Through the smoky air, the impact of drought clouds the Midwest

Finally, some rain. We were pleased to see the unfamiliar sight of water falling from the Midwest skies in recent days. For one thing, it can only help to clear out the smoke from Canadian wildfires that has cast a pall over Chicago and created a serious health emergency. But the rain we received was still not enough to end the ongoing drought that threatens to disrupt summer activities and, potentially, the global food supply. Rainfall amounts across much of the Corn Belt growing area remain well below normal levels. More than 80% of Illinois has experienced at least a moderate drought so far...