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

Monday, June 15th, 2026
	Davenport author-illustrator releases new “Paw & Order” book The prolific Davenport author and illustrator Jason Platt has completed his second children’s book trilogy. Paw & Order Vol. 3: The Night of the Comet will debut nationwide on Tuesday, June 23.
	Libertarian gubernatorial ticket removed from Iowa ballot over missing affidavit A Libertarian candidate for governor will be removed from Iowa’s November ballot because of a dispute over his running mate’s paperwork.
	East Moline considers new location for City Hall Residents can submit their preferences and feedback at eastmoline.com.
	Libertarian congressional candidate faces removal from Iowa ballot amid Republican objections A state objection panel ruled against Libertarian congressional candidate Marco Battaglia’s nomination forms, potentially removing him from the November ballot in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District.
	Heavy June rainfall helps reverse dry conditions in Quad Cities region After a rainy April and a bone-dry May, Iowa's state climatologist says our recent rain is exactly what our soil moisture needed, heading into peak growing season.
	Attorney asks Iowa Supreme Court to overturn $1.6 million Corri Spiegel settlement Settlements paid out to two other former City employees were deemed illegal in a December ruling, but that ruling also allowed Spiegel's settlement to stand.
	Petition calls for suicide prevention measures on I-74 Bridge A growing petition is calling for additional suicide prevention measures on the Interstate 74 Bridge.
	Why East Moline could move City Hall to a new location East Moline's City Hall has been in the same location since 1962, but the city council is considering moving it out of the downtown area. Our Quad Cities News photojournalist Mike Colón takes a look at how the move could help consolidate services to make things more efficient and effective for East Moline residents.
	Former ICE leader lands new job consulting on national security and defense Because of his former job, Todd Lyons cannot engage with the Department of Homeland Security for a year, per federal law.
	Closer Encounters: “Disclosure Day,” “Tuner,” and “Stop! That! Train!” Steven Spielberg's Disclosure Day is many things:but most of all, it's an excellent self-test determining just how jaded you've become.
	Muscatine to demolish two buildings on Tuesday East 2nd Street is closed off while officials prepare for demolition.
	Call 867-5309 for cancer survivor support; famous digits operated by Gilda's Club One of the world's most famous phone numbers has become a hotline for people affected by cancer. 867-5309. The Cancer Support Community at Gilda's Club locations is a space is so important to so many cancer survivors, providing endless resources, and now some of those resources can be found at a number easy to remember. [...]
	Illinois law prohibits hemp cannabinoid sales to minors A law now in effect for Illinois blocks minors from buying controversial hemp-related products like delta-8. House Bill 0001 dictates consumers have to be at least 21 years old to buy delta-8 and other related hemp products. The law brings the market in line with Illinois' licensed cannabis industry. Products also must have childproof packaging [...]
	The 50 best romantic comedies of all time, according to fans John Springer Collection // Getty Images 50 best romantic comedies of all time We all know how it goes. Girl meets boy or boy meets girl (or girl meets girl or boy meets boy). Sometimes it's at a high school or at work. Sometimes, the girl already has a boy; sometimes, the boy and girl have been friends for so long that it's impossible to imagine anything between them. In some instances, the boys disguise themselves as women, and the girl can't imagine being in a relationship with either of them. Whatever the setup, a good romantic comedy captures you wholly while you watch it and leaves you thinking about the meaning of love for hours after it's over. Rom-coms reached peak popularity in the '90s; as their success declined in the late 2000s and early 2010s, cultural critics and fans alike wondered if the genre was dead. Some blamed sexist tropes in the genre or studios becoming too focused on cranking out the next superhero flick. However, films from the 2010s and 2020s like "Crazy Rich Asians," "Anyone But You," and "Hit Man" prove that the romantic comedy will always have staying power. Rom-coms continue to delight audiences in 2026. "People We Meet on Vacation," a Netflix adaptation of Emily Henry's best-selling novel, won over critics and audiences alike upon its January premiere. While April's "You, Me & Tuscany" didn't exactly wow reviewers, most people seemed to love it. That same month, "The Drama" managed both praise from critics and a surprisingly high box-office take. Whether high-concept or more old-fashioned, some things never change about the genre. In a romantic comedy (past, present, or future), the pursuit of love is guaranteed, and we generally know how it ends, but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy getting there. Everyone loves—and deserves—a happily ever after. Stacker looked at all movies with at least 10,000 user votes on IMDb that were categorized as "romance" and "comedy" and ranked the top 50 according to IMDb user ratings, with ties broken by votes. From classics like "Some Like It Hot" to modern spins such as "About Time," we're confident this is a list you can draw from, no matter the state of your love life. To you, from Stacker, with love. New Line Cinema #50. Punch-Drunk Love (2002) - Director: Paul Thomas Anderson - IMDb user rating: 7.3 - Metascore: 78 - Runtime: 95 minutes "Punch-Drunk Love" didn't perform as well as expected at the box office, despite the pedigree of director Paul Thomas Anderson and star Adam Sandler, but its reputation has only grown since its stunted release. This story of a lonely man whose burgeoning romance is complicated by fits of rage and a cry for help made in the wrong direction nabbed Sandler his first Golden Globe nomination. Touchstone Pictures #49. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) - Director: Gil Junger - IMDb user rating: 7.3 - Metascore: 70 - Runtime: 97 minutes A modernization of Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew," "10 Things I Hate About You" is the type of film you can watch over and over again. It stars Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles, both of whom perfectly capture the archetypes laid out for them. Funny, warm, and just edgy enough to remain interesting, it's a movie for any day. IFC Films #48. Frances Ha (2012) - Director: Noah Baumbach - IMDb user rating: 7.4 - Metascore: 82 - Runtime: 86 minutes A must-see for anyone who's a fan of strong female protagonists, "Frances Ha" holds a rating of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. Greta Gerwig stars as a young dancer who travels around America trying to figure out her finances and passions. Limelight #47. Palm Springs (2020) - Director: Max Barbakow - IMDb user rating: 7.4 - Metascore: 83 - Runtime: 90 minutes Two people meeting and falling in love at a wedding isn't unusual. What is unusual is having that happen over and over again because of a time loop. Who doesn't love a fun, "Groundhog Day"-esque adventure? Stars Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti's truly unique love story is one that will draw you in. Touchstone Pictures #46. High Fidelity (2000) - Director: Stephen Frears - IMDb user rating: 7.4 - Metascore: 79 - Runtime: 113 minutes Rob Gordon (John Cusack) sells vinyl records and loses a piece of himself when his long-term girlfriend Laura (Iben Hjejle) walks out of his life. As Rob reflects on the rocky past of his love escapades, he realizes that he's coming into a new phase of his life—adulthood. Fox Searchlight #45. Garden State (2004) - Director: Zach Braff - IMDb user rating: 7.4 - Metascore: 67 - Runtime: 102 minutes If you love characters that are, in some moments, completely objectionable, "Garden State" is the romantic comedy for you. Zach Braff stars as a young man who returns home after the death of his mother and finds that both past demons and new love await him. It's also considered by some to be a cult classic, and was an official selection at the Sundance Film Festival. Paramount Pictures #44. Up in the Air (2009) - Director: Jason Reitman - IMDb user rating: 7.4 - Metascore: 83 - Runtime: 109 minutes Ryan (George Clooney) takes his younger and innovative colleague (Anna Kendrick) on a work trip to prove that his method of firing people is still valid. Along the way, he begins a casual fling with another business traveler (Vera Farmiga) and his burgeoning feelings for her changes how he perceives others. The film won Best Screenplay at the 2010 Golden Globes and was nominated for six Oscars, including Best Picture. DreamWorks SKG #43. The Terminal (2004) - Director: Steven Spielberg - IMDb user rating: 7.4 - Metascore: 55 - Runtime: 128 minutes "The Terminal" almost didn't make this list because it doesn't fit the ideal mold of romantic comedy, but in the end, any movie with Tom Hanks and a good story was good enough. It follows a man who becomes trapped in New York's John F. Kennedy Airport when he is at once deported from the United States and yet unable to leave because of a military coup in his native country. Warner Bros. Pictures #42. Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011) - Directors: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa - IMDb user rating: 7.4 - Metascore: 68 - Runtime: 118 minutes This may be one of the most thoroughly enjoyable films released in the 21st century. It follows a few different storylines, all of which feature characters earnestly seeking love, acceptance, and some unexpected twists along the way. The humor of Steve Carell transforms "Crazy, Stupid, Love." from just "fun" to laugh-out-loud funny. Paramount Pictures #41. White Christmas (1954) - Director: Michael Curtiz - IMDb user rating: 7.5 - Metascore: 56 - Runtime: 120 minutes "White Christmas" may be a holiday favorite, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy it any time of the year. This Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye vehicle also features the timeless voice of Rosemary Clooney and the better-than-Astaire dancing of Vera-Ellen. It's got two romances for the price of one and features some of the most enduring music in movie history. Memfis Film #40. Show Me Love (1998) - Director: Lukas Moodysson - IMDb user rating: 7.5 - Metascore: 73 - Runtime: 89 minutes Two small-town Swedish girls—one popular and the other morose—go from being friends to quietly falling in love while dealing with typical teen problems. The film's original title caused a controversy in the town it's based on and politicians fought to have the name changed. Fox 2000 Pictures #39. Love, Simon (2018) - Director: Greg Berlanti - IMDb user rating: 7.5 - Metascore: 72 - Runtime: 110 minutes Teenage Simon falls in love with a mysterious stranger on the internet. He tries to navigate this budding romance while also figuring out how to come out to his family and friends. It is the first film from a major Hollywood studio to center on a gay teen romance. Amazon Studios #38. The Big Sick (2017) - Director: Michael Showalter - IMDb user rating: 7.5 - Metascore: 86 - Runtime: 120 minutes A film that got a quiet start at the Sundance Film Festival and worked its way up to theatrical release, "The Big Sick" has been generally lauded by critics. It was also one of the highest-grossing independent films of 2017, at $56 million. Star Kumail Nanjiani and his wife Emily V. Gordon together earned an Oscar nomination for co-writing the screenplay based on the couple's real-life romance. Universal Pictures #37. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010) - Director: Edgar Wright - IMDb user rating: 7.5 - Metascore: 69 - Runtime: 112 minutes Rock band guitarist (and ladies' man) Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) falls for Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). However, things get hilariously dangerous when her army of ex-boyfriends are determined to take him out of the picture. MGM #36. Victor/Victoria (1982) - Director: Blake Edwards - IMDb user rating: 7.6 - Metascore: 84 - Runtime: 134 minutes Robert Preston and Julie Andrews star in this 1930s-set musical romance. She's a British soprano who can't find work in Paris nightclubs. He becomes her manager and bills her as a male performer who presents as female. They try to keep their secret under wraps while catching the eyes of many people around them. Paramount Pictures #35. Play It Again, Sam (1972) - Director: Herbert Ross - IMDb user rating: 7.6 - Metascore: 77 - Runtime: 85 minutes Allan (Woody Allen) is a depressed film critic, obsessed with the film "Casablanca," whose wife just left him. He stumbles and fumbles with his anxious personality through the dating world while harboring a flame for a married friend. The visage of Humphrey Bogart begins to appear to him and help steer him right. Paramount Home Video #34. Sabrina (1954) - Director: Billy Wilder - IMDb user rating: 7.6 - Metascore: 72 - Runtime: 113 minutes Although Harrison Ford starred in the 1995 remake of "Sabrina," we have to give the candle to the 1954 original. With a cast including Audrey Hepburn, William Holden, and Humphrey Bogart, this classic romance features some of Hepburn's finest moments, but behind the scenes it seems things were less than congenial. Paramount Pictures #33. Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) - Director: Blake Edwards - IMDb user rating: 7.6 - Metascore: 76 - Runtime: 115 minutes Audrey Hepburn's most memorable role is one that has withstood the test of time. The iconic image of Hepburn as Holly Golightly—standing outside Tiffany's, coffee in hand as the New York morning dawns—alone inspired a book, while the novel this story of a Manhattan socialite and struggling writer is based on is considered an American classic. Universal Pictures #32. Love Actually (2003) - Director: Richard Curtis - IMDb user rating: 7.6 - Metascore: 55 - Runtime: 135 minutes One of the holiday season's most featured romantic comedies, "Love Actually" has a bit of everything: British accents; Christmas decor; love unrestricted by age, shape, or size; and Bill Nighy. Everyone should see this film, which won a BAFTA Award for Nighy's performance. Columbia Pictures #31. The Awful Truth (1937) - Director: Leo McCarey - IMDb user rating: 7.7 - Metascore: 87 - Runtime: 90 minutes Cary Grant and Irene Dunne portray a married couple who suspect infidelity on both ends. Jerry and Lucy's jealousy leads to a divorce; however, the grass isn't quite so green on the dating side. Much of the dialogue is improv, and the film won Leo McCarey a Best Director Oscar. Paramount Pictures #30. The Lady Eve (1941) - Director: Preston Sturges - IMDb user rating: 7.7 - Metascore: 96 - Runtime: 94 minutes Jean (Barbara Stanwyck) is a con woman who eyes Charles (Henry Fonda), a wealthy target. Things between them go awry, but Jean will not give up. She pushes her way back into his life, disguised as a highbrow woman named Lady Eve. Wüste Film #29. In July (2000) - Director: Fatih Akin - IMDb user rating: 7.7 - Metascore: 71 - Runtime: 99 minutes A teacher (Moritz Bleibtreu) picks up a hitchhiker while on his way to meet a woman he thinks he's in love with. As expected, they develop feelings for each other along the way, bringing out the best in each other. Cecchi Gori Group Tiger Cinematografica #28. The Postman (1994) - Directors: Michael Radford, Massimo Troisi - IMDb user rating: 7.7 - Metascore: 81 - Runtime: 108 minutes Italian actor and filmmaker Massimo Troisi plays the titular postman who falls in love with poetry after befriending the famous Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. Troisi—who died of a heart attack before the film's release—received two posthumous Academy Award nominations (Best Actor and Best Adapted Screenplay) for the film, which also won the Oscar for Best Original Score. Republic Pictures #27. The Quiet Man (1952) - Director: John Ford - IMDb user rating: 7.7 - Metascore: 85 - Runtime: 129 minutes If you love the Irish countryside—or anything about Ireland, really—this is a must-see. John Wayne stars as an Irish-born American boxer who retires to Ireland to explore his familial ties. There he meets and falls for a local girl (Maureen O'Hara) whose brother doesn't take kindly to Yankee intervention. Orion Pictures Corporation #26. The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985) - Director: Woody Allen - IMDb user rating: 7.7 - Metascore: 75 - Runtime: 82 minutes One of many Woody Allen films to make this list, "The Purple Rose of Cairo" is a classic Allen mix of fantasy, love, and humor. A character (Jeff Daniels) literally walks off the screen in a 1930s movie house and into the life of a waitress (Mia Farrow). Will he stay in the real world or will the world of fiction pull him back in? Warner Bros. Pictures #25. Flipped (2010) - Director: Rob Reiner - IMDb user rating: 7.7 - Metascore: 45 - Runtime: 90 minutes A box-office flop and critically panned, "Flipped" makes the list because of its positive audience reception. The story follows a young boy and girl who meet in second grade and work to find love over the next six years. Columbia Pictures #24. When Harry Met Sally... (1989) - Director: Rob Reiner - IMDb user rating: 7.7 - Metascore: 76 - Runtime: 95 minutes If romantic comedies about best friends falling in love is your cup of tea, "When Harry Met Sally…" redefines the meaning of friend zone on both sides of the equation—and how to get out of it. If nothing else, this film will forever be remembered for one particular diner scene. TriStar Pictures #23. As Good as It Gets (1997) - Director: James L. Brooks - IMDb user rating: 7.7 - Metascore: 67 - Runtime: 139 minutes A sometimes dark romantic comedy about a lonely waitress and a, um, difficult writer, the accolades alone can speak to the talent pool it draws upon: Helen Hunt and Jack Nicholson both won Oscars for their starring roles, making "As Good as It Gets" truly as good as movies can get. Sony Pictures Classics #22. Midnight in Paris (2011) - Director: Woody Allen - IMDb user rating: 7.7 - Metascore: 81 - Runtime: 94 minutes Fun fact: "Midnight in Paris" is Woody Allen's highest-grossing film at $151 million worldwide. A screenwriter (Owen Wilson) finds himself in Paris with his fiancee when the unthinkable happens; at midnight, he finds himself able to travel back to the 1920s. This is the movie for anyone who likes their romantic comedy mixed with a bit of fantasy. Fox Searchlight Pictures #21. 500 Days of Summer (2009) - Director: Marc Webb - IMDb user rating: 7.7 - Metascore: 76 - Runtime: 95 minutes "500 Days of Summer" is one of the most bittersweet films on this list. Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) meets Summer (Zooey Deschanel) and falls in love. She doesn't. If you're in the mood for something a little witty and a little sad, this is going to give you the perfect balance of feel-good/awful. The Weinstein Company #20. Silver Linings Playbook (2012) - Director: David O. Russell - IMDb user rating: 7.7 - Metascore: 81 - Runtime: 122 minutes "Silver Linings Playbook" features Bradley Cooper as a man with bipolar disorder who engages in a dance partnership with a young woman with depression and no filter (Jennifer Lawrence) to win back his wife. Although it was feared she was too young for the role, Lawrence ended up winning an Academy Award for her performance. Ang Lee Productions #19. Eat Drink Man Woman (1994) - Director: Ang Lee - IMDb user rating: 7.8 - Metascore: 79 - Runtime: 124 minutes This film follows three Asian sisters who live with their retired master chef father. He prepares elaborate Sunday meals that they all partake in, a centering force in their lives in the midst of the highs and lows of romance. "Eat Drink Man Woman" scored a nomination at the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Translux #18. About Time (2013) - Director: Richard Curtis - IMDb user rating: 7.8 - Metascore: 55 - Runtime: 123 minutes A man (Domhnall Gleeson) discovers that he can time travel and uses it to woo Mary (Rachel McAdams), an insecure woman who captures his heart. But all the time-traveling tricks in the world cannot stop the woes of life that happen to those he loves and cares for the most. Oslo Pictures #17. The Worst Person in the World (2021) - Director: Joachim Trier - IMDb user rating: 7.9 - Metascore: 90 - Runtime: 128 minutes Julie (Renate Reinsve), a medical student in Oslo, navigates a complex relationship with an older man and a new flame. She goes through a series of personal challenges while experiencing a unique, and at times painful, love story. The film earned Oscar nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best International Film. MGM #16. The Philadelphia Story (1940) - Director: George Cukor - IMDb user rating: 7.9 - Metascore: 96 - Runtime: 112 minutes After a series of flops and categorization as "box office poison" (an infamous phrase assigned to many actresses in the 1940s who were convenient to blame for a given film's lack of audience), Katharine Hepburn was so certain of this film's success she forwent a salary to take a percentage of its profits. Her confidence paid off—"The Philadelphia Story" grossed more than $3 million at the box office and is a much-loved addition to this list. Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart co-star as her former husband and potential new lover, respectively. Paramount Pictures #15. Harold and Maude (1971) - Director: Hal Ashby - IMDb user rating: 7.9 - Metascore: 62 - Runtime: 91 minutes A crowd favorite with sometimes dark humor, "Harold and Maude" toys with macabre themes as it follows Harold Chasen (Bud Cort) through his existential crisis and obsession with death. Harold finds a kindred spirit in 79-year-old Maude (Ruth Gordon), who helps him stage faked murders and shares his passion for attending strangers' funerals. United Artists #14. Manhattan (1979) - Director: Woody Allen - IMDb user rating: 7.9 - Metascore: 83 - Runtime: 96 minutes This is one of the film's Woody Allen is most closely associated with. Allen stars as a TV writer who falls in love with his best friend's mistress. Frequent co-star Diane Keaton plays the love interest, and Meryl Streep is also along for the ride as Allen's lesbian ex-wife. The Weinstein Company #13. The Artist (2011) - Director: Michel Hazanavicius - IMDb user rating: 7.9 - Metascore: 89 - Runtime: 100 minutes A nod to silent movie romance lore, "The Artist" won five Oscars including Best Picture. This blatantly romantic story of a silent film star (Jean Dujardin) and unknown dancer (Bérénice Bejo) resonated with audiences in a year dominated by the release of films focused on pirates, spies, and aliens. Jet Tone Production #12. Chungking Express (1994) - Director: Wong Kar-Wai - IMDb user rating: 8.0 - Metascore: 78 - Runtime: 102 minutes This film is actually two romances in one. A pair of police officers follow different romantic paths, one falling for a woman who is actually a criminal, and the other mourning the loss of his girlfriend before having his spirits lifted by a woman working at a snack bar. Paramount Pictures #11. Roman Holiday (1953) - Director: William Wyler - IMDb user rating: 8.0 - Metascore: 78 - Runtime: 118 minutes Audrey Hepburn won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance as a young princess who slips the control of her bodyguards and meets and falls for a newsman (Gregory Peck) in Rome. Blacklisted writer Dalton Trumbo actually wrote the script, though he was never credited for it—even when it won the Oscar. United Artists #10. Annie Hall (1977) - Director: Woody Allen - IMDb user rating: 8.0 - Metascore: 92 - Runtime: 93 minutes Woody Allen's "Annie Hall" is known for its obsessive, endearing protagonist: Alvy Singer (played by Allen), unable to fathom why his love (Diane Keaton) left him. This is the movie that beat "Star Wars" for the Best Picture Oscar. MGM #9. The Shop Around the Corner (1940) - Director: Ernst Lubitsch - IMDb user rating: 8.1 - Metascore: 96 - Runtime: 99 minutes Two co-workers (Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan) at a Budapest gift shop vehemently hate each other. Little do they know that they are each other's pen pal and have fallen in love through letters. This film served as the inspiration for the '90s rom-com "You've Got Mail," starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. Charles Chaplin Productions #8. The Circus (1928) - Director: Charles Chaplin - IMDb user rating: 8.1 - Metascore: 90 - Runtime: 72 minutes Charlie Chaplin portrays a man who hilariously runs from the cops in front of a circus crowd and nabs a gig. He falls for a fellow performer but her eyes are set elsewhere. This silent film was produced and released during a difficult period in Chaplin's personal life, and the production itself weathered several setbacks including a fire at the studio. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment #7. It Happened One Night (1934) - Director: Frank Capra - IMDb user rating: 8.1 - Metascore: 87 - Runtime: 105 minutes "It Happened One Night" is a classic that was the first movie to win the "Big Five" Academy Awards—Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress and Screenplay. Ironically, Claudette Colbert was initially dissatisfied with this story of a reporter (Clark Gable) whose chasing of a runaway heiress leaves them stranded and forced to stick together to make it from Florida to New York. Columbia Pictures #6. Groundhog Day (1993) - Director: Harold Ramis - IMDb user rating: 8.1 - Metascore: 72 - Runtime: 101 minutes Now a Bill Murray favorite, when "Groundhog Day" was released in 1993 it was a comparatively modest hit. Being trapped in the same day for the rest of your life may certainly sound nightmarish—but being able to do everything over again until it's perfect can be a dream come true. Maybe that's part of the reason "Groundhog Day" remains captivating to this day. United Artists #5. Some Like It Hot (1959) - Director: Billy Wilder - IMDb user rating: 8.2 - Metascore: 98 - Runtime: 121 minutes Another classic, "Some Like It Hot" stands out for keeping the core elements of a romantic comedy while playing with what were, at the time, very progressive ideas. Dressing Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon in drag and sticking Marilyn Monroe in the middle—what's not to like? United Artists #4. The Apartment (1960) - Director: Billy Wilder - IMDb user rating: 8.3 - Metascore: 94 - Runtime: 125 minutes One of the last black-and-white romantic comedies to find success before Hollywood's foray into Technicolor, this story of an insurance clerk (Jack Lemmon) who offers his pad to fellow employees as a sop to climbing the corporate ladder only to have a romance of his own cause a stir was a hit with audiences and critics alike. MGM #3. Singin' in the Rain (1952) - Directors: Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly - IMDb user rating: 8.3 - Metascore: 99 - Runtime: 103 minutes Although only a modest success at the time of its release, any romantic comedy list that didn't include this film today would be incomplete. A silent film star (Gene Kelly) falls for a chorus girl (Debbie Reynolds) amidst the film industry's transition to talkies. Miramax Films #2. Amélie (2001) - Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet - IMDb user rating: 8.3 - Metascore: 69 - Runtime: 122 minutes Recently adapted into a Broadway musical, "Amélie" follows a fanciful girl (Audrey Tautou) around Paris as she attempts to return a box of memorabilia to a man she's never met. Along the way, she inspires romance in the unlikeliest of places, including for herself. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment #1. City Lights (1931) - Director: Charles Chaplin - IMDb user rating: 8.5 - Metascore: 99 - Runtime: 87 minutes Hailed by some as the original romantic comedy, Charlie Chaplin's "City Lights" is considered one of his greatest works and one of the greatest films of all time. It may not be the romantic comedy genre we're familiar with today, but there is no doubt Chaplin is at his finest in this touching, hilarious love story of a tramp who falls in love with a blind flower girl.
	Blackhawk Bank & Trust reopens Valley Center branch in Moline after rebuild "This project is a reflection of our belief that strong communities deserve strong local banking partners," said Eric Mutka, president of Blackhawk Bank & Trust.
	Augustana grad running the Mississippi River to raise money for children's cancer research Grant Bell was inspired to take on the challenge after his niece was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that primarily impacts children.
	Albany seeks funding for new wastewater treatment plant The Village of Albany is seeking more than $800,000 in federal funding to help replace its wastewater treatment plant.
	Heavy rain and strong storms possible Wednesday around Quad Cities After some relatively quiet weather for the last few days, we're tracking another chance for showers and storms for Wednesday. Before that happens, there's a slight chance for a stray shower or two Tuesday. But the severe weather chances don't arrive until Wednesday: Heavy rain is also a good possibility with the Wednesday storms:
	Meet our new reporter, Andrew Spaid! Andrew joins the Quad Cities from the Chicago suburbs. He previously helped with JDC coverage and is looking forward to getting to know the area better.
	Village of Albany, IL seeks federal funding for wastewater treatment plant The current facility is about 65 years old.
	The most extreme temperature ever recorded in every US state, based on data Mario Tama // Getty Images Most extreme temperatures in the history of every state In January 2026, the World Meteorological Organization confirmed 2025 was among the hottest years on record. Of course, that's not particularly surprising, considering the last 11 years have all made the list of the top 11 warmest years recorded. In fact, 2025 was the third-warmest year on record, just behind 2024 and 2023—the first time a three-year period has averaged more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Extreme heat events continue to be a regular occurrence. In March 2026, a heat wave across the southwestern U.S. sent temperatures soaring to record highs in Arizona and Southern California. And it's unlikely we'll see an end to these conditions anytime soon—according to Climate Central, human-caused climate change has made this excessive heat three times more likely for half the U.S. population. High heat isn't the only thing we have to worry about. The winter of 2025-26 proved especially severe for much of the Midwest and Northeast, with the coldest and snowiest conditions since 2017-18. Temperatures in late January averaged 10-15 degrees below normal in cities like Minneapolis, Chicago, Detroit and Pittsburgh, and dozens of Midwest and Northeast cities were classified as experiencing a severe winter. As extreme weather events and record-setting temperatures become the norm across much of the U.S., Stacker consulted 2023 data from NOAA's State Climate Extremes Committee to identify the hottest and coldest temperatures ever recorded in each state and Puerto Rico. Each slide also reveals the all-time highest 24-hour precipitation record and 24-hour snowfall. Keep reading to find out individual state records in alphabetical order. Canva Alabama - All-time highest temperature: 112 F (Centerville on Sept. 6, 1925) - All-time lowest temperature: -27 F (New Market on Jan. 30, 1966) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 32.52 inches (Dauphin Island Sea Lab on July 19, 1997) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 20 inches (Walnut Grove on March 13, 1993) Despite being a subtropical town, on March 13, 1993, Walnut Grove was covered in 20 inches of snow. The extreme weather was termed the "Superstorm of 1993" by the National Weather Service because of its size and strength, equal to a Category 3 hurricane. At one point, the storm system ran from Eastern Canada to Central America. Nickolas warner // Shutterstock Alaska - All-time highest temperature: 100 F (Fort Yukon on June 27, 1915) - All-time lowest temperature: -80 F (Prospect Creek Camp on Jan. 23, 1971) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 15.05 inches (Seward on Oct. 10, 1986) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 78 inches (Mile 47 Camp on Feb. 9, 1963) Prospect Creek recorded the coldest-ever U.S. temperature of -80 degrees in 1971. On Oct. 10, 1986, Seward experienced more rainfall than anywhere else in Alaska due to an unrelenting rainstorm. The highways and the railroads took a massive hit during the three-day rainstorm, and the region was declared a federal disaster area. In October 2018, the city of Seward declared an emergency after recording nearly 5 inches of rain over several days of heavy rainfall. Heavy flooding yet again caused debris to block several roads. Canva Arizona - All-time highest temperature: 128 F (Lake Havasu City on June 29, 1994) - All-time lowest temperature: -40 F (Hawley Lake on Jan. 7, 1971) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 11.4 inches (Workman Creek on Sept. 4, 1970) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 38 inches (Alpine on Feb. 25, 1987) On the far western border of Arizona, Lake Havasu City saw the highest temperature in state history on June 29, 1994. But seven years earlier, the state's largest snowfall was recorded on the extreme eastern side of Arizona. Tammy Chesney // Shutterstock Arkansas - All-time highest temperature: 120 F (Ozark on Aug. 10, 1936) - All-time lowest temperature: -29 F (Brook Farm Pond near Gravette on Feb. 13, 1905) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 14.06 inches (Big Fork on Dec. 3, 1982) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 25 inches (Corning on Jan. 22, 1918) "The Great Heat Wave of 1936" affected around 15 states during its three-week run, bringing temperatures above 100 degrees. Still, Ozark topped the charts by reaching 120 degrees. Also known as the "1936 North American Heat Wave," it exacerbated human suffering during the ongoing Great Depression. Angel DiBilio // Shutterstock California - All-time highest temperature: 134 F (Greenland Ranch on July 10, 1913) - All-time lowest temperature: -45 F (Boca on Jan. 20, 1937) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 25.83 inches (Hoegees Camp on Jan. 22, 1943) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 67 inches (Echo Summit Sierra at Tahoe on Jan. 5, 1982) Death Valley's Greenland Ranch holds the record for the highest temperature ever recorded at 134 degrees in 1913. But On Jan. 20, 1937, Boca—a former reservoir located in Nevada County—recorded a mind-numbingly cold temperature of -45 degrees. Bob Pool // Shutterstock Colorado - All-time highest temperature: 115 F (John Martin Dam on July 20, 2019) - All-time lowest temperature: -61 F (Maybell on Feb. 1, 1985) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 11.85 inches (USGS Rod & Gun, Ft. Carson, on Sept. 12, 2013) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 75.8 inches (Silver Lake on April 14, 1921) During the 2013 floods that took place across Colorado, the highest precipitation levels were recorded on Sept. 12, 2013, at Fort Carson, a United States Army installation located in El Paso County. Canva Connecticut - All-time highest temperature: 106 F (Danbury on July 15, 1995, and Torrington on Aug. 23, 1916) - All-time lowest temperature: -32 F (Coventry on Jan. 22, 1961, and Falls Village on Feb. 16, 1943) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 12.77 inches (Burlington on Aug. 19, 1955) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 36 inches (Ansonia 1NE on Feb. 8, 2013) On Aug. 19, 1955, the Great Flood of 1955 occurred in Burlington. The last time Connecticut had witnessed such heavy rainfalls was during colonial times. The state's high- and low-temperature records are shared by two locations on different days of different years. Khairil Azhar Junos // Shutterstock Delaware - All-time highest temperature: 110 F (Millsboro on July 21, 1930) - All-time lowest temperature: -17 F (Millsboro on Jan. 17, 1893) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 12.48 inches (Harbeson on Sept. 28, 2016) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 25 inches (Dover on Feb. 19, 1979) Millsboro is one of the two cities in the United States that holds the record for the highest and lowest temperatures recorded in a state. Also of interest was a significant East Coast cyclone in 1979 that brought record-breaking snowfall to the Mid-Atlantic states. Because of this, Dover received the most snowfall in the history of Delaware's climate. Compared to the 25 inches of snow recorded in Dover in February 1979, there was no snow in Delaware in January 2023, and only trace snowfall twice in February. Noah Densmore // Shutterstock Florida - All-time highest temperature: 109 F (Monticello on June 29, 1931) - All-time lowest temperature: -2 F (Tallahassee on Feb. 13, 1899) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 23.28 inches (Key West on Nov. 11, 1980) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 4 inches (Milton Exp. Stn. on March 6, 1954) In 1980, Hurricane Jeanne formed in the Gulf of Mexico and indirectly struck Florida's Key West with heavy rainfall. The storm resulted in the heaviest rainfall Florida had ever witnessed within one day, which is impressive given the frequency with which big storms hit Florida. Canva Georgia - All-time highest temperature: 112 F (Greenville 2 NNW on Aug. 20, 1983, and Louisville on July 24, 1952) - All-time lowest temperature: -17 F (CCC Fire Camp F-16 near Beatum on Jan. 27, 1940) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 21.1 inches (Americus on July 6, 1994) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 19.3 inches (Cedartown 3NE on March 3, 1942) The flood of 1994 in Americus included surging floodwaters that entered the city rapidly and were described as "fierce" by local news outlets. More than 100 small dams in nearby areas had reached capacity and started washing out directly on the roads. The deluge also damaged the railroad service, which took several months to recover even after the floodwaters receded. Canva Hawaii - All-time highest temperature: 100 F (Pahala, Hawaii, on April 27, 1931) - All-time lowest temperature: 12 F (Mauna Kea Observatory, Hawaii, on May 17, 1979) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 49.69 inches (Waipā Garden, Kauai, on April 14, 2018) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 6.5 inches (Haleakala, Maui, on Feb. 2, 1936) In April 2018, heavy rainfalls devastated the island of Kauai as dozens of homes were left in shambles in the island's towns, including Hanalei, Wainiha, Haena, and Anahola. The rainfall, which also hit Oahu, affected 532 houses on the two islands, according to the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. Canva Idaho - All-time highest temperature: 118 F (Orofino on July 28, 1934) - All-time lowest temperature: -60 F (Island Park Dam on Jan. 18, 1943) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 7.17 inches (Rattlesnake Creek on Nov. 23, 1909) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 31 inches (Anderson Dam on Dec. 18, 1967) Rattlesnake Creek in Elmore County was recorded on Nov. 23, 1909, to have received the most rainfall of 7.17 inches in one day. And in 1967, the Anderson Ranch Dam, southeast of Boise, recorded 31 inches of snowfall in one 24-hour period. Jake Hukee // Shutterstock Illinois - All-time highest temperature: 117 F (East St. Louis on July 14, 1954) - All-time lowest temperature: -38 F (Mt. Carroll on Jan. 31, 2019) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 16.91 inches (Aurora on July 18, 1996) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 36 inches (Astoria on Feb. 28, 1900) East St. Louis recorded the state's most sweltering temperature on July 14, 1954. While the residents of East St. Louis first woke up to stifling 100-degree heat, the temperature soared to 117 degrees by late afternoon. Residents in St. Louis recalled July 14, 1954, as the day "they were just cooked." The Old Major // Shutterstock Indiana - All-time highest temperature: 116 F (Collegeville, south side of Rensselaer on July 14, 1936) - All-time lowest temperature: -36 F (New Whiteland on Jan. 19, 1994) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 10.5 inches (Princeton on Aug. 6, 1905) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 33 inches (Salem on Dec. 23, 2004) On Aug. 6, 1905, Princeton, a city in Indiana's Gibson County, recorded the highest one-day-long rainfall event in the state at 10.5 inches. And in July 1936, the entire state saw extreme heat, with Collegeville recording the highest temperature at 116 degrees. Canva Iowa - All-time highest temperature: 118 F (Keokuk No. 2 on July 20, 1934) - All-time lowest temperature: -47 F (Elkader on Feb. 3, 1996) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 13.18 inches (Atlantic 1NE on June 14, 1998) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 24 inches (Lenox on April 20, 1918) The town of Atlantic in Iowa's Cass County experienced intense flooding on June 14, 1998, after heavy rainfall and a severe thunderstorm. Many bridges in the area were either damaged or completely destroyed, and all highways and roads had to be closed once the flooding started intensifying. Canva Kansas - All-time highest temperature: 121 F (Fredonia on July 18, 1936, and Alton on July 24, 1936) - All-time lowest temperature: -40 F (Lebanon on Feb. 13, 1905) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: Not available - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 30 inches (Pratt on March 28, 2009) Pratt, a city with a population of 6,835 people, recorded the state's heaviest snowfall on March 28, 2009. A spring snowstorm resulted in a whopping 30 inches of snow falling within one day in Pratt. Andre // Wikimedia Commons Kentucky - All-time highest temperature: 114 F (Greensburg on July 28, 1930) - All-time lowest temperature: -37 F (Shelbyville on Jan. 19, 1994) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 11.28 inches (Mayfield 6SW between July 18 and July 19, 2023) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 26 inches (Simers on March 3, 1942) The flood of 1997 in Louisville resulted in 10.48 inches of rainfall within one day on March 1, 1997. The deluge intensified when smaller streams started overflowing rapidly, which in turn caused the flooding along the Ohio River. As if the flooding wasn't bad enough, tornadoes were also reported from Arkansas to southern Kentucky. Canva Louisiana - All-time highest temperature: 114 F (Plain Dealing 4W on Aug. 10, 1936) - All-time lowest temperature: -16 F (Minden on Feb. 13, 1899) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 22 inches (Hackberry on Aug. 28, 1962) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 13 inches (Colfax on Feb. 13, 1960) Hackberry, a community in Cameron Parish, witnessed the state's heaviest rainfall between Aug. 28 and 29, 1962. A tropical depression that had first formed in the western Gulf of Mexico eventually struck the Texas and Louisiana border two days later before finally subsiding on Aug. 30, 1962. Andy Thrasher // Wikimedia Commons Maine - All-time highest temperature: 105 F (North Bridgton on July 4 and 10, 1911) - All-time lowest temperature: -50 F (Big Black River, nr. Saint Pamphile, PQ, on Jan. 16, 2009) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 13.32 inches (Portland on Oct. 20, 1996) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 40 inches (Orono on Dec. 30, 1962) The state's highest rainfall or precipitation level was recorded at the Portland Jetport on Oct. 20–21, 1996, and resulted in severe flooding. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, one person was killed, and more than 2,100 homes and businesses were damaged. Canva Maryland - All-time highest temperature: 109 F (Cumberland and Frederick on July 10, 1936, and Cumberland on Aug. 6-7, 1918) - All-time lowest temperature: -40 F (Oakland on Jan. 13, 1912) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 14.75 inches (Jewel near Friendship on July 26, 1897) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 31 inches (Clear Spring 1ENE on March 29, 1942) Maryland's most significant record 24-hour total rainfall was in Jewell on July 26-27, 1897. The town of Cumberland, in western Maryland, has twice recorded the state's highest temperature of 109 degrees. Canva Massachusetts - All-time highest temperature: 107 F (Chester and New Bedford on Aug. 2, 1975) - All-time lowest temperature: -35 F (Chester on Jan. 12, 1981, Coldbrook on Feb. 15, 1943, and Taunton on Jan. 5, 1904) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 18.15 inches (Westfield on Aug. 18, 1955) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 29 inches (Natick on April 1, 1997) Westfield suffered from heavy flooding and rainfall in the middle of August 1955, making it the wettest day for the state. The Great Flood of 1955 affected Connecticut and Massachusetts, resulting from Hurricanes Connie—and then, a week later, Hurricane Diane. Canva Michigan - All-time highest temperature: 112 F (Mio and Stanwood on July 13, 1936) - All-time lowest temperature: -51 F (Vanderbilt on Feb. 9, 1934) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 12.92 inches (6E Fountain on July 20, 2019) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 32 inches (Herman on Dec. 2, 1985) In July 2019, nearly 13 inches of rain was recorded falling in western Michigan in one 24-hour period, surpassing a record from 150 miles south that stood for more than a century. Plume Photography // Shutterstock Minnesota - All-time highest temperature: 115 F (Beardsley on July 29, 1917) - All-time lowest temperature: -60 F (Tower on Feb. 2, 1996) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 15.1 inches (Hokah 1S on Aug. 19, 2007) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 36 inches (Wolf Ridge ELC on Jan. 7, 1994) Hokah, a city in Houston County, had the state's heaviest one-day rainfall on Aug. 19, 2007. The flood of 2007 claimed the lives of six people and also resulted in massive flooding in nearby counties. Sean Pavone // Shutterstock Mississippi - All-time highest temperature: 115 F (Holly Springs 2N on July 29, 1930) - All-time lowest temperature: -19 F (Corinth on Jan. 30, 1966) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 15.68 inches (Columbus on July 9, 1968) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 18 inches (Mt. Pleasant on Dec. 23, 1963) The distance between the locations with the highest and lowest temperatures recorded in Mississippi is less than 70 miles, but the difference between those temperatures is 134 degrees. And a week before a massive "New Year's Snowstorm" swept through the Southern United States on Dec. 31, 1963, the small community of Mount Pleasant recorded an even larger snowfall, setting the state's record. Canva Missouri - All-time highest temperature: 118 F (Union and Warsaw on July 14, 1954) - All-time lowest temperature: -40 F (Warsaw on Feb. 13, 1905) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 18.18 inches (Edgerton on July 20, 1965) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 24 inches (Cape Girardeau on Feb. 25, 1979) Warsaw is one of two cities in the United States that holds the record for the highest and lowest temperatures recorded in a state. The other is Millsboro, Delaware. Four people died during the 1965 flood in Edgerton, and 729 residences were damaged or destroyed. Approximately 433,000 acres of agricultural land flooded during the deluge. The total damages the floods inflicted on properties cost Missouri $19.3 million. Canva Montana - All-time highest temperature: 117 F (Glendive on July 20, 1893, Medicine Lake on July 5, 1937) - All-time lowest temperature: -70 F (Rogers Pass on Jan. 20, 1954) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 11.5 inches (Circle, Springbrook, on June 20, 1921) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 48 inches (Millegan 14SE on Dec. 27, 2003) Montana's lowest temperature was recorded in 1954 at -70 degrees. But in early February 2019 and into the first week of March, Montana set a brand-new bone-chilling record for consecutive below-freezing days when Great Falls concluded its 32-day streak on March 8, 2019. Canva Nebraska - All-time highest temperature: 118 F (Geneva on July 15, 1934, Hartington on July 17, 1936, and Minden on July 24, 1936) - All-time lowest temperature: -47 F (Oshkosh on Dec. 22, 1989, and Bridgeport on Feb. 12, 1899) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 13.15 inches (York on July 8, 1950) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 27 inches (Dalton on Dec. 21, 2006) Before the unforgiving heat wave hit Geneva, Nebraska, in July 1934, the state was already struggling due to a severe drought that had worsened living conditions for farmers and other residents. During "The Heat Wave of 1934," people slept outdoors to escape the terrible heat in their houses. Two summers later, the heat was equally bad in two other Nebraska towns. Canva Nevada - All-time highest temperature: 125 F (Laughlin on June 29, 1994) - All-time lowest temperature: -50 F (San Jacinto on Jan. 8, 1937) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 7.78 inches (Mount Charleston on Oct. 20, 2004) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 36 inches (Dagget Pass on Dec. 21, 1996) Nevada is no stranger to extreme heat. While the hottest day in Nevada was recorded in Laughlin in 1994, residents will likely be at an increased risk from exposure to extreme heat due to climate change, according to research published by the International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. Canva New Hampshire - All-time highest temperature: 106 F (Nashua on July 4, 1911) - All-time lowest temperature: -50 F (Mount Washington on Jan. 22, 1885) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 11.07 inches (Mount Washington on Oct. 20, 1996) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 49.3 inches (Mount Washington on Feb. 25, 1969) New Hampshire's "100-Hour Snowstorm of February 1969" produced record snowfall for New Hampshire. The massive snowstorm affected the neighboring states of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, and Vermont. Canva New Jersey - All-time highest temperature: 110 F (Runyon on July 10, 1936) - All-time lowest temperature: -34 F (River Vale on Jan. 5, 1904) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 14.81 inches (Tuckerton on Aug. 19, 1939) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 29.7 inches (Long Branch on Dec. 26, 1947) According to New Jersey state climatologist David Robinson, several factors contributed to River Vale recording the state's coldest day in January 1904. Two of the biggest reasons were River Vale's barren landscape and position in a valley. To top that off, River Vale had some heavy snowfall on the same day. Spencer Platt // Getty Images New Mexico - All-time highest temperature: 122 F (Waste Isolation Pilot Plant nr. Loving on June 27, 1994) - All-time lowest temperature: -50 F (Gavilan on Feb. 1, 1951) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 11.28 inches (Lake Maloya on May 18, 1955) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 41 inches (Kelly Ranch on Feb. 3, 1964) While New Mexico is known for its dry, desert environment, it averages fairly low temperatures during the peak of winter. But on Feb. 1, 1951, Gavilan in north Albuquerque experienced an Alaska-like winter at -50 degrees. MISHELLA // Shutterstock New York - All-time highest temperature: 108 F (Troy on July 22, 1926) - All-time lowest temperature: -52 F (Old Forge on Feb. 18, 1979) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 13.57 inches (Long Island MacArthur Airport on Aug. 12, 2014) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 50 inches (Camden on Feb. 1, 1966) The historic Islip, Long Island, flash flooding on Aug. 12-13, 2014, took place after a torrential downpour. Several expressways, streets, and houses were completely water-logged. Countless crews had to work around the clock to pump out all the water. Canva North Carolina - All-time highest temperature: 110 F (Fayetteville on Aug. 21, 1983) - All-time lowest temperature: -34 F (Mount Mitchell on Jan. 21, 1985) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 22.22 inches (Altapass on July 15, 1916) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 36 inches (Mt. Mitchell on March 13, 1993) After heavy rainfall lashed North Carolina, the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers started overflowing, resulting in the "Great Flood of 1916." The exact number of people who died during this deluge is still unknown, but it's estimated that at least a few dozen people lost their lives. Several dams were breached, and houses, warehouses, and industrial plants along the French Broad River were almost completely submerged. Canva North Dakota - All-time highest temperature: 121 F (Steele on July 6, 1936) - All-time lowest temperature: -60 F (Parshall on Feb. 15, 1936) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 8.1 inches (Litchville on June 29, 1975) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 27 inches (Minot Airport on April 27, 1984) Parshall became intolerably frigid in February 1936 at -60 degrees Fahrenheit. This recording was made by a coal miner who had volunteered to be a weather observer, using a special mercury-thallium alloy thermometer because mercury-only thermometers would freeze before recording a temperature that low. Canva Ohio - All-time highest temperature: 113 F (near Gallipolis on July 21, 1934) - All-time lowest temperature: -39 F (Milligan on Feb. 10, 1899) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 10.75 inches (Lockington Dam nr. Sidney, Shelby Co. on Aug. 7, 1995) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 30 inches (Warren 3S on April 20, 1901) During the statewide 1934 heat wave, residents of Gallipolis, a village in southeastern Ohio, bore the brunt of the highest temperature ever recorded in the state. Residents left their furnace-like houses hoping to find a shady spot to cool off, while many slept on their rooftops, porches, or lawns. The oppressive heat killed as many as 160 people between July 20 and 26. Eugene R Thieszen // Shutterstock Oklahoma - All-time highest temperature: 120 F (Alva on July 18, Altus on July 19, Poteau on Aug. 10, and Altus on Aug. 12, 1936) - All-time lowest temperature: -31 F (Nowata on Feb. 10, 2011) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 15.68 inches (Enid on Oct. 11, 1973) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 27 inches (Spavinaw on Feb. 9, 2011) The deadly 1973 flood in Enid started with relentless rainfall and ended only after killing nine people. According to The Oklahoman, residents had cut holes through their walls to climb up on rooftops in a desperate attempt to flee from the surging water levels. Several others tried to take shelter in their attics as their houses started filling up with water. Christian Roberts-Olsen // Shutterstock Oregon - All-time highest temperature: 119 F (Moody Farms Agrimet and Pelton Dam on June 29, 2021) - All-time lowest temperature: -54 F (Seneca on Feb. 10, 1933, and Ukiah on Feb. 9, 1933) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 11.77 inches (Nehalem 9NE on Nov. 6, 2006) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 47 inches (Hood River ES on Jan. 9, 1980) On June 29, 2021, Moody Farms Agrimet tied Pelton Dam for the hottest summer day ever recorded in Oregon. Pelton Dam had held the previous record, set in 1898. And two towns 100 miles apart recorded the state's lowest-ever temperature on successive days in February 1933. Mark Makela // Getty Images Pennsylvania - All-time highest temperature: 111 F (Phoenixville on July 9-10, 1936) - All-time lowest temperature: -42 F (Smethport on Jan. 5, 1904) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 13.5 inches (York 3SSW Pump Stn on June 22, 1972) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 41 inches (Lakeville 1NNE on Feb. 15, 1958) Tropical Storm Agnes unleashed its fury on Pennsylvania in 1972 by claiming the lives of 48 people in the state and causing damages worth a $2 billion. According to the Evening News, the Susquehanna River, which has a normal volume of 23 billion gallons a day, began overflowing rapidly into Harrisburg as its volume increased to 650 billion gallons two days after the state experienced its most torrential downpour. Frederick Millett // Shutterstock Puerto Rico - All-time highest temperature: 104 F (Mona Island on July 2, 1996) - All-time lowest temperature: 40 F (Rincon on March 27, 1985, San Sebastian on Jan. 24, 1966, and Aibonito on March 9, 1911) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 23.75 inches (Toro Negro Forest on Oct. 7, 1985) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: Not applicable About five months after up to 25 inches of rain fell from May 15-19, 1985, causing severe flooding around Puerto Rico's north coast, a tropical depression inundated the south-central coast from Oct. 6-7. The flooding caused landslides, destruction to homes, a bridge collapse, and the deaths of an estimated 170 people, with damages costing around $125 million. JonPeckham // Shutterstock Rhode Island - All-time highest temperature: 104 F (Providence on Aug. 2, 1975) - All-time lowest temperature: -28 F (Wood River Junction on Jan. 11, 1942) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 12.13 inches (Westerly on Sept. 16, 1932) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 30 inches (Woonsocket on Feb. 7, 1978) The blizzard of 1978 in Rhode Island delivered a historical record of the highest snowfall the state had ever experienced. The snowfall began at 10 a.m. Monday and didn't stop for 36 hours. Around 55 inches of snow accumulated in different parts of the state—and 30 inches fell in Woonsocket in one 24-hour stretch of the blizzard. Canva South Carolina - All-time highest temperature: 113 F (Columbia Univ. of South Carolina on June 29, 2012) - All-time lowest temperature: -19 F (Caesar's Head on Jan. 21, 1985) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 14.8 inches (Myrtle Beach on Sept. 16, 1999) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 24 inches (Rimini 2SSW on Feb. 9, 1973) The summer 2012 heat wave was responsible for at least 82 deaths across the U.S. It was reported that South Carolina experienced the worst of this heat wave on June 29. The city of Columbia had temperatures at or above 100 degrees for 11 days straight. Jerry // Wikimedia Commons South Dakota - All-time highest temperature: 120 F (Gann Valley on July 5, 1936, and Fort Pierre on July 15, 2006) - All-time lowest temperature: -58 F (McIntosh on Feb. 17, 1936) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 8.74 inches (Groton on May 6, 2007) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 52 inches (Lead on March 14, 1973) Record heat in 2006 resulted in the state's highest temperature in Fort Pierre, a city in Stanley County. The heat wave during July 2006 was so intense in South Dakota, Kansas, and Nebraska that it disrupted transportation links and strained electric power grids. Canva Tennessee - All-time highest temperature: 113 F (Perryville on July 29, 1930, and Aug. 9, 1930) - All-time lowest temperature: -32 F (Mountain City on Dec. 30, 1917) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 20.73 inches (McEwen on Aug. 21, 2021) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 30 inches (Mount Leconte on March 14, 1993) Intense rainfall during a storm on Aug. 21, 2021, devastated the region between Waverly and McEwen, about 60 miles west of Nashville. The resulting flash flooding killed more than 20 people. Outdoor Craziness // Wikimedia Commons Texas - All-time highest temperature: 120 F (Seymour on Aug. 12, 1936, and Monahans on June 28, 1994) - All-time lowest temperature: -23 F (Seminole on Feb. 8, 1933, and Tulia 6NE on Feb. 12, 1899) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 42 inches (Alvin on July 25, 1979) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 26 inches (Hillsboro on Dec. 20, 1929) The sweltering heat wave of 1936 that spiked a record temperature on Seymour claimed the lives of 5,000 people across the U.S. but didn't receive widespread coverage by leading newspapers at the time. The temperature hit 120 again 58 years later, 300 miles southwest of Seymour. Silvia Truessel // Shutterstock Utah - All-time highest temperature: 117 F (St. George on July 5, 1985, and July 10, 2021) - All-time lowest temperature: -50 F (Strawberry Tunnel (East) on Jan. 5, 1913) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 5.08 inches (Deer Creek Dam on Feb. 1, 1963) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 38 inches (Alta on Dec. 2, 1982) Utah is famous for its ski resorts and ample amount of snowfall during winters, but summers can get unbearably hot. St. George's arid weather makes it far warmer than other parts of Utah, thanks to its location in the Mojave Desert, which explains why it holds the record at 117 degrees. Canva Vermont - All-time highest temperature: 107 F (Vernon on July 7, 1912) - All-time lowest temperature: -50 F (Bloomfield on Dec. 30, 1933) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 9.92 inches (Mt. Mansfield on Sept. 17, 1999) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 42 inches (Jay Peak on Feb. 5, 1995) Bloomfield, a town with a tiny population of 221 people (as of the 2010 census), recorded the state's most unbearably cold temperature in 1933. And neither Hurricane Irene in 2011 nor the unnamed storm that unleashed flooding across Vermont in mid-July 2023 dumped as much rain in a short time as a September 1999 storm. It registered 9.92 inches of precipitation on Mount Mansfield, Vermont's highest peak. Canva Virginia - All-time highest temperature: 110 F (Columbia on July 5 and 7, 1900, and Balcony Falls on July 15, 1954) - All-time lowest temperature: -30 F (Mountain Lake Biological Station on Jan. 21, 1985) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 14.28 inches (Williamsburg 2N on Sept. 16, 1999) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 33.5 inches (Luray 5E on March 3, 1994) Hurricane Floyd caused four deaths in Virginia in 1999 and cost the state $150 million after severely damaging thousands of houses, businesses, and crops. Hundreds of residents had to be evacuated as the water levels increased to several feet. The hurricane affected Williamsburg, Richmond, and other parts of the state, like Hanover County and Southampton County. Bill45 // Shutterstock Washington - All-time highest temperature: 120 F (Hanford on June 29, 2021) - All-time lowest temperature: -48 F (Mazama and Winthrop on Dec. 30, 1968) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 14.26 inches (Mt. Mitchell #2 on Nov. 23, 1986) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 65 inches (Crystal Mountain Ski Resort on Feb. 24, 1994) Crystal Mountain, the biggest ski resort in the state of Washington, is located in the Cascade Range, about two hours away from Seattle. Twenty-five years after breaking records for the highest snowfall within 24 hours in 1994, the resort was covered in more than 7 feet of snow within a week in February 2019—31.5 inches of snow fell In a single day. Malachi Jacobs // Shutterstock West Virginia - All-time highest temperature: 112 F (Moorefield on Aug. 4, 1930, and Martinsburg on July 10, 1936) - All-time lowest temperature: -37 F (Lewisburg on Dec. 30, 1917) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 12.02 inches (Brushy Run on June 18, 1949) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 35 inches (Flat Top on Jan. 27, 1998) A massive blizzard struck West Virginia on Jan. 20, 1978—it shut down the government for an entire day and paralyzed Kanawha Valley. However, the snowfall recorded back then still doesn't compare to the all-time highest record of 35 inches in Flat Top in 1998. Canva Wisconsin - All-time highest temperature: 114 F (Wisconsin Dells on July 13, 1936) - All-time lowest temperature: -55 F (Couderay on Feb. 2 and 4, 1996) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 11.72 inches (Mellen on June 24, 1946) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 26 inches (Neillsville on Dec. 26, 1904) From Feb. 1 to Feb. 4, 1996, arctic temperatures swept across the Upper Mississippi River Valley. Wisconsin experienced its coldest and most hostile weather in Couderay on Feb. 4. Situated in Sawyer County, the small and nondescript village was the victim of a frigid air mass that settled into the region and resulted in two days with the state's record low temperature. Canva Wyoming - All-time highest temperature: 115 F (Basin on Aug. 8, 1983, and Diversion Dam on July 15, 1988) - All-time lowest temperature: -66 F (Riverside Ranger Stn., Yellowstone NP on Feb. 9, 1933) - All-time highest 24-hour precipitation: 6.06 inches (Cheyenne on Aug. 1, 1985) - All-time highest 24-hour snowfall: 49 inches (Hunter Station on March 21, 1924) Yellowstone National Park's unparalleled natural beauty features geysers, hot springs, lush forests, and picturesque canyons. That beauty can come with brutal weather, though: In the winter of 1933, a few miles east of the park's west entrance, the temperature recorded was -66 degrees. Story editing by Jeff Inglis. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. Photo selection by Clarese Moller.
