The Department of Agriculture just announced an additional investment of $80 million in the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives. In November 2021, the program awarded $18.4 million to three current initiatives at the University of Tennessee, Vermont Agency for Food and Marketing and University of Wisconsin, and $1.8 million to a new initiative at California State…… MORE
Parents of 2 Missing Kern County Boys Are Charged with Murder
BAKERSFIELD (KMJ) – The parents of two boys missing for more than 14 months in Kern County are now charged with their murders. On Wednesday, Kern County DA Cynthia Zimmer revealed that Trezell and Jacqueline West have been indicted on charges of second degree murder and child cruelty, and filing a false emergency.. The couple…… MORE
Biden Says Putin Has Failed to Divide NATO
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden says that dictators who do not “pay a price for their aggression” cause more chaos. According to excerpts released Tuesday ahead of his first State of the Union address, Biden says that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine was premeditated and unprovoked. He will also highlight the importance…… MORE
Reward Increased to Help Solve Murder of Parlier Teen
(KMJ) – Valley Crime Stoppers is now offering a reward of $5,000 and the City of Parlier is offering a $4,000 reward, for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for killing 16-year-old Ricardo Chavana. Around 11 p.m. Sunday, February 20th, Parlier Police responded to a shots fired on the 13000 block of East…… MORE
USDA Gathering Data On Certified Organic Production
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service is conducting the 2021 Organic Survey to gather new data on certified organic crops and livestock commodities in the United States. USDA says the effort is critical to help determine the economic impact of certified organic agriculture production on the nation. NASS is mailing the survey to all known certified…… MORE
Richard Blum Dies, Husband of California Sen. Feinstein
WASHINGTON (AP) — Richard Blum, husband of California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, died Sunday after a long battle with cancer. He was 86. Feinstein announced her husband’s death in a statement Monday morning that said her “heart is broken today.” She said her husband, a wealthy San Francisco investor, “left things better than he found them”…… MORE
California, Oregon, Washington to End School Mask Mandates
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — School children in California, Oregon and Washington will no longer be required to wear masks as part of new indoor mask policies the Democratic governors of all three states announced jointly on Monday. “With declining case rates and hospitalizations across the West, California, Oregon and Washington are moving together to update…… MORE
Vilsack says Ag Outlook is Strong
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack gave the keynote address last week at the USDA’s annual Agricultural Outlook Forum. The Hagstrom Report says that the secretary called the outlook for U.S. agriculture “bright, strong, and positive” despite the problems around the world. When asked about the impact of the battle in Ukraine, Vilsack said it’s too early…… MORE
CDC Relaxes Masking Guidelines – Most of California Still in Red Masking Zone
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – The CDC relaxes guidelines for masks on Friday, however, not all areas are in the clear. The vast majority of Americans will no longer live in areas where indoor masking in public is recommended based on current data. According to the CDC map, however, there is still a high level of…… MORE
USDA Commits $215 Million for Food Supply Chain
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the USDA will make available $215 million in grants and other support to make America’s food supply chain more resilient. The financing will help expand meat and poultry processing options, strengthen the food supply chain, and create jobs and economic opportunities in rural areas. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association…… MORE
