Trust no media report on pope's interview

From commentator and radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt:

Here is the link to the complete text of the Pope’s remarkable interview.

Really, read it for yourself. Do not trust any media report as to what he says or how he says it.

Amen.

LaMalfa votes for resolution defunding Obamacare

The north state's Rep. Doug LaMalfa voted with the majority in favor of a resolution that would keep the federal government running through December but strip funding for Obamacare.

“The House acted today to put the brakes on the president’s health care takeover and ensure that the government continues to meet its financial obligations," LaMalfa said. "With just days left before the president’s plan kicks in, it’s clear that his health care takeover doesn’t pencil out. In my district, we’ll see skyrocketing premiums, drastically fewer coverage choices and higher out-of-pocket expenses. It’s time the Senate takes a stand and does what’s right for the American people by putting a stop to the train wreck the president’s health care takeover has become.”

LaMalfa said the bill prevents the government from defaulting on the nation’s debt, which has grown by $6 trillion since President Obama took office.

Goals of Klamath task force proving unrealistic

In the photos, taken yesterday: The Klamath Basin Task Force gathers in a meeting room at the Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls; Oregon natural resources advisor Richard Whitman (left) talks with Klamath County Commissioner Dennis Linthicum before the meeting; and Tom Paul of the Oregon Department of Water Resources gives an update on drought conditions in the Upper Klamath Basin. Note the irony in that last photo, with Paul talking about drought as any of about five pitchers of water are within his reach.

The task force is already well past its deadline for coming up with recommendations for improving water supplies and access to affordable power in the Upper Basin, and from what I saw yesterday, its members seem to be far from reaching a consensus on some pretty key issues. Facilitator Whitman has set a date of Oct. 10 for the group's next meeting, and it'll be interesting to see if they can come up with recommendations by then.

It seems to me that this committee is trying to do in three months what it took the parties to the original Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement five years to accomplish, which was to get folks who are diametrically opposed to one another to forge working relationships and come up with compromises that suit everyone's needs. As the immediate crisis has to do with water shutoffs in the Upper Basin, perhaps the committee's charge should have been simply to address that in the short-term first, then proceed with resolving electricity issues in time for the February deadline.

I don't know what this new committee is doing discussing the KBRA's budget when there's already a Klamath Basin Coordinating Council that's supposed to be dealing with that sort of thing.

Another seat-of-the-pants observation: The layout of the room yesterday was a perfect illustration of how government relates to the people in today's America. Panel members appointed by Oregon's Sen. Ron Wyden and Gov. John Kitzhaber sat facing each other at tables arranged as an enclosed square as the public sat in the back of the room, outside of the loop and struggling to hear and understand what was going on. Self-government, indeed.

CCA: Urge Brown to veto gun ban bill

The California Cattlemen's Association is urging its members to send letters to Gov. Jerry Brown asking him to veto a bill that would ban certain types of guns in the state.

From the CCA's "action alert":

During the last week of the legislative session, the legislature passed SB 374 a bill by Sen. Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) that would effectively ban all semiautomatic rifles that accept a detachable magazine or feeding device by labeling them as assault weapons. SB 374 would expand California's assault weapons ban passed in 2000 to now include rifles such as the Ruger Mini 14© "Ranch Rifle" and historic M-1 Garand. Rifles that are currently owned will remain legal however the rifles will need to be registered with the Department of Justice and will no longer be eligible for purchase or sale.

CCA worked with the National Rifle Association and other 2nd Amendment organizations to defeat SB 374 and other harmful gun legislation. Both Republicans and Democrats voted against SB 374 but after a narrow vote in the Assembly, it unfortunately passed in the Senate by just one vote. Please write Governor Brown and request he immediately veto SB 374. CCA has drafted a template letter which is available here for your use in addressing the governor. Please tailor the letter for your use and provide any personal stories you believe are compelling to support the veto request. Time is short and the governor will likely make a decision to sign or veto SB 374 within the next week so please do not delay.

Fortunately, several other bills involving gun control did not make it out of the legislature last week. Specifically, SB 53 by Sen. Kevin De Leon (D-Los Angeles) which would have required anyone seeking to purchase ammunition to obtain a state permit failed in the Assembly. Another bill, SB 396 (Hancock), which would have required anyone legally possessing a magazine with the capacity to hold more than 10 rounds to turn the magazine over to law enforcement or destroy it also failed in the Assembly.

Photo gallery: Dairy and livestock in Sacramento

Last week I spent a couple of days in Sacramento, mainly to cover the highly contentious marathon hearing at the California Department of Food and Agriculture over milk pricing. In the top photo, University of California-Davis ag economist Richard Sexton prepares to give a presentation. In the others, the administrative panel hears from witnesses as people in the audience listen and take notes.

While there, I also visited the offices of the California Cattlemen's Association, whose officials talked about the legislative session that has just ended. In the photos below, Executive Vice President Billy Gatlin (left) and Vice President of Government Relations Justin Oldfield talk strategy, and Oldfield and Gatlin are seen working in their offices. A special thanks goes to Stevie Ipsen at the CCA for arranging the meet-up on short notice.

Judge denies injunction on meat labeling law

From the U.S. Cattlemen's Association:

The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia today denied plaintiffs' request for a preliminary injunction that, if granted, would have blocked the Department of Agriculture (USDA) from implementing and enforcing its revised country of origin labeling (COOL) regulations until a lawsuit filed July 8 is concluded. The U.S. Cattlemen's Association (USCA), along with National Farmers Union (NFU), American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) and the Consumer Federation of America, became intervenors in the lawsuit on August 19 when the court entered an order granting their motion to intervene in full, permitting the groups to participate in the preliminary injunction hearing as well as the remainder of the litigation.

The following statement can be attributed to Jon Wooster, USCA President, San Lucas, Calif.

"We, of course, are pleased with the court's decision to deny the preliminary injunction requested by the plaintiffs. If the injunction had been granted it would have ensured that the United States would be in violation of its trade obligations under the WTO and also would have further delayed consumers having the type of information Congress has long intended them to have. The revised USDA regulations announced on May 23 of this year will certainly reduce consumer confusion and will allow cattle producers the ability to differentiate their product from foreign beef.”

"USCA, NFU, ASI and CFA are committed to a strong defense of COOL and, on behalf of all four organizations, I want to extend our gratitude to all those who are contributing to the U.S. COOL Defense Fund. This is an expensive undertaking but it is a necessary one if we are to ensure the most effective defense. “

USDA's final rule modified certain provisions in COOL regulations after a WTO Appellate Body affirmed an earlier WTO Dispute Panel decision finding aspects of the regulations violated U.S. trade obligations. USDA released its modified regulations on May 23, 2013 and notified the WTO that the U.S. had come into compliance with the WTO ruling. On July 8, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, American Meat Institute, Canadian Cattlemen's Association, Canadian Pork Council, North American Meat Association, American Association of Meat Processors, National Pork Producers Council, Southwest Meat Association and Mexico's National Confederation of Livestock Organizations filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia asking the court to vacate and set aside USDA's revised regulations. Shortly thereafter, the plaintiffs filed a motion seeking a preliminary injunction. On July 26, USCA announced that it would lead an intervention in the lawsuit and was quickly joined by NFU, ASI and CFA.

