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

Thursday, August 13th, 2026
	What are cornea ulcers? They strike the cornea, the eye’s clear protective “window,” and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.
	Kennedy Center Board votes again to shut main building down — and add Trump's name back The board voted to close the Washington, D.C., arts complex's main campus for a $250 million renovation — three months after a federal judge temporarily blocked a similar closure.
	Illinois experiences home-building slump Illinois is in the middle of a home-building slump. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows Illinois issued 157 new housing permits for every 100.000 people between June 2025 and May 2026. That figure is less than half the national homebuilding rate and the second-lowest rate in the U.S. Demand isn't the issue in Illinois; [...]
	Chicago Bears say Hammond is ‘sole focus’ for new stadium Team president says no final decision has been made, but the organization’s attention is fixed on a development in Hammond.
	'I'm a say yes person': Actor Colman Domingo is up for new challenges Domingo is nominated for two Emmy Awards for two very different performances — in the Netflix comedy The Four Seasons and in HBO's Euphoria. "I can go very deep with my characters," he says.
	Davenport man charged as driver in July Fourth shooting A Davenport driver faces multiple felony charges after police say he drove the getaway vehicle in a July Fourth shooting near young children.
	Mangione could plead guilty in federal case ahead of NY murder trial A surprise hearing Friday in federal court has added to speculation Luigi Mangione could enter a plea, which could derail a state murder trial.
	Celebrate Cancer Survivor Night at River Bandits game Join Cancer Support Community Iowa & NW Illinois families at Cancer Survivor Night at the River Bandits game on Friday, August 28, as the home team takes on Beloit. The game starts at 6:30 p.m. and includes a fireworks finale. RSVP is required and includes a free ticket. Free tickets for guests are available, pending [...]
	Florida man who scammed Quad-Cities credit unions enters guilty pleas to theft and forgery A Florida man who scammed local credit unions with fake U.S. Savings Bonds enters into plea agreement with prosecutors.
	Vladimir Putin's first visit to disputed Pacific islands draws Tokyo protest The four southernmost islands of the chain also are claimed by Japan, which calls them the Northern Territories.
	Party in the Park postponed to next week Thursday’s Party in the Park has been postponed until next week, according to the City of Davenport.
	United Way Quad Cities to pilot program helping parents find living-wage careers The initiative aims to remove barriers that often prevent working parents from completing education and workforce training that lead to living-wage careers.
	State grants help support QCA library services, literacy programs A combined $28.9 million in grants will help support library services and literacy programs throughout Illinois. “Libraries are cornerstones of our communities, providing Illinoisans with access to information, technology, educational resources and opportunities to learn and grow,” said Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias. “These grants strengthen our libraries and literacy programs [...]
	Davenport man sentenced to three years in federal prison for escape A Davenport man who walked away from a residential reentry facility while on federal supervised release was sentenced to three years in prison.
	Davenport man on federal supervised release heading back to prison for possessing firearm A Davenport man released early from federal prison by Biden is heading back to prison after he was found in possession of a handgun just five months after getting released.
	New Quad City Arts executive director loves connecting lots of art to community As an actor, it seems Ben Gougeon was born to play his latest real-life role – executive director of the nonprofit Quad City Arts, the organization’s third full-time leader in less than two years.
	Special Weather Statement until THU 11:30 AM CDT Strong Thunderstorms Bringing Gusty Winds and Localized Flooding This Morning
	Illinois DOT hiring snow and ice removal crews It may still be summer, but the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) District 2 is looking for snow and ice removal crews. IDOT is holding an open house for anyone interested in applying for seasonal positions to help with snow and ice removal in Rock Island and Henry counties. The open house will be on [...]
	Nearly half of Americans have used mental health medication, so why are 68% still hesitant? Nearly half of Americans have used mental health medication, so why are 68% still hesitant?Next time you’re at a party, look around and consider this: Nearly half of the people in the room have probably taken mental health medication at some point. Still, most people feel uneasy about it.That’s one of the central findings in Thriveworks’ 2026 Pulse on Mental Health Report—the third annual nationally representative survey of 2,000 U.S. adults, conducted by Wakefield Research in March 2026—where 47% of Americans say they’ve been prescribed mental health medication at some point, yet 68% of people still have at least one hesitation about taking it.“Once clients start opening up, they find out about half of their network is already on medications for mental health and they just never knew because we still have some stigma there,” said Jami Dumler, licensed clinical social worker and clinical programs director at Thriveworks. That stigma might be growing thanks to a steady stream of misinformation coming out of everyone from social media influencers to politicians. Thriveworks Thriveworks talked to three clinical experts about where these hesitations around mental health medications come from and how mental health providers can help people feel comfortable getting whatever kind of support they need.Who’s using medication—and who isn’t?Mental health medication has become a mainstream experience, even if we rarely talk about it that way. Nearly half (47%) of Americans say they’ve been prescribed it at some point, with 24% currently taking it and 23% previously prescribed it.But most people still see medication as a supporting player in the realm of mental health care: Talk therapy remains the primary preference, with 51% of people saying that’s the type of care they’re most likely to seek, followed by a combined approach of therapy and medication (35%), and medication alone being the least popular approach (14%). Thriveworks Here’s how medication views differ by age, life circumstances, and demographics:Generational breakdownMillennials are the most likely to have used mental health medication (64%), followed by Gen Z (50%), while only one-third of Boomers have used it. But oddly enough, the younger generations are actually more hesitant of mental health meds than their elders, with 80% of Gen Z and 73% of Millennials having at least one reservation about medication, compared with 56% of Boomers.Dumler wonders if this is driven by wellness trends online. “The younger generations are really focused on health and wellness overall, and there’s a lot of noise around natural support and avoiding traditional medication,” she explained. Thriveworks Parents vs. nonparentsParents are far more likely than nonparents to have tried medication (58% versus 41%), which likely speaks to how life stressors may affect your need for support. “I often see medication used as a helpful tool during periods of significant life transition, whether that’s starting a new job, experiencing a major loss, or recovering from a traumatic event,” Dumler said. “Parenthood is another major life transition. Many have used medication temporarily during previous challenging seasons and find it to be a helpful support again while navigating the busy, ever-changing early years of parenting.”Cultural differencesThe clinicians weren’t surprised to see that there were differences among cultural and racial backgrounds, most notably that Black adults had the lowest use rate of medications (36%) and that Hispanic adults had the highest hesitation rate (78%).For many people, the hesitation is inherited—shaped by how mental health was understood, or avoided, in the communities and families they grew up in. “In some cultures, it can be seen as a weakness to need medication or mental health support. For some it’s around privacy—sharing what’s challenging, or about your family history, can feel like you’re breaking the trust of your family,” Dumler said.And for some, it likely circles back to bigger systemic problems in America. “It’s a really existentially threatening time to be in any kind of underrepresented, marginalized, or minority population in this country,” said Kate Hanselman, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and vice president of clinical psychiatry at Thriveworks. “It would not surprise me at all if people were feeling more reluctant to access care.”Fears of side effects are top of mind, but often overblownThe most common concern Americans have about mental health medications is the potential for side effects and long-term dependency, with 36% of survey respondents listing this hesitation.While side effects are possible with any medication, the clinicians we spoke with said that many of these fears are overblown and largely a symptom of too much information. For starters, there’s the ubiquity of pharmaceutical commercials naming a long list of side effects that few patients actually experience.“In any clinical trial, they’re required to report every side effect that happened during that entire trial. So if somebody just had a headache because they were dehydrated, they still put that down,” Hanselman explained. Older generations have another layer to work through: Their frame of reference is often an earlier era of psych meds that genuinely did carry harsher side effects.Then there’s everything you read on the internet. Hallie Kritsas, licensed mental health counselor at Thriveworks, sees a lot of her clients’ side effect concerns coming from Googling or asking artificial intelligence about the meds they’re considering. They read about one person’s bad experience and assume they’ll have the same—especially when a mental health challenge is already amping up their anxiety. It can make it hard to remember that bodies respond differently, and that finding a medication where the benefits outweigh any downsides is exactly what a psychiatrist is there for.“No medication is one-size-fits-all,” Dumler said. “Most people will try a couple of different medications, and they’ll often find one that has very minimal to zero side effects.”The fear of long-term dependency is a little more complicated to unpackConcerns about becoming dependent on a mental health medication likely stem from a few different factors. For starters, some worry that they’ll experience withdrawal symptoms when stopping an antidepressant. What they’re actually referring to is something called antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, which can occur if an SSRI is tapered or discontinued too quickly. This doesn’t indicate dependence or addiction, but simply a need to slow down medication changes.Others may worry about the habit-forming potential of certain mental health meds, like stimulant ADHD medications. These medications do carry a risk of dependence, which is why they are classified as Schedule II controlled substances and are monitored carefully. When prescribed and managed appropriately, dependence should not occur.Finally, some people just worry about starting a mental health medication without knowing how long they’ll need to take it. The truth of that is: It depends. While not the case for everyone, some people do stay on mental health medications long-term if it’s the best way to manage their symptoms, Hanselman says, and being on a medication long-term isn’t any better or worse than taking it for a short time. Thriveworks American individualism runs deep and is affecting our ability to ask for helpNot every hesitation is about the medication itself. For nearly a quarter of Americans (24%), the holdup is a belief that they should be able to handle their mental health on their own. It’s a common stigma associated with mental health medications, and it’s one that clinicians trace back to the core of American culture.“We’re very ‘bootstrappy’ as Americans,” Hanselman said. “Hard work is praised. So if you’re not feeling your best, well, go figure it out, suck it up, do better. It gets really harmful because people don’t give themselves permission to accept help.”And while this may seem like an antiquated opinion, Millennials and Gen Z (29%) were actually more likely to report this hesitation than Boomers (20%). “There’s a difference between ‘I can acknowledge I’m having a hard time’—which the younger generations are anecdotally better at—versus ‘I should be able to handle this,’” Hanselman said, noting that internet culture may be contributing to the pressure to figure things out on your own.How to address medication hesitations in mental health careRemind patients that they’re in the driver’s seatHanselman likes to make sure her patients know that this is a collaborative approach that’s truly driven by them.“This cannot be a paternalistic relationship—we have to work together because you’re the one living your life and taking your meds every day,” she said. “We can move very, very slowly and minimize your risk of any side effects if you’re concerned. And if we see any side effects you don’t like, we can slow it down, pause, or try something else. We have a ton of different options.” Knowing they can come to her if something goes wrong often gives her patients ease.When patients are nervous to even take the first step of considering meds, Dumler points out that an appointment with a psychiatrist doesn’t mean an automatic prescription. “I remind folks: You don’t have to walk out of there with medication. I’d love for you to just have a conversation and get your questions answered. Then you’ve got all the information to make your own informed decision,” she said.Compare mental health treatment to physical health treatmentFor patients stuck on the idea that needing medication is a personal failing, clinicians reach for physical-health parallels. “Both my dog and I took Zyrtec this morning because our allergies are not very friendly right now,” Kritsas said. “I would never think taking Zyrtec is a bad thing because it’s ‘just a crutch.’ It’s another tool in our toolbox, another coping mechanism. It’s not the one end-all, be-all—but therapy probably won’t be the one end-all, be-all either. So why wouldn’t we try both things together?” Thriveworks Helping patients access affordable careWhile not a dominant hesitation, 14% of people cited cost or insurance and 7% cited difficulty finding a provider as barriers to trying medication. “There are folks who are low-coverage, underinsured, or not insured, and not all medication is covered by different plans,” Dumler said. “Health care reform is always a challenge in the U.S. and is part of the story.”Some of these cost problems can be improved with prescribing, Hanselman says, such as by opting for more affordable generic meds or completing a prior authorization to support medication coverage for a patient.And if the barrier is finding a provider at all, the fix can be telehealth, or even pointing a patient to their existing provider. “I remind folks that are hesitant in terms of care costs, your primary care doctor is a great place to start,” Dumler said. “If you’re not able to access a psychiatrist, having a conversation with your trusted family doctor is another great space to explore if medication could be helpful for you.”This story was produced by Thriveworks and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Winning Powerball ticket sold in Quincy A winning ticket for Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing was sold at the Hy-Vee gas station on Broadway Street in Quincy.
