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

Friday, February 20th, 2026
	Arconic opening new complex The Davenport Works facility will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the Pit 10 project next week.
	Where to find a fish fry near you this Lent in the Quad Cities You don’t have to be Catholic to love a fish fry. Here’s a list of dinners going on throughout Lent in the Quad Cities.
	Registration open for summer camp at Camp Liberty Registration is open for summer camp sessions at Camp Liberty. All girls are invited to attend the summer camp, even if they are not currently members of Girl Scouts. Camp Liberty is located at 4415 295th Street in New Liberty. Click here to learn more about summer camp and register for sessions. Girl Scout Summer Camp lets girls with various backgrounds, abilities and experiences come together to have fun and build new skills. The trained [...]
	St. Alphonsus Lenten Fish Fry gets underway, Friday night For years, St. Alphonsus Parish’s Fish Fry has been a Lenten tradition for the community, and their annual event kicks off Friday night.
	QC’s EveryChild seeks $650,000 in public part of $2.7-million capital campaign Formerly known as the Child Abuse Council, the nonprofit agency provides child abuse prevention, education, and treatment programs for children and families, and earlier this month moved into the former JTM Concepts building at 420 23rd St., Rock Island, after 11 years in downtown Moline at 524 15th St.
	Alex Ferreira wins 10th gold medal for Team USA, matching America's highest total in Winter Olympics Freeskier Alex Ferreira clinches a tenth gold medal for the U.S. in these Games, tying the U.S.'s all-time record for gold medals in a Winter Olympics.
	Wind damages Iron Tee Golf netting Repairs are underway but golfing is suspended while everything is repaired, Iron Tee said.
	Win tickets to see Quad City Storm's home game on February 28, enter by February 24! Register now for a chance to win tickets to Quad City Storm's home game on February 28, 2026. Don't miss the registration deadline on February 24.
	Davenport Democratic lawmakers Ken Croken, Cindy Winckler to seek reelection Ken Croken has represented Davenport in the state House since 2022. Cindy Winckler has represented Davenport in the Legislature since 2001.
	4 Your Money \| Fun Flows An ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) is a “basket” investment that holds many different assets, such as stocks, bonds, or commodities, commonly with a similar theme or strategy. David Nelson, CEO of NelsonCorp Wealth Management, shares how ETF’s continue to grow in popularity primarily because it provides investors instant diversification.
	Iowa State Patrol car smashed into during snowy road assist The Iowa State Patrol is urging drivers to slow down when road conditions are less than ideal after a patrol vehicle was damaged in a crash.
	Trump calls SCOTUS tariffs decision 'deeply disappointing' and lays out path forward President Trump claimed the justices opposing his position were acting because of partisanship, though three of those ruling against his tariffs were appointed by Republican presidents.
	Project NOW reports surging demand for emergency shelter in Moline The Lift Now emergency overnight shelter, which opened last month in downtown Moline, is averaging 49 people each night.
	The U.S. men's hockey team to face Slovakia for a spot in an Olympic gold medal match After an overtime nailbiter in the quarterfinals, the Americans return to the ice Friday in Milan to face the upstart Slovakia for a chance to play Canada in Sunday's Olympic gold medal game.
	NASA eyes March 6 to launch 4 astronauts to the moon on Artemis II mission The four astronauts heading to the moon for the lunar fly-by are the first humans to venture there since 1972. The ten-day mission will travel more than 600,000 miles.
	Abandoned kittens find second chance through foster care Three newborn kittens found abandoned are now safe in a Davenport foster home, as shelters urge pet owners to spay, neuter and consider fostering.
	Boil order lifted after water-main break impacted service A water-main break at 38th Avenue and 16th Street impacted a large area of Moline Wednesday.
	Davenport Police Chief Jeff Bladel announces retirement Chief Bladel will retire on March 2 after more than three decades with the department.
	Arconic receives $6.55M in tax credits for new casting complex in the Quad-Cities The $131 million project to add a new casting complex is expected to create 40 jobs.
	Deadline soon for Rock Falls Hometown Heroes Military Banner Program Time is running out to honor Rock Falls residents who are/were members of the military with special banners. The deadline to apply for the Hometown Heroes Military Banner Program is March 2. Each banner features the service member’s name, photo and branch of service. Banners measure 2 feet wide by 4 feet high (24” × [...]
	Defense bill includes more than $100 million for Rock Island Arsenal programs The funding is for a variety of uses, from 3D printing to manufacturing and shop equipment. The bill, signed earlier this month, also bars the appropriated funds from going to close the Rock Island Arsenal Museum.
	Skis? Check. Poles? Check. Knitting needles? Naturally A number of Olympic athletes have turned to knitting during the heat of the Games, including Ben Ogden, who this week became the most decorated American male Olympic cross-country skier.
	Arconic, other Iowa companies receive $268M in new capital investments from Iowa Economic Development Authority The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board approved awards for five companies that will help create 536 jobs and $268.2 million in new capital investment for the state. The projects are located in Bettendorf, Bondurant, Hiawatha, Vinton and Waverly. These awards are the first to come through the state’s Business Incentives for Growth (BIG) program. The program, [...]
	Police search former Prince Andrew's home a day after his arrest over Epstein ties Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the British former prince, is being investigated on suspicion of misconduct in public office related to his friendship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
	Illinois medical debt relief program has erased more than $1 billion Illinois' Medical Debt Relief Pilot Program erased more than $1 billion of debt last year. The program is done through a partnership with the nonprofit group Undue Medical Debt. The partnership helped eliminate $1.1 billion in debt for more than 500,000 families in 2025. To qualify, users must make at or below 400% of the [...]
	Sole youth group home in QC hosts ribbon cutting; set to house 10 kids A new youth group home in Rock Island cut the ribbon Thursday night. Alan's House will provide living space for kids who have no home. It's in the spot of the former YWCA on 16th street. It can hold up to ten kids at a time. The project has been in development since 2009 after [...]
	Family displaced after rapidly spreading fire destroys home About 7:57 a.m. crews came to a house fire in the 100 block of Fourth Avenue, according to a media release.
	Violinist Pekka Kuusisto is not afraid to ruffle a few feathers On his new album, the violinist completely rethinks The Lark Ascending by Ralph Vaughan Williams, and leans into old folk songs with the help of Sam Amidon.
	America's wasteful spending habits: From impulse deliveries to dead subscriptions America's wasteful spending habits: From impulse deliveries to dead subscriptionsFrom impulse DoorDash orders to forgotten streaming subscriptions, wasteful spending is a habit for many Americans, and younger generations are leading the charge.Nearly one in 10 millennials (8%) waste money every day, while 32% of Gen Z say boredom drives unnecessary purchases, according to a Motley Fool Money survey.To reduce the impact of impulse buys on your budget, small behavioral changes, like tracking spending through budgeting tools, setting spending limits, and pausing before purchase, can make a difference. Automating transfers from a checking account to a high-yield savings account (HYSA) also helps by putting money that would otherwise be spent impulsively into a separate account.A high-yield savings account is a type of savings account that pays a higher interest rate than a traditional bank savings account, while still offering easy access to funds. These accounts are typically offered by online banks, are FDIC-insured, and are designed for money you want to keep safe but not locked away. High-yield savings accounts are commonly used for emergency funds, short-term goals, and cash people want to protect from impulse spending while still keeping it accessible.The most common wasteful spending habits, rankedMost Americans (83%) say they engage in wasteful spending at least occasionally, with frequent dining out topping the list at 31%. Buying food and beverages from the convenience store is the second-most common source of wasteful spending (26%), while online impulse buys, like those on Amazon, account for another 26%. Motley Fool Money Wasteful food spending dominates the top five behaviors. One in five respondents reports unnecessary orders from delivery apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats. Usage skews young: 28% of Gen Z and 24% of millennials report regular food delivery spending, versus 8% of baby boomers. 