National Crop Insurance Services
Economic advisor to National Crop Insurance Services, a nonprofit trade association that promotes the US crop insurance industry; former chief economist for the US Department of Agriculture (1993-2008)
PROFILE
Keith Collins
Guest
FROM Keith Collins
Which Way, L.A.?
Drought and King Corn More than 1000 counties in 29 states – the most ever -- have been declared natural disaster areas. This year's drought is making Midwestern cornfields look like the Dust Bowl of the 1930's. With both food and energy dependent on corn, is America over-reliant on one crop? Will prices rise at the grocery store?
To the Point
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.
Recommended
To the Point
Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.
Left, Right & Center
President Trump: US to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord Trump says he was elected to serve Pittsburgh, not Paris.
To the Point
Trump's new look at civil rights and global warming President Trump is reportedly ready to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We look at the possible consequences. On the second half of the program, we hear about cuts in Obama-Era civil rights programs called for by the Trump Administration's first budget plan.
To the Point
The Trump agenda: where's the beef? President Trump says big things are happening. After celebrating a House bill on health care, he doesn’t yet have Senate agreement. With James Comey’s public testimony scheduled tomorrow, the President today tweeted his selection of a new FBI Director. Is the Chief Executive all style and no substance? Later, terror attacks in Iran and conflicting claims about who’s behind them.