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

Monday, September 14th, 2026
	Musco Sports Center reaches finals of statewide community award The Muscatine dome has reached the end of the 2026 People's All-Star Community Award. Here's how you can cast your vote via Facebook through Sept. 24.
	Why 700,000 could lose Medicaid in Illinois More than half a million people on Medicaid in Illinois could lose their health coverage. The state mailed thousands of letters warning Medicaid enrollees about coverage changes because of a new tax law (H.R. 1) signed by President Trump. The new law cuts billions of dollars from the federal Medicaid program over the next decade. [...]
	See the Emmys 2026 red carpet looks The 78th Emmy Awards are Monday night. See the stars as they arrive.
	See who's won an Emmy Award so far Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay is hosting the Emmy Awards on Monday night. We'll be updating this list as winners are announced.
	Quad Cities airport leader elected to national aviation board This summer, Ben Leischner was elected to the ACI-NA board of directors, where he will help shape North America's aviation industry. Here's how this will impact you.
	Augustana College, Rock Island police invite you to have 'Coffee with a Cop' Members of Augustana College Police and Public Safety and officers from the Rock Island Police Department invite you to “Coffee with a Cop," according to a news release. The event will take place Friday, Sept. 18, from 8-9 a.m. on Viking Plaza on Augustana’s campus, 639 38th St., Rock Island The Rock Island Police Department [...]
	The Supreme Court rejects Trump's mail voting restrictions for this year's midterms The Supreme Court has rejected the Trump administration's request to allow mail-in voting restrictions under a U.S. Postal Service plan for the midterm general election.
	Police establish crime-scene tape at Bettendorf motel A heavy police presence was at a Bettendorf motel shortly before 6 p.m. Monday. Our Quad Cities News crew saw about a dozen officers along with seven squad cars in the parking lot of the City Center Motel, 1138 State St. At one point, two officers got out their shields during the incident. We do [...]
	Applications for utility assistance program LIHEAP to open in October Starting Oct. 1, some eligible households can already begin applying for help through LIHEAP, but others will need to wait to apply until Nov. 1.
	Employee at Smithfield Foods plant in Monmouth dies in workplace accident Family members identified the deceased worker as Patou Mpinda.
	Centennial Bridge lights to be turned off for remainder of autumn bird migration RiverAction announced the Centennial Bridge lights will be turned off from Sept. 15 through Nov. 1 for autumn bird migration.
	Help suicide prevention programs at Quad Cities Out of the Darkness Walk In the United States, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death, and you can help support research, advocacy efforts and educational programs across our region. Megan Alvarado joined Our Quad Cities News to talk about the Quad Cities Out of the Darkness Walk. For more information, click here.
	Some Iowa teens could recieve $100 in restitution from Meta lawsuit Iowa victims of Facebook and Instagram features aimed at addicting children to the platforms could soon receive a portion of a multi-billion dollar settlement.
	Man faces attempted murder charge after pedestrian hit in Rock Island A 24-year-old man is recovering after police say he was intentionally hit by a truck early Sunday in Rock Island.
	Muscatine firefighters honor firefighter killed in line of duty 24 years ago The Muscatine Fire Department held a memorial for firefighter Michael Kruse, who died in 2002 while battling a house fire. He was 53.
	Geneseo family plans 26-acre sports complex in memory of son A Geneseo family is working to turn 26 acres of family land into a sports complex honoring their son, with city leaders saying the project could have a significant impact on the community.
	Mitch McConnell returns to Senate after fall that led to an extended medical absence McConnell spent weeks in recovery before explaining he was "briefly unconscious" following the fall that sent him to the hospital and a weeks-long recovery process.
	Texas landowners sue federal government over border wall plans A lawsuit filed Monday takes aim at federal agencies' use of waivers to expedite construction of a wall along the border with Mexico and claims that landowner's constitutional rights are being violated.
	Galesburg Fire Department starts fire hydrant testing and flushing program Work will be done from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, weather permitting, and is expected to take three weeks.
	QC Airport executive director named to international aviation board (Full Interview) This summer, Ben Leischner was elected to the ACI-NA board of directors, where he will help shape North America's aviation industry. Here's how this will impact you.
	East Moline Greater Downtown Revitalization Project nearing completion Work on the project continues through the end of 2026 bringing new streets and improvements while businesses navigate construction.
	East Moline Greater Downtown Revitalization Project enters final stretch Work on the project continues through the end of 2026 bringing new streets and improvements while businesses navigate construction.
	Federal agents may have broken state laws in voter fraud hunt, whistleblower claims Federal agents may have broken state laws after the Department of Homeland Security began surging personnel for what it called the Unlawful Voter Initiative, a federal whistleblower alleges.
	Executive director of the Quad Cities International Airport elected to ACI-NA board: Part 2 Benjamin Leischner will help shape the future of aviation in North America. News 8's Shelby Kluver spoke with him about the honor and what it means for the QCA.
	Muscatine's Musco Sports Center up for Iowa All-Star Community Award Muscatine's Musco Sports Center is a finalist for Iowa's All-Star Community Award after making it through three rounds of public voting. Voting ends Sept. 24.
	Man charged with attempted murder after pedestrian struck by vehicle in Rock Island Rock Island police allege 26-year-old Edson Gutierrez intentionally struck a pedestrian with his truck after an argument.
	Executive director of the Quad Cities International Airport elected to ACI-NA board: Part 1 Benjamin Leischner will help shape the future of aviation in North America. News 8's Shelby Kluver spoke with him about the honor and what it means for the QCA.
	25-year-old man dies after being hit by vehicle in East Moline Police say Kendric Fallon-McCray was hit Friday night on Illinois Route 5 in East Moline. He later died at a hospital.
	Iowa’s Caden Buhr earns Big Ten Player of the Week Honor University of Iowa’s Caden Buhr has been named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week.
	‘Huge step forward’: Illinois inches closer on battery storage, solar goals State regulators took the first major step last month toward bringing new energy storage online, a key component of legislation that took effect in June.
	Woman injured in Henry County, Iowa, e-bike crash facing several charges A woman who was airlifted for injuries from an e-bike crash in August is now facing several charges in Henry County, Iowa.
	Davenport police: Stolen gun with extended magazine found during traffic stop A Moline man is facing multiple charges after Davenport police say they found a stolen gun during a traffic stop Sunday night.
	Rock Island man charged with attempted first-degree murder A Rock Island man is facing charges in Rock Island County Circuit Court after allegedly intentionally hitting a man with his truck early Sunday morning.
	One dead in East Moline vehicle/pedestrian crash One person is dead after a traffic crash involving a pedestrian on Sept. 11. A news release from the East Moline Police Department said officers were dispatched to the intersection of 4th Avenue and IL Route 5 on Sept. 11 at about 10:10 p.m. regarding a traffic crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian. Officers [...]
	Applications open Oct. 1 for LIHEAP utility assistance Residents on the Illinois side of the QCA can apply for assistance with paying utility bills, starting October 1. Project NOW, Inc. has announced that funds are available to help income-eligible households in Henry, Mercer and Rock Island Counties with their natural gas, propane and/or electric bills and furnace assistance for inoperable heating systems. Applications [...]
	Rock Island man charged with attempted murder after allegedly hitting man with truck A 26-year-old has been charged with attempted murder after he allegedly hit a man with his truck after an argument.
	Rock Island man arrested; accused of striking man with truck A Rock Island man is being held in the Rock Island County Jail after police say struck a man with his truck after an argument. A news release from the Rock Island Police Department said officers responded to the 800 block of 42 Avenue on Sunday, September 13 at about 3:13 a.m. for a report [...]
	Two Sisters Restaurant in Milan to rebrand as Flips Pancake House The restaurant announced it will be temporarily closed for remodeling before reopening as Flips Pancake House.
	Applications for utility assistance program LIHEAP to open in October for some Illinois residents Starting Oct. 1, some eligible households can already begin applying for help through LIHEAP, but others will need to wait to apply until Nov. 1.
	Alternating Currents documentary nominated for an Emmy Award A documentary featuring Alternating Currents, the music and culture packed weekend in downtown Davenport every summer, has been nominated for a Mid-American Emmy Award.
	24-year-old dead after fatal pedestrian crash in East Moline A 24-year-old man was pronounced dead after being struck by a vehicle in East Moline on Friday night.
	John Deere to bring back 375 employees across Quad Cities locations About 150 employees will return to operations in Moline and about 225 in East Moline.
	Employee dies overnight at Smithfield Plant in Monmouth An employee died overnight at the Smithfield plant in Monmouth. Workers say employees were asked to return to work and many of them walked out to protest.
	Pedestrian struck and killed by vehicle in East Moline on Friday night The driver reported that they were traveling eastbound on IL Route 5 when the pedestrian appeared in the dark roadway.
	Teen from Cascade named Kid Captain for UNI game A 15-year-old who underwent a heart transplant for his rare conditions will lead the Hawkeyes as Kid Captain against the University of Northern Iowa.
	Bishop Hill hosting Jordbruksdagarna festival The annual 19th century harvest festival Jordbruksdagarna (pronounced yord-brooks-DAH-ga-na) will be on Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27 in Bishop Hill. There will be a variety of traditional craft demonstrations, food, vendors and hands-on activities for the children during the festival, which is the Swedish term for “agricultural days.” Activities will take place from [...]
	24-year-old dead after being struck by vehicle in East Moline A 24-year-old man died on Friday after being hit by a vehicle.
	Charity Bass Tournament raises funds for Children's Therapy Centers of the Quad Cities Live Uncommon is hosting the revitalized 52nd annual Charity Bass Tournament on Saturday, September 19, starting at 7 a.m. Proceeds benefit Children’s Therapy Centers of the Quad Cities. Click here for more information or to register. The fishing tournament launches from and takes place on the Iowa side of the Mississippi River. The event allows [...]
	Judy's Family Cafe, in Aledo, to hold grand opening Friday The new Aledo location serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, including the pancakes Judy's is known for.
	Kennedy Center says it's on the brink of bankruptcy, might close as early as Tuesday In two board resolutions made public Monday, the arts institution says it is in a dire financial and physical state — and that only President Trump can "rescue" it.
	USDA seeking information from farmers about fertilizer ‘cartel’ practices U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden was in Iowa Friday, asking farmers from across the country to share their experiences dealing with consolidation and pricing issues in the fertilizer industry.
	Cree hábitos saludables para el corazón que duren, con 4 pasos sencillos diarios (Feature Impact) Su corazón trabaja las 24 horas del día, lo que convierte la salud del corazón en una de las partes más importantes de su bienestar general. La buena noticia es que mejorar la salud del corazón no requiere una transformación de la noche a la mañana. Los pequeños y constantes cambios en el estilo de vida y los hábitos saludables, incluyendo mantenerse activo y tomar decisiones inteligentes a la hora de comer, pueden ayudar a apoyar la salud cardiovascular. Pase menos tiempo sentado durante el día Si trabaja en una oficina, pasar largos períodos sentado puede ser lo habitual. Incluso si hace ejercicio con regularidad, esas largas horas sentado pueden afectar la salud del corazón. Busque oportunidades para moverse más: tome breves descansos para caminar, permanezca de pie mientras habla por teléfono, estírese entre reuniones o suba las escaleras en lugar de usar el elevador. Dé prioridad a una alimentación saludable para el corazón Una alimentación saludable para el corazón puede comenzar con alimentos bajos en grasa saturada y sodio, y que aporten vitaminas beneficiosas y compuestos vegetales, como las uvas frescas y jugosas. Las uvas contienen el 7% de la ingesta diaria recomendada de potasio por porción, son una buena fuente de vitamina K y aportan antioxidantes beneficiosos y otros polifenoles, incluyendo flavonoides, que pueden ayudar a relajar los vasos sanguíneos y promover una circulación saludable. Algunos estudios también sugieren que las uvas tienen un impacto beneficioso en los lípidos sanguíneos y más. De hecho, un estudio encontró que las mujeres que consumían 1 1/4 de taza de uvas todos los días se beneficiaron de niveles reducidos de triglicéridos en la sangre, niveles de colesterol LDL, proteínas inflamatorias y otros indicadores de enfermedades cardíacas. Ya sea como refrigerio, añadidas a ensaladas o mezcladas en batidos, las uvas de California facilitan agregar más nutrición saludable para el corazón durante el día. Por ejemplo, esta Ensalada Tibia de Lentejas, Uvas de California y Rúcula incluye un aderezo casero rápido de romero y limón para intensificar el sabor y complementar las lentejas negras y las dulces uvas. Reduzca el consumo de sodio añadido Agregar alimentos saludables para el corazón, como las uvas, a su menú es un buen punto de partida, pero cuidar su sistema cardiovascular también tiene que ver con lo que no está comiendo. Muchos alimentos envasados y de restaurantes contienen más sodio del que algunas personas creen, por lo que es importante leer las etiquetas nutricionales, preparar más comidas en casa y condimentar los alimentos con hierbas, especias, cítricos o vinagre en lugar de sal adicional para mantener una presión de la sangre saludable. Haga del buen sueño una prioridad El dormir bien influye muchos aspectos de la salud, incluyendo la del corazón. Los adultos deben aspirar a dormir entre 7 y 9 horas por noche en un ambiente fresco y confortable. Para lograr un buen descanso nocturno, intente limitar el tiempo frente a pantallas antes de acostarse, bloquee la luz y evite el alcohol o la cafeína por las noches. Para obtener más información sobre los beneficios de las uvas para la salud del corazón y encontrar recetas adicionales que apoyan la salud, visite GrapesFromCalifornia.com. Ensalada tibia de lentejas, uvas de California y rúcula Porciones: 6 Aderezo de romero y limón: 1/4 taza de aceite de oliva extra virgen 3 cucharadas de jugo de limón amarillo 2 cucharadas de hojas frescas de romero 2 cucharaditas de miel de abeja 1/2 cucharadita de sal marina 1 diente de ajo pimienta recién molida, al gusto 1 paquete (8 onzas) de lentejas negras precocidas 1 1/2 tazas de uvas de California, cortadas por la mitad 1 taza de radicchio, troceado 1 taza de rúcula nueces tostadas picadas Para preparar el aderezo de romero y limón: En una licuadora pequeña o procesador de alimentos, procese el aceite de oliva, el jugo de limón, el romero, la miel de abeja, la sal, el ajo y la pimienta, al gusto, hasta que el romero esté finamente picado; reserve hasta el momento de usar. Puede prepararse con 2 días de anticipación y refrigerarse en un recipiente tapado hasta el momento de servir. Lleve a temperatura ambiente antes de usar. En un tazón grande de vidrio, caliente las lentejas en el microondas durante 45 segundos, o hasta que estén tibias. Agregue las uvas, el radicchio, la rúcula y el aderezo al tazón y mezcle suavemente para cubrir. Espolvoree con nueces. Información nutricional por porción: 160 calorías; 4 g de proteína; 18 g de carbohidratos; 9 g de grasa (51% de calorías provenientes de la grasa); 1,5 g de grasa saturada (8% de calorías provenientes de la grasa saturada); 0 mg de colesterol; 200 mg de sodio; 4 g de fibra.
