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

Friday, May 8th, 2026
	RDA awards grants totaling almost $2 million The Regional Development Authority (RDA) Board met at Rhythm City Casino Resort on May 7 to approve 54 grant awards totaling $1,975,156. These grants support a wide range of community development efforts in the Quad Cities region for economic development, arts & culture, human services, and education. The awards include payments for three Transformational Initiatives [...]
	Food & Water Watch protests Miller-Meeks outside MercyOne Genesis in Davenport On Thursday, advocates organized by Food & Water Watch protested in Davenport against U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ vote last summer on Medicaid cuts and their impact on water and health.
	Resignations, hirings and other Moline School District personnel news from April 27 See the personnel items from the April 27 agenda of the Moline-Coal Valley School District. The board met at the Moline Education Center, 1900 52nd Avenue in Moline.
	Stamp Out Hunger food drive returns Saturday across the Quad Cities United Way of the Quad Cities is teaming up with the U.S. Postal Service and other local partners this weekend to fight hunger—right from your own home.
	Colombia's rogue hippos could find refuge in India In Colombia, a plan to cull Pablo Escobar's invasive hippos is challenged by an Indian billionaire's offer to relocate dozens of the animals to India's wildlife reserve instead.
	Drivers: Traffic alerts for Scott County It's an Our Quad Cities News traffic alert. According to releases from the Scott County Road Department, Park View Dr. may be restricted to one lane of traffic between Scott Park Rd. and Manor Dr. for a roadway improvement project. The project is set to include curb replacement, pavement scarification and asphalt resurfacing. When restrictions [...]
	CDC hantavirus outbreak classification lowest emergency activation level: Report The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has activated its 24/7 emergency center and classified hantavirus as the lowest activation level, according to a new report on Thursday evening.
	Eastern Iowa Community Colleges impacted by Canvas attack Thousands of schools and universities across the nation were affected by a cyberattack on Canvas, an assignment and grade-tracking site, yesterday. Black Hawk College and Eastern Iowa Community Colleges are among thousands of schools that use the program. Brandon Lange, Associate Dean of E-Learning and Educational Technology at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, spoke with Our [...]
	Police: Man believed gun was empty before teenage boy was shot A 15-year-old boy was shot in Clinton Thursday.
	QC 4-H members shine at state livestock judging contest Youth from Knox, Warren, and Henderson counties delivered standout performances at the 2026 Illinois 4‑H State Livestock Judging Contest, held April 27 on the University of Illinois campus, a news release says. This year’s contest saw 250 participants, marking a 38% increase from last year as interest in livestock evaluation continues to grow. Severe weather postponed the in‑person [...]
	Former Winnebago Co. deputy, Cherry Valley officer accused of stalking A former Winnebago County deputy and Cherry Valley officer turned himself in Friday in connection to a felony stalking investigation, according to state police.
	As federal government pulls back, Colorado charts independent course with vaccines As state leaders change laws to make vaccines more accessible, a coalition of doctors, public health advocates and everyday Coloradans is trying to start a public conversation about their importance.
	'Blue Film' is a disquieting sit for both characters and audience Blue Film is clearly designed to be unsettling. Its performances are haunting.
	Free 'Stop the Scammers' roadshow comes to Davenport - sign up here The Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services’ “Stop the Scammers” roadshow, in partnership with the Iowa Attorney General’s Office and AARP Iowa, will visit Davenport on Tuesday, May 12, according to a news release. The educational campaign and roadshow seeks to educate Iowans on scams impacting the state and how Iowans can best protect [...]
	Court rejects Virginia redistricting in a blow to Democrats' counter to Trump, GOP Virginia voters approved redistricting that could help Democrats pick up four House seats. Democrats said it was to counter the gains that Trump and the GOP have picked up in Republican-led states.
	Rooted in nature, 'Silent Friend' will change the way you see the trees A new art-house drama tells three stories that span the century — and connect to one tree. Silent Friend will open your eyes to the beauty of the natural world.
	Popular dessert recalled in Illinois over glass contamination Aldi is recalling a dessert sold in seven states over possible glass contamination.
	Warmer weather after a cold spell We have been seeing a lot of cooler weather in the Quad Cities over the past two weeks with some showing drastic shifts. We have been seeing a lot of 50s and 60s, especially when this past Monday was a high of 83, on to drop 27 degrees in 24 hours for a high of [...]
	3 Things to Know \| Quad Cities morning headlines for May 8, 2026 The Knox County Courthouse will be closed due to sewer issues in the building, and portions of Crow Creek Park will be closed for construction.
	Moline Regional Community Foundation awards scholarships to 56 students The Moline Regional Community Foundation (MRCF) has awarded 56 scholarships to Quad Cities area students, according to a news release. “It is with great pleasure that we announce this year’s 56 scholarship recipients. MolineRegional Community Foundation is honored to support the donors who established these awards, representing a collective investment of $108,000 in the future [...]
	Muscatine Art Center presents wine, cheese, dessert fundraiser An evening of wine, cheese, dessert, and hands‑on creativity awaits as the Muscatine Art Center hosts Paintings and Pairings, a new fundraiser supporting the Friends of the Muscatine Art Center, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 14. Guests will begin the evening with four featured wines paired with local cheeses. Winemaker Josh Glasson, owner of Ardon [...]
	Monster Jam is revving up for another year of competition in Moline News 8 caught up with Angelina Nock, who will be steering the competition as Megalodon during the Monster Jam Championship this Saturday.
	Iowa schools, universities targeted by global Canvas cyberattack For the second time, a ransomware group has claimed to breach a learning system used by the University of Iowa, Iowa State and schools around the world, including local school districts like Iowa City, Des Moines and Marshalltown.
	Former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad sees highway named in his honor Former Gov. Terry Branstad received the Iowa Award in December. At that time, a 36-mile stretch of Highway 9 was dedicated in his name, honoring his 36 years of public service to the state.
	Muscatine celebrates Historic Preservation Month The City of Muscatine recognizes May as Historic Preservation Month, celebrating the community’s rich architectural heritage, cultural landmarks, and ongoing work to preserve the stories that define Muscatine’s character, according to a news release. Historic Preservation Month is observed nationally each May, but Muscatine’s deep roots make the celebration especially meaningful. From one of Iowa’s [...]
	Pleasant Valley School District principal retirement, resignations, hirings from April 13 school board agenda The following personnel items are from the April 13 of the Pleasant Valley School District. The School Board met at Belmont Administration Center at 525 Belmont Rd., Riverdale, Iowa.
	Iowa universities among thousands impacted by cyber attack DES MOINES, Iowa -- Iowa State University, the University of Iowa, and DMPS have confirmed they are among the thousands impacted by a cyberattack that powers Canvas. The breach was first reported by TechCrunch on Tuesday, stating hackers had stolen students' private information and that a member of the group shared a sample of the [...]
	Bettendorf Scholarship Night celebrates the hard work of scholars and high achievers Bettendorf High School seniors received scholarships for their dedication to academics, athletics and the arts.
	Augustana College peer-led program helps those struggling with their mental health Augustana College students Addi Wessel and Morin Windle are not just students, they are providing trained peer support to their classmates dealing with mental health struggles.
	UAE reports drone and missile attack as Iran war ceasefire is challenged The Iran war's shaky ceasefire was further strained on Friday as the United Arab Emirates responded to a missile and drone strikes.
