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

Thursday, May 14th, 2026
	Voters are caught in the middle as the redistricting battle intensifies Much of the focus of the ongoing redistricting war has been on which political party will come out on top. But it's voters who will pay a cost, say voting experts and voting rights advocates.
	Ex-DOJ official goes public with blistering criticism of his former bosses Until recently, Jonathan Gross was a Trump political appointee at the Department of Justice and worked on its "Weaponization Working Group." He has now become a vocal critic of the department.
	The MAHA movement is coming to school cafeterias. Here's what that means for kids U.S. school districts worry it could get even more expensive to prepare a meal under new federal dietary guidelines, as they also contend with cuts to programs that helped them buy local food.
	UAE denies Netanyahu secretly visited the country during the Iran war Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quietly visited the United Arab Emirates during the Israeli-U.S. war with Iran, his office said Wednesday. The UAE later denied any secret visit had occurred.
	Russia hits Kyiv with drones and ballistic missiles, killing 1 and injuring 31 Russia has launched a mass drone and missile attack on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, killing one person and injuring at least 31. Local authorities report damage across six districts.
	Exclusions, flawed jury lists lead to decades of unfair juries in Whiteside County Since 1993, Whiteside County circuit clerks have applied exclusion criteria to potential jurors. Two judges found those exclusions unfair.
Wednesday, May 13th, 2026
	Attorney alleges Whiteside County has been improperly leaving people out of jury selection Defense attorney Jim Mertes alleges people were excluded due to factors including age, criminal history and owing money to the court.
	6 Davenport police officers sworn-in Mayor Jason Gordon swore-in the new police officers at a city council meeting Wednesday evening, joined by their friends and family.
	Pay It Forward: Whiteside County group fighting food insecurity Katelyn Rodriguez created Nourishing Neighbors in 2025 to offer relief for recipients cut off from SNAP benefits.
	KWQC, KCRG-TV9 host Democratic congressional forum KWQC and KCRG-TV9 hosted a live, commercial-free candidate forum for Democrats running for Iowa’s Second Congressional District seat ahead of the June 2 primary election.
	You can see transportation plan for Muscatine, rural Scott County Every five years, regional transportation priorities for Iowa Regional Planning Area 9 (Muscatine County and rural Scott County) are established in the Iowa Region 9 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). The plan examines regional economic and population changes, as well as other trends, to provide insights into the needs within our Iowa region and allow communities [...]
	House passes bill allowing year-round E-15 gasoline sales The U.S. House has passed a bill Wednesday allowing the year-round sales of gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol.
	Denise Powell wins Democratic primary for Nebraska's 2nd congressional district Political organizer Denise Powell has defeated State Sen. John Cavanaugh to win the Democratic primary in the closely watched race for Nebraska's second congressional district.
	Remains of 2nd U.S. soldier who went missing in Morocco have been recovered Spc. Mariyah Symone Collington, 19, of Taveres, Florida, is the second U.S. soldier who fell off a cliff during a recreational hike in Morocco. The remains of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr. were recovered last week.
	Young Cambridge museum curator earns place in Guinness World Records Anderson Taylor of Cambridge, Illinois has officially been recognized by Guinness World Records as the youngest museum curator (male) in the world, according to a news release. Now 11, Anderson was just 9 years and 340 days old when he opened the Cambridge Natural History Museum on Aug. 10, 2024. What began as a childhood fascination with fossils, minerals, dinosaurs, and natural [...]
	Over 2,100 were without power in Iowa Quad Cities, power restored More than 2,100 people are without power in the Iowa Quad Cities Wednesday evening.
	Over 2,100 without power in Iowa Quad Cities More than 2,100 people are without power in the Iowa Quad Cities Wednesday evening.
	Pastor Ron Lott earns Clinton County Bar Association Liberty Bell Award The Clinton County Bar Association has announced that Pastor Ron Lott, longtime volunteer police and fire chaplain in Clinton, has been selected as this year’s recipient of the prestigious Liberty Bell Award, presented in conjunction with Law Day, according to a news release from Clinton County Attorney Mike Wolf. The award ceremony will be held at 3 [...]
	Warmer and stormier weather returns to Quad Cities After some relatively cool weather to open the month of May, things are looking much warmer by this weekend. And we also have several storm chances coming up. So far rain has been below normal for May. But we could see an inch or more in the near future:
	LIVE: KWQC, KCRG-TV9 host Democratic congressional forum KWQC and KCRG-TV9 host a live, commercial-free candidate forum for Democrats running for Iowa’s Second Congressional District seat ahead of the June 2 primary election.
