Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A U.S. Department of Agriculture weekly survey shows Iowa’s cropland is getting drier as most of the state sees little rainfall. The agency says 41 percent of topsoil had adequate or surplus moisture, down 8 percentage points from the previous week.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Women from Iowa and Nebraska have filed lawsuits against the company that owns Olive Garden restaurants, saying they became sick after eating at the business. The Des Moines Register reported yesterday that federal court documents show Kelly Kunc of Hiawatha, Iowa and Joyce Nendza of Holt County, Nebraska filed the lawsuits.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Authorities are providing more details about a weekend shooting of a man by Council Bluffs police. The Department of Criminal Investigation identified the man as 52-year-old Michael Hannum. The incident began Sunday afternoon when a woman told officers Aaron Gutierrez and Jason Burleigh that a man was at a Wal-Mart construction site who was bleeding from his hands. Officers found Hannum at the site. They say he became aggressive and displayed a sharp instrument before officers used a stun gun and then shot him. The officers were put on paid leave.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Texas Senator Ted Cruz is headed back to Iowa. The tea party favorite and potential 2016 presidential contender is scheduled to speak to a gathering of social conservatives this Saturday. He’s also set to deliver the keynote address at an Iowa Republican Party dinner on October 25th.