File photo of a BNSF grain train crossing the Gassman Coulee trestle near Minot, North Dakota. (Photo courtesy BNSF Railway)

U.S. railroad strike averted

Biden calls deal a 'win for America;' strike's impact would have reached up into Canada

Updated | Washington | Reuters — Major U.S. railroads and unions secured a tentative deal on Thursday after 20 hours of intense talks brokered by President Joe Biden’s administration to avert a rail shutdown that could have hit food and fuel supplies across the country and beyond. Biden called the deal a “big win for


(Dave Bedard photo)

White House not ruling out a U.S. carbon tax

Option 'not off the table' despite Manchin comment

Washington | Reuters –– The White House on Tuesday said it has not ruled out a carbon tax as a possible option for fighting climate change, even though U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, a critical holdout in the closely divided Senate, said he was not discussing the topic in talks about U.S. spending and infrastructure bills.

Biden administration plans tougher action to rein in meat prices

Biden administration plans tougher action to rein in meat prices

U.S. plans to funnel money towards smaller meat producers and workers

Reuters – The Biden administration plans to take a tougher stance toward meat-packing companies it says are causing sticker shock at grocery stores. Four companies control much of the U.S. meat-processing market, and top aides to President Joe Biden blamed those companies for rising food prices in a blog on Sept. 8. As part of a set