Harvest Public Media

Congressional lawmakers are looking to add rotisserie chicken to the list of foods people can purchase with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Currently, the program excludes hot and pre-prepared foods.

President Trump has tried to kill Food for Peace – the nation’s leading international food aid program. Farm state legislators restarted it at the USDA, and pending legislation would keep it there permanently. But experts worry about the fate of food aid at an agency with no humanitarian mandate.

A bill allowing year-round sales of E15, a fuel blended with up to 15% corn-based ethanol, is being debated in the Senate. While the bill is hailed as a boon for corn growers, there are concerns that it could hurt soybean prices.

Development of large-scale data centers is booming across the Midwest and South. As some communities push back, local and state governments are trying to catch up on how to regulate the new development.

Extreme heat combined with high humidity is becoming more common as the climate warms, making it harder for people to cool their bodies.

Beginning in November, SNAP retailers across the U.S. will be required to stock more healthy foods. But experts say the change will ultimately leave federal food aid users with fewer options — especially in rural areas.

A case of New World screwworm infection was detected Wednesday in Texas. Federal, state and local partners have been working to curb an outbreak and prevent widespread infection in ranching operations.

Some rivers are success stories where wildlife is bouncing back from heavy pollution. But environmental groups say progress hasn’t happened across the board and backsliding remains possible.

Ticks are emerging earlier and staying active for longer. Experts in the central U.S. advise people to take precautions when spending time outside in wooded or grassy areas.

The "farmer-led movement" aims to shape the agricultural landscape by strengthening soils and building community.