Suit seeks info on RFS waivers (RFA): In a lawsuit filed in federal court, two ethanol trade groups are seeking an order forcing the EPA and the Energy Department to release the details of “hardship” waivers granted to small refineries that exempt them from compliance with the Renewable Fuel Standard.
Trump’s war on weed (BuzzFeed): The White House has created an informal Marijuana Policy Coordination Committee to speak against state-level legalization of marijuana; agencies have been told to provide “data demonstrating the most significant negative trends” about legalization.
Sage grouse again a ‘threatened’ species (AP): A federal judge reinstated the listing of the bi-state sage grouse as a threatened species and ordered the Interior Department to complete an analysis of the bird’s future by Oct. 1, 2019.
‘Neonics’ ban to take effect (Phys.org): France will have stricter rules than the EU when its ban on five neonicotinoid insecticides takes effect on Saturday. The chemicals are blamed for harming bee populations, but farmers say they have no alternatives to use against pests.
Long arm of the law is short-handed (Sacramento Bee): In large swathes of rural California, county sheriffs say they don’t have the staff to protect the public. “We have no money. We have no people,” says one sheriff.
What’s in your hog lagoon? (Guardian): Industrial hog farms in North Carolina underreported levels of key pollutants in their waste lagoons, state regulators discovered when they compared samples from 55 lagoons with information filed by the farmers.
Senator proposes halt to mergers (Booker): In a move backed by organic and small-farm groups, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker filed a bill for an 18-month moratorium on mergers and acquisitions involving large agribusinesses, food companies, and grocery chains.
World’s largest cheeseboard (Heritage Radio Network): As a gimmick to promote Wisconsin cheese, the dairy industry created the world’s largest cheeseboard — 7 feet wide and 35 feet long — with a display of 145 kinds of cheese weighing in at 4,437 pounds.