Report: Food and agriculture sector will contribute $10.4 trillion to U.S. economy in 2026
The Rural Blog The U.S. food and agriculture industries will produce $10.4 trillion for the economy in 2026, backing 48.7…
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High beef prices are ‘the new normal’ for Americans as livestock owners stand firm on herd sizes
The Rural Blog Even as U.S. consumers keep complaining about high beef prices and government officials, including President Donald Trump,…
Flora & Fauna Roundup: Joyrides for rats, feral pigs in Hawaii, serviceberry trees, “comeback” bird, wolves
Rats can have fun too People aren’t the only ones who love to go for a drive. Rats do, too….
A new approach for newborns exposed to opioids means more mom time, fewer medications
A new approach is helping mothers recovering from opioid addiction and newborns with opioid exposure stay together after birth. Historically,…
Mosquitoes are one of nature’s deadliest creatures; awareness, precautions help
The Rural Blog During an average day, many people never think about mosquitoes, but perhaps the tiny arthropod deserves more…
When it comes to elections, ‘think local’; elections are run ‘by neighbors, not overlords’
Establishing community trust in election officials and reminding voters how the democratic process happens in their neck of the woods…
Faced with bigger grocery bills, many Americans are switching from national to private-label brands
As Americans continue to battle their ever-increasing grocery store bills, some are cutting brand-name products and picking up lower-priced store…
Opinion – Rural Blog: Memorial Day is perfect time to teach children to love America, despite wounds
As we launch into Memorial Day picnics, celebrations and sales, it’s a good time to rethink the day — why…
The U.S. has 100,000 fewer polling locations, which can change who votes and who wins elections
The Rural Blog A lack of places for Americans to cast their votes adds a new wrinkle to an already…
Despite best efforts to end it, Daylight Savings Time begins in most states March 10; some tips on coping
The Rural Blog Despite efforts to end it, daylight saving time begins in most states on March 10; having an…
The Rural Blog: New way of assessing food healthy vs. unhealthy could improve diets, but cut profits
What does ultra-processed food sound like? It sounds like the polyglycerol polyricinoleate in Hershey’s chocolate or the tripotassium phosphate in…
FDA leaders say thousands of Americans likely to die this winter because too many don’t trust vaccines
By Dr. Peter Marks and Dr. Robert Califf Republished from the Journal of the American Medical Association Vaccination is one of…
Talking turkey: It missed being the national bird, but it will be on most tables tomorrow; facts and figures
The Rural Blog Tomorrow many Americans will set their tables with an array of delectable food, but in many families,…
Infant mortality rates rise for first time in 20 years — ‘Too many babies are dying in the United States
The Rural Blog ‘Too many babies are dying in the United States’; infant mortality rates rise for the first time…
Amid national nursing shortages, schools lack capacity to train enough of the qualified candidates
The Rural Blog Amid a national nursing shortage, schools are rejecting tens of thousands of qualified applicants each year because…
Over-the-counter Narcan to hit drugstore shelves next week — but price, access may be an issue
The Rural Blog Over-the-counter naloxone nasal spray, or Narcan, will hit drugstore shelves next week. The lifesaving spray reverses opioid…
Mom knows best: Study shows ‘Go outside and play’ is good advice (children’s immune systems benefit)
The Rural Blog What do nature scavenger hunts, blowing bubbles and reading books under a shady park tree all have…
Headed toward next presidential election, conspiracy movement shows no signs of slowing down
The Rural Blog “As the nation barrels toward the next presidential election, the election conspiracy movement that mushroomed after the…
Southern Baptist Convention publishes full sex-abuse report, including database of alleged abusers
The Rural Blog In a bid for greater transparency, the Southern Baptist Conference’s Sexual Abuse Task Force has published online an independent report detailing how its…
Pandemic roundup: Violence against school staff rose, Moderna seeking approval for under-6 vaccine, more
The Rural Blog Here’s a roundup of recent news stories about the pandemic and vaccination efforts: Invermectin not effective The…
Pandemic roundup: Even mild COVID-19 can damage brain, more young children hospitalized by Omicron
By The Rural Blog Here’s a roundup of recent news stories about the pandemic and vaccination efforts: • Hospitalizations of…
Data shows rural Americans are least likely to wear masks, less likely to know which are most effective
Rural Americans are less likely than urban and suburban Americans to wear any kind of mask, less likely to understand…