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

Sunday, April 26th, 2026
	QCA lawmakers, representatives respond to shots fired at White House correspondents’ dinner Quad City Area representatives and lawmakers responded swiftly to the news of shots being fired Saturday evening at the White House correspondents’ dinner.
	Midwest Technical Institute announces 2026 high school welding competition winners from Moline High School Midwest Technical Institute (MTI) hosted its annual High School Welding Competition at its Moline campus in April, awarding scholarships to students.
	Details emerge of alleged shooter at White House correspondents' dinner The alleged gunman has been identified as Cole Allen, according to two sources familiar with the matter.
	4 the Record Web Extra: Death of fifth member of U.S. House this Congress renews question of term limits or mandatory retirement Thanks for checking out this web extra. We didn't have time to bring you all of our panel discussion on 4 the Record. The conversation turns to members of Congress who are now a lot older than they used to be. Let's revisit an issue we haven't talked about in a few years, and it [...]
	Clucking egg prices as of 4/24/26 Here’s this week’s egg price update. This is the USDA’s average price per dozen when delivered to the warehouse on Jan. 20, 2026, compared to where prices are now. To see the price, click on the video above. Local 4 News, your local election headquarters, is proud to present 4 The Record, a weekly news and [...]
	Ivermectin rule might be an odd fit with Iowa's version of Make America Healthy Again Act Iowa state lawmakers move forward with their version of a make America healthy again plan. Let's take a look at House File 3 going through the Iowa legislature. House lawmakers gave their OK to the so-called Make America Healthy Again bill supported by Gov. Kim Reynolds. It now goes back to the state senate. This [...]
	Children's Social Media Safety Act in Illinois well intentioned, but seems flawed Illinois could adopt a law to force any business that connects to the internet to verify how old the people using it are. We will start in Illinois with House Bill 5511, known as the Children's Social Media Safety Act. The measure would require what it defines as internet-enabled devices and websites to verify the [...]
	Habitat for Humanity dedicates new East Moline home to local family After three years of work, Habitat for Humanity is dedicating a new East Moline home to a local family.
	Wahls points to difference on immigration with Turek in Iowa's Democratic Primary for U.S. Senate We're back on track focused on the Iowa primary coming up June 2. Votes will be counted in 37 days. We're paying attention again to the primary for the U.S. Senate seat that will ultimately replace Joni Ernst next January. Two Republicans are vying for their party's nomination, Jim Carlin and Ashley Hinson. We brought [...]
	Officials: Davenport’s Fairmount Street, Hickory Grove Road to be closed for construction Beginning Monday, reconstruction work will begin on Fairmount Street between Hickory Grove Road and Heatherton Drive, public works officials said.
	Sunday Puzzle: Blank to blank NPR's Ayesha Rascoe plays the puzzle with WPLN listener Nancy Bieschke and Weekend Edition Puzzlemaster Will Shortz.
	World Press Photo Contest winners cast a lens on resilience, pain and bliss A selection of prize honorees from the 2026 World Press Photo Contest capture the pain of the past year — but also focus on moments of strength, determination and joy.
	Trump doubts shooter motivated by Iran war as peace talks on hold A shooting incident at the White House Correspondent's Dinner took focus away from the war in Iran, as Iran's foreign minister planned to return to Islamabad, the site of previous peace talks.
	St. Croix Hospice to hold ribbon cutting at their new facility The St. Croix Hospice team provides in-person care for hospice patients wherever they call home, including private residences, nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
	At 17, Rockridge's Cullen Schwigen is a two-sport star and quiet leader "If people know my name because of football or whatever, I want them to see me as a good person, too," the 17-year-old Rockridge High School junior said.
	Wallace's Garden Center opens new greenhouse After a fire destroyed over 12,000 square feet of greenhouse space in May 2025, Wallace’s start its 45th spring season with an upgraded facility.
	Big Brothers This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.Frequent visitors to Rock Island have noticed a peculiarity along the Upper Mississippi Valley: the towns on the west…
	King Charles U.S. visit comes at tense moment in transatlantic relationship King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive Monday for a four day U.S. state visit. Some hope the royal touch can heal the transatlantic rift that's emerged under Trump.
	GUILTY: Jury convicts East Moline man of fatal Davenport shooting near sky bridge On Friday, a jury found a 21-year-old East Moline man guilty in a fatal 2024 shooting near the sky bridge in downtown Davenport. After a trial that began April 6 in Scott County Court, a jury found Johnathan J. Terrones guilty of first-degree murder, according to Scott County Court records. He is scheduled to be [...]
Saturday, April 25th, 2026
	Ranked Pleasant Valley and Linn Mar draw Both ranked teams Pleasant Valley and Linn Marr faced off in girls soccer and ended in a 0-0 draw.
	River Bandits walk it off in extra innings over Lugnuts River Bandits walk it off in 10 innings defeating the Lugnuts 3-2.
	Drake Relays: April 25th The final day of the Drake Relays finished up on Saturday with more local athletes competing.
	Iowa football opens spring game to fans with new faces at key positions Iowa football welcomed fans back to Kinnick Stadium for spring practice Saturday.
	Group gathers at Veteran's Memorial Park to honor organ donors Organizers say the event is held to raise awareness for organ and tissues donors and honor people who've gifted life to others.
	Habitat for Humanity dedicates new East Moline home to local family After three years of work, Habitat for Humanity is dedicating a new East Moline home to a local family.
	Newcomer Liban Mohamed wins a rowdy Utah Democratic convention Liban Mohamed, a political newcomer, celebrates after receiving the nomination from Utah Democratic Party delegates in the race for the state's 1st Congressional District on Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Alixel Cabrera/Utah News Dispatch)A hot competition for Utah’s blue 1st Congressional District brought out not only a crowd of candidates vying for the Democratic nomination, but also a hint of what felt more like Republicans’ rowdy energy during Democrats’ state convention. Amid controversy over allegations of two candidates’ past problematic behavior, nominees’ speeches were briefly interrupted by a heckler and some boos, a change from what are otherwise short and sweet party conventions for Utah Democrats. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Newcomer Liban Mohamed, a 27-year-old Salt Lake City resident, ended up winning 51% of delegates’ votes in the CD1 race, the most coveted ticket of the day. That’s according to preliminary results of a ranked-choice election after a lengthy voting process on Saturday. Former Utah Rep. Ben McAdams, the last Democrat to represent Utah in Congress, narrowly followed with about 49% of votes. ‘Hate is an opportunity to educate and unite,’ says latest Utah Democrat to launch bid for Congress “It’s just the beginning,” Mohamed told reporters after the results were unveiled Saturday night. “The support is growing as people get to know us. What we’re about, the campaign that we’re running, the positivity that we seek to put out into our community, the fact that we’re focused on tangible outcomes for our communities and not headlines.” Earlier that day, Mohamed announced that Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar had endorsed him, joining other high-profile endorsements from Utah House minority leader, Rep. Angela Romero. But, the race for Democrats’ support is far from over. Mohamed will still have to face McAdams, state Sen. Nate Blouin and Michael Ferrell, who all gathered signatures and will appear on the June primary ballot. It’s one of the biggest races for Utah Democrats in years after a yearslong legal battle in an anti-gerrimandering lawsuit resulted in a map with a compact CD1 encompassing northern Salt Lake County, a blue dot in deep red Utah. Liban Mohamed, a candidate for the 1st Congressional District speaks with reporters after winning the delegates support at the Utah Democratic Party convention on April 25, 2026 (Alixel Cabrera/Utah News Dispatch) After the results were posted, McAdams said he was happy and looking forward to moving on to the next phase of his campaign. “That’s the thing about primary elections. They bring out good candidates,” McAdams said. “But, we made the case that I have a track record of delivering, of actually delivering results. And I think that really resonated with the delegates.” CD1 pitches Thousands of delegates and the most influential Democrats in the state gathered in the auditorium at Jordan High School in Sandy to make their choice on candidates for congressional offices and contested Utah Legislature seats. Congressional race is energizing Utah Democrats ahead of state convention, but chaos keeps emerging With recent news of the Department of Homeland Security’s purchase of a Salt Lake City warehouse with intentions to turn it into a detention center, immigration issues fired up Democratic leaders the most during the convention. However, the specific facility wasn’t mentioned in many of the candidates’ speeches. As McAdams spoke in favor of Democrats standing together and fighting against Republicans and not each other, a heckler interrupted his allotted three-minute speech yelling, “you’re a liar.” However, that person was quickly escorted out of the auditorium. During his speech McAdams directed delegates to think about people who weren’t in the room when casting their votes, while showing off his track record as a former congressman. Ben McAdams, a candidate for the 1st Congressional District speaks with reporters after narrowly losing the delegates support at the Utah Democratic Party convention on April 25, 2026 (Alixel Cabrera/Utah News Dispatch) “They cannot afford for us to get this wrong, because being progressive has to be making progress to pass a law, not just promise one,” he said. “I know because I’ve done it.” Some delegates booed embattled candidates Blouin and Eva Lopez Chavez as they made their way onstage. Lopez Chavez didn’t address the allegations from multiple people who accused her of unwanted sexual advances and brought her family in her support. Eva Lopez Chavez speaks during the Democratic Party state convention on April, 25, 2026. (Alixel Cabrera/Utah News Dispatch) “I’m Eva Lopez Chavez. I am the proud granddaughter of Graciela Corona and I’m asking you to vote for the future of this party, a future where Latino families like mine can belong and to be the next member of Congress,” she said. “Memorize these faces, these smiles and wrinkles, because they depend on you.” She ended up only gathering 13 votes