	Washington awaits Iran's response as the UAE reports another missile barrage The Iran war's shaky ceasefire was further strained on Friday as the United Arab Emirates responded to a missile and drone strikes.
	The U.S. awaits Iran's response as the UAE reports another missile barrage The Iran war's shaky ceasefire was further strained on Friday as the United Arab Emirates responded to a missile and drone strikes.
	Military drills on the edge: U.S. and allies test capabilities near Asia's flash points From drone boats to long-range missiles, the U.S. and its allies tested new military tactics in the Philippines, sharpening deterrence as tensions with China intensify.
	Oscar Wilde This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.No sooner had the dust of the Civil War settled than the fledgling cities around Rock Island decided to make something…
	Ribbon cutting ceremony for Black Resources Inc. on Monday Black Resources Inc. is a non-profit organization making its mark in Davenport. Ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for Monday, May 11.
	Prices are up, but Mother's Day still means brunch It's the biggest day for America's restaurants, and one of the biggest for flower sales. Despite anxieties over rising gas prices, people are ready to splurge to celebrate.
	Spain readies for evacuations as a hantavirus-hit cruise ship heads for Canary Islands Spanish authorities are preparing to receive more than 140 passengers and crew members on board a hantavirus-stricken cruise ship headed for the Canary Islands.
	What video got Kash Patel in the headlines this week? The quiz knows Plus: The Met Gala, GameStop, Canada and Banksy (again!).
	Dave Kietzman to serve as Bettendorf Middle School interim associate principal An interim associate principal has been selected for Bettendorf Middle School. According to a release from the Bettendorf Community School District, Dave Kietzman will serve in the position beginning in July 2026, pending Board approval. Kietzman will replace Rachael Dierickx, who is moving to the interim principal position at Herbert Hoover Elementary School. Kietzman currently [...]
	European countries emerge as NATO leaders as U.S. role recedes President Trump's decision to leave NATO in the dark before launching strikes on Iran has inflamed tensions and is putting new urgency on rethinking the alliance.
	March Madness tournaments will expand to 76 teams each starting next season The NCAA will expand its March Madness tournaments by eight teams each next season. It will add more early-round games in the first week without altering the overall format.
	North Korea says it will deploy new artillery guns targeting Seoul North Korea says it'll deploy new long-range artillery systems capable of striking the capital region of rival South Korea this year and commission its first naval destroyer in coming weeks.
Thursday, May 7th, 2026
	Quad City Storm and QCHA expanding partnership to support youth hockey The Quad City Storm and Quad City Hockey Association is excited to announce an expanded partnership that features a rebranding of the Quad City Ice Eagles youth hockey and Quad City Blues and Lady Blues high school hockey to the Quad City Junior Storm.
	Davenport schools to host Dual Grad Program information night The program, which is hosted at Davenport North High School, allows students to earn their diploma and an Associate of Arts degree from Eastern Iowa Community Colleges simultaneously.
	Muscatine Art Center Board President speaks about anonymous $200,000 donation The donation helped the center cover the difference after Muscatine City Council cut finding to balance the city budget.
	Davenport schools to host dual grad program informational night The program, which is hosted at Davenport North High School, allows students to earn their diploma and an Associate of Arts degree from Eastern Iowa Community Colleges simultaneously.
	Iowans protest vote from Miller-Meeks in favor of Medicaid cuts Organizers argued that vote endangers hospitals and access to healthcare while Iowans struggle with industrial-agriculture linked water and cancer rates.
	Iowans protest vote from Miller-Meeks in favor of Medicaid cuts Organizers argued that vote endangers hospitals and access to healthcare while Iowans struggle with industrial-agriculture linked water and cancer rates.
	Hackers breach Canvas learning platform, exposing data on millions of students and teachers A criminal extortion group claims to have stolen 275 million records from Instructure, the company behind the widely used Canvas platform.
	University of Iowa students help fast-growing West Branch plan for the future West Branch has the 10th-highest growth rate in Iowa. For a city that has focused so much of its time on its history - the birthplace of Herbert Hoover - city leaders needed to shift that focus to the future. To do that, the city needed to bring new voices and new ideas into the [...]
	Scott County Supervisors fail to vote on giving county final say in zoning decisions A resolution to determine authority of zoning and land-use decisions in Scott County failed to come to vote Thursday night. That's after no county supervisors seconded the vote. The resolution would give only the Scott County Supervisors the ability to make zoning and land-use decisions in the county. Scott County supervisors voted down a zoning [...]
	Cook review: It's the same all over in 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' I find it interesting that sequels are being created many years - sometimes a generation of years, in this case - after the original has appeared on the big screen. .I remember "The Devil Wears Prada," but I had not seen the original for, well, 20 years. It came back to me right away as [...]
	Maryland ranked high among states for public health preparedness, but could be doing more A new report shows that a little over have of Marylanders received their annual flu shot in the 2024-2025 flu season. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jerry Saslav)Maryland remains better prepared to combat public health emergencies than most other states, but federal shakeups in staffing and funding could threaten those protections, according to a new report from Trust for America’s Health. The annual “Ready or Not?” report evaluates the nation’s public health infrastructure to determine how well prepared each state would be if there was an urgent public health situation, such as a disease outbreak, bioterrorism or natural disaster. Since 2019, Maryland has largely sat in the top tier of the report’s readiness scale, save one dip to the middle tier in 2024. But public health advocates and researchers say that states with high rankings cannot rest but should continue to boost their public health infrastructure. “Even if you’re in the top tier, that doesn’t mean you have it all,” said Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University School of Public Health. She received her doctorate in epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “It’s not like you get to just sit it out and say, ‘Well, we’re good and we’re going to be fine,’” she said, during a virtual discussion Thursday on the 2026 report. “What I think is really valuable in these reports is that they show us what we have been able to achieve … but also point to areas where we need to do some harder work.” The 2026 update comes as public health officials and researchers keep close watch on several diseases that could pose significant public health risks if they begin to spread rapidly – including measles, Avian influenza and the recent outbreak of hantavirus. Healthcare costs top of mind for voters as midterms approach, survey finds The report warns that federal layoffs under the Trump administration, as well as cuts in funding for disease research, could destabilize the progress that has been made in recent years. “A strong public health system protects not only health but also economic security and national security,” said Dr. J. Nadine Gracia, president and CEO of the Trust for America’s Health, during the virtual discussion. “As a nation, we remain less prepared for public health emergencies than we need to be. There’s a wide variation of preparedness across states, and those gaps leave the nation, as a whole, more vulnerable.” Maryland is one of 20 states with “high” preparedness for a public health emergency, according to the 2026 report, which uses data from 2024 and 2025. Meanwhile, 17 states and Washington, D.C., were in the “middle tier” for preparedness and 13 states were in the “low tier.” Overall, states have boosted their public health responses since the COVID-19 pandemic. But Gracia notes that even for states scored high, like Maryland, there are likely places where they can improve. “It’s not measuring, for example, whether any state is fully prepared,” Gracia said. “Regardless of performance tier, all states have strengths — and all states, regardless of tier, have room for improvement.” For example, one of the metrics in the report is the annual flu vaccination rate. For the 2024-2025 flu season, approximately 52.2% of Marylanders got an annual flu shot — above the national average of 44%, but well under the 70% target set by federal health officials. According to the report’s profile on Maryland, approximately 74% of residents have access to paid sick leave, which is higher than some states but lower than the national average of 81%. Maryland is ranked 19th for preventing “avoidable mortalities.” Those are defined as premature deaths that occur before age 75 from specific causes, including vaccine-preventable diseases, alcohol or drug-related mortalities and certain cancers and cardiovascular diseases that if caught early and managed effectively are less likely to result in premature death. According to the report, approximately 260 deaths out of every 100,000 Marylanders are classified as avoidable mortalities, a combination of treatable and preventable deaths. That’s lower than the national rate of 278 avoidable deaths per 100,000 people, but well above Massachusetts, the best state in that category with 201 avoidable mortalities per 100,000 people. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A recent story about an outbreak of hantavirus on the cruise ship MV Hondius has reignited the conversation of public health online. While public health officials are keeping a close eye on the situation, the risk to the general population remains low, Nuzzo said. “This is not the next pandemic, but it certainly is a reminder of the need for perpetual readiness,” she said. Nuzzo is more worried about the ongoing rise of measles cases in recent years. “When people ask me, ‘Is the United States prepared for deadly biological threats,’ I can’t help but say, ‘If we were, we wouldn’t be seeing outbreaks of measles,’” she said, noting that health researchers are currently tracking a “staggering” 20 outbreaks across the nation. Maryland health officials have so far confirmed three measles cases in 2026, but the state’s comparatively high vaccination rates have kept the spread low compared to other states. Nuzzo also worries that the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 could be a breeding ground for public health threats, and that states are getting little guidance from federal agencies on how to defend against those threats. While the games are not heading to Maryland, there will be international travel that will bring in large gatherings of people to 11 cities across the United States, including Philadelphia. Gracia urges federal, state and local governments to continue prioritizing public health efforts in preparation for the next crisis, whatever or whenever that may be. “Preparedness capabilities cannot be assembled in the middle of a crisis,” Gracia said. “They are the foundation of national health security and must be built, maintained and strengthened over time.” Courtesy of Maryland Matters
	Study: QCA homes in top ten for oldest median age Buying a home is on just about everyone's 'to-do' list. When done correctly, it can be a sound investment in a person's (or family's) future. However, a new study released by the research company 'Construction Coverage' is shining light on an interesting trend. According to the latest version of its 'American Cities With the Oldest [...]
	Traffic alert: Street lanes to close in Galesburg for new manhole construction Lanes of two streets in Galesburg are set to close for construction of a new manhole.
	Cap Times management agrees to recognize newsroom union A sign outside the building occupied by both the Wisconsin State Journal and the Cap Times newspapers. (Photo by Ruth Conniff/Wisconsin Examiner)The publisher of the Cap Times said Thursday that the news organization’s management will voluntarily recognize the eight-member newsroom staff’s union. The employees formally announced their union campaign in a meeting with Publisher Paul Fanlund and other Cap Times managers a week ago. They have affiliated with the NewsGuild-CWA, which also represents employees at Wisconsin Watch and at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “The Capital Times Co. has decided to voluntarily recognize the labor union being formed by Capital Times reporters and we hope to work towards an amicable outcome,” Fanlund said in a statement Thursday. “In the meantime, we will continue the excellent reporting and opinion journalism that the community has come to depend upon.” The Capital Times newspaper was founded in 1917 by William T. Evjue and throughout its history has been known in Madison as a staunch voice for liberal and progressive values, including its support for labor unions. Since 2008, what was once a daily evening newspaper has published online with a weekly print tabloid edition. While retaining its original name as a business entity, the newspaper adopted its longstanding nickname among readers as its moniker. In making their case for a union, the employees primarily focused on the paper’s progressive heritage as well as their interest in greater involvement in its operation. “I’m proud of all the work we put into forming a union,” said Erin Gretzinger, the K-12 reporter at the Cap Times. “Management’s decision to voluntarily recognize us aligns with the Cap Times’ longstanding values, and it is reflective of our value to the newsroom and the broader Madison community. I look forward to the next steps in this process and working collaboratively to ensure a strong future for our newsroom.” SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Courtesy of Wisconsin Examiner
	Amid jabs, Republican gubernatorial candidates talk healthcare, education Voters say the cost of healthcare will be a major factor in how they vote in this year's midterm elections. (Getty Images)Candidates vying for the Republican nomination to replace Gov. Janet Mills offered varied approaches to healthcare, though all coalesced behind cutting MaineCare, and took aim at “wokeness” in schools during the latest debate Thursday night. There was talk of cutting taxes and state spending, which had dominated the first televised statewide debate Tuesday. Republicans broadly have criticized Democrats in Augusta for passing majority budgets in recent years. But none of the candidates committed to bipartisan budgets if elected governor when asked Thursday night. Neither debate had full participation of the seven Republican gubernatorial candidates. Five participated Thursday, down from six Tuesday. Robert Wessels, a small business owner from Paris, didn’t meet the criteria of the networks sponsoring Thursday’s debate, CBS News 13 and the Bangor Daily News, including getting 5% support in an independent poll. While Bobby Charles, an attorney from Leeds and former federal government official, did qualify, he declined to participate in both debates because Wessels wasn’t allowed to partake in Thursday’s. While eventually getting into policy substance, Thursday’s debate began with a lot of jabs, as well as some new alliances. David Jones and Ben Midgley, both business leaders, asked their respective supporters to rank the other second on the June 9 primary ballot. That followed news from earlier Thursday that Wessels took the volunteer role of “grassroots chair” in rival Jonathan Bush’s campaign and vowed to rank Bush second after himself. These pacts demonstrate the influence of ranked choice voting on the primary race, though it won’t be used in the November general election. They also come as the debates have underscored overlap between the candidates’ policy goals. Here are some of the ways they differ on the two largest price tags in the state budget: healthcare and education. Healthcare Roughly one in three Mainers is on MaineCare, the state’s Medicaid program. The candidates all described the MaineCare system as bloated and riddled with fraud and abuse. They mostly all vowed to cut enrollment in the program if elected, but varied on their approach, as well as how best to fill gaps in coverage in rural areas. Bush, a health technology entrepreneur who is the nephew of the late President George H.W. Bush, said he’d “shred the excess eligibility for working people that don’t need to be on MaineCare,” as well as gut the state’s direct contracting, where he claimed fraud was growing. Jones, who owns F.O. Bailey Real Estate in Falmouth, said he’d make sure only U.S. citizens are enrolled. Midgley, the former president of Planet Fitness, focused on how to transition people out of the program. ”You need to give folks an opportunity to get off of that, while not taking their benefits away,” he said. “It’s extremely important.” Midgley also put hospitals in the hot seat. “Hospitals, too, they need to take a clear position,” Midgley added. “They wanted this expansion. Now they’re saying it’s not good. They either have to say they don’t want any more of it or they have to, you know, sleep in the bed they made.” Jones and Midgley both brought up increasing competition in the market. Jones suggested gutting current restrictions on purchasing insurance across state lines. Midgley proposed decreasing the state’s level for reinsurance, which is intended to stabilize premiums by having the state reimburse insurers for a portion of high-cost claims. Alone in this approach, Garrett Mason, who served as Maine Senate majority leader during Gov. Paul LePage’s administration, said he’d tap the National Guard to fill holes in rural healthcare. He added, “I think the biggest thing that we can do to help rural healthcare is reelect Sen. Susan Collins.” The Republican gubernatorial hopefuls have gone two for two in bringing up Maine’s U.S. Senate race in debates. Owen McCarthy, a health industry entrepreneur and University of Maine trustee from Gorham, pointed to likely Democratic nominee Graham Platner on Tuesday when explaining Mainers want change. On Thursday, McCarthy offered a distinct route from his opponents on tackling healthcare, advocating for greater use of telemedicine and expanding access to out-of-state telehealth providers. He sees telemedicine as a way to expand preventative care to decrease reliance on ERs and therefore costs to hospitals. “This is all about access to me,” McCarthy said. Education School enrollments are dropping in Maine and several schools are considering consolidating or closing. When asked what role they’d play in this developing issue if elected governor, most candidates pointed to getting “wokeness” out of Maine schools. They also spoke about improving reading and math scores, as Maine recently had its lowest in three decades. “You’ve really got to prioritize evidence-based, high-quality instructional materials,” Midgley said. Others drew clear lines in the sand regarding when the state should intervene. “If a school can’t get 85% of the kids reading by fourth grade, the school district is fired,” Bush said. “The money goes to the family and charter schools, other towns or a reformed local school is born. We need to eliminate the cap on charter schools” Mason also advocated for school choice and commended school boards for asserting their local control. “You’re seeing people finally stand up and saying, ‘No, we’re going to take control of our local schools. We know what’s best,’’ Mason said. Courtesy of Maine Morning Star
	The Heart of the Story: Through his lens 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. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, [...]
