Hemp And The Challenges Of Farming’s Frontier
There’s millions of dollars to be made from growing hemp, which for years was lumped in and vilified with its sister plant, marijuana. With the…
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For Hospital Designers, Domke Is A Very Big Name
It’s humid spring morning in the woods of central Missouri and Henry Domke is lining up a shot. His target? The vibrant petals of a red buckeye bloom. …
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JBS A Big Winner In USDA Trade War Relief Contracts
A Brazilian-owned meat processing company undercut its competition by more than $1 per pound to win nearly $78 million in pork contracts through a federal program launched to help American farmers offset the impact from an ongoing trade war. As a result, JBS USA has won more than 26 percent of the $300 million the…
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Durbin Regrets Voting To Take Pell Grants Away From Prisoners
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is cosponsoring legislation that would rollback one of the provisions of the 1994 crime bill. It’s called the Restoring…
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Lawmakers To Question Officials About Removing Hundreds of Books From A Prison Library
Illinois lawmakers plan to ask state prison officials why more than 200 books were removed from a college in prison program’s library at the Danville…
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Why A Father Worries His Son’s Mental Illness Could Get Him Deported
When José moved his family to the U.S. from Mexico nearly two decades ago, he had hopes of giving his children a better life. But now he worries for the future of his 21-year-old-son, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder last year. José said his son was a happy child who loved playing with…
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One Town’s Hope Rests On Money and The Mighty Mississippi
The Mississippi River system is both an artery and a vein. It pumps ag products out of the heartland and into the world while bringing back fertilizer…
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Want To Prevent Gun Violence? Some States Turn To ‘Red Flag’ Laws
Earlier this year, police dispatchers in Evansville, Indiana, received a chilling call. A man said he was holding his wife at knifepoint, and he warned…
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Illinois Doesn’t Track Electronic Monitoring Data, But New Legislation Would Require It
Augie Torres said he missed between seven and 10 job interviews when he was released from prison in October 2014 because he was on an electronic monitor…
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Organic Farming Has A Plastic Problem. One Solution Is Controversial
Many organic farmers rely on plastic as a form of mulch, but it ends up in landfills. Biodegradable plastic could help, but some worry about its long-term effects on soil health and the environment.
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Food Hubs Connect Small Farmers To Communities In Need Of Produce
Between the growing warehouse district and the south side of Peoria, Illinois, sits 1312 SW Adams Street. The city-owned building looks like a great…
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How Foreign-Born Doctors Help Refugees, Other Immigrants
Deepa Halaharvi is a morning person. “Eat, read, pray, and get ready to go to work,” she says, laughing. “And usually I’m out the door around 6:15 or 6…
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How A Community Helps People Suffering After Gun Violence
Losing a loved one to gun violence can cause anxiety, stress and other mental health symptoms . So can simply living in an environment where violence is…
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How To Talk About Climate Change In Rural America? Don’t Say Those Two Words
Updated at 11 a.m. June 7 to correct details about Mark Junker — Rural communities are some of the most politically disenfranchised when it comes to…
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‘It’s Heartbreaking’ Authors Criticize The Removal Of 200 Books From An Illinois Prison Library
Last week, Illinois Newsroom reported on the removal of more than 200 books from the shelves of a college in prison program’s library inside the…