	Crime Stoppers: Man wanted after stealing 2 AC units from Moline apartments The Moline Police Department is asking for the public’s help finding a man who broke into an apartment building and stole two AC units.
	By sky and sea, Ukraine's drone strikes challenge Russia's grip on Crimea Russia maintained an iron grip on Crimea since seizing it from Ukraine in 2014. Many Russian civilians go there to enjoy the beaches. But now Ukraine is hitting Crimea hard, upending daily life.
	LIVE BLOG: Severe weather in Quad Cities area Thursday The First Alert Weather team is tracking severe storms.
	Discovery Fair offers Family Events in Bettendorf Families can explore, create and even meet a few animals this weekend it Bettendorf.Discover Fair returns Saturday with activies spread across the Bettendorf Public Library, Family Museum, and Faye's Field. Andrew Miller with the Bettendorf Public Library explains what you can expect.
	The silent struggle: Why many men still avoid talking about mental health The silent struggle: Why many men still avoid talking about mental healthMental health and therapy are discussed more openly now than they were only a few years ago, but men are still less likely to advocate for themselves once the subject becomes personal.Therapists and researchers have tracked the reluctance for years, and what worries them most is how long men hold out even as emotional distress starts interfering with daily life. And none of the national data suggests men are struggling any less.Key takeawaysMen experience anxiety and depression at similar rates as women, but are less likely to receive counseling or therapy.Cultural expectations around toughness, independence, and emotional control can make it harder for men to recognize distress and ask for support.Untreated mental health concerns can affect relationships, work performance, physical health, substance use, and personal safety.Younger generations, athletes, and public figures are helping normalize conversations about men’s mental health, though stigma and misinformation remain barriers.Online therapy and flexible scheduling can make care more discreet and convenient, but affordability, provider availability, and long wait times may still limit access.BetterHelp's 2026 State of Stigma Report surveyed 2,000 U.S. adults in March 2026 and found men and women reporting anxiety and depression symptoms at nearly equal rates. Yet CDC data gathered from 2021 through 2023 found 33.2% of males with depression received counseling or therapy over a 12-month span, compared with 43% of females. And much of the hesitation begins with what boys and men are taught about handling emotional pain on their own.Why men have historically avoided mental health careOften, men try to push through mental health struggles alone, and the habit usually starts long before adulthood. Michael Addis, a psychology professor at Clark University, studies how boys and men learn which emotions they are allowed to show and which problems they are expected to solve alone.Boys learn early to tie emotional control to growing up, so a scraped knee or a real scare tends to draw an order to toughen up instead of an invitation to talk. But over time, those lessons harden into adult rules, and independence becomes the yardstick a man measures his own worth against.Culture keeps that lesson going into adulthood, and as Addis told the Christian Science Monitor, "we tend to hide the emotional and physical vulnerabilities of men."He points to the public praise handed to men who come across as stoic and invincible. Addis also traces part of the reluctance to a culture that has treated asking for care, whether for depression or physical pain, as feminine.So speaking up under those rules can feel like risking the respect of family members and close friends. And years spent hiding emotion may leave some men with little practice naming sadness or fear.As Addis explained, men may feel anxious about activities treated as feminine, and “seeking help falls under that.” The effort to appear invincible can then keep emotional suffering hidden, leaving even close relatives unsure what a man is carrying.And with those feelings left unnamed, the National Institute of Mental Health notes that depression among men often surfaces as irritability or physical symptoms, leading many to discuss bodily problems with a doctor before mentioning emotional pain. By adulthood, staying silent may feel safer than admitting they need support from someone else.The cost of staying silentLeaving mental health problems untreated can change far more than how a man feels, since the strain often follows him home and into his working life. Danesh A. Alam, medical director of Behavioral Health Services at Central DuPage Hospital, says men often minimize symptoms and "push through negative feelings."Alam also warns that "the longer depression goes untreated, the more severe the episodes can get," leaving some men with weaker concentration and less ability to manage ordinary responsibilities.At home, irritability may replace conversation, while withdrawal can leave a partner or child unsure how to respond. The same strain may follow a man to work, where missed deadlines or absences begin affecting how others depend on him. The World Health Organization estimates that depression and anxiety cost 12 billion working days worldwide each year.But physical health can also suffer, with the American Heart Association linking depression, chronic stress, and anger to poorer cardiovascular health. Some men then use alcohol or drugs to dull emotional distress, adding another health risk while the mental health problem goes untreated.If the distress continues to worsen, a man may reach a point where his safety is at risk. And national suicide data shows just how severe that danger can become, with the CDC reporting that the male suicide rate was nearly four times the female rate in 2024. However, there are many other factors that may drive someone to suicide, and silence is only one piece of it.Younger generations are changing the conversationCompared with many men from earlier generations, Gen Z has grown up hearing mental health discussed as part of everyday life. The advocacy group Active Minds reports that Gen Z talks about mental health more openly than any generation before it, and the group credits that openness with helping families who once stayed silent become more willing to ask for help.Still, greater comfort with the subject has not removed the fear of being judged once a young man speaks about his own distress. Athletes have done a lot to ease that fear.Michael Addis, the Clark University psychologist, points out that athletes may be the last men to have their manhood questioned, which puts them in a rare spot to admit they struggle without losing respect. Once one of them says out loud that he lives with anxiety or depression, Addis notes, it gives men of every background room to say the same.Miami Heat veteran Kevin Love has become one of those voices after writing in The Players’ Tribune that mental health is hard to talk about in sports since showing weakness in a sport built on toughness is treated as something to be ashamed of. But Love now runs a foundation aimed at helping athletes manage the pressure he once carried alone.Interestingly, much of this conversation now happens on social media, where young men may learn words for what they are feeling and hear from others who have faced similar struggles.But the same platforms also carry advice from people with no clinical training. An analysis of popular TikTok videos found that 33% of the mental health advice was misleading, leaving young men to separate reliable guidance from personal opinion while trying to understand their own mental struggles.What makes support more accessible todayGiven how much pressure men still feel to hold up a tough exterior, getting help is far easier now than it was even a few years ago.Walsh University notes that even the thought of being seen inside a clinical waiting room may keep someone from seeking care. But teletherapy removes that concern by allowing someone to meet with a licensed counselor by video or phone from a safe place.The same technology also makes appointments easier to fit around daily responsibilities. Walsh reports that telehealth sessions may be scheduled outside regular business hours, giving shift workers and men caring for family another way to attend.NAMI, the country's largest grassroots mental health organization, directs men toward therapist locators and crisis resources, allowing awareness campaigns to lead toward qualified care.But safe places and flexible hours do not remove every barrier. Research with men who had left mental health services found that long waits made returning harder, while participants also called for lower costs. While there are many factors that may deter men from treatment, cost is often an attributable factor that deters many men from seeking care.TakeawaySeeking help is not a sign of weakness, and now more than ever, men are seeing that stepping forward early changes what happens before distress turns into a crisis.Naming a problem while work and home life still feel manageable takes more nerve than pretending nothing is wrong, and it gives a man time to understand what he is feeling before his choices begin to narrow.This story was produced by BetterHelp and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Survey: Nearly two-thirds of US homeowners are shocked by their property tax bill Survey: Nearly two-thirds of US homeowners are shocked by their property tax billHomeowners across the country are feeling the squeeze of rising tax bills, are largely unaware of their legal right to push back, and are increasingly skeptical of the system setting their assessments, according to an Ownwell survey of 2,500 U.S. homeowners.The March 2026 survey asked homeowners about their property tax bills, appeal and protest behaviors, awareness of taxpayer rights, and attitudes toward homeownership costs.The second annual national property tax sentiment survey also reveals year-over-year shifts in awareness and financial pressure. Ownwell Key FindingsSixty-four percent were surprised or shocked by their most recent property tax bill, up from 59% in 2025 9 in 10 are concerned about the long-term financial impact of rising property taxes on homeownership Seventy-six percent say property taxes in recent years have been more than what they budgeted for, up 10% year-over-year Seventy-four percent have never appealed their tax bill (a 4% decrease from last year); of those, 57% didn’t know they had the right to1. Property Tax Bills Are Outpacing Household BudgetsMore than three in four U.S. homeowners report their property taxes have increased since moving in, and for most, those increases have been larger than anticipated. Ownwell The financial pressure isn’t just that taxes are rising; it’s that they’re rising faster than households can plan for. Over three in four (76%) of homeowners say their property taxes in recent years have been more than what they budgeted for, a 10-point increase from the 2025 survey. Ownwell Behind that bill shock sits a deeper level of systemic frustration. Eighty-four percent of respondents agree that their county’s property tax process negatively affects homeowners — 33% strongly agree, and only 16% disagree. Ownwell But how does it negatively affect them?For 22% of U.S. homeowners, their property tax bill’s total amount is too high and unaffordable, while 19% feel the valuation or appraisal process feels unfair and arbitrary.Less than 1 in 10 are unconcerned about property taxes.2. Most Homeowners Have Never Appealed, and Many Don’t Know They CanDespite broad financial pressure from property tax bills, most U.S. homeowners have never used one of the formal tools available to them: the legal right to contest their property’s assessed value. Ownwell Seventy-four percent of homeowners have never appealed or protested their property tax bill — a slight improvement from 78% in last year’s survey.Among the 74% who have never appealed, the knowledge gap is significant: 57% said they did not know they had the right to appeal or protest their tax bill, up four points from last year. Ownwell Ownwell The other 43% knew they could appeal, yet still didn’t act. For this group, the barrier seems less about awareness and more about friction:Uncertainty about the processLimited confidence in a successful outcomeThe time and effort requiredThe data points to a two-part challenge.A persistent knowledge gap about basic taxpayer rights.For those who do know, it’s a confidence and access gap that prevents action.3. The Assessment Process Feels Arbitrary and OpaqueWhen asked about their primary concern regarding property taxes, homeowners more often than not pointed to the fairness and transparency of the system that sets their bills.Among those with concerns:Twenty-two percent say the total amount is simply too highNineteen percent say the valuation and appraisal process seems unfair and arbitrarySeven percent cite a lack of transparency from their local government or appraiserOnly 9% of respondents said they were unconcerned about property taxes.These concerns express not only frustration with bill amounts but also deeper distrust of how assessments are determined. The valuation process, which many homeowners feel they can’t audit or are unaware they can appeal, sits at the center of that concern.4. Most Homeowners Are Open to Professional Help, But Privacy Represents a BarrierFor the 26% who have appealed, more than half (53%) say they handled it entirely on their own, while 19% used a tax firm or online resource, and 17% hired a lawyer.However, given the friction around self-filing and the knowledge gaps documented above, a natural question follows:Are homeowners willing to let a third-party service handle an appeal on their behalf?The answer, broadly, is yes. Ownwell Seventy-three percent of homeowners express at least some trust in a third-party service to handle an appeal on their behalf, with 12% describing themselves as “very trusting.”However, among the 27% who are distrustful, the primary barrier is not skepticism about results; it’s autonomy and privacy.Forty-two percent of distrustful respondents said they simply choose to handle property matters themselves.Another 39% cited data privacy and security concerns.Only 20% doubted that a third-party service could achieve a better outcome than they could on their own.This efficacy-versus-comfort distinction is worth noting. For most skeptics, the question isn’t whether a service can deliver results. Instead, it’s whether they’re willing to hand over control and personal information to do so.Section 5. High Taxes Have 2 in 5 Homeowners Considering MovingFor most homeowners, their property is where they’ve planted roots. However, property taxes aren’t just an annual line item. For 2 in 5 homeowners, they’re influencing where people choose to live. Ownwell Forty percent of U.S. homeowners have considered moving to a new location specifically because of high property taxes. The majority (60%) have not.But those 4 in 10 homeowners represent a notable portion for whom property taxes have become a factor in one of the most consequential decisions they can make.Conclusion: What The Results Mean for U.S. HomeownersThree interconnected patterns emerge from this data.1. Monetary stress is real and worsening.Three in four homeowners say property taxes have exceeded their budget, up 10 points from last year. That kind of year-over-year movement shows a genuine shift in how much property tax bills are burdening household finances.2. The most direct path to relief (filing a property tax appeal) remains dramatically underused.Nearly three in four homeowners have never done it, and more than half of those who haven’t didn’t know they could. That’s a solvable problem with education and resources.3. Trust in appraisal systems is low.Nearly 1 in 5 homeowners view the valuation process as opaque and difficult to challenge. In contrast, 7% of homeowners’ top concern regarding property taxes is the lack of transparency from local governments and appraisers.Again, it’s worth noting that in most states, you can appeal or protest your appraised value annually; no legislation is required. For homeowners wanting to act, the other most direct lever is to apply for qualifying homestead exemptions.MethodologyThis study is based on a March 2026 survey of 2,500 U.S. homeowners, conducted via Pollfish. Respondents span all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Texas homeowners (n=520) were asked additional state-specific questions, which the researchers analyzed separately. You can find those results here.Pollfish handled all data collection. Survey responses are self-reported and subject to the standard limitations of online survey research, including recall and response bias.Ownwell conducted a comparable national survey of U.S. homeowners in 2025, enabling year-over-year comparisons where noted. The researchers rounded all percentages to the nearest whole number; in some cases, rounded figures may not sum to exactly 100%.This story was produced by Ownwell and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	49th annual Watermelon Stampede will cause delays for Muscatine drivers Runners, walkers, and plenty of summer spirit will take over Muscatine streets on Saturday, Aug. 15, as the 49th annual Watermelon Stampede gets underway, according to a news release from the City of Muscatine. The event runs from 8-10 a.m. Drivers should prepare for temporary delays and increased foot traffic along the race routes. Drivers [...]
