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AS SHUTDOWN DRAGS ON, SCIENTISTS SCRAMBLE TO KEEP INSECTS, PLANTS AND MICROBES ALIVE – Three days a week, entomologist Don Weber shows up to work at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s empty campus in Maryland. As the partial government shutdown continues, he has to perform an important task: feeding the hundreds of insects he raises… read more

INDUSTRIAL HEMP RULES PROPOSED – The IDOA Dec. 28 announced its proposed rules for production of industrial hemp. According to Jeff Cox, chief of the Bureau of Medical Plants at IDOA, said the state has been working intensely to post the rules since Gov. Bruce Rauner signed the law in August. (FarmWeekNow.com)

FARMERS: GET THE FARM BILL DONE – As Congress returns Tuesday for the lame-duck session, farmers have one priority on lawmakers’ to-do list: Get a farm bill done before the end of the year. Lawmakers have said passing the legislation is their highest priority as it would provide some stability to farmers who have been… read more

Judge Brett Kavanaugh Friday cleared a major hurdle in his effort to become a Supreme Court justice as the Senate narrowly voted to cut off debate on his nomination and move to a final vote. The vote could come as early as Saturday, with GOP lawmakers scrambling to ensure they have enough votes to confirm… read more

Judge Brett Kavanaugh Friday cleared a major hurdle in his effort to become a Supreme Court justice as the Senate narrowly voted to cut off debate on his nomination and move to a final vote. The vote could come as early as Saturday, with GOP lawmakers scrambling to ensure they have enough votes to confirm… read more

Judge Brett Kavanaugh Friday cleared a major hurdle in his effort to become a Supreme Court justice as the Senate narrowly voted to cut off debate on his nomination and move to a final vote. The vote could come as early as Saturday, with GOP lawmakers scrambling to ensure they have enough votes to confirm… read more

ILLINOIS OVER-ISSUED FOOD STAMPS – Illinois has been warned by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that the state has significantly over-issued food assistance to individuals who didn’t qualify and may face a large fine as a result; Illinois has denied the over-payment. Illinois had about 1.8 million resident receiving SNAP benefits in 2017, or about… read more

PRUITT AIDES DETAIL SPENDING, MANAGEMENT AT EPA – Two of EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s top aides provided details to congressional investigators about some of his most controversial spending and management decisions, including his push to find a six-figure job for his wife. The aides said Pruitt also enlisted staffers to perform personal tasks and requested… read more

Americans’ satisfaction with the direction of the U.S. reached a 12-year high, with 38 percent of Americans saying they were satisfied with the way things are going. Satisfaction has risen among Republicans and independents, but not among Democrats. This is the second month in a row the reading has been above 35 percent. (Gallup)