Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Marcia Brown

Chicago Tribune @chicagotribune.com · 2d

Forty Acres Fresh Market in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood is an expansion of Liz Abunaw’s community-focused effort to offer fresh produce via home deliveries and pop-up markets.

Forty Acres Fresh Market, Chicago’s only Black-owned grocery store, is a new option for fresh food in Austin

Forty Acres Fresh Market in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood is an expansion of Liz Abunaw’s community-focused effort to offer fresh produce via home deliveries and pop-up markets.

trib.al

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Reposted by Marcia Brown

Jenny Splitter @jennysplitter.bsky.social · 2d

Important reporting from @kennytorrella.bsky.social on how the meat lobby has infiltrated NYC climate week, including sponsoring Regen House and Food Tank events. Full story here: www.vox.com/future-perfe...

The Protein Pact, a coalition of meat and dairy companies and trade groups, sponsored a panel put on by the climate events company Nest Climate Campus, which listed one of Protein Pact’s representatives — who spoke on its main stage — as a “climate action expert.” The Protein Pact is also a leading sponsor of Regen House, an agriculture events company that hosted several days of Climate Week programming. Meanwhile, the Meat Institute — the founder of the Protein Pact — sponsored events put on by Food Tank, a nonprofit think tank. It would be one thing if the Protein Pact were open to compromise on environmental regulation and spoke more honestly about their industries’ climate impact. But many of its members lobby against environmental action and downplay the industry’s environmental footprint. Some even participated in the campaign against EAT-Lancet’s first report.

Given this track record, it’s hard to see the industry’s presence at Climate Week as anything but a reputation laundering effort.

The Meat Institute, Food Tank, Nest Climate Campus, and Regen House didn’t respond to requests for comment.

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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 6d

Public Citizen files a Hatch Act complaint with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel alleging violations by USDA and other federal agencies.

www.citizen.org/news/seven-m...

Here's what's currently on USDA's website.

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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 6d

Critical county-level government offices that help farmers apply for loans, receive disaster payments and technical assistance are shuttered during the shutdown.

Some Republicans are already acknowledging their constituents' pain.

Meredith Lee hill + Jordain Carney for @politico.com

Farmers, a key GOP constituency, hit hard by shutdown

The closure of thousands of farm loan offices have top Republicans like Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledging the pain hitting their own constituents.

www.politico.com

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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 7d

The federal government has shut down.

Here's what that means for government services in transportation, food safety, housing, defense and more.

Comprehensive breakdown from team @politico.com:

www.politico.com/news/2025/10...

Government shutdown 2025: A guide to what’s still open, what’s closed and what’s fuzzy

While Social Security checks, mail and student loan bills will still be delivered, millions of workers are still set to suffer financial hardship.

www.politico.com

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Reposted by Marcia Brown

Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 8d

Low income children lack access to Covid vaccines because of approval delay, @aniloza.bsky.social and @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social report

www.statnews.com/2025/09/30/c...

Low-income children lack access to Covid vaccines because of approval delay

Two weeks after vaccine advisers approved new Covid recs, Kennedy still hasn’t given his approval, leaving states unable to order updated shots for low-income kids.

www.statnews.com

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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 8d

The money was popular with Republicans like Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, whose state was home to a fish innovation lab.

More for @politico.com 🔽

www.politico.com/live-updates...

Trump cancels food research funding popular with Republicans

Budget chief Russ Vought proposed cutting $72 million for universities after promising lawmakers the funding would remain untouched.

www.politico.com

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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 8d

NEW: Money for Feed the Future Innovation labs will disappear Tuesday at midnight as part of White House Budget chief Russell Vought's cancellation of nearly $5 billion in international aid and development funds.

www.politico.com/live-updates...

Trump cancels food research funding popular with Republicans

Budget chief Russell Vought proposed cutting $72 million for universities after promising lawmakers the funding would remain untouched.

www.politico.com

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Reposted by Marcia Brown

Forbes @forbes.com · 9d

The cost of coffee is on the rise, thanks to tariffs. Congress has introduced a bill to scrap the tax—a move that could be popular as more Americans reach for a cup.

As Tariffs Send Coffee Prices Soaring, Some In Congress Are Brewing Up A Solution

The cost of coffee is on the rise, thanks to tariffs. Congress has introduced a bill to scrap the tax—a move that could be popular as more Americans reach for a cup.

www.forbes.com

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Reposted by Marcia Brown

Emily Cassidy @enviroem.bsky.social · 9d

Soybeans are overwhelming used for feed. 80% of protein produced on Brazil's croplands is used to feed animals iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1....
The recent tariff issue is a prime example of how the world's taste for meat (not soy) is shaping distant landscapes. www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

How the world’s taste for soya is eating Brazil’s Amazon

Cultivation of the crop has made a few wealthy but at a huge cost to untouched forest as it spreads across vast areas of former wilderness

www.theguardian.com

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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 8d

At @civileats.com, @lisaelaineh.bsky.social is up with a fascinating interview with influencer Jessica Knurick, who recently rose to fame on Instagram with her reels fact-checking MAHA.

civileats.com/2025/09/30/j...