	Buy, sell gear at River Action Kayak/Canoe Swap Outdoor living fans can buy and sell paddling equipment and gear during River Action’s Kayak/Canoe Swap/Outdoor Expo. The expo will be held on Friday, August 14 from 4 – 7 p.m. at Credit Island Lodge, 2200 W. River Drive in Davenport and is similar to a garage sale. Sellers set their own prices to sell [...]
	Moline schools prepare for first day with new curriculum, facilities and upgraded technology Superintendent Dr. Rachel Savage outlines academic goals, safety measures, and major construction projects ahead of the August 14 start.
	A child rings the cancer bell. Here’s what that moment doesn’t show A child rings the cancer bell. Here’s what that moment doesn’t showA child who’s been treated for cancer walks down the hall of a medical facility, nurses and doctors smiling at them from all corners of the room. The child rings a bell, and everyone cheers as the kid hugs their loved ones. These heartfelt videos appear regularly across social media. What helps make each of those moments possible is decades of research and innovation. In the last 10 years, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved 10 new immunotherapies and 20 molecularly targeted therapies to treat pediatric cancers, according to the American Association for Cancer Research.For every bell-ringing child whose video goes viral online, a longer health journey awaits. Hyundai Hope on Wheels, which has funded pediatric cancer research for nearly three decades, commissioned a survey to understand how much Americans know about that journey. Hyundai Hope on Wheels As September marks Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, what that journey actually looks like is worth understanding. According to the survey, 46% of U.S. adults believe that a child ringing a hospital bell after cancer treatment signifies the child is cancer-free and their medical journey is largely over. The reality is more nuanced than that.When cancer survivorship beginsMany health care organizations define survivorship as beginning at the time of diagnosis and continuing through treatment and beyond. Understanding survivorship this way helps recognize that a child’s cancer journey is about more than reaching the end of treatment. It also includes managing long-term physical, emotional and medical needs that may continue for years to come.More than a third of U.S. adults say they’re not familiar with the term cancer survivorship or they have heard the term but don’t fully understand what it means.According to the American Association for Cancer Research, children who survive cancer face several long-term physical and psycho-social challenges due to their cancer and treatment. Children could face planned surgeries, additional rounds of radiation, or other forms of medical treatment to address common physical challenges stemming from chemotherapy. Every child’s medical treatment plan is different based on their specific needs, but one thing is clear: Pediatric cancer survivors need ongoing support as they navigate long-term health challenges.Supporting children to live long, full livesMore than 3 in 4 U.S. adults are encouraged by the progress in pediatric cancer, up 5 points from last year. There’s good reason to be hopeful, too. According to the American Cancer Society, the survival rate among pediatric cancer patients has increased from 75% to 85% in nearly three decades, representing 40,000 more children surviving their cancer diagnosis. Hyundai Hope on Wheels Survival rates continue to increase thanks to breakthrough science and technology, and higher standards of care. Pediatric cancer research has led to new insights into cancer biology, clinical trials, and new drug development.More than 8 in 10 adults say they’re more likely to support organizations that fund survivorship services, which creates more opportunities to fund crucial research and support for children facing pediatric cancer. Hyundai Hope on Wheels MethodologyHyundai Hope on Wheels commissioned Atomik Research to conduct an online survey of 1,005 adults throughout the United States. The margin of error is +/- 3 percentage points with a confidence level of 95%. Fieldwork took place March 19-26, 2026. Atomik Research, part of 4media group, is a creative market research agency.This story was produced by Hyundai Hope on Wheels and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Hurricane season is here: How can small businesses strengthen their financial preparedness? Hurricane season is here: How can small businesses strengthen their financial preparedness?Small business hurricane preparedness is more than protecting property. It requires financial readiness, operational planning, fraud awareness and trusted partnerships to ensure business continuity and long-term resilience.Hurricane season is officially underway, and while forecasts vary from year to year, one thing stays constant: Preparation matters.For small business owners across Florida and the Southeast, major storms are more than a temporary disruption. They can affect revenue, operations, supply chains and access to capital. As TD outlines below, the difference between weathering the storm and facing long-term setbacks often comes down to preparation, especially financial preparedness.Recent insights from TD’s Small Business Financial Preparedness Survey, conducted in March 2026, highlight a critical gap. Many business owners feel confident about their financial outlook, but fewer have built the cash reserves needed to withstand unexpected disruption. In South Florida, 88% of small businesses report having six months or less in emergency savings to cover operating expenses.That gap becomes especially important during hurricane season.Why a financial buffer is needed for business emergency preparednessWhen a hurricane is approaching, access to capital becomes critical. Businesses may face temporary closures, delayed payments from customers or unexpected repair costs.That is why one of the most important steps a small business can take is to build an emergency fund or secure access to liquidity through a line of credit. Financial flexibility gives owners more options when extreme weather hits.Creating business continuity plansPreparation goes beyond boarding up windows and saving cash. Business continuity planning helps ensure your operations can restart quickly after a natural disaster.That includes identifying how your business would operate if your physical location is unavailable, outlining contingency plans for employees, and keeping updated contact lists for clients and suppliers. Document these plans in advance to help reduce downtime and uncertainty.Additionally, if you have an opportunity to run through or practice your emergency response plan, do it.Strengthen operational readinessStorm preparedness also includes operational basics. Ensure you have access to backup supplies, alternate or emergency vendors, and communication tools that will allow you to stay in contact with employees and customers.Businesses that proactively manage supply chain risk and operational disruptions are better positioned to recover quickly and maintain customer trust.Safeguard critical documents and dataIn the aftermath of a storm, documentation becomes essential for insurance claims, financial recovery and compliance.Business owners should take steps to digitize important records, back up files securely and store physical documents in safe, waterproof locations. Keeping a record of inventory, equipment and assets can also streamline the recovery process.Stay alert to fraud and scamsPeriods of disruption can also create opportunities for fraudsters to take advantage of vulnerable communities. Following a major storm, small businesses may encounter fraudulent contractors, phishing attempts or scams tied to disaster relief funds or other support.Staying vigilant is just as important as physical and financial preparation. Business owners should verify vendors, avoid sharing sensitive information without confirming the requester and monitor accounts closely for suspicious activity.Stay connected to trusted financial partnersOne of the most overlooked aspects of preparedness is communication.Many small business owners look to their bank or financial partner for guidance, particularly during uncertain times. In fact, more than half of small business owners report turning to their financial provider for advice on best practices, according to TD’s survey.Whether it is exploring relief options, understanding available resources or navigating federal disaster programs, having a trusted partner in place can provide clarity when it matters most.Preparation today supports resilience tomorrowHurricanes and other natural disasters are unpredictable, but your response does not have to be.Small businesses are among the most resilient parts of their communities. With the right financial planning, operational preparation and support systems in place, business owners can not only protect what they have built but position themselves to recover and grow in the aftermath of a storm.Preparedness is about getting through hurricane season while building a stronger, more resilient business for whatever comes next.MethodologyThe TD Financial Preparedness Survey of Small Business Owners 2026 was conducted by Wakefield Research among 1,000 U.S. small business owners with 100 employees or fewer and annual revenues of at least $100,000.The survey was fielded March 13-26, 2026, and included respondents nationwide as well as targeted samples from New York City, Boston, Washington, D.C., South Florida, Greater Philadelphia and Charlotte.Results reflect the opinions and experiences of surveyed business owners and are subject to customary sampling variation.This story was produced by TD and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	How to save on summer road trips How to save on summer road tripsWith air travel costs through the roof, many Americans are planning a summer jaunt closer to home. In fact, 64% of people are doing so, in what’s being called a ‘Road Trip Renaissance.’But as the saying goes: Be careful what you wish for.That’s because auto costs are hardly cheap, either. Whether it’s national average gas prices close to $4 thanks to troubles in the Mideast, or record prices for cars, or auto insurance premiums hitting new highs, drivers are being hit right in the wallet.“Driving always peaks during the summertime, so it can be costly when gas prices are so high,” says Sean Tucker, managing editor at auto information source Kelley Blue Book.That doesn’t mean your summer road trip has to be a budget-buster. But it does mean you’ll have to put some forethought into travel plans, and design a journey that fits your goals.Current, a consumer fintech banking platform, shares a few expert tips to keep your summer road trip affordable — and enjoyable.Be strategic about gas purchases. Gas prices are finally headed in a better direction. But the bill at the pump will probably still be shocking, which means you should do every little thing you can think of to reduce that total.That includes choosing a destination that’s not too distant; use AAA’s Gas Cost Calculator to get a rough estimate of exactly what you’re looking at. Also, make sure tire pressure is on point, avoid stations at highway exits that tend to soak tourists, and use services like GasBuddy to locate the best deals.More tips from AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz: Opt for regular gas instead of premium, if it’s recommended for your vehicle; monitor your speed (fuel economy peaks around 50 mph for most cars); remove unnecessary weight from your trunk; and take advantage of fuel rewards programs at your preferred chain.Avoid peak times. If your road trip takes place during the busiest summer travel times, and at the most popular spots, you’re basically asking for bigger bills. Instead, look at off-peak travel — away from big holidays, preferably midweek.First of all, that typically gets you lower hotel prices at your destination. But it’s also when rental-car rates tend to be most affordable, on days like Tuesday or Wednesday. Even gas prices have ‘peak’ times, so try filling up on Sundays instead.To avoid crowded tourist traps and explore under-the-radar locales that won’t come with such a big price tag, you might want to try out AAA’s TripTik planner.Perform preventative maintenance. On a long road trip, cars can easily run into mechanical issues. What you don’t want is to break down in unfamiliar territory, and be at the mercy of whatever the local repair shop wants to charge.So make sure to do a tune-up beforehand, which should head off many potential glitches before they become more expensive to deal with. Says Tucker: “You might not even know when your car is driving 25% less efficiently, but certain mechanical problems are very cheap to fix.”The costs of a once-over may very well be covered if it’s a relatively new car still covered under warranty and ongoing maintenance programs, or if it’s a certified pre-owned purchase where the dealer threw in free occasional check-ups.Slash insurance premiums. One way to reduce car-related costs is to perform a review of your coverage — at least annually, but perhaps even twice a year, suggests Tucker. You can trim monthly bills by comparison shopping, raising deductibles, or lowering the coverage limit on damage or liability. Bundling with other policies, like