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

Friday, April 17th, 2026
	Cook review: 'You, Me & Tuscany' is a serviceable rom-com Here's a romantic comedy that's pretty to look at, with an engaging ensemble. It's not hard to figure out what will happen in "You, Me & Tuscany." But if you want to see nice-looking people enjoying life in the beautiful environment of Italy, this might be just the film for you. The talented Halle Bailey [...]
	Trump rails against court decision that once again stalls his White House ballroom project The federal judge's decision continues to block above-ground construction on the $400 million White House ballroom, allowing only below-ground work on a bunker and other "national security facilities" at the site.
	House extends surveillance powers for 10 days Earlier in the morning GOP leaders had pushed for either a five-year renewal or the 18-month renewal President Trump had demanded, but both votes tanked.
Thursday, April 16th, 2026
	DeWitt mourns science teacher after car accident and house fire Trisha Brookins was a 7th grade science teacher at Central DeWitt Middle School.
	Army announces cancellation of collective bargaining agreements; legislators respond Union employees at the Rock Island Arsenal were feeling uncertain Thursday. That's after the U. S. Army announced the cancellation of collective bargaining agreements with the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE.) AFGE Local 15 President Steve Beck says the executive order impacts two unions at the arsenal. The order could allow the Army to [...]
	Singer D4vd is arrested months after a teen's remains were found in his car The 21-year-old Houston-born singer, whose real name is David Burke, had been under a secret investigation by an LA County grand jury after a 14-year-old girl's decomposed body was found in his car.
	East Moline School District's new transportation zones raise safety concerns Transportation from the East Moline School District (EMSD) between Learning Tree and Bowlesburg and Ridgewood Elementaries will stop after this school year. "I have worked here since 1999. Ever since I have worked here, East Moline has stopped and picked up these kids," says Nicole Henry, Director of Learning Tree Child Care in Silvis, located [...]
	House approves Pritzker initiative to regulate social media algorithms The Illinois House voted on bipartisan lines to pass the Children’s Social Media Safety Act.
	The Heart of the Story: Maintaining the mussels Our Quad Cities News is partnering with award-winning journalist Gary Metivier for The Heart of the Story. Each week, Gary showcases inspiring stories of everyday people doing cool stuff, enjoying their hobbies and living life to the fullest. Stories that feature the best of the human condition. The race is on to save an endangered [...]
	Clinton County IT systems back online after security incident A third-party forensics team confirmed threat was caught in early stages.
	Order deadline nears for Safer Foundation’s annual lunch fundraiser You have until April 17 to place your $10 Safer Sacks order. All of the money stays local to help those with arrest and conviction records get back on their feet.
	Students and community members in Wayland, Iowa, come together for storm debris cleanup After a possible tornado passed through the WACO Community School District on Tuesday, students and members of the community came together to clean up.
	Illinois legislation would cap some prescription drug prices Price limits could be imposed on some of the most expensive prescription drugs in Illinois. Under House Bill 1443 and Senate Bill 66, medications that qualify would need to cost more than $60,000 a year or have acquisition costs that increase by more than $3,000 dollars a year. Some generic medications with significant price increases [...]
	Volunteers clean up trash in downtown Bettendorf Over 70 volunteers in downtown Bettendorf got together to clean up trash Thursday afternoon. It was all part of a clean up event that's hosted yearly by the Downtown Bettendorf Organization along with XStream Cleanup. The event came with a free lunch from Jimmy John's for volunteers willing to spend some time picking up trash. [...]
	AKWAABA QC to host first citizenship workshop for Quad Cities immigrants Organizers say it will be a "one-stop shop" for applicants seeking U.S. citizenship. Participants will leave with completed applications ready to be mailed.
	House passes bill extending protections for Haitian migrants in the U.S. Ten Republicans voted alongside Democrats, in a rebuke to the Trump administration's immigration policies. Should it pass the Senate, the White House said President Trump would veto the measure.
	Iowa Department of Transportation names bridges to rebuild using $65 million of federal funds The Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) is partnering with counties and cities across the state to rebuild 67 bridges. The funds come from two grants within the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed in 2021. The 67 bridges were picked due to cost-benefit analysis for traffic and length of detours and because those bridges were [...]
	River Action holding cleanup day at Indian Springs Park next Wednesday Participants should wear long pants and sleeves, as well as sturdy shoes. The cleanup runs from 9-11 a.m.
	Victims identified in fatal cash between train and truck in Savanna Carroll County officials said 50-year-old Benjamin Sandrock and his son, 21-year-old Connor Sandrock, were killed in the crash. Both were from rural Lyndon.
	Davenport activates flood plan as Mississippi River rises Davenport has activated the city’s flood plan as the Mississippi River rises following recent heavy rain.
	Illinois bill to regulate e-bikes advances A proposal to regulate e-bikes in Illinois is moving forward. Senate Bill 3336 would require e-bikes that can go up to 28 miles an hour to be registered and insured. Riders would need to be at least 16 years old and have a license. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias says the changes are needed [...]
	One last round of severe weather It has been a long and active week of weather for us in the Quad Cities with severe thunderstorms and even a few tornadoes as well. While this Thursday has been a much-needed break, lots of clear skies and sunshine, it will not last long as we prepare for Friday. A level 3 - enhanced [...]
	Sale pending on Quad-City Times building in Davenport, could close in next few months A deal is pending for the Quad-City Times building in Davenport. A local developer is exploring plans to bring in multiple tenants.
	Rock Island-Milan School District names new dean of students at Rock Island High School Dr. Yolanda Grandberry-Pugh will step into the role next school year. She's currently the interim dean.
	Top five takeaways from Homeland Security budget hearings Lawmakers have been in a stalemate for over 60 days about funding the entire department, which includes agencies that oversee immigration enforcement, disaster relief, cybersecurity and the U.S. Coast Guard.
	Support affordable homeownership at Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities' Golf Fore Homes You can enjoy a great day of golf while helping to support affordable homeownership here in the QCA! Tom Fisher-King joined Our Quad Cities News with details on Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities' Golf Fore Homes. For more information, click here.
	Michael Bridgford, Bettendorf, announces Congressional run for 1st District Michael Bridgford, a Quad Cities small business owner raised on a seventh- generation family farm, on Thursday officially announced his campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, according to a news release. Running as an independent, Bridgford seeks to represent the "exhausted majority" of voters who are tired of hyper-partisan [...]
	Speed cameras: What you should know before paying ticket Confused by a speed camera ticket? Discover the legal distinctions between camera citations often issued by private vendors and police-issued tickets.
	Akwaaba QC hosting first-ever citizenship workshop The nonprofit just got back from a trip to Springfield, Illinois, on Wednesday, where they talked with lawmakers about the state budget.
	The Quad Cities is drought free! After several months of below average rain fall in the Quad Cities, we have been under drought conditions for quite some time now. Most of the area has been under a moderate drought from the lack of rain but with the rain we have been getting for the past few weeks, things have been improving. [...]
	Davenport blood drive highlights closely-linked need for blood, organ donation During National Donate Life Month, ImpactLife and the Iowa Donor Network are emphasizing the importance of blood transfusions during organ transplant surgeries.
	Learn basic home maintenance skills at the the HANDY at HOME workshop series If you want to learn how to be a little more handy around the house, here's your chance to learn some basic home maintenance skills! Crystal Crayne from the Moline Community Development Corporation joined Our Quad Cities News to talk about the HANDY at HOME workshop series. For more information, click here.
	Crime Stoppers: Man wanted for escape, failure to appear Michael Schram, 41, is wanted by the Rock Island County Sheriff’s Office for escape and failure to appear in court on a robbery charge.
	Crime Stoppers: Man wanted on both sides of the river for probation violation, failure to appear Frederick McKenzie is wanted by the Rock Island County Sheriff's Office and in Scott County.
	Do you know them? Help police identify 2 vandals Officials said two suspects were seen on camera damaging vehicles in Rock Island and Davenport.
	2 arrested in Dixon, Illinois, sex abuse investigation The investigation that led to the arrests of 35-year-old Edward Wilhite and 32-year-old Chelsea Morrison began in July 2025.
	Driver identified after fatal crash into rural DeWitt home Authorities say 46-year-old Trisha Brookins died after a vehicle crashed into a rural DeWitt home and caught fire following a medical emergency.
	Order deadline nears for Safer Foundation’s annual lunch fundraiser You have until April 17 to place your $10 Safer Sacks lunch order. All of the money stays local to help those with arrest, conviction records get back on their feet.
	Miller-Meeks, Sorensen split on Iran peace talks, shutdown strategy With a fragile cease-fire holding in the Iran conflict, two members of Congress who represent the Quad Cities region say the U.S. must keep pressure on Iran and restore stability in the Strait of Hormuz — but they differ on how the administration and Congress should proceed.
	These musicians are providing the soundtrack for anti-ICE protests in LA Los Jornaleros Del Norte play protest songs whose lyrics reflect the hopes and struggles of undocumented workers as they evade immigration agents patrolling the streets.
	Latin American history, pet custody bills advance in Springfield ahead of deadline Illinois lawmakers entered their final six-week stretch by moving dozens of bills from one chamber to the other.
	Trump nominates former Coast Guard doctor as CDC chief The nomination comes after months of interim leadership at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
	Warren County Courthouse to reopen after being closed for structural inspection The Warren County Courthouse will reopen Friday after being temporarily closed for a structural inspection.
	Davenport blood drive highlights closely-linked need for blood, organ donation During National Donate Life Month, ImpactLife and the Iowa Donor Network are emphasizing the importance of blood transfusions during organ transplant surgeries.
	The mental health stigma is changing: What America’s increasing therapy rates reveal The mental health stigma is changing: What America’s increasing therapy rates revealAs more Americans seek therapy than ever before, shifting attitudes toward mental health are revealing a broader cultural change in how people approach emotional well-being.Nearly 9 in 10 U.S. adults now say that having a mental health condition is nothing to be ashamed of, and 83% report feeling comfortable talking about their mental health openly. That level of acceptance reflects a meaningful shift in how Americans relate to one another and to their own inner lives.People who once felt isolated by their struggles are increasingly finding those same struggles widely shared, and that recognition of being understood rather than judged is reshaping how mental health is discussed across communities.BetterHelp examines the data and cultural forces behind America's shifting relationship with mental health and what rising therapy rates reveal about where the country is headed.A Cultural Turning Point for Mental HealthAmericans are increasingly treating mental health the way they approach physical fitness and financial planning, as a fundamental part of how they live. According to APA's Healthy Minds Poll, 38% of Americans entered 2026 planning to make a mental health-related resolution, up five percent from the previous year.For the first time, emotional well-being ranked third on the national priority list, just behind physical fitness and financial goals, which says something significant about where the culture has arrived.APA President Theresa Miskimen Rivera, M.D., called that progress encouraging, adding that the strategies people are embracing "reflect a growing recognition that mental health is deeply connected to daily habits." That recognition has moved well beyond individual choices.Conversations about therapy and emotional well-being are now happening in boardrooms, classrooms, and family dinners in ways that would have been rare just a decade ago, and that cultural openness shows no signs of retreating.Post-Pandemic Mindset ShiftsThere are a few events in recent history that forced people to reckon with their emotional lives the way the COVID-19 pandemic did. Across every demographic, people confronted stress, isolation, and emotional exhaustion simultaneously, with no precedent to draw from and no clear end in sight.Dr. Delany Smith, system chief clinical officer at the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County, noted that years later, she still hears patients use the phrase "since the pandemic" as a mental health reference point.The pandemic did not simply surface new struggles. It revealed how many people had been carrying unaddressed ones for years. Dr. Roger McIntyre, professor of psychiatry and pharmacology at the University of Toronto, described the period as a turning point, noting that the number of people having conversations about mental health “over the dinner table” had considerably increased.And Dr. Smith echoed that shift, observing that the pandemic brought widespread messaging around the idea that it is acceptable to not be okay, followed by a greater focus on mental wellness in both prevention and treatment.What the pandemic ultimately produced was a generation of people more willing to seek support, and the culture around them began to shift in ways that made that decision feel far less isolating.The Role of Destigmatization MovementsPart of what made seeking help feel less isolating was a change in who was willing to talk about it publicly. Athletes, actors, and musicians with massive platforms began sharing their own mental health struggles, and the cultural impact was significant.Amanda McNab, a licensed clinical social worker at Huntsman Mental Health Institute, observed that when prominent individuals share their mental health journeys, it allows others to see "that they are not alone and that someone can be successful and experience emotional distress."Seeing that kind of honesty from people in the public eye permitted others to be honest too. And that same permission has extended into the workplace, where mental health is no longer treated as a personal matter that employees manage on their own.A 2025 Gallup study found that two-thirds of full-time workers report experiencing burnout, prompting employers to build programs that treat mental health as a core workplace concern rather than an afterthought.As these conversations have become more normalized across public life and professional settings, support systems have begun to evolve alongside them.Increased Access to Mental Health SupportOne of the most significant structural changes behind that evolution has been the expansion of telehealth. The ability to connect with a licensed therapist by video, phone, or messaging changed what seeking help could look like in everyday life.People no longer had to commute across town, rearrange work schedules, or wait months for a local opening, removing barriers that had kept millions from accessing care for years.Geography, scheduling, and cost are no longer the automatic barriers they once were. And growing up with that level of access has begun to shape how younger generations think about mental health care.A Generational Shift in AttitudesNo generation has grown up more fluent in the language of mental health than Gen Z. For many young people, talking about anxiety, therapy, or emotional well-being carries none of the shame it once did for their parents or grandparents, and that cultural distance from stigma is showing up in real behavior.The American Psychiatric Association found that 37% of Gen Z is already receiving professional mental health treatment, the highest rate of any generation on record.Patrick Griswold, a clinical instructor at Metropolitan State University of Denver, observed that stigma among young people has significantly decreased because "it's harder to stigmatize something so widespread." Therapy, for this generation, is a regular part of staying well, not a last resort reserved for moments of crisis.That orientation toward proactive care rather than reactive crisis management may be the most consequential shift of all, and its effects are already rippling outward into how society understands mental health more broadly.What Rising Therapy Rates Reveal About SocietyAmerica's relationship with mental health has not changed overnight, but the direction of that change has become unmistakable.More people are seeking support, more institutions are building systems to provide it, and more communities are creating space for those conversations to happen without judgment. What that collective movement reveals is a deeper cultural recognition that emotional well-being is inseparable from overall health.TakeawayA society that increasingly agrees with that sentiment is one moving toward greater empathy, stronger communities, and workplaces where people feel supported rather than expected to endure in silence. And for millions of Americans who once felt alone in their struggles, that movement forward is long overdue.This story was produced by BetterHelp and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Minnesota has charged an ICE officer with assault for alleged actions during immigration surge Hennepin County officials say these are the first charges filed against a federal immigration agent related to the crackdown that brought thousands of federal officers to the state. The widespread operation led to the shooting deaths of two American citizens.
	Traffic Alert: Central Avenue to close for next section of resurfacing project Central Avenue will be closed as crews continue the second section of the first part Central Avenue Resurfacing Project.
	George Foreman laid to rest in Northwest Iowa, fulfilling a long-held wish The former heavyweight boxing champion was buried in Sioux City in 2025
	How blood type could predict risk for disease A study shows people with certain blood types may be at higher risk for disease than those with other blood types.
	Why direct mail is making a comeback: Small businesses turn to mailboxes to beat digital fatigue Why direct mail is making a comeback: Small businesses turn to mailboxes to beat digital fatigueThe economics of digital attention are reaching a breaking point for small business owners. According to the WordStream 2025 Google Ads Benchmarks, cost-per-click (CPC) increased for 87% of industries last year. For a lean enterprise, this inflation represents a significant drain on working capital. While the digital-first giants are chasing clicks, the mailbox is quietly becoming the most reliable ROI on the map.The data backs it up: 84% of marketers say that direct mail gives them the best ROI, according to research by Lob and CompereMedia. 85% of marketers in that study say that direct mail gives them their best conversion rate.You aren't paying for “impressions” that no one sees; you’re paying for a physical piece of property in a customer's hand. In a world of digital inflation, the mailbox is the last place where your dollar still has some muscle.Taradel, a direct mail and digital marketing platform, examines the data behind direct mail's resurgence among small businesses.The CPM Inflation Crisis in Digital ChannelsThe primary driver for the shift toward physical media is the rapid erosion of digital margins. For years, digital marketing was the low-cost leader for customer acquisition. However, that economic reality is shifting.As mentioned in the WordStream Google Ads Benchmarks report above, cost-per-click rates increased for 87% of industries last year, with the average cost rising roughly 13% year-over-year. This represents a tipping point for many smaller budgets.These surging overheads mean campaigns that once provided a high return on ad spend (ROAS) no longer offer the same capital efficiency. For a small business, this volatility in digital pricing creates a "burn rate" that is often unsustainable without a corresponding increase in customer lifetime value (LTV).Analyzing the USPS Volume ContractionIt is critical to distinguish between market volume and market value. According to United States Postal Service (USPS) data, marketing mail volumes dipped by 28% between 2015 and 2025, with a similar decline forecasted through 2035.However, this volume drop-off has created a "white space" opportunity. As the mailbox becomes less crowded, the engagement rate for the remaining pieces increases. Unlike the disposable nature of digital impressions—which are often scrolled past in milliseconds—tangible marketing messages have a longer physical shelf life.Taradel data suggests that hybrid campaigns deliver optimal ROI by leveraging performance analytics to target high-intent demographics. By treating direct mail as a data-driven OpEx rather than a blind "blast," businesses can mitigate the risks of both digital fatigue and physical volume declines.Why Digital Fatigue Has Set InThe underlying driver of shifting marketing budgets is the accelerating saturation of digital channels. Even prior to the deployment of generative AI tools, consumers reached a "fatigue threshold" regarding the volume of marketing emails and social media ads.Average email open rates aggregate at 45.2%, according to HubSpot’s 2024 Email Marketing Benchmarks, but this figure accounts for all transactional and administrative communications. Purely advertorial messages face a significantly higher barrier to entry due to algorithmic filtering and consumer apathy. While digital platforms offer high-frequency exposure, they often fail to convert that attention into durable memory.Trust and "neurological resonance" define the divergence between these media formats. A neuromarketing study by the USPS Office of Inspector General, conducted in partnership with the Fox School of Business at Temple University, suggests that while retrieval accuracy for both formats remains high at over 95%, the quality of that memory differs significantly.Researchers found that participants demonstrated significantly higher confidence regarding the source of an ad when it was presented in a physical format. The data suggests that physical ads trigger "increased arousal" during the exposure phase, leading to superior systematic processing and memory consolidation.The study found that subjects were able to retrieve information presented in physical formats faster than digital alternatives one week after exposure. For small businesses, this indicates that the tactile nature of direct mail bypasses digital "clutter," allowing for more efficient brand recall and long-term cognitive impact.Future Outlook: The Access Economy of MarketingThe trajectory for the next decade suggests a move toward "precision physicality." A report from The Business Research Company (2024) projects the direct mail market will reach $74.46 billion by 2030, growing at a steady 3.1% compound annual growth rate (CAGR).While digital marketing will continue to expand at a faster rate (forecasted at 11% to 15% annually), the price problem remains the primary hurdle for small-cap businesses. As AI tools lower the barrier to entry for content production, the "digital noise" will only intensify, likely driving up CPMs further.The economic data suggests that physical media remains a vital, if not essential, component of a balanced marketing ledger.This story was produced by Taradel and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Win a Mother's Day prize package for your special mom! Deadline for entry is May 6th.
