USDA Commission Issues Report on Racial Equity in Farming
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USDA Commission Issues Report on Racial Equity in Farming
USDA Commission , Issues Report on , Racial Equity in Farming .
NPR reports that the United States Department of Agriculture's
Equity Commission has released its first report on over
30 recommendations to make farming more equitable.
The report is the product of a Biden
executive order calling for federal
departments to address racial equity.
.
Outgoing Deputy Secretary Jewel Bronaugh
and United Farm Workers President Emeritus
Arturo Rodriguez headed the commission.
We didn't want this set of interim
recommendations to look like things
we've seen in previous reports.
We wanted to get at systemic change, Tom Vilsack, Agriculture Secretary, via NPR.
NPR reports that a final report
is expected by the end of 2023.
The group's recommendations reportedly include making it
easier for farmers to qualify for conservation programs
and making Farm Service Agency loans more accessible.
There's a reason
why this is different.
We have very serious
people around this table, Tom Vilsack, Agriculture Secretary, via NPR.
People that have lived experiences,
people who have studied and dedicated
their life to these issues and it would
be disrespectful for us not to take
this work incredibly seriously, Tom Vilsack, Agriculture Secretary, via NPR.
NPR reports that the commission's 32 recommendations cover
how USDA works with farmers, the structure of the department
itself and other programs like nutrition assistance.
The report also recommends supporting congressional
legislation, conducting research on distribution
within programs and increasing language access.
The report also recommends supporting congressional
legislation, conducting research on distribution
within programs and increasing language access
Homes Linked to Diddy , Are Raided by Federal Officials.
HSI New York "executed law enforcement actions
as part of an ongoing investigation with assistance
from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami and our local law enforcement partners" on March 25, authorities said.
Sean "Diddy" Combs does not own the home in Los Angeles, but the mansion has ties with his company, Bad Boys Film Production.
The Miami residence, however, was bought
by Combs in 2021, NPR reports. .
Phones belonging to Combs
were seized by Homeland Security
officials in Miami prior to the 54-year-old
attempting to board a flight to the Bahamas.
The motive for the raids has not been made clear, .
but they follow a lawsuit alleging that Diddy leads an enterprise that could be considered a "widespread and dangerous criminal sex trafficking organization.".
I drive by a lot, and I see that — a lot of girls, maybe five or six girls outside, some leaving, some not, some going in. I never thought anything of it. But now, it’s crazy, Ryan Mendelsohn, 20, who used to live
in and still frequents the area, via NBC News.
The rapper and producer has also been accused
of the "solicitation and distribution of illegal narcotics and firearms," NBC News reports. .
That suit follows other claims of sexual misconduct, assault, sex trafficking and rape, most notably put forth by Combs' ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. .
Producer Rodney "Lil Rod" Jones has also
sued Diddy for alleged sexual assault.
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Biden Forgives $6 Billion in Student Debt , for Public Service Workers.
On March 21, the Biden administration canceled nearly $6 billion in student loans for approximately 80,000 public service workers, NPR reports.
Such workers include teachers,
nurses, firefighters and more.
Such workers include teachers,
nurses, firefighters and more.
Such workers include teachers,
nurses, firefighters and more.
These public service workers have
dedicated their careers to serving their
communities, but because of past
administrative failures, never got the
relief they were entitled to under the law, President Joe Biden, via statement.
Because of the fixes my administration
has made, we have now canceled student
debt for over 870,000 public service workers —
compared to only about 7,000 public
service borrowers ever receiving
forgiveness prior to my administration, President Joe Biden, via statement.
Those who are eligible for this round of student
loan forgiveness will receive an email next week.
Thousands more who are enrolled in the
Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
will receive emails "if they are within two years
of having their debt forgiven," NPR reports. .
The announcement comes as the president travels the country to campaign for reelection.
