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

Tuesday, July 7th, 2026
	House Names This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.In almost any city near Rock Island, residents can walk you through their neighborhoods and name the houses: there's…
	Rock Island County to dedicate pollinator garden in honor of longtime community servants Rock Island County will dedicate a pollinator garden in honor of longtime community servants. According to a release, the Gabe & Lee Barber Pollinator Garden will be dedicated Friday, July 10, 9:00 a.m. on the northern end of Historic Courthouse Square, located at 15th St. and 3rd Ave., Rock Island: The garden will be named [...]
	Heirs of 'odious' 167-year-old Supreme Court ruling see modern parallels Descendants of Dred Scott and Chief Justice Roger Taney spoke about reconciliation at a church in the shadow of the Supreme Court last week as the high court wrestled with race and who can be an American.
	As climate change damages streets and highways, the road ahead may be expensive Heat waves are becoming more common and intense as a result of climate change — and roads are suffering as a result. Are the nation's roads up to meeting the challenge of a warmer, wetter future?
	China test-launches a ballistic missile in the South Pacific and raises regional concerns The launch, using a dummy warhead, took place the same day Australia and Fiji signed a mutual defense treaty meant to counter Chinese influence in the Pacific.
	Tanker set ablaze after being struck by projectile in the Strait of Hormuz Iranian state television said the tanker came under attack after ignoring warnings but did not directly claim the assault.
Monday, July 6th, 2026
	Savannah Bananas provide incredible experience to 9-year-old fighting cancer For one family from Donahue, Iowa, attending the Savannah Bananas’ games at Kinnick Stadium was about much more than entertainment.
	Jordan Spieth surprises young fan with autographed hat When 11-year-old Stella Gehring realized Jordan Spieth was staying just a few doors down from her house, she got an idea.
	USMNT and World Cup fuel soccer interest in the Quad Cities Despite the U.S. men's national team's World Cup loss to Belgium, local fans and QC Rush say the tournament continues to inspire more kids to play soccer.
	Annual 'Pints and Paws' blood drive in need of donors For every donor who gives blood at one of the drives, the Red Cross will donate $10 to animal shelters in the Quad Cities.
	Small data center proposed for industrial park south of Maquoketa Residents packed the council chambers Monday night, most of them opposing the project.
	What a divorce coach wishes couples knew before ending a marriage Divorce is a tool, not a weapon, says Karen McNenny, author of a new book on the subject. She explains how to end a marriage while protecting your family and your mental health.
	The U.S. men's run at the World Cup ends with a 4-1 Round of 16 loss to Belgium The team was in the eye of a storm over a controversial phone call from President Trump to FIFA's head about a red card on a U.S. striker. But even with the U.S. at full strength, Belgium easily won.
	Fresh Films production brings economic boost, trains next generation of filmmakers Fresh Films says its latest streaming series, Dearly Departed, is creating business for local companies while giving aspiring filmmakers hands-on experience on a professional set.
	Neighborly kid finds a fan in Jordan Spieth during John Deere Classic A nice note from a kid to a PGA star turned into “a kind act" that left a mother expressing “gratitude and appreciation.” “I have total appreciation for someone like that.” Yvonne Gehring's 11-year-old daughter, Stella, found out that Jordan Spieth was staying down the street from her for the John Deere Classic and decided [...]
	93-year-old Iowan vying to become world’s oldest truck driver Orrin Asmus is vying for the oldest truck driver in the Guinness Book of World Records.
	Iowa Senate candidate Josh Turek outlines farm policies, calls for right-to-repair and tariff relief Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Josh Turek outlined his agriculture platform Monday during a visit to an Ankeny family farm, calling for federal right-to-repair legislation and an end to the Trump administration’s tariff policies.
	New Iowa Medicaid fraud task force draws questions from retired health administrator A retired health care administrator is questioning Gov. Kim Reynolds’ decision to form a new task force aimed at fighting Medicaid fraud, saying the state’s focus overlooks what she sees as a larger problem: health care becoming less affordable.
	Officials identify woman killed in crash on I-80 near Iowa City The victim was identified as 28-year-old Yanelli Camarena.
	Extreme heat on Independence Day will be America's new normal, experts say In cities across the U.S., parades were canceled and events were delayed because of the heat. Meanwhile, emergency rooms saw a high number of people with heat-related illnesses.
	11-year-old receives hat signed by Jordan Spieth on her doorstep 11-year-old Stella Gehring received a signed hat after leaving a note on Jordan Spieth's doorstep during the week of the John Deere Classic.
	Aledo United Methodist Church gives fair workers home-cooked meal For around 10 years, the church has been serving workers home-cooked meals and plans to continue.
	More than 200 Lexus vehicles begin their post-John Deere Classic journey After the 2026 John Deere Classic, over 200 Lexus vehicles are inspected and shipped to dealerships across the Midwest.
	U.S. Senate candidate Josh Turek stops in Ankeny during Team Iowa Tour U.S. Senate candidate Josh Turek talked with farmers about their concerns in the industry.
	5 treated for firework related injuries at Quad Cities hospitals Only 5 people were treated for fireworks related injuries at Quad Cities hospitals this weekend.
	Moline chosen for national sustainability program Moline is one of 17 communities across the country selected for the 2026 LEED for Cities Leadership Cohort.
	Pritzker signs landmark AI regulation bill that aims to mitigate risks Senate Bill 315, also known as the Artificial Intelligence Safety Measures Act, increases transparency and accountability requirements for the largest artificial intelligence models — those that generate more than $500 million in annual revenue and are trained using massive computing power.
	Police on scene of Rock Island incident Our Quad Cities News crew saw emergency responders at an incident on the 500 block of 30th Street about 4;45 p.m. Monday. One person was transported to a hospital, and police placed another person, who was in handcuffs, in a squad car.
	Early look at the Quad Cities weekend forecast It's only Monday but are we already thinking about the weekend? A lot of us are! And the weather looks to be a little bit warmer by the end of the weekend in the Quad Cities. After a mild start to the week, we'll see a chance for storms on Thursday. That storm chance is [...]
	Gov. Pritzker puts signature on Senate Bill 315, one of toughest AI laws in country Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday morning signed Senate Bill 315, which is called the Artificial Intelligence Safety Measures Act and targets the most powerful AI companies in the country.
	This World Cup marks end of era for Ronaldo and other soccer greats Some of the greatest footballers of a generation played their final World Cup match this summer.
	They're Ready for Their Closeups, Mr. DeMinion: “Minions & Monsters” and “Young Washington” It's hard to think of a more ticklish recent ode to cinema than Minions & Monsters, which would've been just about perfect if its monsters were ditched entirely.
	Quad City Arts interim executive director resigns Quad City Arts is looking for a new executive director. Ben Morris served as interim executive director beginning in February. Morris served in that role and was a point person during the transition after Brian Allen left as executive director. According to a release from Quad City Arts: The Rock Island Police Department confirmed with [...]
	Fejervary Aquatic Center temporarily closes The Fejervary Aquatic Center is closed to address an issue requiring drainage of the pool. According to a Facebook post from Davenport Parks and Recreation, the facility is anticipated to reopen Friday, July 10. All swim lessons have been moved to Annie Wittenmyer Aquatic Center for the week. Participants are being notified. Annie Wittenmyer will [...]
	North YMCA opening pushed back The opening of the new North YMCA location has been pushed back.
	REVIEW: Guys and Dolls at Countryside Community Theatre Guys and Dolls is a classic musical comedy based on Damon Runyon’s stories about gamblers and showgirls in mythical 1940s New York. It follows the intertwined love stories of high-roller Sky Masterson and missionary Sarah Brown, and craps game organizer Nathan Detroit and his long-suffering fianceé, Miss Adelaide. It premiered on Broadway in 1950, garnering a Tony Award for Best Musical and spawned a film adaption in 1955 starring Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, and Frank Sinatra.
	Supreme Court lets Texas restrict minors' access to app stores for the time being Texas' App Store Accountability Act requires minors to have their parents' permission to download most apps. The Supreme Court says the law can go into effect as lawsuits continue in lower courts.
	Shelter for domestic, sexual violence survivors to hold grand opening Freedom House will hold the grand opening of its emergency shelter on July 15.
	Platner denies sexual assault allegation, but says he will assess 'best path forward' The Democratic candidate for Senate in Maine said he was assessing next steps after allegations of sexual assault were reported on Monday by Politico. Platner denied them as "categorically untrue."
	11 AI prompts every teacher should know 11 AI prompts every teacher should knowThe average K-12 teacher works 49 hours a week. About a quarter of that time is uncompensated. Most teachers didn’t choose this field to spend evenings generating quiz questions, rewriting instructions, or creating elaborate rubric spreadsheets to fit a state-mandated standard.AI assistants like Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini won’t change these realities. But when you’re overwhelmed, they can help you streamline some of the most tedious aspects of your work. They can free up your energy for what only a human teacher can do. And AI assistants can actually help teachers be more creative. They can help them overcome teaching ruts, nudging them to revitalize aspects of their teaching that are growing stale.AI assistants have arrived at a time when teachers need support to do their best work. In a national 2023 survey by the RAND Corporation, just 24% of teachers reported being satisfied with their total weekly hours worked, and 66% said their base salary was inadequate.AI tools won’t make up for unfair compensation. But they can help save time and improve work-life balance. They can also help us do better work.A 60-second guide to promptingThe first step to making the most of AI is understanding how to use prompts. A prompt is a natural language instruction to an AI assistant. It doesn’t have to include technical or formal language. You don’t even have to use full sentences.Prompts are tool agnostic, so you can use them with whichever AI assistant you have access to. There are free and paid versions of Claude, Gemini, and ChatGPT, but you can also use free AI tools that run privately on your own laptop, like Jan.ai or Msty.ai.As the teacher, you guide an AI assistant like Claude or Gemini with relevant context. For prompts to work well, they have to be detailed, including specifics and context. Generic prompts yield generic responses.It helps to iterate on AI output with follow-up prompts. Ask for more specificity or detail. Adapt the response for your students; don’t use it as is. Part of retaining your agency in the process is making sure you build on whatever outputs an assistant generates. You’re the director. It’s much like you were adopting an open educational resource. The advantage, though, is that this material will be more tailored to your students and teaching approach.Knowing how to use prompts effectively can mean the difference between AI that’s actually helpful and AI that’s gimmicky. The prompts The 74 created below were designed to provide you with a creative boost. They each illustrate a practical way to use AI in support of thoughtful, pedagogically sound teaching. You don’t need any special technical skills or subscriptions. You can copy, paste, and customize them to suit your subject matter.Setting up a projectIf you want to use prompts more efficiently, create a Claude or ChatGPT Project, or a Gemini Notebook. That’s a folder where you provide a summary of context about your students that the AI assistant can reference whenever you ask for support. You can also upload past materials, syllabi, lesson plans, curriculum guidelines, Common Core State Standards, or whatever else would be helpful context for the AI assistant.You can also provide detailed instructions in the project for how you’d like the AI to assist you. You’re training the AI assistant and teaching it your preferences. Once you set up a project, you won’t have to repeatedly type in the same context. Projects can be set up for each class or workshop.The Prompt Collection1. The Bell-RingerStart class with a sparkThe first five minutes of class set the tone for everything that follows. A short, well-designed opening activity can draw students in. Engaging openers are especially valuable on Mondays, after vacations or when you’re pivoting to a new topic. The challenge is coming up with fresh ones regularly.Goal: Generate a bunch of quick activities you can use at the start of a class session, adapted for your subject and your students.Prompts: “I teach [subject x] to students in [grade level x]. We’re studying [specific topic xyz. Be as detailed as possible about your subject and context. Include a sentence or series of phrases of context about your particular class and teaching style, or any special needs or context for your students. No need to make it formal].”“Generate five bell-ringer activities I can adapt to open a [xx] minute class. Each should take no more than [x] minutes, require no materials, and either activate prior knowledge or help students reflect on what they’ve just learned. Include one that’s discussion-based, one that’s written and one that’s a game or visual/creative task. [Or adapt these examples to reflect your subject matter. For example, one of the options could be a logic puzzle or an artistic challenge.]”Prompt Example“I teach U.S. History to 10th graders at a public school in San Diego. We’re starting a unit on the Civil Rights Movement. We’re focusing on the tactics used in nonviolent protest: sit-ins, freedom rides, and marches. My students respond well to visuals and storytelling, but some of them are slow to settle into our morning class sessions.“Generate five bell-ringer activities I can adapt to start class in an engaging way. Each should take no more than five minutes, require no handouts, and either activate prior knowledge or get students thinking about why ordinary people take extraordinary risks. Include one that’s discussion-based, one that’s written, and one that involves an image or short video clip I can pull up on the projector.”2. The Real-World HookAnswer “Why does this matter?” before students even askWhen you’re juggling administrative meetings, multiple preps, and paperwork, it can be hard to give extra attention to helping students relate to a given learning unit. This prompt helps you brainstorm connections to contemporary music, art, film, TV, cultural trends, or other subjects of interest to students.Goal: To generate five ways to show your students how the topic you’re teaching is relevant to their lives, each with a two-sentence hook you can use to open discussion.Prompt: “I’m about to begin a unit on [x topic] with [x grade level] students. [Provide a sentence of additional context and a few additional details about your students’ interests]. Generate five ways to connect this material to something students at [x] grade level may likely be able to relate to. This can include sports, the arts, social media trends, pop culture, music, or other contemporary issues. For each connection, suggest a two-sentence hook I can adapt to help jump-start a class discussion.”Prompt Example“I’m about to start a unit on percentages and ratios with seventh graders. I teach in a suburban middle school in Ohio. Many of my students follow football and basketball. Many also spend a lot of time on social media. A few are really into cooking and video games.“Generate five ways to connect percentages and ratios to things seventh graders actually care about. This can include sports stats, social media follower counts, video game scoring, food recipes, or other relatable subjects. For each connection, suggest a one-sentence hook I could use to kick off a class discussion.”3. The Bad-Example GeneratorTurn common mistakes into teachable momentsShowing students examples of common mistakes can help them avoid those pitfalls. But we can’t embarrass students by showing examples of their weakest work. Fortunately, AI assistants are excellent example generators. They can come up with nearly any kind of error you specify, saving you hours you might otherwise have spent creating intentionally bad work.You can adapt this prompt to include any kind of error you want your students to avoid. These can include experimental design mishaps in science or mangled math formulas. If you’re teaching essay writing, showcase logical fallacies or ad hominem arguments.Goal: Produce five realistic examples of a specific error type, unlabeled, so students can identify, discuss, and learn from the flaws.Prompt: “I’m teaching [x subject/topic] to [grade level x] students. [Provide an additional sentence of specific context about your class, the learning goals you’re focusing on, and/or the lesson you’re preparing.] Generate five examples of paragraphs with [ad hominem arguments/circular reasoning/weak thesis statements/misleading use of statistics/or pick any other weakness] related to [x topic]. Make sure each example is realistic and plausible. These should be the kinds of errors students at this grade level might actually make. Don’t label what’s wrong. I’ll use these for a class activity where students identify and explain the flaws themselves. [You can also task the AI with annotating or explaining these errors to help you walk students methodically through these common flaws.]”Prompt Example“I’m teaching persuasive writing to 11th graders at an urban high school in Chicago. We’re working on how to build a strong thesis and how to use evidence effectively. My students sometimes make claims without backing them up. Or they rely repeatedly on one or two weak sources.“Generate five examples of weak thesis statements on the topic of social media’s effect on teenagers. Make each one realistic. These should sound like something an 11th grader might actually write. Don’t label what’s wrong with each one. I’ll use these in a small group activity. Students will discuss the weaknesses in these statements and work on strengthening them.”4. The Scaffolding PromptMake instructions clear for every studentComplex instructions often trip up students. Simplifying language can help, along with breaking guidance into smaller steps. This prompt helps you clarify instructions for an existing assignment, handout, or any other activity. It’s particularly useful if you have students with learning differences or if your class has a wide range of readiness levels.Goal: Reframe an existing handout or assignment so it’s clearer and more accessible, especially for students who need extra support.Prompt: “Here is a [handout/assignment/resource] I give students: [paste or upload the handout]. Help me reframe this for students who face [specific challenges or contexts that impact some of your students]. I particularly want this to be more accessible for students who need extra support. Break the instructions into smaller, numbered steps. Replace any abstract language with concrete, specific directions. Point out any parts I should clarify. Suggest a brief example for each major step and any illustrations or images that might help me make this more visually engaging. Maintain the academic expectations I have for the work. The goal is clarity, not simplification.”Prompt Example“I’m attaching a lab worksheet I give students. I need this to work better for my fourth grade science class. We’re in rural New Mexico. Several of my students have IEPs, a few are English language learners, and their reading levels vary a lot.“Help me create alternative versions of this worksheet that might be easier to follow for students who need extra support. Break the instructions into short numbered steps. Replace abstract instructional terms with plain, everyday language, but don’t change the vocabulary words, which I need students to learn. Add a concrete example for each major step. Flag any parts that might confuse a 9-year-old. Suggest one or two simple illustrations that could help. Don’t water down the scientific thinking. Don’t alter my expectations. The goal is clarity, not dumbing this down. I’ll edit it afterward to make sure it fully represents my instructions.”5. The Review-Game GeneratorCreate engaging questions efficiently for learning gamesComing up with a long list of review questions can take hours, and designing multiple plausible wrong answers for every question can be exhausting. An AI assistant can help, quickly turning existing handouts, lesson plans, or fact sheets into engaging questions. It can help you customize questions for your subject matter and student level.Goal: Generative 15 multiple-choice review questions, tiered by difficulty, formatted for whatever learning game you prefer.Prompt: “I’m finishing a unit on [x topic] with my [grade level x] students. I’m preparing an end-of-term review session, so I’m trying to come up with some good questions to help students practice [a particular skill or area of knowledge]. Generate 15 trivia questions based on the following key concepts: [list concepts, paste notes, or upload a handout]. Suggest a series of multiple-choice questions, each with a correct answer and three plausible wrong answers. Vary the difficulty—five easy, five medium, five challenging. Flag the correct answer for each. Also, suggest some true/false, fill-in-the-blank, and open-ended questions for variety.”Prompt Example“I’m wrapping up a unit on the causes of World War I with my eighth graders at a middle school in suburban Texas. Here are the key concepts I want to review: the alliance system, nationalism, militarism, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the role of imperialism, and how a regional conflict became a world war.“Generate 15 multiple-choice questions based on these concepts. Format each question with one correct answer and three plausible wrong answers that reflect common student misunderstandings. Make five questions straightforward, five moderately challenging, and five that are a little tricky. Add a few bonus questions that require students to connect ideas. Flag the correct answer for each question. I want to use these for a classroom Jeopardy game.”6. The Fresh-Angle SearchBring new life to familiar contentSome topics get stale, especially when you’ve taught them the same way for years. To liven up an old lesson, it can be helpful to gather new sources, examples, statistics, case studies, or unexpected angles.Use Perplexity, a free, AI-powered search engine that provides citations alongside its results. The links it provides ensure you have an evidence trail you can use to verify its responses and to dive deeper. Digging into Perplexity’s concise search summary is more efficient than sorting through hundreds of blue Google links.Goal: Find five recent or unexpected real-world examples of a concept you’re teaching, including perspectives from outside the U.S. and connections to students’ current interests.Prompt: “I teach [x topic] to [grade level x] students. [Provide additional context here about the topic or learning outcomes you’re focused on]. I’m looking for interesting material [or whatever other description you prefer] to make this subject more engaging for students. [Include any additional context about your students’ interests]. Find me five recent, unexpected, or counterintuitive real-world examples of [x concept] that might surprise or intrigue students. Include also several real-world details to help add nuance for students who think they already understand the concept. And suggest several new analogies I can use for students who don’t yet understand this concept. Include international examples, and at least one that has an element of humor.”Prompt Example“I teach introductory biology to ninth graders at a public high school in Phoenix. We’re finishing a unit on ecosystems and food webs, and I want to make it feel less textbook and more real.