	SC won’t put more restrictions on psychoactive herb this year, but effort will continue Rep. Case Brittain, R-Myrtle Beach, talks about his history with alcohol use in advocating for banning kratom at the Statehouse in Columbia, S.C., on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (Screenshot of SCETV legislative livestream)COLUMBIA — A bill banning the use of a drug some state representatives called “gas station heroin” during a passionate debate stalled in the Senate on Thursday, ending its chances of becoming law this year. But senators said to expect the issue to come up again next year. Just three days remain in the 2026 regular session. A law passed last year barred anyone under the age of 21 from buying kratom, which can act as either a stimulant or a sedative depending on the dosage. But legislators in the House said that didn’t go far enough to keep people from buying a drug that, in its most potent forms, can cause addiction, liver toxicity and death. The bill is one of several legislators proposed this session regulating intoxicating products rising in popularity with little regulation. Another bill that would ban certain forms of nitrous oxide, also known as “whippets,” is awaiting a vote from the full House. A soon-to-be law regulates SC sales of a psychoactive herb. No, it’s not marijuana. Senators agreed legislators should do something to further restrict access to kratom, a widely available substance with two psychoactive compounds. But they took no vote on the bill Thursday, saying they needed more information on a complex issue, which they wouldn’t have time for in the final week of the legislative session. “We all know it’s addictive,” said Senate Medical Affairs Chairman Danny Verdin, R-Laurens. “I want to know if it’s debilitating. I want to know if it’s killing people.” The biggest question centers around the differences between the natural and synthetic versions of kratom. The drug originally comes from the leaves of a tree found in southeast Asia, which, when chewed or steeped into tea, can give the user a burst of energy, similar to caffeine. As the market grew in the United States, companies began to create synthetic forms of the drug that were much more potent and more likely to cause harmful side effects, researchers and doctors told senators this week. The law passed last year banned those laboratory-formed versions of kratom. But a manufacturer could still enhance the natural form of the product and sell that in gas stations and other stores, said Todd Hughey, who oversees the State Law Enforcement Division’s laboratory. SLED’s lab can’t tell the difference between what’s natural and what’s manmade, Hughey said, adding that he didn’t know exactly how enforcement worked under the law. The bill, which passed the House last week in a vote of 87-7, would remove all products containing harmful substances, whether natural or not, from the market and ban versions of the plant containing any lab-created chemical, not just products made completely in a lab. Instead of restricting what people could buy, that would remove the drug from shelves completely, opponents of the bill argued. Even when picked straight from the tree, kratom leaves contain trace forms of the chemicals the bill would prohibit, several doctors and proponents of the low-potency version of the drug told senators. But others argued not changing the law would continue allowing people to easily access a harmful substance. How many people in South Carolina have died from using kratom is unclear, since most deaths involving kratom include other harmful drugs, including fentanyl, several experts and legislators said. The Food and Drug Administration warns against using kratom, and the Drug Enforcement Administration considers it a drug of concern. ‘Tired of people being addicted’ A single fatality is too many, supporters of the bill said. And nothing limits the potency of the drug, meaning gas stations can sell extremely strong kratom products to anyone over the age of 21, said Rep. Greg Ford, who referred to it as “gas station heroin.” “You don’t buy morphine at your gas station down your road, but yet we’re letting this stuff right here be sold,” the Summerville Republican and former hemp farmer said. Rep. Case Brittain understands how difficult addiction can be, he said. At one point in his life, Brittain drank every day, starting at 11 a.m., when “The Price is Right” came on TV, he told the House, without offering more specifics. “I was told, you can see your grandchildren, or you can make it to 75,” the Myrtle Beach Republican said of his drinking. “I made the cognitive decision not to drink anymore. I didn’t take any kratom, I didn’t take anything else, I didn’t take any medicine, any pills. I quit it. I quit.” People shouldn’t use one drug in place of another, including swapping opioids for kratom, Brittain said, shouting to make his point. “I am very sympathetic to those that have gotten addicted to this product, but I’m going to tell you this: I’m tired of people being addicted to it,” Brittain said. “And there’s one way to make sure we don’t do that anymore: We get rid of it. We ban it. All of it. “There ain’t nothing good about it,” Brittain added. ‘Fanning the flames’ That’s not true, replied House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford, who voted against the bill. Kratom can be a lifeline for people with medical conditions that cause consistent pain, the Columbia Democrat said. People might opt for the over-the-counter drug, which comes in capsules, powder and juice forms, instead of highly addictive opioids. “If you are in chronic pain, what you will do to fix that pain is just about anything,” Rutherford said. Rutherford pointed to a lack of data on the drug, which has grown in popularity in recent years. He questioned whether it was better to keep medications that have research proving how they’ve harmed people, including opioids, on the market while restricting access to kratom. “We are fanning the flames and creating a boogeyman so we can tell people we saved them from the boogeyman,” Rutherford said. Researchers who opposed the bill agreed. Side effects are rare, Kirsten Smith, a Tennessee-based researcher who has spent the past decade studying kratom for Johns Hopkins University, told senators Wednesday. People who want kratom will get access to it one way or another, so banning it would likely create a black market that would make the drug much harder to track and regulate, Smith said. She likened the drug to Tylenol instead of heroin, saying it was fine in small doses but still toxic in large quantities. “I do think there’s enough benefit with these products that to remove them from commerce could be inadvertently very bad,” Smith said. More information Senators on the 17-member Medical Affairs Committee agreed the topic was far too complicated to tackle in their final week of the year. Legislators are hearing divisive and passionate opinions from both sides, said Sen. Jeff Zell. The Sumter Republican has gotten emails telling him passing the bill would kill kratom users who rely on less potent versions of the substance to keep them from getting hooked on worse drugs, he said. “I’m not interested in rushing these House bills through so they can get credit on Facebook,” Zell said, referencing representatives’ reelection campaigns this year. “But I am interested in making sure that we’re compassionate.” Banning the drug and taking it away from people who use the low-concentration version out of necessity doesn’t sound like a good idea, senators said. But leaving it on the shelves without further regulation doesn’t seem like a good option, either, they said. Another year will give legislators more time to see how the law they passed last year works and better understand the differences between the natural and synthetic versions of kratom, several on the committee said. They expect to come back next year with a different version of the bill. “It still warrants further consideration,” Verdin said. “And we are all committing ourselves to give it.” Courtesy of South Carolina Daily Gazette
	Illinois jurors could get a pay increase Illinois residents could soon get a pay hike for jury duty. House Bill 4844 would require employers to pay workers regular wages while they serve on jury duty. Currently, jurors get $50 dollars a day for federal court, and it varies widely according to the county. Business groups argue this would be unfair to small [...]
