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

Friday, May 22nd, 2026
	What is the 'tarps off' trend that men are engaging in? Find out in the quiz Plus: The L.A. mayoral race, AI court battles, extinct animals and Eurovision!
	'We'll never know if he could have been saved.' The gaps in Trump's rural health fund Republicans promise that $50 billion in new health funding will help rural America. But it's not expected to aid the years-long effort in North Carolina's Martin County to reopen its only hospital.
	Stephen Colbert's 'Late Show' ends with a swan song and a giant wormhole With a dash of sci-fi, Colbert ended his CBS late-night show with a powerful musical sendoff featuring Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello and Jon Batiste.
	Honda recalls nearly 60,000 vehicles over over potentially dangerous camera issue Honda has ordered a recall affecting up to 59,887 cars across two models, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).
	Squeeze toys sold at Walmart, Ollie's recalled over asbestos concern More than 120,000 toys are impacted.
	Lawsuit filed against EPA for removing Iowa rivers from Impaired Waters List DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Iowa Environmental Council, alongside partners, has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency after it removed several waterways from the Impaired Waters List. Every two years, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources submits a waterway report to the EPA, considering chemical and physical factors that make the water [...]
	UN gravely concerned by an Afghan Taliban law that has provisions on child marriage The United Nations expressed "grave concern" on Thursday about a new law issued by Afghanistan's Taliban government on separation in marriage which includes provisions on child marriage.
	Trump says he's sending 5,000 more troops to Poland President Trump's announcement stirred confusion in Europe following weeks of changing statements from his administration about reducing the American military footprint in Europe.
	Republicans call off vote on Iran war resolution that was on the verge of passing Republicans struggled Thursday to find the votes to dismiss legislation that would compel President Donald Trump to withdraw from the war with Iran, delaying planned votes on the matter into June.
	Rubio doubtful of diplomacy with Cuba as Trump raises new threat of military action President Donald Trump and America's top diplomat on Thursday again raised the specter of U.S. military intervention in Cuba, a day after the administration announced criminal charges against the island's former leader, Raúl Castro.
Thursday, May 21st, 2026
	See which Iowa city is one of the top 5 places to live in the US, according to a new report U.S. News & World Report's annual Best Places to Live rankings placed Ankeny as the fourth-best place to live in the country.
	Rock Island National Cemetery prepares ahead of Memorial Day Volunteers honored headstones with flags at the Rock Island National Cemetery.
	Tapestry Farms receives grant for urban orchard upgrade The grant, worth more than $10,000, will provide funding for a new water source and a new shed.
	Ascentra Credit Union breaks ground on new Rock Island location When it opens in early 2027, the facility will be the only bank in the West End of Rock Island.
	Quad-City tribute to honor the fallen for Memorial Day Hundreds gave of their time to lovingly place flags on each of the 28,000 headstones at the Rock Island National Cemetery to honor the fallen. Our Quad Cities News photojournalist Mike Colón caught up with those who came together for this Memorial Day tribute.
	Rock Island welcomes Ascentra Credit Union to the West End Ascentra Credit Union broke ground on a branch in Rock Island on Thursday, which city and Ascentra leaders said represented more than just a new building in the West End.
	Clinton County pastor honored with Liberty Bell Award Pastor Ron Lott serves as chaplain for police officers, firefighters and community members impacted by traumatic events.
	Drake University reports $424.1 million annual economic impact on Iowa Drake University had an economic impact on the state of Iowa of nearly $425 million in fiscal year 2025, according to a report released by the private university Thursday.
	Rock Island Rotary Club grant to fund upgrades to Tapestry Farms urban orchard The Rotary Club of Rock Island Foundation has awarded Tapestry Farms $10,500 to make upgrades to an urban urban orchard it purchased last year in Rock Island’s West End. The grant was announced at the club’s weekly meeting on May 12. Rock Island Rotary Foundation funds will allow Tapestry Farms team to install a water [...]
	Ascentra Credit Union breaks ground on new site in West End of Rock Island Ascentra Credit Union's $2.7 million center is a first for people who live in Rock Island's West End, a financial institution in their own backyard. Community leaders say this project is an important part of the city's revitalization plan. "It plays several roles," said MLK Center Executive Director Jerry Jones. "Of course it provides access [...]
	ACLU drops lawsuit against now-closed Galesburg juvenile detention center A lawsuit that prompted the closure of the Mary Davis Home Juvenile Detention Center in Galesburg has been dropped two months after the center shut down. The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois moved to have the lawsuit dismissed on Thursday. The dismissal required the defendants to publicly agree that they wouldn't reopen the facility. [...]
	The Heart of the Story: Treasure hunting Our Quad Cities News is partnering with award-winning journalist Gary Metivier for The Heart of the Story. Each week, Gary showcases inspiring stories of everyday people doing cool stuff, enjoying their hobbies and living life to the fullest. Stories that feature the best of the human condition. Not all that glitters is gold, but a [...]
	Open up the pools with this weekend forecast Despite things being a little cooler than normal, with the holiday weekend on the way temperatures are on the warmup just in time for pool season. Throughout the upcoming weekend, temperatures are going to be reaching the 70s and even 80s through Monday and well into next week, perfect for some summertime swimming.
	The Plex to launch live music series this summer The Plex in Bettendorf will be hosting a new Third Thursday live music series throughout the summer.
	Rotary Club 'shell-abrates' 20th annual Lobersterfest in downtown Bettendorf The Rotary Club of Bettendorf invites the community to the 20th annual Lobsterfest and participate in the evening’s auction to help raise funds that support nonprofit organizations, continuing education scholarships, holiday baskets, youth projects throughout the Quad Cities and “Fund-A-Cause” dollars given to a selected nonprofit - this year, it will be Family Resources. This [...]
	‘We will be left out and left behind’: Senate GOP urges action on school choice bills Senate Republicans on Wednesday called on their colleagues and Gov. JB Pritzker to opt Illinois into the Trump-backed Education Freedom Tax Credit.
	Memorial Day cookouts may cost more as beef prices hit record high Ground beef reaches $6.90 per pound as drought, fuel costs, and market consolidation drive prices up
	Clinton County pastor honored with Liberty Bell Award Pastor Ron Lott serves as chaplain for police officers, firefighters and community members impacted by traumatic events.
	Volunteers place flags at Rock Island National Cemetery ahead of Memorial Day The cemetery will hold its annual Memorial Day service at 10:45 a.m.
	Iowa pipeline route overhauled, but landowners say eminent domain fight continues Summit Carbon Solutions revises route, removing eight counties, but rural property owners vow to keep fighting
	Vibrant Arena announces new executive director Rik Edgar will step into the role in July. He previously served as general manager of the Peoria Civic Center.
	Mercado on Fifth, Moline, announces 10th anniversary award honorees Mercado on Fifth has announced the recipients of its inaugural 10th Anniversary Recognition Awards, celebrating the individuals, businesses, artists, organizations, and community leaders whose contributions have helped shape Mercado into one of the Quad Cities’ most vibrant cultural and economic development initiatives. The awards ceremony was Thursday, May 21, in downtown Moline as part of [...]
	Temporary changes coming to Davenport intersection Temporary traffic changes are coming to a busy Davenport intersection as city leaders try to slow down speeding drivers and reduce crashes in a neighborhood residents say has become dangerous.
	John Deere commits $250k to disaster preparedness and relief The investment continues the company’s 109-year partnership with the American Red Cross.
	2-time NASCAR champ Kyle Busch dies at 41 after 'severe illness' Kyle Busch, who won more races than anyone across NASCAR's three national series, has died at 41. A joint statement from the Busch Family, Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR said he died after being hospitalized.
	NASCAR champion Kyle Busch dies at 41 after hospitalization with 'severe illness' Kyle Busch, who won more races than anyone across NASCAR's three national series, has died at 41. A joint statement from the Busch Family, Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR said he died after being hospitalized.
	NASCAR superstar Kyle Busch dies at 41 after hospitalization with 'severe illness' Kyle Busch, who won more races than anyone across NASCAR's three national series, has died at 41. A joint statement from the Busch Family, Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR said he died after being hospitalized.
	Des Moines man who drove to Davenport to meet a minor sentenced to in prison He was arrested at a hotel on April 11, 2024, after he drove from Des Moines to Davenport to meet the 13-year-old girl.
	Davenport launching Park Ambassadors program The ambassadors will visit parks and trails throughout Davenport, answer community questions, and keep an eye out for safety concerns.
	AirCare introduces new helipad in Davenport The new helipad is at the University of Iowa's health clinic near the Target on Elmore.
	Have feedback on Davenport parks this summer? The parks ambassadors want to hear it Read the story for more details about what Davenport's three parks ambassadors will be doing this summer.
	Channel Cat Water Taxi opens for the 2026 season this Friday New this season, local musicians will perform live on the boat during regular operating hours. Here are the details.
	Residents displaced after attached garage catches fire Officials said no injuries were reported.
	ACLU dropping lawsuit against Mary Davis Home The juvenile detention center closed in March. It was being sued over allegations the center placed minors in solitary confinement.
	Here’s how we know why Iowa has competitive races in 2026 Recent visits, endorsements, and financial commitments show that Iowa could have multiple competitive races in 2026.
	Quad-City Times Bix 7 offering local runners chance at $2,500 prize Do you have what it takes to race against the winner of this year's Bix? Here's how to apply for the 2026 Russell's Beat the Elite Challenge.
	Your Memorial Day weekend forecast Temperatures continue to stay cooler than average for the time of year, but the holiday weekend is only days away and things are looking good. Temperatures will be jumping back up to the 70s by Saturday and even breaking into the 80s for Sunday and Memorial Day on Monday.
	Man hands over $39,000 after scammer accessed his computer, officials say Officials said a woman scammed a man out of $39,000 by gaining access to his computer and convincing him to give her the cash in person.
	Crime Stoppers: Man wanted for probation violation Reggion Anderson, 24, is wanted in Scott County for a probation violation and escape.
	Crime Stoppers: Man wanted for escape, probation violation George Wesley III, 25, is wanted by the Iowa Department of Corrections District 7 High Risk Unit and the Scott County Sheriff’s Office.
	ACLU dropping lawsuit against Mary Davis Home The juvenile detention center closed in March. It was being sued over allegations the center placed minors in solitary confinement.
	Netanyahu is accused of appointing loyalists to lead Israeli intelligences agencies Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is accused by former security officers of appointing loyalists to lead Israel's two main intelligences agencies, the Shin Bet and the Mossad.
	What's ahead this summer at the Davenport Public Library? School will be out before you know it, and you're probably looking for summer options for the students in your life. Tessa Wallace joined Our Quad Cities News to talk about summer programs at the Davenport Public Library. For more information, click here.
	Quad-City Times Bix 7 offering local runners chance at $2,500 prize Do you have what it takes to race against the winner of this year's Bix? Here's how to apply for the 2026 Russell's Beat the Elite Challenge.
	Trump's towering arch clears another federal hurdle, despite public pushback The Commission of Fine Arts gave the arch design its final approval, even though it's missing some visual components. The president said Thursday that he doesn't need approval from Congress.
	Hammond-Henry dietitian: helping admitted and outpatient clients Diet is important for losing weight and for building strength.
	American passenger feels 'betrayed' by federal order to stay in hantavirus quarantine Two passengers from the cruise ship that had a hantavirus outbreak were blocked by the federal government from leaving the quarantine unit. One says she is being detained against her will.
	University of Iowa AirCare opens new helipad in Davenport After operating in the Quad Cities two years, University of Iowa Health Care’s AirCare formally celebrated opening a new helipad Thursday at 3385 Dexter Court, Davenport.
	2 people injured, 1 airlifted in rural Muscatine County crash The crash happened just before 9:39 p.m. at Taylor Avenue and 155th Street, around seven miles north of Muscatine.
