Farm Bureau: Taking agriculture back in time ‘will not feed the world today’

Chris Graham

Big companies are trying to change the way U.S. farmers operate their businesses, but some things don’t need changing. Restaurant chain Chipotle aired its “Back to the Start” advertisement April 12 during the Grammy Awards. The commercial portrays large-scale farming as dismal compared to bucolic grasslands on which pigs roam free. And McDonald’s recently announced…

Administration details framework for business tax reform

AFP

The U.S. Department of the Treasury today released the president’s framework for reforming the U.S. business tax system, which would enhance American competitiveness by simplifying the tax code and eliminating dozens of tax loopholes and subsidies, incentivizing job creation and investment here at home and lowering the business rate while broadening the tax base. “In…

Obama speaks on payroll-tax cut

AFP

Tuesday, Feb. 21 THE PRESIDENT:  Hello!  Good to see everybody. Please, have a seat.  Have a seat.  (Applause.)  Good morning.  I want to thank all of you for coming. I want to thank my outstanding Vice President, Joe Biden – (applause) – who is here today, and members of my administration for joining us.  But…

Wildlife Center president honored

AFP

Eagle Rare Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is today announcing that Ed Clark¸ President and Co-Founder of The Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro, has received the national 2012 Grand Prize Rare Life Award. The Rare Life Award is given to an individual who “leads a rare life” of courage, leadership, survival, devotion, character, and heroism. …

Be heart healthy during American Heart Month

AFP

February is American Heart Month and as a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening community through healthy living, the Waynesboro Family YMCA urges everyone in Waynesboro and East Augusta area to take steps to prevent chronic diseases, such as heart disease, so they can lead longer, healthier lives. To address the prevalence of heart disease in…

Debate over jobs numbers

Chris Graham

The jobs situation seems to continue to be getting better, with Friday’s announcement that unemployment fell two-tenths of a percent in January, to 8.3 percent. But it’s not getting better fast enough, says Fifth District Republican Congressman Robert Hurt. “A drop in the national unemployment average is always good news. However, the jobless rate remains…

Senate Democrats oppose voter suppression efforts

AFP

State Senate Democrats today joined members of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus and its chair, Sen. Mamie Locke, Congressman Bobby Scott, Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones, Civil Rights Leader Dr. Benjamin Chavis, Democratic Party of Virginia Chairman Brian Moran and other concerned citizens to stand in united opposition to ongoing state legislative efforts to deny Virginians’…