North Dakota community fights to stop Chinese company Fufeng from opening corn mill near US Air Force base

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More than 300-acres of North Dakota farmland could soon be home to a massive corn mill, owned by the Chinese company Fufeng.

Fufeng plans to invest $700 million to open the mill. But the community is weary because state and local officials said the company has ties to the Chinese Communist Party. "I'm not going to say that economic development isn't a good thing. But at what cost?" said Ben Grzadzielewski. The plant would be just 12-miles from the Grand Forks Air Force Base – home to top secret drone technology. The community is fighting back, collecting thousands of signatures on a petition to bring the deal to a vote and suing the city to stop the project. Grzadzielewski is working closely with the legal team. IF BIDEN WON'T STOP LAND GRABS BY CHINA, CONGRESS WILL

Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota. (Fox News)

"In terms of Grand Forks, its water use, pollution, and smell. In terms of national, it is security. Everyone should be worried nationally about the security issues as well as locally," Grzadzielewski told Fox News. The prime farmland is just across from Frank Matejecks Red River Angus Farm. "This is 370-acres of some of the best farmland in the country," Matejeck said. Wondering why Fufeng chose that land for the mill, he told Fox News that the property would not be located near tons of corn crops. "There will never be enough corn from the growers around here to facilitate that plant, ever," said Matejeck. The land, which is usually full of sugar beets and soybeans, was owned by three local farmers. The property was not for sale when officials said Fufeng offered to buy the land. The Chinese company spent millions to secure the deal, dishing out well over the average price for the land at more than $26,000 an acre. From yard signs, to tense council meetings, the fight against Fufeng rages on. "This is crazy. You people want to bring communist China to Grand Forks. They kill people in communist China," a concerned citizen told the council at a recent meeting.

Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., walks through the Senate subway in the Capitol on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Now, making its way all the way to Washington D.C. where North Dakota Republican Senator Kevin Cramer said the threat of Chinese espionage is very real. "The China of today is not the China of decades ago. China has demonstrated real aggression," said Senator Cramer. Cramer is a member of the Committee on Armed Services. Receiving weekly national security briefings.  "Stuff that I can't share, but stuff that people should be concerned about," Senator Cramer said. It's not just here in North Dakota. According to the USDA, Chinese owners control at least $2 billion worth of agricultural land across the country. That number is low compared to other foreign countries but growing.  Fufeng would be the largest foreign private sector investment in the history of Grand Forks. The city said the plant would bring in at least 200 jobs and millions in tax revenue. Grand Forks Republican Mayor Brandon Bochenski said he hears the concerns. "We would love to see growth. We'd love to see a corn mill, you know, the whole China thing just makes it more difficult for us," Mayor Bochenski said.

A New York Times guest essay suggested Monday that the Biden administration's posture on China distracts from Russia. (Bikash Dware/The Rising Nepal via AP))

TAIWAN BOASTS OF POWERFUL ANTI-AIRCRAFT WEAPONRY AMID FEARS OF CHINESE INVASION Mayor Bochenski said Grand Forks is not desperate for investment and he knows there is a possibility the deal could be killed. "There's nobody in the world right now than me that would rather have this be an American company. Because, you know, like I said, nobody is ecstatic about it being a Chinese investment. We're patriotic. I'm a patriotic guy. I would love American companies to invest more in our country instead of investing overseas. But, you know, that's not the environment we're in, unfortunately. We're trying to sort through this," Bochenski told Fox News. The Republican Mayor said it is not a done deal, until the federal government weighs in. "If they truly believe it is a bad project and have the facts and the information to back it up, we'll certainly follow their lead," Mayor Bochenski said. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Right now, the federal government is reviewing Fufeng’s plans to find out if there is any threat to national security.  The city expects the review to be done within a month. 

Fufeng said they won’t comment until the review is done. So, for now, the plan is still in play. 

Alexis McAdams currently serves as an FNC correspondent based in New York City. She joined the network in January 2020.

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Ben & Jerry’s loses bid to stop sales in occupied Palestinian territories

The company announced last July it would no longer sell its ice cream in the occupied Palestinian territories, saying it was "inconsistent with our values," although it said it would sell its products in Israel.

In this file July 20, 2021, photo, trucks are parked at the Ben & Jerry's ice-cream factory in the Be'er Tuvia Industrial area in Israel. (Tsafrir Abayov / AP)

Ben & Jerry's has lost its bid to block its parent company Unilever from selling its ice cream in Israel occupied West Bank, which the US firm said would run counter to its values. The company, known for its political activism, took the unusual step of seeking an injunction after London-based Unilever announced it had sold its interest in the ice cream to an Israeli license-holder. However, a US federal judge ruled on Monday the ice cream company had "failed to demonstrate" that the move to sell the goods in the Israeli-occupied settlements caused it "irreparable harm." In July last year, Vermont-based Ben & Jerry's announced it would no longer sell its ice cream in occupied Palestine's territories, which Israel seized in 1967, saying it was "inconsistent with our values," although it said it would keep selling its products in Israel. However, Israeli license-holder Avi Zinger had continued to produce the ice cream in his factory in the suburbs of Tel Aviv and distribute it to the Israeli settlements, going against the company's decision. Hundreds of thousands of Jewish settlers live in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem in communities found illegal under international law. READ MORE: Why Ben & Jerry's decision scares the fudge out of Israel's leaders