	Crews respond to water main break on River Drive A city official said crews were responding to a water main break on River Drive between 23rd and 34th Streets.
	Davenport tattoo shops submit rezoning request in fight to avoid closure More than 1,700 people have signed a petition supporting the businesses.
	Checking in on drought levels in Iowa and Illinois Illinois and Iowa both have some sort of dryness in about 60% of each state.
	Do you live in one of the states with the shortest lifespan? See where it ranks among all 50, according to data. Photo Spirit // Shutterstock States with the shortest lifespans According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released in January 2026, American life expectancy has reached an all-time high. The average lifespan across the entire population in 2024 was 79 years, an increase of 0.6 years from 2023 and surpassing the pre-COVID-19 pandemic level of 78.8 years in 2019. However, those numbers don't apply equally across all racial and ethnic groups. Research published in November 2024 found sizable disparities between the life expectancies of different demographics as of 2021, with a more than 20-year difference between those who have the lowest and those who have the highest. Even more concerning, that gap has grown significantly over the past two decades—in 2000, the divide between the lowest and highest life expectancy was just 12.6 years. In some cases, these disparities might even be underestimated. A June 2025 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that the life expectancy of Native Americans has been underreported over time. Researchers determined that the actual lifespan of American Indians and Alaska Natives was just shy of 73, which is comparable to the life expectancy of individuals in developing nations. Numerous factors can affect life expectancy, from genetics to air quality to economic opportunities. Location also plays a significant role. A 2025 study from the Yale School of Public Health looked at the average life expectancies of people born from 1900 to 2000, tracking how the numbers have changed over time. Broadly speaking, lifespan increased significantly in the last century, but Southern states like West Virginia, Oklahoma, and Kentucky barely saw the number grow at all. Stacker used data from the 2023 County Health Rankings to determine the 25 states where people have the shortest lifespans. The 2023 County Health Rankings values were calculated using mortality counts from the 2018-2020 National Center for Health Statistics. The Census 2021 American Community Survey and America's Health Rankings Senior Report 2023 data were also used to provide demographics on the senior population of each state and the state's rank on senior health care, respectively. Please note that in the data below, the demographics for Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders were left out due to being less than 0.5% of the senior population. Keep reading to see if your home state is one where people have the shortest average life expectancy. Canva #25. Alaska - Average life expectancy: 78.6 - Total seniors in the state: 98,410 (13.4% of state population) - Health care for seniors rank: #42 - Senior demographics: --- Median age: 71.4 --- Breakdown by sex: 50.5% male, 49.5% female --- Breakdown by race: 73.3% White, 2.3% Black or African American, 3.0% Hispanic or Latino, 6.2% Asian, 10.7% Native American or Alaska Native Sean Pavone // Shutterstock #24. Texas - Average life expectancy: 78.4 - Total seniors in the state: 3,892,411 (13.2% of state population) - Health care for seniors rank: #30 - Senior demographics: --- Median age: 72.7 --- Breakdown by sex: 45.2% male, 54.8% female --- Breakdown by race: 64.5% White, 9.4% Black or African American, 24.3% Hispanic or Latino, 4.3% Asian, 0.5% Native American or Alaska Native Mihai_Andritoiu // Shutterstock #23. Montana - Average life expectancy: 78.4 - Total seniors in the state: 217,298 (19.7% of state population) - Health care for seniors rank: #36 - Senior demographics: --- Median age: 72.6 --- Breakdown by sex: 48.4% male, 51.6% female --- Breakdown by race: 91.7% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 1.7% Hispanic or Latino, 0.4% Asian, 2.6% Native American or Alaska Native JohnDSmith // Shutterstock #22. South Dakota - Average life expectancy: 78.2 - Total seniors in the state: 157,883 (17.6% of state population) - Health care for seniors rank: #39 - Senior demographics: --- Median age: 72.8 --- Breakdown by sex: 47.3% male, 52.7% female --- Breakdown by race: 92.5% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 1.4% Hispanic or Latino, 0.9% Asian, 3.3% Native American or Alaska Native randy andy // Shutterstock #21. Nevada - Average life expectancy: 78.1 - Total seniors in the state: 519,568 (16.5% of state population) - Health care for seniors rank: #46 - Senior demographics: --- Median age: 72.8 --- Breakdown by sex: 47.4% male, 52.6% female --- Breakdown by race: 69.0% White, 6.5% Black or African American, 12.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 1.1% Native American or Alaska Native LBill45 // Shutterstock #20. Wyoming - Average life expectancy: 78.1 - Total seniors in the state: 103,822 (17.9% of state population) - Health care for seniors rank: #43 - Senior demographics: --- Median age: 72.1 --- Breakdown by sex: 48.7% male, 51.3% female --- Breakdown by race: 91.4% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 0.6% Asian, 0.7% Native American or Alaska Native ESB Professional // Shutterstock #19. Pennsylvania - Average life expectancy: 78.0 - Total seniors in the state: 2,464,903 (19.0% of state population) - Health care for seniors rank: #5 - Senior demographics: --- Median age: 73.2 --- Breakdown by sex: 44.7% male, 55.3% female --- Breakdown by race: 87.0% White, 7.2% Black or African American, 2.7% Hispanic or Latino, 2.1% Asian, 0.1% Native American or Alaska Native Real Window Creative // Shutterstock #18. Delaware - Average life expectancy: 78.0 - Total seniors in the state: 201,551 (20.1% of state population) - Health care for seniors rank: #35 - Senior demographics: --- Median age: 72.5 --- Breakdown by sex: 45.1% male, 54.9% female --- Breakdown by race: 77.8% White, 15.0% Black or African American, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 2.6% Asian, 0.3% Native American or Alaska Native Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock #17. Kansas - Average life expectancy: 77.8 - Total seniors in the state: 489,676 (16.7% of state population) - Health care for seniors rank: #26 - Senior demographics: --- Median age: 73.0 --- Breakdown by sex: 45.3% male, 54.7% female --- Breakdown by race: 88.8% White, 4.0% Black or African American, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 1.5% Asian, 0.4% Native American or Alaska Native Sharkshock // Shutterstock #16. North Carolina - Average life expectancy: 77.7 - Total seniors in the state: 1,796,369 (17.0% of state population) - Health care for seniors rank: #37 - Senior demographics: --- Median age: 73.0 --- Breakdown by sex: 44.2% male, 55.8% female --- Breakdown by race: 76.4% White, 16.9% Black or African American, 2.6% Hispanic or Latino, 1.5% Asian, 0.8% Native American or Alaska Native Sean Pavone // Shutterstock #15. Michigan - Average life expectancy: 77.5 - Total seniors in the state: 1,823,284 (18.1% of state population) - Health care for seniors rank: #17 - Senior demographics: --- Median age: 72.9 --- Breakdown by sex: 45.4% male, 54.6% female --- Breakdown by race: 83.9% White, 10.2% Black or African American, 2.0% Hispanic or Latino, 1.8% Asian, 0.3% Native American or Alaska Native Canva #14. Georgia - Average life expectancy: 77.3 - Total seniors in the state: 1,585,687 (14.7% of state population) - Health care for seniors rank: #47 - Senior demographics: --- Median age: 72.7 --- Breakdown by sex: 43.9% male, 56.1% female --- Breakdown by race: 67.6% White, 24.1% Black or African American, 3.2% Hispanic or Latino, 3.2% Asian, 0.2% Native American or Alaska Native Sean Pavone // Shutterstock #13. New Mexico - Average life expectancy: 76.9 - Total seniors in the state: 391,797 (18.5% of state population) - Health care for seniors rank: #24 - Senior demographics: --- Median age: 72.8 --- Breakdown by sex: 46.2% male, 53.8% female --- Breakdown by race: 62.5% White, 1.4% Black or African American, 33.5% Hispanic or Latino, 1.1% Asian, 5.5% Native American or Alaska Native TommyBrison // Shutterstock #12. Missouri - Average life expectancy: 76.6 - Total seniors in the state: 1,084,768 (17.6% of state population) - Health care for seniors rank: #7 - Senior demographics: --- Median age: 73.1 --- Breakdown by sex: 44.8% male, 55.2% female --- Breakdown by race: 86.7% White, 7.7% Black or African American, 1.6% Hispanic or Latino, 1.2% Asian, 0.2% Native American or Alaska Native Canva #11. Ohio - Average life expectancy: 76.5 - Total seniors in the state: 2,102,569 (17.8% of state population) - Health care for seniors rank: #14 - Senior demographics: --- Median age: 72.9 --- Breakdown by sex: 44.8% male, 55.2% female --- Breakdown by race: 86.5% White, 8.8% Black or African American, 1.6% Hispanic or Latino, 1.3% Asian, 0.1% Native American or Alaska Native Sean Pavone // Shutterstock #10. Indiana - Average life expectancy: 76.5 - Total seniors in the state: 1,115,579 (16.4% of state population) - Health care for seniors rank: #16 - Senior demographics: --- Median age: 72.7 --- Breakdown by sex: 44.7% male, 55.3% female --- Breakdown by race: 88.6% White, 6.1% Black or African American, 2.5% Hispanic or Latino, 0.9% Asian, 0.1% Native American or Alaska Native f11photo // Shutterstock #9. South Carolina - Average life expectancy: 76.4 - Total seniors in the state: 967,223 (18.6% of state population) - Health care for seniors rank: #40 - Senior demographics: --- Median age: 72.9 --- Breakdown by sex: 44.9% male, 55.1% female --- Breakdown by race: 75.4% White, 19.9% Black or African American, 1.8% Hispanic or Latino, 1.2% Asian, 0.2% Native American or Alaska Native Sean Pavone // Shutterstock #8. Oklahoma - Average life expectancy: 75.5 - Total seniors in the state: 645,174 (16.2% of state population) - Health care for seniors rank: #48 - Senior demographics: --- Median age: 73.1 --- Breakdown by sex: 45.1% male, 54.9% female --- Breakdown by race: 81.1% White, 4.8% Black or African American, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 1.4% Asian, 4.7% Native American or Alaska Native Canva #7. Arkansas - Average life expectancy: 75.5 - Total seniors in the state: 525,153 (17.4% of state population) - Health care for seniors rank: #19 - Senior demographics: --- Median age: 73.3 --- Breakdown by sex: 44.8% male, 55.2% female --- Breakdown by race: 83.2% White, 10.8% Black or African American, 1.6% Hispanic or Latino, 0.7% Asian, 0.4% Native American or Alaska Native Kevin Ruck // Shutterstock #6. Tennessee - Average life expectancy: 75.3 - Total seniors in the state: 1,187,354 (17.0% of state population) - Health care for seniors rank: #41 - Senior demographics: --- Median age: 72.8 --- Breakdown by sex: 44.8% male, 55.2% female --- Breakdown by race: 83.8% White, 11.5% Black or African American, 1.5% Hispanic or Latino, 1.0% Asian, 0.2% Native American or Alaska Native Sean Pavone // Shutterstock #5. Louisiana - Average life expectancy: 75.2 - Total seniors in the state: 766,330 (16.6% of state population) - Health care for seniors rank: #50 - Senior demographics: --- Median age: 72.7 --- Breakdown by sex: 44.5% male, 55.5% female --- Breakdown by race: 68.4% White, 24.9% Black or African American, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 1.3% Asian, 0.4% Native American or Alaska Native Rotorhead 30A Productions // Shutterstock #4. Kentucky - Average life expectancy: 75.1 - Total seniors in the state: 768,416 (17.0% of state population) - Health care for seniors rank: #49 - Senior demographics: --- Median age: 72.8 --- Breakdown by sex: 44.8% male, 55.2% female --- Breakdown by race: 90.9% White, 5.4% Black or African American, 0.8% Hispanic or Latino, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Native American or Alaska Native Kevin Ruck // Shutterstock #3. Alabama - Average life expectancy: 74.8 - Total seniors in the state: 885,809 (17.6% of state population) - Health care for seniors rank: #28 - Senior demographics: --- Median age: 73.0 --- Breakdown by sex: 43.9% male, 56.1% female --- Breakdown by race: 75.7% White, 20.3% Black or African American, 1.1% Hispanic or Latino, 0.7% Asian, 0.4% Native American or Alaska Native Sean Pavone // Shutterstock #2. West Virginia - Average life expectancy: 74.3 - Total seniors in the state: 368,775 (20.7% of state population) - Health care for seniors rank: #44 - Senior demographics: --- Median age: 72.9 --- Breakdown by sex: 46.1% male, 53.9% female --- Breakdown by race: 94.6% White, 2.3% Black or African American, 0.5% Hispanic or Latino, 0.6% Asian, 0.0% Native American or Alaska Native Canva #1. Mississippi - Average life expectancy: 73.9 - Total seniors in the state: 496,945 (16.8% of state population) - Health care for seniors rank: #45 - Senior demographics: --- Median age: 72.8 --- Breakdown by sex: 44.0% male, 56.0% female --- Breakdown by race: 68.2% White, 27.7% Black or African American, 1.4% Hispanic or Latino, 0.7% Asian, 0.2% Native American or Alaska Native
	Ride the Island Father's Day with River Action Take a family bicycle ride with River Action and celebrate 250 years of America's independence! Kathy Wine joined Our Quad Cities News with details on Ride the Island. For more information, click here.
	Worldwide artists head to the Davenport Tattoo Festival Artists from all across the globe are heading to the QCA for live tattooing, art vendors and competitions. Quinn Hurley spoke with Our Quad Cities News with details on the Davenport Tattoo Festival. For more information, click here.
	Jackson County officials to discuss data center ordinance The county zoning commission and the board of supervisors will review the current draft of the ordinance, according to city documents.
	'Sometimes splitting is a good thing': An Illinois movement aims to be the 51st state A third of Illinois counties have passed resolutions seeking to separate from the city of Chicago. People in these rural counties resent what they see as disproportionate power wielded by Chicago.
	Who's your favorite cooking show host? See the top 20 in TV history, according to viewers. Larry Busacca // Getty Images Most popular cooking TV show hosts Everyone eats, which means most people cook every day. For those who have anxiety about cooking, don't know a saucepan from a skillet, or just need a little inspiration, help is on TV. While public broadcasts and television dramas debuted as early as the 1920s, the first national cooking show didn't air until 1946, when caterer and cookbook author James Beard starred in "I Love to Eat" on NBC. Since then, scores of chefs have taken to the small screen, particularly after the introduction of the Food Network in 1993, which saw the rise of cooking competition shows like "Chopped" and "Top Chef." Cooking shows offer a way for viewers to learn about cuisines from around the world. In 1963, Julia Child brought French cooking to kitchens across the country with her revolutionary show "The French Chef," which promoted public passion for international cuisine and techniques. In 1966, Joyce Chen became the first Asian American woman to host a cooking show. Although "Joyce Chen Cooks" only lasted one season, it introduced Chinese cuisine to many Americans. Stacker looked at YouGov data on the most known and liked TV personalities as of the third quarter of 2024. The top 20 cooking and food show hosts were ranked by the percentage of survey respondents who recognized them and the percentage who had a positive opinion of them. Ties were broken by the latter. With the abundance of cooking shows, not every chef made the cut. "Top Chef" is represented on this list, but not head judge Tom Colicchio. A giant in French cooking appears on this list, but Jacques Pépin, a frequent show partner, proved less memorable. Many who focus on non-American cuisine are also missing like Rick Bayless, whose television career sought to prove that Mexican food is more than tacos. Rick Kern // Getty Images #20. Anne Burrell - Have heard of: 54% - Have a positive opinion of: 31% - Total: 85% Known for her spiky blond hair, this brash chef got her TV start as Mario Batali's sous chef on "Iron Chef America," which helped her land a cooking show on the Food Network. Anne Burrell's first show, "Secrets of a Restaurant Chef," lasted 117 episodes and spawned her debut cookbook, "Cook Like a Rock Star." Continuing her drive to help ordinary people improve their cooking, Burrell started the aptly named competition show "Worst Cooks in America." Sadly, Burrell died in June 2025 at the age of 55, leaving behind a legacy of positivity and warmth in the culinary scene. She appeared as a mentor on the 29th season of "Worst Cooks in America," which had been filmed before her death and included tributes to Burrell. Monica Schipper/Getty Images for The Pioneer Woman Magazine // Getty Images #19. Ree Drummond - Have heard of: 56% - Have a positive opinion of: 31% - Total: 87% Ree Drummond thought she'd left Oklahoma behind after attending the University of Southern California with aspirations of pursuing law school in Chicago. But fate had other plans for Drummond: She met rancher Ladd Drummond, fell in love, and moved back to Oklahoma to marry him. In 2006, Drummond started her blog The Pioneer Woman, which chronicled her life on their 430,000-plus acre ranch, homeschooling her five children, and, of course, cooking. Within five years, the blog was a hit with over 20 million page views a month. Drummond scored book deals and an eponymous TV show on the Food Network that premiered in 2011 and is still going strong; Drummond and her husband also produce a popular web series about their family's home on the range, titled "Drummond Ranch." Todd Rosenberg/General Mills // Getty Images #18. Padma Lakshmi - Have heard of: 57% - Have a positive opinion of: 33% - Total: 90% Model Padma Lakshmi was propelled to food TV stardom in 2006 as the host of Bravo's "Top Chef" in its second season. Lakshmi helmed the show for 19 seasons, securing an executive producer credit along the way. In 2023, Lakshmi left "Top Chef" to spend more time with her teenage daughter and pursue other creative pursuits. Emmy-nominated Lakshmi has written cookbooks and hosted and executive produced two seasons of "Taste the Nation," a food documentary show where she explored indigenous and immigrant foods of the U.S. In April 2025, CBS greenlit Lakshmi's latest cooking competition show, "America's Culinary Cup," for the 2025-2026 season. Lakshmi serves as creator, executive producer, and host. Her latest book, "Padma's All American: Tales, Travels, and Recipes From Taste the Nation and Beyond," was released in November 2025. Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for NYCWFF // Getty Images #17. Andrew Zimmern - Have heard of: 55% - Have a positive opinion of: 35% - Total: 90% Before he became an Emmy winner and four-time James Beard Award winner, Andrew Zimmern cooked in many New York restaurants while dealing with alcoholism and addiction. After an intervention, he sought treatment, became sober, and rebuilt his life in food in Minneapolis. His work garnered media attention, which led to the Travel Channel show "Bizarre Foods" and several spinoffs. Since then, he has created other TV shows—including MSNBC's "What's Eating America" and the 2024 Outdoor Channel series "Field to Fire "—and authored several books. His latest, "The Blue Food Cookbook," was released in October 2025. He's also partnered with James Beard Award winner Gavin Kaysen to create KZ Provisioning, a culinary company that provides catering to several pro sports teams in Minnesota and, thanks to a 2024 deal with Aramark Sports & Entertainment, across the country. Lee Lockwood // Getty Images #16. James Beard - Have heard of: 59% - Have a positive opinion of: 32% - Total: 91% Today, James Beard is best known as the name behind the prestigious culinary and food media awards. But he originally wanted to be an actor. After a lackluster acting career was cut short by the Great Depression, Beard turned to food. His mother, an excellent cook, had taught Beard the importance of good ingredients, and the failed thespian started a successful catering company that spawned his first cookbook about hors d'oeuvres. In 1945, Beard was the first chef to have a cooking segment on a network TV show. Throughout the next four decades, he built a culinary empire that involved consulting, penning over 20 cookbooks, and opening his own cooking school. Behind the scenes, Beard had a complicated life as a closeted gay man during a period when it wasn't safe to come out. Beard was also prone to using other people's recipes without giving them credit. Dana Jacobs/FilmMagic // Getty Images #15. Alton Brown - Have heard of: 56% - Have a positive opinion of: 35% - Total: 91% The king of "Good Eats," Alton Brown shot to fame with his unique approach to exploring the science and history behind food, often with a dash of humor. After premiering on Chicago's PBS station in 1998, Food Network bought the rights in 1999, and the show became a hit, running for 13 years and earning a Peabody Award and James Beard Award. Brown won another James Beard Award in 2003 for his book "I'm Just Here for the Food." He continued to appear on Food Network shows until his contract ended in 2020, when he left the network to cohost an "Iron Chef" reboot on Netflix. Mark Von Holden/WireImage for Colle & McVoy, Inc // Getty Images #14. Sandra Lee - Have heard of: 60% - Have a positive opinion of: 33% - Total: 93% Growing up in a low-income household, Sandra Lee had to learn the importance of resourcefulness early in life while cooking for the family and stretching dollars and food stamps. Lee managed to leverage that ingenuity into a profitable career, first with easy-to-make window treatments, then with food, writing over two dozen cookbooks. She's hosted multiple Food Network shows, most famously the Emmy Award-winning "Semi-Homemade Cooking," which encouraged home cooks to combine store-bought and homemade ingredients. A breast cancer survivor, Lee was romantically linked with former New York governor Andrew Cuomo for over a decade until their breakup in 2019. Talaya Centeno/WWD/Penske Media // Getty Images #13. Ina Garten - Have heard of: 58% - Have a positive opinion of: 35% - Total: 93% A former White House budget analyst, Ina Garten made her foray into the food business in 1978 by purchasing Barefoot Contessa, a small food store in the Hamptons that takes its name from the 1954 Humphrey Bogart and Ava Gardner movie. Seeking a new challenge, Garten sold the store in 1996, reallocating her time to write bestselling cookbooks and developing "Barefoot Contessa," a James Beard Award-winning Food Network show named for the store that started it all. In 2022, Garten debuted a new show, "Be My Guest with Ina Garten," which debuted its seventh season in October 2025. Her memoir, "Be Ready When the Luck Happens," was released in October 2024. Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for SOBEWFF® // Getty Images #12. Tia Mowry - Have heard of: 62% - Have a positive opinion of: 37% - Total: 99% A child actress-turned-cooking ambassador, Tia Mowry burst onto the entertainment scene in the late 1990s when she and her twin, Tamera Mowry, starred on the sitcom "Sister, Sister." As an adult, Mowry continued acting but wanted to create projects around her lifelong love of cooking. Her first Cooking Channel show, "Tia Mowry at Home," lasted just two seasons. In her 2023 follow-up show, "Not Like Mama," Mowry adjudicates home cooks attempting to recreate their mothers' signature dishes. Rocket Weijers/Getty Images for Royal Caribbean // Getty Images #11. Jamie Oliver - Have heard of: 66% - Have a positive opinion of: 38% - Total: 104% Jamie Oliver's TV career began by chance when he caught the eye of a BBC documentary crew filming at London's River Café. Later, the same filmmakers would support Oliver on his own TV show in 1999, "The Naked Chef." Oliver's brash style and stripped-down recipes made him a household name in both the U.K. and the U.S. His "Feed Me Better" campaign to make school lunches healthier spurred the British government to increase school food budgets. Meanwhile, in the U.S., Jamie Oliver's "Food Revolution" attempted the same premise in Huntington, West Virginia, and Los Angeles, picking up an Emmy in the process. Although his restaurant group went bankrupt in 2019, Oliver still writes cookbooks and has a culinary school. Mark Mainz // Getty Images #10. Wolfgang Puck - Have heard of: 79% - Have a positive opinion of: 40% - Total: 119% Austrian-born Wolfgang Puck inherited the food gene from his mother, a chef in her own right, who taught him how to cook. Puck worked in France's best restaurants before moving to the U.S. In the mid-1970s, he opened many famous restaurants in Los Angeles, including Ma Maison and Spago. He also opened a catering company that has served the Academy Awards Governors Ball for 29 years. A seven-time James Beard Award winner, Puck's eponymous Food Network show ran for five seasons and picked up an Emmy Award. A fixture on "Good Morning America," Puck also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Alexander Tamargo // Getty Images #9. Bobby Flay - Have heard of: 78% - Have a positive opinion of: 43% - Total: 121% A high school dropout with a love for food, Bobby Flay started cooking at a New York restaurant. He impressed his bosses enough that they sent him to the brand-new French Culinary Institute to learn the fundamentals (after earning his GED). After working in other chefs' restaurants, Flay opened his restaurant Mesa Grill in 1991, garnering him his first of two cooking-related James Beard Awards. In addition to running restaurants, Flay starred in over a dozen popular shows for the Food Network, including "Beat Bobby Flay," "Throwdown with Bobby Flay," and "Bobby Flay Chef Mentor," the latter of which earned him a third James Beard Award. However, Flay may be known best for his 100-plus appearances on "Iron Chef," a show that he quit abruptly in 2018 via a T-shirt message that he wore during a live taping. A four-time Emmy winner, in 2015, Flay became the first TV chef to earn a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NYCWFF // Getty Images #8. Emeril Lagasse - Have heard of: 74% - Have a positive opinion of: 48% - Total: 122% For over 30 years, Emeril Lagasse taught people to "kick it up a notch!" with their cooking. Originally from Massachusetts, Lagasse's early days as a cook took him to French and American cities, before he settled in New Orleans in 1981, taking over as executive chef at the legendary Commander's Palace restaurant. Lagasse's name became synonymous with Cajun and Creole cooking as he developed a New Orleans cooking style that he showcased through a growing stable of restaurants and cookbooks. Emeril struck it big on TV in 1995 with his third show, "Essence of Emeril." His follow-up, "Emeril Live," put him in front of a studio audience, where he entertained audiences with his catchphrases like "Bam!" Since 2022, Lagasse has been hosting the cooking shows "Emeril Cooks" and "Emeril Tailgates" on the Roku Channel. A three-time James Beard Award winner, Lagasse built a culinary empire, with a growing number of TV shows, cookbooks, restaurants, and cookware. He's even served as Carnival Cruise Line's chief culinary officer and created food for NASA astronauts to eat in space. Larry Marano/Getty Images For SOBEWFF // Getty Images #7. Paula Deen - Have heard of: 86% - Have a positive opinion of: 39% - Total: 125% A Savannah, Georgia-based caterer-turned-restaurateur, Paula Deen brought a new style of Southern cooking to the airwaves with her butter-laden recipes. She started appearing on the Food Network in 1999, receiving her own show, "Paula's Home Cooking," in 2002. The bloom came off the rose in 2012 when Deen faced criticism for promoting sugary, fatty recipes while she herself lived with Type 2 diabetes. Deen made headlines again in 2013 when she admitted to using racial slurs during a workplace discrimination lawsuit deposition. In the wake of the scandal, Deen lost her TV contract and retail partnerships, and she all but disappeared from the public eye for many years. She has since rebuilt her following through her restaurants, retail stores, magazine, and YouTube channel. Fairfax Media // Getty Images #6. Anthony Bourdain - Have heard of: 81% - Have a positive opinion of: 49% - Total: 130% A chef who found adventure in food, Anthony Bourdain burst onto the scene with his 2000 memoir, "Kitchen Confidential," which exposed the unsavory inner workings of restaurants and touched on his heroin addiction. An instant sensation, Bourdain moved into television and over the years starred in several series including the James Beard Award-winning PBS show "The Mind of a Chef," the Travel Channel's "Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations," and CNN's eight-time Emmy-winning "Parts Unknown," which helped build a foodie culture in the U.S. by showcasing global cuisine. Bourdain shocked the food world in 2018 when, while filming an episode of "Parts Unknown" in Europe, he died by suicide. Some of the early chapters of Bourdain's colorful life will be chronicled in the forthcoming A24 biopic "Tony," which hits theaters in August 2026. Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Vegas Uncork'd by Bon Appetit // Getty Images #5. Guy Fieri - Have heard of: 84% - Have a positive opinion of: 49% - Total: 133% The Mayor of Flavortown, Guy Fieri is a man of the people known for his celebration of American mom-and-pop restaurants. In 2006, he won "Next Food Network Star," which got him his own TV show—and shortly thereafter, a TV empire. Known for his spiky blond hair and penchant for casual food, Fieri hosts many shows on the Food Network, including his signature "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," "Guy's Grocery Games," and "Tournament of Champions." In 2023, he signed a three-year, $100 million contract extension with the Food Network, making him the highest-paid chef on TV. Hans Namuth/Photo Researchers History // Getty Images #4. Julia Child - Have heard of: 81% - Have a positive opinion of: 53% - Total: 134% Julia Child brought French cuisine to America with her book "Mastering the Art of French Cooking," a collaboration with French authors Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle. While promoting the book on a local Boston PBS TV show, Child made an impromptu omelet. The appearance received a positive response from viewers, prompting TV producers to award her a cooking show. Child gained fame on "The French Chef," which lasted for 10 seasons and included her signature "bon appétit" sign-off. Other cookbooks and shows followed, along with many accolades, including Peabody, Emmy, and James Beard Awards. Child was the first woman inducted into the Culinary Institute Hall of Fame, and her legendary Cambridge, Massachusetts, kitchen is enshrined in the Smithsonian Museum. John Lamparski/Getty Images for NYCWFF // Getty Images #3. Rachael Ray - Have heard of: 90% - Have a positive opinion of: 49% - Total: 139% Rachael Ray struck a chord with busy people when she developed 30-minute meals, simple yet elegant recipes that could be put on the table within a half-hour. Ray first used this concept as a class for the gourmet food shop she worked at in upstate New York, and later, as the basis for a segment on a local news station. This led to a line of cookbooks centered on the quick recipe theme, along with multiple Food Network shows, including "30 Minute Meals," "$40 a Day," "Inside Dish," and "Rachael Ray's Tasty Travels." Her catchphrases "Yum-O" and "delish" and calling extra virgin olive oil "EVOO" made her wildly popular with home chefs, in addition to helping Ray launch lines of cookware and pet food. Her daily syndicated show ran for 17 years and ended in 2023. The three-time Daytime Emmy Award winner continues to work in TV with her Hulu series "Rachael Ray's Rebuild" and the FYI series "Rachael Ray in Tuscany." Frederick M. Brown // Getty Images #2. Martha Stewart - Have heard of: 95% - Have a positive opinion of: 56% - Total: 151% The queen of living well, Martha Stewart is a model-turned-stockbroker-turned-caterer-turned media mogul. Her "Martha Stewart Living" magazine debuted in 1990 and spawned a TV show of the same name that ran from 1993 to 2004. The show ended when Stewart was sentenced to five months in prison in connection with an insider trading case. But when she was released, she launched "Martha," which ran from 2005 to 2012, followed by "Martha Bakes," which ran from 2011 to 2019. A 12-time Daytime Emmy winner, Stewart is also known for her long-running—and unlikely—friendship with rapper Snoop Dogg, whom she met during his appearance on her show in 2008. Since then, the pair has collaborated on multiple cooking and food competition shows, including "Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party" and "Snoop and Martha's Very Tasty Halloween." In October 2024, the documentary "Martha" premiered on Netflix to strong reviews. FOX Image Collection // Getty Images #1. Gordon Ramsay - Have heard of: 94% - Have a positive opinion of: 59% - Total: 153% Despite his penchant for excellence and 17 Michelin stars (the third highest of any chef in the world), Gordon Ramsay is best known for his vitriolic TV persona. A Scottish chef, Ramsay first showcased his fiery personality on British TV with "Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares," a show designed to help restaurant owners save their failing businesses, and the competition show "Hell's Kitchen." In 2005, Ramsay brought "Hell's Kitchen" across the pond, and it's been running on American television ever since. Ramsay's also known for other reality shows, such as "MasterChef," "Next Level Chef," and, most recently, "Gordon Ramsay's Secret Service," which scored impressive ratings after launching on Fox in May 2025. Story editing by Cynthia Rebolledo. Additional editing by Paris Close. Copy editing by Meg Shields. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick.
	Augustana grad running the Mississippi River to raise money for cancer research Grant Bell was inspired to take on the challenge after his niece was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that primarily impacts children.
	Savannah Bananas members coming to youth day at John Deere Classic The players will be at the tournament on July 1st to play in the Pro-Am and take part in the clinic at youth day on the driving range.
	Scott County Park Pool opens June 19 The Scott County Park Pool will open for the 2026 summer season on Friday, June 19. This comes after substantial progress on the pool renovation project, which had initially delayed the facility’s Memorial Day Weekend debut. “We are grateful for the community’s patience and understanding as this significant project reached completion. We also appreciate the [...]
	Davenport Elks Lodge holds flag retirement ceremony for Flag Day The Davenport Elks Lodge held a flag retirement ceremony in honor of Flag Day. Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the U.S. flag by the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1777. For the ceremony, Elks Lodge members retired the club's flag and replaced it with a new one. The flag that got replaced in [...]
	3 Savannah Bananas heading to John Deere Classic Three Savannah Bananas are peeling away from the baseball diamond for a visit to the Quad Cities and the John Deere Classic Pro-Am.
