Latest news with #Goicoechea
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nevada's cage-free egg law temporarily suspended as bird flu impacts supply across state
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The Nevada Department of Agriculture temporarily suspended Nevada's cage-free egg law to address the strain on egg supplies and high egg prices across the state. The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) State Quarantine Officer Director J.J. Goicoechea, DVM suspended the law starting Feb. 20. As a result, eggs for retail sale can be sourced from any egg producer meeting food-safety guidelines, regardless of whether the eggs originated from hens in a cage-free housing system. 'Eggs are typically the most cost-effective protein source for food-insecure populations,' Goicoechea said. 'When families can't find eggs on the shelf, and when they do the prices are not attainable, this can leave them without an essential food they depend on.' Nevada passed cage-free egg regulations in 2021 which require all eggs sold in Nevada to be sourced from cage-free hens. 'Cage-Free' is defined as eggs from hens in an enclosure in which they are unrestricted and free to roam, with a total space of at least one square foot per hen in the enclosure, according to NDA. Nevada Sen. Rosen pushes Trump on egg prices: 'Hasn't done a damn thing' The order was issued to help address the strain on eggs as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) continues to impact the poultry industry, particularly cage-free egg producers, causing the supply of cage-free eggs to be significantly reduced, NDA said. Assembly Bill 171 was passed during the current Legislative session and allows for the temporary suspension of cage-free regulations for up to 120 days in emergencies. Goicoechea's order will begin Thursday. 'This egg shortage didn't happen overnight, and we cannot resolve it overnight,' Goicoechea said. 'We anticipate roughly 30 days before we can secure new contracts and start to see increased egg supplies on the shelf, and hopefully lower prices as availability increases.' The order also allows for the sale of 'Grade B' quality standard eggs. These eggs must meet all of the food safety requirements of 'Grade A' eggs but may have different colors, shapes and sizes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Can suspending a cage-free egg law solve the soaring price problem? Nevada takes a crack at it
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Back when egg prices remained securely under $2 a dozen in 2021, Nevada joined several other states concerned about animal welfare in requiring cage-free eggs. Now four years later, a dozen eggs costs an average of nearly $5 in the U.S. because of the lingering bird flu, so Nevada passed a law the governor signed Thursday that will allow the state to suspend that law temporarily in hopes of getting residents some relief at the checkout counter. But it is not quite that simple, which is why the other six states with the same laws are so far reticent to follow suit. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. By relaxing the rule, Nevada might get access to additional eggs, but the supply of all eggs remains tight because nearly 159 million birds have been slaughtered since the bird flu outbreak began in 2022 to help limit virus spread. The virus prompts the slaughter of entire flocks anytime it is found. It is not clear dropping cage-free laws will have a significant effect on egg prices that have peaked at an average of $4.95 per dozen because the farmers who collectively invested several billion dollars in making the switch can't easily go back to raising chickens packed together in massive barns that they already spent the money to convert. Even if all the cage-free laws went away, big corporations like McDonald's and Sodexo remain committed to buying only those kind of eggs, ensuring strong demand for cage-free eggs. University of Arkansas agricultural economist Jada Thompson said opening up Nevada to all kinds of eggs 'could ease egg prices in Nevada very slightly,' but that it might make prices worse elsewhere because supplies are so tight. Nevada tries to counter high egg prices But Nevada is going to give it a try even if California, Massachusetts, Washington, Oregon, Colorado and Michigan don't seem to be considering it. Arizona, Rhode Island and Utah also have cage-free laws on the books, but theirs won't take effect for at least a couple more years. Democratic Assemblymember Howard Watts III, who raises chickens in his Nevada backyard, advocated for the 2021 bill to promote the 'standard of humane treatment' of the animals. But the ongoing bird flu outbreak in the U.S. has caused egg prices to to hit a record high, and cage-free eggs are generally even more expensive. 'One of the things that was not foreseen at that time was this major animal disease outbreak,' Watts testified Tuesday. 'As a result, there was no regulatory flexibility to suspend those requirements in the event of a major supply chain disruption.' Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo approved the legislation Thursday. Nevada Department of Agriculture Director J.J. Goicoechea is expected to authorize the 120-day suspension of the cage-free egg requirements within a day, according to Goicoechea's spokesperson Ciara Ressel. 