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USDA data highlights monopoly risk in rural grocery markets

General Manager Brian Horak walks down an aisle at Post 60 Market in Emerson, Nebraska. Locals opened the market as a cooperative in 2022 after the tiny town lost its only grocery store (Kevin Hardy/Stateline). June 19, 2025 6:00 am If you live in a small town, you probably have fewer grocery stores than you […]

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USDA data highlights monopoly risk in rural grocery markets

If you live in a small town, you probably have fewer grocery stores than you did 30 years ago — and fewer choices inside them.

Independent grocers have disappeared, replaced by big national chains that now decide what’s on the shelves, how much it costs, and who gets to profit.

In 1990, the top four grocery chains controlled just 13% of nationwide sales. By 2019, the top four retailers — Walmart, Kroger, Costco, and Ahold Delhaize — controlled 34% of U.S. grocery sales, according to the USDA.

That concentration hasn’t gone unnoticed. Just last year, the Federal Trade Commission and nine states sued to block a $25 billion merger between grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons, arguing that the deal would harm both shoppers and workers by reducing competition, increasing prices, and consolidating power into fewer hands. The merger has since unraveled, but only after a court battle and mounting public pressure.

chart visualization

In rural counties, market concentration more than doubled between 1990 and 2019, according to USDA data.

One way to measure concentration is the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), a tool used to track monopoly risk. In rural areas, HHI scores jumped from 3,104 to 5,584 — more than twice the threshold where federal antitrust regulators start to worry about competition. According to a 2023 USDA report, the USDA considers anything above 2,500 is considered highly concentrated.

Now that trend may speed up. The White House has proposed nearly $7 billion in USDA budget cuts, including $721 million from Rural Development programs — the ones that help small towns open grocery stores and other local businesses. One program on the chopping block is the Rural Business-Cooperative Service. Loan funding for community facilities and rural businesses would also drop by 45%, with no new grant dollars offered.

At the same time, the administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative discusses improving nutrition, but proposes cuts to the very programs that help people buy food, including Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), school meal equipment, and farm-to-school efforts.

The bottom line? Rural communities already hit hardest by grocery consolidation are now facing even more roadblocks.

This article first appeared on Investigate Midwest and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. PARSELY = { autotrack: false, onload: function() { PARSELY.beacon.trackPageView({ url: “https://investigatemidwest.org/2025/06/18/usda-data-highlights-monopoly-risk-in-rural-grocery-markets/”, urlref: window.location.href }); } }

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High School Sports

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HIGH SCHOOL Alan Arsenault Special to the Telegram & Gazette Players from Bella Marble and Granite (North High) puts their hands in before facing Eddie’s Super Plaza (Doherty) in the Kingsway-Crompton Summer League championship game on Tuesday July 22, 2025. Alan Arsenault/Special To The Telegram & Gazette Eddie’s Super Plaza (Doherty) and Bella Marble and […]

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HIGH SCHOOL

Alan Arsenault

Special to the Telegram & Gazette

Players from Bella Marble and Granite (North High) puts their hands in before facing Eddie's Super Plaza (Doherty) in the Kingsway-Crompton Summer League championship game on Tuesday July 22, 2025.

Players from Bella Marble and Granite (North High) puts their hands in before facing Eddie’s Super Plaza (Doherty) in the Kingsway-Crompton Summer League championship game on Tuesday July 22, 2025.

Alan Arsenault/Special To The Telegram & Gazette

Eddie's Super Plaza (Doherty) and Bella Marble and Granite (North) tipoff in the Kingsway-Crompton Summer League Championship on Tuesday July 22, 2025.

Eddie’s Super Plaza (Doherty) and Bella Marble and Granite (North) tipoff in the Kingsway-Crompton Summer League Championship on Tuesday July 22, 2025.

Alan Arsenault/Special To The Telegram & Gazette

Bella Marble and Granite (North)'s Jyzeer Fiske drains a 3-pointer versus Eddie's Super Plaza (Doherty) in the Kingsway-Crompton Summer League Championship on Tuesday July 22, 2025.

Bella Marble and Granite (North)’s Jyzeer Fiske drains a 3-pointer versus Eddie’s Super Plaza (Doherty) in the Kingsway-Crompton Summer League Championship on Tuesday July 22, 2025.