	Knight's Pizza named Best Pizza in the Quad Cities The 64 recently hosted the Best Pizza in the Quad Cities competition. Pizza restaurants around the Quad Cities competed against each other in a bracket-style tournament and fans voted for their favorites. The winner was announced early this morning. Caden Knight, owner of Knight’s Pizza spoke with Our Quad Cities News via Zoom to talk [...]
	Northeast Iowa veterans building memorial park for Vietnam fallen A group of veterans is building a memorial park in Giard to honor Iowa’s Vietnam veterans, including 53 lost service members from northeastern Iowa.
	Charges dropped against Des Moines man facing sexual exploitation, grooming charges in Scott County Charges have been dropped against a Des Moines man who was accused of grooming and sexual exploitation of a minor.
	Smithfield Foods employee dies at facility in workplace incident A Smithfield Foods team member was fatally injured in a workplace incident at the Monmouth facility, spokesperson says.
	Man accused of kidnapping Waterloo girl found guilty of all charges A jury has found a Michigan man guilty of kidnapping a 12-year-old girl from Waterloo.
	Bob Mackie, designer who dressed Marilyn Monroe, Elton John and Cher, dies at 87 The visionary costume and fashion designer was known as the "Sultan of Sequins" for his eye-catching celebrity looks.
	3 Things to Know \| Quad Cities morning headlines for Sept. 14, 2026 YWCA is holding a diaper drive across its Quad Cities locations and the Muscatine Fire Department is holding a memorial to honor fallen firefighter Michael Kruse.
	Gas prices up 20 cents per gallon in the Quad-Cities, diesel up 31.6 cents Prices in the Quad-Cities are 25.9 cents per gallon higher than a month ago.
	Clinton community raises awareness with No Data Center Concert The goal was to protect the communities needs against a data center proposal in Clinton.
	One dead after workplace incident at Smithfield Foods, Monmouth One person is dead after a fatal workplace incident at Smithfield Foods in Monmouth this morning. The company emailed a statement to Our Quad Cities News about the incident. “We are deeply saddened to confirm the loss of a team member who was fatally injured in a workplace incident this morning at our Monmouth facility. [...]
	Inside America’s rising fraud hotspots: 2026 update Inside America’s rising fraud hotspots: 2026 updateFraud has quickly become one of the fastest-growing crimes in the United States. According to the FTC, Americans reported losing $3.5 billion dollars to imposter scams in 2025.As our lives move more and more online, scammers find new and more covert ways to adapt to the digital landscape. In the past, scammers were limited to the people in their vicinity; today, they can target thousands of people at a time.Data has repeatedly shown that fraud tends to occur in clusters; scammers tend to gravitate towards “hotspots” for a wide variety of reasons. As such, certain cities and metropolitan statistical areas tend to be magnets for fraudulent activity.Here, PeopleFinders takes a look at five of America’s biggest fraud hotspots, signs of fraudulent activity, and ways that you can protect yourself against it.Identifying America’s Biggest Fraud HotspotsFraud is essentially any scheme that tricks a person into giving away money, personal information, passwords, or access to their private accounts.These hotspot rankings are based primarily on the FTC Fraud & Identity Theft Maps, and also draw from the FTC’s most recently available nationwide data report, the 2024 Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book. Metropolitan statistical areas are ranked by their total number of fraud reports. Metropolitan areas are ranked using fraud reports per 100,000 residents.It’s important to note that higher reporting rates don’t necessarily mean residents are more likely to be victimized; they may simply reflect that residents report fraud more consistently.10 Rising Fraud Hotspots in AmericaWhere is fraud happening the most in the United States? The following 10 metropolitan areas consistently rank among the highest for reported fraud in FTC data.The data below is per 100,000 residents:Homosassa Springs, Florida – 304Ocala, Florida – 298Punta Gorda, Florida – 297Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, Florida – 285Wildwood-The Villages, Florida – 276Prescott Valley-Prescott, Arizona – 276Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, Florida – 275Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, Nevada – 273Jacksonville, Florida – 267Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina – 266Interestingly, Florida’s metropolitan areas take up a staggering seven slots out of the 10 available, including all of the top five. Florida consistently ranks among the states with the highest fraud reporting rates for a host of potential reasons, including its large and growing population, its high proportion of retirees, its tourist-heavy seasons, and its high levels of online vulnerabilities.These potential reasons are not unique to Florida. While the FTC doesn’t specifically identify a reason why certain areas report higher fraud rates, experts generally point to many of the aforementioned reasons across the board. In other words, all U.S. states, including those both on and off of the list, may be vulnerable to fraudulent activity due to a combination of the following reasons.Common Warning Signs of FraudThough fraud is not confined to the aforementioned cities, it may be beneficial to keep an eye out for suspicious behavior if you live in or near one. If you notice any of the following warning signs, proceed with extreme caution.Someone Creates a False Sense of UrgencyScammers thrive off of false senses of urgency; they know that putting people under pressure makes them more likely to act impulsively. Be wary if someone claims that immediate payment is required, threatens unjust legal action, warns of an emergency involving your loved ones, or says that your account will be closed.Requiring Unusual Payment MethodsUnusual payment methods include:Gift CardsCryptocurrencyWire TransfersPayment AppsSending Cash via MailLegitimate organizations rarely request these methods. If someone asks you to utilize them, you should proceed with caution.They Ask for Personal InformationIf someone asks for your Social Security number, banking credentials, credit card information, or for you to share one-time verification codes, it’s a huge red flag. Legitimate organizations will rarely request sensitive information unexpectedly.Something Seems OffDoes the interaction feel strange? Trust your instincts. Poor grammar, generic greetings, fake websites, and inconsistent details can be surefire signs that something is awry.How to Protect Yourself From FraudLooking to implement preventative measures? Work the following tips into your interactions to reduce your likelihood of falling victim to fraud.Research Unfamiliar People Before RespondingScammers often impersonate people to gain their victims’ trust. People search tools can help you identify known scammers and recognize fake identities.Verify Before RespondingMake sure that you only contact businesses using their official websites and phone numbers. Also, never utilize or rely upon contact information that’s provided in strange or suspicious messages.Slow Down Before You Send MoneyScammers rely on panic and urgency; they know it makes you more likely to act impulsively. Before you send money, you should pause, verify, and consider seeking a second opinion.Be Cautious About Links and AttachmentsNever click unexpected links, and look carefully at URLs before you open them. If possible, manually typing out website addresses can help you ensure that you’re navigating to the correct website.Monitor Your Financial AccountsReview your bank statements regularly for unfamiliar charges. If it’s an option, consider setting up account alerts so you’re notified of strange activity the moment it happens.Fraud Isn’t Limited to HotSpot CitiesJust because you’re in a hotspot city doesn’t mean you’re at risk, and just because you aren’t doesn’t mean you’re risk-free. Scammers operate nationwide, and fraud attempts remain common across the board.As criminals begin to increasingly exploit online methods, they slowly chip away at geographic boundaries that once posed barriers to their schemes. Taking precautions and staying informed can mean the difference between a fraud attempt and a successful fraudulent attack.This story was produced by PeopleFinders and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	What property data APIs are changing about how investors find and evaluate real estate deals What property data APIs are changing about how investors find and evaluate real estate dealsIn the increasingly cutthroat world of real estate investing, both large and small firms are continually searching for ways to find potentially profitable deals before the competition. One answer, seemingly, has come in the form of property data APIs, or application programming interfaces.You may have heard of APIs if you listen to tech podcasts or follow tech influencers on social media. However, if you invest in properties, you might not have realized that these APIs could transform your own workflow by dramatically scaling your research methods.PropertyReach takes a look at property data APIs, why you should consider using them for your real estate investment business, and how you can get started with this groundbreaking technology.What, Exactly, is an API?An API (application programming interface) is a digital tool that retrieves data from external databases, analyzes it, and presents it in a way that users want. It’s somewhat like a digital middleman—an entity that receives requests from a human user, goes to another place on the internet, and comes back with well-presented datasets.How Does a Property Data API Work?Many real estate investors—especially those at smaller firms—have company websites that primarily function as communication tools, and little else. The mountains of data live on other websites. But an optimal website for the real estate investor would still need to access and use those external datasets so visitors can get the information they need.So, an investor will either create or subscribe to a property data API service that has permission to interact with relevant data. If, for instance, an investor wants a list of motivated sellers in a specific ZIP code, they could set up an API to fetch all properties with lis pendens notices and tax delinquencies within that specified area.Without the investor or someone on the staff having to dedicate time to manually research properties, APIs can save valuable resources.Real Estate Investors Benefit Uniquely from Property Data APIsNearly every profession on earth is becoming more data-driven, which is the primary reason APIs have surged in usage and popularity. Some lines of work benefit more from this technology than others, though, and real estate investing is one of them.Investors often evaluate hundreds of properties before deciding to send one “get-to-know-you” letter to a property owner. Before they actually put in an offer, they could go through tens of thousands of properties.Finding the proverbial needle in the haystack or diamond in the rough is much more feasible when you don’t have to personally inspect each blade of grass. Other industries heavily reliant on APIs include health care, manufacturing, telecommunications, and general professional services.3 Ways Property Investors are Using APIs to Optimize their OperationsThe value an investor can get out of a finely tuned data API is really only limited by their imagination and ingenuity. Below are three features and benefits real estate investors are currently getting from their APIs.1. Automated Scoring SystemsOne of the best, most practical uses of property data APIs is the ability for investors to obtain automatically scored properties. Even the most sophisticated filters on real estate websites with robust datasets may not be able to score properties within seconds the way APIs can.For example, investors could request a list of properties with a mortgage origination date of at least 20 years prior, combined with absentee ownership and an appreciating value. They could then select the characteristic they deem most important and weigh the overall score accordingly.2. Valuation Modeling.Another way for tech-savvy real estate investors to take advantage of the API boom is for property valuation modeling. It’s one thing to see listing prices on platforms like Zillow or Redfin, but building up your own subjective valuation model can be much more precise.Your sophisticated valuation model needs data, though, and lots of it. Enter your property data API. It brings together expertise in your field and cutting-edge data technology tools.3. Ongoing Analysis for Portfolio Properties.Property data APIs can continue working for real estate investors after they’ve used them to home in on qualified properties. Every now and then—or even regularly—you could have an API fetch data on comps for properties your firm already owns.Other potentially useful information might include:Area listing price trendsFuture rental estimatesProperty tax recordsHOA feesLocal vacancy ratesSchool district scoresUtility ratesHow to Get Started with Your New Property Data APIIf the latest technology has never been your forte, learning about APIs, much less using them effectively, can seem a little overwhelming. During your search (and eventual onboarding) for a good property data API, view the following steps as your North Star.Define Your Scope and Target DatasetsBefore doing anything else, you need to define what you want your API to do and where you want it to go. You’ll have no shortage of options once you start looking, but each API performs unique actions.Do you want granular information on each property’s physical characteristics, or would you rather zoom out for exhaustive data on properties’ geographical areas? Answering those types of questions will help you find the right tool.Select an API and Obtain Your KeyAfter you sign up for an API service, you’ll need to get the key so that your API has permission to get information from external datasets. You should also connect your new API with existing data within your organization.Test the API’s Capabilities on Properties You’re Already Familiar WithLike any other serious real estate investor, you’re eager to get the ball rolling and start analyzing some promising properties. However, it’s best to start with a few test subjects so you can get fully acquainted with your API.After you get your first results, check the information against reputable online databases and property search tools. If you notice huge discrepancies, it might be time to adjust the API’s settings.Embrace New Technology for Better WorkflowsThe learning curve dissuades many professionals from adopting APIs. The initial time investment, though, can unlock countless hours during the workweek you can use for more human-centric tasks.The bottom line is that your property data API should complement your natural ability to identify lucrative property investments. If all goes well, you can beat the competition to the punch without feeling rushed.This story was produced by PropertyReach and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	KWQC+ to stream special River Bandits show KWQC+ will stream a preview show Tuesday at 2 p.m. ahead of Game Two of the Midwest League championship series between the Quad Cities River Bandits and the Dayton Dragons.
	Deere calls back 375 workers in Quad-Cities The company will return 150 employees to Seeding and Cylinder operations in Moline and approximately 225 employees to Harvester Works in East Moline.
	16th annual Hispanic Heritage Parade & Fiesta held in East Moline The 16th annual League of United Latin American Citizens Council #5285 Hispanic Heritage Parade & Fiesta was held at Runner’s Park.