Shasta Lake down to 45 percent of capacity

In the photos, taken last week, people launch their boats from the exposed bed of Shasta Lake on a warm afternoon. As I reported in my story on California's persistent drought, the lake is down to 45 percent of capacity, according to the California Department of Water Resources. The lake is holding 70 percent of its normal amount of water for this time of year.

I'm headed to Sacramento for the next couple of days to meet with California Cattlemen's Association folks and cover a state hearing regarding the ongoing plight of dairymen seeking a better price for their milk used for making cheese. I'll update the Journal as time and circumstances warrant.

Did Obama really call Putin a jackass?

A blogger at the New Yorker had a little fun over the weekend with the G20 summit. Andy Borowitz "reported":

ST. PETERSBURG (The Borowitz Report)—Hopes for a positive G20 summit crumbled today as President Obama blurted to Russia’s Vladimir Putin at a joint press appearance, “Everyone here thinks you’re a jackass.”

The press corps appeared stunned by the uncharacteristic outburst from Mr. Obama, who then unleashed a ten-minute tirade at the stone-faced Russian President.

“Look, I’m not just talking about Snowden and Syria,” Mr. Obama said. “What about Pussy Riot? What about your anti-gay laws? Total jackass moves, my friend.”

As Mr. Putin narrowed his eyes in frosty silence, Mr. Obama seemed to warm to his topic.

“If you think I’m the only one who feels this way, you’re kidding yourself,” Mr. Obama said, jabbing his finger in the direction of the Russian President’s face. “Ask Angela Merkel. Ask David Cameron. Ask the Turkish guy. Every last one of them thinks you’re a [jerk].”

It goes on. Unfortunately, however, Putin wasn't the one who came away from the G20 summit looking like a jackass.

From Russia with love: the U.S. foreign policy

As President Obama prepares his much-anticipated speech for tonight, the person who's come out smelling like a rose -- if you'll pardon the expression -- is Vladimir Putin.

It's really interesting -- and a real eye-opener as to where we've come as a country -- that the leader of Russia has managed to achieve the moral high ground over the United States on several major issues of our time. He has rightfully called into question the veracity of Obama and Kerry with regard to Syria and Libya. He has provided asylum to a man who believed was in grave danger of assassination because he revealed the extent to which our administration is spying and gathering information on average Americans. And even the law barring gay propaganda to minors -- which has many of us in the West up in arms -- is widely supported around the world.

It's like i heard on a radio show the other night. At any time in the last 100 years, if the leader of Russia had accused the president of the United States of lying, it would be seen as a joke. It's not anymore.

Now we have this supposed "deal" crafted by Putin in which the Assad regime will supposedly hand over its weapons of mass destruction. Heaven knows what this supposed "deal" actually means, but Putin comes off looking like a peacemaker, and everyone in the world knows he is extricating Obama's rump from a sling of his own making. The guy that comes out of this a loser is Kerry, the lifelong peacenik-who-served who made a fool of himself trying to sell a war that nobody wanted.

Mark me, I'm not necessarily a fan of Putin and I wouldn't live in Russia. But there's no denying his global stock has gone up this summer. Big-time, as our old pal W. would say.

Policies worry farmers more than climate change

They're holding a seminar for journalists in Seattle to discuss the supposed perils of climate change. But in the minds of California farmers, government policies present a bigger threat, according to a survey by the University of California-Davis.

From the university:

California farmers feel more threatened by climate policy than they do by climate change, according to a new study from the University of California, Davis.

The study, published in the journal Global Environmental Change, found that the greatest climate risk Yolo County farmers believe they face in the future is not drought, water shortages, or temperature changes, but government regulations. [...]

Yolo County is a north Central Valley community that is home to UC Davis and a diverse mix of crops and livestock systems. More than 80 percent of land in Yolo County is devoted to agriculture.

UC Davis researchers analyzed 162 surveys returned by farmers and ranchers in 2011, and they conducted interviews with 11 farmers and two cooperative extension agents in 2010.

In Yolo County, 54 percent of farmers responding to the survey accepted that climate change was occurring. Of these, only 35 percent believed humans play a role in climate change.

Farmers were asked about their attitudes toward four specific environmental policies: pesticide use reporting (implemented in 1990), rice straw burning regulations (1991), a water quality conditional waiver program (2003), and stationary diesel engine emission regulations (2007). Farmers who had negative past experiences with environmental policies — viewing them as too costly or time-consuming, for example — showed less belief in climate change.

Farmers also tended to view policies that had been around the longest more positively, indicating that perceptions can become more favorable over time.

Several farmers viewed climate change as something in the far distant future, rather than as an immediate threat. They viewed the need to adapt to changing weather as a centuries-old, inherent part of farming.

[The photo is of rootstocks for almonds and stone fruits near Parlier, courtesy of UC-Davis.]

Clover Fire cuts swath southwest of Redding

Here is the latest, according to CalFire's fire information website:

Last Updated: September 9, 2013 6:30 pm
Date/Time Started: September 9, 2013 12:32 pm
Administrative Unit: CAL FIRE Shasta-Trinity Unit
County: Shasta County
Location: off Cloverdale Road, Happy Valley
Acres Burned - Containment: 2,500 acres
Evacuations: Evacuations:
Clear Creek and Cloverdale
Everything sw to Gas Point, Small Farms and Marsha Way
Small Farms track south to Black Pine Rd
Cloverdale from Clear Creek to Oak
Oak to Palm
Road Closures : See attached fact sheet under news releases
Cause: Under investigation
Total Fire Engines: 32
Total Airtankers: 6
Total Helicopters: 10
Total Dozers: 5
Total Water Tenders: 9
Conditions: Please use caution when driving in the vicinity of the fire area. Always use headlights in smokey conditions and watch out for firefighters and fire equipment.
Phone Numbers (530) 225-2510 (Clover Fire Information)

I've found the best place to turn during the course of the day when events like these occur is Q97, which offers constant updates about acreage, street closures, evacuation centers, etc. (and the music isn't bad, either). Their wildfire information page is here. Also, keep an eye on the news feeds on this page for updates.

Expert: Columnist 'knows zero' about pollination

Randy Oliver, the Grass Valley beekeeper and biologist quoted in my story today

about whether stress from servicing the almond blossom contributes to bee die-offs, emailed me this afternoon to add to his remarks.

Oliver said that Daily Caller columnist Steve Milloy "misrepresented" what he wrote in this essay on the causes of colony collapse disorder, adding that Milloy "obviously knows zero about either bees or almond pollination. You can quote me on that!"

Specifically, Oliver took to task Milloy's assertion that almond pollen is nutritionally inferior as a food source for bees.

In fact, almond pollen is one of the most nutritious pollens for bees, and they thrive on it once the bloom starts. Most beekeepers don't move their bees in until just prior to bloom, so the bees can start foraging within days, unless cold delays the start of bloom, as it did last season.

The fact is that the bees are generally moved in from somewhere where there is nothing in bloom anyway--almonds are one of the first plants to flower in the year (it's not even "spring" yet when they bloom).

California beekeepers have always moved hives to almond pollination in order to help their bees to build up early in the season.

As I said before, there are certain logistical problems associated with very large-scale transportation and holding of colonies prior to pollination, and the potential transmission of disease within the orchards, but these are very different issues than saying that almond pollination is the cause of bee health problems.

For his part, Palo Cedro's Shannon Wooten also told me the almond pollination brings the "first big growth spirt" for bees, which are invigorated by the food source.