home, can also lead to significant savings, in the order of 15%.Keep in mind your family circumstances may have changed, which you can update with the provider; for instance, maybe your teenager has left for college and only comes home rarely, or has purchased his or her own car and no longer needs to be on your policy at all.For rental-car insurance, do your due diligence beforehand, and find out which of your credit cards will cover you automatically. Choose wrong, and you could be on the hook for thousands of dollars.Here’s a final, sneaky influence on car insurance: your credit record. If your score could use some improvement, consider using a secured charge card. Secured charge cards minimize risks of debt as you can only spend the amount of money available in your account, and your on-time monthly payments can help build your score. That could pay off in significant ways, because whether you realize it or not, auto insurers are looking closely at your credit score when determining risk and rates.This story was produced by Current and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Report: Experienced job seekers have an edge in today’s AI-driven job market Report: Experienced job seekers have an edge in today’s AI-driven job marketThe U.S. job market strengthened during the second quarter of 2026, offering a welcome reprieve after months of volatility. Still, as AI continues to reshape the workplace, the improvements are not being felt equally across the market, according to a new job report from professional services firm Toptal.The company’s High-skilled Job Report for Q2 2026 found that demand for experienced technology and professional services personnel increased 7.1% quarter over quarter (QoQ) and 12.6% year over year (YoY), even as the market constricted for more junior workers and those whose roles are focused on routine execution. That contrast highlights a more selective labor market driven by AI adoption, with companies preferring experienced professionals who combine deep domain expertise with AI fluency and systems-level thinking. Toptal Employers Are Prioritizing Expertise That Delivers ResultsAs organizations gain experience deploying AI, their hiring priorities are evolving alongside the technology. Rather than viewing AI as a replacement for expertise, many employers increasingly see it as a tool that extends the value of experienced professionals. The result is growing demand for people who can pair technical knowledge with sound business judgment and the ability to apply AI effectively in real-world environments, per the report.For example, with the support of AI, data scientists now spend less time building models from scratch and more time validating outputs and advising on the business decisions that follow. In marketing, professionals can use AI to generate content and insights, but must bring human judgment and creativity to brand strategy, positioning, and campaign decisions.Nine of the 10 areas of expertise tracked in the report posted gains, including data science experts, developers, finance experts, information security specialists, management consultants, marketers, product managers, project managers, and sales professionals.Demand for finance consultants increased 31% QoQ and 39% YoY, the largest growth of any specialization in the report. Financial activity like initial public offerings, mergers, and acquisitions surged in Q2, and that momentum increased demand for finance experts, especially those skilled in due diligence, valuation, and accounting, according to the report.Design was the only area of expertise that posted declines in demand. One possible explanation is that design is experiencing a more fundamental transition than other areas, as traditional execution-oriented design expertise is now giving way to demand for more systems-level contributions. Employers are placing increasing emphasis on key combinations of expertise such as AI, product design, and branding, pushing design beyond visual execution into work that shapes business outcomes more directly. Toptal Flexibility Is Becoming a Competitive AdvantageThe changing business landscape is also influencing organizations’ need for fractional part-time expertise: 70% of business leaders in a recent Deloitte survey say their competitive strategy over the next three years primarily focuses on being fast and nimble. Those same leaders say that accelerating the orchestration of people and resources will be a top driver of success. The Toptal report suggests that as the broader job market recalibrates, companies will continue to supplement their core workforce with part-time experts and project-based teams to address rapidly evolving priorities.This flexible approach allows organizations to fill specialized capability gaps and scale expertise as their needs change, without making long-term hiring commitments.Heading into the second half of 2026, organizations are rethinking what talent looks like, and the hiring market is changing as a result. As organizations gain more experience with AI, they are deploying it to strengthen human capabilities rather than as a substitute for human experience. That shift is driving demand for professionals who can apply AI strategically while combining it with deep expertise and sound decision-making to create business value.MethodologyThe High-skilled Job Report integrates data from Lightcast, Indeed, LinkedIn, Staffing Industry Analysts, We Work Remotely, Hacker News, and Layoffs.fyi, along with proprietary insights from Toptal’s global client base, to analyze global and U.S. hiring trends. To measure the strength of the technology and professional services job market, the report uses a proprietary metric called the Toptal Market Strength Score. The score draws on three inputs from data analytics firm Lightcast: the number of new job postings, median compensation, and actual hiring activity. Hiring is equally weighted against postings and compensation to correct for ghost jobs that employers advertise without real intent to hire.This story was produced by Toptal and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	When Using a Generator Keep Safety In Mind (NAPSI)—It’s a good idea to have a generator handy when the power goes out. Heeding these hints will help you use it safely and efficiently.Word Count: 25
	Davenport to host regional Shriners gathering with parade, fairgrounds events Davenport will host a regional Shriners gathering Aug. 19–22, featuring a downtown parade, marketplace and competitions at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, with events open to the public throughout the weekend.
	Artists to transform blank walls during Alternating Currents weekend Quad City Arts will bring four new murals and interactive public‑art activities to Davenport, Bettendorf and Rock Island during Alternating Currents, Aug. 13–16.
	When living alone becomes a safety risk for adults over 65 When living alone becomes a safety risk for adults over 65One out of 5 older adults who fall at home is still on the floor an hour or more later. Lying there that long roughly doubles the chance the fall proves fatal, even when the fall itself caused no serious injury.About 27% of Americans over 65 live alone, roughly 15 million people. For each of them, a fall at home starts a clock that no one else is watching.A Life Assure analysis of U.S. and Canadian government data finds that the danger of aging alone has less to do with the fall than with the gap that follows—the stretch of time before anyone knows help is needed. Living alone is rising across North America. To find where the danger runs highest, the analysis scored the risk across U.S. life stages and states, and set the results against the Canadian picture.Key FindingsAbout 1 in 5 older adults who fall are left on the floor for an hour or more, and a long time down roughly doubles the risk of death.Wisconsin has the highest senior fall death rate in the country at 158 per 100,000, more than five times Alabama's 30.Fall deaths among older adults have risen about 21% in the United States since 2018 and about 51% in Canada since 2017, faster than the senior population has grown.Within the senior years, the fall death rate climbs from 19 per 100,000 at ages 65 to 74, to 339 at 85 and older.On the Home-Alone Risk Index, adults 65 and older score 100 while midlife adults score just 14, so the risk concentrates in later life rather than building steadily with age.About 27.3% of U.S. adults 65 and older live alone; in Canada the share runs from 21% at ages 65 to 69 to 42% at 85 and older.Canadian seniors die from falls at a higher crude rate, 98.2 per 100,000 in 2022, than U.S. seniors at 69.9.The hour after a fallA fall at 30 is usually a bruise and a story. After 65 it is one of the most serious things that can happen at home, and falls are the leading cause of injury death for older adults in both the United States and Canada. Falls themselves are far more common than fall deaths, with about 1 in 4 U.S. adults 65 and older report one each year.The injury is only part of the danger. What happens next matters just as much. A person who falls with someone nearby gets help within minutes. A person who falls alone can spend far longer on the floor. Researchers call this a long lie, and about 1 in 5 older adults who fall are left on the floor for an hour or more. A 2012 meta-analysis in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that a long time on the floor roughly doubles the risk of death, through complications such as dehydration and pressure injuries.This is where living alone changes the odds. According to a Pew Research Center analysis of federal time-use data, older adults who live by themselves spend more than 10 hours of the average day with no one else present, so an unwitnessed fall is the ordinary case rather than the exception. A cohort study of people in their 90s found 82% of their falls happened while they were alone, about in line with how much of their time is spent that way. When a fall happens, someone who lives alone is unlikely to have anyone nearby to shorten the wait.Where a fall is deadliestFall mortality among older adults is not spread evenly across the map. Among U.S. adults 65 and older, the rate ranges from 158 per 100,000 in Wisconsin, the highest, down to 30 in Alabama, the lowest, a gap of more than fivefold. Minnesota and Maine round out the three highest.Some of that spread reflects how deaths are recorded rather than how often they happen. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has noted that the gap between high-rate states like Wisconsin and low-rate states like Alabama partly reflects differences in how deaths are coded and investigated, in addition to the makeup of each state's older population, since fall death rates run higher among older white adults. The ranking is best read as a guide to where falls are recorded as the cause of death, and the states near the bottom may be undercounting rather than genuinely safer.The rate keeps climbing past 75The senior years are not one stage but several, and the danger steepens with each one.The fall death rate rises from 19 per 100,000 at ages 65 to 74, to 75 at 75 to 84, to 339 at 85 and older. The oldest group faces a rate nearly 18 times that of the youngest seniors. Disability climbs alongside it, reaching 46.5% of the 75-plus group. These are also the years when living alone is most common, so the people at the highest risk of a fatal fall are among the most likely to be home with no one else present.Two curves are convergingTwo trends are moving toward the same households at the same time.Living alone is at a record high. One-person households are now the most common household type in Canada, at 29.3% of all households, and the U.S. is close behind at 28.5%. At the same time, deaths from falls among older adults are climbing faster than the growth of the senior population would explain. The U.S. age-adjusted rate rose about 21% from 2018, and in Canada senior fall deaths rose about 51% between 2017 and 2022, from 4,752 to 7,182.The gap between the two countries is itself notable. In Canada, the crude fall death rate for adults 65 and older reached 98.2 per 100,000 in 2022, above the U.S. rate of 69.9 in 2023. The two figures use the same fall definition in adjacent years, so the comparison is approximate rather than exact, but Canadian seniors die from falls at a higher rate than their U.S. counterparts.Why the two differ is not established. Both are crude rates, so part of the gap may reflect the age mix within each senior population, and Canada's higher life expectancy means more Canadians reach the oldest ages where falls turn fatal. Common chronic conditions add to the stakes: About 1 in 8 Canadians over 40 live with diagnosed osteoporosis, which makes a fall more likely to break a bone. These are possible contributors rather than a settled explanation, and differences in how each country codes deaths can affect the comparison as well.Where the risk concentratesRisk does not build at an even pace across adult life. It stays low for decades, then rises sharply in a narrow window.The Home-Alone Risk Index shows the shape of that rise. Adults 18 to 34 sit at 0 and midlife adults at just 14, then the score jumps to 100 for adults 65 and older. The distance from midlife to later life is far greater than the distance from youth to midlife, which is the finding: The danger is concentrated at