Soda tax is back: Legislatures in Connecticut, Hawaii, New York and Washington State are considering statewide taxes on sugary beverages; Hawaii Gov. David Ige proposed the highest levy, 2 cents per ounce. (Tax Foundation)
Valadao escapes censure: A measure to censure Rep. David Valadao, a member of the House Appropriations subcommittee on agriculture, for voting to impeach President Trump, was quashed without a vote at the California Republican state convention. (Cal Matters)
Farm subsidy critique: With crop and livestock revenue rebounding, critics say it is time to rein in U.S. farm subsidy spending that hit a record $46 billion last year. (Politico)
Biotech turns 25: GMO crops have been in the field for a quarter-century and gene editing is the new wave of agricultural biotechnology, but manipulation of food and feed crops remains an item of debate. (DTN/Progressive Farmer)
More pork contamination: Hogs slaughtered at plants with fewer USDA meat inspectors on the processing line had contamination rates nearly two times higher than plants operating under the traditional inspection regime, say documents released under a public records request. (Washington Post)