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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

President Signs Ag Disaster Bill - Drought Relief on the Way for SD

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Tuesday, August 14, 2007   

A stroke of the pen means drought relief will finally be on the way to South Dakota farmers and ranchers left out of the recent disaster relief bill because of a technicality. South Dakota Farmers Union president Doug Sombke says clearing the language means help will soon be on the way to producers hit by drought the past two years.

"President Bush signed the disaster bill that Senator Thune introduced to allow producers that didn't have crop insurance for their livestock hay to get aid. And it's another step in the direction that we need to go."

Without the aid, Sombke believes it could be real bad for South Dakota producers who have suffered drought in recent years.

"It's still no cure all by any means and, of course, it's about a dollar late and a day short. But, it's still going to help that's the main thing. I think, again, it just emphasizes the need for a permanent disaster program in the farm bill."

Sombke argues that if the technicality hadn't been cleared up, 90 percent of the livestock and forage producers who suffered from losses in South Dakota would have been ineligible for the assistance and that's not what Congress intended.

Sombke would like permanent disaster protections so farmers and ranchers don't have to wait for Congress every time the weather turns bad.

"The fact of the matter is, it doesn't just affect farmers; it affects so many of our communities and businesses across the state. It just allows farmers to pay their bills and put money back in circulation to help the economy of South Dakota."



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