[In the photo, bees fly around in a holding box during a bee beard demonstration Saturday at the annual Honeybee Festival in Palo Cedro]

Palo Cedro's Honeybee Festival draws thousands

Big crowds enjoyed today's annual Honeybee Festival in Palo Cedro, where a bee beard demonstration was the hit of the morning.

In the photos, American Honey Queen Caroline Adams, a beekeeper from Plano, Texas, holds the microphone and answers questions from the crowd as the bee beard demonstration proceeds. In the bottom photo, 5-year-old Evyn Russell spots the queen in a glass-enclosed hive.

Two problems always seem to bedevil the beefest each year -- heat and parking. As this is one of the only outdoor events to be held in the Redding area during the height of summer, organizers really should think about moving at least some of the vendor booths indoors. We'd have stayed longer to shop if it wasn't so dang hot.

And please, people -- you really don't need 30-some-odd parking attendants blocking rows and waving flags. This isn't a 49er game, for gosh sake. Just take the people's money at the gate and let them go find a place to park.

LaMalfa on secession: Don't look at me

Rep. Doug LaMalfa won't officially get behind the latest state of Jefferson secession movement, his press secretary told me today.

"We do not have an official office position on that resolution," Kevin Eastman said of the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors' vote Tuesday to break from the rest of California.

"He can certainly appreciate the frustration that Siskiyou and other rural counties have in living with the legislation coming out of Sacramento that is authored by big-city, urban Democrats," Eastman said.

The resolution "could help draw attention to a lot of the issues that rural counties are facing, including ranching, timber and fire issues," Eastman said. "Drawing attention to those problems is important."

However, LaMalfa appears content to let this be a local push and not get involved himself.

For my story, check CapitalPress.com soon.

I haven't spoken to Erin Ryan this week, but I wonder if the first thing she said when reporters approached her Tuesday was that she was there as a Redding Tea Party representative and not in any way speaking for LaMalfa, for whom she is a legislative aide. I say this because it is often what Erin says to me before I quote her on anything. It's fair game to mention that she works for LaMalfa, but if she drew a distinction and it was omitted, that would be misleading at best.

Fire near Yosemite burns Sierra Pacific land

The huge wildfire raging near Yosemite National Park has burned about 12,000 acres of Sierra Pacific Industries-owned land, company spokesman Mark Pawlicki told me this afternoon. The company owns about 18,000 acres in the area.

No dollar figure has yet been placed on the loss, he said.

"The smoke is so thick we can't assess it yet," he said. "We're doing rough estimates."

SPI foresters in the area are helping fire agencies by providing maps and assisting with fire breaks, Pawlicki said. The company will be able to salvage log burned areas, so it'll shift its resources there and away from harvesting the green timber until the work is done, he said.

This is the second year in a row that a big wildfire has damaged a large swath of SPI land. Last year's Ponderosa Fire burned 17,600 acres of SPI-owned timberland -- the worst damage the company has ever seen from a fire.

For my story on the Rim Fire's impacts on agriculture, check CapitalPress.com soon.

Klamath Basin endures another water crisis

In the photos, Upper Klamath Basin ranchers Roger Nicholson and Linda Long are in the midst of showing the impacts of this summer's water shutoff on the region. The two gave me a tour of areas north of Klamath Falls last week. Long discusses some of the impacts in this AP story that we published today.

I'm working on a major project examining the latest Klamath Basin water crisis, which explains my relative blog and Facebook silence of late. You can look for my Page One centerpiece in an upcoming issue of Capital Press, or check back at CapitalPress.com.

Tehama today: Almond shaking under way

In the photos, worker Elias Sanchez uses a shaker on a nonpareil almond tree, and grower Kevin Borror checks the condition of almonds during harvest. The photos were taken this afternoon at Borror's Tehama Angus Ranch near Tehama, which produces almonds and walnuts as well as cattle.

This year's almond crop in California is lighter than growers had expected this spring, but the crop is still poised to be the third largest in the state's history.

For my complete story, check CapitalPress.com soon.

Libya 'whistleblowers' to speak in Redding

An American couple that worked and traveled in Libya at the height of the recent turmoil there will speak to the Redding Tea Party next Monday night. Jimmy and JoAnne Moriarty will discuss the 2011 NATO air strikes and the fall of former leader Moammar Gadhafi, the forces behind the turmoil in Syria and Egypt and "the facts surrounding the 9/11 attack in Benghazi," the Tea Party's Erin Ryan said in an email. From a bio forwarded by Ryan:

Jimmy & JoAnne spent years developing a lucrative business in the oil sector in Libya. They just concluded negotiations in February 2011 and signed contracts to begin their business in Libya when the Arab Spring hit that country.

In April of 2011 Jimmy & JoAnne are asked and accept to head a Fact Finding Commission to Tripoli, Libya. In May their sojourn begins in London, continues through Tunisia and then by bus to Tripoli. Within the FFC, they are witnesses to horrific bomb sites, wounded children, raped women and other atrocities. They are shocked and saddened by what they witness.

The Moriartys are traveling around the country, making speeches and going on radio shows, including Redding's "We The People" show, "rather than hide in the shadows as directed by U.S. agencies," the announcement stated. The couple will appear Aug. 12 at 6 p.m. at Destiny Fellowship Church, 2570 South Bonnyview Rd., Redding.

House bills tackle Obama admin excess

The north state's Rep. Doug LaMalfa joined other Republicans in the House of Representatives today in passing a package of bills aimed at curbing what they see as excessive spending and regulations imposed by the Executive Branch.

According to LaMalfa's office, the bills include:

· Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2013, H.R. 367. This bill would require congressional approval of new regulations and restrict the power of bureaucracies.

· Keep the IRS Off Your Health Care Act of 2013, H.R. 2009. This measure prevents the IRS from imposing new taxes to fund the President’s health care takeover.

· STOP the IRS Act, H.R. 2565. Cutting through the red tape protecting government workers who abuse their positions, this bill allows the termination of IRS employees who use their official powers for political purposes.

· Government Employee Accountability Act, H.R. 2579. Allows agencies to place employees on unpaid leave when they are under investigation for certain serious offenses.

· Government Spending Accountability Act, H.R. 2711. This bill increases transparency with respect to taxpayer-funded conferences, places limits on federal conferences, and requires agency head approval for the most expensive conferences.

· Government Customer Service Improvement Act of 2013, H.R. 1660. Requires agencies to adopt customer service standards and to hold their organization and federal workers accountable.

· Stop Playing on Citizen's Cash Act, H.R. 2769. This bill puts a halt to lavish IRS conferences until new rules limiting these trips are in place.

· Taxpayer Bill of Rights Act of 2013, H.R. 2768. This bill gives the Commissioner of the IRS the responsibility of ensuring that Internal Revenue Service employees are familiar with and act in accord with taxpayer rights, including a right to privacy and confidentiality.

· Citizen Empowerment Act, H.R. 2711. Leveling the playing field between citizens and government, this bill ensures that individuals have the right to record their meetings and telephone exchanges with federal officials and requires that individuals be notified of this right.

· Common Sense in Compensation Act, H.R. 1541. This bill puts common-sense limits on the size of bonuses government employees can receive and restricts the number of bonuses that may be given to senior officials.

My colleague Carol Ryan Dumas is preparing a story on the bill that requires congressional approval of any new government regulation that would cost over $100 million. Watch for her report at CapitalPress.com.