“Find me five recent, unexpected, or counterintuitive real-world examples of ecosystem disruption that might surprise students who think they already understand this concept. Include one example from outside the United States, one from the last two years, and one that connects to something teenagers are likely to know about or care about, like a sport, a food, or a place they might actually visit.”7. The Skeptical-Student PromptPrepare for the hardest questions before class startsYou never know what odd questions might arise when you teach a new topic. AI assistants can help by generating all sorts of potential questions. That prep can help you avoid unpleasant surprises in class, so you’re ready for nearly anything students might toss at you.Goal: Generate 10 challenging questions a skeptical student might ask me about this lesson.Prompt: “Here is a [lesson plan/reading/concept] I’m teaching: [paste or upload material, mentioning the grade level and any other relevant context]. Give me a list of potential student questions about the relevance of this new topic and about real-world applications. Include also a mix of other unusual or surprising questions curious students might ask. If these high school students doubt this material is relevant, what might they ask, and what aspects in particular might they question? Generate 10 challenging questions students might ask. Include questions that challenge the relevance of the topic, the reliability of my sources, and the assumptions behind my explanations.”Prompt Example“I’m teaching the attached lesson next week on supply and demand. Imagine you are a skeptical 12th grader who thinks economics has nothing to do with your life.“Generate 10 tough questions you might ask during this lesson. Include at least two that challenge whether this concept actually works in real life, two that push back on whether the examples are realistic, and two that ask why any of this matters to someone who isn’t planning to work in finance or study business in college.”8. The Blind-Spot AuditFind your own blind spots before students doDuring a typical week, teachers don’t always have time to trade peer feedback on lesson plans or syllabi. But they can still benefit from getting input on our materials. AI assistants can critically evaluate your materials for clarity, accessibility, inclusivity, or other blind spots. You always have the option of ignoring the observations. Some teachers find that many of the weaknesses the AI assistant points out are ones that benefit from a fix.Goal: Identify specific places in your lesson plan or syllabus where there might be an unconscious bias, instructions may be unclear, examples may not reflect student diversity, or assessment criteria might be confusing. Or point out unnecessary jargon.Prompt: “Here is my [lesson plan/syllabus/unit overview]: [paste or upload document]. Take the perspective of a critic with expertise in inclusive pedagogy and student-centered design. Identify parts of my plan that may not work for someone with physical differences, such as a vision, hearing, or mobility impairment. Also, point out places where an unconscious bias might be influencing the way I’m presenting this topic. Point out places where examples or explanations I’ve included might not make sense to my diverse students. Show me places where my assessment criteria could be made more clear. Note any other sections of the material that might not be inclusive, accessible, or relatable for students. Be direct. Include the location of each issue so I can explore potential fixes. I want specific critique, not general praise, and I want you to explain each observation in detail.”Prompt Example“I’m attaching a unit overview I’m planning to use for a sixth grade reading and writing unit on personal narratives. I’d like an independent critique from the perspective of someone with extensive experience in inclusive teaching and middle school literacy.“Identify places where my instructions might confuse a student who is new to this kind of writing, or who struggles with open-ended assignments. Identify places where my examples or readings might not reflect the range of backgrounds in my classroom. Point out places where I could make my grading criteria clearer before students start writing. Be direct and specific. Tell me exactly where the issues are so I can find them quickly. I want honest, concise feedback, not compliments.”9. The Differentiation PromptAdapt one assignment for three distinct student levels without tripling your prep timeIn many classrooms, students arrive at varying levels of readiness. Creating three versions of the same material is one of those things that turns a 40-hour week into a 53-hour one. Tasking an AI assistant with suggesting adaptations of your material ensures that your newly differentiated materials will remain anchored in your own ideas and teaching goals.Goal: Produce two alternative versions of an existing assignment: one with additional scaffolding and one with stretch challenges for advanced students.Prompt: “Here is an [assignment/assessment] I give students: [paste or upload material]. Generate two versions of this: one for students who need additional scaffolding and more explicit guidance, and one that adds stretch challenges for advanced students. Preserve the core learning objectives. Summarize the suggested changes and explain their rationale, so I can decide how to adapt these alternatives for my students.”Prompt Example“Here is a problem set I give students at the end of our unit on proofs: [paste assignment]. I have three pretty distinct groups in my 10th grade geometry class. Some students are still shaky on the basics. Most are roughly where I’d expect them to be. And a handful are ready for something harder.“Create three versions of this assignment. The first should add more step-by-step guidance and a worked example for students who need extra support. The second should stay close to the original but fix anything that’s confusingly worded. The third should add three harder extension problems for students who finish early and want a challenge. Keep the same core learning goal across all three versions. Add a quick note explaining what changed and why, so I can decide how to use each version.”10. The Rubric BuilderHelp students understand how you’ll assess them.A well-designed rubric does two things: It clarifies your expectations before students start working, and it gives them a roadmap for revising. Developing rubrics from scratch is tedious. It requires formatting small batches of text into boxes in complex tables. This prompt generates a structured first draft in table format. You can then refine it before sharing it with students. To start, specify the elements of the student work you’ll be evaluating, and describe your criteria.You don’t have to use full sentences or formal language. Just describe what constitutes excellence for this assignment, what satisfactory work looks like, and what evidence signals to you that a student may need more skill practice. Developing these rubrics with AI assistance is an iterative process. Revise initial outputs by adding your own details and refinements.Goal: Generate a rubric with three performance levels and five criteria you’ve specified, written in specific, concrete language, without vague phrases like “good use of sources.”Prompt: “I’m assigning [describe assignment] to [grade level x] students. [Provide any additional relevant context]. Generate a rubric with three performance levels: Excellent, Proficient, and Developing. Include five criteria relevant to this assignment: [list criteria, e.g., argument clarity, use of evidence, originality, structure, mechanics]. For each criterion and each level, write two specific sentences describing what that performance actually looks like. Avoid vague language like ‘good use of sources.’ Be concrete. Put this rubric into a table, then await my input for potential edits.”Prompt Example“I’m assigning an argumentative essay to my eighth graders. They have to pick a local issue, take a position, and back it up with at least three sources. Some of my students have never written a formal argument before.“Generate a rubric with three performance levels: Excellent, Proficient, and Still Developing. Include these five criteria: clarity of argument, quality of evidence, use of sources, organization, and writing mechanics. For each criterion at each level, write one specific sentence that describes what the work actually looks like. Skip vague phrases like ‘uses sources well’ or ‘writing is clear.’ Make it concrete enough that a student reading this before they start writing knows exactly what they’re aiming for. Put it in a table, then ask for my edits.”11. The Case-Study CollaboratorGenerate fictional scenarios to spice up discussionsCase studies help spark lively discussions. They’re useful whether you’re introducing students to ethical questions or trying to help students relate to a historical situation. They can also be useful for bringing a business decision or a scientific discovery to life. Creating cases from scratch can be exhausting. So this prompt helps you build fictional but realistic scenarios customized to your subject matter and student context.Goal: Create a fictional case study to illustrate a tension relevant to your subject, set in a context students can relate to, ending with three discussion questions.Prompt: “I teach [x subject] to [grade level x] students. [Provide an additional sentence of context or specifics to ensure the case studies are relevant and useful.] We’re exploring [x concept or issue. Include as much detail as possible about what and how you’re approaching the topic and your learning goals]. Create a fictional but realistic case study involving [type of character, institution, or situation relevant to your subject] that illustrates the tension between [value A] and [value B]. Set it in [context relevant to your students—a school, a local community, a specific industry]. The scenario should be complex enough that reasonable people could disagree about the right response. End with three discussion questions that I can adapt to push students to apply the concepts we’ve been studying.”Prompt Example“I teach environmental science to 11th graders at a high school in a small city in Michigan. We’re wrapping up a unit on water access and environmental justice, and I want to end with a discussion that gets students to apply what they’ve learned to a realistic situation.“Create a fictional but realistic case study about a small city council deciding whether to approve a new manufacturing plant near a residential neighborhood with a history of water quality problems. The scenario should involve tension between local jobs and environmental risk. Make it complex and nuanced enough that reasonable people on both sides have legitimate concerns. End with three discussion questions that push students to use evidence, consider multiple perspectives, and take a position they can defend.”Disclosure: Two kinds of prompts appear in this piece. The templates with brackets were developed based on classroom teaching experience. The filled-in examples showing how teachers might customize each template were drafted with help from Claude, an AI assistant. Using AI to help generate these examples made it possible to stress-test and customize each template across different subjects and grade levels and confirm that the prompts produce useful results. Every example was reviewed and edited before publication.This story was produced by The 74 and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Driver charged in crash outside elementary school in Dubuque that injured child, mother The driver that Dubuque Police say ran over a then-six-year-old girl outside Audubon Elementary back in January has now been charged.
	The great staying put: Why a record share of homeowners are cashing in without selling The great staying put: Why a record share of homeowners are cashing in without sellingSpring is typically one of the housing market’s busiest seasons. May and June are historically some of the biggest listing months of the year and are when “For Sale” signs and moving trucks dominate the streets.This year, though, the season didn’t exactly show out. Cotality’s Home Price Index shows U.S. home prices rose just 0.3% year over year in April 2026, the weakest appreciation in years, and as of January about 34% of the 100 largest U.S. markets were posting outright year-over-year declines. Per Zillow’s April 2026 market report, new listings outpaced sales for the first time in 2026. Yet on paper, Americans have never held more housing wealth.Splitero dug deep into data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), ICE Mortgage Technology, Zillow, and Cotality to show how rate-locks are preventing Americans from capitalizing on their paper wealth.The rate-lock effectThe mechanics of the rate-lock effect are simple, but brutal. Take, for instance, a homeowner with a sub-6% fixed mortgage. They face an enormous financial penalty for selling and buying at today's rates. Trading a 3% rate for a 6.5% to 7% mortgage can add about $1,000 per month to the payment on a median-priced home. Many homeowners understandably decline this trade-off. Splitero Trading a sub-4% mortgage for today’s 6.75% rate on the same median-priced home means paying anywhere from $3,900 to nearly $8,000 more every year, according to the Zillow April 2026 market report. The deeper the discount you’re giving up, the steeper the hit. Federal Housing Finance Agency data from the third quarter of 2025 shows just how deep that discount runs. More than half of homeowners are locked into a rate below 4%, and just under 80% sit below 6%. Splitero The agency even quantifies the impact of this problem in a 2024 working paper. For every percentage point that market rates exceed the origination rate, the probability of a sale drops by 18.1%, according to their data. In plain terms, the higher today’s rates sit above the rate a homeowner already has, the less likely that homeowner is to sell. With most owners holding rates set well below current ones, the predictable result is a market where 1.72M fewer homes traded hands between Q2 2022 and Q2 2024.That missing supply has a counterintuitive effect on price. With so few homes for sale, competition for the ones that do list pushed national prices up an estimated 7%, more than cancelling out the roughly 5.6% downward pull that higher rates would have had on their own. So even as demand cools, prices have stayed stubbornly high.Record equity, and almost no one is touching itThe lock-in effect doesn’t just stop people from selling. It also reshapes how they reach the money tied up in their homes. U.S. owners are sitting on record equity but are disincentivized to access it through sales or cash-out refinancing.According to ICE Mortgage Monitor data, however, equity withdrawals in the first quarter of 2026 rose 2% year over year and hit their highest first-quarter level since 2021. This is still far below the long-run historical norm. Splitero The preferred method for those accessing equity today without selling is taking out second liens, often home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), which leave the existing first mortgage untouched. Per the same ICE data, in the first quarter 2026, 54% of all equity extraction came through second liens, leading to second-lien lending reaching an 18-year high. This equates to 3.9 million homeowners from 2020 to 2022 who have now added a second lien.Similarly, average HELOC introductory rates fell to 6.6% in March 2026, which is their most attractive level since late 2022. A $50,000 withdrawal today costs roughly $275 per month, which is down significantly from highs in early 2024. Despite the potential for lower HELOC costs, withdrawal rates for second liens are still below historic norms.While homeowners are still extracting equity using secondary methods other than selling or refinancing, it’s a barren market compared to past years.The hard part isn’t having equity. It’s getting to it.Record equity doesn’t help much if you can’t reach it. Homeowners are sitting on trillions of dollars in equity, much of it gated behind the qualification hurdles that traditional products demand. HELOCs, cash-out refinances, and home equity loans typically require income verification, strong credit, and a debt-to-income check, and a refinance also means giving up the low first-mortgage rate that locked owners are trying to protect.That gap is part of why home equity investments (HEIs) have grown as an alternative. Instead of a monthly payment, an HEI provides cash today in exchange for a share of the home’s future value, with no income verification and credit-score minimums that can start around 500. For an owner who is equity rich but doesn’t qualify for, or doesn’t want a new monthly payment, it’s one of the few ways to access equity without selling or refinancing.What would break the lock-in effect?Breaking the lock-in effect comes down to closing the gap between the rates owners already hold and the rates they’d face if they moved, and a few conditions would have to line up for that to happen.There are hopeful signs. Inventory is growing, and rates have edged down from 2025 highs. Homebuyers in April 2026 had roughly 3% more purchasing power than a year earlier.The first factor that could mark a major change is a return to the 6% range on 30-year fixed mortgages. This could trigger a meaningful rebound in buyer demand, according to Zillow.Additionally, the share of mortgages locked at sub-3% naturally erodes over time. This gradual "aging out" of ultra-low-rate cohorts slowly releases inventory back into the market. HELOCs can also act as a pressure valve. Homeowners who need liquidity are leveraging equity via second liens rather than selling, which preserves inventory tightness.The future of the housing marketThe great “staying put” isn’t caused by stubbornness. Tens of millions of households have a valuable asset they locked in at an affordable rate, but it vanishes the minute they choose to sell. Instead, those homeowners have chosen to stay longer, renovate their properties, and continue to build record-setting equity. Until mortgage rates fall or enough low-rate loans drop out of the system, we’re likely to continue to see more of the same.This story was produced by Splitero and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Death Notice: John Selby A funeral service and Mass of Christian Burial for John William Selby, 82, of Eldridge, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 7, at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Long Grove. Visitation will be one hour prior to Mass on Tuesday at the church. Burial will be in St. Ann's Cemetery. The Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport, is assisting the family with arrangements. Mr. Selby died Thursday, July 2, 2026, at MercyOne Genesis Medical Center, Davenport. Memorials may be made to St. Ann's Parish. Online condolences may be made at www.hmdfuneralhome.com. A full obituary will appear in the July 8 edition of The NSP.
	2,041 birdies at 2026 John Deere Classic The golfers who descended upon Silvis last week left on Sunday with 2,041 birdies at the John Deere Classic, off slightly from 2,102 scored last year. That doesn't mean that Birdies for Charity will have a down year. Last year’s total was a record-breaking $16,944,896 that included a 9% bonus match for the 460 nonprofit [...]
	The states with the highest rates of uninsured drivers and what it costs everyone else The states with the highest rates of uninsured drivers and what it costs everyone elseNearly every state requires drivers to carry auto liability insurance, yet millions of motorists are still on the road without it.In 2023, 15.4% of U.S. drivers were uninsured, according to the Insurance Research Council, meaning more than 1 in 7 motorists lacked coverage that could pay for injuries or damage they caused in a crash. The rate has increased since 2017 and remains elevated after a pandemic-era jump that affected nearly every state.The burden is not limited to those driving without coverage. When an uninsured driver causes a crash, costs can shift to injured people, insured drivers, insurers, public systems, and households already dealing with higher auto insurance prices.Temple Injury Law, a Las Vegas personal injury law firm, examined national insurance and crash-cost data to understand where uninsured driving is most common and how those costs ripple beyond the crash scene.Mississippi, New Mexico, and D.C. had the highest uninsured-driver ratesThe highest uninsured-driver rate in 2023 was in Mississippi, where 28.2% of motorists were uninsured, according to the IRC. New Mexico followed at 24.1%, and the District of Columbia ranked third at 23.1%. At the other end of the spectrum, the lowest rates were in Maine at 5.7%, Utah at 6.2%, and Idaho at 6.4%.Those gaps show how differently the uninsured-driver problem plays out across the country. In Mississippi, the share of uninsured motorists was nearly five times Maine’s rate. Nationally, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners notes that uninsured-motorist rates range from 5.7% in Maine to 28.2% in Mississippi, despite near-universal legal requirements to carry coverage.The Insurance Research Council says several factors are associated with state-to-state differences, including economic conditions, insurance costs, and state insurance laws and regulations. That makes uninsured driving both a compliance issue and an affordability issue: A state can require insurance, but that does not guarantee every driver can afford or maintain it.Most states require insurance, but enforcement variesAuto liability insurance is compulsory in 49 states and the District of Columbia. New Hampshire is the only state without a compulsory auto insurance law, though drivers there must meet financial responsibility requirements in certain circumstances.Liability coverage is meant to protect other people when a driver causes a crash. But minimum coverage requirements vary by state, and so do enforcement systems. Some states use electronic insurance verification programs, registration checks, fines, license suspensions, or other tools to discourage uninsured driving. Others rely more heavily on proof-of-insurance checks after traffic stops or crashes.The result is a system in which uninsured driving can remain undetected until a collision occurs. By then, the financial problem has already moved from a compliance question to a question of who pays.The cost often shifts to insured driversThe NAIC describes uninsured motorists as a cost burden on drivers who comply with compulsory insurance laws. When uninsured drivers cause crashes, some of those costs are integrated into uninsured-motorist coverage purchased by insured drivers, which can help pay for injuries or vehicle damage caused by someone without insurance.That does not mean uninsured drivers are the only reason premiums rise. Auto insurance prices are affected by many factors, including accident rates, traffic density, vehicle theft, repair costs, medical and legal costs, population density, weather, and state liability requirements, according to the NAIC’s 2023 Auto Insurance Database report.Still, uninsured driving adds another layer of risk to an already expensive system. The NAIC reported that the countrywide average auto insurance expenditure was $1,281 in 2023, up 13.98% from the previous year. The countrywide combined average premium rose 14.41% to $1,438.For households living close to the edge, those increases can matter. In its 2023 household well-being survey, the Federal Reserve found that not all adults could cover an unexpected $400 emergency expense with cash or its equivalent, underscoring how a relatively small financial shock can force trade-offs for some families.Crash costs reach far beyond insurance claimsThe financial consequences of uninsured driving sit inside a much larger crash-cost system. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics estimated that motor vehicle crashes in 2019 incurred $340 billion in economic costs, including medical care, lost productivity, legal and court costs, emergency services, insurance administration, congestion, property damage, and workplace losses. Public revenues covered roughly 9% of all motor vehicle crash costs in 2019, amounting to about $30 billion, or $230 in added taxes for every U.S. household.Those figures are not limited to crashes involving uninsured drivers. But they help explain why insurance gaps matter: When the person responsible for a crash lacks coverage, the costs do not disappear. They are absorbed elsewhere. It can be through another driver’s insurance, out-of-pocket expenses, health coverage, legal systems, public services, or uncompensated losses.Underinsurance is growing, tooUninsured driving is only part of the problem. In 2023, 18% of U.S. drivers were underinsured, meaning they had liability insurance but not enough to cover the injury costs caused by a crash, according to the Insurance Research Council. Combined, IRC found that about 1 in 3 drivers was either uninsured or underinsured.That distinction matters for crash victims and insured motorists. A driver may technically comply with state insurance requirements and still carry limits too low to cover serious injuries, medical bills, lost income, or long-term care. IRC noted that rising underinsured-motorist rates are driven by upward pressure on the severity of bodily-injury claims.For drivers, the practical risk is similar: Even when another motorist has some insurance, the available coverage may fall short of the crash's actual cost.What the numbers show nowThe latest public data points to a persistent national problem: Uninsured driving remains common, the highest-rate states have uninsured-driver shares above 20%, and underinsurance is rising alongside it.For insured drivers, the issue is not only whether another motorist is following the law. It is whether the financial safety net that is supposed to follow every vehicle on the road is strong enough when a crash happens. In states with the highest uninsured-driver rates, that safety net is missing for roughly one-quarter of motorists.This story was produced by Temple Injury Law and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	'Alice and Steve' might be a mess — but it's also too fun to stop watching This British comedy on Hulu centers on two 50-something best friends who turn on each other after he gets involved with her 26-year-old daughter. While the premise is juicy, it's also a tad yucky.
