(Radio Iowa) – The the Iowa Cyber Hub is launching a “cybersecurity ambassador” program to help educate everyone about threats. Iowa State University Cybersecurity professor, Doug Jacobson says some of the ambassadors will be students. “And they can go out and into the community, then go out into the schools, and really promote the idea of cybersecurity or talk to people about various cybersecurity issues,” he says. They will also have community ambassadors.

“Which are ambassadors that are in an I-T or a cyber field already. And again, arming them with materials and, stuff that they can go out into their community, going to retirement homes, going to other types of venues, and really just trying to get people to be more conscious of the things they can do to be safer online.” Jacobson says. He says they are working through some of the logistics on how the ambassadors will get the word out in their local communities. Jacobson says for some groups it should be easy to do.

“Take a an ambassador chapter in high school, they have a captive audience already,” he says, “they could go talk to students middle school, they could talk to their peers, and go down and talk some the students in the grade schools.” Jacobson leads the Cyber Hub and says they will also have people who can help follow up after the ambassadors meet with groups.  “If questions come across. There’ll be a resource that people can go to, to ask those questions. Because often times you’ll give a presentation and a lot of questions that come up and people will think of things afterwards. And there may be some specific questions. So we’ll have a resource for people to ask those questions,” Jacobson says.

The program will officially launch in one week on October 31st.

(Radio Iowa) – One of this past summer’s biggest movies is proving to be equally big business for Halloween costumes in Iowa. Juanita Cameron, at the Theatrical Shop in West Des Moines, says blonde wigs and pink outfits are top sellers this October. “The first item is Barbie with her companion, Ken,” Cameron says. “Full outfits, cowboy, she has a white hat and he has the shirt with the fringe, and they’re rockin’ it this Halloween.” The dolls will be marking their 65th anniversary next March, and so far, the “Barbie” movie has grossed more than one-point-four billion dollars at the box office. Cameron says other characters from the big screen are continuing to be popular for Halloween costumes.

“People are falling back on the horror thing, Pennywise, Michael Myers and also, Jason, he’s in there, too,” Cameron says, “but they also like that Spiderverse, so the new Spiderman, and also the Ninja Turtles.” Instead of buying costumes off the rack, Cameron says some shoppers are getting quite creative this season. “People are coming in and they’re kind of doing their own thing and makeup,” Cameron says. “They’re making up as characters in their past. Someone actually wanted to be Lucy, when she was eating all the chocolate in the chocolate factory. People are kind of falling back on those type of things.”

Cameron is referring to Lucille Ball and an “I Love Lucy” episode that first aired in 1952.

(Radio Iowa) – South Carolina Senator Tim Scott’s presidential campaign plans to double its staff in Iowa and has announced that the candidate will be visiting the state weekly. In a news release, Scott’s campaign called it an “all-in on Iowa” strategy. It’s a bet that going for a win in the Caucuses could spur campaign fundraising and propel him in the polls.

Scott’s campaign manager says no other 2024 candidate has higher favorability ratings with Iowa evangelical voters — and there’s a lane for Scott to win the Caucuses if his appeal to those voters is successful. Scott’s faith is front and center as he speaks to Iowa audiences.

“I’m so thankful to know a risen Savior who has helped guide my way,” Scott said recently in Des Moines. This was his message at an Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition event in late April. “A liberal reporter wrote that the era of value of voters was over. How ridiculous is that? They have never been to the great state of Iowa,” Scott said. “They have never been a room with a thousand value voters who have faith on their sleeves and Jesus in their hearts.”

Scott often uses Bible verses to frame his policy statements and Scott cites a passage from the New Testament as he talks about the situation in Israel.  “Romans 13:4 says for those who do evil, the wrath of God should be the consequence,” Scott said, “and I hope it comes with some Israeli and American hardware.” Scott is holding a town hall meeting in Indianola late this (Tuesday) morning. He campaigned in Marshalltown last (Monday) night.

Scott’s retooled campaign follows news that a political action committee supporting Scott had pulled the ads it planned to run this fall. It’s also unclear whether Scott will qualify for next month’s candidate debate, as the criteria calls for higher poll numbers. Scott’s campaign says it will boost its spending on social media and has reserved one-point-six million dollars worth of television ads in Iowa markets.

Police in Creston say no injuries were reported following a collision at around 3:30-p.m. Monday, at Highway 25 and Prairie Street, in Creston. Authorities say a 2009 Chevy Impala driven by 16-year-old Jarrett Patrick Luther, of Creston, was attempting to cross Highway 25 as he was traveling west on Prairie Street.

When Luther pulled out in front of a northbound 2013 Ford Escape, driven by 19-year-old Hallie Nicole Orr, of Creston, he didn’t notice the oncoming SUV. He tried to avoid the collision, but his car struck the SUV, causing a total of $6,000 damage.

No citations were issued, but the police report noted Jarrett Luther failed to yield the right-of-way from a stop sign.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Mills County report the arrest on Saturday, Oct. 21st, of 31-year-old Tawnya Arlene Dunlap, from Lincoln, NE. She was arrested on 2 counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, following a traffic stop at around 8:10-a.m. on Interstate 29 at mile-marker 32. Bond was set at $3,000.