<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1wrD6P_0vr5Himk00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1wrD6P_0vr5Himk00" width="980" height="653" ><figcaption>Sloppy Joe</figcaption></figure><p>Now that we’ve officially crossed into October, I think it’s safe to dive into all things Halloween! 🎃 Costumes galore, right? It’s that magical night where you can be whoever—or whatever—you want! Seriously, the sky's the limit.</p><p>Halloween parties are popping up everywhere, giving you the perfect excuse to strut your stuff in your costume of choice. Whether you’re going for spooky, silly, or just plain weird, it’s all fair game! And let’s not forget the decorating—some people go all out, turning their homes into haunted mansions that could scare the socks off any trick-or-treater.</p><p>I mean, I wish I was better at that! My idea of decorating is a pumpkin or two and maybe some cobwebs (but I might just leave those up year-round, you know?).</p><p>But hold up—let’s focus on the real star of the show: CANDY! 🍬 Halloween is the best time to showcase the deliciousness of candy, from chocolate bars to gummy creatures. It’s a sweet tooth’s paradise, and I’m here for it!</p><p>Let’s not pretend kids are the only ones enjoying candy on Halloween! That so-called “Halloween candy tax” wasn’t dreamed up by children, you know. I mean, have you ever noticed how a suspiciously large portion of that candy just seems to vanish? It’s like the candy gods swoop in from the heavens to claim their share! ✨</p><p>Now, when it comes to Halloween candy, Iowans have a favorite that reigns supreme. According to Candystore.com, the epic moment when chocolate and peanut butter collided gave birth to the reigning champion: Reese's Peanut Butter Cups! 🎉 Iowa goes wild for these little nuggets of joy, with a jaw-dropping 67,426 pounds sold each year.</p><p>I asked my trusty sidekick, ChatGPT, to crunch the numbers, and it calculated that’s about 719,211 Reese's Cups! Can you imagine? That’s enough to give anyone a serious sugar rush! So, let’s raise a cup (or several) to Halloween, because candy season is here, and the sugar high is just getting started! 🍫👻</p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0Tf2Ig_0vr5Himk00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0Tf2Ig_0vr5Himk00" width="1600" height="1067" ><figcaption>Canva/TSM</figcaption></figure><p>Iowans joined 18 other states in anointing Reese's Peanut Butter Cups as the #1 Halloween candy. The #2 candy chosen by Iowans was Hershey's mini's</p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4CNR5k_0vr5Himk00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4CNR5k_0vr5Himk00" width="1600" height="1067" ><figcaption>Canva/TSM</figcaption></figure><p>and that was followed closely by #3 M&amp;M's.</p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1I9poF_0vr5Himk00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1I9poF_0vr5Himk00" width="1600" height="1067" ><figcaption>Canva/TSM</figcaption></figure><h2>Preview the Circle of Ash Haunted Attraction 2024</h2><p>Circle of Ash is back and as spooktacular as ever. Courtlin got a daylight tour that was spooky enough. Are you brave enough to experience it after dark?</p><h2>Photos of The Iowa Hawkeyes Vs. Troy Trojans September 14, 2024</h2><p>The Iowa Hawkeyes defeated the Troy Trojans, 38 to 21, on September 14, 2024. I took these pictures with my first press pass, thanks to U of I. After reviewing over 3,000 pictures I think these are decent enough to share. I hope you enjoy them.</p></div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Iowans’ Surprising Choice for Favorite Halloween Candy

Now that we’ve officially crossed into October, I think it’s safe to dive into all things Halloween! 🎃 Costumes galore, right? It’s that magical night where you can be whoever—or whatever—you want! Seriously, the sky's the limit. Halloween parties are popping up everywhere, giving...