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

Wednesday, January 14th, 2026
	Knox County replaces 20-year voting workhorses with new security-enhanced machines Officials hope upgraded equipment will improve voter confidence and election management
	Illinois farmer recalls discovery of remains in 1966 that have been identified as California man Arlon Gradert was in his early 20s when human remains were found near a creek on land his family owned. Six decades later, they have been identified.
	Rock Island Mayor Harris to give State of the City Address Rock Island Mayor Ashley Harris will deliver his 2026 State of the City Address on Thursday, Jan. 29, at Bally’s Quad Cities Casino and Hotel, 777 Bally Blvd., Rock Island in the Event Center. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m. and the program will begin at 12:15 p.m. The event is free and open to [...]
	U.S. to suspend immigrant visas from 75 countries over public assistance concerns The State Department says it will suspend the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries whose nationals are deemed likely to require public assistance while living in the United States.
	Western Illinois University professor attends UN Climate Conference in Brazil Everett Hamner is an English professor at WIU. He said the conference emphasized urgent climate action, global collaboration and the effectiveness of storytelling.
	Looking ahead at the snow for Thursday and Friday We are getting ready for a chance of some snow for the second half of the week starting on Thursday night and lingering into Friday. The timing of the snow will be around Galena by 6PM Thursday evening and reaching down into the Quad Cities around 8PM. There will also be some more light flurries [...]
	Semi-truck catches fire on I-80 The truck fire caused a backup on I-80 outside of West Branch, Iowa.
	U.S. Supreme Court allows Mike Bost to challenge how Illinois counts mail-in ballots U.S. Rep. Mike Bost’s lawsuit challenging Illinois’ election laws can proceed because he is a candidate for office, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday.
	Western Illinois University professor attends UN Climate Change Conference Everett Hamner joined The Current to share his journey to the world stage and what he learned about the state of climate change today.
	Meet LUNA, a new AI program designed to help seniors navigate tech issues The program was created by a Washington, IA man who says it can help you set up a new printer, plug in a Roku, Zoom call your family or even scan mail for scams.
	Southeastern Iowa clinic announces closure, another reducing services Southeastern Iowa is losing more healthcare services as one clinic announced its closure next month along with two others reducing their services.
	$25M headed to Quad Cities for critical water, sewer upgrades, Sorensen says Federal funding totaling more than $33 million has been secured for communities across Illinois’ 17th Congressional District, with over $25 million invested directly in the Quad-Cities region to strengthen critical water, sewer, and river infrastructure.
	Go for the gold with the Winter Iowa Games The QCA and more than 17 communities across Iowa will go for the gold this winter! Chuck Long spoke with Our Quad Cities News about the Winter Iowa Games. For more information, click here.
	Washington, Iowa man starts senior tech help program Loren Gingerich joined The Current to discuss what inspired him to start the program and how an AI of his own design can help walk seniors through their tech issues.
	Niabi Zoo among projects in the Quad Cities receiving nearly $2 million in Illinois state funding The funding for four projects around the Quad Cities is part of $36 million in state grants from the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development program.
	Elevated lead levels found in some homes, buildings in East Moline sample study East Moline found elevated lead levels in some privately-owned homes and buildings during a recent sampling study.
	Cancer Support Community at Gilda's Club presents post cancer treatment virtual series Help is available for those who have gone through cancer treatment and need support. Kelly Craft joined Our Quad Cities News to talk about Cancer Support Community at Gilda's Club's virtual series about the post-treatment phase. For more information, click here.
	Carbon pipelines: Positive or problematic? The battle over carbon capture pipelines in the Midwest is heating up again. An Iowa House subcommittee advanced HSB 507 on January 13. If passed, it would prohibit the use of eminent domain to build a carbon sequestration pipeline. Eminent domain is defined as the taking of private property with compensation for public use. In [...]
	Route 66 nostalgia fuels 43rd annual Rod & Custom Auto Show The 43rd annual Rod & Custom Auto Show returns Jan. 16–18 with a Route 66–themed celebration of classic cars, nostalgia, and family‑friendly attractions at The Bend XPO in East Moline.
	Have you seen these suspects? Crime Stoppers wants to know! Crime Stoppers of the Quad Cities wants your help catching two fugitives. It’s an Our Quad Cities News exclusive. You can get an elevated reward for information on this week’s cases: DEON BABERS, 34, 6’3”, 210 pounds, black hair, brown eyes. Wanted by Moline Police for delivery of a controlled substance. DOMINIK HLADIK-CHILDRESS, 27, 6’2”, [...]
	'Stranger Things' brings Prince and Fleetwood Mac back to the charts Netflix's Stranger Things finale, which dropped Dec. 31, is shaking up the Billboard Hot 100.
	Iowa Chief Justice calls for increases in judicial and indigent defense pay, magistrate system modernization In her sixth address to the Iowa Legislature on Wednesday, Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Susan Christensen asked state lawmakers to tackle similar issues she brought to them last year.
	Thousands in Illinois QCA without power Thousands of MidAmerican customers are without power on the Illinois side of the Quad Cities Wednesday afternoon.
	QC progressive groups work to fight what they see as federal abuse of power Representatives of many of those organizations met Tuesday night – at a “Power To the People” event in East Moline (in a local carpenters’ union hall), which attracted over 200 members of the public. Speakers and ordinary people vented their frustrations and sought ways to successfully counter a threatening government, especially following the Jan. 7 fatal shooting of an unarmed female motorist in Minneapolis by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer.
	Moline schools to see new playground and cafeteria improvements There will be some facility improvements at Moline-Coal Valley schools following approvals Monday evening.
	Denmark says there's a 'fundamental disagreement' with Trump over Greenland The two sides agreed to create a working group to discuss ways to work through differences as President Trump continues to call for a U.S. takeover of Denmark's Arctic territory of Greenland.
	Crews respond to car fire on I-80 east A vehicle fire blocked the right lane of I-80 eastbound Wednesday morning.
	Death Notice: Lloyd McGrath A Mass of Christian Burial for Lloyd McGrath, 86, of Eldridge, will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Long Grove. Burial will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Dubuque. Visitation will be Wednesday, Jan. 14, from 4-6 p.m. at the church, with additional visitation one hour prior to Mass on Thursday at the church. Mr. McGrath died Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. Online condolences may be made at www.hmdfuneralhome.com. A full obituary will appear in the Jan. 21 edition of The NSP.
	Kitchen countertop workers are dying. Some lawmakers want to ban their lawsuits Some safety experts want California to stop the cutting of quartz countertops saying it can't be done safely. Lawmakers, meanwhile, contemplate a ban on workers' lawsuits against quartz manufacturers.
	Candidates have legal standing to challenge election laws, the Supreme Court rules In a case related to Illinois state law about the return of mail ballots, the U.S. Supreme Court says political candidates have the legal standing to challenge election policies.
	Quad Cities bariatrician weighs in on rise in GLP-1 use The popularity of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy has surged in recent years. A local weight loss specialist speaks on the benefits and risks.
	Top Democrats say they would consider small changes to Illinois’ SAFE-T Act Both the governor and House speaker said any changes to the SAFE-T Act would be narrow despite Republicans’ desire to see the law drastically overhauled.
	Scientists call another near-record hot year a 'warning shot' from a shifting climate Scientists calculate that last year was one of the three hottest on record, along with 2024 and 2023. The trend indicates that warming could be speeding up, climate monitoring teams reported.
	MLK concert held annually at the Kennedy Center for 23 years is relocating Georgetown is moving Let Freedom Ring, its annual event celebrating the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., to the historic Howard Theatre in order to save money, the university said.
	Scott County supervisors are considering a new, yellow, ambulance design. See the plans Scott County may soon have yellow ambulances, after supervisors worried previously proposed designs were not visible enough.
	How Gov. Reynolds’ plan could change your property taxes and your communities Homeowners could see smaller increases in their property tax bills, while communities could lose sizeable revenue under new proposal from Governor Kim Reynolds.
	1 vehicle crash closes two lanes on Brady Street, Davenport Our Quad Cities News is on the scene of a single vehicle crash on Brady Street, just south of Kirkwood Boulevard. An initial investigation says the driver swerved to miss another car, causing her to go onto the curb and strike a streetlight. Davenport Police officers are on the scene. There is no word on [...]
	Eldridge moves forward in filling council seat by appointment Mayor Scott Campbell will make a recommendation to the city council, which will vote on that recommendation at its next meeting on Jan. 26.
	Programming note: Quad Cities Today at 11 to air at 11:30 a.m. Investigate Tv+ will air at 11 a.m. Wednesday.
	SUV on its side after Davenport crash Davenport Police are on the scene of a two-vehicle accident at W. Kimberly Road and Wisconsin Avenue. An SUV was seen on its side with airbags deployed. There are no reports of injuries. The accident is still under investigation.
	KWQC Blessing Box Drive drive postponed The drive is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on MLK Day, Jan. 19, at the KWQC Station at 805 Brady Street.
	Tax troubles for SouthPark Mall owners For more than half a century, SouthPark Mall has been a cornerstone of retail shopping in the Quad Cities, sitting prominently on 16th Street in Moline. But today, the mall is making headlines for reasons beyond its storefronts. The property, which has changed hands several times over the years, was acquired in April 2025 by [...]
	Iowa Representative Ken Croken warns residents to prepare for Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the Quad Cities Rep. Croken will hold a community session on Saturday, January 24, at 10 a.m. at the St. Anthony Catholic Church Parish Hall in Davenport. Attendees can expect to hear ways to respond to being detained, understanding their rights and how to work together to minimize harm to the community.
	Storytime, shark dissection, and more at the Rock Island Public Library this month The Rock Island Public Library is holding a series of free events and activities for people, regardless of their residency and library card status, to escape the cold this January.
