DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad says he has completed paperwork necessary to be considered as the next U.S. ambassador to China. Branstad told reporters Monday he submitted documents recently that are required under a confirmation process in the U.S. Senate. His office says there is no timeline available on when a hearing or set of hearings would happen.

The paperwork included questions about Branstad’s investments over the years. His office said in early January the governor had been contacted by the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, the State Department and the presidential transition team.

President Donald Trump announced in early December that Branstad was his pick for ambassador to China. If Branstad is confirmed, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds is expected to become Iowa’s next governor.

An alliance of educators, government officials and the Iowa National Guard is setting out to inform the public about computer security and increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. The newly-formed Iowa Cyber Alliance aims to build a workforce capable of fending off such attacks. Doug Jacobson, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Iowa State University, says the state needs more people trained in cybersecurity.

“We’re just continually seeing an increase in the amount of cyber-attacks,” Jacobson says. “We’re at a point where, basically, more and more companies need to be able to protect themselves.” The initiative is the nation’s first statewide program dedicated to cybersecurity. Jacobson says one of the group’s goals is to prepare young people for careers in what he calls “the very hot field” of cybersecurity. He says they also want the public to be aware of the threats posed by cyberattacks.

“We’re now at point where people need to take on a more active role in protecting themselves because the attackers are getting much better,” Jacobson says. The state adopted a cybersecurity strategy in July of 2016. It calls for the sorts of cybersecurity awareness training the Iowa Cyber Alliance proposes.

(Radio Iowa, w/Thanks to Rob Dillard, Iowa Public Radio)

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports a man and woman from Oakland were arrested early Saturday morning following an incident of assault. Authorities say Raymond James Finiff, Jr., of Oakland, was allegedly assaulted by his ex-girlfriend, 21-year old Selena Naomi Herrera, of Oakland, and her brother, 18-year oldTristan Michael Herrera, also of Oakland. The pair allegedly struck Finiff, Jr. over the head with a metal golf club. Selena and Tristan Herrera were charged with Aggravated Assault/Willful Injury. And, because he was in possession of a controlled substance (a prescription pill) at the time of his arrest, Tristan Herrera was subsequently charged with Unlawful Possession of a Prescription.

The Pott. County Sheriff’s Office reports also, 41-year old Jeffrey Ryan Brandt, of Walnut, was arrested following a traffic stop in Walnut Sunday morning, for Driving While Revoked. 23-year old Justin Troy Heumphreus, of Council Bluffs, was arrested Sunday afternoon on Highway 92 near Treynor following a traffic stop for speeding. He was charged with Driving While Barred, and arrested on a warrant out of Council Bluffs for OWI/1st Offense. He was also charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, after being found in possession of a baggies containing a little more than 1/2 gram each of Meth and Cocaine.

And, two people were arrested on separate OWI/1st Offense charges in Pottawattamie County. 50-year old David Thomas Ryan, of Underwood, was arrested Sunday morning, following a traffic stop for speeding. 20-year old Trevor Ryan McMahon, of Minden, was arrested Saturday morning, after the pickup he was driving allegedly struck a Mid-American Energy power pole in the vicinity of Mahogany Road and 290th Street. The pickup, which sustained heavy damage, was observed by a deputy about 1/2 mile north of the scene, in a ditch.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports four arrests over the past few days. Friday night, 31-year old Daniel Raymond Jensen, of Atlantic, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Failure to Appear at a Child Support Hearing. Jensen was picked up by Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies and transported to the Audubon County Jail, where his bond was set at $2,000. Jensen is scheduled to appear in court next Monday afternoon (Feb. 13th).

Sunday evening, Audubon County Deputies assisted by Carroll County Deputies, arrested 30-year old Ashley Chantelle Hetterich, of Carroll, on an outstanding warrant for Violation of Probation associated with a 2016 conviction for Possession of Meth with the Intent to Deliver, and Possession of Heroin. Hetterich is being held in the Audubon County on $1,000 bond while awaiting a District court appearance scheduled for next Monday afternoon.

Sheriff’s Deputies in Audubon County also arrested two people this (Monday) morning. At around 1-a.m., 27-year old Carl Joseph Musser, of Hamlin, was arrested following  a traffic stop. He was charged with Driving While Suspended, Operating a vehicle without registration, and Having No Insurance. Musser was later released after appearing before a Magistrate. And, 25-year old Austin Michael Greve was arrested at the Audubon County Jail, for Violation of Probabtion. Greve was being held in the jail on $65,000 bond, on charges of Attempted Murder, Burglary in the 3rd Degree, and Going Armed with Intent, in association with an incident that took place Feb. 2nd. Greve is scheduled to appear in District Court next Monday afternoon.

Alert citizens who witnessed an incident of assault Sunday morning in Council Bluffs and reported it to 911, are being credited with helping authorities in the apprehension of the suspect.Officials say at around 6:40-a.m., officers were called to the Council Bluffs Walgreens Store (535 E. Broadway), for a report of a woman who was being assaulted inside a vehicle in the parking lot. Witnesses told arriving officers the suspect allegedly struck the victim and refused to let her leave the vehicle.

At about the same time officers arrived on the scene, the suspect vehicle, a Mercury Sable, took off with the victim still inside. The suspect, 22-year old John M. McAllister, of Council Bluffs, drove to the Jennie Edmundson Hospital parking lot, where the victim – his girlfriend- was able to get out as the car was slowing to make a turn. Officers following the suspect turned and rendered aid while McAllister fled the scene. The victim suffered non-life threatening injuries, and was treated at a local hospital.

John M. McAllister

As the suspect vehicle left Jennie Edmundson, it nearly collided with a Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Deputy who was in the area. A pursuit ensued with Pott. County Deputies and Council Bluffs Police involved in the chase. The pursuit was terminated near S. 12th Street and 10th Avenue, when McAllister drove the car eastbound onto the railroad tracks. The car got back on the road and the intersection of S. 8th Street and 10th Avenue. When officers next saw the car, it had no left front tire, and heavy sparks were shooting from the vehicle.

Officers followed the disabled vehicle to the 100 block of 27th, where McAllister got out and fled on foot. He was arrested a short time later and charged with Domestic Assault with Injury, Interference with Official Acts, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Eluding. McAllister was booked into the Pottawattamie County Jail.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa National Guard says 13 airmen have returned from a six-month deployment in Kuwait. The 13 members of the Air National Guard’s 132nd Security Forces Squadron arrived Sunday. They’re based at the Des Moines Air National Guard Base.

The Iowa Guard spokesman, Col. Gregory Hapgood, said Monday the 13 were on a mission at Abdullah Al-Mubarak Air Base in Kuwait as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, which is aimed at countering actions by the Islamic State group. Hapgood says the airmen provided air base defense, performed flight line security and conducted law enforcement operations.