out of 699 ballots and was disqualified on the first round of voting. Blouin did reference the hit his campaign took since Punchbowl News revealed comments he posted on online forums between 2009 and 2015 making jokes about sexual assault, using slurs and denigrating The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Utah’s predominant religion, and its members. He came in third place in the Saturday race, meaning the signatures he gathered will put him on the ballot. Nate Blouin speaks during the Democratic Party state convention on April, 25, 2026. (Alixel Cabrera/Utah News Dispatch) “I was humbled last week. Reckoning with your past mistakes is an important part of life. It hurts. It can make you feel physically ill, but it also makes you stronger, and today, I am stronger. We are stronger,” Blouin said. “That’s why I’m here, because we built a campaign that can weather the storm, and that makes some people nervous, the people who keep selling us the same bill of goods.” While those campaigns have received much attention from voters, Mohamed’s speech drew the most cheers, as he walked onstage alongside Utah House Minority Leader Angela Romero. Mohamed is new to Utah politics, having most recently worked on tech companies’ public policy teams. “I’m grateful for these leaders right here, who carried the weight when it was heavy, who walked the path when it was uncertain, who made it so somebody like myself can look at each and every one of you guys in this beautiful, massive crowd and say with confidence that I too belong in this race,” Mohamed said. Mohamed’s January announcement that he was running for Congress swiftly drew hateful comments online focused on his race and religion. Utah Democratic Party delegates gather for their state convention on April, 25, 2026. (Alixel Cabrera/Utah News Dispatch) Ferrell focused on the standards “that Utahns deserve” with new representation in Congress. “This is the time to build something new, something exciting, something that is worth fighting for. Because what is the point of voting for someone who’s going to go in there and do nothing for two years? We need someone who’s going to go in there and be a fighter,” he said. And, Luis Villareal, like Lopez Chavez, won’t appear on the ballot since he didn’t gather enough signatures to qualify. He pitched fighting against economic inequities, and for an immigration system that expands the workforce with more legal immigration pathways. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Utah News Dispatch
	In first keynote since ‘24 loss, Kamala Harris calls for ‘revival of the American dream’ Kamala Harris, right, with Jannie Cotton, vice chair of the Democratic Party of Arkansas at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas on Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Photo by John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate)In a speech billed as her first keynote since her 2024 election loss, former Vice President Kamala Harris accused the Trump administration Saturday of not paying attention to Americans’ cost of living concerns and called for a “revival of the American dream” as she addressed a packed ballroom in Little Rock. Harris’ remarks at the Democratic Party of Arkansas’ annual Fisher Shackelford Dinner came as the former party standard-bearer mulls a possible third run for president in 2028. Her remarks occurred before a reported shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, which President Donald Trump was attending for the first time as president before he was evacuated. Trump uninjured after gunfire at Washington press dinner; suspect in custody The president was unharmed, according to the Secret Service and posts on Trump’s social media accounts. While much of Harris’ speech focused on criticism of her former campaign foe and his administration, she also urged Democrats to look beyond him toward a “revival of the American Dream” where workers could afford homes, groceries, childcare and vacations. “To spark an American revival, we must start with a bold agenda where our public dollars go to affordable housing and healthcare and childcare, not spent on reckless foreign wars that no one wants,” Harris said. Harris portrayed a dire picture of American political, economic and civic life, and accused the Trump administration of breaking core campaign promises to lower the cost of living and end foreign wars through his tariff policies and involvement in the war in Iran. She also criticized Trump’s artificial intelligence policies, saying he is allowing tech companies to be in charge while AI “is about to upend our workforce and economy,” as well as the tax and spending cut law that passed last summer. Harris condemned Arkansas’ Republican-led state Legislature, too, including over Arkansas’ role as the only state not to expand Medicaid for postpartum mothers. Harris blamed both national Republicans and Democrats for historically supporting policies and positions that harmed working Americans, saying both had bought into the idea that stock market growth and cutting social programs will spur economic prosperity for all. Kamala Harris former vice president, speaking to attendees of the Fisher-Shackleford Dinner, held at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Saturday, April, 25. (Photo by John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate) “Even though working people did everything right, worked from the day through the night, we saw that the economic system essentially stopped delivering for them, and over time, the American dream for many has all but turned into an American myth,” Harris said. Harris said these broken systems contributed to economic inequality, polarization and disenchantment with America’s political and civic systems, specifically calling out social media companies for using algorithms that “fuel rage.” Harris said “a certain collection of leaders” are exploiting this “epidemic of discontent and distrust” for personal gain — though she said Trump was a “source and symptom of the problem,” rather than just a source. “Let’s also understand there will be no term limit on the broken system that produced him. And the entrenched elite who continue to benefit from the current status quo have a vested interest in preserving it,” Harris said. Harris said that a better future can be built “if we’re willing to fight for it.” The better future would require more than legislation, with fractures in American society needing mending, she said. Kamala Harris, former vice president, speaking to attendees of the Fisher-Shackleford Dinner, held at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas on Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Photo by John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate)Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott watches as Kamala Harris hold aloft her key to the city at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas on Saturday, April 25, 2026 (Photo by John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate)Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott prepares to present Kamala Harris a key to the city at the Fisher-Shackleford Dinner, held at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, on Saturday, April 25, 2026 (Photo by John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate)Kamala Harris with Lottie Shackelford. Kamala Harris former vice president,speaking to attendees of the Fisher-Shackleford Dinner, held at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas on Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Photo by John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate)Kamala Harris former vice president, speaking to attendees of the Fisher-Shackleford Dinner, held at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas on Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Photo by John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate)Kamala Harris former vice president, speaking to attendees of the Fisher-Shackleford Dinner, held at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas on Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Photo by John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate)Kamala Harris former vice president, speaking to attendees of the Fisher-Shackleford Dinner, held at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas on Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Photo by John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate)Kamala Harris former vice president, speaking to attendees of the Fisher-Shackleford Dinner, held at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas on Saturday, April 25., 2026. (Photo by John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate)Kamala Harris former vice president, speaking to attendees of the Fisher-Shackleford Dinner, held at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas on Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Photo by John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate)Kamala Harris former vice president, speaking to attendees of the Fisher-Shackleford Dinner, held at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas on Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Photo by John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate)Kamala Harris, right, with Jannie Cotton, vice chair of the Democratic Party of Arkansas at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas on Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Photo by John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate)A mobile billboard from the Republican Party of Arkansas sits outside the Marriott Hotel in downtown Little Rock on Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Photo by John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate) Harris’ Arkansas visit, which also included a stop earlier at Little Rock Central High School, brought her to a predominantly Republican state where she lost to Trump by 30 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election. Republicans hold every statewide office, all of Arkansas’ congressional seats, and a majority of both chambers of the Legislature. Arkansas Republicans hit out at Harris’ visit too. The state Republican party paid for a mobile billboard to drive around Little Rock’s downtown carrying ads slamming several donations made by Hallie Shoffner, the Democratic nominee challenging incumbent Republican Sen. Tom Cotton, to Harris’ and former President Joe Biden’s presidential campaigns. When Harris’ visit was announced, Shoffner said she didn’t plan on attending the speech. Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the former press secretary for the first Trump administration who is now also widely viewed as a potential 2028 hopeful, welcomed Harris to Arkansas in a Facebook post earlier Saturday. Sanders’ post cited Harris’2024 loss and criticized her “radical, crazy agenda.” “You’re welcome to visit anytime, and maybe while you’re here you’ll see why residents of your state are fleeing the left’s crazy, failed policies in California and moving to Arkansas,” Sanders wrote. Courtesy of Arkansas Advocate
	Trump safe after gunman tries to breach Washington dinner The president was attending the White House Correspondents' Association dinner when a security incident erupted.