	Should you pay rent with a credit card? Should you pay rent with a credit card?Today, “GenZ makes only 1 in 7 payments by cash, compared to 1 in 3 prior to 2020,” according to FNBO, and it has left many of them wondering, “Can I pay rent with a credit card?”While Gen Z is far from the only group paying rent, tenants across the nation like the convenience and benefits of credit card payments. First, when digital options are available, they don’t have to go to the bank to withdraw cash or buy a cashier’s check. Second, and more importantly, many credit cards offer cash back and travel rewards that make the first of the month a little less painful.With that in mind, TurboTenant breaks down the pros and cons of paying and collecting rent via credit cards to help you determine if it’s the right move for you.Benefits of Paying Rent with a Credit Card for TenantsPaying rent with a credit card offers several advantages, primarily flexibility. If you don’t have enough cash in the bank to pay rent when it’s due, using a credit card can give you some wiggle room to avoid missing a payment.And depending on your card, there are personal benefits worth considering.RewardsCredit cards typically offer a range of rewards for account holders. Some incentives include cash back, travel rewards, and 0% APR, meaning there is no interest on balances or transfers for a set period.For example, if you pay rent with a credit card that offers travel rewards, each rent payment can help you put aside some money for your next trip.Credit BuildingIf you’re starting to build your credit score, remember that you won’t have an official score until six months of consistent payments and data are available. However, once you consistently make on-time payments on your card charges, including your monthly rent, your score will improve.Plus, putting your monthly rent on a credit card isn’t the only way to boost your score. Several companies offer rent reporting services that will report your on-time payments to credit bureaus. When you use these tools in conjunction, you could see your score improve quickly.Buying More TimeSince credit cards don’t have to be paid off until you get your monthly statement from the credit card company, paying your rent with a credit card can help alleviate financial stress.Of course, everyone’s pay schedule is different, and some people may not receive their paychecks until later in the month, while rent is typically due on the first of the month. Putting rent on your credit card can help reduce stress and make the monthly calendar change easier to manage.How to Pay Rent with a Credit CardCommunicating with your landlord during difficult times will enable open, honest conversations so you can both find a solution to pay rent on time, either by developing a payment plan or negotiating alternative options.Renters can easily pay rent with a credit card via online rent collection accounts set up by their landlords using rent collection software. It’s a secure, effective way to pay rent online that benefits both parties. Plus, many companies offer free, easy-to-set-up software that helps landlords professionalize their rent collection processes without paying anything out of pocket.But if you’re a tenant, be sure to take this into account: When you pay rent with a credit card, it is vital to keep up with your credit card bills as best you can so you don’t hurt your credit score or incur interest on the amount owed. Luckily, paying rent on the first of the month when bills are typically due at the end of the following month allows you time to pay yourself back.Some other easy things you can do if you’re using a credit card to pay rent are: First, avoid charging other expenses to your credit card; second, set reminders for when rent and your credit card payments are due.If you’re concerned about processing fees, consider linking your bank account to pay rent via ACH, which typically incurs no fee.Digital Rent Payments Mean More On-Time PaymentsAs noted above, landlords should communicate with renters before rent is due to avoid missed payments, which can be detrimental to both parties. If you’re wondering how to collect rent online as a landlord, there are helpful guides that show you how.Collecting rent online offers many benefits and, as the world moves toward more contactless transactions, is increasingly necessary. When you can meet your tenants where they are, you’ll encounter less friction, leading to more on-time payments.Pros and Cons of Accepting Credit Cards for RentThe more types of rent payments you accept, the more likely it is that your tenant will have an easy way to pay you each month. However, there are additional factors to consider when deciding if you’ll accept credit card payments:ProsConvenience: If your online rent payment system supports automatic payments, a credit card is one of the most convenient ways for a tenant to pay rent. Most also won’t have to worry about overdrawing their account.Improved credit score: Paying rent on time with a credit card (and then paying that card off regularly) helps your tenant build credit. When paired with rent reporting services, tenants get a double benefit.ConsRisk of fraud: Credit cards can be stolen, which is always a consideration when accepting this payment method. Using a verified, reputable payment processor will mitigate that risk.Being flexible is crucial — landlords should consider halting late fees and interest on rent payments, and offering partial payments if there is a valid reason from the tenant. If a tenant approaches you to negotiate rent, there are various payment plans and alternatives to consider.Regardless of what you choose to do, ensure your lease agreement reflects current rent payment plans and methods so both parties are held accountable.What Is the Best Credit Card To Use for Rent?When it comes to credit cards, you should always do your research to learn what will work best for your lifestyle and financial situation. Cards that give you cash back are extremely popular and can be helpful in times when you have more month at the end of your money.Travel rewards, on the other hand, are great for those who are spending money on flights and other travel expenses.Remember, building credit takes time, and it’s important to take credit card payments seriously, as they can affect your rental process, loans, and other future investments.Overall, paying rent with a credit card offers many benefits for renters when used wisely. If you’re struggling to make rent payments using cash or checks, talk to your landlord about collecting rent online so you can pay with a credit card to not only buy yourself more time in the month but also boost your credit score and collect rewards.Paying Rent with a Credit Card FAQIs it safe to pay rent with a credit card?Yes, it is safe to pay with a credit card as long as you are going through a secure site where your information is encrypted.Should I pay rent with a credit card or a debit card?With a debit or a credit card, a processing fee is usually collected. Obviously, it is up to your financial situation to see if you have enough funds in your checking account to pay your rent — debit cards will instantly draw cash from your accounts, while credit card bills won’t be due until the end of the period.Does paying rent with a credit card impact my credit score?Paying for rent with a credit card is like any other credit card purchase — as long as you stay within your allowed limit and pay your credit card bills on time, your credit score can be positively impacted. If you are late on credit card payments, however, this can affect your score negatively.Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and is published by TurboTenant. It is not legal, financial, or tax advice. Laws and regulations for landlords vary by state and locality and may change over time. Always consult a qualified attorney, accountant, or local housing authority before making decisions related to your rental property. The publisher and authors assume no responsibility for actions taken based on the information provided.This story was produced by TurboTenant and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Should you pay rent with a credit card? Should you pay rent with a credit card? Today, “GenZ makes only 1 in 7 payments by cash, compared to 1 in 3 prior to 2020,” according to FNBO, and it has left many of them wondering, “Can I pay rent with a credit card?” While Gen Z is far from the only group paying rent, tenants across the nation like the convenience and benefits of credit card payments. First, when digital options are available, they don’t have to go to the bank to withdraw cash or buy a cashier’s check. Second, and more importantly, many credit cards offer cash back and travel rewards that make the first of the month a little less painful. With that in mind, TurboTenant breaks down the pros and cons of paying and collecting rent via credit cards to help you determine if it’s the right move for you. Benefits of Paying Rent with a Credit Card for Tenants Paying rent with a credit card offers several advantages, primarily flexibility. If you don’t have enough cash in the bank to pay rent when it’s due, using a credit card can give you some wiggle room to avoid missing a payment. And depending on your card, there are personal benefits worth considering. Rewards Credit cards typically offer a range of rewards for account holders. Some incentives include cash back, travel rewards, and 0% APR, meaning there is no interest on balances or transfers for a set period. For example, if you pay rent with a credit card that offers travel rewards, each rent payment can help you put aside some money for your next trip. Credit Building If you’re starting to build your credit score, remember that you won’t have an official score until six months of consistent payments and data are available. However, once you consistently make on-time payments on your card charges, including your monthly rent, your score will improve. Plus, putting your monthly rent on a credit card isn’t the only way to boost your score. Several companies offer rent reporting services that will report your on-time payments to credit bureaus. When you use these tools in conjunction, you could see your score improve quickly. Buying More Time Since credit cards don’t have to be paid off until you get your monthly statement from the credit card company, paying your rent with a credit card can help alleviate financial stress. Of course, everyone’s pay schedule is different, and some people may not receive their paychecks until later in the month, while rent is typically due on the first of the month. Putting rent on your credit card can help reduce stress and make the monthly calendar change easier to manage. How to Pay Rent with a Credit Card Communicating with your landlord during difficult times will enable open, honest conversations so you can both find a solution to pay rent on time, either by developing a payment plan or negotiating alternative options. Renters can easily pay rent with a credit card via online rent collection accounts set up by their landlords using rent collection software. It’s a secure, effective way to pay rent online that benefits both parties. Plus, many companies offer free, easy-to-set-up software that helps landlords professionalize their rent collection processes without paying anything out of pocket. But if you’re a tenant, be sure to take this into account: When you pay rent with a credit card, it is vital to keep up with your credit card bills as best you can so you don’t hurt your credit score or incur interest on the amount owed. Luckily, paying rent on the first of the month when bills are typically due at the end of the following month allows you time to pay yourself back. Some other easy things you can do if you’re using a credit card to pay rent are: First, avoid charging other expenses to your credit card; second, set reminders for when rent and your credit card payments are due. If you’re concerned about processing fees, consider linking your bank account to pay rent via ACH, which typically incurs no fee. Digital Rent Payments Mean More On-Time Payments As noted above, landlords should communicate with renters before rent is due to avoid missed payments, which can be detrimental to both parties. If you’re wondering how to collect rent online as a landlord, there are helpful guides that show you how. Collecting rent online offers many benefits and, as the world moves toward more contactless transactions, is increasingly necessary. When you can meet your tenants where they are, you’ll encounter less friction, leading to more on-time payments. Pros and Cons of Accepting Credit Cards for Rent The more types of rent payments you accept, the more likely it is that your tenant will have an easy way to pay you each month. However, there are additional factors to consider when deciding if you’ll accept credit card payments: Pros Convenience: If your online rent payment system supports automatic payments, a credit card is one of the most convenient ways for a tenant to pay rent. Most also won’t have to worry about overdrawing their account. Improved credit score: Paying rent on time with a credit card (and then paying that card off regularly) helps your tenant build credit. When paired with rent reporting services, tenants get a double benefit. Cons Risk of fraud: Credit cards can be stolen, which is always a consideration when accepting this payment method. Using a verified, reputable payment processor will mitigate that risk. Being flexible is crucial — landlords should consider halting late fees and interest on rent payments, and offering partial payments if there is a valid reason from the tenant. If a tenant approaches you to negotiate rent, there are various payment plans and alternatives to consider. Regardless of what you choose to do, ensure your lease agreement reflects current rent payment plans and methods so both parties are held accountable. What Is the Best Credit Card To Use for Rent? When it comes to credit cards, you should always do your research to learn what will work best for your lifestyle and financial situation. Cards that give you cash back are extremely popular and can be helpful in times when you have more month at the end of your money. Travel rewards, on the other hand, are great for those who are spending money on flights and other travel expenses. Remember, building credit takes time, and it’s important to take credit card payments seriously, as they can affect your rental process, loans, and other future investments. Overall, paying rent with a credit card offers many benefits for renters when used wisely. If you’re struggling to make rent payments using cash or checks, talk to your landlord about collecting rent online so you can pay with a credit card to not only buy yourself more time in the month but also boost your credit score and collect rewards. Paying Rent with a Credit Card FAQ Is it safe to pay rent with a credit card? Yes, it is safe to pay with a credit card as long as you are going through a secure site where your information is encrypted. Should I pay rent with a credit card or a debit card? With a debit or a credit card, a processing fee is usually collected. Obviously, it is up to your financial situation to see if you have enough funds in your checking account to pay your rent — debit cards will instantly draw cash from your accounts, while credit card bills won’t be due until the end of the period. Does paying rent with a credit card impact my credit score? Paying for rent with a credit card is like any other credit card purchase — as long as you stay within your allowed limit and pay your credit card bills on time, your credit score can be positively impacted. If you are late on credit card payments, however, this can affect your score negatively. Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and is published by TurboTenant. It is not legal, financial, or tax advice. Laws and regulations for landlords vary by state and locality and may change over time. Always consult a qualified attorney, accountant, or local housing authority before making decisions related to your rental property. The publisher and authors assume no responsibility for actions taken based on the information provided. This story was produced by TurboTenant and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Support your business through expert IT and cybersecurity management (BPT) - Today's businesses face unprecedented challenges, from the increasing complexity of digital transformations and hybrid cloud environments to constantly evolving cybersecurity threats and regulatory pressures. Cybercrime alone has been projected to reach $12 trillion globally this year, with the average U.S. data breach now costing over $9.36 million, and cyberattacks more than doubling between 2021 and 2025.How can a business successfully navigate this rapidly changing technological landscape?Choose an experienced, trusted partner that brings Managed IT Services and cybersecurity protection together under one roof. Canon U.S.A., in collaboration with its Managed IT Services Partner, Supra ITS, simplifies operations while reducing delays, confusion, and potential risk for organizations of all sizes.A history of supporting businesses with vital technologySince the 1990s, Canon U.S.A. has supported organizations through rapid change with Managed Workplace Services, including facilities management. During that time, Canon also provided digital, networked devices to help businesses successfully transition to the digital age.In the 2000s, Canon launched its Managed Print Software Integration Services to meet growing customer requirements. In the 2010s, Canon continued to evolve — introducing cloud-based solutions to address changing business needs.Today's businesses are increasingly asking for Managed IT and Cybersecurity services, and Canon responded to this demand. They rose to meet these challenges by partnering with Supra ITS, which has over 25 years of proven expertise in this sector. This collaboration helps offer services and solutions designed to protect organizations and keep operations running smoothly.Services to help your business thrive and improve security postureWith Canon's Managed IT Services and their new approach to IT and Security offerings, businesses in the U.S. now have access to a comprehensive suite of solutions for managing office technology, IT infrastructure and cybersecurity — streamlining operations through a single provider. Existing Canon customers can also consolidate vendor management by leasing and billing both office equipment and Managed IT Services through Canon Financial Services, Inc., helping to simplify invoicing, improve billing transparency and strengthen vendor relationships.Key Managed IT Services include:24/7 IT Helpdesk and End-User Support for around-the-clock support with experienced technicians for rapid issue resolution, system monitoring, patching and updates designed to prevent problems before they escalate. 24x7x365 Network Security Operations Center (NSOC) which provides a centralized platform offering real-time visibility and management of IT and cybersecurity operations. Combining cybersecurity and IT solutions within the same offering provides a unified experience, enabling fast threat detection and remediation, as well as smooth operations.Managed Detection and Response (MDR) / Extended Detection and Response (XDR) is designed to deliver real-time threat containment, remediation and actionable insights — offering response capabilities that go beyond traditional cybersecurity solutions.Cloud Services that include:Private Cloud for dedicated resources, daily backups and 24/7 monitoring.Public Cloud with expert oversight and support for platforms like Microsoft Azure, AWS and Google Cloud.IT Infrastructure Support provides end-to-end support including proactive system monitoring, performance tuning and hardware lifecycle management.Data Backup and Disaster Recovery which offers protection for critical business data with secure, redundant backups across locations, regular testing and recovery planning to minimize downtime.Compliance Support through Supra ITS's ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type II certifications, which allows business owners to inherit applicable controls and simplify the path to compliance — reducing the time, effort and cost of meeting regulatory demands for their organizations with confidence.Learn more about how to successfully protect and support your business now and into the future with Canon U.S.A., Inc. Managed IT Services. Subscription to a third-party cloud service required. Subject to third-party cloud service provider's terms and conditions.**Canon and SUPRA ITS products offer certain security features, yet many variables can impact the security of your devices and data. We do not warrant that use of its features will prevent security issues. Nothing herein should be construed as legal or regulatory advice concerning applicable laws; customers must have their own qualified counsel determine the feasibility of a solution as it relates to regulatory and statutory compliance. Some security features may impact functionality/performance; you may want to test these settings in your environment.
