USDA grant cuts leave food groups, farmers scrambling

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  • USDA grant cuts leave food groups, farmers scrambling</p>

<p>Meg OliverJune 30, 2025 at 7:20 PM</p>

<p>Four days a week, Maile Auterson and one of her employees drive hundreds of miles across Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas to deliver fresh produce to food deserts.</p>

<p>Auterson's nonprofit, Springfield Community Gardens, helps underserved schools, food pantries and senior centers. One center in Ava, Missouri, is the only place for many where they can get a hot meal.</p>

<p>Springfield Community Gardens is one of many organizations that relied on grants from the United States Department of Agriculture to distribute produce to schools and low-income communities through two pandemic-era federal programs. They provided about $1 billion in funding to schools and food banks to buy food directly from local farms, ranchers and producers. But in March, the USDA abruptly canceled the programs, calling the decision a "return to long-term, fiscally responsible initiatives."</p>

<p>Now, Auterson says, "some of the most vulnerable people" are without adequate access to food, including children and senior citizens.</p>

<p>"We are not past the effects of the pandemic," Auterson added.</p>

<p>The impact of the recent cuts are also trickling down — aid groups used USDA grants to buy food from small farms like the one owned by Liz Graznak.</p>

<p>"It was devastating. I don't know those families, but I know those families are desperate for the food that they were getting," Graznak said.</p>

<p>Graznak said the grant programs were "huge" for her farm. She rented an extra 16 acres to harvest more onions, garlic and peppers to keep up with demand.</p>

<p>"A quarter of my annual sales were going to those programs, and when they said that that money is gone, I thought, 'Oh my god, well now what do I do?'" Graznak said.</p>

<p>Nationwide, more than 8,000 small farmers were supported by the programs. Advocates warn the cuts could ripple through food deserts, rural communities and urban areas where access to healthy food is miles away.</p>

<p>With food insecurity in Missouri above the national average at 15%, according to Feeding America, local farmers help bridge the gap.</p>

<p>Auterson says they will still be able to feed people, but "not nearly as many."</p>

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USDA grant cuts leave food groups, farmers scrambling

<p>- USDA grant cuts leave food groups, farmers scrambling</p> <p>Meg OliverJune 30, 2025 at 7:20 PM...

Mexican authorities discover 20 bodies, some decapitated, on Sinaloa highway

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  • Mexican authorities discover 20 bodies, some decapitated, on Sinaloa highway</p>

<p>Ivonne Valdés and Michael Rios, CNNJune 30, 2025 at 6:45 PM</p>

<p>Sinaloa Secretary General Feliciano Castro Meléndez speaks during a press conference on Monday, June 30. - Feliciano Castro Melendez/Facebook</p>

<p>Prosecutors in northern Mexico's Sinaloa state are investigating the discovery of 20 male bodies with gunshot wounds – including five that were decapitated – on a bridge over a federal highway.</p>

<p>Local media reported that a message was also found hanging over the bridge in Culiacán. The prosecutor's office told CNN it had no comment on the message but would investigate.</p>

<p>Sinaloa Secretary General Feliciano Castro Meléndez called the case a "regrettable situation" and said it was "part of the violence and insecurity that Sinaloa is experiencing."</p>

<p>Since 2024, Culiacán has been the epicenter of armed clashes between rival factions of the Sinaloa cartel.</p>

<p>Two of the most prominent factions are La Mayiza, which is loyal to the cartel's alleged co-founder Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, and Los Chapitos, which is loyal to the sons of former drug kingpin Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán.</p>

<p>'Los Chapitos'</p>

<p>The violence in Sinaloa escalated after Zambada and one of El Chapo's sons, Joaquín Guzmán López, were arrested last year by US authorities in El Paso, Texas.</p>

<p>An official familiar with the operation told CNN at the time that Guzmán López had organized his arrest along with that of Zambada by luring him on a flight to examine a piece of land he thought was in Mexico. Instead, the plane landed in El Paso, Texas, where federal agents arrested them both.</p>

<p>Former Mexican Secretary of Security Rosa Icela Rodriguez said Guzmán López had reached an agreement with one of his brothers, Ovidio Guzmán López, who is in US custody, "So that they would go to the United States to surrender."</p>

<p>However, an attorney for Ovidio told CNN that Rodriguez's claim was "a complete and utter fabrication." An attorney for El Mayo said he "neither surrendered nor negotiated any terms with the US government" and described the flight to the US as a violent kidnapping.</p>