	Soybean farmers watching closely as Trump arrives for China visit Brazil’s share of China’s soybean imports has continued to grow in recent years, while the U.S. share declined and hit a low last year.
	Scams are on the rise, here’s how to avoid them Scams have been on the rise over the past few years, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird shares tips to “Stop the Scammers.”
	Davenport begins Quiet Zone project The goal is to improve safety at rail crossing and reduce how often trains sound their horns.
	Visits to parts of Hill Correctional Center, Galesburg, suspended because of chickenpox As of Wednesday, visits to those in housing units 3A and 3B at Hill Correctional Center, 600 S. Linwood Road, Galesburg, are suspended until further notice because of a potential case of chicken pox, according to a news release from the prison. Residents of all other housing units may receive visits as usual as long [...]
	United Township students commit to teaching careers Students at United Township High School are ready to become future educators, signing their letter of intent to teach Wednesday.
	Iowa pediatric cancer research bill heads to governor’s desk Iowa lawmakers approved legislation that would create a new tax on vape products and nicotine pouches to help fund pediatric cancer research at the University of Iowa.
	Lock and Dam 13 turns 87 years old The Army Corps of Engineers say the lock and dam in Fulton, Illinois first opened on May 13, 1939. Construction took about 3.5 years for the entire project.
	ICE arrests 8 at Davenport restaurants; local law enforcement says they weren’t notified beforehand Three weeks ago, federal agents arrested several people at Izumi Steakhouse and Jiangs Hot Pot BBQ Grill in Davenport.
	Flawed jury pools in Whiteside Co. could spark statewide legal crisis in Illinois An attorney’s curiosity has exposed a decades-old error in jury selection, potentially jeopardizing thousands of criminal convictions across Illinois.
	‘Not perfect’: Iowa senior homeowner says property tax reform bill could help seniors Iowans won’t see an immediate change in their property taxes in a proposal that’s likely about to become law, but they are trying to figure out how those changes will impact them.
	Monmouth College alum gives six-figure gift to college's bagpipe band A longtime Monmouth College trustee with a heart for the bagpipes has made a significant gift to his alma mater, according to a news release from Monmouth College. "Monmouth College is one of the few places that has it," said 1968 graduate Augustin "Gus" Hart of the presence of a pipe band. "I wanted [...]
	River Action to kick off annual educational program ‘Explore the River Series’ This summer program teaches participants about the wildlife, history, culture, and geography of the Mississippi River. Events on the Channel Cat or at other locations will happen May 26 to Aug. 29.
	Inmates quarantined at Hill Correctional Center following exposure to virus causing shingles Visits to Hill Correctional Center were canceled beginning Saturday, but visitation was restored for anyone not in a quarantine unit on Wednesday, May 13.
	QC Arts’ Chalk Art Fest happening May 30–31, Ballet Folklórico to perform Friday Quad City Arts is highlighting two upcoming events in May — the free, family‑friendly Chalk Art Fest May 30–31 in downtown Rock Island, and a May 15 performance by Ballet Folklórico del Rio Grande as part of its Visiting Artist Series.
	Coroner names 3-year-old shot and killed during hostage situation in Bureau County On Sunday, police responded to a domestic disturbance call that escalated into police firing their weapons. 3-year-old Damian Camacho was killed.
	Group O Inc. joins Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies to support growth “Becoming a PMMI member aligns naturally with Group O’s long-standing focus on helping complex organizations modernize and optimize their packaging operations"
	Run for Hope fundraiser combines fitness and cancer support This year's 5K or 1-mile fun run will be on June 27 in Coal Valley. You can personalize race bibs to recognize someone you're running for. Here's how to sign up.
	Learn about a future in health care at the UnityPoint Health Career Exploration Day High school students interested in careers in health care can get an in-depth look at the possibilities ahead of them. Lauren VanNatta joined Our Quad Cities News to talk about the UnityPoint Health Career Exploration Day. For more information, click here.
	Inmates quarantined at Hill Correctional Center following exposure to virus causing shingles Visits to Hill Correctional Center were canceled beginning Saturday, but visitation was restored for anyone not in a quarantine unit on Wednesday, May 13.
	Run for Hope fundraiser combines fitness and cancer support This year's 5K or 1-mile fun run will be on June 27 in Coal Valley. You can personalize race bibs to recognize someone you're running for. Here's how to sign up.
	Coroner names 3-year-old shot and killed while responding to hostage situation in Bureau County On Sunday, police responded to a domestic disturbance call that escalated into police firing their weapons. 3-year-old Damian Camacho was killed.