Alan Arsenault/Special To The Telegram & Gazette

Bella Marble and Granite (North)'s Robert Williams drives as Eddie's Super Plaza (Doherty)'s Josiah Bates defends in the Kingsway-Crompton Summer League Championship on Tuesday July 22, 2025.

Bella Marble and Granite (North)’s Robert Williams drives as Eddie’s Super Plaza (Doherty)’s Josiah Bates defends in the Kingsway-Crompton Summer League Championship on Tuesday July 22, 2025.

Alan Arsenault/Special To The Telegram & Gazette

Bella Marble and Granite (North)'s Tylib Jenkins looks to pass as Eddie's Super Plaza (Doherty)'s Jayden Orhon defends in the Kingsway-Crompton Summer League Championship on Tuesday July 22, 2025.

Bella Marble and Granite (North)’s Tylib Jenkins looks to pass as Eddie’s Super Plaza (Doherty)’s Jayden Orhon defends in the Kingsway-Crompton Summer League Championship on Tuesday July 22, 2025.

Alan Arsenault/Special To The Telegram & Gazette

Eddie's Super Plaza (Doherty)'s Jayden Orhon, left, and Bella Marble and Granite (North)'s Miguel Numez reach for a rebound in the Kingsway-Crompton Summer League Championship on Tuesday July 22, 2025.

Eddie’s Super Plaza (Doherty)’s Jayden Orhon, left, and Bella Marble and Granite (North)’s Miguel Numez reach for a rebound in the Kingsway-Crompton Summer League Championship on Tuesday July 22, 2025.

Alan Arsenault/Special To The Telegram & Gazette

Bella Marble and Granite (North)'s Jyzeer Fiske drives as Eddie's Super Plaza (Doherty)'s Jariel Hernandez defends in the Kingsway-Crompton Summer League Championship on Tuesday July 22, 2025.

Bella Marble and Granite (North)’s Jyzeer Fiske drives as Eddie’s Super Plaza (Doherty)’s Jariel Hernandez defends in the Kingsway-Crompton Summer League Championship on Tuesday July 22, 2025.

Alan Arsenault/Special To The Telegram & Gazette

Eddie's Super Plaza (Doherty) and Bella Marble and Granite (North) compete in the Kingsway-Crompton Summer League Championship on Tuesday July 22, 2025.

Eddie’s Super Plaza (Doherty) and Bella Marble and Granite (North) compete in the Kingsway-Crompton Summer League Championship on Tuesday July 22, 2025.

Alan Arsenault/Special To The Telegram & Gazette

Eddie's Super Plaza (Doherty)'s Ryan Dennis shoots over Bella Marble and Granite (North)'s Joseph Jaddah in the Kingsway-Crompton Summer League Championship on Tuesday July 22, 2025.

Eddie’s Super Plaza (Doherty)’s Ryan Dennis shoots over Bella Marble and Granite (North)’s Joseph Jaddah in the Kingsway-Crompton Summer League Championship on Tuesday July 22, 2025.

Alan Arsenault/Special To The Telegram & Gazette

Eddie's Super Plaza (Doherty)'s Hezaki Brown leaps towards the basket versus Bella Marble and Granite (North) in the Kingsway-Crompton Summer League Championship on Tuesday July 22, 2025.

Eddie’s Super Plaza (Doherty)’s Hezaki Brown leaps towards the basket versus Bella Marble and Granite (North) in the Kingsway-Crompton Summer League Championship on Tuesday July 22, 2025.

Alan Arsenault/Special To The Telegram & Gazette

Eddie's Super Plaza (Doherty) poses with their trophy after defeating Bella Marble and Granite (North) in the Kingsway-Crompton Summer League Championship on Tuesday July 22, 2025.

Eddie’s Super Plaza (Doherty) poses with their trophy after defeating Bella Marble and Granite (North) in the Kingsway-Crompton Summer League Championship on Tuesday July 22, 2025.

