QCA.news - Quad Cities news and view from both sides of the river

Saturday, April 18th, 2026
	Muscatine Power and Water receives national awards, including for safety and reliability “Our employees take pride in doing their work the right way, and these awards highlight that dedication across every part of our organization," MPW General Manager Gage Huston said.
	Kiwanis Club of Moline plans Music Bingo night The Kiwanis Club of Moline is teaming up with Think and Drink Trivia to host its first Music Bingo night, a news release says. The goal is to raise money to go toward becoming an IMPACT Club with Kiwanis International while improving the lives of children in the community through fundraising. The event will be [...]
	Memories of Muscatine: The Gardener This week for Memories of Muscatine: A watercolor by Katheryn Rogers.
	Rivers and Lakes This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.We Rock Islanders who live along the Mississippi River don't hold much for lakes, those little puddles that dot the…
	Caracas' iconic macaws threatened by vanishing palm trees In the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, flocks of colorful macaws that once brightened city skies now face disappearing nest sites — and with them, a unique urban bond.
	She invited her friends to come together to make her casket Friends gathered at a weaver's studio in Massachusetts to help MaddyChristine Hope Brokopp make her casket.
	Uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz remains, as ceasefire nears its end Iran's military said on Saturday the Strait of Hormuz has "returned to its previous state." The announcement came after President Trump had said the blockade on Iranian ports would remain in place.
	I-80 Mississippi River bridge washing begins April 20 Washing of the Interstate 80 Mississippi River bridge begins April 20. According to a release from the Illinois Department of Transportation, as maintenance on the bridge in Rock Island County begins, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction from 8:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. daily. Work is anticipated to be completed in [...]
	US Census Bureau lists 1,000 most common first names in America The U.S. Census Bureau just released a list of the 1,000 most common first names in the country, based on data collected during the 2020 Census.
Friday, April 17th, 2026
	Quad Cities NWS office issues 2nd most severe weather warnings in one day ever! amccrayEdit Profile After hours (and hours) of severe t'storms rolling through the area - the final #s are in. And meteorologists all around the QC had a very busy day. That includes the meteorologists at the National Weather Service. Our local office issued a total of 50 severe t'storm and tornado warnings combined. That's the [...]
	Stormy stretch comes to an end in the Quad Cities 3 out of the last 4 days - severe weather hammered parts of the Quad Cities area. As of Friday night, we're finally out of this pattern and things are looking up for this weekend. Well, except for the temperatures. It will be cool with highs in the upper 40s and lower 50s this weekend. [...]
	U.S. Army ends collective bargaining agreements with federal union workers The U.S. Army canceled union agreements with AFGE local unions, impacting up to 3,000 workers at the Rock Island Arsenal. Labor leaders call the move “vindictive.”
	Former Quad Cities baseball player dies at 53 Former Quad Cities Angel Garret Anderson passed away at 53.
	Severe storm damage reported across the greater Quad Cities region A line of severe storms swept across eastern Iowa and western Illinois Friday evening. Here's a look at storm damage reports News 8 has received.
	People asked to avoid Lena, Illinois, due to tornado damage, officials say The Stephenson County Sheriff's Office said there is no way to get into the town due to downed trees and wires.
	Bat tests positive for rabies in Rock Falls The bat was found inside a Rock Falls residence. Community members are reminded not to touch or handle bats indoors without protective equipment.
	Severe storm damage reported across the greater Quad Cities region A line of severe storms swept across eastern Iowa and western Illinois Friday evening. Here's a look at storm damage reports News 8 has received.
	Funeral mass held for former Davenport bishop Catholics gathered at Sacred Heart Cathedral to remember a former bishop of the Diocese of Davenport Friday morning.
	I-74 eastbound closed in Knox County Officials with the Illinois DOT said they need to make emergency pavement repairs to the bridge deck over Spoon River. Work should be done by Wednesday.
	Programming note: Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy! to re-air overnight Friday’s episode of Wheel of Fortune will run at 1:12 a.m. Jeopardy! will follow at 1:45 a.m.
	Judge halts local TV giant Nexstar's takeover of rival Tegna until trial U.S. Judge Trevor Nunley ruled that consumers could suffer irreparable harm if Nexstar integrated Tegna's stations into its own operations ahead of an antitrust trial.
	Groundbreaking to be held for apartments at former Dispatch building, downtown Moline The groundbreaking for the Dispatch Apartments project, 1720 5th Ave., Moline,will be 3:15 p.m. Monday, April 20, a news release says. LA Nights, LLC is redeveloping the former Dispatch newspaper building into 40 market-rate apartments, including 26 one-bedroom and studio units and 14 two-bedroom units. The project also includes construction of an off-street parking lot on the east side of the [...]
	Rock Island's Annual Action Plan ready for public review A draft of Rock Island’s 2026 Annual Action Plan (AAP) is now open for public comment and review, according to a news release. The plan outlines the city’s projects and activities that will be funded, or have the potential to be funded, with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing [...]
	WATCH: Strong storm arrives in Lena, Illinois Strong storms hit Lena, Illinois on Friday. The video above is courtesy of JCWIFI via Storyful.
	Suspected tornado hits Lena, severe damage reported Stephenson County Sheriff Steve Stovall reported his office is not aware of any fatalities and no injuries have been reported at this time.
	Deaths of migrants in ICE custody hit record high under Trump Twenty-nine people have died in ICE custody since October, the start of the federal government's fiscal year, already surpassing 2004's toll of 28, the previous record, according to government data.
	West Carroll students witness possible tornado in Lena Students in the West Carroll school district were headed to a music competition in Lena when severe weather rolled through the area.
	WIU announces consortium to strengthen maritime workforce Western Illinois University has announced the formal establishment of the Corn Belt Ports Rural Logistics & Maritime Training & Education Consortium, a multi-state collaboration designed to strengthen the inland maritime workforce and support economic growth across the Midwest, according to a news release. The consortium brings together a broad network of institutions of higher education [...]
	Wes Urbaniak to perform at Bishop Hill Creative Commons Crossroads Cultural Connections is hosting an evening of music and storytelling featuring Wes Urbaniak on Friday, April 24th at Bishop Hill Creative Commons, 309 North Bishop Hill Street. The event will begin at 6:00 p.m. with an optional potluck dinner. Attendees can bring a dish to share if they want to participate. The concert will [...]
	Village of Lena, Illinois shut down from storm damage Following widespread extreme storm damage, the Village of Lena, Illinois, has been shut down. According to a Facebook post from the Stephenson County Sheriff's Office: There is a second storm coming. Also, the village of Lena is shut down. There will be NO traffic in or out of town per Sheriff Stovall until further notice. [...]
	Project Renewal will present family Fit-Fest in Davenport Project Renewal’s annual Fit-Fest, a fitness festival, will be held 9-11 a.m. Saturday, April 18, at 513 Warren St., Davenport, according to a news release. Fit-Fest consists of an obstacle course with 10 obstacles/challenges that may be a physical activity or sport drill with options for people of all abilities to participate. Examples of the [...]
	Tornado Warning until FRI 6:45 PM CDT Tornado Warning: Immediate Action Required for Northeastern Scott and Central Clinton Counties
	Rabid bat discovered in QCA home A bat found inside a residence in Rock Falls was sent to the Illinois Department of Public Health by Whiteside County Animal Control. The animal has tested positive for rabies, according to a news release from the Whiteside County Health Department. The release includes a reminder that everyone should have their dogs and cats vaccinated. [...]
	Severe Thunderstorm Warning from FRI 5:51 PM CDT until FRI 6:45 PM CDT Severe Thunderstorms with 70 mph Winds Threaten Northwestern Illinois and East Central Iowa
	Black Hawk College generates nearly $291M for regional economy, new report finds Most of that money comes from the 98% of Black Hawk alumni who live and work in the region after graduation. Here's how the college says it will shape future growth.
	New report: Black Hawk College generates nearly $291M for regional economy Most of that money comes from the 98% of Black Hawk alumni who live and work in the region after graduation. Here's how the college says it will shape future growth.
	Local company donates HVAC system to Kings Harvest Ministries homeless shelter Northwest Mechanical Inc. donated an HVAC system to Kings Harvest Ministries homeless shelter.
	MidAmerican Energy preparing for Friday night's severe weather Additional crews are on standby to assist with power outages and downed trees that might occur during forecasted storms.
	Civilian employees at the Arsenal working without union contracts amid Army’s realignment push impacting hundreds of employees The Army announced Thursday that it’s canceling the collective bargaining agreement with AFGE, citing President Donald Trump’s executive order stripping workers at 40 agencies of their bargaining rights. A representative from the AFGE claims the move is unprecedented in its nearly century-long history and that the union will take the Trump administration to court.
	Traffic Alert: I-74 East closed at Exit 54 Traffic is being rerouted to U.S. Highway 150 East and Illinois Route 97, according to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
	Wallace's Garden Center rebuilds greenhouse after fire in May 2025 On May 31, 2025, Kate Terrell stood just outside of Wallace's Garden Center in Bettendorf, watching the greenhouse full of plants become engulfed in large flames and a thick, dark smoke. It was Terrell's business, one she took over from her parents, that was on fire and at risk, but she didn't just stand around [...]
	New northwest Illinois film festival coming up on April 29 "Shorts-a-palooza" will feature a variety of short films produced by Illinois filmmakers.
	'Iowa is not for sale' Zach Lahn says while campaigning for governor in Davenport Zach Lahn, one of five Republicans running for Iowa governor, pledged to fight monopolies and consolidation in agriculture if elected governor during a stop in Davenport.
	6th annual Shorts-A-Palooza brings Illinois filmmakers to Morrison The free short film festival is returning on Wednesday, April 29 with a documentary, comedy, drama, suspense, animated short film and more.
	Netflix's 'Barbecue Showdown' star raises money for Family Resources in the QC Winner of season 2 of the Netflix show "Barbecue Showdown" Thyron Mathews was in Rock Island Friday to raise money for victims of domestic and sexual violence by selling some barbecue. The pop-up outside of Bent River Brewing in Rock Island is giving all tips received on sales to Family Resources. That money will go [...]
	Live updates: Storms expected in the Quad-Cities on Friday, April 17 The National Weather Service has issued tornado and flood watches for the Quad-Cities ahead of potential severe storms this afternoon and evening.
	Death Notice: Donald Rathjen A funeral service for Donald H. Rathjen, 90, will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, April 20, at Chambers Funeral Home, Eldridge. Burial will be in Long Grove Christian Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, April 19, from 3-5 p.m. at the funeral home. Mr. Rathjen died Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at Genesis MercyOne, Davenport. Memorials may be made to Holy Family Catholic Church to benefit the Blessing Box food pantry outreach program, or to Faith Lutheran Church of Eldridge. Online condolences may be made at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com. A full obituary will appear in the April 22 edition of The NSP.
	Project NOW to hold Kids Automobile Discovery Day The event gives kids the opportunity to explore several kinds of vehicles, including those used by first responders.
	Rock Island County Children’s Advocacy Center starts new endowment The Rock Island County Children’s Advocacy Center (RICCAC) has established an endowment fund with Moline Regional Community Foundation to ensure support for its mission of reducing trauma to children.
	Hundreds of power outages reported in eastern Iowa, western Illinois The entire News 8 viewing region is under a 3 out of 5 risk for severe weather on Friday. Here's a look at power outages.
	MidAmerican Energy announces severe weather preparation With active tornado warnings across the region, MidAmerican Energy announced preparation for the severe weather. According to a release, threats to the electric system include isolated tornadoes, high winds and frequent lightning. MidAmerican reports the following steps to respond: To report an outage, click here or use the MidAmerican Energy mobile app via the iOS [...]
	Death Notice: Patricia Fatty A Celebration of Life for Patricia Ruth (Alley) Fatty, 63, will be held from 5-8 p.m. Friday, April 24, at the Maysville Community Center. The family will travel to Main this summer to lay Patty to rest. Ms. Fatty died Thursday, April 9, 2026. Memorials may be made to the Ohl Strong Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer or the Humane Society of Scott County in Davenport. Online condolences may be made at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com. A full obituary will appear in the April 22 edition of The NSP.
	Springtime means morel mushroom season is sprouting in the Quad Cities News 8's Emma Buker ventured out with a local morel mushroom expert on the hunt for a rare forest treasure known as morel mushrooms.
	Judge tells Jamison Fisher to stop filing motions without his attorneys The man accused of killing Trudy Appleby filed seven motions in March without consulting his defense team.
	LIVE BLOG: Strong to severe storms Friday afternoon into night The First Alert Weather Team is tracking strong to severe storms with threats of damaging wind and hail on Friday.
	Gasoline could drop below $4 in coming days Gasoline costs should start to fall soon, although a full recovery to pre-war prices is expected to take months. That's assuming that peace holds and traffic flows resume through the Strait of Hormuz.
	Friday - Tornado Watch issued for Quad Cities It's our THIRD Tornado watch of the week in the Quad Cities! This one goes until 8pm Friday and includes all of the Quad cities metro area. Severe t'storms will be capable of producing tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds this afternoon and evening. We will have frequent updates on television and at ourquadcities.com all [...]