	Why car prices are so high today Why car prices are so high todayHas it been a while since you’ve walked into a new vehicle showroom? Expect some serious sticker shock. The typical MSRP for a new ride nowadays is halfway to six figures. Considering steeper purchase prices, it’s little wonder that many drivers hold onto their vehicles longer or opt for used cars.What’s behind these costly new vehicle prices? Alternatively, what can you expect to pay for a used auto today? What are some factors you need to consider carefully before committing to a vehicle purchase? And how can you shave serious dollars off your car transaction? TheZebra shares answers to these and other questions.How Much Does It Cost to Own a Car in 2026?The average transaction price for a new vehicle is currently $49,814, up 1.3% from one year ago, according to November 2025 data from Kelley Blue Book (KBB).Of course, out-the-door dealership price isn’t the only expense drivers need to take into consideration. On average, owning and operating a new vehicle today costs $11,577, according to AAA.Here’s some of how that breaks down:The average consumer spends around $2,449 on gasoline every year, WalletHub reports.Additionally, Americans now fork over an average of $838 to fix their cars, according to recent data from KBB.The average annual rate for full-coverage auto insurance in the United States is currently around $2,256, based on The Zebra data.Also, consider that 61% of American households pay auto loans, according to a recent study by doxoINSIGHTS, with these bills adding up to 9% of total consumer household bills per year. The median monthly auto loan bill is $470, totaling $5,640 annually.“Beyond the sticker price, buyers need to budget for sales tax, title and registration fees as well as dealer/documentation fees,” says automotive industry expert Lauren Fix, author of Car Coach Reports. “On a typical new vehicle, fees and insurance plus some upfront costs can easily add up to an additional $2,000 upfront.”Why New Car Prices Were So High in 2025So, why do vehicle prices remain so elevated? The reasons are plentiful, the experts agree.“In 2025, new U.S. tariffs on imported cars and auto parts increased manufacturers’ costs, leading to higher prices for buyers. One analysis estimates these tariffs could raise car prices by 10%, or add about $5,000 to the average price of a new car,” says Beth Swanson, an insurance analyst at The Zebra. “At the same time, the cost of materials and key components — including computer chips — has gone up, and ongoing supply chain delays continue to slow production and add expense.”Rami Sneineh, vice president at Insurance Navy Brokers, points out that the semiconductor shortage during the pandemic severely hampered the production of new vehicles, making a recovery difficult.“Even when factory capacity returned, the skyrocketing costs of labor and materials helped raise sticker prices even higher than they were in the pre-pandemic era,” Sneineh explains.Mandated technology, high interest rates and demand for larger and more advanced vehicles have also contributed to steeper new car prices.“There is an increased tendency toward bigger cars like SUVs and trucks, which are inclined to be more expensive than smaller cars, raising the average cost of purchases,” Sneineh continues.How Used Car Prices Have ChangedEager to save money on a pre-owned set of wheels? KBB indicates that the average used car right now has a list price of $25,945. TheZebra If you’re in the market for a used vehicle below $15,000, it’s slim pickings: Dealerships only had around a 34-day supply in late 2025, which is two weeks below the industry’s overall average. Additionally, potential tariff price pressures could worsen matters; many consumers look more closely at the used market when new autos become more costly, which further dilutes already sparse used inventory.Ponder, as well, that many drivers retain their cars for longer, with the average vehicle on the road now 12.8 years old. Consequently, the most attainable used car now typically falls in the $15,000 to $30,000 range.“Prices continue to rise, with 1- to 5-year-old used vehicles now averaging about $31,770 — up nearly 4% from last year,” Fix continues. “Overall, the market is still far more expensive than pre-2021 levels, and the gap between new and used prices remains unusually small.”What Car Buyers Need to Think AboutIt’s smart to be well prepared before heading to a dealership or meeting with a used car seller. That means:Determining your budget and what you can afford.Thinking carefully about the type of car you want to purchase and how long you plan to own it.And learning if your credit is worthy enough to qualify for a better rate and terms if you need financing.“High car prices combined with higher interest rates mean you’ll likely face larger monthly payments. With an average new car loan rate around 7% today, and a typical term close to 69 months, affordability is often stretched thin,” says Fix, who adds that financing a $50,000 car at 7% over 60 months will result in a car loan payment of around $1,000 per month — before adding insurance, taxes, and fees.Additionally, ponder long-term fix and upkeep expenses based on your desired make and model. Per a Consumer Reports’ study of lowest repair and maintenance costs by brand, Tesla tops the list with approximately $4,035 in total 10-year maintenance expenses, followed by Buick and Toyota at about $4,900 each, and Lincoln at around $5,040. Mainstream mass-market brands like Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Nissan, Mazda, and Honda also fall on the lower-cost end. In contrast, European luxury vehicles tend to be the most expensive: Land Rover can surpass $19,000 over 10 years, Porsche around $14,090, and Mercedes-Benz about $10,525. TheZebra “Remember, too, that the type of vehicle you choose affects your insurance costs,” Swanson adds. “Older, reliable and safe cars usually cost less to insure than newer luxury models or high-performance sports cars. But only part of your insurance rate is based on the vehicle itself. Your personal factors matter even more — things like your age, driving history and where you live play a major role in what you will ultimately pay for car insurance.”Tips for saving money on a car purchaseWant to spend less on a new or used car? These expert-backed strategies can help cut costs.Shop beyond your zip code. Prices can vary widely by location, so expanding your search may unlock better deals.Time your purchase carefully. “Dealers are far more motivated to bargain in the last week of any month or quarter,” says Fix.Ask about incentives. Look for manufacturer rebates, special financing, or loyalty discounts.Avoid expensive extras. “Optional dealer add-ons, especially cosmetic packages and extended warranties, can be extremely expensive,” warns Sneineh.Buy slightly used. “The sweet spot is a 3-year-old car, preferably a former lease,” says personal finance expert Paul Walker.Check the vehicle history. A low-cost report can reveal prior accidents or serious damage.Size and trim matter. Choosing a smaller vehicle or mid-level trim can lower both purchase price and ownership costs.Get preapproved financing. Credit unions and online lenders often offer better rates than dealer financing.Avoid long loan terms. Shorter loans usually cost more per month but reduce total interest paid.Do the math on EVs. Higher upfront and insurance costs may offset fuel savings.Consider certified pre-owned or off-lease vehicles. These options can significantly reduce monthly payments with minimal compromise.Negotiate the out-the-door price. Focus on the total cost, including taxes and fees, not just the monthly payment.Be ready to walk away. If the deal doesn’t feel right, leaving may be your strongest leverage.This story was produced by TheZebra and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Why car prices are so high today Why car prices are so high todayHas it been a while since you’ve walked into a new vehicle showroom? Expect some serious sticker shock. The typical MSRP for a new ride nowadays is halfway to six figures. Considering steeper purchase prices, it’s little wonder that many drivers hold onto their vehicles longer or opt for used cars.What’s behind these costly new vehicle prices? Alternatively, what can you expect to pay for a used auto today? What are some factors you need to consider carefully before committing to a vehicle purchase? And how can you shave serious dollars off your car transaction? TheZebra shares answers to these and other questions.How Much Does It Cost to Own a Car in 2026?The average transaction price for a new vehicle is currently $49,814, up 1.3% from one year ago, according to November 2025 data from Kelley Blue Book (KBB).Of course, out-the-door dealership price isn’t the only expense drivers need to take into consideration. On average, owning and operating a new vehicle today costs $11,577, according to AAA.Here’s some of how that breaks down:The average consumer spends around $2,449 on gasoline every year, WalletHub reports.Additionally, Americans now fork over an average of $838 to fix their cars, according to recent data from KBB.The average annual rate for full-coverage auto insurance in the United States is currently around $2,256, based on The Zebra data.Also, consider that 61% of American households pay auto loans, according to a recent study by doxoINSIGHTS, with these bills adding up to 9% of total consumer household bills per year. The median monthly auto loan bill is $470, totaling $5,640 annually.“Beyond the sticker price, buyers need to budget for sales tax, title and registration fees as well as dealer/documentation fees,” says automotive industry expert Lauren Fix, author of Car Coach Reports. “On a typical new vehicle, fees and insurance plus some upfront costs can easily add up to an additional $2,000 upfront.”Why New Car Prices Were So High in 2025So, why do vehicle prices remain so elevated? The reasons are plentiful, the experts agree.“In 2025, new U.S. tariffs on imported cars and auto parts increased manufacturers’ costs, leading to higher prices for buyers. One analysis estimates these tariffs could raise car prices by 10%, or add about $5,000 to the average price of a new car,” says Beth Swanson, an insurance analyst at The Zebra. “At the same time, the cost of materials and key components — including computer chips — has gone up, and ongoing supply chain delays continue to slow production and add expense.”Rami Sneineh, vice president at Insurance Navy Brokers, points out that the semiconductor shortage during the pandemic severely hampered the production of new vehicles, making a recovery difficult.“Even when factory capacity returned, the skyrocketing costs of labor and materials helped raise sticker prices even higher than they were in the pre-pandemic era,” Sneineh explains.Mandated technology, high interest rates and demand for larger and more advanced vehicles have also contributed to steeper new car prices.“There is an increased tendency toward bigger cars like SUVs and trucks, which are inclined to be more expensive than smaller cars, raising the average cost of purchases,” Sneineh continues.How Used Car Prices Have ChangedEager to save money on a pre-owned set of wheels? KBB indicates that the average used car right now has a list price of $25,945. TheZebra If you’re in the market for a used vehicle below $15,000, it’s slim pickings: Dealerships only had around a 34-day supply in late 2025, which is two weeks below the industry’s overall average. Additionally, potential tariff price pressures could worsen matters; many consumers look more closely at the used market when new autos become more costly, which further dilutes already sparse used inventory.Ponder, as well, that many drivers retain their cars for longer, with the average vehicle on the road now 12.8 years old. Consequently, the most attainable used car now typically falls in the $15,000 to $30,000 range.“Prices continue to rise, with 1- to 5-year-old used vehicles now averaging about $31,770 — up nearly 4% from last year,” Fix continues. “Overall, the market is still far more expensive than pre-2021 levels, and the gap between new and used prices remains unusually small.”What Car Buyers Need to Think AboutIt’s smart to be well prepared before heading to a dealership or meeting with a used car seller. That means:Determining your budget and what you can afford.Thinking carefully about the type of car you want to purchase and how long you plan to own it.And learning if your credit is worthy enough to qualify for a better rate and terms if you need financing.“High car prices combined with higher interest rates mean you’ll likely face larger monthly payments. With an average new car loan rate around 7% today, and a typical term close to 69 months, affordability is often stretched thin,” says Fix, who adds that financing a $50,000 car at 7% over 60 months will result in a car loan payment of around $1,000 per month — before adding insurance, taxes, and fees.Additionally, ponder long-term fix and upkeep expenses based on your desired make and model. Per a Consumer Reports’ study of lowest repair and maintenance costs by brand, Tesla tops the list with approximately $4,035 in total 10-year maintenance expenses, followed by Buick and Toyota at about $4,900 each, and Lincoln at around $5,040. Mainstream mass-market brands like Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Nissan, Mazda, and Honda also fall on the lower-cost end. In contrast, European luxury vehicles tend to be the most expensive: Land Rover can surpass $19,000 over 10 years, Porsche around $14,090, and Mercedes-Benz about $10,525. TheZebra “Remember, too, that the type of vehicle you choose affects your insurance costs,” Swanson adds. “Older, reliable and safe cars usually cost less to insure than newer luxury models or high-performance sports cars. But only part of your insurance rate is based on the vehicle itself. Your personal factors matter even more — things like your age, driving history and where you live play a major role in what you will ultimately pay for car insurance.”Tips for saving money on a car purchaseWant to spend less on a new or used car? These expert-backed strategies can help cut costs.Shop beyond your zip code. Prices can vary widely by location, so expanding your search may unlock better deals.Time your purchase carefully. “Dealers are far more motivated to bargain in the last week of any month or quarter,” says Fix.Ask about incentives. Look for manufacturer rebates, special financing, or loyalty discounts.Avoid expensive extras. “Optional dealer add-ons, especially cosmetic packages and extended warranties, can be extremely expensive,” warns Sneineh.Buy slightly used. “The sweet spot is a 3-year-old car, preferably a former lease,” says personal finance expert Paul Walker.Check the vehicle history. A low-cost report can reveal prior accidents or serious damage.Size and trim matter. Choosing a smaller vehicle or mid-level trim can lower both purchase price and ownership costs.Get preapproved financing. Credit unions and online lenders often offer better rates than dealer financing.Avoid long loan terms. Shorter loans usually cost more per month but reduce total interest paid.Do the math on EVs. Higher upfront and insurance costs may offset fuel savings.Consider certified pre-owned or off-lease vehicles. These options can significantly reduce monthly payments with minimal compromise.Negotiate the out-the-door price. Focus on the total cost, including taxes and fees, not just the monthly payment.Be ready to walk away. If the deal doesn’t feel right, leaving may be your strongest leverage.This story was produced by TheZebra and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Menards stores holding food drive through March Menards stores in the QCA are working together to fight food insecurity in the region. Stores in the Quad Cities, Muscatine, West Burlington, Galesburg, Kewanee and Sterling will have large collection boxes near the exit doors for donations. Nonperishable food items will be collected now through March 30. Click here to find a nearby store. [...]
	DNA Doe Project identifies homicide victim found in Geneseo in 1966 Ronald Joe Cole disappeared from Fillmore, California, in 1965. On Oct. 27, 1966, a postman discovered a skull southeast of Geneseo. That body has now been identified as Cole.