<p>Ovidio had been extradited to the US in September 2023 to face drug trafficking charges over his alleged role in the Sinaloa cartel. Days after his extradition, he pleaded not guilty to the charges in a US court.</p>

<p>But in May, he reached an agreement to change his plea, according to a court document reviewed by CNN.</p>

<p>Later that month, several members of his family entered the US as part of an apparent "negotiation or plea deal opportunity provided by the (US) Department of Justice itself," Mexico's Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch said.</p>

<p>Two other sons of El Chapo, Ivan Archivaldo and Jesus Alfredo Guzmán Salazar, are still at large. The US has accused them of leading large-scale drug trafficking operations for the cartel and has issued $10 million bounties for information leading to each of their arrests.</p>

<p>For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com</p>

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Investing in These 5 REITs Could Earn You $4,700 Per Year

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  • Investing in These 5 REITs Could Earn You $4,700 Per Year</p>

<p>John SeetooJune 30, 2025 at 10:31 PM</p>

<p>Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are a popular investment sector of particular interest to income-based investors. For centuries, and transcending many nations and cultures, real estate has always been looked upon as a source of wealth, security and financial stability. Private property rights are a cornerstone of the U.S. Constitution, and the primary platform upon which the success of capitalism is predicated. It is one of the driving factors behind the perpetual aspiration towards home and property ownership.</p>

<p>The biggest obstacle to owning real estate has long been the high price of entry. The entire mortgage industry was built upon providing the capital for would-be real estate owners to purchase homes and property that they would ordinarily not be able to afford. This has developed into a primary factor for the nation's GDP, as commercial real estate finance has permeated to all levels of banking. However, with REITs, everyday investors can gain access to the real estate sector as well as the eye-catching yields these businesses are known for.</p>

<p>Key Points in This Article: -</p>

<p>Organized as tax pass-through entities, REITs are required by the SEC to pay out 90% of all their pre-tax income to shareholders.</p>

<p>Because of this, REITs' substantial dividend income is attractive to retirees and other income-based investors.</p>

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<p>Why Are REITs Popular?</p>

<p>Senior old woman holding fan of cash money dollar banknotes celebrate dance success business career, lottery game winner, big income, wealth pension. Elderly grandmother pensioner on yellow background</p>

<p>The REIT is a securities based platform for an individual investor to participate in real estate ownership, albeit on a prorated shareholder scale. By registering as a REIT with the SEC, a real estate company can access the capital markets for liquidity in its real estate operations, with the tradeoff of remitting 90% of the public entity's profits to shareholders for tax purposes. Shareholders thus get to benefit from the steady rent rolls of residential, commercial, and industrial properties without dealing with the inherent management headaches and liabilities.</p>

<p>The following five sample REITs represent different real estate subsectors that all qualify for REIT registration. All five generate monthly dividend payouts with relatively high annual yields. For the sake of easy math, the sample investments are predicated on $10,000 per stock, but the average yield, regardless of the principal sum, would equate to about 9.42% APY. The allure for income-based investors and retirees is thus self-explanatory. All quotes based on market price at the time of this writing.</p>

<p>Apple Hospitality REIT</p>

<p>Annual yield: 8.11%</p>

<p>Shares for $10,000: 862</p>

<p>Annual dividend amount: $811.00</p>

<p>Monthly dividend amount: $67.58</p>

<p>When it comes to rental fees, the hospitality industry probably has some of the quickest turnovers, since room rentals are measured in days and hours. Among the REITs involved with the hospitality and hotel sector, Richmond, Virginia-based Apple Hospitality REIT (NYSE: APLE) is one of largest players.</p>

<p>Boasting a portfolio of 221 hotels with over 29,900 rooms in 85 markets and 37 states (plus District of Columbia), Apple Hospitality REIT hotels are primarily operating under the Marriott (97) or Hilton (118) brands, along with 5 under the Hyatt name.</p>

<p>The company continues to grow through acquisition, with its latest announcement on the purchase of the 126 room Homewood Suites by Hilton Tampa-Brandon in June for $18.8 million. By strategically keeping debt low and acquiring properties below market rate, Apple continues to add to its value, reflecting in its $2.75 billion market cap. Since going public in 2008, Apple Hospitality REIT has never missed a dividend payment.</p>