	Retirement savings by state Retirement savings by stateTax-advantaged retirement accounts can give savers a leg up in building their nest egg. While many American workers qualify for Social Security benefits in retirement, these benefits are rarely enough to cover expenses — especially since retirement often brings added costs for health care and aging. On average, Americans have roughly one year’s worth of their current annual income saved in tax-advantaged accounts. For most households, that figure hovers around $80,000. However, the face value may not reflect true purchasing power, because different accounts and investments are taxed differently at the time of distribution.With this in mind, SmartAsset ranked the 40 U.S. states with available data by average household retirement savings, including comparisons to household income and a breakdown of retirement account preferences.Key FindingsMassachusetts residents have the most retirement savings. Households have an average of $150,000 in retirement savings in the Bay State. Massachusetts also holds the record for retirement account prevalence, with 74.8% of households taking advantage of tax-advantaged retirement accounts.Mississippi residents are saving the least for retirement. The average household has just $35,000 in retirement savings in Mississippi, or 59.2% of the median $59,127 annual income. Only 41.8% of households are using retirement-specific accounts, the lowest adoption rate studywide.65% of households in Maryland use 401(k)s. Maryland has the highest preference for 401(k)s as retirement vehicles studywide. The average retirement savings across the state is $120,000, ranking fifth overall. Massachusetts (60.9%), Utah (60.3%), Washington (60.2%), and Minnesota (59%) also have among the highest rates of 401(k) use.IRAs are most popular in these states. Montana households have the highest preference for IRAs — including Roth and Keogh accounts — with a 46.4% use rate and a median retirement savings of $76,000. Households in Minnesota and Oregon also tend to use IRA accounts, with 45.2% and 45.1% of households funding these accounts, respectively. SmartAsset Retirement Savings by StateStates are ranked based on the median household savings in tax-advantaged retirement accounts.MassachusettsMedian retirement savings: $150,000Median household income: $104,828Retirement account prevalence: 74.8%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 40.6%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 60.9%Hawai‘iMedian retirement savings: $149,000Median household income: $100,745Retirement account prevalence: 65.0%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 43.6%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 56.2%WashingtonMedian retirement savings: $143,400Median household income: $99,389Retirement account prevalence: 70.3%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 43.6%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 60.2%New JerseyMedian retirement savings: $134,000Median household income: $104,294Retirement account prevalence: 66.7%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 33.5%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 56.1%MarylandMedian retirement savings: $120,000Median household income: $102,905Retirement account prevalence: 73.5%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 39.3%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 65%ConnecticutMedian retirement savings: $118,400Median household income: $96,049Retirement account prevalence: 69.9%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 38.1%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 58.8%MinnesotaMedian retirement savings: $111,000Median household income: $87,117Retirement account prevalence: 71.4%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 45.2%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 59%IllinoisMedian retirement savings: $111,000Median household income: $83,211Retirement account prevalence: 66.7%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 36.9%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 55.7%PennsylvaniaMedian retirement savings: $101,800Median household income: $77,545Retirement account prevalence: 62.6%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 33.2%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 51.3%ColoradoMedian retirement savings: $100,000Median household income: $97,113Retirement account prevalence: 68.5%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 38.3%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 55.4%CaliforniaMedian retirement savings: $100,000Median household income: $100,149Retirement account prevalence: 61.8%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 34.2%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 51.7%OhioMedian retirement savings: $100,000Median household income: $72,212Retirement account prevalence: 61.1%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 35.2%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 46.3%OregonMedian retirement savings: $92,400Median household income: $85,220Retirement account prevalence: 70.3%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 45.1%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 56.7%IdahoMedian retirement savings: $89,000Median household income: $81,166Retirement account prevalence: 70%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 37%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 58.6%VirginiaMedian retirement savings: $85,200Median household income: $92,090Retirement account prevalence: 70.6%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 42.0%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 57.9%MichiganMedian retirement savings: $85,000Median household income: $72,389Retirement account prevalence: 63.2%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 33.3%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 53.3%New YorkMedian retirement savings: $80,000Median household income: $85,820Retirement account prevalence: 60.6%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 32.2%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 49.1%FloridaMedian retirement savings: $78,000Median household income: $77,735Retirement account prevalence: 55.4%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 30%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 43.4%MontanaMedian retirement savings: $76,000Median household income: $75,340Retirement account prevalence: 68.4%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 46.4%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 49.7%TennesseeMedian retirement savings: $74,500Median household income: $71,997Retirement account prevalence: 60%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 29%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 49.1%GeorgiaMedian retirement savings: $72,000Median household income: $79,991Retirement account prevalence: 50.4%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 22.9%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 43.5%IndianaMedian retirement savings: $71,700Median household income: $71,959Retirement account prevalence: 63.8%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 29.6%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 56.4%IowaMedian retirement savings: $70,000Median household income: $75,501Retirement account prevalence: 72.4%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 42.8%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 55%NevadaMedian retirement savings: $70,000Median household income: $81,134Retirement account prevalence: 55.1%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 27.5%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 43.1%ArizonaMedian retirement savings: $69,500Median household income: $81,486Retirement account prevalence: 64.9%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 33.2%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 53%UtahMedian retirement savings: $62,800Median household income: $96,658Retirement account prevalence: 73.7%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 32.7%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 60.3%WisconsinMedian retirement savings: $58,000Median household income: $77,488Retirement account prevalence: 72.9%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 40.2%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 55.6%MissouriMedian retirement savings: $57,000Median household income: $71,589Retirement account prevalence: 57.0%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 31.6%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 46%North CarolinaMedian retirement savings: $56,000Median household income: $73,958Retirement account prevalence: 63.5%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 32.4%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 54.5%KansasMedian retirement savings: $56,000Median household income: $75,514Retirement account prevalence: 71.6%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 37.3%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 53.3%TexasMedian retirement savings: $55,000Median household income: $79,721Retirement account prevalence: 55.2%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 27.6%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 47.3%ArkansasMedian retirement savings: $54,490Median household income: $62,106Retirement account prevalence: 42.9%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 16.9%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 36.4%West VirginiaMedian retirement savings: $54,400Median household income: $60,798Retirement account prevalence: 47.4%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 14.7%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 41.2%South CarolinaMedian retirement savings: $50,300Median household income: $72,350Retirement account prevalence: 56.6%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 23.7%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 48.8%New MexicoMedian retirement savings: $50,000Median household income: $67,816Retirement account prevalence: 53.6%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 18.8%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 47%KentuckyMedian retirement savings: $50,000Median household income: $64,526Retirement account prevalence: 51.7%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 22.7%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 41.7%LouisianaMedian retirement savings: $50,000Median household income: $60,986Retirement account prevalence: 44.1%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 13.3%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 38.3%AlabamaMedian retirement savings: $46,000Median household income: $66,659Retirement account prevalence: 43.1%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 21.9%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 33.7%OklahomaMedian retirement savings: $39,450Median household income: $66,148Retirement account prevalence: 47.9%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 19.7%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 39.9%MississippiMedian retirement savings: $35,000Median household income: $59,127Retirement account prevalence: 41.8%IRA or Keogh Account prevalence: 10.4%401(k) & Thrift Savings Plan prevalence: 35.8%Data and MethodologyHousehold retirement data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau for 2023, published July 2025. Median household income data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau 1-Year American Community Survey for 2024. Full data was available for 40 states (data for Alaska, Delaware, Maine, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wyoming was unavailable).This story was produced by SmartAsset and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Burlington potato chips make Top 16 in 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Iowa competition The top 16 will move on to a bracket-style tournament where Iowans will decide who advances, organizers said.
	How often men should wash their face How often men should wash their faceWhen it comes to face-washing, a lot of men are left wondering: Is splashing some water enough? And does skincare have to be complicated to actually work? The truth is that your face doesn’t need a 10-step routine to look healthy. What it does need is consistency, the right cleanser, and an understanding of how your skin type affects your daily habits. Dove Men + Care breaks it down.The face wash lowdown for menHow often should men really wash their faces? In short: Washing twice daily is the gold standard, but your skin type ultimately determines whether you should stick with that or adjust for comfort. Cleansing in the morning and at night is ideal for most men, but oily, dry, or sensitive skin may benefit from slight tweaks:Oily skinIf your face looks shiny a few hours after washing and you often notice enlarged pores or breakouts, you likely have oily skin. Extra oil production means you’ll benefit from both morning and night cleansing. Look for cleansers or cleansing bars labeled “oil control”, “mattifying,” or “deep clean” to reduce shine without stripping. Charcoal in face cleansers acts like a magnet for dirt and excess oil, making it especially effective for men with oily skin who want a deeper, shine-free clean without over-drying.Dry skinIf your skin often feels tight, rough, or flaky — especially after showering — it’s a sign of dryness. Over-washing can make things worse. A thorough evening cleanse with a hydrating formula is usually sufficient, while a splash of water in the morning can refresh without drying.Sensitive skinIf your skin easily turns red, is blotchy, feels irritated after shaving, or reacts to fragranced products, you likely fall into the category of sensitive skin. Gentle, fragrance-free cleansers once daily — often in the evening — tend to work best, with a light water rinse in the morning if needed.This way, you get the benefits of regular cleansing without overdoing it — keeping your routine simple, effective, and tailored to your skin’s needs. Dove Men + Care When is the best time to wash my face?Ideally, a quick rinse with lukewarm water in the morning should set you up for the day.But an evening cleanse is a non-negotiable. This is because your skin gets exposed to sweat, oil, and pollutants. If you skip washing before bed, all of that build-up stays on the surface and starts to clog pores, which could potentially lead to breakouts.A good nighttime cleanse also preps your skin to absorb moisturizer, helping it repair overnight. Dove Men + Care Can I wash my face with body wash?Body washes are designed for the thicker skin on your arms, chest, and legs. So reaching for the nearest body wash to clean your face could be a mistake. The skin on your face is thinner, so the body wash may be too harsh, stripping away protective oils and leaving your face feeling tight, dry, or irritated.Face-specific cleansers or body and face bars are formulated differently. They’re designed to remove dirt and excess oil without damaging your skin barrier. Many contain moisturizing ingredients to keep your facial skin balanced. If you can protect your skin’s natural barrier, you’re less likely to get blotchiness or irritated skin.If convenience is what you’re looking for, go for a face and body cleansing bar.Any quick tips for better face washing?A few small tweaks can make your face-washing routine more effective. Here’s what to do to get the most out of your cleanse:Wash for at least 60 seconds to give your cleanser time to remove all the day’s impurities.Always pat (don’t rub) dry with a clean towel.Wash your pillowcase often, as it absorbs sweat and oil, and could also contribute to dirt build-up.Get into a good routine by washing daily.What are common face washing mistakes I should avoid?Even if you’re washing daily, small missteps can undo your progress:Using water that’s too hot. Lukewarm water won’t strip away natural oils.Scrubbing too hard. Wash in gentle, circular motions.Skipping moisturizer. Replenish moisture after cleansing with a light moisturizer.Avoiding nighttime cleansing. Going to bed with dirty skin can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. Dove Men + Care Is there a simple routine I can follow?Yes. Keeping it effective doesn’t mean making it complicated. Here’s what to do:In the morning, rinse your face with lukewarm water or use a gentle cleanser to remove overnight oil.At night, wash with a face-specific cleanser to clear dirt, sweat, and pollution build-up from the day.Apply a lightweight face moisturizer in the morning (with SPF if you’re outdoors) and a hydrating cream at night.Washing your face doesn’t need to be complicated. Twice a day with a face-specific cleanser, paired with moisturizer, is enough to keep most men’s skin healthy. Skipping body wash and choosing products made for your face ensures your skin barrier stays strong, balanced, and protected.This story was produced by Dove Men + Care and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	State approves investment grants for four Quad-Cities area businesses Manufacturers across the state received Manufacturing 4.0 Technology Investment grants, including three in Scott County and one in Muscatine County.
	Iowa Supreme Court overturns ruling in State Auditor Rob Sand vs. City of Davenport case Iowa Auditor Rob Sand gets a setback in his attempt to subpoena City of Davenport closed city council session minutes and recordings related to $1.9 million in settlements of three employee harassment claims approved in 2023. The Iowa Supreme Court overturned a District Court ruling related to attorney-client privilege involving the minutes and recordings. The [...]
	Amboy woman accused of having meth, faces other drug charges An Amboy woman faces several drug charges following an investigation in Lee County.
