IOWA (IRN) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture projects the annual corn crop yield should increase in 2023, especially as harvest begins to loom. The August projections show the forecast for the state is 2.62 billion bushels, up six percent from last year, with an average of 2023 bushels per acre. Soybean and oat production is expected to be down from 2022, at five and two percent respectively.

DES MOINES (IRN) – One of Iowa’s biggest employers is once again requiring in-person working. Principal Financial told most of their local workers that they will need to report to the office at least three days per week by November 6th, according to Axios Des Moines. This comes as many downtown Des Moines employers are shrinking their footprint. The Des Moines Register reports Nationwide and Wells Fargo are among the employers selling their downtown spaces.

CEDAR RAPIDS (IRN) – An Iowa man was found not guilty for driving through a crowd of abortion-rights protestors. David Alan Huston is not guilty of assault and fleeing the scene, according to KWWL. A group was protesting in front of a federal courthouse in Cedar Rapids following the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2023, when Huston drove by. He claimed that the protestors swarmed his vehicle and blocked traffic when he had a green light. One woman was hit in the ensuing collision.

***Not for KNIA/KRLS***
KNOXVILLE (IRN) – Thousands of race fans have gathered in the Sprint Car Capital of the World for the 62nd NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals. The biggest sprint car racing weekend in the world features dozens of drivers from across the globe competing for the most prestigious title in the sport — Knoxville Nationals Champion. Eleven-time title winner Donny Schatz (shots) won the crown in 2022. He is in the field of finalists racing tonight in Knoxville.