Alan Arsenault/Special To The Telegram & Gazette

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High School Sports

Top New Mexico high school football WRs, who will have best 2025 season? Vote

What better way to prep for the high school football season than looking at which players are worth watching on Friday nights? New Mexico high school football will kick off August 18 (first Friday night), which is just under a month away. So, as we gear up for the bright lights, loud crowds and big-time […]

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Top New Mexico high school football WRs, who will have best 2025 season? Vote

What better way to prep for the high school football season than looking at which players are worth watching on Friday nights?

New Mexico high school football will kick off August 18 (first Friday night), which is just under a month away. So, as we gear up for the bright lights, loud crowds and big-time plays, High School On SI will break down New Mexico’s top players by position heading into the 2025 season.

Not only does this preseason coverage highlight the best returning players ahead of the fall, but it allows the New Mexico high school football community to VOTE on which player could have the biggest 2025 season.

Could it be a rising sophomore? A highly-touted prospect? Could it be a player not listed below?

Some of the players might not be the most highly touted, recruited or covered, but their numbers indicate they are performing at their respective level — and likely impacting victory for their programs.

Below is a list of New Mexico’s top wide receivers to watch ahead of the 2025 season based on a few factors: stats from the previous season (from MaxPreps.com), recruiting status (from 247Sports), and the discretion of the reporter (Tarek Fattal).

(Athletes listed in alphabetical order | Voting poll at bottom of page)

Cox-liggins was one of the state’s best sophomores in 2024. He caught 64 passed for 1,112 yards and 12 TDs. The 6-foot-3 wideout averaged 101 yards per game and averaged 17.4 yards per catch.

Duran tallied 941 yards on just 37 catches and 12 TDs in 2024.

Erickson hauled in 57 passes for 906 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior in 11 games.

Smith led all freshman in receiving yards in 2024. He had 62 catches for 698 yards and 12 TDs for a 10-2 squad last fall.

Lee was one of few 1,000-yard receivers in 2024. He caught 58 balls for 1,182 yards and 17 TDs in 11 games as a junior for the 8-3 Warriors.

Maldanado could be considered the No. 1 wideout in the state heading into 2025. While others on the list could breakout into big seasons, Maldanado is expected to deliver after 918 yards receiving and 11 TD catches to help Cleveland win the 6A title.

La Cueva reached the 6A final in 2024 and could be a force to be reckoned with again in 2025. Montano had 35 receptions for 417 yards and five TDs last year and will likely double his production in 2025.

In 13 games as junior, Winnikoff brought in 51 catches for 781 yards and five TDs for a 6A Cruces team that could see Winnikoff turn into its No. 1 wideout in 2025.

The voting poll will close on Wednesday, July 30 at 8 p.m. (PT).

Bookmark High School on SI for all of the latest high school sports news.

To get live updates on your phone — as well as follow your favorite teams and top games — you can download the SBLive Sports app: 

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High School Sports

Recent arrest in Connecticut highlights concerns about safety of children online

A former law enforcement officer turned safety expert explained how to protect kids while they use social media or gaming systems. SOUTH WINDSOR, Conn. — After a recent arrest in Connecticut involving possession of child sexual abuse material, a former law enforcement officer offered advice Tuesday on how to protect kids while they use social media […]

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Recent arrest in Connecticut highlights concerns about safety of children online

A former law enforcement officer turned safety expert explained how to protect kids while they use social media or gaming systems.

SOUTH WINDSOR, Conn. — After a recent arrest in Connecticut involving possession of child sexual abuse material, a former law enforcement officer offered advice Tuesday on how to protect kids while they use social media or gaming systems.

On July 19, Connecticut State Police arrested Daniel Lowell, 63, of Norwich after a year-long investigation uncovered more than 400 images of child sex abuse materials inside his home.

Scott Driscoll, a formal law enforcement officer who investigated internet crimes against children, said he’s seen cases like this too many times.

“It just fuels my passion on trying to prevent it, because what I saw as an adult made me go ‘wow,’ and now we’re going back 22 to years when I started,” Driscoll said.

He also addressed a concerning trend he said has stuck with him all these years.

“It was shocking how quickly someone would send an inappropriate picture, ask for an inappropriate picture,” he said.

Driscoll encouraged parents who have kids that use personal devices and go on social media to keep close tabs on what they’re doing online.