	10 common IRA mistakes to avoid 10 common IRA mistakes to avoidAn individual retirement account, or IRA, is a popular retirement savings tool because of its tax advantages and investment flexibility. But to reap the rewards, it’s important to familiarize yourself with common IRA mistakes and understand how to avoid them.It’s never too soon — or too late — to get familiar with the retirement savings tools available. Knowing the basics of your IRA can help avoid some missteps. There are many intricacies to IRAs, so consider the following from Ally Financial as a starting point. As always, consult with a tax professional if you have questions about your specific financial situation.1. Underestimating your retirement fund needsWhile retirement planning isn’t a one-size-fits-all process, a general rule is to have enough to cover 70% to 90% of your preretirement income to maintain your current lifestyle.Tip: Use a retirement calculator to help with the math.2. Not knowing the differences between IRAsUnderstanding traditional, Roth, SEP, and simple IRAs’ respective tax benefits, contribution limits, and withdrawal guidelines can help you understand which IRA may be best for you: Ally Financial 3. Contributing too muchIt’s easy to assume that contribution limits apply to each separate IRA account you have. But they actually apply to the total amount. Exceed the limit, and you’ll incur a 6% excess contribution tax. Ally Financial Contributions made by the employer, not an individual* May be greater if the business has 25 or fewer employees or if the account holder is aged 60 to 634. Not knowing Roth income limitsIf you fall between these 2026 adjusted gross income (AGI) limits, you can put a reduced amount in a Roth IRA:Singles and heads of household: $153,000 and $168,000Married couples filing jointly: $242,000 and $252,000Married individuals filing a separate return: $10,000If you exceed the upper limit, you can’t contribute to a Roth IRA.5. Waiting too long to contributeThe deadline for contributing to your IRA is Tax Day each year. Maxing out your contributions as early as possible allows more time for compounding interest to work to grow your savings.6. Withdrawing too early (or the incorrect amount)If you withdraw money from your traditional IRA before age 59 1/2, you’ll generally pay income taxes and a hefty 10% early withdrawal penalty. With Roth IRAs, you’ll only pay these early withdrawal costs on your earnings on the amounts contributed to the Roth IRA.Roth IRAs also require five years to pass from the beginning of the tax year of your first contribution for earnings to be withdrawn tax-free, even if you’re 59 1/2.Traditional IRAs have a required minimum distribution, or RMD, later in retirement. Failure to withdraw your RMD annually may result in paying the original taxes owed plus a 25% excise tax penalty.The deadline for contributing to your IRA is Tax Day each year.7. Rollover mistakes and losing moneyWhen it comes to your IRAs, you can:Transfer funds, moving them from one account to another account of the same type without taxesRollover funds from one account to a similarly registered account or to a different type of account (such as a 401(k) to a traditional IRA)Conduct a conversion to change a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, which results in paying taxes on any untaxed amountsConsulting with a tax professional or financial planner can help you avoid money-moving mistakes.8. Forgetting to add your beneficiariesJust like with your other assets, it’s important to designate who will receive your IRA when you pass away. An IRA typically allows you to name anyone (unless state laws say otherwise), and you can often name more than one person.9. Not seeking advice on an inherited IRAIf you are the beneficiary of an IRA, know that rules and regulations are different for inherited IRAs. Your situation will vary based on your relationship to the person who passed, their age, and other factors.10. Missing out on a backdoor Roth IRAA backdoor Roth IRA is a strategy typically used by high-income earners who exceed Roth IRA income limits. You can create a backdoor Roth IRA in one of three ways:Contributing funds to a traditional IRA, then rolling them over to a Roth IRA (there is no cap on how much you can roll over at one time, although the IRS has more rules that apply)Converting your entire traditional IRA to a Roth IRARolling over a 401(k) account to a Roth IRA (if your employer allows it)You’ll still need to pay taxes on any money in your traditional IRA that hasn’t been taxed.Avoid common IRA issuesAs you move toward retirement, an IRA can make significant returns through compound interest, investment appreciation, and dividends. Strengthening your knowledge will help you become a savvy saver from the moment you open your IRA.This story was produced by Ally Financial and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Rock Island Arsenal to set off cannon fire for ceremony Cannon fire is set to go off for the First Army Change of Responsibility ceremony.
	Best of the Wurst has sausage samples, German fun Find a new favorite sausage at the ninth annual Best of the Wurst at the backyard of the German American Heritage Center and Museum, 712 W. 2nd Street in Davenport. Sampling takes place on July 12 from 12 – 4 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and free for museum members and children under 12. [...]
	4 risk treatment strategies that separate proactive businesses from reactive ones 4 risk treatment strategies that separate proactive businesses from reactive onesA business functions within a continuous state of risk, whether it's through systems, vendors, data flows, regulatory fluctuations, or operational processes. Per Vanta's 2025 State of Trust Report—based on a survey of 3,500 business and information technology leaders—56% of organizations encounter threat activity at least once a week, while 79% encounter it at least once a month.‍With risks compounding, traditional governance, risk, and compliance programs, and even many GRC software solutions, struggle in two key areas: maintaining risk visibility across complex vectors and translating risk data into structured decision-making. The result is risk registers drowned in noise signals that offer little direction on how to prioritize or address sensitive items. In the absence of clear guidance for risk treatment strategies, “accept” becomes the default in many scenarios.There are four risk management strategies, and understanding when to apply each influences the effectiveness of risk mitigation. This guide from Vanta, an agentic trust platform, walks through each and also explores steps to operationalize them.What are the four risk treatment strategies?The four risk treatment strategies are systematic approaches used to address specific threats that organizations face. They are:‍ Vanta These strategies are part of your broader risk management framework. They’re typically applied after you’ve identified and assessed risks, so you can prioritize responses based on likelihood and impact.Navigating strategies for risk treatment (with examples)Risk treatment strategies are not one-size-fits-all and require deliberate alignment with the type and severity of the risk. The problem is, many GRC teams default to a predictable pattern when it comes to applying them:Mitigate accounts for a majority of the responses.Accept is frequently overused due to unclear ownership or limited guidance.Transfer tends to be underutilized, especially when there’s the option to get vendor or insurance backing.Avoid is rare due to its operational trade-offs (and is often misapplied).Let’s look at some key contexts and examples to guide each strategy.1. MitigateMitigation, or risk reduction, is the most widely used risk treatment strategy. It refers to organizations implementing measures to reduce both the likelihood and potential impact of a risk event.In practice, these measures can be grouped into two categories: preventive actions and impact-limiting controls to contain damage and enable recovery. Here are some examples: Vanta A mature GRC program should layer both measures for balanced risk reduction. Keep your incident response and disaster recovery plans up to date to avoid being underprepared for failure scenarios.This treatment strategy should be paired with continuous monitoring capabilities because the applied controls can weaken over time.Sample scenario: When onboarding a cloud service provider, an organization combines both preventive controls (vendor due diligence, contractual protections, access controls) with impact-limiting controls (off-boarding procedures, incident response reporting) to reduce the likelihood and impact of a potential breach on the vendor's end.2. AcceptRisk acceptance strategy means that your organization accepts specific types of risk as an operational necessity to meet business objectives. What risks you can safely accept depends on your risk tolerance and appetite.“Risk acceptance is only valid when the cost of mitigation, both in capital and operational friction, clearly exceeds the potential impact of the threat. If you can’t point to a specific 'why' in your risk register that justifies this trade-off, then it’s not risk acceptance, but rather unmanaged risk,” said Niya Raina, a go-to-market GRC subject matter expert at Vanta.3. TransferRisk transfer involves shifting the potential financial or operational impact to a third party instead of addressing it directly. It’s typically done through contracts, service level agreements (SLAs), or insurance policies, and most commonly involves insurers or vendors.‍While transfer can reduce the impact of a risk, it doesn’t affect its likelihood or eliminate the organization’s accountability. For instance, under the General Data Protection Regulation, data controllers remain responsible for personal data even if they outsource processing. To effectively handle the threat, you have to pair transference with appropriate mitigation measures.“Risk transference is a commonly misapplied strategy,” Raina explained. “For example, many leaders mistakenly believe that buying cyber insurance or outsourcing to a cloud provider absolves them of the underlying risk. In reality, while you can transfer the financial impact, you can never outsource the ultimate accountability for your customers' data or the resulting reputational damage.”If you’re considering this strategy, revisit your third-party risk management (TPRM) policies, especially regarding third-party security reviews. You can use a dedicated third-party risk management software for continuous risk detection and management.‍Sample scenario: When onboarding a vendor, an organization may include indemnification and limitation of liability clauses in the contract to transfer portions of financial risk. In some cases, it may purchase additional cyber insurance to offset potential losses due to security incidents.4. AvoidRisk avoidance means eliminating the exposure to the risk entirely, typically by discarding the activity that creates it. In practice, this can look like not pursuing a process, system, or initiative, or even deleting a dataset associated with the risk.While this approach eliminates the need for mitigation, such decisions often mean slower organizational growth or missed potential opportunities. That’s why avoidance is generally reserved for high-impact threats where the potential consequences outweigh the benefits of continuing the activity, or mitigation is just not accessible or viable.Naturally, risk avoidance should be used selectively and only after careful consideration of the operational and strategic trade-offs in the long term.Sample scenario: An organization can choose to avoid risk by decommissioning a system’s legacy feature, which collects personally identifiable information (PII) that’s no longer used. By removing the data from the operating environment, the organization eliminates the associated risk of it being breached.How to choose the right risk treatment strategyThese five steps can help you determine which risk treatment technique fits which risk:Evaluate and classify risksAlign with risk appetite and toleranceDetermine the feasibility and cost of treatmentSelect primary treatment techniqueDefine supporting measuresStep 1: Evaluate and classify risksStart by conducting a detailed risk assessment to map your organization's threat landscape. Then, evaluate each risk based on its likelihood and impact. You should use a risk matrix or other defined scoring system to measure the risks within a standard framework.As you begin risk classification, ground the process in historical data and incident logs rather than just new assumptions. This will help validate and refine your assessment findings (likelihood and impact assessments) and reveal patterns in how some risks may have behaved over time.Accuracy during this step also depends on a structured risk taxonomy. Standardizing how risks are categorized will help your team map them to group-specific treatment strategies more directly.To streamline risk evaluation, consider using risk management software with customizable risk categories, AI-supported risk registers, and prebuilt risk libraries with common scenarios and treatment suggestions.Step 2: Align with risk appetite and toleranceRisk appetite defines the types and levels of risk your organization is willing to accept to favor business objectives, while risk tolerance outlines risk thresholds within the appetite.‍These two metrics help guide risk treatment decisions:If the risk falls within your appetite and tolerance, you can consider accepting it.If the risk exceeds thresholds, rely on one or more treatment techniques, depending on the risk severity.‍To ensure consistency, refer to your organization's risk management policies, risk appetite statements, and other governance criteria when finalizing treatment options. The goal is to standardize how risks are handled downstream across departments, so there’s a lower chance of ad hoc decision-making.‍Step 3: Determine the feasibility and cost of treatmentAssessing the feasibility and costs for each treatment option involves several considerations, such as:‍Whether mitigation is cost-effective relative to the potential impact of the riskWhether available transfer options are practical and reliableThe opportunity costs of the treatment option‍Ideally, your choice shouldn't negatively impact operational efficiency—since that comes with its own opportunity cost. If you’re mitigating low-impact threats, make sure that the measures are proportionate to the threat, as you wouldn’t want to over-allocate time and resources without providing meaningful risk reduction.‍Always document the trade-offs and reasoning for your decisions. This gives you both an audit trail and historical data to support risk assessments in the future.Step 4: Select primary treatment techniqueAfter you’ve established a clear overview of all aspects of a specific threat, select a primary treatment strategy to serve as your foundation. In many cases, you’ll have to layer multiple treatment techniques since a single strategy can’t effectively minimize the operational or reputational impact of a risk.For example, when handling a high-probability technical vulnerability, you could first apply mitigation techniques to lower its baseline severity. Then, you can transfer the remaining financial exposure to a third-party provider or insurer and formally accept whatever remains within your tolerance threshold.Step 5: Define supporting measuresThe final step is to operationalize your chosen treatment strategy. You can do this by defining:‍Operating procedures, such as control frequency and risk mitigation processesRisk ownersEscalation paths for incidentsContinuous monitoring and reporting flowsDocumentation requirementsContingency plans‍When choosing risk management software, look for a solution that can translate your risk management program into action by automating control mapping, suggesting controls based on risk scenarios, assigning workflows to risk owners, and monitoring residual risk.Building a resilient risk treatment programEffective risk treatment isn’t about eliminating every threat—it’s about making deliberate, structured decisions about which risks to mitigate, transfer, accept, or avoid. Organizations that match treatment strategies to the type and severity of each risk, and revisit those decisions as conditions change, will spend less time reacting and more time building resilience.‍The difference between a mature risk program and an ad hoc one often comes down to consistency: standardized evaluation criteria, clearly defined ownership, and treatment plans that are documented, monitored, and adjusted over time. When risk treatment becomes an ongoing discipline rather than a one-time exercise, organizations are better positioned to protect what matters most. For teams evaluating how to operationalize these strategies at scale, comparing the best risk management software options can help identify the right platform for your organization’s risk profile and compliance needs.This story was produced by Vanta and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	NY man sues DHS after agents tracked him for sending an email to the head of ICE Federal agents tried to track David Streever to his home and hotel, and left him a warning notice that a critical email he sent the former head of ICE may have been illegal. Now he's suing.
	Man sues DHS after agents tracked him down for sending a scathing email to ICE Federal agents tried to track David Streever to his home and hotel, and left him a warning notice that a critical email he sent the former head of ICE may have been illegal. Now he's suing.
	Pets find forever homes at Empty the Shelters event July is a great time to add a new furry member of the family, with reduced adoption fees as part of a nationwide adoption initiative. BISSELL Pet Foundation is hosting its Empty the Shelters adoption event from July 5 – 26. The event helps more pets find homes while creating much-needed shelter space. Participating shelters will offer reduced-fee adoptions, [...]
	Research on watching sports suggests World Cup fans may get a well-being boost Research on watching sports suggests World Cup fans may get a well-being boostWith 2026 FIFA World Cup matches taking place across the U.S., millions of fans are crowding into living rooms, sports bars and stadiums to cheer and groan in unison. It's the same energy that takes over during the Super Bowl, March Madness, the NBA Finals and the World Series, when a city or a whole country briefly turns into one giant party.It raises the question: Can rooting for a team actually be good for you? A growing body of research suggests the answer is often yes, and according to LifeStance Health, the mental health benefits of being a sports fan may run deeper than a fun night out. Watching sports can light up the brain’s reward system, ease loneliness and build social connection.So before the next big match, it might be worth considering what fandom is doing for your mental health.Can watching sports make you happier?For decades, sports fandom was treated mostly as entertainment, but that view is changing. A 2024 study in Sport Management Review used a multi-method approach, analyzing data from roughly 20,000 residents, running self-report surveys and scanning participants’ brains. Both the subjective measures (how people said they felt) and the objective measures (what showed up on neuroimaging) pointed in the same direction: Watching sports was associated with increased well-being.The effect is not limited to die-hard fans. The research looked at a general population rather than only committed supporters, which suggests the lift in mood is broadly available, part of why people increasingly ask whether watching sports is good for you in the first place. Popular, widely followed sports such as soccer and baseball appeared especially effective, likely because they come with built-in communities and regular shared events to look forward to.Watching sports and your brainWhen a favorite team scores or pulls off an upset, the brain’s reward circuitry activates and releases dopamine, the neurotransmitter tied to motivation, pleasure and anticipation. That dopamine hit is the same basic mechanism behind many of life’s natural highs, and it helps explain why a last-second win can feel genuinely euphoric.The neuroimaging portion of the Sport Management Review research suggests that watching sports triggers activity in the brain’s reward regions, and that people who watch more frequently tend to have more gray matter volume in those same areas. In other words, regular sports viewing may gradually shape brain structures associated with reward and pleasure, not just produce a momentary mood bump.Fandom may even influence how the brain processes language. In a 2008 study published in PNAS, University of Chicago researchers found that when fans and players listened to people talk about their sport, brain regions normally used to plan and control physical actions lit up, even though no one was moving. Familiarity with the sport had shaped the neural networks involved in comprehension, which may help explain why talking shop with fellow fans can feel so engaging and effortless.Sports fandom and social connectionIf dopamine explains the personal high, social connection may explain the lasting benefit. The watch-party phenomenon, the Super Bowl crowd erupting together and strangers high-fiving over a touchdown is not incidental. It is arguably the main event. Shared sporting moments give people a low-pressure reason to gather, belong and feel part of something larger than themselves.A 2024 study in Frontiers in Psychology surveyed 885 people and traced a clear pathway: Watching sports led to more social interaction, which enriched emotional experience and raised subjective well-being. The social-connection piece carried more weight than the emotional piece alone, underscoring that watching with other people, not just watching, is where much of the benefit comes from.Other research has associated attending live sporting events to higher life satisfaction and lower loneliness, and being a fan of a team offers a ready-made “in-group,” a community of people who share your highs and lows. For anyone navigating anxiety or social isolation, those repeated, predictable points of connection can matter more than they appear to on the surface.Mental health benefits of being a fanBeyond the brain and the crowd, fandom touches everyday mental health in several practical ways. Watching a game offers a structured break from work stress and rumination, a chance to be fully absorbed in something with no consequences for one’s own life. That kind of healthy distraction can lower tension in the moment and give the mind a genuine rest.Following a team also provides rhythm and anticipation. A season is a series of events to look forward to, and looking forward to things is beneficial for mood. Identifying with a team can lift self-esteem, and people who are deeply involved with a team tend to report lower levels of loneliness and alienation alongside a stronger sense of social connection. Fandom, in that sense, helps meet a basic psychological need to belong. For some people, that structure may complement treatment for depression by adding a small, reliable source of engagement and connection.Fandom can do something subtler, too. It lets people stand apart while still belonging. Someone might be the fan who follows both football and archery, or who specializes in tracking one particular group of players. Carving out a distinct identity within a larger community can satisfy the need to feel like an individual, not just one of the crowd.And perhaps the most underrated benefit is resilience. Fans constantly find ways to reframe a loss and keep caring anyway, building an emotional flexibility that is hard to fake; it is difficult to follow a team for years and not become at least a little more resilient.Of course, none of this makes sports a substitute for mental healthcare. Fandom can tip into unhealthy territory when results dictate self-worth, when it crowds out relationships and responsibilities or when gambling enters the picture. The goals are balance and letting the game add joy and connection without letting it become the only thing holding a mood together.Should you pick a team to root for?So, would a therapist ever “prescribe” fandom? Not literally, but the underlying ingredients are exactly what clinicians encourage: social connection, regular positive activity, a sense of belonging and healthy ways to feel pleasure and excitement. Picking a team to follow is one accessible, enjoyable way to fold several of those into ordinary life, especially when watching is done with other people.Of course, supporters go into each game with roughly a coin-flip chance of disappointment. A loss can sting, and for a few hours the dopamine works in reverse. The benefit comes not from winning every week but from the connection, ritual and shared emotion that surround the game regardless of the final score.Those rituals are part of the appeal. The regular cycles of sports give fans a comforting structure and something to look forward to. People remember exactly where they were during the last World Cup or start planning a Super Bowl party a full year out. That predictable rhythm, and the gatherings it creates, is much of what makes fandom feel meaningful.With the World Cup underway, fans around the world are congregating not only in stadiums but anywhere they can cheer on a team together, and there has rarely been an easier time to find a crowd to join. Used well, sports can be a genuine boost to mood and belonging.The bottom lineBeing a sports fan won’t solve every problem, obviously, but the science is increasingly clear that it can offer real benefits: a dopamine-driven lift, a brain shaped by years of joyful watching and, perhaps most powerfully, a sense of belonging that pushes back against loneliness.Pick a team, find your people and enjoy the ride. Just remember that the scoreboard is only part of the story.This story was published by LifeStance Health and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Veterans-led skydiving team brings America 250 celebration to John Deere Classic The Patriot Parachute Team made their Quad Cities debut with a Fourth of July drop into the John Deere Classic. With them, was a surprise guest jumper.