	The ultimate spring cleaning checklist for dog owners The ultimate spring cleaning checklist for dog ownersSpring Cleaning Isn’t Just for Your HomeThere’s something about spring that makes people want to hit the reset button. Windows get thrown open. Closets get cleared out. Suddenly, that pile of “I’ll deal with it later” turns into a full weekend cleaning project.It’s the season of fresh starts and for many households, that includes a deep clean from top to bottom. But if you’re a dog owner, there’s one important detail that often gets overlooked. Spring cleaning isn’t just about your home, it’s about your dog, too, Spot & Tango notes.After months of winter routines, dogs head into spring carrying a little extra with them. Think loose winter fur, muddy paws, lingering odors, and a surprising amount of buildup in the places they use most: beds, bowls, toys, and favorite lounging spots.That means more shedding on the couch, more dirt tracked in after walks, maybe even a bit more scratching as pollen levels rise. Which all makes sense, as dogs experience seasonal changes differently than we do. They’re closer to the ground, constantly interacting with grass, dirt, and whatever else the outdoors throws their way.Which is why a true spring refresh for dog owners goes beyond wiping down counters or vacuuming the floors. It means taking a closer look at your dog’s environment, hygiene, and daily routine, and giving it all a seasonal reset.The good news? It doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a few simple steps, you can create a cleaner, healthier space for both you and your dog, and start the season feeling fresh in more ways than one.Why Spring Cleaning Matters for Your Dog’s HealthSpring cleaning might feel like a cosmetic upgrade, something you do to make your home look and smell better. But when you have a dog, it’s much more than that. It’s directly tied to their health. As temperatures rise, a few key changes happen all at once:Dogs begin shedding their winter coats, often more heavily than expectedPollen, grass, and dust levels increase in the environmentMoisture and warmer air create ideal conditions for bacteria and allergensAll of this adds up quickly, especially in the spaces your dog uses every day. Take your dog’s bed, for example. Over time, it can collect fur, dirt, oils from their skin, and even microscopic allergens. Food and water bowls can develop invisible bacterial buildup if not cleaned regularly. Toys, especially chew toys, can harbor germs in small cracks and crevices.Individually, these things might not seem like a big deal. But together, they can contribute to issues like:Skin irritation or itchinessAllergies or seasonal flare-upsEar infectionsDigestive issues (from contaminated bowls)According to studies from the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), pet bowls are consistently ranked among the germiest items in the home, often containing more bacteria than kitchen surfaces.There’s also the indoor environment to consider. During spring, dogs track in pollen and outdoor debris on their paws and fur. Without regular cleaning, those allergens can settle into carpets, furniture, and bedding, affecting both pets and people. The bottom line is simple: A clean environment helps support a healthy dog.Beyond tidiness, spring cleaning is about reducing exposure to irritants, minimizing bacteria, and creating a space where your dog can feel comfortable and thrive.“If you use springtime as a moment to get your own annual tasks in order, add your pet to the list,” Dr. Stephanie Liff, Spot & Tango’s vet advisor, suggests “Make sure their vaccines are up to date and that their annual exam is scheduled on time. This will also help prevent any lapses in flea, tick, and heartworm prevention.”And once you understand that connection, the checklist becomes a lot more meaningful.The Ultimate Spring Cleaning Checklist for Dog OwnersSpring cleaning with a dog is about tackling the areas that matter most for your dog’s health, comfort, and daily routine. Think of it as a reset, a chance to clear out what’s been building up over winter and make room for a cleaner, healthier season ahead. Here’s where to start:1. Refresh Your Dog’s Living SpaceYour dog’s bed is one of the most-used and most overlooked areas in your home. Over time, it collects fur, dirt, oils, and allergens that can build up without you realizing it.Start by:Washing all dog beds, blankets, and crate linersVacuuming around sleeping areas (especially under furniture)Using pet-safe cleaners on floors and nearby surfacesIf your dog has a favorite “spot” on the couch or rug, give that extra attention, too. These high-use areas tend to hold onto more fur and odor than expected. A clean resting space doesn’t just smell better; it helps reduce allergens and irritation.2. Clean (and Declutter) Your Dog’s ToysTake a quick look at your dog’s toy collection; chances are, there are a few that have seen better days. Chew toys, in particular, can develop small cracks that trap dirt and bacteria over time.For a proper refresh:Wash rubber and plastic toys with warm, soapy waterToss any toys that are broken, heavily worn, or difficult to cleanRotate toys to keep things fresh and engagingNot only does this help keep things sanitary, but it also makes playtime feel new again, without buying anything extra.3. Deep Clean Food and Water BowlsFood and water bowls are used every day, but they’re often cleaned less frequently than they should be. Even if they look clean, bacteria can build up quickly, especially in small scratches or along the edges. It’s a small habit that can make a big difference in your dog’s digestive and overall health.To stay on top of it:Wash bowls daily with hot, soapy waterRun them through the dishwasher regularly (if safe)Replace bowls that are chipped or worn4. Give Your Dog a Seasonal Grooming ResetAs temperatures rise, many dogs naturally shed their thicker winter coat. Without regular grooming, that loose fur ends up everywhere.Now’s the time to:Brush your dog more frequently to remove excess hairBathe them with a gentle, dog-safe shampooTrim nails and check paw pads for buildup or debrisClean ears to prevent moisture-related issuesRegular grooming not only keeps your home cleaner, it also helps prevent matting, skin irritation, and discomfort for your dog.“A healthy adult dog’s coat looks smooth, uniform, and sometimes shiny,” Dr. Jordyn Zoul, Spot & Tango vet advisor, explains “Their skin should not be overly pink, red, flaky, or smelly. If you notice any of these signs, it may be an indicator that allergies or other dermatologic issues are flaring up. Longer-haired or double-coated breeds like Golden Retrievers, Huskies, and Newfoundlands can definitely benefit from a summer cut, especially in warm climates.”5. Tackle Pollen, Dirt, and Outdoor AllergensSpring walks are one of the best parts of the season but they also come with extra baggage. Pollen, grass, and dirt can cling to your dog’s fur and paws, then get tracked straight into your home.A few simple habits can help:Wipe your dog’s paws after walksRinse their belly or legs if they’ve been in tall grassKeep your yard trimmed to reduce exposureThese small steps can help limit allergens in your home and keep your dog more comfortable, especially if they’re prone to seasonal itching.6. Declutter and Organize Pet SuppliesSpring cleaning is the perfect excuse to take stock of everything your dog uses daily.Check your cabinets, bins, and drawers for:Expired treats or old foodWorn-out leashes, harnesses, or collarsEmpty or messy storage containersCleaning and organizing these items makes daily routines smoother and helps you avoid reaching for something that should’ve been replaced months ago.7. Clean Your Dog’s “High-Touch” AreasSome of the dirtiest spots in your home aren’t obvious; they’re the places your dog interacts with constantly.Think about:Feeding stationsEntryways where your dog comes insideCar seats or travel cratesFavorite lounging areasGiving these spaces a quick refresh can reduce lingering odors and prevent buildup you don’t see right away. Even tackling a few of these areas can noticeably improve your dog’s environment and your home overall.The Hidden Health Benefits of a Clean Environment For DogsSpring cleaning might start as a way to tidy up your home, but for dogs, it can have real health benefits that go far beyond appearances.A cleaner space helps reduce everyday exposures that can quietly affect your dog over time. When you remove built-up dirt, bacteria, and allergens, you’re also helping to:Reduce skin irritation and itching caused by pollen and debrisLower the risk of ear infections linked to moisture and bacteriaImprove digestion, especially when food and water bowls are properly cleanedSupport respiratory health by minimizing dust and dander indoorsThere’s also a behavioral side to it. Dogs are incredibly sensitive to their environment. Clean, organized spaces can help them feel more relaxed and comfortable, especially in areas where they sleep and spend most of their time.Common Spring Cleaning Mistakes Dog Owners MakeEven with the best intentions, spring cleaning for dog owners can sometimes miss the mark. Here are a few common mistakes that are easy to overlook:1. Using Harsh Cleaning ProductsSome household cleaners contain chemicals that can irritate your dog’s skin or paws, especially since dogs spend so much time close to the ground. Whenever possible, stick to pet-safe cleaning products for floors and surfaces.2. Forgetting Everyday ItemsIt’s easy to focus on big cleaning tasks and forget the smaller ones, like bowls, leashes, and collars. But these everyday items can collect just as much dirt and bacteria over time.3. Overbathing Your DogWhile bathing helps remove dirt and allergens, too many baths can strip your dog’s skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation. A balanced approach, combined with regular brushing, tends to work best.4. Ignoring Worn-Out Toys and GearOld toys, frayed leashes, and worn harnesses aren’t just clutter; they can also be safety risks. Spring is a great time to replace anything that’s no longer in good condition.5. Skipping Grooming During Shedding SeasonThis is when grooming matters most, yet it’s often overlooked. Regular brushing during spring can significantly reduce fur buildup and improve your dog’s comfort.A Simple 7-Day Spring Cleaning Plan for Dog OwnersIf the full checklist feels like a lot, breaking it down into smaller steps can make it much more manageable. Here’s a simple way to tackle it over the course of a week:Day 1: Wash your dog’s bedding and blanketsDay 2: Clean and declutter toysDay 3: Groom your dog (bath, brush, nails, ears)Day 4: Deep clean food and water bowls + feeding areaDay 5: Organize and refresh suppliesDay 6: Vacuum, mop, and clean high-traffic areasDay 7: Tidy outdoor spaces and wipe down entry pointsBy the end of the week, both your home and your dog’s routine will feel noticeably refreshed, without needing to do everything all at once.This story was produced by Spot & Tango and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	You can't fake this: 'The Christophers' is a witty film about forgery and friendship In Steven Soderbergh's new dark comedy, Ian McKellen plays a famous painter, and Michaela Coel is an art restorer hired to infiltrate his home by his greedy grown-up children.
	Iowa Supreme Court rules auditor can't access City of Davenport's private legal records The Iowa Supreme Court rules the state auditor cannot access Davenport’s attorney–client records during an audit, reversing a lower court decision.
	Currency and commodity hedging for middle markets Currency and commodity hedging for middle marketsMore than five years of cross‑current volatility in currencies, commodities and interest rates has middle market companies thinking longer and acting faster about hedging risk. Markets moved hard in 2025: The dollar sold off roughly 10% in the first half, then settled into a tighter range, reminding treasurers that timing and tenor matter."We’ve seen all kinds of things happen. What we’ve mainly seen is a real push to look at longer‑dated hedges versus short term,” said Michael Orefice, managing director for foreign currency and commodity sales at Fifth Third Bank. “Clients want to help their business not just today but into the future.”In this article, Fifth Third explains what middle market businesses need to know about currency and commodity hedging.Key TakeawaysVolatility is the new normal. Middle market companies face persistent swings in currencies, commodities and interest rates, making proactive hedging strategies essential for protecting margins and reducing risk.Fuel and commodity hedging remains critical. Even with stabilized fuel prices, sudden spikes can strain budgets. Customized hedge solutions help businesses manage exposure to oil, metals and grains over multi-year horizons.Forward contracts offer flexibility. Compared to futures, forward contracts provide tailored terms and timing, making them well-suited for businesses with irregular transaction schedules or specific currency needs.Long-term planning and alignment matter. Companies increasingly hedge three to five years forward to mitigate shocks from market volatility and climate risks. Success requires cross-departmental alignment and regular reviews.Middle market currency: the strong dollarDollar volatility underscores that urgency. The U.S. Dollar Index ended October 2025 near the high 90s. That’s well below late‑2024 highs, yet still elevated versus mid‑year lows. Such moves can reshape margins for exporters and importers, making currency risk one of the biggest catalysts for change.When the dollar's strength combines with bouncy commodity prices and rising borrowing costs, business viability could be on the line. The trick is to manage that exposure strategically as well as cost-effectively.For a company that sells abroad, or conversely, imports equipment or components, that’s potentially a huge bottom-line impact. In Q3 2025, Coca‑Cola’s comparable EPS rose 6% yet foreign exchange shaved six points off that growth, according to the company’s Q3 2025 release. Some firms that import components and sell domestically may see a tailwind when the dollar is firm, while exporters can face headwinds when it strengthens. That’s why many treasurers increased hedging programs in early 2025 as the dollar surged.For middle market firms that are often focused on sales and customer retention rather than currency risk, navigating these dynamics can feel like uncertain territory. Increasingly, corporate treasurers and CFOs are learning about hedging strategies as a way to mitigate inherent risk rather than engage in speculation.Hedging oil pricesFuel costs may have stabilized compared to the wild swings of prior years, but volatility hasn’t disappeared. For middle market businesses, small moves matter. The EIA’s weekly Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update show that U.S. on‑highway diesel averaged about $3.66 per gallon while fuel price volatility eased.Looking ahead, the EIA’s outlook expects gasoline to average near $3.00 in 2026 with diesel around $3.50, driven by softer crude. Global crude markets echoed that trend with a sharp spring 2025 selloff followed by months of choppy stabilization.For companies with heavy fuel exposure, a sudden spike can still hit budgets hard. That’s why the logic of hedging remains unchanged: cap exposure and reduced budget variance.Orefice cited the example of a mid-sized building services company. ”They’ve got $3 million to $5 million of annual expense for fuel. This was a business that hadn’t ever hedged before,” he said. ”Instituting a hedge program enabled the company to protect against rising fuel costs. Had they not executed on their hedge program, they would have spent an additional $3.5 million on fuel over an 18-month period.”One form of hedging is the purchase of a futures contract, which is an agreement where the buyer of the futures contract locks in a price where they can purchase an agreed-to volume amount in the future. For a manufacturer that knows it will need a certain amount of a raw material input at a fixed time and wants that expense effectively to be fixed, a futures contract can be purchased.A different approach can be a prudent alternative for middle market executives who must keep a broader focus. Futures contracts aren’t the only tool available for managing price risk, and they may not be best suited for what a company needs. Hedge products available through financial counterparties can provide much more customized solutions to managing commodities and foreign exchange price risk. That’s why understanding the tools, futures and forwards, is critical for building a resilient hedge strategy.How do futures and forward contracts compare?In addition to a futures contract, for example, companies may opt for a forward. With a forward contract, the terms are set at the time of agreement, and the price does not fluctuate with the market. It also establishes when the asset will be delivered.Whereas futures contracts are often used by speculators as well as for hedging, and are traded on public exchanges, a forward contract is a customized agreement between parties who are obliged to make good on the pact at the time specified. A supplier’s market price, or a currency, may rise or fall, but the ”forward” ensures that the agreed-to terms will still apply. For both, the risk is contained.Sometimes the hard duration of such an agreement is too inflexible to suit a business’s needs. If a company has a regular European customer, for example, but on an irregular transaction schedule, a ”window forward” can take currency risk out of the equation.“This type of forward gives businesses the opportunity to deliver or to receive a currency within a certain date range at the same price,” Orefice said. “If it does a one-month forward to receive euros at $1.10, it doesn’t matter if it’s delivered on day one or day 30, the client gets $1.10.” He added that a key advantage is that with window forwards, businesses can move dates. ”They can be very customized to the client’s needs in terms of both prices and duration.”Easing the hedgeDollar volatility is also changing hedge percentages. ”What we’re starting to see is businesses that were doing 50% to 75% of their hedging in one year and leaving 25% open, are now moving a little bit back,” Orefice said. ”Their percentages have reduced in order to take advantage of the dollar move. We call that layering in hedges.”For example, middle market businesses that last year would have hedged against three quarters of the value of their European currency exposure, have reduced their hedging program to around 50%. They are trying to time the market instead rather than taking advantage of the strong dollar.”On the other side, an exporter facing losses from a higher dollar, for example, needs to hedge right away,” Orefice said.Why is hedging commodities so important?Protecting against currency risk is just one of the available types of hedges companies can use to improve their bottom line. Another concern for manufacturers is commodity price risk.Bloomberg’s commodity index look‑back shows that in 2025, precious metals surged and industrial metals rose. Energy and grains lagged. Copper hit record territory mid‑year, supported by supply tightness and strong demand from electrification.Grains saw ample supply and softer prices. USDA’s 2025/26 outlook projected lower season‑average prices for corn and wheat on higher stocks‑to‑use. FAO also reported record global cereal production and rising stocks in late 2025.Protecting over the long termWith dizzying swings in commodity prices becoming the norm, businesses are increasingly turning to commodity price risk management to help protect against price movements three to five years forward.Volatility is now a baseline, and decision time frames are shorter. Many teams moved faster in 2025 to avoid unanticipated losses. And today, businesses are protecting commodity inputs three to five years forward. That discipline reduces shock risk when markets swing or when climate conditions bite.“Drought conditions are affecting agricultural prices across most of the U.S. and need to be considered as part of a hedge program,” Orefice said. This is similar to supply chain and production issues affecting metals markets due to global events. These are ongoing market conditions for which the risks need to be managed.Supply chain disturbances can always vary by region, but the lesson sticks. Choose instruments and durations that match your exposure, then review quarterly. And it’s important that all divisions within an enterprise be aligned on a hedge program’s benefits and costs. What might suit the procurement teams could have the accounting office later seeing red. ”If the CFO knows what a hedge does, but all of a sudden the hedge turns negative and the business has hedge liabilities, their accounting team needs to know that,” Orefice said.Education in turbulent times can make a real difference to the bottom line. Middle market businesses should consider finding a trusted advisor to discuss building a hedge program that protects against today’s volatility.This story was produced by Fifth Third and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Jamison Fisher in court for pro se motions hearing The man accused in the 1996 murder of 11-year-old Trudy Appleby was in court this morning for hearings on motions he filed by himself. Court records show that Jamison Fisher appeared in Henry County Court in Cambridge this morning with his attorney for a hearing on several pro se motions he filed. The court reviewed [...]