21% regularly discard leftovers or let food go to waste, with baby boomers slightly more likely to do so.Paying for unused streaming subscriptions is another common form of wasteful spending: 26% of millennials, 22% of Gen X, and 9% of baby boomers admit to paying for streaming services they don’t use.Budgeting tools can provide instant clarity into what categories and retailers are responsible for more spending than individuals might think. Uncovering invisible spending and understanding how much is going towards unnecessary purchases is an important first step in tackling wasteful spending.Millennials and Gen Z report the highest rates of wasteful spendingYounger generations are far more likely to admit they waste money, and do so more frequently. While just 1% of baby boomers say they waste money daily, that figure jumps to 6% among Gen Z and 8% among millennials.Seventeen percent of Gen Z and 16% of millennials say they waste money a few times a week, far outpacing Gen X and boomers. And when it comes to self-control, boomers are twice as likely as Gen Z to say they never waste money.Roughly 40% of millennials and 37% of Gen Z admit to wasting money a few times a month, compared to 75% of boomers who say they waste money less than once a month or never. Motley Fool Money Younger generations are more prone to emotion-driven, wasteful spendingFrom ads to emotional impulse buys, there's no shortage of spending temptations. Different generations are more likely to pull out their wallet for different triggers, but across all ages, sales and discounts are the number one driver of wasteful spending.Sales and discounts dominate wasteful spending across the board. Nearly six in 10 survey respondents overall cite deals as their top trigger (58%), and that holds steady across every generation: 59% of Gen Z, 59% of millennials, 55% of Gen X, and 59% of baby boomers.After that, the generational divide widens quickly. Other triggers are more generation-specific:Emotional shopping — driven by stress or boredom — affects 47% of Gen Z and 51% of millennials, compared with 37% of boomers.Digital triggers like online ads influence 28% of Gen Z and 31% of millennials, but only 18% of Gen X and 16% of boomers.Social influence matters more to younger consumers: 33% of Gen Z and 28% of millennials say social media trends drive impulse purchases, compared with 13% of Gen X and 4% of baby boomers. Additionally, 26% of Gen Z and 22% of millennials report that peer pressure drives spending, compared with 9% of Gen X and 5% of boomers. Motley Fool Money Everyone falls for a good sale, but younger generations face a wider, more digital set of spending traps that older generations claim to tune out. Setting up spending limits and notifications for overspending in specific categories and retailers is a great way to create real-time accountability and cut through the noise of endless products pushed by influencers and friends on social media.When do Americans overspend the most? When they're bored.Shopping habits vary by generation, but boredom is the most common time that Americans open up their wallets for impulse buys. That's particularly true for Gen X, 37% of whom said they most frequently engage in wasteful spending when they're bored, compared to just 29% of baby boomers.Older generations are more prone to wasteful spending during shopping trips and on holidays and special occasions. Younger generations are more likely to splurge online late at night or during or after social events — a reflection of lifestyle differences between older and younger Americans. Motley Fool Money Taking a night before making a purchase can short-circuit one-click checkout impulse buys driven by late-night boredom or wanting to keep up with the latest trend. Separating checking and savings, and automating deposits into a high-yield savings account, creates a natural separation in your finances. That helps reframe money as something to protect and grow, rather than something that’s always available to spend in the moment.Gen Z is more than twice as likely as boomers to spend $200+ per month on impulse buysYounger generations are far more likely to drop serious cash on unplanned purchases, while boomers overwhelmingly keep their wasteful spending under $100 per month.Only 4% of baby boomers spend more than $200 impulsively per month, compared to 10% of Gen Z and 18% of millennials. On the flip side, 58% of boomers limit impulse buys to under $100 compared to just 49% of Gen Z and 39% millennials.Forty-six percent of millennials and 38% of Gen Z spend more than $100 per month on impulse purchases, far above the rates among older generations. Motley Fool Money Most budgeting tools allow spending limits for specific categories and retailers, and flag purchases that exceed those limits. That type of accountability can help break unwanted spending habits.Big impulse buys may also be driven by consumers leaving large amounts of cash in their checking accounts. Sending extra money to a savings account creates a clear mental distinction between spending money and cash set aside for an emergency fund or a larger planned expense, which can reduce the likelihood of large impulse buys.Nearly half regret impulse buys, led by younger generationsMillennials and Gen Z are more likely than older generations to experience buyer's remorse, especially after unplanned purchases. Over half (51%) of millennials and 47% of Gen Z say they regret most of their impulse purchases. Just 36% of boomers and 43% of Gen X say the same.Only 21% of all survey respondents say they never regret impulse buys. Regret is the norm, not the exception. Motley Fool Money To avoid impulse purchases that turn into regrets, wait 24 hours to decide if the item is really worth buying or set a spending cap on unplanned purchases, with anything exceeding it triggering a pause.Tackle wasteful spending with high-yield savings accounts and budgeting toolsFrom boredom-driven buys to social-media-fueled splurges, younger generations admit to being the most susceptible to wasteful spending, but the result is the same for everyone: less saved and more regret.Simple behavioral changes, such as waiting a night before buying, using budgeting tools, and automating savings, can redirect impulse spending toward long-term savings habits. These tools add structure, separation, and visibility to money decisions.CDs and HYSAsOne of the most effective steps is separating spending money from savings. Moving excess cash out of a checking account, where it’s easy to spend, and into a high-yield savings account or, for longer-term goals, a certificate of deposit (CD), creates a clear mental boundary. Money labeled as savings and kept in a separate account is less likely to be spent impulsively."When buying something feels too easy, you’re way more likely to impulse spend and blow your budget without thinking twice,” says Motley Fool Money personal finance expert Joel O’Leary. “Setting up automatic transfers into a high-yield savings account creates space between your spending money and your savings. That little bit of separation makes you pay attention more — and usually save a lot more over time."Another bonus is that the best high-yield savings accounts and CDs offer annual percentage yields (APYs) that are meaningfully higher than those of traditional savings or interest-bearing checking accounts. That means your money can grow instead of trickling into dead subscriptions or instant-checkout impulse buys.High-yield savings accounts are interest-bearing deposit accounts that pay a higher annual percentage yield than traditional savings accounts. APY reflects both the interest rate and how often interest compounds, which means your balance can grow faster over time without taking on any risk.What to look forLike standard savings accounts, most high-yield savings accounts are FDIC-insured (or NCUA-insured at credit unions) up to applicable limits. Rates can change over time and may vary based on balance size, with some banks offering tiered APYs that pay higher rates on larger balances.Common features to compare and pay attention to when choosing a HYSA include:Fees: Some accounts waive monthly fees only if minimum balance requirements are metMinimum or required balances: Higher balances may unlock better rates. Some accounts require a minimum balance.Tiered APYs: Interest rates that increase as balances growLinked accounts: Many HYSAs are linked to a checking account for transfers, rather than daily spendingRelationship rates: Some banks offer higher yields when accounts are paired with other deposit productsVariable APYs: Interest rates can change over time, so monitor rates offered by different banks frequently.It's also worth paying attention to transfer limits or processing times between accounts.How to use high-yield accounts to lessen wasteful spendingActionable steps to separate spending money from savings in order to cut back on wasteful spending include:Opening a high-yield savings account specifically for short-term goals or emergency savings. Compare the best savings accounts to make sure you're getting a competitive rate.Set up automatic transfers on payday so savings happen before spending.Consider parking extra cash in a certificate of deposit account for long-term savings, especially if you think you might be tempted to treat your savings account like a checking account.Budgeting tools and appsBudgeting tools can make spending easier to track and harder to ignore. Most wasteful spending is unplanned — like food delivery, social media-driven purchases, or boredom buys — or invisible, like charges for unused subscriptions.Budgeting apps counter that by surfacing spending patterns in real time and painting a clear picture of where your money is going. When it’s obvious where your money is going and how much is being spent, it’s easier to reflect on spending decisions and habits.The best budgeting tools can:Automatically categorize transactions, giving a clear picture of spending habitsSet spending limits by category or retailer and flag overspendingShow trends that reveal where money regularly leaks so you can cut subscriptions or be aware of other patterns to addressTogether, automated savings and awareness around spending habits are a powerful combination that doesn’t rely on constant discipline. Less money sitting idle in a checking account means fewer impulse buys. More awareness of your spending means fewer small expenses quietly add up. Over time, savings will grow, spending will shrink, and you won’t feel stressed about staying on track.MethodologyMotley Fool Money surveyed 2,000 U.S. adults on Jan. 19, 2026, via Pollfish. Results were post-stratified to generate nationally representative data based on age and gender. Pollfish employs organic random device engagement sampling, a method that recruits respondents through a randomized invitation process across various digital platforms. This technique helps to minimize selection bias and ensure a diverse participant pool.This story was produced by Motley Fool Money and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Head-to-head traffic expected until summer in Colona Construction to take place in Colona from the month of March until the summer.
	Teenager charged with making a threat of terrorism related to Maquoketa schools A 16-year-old has been charged with making a threat of terrorism against Maquoketa Community School District, police said.