	Holiday travel ahead? How to prep your home before a trip Holiday travel ahead? How to prep your home before a tripThere's nothing quite like the feeling of finally leaving for a vacation you've been looking forward to — unless, of course, you spend the first two days worrying whether you left the stove on, the garage door up, the door unlocked, or the water running. With the Memorial Day holiday weekend kicking off the summer travel season, a little preparation before you walk out the door goes a long way toward ensuring that the condition you left your home in is the condition you come back to.Work through this checklist from HomeServe before your next trip, and you’ll be able to relax knowing everything is handled.PlumbingShutting off the main water supply before a long trip is one of the smartest things a homeowner can do. A slow leak or a burst pipe that goes undetected for a week can cause the kind of water damage that takes months and thousands of dollars to fix. Turning off the water at the main shutoff valve eliminates that risk entirely. If shutting off the whole house isn't practical — perhaps you have an irrigation system on a timer or someone stopping by periodically to water plants — at minimum, shut off the supply valves to your washing machine, which is one of the most common sources of household flooding.While you're at it, drain any outdoor hoses and shut off exterior spigots, particularly if there’s any chance of freezing temperatures while you’re away.HVACYou don't need to keep your home at 70 degrees while you're gone, but you shouldn’t shut the system off entirely, either. In summer, set the thermostat to around 85 degrees to prevent heat and humidity from building up to levels that encourage mold growth. In winter, 55 degrees is generally considered the safe minimum, cold enough to save on energy bills but warm enough to keep pipes from freezing. If you have a smart thermostat, many models have a vacation mode that handles this automatically and lets you adjust settings remotely if the weather takes an unexpected turn.Before you leave, change your home’s air filter if it’s due for replacement, and make sure all vents are open and unobstructed.ElectricalGo room by room and unplug anything that doesn't need to be running while you’re away. TVs, computers, gaming consoles, coffee makers, toasters, and small kitchen appliances all draw standby power even when not in use, and any of them can be a source of electrical problems — up to and including fires — if something goes awry. Unplugging them in your absence is both an energy saver and a safety measure.Leave a few lights on timers rather than leaving the house in complete darkness every night, which is an obvious signal to would-be intruders that nobody’s home. Smart plugs make this easy. You can schedule lights to go on and off at varying times from your phone, which looks far more convincing than a single lamp on a fixed schedule.SecurityIn addition to warding off wrongdoers through strategic light timing, check every door and window before you leave and make sure everything is locked. Don’t forget sliding doors, as well as basement windows and other potential entry points to your home that are easy to overlook. If you have a home security system, make sure it’s armed and that your monitoring company has current contact information for you, in addition to a local emergency contact.Avoid broadcasting your travel plans to the world on social media. That location-tagged photo from your road trip to Mount Rushmore is a public announcement that you’re not home and a veritable invitation to opportunistic criminals.Let a trusted neighbor know you’ll be out of town and ask them to keep an eye on things. Give them a key if you’re comfortable doing so, and make sure they know how to reach you. A neighbor who can pull a package off your porch, move your trash bins back after collection day, or simply keep an eye out for anything unusual is a valuable asset for safeguarding your home.Mail and DeliveriesPut a hold on mail deliveries before you leave, which you can do in mere minutes on the U.S. Postal Service website. Pause regular deliveries, such as packages, newspapers, and subscription services that might be scheduled to arrive. A pile of mail and boxes on your front porch is one of the clearest possible signals that a house is empty, not to mention an enticement to so-called porch pirates.AppliancesClean out your refrigerator, discarding anything that will expire while you’re gone, and take out the trash before you leave, because coming home to a kitchen that smells like last week’s garbage makes for a repulsive return. Set your water heater to vacation mode, or simply move the control dial to the lowest setting, which will keep the water warm enough to prevent bacterial growth without burning energy to heat water nobody is using.If you have a dishwasher, run it before you leave and leave the door slightly ajar so the interior can dry out fully while you’re gone.Plants and PetsPlan for your pets’ well-being well in advance. Whether that means leaving them with a trusted friend, a pet sitter, or a boarding facility, don't leave this to the last minute. For plants, group them together near a light source to make watering easier for whoever is looking after them, or invest in self-watering inserts for longer trips.One Final Walk-ThroughOn the day you leave, do a last pass through every room. Check that windows are closed and locked, make sure no appliances are left on, confirm the security system is armed, and take a quick look at the garage before you pull out of the driveway.If it gives you peace of mind, take a short video on your phone as you walk through. It sounds a little overcautious until the moment you’re sitting in an airport wondering whether you left the back door unlocked.This story was produced by HomeServe Editorial and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Coroner identifies Davenport woman killed in fall at Cantwell Cliffs in Hocking Hills State Park Officials said that officers received a report of the fall just after 2:45 p.m. Wednesday.
	Silvis School District superintendent retiring, successor announced Dr. Terri VandeWiele has served in the role for over a decade. Here is who will succeed her.
	Small and mighty: SoFi survey reveals the resilience of today's micro-businesses Small and mighty: SoFi survey reveals the resilience of today's micro-businessesThese are challenging times to run a business. Yet some of America’s smallest businesses, known as micro-businesses, are surprisingly optimistic about the future, according to a February 2026 SoFi survey of micro-business owners ages 18 and older.Almost 40% of survey respondents say they feel very positive about their business’s future. Despite economic uncertainty, rising costs, and consumers’ growing price concerns, micro-businesses — which have one to nine employees — are not only surviving, but thriving, even as some other, bigger businesses struggle.Their small size has proven to be a big bonus. Micro-business owners are adaptable, confident, and ready to spring into action, SoFi’s survey found. They are quick to pivot, adjust pricing, and reduce costs when necessary. They focus on what they can control, stay nimble, and trust their instincts.According to the Census Bureau, there are more than 36 million small businesses in the U.S., and more than 82% of those are micro-businesses. That makes these firms an economic force to be reckoned with. So how do micro-businesses stay strong and flourish, even in tough times? Here, the micro-business owners in SoFi’s survey share their secrets for success in an ever-changing world.Key PointsNearly 40% of micro-business owners feel very positive about their business’s future because of confidence in their own decision-making, strength of customer demand, and their ability to adapt their business.Micro-business owners demonstrate adaptability through quick pivots, price adjustments, and cost reductions, focusing on controllable factors and trusting their instincts.The most difficult problems faced by micro-business owners over the past year include rising costs (46%), economic uncertainty (37%), and changing customer spending patterns (32%).Sixty-eight percent of micro-business owners made quick business changes over the past year, with 46% adjusting prices and 33% changing availability or hours.Most micro-business owners self-financed their business to start it, using personal savings (41%), bootstrapping (16%), or credit cards (12%). Thirty-nine percent continue to self-fund their business today.SoFi’s Micro-Business Survey Respondents524 male and 476 female business owners.Annual business revenues under $150,000.Operate businesses in professional services, personal services, retail, technology, creative and media, construction, and more.36% have been in business for 3 to 5 years, 22% for more than 10 years, 19% for 1 to 2 years, 16% for 6 to 10 years, and 8% for less than 1 year.Confidence + Customer Demand is a Winning FormulaMany micro-business owners (39%) say they feel very optimistic about the future, and another 37% are somewhat optimistic. SoFi What makes micro-business owners so positive?Confidence in my own decision-making: 40%Strength of customer demand: 39%My ability to adapt my business: 31%Size MattersBeing small puts micro-business owners in a strong position. When asked how the size of their business affects their outlook for the future, 42% of SoFi’s survey respondents said it makes them more optimistic. And 67% said that their customers choose them because they are small.Biggest Business ChallengesStill, like most businesses, micro-business owners have had their share of tough times. The most difficult business-related problems they’ve had to deal with over the past year are related to the economy.Top challenges of micro-business ownersRising costs: 46%Uncertainty about the economy: 37%Changes in customer spending: 32%Competition: 24%Managing day-to-day operations: 24%Time constraints: 22%Permitting and/or other regulations: 15%Greatest Strength As a Business OwnerWhile micro-business owners are confident in their skills overall, the one thing they prize most is their ability to keep customer relationships strong. SoFi Micro-business owners’ biggest source of business confidence is:Maintaining customer relationships: 38%Managing their workload: 35%Adjusting pricing or services: 29%Making quick and effective decisions: 29%Managing costs: 28%Quality CountsAlong with customer relationships, micro-business owners are focused on making high-quality products and/or providing services that deliver what consumers want.Which factors are most important to your business?Quality of service or product: 47%Strong customer relationships: 38%Reputation and word of mouth: 36%Flexibility and adaptability: 35%Keeping costs low: 33%A unique service or product: 25%Community or local support: 17%How Customers Have ChangedPrices are a bigger concern for their clients today, micro-business owners report. At the same time, as these customers are careful with their spending, they rely on micro-businesses more to get what they want and need, survey participants say.Biggest Changes in Customer BehaviorCustomers are more price sensitive: 26%Customers are more loyal: 20%Customers rely on my business more: 17% Perfecting the PivotOver the past year, 68% of micro-business owners report they’ve had to be nimble and make quick changes to their business.Top Changes Micro-business Owners Have Made SoFi Adjusted prices: 46%Changed their availability or hours of operation: 33%Reduced expenses: 32%Marketed my business differently: 28%Changes services or offerings: 27%Took on different types of customers: 25%Used new tools or systems: 24%What It’s Like to Run a Business Right NowMore than two-thirds of the micro-business owners in SoFi’s survey acknowledge that it isn’t easy to be in business currently, with some saying it’s stressful or uncertain. Yet for 33%, bossing up is satisfying or invigorating. SoFi Heading up a business today is:Challenging but manageable: 40%Energizing: 18%Stressful: 17%Rewarding: 15%Uncertain: 10%The Mindset Change that Led to Their Business SuccessA business owner’s mindset — their collection of beliefs, thoughts, and attitudes — influences their behavior, including the things they do and the decisions they make regarding their business. For the micro-business owners in SoFi’s survey, there was one switch in thinking that changed things for the better.The shift that’s been most important for micro-business owners’ successFocusing on what I can control: 28%Staying flexible: 27%Trusting my instincts: 21%Being comfortable with risk: 12%Letting go: 12%Motivated by More Than MoneyThe micro-business owners in our survey prioritize personal satisfaction over profits — only 21% say they started their business for the money. This was true for both male and female business owners. SoFi What really inspired their entrepreneurship:To have more flexibility or control over my schedule: 25%To be my own boss: 24%To earn more income: 21%To pursue a personal passion or interest: 18%Because I saw an opportunity in the market: 10%Investing in ThemselvesMost micro-business owners financed their businesses themselves: 41% used their personal savings to fund their business; 16% bootstrapped, using personal finances and operating revenue; and 12% used credit cards.Just 10% received money from family or friends, 8% took out a loan, such as a business loan from a bank or online lender, and 5% used grants or other programs for funding.Avoiding DebtThe majority of micro-business owners — 39% — continue to self-fund their businesses today, using savings or revenue. Others are purposely frugal, with 26% saying they actively avoid debt even if it limits the growth of their business. One-quarter report that they approach financing strategically to support their enterprise. Eight percent simply aren’t sure which financing options are best.Their Financial Know-How Is High48% of SoFi survey respondents say they feel very confident making financial decisions for their business. Another 39% feel somewhat confident about their financial prowess. Only 3% are not very financially confident.If They Could Do It Over AgainIf they could launch now with 20/20 hindsight, micro-business owners say this time around they would: SoFi Plan finances more carefully: 28%Wouldn’t change much: 25%Move faster: 16%Focus on customers sooner: 16%Start with lower costs: 10%The True Measure of SuccessBeing successful is less about growing their micro-business bigger and more about being secure financially and having flexibility.What success means to micro-business owners in 2026Financial stability: 34%Flexibility: 22%Work-life balance: 16%Growth: 16%Consistent customers: 12%Top Business Lesson They’ve LearnedIn a time of economic upheaval, micro-business owners have discovered certain attributes and developed specific abilities that have become key to running their business smoothly. SoFi Best business learning:How to adapt quickly: 25%How resilient I am: 21%How to manage money better: 19%How to build relationships: 18%How to manage uncertainty: 16%The TakeawayRunning a micro-business today is challenging but rewarding, according to the respondents to SoFi’s survey. Despite the obstacles, micro-businesses are flourishing, and the majority of micro-business owners are optimistic about the future — thanks to confidence in their own decision-making, their adaptability, and the strong customer relationships they’ve nurtured.This story was produced by SoFi and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Iowa’s First Congressional district candidate interviews KWQC interviewed each candidate for Iowa’s First Congressional district from both parties.
	Republicans stall votes on partisan ICE funding amid party infighting Republicans had planned to try to pass a major funding bill for Immigration and Customs Enforcement by the end of the week but plans collapsed over unrelated policy disagreements.
	How Buddhism honors both motherhood and celibate monks and nuns How Buddhism honors both motherhood and celibate monks and nunsBuddhist saints are often described as maternally compassionate, with the endless patience of a mother who feeds, cleans and cares for children around the clock. In fact, the Theravada branch of Buddhism holds mothers in such high esteem that two men among the Buddha’s chief disciples, Sariputta and Mogallana, are said to be “like the mother giving birth” and “the nurse raising a child.”Yet in Buddhism, as in some other religions, views of motherhood are complex. Motherlike compassion is idealized — yet so are celibacy and monasticism. Historically, the faith does not have a core ideology that values marriage and procreation as central virtues to be pursued at the cost of spiritual study and enlightenment. Scholars of family in Buddhism have noticed. Liz Wilson, a professor of comparative religion at Miami University, examines in The Conversation the shifting views about how spirituality and motherhood can be combined.Repaying a mother’s debtCultivating gratitude toward sentient beings is a central focus of Buddhist practice, particularly toward elders. Buddhists are exhorted to be grateful for the sacrifices parents make to bring them into the world and raise them. In fact, failure to repay debts owed to parents can land one in a realm of hell exclusively for ungrateful children, according to one sutra that is often called the filial piety teaching.Buddhists might show reverence for mothers or motherlike figures in their lives by preparing a meal or offering a gift. Year-round there are many other specific ways Buddhist children might honor a parent. In Thailand, for example, some boys seek to repay what is known as the “milk debt” to their mothers by temporarily taking monastic vows and spending a few weeks living with monks — a tradition meant to show deep respect.If someone’s mother is no longer alive, however, there are still many ways to direct loving kindness toward her. One of the most common ways is to make food offerings, such as rice balls, at ancestral shrines, altars to the family lineage and the like. As with feeding a living parent, the ritual is meant to make Buddhists aware of the sacrifices their parents made to feed them. Kim Jae-Hwan // SOPA Images and LightRocket via Getty Images The Buddha’s giftBuddhists commonly believe there are many possible realms where a person might go after death — some heavenly, some hellish. Children can prevent a mother who landed in hell from staying there long by doing good deeds and transferring good karma to her. Even a mother who was reborn in a heavenly realm can be sustained there by her children’s gifts of good karma.The downside of the Buddhist heavens, however, is attachment to fine food, drink, clothing and other sensual delights. In many legends, the gods have a hard time seeing the cardinal teaching of Buddhism: the evanescent nature of all phenomena. Whatever you want more of will not last.According to Buddhist tradition, the Buddha’s mother, Maya, was lucky in that she had good karma and became a goddess after death. But after he had achieved enlightenment, the dutiful Buddha ascended to the heaven where Maya resided and taught her that even heavenly enjoyments pale in comparison to liberation. Legends say he spent three months teaching her the most advanced doctrines in the Buddhist canon — far more complicated than what legends say he taught his father.Focus vs. familyBuddhist Asia, from the western end of the Silk Road in Turkey to the eastern end in China, is full of fertility traditions and fertility figures. In many parts of Asia where Buddhism is practiced, however — especially in elite monastic circles — texts about the freedoms and virtues of celibacy hold pride of place.Much of Buddhist teaching is rooted in the idea that all things are impermanent. Therefore, all desires — including to have sex or have a family — are seen as forms of bondage. These cravings tie people to worldly goals rather than to the path of wisdom toward nirvana.In this view, one should curb sexual desires just as much as gluttony. Sex in particular has cascading effects that make study and meditation difficult: children, family time and work to support them. Indulging in lust, the Buddha warns men in one story, is as foolish as putting one’s penis in the mouth of a venomous snake.The Buddha’s eightfold path requires focus — and focus is a precious commodity, as every parent knows. The Buddha himself left his wife and baby son to seek wisdom through a disciplined life. After achieving enlightenment, he returned to his hometown — and ascended to heaven — to teach members of his family what he had learned.Meditative motheringAttitudes toward families and monasticism vary by culture, however. One won’t hear fertility put down in Nepal and Japan. In those countries, those who wear monastic robes marry, procreate and serve in temple settings, running Buddhist temples as inherited family businesses that provide for the needs of lay Buddhists.In addition, modern interpretations of Buddhism tend to be more family-friendly. Rather than see parenthood as an obstacle, some contemporary Buddhists see parents’ work as spiritual labor. Caring for children, for example, can be a form of meditation, requiring an observant but nonjudgmental focus akin to practicing mindfulness. Mothers and other people who provide child care can experience seeing things as they really are, without attachment and grasping.Scholars such as Reiko Ohnuma, Vanessa Sasson and Amy Langenberg have shown how the relationship between celibacy and family life is more complicated than “either/or,” and how parenting and Buddhist values intersect.After all, Buddhists believe that the historical Buddha had many past lives and was not celibate in all of them. As a family man, he practiced many Buddhist virtues, such as kindness, forbearance and patience. And even when celibate, his spiritual teachings are like breast milk, according to Theravada Buddhist tradition: “the milk of immortal doctrine.” This stance of unconditional concern made him a spiritual mother in the eyes of many Buddhists — a virtue they seek to emulate today.This story was produced by The Conversation and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Muscatine County EMS Day offers hands-on experiences this weekend The 31st annual Muscatine County EMS Day will be held on Saturday, May 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Blain’s Farm & Fleet.