	Is your factory making people sick? The importance of controlling industrial air emissions Is your factory making people sick? The importance of controlling industrial air emissionsFor years, it’s been widely known that industrial air emissions pose an environmental hazard. But what is less discussed is how these emissions can negatively impact our health. The damage doesn’t stop there — it can also affect the business’s staff, costs and potential revenue.How do you know if your factory is making people sick, and what can you do about it? MACH Engineering has created this guide to help factories control their air emissions.What Is Factory Air Pollution?Factory air pollution occurs when harmful gases are emitted as a result of factory operations. These gases can cause several harmful effects on the environment, local people and, ultimately, the business. The most common factory air pollutants are:Particulate matter (PM), which is any droplet suspended in the air. PM10 and PM2.5, which are particles smaller than 10 and 2.5 micrometers, respectively, can enter the body and cause health problems.Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are various chemical compounds that contain carbon. These compounds can easily evaporate at room temperature and dissolve in water. While 90% of the world’s VOCs are produced by plants and play an important role in regulating our atmosphere, human-made VOCs are usually more toxic.Nitrogen oxides, which are emitted by burning fossil fuels. These highly reactive gases can react with sunlight and oxygen to create smog, and with water to create acid rain.Sulfur oxides, which are emitted by burning coal, diesel and oil. These chemicals can also cause smog and acid rain.Lead, which is emitted by burning coal, oil and waste products containing lead. Lead particles can enter the human body and cause several health problems. MACH Engineering What Are the Impacts of Factory Air Pollution?Factory air pollution can have many widespread effects, often seen in the following areas.1. Health ImpactAir pollution can affect almost every part of your body, such as your heart, lungs and brain. There are many health risks associated with factory air pollution when it’s inhaled, such as cell mutations, immunosuppression, oxidative stress and inflammation. If the particles are small enough to enter the bloodstream via the lungs, they can cause inflammation and carcinogenicity throughout the entire body.Factory air pollution can cause many specific health problems, particularly stroke, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ischemic heart disease and pneumonia. It’s also been linked to other cancers, neurological diseases, diabetes and cognitive impairment. Additionally, there’s evidence that air pollution can increase the risk of babies being born with low birth weight or small for their gestational age.Air pollution can be particularly harmful to people who are young, old, pregnant or have comorbidities.2. Environmental ImpactAir pollution from factories can have many negative and far-reaching effects on the environment, such as:Deposition, which is when air pollutants undergo chemical reactions before they’re deposited on the environment’s surface. When deposited in water or soil, these pollutants can cause imbalanced ecosystems and negatively affect biodiversity, damaging plants and animals.Acid deposition, more commonly known as acid rain, which can damage crops and other plants, animals and their habitats, natural ecosystems and human-made buildings. It can also acidify soil and water, further affecting ecosystems and biodiversity.Nitrogen deposition, which can lead to ecosystems becoming too nitrogen-rich. This can create an ecosystem imbalance and reduce biodiversity as plants that thrive on nitrogen outgrow other plants. It can also cause algae blooms in water bodies, which can negatively impact the water quality and biodiversity.Ground-level ozone, which leads to health issues and disrupts photosynthesis in plants when it’s at ground level. While ozone isn’t directly emitted by factories, it’s often created when nitrogen oxides react with VOCs.All of these environmental effects can have an indirect impact on our health, too. Acid rain can lead to increased levels of heavy metals in our drinking water, and our exposure to contaminants can grow via biomagnification. By reducing the quality and quantity of the food we eat, from crops to livestock, air pollution can further damage our well-being.3. Business ImpactThe health issues that factory air pollutants cause will affect factory workers, perhaps more than anyone else, due to their regular and close proximity to the pollutants. Any business with employees who are regularly ill or are more likely to face serious health issues will likely experience higher absenteeism. Employee turnover rate may be higher, too. This increased absenteeism and turnover rate can make it difficult for factories to operate at full capacity, since staff regularly need to be covered, replaced and trained.Air pollutants within the factory can affect sensitive equipment, too. Airborne particles can corrode and abrade parts, leading to increased maintenance and more frequent part replacement. These particles can also clog ventilation systems and settle on machine surfaces, which can lead to overheating, malfunctions and reduced efficiency.Factories that heavily pollute the air could also face legal challenges. Whether these challenges are brought by agencies that enforce antipollution laws or by people negatively affected by the emissions, they can lead to fines, lawsuits and operational shutdowns. Many companies have been fined or faced other consequences for violating environmental laws on air quality. It can also damage the brand reputation and community relations, which might affect the business’s ability to sell its products.All of these effects can impact the business’s ability to continue operations and lead to increased costs.Air Pollution Laws That Factories Must FollowSeveral laws have been enacted to ensure factories and other sources of industrial pollution take the necessary steps to reduce their emissions. The main ones that affect factories are:1. Clean Air ActThe Clean Air Act (CAA) is a federal law that was introduced in 1970. At that time, air pollution was a massive concern. Environmental controls have led to improved air quality in the decades since, but the CAA remains as important as ever.The CAA lists the pollutants that require regulation. These hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) must be closely controlled by the factory to restrict their emissions, with the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) providing specific regulations for various industries.The National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) provide acceptable levels of different air pollutants. A factory won’t be solely responsible for ensuring these standards are met since there will be many contributing factors. However, that factory must play its part in keeping emission levels down and monitoring them through continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS).Factories that are creating new major pollutant sources or modifying existing ones will have to adhere to Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) regulations. These regulations require factories to install the Best Available Control Technology (BACT), carry out an air quality analysis and an additional impacts analysis, and involve the public in the plans.To comply with the CAA, factories must regularly report on their emissions. They must also apply for CAA permits, which vary depending on the factory’s location.2. Occupational Safety and Health ActThe Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970 requires employers to protect their workers from various hazards, one of which is unclean air. Employers must provide sufficient indoor air quality for their employees to protect them from the health issues that poor air can cause.For most businesses, this will involve adequate ventilation, but factories must also consider how they can reduce or contain any air pollutants. They may have to change their processes or enclose equipment. It could also require rotating workers to minimize their exposure to pollutants and providing personal protective equipment.The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets permissible exposure limits (PELs) that workers can be exposed to. These limits vary depending on the substance, but they can tell factories if they’re exposing their staff to dangerous levels of harmful air pollutants.3. State LawsWhile OSH is a federal act that affects all of the U.S., many states have implemented their own laws on indoor air quality. However, these state laws don’t replace OSHA regulations, and must be at least as effective as OSHA in protecting workers. They must also be approved by OSHA.Currently, seven of these state plans only cover state and local workers, while 22 more also cover private-sector workers. MACH Engineering How to Reduce Your Factory’s Air PollutionThere are several key steps that every factory should take to reduce the amount of air pollution it produces. Some of the most effective factory air pollution solutions are:1. Use Cleaner Production Materials and EnergyMany factory air pollutants are emitted by burning certain fuels, such as coal, oil or diesel. By replacing these fuels with renewable energy that burns more cleanly, factories can reduce their emissions.Factories should also use alternatives to hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are commonly used in air conditioning, refrigeration and foam blowing. These compounds can warm the planet 3,790 times as much as carbon dioxide over a 20-year period.2. Install Filtration and Wet Scrubber SystemsTo prevent harmful emissions from escaping into the atmosphere, factories should install filtration and wet scrubber systems. These systems can destroy or neutralize acidic gases, VOCs, HAPs and PM and prevent them from escaping into the atmosphere. There are many different types of wet scrubbers available, including:Packed bed scrubbersVenturi scrubbersOrifice scrubbersSpray towersCyclone spray chambers3. Upgrade and Maintain EquipmentInefficient or poorly maintained equipment can lead to higher air pollutant emissions, as machines with a buildup of grease or other pollutants are more likely to catch fire and release toxic gas into the atmosphere. Less efficient machines also use more electricity, which indirectly increases emissions at power generation facilities. Newer equipment designed with reduced emissions in mind will also be more effective at capturing any emitted pollutants.To ensure equipment is effectively cutting down on emissions, factories should install sensors on their machinery. These sensors can measure emissions from the machine, allowing you to analyze your factory’s emission sources.These steps can help factories comply with environmental laws while reducing their costs in the long run.4. Teach Best Practices to Your EmployeesTo remain compliant with the different regulations, your team must know the best practices for improving air quality in factories. They must also understand the importance of applying these practices.Factory employees need to be trained in the industry’s best practices during their induction. They should also receive regular training to ensure they stay up to date with evolving practices.5. Hire a Third-Party ConsultantA third-party consultant can provide an unbiased and fresh set of eyes over your processes and equipment. If they’re experts in the field, they should be able to give you valuable advice on how you can reduce the air pollutants that your factory emits.Factory Air Emission FAQsFactory owners and managers often want to know more about factory air emissions and how they can reduce them. These are some of the most common questions they ask.1. What Types of Air Filtration Systems Are Available for Industrial Settings?There are several industrial air filtration systems available, which can help keep indoor air healthy and clean, such as:Ventilation bag filtersHigh-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtersUV light filtersCarbon filtersOne 2019 study found that carbon filters, especially bamboo-based filters, are particularly effective at removing VOCs from the air. This makes them ideal to use in factories.2. Which Industries Produce the Most Air Pollution?Many industries pollute the air, but some do so on a larger scale than others. The industries that produce the most air pollution are the energy, transportation, manufacturing and agriculture sectors.3. What Are the Main Types of Air Permits a Factory Needs Under the Clean Air Act?The main types of air permits that factories will need to comply with the CAA are:Construction permits, such as the preconstruction or new source review permits.Operating permits, PSD and Title V permits, which outline the factory’s obligations.General permits, which are required for smaller-scale activities.4. What Are the Other Benefits of Air Pollution Control Technologies?Besides helping factories lower their emissions and remain compliant, air pollution control technologies can:Prolong equipment lifespan.Protect workers’ health.Reduce turnover and staff sickness.Cut operational and noncompliance costs.The Importance of Controlling Factory Air EmissionsFactories emit many types of air pollutants that can damage our health, the environment and the factory itself. If these pollutants reach unacceptable levels, the factory could violate several environmental laws and face various consequences, including sick staff, fines and reputational damage.Fortunately, there are multiple ways to reduce the number of emissions that factories produce, such as educating employees, and installing filtration and scrubbing technology. Factories can also monitor their emission levels, ensuring they’re not exceeding acceptable levels.This story was produced by MACH Engineering and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Rob Sand: ‘I would like to see the math on it’ Rob Sand, Iowa State Auditor and Democratic candidate for governor, explained what he thought was missing from Governor Kim Reynolds' Condition of the State Address
	Winter weather returns to the Quad Cities After a balmy 50° high Tuesday, temperatures took a tumble overnight and won't recover today. Even colder air is on the way for the weekend. Before the really cold air blasts back into the Quad Cities, a round of accumulating snow arrives Thursday during the evening commute. Here's your complete 7-day forecast.
