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

Monday, July 6th, 2026
	Quad City Arts interim executive director resigns Quad City Arts is looking for a new executive director. Ben Morris served as interim executive director beginning in February. Morris served in that role and was a point person during the transition after Brian Allen left as executive director. According to a release from Quad City Arts: The Rock Island Police Department confirmed with [...]
	Fejervary Aquatic Center temporarily closes The Fejervary Aquatic Center is closed to address an issue requiring drainage of the pool. According to a Facebook post from Davenport Parks and Recreation, the facility is anticipated to reopen Friday, July 10. All swim lessons have been moved to Annie Wittenmyer Aquatic Center for the week. Participants are being notified. Annie Wittenmyer will [...]
	North YMCA opening pushed back The opening of the new North YMCA location has been pushed back.
	REVIEW: Guys and Dolls at Countryside Community Theatre Guys and Dolls is a classic musical comedy based on Damon Runyon’s stories about gamblers and showgirls in mythical 1940s New York. It follows the intertwined love stories of high-roller Sky Masterson and missionary Sarah Brown, and craps game organizer Nathan Detroit and his long-suffering fianceé, Miss Adelaide. It premiered on Broadway in 1950, garnering a Tony Award for Best Musical and spawned a film adaption in 1955 starring Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, and Frank Sinatra.
	Supreme Court lets Texas restrict minors' access to app stores for the time being Texas' App Store Accountability Act requires minors to have their parents' permission to download most apps. The Supreme Court says the law can go into effect as lawsuits continue in lower courts.
	Shelter for domestic, sexual violence survivors to hold grand opening Freedom House will hold the grand opening of its emergency shelter on July 15.
	Platner denies sexual assault allegation, but says he will assess 'best path forward' The Democratic candidate for Senate in Maine said he was assessing next steps after allegations of sexual assault were reported on Monday by Politico. Platner denied them as "categorically untrue."
	Driver charged in crash outside elementary school in Dubuque that injured child, mother The driver that Dubuque Police say ran over a then-six-year-old girl outside Audubon Elementary back in January has now been charged.
	Death Notice: John Selby A funeral service and Mass of Christian Burial for John William Selby, 82, of Eldridge, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 7, at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Long Grove. Visitation will be one hour prior to Mass on Tuesday at the church. Burial will be in St. Ann's Cemetery. The Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport, is assisting the family with arrangements. Mr. Selby died Thursday, July 2, 2026, at MercyOne Genesis Medical Center, Davenport. Memorials may be made to St. Ann's Parish. Online condolences may be made at www.hmdfuneralhome.com. A full obituary will appear in the July 8 edition of The NSP.
	2,041 birdies at 2026 John Deere Classic The golfers who descended upon Silvis last week left on Sunday with 2,041 birdies at the John Deere Classic, off slightly from 2,102 scored last year. That doesn't mean that Birdies for Charity will have a down year. Last year’s total was a record-breaking $16,944,896 that included a 9% bonus match for the 460 nonprofit [...]
	'Alice and Steve' might be a mess — but it's also too fun to stop watching This British comedy on Hulu centers on two 50-something best friends who turn on each other after he gets involved with her 26-year-old daughter. While the premise is juicy, it's also a tad yucky.
	Rock Island Arsenal to set off cannon fire for ceremony Cannon fire is set to go off for the First Army Change of Responsibility ceremony.
	Best of the Wurst has sausage samples, German fun Find a new favorite sausage at the ninth annual Best of the Wurst at the backyard of the German American Heritage Center and Museum, 712 W. 2nd Street in Davenport. Sampling takes place on July 12 from 12 – 4 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and free for museum members and children under 12. [...]
	NY man sues DHS after agents tracked him for sending an email to the head of ICE Federal agents tried to track David Streever to his home and hotel, and left him a warning notice that a critical email he sent the former head of ICE may have been illegal. Now he's suing.
	Man sues DHS after agents tracked him down for sending a scathing email to ICE Federal agents tried to track David Streever to his home and hotel, and left him a warning notice that a critical email he sent the former head of ICE may have been illegal. Now he's suing.
	Pets find forever homes at Empty the Shelters event July is a great time to add a new furry member of the family, with reduced adoption fees as part of a nationwide adoption initiative. BISSELL Pet Foundation is hosting its Empty the Shelters adoption event from July 5 – 26. The event helps more pets find homes while creating much-needed shelter space. Participating shelters will offer reduced-fee adoptions, [...]
	Research on watching sports suggests World Cup fans may get a well-being boost Research on watching sports suggests World Cup fans may get a well-being boostWith 2026 FIFA World Cup matches taking place across the U.S., millions of fans are crowding into living rooms, sports bars and stadiums to cheer and groan in unison. It's the same energy that takes over during the Super Bowl, March Madness, the NBA Finals and the World Series, when a city or a whole country briefly turns into one giant party.It raises the question: Can rooting for a team actually be good for you? A growing body of research suggests the answer is often yes, and according to LifeStance Health, the mental health benefits of being a sports fan may run deeper than a fun night out. Watching sports can light up the brain’s reward system, ease loneliness and build social connection.So before the next big match, it might be worth considering what fandom is doing for your mental health.Can watching sports make you happier?For decades, sports fandom was treated mostly as entertainment, but that view is changing. A 2024 study in Sport Management Review used a multi-method approach, analyzing data from roughly 20,000 residents, running self-report surveys and scanning participants’ brains. Both the subjective measures (how people said they felt) and the objective measures (what showed up on neuroimaging) pointed in the same direction: Watching sports was associated with increased well-being.The effect is not limited to die-hard fans. The research looked at a general population rather than only committed supporters, which suggests the lift in mood is broadly available, part of why people increasingly ask whether watching sports is good for you in the first place. Popular, widely followed sports such as soccer and baseball appeared especially effective, likely because they come with built-in communities and regular shared events to look forward to.Watching sports and your brainWhen a favorite team scores or pulls off an upset, the brain’s reward circuitry activates and releases dopamine, the neurotransmitter tied to motivation, pleasure and anticipation. That dopamine hit is the same basic mechanism behind many of life’s natural highs, and it helps explain why a last-second win can feel genuinely euphoric.The neuroimaging portion of the Sport Management Review research suggests that watching sports triggers activity in the brain’s reward regions, and that people who watch more frequently tend to have more gray matter volume in those same areas. In other words, regular sports viewing may gradually shape brain structures associated with reward and pleasure, not just produce a momentary mood bump.Fandom may even influence how the brain processes language. In a 2008 study published in PNAS, University of Chicago researchers found that when fans and players listened to people talk about their sport, brain regions normally used to plan and control physical actions lit up, even though no one was moving. Familiarity with the sport had shaped the neural networks involved in comprehension, which may help explain why talking shop with fellow fans can feel so engaging and effortless.Sports fandom and social connectionIf dopamine explains the personal high, social connection may explain the lasting benefit. The watch-party phenomenon, the Super Bowl crowd erupting together and strangers high-fiving over a touchdown is not incidental. It is arguably the main event. Shared sporting moments give people a low-pressure reason to gather, belong and feel part of something larger than themselves.A 2024 study in Frontiers in Psychology surveyed 885 people and traced a clear pathway: Watching sports led to more social interaction, which enriched emotional experience and raised subjective well-being. The social-connection piece carried more weight than the emotional piece alone, underscoring that watching with other people, not just watching, is where much of the benefit comes from.Other research has associated attending live sporting events to higher life satisfaction and lower loneliness, and being a fan of a team offers a ready-made “in-group,” a community of people who share your highs and lows. For anyone navigating anxiety or social isolation, those repeated, predictable points of connection can matter more than they appear to on the surface.Mental health benefits of being a fanBeyond the brain and the crowd, fandom touches everyday mental health in several practical ways. Watching a game offers a structured break from work stress and rumination, a chance to be fully absorbed in something with no consequences for one’s own life. That kind of healthy distraction can lower tension in the moment and give the mind a genuine rest.Following a team also provides rhythm and anticipation. A season is a series of events to look forward to, and looking forward to things is beneficial for mood. Identifying with a team can lift self-esteem, and people who are deeply involved with a team tend to report lower levels of loneliness and alienation alongside a stronger sense of social connection. Fandom, in that sense, helps meet a basic psychological need to belong. For some people, that structure may complement treatment for depression by adding a small, reliable source of engagement and connection.Fandom can do something subtler, too. It lets people stand apart while still belonging. Someone might be the fan who follows both football and archery, or who specializes in tracking one particular group of players. Carving out a distinct identity within a larger community can satisfy the need to feel like an individual, not just one of the crowd.And perhaps the most underrated benefit is resilience. Fans constantly find ways to reframe a loss and keep caring anyway, building an emotional flexibility that is hard to fake; it is difficult to follow a team for years and not become at least a little more resilient.Of course, none of this makes sports a substitute for mental healthcare. Fandom can tip into unhealthy territory when results dictate self-worth, when it crowds out relationships and responsibilities or when gambling enters the picture. The goals are balance and letting the game add joy and connection without letting it become the only thing holding a mood together.Should you pick a team to root for?So, would a therapist ever “prescribe” fandom? Not literally, but the underlying ingredients are exactly what clinicians encourage: social connection, regular positive activity, a sense of belonging and healthy ways to feel pleasure and excitement. Picking a team to follow is one accessible, enjoyable way to fold several of those into ordinary life, especially when watching is done with other people.Of course, supporters go into each game with roughly a coin-flip chance of disappointment. A loss can sting, and for a few hours the dopamine works in reverse. The benefit comes not from winning every week but from the connection, ritual and shared emotion that surround the game regardless of the final score.Those rituals are part of the appeal. The regular cycles of sports give fans a comforting structure and something to look forward to. People remember exactly where they were during the last World Cup or start planning a Super Bowl party a full year out. That predictable rhythm, and the gatherings it creates, is much of what makes fandom feel meaningful.With the World Cup underway, fans around the world are congregating not only in stadiums but anywhere they can cheer on a team together, and there has rarely been an easier time to find a crowd to join. Used well, sports can be a genuine boost to mood and belonging.The bottom lineBeing a sports fan won’t solve every problem, obviously, but the science is increasingly clear that it can offer real benefits: a dopamine-driven lift, a brain shaped by years of joyful watching and, perhaps most powerfully, a sense of belonging that pushes back against loneliness.Pick a team, find your people and enjoy the ride. Just remember that the scoreboard is only part of the story.This story was published by LifeStance Health and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Veterans-led skydiving team brings America 250 celebration to John Deere Classic The Patriot Parachute Team made their Quad Cities debut with a Fourth of July drop into the John Deere Classic. With them, was a surprise guest jumper.
	Moline chosen for new LEED leadership cohort Moline is among 17 communities nationwide selected for the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) 2026 LEED for Cities Local Government Leadership Cohort. The program represents about 2.5 million residents. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a globally recognized certification program that helps local governments measure and improve sustainability, resilience and quality of life. [...]
