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

Friday, June 26th, 2026
	'That Animal Guy' makes appearance at Planet Funk Con/QC Fright Con Before "That Animal Guy" arrives at Davenport's RiverCenter, he's stopping by the News 8 station to talk about the upcoming conventions.
	World Cup fans are missing games after their resale tickets fall through The ordeal has left fans forced to either miss out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity or scramble to find new tickets, often costing more and for worse seats.
	Investigation underway into workplace accident in Scott County Right now, News 8 is working to learn more about a worker who was reportedly injured on the job.
	Traffic alert: 2 lanes on John Deere Road to be closed Westbound John Deere Road will be reduced by two lanes between 7th and 16th streets starting Monday for patching work, IDOT announced.
	Clinton opening cooling centers during heat wave Extreme temperatures expected over the next several days are leading local officials to open cooling centers for residents. In Clinton, officials will activate their Extreme Temperature Plan starting on Sunday, June 28 at 3 p.m. It will stay in effect until conditions improve. The Clinton MTA is offering free rides during regular hours to the [...]
	Rock Island’s deputy fire chief to retire after 25 years Rock Island Fire Department Deputy Chief Greg C. Marty announced he is retiring on Aug. 20, 2026, marking exactly 25 years of service.
	United Way of Southeast Iowa earns RSVP medical transportation grant United Way of Southeast Iowa has announced it has been awarded the AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Medical Transportation Grant, ensuring the continuation and expansion of its volunteer-driven medical transportation program serving Des Moines County, a news release says. Over the past year, the RSVP Medical Transportation Program has become a lifeline for older adults and individuals with [...]
	Cambridge Natural History Museum purchases permanent home The Cambridge Natural History Museum, founded by the world's youngest curator at age 9, has purchased its building after raising over $20,000.
	QC Airport sees highest monthly passenger traffic since 2019 Business is up at the Quad Cities International Airport (QC Airport). The airport reported a 6% year-over-year increase in passenger traffic for May 2026, compared to May 2025. This is the airport’s highest monthly total since October 2019. A total of 65,467 passengers traveled through the airport in May, reflecting a continued upward trajectory in [...]
	Plane crashes into Beijing's tallest building; damage reported The cause of the damage could not be independently verified, and authorities did not immediately issue a statement on the incident.
	John Bolton, former Trump national security adviser, pleads guilty in classified documents case Bolton pleaded guilty to one count of retaining national defense information while he was a national security adviser during President Trump's first term, saying: "And I am sorry for it."
	3 Things to Know \| Quad Cities morning headlines for June 26, 2026 The annual BioBlitz event hosted by the Bi-State Conservation Action Network is coming back to the region, and the Government Bridge will close this Saturday.
	Happy Joe's Community Block Parties celebrate America 250 Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream invites families to celebrate at its America 250 Community Block Parties on Monday, June 29, from 4 to 8 p.m. at three locations in Davenport and Bettendorf. The Community Block Parties will feature Happy Joe’s Family Night specials, games, family-friendly activities, bounce houses, popcorn and a complimentary slice of [...]
	Celebrity animals will steal the show at Quad Cities conventions QC Fright Con and Planet Funk Con start Friday at the River Center, featuring a baby red kangaroo and the real-life pig inspiration for Moana.
	Road repair results in temporary street closure in Clinton Because of a road repair, the east-bound lane of 19th Avenue North from Springdale Drive to North 5th Street in Clinton will be closed. This closure will be in effect from Monday June 29-Wednesday July 1, weather permitting, a news release says. Motorists are encouraged to use caution, and allow extra travel time, and consider [...]
	Enjoy food, music and 'Captain America' at Party in the Park, Moline Start the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary at the free Party in the Park in Moline! The Moline Parks and Recreation Department invites residents to the Party in the Park on Wednesday, July 1, starting at 5:30 p.m. at Browning Park, 1618 21st Avenue. This year's event will be the official kickoff to the city's [...]
	Cook review: 'Death of Robin Hood' kills off anything merry in the legend It takes a lot to gross me out. I've seen hundreds of horror movies - darned near walked out of a few, but I stuck with them because I figured I owed it to the filmmakers to see whether things improved (they didn't) - so it takes a lot to sicken me when it comes [...]
	Family Bike Ride provides fun, fitness, ice cream in Muscatine Families, cyclists, and community members are invited to enjoy an afternoon of fun, fitness, and treats during the Melon City Bike Club’s annual Family Bike Ride on Sunday, June 28. The ride begins at 1 p.m. at the Charles & Jean Harper Pavilion on Houser Street. Riders of all ages will travel together along a [...]
	Steamwheelers will present Military Appreciation Night This Sunday, the Quad City Steamwheelers take the field at the Vibrant Arena at The Mark in Moline for Military Appreciation Night, presented by Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home & Crematory, a news release says. The Steamwheelers take on the Orlando Pirates. The pregame festivities will feature the Patriot Guard Riders arriving on their motorcycles, creating a [...]
	Report warns Social Security benefits could face $455 monthly cut by 2032 A new report warns Social Security can only pay 78 percent of full benefits by 2032, potentially causing a $455 cut to monthly checks.
	Scam alert: Bettendorf police warn of phone scam targeting inmate families Bettendorf police warn of scammers posing as officers to demand bond money over the phone from inmate families after viewing local inmate lists.
	Australia plans to strengthen laws banning children from social media Observers said on Friday the government is responding to evidence that the ban on young children holding accounts on platforms including Facebook, Instagram and YouTube had failed since it came into force in December year.
	South Korean ex-first lady sentenced to 7 years for bribery scandal The former first lady had previously been sentenced to four years in a separate case involving the Unification Church.
	New report offers strategy for reducing homelessness in the QCs. A new regional report offers a practical, evidence-based strategy to reduce unsheltered homelessness across the Quad Cities through coordinated investments, shared goals and collaboration across city, county and state lines. The report came from a regional event held in April that brought together over 100 leaders from the nonprofit, public and private sectors. The event [...]
	Memorial bench honors 7-year-old stabbed to death in Galesburg The bench was donated by the community and is in Kiwanis Park in Galesburg.
	$8.9M roadmap aims to help 1,500 people exit homelessness in the Quad Cities A new report outlines an $8.9 million plan to help over 1,500 people avoid or exit homelessness annually in the Quad Cities through coordination.
	Lee, Whiteside County residents concerned about data center construction The Lee County Industrial Development Association (LCIDA) advertised a piece of land east of Rock Falls by Highway 30 as ideal for a data center.
	Resignations, hirings, other Central DeWitt School District personnel news from June 16 The following personnel items are from the June 16 agenda of the Central-DeWitt School Board.
	Elevated Treatment and Recovery Solutions to open Monday in East Moline Elevated Treatment and Recovery Solutions, a new drug addiction treatment center, opening Monday with open house and ribbon cutting.
	Dangerous heat and humidity just around the corner Clouds, some rain, and easterly winds will hold highs down into the 70s Friday. It warms up more tomorrow, and you'll really notice the heat and humidity starting Sunday. Some rain is possible today, but we'll see a better chance Saturday night with some storms. Here's your full 7-day forecast.
	Hills and Hollows This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.Henry County just south of Rock Island is a farm county of formerly rolling prairie, as if gentle ocean swells had…
	How well do you know your Reflecting Pool news? Because the quiz will test you This week, the beleaguered body of water faced new woes. Plus soccer, gambling and U.K. politics!
	Ex-NOAA employees re-create a valuable climate data site shut down by Trump Former NOAA staffers have launched a new website that provides climate information. It replaces a government site that was shut down when the Trump administration took office.
	Venezuela reels from earthquakes as rescuers scramble to find survivors As Venezuela begins counting the cost of its deadliest quake disaster in over a century, a shattered economy and struggling health system threaten to slow recovery efforts.
	Reflecting Pool liner was cut with a sharp knife or razor, National Park Service says A top official at the National Park Service says a liner along the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was cut with a sharp knife or razor this month, causing damage to the foam sealant installed as part of a $16 million rehabilitation project.
	UN agency pauses evacuation of ships through the Strait of Hormuz after attack on vessel
	King Charles III will not live at Buckingham Palace after its costly refurbishment The decision was announced Thursday during a briefing on royal finances at which Charles became the first British monarch to reveal the taxes he paid to the government.
Thursday, June 25th, 2026
	Muscatine softball defeats Assumption 7-5 Muscatine defeated Assumption in game one of a double-header 7-5 in nine innings.
	Steamwheelers enter week 16 on a two game win streak The Quad City Steamwheelers return to action Sunday after a bye week, riding a two-game win streak and facing a critical stretch to close the season.
	Lee, Whiteside Counties concerned about possible data center construction The Lee County Industrial Development Association (LCIDA) advertised a piece of land east of Rock Falls by Highway 30 as ideal for a data center.
	‘We don’t have anything on the books,’ No data center plan for Lee County, officials say County leaders said they haven’t talked to anyone about a data center during a board meeting Thursday evening.
	New Vibrant director envisions more variety in future shows The Vibrant Arena's new director, Rik Edgar, has spent 20 years in the business of event management. "I've always admired what they had at the Vibrant Arena and when the opportunity came up I jumped at it," said Edgar. "It was a great opportunity for me." New Vibrant Arena Director Rik Edgar says he wants [...]
	Task force to tackle homelessness for 1,200+ a year in the QCA An effort to tackle homelessness in the QCA will take the next step in a move to help more than 1,000 people a year who wind up in the situation. A report from a consultant hired by the Quad Cities Community Foundation determined about 1,200 single adults a year wind up homeless in the Quad [...]
	RI deputy fire chief announces retirement After 25 years of dedicated service to the City of Rock Island, Deputy Chief Greg C. Marty has announced his retirement from the Rock Island Fire Department, effective Aug. 20, according to a Facebook post. Marty began his career with the Rock Island Fire Department on Aug. 20, 2001, and has served the community with [...]