	What families need to know about postpartum psychosis What families need to know about postpartum psychosisA few weeks after a healthy delivery, a young mother became convinced her husband was having an affair. There was no affair. But her parents believed her. Her sister believed her. So did her therapist and, later, her lawyer. Everyone believed her, because nothing about her looked like an illness. Only when the fear hardened into something stranger, and then frightening, did anyone suspect the truth: She was in the grip of postpartum psychosis — one of the rarest and most dangerous conditions in psychiatry, and one that most clinicians will never see in an entire career.That gap between how devastating the illness is and how seldom it is recognized sits at the center of every high-profile postpartum psychosis case that reaches a courtroom. The Massachusetts prosecution of Lindsay Clancy has renewed a national conversation about how a new mother can allegedly seek help repeatedly and still slip through the cracks. Two decades earlier, the trial of Andrea Yates in Texas raised the same question. The purpose here is not to weigh guilt or innocence, but to explain a clinical reality: Postpartum psychosis is easy to miss, and understanding why is the first step toward catching it in time.While postpartum psychosis symptoms and warning signs are very important, LifeStance Health examines a different question: Why does an illness this serious so often go unrecognized, even when a mother is already under a clinician’s care?Why the illness is so easy to overlookPostpartum psychosis affects an estimated 1 to 2 in every 1,000 deliveries, which makes it one of the least common conditions a mental health professional will encounter. Rarity is a core reason why the diagnosis may be missed.Consider the arithmetic of a single clinician’s career. In more than four decades of this author’s psychiatric practice, only three cases of postpartum psychosis have knowingly presented, and each looked strikingly different from the others. One patient developed the belief that her husband was deceiving and “messing with” her mind. Another, seen in a New York hospital in 1988, arrived showing severe signs of psychosis and mania, insisting on a fabricated identity. But only later did the team learn she had recently given birth, and the postpartum origin of her illness was recognized well after admission. A third presented with manic symptoms and a conviction that her husband was looking “strange” and had somehow changed; she was diagnosed with bipolar mania and maintained on lithium for over a decade.Three cases, three entirely different faces of the same illness. If an experienced psychiatrist sees the condition only a handful of times in a lifetime, a newer clinician — or a therapist, obstetrician or nurse practitioner who has never encountered it — may not recognize it.Postpartum psychosis vs. depressionMuch of maternal mental health screening is built around depression since postpartum depression and anxiety are far more common after giving birth. But the tools designed to catch them are not designed to catch psychosis. A standard depression questionnaire asks about sadness, guilt and loss of interest; it does not ask, for example, whether a mother believes her baby is in supernatural danger or if her partner has been replaced. A mother experiencing psychosis can also look calm and lucid between episodes, since the symptoms wax and wane.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends routine perinatal screening for depression and anxiety using validated questionnaires, yet it does not call for universal screening aimed specifically at psychosis, largely because the condition is so rare. The result is a real blind spot: A mother experiencing psychosis who does not screen as depressed can pass through a well-run system without her actual illness ever being named. Rising concern about broader maternal mental health has sharpened attention on this gap, but the screening mismatch remains.Postpartum psychosis and bipolar disorderOne of the most important clues is also one of the most overlooked. A 2016 review in the American Journal of Psychiatry describes postpartum psychosis as closely tied to the bipolar spectrum — essentially an atypical presentation of bipolar disorder triggered by childbirth, with symptoms that most often begin within the first two weeks after delivery. Individuals with bipolar disorder tend to respond to mood stabilizers such as lithium and to antipsychotic medication (when taken as prescribed) rather than to antidepressants alone.This distinction has enormous practical weight. When the underlying illness is bipolar in nature, antidepressants on their own may not address the problem and can sometimes worsen symptoms. A postpartum patient cycling through multiple antidepressant trials without meaningful improvement is a signal that the diagnosis may be inaccurate. Medications are appropriate only when prescribed by a clinician and taken exactly as prescribed, and finding the right one is a careful process handled through medication management. A pattern of repeated medication changes without noted progress should prompt a fresh look at what is actually being treated.There is a further trap. Because most women with postpartum depression recover within a few months, the bipolar connection can be hard to confirm in the moment. On the other hand, a smaller group of women in the postpartum stage does go on to develop classic bipolar disorder and need long-term treatment. The same illness can therefore look like a one-time crisis in one individual and a lifelong mood disorder in another.Why the diagnosis gets missedSeveral forces line up to keep postpartum psychosis hidden.The first is training. Although earlier editions of psychiatry’s diagnostic manual listed postpartum psychosis, it carries no standalone code in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), or the U.S.’s mental health guidebook. As a result, U.S. textbooks, courses and clinical training often give it little attention, and clinicians may never be taught to look for it. On the contrary, the World Health Organization International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and subscribing European nations do acknowledge postpartum psychosis.The second is the illness itself. Individuals often have enough self-awareness during lucid periods to hide their most frightening thoughts, especially from authority figures, out of fear of hospitalization or losing custody of their children. The distressing or delusional thoughts that accompany postpartum psychosis are not the same as the fleeting, unwanted intrusive thoughts that many anxious new parents experience. A delusion feels completely true to the person living it, which is exactly why a new mother may not report it.The third is disconnected care. A new mother may be seeing an obstetrician, a therapist, a prescriber and sometimes an inpatient team, each holding a single puzzle piece. Cross-examination in the Clancy case highlighted exactly this danger: providers who were not comparing notes. When no one connects the fragments, the larger psychiatric picture may not come into focus, so a disjointed care model likely makes diagnosis more difficult.How clinicians diagnose postpartum psychosisBecause the illness disguises itself so well, catching it depends less on a single test than on a thorough, deliberate evaluation. Here’s what a provider should consider:Rule it in, not out. Any unusual thinking or behavior in a woman who has recently given birth should raise postpartum psychosis as a possibility, even when she does not look depressed.Interview the family, not just the individual. Because mothers frequently conceal psychotic thoughts (out of fear), input from a spouse, parent, sibling or friends is often what reveals the true picture. Experienced clinicians insist on speaking with those closest to her.Prioritize an in-person evaluation when someone is not improving. Subtle changes in affect, expression and behavior are easier to read face-to-face than on a screen, and judicious in-person visits matter most precisely when an individual is doing poorly.Coordinate across providers. A connected, team-based approach, and the idea behind a collaborative care model, help ensure that a therapist, prescriber and obstetrician are not working from partial views.When to seek helpFamilies should never dismiss dramatic personality changes, unusual beliefs, paranoia or a sudden loss of touch with reality in the weeks after a birth. Postpartum psychosis is a medical emergency, and it warrants urgent inpatient hospitalization, preferably in a dedicated mother-baby psychiatric unit. If symptoms like these appear, seek care immediately rather than waiting to see whether they pass. When there is any concern about a mother’s or infant’s safety, contact emergency services or go to the nearest emergency room.The most hopeful part of this difficult subject is that the illness is often treatable once it is correctly identified. Getting to the right diagnosis and getting the right care is what allows that kind of improvement to reach the mothers who need it. If something does not feel right after giving birth, keep asking questions until the concern is fully addressed.This story was published by LifeStance Health and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The hottest new degree on campus this fall? A bachelor’s in content creation The hottest new degree on campus this fall? A bachelor’s in content creationArizona State University will enroll its first Content Creation majors this fall. The bachelor’s degree, housed in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, teaches video and podcast production, audience analytics, and personal branding, and its capstone requires students to build a following on a platform of their choice and show measurable growth before they graduate. It is the newest entry in a quiet wave: Three content creation bachelor’s degrees launched in the fall of 2023 alone, and Syracuse University opened the nation’s first academic center for the creator economy last September, Net Influencer reports.These programs are easy to mock. Nobody needs a diploma to go viral, and the MrBeasts, Ms. Rachels, and Alix Earles of the world never majored in it.The story is the scale of the need. An entire economy now runs on this breed of entertainment, personality-driven video built to capture and hold attention in the feed: creator companies staffed like studios, brands building creator teams of their own, agencies in between. All of it is thirsty for people who understand how it works, and until now those people were trained nowhere. The degrees are for them, not for the stars.One Face on Camera, a Company Underneath Net Influencer The organization behind MrBeast, one of the largest creator businesses on earth, spans Beast Industries, Feastables, Beast Philanthropy, and Viewstats. A Net Influencer reconstruction of public employment records counts roughly 370 people working there today, out of more than 1,100 who have passed through over the company’s history.The most common job title in the MrBeast organization is not influencer. It is producer, followed by assistant editor and camera operator. Barely a third of the jobs today involve making content; the rest sit in operations, finance, engineering, marketing, and HR, the jobs of a mid-size media company. One face carries the channel. The rest is a company, and every seat in it demands fluency in a breed of entertainment nobody was teaching.The pattern holds at every scale. “Hiring people was the turning point when my work started to feel like a small business,” says creator Ryan Kelly. Creators stall at the point where growth means management, and the successful ones recruit seasoned executives, because operating experience is the one thing an audience cannot teach. The trade runs both ways: the executives arrive with the operating experience and must develop a fluency in the attention economy that no previous job taught them. A creator, at scale, is a payroll.Attention Is the Contest Net Influencer Creator companies staff for attention natively, because attention is the business. Beast Industries spent June recruiting a Head of TikTok for all MrBeast ventures, and the posting’s requirements measure how thin the qualified pool is: six to ten years running TikTok or short-form social for a major creator or consumer brand, with team management and proven channel growth. TikTok has been available in the United States for eight years. The company is asking for someone who has held a job almost as long as the job has existed.Brands are bidding for the same thin pool, in public. The job postings of the last two months read like a roll call of the consumer economy: Unilever building a global influencer function, and Cadillac, e.l.f. Beauty, Temu, SharkNinja, Rivian, Instacart, Hilton, Campbell’s, SEGA, and Warner Music Group all hiring creator and influencer roles, with OnePay offering $240,000 to $290,000 for a Head of Social and Influencer Marketing. These are not media companies; they are car makers, soup makers, and hotels, and a $290,000 salary for social media is what scarcity looks like. Ishveen Jolly, founder of OpenSponsorship, summarizes where the market has landed: no brand is skipping influencer marketing anymore; the only question left is whether to do it in-house or through a third party.The logic driving this is one mapped in June. Attention lives in feeds, content spoils in hours, and no marketing department can produce at feed velocity, so companies buy the capacity from creators. But the buying side is itself skilled work: sourcing, vetting, briefing, negotiating, measuring. Gabe Gordon of the agency Reach watched that work move onto payrolls, with large companies writing standing job descriptions for roles that used to be one-off agency engagements. Marketing has run this play before: the tech sector began pulling agency work in-house around 2013, starting with media buying. What is moving in-house now is the entire discipline of manufactured attention.Nobody Trained This Payroll Net Influencer “Influencer marketing is kind of stuck in most brands because they cannot hire,” says Aurélie Sauthier, who runs the influencer agency Maiden. The discipline does not scale like software, she notes. It scales like staffing, and the staff does not exist.Jeremy Barbara, a consultant who builds influencer programs inside brands, prices the gap in time: Hiring one in-house influencer marketer takes about six months, then three to six months of testing before anything works, roughly a year from decision to functioning program. The brands that call him keep arriving with the same opening line: we do not know where to start.Run-of-the-mill marketing degrees have not improved the talent pipeline. Jacob Hiler, a marketing professor at Ohio University, says the standard curriculum has barely moved since his own student days: still the four P’s, consumer behavior, market research. Kyle Hjelmeseth and Kofo Jolaoso, who run the talent firm G&B Digital Management and the education venture College of Influence, dated the gap precisely: Until this year, students received virtually no education about influencer marketing, despite its becoming a giant share of the digital marketing mix. An economy-wide hiring need, met by a syllabus written before the feed existed. Markets do not leave gaps like that open.The Tuition Was Already Being PaidThe paradox of creator education is that the information is free, and people pay anyway. One course business has put more than 30,000 students through its programs. One creator community charges $5,000 a year. Talent firms now run mandatory monthly workshops for their own rosters, and the YouTube franchise Spy Ninjas is building what it calls a creator class, “essentially like a creator university,” where recruits are paid while they learn. Every technique these programs teach is a search away. What buyers pay for was never the information. It is structure, mentorship, and a signal they can show someone else.That signal is becoming formal. The industry has started manufacturing credentials for itself: BBB National Programs is building an influencer certification, digital training with an exam and a credential at the end, and the EU, Australia, and India already run formal creator training and certification. An industry writing its own exams has stopped debating whether the training matters. It is deciding who the certifier of record will be, and the universities are slowly noticing that trade groups, foreign regulators, and the creators themselves are encroaching on turf that was historically theirs. They have been responding in ascending order of prestige: a community college certificate in 2022, three bachelor’s degrees at small colleges in 2023, a Texas public university in 2024, and the flagship journalism schools in 2026.What Film School Actually Sold Net Influencer Higher education has run this exact sequence before. On Feb. 6, 1929, the University of Southern California opened a course called Introduction to Photoplay, built with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, with Douglas Fairbanks giving the first lecture and a founding faculty that read like a studio call sheet: Mary Pickford, D.W. Griffith, Ernst Lubitsch, Irving Thalberg, Darryl Zanuck. USC’s own history records that the “crazy idea was the talk of Hollywood.” Three years later, USC granted America’s first bachelor’s degree in cinema, in 1932.Film school never minted stars. The great directors still come from everywhere, and the degree was never selling stardom anyway. It sold three things, and all three worked: standardized training for the crew, a hiring pipeline for the studios, and a respectable reason for parents to fund a child’s entry into a disreputable industry.The two clocks nearly match. Film: one course in 1929, a degree in 1932. Creators: a first-of-its-kind influencer course at USC in 2019, the first bachelor’s degrees in 2023, the flagship