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Marcia Brown

@marciabrown.bsky.social
5.5K followers 1.2K following 578 posts

Journalist covering food and agriculture at POLITICO. Read my newsletter: substack.com/@marciagbrown Signal: marciagbrown.68

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Reposted by Marcia Brown
Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
“.. Nearly three-quarters said they struggled to pay for food, housing, medical care or daily transportation in the past year compared with 13 percent of upper-income adults.” @nytimes.com www.nytimes.com/2026/10/14/b...
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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
A federal court halted USDA's sweeping reorganization plan. Details on the ruling from last night and more @politico.com
politico.com
Judge halts USDA’s reorganization
The Trump administration plan would move thousands of employees handling nutrition, forestry, farm services and other federal programs.
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Reposted by Marcia Brown
Anna Clark @annaleighclark.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
The DOGE-ed NOAA Great Lakes lab "has been without a permanent director since ... early 2025. Jesse Feyen, the deputy director, is also performing the duties of the lab’s director. NOAA declined to comment on whether it plans to fill the role on a permanent basis." Via @michiganadvance.com -
michiganadvance.com
Great Lakes lab hit by DOGE is hanging on — for now  • Michigan Advance
If the Trump administration had its way, an Ann Arbor-based research lab that studies the Great Lakes and its coastal ecosystems would be gone.
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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
We first reported on this dynamic last year when egg prices were hitting record highs. www.politico.com/news/2025/04...
politico.com
RFK Jr. isn't staying in his lane. Trump is thrilled.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has expanded his authority well beyond the bounds of a traditional health secretary.
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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
NEW: Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has stalled progress toward a vaccine to stop the ongoing spread of bird flu. Sources told us the delay is partly due to fears of backlash from RFK Jr. and the Make America Healthy Again movement. w/ Rachel Shin for @politico.com
politico.com
‘It's time to get a vaccine in place’: RFK Jr.’s views helped stall bird flu plan
USDA shelved strategy for inoculating birds after the Health secretary criticized the idea.
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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
Please share! Request for a story: I’m looking for advocates who work on anti-hunger issues at the state level or lobbyists who have recently taken on SNAP as part of their portfolio at the state level. I want to learn more about your work! #snap #antihunger
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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
On my Substack: -the latest changes to SNAP -a startling new survey that found high rates of hunger among military families -a magazine cover story on Trump’s cabinet …. And more!
marciagbrown.substack.com
September bits and bobs
I know it’s October now.
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Reposted by Marcia Brown
Politico @politico.com · 28/09/2026
This week's POLITICO Magazine cover story: Serving at his pleasure – what it’s like to be in Trump’s Cabinet. If the Cabinet in his first term was built like a corporation, this time it’s a family business. 🔗 politi.co/46SZAn0 Also in this issue👇🧵
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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
NEW: The Trump administration is poised to allow roughly $232 million in federal funding designated to help low-income families buy homes in rural communities to expire this week. The direct loan program helps thousands of families buy single family homes. For @politico.com
subscriber.politicopro.com
POLITICO Pro: $230 million in federal rural housing funds set to expire this week
The Trump administration has not spent roughly half of a congressionally approved fund to help low-income people buy homes in rural communities.
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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
NEW: A dozen GOP senators are urging the Trump administration to delay a policy to require retailers that accept SNAP benefits to stock more "real food." “If no delay is granted, tens of thousands of well-meaning retailers will be at risk of losing their SNAP authorization on day one."
subscriber.politicopro.com
POLITICO Pro: Republicans urge USDA to delay ‘real food’ retailer stocking rules
Republican senators argue a pending regulatory change will make it harder for retailers to stay in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
w/ great colleagues: Myah Ward, Dianna Nerozzi, Sophia Cai, Daniel Lippman and cartoons by the eminent Matt Wuerker.
POLITICO Magazine cover for "Serving At His Please" and shows a cartoon of a line of suited men with red ties and red Trump hats saluting.
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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
“What you have is a very strong centralized authority figure, and everybody is trying to stay in his good graces and keep him happy from a personality perspective,” said one former senior Trump administration official. Check our our deep dive into Trump's cabinet for POLITICO Mag. @politico.com
politico.com
Serving at his pleasure: What it’s like to be in Trump’s Cabinet
What it’s like to be in Donald Trump’s Cabinet.
