or BOB - to help the beleaguered honeybee in their vast orchards.

Ancient artifacts seized from Hobby Lobby returned to Iraq updated

Thousands of ancient clay tablets, seals and other Iraqi archaeological objects that were smuggled into the U.S. and shipped to the head of arts and crafts chain Hobby Lobby were returned to the Iraqi government on Wednesday. The Oklahoma City-based private company, whose devout Christian owners won a 2014 U.S. Supreme Court ruling exempting them from providing certain contraceptive coverage for employees, agreed to pay a $3 million fine last year to settle a lawsuit over the company's role in the smuggling of the artifacts, which authorities say were looted from the war-torn country.

Low interest emergency physical loss loans available for three new counties

U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency Acting Administrator Steve Peterson today announced that physical loss loans are available for Chautauqua, Jefferson and Lewis counties in New York. Farm operators who have suffered major physical losses caused by excessive snow and cold that occurred Dec. 20 to Dec. 22, 2017, may be eligible for emergency loans.

With top-of-the-ticket races all but decided, lesser-known GOP races benefiting from media boost

Without much action at the top of the Republican primary ticket, much of the media and voter attention this election season has focused on races to decide the leaders of lesser-known statewide offices -- the General Land Office and the Texas Department of Agriculture. "It's heated, they're spending money, it's competitive," said Jim Henson, the director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas.

Washington State Is Set to Vote on a Carbon Tax. For the Governor, It’s a Gamble.

Want the latest climate news in your inbox? You can sign up here to receive Climate Fwd: , our new email newsletter. This week in the statehouse in Olympia, Wash., Gov. Jay Inslee is battling to bring a vote on a historic climate change policy that he has pursued for years: instituting the nation's first tax on planet-warming carbon dioxide pollution.

Farm Republicans revolt against Trumpa s steel a oetax.a Warn ita ll cost him at the polls.

President Donald Trump said he will impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports in response to what he called decades of unfair trade policies. Trump summoned steel and aluminum executives to the White House and told them that next week he would levy penalties of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum imports.

2018 Oregon Wine Industry Recognizes Leaders at Annual Wine Symposium

Oregon's wine community was aglow with recognition during an awards luncheon at the Oregon Wine Symposium on Wednesday, Feb. 21. More than 1,300 wine industry professionals were on hand to celebrate the accomplishments of colleagues throughout the state who continue to champion the advancement of Oregon wine. Nine awards were presented, including the first Oregon Wine Leadership award, presented to Sen. Jackie Winters for her tireless support of the statewide wine industry.

USDA opens new office in Vietnam to help facilitate increasing agricultural trade

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service recently opened a new office in Hanoi, Vietnam. The office will play a vital role in helping expand the United States' $2.5 billion agricultural export market in Vietnam.

Higher protein production forecast pressures prices for livestock producers

Demand for meat is going to remain firm throughout the rest of 2018, and U.S. livestock producers will continue to see favorable feed prices. But livestock producers are going to be pressured on market prices for beef, hogs, and poultry products because of increased production in most livestock sectors.