A new farm bill faces an uncertain future after conservative House Republicans wanting a vote on an unrelated immigration bill joined Democrats in defeating the legislation.… MORE
Category Archives: Agribusiness
GOP counts votes as Farm Bill awaits
A vote on the Farm Bill could come in the U.S. House this week as Republicans scramble to get enough vote on the measure that would call for tighter controls for those who receive welfare benefits.… MORE
Soybeans giving corn run for money on Illinois farms
At one time, corn was king. American farmers are now planting just as much soybeans as corn, and Illinois ranks as the top soybean-producing state in the country in four of the last five years, with Iowa as the state’s chief rival.… MORE
Farm Bureau backing legislation for improved rural broadband
The American Farm Bureau Federation is backing legislation to help farmers obtain broadband internet to do their jobs effectively.
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Rep. Davis: Democrats chose to sit out of Farm Bill discussions
Democrats involved in the Farm Bill process have been blasting Republicans for excluding them from the process of crafting the next Farm Bill and a central Illinois congressman responds to that criticism.… MORE
Unit 5 to investigate chemical spraying near Fox Creek Elementary
Parents of a Fox Creek Elementary School student believe dangerous farm chemicals from adjacent farmland are being sprayed near the kids, and that school administrators have failed to address the problem.… MORE
Bloomington farmer says ag merger is concerning
The U.S. Justice Department recently approved Bayer, German drugs and pesticides group, a bid to acquire the world’s largest seed company, Monsanto.… MORE
Planting efforts slow to start in Illinois due to cold
Nothing might be a slight over exaggeration when describing how much spring planting farmers have accomplished this year. But little has been done so far when it comes to corn planting, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. … MORE
GOP looks to tighten food stamp eligibility in Farm Bill
Republicans in Congress are looking to make big changes to the Farm Bill.… MORE
At tax time, heirs of farmland can face tough choices
Advocates for farmers say estate taxes can cripple the family business.… MORE
Blogs
WJBC Voices: Aging isn’t so bad
Some folks aren’t embracing aging or retirement so much. I have made some observations, and will offer some tips.
WJBC Voices: Bloomington’s challenge
As Bloomington considers hiring a new city manager, there are two challenges that are paramount – council unity and economic stabilization.
WJBC Voices: ‘Cheerleading’ for Uptown
No one is a bigger cheerleader for Uptown Normal than me, a 55-year resident who ran around in “blighted downtown Normal” as a kid.
WJBC Voices: We are beginning to welcome autism
As April ends, so does Autism Awareness month. There are some local signs of progress, though much still to do.