SW Wisconsin News

State Senator Joan Ballweg has highlighted the importance of cybersecurity awareness during the month of October. In a recent video message, Senator Ballweg emphasized how cyber-attacks can pose serious risks to individuals and businesses. She urged viewers to take simple steps to avoid falling victim to cyber threats.

One of the key precautions Senator Ballweg mentioned is being cautious of phishing schemes. She advised viewers to verify the sender of emails before clicking on any links or opening attachments. Hovering over the link can help determine if it is suspicious or not. She also stressed the importance of using complex passwords and changing them periodically. Additionally, she encouraged viewers not to use the same login information across different accounts and emphasized the benefits of multifactor authentication.

For those seeking more information on staying safe online, Senator Ballweg recommended visiting the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency within the United States Department of Homeland Security.

In other news, the State Building Commission recently approved several projects that will benefit the 14th Senate District. The commission authorized $5.7 million for three projects at Fox Lake Correctional, with construction set to begin in the spring of 2024. Another project approved was a $2.5 million investment for the Department of Military Affairs' Waupaca Readiness Center, which will be used by the Army National Guard. Construction for this project is scheduled for the summer of 2024, with 95% of the funding coming from the federal government. The commission also authorized $5,026,900 for the repair of the Montello/Fox River lock channel.

Moving on to broadband access, Senator Ballweg has been actively involved in discussions about improving connectivity in the 14th Senate District. The Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have mapping tools available to check internet speeds and identify underserved and unserved households. The PSC is currently accepting applications for the distribution of grant funds aimed at expanding broadband access.

In local news, several Halloween events are scheduled in the region. These include the Community Bingo at Riverwood Eagle's Nest Senior Living in Wisconsin Dells on October 27th, the Waupaca Halloween on Main Street on the same day, and the Cemetery Hike Full Moon Event at Lakeside Cemetery in Waupaca on October 28th. Other events include the Portage Theatres Halloween Costume Parade, the Halloween Bash in Green Lake, and the Kids Halloween Walk in Montello, all on October 28th.

With Halloween approaching, the community is also invited to participate in the Trick-or-Treating events taking place in various locations. From the Fox Lake Flea Market in Fox Lake to the Boofest at Festival Foods in Portage, there are plenty of opportunities for families to celebrate the occasion.

For more information on these events and other updates, Senator Joan Ballweg encourages individuals to follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, and to visit her official website.

To find out more, go to this link: https://mailchi.mp/legis/cybersecurity