Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Corn and soybean crops in Iowa and Nebraska continue to make good progress and plant development remains ahead of the five-year average. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s weekly crop update says corn in Iowa and Nebraska is rated at nearly 80 percent good to excellent while soybeans are around 78 percent good to excellent.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Board of Regents is dismissing questions about a land deal between its president’s private business and Iowa State University President Steven Leath. Board spokesman Josh Lehman says the deal uncovered by the Des Moines Register is a private transaction that the board will not investigate. The deal involves Leath’s purchase of 145 acres of land from Summit Agricultural Group, which is owned by Board President Bruce Rastetter, for $623,000.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture says 33 Iowa small businesses and farms have been awarded grants to reduce energy costs by improving lighting and installing solar energy systems. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says more than $670,000 is approved for the projects including funding a wind energy project and improvements to grain dryer systems on two farms.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa has shortened the application form for a person with a criminal conviction who wants to request a pardon from the governor or have his or her firearm rights restored. A new form released online Monday reduces the number of pages from five to two and the number of questions from 43 to 29.