journalism schools in 2026.The wave will produce failures, the way credential markets always do. East Carolina’s much-publicized MrBeast credentialing partnership never launched, and Columbia College Chicago is folding its early social media major into a generic marketing degree. Neither is evidence against the trend. It is how a real market separates winners from losers.The Universities Need This, TooWhat makes institutionalization stick is that the need runs both directions. Higher education is under a microscope on return on investment, enrollment is the revenue line, and journalism schools have spent a decade watching their traditional destination industry shrink. For Cronkite and its peers, the creator economy is a lifeline.Nobody sits closer to that calculation than Mark J. Lodato, who spent 14 years at Arizona State’s Cronkite School and now, as dean of Syracuse’s Newhouse School, is building the rival: a Center for the Creator Economy led jointly with the business school, with a minor open to any major on campus. He describes the demand engine plainly: students argue they do not need college because they can earn as creators, while their parents very much want the diploma. The standoff resolves in the university’s favor. The student gets the industry, the parent gets the degree, and the school gets the enrollment. His warning to his own sector is blunt: The creator economy will keep pushing higher education to adapt, and if it fails, the industry will pass it by.The Filters Are Coming Net Influencer The industry built these jobs on its own. The degrees are the outside world catching up: The institutions that certify professions have decided this one qualifies. The sequence from here is predictable because it has run before: standardized titles, then salary bands, then credential filters, then campus recruiting. No job posting anywhere requires a degree in content creation yet, and none will for years. That is what early looks like. The jobs arrive first. The filters follow. And at the end of the sequence, one school’s name becomes the default line on a résumé. That is what certifier of record means, and the contest for it opened this fall.The graduates will go, overwhelmingly, to work for creators and for the brands chasing them. Twenty years from now, nobody will ask why anyone would major in content creation. For the jobs that fill the org chart under the face, the strategists, campaign managers, and producers, the question will point the other way: Why would we hire someone without it? The studios that called film school a crazy idea spent the next century hiring from it. The companies laughing now will do the same, and sooner.This story was produced by Net Influencer and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	When is the best time to move? What a million moves say about timing When is the best time to move? What a million moves say about timingThe best time to move is mid-September through mid-October. Movers are more available, the weather is comfortable for heavy lifting, and you are not competing with half the country for the same weekend.Most guides get there by a different route. Nearly every "best time to move" article tells you to move in January to save money. But across more than a million completed local moves over the past five years, the month barely impacts the price, according to data from Lugg, an on-demand moving and delivery service. The gap between the cheapest month of the year and the priciest is under 4%. What the calendar does decide is whether the date and the arrival window you want are still available when you go to book, and that varies a great deal.Almost all of this is about local moving. Roughly three in four Americans who move each year stay within the same state, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The everyday American move is a few rooms of furniture carried a few miles across town, which is the kind this data covers.Is there a cheapest month to move?Not in any way worth planning around. Month by month the median price moves within a couple of percent of itself all year, with no real seasonal shape to it.Whether that holds for you depends on your moving company. Some add a peak-season surcharge in the busy months and some do not, so it is worth asking how yours prices before treating the calendar as neutral. Interstate movers are explicit about it: the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's own moving glossary defines peak season rates as higher line haul charges applicable during the summer months. Hourly moving companies work differently again, generally billing $105 to $165 an hour for two movers, with minimums that keep even a short job from being cheap.What is the busiest month for movers?August, and it has been every year Lugg has measured. According to the data, August runs about 23% above an average month and roughly half again as busy as December at the other end of the year. The industry's own calendar agrees on the shape: The American Trucking Associations calls May National Moving Month and describes peak season as running from May through the summer. May is the ramp, and August is the peak. Ask for a specific date and arrival window in February and you will usually get it. Ask in August and you are picking from what is left. How hard that bites depends on where you live: In Boston, August runs at twice an average month, while Los Angeles and Seattle barely have a season at all.The best season to moveFall, September through November, is the sweet spot. Demand falls off sharply after Labor Day. Families are settled into the school year, and summer leases have turned over. There is more crew capacity around, so you are more likely to get the date and arrival window you asked for.The first days of September are their own rush, though. In cities built around a Sept. 1 lease turn, the turnover is dense enough to have earned a name. Boston calls it Allston Christmas. If your lease dates are flexible at all, aiming for the second half of the month puts you past it.Winter, December through February, is the quietest stretch. December and February are the two quietest months, so this is when you have the widest choice of dates. But weather can be a factor. A storm can delay a move by days, and shorter daylight leaves less room if the job runs long, so a holiday-season move needs more slack in the plan than a September one. If you are somewhere without hard winters, like Phoenix, Los Angeles or Miami, winter is the easiest time of year to move and carries little of that risk.Spring is the ramp. Volume climbs steadily out of the February trough as end-of-lease season begins, and keeps climbing through the summer. If you are selling a home, spring is prime time. If you are renting, the deeper into the season you go the more you are competing for the same weekends.Summer is the peak. Most people move in summer, because of school schedules, graduations, and the simple fact that nobody wants to move in a snowstorm. That does not mean you pay more, but it does mean tighter scheduling and less give on your arrival window. College move-out and move-in compress into a few days on either side of the academic calendar, so a dorm move is worth booking as far ahead as the school will confirm the date.Does the day of the week matter?For the price, no. For getting the slot you want, more than you would think. Across more than 250,000 completed Lugg moves in the past year, Saturday and Friday are the two busiest days by a clear margin and Thursday is the quietest, with a little over 20% between them. Sunday sits in the middle.So the old advice to move midweek is right, for the wrong reason. It will not cut your bill, because the price does not depend on the day. What it buys is an emptier day: more crews free, lighter traffic, and less competition for a parking spot, a loading zone or a freight elevator. If your lease dates give you a choice between a Saturday and a Wednesday, take the Wednesday.When the date is not up to youMost people do not get to pick a month. A lease ends, a closing date lands, a job starts, and the calendar is decided for you. Four smaller levers usually stay open.Where your date falls inside the month is the first, and it matters more than the month itself. Leases cluster at the edges, and the last three days of a month run about 16% busier than a mid-month day according to Lugg data. If your lease gives you any latitude at all, the 12th is a much easier day than the 31st.The building is the second, and it is usually the real bottleneck rather than the movers. Freight elevator reservations and loading dock windows go first come, first served, and in a large building the good ones are gone weeks out. Reserve that window as soon as your lease is signed, then book the move to fit it.Lead time is the third, and it is where the season shows up most clearly. August is the one month of the year when the typical mover plans ahead, and planning ahead of them is the whole advantage.Time of day is the fourth lever, and the one almost nobody uses. The earliest arrival window your building allows is the best one: The crew is fresh rather than coming off another job, you beat afternoon traffic, and in summer you avoid the worst of the heat. Early windows are also the easiest to book, since most people default to mid-morning or afternoon.Is it cheaper to move in winter?The move itself, no. The apartment, yes. The national median rent falls by about 1.6% from its summer peak to its low point in November, according to Apartment List, and landlords are more willing to offer move-in incentives when fewer people want to sign a lease in the cold. The trade-off is a smaller selection of units, which matters most if it is your first apartment.An apartment move also carries a cost the calendar cannot help with, which is paying two rents at once. If your dates are negotiable, closing the gap between leases is the first thing to fix. On timing, September through November is the easiest window: Summer is peak turnover season, especially in college towns and dense cities, and by September the rush is over, so there is more negotiating room on the apartment itself and an easier time booking a cross-town move into it.What actually reduces the billThe month, the weekday and the time of day barely move the price. The following factors do, and they are worth more of your planning than any date.Reduce the volume. Every item carried costs time, so sell, donate or clear out anything not making the trip. If a good pile of it is going nowhere, finding the dump or donation center before moving day is cheaper than carrying it twice.Be packed before the crew arrives. Boxed, labeled and staged near the door. This is the single largest controllable factor in how long a job takes, and it starts with having the right supplies on hand a few days early.Disassemble ahead of time. Bed frames apart, table legs off, hardware in labeled bags taped to the piece.Get the vehicle right the first time. A second trip costs more than the next size up, so size the truck to the load before you book.Book with enough runway. A week out puts you ahead of the great majority of August bookings and gives you the widest choice of arrival windows. Off season, a few days is usually plenty.How to pick your moving dateIf you have a choice, move in late September or October, mid-month rather than at either end, and midweek if your lease will allow it. Volume is off its peak, the weather is workable, and the dates are still open. If scheduling freedom matters more than the weather, December and February are the quietest months of the year.What you should not do is reorganize your life around the calendar expecting a discount. How much you are moving, and how ready you are when the crew arrives, is the bill.This story was produced by Lugg and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Monmouth Smithfield Foods worker dead after workplace incident A worker at the Smithfield Foods Monmouth location died Monday morning after a workplace incident.
	Finding the best skin care routine for acne-prone skin Finding the best skin care routine for acne-prone skinWhat is acne?Acne is a common skin condition that happens when hair follicles become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and sometimes bacteria. It can appear anywhere on the body but is most common on the face, back, chest, and shoulders. Acne can range from mild congestion to more inflamed breakouts. Dove breaks down the different types of acne to help you choose the best skin care routine for your skin’s needs.Whiteheads: These are small bumps that form when pores become clogged and remain closed at the surface of the skin. They often appear white or flesh-coloured and are a common form of mild acne.Blackheads: Blackheads happen when a clogged pore stays open. The dark appearance isn’t dirt, it’s caused by oxidation when oil and dead skin cells are exposed to air.Papules: These are small, red, inflamed bumps that can feel tender to the touch. Papules develop when clogged pores become irritated and inflamed.Pustules: Often recognized as classic “pimples,” pustules are red bumps with a white or yellow center filled with pus. They can occur when inflammation and bacteria build up within the pore.Nodules: Nodules are larger, deeper, and more painful breakouts that form beneath the skin’s surface. They can take longer to heal and may require targeted treatment.Cystic acne: This is one of the more severe forms of acne. Cysts are deep, painful, pus-filled breakouts that can increase the risk of scarring if not treated carefully.What causes acne?Acne can develop for a number of different reasons, and often it’s caused by a combination of factors rather than just one. Understanding what may be triggering your breakouts can help you build an effective acne-prone skin routine.Excess oil production: When the skin produces too much oil (sebum), it can mix with dead skin cells and clog pores, creating the perfect environment for breakouts to form.Clogged pores: Dead skin cells, oil, and impurities can build up inside pores, leading to congestion and acne, such as blackheads and whiteheads.Bacteria on the skin: A build-up of acne-causing bacteria inside clogged pores can trigger inflammation, redness, and more noticeable breakouts.Hormonal changes: Fluctuations in hormones — particularly during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, or periods of stress — can increase oil production and contribute to acne flare-ups.Stress: While stress doesn’t directly cause acne, it can increase cortisol levels, which may stimulate oil production and worsen existing breakouts.Diet and lifestyle factors: For some people, factors like lack of sleep, dehydration, smoking, or certain foods may contribute to breakouts or inflammation, although triggers can vary from person to person.Heavy or irritating skincare products: Using products that are too harsh, overly oily, or not suited to your skin type can clog pores or irritate the skin, potentially making acne worse.Friction and sweat: Tight clothing, sports equipment, or sweat sitting on the skin for long periods can contribute to body acne, especially on the back, chest, and shoulders.Morning routine for acne-prone skinThe right morning and night skin care routine is a key step towards clearer skin.Your new morning skin care routine starts in the shower, with a whole-body cleanse using with 1% clearing Salicylic Acid. This helps remove overnight oil build-up without stripping your skin.Follow with a lightweight, non-comedogenic body moisturizer.Don’t forget your SPF — a broad-spectrum sunscreen is essential to protect your skin from UV damage, which can make acne worse.Nighttime skin care routine for acne-prone skinYour night skin care routine is all about removing the day’s impurities. It can be tempting to reach for harsh products to tackle acne, but acne-prone skin is often sensitive, and gentleness is your best friend.Ready to wash away the day? A sensitive-skin-specific body wash is perfect for this step, offering a thorough cleanse without irritation. A bar version of this also gently washes away germs and dirt, while treating your skin to a big dose of hydration.Once a week, add a gentle exfoliation to help remove dead skin and boost your skin’s radiance.Follow with a nourishing moisturizer to repair and soothe your skin overnight. Look out for a non-greasy, barrier-boosting option.Top tips for managing acne-prone skinConsistency is key. Stick to your routine both morning and night.Be gentle. Avoid harsh scrubs and over-washing, which can irritate your skin.Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water to keep your skin healthy from the inside out.Mind your diet. Foods high in sugar and dairy can sometimes trigger breakouts.Don’t pick. As tempting as it is, picking can lead to scarring and further breakouts.What do dermatologists recommend for acne-prone skin?Dermatologists often recommend taking a balanced approach to your acne skin care routine. They suggest using products with proven ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide while maintaining a gentle touch, as targeted acne treatments can leave skin sensitive and dry..This story was produced by Dove and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Jeni Grouws Band brings blues, soul, roots to Cambridge concert Acclaimed singer-songwriter Jeni Grouws will bring her powerful blend of blues, soul and roots rock to Ca d’Zan House Concerts in Cambridge on Friday, Sept. 18. Presented by Crossroads Cultural Connections, the all-ages concert will begin at 7 p.m., after an optional community potluck dinner at 6 p.m. Bishop Hill Creative Commons will serve as [...]
	Galesburg announces cemetery cleanup week Cleanup at Linwood and East Linwood Cemeteries in Galesburg starts later this month. The City of Galesburg said cleanup week at the cemeteries will be Sept. 28 -Oct. 2. Cemetery staff will remove all decorations, flowers, flags and other items placed on gravesites. Families and plot owners who wish to keep the items should pick [...]