	25 most covered songs in rock music history, according to data Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Images 25 most covered rock songs of all time When it first emerged in the middle of the 20th century, rock music was a kind of musical vernacular that enabled artists to escape their humble backgrounds and make it to the big time. Influenced by country music, rhythm and blues, and Black culture, rock 'n' roll encompassed various musical palettes, but its attitude was distinctly riotous and self-mythologizing. Radio disc jockeys began playing early genre pioneers, including Elvis Presley, on their shows in the early 1950s. They introduced a predominantly white demographic to a sound more electrifying than anything they had likely heard. Soon, the genre would become the soundtrack of an emerging youth culture, a movement built on music, fashion, and self-expression. Rock in the 1950s set many of the standards for music today. Still, one band, inspired by skiffle (a sound originating in the United Kingdom that blended jazz, blues, folk, and country music) and pop music, arguably entrenched the template more than any other: the Beatles. Formed by four Liverpudlians in 1960, the Beatles became the bestselling band of all time and crucial innovators of both the stage and studio. Had they never existed, the music we listen to and enjoy today—no matter the genre—would likely sound entirely different. It's no surprise that the Beatles' songs are some of the most commonly covered. But the Fab Four aren't alone—newer bands are covered just as frequently. Pop singer Billie Eilish, who has previously cited Radiohead as a musical inspiration, performed her own version of the group's iconic 1992 track "Creep" while on tour in Europe in May 2025. And more recently, metal musician MAPHRA went to #1 on Billboard's Hot Hard Rock Songs chart in March 2026 with a cover of Bring Me the Horizon's 2015 track "Doomed." To see which rock songs are the most popular choices for covers, Stacker looked at data on all songs with recorded covers from SecondHandSongs and ranked the top 25 songs that we categorized as fitting in the rock genre. The ranking is based on the number of covers. Robert A. Reeder // Getty Images #25. Johnny B. Goode - Originally recorded by: Chuck Berry - Written by: Chuck Berry - Covers: 293 - Adaptations: 30 Released in March 1958, Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode" is commonly considered the first self-congratulatory song in pop music history. Before its recording, Berry had served three years in prison prior to embarking on a career as a guitarist and songwriter. "Johnny B. Goode" is essentially a tribute to his emancipation from poverty and prison. With its dynamic narrative and rousing melody line, it's no wonder it's been covered by rock 'n' roll legends like Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, and the Beatles. The song is so essential that, in 1977, it was included on a golden disc carried by the NASA spacecraft Voyager as part of a series of music, images, and sounds that could represent life on Earth. Don Cravens // Getty Images #24. Heartbreak Hotel - Originally recorded by: Elvis Presley - Written by: Elvis Presley, Mae Boren Axton, Tommy Durden - Covers: 293 - Adaptations: 18 Written by Mae Boren Axton and steel guitar player Tommy Durden, "Heartbreak Hotel" gave The King his first #1 hit and became 1956's bestselling single. According to Rolling Stone, the song was inspired by a suicide note, which the writers found in a newspaper article. Despite the morbid backstory, the song has become a staple of rock music history, inspiring covers from the King of the Blue Guitar, Albert King, as well as John Cale and Paul McCartney. John Springer Collection // Getty Images #23. Jailhouse Rock - Originally recorded by: Elvis Presley - Written by: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller - Covers: 297 - Adaptations: 19 Another Elvis Presley entry, "Jailhouse Rock," became a megahit the year after "Heartbreak Hotel." "Jailhouse Rock" went on to become the title track for Presley's film of the same name. Today, it's considered one of the King's best-known signature songs, which is saying a lot. In the song's lifetime, it's been covered by such titans of rock 'n' roll including Queen, The Blues Brothers, and ZZ Top. Evening Standard // Getty Images #22. All My Loving - Originally recorded by: The Beatles - Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney - Covers: 305 - Adaptations: 14 The first entry of many Beatles entries, "All My Loving" is considered by many Paul McCartney's first major song for the band. According to McCartney's 1997 autobiography, "Many Years From Now," he wrote "All My Loving" during the Beatles' tour with Roy Orbison in 1963. For McCartney, it was the first song where the words came first before the accompaniment. While John Lennon was considered the band's main songwriter in the Beatles' early days, "All My Loving" asserted McCartney's talent and put the two band members on equal footing. The Arctic Monkeys covered the track when they headlined Madison Square Garden in 2014. Bettmann // Getty Images #21. Help! - Originally recorded by: The Beatles - Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney - Covers: 306 - Adaptations: 16 Mostly written by John Lennon from his home in Weybridge, "Help!" became the title track for the Beatles' second film and fifth album. According to David Sheff's "All We Are Saying," which compiles Lennon's final interviews, the songwriter originally composed the song as a genuine cry for help. That cry was answered over and over by numerous other artists throughout the decade, who reinterpreted Lennon's desperation into their own sound. In 1968, Deep Purple provided their own psychedelic take, and two years later, the Carpenters brought the song into their universe. Rick Diamond // Getty Images #20. Blue Suede Shoes - Originally recorded by: Carl Perkins - Written by: Carl Perkins - Covers: 313 Few songs have tapped into the pulse of American pop culture quite like Carl Perkins' "Blue Suede Shoes," the first song to ever reach the top—or close to the top—of all three pop, country, and R&B charts of the time. While Perkins never enjoyed the same kind of success again, the song has taken on a life of its own, reanimated throughout the years by a smorgasbord of legendary covers, including Elvis' up-tempo take and Johnny Rivers' rendition, which briefly returned the song to the charts in 1973. Paul Natkin // Getty Images #19. Just the Way You Are - Originally recorded by: Billy Joel - Written by: Billy Joel - Covers: 316 - Adaptations: 11 The standout track from Billy Joel's fifth album, "Just The Way You Are," quickly became one of the songwriter's signature songs when it released in 1977. Legend has it that Joel dreamed the melody. At a business meeting weeks later, Joel's mind drifted off from numbers and legal speak and returned to the dream, which then inspired the lyrics in a two- or three-hour sitting. Barry White then leapt to cover the song a mere year later, an impulse some may have questioned at the time had it not earned him huge commercial success. White's R&B cover would become his second-longest-running hit in the U.K. Ebet Roberts // Getty Images #18. Time After Time - Originally recorded by: Cyndi Lauper - Written by: Cyndi Lauper, Rob Hyman - Covers: 317 - Adaptations: 10 Cyndi Lauper's romantic ballad "Time After Time," a song that now sounds like the ultimate emblem of the '80s, earned the singer her first #1 hit in 1984. With its tender yet complex emotional palette, the song caused musicians from all walks of life to cover it. Pop stars, including Pink and Leona Lewis, have offered their relatively faithful interpretations, but Lauper's favorite has always been Miles Davis'. Jeff Hochberg // Getty Images #17. Proud Mary - Originally recorded by: Creedence Clearwater Revival - Written by: John Fogerty - Covers: 337 - Adaptations: 31 "Proud Mary" was Creedence Clearwater Revival at their swamp rock peak. The song was written by frontman John Fogerty, marking one of his first masterpieces, and later became a huge hit in 1969. With its irresistible singalong quality, it's no wonder it began attracting covers almost immediately after its release. Solomon Burke came up with his version first before Ike & Tina Turner offered their interpretation in 1970, which hit the heights of the charts and became one of the most famous renditions of the iconic song. Mark and Colleen Hayward // Getty Images #16. Can't Buy Me Love - Originally recorded by: The Beatles - Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney - Covers: 347 - Adaptations: 14 The Beatles' sixth single, "Can't Buy Me Love," was the product of a 19-day residency at Paris' Olympia Theatre. It introduced a slightly newer, bluesier tone to the boys' sound and was the first of the band's singles to feature only one singer. In this case, Paul McCartney was in the driver's seat. The song's bluesy mood caught the ear of Ella Fitzgerald, who later covered the song and earned the band's approval. Express // Getty Images #15. The Long and Winding Road - Originally recorded by: The Beatles, Bud Shank with The Bob Alcivar Singers - Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney - Covers: 352 - Adaptations: 6 There may not be a song in the Beatles' catalog that sums up their final bittersweet days better than "The Long and Winding Road." Primarily written in Scotland in 1968 by Paul McCartney, the mournful song ultimately provided a soundtrack to the cracks beginning to show within the band. The song became the band's final #1 hit, but its beautiful melancholy lived on through renditions performed by Cher, Aretha Franklin, and Ray Charles. Max Scheler // Getty Images #14. A Hard Day's Night - Originally recorded by: The Beatles - Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney - Covers: 354 - Adaptations: 19 "A Hard Day's Night" was inspired by a phrase uttered by Ringo Starr on one grueling, work-intensive night while the band was forced into a filming session in 1964. At that point, the Beatles hardly knew a life outside of touring and recording. It's a lifestyle Otis Redding was all too familiar with. His cover of the song was just as rousing as the original, its sense of fun masking the exhaustion that inspired it. Paul Natkin // Getty Images #13. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - Originally recorded by: The Rolling Stones - Written by: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards - Covers: 357 - Adaptations: 14 With its spiky guitar riff and themes of disillusionment and rebellion, the Rolling Stones' "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" is what many would consider the prototypical rock song. Keith Richards, the band's guitarist, has long claimed that the now instantly recognizable riff came to him while he was sleeping. It may be one of the most fortuitous dreams in rock history; "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" soon became the band's first #1 single in the U.S. Björk and PJ Harvey covered it together a few decades later, with a stripped-back yet venomous reinterpretation. Lester Cohen // Getty Images #12. Your Song - Originally recorded by: Elton John, Three Dog Night - Written by: Elton John, Bernie Taupin - Covers: 363 - Adaptations: 14 "Your Song" was not only one of Elton John's first major hits but also the song responsible for launching him from a great songwriter into a worldwide phenomenon. Written alongside Bernie Taupin, the song was penned while Taupin was only 17. At that point, Taupin had yet to experience true love—the song's subject matter—for himself. You'd never be able to tell. Rod Stewart covered it later, backed by fiddle and guitar, and Ellie Goulding turned it into an ethereal and lovelorn ballad many years later. Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Images #11. Ain't No Sunshine - Originally recorded by: Bill Withers - Written by: Bill Withers - Covers: 376 - Adaptations: 11 Not long before he wrote one of the best songs of all time, Bill Withers was still a factory worker, making aircraft toilet seats at a manufacturing plant in Los Angeles. It wasn't until he turned 32 that he made his breakthrough as a musician, a move he can credit to one perfect song: "Ain't No Sunshine." The song moved a young Michael Jackson to cover it as a young teen. It's since gone through several different arrangements, with the likes of Tom Jones and Paul McCartney adding their twists on the classic. Fox Photos // Getty Images #10. With a Little Help from My Friends - Originally recorded by: The Beatles - Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney - Covers: 397 - Adaptations: 15 One of the most famous call-and-response songs of all time, "With a Little Help from My Friends" was written collaboratively between John Lennon and Paul McCartney during the final stages of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." That opening lyric ("What would you think if I sang out of tune?") was a joke the songwriters played on the comparatively pitchy Ringo Starr, who performed the song. "With a Little Help from My Friends" was most famously covered by Joe Cocker, whose version almost threatened to overshadow the original in the U.K., though it only reached #68 in the U.S. Silver Screen Collection // Getty Images #9. In My Life - Originally recorded by: The Beatles - Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney - Covers: 419 - Adaptations: 6 A fan favorite from "Rubber Soul," "In My Life" is a quintessential John Lennon track. The song was originally inspired by Lennon's memories of living in Liverpool, but its lyrics are deliberately vague enough for anyone to apply their own nostalgia to it. The song has since found its way to some unlikely places; Sean Connery sang the song as part of an albumlong Beatles tribute, as assembled by George Martin in 1998. Ivan Keeman // Getty Images #8. Here Comes the Sun - Originally recorded by: The Beatles - Written by: George Harrison - Covers: 430 - Adaptations: 9 The sunshine of the band's "Abbey Road" sessions, George Harrison's "Here Comes the Sun" proved that the third Beatle could stand toe to toe with Paul McCartney and John Lennon. Harrison penned the song while staying with his friend Eric Clapton at his home in Ewhurst, Surrey. While sunning himself in Clapton's garden, the seeds of the song began to germinate, and the rest was history. A simple ditty, it'd be challenging to do a disservice to this lovely song. It's since been covered by Coldplay, Bon Jovi, and Travis, but Charles Wright of the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band infused it with a particularly lovely warmth and glow. Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Images #7. Jingle Bell Rock - Originally recorded by: Bobby Helms - Written by: Jim Boothe, Joe Beal - Covers: 447 - Adaptations: 10 "Jingle Bell Rock" was originally written by two unlikely sources, an advertising executive named James Ross Boothe and a public relations professional named Joseph Carleton Beal. The popularity of "Jingle Bell Rock" has been forever enshrined, partly due to its many appearances in popular films like "Mean Girls" and "Lethal Weapon" but also due to its many covers throughout the years. Kylie Minogue, the Beach Boys, and Hall & Oates have all brought the holiday spirit of "Jingle Bell Rock" into their own repertoires. Michael Webb // Getty Images #6. Come Together - Originally recorded by: The Beatles - Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney - Covers: 461 - Adaptations: 8 When the Beatles' discography was finally added to streaming services in 2015, "Come Together" was one of the songs that racked up the most streams, behind "Here Comes the Sun." It's not hard to see why. There's an indelible oddness to the track that gives it a hypnotic quality while still making it sound fresh all these years later. In 1969, Tina Turner was among the first to cover it, infusing the song with a feminine yearning. A decade later, Aerosmith reached the charts with their extra groovy version. John Pratt // Getty Images #5. Here, There and Everywhere - Originally recorded by: The Beatles - Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney - Covers: 562 - Adaptations: 15 Paul McCartney has often referred to "Here, There and Everywhere" as one of John Lennon's favorites among McCartney's compositions on a tape. The song was allegedly written while he lounged by Lennon's swimming pool in Weybridge and waited for his collaborator to wake up. David Gilmour of Pink Floyd gave us one of the best cover versions of the song, adding psychedelic flourishes to an interpretation that was otherwise faithful to McCartney's original composition. Larry C. Morris // Getty Images #4. Imagine - Originally recorded by: John Lennon - Written by: John Lennon - Covers: 565 - Adaptations: 14 John Lennon wrote "Imagine," his magnum opus, hardly even a year after the Beatles split. It was 1971, and Paul McCartney had just filed a lawsuit to dissolve the pair's contractual partnership. Lennon ultimately ensured his freedom and independence with "Imagine," a song bound to survive as long as cockroaches and Twinkies. There have been many excellent covers throughout the years, among the best include Joan Baez's 1972 version, which pared the song down to its most skeletal, and Neil Young's 2001 rendition for a 9/11 tribute, which featured a moving string section. Central Press // Getty Images #3. Something - Originally recorded by: The Beatles - Written by: George Harrison - Covers: 567 - Adaptations: 9 Once the band's underdog, George Harrison had established himself as a force to be reckoned with by the time "Something" was released in 1969. One of the most memorable tracks from "Abbey Road," "Something" has inspired countless versions, some of which earned Harrison's approval—others… not so much. "At the time, I wasn't particularly thrilled that Frank Sinatra did 'Something'," Harrison admitted in his biography "Anthology," per Far Out Magazine. However, he was much more pleased "when Smokey Robinson did it and when James Brown did it," he wrote, adding: "I'm very pleased now, whoever's done it. I realise that the sign of a good song is when it has lots of cover versions." Santi Visalli // Getty Images #2. Hey Jude - Originally recorded by: The Beatles - Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney - Covers: 568 - Adaptations: 23 The Beatles released "Hey Jude" on the same day in 1968 as the Democratic National Convention opened. At seven minutes and 11 seconds long, the song challenged the constraints of radio broadcasting, though it became a megahit nonetheless. Throughout the decades, "Hey Jude" has brought joy and unity to the world with its sweet message of camaraderie. Essentially a perfect song, covering it was no easy feat, but Wilson Pickett knocked it out of the park with his 1969 offering. "To this day, I've never heard better rock guitar playing on an R&B record," Eric Clapton said of Pickett's version. David Farrell // Getty Images #1. Let It Be - Originally recorded by: The Beatles, Aretha Franklin - Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney - Covers: 577 - Adaptations: 16 The most covered rock song of all time, "Let It Be," was recorded in 1969 (and courted to Aretha Franklin by Paul McCartney). While it's undoubtedly one of the Beatles' most beloved songs, John Lennon allegedly wasn't so hot on it. At the time, the band was treading rocky ground, constantly arguing and trying to resolve seemingly irreconcilable creative differences. But despite the bad blood that underscored the making of this classic, "Let It Be" ultimately resounds as a song of love and unity, a timeless expression of brotherhood and beauty. No cover quite lives up to the original, but the "Glee" cast certainly made a good attempt, as did the spookmaster Nick Cave. Data reporting by Luke Hicks. Story editing by Carren Jao. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Clarese Moller.
	Blue Collar Bagels to officially open June 20 in Rock Island After a trial weekend run, Blue Collar Bagels will officially open Friday, June 20 in Rock Island, according to the company's Instagram page. Owner Patrick Fineran says he spent years in the produce business and started baking bagels. He says he soon realized he had a talent and potential business. About three-fourths of their menu [...]
	Kewanee police begins Fourth of July traffic safety campaign The Kewanee Police Department has announced the beginning of its Fourth of July traffic safety campaign.
	Friends of MLK holding annual Juneteenth Festival in Davenport 160 years ago, the first celebration of Juneteenth took place in Galveston, Texas, commemorating the independence of Black Americans from bondage. The celebration stems from Union troops entering southern Texas in 1865, informing Black Americans that they were no longer controlled by the upper white class known as the planter’s class. Friends of MLK in Davenport is continuing the local celebration for the now-observed federal holiday. The festival is set for Saturday, June 20th, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on 2nd Street between Harrison and Brady Streets.
	America's 20 most fun cities, based on data — and Miami is only #3 rblfmr // Shutterstock The 20 most fun cities in America in 2025 People crunch various metrics when settling on a city to live in or visit. Some factors concern the cost of living, staying, or how easy it is to go around on foot or by public transit. Other considerations might be the architecture, culture, and history of a place. But for many people, there's one prevailing question: Is it any fun? Answers to that question seem to be shifting in 2026. In American Express Travel's 2026 Trending Destinations report, famously party-friendly cities like Las Vegas are sure to welcome plenty of crowds in the coming months. But a December 2025 analysis from Airbnb also finds growing interest in lesser-known spots like Traverse City, Michigan, known for its wine industry, and Idyllwild, California, a tranquil destination brimming with mountain charm. With so many cities to choose from, looking at the attractions can help you make up your mind as to where to go. Plus, countless other variables can set a city apart, such as neighborhoods and regional traditions. So, how do you figure out where you can cut loose? To find out, and because "fun" can be defined differently by everyone, Stacker analyzed the 2025 report from WalletHub on the most fun cities in America, released in December 2024. The site compared 182 cities—including the 150 most populated U.S. cities, plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state—across three dimensions: entertainment and recreation, nightlife and parties, and cost. Next, the cities were evaluated according to 65 key metrics, which ranged from fitness centers per capita to movie costs to average open hours of breweries. Cities with something for everyone received the highest rankings, which didn't consider the more extreme versions of fun like adventure sports. WalletHub then determined each city's weighted average across all metrics to assign an overall fun score out of 100. Whether you're seeking adventure, culture, a great meal, a great show, or a wild night of drinking and dancing, a trip to one of these cities that made the top 20 will surely delight. Keep reading to discover if your favorite metropolis made it into this gallery of the most fun cities in the United States. Lissandra Melo // Shutterstock #20. Washington DC - Total score: 47.64 - Entertainment and recreation rank: #13 - Nightlife and parties rank: #12 - Costs rank: #177 America's capital offers a vital glimpse into the country's past and present. Along with historic monuments and renowned museums, the city features world-class restaurants and all the nightlife one could ever need. It's also home to several legendary music venues. cdrin // Shutterstock #19. Seattle, Washington - Total score: 48 - Entertainment and recreation rank: #15 - Nightlife and parties rank: #14 - Costs rank: #170 Washington's hub on Puget Sound serves up some of the country's best seafood, which you can famously see "in action" at Pike Place Market. The Mariners, Kraken, and Seahawks all call this vibrant city home, as do monolithic tech companies like Amazon and Microsoft. Sean Pavone // Shutterstock #18. Los Angeles, California - Total score: 48.4 - Entertainment and recreation rank: #12 - Nightlife and parties rank: #16 - Costs rank: #160 The options are limitless in Los Angeles, where entertainment is quite literally a way of life. Hit the beach in Santa Monica, head over to Universal Studios, stroll down Hollywood Boulevard, catch a sports game, watch a live taping of a television show, or reserve a seat at one of the country's best bars and restaurants. It all goes down against a backdrop of downright dreamy weather. VIAVAL // Shutterstock #17. Tampa, Florida - Total score: 49.81 - Entertainment and recreation rank: #9 - Nightlife and parties rank: #26 - Costs rank: #80 It may not be Disney World, but Tampa's Busch Gardens delivers equally thrilling escapism. For a different kind of fun, check out Ybor City just outside of the downtown area for delicious food, boutique shopping, and several popular nightclubs. Izabela23 // Shutterstock #16. Honolulu, Hawaii - Total score: 49.84 - Entertainment and recreation rank: #1 - Nightlife and parties rank: #23 - Costs rank: #171 Waikiki is the heart of this Hawaiian city, where hotels, bars, clubs, resorts, restaurants, and beaches converge to delightful effects. Honolulu is a place where dream vacations are made. Hike a dormant volcano by day, and sip cocktails out of a coconut hours later. Christian Hinkle // Shutterstock #15. Cincinnati, Ohio - Total score: 50.1 - Entertainment and recreation rank: #14 - Nightlife and parties rank: #19 - Costs rank: #70 This river-adjacent city is home to the Bengals and the Reds. Findlay Market is packed with local purveyors, brewers, and artisans, and the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is a must-visit destination. Andrew Zarivny // Shutterstock #14. Portland, Oregon - Total score: 50.48 - Entertainment and recreation rank: #17 - Nightlife and parties rank: #9 - Costs rank: #141 Spread across both sides of the Willamette River, Portland, Oregon, is the kind of place where the local barber shop has cold beer on tap, and there's a new vegan bakery springing up on every block. On the outskirts of the city lies Forest Park, which features a myriad of trails and beautiful natural destinations. welcomia // Shutterstock #13. Denver, Colorado - Total score: 50.54 - Entertainment and recreation rank: #16 - Nightlife and parties rank: #13 - Costs rank: #131 Putting the "high" in Mile High City, Denver is where America's recreational marijuana boom was born. The city is home to multiple sports teams, a popular zoo, an acclaimed art museum, and the distinguished Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Rocky Mountain National Park is just a 90-minute drive away. Sean Pavone // Shutterstock #12. St. Louis, Missouri - Total score: 51.25 - Entertainment and recreation rank: #19 - Nightlife and parties rank: #17 - Costs rank: #12 The Gateway Arch is worth a visit, but St. Louis' nearby Soulard District is where the action is. Awash with old-school architecture and new-school vibes, the area is rich with restaurants, clubs, and music venues. St. Louis is also home to one of the country's best zoos, as well as gardens, parks, stadiums, and plenty of other attractions. pisaphotography // Shutterstock #11. Fort Lauderdale, Florida - Total score: 51.34 - Entertainment and recreation rank: #11 - Nightlife and parties rank: #10 - Costs rank: #147 Like so many of Florida's coastal cities, Fort Lauderdale has beaches, rivers, nightclubs, parks, golf courses, and shopping districts. Known as the "Venice of America," Fort Lauderdale also features an intricate network of canals. Quality seafood and tasty cocktails are easy to come by in these parts. LaMiaFotografia // Shutterstock #10. New York City, New York - Total score: 51.6 - Entertainment and recreation rank: #5 - Nightlife and parties rank: #8 - Costs rank: #182 It might cost an arm and a leg to take a bite out of The Big Apple these days, but after all these years, New York continues to offer some of the best museums, theaters, landmarks, stores, bars, and restaurants in the world. In the heart of the city is Central Park, where visitors can wander and sightsee for hours on end. Nate Hovee // Shutterstock #9. Houston, Texas - Total score: 51.64 - Entertainment and recreation rank: #23 - Nightlife and parties rank: #15 - Costs rank: #25 Looking to the stars and beyond, Houston is where the Johnson Space Center calls home. America's fourth-largest city also includes its own Museum District, which receives millions of visits a year. Food enthusiasts will also find a formidable selection of award-winning restaurants. Javen // Shutterstock #8. Chicago, Illinois - Total score: 51.8 - Entertainment and recreation rank: #10 - Nightlife and parties rank: #11 - Costs rank: #151 The Windy City may live up to its name during the cold season, but it's worth a visit any time of year. Staying indoors? Check out the Art Institute of Chicago or one of the city's many acclaimed restaurants. When the sun finally comes out, take in Navy Pier, or take a long walk down Michigan Avenue, "The Magnificent Mile." lunamarina // Shutterstock #7. San Francisco, California - Total score: 53.06 - Entertainment and recreation rank: #7 - Nightlife and parties rank: #5 - Costs rank: #178 San Francisco is overflowing with geographic splendor and bustling activity. Visit a local landmark like Alcatraz or Fisherman's Wharf before snagging a seat at one of the country's best restaurants or bars. Don't forget to hit up a record store or vintage clothing shop over in the historic Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. Mike Holp // Shutterstock #6. Austin, Texas - Total score: 54.33 - Entertainment and recreation rank: #18 - Nightlife and parties rank: #7 - Costs rank: #50 The Texas state capital is also one of the hippest cities in the country. Every year, the South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival rolls into town, bringing the latest in film, music, and tech. The rest of the year, Austin is well-known for its flourishing music scene, delicious food, and college life. Sean Pavone // Shutterstock #5. New Orleans, Louisiana - Total score: 55.04 - Entertainment and recreation rank: #20 - Nightlife and parties rank: #4 - Costs rank: #76 There are few festivals in the world more fun than Mardi Gras, celebrated each year in this popular city. The "Big Easy" delivers great food and thrilling live music no matter the time of year, or time of day for that matter. Famous areas like Bourbon Street and the French Quarter offer copious amounts of vivacious local flavor. f11photo// Shutterstock #4. Atlanta, Georgia - Total score: 55.36 - Entertainment and recreation rank: #8 - Nightlife and parties rank: #6 - Costs rank: #124 Atlanta is home to the NFL's Falcons, MLB's Braves, and the NBA's Hawks. The city's dining options are abundant and varied, and the club scene is tough to beat. Visit the Georgia Aquarium, often named among the best in the country. s4svisuals // Shutterstock #3. Miami, Florida - Total score: 58.32 - Entertainment and recreation rank: #6 - Nightlife and parties rank: #3 - Costs rank: #157 Miami is filled to the brim with famous nightclubs, Art Déco architecture, delicious food, white sand beaches, luxurious hotels, and a discernible Cuban influence. Each year, Art Basel descends on the city, putting some of the country's best contemporary art within reach. VIAVAL // Shutterstock #2. Orlando, Florida - Total score: 64.38 - Entertainment and recreation rank: #3 - Nightlife and parties rank: #2 - Costs rank: #58 Two words describe why Orlando places so high on this list of fun cities — Disney World. True to its name, the world-famous theme park is home to an endless supply of attractions and rides. When you're all done there, Universal Orlando Resort is more comprehensive and spectacular now than ever. randy andy // Shutterstock #1. Las Vegas, Nevada - Total score: 73.78 - Entertainment and recreation rank: #2 - Nightlife and parties rank: #1 - Costs rank: #36 Orlando may be a blast for the whole family, but Sin City is where adults can go to blow off steam. Whether that means dropping hard-earned cash at the nearest poker table, chilling poolside, dancing until dawn, eating at a world-class restaurant, or watching Cirque du Soleil acrobats fly is up to you. Additional writing by Cu Fleshman and Sheeka Sanahori. Story editing by Cu Fleshman and Jaimie Etkin. Copy editing by Lois Hince. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick.
	Water main break halts traffic on River Drive in Moline The break was reported about 1 p.m. Monday.
	Honor Flight of the Quad Cities announces veteran reunion Honor Flight of the Quad Cities hosts a veteran reunion on July 9 at the Waterfront Convention Center. Veterans in gold shirts get free entry.
	MercyOne Clinton Medical Center to celebrate new surgical robot MercyOne says that robotic-assisted surgery may lead to smaller incisions, less pain and faster recovery times for patients.
	'Pop the Cork' wine lounge to open in Moline The new wine lounge is set to hold a ribbon-cutting to celebrate its opening on River Drive in Moline.
	25 best American towns for retirees, based on data Felix Mizioznikov // Shutterstock The 25 best places to retire in America For many, retirement is the reward after decades of working and raising a family. But today, many Americans fear they might not have enough money set aside to enjoy their golden years. According to a February 2026 survey from MetLife, nearly 60% of pre-retirement employees worry about running out of money once they stop working. Considering the skyrocketing cost of living nationwide, these fears may not be entirely unfounded. Although the U.S. moved up by one spot in the 2025 Global Retirement Index, compiled annually by financial institution Natixis, America still comes in at #21, far behind frontrunners like Norway and Ireland. However, since relocating to Europe isn't for everyone, many retirees are soothing their financial anxieties by moving to a new place here in the States. Stacker compiled a list of the 25 best places to retire in the U.S. using 2024 data from Niche. Rankings were based on various factors, such as weather and health care access. You can read more about Niche's methodology here. Warm, sunny weather was the most common denominator among the best places to retire, while options for recreation play another significant role, especially the top-ranked golf courses and tennis clubs. Other top retirement destinations offer natural attractions, including trails for biking and walking and mountain settings for hiking and bird-watching. Many towns provide unique cultural and historical richness. All the top retirement destinations take a cue from Arizona's Sun City, one of the first planned communities for active older adults that offered opportunities for retirees—with little interest in just fading away—to keep busy and engaged. Read on to see the top 25 places to retire in America. Canva #25. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California Population: 3,162 Carmel-by-the-Sea is famed for its coastal beauty, bohemian spirit, and whimsical architecture. In July 2024, the city council voted to implement street addresses after more than a century without them, ending a cherished local tradition. The town is full of art galleries, cafes, and shops, many of them celebrating the unique literary and artistic history of the area. James Pillion // Shutterstock #24. Garden City, South Carolina - Population: 11,193 A few miles southwest of Myrtle Beach is Garden City—popular for boating, crabbing, and fishing, including seining. It's built on a peninsula between tidal marshes and the Atlantic Ocean and has about 5 miles of beaches. hutpaza // Shutterstock #23. Leland Grove, Illinois - Population: 1,237 Leland Grove is a quiet town with plenty of restaurants and a secure, peaceful feel. It's the best place to retire in Illinois, according to Niche, and the cost of living and price of housing—with the median home value below the national average—are reasonably low in the Springfield suburb. Tim Roberts Photography // Shutterstock #22. Paradise Valley, Arizona - Population: 12,611 Paradise Valley is residential but has nine resorts, three golf courses, and four medical centers. Development happened largely after World War II, and Paradise Valley was incorporated in 1961 to protect it from the commercial expansion of nearby Phoenix and Scottsdale, with the stated goals of minimal government regulation and no more than one house per acre. The area boasts 294 sunny days and about 7 inches of rain yearly. Canva #21. West Chatham, Massachusetts Population: 1,633 There are numerous famous beach towns on Massachusetts' Cape Cod peninsula, but West Chatham stands out for its plethora of nature preserves, trails, beaches, and historic landmarks. Many areas allow residents to take part in its rich fishing culture, whether by watching fishing fleets return to the Chatham Fish Pier with hauls bound for Boston or taking in the views at the historic Chatham Lighthouse. iofoto // Shutterstock #20. Murrells Inlet, South Carolina - Population: 9,292 Murrells Inlet was a historic fishing village and summer retreat for South Carolina's wealthy rice plantation owners. Today the community champions its environment and natural gems with features such as the Wacca Wache Marina, which stands amid oak, cypress, and palmetto trees along the Waccamaw River, and the MarshWalk, a half-mile boardwalk through a wildlife-filled salt marsh. Lee Taylor Works // Shutterstock #19. Lake Quivira, Kansas Population: 994 Lake Quivira shares its name with the local country club, where residents can use a private beach, golf course, and waterfront cottages. Citizens can also care for six chickens at a time—as long as they follow the coop requirements. Tim Roberts Photography // Shutterstock #18. Green Valley, Arizona - Population: 20,857 Green Valley is a retirement community with engaging options for residents, including foreign language, yoga, and jewelry-making classes. More than 20,000 people are year-round residents. It's located on the fringes of the majestic Sonoran Desert, midway between Tucson and Nogales, Mexico. Canva #17. Northfield, Kentucky Population: 1,106 Northfield is at the base of the Appalachian Mountains, meaning residents have spectacular views and endless opportunities for hiking, kayaking, camping, and other outdoor activities. In addition to its natural beauty, the town is known for being quiet and family-oriented. Manuela Durson // Shutterstock #16. Catalina Foothills, Arizona - Population: 50,631 Catalina Foothills is in the stunning Sonoran Desert, just north of Tucson. It is known for its art galleries and golf courses, sunsets, outdoor recreation, and the scenic Santa Catalina Mountains. It is popular with retirees, as over half the population is 55 or older. Logan Bush // Shutterstock #15. Oakland, Missouri Population: 1,633 Oakland is home to diverse architecture, including both modern-day designs and turn-of-the-century homes. The town is friendly and communal, with an annual Harvest Festival, community days, and other events that bring locals together. Canva #14. Bethany Beach, Delaware Population: 1,064 Bethany Beach uses the Atlantic coastline with a boardwalk and a beach that the town works to ensure is accessible to people with disabilities. Though most will flock to the town's sandy shores, there are also parks, wetlands, a nature center, and a farmers market. Dex Sightseeing Photography // Shutterstock #13. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware - Population: 1,588 Rehoboth Beach is popular for its boardwalk, breathtaking beachfront homes, and nearby marina. It has a lively and highly-rated restaurant scene as well. It can get crowded with summer visitors. Canva #12. Heathrow, Florida Population: 7,084 Heathrow's country club offers residents two golf courses, 13 tennis courts, a pool, and a full calendar of social events. With average year-round temperatures from 51 to 91 degrees Fahrenheit, it's hard to beat the climate. christy824 // Shutterstock #11. Redington Beach, Florida Population: 1,320 Only 1 square mile in size, Redington Beach still offers picturesque views along the Gulf of Mexico. It has five public beaches, four town parks, a causeway, and a community recreation area. The median age of residents is 59.7. FloridaStock // Shutterstock #10. Hillsboro Beach, Florida - Population: 1,964 Upscale Hillsboro Beach is on a barrier island—sometimes called Millionaires' Mile—that is about 900 feet across at its widest, and Fort Lauderdale is 15 miles to the south. Its waterfront homes are on the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. Pola Damonte // Shutterstock #9. Pelican Bay, Florida - Population: 6,257 Luxurious Pelican Bay is about 3 square miles, surrounded by white-sand beaches, state parks, and preserves. It has 6,500 homes and offers various activities, such as sailing, tennis, and kayaking. Its beaches can be reached only by boardwalk or Pelican Bay's tram system. Sean Pavone // Shutterstock #8. South Palm Beach, Florida - Population: 1,855 South Palm Beach sits on a barrier island, with the Intracoastal Waterway on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. The residential community is just over a half-mile long and has one street. The cost of living is higher than it is around the nation or in the rest of Florida, especially for housing. Canva #7. South Gate, Florida Population: 6,183 South Gate offers a strong community feel, with a full calendar of events, a community center, a garden, and a pool. It was developed beginning in 1955 as part of 1,240 acres of citrus groves. The hall and pool are Sarasota County historic sites. Canva #6. Naples, Florida Population: 19,704 Naples is surrounded by wildlife refuges, state parks, and beaches where residents can spend hours bird-watching, hiking, or paddling to their hearts' content. It is a popular spot for the wealthy and has plenty of upscale dining and shopping venues. Brian Logan Photography // Shutterstock #5. Piermont, New York - Population: 2,541 Hilly Piermont overlooks the Hudson River. Many of the older homes are craftsman cottages and historic Victorians, and Manhattan is a 60-minute ride by bus or train. It has a small but bustling restaurant scene and various community activities, including a chess club, tai chi, and pickleball. Naypong Studio // Shutterstock #4. Lake Success, New York - Population: 3,228 Lake Success, an incorporated village in North Hempstead, is 16 miles from Manhattan. Within its 2 square miles are 43 acres of lakes. Its Lake Success Golf Club is located on the site of the former private Vanderbilt family golf club. Suncoast Aerials // Shutterstock #3. Siesta Key, Florida - Population: 5,587 The 8-mile island of Siesta Key on the Gulf of Mexico near Sarasota is known for its quartz-sand beaches and turquoise water. Housing is expensive—more than twice the national average—but its beach is ranked #6 in the country, and dining, shopping, and relaxation spots are plentiful. Skytrox Drones // Shutterstock #2. Highland Beach, Florida - Population: 3,907 Just over 1 square mile, the town of Highland Beach is sandwiched between Delray Beach to the north and Boca Raton to the south. Its population more than doubles during the winter, and four out of five residents are retirees. Canva #1. Rio, Florida Population: 1,373 Located along the St. Lucie River, Rio maintains a small, local feel, with most of its shops and residences owned by individuals or families. The town dates to 1893 when it featured pineapple farms and a lumber mill. The cost of living is much lower than elsewhere in Florida or the country. Additional writing by Cu Fleshman and Jill Jaracz. Story editing by Mike Taylor. Copy editing by Robert Wickwire. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick.
	Honor Flight announces reunion for former flight veterans Honor Flight of the Quad Cities will hold a reunion for all flight veterans as part of America's 250th anniversary celebration.
	Snail Mail on her latest album, 'Ricochet' Lindsey Jordan, of Snail Mail, tackles mortality, religion and the afterlife on her third studio album.
	Muscatine closes East 2nd Street for building demolition The City of Muscatine has temporarily close East 2nd Street as crews begin building demolition.
	Quad-Cities gas prices drop by nearly 10 cents in the past week Prices in the Quad-Cities are 54.6 cents per gallon lower than a month ago, but 98.8 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.
	Crews working to fix water main break on River Drive in Moline The break is on River Drive between 23rd and 25th Streets, according to a media release.
	Designing an AI-ready workforce: A guide for SMB leaders Designing an AI-ready workforce: A guide for SMB leadersIn just a few short years, AI has grown from an emerging trend into an operational reality shaping hiring, workflows, and competitive positioning for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs). This shakeup is forcing SMB leaders to look into how they can design their workforce and workflows around AI.When The Upwork Research Institute examined hiring behavior across more than 1,000 business leaders alongside marketplace demand trends, one finding stood out: AI is not reducing demand for human talent, but reshaping how talent creates value.The In-Demand Skills 2026 report, which surveyed 349 business leaders and analyzed freelance hiring data from January to December 2025, found that 77% of business leaders report that AI is increasing their need for fractional or freelance talent. Core creative, marketing, and technical skills remain in strong demand. More than expertise in AI by itself, what is needed — and what is becoming the differentiator for SMBs in 2026 — are domain experts who can apply AI effectively to their workflows.In a recent webinar, Dr. Gabby Burlacu, senior manager of the Upwork Research Institute, joined by Alina Jesien, senior director of human resources at Ergeon, and John D. Saunders, founder of 5Four Digital, unpacked how AI is transforming workforce strategy for SMBs.AI is reconfiguring human work, not replacing itThe most in-demand skills by hiring volume have remained remarkably consistent year over year. Logo design, social media marketing, web development, and content production continue to rank highly despite widespread assumptions that these categories would decline first as AI adoption increased. Upwork The explanation is straightforward: AI can generate output, but it can’t independently exercise contextual judgment. The copy that it drafts, the code that it generates, and the visual assets that it produces need to be vetted and refined by experts who understand business goals.Instead of replacing specialists, AI is absorbing rote, repeatable tasks and helping people focus more on oversight, refinement, and strategic direction.This shift becomes even clearer when examining growth trends. As Dr. Burlacu explains:“AI skills are growing in demand, but it’s applied AI skills. It’s domain expertise plus the propensity to apply AI tools toward doing things differently.”For SMB leaders, successfully adopting AI will not mean hiring AI generalists to displace their domain experts. Instead, adopting AI will look more like finding domain experts who know how to get more done faster — without sacrificing quality — by integrating AI into their workflows.The strategic shift from tool adoption to systems thinkingBusiness leaders ranked adaptability highest when asked which capabilities are increasing in importance as they integrate AI into their companies. This result reflects a broader shift: Static skill sets depreciate quickly in fast-moving technological environments, while the ability to learn and redesign processes compounds.One theme emerged consistently in conversations with operators: AI rewards structured systems.“Having the skill and discipline to move knowledge into structured, queryable systems is really a foundational operations skill that we’re seeing,” says Jesien.AI performs best when institutional knowledge is documented, accessible, and organized. Without that structure, outputs degrade and inefficiencies multiply. “AI rewards organized business — and it will really expose disorganized ones,” notes Saunders.For SMBs, the fact that AI works best with organized data is particularly important. Many smaller organizations rely on informal knowledge sharing and undocumented processes. That flexibility has in the past been an asset in early growth stages, but becomes a liability when integrating automation.Investing in documentation, clear workflows, and centralized knowledge systems may unlock more value than adopting another new tool. AI will amplify whatever structure — or lack thereof — already exists. If processes are clear, performance improves. But if they are fragmented, inefficiencies accelerate.These changes align with broader trends in which organizations are redesigning roles and workflows around oversight and strategic interpretation rather than task execution.Adaptability as an operational capabilityAdaptability is often described as a mindset. In 2026, it must become a mechanism. Upwork data suggests that to realize the most benefits from AI, organizations should consider doing these four things consistently:Redesign workflows deliberately. Rather than layering AI on top of existing processes, select one recurring workflow — such as reporting, onboarding, or content production — and rebuild it end-to-end. Define what can be automated and where human review is required.Centralize knowledge. Structured documentation dramatically improves AI outputs. Maintain updated standardized operating procedures (SOPs) and searchable knowledge bases to see compounding efficiency gains.Distribute AI fluency across teams. Don’t confine AI adoption to technical departments. Finance, operations, marketing, and HR teams can all integrate AI tools into daily workflows — though it doesn’t have to happen all at the same time.Combine core expertise with flexible talent models. AI is accelerating demand for specialized fractional expertise. Rather than hiring full-time for every new capability, engage experienced professionals to integrate AI, redesign systems, and lead targeted initiatives.Taken together, these actions transform adaptability from a cultural aspiration into a structural advantage.Don’t try to eliminate human value; redistribute itDemand for core expertise remains strong even in the face of broad AI adoption. The fastest-growing skills are applied rather than abstract. And adaptability — expressed through systems thinking, documentation discipline, and proactive learning — is becoming the ultimate competitive advantage for SMBs.Organizations that embed AI within structured workflows while elevating human judgment will increase their leverage without proportionally increasing headcount. But those that adopt tools without redesigning systems will struggle to see meaningful returns.The opportunity lies in designing for what comes next.Put adaptability into practiceSMBs in 2026 will find that AI rewards operationalized adaptability. But first, they have to ensure they have access to the right expertise at the right time.This story was produced by Upwork and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	25 actors who were fired or quit hit TV shows in their first seasons Noel Vasquez // Getty Images TV actors who were recast within the first season Can you imagine your favorite TV show without your favorite actor on it? Well, there's a good chance many of your faves came very close to having their character played by someone else. In fact, sometimes they were played by someone else for a very short time. When a new series first starts, and the cast and crew still have training wheels on, anything can happen during that first season. This can range from cast incompatibility to the showrunners wanting to take things in another direction. Recasting can even happen before a show premieres. In April 2026, the showrunner of "For All Mankind" spinoff "Star City" explained that the series had recast roles from the original show, since the characters are being depicted at earlier points in their lives. Those certainly aren't the only actor swaps to occur before a series' first season. An actor can get cast for a pilot, and then, while shooting the pilot with the other actors, it may become clear that said actor simply doesn't gel with the show—even the actor themselves may decide they're no longer feeling it. The character of Penny on "The Big Bang Theory," for example, was initially named Katie and was played by actor Amanda Walsh in the pilot before Kaley Cuoco was brought in. So, have you ever wondered if your favorite TV show character was nearly played by someone else? For this list, Stacker looked through news blasts, interviews, and series deep dives to compile 25 actors from popular TV shows spanning nearly 60 years—from the original "Star Trek" all the way to "Batwoman"—who were cut from their roles right from the jump. These actors were let go either in the middle of Season 1, after Season 1 ended, or didn't even make it past the pilot. From Sam Malone to Daenerys Targaryen, 25 famous TV characters almost turned out very differently. The CW Network Ross Butler on 'Riverdale' On The CW's genre-bending teen drama based on the classic characters from "Archie Comics," actor Ross Butler played the character Reggie Mantle, Archie's nemesis at Riverdale High. However, Butler left at the end of the first season reportedly due to scheduling conflicts, and Charles Melton took on the role until the series' 2023 conclusion. According to series creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa: "We love what Ross did with the role of Reggie [this season], but because of his commitments to other projects, we couldn't use him nearly as much as we would have liked." Butler did make a surprise return appearance as the original Reggie for a few scenes in Season 6, joining other characters who returned for the show's 100th episode. Tinseltown // Shutterstock Tamzin Merchant on 'Game of Thrones' Before Emilia Clarke became the dragon queen Daenerys Targaryen, that role was given to Tamzin Merchant, who was cut after filming the infamously troubled—and subsequently shelved—original pilot episode of "Game of Thrones." About changing the actors, HBO executive Michael Lombardo said: "There was a piece of casting we had to rethink, [a role] that was compromised. We all knew Daenerys' journey was critical. Her scenes with Jason just didn't work." Merchant ultimately agreed the role was not for her, saying: "[Getting cut] was an affirmation about listening to my instincts and following them, because I tried to back out of that situation and, during the contract process, I did back out. I was talked back into it by some persuasive people." FX Productions Jordan Reid on 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' In the ultimately unaired pilot for the long-running FX sitcom "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," the key character Deandra "Sweet Dee" Reynolds, Dennis' twin sister, was not played by the familiar face of Kaitlin Olson. Lead actors and writers Glenn Howerton, Rob McElhenney, and Charlie Day filmed a pilot that got the show greenlit by FX, and Dee was played by McElhenney's then-girlfriend, Jordan Reid. According to Reid herself, however, due to some behind-the-scenes drama and Reid and McElhenney splitting, Reid was released from her role, which was later recast. Warner Bros Television Jane Levy on 'Shameless' The first season of Showtime's U.S. adaptation of the British series "Shameless" saw Jane Levy in the role of troubled teen Mandy Milkovich, who befriends and attempts to seduce the closeted Ian Gallagher. After Season 1, fans may have felt a little bewildered to suddenly see Emma Greenwell in Levy's spot, but Levy opted for a role she was much more eager to land: the starring role on ABC's "Suburgatory." In an interview for Backstage, Levy said of the decision to take a chance on "Suburgatory": "I try not to get attached to stuff; I try to move on. But this was the first one I went out for and it was exciting. ... When I found out it was actually going to happen, I went crazy." ABC Family James Neate on 'Pretty Little Liars' ABC Family's twisty adaptation of the popular book series made a few key changes after filming the pilot episode, including recasting the crucial role of Toby Cavanaugh, stepbrother of the villainous Jenna Marshall. Actor James Neate actually played Toby's role in the aired pilot episode. However, after that pilot, Keegan Allen took over as Toby. It remains unknown why the swap was made, but this wasn't the only role that was recast after "Pretty Little Liars" Season 1: The role of Allison's brother, Jason, was also recast. Shapiro/West Productions Phil Bruns on 'Seinfeld' It's hard to forget the character of Jerry's father, Morty Seinfeld, played memorably throughout the eponymous series by Barney Martin. But in a Season 1 episode titled "The Stake Out," which features an appearance from Jerry's parents, Phil Bruns can be seen playing the role. Basically, according to director Tom Cherones in the behind-the-scenes special features on the DVDs for Seasons 1 and 2, "Seinfeld" showrunners Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld decided they wanted the character of Jerry's father to be more abrasive, implying that Bruns didn't portray the desired character vibe. Imagine Entertainment Alessandra Torresani on 'Arrested Development' Ann Veal's character was meant to be a forgettable girl on "Arrested Development," so maybe watchers didn't notice her original actor, Alessandra Torresani, was replaced by Mae Whitman after Season 1. But the initial reason she was recast actually played into the joke around her character of being utterly bland: She was supposed to get cast as a different actor over and over. As revealed by Whitman in an interview, however, the showrunners ended up sticking with her, jokingly revealing: "They were like, 'No, no, you're making the whole 'not memorable' thing work; we'll just go with that.'" lev radin // Shutterstock Rachel Dratch on '30 Rock' It feels like there's no way any fan of the NBC sitcom "30 Rock" can imagine Jenna Maroney played by anyone else but Jane Krakowski. Still, former SNL star and comedian Rachel Dratch actually held the role during an unaired pilot. Liz Lemon's best friend and star of the fictional "Girlie Show" was named "Jenna DeCarlo" in the unaired pilot, but a shift in tone prompted a swap for Krakowski. On the switch, Dratch told the New York Post, "The direction of the character had changed, and pilots are recast all the time." lev radin // Shutterstock Jennifer Ehle on 'Game of Thrones' Daenerys Targaryen wasn't the only major "Game of Thrones" character to get a shake-up after filming the unaired pilot. Before the series was picked up, the original actor playing Catelyn Stark, Jennifer Ehle, decided to back out. In an interview with The Daily Beast, Ehle explained that she had found out the series had been picked up after six months of continuous work, clarifying: "My daughter was seven months old when we did the pilot. It was too soon for me to be working, emotionally and bonding-wise." Mutant Enemy Riff Regan on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' Alyson Hannigan's portrayal of Willow Rosenberg on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" has become iconic, but that role almost turned out very differently. As with many other TV series, "Buffy" had an unaired pilot—and in that pilot, Willow's character was portrayed by actor Riff Regan. In an interview on the show's DVD special features, casting director Marcia Shulman said Regan "just didn't work" in the role, going on to explain that "when we got picked up, we always felt that we were going to start again and look for another Willow." Warner Bros Television Alex Borstein on 'Gilmore Girls' It's hard to fathom anyone but Melissa McCarthy in the role of Sookie St. James—yet in the unaired, original "Gilmore Girls" pilot, Sookie was actually played by "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" and "Family Guy" actor Alex Borstein. However, at the time, Borstein was still a cast member on the late-night sketch comedy show "MADtv," and they wouldn't let her out of her contract to join "Gilmore Girls." "I wanted to do both," Borstein told BuzzFeed in a 2013 interview. "They wouldn't share me." Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic // Getty Images Lisa Kudrow on 'Frasier' Everyone knows Lisa Kudrow as the eccentric Phoebe Buffay on "Friends," but there was a brief period when she was Roz Doyle, producer of Frasier Crane's radio program on "Frasier." Kudrow had snagged the part, but three days into filming the pilot, things weren't shaking out: "I wasn't right for the part [or] for the chemistry of the group. So that wasn't working," Kudrow explained on "The Howard Stern Show" in 2021. Kudrow also felt she wasn't director James Burrows' "cup of tea," which ultimately caused a few road bumps when she got cast on "Friends"—another Burrows project. "Frasier" co-creator Peter Casey also explained the situation on writer Ken Levine's blog, citing that Kudrow wasn't forceful or assertive enough for the dynamic with the titular character. Casey said they were rewriting the character of Roz less strong each day for Kudrow, and after realizing the change needed to be made, they called Kudrow with "great regret" and informed her they were recasting her. Leon Bennett // Getty Images Frances Fisher on 'Home Improvement' Now recognized for her dramatic work in acclaimed films like "Titanic" and "Unforgiven," actor Frances Fisher was originally cast in the part of Tim Taylor's wife, Jill, on "Home Improvement." Jumping off from her soap opera work at the time, Fisher still had very little comedy experience, and shortly after taping began for the pilot, she was swapped out for Patricia Richardson. "Frances is a great actress," "Home Improvement" co-star Richard Karn told News.com, "but in this role with Tim [Allen], she came off more as a victim to him than his equal." Kathy Hutchins // Shutterstock Merrin Dungey on 'Private Practice' When the long-running medical drama "Grey's Anatomy" aired its backdoor pilot episode for the upcoming spinoff "Private Practice" in 2007, the new character of Dr. Naomi Bennett, played by Merrin Dungey, was introduced. However, shortly after the episode aired, it was announced Bennett's role would be taken over by Audra McDonald in the full season set to premiere in the fall. Why the switch? Well, according to Variety, it simply had to do with chemistry issues between Dungey and the actor who played her character's estranged husband, Sam: Taye Diggs. Touchstone Television Jazz Raycole on 'My Wife and Kids' Fans of the popular sitcom "My Wife and Kids," starring Damon Wayans and Tisha Campbell, were first introduced to Jazz Raycole's Claire Kyle—Michael's stubborn teenage daughter—throughout Season 1. But by Season 2, viewers may have been surprised to see Jennifer Freeman suddenly in the role of Claire. Speaking to the Christian Post in 2012, Raycole explained that, as she was only 12 when she was cast, it was just a matter of producers wanting someone older for the part. However, in the book "The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable Shows," it is further revealed that the recast came after Raycole's mother took issue with a storyline where one of Claire's teenage friends became pregnant. Kathy Hutchins // Shutterstock Maura Tierney on 'Parenthood' In the series adaptation of "Parenthood"—based on the 1989 movie of the same name—Maura Tierney was cast in the role of Sarah Braverman, one of the show's central characters. However, after appearing in the unaired pilot, the series premiere was pushed to accommodate Tierney's breast cancer treatments. Ultimately, the treatments would take longer than hoped, forcing Tierney to drop out of the role Lauren Graham took over for the show's midseason premiere. Concerning the recast, an NBC spokesperson stated: "While we are saddened that Maura Tierney won't be able to continue in her current role in 'Parenthood,' our main concern is for her quick and full recovery." Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images Lori Rom on 'Charmed' Fans of the popular supernatural series "Charmed" recognize the character of Phoebe Halliwell as played by Alyssa Milano, but in the first pilot, Phoebe was played by "Dawson's Creek" actor Lori Rom. As revealed in an interview with series creator Constance M. Burge for InTouch Weekly in 2018, Rom allegedly left the show for "personal reasons," as Burge understood it—though she did not elaborate further. "She was accommodated and after that we just got so fortunate with Alyssa," Burge explained. "It was horrid and sad for her to go, but we were fortunate that it all worked out with Alyssa." Don Arnold/WireImage // Getty Images Miranda Otto on 'Westworld' Many may recognize Australian actor Miranda Otto for her roles in Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings" film series and Netflix's "The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina." But for a brief moment, Otto was a character on HBO's "Westworld" before being recast while filming the pilot. Cast as Virginia Pittman, "the head of [Westworld's] Quality Assurance department," Otto was quietly replaced as "producers re-conceived the role." Otto was replaced by Danish actor Sidse Babett Knudsen, and the character was renamed "Theresa Cullen." Amy Sussman // Getty Images Florencia Lozano on 'Gossip Girl' After landing the role of Upper East Sider Blair Waldorf's mom on The CW's "Gossip Girl" and appearing in the aired pilot, viewers may have been surprised at the time to no longer see Florencia Lozano in Eleanor Waldorf's role. By the fourth episode—and throughout the rest of the series—Blair's mom was played by Margaret Colin. So why the switch? Well, there's no official report from the actors or anyone behind the series about why Eleanor was changed—though a TikTok user eventually called out this "major plot hole" in 2020. However, at the time, Lozano was only 16 years older than Leighton Meester, the actor who portrayed Blair, so it's possible producers wanted someone a bit older for the part. Warner Bros Television Ruby Rose on 'Batwoman' Viral model and actor Ruby Rose took up the mantle as Batwoman for the eponymous CW show based on Bruce Wayne's vigilante cousin, but by the end of the first season, she had announced her departure. For a while, the reasoning behind her exit remained unclear, but then sources alleged she couldn't acclimate to the long filming hours in Vancouver: "It was a breakup," one source claimed to TV Line. Subsequently, Rose told Entertainment Weekly both an injury she sustained in 2019 and the coronavirus pandemic played a role in her decision to leave. For Seasons 2 through 3 (the final season), Batwoman was played by Javicia Leslie. Warner Bros Television Shailene Woodley on 'The O.C.' "The Fault in Our Stars" actor Shailene Woodley had a recurring role on Season 1 of "The O.C." as Kaitlin Cooper, little sister to Mischa Barton's Marissa Cooper. However, Woodley was nowhere to be found in Season 2, with Kaitlin's character not returning until Season 3, where she was played by Willa Holland. Though Woodley took to Twitter in 2020 to call being on "The O.C." "one of [her] proudest accomplishments," she revealed in a Wired interview that she was a "late bloomer" and that the producers of the show wanted a "girl who had a body." Amy Sussman // Getty Images Brook Kerr on 'True Blood' For the entire six-year run of "True Blood," Rutina Wesley played Tara Thornton, the childhood friend of series protagonist Sookie Stackhouse. However, over a decade ago, the unaired pilot for "True Blood" leaked online, showcasing Tara's never-before-seen original actor: Brook Kerr. No official reason has been given as to why the switch was made for this character. However, some have speculated the eventual creative trouble with both Tara's character and the show could have been sensed from Kerr while filming her pilot—but it also could have simply been the producers wanting to take the character in a different direction. Frazer Harrison // Getty Images for THE TONY AWARDS Sharon Wilkins on '30 Rock' Sherri Shepherd is hilarious and unforgettable on "30 Rock" as Tracy Jordan's domineering wife, Angie, and it's difficult to conceive of someone else who'd be so perfect in the role. But eagle-eyed fans may have noticed that in Angie's first appearance on the show, on the Season 1 episode "Jack the Writer," Angie was played by a different actor: Sharon Wilkins. Wilkins appeared in only one episode as Angie before Shepherd took over for the rest of the series. An official statement has never been released for why Wilkins got the boot. Still, it's undeniable that Wilkins isn't very memorable in her one-episode spot, after which Shepherd goes on to wholly immortalize the role. Michael Tran/FilmMagic // Getty Images Nathan Wetherington on 'Gilmore Girls' On "Gilmore Girls," Jared Padalecki played the part of Rory Gilmore's first boyfriend, Dean Forester. Now arguably most famous for his co-starring role on "Supernatural," Padalecki snagged the recurring part in the popular dramedy when Dean's original actor, Nathan Wetherington, was recast after filming the original pilot (the same pilot that featured Alex Borstein as Sookie St. James). According to Wetherington, the scene where he meets Rory took 45 takes to get right, and ultimately, he said his experience filming was unpleasant. So it likely wasn't surprising when he found out he was being replaced. Paramount Television Jeffrey Hunter on 'Star Trek' The iconic role of Captain Kirk on the original "Star Trek" is a role utterly exalted in the annals of pop culture by actor William Shatner. Well, would you believe that Shatner wasn't even the first actor to get the part? That original actor was a man named Jeffrey Hunter, who played Captain Christopher Pike during the show's official pilot before Shatner replaced him, and the role was rewritten as "Captain James T. Kirk" for the first episode. As divulged in Shatner's 1993 memoir "Star Trek Memories," the public story was that Hunter quit to make a movie. Still, Shatner claimed he was "canned after his ex-model wife repeatedly burst onto the set to demand that her husband get more flattering camera angles." Talk about behind-the-scenes drama. Story editing by Jeff Smith. Copy editing by Andrew Mangan.