the senior transition rather than spread evenly across the years.Two measures drive it, and both climb together in later life. About 27.3% of U.S. adults 65 and older live alone, against 8.8% of young adults. In Canada the share is comparable and rises with age, from 21% of those 65 to 69 to 42% of those 85 and older. Disability follows the same path, reaching nearly 33% of adults 65 and older against 7.7% of young adults. A disability does not cause a person to live alone, and living alone does not cause a disability. The two simply concentrate in the same years, so the group most likely to be home by itself is also the group least able to manage an emergency without quick help.TakeawayThe numbers do not argue that older adults should stop living alone. Most want to stay in their own homes, and most can. What the data adds is a sense of timing and of stakes. The risk climbs in the senior years and again after 75, and how a fall ends is most often settled by the time that passes before anyone knows.That time is also the one part of the picture a household can change. For families watching a parent age at home, it turns a vague worry into a concrete question with a concrete answer.MethodologyTo understand when living alone becomes a safety risk across adult life, Life Assure built a Home-Alone Risk Index from official government data rather than from a survey. The index compares three life stages, young adults (18 to 34), midlife adults (35 to 64), and older adults (65 and older), on a 0-to-100 scale.Each stage receives a score built from three measures: the share of people who live alone, drawn from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates (Table B09021) and weighted at 40%; the share who report a disability, from the same survey (Table B18101) and weighted at 30%; and the unintentional fall death rate, computed from the CDC National Center for Health Statistics 2023 mortality file and reproducing CDC Data Brief No. 532, weighted at 30%. Because the index is scaled from the lowest to the highest of the three life stages, the youngest group anchors at 0 and the oldest at 100 by construction. The informative value is where the middle group lands: at 14, midlife sits far closer to young adults than to seniors, which is what shows the risk concentrating in the senior transition rather than building evenly with age.Fall death rates in the body are crude rates for 2023, about 70 per 100,000 for adults 65 and older nationally. The 21% increase since 2018 is measured on an age-adjusted basis, from 64.7 to 78.4 per 100,000 by 2024 in CDC WONDER, which corrects for shifts in the age mix and is not directly comparable to the crude rate. The Canadian rate of 98.2 per 100,000 in 2022 is a crude rate from the Public Health Agency of Canada that excludes Yukon and uses the same fall definition (ICD-10 codes W00-W19).Canadian context is drawn from Statistics Canada's 2021 Census (living arrangements) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (fall data and osteoporosis prevalence), with peer-reviewed research on outcomes after a fall and international comparison from the World Health Organization. State-level variation in fall mortality is affected by death-certificate coding and investigation practices, as noted by the CDC. The fall death rates in this study describe all adults in each age group. They are not specific to people who live alone, and the index measures where exposure and stakes overlap by life stage rather than showing that one factor causes another.Frequently Asked Questions About Living Alone Safely After 65What is the most significant danger for seniors who fall at home?The biggest danger is not always the fall itself, but the time spent waiting for help. Waiting on the floor for an hour or more roughly doubles the risk of death, usually due to complications such as dehydration and pressure injuries.How common is it for older adults to wait an hour or more after a fall?Approximately 1 in 5 older adults who fall at home are left on the floor for an hour or more.Why does living alone increase the risk of a fall becoming fatal?Older adults living alone spend more than 10 hours of an average day with no one else present. Because of this, an unwitnessed fall is the ordinary case rather than the exception. A person living alone is highly unlikely to have anyone nearby to shorten the wait time for help.Which U.S. states have the highest senior fall death rates?Wisconsin has the highest fall death rate for seniors at 158 per 100,000, followed by Minnesota and Maine. Alabama has the lowest rate at 30 per 100,000. However, this gap may partially reflect differences in how states investigate and code death records.Does the risk of a fatal fall increase with age?Yes, the risk climbs drastically in the later senior years. The fall death rate rises from 19 per 100,000 for ages 65 to 74, up to 339 per 100,000 for those 85 and older.How do fall statistics compare between the U.S. and Canada?Canadian seniors have a higher crude fall death rate (98.2 per 100,000 in 2022) compared to U.S. seniors (69.9 per 100,000 in 2023). Fall deaths have also risen rapidly in both nations—increasing by 51% in Canada since 2017, and by 21% in the U.S. since 2018.What is the Home-Alone Risk Index?The Home-Alone Risk Index is a metric developed by Life Assure that scores the danger of living alone across adult life stages using government data. On this scale, young adults score 0 and midlife adults score 14, while adults 65 and older jump to a score of 100. This demonstrates that the safety risk concentrates heavily in the senior years rather than building evenly over time.Does this data mean older adults should not live alone?No, the data does not argue that seniors should stop living alone, as most want to stay in their own homes and can do so safely. Instead, it emphasizes that the true risk lies in the wait time after an emergency. Families should view this as a concrete problem with concrete answers, focusing on solutions to ensure prompt help is available after a fall.This story was produced by Life Assure and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Most Black business owners have the same definition of success, and it's not cashing out Most Black business owners have the same definition of success, and it's not cashing outNew data from the Intuit QuickBooks 2026 Business Owner Report shows Black entrepreneurs defining success in a way that reaches beyond their own bottom line, even as bias in access to capital and pressure to prove themselves persist.The traditional business narrative often centers on the "exit"—scaling rapidly to sell for a life-changing sum. For other business owners, success is personal, rooted in passion and the daily joy of serving their craft.Many Black entrepreneurs have an additional goal: creating a legacy of opportunity. According to Intuit QuickBooks' 2026 Business Owner Report, a survey of 1,305 U.S. small business owners conducted in December 2025, 74% of Black owners say it's very important that their business creates career paths for people from backgrounds similar to their own. That's the highest share of any racial or ethnic group surveyed, and nearly double the 42% of white business owners who say the same.How Black business owners redefine success through career pathsMany Black entrepreneurs see their businesses as a path to career growth for themselves and others. For 69% of Black owners, that comes with a heavy personal responsibility to prove that people from their background can be successful entrepreneurs. While this sentiment is shared at similar rates by Hispanic and Asian business owners (66% each), it is significantly higher than the rate for White business owners (49%).That sense of responsibility shows up in concrete plans, not just sentiment. Asked how they intend to use their business to impact their local community over the next five years, 54% of Black owners point to creating jobs for local residents—the highest of any group, and a clear lead over the 38% of white owners who say the same. For a meaningful share of Black entrepreneurs, building a business and building up a community aren't separate goals.Addressing funding gaps for Black entrepreneursThat drive to open doors runs up against a funding system that many Black business owners don't trust to be fair. Among those who avoided applying for a loan due to expected denial, 40% cited concern over their race, gender, or age as a primary reason—more than double the rate of every other group in the survey (12% to 18%). It's the single largest gap by race in the report's data on funding.Jilea and Jamie Hemmings founded Nourish+Bloom Market, the first Black-owned autonomous grocery store, based in Atlanta. According to Jilea Hemmings, "It's been really hard to raise capital, even with all of the proof that we've been able to show. And I definitely feel like if we were not Jamie and myself, and maybe somebody else, we'd've gotten more than what we needed a long time ago."Black entrepreneurs and AI: A pragmatic approach to technologyThe Hemmings founded Nourish + Bloom to create a comprehensive shopping solution that uses AI to make healthy food more accessible while addressing the larger issue of food deserts.Jamie Hemmings says, “Technology is the foundation of what drives our business...Using AI-powered tools, we can streamline tasks like forecasting so we can stay on top of our cash.” Nourish + Bloom is using technology to advance their business goals, but other Black business owners are taking a more measured approach to AI.Just 35% say AI is a tool that helps level the playing field against larger competitors. When it comes to trusting advice on cost-cutting or revenue growth, 41% say they'd rely on a human financial expert over an algorithm. This aligns closely with white business owners (40%), but represents a statistically significant shift compared to Asian business owners (24%), who are the most likely to trust AI and a human advisor equally.The impact of entrepreneurial legacies on Black business ownersA majority of business owners surveyed (61%) didn’t grow up with a parent who ran a business. But for the 39% who did, it gave them confidence—especially for Black and Asian business owners. For Black business owners who grew up with a business-owning parent, 78% say that exposure gave them the confidence and knowledge to start their own — the highest of any group, and well ahead of the 65% of white business owners who say the same.The future of Black entrepreneurship: Building for the next generationBy prioritizing community impact and the creation of intentional career paths, Black business owners are growing their own enterprises while actively dismantling long-standing barriers to capital and mentorship, ensuring that the next generation of entrepreneurs enters a more equitable landscape built on the foundation of collective success and resilience.As Jilea Hemmings says, “What truly sets Nourish + Bloom Market apart from other AI grocery stores is our mission to increase access to better foods. This goal isn’t just about providing convenience through technology, but also ensuring that the community has access to nutritious and healthy food options.”MethodologyIn December 2025, Intuit QuickBooks commissioned an online survey of 1,305 US business owners. Respondents were adults aged 18+ who identified as a sole owner, co-owner, or co-founder of a business with 0–250 employees. To support reliable comparisons across groups, the survey oversampled Black, Hispanic, and Asian owners, with final overall results weighted to reflect the national demographic makeup of US business owners based on the US Census Bureau’s 2025 owner characteristics (derived from the 2024 Annual Business Survey and 2023 Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics). The weighted racial and ethnic breakdown of the sample includes White business owners (N=301; 23% raw, 65% weighted), Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin (N=304; 23% raw, 12% weighted), Asian or Asian American (N=300; 23% raw, 14% weighted), Black or African American (N=300; 23% raw, 7% weighted), and Other (N=100; 8% raw, 2% weighted), with a gender distribution of 62% male and 38% female. Responses were collected via Prodege audience pools and partner networks with double opt-in validation and random device engagement checks to ensure data quality. Respondents received compensation for their participation. Statistical significance is noted in data visualizations where applicable, with asterisks (*) or footnotes denoting differences between specific racial groups that are statistically significant at the 95% confidence level (p<0.05). For the total sample (N=1,305), the estimated credibility interval (a measure of precision for online non-probability samples) is 2.7 percentage points at the 95% level. Percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number, so values shown in charts and graphics may not add up to 100%, and responses to multiple-choice survey questions are shown as a percentage of the number of respondents, not the total number of responses, which may sum to more than 100%.This story was produced by Intuit QuickBooks and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Taiwan briefly slows its mobile internet to text-only speed as part of defense drill The drills come amid rising tensions with China, which frequently sends military planes and ships towards Taiwan.