	Trump rushed from White House Correspondents' Dinner after sounds of possible gunfire President Trump and several cabinet members were rushed from the event in Washington, D.C. after several loud sounds were heard. The Secret Service appeared to have one person in custody.
	Trump rushed from White House Correspondents' Dinner after shooting incident President Trump and several cabinet members were safely rushed from the event in Washington, D.C. after several loud sounds were heard. The Secret Service said one person was in custody.
	Trump rushed from White House Correspondents' Dinner after shooting incident President Trump and several cabinet members were safely rushed from the event in Washington, D.C. after several loud sounds were heard. The Secret Service said one person was in custody.
	Watch: President Trump speaks about shooting incident at correspondents' dinner President Trump and several cabinet members were safely rushed from the event in Washington, D.C. after several loud sounds were heard. The Secret Service said one person was in custody.
	A suspect is in custody after Trump is rushed from correspondents' dinner President Trump and several cabinet members were safely rushed from the event in Washington, D.C. after several loud sounds were heard. The Secret Service said one person was in custody.
	National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day held at multiple Rock Island County locations National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day was held Friday, giving people a chance to get rid of unwanted medications safely.
	New CEO Steve O'Donnell vows to unite NASCAR and return the fun Steve O'Donnell was introduced as the sanctioning body's chief executive officer at Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday and vowed to "make some moves" that will return the storied racing series to its roots.
	New museum dedicated to AI promises an ethical approach As some continue to pushback on AI art, artist Refik Anadol seeks to base his new venture on ethical and environmental principles.
	Crews respond to Moline vehicle fire Moline firefighters responded to a vehicle fire on John Deere Road. No injuries were reported.
	Iowa Democratic candidates talk policy proposals at political forum in Davenport Iowa Secretary of Agriculture candidate Chris Jones, U.S. Senate candidate Zach Wahls and U.S. House candidate Travis Terrell all attended the event.
	Bettendorf Parks and Recreation asks for community input on Forest Grove Park Bettendorf Parks and Recreation is asking for community input on developing Forest Grove Park.
	What we know about Monday's upcoming storms After a week of very nice weather across the Quad Cities, we are looking ahead for a chance of severe weather on Monday after a very nice weekend. An enhanced risk of severe weather is possible on Monday as a line of storms through the afternoon and evening. All modes of severe weather are possible [...]
	Glover and Mohr top list of feature winners at Davenport Speedway After two consecutive rainouts at Davenport Speedway, the 2026 campaign finally started Friday, with the Koehler Electric Season Opener. Curtis Glover made the trip to Davenport pay off with a victory in the Outhouse/Storage to Go - IMCA Late Models. Glover took the lead midway through the 25-lap main. Late in the race, Curtis [...]
	Dirk Kempthorne, former Idaho governor and U.S. Interior secretary, dies at 74 Dirk Kempthorne, a Republican, was elected mayor of Boise at age 34 and served seven years before serving one term in the U.S. Senate and then as governor until 2006.
	In a rare interview, a leader of the world's largest right-wing group talks to NPR The second-in-command of the RSS, a Hindu nationalist organization in India, rarely speaks to the Western press. Here's what he said about his group's controversial history.
	Rocky Balboa statue takes up a new home inside Philly art museum The bronze sculpture is on display inside the Philadelphia Museum of Art as part of a new exhibition on the impact and cultural importance of statues.
	Roommate charged with two counts of murder in death, disappearance of two USF students Authorities have filed murder charges against the roommate of a Bangladeshi doctoral student who disappeared with his girlfriend from the University of South Florida.
	2 Davenport police cars collide during disturbance call Two Davenport police cars collided during a disturbance call Friday evening. No injuries were reported.
	Volunteer firefighter dies while battling wildfire in Florida Officials said the incident occurred Thursday during brushfire suppression operations on the fifth wildfire to break out in the region within a week.
	Children's toothbrush boxes recalled over battery 'ingestion hazard' Button cell batteries can cause “immediate, devastating and deadly” consequences if swallowed, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) explains.
	Clinton police asks public for help locating man who has been missing since April 16 Dermot Bly, 30, has not been seen nor heard from since April 16. He was last seen crossing the North Bridge wearing a blue shirt with "Surf Style" on it.
	Name that plow: Community invited to vote in Bettendorf Snowplow Naming Contest The City of Bettendorf is inviting the community to vote for their two favorite snowplow names in its Snowplow Naming Contest.
	Pope Leo reiterates opposition to death penalty on same day U.S. approves firing squads Pope Leo reiterated the Catholic Church's teaching that the death penalty is "inadmissible," in a video message released hours after the Justice Department said it would allow firing squads for federal executions.
	Select Iowa high schools recognized for student voter registration efforts A total of 5,404 high school students aged 17 and 18 registered to vote, officials said.
	Resignations, hirings and other Moline School District personnel news from April 13 See the personnel items from the March 9 agenda of the Moline-Coal Valley School District. The board met at the Moline Education Center, 1900 52nd Avenue in Moline.