	Legal experts and lawmakers discuss solutions to attorney shortage in rural communities Legal experts and politicians gathered Thursday to address a growing crisis: nearly half of Iowa’s 99 counties have 10 or fewer practicing attorneys, leaving rural communities struggling to find legal representation.
	Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Rock Island, plans new food pantry Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2810 5th Avenue, Rock Island, will host a groundbreaking at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 28, for the new Sacred Heart Food Pantry to be located on site at the parish, a news release says. The Sacred Heart Food Pantry is the oldest, longest-running food pantry in the Quad Cities and one [...]
	LISTEN: Sec. RFK, Jr. tries to convince Iowa candidate to drop out of race The Libertarian Party of Iowa Chair shared audio of a phone that she said shows U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Junior, trying to convince a candidate for Congress to drop out of a race for Congress.
	Hot summer weather coming next week We have been enjoying a couple of cooler than normal temperatures for the month of June in the Quad Cities, leaving us waiting for the inevitable hot stretch. Starting on Sunday, and through most of next week, temperatures will be rising well into the 90s through the week to bring in the heat. Along with [...]
	Illinois’ new e-scooter rules to take effect: Here’s what riders need to know Illinois is introducing a new statewide framework for e-scooters and e-bikes aimed at improving safety and clarifying where riders can legally operate the devices.
	Genesius Guild revives Sophocles’ “Antigone” in 70th anniversary season The Genesius Guild is continuing its 70th anniversary season with free outdoor performances of Sophocles’ Antigone in Lincoln Park, a production that honors the Guild’s origins and features its annual collaboration with local high school students. Additional productions will be staged in July and early August.
	The Heart of the Story: A wild look at nature 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. An outdoorsy Illinois man shows his love of [...]
	Nurses warn that new interpretation of Georgia law will mean less care for rural communities Nancy A. Hurlock, a nurse practitioner based in Statesboro who operates a home-based primary care practice, said told lawmakers on June 23, 2026, that advanced practice registered nurses provide primary care, mental health services and specialty care in communities where healthcare resources are often limited, and a new interpretation of a 2006 state law could hinder access in those areas. Alander Rocha/Georgia Recorder Key points The Georgia Composite Medical Board issued new guidance interpreting a 2006 state law that could prevent physicians who agree to oversee clinics owned by nurses from being compensated. The nursing community testified in a recent House Health committee, saying that the new guidance could lead to closures of clinics that provide primary and mental health care in rural parts of Georgia. The head of the state medical association said the new guidance is aimed at addressing concerns that physicians receiving compensation for supervision may not provide independent clinical judgment. These key points were written by a Georgia Recorder journalist. A showdown between nurses and those representing physicians boiled over in a Georgia House Health committee hearing over a medical board’s guidance that nurses warned could lead to shuttered clinics and diminished healthcare access in rural parts of Georgia. The Georgia Composite Medical Board issued a “position statement” in early May that tightened the board’s interpretation of a state law passed in 2006 that prohibits physicians from being an employee at a clinic owned by an advanced practice registered nurse under their supervision. Under the new guidance, if a physician receives any compensation for overseeing a clinic owned or run by advanced practice registered nurses, they are considered an employee of that clinic. The new interpretation is already causing doctors to back out agreements with nurses that are essential for them to work in Georgia. “The consistent message from the APRNs has been that delegating physicians have either terminated or are considering terminating their protocol agreement due to uncertainty surrounding the position statement. Without a protocol agreement, APRNs cannot practice legally, and this could leave a lot of their current patients without access to healthcare,” said Tara Taylor, executive director of the Georgia Board of Nursing. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Taylor also said that financial compensation is the “foundation” of these agreements and without it, there is little incentive for physicians to supervise clinics run by advanced practice registered nurses. She added that although the medical board’s new guidance seemed to focus on nurses operating IV hydration or med spas, the nursing board is concerned the guidance could also be applied to clinics providing healthcare in rural areas where there might be a shortage of physicians. “Many of these concerns are coming from nurse practitioners who provide primary care and psychiatric services throughout Georgia,” she said. “Their concern is for the clinics serving rural and underserved communities where physicians are already in short supply. In many of these areas, APRNs are a critical source of access to healthcare.” Representatives for physicians and the medical board pushed back against claims that the new guidance could worsen access to healthcare services, noting a rise in the number of board-approved collaboration agreements. And they say the new guidance is aimed at preventing shady online businesses from brokering these agreements. Brent Walker, a lawyer representing the Medical Association of Georgia, said that the guidance isn’t aimed at legitimate agreements between physicians and nurses but “rubber-stamp relationships” stemming from unscrupulous websites facilitating them. “We just want to make sure that you’re focused on patient safety, and that the collaborating and supervising relationships are meaningful, and not just the sham that you bought online for $500 or $1,000 a month, that you really are engaged in keeping the patients first when it comes to practice and the expansion of access to care,” Walker said. Jeremy T. Bonfini, the state medical association’s CEO and executive director, said the “guidance isn’t about a prohibition on compensation for serving in a supervisory role” and that the group is working with the nursing community to clarify the new guidance. He did not address questions about what incentives physicians would have to enter these agreements without compensation. “The prohibition reflects a fundamental policy concern: physicians who are subordinate employees of the APRNs they supervise cannot exercise the independent clinical judgment that Georgia law requires,” Bonfini said. Jason Jones, executive director of the Georgia Composite Medical Board, pointed to physicians providing oversight from out-of-state and having ghost offices “where no genuine medical practice occurs,” as well as physicians entering agreements to oversee care that falls outside of their specialty. “We’ve learned that the laws and rules sometimes are not looked at, so they do what people do and follow what somebody else is doing,” Jones said. “We’ve got to make sure we educate, make sure they’re doing right instead of following the wrong way,” Jones said. Lawmakers on the committee instructed the nurses and physicians to work together on an agreement to prevent a legislative fix. “I just would like to say that I hope that from here on out that you and the other boards will work together, and come to us with a solution, because you don’t want us to fix it,” said Dublin Republican state Rep. Matt Hatchett. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Georgia Recorder
	A new bill calls for $25 minimum wage. Here's where that isn't 'sufficient' While it's way more than the current federal minimum wage, data shows it may not be enough for some.
	East Moline apartment complex residents say they've gone weeks without central air as heat wave approaches Both residents told News 8 they were provided temporary portable AC units by management, but say those units have not adequately cooled their apartments.
	City of Muscatine launches webpage with resources for those impacted by downtown evacuations East 2nd Street remains closed to all traffic except authorized personnel.
	2 high-profile cases in Rock Island County court on Thursday One of Adrianne Reynolds' convicted killers was in court after a judge ordered a new sentencing. Plus, plea negotiations are underway in Leisa Streeter's case.
	Memorial bench honors 7-year-old in Galesburg The bench was donated by the community and is in Kiwanis Park in Galesburg.
	Rock Island residents sue First Financial Group over alleged rent-to-own scheme Five Prairie State Legal Services (PSLS) clients filed a lawsuit on June 5 against First Financial Group, L.C. (FFG) and its principal, Richard Vesole, according to a news release from Prairie State Legal Services. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants used deceptive rent-to-own contracts to exploit low-income home-buyers, promising home-ownership but delivering lease agreements that [...]
	Bettendorf middle schooler wins 1st place in national documentary competition 8th grader Adrian Gillette took home the top prize in the country in the National History Day competition for his documentary about Sesame Street.
	T.F. Green concession workers walk off the job Mariah Reynoso, the daughter of a concession worker at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport, holds a strike sign as employees picket outside the terminal on June 25, 2026. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current) Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport’s 73 food and beverage workers walked off the job Thursday amid stalled contract negotiations with the Florida-based company that operates the restaurants and stands in the Warwick terminal. Concession workers organized under Unite Here! Local 26 began the one-day strike at 3 a.m., around the time the first shift would have reported in. Rather than clocking in, they spent the day marching and banging buckets as passengers streamed in and out of the airport. About 98% of the bargaining unit at T.F. Green voted to authorize the strike on June 15. The picket by concession workers was scheduled to end by 7 p.m. but workers could strike again should contract negotiations remain at a halt. “A strike is never the goal,” union vice president Nancy Iadeluca said Thursday in an interview with Rhode Island Current. “The goal is a contract, but it takes two.” The union is demanding higher wages for its concession workers. Workers have been without a new contract with Grove Bay since Aug.1, 2025, and have gone without raises for more than two years. Hosts and cashiers currently start at $16.50 an hour, a little more than Rhode Island’s minimum wage which is set to go to $17 at the start of 2027. Servers at the airport generally make around $4.19 to $5.30 an hour, plus tips. “It’s an embarrassment,” Iadeluca said. “No one should be making minimum wage in that building.” Alecia Rogers, a single mother who works as a server at the Narragansett Kitchen & Bar, said pay rates offered by Grove Bay are not enough to keep up with the ever-climbing cost of living. “People are struggling economically,” she said. “The price of groceries is insane, the price of gas is insane. I don’t really feel any support from the company.” Despite the low wages at T.F. Green, Rogers said she loves working at the airport and serving travelers. “I’ve put a lot of effort into this job,” she said. “I want to be here. But I want to be respected, appreciated and compensated.” José Rodriguez, who works as a cook primarily at Narragansett Kitchen & Bar, makes $24 an hour working from 4 a.m. to 12 p.m. He was told he’d receive a dollar an hour raise each year when he joined the airport’s hospitality staff over a year ago, but said he hasn’t seen that money. Rodriguez said he and his colleagues are frustrated that Grove Bay hasn’t held up their side of the deal. “That’s how a lot of these guys are,” Rodriguez said. “They lived up to their end, and all they want is you to live up to yours.” Francesco Balli, Grove Bay’s co-founder and CEO, said in an emailed statement to Rhode Island Current ahead of the strike that the company was disappointed over the union’s decision to walk out, but respected their right to do so. “Our goal has always been to reach an agreement that supports our employees while ensuring the long-term sustainability of our company and the customers we serve,” he said. Balli added that Grove Bay’s restaurants would continue operating to “ensure uninterrupted service.” He did not state how the company was maintaining staffing inside T.F. Green. Multiple workers and union officials said their understanding was the company flew in other workers from Florida who stayed in a nearby hotel to staff the restaurants and three Dunkin’ operations in the airport. “They don’t want to compensate us, but they’ll spend who knows how much for all that,” Rogers said. Members of Unite Here! Local 26 picket outside Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island, on June 25, 2026. (Photo by Nolan Page/Rhode Island Current) Plenty of visitors The striking workers made enough noise to draw fellow union leaders and some prominent Rhode Island politicians who took a break from their campaign schedules to voice their support. Patrick Crowley, president of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, stopped by the airport around 4:45 a.m. where he called the workers “an inspiration to every single working-class Rhode Islander.” Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos told the workers Thursday morning that she had spoken with elected officials and the airport corporation, but did not immediately detail what those conversations had yielded. Matos is one of seven candidates running for the lieutenant governor position she’s held since 2021. Two of her four Democratic challengers also visited the workers Tuesday, with Newport City Councilor Xay Khamsyvoravong and Providence City Councilor Sue AnderBois also showing their support. State Rep. David Morales, a Providence Democrat running for mayor of Rhode Island’s capital, also stopped by the airport to march alongside workers and give a short speech. Even before picketing began, Warwick’s delegation in the Rhode Island Senate on June 18 issued a statement in support of the concession workers decision to strike. “Like everyone, they deserve fair working conditions and compensation,” said Democratic Sens. Peter Appollonio, Matthew LaMountain, and Mark McKenney. “As the excitement over the World Cup has again demonstrated, the tourism and hospitality industry is extremely important for our state, and the workers who keep it running strong — including the airport’s food service workers — deserve to be treated fairly.” SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Courtesy of Rhode Island Current
	Grow Quad Cities part of Illinois economic-growth initiative The Illinois Economic Development Corporation’s Economic Research Center on Thursday announced the launch of the Regional Research Pilot Program (R2P2) in which Grow Quad Cities will participate, according to a news release from the development corporation. The new initiative is designed to provide deeper, forward-looking research and economic growth planning support to communities and partners [...]