Why is Ben & Jerry's ending sales in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories? pic.twitter.com/cqvFfo9NPt

— TRT World (@trtworld) July 20, 2021

US court: Too speculative On July 5, Ben & Jerry's asked that any agreement allowing distribution or sale of its products in the occupied West Bank be dissolved and that any further such transaction go before its board of directors to be given a green light. Unilever's decision was "made without the consent of Ben & Jerry's Independent Board," and goes against the merger agreement that gave the board the ability to protect the founder's values and reputation, the complaint said. However, US District Court Judge Andrew Carter Jr in Manhattan said the idea the company's messaging could be marred or customers could become confused about its core values was "too speculative." Founded in the United States in 1978, Ben & Jerry's is known for championing progressive causes, including protecting the environment and promoting human rights, and has frequently released special ice cream flavours to support causes or in protest. Contacted by AFP news agency on Monday, Ben & Jerry's declined to immediately comment on the decision. Unilever did not respond to an AFP request for comment. Source: AFP

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MSNBC's Claire McCaskill: Republicans want 'dogs sniffing women at airports' to stop out-of-state abortions

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MSNBC analyst Claire McCaskill attacked Republicans supporting "extreme" bans on abortion while appearing on "Chris Jansing Reports" on Tuesday.

The former Missouri senator rebuked recent efforts from the GOP in certain states enacting abortion bans following the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June. With her state enacting strict abortion laws and several states' primary elections underway, McCaskill suggested that this could be a turning point for voting.

"This is different. And I do think, the phrase keeps being used, but it’s apt, I think the dog caught the car. And now it’s kind of flipped, the motivation, the anger, the disappointment, especially when states like Missouri do such extreme laws. I mean, this is a tough subject. Reasonable people can disagree about parts of the issue of legal abortions," McCaskill said.

Although she claimed "reasonable" people can disagree about abortion, she accused Republicans of wanting to criminalize women and people who help them obtain abortions out of state.

Claire McCaskill became an MSNBC analyst after losing her U.S. Senate seat in Missouri to Josh Hawley. (Getty Images)

NY TIMES GUEST ESSAY ARGUES MISCARRIAGES AND ABORTIONS HAVE ‘MORE IN COMMON’ THAN PEOPLE THINK’ 

"But most Missourians, most Kansans, most Americans want rape victims to be able to terminate a pregnancy. They don’t want dogs sniffing women at airports to see if they are traveling to have an abortion. They don’t want civil posses out looking to find people who have enabled someone to get a safe and legal abortion and take after them in court. This is the kind of stuff that Republicans are doing now," McCaskill said.

Kansas is holding a referendum on an amendment to the state constitution that would deny the right to an abortion Tuesday.

Further on, McCaskill claimed that the abortion issue could help Democrats not only win in Kansas but hold onto power in the November midterm elections.

Abortion-rights protesters gather outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Friday, June 24, 2022. The Supreme Court has ended constitutional protections for abortion that had been in place nearly 50 years, a decision by its conservative majority to overturn the court's landmark abortion cases.  ((AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana))

"They are going to such an extreme, I think it is really going to help the Democrats not only today, but also in November, in terms of holding on to power in Washington, D.C. I could be wrong, but when the Catholic Church puts a million dollars, the Catholic Church put a million dollars in this campaign in Kansas, in a state where there are all kinds of needs for the poor, I think that causes a lot of head-scratching," she said.

MSNBC SOUNDS ALARM ON HISPANICS FLEEING DEMOCRATIC PARTY: ‘WHAT’S GOING ON HERE?’ 

McCaskill previously criticized the Texas Heartbeat Act in 2021 that banned abortions after six weeks, when a fetal heartbeat can be detected. While it did not overturn Roe v. Wade at the time, it was considered by some to be "a workaround" since the Supreme Court rejected efforts to stop its implementation.

Former Sen. Claire McCaskill has frequently defended President Joe Biden during his administration. ((AP Photo/Jeff Roberson))

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"It shouldn't be a tip of the hat. It should be condemnation. That they are trying to take 50 years of Supreme Court precedent and throw it out by creating a private police that can invade women's life at the most personal, private and difficult moment they ever face," McCaskill commented at the time.

Fox News’ Cortney O’Brien contributed to this report.

Lindsay Kornick is an associate editor for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to lindsay.kornick@fox.com and on Twitter: @lmkornick.

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Nancy Pelosi's Asia visit itinerary leaves out mention of possible stop in Taiwan

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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office announced early Sunday morning that she plans to visit at least four Asian countries during her trip to the region, but a stop in Taiwan was notably left out.