	Contractors begin removal of a downtown Muscatine building Demolition was set to begin on Monday, with exact timing depending on further evaluations.
	Who shops at farmers markets in the US? People who shop at the more than 8,700 farmers markets operating in the U.S. either year-round or seasonally generally fall into six distinct groups. Three of them are more interested in farmers markets than the others. I study local food systems as a strategic communications scholar, and that’s the main takeaway from a study that I conducted with several colleagues. As we explained in the March 2026 edition of British Food Journal, people who fall into those groups have different levels of interest in farmers markets but also have some things in common. Most people who shop at them are motivated to go because they want healthy, fresh food, they support local farmers and they think going to the farmers market is fun. This is not a niche activity. An earlier study I worked on found that 81% of U.S. adults said that they shop at a farmers market at least once a year. For both studies, we pulled survey data from a nationally representative sample of 5,141 U.S. consumers that was conducted Aug. 2-11, 2023. It had a margin of error of plus or minus 1.8 percentage points. Researchers define farmers markets and local food in different ways. So we asked respondents to simply think of farmers markets as places where they can buy food directly from more than one vendor and where all or most of the items are locally grown, raised or made. We defined local food as being grown in their state or 250 miles or less from their homes. Highly engaged, health-focused and emerging interest We determined that about 18% of those surveyed are “highly engaged” farmers market shoppers. They care a lot about food and enjoy buying, preparing and eating fresh food. They are excited about many aspects of farmers markets, which are places where this group shops for a variety of reasons, such as supporting local farmers, buying nutritious, delicious food and connecting with community. Nearly 65% of these shoppers were women. This group was the most diverse, with 27% of respondents identifying as Hispanic, 20% Black and 4% multiracial. They also had significantly lower average annual household incomes than other groups, averaging US$40,000-$50,000. We found that another 18% of the people surveyed were “health-focused.” Like the highly engaged shoppers, they make buying and eating healthy food a high priority. However, this group doesn’t enjoy cooking as much. The health-focused group tends to avoid genetically modified foods, as well as convenient options like takeout food, frozen dinners and microwave-ready meals. About 58% of them were women and their average age was 57, making them the oldest of the groups. Roughly 70% of the health-focused group was white, making it less diverse than the highly engaged group but more diverse than some of the other groups. Finally, about 19% of the respondents were what we called “emerging interest” farmers market shoppers. They value convenience and learning about food. This group was the most likely to see going to the farmers market as a fun activity. Emerging interest shoppers were nearly evenly split by gender, with 52% women. Their average age was 44 years old, making them the youngest of the groups. Convenience, practicality and happenstance We also identified three groups of consumers who were less interested in farmers markets than the highly engaged, health-focused and emerging interest shoppers, even if some of them do occasionally shop at the markets anyway. About 16% of farmers market shoppers are people we identified as “convenience” shoppers. They are more likely to eat frozen dinners and buy takeout. They rarely cook meals from scratch using produce and other fresh ingredients. About 43% of them say they never or rarely shop at a farmers market. Around 59% of them are men and 37% are people of color. Tashana Small sells mac and cheese ‘cupcakes’ topped with pulled pork, Buffalo chicken tenders and Cajun shrimp at a farmers market on Long Island in 2023. Erica Marcus/Newsday RM via Getty Images via The Conversation Roughly 17% of these shoppers fall into a “practical” category. They methodically plan their grocery shopping and are among the least interested in farmers markets, with more than half saying that they either rarely or never shop at them. Practical consumers were close to evenly split by gender; 53% were women. Their income tended to be the highest of the groups, typically in the $60,000-$75,000 range. We called the 12% of the shoppers in the final group we surveyed “uninvolved.” This group showed very little interest in farmers markets or any other food-related activities. About 3 in 4 rarely or never go to farmers markets. Nearly 70% of uninvolved farmers market shoppers were men and 76% were white. When someone in the uninvolved group goes to a farmers market, they may be going out of happenstance or because someone in their life wants them to go – not due to any personal interest. If you forget, you’ll miss it We believe this information could help farmers markets better serve their customers and perhaps attract more shoppers. People can, of course, go to farmers markets for more than one reason, and not everybody fits neatly into one of these categories. And everyone we surveyed had something in common: Forgetting to go was the biggest reason shoppers of all kinds didn’t make a trip to the farmers market in a given week.This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Bret R. Shaw, University of Wisconsin-Madison Read more:Farmers markets are growing their role as essential sources of healthy food for rich and poorHow food became the perfect beachhead for gentrificationAmerican farmers, who once fed the world, face a volatile global market with diminishing federal backingBret Shaw's work tied to this article was supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA, award no. 2023-68006-38984).
	How long can flooded crops survive? Iowa State experts share recovery guidelines after severe storms Iowa State University Extension experts release key guidelines to help farmers evaluate wind-damaged corn and flooded soybeans after recent storms.
	Water main break in Moline The City of Moline says crews are responding to a water main break.
	Should you accept an insurance settlement offer after an accident? Should you accept an insurance settlement offer after an accident?You are in an accident, you are hurt, distressed, and out of work, trying to figure out how to make ends meet. Your first impulse may be to accept any settlement the insurance company offers to move forward with your life. Is that the best decision?While taking an initial settlement offer may seem like the answer to your immediate concerns, an initial offer is likely to be far less than your personal injury claim is worth. If you have serious injuries, an initial settlement offer may not cover all your medical bills and lost wages. Car accident victims should contact an experienced personal injury attorney for a free case evaluation. A personal injury lawyer can review the circumstances of your accident and discuss the best way to pursue full and fair compensation.Here, Bayuk Pratt outlines several factors to consider before accepting an insurance company settlement offer after an accident.What Is an Insurance Settlement Offer?In some states, motorists are required by law to carry car insurance. Auto insurance helps cover medical expenses and property damage following a car accident. States like Georgia, for example, follow an at-fault insurance model. If you suffered harm in a crash due to someone else’s negligence, you may have a right to seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company.An insurer may make a quick, low-ball offer to settle a case before the full costs of a serious accident, such as future medical expenses and lost income, are fully understood. The insurer’s goal is to limit its liability. In exchange for accepting a settlement offer, personal injury victims waive the right to pursue further compensation from the insurance company for their injuries. Settlements are legally binding agreements.Should I Consult with My Lawyer Before Accepting a Settlement Offer from the Insurance Company?It’s typically recommended that you consult a personal injury attorney with extensive experience handling personal injury cases.Most big insurance companies are more concerned with protecting their profit margins than with offering a fair settlement to injured victims. If you are feeling financial stress about mounting medical bills, your inner voice may be telling you, “Just accept the settlement offer from the insurance company.” However, most initial offers are made strategically before accident victims understand the severity of their physical injuries and how their injuries may affect their daily life and ability to work. These lowball offers are made in the hope that a victim will agree to accept a settlement and shield the insurer from personal injury litigation.It is rarely in your best interest to accept an initial offer or to enter settlement negotiations with an insurance company on your own. Seeking the advice of an experienced car accident lawyer could be a helpful first step. A personal injury lawyer can calculate the fair value of your claim and negotiate for maximum compensation for your injuries. If you have severe injuries.Do You Have to Accept an Insurance Company’s Initial Offer?No, you do not have to accept an initial offer. Too often, financially vulnerable accident victims feel pressured into accepting an initial insurance company offer. The reality is, you may not know your anticipated medical costs until you have been released from the care of medical professionals. It’s often recommended to wait until you have completed medical treatment before submitting an injury claim. You have options, such as rejecting the offer or making a counteroffer.What Are Some Reasons You Shouldn’t Accept the First Offer Without Legal Advice?First and foremost, it’s important to weigh your options before accepting a first offer, especially before consulting a lawyer. An insurance adjuster may act friendly and concerned. But insurance companies are for-profit businesses interested in protecting their bottom line.A skilled car accident attorney can review your situation and offer guidance about the value of your claim and strategies that provide the most favorable outcome. Here are some cautions to consider when taking an initial offer without legal advice:The offer is usually relatively low.You may not yet be aware of the full extent of your injuries.You have not yet reached maximum medical improvement.You do not know how long you may be out of work or the amount of your lost wages.You do not know if you can return to work in the same capacity.Agreeing to the settlement releases the at-fault party from further liability and prevents you from pursuing additional compensation.Before accepting anything, it is best to speak with an attorney and review all of your legal options for resolving a personal injury case.How Should You Respond to an Insurance Settlement Offer?To protect your legal interests, it’s often advised to let an attorney knowledgeable about personal injury law respond to any insurance settlement offer. A skilled attorney can guide you through the legal process and manage all communication between you and the insurance company. Your attorney can advocate on your behalf and be prepared to pursue a personal injury lawsuit if the insurer refuses to agree to a fair settlement.What Happens if You Decline an Insurance Settlement Offer?The claims process doesn’t end because you decline an initial insurance settlement offer. You still have options for seeking compensation for your injuries. Declining an offer can lead to further negotiations. An attorney can present a counteroffer on your behalf by issuing a demand letter supported by evidence that shows the severity of your injuries and losses.The insurance company can reassess the situation and may increase its offer. When negotiations stall, filing a lawsuit may be another option for seeking the compensation you need.Will Insurance Companies Try to Delay the Settlement to Have the Statute of Limitations Run Out?An adjuster may attempt to delay the settlement process, extending the time it takes to reach an acceptable agreement. Why? It is a tactic to limit your legal options for pursuing compensation.Some state laws have a two-year statute of limitations that applies to personal injury lawsuits. This means that injury victims have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If you miss this legal deadline, the court can dismiss your case. You lose negotiating power with the insurer to settle before the court date and your day in court. Insurers know this and may drag their feet to limit your ability to pursue maximum compensation.When Should You Accept the Insurance Company’s Settlement Offer?Accepting an insurance company settlement offer often depends on the specifics of the case and the extent of the damages involved. It’s important to consider whether the settlement fully covers medical care for your injuries and other losses related to the accident.This story was produced by Bayuk Pratt and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Should you stay or should you go? SoFi survey on why people switch auto policies Should you stay or should you go? SoFi survey on why people switch auto policiesThe rising cost of car insurance prompts people to think about making a change, but perhaps not as often as you’d expect, according to SoFi’s Spring 2026 Auto Insurance Survey.Car insurance premiums in the United States have gone up more than 55% since 2020. So it wasn’t too surprising that, in the survey, conducted Jan. 23-26, 2026, most of the 787 participants (61%) reported recent increases in their rates.Yet only slightly over half (55%) of those policyholders went on to shop for new car insurance.The other 45% didn’t bother to seek out a different insurer. Many called the process too time-consuming and inconvenient, while others said that unbundling auto coverage from home or renters’ policies would be too difficult.With enough price pressure, though, policyholders overcame that friction. Among people who reported “significant” hikes without a “clear reason,” the share of shoppers jumped to 71%. Among all respondents, almost half (48%) said they’d switch for an annual savings of $250 or less.Ultimately, 47% of those hit with higher rates did change insurers. What made them shift gears? Why did others stay parked? In this article, SoFi dives into the survey data to shed some light on policyholders’ often surprising decision-making. SoFi Key PointsDespite facing higher premiums, only 55% of affected policyholders shopped for new insurance.Almost 4 in 10 (38%) active shoppers checked to see if they were currently overpaying, while 33% were motivated by significantly higher premiums at renewal time.Friction in the switching process kept many from changing insurers, as 53% said potential savings weren’t worth the hassle, and 13% found the process too complicated.One in 5 respondents switched policies. Among those who scored lower rates, 63% saved between $100 and $500 in their first year.Most Satisfied Policyholders Don’t ShopThe largest share of non-shoppers (38%) is satisfied with existing car insurance coverage. Most of these satisfied non-shoppers (63%) also say standing pat is the best long-term strategy “for better rates and service.”One in 5 (20%) non-shoppers explained that they didn’t expect to find a rate lower than their current one. As for strategy, 44% of them think that customers get better rates and service by staying with one company, but 31% shrug that “all companies are the same,” so “it doesn’t matter.”Another 19% of non-shoppers said they simply weren’t willing to spend the time or deal with the “hassle” of the process, regardless of the possible outcome. SoFi Top three reasons that people didn’t shop:I’m happy with my current price and service. 38%I don’t think I’ll actually find a cheaper rate. 20%The process is too much of a hassle or takes too much time. 19%45% Shop, But Most Still Don’t Switch PoliciesOn the other side of the coin, the 45% of survey respondents who actively shopped for car insurance within the preceding year did it for the money.Roughly 2 out of 5 (38%) shoppers were checking to see if they were currently overpaying. Significantly higher renewal premiums motivated one-third (33%) of shoppers. SoFi Top three reasons that people shopped:I just wanted to see if I was overpaying. 38%My renewal premium was significantly higher. 33%I had a bad customer service or claims experience. 13%When gathering information and comparing rates, more than 4 out of 5 shoppers (82%) solicited quotes from online sources. Almost half of shoppers (46%) used online comparison sites to see multiple quotes; most of those people stayed put, by a margin of 53% to 37%.By contrast, shoppers who either contacted a local agent (14%) or sought out the websites of a few specific carriers (36%) — that is, people who applied more effort and focus to the task — were noticeably more likely to switch. The margins were four and nine percentage points, respectively.Why Shoppers Stay PutIn the end, only 44% of shoppers (equal to 20% of all respondents) switched their car insurance, while 56% opted to remain.Roughly two-thirds of shoppers who stayed put (66%) did so because of friction in the process. Most (53%) explained that the potential savings weren’t worth the hassle of switching, while another 13% found the switching process “too complicated.” SoFi Top three reasons why those who shopped didn’t switch:The savings I found weren’t big enough to be worth the hassle. 53%My current insurer matched the price to keep me. 24%The process to complete the switch was too complicated. 13%What’s Trust Got to Do With It?A large majority of respondents (90%) have no beef with their insurers. Almost two-thirds (64%) say they trust their insurers “completely” or “somewhat” to proactively provide them with the best rates and all qualifying discounts. An additional 26% describe themselves as “neutral” — meaning that 9 in 10 respondents believe their insurers aren’t gouging them.And yet high levels of trust don’t necessarily prevent people from shopping around.• Almost two-thirds of those who shopped (65%) expressed trust in their current insurers; among non-shoppers, the percentage was almost identical (64%).• Almost half (46%) of policyholders who trust their insurers “completely” or “somewhat” shopped anyway.This is also the case among low-trust policyholders. Ten percent of respondents professed distrust in their insurers, but only about half of those folks (54%) bothered to shop for better rates.How Much Savings Would Motivate a Switch?What’s the trigger point for change? More than one-quarter of all respondents would make the leap for an annual savings of $250. This suggests that the potential reductions that shoppers find in the marketplace are far smaller than that. SoFi 27% say saving $250 would be enough for them to switch insurers.21% say saving $100 would be enough.17% say saving any amount would be enough.13% say no amount of money would cause them to switch.Trust Takes a Back Seat to SavingsMore than one-quarter of respondents (29%) trust their insurer completely. But for savings of $500 or less, a large majority of them (73%) would switch. For $250 or less, more than half (56%) would switch. And 14% would switch for any amount of savings at all.Almost two-thirds of respondents (64%) say they trust their insurer “completely” or “somewhat.” Eighty percent of them would switch to save $500 or less.Savings Doesn’t Tell the Whole StoryAmong all respondents, about one-fifth (21%) reported that their premiums “went up significantly” without “a clear reason.” The vast majority of them (71%) shopped, and 57% of shoppers switched.Of the shoppers facing significant increases who nevertheless stayed put, fully half said that the savings they found weren’t “worth the hassle” of switching. One in 5 reported that their current insurers kept them as customers by matching their potential savings.But expectations also played a role. Of the plurality of shoppers (41%) who said their renewal premium “went up slightly,” which they expected, most (60%) did not switch insurers.Roughly 3 in 10 respondents (29%) said their renewal premiums stayed the same or went down. Among this group, about two-thirds (64%) kept their current policies. Most of those who switched found substantial savings, with 74% saving more than $100 annually.Switchers’ Actual SavingsIn the end, 44% of shoppers (20% of all respondents) made a change. More than 90% of the switchers saved money as a result. Among those who scored lower rates, 63% saved between $100 and $500 in their first year. SoFi The TakeawayThe SoFi Spring 2026 Auto Insurance Survey reveals a significant gap between rising costs and consumer action. Despite a 55% surge in premiums since 2020, 45% of affected policyholders failed to shop for better rates, primarily citing “hassle” and complexity. Surprisingly, 90% of respondents maintain high trust in their insurers, yet 80% would abandon that loyalty for savings of $500 or less. For those who did switch, the rewards were tangible: 90% saved money, with 63% reducing their annual costs by $100 to $500.This story was produced by SoFi and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Únase a la lucha contra la ELA: Regístrese y marque la diferencia (Feature Impact) Cada año, los médicos diagnostican a más de 5000 personas en los Estados Unidos con esclerosis lateral amiotrófica, más conocida como ELA. Este es un diagnóstico que cambia la vida. Aun así, es difícil estimar la cantidad total de casos de ELA en los Estados Unidos. Nadie sabe qué causa la mayoría de los casos de ELA, algo que el Registro Nacional de ELA de los EE. UU. está tratando de cambiar. En honor al Mes de Concientización sobre la ELA, obtenga más información sobre el registro, cómo se utiliza su información y cómo inscribirse. ¿Qué es la ELA? La ELA es una enfermedad que afecta las células nerviosas que hacen que los músculos funcionen en el cuerpo. Esta enfermedad hace que las células nerviosas dejen de funcionar y mueran. Los nervios pierden la capacidad de activar músculos específicos, lo que hace que los músculos se debiliten y se produzca una parálisis. ¿Qué es el registro? “El Registro Nacional de ELA es un programa creado por y para las personas que viven con ELA”, explicó el doctor Paul Mehta, principal investigador del Registro. “Tiene el propósito de recopilar, gestionar y analizar datos sobre las personas con ELA en los Estados Unidos. Incluye datos e información proporcionada por quienes deciden registrarse y completar las encuestas de factores de riesgo”. ¿Cuál es su objetivo? El objetivo principal es recopilar información que pueda utilizarse en la lucha contra la ELA. La información se utiliza para lo siguiente: Estimar la cantidad de nuevos casos de ELA diagnosticados cada año. Estimar la cantidad de personas que tienen ELA en un momento dado. Comprender mejor quién presenta ELA y qué factores afectan la enfermedad. Ampliar la investigación que podría mejorar la atención a las personas con ELA. ¿Cómo utilizan los investigadores los datos? Los investigadores pueden utilizar los datos para buscar cambios en los patrones de la enfermedad a lo largo del tiempo y tratar de identificar si existen factores de riesgo comunes entre las personas con ELA. Desde el 2010, el registro ha financiado más de una docena de estudios que exploran los posibles factores de riesgo de la ELA. ¿Cómo se ve la participación? Se anima a las personas con ELA a compartir sus historias, mejorando los datos sobre la ELA y apoyando los esfuerzos de investigación. Las personas que viven con ELA pueden ayudar al Registro Nacional de ELA completando hasta 18 encuestas de factores de riesgo, que cubren temas como antecedentes ocupacionales y exposiciones ambientales, lo cual ayuda a crear un panorama más completo de su historia de ELA. ¿Cómo puede alguien unirse? Cualquier persona que viva con ELA puede inscribirse. Al unirse y realizar las encuestas de factores de riesgo, las personas que viven con ELA tienen la oportunidad de ayudar a las generaciones futuras. Comience en cdc.gov/als/join.
	Wondering how long your dog will really live? See the 35 longest-living breeds, according to data. Linas T // Shutterstock Longest-living dog breeds Pet ownership in the United States has exploded over the last few decades. As of 2026, about 70% of U.S. households own a pet, according to the American Pet Products Association; a significant increase from 56% in 1988. The biggest sector of pet owners is millennials, followed by Gen Xers and baby boomers. Dogs are by far the most popular pets for Americans, with 68 million households owning one. It's long been said that dogs are a human's best friend. And for good reason: They provide company, unconditional love, safety, and best of all, they make us happy. There are a slew of factors that go into choosing a dog breed, including the size of your home and city; your family; your allergies; your wallet; and even your own memories of a previous companion—if you grew up with a golden retriever, for instance, maybe you want the same experience for your children. Beyond boosting our happiness, owning a dog can increase our lifespans, according to a 2017 Swedish study in the Scientific Reports journal. Of course, dogs' lifespans are another matter entirely, though modern medicine may soon give us more time with our four-legged friends. A new drug that promises to extend dogs' lifespans is well on its way to widespread accessibility after passing the Target Animal Safety section of its conditional approval application in January 2026. Without medical intervention, larger dogs generally have shorter lifespans than smaller ones. But that's not always the case, as the forthcoming data indicates. To find out the 35 longest-living dog breeds, Stacker examined data from a 2024 study published in the journal Nature, which looked at nearly 585,000 dogs in the United Kingdom across 155 breeds. The top 35 breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club with the longest average lifespans were then ranked. Each breed's 2025 AKC popularity ranking, released in 2026, is also included but did not impact the ranking. Read on to find out which dogs are known for their longevity, and if your favorite breed made the list. kathrineva20 // Shutterstock #35. Australian shepherd (tie) - Median lifespan: 13.7 years - Popularity rank: 14 Australian shepherds actually originated in Europe, where the Basque people bred them to herd sheep in the Pyrenees Mountains. The Basque brought their loyal pups with them when emigrating from Europe to Australia, then from Australia to California, and the breed's name was born. Highly affectionate companions, Aussies still possess a strong independent streak and require plenty of obedience training to stay out of trouble. Rita_Kochmarjova #35. Bedlington terrier (tie) - Median lifespan: 13.7 years - Popularity rank: 147 This English breed has an unusual appearance and a quirky personality to match. First bred in the 1800s, these fluffy pups might look like pampered lap dogs, but originally served a less adorable purpose—killing rats in the coal mines of Bedlington shire. Once renowned as fierce fighters, Bedlington terriers are highly athletic and love exercising with their owners. Lisjatina // Shutterstock #35. Miniature pinscher (tie) - Median lifespan: 13.7 years - Popularity rank: 67 These roughly foot-tall dogs are known for their fearless confidence and unique "hackney" gait. Though often mistakenly thought of as a miniature Doberman pinscher, the miniature pinscher's exact ancestry is unknown, though dachshunds and Italian greyhounds are likely possibilities. Energetic and compact, miniature pinschers once worked as ratting dogs and still require plenty of exercise today. Aart W. van Wijk // Shutterstock #35. Petit basset griffon Vendéen (tie) - Median lifespan: 13.7 years - Popularity rank: 161 The petit basset griffon Vendéen, or PBGV, stands between 13 and 15 inches tall and weighs around 25 to 40 pounds. Despite their relatively small size, these shaggy pups are intrepid hunting hounds, bred to bag rabbits in western France. Today, the breed serves as a beloved family companion and has recently become a celebrated show dog. Buddy Holly became the first PBGV to win best in show at the Westminster Dog Show in 2023. Wirestock Creators // Shutterstock #35. Soft-coated Wheaten terrier (tie) - Median lifespan: 13.7 years - Popularity rank: 76 Sturdy and muscular with a silky coat, the soft-coated Wheaten terrier was bred to handle farm chores such as ratting, guarding chicken coops, and bird-dogging. As such, Wheatens are highly versatile companions that excel in a variety of modern dog sports, including dock diving and barn hunt. Sue Thatcher // Shutterstock #35. Spanish water dog (tie) - Median lifespan: 13.7 years - Popularity rank: 167 Sporting a thick, curly coat and webbed feet, the Spanish water dog is most at home retrieving waterfowl, though the breed has also been used to herd sheep on the Iberian Peninsula. Owners must be able to provide the Spanish water dog with plenty of exercise, ideally both on land and in the water. S.M // Shutterstock #29. Belgian Tervuren (tie) - Median lifespan: 13.8 years - Popularity rank: 115 These herding and guarding dogs are characterized by their long, straight coats, which set them apart from other Belgian herders. Due to the Belgian Tervuren's hardworking and intelligent nature, the breed is happiest when challenged through play or with a new task to master. Belgian Tervurens also display a sense of mischief, with owners reporting that they're frequently outsmarted by their dogs. olgagorovenko // Shutterstock #29. Bracco Italiano (tie) - Median lifespan: 13.8 years - Popularity rank: 136 The AKC added the bracco Italiano to the ranks of officially recognized breeds in 2022, but these large, spotted dogs have a much longer history. Sometimes called the oldest European pointer, the bracco has been around since at least the fourth or fifth century B.C., when the breed developed in northern Italy. Intelligent and affectionate, these dogs are valued for their hunting skills and tenacity. Lindaze // Shutterstock #29. Finnish Lapphund (tie) - Median lifespan: 13.8 years - Popularity rank: 127 Though the short, fluffy Finnish Lapphund bears a certain resemblance to lap dogs like the Pomeranian, the breed was developed to herd reindeer. As a result, Lapphunds thoroughly enjoy participating in herding trials or playing with their owners. Anyone interested in owning one of these mild-mannered pups should be prepared to deal with a significant amount of shedding. Christian Mueller // Shutterstock #29. Parson Russell terrier (tie) - Median lifespan: 13.8 years - Popularity rank: 121 While not quite as well known as the slightly smaller Jack Russell terrier, the Parson Russell terrier has many of the same characteristics, from the breed's coloration to its highly affectionate nature. Sturdy with a wiry coat, Parson Russell terriers were bred in the U.K. for foxhunting, so they still have a strong prey drive. Long walks on a leash are a must, as PRTs can get easily distracted by new sights and scents. Slavica Stajic // Shutterstock #29. Tibetan terrier (tie) - Median lifespan: 13.8 years - Popularity rank: 118 The Tibetan terrier, bred as companion dogs in Tibetan monasteries over 2,000 years ago, has an affectionate, easygoing personality that makes it adaptable to both city and rural living, especially in places that get snow. These canines' large, flat feet are uniquely suited to crossing snowy and mountainous terrain. AntonMaltsev // Shutterstock #29. Welsh terrier (tie) - Median lifespan: 13.8 years - Popularity rank: 114 Bred to hunt otters and badgers in northern Wales, the Welsh terrier sports a curly, bicolor coat and intelligent, almond-shaped eyes that will easily win over any prospective owner. As long as Welsh terriers get enough exercise, these little dogs are easily trained to become affable and loyal companions. dodafoto // Shutterstock #23. Bearded collie (tie) - Median lifespan: 13.9 years - Popularity rank: 140 Bearded collies rank as one of the oldest British dog breeds still around today. You might recognize this fluffy herding pup from the 2006 Disney movie "The Shaggy Dog," in which a beardie played the canine alter ego of Tim Allen's character, Dave Douglas. Bearded collies are similarly goofy in real life, making for amusing and loving family pets. Cat Dana // Shutterstock #23. Löwchen (tie) - Median lifespan: 13.9 years - Popularity rank: 159 Also called the "little lion dog" due to its long, flowing coat, the löwchen was developed in Germany as a companion dog. These small and affectionate canines are among the rarest AKC-recognized breeds, and had nearly disappeared by World War II until breeders made a concerted effort to bolster the löwchen's numbers. To stay entertained, these dogs need plenty of play and affection from their owners. Zita Ile // Shutterstock #21. Australian cattle dog (tie) - Median lifespan: 14 years - Popularity rank: 47 Also known as a blue or red heeler, the sturdy Australian cattle dog counts the wild dingo among its ancestors. These muscular dogs are anything but untameable, however. They're eager to please their owners and excel at tasks requiring strength and agility. As for the breed's longevity, an ACD named Bluey, who passed away in 1939 at the age of 29, holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-lived dog. (And yes, Bluey on the popular kids' show of the same name is a blue heeler.) Francine parent // Shutterstock #21. Cairn terrier (tie) - Median lifespan: 14 years - Popularity rank: 68 The Cairn terrier comes from the Scottish Highlands and the Isle of Skye, where this shaggy breed hunted foxes and other prey from countryside burrows. Standing up to 10 inches tall at the shoulder and weighing less than 15 pounds, Cairn terriers exhibit a fearless personality despite their small stature. The breed has also notched a place in cinematic history: A Cairn terrier named Terry famously played Toto in 1939's "The Wizard of Oz." Sue Thatcher // Shutterstock #21. German spitz mittel (tie) - Median lifespan: 14 years - Popularity rank: Unranked The German spitz isn't overly cuddly compared to other breeds, but don't be fooled—these little guys are highly devoted to their owners and can be excellent watchdogs. The breed is known for its intelligence and independence, so plenty of exercise and mental stimulation are necessary to keep the more mischievous tendencies in check. Fortunately, the German spitz is highly trainable, as long as their owners invest plenty of time and effort. Natallia Yaumenenka // Shutterstock #21. Italian greyhound (tie) - Median lifespan: 14 years - Popularity rank: 53 The slender, elegant Italian greyhound has served as a prized companion dog for the past 2,000 years, beloved by aristocrats like Catherine the Great and Queen Victoria. Though not quite as speedy as the standard greyhound, Italian greyhounds can reach up to 25 miles per hour. As a result, iggys are also formidable racing dogs. Bianca Grueneberg // Shutterstock #21. Lhasa apso (tie) - Median lifespan: 14 years - Popularity rank: 83 Lhasa apsos might not look like divine emissaries, but these charming and petite dogs have long been associated with the celestial Snow Lion in their native Tibet. For at least 1,000 years, the Lhasa apso has watched over palaces, temples, and monasteries in the Himalayas. Owners are sure to be amused by the breed's innate intelligence, which can sometimes manifest as a streak of stubborn independence. Olha Didenko // Shutterstock #21. Miniature dachshund (tie) - Median lifespan: 14 years - Popularity rank: 5 (for regular-sized dachshund) Just 5 to 6 inches tall and weighing in at less than 11 pounds, the miniature dachshund comes in at a much smaller size than its standard counterpart. But these pint-sized pups more than make up for their short stature with an outsized personality. Curious and confident, miniature dachshunds possess huge amounts of energy that stems from their background as badger-hunting dogs in 19th-century Germany. zvery // Shutterstock #21. Norwich terrier (tie) - Median lifespan: 14 years - Popularity rank: 109 At 10 inches in height and 12 pounds in weight, the outgoing Norwich terrier possesses courage and tenacity far beyond its tiny size. The breed hails from East Anglia, England, where it worked as a ratting dog during the late 1800s, and these pooches have retained impressive hunting instincts over the centuries. Rest assured, however, that after a good walk or run, Norwich terriers are more than happy to curl up on the couch with their owners. chrisukphoto // Shutterstock #21. Poodle (tie) - Median lifespan: 14 years - Popularity rank: 6 The poodle's stereotype as a snobby, high-maintenance dog couldn't be further from the truth. Bred in Germany more than four centuries ago to hunt ducks, poodles are highly intelligent and extremely athletic, happy to dive into a lake or marsh to please their owners. Poodle parents praise the breed's versatility and trainability. Sue Thatcher // Shutterstock #21. Swedish vallhund (tie) - Median lifespan: 14 years - Popularity rank: 152 Also known as Viking dogs, the short and sturdy Swedish vallhund is thought to be descended from Scandinavian spitz dogs and Welsh corgis. Though much of the breed's history remains unknown, there's no denying these dogs' adorable looks and friendly personalities. Vallhunds need regular exercise, but their short legs make them ill-suited to long walks or runs. el-ka // Shutterstock #21. Welsh springer spaniel (tie) - Median lifespan: 14 years - Popularity rank: 141 Weighing in at up to 55 pounds, the Welsh springer spaniel is a medium-sized hunting dog with a feathery red-and-white coat. The Welshie's trademark thick fur helps protect these canines from bad weather and thorny underbrush while on the hunt. Be warned, though, that owners will have to put in significant time and effort to keep that coat in tip-top shape. Lenkadan // Shutterstock #11. Large Münsterländer - Median lifespan: 14.1 years - Popularity rank: Unranked This dignified hunting dog can trace its roots back to the Middle Ages, though planned breeding of the large Münsterländer didn't begin until the late 19th century. All these years later, hunters still appreciate the intelligence, trainability, and confidence of the large Münsterländer—but those who don't hunt may struggle to keep up with the breed's high energy level. Adree1985 // Shutterstock #10. Border terrier (tie) - Median lifespan: 14.2 years - Popularity rank: 91 Though perhaps not the most eye-catching breed, border terriers have won over countless owners since their early 18th-century beginnings in the U.K. These dogs have long worked as intrepid hunters, routing out barnyard rats and foxes alike. The modern border terrier still needs plenty of exercise, as well as attention, to stay happy and healthy. Cavan-Images // Shutterstock #10. Coton de Tuléar (tie) - Median lifespan: 14.2 years - Popularity rank: 79 This dog's name translates to "cotton from Tuléar," describing the breed's fluffy white coat and origins in the city of Tuléar in Madagascar. The Coton de Tuléar descends from the island nation's royal pets, who lived in a state of guarded isolation until being imported to Europe in the 1960s. Registered by the AKC in 2014, these adorable little dogs have retained their regal charm and charisma, making them popular family companions. ivkatefoto // Shutterstock #10. Lakeland terrier (tie) - Median lifespan: 14.2 years - Popularity rank: 157 The Lakeland terrier gets its name from northwest England's Lake District, where the breed developed as a reliable fox hunter capable of trekking over rocky terrain. These small dogs weigh about 17 pounds, though owners shouldn't expect a docile couch potato. Lakeland terriers are both highly intelligent and confident, so the breed requires ample training to stay out of trouble. Liudmila Bohush // Shutterstock #10. Schipperke (tie) - Median lifespan: 14.2 years - Popularity rank: 110 Hardy little Schipperkes display a strong curiosity alongside boundless energy that requires significant exercise to burn off. While the Schipperke's exact origins are contested today, most believe that the breed descends from Belgian herding dogs. However, the name, which translates to "little captain" in Flemish, hints at the Schipperke's role as a vermin hunter on ships in Belgium. Sandra Huber // Shutterstock #6. Havanese (tie) - Median lifespan: 14.5 years - Popularity rank: 25 Cuba's only native dog breed, the Havanese made its way to the U.S. during the Cuban Revolution of the 1950s. These long-haired dogs weigh between 7 and 13 pounds, and stand no taller than 12 inches, making them popular companions for city-dwellers. Havanese are also famously extroverted, so they get along easily with other dogs and children. Sue Thatcher // Shutterstock #6. Papillon (tie) - Median lifespan: 14.5 years - Popularity rank: 42 The Papillon's signature trait is its large feathered ears, which resemble a butterfly's wings: "Papillon" is the French word for butterfly. Despite standing just 8 to 11 inches tall, Papillons are highly athletic and love playing and running with their owners. The breed's versatility enables them to do well in all kinds of environments, whether on a farm in the countryside or in an apartment in a big city. mannpuku // Shutterstock #4. Shiba Inu - Median lifespan: 14.6 years - Popularity rank: 44 Small, muscular Shiba Inus are known as being headstrong and somewhat difficult to train. But that hasn't kept countless owners around the world from falling in love with these fox-like pups, who have worked as hunters in their native Japan since as far back as 300 B.C. Today, Shibas are one of the most popular pet dog in their home country, despite nearly going extinct during World War II. Wirestock Creators // Shutterstock #3. Bolognese - Median lifespan: 14.9 years - Popularity rank: Unranked As its name implies, the fuzzy Bolognese hails from Italy, where the breed developed prior to the 11th and 12th centuries. Beloved by Italian nobility like Cosimo de Medici and King Umberto, the Bolognese is a calm and loyal lapdog that requires little exercise. Be aware, however, that owners must be present as often as possible, since the Bolognese is prone to separation anxiety. Sue Thatcher // Shutterstock #2. Tibetan spaniel - Median lifespan: 15.2 years - Popularity rank: 122 Considering that Tibetan spaniels stand at a mere 10 inches tall, you might be surprised to learn that these fluffy little pooches once worked as watchdogs at Tibetan monasteries. The breed's thick, silky coat and "lion's mane" around the neck protect them from the cold, so Tibbies do best in chillier climates. In general, though, Tibetan spaniels are happiest when close to their humans. Christoffer Martensson // Shutterstock #1. Lancashire heeler - Median lifespan: 15.4 years - Popularity rank: 190 One of the most recent breeds to be recognized by the AKC, the Lancashire heeler joined the club's ranks in 2024. These short and compact canines were bred in 1600s England as cattle-herding dogs, making them an ideal pet for highly active dog owners. The versatile Lancashire heeler also gets along well with children and other dogs, so owners can expect a beloved family companion who will be around for quite some time. Additional writing by Sophia June. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. Story editing by Louis Peitzman.
	Water main break closes part of River Drive, Moline Crews with the City of Moline Utilities Department are responding to a water main break on River Drive between 23rd and 25th Streets, according to a news release from the city. Drivers are asked to avoid the area while the situation is investigated and assessed.
	2 Village of East Davenport tattoo shops at risk due to zoning law Both business owners will submit their petitions to the city as well as an application to change the zoning code.
	Why mitochondrial health is central to energy, aging and disease Why mitochondrial health is central to energy, aging and diseaseBeing tired has become one of the most common ways people describe modern life. And for millions of people, a full night’s sleep does not fix it.The Guardian recently pointed to a 2025 workforce report finding that 66% of U.S. workers had experienced some form of burnout, while the CDC has found that roughly 13.5% of U.S. adults experience extreme tiredness almost every day.For years, the most common answer pointed toward lifestyle, suggesting that stress, poor sleep, and too little exercise were the usual suspects. Those answers still apply, but they do not explain why some bodies struggle to recover even after rest.Research has helped bring more public attention to cellular health and the body’s ability to produce energy. And that research keeps returning to one biological process that many people rarely connect to exhaustion. Scientists call it mitochondrial health. Discover C15 examines the connection between mitochondria and overall health.What Are Mitochondria and Why Do They Matter?Most people only know mitochondria from a single line buried somewhere back in high school biology. But researchers have spent decades uncovering just how central these tiny structures are to how the body actually runs.Found inside nearly every human cell, mitochondria take the nutrients from food and convert them into a chemical called adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, the body’s primary fuel source. Stanford professor Daria Mochly-Rosen has described them as “true multitaskers,” and the science backs that up.Beyond producing energy, mitochondria help cells send and respond to signals, regulate metabolism, and help determine when a damaged cell should be cleared away. Every organ that runs on energy depends on them.The Link Between Mitochondria and Everyday EnergyHealthy mitochondria keep the body running at a pace most people take for granted. They help a person get through a long workday, stay mentally present, and recover after physical activity without feeling completely spent.Dr. Brian Glancy, an NIH researcher who studies mitochondria in muscle, has observed that “the brain is a very small percentage of our whole body, but it takes up a huge percentage of the overall energy demand.” The body’s demand for energy does not disappear when mitochondrial function starts to struggle. It just becomes harder to meet.Research published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine has linked fatigue to impaired mitochondrial function, helping explain why some exhaustion does not resolve with rest alone. Sleep can help the body recover, but it cannot always solve a problem that begins with how cells make energy.Mitochondria and the Biology of BurnoutBurnout is often treated as a mental health problem, something fixed with a vacation or a few days off. But researchers are beginning to understand that the strain may reach much deeper. Rice University researcher Christopher Fagundes has argued that “the actual cellular machinery that links these experiences to disease really starts at the level of the mitochondria.”Chronic stress floods the body with hormones like cortisol, and over time, that pressure can disrupt how mitochondria produce energy. And the effects go well beyond emotional exhaustion.Research published by the National Institutes of Health has found that viral infections can add to this disruption, with studies on long COVID-19 and chronic fatigue syndrome showing that mitochondrial energy production may remain impaired even after the original infection has passed.The Role of Mitochondria in AgingAging places a different kind of pressure on mitochondria than stress or illness alone can explain. Over time, the DNA housed inside mitochondria can accumulate damage, and unlike nuclear DNA, it has fewer defenses to protect it.Pinchas Cohen, dean of USC’s Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, told The New York Times that “the mitochondria just give up earlier than other parts of the cell because of the wear and tear that they’re subjected to.”As energy production becomes less efficient, damaged mitochondria can release more free radicals, adding strain to cells that are already working harder to repair themselves. Strength becomes harder to maintain, clear thinking can feel less reliable, and daily energy begins to depend more heavily on how well cells can protect the process that keeps them running.A review available through the National Library of Medicine confirms that this decline in mitochondrial function is one of the most consistent biological markers of how the body ages.Mitochondria and Chronic Disease RiskBeyond aging, researchers have connected mitochondrial breakdown to some of the most widespread chronic diseases people face today.A review published by the International Journal of Molecular Sciences describes mitochondria as central hubs of cellular metabolism and signaling, because they help cells manage fuel, respond to stress, control inflammation, and decide when damaged cells should be cleared away.Poor mitochondrial function has been linked to metabolic disease, brain disorders, and heart conditions, placing these tiny structures much closer to chronic disease research than many people realize. The NIH has also noted that mitochondria may malfunction across conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and dementia.When cells lose the ability to make energy and communicate properly, the damage does not stay neatly contained. It can affect how the body regulates blood sugar, protects the brain, and keeps the heart working under pressure. The evidence does not make mitochondria the sole cause of these diseases, but it does make them hard to ignore.Supporting Mitochondrial Health Through LifestyleThe good news about mitochondrial health is that it responds to the same habits most people already know they should build. Dr. Laurie Sanders, a movement disorders researcher at Duke University, told the NIH that “all the advice that we get on healthy living is also going to help our mitochondria.”Regular physical activity is one of the most studied approaches, with aerobic exercise and strength training both shown to stimulate the growth of new mitochondria. Eating whole, nutrient-rich foods, particularly those with magnesium, B vitamins, and healthy fats, gives mitochondria the raw materials they need.Quality sleep allows cells to repair daily damage, and managing stress over time reduces the cellular burden that disrupts energy production. Research shows that mitochondria respond to the steady accumulation of daily habits rather than any single dramatic fix, and the science behind each of these approaches reflects exactly that.Why Mitochondrial Health Is Gaining Attention NowMitochondrial health has moved from a term found mostly in biology textbooks to a subject that longevity researchers, wellness communities, and everyday people are actively discussing. Part of what is driving this attention is a growing frustration with how health has traditionally been managed, where symptoms get treated without asking why they keep coming back.People dealing with persistent fatigue, early aging, or chronic disease are no longer satisfied with surface-level answers, and educational resources have helped make cellular biology more accessible to those looking for deeper explanations.The longevity science community has also pushed mitochondria further into public view, with researchers pointing to mitochondrial decline as one of the most significant drivers of how quickly the body ages, and that research is now reaching audiences well beyond academic journals.Conclusion: Energy Starts at the Cellular LevelThe body’s energy, how it ages, and its vulnerability to chronic disease all trace back to the same biological source, and that source is mitochondrial health. Research published by the NIH and leading peer-reviewed scientific journals keeps building a clearer picture of how much mitochondria shape how people feel and function over time.As public awareness grows and science keeps developing, more answers about how to support mitochondrial health are becoming available. And understanding what drives energy production inside the body is one of the best ways a person can begin to understand their own health. It’s also a good reason to keep paying attention to what researchers are still discovering.This story was produced by Discover C15 and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Your website might be breaking privacy law right now, and it has nothing to do with your cookie banner Your website might be breaking privacy law right now, and it has nothing to do with your cookie bannerIf your business runs any kind of website, e-commerce, a local service, or a membership platform, there is a privacy law you are most likely not complying with. It has nothing to do with your cookie banner. It is called the universal opt-out mechanism, and 12 states now legally require you to honor it. Clym discusses what businesses need to know about the universal opt-out requirement and how state regulators are already enforcing noncompliance.What a universal opt-out signal isWhen a person uses certain web browsers, they can switch on a setting that sends a quiet, automatic signal to every website they visit. That signal says: do not sell or share my personal data. It is called the Global Privacy Control, or GPC, and it is the most widely adopted version of what privacy laws refer to as a universal opt-out mechanism.The keyword is automatic. The user does not need to find a cookie banner, click a link, or submit a form. The browser silently sends the signal on their behalf every time they load a page. Under state privacy law, that signal carries the same legal weight as if the consumer had manually clicked ‘Do Not Sell My Personal Information’ on your website.Browsers that send GPC signals by default include Brave and DuckDuckGo's mobile browser. Firefox and several Chrome extensions also support it. Brave alone has more than 50 million monthly active users. Estimates from 2025 put GPC signals at roughly 5% to 10% of web traffic, a share that is expected to grow as browser adoption expands.12 states now require you to honor itThe list of states that legally require businesses to recognize and act on GPC signals has grown quickly. As of 2026, those states are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, and Texas, according to legal analysis from Gunster. Connecticut and Oregon joined the group this year.That covers a significant portion of the U.S. population and includes some of the largest e-commerce markets in the country. A business that sells to customers in any of those states and processes their personal data is expected to detect the GPC signal and stop selling or sharing that customer's data without waiting for them to ask.Importantly, the obligation does not hinge on company size. There is no small business exemption under most of these laws. If a business meets the applicability threshold for the state law, the universal opt-out requirement applies.Enforcement is already happeningThis is not a theoretical risk. California has already issued significant fines tied directly to GPC noncompliance. In 2022, Sephora paid $1.2 million partly for failing to honor opt-out requests sent through the GPC signal. In 2025, Tractor Supply Company settled for $1.35 million over similar failures. The California Privacy Protection Agency then broke its own record in February 2026, issuing a $2.75 million settlement against a streaming platform for opt-out failures.California has since tightened its rules further. Businesses must now do more than silently process a GPC signal in the background. Under regulations that took effect Jan. 1, 2026, businesses must display a visible confirmation to users, such as a badge or notification stating that their opt-out request has been honored. A cookie banner alone does not satisfy this.Why most websites are not readyThe core problem is awareness, and it is most acute among smaller businesses. Cisco's 2025 Data Privacy Benchmark Study found that organizations with 50 to 249 employees were the only company size category to reduce their privacy spending year over year, even as the number of state laws requiring action continued to grow.Cookie banners became a familiar fixture after the GDPR took effect in Europe. They gave business owners a visible, understandable thing to point to. The GPC signal is invisible by design. It arrives in the HTTP header of a web request, before any user interaction takes place, and most website owners have no idea it is being sent.The GPC protocol has grown from fewer than 7,000 active domains in 2022 to more than 459,000 by mid-2025, a roughly 67-fold increase. That growth reflects rising browser adoption, not necessarily rising business compliance.What websites need to doComplying with the universal opt-out requirement involves three steps. First, a website needs to be able to detect when an incoming request carries a GPC signal. Second, when that signal is detected, the website must stop selling or sharing that user's personal data for the duration of that session and beyond. Third, in California, the website must visibly confirm to the user that their preference has been registered.For most websites, implementing GPC detection from scratch requires developer resources. Another approach is to use a consent management platform that supports GPC detection out of the box, which automates the signal detection and adjusts data processing accordingly without custom code. The W3C specification for GPC is publicly available and outlines the technical standard that browsers and websites use to communicate the signal.With more states expected to adopt universal opt-out requirements in the coming years, and browser adoption continuing to grow, the share of web traffic carrying GPC signals is expected to rise.This story was produced by Clym and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Honor Flight of the QC hosting reunion Honor Flight of the Quad Cities is holding a reunion for all veterans who have been on one of its flights. It will be held on July 9 from 1 -4 p.m. at the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center, 2021 State Street in Bettendorf. Veterans should bring the gold t-shirt or jacket they received on [...]