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Reposted by Marcia Brown
Bloomberg News @bloomberg.com · 21/09/2026
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee warned the central bank cannot ignore repeated and persistent supply shocks.
bloom.bg
Fed’s Goolsbee Says Road to 2% Inflation May Not Be Painless
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee warned the central bank cannot ignore repeated and persistent supply shocks, and must respond in a way that may cause economic hardship.
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Reposted by Marcia Brown
Matt Wuerker @mwuerker.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Your Access Has Been Denied www.politico.com/cartoons/202...
politico.com
September
Political cartoons from the desk of Matt Wuerker
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Reposted by Marcia Brown
Politico @politico.com · 21/09/2026
News outlets Trump banned from White House announce lawsuit
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News outlets Trump banned from White House announce lawsuit
POLITICO, CNN and MS NOW to seek restraining order to restore reporters’ access.
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Politico @politico.com · 19/09/2026
Inside the White House media ban
dlvr.it
Inside the White House media ban
Many senior staff were surprised by the directive, which happened while chief of staff Susie Wiles was out of town.
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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Congrats Corbin!!
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Reposted by Marcia Brown
Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
“.. Increasing prices is ‘the last lever we have,’ Campbell’s CFO said this week .. .. Cost-cutting measures couldn’t keep up, he added: ‘Unfortunately, that was not enough given the extreme amount of inflation that we are seeing right now.’” @bloomberg.com www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
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Melody Schreiber @melodyschreiber.com · 13/09/2026
“The policies that we’re enacting are the exact opposite policies one might look to to help people eat healthier,” @drjessicaknurick.bsky.social told me: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Food-borne illnesses, funding cuts and layoffs: Maha movement’s glaring limitations are now showing
Policies enacted by RFK Jr have not delivered the expected results, but have instead hindered people’s ability to eat healthy
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Alice Miranda Ollstein @alicemiranda.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
I've been covering the anti-abortion movement's efforts to use environmental laws to cut off access to pills since 2022. After struggling for decades to pass a federal ban, they decided to look at which laws already on the books could be wielded. www.politico.com/news/2022/11...
politico.com
The next abortion fight could be over wastewater regulation
Abortion opponents plan to use environmental laws to curb access to pills used to terminate an early pregnancy.
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Alice Miranda Ollstein @alicemiranda.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
BREAKING: EPA is launching a study of water contamination that will, for the first time, test for the abortion pills mifepristone and misoprostol. Anti-abortion groups consider it a major win that could pave the way for restrictions. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2026...
subscriber.politicopro.com
POLITICO Pro: Abortion opponents claim ‘tremendous victory’ as EPA tests water for abortion pills
The new study will test for trace amounts of chemicals, pesticides and drugs — including ones used to induce abortions — in drinking water in multiple cities.
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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
We also covered the end of prominent research into cyclospora at USDA. w/ Rachel Shin
politico.com
USDA cyclospora research projects shelved amid funding cuts and relocations
The shuttering of three projects is expected to hinder vital research at a time when consumers are increasingly worried about the safety of the food supply.
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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
The scale of the outbreak prompted calls for an after-the-fact review of the federal government's response.
politico.com
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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
And how it plagued RFK Jr.'s "Eat Real Food" message, which we covered here: w/ Sophie Gardner
politico.com
Fear of lettuce is making RFK Jr.'s food messaging harder for consumers to swallow
The parasite, which spreads via fresh produce and can cause explosive diarrhea, has sickened thousands of Americans in this summer’s record outbreak.
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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Consumers will remember confusing messaging around the outbreak, which we covered here:
politico.com
Taylor Farms still tied to cyclospora outbreak despite ‘false positive,’ FDA says
The agency is advising consumers not to consume the recalled products, which included those served in Taco Bell locations and sold at certain Walmart stores.
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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
The CDC says the nation's largest outbreak of cyclospora illnesses is over. There are still ongoing outbreaks of cyclospora that have not yet been linked to a source, per the FDA. @politico.com
politico.com
Feds declare record-setting cyclospora outbreak over
The outbreak linked to Taylor Farms shredded iceberg lettuce sickened more than 12,000 people and killed two.