	The Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus has been performing with a purpose for 25 years Organizers said through times of hope and hardship, singing together has been an important way to find community and be authentic. The Silver Party on June 26 and 27 is a concert celebrating 25 years of the Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus.
	Arkansas files lawsuit against Snapchat parent company Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin speaks during a press conference announcing a lawsuit against the parent company of the social media platform Snapchat on June 25, 2026. (Photo by Ainsley Platt/Arkansas Advocate)Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin on Thursday announced his office filed a lawsuit against Snap, Inc., Snapchat’s parent company, that claims the California-based company’s social media platform was deceptively designed to addict minors who used it. The lawsuit, filed in Phillips County Circuit Court, is the second targeting social platforms announced by Griffin this week. Roblox, the online game popular with children, and Discord, a messaging platform, were sued in Los Angeles on similar allegations under the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. “Snap’s design choices were calculated to leverage the developmental vulnerabilities of minors,” Griffin said in a press release. “Snapchat’s designers exploited teens’ craving for social approval, their sensitivity to exclusion, and their susceptibility to impulse-driven reward systems.” Arkansas sues Roblox and Discord, accusing platforms of putting children at risk Snap did not respond to a request for comment by deadline. The premise of Snapchat revolves around disappearing photos, videos and messages sent between friends. Over the years, it expanded to include other features such as Snapchat Stories — a feature that proliferated to other platforms. The lawsuit said the disappearing messages, combined with features such as Snapstreaks and frequent notifications to draw users in, created addictive “dopamine feedback loops” in adolescents to keep them on the app, without properly warning parents and young users of possible illicit sexual material and the sale of drugs and guns on the platform. “Snap cannot correct its wrongdoing by editing, withdrawing, or censoring third-party content. Rather, Snap must re-design its product, include meaningful disclosures, and advertise it honestly,” the complaint states. Similar to the Roblox and Discord lawsuit, Griffin said Snapchat’s lack of age verification beyond self-reported age selection when creating an account enables predators to target minors for sex or extortion. The complaint also stated that Snap was failing to report child sexual abuse material. In addition to lawsuits by families, Arkansas’ latest social media lawsuit is one of several filed by state attorneys general across the country against Snap, Inc. under state deceptive trade practice laws, claiming the social media platform has harmed childrens’ mental health and enabled the proliferation of child sexual abuse material. It’s part of a broader backlash by states and parents against social media companies. The lawsuit also comes on the heels of a Los Angeles jury’s verdict in March that found Meta and Google, parent companies of Facebook and YouTube, respectively, negligently harmed the mental health of an unnamed user of their platforms by creating them to be addicting. According to the New York Times, the verdict showed a legal theory that social media could cause personal injury held water. Snap was originally a plaintiff in that case, but settled before trial. Arkansas became the first state to require social media companies to verify children’s ages before signing up for accounts in 2023. A federal judge blocked the law in 2025, around the same time the Legislature approved changes to the 2023 law. Those changes were also blocked in federal court this year. Courtesy of Arkansas Advocate
	Melon season is about to arrive in Muscatine County Muscatine County’s melon season is approaching, with Mairet Farms preparing fields and planning to open its farm stand on July 1.
	Figge Art Museum holding LGBTQ art auction benefitting Clock Inc. The auction runs until 8 p.m. on Thursday night.
	Crime Stoppers: Man wanted by Iowa Dept. of Corrections for escape Reginald C. Calhoun is wanted by the Iowa Department of Corrections for escape on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
	Crime Stoppers: Man wanted in Rock Island Co. for not showing up to jail Michael S. Harris, 54, is wanted by the Rock Island County Sheriff for escape after failing to report to a penal institution.
	Crime Stoppers: 14 storage unit burglaries reported in Carbon Cliff The Rock Island County Sheriff's Office is seeking anonymous tips to solve 14 storage unit burglaries in Carbon Cliff where firearms were stolen.
	'Guys and Dolls' coming up at Countryside Community Theatre in Eldridge The romantic comedy musical will take the stage during the first and second weekends of July.
	Cambridge Natural History Museum secures a permanent home At just nine years old, Anderson Taylor opened the Cambridge Natural History Museum in the fall of 2024.
	Bettendorf student wins National History Day gold with Sesame Street documentary Bettendorf student Adrian Gillette won the National History Day gold medal for his documentary exploring Sesame Street's role in school desegregation and its lasting
	iHeart fires multiple on-air personalities in Davenport Multiple on-air talents from Davenport’s iHeartMedia stations have been fired.
	Pa. House passes data center ‘pause’ along with Shapiro’s plan for ‘responsible’ development A yellow and red "No Data Centers" political protest sign positioned in the front yard grass of a neighborhood. (Photo by Getty Images)With less than a week before the June 30 state budget deadline, lawmakers in the state House passed a suite of bills that would regulate what one legislator called a “speculative gold rush” of data center development. Since the dawn of the internet, data centers have housed the computers that power e-commerce, streaming, communications and other online services. But the race to develop artificial intelligence gave rise to hyperscale data centers that can contain thousands or millions of computers. Such facilities can change the character of the land and communities surrounding them, with significant impacts on water resources, energy infrastructure and public services. Local officials across the commonwealth are grappling with dozens of applications for hyperscale projects. Legislation passed Wednesday would give township leaders the option to pause new applications, while another bill sets up Gov. Josh Shapiro’s package of voluntary guidelines and incentives for developers to become law if the state Senate agrees. Construction continues on a data center being built at the former Homer City Generating Station in Center Township, Indiana County May 14, 2026. Previously, the largest coal-burning power plant in Pennsylvania, the plant is being transformed into a natural gas-powered data center campus. (Photo by John Beale for the Pennsylvania Capital-Star) Under the Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) Standards, data center developers could access a sales tax exemption and expedited permitting if they agree to follow the guidelines. But on Thursday, the House passed legislation that, in the words of one representative, would “pull out the rug” from underneath the GRID Standards, by eliminating the exemption on the state’s 6% sales and use tax on computer equipment for data centers. All three proposals are now in the hands of the Republican-led Senate, where they could be approved and head to Shapiro’s desk or linger without being considered. Here’s a rundown of the three bills and what House lawmakers had to say about them: House Bill 2496 Municipalities would have the option to enact a 180-day pause on considering applications for data center developments under the existing land use ordinance. During the pause, the local government could adopt, amend or repeal parts of its land use ordinance pertaining to data centers. Any applications for data centers received during the pause would be deemed received the day after the pause ends, according to a fiscal note on the bill. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Rep. Paul Friel (D-Chester) said many rural municipalities do not have zoning ordinances and those that do may not have the provisions or planning tools to deal with the unique aspects for data center development. “This bill is about protecting that local control,” Friel said. “It is about ensuring that local decisions affecting our neighborhoods are made thoughtfully, transparently, and with meaningful input from the residents who will have to live with the consequences.” Rep. Charity Grimm Krupa (R-Fayette) said the data center boom has put Pennsylvania on the doorstep of a new industrial revolution. “Before we throw that door wide open, we need to make certain that local communities have had the opportunity to understand and weigh the consequences,” Krupa said “Artificial intelligence is changing the world faster than almost any technology in modern history. We must pause and ask, at what cost?” The bill passed with a 201-1 vote. Rep. Eric Nelson (R-Westmoreland) cast the lone “no” vote. H.B. 2650 Shapiro broadly outlined his plan for guiding data center development during his February budget address and released details of the proposal last month. Legislation introduced by Rep. Joe Webster to codify the plan in law passed Wednesday with a bipartisan 134-68 vote. It would make an existing exemption to the state’s 6% sales and use tax for data center computer equipment contingent on obtaining certification from the state Department of Revenue by submitting an application with detailed information on the facility. The application must include details of the ownership structure, energy procurement strategy, community engagement commitments, workforce development plans, environmental protections, sustainability measures, and water usage plans, according to a fiscal note on the bill. “The wealthiest companies on the planet get all the free stuff, and Pennsylvania’s local municipalities carry all the risk,” the bill’s prime sponsor, Rep. Joe Webster (D-Montgomery) said. “This bill changes that calculation a lot.” Requirements include: Incremental increases in clean energy use from sources in Pennsylvania rising to 32% by 2035; Economic development commitments including at least $250 million in cumulative new investment; At least 200 prevailing wage construction jobs; Fifty permanent jobs paying at least 125% of the statewide average wage within four years; And annual compensation of at least $1.5 million to full-time employees thereafter. Criticism of the measure centered on the voluntary nature of the requirements to obtain the tax benefits. The world’s wealthiest companies, such as Google and the parent company of Elon Musk’s X, don’t care about Pennsylvania’s sales tax exemption, Rep. Craig Williams (R-Delaware) said. “They will come right in and say you can keep your 6% sales tax, and we’re going to do exactly what we want to, and tear up this agreement,” Williams said, adding that the requirements would also need to be codified in other areas of state law. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro was heavily criticized for his perceived coziness with data centers across the commonwealth on June 23, 2026. (Natalie Javitt/Pennsylvania Capital-Star) H.B. 2198 Legislation to repeal the exemption passed in the House with a 197-5 vote Thursday morning. The Senate adopted the language as an amendment to another tax code bill Thursday afternoon. The data center equipment tax exemption was passed during an era when lawmakers were trying to attract them to the commonwealth, House Environmental Resources Committee Chairperson Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) said during debate Thursday. “Now we are in a situation where we’re working on moratorium legislation with regard to data centers, we’re trying to put the brakes on, so clearly this sales tax exemption is no longer needed,” said Vitali, who is the bill’s prime sponsor. The five-year-old tax exemption is projected to cost the commonwealth $517 million annually by 2030. “We’re giving these sales tax exemptions to companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet companies that have net incomes in excess of $100 billion a year,” he said. “This is not right. This is not needed. This is not what our constituents want.” Williams noted the GRID Standards legislation the House passed a day earlier depends on the data center tax exemption. “Today, like Lucy holding the football for Charlie Brown, we’re going to pull that football away,” he said. But Rep. Kyle Mullins (D-Lackawanna) said that repealing the exemption is the first step toward “true corporate accountability.” “The choice is very simple: the data center industry is no longer an emerging sector looking for a foothold,” he said, noting that one borough in Lackawanna County faces 16 data center applications. “It is a massive billion dollar global powerhouse, and this costly tax credit is no longer appropriate. As everyday costs continue to rise, our neighbors deserve relief to their pocketbooks, not billionaires.” Courtesy of Pennsylvania Capital-Star
	QCA judge to serve on Iowa Business Specialty Court A Bettendorf judge has been appointed to serve on the Iowa Business Specialty Court. Chief Justice Christensen signed an order appointing Jeffrey D. Bert to serve exclusively on the Iowa Business Specialty Court beginning September 1. According to a release from the Iowa Judicial Branch: Judge Bert had 28 years of experience in civil and [...]
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Start here Sorry, but your browser does not support the video tag. var bptVideoPlayer = document.getElementById("bptVideoPlayer"); if (bptVideoPlayer) { var cssText = "width: 100%;"; cssText += " background: url('" + bptVideoPlayer.getAttribute("poster") + "');"; cssText += " -webkit-background-size: cover;"; cssText += " -moz-background-size: cover;"; cssText += " -o-background-size: cover;"; cssText += " background-size: cover;"; bptVideoPlayer.style.cssText = cssText; var bptVideoPlayerContainer = document.getElementById("bptVideoPlayerContainer"); if (bptVideoPlayerContainer) { setTimeout(function () { bptVideoPlayerContainer.style.cssText = "display: block; position: relative; margin-bottom: 10px;"; var isIE = navigator.userAgent.match(/ MSIE(([0 - 9] +)(\.[0 - 9] +) ?) /); var isEdge = navigator.userAgent.indexOf("Edge") > -1 \|\| navigator.userAgent.indexOf("Trident") > -1; if (isIE \|\| isEdge) { fixVideoPoster(); } }, 1000); } var bptVideoPlayButton = document.getElementById("bptVideoPlayButton"); if (bptVideoPlayButton) { bptVideoPlayButton.addEventListener("click", function () { bptVideoPlayer.play(); }, false); bptVideoPlayer.addEventListener("play", function () { bptVideoPlayButton.style.cssText = "display: none;"; }, false); } var mainImage = document.getElementById("mainImageImgContainer_sm"); if (mainImage) { mainImage.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } var mainImage = document.getElementById("photo-noresize"); if (mainImage) { mainImage.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } var assetGallery = document.getElementsByClassName("asset_gallery")[0]; if (assetGallery) { assetGallery.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } var assetGallery = document.getElementsByClassName("trb_article_leadart")[0]; if (assetGallery) { assetGallery.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } var assetGallery = document.querySelectorAll("[src='https://d372qxeqh8y72i.cloudfront.net/90eb8265-60c4-4369-9c2b-687add4a1f28_web.jpg']")[0]; if (assetGallery) { assetGallery.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } } function fixVideoPoster() { var videoPlayer = document.getElementById("bptVideoPlayer"); var videoPoster = document.getElementById("bptVideoPoster"); fixVideoPosterPosition(videoPlayer, videoPoster, true); window.onresize = function() { fixVideoPosterPosition(videoPlayer, videoPoster); }; videoPoster.onclick = function() { videoPlayer.play(); videoPoster.style.display = "none"; }; videoPlayer.onplay = function() { videoPoster.style.display = "none"; }; } function fixVideoPosterPosition(videoPlayer, videoPoster, display) { setTimeout(function () { var videoPosition = videoPlayer.getBoundingClientRect(); videoPoster.style.position = "absolute"; videoPoster.style.top = "0"; videoPoster.style.left = "0"; videoPoster.style.width = videoPlayer.offsetWidth + "px"; videoPoster.style.height = (videoPlayer.offsetHeight + 20) + "px"; if (display) { videoPoster.style.display = "inline"; } }, 1010); } (BPT) - Want to dive into a page-turner beachside, unwind with an eBook on a long flight or relax with an audiobook in the backyard hammock? There's something for everyone to enjoy this summer, thanks to Amazon Books' Best Books of 2026 So Far.You'll also find perfect gifts on this carefully curated list of books from the Amazon Editors, a passionate group of literary experts with extensive experience spanning publishing, journalism and communications.Each year, the Amazon Editors read thousands of books across genres to help customers discover their next favorite read as they assemble the Best Books of the Month, Best Books of the Year So Far and Best Books of the Year lists on Amazon.Because every reader is unique, Amazon Editors intentionally recommend titles from the widest possible selection — debut authors alongside established voices, hidden gems next to BookTok favorites — to connect readers of every taste with exceptional stories.This year's top 10 picks for Best Books of 2026 So Far:1. Kin by Tayari Jones"Kin is the story of two 'cradle friends' who are haunted by the loss of their mothers, and who, despite their diverging paths, continue to be each other's comfort and salvation. A nuanced portrait of family, friendship and race, the novel sings on every page." — Amazon Editor Erin Kodicek.Jones's Kin joins previous Best Books of Year So Far No. 1 selections including Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy, James by Percival Everett, Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano and Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt.2. London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family's Search for Truth by Patrick Radden Keefe"Illuminating and unforgettable, Keefe's latest delivers another knockout narrative nonfiction, this time telling the shocking story of how a young boy got caught up in the dangerous and powerful world of Russian oligarchs and landed at the bottom of the Thames." — Amazon Editor Al Woodworth.3. Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke"When a tradwife influencer wakes up to discover it's somehow the 19th century, her journey back to reality makes for a brilliant, biting novel about motherhood, fame and faith. A reading experience like no other, this is the book I want to talk about with literally everyone I've ever met." — Amazon Editor Annabel Gutterman.4. Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden"Strangers is a divorce memoir, but it's also a forensic examination of a love and marriage gone wrong, seemingly without any warning. Burden puts words to many of our worst fears — that one day the person we love and trust the most will become an utter stranger to us." — Amazon Editorial Director Sarah Gelman.5. Night Objects by Eli Raphael"This mesmerizing suspense novel about a teenager's desperate search for belonging at her elite boarding school — where secrets swirl and danger looms large — lived in my head for days. Raphael introduces herself as a writer you don't want to miss." — Amazon Editor Annabel Gutterman.6. Land by Maggie O'Farrell"Never before have a 19th-century mapmaker, a scruffy, loyal dog and a mysterious copse of trees been more enchanting. O'Farrell (author of Hamnet) delivers a soaring and bewitching tale of family and how the remote Irish peninsula where they live defines and shapes them, generation after generation." — Amazon Editor Al Woodworth.7. American Men by Jordan Ritter Conn"This intimate yet enormous feat of storytelling sucked me in immediately. It's a page-turning account of four very different men you will cheer for, and ache for; a refreshing reminder that there are many ways to thrive in a world where opportunities feel fleeting. I can't stop thinking about it." — Amazon Editor Lindsay Powers.8. Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell"I adored this vulnerable, sexy love story about body image, second chances, and the bone-deep ache of loss. Rainbow Rowell creates characters who are beautiful in all their flaws and complexities, and this couldn't be truer than with Cherry, who I love. This book is messy, hopeful, and so romantic." — Amazon Editor Abby Abell.9. Nothing Tastes as Good by Luke Dumas"In his searing and very bloody page-turner, Dumas holds a mirror to our body image-obsessed world to reveal something quite unsavory in its reflection. This is body horror at its finest: uncomfortably vivid, often hilarious and totally disturbing. My eyes have never been so glued to a book's pages." — Amazon Editor Annabel Gutterman.10. Crux by Gabriel Tallent"A new addition to the canon of exceptional friendship novels, Crux is an exhilarating, tender novel about an unlikely friendship forged through a shared love of rock climbing. Dan and Tamma's bond is glorious to behold, and I feel lucky to have witnessed it." — Amazon Editor Abby Abell.Exciting new featuresThis year's list includes a new category of Book Club Picks, spotlighting selections ideal for sharing and discussing with friends. Also new this season, readers can now follow specific Editors who match their reading tastes to help discover personal picks and receive monthly book recommendations.Start your summer reading by exploring the full Best Books of the Year So Far list at Amazon.com/bestbookssofar, then visit Amazon Book Review for more insights and reviews. Discover the Editors' top 20 picks alongside standout selections across genres including literature and fiction, mystery and thrillers, romance and romantasy, history, nonfiction, biographies and memoirs, debuts, cookbooks and children's books by age group. Let the summer reading begin!