	You placed the QR Code right. What next? You placed the QR Code right. What next? Travel brands can spend significant time debating QR Code placement: the lobby, hotel rooms, airport gates, or café counters. When they get placement right, the next step is ensuring the scan actually performs.However, if you stop at placement, you’ll lose valuable data and conversions. A traveler can scan the same QR Code in two different moments and behave quite differently. At the shuttle stand, they’re rushed. In the hotel room, they’re relaxed. On a tour booking page, they’re comparing options. Each moment carries a different intent, and when you don’t track or optimize for that nuance, the scan becomes an end instead of a data point for better performance.Using insights from Uniqode’s QR Code placement report for travel, this article shows what should happen after your placement strategy is locked in.Turning moments into measurable dataOnce you understand that each scan happens in a different context, the first practical step is to capture those moments in a way that makes them comparable.A scan during booking and planning carries a different intent from one made at the check-in counter. To leverage those differences, treat every scan as a structured data point tied to time, location, and the touchpoint that triggered it.When this data is captured consistently, patterns start to emerge:Which placements drive meaningful actionsWhich moments in the journey prompt higher engagementWhere travelers drop off after scanningThese patterns become the foundation for analytics, giving you insights into what customers want and what they don’t after they scan.AnalyticsWith structured data in place, analytics reveal how QR Code interactions perform. The QR Code placement report for travel highlights four signals that shape this visibility: scan volume, location data, device type, and timing patterns.These reveal where engagement naturally happens and how travelers interact in different stages of their journey.A simple example makes this clear. At airport checkpoints, QR Codes pointing to wait-time dashboards often behave differently depending on where they’re placed. Analytics can show:Higher scan volume at queue barriers compared to entrance signage.Stronger engagement at the barrier area, where location data shows travelers naturally slow down.Distinct timing patterns, such as spikes during congestion peaks.Device preferences that confirm real-time usage patterns.You’ll see similar patterns appear in other airport touchpoints. For example, you can see that the QR Code on the airport café counter performs better than the one on the gate screen, because travelers have a moment to engage while waiting for coffee rather than when they are preparing to board. Small details like that can shape how your QR Code performs.Seeing these signals together in your analytics view shows the full story behind each scan. Then the next step is shaping what happens after the scan with dynamic content.Dynamic contentUniqode’s 2025 State of QR Codes report found 79% of companies use dynamic QR Codes, underscoring how important a flexible scanning experience is for brands.Understanding scan patterns is one thing; responding to them in real time is another. Dynamic QR Codes bridge that gap.Unlike static versions, they let you update what happens after the scan without changing the code itself. This flexibility matters in travel because the same QR Code can serve different needs depending on when and where the traveler scans it.Campaigns can adapt based on time, location, language, or user segment. In travel, that shows up in specific ways:Booking and planning: Airlines use one code in booking emails to show seat upgrades initially, then switch to itinerary downloads as departure approaches.Travel agencies and tours: QR Codes on brochures always point to current trip plans, updating for weather changes or new meeting points.Check-in and screening: Airport QR Codes can surface current queue times, route changes, or assistance points as terminal conditions shift.In-flight and accommodation: Menu codes update from breakfast to dinner options, or switch between safety briefings and destination guides.This approach enables seasonal campaigns, offers testing, and language switching for different regions, giving one code multiple context-specific experiences throughout the journey.IntegrationsNow that you can shape what travelers see with dynamic content, the next step is connecting those interactions to your existing systems. A scan becomes much more valuable when it automatically triggers the next action across your CRM, booking engine, or automation platforms.This works across different touchpoints. For airlines, a scan at a check-in kiosk for baggage rules can sync to the CRM, triggering follow-ups like baggage fee reminders or boarding notifications. Travel agencies can use interactive itinerary scans to update traveler files, helping them reorganize tours, alert partners, or flag sold-out items so alternatives can be recommended quickly.The key insight: Integrations make offline engagement actionable. They carry each scan into the systems teams actually use, so actions can be logged, followed up on, and personalized at the right moment.Attribution and retargetingAfter integrations are in place, the question shifts from “Did someone scan?” to “What did that scan lead to?”Attributions show what each scan actually produces: completed actions, drop-offs, or opportunities needing follow-ups.When a traveler scans a QR Code in a booking confirmation email to explore seat upgrades, you can track whether they completed the purchase or abandoned midway. This helps airlines refine how and when these offers appear in the journey. Travel agencies can track whether itinerary scans led to confirmed activities, alternative selections, or no action at all. This clarity shows which schedule elements need adjustment or which offers require stronger positioning.Attribution also reveals which airport retail offers convert and which travelers abandon, giving teams direction on timing, pricing, or content adjustments.These signals enable precise retargeting based on first-party data. Instead of broad follow-ups, marketers can reconnect with travelers based on actual behavior: nudging those who paused, rewarding those who converted, or offering alternatives where interest was shown but not completed.Compliance and trustPeople don’t scan what they don’t trust. It’s that simple.According to Uniqode’s State of QR Code 2025 report, 76% respondents said a trusted environment influences whether someone decides to scan.When someone scans a QR Code, they assume the link is safe and their data is handled properly. That expectation is why compliance matters in travel; it ensures every scan meets the standards for security and transparency that travelers now expect.Proper domain naming, branded landing pages, secure HTTPS links, and adherence to standards like GDPR and SOC 2 Type 2 reduce the hesitation that often stops a scan altogether.In practice, compliance affects scan behavior in real ways:Clear domains and secure links reduce drop-offs on airport Wi-Fi, where travelers are most cautious.Transparent data usage notices help reassure international travelers scanning multilingual maps, declarations, or assistance routes.Verified, standards-based QR Codes help hotels and airports avoid the rise of QR-Code spoofing, which travelers are increasingly aware of.Pro tips: Making every scan countThe difference between a passing scan and a lasting impression often comes down to small choices that make the experience smoother, faster, and more personal.Here’s how to optimize each interaction:Use dynamic QR Codes. They’re flexible, updatable, and trackable. You can change what happens after the scan without reprinting anything, from updating campaign offers to switching links once a promotion ends.Create personalized landing pages. Don’t send everyone to the same homepage. Give them something that matches their intent, like a special offer for guests, a local guide for travelers, or a loyalty reward for repeat customers. Relevance converts curiosity into action.Set up Smart Rules. Let your code respond to context with automated conditions that decide what happens after someone scans your QR Code. Time of day, location, or audience type can all influence what people see. The same code on an airport poster can show a boarding guide during the day and a hotel offer at night.Double down on high-performing placements. QR Codes placed in high-dwell environments, such as restaurant menus, hotel lobbies, and event spaces, consistently drive engagement. These are places where people pause, notice, and interact.Keep experiences mobile-first. Most scans happen on the go. Ensure every landing page loads quickly, displays well on small screens, and features a clear call to action that informs users about the next step.When these elements align, scans become the foundation for long-term loyalty. The best QR Code experience feels effortless—something that works exactly when you need it to.From placement to performanceTravel brands that move beyond placement and optimize the complete scan journey gain clearer insights, stronger personalization, and sharper performance. With the proper tracking and tools in place, every scan can become a lever for customer relationships and revenue.The key is balancing placement strategy with post-scan experience. Rather than focusing solely on where codes go, optimize what happens after travelers scan them. Both elements work best when they complement each other.This story was produced by Uniqode and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Rock Island Arsenal firing cannons for Change of Responsiblity Ceremony The Rock Island Arsenal is firing its cannons twice this week for a change of responsibility ceremony. The cannon fire will be heard from Rock Island Arsenal on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 7 and 8 for the First Army Change of Responsibility ceremony between Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Prosser and Command Sgt. Maj. for their [...]
	Multicultural counseling: Why finding a therapist who understands you matters Multicultural counseling: Why finding a therapist who understands you mattersWhen choosing a therapist, it’s important to find someone you can trust with your most vulnerable thoughts and feelings. You want someone who’s knowledgeable about your specific mental health concerns and has experience treating people with similar symptoms. Working with someone who understands how your cultural identity informs your mental health can be just as important.People bring diverse perspectives and cultural backgrounds to therapy, and factors like race, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, and socioeconomic background can influence your mental health. Multicultural counseling is a specific type of counseling that focuses on embracing these differences and examining how our unique cultural backgrounds tie into our mental health.Below, Rula explains the importance of finding a therapist who understands you.Key TakeawaysThe goal of multicultural counseling is to provide culturally sensitive care that recognizes a person’s unique identity, perspective, and treatment needs.Multicultural counselors are comfortable treating clients from diverse races, ethnicities, genders, socioeconomic backgrounds, and belief systems.Multicultural counseling can lead to better therapeutic relationships, increased treatment effectiveness, and an opportunity for growth for both clients and therapists.Why multicultural counseling mattersData show that the United States is becoming increasingly diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexuality, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The U.S. Census Bureau says that by 2044, more than half of all Americans will identify as part of any group other than non-Hispanic White. Shifting trends have also been observed with sexual orientation, showing that the percentage of U.S. adults who self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or anything other than heterosexual doubled from 2012 to 2021, according to Gallup.With this change, there’s an increased need for mental health professionals who understand the clients sitting across from them. Folks who are Hispanic, Black, and Asian are less likely to receive mental health services than those who identify as non-Hispanic White, according to a 2025 KFF report. And those who do are more likely receive lower quality mental healthcare.LGBTQ youth also struggle to access mental health services. A 2023 Trevor Project survey found that more than half of those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer/questioning were unable to get the care they need within the past year.Anyone who’s ever tried to access mental healthcare knows that it’s not always easy to find care, but some research suggests that these disparities can be directly linked to a lack of culturally competent care. This is where multicultural counseling can help.Multicultural counseling recognizes that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for offering equitable, accessible mental healthcare. Therapists who practice multicultural counseling strive to understand cultural differences so that they can best respect and serve each person’s unique mental health needs.Three principles of multicultural counselingMulticultural counseling is designed to help people feel heard, respected, and supported in the therapeutic setting. Even if a therapist doesn’t share a similar background as a client, they’re committed to better understanding their clients’ experiences and how they impact them today.Multicultural counseling embraces several core principles, including cultural humility, intersectionality, and inclusivity.1. Cultural humilityAn important component of multicultural counseling is cultural humility, a life-long process of self-reflection that prepares therapists to cultivate deeper, more empathetic, and trustworthy relationships with their clients. Cultural humility inspires therapists to learn about different cultures and perspectives, while also reflecting on their own beliefs, biases, and cultural identities.2. IntersectionalityIntersectionality is a framework for understanding how people’s different identities can intersect and impact them in multiple ways. Therapists consider how factors like ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status influence a person’s experiences in life and, ultimately, their willingness and ability to receive care. An intersectional approach allows therapists to better understand inequalities and avoid making harmful assumptions.3. InclusivityMulticultural counseling is designed to help all people feel seen, heard, and understood in the therapeutic setting. It embraces diverse perspectives and encourages mental health professionals to tailor their counseling approaches for different cultural backgrounds. An inclusive therapist will be mindful of word choices, communication styles, religious differences, and cultural symbols.Benefits of multicultural counselingResearch suggests that receiving mental health treatment that’s tailored to match your cultural background is more effective than treatment for a generalized population. Here are some of the leading benefits of working with a culturally sensitive counselor.Better therapeutic relationships: Multicultural counseling helps therapists build trust with clients from all backgrounds so that they feel safe, secure, and understood in the therapy setting.Opportunity for mutual growth: Multicultural counselors appreciate that cultural humility is a life-long learning process and often encourage clients to share their feedback and experience. It offers clients an opportunity to be the experts on their own culture while the therapists facilitate their mental health journey.Increased effectiveness: With a foundation of trust and invitation for knowledge, therapists are better positioned to tailor their interventions to each client’s specific needs — ideally leading to better care outcomes.Reduces barriers to care: Multicultural counseling can help reduce certain barriers that prevent people from accessing the care they need. For some people, the problem is a shortage of local culturally competent mental health providers (that’s where telehealth can help). For other people, barriers to traditional services include language issues, distrust in the healthcare system, and a stigma around mental illness, according to the American Psychiatric Association.In today’s diverse world, it’s important for everyone to have access to mental health services that reflect their unique identity and perspective. Multicultural counseling embraces these differences and provides services for your specific needs. Whether you’re seeking care for the first time or finding a new provider, remember that you deserve to feel seen, respected, and supported.This story was produced by Rula and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Militant LGBTQ+ rights group 'the Lavender Panthers' was founded on this day in 1973 "Reverend Ray" Broshears founded the queer vigilante group the Lavender Panthers in 1973. The group's impact is still felt today.
