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

Friday, June 19th, 2026
	This Pride month, teen flicks are recasting familiar tropes with a queer sensibility Teen movies like She's the He, Girls Like Girls and Leviticus are all turning tropes on their heads by centering queer characters.
	Tick season is getting worse. Can managing deer help? Health officials and researchers hope that efforts to control deer populations, which serve as "party buses" for mating ticks, can reverse the tide of ticks and the illnesses they cause.
	Niabi Zoo holds Pride Night Amid the celebrations, visitors also got to check out the new litter of Pallas's Cat kittens.
	Pop the Cork wine lounge to open in Moline Pop the Cork is the newest wine lounge in the Quad Cities. They will have a ribbon cutting ceremony at 3 p.m. on Monday.
	Orion school board says goodbye to retiring superintendent Board members and school principals recognized Joe Blessman at his final school board meeting as superintendent on Wednesday.
	Comfortable temperatures ahead Cooler than normal conditions expected mid-week before active pattern returns
	Mockingbird, Black Hawk College, Moline, announce new theater collaboration Black Hawk College and The Mockingbird have announced a new, ongoing partnership dedicated to producing professional-caliber theater that is accessible, educational and deeply connected to the community, a news release says.. This collaboration brings together Black Hawk College’s commitment to student opportunity and learning with The Mockingbird’s mission to create bold, meaningful storytelling rooted in [...]
	Rhaenyra, Rhaena, Aegon, Aemond — let us help you keep up with 'House of the Dragon' No one can blame you for getting lost in the fight over the Iron Throne. Here's our cheat sheet ahead of House of the Dragon's third season starting Sunday.
	What you need to know about the preliminary U.S.-Iran agreement signed by Trump Here's a look at the preliminary agreement between the U.S. and Iran, and the challenges that remain to find lasting peace.
	Pilot's Union This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.When you were little, do you remember your parents telling you to look both ways when crossing the street, and then do…
	The U.S. may face Australia in the World Cup without star Christian Pulisic The left winger Pulisic was key to the Americans' fluid and effective attack in last week's win over Paraguay. But he was kicked in the calf, left at halftime, and hasn't trained with the team since.
	These Wisconsin swing voters say Trump's war in Iran wasn't worth it The war in Iran was a costly blunder, according to Wisconsin swing voters who participated in two online focus groups that NPR observed.
	It's toys vs. tech in 'Toy Story 5.' Here are 4 ways to keep tech in check this summer Kids' screen use goes way up in the summertime. And just as the movie Toy Story 5 portrays, that can be problematic for children. Here are tips for parents to help their kids manage screens and have fun IRL this summer.
	Some local police have access to an ICE facial recognition app A document from the Department of Homeland Security outlines plans to issue local police facial recognition technology used by federal immigration agents, a move that will expand the scope of ICE surveillance.
	Can you taste history? We try George Washington's original beer Hops, yeast...and a lot of molasses
	Labour's Andy Burnham wins a special election, setting up a showdown with Starmer to lead Britain Labour's Andy Burnham, the current mayor of Greater Manchester, has won a special election for a seat in Parliament that puts him in a position to challenge embattled Prime Minister Keir Starmer for leadership of the country.
	US strike on an alleged drug boat kills 3 in the eastern Pacific Ocean The latest attack brings the number of people who have been killed in boat strikes by the U.S. military to at least 211 since the Trump administration began targeting those it calls "narcoterrorists" in early September.
	U.S. strike on an alleged drug boat kills 3 in the eastern Pacific Ocean The latest attack brings the number of people who have been killed in boat strikes by the U.S. military to at least 211 since the Trump administration began targeting those it calls "narcoterrorists" in early September.
	Mexico becomes first country to reach knockout stage of World Cup Mexico took advantage of a defensive blunder by South Korea to win 1-0 and become the first team to advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup.
Thursday, June 18th, 2026
	Volunteers educated on Sickle Cell Disease The disease is more common among people of African descent.
	State defends planned witnesses in murder trial of Trudy Appleby's accused killer Jamison Fisher is charged with three counts of first-degree murder and one count of concealment of a homicidal death in the 11-year-old's 1996 disappearance.
	Gov. Reynolds, Rep. Miller-Meeks highlight rural health investments Gov. Kim Reynolds and Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks highlighted "Healthy Hometowns" funding in Muscatine aimed at expanding rural health care access.
	Illinois bill expands school bullying to include AI content Schools in Illinois are receiving new guidelines to protecting student safety against technology. House Bill 3851 updates and expands how bullying and cyberbullying are defined, particularly to include the use of artificial intelligence. Lawmakers say the update reflects growing incidents nationally of inappropriate AI-generated content. The move gives school districts clearer authority to step in [...]
	Monmouth faces massive cleanup after storms bring destructive winds While many areas saw their electricity return by 11 a.m. Thursday, many people are still navigating without power.
	Luigi Mangione's lawyers withdraw plans for psychiatric defense In a court filing Thursday, Mangione's legal team said they won't file psychiatric evidence in the 28-year-old's state murder case. The move came a day after his lawyers said they planned to pursue a psychiatric defense.
	Man allegedly stalked ex-girlfriend before deadly East Moline shooting on Tuesday Court documents detail allegations of stalking, a forced entry and a deadly shooting at an East Moline apartment complex.
	Learn about communicating with people with dementia in session at CASI, Davenport Communicating with a person living with dementia can be challenging for family members, caregivers, and customer-facing employees. LivWell Seniors will host a lunch & learn focusing on giving practical tips and strategies to help improve those interactions, a news release says. Held in conjunction with Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, speakers include Megan Olsen of [...]
	Bill would guarantee NJ doctors same pay for telehealth, in-person visits Lawmakers advanced a bill to continue to let doctors get paid the same for telehealth visits and in-person visits. (Photo by Anne-Marie Caruso/New Jersey Monitor)An Assembly panel approved a bill Thursday that would ensure doctors in New Jersey can continue to get paid the same amount for treating patients in person as they do by video call. The bill cleared the Assembly Health Committee with support from the Democratic majority and two of the panel’s three Republican members. The measure, first introduced in March, passed the Senate health committee last week with unanimous support. Assemblywoman Margie Donlon (Photo by Anne-Marie Caruso/New Jersey Monitor) Assemblywoman Margie Donlon (D-Monmouth), a physical rehabilitation doctor and lead sponsor on the bill, said telehealth has been shown to save patients time and can make medical practices more efficient. She said she doesn’t use it herself, but has seen how it benefits patients, particularly those with disabilities who may struggle to get to an appointment. “This really goes a long way to providing the care that our patients in the state of New Jersey truly need. And again, cost savings across the board,” she said. New Jersey has been debating telehealth payments for at least a decade, with providers slow to embrace the technology at first. That changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when online care became the norm for many. But efforts to modernize the payment system have been delayed and the state has extended a temporary rule that assured doctors were paid the same rate for both types of visits, put in place before the pandemic. Doctors and hospitals are now eager to have the state codify that parity in statute. Multiple physician organizations supported the bill Thursday, as well as several hospital groups. Some 25 states have already adopted some this type of rule, according to Tina Earley of the New Jersey Hospital Association, and healthcare providers have integrated telehealth into their practices. Earley said patients are also eager to assure remote care options continue, with 60% now using telehealth and planning to continue online appointments in the future. She urged the committee to approve extending a “policy that has proven successful and reflects the modern realities of healthcare delivery.” Ward Sanders, with the New Jersey Association of Health Plans, which represents insurance companies, said the issue needs more study. Telehealth is “incredibly important,” he said, saving time for providers and patients, especially those with behavioral health needs. “The concern is the introduction of government rate setting, essentially. This is an area where the government has not traditionally gotten involved,” he said. He added, “We believe the market should really control the pricing.” Assemblyman John Azzariti (R-Bergen), a physician who voted for the measure, insisted he would “never vote for this body to set rates,” but said that requiring rates to be equal wasn’t the same as setting them. “Just for the record, as an anesthesiologist, I do not participate in telehealth,” he said, prompting laughter. Assemblyman Brian Rumpf (R-Ocean), opposed the measure, questioning why a physician should receive the same pay for an online visit when they can offer far more services in person. “There seems to be some disparity there,” he said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Courtesy of New Jersey Monitor
	What's closed on Juneteenth 2026? You might want to tackle some of your errands before Friday.
	Muscatine middle schoolers help chart future of Towhead Island A group of Susan Clark Jr. High students spent six weeks researching what the future of the island in the Mississippi should look like. Here's what they found.
	You can learn how to line dance in Moline this summer Once a month, through September, Moline Centre is holding $5 Friday night line dancing classes with Line Dance Quad Cities in the Historic Block Courtyard.
	Key FDA committee unanimously recommends its first vaccine since 2023 All nine members of the committee unanimously voted to recommend Moderna's new mRNA influenza vaccine for adults 50 and over.
	Alexis Boeh-Petersen named local Star-Spangled Sing-Off winner The votes have been counted, and Alexis Boeh-Petersen is the local champion.
	ImpactLife stresses importance of transfusions for sickle cell disease In recognition of Juneteenth and World Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Day, ImpactLife stressed the importance of transfusions for people with sickle cell disease. ImpactLife hosted an event featuring University of Iowa professor Meredith Parsons and people personally affected by sickle cell disease. The blood center is creating a new donor program to help patients who [...]
	Missouri judge strikes down nearly all state abortion regulations A ruling by a Jackson County judge opened the door for access to medication abortion in Missouri for the first time since 2018 (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)Many of Missouri’s abortion regulations, including laws that Planned Parenthood said made it impossible for providers to prescribe medication abortion, were struck down in a ruling Thursday by a Jackson County judge. One of the regulations most widely condemned by abortion rights supporters, a 72-hour waiting period between an initial consultation and an abortion, has been unenforceable for several months under a temporary ruling. The 20-page decision from Jackson County Circuit Judge Jerri Zhang makes that decision permanent. One of the few laws upheld Thursday by Zhang is a requirement that patients meet with a doctor in-person before being prescribed medication abortion. Zhang also upheld a requirement that only physicians can perform abortions. In the ruling, Zhang alluded to the long and contentious political fights over abortion and her “limited constitutional role in this much broader discussion.” The ruling comes after a 10-day-long bench trial played out in January in Kansas City in which Zhang heard from abortion providers, Planned Parenthood employees and women who underwent abortions they later regretted. And it comes more than 18 months after voters passed a constitutional amendment protecting the right to abortion up to the point of fetal viability. “Debate and litigation around the topic of abortion has occurred for several decades. It is a deeply personal, philosophical, and moral issue to many on both sides of the argument. It has also played a significant role in elected politics,” Zhang wrote in her decision Thursday. “ … It is clear to this court that the beliefs surrounding abortion are, and will continue to be, an ongoing conversation and debate in American society.” The ruling opens up access to medication abortion for Missourians for the first time since 2018. Medication abortion is the most common method to end a pregnancy in the United States, used in about two-thirds of abortions. Planned Parenthood in a statement Thursday said it will begin offering medication abortion appointments next week. “This decision brings compassion and common sense back to Missouri health care,” Emily Wales, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains said in a statement. “For too long, politicians forced patients to leave the state for an evidence-based and trusted form of abortion care. Now, that care is coming home and with it, we move closer to fulfilling the promise of reproductive freedom Missourians demanded.” Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway said in a statement Thursday that she plans to “expeditiously” appeal the decision to the Missouri Supreme Court. “This radical decision gives abortion providers a free pass to police themselves,” Hanaway said. “Women are no longer entitled to the same level of care in an abortion clinic that they would receive in other healthcare settings: providers are no longer required to maintain complication plans or insurance, and the state cannot even conduct basic health and safety inspections to ensure patient safety.” The laws declared unconstitutional by Zhang include: Special licensing requirements for abortion providers. A ban on telemedicine that requires a physician be present when a patient takes abortion medication. Hospital admitting privileges for physicians performing abortions. A requirement for physicians prescribing medication abortions to have a state-approved complication plan. That medication abortion providers carry insurance covering physicians after they leave employment. Tissue removed during a surgical abortion be sent to a pathologist That patients be given material created by the state Department of Health and Senior Services, including a pamphlet that reads “The life of each human being begins at conception. Abortion will terminate the life of a separate, unique, living human being.” Medication abortion appointments will be available at the Planned Parenthood clinics in Kansas City and St. Louis on Monday and in Columbia on Wednesday, spokespeople said Thursday. In post-trial briefings filed in April, the Missouri attorney general’s office argued that Planned Parenthood “brings this case to eliminate nearly all of Missouri’s health and safety abortion laws in one fell swoop.” The ACLU of Missouri and Planned Parenthood, who filed the lawsuit immediately following the November 2024 election, argued that the abortion regulations were designed to ensure abortion was “regulated out of existence” by creating logistical nightmares for patients and ethical dilemmas for providers without making procedures safer. Josh Hawley puts Missouri at center of national fight over abortion pill In 2022, Missouri became the first state to ban nearly all abortions after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. In 2024, Missouri also became the first state to overturn an abortion ban by the vote of the people. In response, lawmakers sent voters a new proposal that would ban abortion with limited exceptions for survivors of rape and incest. Missourians will vote on the measure listed as Amendment 3 in November. “The role of the court is to apply the law in any given case,” Zhang wrote, “and to base its decision solely on its interpretation of the law as applied to the evidence before it.” Courtesy of Missouri Independent
	Flags will be at half-staff in Illinois June 19-20 to honor Juneteenth National Freedom Day Gov. JB Pritzker has called for all covered by the Illinois Flag Display Act to fly U.S. flag at half-staff in honor of Juneteenth National Freedom Day. According to a release American flags should be lowered from sunrise on Friday, June 19 until sunset on Saturday, June 20. For more information, click here.