	Gov. Reynolds signs 21 bills into law Thursday as end to the legislative session nears Gov. Kim Reynolds signed 21 bills into law Thursday, including one targeting fraudulent academic claims and another establishing an Iowa-Ireland trade commission.
	Lee County woman arrested for multiple drug charges An Amboy woman was arrested for multiple drug charges. According to a release, on March 13, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Amboy Police Department and Lee County Animal Control executed a search warrant in the 100 block of Provost St. after a narcotics investigation. An arrest warrant was issued for Laura Stroud, 61. Stroud was [...]
	Psychologist charged with incompetence for the second time in three years A central Iowa psychologist is facing disciplinary charges of incompetence for the second time in three years. (Stock photo by Getty Images)For the second time in three years, a central Iowa psychologist is facing disciplinary charges of incompetence. The Iowa Board of Behavioral Professionals has charged Dr. Erin Rae Honke of Waukee, a state-licensed psychologist, with three regulatory violations: professional incompetence that may be tied to a mental or physical issue affecting her ability to practice in a safe and competent manner; failure to comply with the ethical principles of psychologists and the code of conduct of the American Psychological Association with regard to her documentation of professional and scientific work, and violating the American Psychological Association rules related to unspecified “personal problems and conflicts.” As is normally the case with Iowa’s licensing boards, the Board of Behavioral Professionals has not publicly disclosed the alleged conduct that gave rise to the charges other than to say the actions occurred around December 2024 and January 2025 while Honke was practicing in West Des Moines. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A board hearing on the matter is scheduled for July 28 and 29, 2026. Honke did not respond Thursday to the Iowa Capital Dispatch’s requests for comment. In August 2023, the Iowa Board of Psychology, which later merged with the Iowa Board of Behavioral Professionals, charged Honke with three separate counts of professional incompetence. The three counts were tied to allegations that she exhibited a substantial lack of knowledge or ability to discharge her professional obligations, that she substantially deviated from the standards of learning or skill within the profession, and that she failed to exercise the degree of care normally expected of the average psychologist. Although the statement of charges in that case was published by the board, there is no corresponding final order in the case that has been published. Court records indicate Honke was involved in an incident with police on the afternoon of Nov. 22, 2022, when a Des Moines police officer was flagged down by two concerned citizens regarding a vehicle near Holy Trinity School that appeared to be driven by an intoxicated woman. According to police, as the officer approached the vehicle, which was driven by Honke, three children got into the car and the officer directed Honke to stop. Police reported Honke had bloodshot and watery eyes, slurred speech and a strong odor of alcohol on her breath, although she refused to take a field sobriety test. She was then charged with first-offense drunken driving and three counts of child endangerment. Polk County District Associate Judge Christopher Kemp later dismissed the three child-endangerment charges, noting that while prosecutors had the burden of showing one of the children was under the age of 14, the court record was “completely devoid of this child’s age.” Honke was sentenced to a year of probation after pleading guilty to the drunken driving charge. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Iowa Capital Dispatch
	Iowa Supreme Court rules for Davenport in case on auditor access to closed session records The State Auditor's Office is performing an audit on settlement payments to three former Davenport employees. The court concluded that the auditor does not have access to attorney-client privileged materials.
	New Mexico environment officials adopt rules for firefighting foams containing PFAS Aqueous Film-Forming Foams, which are used to put out fuel fires at airports or oil and gas sites, will now be regulated as hazardous waste in New Mexico under new rules adopted on April 13, 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Alex Mercer)New Mexico adopted rules this week to allow state environment officials to regulate fire-fighting foam containing so-called “forever chemicals” as hazardous waste, the first state in the country to apply the strict requirements to the substance. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A unanimous decision by the state Environmental Improvement Board on Monday allows the New Mexico Environment Department to monitor and limit the use of the firefighting foams that have polluted groundwater in and around military installations in New Mexico. The rules are the result of law enacted last year. Aqueous Film-Forming Foams, which are used to put out fuel fires at airports or oil and gas sites, contain per-and-polyflourylakyl substances — PFAS — that build up in water and soil and in people’s bodies and are linked to serious health conditions. State environment officials can now treat AFFF substances as they do other toxic substances, such as lead or benzene.The state will roll out efforts to document where the foams are stored, on military bases, oil fields or other areas that require immediate fire suppression. The rules require facilities that store the foams to report the quantities to the environmental department. ‘Forever chemicals’ detected in Clovis-area blood tests, New Mexico environmental officials say “Designating discarded PFAS-laden firefighting foams as a hazardous waste means the Environment Department can require cleanup,” Environment Secretary James Kenney said in a statement. “This week’s decision puts to rest any argument to the contrary and will help expedite cleanup efforts around military installations.” The state remains mired in litigation over the cleanup of PFAS, including a U.S. Department of Defense case in Denver federal appeals court from 2022 over New Mexico’s authority to require the federal government follow state hazardous waste laws. Zachary Ogaz, general counsel for NMED, told Source NM the rule change is a direct response to the appeal. “This does give us a much stronger footing in our litigation, the Department of War is going to have to find a more creative legal argument, if it hopes to prevail against us in court,” Ogaz said. Cameron Oden, a University of New Haven assistant professor in environmental engineering who studies PFAS disposal, said New Mexico is the first state to classify the fire-fighting foam itself as hazardous waste. He said the state’s law change is part of a broader patchwork of state laws responding to the ambiguity of federal law governing hazardous waste, particularly PFAS. “This is a prime example of the issue, as historically, military installations have been exempt from state regulations because they are a federal institution,” Oden said. Courtesy of Source New Mexico
	Judge denies all of Jamison Fisher’s self-filed motions A judge denied all of the pro se motions saying they were improperly filed since Illinois does not allow hybrid representation.
	Districts nationwide continue to face school bus driver shortages Districts nationwide continue to face school bus driver shortagesCompared to 2019, there are now 21,000 fewer school bus drivers in America. Here’s how that affects your family.Maybe the bus didn’t come this morning. You got a last-minute text, scrambled to find another way to get your child to school, and they arrived 10 minutes late. If this sounds familiar, you’re not imagining things.The shortage of school bus drivers in America has been getting worse for years, and it’s still not fixed, BusesForSale.com reports.The numbers behind the shortageThere are still about 9.5% fewer school bus drivers than in 2019, which means around 21,200 fewer drivers on the road than before the pandemic, according to a 2025 analysis by the Economic Policy Institute. This isn’t a leftover problem from COVID-19. It’s a bigger, and continual, issue for school districts.A 2025 survey conducted by HopSkipDrive found that 81% of school administrators still face a driver shortage, and 26% have had to cut or shorten bus routes. A survey conducted by several industry groups in 2021 found that 51% of school bus operators described their shortage as “severe” or “desperate.” States like Maine, Missouri, and Vermont have been hit especially hard, with districts cutting routes and services last year.About half of all K-12 students in the U.S. rely on a school bus to get to school. When the system is strained, families feel the impact.Why is it so hard to find drivers?It’s always been tough to hire school bus drivers. The main reason is the schedule. Most drivers work split shifts, with early mornings, a long break, and afternoon pickups. This makes it hard to get a second job, which matters since the median hourly wage is $22.45 as of August 2025, according to EPI. Even with a 4.2% raise last year, many drivers still have trouble making ends meet.Getting a license is an additional obstacle. The CDL process takes about 12 weeks, and industry leaders say many people drop out because it’s long and complicated. Other commercial driving jobs in delivery, logistics, and freight pay more, have better hours, and don’t involve the management of student behavior. The competition for licensed drivers is already tough and only getting tougher.Retirements are making the shortage worse: 37% of districts surveyed in a 2022 HopSkipDrive study cited retirements as a major reason for their low driver numbers. There just aren’t enough new drivers to take their place.What are districts doing, and what does it mean for your mornings?Districts are trying different solutions. Many have raised wages, offered signing bonuses, and paid for CDL training to bring in new drivers. In Massachusetts, districts are promoting fully paid training programs.But not all districts can afford these solutions. Where budgets are tight, it’s harder to make things work.Schools Closing reports that some districts are testing “rotating route holidays.” This means certain neighborhood routes are halted on a set day each week to give drivers a break and help reduce burnout. For parents, it means one day a week without a bus, with only the yearly schedule as notice.EverDriven notes that other districts are combining routes, which leads to longer rides and more stops per trip. These changes stretch the system in ways parents notice most. Kids are being picked up earlier, sometimes before sunrise, even in neighborhoods that never had to deal with this before.For parents, the bigger problem is the lack of predictability. What used to be reliable now changes every week, which makes it harder to manage work, childcare, and everything else.In places where school buses can’t keep up, districts are trying short-term fixes. Some give transit passes to older students, test ride-share programs, or offer payment-in-lieu, where the district sends a check and families make their own arrangements.But these solutions only work if you have a car, flexible work hours, or help nearby. If you don’t, daily life can become overwhelming. And not everyone is affected the same way.Who feels the impact most?When school transportation breaks down, not everyone is affected equally. EPI’s analysis shows students with disabilities are hit hardest because they rely on special routes that don’t have easy backups. While some parents can switch to city buses or adjust quickly, these students can’t. When their routes fail, the problems add up. Missed school days, missed meals, and gaps that get harder to fix over time. This is happening in places like Santa Fe, New Mexico.In 2023, it was reported that in Santa Fe, 27 drivers were covering 35 routes after six routes were cut. In Kanawha County, West Virginia, drivers are doubling up on routes. Some students aren’t getting to school until well into the first period.What’s getting betterEven though the situation is challenging, districts are working to fix it. There may be small improvements, but the number of drivers is slowly rising. EPI’s 2025 analysis found that about 2,300 jobs had been added in the past year, a 1.1% increase.In districts that take the job seriously, improvements last. Communication is clearer, there are fewer eleventh-hour changes, and behavior policies are more consistent. Drivers aren’t left to handle discipline alone.Technology is helping a bit. Routing software is making stops more efficient, reducing wasted miles, and helping the same staff cover more ground. Denis Gallagher Jr., SVP of operations at STA, wrote on LinkedIn. “Smarter recruiting, stronger retention efforts, and creative scheduling have also made a difference. The districts making progress have something in common. They treat drivers as valuable people, not only numbers in a budget. That’s what makes the difference.Looking at the bigger pictureSchool buses are still the safest way for kids to get to school. They’re nearly are nearly eight times safer riding in a school bus than in cars. No one wants to replace them. The real challenge is finding enough drivers.The shortage is still around 21,000 drivers. Software and better routing alone won’t fix it. Real change depends on decisions by school boards and state leaders about driver pay and support.Until then, mornings will remain chaotic. Somewhere, a parent is still rushing to find a way before the first bell.This story was produced by BusesForSale.com and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	A new documentary on Lorne Michaels reveals plenty — except the man himself Morgan Neville's film is packed with access and celebrity voices, but avoids deeper questions about its subject.
	MercyOne Genesis opening new facility in Woodhull A new MercyOne Genesis facility is opening in Woodhull. MercyOne Genesis Woodhull Family Medicine, 220 SW Fifth Street, opens on Monday, April 20. This location replaces the former MercyOne Genesis Alpha Family Medicine that was located four miles away. Provider Ryane M. Passno, ARNP, and all colleagues from Alpha will be moving to the Woodhull [...]
	Putnam Museum launches big new society for big dig, big dinosaur The Putnam Museum and Science Center will officially launch its premier donor circle, the Putnam 1867 Society, at a cocktail reception, “Raise the Dinosaur,” on Thursday, April 23 at 6 p.m.
