IOWA – Iowa corn production is forecast at 2.63 billion bushels according to the latest USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Crop Production report. Based on conditions as of November 1, yields are expected to average 213.0 bushels per acre, down 1.0 bushel per acre from the October 1 forecast but up 12 from last year. Corn planted acreage is estimated at 12.9 million acres, with an estimated 12.4 million acres to be harvested for grain. Soybean production is forecast at 608 million bushels. The yield is forecast at 61.0 bushels per acre, down 3.0 from the October forecast but up 3 from 2023. Soybean planted acreage is estimated at 10.1 million acres with 9.97 million acres to be harvested.

DES MOINES – A group aiming to improve school safety in the state has made its first batch of recommendations ahead of the upcoming legislative session. KCCI-TV reports the Governor’s School Safety Task Force mentioned increasing shatterproof windows, panic buttons, and door locks. It recommends locating communication dead zones — but also suggested new funding would be needed for the effort.

CLIVE – The state librarian of Iowa has been charged for alleged dissemination of obscene material to a minor. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports 53-year-old Michael Lynn Scott was arrested on Friday by Clive Police. Court records indicate Scott used the app KiK to communicate with someone he believed to be a 14-year-old. Scott is accused of sending pictures of his own face before sharing obscene material. The individual Scott was messaging with turned out to be a deputy with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Florida. Scott has been serving as the State of Iowa Librarian, according to financial documents.