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The article discusses the tradition of flying flags emblazoned with a W or an L to denote a win or loss for the organization Major League Baseball club the Chicago Cubs at their home stadium, Wrigley Field, and the popularity of the W flag with fans of the Cubs and the L flag with fans of the Major League Baseball club the Chicago White Sox. The article also examines the cultural significance of the rivalry between Cubs and White Sox fans.

The article states that Omaha, Nebraska, packaged foods company ConAgra Foods Inc. announced in early October 2015 that it was eliminating about 1,500 office jobs and moving its headquarters from Omaha to Chicago, Illinois. According to the article, ConAgra was attempting to cut $300 million from its annual budget and the move to Chicago was motivated in part by tax incentives offered by the state of Illinois. The article presents comments from ConAgra chief executive Sean Connolly.

The article discusses the impact of declining U.S. exports on economic growth as of late September 2015. According to the article, the U.S. government agency the Commerce Department reported that U.S. exports fell to a seasonally adjusted 3.2 percent in August 2015. The article states that weak U.S. trade reflected how the sluggish economies of China and other major countries were impacting the U.S. economy. The article presents comments from consulting firm High Frequency Economics U.S. economist Jim O'Sullivan.

The article states that former U.S. chain restaurant Subway pitchman Jared Fogle agreed to plead guilty to charges of distributing child pornography and illegal sexual conduct with a minor prior to an appearance in an Indianapolis, Indiana, federal court on August 19, 2015. The article states that Fogle will pay $1.4 million in restitution to 14 victims and that his wife, Katie Fogle, was seeking a divorce. According to the article, Subway severed ties with Fogle following a July 2015 raid on his home and the arrest of the nonprofit firm the Jared Foundation executive director Russell Taylor.

The article discusses bond credit rating organization Moody's Investors Service and its May 2015 decision to classify the credit rating of Chicago, Illinois, to junk status. According to the article, Moody's began to expand its stricter ratings systems and other U.S. cities and counties such as Santa Clara County, California, and Miami-Dade County, Florida, were reassessing their relationships with Moody's. The article discusses differences between the ratings methodologies of Moody's and ratings services such as Standard & Poor's Ratings Services and Fitch Ratings.

The article states that the government of Chicago, Illinois, snubbed credit rating service Moody's Investors Service by hiring rival credit rating services Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, Fitch Ratings, and Kroll Bond Rating Agency Inc. to assess grades to the city's refinancing of $800 million in general-obligation bonds in Spring 2015. The article states that Moody's downgraded Chicago's debt to junk status in mid-May 2015.

The article reports that Kansas may seek to reduce its annual contribution to the Kansas Public Employee Retirement System by issuing pension bonds. Proceeds from the bond sale would be deposited into the fund, which it is hoped would earn a rate of return that exceeds the securities' interest rate. The strategy is risky, and retirement-finance expert Alicia Munnell says issuers often use pension bonds in an irresponsible manner.

The article discusses the astonishing reproductive powers of Toystory, a breeding bull who passed away in November 2014 and is buried in Wisconsin. During his career Toystory produced over two million units of bull semen and is believed responsible for some 500,000 offspring in dozens of countries. Glen Gilbert of Genex Cooperative Inc., the company that owned Toystory, says the bull had a strong sex drive.

The article discusses how U.S. Republican governors are working to reform social-welfare programs to include requirements such as drug tests. Topics include concern that drug tests would disproportionately affect low income people, how Governors such as Scott Walker, Mike Pence, and Sam Brownback are looking to implement restrictions to offer accountability to taxpayers, and how they impact children receiving benefits.

The article reports that Ferguson, Missouri policeman Darren Wilson was not indicted for the shooting of unarmed African American teenager Michael Brown. Topics include details on the protests in Ferguson regarding Brown's death, mention of the treatment of Black men by U.S. policemen, and details on Wilson's trial.

The article discusses a data center in Altoona, Iowa built by social-media company Facebook Inc. as an example of technology assets some Midwestern states are trying to attract by offering tax incentives and other inducements. Although the center employs just 75 workers, some believe the presence of Facebook in the community could help attract other large firms. Economist David Swenson questions claims that the data center will generate $17 million for the city and state through 2025.

The article discusses efforts to find a cost-efficient way to neutralize the odor from pig manure, an issue that has grown along with the size of farms in the U.S. Professor Al Heber says a major obstacle is creating an additive that can work on the scale required by large farms. Terry Whitehead is a microbiologist working on the problem for the U.S. Department of Agriculture,

The article discusses developments on August 14, 2014 concerning protests in Ferguson, Missouri following the fatal shooting by police of unarmed teenager Michael Brown. Violent clashes between police and demonstrators prompted Missouri Governor Jay Nixon to transfer responsibility for security in Ferguson to the state highway patrol. U.S. President Barack Obama voiced concern over violence in Ferguson. Police official Jon Belmar said the name of the officer who shot Brown could be released soon.