	Staying Safe When Power Goes Out: 10 Tips for Generator Use (NAPSI)—Generators are critical during severe weather events, when the power can go out. They can bring power to remote job sites, aid in disaster recovery and assist homeowners in emergencies. To help, the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), an international trade association representing power equipment, small engine, utility vehicle, golf car and personal transport vehicle manufacturers and suppliers, reminds home and business owners to keep safety in mind when using generators.“Not having power when you need it is frustrating, so a generator can provide emergency backup power at a reasonable cost,” says Kris Kiser, president and CEO of OPEI. “It’s important to follow all manufacturer’s instructions and never place a generator in your garage or inside your home or building. It should be a safe distance from the structure and not near an air intake.”Additional tips include:1. Take stock of your generator. Make sure equipment is in good working order before starting and using it. Do this before a storm hits.2. Review the directions. Follow all manufacturer’s instructions. Review the owner’s manuals (look manuals up online if you cannot find them and save a copy) so equipment is operated safely.3. Install a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector in your home. This alarm will sound if dangerous levels of carbon monoxide enter the building. 4. Have the right fuel on hand. Use the type of fuel recommended by the generator manufacturer to protect this important investment. It’s best to use fresh fuel, but if you are using fuel that has been sitting in a gas can for more than 30 days, add fuel stabilizer to it. Store gas only in an approved container and away from heat sources. 5. Ensure portable generators have plenty of ventilation. Generators should NEVER be used in an enclosed area or placed inside a home, a building, or a garage, even if the windows or doors are open. Place the generator outside and away from windows, doors, and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to drift indoors.6. Keep the generator dry. Do not use a generator in wet conditions. Cover and vent a generator. Model-specific tents or generator covers can be found online for purchase and at home centers and hardware stores.7. Add fuel to a cool generator only. Before refueling, turn the generator off and let it cool down.8. Plug in safely. If you don’t yet have a transfer switch, you can use the outlets on the generator. It’s best to plug in appliances directly to the generator. If you must use an extension cord, it should be heavy-duty and designed for outdoor use. It should be rated (in watts or amps) at least equal to the sum of the connected appliance loads. Make sure the cord is free of cuts and the plug has all three prongs.9. Install a transfer switch. A transfer switch connects the generator to the circuit panel and lets you power hardwired appliances. Most transfer switches also help avoid overload by displaying wattage usage levels.10. Do not use the generator to “backfeed” power into your home electrical system. Trying to power your home’s electrical wiring by “backfeeding”—where you plug the generator into a wall outlet—is dangerous. You could hurt utility workers and neighbors served by the same transformer. Backfeeding bypasses built-in circuit protection devices, so you could damage your electronics or start an electrical fire. For more information, go to WeatherItBetter.com. Word Count: 557
	How much a local move costs in 22 US metro areas How much a local move costs in 22 US metro areasImagine a move, and you probably picture the big one: a truck packed to the ceiling, a long drive, a new city. It makes for good movies, but it isn't the move most people make. About 3 in 4 Americans who moved in 2023 stayed within the same state, and only about 1 in 5 crossed state lines, according to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data. The real American move is small and close to home — a couch, a few rooms of furniture, carried a few miles across town, often on short notice.Summer is the busiest stretch of the year for moving, and August is its single busiest month. To see what that everyday move actually looks like, Lugg drew on its proprietary booking data — hundreds of thousands of completed local moves across 22 U.S. metro areas over the last 12 months — to break down what they cost, how far they went, when people booked them, and what was in the truck.Key findingsAugust is the single busiest moving month of the year — more local moves happen then than in any other month, as summer leases turn over and students head back to school.The couch is America's most-moved item, named in about 1 in 5 moves — ahead of tables, beds, mattresses, and dressers. The trusty pickup truck is the most-booked vehicle in every metro studied.The typical local move costs a median of about $145 — a fraction of the four-figure sum a whole-home or long-distance relocation runs.New York City is the costliest metro for a local move at about $155; Salt Lake City is the most affordable at about $95 — nearly half as much.Most moves are small and short — 96% fit in a van or smaller, and the median trip is about six miles. They're also getting shorter: The median move fell from about 8.5 miles in 2022 to 6.4 miles in 2026.Moving is an afternoon, spur-of-the-moment habit — bookings cluster around 2 p.m., and a large share happen the same day they're requested.Whether a move is a shopping trip or a household shuffle depends on the metro — moves in San Antonio, Houston, and Phoenix are the most likely to be hauling home a new purchase, while New York, D.C., and the Bay Area skew toward moving furniture people already own.The move most people make is smaller than they expectMost sticker shock comes from picturing the wrong move. National cost guides describe a four-bedroom house with professional packing and weeks of lead time; the move you're far more likely to make is a studio's worth of furniture, a single big-item pickup, or a cross-town apartment hop. The gap is enormous: Lugg’s booking data shows a single-item move averages about $93, a studio around $404, and a full home about $1,346. Where your move falls on that spectrum matters far more than the city you live in.Most local moves land at the small end, which is why the nationwide median sits near $145. It helps to know the alternative: Traditional moving companies generally bill $105 to $165 an hour for two movers, with minimums that keep even a quick job from being cheap. The short local moves analyzed in this study are priced by actual minutes worked rather than a padded hourly block.Why moves are getting shorterThe clearest change over the past four years is distance: The median local move has shrunk from about 8.5 miles in 2022 to 6.4 miles in 2026, a trend that holds even when the same kind of job is compared year to year. The housing market explains much of it.The share of moves that cross state lines has slipped to about 1 in 5, while a 33% jump in rents over five years and tight supply keep people circling within their own metro rather than leaving it. When a move is a few miles instead of a few states, it stops being a months-long project and becomes a same-day errand. Lugg A closer look, metro by metro1. New York City — $155The country's shortest typical local move, yet its most costly, happens in New York City — in a dense city, you pay for the stairs and the street, not the distance. New Yorkers also move into storage-sized spaces more than anyone, which is no surprise in a city famous for tiny apartments and closets to match. The metro’s movers are among the country's most reliable tippers.Typical move (all sizes): $154Median distance: 4.2 milesBusiest day: FridayPeak month: MayMost-moved item: CouchTip rate: 95% of moves2. Los Angeles — $135This is one of only two metros where the table, not the couch, tops the most-moved list — and it’s the quickest in the country to pull the trigger, booking more moves same-day than any other metro. Most Angelenos are moving furniture they already own rather than hauling home new buys.Typical move (all sizes): $148Median distance: 8.8 milesBusiest day: FridayPeak month: MayMost-moved item: TableTip rate: 95% of moves3. Washington, D.C. — $130D.C. is one of the metros least likely to be a shopping trip — Washingtonians overwhelmingly move furniture they already own. They also plan ahead and are among the least likely in the country to book a move same-day.Typical move (all sizes): $153Median distance: 5.3 milesBusiest day: FridayPeak month: MayMost-moved item: CouchTip rate: 94% of moves4. Atlanta — $130Atlanta is a Friday-mover's town where the typical job is a mid-length seven-mile hop, and, like most big coastal metros, one where people move existing furniture more often than fresh purchases.Typical move (all sizes): $143Median distance: 7 milesBusiest day: FridayPeak month: JuneMost-moved item: CouchTip rate: 94% of moves5. Seattle — $125Seattleites are among the most generous in the study, tipping movers on nearly every job, with one of the higher rates of donation drop-offs and junk-and-recycling runs. A lot of people here are clearing out as they're moving in.Typical move (all sizes): $150Median distance: 5.7 milesBusiest day: SaturdayPeak month: MayMost-moved item: CouchTip rate: 96% of moves6. Miami — $125This is the only metro in the study where Wednesday is the busiest moving day, and the second (after Los Angeles) where the table outranks the couch as the most-moved item.Typical move (all sizes): $137Median distance: 6.3 milesBusiest day: WednesdayPeak month: JuneMost-moved item: TableTip rate: 91% of moves7. Bay Area — $125This is one of the quickest metros in the country to book, and the one most likely to be a cleanup — it logs the highest rate of junk-and-recycling runs, with a recycling center as its single most common drop-off. Most moves here are existing belongings, not new purchases.Typical move (all sizes): $145Median distance: 5.3 milesBusiest day: FridayPeak month: MayMost-moved item: CouchTip rate: 96% of moves8. Chicago — $125This is the only metro where Monday is the busiest moving day, and one of the shortest-hop metros in the study, at just over five miles a move.Typical move (all sizes): $149Median distance: 5.1 milesBusiest day: MondayPeak month: JuneMost-moved item: CouchTip rate: 94% of moves9. Sacramento — $120Moves here peak in August, when leases turn over, and Sacramento State students arrive for the school year.Typical move (all sizes): $141Median distance: 6.6 milesBusiest day: SaturdayPeak month: AugustMost-moved item: CouchTip rate: 95% of moves10. San Diego — $120Moves here are a mix of shopping hauls and household moves, at a steady 7.3-mile median — no single moving story dominates here.Typical move (all sizes): $139Median distance: 7.3 milesBusiest day: SaturdayPeak month: JuneMost-moved item: CouchTip rate: 94% of moves11. Denver — $120Denver is one of the priciest metros once every move size is counted, with a $152 all-in median — a sign Denverites book bigger trucks more often than most.Typical move (all sizes): $152Median distance: 7.5 milesBusiest day: SaturdayPeak month: JuneMost-moved item: CouchTip rate: 93% of moves12. New Haven — $120New Haven is a Yale town through and through: Moves peak in August with the university's move-in and the wider student influx, and it's one of the more shopping-heavy metros, with students furnishing apartments as they arrive.Typical move (all sizes): $134Median distance: 8.5 milesBusiest day: SaturdayPeak month: AugustMost-moved item: CouchTip rate: 91% of moves13. Austin — $115Austin is one of the quickest metros to book, and among those most likely to be hauling home a new purchase, a profile that fits a fast-growing city constantly furnishing new places.Typical move (all sizes): $132Median distance: 8.4 milesBusiest day: SaturdayPeak month: JuneMost-moved item: CouchTip rate: 93% of moves14. Philadelphia — $115This is the donation capital of the country — more moves end at Goodwill or Habitat for Humanity ReStore here than in any other metro. Philadelphians give away a lot on the way out.Typical move (all sizes): $133Median distance: 6 milesBusiest day: SaturdayPeak month: MayMost-moved item: CouchTip rate: 93% of moves15. Dallas — $115There are lots of long hauls and heavy shopping in Dallas, with a 9.4-mile median trip, many of which are hauling home new purchases, as sprawl stretches even a "local" move across town.Typical move (all sizes): $134Median distance: 9.4 milesBusiest day: SaturdayPeak month: MayMost-moved item: CouchTip rate: 92% of moves16. Las Vegas — $115This is the only metro where the mattress tops the most-moved list, and it is one of the most shopping-driven metros in the country. It's also the country's most reluctant tipper — it’s still common, just less automatic than elsewhere.Typical move (all sizes): $147Median distance: 8.5 milesBusiest day: FridayPeak month: MayMost-moved item: MattressTip rate: 72% of moves17. Houston — $115Houston is one of the most shopping-driven metros in the country, with a long 9.6-mile median trip in this sprawling metro.Typical move (all sizes): $134Median distance: 9.6 milesBusiest day: SaturdayPeak month: MayMost-moved item: CouchTip rate: 88% of moves18. Boston — $115Boston moves on the academic calendar. Its August peak is the run-up to Sept. 1 — Allston Christmas, the near-universal lease-turnover day when the city's 150,000-plus students move all at once, and the curbs fill with cast-off furniture for the next tenant to claim. Bostonians lean toward moving furniture they already own, and are among the most likely in the country to book ahead rather than same-day.Typical move (all sizes): $131Median distance: 5.4 milesBusiest day: SaturdayPeak month: AugustMost-moved item: CouchTip rate: 93% of moves19. Phoenix — $110This is one of the most affordable metros for a move, and a shopping town through and through. It’s packed with furniture outlets and sprawling weekend markets like Mesa Market Place and the Park 'n Swap, where the finds rarely fit in a car.Typical move (all sizes): $139Median distance: 9 milesBusiest day: SaturdayPeak month: MayMost-moved item: CouchTip rate: 90% of moves20. Portland — $110Portland has the second-shortest median move in the country at 4.6 miles, and its movers are among the most generous tippers. Most Portlanders move their own belongings rather than fresh buys, and the city peaks a little later than most, in July.Typical move (all sizes): $130Median distance: 4.6 milesBusiest day: SaturdayPeak month: JulyMost-moved item: CouchTip rate: 96% of moves21. San Antonio — $110It’s the haul-it-home capital of the country — more moves here haul home a new purchase than in any other metro — and they travel the longest median distance in the study at 11.4 miles.Typical move (all sizes): $140Median distance: 11.4 milesBusiest day: SaturdayPeak month: MayMost-moved item: CouchTip rate: 82% of moves22. Salt Lake City — $95This is the most affordable metro in the country for a local move at about $95 — far below New York's median cost. It’s also one of the more shopping-heavy metros.Typical move (all sizes): $121Median distance: 9 milesBusiest day: SaturdayPeak month: MayMost-moved item: CouchTip rate: 91% of movesWhy the price changes from city to cityThe differences between cities come down to a few familiar factors. Local labor rates are the biggest factor, and they follow regional wages, so higher-wage metros sit higher on the list. Building access matters too — walk-ups, elevators, permit-only loading zones, and traffic all add working minutes, and minutes are what a local move is priced on. Distance matters least: Because most local moves are short, mileage rarely decides the bill. New York makes the point — the country's shortest typical move, yet its most costly, because the money goes toward the time it takes to carry a couch down five flights and load a truck on a crowded street. Lugg Where moving is quickest and shortestDistance swings almost as much as price, and it tracks the shape of each metro. The shortest moves happen where everything is stacked close together: a median of just 4.2 miles in New York, 4.6 in Portland, and just over five miles in Chicago, D.C., and Boston. The longest distances turn up in the spread-out Sun Belt, where "across town" covers real ground — 11.4 miles in San Antonio, 9.6 in Houston, 9.4 in Dallas.Same-day moves are common everywhere, but most common out West — Los Angeles and the Bay Area lead the country, while planners in Boston and D.C. are the most likely to book ahead. Short, quick, and spur-of-the-moment is simply how a lot of the country moves now.What it means for your next moveFor most people, moving is a smaller, more predictable expense than you might believe — it’s a mid-three-figure afternoon, not a four-figure ordeal, and increasingly one that happens just a few miles away and on short notice. Simply knowing your city's going rate can turn a vague dread into a number you can plan around, and it makes an out-of-line quote easy to spot.MethodologyThe core figures come from Lugg's proprietary booking data — a review of more than 250,000 completed local moves across 22 U.S. metro areas in the 12 months ending July 2026. A "local move" is a within-metro move booked through Lugg — whether same-day or scheduled in advance — as opposed to an interstate or long-distance relocation; the median trip runs about six miles. Cost, distance, timing, most-moved-item, and use-case figures — along with the move-size averages ($93 single-item, $404 studio, $1,346 full home), the busiest-month finding, and the year-over-year distance trend — are all drawn from this dataset. Dollar figures are medians unless noted as averages; city rankings use the median for the most-booked move type (a pickup truck with two movers) to keep the comparison consistent, while "typical move" reflects all move sizes. Distance is the median trip between pickup and drop-off, and pickup times are converted to each metro's local time zone. "Most-moved item" is based on keyword analysis of customer move descriptions, and each move is classified by type (retail delivery, storage, donation, junk-and-recycling) from its origin or destination. Every ranked city is based on a large sample of moves, and year-over-year comparisons use the same January-through-July window in each year (2022–2026). Comparison figures for traditional moving companies come from ConsumerAffairs and ExtraSpace; national mobility and cross-state move figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau and Redfin; the rent increase is from Zillow. These figures describe local moves and do not represent interstate or cross-country relocation costs.This story was produced by Lugg and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	No AC? No sweat. How to make a DIY air conditioner and 3 other heat wave hacks No AC? No sweat. How to make a DIY air conditioner and 3 other heat wave hacksIf your air conditioning goes out just as a heat wave or heat dome hits, the threat level while you’re sweating it out — until the emergency HVAC tech arrives or the weather breaks, whichever comes first — can range from discomfort to danger. In a heat emergency, people without access to properly functioning AC need to find alternative measures to stay safe. Whether you’re just trying to keep cool enough to sleep through the night or lowering the temperature is a matter of life and death, HomeServe has DIY home hacks that can offer immediate relief amid the summer swelter.According to a report from The Weather Channel citing data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, some 273 people died from heat-related causes from 2015 to 2024 — making heat the deadliest weather event by far. Older people can be more susceptible to the dangers of heat-related illness, as their bodies often have greater difficulty acclimating to temperature changes due to medical conditions, medications and just the general bodily challenges associated with aging. That’s particularly true for low-income, inner-city elderly adults who, according to a 2024 study published in The Central European Journal of Medicine, tend to be more vulnerable to the “urban heat island” effect due to the high concentration of buildings, paved surfaces and insufficient green space, oftentimes compounded by poor insulation and limited air conditioning availability.