The bipartisan Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act was introduced in both congressional chambers. It will protect U.S. national security by preventing foreign adversaries from taking any ownership or control of agricultural land and businesses in the United States. The bill will also ensure the USDA is fully involved in reviewing any acquisition of…… MORE
Pentagon: Chinese Spy Balloon Spotted Over Western US
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is tracking a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that has been spotted over U.S. airspace for a couple days, but the Pentagon decided not to shoot it down due to risks of harm for people on the ground, officials said Thursday. A senior defense official told Pentagon reporters that the U.S.…… MORE
Senate Bill Would Improve the Conservation Reserve Program
Senators John Thune of South Dakota and Minnesota’s Amy Klobuchar reintroduced the Conservation Reserve Program Improvement Act. A Republican and Democrat, respectively, the bill bolsters the CRP by improving access to grazing, maximizing enrollment options for producers, and addressing implementation issues following the 2018 Farm Bill. “After hearing from South Dakotans, it’s clear that we…… MORE
Selma Police Officer Killed In The Line Of Duty Identified
SELMA, Calif. (KMJ) — The identity of the Selma Police officer killed in the line of duty on Tuesday has been released. Selma Police Officer, Gonzalo Carrasco was shot and killed just before 12 noon while on a patrol in Selma. Carrasco was also an expectant Father who served with the Selma Police Department for…… MORE
California Not Part Of Colorado Water Agreement
Six states that rely on water from the Colorado River Basin recently reached an agreement regarding a model to drastically cut water use in the basin. Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, Arizona, and Nevada, “did exactly what we needed,” according to Colorado Senator Michael Bennet. However, the agreement doesn’t include California, the largest water user…… MORE
Census of Agriculture Deadline Nears
The deadline to respond to the 2022 Census of Agriculture is next week. USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service says farmers and ranchers must respond by February 6th online or through the mail. NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer says, “By participating in the 2022 Census of Agriculture, producers show the value and importance of American agriculture.” Last…… MORE
Driver In California Cliff Crash That Injured 4 Is Charged
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. (AP) — The driver of a car that plunged off a treacherous cliff in northern California, seriously injuring himself, his wife and their two young children, was charged Monday with attempted murder. Dharmesh A. Patel, 41, also faces enhancements for great bodily injury and domestic violence in the Jan. 2 crash, San…… MORE
California Climate Bill Would Make Companies Disclose Emissions
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Democratic lawmakers in California introduced a package of climate bills Monday aimed at holding corporations accountable for their greenhouse gas emissions. The bills include legislation to require companies to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions to the public, ban the state’s public pension funds from investing in major fossil fuel companies, and…… MORE
California County To Pay $32M In Child Welfare Settlement
VISALIA, Calif. (AP) — Central California’s Tulare County will pay $32 million to settle a lawsuit alleging its child welfare agency failed to respond to reports of abuse involving an infant boy who was hospitalized for malnutrition and suffered brain damage, plaintiffs’ attorneys said Monday. Under the terms of the settlement, the county must also…… MORE
California Sees More Rain, Snow, Frost And Wind
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rain and snow fell across Southern California early Monday while the northern half of the state turned windy and frosty in the aftermath of the weekend weather system. The California Highway Patrol escorted Interstate 5 traffic over Tejon Pass north Los Angeles due to snow. Chains were required for travel on…… MORE
