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U.S. Cotton Crop Shrinks, Driving Prices Higher Amid Supply Losses

U.S. Cotton Crop Shrinks, Driving Prices Higher Amid Supply Losses

The U.S. cotton crop is experiencing a significant contraction, leading to an 18-month high in cotton prices. This is primarily due to record heat in West Texas, which has raised concerns about cotton yields and abandonment. Declining crop conditions indicate that the Texas crop may underperform, with only 18% rated good-to-excellent and 49% rated poor-to-very-poor. The USDA forecasts a 5% year-over-year decline in the U.S. cotton crop to 13.2 million 480-pound bales, with yields dropping 9% year-over-year to 776 pounds per acre. Similar supply losses are affecting other agricultural commodities, with U.S. rice acreage falling 25% year-over-year, leading to the smallest harvest since 1990. Sugar prices are also climbing due to tightening production prospects, including the lowest sugar beet plantings since 1950 and pest infestations affecting sugarcane growers in Florida.
1Weather1Weather
Halloween Pumpkins Face a Price Shock From Extreme Heat

Halloween Pumpkins Face a Price Shock From Extreme Heat

Halloween pumpkin demand is rising, but extreme heat, drought and high diesel costs are creating challenges for some U.S. farmers. Illinois, the nation’s largest pumpkin producer, has seen uneven conditions, with lower yields in northern areas offset by stronger production in the south. In Texas, one farm went 77 days without rain and nearly lost its crop to extreme heat, forcing it to truck in pumpkins. Diesel costs have also nearly doubled for the farm. Overall production remains decent, but local fuel and growing conditions could influence prices.
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U.S. Navy Faces Congressional Scrutiny Over Animal Decompression Tests

U.S. Navy Faces Congressional Scrutiny Over Animal Decompression Tests

The U.S. Navy is under increasing scrutiny from members of Congress and animal rights organizations, including PETA, for its continued funding and use of animals in decompression and oxygen toxicity experiments. Four members of Congress, including Veronica Escobar (D-TX-16), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-AL), Mark Pocan (D-WI-2), and Dina Titus (D-NV-1), have written to the Navy expressing concern over a recent test that subjected 40 pigs to simulated deep dives, resulting in suffering and death for some. These lawmakers question the military branch's reliance on animal experiments, advocating for taxpayer funds to support both naval innovation and high standards of animal welfare. PETA has launched an extensive campaign, including advertisements and protests, to highlight the perceived cruelty and scientific ineffectiveness of these tests, urging the Navy to adopt human-relevant research methods.
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Large Animal Research Network Conference 2026 to Convene in Edinburgh

Large Animal Research Network Conference 2026 to Convene in Edinburgh

The Large Animal Research Network (LARN) Conference 2026 is scheduled to take place from December 15-16, 2026, at the Easter Bush Campus of the University of Edinburgh. This event will follow the University of Edinburgh's 3Rs Day. The conference aims to bring together a diverse group of professionals, including researchers, veterinarians, animal technologists, and industry partners, all actively involved in biomedical, veterinary, and agricultural large-animal research. The program is designed to feature invited presentations, talks from early-career researchers, abstract-selected presentations, poster sessions, and spotlights on industry innovations. Attendees will also have networking opportunities and a guided tour of the Large Animal Research and Imaging Facility. Registration fees are £75 for Laboratory Animal Science Association (LASA) members and £150 for non-members, with further details on the program, abstract submission, and registration to be announced soon via the LASA News and Events website.
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President Joe Biden Awarded Biles the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2022

President Joe Biden Awarded Biles the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2022

Simone Biles's influence extends far beyond her impressive collection of medals. Her personal journey, marked by early life challenges and a unique...
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Texas Engineer Lori Magruder Joins Leadership Team for New United States Space Academy

Texas Engineer Lori Magruder Joins Leadership Team for New United States Space Academy

Lori Magruder, an aerospace engineering professor and director of the Center for Space Research at The University of Texas at Austin, has been appointed to a leadership team tasked with establishing the new United States Space Academy in Texas. This academy, announced recently and to be led by NASA, aims to train future generations of space professionals. Magruder's selection is partly due to her role on the Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium (TARSEC) executive committee, where she represents the UT System. The consortium unites leaders from higher education and industry across Texas to advance its interests. The team also includes Nancy Currie-Gregg, director of the Texas A&M Space Institute and former NASA astronaut; Heather Wilson, president of The University of Texas at El Paso and former U.S. Air Force secretary; Evan Loomis, Texas Space Commission Board of Directors member; Robert Ambrose, associate director of the Texas A&M Space Institute; and Jack Fischer, senior Vice President ...
Arizona RepublicArizona Republic
How stressful is Sky Harbor? Where it ranks in new airport study

How stressful is Sky Harbor? Where it ranks in new airport study

Getting to the airport can be half the battle. A new ranking puts Phoenix Sky Harbor among America's least stressful airports. What drove the score.
SB NationSB Nation
Eagles News: Ben Solak says Philadelphia’s offense is “unrecoverable”

Eagles News: Ben Solak says Philadelphia’s offense is “unrecoverable”

Philadelphia Eagles news and links for 10/6/26.
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Prudential Overall Supply Breaks Ground on New 100,000 Sqft Cleanroom Laundry Facility in Austin, Texas

Prudential Overall Supply Breaks Ground on New 100,000 Sqft Cleanroom Laundry Facility in Austin, Texas

Prudential Overall Supply Breaks Ground on New 100,000 Sqft Cleanroom Laundry Facility in Austin, Texas
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Centalion Expands Haynesville Gas Portfolio with Major Asset Acquisition

Centalion Expands Haynesville Gas Portfolio with Major Asset Acquisition

Centalion Expands Haynesville Gas Portfolio with Major Asset Acquisition
AP NewsAP News
Arkansas campaign ad sparks conservative backlash for portraying lazy welfare recipient as white

Arkansas campaign ad sparks conservative backlash for portraying lazy welfare recipient as white

A new video from Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders was standard issue Republican messaging for promoting her state’s stricter rules for people on Medicaid
ReutersReuters
Vance says Alaska is Republicans' shield in midterm campaign

Vance says Alaska is Republicans' shield in midterm campaign

By Jacob Bogage FAIRBANKS, Alaska, Oct 5 (Reuters) - US Vice President JD Vance cast Alaska as Republicans' midterm election firewall in their bid to retain control of Congress as he rallied with voters on Monday for Senator Dan Sullivan, a Republican locked in a tight reelection campaign.