	How much do AI tokens cost businesses? How much do AI tokens cost businesses?AI token costs for businesses ranged from a few hundred dollars to hundreds of thousands per month in April 2026, depending on company size, model selection, and how many workflows run on AI. Based on proprietary data from Ramp, the median monthly spend was $2,246. The average monthly spend was $140,842. That gap reflects how AI spend actually distributes: Most companies are in early or moderate adoption, but a single team or automated workflow running unchecked can move you from the median into the average range.Ramp processes AI vendor payments on behalf of thousands of businesses, giving the company direct visibility into what companies actually paid to Anthropic, OpenAI, and other providers. In this article, Ramp outlines what AI tokens currently cost businesses. Unlike most benchmarks, which are built from vendor pricing pages, the figures below reflect observed effective rates from recent data, across real usage patterns, model mixes, and volume.Per-employee-per-month (PEPM) AI spend is the most useful benchmark for budgeting and comparison. That range spans a 20 times cost difference: The cheapest model (GPT-5-nano) runs 7 cents per million tokens, while GPT-5.5 costs $1.42. Model selection is now one of the biggest procurement decisions you'll make.What AI tokens actually cost: A business benchmarkEvery time an AI model processes a request and generates a response—a query to ChatGPT, a Claude task, an automated workflow step—that's inference. Inference is what you're paying for, and it's billed in tokens.What you pay depends on two things: which model handled the request, and how much it generated. Providers charge separately for input (what you send) and output (what the model returns). Output costs three to five times more because it takes more computation to produce.The bigger variable is model tier: Lightweight models are fast and cheap. Premium models are the most capable and most expensive.Across the businesses Ramp tracks, token costs in April 2026 averaged 72 cents per million tokens (weighted average across model tiers and usage patterns). But that average obscures the real range: Ramp What $1,000 buys in tokens: 14,567 million GPT-5-nano tokens, vs. 704 million GPT-5.5 tokens.Think of it like company travel: The same trip costs economy or business class, except the price difference here is 20 times, not two times. Engineering books the tickets—finance gets the bill. Model tier is now a finance decision.The spend distribution: Median vs. averageToken unit costs tell you what AI could cost. What you’re actually spending looks different. The distribution is wider than most finance teams expect.AI spend has the same distribution as household income: The median is what's typical, the average gets pulled up by a small number of heavy spenders. You should benchmark against the median, not the mean: Ramp What this means for budgeting: If your AI spend is near the median ($2,246 per month), you're in early-adoption territory, and AI is likely a productivity tool for some teams, but not yet a COGS line item. If you're approaching $14,843 per month (top 25% of AI spenders), AI is becoming a material budget line that warrants monthly review. At $73,030 per month (top 10%) and above, AI spend management is a full-time finance function.Spend thresholds worth knowing:58% of companies tracked spend more than $1,000 per month on AI31% spend more than $10,000 per month (the level where AI becomes a formal budget line)13% spend more than $50,000 per month9% spend more than $100,000 per month2% spend more than $500,000 per monthPer-employee-per-month (PEPM): The right unit for benchmarkingPer-total-company spend is hard to compare across companies of different sizes. PEPM normalizes for headcount and gives a benchmark you can apply to budget planning. Among companies tracked by Ramp in April 2026, the overall median was $46 PEPM, but the range is wide: Ramp The middle 50% of companies fell between $3 and $352 PEPM. This wide range means that PEPM is most useful as a directional benchmark, not a precise target.Model count is a strong proxy for AI maturity. The more models you’re running, the deeper AI is embedded in your operations, and the higher your per-employee cost.Month-over-month AI spend swings of 40% or more are common even with stable headcount, so build in buffer when planning.What drives AI token spend upModel tier migration. The single biggest driver of unexpected cost increases. Your teams upgrade from a lightweight model to a frontier model for quality reasons, often without your visibility. The cost change can be 10-100 times.In April 2026, premium models represented 45.8% of tokens consumed by businesses, but 55.9% of total cost. That gap (more cost from fewer tokens) reflects the pricing premium of higher-tier models. Premium model cost share rose from 5.7% in June 2025 to 55.9% in April 2026, with the category shifting rapidly toward more capable, more expensive models.Model proliferation. The median business used nine models in April 2026, while the average used 16.5. Among businesses using 26 or more models, median monthly AI spend was $26,562. Complexity is expensive.Agentic usage. AI agents run like a meter. Each step the agent takes to complete a task generates a separate charge, and the agent decides how many steps to take. You approved the task, but the agent determines the bill.Automated usage doesn't feel like "using AI" until the invoice arrives. Ask your engineering team: Which workflows run on automated agents, and is there a per-run cost ceiling in place?Volume growth. From January 2025 to April 2026, token usage among businesses with connected AI grew 1,001%. Spend growth tends to lag usage growth as per-token prices fall—but total spend still grew 497% in that period.What drives AI token spend downEvery inference request involves choices your engineering team is already making: which model, how much context, how fast. You don’t need to do anything exotic to reduce spend. It’s about making those choices deliberately instead of defaulting to the most capable or convenient option.Caching. How much caching helps depends entirely on your workflow. Think of it like a photocopy machine: You pay once to set up the document, then copies are cheap. Workflows that reuse the same context (system prompts, static reference docs) achieve 80%-plus cache hit rates. Workflows processing unique inputs each time (new documents, images, fresh conversations) see below 20%.The cost difference is five times for the same model. In practice: Claude Sonnet 4.6 businesses paid 62 cents per 1 million tokens in April 2026, versus the $3 per 1 million list price. That gap is caching.Model tier discipline. Ask your engineering team to test your top three AI use cases on a lightweight model before defaulting to a premium one. The cost difference, often 10-20 times, justifies a one-week test. Make model selection a finance-visible decision for any workflow expected to exceed $500 per month.Context management. Nearly 1 in 5 Anthropic tokens processed in April 2026 were long-context. That's not inherently wrong—some tasks need it. But large conversation histories, oversized system prompts, and redundant document chunks all cost tokens whether or not the model needs them.The question isn't whether to use long context. It's whether you're choosing it deliberately for each workflow, or just passing everything forward by default.This story was produced by Ramp and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Weather It Better: Prepare Before Summer Storms Strike Think Ahead & Keep Safety in Mind, Says the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute(NAPSI)—Summer storm season is here, but having the right outdoor power equipment on hand can help you weather storms better, says the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI).“If you think ahead, you can mitigate damage from high winds, flooding, wildfires, and other storm surprises,” says Kris Kiser, President and CEO of OPEI, an international trade association representing manufacturers and suppliers of outdoor power equipment, small engines, battery power systems, portable generators, utility and personal transport vehicles, and golf cars. To get ready for inclement weather, homeowners should assess their property in advance, identify what equipment is needed, and focus on limiting potential storm damage.“Get out your equipment now and check it over,” adds Kiser. “Make sure it’s serviced and working well so you’ll be ready when the storm hits. And remember to buy extension cords for generators and fuel in advance.” Depending on type and size of your landscape, there is equipment for every need including:Chainsaws and pole saws that can trim dead or dying limbs and cut shrubs away from windows and doors ahead of damaging storm winds.String trimmers and pruners that remove combustible material from around your home, making it less vulnerable to wildfires. A portable generator to power key appliances and charge cell phones or home medical equipment during power outages. Important note: Before an outage, plan where the generator will be set up. NEVER place a generator in a home, garage, carport, or near an open window or door. Use outdoor-rated extension cords long enough to carry power into your home from a safe distance and rated to handle the power drawn.Water pumps get water and muck out of basements and homes. Never pump substances that your equipment is not designed to cope with. Pay attention to avoid overheating and follow all safety precautions. A utility type vehicle transports people and supplies quickly in an emergency. Remember to keep the vehicle stable, drive slowly, and do not turn mid-slope or while on a hill. Kiser also adds to follow manufacturers’ guidance. “It sounds basic, but it’s important,” he says. “Never disable, modify or remove safety devices.”OPEI also advises equipment users to pay attention to energy levels and health. Storm preparation and cleanup can be taxing. Do not operate power equipment when tired or overly fatigued, and always use safety equipment like chaps, gloves, eye protection or hearing protection.For more tips, go to WeatherItBetter.com. Word Count: 408
	Bureau Co. man accused in Mother’s Day hostage situation where child died faces final pretrial conference Anthony Daniel Rodriguez faces a final pretrial conference Tuesday before his August trial for the Bureau County hostage situation on Mother's Day.