	Companion robots are embodied AI's first real market Companion robots are embodied AI's first real marketFuzozo looks like a plush toy small enough to clip onto a bag. But the little robot has become a big hit: it costs 399 yuan ($55) and has sold nearly 300,000 units in China since launching in July 2025. Robopoet, the Shanghai company behind it, says many users talk to Fuzozo for more than 40 minutes a day.The robot is one of a growing class of products known as "cyber pets" or "companion robots," many of which are on show at IFA Berlin this month. Some look like animals, some walk around on their own, while others burp, purr or simply sit there and talk to you. Few have any function beyond providing company, but they are proving to be embodied AI's first real commercial success.Consumer robot maker OlloBot explores the rise of companion robots and what their early success says about the future of embodied AI.Where the commercialization isEmbodied AI, simply put, refers to AI systems that can perceive and interact with the physical world. The category is most commonly associated with humanoid robots, which have gone viral over the past year for falling over, dancing and generally doing things that look more entertaining than useful. But there is serious money behind the hype. Goldman Sachs Research puts the global humanoid market at $38 billion by 2035. Morgan Stanley Research forecasts a $5 trillion market by 2050, with more than 1 billion machines in service.Yet, the industry is still struggling to decide what exactly these humanoid machines are for. Will they be used mainly for factory work, assisting older people or dancing at trade shows? Zhu Xiaohu, managing partner at GSR Ventures, put it well: "Every humanoid robot can do somersaults, but where is the commercialization?"Companion robots, by contrast, may not be able to do somersaults, but they are already selling in large numbers. Fuzozo, which GSR Ventures now backs, moved roughly 40,000 units during China's 618 shopping festival in June. Haivivi's BubblePal, a clip-on charm that turns any soft toy into a talking one, claimed more than 300,000 units at its U.S. launch in April.So why are companion robots delivering sales so much faster than their humanoid equivalents?One reason is that the need for companionship is hardly new. The World Health Organization reported last year that one in six people worldwide experience loneliness. It found the highest rates among people aged 13 to 29, with between 17% and 21% reporting loneliness.Pet ownership has traditionally helped ease feelings of isolation. More than 1 billion pets live in households worldwide, and in a survey by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute, 98% of owners reported at least one health benefit from their animals, including reduced loneliness.But not everybody can have a pet. That includes renters whose leases prohibit them, residents of care facilities, frequent travelers, people with allergies and older adults concerned about outliving an animal. Then there are people who simply don't like fluff on the sofa.From fixed behavior to language modelsThe idea of making robots that can substitute for pets has been around for decades. R2-D2, K9 and Doraemon sold the world on machines that could keep people company long before it was possible to build one. But in reality, most things marketed as "robot pets" haven't come close to simulating the relationships people enjoy with their animals.The most famous historically was Sony's Aibo, a robotic dog that launched in 1999 and sold in large numbers. However, it was limited by its fixed behavior. Aibo could respond to touch and roll over like a real canine, but it could not tell one owner from another, and nothing you said to it would change how it behaved the next day.If all you wanted was companionship, a teddy bear did just about as well as Aibo and never needed charging.The second reason is technological. Large language models, and advances in AI more broadly, have freed cyber pets from limited programmable behaviors. Put an LLM inside Aibo and you get something that can listen, answer in its own words and remember what you told it last week. That is the premise behind the current generation of devices at IFA.Studies suggest LLMs can be surprisingly good at producing empathetic responses. In a 2023 JAMA Internal Medicine study, licensed clinicians rated chatbot answers to patient questions as empathetic or very empathetic 45.1% of the time, compared with just 4.6% for responses from physicians.That ability helps make this generation of cyber pets a plausible alternative to keeping an animal: less mess, less maintenance, but still capable of providing comfort to their owners.The growing pains of a fast marketNone of this is to say the sector's success has been without controversy. The massive demand for these products has prompted many companies to rush their own versions to market, and some have been careless about who they sell to and what they ship.Many companion robots are marketed as toys, but the language models that power them require serious safeguards before they are suitable for children. U.S. PIRG tested four AI-enabled toys last year and found that some would discuss sexually explicit material and tell a child where to find matches and knives. Common Sense Media has advised against these products entirely for children aged 5 and under.In other cases, children have woken up to find their robot pets effectively dead after the company running them went out of business. Embodied Inc.â€˜s $799 Moxie companion stopped working after the company shut down because all of its interactions depended on the company's servers. Owners had no way to keep the product running.These problems are relatively easy to fix. Devices should be able to run locally, and companies need to set appropriate age ratings. Nobody wants any old chatbot to be reading their children a bedtime story. But most importantly, these are complications of a young industry moving fast, not one that has failed to find buyers.The humanoid sector has the opposite problem. The demonstrations are impressive and the forecasts are enormous, but the question Zhu raised about commercialization remains unanswered.Humanoids may eventually find their place in factories and hospitals. But embodied AI's first real market is already here: the home, where people are buying robots simply for companionship.This story was produced by OlloBot and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Eight Autumn Outdoor Power Equipment Tips to Avoid Headaches Later (NAPSI)—Once the grass gets its final cut and the leaves are handled, it’s time to swap out the lawn mower, blower, and trimmer for the snow thrower, generator, and chainsaw. The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) says handling equipment this fall sets the stage for when the weather turns colder. “A little prep now means less stress—and fewer repair bills—later,” sums up 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.What To DoHere are eight quick tips for getting ready for fall equipment storage and winter weather:1. Follow the manual. Review the manufacturer’s guide and follow all safety steps—especially how to shut down equipment quickly. Never disable or remove safety features.2. Service before storage. Do all maintenance as directed by the owner’s manual. Clean, change oil, swap filters, and handle any repairs before parking summer gear. Give winter equipment a once-over, too. 3. Manage fuel smartly. Be sure to run tanks empty before storage. For winter equipment, use fresh fuel (most engines run on no more than 10% ethanol), add stabilizer according to manufacturer’s guidelines, and use fuel within 30 days.4. Charge and store batteries correctly. Fully charge batteries, keep them away from metal, and store in a climate-controlled space.5. Keep gear sheltered. Store summer equipment where it’s clean and dry. Keep winter gear handy but out of the weather.6. Clear the way. Make space in the garage or shed now. Remove yard debris, toys, and other hazards from the yard before tree leaf piles or snow hide them.7. Be generator-ready. Stock heavy-duty, outdoor-rated cords long enough to run your generator at a safe distance from the house. Never operate it indoors or near openings.8. Keep what’s most important inside. When operating any outdoor power equipment, kids and pets should be indoors and supervised. Learn MoreFor more on safety, visit OPEI.org.Word Count: 324
	Deere bringing back more than 375 Quad Cities factory workers Officials said they have brought back or hired more than 800 employees across Iowa and Illinois since January.
	The producer of Fleabag and Baby Reindeer's tip for finding a hit? Don't look for one Theatre producer Francesca Moody has a remarkable record of spotting shows that go on to have wide success. At the Edinburgh Fringe festival, she told NPR about what she looks for in a performance.
	Tummy troubles for Fido? How to help your pet feel better (BPT) - Diarrhea in pets has a way of showing up at the worst possible time, leaving pet parents scrambling for answers and unsure whether to wait it out or call the vet. It's one of the most common reasons pets feel under the weather, and it's not always obvious what will actually help.Ahead of National Cat & Dog Gut Health Awareness Day on September 21, Purina Veterinary Nutritionist Martha Cline, DVM, DACVIM, shares some tips on what pet parents should know about easing their pet's tummy troubles as soon as possible and keeping their gut healthy so it's less likely to happen again.What's causing your pet's diarrhea?Diarrhea is a common complaint in both dogs and cats, with a wide range of potential causes, but there are two common culprits: diet and stress. A sudden food switch, a change in routine, new construction noise, or even a new pet or baby in the house can all play a role.3 ways to help your pet feel better1. Slowly introduce new foods"If you've recently introduced a new food, it might not be sitting well with your cat or dog," said Dr. Cline. "A slower introduction, or mixing it with their usual food, can help their stomach adjust." If your pet's diet has not changed, a temporary switch to a highly digestible or fiber-enhanced diet may help. Confirm with your vet before making any changes.2. Provide a quiet environmentIf things have been chaotic at home lately, give your pet a way to reset. For cats, that could be a place to escape the hustle and bustle, like a cozy hideaway or a special box of their own. Dogs tend to do best when sticking closely to their routine. Extra one-on-one attention and a chew toy can also help burn off nervous energy.3. Consider a supplementFor extra support, skip the human medicine cabinet and stick to supplements designed specifically for pets."The best supplements for pets are created in collaboration with veterinarians with expertise in health and nutrition," said Dr. Cline.FortiFlora Diarrhea Response Kit for pets (dogs; cats) with occasional diarrhea from Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements is one option. Developed by Purina scientists, it pairs FortiFlora Response stick packs for short-term use to help firm loose stools with FortiFlora sachets — the No. 1 vet-recommended probiotic brand to support digestive health, no prescription required. FortiFlora Response stick packs contain kaolin and pectin to soothe the GI tract during times of loose stool, and come in an easy-to-mix, liver-flavored powder you can pour right into your pet's bowl."Diarrhea can be difficult for pets and pet parents, but having a plan takes a lot of stress out of it," said Dr. Cline. "Keeping something like the FortiFlora Diarrhea Response Kit on hand means you're ready no matter when it strikes."Additional signs to watch forIt helps to note how long the diarrhea lasts and any other symptoms that show up. These details can point to whether there's a bigger issue."If you notice vomiting, changes in appetite or energy, or diarrhea that isn't improving or worsens within 72 hours, it's time to call your veterinarian," added Dr. Cline.The best supplements for pets are created in collaboration with veterinarians with expertise in health and nutrition.How to prep for your vet visitIf you do need to see your vet, a little prep goes a long way:Take note of the details. Frequency, whether there's blood or mucus, and any straining are all useful to share. The Fecal Scoring Chart from Purina Institute is a helpful tool for describing what you're seeing.Collect a sample so your vet can screen for parasites, another common cause of diarrhea.Offer plenty of fresh water to help prevent dehydration.How to support your pet's gut health long-termAn episode of diarrhea can be handled in the moment, but the goal is to help your pet avoid another round of it. That's where the FortiFlora sachets come in: daily use helps keep your pet's digestive and immune systems on track. They contain Enterococcus lactis SF68, a safe, effective single-strain probiotic that helps promote healthy digestive and immune systems, backed by over 20 years of research.So next time your pet's stomach acts up, there's no more debating what to do or searching for answers at midnight. With a plan already in place, pet parents can skip the stress and get straight to helping their pet feel better.Online survey among all qualified U.S. veterinarians who indicated the brand as one of 1-3 brands recommended, Q4 2025.
	What are the early signs of suicidal ideation? What are the early signs of suicidal ideation?Suicide is a leading cause of death in the U.S. and around the world. Research from 2023 found that one person died by suicide every 11 minutes in the U.S. Despite this, suicide is considered preventable — especially when you’re familiar with suicide warning signs.Most people who take their own life exhibit warning signs, like changes in behavior, mood, or way of thinking. Rula shares what to look for to help recognize when someone is in distress, so you can connect them with the lifesaving care they deserve.Key TakeawaysSuicide is a leading cause of death in the U.S., but it can be prevented with help from a loved one.Learning to recognize suicide warning signs, like changes in behavior or mood, can help you understand when someone is in distress.If someone in your life is struggling with their mental health and well-being, encourage them to speak with a mental health professional right away. You can even help them find a therapist.*A note on safety: The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7 confidential support through trained crisis counselors. If you or someone you care about is experiencing emotional distress, self-harm, or a suicidal crisis, please call or text 988. For life-threatening emergencies or immediate assistance, call 911.1. Things someone might sayTalking about wanting to die or expressing hopelessness can be a warning sign of suicide risk. Sometimes, people may voice thoughts of suicide directly or indirectly. For example, they might say, “I wish I wasn’t here,” or, “Nobody needs me.” When someone expresses thoughts like these, it’s a sign they may be struggling and could benefit from immediate support.If it seems like someone in your life is having a difficult time, make a point to pay attention to their words. Someone who’s contemplating suicide may talk about:Feeling hopelessHaving no reason to liveBeing a burden to othersFeeling trapped or emptyFeeling unbearable painWishing they weren’t alive 2. Changes in mood and behaviorIt’s common for people who die by suicide to exhibit changes in mood and behavior. A study of people who previously attempted suicide found that some common behavior changes were increased isolation, anxiety and agitation, and worsening of pre-existing mental health symptoms.Other examples of mood and behavior changes that can come before suicide include:Increased use of drugs and/or alcoholWithdrawing from friends, family members, and/or social activitiesNoticeable changes in eating and/or sleeping habitsLosing interest in personal appearance and hygieneSaying goodbye to family and friendsGiving away prized possessionsRecent suicide attempt(s) or self-harming behavior3. Self-harming behaviorsSelf-harm, or nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), is when a person intentionally harms themself without the intent to die. Self-harm can take many forms, including cutting, burning, and scratching. Not everyone who self-harms has suicidal intent, but it is considered a risk factor for suicide.Signs of self-harming behaviors include:Having unexplained injuries, like cuts or burnsWearing long sleeves or pants, even in hot weatherAvoiding situations in which other people might see their skinExpressing feelings of hopelessness or worthlessnessExperiencing low self-esteem 4. Social and environmental influencesWhen considering a person’s risk of suicide, it’s important to think about all aspects of their life. Everyone is different, but certain social and environmental influences may contribute to suicidal thoughts and behaviors.Individual risk factors: Previous suicide attempt(s), unmanaged mental health condition(s), legal problemsRelationship risk factors: Social withdrawal, being in a violent relationship, having a loved one who took their own lifeCommunity risk factors: Community violence, discrimination, limited access to healthcareProtective factors against suicideIt’s important to recognize suicide warning signs, but it's also essential to understand how to prevent suicide in the first place. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, there are several proven protective factors against suicide.These protective factors include:Access to mental health providers, like therapists, psychologists, and/or psychiatristsA strong support network and feeling connected to family, friends, and communityHealthy coping mechanisms and problem-solving skillsBelief systems that encourage connection, purpose, and self-awarenessWhat to do if you notice a red flagIf someone in your life seems to be at risk of suicide, you’re probably wondering how you can help. Research shows that the majority of people say they’d like to support a loved one in this situation, but fear they’d say the wrong thing or make the situation worse.There’s no rulebook for navigating this situation, but the following tips can help you address the topic with sensitivity and compassion.1. Start the conversationIf you're concerned about a loved one who seems to be struggling, make a point to check in. Not everyone will show obvious suicide warning signs, so trust your gut and ask how they're doing.Consider directly asking, "Have you ever had thoughts of suicide?" Otherwise, even a simple comment, like, “I know life can be hard sometimes. I’m always here if you want to talk,” can make a meaningful difference.2. Remember to listenWhen someone decides to open up to you, the best thing you can do is listen. Instead of panicking or challenging their thoughts and feelings, try to remain calm and supportive. Social support has been shown to reduce people’s risk of suicide.3. Notice and respondRecognizing when someone may be at risk of suicide can help you take appropriate action. As a friend or loved one, your role isn’t to diagnose or formally assess risk. That’s the job of trained mental health professionals.But you can help by making their environment safer — like removing medications, alcohol, or firearms — and connecting them to support. In other cases, support might mean calling 988 for the crisis hotline or bringing them to a hospital.Clinician’s takeA subtle but important warning sign is when someone starts giving away possessions or tying up ‘loose ends.’ It can seem thoughtful or generous on the surface, but it may be an early signal that they’re preparing for the possibility of not being around anymore. — Brandy Chalmers, LPC, Clinical reviewerThis story was produced by Rula and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	How much does it cost to raise a child in 2026? How much does it cost to raise a child in 2026?Every fall brings the same rhythm: new backpacks, first-day-of-school photos, and a fresh round of expenses that seem to grow a little more each year. Whether it's packing lunches for a kindergartner, writing tuition checks for a college freshman, or somewhere in between, the cost of raising a child in the U.S. has reached a point that's reshaping how families budget, save, and plan, Hometap reports.Raising a child through age 18 now costs $303,418 — the first time that figure has topped $300,000, and a jump of nearly 28% in just three years. And that's before a single college tuition bill arrives.Below is a breakdown of what each stage of childhood costs right now, from daycare to college, including some of the extras that don't always make it into the budget.Daycare and childcare: the early crunchFor many families, the financial reality of parenthood hits hardest before a child ever sets foot in a classroom. The national average price of childcare reached $13,184 a year in 2025.That annual price tag makes up 10% of a two-parent household's median income and 33% of a single parent's. Infant care can run even higher, averaging roughly $14,760 a year at a daycare center.Center-based infant care now costs more than in-state public college tuition in the majority of states. For families with two children in care, childcare for two exceeds median rent in every state with available data.In one recent survey, the average parent reported spending 22% of their household income on childcare, and 20% reported going into debt to afford it.Summer camp: the seasonal budget-busterJust as school-year childcare bills pause, summer arrives with its own price tag. For working parents, summer camp often provides essential coverage for the months when school is out — and it's getting pricier.Day camp averaged about $87 per day based on 2024 data, which adds up to more than $400 a week per child. Overnight camp roughly doubles that, at around $173 per day.Multiplied across a few weeks of camp — and across more than one child — a season of camp can rival a mortgage payment.Back-to-school and K-12 costsOnce the school year begins, spending shifts to supplies, clothes, and technology. Families with children in elementary through high school plan to spend an average of $863.86 on back-to-school shopping in 2026, pushing total K-12 back-to-school spending to a record $43.3 billion nationwide.The typical family's budget breaks down roughly like this:Electronics: $293.11Clothing and accessories: $250.29Shoes: $174.01School supplies: $146.45That's just the start-of-year haul — it doesn't account for the extracurriculars, field trips, sports fees, and mid-year replacements that come up over the following nine months. Hometap Private school tuitionFor families who choose private education, the numbers climb steeply. The national average for private K-12 tuition sits at $14,999 a year, with elementary schools averaging around $14,018 and high schools closer to $17,954.Costs vary widely by region and school type — tuition in the most expensive states can run well over $28,000 a year, and elite independent or boarding schools reach far higher. For a family with more than one child in private school, tuition alone can rival a second mortgage.The college years: tuition, housing, and beyondIf the early years are defined by childcare and the middle years by supplies and activities, the teen years bring one of the largest expenses most families will face for a child: college.For the 2025-26 school year, average published tuition and fees came in at:Public four-year, in-state: $11,950Public four-year, out-of-state: $31,880Private nonprofit four-year: $45,000Tuition is only part of the cost. Once housing, food, books, and other essentials are factored in, the total estimated cost of attendance jumps to roughly $30,990 a year for in-state public students and $65,470 a year at private nonprofit colleges.A few additional school costs often catch families off guard:Housing and food. Room and board average about $14,034 a year at public four-year schools, and those costs have been rising faster than tuition itself. Over four years, housing and food alone can total more than $54,760.Books and supplies. Course materials and textbooks add $1,000 on average — before the laptop or computer most first-year students buy.Technology. First-year students spend around $800 a year on technology, with the majority purchasing a computer for school.Stretched across four years — and across multiple kids — college can easily become the largest line item in a family's budget.The full picture: what it all adds up to Hometap The costs of raising a child don't arrive all at once; they compound over two decades or more. Daycare gives way to camp and school supplies, which give way to activities and possibly private tuition, which give way to college. Through all of it, the total cost of raising a child keeps climbing — up nearly 28% in just three years.For many families, these aren't discretionary expenses they can simply cut; they're the fundamentals required to set kids up for success — which is prompting more households to look for ways to manage rising costs.Home equity as a resource some families are consideringU.S. homeowners currently hold a near-record $34.9 trillion in home equity. For many individual homeowners, that translates into hundreds of thousands of dollars of value built up in a home — value that's real, but not easily converted into cash for a childcare bill or tuition payment.Rising costs are a widely reported source of financial pressure for homeowners. A survey of 1,000 U.S. homeowners found that a majority reported feeling moderately to extremely financially stressed, with rising homeownership costs cited as a top concern. Separately, mortgage rate lock-in has become a factor in homeowners' decisions to stay put: more than half of homeowners surveyed said there's no mortgage rate that would make them comfortable selling this year, according to Bankrate.Selling isn't the only way to access home equity. Homeowners who don't want to sell or take on a new monthly payment have a few options, including home equity loans, HELOCs, cash-out refinances, and a newer category of product known as a home equity investment (sometimes called a home equity agreement). With a home equity investment, a homeowner receives a lump sum of cash in exchange for a share of the home's future value, without monthly payments; the arrangement is settled — through refinancing, a loan, savings, or a home sale — within a set term, often up to 10 years.As with any financing option, a home equity investment carries costs and trade-offs, and it isn't the right fit for every homeowner. Families weighing whether to tap their equity to cover childcare, tuition, or other rising costs typically compare these options against a home equity loan or HELOC and consult a financial, tax, or legal professional to determine what best fits their situation.This story was produced by Hometap and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Deere bringing 375+ employees back to QC facilities Hundreds of employees are being called back to work at John Deere facilities in Moline and East Moline. A news release from the company said Deere plans to bring over 375 employees back to work across its Quad Cities factory operations. The company will return 150 employees to Seeding and Cylinder operations in Moline and [...]