	In photos: The Knicks celebrate their first NBA championship in more than 50 years The New York Knicks celebrate their NBA championship win with a ticker tape parade in Manhattan.
	Geneseo prepares for 58th annual music festival including Father’s Day parade The 58th Annual Geneseo Music Festival will take place June 19–21 with three days of live music, parades, food vendors, family activities and community events throughout downtown Geneseo.
	Explore Figge Art Museum for free in July Museum leaders are encouraging visitors to escape the scorching heat by immersing themselves in art and experiencing all that the museum has to offer for free from July 1 to 31.
	Traffic Alert: Rock Island Arsenal Government Bridge to close for cleaning The bridge will be closed to pedestrian and vehicle traffic from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, according to a Facebook post.
	The Heart of the Story: Life in the fast lane 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. A former state trooper knows a thing or [...]
	Diesel prices fall in Iowa, but truckers still feeling pressure U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy paid a visit to the Iowa 80 Truckstop in Walcott on Thursday alongside Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks.
	Virtual Ventures celebrates new space with ribbon cutting A Davenport virtual reality arcade celebrated its relocation to its expanded space at NorthPark Mall.
	U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, others visit QCA at Iowa 80 Truckstop Gov. Kim Reynolds joined U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in the QCA. Reynolds, Duffy and Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks stopped by the Iowa 80 Truckstop in Walcott. They toured the truck stop to celebrate the nation's trucking industry. Miller-Meeks and Duffy talked about the new process to get a commercial driver's license and said criminals have [...]
	Pack Smarter, Eat Easier: Expert Tips for Stress-Free Summer Travel and Entertaining Sorry, but your browser does not support the video tag. var bptVideoPlayer = document.getElementById("bptVideoPlayer"); if (bptVideoPlayer) { var cssText = "width: 100%;"; cssText += " background: url('" + bptVideoPlayer.getAttribute("poster") + "');"; cssText += " -webkit-background-size: cover;"; cssText += " -moz-background-size: cover;"; cssText += " -o-background-size: cover;"; cssText += " background-size: cover;"; bptVideoPlayer.style.cssText = cssText; var bptVideoPlayerContainer = document.getElementById("bptVideoPlayerContainer"); if (bptVideoPlayerContainer) { setTimeout(function () { bptVideoPlayerContainer.style.cssText = "display: block; position: relative; margin-bottom: 10px;"; var isIE = navigator.userAgent.match(/ MSIE(([0 - 9] +)(\.[0 - 9] +) ?) /); var isEdge = navigator.userAgent.indexOf("Edge") > -1 \|\| navigator.userAgent.indexOf("Trident") > -1; if (isIE \|\| isEdge) { fixVideoPoster(); } }, 1000); } var bptVideoPlayButton = document.getElementById("bptVideoPlayButton"); if (bptVideoPlayButton) { bptVideoPlayButton.addEventListener("click", function () { bptVideoPlayer.play(); }, false); bptVideoPlayer.addEventListener("play", function () { bptVideoPlayButton.style.cssText = "display: none;"; }, false); } var mainImage = document.getElementById("mainImageImgContainer_sm"); if (mainImage) { mainImage.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } var mainImage = document.getElementById("photo-noresize"); if (mainImage) { mainImage.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } var assetGallery = document.getElementsByClassName("asset_gallery")[0]; if (assetGallery) { assetGallery.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } var assetGallery = document.getElementsByClassName("trb_article_leadart")[0]; if (assetGallery) { assetGallery.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } var assetGallery = document.querySelectorAll("[src='https://d372qxeqh8y72i.cloudfront.net/']")[0]; if (assetGallery) { assetGallery.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } } function fixVideoPoster() { var videoPlayer = document.getElementById("bptVideoPlayer"); var videoPoster = document.getElementById("bptVideoPoster"); fixVideoPosterPosition(videoPlayer, videoPoster, true); window.onresize = function() { fixVideoPosterPosition(videoPlayer, videoPoster); }; videoPoster.onclick = function() { videoPlayer.play(); videoPoster.style.display = "none"; }; videoPlayer.onplay = function() { videoPoster.style.display = "none"; }; } function fixVideoPosterPosition(videoPlayer, videoPoster, display) { setTimeout(function () { var videoPosition = videoPlayer.getBoundingClientRect(); videoPoster.style.position = "absolute"; videoPoster.style.top = "0"; videoPoster.style.left = "0"; videoPoster.style.width = videoPlayer.offsetWidth + "px"; videoPoster.style.height = (videoPlayer.offsetHeight + 20) + "px"; if (display) { videoPoster.style.display = "inline"; } }, 1010); } (BPT) - Hitting the road or hosting a backyard gathering this season? The pressure to pull off the perfect summer shouldn't drain your energy or your budget. Lifestyle and travel expert Julie Loffred is sharing simple, realistic ways to keep everyone fueled, hydrated, and happy wherever your adventures lead.Learn more at liquid-iv.com and bordencheese.com/simplesummerfun.
	Iowans will see relief from Iran ceasefire agreement, Nunn says Transportation costs have increased during the conflict in Iran, but relief could be on the way as a ceasefire agreement is on the horizon, Congressman Zach Nunn said Thursday.
	Local students help plan the future of Towhead Island in Muscatine The Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine just received the island as a donation. They turned to local students to help with the research.
	No injuries reported following Muscatine fire No injuries to occupants or responding personnel were reported following a fire in Muscatine. According to a release from the Muscatine Fire Department, the Muscatine Joint Communications Center (MUSCOM) received a 911 call for a fire at a home on Gas Lantern Square June 18 at approximately 3:29 p.m. Responders found smoke coming from a [...]
	Bettendorf Police launch co-responder program focused on mental health crises Bettendorf Police are preparing to launch a new co-responder program aimed at improving how the department responds to mental health crises.
	Confirmed tornado from Wednesday morning's storms Now that things have settled down in the Quad Cities from Wednesday's storms, this has given a chance to survey damages from the storms. From the damage reports and survey, it was confirmed that there was a tornado in Monmouth in Warren County. This tornado was on the ground for only 2 minutes, for 1.3 [...]
	Iowa adds 128 medical residencies as $88M flows to rural health projects Dozens of Iowa hospitals will receive support for equipment upgrades, workforce recruitment and cancer care networks.
	Officials confirm EF-1 tornados in Quad Cities region Severe morning storms cause widespread damage, thousands of power outages, and a train derailment across parts of Iowa and Illinois.
	NWS confirms EF-1 tornado hit Monmouth during Wednesday's storms Officials observed damage to roofing, brick walls and windows in the tornado's path through the heart of Monmouth.
	McKee signs charter school moratorium bills with five days to spare, ending uncertainty Gov. Dan McKee reviews a document outside the Providence County Courthouse before speaking to reporters on Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)Gov. Dan McKee signed into law Thursday a three-year moratorium on new charter schools in the Ocean State, embracing a pause on the local growth of an educational model with which he has long been associated. “The circumstances have changed,” McKee told reporters Thursday. Back in 2021, McKee suggested he’d veto a similar, albeit unsuccessful, piece of legislation. Part of the bedrock in the governor’s political brand had been his push for the creation of mayoral academies — a special kind of public charter school — during his time as the mayor of Cumberland in the late 2000s. The governor had received the moratorium bill on his desk Tuesday and under the state constitution, still had until Tuesday, June 23, to sign or veto the bill. McKee strode out the Providence County Courthouse Thursday to explain to reporters why he had signed the charter school ban bill with five days to spare. “I haven’t backed off, like, say, ‘Oh, let’s put charters out of business.’ I haven’t said that,” McKee told reporters after an unrelated afternoon appearance at a Law Day essay contest award ceremony for high schoolers at Rhode Island Supreme Court. “I said, ‘Let’s support the charters.’ And I’ve done that more than once.” But much has changed in the five years since McKee took office, he told reporters. “I’m a public school advocate, and I will use any tool in the box to help us reach the potential for our students that live in the state of Rhode Island,” McKee said after he signed the two companion bills Thursday. “So that’s no different, but today there are some circumstances that we need to address.” Those circumstances include enrollment declines in public schools — about 10,000 students in all, in the time he’s been governor, McKee said — and a pressing need to reassess how the state funds education via a formula for determining state aid to local school districts. “The moratorium is going to give us a chance to really work through those issues, and also continue to make sure that the charter schools are delivering and helping us achieve the goal that I’ve set, to help us meet or exceed Massachusetts levels by 2030,” McKee said. “So I’m a public school guy.” As of Thursday evening, McKee, who faces a competitive reelection campaign this year, had still not received a public endorsement from the state’s teachers’ unions, which strongly backed the moratorium and cap. Democratic primary opponent Helena Buonanno Foulkes had already said she would have vetoed the bill. Quotation The moratorium is going to give us a chance to really work through those issues, and also continue to make sure that the charter schools are delivering and helping us achieve the goal that I’ve set, to help us meet or exceed Massachusetts levels by 2030. So I’m a public school guy. – Gov. Dan McKee Foulkes said in a statement texted to Rhode Island Current Tuesday, “While my top priority is strengthening our public schools, a blanket moratorium is the wrong tool.” Foulkes referenced “the thousands on charter waiting lists” — figures echoed in state education department data, which shows the families had submitted 30,202 applications for 3,170 available charter seats in the 2025-2026 school year, much higher than the 12,005 applications submitted in the 2014-2015 school year. ‘A moment in time to kind of pause, reassess’ Last week, at an unrelated news conference on the Washington Bridge, McKee suggested he was on the fence, questioning the need to lower the statewide cap on charter schools from 35 to 28. The General Assembly had originally drafted the legislation to lower the cap to 25 charters max. McKee said those additional slots in the bills’ final version will “certainly…give us some level of growth once the moratorium ends.” One charter, De La Comunidad Bilingual School, received preliminary but not final approval earlier this year to open a school serving students from Providence, Pawtucket and Cranston. The moratorium’s passage, which includes a retroactive cutoff clause for charters not approved before July 1, 2025, effectively foreclosed on the school’s ability to open. A representative for De La Comunidad did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday. McKee said he had met with the school’s leadership Wednesday. “I think that they should, if they feel strongly that they have support in the General Assembly, they should go back in the next session, get legislation…and go deliver your case,” McKee recounted for reporters. Quotation While my top priority is strengthening our public schools, a blanket moratorium is the wrong tool. – Helena Buonanno Foulkes, McKee’s Democratic rival But the public charter system and public distinct school system which run in tandem — systems which run parallel and split finite resources, moratorium supporters have argued — ultimately need more study, McKee agreed. “I look at this as a moment in time to kind of pause, reassess, making sure my commitment to this role is exactly as it’s always been,” McKee said. The pause will allow for a 16-member commission to investigate the findings of the Blue Ribbon Commission, a special panel led by the Rhode Island Foundation which released its recommendations for a new school funding formula in January. Moratorium supporters cited the commission’s extensive suggestions for redoing public school funding as one reason to pause charter expansion. If charters are paused for a while, proponents argue, the commission’s recommendations can be more thoroughly studied — and ideally implemented. “You got to be very careful about what you agree to,” McKee said about retooling the formula, “in making sure that the distribution is equitable and fair to communities right now that are struggling. All the communities are struggling.” “This pause really says, ‘Look, we’re going to look at the whole picture. We’re not going to say that any one piece is more important than the other,” McKee said. Charter school parents and advocates listen in the House of Representatives gallery to a floor debate on the charter school moratorium bill on June 10, 2026. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) ‘Disappointing flip flop’ Stop the Wait, a charter advocacy group, called McKee’s signature a “disappointing flip flop” in a statement from Janie Segui-Rodriguez, the group’s founder and CEO. “This is not a policy outcome,” Segui-Rodriguez wrote. “This is a deeply personal loss for families who had real hope, and for children who deserved better than to become collateral damage in a political fight they never asked to be part of.” Segui-Rodriguez pointed a finger specifically at Senate President Valarie Lawson, who works as president of the National Education Association Rhode Island. “[H]er daytime job is to advance union priorities, and her nighttime job is to set the Senate calendar and shape legislation,” Segui-Rodriguez wrote. “Children and families are not at the table — they are on the menu. This is what happens when special interests are put before students.” A Senate spokesperson for Lawson did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday. Meanwhile, the first word in a text message from Sen. Melissa Murray, the Woonsocket Democrat who sponsored the moratorium legislation in her chamber, was “Interesting” when asked about her reaction to the news. “Wasn’t sure that was going to actually happen,” Murray added. Murray said she hopes state leaders will take the opportunity “to really dig deep” into the Blue Ribbon proposal to craft “a new formula that works for all students, and especially one that actually funds the actual cost of high cost special education.” “An overhaul is desperately needed,” Murray said. Jeremy Sencer, an organizer and representative for the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals, concurred in a Thursday phone interview that McKee’s signature should be viewed as a chance to revisit how Rhode Island funds its public schools. The moratorium debate, he said, had been staged too pronouncedly with an “us against them mindset.” “If a longtime charter advocate, such as Governor McKee, recognizes the need for this bill, that tells us that it’s a prudent step to make sure that all children have the resources they need, and that we make sure districts that serve the needs of all students,” Sencer said. Many public school districts, Sencer reiterated, continue to struggle to educate high-need students requiring special education, as well as multilingual learners. Sencer said his teachers’ union wants to meet with charter groups on next steps, including expansion of dual-language programs. Rep. Leonela Felix, a Pawtucket Democrat who vigorously spoke against the bill during a House floor debate last week and even tried to send it back to committee, said in a text message Thursday that she was “seriously disappointed” by McKee’s signing the bill. When asked by reporters if he had signed the legislation at the behest of teachers’ unions, possibly in exchange for endorsement, McKee replied, “That hadn’t happened, but I can tell you, I meet with all the parties.” SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Courtesy of Rhode Island Current