“Parents need an active role, and it’s not easy, but it’s something that is very important. We’ve got to keep instilling in our children, if you don’t know someone, they are a stranger,” he said.

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Driscoll offered a number of ways parents can monitor their child’s social media and online habits. These include:

  • Understanding how technology works
  • Considering family pairing on social media
  • Setting an appropriate age limit for children to be on social media
  • Talking to kids about what is going on in their lives

Emily Pacheco said her eight-year-old son has started learning online safety at his school.

“He comes home and lets me know you can’t chat with people you don’t know online, you can’t friend people you don’t know online so it’s really good they teach him that,” Pachesco said.

Robert Young said he’s constantly monitoring his niece’s and nephew’s devices.

“I’m always very skeptical about what they are watching and what they are looking at and I’m always taking their tablets and making sure like, ‘I want you to go outside.’ If I can be with you, I feel like you’re safe with me. So yeah, I’m always watching them,” Young said.

Driscoll said the best apps for kids are ones that do not have messaging abilities.

Kaye Paddyfote is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at kpaddyfote@fox61.com. Follow her on X and Instagram.

RELATED: Connecticut man arrested after troopers uncover 400 files of child sexual abuse material

MORE NEWS: Father arrested in New York in death of 9-year-old daughter he had reported missing

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High School Sports

25 Sports Tuesday

PEORIA (25News Now) -Morton hosted downstate football powers Peoria High, Springfield SH-G, Moline and Williamsville in a fun night of summer prep football. Normal West hosted Pekin, Tri-Valley and Bloomington Central Catholic for 7-on-7 games. You can watch 25News – any newscast, anywhere – streaming LIVE on 25NewsNow.com, our 25News mobile app, and on our […]

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25 Sports Tuesday

PEORIA (25News Now) -Morton hosted downstate football powers Peoria High, Springfield SH-G, Moline and Williamsville in a fun night of summer prep football. Normal West hosted Pekin, Tri-Valley and Bloomington Central Catholic for 7-on-7 games.

You can watch 25News – any newscast, anywhere – streaming LIVE on 25NewsNow.com, our 25News mobile app, and on our WEEK 25News SmartTV streaming app. Learn more about how you can get connected to 25News streaming live news here.

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High School Sports

Rash, Whitaker highlight VHSL Class 4 All

King George rising senior Callista Rash and Courtland rising senior Kayden Whitaker were among the local highlights as the Virginia High School League released the Class 4 spring track and field teams on July 13. Both Rash and Whitaker finished second in their respective events, Rash in the girls 400-meter dash final and Whitaker in […]

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Rash, Whitaker highlight VHSL Class 4 All

King George rising senior Callista Rash and Courtland rising senior Kayden Whitaker were among the local highlights as the Virginia High School League released the Class 4 spring track and field teams on July 13.

Both Rash and Whitaker finished second in their respective events, Rash in the girls 400-meter dash final and Whitaker in the boys 100 final.







track story P1

King George rising senior Callista Rash was named to the VHSL Class 4 all-state team for spring track after a podium finish at states in June.




For Rash, this comes after winning her second state championship during the winter in the girls 500, an incredibly accomplished high school career already that still has a year of time to add on to.

Whitaker also earned all-state honors as a member of Courtland’s state champion 400 relay team. It’s comprised of him, Brayden Bachiller, Daijon Edwards and Anthony Marshall, a group that broke their own school record and earned all-American honors at Adidas Nationals in June.

People are also reading…







track story P2

Courtland’s state championship-winning 400-meter relay team of left-to-right: Kayden Whitaker, Brayden Bachiller, Daijon Edwards and Anthony Marshall earned VHSL Class 4 all-state honors in spring track.




Rounding out the list is Eastern View’s boys 1,600 relay team: Mason Deluca, Emir Jackson, Mark Lee and Josh Sewordor. They placed third at states.

Courtland’s 400-meter relay team made history at the VHSL Class 4 state meet in June, breaking their own school record en route to a state title.


Alex Murphy amurphy@freelancestar.com

@AlexMurphyJour on X

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High School Sports

Highlights from the second day of 2025 Iowa High School State Softball Tournament

1

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Highlights from the second day of 2025 Iowa High School State Softball Tournament


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