	Official rules for the Super Mom Sweepstakes 2026 Official rules for this sweepstakes
	The hidden cost of 'managing' credit card debt (and what to do instead) The hidden cost of ‘managing’ credit card debt (and what to do instead)For many Americans, the state of household debt looks relatively stable. Recent Consumer Financial Protection Bureau data shows that credit card delinquencies and charge-offs, which rose sharply in early 2024, have since returned to more typical levels.But stability doesn’t necessarily mean progress.Now, there is a different pattern emerging—one where people are staying on top of their debt, but doing so in ways that quietly increase the total cost over time.The most recent CFPB data reinforces this tension: More borrowers are relying on minimum payments at a time when interest rates are at historic highs. In effect, many consumers are defaulting to the most expensive way to carry debt.Earnest examines how common debt management habits can increase the total cost of carrying credit card debt over time.The illusion of controlCredit cards are designed for flexibility. They allow borrowers to manage cash flow, cover short-term expenses, and earn rewards. When balances are paid off in full each month, they can be a useful financial tool.But when balances carry over, that flexibility comes at a price.Minimum payments, while helpful in avoiding delinquency, can dramatically extend repayment timelines. With interest compounding at today’s elevated rates—often exceeding 25% for general-purpose cards—borrowers may spend years paying down balances that could have been resolved much sooner under a different structure.This helps explain why many consumers may feel financially stable while actually making little progress toward becoming debt-free.For borrowers carrying balances month to month, the structure of that debt matters as much as the rate itself—yet it’s often the least examined part of the equation.Why short-term solutions can fall shortIn response to rising interest rates, borrowers may turn to balance transfer credit cards, which offer introductory periods with 0 percent APR. These promotions can provide temporary relief, particularly for those looking to reduce interest costs in the short term.But they are not a universal solution.According to the CFPB, promotional-rate credit cards account for a significant share of today’s market—representing hundreds of billions of dollars in both purchase volume and outstanding balances in the most recent reporting period. About one-third of all credit card balances are tied to these offers.Yet these same accounts tend to carry higher balances over time compared to cards without promotional rates.There are a few reasons for this. Balance transfer fees—often around 3% to 5%—can offset some of the initial savings. And when the promotional period ends, any remaining balance is subject to standard variable APRs, which remain elevated. For borrowers who are unable to pay off the full amount within the introductory window, the long-term cost can end up being higher than expected.What appears to be a low-cost strategy at the start may ultimately extend the life of the debt.Paying for flexibilityToday’s credit environment presents borrowers with a tradeoff: flexibility versus efficiency.Credit cards offer adaptability. Minimum payments provide breathing room. Promotional rates create short-term opportunities. But these features can also make it easier to delay repayment, increasing the total interest paid over time.Recent CFPB data also shows that growth in credit card spending has been driven primarily by borrowers with higher credit scores, while spending among lower-score borrowers has remained relatively flat. This suggests that while access to credit remains, the cost of using it has become more significant—particularly for those already carrying balances.In this environment, many consumers are doing what they can to stay current on payments. But staying current is not the same as minimizing cost.A more efficient path to repaymentFor borrowers carrying high-interest balances, a more efficient structure already exists—but it’s often overlooked.Unlike revolving credit, installment products such as personal loans are designed around a clear endpoint. They offer a fixed interest rate, a predictable monthly payment, and a defined repayment timeline—typically between two and five years.For borrowers juggling multiple credit card balances, they can also simplify repayment by consolidating those balances into a single loan—with one monthly payment, one due date, and one interest rate to track. Instead of managing several accounts with different terms, everything is streamlined into a single plan.This structure provides clarity on both the cost and duration of repayment.More importantly, it can change borrower behavior. Instead of managing a moving target, borrowers are working toward a known finish line. And in a high-rate environment, that difference may reduce total interest costs, depending on the borrower’s rate, fees, and repayment timeline.In practice, this often becomes clear when borrowers compare total cost—not just introductory rates. A borrower evaluating a balance transfer offer alongside a personal loan may find that, after factoring in transfer fees and repayment timelines, the loan could provide a faster and less expensive path to becoming debt-free.That distinction—between short-term relief and long-term efficiency—is increasingly important in today’s rate environment.Choosing the right toolNone of this is to suggest that one financial product is universally better than another. Different tools work better in different situations.Credit cards are incredibly useful for day-to-day spending—especially if you’re able to pay the balance off in full each month. They offer flexibility, convenience, and rewards that can add up over time.But if you’re carrying a balance month after month—especially at double-digit interest rates—that same flexibility can start to work against you. What feels manageable in the short term can become expensive over time.In those cases, a more structured approach can make a real difference. Moving from a revolving balance to a fixed payment with a clear end date can help you make faster progress and potentially reduce how much you pay in interest overall.Ultimately, it’s not just about keeping up with payments. It’s about making sure your debt is set up in a way that actually helps you move forward.Looking beyond the minimumMany borrowers are doing what they’re “supposed” to do: staying current, avoiding missed payments, and keeping their accounts in good standing.But that doesn’t always mean they’re getting ahead.When interest rates are high, minimum payments can keep you treading water for longer than you expect. You might feel in control, but the balance doesn’t move as quickly—and the total cost keeps growing in the background.That’s why it’s worth taking a step back and looking not just at your monthly payment, but at the bigger picture: how long it will take to pay off your debt, and how much it will cost you over time.Because the goal isn’t just to manage debt. It’s to get out of it in a way that lets you keep more of what you earn.This story was produced by Earnest and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The transformation of Terrace Martin After years spent as the go-to guy for a cross-pollinating L.A. music scene, the multi-hyphenate follows his spiritual mission inward for the sprawling series Love Is Louder Than The Algorithms.
	Find deals at Spring Community Garage Sale in Rock Island Find bargains and treasures at the Spring Community Garage Sale and Vendor Fair on Saturday, April 25 from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Upper Longview Park, 1300 17th Street in Rock Island. Over 50 vendors' booths and over 6,000 square feet of makers’ market, garage sale and craft vendors for toys, home décor, furniture, [...]
	Moline continuing 'Adaptive Park Pop-Up' program for children with disabilities Children will be able to enjoy arts and crafts, music and other outdoor activities that are adapted to their needs.
	A jury declared Live Nation a monopoly. But ticket prices won't drop just yet D.C. and 33 states now have to argue in favor of specific remedies and fines, which could be paused if Live Nation appeals. Experts say the long-term impact on ticket prices isn't clear either.
	How to compare international shipping quotes and calculate global carrier delivery costs How to compare international shipping quotes and calculate global carrier delivery costsComparing international shipping quotes is not about finding the lowest line item. It’s about measuring the total cost to move a package from A to B. This includes clearing customs, and choosing the carrier and service that gives the best combination of price, predictability, and speed. Published international shipping rates alone can be misleading; you must compare the total cost.Below, ShipStation provides a practical method for comparing international shipping quotes.Why an international shipping quote often misleadsWith international shipping, a carrier quote is usually the base transportation charge for a specific service level. It rarely lists everything that will end up on your invoice: fuel surcharges, dimensional (DIM) weight adjustments, residential or remote-area fees, customs brokerage, duties and taxes, insurance, or post-billing adjustments. Those items can convert a “cheap” quote into a more expensive outcome. The hidden cost increase is a particular concern when it comes to international shipping for small businesses, which manage smaller budgets than enterprise-level companies.When comparing quotes, it’s best to standardize the inputs (same SKU, declared value, HS code, incoterm, weight, and dimensions) and insist on a full breakdown that includes base shipping plus fuel, DIM charges, remote fees, duties, taxes, and customs clearance.Dimensional weight: What your shipping quote calculator needs to catchDIM weight is the most common reason an international shipping quote grows during transit. Carriers charge by the space a parcel occupies, not just its mass. If your package is large but light, DIM weight often becomes the billable measure, sometimes doubling or tripling the apparent cost.A useful shipping quote calculator should automatically compute DIM, compare it with the actual weight, and warn you during order processing so you can change the box size, packing material, or carrier before the label is printed. Systems that surface DIM warnings save money and time.Duties and global shipping costs: Clarifying who paysDuties and taxes create significant discrepancies between an attractive quote and the true global shipping costs. Some carriers quote duties excluded. Others include an estimate. Some expect the recipient to pay. That difference changes both your cash flow and the likelihood of a successful delivery.If you request DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) when comparing quotes, include a realistic duty estimate and confirm how the carrier collects and remits duties. If you choose DAP or CIF, understand that clearing will depend on the local importer or broker. Predictability is more important than legal ownership: Unexpected duties lead to failed deliveries, returns, and customer service escalations. Include customs brokerage and clearance fees when you compute landed costs.A practical process to compare international shipping rates and quotesMake comparisons repeatable by following this process each time:Prepare identical shipment data for every quote with the same SKU, declared value, HS code, incoterm, currency, weight, and box dimensions.Choose comparable service levels without mixing economy with priority.Ask carriers for a written breakdown of base rate, fuel and currency surcharges, residential and remote fees, customs brokerage, insurance, and any other handling charges.Calculate billable weight using each carrier’s DIM divisor and rounding rules. If DIM exceeds actual weight, use DIM in your pricing math. Confirm whether the quote includes duties and taxes. If not, estimate duties based on HS code and the declared value and add them to the quote.Remember to factor in the risk of post-billing adjustments: Some carriers audit and bill additional charges after delivery. Real-time, upfront quotes reduce surprises by showing the costs you will see on your invoice.Carrier differences: Comparing UPS, DHL, USPS, FedEx, and GlobalPost international shipping ratesInternational shipping companies are not interchangeable. Each builds a different global network and applies different rules, surcharges, and strengths. For example, UPS excels at predictable B2B shipping and tight timelines, while FedEx international shipping offers multiple service tiers that balance speed and cost. DHL international shipping is often best in challenging markets where private networks matter most. USPS gives wide reach at low prices for light parcels.A multi-carrier shipping strategy is the best approach, giving you the flexibility to choose the carrier that best fits each shipment’s profile.When you compare UPS, DHL, USPS, and FedEx international shipping rates, focus on these practical distinctions:Transit time reliability for the lanes you useSurcharge structure and how often it changesHow the carrier applies DIM or cubic pricingCustoms brokerage behavior and claims performanceA lower international shipping quote from one carrier may be worse overall than a slightly higher rate from another carrier with better predictability and lower post-billing risk.Operational controls and tools: Use a shipping quote calculator and automation to cut global shipping costsManual comparisons are slow and error-prone. A rate shopper tool or shipping quote calculator that returns real-time prices and shows the impacts of DIM and surcharges during order processing converts guesswork into governance, prevents surprises, and saves time.With ecommerce order automation rules, you can send a package via the least expensive carrier, enforce packaging discipline, and print accurate customs documentation without manual intervention. For high-volume ecommerce shippers, those capabilities transform hours of work into repeatable decisions.Here’s a short checklist before you accept an international shipping quote:Confirm who pays duties.Verify declared value, HS code, and currency.Confirm actual vs. DIM weight and the carrier’s DIM divisor.Request a full list of surcharges and broker fees.Ask about post-billing adjustments and audit practices.Keeping this checklist in your workflow ensures every quote is evaluated consistently and comparisons remain fair.Measuring value: Price, predictability, and post-billing riskPrice is only one dimension. Predictability—on-time delivery, reduced error rates, and consistent post-billing behavior—often produces better total value. A carrier with slightly higher costs but superior reliability can cut down on returns, claims, and customer service costs. Ask carriers for transit-time reliability and claims performance on the exact services you use, and add those metrics to your vendor scorecard.The bottom line on international shipping quotesTo streamline and save on cross-border ecommerce, compare international shipping quotes and calculate global shipping costs correctly, normalize the inputs, compute DIM and duties, include all surcharges, and assess predictability. Use a shipping quote calculator or an international shipping cost calculator to compare UPS, DHL, USPS, FedEx, and other carriers’ international shipping rates by reviewing total cost and operational performance.This story was produced by ShipStation and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	'DJ's Law,' honoring Tampico teen killed in March 2024 crash, heads to Illinois Senate The legislation would increase penalties for young drivers who violate passenger restrictions and are involved in a crash resulting in serious injury or death.
	Should you shave before or after a shower? Should you shave before or after a shower?Shaving might be one of those things in your routine that you do automatically without a second thought. Here, Dove Men + Care explains how just a few tweaks to your usual routine could possibly make big changes to how your skin feels afterward.Who doesn't want a shave that's smoother, easier and less irritating?Why the timing of your shave mattersThe biggest change to a traditional shave will come with water.Warm water helps to soften your facial hair and open up your pores. When the hair is softer, your razor glides over your skin and doesn't drag as much.Dry shaving, or rushing, can cause nicks, irritation and the tight skin feeling you might get after a shave.Even the order of your routine can shift the result more than you'd expect. Dove Men + Care Shaving before your showerWhen your morning routine is tight, and you need quick solutions, a shave before your shower works. The cleanup is easier, and you can rinse away the mess in the shower.That said, a little prep will still help. Hold a warm, damp towel over your face for half a minute to help soften the hair, apply your shaving gel or cream and shave.Once you're done, your shower washes away leftover product.Shaving after your showerAfter a shower, your hair is already softer, and the prep work is already complete. Your shave may feel smoother, especially if you cleanse beforehand.After your shave, a quick, cool-water rinse can also help calm your skin down. Pat your face dry and apply a light moisturizer to lock in hydration.Go for a simple shaving routine that worksNo matter when you shave, the basics still apply:Start by cleansing your skin with warm water and a mild wash to remove dirt and oil.Exfoliate your face gently, a couple of times a week to help prevent ingrown hairs.Use a shaving cream or gel that gives your razor some slip.Shave using short, gentle strokes without pressing too hard.Rinse with cooler water once you're done.Finish with a moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated.If your skin is on the sensitive sideHow do you know if your skin is sensitive? If your skin reacts to weather, products, or shaving by becoming red or discolored and irritated, you may have sensitive skin. If that describes your skin, try a few simple tricks to help keep it soothed:Keep your water lukewarm.Use a sharp razor to reduce friction.Pat your skin dry with a towel instead.Follow up with a soothing moisturizer or balm.So, to shave before or after?There's no right answer to this, and it comes down to your preference. If you're short on time, shaving before your shower works just fine. If you want a low-irritation shave, after your shower might feel better for you.If you have dry or sensitive skin, the post-shower routine may be better, as the extra hydration helps your razor glide more easily.If you shave in the evening, doing it after a shower also gives your skin time to recover overnight.Of course, you can also shave without showering as long as you make sure to prep your skin with warm water and you're using good products.Once you've figured out what timing works best for you, your shaving routine will better suit your skin type and lifestyle.This story was produced by Dove Men + Care and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Nearly 1 in 4 people seeking abortions out of state chose Illinois. Here’s why. In the center of the map’s biggest sea of red is Illinois, outlined in green — showing it’s a state with strong abortion access — surrounded by several states that ban or severely restrict abortion.
	River Action hosting Earth Day Cleanup in Davenport Join River Action for an Earth Day Cleanup at Indian Springs Park, near the Village of East Davenport, on Earth Day, April 22 from 9 – 11 a.m. Volunteers are advised to wear long pants, sturdy shoes and long sleeves and bring their own bug spray and water bottles. Cleanup materials will be provided and [...]