	Americans are proactive homeowners, but this country beats them in DIY home repairs Americans are proactive homeowners, but this country beats them in DIY home repairsThere is always something: a leaky faucet, chipping paint, gutters full of leaves or a room that no longer works the way it used to. Homeownership comes with a permanent background hum of maintenance, repairs and decisions that can only be ignored for so long.What homeowners do next depends a lot on where they live.A new international study from Angi, a home services marketplace, found that Americans are among the world’s more proactive homeowners, with nearly half (49%) taking a preventative approach to maintenance, scheduling regular checks and staying on top of concerns before something breaks. South Korea leads the study at 56%. Japan sits at the other end: 60% of Japanese homeowners address issues only when they arise.When it comes to DIY home repairs, France leads the study. Sixty-five percent of French homeowners say they handle most repairs themselves, the highest rate among the surveyed countries.Home care, it turns out, looks fundamentally different depending on where people live and what they believe home is for. Cultural differences are also at play for homeowner behavior beyond the toolbox. In France, 2 out of 5 homeowners enforce a no-phones rule at the dinner table, the highest rate in the study, while Canadians and Japanese are nearly twice as likely as Americans to require shoes off at the door (69% vs. 37%).Opinions vary from country to country, even for keeping a tidy home. A majority of Germans and Americans prefer to keep a “lived-in and comfortable” appearance. Forty percent of Brazilians believe a home should always be clean and tidy, more than any other country. Of all the countries surveyed, the Dutch were the most likely to respond with “home is for living, not impressing others.”In North America, homeownership tends to be tied to investment. Americans and Canadians are the most likely of any country to renovate specifically to increase property value, while many European homeowners prioritize comfort and quality of life over resale potential. When a home no longer fits, the instinct varies just as sharply: More than three-quarters of German homeowners would renovate rather than move, the highest rate across all countries surveyed, while 41% of British homeowners would rather relocate. Americans take a more pragmatic middle path—37% say they would stay and make do.Unexpected and emergency repairs remain a universal source of stress regardless of the country. The most maintenance-minded Americans are also the youngest: Gen Z and Millennial homeowners lead on proactive upkeep, with 51% preferring to check home systems before problems start and 55% using smart security technology compared with 19% of Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation.A home is never just the structure itself. It reflects the routines, priorities and tradeoffs people make, from the repairs they tackle to the rituals that shape daily life. Around the world, home care is less about one right way to do it and more about what people believe a home is supposed to be.MethodologyAngi, along with its international family of home service marketplaces, commissioned an online survey of 4,492 homeowners across 10 countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, South Korea, Japan and Brazil. The U.S. sample included 1,237 homeowners. The margin of error for U.S. findings is plus or minus 2.8 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. Fieldwork was conducted between May 1 and May 19, 2026.This story was produced by Angi and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Train derails outside of Monmouth; no injuries reported A train outside of the township of Ormonde, about five miles south of Monmouth, derailed due to the strong winds Wednesday, June 17. According to a release from BNSF Railway, at approximately 8:30 a.m., 18 cars blew over and derailed from the BNSF main line in Monmouth during an active weather event in the area. [...]
	Left behind: Why small-town Americans are waiting longer for healthcare Left behind: Why small-town Americans are waiting longer for healthcareSomewhere in America, a woman with a late-stage cancer diagnosis is sitting in a nursing home on a Friday afternoon. She has chosen to stop active treatment. All she wants now is comfort, seamless pain relief, and the dignity of a gentle, supported care plan.The skilled nursing facility produced a thick paper packet of discharge information. But missing from that package is the one instruction that matters most: an order for hospice care coming from her oncologist.Because hospice and the advance directive were not arranged before the transfer to a hospice wing, and because the paperwork was incomplete, the nursing staff could not coordinate pain management over the weekend. Everything is closed. The patient spends two days without the medication she needs.That is not a hypothetical. It is a case that made rounds in the healthcare community after a patient advocate described it in a public post. The details are specific, but the pattern is not. It plays out in facilities across the country, every week, because the systems that move patient data between hospitals and smaller care settings were never built to talk to each other.eFax, a digital cloud fax and data transformation solutions provider, analyzed federal data on hospital connectivity alongside its own survey of healthcare technology leaders to map where America's medical records divide runs deepest, and what it costs patients in lost time, repeated tests, and delayed care. What the numbers reveal is a healthcare system splitting into two tiers: one where patient data moves in seconds, and another where it still relies on legacy, paper-based workflows and manual communication, arriving hours or days late, if it arrives at all.The unfunded divideLarge urban hospitals have spent the past decade building digital connections, backed by significant federal incentives and capital. They trade patient records through electronic health record systems, secure messaging networks, and formats that let one system read what another system wrote.Rural and independent facilities, however, were largely left out of that digital windfall.In 2023, federal data found that only about a third of rural hospitals routinely send, receive, find, and integrate patient records efficiently from one care setting to the next. For urban hospitals, nearly half do. Rural hospitals have gained ground in recent years, improving faster than the national average, but they still haven't caught up.Standalone hospitals face an even steeper climb. Just over 1 in 5 independent facilities efficiently exchange records, compared to more than half of hospitals that belong to a larger system. The barrier is not motivation; it is a critical shortage of funding, IT staffing, and technical infrastructure.This disparity deepens in post-acute facilities—the skilled nursing homes, rehab centers, and home health agencies that take over after a hospital stay. When the federal government funded the industry's digital transition over a decade ago, these providers were excluded from the legislation. Without those resources, catching up has been nearly impossible: Only about 17% of hospitals routinely send patient information electronically to most or all of their post-acute partners, and only 8% routinely get it back, leaving the rest of the handoff to phone calls and paper.What it costs to waitWhen there is no automated digital exchange between a hospital and the facility receiving its patients, critical records slow down due to manual coordination—relying on phone calls, physical paper packets, and traditional paper-based workflows.According to a recent survey of healthcare CIOs and digital health leaders conducted by eFax, nearly half of providers still rely on manual, paper-dependent processes to share patient data with facilities lacking integrated electronic health records. While secure document transmission remains heavily utilized across the industry for its reliability, the friction occurs when data remains trapped on printed paper rather than flowing digitally.The resulting speed gap is significant. When healthcare technology leaders were asked how long it takes to coordinate patient data with small and post-acute facilities that lack automated cloud capabilities, the answers split almost evenly between one to two days and three to five days. In a hospital utilizing optimized digital networks, the same data transformation and transfer happen in seconds.Because of these manual bottlenecks, patients wait. More than half of post-acute care facilities say they sometimes or often receive vital records after the patient is already in their care.That is the true divide: the gap between manual, paper-bound sorting and secure, cloud-optimized document delivery. One patient receives an immediate care plan on arrival; the other waits for a fragmented paper trail to be manually processed.The states running out of timeThe financial strain on rural hospitals has been building for more than a decade. Since 2010, 182 rural hospitals have either closed entirely or stopped offering inpatient care, according to the Chartis Center for Rural Health. The pace has barely slowed. Over just the past seven years, far more closed than opened.The closures cluster in a pattern. KFF reports that nearly 7 in 10 of those closures, between 2014 and 2024, occurred in states that had not expanded Medicaid at the time.Today, close to half of all rural hospitals in the country are operating at a loss, and 432 across 38 states have been flagged as vulnerable to closure based on their financial indicators. The states carrying the most vulnerable hospitals tell a clear regional story: Texas has 47, Kansas has 46, Mississippi has 28, Oklahoma has 23, and Georgia has 22.Measured as a share of each state's total rural hospital count, the picture sharpens. Half of Arkansas's rural hospitals are vulnerable. Mississippi is at 49%, Kansas is at 47%, and Tennessee is at 44%. Georgia, Missouri, and Oklahoma each sit at 34%.For the more than 46 million Americans who live in rural areas, these are not abstract numbers. When a hospital closes or cuts services, the nearest alternative may be an hour's drive away. When a skilled nursing facility cannot get a patient's records on time, the staff is left making care decisions with incomplete data, or making no decisions at all for days.The staff caught in the middleThe technology gap does not just slow down records. It wears out the people who have to work around it.During a typical 12-hour shift, the average nurse spends about 43 minutes hunting for information, equipment, supplies, or the right person to talk to. That is nearly twice what nurses say would be reasonable. On top of that, they spend another hour coordinating patient handoffs and more than 90 minutes on paperwork and logistics.At a time when the country faces a projected shortage of hundreds of thousands of nurses, that lost time is not recoverable.McKinsey research found that as of 2023, close to half of inpatient nurses said they were likely to leave their current role within six months, and workload was a primary reason. For facilities already short on staff, the math is punishing. Fewer nurses means remaining staff absorb more of the manual burden, making them more likely to leave and severely limiting the care they can deliver to patients in need.A divide that costs more than timeHealthcare technology leaders are clear about what the data gap means for the patients on the other side of it. A majority say the difficulty of exchanging patient data with small and post-acute facilities has directly affected health equity in their communities.When asked whether technology equity matters for clinical health equity, 83% say it is important or very important. The awareness is there. The will is not far behind.The problem is not awareness. It is capacity. Fewer than a third of larger providers say they have the funding or IT staff to help their smaller partners come up to speed. Most call it a problem they are not equipped to solve.The window of opportunity keeps shrinkingThe policy ground is shifting fast, and not in rural healthcare's favor.The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law in July 2025, introduced new Medicaid eligibility rules that could push millions of people off coverage. For rural hospitals already operating at a loss, more uninsured patients means more uncompensated care and less revenue to invest in the digital systems that are already years behind.At the same time, federal regulators are pushing hard for a digital-first data exchange that leaps data sharing standards to a structured Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) data set. A number of recent federal regulations have mandated that FHIR or other electronic data exchange standards be used for connectivity. A new proposed rule requires FHIR for drug prior authorizations. The medical prior authorization standard using FHIR goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2027. Additionally, a new federal initiative launched in late 2025 mandates providers move away from paper fax machines and adopt an X12 standard for payer attachments. The gap between that goal and the reality on the ground is wide. The smaller rural care settings the policy aims to reach do not have the resources to support the standards the government is calling for.Roughly 7 in 10 hospitals still use paper fax or mail to share health data, even as electronic records have become standard within their own walls. According to eFax's analysis, about 15 billion fax transactions still move through American healthcare every year, with cloud-based fax increasingly replacing the paper machines.That is the tension at the center of this story. The hospitals that need connectivity the most are the least equipped to build it. The patients most affected are the ones with the fewest alternatives. And the policies arriving fastest are the ones that add financial pressure without bridging the gap.For a patient transferring to hospice at a rural nursing facility on a Friday afternoon, the technology to get her records there in seconds already exists. The providers caring for her now have it. The hospice facility receiving her does not.That gap is measured in days, and sometimes in pain.Solving interoperability with the tech facilities already useNarrowing the divide does not require every small facility to buy an expensive EHR system. A growing number of healthcare organizations are pairing AI with technology they already use to bridge the gap.Digital cloud fax remains a cornerstone of medical communication, widely recognized for its regulatory compliance, reliability, and trusted security. That now serves as the entry point for artificial intelligence to do what no nurse has time to do.It reads the document. It pulls the clinical data out. And it converts that data into a format an electronic health record can actually use. A handwritten referral form or a scanned discharge packet arrives as a fax. The AI extracts patient demographics, diagnosis codes, and care instructions, then routes that structured data directly into the receiving facility's workflow.The technology turns a process that used to take a nurse 20 minutes of manual data entry into something that happens in the background, in seconds, without anyone walking to a fax machine or retyping a medication list.This story was produced by eFax and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Muscatine pausing demolition of pair of downtown buildings after structural movement was found Additional apartments were evacuated as city staff work to determine a safe path foreward.