	Long Grove asks residents to limit water usage as month-long water tower maintenance begins Long Grove starts water tower maintenance on Monday. Residents are asked to limit nonessential water use for four weeks as temporary pressure drops.
	50 photos that capture how women's fashion has changed over the last 100 years D. Morrison/Express/Hulton Archive // Getty Images Women's fashion trends from the past 100 years Fashion is so much more than a "cute outfit"—it's a major reflection of the times and a big part of American history. Since the inception of the fashion industry, womenswear trends have always been driven by culture, events, popular music, and celebrity influence. In the last 100 years alone, there have been some big changes in women's fashion. At the beginning of the 20th century, styles were proper and demure, with high-necked dresses and hemlines that brushed the floor serving as the look of choice. By 1920, though, women began to feel empowered and experiment with short flapper dresses and modern, boyish haircuts. Over the next century, fashion continued to evolve: War-rationed fabrics and gloves disappeared once women joined the workforce—first in boiler suits, then eventually in power suits. The disco era brought sensual silhouettes and vibrant colors and paved the way for pop princesses like Britney Spears, who made the crop top a part of everyday street fashion. From clothing to accessories, undergarments to shoes and even haircuts, cultural shifts, and societal movements over the past century have brought American women on a wild style ride. Some looks, like the feminine A-line silhouette and cool leather jacket, are quite perennial; other unique fads (JNCO jeans and matching velour tracksuits, anyone?) have stayed in the past. There are even some trends, like capri pants and pleated skirts, that had a moment early on and came back again decades later. Other repeat trends continue to emerge: Summer 2026 is seeing a rise in bandanas, layered outfits, and tied sweaters, according to the style experts at Teen Vogue. In celebration of American fashion, Stacker compiled a list of 50 women's fashion trends from the past 100 years that left their marks on history. We've gathered our looks and information from other reputable style-oriented sources and blogs. Hulton Archive // Getty Images Edwardian dresses At the beginning of the century, women's fashion was very romantic and feminine, and, most importantly, modest. Think garden party-chic gowns designed with puffy sleeves and ladylike silhouettes, in fabrics such as cotton, chiffon, and lace. Hemlines covered the ankle and stiff, high-boned collars the neck. A parasol accessory completed the look. Topical Press Agency // Getty Images Flapper dresses After World War I, female fashion swung in the opposite direction. Women felt empowered as they gained the right to vote. Additionally, jazz music and prohibition were cultural milestones in the 1920s. During this shift, women broke out of the mold in a sartorial fashion with the flapper dress—a drop-waisted shift dress with decadently beaded fringe. Hemlines rose to the ankle and then above it, and women sported sleek short hairstyles. Sasha // Getty Images One-piece lingerie By the same progressive token, the '20s marked the decade when women began freeing themselves of restrictive corsets. With the newly celebrated boyish figure (and flatter chest) en vogue, one-piece lingerie like silky chemises, thin camisoles, and panties became the undergarments of choice, since they fit very comfortably under flapper dresses. Sasha // Getty Images Cloche hats Fashion over function: The cloche hat was a wardrobe staple throughout the 1920s. It featured a distinctive round top and a low brim that made it difficult for most women to see without tilting their heads back. That said, the hat's accentuating decorative flower or bow made up for it by providing feminine flair. Central Press // Getty Images Indomitable pantsuit Although female pantsuits were still uncommon in the '30s, a few daring women embraced the look of pants in a brash attempt at abolishing gender roles. Italian designer Elsa Schiaparelli frequently dressed actresses like Marlene Dietrich and Katharine Hepburn in chic pantsuits. Dietrich even wore pants onscreen in the Oscar-winning film "Morocco," proving a woman can indeed wear the pants if she wants to. [Pictured: Marlene Dietrich wearing a signature look in 1932.] Baron // Getty Images Wide-leg pants and trousers Although the U.S. was plagued by the Great Depression during the 1930s, it was still a noteworthy time for fashion. Continuing the trouser trends that appeared earlier in the decade, Actress Katharine Hepburn showed women everywhere how to borrow style from the boys, pairing wide-leg trousers with a chic blazer and oxfords. Sasha // Getty Images Draped scarves While smaller scarves tamed hair and larger ones added warmth around the chest, draped scarves, fastened with scarf buckles and clips or tied in a knot, complimented clothes by adding a pop of color to otherwise bland outfits. Spacial and patterned designs, particularly polka dots, were popular during the '30s. Later, the 1940s saw visual artists like married couple Zika and Lida Ascher turning out patterned scarves, which they used as a medium for their work. David Savill/Topical Press Agency // Getty Images Fur accessories Suitable for both daytime and evening affairs, fashionable fur was a status garment to own and wear in the 1930s. In the 19th century, fur was a necessity for men and women who lived in colder climates. By the mid-20th century, it was almost exclusively worn by women. Once fur coats and stoles were seen as high fashion items of luxury, the price of fur began to rise. Brooke/Topical Press Agency // Getty Images Mary Jane shoes A staple in every little girl's wardrobe, Mary Jane shoes were born in 1902, modeled after a Buster Brown comic book character of the same name. Since then, the flat shoe with a small leather strip has been shaped into heels, paired with little white socks, and bedazzled in sequins. Mary Janes were a favorite of '60s supermodel model Twiggy and are often worn by contemporary fashionistas, proving that Mary Janes are one style that has stood the test of time. Hulton Archive // Getty Images Evening gown Form-fitting, floor-length dresses inspired by Hollywood glamour gave everyday women in the '30s a taste of elegance. Speaking of Tinsel Town, red carpet events, including the Academy Awards, inspired some of the most notable evening gown silhouettes of all time, many of which are still popular today. The biggest difference between the original dresses and today's versions is that you can now rent gowns through companies like Rent the Runway, giving any woman the opportunity to look like a star. Reg Speller/Fox Photos/Hulton Archive // Getty Images Boiler suits The U.S. officially entered WWII in 1941. With thousands of men drafted into the war, women began entering the workforce—often taking on industrial factory jobs that were previously held by men. These physically demanding jobs called for women to wear loose-fitting boiler suits made of denim or heavy canvas that buttoned down the front. Rosie the Riveter posing in a denim boiler suit quickly became an iconic image of the time. Fox Photos // Getty Images Ruffled everything The popular ruffles and frills fad took inspiration from 15th-century military regalia, which featured ruffled collars and sleeves. By the end of the 19th century, this romanticized feature was strictly for females. The 1950s saw an end to wartime fabric rationing, and designers celebrated by adding voluminous layers to both daily and evening wear designs. By the end of the 20th century, the ruffled blouse made television history when a "Seinfeld" episode centered around one particularly puffy shirt. Chaloner Woods // Getty Images Pleated knee-length skirts Circa 1944, any rationing restrictions that were put on fabrics during the war were finally lifted; with that, playful design elements like pleats came back onto fashion, giving women a little more pep in their step. All-around pleats and knife pleats were common in skirts, as were bright colors, which signaled a cultural celebration of the war's end. Chaloner Woods // Getty Images A-line silhouette In 1947, fashion mogul Christian Dior debuted his "New Look" that would quickly take the world by storm. The feminine A-line silhouette boasted a full, flowy skirt and an accentuated waistline that was designed to highlight a woman's hourglass figure—a distinct contrast to the masculine looks from pre-WWII. AFP // Getty Images The bubble hem Called a distant relative of the harem pants, the bubble hem was born in 1949 and created a whole new type of tailoring. By the '50s, the bubble hem turned into the bubble dress and bubble skirt, which tapered in at the waist and flared at the bottom. The look, popularized by designers Pierre Cardin and Hubert de Givenchy in the mid-20th century, hit the runways again in 2019, specifically seen in the 2020 Louis Vuitton's Cruise 2020 collection. Philip Turner/Hulton Archive // Getty Images Leather and suede gloves Gloves were another item of clothing that had been rationed during the war. Come 1950, gloves experienced a renaissance as a popular and ultra-femme accessory (with, of course, a matching bag and hat). For daytime appearances, many women stepped out wearing wrist-length gloves in neutral hues. Baron // Getty Images Pearl jewelry In the 1950s, the easy elegance of pearl jewelry became synonymous with post-war domesticity. With the men back from war, women were expected to go back to keeping house and looking well-kempt while doing so. Pearl stud earrings and necklace strands added a touch of chicness to any outfit—from afternoon frocks to little black dresses. Grace Kelly, a big pearl-wearer, made the look iconic. Hulton Archive // Getty Images Swing skirts Is any item of clothing more quintessentially 1950s than a poodle skirt? Circle skirts could make a statement by way of bright colors, polka dots, and other novelty prints. To complete the look, all you needed was a cropped cardigan, Buddy Holly playing on the jukebox, and a chocolate malt in hand. Keystone // Getty Images Peter Pan collars This popular look from the 1950s garnered its name from the costume designs of the original "Peter and Wendy" theatre production in New York City. The stylish collar features rounded corners and is designed to lay flat against the neckline; it was added to many types of garments over the years, including big, swinging dresses. [Pictured: Audrey Hepburn beside her husband Mel Ferrer.] Chaloner Woods // Getty Images Schoolgirl-inspired clothes Fashion historian Rebecca Tuite has detailed how the uniformed look of schoolgirl-inspired clothes began in the '50s with Peter Pan-collared blouses and short, pleated-plaid skirts. While pop-star Britney Spears may be the most popular celebrity clad in schoolgirl-inspired clothes, other current-day starlets famous for sporting the look include Megan Fox and Kate Upton. Chaloner Woods // Getty Images Printed wrap dress Unlike the swing, coat, or shirt dresses of the '50s, the mid-century printed wrap was more modern, made of colorful patterns that swathed the body. Polka dots, florals, checks, and stripes, and even more far-out themes like science and western patterns, were popular at the time. The populary of the wrap dress endures today, thanks to the style's flattering sihoullette on women of all shapes and sizes. L J Willinger // Getty Images The bikini Pinup girl Jayne Mansfield dared to bare in bikinis—and many regular women followed suit, but in a slightly more modest fashion. Two-piece bathing suits made a sexy splash in the '50s with high-waisted bottoms, skirts, and playful patterns. [Pictured: Marilyn Monroe photographed on the California coast in 1950.] Chaloner Woods // Getty Images Pillbox hat In the early 1960s, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy became a top style idol for women. She was the epitome of sophisticated elegance with outfits that always looked flawless from head-to-toe—this included her signature pillbox hat, which quickly made its way into many women's everyday looks. McKeown/Express // Getty Images Babydoll dresses The second wave of feminism during the 1960s empowered women to continue expressing themselves, both ideologically and stylishly. Hemlines got shorter and colors got brighter with the babydoll dress—a go-to look of liberation for ladies. This bold, moderately shapeless silhouette was a favorite of supermodel Twiggy and was revived in the '90s by grunge rockers like Courtney Love. [Pictured: British fashion model and '60's icon, Twiggy (Lesley Hornby) wearing a checked baby doll style mini-dress in 1967.] Roy Jones/Evening Standard // Getty Images Mini skirts The miniskirt was said to be born in 1964 in designer Mary Quant's London boutique, Bazaar. Quant was inspired by street fashion, which led her to create a micro-skirt with a hemline that hit well above the knee. The style (and length) was considered daring at the time but took off nonetheless. AFP // Getty Images Trapeze silhouettes The '60s waistless trapeze silhouette was often seen on Audrey Hepburn. The London-inspired style, which dates back to Louis XV, came to life when Yves Saint Laurent began designing dresses to flare out from a fitted shoulder line. As the antithesis to Christian Dior's A-line, which cinched the waist and puffed at the bottom, Saint Laurent's silhouette still managed to give women a sexy appeal. Chaloner Woods // Getty Images Peacoats By the '60s, sailors were not the only ones wearing peacoats, a short, double-breasted coat made of heavy wool. Rather than protecting sailors from a harsh sea climate, beatniks began sporting the style during the hippie age. The oversized collar was often seen on actors Robert Redford and James Dean at the time. Evening Standard // Getty Images Suede fringe vests Hippie subculture made its mark during the late 1960s. This style exuded a very laid back bohemian vibe and pulled inspiration from cultures and countries all over the world, including India, Bali, Morocco, and Africa. Buck-skin vests with fringe were very popular pieces by the end of the decade. Gordon Carter // Getty Images 1970s Psychedelic prints Burgeoning between 1966 to 1972, psychedelic prints became the staple clothing pattern for the peace movement. The bold, flower-power colors mixed together were often worn by hippies to symbolically reflect an open, LSD-fueled state-of-mind. Nowadays, Bohemian-style fashion is frequently found at musical festivals. Roy Jones // Getty Images 1970s Daisy Dukes The short, tight, denim cut-offs inspired by "The Dukes of Hazzard" television character of the same name, played by Catherine Bach, are still hot today. Since the Southern belle started the fashion craze, celebs like actress Jessica Simpson—who played Daisy Duke in the 2005 movie remake—have kept it alive. The fashion statement even inspired the 1993 song "Dazzey Duks," a one-hit-wonder by rapper Duice. Blackman/Daily Express // Getty Images Platform heels Platform heels were synonymous with the decade of disco. As outfits got bolder, brighter, and more expressive in the 1970s, women's high heels and platforms rose to new heights. Wood, cork, and synthetic materials were common. Mike McKeown/Daily Express // Getty Images Bell bottoms Flared pants—be it casual denim or splashy patterns for the disco—were a big look in the late '60s and early '70s. Interestingly enough, bell bottoms were originally worn by sailors during the War of 1812, before they resurfaced during the '70s as a trend for women. Brenda Chase/Online USA Inc./Stringer // Getty Images Leather jackets The vibrant colors and florals of disco began to fade away in the 1980s when metal music came in with a bang. Fashion also swayed towards the opposite end of the spectrum, with black leather jackets and looser fits rising in popularity—a la Madonna in her "Papa Don't Preach" music video. [Pictured: Madonna wearing a leather jacket in 1986.] Keystone/Hulton Archive // Getty Images 1980s pleather Genuine imitation leather, aka pleather, gained fame in the '80s when pop culture icons like Michael Jackson and Eddie Murphy wore the real garb from head to toe. Unlike celebrities who could afford actual animal skin clothing, fashionistas at the time settled for the fake stuff, mostly in the form of mini-skirts and shorts. The once-popular trend is new again, making a comeback on the 2019 catwalk. [Pictured: Pop singer Sheena Easton performing in 1982.] PIERRE GUILLAUD/AFP // Getty Images Shoulder pads A new wave of women began entering the workforce en masse in the '80s, which kickstarted the power dressing movement. Blazers, suits, and even dresses boasted shoulder pads to create a structured menswear-inspired look for women in the office. Fox Photos/Hulton Archive // Getty Images Lace gloves Most popular on the hands of Madonna fans, lace gloves were an '80s staple along with shoulder pads and big hair. This look became symbolic of a certain kind of cool girl at the time. [Pictured: English actress Bonnie Langford in 1984.] Wesley/Keystone // Getty Images Leggings as pants Leggings have come in and out of the style many times, but the look really peaked during the '80s, also known as the Jane Fonda workout era. These spandex bottoms came in any and all colors (including neons) and could be worn with T-shirts, leotards, and off-the-shoulder sweatshirts. TIMOTHY CLARY/AFP // Getty Images All-out plaid Women of the early 1990s were mad for plaid—from grungy flannel shirts to preppy skirt-and-blazer ensembles a la Cher from "Clueless" (1995). Designers like Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, and Marc Jacobs helped make this cross-hatched pattern mainstream. [Pictured: Kate Moss models a shirtdress by Victor Alfaro in 1996.] Jon Kopaloff // Getty Images 1990s Acid-washed jeans Though first seen in the '60s, acid-washed jeans became most popular after Guess released the first designer pair of bleach-splattered pants in 1981. A decade later, heavy metal band members and Hollywood starlets were clad in acid-washed jeans, which made a 2019 comeback, with Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid seen sporting a pair. [Pictured: Christina Aguilera attends a film premiere in 2002.] Pascal Le Segretain // Getty Images Belly shirts Belly-baring babes of the 1990s included Gwen Stefani, the Spice Girls, and Christina Aguilera. With pop music at its peak, this was the first time crop tops experienced a major moment in fashion, though come 2018, the exposed midriff was back in full force. PL Gould/IMAGES // Getty Images 1990s V-hip swimsuit Above the hip, or V-hip, swimsuits popular in the '90s are still riding the fashion wave, with the Zoe Report boasting a comeback in 2017. The cut of the swimsuit, known for accentuating the legs and cinching the waist, is popular with models Chrissy Teigen and Bella Hadid. However, '80s model/actress Morgan Fairchild may be the most famous V-hip swimsuit model to date. STAN HONDA/AFP // Getty Images JNCO jeans During the late '90s, women and men alike rocked this unique extra-wide pants trend, mainly if they were looking to achieve that punk rock aesthetic. Bonus points if you added a wallet chain and your pant leg circumference was wide enough to totally cover your skate sneakers. Mark Mainz // Getty Images Pedal pusher pants A close cousin of capris, these calf-length pants (also called "clam diggers") first became popular in the 1950s but showed up again in many young women's closets circa 2000. They were usually worn tight and cuffed below the knee. [Pictured: Jennifer Lopez waves at the close of her fashion show in 2005.] Kristian Dowling // Getty Images Tracksuits in every color Matching velour and terry cloth tracksuits were a phenomenon throughout the late '90s and the '00s, thanks to big celebs like Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, and J.Lo. To achieve the full look, one needed the zip-up top that showed midriff, the matching drawstring bottoms, and to accessorize with an oversized bag and trucker hat. [Pictured: Paris Hilton (L) waves as she walks the airport in 2008.] Mark Mainz // Getty Images 2000s trucker hats Made of mesh and foam, and worn by the rich and famous, trucker hats hit the scene in 2000 and remain headwear today. Though Ashton Kutcher, famous for modeling the hat, is chucking out his collection, Kylie Jenner and Justin Beiber still wear the topper. [Pictured: Charlie Green (L) and model Naomi Campbell pose for a photo in 2002.] ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP // Getty Image 2010s Tiny sunglasses Though popular in 2010, the tiny sunglass trend featured on the rim of John Lennon's nose in the '60s hasn't necessarily stood the test of time, with comedian Mindy Kaling and actress Anne Hathaway frowning on contemporary interpretations. However, Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, and Rihanna see the matter differently—all have been seen in tiny sunglasses on multiple occasions. [Pictured: Rihanna walks the red carpet in Cannes in 2017.] Anthony Harvey // Getty Images 2010s Booties (ankle boots) The Guardian predicted this 2010 fashion trend a year earlier, specifically calling out the many shapes and sizes it would come in. As reported, 2010 was the year of the spiked-heel, open-toed booties, which originate from the 1800s. A-listers Emma Stone and Jennifer Lawerence sport the short boots alongside Rihanna and Hailey Baldwin, aka, Mrs. Beiber. Thomas Lohnes // Getty Images for Wertheim Village Athleisure for everyday Athleisure refers to exercise clothing that can also transcend into social activities like brunch, shopping, and school. Athleisure is where comfort meets style and was one of 2018's biggest fashion movements. Celebrities, bloggers, and regular women alike all jumped on board, often choosing to wear joggers and leggings over denim. Arturo Holmes // Getty Images Chunky sneakers 2019 marks the year that ugly dad sneakers became a legitimate fashion trend. Designer Balenciaga spearheaded the lewk on the runway at 2018 Spring/Summer Paris Fashion Week. Soon enough, A-listers like Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner were seen pairing their chunky statement sneaks with blazers, trench coats, jeans, silk slips, you name it. Jon Kopaloff // Getty Images 2020 oversized victorian sleeves The TrendSpotter saw this one coming, calling out oversized Victorian sleeves as the next big thing at the Spring/Summer 2020 Fashion Week. Similar to the '80s puff sleeve, the oversized Victorian was all the roar at this year's Golden Globes, with everyone from Beyonce to Dakota Fanning wearing the style well. [Pictured: Dakota Fanning attends the Golden Globe Awards in January 2020.]
	What is looksmaxxing? A therapist explains the TikTok trend and what it means for young men's mental health What is looksmaxxing? A therapist explains the TikTok trend and what it means for young men's mental healthA teenage boy stares at his reflection, measuring the angle of his jaw against an algorithm’s ideal. He skips meals, hits a face-massage tool against his cheekbones, and scrolls a forum where strangers grade his face on a numerical scale. He calls it self-improvement. His parents call it concerning. Underneath both interpretations sits a quieter fear: without the right face, he will be invisible.Looksmaxxing has moved from fringe message boards to mainstream TikTok and Instagram, where many young men seemingly have made it a daily ritual. Most start with what looks like ordinary grooming advice. Some end up somewhere clinicians are increasingly worried about, where appearance becomes the only measure of personal worth, and the line between motivation and self-harm gets thin.LifeStance Health explains how this trend works and what young men are actually trying to solve by looksmaxxing.What is looksmaxxing?Looksmaxxing is the practice of trying to maximize physical attractiveness through behavioral, cosmetic, or surgical changes. The term is widely understood to have originated on male incel forums in the early 2010s, where men who self-identified as involuntarily celibate theorized that facial structure determined social and romantic worth. It has since spread to mainstream platforms where content creators rate facial features like canthal tilt, zygomatic projection, and jawline definition using arbitrary scoring systems.According to a 2025 review in Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine, looksmaxxing content often reduces beauty to mathematical symmetry and can cultivate a distorted body schema that closely resembles body dysmorphic disorder.Inside looksmaxxing communities, members talk about “ascension,” a term meaning the belief that improving one’s appearance will improve one’s entire life, from career success to romantic prospects. The promise is straightforward and powerful: change your face, change your future. The reality is more complicated and often more harmful.Softmaxxing vs. hardmaxxingLooksmaxxing falls along a spectrum, and not every practice carries the same risk. Researchers and clinicians generally divide the trend into two categories.SoftmaxxingSoftmaxxing covers low-risk practices, including skincare, fitness, dental hygiene, posture work, sleep, and nutrition. On its own, this category looks like ordinary self-care, and many of these habits do support physical and mental health. The risk is not in the activity, but in the motivation behind it. When a young man brushes his teeth because he wants healthy gums, that is hygiene. When he brushes them while compulsively rating his smile against forum posts, the same behavior begins to function differently.HardmaxxingHardmaxxing involves more invasive interventions, such as cosmetic surgery, jaw implants, leg-lengthening procedures, anabolic steroid use, or extreme dieting. A 2025 qualitative study published in Sociology of Health & Illness, which analyzed more than 8,000 comments from a major looksmaxxing forum, documented users discussing leg-lengthening surgery, black-market hormone purchases, and bone-smashing, the practice of repeatedly striking the face to attempt structural change.A particularly extreme subcategory has emerged around mewing, a tongue-posture technique users practice for hours at a time. Some adolescent boys remain silent throughout the school day or consume only liquids to maintain the position continuously. These behaviors are increasingly reported in middle schools and high schools, and they are often framed by participants as discipline rather than distress.Why young men are vulnerable to looksmaxxingThe pull of looksmaxxing is not random. It lands on a generation of young men who are, by several measurable indicators, among the loneliest cohorts in recent memory. According to a Gallup analysis of 2023–2024 polling data, roughly 25% of American men aged 15 to 34 said they felt lonely a lot of the previous day, compared with 18% of young women. That backdrop of isolation is part of why a community organized around appearance can feel like belonging.Two emotional needs tend to drive young men toward looksmaxxing more than any others: a sense of powerlessness and a hunger for belonging. Many of these young men want to feel some control over a future that looks economically uncertain and socially confusing. They have absorbed a narrative that says if they can control how they look, they can control everything else, from purpose and relationships to destiny.Underneath the powerlessness sits a more specific fear: the fear of being invisible. Many young men in these communities are not chasing beauty for its own sake. They are trying to make sure they are seen, heard, and valued by someone, and looksmaxxing is the path that has been handed to them. The communities themselves reinforce this need by offering exactly what is missing elsewhere. Inside these forums, young men find other men pursuing the same ideology and the same goal of “ascension.” For someone who has felt unseen, the experience of being acknowledged, even by anonymous strangers grading a face, can be a powerful pull. The painful irony is that the same community offering visibility also conditions worth on appearance, which is the opposite of being known.This is also where anxiety enters the picture. Anytime someone is fixating on a feared future or on something they cannot control, anxiety is rarely far behind. For many young men, looksmaxxing functions as an attempt to manage the underlying fear that they are not enough, that nothing about who they are will be valued unless they look a particular way. The trouble is that social media, with its algorithmic amplification, keeps moving the bar. Each new comparison raises the standard. Each new filter narrows the ideal. The young man who started out trying to feel adequate finds the goalpost has moved again.Looksmaxxing and mental health risksClinicians who work with adolescents and young adults are seeing a clear pattern of harm linked to immersion in these communities. A 2025 narrative review in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health identified adolescent boys and young men as developmentally vulnerable to muscle dysmorphia and other body image disorders, particularly as appearance-focused content saturates their feeds.A core principle in clinical work is that all behavior is purposeful. Even behaviors that look irrational or self-destructive serve a function for the person doing them. The challenge with looksmaxxing is that the harmful behaviors are often justified through cognitive distortions, or patterns of thinking that distort how someone perceives themselves, others, and the world. A young man who is starving himself to sharpen his jawline may genuinely believe he is being disciplined rather than disordered. Recognizing this is what allows parents and clinicians to look past the behavior and ask: What is this trying to fix?Body dysmorphia and disordered eatingLooksmaxxing promotes a hyperfocus on perceived flaws, which is the central feature of body dysmorphic disorder. Filters and rating tools that quantify deviation from an “ideal” face often serve as a gateway. What starts as curiosity can turn into hours of mirror-checking, photo analysis, and disordered eating patterns aimed at sharpening features. Restriction is often reframed as discipline, which can make it especially difficult for parents and partners to recognize early.Depression, shame, and suicidal ideationThe 2025 Sociology of Health & Illness study found that in nearly every rating thread reviewed in that sample, users were insulted, unfavorably compared to other men, or encouraged to harm themselves by at least one other participant. This is the inverse of self-improvement. It is a feedback loop of shame.As shame compounds, depression often follows. Young men who measure their worth by their face stop feeling like they have a self underneath the face that matters. In severe cases, this can escalate into suicidal ideation, especially when communities promote a worldview known as the “black pill,” the belief that physical traits are immutable and that anyone who falls short is destined to be alone. For loved ones who are concerned, working through a suicide safety plan can be a practical first step.Exposure to misogynistic belief systemsLooksmaxxing communities are entangled with the broader manosphere, including incel-aligned spaces. As young men move deeper into the content, algorithms tend to surface increasingly extreme material. Many begin with grooming videos and end up reading posts that frame women as the enemy and other men as competitors to be defeated. This shift from insecurity to ideology is one of the most concerning patterns clinicians describe.How to help a young man who’s looksmaxxingIf you are a parent, partner, or close friend worried about someone caught up in this content, the first task is to create a safer place than the algorithm. Looksmaxxing communities run on judgment, comparison, and shame. The most useful thing a loved one can offer is a space where there is no judgment and no shaming, where a young man can ask questions and talk about what he is afraid of. Curiosity and kindness are two qualities that can make that space possible.Lead with questions, not lecturesDefensiveness is often the first response when a young man feels his identity is being attacked. Asking what draws him to looksmaxxing, what he is hoping it will give him, and what he likes about the community is more useful than telling him it is unhealthy. A common goal in early conversations is to understand his motivation, not to win the argument.Shift the focus from appearance to capabilityOne therapeutic approach clinicians often use is redirecting attention from how a body looks to what a body can do. Rock climbing, team sports, hiking, and other physical pursuits give young men a way to feel competent and connected without measuring their worth in millimeters. This reframe is not about replacing one obsession with another but about widening identity beyond appearance.Build social intelligence and real-world belongingMany young men in looksmaxxing communities are searching for the skills that actually drive connection and career success: the ability to read a room, hold a conversation, and repair a conflict. Helping them invest in social intelligence, mentorship, and shared activities can be more impactful than cosmetic interventions. The stigma surrounding men’s mental health often keeps these conversations from happening at all, which is part of why isolation deepens in the first place.Model a healthier relationship with social mediaLecturing teenagers about screen time rarely changes behavior. Modeling does. Loved ones who set their own boundaries, like deleting social media apps, capping daily phone use, or doing a digital detox, give young men permission to do the same without making them feel singled out or shamed. The implicit message is that being known by people who love you matters more than being rated by people who do not.Bring in professional support when neededIf a young man is showing signs of body dysmorphia, disordered eating, social withdrawal, persistent shame, or suicidal thoughts, professional help is often the right next step. Therapists who work with adolescents and young men can help untangle the beliefs underneath the behavior, including the fear of being invisible and the conviction of not being enough, and offer tools that the algorithm cannot. For parents unsure where to begin, teen counseling can be a useful entry point.The factors driving trends like looksmaxxing, including anxiety, low self-worth, and shame, are commonly addressed in mental healthcare. Recent 2026 LifeStance outcomes data found that, among 140,000 patients with at least moderate anxiety, 79% showed improvement in anxiety symptoms with evidence-based care, suggesting that when young men are given appropriate support, meaningful change is possible.Looksmaxxing at its core is a young man asking a real question about whether he is enough and reaching for the answer in the wrong place. Recovery focuses on helping him step off the hamster wheel of comparison and into the experience of being known on the inside, where his value is not measured in jawline angles or numerical attractiveness scores but through relationships, capability, and a sense of self that does not depend on a camera.This story was published by LifeStance Health and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	How QR Codes reduce chaos at busy tourism spots How QR Codes reduce chaos at busy tourism spotsA weekend surge at a popular tourist spot often reflects familiar pressure points. Visitors arrive in groups, move toward the entry point, pause to ask where the queue begins, and look for the ticket counter. Staff try to answer repeated questions while guiding people forward. Within a short time, the area becomes congested.These scenes are playing out more often as tourism rebounds globally. In fact, international tourism was up 5% in the first half of 2025, according to UN Tourism. With this growth bringing large crowds to popular destinations, it creates more situations where visitors require quick and clear guidance in unfamiliar environments.When these information gaps appear at the same time and place, they turn into bottlenecks rather than isolated questions. QR Codes help reduce some of this pressure by giving visitors a faster way to find essential information on their own.Below, Uniqode shares how QR Codes help busy tourism spots manage crowds more smoothly.Why staffing alone cannot absorb peak visitor demandMany destinations try to manage busy periods by adding more staff, but crowds often grow faster and more unpredictably than teams can keep up with. Such short, intense surges expose the team's limits.Seasonal spikes stretch fixed teams: Visitor numbers rise sharply on weekends, holidays, and event days. Staffing levels, on average, remain steady, so teams are handling more requests within a shorter timeframe.Hiring cycles rarely match peak periods: Seasonal recruitment and training take time. Support is often needed before new staff are ready, which makes it difficult to scale teams exactly when needed.Demand varies from day to day: Some weekends bring heavy crowds while others remain lighter. This variability makes it hard to predict when additional staff will be required and when they will be underutilized.Visitor needs have become more diverse: Guests arrive with different languages, mobility needs, and levels of familiarity with the location. Staff spend time repeating the same information across groups, which slows movement around key entry points.Moments of peak demand create immediate bottlenecks: Questions about queues, routes, timing, safety, and ticketing appear at the same time. Even experienced teams find it difficult to manage these overlapping requests during short, high-intensity periods.The long-term labor outlook adds further pressure: The World Travel & Tourism Council’s Future of the Travel & Tourism Workforce Report projects a shortfall of 43.1 million workers by 2035, with labor supply expected to fall 16% below demand. Destinations that already struggle during surges will find it harder to rely solely on staffing increases over time.Information becomes the pressure point when crowds grow faster than staff can support. This is where operators start looking for digital solutions, like mobile apps and QR Codes, that help visitors answer routine questions and perform routine tasks without increasing headcount.Why QR Codes are more effective than apps during peak footfallDestinations are already investing in tools that help manage visitor movement, with the crowd management market for tourism valued at $2.1 billion in 2024 and projected to reach $6.9 billion by 2033, according to a MarketIntelo analysis. As destinations evaluate digital options, many consider mobile apps as a way to handle visitor flow and information needs. The problem here is that apps introduce friction at moments when visitors need answers quickly.A family approaching a busy entry gate, for instance, is usually focused on finding the correct line, understanding timings, or checking what to do next. Downloading and setting up an app becomes an extra step during a moment when attention is already limited.The following comparison shows why QR Codes tend to fit these moments more naturally. Uniqode QR Codes reduce the number of steps between a visitor’s question and their next action, which makes them more reliable during crowded periods when time and attention are limited.When destinations understand why QR Codes fit peak footfall better than apps, the next step becomes applying them to the touchpoints that are the most congested.How QR Codes help destinations manage high-traffic momentsVisitor needs often peak when people pause to understand their next step, such as deciding which queue to join, whether a ticket is required, or which route leads to the next attraction. These pauses shape how crowds move, where queues form, and how quickly congestion builds.Many U.S. travelers already use their smartphones to book or manage parts of their trip while on the move, which creates a natural opportunity for QR Code-powered moments at key decision points.Insights from Uniqode’s Travel QR Code Placement Report point to recurring pressure points across airports, hotels, attractions, parks, waterfronts, and cultural sites, particularly around entry access, queue movement, navigation choices, and safety communication. QR Codes help during these high-demand moments by making essential information available instantly.1. Crowd flow and queue navigationQueues form quickly when visitors are unsure about wait times, route options, or how long they will need to stay in line. Small gaps in information slow movement, and people may cluster near entry points while they decide what to do next.QR Codes can share wait times, alternate paths, and timing guidance that helps visitors decide how to move through the space. These cues reduce hesitation near bottlenecks and spread groups more evenly across available areas.For example, Universal Orlando Resort places QR Codes on signage throughout the park to let visitors join virtual queues for high-demand attractions, such as Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. Instead of gathering in physical lines, visitors reserve a return time and continue exploring other areas of the park until their slot opens.Place QR Codes at: Queue barricades, turnstiles, and other pre-entry pause points.2. Multilingual and cultural supportBusy destinations welcome visitors with varied language needs. When groups ask for translations at the exact moment, staff often spend time repeating the same instructions, which slows movement around entrances.QR Codes can present instructions, cultural notes, and directional guidance in multiple languages. This improves clarity for international visitors and reduces routine questions at help desks.Rio de Janeiro embedded QR Codes directly into the city’s iconic mosaic sidewalks at major tourist locations. Scanning these codes gives visitors access to information about nearby beaches, landmarks, and historic sites in Portuguese, Spanish, and English. By placing guidance at the exact point of exploration, the city reduces reliance on staffed help desks while supporting international visitors more naturally.Place QR Codes at: Entry gates, welcome boards, and staffed help points.3. Ticketing, upgrades, and access controlTicket counters often become early congestion points. Purchases, upgrades, and availability checks take time, and even short delays affect the flow into the site.QR Codes can guide visitors to mobile ticketing, upgrade options, and availability details. This shifts routine transactions to visitors’ devices and reduces counter pressure during peak hours.At the Louvre Museum in Paris, visitors book timed-entry slots online and receive QR Code tickets on their phones. Even tickets issued offline have a QR Code present. These are scanned at dedicated entry lanes, allowing the museum to regulate capacity and move visitors through entrances more efficiently during peak hours.Place QR Codes at: Self-service kiosks, near ticket counters, and entry lanes.4. Safety, alerts, and emergency communicationOutdoor, coastal, and crowded destinations face shifting conditions. Visitors often seek reassurance when weather changes, routes close, or safety advisories are issued.QR Codes can share timely updates, closure notices, or emergency contact details. Visitors receive accurate information without having to wait for staff, which supports quicker responses during busy periods.At the Grand Canyon National Park, QR Codes placed at major trailheads link hikers to real-time safety information before they start the hike. A quick scan provides current weather conditions, water availability, trail closures, and safety guidance. By the use of dynamic QR Codes, park rangers can update the guidance instantly without changing physical signage.Place QR Codes at: Emergency stations, trailheads, beachfront access points, and main walkways.5. Accessibility and inclusive navigationVisitors with different mobility or sensory needs often require specific routes or detailed instructions. When these questions surface in busy zones, staff must pause to offer individualized guidance.QR Codes can present step-free routes, audio guides, and assistive details that visitors can review at their own pace. This supports independent navigation and reduces dependencies during peak moments.At the Austrian Parliament, accessibility has been built directly into the visitor experience through tactile QR Codes placed beside key points of interest. These embossed QR Codes can be located by touch and, when scanned, provide audio descriptions and navigation guidance compatible with screen readers.Place QR Codes at: Facility maps, trail entrances, elevators, and points where paths diverge.A flexible physical-to-digital layer for busy destinationsAs global travel demand continues to rise, destinations are preparing for higher and more frequent surges in visitor movement. One industry outlook from Infosys and the Infosys Knowledge Institute suggests travel demand may expand by $2.8 trillion between 2023 and 2028, increasing the need for systems that can adapt quickly without adding operational strain.QR Codes offer a practical way to build this flexibility by making information easy to update and easy to reach during busy periods. Destinations that introduce this physical-to-digital (phygital) layer may be better positioned to manage surges with steadier operations and a more consistent visitor experience.This story was produced by Uniqode and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Muscatine awarded contract for demolition of building The City of Muscatine has been awarded a contract for demolition of 201 East 2nd Street building.
	What's the difference between a personal loan and a debt consolidation loan? What's the difference between a personal loan and a debt consolidation loan?Whether you need extra cash to cover an unexpected car repair or you’re tired of juggling multiple credit card payments every month, a loan could help. You might be considering a personal loan or a debt consolidation loan and wondering which is right for you. All debt consolidation loans are personal loans, but not all personal loans are debt consolidation loans. The difference comes down to how you use the funds. In this guide, OneMainFinancial explains what a personal loan is and what a debt consolidation loan is, to help you make the best choice for your financial needs.What is a personal loan?A personal loan allows you to borrow a lump sum of money from a lender, bank or credit union and repay it — with interest — in fixed monthly payments until it’s paid off. You can use a personal loan for a variety of purposes, including emergency expenses, home improvement, auto repairs and more.Personal loans can be secured, meaning they’re backed by collateral such as a vehicle, or unsecured, which don’t require collateral. Secured loans may offer a lower interest rate, especially if you have less-than-perfect credit, because the lender can take your collateral if you don’t repay according to the terms of your loan agreement. Unsecured loans typically rely more heavily on your creditworthiness for approval and, depending on your financial situation, may have a higher interest rate than secured loans.Often, personal loans have fixed interest rates and predictable monthly payments, so you know exactly what to expect each month.What is a debt consolidation loan?A debt consolidation loan is a personal loan used to combine multiple debts into a single, more manageable monthly payment. The loan is for a lump sum that you can use to repay existing debts. A debt consolidation loan can be secured or unsecured, depending on your needs and the options your lender offers.If you feel buried under credit card balances, bills and loans, consider a debt consolidation loan to pay them all off at once and repay the new loan in fixed monthly payments, ideally with a lower interest rate than the rates of your existing debts. If you’re approved for a debt consolidation loan, sometimes the lender will pay off your existing debts directly. Other times, they’ll give you a lump sum, and you’ll pay the creditors yourself. In either case, you’ll then repay the debt consolidation loan to your new lender.Remember to consider the pros and cons to help you decide if debt consolidation is a good idea for your budget and goals.Personal loan vs. debt consolidation loan: What’s the difference?When comparing personal loans and debt consolidation loans, the difference is in how you plan to use the funds. A personal loan is a broad category of loans that includes debt consolidation loans. Despite the name, the money from a personal loan can be used in many ways, from covering vacation expenses to financing a wedding.What to consider before taking out a new loanKeep this information top of mind before you move forward with applying for any loan to make sure it’s best suited to your situation.Check for prequalified offers: Before you apply for a loan, you can check for prequalified offers. Prequalifying lets you consider your options and budget before you commit to a loan.Understand hard inquiries: Applying for any new loan triggers a hard credit inquiry, which could cause a slight dip in your credit score. But making your monthly payments on time may ultimately improve your credit score over time.Compare loan offers: Offers vary widely between loan types and lenders, so it’s important to make sure that the monthly payment, repayment term, interest rate and overall borrowing cost for any loan align with your budget.Review the loan terms: Always read the loan terms thoroughly and ask questions if anything seems unclear. Before agreeing to a loan, it’s helpful to understand the loan fees, how interest is calculated and the annual percentage rate (APR) — the annual cost of borrowing.Find the best fit for your financial goalsA personal loan may be helpful for a wide range of expenses. If you’re specifically looking for a way to make your debt more manageable, a debt consolidation loan may give you some breathing room. Take time to research your options, compare terms, and find a payment that fits your budget. If you’re approved, focus on making on-time payments every month, and avoid taking on new debt.This story was produced by OneMain Financial and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	4th Avenue closures begin Monday in Moline A heads up to drivers in downtown Moline, construction is shifting in the area.
	Pick the winner of this year's John Deere Classic Choose the winner of this year's event and you could WIN!
	As the U.S. turns 250, this historian has blunt advice: 'America has to grow up' In America, U.S.A., Princeton historian Eddie Glaude Jr. looks at the country through the lens of its previous anniversaries and centennials. "The divided soul of the nation is in full view," he says.
	Home Runs for Life honoring Bryce Gronowski MercyOne Genesis Home Runs for Life is honoring Bryce Gronowski, 6, of Bettendorf, during the Quad Cities River Bandits game at Modern Woodmen Park on Friday, June 19. The game starts at 6:30 p.m. and players from both teams will honor Bryce during an on-field ceremony at the end of the 2nd inning. A video [...]