Pelosi is leading a Congressional delegation to the Indo-Pacific region that includes stops in Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan. The trip will center on mutual security, economic partnership and democratic governance in the Indo-Pacific region, her office said in a press release.

"Today, our Congressional delegation travels to the Indo-Pacific to reaffirm America’s strong and unshakeable commitment to our allies and friends in the region," Pelosi said in the release.  

CHINA ANNOUNCES LIVE-FIRE NAVAL EXERCISES AHEAD OF POSSIBLE PELOSI TAIWAN VISIT

Pelosi is leading a Congressional delegation to the Indo-Pacific region that includes stops in Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

FORMER CHINESE STATE MEDIA EDITOR SUGGESTS NANCY PELOSI BE 'RESTRAINED,' 'PUNISHED' BY CCP FOR VISITING TAIWAN

"In Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan, our delegation will hold high-level meetings to discuss how we can further advance our shared interests and values, including peace and security, economic growth and trade, the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, human rights and democratic governance," she continued.

Pelosi added, "Under the strong leadership of President Biden, America is firmly committed to smart, strategic engagement in the region, understanding that a free and flourishing Indo-Pacific is crucial to prosperity in our nation and around the globe."

The Congressional delegation will include Reps. Gregory Meeks of New York, Mark Takano of California, Suzan DelBene of Washington, Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois and Andy Kim of New Jersey.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen delivers a speech during National Day celebrations in front of the Presidential Building in Taipei, Taiwan, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019.  (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)

Pelosi's announcement comes after President Joe Biden said earlier this month that U.S. military officials believe a visit to Taiwan from the Speaker is "not a good idea."

The People's Republic of China sees Taiwan as part of its territory. The Chinese military has frequently sent planes into Taiwan's airspace to test the region's air defense zone and the country has warned the U.S. against Pelosi visiting. She would be the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit the island county since 1997. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping warned Biden in a phone call Thursday that the U.S. must not "play with fire" on Taiwan.

"Those who play with fire will perish by it. It is hoped that the US will be clear-eyed about this," a Chinese readout of the Biden-Xi call said.

While the U.S. does not have official relations with Taiwan, it has increased engagements with the island and has tried to discourage China from invading.

FORMER CHINESE STATE MEDIA EDITOR SUGGESTS NANCY PELOSI BE 'RESTRAINED,' 'PUNISHED' BY CCP FOR VISITING TAIWAN

Pelosi's trip will center on mutual security, economic partnership and democratic governance in the Indo-Pacific region, her office said in a press release. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

China has become angered over the potential of Pelosi visiting Taiwan, with Beijing warning that there will be consequences if the Speaker stops on the island. Chinese officials have said Pelosi visiting Taiwan would violate the One China Policy and would constitute aiding an illegal rebellion.

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A Chinese state media personality even suggested shooting down the Speaker's plane if she does visit.

On Saturday, China held live-fire military exercises in the Taiwan Strait.

Fox News' Timothy H.J. Nerozzi contributed to this report. 

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Fentanyl From the Government? A Vancouver Experiment Aims to Stop Overdoses

So she started to provide a replacement for the street drugs, first Dilaudid, then fentanyl patches, and, now, the fentanyl capsules. Her project purchases the fentanyl from a pharmaceutical manufacturer, and a local pharmacy compounds it, with dextrose and caffeine as buffers. The pills are sold at $10 a hit, priced to match the street rate exactly.

Dr. Sutherland writes a prescription for the drug, and patients buy it; if they can’t pay, the program covers the cost.

When nurses enroll new participants in the program, they increase the dose over days to find exactly what the patients need to replace what they use on the street. Participants use the drugs under supervision at first, to make sure they have the amount they need to avoid withdrawal (and no more, so that there is no risk they will sell excess on the street). Then, they can take the drugs off-site to use.

The Opioid Crisis

From powerful pharmaceuticals to illegally made synthetics, opioids are fueling a deadly drug crisis in America.

Chris has been a daily user of illicit drugs since he was a teenager. He receives 30,000 micrograms of fentanyl at the dispensary each day. That is vastly more than would kill a nonuser — a doctor would typically prescribe about 50 micrograms temporarily to manage pain — but, after years of use, it is what Chris needs to feel a quick rush of euphoria and prevent withdrawal. He said he hoped to return to working soon and then would start buying from the program, the way he would patronize a liquor store.

Dr. Sutherland expects that patients such as Chris may gradually reduce the amount they use, because they’re not worried about how they will score the next hit to keep the agony of withdrawal — being “dope sick” — at bay.

Lisa James personifies the anticipated benefit of programs like this. Ms. James, who is 53, spent 18 years addicted to heroin. For the first eight, every day began the same grim cycle: She’d go out in the morning and steal from stores, then pass the merchandise to her boyfriend, who would resell it and use the money to buy heroin. He’d bring it home, where she was waiting anxiously, already nauseated and twitchy with dope sickness.

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