DES MOINES (IRN) – The crowds at the Iowa State Fair were the 2nd biggest ever in 2023. KCII-TV Reports 1.134 million people attended the fairgrounds over the 11 day fair. One daily record was set on August 12th for the first Sunday with nearly 115,000 showing up. IOWA (IRN) – More than half of Iowa’s soil remains short in terms of moisture. The USDA’s latest weekly report shows 53% of Iowa’s topsoil and 63% of subsoil is drier than needed. Crop progress remains ahead of the 2022 pace for corn, hay, and soybeans. IOWA (IRN) – A Des Moines Register poll shows 42% of likely Republican Iowa caucus participants remain in support former President Donald Trump for the nomination for president as their first choice. Another question showed a similar number — 41%, believe Trump should still lead the Republican party. The Iowa Poll reports 19% of voters would choose Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and 9% support South Carolina Senator Tim Scott. The poll was conducted with 406 likely Republican voters in mid-August.

CEDAR RAPIDS (IRN) – Cedar Rapids Police are investigating a body found in the Cedar River Sunday. KCRG-TV reports a boater reported seeing the man floating lifeless in the water during the afternoon. Cedar Rapids firefighters were able to recover the man and officials were working to identify who it was. DES MOINES (IRN) – This week’s heat wave is projected to break records for high temperatures. The National Weather Service Des Moines office calls for temperatures in their four observation towns — Des Moines, Waterloo, Mason City, and Ottumwa, to top records for heat dating back to the 1930s and 40s. Highs across most of the state will exceed 100 degrees this Tuesday through Thursday in the afternoon and early evening hours. Most of the heat records for August 21st through 23rd were set in either 1936 or 1948. DES MOINES (IRN) – An adult and two minors were charged after they were accused of stealing money from a lemonade stand on Friday. WHO-13 reports 20 year old Ishag Ibrahim and two minors were in police custody after a detective stopped for a glass of lemonade near the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The detective witnessed the three pull up to the stand before he got out and steal money before fleeing. Ibrahim is charged with 2nd degree theft, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and interference with official acts. DES MOINES (IRN) – A Humboldt teen was the grand prize winner of the annual Bill Riley Talent Show at the Iowa State Fair. The Des Moines Register reports 18-year-old Elle Clark and her vocal solo earned her the championship for the 63rd annual event. Clark was in her second year performing in the competition, and won several awards at Humboldt High School for her musical theater performances.

DES MOINES (IRN) – Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 2.7 percent in July but remains down from 2.8 percent one year ago. The state’s labor force added 2,700 new workers in July, increasing Iowa’s labor force participation rate to 68.8 percent. That is up from 68.2 percent a year ago and equals the participation rate in March 2020. Meanwhile, the U.S. unemployment rate decreased to 3.5 percent in July from 3.6 percent the month before. DES MOINES (IRN) – Iowa’s Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg has been elected Chair of the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA). NLGA is the professional association supporting lieutenant governors in all 50 states and the U.S. territories. The mission of NLGA is to assist these leaders, and the states and territories themselves, to be as effective and as efficient as possible for constituents. DES MOINES (IRN) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service will survey producers in 32 states, including Iowa, for its 2023 County Agricultural Production Survey and September 1st Agricultural Survey. The agency is taking a comprehensive look into the 2023 production and supply of small grains, including wheat, oats, barley, and rye. Farmers are encouraged to respond online at agcounts.usda.gov

DES MOINES (IRN) – Attendance continues to outpace 2022 numbers at the Iowa State Fair. A total of 98,751 made their way to the fairgrounds Wednesday and just over 101,000 on Tuesday, according to KCCI-TV. This weekend’s heat may slow down numbers, and it will be hard to match the 2022 record on Saturday of 128,000. IOWA (IRN) – For the first time in several weeks, at least some pockets of Iowa are no longer considered dry. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor Report shows portions of Jasper and Story Counties without a measure on their scale. However, 99% of Iowa remains abnormally dry and 75% are in some kind of drought, according to the national update. A round of intense heat is expected starting this weekend into school beginning next week, which may intensify drought again. DES MOINES (IRN) – The King of Busoga, Uganda, spent a day at the Iowa State Fair. The Des Moines Register reports William Wilberforce Gabula Nadiope IV were in attendance Monday to learn more about agriculture.

CRESTON (IRN) – A Creston man recently hired to be a teacher and football coach faces felony charges. WHO-13 reports 42-year-old Ryan Kissell was arrested Wednesday following an investigation and charged with 46 felonies, including 2nd degree sexual abuse and lascivious acts with a child. Kissell was hired by Nodaway Valley ahead of the upcoming academic year. A victim came forward to police this summer, claiming Kissell’s abuse had been ongoing for more than a decade. MASON CITY (IRN) – An Iowa school district is using artificial intelligence to determine what books to ban under a new Iowa law. KCRG-TV reports the Mason City School District is using Chat GPT to remove materials following the law signed by Governor Reynolds bans certain types of books from school library shelves. The author of Friday Night Lights Buzz Bissinger criticized the district after the title was removed — he says the book contains no sexual content in the Cedar Rapids Gazette. DES MOINES (IRN) – The People’s Choice Award for Best New Food of the Iowa State Fair was announced. A deep-fried bacon brisket mac-n-cheese grilled cheese from What’s Your Cheez won the contest, according to the Des Moines Register.