	Medicaid cuts’ impact to cost Wisconsin $7 billion in 10 years, advocacy group says A hospital emergency room entrance. (Photo by Susan J. Demas/Michigan Advance)A new report forecasts that changes to Medicaid enacted in 2025 will cut $7 billion from the program in Wisconsin alone over the next 10 years, according to the advocacy group Protect Our Care. Calculations last year from KFF, a nonprofit, nonpartisan healthcare policy and news organization, indicate that at least 57,000 more people in Wisconsin will become uninsured by 2034. “Wisconsinites and people everywhere have either lost coverage or they’re living with the ongoing fear of not knowing whether or not they’ll have health coverage in the next month,” said state Rep. Deb Andraca (D-Whitefish Bay) in a media call conducted Thursday by Protect Our Care. The organization has issued a new report on the impact on Medicaid across the country from the 2025 tax cut and spending bill that passed with only Republican votes and was signed by President Donald Trump July 4. The legislation’s tax cuts primarily went to the wealthiest Americans, said Protect Our Care’s Joe Zepecki. “Every single state in the United States is going to see these cuts and it’s going to have all kinds of consequences,” said U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee), who also took part in the call Thursday. The legislation included new requirements for some Medicaid recipients to prove they are working or are exempt from a work requirement. It also included requirements that those recipients submit paperwork showing they qualify for Medicaid twice a year instead of once a year. Those requirements will take effect in 2027. The work-reporting requirements, however, have been broadly criticized by healthcare experts. “We have also consistently seen in our research and everybody’s research that work requirement policies often do not meaningfully increase employment or access to inclusive, competitive employment,” said Kylie McLean, a social work professor, researcher and advocate for people with disabilities. “Instead, they create paperwork barriers that cause eligible people to lose coverage, not because they are ineligible because but because the system becomes too difficult for them to navigate,” McLean said. McLean said she has heard from people with disabilities and their families who are concerned that they could lose access to Medicaid for healthcare and personal care in their homes and communities. “For decades, disability advocates like myself have fought to move away from unnecessary institutionalization and toward community living and inclusion,” she said. “Medicaid is what made that possible.” Waivers states receive from the federal government cover those home and community based services — referred to as HCBS for short. But while federal law requires Medicaid coverage for people in institutions, it’s optional for home and community-based care, McLean said. “That means when states face budget pressure or major Medicaid cuts, community services, HCBS services are among the first at risk,” McLean said. Another call participant, Dr. Chris Ford, said he has seen the consequences on the job as an emergency room specialist in Milwaukee. “When access to primary care disappears, when those clinics close, and when people lose that insurance, the emergency department becomes a safety net for an entire — albeit collapsing — system,” Ford said. “We are already seeing the warning signs happening now.” Ford said he’s seen longer wait times in the emergency room, more patients who, lacking insurance, are “delaying care until they’re critically ill.” “These cuts disproportionately hurt the very people who already face the greatest barriers to care to begin with,” Ford said. “This is not something that is a potential. This is something that is happening already.” SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Courtesy of Wisconsin Examiner
	Bird migration season to peak across Iowa, DNR says An estimated 800 million migratory birds will pass through Iowa this spring.
	Former eastern Iowa city clerk pleads guilty after state audit finds $66K in theft A former Conesville city clerk has pleaded guilty to theft and financial crimes after a state audit found nearly $66,000 in improper payments she allegedly made to herself and her family.
	Iowa lawmakers send radon mitigation bill to governor The bill would require passive radon mitigation systems in all newly built single- and two-family homes across the state.
	Eight people remain in ICE custody after April arrests in Davenport This is a developing story. Check qctimes.com for updates.
	Teen suffers life-threatening injuries in Clinton shooting 23-year-old Caleb Davis was charged with reckless use of a firearm and assault while displaying a weapon.
	Bishop Hill celebrates American history with Civil War Day events You can enjoy a weekend of quilts, music, speeches and Civil War reenactments May 15-16. Here's the full schedule of events happening in Bishop Hill.
	Great Sounds Promotions will present 2 days of music at Rivermont Collegiate, Bettendorf Great Sounds Promotions will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a special two-day music celebration on May 8–9 at Rivermont Collegiate, 1821 Sunset Drive, Bettendorf. This milestone event will feature nationally recognized artists and highlight the organization’s long-standing commitment to presenting quality live music, cultural programming, and youth arts education throughout the Quad Cities region. The [...]
	Bettendorf schools add bus cameras to crack down on stop arm violations Bettendorf schools and police are using bus-mounted cameras to identify drivers illegally passing stopped school buses, improving response time and accountability.
	Bettendorf names new interim associate principal for middle school Dave Kietzman will become interim associate principal at Bettendorf Middle School this July, pending approval. He currently serves as dean of students. Read more here.
	Illinois legislators gear up for final budget talks Illinois lawmakers are making their voices heard about what should be included in the fiscal year 2027 budget that’s set to be approved by May 31.
	High school athletic association backs NC bill requiring mental health training for coaches If the Coaches Care Act becomes law middle and high school coaches in North Carolina would need to complete mental health first aid training to help them recognize when students are struggling with mental health issues or substance abuse. (Photo: Getty Images)This story mentions suicide. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call or text the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. North Carolina middle and high school coaches could be required to complete mental health training under proposed legislation backed by the state high schoolathletic association. Supporters say SB 550 is aimed at helping coaches recognize and respond to student mental health needs before they worsen. “This is not about asking coaches to become counselors,” said Sen. Caleb Theodros (D-Mecklenburg), a co-sponsor of the bill. “It is about making sure that they’re not left guessing when a student needs help.” Theodros made the comments during a press conference on Thursday. Suicide is now the second leading cause of death for children in North Carolina, and across the country, 1 in 7 youths ages 6 to 17 experience a mental health disorder each year. The bill, called the Coaches Care Act, requires coaches to complete mental health first aid training to help them recognize symptoms of mental health struggles and connect students to resources. It was introduced last year but did not move out of the Senate Rules Committee, though this week’s backing from the North Carolina High School Athletic Association could help change that. The organization voted 17-0 on Wednesday to support the measure. “The unanimous vote to require mental health training for head coaches is a meaningful step forward for the students we serve,” Commissioner Que Tucker said in a statement to NC Newsline. Tucker said the organization worked with lawmakers and the Department of Instruction on the proposal. “The NCHSAA is grateful to be part of an effort that prioritizes the well-being of young people,” she said. “It teaches you how to help others. It teaches you how to help yourself,” said April Simpkins, a mental-health advocate and mother of three Division I athletes. Simpkins, who was at the legislature Thursday, lost her daughter, Cheslie Kryst, to suicide in 2022. Advocates from the North Carolina chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) also joined the press conference to show their support for the bill. “We want our young adults to be able to come forward and be able to share that physical and mental health go hand in hand,” said Lillian Davis, director of public policy for the group. “When they need things, we want to be able to give them that support they need.” SB 550 remains in committee and will require Republican support to advance, but Theodros said the NCHSAA backing represents progress. “The next step will be to kind of regroup with those same Senate Republicans that voice support and have additional aid moving across the finish line.” The North Carolina Coaches Association did not reply to a request for comment by press time. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Courtesy of NC Newsline
	Trade court strikes down a second round of Trump tariffs The Court of International Trade has struck down a second round of global tariffs ordered by President Trump, after his earlier import taxes were outlawed by the U.S. Supreme Court. The decision is a victory for importers and a setback for the administration.