	Resignation, hirings and transfers from Bettendorf School District for June 11 The following personnel items are from the June 11 agenda of the Bettendorf Community School District. The School Board met at the Administration Center, 3311 18th St., Bettendorf.
	Source of rising health costs debated as Michigan House committee weighs hospital oversight bills Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. June 15, 2026. \| Photo by Katherine Dailey/Michigan Advance. Members of the Michigan House Government Operations Committee took a hard look at a package of bills championed by Speaker Matt Hall, which if passed, would scrutinize rising health costs by creating a board to review the finances of Michigan hospitals. Put forth by Hall, of Richland Township, and Reps. Mike Harris (R-Waterford), Jay DeBoyer (R- Clay Township) and Joe Aragona (R-Clinton Township), House Bills 6116–6119 would create a five-member Hospital Cost Review Board to oversee nonprofit hospitals’ budgets and spending. “If labor costs have risen, hospitals should be able to demonstrate that,” Harris told committee members on Thursday. “If pharmaceutical costs, medical equipment or other operating expenses increased, they should be able to demonstrate that as well. What the patient deserves is confidence that higher prices are tied to higher costs, not simply passed on because they can.” While insurance companies cannot simply raise their premiums without regulatory review, this proposed board would apply the same principle to nonprofit hospitals, Harris explained. Rep. Mike Harris (R-Waterford). June 25, 2026 \| Photo by Kyle Davidson/Michigan Advance Under the legislation, the board’s five members would be appointed by the governor and the majority and minority leaders in each chamber of the Michigan Legislature, with expertise in health care, health policy, business, finance or accounting. As part of its duties, the board would meet with nonprofit hospitals to discuss their budgets and would analyze a host of information on their operations, utilizations and any tax exemptions the facility receives. Among the required information hospitals would need to submit each year, they can provide explanations on how increased costs on drugs and medical devices, labor cost or any other relevant factors led to higher hospital charges. House Bill 6116 also sets standards for price increases, requiring hospitals to justify price increases for health services while capping those increases at the rate of inflation. If the bills are signed by the governor, hospitals would have 14 days to reduce the total cost of services covered by insurance by 10%. They would also bar health networks from moving forward with acquisitions or mergers without the board’s approval, and limit employee noncompete agreements so they can only be applied between large hospital systems. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. The policies would also create a healthcare cost grant program, intended to support rural hospitals operating at a loss of at least 3% for three consecutive years, which would be funded by fines collected from hospitals that do not comply with the law, and fees collected as part of the consolidation process. “I recognize this legislation asks significant questions of our healthcare system,” Harris said. “It should. Healthcare is one of the largest expenses facing Michigan families, employers, and taxpayers alike. We owe it to the people that we represent to examine whether that system is delivering the transparency, competition and the accountability that they deserve.” Testifying before the committee, Adam Carlson, the senior vice president of advocacy for the Michigan Health and Hospital Association, told members that health costs are tied to several factors, including hospitals, insurance companies, the pharmaceuticals industry and clinicians. However, Carlson said the package only targets one of those areas, and that it places arbitrary conditions on how these facilities provide care. Hospitals are facing rapidly rising costs, Carlson said, pointing to pharmaceutical prices as the leading driver. While there are 27 hospitals in the state operating with negative margins, these bills would immediately push an additional 27 hospitals into the red, Carlson said, pointing to the 10% price cut, restrictions keeping prices at or below the rate of inflation and required cost benchmarks within the bills as a serious threat. Adam Carlson, senior vice president of advocacy at Michigan Health and Hospital Association testifies before the Michigan House Government Operations Committee. June 25, 2025 \| Screenshot If passed as is, Michigan hospitals can expect to see $2.3 billion in losses, with 21,600 full-time hospital workforce jobs lost statewide, Carlson said. “I want to be very clear about this, because this isn’t just individuals who are sitting around who lose their jobs, these job loss numbers represent service line reductions,” Carlson said. “It represents the closure of urban units, the closure of behavioral health units and potentially the closure of hospitals.” For the association’s rural members who are operating on unsustainable margins their best options are to either convert to a for-profit model, or sell to private equity, which will only accelerate the growth of private equity in healthcare, Carlson said. “I don’t think that was the goal of the bills, but that’s the practical implication of what’s going to happen under this legislation,” he said. However, Bret Jackson of the Michigan Health Purchasers Coalition argued hospitals have their own role in the rising costs of healthcare. “The cost of hospital care has become one of the biggest drivers of rising health insurance premiums, high out-of-pocket costs, and wage pressure for employees throughout our state,” Jackson said. Jackson pointed to a report from his organization, which found the average hospital operating profit margin among Michigan hospitals was 16% in 2024, up from 12% in 2023. According to the report, 80% of Michigan hospitals operate as nonprofits. “Employers are struggling to provide quality health benefits to their employees,” Jackson said. “Every single dollar that goes towards unnecessary high hospital prices and fees is a dollar that cannot be used for employee wages, hiring, retirement benefits or business growth. For many Michigan families, it means higher deductibles, delayed care and increased medical debt.” The committee adjourned without voting on the bills. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Michigan Advance
	Keokuk man charged after over 4 pounds of marijuana were found in home A Keokuk man is facing felony drug charges after more than 4 pounds of marijuana were found in a home after a controlled delivery.
	Libertarian candidates ask court to put them back on 2026 ballot Jules Cutler, the lieutenant governor candidate for the Iowa Libertarian Party, spoke at a State Objection Panel meeting June 15, 2026. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)Libertarian candidate for governor Nicholas Gluba and his running mate, Jules Cutler, are asking the courts to return their ticket to the ballot after being removed by the State Objection Panel. The appeal was filed Tuesday in Polk County District Court. It challenges the objection panel’s June 15 decision that the Libertarian candidates would not appear on the Nov. 3, 2026 general election ballot for Iowa governor. The panel found that Cutler did not submit an affidavit of candidacy as lieutenant governor by the 5 p.m. deadline on June 2. Submitting this paperwork is a necessary step for the ticket to make it onto the ballot. But at the panel meeting, Cutler and her attorney, Jacob Heard, said she was told by Dani Phillips, an elections support specialist for the secretary of state’s office, that she was not required to submit an affidavit of candidacy. Cutler and Heard said this exchange took place when Cutler came with Gluba to the office, where he filed his paperwork and nomination petitions for ballot access. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Phillips told the panel she did not receive Cutler’s affidavit of candidacy when the Libertarian candidates came to the office, and said she was not asked if Cutler needed to file the paperwork as a lieutenant governor candidate. Cutler and Heard questioned Phillips’ memory of the day, because the elections support specialist also said she did not know if Cutler was in attendance when she accepted Gluba’s paperwork. The Libertarian candidate also said she had not been provided camera footage of the secretary of state’s office lobby June 2, which would have shown she was present when the paperwork was filed The petition seeking judicial review of the State Objection Panel decision argued the panel’s decision “was the product of decision making undertaken by persons who were improperly constituted as a decision-making (body), were motivated by an improper purpose, and were subject to disqualification.” The panel is typically made up of three members, Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate, Attorney General Brenna Bird, and Iowa Auditor Rob Sand. Sand, who is the Democratic nominee for Iowa governor in 2026, recused himself from the panel and was replaced by Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, making the panel fully Republican. The Libertarians argued Sand should have been replaced by Gov. Kim Reynolds on the panel under state law, in addition to arguing Pate should have recused himself as the employer of Phillips, “whose credibility was directly at issue in determining whether to sustain the objection.” The petition also argues the objection itself is not valid grounds for the panel to take Gluba and Cutler off the ballot, stating Iowa Code only allows objections to be made to “the legal sufficiency of a certificate of nomination or nomination petition” or “to the eligibility of a candidate.” Libertarian candidates, as well as the national Libertarian Party, have accused Republican officials of attempting to keep Libertarians off the ballot for partisan purposes. Iowa’s gubernatorial race between Sand and Republican Zach Lahn is expected to be highly competitive. Other Iowa elections, including the races for U.S. Senate and several House seats, are also rated as “toss-ups” by political forecasters. The State Objection Panel heard two other challenges to Libertarian candidates’ place on the ballot. The panel ruled June 15 to take Libertarian candidate Marco Battaglia off the ballot because the name he is running under is different from his legal name, Mark T. Anderson. Battaglia said he also plans to challenge the panel’s ruling in court, but had yet to file a petition as of Thursday. The panel did not accept a challenge to Libertarian candidate Rick Stewart’s place on the ballot, running for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District. He had submitted paperwork identifying himself as “Rick Stewart” on his affidavit of candidacy, which differed from the name used on some nominating petitions, “Richard Stewart.” Pate said it was “very common for candidates to run using shortened versions of their names.” Though Stewart’s campaign remains on the ballot, the candidate said he was contacted by U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who urged him to drop out and suggested he could make an “agreement” with the candidate, according to reporting from The Washington Post. Battaglia said Kennedy Jr. also contacted him about ending his campaign, as did U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, who is seeking reelection in the 3rd District. Annie Kuhle, a campaign adviser for Nunn who submitted one of the challenges to Battaglia’s 3rd District nomination, and the Nunn campaign said they had contacted the Libertarian candidate because of concerns that he had collected signatures to qualify for the ballot using a third-party organization without proper reporting. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Iowa Capital Dispatch
	USDA takes Iowa dog breeder to court, alleging repeated, blocked inspections A dog at Wuanita Swedlund's kennels in Farmington, Iowa, as photographed by USDA inspectors in 2024. (USDA photo as reproduced in U.S. District Court records) The federal government is taking an Iowa dog breeder to court, seeking a court order that will allow inspectors onto the property for the first time since 2024. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is suing Wuanita Swedlund of Farmington for allegedly barring federal officials from conducting unannounced inspections of her dog-breeding operations. According to the USDA’s lawsuit, licensed breeders are required, during business hours, to allow inspectors to enter their place of business to inspect and photograph the property, the animals and business records. The lawsuit alleges Swedlund has failed to provide the USDA’s APHIS inspectors with access to her facility the last five times they have visited the Farmington operation, all of which fell between November 2025 and May 2026. As a result, the USDA claims, APHIS officials have been unable to inspect the business or view the animals in Swedlund’s care since December 2024. “While this repeated failure to allow inspections is concerning on its own, Ms. Swedlund’s history of Animal Welfare Act violations as well as a recent public complaint about Ms. Swedlund’s facility compound that concern,” the lawsuit states. “The last time that APHIS inspectors were able to access Ms. Swedlund’s facility on Dec. 19, 2024, APHIS officials observed a dog with heavily matted fur across its body, dogs with no access to water, and an enclosure housing multiple dogs that was almost entirely covered with fecal matter.” According to the lawsuit, APHIS fielded a complaint in April 2026 in which the complainant “described an overwhelming smell” upon entering Swedlund’s facility, which the USDA says “generated extreme concern for the condition of the dogs in Ms. Swedlund’s care.” After again being denied entry for an inspection, the USDA says it suspended Swedlund’s license for 21 days. That suspension, the USDA says, will no longer be in effect beginning June 27, 2026. Citing the expiration of the license suspension, the USDA is now seeking a court declaration that Swedlund is violating the Animal Welfare Act by refusing to allow inspectors onto her property. In addition, the agency is seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction that would force Swedlund to let the APHIS inspectors onto the property and give them access to her records. Swedlund has yet to file a response to the lawsuit, and the Iowa Capital Dispatch was not able to reach her Thursday for comment. A history of animal-welfare violations Court records indicate the USDA first issued Swedlund a license in July 2023. Since then, the records show, she has been cited for numerous violations of the Animal Welfare Act, some of which were tied to the death of eight puppies from three different litters. In that case, the USDA alleged Swedlund told inspectors she had found three dead bulldog puppies after feeling a strong, cold draft at the front of their enclosure. According to the lawsuit, inspectors reported Swedlund had placed duct tape over the hole that caused the draft, but the tape was peeling away at the time of the inspection and the cold draft could still be felt. Three more puppies from a litter of Rottweilers were found dead, the USDA says, and one puppy was severely injured and later euthanized after a husky broke into an enclosure housing a sheepdog and her newborn litter. A week later, another of the puppies from that litter was apparently eaten by its mother. Other USDA citations alleged Swedlund failed to provide proper veterinary care for several dogs in her care, including a puppy with a severe limp and “hard swelling” on one leg. Swedlund was also cited for using expired and improperly stored medications and for missing medical records. During a January 2024 inspection, an APHIS inspector cited Swedlund for failing to have enough staff on hand to maintain the minimum level of care required by federal law, noting that she was the sole full-time caregiver for 153 dogs and puppies. Court records show that in February 2024, Swedlund signed a joint stipulation with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship in which she agreed to decrease the number of dogs at the facility to no more than 30, and to do so within 30 days. During APHIS’s next inspection, in April 2024, an inspector identified only 12 dogs at the facility but was unable to confirm where the previously housed dogs had been transferred, the newly filed lawsuit alleges. In February 2026, after several failed attempts by APHIS officials to gain entry to the Farmington operation, the USDA issued an official warning to Swedlund for repeatedly failing to provide access to her facility in violation of federal regulations. That was followed by several more failed attempts at an inspection, resulting in the 21-day license suspension, the USDA alleges. Lawsuit: Swedlund engaged in puppy laundering Although the USDA lawsuit makes no mention of it, past APHIS inspection reports have pointed out her affiliation with another Iowa dog breeder accused of numerous regulatory violations, Steve Kruse, and the fact that federal law prohibits operations from routing animals through multiple license holders. In pending lawsuit filed against the USDA by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the animal-welfare organization claims the USDA “improperly approved” the licenses of two of Kruse’s Iowa associates, Swedlund and Brian Lichirie, despite “full knowledge of the relationship between the parties.” That lawsuit alleges that despite the Animal Welfare Act’s clear prohibition against issuing more than one license to a dog dealer, Lichirie and Swedlund each held their own license while operating kennels populated by dogs owned by Kruse. Such arrangements are prohibited by the USDA since they can result in puppy laundering — the process of routing dogs from a serial violator to a different licensee with a relatively clean record, in order to facilitate sales to retailers in jurisdictions that ban the sale of dogs sourced from questionable operators. The ASPCA claims the USDA wrote to Kruse 10 years ago, in 2016, to inform him that federal law required him, Lichirie and Swedlund to operate under a single license. When Kruse failed to take corrective action, the ASPCA claims, the USDA continued to renew his license and never took any steps to revoke the licenses of either Lichirie or Swedlund. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, seeks a court order that would force the USDA to void all current licenses issued to Kruse or his associates. Swedlund’s vet sanctioned by boards State records indicate Iowa-licensed veterinarian Jerry Couchman has acted as the attending veterinarian for Swedlund’s dog-breeding operations. In September 2025, the Iowa Board of Pharmacy charged Couchman with a variety of disciplinary charges tied to the federal Controlled Substances Act. According to the board, Couchman, in addition to his veterinary work, “has a dog-breeding business on his home premises.” State records indicate Couchman’s kennel is occupied by roughly 70 bulldogs. The board did not publicly disclose the charges against Couchman until March 2026, which was the same month Couchman agreed to a settlement in the case. That agreement called for a minimum nine-month suspension of Couchman’s Controlled Substances Act registration, restricting his access to controlled substances. Last year, the Iowa Board of Veterinary Medicine issued an emergency order indefinitely suspending Couchman’s veterinary license. At the time, the board alleged Couchman’s conduct posed an immediate danger to the public health, safety and welfare. On Nov. 4, 2025, Couchman and the veterinary board agreed to resolve the disciplinary case with a settlement agreement that called for Couchman’s veterinary license to be suspended for nine months, after which it was placed on probationary status for three years. He was also fined $3,000. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Iowa Capital Dispatch
	What made the deadly Venezuelan earthquakes different It appears the two big earthquakes in Venezuela that occurred in rapid succession may have involved two separate fault lines. Several faults intersect in this tectonically complex region.
	Davenport man charged after allegedly hitting squad car, injuring officers 33-year-old Torrence Vickers faces multiple felony charges after police say he rammed a squad car and injured officers following a traffic stop Monday.
	Cambridge Natural History Museum secures permanent home At just nine years old, Anderson Taylor opened the Cambridge Natural History Museum in the fall of 2024.