“Social factors such as isolation and lack of access to healthcare services also play a significant role in urban settings, where older adults may live alone in apartments with poor ventilation,” the study’s authors stated.If you find yourself without AC during extremely hot weather, try one or more of these heat-mitigating measures:Build Your Own Air ConditionerThings You’ll NeedYou can make a makeshift “air conditioner” using common household items. All you need is:A disposable coolerA desktop fanAn oatmeal container or similarly cylindrical receptacleA small handsaw or knifeA markerIceStep-by-Step InstructionsOn top of the cooler lid, trace a hole around the circumference of the fan.Use your cutting instrument to carve a hole in the lid slightly smaller than the circle you drew.Cut off the closed end of the oatmeal container so that it’s open on both sides.Trace the opening of the oatmeal container onto the side of your cooler.Cut out the hole.Insert the cylinder.If your hole is too big, don’t fret — use duct tape to seal the gap.Fill the cooler with ice.Secure the fan over the hole in the lid and turn it on so that it’s blowing downward into the cooler.The focused blast of ice-chilled air from this Rube Goldberg-ian contraption will help cool down your body temperature.Reflect the Rays to Beat the HeatWe tend to think in binary terms when it comes to extreme temperatures: It’s either “cold” or it’s “hot” out. But there are important distinctions to be made — and comfort-increasing opportunities to be exploited — by thinking in terms of air temperature versus radiant temperature and vice versa. On a sunny day, simply stepping out of the direct sunlight and into the shade can reduce the temperature by 10 to 15 degrees. So if you have window treatments to help block the surface-heating rays of the sun — or if you’re really fortunate to have blackout curtains or shades — pull them shut. But not everyone’s home is sufficiently outfitted against the solar sizzle and may be unable to incur the expense of window treatments.Try the following heatwave-foiling hack, recommended by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to deflect danger, again using common household items.Things You’ll NeedAluminum foilCardboardScissorsTapeStep-by-Step InstructionsCut the cardboard into manageable pieces based on the size of your windows.Cover your cardboard pieces with aluminum foil, with the shiny side of the foil facing out and the dull side against the cardboard.Place the foil-covered cardboard in your windows, covering as much of the glass surface as possible.Use tape to secure the pieces in place, if necessary. The foil will reflect the sun’s rays outward and away from your home, mitigating the radiant heat effect and cooling your living space by several degrees.Make Sure Your Ceiling Fan Is Set for SummerPainfully obvious advice: If your home’s AC is out and you have fans, run fans. That goes for your ceiling fan, too, if you have one — but the advice isn’t as simple. You may assume using your ceiling fan is as easy as flipping the switch, but changing the direction in which your fan’s blades spin depending on the season helps keep your home more comfortable during an AC outage.The direction you should have your fan blades rotating in is the opposite in the warmer spring and summer months as it is in the colder fall and winter months. Most modern fans have directional controls on either a remote control or wall panel that enable you to adjust which way the blades turn and, therefore, how air is distributed throughout the room.So all you have to do is adjust the switch to set your ceiling fan to spin counterclockwise during the summer months. That enables the fan to push cool air down to the floor, evaporating perspiration and creating a wind-chill effect, which makes you feel cooler without actually changing the room’s temperature.When your blades are set for summer, you should feel air movement while standing under the fan. If you don’t, your fan is spinning in the wrong direction.For context on why fan direction matters, during the fall and winter, blades should spin in the reverse position, clockwise, and run at low speeds. That pulls cool air upward as the gentle updraft pushes warm air, which naturally rises to the ceiling, down along the walls, and back to the floor, making the room feel warmer.Adjust Your Whole-House HumidifierCliches sometimes become expressions of folksy wisdom because they’re true. To that end: It’s not the heat. It’s the humidity.If your AC is functioning fine but isn’t sufficiently staving off seasonal saturation of the air, it might be due to the setting of your whole-house humidifier. As opposed to the cold, dry winter, the last thing you need in the warmer, wetter weather is more moisture in the air. So if your house is starting to feel like the wet sauna at your favorite spa, it’s time to set your home’s humidifier for summer.Step-by-Step InstructionsFind your whole-house humidifier. If you have one, it’ll typically be near your furnace, attached to the ductwork.Locate the control switch, or humidistat, typically found above the humidifier, and either turn it off or adjust it to the lowest setting.If your humidifier has a bypass duct damper, adjust it to the “summer” setting to close it — turning it counterclockwise to be perpendicular to the duct — further preventing moisture infiltration.Turn off the water supply to the humidifier by following the quarter-inch copper or plastic line to the valve and shutting it, again by turning it clockwise to be perpendicular to the pipe.This story was produced by HomeServe Editorial and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Davenport seeks grant to stop drivers from hitting Kirkwood Bridge Davenport is seeking grant funding to install a flashing warning system at Kirkwood Bridge after 20 drivers struck it over the past five years.
	Eldridge fire department dispute deepens as city council pursues municipal model Eldridge, Iowa's city council is working to keep volunteer firefighters on board as the city moves toward creating its own fire department. Every volunteer threatened to walk earlier this month, but both sides are back at the table exploring a hybrid model. Assistant Fire Chief Dave Engler and Councilman Brian Dockery say trust and taxpayer costs are the keys to any deal.
	Coal Valley board votes against rezoning site of proposed sports complex Neighbors had voiced concerns about the increase in traffic and noise around the site, as well as the effects that leveling the plot might have on floodwater.
	Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine approves board of directors According to a news release, the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine recently approved its board of directors for 2026/2027: “We are grateful for this talented team of visionary leaders who provide strategic insight, multidisciplinary expertise, and dedication. They help us achieve our long-standing mission ofactively innovating to achieve the highest quality of life in Muscatine [...]
	Tempers flare as Eldridge plans for fire department future Eldridge Councilman Brian Dockery wants to sit down and hash something out over the upcoming weekend. Assistant Fire Chief Dave Engler plans to take him up on that.
	Retirements, hirings and other Davenport schools personnel news from July 27 See the personnel items from the July 27 agenda of the Davenport Community School District.
	Flooding possible through Friday afternoon The storms that threaten the Quad Cities area with damaging winds and possible tornadoes today and tomorrow are also expected to bring very heavy rain. It'll be warm and muggy today and tomorrow, then turn hot again this weekend. Here's your complete 7-day forecast.
	UnityPoint Health – Trinity nationally recognized for providing high-quality stroke care The award recognizes hospitals that consistently follow evidence-based guidelines to decrease disability and improve quality of life for patients following a stroke.
	Severe weather forecast today, tomorrow, and Saturday A very active and volatile weather pattern is keeping the threat of severe storms in the forecast through Saturday. Here's a look at the severe storms Wednesday with the damaging winds. Here's your full 7-day forecast.
	The drug lenacapavir is a mighty weapon against HIV. Its rollout gets mixed reviews It's a twice-a-year injection that is remarkably effective in preventing an HIV infection. Distribution is starting. But questions are being raised about getting it to the areas that need it most.
	$5 million Illinois grant awarded to East Moline for I-80/I-88 industrial site The City of East Moline has been awarded a $5 million Capital Ready Grant through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Regional Site Readiness Program to extend sanitary sewer service to the I-80/I-88 Industrial Site, according to a news release. East Moline received the maximum award available through the program. The city’s project [...]
	The Rock Island News This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.Whenever we peaceful types are reminded that the pen is mightier than the sword, we feel better. We often forget that…
	U.S. ambassador calls settler siege of Palestinian homes a 'horrific act of terror' The U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee condemned the actions of Jewish settlers who are besieging the home of an American Palestinian family in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
	Sailors and their families have lives on pause, uncertain if they'll return to Mideast Sailors and family members who were evacuated from U.S. bases in the Middle East months ago are waiting for the military to figure out what will happen to the lives they left behind.
	These swing voters in Nevada say they are not dismissing socialist candidates In online focus groups, 10 of 12 Biden-to-Trump voters said they wouldn't automatically think negatively of a politician who identifies with socialism.
	Phoebe Bridgers remembers everything Bridgers' third solo album is her account of a time in which she retreated from the public eye, reeling from the effects of fame, a complicated love life and the sudden death of her father.
	New indictment alleges Nick Reiner was lying in wait before killing his parents A grand jury has indicted Nick Reiner on murder charges in the killings of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, and adds the allegation that he was lying in wait before attacking them.
	Millions crowd cities to see Spain's first total solar eclipse in over a century As the sky darkened, gradually at first and then quickly, people broke into applause and cheered. It was the Spain's first total solar eclipse in more than a century.
	3 men set for lethal injection on same day in Tennessee, Alabama and Oklahoma Three men in Tennessee, Alabama and Oklahoma are scheduled for lethal injection Thursday in a rare convergence of executions on the same day in the U.S.
Wednesday, August 12th, 2026
	High school football preview: United Township United Township’s football program enters the new season on the heels of one of its most significant campaigns having ended a 24-year playoff drought last year and finishing 5-5.
	Back-to-School Driving: Don’t Let That Windshield Chip Become a Bigger Problem (NewsUSA) - Your back-to-school checklist is already long. That chip in your windshield shouldn’t stay on it.Back-to-school season means busy mornings, packed schedules, school drop-offs, after-school activities and plenty of time on the road. With attention focused on getting everyone where they need to be, it’s easy to put off something that seems minor, like that small chip in your windshield.But windshield damage doesn’t wait for your schedule to slow down.Not all windshield damage is the same. A small white dot on the glass and a long line running across your field of view are both problems, but they call for very different responses. The type of damage, where it sits on the glass, and how long it has been there all determine whether a technician can fix it in about 30 minutes or whether the entire windshield needs replacing.Chips vs. Cracks: What Is Your Windshield Trying to Tell You?You hear the unmistakable ping of a rock hitting your windshield. You look around, spot a tiny mark in the glass and think, That doesn’t look so bad. And sometimes, it isn’t …yet.A chip is damage centered around a single impact point. Something struck the glass hard enough to break away a small piece of the outer layer, but the damage hasn’t started traveling. The good news? Chips caught early are the best candidates for repair, making that little mark worth addressing before it becomes something bigger.A crack is a line of separation that extends away from the impact point, or that appears on its own from stress. Cracks can be short and stable or long and fast moving, depending on location, temperature swings, road vibration and moisture. And if you’ve ever wondered why windshield damage seems to come in so many different shapes, there’s actually a name for many of them. A bullseye creates a circular pattern around the impact point, much like a dartboard. A star break sends small cracks radiating outward, while a combination break includes characteristics of both. You may also spot a half-moon, which forms a partial circle, or a pit, a small surface nick without a larger pattern around it.Cracks vary too. Stress cracks appear without any impact at all, often triggered by sudden temperature change, such as a frozen windshield blasted with hot defroster air. Edge begin near the perimeter of the windshield and tend to spread quickly, while floating cracks sit farther into the glass and grow outward from an original point of damage.Why Size Isn’t the Whole StoryHere’s the tricky thing about windshield damage: small doesn’t always mean harmless. A tiny chip may look like no big deal, but road vibration, moisture and temperature changes can quickly give it room to grow. And where the damage sits matters just as much as its size. A chip or crack in the driver’s line of sight can affect visibility, while damage near the edge tends to spread faster. Even damage near windshield-mounted cameras deserves attention, since many newer vehicles rely on those cameras for features like lane departure warnings, forward collision alerts and adaptive cruise control. Bottom line? That little chip may be trying to tell you more than you think.The Best Time to Fix It? Before It Gets Worse.Here’s the good news: if caught early, many windshield chips can be repaired in as little as 30 minutes. Side and rear window damage is a different story, those always require replacement. Either way, getting the damage checked sooner rather than later is your best move.Because one thing windshield damage rarely does is fix itself. That little chip you’ve been ignoring? It has bigger ambitions. Potholes, car washes, road vibration and temperature changes can turn a small, repairable chip into a crack that requires a full windshield replacement.Not sure whether your windshield needs a repair or replacement? Auto Glass Now offers free damage inspections and an honest recommendation, with no-fee mobile service available at most locations, making it one less thing to juggle during an already busy back-to-school season.Get a free windshield quote online or call 1-888-4-FIX-GLASS.
