National News

Under the current system, producers must be the sole owner-operator of their farm or ranch to qualify for loans from the federal government. A bipartisan bill would expand the eligibility requirements for applicants.

Scientists in the middle of the country told Harvest Public Media that 2025 was a year of major changes and uncertainty.

Thousands of employees whose contracts end this year will lose their jobs, FEMA managers said at personnel meetings this week. The cuts could hobble the nation's disaster agency.

The Trump administration sent hundreds of letters Tuesday terminating federal grants supporting mental health and drug addiction services. The cuts could total as much as $2 billion.

The food pyramid informs government nutrition programs, as well as what the military eats.

Refineries in Texas and along its Gulf Coast could get a boost from Venezuela's heavy crude. But oil producers might hesitate to get involved in the country while its future remains uncertain.

Democratic leaders in Minneapolis and D.C. say there appears to be no justification for the use of force in Wednesday's fatal ICE shooting and are calling for a thorough investigation of the incident.

Federal data found that millions of people struggled to get enough food in 2024. The report will be the final publication of such data after the U.S. Department of Agriculture said it will scrap the annual hunger survey.

Tumbleweeds have taken over the High Plains. They thrive so well that they are part of the culture of the West. But this ample supply of blowing weeds can hurt farm yields, wreak havoc on neighborhoods and cause fire dangers.

A federal ban on most hemp-derived THC products is expected to go into effect in November. It could eliminate the most profitable market for farmers who grow hemp.