	University of Iowa Aircare expanding service to the Quad Cities At an event Thursday, officials marked the next stage of the medical emergency service with a new, permanent helipad.
	Palestinians drop bid for a senior U.N. role after U.S. pressure The Palestinian delegation to the United Nations has dropped its bid to secure a top U.N. job after the U.S. threatens to revoke their visas.
	Democrats wanted answers for what went wrong in 2024. Now, there are more questions The Democratic Party wanted a review of the 2024 election. Then, the DNC learned the report was incomplete and unverifiable, party chairman Ken Martin said Thursday, releasing an annotated version.
	What Ozempic is doing to women's hormones and why your doctor may not mention it What Ozempic is doing to women's hormones and why your doctor may not mention itIt’s a scenario that plays out constantly in Reddit’s r/Menopause community: A woman loses 25 pounds on Ozempic. She’s done everything right. She expected to feel better.Instead, she felt worse. Her hot flashes intensified. She was waking up at 2 a.m. and couldn’t fall back asleep. Her mood was unpredictable in ways it had never been before. She asked her doctor if the medication was causing it. He told her it was probably just the adjustment period.It wasn’t the medication. It was her hormones. And no one had warned her that losing weight that quickly could make that happen.Many women on the forum describe losing weight on GLP-1s only to find themselves asking: Is this my GLP-1, or is this menopause? Often, it’s both — and the interaction between the two is something most prescribers aren’t trained to flag.Below, Ivim Health’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jessica Duncan, examines how rapid weight loss from GLP-1 medications may intersect with hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause.What’s actually happeningFat tissue produces estrogen. It does this through an enzyme called aromatase, which converts androgens into estrogen. Research published in the journal Menopause found that aromatase gene expression in adipose tissue is significantly higher in postmenopausal women than in premenopausal women, meaning the body upregulates this process as ovarian production declines. For women in perimenopause, fat-tissue estrogen production isn’t a backup system. It becomes the primary source.Lose fat rapidly — and GLP-1s can drive significant fat loss, sometimes 20% or more of total body weight — and you reduce that source. In postmenopausal women, intentional weight loss has been shown to produce meaningful reductions in estradiol and increases in SHBG. Whether GLP-1 receptor agonists drive these changes through weight loss alone or via a direct hormonal mechanism remains an open question — current evidence is largely limited to PCOS populations.“This is clinically real and routinely missed,” says Duncan, a board-certified obesity medicine physician and Chief Medical Officer at Ivim Health. “Most GLP-1 prescribers are focused on metabolic outcomes, which makes sense. But they’re not always thinking about what rapid fat loss means hormonally for a woman who’s already in perimenopause or close to it. Those are not two separate conversations — they’re the same conversation.”The perimenopause collisionWomen in their 40s and early 50s are already in hormonal flux when many of them start GLP-1 therapy. Estrogen and progesterone are declining naturally. The fat loss doesn’t cause that decline — but it can accelerate a shift that was already in motion.The symptoms that follow are easy to misattribute. Hot flashes worsen. Sleep deteriorates. Mood becomes harder to manage. These look like medication side effects. They look like “just menopause.” They get waved off as normal, temporary, or both — sometimes all three.Women in these communities describe it consistently. “Nobody warned me this could happen.” “My doctor said it was just the adjustment period.” “I lost the weight I wanted to lose, and I feel worse than before I started.”That gap between what’s happening and what patients are being told is the problem.Sleep disruption is one of the most underestimated symptoms — and one of the most consequential. A systematic review of 86 studies in Sleep Medicine Reviews found strong evidence that the perimenopausal decline in estrogen and progesterone directly drives early-morning awakenings, increased nighttime wakefulness, and reduced total sleep time. Poor sleep raises cortisol, disrupts hunger hormones, and can work against the very progress a patient is trying to make. When a woman on a GLP-1 starts waking at 2 a.m. and can’t get back to sleep, that’s not a medication side effect to wait out. It may be a hormonal signal worth investigating.The same is true for fatigue that rest doesn’t fix, mood changes that feel out of character, hot flashes that intensify after starting treatment, and a notable drop in libido. None of these in isolation proves a hormonal cause. But the pattern matters.Why your doctor may not connect the dotsGLP-1 medications were developed and studied primarily through a metabolic lens — blood sugar, weight, cardiovascular risk. The prescribers writing the most GLP-1 prescriptions right now are often primary care providers and telehealth platforms, not gynecologists or endocrinologists with deep expertise in hormonal health. That’s not a criticism. It’s a structural reality. And it’s why the burden often falls on the patient to ask.The medications themselves interact with hormonal biology in ways that aren’t yet well understood. A 2025 review in Endocrinology found that endogenous sex hormones — estrogen in particular — modulate GLP-1 receptor expression in the hypothalamus, and that women experience both greater weight loss and higher rates of side effects than men on GLP-1 agonists. Biology isn’t sex-neutral, and the prescribing conversation often is.“If I’m seeing a woman in her 40s starting a GLP-1, I want to know where she is hormonally before we begin,” Duncan says. “Is she having symptoms of hormonal decline? How is she sleeping? Has she noticed changes in her cycle? I want that baseline, because if we’re going to drive significant fat loss, I want to understand what that’s going to mean for her specifically — not just her weight, but how she’s going to feel.”That standard — a hormonal baseline before starting, and monitoring as loss progresses — is not yet common practice.What to ask at your next appointmentYou don’t need an extensive workup before starting a GLP-1. But if you’re a woman in your late 30s through 50s, a few questions are worth raising: Has my hormonal health been factored into this plan? What should I watch for that might indicate a hormonal shift? If I start experiencing sleep disruption, worsening hot flashes, or mood changes, is that something worth investigating?If labs feel appropriate, relevant markers include but aren’t limited to estradiol, FSH, and progesterone, ideally timed in relation to your cycle if you’re still menstruating. Thyroid function is worth ruling out if fatigue and mood changes are prominent.The bigger pictureA January 2026 retrospective cohort study published in The Lancet, conducted at Mayo Clinic, followed 120 postmenopausal women on tirzepatide for at least 12 months. Women who received concurrent menopause hormone therapy lost 35% more total body weight than those on tirzepatide alone — 17% versus 14% at 15 months — along with improved cardiometabolic outcomes. It’s the first published study to evaluate hormone therapy as a modifier of GLP-1 efficacy, and it suggests that treating both systems together produces meaningfully better results than treating either one in isolation.“Weight loss and hormonal health aren’t two separate things,” Duncan says. “They’re deeply connected. And for women especially, treating one without awareness of the other is incomplete medicine. You deserve more than aiming for a number on a scale — you deserve to actually feel good.”The women on r/Menopause asking, “Is this the Ozempic or is this menopause?” deserve a real answer. For many of them, it’s both — and there’s more that can be done about it than they’ve been told.This story was produced by Ivim Health and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Can antidepressants help reduce hot flashes? Can antidepressants help reduce hot flashes?Before menopause, the ovaries make most of a woman’s natural estrogen. During menopause (usually around age 50), the ovaries gradually stop producing estrogen. This lack of estrogen causes both vaginal and full-body symptoms. Examples include vasomotor symptoms (VMS), such as hot flashes and night sweats. You might also experience mood changes.Replacing low estrogen usually relieves menopause symptoms. This is known as menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), formerly referred to as hormone replacement therapy. Though MHT is often a great choice, it's not the right treatment for everyone.Antidepressants are one option that may help manage certain symptoms. Here, GoodRX, a platform for medication savings, discusses how antidepressants can help ease certain menopause symptoms.Key takeaways:Certain antidepressants can treat hot flashes caused by menopause. They may be helpful if you’re unable to take menopause hormone therapy (MHT) or if you prefer a nonhormonal option.Brisdelle (paroxetine mesylate) is the only antidepressant that’s FDA-approved for treating hot flashes. Other antidepressants are prescribed off-label for hot flashes. These include Effexor (venlafaxine), Pristiq (desvenlafaxine), and Lexapro (escitalopram).Antidepressants can also help treat mental health conditions that arise during menopause. But they aren’t effective for vaginal or urinary menopause symptoms. Your healthcare team can help you find the best treatment option for your needs.Which antidepressants help treat menopause symptoms?So far, Brisdelle (paroxetine) is the only antidepressant that’s FDA-approved for menopause symptoms. It’s a low-dose version of Paxil, a type of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Paxil can also treat depression and other mental health conditions.Other antidepressants are considered off-label when it comes to menopause symptoms. This means they haven’t been approved for this use. But there’s some evidence that they may help with certain menopause symptoms. More on that next.What menopause symptoms can antidepressants address?Antidepressants can help treat VMS, including hot flashes and night sweats. They may also help with mood changes that happen during menopause. But antidepressants don't work well for vaginal or urinary menopause symptoms, such as vaginal dryness or a frequent urge to pee.Here’s a closer look at how antidepressants can help with certain menopause symptoms.Hot flashesWe don’t know exactly why hot flashes happen as estrogen levels drop. But it seems that they’re caused by changes to the part of the brain that controls your body temperature, known as the thermoregulatory center.Think of the thermoregulatory center as our body’s internal thermostat. Chemical messengers, known as neurotransmitters, regulate this part of the brain. Antidepressants can help balance the levels of these chemical messengers. In turn, this can help improve how your brain regulates your body temperature during menopause.Research shows Brisdelle can improve the frequency and severity of VMS. It also helps prevent you from waking up during the night due to hot flashes. Brisdelle also isn’t linked to weight gain or lowering your sex drive. These are two side effects associated with other SSRIs, including higher doses of paroxetine.There's also evidence that other antidepressants can help with VMS. These include:Lexapro (escitalopram)Celexa (citalopram)Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)Effexor (venlafaxine)Anxiety and depressionMood changes are common during perimenopause and menopause. For most people, this includes mild symptoms such as irritability and low mood. But some people can also have clinical anxiety or depression. This isn’t common, but it’s more likely if you’ve had these conditions before.If you're diagnosed with anxiety or depression during menopause, medication can help. SSRIs and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are often good first-choice treatment options.Antidepressants vs. hormone therapy for menopause symptomsHormone therapy is generally considered the most effective treatment for menopause symptoms. Unlike antidepressants, hormone therapy can treat more than just VMS. This includes sleep problems, vaginal symptoms, and minor mood changes.That being said, the available research suggests that MHT and antidepressants are both effective options for VMS.In one study, oral estradiol and Effexor were similarly effective at improving VMS.Another review of three studies compared Lexapro, Effexor XR, and oral estradiol for VMS. These treatments each resulted in similar improvements in the frequency of VMS. The medications were then compared with taking fish oil and exercise-based options, such as yoga and aerobic exercise. In that comparison, the antidepressants all provided more benefits than the other options.Can antidepressant side effects make menopause symptoms worse?The side effects of antidepressants may overlap with some menopause symptoms. This can make it seem like your menopause symptoms are getting worse in some cases. Examples include:Sleep issuesWeight changesSexual side effectsKeep in mind that it can take several weeks for antidepressants to start working. Side effects, on the other hand, typically improve over the same time period as your body adjusts to the medication. So it’s best to give antidepressants some time to work.If your symptoms don’t improve after a few weeks, let your prescriber know. But don’t stop taking an antidepressant on your own — this can lead to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.Frequently asked questionsIs it better to go through menopause without hormone therapy?The choice to use hormone therapy during menopause is a personal one: There’s not a right or wrong answer. MHT is considered safe for most people, based on the most up-to-date clinical information. But for some, the risks outweigh the benefits. It’s important to discuss your options with a trained healthcare professional. They can help review the risks and benefits of MHT based on your personal history to help you gain a full understanding of your options.Are there other nonhormonal options for menopause symptoms?Yes, there are other nonhormonal options available for menopause symptoms. Medication options for VMS of menopause include:Veozah (fezolinetant)gabapentinclonidineLynkuet (elinzanetant)Lifestyle changes and supplements may also help. But make sure to talk to your healthcare team first, to understand what might be safe to try.What is the best treatment for menopause symptoms?It’s hard to say, as the menopause transition is different for everyone. If you’re dealing with bothersome menopause symptoms, talk to your primary care provider or OB-GYN. They can help you understand the wide variety of options available today for managing menopause symptoms. This might include medications, lifestyle changes, and over-the-counter (OTC) supplements.The bottom lineMenopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is the best treatment for menopause symptoms in most people. If you’re unable to use MHT, antidepressants may be an option.Brisdelle (paroxetine) is the only FDA-approved antidepressant for menopause symptoms. It reduces vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats. But other antidepressants are also prescribed off-label for these symptoms.Antidepressants can also help manage anxiety or depression-related conditions that arise during menopause. But they won’t help improve vaginal or urinary menopause symptoms. And they aren’t recommended for minor mood changes. Your healthcare team can help you determine the best treatment option for your menopause symptoms.This story was produced by GoodRx and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Memorial Day 2026 events around the Quad Cities region Here are some events in and around the Quad Cities area that honor the meaning behind the day.
