DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – During a summer of drought, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says Iowa’s corn crop likely will plunge 19 percent below last year’s production. A USDA report released today says the yield is forecast at 141 bushels an acre, which would be the lowest figure since 1997. Soybean production is forecast at 406 million bushels, which would be nearly 13 percent under last year’s figure.

JEWELL, Iowa (AP) – A central Iowa firefighter injured while battling flames in a house has been hospitalized in Iowa City. Des Moines television station KCCI reports that Robert Hagen fell into the house basement on Thursday and debris fell on top of him. A passer-by in the central Iowa town of Jewell reported the fire around 12:30 p.m. Hagen was taken to hospitals in Ames and Des Moines before being transferred to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) – A 27-year-old Burlington woman has pleaded guilty to a theft charge and been sentenced to up to ten years in prison. The Muscatine Journal reports that Barbara Meaderds had made a deal with prosecutors. They dropped forgery and other charges in exchange for her plea on Thursday.

HINTON, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa construction company has been sued over an explosion of natural gas that followed a pipeline rupture in northwest Iowa. The Sioux City Journal reports that the lawsuit was filed by the pipeline owner, Northern Natural Gas Company of Omaha, Nebraska against DeRocher Construction of Le Mars.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) – The Department of Natural Resources says the release of orange, iron-laden cooling water has killed an unknown number of fish in Mason City. The agency reports today that the water came from a Golden Grain plant, where investigators determined too much sulfuric acid was added to a cooling system. The DNR couldn’t count how many fish were killed because the water remained so discolored.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) – Authorities are investigating the death of a 33-year-old woman who was found in an eastern Iowa home. Police identified the woman today as Crystal Newman. Officers were called to a domestic dispute at the Burlington residence around 2 a.m. yesterday.