	Moline chosen for new LEED leadership cohort Moline is among 17 communities nationwide selected for the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) 2026 LEED for Cities Local Government Leadership Cohort. The program represents about 2.5 million residents. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a globally recognized certification program that helps local governments measure and improve sustainability, resilience and quality of life. [...]
	6 expert health tips to help you prepare for summer travel Sorry, but your browser does not support the video tag. var bptVideoPlayer = document.getElementById("bptVideoPlayer"); if (bptVideoPlayer) { var cssText = "width: 100%;"; cssText += " background: url('" + bptVideoPlayer.getAttribute("poster") + "');"; cssText += " -webkit-background-size: cover;"; cssText += " -moz-background-size: cover;"; cssText += " -o-background-size: cover;"; cssText += " background-size: cover;"; bptVideoPlayer.style.cssText = cssText; var bptVideoPlayerContainer = document.getElementById("bptVideoPlayerContainer"); if (bptVideoPlayerContainer) { setTimeout(function () { bptVideoPlayerContainer.style.cssText = "display: block; position: relative; margin-bottom: 10px;"; var isIE = navigator.userAgent.match(/ MSIE(([0 - 9] +)(\.[0 - 9] +) ?) /); var isEdge = navigator.userAgent.indexOf("Edge") > -1 \|\| navigator.userAgent.indexOf("Trident") > -1; if (isIE \|\| isEdge) { fixVideoPoster(); } }, 1000); } var bptVideoPlayButton = document.getElementById("bptVideoPlayButton"); if (bptVideoPlayButton) { bptVideoPlayButton.addEventListener("click", function () { bptVideoPlayer.play(); }, false); bptVideoPlayer.addEventListener("play", function () { bptVideoPlayButton.style.cssText = "display: none;"; }, false); } var mainImage = document.getElementById("mainImageImgContainer_sm"); if (mainImage) { mainImage.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } var mainImage = document.getElementById("photo-noresize"); if (mainImage) { mainImage.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } var assetGallery = document.getElementsByClassName("asset_gallery")[0]; if (assetGallery) { assetGallery.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } var assetGallery = document.getElementsByClassName("trb_article_leadart")[0]; if (assetGallery) { assetGallery.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } var assetGallery = document.querySelectorAll("[src='https://d372qxeqh8y72i.cloudfront.net/d7f459f2-5edd-48cd-a5f2-1dfd33455e5e_web.jpg']")[0]; if (assetGallery) { assetGallery.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } } function fixVideoPoster() { var videoPlayer = document.getElementById("bptVideoPlayer"); var videoPoster = document.getElementById("bptVideoPoster"); fixVideoPosterPosition(videoPlayer, videoPoster, true); window.onresize = function() { fixVideoPosterPosition(videoPlayer, videoPoster); }; videoPoster.onclick = function() { videoPlayer.play(); videoPoster.style.display = "none"; }; videoPlayer.onplay = function() { videoPoster.style.display = "none"; }; } function fixVideoPosterPosition(videoPlayer, videoPoster, display) { setTimeout(function () { var videoPosition = videoPlayer.getBoundingClientRect(); videoPoster.style.position = "absolute"; videoPoster.style.top = "0"; videoPoster.style.left = "0"; videoPoster.style.width = videoPlayer.offsetWidth + "px"; videoPoster.style.height = (videoPlayer.offsetHeight + 20) + "px"; if (display) { videoPoster.style.display = "inline"; } }, 1010); } (BPT) - Are you gearing up for a summer vacation? Whether you're going to a family reunion, setting off on an international adventure or looking forward to a relaxing beach getaway, there is no shortage of tasks to do before you leave for your destination. In between checking the weather, buying last-minute apparel and packing your toiletries, make time to pack for your health, too.Missing medications and other health issues can disrupt or even delay your trip. But with a little planning, you can keep your trip safe, stress-free and on track. To help families make the most of their vacation while also looking after their health, Dr. Amy Lynn Valentine, district leader for CVS Pharmacy, offers the following expert tips.Fill your prescriptions earlyImagine arriving at your destination, unpacking and discovering you don't have enough prescription medication to get you through your trip. You can avoid this moment of panic and the hassle that is sure to follow by taking stock of your medicine cabinet, filling your prescriptions early and packing them as soon as possible."Managing your medications can be a challenge on a good day, and doing so while traveling can be even more complicated," said Valentine. "When you refill your prescriptions, make sure you have enough to last the entire trip, plus a few extras in case of delays. Keep your medications in your carry-on bag, purse or backpack, never in your checked bag, so you can access them quickly and easily."If you need help refilling your prescriptions, head to your local CVS Pharmacy. They make it easy to manage, fill and transfer your medications before you leave and even while you're away, so you never miss a dose.Build a simple travel health kitIf you're traveling with young children and/or older relatives, minor health issues like a scraped knee or persistent headaches can put a damper on your trip. Stay prepared for these and other minor health issues by building a simple travel health kit.Valentine recommends starting with a few essentials, such as pain relievers, motion sickness medicine, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes and first-aid supplies like bandages and antibiotic ointment.You can also check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) list of recommended items to pack. You may not need all of them, but this list can provide extra guidance.Check international travel health recommendations earlyTraveling internationally? If your summer adventures take you abroad, you'll need a little more preparation than you would for a trip in the U.S.When you travel to a different part of the world, you're entering a new environment. To help keep you safe and healthy, the CDC recommends international travelers consult with a health care provider at least four to six weeks before a trip. During your consultation, you can discuss destination-specific vaccines or health recommendations. A little planning now can help prevent unexpected health issues later.Stay up to date with your immunizationsIf your destination does call for specific travel vaccines, don't wait until the day before your flight. Schedule your vaccinations at least two weeks before your trip to give your body time to build up protection after getting a vaccine.According to Valentine, depending on your destination, you may be eligible (or required) to receive vaccinations for one or more of the following:ChikungunyaCholeraHepatitis AHepatitis BJapanese encephalitisRabiesTick-borne encephalitis (TBE)TyphoidDouble-check your health documentationValentine recommends that travelers keep physical and digital copies of important health and immunization records while abroad in case of a medical emergency. For example, make sure you have a list of your prescription medications and dosages, health insurance information and proof of vaccinations.Pro tip: Health records aren't the only documents you should double-check before boarding. Make sure your passport is up to date. If you need a new passport photo, CVS Pharmacy offers fast, convenient passport photo services with photos guaranteed to meet government requirements.Start your prep for a successful summer vacationA little bit of planning can go a long way toward helping you stay healthy while you travel, so you can focus on what really matters — enjoying your summer trip with the ones you love. For seamless and convenient travel prep, head to your local CVS or visit CVS.com, where you can find support for your summer trip and beyond. Safe travels!
	You placed the QR Code right. What next? You placed the QR Code right. What next? Travel brands can spend significant time debating QR Code placement: the lobby, hotel rooms, airport gates, or café counters. When they get placement right, the next step is ensuring the scan actually performs.However, if you stop at placement, you’ll lose valuable data and conversions. A traveler can scan the same QR Code in two different moments and behave quite differently. At the shuttle stand, they’re rushed. In the hotel room, they’re relaxed. On a tour booking page, they’re comparing options. Each moment carries a different intent, and when you don’t track or optimize for that nuance, the scan becomes an end instead of a data point for better performance.Using insights from Uniqode’s QR Code placement report for travel, this article shows what should happen after your placement strategy is locked in.Turning moments into measurable dataOnce you understand that each scan happens in a different context, the first practical step is to capture those moments in a way that makes them comparable.A scan during booking and planning carries a different intent from one made at the check-in counter. To leverage those differences, treat every scan as a structured data point tied to time, location, and the touchpoint that triggered it.When this data is captured consistently, patterns start to emerge:Which placements drive meaningful actionsWhich moments in the journey prompt higher engagementWhere travelers drop off after scanningThese patterns become the foundation for analytics, giving you insights into what customers want and what they don’t after they scan.AnalyticsWith structured data in place, analytics reveal how QR Code interactions perform. The QR Code placement report for travel highlights four signals that shape this visibility: scan volume, location data, device type, and timing patterns.These reveal where engagement naturally happens and how travelers interact in different stages of their journey.A simple example makes this clear. At airport checkpoints, QR Codes pointing to wait-time dashboards often behave differently depending on where they’re placed. Analytics can show:Higher scan volume at queue barriers compared to entrance signage.Stronger engagement at the barrier area, where location data shows travelers naturally slow down.Distinct timing patterns, such as spikes during congestion peaks.Device preferences that confirm real-time usage patterns.You’ll see similar patterns appear in other airport touchpoints. For example, you can see that the QR Code on the airport café counter performs better than the one on the gate screen, because travelers have a moment to engage while waiting for coffee rather than when they are preparing to board. Small details like that can shape how your QR Code performs.Seeing these signals together in your analytics view shows the full story behind each scan. Then the next step is shaping what happens after the scan with dynamic content.Dynamic contentUniqode’s 2025 State of QR Codes report found 79% of companies use dynamic QR Codes, underscoring how important a flexible scanning experience is for brands.Understanding scan patterns is one thing; responding to them in real time is another. Dynamic QR Codes bridge that gap.Unlike static versions, they let you update what happens after the scan without changing the code itself. This flexibility matters in travel because the same QR Code can serve different needs depending on when and where the traveler scans it.Campaigns can adapt based on time, location, language, or user segment. In travel, that shows up in specific ways:Booking and planning: Airlines use one code in booking emails to show seat upgrades initially, then switch to itinerary downloads as departure approaches.Travel agencies and tours: QR Codes on brochures always point to current trip plans, updating for weather changes or new meeting points.Check-in and screening: Airport QR Codes can surface current queue times, route changes, or assistance points as terminal conditions shift.In-flight and accommodation: Menu codes update from breakfast to dinner options, or switch between safety briefings and destination guides.This approach enables seasonal campaigns, offers testing, and language switching for different regions, giving one code multiple context-specific experiences throughout the journey.IntegrationsNow that you can shape what travelers see with dynamic content, the next step is connecting those interactions to your existing systems. A scan becomes much more valuable when it automatically triggers the next action across your CRM, booking engine, or automation platforms.This works across different touchpoints. For airlines, a scan at a check-in kiosk for baggage rules can sync to the CRM, triggering follow-ups like baggage fee reminders or boarding notifications. Travel agencies can use interactive itinerary scans to update traveler files, helping them reorganize tours, alert partners, or flag sold-out items so alternatives can be recommended quickly.The key insight: Integrations make offline engagement actionable. They carry each scan into the systems teams actually use, so actions can be logged, followed up on, and personalized at the right moment.Attribution and retargetingAfter integrations are in place, the question shifts from “Did someone scan?” to “What did that scan lead to?”Attributions show what each scan actually produces: completed actions, drop-offs, or opportunities needing follow-ups.When a traveler scans a QR Code in a booking confirmation email to explore seat upgrades, you can track whether they completed the purchase or abandoned midway. This helps airlines refine how and when these offers appear in the journey. Travel agencies can track whether itinerary scans led to confirmed activities, alternative selections, or no action at all. This clarity shows which schedule elements need adjustment or which offers require stronger positioning.Attribution also reveals which airport retail offers convert and which travelers abandon, giving teams direction on timing, pricing, or content adjustments.These signals enable precise retargeting based on first-party data. Instead of broad follow-ups, marketers can reconnect with travelers based on actual behavior: nudging those who paused, rewarding those who converted, or offering alternatives where interest was shown but not completed.Compliance and trustPeople don’t scan what they don’t trust. It’s that simple.According to Uniqode’s State of QR Code 2025 report, 76% respondents said a trusted environment influences whether someone decides to scan.When someone scans a QR Code, they assume the link is safe and their data is handled properly. That expectation is why compliance matters in travel; it ensures every scan meets the standards for security and transparency that travelers now expect.Proper domain naming, branded landing pages, secure HTTPS links, and adherence to standards like GDPR and SOC 2 Type 2 reduce the hesitation that often stops a scan altogether.In practice, compliance affects scan behavior in real ways:Clear domains and secure links reduce drop-offs on airport Wi-Fi, where travelers are most cautious.Transparent data usage notices help reassure international travelers scanning multilingual maps, declarations, or assistance routes.Verified, standards-based QR Codes help hotels and airports avoid the rise of QR-Code spoofing, which travelers are increasingly aware of.Pro tips: Making every scan countThe difference between a passing scan and a lasting impression often comes down to small choices that make the experience smoother, faster, and more personal.Here’s how to optimize each interaction:Use dynamic QR Codes. They’re flexible, updatable, and trackable. You can change what happens after the scan without reprinting anything, from updating campaign offers to switching links once a promotion ends.Create personalized landing pages. Don’t send everyone to the same homepage. Give them something that matches their intent, like a special offer for guests, a local guide for travelers, or a loyalty reward for repeat customers. Relevance converts curiosity into action.Set up Smart Rules. Let your code respond to context with automated conditions that decide what happens after someone scans your QR Code. Time of day, location, or audience type can all influence what people see. The same code on an airport poster can show a boarding guide during the day and a hotel offer at night.Double down on high-performing placements. QR Codes placed in high-dwell environments, such as restaurant menus, hotel lobbies, and event spaces, consistently drive engagement. These are places where people pause, notice, and interact.Keep experiences mobile-first. Most scans happen on the go. Ensure every landing page loads quickly, displays well on small screens, and features a clear call to action that informs users about the next step.When these elements align, scans become the foundation for long-term loyalty. The best QR Code experience feels effortless—something that works exactly when you need it to.From placement to performanceTravel brands that move beyond placement and optimize the complete scan journey gain clearer insights, stronger personalization, and sharper performance. With the proper tracking and tools in place, every scan can become a lever for customer relationships and revenue.The key is balancing placement strategy with post-scan experience. Rather than focusing solely on where codes go, optimize what happens after travelers scan them. Both elements work best when they complement each other.This story was produced by Uniqode and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Rock Island Arsenal firing cannons for Change of Responsiblity Ceremony The Rock Island Arsenal is firing its cannons twice this week for a change of responsibility ceremony. The cannon fire will be heard from Rock Island Arsenal on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 7 and 8 for the First Army Change of Responsibility ceremony between Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Prosser and Command Sgt. Maj. for their [...]
	Multicultural counseling: Why finding a therapist who understands you matters Multicultural counseling: Why finding a therapist who understands you mattersWhen choosing a therapist, it’s important to find someone you can trust with your most vulnerable thoughts and feelings. You want someone who’s knowledgeable about your specific mental health concerns and has experience treating people with similar symptoms. Working with someone who understands how your cultural identity informs your mental health can be just as important.People bring diverse perspectives and cultural backgrounds to therapy, and factors like race, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, and socioeconomic background can influence your mental health. Multicultural counseling is a specific type of counseling that focuses on embracing these differences and examining how our unique cultural backgrounds tie into our mental health.Below, Rula explains the importance of finding a therapist who understands you.Key TakeawaysThe goal of multicultural counseling is to provide culturally sensitive care that recognizes a person’s unique identity, perspective, and treatment needs.Multicultural counselors are comfortable treating clients from diverse races, ethnicities, genders, socioeconomic backgrounds, and belief systems.Multicultural counseling can lead to better therapeutic relationships, increased treatment effectiveness, and an opportunity for growth for both clients and therapists.Why multicultural counseling mattersData show that the United States is becoming increasingly diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexuality, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The U.S. Census Bureau says that by 2044, more than half of all Americans will identify as part of any group other than non-Hispanic White. Shifting trends have also been observed with sexual orientation, showing that the percentage of U.S. adults who self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or anything other than heterosexual doubled from 2012 to 2021, according to Gallup.With this change, there’s an increased need for mental health professionals who understand the clients sitting across from them. Folks who are Hispanic, Black, and Asian are less likely to receive mental health services than those who identify as non-Hispanic White, according to a 2025 KFF report. And those who do are more likely receive lower quality mental healthcare.LGBTQ youth also struggle to access mental health services. A 2023 Trevor Project survey found that more than half of those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer/questioning were unable to get the care they need within the past year.Anyone who’s ever tried to access mental healthcare knows that it’s not always easy to find care, but some research suggests that these disparities can be directly linked to a lack of culturally competent care. This is where multicultural counseling can help.Multicultural counseling recognizes that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for offering equitable, accessible mental healthcare. Therapists who practice multicultural counseling strive to understand cultural differences so that they can best respect and serve each person’s unique mental health needs.Three principles of multicultural counselingMulticultural counseling is designed to help people feel heard, respected, and supported in the therapeutic setting. Even if a therapist doesn’t share a similar background as a client, they’re committed to better understanding their clients’ experiences and how they impact them today.Multicultural counseling embraces several core principles, including cultural humility, intersectionality, and inclusivity.1. Cultural humilityAn important component of multicultural counseling is cultural humility, a life-long process of self-reflection that prepares therapists to cultivate deeper, more empathetic, and trustworthy relationships with their clients. Cultural humility inspires therapists to learn about different cultures and perspectives, while also reflecting on their own beliefs, biases, and cultural identities.2. IntersectionalityIntersectionality is a framework for understanding how people’s different identities can intersect and impact them in multiple ways. Therapists consider how factors like ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status influence a person’s experiences in life and, ultimately, their willingness and ability to receive care. An intersectional approach allows therapists to better understand inequalities and avoid making harmful assumptions.3. InclusivityMulticultural counseling is designed to help all people feel seen, heard, and understood in the therapeutic setting. It embraces diverse perspectives and encourages mental health professionals to tailor their counseling approaches for different cultural backgrounds. An inclusive therapist will be mindful of word choices, communication styles, religious differences, and cultural symbols.Benefits of multicultural counselingResearch suggests that receiving mental health treatment that’s tailored to match your cultural background is more effective than treatment for a generalized population. Here are some of the leading benefits of working with a culturally sensitive counselor.Better therapeutic relationships: Multicultural counseling helps therapists build trust with clients from all backgrounds so that they feel safe, secure, and understood in the therapy setting.Opportunity for mutual growth: Multicultural counselors appreciate that cultural humility is a life-long learning process and often encourage clients to share their feedback and experience. It offers clients an opportunity to be the experts on their own culture while the therapists facilitate their mental health journey.Increased effectiveness: With a foundation of trust and invitation for knowledge, therapists are better positioned to tailor their interventions to each client’s specific needs — ideally leading to better care outcomes.Reduces barriers to care: Multicultural counseling can help reduce certain barriers that prevent people from accessing the care they need. For some people, the problem is a shortage of local culturally competent mental health providers (that’s where telehealth can help). For other people, barriers to traditional services include language issues, distrust in the healthcare system, and a stigma around mental illness, according to the American Psychiatric Association.In today’s diverse world, it’s important for everyone to have access to mental health services that reflect their unique identity and perspective. Multicultural counseling embraces these differences and provides services for your specific needs. Whether you’re seeking care for the first time or finding a new provider, remember that you deserve to feel seen, respected, and supported.This story was produced by Rula and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Militant LGBTQ+ rights group 'the Lavender Panthers' was founded on this day in 1973 "Reverend Ray" Broshears founded the queer vigilante group the Lavender Panthers in 1973. The group's impact is still felt today.