	America’s healthiest states America’s healthiest statesWhile poor health can strain personal finances through escalating medical bills, lost wages, and diminished earning potential, strong health often correlates with greater productivity, higher incomes, and lower overall healthcare costs. On a broader scale, healthier populations benefit from reduced societal burdens — like lower insurance premiums and fewer productivity losses — while enjoying enhanced quality of life through better energy, longevity, and community vitality.With this in mind, SmartAsset analyzed all 50 U.S. states using 10 key health metrics, including self-reported physical and mental well-being, obesity rates, smoking prevalence, excessive drinking, air quality, sleep adequacy, and more.Key FindingsUtah and Colorado are the healthiest states. Utah ranks the healthiest state overall, thanks in part to having the lowest smoking rate (6.9%), cleanest outdoor air, and 97.2% of adults getting some sort of regular exercise. Colorado ranks second healthiest with the lowest obesity rate (25.0%) and the highest rate of adults who exercise (83.3%).Hawaiians enjoy the most physically and mentally healthy days. When compared to the rest of the nation, Hawaiians spend the fewest days feeling physically or mentally unwell, at 10.2% and 13.2%, respectively. Overall, Hawai‘i claims the title of third healthiest state.These states are the least healthy. West Virginia had the lowest health metrics, ranking worst in five out of ten categories, including poor mental health days (22.4%), smoking (22.3%), obesity (41.5%), diabetes (14.4%), and drug overdose deaths (78 per 100,000 residents). Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee and Ohio also ranked among the five least healthy states.Montana has the most heavy drinkers. 25.6% of legal-aged adults in Montana report binge or heavy drinking. North Dakota tails that at 25.1%, followed by Iowa (24.5%), Wisconsin (23.5%), and Vermont (23.0%). On the other side of the rankings, Utah (13.7%), Alabama (15.2%), and Kentucky (15.3%) have the fewest heavy drinkers.More than 40% of adults are obese in four states. West Virginia has the highest adult obesity rate at 41.5%. Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Mississippi also clock in with 40% obesity rates. Meanwhile, Colorado’s obesity rate is lowest nationwide at 25.0%. SmartAsset America’s Healthiest StatesStates are ranked across 10 health metrics.UtahPhysically unhealthy days: 13.08%Mentally unhealthy days: 17.29%Adults who smoke: 6.9%Adult obesity rate: 31.8%Percent of adults getting exercise: 82.9%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 13.7%Air pollution density metric: 5.9Diabetes rate in adults: 8.9%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 19.17Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 65.7%ColoradoPhysically unhealthy days: 12.43%Mentally unhealthy days: 17.51%Adults who smoke: 10.9%Adult obesity rate: 25.0%Percent of adults getting exercise: 83.3%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 21.6%Air pollution density metric: 5.65Diabetes rate in adults: 7.5%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 29.73Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 69.4%Hawai‘iPhysically unhealthy days: 10.16%Mentally unhealthy days: 13.20%Adults who smoke: 10.5%Adult obesity rate: 27.0%Percent of adults getting exercise: 79.4%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 21.7%Air pollution density metric: 3.7Diabetes rate in adults: 10.3%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 19.28Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 54.1%South DakotaPhysically unhealthy days: 10.34%Mentally unhealthy days: 13.44%Adults who smoke: 14.6%Adult obesity rate: 37.2%Percent of adults getting exercise: 77.7%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 22.4%Air pollution density metric: 5.4Diabetes rate in adults: 8.0%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 10.49Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 67.1%VermontPhysically unhealthy days: 12.39%Mentally unhealthy days: 18.48%Adults who smoke: 13.7%Adult obesity rate: 26.9%Percent of adults getting exercise: 81.5%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 23.0%Air pollution density metric: 5.8Diabetes rate in adults: 7.0%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 37.47Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 70.0%MassachusettsPhysically unhealthy days: 11.89%Mentally unhealthy days: 16.38%Adults who smoke: 10.7%Adult obesity rate: 27.1%Percent of adults getting exercise: 79.4%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 20.4%Air pollution density metric: 6.75Diabetes rate in adults: 9.2%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 36.09Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 66.8%MinnesotaPhysically unhealthy days: 11.27%Mentally unhealthy days: 16.60%Adults who smoke: 13.4%Adult obesity rate: 33.6%Percent of adults getting exercise: 80.1%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 22.6%Air pollution density metric: 6Diabetes rate in adults: 9.0%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 22.19Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 69.7%WyomingPhysically unhealthy days: 11.54%Mentally unhealthy days: 15.89%Adults who smoke: 15.9%Adult obesity rate: 34.6%Percent of adults getting exercise: 78.3%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 21.6%Air pollution density metric: 4.75Diabetes rate in adults: 8.0%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 19.17Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 66.6%NebraskaPhysically unhealthy days: 11.19%Mentally unhealthy days: 14.21%Adults who smoke: 13.6%Adult obesity rate: 35.6%Percent of adults getting exercise: 75.9%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 21.9%Air pollution density metric: 6Diabetes rate in adults: 9.7%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 11.13Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 68.5%New HampshirePhysically unhealthy days: 12.84%Mentally unhealthy days: 19.08%Adults who smoke: 11.5%Adult obesity rate: 30.0%Percent of adults getting exercise: 81.0%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 20.9%Air pollution density metric: 5.45Diabetes rate in adults: 8.1%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 31.80Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 66.2%WashingtonPhysically unhealthy days: 13.13%Mentally unhealthy days: 17.86%Adults who smoke: 10.1%Adult obesity rate: 31.6%Percent of adults getting exercise: 82.9%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 18.2%Air pollution density metric: 10.3Diabetes rate in adults: 8.8%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 28.95Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 67.2%IdahoPhysically unhealthy days: 14.16%Mentally unhealthy days: 16.40%Adults who smoke: 12.4%Adult obesity rate: 33.6%Percent of adults getting exercise: 79.0%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 17.8%Air pollution density metric: 7.2Diabetes rate in adults: 8.8%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 18.11Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 66.8%New JerseyPhysically unhealthy days: 11.86%Mentally unhealthy days: 15.06%Adults who smoke: 10.7%Adult obesity rate: 29.0%Percent of adults getting exercise: 77.2%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 18.4%Air pollution density metric: 8.1Diabetes rate in adults: 9.5%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 32.40Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 62.1%MarylandPhysically unhealthy days: 11.40%Mentally unhealthy days: 16.15%Adults who smoke: 9.8%Adult obesity rate: 33.5%Percent of adults getting exercise: 79.5%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 15.8%Air pollution density metric: 6.3Diabetes rate in adults: 10.5%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 43.95Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 61.3%MontanaPhysically unhealthy days: 13.58%Mentally unhealthy days: 18.40%Adults who smoke: 16.0%Adult obesity rate: 30.8%Percent of adults getting exercise: 81.5%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 25.6%Air pollution density metric: 5.6Diabetes rate in adults: 7.1%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 17.20Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 67.1%AlaskaPhysically unhealthy days: 12.98%Mentally unhealthy days: 15.69%Adults who smoke: 16.2%Adult obesity rate: 32.3%Percent of adults getting exercise: 78.7%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 19.7%Air pollution density metric: 5.3Diabetes rate in adults: 8.3%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 30.67Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 62.4%ConnecticutPhysically unhealthy days: 12.51%Mentally unhealthy days: 16.31%Adults who smoke: 10.3%Adult obesity rate: 30.7%Percent of adults getting exercise: 77.5%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 19.1%Air pollution density metric: 7.8Diabetes rate in adults: 9.1%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 40.83Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 63.6%North DakotaPhysically unhealthy days: 11.48%Mentally unhealthy days: 14.97%Adults who smoke: 15.8%Adult obesity rate: 36.2%Percent of adults getting exercise: 76.4%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 25.1%Air pollution density metric: 5.5Diabetes rate in adults: 8.9%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 16.64Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 66.0%CaliforniaPhysically unhealthy days: 13.15%Mentally unhealthy days: 15.76%Adults who smoke: 9.9%Adult obesity rate: 28.3%Percent of adults getting exercise: 78.4%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 19.9%Air pollution density metric: 12.6Diabetes rate in adults: 10.6%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 26.15Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 64.8%New YorkPhysically unhealthy days: 12.95%Mentally unhealthy days: 16.32%Adults who smoke: 11.5%Adult obesity rate: 30.3%Percent of adults getting exercise: 74.9%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 19.7%Air pollution density metric: 6.9Diabetes rate in adults: 9.9%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 29.17Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 61.2%MainePhysically unhealthy days: 12.80%Mentally unhealthy days: 18.77%Adults who smoke: 16.0%Adult obesity rate: 33.4%Percent of adults getting exercise: 79.3%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 20.0%Air pollution density metric: 5.25Diabetes rate in adults: 9.0%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 44.16Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 66.6%FloridaPhysically unhealthy days: 12.42%Mentally unhealthy days: 16.84%Adults who smoke: 12.0%Adult obesity rate: 31.7%Percent of adults getting exercise: 76.5%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 18.3%Air pollution density metric: 7.9Diabetes rate in adults: 9.6%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 34.38Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 61.2%IllinoisPhysically unhealthy days: 12.70%Mentally unhealthy days: 15.14%Adults who smoke: 12.8%Adult obesity rate: 33.0%Percent of adults getting exercise: 77.9%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 19.3%Air pollution density metric: 8.65Diabetes rate in adults: 10.7%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 29.49Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 63.3%Rhode IslandPhysically unhealthy days: 13.52%Mentally unhealthy days: 16.88%Adults who smoke: 12.3%Adult obesity rate: 30.9%Percent of adults getting exercise: 76.6%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 20.3%Air pollution density metric: 6Diabetes rate in adults: 10.0%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 39.30Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 63.8%OregonPhysically unhealthy days: 13.16%Mentally unhealthy days: 19.12%Adults who smoke: 12.8%Adult obesity rate: 31.1%Percent of adults getting exercise: 81.5%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 21.5%Air pollution density metric: 12.05Diabetes rate in adults: 