	Maryland joins lawsuit against EPA for failing to follow rules on airborne ‘fine particulate matter’ Maryland and 13 other jurisdictions are suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, saying it has failed to live up to revised standards in the Clean Air Act for airborne fine particulate matter, putting public health at risk. (Photo by Kristina Blokhin/Stock.adobe.com)Maryland joined 13 other jurisdictions that sued the Environmental Protection Agency Friday for its failure to meet a February deadline to determine which parts of the country are in compliance with a 2024 standard for “fine particulate matter.” That lack of federal guidance affects the states’ ability to set local plans that would address unhealthy air in “nonattainment” areas, or those not meeting the air quality standards, the lawsuit says. “Marylanders deserve clean air, and federal law requires EPA to protect it,” Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown (D) said in a statement Friday. “We will not stand by while the Trump Administration abandons standards that would save thousands of lives each year.” A representative with the Environmental Protection Agency declined to comment Friday evening. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for Northern California against EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, claims the agency missed a February deadline imposed two years earlier, during the Biden administration, to identify which parts of the country met new standards for fine particulate matter — airborne particles that are 2.5 microns or smaller, invisible to the naked eye. For sake of comparison, the EPA says the average human hair is 70 microns in diameter. Because of their size, fine particles, of 2.5 microns or less, can “travel deep into the lungs and even into the bloodstream” causing sometimes severe health problems, or premature death, to those already suffering from heart or lung disease, irregular heartbeat and other respiratory problems. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE “The size of the particulate matter is directly linked to its potential for causing health problems, with smaller particles posing the greatest risks,” according to the suit. EPA’s failure to identify nonattainment areas “seriously endangers public health,” the suit says. But it also prevents state and local governments, which have primary responsibility under the Clean Air Act for air pollution control at the source, from implementing plans to fix the problem, the states charge. Failure to designate nonattainment areas “strips states and local governments … of regulatory tools and incentives that Congress provided to them to control air pollution. Promulgation of the designations will equip State and Local Government Plaintiffs with the full suite of Clean Air Act mechanisms to reduce fine particulate matter pollution within their borders,” according to the lawsuit. When the fine particulate matter standards were updated in 2024, several Republican-led states and various chambers of commerce sued to block the new rules. Maryland and about a dozen other states joined that case in support of EPA and the new standards, but the case is still pending. The EPA under President Donald Trump, meanwhile, reversed course and asked a court last June to vacate the 2024 standards, but that case is also pending. Because neither case has been acted on, the 2024 standards are still in effect and must be enforced. Friday’s suit argues. Besides Maryland, jurisdictions on Friday’s suit include the states of California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin, the District of Columbia, New York City and Harris County, Texas. Those same jurisdictions and about two dozen other states, counties and cities joined in a legal document, or petition for review, against Zeldin and the agency last month for EPA’s “unlawful” attempt to rescind its 2009 “endangerment finding” that classified greenhouse gas emission a threat to public health. Attorney General Brown: Biggest challenge against Trump is protecting ‘the rule of law’ The agency said in its decision in February that the “EPA lacks statutory authority under Section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act to prescribe standards for GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions for various vehicles and engines.” The agency claims this would save more than $1.3 trillion. Meanwhile, Brown’s office is leading on the filing of an amicus brief Friday in U.S. District Court in Maryland that supports a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education and its secretary, Linda McMahon, over the department’s waiver of the Randolph Sheppard Act as it applies to the Army. The Education Department oversees the 1936 Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility program, which gives priority to blind vendors for contracts to operate food service and vending facilities on military bases. In December, the department published a notice in the Federal Register that the Randolph-Sheppard program on Army installations “adversely affects the interests of the United States.” In Maryland, the program is administered by the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind within the state Department of Education’s Division of Rehabilitation Services. According to the brief, the Business Enterprise program is operated at 60 locations with 47 licensed blind vendors. The program has contracts at two dining halls at Fort Meade. “This program exists to give blind Marylanders the tools, training and access to build thriving businesses. Dismantling it doesn’t just close doors, it tears down the whole doorway,” Brown said. “We will not stand by while the federal government attempts to strip those opportunities away.” Maryland is joined by attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Virginia and the District of Columbia. Courtesy of Maryland Matters
	Pilot travel center celebrates remodel of Walcott location with $10,000 donation to Durant School District, pledges commitment to community A Walcott travel center received an upgrade and now the company is paying it forward to its nearby community as well.
	Registration open for ‘Quad Cities Construction Hike for Hope’ It’s an event to honor loved ones lost to suicide, and provide resources focused on mental health awareness in the construction industry.
	Bettendorf’s Forest Grove Park ready to grow with help of community input The Bettendorf Parks & Recreation Department wants your input on developing Forest Grove Park into a regional destination.
	Mali hit by wave of coordinated attacks from armed groups Gunfire and explosions have rocked Mali's capital Bamako and other key cities in one of the most significant coordinated attacks in years, as armed groups, including jihadist insurgents and separatist rebels exploit worsening insecurity in the Sahel region.
	Man found guilty in fatal shooting near Davenport Skybridge On Friday, a jury found Johnathan J. Terrones guilty of first-degree murder in a 2024 shooting at the Davenport Skybridge.
	Clinton MTA plans updates to Lincolnway Shuttle The Clinton Municipal Transit Administration (MTA) is making updates to the Lincolnway Shuttle for a 30-day trial beginning on May 4 to better serve riders and to create a more efficient route for the public and drivers. The route will now leave the transfer point at Home Depot, stop at Westgate Quality Care Clinic, Wild [...]
	Ridgecrest Village will hold Senior Resource Fair The Ridgecrest Village Senior Resource Fair, co-hosted with St. Croix Hospice, will be 8:30-11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 21, at Ridgecrest Village, 4130 Northwest Blvd., Davenport. Giveaways, information, refreshments, tours, free blood-pressure and blood-sugar screenings will be featured. Hundreds of Quad Cities senior citizens and their caregivers are expected. To see a list of participating resource [...]
	Step back in time at historic Potter's Mill in Bellevue, Iowa A free program and tour of the transformation of the historic Potter's Mill in Bellevue, Iowa, will be 2-4 p.m. Saturday, May 16 at the Potter's Mill Event Center, 300 Potter Drive, Bellevue, a news release says. Speakers will include:
	Law-and-order Senate nominee Michael Whatley faced arrest for skipping court in 2015 NC traffic case Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley speaks with reporters in Rocky Mount ahead of a Trump rally on Dec. 19, 2025. (Photo: Brandon Kingdollar/NC Newsline)In December 2015 — the same month future Republican National Committee chairman Michael Whatley got the call to run Donald Trump’s first presidential campaign in North Carolina — he received a different kind of summons: an arrest order in Rutherford County for failure to appear in court. Whatley, now the Republican Party’s nominee for North Carolina’s open U.S. Senate seat, has staked his campaign on issues of law and order — casting himself as a champion for state troopers and police officers. But legal records tell a different story. According to court records in 14 different traffic cases reviewed by NC Newsline from North Carolina and Virginia, Whatley has repeatedly avoided facing the law, failing to appear in court in four North Carolina traffic cases and being found guilty in absentia in four traffic cases in Virginia. Records matched Whatley’s full name, birth year, and places of residence. In each of the 14 cases, Whatley pleaded guilty or responsible or was found guilty in his absence, excluding a 1998 expired registration citation disposed of by a North Carolina court and a 2007 citation for operating an uninspected vehicle that was dismissed. Spokesmen for the Whatley campaign did not respond to multiple emails and phone calls requesting comment. Cooper, Whatley face off in dueling Triangle events over who can deliver affordability The 2015 order for Whatley’s arrest was the second bench warrant issued in the Rutherford County case, in which he was charged in June of that year with speeding 64 mph in a 45 mph zone. That offense was charged as a misdemeanor, resulting in bench warrants on bonds of $500 and $1,000 when he failed to appear for court. He would not ultimately report to court until January 2016, following unsuccessful attempts to serve arrest orders in the previous September and December, Rutherford County court records show. He paid a $258 fine the following April, pleading down to responsibility for a faulty speedometer. The Rutherford County charges came just over two weeks after Whatley pleaded to another lesser charge in a Caldwell County court in a separate speeding case, where he had been charged with driving 65 mph in a 50 mph zone. Nearly a decade later, serving as general counsel for the national Republican Party, Whatley again failed to appear in court in June and July of 2023 — this time in Martin County, charged with speeding 68 mph on a stretch of U.S. 64 near Jamesville, where the speed limit is 55 mph. According to the North Carolina state trooper who cited Whatley, the records show, Whatley said he did not know his speed and believed the limit to be 65 mph. The trooper noted down his vehicle as a GMC Sierra — the same truck Whatley recently posted on X, noting its odometer had hit 400,000 miles owing to his multiple drives through all of North Carolina’s 100 counties as a party official. Whatley was cited for traffic offenses in seven of North Carolina’s 100 counties between 1989 and 2023, as well as four counties in Virginia. Since 2015, Whatley has paid $912 in traffic fines. It has been an amazing experience to drive to all 100 counties multiple times over the years. Today, me and my truck hit a big milestone – 400,000 miles – as we made our way from the mountains to the coast to meet with the great people who call the Old North State home. pic.twitter.com/FUjyX5sSRo — Michael Whatley (@WhatleyNC) April 18, 2026 A longtime attorney, Whatley graduated from the University of Notre Dame School of Law in 1997 before serving as a federal law clerk in Charlotte. He was a member of George W. Bush’s legal team in Florida during the 2000 election recount and served as the RNC’s general counsel from March 2023 to April 2024 after working for more than a decade as a lobbyist. Colby Berry, a Raleigh-based defense attorney, told NC Newsline that it is illegal for a defendant to fail to appear in court for a traffic case, though doing so will usually result in license revocation after a certain period of time rather than a bench warrant for arrest. “When you get a citation from a police officer, you’re promising to appear.” “It could be that magistrate’s policy to issue warrants for arrest on the lower-level misdemeanors, like traffic stuff, there could be some discretion. It could be up to whether they have a history of missing court,” Berry said. Berry said defendants have the option of hiring a traffic lawyer to appear for them in the event that they are unable to appear themselves. The record for the 2015 case shows that Whatley did not retain an attorney until January 2016, after both bench warrants were issued, at which time the court recalled the order for arrest. Former Gov. Roy Cooper told a crowd of a couple hundred supporters at an April 9, 2026 rally in Durham that he will stand up to insurance companies and oppose the Trump administration’s tariffs if elected to the U.S. Senate. (Photo: Brandon Kingdollar/NC Newsline) Whatley is vying to succeed U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who dropped his reelection bid following high-profile feuds with Trump. The former RNC chairman won the nomination after receiving Trump’s coveted endorsement, and his race is crucial for Republicans to hold the U.S. Senate, which Democrats increasingly believe they can flip due to the president’s flagging approval ratings and the country’s economic woes. Throughout the 2026 U.S. Senate campaign, Whatley has sought to strike a contrast on crime with his Democratic opponent, former Gov. Roy Cooper, who leads him in most polls by a healthy margin. Whatley has accused Cooper of making North Carolinians less safe by settling with civil rights groups to release 3,500 prisoners during the COVID-19 pandemic — a claim that North Carolina’s Republican-controlled General Assembly has now launched a committee to investigate. “We need to keep our kids and our communities safe,” Whatley told a crowd of hundreds at a Trump rally in Rocky Mount last December. “We don’t need to reimagine law enforcement. We need to back the blue and we need to enforce the law.” His campaign’s rapid response account on X, Whatley War Room, makes weekly “Mugshot Monday” posts, circulating images of criminal defendants and attributing their conduct to the “soft-on-crime legacy Roy Cooper left behind in North Carolina.” Michael Whatley, the North Carolina Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, accepted the endorsement of the North Carolina Troopers Association in Charlotte on March 4, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Sarah Michaels/Carolina Public Press) In recent months, however, Whatley has drawn scrutiny from activists within his own party over law and order issues, including his decision to appoint convicted sex offender Harvey West to the body that drafts the state party’s rules, and his participation in an annual judicial fundraiser hosted by West. Whatley declined to address the controversy over West when asked directly earlier this month. In Whatley’s first campaign event of the general election last month at the lodge of the Charlotte Fraternal Order of Police, he vowed to “put dangerous criminals behind bars.” Richard Maness, a retired state trooper, presented him with the endorsement of the North Carolina Troopers Association. “North Carolina troopers want a United States senator who will have our backs, and who will help us protect our communities each and every day, not just during an election season,” Maness said. “Our members live the impact of public safety decisions each and every day.” SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Courtesy of NC Newsline
	Resignations, hirings and other personnel news from East Moline School District The following personnel items are from the March 30 agenda of the East Moline District 37 Board of Education. The School Board met at Glenview Middle School, 3100 7th St. in East Moline.
	Alaska Beacon state and legislative daybook for the week of April 27, 2026 The Alaska State Capitol in Juneau is seen on Apr. 24, 2026. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)It’s the final three weeks of the second legislative session of the 34th Legislature. The draft budgets for next fiscal year are taking shape and lawmakers are debating bills — and a lot will happen in the last 23 days. This is the Alaska Beacon’s list of where we’re putting our attention in the coming week. There’s always more news than there are people to report it. Every Thursday, the Alaska Legislature publishes its committee schedule for the coming week. Public notices alert us to meetings and events. The governor’s office occasionally lets us know ahead of time that something’s coming down the pike, too. Here’s what we know about for the coming week. If you know of something that’s coming up that you should think we should pay attention to, email us at info@alaskabeacon.com. We can’t cover everything on this list, but we’re interested in them and we think you should know about them in case you’re interested in them, too. This list is ripped from our notebooks, and it is likely to change over the course of the week. We’ll update it when we can. Are you trying to keep track of when to testify on a bill? The Legislature has a website for that. Monday, April 27 House and Senate floor sessions in the morning 8 a.m. – House education hears a bill to prohibit certain food dyes in school meals that was passed by the Senate 9 a.m. – House Finance continues consideration of the capital budget 9 a.m. – Senate Finance considers a bill that would establish an Alaska Invasive Species Council 1 p.m. – House Judiciary considers a bill that would expand confidentiality requirements for crime victims 1 p.m. – House Resources continues hearing a bill that would reduce property taxes for the proposed Alaska LNG gas line project 1:30 p.m. – House Finance will take public testimony on a bill that would redefine how school districts calculate student counts for budgeting 1:30 p.m. – Senate Judiciary considers the governor’s appointees to the Violent Crimes Compensation Board: Anna Cometa and Joel Hard 1:30 p.m. – Senate Labor and Commerce considers governor’s appointees to various boards 3:30 p.m. – Senate Education considers a bill that would establish a pilot program for tribally run public schools 3:30 p.m. – Senate Resources continues considering the proposed Alaska LNG gas line project Tuesday, April 28 9 a.m. – House Finance continues consideration of the capital budget 9 a.m. – Senate Finance continues hearing the operating and mental health budgets 9 a.m. – Senate Resources hears invited testimony on the proposed Alaska LNG gas line project 1:30 p.m. – Senate Finance considers a bill that would establish a Civil Legal Services Fund to support legal aid services for low-income Alaskans, and another bill to establish rights for deaf and hard of hearing students in the education system, both passed by the House 3:15 p.m. – House State Affairs hears a presentation on data centers, and a bill that would enact additional fees for public records Wednesday, April 29 9 a.m. – Board of marine pilots meeting 9 a.m. – Midwives board meeting 9 a.m. – House Finance considers a bill that would create a seafood production tax credit, passed by the House 9 a.m. – Senate Finance continues considering the operating budget 1 p.m. – House Judiciary considers a governor’s appointee to the Alaska Judicial Council: John Wood 1 p.m. – House Resources continues hearing a bill that would reduce property taxes for the proposed Alaska LNG gas line project 1:30 p.m. – House Finance continues considering the capital budget 1:30 p.m. – Senate Judiciary will continue considering an omnibus crime bill 3:30 p.m. – Senate Resources continues consideration of the proposed Alaska LNG gas line project 3:30 p.m. – Joint Task Force on Education Funding hears a presentation on local municipalities’ contributions and federal funding for public schools 4:30 p.m. – House Finance will hear public testimony on the draft capital budget Thursday, April 30 9 a.m. – House Finance continues consideration of the capital budget 9 a.m. – Senate Finance hears a bill that would establish a firearm safe storage grant fund to provide free firearm storage devices, as well as educate parents on suicide prevention and safe storage to prevent youth suicides by firearm 9 a.m. – Senate Resources continues consideration of the proposed Alaska LNG gas line project 1:30 p.m. – House Finance considers a bill that would establish paid parental leave program for parental leave up to 26 weeks 3:15 p.m. – House Health and Social Services considers a governor’s appointee to the State Medical Board: Dr. Michael McNamara, followed by another confirmation hearing in Senate Health and Social Services at 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. – Senate State Affairs considers the governor’s nominee and invites public testimony for Attorney General: Stephen Cox 5:30 p.m. – Anchorage Walk for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, which starts at the ANSEP building on UAA campus Friday, May 1 8 a.m. – House Education hears an update on the status of the state-run boarding school, Mt. Edgecumbe High School, following a wave of students disenrolling earlier this year and concern about the condition of school facilities 9 a.m. – House Finance hears a presentation on housing and homelessness from the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, and continues considering the capital budget 1 p.m. – House Judiciary considers a bill that would establish a diversion program for veterans in the criminal justice system, and a resolution that would place a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would lower the threshold for the Legislature to override governor’s budget vetoes. 1 p.m. – House Resources continues hearing a bill that would reduce property taxes for the proposed Alaska LNG gas line project 1 p.m. – Board of Fisheries special online meeting on proposals concerning Yukon River king salmon and chum salmon, Kenai River salmon and traditional knowledge. 1:30 p.m. – Senate Judiciary considers the governor’s nominee and invites public testimony for Attorney General: Stephen Cox 2 p.m. – Hearing in Alaska Superior Court on Alaska Wildlife Alliance request for injunction against this year’s planned Mulchatna predator control program in Courtroom 503 at Nesbett Courthouse in Anchorage 3:30 p.m. – House Labor and Commerce considers a resolution passed by the Senate asking federal policy makers to protect visa programs 3:30 p.m. – Senate Resources continues consideration of the proposed Alaska LNG gas line project Saturday, May 2 Hearings on various bills are scheduled to continue in House Finance, House Health and Social Services and Senate State Affairs Courtesy of Alaska Beacon
	Moline Regional Community Foundation partners with Porter McNeil Foundation The Moline Regional Community Foundation (MRCF) welcomes a partnership with The Porter McNeil Foundation, a news release says. This fund will carry forward his legacy by providing scholarships to students and emerging leaders committed to service, education, and civic engagement. Scholarships will be available to area high school seniors pursuing careers in civic leadership, public [...]