	It Starts With a Game: How Gaming Became the Front Door to Friendship (NewsUSA) - Gaming has transformed over the past three decades. In 1999, fewer than one in five players reported playing online, according to the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), and today, nearly 90 percent do. As gaming has become increasingly social, it has evolved into a digital third place where people come together to play, connect, and build community.The ESA also found that 67 percent of Americans ages 5 to 90 play video games at least an hour a week, and across the country, friendships and relationships that begin over a game controller are increasingly spilling off the screen and into people's lives. Discord has become the digital living room where those friendships actually live and grow — where players text, talk, and video chat, both during games and in the stretches between them. Discord broadens the cultural role of “digital third places” beyond a single game to a space where all your gaming friends play.Discord, which is free to join, is different from other platforms — there are no algorithmic feeds, no broadcasting of your life, and no endless scrolling. People connect through 1:1 Direct Messages, Group Direct Messages, and Servers, which are invite-based communities organized around a game, a friend group, or a shared interest. Activity happens in small, private spaces among friends, where high-quality streaming and voice chat across devices let people hang out together as naturally as if they were in the same room. Discord now counts more than 90 million daily active users worldwide, and gaming remains the center of gravity: 89% of Discord users play games. Gene Ludington from Pennsylvania has gamed with the same group of friends for more than 20 years. The tools have changed, but the group hasn't. “We can voice chat, video chat, text, share memes, videos, pics, and gifs, or stream what we're most excited about,” he said. For his circle, Discord has “become the communication glue that holds us all together.”That glue is critical for maintaining friendships across distances. And nobody understands this better than veterans. Stack Up, a nonprofit founded in 2015 to support military veterans through gaming, has built its community on Discord — with weekly game nights, town halls, and a peer support channel staffed around the clock by trained volunteers. Because the community spans time zones, someone is always available to connect.Video games offer a shared activity and a low-pressure reason to keep showing up, similar to a Saturday softball league or a weekly pickup game. According to research by CivicScience, adults who play team sports report better social and mental health outcomes than those who play individually, and similarly, a recent study from researchers at Imperial College London found that gamers feel less alone than non-gamers.It’s no wonder that gaming has grown to look so much like traditional athletics. When the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) formed in 2016, only seven colleges and universities had varsity esports programs. Today, NACE supports 300 programs across the country, helping students compete, earn scholarships, and build lifelong friendships with teammates and the broader esports community.The bonds created through gaming often transcend the game itself. When Faith Hobart from Kansas City, Kansas got married last January, many of the guests in the room were people the couple had first met through a video game.Hobart and her husband connected on January 1st, 2021, and added each other on Discord. It was there that they spent hours talking about their futures, playing together, and ultimately falling in love. Four years to the day later, they married, and many of the people in the online community they'd built were there in person. “They saw our relationship grow from friends, to developing crushes, to dating, getting engaged, and finally getting married,” she said.The guests weren’t there because of a game. They were there because conversations that started on Discord became a community, then friendships, then — for the Hobarts — a marriage.Getting started is easy. Discord is free to download on phones, consoles, or desktops, and setting up an account only takes a few minutes. From there, you can connect with your friends that you already game with, or join an existing Server built around the games and interests you love. Joining a Server takes just one click — no matter if it's a link a friend sends you, or one you find by browsing Discord's directory of communities. Whether you’re looking to reconnect with your longtime crew or make your first gaming friend, the front door to your digital third space is open.
	Davenport schools selling property to Iron and Grain Coffee House The district bought the property where the coffee shop is located back in April.
	Eldridge to bring firefighters back for discussion before final vote on merger The Eldridge City Council took the latest step to turn the current volunteer fire department into a city agency. Aldermen approved the plan on second reading at a special city council meeting Wednesday night. All 20 volunteer firefighters threatened to quit on Oct. 1 if it happens. However, there could be a compromise to keep [...]
	Coal Valley board votes against re-zoning for proposed sports complex Re-zoning isn't permanently off the table; it could be added to a future agenda at any point.
	Eldridge community working to find compromise for future of fire department Eldridge Councilman Brian Dockery wants to sit down and hash something out over the upcoming weekend. Assistant Fire Chief Dave Engler plans to take him up on that.
	QC man sentenced to federal prison for escaping from custody A Quad Cities man was sentenced on Wednesday, Aug. 12, to three years in federal prison for escaping from custody, according to a news release. According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Cedric Cornelius Shivers, 31, knowingly left a Davenport residential reentry center without authorization in October 2025. Shivers was required to [...]
	Clinton man sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for drug, firearm charges A Clinton man was sentenced on Wednesday, Aug. 12, to 15 years in federal prison for possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and possession of a gun in furtherance of drug trafficking, according to a news release. According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Willie Devon Brown, 43, had nine pounds of [...]
	Davenport man sentenced to federal prison for gun, ammunition charges A Davenport man was sentenced Wednesday, Aug. 12, to 46 months - a little less than four years - in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a felon and 18 months in federal prison for revocation of his supervised release, a news release says. According to public court documents and evidence presented at [...]
	QCA school board terminates principal's contract According to a statement from a spokesperson for the Rock Island-Milan School District, the principal of a school was terminated Tuesday at a school board meeting. The Board of Education approved the superintendent's recommendation to immediately terminate the contract and to discharge Mario Sherrell from employment "due to his job abandonment and insubordination," the spokesperson [...]
	Photos: See the best photos from the solar eclipse Millions of people in Europe stepped outside this evening to watch a spectacular sunset with a solar eclipse. The path of totality passed through portions of Greenland, Iceland and Spain,
	Rock Island-Milan school superintendent speaks about school closures during power outages Dr. Sharon Williams said that outages are a threat to the district's communication lines, and as a result, its security.
	New Quad City Arts director talks Alternating Currents The four-day celebration of creativity features over 230 events and more than 600 artists, with events taking place in Davenport, Bettendorf and Rock Island.
	Watermelon Stampede to take over Muscatine Saturday Runners and walkers will take to the streets of Muscatine Saturday for the 49th annual Watermelon Stampede.
	Missing Moline child found A child with disabilities has been located after Moline Police asked for help finding him Wednesday night.
	Moline police: Missing 9-year-old found UPDATE: According to a Facebook post from the Moline Police Department, after officers asked for help from the public to find a missing 9-year-old, the boy has been found. EARLIER: "We are requesting the community’s help in locating 9 year-old Liam," the post says. Liam was last seen in the 500 block of 17th Avenue [...]
	2026 butter cow: ‘Miles of Smiles’ is State Fair’s theme in celebration of Route 66 Gov. JB Pritzker unveiled the state’s annual butter cow on Wednesday, which will be on display in the Dairy Building throughout the fair.
	Quad Cities International Airport tests emergency response with mass casualty drill First responders in the Quad Cities conducted an FAA-mandated mass casualty exercise at the airport on Wednesday.
	Mass casualty drill held at Quad Cities International Airport The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires the airport to host a mass casualty exercise every three years.
	2 charged after shots fired at Kwik Star in Clinton Andy Glen Simmons told officers he shot into the windshield and driver's side door of a white Ford Excursion. Clinton police said there are no known injuries.
	Rock Island woman hit by tree damage for 3rd time A Rock Island woman is once again cleaning up after severe weather brought down a large tree in her backyard Wednesday morning.
	QCI Airport successfully practices emergency response drill for plane crash The Quad Cities International Airport had a busy morning on runway 13, where emergency responders from across the Quad Cities area flooded the runway for a drill. The crews are required to complete a mass casualty drill every three years by the FAA. This year's drill scenario was a plane crash with 70 people on [...]
	Meth, fentanyl, machine gun charges send 4 Illinois men to federal prison The men distributed methamphetamine and fentanyl across the Quad Cities area between 2023 and 2024, according to a media release.
	ICE plans to outfit officers with electric shock gloves The company that makes the gloves, Compliant Technologies, says they're a nonlethal tool to make individuals compliant during arrests.
	Clinton man sentenced to federal prison on drug, firearm charges Devon Brown, 43, will spend 15 years behind bars and will serve a five year term of supervised release.
	Quad Cities man sentenced to 3 years after escaping custody, injuring officer during arrest A Quad Cities man was sentenced to three years in the federal prison after escaping custody.
	Senators urge end to online bets on wildfires Lawmakers say wildfire prediction markets could encourage arson and profit from disasters, urging federal regulators to prohibit the contracts.
	Clinton city council to hold roundtable session on proposed data center ordinance The Clinton City Council agreed to hold at least one roundtable session with public input as it revises a proposed data center ordinance.
	Woman arrested in connection to Kwik Star shooting An additional person was arrested in connection to a shooting at the Clinton Kwik Star.
	Democratic strategist reflects on Wisconsin and Minnesota primaries NPR's Juana Summers speaks with Amanda Litman, co-founder of the PAC Run For Something, about the results from the Aug. 11 Democratic primary elections.
	MidAmerican Energy crews work to restore power to QC residents Severe weather in the Quad Cities this week has left thousands of residents and businesses without power. Utility crews began work this morning to clear debris, repair lines and restore service. Geoff Greenwood, media relations manager for MidAmerican Energy, spoke with Our Quad Cities News via Zoom to share how the company prepared for the [...]
	Trump sued over service selling faster access to Truth Social posts The federal lawsuit alleges that the service from the president's media company violates the Constitution. Meanwhile, Trump Media executives say they have signed up more than 10 customers.
	Trump administration urges Supreme Court to rule soon on limiting vote-by-mail in midterms The Trump executive order would limit vote-by-mail, the primary method of voting in several states, especially in the West.
	High school football preview: Sterling The Sterling Golden Warriors are preparing for the 2026 high school football season, returning several players with varsity experience from a 6-4 campaign that included a 5-2 record in Western Big Six Conference play.
	Controversial group wins $158M-contract to represent unaccompanied immigrant children Utah-based Our Rescue was founded by activist Tim Ballard. It was previously known as Operation Underground Railroad and it says it helps law enforcement perform sting operations and rescues human trafficking survivors.
	White House press secretary leaving Karoline Leavitt will continue to be an outside adviser, Trump said
	Illinois will not change child vaccine guidelines after Trump executive order The Illinois Department of Public Health is not adopting new federal child vaccine guidelines and will continue following recommendations by a leading pediatric medical group.
	Traffic Alert: Construction on 20th Street Utilities Project to begin in Rock Island Phase 1 of the 20th Street Utilities Project in Rock Island is set to begin Aug. 19.

Thursday, August 13th, 2026

Wednesday, August 12th, 2026