	10 US metros that recently saw massive rent increases 10 US metros that recently saw massive rent increasesChances are, when you think of hot rental markets across the country, a few cities come to mind: Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, or perhaps even Chicago. But while rent has long been notoriously high in these locations (and likely always will be), those elevated prices represent only one piece of today’s American housing market.Outside of those well-known markets, several U.S. metro areas have seen sharp rent increases in recent years. These aren’t necessarily the cities with the highest rents overall but rather the metros with the largest year-over-year percentage jumps. Substantial increases like these can have major ramifications for both landlords and renters.In this article, TurboTenant breaks down the 10 metro areas seeing the biggest rent increases across the country, using data from Construction Coverage. It’ll also explore what these rising rents mean for landlords and tenants and how property owners can adapt to current housing trends.1. Boise, IdahoThe fast-growing capital of Idaho, Boise, offers proximity to world-class outdoor recreation like skiing and hiking, and it’s generally much more affordable than most big cities in the American West. That long-standing affordability may not be sustainable, though, as Boise’s population continues to surge and a severe housing shortage drives up rent prices.Wages in Boise (and Idaho as a whole) have remained relatively low amid the boom, quickly pricing middle-class families out of this once budget-friendly city. And because Idaho has no rent control or rent stabilization laws to protect tenants from price hikes, housing costs are likely to continue rising as higher-income renters keep relocating into town.YoY rent increase: 32.1%Average monthly rent: $1,7502. Knoxville, TennesseeWith a thriving job market, no state income tax, and proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains, Knoxville has become an increasingly alluring destination for renters. The city also offers a lively downtown filled with local restaurants, bars, and live music venues, plus world-class outdoor recreation just an hour away.Because of its growing appeal among renters, Knoxville’s population has skyrocketed in recent years (moveBuddha ranked it the No. 1 most popular city for movers in 2026), creating a supply-and-demand imbalance that has driven up rents. These rising housing costs are pricing low- and middle-income renters out of Knoxville, a trend that’s unlikely to reverse anytime soon.YoY rent increase: +25%Average monthly rent: $1,8003. Syracuse, New YorkKnown as one of New York’s most affordable cities, Syracuse boasts an impressive arts and cultural scene, major institutions like Syracuse University and the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and a central location near other major metros. The Salt City also offers easy access to the scenery and outdoor recreation of New York’s famous Finger Lakes region.Landlords in Syracuse face rising operating costs that are increasingly passed on to tenants, while limited construction and high mortgage rates continue to strain the housing supply. To top it off, residents fear the development of a Micron chipmaking plant could lead to an even tighter housing squeeze.YoY rent increase: +18%Average monthly rent: $1,6004. Charlotte, North CarolinaThanks to a booming banking and fintech sector, a mild climate, and excellent outdoor recreation, Charlotte has become one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. As one might expect, rapid population growth has led to a sizable housing shortage, with new construction failing to keep pace with demand.Much of that new construction also caters to the luxury market, leaving few options for lower-income renters. And though the city’s rental market has stabilized somewhat as of early 2026, Charlotte’s status as the “Wall Street of the South” means prices are likely to remain elevated in the coming years.YoY rent increase: +16.8%Average monthly rent: $1,9705. Riverside, CaliforniaThough far from the cheapest American city, Riverside is far more affordable than neighboring Orange County and Los Angeles. Along with its relatively lower cost of living, Riverside also offers scenic hiking trails, golf courses, and easy access to Southern California beaches and mountains. What Riverside doesn’t have, however, is enough housing for its nearly 328,000 residents.As real estate investors and residents from nearby coastal cities flock to Riverside, vacancy rates have fallen, creating a landlord-friendly market with few affordable options for lower-income renters. According to a 2024 report from Rent.com, affordable rentals are especially scarce in Riverside, with a minuscule 0.14% costing less than $1,000 per month.YoY rent increase: +14.7%Average monthly rent: $2,1506. Charleston, South CarolinaNot only is Charleston located along the coast of the country’s fastest-growing state, but it’s also known for its award-winning restaurants, historic downtown district, and gorgeous beaches. These lifestyle perks, however, have attracted more new residents than the city has available rental properties.New housing developments in Charleston have fallen far behind the city’s population growth, primarily due to its coastal location, high construction costs, and material shortages. With no rent control laws in place, landlords in Charleston have full flexibility to raise rents, particularly for in-demand single-family homes.YoY rent increase: +14.3%Average monthly rent: $2,8507. Washington DCThe nation’s capital has long had a diverse and flourishing job market that draws hundreds of thousands of high-earning professionals to the area. Much of that population is concentrated within just 68.3 square miles, creating an intensely competitive rental market with limited space and few approvals for new affordable housing developments.And while Washington D.C. has strict rent control laws, high tenant turnover allows landlords to raise rents significantly between leases, which also drives up prices for nearby rentals. Not to mention, recent return-to-office mandates have further contributed to rising rents and forced employees to look for housing closer to their offices.YoY rent increase: +13.8%Average monthly rent: $2,4508. Houston, TexasNear Texas’s Gulf Coast, Houston offers a strong mix of cultural diversity and access to beaches, professional sports, and top-rated restaurants. The city’s expanding job market, in particular, has contributed to rising rental costs as workers from across the country move in to fill new roles in aerospace, manufacturing, healthcare, and other major industries.Though a boom in new apartment construction has eased some pressure on renters, prices remain comparatively high, especially since many recent developments are luxury properties. However, signs of relief may be on the horizon for renters. According to Realtor.com data from February 2026, Houston’s vacancy rate has reached 11.4%, suggesting the market may finally be cooling.YoY rent increase: +13.3%Average monthly rent: $1,8509. Columbus, OhioColumbus, home to Ohio State University and a rapidly growing arts and food scene, is one of the most affordable major cities in the U.S. Thanks to its strong job market and affordable real estate, new residents (many from pricey coastal metros) have increasingly flocked to Columbus in recent years, making it one of the Midwest’s fastest-growing cities.Though rent increases have slowed in Columbus lately, that doesn’t mean they aren’t still on the up, straining many low-income renters. Landlords may also pass along increased maintenance costs and rising property taxes to tenants, though according to TurboTenant’s State of the Rental Industry Report for 2026, that isn’t always the case. As a result, affordable rentals and one-bedroom apartments remain especially in demand in Columbus and will likely remain so for years to come.YoY rent increase: +11.1%Average monthly rent: $1,49510. San Jose, CaliforniaCalifornia’s Bay Area has long been known for its sky-high housing costs, but San Jose in particular has seen a notable spike in rents. As artificial intelligence companies and other tech startups continue to expand across the city, high-earning renters are moving in, driving up prices and reducing the available housing supply.Though San Jose hasn’t seen the largest percentage increase in rent among the cities on this list, its cost of living is 81% higher than the national average, amplifying the impact of rising rents. Unsurprisingly, San Jose also has one of the nation’s largest homeless populations.YoY rent increase: +10.1%Average monthly rent: $3,030What rising rents mean for rentersHousing costs are rising across much of the U.S., but the especially steep rent increases in these cities add considerable financial pressure on tenants. Renters in these metros may need to reevaluate their monthly budgets to account for higher housing costs and rising expenses such as utilities, groceries, and insurance.While the exact circumstances vary from city to city and renter to renter, rising rents often force tenants to devote a larger share of their income to housing. This shift leaves renters with less flexibility for essentials such as healthcare, transportation, and savings, as well as for discretionary spending on travel and entertainment.With mounting pressure on housing affordability, it’s no surprise that many renters across the country are delaying their first home purchases. In the meantime, affected tenants may have to come to terms with the reality of the housing market and relocate to more affordable suburbs, find roommates to split costs, or move into smaller rental units to reduce expenses.What this trend means for landlordsOn the other hand, landlords in high-demand metros may have stronger earning potential as rents continue rising. Property owners who maintain their rentals, use thoughtful pricing strategies, and exceed evolving tenant expectations will be well-positioned to thrive in these market conditions.With more renters putting home-buying on the back burner, many may begin looking for greater housing stability and longer lease terms. Landlords who offer those options can improve tenant retention and reduce turnover, helping lower management costs over time.Of course, higher demand doesn’t guarantee easy money. Increased competition and rising tenant standards mean landlords may need to invest more in property upgrades, maintenance, and modern conveniences like online rent collection to stay competitive and deliver results for their tenants.Which rental markets will heat up next?Helpful as it may be to learn where housing prices are rising, these 10 cities represent only a snapshot in time. While these metros rank among the fastest-growing rental markets right now, the list could look very different a year from now. In fact, rent prices have already begun to cool in several once-booming cities across the country.Though it’s difficult to predict which rental markets will surge next, landlords can track a few key indicators that often signal future rent growth. Strong population gains, limited housing supply, expanding job opportunities, and rising demand from out-of-state renters can all put upward pressure on rents.In 2026, Sun Belt rental markets like Raleigh, North Carolina, and Atlanta could continue to gain momentum, fueled by strong local economies and steady population growth. Up-and-coming Midwest hubs, including Milwaukee and Des Moines, Iowa, may also emerge as markets to watch. For landlords who sharpen their skills, improve the tenant experience, and adapt to changing market conditions, identifying and investing in underrated metros could offer a valuable chance to build stable, long-term rental income.MethodologyTurboTenant based this report on an October 2025 analysis from Construction Coverage, a digital platform that publishes data-driven insights on the home construction industry. Construction Coverage compiled the list of the 10 U.S. cities with the biggest rent increases between 2024 and 2025 using data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau.This story was produced by TurboTenant and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	What independence really looks like for older adults today What independence really looks like for older adults todayFor many older adults, independence has long been tied to a simple idea: being able to manage life entirely on their own.But as more Americans choose to age at home and as families and care needs evolve, that definition is beginning to shift.According to AARP research, nearly 90% of adults over age 65 want to remain in their homes and communities as they age. For many, that’s about more than convenience. It’s the comfort of familiar routines, close relationships, and maintaining a sense of control over everyday life.What’s becoming increasingly clear is that independence doesn’t always mean doing everything alone. More often, it means having the right support in place to continue living safely, confidently, and on one’s own terms, QMedic reports.Independence looks different todayThe reality of aging in America has changed dramatically over the last several decades. People are living longer, often while managing multiple health conditions, while families are more geographically spread out than ever before.At the same time, more care is happening at home rather than in institutional settings.In this environment, independence is less about the absence of help and more about having support systems that allow older adults to maintain their routines, dignity, and quality of life.Sometimes that support comes from family members or neighbors. Other times, it comes from care managers, social workers, or home care providers working quietly behind the scenes to help coordinate services and monitor changing needs.And often, it’s the small everyday touchpoints that make the biggest difference.The role of everyday supportWhen people think about aging support, they often picture major interventions or emergency situations. In reality, independence is usually built through smaller, consistent moments that happen every day.A reminder to take medication.A quick check-in after a difficult week.The reassurance that someone is there if something doesn’t feel right.These supports may seem simple, but together they help create stability and confidence. They allow older adults to continue managing daily life while reducing some of the uncertainty that can come with aging alone.Rather than taking independence away, these touchpoints often help preserve it.Confidence matters just as much as capabilityIndependence is often discussed in physical terms, such as mobility, health, or the ability to complete daily tasks. But emotional confidence plays an equally important role.For many older adults, staying independent means feeling secure enough to continue participating in everyday life. It’s the confidence to go for a walk, attend a community event, keep up with routines, or simply feel comfortable spending time alone at home.That peace of mind matters to families as well. Many caregivers understand the balancing act of wanting to support a loved one while also respecting their autonomy. Having routines and support structures in place can help reduce stress for everyone involved and create a stronger sense of connection instead of constant worry.The unseen work behind independenceCare managers, social workers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers are often the invisible support system helping older adults remain safely at home.They coordinate care, monitor changes, solve problems, and step in early when concerns arise. Much of this work happens quietly in the background, but its impact can be life-changing.As the demand for aging-in-place support continues to grow, many care teams are also turning to technology that helps extend their reach without replacing the human side of care.Today’s tools are increasingly designed not just for emergencies, but for ongoing connection, communication, and reassurance. From simple reminders to systems that help identify changes in routine, these resources can help older adults stay supported while giving families and care teams greater peace of mind.A new definition of independenceThis Older Americans Month, independence may be worth redefining.For many older adults today, independence doesn’t mean doing everything alone. It means having the confidence, connection, and support needed to continue living life in the place they call home.And sometimes, the strongest form of independence comes not from the absence of help, but from knowing the right help is there when it’s needed.This story was produced by QMedic and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Silvis schools announce superintendent transition for 2027 Silvis schools are preparing for a leadership transition as Superintendent Terri VandeWiele plans to retire after next school year. Find the details here.
	Who's running in the 2026 Iowa primaries for state and local offices The Iowa primary election is set for Tuesday, June 2. WVIK compiled a list of races statewide and locally that Iowans will see on their ballots.
	Galesburg opens outdoor aquatic facilities this weekend There's plenty of ways to enjoy the great outdoors in Galesburg this summer. The city is opening its outdoor aquatic facilities for the summer season on Saturday, May 23. Residents and visitors can enjoy a wide variety of summer amenities, including free splashpads and wading pools and Lakeside Water Park. Seasonal aquatic amenities will remain [...]