	‘You shouldn’t come to the temple drunk’: The ever-changing rules and rituals of LDS temple worship ‘You shouldn’t come to the temple drunk’: The ever-changing rules and rituals of LDS temple worshipFor much of its history, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was a faith centered around meetinghouses, which were a buzz of activity throughout the week.That is far less the case today. Leaders have reoriented the 17.5 million-member church — outside of the home, at least — around a new focus: temples.Go as often as circumstances allow has been the mantra poured from the pulpit at General Conference and repeated in Sunday worship services. And even if members cannot go, they are urged to prepare to do so by living the standards — pay a full tithe and no extramarital sex, tea, coffee, alcohol or tobacco — required of temple attendees.But as Jonathan Stapley, author of the newly released “Holiness to the Lord: Latter-day Saint Temple Worship,” explained in a recent episode of The Salt Lake Tribune’s “Mormon Land” podcast, the approach to these sacred sites and the liturgies housed there would come as a surprise to many Latter-day Saints of previous generations.Here are lightly edited excerpts from that show about that shift, as well as a look at other evolutions in meaning and practice in Latter-day Saint temple worship over time.Not all of the rituals that faith founder Joseph Smith introduced stuck. What are some of the ones that came and went? And what does it tell us that Latter-day Saints no longer perform them today?From the beginning, the temple was viewed by church leaders and members as a special site for physical healing. People would be immersed in the temple fonts, and there was a special baptismal prayer that was offered. They had both male and female temple healers. These are people whose job it was to take the sick who came to the temple and anoint and bless them. The temples were viewed in some ways as a site of pilgrimage for healing up until the 1920s.There’s a lot of aspirational resonance with scripture. Jesus healed at the temple, and it’s a place that’s holy.In the modern era, we understand that it’s probably not wise to bring sick people and immerse them in water that other people are using or to have people touch them. So there’s a pragmatic element. But, ultimately, the decision to move away from that sort of healing in the temple was based largely on the emphasis of doing proxy work for the dead. Latter-day Saints have baptism, confirmation and their temple ceremonies — an endowment, washing and anointing and sealing ceremonies. They do that for themselves, for the living. They also do that for their ancestors who are dead.In the 1920s, they were running out of resources in the temples for the people who wanted to participate in those salvific — meaning saving — ceremonies. So they pivoted. They said, “Look, we’re not going to have healing in the temple anymore. We’re not going to have temple choirs. We’re going to cut down on the food offered. We’re going to focus on the work that can only happen in the temple.”Latter-day Saints are frequently taught that the temple rituals are sacred, not secret. But some parts are intended to remain secret and not be discussed outside the temple. How did you walk that line in writing the book?Latter-day Saints promise, they use the language of covenant, but it’s a promise, to keep certain elements of the temple ceremonies isolated to the temple and not discuss them outside of the temple. These are a small portion of the overall ceremonies, but for the majority of the church’s history, church leaders have instructed members to basically keep the entirety of their experiences isolated to the temple. So there is a small bit that church members promise to keep secret.How church members and church leaders protect the sanctity or enact the secrecy of the temple does change over time. For example, during Joseph Smith’s life, in General Conference, he talked about items of the temple ceremonies that would later in the 20th century be no longer permissible for discussion. In the late 19th century, church members and church leaders would talk about things in the newspaper and in General Conference, again, that perhaps later in the 20th century would not have been considered appropriate. So for me, as a historian, I largely went by the people themselves, how they conceptualize it. So if I was talking about the church in the 19th century, I could use the norms of the 19th century to discuss that. With the understanding, most church members would be aware today that in the last decade, the church has really moved to greater transparency with regard to the temple.For the rituals still practiced today, when were they introduced, and when were they formalized?In Kirtland [Ohio], this is in the mid-1830s, we have the introduction of the first ceremonies that a Latter-day Saint might be familiar with today. They’re not in this exact same form, but men, priesthood officers, are washed and anointed and prepared for an endowment in Kirtland. That’s the language that they’re using. It’s not a formal endowment ritual. It’s an endowment of power, a charismatic outpouring of God’s power on them to prepare them to evangelize. But they have that washing and anointing.In Nauvoo [Illinois], they build a temple, and this is the place where Joseph Smith reveals the set of rituals or ceremonies that Latter-day Saints would recognize as the foundation for what they experience today.Under Brigham Young’s leadership [after Smith’s slaying], they have to bring hundreds of people through a day. So they start systematizing and regularizing. They introduce a new sealing text. They introduce new characters to the endowment drama.They head west, and it’s really not until the St. George Temple in 1877, so 30 years later, that they have a temple again. And it’s there that they really start systematizing again. They start writing down the temple ceremonies for the first time.How long would it go?It’s somewhat ambiguous, but I think it’s safe to say maybe five or six hours.And the endowment is now down to an hour?An hour and change.It’s important to realize that most people in the 19th century and early 20th century who were practicing Latter-day Saints might have gone to the temple for themselves and never returned in their lives. The people who did proxy work were a minority. Today, because of greater accessibility due to the sheer volume of temples that have been constructed, the digitization of the liturgy that allows for greater language access and the relatively small amount of time it takes to perform the ceremonies, people are now able to go to the temple regularly. It allows them to participate in the temple liturgy in ways that simply were impossible in previous generations.How do you think that accessibility changes the role that the temple liturgy plays in the lives of Latter-day Saints now compared to 100 years ago?I’m a practicing Latter-day Saint, and we’ve had local leaders encourage us to go to the temple weekly. In the early 20th century, we had church leaders, apostles, who confessed to not going to the temple since they went through their first time.What does that mean, then? The temple is still doing that core work of creating an identity for these people and helping them construct their place in the cosmos. But layering temple worthiness, the requirements to get a temple recommend, on top of this sort of regular temple worship, really transforms what is not only required to go, but what it means to be a Latter-day Saint beyond the liturgy. It’s a commitment to live a certain way, to do a certain thing and to construct your time and identity around this exclusivity that’s located within this building.When did the worthiness element enter?It’s a long process. Early on in Nauvoo, we see the first recommends to access the temple font that are based on whether you volunteered your time to help build the temple. So if you helped build the temple, you paid your tithing, you could access the temple font.Up through most of the 19th century, church leaders would often talk about things that you shouldn’t do if you were going to the temple. You shouldn’t come to the temple if you’re drunk, they said. You should pay your tithing. But really, it wasn’t a formal rule, and every bishop got to choose who could go to the temple. If your bishop would vouch for you, they would write a letter, send it to the church president, and he would check it off, and you could go to the temple.So there was bishop roulette even then?Absolutely. The first printed cards appear in the late 1890s and early 20th century. But as far as I can tell, the first list of questions doesn’t appear until the 1930s. And church leaders have talked about the focus on the Word of Wisdom in the 1920s, but I’ve seen some correspondence to suggest that strict adherence to the Word of Wisdom and complete abstinence wasn’t a requirement until the late 1930s or early 1940s to get into the temple.How has this incredibly close study of the temple altered your own temple experience?I’ve been researching Latter-day Saint history for several decades now. That study and this book, in particular, have provided me with the tools to create meaning out of the ceremonies that were at first disorienting.This story was produced by The Salt Lake Tribune and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	‘You shouldn’t come to the temple drunk’: The ever-changing rules and rituals of LDS temple worship ‘You shouldn’t come to the temple drunk’: The ever-changing rules and rituals of LDS temple worshipFor much of its history, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was a faith centered around meetinghouses, which were a buzz of activity throughout the week.That is far less the case today. Leaders have reoriented the 17.5 million-member church — outside of the home, at least — around a new focus: temples.Go as often as circumstances allow has been the mantra poured from the pulpit at General Conference and repeated in Sunday worship services. And even if members cannot go, they are urged to prepare to do so by living the standards — pay a full tithe and no extramarital sex, tea, coffee, alcohol or tobacco — required of temple attendees.But as Jonathan Stapley, author of the newly released “Holiness to the Lord: Latter-day Saint Temple Worship,” explained in a recent episode of The Salt Lake Tribune’s “Mormon Land” podcast, the approach to these sacred sites and the liturgies housed there would come as a surprise to many Latter-day Saints of previous generations.Here are lightly edited excerpts from that show about that shift, as well as a look at other evolutions in meaning and practice in Latter-day Saint temple worship over time.Not all of the rituals that faith founder Joseph Smith introduced stuck. What are some of the ones that came and went? And what does it tell us that Latter-day Saints no longer perform them today?From the beginning, the temple was viewed by church leaders and members as a special site for physical healing. People would be immersed in the temple fonts, and there was a special baptismal prayer that was offered. They had both male and female temple healers. These are people whose job it was to take the sick who came to the temple and anoint and bless them. The temples were viewed in some ways as a site of pilgrimage for healing up until the 1920s.There’s a lot of aspirational resonance with scripture. Jesus healed at the temple, and it’s a place that’s holy.In the modern era, we understand that it’s probably not wise to bring sick people and immerse them in water that other people are using or to have people touch them. So there’s a pragmatic element. But, ultimately, the decision to move away from that sort of healing in the temple was based largely on the emphasis of doing proxy work for the dead. Latter-day Saints have baptism, confirmation and their temple ceremonies — an endowment, washing and anointing and sealing ceremonies. They do that for themselves, for the living. They also do that for their ancestors who are dead.In the 1920s, they were running out of resources in the temples for the people who wanted to participate in those salvific — meaning saving — ceremonies. So they pivoted. They said, “Look, we’re not going to have healing in the temple anymore. We’re not going to have temple choirs. We’re going to cut down on the food offered. We’re going to focus on the work that can only happen in the temple.”Latter-day Saints are frequently taught that the temple rituals are sacred, not secret. But some parts are intended to remain secret and not be discussed outside the temple. How did you walk that line in writing the book?Latter-day Saints promise, they use the language of covenant, but it’s a promise, to keep certain elements of the temple ceremonies isolated to the temple and not discuss them outside of the temple. These are a small portion of the overall ceremonies, but for the majority of the church’s history, church leaders have instructed members to basically keep the entirety of their experiences isolated to the temple. So there is a small bit that church members promise to keep secret.How church members and church leaders protect the sanctity or enact the secrecy of the temple does change over time. For example, during Joseph Smith’s life, in General Conference, he talked about items of the temple ceremonies that would later in the 20th century be no longer permissible for discussion. In the late 19th century, church members and church leaders would talk about things in the newspaper and in General Conference, again, that perhaps later in the 20th century would not have been considered appropriate. So for me, as a historian, I largely went by the people themselves, how they conceptualize it. So if I was talking about the church in the 19th century, I could use the norms of the 19th century to discuss that. With the understanding, most church members would be aware today that in the last decade, the church has really moved to greater transparency with regard to the temple.For the rituals still practiced today, when were they introduced, and when were they formalized?In Kirtland [Ohio], this is in the mid-1830s, we have the introduction of the first ceremonies that a Latter-day Saint might be familiar with today. They’re not in this exact same form, but men, priesthood officers, are washed and anointed and prepared for an endowment in Kirtland. That’s the language that they’re using. It’s not a formal endowment ritual. It’s an endowment of power, a charismatic outpouring of God’s power on them to prepare them to evangelize. But they have that washing and anointing.In Nauvoo [Illinois], they build a temple, and this is the place where Joseph Smith reveals the set of rituals or ceremonies that Latter-day Saints would recognize as the foundation for what they experience today.Under Brigham Young’s leadership [after Smith’s slaying], they have to bring hundreds of people through a day. So they start systematizing and regularizing. They introduce a new sealing text. They introduce new characters to the endowment drama.They head west, and it’s really not until the St. George Temple in 1877, so 30 years later, that they have a temple again. And it’s there that they really start systematizing again. They start writing down the temple ceremonies for the first time.How long would it go?It’s somewhat ambiguous, but I think it’s safe to say maybe five or six hours.And the endowment is now down to an hour?An hour and change.It’s important to realize that most people in the 19th century and early 20th century who were practicing Latter-day Saints might have gone to the temple for themselves and never returned in their lives. The people who did proxy work were a minority. Today, because of greater accessibility due to the sheer volume of temples that have been constructed, the digitization of the liturgy that allows for greater language access and the relatively small amount of time it takes to perform the ceremonies, people are now able to go to the temple regularly. It allows them to participate in the temple liturgy in ways that simply were impossible in previous generations.How do you think that accessibility changes the role that the temple liturgy plays in the lives of Latter-day Saints now compared to 100 years ago?I’m a practicing Latter-day Saint, and we’ve had local leaders encourage us to go to the temple weekly. In the early 20th century, we had church leaders, apostles, who confessed to not going to the temple since they went through their first time.What does that mean, then? The temple is still doing that core work of creating an identity for these people and helping them construct their place in the cosmos. But layering temple worthiness, the requirements to get a temple recommend, on top of this sort of regular temple worship, really transforms what is not only required to go, but what it means to be a Latter-day Saint beyond the liturgy. It’s a commitment to live a certain way, to do a certain thing and to construct your time and identity around this exclusivity that’s located within this building.When did the worthiness element enter?It’s a long process. Early on in Nauvoo, we see the first recommends to access the temple font that are based on whether you volunteered your time to help build the temple. So if you helped build the temple, you paid your tithing, you could access the temple font.Up through most of the 19th century, church leaders would often talk about things that you shouldn’t do if you were going to the temple. You shouldn’t come to the temple if you’re drunk, they said. You should pay your tithing. But really, it wasn’t a formal rule, and every bishop got to choose who could go to the temple. If your bishop would vouch for you, they would write a letter, send it to the church president, and he would check it off, and you could go to the temple.So there was bishop roulette even then?Absolutely. The first printed cards appear in the late 1890s and early 20th century. But as far as I can tell, the first list of questions doesn’t appear until the 1930s. And church leaders have talked about the focus on the Word of Wisdom in the 1920s, but I’ve seen some correspondence to suggest that strict adherence to the Word of Wisdom and complete abstinence wasn’t a requirement until the late 1930s or early 1940s to get into the temple.How has this incredibly close study of the temple altered your own temple experience?I’ve been researching Latter-day Saint history for several decades now. That study and this book, in particular, have provided me with the tools to create meaning out of the ceremonies that were at first disorienting.This story was produced by The Salt Lake Tribune and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	60 years later: Geneseo ’John Doe’ identified as missing California man Deputies said the John Doe was identified as 19-year-old Ronald J. Cole who has been missing from Filmore, California since 1965.
	Geneseo John Doe identified after 60 years Geneseo John Doe has been identified after 60 years using technology that was not available in 1966. The DNA Doe Project (DDP) has identified Geneseo John Doe as Ronald Joe Cole. Cole was 19 years old when he disappeared from Fillmore, Calif. in 1965 and his remains were found thousands of miles away in Illinois [...]
	Trump administration sends letter wiping out addiction, mental health grants The Trump administration sent hundreds of letters Tuesday terminating federal grants supporting mental health and drug addiction services.
	1966 skeletal remains in Geneseo identified as missing California teen Sixty years after his remains were found in Illinois, investigators have identified “Geneseo John Doe” as Ronald Joe Cole, a California teen missing since 1965.