9.0%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 26.22Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 68.2%VirginiaPhysically unhealthy days: 12.66%Mentally unhealthy days: 17.78%Adults who smoke: 12.3%Adult obesity rate: 35.4%Percent of adults getting exercise: 79.8%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 19.6%Air pollution density metric: 6.7Diabetes rate in adults: 11.3%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 28.41Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 63.1%KansasPhysically unhealthy days: 12.47%Mentally unhealthy days: 17.33%Adults who smoke: 15.1%Adult obesity rate: 36.5%Percent of adults getting exercise: 77.4%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 19.5%Air pollution density metric: 7.3Diabetes rate in adults: 10.1%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 21.90Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 63.3%North CarolinaPhysically unhealthy days: 13.58%Mentally unhealthy days: 16.17%Adults who smoke: 14.9%Adult obesity rate: 34.2%Percent of adults getting exercise: 77.3%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 19.6%Air pollution density metric: 6.7Diabetes rate in adults: 10.6%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 35.91Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 65.0%New MexicoPhysically unhealthy days: 14.15%Mentally unhealthy days: 16.58%Adults who smoke: 15.5%Adult obesity rate: 33.4%Percent of adults getting exercise: 76.1%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 18.5%Air pollution density metric: 5.4Diabetes rate in adults: 11.1%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 45.14Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 65.9%IowaPhysically unhealthy days: 11.64%Mentally unhealthy days: 15.50%Adults who smoke: 15.5%Adult obesity rate: 37.8%Percent of adults getting exercise: 75.1%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 24.5%Air pollution density metric: 7.4Diabetes rate in adults: 10.2%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 14.40Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 65.8%ArizonaPhysically unhealthy days: 13.53%Mentally unhealthy days: 17.99%Adults who smoke: 13.1%Adult obesity rate: 33.5%Percent of adults getting exercise: 77.4%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 20.0%Air pollution density metric: 6Diabetes rate in adults: 11.3%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 36.02Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 63.9%PennsylvaniaPhysically unhealthy days: 12.90%Mentally unhealthy days: 17.05%Adults who smoke: 15.6%Adult obesity rate: 32.9%Percent of adults getting exercise: 79.2%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 19.8%Air pollution density metric: 7.8Diabetes rate in adults: 10.0%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 40.77Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 61.9%MichiganPhysically unhealthy days: 13.19%Mentally unhealthy days: 18.59%Adults who smoke: 16.0%Adult obesity rate: 34.6%Percent of adults getting exercise: 77.2%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 20.1%Air pollution density metric: 6.7Diabetes rate in adults: 9.9%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 29.43Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 63.6%GeorgiaPhysically unhealthy days: 13.49%Mentally unhealthy days: 17.27%Adults who smoke: 12.8%Adult obesity rate: 37.4%Percent of adults getting exercise: 76.8%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 16.5%Air pollution density metric: 8.8Diabetes rate in adults: 10.9%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 21.91Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 61.2%WisconsinPhysically unhealthy days: 13.07%Mentally unhealthy days: 18.02%Adults who smoke: 15.0%Adult obesity rate: 38.1%Percent of adults getting exercise: 78.7%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 23.5%Air pollution density metric: 7.65Diabetes rate in adults: 8.8%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 28.93Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 66.1%DelawarePhysically unhealthy days: 12.31%Mentally unhealthy days: 16.11%Adults who smoke: 13.8%Adult obesity rate: 38.0%Percent of adults getting exercise: 77.3%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 17.0%Air pollution density metric: 7.3Diabetes rate in adults: 11.7%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 50.06Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 62.7%TexasPhysically unhealthy days: 12.82%Mentally unhealthy days: 17.10%Adults who smoke: 12.0%Adult obesity rate: 35.7%Percent of adults getting exercise: 74.7%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 18.8%Air pollution density metric: 8.1Diabetes rate in adults: 13.3%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 16.47Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 62.9%NevadaPhysically unhealthy days: 14.90%Mentally unhealthy days: 16.25%Adults who smoke: 14.9%Adult obesity rate: 33.9%Percent of adults getting exercise: 74.3%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 19.9%Air pollution density metric: 8.15Diabetes rate in adults: 8.8%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 29.43Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 60.7%South CarolinaPhysically unhealthy days: 12.55%Mentally unhealthy days: 17.42%Adults who smoke: 16.2%Adult obesity rate: 35.5%Percent of adults getting exercise: 75.0%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 19.9%Air pollution density metric: 7.8Diabetes rate in adults: 10.9%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 39.23Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 63.4%MissouriPhysically unhealthy days: 14.11%Mentally unhealthy days: 18.35%Adults who smoke: 17.8%Adult obesity rate: 36.7%Percent of adults getting exercise: 75.8%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 21.9%Air pollution density metric: 7.5Diabetes rate in adults: 10.1%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 33.64Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 62.3%IndianaPhysically unhealthy days: 14.02%Mentally unhealthy days: 18.24%Adults who smoke: 16.9%Adult obesity rate: 38.4%Percent of adults getting exercise: 73.4%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 17.2%Air pollution density metric: 8.55Diabetes rate in adults: 11.2%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 38.32Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 61.4%OklahomaPhysically unhealthy days: 14.34%Mentally unhealthy days: 19.03%Adults who smoke: 16.0%Adult obesity rate: 40.6%Percent of adults getting exercise: 71.4%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 15.4%Air pollution density metric: 8.9Diabetes rate in adults: 12.1%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 24.34Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 63.8%KentuckyPhysically unhealthy days: 14.92%Mentally unhealthy days: 16.65%Adults who smoke: 17.6%Adult obesity rate: 38.1%Percent of adults getting exercise: 74.9%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 15.3%Air pollution density metric: 8Diabetes rate in adults: 12.9%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 49.89Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 60.4%AlabamaPhysically unhealthy days: 13.58%Mentally unhealthy days: 19.22%Adults who smoke: 16.2%Adult obesity rate: 38.4%Percent of adults getting exercise: 72.2%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 15.2%Air pollution density metric: 8.6Diabetes rate in adults: 13.5%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 26.13Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 58.6%MississippiPhysically unhealthy days: 13.52%Mentally unhealthy days: 16.91%Adults who smoke: 18.1%Adult obesity rate: 40.1%Percent of adults getting exercise: 69.1%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 16.1%Air pollution density metric: 8.7Diabetes rate in adults: 13.8%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 24.06Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 61.4%OhioPhysically unhealthy days: 14.21%Mentally unhealthy days: 20.20%Adults who smoke: 17.7%Adult obesity rate: 38.4%Percent of adults getting exercise: 76.0%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 21.2%Air pollution density metric: 7.85Diabetes rate in adults: 11.3%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 44.69Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 60.1%TennesseePhysically unhealthy days: 15.80%Mentally unhealthy days: 20.98%Adults who smoke: 19.2%Adult obesity rate: 39.1%Percent of adults getting exercise: 73.5%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 18.1%Air pollution density metric: 7Diabetes rate in adults: 13.0%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 51.03Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 60.2%LouisianaPhysically unhealthy days: 15.20%Mentally unhealthy days: 21.28%Adults who smoke: 17.1%Adult obesity rate: 40.3%Percent of adults getting exercise: 72.5%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 19.6%Air pollution density metric: 8.3Diabetes rate in adults: 13.2%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 48.59Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 59.5%ArkansasPhysically unhealthy days: 17.29%Mentally unhealthy days: 21.38%Adults who smoke: 19.9%Adult obesity rate: 37.9%Percent of adults getting exercise: 69.8%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 19.0%Air pollution density metric: 8.3Diabetes rate in adults: 14.0%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 19.78Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 60.1%West VirginiaPhysically unhealthy days: 17.22%Mentally unhealthy days: 22.43%Adults who smoke: 22.3%Adult obesity rate: 41.5%Percent of adults getting exercise: 72.1%Percent of adults who drink heavily: 16.5%Air pollution density metric: 6.7Diabetes rate in adults: 14.4%Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 77.97Percent of adults getting at least 7 hours sleep: 57.4%Data and MethodologyData is for 2025 and comes from County Health Rankings & Roadmaps. Data is age-adjusted and self-reported for adults, and include:Physically healthy daysMentally healthy daysRate of current smokersPercentage of the adult population that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2.Percentage participating in physical activity during leisure timeRate of binge or heavy drinkingAverage daily density of fine particulate matter in micrograms per cubic meter (PM2.5).Percentage of adults aged 20 and above with diagnosed diabetesNumber of drug poisoning deaths per 100,000 populationPercent sleeping at least 7 hours per nightThis story was produced by SmartAsset and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Davenport police chief announces retirement Bladel will retire on March 2 after 31 years of service with the Davenport Police Department, according to a media release from the City of Davenport.
	Davenport Police chief Jeff Bladel to retire after 31 years in the department Jeff Bladel has served the Davenport police department for 31 years, the last nearly four years as chief. Under his leadership, the department implemented initiatives like Group Violence Intervention.
	Davenport Police Chief announces retirement Davenport Police Chief Jeffery Bladel has announced he will be retiring on March 2. According to a release from the City of Davenport, Bladel has served 31 years at the Davenport Police Department. “Serving the City of Davenport has been one of the greatest honors of my life," Bladel said. "I am deeply proud of [...]
	Westbound Iowa 130 reopened after crash The crash closed westbound Iowa 130 for about three hours.
	Crews battle house fire on Moline-Rock Island border A two-story home caught fire on 4th Avenue along the Moline–Rock Island border, prompting a multi-department response and shutting down westbound Illinois Route 92.
	Galesburg hosting Polar Plunge for Special Olympics The weather is turning chilly, just in time for the Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Illinois on Sunday, February 22, starting at 12 p.m. at Lake Storey Beach and Pavilion, 1572 Machen Drive in Galesburg. Click here to register for the Galesburg plunge. Click here to find other plunges in [...]