	Additional apartments evacuated as crews assess downtown Muscatine buildings For safety reasons, East 2nd Street remains temporarily closed to all traffic except authorized personnel.
	How alcohol-infused chocolate became a popular grown-up treat How alcohol-infused chocolate became a popular grown-up treatToday, people are reaching for sweets with the same criteria they bring to a good bottle of wine, paying close attention to craft. Alcohol-infused chocolates draw in adults who want indulgence with a little more going on.Research from Los Angeles-based artisan chocolatier Compartés shows that taste and presentation often guide what people choose. That desire is particularly visible on Father's Day, where premium chocolate has moved squarely into gifting territory that once belonged exclusively to a fine bottle of spirits.What Defines “Grown-Up Sweets”?Adult taste changes more than most people realize, often so slowly that it is easy to miss. The same person who once wanted the sweetest thing on the table may later start reaching for darker chocolate, stronger coffee, or a dessert with a little heat behind it. Grown-up sweets are built around that reality, giving sugar a smaller role while ingredients like dark chocolate and warming spices bring more depth to each bite.The Appeal of Alcohol-Infused and Spirit-Inspired ChocolateRich chocolate and fine spirits have more in common than most people ever stop to consider, and the overlap runs deeper than taste alone. Both carry flavor notes built through aging and fermentation, and those shared characteristics tend to make them feel remarkably natural together on the palate.According to Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall, double-barreled bourbon and dark chocolate work well together, with the bourbon’s sweet oak notes giving the chocolate more depth while the chocolate brings out flavors that might otherwise stay in the background.The appeal also depends on how chocolatiers carry those flavors into the chocolate itself. Some alcohol-infused chocolates incorporate real spirits into the recipe, while alcohol-inspired versions use flavor notes such as oak or vanilla to remind the palate of a familiar drink without adding alcohol.Premiumization and the Evolution of IndulgencePerhaps the most obvious sign of how adult tastes have matured is where people are choosing to spend their money. According to Food Navigator, premiumization is the deliberate move toward higher-quality ingredients and skilled craftsmanship, paired with packaging that reflects the care put into the product itself.People who buy less may expect more from every bite, treating a single well-made truffle or a carefully crafted chocolate bar as a small but deliberate act of indulgence rather than a quick, mindless snack.And as that appetite has grown, premium sweets have started replacing more traditional gifts, with artisan chocolate now sitting comfortably alongside the kinds of presents that once felt like the only obvious choice.Why Father’s Day Is Fueling the TrendA holiday like Father’s Day presents gifting pressure, and the search for something personal and unexpected is exactly where alcohol-infused chocolate has found its footing.Finding a Father’s Day gift that feels tailored to a man's actual tastes rather than a generalized idea of what dads are supposed to like has always been a challenge, and a well-crafted bourbon or whiskey chocolate speaks directly to that adult palate in a way a standard present might not.Innova Market Insights reported that appetite for boozy-inspired sweets rises during every major holiday season, and the same qualities that make these chocolates work so well for Father's Day also appeal to holiday and corporate gifting, where finding something memorable without feeling overly personal is often part of the challenge.The Broader Shift Toward Adult SnackingSnacking is deeply woven into the American diet, with 2023 research published in the Nutrients journal showing that more than 90% of adults report eating at least one snack on any given day. But adults are no longer just reaching for whatever is convenient and sweet.Busy schedules have pushed people toward smaller, more deliberate eating moments throughout the day, and those moments have become an opportunity to choose something with real flavor rather than empty sugar.Mondelez International's 2024 State of Snacking Report found that 62% of adults now prefer eating several smaller meals across the day rather than sitting down to a few large ones, and premium chocolate fits comfortably into that space as a satisfying way to make a small break feel worth taking.What This Trend Signals for the Future of SweetsChocolate has always found ways to reinvent itself, and the data suggests the next chapter will be driven by flavor ambition and a much harder look at where ingredients actually come from.According to Future Market Insights, the global liquor confectionery market is projected to grow from $664 million in 2025 to over $1.1 billion by 2035, pushed along by adults who want their sweets to deliver the same complexity they expect from a well-made cocktail.And chocolatiers are responding by borrowing directly from fine dining kitchens, applying professional culinary techniques to build flavors that unfold in stages rather than hitting a single note and stopping there.A More Refined Approach to IndulgenceA 2025 Innova Market Insights report found that 43% of global consumers are actively seeking extraordinary indulgent experiences, and the confectionery world has responded by building products around depth and creativity rather than sheer volume.And that creative ambition has long been visible in the artisan chocolate space, where makers have spent decades watching adult gifting habits evolve and responding with work that takes both flavor and occasion seriously.This story was produced by Compartés and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Crime Stoppers: Rock Island County Sheriff’s Office searches for robbery suspect Joseph Klemencic III, 20, is wanted by the Rock Island County Sheriff’s Office on a robbery charge. Contact Crime Stoppers to submit anonymous tips.
	Crime Stoppers: Davenport police investigate late-night burglary at Smokin’ Joe’s on West Kimberly Police are searching for a woman who broke into Smokin' Joe's on West Kimberly Road in Davenport. Call Crime Stoppers with anonymous tips for a reward.
	Crime Stoppers: Man wanted in Davenport on multiple charges Cireeco R. Flint, 53, is wanted in Davenport for failing to appear on drug, OWI, and firearm charges. Anonymous tips could earn a cash reward.
	Person killed after crashing in rural Milan According to the Rock Island County Sheriff's Office, a driver was heading east on the road when they veered off and crashed into a tree.
	Senate Democrats propose tighter regulations on data centers amid statewide backlash Michigan Senate Democrats host a press conference announcing a package of bills aimed at regulating data centers within the state. June 18, 2026 \| Photo by Kyle Davidson/Michigan AdvanceAs community members throughout the state are pushing back against the development of data centers, citing concerns about rising energy costs, impacts on local water resources and the veracity of promises about benefits to the community, Michigan Senate Democrats say they have the balm for what ails them. On Thursday, Senators Rosemary Bayer (D-West Bloomfield), Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak), Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores), Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton), Sue Shink (D-Northfield Township) and Erika Geiss (D-Taylor) rolled out several bills to place stricter regulations for data centers. “People feel like AI and data centers are arriving faster than anyone can keep up,” McMorrow told reporters at a press conference. Alongside fears tied to their energy bills and water, there are frustrations that data centers are happening to communities, not with them, McMorrow said. “Those are reasonable concerns, and the answer isn’t to pretend that this technology isn’t coming,” McMorrow said. “It is not only coming, it is already here. The question in front of us is whether Michigan sets the terms or whether we let someone else set them for us.” Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak) discusses a slate of bills focused on regulating data centers within the state. June 18, 2025 \| Photo by Kyle Davidson/Michigan Advance Building on proposals put forth by Shink and Geiss in December, the lawmakers introduced new water-use permit requirements, protections for water and electrical ratepayers, labor requirements for data center construction, community benefit requirements and transparency policies. The proposals include: Senate Bill 1046, which establishes a new permit for facilities using more than 550,000 gallons of water per day, which would bar them from withdrawing from the waters of the state and require them to partner with a community water supply. In order to receive a permit from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes And Energy, the facility must meet efficiency, sustainability and infrastructure capacity requirements with minimal environmental impacts. The permit caps water usage at 2 million gallons per day, and the bill creates civil penalties for those who violate the terms of their permit, with the possibility for the permit to be revoked. It also requires EGLE to publish an annual report on data center water use every year, beginning in 2027. Senate Bill 1047, which adds a number requirements for contacts between data centers and energy companies, including requirements for the data center to pay for any costs required to serve the facility and decommission it. It also requires data centers to source 90% of their energy from clean resources, either through the utility or other means. It also allows utilities to curtail data centers’ energy use in the case of an energy emergency and requires all contracts undergo a contested case hearing. Senate Bill 1048, which sets labor standards for data center projects, requiring these efforts to make use of registered union apprentices, pay prevailing wages and use project labor agreements where permitted. Senate Bill 1049, which bars public officials from entering into data center NDAs related to their public duties. Those who violate the ban would be subject to civil fines of up to $1,000. Senate Bills 1050 and 1051 which require data centers to enter a community benefits agreement before beginning construction and operations. The agreement must include the community and the developer and no local permits or approvals would be permitted without an agreement. Senate Bill 762, introduced in December, would require the Michigan Public Service Commission to publish annual reports detailing the water use and total energy consumption from data centers. Senate Bill 763, also introduced in December, bars water utilities from passing along the costs of infrastructure upgrades needed to accommodate a data center. In 2024, the Legislature approved a set of bills creating tax breaks for data center equipment. In order to receive those tax breaks, the data center cannot accept an energy rate that would raise costs on residential customers, and must source their energy through 90% clean sources. However, environmental advocates have argued the provisions do not go far enough, as they only apply to data centers making use of the tax break. Additionally, these requirements would be enforced by the Michigan Strategic Fund, rather than state energy regulators. Hertel, the sponsor of one of the tax break bills, said Senate Democrats realized they needed to craft policy for all data centers, not just the ones that fall in line with the tax law. The senators also pointed to the role that local governments play in regulating data centers, with Hertel encouraging any locality that feels unequipped to handle a potential data center development to pass a moratorium and update their zoning laws. While party lines have kept the Democratic-led Senate and the Republican-led Michigan House from making progress on several concerns within the state, frustrations with data centers have created common cause between lawmakers of opposing parties. Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores) discusses a slate of proposed regulations on data centers at a press conference. June 18, 2025 \| Photo by Kyle Davidson/Michigan Advance During a Thursday press conference, Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) signaled that he would be open to considering regulations on data centers within the state, telling reporters he would look at the proposal put forth in the Senate. Hall expressed support for regulations requiring data centers to utilize closed-loop cooling systems, protections against increased energy costs for residents and policy promoting better collaboration between communities and data center developers. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who previously expressed opposition to policies creating a one-year moratorium on data center development within the state, released a statement voicing support for the Senate proposals. “It is extremely important that we have a strong framework in place to put Michigan in the lead on data centers and keep us competitive for transformational projects that grow our economy and create thousands of good-paying jobs,” Whitmer said.“That means ensuring any company that wants to call Michigan home creates the jobs they promise, powers their facilities with clean energy, ensures Michiganders don’t foot the bill for energy, and protects our air, land, and water for future generations. We’ve seen what’s happened in other states without strict guardrails. Michiganders have spoken loud and clear: they support these protections and they expect their leaders to act.” Multiple environmental advocacy groups offered tentative support for the legislation, with Tim Minotas, legislative and political director of the Sierra Club’s Michigan chapter, saying the bills represent a large step in guaranteeing Michigan families are not left paying for “unchecked data center development.” “Our position has been clear: Michigan should not continue approving large-scale data center projects without critical safeguards for ratepayers, water resources, and local communities,” Minotas, said in a statement. “While this package does not address every concern, it marks meaningful progress toward the statewide protections we have been calling for.” Courtesy of Michigan Advance
	U.S. lifts blockade on Iranian ports as 60-day clock for a final deal starts ticking The U.S. is allowing ships to enter and exit Iranian ports and coastal areas as the countries move to a new phase of negotiations over the next 60 days.