	Knox County clerk pushes for more federal election funding during D.C. trip Scott Erickson said it will cost Knox County $70,000 to run elections this year. He said increased, stable federal funding would ease the burden on local taxpayers.
	Have you seen these suspects? Crime Stoppers wants to know! Crime Stoppers of the Quad Cities wants your help catching two fugitives. It’s an Our Quad Cities News exclusive. You can get an elevated reward for information on this week’s cases: DAVID STALEY, 39, 5’6”, 160 pounds, brown hair, blue eyes. Wanted by Scott County Sheriff’s Department for probation violation on convictions for sex offender [...]
	More heat, more pests: Top tips to safeguard your lawn before summer More heat, more pests: Top tips to safeguard your lawn before summerWarmer weather brings outdoor pests back in full force, and they may cause yard damage before you even notice that they’re there. Each season and agronomic region brings its own set of growing challenges. From root-chewing grubs, plant-piercing chinch bugs, to fire ant nests, what you do now to protect your lawn matters.TruGreen shares a few simple lawn maintenance habits to follow to help keep pests under control.Early signs of lawn pest infestationThere are a few early signs of pest damage that may be mistaken for other problems:Patchiness and discoloration (often mistaken for drought)Irregular wilting (that doesn’t resolve with watering)Spongy or easily lifted sod (common with grub damage, later in the season)Unresolved problems from the prior year (assess the past to predict future reoccurrence)These visible signs of lawn stress are often misdiagnosed, and missing the cause of the distressed lawn can delay an appropriate response. One way to fix this problem? Regular inspection throughout the year helps catch issues early.“Assessing your lawn regularly and scouting for issues — especially after warm, hot dry or hot wet periods of time — is the best way to catch problems before they reach damaging levels,” says Brian Feldman, senior director of technical operations at TruGreen. “Having a professional consultant to discuss what you are seeing daily helps to diagnose issues and thwart pressure more rapidly. That partnership is critical to long-term landscape health and beauty.”Common pests that may be lurking in your turfDifferent pests damage lawns in different ways: some below the surface and others above. A few common culprits include:White grubs: Feed on the grassroots, causing turf to loosen and peel back; damage often appears as brown patches.Billbugs: Larvae damage stems and roots, causing plants to wither and dieArmyworms, cutworms, sod webworms: Chew grass blades, leaving notches or bare spots; damage may appear quickly during active feeding periods.Chinch bugs, aphids: Extract fluids from grass blades, causing yellowing that can resemble drought stress.How to make your yard less welcoming to biting, stinging pestsCommon outdoor nuisance pests like mosquitoes are inevitable during the warm-weather months. However, these pests damage your yard and can pose a health risk to your family and pets. The good news is that there are ways to limit exposure and combat pests if they do make themselves at home on your property.Mosquitoes: “Mosquitoes breed anywhere there is standing water, so regularly inspect kiddie pools, toys, plant trays, garbage cans, and clogged gutters,” said Feldman. “Overgrown grass and shady spots give mosquitoes places to hide. Keeping your lawn mowed and dense vegetation trimmed removes resting spots.”Fire ants: Fire ants are aggressive pests that bite and sting. They live in colonies, building large mounds that provide a telltale sign that fire ants have invaded your yard. Once fire ants begin to build mounds on your lawn, they will continue building more until stopped. Keeping a well-maintained yard and avoiding leaving food out, including pet food, are two effective ways to reduce the risk of an infestation.Ticks and fleas: “The condition of your lawn plays a major role in whether fleas and ticks settle there,” said Feldman. “Fleas thrive in warm temperatures and hide in moist, shaded spaces. Ticks prefer tall grasses, wooded areas, and dense shrubs. A healthy, well-maintained landscape is one of the best defenses. To prevent fleas, avoid overwatering, remove leaves and other debris regularly, and keep garden beds tidy. Likewise, keeping grass mowed to the recommended height, avoiding tall ornamental grasses near high-traffic areas, and installing a 3-foot-wide strip of wood chips or gravel between wooded areas and your lawn are some of the best ways to prevent tick migration.”Protecting trees and shrubsSpring and fall are the best times of year for planting new trees and shrubs to improve the look of your yard, but success depends on how well you maintain your new plantings.“Spring into summer is the ideal time to begin fertilization treatments as part of a comprehensive tree and shrub care strategy,” said Feldman. “Fertilized landscape plants produce greener, larger leaves, increased flowering, and better overall plant health and vigor. Without proper nutrients in the soil, they will not reach their full potential and can show signs of decline, including poor leaf color, stunted growth, and reduced resistance to insects and disease.”Landscape plants and shrubs also need to be protected from pests, especially new plantings, just like your turfgrass.“Trees and shrubs can be affected by a wide range of pests depending on local climate and plant type, including aphids, scale insects, Japanese beetles, leaf spot, and powdery mildew,” said Feldman. “Left untreated, these issues can weaken plants, reduce growth, and lead to long-term damage.”Late spring and summer pests are a part of warm-weather life, but how you prepare for them can make a big difference. Closely monitoring your lawn when it’s warm and wet outside, regularly watering and fertilizing trees and shrubs, and maintaining a well-kept yard are a few simple ways to keep pests in check.If you spot the early warning signs and stay on top of basic lawn care with the help of a professional, you’ll be in much better shape heading into summer.This story was produced by TruGreen and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Eldridge Police part of Indianapolis child exploitation investigation Police in Eldridge recently helped the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department in an online child exploitation investigation. A news release from the Eldridge Police Department said the two departments worked together to arrest a 56-year-old man from Indianapolis after an undercover investigation. An investigator from the Eldridge Police Department’s Special Investigations/Internet Crimes Against Children Unit engaged [...]