'We anticipate 30 days before we can see an impact at the grocery stores,' Ressel said. This month's jump in egg prices was the biggest since the nation's last bird flu outbreak in 2015. The previous high was set two years ago when eggs were selling for $4.82 per dozen on average. The average prices mask just how bad it is in some places. Some Californians these days are shelling out $12.99 for a dozen, or more than a buck an egg. Some New York shops even started selling bundles of three eggs to help people who can't afford a full dozen. Nevada resident Nancy Wong said she has been 'outraged' by egg prices in the state. 'We have gone to the store and eggs have been either rationed or completely out,' she said. A minority of eggs are produced on cage-free farms The concern with the cage-free requirements is that only about 121 million of the 304 million chickens laying eggs nationwide are raised on cage-free farms, so the supply is limited. Many of the eggs those hens produce are promised to restaurant chains like McDonald's and Panera, food service giants like Sodexo and Aramark and grocers under long-term contracts that help keep prices down. But even when they do have to pay a premium, grocers sometimes lose money on eggs by selling them cheaply to try to get shoppers in the door. The number of cage-free chickens has steadily increased in recent years because of the laws and the pressure from the companies buying eggs, increasing exponentially from just 38 million at the start of 2017. But the United Egg Producers trade group has estimated it would take at least 226 million cage-free hens to meet all the demand for those eggs, and more customers are clamoring for them, so the supply is tight. The total flock of chickens nationwide used to number above 330 million before the bird flu outbreak began. Even as more egg farmers were converting to cage-free setups over the past decade, prices stayed between $1.40 and $2 per dozen most of the time with only the normal seasonal price spikes around Easter and Thanksgiving until this current bird flu outbreak began in early 2022. If bird flu outbreaks happen to hit cage-free farms hard, there are fewer eggs out there that can replace the lost ones. For example, out of the nearly 47 million birds slaughtered just since the start of December, more than 3 million of them were on five cage-free farms in California. Anytime birds must be killed, it takes months for a farm to resume producing eggs because of the time required to dispose of the carcasses, sanitize the barns and raise new chickens until they are about 5 months old and capable of laying eggs. Other states resist overturning cage-free laws California won't consider dropping its cage-free law in part because the rule came from a measure voters passed in 2018, so voters would have to approve any major changes. But there doesn't seem to be much support for changes in other states either. Michigan state Rep. Jerry Neyer, a dairy farmer and chair of the state House Agriculture Committee, said the idea that new cage-free laws are driving up egg prices is a 'misconception.' The Republican added that most farms already adapted to comply with the law, so dropping the mandate wouldn't cut costs. A bill to repeal Colorado's cage-free requirements, which just took effect on Jan. 1, was killed in its first committee vote last month. The sponsor, Republican state Rep. Ryan Gonzalez, argued that while the avian flu was a major factor in prices, the cage-free rules played a significant role. But the majority of lawmakers on the panel appeared skeptical. Jonathan Kuester, who runs the small Historic Wagner Farm with about 200 Red Star hens in Illinois just outside Chicago, said he doesn't think cage-free practices are the cause of the egg shortages. He acknowledged his farm is more vulnerable to a bird flu infection than a traditional farm where chickens are confined inside a barn that can be better protected. Kuester's birds roam free, where they might interact with ducks and geese that are the main carriers of the disease. 'The egg shortage that people are seeing is a result of some fairly large flocks being euthanized, and so fewer chickens are currently laying than were three or four months ago," Kuester said. 'There's been a little bit of a panic, too. People are suddenly buying eggs as quickly as they can, and so you see that shortage." ___ Funk reported from Omaha, Nebraska. Govindarao reported from Phoenix. Associated Press writers Sophie Austin, Joey Cappelletti, Michael Casey, Isabella Volmert, Jesse Bedayn, Erin Hooley and Dee-Ann Durbin contributed to this report.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Egg prices unite Nevada lawmakers as AB171 makes its way toward approval