	AI isn't enough: What companies need to fix before their sales results will change AI isn't enough: What companies need to fix before their sales results will changeMany companies see artificial intelligence (AI) as an off-the-shelf solution to a variety of business problems. AI will personalize outreach. It will score leads. It will write the emails, predict churn, prioritize accounts, and tell salespeople exactly what to say and when to say it.This is happening at some companies. But many businesses are investing heavily in AI-powered tools, deploying them across their go-to-market (GTM) teams, and still not seeing the results they expected. Revenue projections fail to improve, conversion rates remain stagnant, and frontline sellers become increasingly frustrated.The fundamental problem most businesses are struggling with is poor data.ZoomInfo examines why AI investments often fail to improve sales performance and what data quality issues are typically to blame.The Foundation Nobody Wants to Talk AboutAI tools are powerful but cannot conjure insights from nothing. They analyze and act on information that already exists in CRM records, prospect lists, contact databases, and account histories. If that underlying information is inaccurate, incomplete, or out of date, AI serves only as an accelerant to negative outcomes.The uncomfortable reality for most organizations is that their data is a mess. People leave to pursue new opportunities, companies are acquired, and priorities change. By the time a sales rep reaches out to a "warm" contact in their CRM, there's a meaningful chance that person no longer works there, no longer holds the role a pitch was tailored for, or no longer has the authority to make a decision.AI doesn't know any of that unless the data explicitly says so.What ‘Broken Data’ Actually Looks Like in PracticeBad data wastes time and undermines confidence, but it also has a very real financial impact.Survey data from ZoomInfo suggests that 95% of GTM leaders experienced negative performance stemming from poor-quality data in 2025. One in 4 GTM leaders aren’t confident their GTM data is updated in real time to reflect key changes, with 2 in 5 enterprise GTM leaders sharing similar concerns about the reliability of the real-time data at their disposal.Only half of GTM leaders are satisfied with their customer and prospect data, with integration across systems, intent and buyer signals, data completeness, and their ability to deduplicate redundant records standing out as critical vulnerabilities.The Confidence ProblemAnother dimension of AI’s data problem that is rarely discussed is what bad data does to the humans using these tools.Frontline salespeople who've been burned by bad contact information stop trusting the system. They start manually verifying everything, defeating much of the efficiency AI was supposed to create. Worse, they stop using the tools altogether and revert to the workflows they were comfortable with before.Managers who have watched AI-generated forecasts miss the mark a few times in a row lose confidence in the models. They start overriding recommendations based on gut feel, which reintroduces the kind of inconsistency AI was meant to eliminate.This erosion of trust is slow, but it's toxic to technology investments. It almost always traces back to AI promising results it cannot deliver because the data powering it isn’t reliable enough to deliver them.What Actually Needs to Change?Most companies understand that their data quality isn't perfect, but very few take the time to quantify it. How many CRM contacts have verified, current email addresses? What percentage of accounts have accurate employee counts and revenue figures? How often is contact data refreshed? These are vital diagnostic questions, and the answers will reveal more about sales performance than almost any other metric.One of the most common mistakes organizations make is treating data quality as a one-time initiative owned primarily by IT. Data decays continuously, so the solution has to be continuous, too. That means building processes or partnering with providers that keep your information current on an ongoing basis, not just when someone notices a problem.Many organizations have data quality issues, not because good data doesn't exist somewhere in their technology stack, but because it isn't accessible across disparate systems; data trapped in one system that isn’t accessible to another is storage, not intelligence. Getting the connective tissue right matters as much as the quality of any individual data source.Data quality is a cultural challenge as much as it is an operational one. Organizations that take this seriously treat accurate, current data as a business priority, one that has visible champions at the leadership level and stakeholders across every major department of the business.The Real Competitive AdvantageAI is a genuine force multiplier in sales. The companies that learn to use it well will have real advantages over those that don't. However, that multiplier only works if there's something worth multiplying. If the underlying foundation — the data, the processes, the systems of record — is unreliable, AI cannot fix the problem; it just scales it.The companies that are seeing their sales results change are the ones doing the less exciting, less headline-worthy work of making sure that AI tools have a reliable foundation to build upon, and understand that data quality is a problem of discipline, not technology.Solving it is entirely within reach, but only for the organizations willing to look at it honestly.This story was produced by ZoomInfo and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Tennessee Senate passes private-school voucher expansion despite budget concerns The Senate vote board displays how Thursday's debate on an expansion of Tennessee's private school voucher program played out. (Photo: Sam Stockard/Tennessee Lookout)The Tennessee Senate approved a private-school voucher bill Thursday expanding the program to 35,000 students, despite concerns it could drain the state budget and force school districts to collect students’ Social Security numbers. Checking children’s Social Security cards when they register for classes could lead to a legal challenge for potentially violating federal discrimination laws that require public schools to educate every child. The provision also puts a burden on school districts to manage students’ private information, opponents said. The program is expected to cost more than $270 million to nearly double the number of students receiving vouchers worth $7,500 each to enroll in private schools. The Senate voted 18-14 to pass a House version of the bill that was narrowly adopted in that chamber Monday night when it received two more votes than constitutionally required for passage. The measure heads to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk to be signed into law, wrapping up his main initiative over two terms in office, though the total number of vouchers approved was 5,000 less than he requested in the program’s second year. “We ought to stick with what we promised people,” said Sen. Joey Hensley, a Hohenwald Republican who voted against an expansion of private school vouchers. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, who sponsored the bill for Lee, told lawmakers they would be taking up a $58 billion budget containing $9 billion for traditional K-12 schools. “We are committed to public education, making it the best it can be,” Johnson said. Yet he added that the Senate should satisfy its “constitutional obligation” to give parents the option to use state funds to send their children to private schools. Eight Republicans joined six Democrats in voting against the bill, including GOP Sen. Joey Hensley of Hohenwald. “We ought to stick with what we promised people,” Hensley said. When the legislature adopted the program last year, it contained a provision allowing it to expand by 5,000 students annually, subject to approval of funding. The law also required the state to pay school districts for lost enrollment. The new bill pays back districts only for students who take the voucher funds, but to receive the money districts will be required to check students’ Social Security numbers. Nashville Democrat, Sen. Jeff Yarbro, contended that the Social Security number provision doesn’t necessarily challenge Plyler v. Doe, a 1982 U.S. Supreme Court decision requiring schools to enroll all students regardless of immigration status. Yet he said it violates federal privacy laws in order to receive funds for students who leave the district. “This is just a phasing out of the ‘hold harmless’ statewide on a faster timeline,” Yarbro said, using the term used to describe efforts to keep school districts from hemorrhaging money. Democratic Sen. Heidi Campbell of Nashville warned colleagues that “a reckoning” is coming because of the burden the program will put on the state budget as it grows annually. Campbell and Democratic Sen. Charlane Oliver of Nashville argued that they’re spending more per student to fund private-school vouchers than to increase funding for public schools. Proponents of the expansion, though, said it is needed to keep children from being bullied and cutting themselves because of depression. “For the small percentage of parents who need something else, let’s give them that avenue,” said Republican Sen. Adam Lowe of Calhoun. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Courtesy of Tennessee Lookout
	Rock Island Library buildings closing for staff development Rock Island Public Library buildings will be closed all day on Thursday, April 23 for staff development meetings. Patrons will still be able to use online services and library book returns. The Rock Island Public Library Downtown, Southwest, and Watts-Midtown locations will re-open from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Friday, April 24.
	Boiling milk and worrying about the Iran war: A New Year dawns in Sri Lanka In Sri Lanka, Buddhists and Hindus marked their New Year on Tuesday while a war thousands of miles away is making itself felt.
	46-year-old teacher killed after vehicle crashes into home, starts fire A 46-year-old woman is dead after crashing her car into a home Wednesday afternoon.
	No test can confirm perimenopause. Doctors say you should get one anyway No test can confirm perimenopause. Doctors say you should get one anywayIf you’re in your mid-40s or older and having symptoms like hot flashes, brain fog, weight gain, sleep issues, and more, you might be wondering if a blood test can tell you whether you’re in perimenopause.It can’t. Hormone levels fluctuate too widely during this transition for any single test to tell you where you are on your menopause journey.But doctors strongly encourage getting a blood test during perimenopause to rule out conditions with overlapping symptoms, identify early health risks, and guide more personalized treatment decisions.The goal of a blood test isn’t to label perimenopause. It’s to use data to make better decisions about symptom relief and long-term health.In this article, Hone Health explains how to think about perimenopause testing — and use it to your advantage.What Is a “Perimenopause Test”?Perimenopause is a clinical diagnosis, which means a doctor identifies it based on your symptoms, age, health history, and overall hormone patterns.Blood tests don’t accurately indicate perimenopause because estrogen and progesterone can be sky-high one day (or even one hour) and sink the next. A blood test will reflect your hormone levels only in the moment, which makes it unreliable as a diagnostic tool.Instead, doctors diagnose perimenopause by looking at the full picture of current symptoms and long-term health history, including:Symptoms: Hot flashes, brain fog, disrupted sleep, fatigue, weight or body composition changes, thinning hair, vaginal dryness, skin changes, headaches, urinary tract infections, mood changes, and irregular periods.Age: Perimenopause is unlikely at 25, but common in women in their 40s and 50s.Reproductive hormone patterns over time: Bloodwork can evaluate your levels of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) based on where you are in your menstrual cycle. For example, low progesterone late in the cycle may suggest that you’re not ovulating consistently, which is a sign of perimenopause.Menstrual and reproductive history: An erratic monthly hormone cycle leads to inconsistent menstruation as you age, with heavy bleeding (including flash periods), as well as lighter or more unpredictable spotting. You might compare the menopause transition to a roller coaster: Your reproductive years are the kiddie ride, when your hormone levels are predictable and steady. Perimenopause is the wild one, full of drops, loops, and sudden turns. Menopause is when the track finally levels out. So, if your always-regular cycle has been all over the place, that’s important for your provider to know because it’s a telltale sign of the ups and downs typical in perimenopause.Other biomarkers: Conditions like iron deficiency and thyroid disorders can mimic perimenopause symptoms, and won’t be identified by hormone testing alone.Understanding Hormone Test ResultsWhen you look at lab results for your hormones, it’s important to know what “normal” actually means:Normal ranges are statistical averages drawn from large populations.Abnormal results don’t automatically mean menopause.Perimenopause symptoms can happen even when you fall within “normal ranges,” because they’re designed to spot extreme abnormalities, not to reflect how you feel or whether your hormones are changing.What does matter are patterns seen across multiple blood tests. Doctors might see trends such as whether ovulation is becoming inconsistent, estrogen is swinging more dramatically, or levels are trending downward altogether. Those trends — when considered alongside your symptoms, cycle changes, age, and overall health — can help doctors distinguish between early perimenopause, later transition stages, and other conditions that may require a different approach.Why Comprehensive Lab Testing is Important in PerimenopauseYou don’t need bloodwork to diagnose perimenopause but skipping it means missing critical information about your health during a period of rapid change.Perimenopause is a turning point in your health. As hormones fluctuate and gradually decline, they influence far more than your menstrual cycle. Metabolism, heart risk, bone density, mood, sleep, and energy regulation all begin to shift, often before problems appear on the surface.Comprehensive labs offer a baseline snapshot of your overall health, helping your doctor tell the difference between perimenopause and other conditions with similar symptoms, identify future health risks early, and make more informed decisions about treatment and prevention. Hone Health Rule out conditions with symptoms that mimic perimenopausePerimenopause isn’t the only condition that can cause symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, or mood changes. Lab testing helps uncover what’s actually driving symptoms, so treatable conditions aren’t missed or brushed off as “just menopause.”Common perimenopause “lookalikes” and their symptoms include:Thyroid dysfunction. Both over- and underactive thyroid can cause fatigue, hair loss, increased irritability, cold intolerance, and skin changes. Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can also cause weight gain.Iron-deficiency anemia. Low iron tends to cause fatigue, hair loss, cold intolerance, brittle nails, headaches, and poor sleep.Low testosterone. For both women and men, low levels of testosterone cause fatigue, weight gain, low libido, brain fog, and poor mood.Uterine fibroids. Uterine fibroids cause heavy periods, bleeding between periods, low iron, pain during sex, and frequent urination.Endometriosis. This chronic disease causes pain during sex, heavy periods, and bleeding between periods.Depression or anxiety. Mood disorders are known to cause low energy, irritability, sadness, poor sleep, and brain fog or difficulty concentrating.Kidney dysfunction. Kidney trouble can trigger poor sleep, dry skin, low energy, difficulty concentrating, and frequent urination. Hone Health Get relief from symptomsOnce testing reveals what’s contributing to your symptoms, your treatment can be more targeted and more effective.If you’re in perimenopause, hormone replacement therapy (HRT, also called menopause hormone therapy or MHT) is one of the most effective tools for easing the disruptive symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. HRT may include estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, or a combination, carefully selected to match your symptoms, health history, and goals.In the short term, HRT can be life-changing. It often improves sleep, stabilizes mood, restores energy, and significantly reduces hot flashes and night sweats. Many women also notice improvements in brain fog, joint pain, vaginal dryness, and overall quality of life.More importantly, when started at the right time and tailored to your individual needs, hormone therapy can offer meaningful long-term protection from chronic, life-threatening conditions, supporting bone density, preserving muscle, and reducing risk factors for cardiovascular disease.If testing reveals other issues, such as a thyroid disorder, thyroid medication will help resolve symptoms, which can include fatigue, weight gain, constipation, dry skin, depression, and poor memory for hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone).Catch other health risks earlyYour body is full of estrogen receptors, so when levels decline, other systems are impacted. Women in perimenopause often experience changes in cholesterol levels, insulin sensitivity, body composition, iron status, and inflammatory markers. Thyroid function may shift, and metabolic risk can quietly increase even before symptoms show up.Comprehensive blood testing is an early warning system. It helps doctors spot changes in heart or metabolism — and intervene with lifestyle changes, medication, or close monitoring.This story was produced by Hone Health and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Child care TANF grant bill tabled by state Senate An early education teacher participates in a coloring activity with children at Merrimack Valley Day Care in Concord on April 3. The New Hampshire Senate voted to table a bill that would seek funding for the child care workforce grant program. (Photo by Maya Mitchell/ New Hampshire Bulletin)Amid budget concerns and debates over the validity of guidance from the federal government, the New Hampshire Senate voted Thursday to table a bill that would have state officials seek additional clarification about federal funding for the child care workforce grant. House Bill 1566 would direct the state Department of Health and Human Services to “seek clarification” from the federal government again about the use of the state’s surplus Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, funds for the child care workforce grant program. It would also ask the department to request a waiver to use the funds, as it was determined to be a “prohibited use.” In the biennial budget, the Legislature appropriated $15 million of the state’s reserve TANF funds to pay for a workforce grant program aimed at improving New Hampshire’s child care capacity and availability issues. The recruitment and retention workforce program would provide programs with funding to cover current and future employees’ sign-on bonuses, health savings accounts, child care tuition discounts, and more. However, issues with the funding source arose after the federal government denied the use of TANF funds in October, stating that using TANF funds for child care recruitment and retention did not fall under the statutory uses of the TANF program. Since then, legislators have continued to attempt to fund the program with TANF dollars rather than state general funds, as the budget was written to use state funds if the federal government said no. The program started in 2023 with state general funds, but was funded in the budget with TANF funds amid statewide budget cuts. The bill’s committee recommendation was to send the bill to interim study — a motion that sends a bill to be studied further but kills the bill if it occurs in the second legislative year. It was placed on the consent calendar, a group of bills considered noncontroversial and acted upon in a single vote, but Democratic Sens. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka of Portsmouth and Suzanne Prentiss of Lebanon voted to remove it. Sen. David Rochefort, a Littleton Republican and chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, said that after hearing testimony on the bill, Republicans on the committee expected the request to be denied by the federal government again and voted to send the bill to interim study. Senate Democrats, including Cindy Rosenwald of Nashua, argued to the committee that the bill is “pro-business, pro-family, [and] pro women’s financial security” because it would help address child care workforce issues and prevent parents, mostly women, from leaving the workforce. Prentiss said the bill is a “thoughtful step forward” without requiring the state to pay for it. Rochefort then motioned to table the bill, which was voted ought to pass in a voice vote along party lines. Courtesy of New Hampshire Bulletin
	Safely dispose of medications at National Prescription Drug Take Back Day People nationwide can safely dispose of unused or expired medication as part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day provides a safe, convenient and anonymous way to dispose of unused or expired medications while raising awareness about the risks [...]
