Author

Adam Goldstein

Adam Goldstein

Adam Goldstein was the D.C. Bureau intern for States Newsroom. Goldstein was a graduate student at the University of Missouri School of Journalism, studying digital reporting. He is originally from San Francisco, and loves swimming, cooking, and the San Francisco 49ers.

Chickens in cages at an industrial farm

The U.S. is undergoing its worst bird flu outbreak ever. Is a poultry vaccine the answer?

By: - May 13, 2023

WASHINGTON — The deadliest outbreak of bird flu in U.S. history is prompting growing concern in Congress, and Department of Agriculture researchers are awaiting the preliminary results of four trials of vaccines for poultry. Some lawmakers are warming to the idea of a vaccination campaign, long considered a fringe idea due to the cost and […]

A sign on a grocery store door says "We Accept Good Stamps, EBT Card"

Congressional farm leaders split over work requirements for food aid, climate funds

By: - April 26, 2023

WASHINGTON — Three of the four top agricultural leaders in Congress are emphasizing writing a farm bill that meets the needs of all rural Americans, but they diverge sharply over food assistance work requirements pushed by U.S. House Republicans as well as uses of Inflation Reduction Act conservation funds.  Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, […]

A pandemic experiment in universal free school meals gains traction in the states

By: - April 22, 2023

WASHINGTON —  Every public school kid in the United States was eligible for free school meals during the COVID-19 pandemic, regardless of family income, thanks to the federal government. While that’s now ended, a growing number of states across the country are enacting universal school meal laws to bolster child food security and academic equity. […]

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry addresses the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, March 30, 2023.

Landry’s quick exit from weaponization subcommittee draws complaints

By: - March 30, 2023

WASHINGTON – U.S. House Judiciary Committee Republicans decried what they described as a partisan “weaponization” of the federal government over issues of free speech during a highly contentious Thursday hearing surrounding a lawsuit filed by the Missouri attorney general’s office. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has added the state as a co-plaintiff in the lawsuit […]

A weather vane is silhouetted against a sunset over farmland

Limits on foreign ownership of U.S. farmland gain support in Congress, despite skepticism

By: - March 19, 2023

WASHINGTON — Bipartisan momentum is building in Congress to restrict China and other foreign adversaries from purchasing U.S. farmland, a reflection of a similar push by some states as well as apprehension over Chinese spy balloons, rising land prices and growing international competition.  “Foreign ownership of agricultural land threatens small family farms and the overall […]

Demonstrators at the "Rally for Resilience," headed by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, in Washington, D.C.

Progressive agriculture groups rally for land access, climate-smart policies in farm bill

By: - March 8, 2023

WASHINGTON — Farmers and leaders from more than 20 progressive agricultural groups gathered this week to march on the U.S. Capitol, and promote climate solutions and underserved producers as priority issues for lawmakers in the upcoming farm bill.  “As farmers, we are close to the land. We love the land. We understand the sanctity and […]

a sugar cane refinery stands behind a field of new growth cane

State ag officials push for on-time farm bill to fund slew of programs

By: - February 17, 2023

WASHINGTON – State agriculture officials from across the country sought this month to remind a new crop of lawmakers in Congress of their states’ needs for a robust farm bill to address a host of food issues. Members of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture gathered in Washington for their annual winter meeting […]

Mountains in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming

Fossil fuel drilling threatens air and wildlife in national parks, advocacy group finds

By: - February 11, 2023

WASHINGTON — A “massive” methane cloud forming over Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico.   Noxious air pollution fouling Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.  Herds of mule deer and pronghorn at risk of decimation at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Environmental problems like these are already resulting from fossil fuel extraction near four […]

Buds of marijuana on a prescription pad and inside a jar

State medical cannabis programs failing to make enough progress, advocacy group finds

By: - February 2, 2023

WASHINGTON — A report from a patient advocacy group found the future of medical cannabis in the states is hazy unless costs are decreased, product safety standards are improved, and civil rights are strengthened for patients and prescribers.  Americans for Safe Access (ASA) issued its annual State of the States report on Thursday. The organization, […]

A stand of aspen trees in Glacier National Park in Montana.

USDA to use outdoors recreation to boost economy around national forests, grasslands

By: - January 30, 2023

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture began planning this month to develop outdoor recreation opportunities near national forests and grasslands, part of a broader Biden administration push to help communities reap economic rewards from the growing recreation sector. Three USDA agencies — the U.S. Forest Service, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and […]

A teacher walks among students in a classroom at Medora Elementary School on March 17, 2021 in Louisville, Kentucky

Teachers would get $60K minimum salary under bill in Congress making grants to states

By: - January 26, 2023

WASHINGTON – A panel of policymakers and educators, including author Dave Eggers and former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, gathered at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday to promote the American Teacher Act.  The bill, if passed, would authorize the federal government to create four-year grants for states to enact and enforce minimum school teacher […]

mail at a U.S. Post office sorting center

Postal service on-time performance similar in rural, urban areas, report finds

By: - January 24, 2023

WASHINGTON – Challenges with the cash-strapped United States Postal Service sent many Americans to their wit’s end during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in communities reliant on the mail for essential goods. Yet despite concerns from members of Congress that recent service changes hit rural communities more than urban centers, a new report from the U.S. […]