Celebrating the 4th of July with a barbecue will cost significantly more than two years ago, although prices have fallen slightly from record highs in 2022. Families will pay $67.73 to host an Independence Day cookout with ten family members or friends, based on the 2023 American Farm Bureau Federation marketbasket survey. The $67.73 grocery…… MORE
USDA Approves Lab-Grown Chicken
The USDA gave two startup California companies the go-ahead to sell lab-grown chicken. GOOD Meat, a subsidiary of food tech company Eat Just, Inc., and UPSIDE Foods will be allowed to sell their products that have been cultivated from real animal cells. Investopedia says chicken from GOOD Meat and UPSIDE has been declared safe to…… MORE
‘Operation Gold Star’ Nets 34 Arrests in Tulare Co.
Over the weekend, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office organized “Operation Gold Star”, a multi-agency gang detail. The focus of the operation was to conduct probation and parole compliance checks, and arrest warrant services throughout the county to prevent gang violence in and around Tulare County as summer begins. Detectives conducted 47 probation checks, 57 parole…… MORE
Five Benefits of Modern Dairy Practices
Dairy is an important part of the diets of millions of Americans. The average person consumes about 276 pounds of dairy in a year. However, despite its positive impact, a significant portion of the population often misunderstands dairy. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers’ Dairy Leadership Group put together the top five benefits of modern dairy.…… MORE
Transit, Child Care Are Among The Sticking Points In California’s $300 Billion Budget Negotiations
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California lawmakers passed a budget Thursday to ensure they keep getting paid, but it’s a blueprint unlikely to become law because the Democrat-controlled Legislature is still negotiating with Gov. Gavin Newsom. At stake is how to spend more than $300 billion for the fiscal year that starts July 1. Legislative leaders…… MORE
West Coast Dockworkers, Shippers Reach Tentative Contract Agreement
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The union for thousands of West Coast dockworkers has reached a tentative agreement on a new contract, it was announced Wednesday, after more than a year of negotiations and several work disruptions that snarled shipping traffic at some of the largest ports. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union reached the tentative…… MORE
Bitwise Officially Fires All Employees
Two weeks after news broke of possible financial wrongdoing and hundreds of furloughs, local tech incubator Bitwise officially terminated all 900 employees on Wednesday via email. Interim Bitwise President Ollen Douglass wrote: “On behalf of Bitwise Industries, Inc. (Bitwise), we regret to inform you that your position will be eliminated Wednesday, June 14, 2023. Bitwise…… MORE
Concerns Remain at West Coast Ports
Agricultural exporters are paying close attention to contract negotiations at the nation’s West Coast ports. The Pacific Maritime Association is accusing workers of deliberately slowing down operations. The union says that’s not happening. The association says terminal operations at the Port of Seattle halted over the weekend. Capital Press reports International Longshore and Warehouse Union…… MORE
California Gov. Newsom Spars With Fox News Host Hannity Over Biden, Immigration And The Economy
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom sparred with Fox News host Sean Hannity on Monday night, insisting President Joe Biden is physically fit for a second term as president while refusing to say whether supporters have urged him to run against Biden on the 2024 ballot. Asked if he believes Biden is “cognitively…… MORE
Safe American Food Exports Act Introduced
Lawmakers introduced the Safe American Food Exports Act. The legislation would codify USDA’s role in negotiating regionalization agreements that allow livestock, poultry, and other animal products from unaffected areas of the country to continue to be safely exported in the event of an animal disease outbreak. Although USDA already works with the U.S. Trade Representative…… MORE