The article discusses the elevated number of working-age men in the U.S. who aren't working. Between the early 1970s and December of 2013 the proportion of men between the ages of 25 and 54 who are jobless rose from 6% to 17%. Details are presented about the circumstances of former grant writer Mark Riley of Arkansas and former x-ray technician Aaron Miller of Michigan, both unemployed but seeking work.

The article discusses a recovery in U.S. state revenues from declines prompted by an economic recessions and how various state governments are responding. Georgia Governor Nathan Deal wants to substantially increase funding for public schools. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is seeking a tax cut and increased aid for pre-kindergarten programs. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker wants lower taxes and more money for job training.

The article discusses an agreement reached by leaders in the Illinois legislature on November 28, 2013 aimed at addressing a public-pension shortfall in that state. Elements include an increase in the retirement age for younger workers and lower cost-of-living increases for retirees. Governor Pat Quinn has made pension reform a priority, although public-sector unions have fought proposals that would impose costs on government workers.

The article reports that a committee of U.S. stock-exchange and options-exchange officials met but failed to take action in the aftermath of a January 3, 2013 problem with a data feed operated by stock-exchange firm Nasdaq OMX Group that caused a minor disruption in market activity. A much larger outage occurred on August 22, prompting the Securities and Exchange Commission to demand a proposal for improving market technology.

The article discusses a production of the play "The Shepherd of the Hills," an outdoor historical drama that has been staged every year in Branson, Missouri since 1960. On October 19, 2013 the show will have its final performance. Information is presented about the play's history in Branson and on outdoor theater in general.

The article discusses the annual American Royal Steak Competition in Olathe, Kansas. The event has grown from a barbecue contest to include a taste-testing competition to which ranchers submit their choicest cuts of meat. Details are presented about the September 2013 contest, where tasters included Mike Deering of the Missouri Cattlemen's Association and Tess Aldredge of spice maker McCormick & Co.

The article discusses predictions that a boom in U.S. corn prices is ending, forecasting that prices will continue to fall in 2013 and discussing how the end of the boom will impact farmers and beef sales. Topics include a discussion of the decreased commodity trading price for corn and for soybeans, predictions for a record-breaking corn harvest in the summer of 2013, and how the U.S. agricultural industries were impacted by the 2009 economic recession.

The article discusses an increase in the hiring of teachers, police officers, and firefighters in U.S. cities as of July 2013. According to the article, the U.S. Labor Department has reported that jobs are beginning to to be added following a gradual recovery from an economic recession in the late 2000s. The elimination of some teaching positions in Chicago, Illinois is mentioned.

The article discusses disagreement within the U.S. Republican Party regarding the proposed reduction or elimination of state income taxes as of May 2013. Republican legislators in states such as Louisiana, Nebraska, Kansas, Indiana, Oklahoma, and Ohio are objecting to the projected revenue losses and budget deficits, while Republican governors support the tax cut plans to promote economic growth.

The article examines an initiative from Kansas Governor Sam Brownback to position Kansas as a model for Republican policies and leadership. According to Brownback, he plans for reductions in taxes and government spending to represent a method that can be applied to the U.S. federal government while also improving the political standing of conservatives. Particular attention is also given to how tax reductions correlate to economic development.

The article profiles unemployment in Fort Wayne, Indiana as of December 7, 2012. The role that Fort Wayne's unskilled labor force plays in the city's unemployment is discussed. Qualifications for employment at the Internet retailer Sweetwater Sound Inc., including hiring tests and customer service ability, are discussed.

The article discusses the curious popularity of Jeppson's Malört, a spirit available only in and around Chicago, Illinois, and whose taste has been likened to burnt hair or earwax. Pat Gabelick, president of the firm that produces it, says sales have increased 80% within a few years. Details are presented about the history of the drink, which in various ways has acquired a cult status in Chicago.

The article discusses illegal deer stands on public lands in the U.S. Midwest. Hunters are constructing increasingly elaborate stands to shoot deer from. Nails, screws, and other materials used to build the stands can harm trees and make it harder to cut them down. Land commissioner Bob Krepps of St. Louis County, Missouri refers to the structures as "deer condos on stilts."

The article discusses how members of the host country in golf's Ryder Cup tournament have tried to configure the event's golf course to their advantage. Several examples are cited including the 2006 tournament in Ireland, before which the sand bunkers at the Kildare Hotel, Spa, and Country Club were modified in a way thought to disadvantage the U.S. team.

The article discusses the economic effects of a drought in the U.S. Midwest, with a focus on farmers' stable incomes due to the use of crop insurance and the high prices of corn and soybeans. Topics include the economic conditions for U.S. commodity-crop farmers; the effects on chicken farmers and cattle ranchers who are paying record high prices for feed; and crop insurance policies.

The article reports that several U.S. public officers, including governors of five states and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, defended the food additive known as pink slime which is made from beef trimmings and added to ground beef. The officials' defense of the safety of the additive was in response to a consumer activist campaign created after celebrity chef Jamie Oliver displayed how the additive is made on a television program.

