Berry raised animals for slaughter. Steinem believed “Animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, or use for entertainment.” Neither Wendell Berry and Gloria Steinem, each deceased at 92, on August 31, 2026 and September 2, 2026, respectively, were known primarily––or perhaps even at all––for their considerable influence on the late 20th century rise […]
Rollins & Kennedy “beef up” USDA school meal program cut to the bone
Nothing in the Rollins/Kennedy announcement supports plant-based diet, notes Harvard critic WASHINGTON, D.C.––Brooke Rollins, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services, on August 24, 2026 announced what they claimed were, “Sweeping new efforts to strengthen school meals by connecting more American farmers with local schools, […]
Walmart, Target & plant-based protein access in rural Middle America
Is variety the spice of life, or the death of the plant-based protein sector? by Brooke Stein The impact of investor-driven invention versus mission-driven invention may well be keeping animals on the plate while at least a billion people remain hungry. The movement to support a global shift towards plant-based protein may be missing big […]
Where do the Democratic Socialists of America stand on animal issues?
Activist, author, & Slaughter-Free America blogger Jon Hochschartner looks for answers ANIMALS 24-7 preface: Founded in 1982, but emerging only recently as a leading political influence on the U.S. national scene, the Democratic Socialists of America campaign in primary elections and caucus in elected office as Democrats. Yet, drawing distinct lines between themselves and traditional […]
“Thou Shalt Not Kill Animals” initiative petition drive fails in Oregon
Was “Thou Shalt Not Kill Animals” initiative petition effort worth $300,000? Did it help at all? SALEM, Oregon––The Oregon Secretary of State’s Office on July 24, 2026 announced that Initiative Petition 28, described by Oregon Capital Chronicle editor Julia Shumway as “an effort led by Portland-based vegan advocates to dramatically expand the state’s animal cruelty […]
Ridglan Farms charges filed, plus guest column by Jon Hochschartner
Editors’ preface: Three days after an unsuccessful April 18, 2026 attempt by about 200 animal advocates to storm the Ridglan Farms beagle-breeding facility in Blue Mound, Wisconsin, the tear gas and pepper spray have drifted from the scene on the wind. Met with force unprecedented in more than a half century of frequent animal rights […]
Are protein-binging high meat diets eating vegan restaurants’ lunch?
Fried chicken, pizza, & burger joints, and even steakhouses are also experiencing a shakeout SEATTLE, NEW YORK CITY, ATLANTA, OAKLAND–– “Seattle’s Wayward Cafe was always vegan, then bought out by a new family, and has now announced it is going carnist!” nationally recognized animal rights lawyer Adam Karp lamented to Facebook on March 18, 2026. […]
Brigitte Bardot, 91, movie star for 20 years, animal advocate for 52 years
Brigitte Bardot: provocative on film, but even more provocative for animals, for more than twice as long PARIS, France––Brigitte Bardot, 91, a fashion model for four years, a film actress for 20 years, and a full-time animal advocate for the last 52 years of her life, died on December 28, 2025 of undisclosed causes at […]
Zoe Rosenberg gets 30 days; she & Wayne Hsiung both hit with restitution
Relatively light jail sentence, but 6-figure restitution to be paid to poultry firms SANTA ROSA, California––Sonoma County Superior Court judge Kenneth Gnoss on December 3, 2025 in Santa Rosa, California, sentenced Direct Action Everywhere activist Zoe Rosenberg, 23, of Berkeley, California, to serve 30 days in jail, 60 days in a “jail alternative” program, and […]
Miyoko’s Melt-down: Prosperity Foods, makers of Melt, put in winning bid
Can former Idaho Bike Coalition president Scott Fischer pedal Miyoko’s Creamery back to the top of the plant-based heap? BOISE, Idaho––Eight days after Miyoko’s Creamery founder Miyoko Schinner, 68, lamented in a YouTube video that she did not win back control of the insolvent company with a last-minute crowd-funded bid, Prosperity Foods chief executive Scott […]