Johnathan Hettinger, Investigate Midwest

Irrigation playing role in water issues across Illinois

The State Water Survey projects that in the coming decades, Illinois will require 20 to 50 percent more water. But planning for the increase has been inadequate, largely due to a halt in planning because of the ongoing state budget crisis.

By Johnathan Hettinger, Investigate Midwest

/ 20 Jun 2017

Irrigation playing role in water issues across Illinois

Paris Climate Conference speaker weighs in on President Trump's decision to pull out of accord

Last week, President Donald Trump announced the United States is withdrawing from the Paris climate accord, a global effort to reduce greenhouse emissions to limit global warming to an increase of two degrees Celsius. In December 2015, University of Illinois Crop Sciences Professor Stephen Long addr

By Johnathan Hettinger, Investigate Midwest

/ 5 Jun 2017

Paris Climate Conference speaker weighs in on President Trump's decision to pull out of accord

Experts discuss effects, misconceptions of GMOs

A panel of experts on genetically modified crops explained the effects of GMOs and contradicted common misconceptions about GMOs during a public conversation March 8. Find related materials here.

By Johnathan Hettinger, Investigate Midwest

/ 14 Mar 2017

Experts discuss effects, misconceptions of GMOs

Delays at proposed Illinois fertilizer plant put tax breaks at risk

Cronus Chemicals will start losing part of its $40 million in state tax incentives if its proposed $1.9 billion ammonia fertilizer plant is not operating by July 2, according to tax credit agreements.

By Johnathan Hettinger, Investigate Midwest

/ 9 Mar 2017

Delays at proposed Illinois fertilizer plant put tax breaks at risk

Federal ruling allows first forced labor case against private prison

Thousands of migrant workers, as well as other undocumented immigrants, may have been forced into labor in violation of federal anti-slavery laws, a federal judge ruled last week.

By Johnathan Hettinger, Investigate Midwest

/ 6 Mar 2017

From yield protection to yield boosting: GMO crops of the future

Since 2000, the percentage of genetically engineered corn planted in the United States has grown from 25 percent to 92 percent in 2016. But unless yields increase significantly, experts say the world will not be able to grow enough food to feed itself by 2050, with food shortages anticipated as soon

By Johnathan Hettinger, Investigate Midwest

/ 27 Feb 2017

From yield protection to yield boosting: GMO crops of the future

Report: Crop insurance subsidies projected to skyrocket

The effects of climate change on agriculture could cost the federal government as much as $4.2 billion more annually in crop insurance subsidies by 2080, a report released Wednesday by the Government Accountability Office found.

By Johnathan Hettinger, Investigate Midwest

/ 16 Feb 2017

Federal government no longer communicating with public on certain issues

Federal government officials are no longer allowed to communicate with the public and media about certain environmental issues per orders from the Trump administration, multiple news outlets reported Monday and Tuesday.

By Johnathan Hettinger, Investigate Midwest

/ 24 Jan 2017

Trump's pull-out of TPP deal prompts criticism, anger from ag industry

In one of his first major acts as president, Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday pulling the United States out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership – a move that the agriculture industry says will cost them more than $4.4 billion in revenue each year.

By Johnathan Hettinger, Investigate Midwest

/ 23 Jan 2017

Senate Democrats raise questions about EPA nominee's ethics disclosures

“During his tenure as Attorney General of Oklahoma, Mr. Pruitt has blurred the distinction between official and political actions, often at the behest of corporations he will regulate if confirmed to lead EPA. While the disclosures Mr. Pruitt made to OGE may be sufficient to ascertain his personal f

By Johnathan Hettinger, Investigate Midwest

/ 15 Jan 2017

Climate change guide to Trump Cabinet nominations

Keeping up with the confirmation hearings of President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet nominations? The process is likely to be full of controversy — particularly when it comes to Trump’s picks and climate change.

By Johnathan Hettinger, Investigate Midwest

/ 10 Jan 2017

Climate change guide to Trump Cabinet nominations

U.S. files complaint against China over trade violations

The complaint, the 15th filed against China by the Obama administration since 2009, argues that China is not “transparent, predictable or fair” in its administration of tariff-rate quotients, which protect its domestic farmers by taxing imports at a higher rate.

By Johnathan Hettinger, Investigate Midwest

/ 15 Dec 2016

Irrigation playing role in water issues across Illinois

Paris Climate Conference speaker weighs in on President Trump's decision to pull out of accord

Experts discuss effects, misconceptions of GMOs

Delays at proposed Illinois fertilizer plant put tax breaks at risk

Federal ruling allows first forced labor case against private prison

From yield protection to yield boosting: GMO crops of the future

Report: Crop insurance subsidies projected to skyrocket

Federal government no longer communicating with public on certain issues

Trump's pull-out of TPP deal prompts criticism, anger from ag industry

Senate Democrats raise questions about EPA nominee's ethics disclosures

Climate change guide to Trump Cabinet nominations

U.S. files complaint against China over trade violations

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