Jessica Knurick Is on a Crusade to Correct MAHA Misinformation

The researcher has been studying food and chronic disease prevention for years. Now she’s a leading fact-checker in a national conversation.

civileats.com

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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 8d

FSIS alert: Two ready-to-eat meals containing pre-cooked pasta sold at Trader Joe's and Walmart are being recalled because they may be contaminated with listeria.

www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-aler...

www.fsis.usda.gov

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Reposted by Marcia Brown

Sentient @sentientmedia.org · 8d

Less than 4% of outlets include mention animal agriculture in their climate news stories despite it being a leading source of carbon emissions. Learn more about Sentient's analysis in @theguardian.com:

Meat is a leading emissions source – but few outlets report on it, analysis finds

Sentient Media reveals less than 4% of climate news stories mention animal agriculture as source of carbon emissions

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Reposted by Marcia Brown

Politico @politico.com · 9d

Democratic leaders left the White House meeting without a breakthrough on a shutdown deal.

"There are still large differences between us," said Chuck Schumer afterward.

White House shutdown summit fails to produce a deal

"There are still large differences between us," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said afterward.

www.politico.com

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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 9d

A former Organic Valley exec is throwing her hat in the ring for Wisconsin governor.

www.wpr.org/news/missy-h...

Former WEDC CEO Missy Hughes joins Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor

The former head of the state's economic development agency is running for governor as a Democrat, saying her business experience sets her apart from the field.

www.wpr.org

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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 9d

A government shutdown is looming.

If it happens, the nation’s top nutrition program for low-income moms and babies will run out of $$ within days.

Story for @politico.com w/ Rachel Shin

subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

POLITICO Pro: Shutdown would impact nutrition benefits for moms, babies within days

A signature program that serves millions of people may run out of money in one week. The White House says it could be even faster than that.

subscriber.politicopro.com

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Reposted by Marcia Brown

Lela Nargi @lelanargi.bsky.social · 16d

Wildfires are having increasing negative impacts on animals, landscapes, and humans — including farmers and ranchers and their livestock and properties. This week in Offrange, I investigate how prescribed burns can help, and how to protect yourself and your acreage. ambrook.com/offrange/liv...

To Burn or Not to Burn - Offrange

After years of devastating wildfires, many producers are wondering if prescribed burns might improve their acreage. Here’s how to keep land, livestock, buildings, and selves safe.

ambrook.com

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Reposted by Marcia Brown

Abby White @abbywhitewrites.bsky.social · 13d

I'm so thrilled to have FOUR #bookevents coming up for D.J. ROSENBLUM BECOMES THE G.O.A.T.!

If you're in #Philadelphia, #Cleveland, #Athens, or #Ravenna, make sure to come through!

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Reposted by Marcia Brown

Bill Kuchman @billkuchman.bsky.social · 14d

Schumer's leadership is increasingly toxic among Senate candidates www.politico.com/news/2025/09...

Schumer's leadership is increasingly toxic among Senate candidates

The Senate minority leader's more aggressive posture in this shutdown fight isn’t inoculating him in the pending midterms.

www.politico.com

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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 14d

I first reported the money on hold Sept 5.

subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

POLITICO Pro: Millions in research funding for farmers on hold at USDA as fiscal deadline approaches

The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program has supported hundreds of farmers and ranchers annually for decades, but its $48 million in funding has yet to be distributed.

subscriber.politicopro.com

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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 14d

NEW: USDA unfreezes millions in farmer education and research funding days before the money would have expired.

The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program has supported thousands of farmers since 1988.

Hundreds of farmers as well as lawmakers pressed to release the $$.

POLITICO Pro: USDA unfreezes SARE funding days before the end of the fiscal year

The program has supported research and education for thousands of farmers and ranchers since 1988.

subscriber.politicopro.com

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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 28d

Here's our story from March:

subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

POLITICO Pro: USDA moves to cancel $5 million in farm-to-school funding

The Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program supports local food procurement for school lunches and breakfasts.

subscriber.politicopro.com

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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 28d

USDA announces it's reviving the Pat Leahy farm to school grant program after canceling the FY 25 grants earlier this year.

www.usda.gov/about-usda/n...

www.usda.gov

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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 28d

Farmers have a record harvest.

But with Trump’s tariff war, they may have nowhere to sell it.

Smart new piece from my colleagues Daniel Desrochers and Grace Yarrow for @politico.com.

www.politico.com/news/2025/09...

Farmers' loyalty to Trump is about to be tested

The agriculture industry has stuck by the president even as his trade wars have hit their bottom lines. This fall harvest may see the limits of the their patience.

www.politico.com

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Reposted by Marcia Brown

Civil Eats @civileats.com · 29d

Despite criticisms from Make America Healthy Again supporters who have been calling for action on the use of pesticides linked to health risks, the MAHA Commission’s Strategy Report removed one of the only mentions of “reducing” pesticide use included in an earlier draft.

MAHA Report Moves Further Away From Restricting Pesticides

The final recommendations from the MAHA Commission align more with the agricultural industry’s goals than the MAHA movement’s asks.

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