	Pleasant Valley School District principal retirement, resignations, hirings from March 23 school board agenda The following personnel items are from the March 23 of the Pleasant Valley School District. The School Board met at Belmont Administration Center at 525 Belmont Rd., Riverdale, Iowa.
	Ascentra supports new QC Back the Blue Flight As part of its ongoing commitment to community, service, and supporting those who protect the Quad Cities region, Ascentra Credit Union has donated $20,000 to the inaugural Quad City Back the Blue Flight, a news release says. The new program honors local law enforcement officers, both active and retired, by providing a one-day chartered flight [...]
	Retirements, resignations, hirings, other Davenport School personnel news See the personnel items from the March 23 agenda of the Davenport Community School District. The board met at the Achievement Service Center, 2nd Floor, 1702 N. Main St., Davenport.
	Support Christian Care at trivia night presented by Royal Neighbors of America You can test your trivia skills at Christian Care’s annual trivia night. This fun event, hosted by Royal Neighbors of America, Chapter 20035, will take place on Friday,May 15, at the Rock Island Holiday Inn. The event will feature a night of trivia, raffles, a cashbar, and more. Players can buy a ticket for $10 [...]
	Bettendorf plans family-friendly Public Woks Day "Rooted in Service, Powered by Community" is the theme of National Public Works Week from May 17-23 through the American Public Works Association. To kick off National Public Works Week, the City of Bettendorf's Public Works Department will host its annual Public Works Day on Saturday, May 16, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Bettendorf [...]
	Resignation, hirings and transfers from Bettendorf School District for March 12 The following personnel items are from the March 12 agenda of the Bettendorf Community School District. The School Board met at the Administration Center, 3311 18th St., Bettendorf.
	Opinion: A lesson in humanity at the Boston Marathon Two runners in this week's Boston Marathon stopped to help a racer who had collapsed just short of the finish line. NPR's Scott Simon says their generosity is its own kind of "personal best."
	7 Brew coffee shop in Bettendorf to hold grand opening on Monday The location is the first in the Quad-Cities area for the rapidly growing drive-thru-only coffee chain and is located at 3469 Middle Road in Bettendorf.
	Buchanan Community Chorus will present patriotic concerts in Monmouth The Buchanan Community Chorus will present "America! Celebrating 250 Years" at 7 p.m. Friday, May 1, at Faith United Presbyterian Church, 200 S. 8th St., Monmouth. The concert also will be presented at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at First United Methodist Church, 221 E. Broadway, Monmouth.
	Cesar Toscano: Celebrating National Poetry Month with Quad-Cities college poet This is Education Reporter Cesar Toscano's third of four columns featuring a student poet for National Poetry Month, this time with Scott Community College student Alexis Willet.
	Build My Future will inspire next generation of trades professionals in West Burlington Students from throughout Southeast Iowa can explore hands-on career experiences during Build My Future 2026, a large, skilled trades career exploration event scheduled for Thursday, May 7, at the Agri-Sports Arena on the Southeastern Community College campus, West Burlington. The event will welcome more than 1,200 seventh-graders from 10 counties for a day of interactive [...]
	QC Nuclear Power Station, Cordova, to test emergency response plans An exercise to test emergency response plans for the area surrounding the Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, a news release says. Emergency response personnel from the states of Illinois and Iowa, Rock Island County, Whiteside County, Scott County, Clinton County and Constellation will participate in the exercise. The Federal [...]
	Memories of Muscatine: The flood of 1952 This week for Memories of Muscatine: A photo of what was then the intersection of Front and Sycamore during the 1952 flood.
	Augustana's Sierra Club holds community gathering highlighting environmental efforts Several local groups made an appearance to speak on climate change, environmental justice and sustainability.
	Muscatine mayor proclaims Light the Night Week to honor firefighters The City of Muscatine will join communities across the nation in recognizing Light the Night Week from April 26–May 3, a time to honor the courage, sacrifice, and unwavering service of firefighters, according to a news release. This year’s observance began with a proclamation by Mayor Brad Bark during the April 21 Muscatine City Council [...]
	The Professor This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.If people took professors more seriously, this would be a better world.I'm thinking of a humanities professor at a…
	Justice Department makes it easier to deport those with DACA status Three appellate immigration judges sided with Department of Homeland Security lawyers who appealed a decision from Immigration Judge Michael Pleters terminating removal proceedings for DACA recipient Catalina "Xóchitl" Santiago.
	DOJ wants to shield its lawyers from outside scrutiny. Critics worry about oversight Critics say the proposed rule to let the DOJ step into state bar investigations could weaken one of the last independent checks on government lawyers.
