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Drought and King Corn
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Drought and King Corn

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More than 1000 counties in 29 states have been declared natural-disaster areas. That's the most ever. With both food and energy dependent on corn, is America over-reliant on one crop? Also, the first court appearance of movie-theater massacre suspect James Holmes, and the political consequences of last week's massacre in Colorado.

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Making News

Colorado Shooting Suspect Faces Judge ()

This morning, shooting suspect John Holmes, appeared in court in Aurora for a preliminary proceeding. Twelve people have died and 58 were injured in last week's shooting spree.  Holmes was told he'd be likely to face first-degree murder charges next Monday.  Arapahoe County District Attorney Carol Chambers was asked when her office would decide whether to seek the death penalty. Megan Verlee was at the press conference and in the courtroom for Colorado Public Radio.

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Main Topic

Drought: A Slow-Moving Disaster ()

Corn is basic to America's diet, from feed for all the animals we eat, to cereal and even Gatorade. We also depend on fuel from corn-made ethanol. This year's drought is making Midwestern cornfields look like the Dust Bowl of the 1930. Will prices rise at the grocery store? Because of American corn exports, the impact could be worse overseas.  But, for some American farmers, there's surprising prosperity. We find out why.



 
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Reporter's Notebook

Gun Control and Campaigning in California ()

Like the Trayvon Martin killing and the attempt to assassinate Congresswoman Gabriel Giffords, last week's mass shooting in Colorado has led to calls for gun control. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg acknowledged both the Second Amendment rights as well as reasonable restrictions, but called on the candidates to make gun control part of their campaigns. Wayne Slater and Carla Marinucci are senior political writers for the Dallas Morning News and the San Francisco Chronicle.

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