	10 consejos para un uso más seguro del generador este invierno: Siga las instrucciones del fabricante y garantice una ventilación adecuada, dice OPEI (NAPSI)—Los generadores son fundamentales durante los eventos climáticos severos, cuando se puede cortar la electricidad. Pueden llevar energía a sitios de trabajo remotos, ayudar en la recuperación de desastres y ayudar a los propietarios de viviendas en emergencias. Durante la temporada de huracanes, el Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), una asociación comercial internacional que representa a los fabricantes y proveedores de equipos eléctricos, motores pequeños, vehículos utilitarios, automóviles de golf y vehículos de transporte personal, recuerda a los propietarios de viviendas y negocios que tengan en cuenta la seguridad al usar generadores. “No tener electricidad cuando la necesitas es frustrante, por lo que un generador puede proporcionar energía de respaldo de emergencia a un costo razonable”, dice Kris Kiser, presidente y director ejecutivo de OPEI. “Es importante seguir todas las instrucciones del fabricante y nunca colocar un generador en su garaje o dentro de su casa o edificio. Debe estar a una distancia segura de la estructura y no cerca de una toma de aire”.Algunos consejos adicionales incluyen:#1—Haga un inventario de tu generador. Asegúrese de que el equipo esté en buen estado de funcionamiento antes de iniciarlo y usarlo. Hazlo antes de que llegue una tormenta.#2—Revisa las instrucciones. Siga todas las instrucciones del fabricante. Revise los manuales del propietario (busque manuales en línea si no puede encontrarlos) para que el equipo funcione de manera segura.#3—Instala un detector de monóxido de carbono que funcione con baterías en tu casa. Esta alarma sonará si niveles peligrosos de monóxido de carbono ingresan al edificio. #4—Tenga a mano el combustible adecuado. Utilice el tipo de combustible recomendado por el fabricante del generador para proteger esta importante inversión. Es ilegal usar cualquier combustible con más del 10% de etanol en equipos eléctricos al aire libre. (Para obtener más información sobre el abastecimiento adecuado de combustible para equipos eléctricos al aire libre, visite: https://www.opei.org/programs/ethanolwarning/.) Es mejor usar combustible nuevo, pero si está usando combustible que ha estado en una lata de gasolina durante más de 30 días, agréguele estabilizador de combustible. Almacene el gas solo en un recipiente aprobado y lejos de fuentes de calor.#5—Asegúrese de que los generadores portátiles tengan suficiente ventilación. Los generadores NUNCA deben usarse en un área cerrada o colocarse dentro de una casa, un edificio o un garaje, incluso si las ventanas o puertas están abiertas. Coloque el generador afuera y lejos de ventanas, puertas y conductos de ventilación que puedan permitir que el monóxido de carbono se desplace hacia el interior.#6—Mantenga el generador seco. No utilice un generador en condiciones húmedas. Cubra y ventile un generador. Las carpas o cubiertas de generadores específicas para modelos específicos se pueden encontrar en línea para su compra y en centros para el hogar y ferreterías.#7—Solo agregue combustible a un generador frío. Antes de repostar, apague el generador y deje que se enfríe.#8—Conéctelo de forma segura. Si aún no tiene un interruptor de transferencia, puede usar los tomacorrientes del generador. Lo mejor es enchufar los electrodomésticos directamente al generador. Si debe usar un cable de extensión, debe ser resistente y estar diseñado para uso en exteriores. Debe tener una clasificación (en vatios o amperios) al menos igual a la suma de las cargas de los electrodomésticos conectados. Asegúrese de que el cable esté libre de cortes y que el enchufe tenga las tres clavijas.#9—Instale un interruptor de transferencia. Un interruptor de transferencia conecta el generador al panel de circuitos y permite alimentar electrodomésticos cableados. La mayoría de los interruptores de transferencia también ayudan a evitar sobrecargas al mostrar los niveles de consumo de energía.#10—No use el generador para “retroalimentar” la energía en el sistema eléctrico de su hogar. Tratar de alimentar el cableado eléctrico de su hogar mediante la “retroalimentación”, en la que conecta el generador a un tomacorriente de pared, es peligroso. Podría lastimar a los trabajadores de servicios públicos y a los vecinos atendidos por el mismo transformador. La retroalimentación pasa por alto los dispositivos de protección de circuitos incorporados, por lo que podría dañar sus dispositivos electrónicos o provocar un incendio eléctrico. Para obtener más información sobre los equipos eléctricos para exteriores, visite www.opei.org. Word Count: 681
	11 facts Americans might not know about Australia's capital 11 facts Americans might not know about Australia’s capitalAustralia's capital is historically layered and closer to the bush than most visitors might expect, as VisitCanberra reveals below. Here are 11 facts to bring you up to speed on Australia’s capital, Canberra.1. It's not Sydney Richard Poulton for VisitCanberra This surprises more Americans than Australians would like to admit. Australia's capital is Canberra, a juncture the Ngunnawal peoples have inhabited for over 20,000 years, long before the federal government commissioned it as a capital in the early 20th century. The name "Canberra" is thought to come from an Aboriginal word for "meeting place." In 1908, the Australian government selected the site as a neutral ground between Sydney and Melbourne, where the planned Australian Capital Territory (ACT) would be built. Planners designed the street grid, the parliament, the museums and the lake from scratch, which is part of why Canberra looks and feels like nowhere else in Australia. 2. A woman—Frank Lloyd Wright’s first employee—designed it, but almost no one knew for a centuryWhen married Chicago architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahoney Griffin entered the international competition to design Australia's new capital in 1912, they submitted as a team. Their entry won, but only Walter's name was on it. Marion—who could draft such excellent drawings that Frank Lloyd Wright himself once tried to take credit for them—made sure their bid stood out. However, she omitted her name from the entry, worried a female name would discredit the work. "Her contributions and story were actively written out,” said Sita Sargeant, founder of She Shapes History, a walking tour company that spotlights women's contributions to Australia’s past. “They didn't attach her name to the competition entry because of the assumption that if a woman's name was attached, it wouldn't be taken seriously." Marion Mahoney Griffin is now recognized as one of the most significant figures in the city's founding, a correction that took the better part of a hundred years. 3. Canberra is known as ‘the bush capital’ for good reason Canberra sits inside a valley ringed by mountain ranges, and the boundary between city and bushland is as organic as the 20 varieties of native eucalyptus growing throughout the territory. Just 40 minutes from the city center, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve has operated as a nature reserve site since 1936. It covers nearly 5,500 hectares and borders Namadgi National Park in the northern tip of the Australian Alps. "In a big city, you might visit Sydney or Melbourne and spend 40 minutes stuck in traffic," said Jessica Ward, manager of the Tidbinbilla Visitor Center. "In Canberra, you can spend that same 40 minutes in a car, and you're going to be out in the middle of the Australian bush." That short drive puts visitors face-to-face with platypus, koalas, kangaroos and critically endangered species, says Ward. “We've got some of the obvious Australian animals that everybody knows and loves,” she says. Kangaroos, wallabies, potoroos and bandicoots roam wild behind predator-proof fencing that keeps foxes and feral cats out. Ward also considers Tidbinbilla among the best places in Australia to see a platypus. 4. The endangered rock wallaby is Canberra's official emblem VisitCanberra The southern brush-tailed rock wallaby, a small marsupial native to Australia's eastern mountain ranges, is the official mammal emblem of the ACT. That means it holds the same symbolic status for the territory that the bald eagle does for the United States. This is an unlikely honor for a species on the brink: The wallaby has not been spotted in the wild in the ACT since the 1950s, and fewer than 40 wild wallabies are believed to survive in the country. Tidbinbilla runs the only local breeding program working to keep the species alive, alongside similar programs for the northern corroboree frog—which Ward calls “gorgeous”—and the Canberra grassland earless dragon, two other critically endangered animals. “We're helping to build a genetically strong population as well so that they can thrive out in the wild where they belong,” says Ward. 5. Canberra has four seasonsAs a four-season climate, Canberra changes character across the seasons, with wildflowers blooming in Australia’s spring, from September through November. The city bursts to life with over a million blooms during the Floriade festival in Commonwealth Park. And in the summer, Ward says the long sunny days produce grass that’s “just golden on the hills,” while the native orchids are in bloom all around. During mountain hikes in autumn, visitors can spot fungi while snow-capped peaks become visible from the valley floor in winter. “The blue skies of a Canberra winter are unbeatable,” said Ward. “It's just breathtaking to see the valley ringed by the snow-capped mountains” 6. Canberra has stargazing stops close to the city VisitCanberra Unlike in most densely populated capital cities shrouded in light pollution, constellations twinkle with surprising clarity in the bush capital, making Canberra one of Australia’s best urban astronomy destinations. Mount Stromlo Observatory, about 20 minutes up the road from Canberra’s Central Business District, hosts regular public stargazing sessions for visitors who want to extend their time outside the city. Through the observatory’s telescopes, visitors can spot Jupiter’s moons, distant galaxies and nebulae otherwise invisible to the naked eye, all with the guidance of knowledgeable astronomers after dark. The site is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and during the daytime, guests can explore the Heritage Trail lined with 11 interpretive signs that recount the story of the observatory’s 1928 origins. For stargazing experiences beyond the observatory, tourists can join evening tours along the Murrumbidgee River, or simply look up in admiration while camping out in the bush. 7. Secret suffragette colors are hidden in Parliament's rose garden Near Canberra’s Australian Parliament House, the Centenary Women’s Suffrage Fountain is easy to pass by without a second glance. A low, tiled installation, it looks, at first, almost like a decorative stop on the way to the Old Parliament House Gardens, with glossy blue and green squares forming a mosaic. But upon a closer look, those tiles actually outline a timeline of milestones for women in Australian federal politics, marking the dawn of the suffrage movement that ensured women could be seen and heard in government. The colors—green, white and violet—carry a coded message tied to the suffragette movement. "It's in the colors of the suffragettes. The green, white and violet is a very sneaky acronym for ‘Give Women Votes,’” explained Sargeant. “It's this beautiful timeline of the first women in federal politics and government.” 8. The cultural attractions are all free Andy Austin for VisitCanberra Like the Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C., Canberra's major cultural attractions—the National Gallery of Australia, the National Library of Australia, the National Museum of Australia and more—charge no admission. "The government very early on designated that free access to the national collections is a core part of what we do," said Dr. Nick Mitzevich, director of the National Gallery of Australia. “At times, there are charges for special exhibitions, but you can experience all of the cultural collections for free in Australia.” Furthermore, nearly all of those cultural attractions sit within roughly a one-mile radius, within the National Triangle along Lake Burley Griffin. 9. The National Gallery holds the largest collection of American art outside of America American visitors might be surprised at how much American art they recognize while they are in Canberra. “The National Gallery holds the largest collection of American art outside of America,” says Nick Mitzevich. He explained that the gallery began collecting in the 1970s because of Australia’s close ties to the U.S. “We have iconic works by American artists,” he adds, highlighting Jackson Pollock’s Blue Poles, which the gallery acquired in 1973. 10. The Australian Parliament building is underground (on purpose) VisitCanberra Most of Australia's Parliament House is buried beneath a grassy hill. To American eyes, accustomed to the neoclassical grandeur of Washington’s federal buildings, that might make it appear invisible. But an Australian may tell you that's exactly the point. "It was a symbolic assertion that the people, the landscape and the mechanics of governance are one," Mitzevich muses about the Parliament building’s design. The boldest architectural statements in Canberra, he explains, were reserved for the cultural attractions. "The National Gallery’s architecture is quite radical," he says. Designed by the visionary Cole Madigan, Mitzevich calls it an "extraordinary brutalist temple" of concrete, glass and mirror-finished steel. “It was, from the very beginning, planned to be a provocative statement about the modernity of culture in Australia,” Mitzevich explained. "There’s no 19th-century facade. No classical Greek columns. It asserts a modernity that is very, very bold.” Mitzevich added that the choice was fitting for Canberra, a comparatively young capital, formally designated as such only in 1913. The choice to emphasize cultural attractions over government buildings might defy a person’s preconceived notions of what a federal district is meant to do. “That is one of the interesting things about Canberra,” he said. “The mechanics of governance are subtle, while the cultural presence is bold.” In that way, Sergeant says a visit to Canberra “takes you deeper” than other experiences in Australia. “You will come away really understanding the place.”11. Women in Canberra were cracking wartime codes in a building that's now a bike shed As a political city, Canberra has an undercurrent of espionage, with an extra dash of feminism. During World War II, young single women worked in a small bunker-like building next to one of Canberra’s earliest government offices. Known as the Cable Girls, they decoded and encoded messages for the Prime Minister's office. Because of Australia’s marriage bar—a policy that required women in the public service to resign once they married—many of these women had few career options, and this often became their last job before retirement. "They were seeing and knowing what was happening during World War II before anyone else in Canberra and before the Prime Minister," Sargeant said. “They had such a profound impact on the war.” The building has since been converted to a bike shed, its history almost entirely erased. Canberra might not be the city you expect, but that’s exactly the point. Between its bushland edges, hidden histories and distinct cultural heartbeat, Australia’s capital fascinates the curious traveler. Visitors might come for the politics, but they stay for the platypuses and the Pollocks. This story was produced by VisitCanberra and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	New tire efficiency rules could save drivers $1B a year New tire efficiency rules could save drivers $1B a yearCalifornia just became the first state to address a problem most people don’t know they have: inefficient tires.When automakers design a new vehicle, low rolling resistance tires are one of the least expensive ways to improve fuel economy. But they must eventually be replaced, and experts say replacements are often less efficient. This can result in internal combustion vehicles burning more gasoline and EVs needing more electricity.