	How much do AI tokens cost businesses? How much do AI tokens cost businesses?AI token costs for businesses ranged from a few hundred dollars to hundreds of thousands per month in April 2026, depending on company size, model selection, and how many workflows run on AI. Based on proprietary data from Ramp, the median monthly spend was $2,246. The average monthly spend was $140,842. That gap reflects how AI spend actually distributes: Most companies are in early or moderate adoption, but a single team or automated workflow running unchecked can move you from the median into the average range.Ramp processes AI vendor payments on behalf of thousands of businesses, giving the company direct visibility into what companies actually paid to Anthropic, OpenAI, and other providers. In this article, Ramp outlines what AI tokens currently cost businesses. Unlike most benchmarks, which are built from vendor pricing pages, the figures below reflect observed effective rates from recent data, across real usage patterns, model mixes, and volume.Per-employee-per-month (PEPM) AI spend is the most useful benchmark for budgeting and comparison. That range spans a 20 times cost difference: The cheapest model (GPT-5-nano) runs 7 cents per million tokens, while GPT-5.5 costs $1.42. Model selection is now one of the biggest procurement decisions you'll make.What AI tokens actually cost: A business benchmarkEvery time an AI model processes a request and generates a response—a query to ChatGPT, a Claude task, an automated workflow step—that's inference. Inference is what you're paying for, and it's billed in tokens.What you pay depends on two things: which model handled the request, and how much it generated. Providers charge separately for input (what you send) and output (what the model returns). Output costs three to five times more because it takes more computation to produce.The bigger variable is model tier: Lightweight models are fast and cheap. Premium models are the most capable and most expensive.Across the businesses Ramp tracks, token costs in April 2026 averaged 72 cents per million tokens (weighted average across model tiers and usage patterns). But that average obscures the real range: Ramp What $1,000 buys in tokens: 14,567 million GPT-5-nano tokens, vs. 704 million GPT-5.5 tokens.Think of it like company travel: The same trip costs economy or business class, except the price difference here is 20 times, not two times. Engineering books the tickets—finance gets the bill. Model tier is now a finance decision.The spend distribution: Median vs. averageToken unit costs tell you what AI could cost. What you’re actually spending looks different. The distribution is wider than most finance teams expect.AI spend has the same distribution as household income: The median is what's typical, the average gets pulled up by a small number of heavy spenders. You should benchmark against the median, not the mean: Ramp What this means for budgeting: If your AI spend is near the median ($2,246 per month), you're in early-adoption territory, and AI is likely a productivity tool for some teams, but not yet a COGS line item. If you're approaching $14,843 per month (top 25% of AI spenders), AI is becoming a material budget line that warrants monthly review. At $73,030 per month (top 10%) and above, AI spend management is a full-time finance function.Spend thresholds worth knowing:58% of companies tracked spend more than $1,000 per month on AI31% spend more than $10,000 per month (the level where AI becomes a formal budget line)13% spend more than $50,000 per month9% spend more than $100,000 per month2% spend more than $500,000 per monthPer-employee-per-month (PEPM): The right unit for benchmarkingPer-total-company spend is hard to compare across companies of different sizes. PEPM normalizes for headcount and gives a benchmark you can apply to budget planning. Among companies tracked by Ramp in April 2026, the overall median was $46 PEPM, but the range is wide: Ramp The middle 50% of companies fell between $3 and $352 PEPM. This wide range means that PEPM is most useful as a directional benchmark, not a precise target.Model count is a strong proxy for AI maturity. The more models you’re running, the deeper AI is embedded in your operations, and the higher your per-employee cost.Month-over-month AI spend swings of 40% or more are common even with stable headcount, so build in buffer when planning.What drives AI token spend upModel tier migration. The single biggest driver of unexpected cost increases. Your teams upgrade from a lightweight model to a frontier model for quality reasons, often without your visibility. The cost change can be 10-100 times.In April 2026, premium models represented 45.8% of tokens consumed by businesses, but 55.9% of total cost. That gap (more cost from fewer tokens) reflects the pricing premium of higher-tier models. Premium model cost share rose from 5.7% in June 2025 to 55.9% in April 2026, with the category shifting rapidly toward more capable, more expensive models.Model proliferation. The median business used nine models in April 2026, while the average used 16.5. Among businesses using 26 or more models, median monthly AI spend was $26,562. Complexity is expensive.Agentic usage. AI agents run like a meter. Each step the agent takes to complete a task generates a separate charge, and the agent decides how many steps to take. You approved the task, but the agent determines the bill.Automated usage doesn't feel like "using AI" until the invoice arrives. Ask your engineering team: Which workflows run on automated agents, and is there a per-run cost ceiling in place?Volume growth. From January 2025 to April 2026, token usage among businesses with connected AI grew 1,001%. Spend growth tends to lag usage growth as per-token prices fall—but total spend still grew 497% in that period.What drives AI token spend downEvery inference request involves choices your engineering team is already making: which model, how much context, how fast. You don’t need to do anything exotic to reduce spend. It’s about making those choices deliberately instead of defaulting to the most capable or convenient option.Caching. How much caching helps depends entirely on your workflow. Think of it like a photocopy machine: You pay once to set up the document, then copies are cheap. Workflows that reuse the same context (system prompts, static reference docs) achieve 80%-plus cache hit rates. Workflows processing unique inputs each time (new documents, images, fresh conversations) see below 20%.The cost difference is five times for the same model. In practice: Claude Sonnet 4.6 businesses paid 62 cents per 1 million tokens in April 2026, versus the $3 per 1 million list price. That gap is caching.Model tier discipline. Ask your engineering team to test your top three AI use cases on a lightweight model before defaulting to a premium one. The cost difference, often 10-20 times, justifies a one-week test. Make model selection a finance-visible decision for any workflow expected to exceed $500 per month.Context management. Nearly 1 in 5 Anthropic tokens processed in April 2026 were long-context. That's not inherently wrong—some tasks need it. But large conversation histories, oversized system prompts, and redundant document chunks all cost tokens whether or not the model needs them.The question isn't whether to use long context. It's whether you're choosing it deliberately for each workflow, or just passing everything forward by default.This story was produced by Ramp and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Weather It Better: Prepare Before Summer Storms Strike Think Ahead & Keep Safety in Mind, Says the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute(NAPSI)—Summer storm season is here, but having the right outdoor power equipment on hand can help you weather storms better, says the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI).“If you think ahead, you can mitigate damage from high winds, flooding, wildfires, and other storm surprises,” says Kris Kiser, President and CEO of OPEI, an international trade association representing manufacturers and suppliers of outdoor power equipment, small engines, battery power systems, portable generators, utility and personal transport vehicles, and golf cars. To get ready for inclement weather, homeowners should assess their property in advance, identify what equipment is needed, and focus on limiting potential storm damage.“Get out your equipment now and check it over,” adds Kiser. “Make sure it’s serviced and working well so you’ll be ready when the storm hits. And remember to buy extension cords for generators and fuel in advance.” Depending on type and size of your landscape, there is equipment for every need including:Chainsaws and pole saws that can trim dead or dying limbs and cut shrubs away from windows and doors ahead of damaging storm winds.String trimmers and pruners that remove combustible material from around your home, making it less vulnerable to wildfires. A portable generator to power key appliances and charge cell phones or home medical equipment during power outages. Important note: Before an outage, plan where the generator will be set up. NEVER place a generator in a home, garage, carport, or near an open window or door. Use outdoor-rated extension cords long enough to carry power into your home from a safe distance and rated to handle the power drawn.Water pumps get water and muck out of basements and homes. Never pump substances that your equipment is not designed to cope with. Pay attention to avoid overheating and follow all safety precautions. A utility type vehicle transports people and supplies quickly in an emergency. Remember to keep the vehicle stable, drive slowly, and do not turn mid-slope or while on a hill. Kiser also adds to follow manufacturers’ guidance. “It sounds basic, but it’s important,” he says. “Never disable, modify or remove safety devices.”OPEI also advises equipment users to pay attention to energy levels and health. Storm preparation and cleanup can be taxing. Do not operate power equipment when tired or overly fatigued, and always use safety equipment like chaps, gloves, eye protection or hearing protection.For more tips, go to WeatherItBetter.com. Word Count: 408
	Aguanta mejor: Prepárese antes de que lleguen las tormentas de verano Piense con anticipación y mantenga la seguridad en mente, dice el Outdoor Power Equipment Institute(NAPSI)—La temporada de tormentas de verano ha llegado, pero contar con el equipo eléctrico adecuado para exteriores puede ayudarle a enfrentar mejor las tormentas, según el Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI).“Si piensa con anticipación, puede mitigar los daños causados por fuertes vientos, inundaciones, incendios forestales y otras sorpresas relacionadas con tormentas,” dice Kris Kiser, presidente y director ejecutivo de OPEI, una asociación comercial internacional que representa a fabricantes y proveedores de equipos eléctricos para exteriores, motores pequeños, sistemas de energía con baterías, generadores portátiles, vehículos utilitarios y de transporte personal, y carros de golf.Para prepararse ante el mal tiempo, los propietarios deben evaluar su propiedad con anticipación, identificar qué equipos necesitan y enfocarse en limitar los posibles daños causados por tormentas.“Saquen ahora sus equipos y revísalo,” añade Kiser. “Asegúrense de que reciban mantenimiento y funcionen bien para estar listos cuando llegue la tormenta. Y recuerden comprar cables de extensión para generadores y combustible con anticipación.”Dependiendo del tipo y tamaño de su jardín, existe un equipo para cada necesidad, incluyendo:Motosierras y sierras de pértiga que pueden podar ramas muertas o dañadas y cortar arbustos alejándolos de ventanas y puertas antes de que lleguen vientos fuertes y dañinos.Recortadoras de hilo y podadoras que eliminan material combustible alrededor de su hogar, haciéndolo menos vulnerable a incendios forestales.Un generador portátil para alimentar electrodomésticos esenciales y cargar teléfonos celulares o equipos médicos del hogar durante apagones. Nota importante: Antes de un apagón, planifique dónde instalará el generador. NUNCA coloque un generador dentro de una casa, garaje, cochera o cerca de una ventana o puerta abierta. Use cables de extensión para exteriores lo suficientemente largos para llevar energía a su hogar desde una distancia segura y que estén clasificados para soportar la carga eléctrica necesaria.Bombas de agua para sacar agua y lodo de sótanos y viviendas. Nunca bombee sustancias para las cuales su equipo no esté diseñado. Preste atención para evitar el sobrecalentamiento y siga todas las precauciones de seguridad.Vehículos utilitarios para transportar rápidamente personas y suministros en una emergencia. Recuerde mantener el vehículo estable, conducir lentamente y no girar mientras esté en una pendiente o colina.Kiser también recomienda seguir las instrucciones de los fabricantes. “Suena básico, pero es importante,” dice. “Nunca desactive, modifique o retire los dispositivos de seguridad.”OPEI también aconseja a los usuarios de equipos prestar atención a sus niveles de energía y salud. La preparación y limpieza después de una tormenta pueden ser agotadoras. No opere equipos eléctricos cuando esté cansado o demasiado fatigado, y use siempre equipo de protección como chaparreras, guantes, protección ocular o protección auditiva.Para más consejos, visite WeatherItBetter.com.Word Count: 442
	Bureau Co. man accused in Mother’s Day hostage situation where child died faces final pretrial conference Anthony Daniel Rodriguez faces a final pretrial conference Tuesday before his August trial for the Bureau County hostage situation on Mother's Day.
	How can you afford the wedding of your dreams How can you afford the wedding of your dreams Whether your big day is in a few months or a few years, financially planning for a wedding is a big achievement for many couples in budding relationships. It may take some work, time, and tough conversations, but on the other end of it all, waiting for you both is likely one of the most special days of your lives.A wedding is an occasion for you and your future spouse to begin making joint financial decisions, a skill that will set you up for a harmonious marriage.“Keep the wedding weekend in perspective,” said Travis Taylor, financial advisor and certified financial planner professional with Wells Fargo Advisors. “The wedding is a celebration of the beginning of a lifelong journey. An expensive wedding is not required for a happy marriage. Work together to identify what’s important, what can be afforded, and how to achieve your combined vision.”With that in mind, Wells Fargo shares how you and your partner can plan your wedding and afford your big day.Key takeawaysSort out wedding priorities: If you and your future spouse are planning your big day, consider making lists of the things and experiences that will make you happy.Create the budget: Both of you should then go over what you’ve saved already, what others are willing to contribute, and what you’ll be able to set aside going forward to come up with a budget.Make a savings goal: With a target cost in mind, you can then plan how much you and/or your partner will need to save over time to afford your wedding budget.Talk with family: You should consider going to loved ones with at least a tentative budget to help them see how they can help. Talk about any customs or traditions to plan for.How to budget for a wedding1. Create a list of your prioritiesPrioritize what’s important to you both by making a list of all the things you’ll spend money on.These pieces may include renting a venue, food, music or entertainment, photography, decorations, and/or wedding attire. Consider if you need to budget for any of you and your future spouse’s cultural, religious, or family traditions, too.“Sit down, just you two, and decide how you’d like to celebrate this moment together,” Taylor said.Once you both agree on spending categories, you should each create three columns on your list and put each piece into one of three buckets: low spend, medium spend, and high spend.You’ll likely need to revisit this initial list as you and your partner flesh out your wedding plan. For example, you may decide to cover travel costs for an officiant, hire a wedding planner, or run into unexpected expenses.2. Reconcile your goals with your partner’sYour goal should be to generate a guide to planning a beautiful day that will make you and your future spouse happy — and stay on budget.For example, if you and your partner both rate the wedding venue as a low-spend priority, you could consider a backyard ceremony. If having bucket list entertainment or experiences are of high-spend importance, maybe a destination wedding is in the cards.If you two think different pieces are more or less important, take a moment to discuss why you both feel that way. It’s possible that what’s really important to you or your partner isn’t the thing itself, but what it represents, so it can be satisfied without spending a lot of money or sacrificing something else.For example, if you treasure the idea of having a video of the big day but hiring a videographer is a stretch financially, you could try working with your venue, photographer, or even a tech-savvy loved one.If the priority is simply to capture a cherished memory, it’s possible that it can be fulfilled with a less expensive, albeit lower-quality, version. Then you and your partner can focus your budget on shared priorities.“Understanding why a specific aspect of a wedding is important to your partner is crucial to being able to find an appropriate compromise,” Taylor said. “You may be able to accomplish the same goal with something that doesn’t cost quite as much.”“This may also lead to other helpful conversations at this stage of your relationship,” said Jaclyn Smith, senior wealth strategist with Wells Fargo Wealth & Investment Management. “Discussing your overall goals for your big day might lead to a deeper conversation about your long-term goals as a couple.”3. Do your researchNow that you have a roadmap for what’s important, it’s time to tap any experts around you for wedding wisdom. It could be a natural follow-up question after you give them your engagement news.“Ask every married couple you know: What was the biggest win that you’re proud of? What was the biggest miss that you wish you would’ve done?” Taylor said.Think about events or celebrations — weddings or otherwise — you’ve attended or seen on social media. Did a friend or colleague rave about their caterer? Does Mom have a wedding dress or ring to pass down? Do your families have connections to an officiant or venue?Every piece of advice or lead you collect can help you and your partner learn how much to budget and even what, if anything, you can immediately take off your list of costs or things to plan.How much should you spend on a wedding?Try not to overthink this question. The wedding you plan should be the wedding you, your future spouse, and any supportive loved ones can afford.Most couples will not have combined their finances or opened joint accounts by the time they’re engaged and planning a wedding, Taylor said, so deciding how much you can afford will typically be a joint decision you come to together.“This may be a good time to start conversations with a financial advisor about your dedicated budget for your wedding and your financial plans post-wedding,” said Smith.Here’s one strategy to figure out your answer.Create a list of fundsTo find out how much you both can afford, break out your notepad again and make a list with three columns.The first bucket will be how much you and your partner currently have saved up that you’re willing to set aside for the wedding. This doesn’t have to be cash in a bank account. It could include stocks, investments, or other assets you’re willing to withdraw, but it shouldn’t mean parting with your emergency funds.“As a part of this first bucket, you may want to coordinate with your tax advisor or financial advisor to understand any tax implications that may result in using stocks, investments, or other assets to use toward your wedding fund,” Smith said.The second is for support from family or loved ones. How much can your circles put toward your wedding? It’s important to consider you and your partner’s cultural, religious, or local traditions. In some families, it may be customary for one side of the couple to cover certain costs, like the venue or rehearsal dinner. Even if families tend to follow those customs, they may not be able to afford it. Open dialogue is key, Taylor said.Lastly, the third bucket is future money you’ll both be able to save between now and the wedding. Consider a regular savings goal that feels comfortable. Balance that with any gifts, bonuses, or other income you expect to receive, including ballpark tax returns if you both plan to get those in time.Total each column up and add your partner’s numbers to get your initial answer. Return to these lists if you have updates along the way.Discuss financial support with family and loved onesTaylor recommends starting an open dialogue with family members early on to find out if or how they can support you and the wedding. One strategy is to come to them with your budget so they know where they fit in. They could even pay vendors directly if they want to cover food or an open bar, for example.“Family members will appreciate being approached with a plan rather than being asked for a blank check,” he said.Ask them what traditions or customs are important to them. In Taylor’s family in Kentucky, it’s customary for a groom’s family to pay for the rehearsal dinner.“It was really important for my parents that they paid for that because it was rooted in tradition. This was their contribution to the wedding,” he said. “Parents could come with their preconceived traditions that they want to pay for. It’s also possible they may not have enough to be able to achieve the vision of the couple.”How you want loved ones to contribute is up to you both. For any tax-advantaged strategies, family members or loved ones should talk to a financial advisor and tax advisor, both Taylor and Smith said. The annual gift tax exclusion is $19,000 per person or $38,000 per couple in 2025, said Smith.Is wedding debt worth it?For Taylor, debt is a “non-starter” and recommends couples avoid relying on personal loans or other kinds of debt to pay for their wedding.While you may opt to use a credit card for points, cash back, or other rewards, it’s not worth it if you end up carrying over a balance and accruing interest, he said. That may risk making your big day more expensive.“The use of debt, especially long-term debt, should be off the table for everyone,” Taylor said. “You should not be celebrating your first anniversary by paying for a wedding that occurred a year ago. You should be celebrating a year of marriage.”“Financial planning may help you understand your expectations and needs for short- and long-term expenses. Planning these expenses out can help you stay on track with dates for making deposits and final payments so you can plan accordingly,” said Smith.Some couples may consider paying for their big day using their wedding gift registry or fund. While Taylor still recommends avoiding debt, he said couples should feel encouraged to get inventive, if need be.“You could get creative around how you request gifts from family and attendees, such as choosing to fund specific parts of your wedding or honeymoon,” he said.How to save for a weddingOnce you’ve decided how much you’re approximately budgeting for, you can start saving with that target in mind.If you know the total sum you and your partner need to save, a strategy to consider is dividing that number by how many months or paychecks you have until the day most of your bills will be due. Then set up an automatic transfer to consistently set aside money in a savings or other dedicated account.“You shouldn’t really change much about your way of life except for knowing, ‘I’ve got to save X dollars a month between now and X months from now so that we hit that goal,’” Taylor said.How to pay for a weddingA wedding is one of life’s biggest moments, and for some it might be among the most expensive, too. Even after you and your future spouse have made a budget and plan to save money, it’s worth considering how you plan to make the transactions to pay for the big day.When it comes to managing your wedding money, Taylor said, you and your partner should focus on two things: liquidity and safety.Liquidity means you can access and move your money around easily. Safety means you aren’t taking financial risks with your money. By keeping these two goals in mind, you and your partner will be better prepared to make necessary transactions, such as a deposit for your photographer or event venue or paying for catering or clothes.Logistically, that means you, your partner, or whoever is responsible for these payments should keep money in accounts they can access easily, such as a checking or savings account. That’s key if you know you’ll need to write a check or send an electronic payment directly to a caterer, photographer, or rental company from that account.While you’re budgeting to cover a large total amount, realistically that number will be broken down into many smaller payments, each with various deadlines. However, knowing where your money is begins to be especially important a few months before your wedding day, because that’s when many vendors typically start to require a full or partial payment or deposit. Others may require regular payments over a longer period.If earning interest on your money is a priority — or even part of your savings strategy — a liquid money market fund or high-yield savings account may be a good option because you’ll still be able to access those dollars relatively quickly by withdrawing your money, typically back into a checking or savings account.Avoid relying on money that’s tied up in an investment or retirement account, both Smith and Taylor said, as those funds might take longer to access, incur fees or taxes, and carry the risk of losing value due to swings in the market.“Your goal is not earning a return,” Taylor said. “Your goal is safety, liquidity, and availability.”FAQCan my financial advisor help with wedding planning?Yes, a financial advisor can help you and/or your spouse financially plan for their wedding. For example, they can offer budgeting or saving advice to help you and your future spouse afford your wedding, or they can walk you through making joint financial decisions or blending your financial lives.Do we need to combine our finances before the wedding?No, you and your partner do not need to open joint accounts or combine your finances prior to getting married. Additionally, being married is not a requirement for opening a joint checking or savings account.Can I use personal loans to help pay for my wedding?Yes, you and/or your partner can take out a personal loan to cover wedding-related expenses. These financial products can be used for a wide range of purposes. However, Taylor recommends couples avoid relying on personal loans or other kinds of debt to pay for their wedding.This story was produced by Wells Fargo and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Miller Program, Fulton, will present patriotic movie by River City Municipal Band The July Miller Program at Fulton’s Windmill Area will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 16, when The Volunteer Millers sponsor an evening of patriotic music by the River City Municipal Band under the direction of Patrick Brooks. The event will be held outside in the shadow of De Immigrant Windmill and the Windmill [...]
