DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Powerball jackpot is on the upswing again, growing to more than $400 million on the Thanksgiving holiday. The jackpot was an estimated $403 million Thursday after no winning numbers were selected in a Wednesday night drawing. The next drawing is scheduled Saturday night, and the jackpot could grow in the meantime.

The prize is on the brink of becoming one of the largest jackpots in U.S. history if it keeps rolling with no lucky winners. A record-setting $1.6 billion jackpot was reached in January. The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are one in 292.2 million. The popular game is played in 44 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Sales, revenue, and profits all fell for John Deere as the company reported results for the fourth quarter and its 2016 fiscal year. Deere spokesman Ken Golden says for the year, sales and revenue fell eight percent, and profits dropped 21 per cent. “We’re still in the middle of a global farm recession and on our other big global business, we are having difficult conditions in the construction equipment sector. So when you add up both of those — you have years that are down from previous record years in 2011, 12 and 13,” Golden says.

Despite that, he says it was still one of Deere’s ten best years ever. For this year, the company now predicts sales and revenue will decline just one percent, including a one percent decline for ag equipment. “We’re beginning to see indications that the downturn in large ag is nearing the bottom of cycle,” Golden says, “And so again, we are only predicting a slight decrease in agricultural equipment sales next year.”

Golden says construction equipment sales should increase one percent, thanks to rising housing starts and an improving economy in the U-S.  Worldwide net sales for 2016 totaled 26-point-six billion dollars – down two-point-two (2.2) billion dollars from the previous year. Profits fell to one-point-five (1.5) billion dollars — a drop of 400 million dollars.

(Radio Iowa)

The start of the holiday shopping season arrives tonight (Thursday) with many stores opening early for Black Friday. Police are warning the potential for crime increases if shoppers aren’t careful. Sioux City Police Officer Lori Noltze says people can reduce their risk of becoming a crime victim by following a few pieces of advice. “Do not leave purchased items or valuables inside your car, leave them in the trunk or keep them with you while you’re shopping,” Noltze said. “Crimes of opportunity often happen when the suspects can see your purse, the items you’ve purchased, or the belongings just sitting in the back seat of your car.”

While many Iowans may prefer shopping after dark, Noltze suggests those later times can also provide an opportunity for crime. “It’s better to shop when it’s busier, when there are more people out and you’re in a higher populated area,” Noltze said. “Also, try to park in a well lit area where there’s a lot of  foot traffic and a lot of people see you coming and going from your vehicle.”

Shoppers are also advised to keep their receipts and report any unauthorized purchases on their credit or debit cards. “Also, keep track of your credit card company’s phone numbers. In the event that your cards are lost or stolen, you can contact them immediately,” Noltze said. “The sooner you can get (the card) canceled, the less likelihood of charges being placed on them.”

Lastly, Officer Noltze advises shoppers to have their vehicle keys ready when they return to the parking lot to load their packages and never leave a car unattended with the motor running or with the keys in the ignition.

(Radio Iowa)

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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A traffic stop early this (Thanksgiving) morning in Fremont County, resulted in the arrest of three people on drug charges. Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports his department’s K9 unit pulled over vehicle driven by 21-year old Brian Lai, of Omaha, NE. Following an investigation, Deputies arrested Lai, and 18-year old Matthew Huynh, also of Omaha, and 25-year old Trinh Hang, of Oklahoma City, OK.

All three were taken into custody for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Ecstacy & Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. They were brought to the Fremont County Jail and held on $1,000 bond each.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Experts want home cooks to remember food safety on Thanksgiving. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says following a few simple steps can help keep everyone safe over the holiday. The traditional main course at Thanksgiving, turkey, can contain salmonella and campylobacter bacteria that can cause illness if the bird isn’t cooked correctly.

The USDA recommends not washing the turkey because doing so can spray bacteria up to three feet away. As long as the turkey is cooked to the correct 165-degree temperature, any bacteria will be eliminated. When thawing a turkey, either use the refrigerator, cold water or the microwave. The USDA says thawing in the refrigerator is safest.

Make sure to check the turkey with a meat thermometer when cooking, and use or freeze any leftovers within four days.

Police in Red Oak arrested a woman Wednesday afternoon following an investigation into a report of a vehicle driving in an unsafe manner on Highway 48, south of Red Oak. Officers also saw the vehicle operating in an unsafe manner and stopped the vehicle in the 300 block of S. Broadway Street. Upon further investigation, Police arrested 22-year old Clara Jane Heitshusen, of Farragut, for OWI/1st Offense. She was also cited for Operating a vehicle without registration.

Heitshusen was taken into custody at around 4:45-p.m. and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where her cash bond was set at $1,000.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at3 :30 a.m. CST

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Businesses are cheering a court decision that blocks a sweeping new overtime rule from the Obama administration. Many companies and nonprofits already raised salaries or directed employees to stick to a strict 40-hour workweek in anticipation that it would take effect Dec. 1. The rule faces an uncertain future under Donald Trump, who has spoken out against Obama-backed government regulation.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — For years, Iowa’s divided Legislature shielded the state from a wave of laws that restricted abortion access around the country. But a new Republican majority will take control in January, meaning nearly a dozen abortion-related bills could soon be on the table. Democrats will be unable to block them by vote for the first time in a decade.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — Burlington authorities say one man has been killed and another wounded in related shootings. Police say a man who died later was shot during a confrontation Tuesday morning. No arrests have been reported. Officers responding to the area soon heard several shots coming from about a block away. A man wounded in that shooting turned up later at a West Burlington hospital and was flown to an Iowa City hospital.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama got the holiday mood started at the White House with the traditional pardoning of the national Thanksgiving turkey. The light-hearted ceremony in the Rose Garden on Wednesday afternoon featured Iowa-raised turkeys Tater and Tot, and the president’s nephews, who filled in for the first daughters.

One person suffered possible/minor injuries during a single-vehicle accident Wednesday afternoon, in Montgomery County. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says the driver of the vehicle, 32-year-old Gwen Marie Vanderhoof, of Elliott, was transported to the Montgomery County Hospital by Red Oak Rescue.

The accident happened at around 2:40-p.m., in the 1600 block of 200th Street. Authorities say Vanderhooof was driving a 2001 Dodge Stratus westbound on 200th street, when she attempted to pull to the shoulder of the road because her vehicle began to smoke.  The woman was traveling too fast and lost control on the gravel shoulder. Her car went over a driveway and struck a culvert before continuing over another driveway and finally coming to rest.  The vehicle erupted into flames, which were extinguished by crews from the Red Oak Fire Department.  The car, valued at around $3,000, was a complete loss.