57 people with bird flu: Two additional human cases of bird flu were confirmed in California, raising the state’s total to 31 and the U.S. total to 57 cases since the viral disease was identified in dairy cattle in late March; almost all involve dairy and poultry workers. (CDC)
SNAP ‘skimming’ fix to expire: A provision allowing the USDA to replace SNAP benefits stolen by so-called card skimming will expire on Dec. 20 unless it is extended as part of a government funding bill, said a think tank. (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities)
Fine for child labor: Under a consent order in federal court, sanitation contractor Qvest LLC will pay a $171,919 penalty for hiring workers under the age of 18 to perform hazardous work cleaning a meatpacking plant in Sioux City, Iowa. (National Hog Farmer)
CHS buys Minnesota co-op: Members of West Central Ag Services, an agricultural cooperative with 14 locations in west-central Minnesota, voted overwhelmingly in favor of a sale to CHS Inc., the largest U.S. farmer-owned cooperative. (DTN/Progressive Farmer)