	‘I don’t think the industry can survive this’: Oregon regulators propose steep psilocybin fee hikes Psilocybin mushrooms dried and displayed in glass bowl. (Photo by Getty Images)State regulators are seeking steep fee hikes on Oregon’s nascent psilocybin industry, a move that critics say would push the already high price tag of a legal mushroom trip even higher while causing more businesses to close. The Oregon Health Authority in late June announced proposed fee increases that would affect virtually every corner of the industry, aiming to financially sustain the groundbreaking program. Among the biggest changes would be doubling annual license fees from $10,000 to $20,000 for psilocybin manufacturers and service centers where adults 21 and older take supervised trips. The potential fee increases come after a wave of service center closures, raising doubts about the viability of Oregon’s legal psilocybin experiment that voters approved in 2020. The state has issued licenses to 39 service centers, about half of which have expired or been surrendered, according to state figures. “I don’t think the industry can survive this,” said Ryan Reid, the co-founder and operations director of Bendable Therapy, a Bend-based service center. “I think (what) you’re going to see over the next couple years is a major contraction to where there’s just a few people surviving.” Oregon’s psilocybin program is not supported by taxpayer money and is instead funded through fees, health authority spokesperson Erica Heartquist said in an email. Because revenue has not kept up with rising costs, she continued, “the only option is increasing fees” despite the program’s cost-saving efforts. Heidi Pendergast, Oregon director of the Healing Advocacy Fund, which advocates for psilocybin access, called the proposed fee increases “unprecedented” and out of line with other licensing costs for the cannabis businesses and health-oriented professions. An individual psilocybin session can cost between $850 and $3,000, which has meant clients have skewed white and wealthier. Pendergast said she anticipates clients would see higher costs from the fee increases, which would mostly take effect next year. The uncertainty comes as psilocybin continues gaining acceptance as a mental health treatment and as the state has opened the door to integrating it with the medical system. Pendergast described the program as safe, noting that just a sliver of the estimated 22,000 people who have used legal psilocybin have reported adverse events since service centers opened in 2023. “This program really deserves to be part of the behavioral health framework in this country,” she said. One licensed lab As the head of Rose City Laboratories, Daniel Huson oversees Oregon’s only licensed and accredited psilocybin testing laboratory. Despite being a linchpin in the state’s psilocybin system, he said the $26,000 his lab made last year from compliance testing didn’t cover all of its costs, including the $10,000 annual licensing fee. Huson continued offering the testing because he’s passionate about how psilocybin can positively change people’s lives. Regulators are seeking to double the annual laboratory licensing fee starting January 2029, later than the other hikes. Since the lab began testing psilocybin in 2023, Huson said he’s increased the cost of a compliance test from $250 to $600, which he expects to rise further. Without a regulatory change of course, he said the industry may not be viable over the next two years and his lab will stop offering psilocybin testing in 2029, potentially leaving the state without a psilocybin testing lab. “There’s no incentive to be a testing laboratory because it’s expensive,” he said. “And they’re going to be in trouble.” No more discounts The proposed changes would also eliminate reduced fees for nonprofits, veterans and low-income people. Currently, each pays half the annual fee for a manufacturer or service center license. If regulators’ proposed changes take effect, those license holders would see their licensing fees quadruple to $20,000. Nearly a third of Oregon’s roughly 400 psilocybin-related licenses qualify for a reduced fee, according to the health authority’s Heartquist. As a nonprofit service center, Bendable Therapy is focused on accessibility over its margins, said Reid, one of its co-founders. The elimination of reduced fees, he said, would mean increased costs for clients and less money for scholarships to make its services more affordable. “This is a tight industry, and we’ve done a good job surviving,” he said. “But this is just going to make it that much harder and just really increase the costs and reduce access for our customers.” Facilitators, who guide clients through psilocybin sessions, would see their annual licensing fees double to $4,000 — with discounts for veterans and low-income applicants eliminated. They typically work part-time as contractors. Reid said his center will subsidize the licensing costs of the centers’ six facilitators. Plus, regulators’ changes would increase the cost of a permit needed to work in a center from $25 to $200. In total, he expects licensing costs to increase by as much as $50,000. Campaign promise The ballot initiative campaign that legalized psilocybin in Oregon promised to make the life-altering substance safe, accessible and affordable — without ongoing costs to taxpayers after a startup period. However, a health authority budget document states the industry’s slow growth has meant it hasn’t generated enough license fees to cover the program’s cost. The authority blamed local restrictions on psilocybin-related businesses, as well as challenges getting banking and insurance for an industry centered on a federally illegal drug. It also blamed unexpected administrative costs. Pendergast, of the Healing Advocacy Fund, said it’s common for new programs to require additional funding before they are self-sustaining and called for more budget transparency before the fees increase. “This is really a matter of how we are right-sizing regulation for this program,” she said. Dr. Eric Lee started Space Psychedelic Clinic in 2024 on what he called a “shoestring” budget in “not a gorgeous location” in Portland that allows him to charge $925 for an individual session. He expects to weather the fee increase and plans to move into a larger building to accommodate demand. But he doesn’t think other centers will survive and wants other states considering legal psilocybin to take note of what’s happening in Oregon. “There is a vast segment of the population that will just never be able to use legal psychedelics because of the price point,” he said, adding, “I don’t think people want that from this law, and I think it’s a huge part of why the business is failing.” SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Courtesy of Oregon Capital Chronicle
	The hidden costs causing monthly housing payments to rise The hidden costs causing monthly housing payments to riseWhen people think about buying a home, the focus is on price, down payments, and the interest rate. But a growing share of today’s housing payment isn’t going toward building equity at all. In many U.S. metros, property taxes and homeowners insurance can consume more than one-third of the average monthly mortgage payment — and in some cases, nearly half.These non-mortgage costs can quietly add hundreds or even thousands of dollars to monthly housing costs. As a result, many borrowers only grasp their impact once the first few payments come due.Using the most recent data whenever possible, Neighbors Bank examined housing affordability by measuring how much property taxes and homeowners' insurance contribute to the average monthly mortgage payment across U.S. metros.This study finds that in many U.S. metros, property taxes and homeowners insurance now consume a significant share of the average monthly mortgage payment.Key Highlights:On average, taxes and insurance now account for 21% of homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments across U.S. metros.In Pensacola, Florida, property taxes and homeowners insurance account for 44% of the average monthly mortgage payment. That means nearly half of the typical homeowner's payment in that metro goes toward costs that do not reduce the loan.Honolulu ranks first for the lowest share of monthly payments going to taxes and insurance despite being one of the most expensive housing markets in the U.S.How Property Taxes and Insurance Shape Monthly AffordabilityA mortgage payment consists of principal, interest, taxes and insurance (PITI). In many cases, taxes and insurance are bundled into escrow accounts, meaning borrowers pay them as part of their mortgage payment, rather than in annual lump sums. Escrow is common for mortgages with low or no down-payments, such as government-backed programs like FHA, VA, and USDA.This means many first-time and low down-payment buyers (who often have these costs bundled into their monthly payments) are more likely to feel the pressure of them consuming a growing share of their total mortgage.Escrow Means Monthly Payments Can Still ChangeA fixed-rate mortgage doesn’t mean a fixed payment. Servicers conduct an annual escrow analysis, reviewing updated property tax assessments and homeowners insurance premiums to determine whether the current escrow payment is sufficient. If costs rise, monthly payments rise with them.Survey data from Lereta collected in December 2024 suggest that many homeowners are caught off guard by these increases. According to their latest Annual Escrow Awareness Survey, 68% of homeowners with escrow accounts saw their mortgage payment rise over the past two years due to higher taxes and insurance, and 55% said they were surprised by the change. Only 60% of respondents reported fully understanding how their escrow account works, while 45% incorrectly believed a fixed-rate mortgage means their monthly payment cannot change.Metros Where Taxes and Insurance Take the Biggest BiteNeighbors Bank’s study found that in specific metros in Florida, Illinois, New York, Texas, and Arkansas, property taxes and homeowners insurance make up the largest share of the average monthly mortgage payment. In many cases, non-mortgage costs account for more than a third of what homeowners pay each month, reducing the portion of the payment that goes toward principal and interest even in markets with relatively modest home prices. Neighbors Bank Why These Markets Rank So HighWhat stands out about many of the metros at the top of this list is that taxes and insurance make up an unusually large share of the monthly mortgage payment, even in markets where home prices are not especially high. In fact, several Illinois metros on this list also appeared in Neighbors Bank’s 2026 Best Cities for First-Time Homebuyers ranking. Lower home prices and down payment requirements can make these markets accessible upfront, even as ongoing taxes and insurance place added pressure on monthly budgets.Illinois metros appear frequently near the top of this ranking because it relies heavily on property taxes to fund local services. Property taxes account for roughly 40% of local government revenue in Illinois, compared to 30% nationally. This funds a majority share of public school budgets and keeps tax rates elevated, even in markets with modest homes.In Florida metros like Pensacola and Miami, homeowners insurance plays an outsized role. Exposure to hurricanes, wind damage, and flooding has driven premiums sharply higher in recent years, pushing monthly insurance costs up regardless of home price. In these markets, insurance is no longer a secondary expense, it’s a defining affordability factor.These markets are not expensive for just one reason. They reflect a mix of high effective tax rates, rising insurance premiums, and local income levels that have not kept pace, creating a squeeze that is easy to miss when affordability is judged by home prices alone.Metros Where Taxes and Insurance Hurt the LeastThe analysis discovered that specific metros in Hawai'i, North Carolina, Utah, and Colorado, among other states, have the smallest share of the average monthly mortgage payment going toward property taxes and homeowners insurance. While total monthly payments can still be high, a greater portion of the payment is driven by principal and interest rather than non-mortgage costs, making monthly housing expenses more predictable for borrowers. Neighbors Bank What Low-Burden Markets Have in CommonAt the other end of the spectrum, several metros benefit from structural advantages that keep taxes and insurance from consuming large portions of monthly housing payments.Urban Honolulu ranks first, which is surprising given that it is one of the most expensive housing markets in the U.S. However, Hawai'i has some of the lowest effective property tax rates in the country, and homeowners insurance costs are relatively stable compared to disaster-prone mainland markets.Unlike most states, Hawai'i does not rely heavily on property taxes to fund schools and many public services. Instead, these services are supported by other revenue streams, including the state’s general excise tax. This allows property tax rates to remain low even as home values rise, keeping taxes and insurance from consuming a large share of the monthly mortgage payment.That said, a low share does not mean low costs, and Honolulu is the clearest example. While taxes and insurance make up a relatively small portion of the mortgage, total monthly housing payments remain high because principal and interest are driven by elevated home prices. The difference is that taxes and insurance do not compound the affordability challenge to the same extent they do in higher-burden metros.Many Western metros on this list, including parts of Utah, Colorado, and Nevada, benefit from lower property tax rates, newer housing stock, and lower climate-related insurance risk. These factors help keep non-mortgage costs in check relative to income.Generally, interior and less disaster-prone states tend to have lower insurance cost growth than coastal or high-risk regions exposed to hurricanes, floods, or wildfires.What This Means for Overall Home AffordabilityThese rankings show that housing affordability is not just about home prices. Instead, it’s about the structure of the monthly payment and how much of a budget goes toward expenses buyers can’t control after closing.In high-burden metros, taxes and insurance can strain affordability even when home prices appear manageable. In lower-burden metros, those same costs may play a smaller role, but total monthly payments can still be substantial due to higher principal and interest.For many buyers, these pressures are further compounded when factoring in private mortgage insurance (PMI) and homeowner association (HOA) fees. Borrowers who put down less than 20% typically pay PMI, which can add hundreds of dollars per month until they build sufficient equity. Condo and townhome buyers typically also face homeowners association (HOA) fees, which vary widely by market and are often required regardless of mortgage size.While PMI and HOA fees are not included in this analysis, they can meaningfully increase total housing costs in markets where taxes and insurance already consume a large share of the mortgage payment.What Borrowers Can Do to Avoid Payment SurprisesWhen taxes and insurance make up a growing share of monthly payments, preparation and regular re-evaluation matter. Borrowers cannot control local tax rates or regional insurance markets, but there are steps they can take to better understand, monitor, and maybe reduce those costs upfront and year after year.Factor Taxes and Insurance Into the Home SearchTwo similarly priced homes in different counties or school districts can have very different monthly tax obligations for borrowers. A lower purchase price does not always mean a lower monthly payment once factoring in the geographic specific costs.Get Quotes Before Making an OfferEven before a borrower puts in an offer, understand the home's insurance rate is determined by the selected home’s risk and rebuild cost. An underwriter for an insurance policy will factor in details like the age of the roof, the location risk (flood zones, wildfire areas, coastal exposure), the costs of materials used on the home if a rebuild is ever needed, the claims history and distance to a fire station or hydrant. Getting a quote early can prevent costly surprises.Shop Insurance RegularlyInsurance premiums can vary significantly between carriers for the same property.Unfortunately, shopping doesn’t end once a house becomes a home. It’s expected that the insurance costs will increase year over year. Make it a habit to compare year-over-year pricing and be willing to invest time shopping rates to keep payments lower.Review Annual Escrow AnalysisWhen mortgage payment changes, borrowers can request or review the breakdown from the servicer to catch changes before the small increases add up quickly. Property tax reassessments, insurance premium increases, and escrow shortages are often the culprits.Understand the Property Tax Appeal ProcessWhen a property is reassessed, the local taxing authority assigns a new assessed value, which directly impacts the annual tax bill. If the homeowner believes the assessed value is higher than the home’s fair market value, they typically have a limited window to file a formal appeal.The process often involves reviewing comparable home sales, confirming property details for accuracy (such as square footage or condition), and submitting documentation to support a lower valuation. If the appeal is successful, it can reduce the assessed value and lower future tax obligations. While the process varies by county, understanding appeal deadlines and gathering market data early can give homeowners a window to manage rising tax costs over time.MethodologyThis study examines housing affordability by measuring how much property taxes and homeowners' insurance (T&I) contribute to the average monthly mortgage payment (PITI) across U.S. metros.The most recent data was used whenever possible.Data VariablesHome values: December 2025 median home values by metro pulled from the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI).Property taxes: The median effective property tax rate was calculated by dividing the median home value for each area by the median real estate taxes paid, figures based on the 2024 1-year U.S. Census American Community Survey (ACS).Homeowners insurance: The average home insurance cost was calculated by pulling the homeowners insurance premiums for each area from the 2022 U.S. Department of the Treasury data. The numbers were adjusted to 2025 dollars using the Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) Producer Price Index, which was recorded between 2022 and 2025.Mortgage rates: Interest rate data for the year 2025 taken from the Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) Primary Mortgage Market Survey.Household income: Annual median household income data pulled from the 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 1-year. Values used to help contextualize each area’s affordability. Principal and Interest AssumptionsMonthly principal and interest payments were calculated assuming a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a 20% down payment (no PMI) and a 6.59% fixed interest rate based on 2025 average mortgage rates from the Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).Taxes and Insurance AssumptionsAverage monthly taxes and insurance premiums across all metros were combined into a single figure and expressed as a percentage of the total average monthly PITI payment to rank metros by T&I share.Across all metros in the dataset, the average T&I share of monthly mortgage payments is 21%.This story was produced by Neighbors Bank and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	4 great reasons to open your Valpak blue envelope this July (BPT) - For more than 50 years, opening Valpak's iconic Blue Envelope has meant discovering savings from businesses across the country. This July, it could also mean discovering something unexpected: the chance to appear in an upcoming Hallmark Channel original movie.Thanks to a special partnership between Valpak and Hallmark Channel, this month's Blue Envelope is delivering more than great deals. In addition to exclusive savings from local and national brands, this month, consumers will find the opportunity to enter the "From Mailbox to Movie Set" Sweepstakes, plus an exclusive Hallmark+ subscription offer. Here are four top reasons to make sure you open your Valpak Blue Envelope this month:1. The envelope, please: Turn your trip to the mailbox into a brush with stardomThis month's biggest surprise may be waiting inside the iconic Blue Envelope.Through a special partnership between Valpak and Hallmark Channel, one lucky winner will receive a walk-on role in an upcoming Hallmark Channel original movie. The grand prize also includes an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience and all-expenses-paid travel for the winner and a guest.It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance to step into the world of Hallmark movie magic and experience it firsthand.The sweepstakes launches in July 2026. Look for details in your Valpak Blue Envelope or visit Valpak.com/WalkOn for official rules, eligibility requirements and entry information.2. Enjoy a one-year discounted Hallmark+ subscriptionJuly's Blue Envelope will feature a new look, spotlighting the upcoming Hallmark+ exclusive limited series, Paris is Always a Good Idea, based on the novel by Jenn McKinlay, and starring fan favorite Lacey Chabert.As part of the partnership, consumers can take advantage of an exclusive Valpak Hallmark+ offer: a one-year subscription for just $39 — more than 50% off the regular price. In addition, anyone can access the discounted subscription by visiting HallmarkPlus.com and using the code "ValpakParis."3. Discover savings from businesses you know, and new favorites tooWhether you're looking to save on dining, home services, shopping or everyday essentials, Valpak continues to connect consumers with valuable offers from local and national businesses.Savings matter today more than ever, and the Blue Envelope is filled with deals designed to help consumers stretch their dollars while discovering new businesses, products and services in their communities. And because those savings aren't limited to a mailbox, consumers across the country can also access savings and offers anytime by visiting Valpak.com.4. Discover something unexpectedPart of the fun of opening the Blue Envelope is never knowing exactly what you'll find inside.Alongside savings from favorite local businesses and national brands, consumers often discover new restaurants, retailers, services and experiences they may not have otherwise considered. This July, that spirit of discovery extends even further with the chance to go from mailbox to movie set.After all, there's always a reason to open the envelope.To learn more, discover savings in your area or enter the sweepstakes, visit Valpak.com.
