Farmers planted an unexpectedly large crop of corn and soybeans this year, easing some fears of rising food costs.

Corn plantings in Michigan are expected to remain consistent this year, while soybean acreage will increase.

Note: Degrees days are used to track plant and disease development and insect activity.

Each summer Michigan State University Extension, the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station and the Cherry Marketing Institute team up to place the "cherry" on top of the National Cherry Festival " so to speak. Since 1995, MSU Extension and research station staff have welcomed National Cherry Festival participants to visit the research farm located on Center Highway in Leelanau County.

Like many unemployed older workers, 64-year-old Allan Kellum fears his age has made it harder to find a new job. At a recent job fair, Kellum expressed interest in a supervisory role coordinating an international health assistance program. A recruiter set him straight: "The people applying for that are young."

The Founding Fathers left one legacy not celebrated on Independence Day but which affects us all. It's the national debt.

Farmers planted an unexpectedly large crop of corn and soybeans this year, easing some fears of rising food costs.

Corn plantings in Michigan are expected to remain consistent this year, while soybean acreage will increase.

Note: Degrees days are used to track plant and disease development and insect activity.