The Surface Transportation Board says it will hold public hearings on April 26 and 27 on recent rail service problems and recovery efforts involving several Class One carriers. The Board plans to direct several executive-level officials from many major railways to appear during the hearing. Rail network reliability is essential to the nation’s economy and…… MORE
Officer on Leave After Killing a Woman Walking in Merced
(KMJ) – A woman is dead and a police officer on paid administrative leave after a deadly collision Thursday night in the city of Merced. Investigators say a Merced Police Officer was driving a marked cruiser on G Street near 5th when he struck a woman walking in the roadway around 10 p.m. That woman,…… MORE
World Beef Demand Continues to Soar
U.S. beef exports turned in another strong performance in February. USDA data compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation says the strong month for beef was led by excellent value growth in key Asian and Latin American markets. Beef exports hit 108,500 metric tons in February, 5% higher than last year. Beef’s export value rose…… MORE
USDA Strengthens Pollinator Research Support
The Department of Agriculture is expanding its commitment to advancing research and priorities that support pollinator health. USDA is soliciting nominations for members to serve on its newly formed USDA National Pollinator Subcommittee. The subcommittee is part of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board. The board provides feedback to the Agriculture…… MORE
Conway Advances to Congressional Runoff
(AP) — Former Trump administration appointee Connie Conway has advanced to a June runoff in a California special election to fill a U.S. House seat left vacant after Republican Rep. Devin Nunes resigned to lead former President Donald Trump’s media company. https://electionresults.sos.ca.gov/special/us-rep/district/22 The race for the second runoff spot was too early to call, after…… MORE
Cockfighting Ring Busted in Merced County
(KMJ) – About 40 roosters are now in the care of Animal Control after Merced County Sheriff’s Deputies busted up an illegal cockfighting ring. Deputies say they were called to a neighborhood on N Arboleda Drive, where they found a large-scale cockfighting operation. At the scene, investigators found a fighting ring, scales, and sharp spurs…… MORE
USDA Says No To Allowing CRP Acres For Crop Production
A letter obtained by Politico indicates the Department of Agriculture will not open Conservation Reserve Program acres for crop production. In a letter to the National Grain and Feed Association, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says, “Quickly converting this land to crop production is clearly unfeasible.” Vilsack notes that most acres enrolled in CRP are largely…… MORE
Elon Musk to Join Twitter’s Board of Directors
(KMJ) – The chief executive officer of Twitter confirms Tesla’s Elon Musk will join its board of directors after becoming the company’s largest individual shareholder with a 9% stake. Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal announced Musk’s addition in a tweet Tuesday morning. “I’m excited to share that we’re appointing (Elon Musk) to our board! Through conversations…… MORE
More Skimmers Found at Bank of America ATMs in Tulare
TULARE, Calif. (KMJ) — The Tulare Police Officers recently found three ATM skimmers scattered across town. According to Officers, these skimmers were found at Bank of America ATM locations. Investigators add the skimmers are placed inside the frame and a small hidden camera is used to record the PIN of ATM users. The information is…… MORE
Senate Passes Ocean Shipping Reform Bill
The Senate reform bill would make it more difficult for ocean carriers to refuse to load American goods that are ready to get shipped from U.S. ports. The legislation is a federal response to congested ports. Some shipping lines find it more profitable to haul empty shipping containers back to Asia than carry loaded containers,…… MORE