	Foreign ticket holders from World Cup teams' countries won't have to pay bonds to enter U.S. The Trump administration is suspending a requirement that visitors from countries that have qualified for the World Cup and bought tickets for the tournament pay as much as $15,000 in bonds to enter the U.S.
	Scott County auditor announces absentee voting for June 2nd primary election Scott County Auditor Kerri Tompkins is reminding voters absentee voting, early and in-person voting, begins Wednesday.
	Knox County clerk joins delegation in D.C. to advocate for more local election funding Scott Erickson said it will cost Knox County $70,000 to run elections this year. He said increased, stable federal funding would ease the burden on local taxpayers.
	How to raise seed funding for your startup How to raise seed funding for your startup in 2026You've built something real, and your product works. Customers are interested, but your bank account tells a different story. The gap between what you've created and what it takes to scale feels impossibly wide. This is where most founders find themselves when they start thinking about seed funding.Early-stage capital came back in 2025, but access narrowed. Valuations rose, round counts stayed low, and more capital concentrated in larger, AI-heavy financings. Carta reported a median of 616 days from seed to Series A close in mid-2025, a gap that shapes how much runway you need to plan for. Founders who approach fundraising without a clear strategy waste precious time chasing the wrong investors or accepting unfavorable terms.The 2025 seed market split into two distinct tiers, covered in detail below, and which one you're in shapes everything from your valuation to your timeline. Brex shares what to do once you've decided seed is the right stage.What is seed funding?Seed funding is the first significant external capital a startup raises after bootstrapping or collecting small amounts from friends and family. It typically ranges from $500,000 to $5 million, though competitive sectors push higher. The money funds product development, initial hiring, and early go-to-market efforts. The distinction between how the two funding stages differ comes down to traction, team, and whether you have a product gaining measurable momentum.This stage matters because it determines your runway and your leverage. A well-structured seed round gives you 18 to 24 months to hit the milestones that will attract Series A investors. Your seed round also sets the valuation baseline for every future raise, making the terms you accept now carry consequences for years. But before getting into the mechanics, there's an important context shift that changes how you should read the rest of this guide.The two-tier seed market since 2025Most seed funding guides are written as if all seed rounds work the same way. That hasn't been true for a while, and understanding the split matters before you start building your investor list.On one end, AI-focused startups commanded 42% of all global seed dollars in 2025, up from 30% the year before. Investors at the top of the market moved faster, wrote bigger checks, and cared less about traditional traction metrics when the founder had the right pedigree or a model already showing early product-market fit. On the other end, among U.S. seed rounds tracked by Crunchbase, smaller rounds between $200,000 and $5 million fell from 70% of all seed dollars in 2018 to just 26% in 2025. That doesn't mean those rounds aren't happening. It means the capital concentration has shifted upward, and founders raising in that range face more competition for fewer available dollars.Your strategy depends on which tier applies to you. If you're building an AI company with strong early traction, you may command a higher valuation than this guide's benchmarks suggest. If you're building outside AI, in SaaS, commerce, fintech, or hardware, the traditional playbook still applies, but expect tighter due diligence, more conservative valuations, and longer timelines than founders in the AI bracket see.How to raise a seed roundThe startup fundraising process follows a predictable sequence, even when individual outcomes vary wildly. Breaking it into discrete steps helps you focus on what matters at each phase.Step 1. Calculate your target raise amountStart with the number, not the investors. Map out your business startup costs for the next 18 to 24 months, including salaries, infrastructure, marketing spend, and a buffer for unexpected expenses. Most founders underestimate by 20%-30%. Add that cushion to your baseline.Your target should give you enough runway to hit clear milestones that make you Series A ready. The ARR threshold that Series A investors expect has risen significantly. Carta-tracked investors cited benchmarks ranging from $1 million to $5 million or more in ARR, depending on sector, growth rate, and market conditions, so define your specific milestone with your target investors in mind rather than assuming a fixed number. Hardware companies need working prototypes and manufacturing partnerships. Define your milestone first, then work backward to the funding amount. Knowing your startup burn rate before you start modeling will make this calculation more accurate.Step 2. Build your investor listCreate a tiered list of 80 to 100 potential investors. Your first tier includes investors who have funded companies in your space at your stage. Your second tier covers investors who match on stage but not sector. Your third tier serves as backup volume.Research each investor's recent deals, check sizes, and stated thesis areas. Reaching out to an investor who only writes $5 million checks when you're raising $1 million wastes everyone's time. Use LinkedIn, Crunchbase, and your network to find warm introductions wherever possible.Step 3. Prepare your