	How can you afford the wedding of your dreams How can you afford the wedding of your dreams Whether your big day is in a few months or a few years, financially planning for a wedding is a big achievement for many couples in budding relationships. It may take some work, time, and tough conversations, but on the other end of it all, waiting for you both is likely one of the most special days of your lives.A wedding is an occasion for you and your future spouse to begin making joint financial decisions, a skill that will set you up for a harmonious marriage.“Keep the wedding weekend in perspective,” said Travis Taylor, financial advisor and certified financial planner professional with Wells Fargo Advisors. “The wedding is a celebration of the beginning of a lifelong journey. An expensive wedding is not required for a happy marriage. Work together to identify what’s important, what can be afforded, and how to achieve your combined vision.”With that in mind, Wells Fargo shares how you and your partner can plan your wedding and afford your big day.Key takeawaysSort out wedding priorities: If you and your future spouse are planning your big day, consider making lists of the things and experiences that will make you happy.Create the budget: Both of you should then go over what you’ve saved already, what others are willing to contribute, and what you’ll be able to set aside going forward to come up with a budget.Make a savings goal: With a target cost in mind, you can then plan how much you and/or your partner will need to save over time to afford your wedding budget.Talk with family: You should consider going to loved ones with at least a tentative budget to help them see how they can help. Talk about any customs or traditions to plan for.How to budget for a wedding1. Create a list of your prioritiesPrioritize what’s important to you both by making a list of all the things you’ll spend money on.These pieces may include renting a venue, food, music or entertainment, photography, decorations, and/or wedding attire. Consider if you need to budget for any of you and your future spouse’s cultural, religious, or family traditions, too.“Sit down, just you two, and decide how you’d like to celebrate this moment together,” Taylor said.Once you both agree on spending categories, you should each create three columns on your list and put each piece into one of three buckets: low spend, medium spend, and high spend.You’ll likely need to revisit this initial list as you and your partner flesh out your wedding plan. For example, you may decide to cover travel costs for an officiant, hire a wedding planner, or run into unexpected expenses.2. Reconcile your goals with your partner’sYour goal should be to generate a guide to planning a beautiful day that will make you and your future spouse happy — and stay on budget.For example, if you and your partner both rate the wedding venue as a low-spend priority, you could consider a backyard ceremony. If having bucket list entertainment or experiences are of high-spend importance, maybe a destination wedding is in the cards.If you two think different pieces are more or less important, take a moment to discuss why you both feel that way. It’s possible that what’s really important to you or your partner isn’t the thing itself, but what it represents, so it can be satisfied without spending a lot of money or sacrificing something else.For example, if you treasure the idea of having a video of the big day but hiring a videographer is a stretch financially, you could try working with your venue, photographer, or even a tech-savvy loved one.If the priority is simply to capture a cherished memory, it’s possible that it can be fulfilled with a less expensive, albeit lower-quality, version. Then you and your partner can focus your budget on shared priorities.“Understanding why a specific aspect of a wedding is important to your partner is crucial to being able to find an appropriate compromise,” Taylor said. “You may be able to accomplish the same goal with something that doesn’t cost quite as much.”“This may also lead to other helpful conversations at this stage of your relationship,” said Jaclyn Smith, senior wealth strategist with Wells Fargo Wealth & Investment Management. “Discussing your overall goals for your big day might lead to a deeper conversation about your long-term goals as a couple.”3. Do your researchNow that you have a roadmap for what’s important, it’s time to tap any experts around you for wedding wisdom. It could be a natural follow-up question after you give them your engagement news.“Ask every married couple you know: What was the biggest win that you’re proud of? What was the biggest miss that you wish you would’ve done?” Taylor said.Think about events or celebrations — weddings or otherwise — you’ve attended or seen on social media. Did a friend or colleague rave about their caterer? Does Mom have a wedding dress or ring to pass down? Do your families have connections to an officiant or venue?Every piece of advice or lead you collect can help you and your partner learn how much to budget and even what, if anything, you can immediately take off your list of costs or things to plan.How much should you spend on a wedding?Try not to overthink this question. The wedding you plan should be the wedding you, your future spouse, and any supportive loved ones can afford.Most couples will not have combined their finances or opened joint accounts by the time they’re engaged and planning a wedding, Taylor said, so deciding how much you can afford will typically be a joint decision you come to together.“This may be a good time to start conversations with a financial advisor about your dedicated budget for your wedding and your financial plans post-wedding,” said Smith.Here’s one strategy to figure out your answer.Create a list of fundsTo find out how much you both can afford, break out your notepad again and make a list with three columns.The first bucket will be how much you and your partner currently have saved up that you’re willing to set aside for the wedding. This doesn’t have to be cash in a bank account. It could include stocks, investments, or other assets you’re willing to withdraw, but it shouldn’t mean parting with your emergency funds.“As a part of this first bucket, you may want to coordinate with your tax advisor or financial advisor to understand any tax implications that may result in using stocks, investments, or other assets to use toward your wedding fund,” Smith said.The second is for support from family or loved ones. How much can your circles put toward your wedding? It’s important to consider you and your partner’s cultural, religious, or local traditions. In some families, it may be customary for one side of the couple to cover certain costs, like the venue or rehearsal dinner. Even if families tend to follow those customs, they may not be able to afford it. Open dialogue is key, Taylor said.Lastly, the third bucket is future money you’ll both be able to save between now and the wedding. Consider a regular savings goal that feels comfortable. Balance that with any gifts, bonuses, or other income you expect to receive, including ballpark tax returns if you both plan to get those in time.Total each column up and add your partner’s numbers to get your initial answer. Return to these lists if you have updates along the way.Discuss financial support with family and loved onesTaylor recommends starting an open dialogue with family members early on to find out if or how they can support you and the wedding. One strategy is to come to them with your budget so they know where they fit in. They could even pay vendors directly if they want to cover food or an open bar, for example.“Family members will appreciate being approached with a plan rather than being asked for a blank check,” he said.Ask them what traditions or customs are important to them. In Taylor’s family in Kentucky, it’s customary for a groom’s family to pay for the rehearsal dinner.“It was really important for my parents that they paid for that because it was rooted in tradition. This was their contribution to the wedding,” he said. “Parents could come with their preconceived traditions that they want to pay for. It’s also possible they may not have enough to be able to achieve the vision of the couple.”How you want loved ones to contribute is up to you both. For any tax-advantaged strategies, family members or loved ones should talk to a financial advisor and tax advisor, both Taylor and Smith said. The annual gift tax exclusion is $19,000 per person or $38,000 per couple in 2025, said Smith.Is wedding debt worth it?For Taylor, debt is a “non-starter” and recommends couples avoid relying on personal loans or other kinds of debt to pay for their wedding.While you may opt to use a credit card for points, cash back, or other rewards, it’s not worth it if you end up carrying over a balance and accruing interest, he said. That may risk making your big day more expensive.“The use of debt, especially long-term debt, should be off the table for everyone,” Taylor said. “You should not be celebrating your first anniversary by paying for a wedding that occurred a year ago. You should be celebrating a year of marriage.”“Financial planning may help you understand your expectations and needs for short- and long-term expenses. Planning these expenses out can help you stay on track with dates for making deposits and final payments so you can plan accordingly,” said Smith.Some couples may consider paying for their big day using their wedding gift registry or fund. While Taylor still recommends avoiding debt, he said couples should feel encouraged to get inventive, if need be.“You could get creative around how you request gifts from family and attendees, such as choosing to fund specific parts of your wedding or honeymoon,” he said.How to save for a weddingOnce you’ve decided how much you’re approximately budgeting for, you can start saving with that target in mind.If you know the total sum you and your partner need to save, a strategy to consider is dividing that number by how many months or paychecks you have until the day most of your bills will be due. Then set up an automatic transfer to consistently set aside money in a savings or other dedicated account.“You shouldn’t really change much about your way of life except for knowing, ‘I’ve got to save X dollars a month between now and X months from now so that we hit that goal,’” Taylor said.How to pay for a weddingA wedding is one of life’s biggest moments, and for some it might be among the most expensive, too. Even after you and your future spouse have made a budget and plan to save money, it’s worth considering how you plan to make the transactions to pay for the big day.When it comes to managing your wedding money, Taylor said, you and your partner should focus on two things: liquidity and safety.Liquidity means you can access and move your money around easily. Safety means you aren’t taking financial risks with your money. By keeping these two goals in mind, you and your partner will be better prepared to make necessary transactions, such as a deposit for your photographer or event venue or paying for catering or clothes.Logistically, that means you, your partner, or whoever is responsible for these payments should keep money in accounts they can access easily, such as a checking or savings account. That’s key if you know you’ll need to write a check or send an electronic payment directly to a caterer, photographer, or rental company from that account.While you’re budgeting to cover a large total amount, realistically that number will be broken down into many smaller payments, each with various deadlines. However, knowing where your money is begins to be especially important a few months before your wedding day, because that’s when many vendors typically start to require a full or partial payment or deposit. Others may require regular payments over a longer period.If earning interest on your money is a priority — or even part of your savings strategy — a liquid money market fund or high-yield savings account may be a good option because you’ll still be able to access those dollars relatively quickly by withdrawing your money, typically back into a checking or savings account.Avoid relying on money that’s tied up in an investment or retirement account, both Smith and Taylor said, as those funds might take longer to access, incur fees or taxes, and carry the risk of losing value due to swings in the market.“Your goal is not earning a return,” Taylor said. “Your goal is safety, liquidity, and availability.”FAQCan my financial advisor help with wedding planning?Yes, a financial advisor can help you and/or your spouse financially plan for their wedding. For example, they can offer budgeting or saving advice to help you and your future spouse afford your wedding, or they can walk you through making joint financial decisions or blending your financial lives.Do we need to combine our finances before the wedding?No, you and your partner do not need to open joint accounts or combine your finances prior to getting married. Additionally, being married is not a requirement for opening a joint checking or savings account.Can I use personal loans to help pay for my wedding?Yes, you and/or your partner can take out a personal loan to cover wedding-related expenses. These financial products can be used for a wide range of purposes. However, Taylor recommends couples avoid relying on personal loans or other kinds of debt to pay for their wedding.This story was produced by Wells Fargo and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Miller Program, Fulton, will present patriotic movie by River City Municipal Band The July Miller Program at Fulton’s Windmill Area will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 16, when The Volunteer Millers sponsor an evening of patriotic music by the River City Municipal Band under the direction of Patrick Brooks. The event will be held outside in the shadow of De Immigrant Windmill and the Windmill [...]
