South Dakota State

"This is the biggest win, since the Civil Rights Act," says John Boyd, founder of the National Black Farmers Association (NBFA), his voice carries the weight of generations during a recent interview with EBONY magazine. "The win put nearly $2 billion into the pockets of the poorest areas in the...

The Quest for Land, John Boyd’s Battle Against the USDA, and the Future of National Black Farmers Association

Colorado State

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David Heitz

A bill quietly introduced this spring in the Colorado legislature to decriminalize the possession of drug paraphernalia obtained by harm reductionists has become law. As low-key as the legislation was introduced, the bill was signed into law without fanfare June 6. It garnered little to no media attention.

Colorado legalizes needles, pipes for meth and crack if obtained by harm reduction group

"The analysis of what has gone into these rule changes is nothing short of tremendous," says Zach Ducheneaux, FSA administrator. "Our team has poured over hundreds of thousands of loans in our portfolio and really identified some things that FSA can, should, and with this rule, will be doing better to support our producers and their economic viability in the countryside."

The 3 Biggest Updates to USDA's Farm Loan Programs You Need to Know

Alabama State

NewsOne

Biden's administration issued $2 billion to black and minority farmers who experienced mistreatment by the USDA, as announced on Wednesday.
The post Black Farmers Granted $2 Billon From USDA To Address Historical Discrimination appeared first on NewsOne.

Black Farmers Granted $2 Billon From USDA To Address Historical Discrimination

Community Voices represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program but not yet verified their accounts. Community Voices are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

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The Lens

This year’s area of low oxygen in the Gulf of Mexico is larger than average, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced on Thursday. The “dead zone” is approximately 6,705 square miles , as measured last week. Within NOAA’s 38 years of measuring the dead zone, this year’s assessment marks the 12th-largest area of low to no oxygen, which can kill fish and marine life.

Gulf ‘dead zone’ larger than average, larger than expected for 2024, scientists announce

South Carolina State

Colleton County, SC

Explore Beaufort SC

Some beachgoers were in for a surprise this week when a bizarre looking prehistoric fish washed ashore in Colleton County along Edisto Beach at Edisto Beach State Park. It turned out to be an atlantic sturgeon.

Rare Atlantic sturgeon washes ashore on South Carolina beach

North Carolina State

Winston-salem, NC

Town Talks

A North Carolina restaurant serves fried chicken in a “spicy, savory” sauce — and fans can’t get enough. So much so, the restaurant now ranks as the state’s No. 1 place to eat fried chicken.

Best fried chicken in North Carolina is at this restaurant, Yelp says. Why it’s No. 1

Denver, CO

Denver7 News KMGH

According to recent data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), citizenship applications are being processed at their fastest pace in years.

Citizenship applications being processed at fastest rate in years, agency says

The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Noncitizens of the United States may soon use another pathway for work authorization in the country's health care system.
                The request is backed by Immigration Customs Enforcement, the Department of Homeland Security and several lawmakers, including Democratic North Carolina U.S. Rep. Valerie Foushee.
                The congresswoman, in a letter to ICE interim Director Patrick Lechleitner, asks for nursing to be part of the STEM optional practical training...

Additional work authorization pathway for noncitizens sought

Ohio State

The Lantern

On Tuesday, licensed Ohio dispensaries began legally selling non-medical marijuana to consumers; however, the drug’s possession, growth and/or usage are still prohibited on Ohio State’s campus. Credit: Jefferee Woo/Tampa Bay Times/TNS [Original caption: Four citizen-led petitions with proposals to update Dallas’ charter hit the 20,000 valid signature threshold to make it on the Nov. 5 election ballot, including one that would ban police officers from arresting or citing people carrying less than four ounces of marijuana.] As of Tuesday, students 21 and older can now legally purchase marijuana in Ohio.

Dispensary sales of recreational marijuana began Tuesday; possession and usage still prohibited on Ohio State’s campus

Florida State

Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville Today

Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said he will consider more DUI patrols if voters legalize recreational marijuana use in Florida. Voters will consider Amendment 3 in November. It would allow adults 21 or older to possess, purchase or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for non-medical purposes.

More DUI patrols possible if marijuana issue passes

TravelNoire

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reached a historic $2.2 billion settlement to compensate Black and other minority farmers who faced years of systemic discrimination in farm lending programs. This landmark agreement will address decades of unfair treatment. It will also provide financial assistance to those affected by discriminatory practices before January 2021.

USDA Announces $2 Billion Settlement For Black And Minority Farmers

Mississippi State

Reuters’ Leah Douglas reported Wednesday that “the U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Wednesday it has issued $2 billion of financial assistance to more than 43,000 farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who experienced past discrimination in the agency’s farm lending programs.”. “The Inflation Reduction Act allocated $2.2...

USDA Providing $2 Billion In Discrimination Payments

Uncovering Florida

Most people are guilty of doing it at least once in their lives, many people do it by accident, some do it because they find it fun, and others do it for reasons like honoring loved ones. Regardless of the situation, just about everyone has released a balloon. The difference is that intentionally releasing balloons is now illegal by House Bill 321’s standards.

Law Signed By DeSantis Makes It Illegal To Release Balloons In Florida

Daily Energy Insider

Consumer advisories issued Aug. 7 by the federal government aim to protect residential solar customers from bad actors. The U.S. Treasury Department, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on ... Read More »
The post U.S. government issues consumer advisories for solar customers appeared first on Daily Energy Insider.

U.S. government issues consumer advisories for solar customers

More dangerous substances are entering the Denver drug supply, Harm Reduction Action Center warned in a newsletter this week. “The Iron Law of Prohibition posits that as law enforcement becomes more intense, the potency of prohibited substances increases,” HRAC Executive Director Lisa Raville wrote in the newsletter. That is exactly what is happening, she said.

Dangerous substances entering Denver drug supply

Georgia State

Appling County, GA

Daily Coffee Press

A 40-year-old man from Appling County, Christopher Eric Stone, with a significant criminal history, was recently sentenced to over five years in prison after pleading guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, according to officials from the Department of Justice.

Georgia Man Sentenced to Over 5 Years for in Federal Prison for Meth Distribution

A historic marker could be erected to honor the victims of the racist mass shooting at the Dollar General store in Jacksonville’s New Town neighborhood nearly a year ago. If approved by the Jacksonville City Council, a marker would be installed at Kings Road and Canal Street on Aug. 25, a day before the first anniversary of the shooting, when a white gunman took the lives of three Black people.

Memorial considered to honor Dollar General victims

Last week, the USDA announced a new way of doing business through FSA farm loan programs. The Department said these changes will increase flexibility and resiliency for Ag producers/borrowers. “I think that these changes to the terms are really transformative," said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. "We're really proud of all...

USDA Announces Changes to FSA Farm Loan Programs

A new study warns that global agricultural expansion, especially in tropical regions, could lead to significant CO2 emissions and biodiversity loss. Within a decade or two, we’re looking at a noticeable uptick in agricultural expansion especially in cultivation areas. Global estimates expect these areas to expand by roughly 3.6%,...

Using more land for agriculture will harm climate and biodiversity

NewsBreak

Dakotafest offers educational sessions and U.S. Congressional updates

Mitchel’s annual Dakotafest is back, and in its opening days it offered educational conversations and U.S. congressional delegation updates. The South Dakota Farm Bureau hosted a...

Dakotafest offers educational sessions and U.S. Congressional updates

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