	Robinhood’s new concierge service signals a push toward all-in-one financial platforms. Is consolidating worth it? Robinhood’s new concierge service signals a push toward all-in-one financial platforms. Is consolidating worth it?Investing today isn’t just about stocks or retirement accounts. Providers are racing to combine investing, taxes, estate planning, banking and financial advice into a seamless, unified experience.Robinhood’s newly launched, limited-access Concierge service is a timely example. Eligible clients gain full-service tax filing, estate planning documents and access to a certified financial planner (CFP). The offering is currently available by invitation and slated to run through April 2026. While Concierge currently targets high-asset households — $1 million in assets or a $500,000 transfer — it hints at a bigger ambition: Turning a simple trading app into an all-in-one wealth platform.As this article from Finder.com explains, the move is part of a larger trend in wealth management. With trillions of dollars expected to transfer across generations in the so-called Great Wealth Transfer, companies are competing not just on returns, but on convenience — offering bundled access to a broad range of financial services under one digital roof.Research backs up this shift. A 2023 FIS survey found that nearly half of consumers — from Boomers to Gen Z — say that access to a single platform to manage all their financial services is their top priority. Meanwhile, a 2022 Cerulli report found that 58% of retail investors would like to consolidate investable assets with one provider, yet only 37% currently do. These numbers make it clear: Investors want simplification, and providers are racing to deliver it.How Robinhood Concierge worksRobinhood brings together three main services through partners:Full-service tax filing via Taxfyle, pairing clients with a CPA or Enrolled Agent.Estate planning documents via Vanilla, including wills, revocable trusts and powers of attorney.Dedicated CFP access to help manage services across financial needs.While Robinhood itself doesn’t provide tax or estate services, it manages the overall experience — including perks like a 1% match on qualifying transfers and priority support.Building these services also aligns with Robinhood’s broader goal of capturing a larger share of clients’ financial lives. During Robinhood’s most recent earnings call, CEO Vladimir Tenev emphasized the company’s three-part strategy: “number one in active traders, number one in wallet share for the next generation, and [its] long-term mark, number one global financial ecosystem.”He also highlighted Robinhood’s push toward “family investing,” aiming to make the platform multigenerational and better suited as clients inherit and manage wealth across generations. Combined with its referral program for advisers and a focus on high-quality registered investment advisors (RIAs), Robinhood is positioned to benefit from the $100 trillion-plus Great Wealth Transfer while expanding beyond trading into a comprehensive wealth platform.How other platforms approach consolidationHere’s a snapshot of how Robinhood compares to other digital-first platforms and traditional brokers when it comes to bundling multiple financial services: Finder.com The takeaway: Both traditional brokers and digital-first platforms offer broad services, but digital providers are increasingly bundling them into unified, app-based experiences — often with lower minimums or simplified access.Why bundling financial services mattersBundling your financial services can offer real advantages:Convenience. One login, one support team, everything connected.Simplified communication. Advisors and planners can see your full portfolio.Time savings and reduced complexity. Decisions across tax, estate and investing are linked.Continuity. Easier to manage finances as your wealth evolves.But there are trade-offs:Third-party execution. Some services may be handled by external partners rather than the platform itself. However, this isn’t the case for providers such as Range, where everything is done in-house.Limited flexibility. Bundles may reduce choice of specialists.Asset concentration. Having everything in one place carries risk.Eligibility restrictions. Some services are gated by high asset minimums.Why consolidation matters beyond convenienceConsolidation offers a clearer view of your finances, making planning simpler and more strategic. It also allows platforms to offer continuity, coordination and insights that are hard to achieve when your accounts are scattered across multiple providers. FIS and Cerulli research suggest this isn’t speculation — investors want consolidation, and the opportunity is substantial as trillions transfer to younger generations.This unified approach also serves as a strategic lever for platforms. As Robinhood’s earnings call highlighted, the company aims to increase wallet share, serve multiple generations through “family investing” and play a larger role in wealth management.Still, trade-offs remain. Even broad, team-based platforms operate within a defined ecosystem. That’s efficient for most investors. But those with highly specialized needs — like complex cross-border estates, operating businesses or ultra-high-net-worth trusts — may still need independent outside counsel.Flexibility is another consideration. Bundling investing, taxes, estate planning, equity compensation and banking often means using the platform’s advisor network and workflows. This can streamline decisions but may limit the ability to swap out one specialist without affecting others.Finally, the more integrated your finances, the harder switching providers becomes. Brokerage moves are easy, but transferring tax records, estate documents and advisory relationships is more complex — a trade-off between continuity and flexibility.Who this makes sense forAn all-in-one platform isn’t for everyone. It may be ideal for:High-net-worth households seeking coordinated, convenient services.Busy professionals who don’t have time to juggle multiple advisors and services.Investors seeking a unified experience across investments, taxes and estate planning.Investors with highly complex estates, unique tax situations or a preference for in-person advisory may still benefit from traditional brokerages or specialized advisors. Range, for instance, covers everything from investing to tax filing to estate planning to help with equity compensation.Is an all-in-one platform worth it?Bundled financial services are a growing trend, reflecting a shift in both consumer expectations and platform strategy. Platforms like Robinhood Concierge, Range and SoFi are experimenting with ways to bundle investing, tax filing, estate planning and advisory services — offering convenience, continuity and potentially better engagement as investors’ wealth evolves.While Robinhood Concierge currently targets high-asset clients, the broader trend indicates that digital-first platforms are preparing to serve investors across the wealth spectrum. Whether consolidating is right for you depends on your financial complexity, comfort with digital tools and appetite for centralized management.This story was produced by Finder.com and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Multiple fire departments respond to house fire in Moline Friday morning The 100 block of Fourth Avenue is closed due to the fire.
	Fire in Moline Emergency crews are fighting a house fire in the 100 block of 4th Avenue of Moline on Friday. Firefighters were working on two parts of the roof, where heavy smoke and flames could be seen. The road is closed just before the Rock Island border. Take Railroad Avenue or River Drive as a detour. Several [...]
	Supreme Court strikes down Trump's tariffs The 6-3 ruling is a major blow to the president's signature economic policy.
	Crash blocks westbound Iowa 130 Since about 7:45 a.m. the road has been blocked between County Road Y52 and County Road Y40, according to Iowa 511.
	Crews battle house fire in windy conditions Crews in Moline are battling a house fire Friday morning.
	3 Things to Know \| Quad Cities morning headlines for Feb. 20, 2026 A Moline boil order remains in place after a water main break on 16th Street, and the Winter Bash Resource Fair is coming back to Rock Island-Milan Schools.
	44% won’t apply without pay transparency: What job seekers expect in 2026 44% won’t apply without pay transparency: What job seekers expect in 2026Pay transparency is quickly turning into a front-end requirement, not a late-stage negotiation. In a new 2026 hiring survey from Patriot Software, an accounting and payroll software provider for small businesses, job seekers describe salary visibility as a trust signal and a time-saver, especially in a market shaped by layoffs, role consolidation, and longer hiring cycles.The clearest line in the sand: 44% say they’re unlikely to apply when a posting doesn’t include a pay range.Key findings (the stats doing the most damage)44% are unlikely to apply to a job posting without a listed pay range.84% believe companies hide pay to reduce workers’ negotiating power.17% received an offer below the posted range when pay was disclosed.Among Gen Z, 42% say the top transparency practice that would boost applying and accepting is a clear explanation of how pay is set.Pay transparency has become an application filterEmployers have long framed pay silence as “flexibility.” Candidates are increasingly treating it as a reason to walk away. Nearly half of respondents say they won’t apply if a pay range is missing, turning compensation disclosure into a first-round screening tool before any recruiter ever reaches out.Candidates think secrecy is a strategy, not oversightJob seekers aren’t guessing at why pay is hidden. A striking 84% say companies keep pay vague to limit negotiation leverage. That suspicion runs even deeper among higher earners, where 35% of respondents making over $150,000 believe delayed pay disclosure is used to underpay.Transparency without follow-through backfiresPosting a pay range isn’t a credibility win if it doesn’t hold through the offer stage. Seventeen percent of respondents say they were offered below the posted range when a range was disclosed. For candidates, that gap turns “transparency” into a broken promise and can erode trust faster than saying nothing at all.Gen Z wants the logic, not just the numberYounger workers are pushing beyond “What’s the range?” to “How does pay actually work here?” Among Gen Z respondents, 42% say the single most helpful transparency practice is a clear explanation of how pay is set, pointing to rising demand for clarity on progression, criteria, and fairness, not just a band of numbers.SummaryThe takeaway is less philosophical than practical: Pay transparency is already changing hiring behavior. Job seekers are using salary visibility to decide where to spend their time, and they’re reading compensation clarity as a proxy for respect and trust. For small businesses trying to compete on speed and credibility, visible pay ranges and consistent follow-through are rapidly becoming baseline expectations.MethodologyPatriot Software reports results from a January 2026 survey conducted via Pollfish of 1,000 U.S. adults who applied for at least one job in the past 12 months, across multiple industries.In the survey, participants answered questions about job postings, pay disclosure, interview experiences, and how compensation transparency shaped their decisions.Results from the survey were analyzed across income and age groups to identify patterns in job-seeker behavior and perception.This story was produced by Patriot Software and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	10 memorable destinations for Gen Z first-time international travelers 10 memorable destinations for Gen Z first-time international travelersTaking your first international trip is equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking. You’re navigating unfamiliar airports, relying on Google Maps more than you’d like to admit, and discovering that you’re more capable than you thought. For many first-time travelers—particularly college students making the most of their academic breaks—the right destination makes all the difference. The ideal first trip abroad should be walkable, safe, and easy to navigate, giving you room to build confidence without feeling overwhelmed.EF Ultimate Break highlights 10 destinations that offer