materialsYou need a pitch deck, a financial model, and a data room. Your deck should run 10 to 15 slides covering problem, solution, market size, business model, traction, team, and ask. Your financial model should show three years of projections with clear assumptions. Your data room holds everything an investor will request during due diligence.Practice your pitch until you can deliver it in 3 minutes, 10 minutes, or 30 minutes. The 3-minute version matters most because most initial conversations happen quickly.Step 4. Run a parallel processContact your top 20 investors within the same two-week window. Running parallel conversations creates natural urgency and gives you leverage when term sheets arrive. Staggering your outreach lets investors wait each other out.Track every conversation in a CRM or spreadsheet. Note the date of each interaction, the next step, and any concerns raised. Follow up within 48 hours of every meeting. Momentum matters more than perfection.Step 5. Negotiate terms carefullyWhen term sheets arrive, focus on valuation, liquidation preferences, board composition, and pro-rata rights. Valuation gets the most attention, but the other terms can matter more in a downside scenario. A higher valuation with aggressive liquidation preferences can leave founders with less than a lower valuation with clean terms.Get a startup-focused attorney to review every document. The $5,000 to $15,000 in legal fees pays for itself many times over. Good legal counsel catches issues you won't see.How to arrive at your startup valuationValuation is the term sheet line that gets the most attention, but most founders approach it backward. They pick a number that feels ambitious and defend it. The better approach is to anchor to market data and build from there.Start by researching post-money valuations for comparable seed-stage companies in your sector and geography. Crunchbase, AngelList, and Carta's public benchmarking data are all useful starting points. Once you have a sample of five to 10 comparable rounds, target the mean or up to 25% above it if your traction metrics justify it. "25% above the mean" isn't arbitrary; it's a negotiating position you can defend with data.A few factors adjust the baseline meaningfully. First-time founders at the same traction level typically command lower valuations than repeat founders. Bay Area rounds run higher than comparable rounds in most other markets. AI companies receive a structural premium right now that may not persist, so price your expectations accordingly.Where you can find seed capitalNot all capital is equal. Different sources bring different expectations, timelines, and nonfinancial value, and mixing them strategically is often how the best seed rounds get built. Most successful seed rounds combine multiple sources. A typical structure pairs a VC lead with angel follow-on participation, using nondilutive grants to extend runway without additional equity sacrifice.Angel investorsAngels move faster than institutions, take more concentrated risk, and often bring networks that matter more than their check.Venture capital firmsVenture capital firms pool money from institutional investors and deploy it across portfolios of startups. Seed-stage VC funds typically write checks between $500,000 and $2 million. They bring pattern recognition from seeing hundreds of companies, connections to future investors, and hands-on operational support.The tradeoff involves higher expectations and more formal governance. VCs need portfolio companies to swing for significant outcomes because their fund economics require big wins. A company targeting $20 million in annual revenue is often a great business but a poor VC investment. VCs also move slowly relative to angels, with six to 12 weeks from first meeting to term sheet.Top-tier seed VCs are now making decisions faster for companies they want. They've moved from slow diligence to high-conviction calls based on distribution, retention, and founder instinct. If a fund is interested, you'll know quickly. If you're three weeks in and still getting vague follow-up, that's a signal too. A VC seed round often includes board representation. That accountability cuts both ways. Make sure your working style aligns with any investor who will have a seat at the table.AcceleratorsAccelerator programs provide capital, mentorship, and cohort-based support in exchange for equity. Y Combinator's current deal is $125,000 for 7% equity plus a $375,000 uncapped MFN SAFE. Techstars updated its terms in April 2025 to $20,000 for 5% common equity plus a $200,000 uncapped MFN SAFE. Both structures split the investment across two instruments, so the total capital is larger than the headline equity check suggests.The real value extends far past the check. Top accelerators provide access to investor networks that would otherwise take years to build. Demo day events put you in front of hundreds of potential investors in a single afternoon. The equity cost runs higher per dollar than other sources. You're paying for the programming and access, not just the capital. This makes sense for first-time founders without existing investor relationships.Crowdfunding platformsEquity crowdfunding lets you raise capital from large numbers of nonaccredited investors through SEC-regulated platforms. Regulation Crowdfunding allows raises up to $5 million annually. Companies like Republic and Wefunder facilitate these campaigns, handling compliance and investor management. Crowdfunding works well for consumer products with built-in audiences. Your customers become investors, which deepens their loyalty and creates built-in marketing.Campaigns require significant marketing effort. You'll spend weeks driving traffic to your raise page. Managing hundreds of small investors creates administrative overhead, even with platform