From day one of my administration, I promised
to fix broken student loan programs and make
sure higher education is a ticket to the
middle class, not a barrier to opportunity, President Joe Biden, via statement.
I won't back down from using every
tool at my disposal to deliver student debt
relief to more Americans, and build an
economy from the middle out and bottom up, President Joe Biden, via statement
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
California Voters Pass Proposition 1 , to Address Homelessness Crisis.
In a state that accounts for close to a third
of all homeless people in the United States.
California counties will now be required to
spend money "on housing and drug treatment programs" to fight homelessness, NPR reports. .
Gov. Gavin Newsom raised over
$13 million to promote the measure.
Proposition 1 represents California's first mental health system update in 20 years, NPR reports. .
This is the biggest change in
decades in how California tackles
homelessness, and a victory for
doing things radically different, Gov. Gavin Newsom, via statement.
Now, counties and local officials must
match the ambition of California voters. , Gov. Gavin Newsom, via statement.
This historic reform will only
succeed if we all kick into action
immediately – state government
and local leaders, together, Gov. Gavin Newsom, via statement.
Revenue from a tax on millionaires, enacted in 2004, brings in about $2 billion to $3 billion a year toward California's mental health budget, NPR reports. .
Counties will now be required to spend two-thirds
of that money to tackle homelessness. .
The state will also be allowed to borrow
$6.3 billion to create an additional 6,800 beds for mental health and addiction treatment.
That money can also be used to
construct 4,350 housing units. Half of
those housing units will be for veterans
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
RGB Award Ceremony Canceled , Amid Recipient Controversy.
Since 2019, the Dwight D. Opperman Foundation
has presented accomplished women with the Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Leadership Award, NPR reports. .
Previous recipients include
Barbra Streisand and Queen Elizabeth II.
This year, however, the foundation
selected four men to receive the
award, in addition to Martha Stewart. .
This year, however, the foundation
selected four men to receive the
award, in addition to Martha Stewart. .
Those men are Elon Musk, Rupert Murdoch, Michael Milken and Sylvester Stallone.
Those men are Elon Musk, Rupert Murdoch, Michael Milken and Sylvester Stallone.
Those men are Elon Musk, Rupert Murdoch, Michael Milken and Sylvester Stallone.
Those men are Elon Musk, Rupert Murdoch, Michael Milken and Sylvester Stallone.
Justice Ginsburg fought not only for women but for everyone, Dwight D. Opperman Foundation Chair
Julie Opperman, via statement.
Going forward, to embrace the
fullness of Justice Ginsburg's
legacy, we honor both women
and men who have changed the
world by doing what they do best, Dwight D. Opperman Foundation Chair
Julie Opperman, via statement.
Ginsburg's family condemned the foundation's recipient selection, NPR reports. .
This year, the Opperman Foundation
has strayed far from the original
mission of the award and from
what Justice Ginsburg stood for. , Jane Ginsburg, daughter of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, via statement.
On March 18, foundation Chair Julie Opperman
said that the April ceremony is now canceled. .
This year we selected
leaders in different fields. We honored men for the first time, Dwight D. Opperman Foundation Chair
Julie Opperman, via statement.
We thought RBG's teachings
regarding EQUALITY should be
practiced. We did not consider politics, Dwight D. Opperman Foundation Chair
Julie Opperman, via statement.
Opperman went on to say that the foundation will decide whether to continue after reevaluating its mission, NPR reports.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Aging Energy Infrastructure, Plus Climate Change, Are a Growing Risk.
NPR reports that Texas investigators say that a power pole , "that appeared to be decayed at the base", was the cause of the worst wildfire in the state's history.
Xcel Energy, the state's electric
utility, said in a statement that , "its facilities appear to have been involved
in an ignition of the Smokehouse Creek fire.".
Rob Gramlich, president of consulting firm
Grid Strategies, warns that many of the U.S.'s
power lines were built 60 to 70 years ago. .