	Missouri sets sights on establishing licensed cannabis research While the 2022 constitutional amendment allowed for research licenses, Missouri must pass administrative rules to get them off the ground. (Getty Images).Missouri is preparing to open up an unlimited number of licenses to allow for marijuana research in the state. The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation has filed proposed rules with the Secretary of State that describe what a research licensee would be authorized to do and outlines the application requirements and process for a marijuana research license. “Ultimately, it’s just exciting to make progress on marijuana research because we know that that’s been historically difficult,” said Rieka Yu, policy director for the division, which is housed within the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. The proposed rules will be published in the May 1 issue of the Missouri Register on the Secretary of State’s website, and the public will be able to provide feedback until May 31. When voters approved recreational marijuana in 2022, the constitutional amendment allowed the state to establish licenses to “facilitate scientific research or education.” The language leaves the door open for many research possibilities, said Amy Moore, the division’s director. “We’re all very interested in any research on cannabis and safety or its impact on the human body,” Moore said. “Certainly as a public health agency, we’re interested in health research, but it’s not limited to that. So it’ll be interesting to see what people want to propose once we get this established.” Yu is also interested in research on cultivation. New York passed marijuana rules to allow for research in 2023, and the state has approved studies to look at things like how to protect plants from viruses and how different light impacts plant growth. While the 2022 constitutional amendment allowed for research licenses, Missouri must pass administrative rules to get them off the ground. That process began in August, when the division published a draft of the rules, along with a host of others, asking for informal public feedback. Starting in May, the division will ask for another round of public feedback, in order to file the final version of rules for formal rulemaking this summer. From there, it will take about eight months to get through a legislative review and final publication of the rules. A national study last year found that 17 out of 38 states that have passed either medical or adult-use laws have legislation outlining a funding mechanism for cannabis research. Missouri is not among them. Of the 17 states that have legislation directing funding to research, the study found that 12 have allocated funding. Moore said the division had the option of creating limits or priorities in subject matter for the research studies, but without funding, it may be challenging to attract interest in the licenses. “Letting people decide right now seems advisable, since we’re just not seeing a lot of uptake in other states,” Moore said. “There’s just a lot of challenges still to getting this done.” Courtesy of Missouri Independent
	Federal waiver to provide Medicaid for a year to Kentuckians exiting incarceration Gov. Andy Beshear at the 2026 Fairness Rally on Feb. 25, 2026. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Sarah Ladd)Kentuckians leaving incarceration will be covered by Medicaid for one year and receive one month’s supply of any medications prescribed to them while in state custody under a federal waiver. Gov. Andy Beshear made the announcement Monday, saying “providing services like health care to adults and juveniles who have paid their debt to society will help reduce recidivism, decrease overdose deaths, boost our workforce and make our commonwealth safer.” The waiver was approved in 2024. Beth Fisher, the deputy communications director for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, said “full implementation took time” since “the program involves multiple agencies working across complex systems, Medicaid eligibility changes, and technology alignments among correctional institutions.” According to Fisher, incarcerated Kentuckians can get pre-release screenings starting 60 days before their scheduled release. The 1115 Reentry Program waiver doesn’t have enrollment caps, according to Fisher, and is meant to help people who would have qualified for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program, which is a federal-state program serving people in the middle of Medicaid eligibility and being able to afford private insurance. According to Morgan Hall, the communications director for the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, Kentucky has 12,000 adults in state prisons and “nearly” 90 juveniles in a Youth Development Center. “While not all these individuals will qualify for Medicaid 60 days prior to release, the majority may, and the 1115 waiver will be another tool for successful reentry and reduction of the state’s recidivism rate,” Hall said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Courtesy of Kentucky Lantern
	New Mexico Primary 2026: New Mexico House of Representatives, District 27 (Democrats) Albuquerque Meadows Mobile Home Park is in House District 27. Both Democratic candidates in the upcoming primary say the state needs to enact additional protections for mobile home park tenants. (Patrick Lohmann/Source NM)Even in the heart of New Mexico’s biggest city, elderly residents wait too long for health care, and mobile home park tenants live constantly on the cusp of eviction, according to two Democratic candidates vying in the June 2 primary to represent New Mexico House of Representatives District 27. The district encompasses much of Albuquerque’s Northeast Heights, running east of Interstate 25 and south of Paseo Del Norte. Of the roughly 23,000 registered voters who live within the 6.5-square-mile district, 40% are Democrats, 34% are Republicans and 27% are “other.”SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Incumbent state Rep. Marian Matthews is seeking to keep her seat against opponent Abby Foster. Source NM posed several questions to both candidates about their races. Their answers below have been edited for clarity and concision. District 27 is the only New Mexico House race to feature both a Republican and Democratic primary. Whoever wins the Democratic primary will face either Jahnelle Louise Garcia or Robert Godshall, both Republicans competing in that party’s primary, in the November general election. (Source NM will publish a profile of that primary in the coming days) Abby Foster Abby Foster says health care access is a major issue in House District 27. (Courtesy Abby Foster) Abby Foster is a married mother of two kids, ages 6 and 8, who attend a public school in District 27. She is also a lawyer, representing adults with disabilities in guardianship proceedings, and has worked as a City of Albuquerque attorney. “I am running for this seat because I have little kids, and I want New Mexico to be a state where families can thrive,” she said. What is the most important issue facing HD27? We don’t have enough health care providers. It’s taking way too long for folks to get an appointment with their primary care doctor, let alone a specialist. And this is in Albuquerque. This isn’t in rural New Mexico counties, where the healthcare shortage is even worse. Housing is way too expensive. It’s pretty expensive in this district. It makes it hard for working families to afford housing or, if you can get an apartment, it makes it hard to save to buy a house, because the rent is so expensive. And in this district, there are a fair amount of seniors who are getting priced out of their housing. We have these mobile home parks, where the landlords are raising the rent on the land that the mobile home sits on, and pricing people out of their own mobile homes that they own. What is the most important issue facing New Mexico? I don’t think there’s one. I think there’s, like, three to five intersecting ones that all matter a lot. If we had more housing stock that was more affordable, then we’d also have an easier time recruiting professionals of all types. We talk about the health care shortage. And there are a lot of aspects to that, and part of it is that doctors graduate with a whole lot of debt, and we don’t pay doctors enough in New Mexico to pay down their student loans, and the housing is too expensive for how much they have in the bank. So, you know, it just doesn’t make sense, and that’s a significant part of why they don’t come here. If elected, what bill would you first introduce? There are several bills I’d love to sponsor. Mostly bills that my opponent voted against or was absent for. If I had to pick just one, it would be something health care-related, like requiring managed care plans to fully cover health services for New Mexico Medicaid patients without limitations. What is your top choice for committee service? House Judiciary, because I’m an attorney, and we need more people doing close reading of how the bills are actually written. I think we need more legislators who are going to get in the weeds, and that’s where I spend a lot of my time. What is your strongest skill that makes you the best candidate for the race? Close listening. Close reading. Do you support paying state lawmakers, and would you accept a salary? If we want a Legislature that is representative of New Mexico, we have to pay them. And I also believe that when we don’t pay the Legislature, then we get legislators who treat it like a hobby, and we have real challenges in this state. We need a Legislature that treats their work like the job that it is. Marian Matthews State Rep. Marian Matthews says she’d reintroduce a host of interstate medical compact bills if re-elected. (Photo courtesy NM Legislature) Marian Matthews, a retired lawyer and educator, has represented District 27 since 2020. She describes herself as a “big tent Democrat” who deserves to stay as state representative because of her proven track record of devising “solutions that actually work” with the help of fellow lawmakers, regardless of party. “I think there’s a tendency in certain parts of the party: ‘There’s only one way to think. We’ve got to do it this way or you’re not a real Democrat,’” she said. “Well, this is nonsense… To develop good law, to develop solutions to serious problems, it’s not one way or the highway.” What is the most important issue facing HD27? Healthcare. In District 27, we have a lot of older people, and when they’re not able to see doctors or other health care providers, for some of them, it’s like a death sentence. We started down the right path in the 30-day session. The change in [medical malpractice], HB 99 I think, was critical, but we got to put the system back together. We have several manufactured housing parks in the district, and these kinds of housing alternatives often don’t have some of the same either legal or market conditions that stabilize the pricing. With mobile homes, the landlord can increase the rent, and it’s not unusual for tenants to face three or maybe even more rent increases in a year. And again, a lot of these parks have a number of residents who are older and living on Social Security. What is the most important issue facing New Mexico? Water. I mean, this is becoming perilous in the last few years, with climate warming, with lack of rainfall. I have several ideas about what we should be doing. First thing: Albuquerque, back in — I think it was the early 2000s — we imposed a whole series of water conservation measures, which reduced the per person use of water in our city by like 30%. So there’s a number of things like that that we could implement across the state. We need to be mapping and refilling our aquifers. We need to continue the research as to what use we could make of brackish water. We need to think about so-called produced water, which is water that comes from oil and gas drilling. We just have to get serious about this, and we have to consider it as everybody’s obligation to do something to reduce water use. If elected, what bill would you first introduce? I’m going to go back to the compacts. What is your top choice for committee service? I’d like to stay on the [House Agriculture, Acequias and] Water Resources, because I’m very interested in water issues, and I’d like to stay on Commerce and Economic Development. I think it’s a great place to be innovative, but it’s also a great place to be practical. What is your strongest skill that makes you the best candidate for the race? I’m always willing to sit down, with bills that I’m working on, with people who are critical of them, and say, ‘help me make it better.’ Let’s figure out how we solve a problem. And I have done enough different things in my life, I have some ability to be able to hopefully perceive how something’s actually going to function. Do you support paying state lawmakers, and would you accept a salary? It’s a job. It’s hard work, and it should be compensated. I work as hard at this job as I had at any job I’ve ever had. And, yeah, I would take the money. Courtesy of Source New Mexico
	Forget ‘flying is statistically safe.’ Therapists have better advice for travel anxiety right now Forget ‘flying is statistically safe.’ Therapists have better advice for travel anxiety right nowTravel usually has a baseline level of stress baked in. But between ongoing labor shortages, shifting security protocols, and lingering questions about what, exactly, to expect at the airport, your travel anxiety might be at an all-time high these days.To add insult to injury, the usual advice on how to deal with all that anxiety is probably falling flat. Knowing that flying is statistically safe, for example, doesn’t always cancel out the feeling you get when you see another tragic crash in the news or find yourself googling, “Is ICE still in airports?” And at a time of seemingly perpetual budget cuts and government shutdowns, there are still plenty of uncertainties around what changes to expect in the future, too.So what does it look like to get where you need to go—without feeling like you’re gaslighting yourself about your concerns? Below, Thriveworks asked therapists how to tackle flight anxiety, from preparing for the chaos to staying cool on your journey.First, know what you're actually dealing withTravel anxiety is a broad term for the stress that can come with traveling—anything from mild nerves about the journey to intense worry about what could go wrong. It’s not an official diagnosis, but it can overlap with conditions like generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, OCD, or specific phobias.Think of travel anxiety as existing on a spectrum. Most people can expect to feel at least a little anxious when traveling, even during the best of times. “Our brain is designed to find safety in predictability and structure,” says Blaine Stephens, a licensed professional counselor at Thriveworks. Traveling, by nature, lacks that comforting stability. “It means a break in your regular routine, going to new places, and a lot of factors you can’t control, like heavy traffic and long lines—all things that add additional stress and trigger a fear response,” he points out.On the more extreme end of the spectrum would be a fear of flying, or aviophobia, which fits under the diagnosis of specific phobia. To be diagnosed with a specific phobia in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), the fear of flying would need to be persistent (at least six months or more), excessive, and cause clinically significant distress and avoidance.Traveling can also exacerbate other anxiety conditions. If you have generalized anxiety disorder, for example, you might be more likely to catastrophize, jumping quickly from “wait times are longer than usual” to “I’m going to miss my flight and my whole trip is going to be ruined.” Similarly, feeling stuck in a packed security line or cramped plane cabin could trigger symptoms of panic disorder. And crowded airports, shared surfaces, and long flights might ramp up contamination fears for people with OCD.“Travel has the potential to activate pretty much every bad part of anxiety,” says Hallie Kritsas, a licensed mental health counselor at Thriveworks. Mentally, that might mean looping thoughts keeping you up at night or analysis paralysis about whether to cancel. It might even shape your behavior, driving you to refresh your airline app a million times or make a contingency plan for every worst-case scenario. And then there’s the physical side: a tightness in your chest, stress-induced stomach issues in the security line, or that jittery, on-edge feeling in the days leading up to your trip.Why travel anxiety feels different right nowKritsas says she noticed an uptick in travel anxiety in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. And while there have been lulls and spikes tied to certain events, it’s remained a steady concern in the years since. So why is it feeling extra heavy lately?Even though there hasn’t actually been a notable spike in aviation accidents over the past couple of years, doomscrolling on social media can lead to an availability bias that makes these tragedies seem more common. “We usually only hear when something scary is happening, not when things are going fine,” Stephens says. But it’s hard not to mentally connect these devastating events to recent headlines about air traffic controller shortages. There’s also the presence of ICE agents at airports, which may or may not continue now that TSA officers have started receiving pay again.All that uncertainty is a big driver of anxiety right now, Stephens says. Trip-planning stress isn’t about crowded terminals and bad weather. It suddenly involves fielding a whole slew of questions like: Do I really need to get to the airport five hours before my flight? Could budget cuts make flying more dangerous? What about the literal war?And for some travelers, like immigrants or other targeted groups, the recent travel uncertainties come with very real practical concerns, too.So if traveling feels more nightmarish than usual, it’s not all in your head. But it’s also easy to spiral and make things feel even worse than they are. “Facts and fear get fused together,” says Stephens. “Once that happens, people start to react not just to the situation, but everything that their mind adds on top of it.”How to manage travel anxiety right nowDealing with travel anxiety symptoms really depends on what you’re anxious about and how those concerns show up for you. But generally, experts agree it’s worth preparing for the anxiety, doing what you can to mitigate it, and planning a few coping mechanisms for if and when the going gets tough.1. Name what you’re anxious about.Stephens and Kritsas both emphasize starting with validation: Travel is less predictable right now, and it makes sense that you’re anxious. Not only can putting those feelings into words take some of the edge off, but it also gives your brain something concrete to work with instead of a vague sense of dread. That’s essential for addressing both your concerns and the anxiety surrounding them.So take a quick mental inventory: Are you rattled by headlines about air traffic control shortages and wondering how they impact flight safety? Uneasy about the possibility of delays or cancellations? Unsure about what you might encounter at the airport in terms of security or ICE presence?Pay attention to whether you veer into predictions and absolutes like “My trip is ruined” or “Everything is going to go wrong.”“We want to acknowledge the facts without surrendering to the spiral,” Stephens says.2. Separate what you can and can’t control.Once you’ve named what’s actually driving your anxiety, look for small, practical opportunities to lessen the stress, even just a little. Or, as Kritsas says: “Control the controllables.” One helpful way to do this is to take a sheet of paper and draw a circle in the middle, then write things that are within your control inside the circle, and everything you can’t control outside of the circle.For instance, you can’t control how long security will take, but you can map out your route to the airport and decide how early you want to leave based on the information available. You can’t predict whether ICE agents will be present, but if that’s a concern, you can look up your rights, keep your documents organized and easy to access, and loop in a friend who knows your travel plans. You don’t know whether you’ll hit turbulence, but you can download your comfort shows and make sure your devices are charged. You can’t control whether you’ll get sick on the flight, but you can pack a mask, hand sanitizer, and water.“These are all steps we can take to feel safer and keep us in the present moment, versus letting the anxiety fester,” Kritsas explains. And if you run through your list of anxieties and there’s no clear action to take, that’s useful information, too. It usually means the next step is tending to the anxiety itself.3. Make contingency plans within reason.Our brains love to feel prepared. And while it’s not useful to strategize for every worst-case scenario, crafting a backup plan can be a productive use of our anxiety. “Just don’t have 300 plans for 300 different variables,” Stephens says. “The reality is, 299 of those outcomes aren’t going to happen, and that will be a lot of time and energy wasted on rehearsing for catastrophe.”So how do you narrow it down? Stephens recommends focusing on probability over possibility: “Ask yourself, ‘What is most likely? And if something does go sideways, how will I handle it?’” For example, delays and cancellations do happen, so it might help to familiarize yourself with your airline’s policy. That way, you’ll know whether they’ll put you up in a hotel or if you’ll have to coordinate it yourself.Or consider focusing on a mental game plan instead, especially if you’re anxious about a lot at once. That can be as simple as, “If I start spiraling, I’m going to concentrate on my breathing and ask myself what I can control,” Stephens says.4. Practice a few grounding techniques ahead of time.Grounding tools are great for calming both chaotic thoughts and physical symptoms. But a piece people often miss is the importance of familiarizing yourself with them before you need them. “People often wait until they feel overwhelmed to start engaging with coping tools,” Stephens says. “But that’s kind of like trying to learn how to swim by dropping someone in the middle of the ocean.”There are lots of techniques to choose from, and ideally, you’ll build up a menu of ones that work for you over time. But here are a few classics to have in your back pocket in case of, say, a long security line or a bumpy landing:Reactive imagery: If you find yourself ruminating on worst-case scenarios or jumping ten steps ahead, Stephens recommends picturing a stop sign in your mind—or whatever signals to you, “Nope! We’re not going down this road right now.” Then reorient yourself to the present moment. What are you doing? What’s within your control?Breathing exercises: This doesn’t have to be anything fancy. An easy one to remember is just exhaling longer than you inhale (like inhaling for four seconds and exhaling for six seconds). “That signals to the brain that you’re in a physically safe space,” Stephens says.Somatic check-in: Anxiety shows up in the body in a lot of ways, so do a quick scan to see if there’s any physical tension you can release. Is your jaw clenched? Shoulders bunched up? “When we interrupt that, it’s another demonstration to our brains that we’re OK in this moment,” Stephens says.Sensory distractions: Kritsas always listens to music and chews on sour gummy candy to drown out the sounds of takeoff and landing. You might prefer a fidget spinner, a soft blanket, or an engrossing video. “Whatever works to get your mind off the anxiety a bit,” she says.5. Make sure you’re eating, sleeping, and hydrating well.This might seem inconsequential when you’re spiraling about air traffic safety, but hear us out: Staying on top of your physical needs is another way to increase your capacity for dealing with the stressors to come, Stephens points out.The logistics of traveling don’t exactly make this easy but, again, focus on what you can control: Don’t stay up late before an early flight with hopes that you’ll just sleep on the plane. Eat before you leave, even if it’s early. If you have a long travel day, plan when and where you’ll grab a real meal. Pack snacks that hold you over and set a reminder to fill your water bottle after security. Maybe skip the second cold brew that usually does a number on your nerves and your stomach.And if you find your anxiety ramped up, do a check-in: When was the last time you ate or drank, anyway? Even if you can’t address the need right away, it helps to know your hunger and thirst are partly to blame for how you’re feeling, Stephens says.6. Give yourself a pep talk before you go.Just like it was necessary to acknowledge your travel anxiety, it’s equally important to accept it. “A lot of people mistake anxiety for a sign that something is wrong,” Stephens says. But expecting it to show up—and not panicking when it does—is another way to feel more in control during unpredictable times. “There’s power in saying, ‘Yes, I’m going to feel anxious today, but I’m going to handle it,’” he explains.You can make this more concrete with a quick pep talk, journal entry, or even a slip of paper in your wallet. Try a statement like:It’s normal to feel anxious; I’ll get through it.I may feel stressed, but that doesn’t mean I’m in danger.I’ve prepared the best I can, and I’ll take things one step at a time.I don’t have to be completely calm to function.I’m capable of getting through this, even if it’s uncomfortable.7. And, seriously, try to limit doomscrolling before your trip.Your algorithm probably knows you have a trip coming up and is feeding you more travel content—including attention-grabbing videos of chaos that may or may not represent current conditions.Of course, going fully offline leading up to your trip isn’t realistic when you need your phone for boarding passes, updates, and directions. Instead, Kritsas suggests setting a few guardrails: Check TSA updates at specific times instead of constantly refreshing. Turn on airline notifications so you get updates when you need them. Set time limits on social media (or block certain accounts or apps entirely), and maybe skip the in-flight Wi-Fi.Is canceling your trip ever the right move?It’s tempting to treat this like a character test: pushing through is strong, and canceling is letting the anxiety win. But that framing doesn’t help much. What matters more, Stephens says, is why you’re making the call.On the one hand, there is unhelpful avoidance, which usually comes from a place of needing immediate relief. No trip, no anxiety, yay! It feels good at first, but over time, this can teach your brain “that the anxiety itself was a danger signal that has to be obeyed, which can become a self-defeating pattern,” Stephens explains.On the other hand, there are times when canceling can be the healthier or more practical choice to make. Maybe there’s been a real change in itinerary that meaningfully altered your personal risk, or the cost or purpose of your trip. Or it makes you so anxious that you feel genuinely impaired—as in, too dysregulated for the trip to make sense. “It’s OK to say, ‘This isn’t the best thing for me right now,’” Stephens says.Not sure where on the spectrum you are? Stephens suggests giving yourself a little time for your anxiety to calm down. “If canceling feels like the right call after your nervous system regulates, that’s a good sign your decision is coming from discernment rather than avoidance,” he says.When a professional might be able to help with your travel anxietyIf travel anxiety is starting to run the show, it may be worth getting support. “It crosses into something more concerning when it starts shaping your behavior, limiting your choices, or causing significant distress,” Stephens says. That can look like skipping trips, missing important life events, or excessive checking and reassurance-seeking behaviors. “The coping starts to feel compulsive.”At that point, therapy can be a great way to manage your travel anxiety. The right approach will depend on how it shows up: a specific fear of flying might be addressed with exposure-based therapy, while general anxiety or panic may respond to cognitive behavioral therapy.More broadly, therapy is a place to build skills you can use in any high-stress situation—which, lately, aren’t in short supply. Over time, that means a stronger sense of what you can control, what you can’t, and how to stay grounded either way.A psychiatric provider can also help you determine if anxiety medications might be a fit.This story was produced by Thriveworks and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	UnityPoint Health to lay off 207 in IT, unclear if Quad-Cities jobs are affected The layoffs affect 207 people in IT across UnityPoint Health systems. It is unclear if any of these are Quad-Cities jobs.