	Miller-Meeks, Duffy support Trump’s Iran deal 'We finally had a president who was willing to say we will not have a nuclear-armed Iran on my watch.'
	Moline offering Line Dance Fridays this summer There will be monthly lessons offered in Moline's historic Block Courtyard through September.
	NDSU, Dickinson State partner on graduate nursing program Dickinson State University President Scott Molander, left, and North Dakota State University President Marshall Stewart talk with DSU nursing coordinator Melissa Wagner on June 18, 2026, in Fargo after announcing a nursing education partnership between the two schools. (Photo by Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)FARGO — A new partnership looks to help nurses advance their education and careers while staying in western North Dakota. The partnership between North Dakota State University and Dickinson State University announced Thursday in Fargo will allow DSU students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing to enroll in NDSU’s family nurse practitioner graduate program. The students in the NDSU program typically meet for in-person class time one day per week while spending the other days doing clinical work in healthcare facilities, said Mykell Barnacle, interim associate dean of the NDSU School of Nursing. The partnership means the Dickinson State graduates will be able to do their in-person course work on the DSU campus and complete their clinicals near where they live. The program requires 1,000 clinical hours. Allowing students to complete those hours in their home community benefits the students, the care provider and those receiving care. Mykell Barnacle, interim associate dean of the North Dakota State University School of Nursing, left, visits with Dickinson State University nursing coordinator Melissa Wagner on June 18, 2026, in Fargo. (Photo by Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor) “We’ve always been very proud of our tradition at NDSU of our nurse practitioners being very highly prepared. We’ve also had a really strong emphasis on a rural curriculum at NDSU, and so that works well with our expansion to DSU graduates,” Barnacle said. Barnacle said one DSU graduate already has been accepted for the fall semester but typically there would be four to six students. The in-person class time allows the students to build relationships with one another. “It’s a rigorous program, so it’s nice to have support — people who are going through the same things you’re going through that you can connect with,” Melissa Wagner, nursing program coordinator for Dickinson State. Barnacle said NDSU runs a similar program in Bismarck. The instructor in Bismarck will be used to launch the program in Dickinson. “Graduates of the program will be prepared to address primary care needs in the communities of North Dakota that often face provider shortages,” Barnacle said. Dickinson State President Scott Molander said it’s important that nurses who want an advanced degree can do so while serving their home community. “That’s really, really important,” Molander said. “This will allow western North Dakota to retain talent.” Wagner is heading up a program that was in turmoil in 2024 when all of its faculty resigned. Nursing administrators from Mayville State University helped shore up the program, but Wagner said that relationship is ending. “They stepped up when we really needed it,” Wagner said of Mayville State. “They saved the program.” Reach North Dakota Monitor deputy editor Jeff Beach at jbeach@northdakotamonitor.com Courtesy of North Dakota Monitor
	Epilepsy Advocacy Network presents summer fun with camPossible Summer fun should be for everyone, and one camp is made specifically for kids who live with epilepsy. Kari Jones and Kim Gregg from the Epilepsy Advocacy Network joined Our Quad Cities News to talk about CamPossible. For more information, click here.
	Artist chosen to create new mural in downtown Aledo 19-year-old Madeline Dieters was selected to create the artwork that will decorate the south side of 112 E. Main St. in Aledo.
	Lake Storey water levels return to normal, all amenities to open With water levels back to normal, swimming is now available at Lake Storey Beach daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Labor Day.
	Virtual reality theme park opens at NorthPark Mall A virtual reality theme park has opened at NorthPark Mall in Davenport. Virtual Ventures offers motorcycle racing, paragliding and group game options for kids of all ages. There are also game options for people who get motion sickness. Founders say it's a concept six years in the making, and local leaders hope the VR arcade [...]
	FirstPlay program for baby brain development Vera French Mental Health Center is offering a new program to teach parents how to interact with their baby to promote brain health.
	Comfortable days ahead. Cool, low humidity! Cooler than normal conditions expected mid-week before active pattern returns
	Family planning organizations sue Trump administration over Title X funding announcement Various birth control pills available at a Planned Parenthood in Austin, Texas. The National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association and a family planning organization in Pennsylvania sued the Trump administration on Thursday alleging that it is politicizing the Title X grant funding program. (Todd Wiseman/The Texas Tribune)The National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association and a family planning organization in Pennsylvania filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Health and Human Services agency on Thursday alleging that it is politicizing the Title X grant funding program and violating the intent of the law. Attorneys from the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union and the national organization are representing the national family planning association and the Family Health Council of Central Pennsylvania. The Family Health Council is a network of 19 service providers across 24 counties in central Pennsylvania that provide family planning services to more than 31,000 low-income residents every year, according to the complaint. Trump changes pregnancy-prevention program to promote childbearing Clare Coleman, president and CEO of the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, told Stateline on Thursday that the organization chose the Pennsylvania network to participate in the lawsuit in part because it has been a grantee of funds since the beginning of the Title X program in 1970 and serves a large number of people. “We’re very grateful that they were willing to stand with us,” Coleman said. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Yvette Kane, an appointee of former Democratic President Bill Clinton. Title X, established by Congress and signed by former Republican President Richard Nixon, is a grant program prioritizing low-income or uninsured people, including those who make too much to qualify for Medicaid, who may not otherwise have access to family planning and reproductive health services. That includes services such as contraception, pregnancy tests, testing for sexually transmitted infections and wellness exams. Abortion services cannot be covered by Title X dollars. The complaint takes issue with the 2027 Notice of Funding Opportunity for Title X, which was released in April. Potential awardees must submit applications by January for consideration in the next funding cycle. The funding opportunity language states that all applicants must first meet an “alignment review” to determine their eligibility for a grant. That alignment is based on the priorities laid out by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health and the Office of Population Affairs. Those priorities include ending diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and gender-affirming care. The complaint notes that the decision regarding an applicant’s eligibility cannot be appealed. Contraception services dropped after ‘defunding’ provision hit clinics Coleman said those priorities directly conflict with the ones that were laid out in the last funding round under former President Joe Biden, whose administration emphasized the importance of health equity efforts and the inclusion of gender-affirming care for transgender patients. Coleman said that means it could be impossible for some applicants to be awarded funds, and that it would favor new applicants. “We believe that the funding announcement is designed to favor the kind of providers the administration would rather see in the program,” Coleman said, which could include clinics with a religious mission, such as crisis pregnancy centers or major Catholic healthcare organizations. The complaint also says those requirements directly conflict with the Title X statute, which mandates that HHS consider factors such as how many patients will be served, how much the services are needed locally and whether the applicant can make rapid and effective use of grant funds. The family planning organizations say the new application process is meant to further the Trump administration’s political agenda instead of fulfilling Congress’ mandate to “offer a broad range of acceptable and effective family planning methods and services” to patients. The guidance associated with the funding notice also shifts the focus of the Title X grants from expanding access to services like contraception to strengthening “family formation” and assisting clients in “achieving healthy pregnancies.” Clinics are instructed to prioritize and promote natural methods of family planning, such as menstrual cycle tracking, which is less effective at preventing pregnancy than contraception, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. “The (funding notice) enables defendants to pick winners and losers based on political alignment, as opposed to merit and the ability to provide high-quality Title X services,” the complaint reads. “This is not how federal grants should be awarded, and, specifically, this is not how Congress instructed defendants to make Title X grants.” A hearing for the case will likely be scheduled in the coming weeks. Stateline reporter Kelcie Moseley-Morris can be reached at kmoseley@stateline.org. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Stateline
	WV releases $700K in grant funds to five orgs serving domestic violence victims across the state More than $700,000 in grants are being made available by the state of West Virginia to support services at five organizations focused on helping victims of domestic violence. A display of purple flags raises awareness for domestic violence outside the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)The state this week released more than $700,000 in grant funds to support services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking in rural areas across West Virginia, according to a Thursday news release from Gov. Patrick Morrisey. The funding is being provided by the West Virginia Rural Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking Program. The money will be administered through the Justice and Community Services Section of the state Division of Administrative Services, per the release. According to the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence, there are 14 organizations in the state dedicated to supporting victims of domestic violence. In just one day in 2024, the coalition received 110 calls to its hotline and served nearly 370 victims of domestic violence. Eight requests for help in that 24-hour period went unmet due to a lack of funds. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated in a 2024 study that about 44% of women in West Virginia have experienced some form of physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime. Data was not available for men in the state. According to the state Supreme Court of Appeals, more than 37% — about 8,600 — of cases filed in family courts across West Virginia in 2024 were due to domestic violence. That same year, magistrate courts in the state issued more than 9,700 emergency protective orders for victims of domestic violence. Five organizations from across the state received portions of the state grant funds this week, which are meant to help expand services like housing assistance, crisis intervention, community outreach and more for people impacted by domestic violence. “Every West Virginian deserves to live free from violence and abuse, regardless of where they call home,” Morrisey said in the news release. “These grants help ensure victims in our rural communities have access to advocacy, shelter, crisis intervention, and other critical services when they need them most. Supporting victims and holding offenders accountable remains an important priority for our administration.” The grant awardees are as follows: $186,670 to the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Inc. to “continue services” for domestic violence victims in rural communities across the state $150,612 for the Women’s Aid in Crisis, Inc. to support services — like crisis intervention, housing assistance, referrals and court accompaniment for victims — in Barbour, Randolph and Tucker counties $136,897 to the Family Refuge Center for services in Greenbrier County $132,283 to the Eastern Panhandle Empowerment Center for the hiring of a rural domestic violence specialist to help coordinate response efforts through the Eastern Panhandle $94,948 to the Branches Domestic Violence Shelter to hire a domestic violence specialist working in Mason County SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of West Virginia Watch
	Lake Storey opens for 2026 season There’s good news for swimmers and boaters in Galesburg! The City of Galesburg has announced that water levels at Lake Storey have officially returned to normal, allowing all seasonal recreational activities to resume. The lake levels were kept lowered further into the summer season than usual to accommodate the construction of the multi-use walking trail expansion. The contractor [...]
	Programming Note: No noon, QCL or 4 and 5 p.m. news Friday KWQC will not air the news at noon, Quad Cities Live or our newscasts at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Friday due to NBC coverage of golf.
	Musco Lighting named official lighting provider of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games The 2028 games will be held in Los Angeles, California.
