The Fertilizer Institute is urging Congress to take action to avoid a freight rail shutdown on September 16. TFI sent a letter to Congressional leaders pushing for intervention to prevent a stoppage from occurring. TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch says, “A stoppage hasn’t yet happened, but we are already feeling the negative effects of…… MORE
Golden Age Actress, Blackballed in the 50’s, Dies at Age 104
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – A veteran actress of film, radio and Broadway, considered the world’s oldest living actress, has died in Southern California at the age of 104. Her star is on the Hollywood Walk of Fame but Marsha Hunt was blacklisted during the Golden Age for fighting for the right to freedom of speech.…… MORE
Mountain Lion Caught In Visalia
VISALIA, Calif. (KMJ) — A mountain lion was safely caught early Sunday morning in Visalia. The Visalia Police Department responded to a call at the 1900 block of West Porter Avenue just before 1 a.m. of a possible mountain lion spotted in the area. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife were called out to…… MORE
GAO Reviews Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
During 2020 and 2021, the USDA’s Farm Service Agency provided $31 billion in aid to more than 950,000 producers of agricultural commodities, including crops, dairy, and livestock. The goal was to help offset losses and costs associated with COVID-19. The Government Accountability Office found problems in the process the FSA used to review claims under…… MORE
Public Memorial Service Held for Fresno County’s Chief Forensic Pathologist
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – A memorial service was held on Friday for Fresno County’s Chief Forensic Pathologist. Dr. Venu Gopal died in a collision on Highway 168 on Saturday, August 27, 2022. The memorial service for Dr. Gopal was live streamed on the Fresno County Sheriff’s Facebook page. Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer, and Fresno County…… MORE
Arrest Made In Deadly Porterville Stabbing
PORTERVILLE, Calif. (KMJ) — A man suspected of stabbing another man to death in Porterville is now in custody. Tulare County sheriff’s deputies were called to the 200 block of S. Legget in Porterville around 3:00 p.m. on Thursday. When they arrived, they found a man suffering from multiple stab wounds. He was rushed to…… MORE
USDA Reviews Genetically-Modified Tomato
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service reviewed a new tomato variety from Norfolk Plant Sciences. The tomato was modified to alter its color to purple and enhance the nutritional quality. The agency says it found the plant is unlikely to pose an increased plant pest risk compared to other cultivated tomatoes and is…… MORE
NCBA Supports Livestock Regulatory Protection Act
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association voiced support to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee regarding the Livestock Regulatory Protection Act this week. During a committee hearing, NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart told lawmakers, “NCBA strongly supports the Livestock Regulatory Protection Act, which protects farmers and ranchers from onerous regulation.” The legislation aims to prevent…… MORE
Ag Economy Barometer Increases
Farmer sentiment improved in August as the Purdue-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose 14 points above its July reading to 117. Both the Index of Current Conditions and the Index of Future Expectations increased last month. Producers were less worried about their farm’s financial situation than in July, although they remain concerned about a possible…… MORE
California Hopes to Soon Join Opposition to Foreign Land Ownership
A bill that outlaws land sales to foreign countries to help protect the nation’s food supply is still awaiting Governor Newsom’s signature to become law. In the meantime, the Washington Examiner reports that the Central Valley is where two-thirds of the nation’s fruits and nuts are grown. “Food can, and is, being used as a…… MORE