	Bettendorf schools, parks team up to offer free summer meals for kids Breakfast and lunch available at multiple locations starting June 8
	U.S. military says it intercepted Iranian attacks on 3 Navy ships in Strait of Hormuz The U.S. military also says that it "targeted Iranian military facilities responsible for attacking U.S. forces." The exchange occurred Thursday as U.S. Navy destroyers transited the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Central Command said in a social media post.
	Knox County Courthouse closing Friday for underground repairs Contractors working on the bathroom renovation project noticed several sewer lines had collapsed under the building, causing soil to erode and form a void.
	DCYF warning to union leader raises First Amendment concerns, ACLU says SEIU Local 580 President Matthew Gunnip testifies before the House Judiciary Committee on April 16, 2026. (Screenshot/Capitol TV)What can a union official say in a public hearing about specific reports of child abuse? That’s the First Amendment question now animating a back-and-forth between the state’s Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), the ACLU of Rhode Island, and the union representing numerous DCYF workers, SEIU Local 580. On April 16, SEIU Local 580 President Matthew Gunnip, a DCYF social caseworker, sat before the House Committee on Judiciary and testified in his union capacity on a slate of bills. During testimony on a bill about camp safety, he detoured to tell lawmakers about his broader anxieties with the Child Protective Services division in DCYF. “It’s a division in crisis,” Gunnip said, adding that it was a “silent crisis,” and went on to underline his point with two examples of reported child abuse he alleged were not properly investigated by the department. One incident, he said, pushed a DCYF employee to leave the agency. “Now that’s just wrong,” Gunnip said at the hearing. “We bring these concerns up to the department, and the department says, ‘Oh, give us some specific cases.’ I can only give you so many specific cases, because our workers are afraid of retaliation.” It took Gunnip about 30 seconds to share his two examples, which involved alleged physical and sexual abuse. Gunnip did not name the caseworkers, children or families involved, but his public remarks were sufficiently detailed for DCYF Director Ashley Deckert to mention them in an April 21 message to Gunnip’s union email address. Deckert’s email was part of a larger thread between the two regarding staffing for the child abuse and neglect hotline — referred to internally as the “call floor” — and the union’s concerns about cases which may not be screened or investigated properly. Deckert wrote in her email to Gunnip that “individual cases often involve additional context that is not reflected in secondhand accounts,” and she added that one of the reports Gunnip mentioned publicly was “ultimately upgraded, investigated, and determined to be unfounded.” The director then pivoted to address head-on Gunnip’s specific comments at the hearing: “The use of detailed, potentially identifiable examples — particularly in public forums — raises serious confidentiality concerns,” Deckert wrote, and cited a section of state law which prescribes DCYF records to be tightly safeguarded. “The legislature is not an entity to which confidential case information may be shared under this statute, not to mention that the hearings are publicized on Capitol TV,” Deckert wrote. “Any further dissemination of such information may constitute a confidentiality violation. I am asking that you exercise extreme caution to ensure confidentiality is not compromised.” That warning, in turn, motivated Gunnip to file a complaint with the ACLU of Rhode Island, whose director, Steven Brown, wrote a letter to Deckert on Tuesday, asking her to “reconsider [her] warning.” Gunnip, Brown argued, was “clearly addressing a matter of important public concern: his opinion about a lack of adequate DCYF staff to handle abuse and neglect complaints,” and to construe a breach of confidentiality laws from his comments “would raise serious First Amendment concerns.” “Cursory” is how Brown characterized Gunnip’s references, adding, “These few sentences are neither gratuitous nor revealing of the identity of the parties. Nobody hearing that testimony would have any idea who those people are.” The ACLU head concluded: “State law appropriately seeks to safeguard the privacy of that information. But we believe it would be constitutionally problematic to interpret that obligation so broadly as to apply to the type of asides that Mr. Gunnip made at the hearing.” DCYF spokesperson Barb Francella said via an emailed statement Wednesday that the department was still reviewing the ACLU’s letter. “We take very seriously our responsibility to ensure confidentiality of Department records and to protect every family’s and every child’s confidentiality,” Francella said. “We also strongly support every staff member’s First Amendment rights.” The agency’s discussions with SEIU Local 580 would continue, Francella said, with the two groups collaborating to “continuously improve operations and service delivery while reminding all Department staff of their confidentiality obligations.” “These dual obligations are not mutually exclusive,” Francella wrote. DCYF Director Ashley Deckert prepares to testify before the House Committee on Oversight on May 21, 2025. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Hotline screening decisions questioned Gunnip said Thursday Deckert’s email was “clearly retaliation” — a retribution, he argued, that belonged to a larger punitive pattern carried out by DCYF leadership. “They need to stop retaliating and instilling fear in workers for speaking up about workplace conditions,” Gunnip said, adding later that emails like Deckert’s “chill the First Amendment speech of [DCYF] employees and their right to speak to the media and speak to the legislature about issues of concern.” Asked what he hoped to demonstrate with his comments before the Judiciary Committee, Gunnip said he wanted legislators to understand that, if DCYF is not adequately following up on certain cases or calls, that constitutes “a matter of public concern.” He called DCYF’s stance on the confidentiality of his statements “absurd.” To Gunnip, this was not a case of a few errant remarks, or a purely managerial slap on the wrist. “This is not…just about a union official,” he said. “This is sending a message to our members, who represent a group who are about two-thirds of the employees at DCYF, that you better shut up and not speak, because if not, we’re coming for you.” The email thread between Deckert and Gunnip showed DCYF and the union have been discussing staffing on the call floor, as well as the screening decisions made from the calls to the hotline. Gunnip’s emails relayed that the union wanted more information on how and what data the agency uses when determining whether to backfill shifts when Child Protective Services is short an investigator. Deckert told Gunnip the agency’s