	Artist named for new Aledo mural The Windborn Group and Quad City Arts announced that artist Madeline Dieters has been chosen to create a new public mural on the South side of 112 E. Main St. in downtown Aledo. The mural is supported by the Illinois Arts Council's America's 250th Public Art Grant and is part of a statewide initiative celebrating [...]
	Person killed after crashing on Knoxville Road in rural Milan According to the Rock Island County Sheriff's Office, a driver was heading east on the road when they veered off and crashed into a tree.
	Omaha Community Foundation in talks to join NU as owner of Nebraska Medicine The then-leaders of Nebraska Medicine, including Dr. Michael Ash, the nonprofit's CEO, at right, and Lance Fritz, now-former chair of the Nebraska Medicine Board of Directors, hosted a forum Thursday with dozens of state lawmakers ahead of a University of Nebraska Board of Regents vote to buy out the 50% share of Nebraska Medicine co-owner, Clarkson Regional Health Services, the next day. Jan. 14, 2026. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)LINCOLN — In another curveball in the future of Nebraska Medicine, the University of Nebraska could tap the Omaha Community Foundation as an “equal member” of the nonprofit. The NU Board of Regents revealed the possibility Thursday after about an hour-and-a-half closed session. There was no indication of the possibility on the agenda or in the days leading up to the meeting. Upon returning, regents voted unanimously to add and approve a resolution saying negotiations are ongoing with multiple philanthropic organizations over NU’s decision to buy out Clarkson Regional Health Services’ 50% stake in Nebraska Medicine. According to the NU resolution, regents had worked behind the scenes since January with the Omaha Community Foundation, Walter Scott Family Foundation and University of Nebraska Foundation. A model detailing how the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s footprint would grow in Omaha with the $2 billion “Project Health” endeavor sits in front of University of Nebraska President Jeffrey Gold. Oct. 3, 2025. (Photo by Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) The NU resolution referenced contributions leading to a possible future governing role for the Omaha Community Foundation, but the resolution did not suggest such a role for the Walter Scott Family Foundation or NU Foundation. “While those discussions have been productive, no final resolution has been reached regarding the organization’s contribution or permanent level of involvement in Nebraska Medicine,” the resolution stated. The board designated NU President Jeffrey Gold to lead negotiations on behalf of the regents. Negotiations are continuing The Omaha Community Foundation said it will continue collaborating with NU and the Walter Scott Family Foundation on a potential model that “preserves the proven infrastructure in place today.” “This work reflects our mission to strengthen the community by bringing trusted partners together around shared goals,” Donna Kush, president and CEO of the Omaha Community Foundation, said in a Thursday statement. “Our role is to unite people, organizations and resources to pursue the community’s greatest opportunities.” Regents vote to increase NU tuition by 4.25%, cut $8 million in next $1.19 billion budget The NU resolution will give the Omaha Community Foundation two appointees on the Nebraska Medicine Board of Directors, replacing two outgoing Clarkson members, beginning July 1 through at least Oct. 1. And the regents said they will work with the Omaha Community Foundation for new nonprofit governing documents to reflect the change. The goal, the resolution states, is to admit the Omaha Community Foundation as a “qualified charitable designee” and equal parent member of the nonprofit. An NU spokesperson said it is undetermined at this time how much the Omaha Community Foundation had contributed toward the Nebraska Medicine transaction. She said the resolution was brought to the regents after the agenda was released last week and not finalized until Thursday. State law allows an agenda to be amended up to 24 hours before a public meeting, or later for “items of an emergency nature.” A tense transaction Clarkson has been NU’s partner organization since 1997. But in the summer of 2024, Clarkson leaders approached NU and asked to end the agreement. After more than a year of closed-door conversations and nondisclosure agreements, the plan became public Jan. 2. The then-leaders of the Nebraska Medicine Board of Directors objected, some of whom expressed concern about consolidating governance in the regents, kicking off a contentious month for the parties involved. University of Nebraska President Dr. Jeffrey Gold, right, speaks with state senators and NU regents after a forum with dozens of Nebraska state senators regarding NU’s proposal to buy out the share of Nebraska Medicine owned by Clarkson Regional Health Services. At center is Dr. Bill Lydiatt, Clarkson’s CEO, and at left is State Sen. Mike Jacobson of North Platte. Jan. 14, 2026. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) On Jan. 15, regents unanimously voted to move forward with a deal for NU to pay Clarkson $500 million for its stake in the nonprofit, plus $300 million to purchase related properties. In return, Clarkson would return $200 million for NU’s $2.19 billion “Project Health,” a longstanding NU endeavor to build up the future of health care and train the next generation of professionals. Another vote Thursday, before the closed session, amended the deal to instead define Clarkson’s return donation to NU as an “in-kind donation,” thus reducing NU’s direct payment to Clarkson by $200 million. NU is still on the hook for that full earmark toward Project Health. Former members of the Nebraska Medicine Board of Directors had called for NU to press pause and possibly find a philanthropic donor who could replace Clarkson in January. The short-lived, bitter spat featured a Nebraska Medicine-led lawsuit seeking to block the transaction. NU and Clarkson then replaced most board members, and the new board ended the legal fight. Some state lawmakers worried about the board shakeup, which some described as the “nuclear” option, and how it might affect an already divided donor community to the deal. Before the January vote, regents had also asked the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office to investigate claims that the then-leaders of Nebraska Medicine had sought to hurt NU’s bottom line and Project Health with the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee. Appropriators denied NU’s claims. Though former board members lost the battle, their desires for an outside, replacement parent organization might become a reality after all. ‘Changing the world’ Regent Jim Scheer of Norfolk said this was the “best opportunity” for Nebraska and the university to be successful, not just in educating the future workforce but in recruiting and retaining an international class of faculty, many of whom are dually employed by Nebraska Medicine. University of Nebraska Regent Tim Clare of Lincoln. Dec. 5, 2025. (Photo by Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) Scheer said NU has also been in close talks with the Omaha Airport Authority because of an expected increase in visits to the airfield following future investments in the University of Nebraska Medical Center, including Project Health. “We have the opportunity to have something in the State of Nebraska that no one else would be able to duplicate,” Scheer said. Regent Tim Clare of Lincoln, the longest-serving regent now in his 18th and final year, said the Nebraska Medicine transition has been the “biggest decision” in his public service and one that will have the biggest “ripple effect.” Clare credited the philanthropic support, without which “we’re not here today.” “I truly look forward to partnering with this group,” Clare said. “I totally look forward to changing the world.” SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Courtesy of Nebraska Examiner
	Have fun without tech with Girl Scouts' Screen Break Challenge Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois invite kids and families to disconnect from their devices and reconnect with each other. The Screen Break Challenge encourages families to explore the outdoors, build life skills and have fun without screens. Participants will trade screen time for real-world experiences across four categories: life skills, outdoor adventures, [...]
	Polk County man contests his placement on state registry of abusers The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing is being taken to court over a decision on the state's registry of dependent-adult abusers. (Photo illustration via Getty Images; logo courtesy of the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing) A Polk County man is taking state regulators to court over his placement on the state’s registry of dependent-adult abusers. Court records show that Todd Robert Long is seeking judicial review of a recent, final decision by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing arising from a founded complaint that he committed dependent-adult abuse through exploitation. The department’s decision, the lawsuit alleges, resulted in Long’s placement on the state’s registry of known abusers. The lawsuit does not disclose any of the specific circumstances that led to the founded complaint, or indicate where or when the alleged abuse occurred. Long’s attorney, Angela L. Campbell, declined to comment on the matter. The Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing on Thursday denied a request from the Iowa Capital Dispatch for a copy of the agency’s May 13, 2026, decision placing Long on the registry, stating that the information is not a public record under Iowa law. The lawsuit states DIAL’s actions are based on “a determination of fact that (Long) misappropriated medication,” and alleges a failure by DIAL to consider “which employees had access to the medication in question during the time frame in question when there was no evidence that Mr. Long possessed the medications in question.” State and federal records indicate Todd Robert Long is a registered nurse who has been licensed in Iowa since 2022. His nursing license is in good standing with no public record of any disciplinary action, according to the Iowa Board of Nursing. His lawsuit alleges DIAL’s decision is unconstitutional or based on an erroneous interpretation of law, is not supported by substantial evidence, or is the product of wholly irrational reasoning. Long is asking the court to reverse the department’s final decision and remove his name from the state’s dependent-adult abuse registry. DIAL has yet to file a response to the lawsuit. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Iowa Capital Dispatch
	One dead following single-vehicle crash in Rock Island County The Rock Island County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the fatal crash, which occurred in the 9900 block of Knoxville Road on Thursday.
	One dead following single-vehicle crash in Rock Island County The Rock Island County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the fatal crash, which occurred in the 9900 block of Knoxville Road on Thursday.
	Spend Father's Day weekend at Skinny's Street Fest Spend Father’s Day weekend in Muscatine, enjoying barbecue, music and fun. Skinny’s Street Fest will turn the 200 block of West 2nd Street into a full‑day celebration of food, music, and community. The festival runs from 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. on Saturday, June 20 and is free for all ages. West 2nd Street from [...]
	Driver dies after hitting tree on Knoxville Road A driver died after hitting a tree on Knoxville Road in Milan, the Rock Island County Sheriff’s Office said.
