Johnathan Hettinger, Investigate Midwest

Federal government expected to lose more than $20 billion on wind energy credits

A complex system of federal and state tax credits has played a key role in the development of wind farms across the United States, with billions of dollars of support going to foreign and U.S. energy companies.

By Johnathan Hettinger, Investigate Midwest

/ 4 Dec 2017

Federal government expected to lose more than $20 billion on wind energy credits

Federal tax credits drive foreign wind investment

Investment in U.S. wind energy production has increased tenfold over the past decade with the help of billions of dollars in federal tax help, with foreign companies making up much of the increase.

By Johnathan Hettinger, Investigate Midwest

/ 4 Dec 2017

Federal tax credits drive foreign wind investment

Pesticide applicators report drift issues with dicamba, even when using brand names in good weather

In August, the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association surveyed its 178 agriculture retail companies about their experience with dicamba this growing season. The association received 124 responses, which were anonymous. The overwhelming majority of respondents reported issues with dicamba, eve

By Johnathan Hettinger, Investigate Midwest

/ 25 Oct 2017

EPA announces new restrictions on dicamba for 2018 growing season

Tougher restrictions will be coming to the label for the weed killer dicamba, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Friday, according to a report from Reuters.

By Johnathan Hettinger, Investigate Midwest

/ 13 Oct 2017

EPA announces new restrictions on dicamba for 2018 growing season

Complaints surge about weed killer dicamba’s damage to oak trees

As soybean and cotton farmers across the Midwest and South continue to see their crops ravaged from the weed killer dicamba, new complaints have pointed to the herbicide as a factor in widespread damage to oak trees.

By Johnathan Hettinger, Investigate Midwest

/ 9 Oct 2017

Complaints surge about weed killer dicamba’s damage to oak trees

USDA fails to monitor foreign owners of farmland

Since 2011, the USDA has only assessed 10 fines under AFIDA, worth $115,724, according to records obtained by the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting through the Freedom of Information Act. And no fines were assessed in 2015, 2016 or so far in 2017.

By Johnathan Hettinger, Investigate Midwest

/ 25 Sep 2017

USDA fails to monitor foreign owners of farmland

New lobbying group launched to protect farmers from consolidation, big agribusiness

A former lieutenant governor of Missouri is now leading a new lobbying group seeking to give farmers more influence in Washington D.C.

By Johnathan Hettinger, Investigate Midwest

/ 25 Sep 2017

New lobbying group launched to protect farmers from consolidation, big agribusiness

Report: EPA to allow dicamba usage in 2018

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has decided to allow use of the herbicide dicamba in 2018, but with safeguards, according to a report by Reuters.

By Johnathan Hettinger, Investigate Midwest

/ 20 Sep 2017

Report: EPA to allow dicamba usage in 2018

In wake of new Monsanto seed, Illinois sees more crop damage

The Illinois Department of Agriculture has received 368 complaints so far in 2017, which are more alleged pesticide misuse complaints than in the previous three years combined, according to a review of a statewide database of complaints by the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting.

By Johnathan Hettinger, Investigate Midwest

/ 18 Sep 2017

In wake of new Monsanto seed, Illinois sees more crop damage

Damage from dicamba spurs confusion, questions

In 2016, Monsanto released its dicamba-resistant soybeans in the company’s largest ever rollout of a new biotechnology. But its accompanying herbicide – XtendiMaxTM herbicide with VaporGripTM Technology – was not approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency until several months later, leadin

By Johnathan Hettinger, Investigate Midwest

/ 18 Sep 2017

Damage from dicamba spurs confusion, questions

USDA Secretary Perdue discusses Farm Bill, trade in Illinois RV tour stop

Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue told farmers that they need to open a line of communication with the public, as consumers push for more standards, transparency and traceability.

By Johnathan Hettinger, Investigate Midwest

/ 8 Aug 2017

USDA Secretary Perdue discusses Farm Bill, trade in Illinois RV tour stop

Report: Yes, humans are primarily responsible for climate change and farming plays a big role

Increased drought, unsustainable irrigation and changing crop patterns are among the impacts that the agriculture sector will confront as the climate changes, according to a draft federal climate report obtained by The New York Times on Monday.

By Johnathan Hettinger, Investigate Midwest

/ 8 Aug 2017

Federal government expected to lose more than $20 billion on wind energy credits

Federal tax credits drive foreign wind investment

Pesticide applicators report drift issues with dicamba, even when using brand names in good weather

EPA announces new restrictions on dicamba for 2018 growing season

Complaints surge about weed killer dicamba’s damage to oak trees

USDA fails to monitor foreign owners of farmland

New lobbying group launched to protect farmers from consolidation, big agribusiness

Report: EPA to allow dicamba usage in 2018

In wake of new Monsanto seed, Illinois sees more crop damage

Damage from dicamba spurs confusion, questions

USDA Secretary Perdue discusses Farm Bill, trade in Illinois RV tour stop

Report: Yes, humans are primarily responsible for climate change and farming plays a big role

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