State Farm

A new analysis by Nate Silver argues that rising diesel prices could become a serious political problem for Republicans across the American heartland, since diesel costs feed directly into farming, freight and food prices in rural regions that lean heavily Republican. The piece links fuel inflation to potential voter backlash and shifting political fortunes in key agricultural states.

A newly published book argues that the cultural differences between Vermont and New Hampshire — the so-called Twin States — stem from differences in their soil and land. The author links the states' distinct political and social characters to how their landscapes shaped farming, settlement and economic life. Regional readers are taking note of the geological explanation for a long-observed divide between two neighbouring states.

The site of a Village Farms development project rejected in Davis, California, is now under investigation by a state wildlife agency. The probe, first reported by the Sacramento Bee, is drawing local attention amid questions about whether environmental or habitat concerns played a role in the project's demise. Residents and officials are watching for the agency's findings.