	Proposed national historic park would highlight history of SC’s Rosenwald schools for Black students St. George Rosenwald School, in Dorchester County, South Carolina, would be one of three ambassador schools under a proposal co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn to establish a national historic park of Rosenwald schools. (Photo courtesy of St. George Rosenwald School)COLUMBIA — A school that opened 100 years ago for Black children in the Lowcountry could become part of a proposed, multi-state national historical park that connects the remaining structures where tens of thousands of students were educated in the Jim Crow South. St. George Rosenwald School in rural Dorchester County, which reopened in 2023 as a museum, is among what’s left of nearly 5,000 schools built between 1912 and 1932. A federal bill co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn would create a network of those that still stand, called the Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools National Historic Park. It’s named after the philanthropist who initially partnered with Tuskegee University founder Booker T. Washington, then with Black communities across 15 states to help fund the schools. Proposed representative Rosenwald schools San Domingo School in Sharptown, Maryland St. George Rosenwald School in St. George, South Carolina Woodville Rosenwald School in Hayes, Virginia Source: Proposed Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools National Historical Park Act The bill lists three schools as “representative sites,” meant to serve as starting points for visitors to get a glimpse of how they looked in their prime. The St. George school, which opened in 1926, is one of them. “We call ourselves a hidden jewel, and we’d be more than happy to share it not only with the local community but the entire United States of America,” said Ralph James. The lifetime resident of St. George chairs the foundation that runs the museum housed within the renovated school building. The schools designated as examples could then lead visitors through a network showing what remains of the schools made possible by Rosenwald, dubbed “America’s first social philanthropist.” How many schools might be part of the network is unclear, since many were forgotten and fell into disrepair. A visitor’s center in Chicago, where Rosenwald amassed his wealth as the president of Sears Roebuck and Co., would tell the story of the schools and the man born in 1862 to German Jewish immigrants. “Documenting and preserving African Americans’ rich history and enduring struggle for freedom and liberty are essential in our pursuit of a more perfect Union,” Clyburn, a Democrat from Orangeburg County, said in a statement. “Rosenwald’s legacy and contributions will tell the story of struggle and perseverance for years to come.” The bill was introduced last month by U.S. Rep. Danny Davis of Illinois. Clyburn is among four co-sponsors. It has yet to receive a hearing. The history of Rosenwald schools For years, Rosenwald schools were the only place Black children could reliably get an education. By 1928, one-third of all Southern Black students attended a Rosenwald school, which accounted for nearly one-fifth of rural schools in the South, according to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. SC had 500 Rosenwald schools for Black children. Nonprofits want to save the 44 that remain. That included nearly 500 schools in South Carolina. Of those, 44 remain, according to nonprofits studying the schools in an effort to preserve them. Rosenwald fronted a portion of the money to start the schools, but local Black communities chipped in to help fund the rest. All told, Rosenwald and his charity spent about $4.3 million on the schools, and neighbors raised more than $4.7 million to bring them into their communities, according to a history of the schools the national historic trust compiled. Many closed after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1954 that separating schoolchildren based on their race was unconstitutional. Schools in the South would take years to fully integrate, but the Brown v. Board of Education decision led to Rosenwald schools being vacated. Many sat neglected, as surrounding communities forgot about them or lacked the funds to maintain them. Once a beacon of hope for Black students, many of the buildings spent decades decomposing. Grassroots efforts to save the school buildings, led by alumni and preservation groups, started gaining traction in the 2000s. Some of the rescued schools, like the one in St. George, reopened as museums, while others converted into community spaces. The designation of a national historic park would further that effort, creating the first comprehensive map of surviving schools and teaching people an often-overlooked history, said Dorothy Canter, who established a nonprofit based in Bethesda, Maryland, to push for the federal designation, called the Julius Rosenwald & Rosenwald Schools National Historical Park Campaign. “This is a remarkable story of how people of different backgrounds and cultures worked together to make our country a better place,” Canter said in a statement. “It needs to be told in a new National Historical Park.” National historic parks are different from the popular scenic national parks, though both are run under the same federal agency. National parks generally preserve areas of ecological significance, such as the lowland swamp of Congaree National Park near Columbia. Historic parks preserve parts of the country’s heritage, often across large or disconnected areas. South Carolina has two other national historic parks: Reconstruction Era National Historic Park, based in Beaufort, and Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie, in the Charleston Harbor. St. George Rosenwald School St. George Rosenwald School looks largely the same these days as it did during its 28 years as a school, James said. Instead of sitting empty and falling into disrepair after its closure in 1954, the school housed a series of nonprofit organizations, political groups and community centers that kept the building standing but changed little about how it looked, he said. The last occupant left the space in 1970, and only then did the building begin to deteriorate. Unlike other buildings, St. George also never went forgotten. James, who attended the school through second grade, and other local alumni kept tabs on it. Around 15 years ago, that group decided to make a real push to save their school, James said. In 2016, work to renovate the site began in earnest, and it officially reopened to the public in 2023. The Legislature provided $1.3 million toward the expenses through the state budget. One half of the building, which is shaped like the letter H, is a satellite campus for the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry, with a child-sized town and grocery store placed within the refurbished classrooms. The other half is arranged the way the school would have looked while operating. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE “I’m just happy that we’re at a point now where we can see the fruits of our labors,” the 79-year-old said. Along with providing a glimpse into the past, the school is one of the larger remaining locations in the country, James said. The size of the schools was determined based on the number of teachers, and St. George had six, a relatively large number for the rural schools, though others had as many as 10, according to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “I think (visitors) would have a unique opportunity here in St. George to see a large school and to see much of it in its original state,” James said. Along with bringing in more people, partnering with the National Park Service would mean more resources, James said. He estimated more than 100 people visit the school every week, but nearly everyone who runs the place is a volunteer, he said. With federal help, the foundation could hire more workers and spend more on maintenance, ensuring the museum stays in good shape, James said. “That would be a great, great opportunity for us,” James said. The work is about more than keeping a building standing, James said. Preserving the school also means preserving “the idea and ideals in which they stood for at that time: creating hope, empowering the residents to have concern and care for their community,” James said. “This is what it was all about, and that’s the uniqueness of the Rosenwald educational project,” James said. National Park Service sites in South Carolina Charles Pinchkney National Historic Site, Mount Pleasant Congaree National Park, Hopkins Cowpens National Battlefield, Chesnee Fort Sumer and Fort Moultrie National Historic Park, Charleston Harbor Kings Mountain National Military Park, Blacksburg Ninety Six National Historic Site, Ninety Six Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia Reconstruction Era National Park, based in Beaufort Source: National Park Service SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Courtesy of South Carolina Daily Gazette
	Weekend Rundown with WLLR \| June 18, 2026 There are many family-friendly events going on this weekend, and we've brought in Dani Howe from WLLR to break it down.
	2 more cruise ship passengers leave Omaha quarantine after deadly hantavirus outbreak The Davis Global Center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center campus, which contains the National Quarantine Unit. (Courtesy of UNMC)OMAHA — Two more people who were passengers aboard a cruise ship that was the site of a deadly hantavirus outbreak have returned to their home states following about five weeks of monitoring at the University of Nebraska Medical Center-based National Quarantine Unit, according to a Thursday update. UNMC said that six passengers now remain at the quarantine unit of the 18 who arrived in Omaha on May 11, diverted from the affected MV Hondius ship. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requested that passengers remain at the NQU through May 31. However, symptoms of hantavirus can take up to 42 days to appear, a UNMC statement said, so all passengers were “strongly encouraged” to complete that longer period and stay through June 21. Those who left earlier did not travel commercially, according to the statement, which said that appropriate biocontainment measures were in place during their transport. Travel was coordinated through the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response and respective local health departments. The passengers were to continue monitoring under the jurisdiction of their local public health departments. UNMC said the federal CDC has been coordinating with impacted states on requirements for the passengers to self-monitor in their homes. The World Health Organization reported in late May that a total of 11 confirmed cases, including three deaths, had been linked to the Andes hantavirus strain outbreak on the cruise ship. National news outlets earlier interviewed passengers returning to their home states. Some chafed at being forced to quarantine states away from loved ones and work after spending more than a month aboard a Dutch cruise line that stopped in parts of South America and Antarctica. UNMC/Nebraska Medicine is one of 13 Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers within the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response National Special Pathogen System. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Courtesy of Nebraska Examiner
	E-bikes, delivery robots to get new rules in fast-moving NC transportation bill Most of the North Carolina's ferries have been in service for 25 years or more, and it's estimated that in the next 20 years most of the fleet will reach the end of its “useful life.” (Photo: NCDOT) A bill that would regulate electric bicycles in North Carolina and allow local governments to limit where they can be used is moving through the state Senate. The Senate Finance Committee voted to advance House Bill 1094, a collection of changes to transportation laws, without debate on Thursday. The bill defines three classes of e-bikes and clears them for use on roads, bicycle lanes and paths, but says local governments can set limits on where they can be used ”within municipal limits,” a response to growing concern in some cities over the safety of the increasingly popular vehicles. The measure would also require riders under 18 to wear a helmet when riding the fastest e-bikes, which can travel at up to 28 miles per hour. Local governments could extend that requirement to young riders on less-powerful e-bikes as well. The bill would also loosen rules for self-driving “personal delivery devices,” essentially delivery robots, that some companies are developing to replace drivers in some cases. The machines could now be larger, travel up to 20 miles per hour instead of 10, and operate in bicycle lanes and on road shoulders. They would no longer be required to have a human operator remotely supervising them at all times. From buckets to blacktop: NC lawmakers rethink how future transportation dollars are spent The bill would also: Allow drivers to renew their licenses at any point during the eight-year renewal cycle, rather than waiting until the six-month window before expiration Eliminate the requirement for schools to issue driving eligibility certificates for students seeking learner’s permits and provisional drivers licenses Expand payment options for prepaid toll discounts Privatize highway exit signs referencing gas stations, restaurants, and lodging, and direct the profits from those signs to the Highway Fund for use for general maintenance Raise insurance minimums for taxis conducting business at international airports Establish an 80-hour course for commercial truck driver training schools Ban the planting of invasive species along state highways and in state parks, with a strong preference for plants native to North Carolina instead Require the state Auditor to perform an audit of the state ferry system. “These provisions have all been worked out with the House and all the supporting agencies, and there’s no opposition,” Sen. Michael Lazzara (R-Onslow) told the Finance committee on Thursday. H1094 moved rapidly through the Senate Transportation Committee on Wednesday, signaling lawmakers’ urgency to send it back to the House before session adjourns. It now heads to the Senate Rules Committee and could receive a vote on the Senate floor next week. Courtesy of NC Newsline
	Allegiant cancels Quad-Cities to Phoenix flight for 6 weeks this winter The airline will suspend the service between Dec. 2 and Jan. 15 and resume flights on Jan. 18.
	One dead in Knoxville Road crash One person is dead after a crash on Knoxville Road today, according to a news release from the Rock Island County Sheriff's Office. Deputies responded to a single vehicle crash in the 9900 block of Knoxville Road outside of Milan on June 18. When they arrived, they found that an eastbound vehicle had left the [...]
	Forget the hype house. 7 reasons why creators are working from coworking spaces Forget the hype house. 7 reasons why creators are working from coworking spacesSuccessful YouTubers are the new TV and movie stars—and they’re ditching Hollywood’s studio model.At YouTube’s Brandcast upfront in May, creators like “Call Her Daddy” host Alex Cooper and Trevor Noah skipped network meetings to pitch their upcoming shows directly to advertisers and media buyers. As the platform pivots to allow brands to buy inventory in individual series, instead of cutting checks later on based on likes and follows, creators can now also secure pre-production funding and run with it—partly why “Subway Takes” host Kareem Rahma ditched CNN after seven years in “disastrous” production limbo to independently launch his new interview show, “Keep the Meter Running,” on YouTube.The transition is a no-brainer: YouTube took 12.5% of all TV and streaming viewership in January 2026—outpacing Netflix, Amazon, and Disney+—and allowed creators to self-start their channels. In late 2025,YouTube revealed it had paid out over $100 billion to creators, artists and media companies since 2021, and the number of YouTube channels making more than $100,000 from TV screens jumped 45 percent year-on-year. The platform is also taking aim at awards legitimacy to match its reach, expanding its Primetime Emmy FYC slate from three to seven creators in 2026—including "Subway Takes" and "Celebrity Substitute." Creators with nation-sized followings can afford to build their own vast production campuses—MrBeast’s $14 million North Carolina studio encompasses the second-largest sound stage in the U.S.