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Reposted by Marcia Brown
Politico @politico.com · 11/09/2026
Feds declare record-setting cyclospora outbreak over
dlvr.it
Feds declare record-setting cyclospora outbreak over
The outbreak linked to Taylor Farms shredded iceberg lettuce sickened more than 12,000 people and killed two.
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The 51st @51st.news · 10/09/2026
📬 This week's newsletter is out! What's inside... 🇸🇻 What could the loss of TPS mean for Salvadorans in D.C.? ‼️ A D.C. Council hopeful is being sued 👀 Previewing Trayon White’s federal bribery trial 💝 Advice on enjoying dating in D.C. Get our next update in your inbox: www.51st.news/signup
51st.news
Dating in D.C. sucks. Here's some advice.
Plus, local Salvadorans face an uncertain future and what you need to know about Trayon White's upcoming trial.
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Alice Miranda Ollstein @alicemiranda.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Another day, another abortion court hearing! This one is a case I've covered for several years, a challenge brought by Jews in Indiana who say the state's abortion ban infringes on their religious liberty, as Judaism teaches that life begins when a baby takes its first breath, not at conception
politico.com
The sleeper legal strategy that could topple abortion bans
Jews, Episcopalians, Unitarians, Satanists and other people of faith say the laws infringe on their religious rights
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Reposted by Marcia Brown
The Washington Sun Metro @washsunmetro.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Are Maryland drivers really the worst? washingtonsun.com/analysis/dcdrivers
washingtonsun.com
Are Maryland Drivers as Bad as Everyone in D.C. Thinks?
We looked at a decade of crash data to figure out which drivers truly rank as the District’s most dangerous.
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Reposted by Marcia Brown
Alice Miranda Ollstein @alicemiranda.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
The next phase in the abortion wars may come down to one question: Will federal courts allow the rights of red states to enforce bans to override the rights of blue states to protect access? The 5th Circuit hears a pivotal case today that could provide an answer. www.politico.com/news/2026/09...
politico.com
Louisiana’s abortion pill case could wipe out access in blue states
Red states claiming "sovereign injury" seek to impose nationwide restrictions.
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Kevin Bogardus @kevinbogardus.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
I wanted to know how much EPA spent on admin leave after 1000s were paid not to work, often for months So I filed a #FOIA —> EPA denied me —> I appealed —> I won And EPA spent almost $200M on leave Many never returned to work #FOIA4eva More here: subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2026...
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Dana Milbank @danamilbank.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Launching tomorrow! Here comes “The Sun.” The Washington Sun, that is. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/08/b...
nytimes.com
Politics News Site NOTUS Rebrands as The Washington Sun
A trademark dispute scuttled its plans to relaunch as The Washington Star, so the site chose a different name.
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Politico @politico.com · 09/09/2026
Trump gave Natalie Harp and 2 other aides $45,000 holiday gifts, disclosures show
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Trump gave Natalie Harp and 2 other aides $45,000 holiday gifts, disclosures show
Chamberlain Harris and Margo Martin each reported receiving the same amount from the president last year.
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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
NEW: USDA is delaying grant funding to help farmers try sustainable and regenerative farming practices for the second year in a row. @politico.com subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2026/09/usda-delays-sustainable-ag-funding-again…
subscriber.politicopro.com
POLITICO Pro
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Reposted by Marcia Brown
Politico @politico.com · 31/08/2026
55% of Americans think politicians are just trying to win votes when they say they will help the working class, according to our new poll. And only one in four Americans who self-identify as working-class say politicians genuinely want to help them. 🔗 politi.co/3UNUjdv
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Reposted by Marcia Brown
Politico @politico.com · 31/08/2026
MAHA has arrived in Iowa — and Big Ag is reeling
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MAHA has arrived in Iowa — and Big Ag is reeling
One way or another, Iowa is about to elect a governor who faults industrial agriculture for the state’s high cancer rates.
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Reposted by Marcia Brown
Politico @politico.com · 30/08/2026
USDA cyclospora research projects shelved amid funding cuts and relocations
dlvr.it
USDA cyclospora research projects shelved amid funding cuts and relocations
The shuttering of three projects is expected to hinder vital research at a time when consumers are increasingly worried about the safety of the food supply.