	The hidden costs causing monthly housing payments to rise The hidden costs causing monthly housing payments to riseWhen people think about buying a home, the focus is on price, down payments, and the interest rate. But a growing share of today’s housing payment isn’t going toward building equity at all. In many U.S. metros, property taxes and homeowners insurance can consume more than one-third of the average monthly mortgage payment — and in some cases, nearly half.These non-mortgage costs can quietly add hundreds or even thousands of dollars to monthly housing costs. As a result, many borrowers only grasp their impact once the first few payments come due.Using the most recent data whenever possible, Neighbors Bank examined housing affordability by measuring how much property taxes and homeowners' insurance contribute to the average monthly mortgage payment across U.S. metros.This study finds that in many U.S. metros, property taxes and homeowners insurance now consume a significant share of the average monthly mortgage payment.Key Highlights:On average, taxes and insurance now account for 21% of homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments across U.S. metros.In Pensacola, Florida, property taxes and homeowners insurance account for 44% of the average monthly mortgage payment. That means nearly half of the typical homeowner's payment in that metro goes toward costs that do not reduce the loan.Honolulu ranks first for the lowest share of monthly payments going to taxes and insurance despite being one of the most expensive housing markets in the U.S.How Property Taxes and Insurance Shape Monthly AffordabilityA mortgage payment consists of principal, interest, taxes and insurance (PITI). In many cases, taxes and insurance are bundled into escrow accounts, meaning borrowers pay them as part of their mortgage payment, rather than in annual lump sums. Escrow is common for mortgages with low or no down-payments, such as government-backed programs like FHA, VA, and USDA.This means many first-time and low down-payment buyers (who often have these costs bundled into their monthly payments) are more likely to feel the pressure of them consuming a growing share of their total mortgage.Escrow Means Monthly Payments Can Still ChangeA fixed-rate mortgage doesn’t mean a fixed payment. Servicers conduct an annual escrow analysis, reviewing updated property tax assessments and homeowners insurance premiums to determine whether the current escrow payment is sufficient. If costs rise, monthly payments rise with them.Survey data from Lereta collected in December 2024 suggest that many homeowners are caught off guard by these increases. According to their latest Annual Escrow Awareness Survey, 68% of homeowners with escrow accounts saw their mortgage payment rise over the past two years due to higher taxes and insurance, and 55% said they were surprised by the change. Only 60% of respondents reported fully understanding how their escrow account works, while 45% incorrectly believed a fixed-rate mortgage means their monthly payment cannot change.Metros Where Taxes and Insurance Take the Biggest BiteNeighbors Bank’s study found that in specific metros in Florida, Illinois, New York, Texas, and Arkansas, property taxes and homeowners insurance make up the largest share of the average monthly mortgage payment. In many cases, non-mortgage costs account for more than a third of what homeowners pay each month, reducing the portion of the payment that goes toward principal and interest even in markets with relatively modest home prices. Neighbors Bank Why These Markets Rank So HighWhat stands out about many of the metros at the top of this list is that taxes and insurance make up an unusually large share of the monthly mortgage payment, even in markets where home prices are not especially high. In fact, several Illinois metros on this list also appeared in Neighbors Bank’s 2026 Best Cities for First-Time Homebuyers ranking. Lower home prices and down payment requirements can make these markets accessible upfront, even as ongoing taxes and insurance place added pressure on monthly budgets.Illinois metros appear frequently near the top of this ranking because it relies heavily on property taxes to fund local services. Property taxes account for roughly 40% of local government revenue in Illinois, compared to 30% nationally. This funds a majority share of public school budgets and keeps tax rates elevated, even in markets with modest homes.In Florida metros like Pensacola and Miami, homeowners insurance plays an outsized role. Exposure to hurricanes, wind damage, and flooding has driven premiums sharply higher in recent years, pushing monthly insurance costs up regardless of home price. In these markets, insurance is no longer a secondary expense, it’s a defining affordability factor.These markets are not expensive for just one reason. They reflect a mix of high effective tax rates, rising insurance premiums, and local income levels that have not kept pace, creating a squeeze that is easy to miss when affordability is judged by home prices alone.Metros Where Taxes and Insurance Hurt the LeastThe analysis discovered that specific metros in Hawai'i, North Carolina, Utah, and Colorado, among other states, have the smallest share of the average monthly mortgage payment going toward property taxes and homeowners insurance. While total monthly payments can still be high, a greater portion of the payment is driven by principal and interest rather than non-mortgage costs, making monthly housing expenses more predictable for borrowers. Neighbors Bank What Low-Burden Markets Have in CommonAt the other end of the spectrum, several metros benefit from structural advantages that keep taxes and insurance from consuming large portions of monthly housing payments.Urban Honolulu ranks first, which is surprising given that it is one of the most expensive housing markets in the U.S. However, Hawai'i has some of the lowest effective property tax rates in the country, and homeowners insurance costs are relatively stable compared to disaster-prone mainland markets.Unlike most states, Hawai'i does not rely heavily on property taxes to fund schools and many public services. Instead, these services are supported by other revenue streams, including the state’s general excise tax. This allows property tax rates to remain low even as home values rise, keeping taxes and insurance from consuming a large share of the monthly mortgage payment.That said, a low share does not mean low costs, and Honolulu is the clearest example. While taxes and insurance make up a relatively small portion of the mortgage, total monthly housing payments remain high because principal and interest are driven by elevated home prices. The difference is that taxes and insurance do not compound the affordability challenge to the same extent they do in higher-burden metros.Many Western metros on this list, including parts of Utah, Colorado, and Nevada, benefit from lower property tax rates, newer housing stock, and lower climate-related insurance risk. These factors help keep non-mortgage costs in check relative to income.Generally, interior and less disaster-prone states tend to have lower insurance cost growth than coastal or high-risk regions exposed to hurricanes, floods, or wildfires.What This Means for Overall Home AffordabilityThese rankings show that housing affordability is not just about home prices. Instead, it’s about the structure of the monthly payment and how much of a budget goes toward expenses buyers can’t control after closing.In high-burden metros, taxes and insurance can strain affordability even when home prices appear manageable. In lower-burden metros, those same costs may play a smaller role, but total monthly payments can still be substantial due to higher principal and interest.For many buyers, these pressures are further compounded when factoring in private mortgage insurance (PMI) and homeowner association (HOA) fees. Borrowers who put down less than 20% typically pay PMI, which can add hundreds of dollars per month until they build sufficient equity. Condo and townhome buyers typically also face homeowners association (HOA) fees, which vary widely by market and are often required regardless of mortgage size.While PMI and HOA fees are not included in this analysis, they can meaningfully increase total housing costs in markets where taxes and insurance already consume a large share of the mortgage payment.What Borrowers Can Do to Avoid Payment SurprisesWhen taxes and insurance make up a growing share of monthly payments, preparation and regular re-evaluation matter. Borrowers cannot control local tax rates or regional insurance markets, but there are steps they can take to better understand, monitor, and maybe reduce those costs upfront and year after year.Factor Taxes and Insurance Into the Home SearchTwo similarly priced homes in different counties or school districts can have very different monthly tax obligations for borrowers. A lower purchase price does not always mean a lower monthly payment once factoring in the geographic specific costs.Get Quotes Before Making an OfferEven before a borrower puts in an offer, understand the home's insurance rate is determined by the selected home’s risk and rebuild cost. An underwriter for an insurance policy will factor in details like the age of the roof, the location risk (flood zones, wildfire areas, coastal exposure), the costs of materials used on the home if a rebuild is ever needed, the claims history and distance to a fire station or hydrant. Getting a quote early can prevent costly surprises.Shop Insurance RegularlyInsurance premiums can vary significantly between carriers for the same property.Unfortunately, shopping doesn’t end once a house becomes a home. It’s expected that the insurance costs will increase year over year. Make it a habit to compare year-over-year pricing and be willing to invest time shopping rates to keep payments lower.Review Annual Escrow AnalysisWhen mortgage payment changes, borrowers can request or review the breakdown from the servicer to catch changes before the small increases add up quickly. Property tax reassessments, insurance premium increases, and escrow shortages are often the culprits.Understand the Property Tax Appeal ProcessWhen a property is reassessed, the local taxing authority assigns a new assessed value, which directly impacts the annual tax bill. If the homeowner believes the assessed value is higher than the home’s fair market value, they typically have a limited window to file a formal appeal.The process often involves reviewing comparable home sales, confirming property details for accuracy (such as square footage or condition), and submitting documentation to support a lower valuation. If the appeal is successful, it can reduce the assessed value and lower future tax obligations. While the process varies by county, understanding appeal deadlines and gathering market data early can give homeowners a window to manage rising tax costs over time.MethodologyThis study examines housing affordability by measuring how much property taxes and homeowners' insurance (T&I) contribute to the average monthly mortgage payment (PITI) across U.S. metros.The most recent data was used whenever possible.Data VariablesHome values: December 2025 median home values by metro pulled from the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI).Property taxes: The median effective property tax rate was calculated by dividing the median home value for each area by the median real estate taxes paid, figures based on the 2024 1-year U.S. Census American Community Survey (ACS).Homeowners insurance: The average home insurance cost was calculated by pulling the homeowners insurance premiums for each area from the 2022 U.S. Department of the Treasury data. The numbers were adjusted to 2025 dollars using the Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) Producer Price Index, which was recorded between 2022 and 2025.Mortgage rates: Interest rate data for the year 2025 taken from the Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) Primary Mortgage Market Survey.Household income: Annual median household income data pulled from the 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 1-year. Values used to help contextualize each area’s affordability. Principal and Interest AssumptionsMonthly principal and interest payments were calculated assuming a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a 20% down payment (no PMI) and a 6.59% fixed interest rate based on 2025 average mortgage rates from the Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).Taxes and Insurance AssumptionsAverage monthly taxes and insurance premiums across all metros were combined into a single figure and expressed as a percentage of the total average monthly PITI payment to rank metros by T&I share.Across all metros in the dataset, the average T&I share of monthly mortgage payments is 21%.This story was produced by Neighbors Bank and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Weather It Better: Prepare Ahead For Storms (NAPSI)—It’s safe to say, preparing for summer storms with these five suggestions can protect you, your home, and your family throughout the season.Word Count: 23
	I Got the Show Right Here, Its Charms are Crystal Clear: Countryside Community Theatre's “Guys & Dolls,” at the North Scott High School Fine Arts Auditorium through July 12 Before Friday night at Eldridge's North Scott High School Fine Arts Auditorium, I hadn’t seen Guys & Dolls. Go on and clutch those poils, doll. I do not know the show. So sue me. But I had a swell time. In spades!
	Ice cream shop opens, popular beverage trailer expands, Missipi Brewing new ownership, and more Quad-Cities business news La Michoacana Ice Cream grand opening, popular beverage trailer expands, Missipi Brewing under new ownership, Golden Corral in Davenport closes, and more Quad-Cities business news.
	Rock Island and Henry County real estate transactions for July 5, 2026 Here are homes sales and property sales in Rock Island County and Henry County.
	Great start to the new week After a stormy start to the Fourth of July weekend, it ended on a pretty nice note for many of us Sunday. The nice weather lasts into early this week. Our week starts out dry, but turns wet later this week. Here's your full 7-day forecast.
	Prairie Soil This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.Rock Island sits almost in the center of a sea of grass that once covered much of the American heartland. The story of…
	Hate food waste? 7 creative ways to turn your leftovers into a new meal We asked our audience to share their favorite go-to recipes for leftovers. Here are seven dishes — like stuffed peppers and a biryani casserole — that can help you use up all your fridge scraps.
	Fast walkers in their 80s cut their risk of cognitive decline by half, study finds A new study of people 80 and older with exceptional gaits finds fast walkers have about a 50% lower risk of cognitive decline, showing the connection between physical health and brain health.
	Marriage used to be a glide path to citizenship. Now there are more speed bumps Spouses of U.S. citizens have traditionally had a special place in immigration law. That's no longer the case, according to the administration and immigration lawyers.
	These Medicare beneficiaries thought their drug plan was free. Then they lost it Thousands of people lost coverage over as little as $8 in delinquent payments. They didn't know their zero-dollar premiums had gone up and they owed money. Most now can't get coverage until 2027.
	JoJo a Go Go: “Seussical the Musical,” at the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre through July 12 Seussical the Musical, now playing at Omar – I mean, the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre – features an exuberant mash-up of plots from about a third of Theodor Seuss Geisel’s lifetime output of 60-plus children’s books. (And yeah, there were more Dr. Seuss books after he died. Peculiar thing, that.)
	Glitzkrieg: “Cabaret,” at the Timber Lake Playhouse through July 12 When I entered the Timber Lake Playhouse for its July 3 opening night of Cabaret and saw the stage draped with a gold foil fringe curtain and framed in marquee bulbs with a glowing red “KIT KAT KLUB” sign, the atmosphere felt equal parts seductive, artificial, and just a little bit unsettling.
	Pritzker and Raoul Only Said Goodbye with Words – But There’s Just No Going Back to Flat About a week after the state budget passed both chambers in the dark of night, Attorney General Kwame Raoul spoke to the City Club of Chicago to complain that his budget was cut by $10 million.
	Under Trump, spouses of U.S. citizens face policy changes in the immigration system Spouses of U.S. citizens have traditionally had a special place in immigration law. That's no longer the case, according to the administration and immigration lawyers.