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	Warren County Courthouse closed Apr. 16 after structural concerns prompt inspection The Warren County Courthouse is closed April 15-16 after structural concerns prompted an inspection. The building was constructed in 1894
	More work on Central Avenue, Bettendorf, starts next week There’s more work on the Central Avenue Resurfacing Project coming next week, according to a news release from the city. Work moves eastward on Central Avenue, starting Monday, April 20, as Iowa American Water continues the first part of the Central Avenue Resurfacing Project. This part involves replacing the water main in some spots from [...]
	Bank errors: Types and how to fix them Bank errors: Types and how to fix them“Bank error in your favor” is a good community card to pull in Monopoly, but hearing that your real bank made an error will probably cause your heart rate to spike. But what type of bank errors do you need to be on the look out for, how do you resolve them, and are there times when they are actually in your favor?Finder.com shares the most common bank errors and how to fix them.9 common bank errorsThere can be any number of bank errors, which can happen from human error, faulty security systems or just bad actors. Some of the most common banking mistakes include:Data leaks due to faulty security systemsHuman data entry errorsDouble-charging feesWrongfully charging overdraft or late feesLost cash and/or depositsIllegally not disclosing fees or APR on agreementsWrongfully repossessing vehicles or homesMisapplying loan paymentsOpening accounts without consumer consentWhat can you do about a bank error?For typical errors, such as a double debit or an incorrect deposit amount, the process is pretty simple.For example, let’s say you deposited a check for $1,000, but only $100 cleared. To get this sorted, there are three basic steps to follow:Gather proof. Your bank statements will list transactions, deposits and withdrawals, so first you need the deposit date and the transaction number to show the financial institution. If you still have the check (which is recommended until the amount clears), then you have proof that the deposited amount was incorrect.Contact your bank. Most banks and credit unions have multiple ways to contact them. Visiting a branch or emailing may be easier when you need to provide proof of a bank error, but you may be able to resolve the issue over the phone.Get the error fixed. In general, errors like wrongfully deposited amounts or electronic transfer issues are typically corrected within 10 business days. For more complex errors, it may take up to 45 days to resolve.Do banks owe me money after an error?Sometimes, yes, you may be owed something if there’s a major error on the bank’s part.In cases of wrongly deposited amounts, the bank should send you the amount you should have received within 10 days (in most cases), but usually no extra compensation. Other smaller issues like double charges should also be resolved quickly, with a simple refund.However, in more extreme cases, such as errors that impacted thousands of customers like a data breach, an investigation will likely occur. If it’s found that the financial institution was widely mismanaging accounts or breaking laws that caused the bank errors, a class action lawsuit may follow. If the lawsuit goes through, the financial institution may agree or be required to pay a settlement and/or redress for the mistake.Here are some examples of lawsuits from bank errors, and how they were resolved.Wells Fargo: Mismanagement of accounts (2022)In 2022, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) ordered Wells Fargo to pay $3.7 billion after mismanagement of auto loans, mortgages and deposit accounts was found to have negatively impacted over 16 million consumers.The bank was required to pay $2 billion (of the $3.7 billion) in redress to consumers, since customers were being illegally charged fees and interest charges on loans and mortgages, as well as having their cards wrongfully repossessed and mortgage payments misapplied.LastPass: Data breach (2022)While not technically a bank, this error trickled down into money errors. LastPass is a password management service, and it experienced a data breach in 2022. A class action lawsuit was filed, since it was found that LastPass failed to prevent an unauthorized person from stealing source code and information, which was then used to steal consumer information.LastPass agreed to an $8.2 million settlement, and those who submit their claim form with proof of losses tied to the 2022 data breach can claim a one-time payment of up to $300.Patelco Credit Union: Cybersecurity issues (2024)Patelco Credit Union is a credit union in California, and in 2024, it experienced a data breach that was allegedly caused by a lack of cybersecurity measures. While the credit union didn’t admit to any wrongdoing, it agreed to pay a $7.5 million settlement to resolve the class action lawsuit.Consumers who provide documentation of losses from the 2024 breach can claim up to $5,000 in reimbursement. Those who did not incur losses from the breach can still claim between $100 and $200, depending on how many class members submit claims.What if a bank error takes a long time to fix?In cases where there’s a deposit error that takes longer than 10 days to fix, there is a regulation meant to help you while the financial institution investigates: provisional credit.A provisional credit is a temporary deposit in your account from your financial institution that you can use while they investigate a disputed transaction or error. The provisional credit should be the exact amount you are disputing.Using our previous example of a $1,000 check that only deposited $100, let’s say you dispute the transaction and it takes your bank longer than 10 days to investigate. The bank should give you a provisional credit of $900 (the missing amount) to tide you over. If the bank error was found to be an actual error, you keep the provisional credit. If the error was found not to be an actual error, the financial institution revokes the provisional credit.When you open a deposit account, such as a checking account, you’ll have a deposit agreement. These agreements should contain information on how to resolve bank errors, how long it will take the bank to resolve them and information about provisional credits.What if I made a bank error?Mistakes can happen to anyone. If you made a bank error, contact your bank to fix it — just like you’d contact your bank if they made an error.Sticking with our checkwriting example, let’s say you went to deposit a $1,000 check. However, the numerical amount says $1,000, and the written amount says “one hundred dollars 00/100.”According to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the CFPB, the spelled-out numbers overrule the numerical amounts on a check.So, in that example, the financial institution would be required to deposit the $100 instead of the $1,000. In cases like this, there isn’t much you can do besides get another check for the rest of the amount. The financial institution is required to follow the spelled-out words, and the error would fall on you, unfortunately.Bottom lineBank errors can happen, and they can happen frequently. Luckily, there are regulators designed to protect consumers and hold financial institutions accountable for mistakes that harm customers.The downside is that litigation for major errors, such as data breaches, can take months or even years to resolve. But no matter the error, be sure to contact your bank immediately, save your bank statements showing the error and know your rights.This story was produced by Finder and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Ayotte says state will ‘keep doing what we’re doing’ regarding Northeast Public Health Collaborative Gov. Kelly Ayotte, shown here talking to reporters on Oct. 15, said the state will stay the course regarding its relationship with the Northeast Public Health Collaborative. (Photo by William Skipworth/New Hampshire Bulletin)Gov. Kelly Ayotte said New Hampshire will continue to be involved with the Northeast Public Health Collaborative but will not formally join the group. Her comments Wednesday come weeks after a Bulletin investigation revealed New Hampshire officials had been privately meeting with the collaborative and the state was, behind the scenes, a full-fledged member. At the same time, officials were carefully crafting messaging to appear uninvolved. In September, health departments from 10 Northeastern U.S. states and New York City came together to form the Northeast Public Health Collaborative. New Hampshire was the only state in the region not to publicly join. The health bloc was established in response to major changes and reductions under President Donald Trump and Health Secretary Robert Kennedy. Mass layoffs and budget cuts within federal public health agencies and Kennedy’s elevation of vaccine skeptics and the rejection of major medical organizations’ guidance made the group necessary, health officials say. Massachusetts Health Commissioner Dr. Robert Goldstein, a leading figure in the group’s formation, told the Bulletin in September the collaborative was created to “backfill if parts of CDC start to fail and augment where CDC maybe wasn’t doing a good job in the first place.” At the time, he said the collaborative was “actively communicating” with New Hampshire officials about the initiative and “having real conversations” with multiple “red states.” He said those red states “appreciate what we’re doing and lean on what we’re doing, and also, they can’t politically be the ones who are publicly coming out with the guidance.” New Hampshire is the only state in the Northeast with a Republican trifecta — House, Senate, and governor — in power. The extent of the group’s communications with New Hampshire was previously unknown. However, the Bulletin obtained and, in late March, published a series of emails and documentation showing that New Hampshire officials were deeply involved in the collaborative, attending meetings and brainstorming ideas, and that their peers considered them a full member. On Wednesday, Ayotte told reporters that “we’re going to keep doing what we’re doing.” She described the state’s backroom involvement as “pretty typical” and “pretty traditional.” “We communicate when it comes to issues of public health all the time with our neighbors,” she continued. “And I have a lot of confidence in Dr. Chan (the state epidemiologist) and his team and all those that work at Public Health on their recommendations in terms of how we protect the people of New Hampshire and enhance our public health. But it’s really common for us to communicate with our neighbors, because when you have a public health issue, especially if you have a disease that can spread, or something like that, you have to know what’s happening.” Asked what went into the decision to not join publicly and to keep communications in backdoor channels only, Ayotte said: “Health and Human Services runs the public health area. Again, we’re always going to communicate openly, but New Hampshire is going to take its own positions based on what we think is best for the people of the state. We’ll continue to do that, but we’re also going to continue to communicate and implement best practices, and I can tell you how I make my conclusions. It’s based on what Dr. Chan, his team, and Public Health recommends to me.” The emails obtained by the Bulletin show New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services officials carefully crafting messaging to obscure their involvement. In September, as the state health officials were preparing to officially announce the Northeast Public Health Collaborative, New York Deputy Public Health Director Eli Rosenberg wrote in an email to New Hampshire Associate Health Commissioner Patricia Tilley: “We’ve gotten a media inquiry asking which states are participating in the Northeast Collaborative. New Hampshire was excluded from some earlier coverage of the Providence meeting, since you all didn’t attend, but obviously we think you’re valued members at whichever level of participation is feasible. Are you comfortable if we name that New Hampshire is participating?” Tilley responded, “The following is what we’ve been sharing with media when they ask about New Hampshire’s participation. Feel free to use any part of that that makes sense that highlights that we participate in information and learning with our neighbors. New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services shares expertise and collaborates with neighboring states and regional partners to ensure Granite Staters have access to accurate information and public health recommendations that best serve New Hampshire.” Later that month, as the group was putting together its first official public announcement, Rosenberg asked Tilley: “This release will name the participating jurisdictions, but not describing the degree of participation so I just wanted to clarify whether you think we should be including or excluding New Hampshire at this point?” Tilley wrote back, saying, “For now, please do not include New Hampshire,” though she said state health officials “will continue to participate on leadership calls, as we are welcome and able.” Courtesy of New Hampshire Bulletin
	RFK Jr. defends his health agenda and Trump's proposed budget cuts in hearing In his first appearance this year, the health secretary is taking questions on his record on health, including his controversial moves on vaccines.
	Iowa State to add women’s wrestling program, change up leadership Iowa State University will be adding a women’s wrestling program and moving around some of its leadership.
	Young cancer survivor breaks ground on family housing for children in treatment at Duke Hospital Harper Harrell (left) and Heather Hindin discuss their new housing project. (Photo: Greg Childress/NC Newsline) It would be an understatement to say that Harper Harrell has a smile that lights up a room — it lights up all of the outdoors. That was evident this week when the 12-year-old cancer survivor’s smile lit up her Durham backyard as she buzzed about, sharing with all comers her plans to build safe, free housing there for families with children in treatment at Duke Children’s Hospital. Harrell was treated at Duke for more than two years after being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2021 at age eight. She traveled to the hospital more than 100 times and spent more than 50 days hospitalized. During that stretch, Harrell took comfort in knowing that after chemotherapy and related medical care, home was only a short drive away. That wasn’t the case for many other patients she met at Duke. “We were able to come into our own house every single time I got out of the hospital, and not everybody had that privilege,” Harrell told NC Newsline. “We wanted to help everybody else that we possibly could feel that way.” Harper famously rang the bell signaling the end of her cancer treatment during a Duke University basketball game in February 2024. Cancer patients are generally considered cured or cancer-free if they remain in remission for five years after treatment. Harrell shared plans for the new housing during a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday that was attended by dozens of friends, donors, Duke Hospital staffers and other supporters. A photo of an artist’s rendering of the Harper’s Home project. (Photo: Greg Childress/NC Newsline) Those plans call for two duplexes and two accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to be built in the family’s extra-large backyard on Strebor Street, less than two miles from the hospital. The project will provide free housing to as many as six families when completed in 10-15 months. The first phase of construction will include two buildings serving up to three families at a time, with full kitchens, in-unit laundry, and space for families to remain together throughout treatment. Through Harper’s Home, a nonprofit founded by her mother Heather Hindin and inspired by Harper, the mother-daughter duo already provides free housing for families receiving treatment at Duke at its project in Durham’s Northgate Park neighborhood. Those rental properties are just under four miles from the hospital. To date, Harper’s Home has provided more than 300 nights of housing to families that traveled more than 40 miles for care. The nonprofit began housing families in Northgate Park in September. The new project will allow them to serve many more patients and families. And the need is growing: according to information provided by the nonprofit, more than 3,200 families traveled more than 40 miles for care at Duke Children’s Hospital in 2025, a 33% increase from the previous year. “When a child is in treatment, families need more than a place to sleep,” Hindin said.“They need to stay together, hold onto a sense of normalcy, and remain close to the care their child depends on.” Hindin said she and Harper were touched by the families they met at Duke who were struggling with the “financial and emotional strain” of finding stable housing near the hospital. “When we got through kind of the thick of things, we had been thinking about how we could help those families, and we just happened to have a big piece of property.” Low-income renters in North Carolina far outnumber affordable housing units Matthew Rougeux, vice president for general services at Duke University Hospital, was at the groundbreaking. He said Harper’s Home’s new project will provide welcome support. “We are blessed to be in an area like this, where we have world class children’s care, right here in our backyard, but that’s not true for a lot of our state. It’s not true for a lot of our country,” Rougeux said. “We rely on community partners and this is one good example of how someone turned their personal story, their own journey, into something that’s going to bless our community and our patients.” Rougeux noted that other options exist for out-of-town families traveling for care, including the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Triangle, which provides housing at three sites across the Triangle. Families are not charged to stay at Ronald McDonald House, but are asked to make donations at a suggested rate of $10 per day. According to Harper’s Home, the nonprofit has raised most of the funding needed for the first phase of the project and is working to close the remaining $275,000 of its approximately $800,000 goal. To learn more or support the project, visit www.harpershomenc.org. Courtesy of NC Newsline
	Commission of Fine Arts votes to move ahead with Trump's proposed victory arch The seven-member body, whose ranks are composed of Trump appointees, was expected to approve the arch. The proposed monument strongly resembles Paris' Arc de Triomphe, but almost 100 feet taller.