	Can dads get postpartum depression? How to spot the symptoms Can dads get postpartum depression? How to spot the symptomsWelcoming a new baby turns life upside down, introducing an immediate, intense, and all-consuming shift. One minute you’re an adult with a routine and a sense of control over your life. The next minute you’re fumbling through midnight feedings, running on no sleep, and trying to soothe a tiny human whose needs feel endless.For fathers, the transition to parenthood can be uniquely disorienting. When their partner is the one physically feeding and comforting the baby, fathers may feel sidelined or unsure of their role. They may want to help at home but have no idea how to contribute. At the same time, fathers might be grieving the sudden loss of freedom or identity. All of this can bring up a wave of unexpected emotions they don’t know how to express.So, yes, dads and other nonbirthing partners can and do suffer from postpartum depression. While it’s well established that hormonal and physical changes make new mothers vulnerable to postpartum depression, more recent research shows that dads are also at risk of developing this condition.In fact, fathers develop symptoms of postpartum depression nearly as often as new moms, but those symptoms are far more likely to go unrecognized. Alma examined the common causes and symptoms for paternal postpartum depression and explained how new fathers can get support.Any type of depression merits support, but with the spotlight firmly fixed on mom and baby, it can be harder for dads to seek help. You may not feel like you “should” need support given all that your partner is managing. It’s important to remember that when dads are mentally healthy and supported, the whole family is stronger for it.What can put men at risk for postpartum depressionThere isn’t one cause of postpartum depression, but there are some situations and life experiences that make it more likely to occur. These risk factors include:A personal or family history of depression (including postpartum depression)Recent stressors, including pregnancy complications, the death of a loved one, or an illnessHaving a partner with postpartum depressionHaving a baby with special needs or health problemsHaving twins or tripletsRelationship challenges with your partnerFinancial insecurityA lack of emotional supportAn unplanned or unwanted pregnancySigns and symptoms of postpartum depression in menGeneral symptoms of postpartum depression are similar in new mothers and fathers. However, research has found that men are more likely to experience somatic symptoms (e.g. physical pain and tension), avoidance and emotional withdrawal, irritability and anger, increased substance use, and violence towards their partner.General signs and symptoms of postpartum depression to watch for:Feeling sad or depressed most of the day, nearly every dayLoss of interest or pleasure in activities you once enjoyedSignificant weight loss or weight gainMajor changes in eating and/or sleeping habits (beyond what’s attributable to parenting an infant)Feeling tired or like you have no energy nearly every dayFeeling guilty or worthlessDifficulty thinking or making decisionsRecurring thoughts of death or suicideLack of interest in your baby, not feeling bonded to your baby, or feeling very anxious around your babyFear of harming the baby or yourselfIt’s easy to dismiss symptoms of postpartum depression as a normal part of adjusting to life with a new baby. And in some cases, mood swings, exhaustion, and stress are a normal part of the transition. That said, it’s time to see a doctor or therapist if your symptoms:Last more than two weeksAre getting worseAre making it hard to take care of yourself or your babyInclude thoughts of hurting yourself or your babyThe effects of paternal postpartum depressionPostpartum depression can make the already monumental task of caring for a newborn even more difficult. For example, the sleep deprivation that all new parents face can be intensified by the effects of depression, leading to even greater exhaustion and emotional strain. Postpartum depression can also interfere with the ability to connect with a partner, care for the baby, and develop a strong bond with a child.Research has found that children with one or more parents experiencing postpartum depression may be at higher risk for certain emotional difficulties, behavioral issues, and hyperactivity.Some studies have also linked parental postpartum depression with academic struggles later in childhood. However, the relationship between these concerns isn’t fully understood. Many factors may contribute, and more research is needed to clarify how postpartum depression affects child development over time.Why it’s so hard for new dads to get helpUnfortunately, society still tends to overlook men’s emotional needs, and this is especially true during the postpartum period. When a new baby arrives, the attention naturally centers on the birthing parent and newborn. While that focus is important, it can leave dads and moms feeling invisible or guilty for having their own needs.And the instinct to “tough it out” doesn’t come from nowhere. From a young age, boys are taught to hide vulnerability, solve problems on their own, and associate strength with silence. So when the weight of new fatherhood becomes overwhelming, it can trigger deep feelings of shame, inadequacy, and isolation.To make matters worse, those same outdated beliefs are often echoed by friends, family, and even other dads who were raised with the same messages. The unspoken rule that “real men don’t ask for help” still lingers.But that message is false and harmful. There is real strength in recognizing when you’re struggling, knowing your limits, and choosing to get support so you can show up fully for your family.How men can get support for postpartum depressionIf you’re struggling, know that there is help available, and you don’t have to wait until things get worse. Connecting with a therapist is one of the most effective steps you can take. Even attending sessions every other week can be effective in reducing the intensity of postpartum depression.While many types of therapy can help, research shows that cognitive behavioral therapy is especially effective in treating postpartum depression. Combining medication with therapy may also be a potential option.At the same time, there are small, meaningful actions you can take right now to support your mental health:Prioritize sleep when you can. Even a short nap or trading night shifts can make a difference.Move your body. A short walk, a stretch, or a few minutes outside can help regulate your mood and clear your head.Stay connected. A brief check-in with a friend or family member can help you feel connected to your loved ones and yourself.Limit alcohol and other substances. While they can be a relief in the moment, they can worsen mood swings and sleep issues.Give yourself credit. Remind yourself that many people struggle during this life transition, and you are doing the best you can.One hard but important step is talking to your partner about how you’re feeling. It can feel really tricky to bring up your struggles when your partner is struggling, too. But it’s possible to share your experience in a way that creates connection.You can try saying something like, “I know you are dealing with so much right now, and I see how hard you’re working. I’m feeling overwhelmed too, and I think I need some support so I can keep showing up the way I want to.”When you let your partner in gently, clearly, and with empathy, you create an opportunity for connection. And that’s what your baby needs most: parents who feel supported and present.You’re not alone, and you’re not failing as a new dad. Taking care of your mental health puts you on a path to being a good parent.This story was produced by Alma and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	What data shows about choosing the right summer music festival What data shows about choosing the right summer music festivalSummer music festival season gives fans, artists, and industry teams more choices than a poster can explain. Major events compete for attention with long lineups, high-profile headliners, genre-focused gatherings, and smaller festivals built around specific scenes. The common starting point is simple: Look for the biggest name or the most familiar artist. That approach can help, but it leaves out much of what makes a festival a good fit.To show how data can sharpen the comparison, Viberate analyzed selected 2026 summer festival lineups using artist-level data from each festival’s lineup table. The analysis reviewed genre tags, subgenre tags, artist countries, artist ranks, and the number of festival performances each artist had in the 12 months leading up to May 20, 2026. The examples are illustrative and are not presented as a ranked list of summer music festivals.The data points to a practical conclusion: The right festival depends on fit. A megafestival can offer broad exposure across scenes, a genre-focused event can provide a clearer match for specific tastes, and a medium-sized festival can be more relevant to a niche audience than a larger general event.Festival fit starts with the full lineupFestival discovery often starts with headliners. That makes sense. Headliners carry much of the marketing weight, and they help explain why a festival gets public attention.But headliners can distort how a festival is perceived. A festival with several pop headliners may still have a large electronic bill. A jazz festival may include R&B-, rock-, hip-hop-, and country-adjacent artists. A punk festival may include enough metal acts to appeal to a different audience than the headline genre suggests.That is why lineup-level analysis matters. Instead of asking only which names appear at the top of the announcement, a data-based approach asks more specific questions:Which genres appear most often across the listed lineup?How concentrated is the festival around one sound?Which countries do the booked artists come from?How many booked artists rank highly at a global level?How active are those artists on the festival circuit?These questions do not produce one universal answer. They make the comparison more precise.4 festivals, 4 types of fitFor this analysis, Viberate reviewed updated 2026 lineup data for four festivals: Coachella, Tomorrowland, Newport Jazz Festival, and Jera On Air. The group was selected to illustrate different festival-selection scenarios rather than to rank the events against one another.Coachella and Tomorrowland are both megafestivals, but the data shows different lineup patterns. Newport Jazz Festival and Jera On Air are medium-sized festivals, but each has a clearer genre and scene identity. Viberate The table shows why size alone is a limited filter. Coachella and Tomorrowland are both megafestivals, but their genre structures differ sharply. Newport Jazz Festival and Jera On Air are both medium-sized, but they serve different listening contexts.Coachella shows why broad festivals need deeper analysisCoachella is often discussed through celebrity appearances, pop culture visibility, and major headliners. That framing is understandable, but it does not fully describe the 2026 lineup.In the lineup analyzed by Viberate, electronic was the largest main genre by artist count, with 101 of 217 artists listed. That does not mean Coachella is only an electronic festival. It means the listed lineup contains a large electronic layer alongside other genres.The same dataset shows why broad festivals are hard to reduce to a single label. Coachella’s 2026 lineup included artists tagged across pop, Latin, hip-hop, rock, R&B, reggae, jazz, country, African, and Asian categories. House was the top subgenre by artist count.For fans, this can change how the festival is evaluated. A listener using only the biggest names may miss the sections of the lineup that are closest to their taste. For artists and teams, the same logic applies: Festival reputation alone does not show whether the middle and lower sections of the bill match a specific sound or career lane.Coachella’s example points to a broader lesson. Large festivals can offer wide discovery value, but they require a more detailed read. Scale does not automatically make a festival a clean fit.Tomorrowland shows what a focused genre profile looks likeTomorrowland provides the clearest genre-fit example in this analysis. In the 2026 lineup analyzed by Viberate, 520 of 566 artists were tagged as electronic. That equals 91.9% of the listed lineup.This does not mean every artist at Tomorrowland fits the same subgenre. The lineup still includes different branches of electronic music and some crossover appeal. But compared with a broad multigenre festival, the data shows a much more concentrated identity.Dance was the top subgenre by artist count in the 2026 lineup. That first layer of analysis already answers a practical question: If someone is looking for a festival built around electronic music, Tomorrowland is easier to assess by genre fit than a festival with a wider genre spread.The updated lineup also shows why complete data matters. With 566 listed artists analyzed, Tomorrowland’s lineup includes a much larger long tail than a first-page review would suggest. That makes the genre-fit finding more specific: The festival is highly concentrated around electronic, while still covering a broad depth of artists within and around that space.A focused genre profile does not make a festival better, but it does make the festival easier to evaluate for a specific purpose.Newport Jazz Festival shows how medium festivals can offer niche fitNewport Jazz Festival provides a different type of example. It is not competing with megafestivals on scale in this analysis but, it shows how a medium-sized festival can be relevant because of genre and scene context.The 2026 Newport lineup analyzed by Viberate included 61 listed artists. Jazz was the largest main genre, representing 45.9% of the lineup. Jazz fusion was the top subgenre by artist count.The lineup went beyond jazz. It also included R&B, rock, pop, hip-hop, country, Asian, and other tags. That mix matters because it shows how a genre-rooted festival can still include adjacent styles that widen its audience and programming range.For a listener, this may mean the festival offers a specific starting point rather than a general-purpose lineup. For an artist or team, it may indicate a different kind of fit: not the largest audience in the sample but a more relevant cultural and musical context.This is one of the central points of data-based festival comparison. A smaller scale does not automatically mean a weaker fit. In some cases, the narrower context is the main value.Jera On Air shows subculture fit outside the megafestival tierJera On Air is another medium-sized example, but in a different scene. The festival’s 2026 profile places it in Ysselsteyn, Netherlands, with punk and metal as its main genre positioning.In the updated 2026 lineup analyzed by Viberate, punk was the largest main genre, representing 46.1% of the listed artists. Punk rock was the top subgenre by artist count. Metal was the second-largest main genre, giving the lineup a clear punk/metal crossover profile.This type of festival shows why genre-specific analysis should not stop at the headline category. Punk and metal can overlap in live settings, but the distinction matters for festival fit. A punk-leaning lineup with a major metal presence may attract a different audience than a general rock festival or a broader alternative event.Jera On Air also shows why medium festivals can matter in a data-based search. Its value is measured by more than global rank or total size. It comes from the fit between the lineup, the scene, and the audience most likely to care about that mix.For festival discovery, that is a useful correction. A medium punk/metal event may be more relevant to the right listener or artist than a larger festival with only a small number of similar acts.Artist rank and festival activity add another layerGenre is only one part of the decision. Lineup depth also matters.To compare depth, Viberate reviewed artist ranks and festival-performance activity across the four updated 2026 lineups. Artist rank gives one view of scale. Festival-performance activity shows how often the booked artists had appeared at festivals in the previous 12 months. Viberate These figures show different programming patterns.Coachella had the strongest rank-depth profile among the four selected examples, with the lowest median artist-rank number and the highest share of listed artists ranked in the top 500. That fits its role as a broad megafestival with a large upper tier.Tomorrowland had a much larger listed lineup and remained highly concentrated around electronic. Its median rank was higher than Coachella’s because the updated export included a broader long tail of artists. Still, nearly a quarter of Tomorrowland’s listed artists had 10 or more festival performances in the previous 12 months, close to Coachella’s 26.7%.Newport Jazz Festival and Jera On Air had fewer top-500-ranked artists, which reinforces that these festivals serve different kinds of fit. A festival with more globally ranked artists may offer broader visibility. A festival with lower-ranked but highly relevant artists may still be useful for a genre-specific audience.Country mix can change the interpretationThe country distribution of a lineup can also shape how a festival is understood.In the updated 2026 lineups analyzed, the largest artist-origin country varied by festival. U.S. artists made up 47.5% of Coachella’s listed lineup. Belgian artists were the largest country group at Tomorrowland, with 24.4%. U.S. artists accounted for 78.7% of Newport Jazz Festival’s listed lineup and 42.2% of Jera On Air’s lineup.These numbers describe where the booked artists are tagged as coming from. That distinction matters. Artist-country data can help show whether a lineup is locally concentrated, regionally mixed, or globally spread. It cannot prove who will attend the festival.For festival comparison, this can still be useful. A festival with a high domestic artist share may have a different scene function than one built mostly around international touring acts. Again, the value depends on the goal.Data helps narrow the search, not make the final decisionLineup data can make festival comparison more objective, but it cannot answer every practical question.A dataset cannot fully capture ticket price, travel cost, weather, local infrastructure, set times, venue layout, artist fees, booking relationships, production needs, visa issues, or the real on-site atmosphere. It also cannot define what a listener personally wants from a festival weekend.That is why data works best as a filter. It can show whether a festival is broad or focused, whether its lineup matches a genre, whether booked artists are active on the festival circuit, and whether the lineup is local, domestic, or international in composition.The final decision still depends on context. For a fan, that context may be taste, budget, and travel. For an artist or manager, it may be a realistic booking fit, market strategy, and routing. For a label or promoter, it may be audience overlap and scene relevance.The main takeaway is not that data can make the search less dependent on reputation, assumptions, and headline names.MethodologyViberate analyzed four selected 2026 summer festival lineups: Coachella, Tomorrowland, Newport Jazz Festival, and Jera On Air. The festivals were selected to illustrate different types of festival fit: a broad megafestival, a genre-focused megafestival, a medium jazz/R&B-oriented festival, and a medium punk/metal festival.The analysis used updated artist-level data from each festival’s 2026 lineup table, including artist name, country, main genre, subgenre, Viberate rank, and festival performances in the previous 12 months. Genre and subgenre shares were calculated from the current-year listed artists. Historical genre-distribution charts were excluded where they did not match the 2026 lineup year.Artist-country shares were calculated from the listed artist country field. Median artist rank was calculated from available Viberate rank values. Rank-band shares, including the share of artists ranked in the top 500, were calculated from the same artist-rank field. Festival-performance activity was calculated from the number of festival performances listed for each artist in the previous 12 months.For consistency, percentage shares in the article use the full listed lineup as the denominator. Newport Jazz Festival had one artist row without available genre or country data, and Tomorrowland had four artist rows without available country data; those rows remained in the full lineup denominator. The examples are illustrative and are not presented as a ranking of summer music festivals. The analysis does not account for ticket prices, travel costs, booking fees, artist availability, set times, venue conditions, or on-site attendance data.This story was produced by Viberate and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	If you have one of these 50 names, you were probably a 1950s baby Roman Nerud // Shutterstock Baby Names That Rocked the 1950s Perhaps no decade in US history conjures up more imagery of all-American idealism than the 1950s. A politically conservative era, the '50s introduced the world to some of the most enduring cultural touchstones of the USA: milkshakes, Elvis Presley, "I Love Lucy," and sock-hops. One might imagine classic American kids named Jimmy and Susie splitting a hot-fudge sundae at a local soda shop—and you'd actually be historically accurate. James and Susan were in fact two of the most popular names of the decade. In the age of the baby boom, popular names were traditional and conservative, mirroring the culture of the times. But many common names from the '50s have now fallen drastically in rank. Susan, for example, hasn't been among the top 1,000 girls' names since 2020. Parents today are also opting to stray from norms a bit more and go with more unique baby names. The top 10 most popular girls names throughout the '50s accounted for about 21% of all baby girls born in that decade. In 2024, the top 10 girls names accounted for about 6.5%. As homage to the times of white picket fences and drive-in movies, Stacker used the Social Security Administration's historical archives to calculate the average rank of baby names from the 1950s and compared those names to their popularity in 2024. Click through to find out which classic monikers stayed relevant, and which fell out of fashion. Tatiana Chekryzhova // Shutterstock #25 Boy: George - Rank in the 1950s: #25 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 18,103 - Rank in 2024: #123 - Births in 2024: 2,890 Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock #25 Girl: Carolyn - Rank in the 1950s: #25 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 12,407 - Rank in 2024: #1,161 - Births in 2024: 206 Samuel Borges Photography // Shutterstock #24 Boy: Jeffrey - Rank in the 1950s: #24 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 18,466 - Rank in 2024: #519 - Births in 2024: 587 Nolte Lourens // Shutterstock #24 Girl: Janice - Rank in the 1950s: #24 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 13,362 - Rank in 2024: #2,243 - Births in 2024: 83 BaLL LunLa // Shutterstock #23 Boy: Edward - Rank in the 1950s: #23 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 18,833 - Rank in 2024: #228 - Births in 2024: 1,584 Elvira Koneva // Shutterstock #23 Girl: Margaret - Rank in the 1950s: #23 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 14,958 - Rank in 2024: #118 - Births in 2024: 2,303 marina shin // Shutterstock #22 Boy: Timothy - Rank in the 1950s: #22 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 19,832 - Rank in 2024: #207 - Births in 2024: 1,708 Dasha Muller // Shutterstock #22 Girl: Kathy - Rank in the 1950s: #22 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 15,793 - Rank in 2024: #2,688 - Births in 2024: 64 Africa Studio // Shutterstock #21 Boy: Dennis - Rank in the 1950s: #21 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 20,427 - Rank in 2024: #707 - Births in 2024: 376 riggleton // Shutterstock #21 Girl: Elizabeth - Rank in the 1950s: #21 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 16,566 - Rank in 2024: #17 - Births in 2024: 6,878 Africa Studio // Shutterstock #20 Boy: Stephen - Rank in the 1950s: #20 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 20,728 - Rank in 2024: #377 - Births in 2024: 864 Darren Brode // Shutterstock #20 Girl: Janet - Rank in the 1950s: #20 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 16,752 - Rank in 2024: #2,426 - Births in 2024: 74 Syda Productions // Shutterstock #19 Boy: Daniel - Rank in the 1950s: #19 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 24,372 - Rank in 2024: #16 - Births in 2024: 8,391 Studio Romantic // Shutterstock #19 Girl: Cheryl - Rank in the 1950s: #19 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 17,139 - Rank in 2024: #3,949 - Births in 2024: 37 Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock #18 Boy: Larry - Rank in the 1950s: #18 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 24,569 - Rank in 2024: #1,065 - Births in 2024: 204 Mcimage // Shutterstock #18 Girl: Brenda - Rank in the 1950s: #18 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 20,924 - Rank in 2024: #1,137 - Births in 2024: 212 Mallmo // Shutterstock #17 Boy: Paul - Rank in the 1950s: #17 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 25,319 - Rank in 2024: #263 - Births in 2024: 1,320 Natalia Kirichenko // Shutterstock #17 Girl: Diane - Rank in the 1950s: #17 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 21,063 - Rank in 2024: #2,243 - Births in 2024: 83 Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock #16 Boy: Kenneth - Rank in the 1950s: #16 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 26,282 - Rank in 2024: #284 - Births in 2024: 1,186 Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock #16 Girl: Carol - Rank in the 1950s: #16 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 22,265 - Rank in 2024: #2,629 - Births in 2024: 66 Africa Studio // Shutterstock #15 Boy: Ronald - Rank in the 1950s: #15 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 27,115 - Rank in 2024: #575 - Births in 2024: 495 Fuller Photography // Shutterstock #15 Girl: Kathleen - Rank in the 1950s: #15 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 22,434 - Rank in 2024: #1,107 - Births in 2024: 220 2p2play // Shutterstock #14 Boy: Donald - Rank in the 1950s: #14 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 27,358 - Rank in 2024: #672 - Births in 2024: 405 Amalia Zilio // Shutterstock #14 Girl: Sharon - Rank in the 1950s: #14 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 23,281 - Rank in 2024: #1,229 - Births in 2024: 190 Elvira Koneva // Shutterstock #13 Boy: Joseph - Rank in the 1950s: #13 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 30,001 - Rank in 2024: #32 - Births in 2024: 7,223 Dasha Muller // Shutterstock #13 Girl: Pamela - Rank in the 1950s: #13 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 23,740 - Rank in 2024: #2,143 - Births in 2024: 88 FamVeld // Shutterstock #12 Boy: Gary - Rank in the 1950s: #12 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 32,994 - Rank in 2024: #1,128 - Births in 2024: 187 Africa Studio // Shutterstock #12 Girl: Sandra - Rank in the 1950s: #12 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 25,159 - Rank in 2024: #1,041 - Births in 2024: 240 Tatiana Chekryzhova // Shutterstock #11 Boy: Steven - Rank in the 1950s: #11 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 33,366 - Rank in 2024: #269 - Births in 2024: 1,284 Darkdiamond67 // Shutterstock #11 Girl: Cynthia - Rank in the 1950s: #11 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 26,343 - Rank in 2024: #826 - Births in 2024: 331 Fotonium // Shutterstock #10 Boy: Charles - Rank in the 1950s: #10 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 36,118 - Rank in 2024: #51 - Births in 2024: 5,593 George Rudy // Shutterstock #10 Girl: Donna - Rank in the 1950s: #10 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 27,033 - Rank in 2024: #1,934 - Births in 2024: 102 Pshenina_m // Shutterstock #9 Boy: Mark - Rank in the 1950s: #9 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 38,258 - Rank in 2024: #246 - Births in 2024: 1,437 Zdenka Darula // Shutterstock #9 Girl: Nancy - Rank in the 1950s: #9 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 28,681 - Rank in 2024: #919 - Births in 2024: 288 rSnapshotPhotos // Shutterstock #8 Boy: Thomas - Rank in the 1950s: #8 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 45,438 - Rank in 2024: #39 - Births in 2024: 6,576 Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock #8 Girl: Karen - Rank in the 1950s: #8 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 33,253 - Rank in 2024: #1,258 - Births in 2024: 184 Minnikova Mariia // Shutterstock #7 Boy: Richard - Rank in the 1950s: #7 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 53,545 - Rank in 2024: #232 - Births in 2024: 1,539 javi_indy // Shutterstock #7 Girl: Debra - Rank in the 1950s: #7 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 34,135 - Rank in 2024: #3,565 - Births in 2024: 43 DONOT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock #6 Boy: William - Rank in the 1950s: #6 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 59,123 - Rank in 2024: #10 - Births in 2024: 10,596 Zdenka Darula // Shutterstock #6 Girl: Barbara - Rank in the 1950s: #6 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 34,572 - Rank in 2024: #859 - Births in 2024: 313 Vasiuk Iryna // Shutterstock #5 Boy: David - Rank in the 1950s: #5 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 76,995 - Rank in 2024: #31 - Births in 2024: 7,317 Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock #5 Girl: Deborah - Rank in the 1950s: #5 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 43,054 - Rank in 2024: #851 - Births in 2024: 316 Falcona // Shutterstock #4 Boy: John - Rank in the 1950s: #4 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 79,792 - Rank in 2024: #21 - Births in 2024: 8,047 phadungsak sawasdee // Shutterstock #4 Girl: Susan - Rank in the 1950s: #4 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 43,777 - Rank in 2024: #1,129 - Births in 2024: 213 Vasiuk Iryna // Shutterstock #3 Boy: Robert - Rank in the 1950s: #3 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 83,039 - Rank in 2024: #90 - Births in 2024: 3,785 Marlon Lopez MMG1 Design // Shutterstock #3 Girl: Patricia - Rank in the 1950s: #3 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 45,969 - Rank in 2024: #1,298 - Births in 2024: 177 Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock #2 Boy: Michael - Rank in the 1950s: #2 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 83,747 - Rank in 2024: #18 - Births in 2024: 8,189 DONOT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock #2 Girl: Linda - Rank in the 1950s: #2 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 56,436 - Rank in 2024: #835 - Births in 2024: 321 Thammasak Lek // Shutterstock #1 Boy: James - Rank in the 1950s: #1 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 84,378 - Rank in 2024: #5 - Births in 2024: 11,793 Oleksiy Avtomonov // Shutterstock #1 Girl: Mary - Rank in the 1950s: #1 - Average annual births in the 1950s: 62,561 - Rank in 2024: #132 - Births in 2024: 2,196
	Do you live in one of America's best-run cities? These are the top 25, based on data. Mihai_Andritoiu // Shutterstock The 25 best-run cities in America Cities and towns throughout the United States vary drastically in terms of how well they are managed and operated on a daily and yearly basis. Those that work efficiently and effectively usually have stronger economies, lower crime rates, and higher median annual incomes. However, it's important to note that tried-and-true strategies for city management could soon change. A 2025 report from Deloitte found that city governments are increasingly using artificial intelligence for functions like city planning and operations. In the near future, this could impact everything from traffic to air quality within many urban centers. Additionally, pressure is mounting on local political administrations to improve the quality of life for the working class, as evidenced by democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani winning the New York City mayoral race in November 2025. Urban management strategies may shift even further in the face of climate change and growing housing shortages. Global warming has led to an increase in extreme weather events, like the winter storms that killed 150 people across the U.S. in 2026—catastrophes that most cities don't have the resources to handle. Meanwhile, many metros don't even have enough housing stock for their citizens, with mayors projecting a need for an additional 2.1 million units by 2030. Housing prices are also becoming untenable for many, with roughly half of U.S. households spending over 30% of their monthly income on housing. With time, these trends may completely redefine what we think of as a successful city. For now, though, some of the best-run American cities are distinguished by their opportunities for economic growth and education, which in turn increase the quality of services and quality of life for their residents. These cities also tend to attract young professionals as well as older, more experienced professionals looking to start or advance their careers. To define the best of the best, Stacker listed the 25 best-run U.S. cities using 2025 data from WalletHub's Best- and Worst-Run Cities in America. Cities are ranked by their overall operating efficiency, which is determined by the quality of services and total budget per capita. The factors used to determine the overall quality of city services comprise weighted average scores in six key categories: financial stability, education, health, safety, economy, and infrastructure and pollution. Read on to learn more about America's best-run cities. Real Window Creative // Shutterstock #25. Topeka, Kansas - Quality of city services rank: 95 - Financial stability rank: 99 - Education rank: 94 - Health rank: 102 - Safety rank: 89 - Economy rank: 68 - Infrastructure and pollution rank: 5 To entice more new workers to Topeka, the city broadened its $15,000 relocation incentive in 2023. If the new residents work in person for a local company, the money can be used toward buying a home or paying for child care expenses. Veterans and previous residents returning to the area are eligible for a $5,000 incentive. The program supports local employers, addresses the low unemployment rate of 3.6%, and helps the economy grow. Topeka is run by a city council and a manager. George Dodd III // Shutterstock #24. Mobile, Alabama - Quality of city services rank: 94 - Financial stability rank: 56 - Education rank: 35 - Health rank: 124 - Safety rank: 107 - Economy rank: 111 - Infrastructure and pollution rank: 29 Significant industrial development has occurred in Mobile in recent years. The city began construction on a new airport terminal in 2024, and as of 2025, a $237.5 million replacement of the previous Civic Center is moving forward. Mobile is governed by a mayor and a city council. Grindstone Media Group // Shutterstock #23. Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky - Quality of city services rank: 64 - Financial stability rank: 57 - Education rank: 39 - Health rank: 104 - Safety rank: 43 - Economy rank: 97 - Infrastructure and pollution rank: 130 The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government is rebuilding itself. It's constructing a new government center and a second senior center and developing property along the Kentucky River. The city is also expanding its boundaries, opening thousands of acres for the construction of homes and businesses to accommodate an influx of residents expected in the coming years. RazorbackAlum // Shutterstock #22. Grand Rapids, Michigan - Quality of city services rank: 35 - Financial stability rank: 58 - Education rank: 53 - Health rank: 37 - Safety rank: 67 - Economy rank: 66 - Infrastructure and pollution rank: 7 The Grand Rapids council comprises seven elected officials, including the city's mayor. The city has a lower-than-average crime rate, which is reflected in its relatively high safety ranking. While the city hasn't always been safe, crime rates have come down significantly over the years, particularly homicide cases. ESBprofessional // Shutterstock #21. Raleigh, North Carolina - Quality of city services rank: 13 - Financial stability rank: 10 - Education rank: 51 - Health rank: 21 - Safety rank: 35 - Economy rank: 21 - Infrastructure and pollution rank: 98 Raleigh's city council comprises seven members and one mayor. The city's strategic plan focuses on improving arts and cultural resources, economic development, and transportation. Seane Pavone // Shutterstock #20. Columbus, Georgia - Quality of city services rank: 106 - Financial stability rank: 48 - Education rank: 54 - Health rank: 148 - Safety rank: 60 - Economy rank: 77 - Infrastructure and pollution rank: 65 In June 2025, Columbus State University launched plans to build a $22.2 million center for robotics, engineering, space science, and more. Columbus has a mayor, city council, and city manager, all of whom work together to strengthen the city's economic development and attract new residents. ESB Professional // Shutterstock #19. Jacksonville, Florida - Quality of city services rank: 93 - Financial stability rank: 68 - Education rank: 72 - Health rank: 128 - Safety rank: 90 - Economy rank: 57 - Infrastructure and pollution rank: 45 In 2000, voters approved a half-cent sales tax to fund the Better Jacksonville Plan, a $2.25 billion program to improve roads, infrastructure, the environment, and economic development. Projects include a $1.4 billion renovation of the city's pro football stadium and the conversion of an industrial shipyard into a 10-acre waterfront park. In 2025, Duval County Public Schools, which includes Jacksonville, earned its first-ever A grade from the state. Chad Robertson Media // Shutterstock #18. Tallahassee, Florida - Quality of city services rank: 54 - Financial stability rank: 69 - Education rank: 42 - Health rank: 112 - Safety rank: 66 - Economy rank: 78 - Infrastructure and pollution rank: 21 Florida's state capital is also boosted by the presence of Florida State University, which generates over $670 million in economic impact for Leon County in tourism alone. Revitalization efforts in the city include redeveloping Bicentennial Square around City Hall and SoMo Walls, an award-winning, mixed-use arts and retail property redevelopment. Tallahassee has a council-manager government with a mayor and four commissioners who are each elected to four-year terms, and four appointed officers who manage the city's daily operations. Sean Pavone // Shutterstock #17. Chesapeake, Virginia - Quality of city services rank: 21 - Financial stability rank: 8 - Education rank: 9 - Health rank: 111 - Safety rank: 22 - Economy rank: 56 - Infrastructure and pollution rank: 133 Chesapeake focuses significant attention on economic development and is a stable location to open and develop a business. The city also ranks well for education, with more than 40 schools located in the Chesapeake City Public Schools district. Jon Bilous // Shutterstock #16. Missoula, Montana - Quality of city services rank: 44 - Financial stability rank: 122 - Education rank: 25 - Health rank: 53 - Safety rank: 58 - Economy rank: 3 - Infrastructure and pollution rank: 62 Missoula has been focused on recruiting and retaining public educators and has raised salaries accordingly. To pay for these and other budget increases in the 2026 fiscal year, the city government approved a 3.4% tax rate hike in August 2025. Missoula has a mayor and a city council. Sean Pavone // Shutterstock #15. Durham, North Carolina - Quality of city services rank: 19 - Financial stability rank: 2 - Education rank: 14 - Health rank: 22 - Safety rank: 77 - Economy rank: 11 - Infrastructure and pollution rank: 140 The city council of Durham, North Carolina, comprises three elected ward members, three at-large members, and a mayor. Durham is very invested in its future and has implemented many strategic plans to support developments and improvements, such as the Capital Improvement Plan. The city focuses heavily on shared economic prosperity, which reflects its #2 ranking for financial stability. Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock #14. Warwick, Rhode Island - Quality of city services rank: 33 - Financial stability rank: 110 - Education rank: 74 - Health rank: 67 - Safety rank: 1 - Economy rank: 31 - Infrastructure and pollution rank: 116 Businesses are opening and expanding in Warwick, which has low crime rates across more than 30 unique villages. The city is governed by a mayor and a city council. David Langford // Shutterstock #13. Las Cruces, New Mexico - Quality of city services rank: 76 - Financial stability rank: 54 - Education rank: 86 - Health rank: 83 - Safety rank: 118 - Economy rank: 30 - Infrastructure and pollution rank: 90 In November 2024, Las Cruces voters agreed to a 0.325% gross receipt tax increase that eventually added $11.5 million to the city's budget in 2025. As of 2025, more affordable housing projects are in the works, primarily funded by $11 million in state grants. Las Cruces is governed through a council-manager structure. Sean Pavone // Shutterstock #12. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - Quality of city services rank: 62 - Financial stability rank: 7 - Education rank: 108 - Health rank: 107 - Safety rank: 72 - Economy rank: 38 - Infrastructure and pollution rank: 128 Sales taxes are Oklahoma City's largest single revenue source, but as of 2025, they've fallen behind government expenditures. As a result, OKC has implemented budget cuts for 2026 and initiated plans to scale back the city's workforce. Oklahoma City has a council-manager form of government. Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock #11. Mesa, Arizona - Quality of city services rank: 55 - Financial stability rank: 67 - Education rank: 82 - Health rank: 74 - Safety rank: 33 - Economy rank: 19 - Infrastructure and pollution rank: 137 The third-largest city in Arizona, Mesa, is run by a mayor and city council. The city has relatively low crime rates and a thriving economy—in 2024, It opened Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios, a downtown facility dedicated to supporting businesses of all sizes. Nicholas J Klein // Shutterstock #10. Fort Wayne, Indiana - Quality of city services rank: 47 - Financial stability rank: 20 - Education rank: 63 - Health rank: 113 - Safety rank: 17 - Economy rank: 45 - Infrastructure and pollution rank: 127 Purdue University's forthcoming Surack-Sweetwater Music Industry Building on the Fort Wayne campus is expected to open in early summer 2026. The $25 million facility is funded through a combination of state appropriations and private donations. The city has also been making investments in neighborhood infrastructure—streets, bridges, sidewalks, and alleys—as well as its police department and parks. Sherry V Smith // Shutterstock #9. Virginia Beach, Virginia - Quality of city services rank: 2 - Financial stability rank: 9 - Education rank: 4 - Health rank: 59 - Safety rank: 8 - Economy rank: 12 - Infrastructure and pollution rank: 105 Virginia Beach has some of the lowest poverty and violent crime rates in the nation. The city also has impressive city services, and a July 2025 survey found that residents report above-average satisfaction with factors like public safety and recreation. Virginia Beach has multiple committees to create and develop economic and business opportunities locally, nationally, and globally. Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock #8. Lincoln, Nebraska - Quality of city services rank: 18 - Financial stability rank: 3 - Education rank: 105 - Health rank: 20 - Safety rank: 21 - Economy rank: 58 - Infrastructure and pollution rank: 123 Lincoln's police department provides public access to city-wide data and statistics, including daily call summaries, crime alerts, and a crime mapping website. Its most recent budget boosts city spending on public pools, the StarTran bus system, and pensions for police and firefighters. Steven Frame // Shutterstock #7. Sioux Falls, South Dakota - Quality of city services rank: 16 - Financial stability rank: 23 - Education rank: 75 - Health rank: 46 - Safety rank: 29 - Economy rank: 7 - Infrastructure and pollution rank: 63 Sioux Falls focuses its investments on improving its community. The city is active in talent recruitment, invests in infrastructure to improve residents' quality of life, and continually seeks to enhance its economic position. Nagel Photography // Shutterstock #6. Dover, Delaware - Quality of city services rank: 73 - Financial stability rank: 88 - Education rank: 58 - Health rank: 103 - Safety rank: 99 - Economy rank: 14 - Infrastructure and pollution rank: 56 As of 2025, Dover is in the midst of Capital City 2030, a $500 million development project aimed at transforming the city's downtown. When finished, it will have new housing, commercial space, a transit hub, a river walk, green space, and an amphitheater. In 2024, the city's police department enacted a Quality of Life Initiative to develop solutions for entrenched safety issues such as drug overdoses, public lewdness, and trespassing. Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock #5. Nashua, New Hampshire - Quality of city services rank: 4 - Financial stability rank: 22 - Education rank: 37 - Health rank: 47 - Safety rank: 2 - Economy rank: 4 - Infrastructure and pollution rank: 50 Nashua has an extremely active and strong police department that prioritizes community-oriented policing by working with the city's residents. The city government has been recognized for how well it welcomes immigrants, including an annual festival of cross-cultural celebrations and events. Charles Knowles // Shutterstock #4. Boise, Idaho - Quality of city services rank: 11 - Financial stability rank: 45 - Education rank: 56 - Health rank: 32 - Safety rank: 6 - Economy rank: 16 - Infrastructure and pollution rank: 68 Boise has a mayor-council form of government, in which the mayor works full-time and only votes in case of a tie, and six council members who work part-time. This council committed to having the city government be carbon-neutral by 2035, and the rest of the city by 2050. Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock #3. Manchester, New Hampshire - Quality of city services rank: 32 - Financial stability rank: 95 - Education rank: 116 - Health rank: 43 - Safety rank: 15 - Economy rank: 8 - Infrastructure and pollution rank: 37 The city of Manchester, known as New Hampshire's business capital, is led by a mayor and a board of 14 aldermen. Manchester has a low unemployment rate and is the largest city in New Hampshire. Ninzie // Shutterstock #2. Nampa, Idaho - Quality of city services rank: 41 - Financial stability rank: 83 - Education rank: 140 - Health rank: 84 - Safety rank: 5 - Economy rank: 1 - Infrastructure and pollution rank: 93 Nampa, west of Boise, is governed by a mayor and a six-member city council. City leaders are grappling with the need for more housing to handle expected growth, and existing residents' concerns about where those developments should occur. Additional developments include the upcoming Deer Flat Ranch, a mixed-use project greenlit in February 2025. Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock #1. Provo, Utah - Quality of city services rank: 5 - Financial stability rank: 31 - Education rank: 29 - Health rank: 35 - Safety rank: 3 - Economy rank: 84 - Infrastructure and pollution rank: 23 Provo has one of the lowest violent crime rates in the United States, placing this city at #3 in the safety rankings. Provo is also known as a great place to start a business and raise a family, with strong educational and economic ratings. Data reporting by Rob Powell. Additional writing by Jill Jaracz. Story editing by Cu Fleshman.
	The 25 best Western TV shows of all time, based on data—and 'Gunsmoke' is only #12 Hulton Archive // Getty Images The 25 best Western TV shows of all time If there's a genre of television that is associated with being iconically American, the Western would be the top contender. Visions of saloon doors swinging open as a spur-spangled stranger stands in the frame. Tumbleweeds toss along the road behind him. The ominous sound of over-plucked guitar strings and the stressed-out neigh of restless horses act as the soundtrack in the background. Guns glisten and shine in the holster as they catch the eye of the audience. It's quintessential Americana, and it makes for good television. Westerns, which typically take place in the latter half of the 19th century, focus on the fantasy of the Old West. Scenes harken to a time of outlaw renegades and vigilante justice—all while conveniently leaving out the genocide and colonization that took place to create the "Old West." The fantasy-based genre started around the 1930s and skyrocketed in popularity through the 1960s. From these films and TV shows were born icons of the Western, like John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, and Gary Cooper, among others. Westerns were the most popular TV genre throughout the 1950s and '60s, with classics like "Gunsmoke," "The Lone Ranger," and "Cheyenne." While Westerns faded from the spotlight during most of the '70s, '80s, and '90s, the genre was resurrected at the turn of the 21st century with shows like "Deadwood," "Longmire," and "Yellowstone." Though "Yellowstone" ended in December 2024, it has had a major effect on TV Westerns, including spinoffs like "1883" and "1923." The franchise continues to expand—the most recent installments, "Y: Marshals" and "The Madison," both premiered in early 2026, with "Dutton Ranch" debuting in May 2026. And Taylor Sheridan is no longer the only name in the game. Netflix debuted a number of Western series in 2025, including "American Primeval," "Ransom Canyon," and "The Abandons." These shows and more deliver the kind of gunslinging action that has long kept Western fans captivated. But which are the greatest ever made? Stacker compiled data from IMDb on all Western TV series and ranked them according to IMDb user scores, ties broken by votes. The series had to have at least 500 IMDb user votes to qualify. Whether you're a gunslinging Western aficionado or just cutting your teeth, there are plenty of television Westerns to choose from. Revue Studios #25. Laramie - IMDb user rating: 7.7 - On air: 1959-1963 Set in 1870s Wyoming, "Laramie" was the story of Slim Sherman and his brother, who work to save their family ranch after their father dies. The two main stars of Laramie were John Smith and Robert Fuller, but the show's many guest stars were prominent figures in Hollywood Westerns. MGM Television #24. The Young Riders - IMDb user rating: 7.7 - On air: 1989-1992 This series followed the adventures of the young, handsome group of Pony Express riders based in the Nebraska Territory in the years before the Civil War. It was the first time a traditional Western had been on TV in a decade. Its first season received decidedly low ratings, but the show made a comeback after moving to a new time slot in its second season. Apex Film Corp. #23. The Lone Ranger - IMDb user rating: 7.7 - On air: 1949-1957 Marked by his mask and trusty steed, Silver, the Lone Ranger was a former Texas Ranger who battled the bad guys in the Old West. "The Lone Ranger" got its start in radio back in 1933. It came to television in 1949 and starred Clayton Moore. The series was ABC's first big hit of the early 1950s. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Getty Images #22. Sky King - IMDb user rating: 7.8 - On air: 1951-1962 With most Westerns painting the picture of a dusty trail on horseback, "Sky King" flew in with a different perspective on the expansive frontier. The show started as a radio program in 1946 and followed Arizona rancher and pilot Schuyler "Sky" King as he flew through the air with the greatest of ease—all while hunting down criminals and rescuing lost travelers around town. The plots often revolved around death-defying stunts and near-death situations that the ranchers had to escape. The radio show was on air until 1954, simulcasting along with the television series for the first few seasons. American Broadcasting Company (ABC) #21. The Rebel - IMDb user rating: 7.8 - On air: 1959-1961 The "Rebel" was a short-lived series about Johnny Yuma, a Confederate army veteran haunted by memories of the Civil War and all the horrible violence he carried out while fighting on the wrong side of history. The show was a departure for the production company, as they typically worked solely on game shows. Starring Nick Adams as Yuma, the plotline followed the veteran's search for an inner peace he didn't know how to find. He wandered the West, mostly alone, writing about his adventures and fighting perceived injustices—a moral penance for the injustices he carried out. Overland Productions #20. Tales of Wells Fargo - IMDb user rating: 7.9 - On air: 1957-1962 Based on the biography of Wells Fargo detective Fred J. Dodge, the story followed special agent Jim Hardie, "the left-handed gun," who helped save stagecoaches from outlaws and other violence. The actor Dale Robertson did all his own stunts. He was also right-handed. CBS Television Network #19. Rawhide - IMDb user rating: 7.9 - On air: 1959-1965 The premise of "Rawhide" followed the adventures of drovers along the rough and challenging cattle drives of the 1860s. Each episode involved the drovers encountering people along the way and typically involved solving their problems or rescuing them from trouble. It was in "Rawhide" that an American icon was born. The TV series debuted in 1959 and was the first Western to give Clint Eastwood his big break. Michael R. Joyce Productions, #18. Peacemakers - IMDb user rating: 8 - On air: 2003 Set in Silver City, Colorado, Deputy Marshal Jared Stone and private detective Larimer Finch were on the right side of the law during the early beginnings of forensic science. It was a USA Network show starring Tom Berenger and Peter O'Meara, described by Alessandra Stanley in the New York Times as "a cozy, old-fashioned detective show in the vein of 'Columbo' or 'Murder, She Wrote,' set amid the dirt streets and swinging saloon doors of 'Bonanza or 'Gunsmoke.'" It only ran for one season. Warner Bros. Television #17. Cheyenne - IMDb user rating: 8 - On air: 1955-1963 "Cheyenne," which debuted in 1955, made its mark on the Western scene by being the first hour-long drama to run for more than one season. It told the story of Cheyenne Bodie, a kind-hearted cowboy wandering the West in the years following the American Civil War. It inspired many spinoffs and crossovers and won the 1957 Golden Globe Award for Television Achievement. Four Star Productions #16. Wanted: Dead or Alive - IMDb user rating: 8 - On air: 1958-1961 "Wanted Dead or Alive" was a Western series from the late 1950s that starred Steve McQueen as Josh Randall, a Civil War veteran-turned-bounty hunter who roamed the dusty roads of the Wild West looking for outlaws to turn in. This show was Steve McQueen's big break. It also gave early screen time to Michael Landon, who skyrocketed to superstar status when he eventually moved on to "Bonanza." Warner Bros. Television #15. Maverick - IMDb user rating: 8 - On air: 1957-1962 Bret and Bart Maverick were a couple of brothers with eyes for style and hearts for gambling. The series followed the two migrating from town to town in the Wild West as they pursued the next good time. Unlike other Westerns, the Maverick brothers didn't adhere to strict macho stereotypes. An obituary for Jack Kelly, who played Bart Maverick, noted that the Maverick brothers weren't the "quickdraw" personalities typical of Western heroes. They showed fear in the face of danger and even ran from it. Warner Bros. Television #14. Lawman - IMDb user rating: 8.1 - On air: 1958-1962 Set in Laramie, Wyoming, during the second half of the 19th century, "Lawman" was about Marshal Dan Troop, his deputy Johnny McKay, and an orphan. Peter Brown, who played Deputy McKay, was so popular on the program he became a fixture on TV Westerns. He went on to hold guest star roles in "Cheyenne," "Maverick," and "The Virginian." Bruce Lansbury Productions #13. The Wild Wild West - IMDb user rating: 8.1 - On air: 1965-1969 Before the Secret Service, there was James West and Artemus Gordon, a gunslinger and inventor. The characters in the show "The Wild Wild West" served under Ulysses S. Grant to keep the peace and thwart evil in the rough-and-tumble American West. Because of the series' spy nature, equipped with disguises and gadgets, critics have likened it to the James Bond of the West, as noted by Neil Genzlinger in the New York Times obituary of Robert Conrad, who played Jim West. Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Images #12. Gunsmoke - IMDb user rating: 8.1 - On air: 1955-1975 Based on a long-running radio program, "Gunsmoke" was one of the longest-running television Westerns, running for 20 seasons. It followed Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness), who set out to protect Dodge City, Kansas, from outlaws. MGM Television #11. How the West Was Won - IMDb user rating: 8.2 - On air: 1976-1979 Actor James Arness made his name in "Gunsmoke," but later starred as Zeb Macahan in "How the West Was Won." The plot follows Macahan after the start of the Civil War, caring for his brother's children as they make their way west. It was an expanded version of the film of the same name, which premiered in 1963 to a lackluster review from The New York Times. Walt Disney Productions #10. Zorro - IMDb user rating: 8.2 - On air: 1957-1959 The handsome patrician Don Diego de la Vega, from the Spanish California era, has a secret: it's his alter ego, the masked swordsman, Zorro. Teamed up with his butler, Bernardo, the two protected their fellow citizens from the Spanish in 19th-century Mexico. The show starred Guy Williams, who was born Armand Catalano. His father was an avid fencer who helped him prepare for the role, according to his obituary in The New York Times. Four Star Productions #9. The Rifleman - IMDb user rating: 8.3 - On air: 1958-1963 Rancher Lucas McCain lived in the New Mexico territory in the 1880s with his son Mark. The half-hour show followed his trials and tribulations, raising his son in hostile territory while battling desperados. The original series, created by Sam Peckinpah, ran on ABC from 1958 to 1963. In 2011, Cynthia Littleton wrote in Variety that a remake was coming back to CBS, but it never came to fruition. Boam/Cuse Productions #8. The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. - IMDb user rating: 8.3 - On air: 1993-1994 Harvard-educated Brisco County (a man, not a place) decides he's finished practicing law and makes a dramatic switch to bounty hunting. "The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr." tells his story with his sidekick, Lord Bowler, and horse, Comet, as they hunt down his father's killer. Variety writer Todd Everett likened it to an Indiana Jones of the West, which isn't all that surprising, seeing as it was the brainchild of Indy writer-producers Jeffrey Boam and Carlton Cuse. Two Boomerang #7. Longmire - IMDb user rating: 8.3 - On air: 2012-2017 Craig Johnson's mystery novels about Walt Longmire came to life in this A&E (and later Netflix) Western crime drama. After Longmire, the sheriff of Absaroka County in Wyoming, faces the death of his wife, his daughter and deputy help him slowly put his life back together. A&E canceled the series after three seasons, but a small-yet-vocal following caused a stir, and Netflix picked it up. Entertainment One #6. Hell on Wheels - IMDb user rating: 8.3 - On air: 2011-2016 In this series, Cullen Bohannon is a Civil War veteran who witnesses the death of his wife at the hands of Union soldiers. Scarred by this memory, he seeks revenge and stumbles into Hell on Wheels, a lawless town associated with the construction of the Union Pacific railroad. In the Hollywood Reporter, Elizabeth Snead wrote that the show accurately depicted the "true-to-life greed, corruption, deception, and life-and-death struggles" surrounding the construction of the transcontinental railroad. CBS Television Network #5. Have Gun - Will Travel - IMDb user rating: 8.4 - On air: 1957-1963 This CBS Western told the story of Paladin, a West Point graduate who turns into a gun for hire. The series aired in 1957; in 2012, writer David Mamet said he was planning a reboot. A deal was made with CBS, but the reboot never came to fruition. Viacom International Inc #4. 1923 - IMDb user rating: 8.4 - On air: 2022-2023 If you are looking for a star-studded Western series with modern telling and epic cinematography, look no further than the Paramount Plus original series "1923." The prequel to "Yellowstone" stars Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren, and a cavalcade of acclaimed actors. The show focuses on the Hutton family as they struggle through problems brought on by the rise of Western expansion. FX Productions #3. Justified - IMDb user rating: 8.6 - On air: 2010-2015 Based on a short story by Elmore Leonard, "Justified" tells the story of one U.S. marshal using his own Wild West style of justice in Harlan, Kentucky. His unique brand got him into hot water with his higher-ups, as well as the criminals he put away. The chemistry of the show's leads, Timothy Olyphant and Walton Goggins, was the stuff of legend. Goggins' character was supposed to die in the first season, but creator Graham Yost changed his plans after seeing the actor's performance play out. Home Box Office (HBO) #2. Deadwood - IMDb user rating: 8.6 - On air: 2004-2006 Set in a mining town following the Civil War, "Deadwood" was a picture of lawlessness coming to life. The series followed a debauchery-fueled town home to fortune hunters and outlaws, all built on land taken from the Sioux Tribe. "Deadwood" had a remarkable cult following, but was canceled after just two seasons. Alan Sepinwall of Rolling Stone wrote that it "seemed destined to be remembered as television's great unfinished masterpiece" until a movie was released in 2019. The film took was set a decade after the TV show ended. Paramount Network #1. Yellowstone - IMDb user rating: 8.7 - On air: 2018-2024 Modern-day cowboy Kevin Costner leads this drama series, following a sixth-generation rancher, John Dutton. He's working in a world of corruption and shifting alliances, which always puts his ranch at risk. The series takes place during the emergence of Yellowstone National Park, America's first national park, and was a huge ratings winner for the Paramount Network. Additional writing by Jaimie Etkin and Cu Fleshman. Copy edited by Kristen Wegrzyn.