—but where are these vast swathes of aspiring stars recording their shows?The surprising answer: coworking spaces.Below, CANOPY explains seven reasons why a premium coworking membership sets budding YouTubers—and anyone making content at your company—on the path to success.1. Space for Creativity To Thrive in CommunityEven solo creators need help—shows and series with TV production DNA are labor-intensive and need a producer, an editor, and a fixer. Julian Shapiro-Barnum scaled from posting COVID-19 pandemic-era YouTube videos of himself interviewing children solo to a full production company for Celebrity Substitute, which now has over 500 million views as of May 2026 and is in its third season. Creator-showrunners also need to tap a steady stream of guests and collaborators to produce fresh, relevant content while growing their respective followings.Collab houses tried to solve for community and scale with flashy mansions, but as drama unfolded and breakout stars left—and teams and creators still opted to live and work offsite—the content-house era was a flash in the pan. A 2023 Los Angeles Magazine story reported how the TikTok-famous Hype House peaked at 21 members, lost its top talent within months of its 2020 launch (when only four members lived there full-time), and was sold in August 2024.Enter the premium shared office: a place where content teams can meet, ideate, and execute without friction at team desks, in conference rooms, within dedicated shooting spaces. Creative studio Bonfire Labs delivers “scalable as hell” creative services for clients Google, Adobe, Amazon, GAP, Fitbit, and Hims & Hers. Because every project varies in scope and scale, the studio needs to tap diverse locations from a business office base in a coworking space. “This enables us to maintain a smaller footprint while providing an upscale, bespoke base for team members, plus access to centrally located, beautiful conference rooms for meetings with brands and prospects,” explained Bonfire Labs’ head of business development, Zach Rubin.2. Connections to Collaborators and Collaborators Without the StringsHistorically, support for producing content required trade-offs. Traditional studios demanded the final word on show format and inclusions, and paid salaries in lieu of shares in ad and partnership revenue. Content houses offered free rent but required exclusivity, brand-deal cuts, and creative control: Fenty Beauty's brand house required creators to make on-message content; Jake Paul structured his Team 10 YouTuber housing agreement so only he could monetize the collective output.The coworking model offers organic community and necessary infrastructure—no contractual strings attached. Music publicists sit three desks from documentary editors, entertainment lawyers, and financiers. Podcast producers cross paths with brand strategists at member events. Creators own their IP, brand deals, and post what they want. As Julian Shapiro-Barnum, creator of “Recess Therapy” and “Celebrity Substitute,” told Deadline: "We're not waiting on anybody to open any door for us or unlock any budget, we're going to brands with an idea, getting it funded ourselves."3. Design-Forward Locations That Double As SetsThe backdrop behind a creator is visual branding. A bare wall reads “bedroom producer,” especially on a 65-inch screen; a biophilic, layered space with camera-ready colors and furnishings signals the show is hitting its stride.A 60-second brand partnership or podcast video shot in a beautifully decorated private office delivers the look and feel of a dedicated soundstage. Design-forward coworking offers additional spaces like cozy lounges, shared kitchens, and outdoor space that can be broadcast-ready with a few tweaks—and on a flexible schedule that creators own. When “House Bunny” actor Anna Faris and her producing partner Sim Sarna looked for an inviting home for their relationship advice podcast, “Unqualified,” they didn't sign a studio lease—they found a Hollywood coworking space with a living-room-style space. “Podcasting is an intimate experience, and audio is intimate because we're in your ears," Sarna told The Hollywood Reporter.4. Silence Is Golden, and Coworking Spaces Offer Soundproofing Essential to Quality Production“I'm about to drive over to Henry's house and knock out the leaf blower—I'm going to get him!” joked “Smartless” cohost Jason Bateman as a gardener fires up his tools over guest Henry Winkler. For podcasters, voice-over artists, producers, and sound mixers, online podcast recording tools like Zencastr are a boon for engaging busy guests wherever they are, but it’s still tricky to find spots with acoustic silence—not the relative quiet of a bedroom or home office, but an absence of all sound to ensure vocal tracks sit cleanly in a mix.For creators without a dedicated studio, soundproofed private offices and telephone booths in a coworking space offer small footprints, soft surfaces, and professional-grade acoustic infrastructure as part of a membership. For international guests, it's typically easier to find and drop into a nearby coworking space than a studio. Karine Sarkissian, founding partner at VC firm Tamar Capital and design lead at the enterprise program Le Studio, rents a private coworking space office in San Francisco where she records her podcast, “Under The Hood,” with visiting and remote guests in phone booths and conference rooms. “We come in two or three days a week and often start work at 6 a.m. to overlap with London and Beirut time zones. It's really fun, and the conversations are truly inspiring!”5. Just Hit ‘Record.’ Coworking Spaces Offer the Right Tools and Technologies.While “SmartLess” is one pod that sticks to its off-screen philosophy, providing video for audio shows is a lucrative business. YouTube has more than 1 billion monthly podcast viewers. A year into Spotify's Partner Program, which helps creators to monetize video engagement, monthly video podcast consumption has nearly doubled. (Spotify paid more than $100 million to podcast publishers and podcasters worldwide in the first quarter of 2025 through ads and revenue generated through the Spotify Partner Program.) Podcast software platform Podyx reports that brand spend on full packages—editing, show notes, clipping, and short-form video—is growing strongly, but tacking video onto an audio setup is costly. With so many shows and hosts vying for attention, plug-and-play setups are essential for shipping well-produced content quickly and consistently.Premium shared office developments offer what would cost a fortune to assemble independently: dedicated high-speed internet, video conferencing rooms, AV infrastructure, lavish indoor-outdoor spaces, and even purpose-built content studios. When The Spear, the first luxury “office resort” in the U.S., opens in downtown San Francisco later this year, tenants will have access to luxe coworking space and Spear Studios—a private media recording space for podcasts, music, and live TV.6. Dedicated Events Teams Make Reserving Spaces, Booking Talent, and Managing AV Gear EasyBuying or hiring cameras and mics is already pricey, and there are plenty of hidden costs baked into independent productions. Booking guests. Confirming rooms. Green-room logistics. Setting up AV and mic checks. Now that A-listers are YouTube regulars—Harry Styles on “Royal Court,” Charli XCX on “Feeding Starving Celebrities”—creators are under pressure to deliver professional, late show-style guest hospitality.Traditional studios employ staff for this—and so do premium coworking spaces. Dedicated concierge-style community managers, events teams, and operations staff at shared offices offer turnkey hosting at a level approaching a small production company's back office included with membership. They even offer the flexibility to shoot commercials or launch products on a day pass. When Alex Gibney’s Jigsaw Pictures sought a location for “Generation Hustle,” a 10-part series that looks at the lengths young people will go to for fame, fortune, and power, a coworking space in San Francisco’s VC hub Jackson Square delivered the perfect setting.7. The Financials Are a No-BrainerFor a working creator, the economics say it all. Audio studios in major cities average $100 to $150 per hour and can be as costly as $500 per hour at flagship facilities. Filming spaces can run $60 to $180 per hour nationally—adding up to $30,000 to $80,000 annually for weekly content—while renting a premium film studio in LA can kick up to $3,000 a day. A content-house mansion can easily tick up above $80,000 per month and demands exclusivity.Comparatively, a premium coworking membership—with soundproofed offices, phone booths, design-forward lounges, conference rooms, AV gear, and staff—typically runs $300 to $1200 per month. No revenue share or tithing on brand deals. The address is yours. The IP is yours. As YouTube CEO Neal Mohan told the Lincoln Center crowd at Brandcast, creators today "want to be entrepreneurs, own their work, and have a direct relationship with an audience." Today’s coworking spaces are answering the call.This story was developed by CANOPY and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	How SBIC funds fuel Main Street infrastructure and regional job creation How SBIC funds fuel Main Street infrastructure and regional job creationThe U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that as of April 2026, the total nonfarm payroll employment edged up by 115,000 and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.3%, although job gains occurred in healthcare, transportation and warehousing, and retail trade.There's a growing national focus on infrastructure modernization and regional economic resilience, and while much of this growth is supported by public funding, there are also private capital mechanisms at play, such as small business investment company (SBIC) funds, Abacus Finance reports. SBIC funds are also helping lower middle-market, U.S. small businesses expand operations and create regional jobs while supporting Main Street infrastructure. Abacus Finance How SBIC Funds Interact With Regional Infrastructure DevelopmentSBIC funds are designed to increase capital availability for qualifying small and middle-market businesses, which are often found in infrastructure-related industries, such as industrial manufacturing, logistics, utility services, and transportation operations. Financing is needed for expenses related to operational expansion, such as equipment purchases, facility improvements, or workforce growth tied to regional demand.This segment isn't the usual target of large institutional lenders. SBIC loans fill funding gaps that exist. SBIC participation is relevant within discussions surrounding domestic industrial capacity and regional commercial expansion, as the relationship between SBIC capital and infrastructure development is generally indirect.Employment Growth Associated With SBIC-Backed Business ExpansionSBIC financing is used for growth-oriented activities, such as:Increasing production capacityOpening additional facilitiesAcquiring equipmentExpanding into new marketsThese operational changes influence employment levels in relevant sectors. Workforce growth occurs directly through hiring, but employment effects are also tied to broader supplier or contractor activity.Regional labor markets also experience indirect effects, as expansion generates additional demand for transportation, maintenance, professional services, or local procurement. SBIC-related job creation, therefore, centers on broader economic participation rather than solely on immediate hiring figures.The Role of Patient Capital in Infrastructure-Adjacent IndustriesInfrastructure-adjacent sectors often have business cycles that differ from those in shorter-term consumer industries. There are extended project timelines, regulatory considerations, and substantial upfront operational costs. These longer development periods require multi-year horizons, which are found in financing structures associated with SBIC funds.SBIC capital is generally deployed into privately held firms that support broader infrastructure ecosystems; it doesn't function as direct public infrastructure financing.SBIC Activity Within Middle-Market Industrial EcosystemsMany regional economies depend on networks of specialized middle-market businesses that contribute to manufacturing, distribution, maintenance, engineering, and industrial support operations. Smaller industrial firms look for alternative capital sources beyond traditional commercial lending, and SBIC financing activity correlates with this.The resulting economic activity influences surrounding commercial networks. This includes:SuppliersTransportation providersSubcontractorsRegional service firmsIndustrial ecosystems that are supported by middle-market companies tend to evolve incrementally over time rather than through large-scale public investment alone.Capital Availability in Rural and Underserved Regional MarketsAccess to institutional financing varies across geographic regions. Rural communities and smaller metropolitan areas have limited financing availability since there's lower population density or reduced lender participation.Financing activity in underserved areas is often examined in relation to its broader economic effects. However, outcomes differ widely depending on:Sector conditionsManagement performanceRegional economic trendsConsequently, targeted private credit interventions serve as a stabilizer, allowing small enterprises to maintain operational continuity during localized market downturns while ensuring that vital logistics and utility networks remain fully funded and capable of supporting downstream employment opportunities across regions.SBIC Funds Within the Broader Private Capital EnvironmentSBIC funds are a part of a longstanding financing structure aimed at supporting qualifying domestic businesses through private investment activity.The relevance of SBIC participation is connected to segments of the market that fall below the transaction sizes commonly pursued by large institutional platforms. Companies in infrastructure-support sectors may seek financing arrangements tailored to operational growth and long-term business expansion.SBIC activity is generally viewed as one component within the broader landscape of middle-market private capital allocation.SBIC funds intersect with both economic development objectives and middle-market business financing. SBIC-backed investment activity is often tied to the long-term expansion of regional industries, infrastructure-support services, and employment ecosystems, all of which influence local economic performance over time.Increased attention on domestic manufacturing capacity and regional infrastructure investment could sustain demand for financing among lower middle-market businesses.This story was produced by Abacus Finance and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Rock Island taps interim leader to guide public works transition Rock Island names Luke VanLandegen interim public works director, overseeing 110 staff after Mike Bartels’ resignation.
	Illinois eliminates mandatory driving test for seniors 79-86 Starting July 1, the Road Safety and Fairness Act removes mandatory behind-the-wheel testing for Illinois drivers aged 79 to 86 at renewal.
	Trump administration tightens oversight of state Medicaid demonstration programs A man gets a checkup at a mobile health clinic in Parlier, Calif. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced it will implement more monitoring and oversight of state Medicaid demonstration waivers. (Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local)The Trump administration told states last week it will exercise more stringent financial oversight of waivers that states use to design pilot programs under Medicaid, the state-federal program for low-income people and those with disabilities. In letters sent to state Medicaid directors, the administration announced the changes to Section 1115 “demonstration waivers,” which states apply for and use to test innovative pilot programs that expand Medicaid coverage or benefits. It’s the latest in a series of administration crackdowns on Medicaid spending. The demonstration projects aim to improve health outcomes for Medicaid enrollees or the administration of the state’s overall Medicaid program. Waivers can involve changes to financing structures or implement special coverage benefits for specific populations. For example, several states have been using demonstration waivers to help enroll soon-to-be-released incarcerated people in Medicaid. And in 2024, waivers were approved in four states that allowed for Medicaid coverage of traditional healing practices at tribal health facilities and urban Indian organizations. But starting next Jan. 1, the administration said, applications won’t be approved unless the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services chief actuary “certifies” that waivers won’t result in more federal spending compared with what spending would be without the demonstration program. Such budget neutrality was already required for waivers, and the applications were approved at the discretion of the Department of Health and Human Services secretary. But in its letters to states, the administration emphasized that the applications will also have to be approved by the CMS actuary. Medicaid cuts are likely to worsen mental health care in rural America As part of stricter oversight of states’ waiver applications, CMS says it will require more spending analyses and documentation from states, and implement more monitoring and evaluation of waivers to make sure they don’t differ from states’ calculated spending projections. While CMS is preparing to formalize a rule cementing its revisions, it will already start applying such standards in its waiver reviews. The new guidance also says that waiver applications won’t be approved unless they are in line with “promoting the objectives of the Medicaid statute.” CMS did not respond to questions from Stateline before publication. The announcement is the latest in reversals to the waiver program and a federal crackdown on state Medicaid spending. Last year, the administration said it would no longer approve new Section 1115 waivers with workforce initiatives. It also rescinded aspects of a Biden-era expanded framework for waivers to address health-related social needs, such as housing. The tax and spending law known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act enacted last summer will cut over $900 billion from Medicaid, and is requiring states to implement work requirements for “able-bodied” enrollees. Stateline reporter Nada Hassanein can be reached at nhassanein@stateline.org. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Stateline

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