MacFarlane’s backyard (Trinidad Express) Brian MacFarlane's band, Earth, on television on Carnival Tuesday evening was very impressive. However, he must have left some characters at home, possibly because he thought that the band was already large enough. [News Source]

New ag secretary says farm bill is close to resolution (The Pantagraph) RENO, Nev. -- New Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer told a conference of cattle producers here Friday that he is optimistic that the Bush administration will reach a compromise with Senate and House negotiators over the stalled 2007 farm bill, suggesting that disagreements over the level of farm subsidies can be resolved. [News Source]