<p>Modiv Industrial, Inc.</p>

<p>Yield: 8.13%</p>

<p>Shares for $10,000: 699.3</p>

<p>Annual dividend amount: $813.00</p>

<p>Monthly dividend amount: $67.75</p>

<p>With companies like Nvidia, Apple and many other household names announcing the renaissance of the American manufacturing sector, trillions of investment dollar commitment have already been announced by the Trump administration with much more to follow. However, the realization of this initiative requires factory space. This is where Modiv Industrial, Inc. (NYSE: MDV) has a niche competitive advantage.</p>

<p>Based in Reno, Nevada, Modiv Industrial, Inc. has built a $602 million real estate portfolio of single tenant, net lease commercial properties, primarily in the industrial manufacturing sector. Most of the leases are for an average of 14 years, $39,000 rent per annum, with ~2.5% annual rent increase. Modiv owns a total of 43 properties totalling 4.5 million square feet, across 15 states. Its 29 manufacturing tenants are based in a variety of industries: metals, infrastructure, aerospace, automotive, metals, energy, industrial products, technology, plastics, food production and medical are all represented, along with a Costco as the sole retail tenant.</p>

<p>As one of the few REITs in the niche single tenant net lease commercial space, Modiv has caught the attention of several analysts, who have lauded its dividend consistency and focus. Among its analyst fans are Alliance Global Partners, Colliers Securities, Lucid Capital and B. Riley Financial who all have given Modiv a " strong buy" rating.</p>

<p>Slate Grocery REIT</p>

<p>Yield: 8.21%</p>

<p>Shares for $10,000: 954.19</p>

<p>Annual dividend amount: $821.00</p>

<p>Monthly dividend amount: $68.42</p>

<p>When it comes to defensive sectors, consumer staples, which consists of indispensable products that are necessary no matter the economic climate, tops most analysts' lists. And within consumer staples, food is the number one item, even ahead of medicine.</p>

<p>REITs that specialize in providing commercial space for tenants in specific industries can often create very profitable niches for their businesses, especially if the locations are accessible and the businesses are essential. Slate Grocery REIT (OTC: SRRTF) has selected the retail food and grocery business as its targeted industry, and their properties are occupied by national grocery chains and supermarkets in shopping malls across the continental U.S. Among the familiar supermarkets occupying Slate-owned locations are:</p>

<p>Kroger</p>

<p>Winn-Dixie</p>

<p>WalMart</p>

<p>Aldi</p>

<p>Stop & Shop</p>

<p>Lowes Foods</p>

<p>Although Slate Grocery REIT is a Canadian company based in Toronto, its properties are entirely in the continental USA. Its locations can be found all along the Eastern Seaboard, from New Hampshire all the way to Florida, as well in NY, PA, MD, VA, KY, TN, OH, MI, IN, IL, WI, MN, ND, UT, AL, TX, CO, and CA.</p>

<p>Healthpeak Properties, Inc.</p>

<p>Yield: 7.03%</p>

<p>Shares for $10,000: 577.7</p>

<p>Annual dividend amount: $703.00</p>

<p>Monthly dividend amount: $58.58</p>

<p>Headquartered in Denver, Healthpeak Properties, Inc. (NYSE: DOC) operates as an Umbrella Partnership REIT (UPREIT) focused on health care properties. As an UPREIT, Physicians Realty owns all of the real estate properties and also serves as the managing partner. In an UPREIT, the Operating Partner units replace REIT shares between the property owners and the REIT. The property owners receive benefits in an UPREIT, including:</p>

<p>Deferred capital gains taxes</p>

<p>REIT distribution income</p>

<p>Liquidity option to convert OP units to REIT shares at a later date</p>

<p>Better diversification through a larger real estate portfolio in the aggregate</p>

<p>Healthpeak leasing clients include hospitals, physicians, lab facilities, mental health treatment centers, and continuing care retirement centers. Some of its more notable locations include:</p>

<p>Baylor University Medical Center - Dallas, TX</p>

<p>Calko Medical Center - Brooklyn, NY</p>

<p>Freedom Plaza Sun City Center - Tampa, FL</p>

<p>Cambridge Discovery Park - Boston, MA</p>

<p>AGNC Investment Corp.</p>

<p>Yield: 15.53%</p>

<p>Shares for $10,000: 1,089.3</p>

<p>Annual dividend amount: $1,553</p>

<p>Monthly dividend amount: $129.42</p>

<p>The last REIT example actually neither owns nor manages physical real estate. Formerly known as American Capital Agency Corp., the company changed its name to AGNC Investment Corp. (NASDAQ: AGNC) in 2016. Based in Bethesda, Marlyland, American Capital Agency is a REIT that primarily invests in U.S. government agency collateral mortgage obligations, such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.</p>

