In Sioux Falls, S. D., the Smithfield pork plant, which produces some 5 percent of the country's pork, is one of the largest hot spots in the nation. A Tyson plant in Perry, Iowa, had 730 cases of the coronavirus — nearly 60 percent of its employees. At another Tyson plant, in Waterloo, Iowa, there were 1, 031 reported cases among about 2, 800 workers. Sick workers mean plant shutdowns, which has led to a backlog of animals. Some farmers are injecting pregnant sows to cause abortions. Others are forced to euthanize their animals, often by gassing or shooting them. It's gotten bad enough that Senator Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, has asked the Trump administration to provide mental health resources to hog farmers. Despite this grisly reality — and the widely reported effects of the factory-farm industry on America's lands, communities, animals and human health long before this pandemic hit — only around half of Americans say they are trying to reduce their meat consumption. Meat is embedded in our culture and personal histories in ways that matter too much, from the Thanksgiving turkey to the ballpark hot dog.
Walton, NY 18h Gary L. Loker Gary L. Loker, age 78, of Bayport passed away on June 4, 2021. Born and raised in Walton, he resided in Sayville and Bayport for the past 55+ years. Gary is survived by beloved wife Linda of 53 years. Loving father of Jacqueline (Owen) Galvin and Mark (Jessica). Cherished grandfather of Allyson, Erin, Kaitlyn, Owen, Eliza, Evelyn and Mason. Dear brother of Kay Tvrdik, Ann (John) Ehrlich, Jean Loker and Mark (Patti) Loker. Unadilla, NY 18h R. Eugene "Gene" Pigford Raymond Eugene Pigford, "Gene", 76, of Unadilla, passed away in Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, on June 6, 2021. Gene was born in Jamaica, on June 26, 1944 to the late Euanna and Raymond Pigford. He attended Massapequa High School and Houghton College. He was married to Edith Pigford on Dec. 27, 1966 in Pittsburgh, Pa. Forestport, NY 12h Forestport residents rally against granite quarry proposed near White Lake Quarry representative addresses concerns about noise, traffic. A proposed pink granite quarry has residents in the White Lake region of the southern Adirondacks distraught.