LaMalfa presses FWS over frog designation

The north state's Rep. Doug LaMalfa queried U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service director Dan Ashe yesterday about the proposed designation of millions of acres of the Sierra Nevada mountains as critical habitat for the Mountain Yellow Legged Frog. His questions came during a House Natural Resources Committee hearing. The critical habitat designation proposed by FWS would encompass over 2.2 million acres of the Sierras. LaMalfa also announced a public forum on the proposal in Nevada City on Wednesday, September 4, which the FWS has agreed to attend.

“Every study on these frogs has found that the chytrid fungus is causing their decline, not human activity, yet the Fish and Wildlife Service is considering drastic limits on land use in over 2.2 million acres,” LaMalfa said. “Over 20 percent of Nevada County alone would face new environmental regulation under this plan, and residents deserve a say in the matter.”

Nielsen seeks to restore skilled nursing funds

The north state's Sen. Jim Nielsen, a Republican, has teamed with Democratic Assemblyman Luis Alejo of Salinas to call for restoring Medi-Cal funding for California’s most vulnerable patients. In the last five years, about 40 hospital-based skilled nursing facilities in the state have closed due to financial pressures and many more find themselves at the brink of bankruptcy and closure, the lawmakers contend. This is the result of Medi-Cal cuts that were implemented to deal with the budget crisis two years ago, they explain. Although California’s budget purportedly has a surplus this year, Gov. Jerry Brown has not committed to reversing those cuts.

“In many cases, these hospital-based skilled-nursing facilities are the only point of access to health care, especially in the rural areas I represent,” said Nielsen, whose district includes many small hospitals in Northern California. “Unless we take action, these facilities are going to close. That means patients will remain in the acute-care hospital longer, adding greater costs to the health care system than the dollars ’saved’ through the proposed cuts from two years ago."

Petition seeks to defund Obamacare

A new national petition to block funding for Obamacare already has more than 130,000 signatures. The site, www.dontfundobamacare.com, urges Republicans to withhold funds in budget legislation expected over the next two months and lists where each GOP senator stands on the issue. "This is the last opportunity we’re going to have to stop Obamacare before the January 1 deadline so we have to refuse to fund it now," Utah Sen. Mike Lee says on the site. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas agrees, saying on a radio show today that the White House's goal is to get enough people "addicted to the subsidy" so that the program will never be rescinded. In the West, both Idaho senators, Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, are listed as having pledged to defund the health care measure.

New EPA czar won't talk about job losses

From the Congressional Western Caucus:

At her first public speech, newly confirmed Environmental Protection Agency head Gina McCarthy set the tone for her reign at the EPA with the question, “Can we stop talking about environmental regulations killing jobs please?” Congressman Steve Pearce, Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus, has an answer for her:

“If you stop killing jobs for just one day, we will stop talking about the jobs lost for one day.”

The EPA under President Obama is responsible for purposefully over-regulating everything from coal plants to dust in rural communities. Of course the EPA wants to stop talking about jobs. They’ve made it their mission to regulate Americans out of jobs every day for the last 5 years.

Groups hail success of forest protection bill

Today, the Public Lands Council and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association hailed the U.S. House of Representative Natural Resources Committee’s passage of the Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act. The legislation, H.R. 1526, seeks to prevent the continuation of catastrophic wildfire events by improving federal forest management. The bill, passed on a voice vote, was offered by Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) and includes prescriptive measures offered by various Western congressional members whose districts are threatened by catastrophic wildfire and forest mismanagement. The committee includes the north state's Rep. Doug LaMalfa.

Average July temps hotter than last year

The north state's afternoon temperatures averaged in triple-digits in July. Here are the average high temperatures in July and their comparisons to last year for Redding and other selected California cities, according to the National Weather Service:

Redding: July 2013, 102.2 degrees; July 2012, 97.2 degrees
Sacramento: 2013, 93.4 degrees; 2012, 91.2 degrees
Stockton: 2013, 94.6 degrees; 2012, 92.6 degrees
Modesto: 2013, 96.6 degrees; 2012, 94 degrees
Salinas: 2013, 70.5 degrees; 2012, 69.6 degrees
Fresno: 2013, 102.7 degrees; 2012, 98.7 degrees

Red Bluff's average high this month was 101 degrees. Watch for my August weather outlook at CapitalPress.com.

Cooler temps this week in north state

From the National Weather Service in Sacramento:



The heat will return by the middle of next week, however, an NWS forecaster told me today. And it figures to stay hotter than normal over the next three months, according to the Climate Prediction Center.

The haze in the air today is from fires in western Oregon, as shown by this NWS satellite photo.

California fig harvest under way

This morning I visited Maywood Farms in Corning, which has 172 1/2 acres of organic figs and where harvest is picking up. In the photos, from the top: Lupe Reyes packs freshly picked figs into a shipping box; Arbelardo Arcos and Jose Arcos pick figs; and farm owner Bob Steinacher talks on the phone to someone in his shop. For my story on the California fig industry and this year's crop, check CapitalPress.com soon.

U.S. Cattlemen to intervene in COOL suit

The U.S. Cattlemen's Association has announced its intention to intervene in the lawsuit challenging mandatory country-of-origin labeling. The USCA, which sees itself as a bridge between the extreme opposites NCBA and R-CALF, has been a vocal supporter of the labeling law. "The eight plaintiffs in this case seek to remove from us our right to differentiate our product with a USA label," director emeritus Leo McDonnell said. "NCBA and the other plaintiffs argue that 'beef is beef, whether the cattle are raised in Montana, Manitoba or Mazatlan.' Many producer groups, such as USCA, and consumer groups believe that consumers are entitled to the type of information the revised USDA regulations provide. It is important that those who believe this have their voices heard in this litigation."

Yes, cap and trade is indeed a tax

There seems to be some debate as to whether cap and trade amounts to a tax, as the Pacific Legal Foundation asserts that it does. For what it's worth, as Congress was debating the national version in 2010, the Capital Press editorial board referred to it as "a massive, job-crushing energy tax." My editors explain:

Although farmers were said to be among the potential beneficiaries of the plan, the Heritage Foundation said Waxman-Markey would have cost agriculture hundreds of millions of dollars a year in increased fuel costs and billions of dollars in farm gate revenues. To achieve the economic benefits envisioned under cap and trade, an analysis by the USDA estimated farmers would have to plant trees on some 50 million acres of farm and pasture land. [...]

The ill-conceived plan has fallen victim to political reality. With the economy only limping along, there aren't huge blocs of voters asking Congress to increase the cost of gasoline, diesel fuel and electricity - or by extension the products and services dependent upon fossil fuel.

The courts will decide if California's cap-and-trade scheme fits the legal definition of a tax. But the fact that it meets the practical definition of a tax is undeniable, regardless of what the defenders of the government juggernaut would have you believe. Like the old saying goes, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck ...

Humboldt Farm Bureau to mark 100th year

The Humboldt County Farm Bureau. the oldest Farm Bureau in California, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this weekend. According to the CFBF's Food and Farm News, the office opened in 1913 to assure that local farmers had access to agricultural research from the new University of California farm advisor program. As such, Humboldt County became the second in the nation with a local Farm Bureau. The organization celebrates Saturday with a family festival and dinner.