According to Gramlich, most electric utility providers
in the U.S. lack the technology to let them know
when power lines are overheating or sagging.
Combined with increased temperatures
and drier vegetation, this aging infrastructure
could spark larger, more intense wildfires.
There are some utilities
that are really leaders and
are getting ahead of the risk, Michael Wara, director of the Climate and Energy
Policy Program at the Woods Institute for
the Environment at Stanford University, via NPR.
And then there are others
that we look at and think are
walking into a catastrophe, Michael Wara, director of the Climate and Energy
Policy Program at the Woods Institute for
the Environment at Stanford University, via NPR.
According to experts, wildfire prevention
can not only impact safety, but also the
cost of energy bills across the nation.
We cannot afford – literally,
in terms of our pocketbooks –
to have utilities be perceived
by their investors as high risk, Michael Wara, director of the Climate and Energy
Policy Program at the Woods Institute for
the Environment at Stanford University, via NPR.
There is a set of practices
that utilities can take that
do not cost an arm and a leg
that can dramatically cut
the risk of outcomes
like we saw in Texas, Michael Wara, director of the Climate and Energy
Policy Program at the Woods Institute for
the Environment at Stanford University, via NPR
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Mystery Respiratory , Illness Among Dogs , Spreads to More US States.
'Newsweek' reports that dogs across the United States have fallen sick with a mystery illness called Atypical Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (aCIRDC).
The cause of aCIRDC, which has now been
reported in at least 19 states, remains unknown. .
Most recently, cases have been reported
in Maine, North Dakota and Texas. .
Other states to report cases include Washington state,
Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Nevada, .
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maryland, Indiana,
Illinois, Idaho, Georgia, Florida, Colorado and California.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said the agency , "is currently working with multiple state animal
health officials and diagnostic laboratories
regarding reports of respiratory illness in dogs
that, in rare cases, has progressed rapidly to death.".
A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said the agency , "is currently working with multiple state animal
health officials and diagnostic laboratories
regarding reports of respiratory illness in dogs
that, in rare cases, has progressed rapidly to death.".
Spokesperson Mike Stepien told
'Newsweek' that the agency has, "not yet definitively
identified the cause of illness.".
The mystery disease was first reported in
Oregon earlier in 2023, with over 200 reports
largely focused around the Portland area.
As a result of the unknown illness, several
annual dog events were canceled over fears of
the disease spreading and health officials have
warned owners to limit dog socializing.
As a result of the unknown illness, several
annual dog events were canceled over fears of
the disease spreading and health officials have
warned owners to limit dog socializing.
Symptoms reportedly include sneezing,
watery eyes, cough, fever and lethargy, while more
extreme cases can lead to pneumonia and even death.
At this point in time, I don't think there
is reason for extreme alarm. I do think it's
a time to be cautious and to stay informed, Deborah Silverstein, Professor and veterinarian at
the University of Pennsylvania, via 'New York Times'
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Biden Campaign to Rake In $25 Million , at Star-Studded Fundraiser.
President Biden will host the
most lucrative political fundraiser in
American history on March 28, Politico reports. .
The event will feature former
Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.
The event will feature former
Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.
Mindy Kaling will emcee the event
from Radio City Music Hall.
There will be musical performances by
Cynthia Erivo, Queen Latifah, Lizzo.
There will be musical performances by
Cynthia Erivo, Queen Latifah, Lizzo.
There will be musical performances by
Cynthia Erivo, Queen Latifah, Lizzo.
Lea Michele and Ben Platt.
Lea Michele and Ben Platt.
Stephen Colbert will host an "armchair conversation" with Biden, Obama and Clinton.
Unlike our opponent, every dollar we’re raising
is going to reach the voters who will decide
this election — communicating the president’s
historic record, his vision for the future and
laying plain the stakes of this election, Jeffrey Katzenberg, the Biden campaign co-chair, via statement.