memorable experiences without breaking the bank or your comfort zone.1. Edinburgh, ScotlandEdinburgh feels like training wheels for first-time travel. It’s compact, easy to walk, and full of history without feeling stuffy. You can wander the Royal Mile, hike Arthur’s Seat for a reset moment, and pop into cozy cafés without feeling awkward being alone. It’s calm outside festival season in August, safe, and confidence-boosting. And a huge plus — there’s no language barrier.2. London, EnglandIf you’re nervous about traveling abroad for the first time, London is a great first destination. The language barrier is nonexistent, public transportation is extremely straightforward, and there’s something to do in every neighborhood. You’ll find familiar comforts alongside new experiences, making it easy to ease into international travel without feeling overwhelmed.3. Paris, FranceWhile Paris is great as a first-time international destination, it’s also surprisingly great solo, especially if you lean into slower days. Walk along the Seine, people-watch from a café, journal in a park, repeat. You don’t need an intense itinerary here; just being in the city is enough. It’s also a good place to practice being comfortable alone in public.4. Prague, Czech RepublicPrague is affordable, stunning, and easy to navigate, which is exactly what you want on a first international trip. The city center is very walkable, hostels are social, and you can see a lot in a short amount of time. It’s ideal if you want history, good food, and low stress.5. Dublin, IrelandDublin is friendly in a way that makes travel feel less intimidating. Locals actually talk to you, pubs feel welcoming even if you show up alone, and day trips are easy to plan. It’s a great place to ease into conversations and make friends you will keep for years past your trip.6. Valencia, SpainValencia is underrated and perfect for a first trip abroad. It’s less chaotic than Barcelona but still full of energy, with beaches, parks, and amazing food. You can bike through the city, spend afternoons outside, and enjoy a slower pace while still feeling like you’re somewhere exciting. Public transportation is easy to navigate, but everyone uses bikes anyway.7. Budapest, HungaryBudapest is budget-friendly and social, which makes it ideal for young travelers. The ruin bars are easy places to meet people, and the city is split up in a way that makes exploring feel manageable. Plus, soaking in thermal baths is an amazing experience. While everything is walkable, the public transportation is easy to use and very reminiscent of New York subways.8. Vienna, AustriaVienna is clean, organized, and calm: basically a first-time traveler’s comfort food. Public transportation is reliable, the city feels safe, and it’s great for museum days, coffee breaks, and quiet wandering. If you like quiet and chill, Vienna delivers.9. Munich, GermanyMunich is a great choice if you want something lively but not overwhelming. It’s easy to get around, has plenty of green space, and beer gardens are surprisingly solo-friendly. It’s also a great base for day trips if you want to explore more of Bavaria.10. Lisbon, PortugalLisbon just works for first-time travelers. It’s affordable, scenic, and full of hostels and cafés where being alone doesn’t feel weird. Ride the trams, explore different neighborhoods, and take a day trip to the coast when you need a break from city life. It’s the perfect mix.Your first international trip doesn’t need to be perfectly planned or overly ambitious. Choose a destination that’s easy to navigate, offers space to learn and adapt, and allows you to grow into traveling independently. Once you take that first trip, you’ll discover that the world is far more accessible—and you are far more capable—than you imagined.This story was produced by EF Ultimate Break and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The cofounder prenup: Money questions to settle before the first wire hits The cofounder prenup: Money questions to settle before the first wire hitsStarting a company with someone you trust can feel effortless at first. You’re aligned on the idea, feeling excited about what you’re building together, and running on momentum. Talking about money can feel awkward, overly formal, or unnecessary — especially if you’re friends, former colleagues, or long-time collaborators.But here’s the truth most cofounders learn the hard way: Startups don’t usually fall apart because the product fails. They fall apart because expectations were never aligned about money, risk, and what happens when things get hard.A “cofounder prenup” creates early clarity. It’s a set of honest, upfront conversations that help you protect your relationship, the company, and yourselves before capital, equity, or stress complicate everything. The goal is simply to ensure no one is silently carrying assumptions that could later turn into resentment.So, before that first payment hits your bank account, Mercury, a fintech platform that offers business and personal banking services, shares what every founding team should talk through together, in the open, to avoid money issues between cofounders.What’s a cofounder prenup?If you were getting married to the love of your life, even though you trust that person, you’d probably still talk about finances before making it a done deal, not because you’re planning for disaster, but because pretending money won’t matter is optimistic. You’d likely discuss things like: How do we split expenses? What’s our budget? What happens if one person earns more — or nothing at all — for a while?A cofounder prenup involves having that same conversation, but with your business partner. It’s not an actual legal document, but rather a set of honest conversations to help you get aligned and document your approach to handling money.Starting a company together is a legal partnership with real financial consequences. There’s cofounder equity split, risk, debt, outside investors, and long stretches where the business might not pay you at all. And yet, many founders jump in without ever saying out loud what they’re assuming will happen.Take these cautionary tales from Reddit threads:One co-founder says she lost trust over a cofounder equity split dispute.One says their co-founder is too risk-averse when it comes to spending.Another says their co-founder is spending too much.One is unsure how to navigate a partnership with co-founders with different salary needs.These examples are exactly why the cofounder prenup is so important. It’s a shared understanding of who’s putting in what, how upside and downside are handled, and what happens if life intervenes or priorities change. It covers things like capital contributions, variable salaries, equity splits, personal runway, and exit expectations — before stress, scarcity, or a term sheet show up.Navigating a business partnership requires nuance and care. “Cofounder relationships can be hard,” Charity Majors, honeycomb.io co-founder and CTO, wrote in an article on communication. “They are a lot like marriages; in their difficulty and intensity, yes, but also in that when you’re doing it with the right person, it’s all worth it.”The essential money questions to align onHere are the foundational questions at the heart of the cofounder prenup. No legal language here — just real cofounder financial questions that will help you and your partner get clear on expectations — and avoid relying on assumptions.Here are conversations worth having early:Are we both investing personal funds? How much, and when? Is this a bootstrapped start with equal cash in, or is one person funding the early days? If contributions aren’t equal, how is that recognized?Can either of us afford to go without a salary? For how long? A “we won’t pay ourselves at first” attitude sounds simple — until rent is due. Be honest about timelines, pressure points, and nonnegotiables.What does each of our personal runways look like? How many months can each founder realistically operate without income? If one cofounder’s personal runway is much shorter, that affects risk tolerance and decision-making.How are we splitting equity, and why? Is the split based on role, idea, time commitment, capital, or something else? Will it vest? Will it be revisited as the company evolves?What happens if one of us has to leave? Life happens: Health issues, burnout, and better opportunities come up. Talk now about equity cliffs, buybacks, and what “fair” looks like if someone exits early.Will any IP, assets, or side work stay personal? Are there pre-existing tools, code, or relationships coming into the business? What’s owned by the company versus each individual?How will we handle expenses and reimbursements? Who pays for what upfront? How are shared costs tracked? When does the company start covering expenses, instead of founders floating them?Are we opening a joint business bank account? Keeping personal and business money separate isn’t just cleaner, it also prevents misunderstandings and makes future fundraising far easier.How will major financial decisions get made? Who has signing authority? Do large expenses, debt, or fundraising decisions require unanimous approval, or does one founder have final say?What’s our risk tolerance when it comes to money? Are we conservative about spending or comfortable with moving fast and burning cash to grow? Misaligned risk tolerance is one of the quiet drivers of founder conflict.None of these questions are inherently uncomfortable. These topics only become uncomfortable when ignored for too long. Getting them on the table early helps to create alignment and gives both founders confidence that they’re building on shared ground, not silent assumptions.How to frame the conversation: Tips for tough talksLet’s be honest: No one wakes up excited to say, “Hey, can we talk about money and worst-case scenarios?” The way you frame this conversation matters just as much as the questions themselves.Here are a few principles that make it easier for everyone involved:Start from a place of mutual protection, not suspicion. Lead with intent to protect both your relationship and the company. A simple opener like, “I want us to stay aligned, even when things get stressful,” sets the right tone.Use a neutral framework. Having a shared doc or checklist keeps the conversation from feeling too personal or accusatory. That way you’re responding to questions on a page, not interrogating each other. (Bonus: This approach also makes follow-ups easier later.)Normalize transparency early. Money gets harder to talk about once investors, salaries, or other pressures enter the picture. Talking openly now sets a precedent that financial transparency is part of how you operate, not something you avoid.Assume you’ll revisit this. This isn’t a one-and-done conversation. Founders evolve. Companies change. Treat this as version one and plan for regular check-ins, as roles, revenue, and risk shift.Loop in legal (later). Lawyers are essential when building a business, but starting with legal language can shut down honest discussion. Get aligned as humans first. Then, formalize it once you’re on the same page.Come to these talks with a spirit of collaboration. “Frame the conversation as partners tackling a shared challenge, not opponents in conflict,” wrote Christine Carrillo, a CEO coach and entrepreneur, in an essay. She suggests avoiding “you versus me” language, which can feel combative, elicit defensive responses, and derail discussions. “The best tough conversations unite two people solving a problem together. The simplest way to make this shift is by replacing ‘you’ with ‘us.”For more tips for having these hard conversations, there are plenty of great books out there, including “Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High” and “Non-Violent Communication: A Language of Life.”Mercury is a fintech company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided through Choice Financial Group and Column N.A., Members FDIC.This story was produced by Mercury and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The economy slowed in the last 3 months of the year -- but was still solid in 2025 The U.S. economy grew 2.2% in 2025, a modest slowdown from 2.4% the previous year. GDP gains were fueled by solid consumer spending and business investment.
	Only youth group home in the Quad Cities opens in March The YWCA Alan's House can serve up to 10 kids at a time while they wait for permanent placement.