	Where manufacturers are succeeding with AI Where manufacturers are succeeding with AIThe AI train is already at the station.Right now, the doors are open. Tickets are cheap. There’s plenty of time to get on, find a good seat, and settle in. But the longer you wait, the harder it becomes to catch the train.And soon, instead of stepping on board, you’ll be sprinting to the next stop trying to catch up to competitors who are already comfortably seated and miles ahead.If you’re hesitating on AI due to cost concerns, you’re not alone. According to MaintainX’s State of Industrial Maintenance report, budget constraints and implementation costs topped the list of barriers to AI adoption.The good news is you don’t need a “smart factory” budget to get started, because the teams seeing real wins aren’t rolling out AI everywhere. They’re starting small and letting quick wins fund the next steps.MaintainX’s Nick Haase spoke about what effective AI actually looks like on the factory floor today. Read on to learn more about the shifts you need to make to start seeing real results from AI tools.AI needs the right fuel to learnOne useful analogy for AI is the technician who’s been on your floor for 40 years. It’s the person who can just hear a machine running and tell you if a bearing is about to fail.The difference is that instead of learning from a career’s worth of experience, AI learns from:Work orders and failure codesPM histories and parts usageOEM manuals and SOPsTechnician notes and photosThe catch is that if your factory still runs on sticky notes, whiteboards, and one-word work order descriptions, that “40-year technician” is flying blind.Before AI can help, you have to build the habit of capturing what’s already happening on the floor in a system that can learn from it.CMMS is an underrated launchpad for AIWith data capture in mind, one of the most overlooked starting points for AI is the tool you might already have: your computerized maintenance management system (CMMS).A modern CMMS is where your asset histories, work orders, parts, and procedures live. When you layer AI on top, that turns into:Instant answers from manuals and history: “What’s the torque spec on this motor?” “What usually causes this alarm?” An AI assistant can search manuals and past work orders and surface the steps in plain language.Better procedures, faster: Technicians can turn their notes or voice memos into standardized procedures and work orders. No more reinventing the wheel every time a job comes up.Higher-quality work orders: AI suggestions can help teams fill in missing steps, parts, or safety checks as they create or close work orders without more typing.AI is your competitive edge, not your competitionThe fear that “AI will take our jobs” is common on plant floors.The pattern that emerges is that the manufacturers using advanced technologies are taking business from those that don’t.One example: a machine shop in Michigan. They were at risk of losing millions of dollars in business to overseas competitors. Instead of cutting staff, they invested in automation. Robots handled repetitive machine tending to keep equipment running an extra six hours a night.In the end, because of this automation initiative, the shop kept the work, grew the business, and ultimately hired more people.That’s the pattern: Shops that adopt AI and automation are protecting jobs by protecting revenue.AI doesn’t have to be everythingOne big mistake on plant floors is teams thinking AI has to touch everything to be worth doing.They picture a multiyear project involving new platforms, new integrations, and new training. No wonder these projects stall out.Today, the most successful manufacturers are treating AI like a series of experiments. Adding a low-cost sensor to a critical asset, streaming that data into a CMMS, and using AI to surface patterns, like which shift drives the most downtime or which failure mode keeps recurring, is a practical starting point.You don’t need an IIoT rearchitecture to do that. You just need one workflow, one machine, one line, or one pain point to prove that AI can save your team time or prevent a few hours of unplanned downtime.Small steps will get you on the train.Where to start: Small wins that build momentumTo the point above, the most successful AI projects don’t start with robots on every line. Below are practical steps manufacturers are taking to see real wins with AI.1. Get your maintenance data out of the shadowsIf you want to “do AI,” step one is: Stop losing information on paper. Start using a CMMS to digitize the basics.Standardize your asset list: Stick to one record per line, machine, or major subsystem.Clean up work orders and failure codes: Make it easy to see what failed, why, and how you fixed it.Capture parts usage and time spent: Find out what work is actually costing you.Teams that make this shift see meaningful drops in unplanned downtime and better PM completion because they finally have data they can trust.2. Make downtime visible in real timeOnce your basic work and asset data are in a CMMS, you can layer in simple AI and automation. Here are some good first areas to look at.Downtime visibility:Connect a low-cost sensor or meter to a critical asset.Feed that signal into your CMMS so you can see runtime versus downtime by shift and asset.Use AI-generated summaries to highlight patterns like “this line goes down three times more on night shift” or “changeovers are your biggest downtime driver.”Scrap and OEE tracking:Digitize what’s on your whiteboards: pieces produced, scrap, and changeovers.Have your system flag out-of-range scrap events or a sudden OEE dip, and automatically create a work order to investigate.Over time, AI can surface “top five causes of scrap this month” without you living in spreadsheets.3. Turn tribal knowledge into digital proceduresOne of the biggest risks manufacturers face right now is experience walking out the door.AI can help capture and share that knowledge before it’s gone. Here’s how to get started:Have your best technicians talk through or take pictures of the steps for their most tedious recurring jobs.Use AI to turn those notes and photos into standardized procedures and work orders that live in your CMMS.Put those procedures in the hands of newer techs so they can execute right the first time, with checklists, photos, and safety steps.4. Make technicians’ lives easierIf AI tools add complexity or extra work for your technicians, they won’t get used. It really doesn’t matter how impressive the demo was.The teams seeing the best results take these steps:Focus on mobile-first tools so technicians don’t have to run back to a desktop to update information.Use AI to reduce admin, not add it. Tools like auto-time tracking, voice-to-text notes, and auto-filled forms are examples of admin-reducing tools.When AI removes hassles like digging through manuals, adopting it becomes common sense.Define what success looks like before you startA lot of AI projects go sideways when teams set big, vague goals for AI and digital transformation in general. Don’t just say you’re going to “improve reliability.”Instead, set small, precise targets tied to business value and maintenance reality:5% fewer hours of unplanned downtime on one line.10% reduction in repeat failures on a single asset family.10% more PMs completed on time on your pilot line.15 minutes faster average troubleshooting time on an asset.Start with one or two AI use cases, then prove the value there.Catch the train before it leaves the stationManufacturing teams need to stop seeing AI as the future, because it’s the present.The State of Industrial Maintenance report shows that intelligent maintenance tools are quickly becoming the norm, with roughly 65% of industrial maintenance teams expecting to use AI in some part of their program in 2026.You don’t need perfect data or a five-year roadmap to get started. You just need to pick one line, asset, or workflow and ask: “How could AI make this easier for my team next month?”Start where your data lives. This story was produced by MaintainX and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Burlington's Sterzing's Potato Chips in top 16 'Coolest Thing Made in Iowa' DES MOINES, Iowa -- After a week of voting, a list of more than 50 is down to the Top 16 in the Coolest Thing Made in Iowa Competition, and Burlington's Sterzing's Potato Chips made the cut. Hosted by the Iowa Association of Business and Industry and MidwestOne Bank, the Coolest Thing Made in Iowa [...]
	Oregon law to reduce medical debt from nonprofit hospital visits is working, study finds Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center in Northwest Portland. It is one of several nonprofit hospitals in the state of Oregon. (Photo by Lynne Terry/Oregon Capital Chronicle)A nearly seven-year-old state law requiring nonprofit hospitals to account for patient income and to provide financial support before collecting debts led to a significant reduction in the number of Oregonians racking up unpaid medical bills, according to a recent study. The study, published earlier this year in the Journal of the American Medical Association Network Open, found that the portion of residents in each Oregon county with medical debt fell more than in states that have similar policies, but which only apply those policies to patients on Medicaid. Public health experts at Tulane University in New Orleans, Northeastern University in Boston, the Colorado School of Public Health in Aurora and Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond conducted the research. All but two hospitals in Oregon are nonprofits. Oregon’s 2019 law requires nonprofit hospitals to clear or reduce medical debts for patients earning income within 200% of the federal poverty line — or any patient earning less than about $32,000 per year as an individual or $66,000 per year for a family of four — instead of sending it to debt collectors. The law requires the hospitals to offer sliding scale financial assistance, and at least 25% off, to patients struggling to pay off bills and who earn up to 400% of the federal poverty level — about $64,000 per year as an individual or $132,000 per year for a family of four. The study authors linked the policy to at least 872 fewer people per Oregon county with medical debt being pursued by debt collectors relative to the other states. Federal law requires nonprofit hospitals to have a written financial assistance policy, but it doesn’t specify an amount of financial aid that must be provided. Under Oregon law, nonprofit hospitals must maintain financial assistance policies related to a patient’s household income. The researchers recently highlighted their findings in the wake of the GOP’s 2025 tax and spending law from last year, which is expected to leave more than 15 million Americans without health insurance, according to the Congressional Budget Office. They said Oregon’s policy could be a “roadmap” for other states seeking to craft financial assistance reforms for medical debt. “With these upcoming cuts to Medicaid, we found that hospitals that have the ability to provide more financial assistance could substantially reduce medical debt in their communities,” said lead author Tatiane Santos, assistant professor of health policy at Tulane University’s School of Public Health, in a late March news release. The law made big impacts in its first few years, the researchers found, but by 2022 that was beginning to plateau. Santos said this indicates that a challenge of the law will be sustaining its enforcement, and ensuring that patients know they qualify. “If things stay as they are (with Medicaid cuts) medical debt will get worse, but states and hospitals can implement policies that help alleviate that burden on citizens,” Santos said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Courtesy of Oregon Capital Chronicle
	Walmart partners with OpenAI: The dawn of agentic commerce Walmart partners with OpenAI: The dawn of agentic commerceEarly last week, Walmart announced a new partnership with OpenAI meant to unlock a multi-media-filled, personalized, and contextual shopping experience. It marks the dawn of agentic commerce — or what some are calling AI-first shopping — where AI doesn’t just assist shoppers, it acts on their behalf.According to a CNN source, this new feature is expected to roll out later this fall. Through this partnership, users will soon be able to shop Walmart’s catalog directly in ChatGPT, transforming the way discovery and purchase moments occur.Walmart and OpenAI’s partnership is a glimpse into how AI will redefine the way shoppers discover, decide, and buy online, WebFX reports.ChatGPT as the new checkout counter for ecommerceConversational interfaces are designed to facilitate transactions. This approach reduces the need to navigate multiple applications or scroll through numerous products. The system provides a curated list of personalized products for direct purchase.Powered by ChatGPT’s new Instant Checkout feature, Walmart shoppers can bypass the traditional ecommerce sequence “search → browse → add-to-cart → checkout” — and instead move seamlessly through a new flow: “prompt → response → select → check out.”So, instead of opening multiple tabs or scrolling through endless product pages, a holiday shopper, for example, could simply type something like “Christmas gifts for 5-year-olds” in the chatbot. The AI-agent then curates a short list of super relevant items and presents them with a checkout button, allowing them to buy the perfect present for their favorite little person from Walmart directly through the ChatGPT conversation.How will Walmart’s AI-first shopping experience work? WebFX Walmart’s AI-first shopping experience will center around its new assistant, “Sparky,” which learns each customer’s preferences, anticipates upcoming needs, and helps with tasks like meal planning or restocking essentials — all while enabling shoppers to complete purchases directly within ChatGPT using Instant Checkout.AI will also ask follow-up questions and learn from users’ past purchases and behavior to make appropriate recommendations in the future. And as a result, Walmart buyers can use the Instant Checkout feature to plan meals and restock the house. Users will also receive timely reminders when it’s time to reorder essentials.Fresh foods won’t be available, but shoppers can always order packaged foods, apparel, devices, and other non-discretionary goods.The shift to agentic commerce: What it means for businessesAgentic commerce is the new era of online shopping, where AI agents act on behalf of consumers and redefine how and where purchase decisions are made.That’s why Walmart’s move to create an AI-first shopping experience isn’t just another AI integration. It’s a signal that the customer’s journey as we know it is being rewritten.Now, instead of starting the journey on Google or a retailer’s website, users will initiate conversations with AI agents, with the hope that they can also conclude them there.Now that Walmart has made it possible, it’s a wake-up call for every business owner.With agentic commerce, customers simply put in prompts such as “pet grooming services in my area” or “best running shoes for beginners,” and they get three to five hyper-personalized and relevant options to choose from.The agents are able to present them with tailored recommendations because they know their preferences, remember their last orders, and anticipate what they’ll need next. They can even buy on their behalf. No website hopping. No cart abandonment. Just instant decisions.This hyper-personalization will ensure that, more often than not, users leave the chat having made a purchase.So while Walmart’s move might sound big and far-off, it’s really a nudge for every business to start thinking AI-first.Why does this partnership matter beyond Walmart?Walmart is already seeing and feeling the impact of jumping on the biggest AI retail shopping experience yet! For starters, Walmart’s stock jumped 6% immediately after the announcement, marking its biggest single-day gain since April of this year.But the real impact goes beyond share prices. That’s why Walmart’s not stopping here. CEO Doug McMillon has hinted that the AI agent will soon handle reorders and returns — features that could make “one-chat shopping” the new norm.Other ecommerce giants are moving fast too: Stripe just partnered with Etsy and Shopify to enable AI-powered checkout for over a million merchants, including SKIMS and Spanx.For small business owners, that means one thing: AI is becoming the new storefront.Adopting an AI-first shopping experience will position your brand at the center of the next big thing in ecommerce. One where AI agents handle product discovery, decision-making, and even checkout.What should businesses do now?The next era of ecommerce will reward the businesses that show up early — and show up well. So, don’t wait until AI decides your competitors are the default choice.As consumer behavior shifts from traditional search engines to AI conversations, they'll be chatting with AI. That means your visibility depends on how easily AI can understand and trust your business data.Here’s how you should start optimizing your business for the new phase of ecommerce:Create conversational content: Your content has to talk back. That means the FAQs, service and product descriptions, and blog posts must provide users with real solutions. This will help AI tools know when to recommend you to clients.Add structured data: Structured data (like schema markup) tells AI exactly what your business does, where you are, and what customers think of you. The clearer your data, the more likely AI tools are to feature your products or services when people ask for them.Build a frictionless checkout: AI-driven shoppers expect instant decisions and easy transactions. That means mobile-friendly pages, one-click purchasing options, and seamless payment integrations. The fewer steps it takes to buy from you, the more likely they are to purchase and repurchase.Prioritize an AI brand presence: Make your business visible, trustworthy, and easy for AI systems to recognize and recommend.This story was produced by WebFX and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Iowa Supreme Court rules for Davenport in case triggered by Auditor’s investigation Auditor Rob Sand is investigating Davenport over nearly $2 million in settlement payments made to former employees