	Greetings from Acre, Israel, where an old fortress recalls the time of the Crusades Far-Flung Postcards is a weekly series in which NPR's international team shares moments from their lives and work around the world.
	1966 skeletal remains in Geneseo identified as missing California teen Sixty years after his remains were found in Illinois, investigators have identified “Geneseo John Doe” as Ronald Joe Cole, a California teen missing since 1965.
	What we lose when we spend to feel better What we lose when we spend to feel betterFor Emily Mester, compulsive shopping was the norm growing up. Trips to the mall were routine, packages arrived at the door almost daily, and impulse buys were rarely questioned. It was what prompted her last year to write her book, American Bulk: Essays on Excess, which examines how the things we buy, amass, and discard become an intimate part of our lives—and central to our understanding of fulfillment and joy.After years of researching consumer culture and behavioral psychology, Mester decided to embark on a three-month, no-buy period in 2024. The rules she set for herself were as straightforward as they were severe: She wasn’t allowed to buy anything online, nor was she permitted to make spontaneous purchases in stores—habits, she realized, that had once offered a reliable dose of anticipation and emotional lift. “It felt similar to when you have a crush and suddenly the crush goes away and you’re like, well, who do I dress for and who am I hoping to see when I go to this place?” Mester told Atmos. “It felt like my life lacked a carrot; it lacked something to aim towards.”Mester’s relationship to shopping is far from unique—it’s a reflection of a culture that’s long equated consumption with contentment. People have been told for years by advertisers that money can buy happiness. Spend on travel, not things, the headlines say. Invest in memories. Treat yourself—you deserve it. But whether it’s a designer handbag or a getaway to a warmer climate, the underlying assumption remains the same: that joy is something we can purchase. Is that true?New research suggests money can, to a certain degree, buy happiness depending on where and how a person lives, according to a study by the University of British Columbia. Experts found that people in wealthier countries said they gained more happiness from gifts and time-saving services, while those in lower-income nations said spending on essentials like housing and debt relief had a bigger impact. Only certain types of purchases—such as donations, experiences, and investments in personal care—consistently boosted happiness across all regions and cultures.These findings are far from straightforward, in part because happiness is notoriously difficult to measure. It’s subjective, situational, and shaped by cultural expectations as much as by material conditions. And yet, some patterns do emerge. Professors at Harvard, the University of Virginia, and the University of British Columbia determined that happiness depends less on how much money we have and more on how wisely we use it in alignment with human psychology. Though buying experiences over things, helping others, savoring small pleasures can make for happier spending, the “relationship between money and happiness is surprisingly weak,” they concluded.Happiness, it turns out, is less about what’s in our shopping cart and more about whether we spend in ways that nurture our long-term well-being.The Spending-Happiness ParadoxSo, how did we end up here, equating happiness with spending?According to Professor Cathrine Jansson-Boyd, a consumer psychology expert at Anglia Ruskin University, it all started with Henry Ford. “Ford believed every American should have a car—and a cheap one,” she said. “The assembly line made that possible, and mass production took off.”Governments quickly realized that mass manufacturing could drive rapid economic growth, cementing material consumption as a cornerstone of modern economies the world over. But the desire for possessions long predates the industrial era. “Consumption has always been around to some extent, and there’s always been an appreciation of material goods—think of the Vikings, who dyed their clothes in different colors to distinguish themselves within the hierarchy,” said Jansson-Boyd. “We’ve always been emotionally invested in things, but that interest was often tied to more practical purposes.”Fast forward to today, and we’re deep in a “spending-happiness paradox,” also known as the Easterlin Paradox. We’ve built an economy—and a culture—around the idea that buying more will make us feel better. But psychology tells a different story: The emotional payoff of spending tends to wear off quickly, especially once our basic needs are met. A widely cited 2010 study by Daniel Kahneman and Angus Deaton found that day-to-day emotional well-being levels off around $75,000 in annual income in the United States (adjusted for inflation, roughly $100,000 today). After that point, more money doesn’t necessarily translate to better well-being or greater fulfillment.“When basic needs have been met, it’s not entirely clear that every additional purchase is going to lead to greater feelings of wellbeing and happiness,” said Kate Fletcher, professor of sustainability, design, and fashion systems at Manchester Metropolitan University. “There’s not a linear relationship between more stuff and well-being. But moreover, having a materialistic attitude undermines one’s sense of self in the long term. Generally, it results in people having fewer friends, and it also results in higher levels of antidepressant use.”Still, in the digital age, the pressure to consume has only grown. Happiness is no longer simply sold—it’s staged, filtered, and shared across platforms where the line between advertising and everyday life has grown increasingly blurry. A quick scroll through Instagram or TikTok reveals the shift: Brands now sell aspiration through products. “What’s driving overconsumption on social media is this culture of upward comparison,” said Jansson-Boyd. “It’s as if we’re all on a hamster wheel,” she added. “It spins faster and faster and faster and faster, and we need more and more things to feel better. It’s like a drug addiction; Unless you up the dose every time it’s not working.”The Climate Cost of Chasing HappinessOur shopping habits don’t come cheap—neither for our mental nor planetary health.Compulsive shopping is linked to anxiety and low self-esteem. The more we measure our lives against photoshopped perfection online, the more we feel we’re falling short—and the more we spend to make up the difference. In the process, we take a bigger toll on the planet.Fashion alone accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions, around the same as what’s generated by the European Union, even as the average garment is worn just seven times before being discarded. “It’s been more than 30 years of sustained work to try to address the social and environmental inequities within the fashion space—especially as our spending intensified,” said Fletcher. “But what we see from the statistics is that the impacts are getting worse, not better.”And yet, the cycle continues. Consumption is still viewed as a sign of success, and growth as the measure of economic health. Slowing down—whether personally or systemically—can feel like failure. “We are continuously conditioned, especially through politics, to believe that consumption is really fundamental because that’s how the world goes around now, whether we like it or not,” said Jansson-Boyd. “This is really worrying because if you are coming from a sustainable consumption perspective, we are just not slowing down. And we are ruining the planet in [our pursuit of stuff].”But what if we stopped buying into the illusion that consumption is a necessary part of fulfillment? After three months of no new purchases, Mester was forced to find new ways to fill the emotional space that shopping once occupied. “I would say gardening had a greater impact on my overall happiness, which I was shocked about because I’m not a particularly Earthy person,” Mester said. “I found that there are many more ways to recreate the joy, and the pleasure of noticing and obsessing and deliberating and discovering ourselves, in ways that aren’t shopping.”Mester may be onto something. Research increasingly shows that non-material experiences—like time in nature, volunteering, making art, or spending time with friends—are longer-lasting sources of happiness. In a study published in “The Journal of Positive Psychology” in 2016, participants who engaged in “everyday creative activities” reported greater life satisfaction and emotional well-being.This reorientation toward meaning over materialism is beginning to take root elsewhere, too. Across social media, no-buy challenges like the one Mester participated in attract growing communities of followers committed to resisting overconsumption. Meanwhile, degrowth movements are gaining momentum as activists, scholars, and policymakers question the sustainability of endless economic expansion. Some countries are even beginning to rethink what progress means altogether, shifting their focus from gross domestic product to gross domestic happiness. Bhutan famously pioneered this approach with its Gross National Happiness index, and more recently, governments in New Zealand, Iceland, and Scotland have adopted well-being budgets that prioritize health, equity, and environmental sustainability over traditional economic growth.“Those are the things that give me the most hope,” said Fletcher. “Ultimately, the transition period that we’re in is going to be highly impactful for industry bottom lines. It cannot be otherwise. The sector will have to shrink in order to sit within planetary boundaries, and there’s going to be an almighty resistance to that. There already is.”This story was produced by Atmos and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	ACLU holds town hall on impact of Trump administration The ACLU town hall drew more than 160 attendees.
	Yard-core! Superfans show team spirit through lawn art Yard-core! Superfans show team spirit through lawn artYou may think that a lawn is just grass that needs regular mowing and maintenance. But for superfans of the Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, and other favorite teams, a lawn is something used as a billboard for loyalty, team rivalry, and plain old fun.With the sports team lawn logo trend, homeowners take fandom to a whole new level, LawnStarter reports. According to Luke Lorick, president of Tailgating Challenge and founder of National Tailgating Day, the fan experience has steadily intensified over the years.“It started with flags and now … (fans even) decorate their lawn to ensure everyone knows the team they support.” That’s the energy fans are channeling today. And it has taken root not just in tailgate-heavy college towns but also in suburban neighborhoods.Lawn Art for Superfans of All AgesAt Heathwood Assisted Living, on days when the Buffalo Bills are playing, you’ll hear the clapping and cheering of its decked-out residents and staff as they support their team.That excitement is even more intense with the Bills in the AFC playoffs for the seventh consecutive season.Tabitha Kennedy, activities director at Heathwood, said the residents have been watching the Bills’ games “for many, many years.”Aged between 70 and 100, most are lifelong Bills superfans and are likely among the oldest members — you might even say godfathers — of the Bills Mafia.The residents’ celebratory energy is so infectious that even the younger-generation staff loves watching Bills games with them.“We just get together and watch it together. They all have their Bills gear on,” Kennedy said.During the playoffs, Kennedy (who grew up as a Bills fan herself) holds special events for the residents of the assisted living facility.“We have the Bills’ Billieve banner that we hang. Residents love to take pictures of (our life-size) Josh Allen” in the hallway.So when they celebrated Assisted Living Week in September 2025, which coincided with the Bills’ season opener, Kennedy took their superfandom a step further.She hired Brian Koperski, owner of Bricks Lawn Art and fellow diehard fan of the Buffalo Bills, to paint a giant Bills logo on the lawn.It was a complete surprise for the residents. And when word got out, “Even families were coming here to take pictures with their loved ones, so that meant a lot,” Kennedy added.The Art and Science Behind Lawn Logo PaintingCommercial sponsorship logos have been painted on college football fields for at least a few decades in postseason play. And while no one knows for sure when fans started painting logos on their lawns, the idea has gained popularity in recent years as the internet and social media have helped make it a trend.David Daud, owner of Destyn Designs in Philadelphia, witnessed how the sports team lawn logo trend took off. In 2022, before the Eagles went to the Super Bowl, he also started creating lawn “jawns” (Philly slang for any person, place, or thing). And they were a huge hit.“Every year since then, they have been getting more and more popular. I get contacted four to five times a week during the regular season, and 100 times during the playoffs,” Daud said.Daud’s phone no doubt is ringing a lot as the Eagles are the NFC East champions. Some of Daud's work, which he shares on his Instagram account (@datdudedave21), has been featured by several news channels, including NBC and CBS, especially during last year’s playoff season.At first glance, painting a logo on grass might seem as simple as grabbing a can of spray paint and going to town. In reality, it’s a mix of sports passion, artistic precision, and turf science all rolled into one.TimingLawn logo painting is all about timing. Most lawn artists recommend working on freshly mowed, dry grass so the paint sticks evenly to the blades.“Dry weather and any temperature above 40 degrees is ideal,” said Koperski.If rain is in the forecast, it’s best to paint at least a day before it rains or wait until the weather is clear to help the paint set and prevent smudging.But Koperski has painted in rainy conditions many times without any issues. “I use athletic field aerosol spray paint that is not affected by rain. If you’re using water-based paint through a bigger sprayer, heavy rain could wash away the paint immediately.”To get the most out of your logo, time it to coincide with the sports season.“Playoffs would be the best time for baseball,” shared Daud. “For football, it’s all season long, especially the playoffs.” LawnStarter Paint SelectionPros use turf-safe paints designed specifically for grass, which coat the blades without seeping into the soil. This keeps the design bold and visible while protecting the lawn. But paint selection still depends on the lawn painter.Koperski uses Pioneer Athletics Game Day aerosol field paint. “It is made for grass and used by many ground crews across the country.”On the other hand, Daud uses regular spray paint. His trick: “I don’t saturate the grass so much that it will affect it.”StencilingDaud, who has been an artist for 25 years, is confident painting lawn logos freehand, as is Koperski.But if you’re not comfortable painting completely freehand, try stenciling. You can buy or cut out large stencils of the design, which, in Lorick’s experience, makes the process easier.“If you have never painted a lawn before, get one of those lawn painting kits,” Lorick advised. “I’m all about taking the guesswork out to prevent using incorrect team colors or using a product that may kill your lawn. You want to make sure your team is properly represented on gameday!”“We only need to follow a few simple steps, like laying the template on the yard, spraying the different team colors, and removing the template. Then, voilà! We now have the ultimate team spirit lawn.”LifespanIf your lawn is healthy, the painted logo will look brighter and last longer. The lifespan of your lawn art painting also depends on how quickly your grass grows.Koperski said that his lawn painting won’t wash away with rain, but it will fade over time as the lawn is mowed. Daud added, “They could last anywhere from two to eight weeks in the spring. In the winter, they could last up to three months or two lawn mows.”Popular Team Logo Designs for LawnsSaturdays in fall practically guarantee a flood of lawns painted with giant sports team logos like those of the Buffalo Bills or the Philadelphia Eagles, college mascots like the Florida gator, or bold block letters like Georgia’s ”G” or the Ohio State ”O” big enough to be seen from Google Earth.And it’s not just for the big leagues. Even high school teams are catching on. Parents love surprising their kids by having their school’s mascot painted on the lawn before a big playoff game.“To me, creating a lawn jawn is like a big puzzle,” explained Daud. “Each piece has to be proportional to the next piece, and so on, and so forth. Then, before you know it, you get a beautiful piece of art, anywhere from 10 to 35 feet.”Note: If you’re worried about sports logos on lawns violating any trademark laws, Daud said it isn’t an issue. “I’ve actually painted for some of the employees of the Philadelphia Eagles, and there hasn’t ever been a problem with the trademark.”Prep, Painting, and Damage PreventionLike any good paint job, the secret to a sharp lawn logo is in the prep work.When used properly, turf paint is safe and temporary. Think of it as temporary hair dye for your lawn — it’s flashy, but safe, and eventually grows out.Still, these smart steps can help you paint grass without ruining it:Mow before painting: Mow your lawn before painting it. Koperski recommends mowing the lawn 2 inches or shorter. “The paint will look the best and last the longest that way.”Water lightly: Some pros recommend watering the lawn lightly the day before so the turf is hydrated just enough and ready to hold color.Use turf-safe paints: Unlike spray paints you can buy from hardware stores, these lawn paints are non-toxic and safe for use on grass. Koperski recommends athletic field paint, which does not hurt the lawn.Secure the edges (for stencils): Place small weights on the outer edges of the stencil to keep it in place while painting.Avoid over-saturating: Too much paint can block sunlight and stress the blades.With the right prep and care, the only thing left behind is team pride, not lawn damage.DIY vs. Professional Lawn Logo PaintingLawn logo painting is a great way to surprise guests at a backyard watch party, show off school pride before a Friday night game, or even celebrate a special occasion.But should you go DIY or hire a pro?DIY Lawn PaintingWith a little creativity, a stencil (which you can buy online or make yourself), and turf-safe paint, DIY enthusiasts can create a decent design for under $50.The downside of DIY is that precision can be very tricky. Without practice, your crisp “team logo” can end up looking like abstract art.Best for: Fans looking for a quick, on-time boost of spirit.Professional Lawn PaintingOn the other hand, professional services can give you a stadium-quality logo.Daud shared how his craft has gotten better over time.“At first, it would take me up to three hours to do one, but since I’ve done so many, it now only takes me 35 minutes for a regular logo and 45 for a throwback (bigger, old logo), and this can be up to 20 feet.”The price depends on the size of the logo, as well as the colors and complexity of the design. Koperski said, “Jobs range from $200 to a couple of thousand, depending on what and where I am painting.”For Daud, it can be as low as $200 for a regular logo, while a throwback logo can go as high as $500.Best for: Fans who want clean lines, perfect colors, and something that’ll wow neighbors.At the end of the day, lawn painting is about showing passion, and whether you do it yourself or hire someone, the effects are unforgettable. LawnStarter A Healthy Lawn Is the Secret to a Striking Lawn LogoPainted lawns are making their mark as the ultimate fan statement. The lawn painting craze isn’t just about bold colors and logos. It’s about community, tradition, and showing pride in a way that turns heads.This story was produced by Lawnstarter and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Vibrant Credit Union launches Be the Good Foundation to help community Vibrant Credit Union announced the official launch of the Be The Good Foundation, a philanthropic initiative designed to power more kindness, more opportunity, and more “good stuff” in communities across the Midwest, a news release says. For years, Vibrant has believed that doing good shouldn’t be a side project — "it should be part of who we are," [...]