	Retirements, hirings and personnel news from Rock Island-Milan School District for Feb. 10 The following personnel items are from the Feb. 10 agenda of the Rock Island-Milan School District. The School Board met at the Administration Center.
	Ali Akbar, who's sold newspapers on the streets of Paris for 50 years, is now a knight For decades, Ali Akbar has sold papers on the Left Bank of Paris. Last month, France gave the beloved 73-year-old immigrant from Pakistan one of its highest honors — and his neighborhood is cheering.
	Pleasant Valley School District principal retirement, resignations, hirings from Feb. 9 school board agenda (copy) The following personnel items are from the Feb. 9 of the Pleasant Valley School District. The School Board met at Belmont Administration Center at 525 Belmont Rd., Riverdale, Iowa.
	For years the Taliban told women to cover up in public. Now they're cracking down At hospitals, at seminaries and on buses, the Taliban is stepping up enforcement of rules on women's dress in the city of Herat.
	Special Weather Statement until FRI 9:30 AM CST Slippery Travel and Reduced Visibility Due to Snow for Morning Commute
	Our "first" accumulating snow for the Quad Cities this February While Davenport reported light accumulating snow twice in early February, the official total for the Quad Cities is in Moline and that's only been a trace -- not measurable. That changed Friday morning! Cold winds blew in overnight and will put a chill in the air Friday. Here's your full 7-day forecast.
	Minneapolis City Council member to speak in Davenport this weekend Jamison Whiting will be the featured speaker during a town hall meeting about intensified immigration enforcement across the country on Saturday.
	Muscatine to host remote control car racing state championship this weekend What some might consider a hobby, these racers consider a profession.
	New liquidation store to open Saturday in NorthPark Mall in Davenport A new family-friendly liquidation bin store, DaaBIN STORE Davenport, will hold its grand opening on Saturday, Feb. 21, inside NorthPark Mall.
	What I learned watching every sport at the Winter Olympics Sit down with pop culture critic Linda Holmes as she watches the 2026 Winter Games. She is exhausted by cross-country, says "ow ow ow" during moguls, and makes the case, once and for all, for curling.
	Iowa in the World This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.Early in 1860, the New York World sent an anonymous reporter to spend a year in Iowa in an attempt to discover just…
	Special Weather Statement until FRI 7:00 AM CST Slippery Travel and Reduced Visibility Expected During Morning Commute
	Scientists worry about lasting damage from Potomac sewage spill Drinking water around the District of Columbia hasn't been contaminated. But scientists say the environmental damage could be severe.
	Using saliva to detect disease holds promise, but it's not perfected yet Easier than a blood test, saliva tests have the potential to detect cavities, infections and even cancer. But a lack of insurance coverage and other obstacles stand in the way of wider use.
	What worked and what didn't with a cellphone ban at a Kentucky school Keeping students off their devices is the new norm in many schools. We talked to students and educators at one Kentucky school to see how it's working.
	Israeli settlers kill 19-year-old Palestinian American, officials and witnesses say Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank shot and killed a Palestinian American man during an attack on a village, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.
	Trump says he doesn't know if aliens are real but directs government to release files on UFOs President Donald Trump said Thursday that he's directing the Pentagon and other government agencies to release files related to extraterrestrials and UFOs because of "tremendous interest."
	Eric Dane, 'Grey's Anatomy' star and ALS awareness advocate, dies at 53 Eric Dane, the celebrated actor best known for his roles on "Grey's Anatomy" and "Euphoria" and who later in life became an advocate for ALS awareness, died Thursday. He was 53.
Thursday, February 19th, 2026
	New faces at Human Services, same challenges as before for interim secretary From left, Social Services Administration Executive Director Alger Studstill Jr., Department of Human Services Deputy Secretary Gloria Brown Burnett -- who becomes interim secretary next week -- and DHS Chief of Staff Webster Ye take questions from senators Thursday. (Photo by Danielle J. Brown/Maryland Matters)For the second day in a row, legislative auditors Thursday recommended withholding hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Maryland Department of Human Services until the agency complies with demands for information on its finances and past audits. It was an unwelcome but unsurprising greeting for Deputy Secretary Gloria Brown Burnett, who is slated to become interim secretary of the troubled agency on Monday, replacing Secretary Rafael López, who is resigning after three years at the helm. As members of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee’s Subcommittee on Health and Human Services asked about the agency’s problems, Brown Burnett told lawmakers she “will be counting down” the days until April 1, when former Baltimore County Administrative Officer Stacy L. Rodgers will take over as acting secretary. In the meantime, she promises to continue to work toward improving agency operations during her short stint leading DHS, as Maryland lawmakers drill into its issues. “I haven’t been in this seat very long, but obviously I want to continue to focus on making the improvements that improve the outcomes of our youth,” she told the committee. While the faces of leadership may be changing, the issues at DHS remain largely unchanged, including incomplete data reports and numerous repeat audit findings, some of which identified oversight issues that compromised the safety and well-being of children under the state’s care. López to leave DHS amid ongoing controversy over program oversight and fiscal challenges The main topic sat Thursday’s hearing involved the agency’s Social Services Administration, which came under fire last fall following a scathing report from the Office of Legislative Audits. That report found 14 instances of noncompliance, six of which were repeats from the previous audit in 2021. The findings included problems in oversight of the state’s foster care system, which may have placed children in state care into guardianship homes where registered sex offenders lived. The audit found that officials failed to identify a convicted sex offender who worked in a group foster home and later faced criminal charges involving children under his care, among other issues. DHS officials have argued that the agency was in poor shape when the Moore administration came in, inheriting inadequate data systems and other challenges that had been decades in the making. DHS Chief of Staff Webster Ye said Thursday, as he has said in previous budget meetings, that the agency has been working to improve behind-the-scenes operations, which resulted in delays following up with state officials on additional fiscal and audit reports. “We are endeavoring to get as many of the quick fixes this year as we can,” Ye said, adding that there are no “magic wand” fixes for what ails the department. “This is going to be a continuing discussion with the committee over the next couple meetings,” Ye said. “Some of these repeat audit findings have languished because DHS decided, back years ago, that they did not want to address the systemic root causes.” But officials are looking for results and answers. As budget negotiations continue, Department of Legislative Services officials have suggested that lawmakers withhold $100,000 from DHS funding until the agency is able to prove that it has cleared the issues indentified in those earlier audits. It’s a drop in the bucket for an agency that is currently slated to receive more than $841 million in fiscal 2027, but it comes on top of other potential penalties assessed against the department for inadequate responses to state audits and fiscal reports. Just Wednesday, auditors proposed withholding $750,000 from DHS until the agency provides more complete reports on expenditures for fiscal 2025. Budget analysts say the department’s figures for that year do not align with calculations from state officials. “I know the agency is going to be going through a transition,” Sen. Craig J. Zucker (D-Montgomery) said to Brown Burnett on Thursday. “What keeps you up at night at this point? What is the biggest challenge right now that you think the agency faces?” “There are multiple things that keep me up,” Brown Burnett said. “Obviously we want to continue the work that we’ve already done to ensure that our children are safe. And we want to get these audit findings under control. The reason we have audit findings is because we have issues to address.” SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Maryland Matters
	Annual Martini Shake Off saddles up to prevent lost potential in QCA youth The Quad Cities community came together to boot, scoot and boogie for a good cause.
	Vision to Learn provides free glasses to 65 Walcott Elementary students Sixty-five Walcott Elementary School students got some new glasses from the nonprofit “Vision to Learn.”
	Davenport engineer outlines flood protection measures at resiliency meeting The Flood Resiliency Alliance held its first meeting of the year Wednesday afternoon at Riverdale City Hall, bringing together leaders and community members to prepare for and respond to flooding in the Quad Cities.
	Only youth group home in the Quad Cities opens in March The YWCA Alan's House can serve up to 10 kids at a time while they wait for permanent placement.
	Quad City Storm eye sellout crowd as playoff race tightens The Storm's game on Feb. 28 is on pace to be the first sold-out hockey game at Vibrant Arena since the early 2000s. It comes as the team is looking to the playoffs.
	Overflow in QCA animal shelters continues to be a problem Since July of 2025, three cities in Iowa have ended their animal service agreements with various branches on the Humane Society. King's Harvest Pet Rescue in Davenport is seeing an influx of animals because of these terminated contracts. "Very often we get calls from people saying if you can't take these 20 dogs we have, [...]
	Venezuela approves amnesty that may release of hundreds detained for political reasons Venezuela's acting president has signed into law an amnesty bill that could lead to the release of politicians, activists, lawyers and many others. The approval marks a stark turn for the nation.
	Davenport continues flood mitigation plans, starting with wastewater treatment plant Davenport is getting money from the federal government for flood mitigation near the city's wastewater plant. The project builds on a flood resiliency strategy the city hopes to complete in the next few years. "The wastewater plant serves Bettendorf, Davenport, Panorama Park and Riverdale," said Brian Schadt, Davenport city engineer. "It's one of our most [...]
	EveryChild launches fundraising campaign for renovations of new facility EveryChild is dedicated to child abuse prevention, education and treatment services. Officials said they serve nearly 8,000 children and families every year.
	EveryChild launches fundraising campaign for renovations of new facility The organization is dedicated to child abuse prevention, education and treatment services. Officials said they serve nearly 8,000 children and families every year.