	Missouri Medicaid will no longer cover chiropractic care after budget cuts A 2018 state law authorizing MO HealthNet to cover chiropractic services was expected to save the state money by providing an alternative to surgeries, emergency room visits and opioid prescriptions to treat chronic pain. Lawmakers approved a budget in May that would defund coverage of the services in fiscal year 2027 (Getty Images).Dr. Quinn James testified in the Missouri Capitol for nine years before lawmakers passed legislation in 2018 that allows chiropractors like him to provide services through the state’s Medicaid program. What convinced lawmakers to get behind the legislation, James told The Independent, were predictions that it could help the state spend less on Medicaid. The Missouri Department of Social Services, which administers the state’s Medicaid program, MO HealthNet, estimated in 2018 that the change could save $8.9 million to $12 million in state general revenue in the first two full years of implementation. The idea was that by allowing Missourians to use their Medicaid coverage to go to chiropractors, the state could avoid paying for costly back surgeries or emergency room visits, said James, a chiropractor in St. Peters and former legislative chairman for the Missouri Chiropractic Physicians Association. Medicaid paperwork problems continue to cost thousands of Missourians coverage But under the budget passed by lawmakers in May, MO HealthNet will no longer cover chiropractic services starting July 1. Funding for physical therapy and acupuncture services for chronic pain will also be eliminated. Republican state Rep. Darin Chappell of Rogersville introduced the amendment removing the $658,660 from MO HealthNet’s budget for fiscal year 2027. Chappell, who chairs the House subcommittee overseeing the budget for state’s social services department, told The Independent he was informed by department officials earlier this year that they had “no hard evidence that the program saved the state any money” and that he introduced the reduction as a way “to cut the budget that has the least amount of impact.” But chiropractic services advocates said they weren’t consulted about the change and didn’t know about the cut until the budget was already approved and on its way to the governor’s desk. Chappell said when he discussed the cut with the department, he was told that about 2,000 Medicaid recipients use the chiropractic benefits per year. About 1.3 million Missourians were enrolled in MO HealthNet in April, according to department data. “Without the hard data, the department’s position was that this was an option that was used by a small minority, relatively, to the overall population that did not [cause] provable savings to the state,” Chappell said. “And therefore they did not fight to maintain that program when we were facing the need for such extraordinary budget reductions.” Lawmakers cut $375 million from the general revenue spending suggested by Kehoe in a drive to trim the budget as the state’s surpluses shrink. State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick said in a report this week that even with those cuts, the state is on track to exhaust surplus funds in the second half of 2027. Asked about the rationale behind the cut, Baylee Watts, a spokesperson for the social services department, said the agency “does not comment on budget matters while they remain under review by the executive branch and pending final action by the governor.” Kehoe has until the end of June to sign or veto state spending bills. While the federal government requires state Medicaid programs to cover some benefits, like hospital care and physician services, chiropractic services are an optional benefit that states can offer with approval from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid and subject to appropriation by lawmakers. MO HealthNet began covering chiropractic treatments for patients diagnosed with chronic pain conditions in April 2019 as part of a program to reduce opioid misuse. The program, which requires a physician’s referral and pre-certification, also includes physical therapy and acupuncture. Missouri started covering chiropractic services for all MO HealthNet recipients in January 2020. Transparency concerns Derek Leffert, executive director of the Missouri Chiropractic Physicians Association, said he didn’t know about the cut until The Independent reached out for an interview in early June. “We track the budget for the organization and what that means for the chiropractors in the state,” Leffert said. “This was done kind of under the cloak of darkness.” James said he found out about the cut a few days earlier, when a friend sent him a screenshot of an email from the department to managed care organizations about the change. Chappell said no one expressed concerns about the cut to him during the legislative session. “It’s an unfortunate set of circumstances, but those hearings are public, and the amendments that I filed were public record,” Chappell said. Lawmakers typically hear public testimony about the version of the budget recommended by the governor early in the legislative session. On Feb. 11, dozens of Missourians traveled to the Capitol to urge lawmakers to restore $80.7 million in proposed cuts to services that help people with developmental disabilities stay in their homes and communities. Lawmakers restored all but $1.6 million of those cuts. Chappell’s amendment impacting chiropractic services was included in the budget approved by the House on March 24, but it was not specifically mentioned during debate. The Senate did not hold public hearings on budget bills. And the cut is part of a larger budget line including various types of care, such as podiatry and diabetes prevention, making it more difficult to see what services would be impacted. Leffert said members of the public didn’t have any meaningful chance to provide feedback on the proposed cut. “There was no opportunity for constituents to engage with the legislators to say, ‘Hey, this is a bad idea,’” Leffert said. Chappell said that while the department informed him that 97% of MO HealthNet enrollees who received chiropractic services did not undergo back surgery, it’s unclear whether those people would have gotten surgery if chiropractic care hadn’t been covered. Still, James said defunding Medicaid coverage of chiropractic services is short-sighted. “When you take away a competing provider group that’s providing a cost-effective treatment, and you force that patient into an area where they have to go to the emergency room to get the same care for that condition,” James said, “all you’ve done is you’ve replaced lower-cost care with higher-cost care.” Courtesy of Missouri Independent
	How companies can manage supply chain during inflation How companies can manage supply chain during inflationArtificial intelligence, strategic partnerships, digital transformation and sustainability efforts are helping businesses build smarter, more resilient supply chains, Fifth Third reports.Key Takeaways:Artificial Intelligence and digital tools are enabling predictive supply chain management and supplier risk management, helping midsize businesses reduce disruptions and improve decision-making.Strategic partnerships, especially with 3PL providers, offer scalable logistics solutions that cut costs and enhance service quality.Sustainability initiatives, including circular supply chain models, help mitigate climate-related risks and align with evolving consumer and regulatory expectations.Proactive risk management is essential for building long-term resilience in a volatile market.The call for resilient supply chainsAs inflation, geopolitical tensions, cybersecurity concerns and consumer expectations continue to evolve, midsize businesses continue to grapple with a turbulent supply chain landscape. In contrast to large enterprises, these companies often lack the cushion of vertical integration or deep inventory reserves, exposing them to an increased risk of disruption and volatility.The 2025 WTW Global supply chain risk report further illustrates this vulnerability, sharing that only 8% of businesses feel they have full control over their supply chain risks, while 63% report higher-than-expected losses due to disruptions. These statistics underscore the dire need for more resilient supply chain strategies.In response, many organizations are seeking agile solutions that fuse digital innovation, strategic partnerships and proactive risk management. By implementing innovative strategies like AI-powered forecasting, strategic outsourcing and sustainability-driven supply chain design, midsize firms are transforming their supply chain processes to more effectively navigate uncertainty and build long-term resilience.Supply chain management operational agility with AIRecent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) allow organizations to shift from reactive crisis management to predictive intelligence. From forecasting and tracking inventory levels to predicting potential threats, AI helps organizations to optimize decision-making, reduce operational disruptions and proactively adapt to shifts in the market before they escalate into expensive concerns.Consulting firm Ernst & Young also discusses the power of AI when it comes to unified data models. Whereas legacy systems often produce fragmented, siloed data, artificial intelligence allows organizations to look at information from multiple sources in real time, all in one place. Improved, real-time visibility to things like weather-related delays at ports and supplier bottlenecks allows organizations to proactively reroute shipments, adjust production schedules, minimize costly disruptions and overall, foster a culture of continuous improvement.Additionally, AI plays a significant role in addressing persistent labor shortages by automating repetitive, manual tasks such as inventory tracking, order processing and vendor communication. This allows existing team members to focus on higher-value activities and is especially helpful for smaller companies that are already pressed to retain staff and cover costs.Emy Ruiz, Fifth Third’s head of global transaction banking, shares that "in today’s volatile global landscape, small and medium enterprises must embrace a blend of AI, digital transformation, and financial tools like supply chain finance to stay competitive. These integrated solutions empower smarter decision-making, enhance agility, and lay the groundwork for sustainable growth across international trade operations."As supply chains become more complex and unpredictable in the current geopolitical and economic environment, integrating artificial intelligence into supply chain management will continue to be a strategic imperative. For midsize businesses especially, AI offers a path to greater resilience, efficiency and adaptability.Outsourcing logistics through strategic partnershipsWhen building a resilient supply chain strategy, solutions for outsourcing and warehousing have become increasingly important. Many midsize firms are turning to partnerships with third-party logistics (3PL) providers that allow them to leverage cutting-edge automation, sustainability-focused strategies and more. These strategic alliances help organizations to improve customer service, cut costs and increase and scale efficiency while maintaining control over service quality and customer experience.The impact of these partnerships is both measurable and meaningful. According to NTT Data’s 2024 Third Party Logistics Study, 89% of shippers reported that 3PL partnerships helped to improve service. Furthermore, 80% saw a reduction in the cost of logistics. These findings emphasize the tangible value of outsourcing logistics, positioning midsize companies to compete more effectively with larger enterprises by leveraging external capabilities without sacrificing control.To successfully integrate partnerships and other outsourcing solutions into a broader supply chain strategy, organizations must carefully consider cultural alignment, operational transparency and clear performance metrics. To do so, companies can implement strategic frameworks to assess, design and embed logistics transformations.By approaching outsourcing as a strategic extension of a larger supply chain strategy, middle market businesses can boost their flexibility and resilience. When these partnerships align with broader operational goals, they become powerful resources for confronting an uncertain market.Supply chain forecasting and planning: building resilience through sustainabilityClimate-related disruptions also pose a significant risk to the global supply chain landscape. Flooding, extreme temperatures, wildfires and other recent environmental disasters can have a substantial impact on transportation networks, production timelines and supplier reliability. As regulatory pressures and consumer demand for ethical sourcing increase in tandem, sustainability initiatives are paramount to the overall success of supply chain strategies.In an effort to both prioritize waste reduction and mitigate the risks associated with resource scarcity and volatile raw material prices, organizations are increasingly adopting circular supply chain models. These efforts allow companies to prioritize the use of recycled resources and keep materials in circulation for longer periods of time through closed loop systems. By implementing this model, organizations are better suited to cut costs, ensure access to materials when resources are scarce, fulfill requirements of new governmental regulations while aligning with growing consumer expectations for environmentally responsible practices.By embedding sustainability into supply chain strategy, organizations can future-proof their operations, fulfill stakeholder expectations and contribute to a more resilient global economy.A look aheadGiven the current volatility of the market, risk mitigation strategies will continue to play a vital role in supply chain planning. In addition to proactively implementing innovative resources like AI, strategic partnerships and sustainable infrastructure, midsize businesses can leverage tools like contingent business interruption insurance or supply chain coverage as a financial buffer.As sourcing becomes more unpredictable, companies may also need to reevaluate their product or service offerings, simplifying portfolios to focus on core items that drive the most value. By combining operational agility with proactive risk management, midsize firms can better position themselves to weather disruption and maintain long-term competitiveness."Resilience in today’s supply chains demands more than contingency planning, it must be woven into the very fabric of a company’s strategy," says Ruiz. "By integrating diversified support channels, advanced analytics, and AI capabilities, businesses can minimize disruptions and build sustainable, future-ready operations. This isn’t just a competitive advantage, it’s a necessity."This story was produced by Fifth Third and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	2023 SUVs compared: Ford Explorer vs. Kia Sorento 2023 SUVs compared: Ford Explorer vs. Kia SorentoThe original Ford Explorer kicked off America's love affair with SUVs, and the Explorer continues to sell by the truckload. But the competition has gotten fierce, with just about every automaker making these car-based SUVs the cornerstone of its lineup.Kia is no exception. The most recent generation of the Sorento three-row midsize SUV is excellent. It's filled with the latest and greatest tech, boasts a stylish interior, and can be a great value.Comparing 2023 models CarMax Independent reliability tracker RepairPal says the Sorento is more reliable than the Explorer, needing fewer repairs per year and costing less when they occur. And the Sorento tends to be a couple of thousand dollars cheaper than the Explorer on the used market. But keep in mind that some customers reported transmission issues with the Sorento, which can be a big expense.For this comparison, CarMax looks at the 2023 models for both the Sorento and the Explorer to find out which of these midsize SUVs is right for you.Ford Explorer BasicsFord introduced this generation of the Explorer back in 2020. It was initially available with both gas-powered and hybrid engines, but 2023 is the final year the hybrid was available, largely because it wasn't all that efficient. The Explorer got a significant refresh for 2025, debuting a new Google-based infotainment system and BlueCruise hands-free driving on higher trims. But the 2023 model year is a sweet spot. You can often find one at a good price, and it comes with what makes the Explorer a good choice: an impressive engine lineup and a roomy cargo area.Kia Sorento BasicsKia introduced this generation of the Sorento in 2021, and it was a massive improvement over what came before it. Kia packed the Sorento with the latest and greatest tech, impressive driver aids, and a stylish design inside and out. The standard engine is nothing to get excited about, but Edmunds' testing found the turbocharged engine impressively powerful. It's also got a lot of space for passengers, which is great if you're often hauling around a big crew.Midsize SUV showdownSo is the Ford Explorer's impressive cargo space the winning play for you? Or do you prefer all the tech features offered by the Kia Sorento? Let's get into it.Passengers and cargoThe Ford Explorer is 9.8 inches longer than the Sorento. It matters because it explains the big difference in how much cargo they can hold when you're using all three rows, which brings up the second important number. The Explorer cargo area is 18.2 cubic feet, which is 5.6 cubic feet more than the Sorento. A typical brown grocery bag is about 1 cubic foot, for reference.If you fold down the second and third rows, the Explorer boasts 87.8 cubic feet of cargo space. That's quite a bit better than the 75.5 cubic feet offered by the Sorento. So, if you're primarily hauling cargo, the Explorer is a pretty obvious winner.But if you're hauling people more often than gear, the Sorento shines. Both the second and third rows of the Sorento offer more legroom than you'll get with the Explorer. The third rows on both the Sorento and the Explorer are better suited to short folks and children than they are to most adults, but the Sorento's third row is easier to get into and more comfortable.Both the Sorento and Explorer come standard with seating for seven, but on some higher trims you lose the second-row bench seat for a pair of captain's chairs, reducing total seating for either vehicle to six. There are two seating positions in the third row of both the Sorento and Explorer. You can get three car seats into both vehicles, though getting a third seat in the rearmost row is a chore in either one.The verdictYour decision really depends on what you're going to do with your vehicle. The Sorento has superior passenger space, but if you're looking to go car camping, go for the Explorer.Engine choicesThere are three available engines on the 2023 Ford Explorer. The standard engine is a 2.3-liter four-cylinder, and the upgrade engine is a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. This is also the final year of the 3.3-liter V6 hybrid engine, but Edmunds doesn't recommend it because of its so-so efficiency. Both of the standard engines are plenty powerful, but look for ST, King Ranch, and Platinum trimmed Explorers if you want the most potent engine.The story is similar to the Kia Sorento. Its standard engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, and its upgrade engine is a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder that offers a big power upgrade. The Sorento is also available as a hybrid, which gets up to an EPA-estimated 37 mpg combined—that's a big improvement over the 24-26 mpg the EPA estimates for the standard Sorento.If you're looking for a powerful engine, go with the Explorer. The standard engine on the Explorer has more juice than the upgrade engine on the Sorento. If you're going to tow, or if you want more power going up steep inclines, the Explorer is the right choice. If you're more concerned about fuel efficiency than power, that's where the Sorento can make sense.The verdictThe Ford Explorer is the clear winner here.Tech and driver aidsBoth the Ford Explorer and Kia Sorento offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Both vehicles come standard with an eight-inch touchscreen, and both offer a larger upgrade screen on higher trim vehicles. Both Sorento touchscreens worked just fine in Edmunds' testing, though the larger 10.25-inch touchscreen costs you wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.2023 Ford ExplorerThe Ford Explorer's standard touchscreen also held up well in Edmunds' testing, but the 10-incher didn’t. It's vertically oriented, like an iPad glued to the dash, and Edmunds editors almost universally disliked it because of the mediocre way the infotainment and Apple CarPlay were displayed. As such, there’s no need to look for the larger touchscreen if you pick the Explorer.How about advanced driver aids? The Sorento comes standard with forward collision mitigation, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot warning. You only need to go up to the third trim (EX) to get adaptive cruise control, which is a great feature. The fanciest Sorento (SX Prestige) has a 360-degree camera system and a blind-spot camera. The former is great for getting in and out of tight parking spaces, while the latter is more of a novelty that shows you cars in adjacent lanes.2023 Kia SorentoFord makes things a little more complicated with the Explorer. The Explorer, like the Sorento, comes standard with forward collision mitigation, blind-spot warning, and lane departure mitigation. To get advanced features like adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system, you need to find an Explorer with the appropriate packages installed. These packages (XLT Technology and Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+) are available on the second-level XLT trim. You can also get them standard on ST-Line and higher trims.Edmunds' testing found the Sorento driver aids just a tad more effective than the Explorer's, but by and large all these systems work well.The verdictThe slight edge on driver aids performance and a superior touchscreen experience give the Sorento the nod.Choose WiselyWant to haul a bunch of stuff in a powerful SUV that's pretty fun to drive? Go with the Explorer. For just about everyone else, the Sorento is the right choice. Its superior passenger experience, slightly better tech, and a much nicer interior make the Kia Sorento an excellent pick.This story was produced by CarMax and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Davenport police to search cellphone of mother accused of locking child in room Davenport police will search the phone of Kellie J. Warrington, a mother accused along with her husband of locking their 10-year-old child in a room.
	25 vintage photos of life in our nation's capital 100 years ago US National Archives // Getty Images 25 photos of life in Washington, DC 100 years ago Do you ever wonder what people will see when they look (or swipe) through photos of the historical moment we are experiencing? How different will the 2020s look to people in the 2120s? Chances are, they'll look as different as photos from the 1920s look to us today. In fact, America's capital city has already undergone significant shifts since President Donald Trump began his second term in January 2025. From deploying the National Guard to handle a "crime emergency" in August 2025, to demolishing parts of the White House to make way for a new ballroom in October 2025, the Washington, D.C. of today looks very different than it did just a few years ago. With these changes in mind, we were curious to see what life looked like 100 years ago in America's capital city. So Stacker compiled a collection of 25 incredible images showcasing the history of Washington, D.C. in the 1920s. After curating the vintage images, we took a closer inspection of the moments and researched their historical significance. While some moments tell a story of Prohibition and politics, others show simple life pleasures like diving, boating in the Potomac, egg rolls at the White House, and people posing in familiar landmarks. It was a time captured in black-and-white photos colored with people celebrating milestones like many women gaining the power to vote, bold headlines in newspapers, car wrecks, and children traveling to schools in buses built by the Ford Motor Company. Through one lens one can see political unrest in contentious conventions and party infighting. Another glimpse shows market vendors and parades. Landmarks like the National Zoo, Metropolitan Theater, and the Capitol steps were filled with citizens living everyday moments in an extraordinary era. Take a few moments to click through the slideshow and think about how so many things change, yet many remain the same. Nat'l Photo Co. Collection // Library of Congress Raising the flag of suffrage The 19th Amendment of the Constitution was ratified on Aug. 18, 1920, enshrining in law that one could "not be denied" the vote on account of sex. In practice, however, the amendment only won the vote for white women, with Black women and other groups, including Asian American immigrants, still barred from the voting booth. While the milestone changed the face of American voting rights, it would take decades for minority women to gain their voting rights. Nat'l Photo Co. Collection // Library of Congress Baseball in the park Sen. Pat Harrison plays umpire at a boys' baseball game in the summer of 1921. Prior to serving as senator of Mississippi, Harrison was valedictorian of his class in 1899, attended Louisiana State University on a baseball scholarship, and pitched for a semi-professional baseball team. Nat'l Photo Co. Collection // Library of Congress Snow battle at the Capitol Democratic and Republican page boys enjoy a snowball fight at the Capitol in this photo from December 1923. Republican President Calvin Coolidge did not join in the winter games. Nat'l Photo Co. Collection // Library of Congress Sporting goods and Grafonolas A man stands at the entrance to The Sport Mart, a sporting goods store that also sold the latest in phonographs and records. Nat'l Photo Co. Collection // Library of Congress A dip at the National Mall When Congress failed to appropriate money for public pools, children decided to make a splash in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The children waved to the photographer while wading with a toy sailboat. Nat'l Photo Co. Collection // Library of Congress Democrats gather in 1924 Members of the Democratic National Committee gather in front of the Hotel Lafayette in 1924. The year marked a wild convention that took 16 days and a record 103 ballots to select a nominee. Nat'l Photo Co. Collection // Library of Congress A bumpy ride Onlookers gather to examine the wreckage in the aftermath of a car accident in 1923. With few laws and safety measures around driving, accidents and deaths were frequent as cars became a common mode of transportation in the '20s. Nat'l Photo Co. Collection // Library of Congress Off to the races A group of schoolboys competes in a track meet as onlookers cheer and the leader triumphantly crosses the finish line. Nat'l Photo Co. Collection // Library of Congress The rites of spring Students at the Sidwell Friends School take part in an annual May Festival in 1920. The coed Quaker day school for pre-kindergartners to high schoolers was founded in 1883. Nat'l Photo Co. Collection // Library of Congress Lights, camera, inaction A half-dozen photographers take a break on the steps of the Capitol building and pose for a photo while a couple in the background enjoy the view. Nat'l Photo Co. Collection // Library of Congress Washington Herald banner waves on top of D.J. Kaufman, Inc. The Washington Herald election banner waves on top of D.J. Kaufman, Inc., an iconic department store located in downtown D.C. Its motto was "Money's Worth or Money Back." Nat'l Photo Co. Collection // Library of Congress Summer boating A woman from the Potomac Boat Club participates in the canoe regatta at the Tidal Basin Carnival in this 1924 photo. Nat'l Photo Co. Collection // Library of Congress Big bones A professor from the Smithsonian Institution poses with the bones of a Diplodocus dinosaur in 1924. The Diplodocus, discovered in 1899 on a high-profile expedition funded by Andrew Carnegie, was a famous discovery. The fossils were replicated and sent around the world, making it a well-known dinosaur in the early 20th century. Nat'l Photo Co. Collection // Library of Congress Beauty in the Botanic Garden A pair of women examine a Hottentot plant in the United States Botanic Garden with the Capitol building in the background. The U.S. Botanic Garden, the oldest continually operating garden in the country, began blooming in 1820. Nat'l Photo Co. Collection // Library of Congress Gone fishing A man enjoys a leisurely afternoon of fishing on the Potomac River as a dog sniffs a bottle of liquor from his back pocket. During Prohibition "hooch hounds" were specially trained to detect alcohol. Nat'l Photo Co. Collection // Library of Congress Center Market moment Vendors sell their goods from various stalls in the expansive Center Market. Today the National Archives resides on the former site of the bustling market. Nat'l Photo Co. Collection // Library of Congress Read all about it! A newsboy sells copies of The Washington Daily News on the street for 1 cent each. The headline 'Millionaire tax rends G.O.P.' was the talk of the town in 1921. Nat'l Photo Co. Collection // Library of Congress Splish splash A diver splashes into the water from a floating wooden structure on the Potomac River in the summer of 1923. George Washington built his home on the Potomac River, dubbing it the "Nation's River," which was designated an American Heritage River by President Bill Clinton in 1998. Nat'l Photo Co. Collection // Library of Congress Music memories Young people gather for a summertime music event in the park in 1921. One hundred years later, concertgoers still cram together to listen to music. Nat'l Photo Co. Collection // Library of Congress Got milk? Can you name the dapper dudes milking a goat in the sun in Maryland in 1924? Dr. W. Thurnheer is the gentleman showing Secretary Henry Wallace the fine art of goat milking. Henry Wallace was the secretary of agriculture from 1921 to 1924. His son, Henry A. Wallace, also became secretary of agriculture and went on to be vice president during the third term of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's four-term run. Nat'l Photo Co. Collection // Library of Congress Canoe crew Members of the Potomac Boat Club paddle past the Key Bridge in Georgetown. The Key Bridge, whose full name is the Francis Scott Key Bridge, connects Georgetown to Rosslyn, Virginia. Nat'l Photo Co. Collection // Library of Congress Off to school In this photo from 1925, students enjoy the open windows of a Ford Motor Company school bus riding through a residential neighborhood in Rockville, Maryland. Nat'l Photo Co. Collection // Library of Congress Divine outdoor dining A group of debutantes in matching waitress uniforms gather at an outdoor horse show. Nat'l Photo Co. Collection // Library of Congress Spring love Two small children share a drink at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll in 1922. The Easter Egg Roll is a White House tradition that began in 1878 when President Rutherford B. Hayes invited children to roll eggs on the South Lawn. Nat'l Photo Co. Collection // Library of Congress School competition Students compete in a pie-eating contest at Jefferson Middle School Academy. Max Schwartz was declared the champion at the 1923 event.
	Protein is everywhere: Why 2026 is the year of the protein-first diet Protein is everywhere: Why 2026 is the year of the protein-first dietProtein used to belong to gym regulars, meal-preppers, and the people who knew exactly how many grams of protein were sitting on their plate. Now it is showing up everywhere ordinary people make food decisions, from grocery aisles and coffee orders to restaurant menus and the apps people use to track what they eat.A 2025 report from the International Food Information Council found that 70% of Americans are trying to consume more protein, while federal dietary guidance has pushed the conversation further by raising daily protein recommendations to 1.2 to 1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight.For people using GLP-1 medications, whose appetite may drop enough to make daily protein goals require more planning, protein-first eating has become part of a much larger change in how Americans think about everyday food, Protein Now reports.From Fitness Macro to Everyday PriorityPeople who once scanned labels only for calories are now tracking daily protein goals with the same focus. And protein's path to that behavior took decades.Bob Hoffman's Hi-Proteen powder, launched in 1952, was the first processed protein shake on the market, built entirely for bodybuilders and weightlifters. "It was very much a niche market for a long time," Hannah Cutting-Jones, a food historian at the University of Oregon, told History.But fitness tracking apps and wearables pulled protein out of that niche by making macronutrient data personal and easy to follow for everyday users, giving people a clear way to see protein separate from everything else they consumed.Consumer awareness grew from there, and protein became connected to something larger than gym performance. People began linking it to preventative health, longevity, and a closer understanding of how food choices affect blood sugar, daily energy, and the way the body holds up as they age.Why Protein Matters Beyond Muscle BuildingMost conversations around protein circle back to muscle, body composition, and athletic performance, but its role inside the body extends well beyond the weight room. Every cell depends on a daily supply of amino acids to repair tissue, regulate hormones, and support the immune system as they produce the white blood cells and antibodies needed to fight infection.“They’re the main building blocks for our bone, skin, muscle, and other tissues,” Jennifer Fabrowicz, a board-certified nurse practitioner, told Franciscan Health. Older adults feel this need more directly as the body becomes less efficient at converting dietary protein into muscle with age, raising the risk of losing the strength tied to mobility and independence.People using GLP-1 weight-loss medications face a closely related concern. An article from University Hospitals explains that because these drugs reduce appetite so significantly, getting enough protein each day to protect lean muscle during weight loss requires more deliberate attention to what goes on the plate.Busy professionals face a different version of the same challenge, since rushed days and missed meals can make it harder to give the body what it needs. Protein’s broader value comes from that constant work, helping the body repair, regulate, and keep pace with daily life.The Satiety and Metabolism AdvantageMuch of protein’s appeal comes down to something people can feel within hours of eating. Protein is the most filling of the three macronutrients, partly because it takes longer to digest and helps quiet ghrelin, the hormone that signals hunger, while supporting hormones tied to fullness.“It takes longer for our bodies to digest protein, which in turn staves off hunger,” Deanne Siegal, a registered dietitian at University Hospitals, said. That longer digestion window helps explain why protein sits so closely beside weight management conversations, especially for people trying to snack less or manage portions without turning every meal into a math problem.For the millions of people now using GLP-1 medications, whose reduced appetite can make eating feel optional, hitting daily protein targets in a smaller eating window has become a more deliberate daily practice.Protein also carries a higher thermic effect, with the body using 20%-30% of protein’s calories just to process it, compared with 5% to 10 percent for carbohydrates and less than 3% for fat.By slowing how quickly glucose enters the bloodstream, protein can also help reduce the energy dips that often follow carbohydrate-heavy meals. Siegal described it as “a metabolic edge” that supports appetite control and steadier energy throughout the day.The Rise of Protein in Everyday FoodsLarge tubs of protein powder used to be the clearest sign that someone was adding more protein beyond regular meals. Today, that demand is reshaping the ordinary grocery trip, with more protein appearing in products people already buy for breakfast, snacks, and busy days.According to SPINS data, snack and beverage products with 15 or more grams of protein now make up a $4.9 billion market, nearly 70% of the sales volume tied to the traditional protein supplement category.By the end of November 2025, refrigerated yogurt drinks grew more than 22% year over year, while cottage cheese rose more than 20%, showing how much demand has moved into foods people already recognize.SPINS also reports that 12% of U.S. adults have used GLP-1 weight-loss medications, and that group tends to eat less overall but expects more from what they do eat, making smaller, protein-rich products a practical match for how their appetite has changed.Clara Komischke-Konnerup of Arla Foods Ingredients said, “People want it in their everyday drinks just to hit their protein goals.” Protein’s place in the grocery store has grown because shoppers want nutrition that fits the pace of ordinary life.Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Protein?More protein in more places raises a fair question about whether consuming too much is a real concern. The most common worry, that high protein harms the kidneys, applies to people with existing kidney disease. In healthy individuals, research shows that kidneys adapt normally to higher protein intake without lasting harm.The bigger issue for many consumers is less about protein itself and more about what gets pushed off the plate when protein takes over. Houston Methodist dietitian Knubian Gatlin said most people fall within a practical range of 0.8 to 1.7 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, depending on age, activity, and goals.A diet built too heavily around protein can leave less room for fiber, carbohydrates, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. Protein works best as part of a full diet, not as a single number to chase.What the Protein-First Trend Signals for the FutureProtein’s rise reflects a broader change in how people judge food. Instead of focusing only on what a meal leaves out, more consumers are looking at what it adds to their day, from steady energy to support for long-term health. According to 2025 Cargill research, 57% of consumers who read nutrition labels explicitly look for protein.Food brands are responding to that behavior with products that combine protein with other nutrients people already associate with everyday wellness, including fiber, probiotics, and ingredients tied to healthy aging.Floor van der Horst, marketing director at FrieslandCampina Ingredients, said "protein will be the baseline rather than the headline" as more brands move toward building it in as a core ingredient rather than a featured claim. And federal dietary guidance is moving in a similar direction, giving protein a stronger role in both public health conversations and everyday food choices.A Lasting Shift in How People EatProtein has always been essential, but the public understanding of it has become much sharper. The conversation has moved beyond gym culture because more people now connect protein with the practical parts of daily life, from staying satisfied after meals to supporting strength, recovery, and long-term health.Michael Ormsbee, director of the FSU Institute of Sports Sciences and Medicine, said high-protein diets appeal across goals because they are “relatively easy to adopt without eliminating entire food groups.” And that balance is the point.Protein-first eating does not need to become another extreme diet rule. At its best, it reflects a more informed consumer who wants food to help the body function better, fit into real schedules, and make everyday meals feel more useful.This story was produced by Protein Now and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	What does landlord insurance cover? What does landlord insurance cover?Landlord insurance typically provides coverage for three things: the physical building you own, your liability as a property owner, and the rental income you could lose if a covered event made your property uninhabitable. What landlord insurance doesn’t usually cover for rental properties is the tenant’s property, routine building maintenance, or a tenant’s business operations inside your building. These are usually protected by a tenant’s own personal insurance or business insurance policies.ERGO NEXT explains what landlord insurance covers and which coverage options make sense for both residential and commercial rental properties.Landlord insurance can help protect property owners (in insurance, they can often be called “lessors”) who rent or lease their property residentially or commercially. It’s intended to cover risks for landlords who rent out the space, rather than provide protection for the occupants of the rented space.Landlord insurance typically includes three types of coverage:Property coverage — The building itself and structures related to the building.Liability coverage — The cost of medical bills for visitors who suffer an injury in the space and related legal claims.Business income protection — Lost rent after a covered event, such as a fire or a burst water pipe, that leaves the space uninhabitable temporarily.What could landlord insurance cover?Let’s dig in further to understand what could be covered, including some example scenarios and risks for landlords who rent out their property to residents and businesses.1. Property damageProperty damage coverage is usually the foundation of landlord insurance for rental properties. This type of coverage could help repair the building structure if it’s damaged by a covered event such as fire or smoke, vandalism, or a natural event like a storm, wind, or hail.Coverage typically includes the building walls, roof, and any common areas or shared spaces, depending on the policy. It also may cover built-in systems like HVAC or plumbing.Example of landlord insurance property damage coverage: A grease fire breaks out in a tenant’s restaurant. The fire triggers the sprinkler system, causing fire, smoke, and water damage across multiple units.The tenant’s own restaurant insurance may cover their equipment, but landlord insurance could help cover repair costs for the walls, ceilings, and integrated systems such as air conditioning or ventilation. Without landlord insurance coverage on the property, you, the lessor, could be stuck paying out of pocket to rebuild.2. Liability protectionLiability insurance coverage could help protect landlords if someone is injured on your property and you’re held responsible (in insurance, this is called bodily injury). This can be a high-risk exposure for landlords, especially in multitenant or commercial properties.Liability insurance could help cover:Medical expensesLegal defense costsSettlements or court judgmentsExample of landlord insurance bodily injury coverage: A visitor enters your building and slips on a wet floor in a common area. They get hurt and require medical care. Though they’re not your tenant, you could still be held liable as the property owner. Landlord insurance could help cover some of those costs.As the property owner, you can be held liable for injuries to visitors and nontenants — not just your renters — making liability coverage a good idea for any lessor.3. Loss of rental incomeBusiness income insurance, also called business interruption insurance, is where landlord insurance goes beyond basic property care.If your property becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss, such as a fire, burst water pipe, or damage from extreme weather, landlord insurance could help cover the rental income you would have earned while your building is uninhabitable, as well as some other operational expenses.Example of landlord insurance extreme weather damage coverage: A severe storm causes significant roof damage to your property. Tenants are forced to temporarily vacate while the building is being repaired, so you’re out on rent.Landlord insurance could help replace lost rental income while the property is under construction. For many landlords, this can mean the difference between staying financially stable and taking a major financial hit.What’s not typically covered by landlord insurance?Here’s where many policies draw the line on coverage, though you should always check your policies for a full list of exclusions:Tenant property. Landlord insurance doesn’t usually cover tenant belongings like furniture, electronics, personal assets, or business inventory or any business property owned by tenants who rent a commercial space. Your tenants will need their own renters insurance or business insurance to cover those items.Regular wear and tear. Insurance is intended to cover sudden, accidental events, not ongoing issues. As a landlord, you’re responsible for routine upkeep, replacing aging systems, and fixing equipment breakdowns caused by time and use. If something like your HVAC system just conks out one day because you haven’t been keeping up with regular maintenance, that cost won’t be covered by landlord insurance.Your tenant’s business or operations. Your tenant’s business on your property is their own responsibility. If you lease a commercial space to a business, your policy will not cover that business operation, the tenant’s equipment, the tenant’s inventory, or the tenant's general liability.Commercial landlord insurance vs. residential landlord insuranceLandlord insurance can cover both commercial and residential properties. Both types of coverage share the same general goal: Protect the building itself, the income it generates, and the landlord’s exposure if something goes wrong. But the risks, terminology, and policy structure can differ between them.Commercial landlord insuranceLandlord insurance for commercial properties is often referred to as lessor’s risk only (LRO) insurance. This type of insurance can cover buildings like office spaces and retail storefronts where the tenants are businesses rather than individuals. With LRO, the building, including its common areas and shared systems, can be covered in some policies, but the tenant is responsible for their own operations, equipment, and business liability. Commercial properties tend to carry more variable risk due to factors such as multiple tenants with different business activities and higher foot traffic.Residential landlord insuranceLandlord insurance for residential properties is for buildings that are rented or leased to individuals or families, such as single-family homes or small, multiunit buildings.What type of insurance do landlords need most?The right landlord insurance coverage depends on your property type, your tenants, and how much risk you’re willing to take on. The types of insurance that many landlords consider include:Business owner’s policy (BOP insurance)Some landlord insurance policies — especially for commercial properties — are written as a business owner’s policy (BOP insurance), which bundles commercial property insurance for the building itself and business income loss with general liability insurance for injuries and legal claims. Bundling helps protect against coverage gaps, and it can be more cost-effective than buying two separate policies.Despite being a great option for landlords, BOP adoption was the only major coverage type that did not see growth from 2023 to 2025, according to a 2025 ERGO NEXT survey of 500 small business owners. This lack of adoption suggests that small business owners — including property owners — may not realize the value of a single bundled policy.Cyber liability insuranceThis type of coverage could help protect landlords who collect and store sensitive tenant information like tenant applications, leases, and payment details. Cyber liability insurance could help with coverage for the costs of data breaches, cyber attacks, and system failures.Landlord insurance vs. homeowners insuranceOne of the most common mistakes property owners make is to think that homeowners insurance provides sufficient coverage on a rental property. If you rent out a property, your risks change. Homeowners insurance is designed for owner-occupied homes. Landlord insurance is equipped to handle the complexity of residential and commercial rental properties.If you make the mistake of relying on homeowners insurance, you may not be protected against the costs of tenant-related damage, liability involving tenants or visitors, or lost rental income.How much landlord insurance coverage do you need?The amount of coverage that a landlord needs depends on a number of factors, including:Your property sizeResidential or commercial propertyThe type of property you rentThe number of tenants you haveThe location of your propertyLocal weather risks and other hazardsVacancy levels in your areaMany landlords look for coverage that can help cover a full rebuild for the cost of the property, liability limits high enough to protect their personal assets, and rental income that reflects the actual rent.This story was produced by ERGO NEXT and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Gregg Johnson hosting town hall tonight Rock Island County residents can meet with two of their state legislators at a town hall in East Moline tonight. State Rep. Gregg Johnson (D-Rock Island) is co-hosting a state legislators’ town hall with state Sen. Mike Halpin (D-Rock Island) on Monday, June 15 from 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at the East Moline UAW [...]