	How homeowners are turning home equity into retirement paychecks How homeowners are turning home equity into retirement paychecksFor many Americans, their biggest asset isn’t the money in their retirement accounts, but the equity in their homes. The latest data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis shows that Americans hold more than $34 trillion in real estate equity, up significantly from past decades.If you’ve paid down some or all of your mortgage, the equity in your home could add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars (or more). While it isn’t generating any income where it currently sits, there are ways to turn that equity into cash, which can be especially beneficial during retirement.In this article, Wealth Enhancement shares what you need to know.Quick answer: the 5 main ways to create retirement cash flow from home equityDownsizing or relocating could be a good option if your home is larger than you need and you want to lower your overall cost of living.A HELOC—short for home equity line of credit—allows you to tap into your home equity as needed, making it a solid option as an emergency backstop or short-term bridge.A cash-out refinance offers the shared benefit of pulling cash from your home and lowering your existing mortgage payment and/or interest rate.A reverse mortgage, specifically designed for seniors, converts your existing equity into a source of income when you’re aging in place.Renting out some or all of your home can generate ongoing income to help support your lifestyle during retirement.First, confirm your starting pointBefore you can settle on the right home equity strategy, it’s important to get clear on your numbers and figure out where you’re starting from. By skipping this step, you risk choosing the wrong tool for your goals or tapping into your equity at the wrong time.Estimate usable equity and your monthly income gapNot all of the equity in your home is necessarily usable. First, it’s important to leave a buffer in your budget for your other housing expenses, including maintenance, taxes, insurance, and surprise costs. It’s important to make sure you can add an additional home equity payment while staying under an ideal debt-to-income ratio (DTI).Additionally, lenders will set limits on how much of your home equity you can access. For example, according to the Federal Trade Commission, many lenders prefer that you not borrow more than 80% of your home equity—and that includes your current mortgage and any home equity financing combined.Set the goal for the moneyBefore you pull equity from your home in the form of cash, know exactly what your plan for it is. The right financing option will be different depending on whether you need to fill a regular monthly income gap, create backup liquidity for market downturns, or cover a one-time need, like a home remodel or an unplanned expense like a new roof or a large medical bill.Decide what matters most (stay vs. move, predictability vs. flexibility, heirs)Identifying the right home equity option requires identifying your priorities. For example, is it more important to:Stay in the home or create liquidity by moving?Create predictable cash flow or flexibility?Leave the home to your heirs or maximize your lifetime spending?As you read on, you’ll understand how these priorities will affect your choice of home equity tools.Option 1: Downsize (or relocate) and convert equity into investable assetsHow it works in retirementMany people choose to downsize or relocate during retirement. This strategy may help you convert some of your equity into investable assets and free up monthly cash flow, depending on whether you choose to buy or rent and how much you spend on your new home.Best-fit situationsDownsizing may be a good fit if your home is larger than you need for retirement. For example, if you have children who have grown and moved out, you may have unused rooms in your home that you no longer need. Downsizing is also beneficial as you age, as it can help reduce your household maintenance, which could be especially important if you plan to remain in the home long-term.Finally, consider this option if you want to lower your housing costs during retirement, including moving to a lower cost-of-living area or moving to a state with more favorable tax treatment for retirees.Watch-outsSelling your home comes with some real financial implications, including transaction costs and potential capital gains taxes. You could also face market risks if you plan to move when it’s a buyer’s market. Buying a new home presents even more financial implications, including the closing costs you’ll pay there.While renting can help reduce your home maintenance and help keep more of your largest nest egg from your home sale, you’re then at an increased risk of your housing costs rising each year.Option 2: HELOC (home equity line of credit) for flexible accessHow it works in retirementA home equity line of credit (HELOC) is a revolving line of credit. It’s similar to a credit card, but it’s secured by your home equity, just like your mortgage is. It starts with a draw period, usually 5-10 years, during which you can borrow as you need, repay, and borrow again. In the draw period, you’ll only pay interest on the portion of the HELOC you’ve actually used.Once the draw period ends, you’ll enter a repayment phase during which the balance must be paid down, usually over a period of 10-20 years.Where a HELOC can fitA HELOC can serve as a replacement for an emergency fund, allowing you to tap into it when needed to cover financial emergencies. It can also be effective as a short-term bridge.For example, you could use it as a source of cash flow while you’re waiting for your Social Security benefits or another income source. It may be especially beneficial for this purpose if the market is down and you want to avoid selling assets until the market recovers.Watch-outsHELOCs typically have variable interest rates, meaning a sharp rise in interest rates could increase the cost of your repayment. Even without an interest rate increase, there’s often a repayment shock when you move from the draw period to the repayment period, as payments switch from interest-only to principal and interest. It’s important to make sure your income down the road will be sufficient to cover it.Finally, qualifying for a HELOC can be a challenge if you’re retired and have a limited income.Option 3: Cash-out refinance: Reset the mortgage, pull equityHow it works in retirementA cash-out refinance is a loan that replaces your existing mortgage, just like any other refinance. The key feature of this type of refinance is that your new loan is larger, and you receive the difference in cash. You get the benefit of still having just one loan and one monthly payment, as well as an influx of cash to go with it.When it can make senseThe cash from a cash-out refinance can be used for nearly any purpose, including investing, covering a major expense, or simply holding as a reserve.A cash-out refinance might make sense if you can land a lower interest rate on your new loan and you plan to stay in the home long enough to recover your closing costs. Depending on your loan balance, you could end up with a lower payment, even with the cash-out component of the loan.Watch-outsA major downside of a cash-out refinance in retirement is that you’re resetting or extending your debt late in life. If you refinance to a 30-year mortgage, there’s a risk you’ll never pay it off and that your heirs will inherit the debt along with the house. Many homeowners aim to be mortgage-free in retirement, and that may not be possible if you refinance. While shorter payment terms are available, they come with higher monthly payments.Cash-out refinances also have some costs of their own. For example, you’ll pay closing costs, just like you did when you initially got your mortgage. You also face interest rate risk, especially if interest rates today are higher than when you got your existing mortgage.Important: If the interest rate you could get today is higher than your current mortgage rate, consider a HELOC or home equity line of credit instead of a cash-out refinance. You can still pull cash from your home, but without increasing your entire mortgage cost.Option 4: Reverse mortgage (HECM) for retirees who want to stay putHow it works in retirementA reverse mortgage is an option exclusively available to those ages 62 and older. As the name suggests, it works in reverse of a typical mortgage. Eligible homeowners can pull cash out of their homes without making monthly mortgage payments.Instead of you paying the mortgage lender each month, the lender pays you (either in monthly payments or a lump sum), and the balance grows over time.The loan becomes due when you sell the home, move out, or pass away. In many cases, this means your heirs will have to choose between repaying the loan balance or selling the home to pay for the loan. Keep this in mind if you’re considering this type of loan and want to leave your home to your family.The federally-insured reverse mortgage program is known as Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs for Seniors). While there are other types of reverse mortgages on the market, this is the most popular and safest.Ways retirees receive fundsReverse mortgage borrowers have several different options for how they receive their loan funds, including:Line of credit: Similar to a HELOC, you have access to a line of credit you can borrow against at any time.Monthly payments: You’ll receive a fixed monthly payment, either for a set term or until you no longer live in the home.Lump sum: Instead of receiving the money in increments, you can receive the full amount at once.Combination: You aren’t necessarily committed to just one of these options—you can use a combination, such as one smaller lump sum followed by monthly payments, or monthly payments with access to a line of credit.Borrower responsibilities (where people get hurt)While you won’t have a mortgage payment with a reverse mortgage, you’ll still have some expenses. For example, you’ll continue to owe property taxes, homeowners’ insurance, and any HOA fees you’re subject to. The home must be kept in good repair and must remain your principal residence.Failing to meet any of these obligations could trigger your loan to become payable immediately, and you could end up having to sell the home to cover the cost.Counseling requirement and consumer protectionFederal law requires homeowners to complete a session with a HUD-approved counselor before getting an HECM. This requirement protects borrowers against the complexities of these loans, ensuring they fully understand what they’re getting into.Impact on benefits and taxes (keep factual and scoped)The money from a reverse income may feel like income, but it’s considered a loan advance. The good news is this means you won’t pay income taxes on the money, and it won’t affect your eligibility for federal benefits (though any that remains in your bank account would affect Supplemental Security Income eligibility).Fraud and bad-fit warningsReverse mortgages are a legitimate financial tool, but they’re also often the target of scams against older homeowners. For example, common scams include contractors who suggest reverse mortgages to cover renovation work (which is then often inflated) or salespeople who suggest a reverse mortgage, and then convince you to invest it in another financial product, such as an annuity.If you ever feel pressured to get a reverse mortgage, use the required counseling session to discuss your concerns and critically think through your decision.Option 5: Turn the home into an income asset (renting strategies)How it works in retirementYou can turn your home into an income asset by renting out some or all of your space. This can create a recurring source of income that could provide significant cash flow in retirement, especially if you’ve already paid off your mortgage.Common approachesThere are a few key approaches to consider if you’re planning to rent out your home:If you have the space, consider renting out just one bedroom, a basement suite, or a detached ADU (short for accessory dwelling unit).If you live in a popular vacation area, consider renting out your home during part of the year while you travel or stay elsewhere. You can even do this for one-off rentals if there are big events happening in your area that draw tourists.If you’re moving, instead of selling your home, you can rent it out and use the rental income as a source of cash flow to cover your costs in your new home.Watch-outsAs a landlord, you’re responsible for screening tenants, managing your leases, and doing timely maintenance and repairs on the property. It’s also important to understand your state’s landlord-tenant laws. And that’s all on top of the emotional burden of dealing with tenants.Additionally, it’s important to educate yourself on the financial responsibilities. Your existing homeowner’s insurance policy likely won’t cover rental activity. You’ll need landlord insurance.Another financial component to renting out your home is the tax burden. Your rental income is taxable income, while your expenses are deductible. Working with a CPA or another tax professional can help ensure you’re properly filing your tax return.Comparison table: Which option fits which retirement goal? Wealth Enhancement Planning checklist: 12 questions to answer before tapping home equityBefore committing to any strategy, work through these questions, ideally with an advisor, to decide on the best fit for your situation to help with the best transition to retirement.Do I need ongoing monthly income, one-time liquidity, or a reserve I can draw on if needed?How long do I plan to stay in this home, and how might that change if my health declines?What happens if I or my spouse needs long-term care or passes away earlier than expected?How does my home equity plan affect my heirs and my estate plan?Am I trading market risk for housing risk or interest rate risk, and is that a trade I want to make?What are my total current housing costs, and how do they fit into my budget?What are the total costs of the home equity strategy I’m considering, and do they make sense for me?How does this equity strategy affect my tax situation and benefits, including Medicare premiums?Is this strategy something I can reverse or adjust if my health or financial situation changes?Does this strategy leave room for flexibility in case my income situation or interest rate changes?Do I have a power of attorney in place in case I become unable to manage the loan or property obligations myself?Does this equity strategy fit into my broader retirement plan?Tapping Your Home’s Equity for Retirement FAQsAre reverse mortgage proceeds taxable income?No. Reverse mortgage proceeds are loan advances, not income. They won’t be subject to income taxes and won’t appear on any 1099s or other tax forms.Will a reverse mortgage affect Social Security or Medicare?A reverse mortgage doesn’t count as income as it relates to Social Security or Medicare. However, if you’re participating in any needs-based programs like Supplemental Security Income (SSI), any proceeds left in your bank account may count against you.What is a HECM and why does counseling matter?HECM (short for Home Equity Conversion Mortgage) is the federally insured reverse mortgage program. It requires HUD-approved counseling to ensure you understand the full consequences of this type of lending product and to make sure it’s the right choice for you.What are my responsibilities if I take a reverse mortgage?If you take out a reverse mortgage, you’ll still be responsible for property taxes, homeowners’ insurance, and HOA fees. You’ll also still bear the costs of home maintenance, and your loan agreement likely requires you to keep the home in good condition.If I downsize, will I owe taxes on the sale?You may owe capital gains taxes on your home sale, depending on your unique situation. The IRS allows you to exclude up to $250,000 (or $500,000, for married couples) of capital gains from taxation when you sell your home. This exclusion requires that you’ve owned and lived in the home for at least two of the past five years.Other considerationsMany retirees plan to rely on their home equity if they outlive their investment assets or face long-term care needs and using that equity without a coordinated strategy can create unintended gaps later in life. Home equity can absolutely play a meaningful role in retirement, yet it isn’t always the most efficient first source of cash flow—especially if tapping it now could limit the resources available for future care or major expenses.That’s why it’s essential to have a plan showing how all your assets work together, including how and when to draw from home equity alongside your retirement accounts. A thoughtful withdrawal strategy can help ensure you’re using each resource—your portfolio, tax-advantaged accounts, and your home—in a way that supports tax efficiency, market flexibility, and long-term protection. Coordinating these decisions early can help you avoid pulling from equity at the wrong time and ensure you preserve the options you may need later in retirement.Next steps: how to evaluate the best strategy for your planHome equity can serve as a valuable resource during retirement, but it’s just one part of your overall plan. It’s important to look at all of your key numbers, including your home value, mortgage payoff, spending gap, and other income sources. From there, you can see how these home equity tools fit into your overall retirement strategy and which is best for your unique situation.Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.This story was produced by Wealth Enhancement and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Lockdown lifted at MercyOne Genesis Davenport Officials told KWQC the hospital is on lockdown due to an event in the community.
	Burlington man charged with attempted murder after Davenport apartment shooting A Burlington man is charged with attempted murder after a shooting at a Davenport apartment complex.
	Louisiana Medicaid might add coverage for popular obesity treatment drugs Louisiana’s Medicaid program could expand access to popular weight-loss medications such as Wegovy and Zepbound for obesity treatment starting in January. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)Louisiana’s Medicaid program could expand access to popular weight-loss medications such as Wegovy and Zepbound for obesity treatment starting in January. The state Senate Health and Welfare Committee moved forward Wednesday with Senate Bill 433, which would allow adults with a body mass index of 35 to 39 to access what are known as GLP-1 drugs for obesity if they have another chronic condition, or comorbidity, including prediabetes, hypertension or cardiovascular disease. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Gerald Boudreaux, D-Lafayette, said in an interview he brought the proposal at the request of the American Diabetes Association. A body mass index of 35 is the equivalent of a person who is 5 feet 11 inches tall weighing 250 pounds, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. A 5-foot-11 person would have to weigh 272 pounds to have a body mass index of 39. Medicaid recipients in Louisiana can already access GLP-1 drugs, which are also marketed under the brand names Monjauro and Ozempic, if they have a few chronic conditions such as diabetes. But Medicaid coverage for obesity treatment has been extremely limited, in part because of the cost of the drugs. Seth Gold, Louisiana’s Medicaid director, said at the legislative hearing on Boudreaux’s bill the annual treatment for one patient costs around $16,000, and around 145,000 Medicaid enrollees would meet the requirements laid out in the bill to receive the medication. He estimates the expanded coverage could cost as much as $189 million for the first six months of 2027, at least $35 million of which would have to come from the state. During the 2027-28 fiscal year, which starts July 1, 2027, it would cost $296 million, including $55 million in state funding. The balance of those bills would be paid by the federal government. But thanks to a new GLP-1 savings program President Donald Trump negotiated, the price tag could end up being far lower for Louisiana. Gold said the state might only have to pay as little as $7 million for the first six months of 2027 and $11 million the following fiscal year because of the president’s efforts. “We know that this is a blockbuster drug. We know for many people that it is an absolute life changer,” said Louisiana Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein, who added that the state will apply to participate in Trump’s program to lower GLP-1 costs.SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Douglas Dunsavage, a lobbyist with the American Diabetes Association, said expanding access to obesity treatment will help health care providers prevent chronic illness. “Importantly, obesity is not simply a matter of personal choice or willpower,” Dunsavage said. “It is a chronic relapsing disease” that deserves modern medical treatment. Dr. Katie Queen, who specializes in treating children with obesity, urged lawmakers to consider expanding qualifications for receiving the obesity medication to children. The federal government approved the use of GLP-1 drugs for children starting at age 12 four years ago, she said. Loosening the criteria for weight-loss drug access in the Medicaid program could end up costing the state more money, however. Other states with Medicaid programs that cover obesity drugs have already started scaling back access over concerns about the expense. At least four of the 13 states that offered weight-loss medication for obesity in their Medicaid programs in 2025 have already eliminated the benefit because of financial pressures, according to a KFF report from January. Greenstein said Louisiana needs to make sure it can sustain coverage for obesity-related treatment. “The only thing worse than not starting the program is to start it and then have to stop it” because the state can no longer afford it, he said.SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Courtesy of Louisiana Illuminator
	New Davenport speed cabinets ticket more than 200 people a day The city of Davenport added four speed cabinets to their Automatic Traffic Enforcement (ATE) program on February 2 of this year.
	Illinois Farm Bureau, congressional and gubernatorial representatives push for year-round sale of E-15; water quality expert claims it’ll harm environment and public health As the war with Iran continues driving up the costs for fossil fuels and fertilizer, bipartisan calls are growing for the year-round sale of E-15 to ease gas prices and boost farmer profits. An environmental advocate claims the year-round sale will increase air pollution. They also state the focus on corn and soybeans is deteriorating the state’s soil quality and adding nutrients to waterways, adding to a growing dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico.
