DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — With most of this year’s corn and soybeans harvested, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is boosting its expectations for the size of the crops.

An update Tuesday says farmers are expected to produce a record soybean crop totaling 3.98 billion bushels, up 1 percent from last year. That’s based on 95 percent of the crop harvested.

Illinois looks to remain the nation’s leading soybean producer with 550.5 million bushels, followed closely by Iowa.

The corn crop will be the third-largest in USDA records at 13.7 billion bushels, based on 93 percent harvested. Iowa maintains its corn production lead with 2.49 billion bushels.

The abundance is sending downward prices that are already below production costs. Farmers who rent land will struggle to make a profit. Consumers shouldn’t see much effect.

MCCOOK, Neb. (AP) — The National Weather Service is warning that travel could be hazardous on Wednesday in southwest Nebraska as blizzard conditions develop.

The service has issued a blizzard warning to run from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, with snow and strong winds likely to spread into the area after sunrise. One to 3 inches of snow is expected, but winds of 30 to 40 mph gusting to 60 mph could reduce visibility to near zero.

The service also is warning people to be prepared for road closures and power outages.

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) — Installation is scheduled to begin next week on new message boards along Nebraska Highway 71 in the Panhandle.

The Nebraska Roads Department says road shoulders will be closed for a northbound stretch on the southeast side of Scottsbluff.

The work is expected to be finished in early December.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Landowners and fire professionals are invited to attend a prescribed fire conference in Kearney.

The Dec. 1 event aims to bring both groups together to facilitate a discussion about the challenges and successes with prescribed burning.

The agenda includes presentations from experts in prescribed burning, in-depth breakout sessions, exhibitors, the first meeting of the Nebraska Prescribed Fire Council and a banquet dinner.

The Nebraska Prescribed Fire Council was formed by landowners to promote education, training and safe practices when it comes to prescribed burn techniques.

The conference will run from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Conference Center. More information is available at http://OutdoorNebraska.org/NebRxBurn .

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is suggesting that lifetime permits would make welcome gifts for hunters or anglers.

The commission says lifetime hunting, fishing and combination hunting-fishing permits, as well as lifetime waterfowl and habitat stamps, are available to residents and nonresidents. Hunting and combination hunting-fishing permits allow for the hunting of small game, upland game and waterfowl. They are not valid for hunting turkey, big game or furbearers.

People who buy lifetime permits this year will avoid the small price increases that will take effect in January.

Lifetime permits may be purchased online at OutdoorNebraska.org, at Nebraska Game and Parks Commission permitting offices, or by calling 800-742-0056. Go online at http://1.usa.gov/1GJI5q1 for more information.

A North Platte man is facing a misdemeanor charge after he allegedly took a picture up the skirt of a customer while he was at work.

At around 5:25 p.m., North Platte police were called to a business in the 1900 block of West A Street.

Management at the business told officers that a customer had reported that one of their employees had taken a photo up her skirt.

It was reported that the customer confronted the employee, later identified as Shay Bamesberger, then contacted management, who in turn contacted police.

Following further investigation Bamesberger, 18, was cited for unlawful intrusion, a Class I misdemeanor, and issued a summons to appear in court.

Police did not report any other incidents involving Bamesberger, nor did they name the business where he worked.

A North Platte woman is facing child abuse charges after she allegedly drove drunk with her children in the car.

On November 6, at around 10:50 p.m., North Platte police received a report of a possible drunken driver.

An officer was able to locate the vehicle and observed the driver, later identified as Ashley Comeau, commit a traffic violation and stop in front of a residence.

The officer made contact with Comeau, who appeared to be under the influence, and two children ages 7 and one.

Following a roadside investigation, it was determined that Comeau was under the influence of alcohol.

She was placed under arrest and charged with driving under the influence of liquor-2nd offense and two misdemeanor counts of child abuse.

Comeau was jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center.  The children were released to family members.

A North Platte couple are facing felony child abuse charges after police say they found drugs and drug paraphernalia in the home they shared with their two-year-old child.

On November 6, at around 10:33 a.m., North Platte Police say they responded to a residence in the 700 block of South Griffith Street on the report of a disturbance.  They say this was the second time that day they had responded to a call at the home.

Officers made contact with April and Nicholas Zierke, who resided at the home.

According to police, the officers suspected that Nicholas was under the influence of illegal drugs and observed illegal drugs and paraphernalia inside the home in plain view.  It was determined that both parents used illegal drugs in the presence of the child.

As a result, both Zierkes were transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center and jailed on charges of felony child abuse, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.  Police say they may be charged with possession of methamphetamine, once lab test results are received.

Bond for the duo has been set at ten percent of $10,000.