	Weather It Better: Prepare Ahead For Storms (NAPSI)—It’s safe to say, preparing for summer storms with these five suggestions can protect you, your home, and your family throughout the season.Word Count: 23
	I Got the Show Right Here, Its Charms are Crystal Clear: Countryside Community Theatre's “Guys & Dolls,” at the North Scott High School Fine Arts Auditorium through July 12 Before Friday night at Eldridge's North Scott High School Fine Arts Auditorium, I hadn’t seen Guys & Dolls. Go on and clutch those poils, doll. I do not know the show. So sue me. But I had a swell time. In spades!
	Ice cream shop opens, popular beverage trailer expands, Missipi Brewing new ownership, and more Quad-Cities business news La Michoacana Ice Cream grand opening, popular beverage trailer expands, Missipi Brewing under new ownership, Golden Corral in Davenport closes, and more Quad-Cities business news.
	Rock Island and Henry County real estate transactions for July 5, 2026 Here are homes sales and property sales in Rock Island County and Henry County.
	Penalties loom for Washington if state doesn’t improve food stamp error rates (Stock photo by hapabapa/Getty Images)Washington’s food stamp overpayments and underpayments ticked up this year, and the state could face tens of millions of dollars in added costs if accuracy doesn’t improve. The state’s error rate was 6.98% in the 2025 federal fiscal year, with most mistakes coming from overpayments to recipients under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, according to new federal data. That’s well below the national average of roughly 10.6%, but still not good enough to allow the state to avert punishment from President Donald Trump’s signature tax cut and spending law that congressional Republicans approved last year. Across the country, erroneous payments amounted to over $10 billion under the federal nutrition program for low-income residents. In Washington, the program is known as Basic Food. The “big, beautiful bill,” fundamentally changes how SNAP is paid for. Under the law, states will have to cover between 5% and 15% of food stamp benefits usually paid for by the feds, depending on how often they make mistakes doling out payments. Mistakes have to be worth at least $57 to count toward a state’s error rate. Those with error rates between 6% and 8% would pay for 5% of benefits, amounting to more than $90 million in Washington, according to the state Department of Social and Health Services, which administers SNAP here. Between 8% and 10% would cost the state nearly $200 million. And anything over 10% will force the state to shoulder almost $300 million in new costs, a staggering sum for the already-stretched budget. Some states on the higher end are getting a carveout that allows them additional time to improve before they have to pay extra. Alaska’s error rate, for example, is over 23%. States have the option to choose between their 2025 and 2026 fiscal year error rates to decide how much they’ll pay. In subsequent years, penalties will be based on the percentage from three years earlier. Washington falls into that first bracket. The state came close to getting under 6% last year. As it stands, only a handful of states will avoid the federal penalties, while more exceed 10%. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said in a statement that the nationwide data is “further proof that state accountability is severely lacking in SNAP.” Washington’s error rate in the 2024 fiscal year was 6.06%. Federal fiscal years start Oct. 1. The state’s error rate was 6.74% in 2023 and 9.33% the year before. Department of Social and Health Services spokesperson Norah West said Washington “consistently outperforms the national SNAP payment error rate average, thanks to the hard work of our employees, and 2025 was no exception.” “While our rate is slightly up from the previous year, we continue our work to drive our error rate below 6%,” West added. Washington’s mistakes could increase in the current fiscal year as the state grapples with implementing new SNAP work requirements included in the law. This will also lead to thousands fewer residents getting the food benefits due not to lack of eligibility but because of paperwork barriers, said Claire Lane, director of the Seattle-based Anti-Hunger and Nutrition Coalition. States will have to start paying those shares in October 2027. Some may also be liable for a separate penalty, as well, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Addressing the issue The goal for Republicans is to root out fraud, waste and abuse. But advocates say the error rate is due to unintentional administrative mistakes. Washington, where food stamp enrollment is dropping, is making an effort to get on the right side of 6%. In this year’s supplemental budget, lawmakers included money for a half-dozen quality control staffers in the state Department of Social and Health Services to focus on reducing the error rate. It’s part of millions of dollars the state is spending to deal with the federal law. “They’re doing a lot of things to make the process both more transparent to clients and easier for staff to manage, and it’s been really impressive,” Lane said. States also now need to foot the bill for more of the administrative costs of running the program that the feds previously paid. For Washington, this amounted to over $45 million, included in the most recent state budget passed this year. The spending plan also included $44 million to continue benefits for refugees, asylees and other lawfully present immigrants who lost them under the federal law. This comes as Washington deals with consistent state budget shortfalls that have forced spending cuts and tax hikes. “I’m really concerned about the need for our state to make cuts and programs that help people make ends meet and have pathways out of poverty, while we’re also trying to find enough money just to make sure people can eat,” Lane said. In Congress, Democrats have pushed to delay or reverse the error rate penalties through the federal farm bill, but Republicans have refused. Though the legislation would need Democratic votes in the Senate to pass. Courtesy of Washington State Standard
	From Fuel to the Back Office: The Home Depot Expands Pro Xtra Rewards to Power the Pro’s Entire Business (BPT) - At The Home Depot, the goal is to be a one-stop shop that helps Pros manage and grow their business — but running a business means fueling the teams behind it.A Pro's workday doesn't start in the lumber aisle. It starts at 5:00 a.m. with a full tank of gas and a coffee on the road. It hits its stride during a working lunch on the back of a tailgate. It demands gear that can tackle the toughest job site. It wraps up with back-office tasks like invoicing and payroll.That's why Pro Xtra, The Home Depot's loyalty program for Pros, launched partner offers designed to reward members everywhere their workday takes them. This new Pro Xtra benefit is kicking off with trusted, national brands including 7-Eleven, Jimmy John's, Tecovas and Rosie's AI Answering Service."True partnership means understanding everything it takes to keep a Pro's business moving," said Molly Battin, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for The Home Depot. "We're continuously evolving our Pro Xtra program to deliver meaningful benefits that help Pros save time and money so they can focus on supporting their teams and customers."Powering the Pro's Entire DayThe Morning Pit Stop — Fuel & Fleet (7-Eleven): A contractor's day starts early. Before the first blueprint is unrolled, Pros can start the day fueling up their trucks and keeping their crews moving with special fuel discounts and app-exclusive fuel deals to reduce everyday commercial transit expenses.Offer: Get $0.25 off per gallon (up to five fills)The Tailgate Lunch — Food & Beverage (Jimmy John's): When lunchtime hits on a busy jobsite, keeping crews energized and sustained is priority number one. Pros can easily buy a round of lunch for the entire crew without missing a beat.Offer: Save $20 on orders of +$100The Jobsite-to-After-Hours Uniform — Lifestyle & Travel (Tecovas): Supporting the Pro on and off the clock means providing gear that survives a 10-hour workday of grit and mud while maintaining comfort for once the job is done. Members unlock access to durable, premium handmade work boots built to outlast the jobsite without sacrificing professional style.Offer: 20% off Tecovas work bootsThe 24/7 Jobsite Admin — Business Management (Rosie's AI Answering Service): Pros will never miss a call or lose a lead while their hands are full on the job with Rosie's AI business management tools. Pros get the support of a dedicated office administrator without the overhead cost, ensuring they capture every incoming call and land more business while staying focused on their projects and customers.Offer: Seven-day free trial + two months free of the Professional Plan or Scale PlanAlways Evolving to Meet the Needs of Today's ProsPro Xtra partner offers will refresh quarterly and are available now within the Rewards Hub on The Home Depot mobile app or online dashboard. Offers are available to all members regardless of spend or membership tier.The Pro Xtra Rewards Hub was recently refreshed to centralize all member benefits in one place, including partner offers, discounts, paint rewards, business tools and tier benefits. Instead of relying on one-off communications that can get lost in a cluttered inbox, members can access all rewards within the exact same app or online dashboard where they manage the rest of their business."Our Pro customers live on the go," said Mike Rowe, executive vice president of Pro for The Home Depot. "They are managing crews, bouncing between jobsites and working long hours. Two-thirds of our Pro online users leverage The Home Depot app regularly to help manage their business, projects, orders and more, so it only made sense to embed these new partner offers right inside the app to give them a frictionless way to access them."The Home Depot selected its launch offers based on direct feedback from its Pro customers and will continue to reflect four key categories: food and beverage, fuel and fleet, lifestyle and travel, and business management — providing Pros with added benefits outside of traditional building supplies.Not a Pro Xtra member? Pros can sign up for free online or in-store at any time to unlock membership benefits.One-Stop Shop for the ProThese new lifestyle offers join an already robust suite of capabilities available to Pros, including trade credit accounts, tier-based preferred pricing on millions of SKUs, purchase history and tracking, dedicated on-site support from Outside Sales Representatives (OSRs) and in-store Pro Desks, and more.To learn more about Pro Xtra, visit https://www.homedepot.com/c/pro-xtra.If you're a brand interested in learning more about hosting a Pro Xtra partner offer with The Home Depot, please reach out to Orange Apron Media at OAM_Strategic_Partnerships@homedepot.com for more information.
	MNsure enrollment dropped 12% in 2026 after jump in insurance costs The number of Minnesotans enrolled in a health insurance plan through MNsure dropped in 2026. (Getty Images)MNsure health insurance enrollment dropped by more than 17,000 in May 2026 compared to May 2025. The dip in insurance coverage offered on MNsure — the state’s Affordable Care Act marketplace — mirrors a nationwide trend in 2026. The drop in coverage was expected after most Republican senators blocked Democratic efforts to extend extra federal subsidies that offset the cost of health care premiums — what people pay upfront to be insured — for millions of Americans since 2021. Subsidies under the Affordable Care Act offset the cost of health insurance premiums for families who make below 400% of the federal poverty level — in 2026, for example, $132,000 was the cutoff for a household of four. The subsidies were designed to help people who aren’t eligible for Medicaid or Medicare but also don’t have enough money to pay for unaffordable employer insurance or private insurance. The extra federal subsidies that Republicans senators blocked are known as “enhanced premium tax credits” because they raised the income cutoffs of people who can receive subsidies and also increased the amount of subsidies for people who were already eligible. Enhanced premium tax credits were implemented in 2021 as part of the COVID-19 stimulus package and extended in 2022. window.addEventListener("message", function(event) { var message = JSON.parse(event.data); if (message.sender == "Flourish" && message.context == "iframe.resize") { src = message.src.replace(/#.+$/, ""); vizFrame = document.querySelector('iframe[src="' + src + '"]'); vizFrame.setAttribute('height', message.height); } }); The enhanced premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025, hiking up health insurance plan costs by 50% for a projected 89,000 Minnesotans, according to a MNsure release in 2025. Recent federal data show that 19.2 million Americans were actively enrolled in ACA marketplace plans in February 2026, compared to 22.1 million in February 2025 — a 13% drop in enrollment. Enrollment in Minnesota dropped by a similar rate, according to MNSure data: 142,977 MNsure enrolled in 2025 compared to 125,714 in 2026 — a 12% drop in enrollment. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services attributed the drop in active enrollment to program integrity efforts by the Trump administration. It claimed that the enhanced premium tax credits, which led to a wider availability of $0 premium plans, “created the incentive and opportunity for fraudulent, phantom and improper enrollments,” including people enrolled without their knowledge by insurance brokers. Health policy experts, who predicted a steep drop in enrollments in 2026 because of increased costs, are skeptical that the difference stems from the Trump administration’s program integrity measures. “While the Trump administration attributes this drop in enrollment to their attempts to address fraud, this coverage loss happened at the same time millions of people faced steep increases in their premium payments — often in the double or even triple digits — with the expiration of enhanced tax credits,” wrote Cynthia Cox at KFF, a health policy research organization. Premium payments for ACA marketplace enrollees increased by an average of 58%, from $113 to $178 per month, according to a KFF analysis. That figure doesn’t account for people who dropped coverage because the increase was too high. Insurance deductibles — the amount that people have to pay for health care before their insurance kicks in — also rose in ACA marketplaces to a record high of $3,786 in 2026, in part because people switched to cheaper health insurance plans, which have high deductibles, as a response to hiked premium costs, according to the KFF analysis. Courtesy of Minnesota Reformer
	Great start to the new week After a stormy start to the Fourth of July weekend, it ended on a pretty nice note for many of us Sunday. The nice weather lasts into early this week. Our week starts out dry, but turns wet later this week. Here's your full 7-day forecast.