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Nevada lawmakers continued Tuesday to fast-track legislation that could bring down the price of eggs, pushing Assembly Bill 171 (AB171) closer to law. The bill would allow state officials to suspend Nevada's cage-free egg law, which was passed four years ago. The Nevada Department of Agriculture's quarantine officer would gain the power to allow the sale of eggs that come from hens raised in cages. Even the Humane Society is on board with the change, writing an amendment to the bill that expands ways the state can deal with the current problem — such as using grade B eggs when possible. Suspending the cage-free provision for 120 days could boost the available supply, which is expected to bring prices down. Agriculture Director J.J. Goicoechea said that prices could move in about a month if everything goes as expected. Las Vegas stores prepare for chick shipments during ongoing egg shortage, what to know if you're buying Nevada consumers are the focus as Democrats and Republicans work together in Carson City. Assemblymember Howard Watts (D-Clark County), who wrote the original cage-free bill in 2021, is sponsoring the new legislation. On Monday, the Assembly kicked into gear. After passing in the Assembly early Tuesday, AB171 was sent to the Senate. It was sent to committee and passed on Tuesday afternoon. On Wednesday, it is expected to go to a vote of the full Senate. No one has voted against it yet. AB171 could find its way to Gov. Joe Lombardo's desk very soon. That was the plan from the very beginning when Democratic Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager — the bill's co-sponsor — said on Feb. 3 that lawmakers would pass relief for consumers within the first two weeks of the 83rd Legislative Session. A LOOK AT AB171: Nevada consumers could get a break on egg prices Lawmakers can barely contain the jokes as the bill advances at a scorching pace. 'Winner winner, chicken dinner,' Democratic Senator Michelee Cruz-Crawford said as the Committee on Natural Resources sent the bill to the full Senate. She chairs the committee. Yeager posted on X: 'EGGSPENSIVE PRICES? HOW WE'RE FIXING IT 🍳Egg prices have been cracking budgets for too long—but today, we took action! ✅ AB 171 will help Nevadans afford the basics. Big thanks to @HowardWattsNV for leading the charge!' The levity was inevitable as lawmakers made swift progress on a problem that's hitting household budgets hard in Nevada. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Usher Serenades Wife Jennifer Goicoechea on 1st Wedding Anniversary: 'You're My Angel'
Usher is giving wife Jenn Goicoechea the gift of music for their ma! Tuesday, Feb. 11 marks the couple's first wedding anniversary after their sweet and intimate Las Vegas wedding following Usher's star-studded Super Bowl halftime show at Allegiant Stadium. The singer, 46, serenaded his wife with his own version of Robin Thicke's "Angels" in a clip posted on Instagram. "All the things I've done before this, they don't mean a thing," Usher opened the ballad while playing the piano. "Angel, my angel" he sang in the chorus, before winking at the camera and wishing Goicoechea a happy anniversary. The same sentiments were echoed in the caption, where Usher wrote: "Happy Anniversary Boogs. So happy the Universe brought us together. God truly blessed me. You're my Angel." The two tied the knot at Vegas Weddings' drive-thru tunnel The Fast Lane. On the special day, the "Caught Up" singer — whose real name is Usher Raymond IV —wore an abstract, asymmetrical black and white tux, while Goicoechea rocked a chic all-white, off-the-shoulder pants suit with white designer glasses and sparkly cream gloves. The pair were later spotted out celebrating in their wedding ensembles at a party sponsored by Rémy Martin. The bride also wore a long, white veil draped over her short black bob, with the words "Mrs. Raymond 02.11.24" in large embroidered writing across the sheer front, as a nod to her taking the singer's last name and their wedding date. Usher and Goicoechea first sparked dating rumors when photographed together at producer Keith Thomas' 40th birthday party in June 2019. They welcomed their first child together, daughter Sovereign Bo, in 2020, followed by their son, Sire Castrello, in 2021. Usher also shares two sons, Usher V and Naviyd Ely, with his ex-wife, Tameka Foster. Related: Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas Have Relatable Parenting Moment with Daughter Malti at Family Wedding in India In September 2023, Usher revealed in an interview with the New York Post for its 'Music to My Years' video series that his wedding plans were just as spontaneous as they seemed. The singer explained that he and Goicoechea made the impromptu decision to tie the knot after obtaining their marriage license a few days prior to his anticipated performance at the sporting event. "It was an abrupt thing," Usher told the outlet. "We decided at the last minute to do it." The singer added that he was "very happy" to have gotten married in Las Vegas, noting, "It's probably one of the easiest ceremonies that I've ever experienced in my life." "I [was able to] really enjoy this moment between me and my wife and my children and my intimate and immediate family," he said. Last June, Usher gushed about his wife during his acceptance speech at the Apollo Spring Benefit 2024, where he was honored with the icon award. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "Last and most certainly not least, without your love, passion, support to my best friend, Jennifer Raymond. I love you baby," he said. "My wife, who is in the audience tonight. Thank you for your support and I'm so happy that we could do this together. Mother's Days are so awesome. I'm hoping that y'all are going to hook me up for Father's Day." Related: All the Details on Lady Gaga's Million-Dollar Engagement Ring (Which Includes Several Pink Diamonds!) Shortly before the couple's big day, Usher told PEOPLE in an exclusive interview that he was ready to get married. "Listen, when you find someone that you know is a great partner, of course it is an honor and a pleasure to be able to share life with someone who wants to share it with you and loves you, who you are," he said. "We've obviously made a commitment to life for life together because of our children. It wouldn't be odd for us to get married. We already did here. You know what I'm saying?" Usher continued, "And we're going to be in each other's lives until we die, obviously, because we have something to share. That's beautiful. Our children. But not because of that. I really do feel like I have an amazing partner that I respect." Read the original article on People
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NV lawmakers unanimously advance bill designed to help lower the price of eggs
The bill would allow temporary suspension of Nevada's cage-free egg law during national shortages caused by disease outbreaks or natural disasters. (Photo:) In a bid to lower the price of eggs for consumers, Nevada legislators voted unanimously Monday to advance a bill that would temporarily suspend certain regulations related to the sale and transport of eggs. Supply chain issues created by the H5N1 bird flu virus have significantly increased egg prices and reduced availability across Nevada, causing lawmakers to rethink a law banning the sale of caged eggs in the state. Nevada lawmakers are now quickly pushing through Assembly Bill 171, a measure that would grant the State Quarantine Officer the authority to temporarily suspend Nevada's cage-free egg law during national shortages caused by disease outbreaks or natural disasters. Lawmakers said the bill would help lower egg prices in Nevada by opening additional markets that can't be accessed due to the state's ban on caged eggs. Nevada banned the sale of caged eggs in 2021 with the unanimous support of state Democrats and a handful of Republicans. 'One thing that we didn't perceive was this massive bird flu pandemic and the impact that it's had on the supply chain. As a result, there is not flexibility to adjust some of those standards when we're facing an emergency situation,' said Assemblymember Howard Watts, D-Las Vegas, who sponsored the bill with Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager, D-Las Vegas. The Assembly Committee on Natural Resources voted Monday to advance the bill to the full Nevada Assembly, where it is expected to pass without issue before moving to the Nevada Senate. Under the bill, the temporary suspension of regulations would last no more than 120 consecutive days, with up to two suspensions per calendar year. The bill also includes a provision requiring a report on the discrepancy of egg prices from store to store within 60 days. The bill is not limited to Nevada's cage-free egg law. It would also give the Nevada Department of Agriculture the flexibility to secure eggs from atypical sources during shortages, including smaller producers and Grade B egg vendors. Grade B eggs meet all health and safety standards, but are considered lower quality due to superficial cosmetic issues. 'We have no commercial scale egg producers here in the state of Nevada, but we have small operators. So if there are ways that we can help get those eggs onto the shelves, we want to look at that as well,' Watts said. Nevada Department of Agriculture Director J.J. Goicoechea said the agency is already working on certifying and inspecting smaller producers to get more eggs on the shelf. 'There is a population that we can source additional eggs from in a time of emergency, and that is all we are asking for,' Goicoechea said. Goicoechea emphasized the agency's commitment to protecting the health and safety of the food supply, while also trying to increase egg availability and reduce prices. 'At no time can we, nor would we, import any product, whether it was a meat product, a live animal or, in this case, eggs, into the state that was not inspected and had gone through that inspection process,' Goicoechea said. 'There is no way we're going to do anything that would risk or jeopardize the health of Nevada citizens. Absolutely not,' he continued. The virus has also affected other parts of the food supply in Nevada. About 36,000 dairy cows in Nye and Churchill counties have been placed under quarantine since December after the Nevada Department of Agriculture detected Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Until now, the strain detected in Fallon dairy farms in Churchill County has mainly been found in wild birds across all North American flyways. 'This has never been seen before in dairy cattle anywhere. Why it chose Fallon, we do not know. We do have a lot of interface with wildlife and wild fowl there,' Goicoechea said. However, Goicoechea assured Nevadans it was safe to consume milk purchased in grocery stores, adding that the milk pasteurization process in Nevada 'renders the virus inactive.' 'I will not sit here and lie to you. We will be in this for months. We have a long ways to go,' Goicoechea said. 'We are very concerned about… where else it may already be that they haven't found.'