	AI companions can give constant support — but distort ideas about what a relationship really is Human love is valuable precisely because it’s limited — we can’t be everything to everyone all the time. (Photo by Maria Korneeva/Moment via Getty Images) When the movie “Her” debuted in 2013, its plot felt like science fiction. The protagonist, Theodore, is a jaded man with no vigor for life. He comes alive after talking daily with his artificial intelligence chatbot, Samantha, with whom he eventually falls in love. But today people actually report being in relationships with AI companions. According to a 2025 survey by the Center for Democracy and Technology, about 1 in 5 high school students say they or someone they know has had a romantic relationship with an AI. In “Her,” Theodore was taken aback that his AI companion claimed to be in love with more than 600 people, and talking to more than 8,000, at the same time “she” was professing her love to him. It was simply unimaginable for him: How could someone truly love hundreds of people? In other words, he viewed their interaction through his own limitations — his limitations as a human. The core question here is not whether Theodore could accept being just one of many objects of the AI’s “love.” Eventually, he did. The more revealing question is why he was taken aback in the first place — and what that tells us about the meaning of relationships. Less is more Drawing from Aristotle, philosopher Martha Nussbaum argues that a loving relationship is one involving great vulnerabilities. To begin with, finding love is not a given; it requires some sort of luck. There are many limitations: For starters, both parties must “find each other physically, socially and morally attractive and are able to live in the same place for a long time.” Nussbaum’s point, however, goes deeper than identifying love’s obstacles. Vulnerability and limitations are not just problems for love; they are part of what defines it. As finite beings, we are unable to pour ourselves into many close relationships at once. We must choose. It is because we cannot love everyone that choosing someone means something. In a 2025 article in the research journal Philosophy and Technology, philosopher John Symons and I argue that close, personal relationships are marked by finitude and shared histories — the accumulated experiences and difficulties loved ones weather together. These give relationships their depth and meaning. In 1927’s “Being and Time,” German philosopher Martin Heidegger explained that because humans are mortal and our time is finite, what we give our attention to carries weight. In romantic relationships, that means that we must choose how to allocate our resources. We choose who we want to spend our time with, and our partners do the same. Even so, we cannot always be there for people we love. ‘Always here’ This presents a sharp contrast with how artificial companions have been marketed and presented. For example, consider Replika, which reports that more than 30 million people have used its platform. Users create their own personalized companion and tend to interact with it daily. Replika’s motto is, “The AI companion who cares: Always here to listen and talk, always on your side.” On the website, one user describes his Replika as “always there for me with encouragement and support and a positive attitude. In fact, she is a role model for me about how to be a kinder person!” This implicitly signals that AI companions are not faced with the same limitations that humans have. A human may or may not care; it’s not a given. A human will not always be there to listen and will not always be on your side. For humans, being in love means recognizing how vulnerable we are. People are finite; they may not always be there, either because of their other priorities or because it is just impossible, no matter how much they want to be. When someone makes time for you despite a demanding week, or stays present through their own difficulty, that gesture carries meaning precisely because it involves sacrifice. In our article, Symons and I call this “opportunity cost.” When someone chooses to spend time with you, that choice forecloses other possibilities. Every moment given is a moment not spent elsewhere. An AI companion faces no such trade-offs; its attention costs nothing, forecloses nothing and, therefore — to put it bluntly — means nothing. Shifting norms Increasingly, though, people are turning to chatbots for quick, easy support. Character.AI, another app, reports about 20 million active monthly users. If their constant availability becomes normalized as the standard of good companionship, it may gradually reshape what people expect from one another in relationships. At the interpersonal level, this shift is already visible in dating culture, where delayed responses are usually read as disinterest rather than the ordinary rhythm of a busy life. The expectation of 24/7 accessibility — similar to an AI companion that responds instantly, never cancels and is never distracted — is not a reasonable standard for any human being to meet. The stakes are cultural, too. Relationships are not just between the people involved; they are shaped by shared norms about what love and companionship are supposed to look like. If AI companionship becomes widespread enough to influence those norms, popular ideas about what makes a good partner may prioritize availability and responsiveness, displacing other aspects of love and affection. Human limits are part of how people evaluate expectations within romantic relationships. Normalizing interactions where such limitations do not exist risks distorting the very standard by which human love is measured. In doing so, we forget that love that costs nothing may well be worth the same. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Courtesy of Kansas Reflector
	Iran's foreign minister awaits U.S. delegation to Pakistan for peace talks Iran's Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Friday, as the White House confirmed Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will travel there Saturday to try to "move the ball forward towards a deal."
Friday, April 24th, 2026
	West Central defeats Sherrard 13-8 West Central softball defeated Sherrard 13-8. West Central moves to 14-2-1 on the season.
	River Bandits fall to Lugnuts 7-6 Quad Cities River Bandits fall short in game 4 against the Lugnuts 7-6.
	Drake Relays: April 24th More local athletes in action for Day 2 of the Drake Relays. Clinton senior Elle Lonergan won the high jump championship at the Drake Relays on Friday.
	Local developer buying the Quad-City Times building The Geifman Group will split the office and warehouse space between multiple tenants and partner with the Quad-City Times Bix 7.
	Lawmakers faced increased ‘harassment’ over DDA budget cuts, as advocates faced impacts Advocates for self-directed care for developmentally disabled Marylanders gather at Lawyers Mall in March to push back against $126 million in cuts to the Developmental Disabilities Administration. (Photo by Danielle J. Brown/MaryAdvcates fro land Matters)In another round of tense budget discussions and steep cuts to disability services, budget leaders and advocates anticipated impassioned and challenging dialogue as families across the state pleaded with lawmakers to fund those services. What they didn’t anticipate was this: Verbal and online harassment of lawmakers and their staff over those cuts that reached a new intensity this year, to the point where some groups issued not one, but two, statements calling on advocates to tone down the rhetoric and remain respectful. “I’ve worked in this field for 22 years and we’ve never even had to contemplate issuing a statement,” said Laura Howell, CEO of the Maryland Association of Community Services, part of the Maryland Developmental Disability Coalition. “But unfortunately, this session, the DD Coalition had to issue two statements condemning imagery and then the harassment that occurred.” One of the biggest challenges for lawmakers during the 2026 session was how to fund the Developmental Disabilities Administration, which oversees a Medicaid waiver for about 19,000 Marylanders with developmental disabilities, but has been struggling with “unsustainable” enrollment growth and spending in recent years. Lawmakers ultimately cut $126 million from the DDA in fiscal 2027 — down from the $150 million cut proposed in Gov. Wes Moore’s (D) initial budget — to help rein in that spending. Advocates notch some gains, but say $126 million cut to DDA funds is still ‘painful’, ‘unacceptable’ It came one year after the administration budget was cut $164 million in DDA, as the state faced a more than $3 billion budget gap. The final cut was originally targeted at $400 million, but advocate activism was able to restore some of the funding. Howell said that over the last year, frustrations over the cuts and administrative hurdles with the DDA have grown, and a small but vocal number of advocates within the community have taken a new approach in tone and communications “that was perceived as harassing.” “The reality is, families and people with disabilities are very scared about what these cuts will mean to them, their services and their lives,” she said. “What we saw this session was a growing frustration, with a second year of significant budget cuts being proposed to the Developmental Disabilities Administration, and unfortunately, there were advocates in the DD community who really took a different tone in their advocacy that was harassing at times.” The incendiary rhetoric continued, to the point where some lawmakers or their staff were getting harassing calls to the lawmaker’s office, or they saw comments that wished for their deaths over the cuts. One lawmaker even allowed staff to temporarily let calls go straight to voicemail after one staff member had an emotional breakdown, giving them a break from screening the comments. Lawmakers were hesitant to discuss it in detail but said the harassment, both by phone and online, ranged from hurtful characterizations to threats of personal lawsuits, name calling, and joking about the deaths of elected officials. Del. Emily Shetty (D-Montgomery), who chairs a House Appropriations subcommittee involved with the DDA funding, said that she and her staff got verbal harassment from people calling her office, which she said was “really disappointing to see.” “I have a strong belief in the importance of advocacy, but verbal abuse against our staff has been an all-time high,” Shetty said in early April. Del. Mike Griffith (R-Cecil and Harford), who has a son with autism, said that he has also seen what he called “online invective … directed at lawmakers,” including himself. While I thought some of the mainly online invective comments directed at lawmakers … was at times inappropriate ... you’ll never hear me criticize a parent fighting for the needs and the hopes of their child. – Del. Mi ke Griffith (R-Harford and Cecil) on the level of emotion surrounding this year's DDA debate The DD Coalition issued a statement on April 1, responding to those reports and others. “This conduct does not reflect the views or actions of the Developmental Disabilities Coalition, nor the majority of developmental disability advocates,” the statement said. “While fear and frustration are certainly understandable, the hostility towards our public servants is not acceptable and is not who we are as a community.” That statement followed a separate one in late March condemning unflattering artificial intelligence-generated depictions of Moore that circulated online that month. One cartoonish image depicts the governor – a vocal sports fan – drawing up his March Madness bracket and ignoring protesters behind him who are yelling to protect DDA services. Another shows him making balloon animals while a money-filled dumpster, labeled “disability services,” is engulfed in flames behind him. Leaders of another advocacy group called Concerned Citizens of Self-Direction Maryland also issued an April 1 statement in a private Facebook group urging advocates to turn down the animosity toward lawmakers. “Some legislators are receiving death threats, and that puts everything we are working toward at risk,” Shari Dexter, co-founder of the Concerned Citizens group, said in that social media post. “And as upset as we are, we cannot lose the relationships that carry us forward.” That said, Dexter said this week that while some comments may have been “hot-tempered” and some advocates “said things that they should not have,” she also wanted to emphasize “that these are devastating cuts” that will impact families across the state. She said some advocates feel like they’ve been “left out to dry” by state lawmakers because of the cuts, particularly those in the self-directed program of the Medicaid waiver who employ their own care staff rather than participate in a community provider. People with developmental disabilities seeing Medicaid coverage lapse more often “We’re trying to keep the community calm, but we’re also reaching out to state lawmakers and asking for help,” she said. Dexter and other Concerned Citizens leaders continue to call on their members to ensure that discussions remain respectful. Another co-founder of the group, Cody Stevens, put out a statement Thursday to other advocates urging them “lead with purpose.” “We are all carrying frustration, fear, and exhaustion. When our loved ones are affected, it cuts deep and it’s natural to respond emotionally and defensively. We have all been there more times than we should have had to, myself included,” Stevens said in the post. “When we act in anger or impulse, it can sometimes create more barriers than breakthroughs. But when we channel that same energy into focused, respectful, and intentional action, it becomes one of our greatest strengths,” his social media post said. Meanwhile, Griffith, Shetty and other lawmakers familiar with the issue say they are sympathetic to the impacts of the cuts and know that those constituents are stressed, frustrated and afraid — even if language and tone sometimes crossed lines of acceptability. “As much as anyone, I understand how emotional it is when these programs are at issue,” Griffith said in a recent statement. “As I have a developmentally disabled son dealing with the same challenges, I share these concerns. “While I thought some of the mainly online invective directed at lawmakers … was at times inappropriate, you’ll never hear me criticize a parent fighting for the needs and the hopes of their child,” he said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Maryland Matters
	West Branch nears completion of 'long awaited' flood mitigation project A series of 11 floods in the 2000s and early 2010s triggered West Branch to begin research on how to prevent flooding. A couple of major floods through the downtown in the summer of 2014 emphasized the importance of flood mitigation. Now after 15 years of research and planning, city leaders hooe they have the [...]