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	'It's one of my dreams,' Rose Byrne says of her comic turn on Broadway Byrne is one of the few actors to receive both an Oscar and a Tony nomination in the same year —for the indie film If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, and for Fallen Angels on Broadway.
	Inbound or outbound? How to incorporate both into your B2B lead generation strategy Inbound or outbound? How to incorporate both into your B2B lead generation strategyMost B2B companies have leaned too far in one direction. They either double down on outbound or rely solely on inbound — without realizing that a lopsided approach can stall growth.To keep your pipeline consistently full, you need a B2B lead generation strategy that blends both.How do you know if you’re over-indexing on one? And how do you find the right balance for your business?Tried, tested, and recommended by experts, these full-cycle lead gen strategies from Apollo are built for teams exploring how to blend inbound and outbound lead gen for maximum impact.What is B2B lead generation?B2B lead generation is the process of finding and engaging businesses that may find value in your product or service, or have shown interest in what you have to offer. The goal is to build a list of prospects that your sales and marketing team can nurture and eventually turn into customers.One of LinkedIn's top sales voices, Zoë Hartsfield, puts the importance of B2B lead generation bluntly.“If nobody is even interested in talking to you about the problems you solve, you can't sell the thing that you sell, and if you can't sell you can't make money,” Hartsfield says. “And if you can't make money, your business dies.”The B2B lead generation techniques that keep business alive fall into two main categories.Inbound lead generationInbound lead generation is about attracting prospective customers to your business—pulling them to you. It draws them in and builds awareness of your brand, giving answers to their questions with information they need, and surface your solution as the answer.Outbound lead generationOutbound lead generation takes a more direct approach. Your team reaches out to prospects that fit your ideal customer profile, trying to actively spark their interest in your product or service and nurture that interest until they’re ready to buy.Most successful B2B businesses invest in a combination of both inbound and outbound motions to generate leads. And for good reason.According to Gartner, B2B buyers are 1.8 times more likely to complete a high-quality deal “when they engage with supplier-provided digital tools in partnership with a sales rep.”Apollo’s director of paid acquisition, Cameron Thompson, challenges the assumption that inbound and outbound are “cannibalistic” rather than complementary.“When inbound and outbound are integrated properly, outbound efforts help amplify what you're doing with inbound—and vice versa,” Thompson says.But the exact ratio of inbound and outbound you choose to focus on will depend on your specific B2B business and the audience you’re trying to reach.Let’s take a closer look at both.Inbound lead generation: A deeper diveIn inbound lead generation, your prospect makes that initial contact.They may download a guide or attend an event because they’re on the hunt for more information on a problem they’re trying to solve. But without a proper nurture, the buck may well stop there.To understand what that looks like, consider a prospect who submits their email and phone number to download a whitepaper, but doesn't take any further action beyond that. Offering the whitepaper is an inbound motion. Sending the prospect a personalized follow-up email or phone call that encourages the prospect to learn more about your product or company is outbound.“That's where it becomes really important to have both efforts in tandem, working harmoniously,” Thompson says.Understanding your inbound audienceTo figure out how much to invest in inbound, start by looking at your total addressable market (TAM)—that’s the full revenue opportunity if you captured 100% of your potential market.Within that market, inbound leads are the people who are actively searching for solutions or information related to what you offer.If your buyers are the type to do their own research and discover solutions organically, then inbound tactics—like content, SEO, or webinars—should be a core part of your sales strategy.But if your audience tends to wait to be approached or rarely explores new vendors on their own, inbound may play more of a supporting role. In those cases, outbound tactics or relationship-based selling might get you further, faster.That’s why the best B2B lead generation strategy starts with understanding your buyer’s journey and meeting them where they are.Applying inbound to the customer journeyTo build effective inbound motions, start by mapping your customer journey from first touch to closed deal. In B2B, that journey often includes multiple stakeholders, long consideration cycles, and a need for trust at every stage.Research by Forrester shows that B2B buyers experience an average of 27 interactions throughout their buying journey. And Gartner found that the average enterprise B2B buying group consists of five to 11 stakeholders.Your goal is to support that journey with the right content and experiences—tailored to the questions and concerns your buyers have at each phase. That could mean thought leadership and SEO content at the top of the funnel, product comparison guides or ROI calculators in the middle, and detailed case studies or integration documentation at the bottom.How do you know when the time is right? Intent data—the secret sauce of inbound.Intent data tracks signals that indicate when a prospect is actively researching or showing interest in solutions like yours. By analyzing these signals—such as content downloads, website visits, or specific search queries—you can pinpoint exactly when they're ready to engage. Workflows that are based around intent data are actually proving to book four times more meetings for teams that lean in.For inbound lead generation, timing really is everything.Ideas for inbound motions and programsHost eventsCreate an online communitySend nurture emailsPublish content like blog posts and guidesPost on social media channels like LinkedInCreate a podcastKey benefits of inbound lead generationAn inbound play—like a blog post or guide with a submission form at the bottom—can continue to capture leads years after launch. Inbound motions like this are “always on,” raising hands-off brand awareness and hopefully leads.Because inbound lead generation has that longevity in its favor, a stronger focus on inbound lead generation strategies can mean a lower cost per acquisition over time.By focusing on motions that align with your buyer’s specific journey, you let prospects set their own terms, moving through the buying journey at their own pace.Is inbound lead generation the right strategy?To know when to start introducing inbound lead generation motions to your sales and marketing program, ask yourself the following questions:Do I have the resources and budget to create marketing assets that will attract potential buyers? Inbound takes upfront investment—content, SEO, design, and distribution—but those assets can generate leads long after launch, lowering your cost per acquisition over time.Am I willing and able to invest in long-term programs, not just short-term wins? Inbound doesn’t produce overnight results. But if you’re building a pipeline that compounds over time, inbound is a foundational pillar for sustainable growth.Do I want to increase brand awareness as well as generate leads? Inbound lets your buyers find you on their terms—through search, content, or social. It builds trust before your sales team ever reaches out.If you answered yes to any or all of the questions above, consider introducing inbound motions to your lead generation strategy. The earlier you start, the faster it can scale.Outbound lead generation: A deeper diveIf inbound is about being found, outbound is about finding—reaching out to the right prospects before they know they need you.Take Dhara Patel, CEO of Outer Realm, who is very strategic about outbound lead generation.Using AI prompting that scans builder websites, industry news, and planning documents to surface pre-construction projects, she runs multi-channel outbound plays to go straight to the folks who need her—right then.Understanding your outbound audienceWhile a combination of both B2B lead generation strategies is always ideal, outbound is particularly beneficial to businesses with a smaller, more specialized audience.Take a product with a total addressable market of 50 people as an example. By leaning more into outbound B2B lead generation, you can reach out to each of those prospects individually with messaging personalized specifically to them.The benefit of that kind of targeted approach—and outbound lead generation in general—is that you can get early wins, bringing in bigger deals.How you apply outbound lead generation strategies depends on your customer journey.Applying outbound to your customer journeyJust like with inbound lead generation, your outbound efforts should be tailored to your customer journey. And also like inbound, the exact number of touchpoints you should expect from your outbound strategy will vary.In fact, in his book, “Fanatical Prospecting,” renowned sales executive Jeb Blount, CEO of Sales Gravy, says that the exact number can range anywhere from one to 50 touches. He breaks it down like this:Inactive customer: 1 to 3 touchesFamiliar prospect in buying window: 1 to 5 touchesFamiliar prospect not in buying window: 3 to 10 touchesWarm inbound lead: 5 to 12 touchesSomewhat familiar prospect: 5 to 20 touchesCold prospect: 20 to 50 touchesNotice the “warm inbound lead” in the middle of the list?That’s someone who’s already interacted with your brand through your inbound lead generation efforts. Because they have some experience with your brand already, they require fewer outbound touches to close the deal.It’s just one example of how inbound and outbound work together, and why both are critical to your strategy as a whole.Even when it comes to outbound alone, though, the most successful strategies will use a multichannel approach, putting a variety of tactics together to maximize outreach—for instance, social selling and cold emailing paired with cold calls.Generic one-off emails and phone calls are far less effective now than they used to be. With massive competition for your prospects’ attention, it takes more to break through the noise.Ideas for outbound motions and programsHere are several proven outbound tactics that, when executed well, can drive high-quality leads and real pipeline momentum:Account-based marketing. Hyper-targeted campaigns focused on high-value accounts, combining personalized messaging across channels.Cold calling. Still effective when done strategically—especially when paired with pre-call research and timely outreach.Cold emailing. Craft thoughtful, relevant messages that cut through the noise and spark meaningful conversations.Social selling. Build credibility and relationships by engaging with prospects directly on platforms like LinkedIn.Paid ads. Use targeted ad campaigns to warm up key accounts or drive engagement that supports outbound outreach.When these strategies are all paired together in a multichannel outbound strategy (rather than focusing solely on email), Apollo research found that sellers are increasing their chances of booking a meeting by 24%.Key benefits of outbound lead generationYou control the targeting for outbound, going after exactly the right audience with the right messaging. This is especially important for sales motions where you need to get in front of decision-makers.Outbound allows you, as the seller, to personalize your outreach and build one-on-one relationships with the prospects you’re reaching out to.Outbound gives you instant or almost instant feedback. If someone answers your cold call and says they’re already with your competitor, you’ve immediately gained important information you can quickly act on—like adding them to an email sequence that explains why you’re better than the specific competitor.Is outbound lead generation the right strategy?Not sure if outbound lead generation should be your focus? Ask yourself these key questions.Each one reveals whether outbound is the right strategy for your goals.Do I need to generate new business quickly? Outbound is the fastest way to engage with high-potential prospects. If you're under pressure to bring in new clients in a short time frame, outbound tactics like cold calling, direct outreach, and account-based marketing (ABM) can put you in front of decision-makers fast.Do I have a budget to launch ads and keep them running long enough to A/B test? Successful outbound often requires paid media. But ads need time to optimize and A/B test. If you have the resources to keep your campaigns running and tweaking for maximum ROI, then paid ads paired with targeted outreach can produce valuable, quick wins.Do I have resources like SDRs and AEs to execute my outbound motions? Outbound success relies on a skilled team, whether in-house or outsourced.Do I work in a saturated market and rely on one-on-one interactions to stand out in the crowd? In competitive industries, your messaging must break through the noise. Outbound allows you to cut through the clutter with personalized, targeted communication to prospects who might not yet know they need your solution.Again, if you answered yes to any or all of the questions above, consider focusing on outbound more heavily to generate leads.Tip #1: Understand your buyer personaWhether you lean more towards inbound or take an outbound-first approach, you need to understand your prospective buyers before you can target them.What are their needs and pain points? How does their industry work? What do they prioritize in their business?“You have to live a day in their life to understand what their motivations are,” Apollo’s Thompson says.Thankfully, you already have another group of people at your fingertips who can help you accomplish that. Your customers. Here’s how your existing customers can help you start building your buyer personas and understand your prospects’ buying intent. All in three easy steps.Step 1: Interview your existing customersStart by conducting interviews with your current customers, asking questions that will get to the root of their initial purchasing decision. Questions like:What pain point were you trying to solve for?How did you first hear about us?What made our product or service stand out?What is it about us that inspired you to stay loyal?An analysis of market trends and your own sales and engagement data will help round out the answers. You can then use that information to map out your customer journey.Step 2: Look for patterns in your customer profileUse the information above to create a wish list of attributes you’ll want to look for in the new prospects you target—otherwise known as your ideal customer profile (ICP). These prospects will be businesses with the same challenges and needs your existing customers had when their journey started.To do that, Hartsfield suggests starting with your top 20 to 30 existing customers—those with the highest net promoter score (NPS) or the highest lifetime value, for example. Then dig into their details to see where there are similarities between those customers, whether it be industry, job titles of key decision-makers, or something else entirely.Hartsfield adds: “You're going to find those trends, you're going to find those patterns. Then I would actually start building my list from that set of data.”Step 3: Search for prospects that matchWith step one and two completed, you can start putting together a lead list of prospects that share the same attributes you’ve identified.A sales intelligence tool can help you find the contact information of potential customers that match that ideal customer with information like:TitleCompanyNumber of employeesSize by departmentRecent hiresRevenueLocationBetter yet—look for ones that let you stitch together these attributes to build out your buyer personas and search against them in a third-party database.Tip #2: Score your leads based on intentThe best organizations prioritize leads by opportunity size, conversion likelihood, and available intel—and a lead scoring model helps standardize those priorities across the team.Lead scoring lets you rank prospects based on real signals—like company fit, engagement, and timing. When done right, it aligns sales and marketing, speeds up handoffs, and keeps your team focused on the highest-value opportunities.AI scoring tools make this process infinitely faster, easier, and more accurate.It can delve deep into your team's past prospecting efforts by tapping into your data history to identify the contact and account features that drove your previous successes. It will pull out the critical criteria of your best customers to signal which new leads fit this picture.Lead scoring, when applied correctly, is a lead gen hack that can’t afford to be overlooked.Tip #3: Relevance is even more important than personalization“Generic content just is not going to cut it,” says Thompson.But Hartsfield adds some depth to the importance of pertinent content. “Personalization is not the same thing as relevance, and you really need both,” she says. “You could mention my dog's name in a personalized email, but also mention a solution that has nothing to do with my pain points or job.”Both personalization and relevance start by knowing your prospects and their intentions. So by understanding more about them, you’re already on the way to creating personalized messaging that’s also relevant.Take tech company Smartling, for example.They created an AI prompt that performs “always on” research for their biggest signals. They use what they find out directly in their messaging.“We don't personalize with something generic,” says Grace Feeney, senior manager of sales development and operations at Smartling. “We say ‘There’s a problem on your website right here, and I wanted to give you a heads-up.’”The result: more personalized cold emails and the boost reps needed to become more productive.Capture your best B2B leadsGenerating leads and keeping your sales funnel full doesn’t have to be overly complex. With a combination of both inbound and outbound motions, you can find the right approach for your business. Through the right tools and proven best practices, you can create lead generation strategies that stand out—and start meeting your sales quotas every time.This story was produced by Apollo and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	FIFA rules vs. US law: What happens when they conflict during the World Cup? FIFA rules vs. US law: What happens when they conflict during the World Cup?When the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, it will do so under two overlapping systems of authority. One is FIFA, a private global governing body with its own rulebook, commercial requirements, and contractual demands. The other is the law of the land in each host country. In this article, Mokaram Injury Lawyers, a Houston-based personal injury law firm, examines what happens when those two systems collide.In most cases, those systems operate in parallel without significant conflict. When they conflict, legal and operational questions can become complex.What FIFA Actually Requires of Host CountriesHosting a World Cup involves both logistical planning and legal obligations. Before a country's bid is accepted, FIFA requires governments to sign a set of formal guarantees covering taxation, immigration, intellectual property, and operational control.FIFA's 2026 bidding process documentation outlines a key requirement: a full tax exemption for FIFA, its subsidiaries, and related entities during the preparation and tournament period. That exemption covers income taxes, customs duties, and sales taxes on ticket revenue.In the United States, that last requirement played out at the state level. Missouri, Georgia, and Florida each passed legislation exempting World Cup ticket sales from state and local sales taxes, a condition FIFA set as part of the host city selection process. According to an analysis by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, Georgia stands to lose up to $25 million in state and local sales tax revenue from games played in Atlanta, while Florida projects losses of around $7.4 million from Miami matches. Missouri's estimate runs roughly $1.9 million per game, with six matches scheduled at Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium.Those exemptions were introduced through new legislation to meet FIFA's requirements. State legislatures created new laws to meet FIFA's terms.The Contract Question: Who Has Authority Over What?Host city agreements for the 2026 World Cup are private contracts negotiated directly between FIFA and local governments, and they shift significant authority toward FIFA. A legal analysis published in the International Sports Law Journal comparing the 2026 FIFA Host City Agreement with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics contract found that the FIFA agreement operates in part as a one-way option agreement, with unilateral modification rights reserved for FIFA and extensive obligations assigned to host cities.That structure drew attention in early 2025, when President Trump stated that matches could be moved away from cities he described as unsafe, including Seattle and San Francisco. As a legal matter, that scenario raised a key limitation: The President does not have unilateral authority to alter private contracts between FIFA and local governments. These agreements are binding under contract law and are not subject to unilateral executive action. A city that attempted to exit its agreement without cause could face breach of contract claims.FIFA's own 2026 regulations do give the organization broad authority to cancel, reschedule, or relocate matches at its sole discretion, including for health, safety, or security reasons. But that authority belongs to FIFA, not to any individual host government or federal official.Immigration: Where FIFA's Requirements Meet US Law Most DirectlyFIFA's bidding guidelines require host governments to establish a nondiscriminatory visa environment for players, officials, media, and fans. The 2026 bid documentation specifically calls for a visa-free environment or facilitated visa procedures applied without discrimination by nationality.That requirement conflicted with a series of U.S. travel-related executive orders signed in 2025. An executive order signed June 5, 2025, fully restricted entry for nationals of 12 countries and partially restricted entry for seven more. While athletes and coaches traveling for the World Cup received an exemption, fans and support staff from those countries did not, according to a Human Rights Watch letter to FIFA sent in July 2025. A further 36 countries were under consideration for addition to the list.Amnesty International's June 2025 report on the tournament noted that FIFA's stated bidding requirements included a commitment from hosts to ensure the tournament would not involve adverse impacts on internationally recognized human rights, with specific attention to freedom of expression, gender equality, and protection from discrimination.Similar tensions have been documented in previous tournaments. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, fans displaying political banners and rainbow flags were removed from stadiums or had items confiscated, contradicting FIFA's stated commitments to free expression. Iranian fans displaying protest slogans were removed from matches. FIFA's stated human rights policies have, in documented cases, conflicted with the laws and practices of host countries.Tax Conflicts and Commercial Exclusivity: A Pattern Across TournamentsFIFA's tax exemption requirements for host countries have been documented across multiple tournaments over several decades. For the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the federal government passed what analysts called a "World Cup Law Pack," granting FIFA, its partners, and authorized sponsors broad tax exemptions unavailable to other businesses. A review of those laws noted that local companies not involved in the tournament continued to pay taxes while FIFA-designated entities did not, raising documented antitrust concerns.Qatar implemented similar exemptions for the 2022 tournament, covering income taxes, excise duties, and customs for all entities involved in staging the event. South Africa and Russia made comparable legal adjustments for their respective tournaments.In each case, governments enacted legal adjustments or exemptions to meet FIFA's contractual requirements.The Broader PatternThe 2026 World Cup is the first co-hosted by three countries with distinct legal systems, making the tension between FIFA's requirements and domestic law more visible than in previous tournaments. The core dynamic is not new: When a private governing body hosts a global event, host countries often adjust legal frameworks to meet contractual obligations.This story was produced by Mokaram Injury Lawyers and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Public reviews two remaining options for replacing Centennial Bridge The iconic Centennial Bridge will be demolished as the Illinois and Iowa Departments of Transportation pursue a preferred alternative in a long-term study of the U.S. 67 (Centennial Bridge) Corridor.
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	How electrolytes fuel hormone balance for women How electrolytes fuel hormone balance for womenYour hormones and electrolytes are in constant communication. Think of electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium as the wiring in a house, allowing electrical signals to travel from room to room.In your body, electrolytes allow your cells to send messages to one another, making sure your heart beats, your muscles contract, and your brain stays sharp.Not surprisingly, hormones throughout your body also need ample electrolytes to function at their best. Hormones do their job best when electrolytes are in balance. That's because electrolytes help your cells send and receive hormone signals properly.On the flip side, electrolyte imbalance can disrupt essential physiological activities. Down the line, it can also compromise your well-being.Your body produces dozens of different hormones — most of which are considered chemical messengers and play critical roles in regulating your metabolism, energy levels, mood and sleep. Electrolytes support healthy function for all hormones, especially when it comes to reproductive hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.In this article, LMNT explains how electrolytes support your hormone health, and provides concrete steps you can take to nourish your cells with the minerals they need to function at their best.Key TakeawaysElectrolytes help your cells function optimally, which also helps keep your hormones healthy and balanced.If you’re experiencing symptoms of hormonal imbalance, such as estrogen dominance, consider your hydration and electrolyte status.Electrolyte needs can vary person to person, and the need may shift during the menstrual cycle (and after menopause).Stress and fasting can deplete the body, so adding electrolytes can be useful then, regardless of your hormonal status.Incorporating electrolytes into your morning routine is a great way to support your hormonal balance and set yourself up for success first thing in the day.How Electrolytes Drive Hormone HealthMany people believe that women and those assigned female at birth can naturally regulate their own hormones, from reproductive age to menopause, by syncing lifestyle habits like fasting, nutrition, and stress management with their hormonal rhythms.Electrolyte intake is a simple-but-powerful way to keep these important chemical messengers in check, no matter where you are in your hormonal journey.Symptoms like brain fog, mood swings, irregular cycle, low libido, and fatigue are often labeled “hormonal,” and they definitely are. But your hormones may actually be out of balance because your cells are dehydrated or mineral-depleted.Magnesium, for example, plays an important role in supporting estrogen metabolism and producing progesterone.If your cells are short on magnesium, they can’t send proper messages between each other. An imbalance of estrogen relative to progesterone can result in estrogen dominance, triggering symptoms like heavy periods, anxiety and depression, and weight gain.Sex hormones are about more than fertility. If you have a hormonal imbalance such as estrogen dominance, electrolyte depletion may exacerbate your symptoms. While hormonal imbalances can influence metabolic health, the relationship between estrogen dominance and insulin resistance is not clearly causal. Current evidence suggests that observed associations are often mediated by factors like body fat distribution, inflammation, and insulin signaling — particularly in conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), where androgen excess, rather than estrogen, is a primary driver of insulin resistance.Proper hydration with electrolytes supports insulin sensitivity by optimizing cell function, metabolic processes, and blood volume — making sure everything is running at the top of its game, to enable cells to take up glucose and get energy. It also supports liver and gut function, your two main estrogen detox organs, to curb estrogen dominance altogether.Estrogen clearance (or metabolism) helps to balance this vital hormone, preventing estrogen dominance, which can manifest as bloating, irritability, anxiety, and similar PMS symptoms. This process, which is primarily carried out by the gut and liver, eliminates excess estrogen, which can reduce the risk of hormone-related cancers and support overall hormone health.If you want balanced blood sugar and healthy estrogen clearance, you can start with mineralized hydration.Getting The Most Out of ElectrolytesBlood tests, such as an electrolyte panel, can easily tell you if you’re low in sodium, potassium, or magnesium, but certain symptoms can often be telling of electrolyte deficiency or imbalance. These symptoms include:Chronic fatigueDizziness when standingInsomniaMuscle crampsSugar cravingsIf you’re dealing with hormonal issues, ask yourself: Am I hydrated, and are my cells getting the minerals they need to function?Especially for women, if you're feeling anxious or wired-but-tired, or you're struggling to sleep, your electrolyte levels — especially magnesium and sodium — may need support. LMNT While there are currently no standardized clinical guidelines for adjusting electrolyte intake based on menstrual cycle phases, emerging research shows that fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone can influence fluid retention, sodium balance, and magnesium levels. These effects can vary significantly from person to person. The below recommendations are based on clinical experience and interpretation of available evidence — offered as a practical framework to help women better align hydration and mineral intake with their hormonal rhythms.Days 1-14 of Your CycleIn the first half of your cycle (Day 1–Day 14), your body is more insulin-sensitive and fluid-retentive.So during this time, you can go lighter on electrolytes (unless you’re sweating a lot — for example, during a heavy workout — in which case you’d want to replace lost electrolytes). Prioritize nutrition and stress-reduction strategies during this phase to keep your cycle running smoothly.Days 14-28 of Your CycleDuring ovulation and the days leading up to your period, estrogen and progesterone start to fluctuate more.Right before your period, estrogen drops, which is when many women experience PMS symptoms. Estrogen is a water-retaining hormone, so when it drops right before your period, you lose more fluid and minerals. This is often why women feel dizzy, bloated, or exhausted premenstrually.Magnesium, for example, has been shown to help soothe cramping, improve sleep, and stabilize your mood. Upping electrolytes during these phases is a game-changer.During MenopausePost-menopause, electrolytes can go a long way in curbing symptoms, but the considerations are a bit different.With declining estrogen comes less fluid retention, which means you excrete minerals more easily. That’s one reason you may experience symptoms like joint pain, heart palpitations, insomnia, and anxiety post-menopause.Magnesium, post-menopause, becomes critical for sleep and mood, while sodium helps with blood pressure and energy. Potassium supports the heart and fluid balance. A good electrolyte mix is one of the easiest “hormone hacks” for post-menopause, so aim for steady daily intake.A Note About Stress and ElectrolytesYour electrolyte needs may vary if you’re experiencing emotional or physical stress.Chronic stress can take a major toll on the body, depleting minerals at warp speed. Magnesium, for example, is used in over 300 enzymatic reactions, including those for making DHEA, your "feel-good" youth hormone.When magnesium is low, DHEA drops, cortisol rises, and thyroid function slows.Sodium helps maintain adrenal resilience, especially in women who feel burnt out. Electrolytes are absolutely foundational to buffering stress-induced hormonal dysfunction.When you’re under chronic stress, your adrenal glands pump out more cortisol, draining sodium and magnesium levels rapidly.Sodium helps regulate blood pressure and volume, both essential in times of stress. Magnesium, on the other hand, calms the nervous system and keeps cortisol in check. Potassium balances out sodium and supports cardiovascular health.When these minerals are out of balance, your cortisol regulation goes haywire, wreaking havoc on your body.Fasting can be an effective method of balancing hormones and supporting overall metabolic health. While fasting can certainly be healing, it’s also a metabolic stressor, and it needs to be buffered properly.Fasting is when electrolytes are most essential, as they help prevent blood sugar crashes, support adrenal stability, and keep cortisol levels from spiking too high.During fasting, your body flushes out water and minerals quickly. Replenishing electrolytes helps you fast longer and more comfortably, without triggering anxiety, fatigue, or hormone imbalances. LMNT Set Yourself Up for Success With RitualsAs your hormones — and stress levels — ebb and flow, consider practical ways to support their balance. Simple morning rituals are a great way to set yourself up for success.For instance, you could adopt a routine that includes minerals first thing in the morning, before caffeine or even food. Getting enough electrolytes early in the day — essentially “front-loading” your minerals — helps set your cortisol rhythm, hydrates your brain, and signals safety to your nervous system. Add in breathwork, plenty of natural light, and gentle movement, and you’ve got an equation for better hormone balance all day long.When it comes to hormone balance, the simplest, foundational practices are the most important ones.Before you reach for another supplement or protocol, ask yourself: Am I sleeping, hydrated, and getting minerals?Electrolytes are a low-hanging fruit with a huge upside. They help your nervous system stabilize and your cells thrive. Hormones act as your chemical messengers, while electrolytes manage electrical signaling and fluid balance. Electrolytes enable optimal conditions for hormone production and signaling.Focusing on electrolytes is one of the simplest ways to get your body back into balance so you can feel your best throughout your cycle.Remember: Your body wants to work for you, not against you, and hormones are no exception. It’s your job to support it in the process.This story was produced by LMNT and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Loyal to a fault: Why staying with the same bank is costing you Loyal to a fault: Why staying with the same bank is costing youIs your current car still the first car you ever got? Odds are, probably not.But chances are you’re still using your first checking account. According to an April 2026 Talker Research survey of 2,000 American adults commissioned by Chime, many Americans may still be using their first-ever checking account and have never even considered changing their primary bank account. This unearned loyalty could be costing you real money year after year.Finder examines why many Americans rarely switch banks and how low-interest accounts may reduce long-term savings growth.Many Americans have never considered switching banksThe survey revealed that over a third of Americans (36%) haven’t considered switching banks ever.Additionally, people are choosing to stay with that institution for an average of 17.4 years. For baby boomers, 26% of them stay with their bank for nearly 30 years.The heart of the survey shows that Americans are loyal to their banks and loyal to a fault. But why are we so resistant to switching banks? Turns out, this is a heavily studied subject — well, not specifically about changing banks, but our human resistance to change in general.Why aren’t we changing banks?There can be any number of reasons why we don’t switch banks, but often, it all ties back to the same reasons why we can never seem to start going to the gym: it’s hard.We can link the reluctance to change banks to the status quo bias, which is the preference for sticking with what we know. Simply put, it is easier to stay with your current bank than to go through the hassle of switching banks.Think about it. List everything that is tied to your bank account. Your paycheck, your savings contributions, automatic payments for car notes and subscription services, your debit cards in your wallet, and virtual debit cards on your phone. All of these things are directly tied to your account, which means changing your bank account has a huge ripple effect on the rest of your finances.Companies and banks know this human flaw and wield it to their advantage. Once you’ve linked your bank accounts, set up direct deposit, order checks, and get your debit cards, you’re more likely to stick with that bank because it’s more convenient to do so. As a result, some institutions have little incentive to improve rates or reduce fees for long-standing customers who remain regardless of the competition.Sticking with your bad bank can mean losing moneySome of the biggest banks in the U.S. have some of the worst savings rates, such as the Chase Savings account and the Wells Fargo Way2Save Savings account, both offering just 0.01% APY.For comparison, the average interest rate for a savings account is 0.38%, as reported by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. So while Chase and Wells Fargo are among the Big Four banks, they have extremely low interest rates, and your savings aren’t even earning enough to combat inflation. Finder By leaving your savings in a low 0.01% APY account, your money is losing purchasing power to inflation year after year compared to a high-yield savings account.Someone with $10,000 in a savings account earning 0.38% would make just $38 annually in interest. At a 4% rate, that same balance would earn roughly $400 per year.Some of the best high-yield savings accounts are from online banks and digital banking apps, such as Wealthfront’s Cash Account with up to 3.30% APY, SoFi Checking and Savings with up to 3.30% APY, and Pibank Savings with up to 4.6% APY. Finder The rewards gapThe survey found that most people (68%) deposit their income into their checking account, with only 16% opting to have their money in their savings. Unless you have an interest-bearing checking account, this is not the best place for your direct deposits, as the national average interest checking account is paying 0.07% in April 2026. Finder Not only are people leaving money on the table by keeping their money in a low-interest account, but the survey also found that nearly 1 in 3 Americans (30%) didn’t know that some bank accounts offer rewards, even with no annual fee products.By staying with a single institution and not taking advantage of sign-up bonuses or rewards programs, folks are simply missing out.Bottom line: Switch banks if it’s not serving youWe are in a time where digital high-yield savings accounts are abundant, and you no longer have to deposit your money with the nearest bank in your area.And to top all of this off, perhaps one of the most shocking revelations from the Talker Research survey is that 28% of respondents have no idea what interest rate their savings account earns.Check what your savings account is earning. If it’s below the current inflation rate, your money is losing purchasing power. To help you out, the Consumer Price Index inflation rate is 3.81%. Knowing that, aim for a savings account with a rate near that figure.Just like how you would compare prices of anything else you’d buy, you should also shop around for the best bank account you can get, even though it’s a pain in the neck.This story was produced by Finder and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Pleasant Valley School District principal retirement, resignations, hirings from April 27 school board agenda The following personnel items are from the April 27 of the Pleasant Valley School District. The School Board met at Belmont Administration Center at 525 Belmont Rd., Riverdale, Iowa.