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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
USDA will have no researchers working on cyclospora, the foodborne parasite that sickened thousands this summer after funding cuts and the Trump administration’s sweeping reorganization of the department. New story from me and Rachel Shin: @politico.com www.politico.com/news/2026/08...
politico.com
USDA cyclospora research projects shelved amid funding cuts and relocations
The shuttering of three projects is expected to hinder vital research at a time when consumers are increasingly worried about the safety of the food supply.
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Reposted by Marcia Brown
Ben Mullin @benmullin.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
scoop: Reporters from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg have been barred from next week's G20 meeting in Asheville, N.C. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/29/b...
nytimes.com
Treasury Bars Some Reporters From G20 Finance Meeting (Gift Article)
Specific reporters from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg were not granted credentials to cover the meeting of financial leaders next week in Asheville, N.C.
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Abby Vesoulis @abbyvesoulis.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Rep. Max Miller initially declined to talk to me after a court hearing yesterday regarding his child custody case. But while his lawyer was speaking, Miller interrupted to deliver what sounded like a veiled threat against Sen. Moreno. Watch for yourself. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
x.com
Abby Vesoulis (@abbyvesoulis) on X
Rep. Max Miller initially declined to talk to me after a court hearing yesterday regarding his child custody case. But while his lawyer was speaking, Miller interrupted to deliver what sounded like a ...
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Melody Schreiber @melodyschreiber.com · 25/08/2026
Read this whole thread please ♥️
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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
I remember when I first heard @tamarhaspel.bsky.social make a similar argument against salads on her podcast Climavores! A lot of data I never knew about lettuce in this story. (The U.S. wastes about as much lettuce as we eat!)
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Dan Diamond @ddiamond.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
New: Trump is working to raise the slope of the White House's South Lawn to meet his new helipad. The project — which was visible in photos on Monday — is Trump's latest effort to reshape the White House and its grounds.
washingtonpost.com
Trump moves to reshape White House’s South Lawn
The president's latest construction project involves changing the lawn's slope to bring it flush with his new helipad.
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Karen Attiah @karenattiah.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
More thoughts from me--- and a breakdown of the arbitrator's decision. The Washington Post Fired Me. I Fought—and Won My Job Back. karenattiah.substack.com/p/the-washin...
karenattiah.substack.com
The Washington Post Fired Me. I Fought—and Won My Job Back.
Nearly a year after being wrongfully fired for my comments on race, gender and violence, an arbitrator has ordered my immediate reinstatement.
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Corbin Hiar @corbinhiar.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Today seems like a good day to read about one of the US communities most at risk from a trade war with Canada www.politico.com/news/magazin...
politico.com
This Tiny MAGA Town Borders Canada. They’re Ready to Say Good Riddance.
‘Tariffs temporarily are going to hurt us. But in the long run, will it wake some people up?’
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Reposted by Marcia Brown
The Wall Street Journal @wsj.com · 24/08/2026
UAW President Shawn Fain called the offer an effort to avoid the usual bargaining process. on.wsj.com/4iqGZWc
on.wsj.com
Members of the UAW rejected an offer from Deere to extend its contract with the union by two years, setting up what will likely be a contentious negotiation for a new contract next year
UAW President Shawn Fain called the offer an effort to avoid the usual bargaining process.
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Melody Schreiber @melodyschreiber.com · 21/08/2026
Great discussion about politics and rural health with @mshepruralpolitics.bsky.social and @marciabrown.bsky.social at @politicsprose.bsky.social tonight
Marcia Brown and Michael Shepherd sit in front of a crowd in a bookstore
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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Thanks for coming out!!
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Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
News: CDC's new director tells staff she is prepared to speak ‘truth to power’ Comes after the agency's last leader was fired for refusing RFK Jr.'s orders on vaccines. w/ @helenbranswell.bsky.social www.statnews.com/2026/08/19/c...
statnews.com
New CDC director tells staff she is prepared to speak ‘truth to power’
Then new CDC director told staff she is “very comfortable and very confident ... speaking truth to power.”
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