Kernza — the grain you’ve never heard of that could revolutionize farming
https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s60/audio/2022/05/kernzawebaudio.mp3 The perennial grain can produce an annual crop even as it stays in the ground for up to four years. Its deep root system helps pull carbon out of the air and makes it more resistant to floods and drought. This story was produced in partnership with the Food & Environment Reporting Network Carmen […]
Most farmers are climate skeptics. But it turns out improving their soil also fights climate change
This story was produced in partnership with the Food & Environment Reporting Network Climate change is not a big concern for Lin Warfel. Sure, he’s noticed the increasing rainfall over the 60 odd years he’s been farming corn and soybeans in central Illinois — especially when ponds form in his soybean fields. But he’s pretty […]
Severe weather risk downgraded for this afternoon
Illinois Public Media News is monitoring a threat of severe storms on Wednesday that is forecasted by the National Weather Service in Central Illinois and other meteorologists. Tornadoes, high winds, and large hail are possible in East Central Illinois. We will update this post with the latest forecast information. Updated Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. Forecasters […]
It takes tons of water to put meat on Americans’ plates. But most meat companies don’t ensure conservation in their supply chains.
Water is critical to America’s meat habit. Cows, pigs and chickens drink it. Farmers clean barns and cool animals with it. Meatpackers sanitize plants and wash their product with it. But, most importantly, water grows the crops needed to feed the millions of animals raised and slaughtered each year that end up on Americans’ tables. […]
Winters are getting warmer across the Midwest
In Illinois, the average winter temperature is about 5 degrees warmer than it was in 1970. In Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa, it’s about four degrees, and farmers are starting to feel the effects. ROCK PORT, Mo. — When Richard Oswald was growing up in northwestern Missouri in the 1950s, his dad had a firm […]
Corn ethanol is fueling our cars and climate change, study says
Congress passed the Renewable Fuel Standard in 2005, mandating a certain amount of renewable fuel – namely corn ethanol – be mixed in with traditional gasoline. The goal was to minimize emissions and the country’s dependence on foreign fossil fuels. Instead, the policy caused a chain reaction of events that has likely led to even […]
Indoor farming delivers super-fresh produce to cities, but its energy use creates a ‘conundrum’
Vertical farms stack rows of plants on top of each other. Those indoor farms control the lighting, water and temperature to create ideal conditions to grow fresh produce year-round close to customers. But the industry relies on artificial lighting and has a large carbon footprint. AMES, Ia. — People who subscribe to the Ames, Iowa, […]
Illinois just experienced one of its warmest Decembers on record
URBANA – If you felt like December’s weather was mild – you’re right. According to provisional data, December 2021 was the fifth warmest December on record. The average statewide temperature was 39.4 degrees Fahrenheit – more than nine degrees above average. It was the warmest December on record in Carbondale, the third warmest in St. […]
Crews search rubble after 6 die at Illinois Amazon facility
CHICAGO — Search efforts at an Amazon facility in Illinois where at least six people were killed in a tornado are expected to take several days. But authorities don’t expect to find more survivors and the local coroner says there are no pending reports of missing people related to the building collapse. The company has […]
Latest: EF-2 tornadoes caused damage in Shelby, Moultrie and Coles Counties
Updated Saturday at 10:45 p.m. SHELBY COUNTY – On Saturday, meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Central Illinois said an EF-2 tornado caused destruction in Shelby, Moultrie and Coles counties. So far, no injuries have been reported. According to the NWS, EF-2 tornadoes have winds of 111 to 135 miles per hour. They cause […]
Kentucky governor: Storms may have killed at least 70 people
MAYFIELD, Ky. — Kentucky’s governor says he fears tornadoes have killed 70 people in the state and the death toll may exceed 100. Gov. Andy Beshear said Saturday that a twister had touched down for more than 200 miles in the state. Severe storms moved through the area Friday night and caused catastrophic damage across […]
December 10, 2021 Tornado Tracker
Updated Sunday at 10:45 p.m. NWS Central Illinois surveyed 4 tornadoes from Dec 10th. Please note the information on the Herrick Tornado only includes the portion of the track that occurred in the NWS Central Illinois county warning area (CWA). The tornado initially developed in NWS St Louis CWA. – National Weather Service A fourth […]
Several tornado warned storms charge across Central IL
Updated Saturday at 12:35 a.m. URBANA – Meteorologists issued several tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings on Friday evening. An approaching cold front and warm moist air clashed, spawning severe weather in Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky late Friday. There are early reports of damage in the Illinois towns of Windsor and Gays in Moultrie County […]
No pumpkin shortage this year, but climate change could squash Halloween harvests to come
MORTON — The great pumpkin shortage of 2021 is turning out to be as real as Linus’ Great Pumpkin. Neither ever showed. Instead, despite some national headlines about a pumpkin shortage this year, Midwestern farmers say there’s nothing to worry about. “God granted us quite a bounty this year,” says John Ackerman, who grows pumpkins […]
Pritzker to visit UK, tout climate-change efforts next week
SPRINGFIELD — An Illinois mission is headed for the United Kingdom next week to discuss the state’s efforts to neutralize climate change while bolstering economic development. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office said Wednesday that the Democrat and top staff members will travel to Britain and Scotland from Nov. 2-9 and attend the 2021 United Nations Climate […]