	How to avoid event ticket scams in 2026 How to avoid event ticket scams in 2026Buying tickets for an event should be a straightforward, easy process. But for many consumers, an increase in scams can quickly turn the process into a nightmare. The FTC has accused ticket brokers of bypassing purchase limits to buy and resell hundreds of thousands of event tickets, which is one example of how consumers can be affected by fraud and price inflation in the ticket market.To identify common patterns, SmartCustomer analyzed its database of reviews from customers who believed they’d bought legitimate tickets for events but found out the hard way they’d been scammed. The analysis reveals common patterns, such as testimonials from consumers and red flags that may signal a scam, and concludes with a checklist of steps to follow before any ticket purchase.Markups and Price GougingA pattern of markups and price gouging is the most common complaint reported by SmartCustomer reviewers. Buyers repeatedly describe paying two to three times a ticket’s face value, often without even realizing they were using a secondary marketplace. The platforms claim there are limited quantities of tickets, which pressures consumers to act quickly and discourages comparison shopping. Extra service fees are then added to already inflated prices.For example, one reviewer noted a company was charging up to three times the cost of tickets when the actual venue was selling the tickets at face value. Another reviewer hastily purchased tickets for an ice hockey game because the site claimed the event was selling out — only to find out upon arrival that they’d paid nearly four times what they should have for a sparsely attended game.Warning signs:Tickets are listed at two to three times their face value, even when identical seats are still available from the venue at the original price.A platform emphasizes limited availability with warnings like “tickets almost sold out” or “limited tickets remaining,” even though there might be plenty of tickets available on other platforms.Buyers are not aware they are using a secondary marketplace until after checkout.Fees are added to already inflated base prices.Duplicate or Fake TicketsAnother pattern involves fraudulent tickets. Sometimes a seller provides a ticket barcode that has already been scanned or is a duplicate of a real ticket. Or the ticket might be entirely counterfeit. Unfortunately, the buyer doesn’t find out the ticket isn’t legitimate until they’ve arrived at the venue.To understand why this pattern happens, it’s helpful to know how reseller platforms are structured. A reseller marketplace doesn’t typically sell tickets directly. Instead, it connects consumers with a third-party seller (for example, a season ticket holder or a professional broker). Unfortunately, many ticket brokers don’t rigorously vet sellers.Some sellers set prices for and list tickets on the platform and fulfill the orders themselves. Some use automated bots to list tickets in bulk. Some post hypothetical listings for tickets they don’t yet own, intending to acquire them through presales or other channels before the event. The platform collects its fee regardless of whether the ticket is valid. This means the seller shirks all responsibility, and buyers bear the consequences.For example, one reviewer purchased tickets for a basketball game, only to find out at the gate that the tickets were duplicates of authentic ones that had already been used. Similarly, another reviewer found out at the venue that a $3,000 ticket was fake and never received an apology or a refund.Warning signs:The platform explicitly states (or buries it in fine print) that ticket validity can’t be confirmed until the day of the event.Tickets are delivered as bare PDF files or image attachments instead of through a controlled transfer system tied to the venue’s official ticketing platform.The barcode on a ticket matches the format of an authentic ticket but can’t be verified through the issuing platform’s app before the event.The reseller claims to offer a “replacement or refund” guarantee for invalid tickets; however, it doesn’t provide a means to get a replacement or refund before the event begins.Tickets are somehow still available for a sold-out event.Fake Ticketing SitesAnother common pattern is fraudulent ticketing sites. Unfortunately, these sites are growing increasingly sophisticated. Fraudulent ticketing operations typically take one of three forms:Impersonator sites copy the logos, layouts, and domain names of legitimate platforms closely enough to trick a consumer who makes hasty decisions. They may swap a letter or add a hyphen to a legitimate website’s URL, or use terms and language like “official,” meant to falsely reassure customers.Ghost storefronts are accessed through paid advertising on search engines and social media, list real events with convincing seat details and pricing, process a payment, but then go silent. These fraudulent platforms provide fake tickets and no recourse.Counterfeit ticket operations deliver a PDF or mobile barcode that looks authentic. But the codes are either duplicates of real tickets already in circulation or are simply counterfeit. Either way, buyers typically don’t find this out until they arrive at the venue because the tickets won’t scan at the door.Warning signs:The site’s domain and the domain of the official venue or platform don’t match exactly. For example, one character in the domain or the domain’s extension might be different. A site ending in “.net” or “.co” when the official platform uses “.com” is a common red flag.The site appears on social media or at the top of search results as a paid advertisement, but little can be found about the site on the internet. Fraudulent sellers frequently buy search ads for high-demand event keywords to target and attract buyers looking for official sources.The site only accepts payment by wire transfer, cryptocurrency, Zelle, Venmo, or gift card and denies requests for more secure payment methods, such as credit cards. Note: Legitimate ticketing platforms accept standard credit cards.Even though the event is sold out, tickets are somehow still available at face value or cheaper on the platform.The site has no independent review history, or its only reviews are very recent and overwhelmingly positive but offer either minimal or no specific details.Incorrect Event Information Provided by AIA more recent pattern that wastes both consumers’ time and money involves automated systems that provide incorrect details about events. For example, one reviewer received a notification that a concert was in the afternoon, even though the start time on the ticket was later in the evening. Once the reviewer’s group arrived at the venue, they realized the notification was incorrect, and the concert did indeed start hours later. Because of this misleading information, several of the reviewer’s guests ended up missing the concert because they couldn’t make the trip a second time. Similarly, when another reviewer bought tickets for a game, the family didn’t find out until arriving at an empty stadium that they had bought tickets to a game that had already happened.Warning signs:The information displayed on the ticketing platform doesn’t match the information on the official event website.The time or date shown in a platform notification is different than what’s shown on the ticket.The platform's listing hasn’t been updated to reflect a publicly announced schedule change.An automated message about event timing doesn’t appear to be from the official venue or promoter.Tickets Delivered Very Late or Not at AllAnother pattern involves delivery delays. A consumer might receive confirmation after paying for tickets, but then waits — and waits some more — for the tickets. According to the analysis of SmartCustomer reviews, many of these consumers’ tickets never arrive. Some sellers hold tickets until the last possible moment because of secondary-market transfer rules. Others simply fail to deliver them and blame third-party systems.One example of this pattern is a reviewer who bought tickets for an event from a site that promised but failed to deliver the tickets before the event. Another reviewer who bought tickets for an overseas event (and paid for the flight to and hotel in Europe) never received the tickets and couldn’t get a hold of customer service while abroad, despite multiple attempts. Ultimately, the site’s response was potential “wallet credit,” not a refund.Warning signs:The platform’s delivery policy notes that tickets may arrive as late as the day before the event, and there is no option for earlier delivery.Tickets aren’t delivered immediately after purchase, and customer support’s response to questions is noncommittal assurances but no concrete delivery date.A seller makes direct contact with the buyer, asking to meet at the venue entrance instead of transferring the tickets digitally.A site’s delivery promises at checkout are later contradicted by messages citing third-party transfer restrictions or vague technical issues.When the transfer link in a confirmation email leads to an error, the platform offers inconsistent and varied explanations.Misrepresented SeatsAnother common pattern is when platforms offer misleading and misrepresented ticket information. These frustrating experiences happen when tickets don’t match what consumers believed they were buying. Buyers who pay premium prices for front-row or assigned-seating listings might arrive at the venue to find they actually have general admission floor tickets. Or they find that they are seated in completely different sections than what was listed on the site.For example, one SmartCustomer reviewer bought expensive tickets that the site claimed were for the venue’s “first row,” only to find out at the event that all seats at the venue were general admission. Similarly, another reviewer bought tickets for seats that the site described as the “first row,” which ended up having an obstructed view. The response to this reviewer’s 20 calls to customer service was simply that the issue was being escalated. A third reviewer explained that the tickets from the site were outright false and misleading because they didn’t match the venue’s seating map. This reviewer’s subsequent attempts to reconcile the problem with customer service were fruitless.Warning signs:A listing uses terms such as “row 1,” “front area,” or “floor seats” but doesn’t list a section number that corresponds to the official venue’s seating chart.The seat type listed doesn’t appear in or match the venue’s published seating map.The ticket lists a different section or row than the information shown at checkout.When a customer reports a mismatch, customer service’s response is that the delivered seats are “comparable” to what they purchased and never acknowledges that they don’t match the original listing.Ineffective AI-Enabled Customer ServiceAnother common pattern involves a platform’s overreliance on AI for customer support, which results in unresponsive and/or inadequate customer service. Chatbots might provide scripted and vague assurances instead of helpful, concrete customer support. By the time a consumer realizes the automated system can’t or won’t resolve their problem, they’ve often missed the window to dispute the charge or make alternative arrangements.One example of this pattern is the reviewer who was falsely reassured by a site’s AI chat that the tickets would be available at the venue. But when the person tried to contact customer service, the listed phone number didn’t work and, even worse, the AI chat required proof from the venue that the tickets weren’t provided. Another reviewer noted that the AI chat simply stopped providing needed support to them, and the listed phone number only led to hang-ups and unanswered calls.Warning signs:Chatbots provide false promises that tickets will arrive or falsely claim that problems were resolved.Customer support offers generic scripted responses that don’t address the actual issue.Consumers can’t reach a human customer service agent.Automated systems avoid escalation or trap buyers in policy loops.Customer support delays and doesn’t resolve issues.Refund Barriers and A Lack of RecourseAnother pattern involves platforms’ frustrating or misleading refund policies. Refund policies might fail to work as advertised, even when tickets are never delivered or event circumstances change. Buyers might be offered “wallet credit” instead of refunds or, citing loopholes in the policy’s fine print, told their situation didn’t qualify. Sometimes refund requests for undelivered tickets might never be resolved — or are ignored entirely.For example, one reviewer was issued “wallet credit” instead of a promised refund. When this reviewer submitted a refund request to their credit card company, the site not only didn’t honor the refund but went one step further and revoked the bonus credit. Another reviewer bought tickets from a site that claimed to offer full refunds but only actually did so under particular and limited circumstances.Warning signs:The platform’s headline uses language meant to reassure buyers (such as “buyer guarantee” or “100% protection”); however, the actual policy has many caveats (for example, no refunds for rescheduled or postponed events).The stated policy for refunds is either wallet credit or vouchers — not a refund to the original payment method.Policy language includes such phrases as “at our sole discretion” or “subject to verification,” which gives the platform authority to deny claims without explanation.Billing Irregularities and Unexplained ChargesAnother disturbing pattern involves unexplained and unexpected billing charges. Charges might appear on buyers’ accounts after a checkout that appeared to fail, or a platform might impose additional charges without a clear explanation or justification. In short, customers lose money, and the platform denies any responsibility.For example, after multiple error messages and no confirmation email, one reviewer assumed a ticket purchase didn’t go through. Two days later, when this reviewer reached out to customer service about a charge for the tickets on their bank account, they never received a response. Another reviewer discovered a site had charged an additional $500 to their account, and when they reached out to customer support, the response was that they were “annoying” and to stop calling them.Warning signs:Checkout ends with an error or timeout, and there is no confirmation email; however, a bank record shows a pending or completed charge.An additional charge appears on a bank account after the original transaction, with no corresponding order update or explanation from the platform.The platform disputes that a charge occurred or attributes it to a failed transaction, despite a clear bank record of a completed payment.Customer support becomes dismissive or stops responding when a consumer reports a billing discrepancy.Your Prepurchase Checklist: The Most Important StepsThe single most effective protection against ticketing scams is vigilance. Review this checklist before any ticket purchase, especially when using an unfamiliar platform.Buy direct whenever possible. Check the official venue box office and the promoter’s own website first. Direct purchases eliminate the risk of counterfeit seats. The official ticket platforms also typically offer better customer support and clearer refund terms than resale sites. Read reviews of the platform before purchasing tickets. Search for the platform name on independent review sites before entering your payment information and purchasing tickets. If you find multiple complaints describing similar problems, that is cause for concern. Determine the exact type of platform you are using. Take the time to identify whether the platform is a primary seller or a secondary resale marketplace. Secondary resellers often charge above face value and hold tickets longer before transfer. They also tend to apply much stricter no-refund policies. If you can’t clearly identify which type of platform you are on from the homepage, that is a red flag. If you use a reseller, carefully read their policies before purchasing tickets. Carefully study a reseller’s policies before any purchase. Specifically, look for the following tells: how late the platform is permitted to deliver your tickets; what happens if the event is postponed or rescheduled; whether refunds are issued to your original payment method or only as “wallet credit” or vouchers; and under what conditions their “buyer guarantee” actually applies. In the analysis of reviews, many buyers discovered these limits only after something went wrong. If the refund policy only covers cancellations and not rescheduled events, plan accordingly. If your situation changes and you need to sell or return your tickets, determine whether the platform allows that before you purchase. Verify event details independently. Confirm the information about the event (date, time, venue) directly through the official source before making travel or accommodation plans. Don’t rely solely on what the ticketing platform displays. Automated systems sometimes provide outdated or incorrect information, and consumers might bear the cost of making plans based on incorrect event data. Check the venue seating map before buying tickets. Look up the specific venue’s official seating chart. Confirm that the seat information (for example, row, section, seat type) described in the listing actually exists as described. Many buyers have found that language such as “Row 1” and “front area” on resale sites means something very different from what they assumed. Always pay by credit card. Credit cards carry chargeback rights under consumer protection law that alternative methods don’t. If a platform fails to deliver your tickets, issues tickets that don’t match what was advertised or promoted, or charges you without authorization, a credit card dispute is often your most reliable path to refunding your money. Act quickly if something goes wrong. Chargeback windows are typically 60 to 120 days from the transaction date, depending on your credit card issuer. If your tickets haven’t arrived within the platform’s official timeframe before the event, contact the platform in writing and open a card dispute simultaneously. Don’t give the platform extra time if their automated support offers empty promises and vague or conflicting answers but doesn’t ever fix the problem.The Bottom Line: Be Proactive and VigilantBefore purchasing any tickets, be proactive and vigilant. The most effective protection is to prevent fraud by doing your research. Ensuring that platforms are legitimate and scrutinizing policies and disclaimers might mean investing a bit more time upfront but will ultimately save money and frustration. In addition, always pay by credit card and document everything. Remember that your chargeback rights exist independently of the platform’s own guarantee language.This story was produced by SmartCustomer and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Kansan shares personal story with U.S. Senate about life-altering veterans treatment court U.S. Army veteran Corey Schramm of Johnson County testifies to the U.S. Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee on the value of a veterans treatment court in Kansas that helped him heal from three deployments to Iraq. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from U.S. Senate)TOPEKA — U.S. Army veteran Corey Schramm’s three deployments to Iraq left him with post-traumatic stress disorder that consumption of drugs and alcohol couldn’t mitigate. His transition to civilian life after a decade in the Army was marked by impulsive behavior, violent outbursts and confrontations with law enforcement. He was on and off probation. He hit bottom in 2020 during a scary five-hour episode at home involving a weapon. He has no memory of the incident that prompted a felony charge. “I didn’t know whether I would be welcomed back at home,” Schramm said during testimony Wednesday in front of the U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee exploring ways to help veterans avoid incarceration. Schramm said a recovery specialist told him about the Johnson County Veterans Treatment Court. “When I showed up at veterans treatment court, I thought I was just going to play the system and go through the motions. Boy, was I wrong,” he said. “The program keeps you accountable. Veterans treatment court is not a shortcut. The programs are rigorous. They demand honesty, discipline and a willingness to change, but they work.” The voluntary, 12- to 24-month program in Johnson County was established in 2016. It’s open to veterans who fell into the criminal justice system for engaging in behavior linked to military service. The alternative to incarceration include treatment, supervision and mentorship for people grappling with PTSD, substance abuse or other barriers to reintegration. Interaction with a district court judge and community-based resources don’t have the adversarial feel of a typical criminal courtroom. Schramm graduated after two years in the program, which he attributed to changing his life and those of his wife and children. He earned a degree in addiction counseling and began working as an adult care manager with Johnson County Mental Health Center. “Behind every statistic is a veteran like myself, who struggled and who, with the right combination of support, can find their way back,” he said. U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, a Kansas Republican who chairs the Senate’s veterans committee, said more should be done to support men and women having difficulty transitioning out of the military who ended up in the criminal justice system. He pointed to reports indicating 31% of veterans were arrested at least once in their lives compared with 18% of the general population. Another report said veterans with PTSD or traumatic brain injuries were at 50% greater risk of entering the law enforcement system, he said. “We need to make certain the veterans who carry scars, with wounds — visible and invisible — are not forgotten,” the senator said. “When left untreated, these can lead or contribute to veterans’ involvement with the criminal justice system.” Moran said evidence showed justice-involved veterans benefitted from interaction with experts who understood their military experiences. He said he was committed to pressing for federal funding of veterans courts as chairman of the Senate veterans committee and as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The panel addressing the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee included former Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Lawton Nuss, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He retired in 2019 from the Supreme Court to devote more time to veterans affairs, including a quest to expand availability of these courts. “A combat veteran told me he would have been better off being killed in Afghanistan instead of coming home and being arrested for committing a violent crime,” Nuss said. “He described his shame to me (as), ‘I went from hero to villain.'” Clyde “Butch” Tate, a retired U.S. Army major general, spent 31 years in the Army before retiring in 2014. The graduate of the University of Kansas law school now serves as chief counsel to All Rise, an organization providing training and assistance at local, state and national levels to improve substance abuse and mental health services for military personnel, veterans and their families. He said the majority of veterans returned to civilian life without serious complications, but others found sights, sounds, trauma and memories of military service too great to overcome. “My experience is you won’t find a veteran in Veterans Treatment Court with just one problem,” he said. “You will find layers of problems, all of which led to that unfortunate intersection with law enforcement.” Courtesy of Kansas Reflector
	19-year-old facing 10 charges after Wednesday evening shooting in Davenport The shooting happened in the 1900 block of East 38th Street at 6:31 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15.