	Can't decide what to read next? Here are 20 recommendations for your book club You know that feeling when you finish a book and just have to discuss it with someone? That's a great book club book. Here are 20 tried-and-true titles that are sure to get the conversation started.
	Scott County sex offender sentenced to life in prison A Scott County registered sex offender has been sentenced to life in prison after a jury found him guilty of sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl.
	Más allá del diagnóstico: lo que las personas con diabetes desearían que usted supiera (BPT) - La diabetes es una de las afecciones crónicas más frecuentes en todo el mundo.1 El manejo diario es difícil, pero uno de los mayores desafíos para quienes viven con diabetes es enfrentarse al estigma, los juicios y los conceptos erróneos de personas que no comparten la experiencia.2Escuche a tres personas que viven con diabetes e intentan cambiar el estigma asociado a esta afección crónica.La vergüenza dueleTomeka Porter, de 50 años, lleva más de 40 controlando su diabetes, y se siente capacitada para tomar sus propias decisiones gracias a una eficaz tecnología de control de la diabetes.Sin embargo, cuando sale a cenar fuera, sus amigos y familiares, con buenas intenciones, a veces cuestionan su decisión de pedir postre.Lo que no han visto es que ya ha calculado los carbohidratos, ajustado su dosis de insulina y controlado los niveles de glucosa."Para mí, tener un excelente control de la diabetes significa utilizar las herramientas que pueden darme información en tiempo real para tomar decisiones en tiempo real", dijo Porter. "La mejor herramienta que tengo es mi monitor continuo de glucosa. Me mantiene en el buen camino, en control y completamente responsable; entonces, la gente con la que estoy no tiene que hacerlo por mí".Sean Hughes, de 64 años, también padece diabetes y la gente se obsesiona con la causa de su enfermedad, dando por sentado que se debe a un estilo de vida poco saludable."Existe la idea de que las personas con diabetes son culpables de su enfermedad", afirmó. "No es tan sencillo como 'No has comido bien'".Las críticas a las decisiones sobre alimentación y estilo de vida son un desafío habitual. A menudo se juzga injustamente a las personas con diabetes de tipo 1 y de tipo 2, lo que refuerza la falsa creencia de que la diabetes solo es causada por "malas" elecciones. En realidad, la diabetes es una afección compleja en la que influyen la genética, las respuestas del sistema inmunitario, el medioambiente y otros factores.3 Esto es lo que Porter y Hughes desearían que todo el mundo supiera sobre la vida con diabetes:Todos los días hay que tomar decisiones constantemente.Las personas con diabetes pueden tomar hasta 180 decisiones relacionadas con la salud al día.4 Desde predecir cómo responde la glucosa a lo que comen hasta elegir qué actividades realizan. Y todo ello mientras controlan la medicación que toman. Mantenerse sano exige una vigilancia constante.No existe un plan único.El recorrido de cada persona con diabetes es personal. Lo que funciona para una persona puede no funcionar para otra.No se trata solo del azúcar.La diabetes tiene que ver con la forma en que el organismo procesa la glucosa, lo cual puede verse afectado por la resistencia a la insulina, el estrés, las enfermedades, el sueño y los niveles de actividad, no solo por la alimentación.5Un monitor continuo de glucosa (continuous glucose monitor, CGM) puede ayudar a tomar decisiones informadas sobre el estilo de vida.Los CGM son dispositivos tecnológicos portátiles (biowearables) discretos que controlan la glucosa de una persona en tiempo real, y la ayudan a comprender cómo los niveles se ven afectados por la alimentación, la actividad y la medicación. Esta información ayuda a tomar decisiones informadas.El apoyo es importante.Un lenguaje útil ayuda a crear un entorno más propicio. En una encuesta realizada por Abbott, el 70% de los encuestados afirmaron que los comentarios de apoyo de otras personas pueden aumentar significativamente su motivación para controlar su afección.6Bethany Dingman, de 32 años, lleva más de 20 viviendo con diabetes y comparte las experiencias y consejos de Porter y Hughes. "La diabetes no define quién eres como persona", afirma. "Sí, es una enfermedad grave, pero si se trata correctamente, ya sea con dieta y ejercicio, controlando los niveles de glucosa o con medicación, se puede seguir disfrutando de la vida". El peso del estigmaAbbott, líder mundial en dispositivos tecnológicos portátiles para la diabetes, ha publicado recientemente un estudio que recoge las experiencias reales de personas con diabetes.6 El estudio demostró lo siguiente:Casi el 70% cree que existe un estigma asociado a la afección.6Casi el 25% ha evitado compartir el diagnóstico con familiares o amigos por vergüenza o preocupación.5El 40% ha faltado a una cita médica por vergüenza.6Estos resultados revelan que los comentarios estigmatizadores no solo hieren, sino que también aíslan. Pueden hacer que las personas con diabetes sean menos propensas a buscar atención médica, estén menos dispuestas a compartir sus dificultades y sean más vulnerables a la vergüenza. Cómo puede ayudarEmpiece por la empatía. En lugar de preguntar qué "puede" o "no puede" hacer una persona con diabetes, pregunte cómo puede apoyarla. Respete el hecho de que las personas con diabetes son las que mejor conocen su afección y cómo controlarla."La gente cree que tener diabetes significa que no puedo consumir azúcar, pero es mucho más complejo que eso. Dispongo de un excelente sistema que me ayuda a controlarla", afirmó Porter."La diabetes es algo que me esfuerzo por controlar cada día", añadió Hughes. "El apoyo ideal es respetar que conozco mi cuerpo y mis necesidades. Yo tengo el control"."Soy la prueba viviente de que la diabetes no me impide vivir mi mejor vida", afirma Dingman. "Tengo las herramientas necesarias para asegurarme de que mis niveles de glucosa se mantengan en un nivel seguro y eso me ayuda a preocuparme menos mientras hago mis ejercicios y planifico mis comidas".Para concientizar sobre el impacto a la salud de los conceptos erróneos relacionados con la diabetes, Abbott lanzó la iniciativa Más allá del prejuicio. Si usted o alguien que conoce padece diabetes y desea saber más sobre cómo mejorar el apoyo, visite AboveBias.com.Las opiniones expresadas en este artículo no deben utilizarse para el diagnóstico o tratamiento médico ni como sustituto del asesoramiento médico profesional. Los síntomas, situaciones y circunstancias individuales pueden variar.1 World Health Organization, Diabetes, consultado el 18 de septiembre de 2025.2 Speight, Jane, Elizabeth Holmes-Truscott, Matthew Garza, et al. "Bringing an End to Diabetes Stigma and Discrimination: An International Consensus Statement on Evidence and Recommendations." The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology 12, no. 1 (January 2024): 61–82. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(23)00347-9/ppt.3 American Diabetes Association, Genetics of Diabetes, consultado el 18 de septiembre de 2025.4 Stanford Medicine, New research shows how to keep diabetics safer during sleep, consultado el 27 de octubre de 2025.5 American Diabetes Association, Blood Glucose and Insulin, consultado el 10 de octubre de 2025.6 Data on file, Abbott Diabetes Care. Based on a global survey among 1,233 adult participants (n=134 with type 1 Diabetes, n=1,099 with Type 2 Diabetes) commissioned by Abbott and conducted by Savanta in May 2024.
	New scholarship being offered to Moline High School seniors in memory of Porter McNeil Applications for the Porter McNeil Public Service Scholarship are now open to Moline High School students.
	Second man involved in Davenport shooting enters into plea agreement A second man charged in connection with an Aug. 5 shooting in which a home on Davenport's West Sixth Street was shot multiple times has entered into a plea agreement.
	Colona to add new hire for water system repairs; try committee of the whole At Mayor Brian Johnson's suggestion, the council discussed holding a committee of the whole meeting prior to council meetings and having actual committee meetings only on an "as needed" basis.
	Rotary Club of Rock Island awards a total of $7,500 through community grants program The Rotary Club of Rock Island has awarded a total of $7,500 through its community grants program to five nonprofits that serve people in Rock Island, a news release says. The grant awards were presented at the Rotary Club’s meeting on Jan. 6. This was the second round of community grants for the 2025-2026 Rock [...]
	Two Rock Island firefighters promoted to lieutenant, three others commended for bravery A pair of Rock Island firefighters were promoted to lieutenant during Monday's Rock Island City Council meeting, while three firefighters received commendations for their bravery during a Dec. 1 fire.
	The risks of AI in schools outweigh the benefits, report says A new report warns that AI poses a serious threat to children's cognitive development and emotional well-being.
	Special Weather Statement until WED 12:15 PM CST Gusty Winds and Snow Showers Expected This Morning
	Graham Health System announces new president/CEO Graham Health System (GHS), a regional healthcare provider established in 1909 and headquartered in Canton, Illinois, has announced that that Allison Sours has assumedthe role of president & chief executive officer, a news release says. Sours joined Graham Health System in April 2018 as vice president of quality, where she provided strategic leadership in advancing [...]
	Small Town Circus This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.When I was growing up in southern Minnesota, the circus still came to town regularly each August to set up in field at…
	Man caught with meth, crack and heroin enters plea agreement A Davenport man arrested in September after police seized dealer levels of meth, crack cocaine and heroin during a search of his property has entered a plea agreement with prosecutors.
