Reading archive 2020-09-07

 Four more years of Trump’s contempt for competence would be devastating

Iowa farm debt hit $18.9 billion in the second quarter, the highest level in the nation. An Iowa State economist says the percentage of financially vulnerable farmers (44%) is "very, very concerning." - "Newton said nearly 40% of this year's projected U.S. farm income — about $33 billion of the $88 billion in profits — comes from government aid tied to trade, disaster assistance, support programs in federal farm legislation and insurance payments. Iowa farmers received $646 million in market facilitation payments last year, the report shows, reducing per-acre losses to $189 from $237. The federal aid program is designed to offset trade losses with direct payments to farmers, to purchase surplus farm goods for food banks and schools and to open more export markets. Through May, Iowa farmers received $987.7 million in farm mitigation payments, based on data obtained by the Associated Press. But Hart said the additional support 'doesn’t necessarily fill the hole. It just makes the hole a little smaller.'"

DHS withheld July intelligence bulletin calling out Russian attack on Biden’s mental health: The Trump campaign has repeatedly engaged in a similar line of attack.

Gender reveal photo shoot pyrotechnics caused one of this weekend's California wildfires: Firefighters: Over 1.7 million acres have burned in the state since Aug. 15.