approach is to leverage “real-time need, including call volume, time of day, and overall staffing levels” before deciding when to fill a vacancy for an investigator who has called out. The legislature is not an entity to which confidential case information may be shared under this statute, not to mention that the hearings are publicized on Capitol TV. – Ashley Deckert, Department of Children, Youth and Families director, in an email to SEIU Local 580 President Matthew Gunnip “There are times when call volume is lower and existing coverage is sufficient, even in the presence of call-outs,” Deckert wrote. The state’s Child Advocate Katelyn Medeiros — whose office serves as the watchdog and legal defender for children in DCYF care — said in an email Wednesday that her office “has been made aware of the confidentiality issues” and was “currently reviewing this matter.” While Medeiros said her office “will not be commenting on the letter from the ACLU,” it did “share the concerns raised by the union regarding screening decisions and staffing issues.” The Child Advocate routinely monitors DCYF’s practices regarding screen-outs, or reports that are ultimately not elevated to investigation, and Medeiros said her office is “actively addressing” screening and staffing practices with DCYF. As for H8092, the camp safety bill which prompted the dispute, it’s sponsored by Rep. Justine Caldwell, an East Greenwich Democrat, and would add staff of day and residential camps to the state’s definition of people who are “responsible for a child’s welfare.” That provided an opening for Gunnip, who used the bill during his April 16 testimony as a launching pad for his broader critique that DCYF’s existing staffing and screening capacity should be scrutinized before the department receives any new duties. A flabbergasted Caldwell asked Gunnip during the hearing the basis of his objection to her bill. “I’m not objecting,” he replied. “I’m expressing.” “It sounded like a significant objection,” Caldwell said, and later added from her committee seat, “This is not an Oversight hearing or a Finance hearing about DCYF.” In a phone interview Thursday, Caldwell said she was “so flummoxed” during Gunnip’s testimony at the time. She had missed the beginning of his comments and could not specifically recall the cases he cited, she said. But she remembers trying to keep up. “I was like, ‘Did I miss something?’” Caldwell said, adding that she has good relationships with unions and is typically privy to their concerns when they testify on her bills. She added: “I really don’t have any reaction, besides [that] I was trying to connect the dots between this testimony and any concerns about the content of the bill.” SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Courtesy of Rhode Island Current
	Viral Dubai chocolates made by refugees in the QCA The viral Dubai chocolate trend has made its way to the Quad Cities. "Two of our colleagues who are from Syria make the most amazing Dubai chocolate," said Ann McGlynn, founder and executive director at Tapestry Farms. Fatima C and Betul Qamizou have found a home here in the QCA. They also happen to make [...]
	2 baby bison find a home on the Buffalo Bill Cody Homestead The home and the bison are available for viewing on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until the month of October.
	15-year-old suffers life-threatening injury after shooting in Clinton A 15-year-old boy suffered life-threatening injuries after a shooting in Clinton on Thursday morning, according to a news release from Clinton Police Department. Shortly before noon, officers from the Clinton Police Department and personnel from the Clinton Fire Department responded to a report of a person who had been shot in the 200 block of [...]
	World’s largest train to make 2 stops in QCA on tour across America The train will make a stop in both Grand Mound, Iowa and Sterling, Illinois on June 2.
	Beagles rescued from Wisconsin research facility arrive at King’s Harvest Ten beagles rescued from a breeding and research facility in Wisconsin are now at King’s Harvest Pet Rescue in Davenport.
	Iowa hospital accused of harvesting patient’s organs without authorization CHI Health-Missouri Valley, a western Iowa hospital. (Photo via Google Earth) An Iowa hospital is facing a lawsuit for allegedly harvesting the organs of a deceased patient without first consulting with the patient’s next of kin. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, seeks damages from Alegent Health-Community Memorial Hospital of Missouri Valley, which also does business as CHI Health-Missouri Valley. The plaintiffs in the case, Christina Gubbels of McLean, Nebraska, and Daun Stoddard of Norfolk, Nebraska, are the biological daughters of the late Martin Gillespie of Missouri Valley. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The lawsuit claims that in the early hours of April 1, 2026, Gillespie arrived by ambulance at CHI Health-Missouri Valley and was pronounced dead. Gillespie had never authorized “anatomical gifts of his body in any manner,” the lawsuit alleges. According to the plaintiffs, although the hospital had access to information showing Gillespie had biological children, the staff determined his aunt, Karen Holst, was the next of kin who had legal authorization to make any organ-donation decisions on his behalf. At 4:50 a.m. that day, the lawsuit alleges, the hospital made a “routine referral” to the Iowa Donor Network, and within hours the network had collected Gillespie’s organs, skin tissue and eyes. Under Iowa law, Gillespie’s daughters had priority over his aunt in determining whether his organs were subject to donation, the lawsuit alleges. The lawsuit seeks more than $75,000 in damages for alleged malpractice, fraud, and negligent infliction of emotional distress. CHI Health-Missouri Valley officials did not respond Thursday when contacted for comment. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Iowa Capital Dispatch
	Police: Clinton teen suffers life-threatening gunshot wound A 15-year-old Clinton boy suffered a life-threatening gunshot wound Thursday while he and others were handling firearms, police said.
	Illinois legislators advance bill renaming part of Route 150 after fallen Galesburg soldier The bill would rename a stretch of the highway after Sergeant First Class Kyle Wherly, who was killed in action in Iraq in 2005.
	15-year-old suffers life-threatening injuries in shooting A 15-year-old boy was shot in Clinton Thursday.
	Police investigate gunfire at apartment complex Officers responded to gunfire at 12:20 a.m. on April 29 in the 1200 block of 49th Avenue Court, according to Crime Stoppers of the Quad Cities.
	Crime Stoppers: Man wanted on both sides of the river Rodney Rohde, 30, is wanted by Bettendorf police for marijuana delivery and by Davenport police for criminal mischief.
	Crime Stoppers: Man wanted by Iowa Department of Corrections for escape Sabastian Bustillos, 27, is wanted by the Iowa Department of Corrections High Risk Unit for escape on convictions of burglary and criminal mischief.