	Wedding travel trends and honeymoon ideas 2026 Wedding travel trends and honeymoon ideas 2026Weddings used to be all about The Big Day. But a major shift is underway.Instead of focusing on a single event and all its accompanying details, weddings have become a full-blown era that includes destination proposals, multi-day nuptials, and honeymoons that span multiple stops.Travel is increasingly central to how couples plan and experience this chapter of their lives. Rather than sticking to traditional rules and formats, they’re crafting immersive celebrations defined by intention, personalization, and place.For its first Wedding and Honeymoon Trend Report, Fora Travel gathered advisor insights and booking data to get a clearer sense of what these shifts mean in practical terms. Read on for an on-the-ground look at where couples are going, what they’re doing when they get there, and what these trends mean for you as a traveler.The biggest destination wedding trends right nowOnce a niche choice, destination weddings have become common for engaged couples of all ages, though each generation is taking a slightly different approach. Gen Z couples are more budget-conscious but still expect elevated experiences, often favoring micro-weddings, all-inclusives, and shorter planning timelines. Millennials remain the most experience-driven, prioritizing cultural immersion, multi-stop itineraries, and once-in-a-lifetime honeymoons planned well in advance. Meanwhile, Gen X couples (including those planning second marriages) are decisive and luxury-focused, gravitating toward bucket-list destinations and high-touch travel experiences over trend-driven moments.Across generations, travel advisors can play a pivotal role in bringing these experiences to life.1. Demand for destination weddings is still climbingMore than half (54%) of Fora Advisors have seen an increase in destination wedding inquiries. Domestic celebrations are gaining particular momentum, with 53% of advisors reporting a rise in U.S.-based destination weddings specifically. One likely reason? Keeping celebrations stateside can still feel like a genuine travel experience while providing a level of logistical and financial accessibility that makes it easier for guests to show up.2. U.S. destination weddings are having a momentWhen it comes to where couples are heading domestically, the range is striking. Over the past year, Western and desert destinations have seen significant growth, but New England is having a major moment, too. In the South, the Carolinas are the hands-down favorites. The appeal is practical as much as it is scenic, as couples seek cost-conscious, logistically simple celebrations that still feel transportive and personal.Western and desert destinationsThese dramatic settings draw those who want wide-open scenery and immersive experiences.Five states saw the biggest increase in bookings:Las Vegas: 145% increaseMontana: 143% increaseUtah: 113% increaseSedona: 88% increaseWyoming: 89% increaseNew EnglandThe Northeast region nails timeless coastal charm and easy guest access.Six areas showed the most growth:Martha’s Vineyard: 278% increaseRhode Island: 136% increaseMaine: 130% increaseConnecticut: 120% increaseCape Cod: 89% increaseVermont: 86% increaseThe CarolinasCharming architecture, Blue Ridge Mountain backdrops, and convenient travel infrastructure have made these 2026 Hot List picks a popular choice.Here’s how the growth shakes out in terms of Fora bookings:South Carolina: 157% increaseNorth Carolina: 141% increase3. Wellness is woven inWellness is being threaded through the entire wedding journey. Fora Advisors have seen bachelor and bachelorette celebrations evolve beyond all-out party weekends into holistic gatherings at hotels and destination spas, with yoga, Pilates, sound baths, sauna, and cold plunges becoming common inclusions.That ethos carries through into the wedding weekend itself. Couples are prioritizing hotels with strong spa and well-being offerings, and advisors are building itineraries around yoga and mindfulness classes, health-forward catering, and even full spa buyouts.Two notable examples among Fora bookings:Miraval Austin Resort & Spa: 73% increase year over yearWildflower Farms, Auberge Collection: 71% increase year over yearAlso growing in popularity are post-wedding brunches that serve as a finale, with recovery-focused touches like spa treatments and IV bars so couples and their guests can depart feeling refreshed.4. Weddings are going offshoreCouples are embracing cruise ships as the new all-inclusive venue—complete with onboard wedding planners and, in some cases, a captain to officiate. Fora Advisors say the appeal lies in seamless logistics and multi-destination experiences, whether a couple chooses a Mediterranean sailing with cultural excursions, an intimate Croatian yacht ceremony, or throws a Charleston bash followed by an Alaskan cruise.Luxury and lifestyle cruise lines are particularly well-suited to couples who want upfront pricing, built-in adventure, and a celebration that doesn’t feel like it ends at the reception.The four cruise lines seeing the largest year-over-year growth in Fora bookings:The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection: 261% increasePrincess Cruises: 218% increaseNorwegian Cruise Line: 198% increaseVirgin Voyages: 101% increaseThe biggest honeymoon trends right nowHoneymoons remain one of the most meaningful travel investments couples will ever make. Nine in ten Fora Advisors say couples are willing to stretch their budgets for this once-in-a-lifetime trip, with 64% of clients spending $10,000 or more and 15% spending $20,000 or more.Still, maximizing value is important to travelers—likely a reason 64% of Fora Advisors have clients choosing off-season or shoulder-season travel.Below, a closer look at the three biggest shifts in honeymoon travel.1. Couples are breaking the traditional honeymoon formatMini-moons, pre-moons, and “elope-moons” are gaining momentum as more couples choose to take their honeymoon in phases, rather than all at once. Many are opting for shorter, immediate getaways after the wedding while postponing a larger, bucket-list trip for later, and a growing number are even traveling before the big day.At the same time, more couples are combining their elopement and honeymoon into one seamless experience, selecting a standout destination and hotel that can serve as both a ceremony backdrop and a romantic escape.What that looks like in numbers:59% of couples are opting for mini-moon trips and delaying their main honeymoon1 in 10 advisors say they’ve seen an increase in couples doing a pre-moon2. Safari honeymoons are booming—and more global than everDemand for safari honeymoons is surging across the board, both in the destinations you’d expect and some you might not. South Africa, Kenya, and Tanzania lead the way among the classics, with Fora Advisors pairing time in the wild with beach escapes in places like the Seychelles, Mozambique, or Zanzibar. Two of the most popular options: Kenya with the Seychelles and Tanzania with Zanzibar.Asia is also gaining real traction. Sri Lanka stands out for leopard safaris in Yala National Park, as well as a broad slate of nature-forward experiences that feel genuinely off the beaten path.The safari destinations seeing the most growth in Fora bookings:Kenya: 295% increaseTanzania: 287% increaseSeychelles: 150% increaseSouth Africa: 112% increaseSri Lanka: 170% increase3. Off-peak travel is the new honeymoon hackMore couples are timing their honeymoons for the off-peak and shoulder seasons. The move comes with two big benefits: fewer crowds and better value.Europe’s perennial favorites are leading the way when it comes to off-season demand. In Italy, the Dolomites and Ischia are booming in spring and early summer, signaling a shift away from peak August travel, with April emerging as a standout month nationwide. In Greece, Paros, Antiparos, and Naxos are seeing especially strong shoulder-season demand.Elsewhere, Japan is defying cherry blossom expectations with fall (October–December) emerging as a honeymoon high season. Even long-haul destinations like New Zealand are gaining momentum in March and April, highlighting couples’ growing appetite for off-peak escapes.Here’s what those shifts look like by the booking numbers:Dolomites173% increaseMay: 800% increase YoYIschia94% increaseJune: 212% increaseSeptember: 118% increase increase YoYParos and Antiparos244% increaseOctober: 400% increase YoYNaxos450% increaseOctober: 400% increase increase YoYJapan178% increaseOctober: highest travel volume, followed by November, then DecemberNew Zealand62% increaseApril: 570% increaseMarch: 332% increaseThe new era of wedding travel is hereTaken together, these trends tell a consistent story: Couples are investing more in the travel around their wedding, not just the wedding itself. The celebrations are getting longer, the destinations more considered, and the experiences more personal for couples and their guests alike.What that means in practice is a lot of moving parts—destination research, vendor negotiations, room blocks, honeymoon itineraries, and everything in between.MethodologyThis report examined Fora booking data comparing March 2025 vs. February 2026, as well as results from a survey of Fora Advisors conducted in February 2026.This story was produced by Fora Travel and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Man accused of grooming, abducting Waterloo 12-year-old extradited to Iowa A Michigan man accused of grooming and abducting a 12-year-old Waterloo girl has been extradited to Iowa.
	Jamison Fisher due in court on pro se motions He is set to appear at 10 a.m. Friday on several pro se motions — motions he filed himself rather than through his attorneys.
	One person transported following Clinton house fire One person was transported to a local hospital following a house fire in Clinton. According to a release from the City of Clinton, the Clinton Fire Department was dispatched for a reported structure fire at 11:01 p.m. April 16 to the 300 block of S. 3rd St. Upon arrival, the fire was extinguished within 15 [...]
	4 Your Money \| Earning It The stock market hit another record high this week, continuing the strong performance of the last few years. James Nelson, Financial Planner at NelsonCorp Wealth Management, explains where the growth is coming from and why returns driven by real earnings growth are more sustainable.
	Federal appeals court moving forward on North Carolina abortion pill restrictions case Mifepristone is one part of a two-drug regimen commonly used to terminate a pregnancy before 10 weeks and for miscarriage treatment. (Photo: Natalie Behring/Getty Images)A federal appeals court will reopen consideration of a North Carolina lawsuit that has left state regulations on mifepristone, a drug used in medication abortions, on hold for nearly two years. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that attorneys could file new motions in the case, known as Bryant v. Moore, which has been on hiatus since December 2024. The case arrived at the appeals court in June 2024, after U.S. District Court Judge Catherine Eagles struck down parts of the North Carolina law restricting mifepristone, including a requirement that only physicians could prescribe the pill. Both supporters and opponents of North Carolina’s abortion restrictions said in 2024 that Eagles had erred in blocking some, but not all, of the provisions of Senate Bill 20 concerning mifepristone. North Carolina abortion pill restrictions struck down by federal judge Republican legislative leaders first appealed, seeking to lift the district court’s order striking down some elements of the law. Attorneys for former House Speaker U.S. Rep. Tim Moore (R-N.C.) and state Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) argued that blocking the state from setting its own restrictions could have “devastating effects on real people.” “[The district court’s ruling] puts in jeopardy not only North Carolina’s commonsense safety requirements for abortion drugs but also any state law that imposes a ‘safety-related’ protection on particularly high-risk drugs,” lawyers for Moore and Berger wrote in their 2024 opening brief. The plaintiff in the case, Hillsborough OB-GYN Amy Bryant, also appealed the case in hopes of lifting the remaining restrictions. Those barriers, her attorneys argued in their 2024 brief, were “expressly considered and rejected” by the FDA. “The court erred by holding that some of the challenged restrictions are not preempted because they are not ‘directed to the risks of mifepristone’ but instead relate to ‘broader health issues,’” her attorneys wrote. Neither the attorneys for the Republican lawmakers nor Bryant’s attorneys responded to a request for comment on the case moving forward. The appeals have been on hold while the 4th Circuit considered a separate case blocking mifepristone access in West Virginia under the state’s near-total abortion ban. That case was resolved in July 2025, when the 4th Circuit upheld West Virginia’s restrictions on mifepristone, ruling that FDA regulations do not supersede a state’s right to ban abortion at large. In that case, 4th Circuit Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson wrote in his opinion that allowing mifepristone as a means to circumvent West Virginia’s abortion ban would undermine the Supreme Court’s intent in Dobbs v. Jackson. “For us to once again federalize the issue of abortion without a clear directive from Congress, right on the heels of Dobbs, would leave us one small step short of defiance.” North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) speaks to reporters on Oct. 20, 2025. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline) Bryant v. Moore is one of a dozen ongoing cases relating to mifepristone, one of the most hotly contested abortion policy issues in the wake of the Dobbs v. Jackson decision. In a March 26 motion, attorneys for Moore and Berger asked the 4th Circuit to allow supplemental briefs addressing the West Virginia decision so the North Carolina case may move forward. Abortion opponents have taken the West Virginia decision as a signal that higher courts are open to state restrictions on mifepristone, while advocates say the courts may still oppose state restrictions that directly contradict the Food and Drug Administration’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies policies. Susanna Birdsong serves as general counsel for Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, which has no involvement in the case. She said state lawmakers may feel “energized” by the West Virginia decision, leading them to push to continue the Bryant case now. But she says there are “key differences” between the two laws being challenged — namely, that North Carolina’s law seeks to regulate mifepristone, not ban it, so the FDA’s drug safety guidance is more likely to prevail in the North Carolina case. Supporters of reproductive rights protested outside the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, as justices heard oral arguments over access to mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortion. (Photo: Ashley Murray/States Newsroom) “The North Carolina case is really a finer kind of overlay of looking at these specific restrictions in North Carolina law,” Birdsong said. “We’re not talking about a total ban on access. We’re talking about specific limitations or restrictions in North Carolina law that are in direct conflict with things that the FDA has studied.” The 2024 ruling kept in place requirements for an in-person exam and consent visit, as well as a 72-hour wait period before the pill can be prescribed. But it continued to allow any health care provider to prescribe mifepristone and to do so via telehealth in accordance with FDA policy, making it possible for a patient to avoid having to make a second in-person visit to an abortion provider. “In the same way that telehealth has revolutionized access to health care, it has also revolutionized access to medication abortion care,” Birdsong said. “If you have to travel a farther distance, if you have to figure out child care and time off work for two appointments versus one, that can be an insurmountable burden for some folks.” Parties in the Bryant v. Moore case will have until April 27 to file supplemental briefs on how the ruling in the West Virginia case changes how the court should view the North Carolina lawsuit. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Courtesy of NC Newsline