support. Traditional VCs sometimes view crowdfunded companies with skepticism.Government grantsFederal and state governments offer non-dilutive funding for startups in specific sectors, particularly deep tech, biotech, defense, and energy. The Small Business Innovation Research program (SBIR) is the most common entry point, but check current solicitations for award amounts rather than relying on published caps. The program lapsed after September 2025 and was reauthorized in April 2026, and published figures have not been fully harmonized across official pages. The SBA provides detailed guidance on eligibility and application processes.The main advantage is nondilutive capital. Winning a competitive federal award also signals technical credibility to follow-on investors in a way that's hard to manufacture otherwise.The application process demands significant time investment. SBIR applications often run 25 to 50 pages and require detailed technical and commercial plans. Review cycles take four to six months. Grant funding works best as a complement to other capital, not a primary strategy.Revenue-based financingRevenue-based financing provides capital in exchange for a percentage of future revenue until a repayment cap is reached. Typical terms across providers involve repaying 1.1 to 1.5 times the principal over 12 to 24 months. This option suits companies with predictable revenue who want to avoid dilution. A SaaS company with $50,000 in monthly recurring revenue can access $500,000 in growth capital while keeping full ownership. The cost of capital exceeds traditional debt but involves no equity sacrifice.Revenue-based financing doesn't work for pre-revenue companies. You need a consistent income to qualify and repay. The ongoing revenue share also reduces cash available for other expenses, which can constrain growth in capital-intensive periods. Explore business lines of credit for startups for additional nondilutive options.Factors that shape your seed funding decisionHow much to raise, from whom, and on what terms are decisions you can get technically right and still get wrong if you haven’t thought clearly about your own situation. These three factors tend to matter most.Your tolerance for dilutionEvery dollar of equity funding costs ownership. The question isn't whether dilution is bad. It's whether the capital fuels enough growth to make your smaller percentage more valuable in absolute terms. A founder who owns 60% of a $10 million company has less than one who owns 40% of a $50 million company. Understanding startup equity compensation helps you structure deals that keep everyone aligned.Some founders prioritize control and accept slower growth to preserve equity. Others prioritize speed and accept more dilution to capture market windows. Neither approach is wrong, but your answer should be intentional rather than reactive.The nonfinancial support you needMoney is the baseline. What else do you need? A first-time founder benefits enormously from experienced board members who have built companies in their industry before. A serial entrepreneur with deep networks often prefers passive investors who won't add meetings to the calendar. Consider whether you need introductions to enterprise customers, technical advisors, or recruiting help. Different funding sources deliver different types of support, and matching your needs to the investor profile matters as much as the check size.Market timing and competitive pressureSome markets reward fast movers with lasting advantages. Others favor patient builders who wait for technology or regulation to mature. If three well-funded competitors are racing toward the same opportunity, underfunding means losing. If you're building in an emerging category with room for multiple winners, capital efficiency matters more than speed. That decision also interacts with which tier of the current market you're in. Analyze your startup growth strategies before deciding on funding pace.Can a solo founder raise a seed round?Solo founders can raise seed rounds, but the odds are materially lower than most guides suggest. That's not a reason to give up. The core investor concern isn't really about being solo. It's about whether you can recruit. Investors backing a single founder are betting that person can attract the engineers, operators, and executives the company will need. They want to know why there's no co-founder, and what that signals about your ability to bring people in.The most effective counter to that concern is to show evidence of recruiting ability before you're in the room. If you have advisors with strong credentials, team members ready to join post-funding, or a track record of building teams at previous companies, make that visible. Some founders go further and bring on a committed co-founder after the round closes, establishing the agreement in advance. That approach can work, but investors will want to see the arrangement formalized.Traction matters more for solo founders than for teams. Strong retention numbers, paying customers, or a fast-growing waitlist reduce the team risk question significantly. If the product is working, the lone-founder concern shrinks. If you're pre-traction, the bar is higher.Common seed funding mistakesUnderstanding the mechanics of a raise is only half the job. These are the mistakes that derail founders who have the right product and the right investors lined up but still get it wrong.Raising too little to reach the next milestoneFounders often underestimate costs and overestimate progress. They raise 12 months of runway when they need 18. The result is a bridge round from a position of weakness or a fire sale when cash runs low. This mistake destroys more startups than bad products.Add 30% to your initial budget estimate. Build your financial model with conservative revenue