	Movies and TV shows casting across the US Media_Photos // Shutterstock Movies and TV shows casting across the US The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities' Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of that journey.Whether you're a working actor or an aspiring one, you might be curious to know which movies and TV shows are casting roles near you. Backstage compiled a list of projects casting right now across the U.S., and which roles they're looking to fill. Media_Photos // Shutterstock 'Asherah: A Love Odyssey - Episode One - Flashbacks' - Project type: feature film- Roles: --- Ariel: Age-19 (supporting, female, 18-23)--- Miguel: Age-20 (lead, male, 18-24)--- Asherah: Age-18 (lead, female, 18-23)- Average hourly rate: $125- Casting locations: West Palm Beach, Florida; Savannah, Georgia; Augusta, Georgia; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia- Learn more about the feature film here Grusho Anna // Shutterstock 'The Seam' - Project type: scripted show- Roles: --- Heather (lead, female, 21-28)--- Isaac (lead, male, 21-28)--- Ben (lead, male, 45-65)- Average hourly rate: $15- Casting locations: Princeton Junction, New Jersey; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; New York City, New York- Learn more about the scripted show here KinoMasterskaya // Shutterstock '72 Hours' - Project type: feature film- Roles: --- Club Goers (background extra, 18-35)- Average hourly rate: $18- Casting locations: New York City, New York; Newark, New Jersey; Brooklyn, New York; Morristown, New Jersey; Hoboken, New Jersey- Learn more about the feature film here Grusho Anna // Shutterstock 'Philly' - Project type: feature film- Roles: --- Girl Dancer (day player, female, 18-30)--- Horse Riders (day player, male, 15-30)--- Tattoo Face Clown Guys (day player, 18-40)- Average hourly rate: $150- Casting locations: Brooklyn, New York- Learn more about the feature film here Grusho Anna // Shutterstock 'Soul Killer II' - Project type: feature film- Roles: --- Bailey (day player, female, 18-30)--- Detective Greenspan (supporting, female, 30-55)--- Senatorial Staffer (day player, male, 20-40)- Average hourly rate: $30- Casting locations: Los Angeles, California- Learn more about the feature film here Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock 'America Down' - Project type: feature film- Roles: --- Liam or Lacey Davenport (supporting, 5-12)- Average hourly rate: $30- Casting locations: Los Angeles, California; White Plains, New York; New Haven, Connecticut; New London, Connecticut; New York City, New York- Learn more about the feature film here muratart // Shutterstock 'Moon Eyes' - Project type: feature film- Roles: --- Jewel (lead, female, 18-21)--- Reuben (lead, male, 18-21)- Average hourly rate: $63- Casting locations: Lancaster, Pennsylvania; New York City, New York; Boston, Massachusetts; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania- Learn more about the feature film here Media_Photos // Shutterstock 'Mama's Boy,' A24 Horror Series' - Project type: scripted show- Roles: --- Model on Magazine (background extra, female, 20-29)--- Camp Counselors Canoeing - Tent. Works 6/23 (SAG-AFTRA COVERED) (background extra, 18-23)--- Wife of Principal Character (background extra, female, 20-39)- Average hourly rate: $27- Casting locations: West Milford, New Jersey; New York City, New York; Jersey City, New Jersey- Learn more about the scripted show here Tikkyshop // Shutterstock 'Whispers in the Walls' - Project type: feature film- Roles: --- Nurse (day player, female, 23-50)--- Police Officer (background extra, male, 30-60)--- Rose (supporting, 35-50)- Average hourly rate: $31- Casting locations: Los Angeles, California- Learn more about the feature film here Grusho Anna // Shutterstock 'The Jogger' - Project type: scripted show- Roles: --- Ari (lead, female, 25-35)--- Alex (day player, male, 18-25)--- Emily (supporting, female, 25-35)- Average hourly rate: $41- Casting locations: Los Angeles, California; Norwalk, California- Learn more about the scripted show here guruXOX // Shutterstock 'Vertical Mini-Drama Series' - Project type: scripted show- Roles: --- Will (lead, male, 25-35)--- Sasha (lead, female, 25-35)- Average hourly rate: $106- Casting locations: England, Arkansas; Los Angeles, California; Austin, Texas; New Orleans, Louisiana; Seattle, Washington- Learn more about the scripted show here Dpongvit // Shutterstock 'Hench: The Override Saga' - Project type: scripted show- Roles: --- Holly (lead, female, 18-30)--- Samanatha (lead, female, 21-38)--- Gina (lead, female, 18-35)- Average hourly rate: $31- Casting locations: Los Angeles, California; New York City, New York; Boston, Massachusetts- Learn more about the scripted show here Grusho Anna // Shutterstock 'DWP2' - Project type: feature film- Roles: --- Event Guests (background extra, 18-80)- Average hourly rate: $27- Casting locations: New York City, New York- Learn more about the feature film here Grusho Anna // Shutterstock 'Revenge League' - Project type: scripted show- Roles: --- Cindy Tudor (lead, female, 21-30)--- Loren Clark (supporting, female, 25-34)- Average hourly rate: $63- Casting locations: Los Angeles, California- Learn more about the scripted show here Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock 'What I Left Behind' - Project type: feature film- Roles: --- Teenager (lead, 18-25)--- Cinematographer (crew)- Average hourly rate: not available- Casting locations: Brooklyn, New York- Learn more about the feature film here This story was produced by Backstage and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The death toll from a crackdown on protests in Iran jumps to over 2,500, activists say The death toll from nationwide protests in Iran has surpassed 2,500, activists said, as Iranians made phone calls abroad for the first time in days Tuesday.
	How have prices changed in a year? NPR checked 114 items at Walmart We found the effects of tariffs and extreme weather, relief (finally!) in the egg cooler, plus one case of shrinkflation.
	How the feud between Trump and Minnesota is impacting the probe into the ICE shooting The FBI is solely leading the inquiry into the killing of Renee Macklin Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross without help from Minnesota authorities. Legal experts explain why the move is unusual and why joint investigations are the norm.
	NASA set to bring astronaut (and the rest) of Crew-11 home early for medical reasons In an unprecedented move, NASA is bringing an astronaut crew home early from the International Space Station because one astronaut has an undisclosed medical condition.
	Iowa among governors' races to watch in 2026 Three dozen states are set to hold races for governor across the country this November, with a handful offering a test of the national mood halfway into President Donald Trump’s second term.
	A construction crane falls onto a moving train in Thailand, killing at least 22 people A construction crane fell onto a moving passenger train, causing a fiery derailment that killed at least 22 people Wednesday in northeastern Thailand. Another 64 people were injured.
	A construction crane falls onto a moving train in Thailand, killing at least 29 people A construction crane fell onto a moving passenger train, causing a fiery derailment that killed at least 29 people Wednesday in northeastern Thailand. Another 64 people were injured.
	Cook review: 'Out There: A National Parks Story' kicks off QC Environmental Film Series Now I know what a bear bell is. Maybe you already do. But if you don't, "Out There: A National Parks Story" is a good, safe place to find out. "This has been a very long journey, traveling through the U. S. national parks. All to meet some incredible people along the way," says filmmaker [...]
	China's trade surplus surges 20% to a record $1.2 trillion, even with Trump's tariffs China's trade surplus surged to a record of almost $1.2 trillion in 2025, the government said Wednesday, as exports to other countries made up for slowing shipments to the U.S. under President Donald Trump's onslaught of higher tariffs.
	Vance to meet Danish and Greenlandic officials in Washington on Wednesday U.S. Vice President JD Vance will meet Denmark's foreign minister and his Greenlandic counterpart in Washington on Wednesday to discuss the Arctic island, at the center of a geopolitical storm.
Tuesday, January 13th, 2026
	One killed, two injured in single-vehicle rollover crash in Jackson County One person was killed and two others injured in a single-vehicle rollover crash in Jackson County on Tuesday, the Iowa State Patrol said.
	New Porter McNeil Public Service Scholarship seeks applications The Porter McNeil Public Service Foundation will award two $2,500 scholarships a year to graduating seniors from Moline High School who are pursuing education in public service, civic engagement, or social impact fields. Applications are open now through April 30, 2026.
	High school basketball: January 13th Watch highlights from boy’s and girl’s high school basketball from both sides of the river.
	BookTrib’s Bites: Finding Truth in Unexpected Places (BookTrib) - “The Dark Birth of the Secret Council” by Tracy Cavelli-TrussellTrisha Maitland, a celebrated novelist, speaker and devoted woman of faith, begins experiencing vivid dreams that transport her to a dark, dangerous realm known as Elsewhere. What starts as unsettling visions soon reveals itself as a spiritual reality — one connected to a powerful and sinister secret council manipulating events in the physical world. As Trisha struggles to understand God’s messages woven through her dreams, she uncovers a growing conspiracy led by a charismatic businessman whose thirst for power masks ancient evil.Moving between light and darkness, faith and temptation, truth and deception, reality and imagination, this fast-paced, faith-fueled supernatural thriller explores spiritual warfare, free will and redemption. With prose as sharp as sea glass and characters that leap off the page, it is both a compelling mystery and a profound meditation on the stories we tell ourselves to survive. “The Dark Birth of the Secret Council” launches a gripping Christian thriller trilogy that challenges readers to consider what unseen forces may be shaping their world.Purchase at https://a.co/d/4RRUsoW.“Friday Nite at the Bucket of Blood Bar” by Bobby "Z" Zielinski“Friday Nite at the Bucket of Blood Bar” follows the exploits of one bar’s patrons across a single evening, from Friday at 3 p.m. until Saturday at 3 a.m. Everything revolves around Slippery Eddie, the bartender. Every hour, a different story unfolds, introducing a cast of colorful, albeit shifty, characters.In the tradition of “A Bronx Tale,” this narrative poetry collection is a historical and satirical look at the post-war bar scene in Jersey City, New Jersey, told by one of the original Jersey City bad boys of the period, Bobby “Z” Zielinski. “The bar in the 50s and 60s was where you cashed your paycheck, socialized with your friends, borrowed money, bought various items that ‘just fell off the back of a truck,’ … bet the numbers for the horses and paid off the ‘shys,’” Zielinski writes.Now you can experience the mayhem of this rough and rowdy time in urban history for yourself through “Friday Nite at the Bucket of Blood Bar.” Purchase at https://amzn.to/49DUux3 or visit the author’s website, Tales of the Junkyard Dog, at https://talesofthejunkyarddog.wordpress.com/ for more information. Zielinski can also be contacted at biz17alty@verizon.net.“Corn Festival” by Melissa LairdIn 1970, drawn by idealism and the promise of a better way of life, Wanda and a small group of friends leave California for North Freedom, Wisconsin, determined to build a communal farm rooted in cooperation, organic living and music. As they struggle to grow food, restore an old cabin and find their footing in a skeptical rural community, cracks begin to form — both within the group and between them and the world around them. Backlash, disappointment and diverging paths eventually leave Wanda alone, guarding a dream that once felt revolutionary.Spanning five decades, “Corn Festival” traces the echoes of that experiment into the present day, revealing how the cultural divisions of the late 1960s resurface in modern America. By linking counterculture idealism to contemporary polarization, the novel offers a deeply personal and timely reflection on belonging, legacy and the enduring struggle to create meaningful change.Purchase at https://amzn.to/4qKjh8w.“The Great Dane” by Suanne LaqueurAfter the sudden death of his only child, Liko Greenman is adrift, passing time until a mystery hidden inside his son’s favorite video game gives him a reason to move forward. When a cryptic clue from the game’s maker leads him from the digital world to a secluded farm in rural New York, Liko meets Danelaw “Dane” Strong — an intersex man with a layered past and a life shaped by love that defied convention.As Dane guides Liko through the game’s unanswered questions, the search becomes something deeper: a journey through grief, identity and the ways people find belonging when traditional labels fall short. Set against legends, folklore and the evocative symbolism of the Three Hares triskelion, “The Great Dane” is a luminous exploration of connection, chosen family and the healing power of love.Blending romance and drama with psychological and philosophical depth, Suanne Laqueur shows us that while we view the most profound human connection in pairs, three is often love’s most magical number.Purchase at https://amzn.to/4qsKpt3.
	Fatal interstate shootings hit 0 in 2025, Illinois State Police say Last year, officials said the number of interstate shootings across the state decreased by 31% when compared to 2024.
	Public service scholarship honors Porter McNeil Longtime public servant Porter McNeil passed away in September at 65.
	ACLU holds town hall on impact of Trump administration The town hall drew more than 160 attendees.
	Public service scholarship honors Porter McNeil Longtime public servant Porter McNeil passed away in September at 65.
	1 dead, 2 injured after rollover crash west of Nashville, IA Iowa State Patrol said a car lost control when trying to avoid a vehicle mowing a ditch, causing the car to roll over.
	1 dead, 2 injured after rollover crash west of Nashville, IA Iowa State Patrol said a car lost control when trying to avoid a vehicle mowing a ditch, causing the car to roll over.

Wednesday, January 14th, 2026

Tuesday, January 13th, 2026