“It’s very difficult or impossible for consumers to know how energy efficient their tires are going to be,” Brian Fadie, senior manager for state policy at the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, told Grist. “As a result, many people unknowingly buy tires that cost them more money than necessary.”In August, the California Energy Commission unanimously approved a rule that would phase in the nation’s first standards for tire efficiency. The rule is “designed to ensure that replacement tires sold in the state are at least as energy efficient, on average, as tires sold in the state as original equipment.” It would also establish a labeling system that gives tires a “leaf” rating, to make it easier for consumers to find the best options. In addition to saving drivers money, the state projects that the changes could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2 million tons annually, which it says is equivalent to taking around 400,000 cars off the road.“We are proud to approve the nation’s first replacement tire efficiency standards,” said commission chair David Hochschild, in a press release. “This action will help Californians save approximately $1 billion a year on refueling while reducing pollution and extending the range of vehicles on the road.”California’s regulations will take effect in two phases, with the first targeting the most inefficient tires starting in 2029 and the second, stricter standard beginning in 2033. The timeline is longer than initially proposed, to address the concerns of some manufacturers who wanted more time to adapt. The rule also comes with exemptions including snow tires and those used in competition. All-weather tires are also excluded, but the state will track them, as that growing segment may be regulated in the future.Karim Marshall, director of climate and energy policy at the Consumer Federation of America, criticized the delayed timeline and the number of carveouts. But he said even that version of the rule marks significant progress. “We aren’t going to let the perfect be the enemy of the good,” he said. Bill Magavern, the policy director for the Coalition for Clean Air, a nonprofit focused on public health in California, agreed that the regulation was necessary. “Manufacturers do not do the right thing on their own,” he said. “They need the government to set smart standards.”Reducing the rolling resistance of a tire isn’t technically that difficult, said Fadie. Incorporating more silica, for example, improves not only efficiency but traction as well. Rubber chemistry and tread designs can also lead to gains. The debate centers around the cost of those improvements, and the tire industry appears split on the rule.Some, like ENSO and Michelin, publicly endorsed at least parts of the rule. Speaking at Monday’s commission meeting, Francesca Mosteller, director of state and local government affairs for Michelin North America, said: “We support the efficiency goals and believe the proposed thresholds in this rulemaking are technically feasible within the defined timeframes.”Others are opposed to the changes. “These tires are broadly more expensive than the typical tire you find on the marketplace today,” said Christian Robinson, senior director of state government affairs for the Specialty Equipment Market Association, or SEMA, which represents the automotive parts industry. “Our concern is that this will create undue burdens on working-class families.”The energy commission calculated that more efficient tires cost between $6 and $26 more per set, but that increase is more than offset by reduced fuel consumption. It put net savings at $85 to $153 over the lifetime of the tire when gasoline is $4.60 a gallon, though the savings could be 25 percent higher with this year’s price spikes. An estimate SEMA cited from consultant Gladfelty Government Relations, however, put the added cost as high as $365.20.Robinson said he had hoped the commission would take a step back “given that there’s a disagreement about the economic impact.” But Marshall, the consumer advocate, said industry figures are misleading.Whatever the case, the energy commission approved the rule. It’s a move that has been in the works since 2003, when the Legislature passed a law calling for such regulation. The state worked toward this goal for a few years but paused in 2007 when the federal government took over the cause. That effort never materialized and the project languished until about 2020, when the energy commission revived it.With the rule now final, supporters say the impacts could be numerous and widespread. More efficient tires should, for instance, help EVs use less juice, easing demand on already stressed electric grids. At the very least, the leaf rating system should make shopping easier. Similar to the Energy Star label, or the snowflake rating system for snow and all-weather tires, more leaves will mean a more efficient tire, with a four-leaf rating denoting the greatest efficiency. The one hitch is that manufacturers can choose whether or not to display the label, so consumers may have a look up the model in the state’s online database.Given California’s size, this rule will likely spill over into other states. “What happens in California doesn’t stay in California,” said Robinson, pointing to the state’s tailpipe emission standards, which 17 states and the District of Columbia now enforce. A similar ripple occurred with California’s LED lightbulb rules.As for tire efficiency, Fadie said Washington and Rhode Island are among those considering following California’s lead. He added that these steps are important because, while the Golden State’s rule will likely buoy the national market, it’s not a guarantee.“Other states,” said Fadie, “could create certainty for themselves.”This story was produced by Grist and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Quad City Arts' Riverssance Festival of Fine Art will return to Village of East Davenport A two-day art festival will feature more than 75 artists, live music, food, family activities and the presentation of the 2026 Harley Award, according to a news release. Quad City Arts’ Riverssance Festival of Fine Art returns to Lindsay Park in the Village of East Davenport on Saturday, Sept. 19, and Sunday, Sept. 20, bringing [...]
	Co-parenting? How to create healthier digital boundaries across two homes Co-parenting? How to create healthier digital boundaries across two homes“Mom lets me use my phone at night. Why can’t I here?” If you’re co-parenting, you’ve likely heard some version of this, and it rarely leads to a simple answer.One household allows late-night scrolling. The other says phones get turned off at nine. One parent says yes to social media. The other isn’t ready.In these situations, the child is caught in the middle and parents are left wondering: Am I being too strict, or not strict enough? Parenting coach Bea Moise, who works with families navigating divorce and shared custody, says getting two households aligned on anything is difficult — especially when it comes to technology.Moise encourages parents to focus on alignment and emotional safety. Trying to control every rule across two households often creates more conflict than consistency, she says. What matters most is that children experience clarity, support and stability in at least one home Verizon reports.Why screen time consistency and digital boundaries matter across two homesDifferent rules about devices and social media don’t just create behavioral issues; they can create emotional confusion.When faced with conflicting expectations, kids may:Feel caught in the middleBecome unsure which rules matterHide apps or devicesFeel pressured to align with one parentHow Moise recommends handling differences in screen time rulesWhen screen time rules don’t matchYou don’t need identical schedules, but large differences in screen time can create confusion and tension.Moise recommends aligning with co-parents on:What time devices turn off at nightDevice-free times and spaces, like mealsIf weekend rules are different than weekdaysWhat to say if your child pushes back“Different homes can have different rules. In this house, this is what helps your brain and body rest.”When you don’t agree on social mediaThis is one of the most common conflicts. If you can’t agree on when your child is ready, Moise suggests starting with:Which platforms are off-limitsWhat rules apply once access is givenWhat happens if those rules are brokenWhen you don’t agree on device rulesA child may “own” a phone, but each home still sets the rules for how devices are used. When expectations clash, it can lead to increased anxiety, mood changes and sleep disruption.Moise suggests this simple guideline: The device belongs to you, but the rules belong to the home you’re in.When devices blur boundaries between co-parentsSometimes, parent behavior with tech can be confusing or intrusive for kids. For example, some co-parents run into situations like:The other parent texting through the child’s phoneLocation tracking without clear agreementChildren being asked to pass messagesMoise suggests that co-parents align on this: Any communication with a child’s device should support their safety, not be used to manage or monitor the other parent.When texts between co-parents aren’t collaborativeNot every co-parenting relationship is highly collaborative, and that’s real. In parallel parenting situations — where parents keep things separate and limit interaction — communication may be limited, but baseline agreements around digital safety still matter.Focus on:Short, logistics-based communicationShared tools like calendars or school portalsAvoiding emotional conversations over textA simple rule: If the message doesn’t support a child’s well-being, it doesn’t need to be sent.How to create a digital co-parenting planMoise recommends creating a written digital co-parenting agreement so expectations remain clear as children move between households. Whether families use an existing family technology agreement or create one of their own, she says the goal is consistency rather than identical rules.Technology will continue to evolve. Apps will change. Platforms will come and go. And children will continue to grow and take their place in this world. But Moise says children will remember how safe, supported and understood they felt as they moved between two homes.This article was produced by Verizon’s Parenting in a Digital World and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The $400,000 home is disappearing from some US markets The $400,000 home is disappearing from some US marketsSix years ago, homes listed under $400,000 made up most of the market across major U.S. cities. Today, they make up less than 30%.Real estate portal Movoto by Lower recently analyzed active single-family home listings across U.S. cities with populations of at least 100,000 to see how much inventory remains below five price points: $250,000, $300,000, $350,000, $400,000 and $500,000.Key TakeawaysThe supply of homes under $400,000 has collapsed over the last six years. Among cities analyzed in 2020 and 2026, the median share of listings under $400,000 fell from 72.6% in 2020 to 28% in 2026.Some cities saw especially steep inventory declines. In Hesperia, California, 89.5% of listings were under $400,000 in 2020. Today, just 7% are.By 2026, some cities had no listings under $400,000. Ten major cities had no active listings below $400,000 in Movoto’s May 2026 analysis, and nine of them were in California. Coral Springs, Florida, was the only exception.Sub-$400,000 homes still dominate some Midwest markets. In 2026, more than 94% of listings in Warren, Detroit, and Lansing (Michigan) and Cleveland and Toledo (Ohio) are under $400,000.The decline extends across price points. From 2020 to 2026, the share of listings under $250,000, $300,000, $350,000, $400,000 and $500,000 all fell. Movoto by Lower The biggest shift happened at the $400,000 price point.Among 228 cities compared directly between 2020 and 2026, the median share of homes listed under $400,000 fell from 72.6% to 28%.The median share of active listings priced under $400,000 today is just 35.7% across the major U.S. cities analyzed in the report.The decline in lower-priced inventory follows years of rising home prices, with increased buyer demand helping drive the sharp run-up during the COVID-19 pandemic. But some of the biggest changes shown in the analysis happened in markets that once offered a more affordable alternative to nearby high-cost areas.In Southern California, buyers increasingly moved inland in search of more affordable housing and space. Hesperia, Victorville and San Bernardino, three of the five cities with the largest declines in sub-$400,000 inventory, are all in San Bernardino County. Phoenix and Las Vegas similarly became popular destinations for buyers searching outside their existing metro during the pandemic, including buyers coming from Los Angeles and San Francisco.Where Homes Under $400,000 Have Fallen the MostThe shift is especially clear in cities where homes under $400,000 once made up most of the market. Movoto by Lower Hesperia, California, saw the largest change in the analysis. Nearly 9 in 10 active listings there were priced under $400,000 in 2020. By 2026, that was down to just 7%.Victorville, California, saw a similar shift. In 2020, 96.2% of its listings were under $400,000. Today, fewer than 1 in 5 are.North Las Vegas also went from a market where nearly every listing was under $400,000 to one where less than a quarter are.Where Homes Under $400,000 Are Hardest to FindIn some cities, finding a home listed under $400,000 has become especially difficult.Ten major cities had no active single-family listings under $400,000 in May 2026. Nine were in California: Anaheim, Corona, Riverside, San Francisco, Huntington Beach, Fremont, Fontana, Irvine and Tracy. Coral Springs, Florida, was the only city outside the state. Movoto by Lower Five of those cities had at least some listings under $400,000 in 2020. Coral Springs saw the biggest change, falling from 31.8% of listings under $400,000 in 2020 to none in May 2026. Fontana and Riverside also saw notable declines, from 26.5% and 20.7%, respectively, to zero.The other five cities were already starting from little to no sub-$400,000 inventory in 2020. Huntington Beach, Anaheim, Fremont, and Irvine had none, while just 0.4% of listings in San Francisco fell below that price.That doesn’t mean homes under $400,000 never come on the market in these cities, but none of the active listings included in the May 2026 analysis fell below that price.Where Homes Under $400,000 Are Still CommonThe picture looks very different in parts of the Midwest. Movoto by Lower In Warren, Michigan, nearly every active listing is priced under $400,000. Detroit isn’t far behind at 96.4% of listings under $400,000.Cleveland and Toledo in Ohio and Lansing, Michigan, also stand out, with more than 94% of active listings priced below $400,000.Lower-Priced Inventory Has Shrunk Across the BoardThe decline isn’t limited to homes under $400,000.Movoto also looked at listings under $250,000, $300,000, $350,000 and $500,000. Across cities analyzed in both 2020 and 2026, the share of listings below every price point fell. Movoto by Lower The $400,000 mark saw the largest percentage-point decline of the five price points analyzed.At $350,000, the typical share fell from 58% to 14.8%. At $300,000, it dropped from 42.4% to just 5.4%.Even at $500,000, the share fell from 84.6% in 2020 to 55.7% in 2026.Taken together, the numbers show how much the mix of homes available for sale has changed in just six years. While the size of that shift varies considerably by city, listings at lower price points make up a much smaller share of the market today than they did in 2020.What This Means for HomebuyersFor buyers shopping with a $400,000 budget, their options can look dramatically different depending on where they search. In some cities, there are few, if any, homes listed below that price. In others, $400,000 still covers most of the market.Higher mortgage rates add another challenge. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 3.15% in late May 2020, according to Freddie Mac. As of Sept. 3, 2026, it was 6.71%. That means buyers are not only choosing from a smaller share of listings under $400,000 in many markets, but also facing higher borrower costs that can affect their monthly mortgage payment.The difference between cities is also significant. In Detroit, Cleveland, and Warren, Michigan, more than 90% of active listings are still under $400,000. In the 10 cities with no listings below $400,000 in the analysis, buyers with that budget may need to expand their search or consider a different market.Data & MethodologyMovoto analyzed active single-family residential listings from May of each year from 2020 through 2026.The analysis focused on U.S. cities with populations of at least 100,000, based on the 2024 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimate, and measured the share of active listings priced under $250,000, $300,000, $350,000, $400,000 and $500,000.Cities were required to have at least 100 active listings in a given year to be included in that year’s analysis. Comparisons between 2020 and 2026 include 228 cities with at least 100 listings in both years.The 2026-only findings include 281 qualifying cities. Because the number of qualifying cities differs, those figures should not be directly compared with the fixed 228-city 2020-to-2026 analysis.This analysis reflects active listing prices rather than final sale prices and measures the availability of homes at different price points. The thresholds are not intended to define whether a home is affordable for an individual buyer.This story was produced by Movoto by Lower and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	How the sandwich generation can find help caring for an aging parent with Alzheimer's or Parkinson's (BPT) - Key takeaways:Sandwich generation caregivers are challenged with care, costs and concerns for two generations simultaneously.The stress of caring for someone with Alzheimer's or Parkinson's is at a higher intensity and longer period than other situations, but also brings joy and connection with loved ones.Dementia caregivers need professional caregiver help to understand the neurodegeneration and progressive nature of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other diseases, and to help with their own burnout.Professional in-home caregiver services from Comfort Keepers provides older adults with expert care, helping adult daughters or sons with a trusted partner so they can have breaks, and spend more quality time and make joyful memories with their parent.By Sherri Snelling, gerontologist and Comfort Keepers spokespersonIf you are a caregiver who belongs to the sandwich generation, you are performing a delicate balancing act: caring for children and older parents, maybe while also working. You stretch your time, energy and emotional resources thin and have little time for "me time" or self-care. The good news is, while caregiving can be disruptive, it is also one of the most powerful expressions of love. The key is finding ways to connect joyfully with aging parents, and being proactive in getting help so you can enjoy your time together.According to the 2026 National Day of Joy survey conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Comfort Keepers, 93% of aging adults say being cared for by an adult son or daughter has brought them closer together, and 96% of caregivers in the sandwich generation say family comes first. The strength of these familial bonds is clear, but that does not mean you do not need support as you try to meet the needs of your children, your parents and yourself.These pressures can become even more intense and complex when a parent is living with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease or another progressive, degenerative condition. Studies have found the intensity of dementia caregiving creates more stress, anxiety and depression, and these caregivers spend twice as long in their caregiving role. According to the Alzheimer's Association, dementia caregiving is an average of 9 years versus 4.5 years for other types of family caregiving. Caregiving becomes a marathon, not a sprint, creating the need for professional help to maintain your physical and mental energy.How do I maintain my well-being while caring for my aging parent?Caring for yourself is one of the biggest challenges for family caregivers. The additional time needed to care for someone with dementia or a neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's while maintaining work-life balance and raising children makes the sandwich generation dementia caregiver sacrifice their own social, emotional and physical health. You may also be burdened with the stigma of diseases that affect the brain and avoid social interactions and conversations. Thus, you feel all alone.This isolation means many adult children carry the entire caregiving burden alone, and feel they cannot or should not ask for help. Time is spent on physical and administrative caregiving tasks like tracking medical appointments, administering medications, managing insurance paperwork, getting groceries and prepping meals. What gets lost are the small moments of joy that really matter: enjoying a meal together, looking at old photos or sharing common interests like music, nature or crafts that create quality of life for the older parent and the adult daughter or son.Companionship, favorite routines, conversation, activities and sharing moments of joy help an older adult feel connected and engaged.To help sandwich generation caregivers get back to what matters most, here are common myths around caregiving, and approaches that help families thrive.Myth No. 1: Mom or Dad is safe, so everything is OK.Reality: Quality of life matters, too. Caregiving is not just about physical tasks and safety such as doctor appointments, preventing harmful falls and personal care. Social health and avoiding loneliness are equally important. Companionship, favorite routines and activities, conversation and sharing moments of joy help an older adult and the family caregiver feel connected and engaged.Myth No. 2: I should be able to handle this myself.Reality: Caregiver burnout is real. Creating your care team is critical. Many adult children assume care responsibilities gradually, until you are spending 20-40 hours of week on care tasks. This can lead to burnout and can negatively impact your relationship with your parent. Professional caregivers, such as the in-home care specialists at Comfort Keepers, can become a part of your family's care team before a crisis happens. With this professional help, you can take breaks to recharge and practice needed self-care, so you can be more focused on the emotional needs instead of the medical needs of your loved one.Myth No. 3: We will get help when we really need it.Reality: Getting help before your parent's care reaches a crisis can make the caregiving journey easier for everyone. Progressive conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's can affect memory, communication, mobility, mood, personality, daily routines and eventually activities of daily living such as eating, hydrating, getting dressed or bathing. Planning ahead gives families time to have necessary conversations about long-term care, find the right professional caregiver, establish familiar routines and create a care plan that can evolve along with their parent's needs and a family's finances. Myth No. 4: Every visit needs to be productive.Reality: Sometimes the most important thing is simply being your parent's son or daughter. Professional caregiving can take some everyday responsibilities off your shoulders, so your time with your parent is not always consumed by errands, household tasks and caregiving duties. By being "present," you enhance the emotional health of your parent and yourself.How can I keep my relationship with my aging parent intact?Caring for a parent with dementia, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's is emotionally difficult for family caregivers. Alzheimer's adults may forget your name or who you are, and they may become combative and physically lash out, especially if experiencing sundowning. A son or daughter of someone with Parkinson's realizes they may have frightening hallucinations and nightmares. All of this occurs in addition to their declining physical and cognitive abilities.The Comfort Keepers survey reveals that daily joy for aging adults is rooted in the connection found in everyday life moments: sitting outside, enjoying morning coffee or engaging in meaningful hobbies such as reading, gardening, crafts and music. These moments foster consistency, independence and a sense of purpose. And they give the family caregiver a moment of calm in the midst of chaos.For someone living with Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, these activities may need to be adapted as the condition progresses. A familiar song from their past, a simplified gardening activity, a short walk or time spent looking through family photographs can offer connection, comfort and a sense of purpose. The goal is not necessarily to do things exactly as before, but to find meaningful ways to meet the person where they are today.For adult children, joy is found in everyday connection with aging parents. The survey also found nearly 3 in 4 (72%) say simple conversations bring the most joy, followed by sharing meals (68%) and helping provide care for them (67%). A whopping 95% of adult children agree older adults play an important role in creating joy within their families.Where do I start looking for a caregiver? Comfort Keepers understands the challenges families face when caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's, particularly as their needs change. Specially trained caregivers can help them continue living safely and meaningfully at home through personalized care, familiar routines, companionship and activities tailored to their interests and abilities. Comfort Keepers can also educate families about their changing needs and provide support that engages them physically, mentally and emotionally.Comfort Keepers provides in-home services like:Personal careCompanionshipMedication remindersFamily respite careComfort360™: A Complete Circle of Care You do not have to choose between being a good parent, partner, employee and caregiver as you juggle your roles. Professional caregiving can help you remain your parent's daughter or son first. Getting professional caregiver help from Comfort Keepers means better quality of life for your parent and for yourself.Learn more about support for your loved one at ComfortKeepers.com.
	5 facts about crypto that may surprise you (BPT) - By Ali Tager, Vice President of External Affairs, National Cryptocurrency AssociationSixty-seven million Americans, or one in four adults, now hold crypto. Despite crypto's established presence, there's still misinformation and confusion about the technology.Everyday people and businesses are using these digital tools for practical, real-world purposes like sending money to friends and family, accepting payments, donating to charity, or paying for goods and services.Our latest research shows that crypto is becoming mainstream, moving from a novel concept into an everyday financial tool.1. Crypto is being adopted by everyday AmericansCrypto isn't just for tech bros or the financial elite. Instead, holders reflect the everyday American in a variety of ways:Nearly a quarter of holders make $75,000 or less per yearThey are just as likely to work in construction as in technology18% of new holders are between 18 and 24 years old, and 28% are 55 or olderWomen account for 42% of new crypto holdersKarin is one of those women. She was an unbanked, middle-class housewife who was financially cut-off, until she taught herself to trade crypto. She used crypto to rebuild her finances and secure a future for herself and her children. Crypto became a lifeline for her, and helped her achieve financial sovereignty and freedom. Traditional financial systems hadn't worked for her, but crypto did. 2. Crypto supports financial independenceFor millions of Americans, crypto is a practical tool that fits directly into daily life. More than half of holders say using digital assets has increased their financial independence, including Jake, a small business owner in California.His dream was to manage his businesses and have time to spend with his family. With crypto, he can access his finances whenever, wherever. Crypto gave him more autonomy over his own life and finances, and he treats it as part of the future he's building for his kids.Jake isn't alone. For many holders, it comes down to basic convenience and personal agency.3. The crypto industry is driving broader economic growthCrypto supports approximately 232,000 jobs across the U.S., spanning customer service, trucking, healthcare and more. Crypto jobs are creating $55 billion in economic activity and $31 billion in worker income each year. When more people can fully participate in financial systems, more economic activity is created for individuals, local businesses and communities.Clayton, a master plumber in Texas, runs his family's 80-year-old company. After doing his own research over 10 years ago, he decided to enter the crypto space. Over time, crypto naturally became integrated into his company, and he now accepts it alongside cards, checks and cash. Offering crypto at checkout gives customers more choice, just like the card reader did years ago.4. Clear education is essential for the futureCrypto has become a gateway into financial literacy more broadly. More than half of holders cited learning and personal growth as a benefit, up from 45% the year before — a growing signal that engaging with crypto is teaching people more about their finances overall. Expanding plain-language educational resources and practical learning tools is essential to lowering these hurdles, demystifying the technology, and empowering everyday individuals to participate in the digital economy with confidence.5. Regulatory clarity and consumer protection Alongside accessible education, establishing smart consumer safeguards will be fundamental to building long-term trust, safety and stability in digital finance. Nearly three-quarters of current holders (73%) believe it's important for the U.S. to become the global leader in crypto. The same number want stronger consumer protections measures for people investing in, holding or using crypto. American crypto holders want to navigate digital asset tools safely, securely and transparently, with 71% of today's holders asking for comprehensive legislation that addresses gaps in current law.Establishing thoughtful, common-sense frameworks provides the structural clarity needed to protect consumers while encouraging responsible innovation.How to learn more about crypto NCA helps make sense of crypto by sharing real stories from everyday people and small businesses from across the country, providing educational resources, and offering guidance and support.If you're ready to learn more, explore our free guides, educational tools and real-world stories at NCA.org/resources.
	Wet week ahead for the Quad Cities We'll see a daily chance of showers and storms this week with moderate to heavy rain likely, especially tonight and Tuesday. Temperatures will be close to normal for this time of the year. Here's your full 7-day forecast.
	Rock Island County real estate transactions for September 13, 2026 Here are homes sales and property sales in Rock Island County.
	New coffee shop, wings and catfish restaurant opens, Two Sisters Restaurant new chapter, florist and boutique opens, and more Quad-Cities business news AWAKE Coffee opens third location, new wings and catfish restaurant, florist and boutique opens, and more Quad-Cities business news and more Quad-Cities business news.
	Quad-Cities Popular Astronomy Club: Taking a solar eclipse cruise Total solar eclipse viewing from a cruise ship off the northern coast of Spain in the best possible viewing spot.
	The powerful millionaires hiding in plain sight They own car dealerships, law firms, dental practices, and restaurant chains. Collectively, these overlooked business owners hold far more wealth than the Forbes 400 — and wield considerable political power.
	The Emmys are Monday night. Here's how to watch Noah Kahan will perform "Bridge Over Troubled Water" as part of the In Memoriam segment.
	New Carlo Rovelli book challenges science's understanding of reality and the universe In his latest book, the world-renowned physicist draws on science and philosophy to explore the notion that the university and reality are fully knowable.
	ChatGPT has a feature to help those in crisis. But where can you find it? Earlier this year, OpenAI launched a feature on ChatGPT meant to help people at risk of suicide connect with someone they trust for support. But its setup may prove challenging to someone in crisis.
	Indonesia searches for 129 people missing after ferry capsizes Indonesian authorities intensified on Monday a search for people missing after a ferry overturned in bad weather in the Java Sea. At least six passengers were killed and 129 people are still missing.
	Indonesia searches for 129 people missing after ferry capsizes in the Java Sea Indonesian authorities intensified on Monday a search for people missing after a ferry overturned in bad weather in the Java Sea. At least six passengers were killed and 129 people are still missing.

Monday, September 14th, 2026