	UI’s water monitoring to rely on separate funding streams as state support stays dry A sign reading "no to nitrates" is held up at a rally for clean water at the Iowa Capitol Feb. 19. 2026. The Iowa Water Quality Information System did not see proposed funding from the state pass this legislative session, leading the program to rely on county and city funds. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)Advocates of the state’s widest-spread and fastest-with-data water quality monitoring system are feeling frustrated by a lack of state support, and say appropriations that did make it through the legislative process won’t help every Iowan. The Iowa Legislature went back and forth on funding for water quality during the final days and hours of its 2026 session last weekend. Lawmakers approved measures to appropriate $300,000 to the University of Iowa IIHR Hydroscience and Engineering department-run Iowa Water Quality Information System (IWQIS) — then changed the bill to send the money to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources instead. Rep. Norlin Mommsen, R-DeWitt, said the final bill still provides an avenue for the university to receive funding for the monitoring system and the publicly available data it supplies through grants from the DNR. “There’s a path there, basically, for them still to receive the 300,000…,” Mommsen said. “The Senate felt, let’s start out with our regulatory branch and keep everything in one spot, and then they divvy it up from there.” Downstream funding uncertain with lack of state support IWQIS hasn’t received funding directly from the state since 2023, and has operated since then on support from the Walton Family Foundation, which is set to end this summer. Certain counties and cities have also committed hundreds of thousands of dollars to the system, but IIHR director Larry Weber said that’s only enough to keep it running through June 30, 2027. Mommsen said he and Weber came up with the $300,000 funding amount together, but Weber is now unsure of just how the process will work to apply for funding through the DNR and, hopefully, receive it. The DNR also received $500,000 for water quality monitoring that previously went to the Water Quality Financial Assistance Fund. “Irrespective of where the funding is coming from, whether it be counties or cities or the state, we feel an obligation to serve the people of Iowa with the expertise that we have, and we plan to continue doing this work,” Weber said. Weber described IWQIS as “one of a kind,” with sensors deployed in waterways across Iowa that provide information on temperature and concentrations of nitrate, pH and dissolved oxygen every 15 minutes. Information from the IIHR sensors is brought together with U.S. Geographical Survey sensors, National Weather Service and other data to create a publicly available website to show water quality conditions and more in Iowa. Thousands of Iowans were part of advocacy efforts to fund IWQIS during the 2026 legislative session, said Iowa Environmental Council Senior Director of Policy and Programs Kerri Johannsen, many of whom shared their concerns of water quality impacts on cancer rates with the council last summer. The council, in collaboration with the Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement, identified nitrates as an environmental risk factor in Iowa’s high cancer rates in a report released in late March. “On behalf of all of the people of Iowa who are feeling so much concern, anxiety, grief over what is happening in our state with water quality, to have that funding taken out at the last minute was very frustrating,” Johannsen said, “especially given that just the day before, there was a press conference about water quality, where Gov. (Kim) Reynolds and (Agriculture) Secretary (Mike) Naig and legislative leaders were talking about making investments in water quality.” State water quality package leaves gaps in support Johannsen, as well as Iowa House Democrats, raised concerns about parts of the “farm to faucet” water quality package introduced May 1 by Reynolds and Naig, many portions of which were passed by the Legislature. It included water quality funding for the DNR and the reallocation of $25 million to double the Central Iowa Water Works’ nitrate removal capacity over three years. Rep. Austin Baeth, D-Des Moines, said in a press conference after the announcement that while it’s “better late than never,” the water quality package doesn’t do enough to address issues of water quality in Iowa. Rather than focus on removing pollution from waterways, he said the state needs to provide financial incentives to farmers to implement sustainability practices and create guidelines on when fertilizer should be applied and other practices. Rep. Elinor Levin, D-Iowa City, advocated in the press conference for IWQIS funding, calling it cheaper than DNR or U.S. Geographical Survey water monitoring and more publicly available. “I would also say it’s frustrating to those of us who don’t live in central Iowa to see picking and choosing,” Levin said. Johannsen agreed with Levin’s point, saying Reynolds’s water quality package and its focus on central Iowa leaves out portions of the state, especially rural areas “which are suffering disproportionally from nitrate pollution.” This could also be a consequence of individual towns and counties funding IWQIS rather than the state, Johannsen and Weber said — the potential for greater water quality monitoring in those funded areas while others see their monitoring go away. Polk County committed $200,000 to IWQIS in the fall, Weber said, with Johnson County promising another $200,000 in the past month. Wright County has also committed $35,000 and Linn County may give as much as $100,000, but Weber said negotiations are ongoing. This funding, alongside $80,000 from the Izaak Walton League and $17,000 from the City of Decorah, will power the system for another year. However, some of those funding streams come with restrictions on how or where it can be spent. Weber said he believes the system sensors will be able to stay where they are even with these limitations, but details are still being figured out and “last-minute shifts” may be necessary. Having state funding would eliminate this concern, he said, and his team, as well as the Iowa Environmental Council, will continue to advocate for state support for IWQIS in the future. “Although we didn’t get that budget line item approved this year, we’ll continue to work with our state legislators in the next legislative session to see if we can get back to state funding,” Weber said. “So we’ll continue to try to do that, and we’ll remain undeterred in the work that we do.” SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Iowa Capital Dispatch
	How families can navigate complex Mother’s Day relationships How do you balance celebrating all the moms, grandmothers, stepmoms and mother-figures in your life? Here are some tips from a University of Iowa expert.
	Teen suffers life-threatening injuries in Clinton shooting 23-year-old Caleb Davis was charged with reckless use of a firearm and assault while displaying a weapon.
	Help stamp out hunger with QCA food drive The National Association of Letter Carriers, River Bend Food Bank, Quad City Federation of Labor and United Way QC are working together to help eliminate hunger in our community. Dan Gosa joined Our Quad Cities News with details on the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. For more information, click here.
	World’s largest train to stop in Sterling on tour across America The train will make a stop in Sterling at 1:30 p.m. on June 2.
	2 baby bison find a home on the Buffalo Bill Cody Homestead The home and the bison are available for viewing on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until the month of October.
	Knox County Courthouse closing Friday for underground repairs Contractors working on the bathroom renovation project noticed several sewer lines had collapsed under the building, causing soil to erode and form a void.
	Baby geese hatch at MercyOne Genesis Davenport West A goose who gives cancer patients a welcome distraction from their treatments has expanded her family.
	Eldridge man accused of dragging, injuring elderly woman An Eldridge man is facing several charges after police say he dragged and seriously hurt an elderly woman Thursday.
	Davenport Party in the Park to return for 2026 season Organizers said, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., attendees can enjoy food, entertainment and a variety of kids’ activities.
	Some NC House Republicans align with Meta to push app store age verification (Photo: Daniel de la Hoz/Getty Images)A group of House Republicans pushing for North Carolina to join other states that have imposed age restrictions on social media use want to go further to require app stores to check users’ ages. Rep. Jeff Zenger (R-Forsyth) said at a press conference Thursday that House Bill 301 represents an attempt to shield children from online predators. He described child predators’ access to children through social media platforms as “the wild west.” Zenger is proposing an age-verification clearinghouse funded by app stores, an approach he said could be a model for the rest of the country. More than a dozen states have passed social media age verification laws. Federal judges have blocked some of those laws in suits challenging their constitutionality. Zenger said Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and other platforms, supports the bill. The company suggested legislation that would also require age verification for app stores, he said. Meta wants to push responsibility for age verification onto Apple and Google app stores, Bloomberg reported last year. In an opinion published in The Hill this month, Jennifer Hanley, Meta’s head of safety policy in North America, argued for industry-wide age-appropriate content standards. “And federal legislation that puts parents in the driver’s seat by letting them approve their teens’ app downloads right in the app store.” Apps have chat rooms or small social media platforms where predators are looking for children, Zenger said. As it stands, the bill would ban social media accounts for users younger than 14. Fourteen and 15-year-olds would have to have the consent of a parent or guardian to create or maintain accounts. Facebook already has a policy prohibiting children younger than 13 from setting up accounts. Facebook Teen Accounts for users 13 to 17 years old have a parental supervision feature. YouTube also has features for parents to control teenagers’ use. Bills to ban foreign purchase of farmland, social media for minors move forward in NC House Most social media platforms have age restrictions, but children younger than 13 still use them. The bill received overwhelming bipartisan support in the House a year ago. State Senate committees are now debating it. Rep. Neal Jackson (R-Moore) said the bill puts parents in control of their children’s online activities. “That’s really what this bill is about,” he said. “It’s giving power back to parents rather than Silicon Valley and their algorithms.” Courtesy of NC Newsline

Friday, May 8th, 2026

Thursday, May 7th, 2026