Here's A Twist

A former employee of the Agriculture Department might be making a return to the Department, but this time as a contractor. The Agriculture Department is expected to issue a contract to a group co-founded by former employee Shirley Sherrod. Sherrod was forced to resign last year after controversy over video of a speech made her appear racially biased. Agriculture Secretary Vilsack tried to re-hire Sherrod after her full remarks were made public, but Sherrod chose not to return. Sherrod's organization will be contracted to conduct civil rights assessments of the USDA's agricultural loan services.