	Choose Iowa farm crawl returns with nearly 60 participating farms Locally grown produce. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Nearly 60 Iowa farms will open their doors Friday and Saturday for Iowans to peruse local goods – a trend that appears to be on the rise among Iowa grocery shoppers. The event is part of the state’s Choose Iowa marketing program that encourages Iowans to buy local produce, meat, dairy and farm goods. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship said the Choose Iowa farm crawl gives Iowans the opportunity to connect with producers and learn more about Iowa agriculture. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said the farm crawl is an opportunity for an “Iowa adventure.” “The Crawl offers something for everyone, from authentic agritourism experiences and local food to shopping, sightseeing, and opportunities to connect directly with Iowa farm families and small businesses,” Naig said in a news release. “It’s a fun way to support local communities, discover hidden gems that may be just down the road, and experience firsthand the people and products that make Iowa agriculture special.” Poll shows increase in local food buying Sourcing local products is a priority among Iowa grocery shoppers, according to a recent poll published by the Iowa Farm Bureau. The bureau’s latest Food & Farm Index reported that 84% of Iowans have purchased directly from farmers, farm networks or local meat lockers, which is an increase from 69% of Iowans who said they had bought directly from a farm or local producer in the bureau’s 2025 survey. Nearly 80% of the more than 500 Iowans polled responded that when shopping, they review labels to know how or where food was grown and processed. The survey, conducted by The Harris Poll, found that 35% of Iowa shoppers look for product labels that show the food was raised, grown, or produced locally. The survey also found that nearly half of surveyed Iowans said they are trying to increase the protein in their diets and 1 in 5 respondents said they have been consuming more animal-based proteins. Iowans take local food challenge More than 240 Iowans have made a public pledge to spend more of their grocery budgets on local food. The Iowa Food System Coalition’s “Iowa local food challenge” asks Iowans to “pledge” an amount they will spend on local goods each week during market season. The coalition said the goal of the challenge is to keep a portion of the $12.6 billion that Iowans spend on food each year from leaving the state. As of late June, participants in the challenge have pledged to spend more than $260,000 on Iowa produce, meat, eggs, dairy, bread, coffee, flowers, restaurant meals and other goods. Iowans can also track their local farm shopping with the Choose Iowa passport, and earn rewards for ticking off stops. The Choose Iowa farm runs from June 26-17 and is a self-guided event with 59 participating farms and markets. Stops are highlighted on an interactive map to help crawlers plan their route, from greenhouses to honey farms, mercantiles and meat lockers. The map, and a Facebook event page, provide details on the offerings at each stop. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Iowa Capital Dispatch
	North Dakota lawmakers zero in on AI, data centers Rep. Jonathan Warrey, R-Casselton, chair of the interim Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Committee, speaks during a press conference at the Capitol on June 25, 2026. At right are former North Dakota University System Chancellor Mark Hagerott and Sen. Mike Wobbema, R-Valley City. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)North Dakota lawmakers on Thursday announced a new interim committee that will study data centers and artificial intelligence ahead of the 2027 legislative session. Senate Majority Leader David Hogue said the goal is to equip legislators with more expertise so they’re better prepared to make policy decisions related to rapidly-changing technology. “The decisions the Legislature makes in 2027 regular session will shape how the technology lands in our communities for the next two decades,” said Hogue, R-Minot. Data center dilemma: Who should decide where they go in North Dakota? The committee’s work will study data center development, including water and electricity consumption, and how other states are approaching where they’re built. Some states are calling for moratoriums, while others are trying to draw data centers to their communities with tax breaks, Hogue said. “I would say the committee is going to be agnostic. We want to learn what everybody else is doing and do what’s best for North Dakota,” Hogue said. The 12-member committee also plans to study how other states are regulating AI and attempts at the federal level to preempt state regulation. Members will consider statutory protections for children against AI harm and prohibiting external AI that shows signs of exceeding human control. “There’s a component of nefarious use that we want to protect our citizens from, especially our children,” said Rep. Jonathan Warrey, R-Casselton, who will lead the committee. More cities are pressing pause on data centers as local backlash grows Former North Dakota University System Chancellor Mark Hagerott, who has expertise in AI, and former North Dakota Public Service Commission member Tony Clark will join lawmakers on the committee as citizen members. Clark also is executive director of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and served on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The committee plans to meet three to five times before the legislative session in January, with the possibility of some meetings including field trips, Warrey said. All meetings will be open to the public. The first meeting had not been scheduled, but is anticipated within 30 days, he said. Hogue said lawmakers encourage public participation, including input from local officials who have been responding to data center development in their communities. Oliver County in central North Dakota has recently attracted concerns from the public about data center development. Mike Berg, a candidate for the Oliver County Commission, said in an interview Thursday the committee may be “too little, too late” now that local subdivisions have been responding to data center development for months. Berg expressed concerns about cities and counties retaining local control over data center siting and said the new committee appears to be pro-industry. “It’s almost like a PR stunt,” Berg said. Members of the interim Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Committee Rep. Jonathan Warrey, R-Casselton, chair Rep. Mike Nathe, R-Bismarck Rep. Anna Novak, R-Hazen Rep. Todd Porter, R-Mandan Rep. Mary Schneider, D-Fargo Sen. Kyle Davison, R-Fargo, vice chair Sen. Jose Castaneda, R-Minot Sen. Janne Myrdal, R-Edinburg Sen. Dean Rummel, R-Dickinson Sen. Mike Wobbema, R-Valley City Tony Clark, executive director, National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Mark Hagerott, former North Dakota University System chancellor Courtesy of North Dakota Monitor
	QCA athlete places at 2026 Special Olympics USA Games A Rock Island athlete has placed at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. According to a release, Scott Maess of Rock Island placed seventh in bowling for the male singles competition. Maess represents Team Illinois. According to the release, the Special Olympics USA Games unites 3,000 athletes, 1,500 coaches, 10,000 volunteers and 75,000 fans from [...]
	'The Bear' is back in the kitchen In some ways, the fifth and final season of The Bear feels less daring — but after four seasons, the small wins mean more.
	Olivia Rodrigo dominates the pop charts in her new album's first week The first-week numbers for pop star Olivia Rodrigo's third album, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love, have earned her massive sales and streaming numbers.
	Death Notice: William Burns A Mass of Christian Burial for William C. "Bill" Burns, 91, of Davenport, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 29, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Davenport. Visitation will be one hour prior to Mass on Monday at the church. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Davenport. The Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport, is assisting the family with arrangements. Mr. Burns died Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Memorials may be made to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. Online condolences may be made at www.hmdfuneralhome.com. A full obituary will appear in the July 1 edition of The NSP.
	MercyOne Clinton OB/GYN relocates to larger clinic, expands services MercyOne Clinton's OB/GYN team has a new home at the Health Plaza, with more space and expanded patient services.
	GasBuddy: July 4 gas prices projected at second-highest level on record GasBuddy projects Americans will pay about $3.75 a gallon on July 4, making it the second most expensive Independence Day for gas on record.
	iHeartMedia layoffs end runs for longtime Quad-Cities radio hosts After decades on the air, several well-known Quad-Cities radio hosts are signing off following iHeartMedia job cuts.
	Whole-home wellness starts with smart IAQ management (BPT) - Key takeawaysHomeowners are incorporating smart technologies throughout their homes, including solutions to improve indoor air quality (IAQ).Improving a home's IAQ typically involves using multiple products that don't work together.The Panasonic OASYS® solves this problem by continuously bringing in fresh, filtered outdoor air that is balanced with indoor air to create a healthier living environment and improve IAQ, temperature and humidity.Modern homeowners are steadily layering technology into every corner of their homes. Whether it's a smart thermostat, voice assistants, connected security, EV chargers or app-controlled appliances, smart technology is making home life easier and — in some cases — healthier.Take indoor air quality (IAQ), for example. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans spend on average about 90% of their time indoors, where the concentration of some pollutants is often two to five times higher than typical outdoor air. Although you can't see them, these air pollutants can have very real visible effects on your health and have been associated with:Irritation of the eyes, nose and throat.Headaches, dizziness and fatigue.Respiratory diseases, heart disease and cancer.There are numerous smart devices on the market to improve IAQ, including monitors, purifiers, dehumidifiers and more. However, these separate IAQ technologies don't work together, requiring homeowners to monitor and adjust the settings themselves.Seeing the need for connected IAQ technology that works in concert, Panasonic created OASYS®, a whole-home air quality management solution that aligns comfort, air quality and energy management, providing homeowners with a true set-it-and-forget-it IAQ system.Tech designed for integrated IAQ management from the startPanasonic OASYS® creates a house that breathes as intentionally as it was designed. The energy-efficient system manages indoor air quality, temperature and humidity without homeowner intervention. The result? Cleaner air, balanced humidity, fewer indoor allergens and pollutants, and consistent temperature control throughout the house from the moment you walk in.So, how exactly does OASYS® work to improve IAQ? It all begins with its fresh-air-first approach.Improving ventilation with outdoor air is one of the fundamental strategies for reducing concentrations of indoor air pollutants. However, most home heating and cooling systems do not mechanically bring in fresh air. By flipping the traditional HVAC logic, OASYS® provides homeowners with balanced airflow to every room, including hard-to-reach areas, supporting consistent comfort and well-being of families in their home environment. Bringing in fresh air is especially important for homeowners who are moving into a new build. Construction materials, paint, new furnishings and cleaning products emit chemical vapors known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a common source of air pollution. By incorporating OASYS® into building plans from the beginning, the whole-home air quality management system can reduce exposure to harmful chemicals by removing VOCs from paints, cleaning products and furnishings before you even move in.A cleaner, more comfortable home that supports holistic wellness doesn't happen by accident. It's built that way from the start, with smart technology that works together and does the work for you.Another benefit of OASYS® is that it uses significantly less energy than conventional HVAC technologies. This isn't theoretical. In fact, Panasonic built the Panasonic OASYS® Concept Home in Houston, Texas, as a proving ground for the system. By actively removing pollutants, allergens and excess humidity in Houston's challenging climate and air quality environment, OASYS® supports better respiratory health and reduces energy consumption by up to 53% compared to traditional HVAC systems.Homeowners aren't the only ones who can benefit from installing OASYS® technology in their homes. For builders and developers, it provides a compelling alternative to standard HVAC, combining energy efficiency, resilience and occupant wellness in a single solution that doesn't require users to monitor and adjust settings constantly.Other OASYS® features that contribute to whole-home wellness include:Continuous ventilation: Provides a steady flow of fresh air, reducing indoor air stagnation, airborne pollutants and improving overall air quality.Dehumidification: Steady, balanced humidity levels to prevent mold, mildew and structural damage.Allergen reduction: Filters out pollen, pet dander, dust mites and other asthma triggers — ideal for sensitive individuals.Low maintenance: Designed for reliability and ease of use, with intuitive smart controls that require minimal upkeep.Because OASYS® combines multiple products into one cohesive system, ongoing maintenance is simple, predictable and designed to support long-term, whole-home air quality management. Best of all, it operates in the background, reflecting a growing preference for homes that are not just connected but thoughtfully integrated.Whole-home comfort completes the modern, high-performance homeA cleaner, more comfortable home that supports holistic wellness doesn't happen by accident. It's built that way from the start, with smart technology that works together and does the work for you. For more information on the benefits of Panasonic OASYS®, visit: iaq.na.panasonic.com/oasys.Based on a July 2024 analysis commissioned by Panasonic comparing the OASYS solution against conventional system designs, using a two-story, 4-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom house with light concrete tile roofing and a ventilated crawlspace underneath the first floor as the model home. Energy savings compare a Panasonic high-efficiency design, including an OASYS high-efficiency custom HVAC system and high-performance envelope, to a code minimum house design utilizing a standard gas furnace. Energy demand was converted and standardized to kilowatt hours (kWh), with the model estimating 5,932 kWh annual energy consumption for the OASYS system compared to an estimated 12,744 kWh annual energy consumption for the conventional system, a reduction in annual energy consumption of 53%. The U.S. Department of Energy's IES Virtual Environment software was used to produce an HVAC load sizing report, while the building's energy usage was assessed with the National Renewable Energy Lab's BEopt tool.
	Tour offers rare look inside Rock Island Arsenal's manufacturing hub The Rock Island Arsenal is home to more than 50 organizations and thousands of workers. Here's a look inside.