	The U.S. faces Belgium in the World Cup on the heels of Trump-Infantino red card call The U.S. striker Folarin Balogun is expected to start against Belgium in a Round of 16 match after a surprise decision by FIFA to allow him to play despite receiving a red card last week.
	Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine's capital kills at least 11 Russia launched waves of missiles and drones targeting Kyiv early Monday that killed at least 11 people, authorities said.
	Deer hunt for archery hunters approved in Scott County The Scott County Conservation Board has approved a deer hunt for archery hunters only beginning October 1. According to a release, the hunt is only for residents of Iowa. The hunt runs October 1 through January 10 at Scott County Park, located at 18850 270th St., Eldridge. Applications must be returned no later than Friday, [...]
	Mexico's World Cup run ends early again with loss to England at Estadio Azteca Playing at altitude with the passionate backing of 80,824 fans at Estadio Azteca, and with a man advantage for most of the second half, Mexico scored twice but could never equalize and lost 3-2.
	Mexico's World Cup run ends with loss to England at Estadio Azteca Playing at altitude with the passionate backing of 80,824 fans at Estadio Azteca, and with a man advantage for most of the second half, Mexico scored twice but could never equalize and lost 3-2.
Sunday, July 5th, 2026
	Cook review: 'Minions & Monsters' is a clever comedy about movie history Everybody who's seen the 1998 "Ronin" raise your hand. Really? You've missed a terrific action movie starring Robert DeNiro and Jean Reno is thusly named because it's a parallel for the Japanese word referring to a Samurai who has lost his master and is up for hire. Why am I bringing this up in a [...]
	Community members gather to cleanup after Fourth of July The Rabbit Hole organized a community cleanup after Fourth of July celebrations.
	Despite stiff political headwinds, tribe in Colorado brings utility scale solar project online President Trump has made substantial efforts to curb renewable energy development. The Ute Mountain Ute tribe in Colorado managed to bring a big solar project online anyway.
	Decadent Sticky Rice Recipes for Dessert (Feature Impact) Although many people associate rice with savory dishes, this staple grain can actually level up your dessert game too. Cultures from around the world have invented a variety of creative ways to turn the sticky rice in your pantry into treats you can whip up when you’re on the prowl for something sweet. Sticky rice, also known as sweet rice, is a specific type of short- or medium-grain rice that, as the name implies, becomes sticky when cooked. With Success Boil-in-Bag Sticky Rice, it’s simple to make sweet, soft, perfectly cooked rice for desserts without extra steps, equipment or hassle. In only 12 minutes, you’ll have an ideal base to use for your favorite recipes. A rice-based take on a quintessential British dessert, this Sticky Toffee Pudding is decadent and full of mouthwatering flavor. With the rich sweetness of brown sugar and vanilla imbued in every bite, it’s a warm, comforting dessert you might find yourself craving on a rainy day or cold night. Take it to the next level by adding caramelized banana and toasted coconut toppings. For a more refreshing, summery option, transport your kitchen to the tropics with this Thai-inspired Sticky Rice with Mango and Coconut. Creamy coconut-infused rice contrasts with juicy ripe mango slices, nutty black sesame seeds and cooling mint-leaf garnishes for a fun, fresh blend of textures and flavors that might have you picturing palm trees. If you’re not a mango fan, feel free to swap in a different tropical fruit of your choice. The versatility of rice makes it an excellent mainstay to keep on hand in your kitchen, adding ease and flexibility to your daily meal routine. For more ideas on how to use rice for dessert – or for breakfast, lunch and dinner – visit SuccessRice.com. Sticky Toffee Pudding Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 25 minutes Servings: 2-4 1 bag Success Sticky Rice 3/4 cup milk 2 tablespoons brown sugar 3/8 teaspoon salt, divided 1 stick unsalted butter 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup heavy cream 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract toasted coconut, for garnishCaramelized Banana:1 tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 banana, sliced into coins 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extractPrepare rice according to package directions.Remove rice from bag. Return to pot and stir in milk, brown sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Simmer 5 minutes.In small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in sugar 2 minutes, or until dissolved. Whisk in cream and bring to simmer. Cook 5 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and remaining salt.To make caramelized banana: In medium skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar until syrupy. Add banana coins in single layer and cook 2 minutes per side until golden brown. Drizzle vanilla on top.Add rice to bowl. Pour toffee sauce on top. Garnish with caramelized bananas and coconut. Serve warm or chilled. Sticky Rice with Mango and Coconut Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 12 minutes Servings: 2-41 bag Success Sticky Rice 1 1/2 cups water 1 1/4 cups coconut milk, divided 3 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar, divided 2 mangoes, sliced 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds fresh mint leaves, for garnish Prepare rice according to package directions using 1 1/2 cups water, 1 cup coconut milk and 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar rather than 4 cups water.In separate small saucepan over medium heat, bring remaining coconut milk and brown sugar to boil. Cook, stirring often, 8-10 minutes, or until thickened and syrupy.Divide rice among four serving bowls. Arrange mango slices over top; drizzle with coconut milk syrup. Garnish with black sesame seeds and mint.Substitution: Use pineapple, guava or papaya for mango, if desired.
	A Bold and Flavorful Al Fresco Favorite A Bold and Flavorful Al Fresco Favorite (Feature Impact) Warm breezes that linger longer into the evening, wafting appetizing aromas through the air can only mean one thing: it’s patio season. From casual porch gatherings to full-fledged backyard dinners, dining al fresco calls for vibrant dishes packed with flavor. Inspired by the bold flavors of Mexican street corn, or elotes, these Street Corn-Inspired Stuffed Sweetpotatoes can serve as a hearty vegetarian entree, a colorful side dish to pair with grilled fare or the centerpiece of a casual build-your-own dinner spread alongside chilled drinks and easy conversation with loved ones. Providing a naturally creamy base, sweetpotatoes serve as the open-faced vessel for fresh (or frozen) roasted corn, lime juice, mayo, Greek yogurt, cilantro, jalapeno and Parmesan or cotija cheese. Different from other potatoes using adjectives like white, red or russet to describe an entirely different vegetable, sweetpotatoes – one word as adopted by the National Sweetpotato Collaborators in 1989 to avoid confusion and make it part of the actual nomenclature rather than an adjective – are rich in vitamins A and C, minerals, antioxidants, fiber and potassium, all of which are good for overall health. Find more recipes to elevate outdoor dining season at ncsweetpotatoes.com. Watch video to see how to make this recipe! Street Corn-Inspired Stuffed Sweetpotatoes Recipe courtesy of Crissy Caroll of Snacking in Sneakers on behalf of the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission Servings: 2 4 medium sweetpotatoes2 tablespoons light or regular mayonnaise2 tablespoons plain, nonfat Greek yogurt or light mayonnaise1 lime, juice only2 green onions, sliced1/3 cup chopped cilantro1/3 cup fresh shredded Parmesan or cotija cheese1 tablespoon butter2 ears fresh corn on the cob, husked, corn removed from stalk or about 1 1/2 cups frozen or canned corn1 jalapeno, seeds and pith discarded, minced1 teaspoon minced garlic1/4 teaspoon chili powder1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika1/4 teaspoon salt To cook sweetpotatoes: Use fork to poke holes and place on microwave-safe plate. Microwave potatoes 6-9 minutes, depending on size, until tender. Set aside.In medium mixing bowl, mix mayonnaise, Greek yogurt and lime juice until well combined. Add green onions, cilantro and Parmesan; set aside.Heat large skillet over medium heat. Add butter and melt. Add corn then cook 2 minutes.Add jalapeno to skillet with corn, stir and cook 2 minutes.Add garlic, chili powder, smoked paprika and salt. Stir and cook 1-2 minutes, until corn starts to lightly brown.Remove from heat. Add skillet ingredients to bowl with mayo-yogurt mixture. Stir until well combined.Slice cooked sweetpotatoes open and stuff with corn filling.