	In a historic vote, Tennessee Volkswagen workers get their first union contract Two years ago, the successful union drive at this plant was expected to spark victories throughout the South. But now, as members vote to make their contract official, momentum has fizzled.
	See UnityPoint Health - Trinity's new technology to treat A-fib UnityPoint Health - Trinity introduced a new technology in April of 2024, treating patients with atrial fibrillations (A-fib), a common type of heart disorder. Since UnityPoint Health - Trinity introduced the new Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) technology, they have completed over 850 procedures. "Much easier, shorter duration, more effective and perhaps more successful than the [...]
	Trump required hospitals to post their prices for patients. Mostly it’s the industry using the data. A vacant hallway at Vaughan Regional Medical Center in Selma, Alabama, on Tuesday, Sep. 3, 2024 in Selma, Alabama. (Will McLelland for Alabama Reflector)This article first appeared on KFF Health News. Republicans think patients should be shopping for better health care prices. The party has long pushed to give patients money and let consumers do the work of reducing costs. After some GOP lawmakers closed out 2025 advocating to fund health savings accounts, President Donald Trump introduced his Great Healthcare Plan, which calls for, among other policies, requiring providers and insurers to post their prices “in their place of business.” The idea echoes a policy implemented during his first term, when Trump suggested that requiring hospitals to post their charges online could ease one of the most common gripes about the health care system — the lack of upfront prices. To anyone who’s gotten a bill three months after treatment only to find mysterious charges, the idea seemed intuitive. “You’re able to go online and compare all of the hospitals and the doctors and the prices,” Trump said in 2019 at an event unveiling the price transparency policy. But amid low compliance and other struggles in implementing the policy since it took effect in 2021, the available price data is sparse and often confusing. And instead of patients shopping for medical services, it’s mostly health systems and insurers using the little data there is, turning it into fodder for negotiations that determine what medical professionals and facilities get paid for what services. “We use the transparency data,” said Eric Hoag, an executive at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, noting that the insurer wants to make sure providers aren’t being paid substantially different rates. It’s “to make sure that we are competitive, or, you know, more than competitive against other health plans.” Not all hospitals have fallen in line with the price transparency rules, and many were slow to do so. A study conducted in the policy’s first 10 months found only about a third of facilities had complied with the regulations. The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services notified 27 hospitals from June 2022 to May 2025 that they would be fined for lack of compliance with the rules. The struggles to make health care prices available have prompted more federal action since Trump’s first effort. President Joe Biden took his own thwack at the dilemma, by requiring increased data standardization and toughening compliance criteria. And in early 2025, working to fulfill his promises to lower health costs, Trump tried again, signing a new executive order urging his administration to fine hospitals and doctors for failing to post their prices. CMS followed up with a regulation intended to up the fines and increase the level of detail required within the pricing data. So far, “there’s no evidence that patients use this information,” said Zack Cooper, a health economist at Yale University. In 2021, Cooper co-authored a paper based on data from a large commercial insurer. The researchers found that, on average, patients who need an MRI pass six lower-priced imaging providers on the way from their homes to an appointment for a scan. That’s because they follow their physician’s advice about where to receive care, the study showed. Executives and researchers interviewed by KFF Health News also didn’t think opening the data would change prices in a big way. Research shows that transparency policies can have mixed effects on prices, with one 2024 study of a New York initiative finding a marginal increase in billed charges. The policy results thus far seem to put a damper on long-held hopes, particularly from the GOP, that providing more price transparency would incentivize patients to find the best deal on their imaging or knee replacements. These aspirations have been unfulfilled for a few reasons, researchers and industry insiders say. Some patients simply don’t compare services. But unlike with apples — a Honeycrisp and a Red Delicious are easy to line up side by side — medical services are hard to compare. For one thing, it’s not as simple as one price for one medical stay. Two babies might be delivered by the same obstetrician, for example, but the mothers could be charged very different amounts. One patient might be given medications to speed up contractions; another might not. Or one might need an emergency cesarean section — one of many cases in medicine in which obtaining the service simply isn’t a choice. And the data often is presented in a way that’s not useful for patients, sometimes buried in spreadsheets and requiring a deep knowledge of billing codes. In computing these costs, hospitals make “detailed assumptions about how to apply complex contracting terms and assess historic data to create a reasonable value for an expected allowed amount,” the American Hospital Association told the Trump administration in July 2025 amid efforts to boost transparency. Costs vary because hospitals’ contracts with insurers vary, said Jamie Cleverley, president of Cleverley and Associates, which works with health care providers to help them understand the financial impacts of changing contract terms. The cost for a patient with one health plan may be very different than the cost for the next patient with another plan. The fact that hospital prices might be confusing for patients is a consequence of the lack of standardization in contracts and presentation, Cleverley said. “They’re not being nefarious.” “Until we kind of align as an industry, there’s going to continue to be this variation in terms of how people look at the data and the utility of it,” he said. Instead of aiding shoppers, the federally mandated data has become the foundation for negotiations — or sometimes lawsuits — over the proper level of compensation. The top use for the pricing data for health care providers and payers, such as insurers, is “to use that in their contract negotiations,” said Marcus Dorstel, an executive at price transparency startup Turquoise Health. Turquoise Health assembles price data by grouping codes for services together using machine learning, a type of artificial intelligence. It is just one example in a cottage industry of startups offering insights into prices. And, online, the startups’ advertisements hawking their wares often focus on hospitals and their periodic jousts with insurers. Turquoise has payers and providers as clients, Dorstel said. “I think nine times out of 10 you will hear them say that the price transparency data is a vital piece of the contract negotiation now,” he said. Of course, prices aren’t the only variable that negotiations hinge on. Hoag said Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota also considers quality of care, rates of unnecessary treatments, and other factors. And sometimes negotiators feel as if they have to keep up with their peers — claiming a need for more revenue to match competitors’ salaries, for example. Hoag said doctors and other providers often look at the data from comparable health systems and say, “‘I need to be paid more.’” KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF. Subscribe to KFF Health News’ free Morning Briefing. Courtesy of Alaska Beacon
	Man arrested on sex abuse, child sexual abuse material charges A Milan man is facing several charges related to sexual abuse.
	NASA chief blasts Boeing, space agency for failed Starliner astronaut mission NASA's Jared Isaacman slammed Boeing for failures with its Starliner spacecraft, which was deemed unsafe to return its crew of two astronauts from the International Space Station
	YWCA Quad Cities celebrates opening of Alan's House group home in Rock Island Alan’s House will serve youth ages 10–17 who have been removed from their families.
	Augustana student experiences a very special Olympics in Milan Being just a train ride away from Milan, Dipti Sharma jumped at the chance to see the Olympics with her own eyes.
	YWCA Quad Cities opens new group home for abused youth in Rock Island YWCA Quad Cities opens the Alan House, a new youth group home in Rock Island serving children ages 10-17 who have been removed from their families due to abuse or neglect.
	Sherrard High School aims to collect 45 units of blood to save more than 130 lives To honor his legacy, the Sherrard All School Senate organized the Memorial Blood Drive to carry on Luxmore’s service and selflessness.
	The Heart of the Story: Guess whooo's looking for snowy owls? 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. They normally live in the Arctic, but snowy [...]
	16-year-old charged with threat of terrorism after social media threat, police say A 16-year-old has been charged with threat of terrorism after a social media threat Thursday, Maquoketa Police said.
	Neil Anderson steps down from Illinois Senate GOP leadership after filing abortion bill Illinois State Sen. Neil Anderson stepped down from Senate GOP leadership days after filing a bill redefining personhood at fertilization.
	16-year-old charged with threats of terrorism following alleged threat involving Maquoketa schools Due to the suspect's age, Maquoketa police officials said their name won't be released.
	16-year-old charged with threats of terrorism following alleged threat involving Maquoketa schools Due to the suspect's age, Maquoketa police officials said their name won't be released.
	Milan man arrested on charges relating to child sex abuse materials Illinois State Police served a search warrant on his home and his workplace on Wednesday.
	Teen charged for threat involving Maquoketa Community School District A teen, 16, has been charged with threat of terrorism, a Class D felony, following a social media threat involving the Maquoketa Community School District. According to a release, on February 19 11:37 a.m., the Maquoketa Police Department received information from the FBI National Threat Operations Center about the threat. Law enforcement notified school officials. [...]
	‘They saved my life’: Geneseo teens rescue neighbor from fire Two Geneseo teenagers were honored Feb. 10 at a city council meeting for helping save their neighbor from a house fire on a freezing January night.
	Rock Island mystery: Where is Chief Black Hawk Statue and why won’t city let anyone see it? Where is the Chief Black Hawk Statue and why won’t the city let anyone see it?
	Black History Month: Program is Well Suited for the QCA A Quad-City program strives to be an asset to our community by mentoring and creating opportunities for young minds. Our Quad Cities News' Danielle Davis introduces us to the work of Well Suited as we honor Black History. For more information, click here.
	Quad City Storm preview their final stretch of the season Team President Brian Rothenberger joined The Current to preview the team's upcoming matchups and the difference a rowdy crowd makes on the ice.
	Woman, 3 kids taken to the hospital after crash on I-80 in Scott County The Iowa State Patrol said a woman suffered a seizure and crossed over into the wrong lanes of I-80 before crashing her car. No other vehicles were hit.

Friday, February 20th, 2026

Thursday, February 19th, 2026