IOWA (IRN) – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has released their annual winter outlook for 2023-24. The Climate Prediction Center shows increased chances for a warmer than average winter and near normal conditions as it relates to precipitation chances statewide. The drought outlook also released this week shows the likelihood for at least some improvement locally, but that dry conditions will likely overall persist into the spring.

CLARKSVILLE (IRN) – A former police officer in Clarksville has been convicted of several crimes related to sexual exploitation of minors. The Des Moines Register reports Michael Tobin was found guilty at the end of a trial held this month in Butler County. Tobin was found guilty on 11 counts of sexual exploitation after he was found soliciting indecent images from children.

DES MOINES – Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate ticked up to 3.0 percent in September, up from 2.9 percent last month but down from 3.1 percent a year ago. Meanwhile, Iowa’s labor force participation rate decreased slightly from 68.7 percent to 68.6 percent in September. The U.S. unemployment rate remained at 3.8 percent in September, and the national labor force participation rate remained at 62.8 percent.