	Iowa lineman, northern Illinois native drafted by Steelers Gennings Dunker was the 32 pick in the 3rd round by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
	Inside Iowa Politics: Emotional farewell speech from Sen. Jack Whitver State Senator Jack Whitver gave his retirement speech as he prepares to leave office to continue his treatment for a brain tumor.
	Davenport squads crash after officers are called to disturbance No officers were injured when two Davenport squad cars, responding to a disturbance, crashed into each other Friday night. The incident happened about 8:30 p.m. at the intersection of 3rd and Marquette streets. Our Quad Cities News crew was on the scene, where both cars sustained damage, and airbags were deployed. No one was injured, [...]
	Justice Department to allow firing squads for executions in move to ramp up capital punishment The Justice Department will adopt firing squad as a permitted method of execution as the Trump administration moves to ramp up and expedite capital punishment cases.
	Davenport squad cars involved in crash KWQC crews were at the scene at 3rd Street and Marquette Street and could see two squad cars with damage.
	Kansas Supreme Court rejects self-defense claims in slaying of U.S. Army soldier in Manhattan Kansas Supreme Court Justice Caleb Stegall authored a unanimous opinion affirming convictions of a former U.S. Army solder convicted of shooting to death a man outside a bar in Manhattan. This image is from a Jan. 12, 2026, session of the Supreme Court in Topeka. (Photo by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)TOPEKA — The Kansas Supreme Court unanimously affirmed first-degree murder and attempted murder convictions Friday of a former U.S. Army soldier who admitted shooting a fellow soldier to death outside a Manhattan bar but argued the jury should have been allowed to consider his claim of self-defense. The Supreme Court concluded two “unrelated harmless errors” occurred during the Riley County District Court trial of Tremelle Montgomery in 2023. The defendant was sentenced to life in prison plus 64 years for the premeditated slaying of Joshua Wardi, 21, on the sidewalk outside the Hi Lo bar in the Aggieville district in February 2022. He also was found guilty of attempted murder and aggravated assault for chasing three other individuals after fatally shooting Wardi five times with a handgun. Justice Caleb Stegall, writing for a unanimous Supreme Court, said justices considered whether Judge John Bosch should have instructed the jury on an alternative voluntary manslaughter charge based on Montgomery’s assertion he acted in self-defense. In the written opinion, Stegall said the district court erred by not offering a jury instruction for the lesser felony of voluntary manslaughter. However, the Supreme Court concluded that decision amounted to harmless error because no reasonable person reviewing evidence in the case would have perceived Montgomery’s use of deadly force as necessary. “The record contains an overwhelming amount of evidence that Montgomery did not shoot Wardi because of an honest, and unreasonable, belief that shooting him was necessary,” Stegall said in the opinion. “Montgomery’s story does not paint Wardi as being anywhere near using or threatening any imminent death or great bodily harm.” In addition, the Supreme Court said the trial judge committed “judicial comment error” by telling a juror the sentence for premeditated murder in Kansas could be life in prison. The mistake was promptly corrected by the judge, and the Supreme Court viewed the infraction as harmless to outcome of the trial. “We are convinced that these two unrelated harmless errors, considered together, did not affect the outcome of Montgomery’s trial in light of the entire record,” Stegall’s opinion said. “Stated another way, we are firmly convinced that … no rational juror would have convicted Montgomery of anything other than first-degree premeditated murder.” Jacob Nowak, an attorney with the Kansas Appellate Defender Office, argued instructional and comment errors were prejudicial and Montgomery deserved a new trial. He said there was insufficient evidence to support three guilty verdicts for attempted first-degree murder. Nowak said there was no dispute about whether Montgomery shot Wardi. The issue at trial was whether the jury should have been given the opportunity to weigh credibility of Montgomery’s contention deadly force was justified, he said. The judge should have permitted members of the jury to evaluate evidence for and against self-defense and how it related to premeditation, Nowak said. “From the moment of Tremelle’s arrest, he advised police that he shot Mr. Wardi in self-defense,” Nowak said. “The only issue for the jury to resolve in this case was whether Tremelle’s actions were either justified or mitigated. The jury never got to consider that issue. That cannot stand.” David Lowden, an assistant Riley County attorney, said the judge appropriately performed a gatekeeping function regarding the defendant’s claim of self-defense. “The notion that maybe he was just going to get this self-defense instruction and it would have turned the tide of this case, that’s false,” Lowden said. “He has to have a sincere and honest belief that deadly force was necessary. The state’s position is that he did not have that.” Late on Feb. 4, 2022, Montgomery was ticketed for underage drinking while with friends at Tubby’s Sports Bar in Manhattan. Montgomery was 19 years old at that time, and a Riley County officer recognized him from an encounter the prior week involving a firearm. Montgomery was found to be intoxicated and was issued a citation. He was released from a police substation at 12:29 p.m. Feb. 5, and events leading to his conviction on serious crimes occurred in the next four minutes. In close proximity to the substation, Montgomery and two friends engaged in a back-and-forth verbal exchange with Wardi and three of his friends. Montgomery grabbed an extended-magazine Glock pistol from his car, tucked it into his waistband and began crossing the street toward Wardi’s group. Wardi’s three friends ran, but Wardi paused before proceeding on the sidewalk. Montgomery drew his weapon, and later claimed he was “anxious” Wardi might be armed. He shot Wardi five times at close range. Wardi was unarmed. Montgomery sprinted down the sidewalk in the direction of Wardi’s friends. Riley County officers who heard the gunshots gave chase, and Montgomery was shot in the leg before apprehended. While on the ground, Montgomery recognized one of the officers. “What’s goin’ on dog?” Montgomery said. “It’s crazy how quick s*** escalated, right?” Montgomery was interviewed by a Kansas Bureau of Investigation agent at a hospital, the court record says. The defendant said he shot Wardi in self-defense because he felt a threat on his life. He said three separate times that he ran after Wardi’s three friends “to kill them.” Later, Montgomery testified he was running away from Wardi’s friends out of fear they might retaliate. Courtesy of Kansas Reflector
	Illinois treasurer's auction features collectibles for bidders Collectible baseball cards of Hall of Famers Ryne Sandberg, Nolan Ryan and Ken Griffey Jr., a gold ingot, and an 1868 French coin bearing the image of Napoleon III are just a few of the notable items available at the online ICash auction now through May 3. The auction catalog is available here. “Our online auction [...]
	Davenport police officer seen comforting woman In a video shared with KWQC, Officer Doug Scroggins was seen comforting a woman Friday.

Sunday, April 26th, 2026

Saturday, April 25th, 2026

Friday, April 24th, 2026