Pillen’s promises: Economic boom and little harm for neighbors. They haven’t always panned out.
As he grew Nebraska’s largest hog operation, Jim Pillen made economic and environmental assurances to residents of small communities where he was looking to build. Some residents profited. Others say Pillen Family Farms prospered while they suffered.
Biden admin unveils first-ever heat protections for workers. Here’s what to know.
The proposal comes as Americans endure another summer of record-breaking temperatures.
How the Inflation Reduction Act is playing out in one of the ‘most biased’ states for renewables
Solar developers are going head-to-head with fossil fuel-backed opposition groups and renewable bans in Ohio
GRAPHIC: Top commodity crop and CAFO states are responsible for the most nutrient pollution, USGS model shows
An estimated quarter of all phosphorus runoff in the Midwest and 40% of all nitrogen runoff from farming practices comes from just three states — Illinois, Indiana and Iowa.
![](https://cdn.statically.io/img/i0.wp.com/investigatemidwest.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/cta-background.png?resize=512%2C512&ssl=1)
About Us
Investigate Midwest is an independent, nonprofit newsroom. Our mission is to serve the public as a watchdog over influential corporations and institutions through in-depth and data-driven investigative journalism. Learn more »
Pandemic-era broadband access is receding — rural kids are paying the price
As broadband access slips away from rural farming communities, new research shows particular harms to the young.
As conservation lags, so does progress in slashing Gulf’s ‘dead zone’
One year away from a federal deadline to reduce nutrient runoff into the Gulf of Mexico by 20%, increases in tile drainage, livestock and fertilizer use have made success unlikely.
An Iowa farm county seeks answers to cancer rate 50% higher than national average
‘We need to find out what’s going on’: Palo Alto County has the second highest cancer incidence among all US counties.
Iowa AG asked to pursue penalties against co-op that caused massive fertilizer spill
Release of 265,000 gallons of fertilizer killed 750,000 fish in East Nishnabotna.
FTC Chair Lina Khan listens to Iowa farmers’ concerns about fertilizer plant deal
The Federal Trade Commission, a bipartisan federal agency, can investigate or file suit to block deals, such as the proposed one between Koch Industries and Iowa Fertilizer Co.
Agribusiness
More Stories
Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota cope with extreme flooding after torrential rains
Movement of commodities challenged with bridge and rail closures.
GRAPHIC: Insurance spending gap between corn and other crops at widest ever in 2023
While premium spending for soybeans and cotton fell last year, corn insurance remained closer to its 2022 peak.
At the mouth of the Mississippi, Louisiana bears the burden of upstream runoff. Why doesn’t it push for solutions?
This summer’s ‘dead zone,’ a low-oxygen area where the river empties into the sea, could span 5,827 square miles across the Gulf of Mexico. Louisiana has the power to call for change.
Oklahoma governor vetoes effort to enforce the state’s groundwater limits
As groundwater levels rapidly decline, lawmakers pushed for meter requirements.
Tyson Foods, Cal-Maine Foods sued for alleged antitrust action
Former contract growers said in a legal complaint that Tyson’s sale to Cal-Maine might drive them deeper into debt.
‘Dead zone’ in the Gulf of Mexico predicted to be bigger than average this summer
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting the dead zone will increase by 5%.
Opinion
USDA proposes another step toward making chicken farming equitable
The National Chicken Council, which opposes the new rule, accuses the agency of playing politics.