	The customer experience era of delivery The customer experience era of deliveryDelivery is one of the most visible and emotionally charged moments in the shopper journey. From the customer’s perspective, delivery is the moment when a promise is fulfilled—or broken. That means delivery is no longer a purely operational concern. It’s where brands either reinforce trust or undermine it.This is why delivery has become such a critical touchpoint in modern retail. It’s the point at which operational execution and brand perception collide. Retailers are increasingly realizing that delivery is not just about moving goods. It’s about following through on commitments.This recognition is transforming how leading e-commerce companies approach shipping and fulfillment.This article from ShipStation shares insights from expert-backed sessions on e-commerce delivery, AI, sustainability, logistics, and more at The Delivery Conference 2026.The customer experience doesn’t end at checkoutCustomers don’t separate e-commerce into stages as retailers do. They don’t think of marketing, checkout, warehousing, and last-mile as distinct processes. The entire delivery and shipping experience—from checkout to the moment a package arrives, and even through returns—plays a major role in how customers evaluate a business.For many shoppers, delivery is the final step of the buying journey, and it often becomes the moment they remember most. Delivery performance reflects directly on the business. Reliable shipping becomes a key signal of trust. When customers believe a company will deliver what it promised, when it promised, they are much more likely to return and buy again.Many companies invest heavily in attracting customers but neglect the post-purchase experience, which is where loyalty often forms.“Businesses tend to optimize for the sale and then hope everything after checkout works,” said Tobias Buxhoidt, CEO of parcelLab, in the Beyond the Box session.Dependability is the new competitive advantageFast delivery may seem appealing to customers, but it’s not enough on its own. Businesses often compete on speed, but customers increasingly value predictability more.Speed still has value, especially in competitive markets, but predictability and reliability build confidence.“Speed doesn’t win loyalty, reliability does,” said Luke Batten, sales director at Relay, in the Speed Doesn’t Win Loyalty session. “A delivery that’s fast but unpredictable just creates faster disappointment.”An accurate, consistent delivery window allows customers to plan around it. When delivery times fluctuate, customers must create their own buffers. Companies that consistently deliver when they say they will earn a reputation for reliability.Customers remember broken promises more than slightly longer delivery times. A dependable three-day delivery often creates more satisfaction than a one-day promise that frequently fails.A slightly slower delivery that arrives exactly when promised is often preferred over a fast one.Many deliveries require coordination. A customer may need to be home to receive a package, schedule staff to unload inventory, or plan the installation of a product. If delivery times keep changing, customers must adjust their plans, or risk missed shipments. A predictable delivery window removes that stress. Even if the delivery takes slightly longer, customers appreciate knowing exactly when it will happen.“Some brands want to overdeliver. They say they’ll deliver on Monday, but they come on Saturday. But that might not be convenient,” said Clare Bailey, founder of The Retail Champion, in The Experience Emphasis session. “Exceeding expectations might be more inconvenient to the customer than just doing what you said you would do. We organize our lives around these things. If they ring the doorbell a day early, it’s quite uncomfortable.”Managing expectations is key. Customers may regularly track packages, contact support teams, or rearrange schedules when deliveries are delayed. Reliable delivery timelines reduce these problems and the costly customer service inquiries that follow. Customers spend less time worrying about their orders and more time focusing on how they will use the product.For many customers, reliability simply feels fair. They do not expect perfection, but they do expect honesty and consistency. In this way, predictability becomes a key part of the overall customer experience.When things go wrongDelivery can be a powerful experience, but also a fragile one. If the delivery goes smoothly, it reinforces the positive impression created during shopping. If it goes wrong, it can undermine everything that happened before.Unclear tracking, unexpected costs, and delays can overshadow even an exceptional product. Customers may forget the checkout process entirely—but they remember when there’s a problem.Even when retailers rely on third-party carriers, for example, customers rarely distinguish between the two. If there’s a problem, customers don’t blame the carrier. They blame the brand.“Carrier selection is absolutely an extension of their customer experience,” said Morgan Rivers, district marketing director at UPS UK, Ireland, and Nordics, in The Psychology of Delivery session. “The customer doesn’t necessarily complain to UPS. It’s the retailer directly. So understanding that the carrier is a reflection of your brand is key.”There’s an emotional dimension at play. Digital interactions can feel abstract, but delivery is physical. Customers have paid money for something they cannot yet see or touch. The period between checkout and delivery is a sensitive one.Waiting for a package creates anticipation, and the moment it arrives becomes the payoff of the shopping experience. When delivery works well—on time, clearly communicated, and predictable—it produces satisfaction and even excitement. When it fails, the disappointment is equally strong.Retailers often overlook how emotional this moment can be. Customers want clarity, visibility, and real-time updates. Clear communication is essential. Silence creates anxiety. The goal isn’t just reactive communication—it’s proactive reassurance.“Around half of consumers actively track their parcels. They’re not tracking it because they’re super keen and can’t wait. They’re tracking it because they are uncertain. What we need to do is intervene quickly when something goes wrong,” said Batten.Some delivery failure is inevitable. When it happens, customers want three things: transparency, ownership, and resolution.Delivery is no longer just logistics. It’s brand experience.The e-commerce landscape is undergoing a fundamental shift. From checkout to doorstep, delivery defines the brand experience.Retailers that understand this are redesigning their delivery strategies around customer expectations and preferences:Prioritizing reliability over speedImproving delivery communicationSimplifying shipping optionsGiving customers more controlInvesting in operational excellenceThis story was produced by ShipStation and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Perimenopause symptoms: What women 35 and up need to know now Perimenopause symptoms: What women 35 and up need to know nowFor women in the perimenopause years, normal is a complicated word. Normal means the pain is real, but nothing is showing up on the X-ray or MRI. It means you leave the appointment with no solutions, just a referral to yet another specialist. Or even worse, a narrative that the pain is all in your head.This article by Alma shares the language and know-how you need so you don't have to wait as long — or work as hard — to get the care you need.1. Perimenopause, not menopause, is the big transitionPerimenopause typically begins in the early to mid-40s, sometimes even the late 30s, and lasts on average 4 to 8 years. Clinically, perimenopause starts with the onset of irregular periods. It finally ends after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual cycle, which is the point that officially marks menopause.So menopause is actually a single point in time that is identified only after it's happened. Perimenopause is the actual struggle—when many women face an unpredictable onslaught of whole-body symptoms.2. Fluctuating estrogen — not low estrogen — drives perimenopause symptomsDespite what you may have read or heard, the defining feature of perimenopause is not low estrogen, it's fluctuating estrogen. Estrogen levels during perimenopause do not steadily decline. They rise and fall like a rollercoaster, sometimes spiking higher than normal before crashing.And because estrogen receptors are spread out throughout the entire body, not just in the reproductive system, fluctuating levels can cause symptoms across every organ system, affecting the brain, heart, joints, muscles, bladder, skin, and hair.Stop and reflect: When you think about the dramatic shifts in your mood recently, have you attributed them to parenting stress, work pressure, or feeling out of sync with your partner?Those things may be real, but there is also a measurable, hormonal explanation worth looking into. You probably do not have lab work that shows you the full picture yet. Now might be the time to request it.3. Perimenopause “brain fog” is more serious than you might thinkEstrogen receptors are distributed throughout the brain, and many of the complaints that prompt women to seek mental health treatment during perimenopause can be traced back to fluctuating hormones.Researchers who have studied women in perimenopause have reported measurable changes in brain structure, connectivity, and energy metabolism throughout the transition.4. Perimenopause joint pain is real — and finally has a nameEstrogen receptors are present throughout joints, tendons, cartilage, skeletal muscle, and bone. As estrogen declines during the perimenopausal transition, it can lead to all of the following:Widespread joint painAccelerated muscle and strength lossIncreased tendon vulnerabilityCartilage degradationProgression of osteoarthritisUp to 71% of perimenopausal women experience these symptoms, and up to 25% will be disabled by them at some point during the perimenopause transition.In October 2024, researchers published a clinical review that officially gave a name to these collective effects: the Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause (MSM).Stop and reflect: What pain has come up for you that feels invisible? Has anyone in a medical appointment ever connected that pain to your hormones? Now you have the language to ask and the study mentioned above to share.5. Perimenopause mood changes and pain make each other worseMood problems and pain can not only co-exist, they both amplify and fuel each other.Research shows that:Chronic pain increases anxiety and depressionAnxiety lowers pain thresholds and heightens sensitivityDepression increases how intensely people perceive painGiven that, it makes sense that the prevalence of depression and anxiety among adults with chronic pain is approximately 40% — significantly higher than in comparison groups.Perimenopause mood issues and pain can also be due to something called allostatic load. Basically, your body has a measurable tolerance for how much stress it can take before systems start to break down. When you're in your late 30s or 40s, things like long work days, active parenting, chronic pain, and financial strain can push you over the edge.Research shows that chronic stress and high allostatic load are among the strongest risk factors for mood disorders during perimenopause, independent of hormonal levels alone.Clinicians often overlook allostatic load when diagnosing generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive episode, fibromyalgia, or somatization in perimenopausal women.Stop and reflect: Have you received a new depression or anxiety diagnosis in your 40s that you never had before? Has anyone had a conversation with you that connected your mood, your pain, and your hormonal status in the same appointment? If not, that conversation is overdue.6. Antidepressants are overprescribed during perimenopauseResearch has found that women ages 45 to 54 going through perimenopause experienced higher rates of common mental health diagnoses than men in the same age group. Women in this group were also prescribed more SSRIs and SNRIs than similar-aged men with the same diagnoses.At the same time, use of Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) among U.S. postmenopausal women dropped from 26.9% in 1999 to just 4.7% by 2020 due to a misrepresentation of findings in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI)'s 2002 study.The result is that women have been heavily medicated for mood and chronically undertreated hormonally.On the bright side, new guidelines make it clear that clinicians must identify women's menopausal stage and assess co-occurring hormonal symptoms before diagnosis and treatment. When hormonal symptoms are overlooked, treatments may provide partial relief, enough to feel helpful, but not enough to address the root cause of symptoms.Stop and reflect: Before you fill the next prescription, ask: Has anyone evaluated my hormonal status? Could what I am experiencing be perimenopausal in origin? Don't hesitate to ask for additional testing.7. Thyroid problems are harder to diagnose in perimenopauseSubclinical hypothyroidism, a condition where TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) is mildly elevated but thyroid hormone levels appear normal, affects an estimated 6 to 10% of women during their reproductive years.The symptoms, which include fatigue, cognitive impairment, mood lability, and sleep disturbance, overlap so significantly with perimenopausal depression that the two are difficult to distinguish without more complete testing.A TSH value is a starting point, but including free T3, free T4, and TPO antibodies in lab testing tells a more complete story. If you are experiencing the symptoms listed above and have not found relief with standard treatment, ask if you can get a full thyroid panel.Stop and reflect: Has anyone suggested you do a full thyroid panel rather than just TSH? If not, it's time to be thorough; add it to your list of questions for the next appointment.8. Sedatives won’t work for perimenopause sleep disruptionIf you're in the age range for perimenopause, it's critical to consider hormones when evaluating sleep disturbance (aka you wake up after you've fallen asleep). Fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone directly affect sleep quality, while vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats) are documented contributors to nocturnal awakenings.What's happening in a nutshell: Your hormones are erratic, your body temperature is dysregulating in the middle of the night, and that is likely what's waking you up.Research findings also show that abnormal sleep in perimenopausal women — specifically lower sleep efficiency (how long you're in bed vs. how long you're asleep), increased wakefulness after sleep onset, and reduced REM sleep — are significantly associated with higher cortisol levels, which isn't the case for self-reported insomnia and sleepiness outside of perimenopause.This cortisol link is a vicious cycle: It’s caused by poor sleep and it actively prevents deeper, restorative REM sleep from happening. Taking sedatives will not break this cycle.For women also experiencing MSM, sleep disruption is also frequently pain-driven, and co-existing musculoskeletal disorders are documented contributors to sleep disturbance alongside vasomotor and mood symptoms.Stop and reflect: If you have been offered sedative sleep medication without anyone asking about your hormone levels, your pain, or whether you are waking up hot, you need a more complete assessment.9. Vitamin deficiencies in perimenopause can mimic mood disordersAlthough doctors seldom mention it in routine appointments, women in perimenopause are at significantly increased risk of deficiencies in specific vitamins and nutrients. And those deficiencies can produce symptoms that look nearly identical to a mood disorder.Low vitamin B6 is linked to cognitive decline, and mood disruption.Low vitamin B12 is associated with depression, cognitive impairment, and increased dementia risk.Vitamin D deficiency presents as fatigue, mood instability, immune dysregulation, and bone loss.Iron deficiency, which can accelerate during perimenopause when cycles become irregular and heavier before stopping, contributes directly to fatigue, brain fog, and low mood.Omega-3 fatty acids, which most of us are not consuming at adequate levels through diet alone, are linked to vasomotor symptom management, mood regulation, and sleep quality.Stop and reflect: Has anyone run a full nutrient panel for you recently (this means looking at B12, vitamin D, ferritin, omega-3 index, and iron)? If not, add those to the list for your next appointment.10. Wearable devices can help track perimenopause symptomsConsumer wearable devices like an Apple Watch, Oura Ring, WHOOP, or Garmin provide long-term continuous monitoring across sleep, rest, and activity. This data can provide a clinician with a helpful, longer-term picture of what's happening with your body.One thing to look for is heart rate variability (HRV), which is measurably decreased during perimenopause. Lower HRV correlates with more perimenopause symptoms.Stop and reflect: Do you currently have a wearable? Start tracking now. The data you collect may be the most useful thing you bring to your next appointment.11. HRT can significantly improve mood in perimenopauseResearch shows that for women whose depression and anxiety started during perimenopause (particularly those without a significant psychiatric history), antidepressant treatment alone is incomplete. 24Adding HRT can help. A study assessing the impact of transdermal estradiol (aka an estrogen patch) — with or without progesterone and testosterone — on mood symptoms in 920 peri- and postmenopausal women, found significant improvements across mood-related symptoms, with additional benefit in women who received both estradiol and testosterone.Stop and reflect: Has anyone ever asked whether your mood symptoms might be hormonally driven? Has the word estradiol ever come up in a mental health conversation? If not, bring it up with your medical provider.12. The right medical team makes all the differenceWomen in perimenopause are routinely undertreated for a host of reasons:Symptoms are distributed across the entire bodyImaging is often normalThe clinical picture does not fit neatly into any single specialty's laneMost providers have not been trained to assess hormonal patternsSo if you're experiencing symptoms that non-hormonal treatments aren't fully addressing, it's worth finding both mental health and medical providers with a passion for perimenopause.Medical providers can include a primary care provider, an endocrinologist, and a gynecologist.Counseling is also essential. A good mental health provider who understands this landscape can help you build language for medical conversations, process the grief of a body that is changing without warning, and hold the emotional weight while the medical picture gets sorted.One last fact: Perimenopause care isn’t equally available to everyoneAccess to hormonal evaluation, specialist care, and emerging options (like medical cannabis for pain) is not equally distributed across income, geography, or race. For example, it's well documented that Black women's concerns are dismissed more frequently compared to White women.If you have encountered barriers, delays, or dismissals, that experience reflects a systemic issue, not the validity of your symptoms. Keep advocating.This story was produced by Alma and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Republican gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn holds townhall in Davenport Lahn is one of five Republicans running for governor.