<p>Since AGNC is not subject to the overhead, management, and liability costs associated with physical premises real estate operations, it has more capital to leverage into portfolio management of its FNMA and FDMC bonds. Under the REIT registration rules, AGNC has to remit 90% of its profits, which is why its yield is nearly double that of the other REIT examples in this article. On the other hand, FNMA and FDMC paper is much more interest rate sensitive, so although AGNC has never failed to pay a dividend payment in the past 14 years, dividend amounts have varied during periods of unusual market volatility or bearish environments.</p>

<p>REITS can provide a solid real estate based income stream for a portfolio that can offer stronger intrinsic value than higher synthetically derived dividend plays, such as YieldMax ETFs, albeit with lower dividends. If diversification is desired for a portfolio, REITs may not equal the growth of many tech stocks, but they will solidly deliver the income to ride out tough economic times, such as what the US underwent from 2021-2024.</p>

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<p>The post Investing in These 5 REITs Could Earn You $4,700 Per Year appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..</p>

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The best movies of 2025 so far

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Married

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  • Married "Jeopardy!" Contestants Hope to Be First Husband and Wife Winners: 'History Is at Stake'</p>

<p>Liza EsquibiasJune 30, 2025 at 5:43 PM</p>

<p>Tyler Golden/Jeopardy Productions, Inc.</p>

<p>Ken Jennings on 'Jeopardy!' on March 29, 2024.</p>

<p>Jason Singer shared his excitement to compete on the July 1 episode of Jeopardy! after his wife, Susan McMillan, already won in 2021</p>

<p>He explained that if he also lands a victory, they would become the first-ever husband and wife winners of the hit game show</p>

<p>Jeopardy! airs weeknights on ABC</p>

<p>Two Jeopardy! contestants want to make history.</p>

<p>As Jason Singer prepared to compete in the beloved game show on July 1, he expressed excitement as a massive trivia fan. Singer used to work as a journalist at the Sandusky Register with his wife, Susan McMillan, and he told the outlet that he has high hopes for the episode.</p>

<p>"This has been a multi-year dream in the making, and I'd like to be invited back one day, so please tune in and let's set some viewership records," he said.</p>

<p>Amanda Edwards/Getty Images</p>

<p>The 'Jeopardy!' set is pictured on April 17, 2010.</p>

<p>If he wins, Singer won't be the first in the family to mark the major achievement — McMillan won on her first run in 2021, taking home a whopping $35,600. Still, his potential victory would give the pair a different title to tout.</p>

<p>"We're also hoping to become the first-ever couple to have been married first and then gone on to both be Jeopardy! champions, so some fun history is at stake," he revealed, later adding, "Tune in, root me on and laugh at some of my almost-certain-to-occur dumb answers. And thank you, as always, for all your love and support."</p>

<p>Singer also spoke with the Portland Press Herald about his headspace going into the game.</p>

<p>The now-real estate agent cited his wife's success as preparation for his own part in the competition during an interview with his local newspaper.</p>

<p>"I've gotten to practice against the Michael Jordan of trivia every day of my life for the last 15 years, and that is an advantage that nobody else in the world has, because I'm the only person who's lucky enough to be married to Susan," he gushed. "I was always a dork. In elementary school, I would memorize the state and world capitals and the arithmetic tables."</p>

<p>The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!</p>

<p>Since the two first began dating, Singer said they bonded over their love for Jeopardy! and hoped to appear on the show once they reached their "peak level of intelligence." They even created flashcards and an online database to store the answers to any questions they didn't know.</p>

<p>They sped up their plans to apply when they found out the late host Alex Trebek was diagnosed with cancer.</p>

<p>"We weren't sure if he would survive, if the show would continue, and even if the show continued, what form that would take," Singer explained.</p>

<p>When McMillan got the go-ahead, Trebek had already died, and Singer couldn't attend in person because of COVID-19 restrictions. But that didn't stop her from giving her all and winning, which she teased gave her husband even more determination now that it's his turn.</p>

<p>"The experience I had made him want to prepare even harder, to have no gaps in his game," McMillan said.</p>

<p>— sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.</p>

<p>Jeopardy! airs weeknights on ABC (check local listings).</p>

<p>on People</p>

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Married “Jeopardy!” Contestants Hope to Be First Husband and Wife Winners: 'History Is at Stake'

<p>- Married "Jeopardy!" Contestants Hope to Be First Husband and Wife Winners: 'History Is at Stake...

 

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