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.
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To the Point
Trump's 'America First' goes missing abroad In the Middle East, President Trump is changing some policies of the Obama Administration—and reversing his own campaign attacks on Islam as a religion that "hates us." We hear about his visit to Saudi Arabia and what's at stake for the rest of his foreign excursion.
To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.
To the Point
Who's to blame for the opioid crisis? Some of the lawyers who took on Big Tobacco are now going after Big Pharma. It’s all about the deadly epidemic of opioid use. Are the drug companies to blame? What about the users? Later, on today’s Talking Point: making sense of Britain’s upset election.
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.