	Expert Entertaining Advice for Hosting Summer Soirees (Feature Impact) For summer hosts across the country, few pairings are as timeless and crowd-pleasing as wine and cheese. Approachable, easy to find and naturally complementary, these warm-weather favorites are a perfect fit for a variety of occasions. At the end of the day, summer entertaining is about good food, good wine and creating a space where people feel welcome, according to sommelier Sam Capaldi, whose mission is to make wine fun and approachable. "My ideal celebration is pretty simple: a few loved ones gathered on the patio, cheese boards in the center of the table, bottles of wine chilling on ice, music playing in the background and a card game that somehow gets way more competitive than anyone expected," Capaldi said. Whether it's a backyard gathering with friends, a solo night watching reality TV or a spontaneous evening, Capaldi wants hosts to remember that the best pairings aren't just what's in the glass and on the board - it's the people, moments and memories that come with them. In partnership with Cracker Barrel Cheese, Capaldi is sharing simple tips for hosts looking to elevate their summer soirees without the hassle. Make Entertaining Simple and Fun The pressure to create the perfect tablescape, prepare an impressive meal and uncork an expensive bottle of wine can feel overwhelming. Instead, a simple text that says "Come over, I have wine and snacks," can mean the world to a close friend or loved one. One of Capaldi's favorite reminders for hosts is they don't need five different wines to serve alongside a cheese board. Instead, one or two are often more than enough. The key is choosing versatile wines that pair well with a variety of flavors and textures. Create Memorable, Crowd-Pleasing Pairings Elevate any gathering with some of Capaldi's favorite approachable wine and Cracker Barrel Cheese pairings such as: A refreshing white wine, Sharp White Cheddar drizzled with spicy honey and potato chips. The bright acidity of the wine cuts through the salty chips and rich, savory cheese, creating a fresh and balanced bite. A fruity ros , Extra Sharp Yellow and Sharp White Cheddar, garlic naan crackers, slices of prosciutto and a spoonful of strawberry jam. Ros is incredibly versatile and plays well with the different flavors on the board, making it a perfect match for several different cheeses. Pinot grigio, pretzels and Vermont Sharp White Cheddar. The citrus notes and the bright acidity of pinot grigio cut through the richness of sharp cheddar, while its crisp finish keeps your palate refreshed between bites. Salty pretzels also help highlight the wine's fruit notes, making every sip taste a little brighter. Use Seasonal Additions for a Special Touch Summer offers an abundance of fresh produce and seasonal flavors that can elevate any gathering without overcomplicating the occasion. Capaldi recommends adding frozen fruit to wine, such as strawberries, peaches or mangos to whites and ros s. The fruit helps keep the wine cold without watering it down and adds a subtle burst of fruit flavor. When it comes to cheese spreads, a jar of spicy honey can quickly become a go-to ingredient. For a sweet-and-salty combination, try drizzling spicy honey over cheese then pair with potato chips or pretzels so your snack board offers a little bit of everything. For more summer entertaining inspiration, visit CrackerBarrelCheese.com. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock (wine and cheese plates)
	Driving in Wet Summer Conditions: The Impact of Worn Tires on Stopping Distance (Feature Impact) As drivers prepare for summer road trips, navigating seasonal weather with worn tires can often be an overlooked safety concern. For those living in regions that experience seasonal storms and heavy rainfall, ensuring their vehicle's tires are properly maintained can mean the difference between stopping safely or being involved in an accident. As tread depth decreases, tires' ability to maintain grip on wet pavement diminishes, increasing both stopping distances and the likelihood of losing control. In fact, on roads with light rain is where the Federal Highway Administration reports 77% of weather-related crashes occur. New testing revealed worn tires (approximately 4/32-inch tread depth) required 30-45% more stopping distance - equating to 44-67 additional feet, depending on the tire model - to bring an average car or sedan to a full stop when braking. During moderate and heavy rainfall, vehicles equipped with worn tires required more than 140 additional feet to stop - nearly half the length of a football field. This data comes from water depth stopping-distance testing performed from 60 miles per hour at Treadwell Research Park on behalf of Discount Tire, a leading independent retailer of tires and wheels with more than 1,275 stores in 40 states. Summer weather can be unpredictable and with the chance of sudden storms expected this time of year, drivers should take extra precautions to ensure their tires can stop safely in wet conditions. Drivers can use tools like Treadwell, Discount Tire's online tire recommendation tool, to compare stopping distances of popular tire models in new and worn conditions. The tool evaluates tire options based on vehicle type, driving habits and local conditions - as well as decades of data and independent testing results - to provide recommendations based on each driver's unique needs. Before hitting the road, consider these expert tips: Monitor Tire Tread Depth Tread depth plays a critical role in wet-weather traction and stopping performance. Drivers can perform a quick tread check at home using a penny. Insert the penny upside down into a tread groove; if the top of President Lincoln's head is visible, it's time to replace the tire. If you're not sure, head to a local tire retailer to have them check for you. Know the Tires' Age As rubber compounds age, the rubber becomes harder and more susceptible to cracking and failure. To check a tire's age at home, look at the DOT number stamped on its sidewall. Experts typically recommend replacing tires that are 6 years old or older, depending on condition and manufacturer guidance. Rotate Tires on Schedule Tires should be rotated every 6,000 miles, or earlier if uneven wear develops. Routine tire rotations help promote even wear and maximize tire life. Check Tire Pressure Regularly Tire pressure should be checked at least once a month when tires are cool, particularly before any long road trips, because ambient temperature changes as well as the impacts and pressures of bumps and turns can affect inflation levels. Underinflated tires can contribute to poor handling, excessive wear, reduced fuel efficiency and increased stress on the tires due to overloading. To locate a neighborhood tire retailer near you to save on tires, wheels or windshield wipers, visit DiscountTire.com. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
	Momentos mágicos sin complicaciones: 3 consejos para disfrutar de un verano inolvidable (Feature Impact) Los momentos m gicos del verano - viajes por carretera, d as en la piscina y tardes en el jard n - no ocurren por casualidad. De hecho, hacer que esa magia ocurra puede sentirse como todo un desaf o para los padres. Seg n una encuesta a padres estadounidenses encargada por Borden Cheese, la presi n que sienten los adultos durante los meses de verano es m s alta que nunca. Entre organizar actividades, preparar comidas y mantener feliz a toda la familia, la presi n por crear momentos memorables durante el verano puede acabar quit ndole parte de la diversi n. La mayor a de los encuestados (72%) siente que los veranos antes eran m s sencillos, y el 89% de ese grupo indic que es importante que sus hijos vivan veranos m s simples. "El verano es una poca para disfrutar del sol, el aire libre, los d as largos y el tiempo de calidad con la familia y los amigos", dijo Jenny Mehlman, directora s nior de marketing de queso, sabores y variedades en Dairy Farmers of America. "A veces nos dejamos llevar tanto por la rutina que olvidamos bajar el ritmo y disfrutar de los peque os momentos. Borden Cheese quiere ayudar a los padres a dejar de lado las expectativas elevadas asociadas actualmente con las actividades de verano, aceptar un poco el desorden y recordar que un verano sencillo y relajado tambi n se puede disfrutar." Es evidente que los padres buscan veranos m s relajados, tanto para sus hijos como para ellos mismos. Recuperar el tiempo en familia puede comenzar con peque os trucos que hagan el verano m s sencillo, una estrategia que el 81% de los padres encuestados afirm que planea utilizar. Estas son algunas de las recomendaciones de los participantes: Dar m s flexibilidad a las rutinas de los ni os El verano ofrece un descanso de los horarios r gidos del a o escolar, y casi la mitad de los encuestados (45%) est aprovechando este momento para ser m s flexibles con las rutinas de sus hijos. Esto puede incluir acostarse m s tarde, ma anas m s tranquilas o momentos de juego menos estructurados, dando a las familias m s espacio para explorar, ser creativas y disfrutar de aventuras espont neas - de esas que muchos padres recuerdan de su propia infancia. Priorizar la diversi n sobre la perfecci n La presi n por crear un verano perfecto puede resultar abrumadora. En lugar de buscar vacaciones elaboradas o calendarios cuidadosamente planificados, el 39% de los padres afirm que planea ser m s flexible con las expectativas que se imponen a s mismos. Esta mentalidad de "diversi n sobre la perfecci n" permite que las familias pasen m s tiempo juntas, ya que los padres pasan menos tiempo preocup ndose por detalles y m s tiempo disfrutando de actividades sencillas, desde picnics y d as en la piscina hasta noches de juegos en casa. Simplificar las comidas Un tercio de los encuestados planea incluir comidas m s sencillas en su men , y la mayor a de los padres (84%) dijo que recurre a opciones de comidas r pidas y pr cticas, como mac and cheese, wraps de jam n y pavo, y galletas con queso, para cenas y meriendas al menos una vez por semana durante los meses de verano. Por eso, Borden Cheese Individually Wrapped Singles est ayudando a las familias a disfrutar de un verano m s simple y sin entr s con recetas e ideas f ciles de comida pensadas para toda la familia. Tambi n ofrece sorteos semanales que despiertan la nostalgia y brindan a los padres un descanso m s que merecido. Por ejemplo, las Juicy Lucy Cheeseburger Sliders pueden sentirse un poco m s especiales sin todo el trabajo extra. Eso s : desaparecer n en cuesti n de minutos. Deje a un lado la presi n por crear el verano perfecto, acepte un poco el desorden y haga espacio para volver a disfrutar de momentos reales y de diversi n sin preocupaciones. Visite BordenCheese.com/SimpleSummerFun para encontrar m s ideas de comidas f ciles y llenas de queso, y aprenda c mo participar en los sorteos semanales. Juicy Lucy Cheeseburger Sliders Tiempo de preparaci n: 10 minutos Tiempo de cocci n: 8-10 minutos Porciones: 4 (2 mini hamburguesas por porci n) 1 libra de carne molida de res 4 rebanadas de Borden American Melts, cortadas en cuartos 2 cucharadas de cebolla finamente picada 1 cucharada de condimento para carne 8 panes para mini hamburguesas, tostados Aderezos (opcional): salsa para hamburguesa cebollas caramelizadas rodajas de pepinillo Preparaci n Precaliente la parrilla o sart n a fuego medio. Divida la carne en 16 bolitas y apl stelas hasta formar hamburguesas de aproximadamente 3 pulgadas. Coloque dos trozos de queso y un poco de cebolla sobre las hamburguesas. C bralas con las hamburguesas restantes y presione para unirlas. Sazone con el condimento para carnes. Cocine las mini hamburguesas de 4 a 5 minutos por cada lado, hasta que est n completamente cocidas. Col quelas en los panes y agregue salsa para hamburguesa, cebollas caramelizadas y rodajas de pepinillo, al gusto. Sirva caliente.
	5 antojitos congelados para mantenerse fresco este Verano (Feature Impact) El calor del verano puede ser dif cil de sobrellevar sin una estrategia fresca y refrescante. Cuando las temperaturas suben, refr squese con antojitos congelados preparados con anticipaci n que pueden hacer que casi cualquier tarde sofocante se sienta como unas vacaciones en la playa. Mantenerse fresco es muy sencillo con las uvas de California, que llevan el concepto de "frescura" a otro nivel. Al congelarlas, cada uva se convierte en un mini sorbete natural: solo enju guelas, s quelas y cong lelas durante 2 horas, o pruebe estas recetas f ciles que ofrecen una opci n deliciosa para todos. Por ser una alternativa naturalmente saludable, refrescante, jugosa e hidratante, las uvas pueden convertirse en su opci n favorita del verano. Para descubrir m s opciones congeladas, visite GrapesFromCalifornia.com. 1. Racimos congelados de uvas de California y yogur cubiertos de chocolate. Las uvas frescas aportan un toque brillante y jugoso al yogur cido y al rico chocolate en estos irresistibles racimos congelados, ligeros, refrescantes y perfectamente equilibrados para disfrutar como botana durante el verano. Prepare una tanda y t ngala lista para las tardes c lidas o las reuniones informales en el jard n. 2. Bocaditos congelados de uvas de California, yogur y coco. Este antojito divertido y f cil permite que las uvas sean las protagonistas, ya que cada bocado consiste en una dulce uva de California cubierta con cremoso yogur griego y rebozada en coco rallado para crear un refrescante sabor tropical. Ideales para los d as calurosos de verano y elaborados con solo tres ingredientes, son una manera sencilla de disfrutar un refrigerio fresco y saludable. 3. Trozos congelados de yogur, uvas de California, nuez pecana y miel picante. Fresco, crujiente y dulce, con un agradable toque de picante, este postre congelado ofrece algo para todos los gustos. Las jugosas uvas se combinan con yogur griego, nuez pecana y un chorrito de miel picante para crear un bocado refrescante con un dulzor sutil y una textura crujiente y satisfactoria. Mantenga una tanda en el congelador para disfrutar de un antojito veraniego divertido y f cil de preparar. 4. Vasitos congelados de yogur con lim n y uvas de California. Refr squese con estos deliciosos vasitos congelados. Combinan lo mejor de las uvas congeladas y el yogur congelado. Forme capas de granola, yogur de lim n, mitades de uvas de California y almendras tostadas, y luego cong lelas. Las uvas aportan un sabor fresco entre dulce y cido, adem s de una agradable textura, complementando de forma natural el yogur y la granola, incluso cuando est n congeladas. 5. Uvas congeladas de California con toque salado y picante. Estas uvas heladas combinan la dulzura jugosa de la fruta, el toque c trico del lim n y un ligero sabor salado y picante del Taj n para crear un bocado veraniego irresistiblemente refrescante. Servidas bien fr as, directamente del congelador, son crujientes y llenas de sabor, perfectas para refrescarse en los d as calurosos. Con un solo bocado, podr an convertirse en su nuevo favorito para el clima c lido.
	Arsenal to give lecture on Declaration of Independence The Rock Island Arsenal will continue it’s lecture series on the American Revolution with a talk on the Declaration of Independence Wednesday.
	Party in the Park returns to Davenport The first event is from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Emeis Park on Thursday, according to a media release.
	Cleaning up after a flood? Here’s what you need to know Recent heavy rain has made it hard for water to drain off effectively in Bureau County, causing increased basement flooding this weekend.
	2 Andover volunteers restore 1 of town’s oldest cemeteries What started as a shared appreciation for local history has turned into hundreds of hours of volunteer work preserving one of Andover’s oldest cemeteries.
