Rising Cost of Fertilizer, Fuel Pushing Some Farmers to the Brink

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Rising Cost of Fertilizer, Fuel Pushing Some Farmers to the Brink (Maria)

The author writes, “Nitrogen is a critical fertilizer for farmers. About one-third of the world’s supply flows through the Strait of Hormuz, which is closed amid the US-Israeli war with Iran. It’s the same with roughly 20% of global fuel. … The war couldn’t have come at a worse time. It’s spring, when Mississippi Delta farmers are burning the most fuel and spending the most on fertilizer. And they were already struggling.”

Atlantic Writer Sued by Kash Patel Says She’s Been ‘Inundated’ With New Sources Corroborating Her Reporting (Reader Jim)

The author writes, “Sarah Fitzpatrick, The Atlantic investigative journalist behind [the] bombshell story about FBI Director Kash Patel, has said she has since been ‘inundated’ with messages from new sources corroborating her reporting. Fitzpatrick’s story alleged that Patel drinks to excess — so much so that, in one instance, breaching equipment was ordered to break into a locked bedroom when he did not respond to inquiries about his well-being. … Patel has denied the allegations, dismissed the article as a ‘hit piece,’ and … launched a $250 million defamation lawsuit against the magazine.”

Alaska Villages Can Already Pay $10 or More for a Gallon of Fuel. A War-Driven Spike Could Produce a ‘Survival Scenario.’ (Reader Steve)

From Northern Journal: “The war in Iran is risking what could be a catastrophic spike in the price of fuel in the rural villages and hub communities across Alaska’s coast — and distributors are also warning of possible supply shortages. Even before the war, fuel prices in the state’s off-road system communities were eye-wateringly high: Unleaded gas was $6.72 a gallon this winter in the Western Alaska hub town of Bethel, while in the Northwest Alaska village of Ambler, the price of gas and heating fuel has been $17.50 a gallon for the past year, according to local officials.”

Worst Spring Drought on Record Grips US, Fueling Wildfires and Water Worries (Sean)

The author writes, “Drought in the continental United States has expanded to its record-highest level for spring, and it’s fueling wildfire and water shortage concerns as the summer’s drying heat fast approaches. Varying levels of drought covered 62.78% of the country as of April 21, with the worst of it centered on much of the South, West and Plains. Put another way, dryness in the Lower 48 states has never been this expansive in spring in the history of the US Drought Monitor, which has data back to 2000.”

What to Know About the National Book Ban Bill (Dana)

From Reactor: “On March 17, the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce advanced H.R. 7661. There is no word regarding when the bill will be voted on, but the vote is expected to occur sometime in the coming weeks. While that bill number may not sound familiar, there’s a good chance you have recently heard it referred to as the National Book Ban Bill. Though that title is not formally associated with the proposed resolution, it does speak to the concerns many have regarding the bill’s language, intentions, and potential long-term impact.”

How Bruce the Parrot Landed Atop the Pecking Order, Without a Beak (Russ)

From The New York Times: “In 2021, a disabled parrot named Bruce made headlines worldwide for creating his own prosthetic beak. He didn’t stop there: Scientists reported [last] Monday that Bruce has now become the alpha male of his group. And he did it by learning to joust.”