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	Weekend Rundown with WLLR \| May 21, 2026 There are many family-friendly events going on this weekend, and we've brought in Dani Howe from WLLR to break it down.
	Two people injured in Muscatine County crash on Monday Two people were transported, one by ambulance and one by AirCare, due to injuries.
	Olympic athlete speaking at John Deere Classic's Executive Women's Day The John Deere Classic and Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois present this year’s Executive Women’s Day on Tuesday, June 30 at 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at TPC at Deere Run, 3100 Heather Knoll in Silvis. This event offers an inspiring and energizing experience for all professionals across all industries. Click here [...]
	Got outstanding invoices? Try these four tips to speed things along Got outstanding invoices? Try these four tips to speed things alongIf it feels like your invoices are spending more time outstanding and unpaid, it’s not just you. U.S. small businesses wait an average of 28.8 days for their invoices to be paid, according to Xero Small Business Insights research conducted in the first quarter of 2026. That’s almost a month between charging for the work and getting paid for it.A month can last a long time when you have staff to pay, bills to cover, and a business to sustain. For small businesses, margins are already tight, so the pressure’s on to make every dollar go further.The following tips from Xero’s guide on chasing invoice payments can help you encourage faster payments, shorten the invoice cycle, and make it easier to maintain healthy cash flow and customer relationships.1. Be upfront about your payment termsBefore starting any work for a customer, make sure you’re both agreed on payment terms.Your terms should include the payment cycle (14 days, 30 days, 60 days, etc.) and a due date for payment. Also, include any late payment fees. An additional 1%-2% on the amount is common for most businesses, but you can also opt for a flat fee if that is easier to implement.The role of payment terms is to clear up any ambiguity. If your customers know exactly what’s expected from them at the beginning, it’s much harder to justify late payments and unpaid invoices. Having this conversation upfront is also more comfortable and proactive than having the difficult discussion of an overdue invoice.Customers may also come to you with their own payment terms. For example, they might need you to send the invoice a certain number of days before the due date to ensure payment is made on time.2. Follow up on invoices before they’re dueAfter sending your invoices, weeks may pass before they’re actually due. You can bring them to the top of your customers’ minds again by sending a follow-up note before the deadline.When you’re deciding when to send a follow-up message, think about how long your customer will need to process the payment. A reminder 24 hours before the due date may not be enough time for payment processing.Change the timing of your reminders depending on your payment terms. For example, a net 30 invoice can be nudged a week before the due date, but a net 14 invoice can be nudged closer to the deadline.You can keep the message simple — try an email template like this:Hello [insert client name],Here’s your reminder that invoice [insert number] is due on [insert deadline].If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.[your signature]3. Standardize your process for nudging overdue invoicesSmall business invoices are, on average, paid nine days late, according to Xero Small Business Insights data. Silence won’t encourage your customer to pay — being proactive will.An overdue invoice process that you can kickstart at a moment’s notice will help you keep the pressure on a customer to settle their bill.1-3 days overdue: email reminderA short, polite email containing the invoice number, amount, deadline, and days overdue should suffice. You don’t need to over-explain or apologize, but make sure you attach the invoice and give the customer all the information they need to see that the payment is overdue.7-10 days overdue: follow-up emailHere, your message to the customer can be more direct. Highlight the first reminder that was overlooked, and offer to answer any questions. This is also a good opportunity to point out late payment fees, if you have them in your agreement with the customer. The prospect of a larger bill, with late fees added on, could be enough for your customer to prioritize paying.14+ days overdue: callIf the invoice and the two follow-up emails have been ignored, switch up your communication channel. Before calling the client, write out what you need to cover in the conversation. This can help with any nerves you might be feeling about the conversation.Keep the call brief, and ask the customer for a specific payment date. Make sure you point out the impact of late payments on your business to show your customer how it’s affecting your business. Stick to the script you’ve written for yourself to avoid making it personal, and keep things brief.If you have multiple invoices from the same customerDo the work of bringing everything together for your client by sending a consolidated statement of accounts, summarizing all of their outstanding invoices. By highlighting that you have the information and a paper trail, this makes the reality of overdue payments harder to deny.This also shows that you have the records to take this to a debt collection agency or lawyer should the situation escalate. In most cases, you’ll be able to resolve the issue before it gets to this stage.4. Automate the chase to save yourself timeIf you’re using accounting software, chasing invoice payments is much easier and requires less admin. For example, you can set up automated reminders in your software to trigger at specific times — such as the due date, and regular intervals after the payment is due.You can also use the accounts receivable function in your software to monitor all outstanding invoices. This will show you which payments you’re waiting on, making planning for cash flow gaps easier.Instead of checking every individual invoice and deadlines, run an aged receivables report to track outstanding invoices in the software. Review the aged receivables report at regular intervals to make sure you’ve got complete oversight of what’s due.Know when to escalate the situationThere may come a time when even the strongest invoicing process falls flat. Customers can fall into financial difficulty or fail to plan for upcoming payments properly. This isn’t your fault, but it’s something you need to be prepared for.If your follow-up sequence doesn’t work, consider:Offering a payment plan for customers struggling to pay the full bill. You could divide the amount into parts, split across several weeks or months.Pause work until the balance is paid. This ensures you’re not committing resources and time to work that may not be compensated.Work with a debt collection agency or lawyer in worst-case scenarios. Reserve this for circumstances where the relationship with the customer is unlikely to be preserved.You might also decide that some preventative steps are necessary for future clients. Introducing credit checks for clients or requesting a partial payment upfront could help you avoid working for no compensation.Make invoicing best practices a habitFor a small business, there’s a lot that can happen in the 28.8 days between sending an invoice and getting paid. A follow-up sequence that’s standardized and simple to implement will help you keep on top of outstanding invoices, closing the gap between ‘sent’ and ‘paid.’This story was produced by Xero and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	5 essential tips for planning a vacation on a budget 5 essential tips for planning a vacation on a budgetHow much does a summer vacation cost? According to NerdWallet’s 2026 summer travel survey, $3,940 on average (if you’re flying or booking a hotel). So it makes sense that 91% of the over 2,000 American adults surveyed from Feb. 3-5, 2026, are cutting costs to save on travel.Not overspending on vacation is important in any season. Accredited Debt Relief helps people work toward long-term financial stability, and this guide offers practical ways to plan a more affordable trip. Below are five budget-friendly vacation planning tips that can help travelers cut costs without sacrificing the experience.1. Figure out how much vacation you can affordTime off is important to your health and happiness, but so is your financial well-being. Having a realistic budget for your vacation can keep stress at bay and ensure you still have a great time.Here’s how to save for a vacation:1. Look at your monthly net income (that’s your take-home after taxes and deductions like health insurance). From there, subtract your monthly essentials like rent, groceries, and bills.2. Build your vacation budget from the remaining balance. The earlier you start planning, the better shape you’ll be in to travel.For example, setting aside $50 a week in January means you’ll have a budget of $1,000 by June. Let your ambitions guide your budgeting. With a good plan, your cheap family vacation doesn’t have to feel inexpensive.Using Credit Cards and PointsOne in 5 respondents told NerdWallet that they’re planning on going into credit card debt to travel. With high APRs, that slightly out-of-budget trip could balloon into a major problem.If you are planning to use a credit card to accumulate points, make sure you have the ability to pay the balance in full after booking. If you’re in a debt consolidation program, make sure you’re not using an account you’re working on.The points you’ve already acquired are a different story. Use these to your advantage by booking flights, accommodations, and rental cars through your card’s specified partners. And don’t forget to keep an eye on your inbox for special promotions to stretch your points even further. But remember: Don’t let the lure of earning points catch you in a cycle of debt.2. Let your boundaries guide youNeed to get away, but don’t know where to go?Cheap vacation spots may be right in your backyard. See where your car or local Amtrak station can take you. You might have been overlooking a sweet bed and breakfast, a cool vacation rental, or a great campground within a few hours of home.If you can stretch your budget a bit further, try using the explore features built into many travel booking platforms. These tools allow you to browse ticket prices by the length of your trip within a specified period of time. Beyond a good deal, you can discover options you’d have never otherwise considered.3. Don’t forget the incidental expensesYou’ve figured out where you want to go and stay. But that’s only half the battle: Will you need to rent a car? How much will you spend on food? Entertainment?Make a list of everything you need and add those to your budget, plus at least 10% to cover extras. Save more by assessing alternative transportation options, like public transit or bike rentals.If you’re planning something big, look into that place’s off-season. You might be able to score tickets to a normally sold-out show or get competitive restaurant reservations. Seeing a different side of your destination could pay off — and help you travel in comfort.The importance of being organizedPlanning a budget vacation takes a fair amount of work and attention to detail. So it’s best to create a spreadsheet to track your ideas and expenses. When you have all your options laid out in front of you, you can mix and match to find the best spots to save (and splurge).4. Plan with a groupLiving large is more affordable when you split the cost several ways. So round up your people and start searching for somewhere everyone will love. Vacation rentals are ideal for big groups. Find a large home with a pool (for a fraction of what you might pay to sit poolside at a hotel).5. Keep it simpleConsider the alternatives to spending big bucks at an amusement park or fancy restaurant. Your kids might have as much fun looking for salamanders in a creek as they would seeing them behind glass in an aquarium. An ice cream cone during an evening walk can be as sweet as dessert at a five-star bistro.Focus on relaxation and togetherness over your to-do list. Simplifying your trip can give you the space to relax and enjoy your hard-earned time off.What about cheap, all-inclusive resorts?For those looking for the best family vacation on a budget, an all-inclusive resort can sound like the perfect solution. But there’s a hitch: You may find that the quality of the resort matches its low cost.Booking a cheap beach vacation at an all-inclusive resort may not translate into a trip that’s worth your money and time. Doing your own research might result in a more luxurious vacation, and likely cost you less, too).Some great places to start exploringBrowse for worldwide cheap flightsGoogle Flights – Expansive flight searches from the biggest names in the industryKayak – Search for vacations with your favorite activities in mindGoing – Formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights, a small upfront fee can mean major savingsFind unique travel ideasHipCamp – Characterful campsites and stays in scenic destinationsVisit the USA – Ideas for destinations, road trips, and moreNational Parks Service – Make memories in America’s wildernessAtlas Obscura – Quirky, spooky, and fantastic things to see and do across the globeThis story was produced by Accredited Debt Relief and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Deere reports second quarter income of $1.773B, net sales up 5% Net income attributable to Deere & Company for fiscal year 2026 is forecast to be $4.5 to $5 billion.
