OKAgPolicy Today is a morning email containing the day’s top agriculture and policy headlines. The inclusion of a particular story does not equal an endorsement. Subscribe to the email here.
TOP HEADLINES
Protecting Oklahomans (letter to the editor):
Right to Farm was brought to the Legislature by Oklahomans and it’s important to all Oklahomans. It not only protects the rights of Oklahoma farmers and ranchers, but it protects all state families and their opportunity to access affordable food choices [NewsOK].
ELECTIONS
Oklahoma legislative races set for November with only a few likely in play:
With races for state House and Senate seats now set following last week’s primary runoffs, candidates are navigating changing political demographics, dealing with an unusual presidential election and looking to drum up support among an electorate that has a largely unfavorable view of the Oklahoma Legislature [NewsOK].
5th District candidate seeks recount of election results:
Tom Guild, who lost the Democratic runoff for the 5th Congressional District by 40 votes, on Friday requested a recount in Oklahoma and Seminole counties [The Oklahoman].
Medical marijuana proposal unlikely to make November ballot:
A petition to legalize medical marijuana in Oklahoma is unlikely to go before voters in November because advocates say they will challenge the attorney general’s rewording of the ballot title — a legal process certain to push the measure beyond the general election [Tulsa World].
FEDERAL
U.S. farmers risk losing everything because of absurd immigration procedures:
A number of farmers in Georgia reported six-digit losses this year due to delays in visa processing. Another farmer, in California, watched as one-third of his Napa cabbage rotted in the field while he waited for the H-2A workers to arrive [Huffington Post].
USDA confirms avian influenza in Alaska duck:
For the first time in 14 months, the bird disease that killed 50 million chickens and turkeys last year has been detected in the U.S. – in a wild duck in Alaska [Agri-Pulse].
USDA releases export forecasts (audio):
The general U.S. agricultural trade scenario looks “a little bit better,” according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s chief economist. Rob Johansson says the recent export forecast from USDA shows an increase in exports next year [Agri-Pulse].
STATE
Unsettled country: Rural Oklahoma’s struggle with addiction, mental illness:
But for many of those who live in Oklahoma’s rural areas, the reality does not match the trouble-free imagery. Outside of Oklahoma City and Tulsa and their suburbs, a disproportionate number of residents betray key signs of untreated mental-health problems and substance abuse, an Oklahoma Watch analysis of state data found [Oklahoma Watch].
Transportation officials identify projects that could tap bond funds:
The Oklahoma Transportation Department has released a list of 18 projects that are candidates for use of the $200 million in bond money authorized earlier this year by the Oklahoma Legislature [The Oklahoman].
MISCELLANEOUS
Plaintiffs join suit challenging anti-corporate farming law:
The number of plaintiffs suing to abolish North Dakota’s anti-corporate farming law has expanded and now includes people and companies with ties to four U.S. states and a former Soviet republic [The Daily Republic].
