The 217 Today Podcast

217 Today: Black farmers in U.S. are in limbo after not receiving funds promised by the American Rescue Plan Act

Brian Moline and Sydney Wood
 
The U.S. Department of Agriculture promised to relieve Barbara Norman of about a half million dollars worth of debt.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture promised to relieve Barbara Norman of about a half million dollars worth of debt. Sam Mirpoorian

Listen (Duration: 9:31)
Download

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Today's headlines:

  • Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker will sign into law a measure funneling $700 million annually into Medicaid-funded nursing homes to improve their quality of care.

  • The Champaign Public Library’s new director starts this week, replacing the current director, Donna Pittman.

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Friday that 15 Illinois counties are experiencing high rates of COVID-19 transmission, including much of the areas around Chicago and Peoria.  

  • The US Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of engineers are listening to feedback on how they implement clean water rules, yet there are differing opinions that may not change much.

In today's deep dive, we'll learn how the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 has not fulfilled its promise to erase $4 billion of debt for farmers of color who have been historically discriminated against by the agency, leaving these farmers in limbo as to whether the money will be delivered.

217 Today is produced by Sydney Wood. Reporting today contributed by Mawa Iqbal, Sydney Wood, Jonathan Ahl and Dana Cronin.