	Why scientists are nervous about fungi They can pose a threat to human health — yeast infections are but one example. Scientists say not enough attention is paid to their ability to develop resistance to medications that treat them.
	How state and local anti-discrimination laws are expanding worker protections How state and local anti-discrimination laws are expanding worker protectionsAcross the United States, state and municipal governments are increasingly passing anti-discrimination laws that extend protections beyond federal requirements, reshaping the legal landscape for workers and employers alike.Twenty-four states and Washington D.C. now enforce anti-discrimination laws that protect a broader range of personal traits than federal law requires, and the 2026 legislative session is pushing that number higher.As those laws evolve, they are broadening how discrimination is defined and giving workers, in many jurisdictions, access to legal remedies that do not exist under federal law.For many American workers, the protections available on the job increasingly depend not only on national standards but on where they live and work.Phillips & Associates examines how state and municipal anti-discrimination laws are expanding beyond federal requirements and what those changes mean for workers and employers.Federal Anti-Discrimination Law as the BaselineThe legal foundation for workplace anti-discrimination in the United States begins at the federal level. Three laws form the core of that framework. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 extends those protections to workers with physical or mental disabilities, requiring employers to make reasonable accommodations. And the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 protects workers 40 and older from age-based treatment in hiring, pay, and other employment decisions.Federal law also shields workers from retaliation for filing a discrimination complaint or participating in an investigation, and these protections apply regardless of whether a worker is full-time, part-time, or a non-citizen.The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforces these standards nationwide, establishing a common legal baseline that applies across every state.The Growing Role of State and Local GovernmentsState and local governments are playing a larger role in defining workplace protections. By early 2026, some jurisdictions had expanded anti-discrimination laws to cover hair texture and natural hairstyles associated with race, along with housing status, height and weight, immigration status, and justice-impacted status, meaning protection for people with arrest or conviction histories.Those laws are also widening how discrimination is understood. Some now address AI-assisted hiring, protections tied to how employers respond to immigration enforcement, and limits on disciplining workers for lawful political activity outside the workplace.Enforcement is changing as well. Employers in certain jurisdictions are now required to give workers formal notice of their rights, maintain written anti-discrimination policies, conduct audits of certain workplace practices, or submit information to government agencies.These requirements place more responsibility on employers to demonstrate how policies operate in practice rather than relying only on complaint-driven enforcement. In this way, state-level policymaking continues to function as a testing ground for how workplace protections develop across the United States.Municipal Leadership in Worker ProtectionsLarge municipalities have pushed this trend further by writing anti-discrimination rules that are more detailed and, in some cases, more accessible to workers. New York City offers one of the clearest examples.The New York City Human Rights Law protects a wide range of traits, including caregiver status, height, weight, immigration or citizenship status, arrest or conviction record, and sexual and reproductive health decisions. The city also directs that the law be read liberally so that federal and state law serve as a floor, not a ceiling.That matters because city law can cover more protected groups, make it easier for workers to challenge discriminatory treatment, and create additional avenues for enforcement and remedy through local agencies or the courts.Other cities have followed a similar path. Philadelphia enacted protections in late 2025 prohibiting discrimination based on menstruation, perimenopause, and menopause.Pittsburgh amended its anti-discrimination ordinance that same year to broaden the city’s definition of protected class, adding coverage for traits such as pregnancy-related conditions, protective hairstyles and hair texture, citizenship or immigration status, preferred language, medical marijuana patient status, and housing status.These municipal frameworks show how cities are continuing to move beyond the baseline set elsewhere in employment law.Why Local Protections Are ExpandingThe expansion of local protections reflects a workplace that has changed faster than federal law often does. As expectations around fairness have broadened, more workers and advocates have pushed for rules that speak more directly to how discrimination now appears on the job.That pressure tends to land first at the state and local level, where lawmakers are often closer to the industries, communities, and disputes shaping public debate. Regional priorities add another layer, since a city or state may respond more quickly to the concerns that feel most immediate within its own workforce.Advocacy groups have helped carry that process forward by identifying gaps in older legal frameworks and pressing local officials to close them. Local law has therefore become one of the clearest places to watch how workplace protections are being redefined.What These Changes Mean for Workers and EmployersFor workers, one practical effect of these changes is access to more legal protections depending on where they live and work.In some states and cities, the law now covers more types of discrimination, gives workers more time to file a claim, and makes it easier to bring certain cases forward. Awareness has grown alongside those changes, especially around retaliation, as more workers understand that the law protects them when they report unfair treatment.As Jessica C. Rosales, an attorney at Phillips & Associates, a New York-based employment law firm tracking these developments, has observed: “The increase in discrimination and retaliation filings reflects a workplace where employees are more aware of their legal rights and more willing to challenge unfair treatment.”For employers, the challenge is less about any one rule than the growing variation from one jurisdiction to another. A company operating across multiple cities or states may face very different standards depending on location.The Future of Employment Law in the U.S.Looking ahead, employment law in the United States is likely to become more layered, with states and cities continuing to add protections where federal law is narrower or has not yet acted. That includes areas such as paid leave, workplace safety, and rules for emerging technologies.Federal law will remain the foundation, but it is now operating alongside a growing body of state and local legislation that is shaping workplace rights more directly in many parts of the country.Over time, those local laws may do more than address immediate needs. They may also help influence future national policy by creating models that spread beyond the jurisdictions where they began.This story was produced by Phillips & Associates and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act: Closing the Gap in Cleft Care Insurance Coverage (BPT) - A child is scheduled for cleft surgery. The family has arranged time off work, coordinated travel, and completed all pre-operative steps, then, just days before the procedure, an insurance denial arrives.For many cleft-affected patients and their families in the United States, this is a common occurrence. Being born with a cleft lip and/or palate brings not only medical needs, but also the added burden of navigating complex insurance barriers to access essential care. While cleft care is widely recognized by medical professionals as necessary for a child's health, coverage decisions don't always reflect that reality.Clefts affect 1 in 700 births and are not resolved with a single procedure. Treatment often involves multiple surgeries over time, along with speech therapy, dental and orthodontic treatment, and psychosocial support. When any part of that care is denied or delayed, it can directly affect a child's ability to eat, speak, hear, and build confidence.When "medically necessary" is up for debateCleft-affected patients and their families can frequently find themselves in difficult conversations with insurance providers over what treatments qualify for coverage. This is especially challenging when coverage decisions conflict with a doctor's medical recommendations.Delays and denials often stem from misconceptions in which procedures that restore essential functions, such as eating, breathing, and speaking, are incorrectly classified as cosmetic rather than medically necessary."Living with a bilateral cleft lip and palate has affected how I speak, breathe, eat, and hear, but the hardest part has been the constant fight with insurance over medically necessary surgeries," said Toni-Elizabeth Wilkerson, a member of Smile Train's Cleft Community Advisory Council. "I've even had a procedure canceled just eight hours before I was due to go into the operating room, leaving me with physical, financial, and emotional burdens."Stories like this are not isolated. They reflect a broader pattern of coverage delays and denials faced by cleft-affected patients and their families nationwide.A push for changeThe Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (H.R. 3277/S.1677) aims to close this gap by requiring private insurers to cover the full range of necessary treatments for congenital anomalies such as cleft lip and palate, so doctors, not insurance companies, can determine the care children need to grow, speak, and thrive. From April 21–23, Smile Train is mobilizing to build momentum for this critical legislation by contacting legislators and raising our collective voice. We encourage everyone to #TakeAction4ELSA by reaching out to your legislator via our advocacy tool and joining our campaign kick-off event.Every child deserves the opportunity to grow, speak, and thrive without unnecessary barriers. By working together to close gaps in coverage, we can help make that a reality for families across the country.
	Widespread severe weather likely Friday afternoon and evening We've already seen two nights with severe weather across the Quad Cities area this week. Severe weather is likely this afternoon into early tonight and this event is looking to be more widespread. After a very warm Friday, much cooler air moves in this weekend. We'll see frost and a possible freeze Saturday night and [...]
	Leaders urge for restraint as 10-day Israel-Lebanon ceasefire takes effect Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group, acknowledged the ceasefire, but did not say whether it would abide by it and urged people displaced by war in Lebanon to refrain from heading home.
	The U.S. blockade continues despite Iran's announcement the Strait of Hormuz is open Iran's foreign minister declared the Strait of Hormuz is open, following the start of an Israel-Lebanon ceasefire. President Trump swiftly responded that the U.S. naval blockade on Iran will continue.
	Crews battle house fire in Clinton About 1 a.m. a KWQC crew could see first responders working in the 100 block of South Third Street.
	US House Dems condemn Forest Service cuts as Republicans cheer agency’s move West The Manti-La Sal National Forest covers more than 1.2 million acres in the central and southeastern parts of Utah and the extreme western part of Colorado. (Photo by Danita Delimont/Getty Images)U.S. House Republicans from Western states laid out a figurative welcome mat for the U.S. Forest Service Thursday as its chief pitched plans to whittle down the agency’s budget, move its headquarters to Salt Lake City and rely more heavily on states to manage millions of acres. “I think it’s very interesting what you’re proposing to do, and I support it,” said Idaho Republican Rep. Mike Simpson, chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Democrats on the budget panel grilled Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz about how billions of dollars in cuts to the agency proposed by President Donald Trump could drive up costs for states and stamp out important research. The subcommittee’s ranking Democrat, Rep. Chellie Pingree of Maine, said she’s deeply worried. “I guarantee you, my state is not prepared to take over all of the things that the federal government is currently doing. We don’t have those resources,” she told Schultz. Schultz said the goal is to cut costs and administrative bloat while localizing the agency’s authority. “We’re trying to drive decision-making down to the men and the women on the ground that are doing the work that is a big focus of this,” he said. Forest Service headquarters to relocate to Salt Lake City in major restructuring plan Details of the reorganization are still being hammered out, Schultz said. Its existing, centralized model stems from a time when states lacked the funding and forestry expertise they have now, he told the panel. “So I would say today, there’s no longer this difference in terms of who has the experience and the knowledge,” he said. Pingree warned the move from Washington, D.C., to Utah will cost the Forest Service expertise in the form of employees refusing to go West with their employer, compounding the effects of earlier rounds of buyouts, layoffs and early retirements under the Trump administration. But Montana Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke sees benefits for employees who relocate, including a lower cost of living. “The opportunity to have a house is better, and you’re closer to where the actual forests are,” Zinke said. Schultz estimated 500 employees would need to move to Utah. The broader reorganization is expected to affect 5,000 employees throughout the offices that are set to relocate, Stateline reported. “We’re excited to have you in Salt Lake,” said Republican Rep. Celeste Maloy. “Welcome to Utah.” Forest Service shake-up will boost states’ role — but even supporters have concerns As the Western U.S. prepares for a busy wildfire season, committee members of both parties wanted details on a planned, single new wildland fire agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior. Simpson, of Idaho, asked for the timeline on an outside review of the merge Trump is proposing for a second year. “It’d be kind of stupid to to combine the Forest Services, the wildfire fighting, in our bill without having the study completed. Otherwise, why do the damn study?” Simpson said. Schultz said a request for proposals from vendors seeking to conduct the review will go out in early May, and the study will take up to six months to complete. California Democrat Rep. Josh Harder pressed Schultz on the closure of dozens of research stations and the future of watershed health under ramped-up timber production. He asked whether officials would halt timber operations if stream monitoring shows degrading water quality. “Yes, we would. We always take a look at things,” Schultz responded, calling wildfires a bigger threat to the water supply. Of a total 130 sites, he said the Forest Service has identified 57 for closure and will retain 20. Schultz said universities and the private sector will need to fill the research gap. He took the opportunity to tell the panel that the agency has hired more than 9,000 firefighters — ahead of its progress this time last year — as it works toward a goal of 11,300. “We are going to be prepared for fire season,” Schultz said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Utah News Dispatch

Saturday, April 18th, 2026

Friday, April 17th, 2026