Foreign ownership of U.S. farmland probed at U.S. Senate hearing
Kevin Kirby operates a tractor to begin the sweet potato harvest process by plowing them up from the field on Kirby Farms in Mechanicsville, Virginia, on Sep. 20, 2013. Kirby is a fourth-generation farmer. A U.S. Senate hearing on Sept. 27, 2023 examined foreign ownership of U.S. farmland. USDA photo by Lance Cheung WASHINGTON —…
U.S. Senate moves on short-term spending bill in struggle to avoid shutdown days away
U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., center, speaks to reporters on Sept. 26, 2023, at the U.S. Capitol. Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate is on track to clear a short-term government funding bill in the days ahead, but it wasn’t clear Tuesday if that would happen before the Saturday midnight deadline to…
How a looming government shutdown could hit national parks
A group of bison cross the road in Yellowstone National Park near the Madison River in April 2023. Clark Corbin/Idaho Capital Sun National parks and nearby communities could forego millions of dollars per day during a partial government shutdown that could start this weekend. Would-be visitors will likely see restrictions on park access, though the…
Menendez urged to step down by a growing number of U.S. Senate Democrats
New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez urged to step down by a growing number of U.S. Senate Democrats. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images WASHINGTON — More than a dozen U.S. Senate Democrats, including Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock, are calling on New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez to resign following his indictment on corruption charges for the…
Attorneys spar over Georgia’s voting law after federal judge temporarily blocks some provisions
The state is appealing a judge’s temporary ruling that blocked parts of SB 202 ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Getty Images The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit will determine whether to continue blocking provisions of Georgia’s 2021 election law overhaul that civil rights groups say discriminates against Black and disabled voters.…
Food benefits for low income families at risk in a government shutdown, White House says
Fall peppers and chili at Bloomingdale Farmers Market on Nov. 9, 2014, in Washington, D.C. The market accepted Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program benefits coupons. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung. WASHINGTON — As Congress barrels toward a partial government shutdown, the White House Monday warned that a program that helps millions…