	Volunteers clean Prospect Park after 4th of July celebrations Sunday, the community group the Rabbithole clean up crew picked up waste in Prospect Park after the 4th of July celebrations.
	Chris Gotterup wins John Deere Classic Chris Gotterup shot 9-under on Sunday in the final round to win the John Deere Classic by one stroke over Max Homa in Silvis. "I really like this tournament," Gotterup told CBS Sports moments after his win. "They've been super nice to me." Gotterup (20-under) passed third round co-leaders Lucas Glover and Lee Hodges and [...]
	Resurfacing to start on part of Kimberly Road Crews will start resurfacing a section of Kimberly Road Monday.
	Chris Gotterup wins John Deere Classic, 20 under par Chris Gotterup has won the John Deere Championship, 20 under par Sunday evening.
	Thunderstorms, heat and wind will hamper efforts to contain Colorado wildfires Thunderstorms with high winds could make it more difficult to contain a massive wildfire that has scorched parts of southern Colorado.
	For 15 years, Iowa’s prisons have asked for air conditioning. This year something is different. For years, the Iowa Department of Corrections has been asking lawmakers for funding to install air conditioning at the Anamosa State Penitentiary and the Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility – prisons that regularly house more than 1,000 men each.
	Traffic Alert: Part of Tompkins Street closed for water line replacement A section of Tompkins Street will be closed for a water line replacement.
	Aledo celebrates 4th with pancakes, frogs and more There was plenty to do in Aledo for the Fourth of July. Events kicked off with the inaugural Aledo Fire Department pancake breakfast. There also were frog races, where you could bring your own frog or rent a frog to beat the competition. We got a closeup of one big winner. The city's fire chief [...]
	National Guard troops fatally shoot a man in downtown Memphis Memphis police say National Guard troops fired their weapons in the early morning hours of July 5, killing a man who was armed with a handgun. State investigators will handle the case.
	Rain doesn’t slow down Firecracker Run Runners started their Independence Day early in East Moline for the Firecracker Run. This was the event's 44th year and races started at 7:30 a.m. You can see every runner and walker leave the starting line in this video: There were races all through the morning, including a 5K, 10K and the Kiddie Run. It's [...]
	Rep. Harry Benton resigns, withdraws name from ballot amid ethics investigation Rep. Harry Benton resigned from the Illinois House on Friday in the wake of a legislative inspector general investigation that has still not been made public.
	Concerts, crowds and tradition shape John Deere Classic experience Deere's VP of global brand & communications, Mara Downing, breaks down the modern and historic ties between the JDC and the larger QCA community.
	John Deere Classic delivers $75 million annual impact for Quad Cities According to Visit Quad Cities, that impact is felt in direct and indirect ways all across our region and it's one of this region's strongest selling points.
	John Deere's golf ties date back more than a century before the Classic The manager of Deere's historic archives shows how the Deere family helped build up Augusta National, TPC Deere Run, and a culture of golf in the U.S.
	This John Deere Classic volunteer stands between traffic and the tee box This year, the John Deere Classic has a new look for hole 4. The lengthened fairway now leads to a tee box that backs up against a residential road.
	Folarin Balogun's soccer ban suspended by FIFA, allowing U.S. striker to play Belgium U.S. soccer star Folarin Balogun has had his World Cup ban suspended by FIFA, making him free to play in the United States' round of 16 game against Belgium on Monday.
	Folarin Balogun's ban is lifted by FIFA, allowing U.S. striker to play Belgium FIFA's Disciplinary Committee said it would suspend Balogun's one-game red card ban for a probationary period of one year.
	LaSalle County man fatally shot by deputies; ISP investigating Illinois State Police are investigating after LaSalle County deputies shot and killed a 49-year-old Ottawa man during a confrontation Saturday.
	Guam and surrounding Pacific islands brace for impact of Super Typhoon Bavi People in the Northern Mariana Islands – remote U.S. territories in the Pacific Ocean – are preparing for Super Typhoon Bavi, which experts say could bring winds of over 180 miles per hour.
	Company proposing Black Hills uranium mine eyes state permitting restart after 13-year pause The site of the proposed Dewey-Burdock uranium mine in Fall River County, South Dakota. (Courtesy of U.S. Bureau of Land Management)A company spearheading a long-lingering uranium mining proposal in southwestern South Dakota hopes to restart its state permitting process after a 13-year hold. The Dewey-Burdock project — spanning nearly 20 square miles in Custer and Fall River counties — secured the last of its necessary federal permits for the project last month, according to the federal Permitting Council. The project was included last year in FAST-41, a federal process meant to improve coordination among permitting agencies and hold them accountable to deadlines. The project, decades in the making, was added to the process in August of last year. Dewey-Burdock — named for rural locations near Edgemont along the southwestern edge of the Black Hills — requires numerous federal, state and local permits and has been mired in administrative and court appeals for years. Trump administration selects Black Hills uranium mining proposal for fast-track permitting program The mining method for the project is “in situ”: drilling wells to inject a water-based solution underground, dissolving uranium and pumping it to the surface. The water would be pulled from local aquifers and then treated and pumped back underground after being used for mining, causing opponents to fear pollution of local water sources. Emily Domenech, Permitting Council executive director, said in a news release that the fast-tracking process advanced the project, which is “critical to national security and energy dominance.” Uranium is a metallic, radioactive element used as fuel in nuclear weapons and nuclear power plants. EnCore Energy Executive Chair William Sheriff said in a news release that the company plans to begin the state permitting process next. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources confirmed that the company submitted new water-rights applications and supporting information. The company has not yet submitted new applications for mine or groundwater discharge permits, said Brian Walsh, department spokesman. The timeline for processing state permits is “difficult to predict,” Walsh added, depending on the “level of public participation.” The project’s state applications have been inactive since 2013, while the federal permitting process played out. The South Dakota Water Management Board rejected the company’s request to restart its water permitting process in 2021, due in part to outstanding federal permits and active litigation. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. “I just don’t think it’s appropriate for the state of South Dakota and this board to spend millions of dollars once again on an issue and then have the rug pulled out from under our feet after we’ve made a decision,” board member Rodney Freeman said at the time. Lilias Jarding, executive director of the Black Hills Clean Water Alliance, has been a vocal opponent of the Dewey-Burdock project for years. She is concerned about potential water contamination and the amount of water needed for the project. She expects opponents to push back and attempt to appeal federal permits, which she said could affect the state process and overall project. “The people don’t want this,” Jarding said. “There will be public pushback.” The Oglala Sioux Tribe and NDN Collective, a Rapid City-based Indigenous advocacy group, have also opposed the project, citing concerns about potential impacts to historic and cultural sites in the Black Hills — land central to the spiritual beliefs and practices of many tribes. The same groups also oppose a proposal to conduct exploratory drilling for uranium near Craven Canyon, not far from the Dewey-Burdock project area. A hearing on the permit application for the drilling plan, from Canadian company Nexus Uranium, is on hold as a court considers a lawsuit from a project opponent. Courtesy of South Dakota Searchlight
	Pedestrian killed after being struck on I-80 in Iowa City A pedestrian was killed early Sunday after being struck by two vehicles on I-80 in Iowa City, according to the Iowa State Patrol.
	East Moline celebrates Fourth of July with parade Community members gathered in East Moline to celebrate America's 250th anniversary with a parade.
	President's division with Senate GOP will come to a head in November There's a bit of a rift between President Trump and Republicans in the U.S. Senate. That's because Republicans in the upper chamber don't have the votes to pass the president's priorities. Some simply don't like his current policies, the president's handling of the war with Iran the SAVE America Act, the anti-weaponization fund and controversy [...]
	Iowa move to privatize information technology gets partisan disagreement Illinois could charge more when you pass through a toll booth, and Iowa's governor makes a push to privatize some of the state's technology services. We will start in Iowa. Governor Kim Reynolds is going on the offensive to support the decision that will outsource some jobs from state government. The move will hand over [...]
	LaHood backs President Trump's MOU approach with Iran despite not trusting the Middle East adversary We're now 18 days into the 60-day negotiation window between Iran and the United States after both countries signed the memorandum of understanding. Of course, the goal is to come to an agreement for a permanent peace. There were no direct talks between the United States delegation and Iran in Qatar to start the week. [...]
	1 charged, 1 injured after Rock Island police respond to shooting at bar A man is facing charges after a bar shooting left one person hurt.
	Construction is a man's game. These women are demolishing the barriers Women make up a miniscule 3% of construction workers in Kenya. But a nonprofit group is offering them a way to get into the game ... and to get ahead.
	John Deere Classic enters final day The John Deere Classic is entering the final day of tournament play today.
	MARK-TO-MARKET: Despite challenges, US stocks surge in first half of 2026 In the first six months of the year — ending Tuesday, June 30 — the bellwether S&P 500 had gained a mighty 9.6%.
	BBB Scam Alert: Having trouble finding a qualified contractor? Try these tips Depending on the time of year and the economy, it can potentially be a struggle to find a qualified contractor. The job market and supply chain issues can make hiring difficult, and sometimes it can be challenging to find a…
	Craig Schillig: Converting savings to retirement income Learn how to strategically withdraw funds in retirement accounts to ensure sustainable income throughout your retirement years.
	Paul Pelosi in hit-and-run in California, car left with major damage, authorities say The husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was involved in a hit-and-run in California that left a parked car with "major" damage, authorities said Saturday.
	The Crows are Coming This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.This past winter an unusually large number of crows have come to the downstream tip of Rock Island each morning to…
	Children's Therapy Center of the Quad Cities presents iCan Shine Bike Camp According to iCan Shine, over 80% of people with autism and 90% of people with Down syndrome never experience experience of independently riding a conventional two-wheel bicycle, but there is help! The Children's Therapy Center of the Quad Cities is hosting its annual iCan Shine Bike Camp July 13-17. This camp teaches kids with disabilities [...]
	Pastor freed from prison in China weeks after Trump requested his release A pastor of a prominent underground church who was detained in China in October has been released, less than two months after U.S. President Donald Trump brought up his case when meeting Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Saturday, July 4th, 2026
	Lucas Glover, Lee Hodges tied for John Deere Classic lead Lucas Glover chipped in for eagle early and made a birdie late, his only two sub-par holes Saturday for a 2-under 69 that was just enough for him to share the lead with Lee Hodges in the John Deere Classic that now has plenty of possibilities. Hodges had four birdies in a six-hole stretch on [...]
	Bettendorf celebrates America’s 250th anniversary Bettendorf marked America's 250th anniversary with its downtown parade and live music at Cumberland Square.
	City of Mucatine seeks applicants for board, commission posts The City of Muscatine invites residents to apply for openings on several boards and commissions, including three that play a central role in shaping development, land use, and recreation in the community: Muscatine has 12 boards and commissions in total, each contributing to the community’s quality of life — from parks and public art to [...]
	Thousands gather for Bettendorf's Fourth of July celebrations Thousands of community members gather in Bettendorf to celebrate America's 250th anniversary.

Monday, July 6th, 2026

Sunday, July 5th, 2026

Saturday, July 4th, 2026