	Expanded SNAP work requirements now in effect in Idaho A “SNAP welcomed here” sign is seen at the entrance to a Big Lots store in Portland, Oregon. (Getty Images)More Idahoans who receive federal food assistance may now be subject to work requirements under changes implemented this spring. The federal “big beautiful” law passed last July expanded who would need to comply with work requirements to receive assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Idaho implemented the new requirements in April. New work rules could deny food stamps to thousands of veterans The expanded requirements could affect many veterans, people experiencing homelessness, parents of teenagers, and young people aging out of foster care in the program. A spokesman for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, which administers the program, said the changed requirements “went into effect as planned.” IDHW spokesman AJ McWhorter said the agency doesn’t track people who are dropped from the program because they lose eligibility. “So far, we haven’t seen anything unusual in our eligibility numbers,” he said in a June 11 email. As of June 15, there are about 123,000 Idahoans receiving SNAP benefits, according to the Department of Health and Welfare. Last June, there were 133,382 people using SNAP, according to a 2025 report from the agency. In January, there were 124,714 SNAP recipients, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. How did the SNAP work requirements change? To receive benefits for more than three months, most able-bodied SNAP recipients must work or volunteer at least 80 hours a month, participate in a work program at least 80 hours a month, participate in a combination of work and work program for a total of at least 80 hours a month, or participate in public “workfare” for assigned number of hours a month. The expanded requirements implemented in April removed or narrowed the previous exemptions from this time limit. These changes include: Removed of exemptions for veterans, those experiencing homelessness and youth aging out of foster care Narrowed exception for parents with responsibility of children under 18 years old, to those of children under age 14 Increases of the upper age limit for the exception from 54 to 64 years old The law also added time-limit exemptions for Native Americans, Alaska Natives and tribal members. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Idaho Capital Sun
	14K West Virginians have lost food assistance because of Big Beautiful Bill changes Lilly Hall, 59, of Delbarton, West Virginia, volunteers at Delbarton Town Hall on July 1, 2026, to meet the newly expanded requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps. (Photo by Lori Kersey/West Virginia Watch)DELBARTON, W.Va. — On 10 days each month, Lilly Hall reports to Delbarton Town Hall for an 8-hour work day, doing whatever town officials ask. On a given day, she organizes files, takes out the trash or keeps the town’s restrooms stocked with toilet paper and paper towels. Hall, 59, doesn’t get paid money for her work. She’s doing it to keep getting monthly benefits assistance from the federal food assistance program SNAP, often referred to as food stamps. With some exceptions, recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program have been required to do at least 80 hours per month of work, training or volunteering. Under Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the work requirements for SNAP were expanded beginning last fall. The law extended the upper age limit for work requirements from 54 to 64. It also removed exceptions for being homeless, a veteran or a former foster care youth under age 25. The state Department of Human Services said late last year the expanded work requirements would affect 36,000 West Virginia residents. Proponents of work requirements tout the importance of work and self sufficiency, but Delbarton, with a population of 422 as of 2020, has few job opportunities. Hall has turned to volunteering for the city to meet the SNAP requirements. Her husband was a security guard for a coal company before he was diagnosed with cancer last year. They live with their daughter, 27. The family also receives help from a local food bank. “I ain’t got no problem with it,” Hall said of meeting the work requirements. “Now, like I said, where it’s going to be this heat wave that we’re in now, I’m hoping I don’t get shoved outside to do anything. If they say ‘outside,’ I’m like ‘nope, I’m going inside to work.’” Cynthia Kirkhart, the executive director of Facing Hunger Foodbank, which supports a food pantry in Delbarton, said Hall is an example of SNAP recipients trying to do all the right things amid challenges. “(SNAP recipients) have been doing all the right things,” she said. “I think there’s a real value in our state, our legislators, really focusing on what this state has available, what the very specific challenges are in our state, and us not trying to fit into a cookie cutter version of other places. “Because at a federal administration level, we’re trying to meet those highly touted expectations of getting people back to work: you have to have jobs, you have to have transportation, you have to have childcare,” Kirkhart said. While Hall has kept her SNAP benefits, thousands of other people have lost theirs since Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill into law in July 2025. As of March, West Virginia’s SNAP enrollment has decreased by more than 14,000 people, dropping from 270,722 in July 2025 to 256,385 in March, according to data compiled by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Meanwhile, the state’s unemployment rate averaged 4.2% in July 2025, increased to 4.7% in February, and was 3.6% in May 2026, according to Workforce West Virginia.The unemployment rate accounts for people who are without jobs and actively seeking employment. The West Virginia Department of Human Services did not respond to West Virginia Watch’s question about the reasons for the decline in SNAP enrollment. Helen Comer, of Yawkey, in Lincoln County, started SNAP benefits after she quit her job at a bank to care for her ailing parents. She described the caretaking experience as “two and a half years of no sleep.” “They were up all the time,” she said. “Dad was up all night. Mom was up all day. Dad had a catheter, so we were (doing) middle-of-the-night hospital runs. Dad kept threatening to run away. When I did sleep, it was like cat naps and complete exhaustion.” Comer’s mother died in October 2024 and her dad died in April 2025. When SNAP reviewed her case in January, her benefits were decreased to $24 per month because she’s under 65 and not working. Comer was still so exhausted she suspected she may have Lyme disease, but a test came back negative. She was eventually diagnosed with a blood clot, something she thinks she got from sitting with her dad. “They said it was huge, so it was impacting my kidneys,” Comer said. “So all this time I was sick, and I didn’t know it… I just thought it was exhaustion. I mean, no sleep for years.” In April, when Comer’s SNAP case was picked for quality review, she decided that it wasn’t worth the trouble of going through her bank statements and retirement account information to prove to the state she should keep getting the $24 a month in SNAP benefits. Comer, 62, took an early retirement earlier this year. Since her SNAP benefits were discontinued, she’s been living off of credit and selling her belongings. She said she’s fortunate she doesn’t have a lot of expenses. She said she wanted to share her story about SNAP because the rules don’t leave room for nuances in situations like hers. “I just felt like they need to know that it’s not black and white, you know?” Comer said. “Just because you’re under 65 and maybe you don’t have a doctor’s note. There are circumstances… It’s just not that simple.” Delbarton Town Hall in Mingo County, West Virginia, on July 1, 2026. (Photo by Lori Kersey/West Virginia Watch) State could be made to pay more for SNAP beginning next year If newly released numbers from the federal government don’t change, West Virginia will be on the hook to pay about $27 million more for SNAP beginning in federal fiscal year 2028, which starts next year. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, states with a payment error rate higher than 6% will be required to share the cost of benefits with the federal government beginning Oct. 1, 2027. The higher a state’s payment error rate, the higher a cost share they will be required to pay. States with extremely high payment error rates may delay implementation of the cost share. West Virginia’s SNAP program had a payment error rate of 6.69% for 2025, according to the Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Administration. With that number, the state would be required to pay 5% of the cost of food benefits, or about $27 million. States can choose to base their cost share on the 2025 payment error rate or the 2026 rate, which means the state will not know if it will pay a cost share or how much until the 2026 numbers are released, typically in the summer. Payment errors are different from intentional fraud. According to the Department of Agriculture, they’re often unintentional mistakes by recipients or the state agency, like a family not updating their income or the agency miscalculating the family’s income. The possibility of the state paying more for SNAP benefits in fiscal year 2028 was largely left out of finance committee meetings during West Virginia’s 2026 regular legislative session. Janie Cole, commissioner of the state Bureau for Family Services, told lawmakers during May interim meetings that the state has implemented quality control and education measures to keep the error rate down. The state’s error rate has decreased from 10.98% in 2023 to 9.43% in 2024, she said. Earlier this year, the state of West Virginia spent $876,000 on an artificial intelligence program meant to decrease the number of mistake SNAP payments. Cole said she expects the state’s error rate to continue to trend downward and be below 6% when the 2026 numbers are released. “’I’m confident that the things that we have done will get us below (6%). We might, I would say that… it’s going to be teetering, but we’re doing everything we can.” Ann Moore, a spokesperson for Gov. Patrick Morrisey, told West Virginia Watch that the state projects it is on track to fall below the 6% threshold for 2026. “We are actively monitoring these figures and continue to implement strategies to ensure accuracy in our SNAP administration,” Moore wrote in an email. Seth DiStefano, senior policy outreach director at the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, said as West Virginia “frantically” tries to decrease its SNAP error rate to avoid paying a cost share, there’s concern it could be denying complex cases, often involving children. Since the One Big Beautiful Act was implemented in July 2025, more than 800,000 children have lost their food assistance benefits in the 13 states that have available data, according to the Center and Budget and Policy Priorities. West Virginia is not one of the states that had available data on child SNAP cases, but there’s reason to believe children here are losing their benefits, DiStefano said. “You’ve got grandparents raising grandkids, you’ve got uncles and aunts raising nieces and nephews,” he said. “Those particular types of cases are more complicated and can generate more errors even if people are perfectly eligible to be on the program. Just denying them outright does not count to your error rate, right? So, there’s a real concern that that’s happening, not just here, but all over the country, in the rush to get the error rate down.” Concerns about cost share implementation deadline DiStefano said it’s unfair that states with higher payment error rates have more time than West Virginia to correct their error rates before having to take on a portion of the cost sharing. He called on Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., to use her seniority and Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., to use his influence on the Agriculture committee to give all states equal time to lower their payment error rates. “If either one of them wanted to put all states on a level playing field and have this implemented in October of 2029, they could absolutely do it,” DiStefano said. “And they should do it. I want to make that abundantly clear. That would take some of the pressure off and give states a little bit more time if everybody was just on the same footing.” A spokesperson for Capito said that: “Reforms included in the Working Families Tax Cuts were designed to promote accountability for states’ significant mismanagement. “Sen. Capito continues to work with state partners to ensure the states’ error rates decrease so that West Virginians are not held accountable for the states’ mismanagement. Putting all states on the same field could cause West Virginia’s cost-sharing requirement to rise, and West Virginians should not have to offset the poor management of other states,” Capito’s office said. Justice’s office did not respond to a request for comment. DiStefano said the state doesn’t have much time to lower its SNAP error rate. The 2026 federal fiscal year ends Sept. 30. State lawmakers will have to start planning in January for the fiscal year 2028 budget. “So they’re really bound by the numbers that the United States Department of Agriculture released (June 24) and there’s not much more time left for West Virginia to continue to drive down their error rates in the fiscal year 2026,” he said. And there’s reason to believe that West Virginia’s error rate won’t improve when the 2026 numbers are released, DiStefano said. That number will include the government shutdown in fall 2025. “The November 2025 government shutdown is not going to help error rates,” DiStefano said. “While states have been working, West Virginia has been working pretty frantically to get these error rates down. There are some very good reasons to believe that the error rates for fiscal year 2026, once they’re released about this time next year, aren’t going to be any better, and likely could be worse.” SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of West Virginia Watch
	Arkansas has begun a ‘soft launch’ of Medicaid work requirements. What does that mean? The Arkansas Department of Human Services building on Main Street in downtown Little Rock. (Photo by John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate)Arkansas last week began checking to see if the hundreds of thousands of people enrolled in its Medicaid expansion program comply with stringent work requirements mandated by a new federal law. The caveat: Those work requirements don’t go into effect until Jan. 1, 2027. Until that date, people who don’t meet them won’t lose their insurance as long as they continue to meet the existing eligibility requirements. Confused? If you received a notice from DHS and have questions about what it means for your Medicaid eligibility, here’s how you can get more information: Visit your local Medicaid office Call the Arkansas Department of Human Services’ support line at (855) 372-1084 Fill out this online form The Arkansas Department of Human Services, which administers the Medicaid program, has called this a “soft launch” of the new work requirements. The requirements, created under last year’s Big Beautiful Bill Act, mandate that recipients of the federal insurance program must complete 80 hours of work, community service, higher education, work programming or a combination of the four each month, unless they meet certain exemption criteria. Around 710,000 Arkansas children and adults — nearly 23% of the state’s population — are enrolled in Medicaid as of March, according to preliminary data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. Around 210,000 were enrolled in ARHOME, the state’s Medicaid expansion, in May. The federal insurance program provides low-cost health insurance to millions of low-income people and people with disabilities nationwide, and Arkansas receives billions of federal dollars each year to fund and administer the program. The new work requirements will apply for those on Medicaid expansion, which serves low-income Arkansans ages 19-64 who do not have a disability. The six-month window will be used to test the department’s “automated process” for verifying eligibility and compliance with the new work requirements and prepare for full implementation. “The key difference is that penalties will not be in place during the soft launch,” said DHS spokesperson Gavin Lesnick. “Beneficiaries will not lose their coverage based on the new requirements through the end of 2026, though they will still be subject to normal Medicaid eligibility rules.” Medicaid recipients will be checked to see if they meet the new work requirements during a recipient’s normal coverage renewal. They will receive a notice detailing whether they meet the upcoming work requirements. Lesnick said the notice will make clear that the new requirements don’t go into effect until January even if someone is found to not meet the upcoming eligibility requirements. The automated process will use “wage data, information from other programs we administer like SNAP and TEA, medical claims and diagnosis data, and more,” to determine compliance with the work requirements, Lesnick said, adding that the department was working to “expand the data sources available for this process.” While the eligibility verification process is automated, Lesnick said it will not use artificial intelligence. Once the new requirements go into force, if the automated process can’t verify an individual’s Medicaid eligibility, the person will have 30 days to provide the information needed to determine their eligibility. Arkansas’ previous attempt at implementing work requirements in 2018 resulted in more than 18,000 people losing their health insurance before a federal judge blocked the changes. DHS estimates far more — nearly 20% of those ARHOME currently covers, or 42,000 people — will lose health coverage after the new requirements go into effect. Republicans in support of the work requirements say they’re needed to reduce dependence on government safety net programs by those who are capable of working. Opponents say the new rules will result in millions losing their coverage across the country at a time when ballooning healthcare and insurance costs are already hurting Americans’ wallets. Critics have also pointed to the confusion and red tape that enrollees faced under Arkansas’ previous work requirement. A May 2025 fact sheet from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows that most Arkansans on Medicaid — including those covered by traditional Medicaid — already work. Courtesy of Arkansas Advocate
	Michigan Data Centers: The Weekly Download States Newsroom graphic illustration New Developments A 12-month data center moratorium in Texas Township is set to take effect on July 5, MLive’s Aya Miller reports. The Kalamazoo County community joins neighboring Portage and Oshtemo Township in putting a pause on data center development, with the Texas Township Planning Commission expecting to use the period to evaluate the facilities’ impacts on farmland preservation, rural zoning, infrastructure capacity and other concerns such as noise and light pollution. Updates Oakland University’s Board of Trustees voted to move a data center project to the due diligence phase, which will include an environmental study near Lot 37, WXYZ’s Simon Shaykhet reports. University officials say the developer, Fairmount Properties, would be responsible for the construction and rental of the facility. News of Note William Lawrence, a political organizer and candidate for Michigan’s 7th Congressional District, released his first campaign ad last week, featuring Lawrence at the site of a proposed data center in Mason saying “Tech billionaires want to turn this whole field into a massive data center that’ll jack up our energy bills and ruin our home values.” Lawrence, is slated to face former Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink and retired Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam in the Democratic primary on Aug. 4. Data centers emerged as a central issue during a candidate forum for Ann Arbor Mayor hosted by the League of Women Voters of Washtenaw County, Dominic Apap and Glenn Hedin reported for The Michigan Daily. Sitting Mayor Christopher Taylor said he believes communities have a right to reject data centers, but did not pledge to support a moratorium, unlike his opponent, former state Rep. Yousef Rabhi, who did. Concerns about data center development were also top of mind for candidates in Michigan’s 28th Senate District and 74th House District, held by the outgoing Sen. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) and Rep. Kara Hope (D-Holt), MIRS News Editor Kyle Melinn writes in Lansing City Pulse. Upon reviewing proposed data center regulations in the Michigan House of Representatives, Michigan Energy Michigan Jobs, a bipartisan coalition focused on clean energy and utility accountability says the policies need to be strengthened, saying key provisions of the bills lack an enforcement mechanisms, and that the package could do more to uphold the state’s clean energy standards, which require energy companies to provide 100% clean energy by 2040. Courtesy of Michigan Advance
	Prairie Soil This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.Rock Island sits almost in the center of a sea of grass that once covered much of the American heartland. The story of…
	Hate food waste? 7 creative ways to turn your leftovers into a new meal We asked our audience to share their favorite go-to recipes for leftovers. Here are seven dishes — like stuffed peppers and a biryani casserole — that can help you use up all your fridge scraps.
	Fast walkers in their 80s cut their risk of cognitive decline by half, study finds A new study of people 80 and older with exceptional gaits finds fast walkers have about a 50% lower risk of cognitive decline, showing the connection between physical health and brain health.
	Marriage used to be a glide path to citizenship. Now there are more speed bumps Spouses of U.S. citizens have traditionally had a special place in immigration law. That's no longer the case, according to the administration and immigration lawyers.
	These Medicare beneficiaries thought their drug plan was free. Then they lost it Thousands of people lost coverage over as little as $8 in delinquent payments. They didn't know their zero-dollar premiums had gone up and they owed money. Most now can't get coverage until 2027.
	JoJo a Go Go: “Seussical the Musical,” at the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre through July 12 Seussical the Musical, now playing at Omar – I mean, the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre – features an exuberant mash-up of plots from about a third of Theodor Seuss Geisel’s lifetime output of 60-plus children’s books. (And yeah, there were more Dr. Seuss books after he died. Peculiar thing, that.)
	Glitzkrieg: “Cabaret,” at the Timber Lake Playhouse through July 12 When I entered the Timber Lake Playhouse for its July 3 opening night of Cabaret and saw the stage draped with a gold foil fringe curtain and framed in marquee bulbs with a glowing red “KIT KAT KLUB” sign, the atmosphere felt equal parts seductive, artificial, and just a little bit unsettling.
	Pritzker and Raoul Only Said Goodbye with Words – But There’s Just No Going Back to Flat About a week after the state budget passed both chambers in the dark of night, Attorney General Kwame Raoul spoke to the City Club of Chicago to complain that his budget was cut by $10 million.
	Under Trump, spouses of U.S. citizens face policy changes in the immigration system Spouses of U.S. citizens have traditionally had a special place in immigration law. That's no longer the case, according to the administration and immigration lawyers.
	The U.S. faces Belgium in the World Cup on the heels of Trump-Infantino red card call The U.S. striker Folarin Balogun is expected to start against Belgium in a Round of 16 match after a surprise decision by FIFA to allow him to play despite receiving a red card last week.
	Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine's capital kills at least 11 Russia launched waves of missiles and drones targeting Kyiv early Monday that killed at least 11 people, authorities said.
	Deer hunt for archery hunters approved in Scott County The Scott County Conservation Board has approved a deer hunt for archery hunters only beginning October 1. According to a release, the hunt is only for residents of Iowa. The hunt runs October 1 through January 10 at Scott County Park, located at 18850 270th St., Eldridge. Applications must be returned no later than Friday, [...]
	Mexico's World Cup run ends early again with loss to England at Estadio Azteca Playing at altitude with the passionate backing of 80,824 fans at Estadio Azteca, and with a man advantage for most of the second half, Mexico scored twice but could never equalize and lost 3-2.
	Mexico's World Cup run ends with loss to England at Estadio Azteca Playing at altitude with the passionate backing of 80,824 fans at Estadio Azteca, and with a man advantage for most of the second half, Mexico scored twice but could never equalize and lost 3-2.
Sunday, July 5th, 2026
	Cook review: 'Minions & Monsters' is a clever comedy about movie history Everybody who's seen the 1998 "Ronin" raise your hand. Really? You've missed a terrific action movie starring Robert DeNiro and Jean Reno is thusly named because it's a parallel for the Japanese word referring to a Samurai who has lost his master and is up for hire. Why am I bringing this up in a [...]
	Community members gather to cleanup after Fourth of July The Rabbit Hole organized a community cleanup after Fourth of July celebrations.
	Despite stiff political headwinds, tribe in Colorado brings utility scale solar project online President Trump has made substantial efforts to curb renewable energy development. The Ute Mountain Ute tribe in Colorado managed to bring a big solar project online anyway.
	Decadent Sticky Rice Recipes for Dessert (Feature Impact) Although many people associate rice with savory dishes, this staple grain can actually level up your dessert game too. Cultures from around the world have invented a variety of creative ways to turn the sticky rice in your pantry into treats you can whip up when you’re on the prowl for something sweet. Sticky rice, also known as sweet rice, is a specific type of short- or medium-grain rice that, as the name implies, becomes sticky when cooked. With Success Boil-in-Bag Sticky Rice, it’s simple to make sweet, soft, perfectly cooked rice for desserts without extra steps, equipment or hassle. In only 12 minutes, you’ll have an ideal base to use for your favorite recipes. A rice-based take on a quintessential British dessert, this Sticky Toffee Pudding is decadent and full of mouthwatering flavor. With the rich sweetness of brown sugar and vanilla imbued in every bite, it’s a warm, comforting dessert you might find yourself craving on a rainy day or cold night. Take it to the next level by adding caramelized banana and toasted coconut toppings. For a more refreshing, summery option, transport your kitchen to the tropics with this Thai-inspired Sticky Rice with Mango and Coconut. Creamy coconut-infused rice contrasts with juicy ripe mango slices, nutty black sesame seeds and cooling mint-leaf garnishes for a fun, fresh blend of textures and flavors that might have you picturing palm trees. If you’re not a mango fan, feel free to swap in a different tropical fruit of your choice. The versatility of rice makes it an excellent mainstay to keep on hand in your kitchen, adding ease and flexibility to your daily meal routine. For more ideas on how to use rice for dessert – or for breakfast, lunch and dinner – visit SuccessRice.com. Sticky Toffee Pudding Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 25 minutes Servings: 2-4 1 bag Success Sticky Rice 3/4 cup milk 2 tablespoons brown sugar 3/8 teaspoon salt, divided 1 stick unsalted butter 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup heavy cream 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract toasted coconut, for garnishCaramelized Banana:1 tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 banana, sliced into coins 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extractPrepare rice according to package directions.Remove rice from bag. Return to pot and stir in milk, brown sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Simmer 5 minutes.In small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in sugar 2 minutes, or until dissolved. Whisk in cream and bring to simmer. Cook 5 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and remaining salt.To make caramelized banana: In medium skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar until syrupy. Add banana coins in single layer and cook 2 minutes per side until golden brown. Drizzle vanilla on top.Add rice to bowl. Pour toffee sauce on top. Garnish with caramelized bananas and coconut. Serve warm or chilled. Sticky Rice with Mango and Coconut Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 12 minutes Servings: 2-41 bag Success Sticky Rice 1 1/2 cups water 1 1/4 cups coconut milk, divided 3 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar, divided 2 mangoes, sliced 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds fresh mint leaves, for garnish Prepare rice according to package directions using 1 1/2 cups water, 1 cup coconut milk and 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar rather than 4 cups water.In separate small saucepan over medium heat, bring remaining coconut milk and brown sugar to boil. Cook, stirring often, 8-10 minutes, or until thickened and syrupy.Divide rice among four serving bowls. Arrange mango slices over top; drizzle with coconut milk syrup. Garnish with black sesame seeds and mint.Substitution: Use pineapple, guava or papaya for mango, if desired.

Tuesday, July 7th, 2026

Monday, July 6th, 2026

Sunday, July 5th, 2026