	After the sirens: Lebanon's first responders swing between duty and grief Nearly 3,000 people have been killed and nearly 1 million have been displaced the war in southern Lebanon began in March. Nearly 400 have been killed since a ceasefire began in April.
	The new family road trip: How solar power transforms travel (BPT) - There's something magical about family road trips. Imagine the perfect day: You found a great campsite in a beautiful part of the country, and you just woke up to the sound of birdsong. You're relaxing in the morning sun in a camp chair, waiting for the kids to emerge from the deep sleep only plenty of fresh air and activity can provide. The enticing aroma of coffee percolating in the coffeemaker drifts over, thanks to a small nearby fan.You couldn't have planned a better Memorial Day weekend, especially because you didn't leave your entire life behind when you left the driveway — you brought the good parts with you. While you're free of the hustle and bustle, work and chores of daily life, you still have creature comforts: Hot coffee and cold beverages, phones that work when you need them, music and cooling fans at your fingertips, tablets and games to keep kids from the endless "Are we there yet?" haunting your childhood road trip memories.Like roughly 39.1 million other Americans, traveling by car may top your agenda for Memorial Day weekend this year. The good news? In 2026, off-grid doesn't have to mean off-comfort.Welcome to today's family road trip You can have it all: the freedom from the daily routine that you wanted, along with many of the rituals you rely on. Thanks to the Jackery solar generator you brought along for the ride, you've got charged-up phones, tablets, portable gaming consoles, a portable electric cooler — and even a laptop and hotspot when you need to check work emails from that scenic overlook. You can even turn a camping evening into a magical wonderland, thanks to string lights and a portable speaker.Vanlife, camping, glamping and RVing — really, any kind of off-grid, off-road or just off-routine travel method — have gone mainstream, with travelers of many backgrounds and age groups seeking the open road.Glamping in particular has a special appeal, due to the combination of communing with nature while still maintaining modern comforts. The global glamping market was about $3.79 billion last year, projected to reach $7.87 billion by 2033. Today's families desire those outdoor experiences, together with all the conveniences they're used to.Solar generators to power your next adventure Today's more eco-conscious travelers also prefer using power sources for their modern conveniences that are sustainable, silent and emissions-free, while also being powerful enough to run real appliances, not just charge a phone.Jackery's mid-capacity solar generators, like the HomePower 3000, Explorer 2000 Plus and Explorer 1500 Ultra models, are portable, rugged and powerful enough to run real appliances, plus full charging setups. In fact, the HomePower 3000 has enough capacity to run a coffee maker in the morning, keep a mini fridge humming all afternoon, power a fan through a sticky summer night and still charge every device in the car.The 2000 Plus is scalable, supporting additional battery packs for longer, extended trips or overland adventures where you're not sure how many days you'll be off-grid.The Jackery Explorer 1500 Ultra offers ultra-fast solar recharging, making it a top pick for vanlifers and weekend warriors who need to top off quickly and keep moving.Want something that fits in a trunk or slides under a bench seat, so you barely know it's there? Lightweight, compact solar generators like the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 are perfect for families and couples who want serious output without the bulk. And if you're traveling lean, the Explorer 1000 v2 offers a carry-anywhere option that keeps your family's phones, laptops, cameras and fans running without taking up precious cargo space.Best yet, solar recharging via Jackery SolarSaga panels means less interruption during your entire trip. You can top off at camp, at rest stops or in a parking lot — with no hookups or gas station runs needed. Jackery generators are also silent and emissions-free, so they cause no fumes and don't violate any noise ordinances. They can run inside a van, camper or popup shelter. You can find the Jackery solar generator to meet your family's road trip needs at Amazon, Costco, Best Buy, Walmart and Jackery.com.Wherever you're headed this summer, savor every moment: from the quiet morning cup of joe through the next leg of your journey as kids happily play games in the back seat, to the impromptu after-dinner dance party to your family's curated playlist at the perfect campsite — and every memorable adventure in between.
	When do you need travel insurance? Plus how to get it When do you need travel insurance? Plus how to get itPlanning a vacation? Before you begin fantasizing about the colorful sites and delicious meals you’ll enjoy, consider what could go wrong. Unexpected delays, injuries or rental car mishaps can end a trip early or cost you thousands, TheZebra.com reports. While nearly 2 in 3 Americans (63%) surveyed by Upgraded Points risked traveling without it in 2025, experts recommend travel insurance to safeguard against these financial risks.Depending on your policy, it can cover medical expenses, trip cancellations, lost items, and even liability protection if you’re responsible for accidental harm to others while away.Is Travel Insurance Worth It?Ask Sofia Calvin, a travel advisor with Storied Travel, and she’ll tell you that purchasing travel insurance coverage is a smart investment.“The more complex, expensive or time-sensitive your itinerary, the more valuable travel insurance becomes. International trips, cruises, milestone celebrations, multicountry itineraries and family travel all create a domino effect when one piece fails,” she says.“Most travelers think of this insurance as only providing cancellation protection. But the real value is often trip interruption, medical support and emergency assistance while you are already away from home. Travel insurance is less about fear and more about protecting the financial and logistical investment of your trip.”Personal finance expert Andrew Lokenauth seconds those sentiments.“Consider that you can spend merely 4% to 8% of your total trip cost to protect against losses that can be 10 to 100 times larger. A medical evacuation from a remote destination, for example, can run $50,000 and up without coverage,” he says.That being said, travel insurance isn’t always worth it. “If you are taking a short domestic trip and lodging with family, your existing health insurance and credit card protections may be enough,” Lokenauth adds.The best candidates for buying travel insurance include international travelers, anyone with large nonrefundable bookings like cruises or multicity itineraries, those with health conditions that could flare up unexpectedly and older travelers where medical risks rise with age.When Travel Insurance MattersMany different types of travel insurance offer different coverages and protections. A comprehensive travel insurance policy will likely contain a number of these insurance products.Here’s a closer look at scenarios when having travel insurance can make a big difference.When You Get Sick Before or During Your TripAn unexpected illness can derail your plans at any moment. Trip cancellation coverage reimburses nonrefundable expenses, such as flights and hotels, if you must cancel before departure due to unforeseen sickness or injury.Once your journey begins, travel medical insurance becomes vital, as most primary U.S. plans and Medicare provide little to no coverage abroad. This insurance handles healthcare costs for you and your companions while traveling, ensuring a medical issue doesn't lead to a financial crisis. For frequent business travelers or expats, long-term medical policies are also available.When Your Plans are Disrupted or DelayedTravel is unpredictable, and several coverage types handle various logistical failures:Trip interruption and delay: Interruption coverage applies if you must return home early for a covered reason, such as the death of a family member. Delay insurance kicks in if you are temporarily stuck (e.g., a flight canceled by weather) and covers essential expenses like meals and hotels.Lost or delayed luggage: This reimburses you for lost, stolen or damaged suitcase items. Depending on the policy, you might be reimbursed for essentials like new clothes or toiletries even if you only experience a baggage delay. It is helpful to know that renters insurance typically covers stolen belongings even when they are "off-premises," which can provide a backup layer of protection for your gear.Waivers vs. insurance: Many cruises and tours offer waivers, but they might not refund your money if you cancel shortly before or after departure.When You Need Ultimate FlexibilityIf you want the power to cancel for any reason not listed in a standard policy—including simply changing your mind—Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) is the solution. “It allows you to cancel for any reason whatsoever and reimburses 50% to 75% of your nonrefundable costs,” says Lokenauth. This coverage costs more, but for large trips with uncertain plans, it’s often the right call.When Facing Evacuations or High-Risk ScenariosFor serious incidents or adventurous itineraries, specialized coverage is essential:Medical evacuation: “Evacuation coverage is one of the most overlooked protections and often one of the most important,” says Calvin. “It covers emergency transportation to the nearest appropriate medical facility or, depending on the policy, transport back home for treatment.” Meagan Palmer with Yonder Travel Insurance recommends aiming for a minimum of $250,000 in medical evacuation limits.Hazardous activities: Standard policies often exclude "high-risk" activities like skiing, scuba diving or mountain biking. “Verify whether your planned activity is listed as covered, not just absent from the exclusions list,” cautions Lokenauth. You may need to purchase a hazardous sports rider for these activities.Accidental death and dismemberment: In the unfortunate event you don’t make it home, or if you lose a limb during your trip, this provides a lump sum payment to your beneficiaries.When You Crash a Rental CarNavigating unfamiliar roads significantly increases the likelihood of a mishap. While you might consider a specialized rental car insurance policy, it is prudent to first examine if your current auto coverage or credit card benefits offer sufficient protection. "Before you turn down coverage at the counter, confirm the specifics of your existing safeguards," advises Calvin. "It is also important to remember that most standard travel plans do not include comprehensive liability or collision protection for rentals."Common ExclusionsTravel insurance typically will not cover known events, pre-existing medical conditions (unless you get a waiver) or pregnancy.“Many travelers are also surprised to learn that supplier bankruptcy, weather disruptions, missed connections and airline operational issues may only be covered under very specific circumstances,” Calvin points out.Palmer adds that acts of war, civil unrest, intoxication, pandemics and epidemics are among other common exclusions. Lokenauth cautions, “If you have trip cancellation coverage in place, note that it only applies to a defined list of covered reasons. It’s not an ‘if anything goes wrong’ fail-safe.”Can I Get Insurance Through My Credit Card?The good news is that the credit card you used to book your trip could have your back. While the details and rules vary by card, there are three main types of protection often available:Interruption coverage: Protects you if travel is delayed or canceled while you’re already traveling. For example, if a connecting flight is canceled, your card might reimburse expenses like train tickets to get you to your destination.Delay coverage: Reimburses for reasonable purchases made while you’re delayed. If a snowstorm postpones your flight, your card might cover a hotel night or meals. Just remember to keep your receipts.Cancellation coverage: Protects you if the entire trip is canceled before you leave due to factors out of your control—like severe weather, jury duty or illness.Don’t forget: You must have purchased the trip with that specific card to be eligible. Furthermore, these protections are often limited and rarely include meaningful medical or evacuation coverage.Getting a Travel Insurance PolicyDetermine what protections you already have through your credit cards or home insurance, then choose a separate policy to fill the gaps. You can research the best travel insurance policies on comparison sites or through offers embedded in your flight or hotel booking process.This story was produced by TheZebra.com and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Survey finds Americans disagree on the unwritten rules of backyard parties Survey finds Americans disagree on the unwritten rules of backyard partiesFor many Americans, there is a certain way to conduct oneself when invited to a party. But a new survey suggests that those unwritten rules are not as universal as everyone thinks.The survey, commissioned by The Luxury Pergola in March 2026, found that almost half of guests leave a backyard party because the outdoor space was uncomfortable, even without telling the host why. The findings point to a myriad of reasons, different for each generation.The data shows a gap between what hosts assume their guests know and what guests actually do.More than two-thirds of hosts share 1 unwritten ruleAsk Americans what bothers them most about hosting a backyard gathering, and the answer is consistent across nearly every group surveyed: don’t bring uninvited guests.More than two-thirds of hosts (67.7%) named that as their top unwritten backyard rule. The unanimity suggests that hosts like to control the outcomes at their parties, and an unexpected guest throws a wrench into their carefully laid plans.This is the number-one etiquette no-no, but after that, the consensus falls apart.Gen Z wants clean-up help, while Baby Boomers ask for no smokingThe survey found that at least 2 in 5 (41.5%) Gen Z hosts expect guests to help clean up before leaving. Among Baby Boomers, that number drops to nearly 1 in 4 (23.7%). It seems that younger hosts treat parties as a shared responsibility, while older hosts rely on themselves to handle the dishes.Baby Boomers show a different unspoken rule. Almost half (45.8%) of them said asking before smoking is their top unwritten rule. Only a little more than a quarter (26.9%) of Gen Z said the same thing. These are two different generations with two wildly different expectations.The preparty anxieties split along the same line. Fewer than 3 in 10 (28.8%) Boomer hosts said their biggest stress before a gathering is not having a contingency plan if the weather turns. Gen Z hosts are more likely to be worrying about how the space photographs than whether it'll survive a passing storm.When a Gen Z guest shows up at a Boomer host's gathering, or vice versa, the gap between what each person assumes is "obvious" can run shockingly wide.High-income hosts worry about food and drinkFor those making $250,000 or more, the worry is about the experience, not about who’s going to clean up. Over a third of these hosts (35.3%) named running out of food or drinks as the hosting mistake they’ll never repeat, which is more than double the 15.3% overall figure.This shift tracks since this group has already solved their party setup problems. Just 7 in 10 (70.6%) said no guest has ever left their party early because of an uncomfortable setup, which is impressive considering the overall average is 54.7%.Nearly half of hosts have watched guests leave early without noticeThe most striking finding in the survey is one no guest will ever volunteer.The study found that 45.3% of hosts said guests had left their gathering early, or they suspected they had, because the outdoor space was uncomfortable. In most cases, those guests just slipped out without explanation.A 2025 Talker Research survey puts this into perspective: 74% of Americans say they have more meaningful conversations at home gatherings. So, the want is there, but when the space doesn’t deliver on comfort, the guests just leave.For now, the gap between what hosts assume and what guests experience remains wide. The appetite for a good backyard gathering is clearly there, even if the feedback that would help hosts close that gap rarely comes.MethodologyThe data comes from a survey of 1,000 U.S. adults who host outdoor gatherings, conducted by The Luxury Pergola. Participants answered questions about their unwritten hosting rules, their biggest guest pet peeves, their preparty anxieties, and what they believe guests notice first about their outdoor space. Responses were analyzed across age, gender, income, and ethnicity.This story was produced by The Luxury Pergola and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	An unlikely opera for America's birthday summons dissonance and harmony When John Cage composed an opera commemorating the American bicentennial audiences walked out. Now, it's being reinterpreted by new artists in a Detroit Opera production, as the nation turns 250.

Friday, May 22nd, 2026

Thursday, May 21st, 2026