Storm clouds brewing over cap and trade

Today the Pacific Legal Foundation gave a workshop on its lawsuit challenging California's cap and trade program, which attorney Tony Francois says is only the beginning in the state's quest to eliminate most fuel emissions by 2050. He said some draconian measures will be needed to obtain that goal, such as putting an end to private timberland ownership and requiring all farmers to cede conservation easements to the state. The lunchtime meeting today at the McConnell Foundation is one of many the PLF is holding around the state. Look for my story at CapitalPress.com soon.

Temps cool a bit, rain possible this week

From the National Weather Service in Sacramento:

Interior NorCal temperatures will continue to cool off today and Tuesday as clouds move in and onshore flow cools off areas near the Delta. Meanwhile, monsoonal moisture will spread into the area from the south bringing an increasing chance of thunderstorms over the mountains. There is still some uncertainty in the models, but it appears there it an outside chance some showers may occur over the Central Valley tonight into Tuesday.

Local impacts from Obamacare piling up

People seem to be getting wise to the fact that you actually may not be able to keep your doctor under Obamacare. That's particularly true in Redding, where about half the general practitioners have closed their practices, I'm told. A big reason is the requirement to move to automated health records, which can cost an office more than $300,000. Some smaller offices simply can't afford it.

Also, one of Redding's largest doctor's offices stopped accepting Medi-Cal about a week ago because it only gets about a third of the reimbursement given to walk-in clinics for the same treatment. Bear in mind that programs such as Medi-Cal are seen as a key to making Obamacare work, but good luck trying to find a doctor that will still accept it. They seem to be dwindling at a rapid rate.

The health care law is impacting the local education sector, too, as full-time teaching jobs with the Shasta County Office of Education are quickly becoming a thing of the past. As full-day programs are being replaced by half-day, some classroom employees have had their hours cut to 20 a week in anticipation of Obamacare, an insider told me recently. This is a government agency that once offered one of the best and most comprehensive health plans in the city.

I can well remember the hue and cry that emanated from some corners of this community when the county shut its mental hospital. Now that we have upheaval on a much larger scale that's impacting the community in real and tangible ways, what emanates from those corners is the sound of crickets.

LaMalfa votes for local schools bill

The north state's Rep. Doug LaMalfa today voted in favor of the “Student Success Act” (H.R. 5), which seeks to reduce federal education mandates, increase state flexibility and allow more local school board input when determining teacher standards. H.R. 5 also reauthorizes the Charter School Program, which provides grants to support the implementation and evaluation of charter schools. The bill passed on a 221-207 vote and now moves to the Senate.

“States and local school boards have been asking for fewer federal mandates and more flexibility to address their own unique needs," LaMalfa said. "This bill gives them both, while ensuring that we maintain high standards for teachers and students. We’ve increased local school boards’ ability to determine teacher standards and given parents greater choice in their children’s education by supporting charter school start-ups.”

The bill also curtails the influence of the federal Secretary of Education in order to protect states from being forced to adopt Common Core standards, LaMalfa's office explains.

CDFA's Ross to go to China, Vietnam

California Department of Food and Agriculture

secretary Karen Ross is leading a trade delegation to China and Vietnam in September, the agency announced today. The trip will enable California business owners to have ndividual meetings with foreign importers, briefings by U.S. agricultural officials, and visit wholesale/retail market outlets to learn about in-market distribution and sales formats. The Sept. 16-21 trade mission is funded through a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Here is the state's news release. I have a call in to CDFA for more details.

LaMalfa backs delay in Obamacare mandates

The north state's Rep. Doug LaMalfa voted for the resolutions authorizing the delay in Obamacare's employer and individual mandates, which passed the House by margins of 264-161 and 251-174, respectively.

“Three years later, Americans are beginning to see the devastating effects of the President’s health care takeover," the congressman said. "While the recent announcement by the Obama administration delaying the employer mandate finally recognizes the many burdens this law places on job creators and business, it is past time this law should be permanently delayed to protect hardworking Americans from the harmful consequences of this law. Americans expect and deserve access to affordable, quality health care that addresses their needs, not a law full of broken promises and higher costs. I am proud to join my colleagues in the House to pass these two fair and responsible bills to ensure all Americans receive the same relief that was given to labor unions and businesses.”

Local students earn big CFBF scholarships

Lindsey Affonso and Jaxon Fitzgerald of Palo Cedro, Justine Henderson and Jessica Vazquez of Cottonwood and Bailey Bidwell of Hat Creek were among more than 70 college students statewide to earn scholarships of up to $5,000 from the California Farm Bureau Scholarship Foundation. National Beef Ambassador Katie Stroud of Adin also took one of the scholarships, which together totaled more than $225,000. Here is the full list. Watch for my story at CapitalPress.com.

County fairs being innovative to stay open

Well, most of them are. From the California Farm Bureau Federation:

Every year, about 12 million people attend local fairs, but few see the efforts taking place behind the scenes to keep the events going. State funding for California fairs ended in 2011. To compensate for the loss, fair organizers have added new services and events, and have reached out to community groups for financial and volunteer support. Though some fairs remain in financial difficulty, all the fairs have managed to remain open so far.

Ag Alert has details. (Here's my story from May of 2012.)

'This whole hip-hop generation, it’s the devil'

Sports columnist Jason Whitlock is on a roll. Displaying no short supply of courage considering today's cultural and political landscape, the FoxSports.com commentator has penned a series of articles on the harm that modern hip-hop music is doing to society, and particularly to sports. Now I've always considered rap to be gangbanger music by definition, although considering my background, maybe I'm not the best judge.

Nevertheless, here's a sampling from Whitlock:

Although I believe the jury reached the only logical conclusion based on the trial, I’m highly disappointed Zimmerman was not held criminally responsible for following Martin, ignoring police instructions and shooting a 17-year-old kid after losing a fight his pursuit instigated. Zimmerman and the Sanford police force that initially bought Zimmerman’s explanation profiled Martin.

But they had an enthusiastic, unapologetic accomplice — N-word-addicted, gangsta rappers and the record companies that pay and promote them. They have branded young black boys and men within pop culture as criminal, violent and people to be feared. America is still a predominantly segregated society. We learn about each other through TV, the entertainment industry.

Thug rappers and their employers are partially to blame for Zimmerman seeing a black kid in a hoodie and immediately thinking “punk criminal.” The same group is also partially responsible for making young people think it’s cooler to pose as a wannabe thug than a wannabe scholar.

Whitlock spoke at length with Dahveed Nelson, considered one of the fathers of rap/hip-hop music. Nelson says of today's version: "This whole hip-hop generation, it’s the devil. It’s Satan. It’s hedonism. It’s the pursuit of pleasure. There’s no soul. They’ve captured our medium.”

In another column, Whitlock compares Jay-Z to Fiddler in "Roots". Ouch. That's the president's good friend he's talking about. I hope Whitlock hasn't made any mistakes on his taxes, that's for sure.

Anyway, it all makes for an interesting read.

Caltrans 'moving mountains' on Buckhorn

Longtime north state outdoors writer Frank Galusha has a comprehensive report out on the work that's being done to straighten Highway 99 over the Buckhorn Summit. He writes:

Anyone trying to drive to and from the coast has encountered some delay going over Buckhorn Summit between Redding and Weaverville. It can be annoying and uncomfortable waiting, especially in the hot sun, for your turn to drive through the “Cone Zone,” which is nearly two miles long.

