WAMU 88.5 : The Diane Rehm Show

2012 Farm Bill

It affects everything we eat, yet it isn’t getting much attention. Reauthorization of the 2012 Farm Bill passed a Senate committee with bipartisan support. It awaits a full Senate vote, a House bill and conference before reaching President Barack Obama’s desk. The Senate proposal, known as the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act, eliminates $23 billion in spending. But not everyone is happy. Critics say it should do more to address environmental and nutritional concerns. Diane speaks with Senator Debbie Stabenow, chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Congressman Michael Conaway, chair of the House Agriculture General Farm Commodities and Risk Management Subcommittee, and a panel of experts about the changes ahead in U.S. agricultural policy.

NPR

Brooks: 'I'm An EGOT; I Don't Need Any More'

The screenwriter, producer, director and actor, whose name has become synonymous with American comedy, talks about his penchant for spoofs and his decades-long friendship with Carl Reiner. Brooks is the subject of a new American Masters documentary on PBS.
NPR

Washington State Butcher Spikes Pig Feed With Weed

Despite its name, the "pot pig" experiment isn't an attempt to develop a new meaty treat for stoners. Instead, a Seattle butcher is feeding marijuana seeds, stems and root bulbs to swine as a cheeky money-saving measure.
NPR

Turnabout Is Fair Play: Senators Have Many Questions For IRS

The IRS gave some conservative groups extra, improper scrutiny. Now there's a bipartisan request for the IRS to answer dozens of questions. Read the queries and demands for information from the top Democrat and top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee.
NPR

Yahoo's Other Billion-Dollar Bets: Where Are They Now?

Tumblr joins GeoCities, Broadcast.com and Overture in the small fraternity of Yahoo's $1 billion-plus acquisitions. What can the company can learn from its previous purchases?

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