Illinois Organic Farmers Adapt as Industry Changes

ATLANTA, IL (AP) — Organic farmers in Illinois are adapting their business practices due to a shift in the local market prompted in part by large grocers offering organic produce and meal-kit startups gaining popularity. Many small organic fruit and vegetable producers have traditionally relied on sales through community-supported agriculture programs, in which community members…

Fury Over Reported Federal Plan Targeting Transgender People

By DAVID CRARY and RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR , Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — LGBT leaders across the U.S. reacted with fury Monday to a report that the Trump administration is considering adoption of a new definition of gender that would effectively deny federal recognition and civil rights protections to transgender Americans. “I feel very threatened, but…

Hawley Doesn’t Use Email While Doing Attorney General’s Work

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Despite promoting himself as an advocate for transparent government, Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley is one of only two statewide officials who doesn’t use email for official business. Critics say by refusing to use email Hawley, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, avoids creating public records of his office’s work.…

US Adviser Bolton in Moscow After Trump Aims to Exit Treaty

By NATALIYA VASILYEVA and VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV ,  Associated Press MOSCOW (AP) — U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton held talks with top Russian officials Monday after President Donald Trump had declared an intention to pull out of a landmark nuclear weapons treaty. The Kremlin expressed disappointment with Trump’s announcement on Saturday that the United States would…

Saudi Phone Calls, ‘Body Double’ After Khashoggi Killing

By SUZAN FRASER and JON GAMBRELL ,  Associated Press ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A man appearing to wear Jamal Khashoggi’s clothes left the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul following his killing there, according to a surveillance video, while a member of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s entourage made four calls to the royal’s office around the…

St. Charles-Based American Railcar Industries Announces Definitive Merger Agreement

St. Charles, MO  (KTRS)  St. Charles-based American Railcar Industries announced  that it has entered into a definitive agreement to merge with ITE Rail Fund. John O’Bryan, President and CEO of ARI, commented, “ARI is a highly respected company in the railcar industry with a rich history of growth and innovation for over 20 years. The sale…