On my recent trip to Lewiston Lake to report on the Pine Cove Marina “Feed the Fish” Derby, my wife and I got to see what is taking place on the grade up Buckhorn Summit. On our western leg we got lucky and were one of the last vehicles to fall into line behind the traffic control truck. The delay was only a few minutes, but on the other end we counted 64 drivers waiting their turn. On the way back, our luck was reversed. We were stopped within sight of the flagman for about 20 minutes. Both west and east-bound trips were on Saturday, July 13!

On both legs I tried to get an idea of what Caltrans was doing. Even though the project has been underway for several months it was hard to discern exactly what was being done to straighten out this treacherous stretch.

His report, including lots of nifty diagrams and aerial photos, is here. (HT: Nadine Bailey and Bruce Reynolds on Facebook.)

Workshop to discuss raising of Shasta Dam

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is hosting a workshop at 6 p.m. tonight to discuss the proposal to raise Shasta Dam, the Record Searchlight reminds us. Last year a federal study determined it would be feasible to raise the dam by 18.5 feet, which would provide another 636,000 acre-feet of storage without interfering with the Interstate 5 bridge over Shasta Lake. Such a measure would need to be funded by Congress. Tonight's workshop will be held at the Holiday Inn in the Palomino Room, 1900 Hilltop Drive in Redding.

Public lands event set for Modoc fairgrounds

A trio of cattlemen's groups will be hosting a social for the Public Lands Council, a national group that advocates for grazing on public lands, on Aug. 3 at the Modoc District Fair grounds in Cedarville. The event, co-hosted by the California, Oregon and Nevada cattlemen's associations, seeks to bring together local public lands permitees for a night of socializing and information. The program starts at 2 p.m. with a team branding contest and includes dinner. For information, visit the California Cattlemen's Association's website.

Fire fee call to have more than 800 participants

Organizers of tonight's telephone town-hall meeting to discuss the controversial fire prevention fee for rural areas say they have more than 800 people signed up to join the call. The meeting is being organized by George Runner, the north state's representative on the California Board of Equalization, and will include remarks from state Sen. Jim Nielsen. “It is important for citizens to stay updated on the latest news about this illegal tax," Nielsen said today. "The collection of $150 is being used to grow the state bureaucracy and take legal action against landowners.” The call is for residents in Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Siskiyou, Shasta and Tehama counties. for information about how to participate, call (916) 445-3032.

Farmers welcome delay in Obamacare mandate

Farmers, ranchers and other agricultural employers expressed relief about the Obama administration's decision to delay by 12 months compliance with the employer mandate provision of Obamacare, Christine Souza reports in the latest edition of the California Farm Bureau Federation's Ag Alert. Farm employers say they now have extra time to decipher the regulations that surround the implementation of the law, which requires employers of 50 or more full-time-equivalent employees to offer health coverage or face fines. The mandate was originally scheduled to take effect next Jan. 1.

Napolitano's move to UC draws protests

Homeland Security chief Janet Napolitano's planned move to lead the University of California system is drawing criticism from immigrant-rights groups and privacy advocates, the Washington Times reports. Among those that reporter Stephen Dinan spoke to were the north state's Rep. Doug LaMalfa, who did not welcome the controversial cabinet member to his home state.

“University of California students can look forward to the same authoritarian management style Secretary Napolitano brought to the Department of Homeland Security, hardly a bastion of free speech and open government,” LaMalfa told the newspaper. “While I am pleased to see her leave Homeland Security, Napolitano’s views are entirely incompatible with the UC system’s history of civil liberties and the decision to appoint her is perplexing.”

A Los Angeles-based immigrant-right advocate said Napolitano's arrival, expected in September, will be "met with protests." Given that it's the UC, that would be fitting.

Public regard for journalists reaches low

I've noticed that HBO has been promoting the crud out of its drama, "The Newsroom," but the show doesn't seem to be having its intended effect -- that is, to resuscitate the public image of a group that's increasingly seen as the de facto information ministry for a very aggressive and elitist government. From Brietbart:

A new Pew poll that examines public esteem of various institutions shows that members of the media have rapidly lost favor with the public since 2009. Four years ago, 38% of adults believed journalists contributed "a lot to society's well being." Today, that number is down to 28%. Journalists are rapidly losing favor with women; that number dropped 17 points, from 46% to 29%.

"But wait," you may be saying. "Aren't you a journalist, too?" I'm a journalist in the classical sense, not in the sense of what the word has come to mean in America today.

Farmers market flourishing in Anderson

In the photos, Karen Mills of R and K Orchards in Corning and Austin Harter of Julia's Fruit Stand in Dairyville operate booths at yesterday's farmer's market at the factory outlet mall in Anderson.

They've found a good spot to hold the market -- much better than the corner of the fairgrounds parking lot, which was where I last attended it a few years back. And yesterday's weather couldn't have been better.

I talked with Karen, Austin and others about how they got through last week's heat wave and how they'll get through the rest of the summer, which may be hotter than usual. For my story, check CapitalPress.com soon.

Groups respond to split Farm Bill's passage

Reactions from farm groups and others to the House of Representatives' passage of an agriculture-only Farm Bill are trickling in. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association's president, Scott George, says he's "pleased that cattlemen and women are one step closer toward final legislation." The Dairy Farmers of America calls it "bittersweet" because the bill didn't include a desired dairy provision. The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance is happy, too, and looks forward "to working with negotiators to advance legislation through conference committee and to the president’s desk for his signature."

As I posted earlier on Facebook, the north state's Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, voted for the bill.

“We’ve moved the ball forward toward reform of federal policies, but more work remains to be done,” he said afterward.

According to LaMalfa, the bill contains the following reforms:

· Direct Payments are eliminated and no payments are made to those who don’t farm.
· Traditional farm policy is cut by almost $23 billion – a record 36 percent reduction.
· The bill ensures a reliable food supply and stable consumer food prices for Americans without fluctuations due to federal policy.
· Crop insurance policies require farmers to have more skin in the game, and only provide assistance in the event of a natural disaster or market crash.
· Prohibits EPA from implementing the unjustified and unscientific biological opinions of the National Marine Fisheries Service until there is an unbiased, scientific peer review of those opinions.
· Requires regulatory agencies across the government to use scientifically sound information in moving forward with their regulatory initiatives.
· Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to advocate on behalf of farmers and ranchers as other agencies move forward with regulations affecting food and fiber.
· Eliminates duplicative reporting requirement for seed importers.

The Capital Press' Carol Ryan Dumas is contacting other groups and individual farmers for a reaction story, which you can look for at CapitalPress.com tomorrow.

Resolution honors Blue Star Mothers

Rep. Doug LaMalfa was part of a bipartisan group of House of Representatives members yesterday who introduced a resolution marking August as "Blue Star Mothers of America Month."

“This resolution serves as a well-deserved recognition of appreciation for the massive contributions and sacrifice of the Blue Star Mothers, an organization that has been doing great work for our troops and veterans for the past 71 years,” LaMalfa said. “At considerable personal expense, these women, in the spirit of patriotism, have provided the support and encouragement that our service members depend on as they serve to keep our country free and safe. I am proud to join colleagues from both sides of the aisle to honor these remarkable women and celebrate the contributions they have made to this great nation.”

The resolution honors the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., a non-partisan and non-political organization comprised of 11,000 members from 42 states. Blue Star Mothers are those whose children or grandchildren serve or have served in the military.