	How to maintain weight loss after using a GLP-1 How to maintain weight loss after using a GLP-1Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are now widely used for weight loss. If you’re one of the millions of people in the U.S. taking one, you may be wondering what happens next. Do you need to keep taking it? What happens if you stop?Here’s what experts say about maintaining weight after GLP-1 treatment, reported by GoodRx, a platform for medication savings.Key takeaways:Most people need to keep taking GLP-1 medications to prevent regaining the weight they lost.The maintenance dose for GLP-1 medications varies by person and medication. Some people lower their dose. Other people adjust how often they take it.Long-term success also depends on habits like regular exercise, a nutritious and balanced diet, and getting enough good-quality sleep.Should you keep taking GLP-1s after reaching your weight goal?Probably. Most people regain weight after stopping GLP-1 medications. These include medications like semaglutide (Wegovy), liraglutide (Saxenda), as well as tirzepatide (Zepbound), which targets both GIP and GLP-1 receptors.Most experts recommend GLP-1 therapy continuation for a couple of reasons.Maintaining your goal weightWeight regain after stopping GLP-1 treatment is common.In clinical trials, researchers continued to monitor people for months after the initial study period of 20 weeks. Those who continued taking semaglutide kept losing weight. But those who stopped regained almost 7% of their body weight.Other studies suggest people regain up to two-thirds of the weight lost within a year after stopping GLP-1 medications.Health benefits beyond weight lossGLP-1 medications don’t just support weight loss. For many people, they also treat ongoing health conditions.In some cases, stopping the medication may mean not being able to manage these conditions.Here’s where GLP-1 medications help beyond “just” treating excess weight:Type 2 diabetes: Medications like Ozempic and Rybelsus lower blood glucose levels and are often used as long-term treatment for Type 2 diabetes.Heart health: Semaglutide reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death in people with Type 2 diabetes or excess weight and heart disease. These heart benefits can begin early in treatment, before significant weight loss.Kidney health: Semaglutide can help slow the progression of kidney disease in people with Type 2 diabetes.Sleep apnea: Tirzepatide (Zepbound) is FDA-approved for obstructive sleep apnea related to excess weight. It’s not yet clear what happens if treatment is stopped.Metabolic liver disease: Semaglutide (Wegovy) is FDA-approved for certain cases of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Longer-term outcomes are still being studied.For these reasons, expert groups like the American Diabetes Association and the American College of Cardiology recommend continuing the medication.What is a typical GLP-1 maintenance dose?There’s no single maintenance dose. It depends on the medication and how your body responds.Most experts recommend using the “lowest effective dose” or the lowest amount that helps maintain your weight and health goals.This may mean:Lowering the dose, in the same increments as when you started taking it.Spacing out your dose, for example, every other week instead of weekly.But no studies have compared these methods, so it’s difficult to say if one is better than the other. Spacing out your dose is also not part of standard prescribing guidelines — although your prescriber might recommend it.It’s best to work with your healthcare team to figure out the best strategy for you. This might mean more frequent check-ins with them until you find the best maintenance schedule for you.Who shouldn’t keep taking GLP-1s?The decision to continue or stop treatment is personal. What makes sense for you may not make sense for others, and vice versa. Just because experts recommend continuation in general, that doesn’t mean you’re required to do so.There are many reasons why people stop taking GLP-1s. These include:Out-of-pocket costsInsurance changesSide effectsChanges in appetite or nutritionChanges in life circumstances or personal preferenceIf you’re thinking about stopping, talk with your healthcare team first. They can help you taper safely and/or find an alternative treatment if needed. And if cost is an issue, know that there are ways to save.Is it safe to keep taking GLP-1 medications?It’s normal to worry about long-term safety with any medication. GLP-1 medications are generally considered safe for long-term use. But they can have risks.Rare but serious side effects include:Gallbladder problems like gallstones or gallbladder inflammationBowel obstructionWorsening eye conditions that affect visionSerious problems are rare, but they can and do happen. Your care team can help you weigh the potential benefits of GLP-1 medications against the risks for your unique situation.What are the best ways to maintain your weight after GLP-1s?If you’ve been prescribed and have been on a GLP-1 medication, continuing on the medication is the most effective way to maintain weight loss. But lifestyle habits still matter — especially if you stop treatment.Weight maintenance is hard work. To help prevent weight regain, focus on:Regular physical activityGood nutritionSleep quality and quantityStress managementOngoing support from your friends or familyExperts also recommend behavioral strategies, like:Structured goal settingCounselingRegular check-ins with a coachIt sounds like a lot, and it is. But research finds that having a comprehensive approach like this is the best way to keep a healthy and comfortable weight.Weight maintenance requires ongoing effort. It can feel impossible at times. Support from professionals, peers, or your community can make it more sustainable. And be gentle with yourself: Your health is much more than just your weight.The bottom lineGLP-1 medications can lead to significant weight loss. But many people regain weight after stopping them.Because of this, long-term treatment is often recommended. If you’re considering stopping or changing your dose, speak with your healthcare team first. They can help you make a plan that’s safe and sustainable based on your health and individual goals.This story was produced by GoodRx and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	How to save money on any budget How to save money on any budgetWhen you’re already living paycheck to paycheck, learning how to budget to save money can feel out of reach. Rent, groceries, gas—it all adds up quickly. In fact, about one-third of U.S. adults say they’re living paycheck to paycheck, and more than 40% spend their paycheck within the first three days of receiving it.But don’t despair. Even if your budget is stretched thin, you can still start saving."The most common thing I hear from people I work with is, ‘I’m just not good with money,’" says Sheryl Kosovski, a money and business coach based in Chicago. "But managing money is a skill anyone can learn—it’s about mindset and habits, not how much you make."So, where do you begin when your financial wiggle room feels microscopic? Right here. This guide from Fifth Third breaks down seven ways to save and create a budget, no matter your income level or financial challenges.1. Shift your money mindset and form better money habitsOne of the biggest saving myths? That you need to stash away hundreds of dollars at once. Not true. Don’t underestimate the power of small steps—they’re the foundation of long-term financial change."Small amounts matter," says Sandra Verthein, a personal finance coach. "Start by saving $5, $10 or $20 whenever you can." Even $5 a week adds up to $260 a year. That might cover a car repair or a month’s worth of groceries. The goal isn’t to save a huge chunk right away; it’s to create a consistent habit you can build on.Pro tip: Don’t forget to celebrate your progress. Did you resist the urge to order takeout? Cancel an unused subscription? Walk instead of paying for a rideshare? That’s a win. "By celebrating the wins we have, we bring positivity to our finances," says Verthein. This keeps us emotionally invested in our financial goals.2. Establish short-term goalsSpeaking of financial goals, when saving feels overwhelming, it helps to have a clear sense of why you’re saving in the first place. Are you hoping to build an emergency fund, so surprise expenses don’t derail your budget? Save for a future trip? Set aside money for the holidays?Write down your financial goals—big or small—and the time frame you’d like to reach them in. Then break those down into manageable steps. For example, if you want to save $300 in six months, that’s only about $12 per week.A few more tips for saving money while making your goals stick:Be specific. "Save money" is vague. "Save $500 for car repairs by September" gives you a better target.Prioritize. If you have multiple goals, rank them by urgency. Focus on one or two first so you don’t get stressed out and discouraged.Visualize it. Tape a photo of your goal to your fridge or set a reminder on your phone with the reason you’re saving. These small cues help keep your "why" front and center.And remember, your savings goals aren’t set in stone. Life happens, and priorities shift. It’s OK to adjust your goals along the way. What matters most is that you’re working toward something that’s meaningful to you.Pro tip: The SMART strategy is a great goal-setting framework that can help you keep your goals (S) specific, (M) measurable, (A) achievable, (R) relevant and (T) time bound.3. Create a conscious spending plan and follow a monthly budget templateA budget doesn’t have to feel restrictive—it’s about building a road map for your money that reflects your needs and values. "I like to use the term ‘spending plan’ rather than ‘budget,’" says Kosovski. "You’re planning how to spend your money."Start with your income. Write down how much money you bring in each month, including your paycheck, side gigs, child support, government benefits or any other income sources. If your income varies, look at the last few months and use the average to stay on the safe side.Next, list all your essential monthly expenses—the things you absolutely need to live and work—and tally the costs: rent or mortgage, utilities (electric, water, gas), groceries, transportation (gas, public transit, car payments), insurance, childcare and minimum debt payments.Your total income minus those essentials is how much you have left over to potentially save. Unless, of course, your nonessential expenses—the "nice to haves"—have been eating away at that remaining fund. How much, on average, are you spending on things like streaming services, takeout, entertaining and shopping each month? Could you cut back just a little to free up some money for your savings?Pro tip: Use a monthly budget calculator to help you with the math.4. Open a traditional savings accountWhen you’re working hard to save, why let your money sit idle? A savings account can help it grow faster. And keeping your savings separate from your everyday spending is key: A dedicated savings account gives your money a purpose and helps prevent accidental overspending.Pro tip: Nickname your savings account after your goal—like "holiday travel" or "emergency fund." Seeing your goal in writing every time you log in can be a powerful motivator—and earmarking it like that may discourage you from spending those savings on something other than your goal.5. Set up automatic savings transfersOnce you’ve opened a dedicated savings account, the next step is to make saving a regular, consistent habit. One of the easiest ways to build that consistency? Automate it. Setting up automatic transfers from your checking account to your savings account means you don’t have to remember to do it—or find the willpower to move the money each month.Just follow these steps:Pick an amount that feels doable. Even just $5 or $10 a week is enough to start.Choose the right timing. Align transfers with your payday so you’re saving before you even have a chance to spend that check.Make it recurring. Most banks let you schedule recurring transfers through their mobile app or online banking portal.Think of these transfers as paying yourself first. It’s one of the most effective ways to build momentum with your finances—especially when your income is tight, or your spending feels unpredictable.Pro tip: Schedule an occasional calendar reminder to revisit your transfer amount. If your income grows, for example, you can increase how much you’re saving.6. Reduce dependence on credit cards—and pay down credit card debtCredit cards can be a convenient financial tool, but relying on them too heavily—particularly for everyday expenses—can lead to debt accumulation and financial stress. Here are several strategies to reduce credit card dependence and regain control over your finances:Transition to cash or debit for daily expenses. This approach encourages mindful spending and makes it easier to track your expenses. Some people find success with the envelope method: Decide how much you can spend each month on key categories, like groceries and gas, and place that exact amount of cash into separate envelopes labeled for each purpose. When an envelope is empty, that’s your signal to stop spending in that category until next month.Pay more than the minimum payment. Paying only the minimum due on your credit card can lead to prolonged debt and substantial interest charges. Experts recommend paying more than the minimum to reduce your balance faster and save on interest.Prioritize high-interest debt. The debt avalanche method involves paying off debts with the highest interest rates first, which can save you money in the long run. Alternatively, with the debt snowball method, you pay off the smallest debts first, providing psychological motivation as you eliminate balances. Both methods have their merits; choosing the one that aligns with your financial goals and mindset is crucial.Consolidate debt. If you have multiple high-interest credit card balances, consolidating them into a personal loan with a lower interest rate can simplify payments and reduce overall interest costs. This strategy can make debt repayment more manageable and help you stay on track. Pro tip: Use a debt consolidation calculator to see if this is the best option for you.Reduce impulse spending. When you feel the urge to make an unnecessary purchase, give yourself 24 hours to think it over. Once the excitement fades, you may realize you don’t need the item after all.7. Find ways to bolster your incomeSometimes, no matter how carefully you plan, budget and reduce your spending, your monthly expenses still surpass your income. Increasing what you’re bringing in each month can help bridge the gap and free up more money for you to save.Do you have existing skills you can leverage? Maybe you’re proficient in writing, graphic design or social media management. If so, consider offering freelance services after hours or on the weekends. Other flexible side hustles include food delivery services, pet sitting or tutoring. If your time is already accounted for, consider selling unused items online or renting out spare space in your home.Remember, saving money is a journey, not a sprint. Every small step you take adds up, and over time those little efforts will build the financial security and peace of mind you’re working toward. Stay consistent, celebrate your progress and keep focused on your goals.Three things to do next:Discover more saving and budgeting resources to help you on your journey.Understand the differences between savings accounts and CDs—and then open one.Follow these seven steps to take control of your finances.This story was produced by Fifth Third and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Rock Island Arsenal will dedicate pergola to honor survivor families The Rock Island Arsenal Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) will host a ceremony to dedicate a project to honor surviving families at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 19, at the MIA/POW Memorial Site on Rodman Avenue, a news release says. The project was the vision of Holden Burns, a military family member, as his Eagle Scout project. [...]
	NPR receives $113 million in charitable gifts "My hope is that this commitment provides the stability and the spark NPR needs to innovate boldly and strengthen its national network," says Connie Ballmer, who gave $80 million of the $113 million.
	DNR proposes boost to bobcat trapping quota; add weapons The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is proposing to boost the state's bobcat hunting and trapping quota to 400 bobcats this season. (Photo courtesy of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources)The Indiana Department of Natural Resources intends to boost the state’s bobcat trapping quota and allow hunters to use weapons to kill the animals and counter Indiana’s growing bobcat population. A permanent rule proposed by DNR would permit licensed hunters and trappers to harvest 400 bobcats from 40 Indiana counties — a 60% increase from last season’s 250 quota. The rule would expand permitted methods from just traps to include hunting with a bow and arrow, crossbow, shotgun, handgun, rifle, muzzleloading long gun or handgun, and certain air guns. Trappers may use a cage trap, permitted foothold traps or a snare trap with a relaxing snare lock to trap a bobcat, same as last season. The rule would also prohibit recreational hunters from using a dog to chase a bobcat, with exceptions made for authorized federal and state wildlife management workers. DNR will accept public comment on the proposed rule change through May 19 ahead of the 2026 hunting season. The season begins Nov. 8 and concludes Jan. 31, or until the quota is met, whichever is sooner. This will be the second legal bobcat harvest since lawmakers directed the DNR to establish a trapping season for the once-endangered species. The first trapping season closed Dec. 6, one month after it started. Behind the move DNR says the initial harvest went smoothly, so the agency is now seeking to update its quota and rules to “responsibly manage Indiana’s bobcat population and decrease negative interactions with bobcats across the 40 counties with high-quality bobcat habitat, while still maintaining a strong bobcat population in Indiana,” communications director Holly Lawson said. She said data shows the bobcat population has grown in the 40 southern Indiana counties where trapping is permitted. This has led to an uptick in bobcat collisions with vehicles and higher costs for Hoosiers whose property is damaged by bobcats, she said. Lawson said hunters asked the agency to include them in the upcoming season. Meanwhile, she said landowners are asking for more permits to take bobcats that are killing livestock. The Natural Resources Commission, a 12-person civilian commission that traditionally reviews rules for DNR, authorized the initial bobcat trapping quota last year. The rule garnered 3,000 public comments, mostly negative. DNR Director Alan Morrison submitted the proposed rule change to increase the quota and include licensed bobcat hunting without NRC’s input this time — a new protocol for the agency that drew condemnation from several NRC members. The panel essentially has little input now on the rule and can only approve or deny it. The proposed quota is already generating criticism from the Humane World for Animals, formerly known as the Humane Society of the U.S. The group is urging Hoosiers to submit public comments opposing the rule ahead of the May 19 deadline. “Last fall, Hoosiers were horrified to see images of terrified bobcats in strangling neck snares, steel-jawed leghold traps and cage traps on social media,” said Samantha Chapman, Indiana state director of the animal rights group. “Hoosiers never wanted bobcats killed in the first place, and now this shady rule — which would drastically increase the number of bobcats killed and add more killing methods — is being pushed with absolutely no scientific justification and could drive them back to extinction in Indiana,” she said. “It’s a shame that special interests are trying to pull strings to dictate wildlife policy in our state.” SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Courtesy of Indiana Capital Chronicle
	Cities and transit agencies are finally getting on board with bus stop data Cities and transit agencies are finally getting on board with bus stop dataIt was the most snow that New York City had seen in a decade — but the city was ready. This winter, the NYC Department of Sanitation took a new approach to clearing snow for bus riders and pedestrians. After January flurries blanketed the city, DSNY created its own app, geotagging every unsheltered bus stop and crosswalk.“It’s literally dots on a map, and the dot is color-coded based on whether it’s been certified clear or not,” Joshua Goodman, spokesperson for the department, told Next City.This new app allowed DSNY to rapidly clear bus stops and crosswalks. The department has cleared pedestrian infrastructure in the past, but not kept track of its work in any systematic way, despite being a data-driven enterprise.“The idea of not having data about, for example, when trash has been collected on a given block is ridiculous and upsetting to us,” says Goodman. “And yet, for this, it really took that big storm and the fresh eyes of the new administration to push us forward.”In New York, as in many other cities, adjacent property owners are responsible for sidewalks and curb ramps, meaning that responsibility for unsheltered bus stops (usually just a pole with a sign) is split across thousands of different people or businesses.A patchwork of responsibility can mean a patchwork of accessible and inaccessible sidewalks and bus stops.“What we’re really focused on is just making sure that New Yorkers can get where they need to go when they need to go there,” says Goodman.It’s not just snow. Cities and transit agencies can use data to make bus stops safe and accessible. Transit agencies, including the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, are working to standardize data for bus transit amenities, including shelters, bathrooms, escalators, and lighting, which could mean a better, more consistent experience for bus riders.For the MBTA, bus stop data started with accessibilityAlmost a decade ago, Laura Brelsford and her team started on an ambitious project to rigorously catalog all of roughly 7,000 bus stops in the MBTA system.“We didn’t just look at the bus stop proper,” says Brelsford, assistant general manager of system-wide accessibility. “We looked at [questions like], do you have an accessible crossing to get from one side of the street to the other to reach the bus stop? What are the curb ramps like adjacent to the bus stop?”Through this process, the MBTA was able to identify and remedy most of the 280 stops identified as completely inaccessible.It wasn’t easy. The majority of bus stops — 99% — fall outside of the MBTA’s jurisdiction.“We use that data to try to identify where we needed to invest in upgrades and where we needed to push municipalities to make improvements to their infrastructure,” says Brelsford.Importantly, the agency has made accessible bus stops a priority, investing its own capital improvement funds into upgrades, with funding also coming from state grants and fair share tax revenue.Cataloging bus stops can be the first step to prioritizing and implementing improvements — but what if the data could be shared with bus riders planning their trips?Since 2018, the MBTA has been publishing data on facilities within the system, with the focus mostly on train station accessibility.“You could search for a train station and see, okay, what kind of platform is this? Is this platform low level? Is it high level? Depending on my accessibility needs, will it work for me?” says Josh Fabian, deputy director of transit technology for the MBTA.The industry-wide standard for transit data, GTFS (General Transit Feed Specification), allows transit agencies and trip-planning apps to speak the same language about schedules and stops. But so far, GTFS hasn’t included information about station or stop amenities: Is there a bathroom? Does the bus stop have a place to sit down? Is the train platform accessible?While many transit agencies have been tracking and maintaining that data for their own purposes, there is currently no uniform way to share that data via GTFS. Now, Fabian and other transit data experts are working to integrate new parameters that would allow transit agencies to provide this data to riders through apps like Transit or Google Maps.The effort to incorporate bus stop and transit station amenities into the data standard is still in the early stages.GTFS is open source, and adding new parameters is a community effort. Stephen Miller, policy lead at Transit, explains that in order for new parameters to be adopted, there must be a producer (transit agency) creating the data and a consumer (an app) that will use the data.“You have to have both a producer and a consumer demonstrate that it works, that it’s live, and then the community votes to say, ‘Okay, do we want this to just be kind of like a test, or do we actually want to integrate this into GTFS?’” Miller says.Adding this feature could improve the customer experience by alerting transit riders to the presence of bus shelters or bathrooms, for example, while also making it easier for transit agencies and cities to maintain and upgrade existing infrastructure.Bus stop data as a two-way streetIn some transit systems, bus riders themselves are providing valuable data to help local governments address accessibility and maintenance issues.In Santa Monica, California, Big Blue Bus riders can use Transit’s Rate-My-Ride feature to alert the agency when bus stops are dirty.“We were able to identify, OK, what are the top stops that are consistently getting people saying, there’s litter and trash here. And the city of Santa Monica sent out crews to those stops to clean them up,” says Miller. “It’s about temperature-taking, as opposed to somebody being so mad or having enough time to be mad to fill out the form or call 311.”It’s worth noting that there’s an unusual overlap between Big Blue Bus, the transit agency, and Santa Monica, the city, which might explain this level of service. And it’s not just transit agencies and cities that are leveraging data to improve the bus rider experience. In Vancouver — where TransLink has used Rate-My-Ride answers to identify which bus stop poles need solar-powered lights —bus bench activists are using Transit data to push cities to add more seating at bus stops.So far, 19 transit agencies out of 180 transit partners are using the app’s Rate-My-Ride feature. And while cities are also interested in partnering with Transit, no partnerships have yet been formalized, Miller says.Transit has, however, been working with transit agencies like the MBTA to integrate stop amenity data into GTFS. In the future, the app could also share crowd-sourced data using the same standard.“We started producing crowdsourced data about stop amenities. The MBTA had already put together its own inventory. So, those discussions started to come together,” says Miller.The goal, according to Miller, is not to have one data standard for all city infrastructure — to lump bus shelters with curb ramps, for example — but to make it possible for different stakeholders within the public right-of-way to share and integrate data.The politics of bus stop dataNew York City’s pedestrian infrastructure app shows that cities don’t have to wait to make streets safe and accessible for people walking, rolling, and taking the bus. But in a landscape where the city manages bus stops, not the transit agency, passing the buck can become the norm.“Since bus stop amenities and sidewalk rights-of-way are controlled by local municipalities, Metro does not currently use this information as part of operations,” LA Metro told Next City in an emailed statement, noting that city planners can use Google Street View to visualize a better bus stop as part of its Bus Stop Builder tool. Although the agency conducted an analysis of all 12,000 bus stops in its system, that data is not publicly available.Bus riders don’t care who controls a bus stop — they care about getting where they need to go. To prioritize the bus rider experience, cities, transit agencies and tech companies must work together to fix obstacles, Miller believes.“If the city’s orientation only exists to please the whims of various councilmembers who have political power, or the transit agency is oriented around, ‘We need to get the buses out, get the buses back,’ and that’s it, then they’re not going to be aligned to solve those issues,” he says.Historically, bus riders have been treated as second-class citizens, meaning fewer amenities like shade and lighting. Some cities, like Los Angeles, have allowed homeowners and city council members to block or remove bus shelters.Creating a unified data standard won’t force transit agencies and cities to prioritize the bus rider experience — but it’s a start.In California, lawmakers have introduced a bill to create a statewide data registry for transit stops.“What we have now is fragmented and inconsistent data, and that’s not fun for anyone,” said Eli Lipmen, executive director of Move LA, addressing the California State Assembly Committee on Transportation. “Transit stop names, locations, identifiers can vary across different agencies, across different datasets, and it creates confusion.”Title VI of the Civil Rights Act dictates that transit agencies must provide equal access to transit amenities across the system. Integrating data standards could help compare transit stop amenities between agencies and neighborhoods, highlighting gaps.Coordination between transit agencies and cities is still a “work in progress,” says Brelsford. “It’s not always clear to riders who should be doing what and what to expect.”This story was produced with support from the Solutions Journalism Network’s How Government Responds Innovation Fund.This story was produced by Next City, a nonprofit newsroom covering solutions for equitable cities, and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

Friday, April 17th, 2026

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