That Chicago soda tax was an even bigger hot mess than predicted

Back in December of last year, over vocal protests from residents, Cook County, Illinois adopted a policy similar to many other cash strapped, liberal municipalities. They decided to save the people from themselves and simultaneously put a bunch of money in the city's nearly empty coffers by imposing a sin tax on soda and other "sweetened beverages."

AM markets: Canada worries prop up soybeans, but not wheat

Certainly, the first set of data of many to be released on Thursday - including a monthly report on Brazilian grains from Conab, a twice-monthly briefing on Brazilian sugar output from Unica, and the US Department of Agriculture's monthly Wasde tome - looked at first sight negative for prices. The Malaysian Palm Oil Board showed Malaysian palm oil inventories far bigger than investors had expected last month, provoked by the biggest surge in output in nearly three years.

USDA loan program may help local flood victims

Kenosha County has issued a news release about a loan program that might be of help to victims of recent flooding: Wisconsin Emergency Management is citing a loan program available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Office as a possible source of funds to help residents affected by the recent floods. USDA Rural Development has funding available for very low and low-income individuals and families seeking to purchase or repair a home in a rural area.

What will the Wasde bring? Grains make small gains, for now

The, modestly, positive tone around in early deals was there at the close too, as traders proved reluctant to take values too far in any direction ahead of key data ahead. Thursday will bring a slew of ag commodity statistics, starting off with monthly data on Malaysian palm oil production and stocks, followed by the monthly briefing on Brazilian crops from Conab.

Army study reveals new findings on human-autonomy interaction

A team of Army scientists and engineers have challenged long-held views in the area of human-autonomy interaction to change the way science involves people, especially in developing advanced technical systems that involve artificial intelligence and autonomy. A team of Army scientists, including Dr. Amar Marathe, have challenged long-held views in the area of human-autonomy interaction to change the way science involves people, especially in developing advanced technical systems that involve artificial intelligence and autonomy.

Farm income could be lowest in 12 years, falls by more than half

Farm income this year could be the lowest since 2006, a reflection of low commodity prices, exporting issues and in some places, lousy weather. Nationwide, net farm income has fallen by more than half since 2013, and it's expected to drop another 6.7% this year - to the lowest level since 2006, according to the Department of Agriculture.

Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017: Sen. Collins shows courage, Fulford for Congress, don’t use pesticides

Maine has a proud tradition of independence and leadership. Decades ago, Sen. Margaret Chase Smith stood up to partisan bullying in the Senate in a famous floor speech , and recently Sen. Susan Collins has shown the same courage.

The Guardian Claims Trump’s USDA Blacklists And Censors Use Of Term ‘Climate Change’

Officials at the Department of Agriculture are telling employees at the agency to use terms such as "weather extremes" when referring to "climate change," The Guardian reported Monday. Bianca Moebius-Clune, a director of foil health at the Natural Resources Conservation Service , told employees at the USDA to replace terms referring to global warming with more vanilla terms such as "weather extremes," according to a series of emails the outlet obtained.

Entrenched poverty tough to shake in the Mississippi Delta

Otibehia Allen is a single mother who lives in a rented mobile home in the same isolated, poor community where she grew up among the cotton and soybean fields of the Mississippi Delta. During a summer that feels like a sauna, the trailer's air conditioner has conked out.

USDA Farmland Values Show Iowa Up 1.9 Percent, Nebraska Down

The latest farm real estate values are out and the U.S. Department of Agriculture says the average acre of farmland in Iowa rose 1.9 percent from a year ago to $8,000 an acre, returning to the same value posted in 2015. Iowa is the only state in the five-state corn belt region which also includes Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Ohio to see an increase in value.

Our Opinion: Area schools compassionate while struggling with parents’ meal debts

Schools in Central Missouri, along with the rest of the nation, have been struggling with how to deal with outstanding balances on school-provided meals. The Southern Boone school district has amassed about $30,000 in debt from outstanding meal balances.