Colorado's state of Jefferson movement?

From CBS Denver:

There’s a growing effort to create a 51st state out of parts of northeast Colorado.

Ten counties, including Weld and Morgan, started talking about seceding last month. Now some people Lincoln and Cheyenne counties say they want to join a new state they’d call “North Colorado.”

Organizers of the secession effort say their interests are not being represented at the state Capitol.

Sounds vaguely familiar.

Nielsen, LaMalfa to host meeting on lawsuits

State Sen. Jim Nielsen and Rep. Doug LaMalfa are hosting a town-hall meeting on Friday to discuss frivolous lawsuits they say are crippling the state's economy. The 10 a.m. meeting will be held at North Valley Property Owners Association in Chico.

“Our already overburdened courts should be used to adjudicate legitimate grievances, not an endless stream of frivolous lawsuits,” Nielsen said. “Unfortunately, there are people who are abusing the system, which ultimately leads to increased costs for goods and services and fewer jobs.”

The two lawmakers will be joined by representatives from California Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse, an advocacy group formed in 1993.

Groups; Block Smithfield sale to Chinese firm

In preparation for today's U.S. Senate hearing on the proposal by Chinese-owned Shuanghui International Holdings, Ltd., to purchase U.S.-owned Smithfield foods, R-CALF and 16 other farm, consumer and trade groups sent a comprehensive, 12-page letter to the Obama administration urging that the sale be rejected. The groups wrote that the proposed sale "poses an unacceptable national security risk, undermines the safety and security of the U.S. food supply, threatens the environment and economy of rural communities, provides significant taxpayer-financed technology and intellectual property to foreign competitors and will raise the cost of food for American consumers." Here is the news release.

USDA remains 'confident' about COOL

While she declined to comment directly about the meat groups' lawsuit challenging country-of-origin labeling, a USDA spokeswoman maintains the agency still is "confident" with regard to the effectiveness of the law, which was revised earlier this year. “USDA remains confident that these changes will improve the overall operation of the program and also bring the mandatory COOL requirements into compliance with U.S. international trade obligations," Michelle Saghafi told me in an email this morning. Meanwhile, R-CALF is stepping up its criticism of the lawsuit. For my update story, check CapitalPress.com soon.

Hot, dry conditions diminish rangelands

While it's a boon to some crops, the hot and dry conditions that have lingered over the last week have taken their toll on range and pasture lands. Sun-scorched pastures are a common sight across California, leaving cattle ranchers concerned about their ability to maintain herds with little or no grass available, the California Farm Bureau Federation observes in its latest Food and Farm News. There is a growing concern over diminishing watering holes in the foothills of the Sierras, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Look for my report on the impact of the prolonged summer heat at CapitalPress.com soon.

Property rights talks set in Siskiyou County

A pair of property rights rallies will be held later this month in Siskiyou County. The events July 20 in Yreka and July 21 in Dorris will include discussions about wolves, water, roads and recreation. Featured speakers will include Idaho rancher Casey Anderson on the impact of wolves; Arizona rancher Danny Martinez on the U.S. Forest Service roadless plan; and Ramona Hage Morrison on water issues. Click here for more details.

California strawberries still on a roll

In the photo, strawberries are displayed at the Thursday night Market Street Fair in Redding.

Strawberry production in California is still at a record pace, having surpassed 106 million flats by the end of June, a California Strawberry Commission official told me. That's about 2.5 million flats ahead of last year's pace, according to Chris Christian, the organization's vice president of marketing.

For my story, check CapitalPress.com soon.

North staters take part in Gettysburg battle

Members of the Red Bluff-based Re-enactors of the American Civil War were among more than 10,000 history buffs who staged Pickett's Charge over the weekend in Gettysburg, Pa., the site of the fateful battle, the Willows Journal reported. The re-enactment marked the 150th anniversary of what most believe was the turning point of the war. Survivors from the battle went on to become prominent ranchers, lawyers and doctors in Northern California, and many are buried in area cemeteries, the Journal reports.

My wife and I visited the Gettysburg battlefield in 2004, and they happened to be doing a re-enactment that day. Keith Barron of Corning is right -- it is awe-inspiring.

Good news in cattle country: Beef exports up

Exports of U.S. beef moved 3 percent higher in volume in May, and a healthy 9 percent in value, while pork exports dipped 3 percent in volume and 3.6 percent in value, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation's latest report. The inability of the United States to ship beef and pork to Russia continues to put a damper on U.S. red meat exports this year, according to the organization. Excluding Russia, beef export volume for May increased 12 percent and export volume for the first five months of 2013 rose 3.5 percent instead of falling 3 percent. Each month, the USMEF compiles export statistics released by the USDA.

Fire tax bills to resume July 15

Cal Fire has informed state Sen. Jim Nielsen that the agency will resume the collection of the fire tax on Monday, July 15 after a four month delay. Citing “errors and inconsistencies” following an investigation in March, Cal Fire temporarily delayed this year’s fire tax bills. Over 1,300 parcels were incorrectly identified in SRA boundaries according to news reports. Nielsen, a vocal critic of the fees who authored legislation to repeal them, used the opportunity to blast what he calls an unfair tax.

“Property owners were promised that the tax would be used to prevent wildfires,” he said. “Instead, it is being used to grow the state’s bureaucracy and take legal action against landowners.”

State of Jefferson advocate to address Tea Party

Stan Statham, a former Republican state assemblyman who is perhaps best known for being an advocate for the State of Jefferson, will address the Redding Tea Party tonight. The group meets at 6 p.m. each Monday at the Destiny Fellowship Church, 2750 South Bonnyview Rd. Pie N Politics has more details.

The blog is back

After a couple of months' hiatus while I worked on several large projects, including this one on Northern California's nut boom, the Jefferson Journal is back in business. As you can see, the format has been changed to more closely match the Capital Press website, which illustrates this blog's renewed focus on providing news, information and perspectives that are relevant to rural readers in the north state.

Look for posts to be a little shorter and quicker, with fewer pullout quotes and more links to pertinent articles and releases. You'll still find my occasional commentaries and photo galleries from events that I cover.

As some local news organizations have taken to charging extra for their articles, above and beyond what you pay for Internet service, it's become all the more important to provide alternative sources of information about what's happening in the community. As always, thanks for stopping by.

PLF to discuss state cap-and-trade lawsuit

The Pacific Legal Foundation is starting a series of briefings around California this week on its lawsuit against the state's "cap-and-trade" auction regulation, which the organization says is an illegal tax because it wasn't approved by two-thirds votes in the Legislature. A meeting in Redding will be held July 23 at 11:30 a.m. at the McConnell Foundation, 800 Shasta View Drive. RSVP by going online to www.pacificlegal.org or contact Jennifer Rohde at PLF at (916) 419-7111 or by e-mail at jlr@pacificlegal.org.

Farm Bureau gives $9,000 in scholarships

Nearly a dozen local high school and college students shared $9,000 in scholarships the Shasta County Farm Bureau handed out at its recent spring dinner. Winners of $1,000 awards were: Lane Province of Cal Poly; Kyle Van Reit of Fall River High School; Cheyenne Bernal of UC-Davis; Justine Henderson of West Valley High School; Alesha Williams of Chico State; Sheldon Overton of Fall River High; and Lindsey Affonso of Shasta College. In addition, Ethan Coe of Fall River High; Michael Maul of West Valley; and Lindee Jones and Michael Kling of Shasta College each received $500. Congratulations, all.