The article examines the effect of a severe drought in Texas and Oklahoma on cattle ranching and the price of beef in the U.S. A reduction in the U.S. cattle population as ranchers have reduced herds is discussed. Efforts by ranchers to relocate cattle to states such as Iowa and Nebraska less affected by the drought are noted. The high costs for ranchers of restocking herds once the drought ends are examined.

The article discusses a planned visit by Xi Jinping, Vice-President of China, to the farming community of Muscatine, Iowa on February 15, 2012.It is noted that Xi visited Muscatine in 1983 as part of an animal-feed trade delegation. Xi's planned visit to the town in 2012 is considered as part of an effort to distinguish his leadership style from that of President Hu Jintao, whom Xi is expected to succeed in the fall of 2012.

The article discusses an opportunity in Canada for commodities-exchange operators such as CME Group Inc., IntercontinentalExchange Inc., and MGEX Inc. As of December 16, 2011, wheat farmers in Canada are no longer required to sell their crop exclusively through the Canadian Wheat Board. Farmer Jim Pallister thinks a wheat futures contract being introduced by IntercontinentalExchange will become very popular.

The article discusses rising prices for croplands in the U.S. Midwest. Croplands in Nebraska and Indiana have seen prices double over a five-year period. Between 2010 and 2011 the price of an acre of Iowa farm land rose over 32%. Although reasons exist to believe such elevated prices are sustainable, economist Michael Swanson thinks prices have gotten too high.

The article discusses an economic boom in North Dakota due to increased oil production there from the Bakken Shale. The unemployment rate has fallen to 3.5%, and demand for truck drivers to transport oil to train depots is high. Special attention is paid to efforts by fuel companies such as Musket Corp. to increase the capacity of their railroad terminals.

The article reports that Canada's Conservative-Party-controlled parliament is set to abolish the Canadian Wheat Board. For seventy years the Board has been Canada's effective lone seller of wheat and barley. Once it is gone, farmers will have to market their produce themselves. Consumers could benefit from falling prices.

The article discusses efforts by analysts and investors to accurately estimate corn and soybean crops in the U.S. Some patronize annual tours of crop fields in the U.S. Midwest sponsored by agricultural-advisory company Pro Farmer. Accurate assessments of grain harvests can provide insight into how well the shares of companies such as grain producer Archer-Daniels-Midland and fertilizer manufacturer CF Industries Holdings Inc. will perform.

The article reports that rules issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) governing emissions of sulfur dioxide and other pollutants have sharply curtailed activity and prices in the cap-and-trade market for sulfur-dioxide permits. The EPA mandates impose tougher emissions requirements on power plants and provide less scope for meeting these requirements through permit-trading.

The article reports that E.ON AG has agreed to sell its regulated U.S. utilities operations to PPL Corp. for $6.7 billion. As a result, PPL will acquire the Kentucky Utilities Co. and Louisville Gas & Electricity Co. PPL chief executive James Miller said that the deal would boost shareholder value by giving his firm proportionally more exposure to the utility business.

The article reports on the release of videos showing the shooting of African Americans by police in Chicago, Illinois.

The article reports that the government of Chicago, Illinois has relented to the request to release the surveillance camera video of the 2013 shooting of African American teenager Cedrick Chatman by a police officer as part of a lawsuit filed by Chatman's family.

The article offers information on several political figures which must be considered in the U.S. including attorney general Loreta Lynch, Chicago, Illinois Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.

The article reports on the controversy surrounding Chicago, Illinois' contract with the police union as of January 2, 2016 which includes more protections for officer who are being investigated for misconduct.

The article reports that copies of e-mails from the administration of Chicago, Illinois Mayor Rahm Emmanuel has revealed that it was alerted in 2014 that a dashboard-camera video in the Laquan McDonald shooting case may undermine the police's initial conclusion that the shooting was warranted.

The article discusses the change of policy on the use of force in the wake of a video that shows a city officer shooting and killing a black teenager in the Chicago police department.

The article offers news briefs from the U. S. as of December 30, 2015 including flooding threat in Missouri and Illinois after rains; murder charges to police officer Jason Van Dyke for shooting Laquan McDonald; and affluenza to Ethan Couch when he was on trial for allegedly killing four people.

The article reports on the decision of Rahm Emanuel, Mayor of Chicago, Illinois to end vacation early after a protest by demonstrators in Chicago for killing of a black teenager Laquan McDonald by a Chicago police officer.

The article discusses the protest from the Black Lives Matter in Minneapolis, Minnesota and California for the changes in policing and respect for free speech and mentions that the protest in Minneapolis has started from Mall of America and spread to the airport as of December 2015.

The article reports on the December 22, 2015 decision of Minnesota judge Karen Janisch to bar activists Michael McDowell, Miski Noor and Kandance Montgomery from the Mall of America over plans for a Black Lives Matter movement protest at the mall during the holiday shopping season.

The article offers news briefs in the U.S. as of December 15, 2015 on topics such as the deliberations on the manslaughter case of officer William Porter and the acquittal of Chicago police commander Glenn Evans on aggravated battery charges.

The article reports on the apology of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel on December 9, 2015 for the police shooting of a 17-year-old man Laquan McDonald in 2014 where he stated his call for changes in city policing.