assumptions and realistic hiring timelines. Identify the specific metrics you need to hit for Series A eligibility and work backward to the required runway. Create a startup budget that accounts for delays and unexpected expenses, and review it monthly against actuals.Optimizing for valuation over termsA high valuation feels like validation. But valuation is one line in a term sheet full of provisions that matter more in a downside scenario. Aggressive liquidation preferences, participating preferred structures, and restrictive covenants can all leave founders with less than a cleaner deal at a lower number would have.Understand every term before you sign. Ask your attorney to walk through the downside scenarios for each provision. A clean $8 million valuation often beats a messy $12 million when you account for all the terms.Taking money from misaligned investorsNot every check is worth cashing. Investors who need quick returns, expect unrealistic growth rates, or want control that doesn't match their ownership stake create ongoing friction. These relationships sour faster than founders expect. Reference check every investor before you close. Talk to founders of their portfolio companies, including the ones that struggled. Ask specifically about how the investor behaved when things went wrong.Neglecting financial infrastructureFounders focus on fundraising and then forget to build systems for managing the money they raised. Set up dedicated business banking, expense management, and accounting processes before the wire hits your account. Know how to track business expenses from day one. Cash flow problems, missed payments, and compliance gaps erode investor confidence fast.Missing milestones after raisingHigher seed valuations mean less margin for error. Investors who wrote a check at a $15 million post-money valuation may expect a Series A at $40 to $60 million. Miss your milestones and the next round gets harder, not just because you need more traction but because your cap table creates a math problem for new investors.Raise for the milestones you can actually hit, not the ones that sound most impressive. Being conservative in what you promise and then overdelivering is a far better position than raising on an aggressive growth story and coming up short. Investors have longer memories than founders sometimes expect.Best practices for managing seed capitalMonthly financial reviewsSchedule a recurring monthly session to review actual spending against your budget. Compare burn rate to projections and identify categories running over or under plan. Unmanaged cash flow catches up with startups faster than most founders expect. Track runway remaining as a primary metric. Your target should stay above 12 months until you're actively raising your next round. When it drops below nine months, treat it as an emergency.Spending approval workflowsCreate clear thresholds for spending authority. Individual contributors can approve purchases under $500, while managers can handle up to $5,000. Anything larger can be set to require founder sign-off. Document your spending policies in a corporate credit card policy that everyone on your team understands.Cash reserve managementKeep two to three months of operating expenses in a separate, higher-earning account from your operating funds. This buffer protects against timing mismatches between payables and receivables. A business sweep account can automate this separation. Track your cash position weekly at a minimum. Daily visibility is better during high-burn periods.Investor reporting cadenceSend monthly updates to your investors even when they don't ask for them. Include key metrics, wins, challenges, and specific asks for help. This builds trust and keeps your investors engaged as partners rather than passive observers.Your update should take 30 minutes to write and 5 minutes to read. Consistency matters more than polish. Investors who feel informed are more likely to help when you need support.Financial tools for seed-stage companiesThe operational side of managing a seed round is easy to underestimate. These are the tools that help you maintain control and visibility from the day the money lands.Corporate cards without personal guaranteesMany traditional business credit cards require founders to personally guarantee the balance, putting personal assets at risk for company expenses. Knowing how corporate credit cards work can help you select the right solution for your team.Automated expense trackingManual expense reports waste hours every month. With real-time spend tracking, every transaction automatically categorizes and appears in your dashboard immediately. You see where money goes without chasing receipts or waiting for credit card statements. This visibility helps you catch budget overruns before they compound.Integrated bill payPaying vendors through multiple systems creates reconciliation headaches and fraud risk.Virtual cards for controlled spendingSoftware subscriptions, contractor payments, and marketing spend often need separate cards with specific limits. Virtual cards let you create unlimited card numbers with custom spending controls. Set per-transaction limits, restrict merchant categories, and cancel instantly if a number gets compromised. Many seed-stage companies benefit from accounting software for startups that connects seamlessly with their financial tools.This story was produced by Brex and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	YWCA, ThePlace2B hosting Youth Mental Health Forum QC youth can come together for an evening of connection, conversation, and support at a free Youth Mental Health Forum on Wednesday, May 28, from 5 - 7:30 p.m. at YWCA Quad Cities, 513 17th Street in Rock Island. The forum is hosted by ThePlace2B and is open to kids ages 13–18 throughout the community. [...]