Meetings to address fire fee confusion

California state Board of Equalization member George Runner will hold two telephone town-hall meetings this month regarding confusion that has lingered around the controversial Fire Prevention Fee. The first meeting, on Monday, July 15 at 6 p.m., will be for residents of Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Siskiyou, Shasta, and Tehama counties. A week later, on Tuesday July 23 at 6 p.m., a second event will be held for residents of Placer, Sierra, Nevada, and Yuba counties.

“Many of my constituents have expressed concern about the fairness and cost of this new tax,” Runner said. “As their elected taxpayer advocate, it’s important for me to hear their concerns and keep them apprised of the latest developments.”

For information, visit calfirefee.com.

Coming July 8

Watch for a revitalization of this blog, beginning after the Fourth of July weekend, in my ongoing quest to provide the maximum amount of relevant news to readers in the rural north state.

In the meantime, happy Independence Day.

Yreka students go on 'cattle drive'

Today I went to Yreka to cover the 20th annual ag awareness day for elementary school children, sponsored by the Siskiyou County CattleWomen and other farm and ranch groups.

In the photos, 4-H leaders tell children from Jackson Street Elementary School what their "jobs" are in a mock cattle drive and explain the many uses of bandanas to cowboys in the Old West.

For the story, check CapitalPress.com soon.

LaMalfa, panel approve farm bill

The north state's Rep. Doug LaMalfa was among members of the House of Representatives' agriculture committee who voted late last night to approve the 2013 farm bill.

From LaMalfa:

The bill, H.R. 1947 eliminates direct subsidy payments, modernizes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, institutes new fraud prevention measures and reduces spending by $40 billion. The measure is expected to be debated on the house floor in June.

“I’m proud that the committee worked together and produced a bipartisan bill that achieves many of the goals I set out when appointed to this committee. The legislation eliminates direct subsidy payments, updates our food stamp program and saves nearly $40 billion dollars,” LaMalfa said. “This bill moves our agricultural economy into the 21st century and has a positive impact on farmers, consumers and the federal budget.”

LaMalfa also passed an amendment to the federal Farm Bill which requires electronic fraud prevention measures and eliminates bonus pay for signing up new recipients.

“The success of the food stamp program should be measured by how many Americans become self-sufficient, not how many are added to the rolls. Every dollar spent on bonuses is a dollar that doesn’t reach the families who need our help,” LaMalfa said. “Modernizing the program to ensure that assistance goes only to those who need it means that we can spend less while continuing to help our friends and neighbors.”

The bill's progress pleases the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, which issued this release today:

After a lengthy discussion, the House Agriculture Committee cleared its version of the 2013 Farm Bill during a markup session which ended late Wednesday night. The House markup follows the Senate Agriculture Committee’s much briefer markup of its farm bill Tuesday.

For the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), portions of the House farm bill included priorities important to cattlemen and women such as permanent disaster programs along with the elimination of the livestock title, maintaining of conservation programs and a strong research title.

NCBA President Scott George, a Cody, Wyo. cattle and dairy producer, lauded the House Agriculture Committee for including disaster assistance in the legislation, stating that it would provide certainty to cattlemen and women who are affected by disastrous weather events and continue to contribute to the nation's strong agriculture industry.

“Farmers and ranchers endure extreme weather conditions - from drought to flood to freezes to the extreme heat – and still work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to provide the country and the world with food and fiber,” said George. “Including disaster assistance programs in the House farm bill is a positive step toward providing a strong safety net for our producers. We appreciate the work of Chairman Lucas and his committee on this important issue.”

Also included in the House version of the farm bill is an amendment introduced by Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) that would prohibit states from setting production standards for foods brought in from other states. The amendment would render federal production mandates such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) / United Egg Producers (UEP) proposal, untenable.

“We are encouraged by the amendment introduced by Rep. King, which would keep decisions regarding how to raise livestock and poultry in the hands of farmers and ranchers, where they belong,” said George. “NCBA is supportive of the House version of the farm bill and we hope that both the full House and Senate take up their respective bills soon and continue to move forward with passing a 2013 Farm Bill which is positive for cattle producers and gives rural America much needed certainty.”

Meanwhile, the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance gives the House version mixed reviews. From their release today:

The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, a national coalition of more than 120 organizations representing growers of fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, nursery plants and other products, commends House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas, Ranking Member Collin Peterson and committee members for passing their version of the Farm Bill on Wednesday.

The committee’s approval of the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 by a bipartisan 36-10 vote is the second positive step for specialty crops this week, coming after the Senate Agriculture Committee passed its version of the Farm Bill on Tuesday. The full House is expected to take up the bill in June.

The Alliance welcomes the Committee’s continued commitment to policies that enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of specialty crop agriculture. The investments made in the bill reinforce many of the policies that were included in the Senate-passed legislation.

Included in the House version are provisions funding key specialty crop priorities such as:

· Specialty Crop Block Grants funded at $72.5 million in fiscal 2014-2017 and $85 million in FY2018

· Specialty Crop Research Initiative funded at $50 million in FY2014-15; $55 million in FY 2016-2017; and $65 million in FY2018

· Coordinated Plant Management Program funded at $62.5 million in FY2014-2017 and $75 million in FY2018

· Market Access Program and Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops fully funded at 2008 Farm Bill levels

· Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program fully funded at 2008 Farm Bill levels

· Section 32 specialty crop purchases at 2008 levels

· DoD Fresh program fully funded at $50 million per year consistent with 2008 Farm Bill levels

These funding commitments underscore recognition by the House of these programs’ value and their tremendous importance to the specialty crop industry.

However, members of the Alliance are disappointed over language in the House bill that signals a significant policy change to the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, a landmark program that provides healthful fresh produce to up to 3 million school children. It is critically important that the integrity of the program’s mission of promoting good eating habits in children be preserved. The Alliance will continue to work with industry allies in Congress to ensure the program’s original mission of promoting fresh fruits and vegetables is sustained as the Farm Bill works its way through Congress and to the president’s desk.

“Most of the goals and critical priorities that the specialty crop community has been fighting for over the years have been strengthened or maintained by the House Committee bill, and we thank the Committee for its work,” said Western Growers’ President and CEO Tom Nassif, a co-chair of the Alliance. “We would be remiss, however, in not mentioning that we hope the full House strengthens provisions around crop insurance for our industry as well as the fresh fruit and vegetable program.”

The co-chairs also urged Congress to continue working toward Farm Bill passage.

“The strong, bipartisan vote out of the House Agriculture Committee sends a clear message for the need to enact a Farm Bill without further delay. We look forward to working with the chairman, ranking member and House leadership to schedule floor time for this vital bill so that specialty crop producers can get back to what they do best: growing high-quality fruits and vegetables for America and the world,” said John Keeling, National Potato Council executive vice president and CEO.

Mike Stuart, president of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, added, “The important work this week by the House and Senate agriculture committees puts us that much closer to achieving a Farm Bill this year that will help specialty crop agriculture stay strong and competitive. The investments these bills make will allow American farmers to continue growing fresh produce that promotes health and reduces the risk of chronic obesity-related diseases.”

For the very latest in the farm bill's progress, keep checking CapitalPress.com.