DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The condition of the state’s corn and soybeans crops have improved and dry weather has allowed the fall harvest to begin in Iowa. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey released his weekly update on the condition of the state’s crops Monday, saying one-third of the corn crop is mature. That’s behind 56 percent at this time last year but ahead of normal, which is 30 percent. Fifty-seven percent of the corn crop is in good or excellent shape; 28 percent fair and 15 percent poor or very poor. About half of the state’s soybeans are turning color, behind 70 percent last year and behind the five-year average of 63 percent. Sixty-four percent of the soybeans are in good or excellent condition with 12 percent being poor or very poor.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Federal flood insurance has already paid out $43 million to help policyholders deal with the damage caused by flooding along the Missouri River even though the floodwaters haven’t fully receded. The Federal Emergency Management Agency says those payments went to people who live and work along the river downstream from the Garrison dam in North Dakota. That total includes payments made by Sept. 1, it will grow as more claims are submitted. FEMA is urging people to submit claims as soon as possible. This year’s Missouri River flooding officially began June 1. Massive amounts of water from above-average spring rains and snowpack have been flowing down the river all summer. The Corps of Engineers predicts the river won’t be back inside its banks until sometime in October.

OSCEOLA, Iowa (AP) – Authorities in southern Iowa will begin a program where people with information about underage drinking parties can tip them off about the party with a text message. The “Text-A-Tip” program will use a text-only phone line for tips about underage parties. Officials with the Iowa State Patrol say by texting a message about the time and whereabouts of the party, people can remain anonymous.

The program is sponsored by the patrol, law enforcement agencies and school districts in nine Iowa counties, including Adair, Adams, Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Ringgold, Taylor, Union and Wayne counties. Authorities say they hope the program will help shut down underage parties and prevent injuries and death. The phone number where tips can be sent by text message will be 641-799-2277.

Authorities in Council Bluffs have identified the victim of Monday’s fatal semi-versus- pedestrian accident as a South Dakota man. 52-year old James Hoss, of Watertown, South Dakota, died at the scene of the accident on Interstate 80 eastbound, near the Manawa exit. Officials say Hoss was walking on the interstate when was struck by a semi being driven by 37-year old Sedrick Taylor, of Crestview, Florida.

The accident happened at around 1:10-p.m. Officials say while the incident remains under investigation, alcohol and speed were not believed to be factors in the collision. Instead, they‘re looking into the possibility Hoss may have intentionally walked into the path of traffic.

An attempt to avoid a deer in the road resulted in a rollover accident, and Clarinda woman being sent to the hospital over the weekend, for treatment of possible injuries.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office says 22-year-old Breanna Everett was taken by ambulance to the Clarinda Regional Health Center following the accident on 290th Street just west of the intersection with Wolf Avenue, in southeastern Page County.

Authorities say Everett’s 2004 Chrysler Pacifica was traveling west on 290th when it topped a hill and she noticed deer in the roadway. Everett lost control of the compact utility vehicle while swerving to avoid contact with the deer. The vehicle then entered the ditch and hit a tree on a fence line before rolling onto its top.

The accident happened at around 3:10-p.m. No citations were issued.

A Taylor County woman was arrested over the weekend on an assault charge in Adams County. Sheriff’s officials say 27-year old Carrie Sickels, of Lenox, was arrested Sunday evening, and charged with Domestic Abuse Assault.

Authorities in Page County are investigating the theft of a grain wagon from an area near Imogene. The Sheriff’s Office says a Westendorf 8-ton wood-side grain wagon was reported stolen Monday from the Mike Delehant residence at 4116 100th Street in Imogene. The wagon was taken during the course of the past few days, from a farm building where equipment is stored. Authorities say tracks were found where persons unknown had taken the wagon. Anyone with information on the stolen wagon should contact the Page County Sheriff’s Office at 712-542-5193.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say one person is dead after being hit by a semitrailer this afternoon, on Interstate 80 in Council Bluffs. The accident happened about 1 p.m. , in the eastbound lane near the Lake Manawa exit. Eastbound traffic was being diverted while Council Bluffs police and the Iowa State Patrol investigated. Authorities aren’t sure why the person was on the interstate. No other details, including the person’s name, were immediately released.

A minor traffic accident Sunday evening has resulted in a Red Oak High School Science teacher landing in Jail. According to Red Oak Police, 57-year old Dennis Redel was arrested for OWI and given a warning for Unsafe Backing, after the pickup he was driving backed into a car as he was pulling out of a parking spot in downtown Red Oak. The incident happened at around 9:15-p.m., Sunday.

Officials say Redel’s pickup hit a car driven by 58-year-old Steven Roby of Red Oak. A back seat passenger in Roby’s vehicle, 32-year-old Doris Ellison, was treated at the scene for minor injuries. Another passenger in the car, Patrick Ellison was not injured. Redel was also uninjured. He was taken to the Montgomery County jail and held on $1,000 bond.

Redel relinquished his softball coaching duties this past Summer, but had continued to teach high school science. Red Oak High School Principal Jedd Sherman has said a statement will be released later today with regard to the incident, from Superintendent Terry Schmidt.

FORT CALHOUN, Neb. (AP) – A special team of federal inspectors is at the Fort Calhoun nuclear power plant looking for the cause of a small fire at the plant in June. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission said today (Monday) that the three inspectors will make sure the problems that caused the fire have been fixed before the plant is allowed to restart. The electrical fire briefly knocked out the cooling system for used fuel. Temperatures at the plant never exceeded safe levels and power was quickly restored.

The Omaha Public Power District plant has been shut down since April. Initially the plant was shut down for refueling maintenance, and later flooding along the Missouri River forced Fort Calhoun to remain dormant because floodwaters surrounded the plant. Fort Calhoun is about 20 miles north of Omaha.