	Managed Landscapes Help Combat Summer’s Biggest Challenges TurfMutt Foundation Highlights How Well-Cared-For Green Spaces Cool, Clean and Protect Communities(NAPSI)—Summer brings challenges homeowners and communities often dread: scorching heat, dusty conditions, sudden and heavy storms, and in some regions, increased wildfire risk. According to the TurfMutt Foundation, properly managed landscapes are one of the most effective—and often overlooked—tools for addressing these seasonal concerns.“People often think of parks, yards and other green space as merely decorative, but they are one of the hardest-working assets in our communities,” says Kris Kiser, President and CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation. “They help communities stay cooler, cleaner and more resilient throughout the summer months. That’s a pretty impressive return from something some may take for granted.”Here are 4 key benefits that our parks, backyards, schoolyards and other managed green spaces do for us.Cool the AirTrees, shrubs, turfgrass and other plants combat the urban heat island effect through shade and evapotranspiration, the process by which plants release water vapor into the air. This natural cooling effect provides relief from summer heat and cools homes, businesses, and neighborhoods. Capture and Filter StormwaterSummer storms can deliver large amounts of rain unexpectedly and quickly. Healthy, managed landscapes act as living sponges, slowing rainfall’s effects by capturing and filtering water before it enters streams, rivers and groundwater supplies. This also reduces runoff and erosion and helps with localized flooding. Capture Dust and Particulate MatterLandscapes help improve air quality by trapping dust, pollen and particulate matter that would otherwise circulate during dry summer conditions.Reduce Fire RiskIn areas vulnerable to wildfire, properly maintained landscapes can serve as effective fire breaks, and strategic landscape design and ongoing maintenance can create defensible space around homes and businesses. Regular mowing, pruning, irrigation and removal of dead vegetation reduces the fuel for fire and helps reduce its spread. “Also never forget the important benefit of actively growing trees, shrubs and turfgrass capturing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen,” adds Kiser. “Healthy green spaces also support pollinators, wildlife and overall ecosystem health.” The TurfMutt Foundation encourages homeowners, businesses and communities to properly care for and maintain their green spaces so they can continue delivering these important environmental and quality-of-life benefits throughout the summer and beyond.For more information about the benefits of managed landscapes and outdoor living, visit TurfMutt.com.Word Count: 357
	How to identify and prevent common accounts payable fraud schemes How to identify and prevent common accounts payable fraud schemesAccounts payable (AP) fraud is a growing concern for businesses of all sizes.The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) reports that organizations lose about 5% of annual revenue to occupational fraud, with a median loss of $145,000 per case. Even more alarming, fraud can go undetected for an average of 14 months without strong controls in place.Left unchecked, AP fraud drains cash, damages vendor relationships, and exposes companies to regulatory risk. Ramp explains how schemes work and how to spot them early to protect your organization’s financial health.What is accounts payable fraud?Accounts payable fraud is the deliberate exploitation of your company’s payment process for unauthorized financial gain. It targets the accounts payable department, which manages vendor payments and is a frequent point of vulnerability.Fraud can involve insiders, such as employees with access to payment systems, or external parties like vendors or cybercriminals. Sometimes it includes collusion—for example, an employee working with a vendor to inflate invoices or approve payments for nonexistent services.AP fraud can occur at multiple points in the procure-to-pay process, including vendor setup, purchase orders (POs), invoice submission, approval workflows, and payment execution.How AP fraud schemes workFraud often enters through weak points in the accounts payable process.One common entry point is vendor master creation and changes. Fraud occurs when fictitious vendors are onboarded or when bank details are altered without proper verification.Invoice submission and approval thresholds are another target. Inflated or duplicate invoices can slip through if approvers don’t closely review supporting documentation. At the payment stage, schemes often involve diverted ACH payments or manipulation of checks, such as altering payee information.Collusion adds to the risk. Employees may conspire with vendors or other approvers to override controls. Gaps like missing three-way matches (purchase order, invoice, and receipt), weak verification or callback procedures for bank account changes, and inadequate segregation of duties in AP also create opportunities for fraud.Consequences and risks of AP fraudAccounts payable fraud drains cash and creates ripple effects across the business. It can damage vendor relationships, harm your reputation with customers and auditors, and trigger regulatory scrutiny that leads to fines or restatements. Beyond compliance, fraud disrupts daily operations, lowers employee morale, and diverts resources away from growth.Common types of accounts payable fraudAccounts payable fraud schemes generally fall into two categories: internal fraud, committed by employees inside the organization, and external fraud, carried out by outside parties like vendors or cybercriminals. Each category presents unique challenges and risks, requiring tailored prevention strategies.Internal AP fraudCommon internal fraud schemes include:Billing schemes: Employees create fake vendors or inflate invoices to divert funds for undelivered goods or services.Pass-through schemes: An employee sets up a shell vendor to buy goods at market price, then resells them to the company at inflated rates.Check tampering: Fraudsters alter payee details or increase amounts by exploiting access to checks or accounting software.Expense reimbursement fraud: Employees file false claims such as fake expense reports, business travel expenses, or duplicate receipts.Duplicate payments: Invoices are intentionally paid twice, or vendors exploit the process by resubmitting the same invoice with minor changes.Conflict of interest: Employees approve payments to vendors with undisclosed personal ties, often leading to inflated costs or poor service.Kickback schemes: Employees collude with vendors to obtain personal benefits, such as cash or gifts, in exchange for favorable contracts.External AP fraudExternal fraud schemes include:Invoice fraud: Criminals submit fake invoices with altered details, often impersonating legitimate vendors.Overbilling: Vendors inflate invoices or bill for services not rendered when purchase orders or receipts aren’t closely reviewed.Vendor fraud: Fraudulent vendors register fake entities to receive payments, taking advantage of weak onboarding and limited monitoring.Ghost vendors: Fictitious supplier accounts are created to receive payments for nonexistent goods or services, often in small, recurring amounts.Business email compromise (BEC): Cybercriminals impersonate executives or vendors via email to request urgent payments, using spoofed addresses and social engineering tactics.ACH fraud: Fraudsters commit ACH scams by altering payment instructions to divert funds to unauthorized accounts, often escaping detection without real-time monitoring.Payment diversion: Bank account details or payment instructions are manipulated, sometimes with insider collusion, to reroute legitimate vendor payments.Other external techniques: Tactics such as phishing, malware, and social engineering target outdated systems and weak security.AP fraud red flagsDetecting accounts payable fraud schemes early is critical. Watch for these warning signs.Vendor red flagsFraud risk increases when payments go to unfamiliar or unverified vendors. Signs include vendor addresses or bank accounts that match employees, inactive vendors suddenly receiving payments, or vendors that provide only a P.O. box. Rapid or unexplained changes to vendor bank details are another red flag.Invoice red flagsInvoices missing details such as tax IDs, rounded amounts, or vague line-item descriptions should be treated with caution. Sequential invoice numbers, duplicate submissions, or amounts that consistently fall just below approval thresholds can also signal false invoices.Payment red flagsUnusual payment activity often signals fraud. Examples include sudden spikes in payments, multiple transactions to the same vendor in a short time, or frequent off-cycle payments. Repeated wires to new accounts and exceptions that bypass standard workflows also deserve closer scrutiny.Behavioral red flagsEmployee behavior can reveal risks that systems miss. Reluctance to share responsibilities, resisting scheduled leave, or insisting on handling vendor changes alone can indicate concealment. Close or undisclosed personal relationships with vendors are another warning sign.Data red flagsFraud often leaves patterns in the data. Look for repeated cents across invoices, duplicate entries across vendors, or payment spikes clustered by vendor, approver, or time period.How to detect AP fraud in your businessStrong detection practices are essential to identify vulnerabilities before they become costly fraud events.Use Benford’s law for data analysisBenford’s law predicts the distribution of leading digits in naturally occurring datasets. In legitimate financial transactions, lower digits, such as one, two, or three, appear more often than higher digits, such as eight or nine. Significant deviations from this pattern in invoices or payments can signal fraud.Automated accounting software can compare payment data against Benford’s law. Investigate anomalies when first-digit distributions deviate by more than 5 percentage points across a period, or when unusual patterns persist month over month. These anomalies lead to potential fraud, not proof on their own, and should always be combined with other tests and controls.Conduct regular auditsRegular accounts payable audits help uncover discrepancies in high-risk areas such as vendor onboarding, payment approvals, and invoice reconciliation. Surprise audits can be especially effective in deterring internal fraud.Focus on four core checks:Periodic vendor master reviews: Validate vendor legitimacy.Sample-based invoice audits: Use invoice audits to catch duplicates or irregularities.Statement reconciliations: Confirm balances with vendors.Surprise check stock counts: Prevent unauthorized use of paper checks.Designate responsible parties for monitoringFraud detection only works when ownership is clear. Key roles include:AP department: Handles vendor setup, invoice processing, first-line reviews, and callbacks for bank detail changesInternal audit/compliance: Oversees control design, conducts audits, and supports investigationsIT/security: Manages email and domain protections, enforces access controls, and leads incident responseExecutive sponsor (CFO or controller): Sets the tone at the top, approves policies, and provides resourcesExternal auditors: Offer independent assessments and identify blind spots internal teams may missEstablish a culture where employees know their role in protecting financial integrity and feel comfortable reporting concerns.Centralize monitoring and analyticsUse centralized dashboards to flag risks such as duplicate invoices, rapid vendor changes, split invoices designed to bypass approval thresholds, and payments to first-time vendor accounts. Automated anomaly detection, including machine learning models that score outliers in invoice amounts or approval patterns, strengthens oversight and surfaces fraud trends early.What to do if you suspect fraudIf you suspect fraud, act fast. Freeze pending payments, lock system access, and preserve records as evidence. Notify your bank and internal stakeholders right away, and escalate to IT/security, law enforcement, or your insurer. Quick action limits financial loss and improves your chances of recovery.Preventing AP fraud in your businessPreventing accounts payable fraud requires a combination of strong internal controls, advanced technology, and a culture of accountability. Here are eight controls worth prioritizing:Segregation of duties: Separate vendor setup, invoice entry, approval, and payment release. Role-based access ensures no single employee controls the full process.Three-way matching (with tolerances): Use systems that automatically match purchase orders, receipts, and invoices before releasing payment. Define acceptable tolerances so minor variances, such as shipping costs or taxes, don’t delay legitimate payments.Vendor master data validation: Vet new vendors thoroughly with background checks, address verification, and tax ID confirmation. Restrict who can edit vendor records and require out-of-band callbacks before approving changes.Four-eyes principle for approvals: Require dual approvals for payments above a threshold and for sensitive actions such as vendor bank account changes or high-risk vendor onboarding.Positive pay for checks: Implement positive pay controls, which verify check details with the bank before payment. Lock check stock, and reconcile exceptions daily.Bank detail change verification: Block email-only change requests. Always confirm with a trusted vendor contact by phone or another secure method before updating bank details.Training and whistleblowing: Offer annual training on red flags and BEC tactics. Provide confidential reporting channels so employees can raise concerns without fear of retaliation.Periodic risk assessments: Regularly review whether controls are effective. After incidents or system changes, revisit thresholds, approval levels, and monitoring rules to keep protections current.This story was produced by Ramp and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	States of bankruptcy in 2026 States of bankruptcy in 2026Bankruptcy can offer a financial reset, but how often Americans need it varies by state. Sudden unemployment, divorce, medical crises and other financial shocks can force households into bankruptcy, which research has linked to depression and adverse health outcomes. Individually, a bankruptcy filing signals acute financial distress; collectively, bankruptcy patterns can highlight where residents face the greatest strain in meeting financial obligations.SmartAsset examined the most recent personal bankruptcy filings in the nation’s bankruptcy courts to identify the states where filings have increased the most. The analysis also measured personal bankruptcy filings per capita in each state.Key FindingsFour states form the nation’s “bankruptcy belt.” Four geographically contiguous states form the nation’s “bankruptcy belt”: Alabama ranks No. 1 for per capita personal bankruptcy filings, followed by Mississippi at No. 2, Tennessee at No. 3 and Georgia at No. 5.Low-bankruptcy states saw the biggest increases in filings. North Dakota and Alaska had the largest year-over-year increases in personal bankruptcy filings, at 41% and 29%, respectively. However, both states remain among those where residents are least likely to file for bankruptcy.One state saw a decline in bankruptcy filings. Among the 50 states, only Maine saw a decrease in the number of personal bankruptcy filings between 2025 and 2026. Filings in the Pine Tree State declined by about 8%, from 580 in 2025 to 533 in 2026.In the West, Nevada stands out. Every state west of the Mississippi River has fewer than 250 bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents except Nevada. Nevadans file for bankruptcy at a rate of 285 cases per 100,000 residents, making them the nation’s fourth most frequent bankruptcy filers. SmartAsset SmartAsset States Ranked1. North Dakota• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 716• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 509• Year-over-year change: 40.7%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 89.92. Alaska• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 237• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 184• Year-over-year change: 28.8%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 32.03. Florida• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 44,496• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 36,407• Year-over-year change: 22.2%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 190.44. Texas• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 35,573• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 29,600• Year-over-year change: 20.2%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 113.75. Oregon• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 7,995• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 6,712• Year-over-year change: 19.1%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 187.16. Minnesota• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 10,203• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 8,655• Year-over-year change: 17.9%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 176.17. West Virginia• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 1,792• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 1,521• Year-over-year change: 17.8%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 101.28. Maryland• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 12,717• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 10,847• Year-over-year change: 17.2%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 203.09. Nebraska• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 2,855• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 2,443• Year-over-year change: 16.9%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 142.410. Delaware• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 1,569• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 1,345• Year-over-year change: 16.7%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 149.211. North Carolina• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 9,975• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 8,582• Year-over-year change: 16.2%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 90.312. Montana• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 845• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 727• Year-over-year change: 16.2%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 74.313. South Carolina• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 5,240• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 4,540• Year-over-year change: 15.4%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 95.614. New Mexico• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 1,625• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 1,408• Year-over-year change: 15.4%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 76.315. California• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 52,973• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 46,088• Year-over-year change: 14.9%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 134.316. Vermont• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 268• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 234• Year-over-year change: 14.5%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 41.317. Georgia• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 31,677• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 27,779• Year-over-year change: 14.0%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 283.318. Arizona• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 12,843• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 11,281• Year-over-year change: 13.9%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 169.419. Idaho• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 2,421• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 2,148• Year-over-year change: 12.7%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 121.020. Oklahoma• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 7,386• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 6,554• Year-over-year change: 12.7%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 180.421. Virginia• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 16,054• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 14,253• Year-over-year change: 12.6%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 182.222. Washington• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 9,376• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 8,331• Year-over-year change: 12.5%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 117.823. Missouri• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 10,832• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 9,625• Year-over-year change: 12.5%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 173.424. Nevada• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 9,301• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 8,284• Year-over-year change: 12.3%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 284.725. Colorado• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 8,461• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 7,536• Year-over-year change: 12.3%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 142.026. Utah• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 7,819• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 6,973• Year-over-year change: 12.1%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 223.227. Kansas• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 4,197• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 3,764• Year-over-year change: 11.5%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 141.328. Michigan• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 22,651• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 20,348• Year-over-year change: 11.3%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 223.429. Wyoming• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 561• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 508• Year-over-year change: 10.4%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 95.530. Indiana• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 18,200• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 16,510• Year-over-year change: 10.2%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 262.831. Pennsylvania• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 13,521• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 12,319• Year-over-year change: 9.8%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 103.432. Iowa• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 3,559• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 3,245• Year-over-year change: 9.7%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 109.833. Kentucky• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 12,120• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 11,131• Year-over-year change: 8.9%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 264.234. South Dakota• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 650• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 599• Year-over-year change: 8.5%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 70.335. New York• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 21,316• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 19,684• Year-over-year change: 8.3%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 107.336. Louisiana• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 9,984• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 9,226• Year-over-year change: 8.2%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 217.237. Alabama• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 20,909• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 19,428• Year-over-year change: 7.6%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 405.438. Massachusetts• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 4,862• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 4,526• Year-over-year change: 7.4%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 68.139. Arkansas• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 6,966• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 6,491• Year-over-year change: 7.3%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 225.640. Connecticut• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 3,559• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 3,338• Year-over-year change: 6.6%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 96.841. Tennessee• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 21,630• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 20,296• Year-over-year change: 6.6%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 299.342. Mississippi• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 9,762• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 9,177• Year-over-year change: 6.4%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 331.743. Rhode Island• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 1,056• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 993• Year-over-year change: 6.3%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 94.944. New Jersey• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 13,409• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 12,704• Year-over-year change: 5.5%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 141.145. Ohio• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 26,110• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 24,777• Year-over-year change: 5.4%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 219.746. Illinois• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 26,525• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 25,581• Year-over-year change: 3.7%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 208.747. Wisconsin• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 10,021• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 9,734• Year-over-year change: 2.9%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 168.148. Hawai'i• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 1,140• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 1,117• Year-over-year change: 2.1%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 78.849. New Hampshire• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 906• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 898• Year-over-year change: 0.9%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 64.350. Maine• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2026: 533• Bankruptcy filings, 12 months ending March 31, 2025: 580• Year-over-year change: -8.1%• Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents: 37.9MethodologyNonbusiness Chapter 7, Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy filings across 84 U.S. bankruptcy courts were examined for the 12-month periods ending March 31, 2025, and March 31, 2026, to determine the year-over-year change in filings by state. For states divided into multiple judicial districts, district totals were combined into statewide counts. Filing rates per 100,000 residents were calculated using filings for the 12-month period ending March 31, 2026, and 2024 American Community Survey one-year population estimates. Source data providers are not affiliated with, and do not endorse or sponsor, this study or its findings.This story was produced by SmartAsset and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	America's 10 most dangerous cities, according to data—and New York and Chicago didn't even make the list travelview // Shutterstock The 10 most dangerous cities in America Many American cities have long been known for crime, but recent data often show that these reputations are outdated. Homicide rates did increase across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic, but in 2025, rates receded 21% compared to 2024—one of the largest declines in American history and potentially the lowest homicide rate since 1900. Despite this, in the summer of 2025, President Donald Trump deployed National Guard troops into Los Angeles, which was later deemed illegal by a federal judge in September 2025. Troops also invaded Washington D.C., some armed, to respond to the "crime emergency," according to the executive order that cited violent crime and homelessness. For a reality check, Stacker ranked the 10 most dangerous U.S. cities using WalletHub's 2026 rankings. WalletHub's methodology compared 182 cities, defining safety by risks to home and community, natural disasters, and finances. It evaluated safety on a 100-point scale, with 1 being the most dangerous, and ranked the cities according to their total score. Natural disaster risks included risks like earthquakes and wildfires; the home and community safety category was weighted by factors such as murders, assaults, and drug poisoning deaths. Financial safety risks included aspects like unemployment rates, the rate of uninsured people, and fraud. The cities named in the crime crackdown were not always consistent with crime data or WalletHub's list. For instance, Washington D.C., which has the lowest violent crime rate in over 30 years, was ranked #11 by WalletHub, and Los Angeles missed this list by a mile at #27 on WalletHub's ranking. Cities that are being threatened with National Guard invasions but also aren't included in the list include Chicago, which President Trump named "the most dangerous city in the world," and New York City. However, Trump has focused on some cities that do make the list, like Baltimore, Memphis, and New Orleans—whose governor welcomed "Trump's help." Read on to see where those three cities rank among the 10 most dangerous in the U.S.—and which other ones made the list. Sean Pavone // Shutterstock #10. Cleveland - Total safety score: 39.74 --- Home and community safety rank: 176 --- Natural-disaster risk rank: 87 --- Financial safety rank: 150 Thu Lai Photography // Shutterstock #9. Philadelphia - Total safety score: 39.39 --- Home and community safety rank: 176 --- Natural-disaster risk rank: 87 --- Financial safety rank: 150 Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock #8. San Bernardino, California - Total safety score: 38.57 --- Home and community safety rank: 173 --- Natural-disaster risk rank: 166 --- Financial safety rank: 156 Sean Pavone // Shutterstock #7. Houston - Total safety score: 38.1 --- Home and community safety rank: 165 --- Natural-disaster risk rank: 182 --- Financial safety rank: 161 YES Market Media // Shutterstock #6. Fort Lauderdale, Florida - Total safety score: 37.28 --- Home and community safety rank: 166 --- Natural-disaster risk rank: 174 --- Financial safety rank: 178 Vibe Images // Shutterstock #5. Baltimore - Total safety score: 36.69 --- Home and community safety rank: 180 --- Natural-disaster risk rank: 61 --- Financial safety rank: 166 Vladimir Mucibabic // Shutterstock #4. Detroit - Total safety score: 36.38 --- Home and community safety rank: 177 --- Natural-disaster risk rank: 100 --- Financial safety rank: 181 Felix Mizioznikov // Shutterstock #3. Baton Rouge, Louisiana - Total safety score: 33.74 --- Home and community safety rank: 181 --- Natural-disaster risk rank: 136 --- Financial safety rank: 147 Connor D. Ryan // Shutterstock #2. Memphis, Tennessee - Total safety score: 33.71 --- Home and community safety rank: 179 --- Natural-disaster risk rank: 101 --- Financial safety rank: 182 Agnieszka Gaul // Shutterstock #1. New Orleans - Total safety score: 31.57 --- Home and community safety rank: 182 --- Natural-disaster risk rank: 71 --- Financial safety rank: 177
	Top ways to be more prepared for hurricane season (BPT) - Key TakeawaysDespite a less severe 2026 hurricane forecast, experiences from 2024 show it only takes one storm to cause prolonged power outages.Taking proactive steps for hurricane season is vital for anyone living in the Mid-Atlantic region, even far from the coast.Preparing for hurricane season means anticipating power outages.Be ready for outages with the modern alternative to gas generators: solar-powered Jackery Essential Home Backup generators.If you live in a hurricane-prone area, you probably know what it's like to be without power for days. Food spoils, you can't use the CPAP machine that helps you breathe better at night, you have no way to safely store bottles of baby formula or breast milk, plus no AC or other appliances and electronics you rely on every day.The just-released Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) brings welcome news: 2026 is predicted to be a below-normal season. However, it only takes one storm to cause outages for thousands (or millions) of households for several days, if not longer.In 2024 alone, Hurricane Helene left 5.9 million customers without power across 10 states, Hurricane Milton left 3.4 million customers in Florida without power, and Hurricane Beryl left 2.6 million customers without power in Texas. In fact, some Houston-area residents were without power for over a week.For anyone living in areas affected by hurricanes, even further inland, it's a good idea to take proactive steps to be better prepared for severe weather events. Top ways to be ready for hurricane seasonExactly how you prep your home depends on whether you live in a house or apartment. But no matter your living situation, these steps are fundamental:Be ready to evacuate: Have "go bags" packed for your household so it won't take long to evacuate.Prepare to hunker down: As long as it's safe to stay put, ensure you have enough water, non-perishable food and a first aid kit.Take stock of energy needs: Which appliances, medical devices, etc. could you not do without for more than a day? This will help you make decisions about practical backup power solutions.Get a home generator that meets your needs: Choose the right backup power to keep your household safely running, no matter what Mother Nature throws your way.The modern home cannot rely on the modern grid during a hurricane, and it doesn't have to.How to prepare for a power outageTo ensure your family has the power they need to get through days or even weeks without power, consider the modern alternative to gas generators: Jackery's Essential Home Backup line. These solar generators are built to run indoors, with no fumes, and no worry about scrambling for fuel during an emergency or local fuel shortage.Here are solar generator options to consider, depending on how much power your household needs:Single rooms or apartments: If you rent an apartment or just want a compact, portable solution for a single room, these two options can cool a room and keep your phone and critical devices running, with no electrician or installation required.HomePower 3000: Portable, apartment/renter-friendly backup solution that keeps essentials running for 1-2 days with 3072 watt hours (Wh) capacity, powering your fridge, Wi-Fi, fans and lights through extended outages.Solar Generator 2000 v2: Compact single-room backup solution with 2042Wh of LiFePO4 (LFP) capacity to keep your fridge, Wi-Fi and lights powered through a full-day outage. The 2200 watt (W) continuous output (4400W surge) easily handles your refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker and everyday essentials without tripping. The switch happens in under 20 milliseconds, so your router and computer stay online during blackouts.Backup power for homes:Solar Generator 5000 Plus: Modular comprehensive home backup system with 5040Wh capacity and 7200W output. It's also expandable to 60 kilowatt hours (kWh), which is enough to keep your home running through an extended outage, not just overnight.HomePower 3600 Plus: Modular comprehensive home system for large appliance loads. Its 3584 Wh capacity and 3600W output delivers 15 hours to 9 days of backup power to run essential home appliances with ease, like refrigerators, medical devices, AC units and other essentials through multi-day outages.Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat differentiates solar generators from gas generators?Solar generators (also known as power stations) are indoor-safe, as there is no carbon monoxide risk. They are also quiet, involving no noise ordinance issues. No fuel runs are required.How do you recharge a solar generator?All Jackery solar backup systems are capable of recharging via solar panels, wall outlet or car port, or even via gas generator. Families can begin recharging as soon as the sun returns, without needing to run to a gas station (which are often out of fuel after major storms).Where can I find Jackery home backup systems?Jackery is available through major retailers like Costco, Home Depot, Lowe's, and Best Buy — and directly through Jackery.com and Jackery's Amazon page. To check out all buying options, head to: Jackery.com/pages/where-to-buy to view authorized dealers to ensure the product warranty.The modern home cannot rely on the modern grid during a hurricane, and it doesn't have to. Learn more about keeping your home's power on at Jackery.com.
	Jesus’ earthly dad, St. Joseph, often overlooked, is honored by Father’s Day in many Catholic nations Jesus’ earthly dad, St. Joseph, often overlooked, is honored by Father’s Day in many Catholic nationsThe United States celebrates Father’s Day on the third Sunday of June. Many countries with a Catholic heritage, however, such as Portugal and Spain, have already honored fathers on March 19: the feast of St. Joseph, husband of Mary and patron saint of fathers.Joseph is easy to overlook. None of his words were included in the Christian Bible. In Islam, the Quran omits him entirely, though it does include Jesus and Mary by name; in fact, it refers to Mary more than the Christian Gospels do. And while Catholic tradition gives the highest veneration to the Virgin Mary, it gives less emphasis to Joseph’s significance — there is even a joke that a Sunday school student thought Jesus’ parents names were “Verge ‘n Mary,” after hearing her name so much more than his.However, the Bible portrays St. Joseph playing a crucial role in the life of Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity. In Catholic culture, Joseph is still an important role model of fatherhood and faith, Gloria Falcão Dodd, a research professor at the University of Dayton, writes for The Conversation.Husband of Mary, father of Jesus— on earthThe bulk of the biblical descriptions of Joseph come from what are called the Infancy Narratives in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, which describe Jesus’ birth and childhood.According to the Gospels, Mary, a virgin betrothed to Joseph, conceived Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit — and therefore Christians consider Jesus the Son of God. However, most Christians understand Joseph to be a true father in every way except biological, since Joseph was the legal father who raised Jesus.The Jewish custom in that time period involved a two-stage marriage: first, a legal contract of marriage, followed later by a party with the husband taking his wife into his home. This is shown in the Gospels: Joseph learned that Mary was expecting before she came to live with him, so he planned to divorce her; but an angel instructed him not to, and instead to take his wife into his home. Therefore, Joseph was already Mary’s legal husband at the time Jesus was conceived. Sergio Anelli // Electa/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images Some Christians believe that after Jesus’ birth, Mary and Joseph had several children together. The Gospels mention brothers and sisters of Jesus. However, Catholics and Orthodox Christians hold that these verses refer to other relatives, not actual siblings. Jesus taught that children have an obligation to support their parents, but when he was dying, he entrusted Mary to the care of his Apostle John, not a sibling.Catholics believe Mary and Joseph had what the Catholic Church calls a “Josephite marriage” — that is, one that meets Catholicism’s requirements for a true marriage, such as fidelity, but does not involve sexual intercourse.Like any parent, Joseph had his challenges. At one point, for example, he and Mary lost track of the 12-year-old Jesus for three days while they were traveling. But in Catholic teachings, he models faithful fatherhood. Joseph provided for his family as a carpenter, and followed God’s instructions to care for them. He named and circumcised his son, presented him at the Temple in Jerusalem, and took him to the Temple on holy days when possible, all in line with Jewish law. Joseph also protected Jesus from Herod, the King of Judea, who wanted to kill the child, by taking Mary and Jesus to safety in Egypt and then Nazareth.Significance in Catholic culturesFor Catholics, Joseph is the second-greatest saint after Mary, because only she knew, loved and served Jesus more than Joseph. In 1870, Pope Pius IX declared Joseph the patron saint of the entire Catholic Church.The Catholic liturgical calendar has two days just for him. Joseph’s primary celebration honors him as the husband of Mary, and takes place on March 19. It is a “solemnity” — a global celebration requiring specific liturgies — and in some countries, Catholics are obligated to attend Mass. Many Italians celebrate the day with a St. Joseph’s Altar or Bread Table, providing free food to all, as a way to thank the saint for his help.May 1 is an optional feast that honors Joseph in his role as a worker. Pope Pius XII established this celebration in 1955 to give a Christian dimension to International Workers Day, also known as International Labor Day or May Day, and counter its Marxist roots.Joseph also shares in the universal feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph on the Sunday after Christmas, as well as some local commemorations. For example, the Oblates of St. Joseph, a community of priests and religious brothers, celebrates Joseph and Mary’s wedding on Jan. 23.Year of St. JosephIn 2020, an American priest, the Rev. Donald Calloway, published a popular book called “Consecration to St. Joseph.” This guide encourages Catholics — many of whom traditionally devote themselves to Mary — to also consecrate their lives to Joseph, as their spiritual father. Calloway outlines a 33-day program to prepare readers for a ceremony, entrusting themselves to Joseph’s care. Hulton Archive // Getty Images Afterward, Calloway wrote to Pope Francis and asked him to declare a “Year of St. Joseph” for the church. The pope has not spoken about whether this letter influenced him, but Francis did proclaim Dec. 8, 2020, to Dec. 8, 2021, the first-ever Year of St. Joseph, a time for Catholics to deepen their knowledge of the saint and to pray for blessings from God through Joseph’s intercession.Francis wrote a public letter called “With a Father’s Heart,” which highlights Joseph’s paternal qualities, such as tenderness, courage, and being self-giving. “Fathers are not born, but made. … Whenever a man accepts responsibility for the life of another, in some way he becomes a father to that person,” Francis wrote.Joseph is considered the patron of a happy death because the Bible implies that he died in the company of Jesus and Mary, before Jesus’ ministry and death. But in life, too, Catholicism sees Joseph as an encouraging ideal: a man who carried out his important role in the family with hope and joy.This story was produced by The Conversation and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	65% of US homeowners say owning a home costs more than expected. Staying put is getting harder, too. 65% of US homeowners say owning a home costs more than expected. Staying put is getting harder, too.For years, homeownership was pitched as the finish line. Save for the down payment, buy the house and build wealth over time. According to new research from Unlock, a company that helps homeowners access the equity in their home, 75% of U.S. homeowners say they have no plan to buy or sell a home this year. That sounds like stability. But as the research reveals, it is starting to feel more like stagnation.Owning a home turns out to cost more than people thought it would, according to the survey of 2,003 homeowners in the United States, conducted in January 2026. The research found that 65% of U.S. homeowners say it is more expensive than what they expected before they bought. The math goes past the mortgage. Nationwide, property taxes climbed 41% between 2018 and 2025, according to the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, with home insurance, maintenance and everyday costs piling on top.Homeowners are cutting back in places that used to be off-limits. Twenty-two percent of respondents reported putting less into retirement to keep up with the cost of owning their home. Another 33% are putting off bigger purchases, like a car. These are not inconsequential cuts. They are cuts to the financial goals owning a home is supposed to make easier in the first place, like building a nest egg, growing an emergency fund or saving for the future.The pressure shows up in the present, too. Nearly a third of homeowners have less than $1,000 in emergency fund savings. More than half say day-to-day expenses are causing significant stress in their lives. Unlock It is not only about cutting back or feeling stressed about day-to-day expenses. The survey found 19% of U.S. homeowners say they would rather double their commute time to work than take on another monthly payment. For homeowners already paying a mortgage, insurance, taxes and maintenance, another bill ranks below an extra hour in traffic. Unlock Costs are only half the story. Homeowners are also sitting on real wealth, though they cannot always say how much. The survey found almost half of U.S. homeowners are not sure how much equity they have built up in their home, including 28% who say they are not sure how to find out. The average mortgaged home in the U.S. holds about $299,000 in equity, according to Cotality, a data and analytics company.Ask homeowners how they feel about having equity in their homes and the answers do not quite line up. Sixty percent say the option to leverage home equity provides an extra level of financial security. Yet 48% say they view home equity as long-term wealth and retirement security, and would only leverage it as a last resort. They want the option there. They just do not want to use it. Unlock The result is a kind of holding pattern. Homeowners are paying more, staying put in homes they cannot easily afford to leave and sitting on wealth they would rather not disturb. The usual options come with a catch. Selling means moving. Refinancing means giving up a low locked-in mortgage rate. According to Realtor.com, 51.5% of outstanding U.S. mortgages still carry rates at or below 4%. Taking out a home equity line of credit or home equity loan adds another monthly payment. Each option asks for something homeowners are trying to avoid. The open question is whether the standard options are still the only options. What used to look like a financial finish line is starting to look more like a treadmill.MethodologyUnlock commissioned Atomik Research to conduct an online survey of 2,003 homeowners in the United States. The margin of error is plus or minus 2 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level. Fieldwork was conducted from Jan. 24-30, 2026. Atomik Research, part of 4media group, is a creative market research agency.This story was produced by Unlock and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Every major fast-food chain, ranked by real customers—and McDonald's is at the bottom of the list Justin Sullivan // Getty Images Every major fast-food chain, ranked by customer satisfaction Historically, fast-food restaurants have been perceived as a more affordable dining option for Americans, but recently, that hasn't been the case. According to the latest Consumer Price Index report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics released in May 2026, the index for limited-service meals, which includes fast food, rose 3.2% over the last 12 months, not much lower than the 3.6% increase the food category saw overall in the same period. The rising costs mean a meal at a fast-food chain is becoming more of a luxury than a cost-saver, so folks are sticking to their favorites—whether it's for the burgers, the chicken, or the best french fries. Many fast-food chains have particularly loyal bases of customers. Someone who loves Burger King may not love McDonald's, despite the two chains having similar menus. Why? One reason is taste. Many fast-food chains have specific spice blends, sauces, and recipes they and their fans claim differentiate their products from competitors. In addition to food quality, customer service can be a major factor in determining consumer opinion of a fast-food chain. Chains that prioritize friendly and efficient service, such as Chick-fil-A and Starbucks, have built a loyal customer base who appreciate the experience they provide, and they come back again and again. To see how fast-food restaurants compare, Stacker ranked 23 major fast-food brands based on their 2025 customer satisfaction score, as calculated by the American Customer Satisfaction Index. (Ties were broken by the percentage point change from 2024 to 2025; further ties remained.) Eleven fast-food chains on the list saw their customer satisfaction scores decrease from 2024 to 2025; six others maintained their scores, and six saw their numbers improve. Read on to see if your favorite chain made the cut and how it compares to other big names in the industry. SrideeStudio // Shutterstock #23. McDonald's - 2025 customer satisfaction score: 70 - Change from 2024: -1 McDonald's is the largest restaurant chain in the world by revenue, with over 44,000 stores in over 100 countries. Although the menu has expanded in the decades since it was founded, consumers still gravitate toward its core offerings of hamburgers and french fries. Ken Wolter // Shutterstock #22. Dairy Queen - 2025 customer satisfaction score: 72 - Change from 2024: -2 Dairy Queen was founded in 1940 in Joliet, Illinois, by a man named Sherb Noble. The very first Dairy Queen location served soft-serve ice cream, a new concept at the time. Nine years later, milkshakes and malts were put on the menu, which keeps people coming back today. JJava Designs // Shutterstock #21. Taco Bell - 2025 customer satisfaction score: 73 - Change from 2024: 0 Taco Bell founder Glen Bell discovered hard-shell tacos from the sit-down restaurant across the street, Mitla Cafe, in San Bernardino, California. Rather than laboriously making each taco by hand, Bell found a way to assemble it quickly. He started selling them out of a stand in December 1951—and thus began Taco Bell. In the years since, the chain has gotten creative with its menu, historically offering Kit Kat quesadillas, Cheetos burritos, and an Airheads slushie. James R. Martin // Shutterstock #20. Sonic - 2025 customer satisfaction score: 73 - Change from 2024: -3 Soon after its founding in the 1950s, Sonic began experimenting with intercom ordering systems, which allowed customers to place their orders without leaving their cars. Today, Sonic is known for its drive-in concept, with carhops delivering food to customers' cars. The company has over 3,500 locations across the United States, and it is known for its extensive drink menu, which includes slushies, milkshakes, and other frozen treats. Birch Photographer // Shutterstock #19. Jack in the Box - 2025 customer satisfaction score: 74 - Change from 2024: +2 Jack in the Box is a fast-food chain founded in 1951 in San Diego. The chain is well-known for its hamburgers, fries, and soft drinks. One of the most polarizing options on the menu is the brand's tacos, which some love and some hate but are always the subject of hearty debate. Ken Wolter // Shutterstock #18. Wendy's - 2025 customer satisfaction score: 75 - Change from 2024: -1 Wendy's founder Dave Thomas named the fast-food chain after his daughter, Melinda Lou "Wendy" Thomas. Although plenty of fast-food staples are on the menu, health-conscious consumers may have more reason to go to Wendy's, as it was the first fast-food company to pioneer a salad bar. NYC Russ // Shutterstock #17. Popeyes - 2025 customer satisfaction score: 75 - Change from 2024: +3 Popeyes thrived during the COVID-19 pandemic. What's more, it's growing. The chain boasted 3,400 locations in 2023 and plans to grow that number to over 4,200 by 2028. The secret to the franchise's success? Its fried chicken recipe, known for its signature crispiness. 4kclips // Shutterstock #16. Five Guys - 2025 customer satisfaction score: 75 - Change from 2024: -3 Founded in 1986, Five Guys is a family-owned company that has leaned into franchising. Since it opened for franchising in 2002, it has grown from five restaurants to almost 2,000 locations across the globe. The company is known for its simple menu of burgers, fries, and milkshakes and its commitment to using high-quality ingredients and cooking everything to order. Among these high-quality ingredients are fresh beef and fries cooked in peanut oil. QualityHD // Shutterstock #15. Subway - 2025 customer satisfaction score: 76 - Change from 2024: +2 Subway is a sandwich chain where customers can get healthy, hearty fare on a sub sandwich bread. Wraps have also become available more recently. Subway even offers a "sandwich artist" training program to teach employees how to make each sandwich to the customer's exact specifications. rblfmr // Shutterstock #14. Chipotle - 2025 customer satisfaction score: 76 - Change from 2024: -1 Chipotle has been called an anti-McDonald's for its unconventional approach to fast food. It prides itself on serving responsibly sourced food with no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. It operates the roughly 4,000 restaurants it owns across the globe. In 2022, the chain launched a $50 million venture fund focused on eateries with a similar socially conscious approach to dining as the company. ScannableZebra // Shutterstock #13. Little Caesars - 2025 customer satisfaction score: 77 - Change from 2024: +2 Little Caesars is known for its iconic "Pizza! Pizza!" advertising slogan, introduced in 1979. The slogan was originally created to promote the chain's two-for-one pizza deal, but it quickly became synonymous with the brand and is still used today. The chain is also known for being more affordable, making it a good choice for a wide variety of consumers. KULLAPONG PARCHERAT // Shutterstock #12. KFC - 2025 customer satisfaction score: 77 - Change from 2024: -4 KFC is known for its blend of 11 herbs and spices, which gives its chicken a distinct and delicious flavor many people love. The family who started the fried chicken chain has guarded its secret recipe for years, but a photo revealed from a family scrapbook may have exposed the recipe to the world. Sridee Studio // Shutterstock #11. Burger King - 2025 customer satisfaction score: 77 - Change from 2024: 0 Burger King has so many fans that it's successfully marketed merchandise beyond Whoppers. In 2015, the company launched a Flame-Grilled fragrance that smelled like its signature flame-grilled burgers. The limited-edition perfume was available for purchase in Japan. TY Lim // Shutterstock #10. Dunkin' - 2025 customer satisfaction score: 78 - Change from 2024: +1 The founder of Dunkin' Donuts, William Rosenberg, started out selling coffee and donuts in Quincy, Massachusetts, in 1948. The company's original name was Open Kettle, but it was later changed to Dunkin' Donuts in 1950. Today, Dunkin' Donuts is one of the world's largest chains specializing in coffee and baked goods, with more than 12,000 franchise locations worldwide, and is beloved by many, including celebrity fan Ben Affleck. Susan Montgomery // Shutterstock #9. Domino's - 2025 customer satisfaction score: 78 - Change from 2024: -1 Domino's has a reputation for delivering pizzas quickly. The chain offers a wide range of toppings and crust options, allowing customers to customize their pizzas to suit their tastes. They also provide a range of side dishes and desserts. James Andrews1 // Shutterstock #8. Culver's - 2025 customer satisfaction score: 78 - Change from 2024: -2 The only newcomer to the 2024 list, Culver's started in Wisconsin in 1984 and now boasts more than 800 restaurants across the U.S., but mostly sticking to its Midwestern roots. The chain is famous for its signature ButterBurgers (which are, as the name implies, served on a buttered, toasted bun), its frozen custard, and of course, its cheese curds, a regional favorite. Though many restaurants struggled due to the societal and economic impact of COVID-19, QSR reports that Culver's "emerged from the pandemic making roughly $1 million-plus more per location than it did going in." Jonathan Weiss // Shutterstock #7. Pizza Hut (tie) - 2025 customer satisfaction score: 79 - Change from 2024: 0 Pizza Hut has a unique claim to fame that may appeal to outer space fans: In 2001, it became the first company to deliver pizza to space. Pizza Hut worked with the Russian space agency to deliver a pizza to the International Space Station. However, only cosmonauts enjoyed the pizza because of NASA's policy against advertisements. photo-denver // Shutterstock #7. Papa Johns (tie) - 2025 customer satisfaction score: 79 - Change from 2024: 0 Today, Papa Johns is the fourth-largest pizza chain in the world, with more than 5,500 locations across the globe. The company is also known for its commitment to using high-quality ingredients in its pizzas, including fresh, never-frozen dough and vine-ripened tomatoes for its pizza sauce. This isn't bad, considering the company started out in a converted broom closet in the back of a bar founder John Schnatter co-owned with his father. QualityHD // Shutterstock #5. Panera Bread (tie) - 2025 customer satisfaction score: 79 - Change from 2024: -1 Panera Bread is a fast-casual restaurant known for its quality ingredients. It even maintains a "No No List" of items the chain would never use in its recipes. Panera began in 1987 as the St. Louis Bread Company, armed with a sourdough starter from San Francisco. In 2017, JAB Holding Company purchased the chain. It now operates more than 2,100 bakery-cafes under Panera Bread or St. Louis Bread Company across 48 states and Ontario, Canada. Steve Bruckmann // Shutterstock #5. Arby's (tie) - 2025 customer satisfaction score: 79 - Change from 2024: -1 Leroy and Forrest Raffel opened the first Arby's location in Boardman, Ohio, in 1964, with the name Arby's, based on the initials "R" and "B," meant to stand for "Raffel Brothers." The company's signature dish is its roast beef sandwich, made with slow-roasted, thinly sliced beef and topped with various sauces and toppings. Arby's has since expanded its menu to include a range of sandwiches, salads, and sides, and today has more than 3,400 locations around the nation. Pavel Mikheyev // Shutterstock #3. Starbucks - 2025 customer satisfaction score: 80 - Change from 2024: 0 Starbucks has a reputation for providing a consistent experience across its many locations. Customers know what to expect when they visit a Starbucks, from the quality of the coffee to the store's ambiance. Joni Hanebutt // Shutterstock #2. Panda Express - 2025 customer satisfaction score: 80 - Change from 2024: 3 Panda Express was founded by Chinese immigrants and husband-and-wife team Andrew and Peggy Cherng in 1983, a spinoff of a restaurant concept called Panda Inn. In 1987, the chain found its signature dish, Orange Chicken, thanks to in-house chef Andy Kao. The company is also known for its American take on Chinese dishes, even introducing regional Chinese dishes such as Sichuan-style Kung Pao Chicken and a General Tso's Chicken that uses Hunanese spices. Andriy Blokhin // Shutterstock #1. Chick-fil-A - 2025 customer satisfaction score: 83 - Change from 2024: 0 Chick-fil-A is known for its 100% whole breast meat with no fillers and hormones. Founder Truett Cathy created the recipe over 50 years ago, and it hasn't changed. The chain has faced backlash for its founder's philanthropic efforts, especially giving to conservative and Christian organizations opposed to LGBTQ+ rights. Still, it does abstain from donating to politicians, a common practice in the industry. No matter the politics, the chicken sandwich is undeniably good, and more recently, it has been testing a plant-based sandwich it took four years to develop.
	How to be ready for your child’s college tuition bills 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/8938831b-2878-41ec-8a47-309948a940b7_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) - Key takeawaysMost families draw on multiple sources to pay for college.You can find many other sources of potential funding outside of federal student loans and scholarships from schools.Bridge any gap that may still exist between financial aid received and total college expenses with a private student loan from College Ave.Is your family sending a child to college in fall 2026? You probably have a long to-do list this summer, but ensuring you can cover all the expenses is probably at the top.Although the costs of tuition, room and board may seem overwhelming, a Parent Survey by College Ave found that most families manage these expenses by combining multiple funding sources, including scholarships, grants and student loans.The survey also found that parents overwhelmingly believe a college degree is important for their child's future. To help parents prepare, College Ave shares tips for managing expenses.How is financial aid applied?At this point in the process, you filled out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), your child was accepted into one or more schools and chose where to enroll. The school sent a financial aid award letter indicating the amount of grants, scholarships or federal student loans your child will receive.After your child submits their college acceptance form, aid is usually disbursed directly to the school toward tuition, room and board. Contact the school's financial aid office regarding any remaining bills and deadlines.How can I figure out a college budget?The costs of tuition, room and board in 2026 are high, but there are many ways to lighten the load. For example, most schools offer payment plans to spread tuition bills throughout the year, interest-free.Most families combine multiple resources to pay for school. According to the College Ave Parent Survey, these were the top sources:Regular income/savings: 67%Grants/scholarships: 64%529 account: 45%Federal student loans: 41%Child will work: 39%Parent loan (parent solely responsible): 18%Parent side hustle/second job: 17%Private student loans: 16%Colleges often provide a Net Price Calculator (NPC) on their websites to help families estimate actual costs after financial aid is taken into account.It's also recommended to have an honest discussion with your child about expenses, involving them in decisions about working part-time while in school and exploring ways to lower costs.Parents overwhelmingly believe a college degree is important for their child's future.What other sources of funding are available?According to the Parent Survey, 51% of parents were willing to defer retirement for their child's education, while 69% made additional personal sacrifices or deferred putting money in personal savings to help pay for their child's college.Additional research may help you find untapped funds to defray some expenses. Beyond Federal and school-based aid, millions of dollars in private scholarships are awarded each year, as well as grants from local civic groups or even your employer, many of which go unclaimed. If your family belongs to any civic organization, house of worship or community group, it's worth asking about education funds.It pays to keep searching for grants and scholarships throughout the summer and first year of school. Some may relate to your child's major, place of birth or background rather than their academic performance. Your child should contact their high school counselor and chosen school's financial aid office to explore additional opportunities.You can also research online scholarship databases and your state's Department of Education website. One easy, no-essay scholarship to apply for is from CollegeAve.com/scholarship. A new winner is selected each month.†How can we reduce expenses?Did your child take AP or community college classes? They could transfer credits to their chosen school. They can still consider taking community college classes this summer, or any summer during their college career, to fulfill requirements and potentially graduate early. Check with their college to ensure credits are transferable.Students can also economize by sharing dorm accessory costs with roommates, carpooling or using public transportation. Consider buying used textbooks, renting textbooks or using free digital copies through the university library to cut costs.When are private student loans a good option?You may already be borrowing funds to help pay for college. In fact, it's smart to use Federal student loans in your child's name first, as they offer unique benefits including income-based repayment not typically offered by private lenders.If there's still a gap between received aid and college expenses, this is where a private lender with flexible repayment plans and good customer service, like College Ave, can come in. You can estimate future monthly payments, rates and repayment terms to help make your decision easier at CollegeAve.com/calculators.Find more information on planning and paying for college at CollegeAve.com.†No purchase necessary to enter or win. See official rules for details.
	Lo que debe saber para detectar estafas de impostores (BPT) - Aunque el fraude no es nada nuevo, las estafas actuales están en constante evolución. Los últimos avances tecnológicos, como la inteligencia artificial (IA), hacen que estos fraudes sean aún más difíciles de detectar. La Comisión Federal de Comercio (Federal Trade Commission, FTC) realiza un seguimiento del costo astronómico que supone el fraude para los consumidores, como los $15.900 millones en pérdidas declaradas solo en 2025. Aunque las estafas adoptan muchas formas, la mayoría tiene un rasgo en común: los impostores. Los estafadores se hacen pasar por una persona, una empresa o un organismo público que no son. Las estafas de impostores son el tipo de fraude más denunciado en el país.Las estafas actuales pueden potenciarse fácilmente con la IA, usando herramientas como la IA generativa, la clonación de voz y la tecnología deepfake para crear contenido personalizado y muy convincente que puede incluso ayudar a los estafadores a entablar relación con las víctimas a lo largo del tiempo. Las identidades falsas generadas por IA se utilizan en muchos tipos de estafas, desde estafas sentimentales y de inversión hasta estafas en las que se hacen pasar por un nieto o una pareja sentimental.Para ayudarlo a proteger el dinero que tanto le ha costado ganar, el Servicio de Inspección Postal de los Estados Unidos® ofrece consejos que le ayudarán a detectar y prevenir los tipos más comunes de fraude.Inversiones en criptomonedas para "hacerse rico rápidamente"A todo el mundo le gusta soñar con ganar dinero fácil. Por desgracia, a los estafadores también. Las estafas más habituales abarcan desde valores y materias primas hasta pozos de petróleo y monedas de oro. La estafa en auge hoy en día se basa en inversiones falsas en criptomonedas, en las que incluso los inversores más avispados pueden caer. Los estafadores que se dedican a las inversiones en criptomonedas pueden publicar sitios web de inversión que parecen auténticos, pero usted se dará cuenta de que no puede retirar el dinero que ha "invertido".Si recibe una llamada telefónica o un correo electrónico en el que se utilizan tácticas de presión y se prometen grandes beneficios, es una señal de alarma. Es posible que alguien se ponga en contacto con usted diciendo que ha ganado mucho dinero y que quiere enseñarle cómo hacerlo. Pero las inversiones legítimas nunca garantizan resultados. Si suena demasiado bueno para ser verdad, es que lo es.Protéjase: no tome decisiones precipitadas en materia de dinero, aunque el vendedor le diga que es una "oportunidad única en la vida" con una fecha límite. Investigue para comprobar por usted mismo las promesas de rentabilidad y nunca invierta basándose únicamente en lo que lea en una sola fuente de información. Compruebe la reputación de cualquier empresa en la oficina local de defensa del consumidor o en la Fiscalía General de su estado.Estafas dirigidas a abuelosUna de las estafas más preocupantes, potenciada por la IA, utiliza fotos falsas y la clonación de voz para hacerle creer que un familiar, como un nieto, se está poniendo en contacto con usted, y le pide con urgencia dinero para una fianza, gastos legales o facturas de hospital. Para que la historia resulte creíble, los estafadores agregan detalles sobre cómo o dónde se produjo esa "emergencia", o le dicen que un abogado, un médico o un agente de policía se "lo explicará todo" si los llama. En cuanto se envía el dinero, los estafadores se esfuman y el abuelo o la abuela pierde cientos o miles de dólares.Protéjase: Piense antes de actuar. Estas llamadas o correos electrónicos pueden llegar a altas horas de la noche, cuando no se piensa con claridad. Es a propósito. Póngase en contacto con su familiar (o con sus padres) por el medio que suele utilizar para comunicarse con ellos y compruebe la historia. Las peticiones urgentes de dinero siempre son señales de alarma, al igual que las formas en que los estafadores quieren que se les envíe el dinero. Los métodos de pago preferidos por los estafadores son las transferencias bancarias o las tarjetas de prepago recargables, lo que hace imposible recuperar el dinero.Estafas sentimentalesLas redes sociales y los sitios web de citas son plataformas perfectas para engañar a consumidores vulnerables y atraerlos hacia relaciones sentimentales. Cualquier persona que se encuentre socialmente aislada podría caer en una estafa romántica. Los estafadores fingen estar interesados en usted y, tras ganarse su confianza, pueden pedirle que les envíe dinero o que cobre un cheque o un giro postal. Los estafadores crean una sensación de urgencia alegando que tienen una emergencia médica. O bien, puede que le prometan venir a Estados Unidos para estar con usted, pero que necesitan un cheque o un giro postal para cubrir los gastos. Ninguna de estas historias es cierta.Protéjase: en cualquier relación que surja a través de Internet, no revele sus datos personales. Busque en Internet el nombre de la persona y la ciudad en la que dice vivir. Actúe con cautela y preste atención a las incongruencias que puedan aparecer en el perfil y la información de la persona. Mantenga las conversaciones en la plataforma de la página web oficial de citas. Algunas señales de alerta son mostrar interés romántico por usted muy rápidamente, insistir en pasar a un correo electrónico privado y pedirle dinero para visitarle o para una emergencia.Servicio técnico falsoEs posible que reciba una falsa advertencia sobre un problema en su computadora, como una ventana emergente o un correo electrónico que parezca proceder de una empresa conocida. El aviso le pedirá que llame a un número de teléfono para obtener ayuda o que haga clic en un vínculo. Otras estafas relacionadas con el soporte técnico pueden comenzar con una llamada o un mensaje de texto de un estafador que se hace pasar por un técnico informático. Es posible que le pidan acceso remoto a su computadora y finjan estar buscando virus. A continuación, dirán que han detectado un programa malicioso y se ofrecerán a eliminarlo a cambio de una cantidad de dinero.Una señal de alarma importante es que le insistan en que pague con tarjetas de regalo, mediante transferencia bancaria, criptomonedas o con una aplicación de pago. Quieren que pague de alguna de estas formas porque es como usar dinero en efectivo: una vez que paga, es difícil recuperar su dinero.Protéjase: si recibe una llamada de asistencia técnica que no haya solicitado, simplemente cuelgue. Si recibe un correo electrónico o un mensaje de texto, ignórelo y bórrelo. No facilite información de carácter personal (personally identifiable information, PII) a desconocidos, como su número de Seguridad Social, fecha de nacimiento, números de cuentas bancarias o dirección particular. No haga clic en los vínculos ni responda a este tipo de correos electrónicos. Bloquee los mensajes de spam y borre el correo electrónico o el mensaje de texto. Revise la factura de su teléfono móvil para detectar cargos sospechosos y mantenga actualizado el software de seguridad de todos sus dispositivos.Para obtener más información sobre la prevención del fraude, visite uspis.gov/imposter-scams. Si cree que ha sido víctima de fraude o de cualquier delito relacionado con el Servicio Postal de los Estados Unidos, denúncielo en uspis.gov/report o llame al 877-876-2455.
	Found: Macomb police searched for missing 16-year-old over weekend A 16-year-old reported missing in Macomb has been located, according to Macomb police.
	Former American businessman detained in Myanmar after alleged financial misconduct Adam Castillo, founder of AGS Myanmar, was detained Thursday at Yangon International Airport. The U.S. State Department is aware of a reported detention but hasn't commented further.

Monday, June 15th, 2026