Coalition Wants More Help For Businesses in Farm Bill 

An agriculture-focused coalition is asking the House and Senate Agriculture Committees for dedicated funding for business technical assistance and farm viability in the upcoming Farm Bill.  American Farmland Trust, the Agricultural Viability Alliance, and a national coalition of agricultural organizations, service providers, nonprofits, businesses, lending institutions, and government entities made the request in a letter…MORE

California May Punish Oil Companies For High Gas Prices

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California lawmakers on Thursday will vote on whether to allow penalties on oil companies for price gouging at the pump, a first-in-the-country proposal aimed at stopping the kind of spikes last summer that caused some drivers pay up to $8 per gallon as the industry reaped super-sized profits. Gov. Gavin Newsom,…MORE

Agriculture Fuels The Economy

As part of the National Ag Day Celebration this week, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture released its annual Feeding the Economy Report. The data shows food and agriculture industries and their suppliers contribute over $8.6 trillion to the U.S. economy. NASDA CEO Ted McKinney says the report “proves our industry’s continued strength…MORE

Powerful Pacific Tempest Clobbers Storm-Battered California

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) — A strong late-season Pacific storm that brought damaging winds and more rain and snow to saturated California has been blamed for two deaths and forecasters said additional flooding was possible Wednesday in parts of the state. Tuesday’s storm blasted the San Francisco Bay Area with powerful gusts and downpours, pounded…MORE

Federal Judge Blocks Key Parts Of California Handgun Law

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A federal judge on Monday blocked key provisions of a California law that drastically restricts the sale of new handguns in the state, saying parts of the legislation violate the Second Amendment. A lawsuit challenging the law was filed last year by the California Rifle & Pistol Association and other gun…MORE

Court Decision Allows WOTUS Rule To Stand

The Biden administration’s version of the Waters of the U.S. rule went into effect this week. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association expressed displeasure in a District Court decision to deny a preliminary injunction of the rule. NCBA President Todd Wilkinson says, “This latest WOTUS rule will place more burdens on family farms and ranches, drive…MORE

Gov. Newsom Visits Lithium Plant in Imperial Valley as State Moves to Reduce Fossil Fuel Dependence

(KMJ) – Governor Gavin Newsom along the California border Monday, visiting what’s called “Lithium Valley.” The governor was getting an update on the progress being made toward lithium production. Newsom, touring a geothermal plant, at the Salton Sea called Controlled Thermal Resources. CEO Rod Colwell gave an update about the plant, and jobs that would…MORE

Newsom: California Will Remake San Quentin Prison, Emphasizing Rehab

SAN QUENTIN, Calif. (AP) — The infamous state prison on San Francisco Bay that has been home to the largest death row population in the United States will be transformed into a lockup where less-dangerous prisoners will receive education, training and rehabilitation, under a new plan from California Gov. Gavin Newsom. CA is transforming San…MORE

Fresno Polar Plunge This Saturday at Millerton Lake

POLAR PLUNGE: Join us for the Fresno Polar Plunge on Saturday, March 18 at Millerton Lake. All proceeds benefit Special Olympics Northern California which provides sports, education, leadership and health programs to children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Make a splash with costumed friends for the iconic Polar Plunge. Plungers can dive into the water…MORE