Latest local news, weather and high school sports for Tri-State area

(AP) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture is streamlining the process for farmers to apply for government disaster help.

The decision comes as crops in many states burn up in the widest drought in nearly 25 years.

Ag. Secretary Tom Vilsack says more than 1,000 counties nationwide will automatically qualify for disaster assistance if they're in a severe drought for at least eight weeks or were in extreme drought this growing season.

Farmers can find more information on the USDA website here.

Governor Terry Branstad will hold a public meeting next week on the drought conditions plaguing Iowa this summer.

Branstad and Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds will be joined by representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture at Mount Pleasant High School Tuesday morning at 9 o'clock.

We want to hear from area farmers. How are things looking for you? Please post comments and feedback below or on our Facebook page here.

(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)