Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Farmers in many states are surprised at the abundance of corn coming from their fields, and record harvests are likely in many states. In southeastern Nebraska, farmer Ben Steffen says his first field brought in 168 bushels an acre, above the average of 140. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates this year’s harvest will break the 2009 record of 13.1 billion bushels.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa National Guard has laid off 100 state employees and canceled more training due to the ongoing partial government shutdown. The state Department of Public Defense employees received notice yesterday afternoon that they would be temporarily laid off for up to 60 days beginning today. Officials say this immediate action is in lieu of a 30-day temporary layoff that was scheduled to begin on October 18th.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — A Catholic college in Dubuque has launched a campaign to pay its professors better. Cedar Rapids television station KCRG reports Loras College in Dubuque kicked off the campaign yesterday to raise $75 million.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — About 200 families from the Des Moines area received food and household supplies thanks to the Salvation Army of Des Moines and an Oklahoma City-based organization. A truck loaded with groceries and household supplies was unloaded yesterday afternoon at a Salvation Army center, where the items were given to pre-selected families.