	Cambridge Natural History Museum buying its building The Cambridge Natural History Museum reached a major milestone on June 24 when it closed on the purchase of the building it occupies at 132 W. Center Street. The museum entered into a contract-purchase agreement with the Village of Cambridge, which previously owned the building. The Village allowed the museum to use the space rent-free [...]
	Illinois faces potential $705M SNAP penalty while Iowa avoids federal fees entirely Illinois faces an estimated $705 million annual SNAP liability after ranking 46th in the nation with a 14.67% food assistance error rate. Iowa has fifth lowest error rate and won't face any penalties.
	New Illinois driving test age requirements start July 1 Beginning July 1, only drivers aged 87 and older will be required to take a driving test annually to renew their license.
	KY gov moves millions to fund Lee Specialty Clinic in a ‘Band-Aid’ fix Kentucky advocates came to Frankfort to ask elected officials to find a way to keep Lee Specialty Clinic open despite recent budget cuts that caused them to discharge more than 1,000 patients. June 24, 2026. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Sarah Ladd)Gov. Andy Beshear is moving $4.5 million from a Capitol Annex renovation project to fully fund Lee Specialty Clinic in Louisville through this fiscal year. Beshear announced the decision a day after hundreds came to Frankfort and pleaded with Kentucky leaders to find a way to work with each other and fund the clinic, which has discharged more than 1,000 patients and lost 83% of its staff because of funding cuts. Several said they felt they were being used as political pawns in the funding controversy process and asked leaders to work together. “What a bipartisan approach could look like was coming back and Democrats and Republicans voting together to fund it moving forward,” Beshear said Thursday during his weekly press conference. “I’ve never used people as political pawns and I never will.” He called the money shift a “Band-Aid” fix. “This isn’t guaranteed funding that only the General Assembly can provide through the budget unit,” Beshear said. “This is me finding money and moving it to prevent these cuts from happening this year. It’ll not permanently fix the problem. We’ll face it again if the legislature doesn’t come in in January and ultimately provide the funding that’s needed, but hopefully it gives enough time for all the families that are worried, that are online, or that showed up yesterday, to say ‘come back in January and provide the money directly that’s needed.’” Families plead with KY leaders: ‘Work together to find a solution’ and keep Lee Clinic open On Wednesday House Speaker David Osborne, R-Prospect, said in a statement that Beshear had failed to “prioritize essential programs.” The legislature, he said, is “equally frustrated about the administration is moving in this direction, but are hopeful that we will hear within the next few days that they will use the money provided to continue contracting with Lee, as well as avoid provider reimbursement rate cuts and cuts to other essential services.” The clinic is the only one like it in Kentucky, offering medical, dental, behavioral, and therapeutic services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Beshear first announced cuts to several social service programs in early June, including a 4% cut to Medicaid provider reimbursement. Beshear blamed the two-year state budget passed by the General Assembly this year, which he said underfunded the programs. The legislature has said it gave the executive branch sufficient funding and that the cuts were unnecessary. This story will be updated. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Read the letter from Kentucky Democrats Open Letter Regarding Executive Branch Budget (1) SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Kentucky Lantern
	Rock Island deputy fire chief retires after 25 years of service Rock Island Deputy Fire Chief Greg Marty will retire Aug. 20 after 25 years with the fire department.
	Just graduated with debt? Here's what you need to know before you consolidate Just graduated with debt? Here's what you need to know before you consolidateIf you’ve just finished school and find yourself in debt, take a deep breath—you’re in good company. So many people start this chapter the same way. It’s a season of transition, and that debt is often part of the bigger picture of investing in yourself, building your career, and stepping into adult life.Paying off that debt can definitely feel overwhelming. Fortunately, debt consolidation could make the process easier. Consolidation involves combining multiple debts into one new loan. This leaves you with just a single payment to make.Depending on your type of debt, you may have several options for debt consolidation. Achieve shares what to know to figure out which options could help your finances.Key takeaways:Debt consolidation could simplify repaying debt after graduation.You could consolidate student loans with the Department of Education or with private lenders.Options for consolidation depend on the kind of debt you have and your specific financial profile.Can recent graduates consolidate student loans and credit card debt?Yes, recent graduates can absolutely consolidate their student debt. You could also consolidate your credit card debt separately, but options for consolidating the two kinds of debt together are limited.Both the Department of Education and private lenders have options to consolidate student loan debt. You’ll usually want to keep federal student loans within the federal student loan ecosystem so you don’t lose borrower benefits. If you have federal and private student loans, you may not be able to consolidate all your student loans together.Your options for credit card consolidation will likely be limited to private lenders. You can't consolidate credit card debt through the Department of Education. If you really want to consolidate both types of debt together, one option could be consolidating with a home equity loan.Challenges for recent graduates considering debt consolidationYou may face some challenges as a new grad trying to consolidate debt.The biggest challenge may come with federal student loans. You should only consolidate these with the Department of Education so you keep your important borrower benefits, which may include:Flexible deferment and forbearance solutionsIncome-driven repayment plansLoan forgiveness optionsDirect Consolidation Loans from the Department of Education won’t change your interest rate but they could allow you to combine multiple existing federal student loans. That could make payoff easier. They may also unlock other benefits, like different repayment options. Your new interest rate is a weighted average of the loans you’re consolidating.You can’t consolidate private student loans or credit cards through the Department of Education. You’d have to go with a private lender.You’ll probably need separate private lenders for student loans versus credit cards—and lenders that allow student loan refinancing or consolidation usually limit how much you can borrow. You can usually only borrow the amount of outstanding educational debt, which could defeat the point of consolidation if you were hoping for a single payment.New grads may have another problem: limited credit history. It’s also natural for recent grads to have salaries that are on the lower side, and often they haven’t held a job for long. These issues could make it harder to get approved. You may also be charged a higher rate if you do get approved, because you’re viewed as a riskier borrower due to your newer financial profile.Few new grads are homeowners, but if you do happen to own a home, consolidating using a home equity loan could be an option. A home equity loan is one of the few consolidation options that could be used to consolidate credit cards and student loans into one new loan.Debt consolidation options for recent graduatesRecent graduates may have several different debt consolidation options, including:Direct Consolidation Loans. These Department of Education loans are available only for federal student loans.Private student loan refinancing. These loans allow you to consolidate one or more private student loans with a new lender. Ideally, your new loan will have a lower interest rate. Private student loan lenders usually allow you to include federal loans in your consolidation loan. That’s probably not your best strategy: You want to keep those valuable borrower protections you get with federal loans.Debt consolidation loans. These loans are useful for high-interest credit card debt, and you could borrow more than you need to repay your education loans so you can consolidate other debt, if you qualify.Debt management plans. These plans could help you get on top of credit card debt by working with a credit counselor from a nonprofit credit counseling agency. Once enrolled, they may help negotiate a payment plan with your creditors that could include things like waived fees. You’ll then make payments to the credit counseling agency, and the money is distributed to your creditors.Pros and cons of debt consolidation for graduatesConsolidation could be the right solution, but like anything, it has pros and cons.ProsGet new repayment terms. Consolidation could let you choose new loan terms to better fit your budget. For example, you may qualify for a lower interest rate.Fixed payments. Student loan consolidation loans are generally installment loans with a set monthly payment.Simplify repayment. When you consolidate multiple debts, you end up with just one loan instead of several. ConsMore interest. If you consolidate into a loan with a longer payoff period, you’ll wind up paying more interest.Loss of federal borrower benefits. Consolidating federal student loans with private student lenders outside the Department of Education will mean losing some borrower protections.Capitalization cost. When you consolidate a student loan, the unpaid interest is added to the principal balance of your new consolidated loan. This is called capitalization, and it means you’ll pay interest on a higher starting amount. Capitalization applies to Direct Consolidation Loans as well as loans through a private lender.Challenging to qualify. You may have a hard time getting approval without a stable income. If your credit score is too new to show much history, you may also be denied.Debt consolidation mistakes to avoidIf you're going to consolidate your debt, avoid these mistakes:Refinance federal student loans into private student loans. This could be a mistake if you don’t consider the borrower benefits you’ll be giving up.Consolidate low- and high-interest debt together. This could raise the rate on low-interest debt.Choose a much longer repayment term. This could substantially increase your borrowing costs over time, even if you get a lower rate.Look at the total cost of the new refinance loan as well as the monthly payments and changes to other loan terms. This could help you decide whether consolidation really makes good sense.Best debt consolidation options for recent gradsIf you're thinking about consolidating debt, here are a few options:Federal student loan consolidation. Using a Direct Consolidation Loan to consolidate existing federal student loan debt means your interest rate won’t change. It will be a weighted average of the consolidated loans. You may qualify regardless of credit or income. You could also unlock new payment options, such as a longer term. A longer repayment time will likely increase the total interest you pay over the life of the loan.Personal loans. You could use a personal loan to pay off any kind of debt you want, including student loans and credit card debt. You’ll have to qualify based on credit and income, and it would be good to get a lower rate. Personal loans may not be the best choice for consolidating student loans, as they tend to have higher interest rates and be for lower amounts.Student loan refinance loans. If you have private student loans, you'll likely need to consolidate using a private lender. Private lenders may also consolidate federal student loans, but you'll typically give up borrower benefits by consolidating federal loans with a private lender. Qualification for private consolidation loans is based on credit and income.Debt management plans. Debt management plans from a credit counseling agency could help you get on top of your credit card debt. Most DMPs don't include debt from federal or private student loans.What's nextIf you're still interested in consolidating your debt as a recent grad, here are your next steps.Start looking into consolidation loan options. Research different kinds of loans and lenders to figure out what makes sense.Compare interest rates, terms, and loan benefits.Find a new loan at an affordable rate and apply to find out if you’ll get approved so your consolidation can move forward.If you do consolidate, then you can start making payments on your new loan and work toward paying off your student loans and stepping more fully into your new financial life as a graduate.This story was produced by Achieve and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

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