The numbers don’t lie: today’s event
is a massive show of force and a
true reflection of the momentum
to reelect the Biden-Harris ticket, Jeffrey Katzenberg, the Biden campaign co-chair, via statement.
$25 million is expected to be raised at the event. .
By comparison, Biden's campaign raised
$21 million during all of last month.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump
raised $20 million during the month of February.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Biden Cracks Down , on ‘Junk Insurance Plans’.
On March 28, President Joe Biden announced that
a new rule will limit short-term health insurance
plans to three months, ABC News reports. .
The plans can now only be renewed for up to
four months instead of three years that were permitted under former President Donald Trump. .
The plans can now only be renewed for up to
four months instead of three years that were permitted under former President Donald Trump. .
Additionally, short-term plan providers must
clearly explain benefit limitations to consumers. .
The president really believes
the American people do not want
to be taken for suckers and junk insurance takes them for suckers, Neera Tanden, Biden's domestic policy adviser, via statement.
Short-term insurance is intended to temporarily serve as a safety net for periods of transition,
such as switching jobs or prior to receiving Medicare.
However, critics call these plans
"junk insurance" because they're often misleading as far as what they actually cover.
ABC News reports that the plans aren't required to cover those with preexisting conditions or pay for prescription drugs.
In 2018, Trump expanded short-term plans and referred to them as "much less expensive health care at a much lower price.".
Neera Tanden, Biden's domestic policy adviser,
said that Trump undermined the Affordable Care Act
(ACA) when he allowed insurance companies to
sell inadequate short-term plans.
Neera Tanden, Biden's domestic policy adviser,
said that Trump undermined the Affordable Care Act
(ACA) when he allowed insurance companies to
sell inadequate short-term plans.
The short-term plan expansion was
upheld by an appeals court in 2020
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Injured crew member treated after Dali ship crash at Baltimore's bridge. Crew alerted authorities, saving lives. Synergy Marine Group confirms safety. Biden.. IndiaTimes
A freight ship collision in Baltimore, US, was prevented from turning into a major disaster thanks to the alertness of the Indian crew on board the ship 'Dali'... IndiaTimes
RFK Jr Picks Nicole Shanahan , As His Running Mate.
On March 26, the presidential candidate announced that the 38-year-old ex-wife of Google co-founder Sergey Brin is his vice presidential pick, BBC reports. .
On March 26, the presidential candidate announced that the 38-year-old ex-wife of Google co-founder Sergey Brin is his vice presidential pick, BBC reports. .
On March 26, the presidential candidate announced that the 38-year-old ex-wife of Google co-founder Sergey Brin is his vice presidential pick, BBC reports. .
Kennedy introduced Shanahan as
"a fellow lawyer, a brilliant scientist, technologist, a fierce warrior mom.".
Kennedy introduced Shanahan as
"a fellow lawyer, a brilliant scientist, technologist, a fierce warrior mom.".
He went on to call his campaign "a spoiler for President Biden and for President Trump" that
will "forge an unstoppable coalition of homeless Democrats and homeless Republicans.".
Kennedy's independent bid was launched
in October after challenging Biden for
the Democratic nomination.
The Democratic National Committee has condemned Kennedy's bid, saying that he
will only help to draw votes away from
Biden, ensuring Trump's victory. .
Shanahan revealed that she had left the Democratic Party because it was consumed with "elitism" and "winning at all costs.".
I believe I am taking the best
ideals and impulses with me. , Nicole Shanahan, via statement.
Shanahan's professional
colleagues speak highly of her.
She's motivated by trying to change
things for the better and having an
impact on social benefits, Roland Vogl, executive director of Stanford University's
Center for Legal Informatics, via statement.
Don't undersell someone
who comes from outside a
system to change the system. , Bruce Cahan, a professional colleague, via statement.
Announcing Shanahan as his running mate
will likely help Kennedy get on more ballots.
He's currently only confirmed on Utah's ballot
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published