	From Accident to Zzyzx: 5 of the weirdest town names (and how they got them) From Accident to Zzyzx: 5 of the weirdest town names (and how they got them)Most cities in the United States have easily explainable names: They were named during the colonial era after European cities or their royal leaders. Or they were named after the European settlers who claimed the land.However, some city names are downright bizarre. A few are the result of local legends, others from mistakes, and some even from marketing stunts. ThatsThem looked at the weirdest town names across the United States, with details about the stories behind them and who lives there today.1. Accident, MarylandThere are two competing stories about Accident, Maryland. According to Preservation Maryland, both date back to 1774, when land in Western Maryland was up for claim by settlers. One story says that two friends, Brooke Beall and Williams Deakins Jr., both set out to survey land and claim their stake. Apparently, both parties had claimed the same piece of land “by accident.” Beall agreed to take another plot.Another version of the story is that a man named George Deakins was told by King George II that he could have any 600 acres of land in Western Maryland. Deakins sent out two men to find the best plot, and surprisingly, both came back with the same tract of land. Deakins chalked it up to a coincidence, but was happy with the results. From there, it was said he called it the “Accident Tract,” and the name of the town stuck.Today, residents here are called “Accidentals.” It’s a small town with only about 400 residents.2. Toad Suck, ArkansasAccording to ArkansasTV, the town of Toad Suck got its name from the steamboat days. Back then, boats used to navigate up and down the Arkansas River that passed through the area. It was common for water levels to drop from time to time, so crews would dock their boats and head into town.One specific tavern was a magnet for these boat crews. Locals described instances of them drinking and relaxing at the tavern all day long, “sucking on the bottle ‘til they swelled up like toads.” No one is sure if this is true, but regardless, the name is still around.Toad Suck is technically an unincorporated town, so there’s no official census data on it. However, thousands descend on the town every year for the annual Toad Suck Daze, a local festival that’s organized to raise money for local education.3. Ding Dong, TexasThe unincorporated town of Ding Dong, Texas, has a less mysterious origin. The story is well documented. In the 1930s, two cousins, Zulis and Isaac Bell, operated a small country store along the Lampasas River. People frequently traveled this route, so the two cousins decided they wanted to make a store sign to encourage people to stop. An artist named C.C. Hoover was hired. Playing off the two cousins’ last name, he decided to add two bells to the sign. Another local store owner suggested it would be funny if the artist added “Ding Dong” to the sign. He did, and the name has never changed since.Although it’s also an unincorporated town, Ding Dong has a small registered population. In 2000, it had a whopping 22 residents.4. Truth or Consequences, New MexicoWould you ever think that a town would be renamed because of a radio show contest? Well, that’s exactly what happened in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.At the time, the town was named Hot Springs. But in 1950, a radio producer named Ralph Edwards held a radio contest on his game show, Truth or Consequences. He announced that he would broadcast the show’s 10th anniversary from the first town to rename itself after the show. Residents in the town voted to officially change the name, and the radio show was broadcast from it. According to Time, the name never reverted, and in 1967, residents voted to make it permanent.This is one of the larger towns on this list, with around 6,000 residents today.5. Zzyzx, CaliforniaZzyzx was never an official town. It was the creation of a self-proclaimed minister from Los Angeles who claimed that the mineral springs in the Mojave Desert were the perfect spot for a spa and health resort. He filed a mining claim with the government for 12,800 acres of land and named the parcel the Zzyzx Mineral Springs and Health Resort. There were no natural hot springs; they were all artificially heated by a hidden boiler.He named it Zzyzx intentionally and strategically. It was the last listing to appear in any directory, making it a savvy marketing ploy. The resort did find success and, at one time, had a 60-room hotel, church, and airstrip. But in 1974, the government decided that the minister had no claim to the land.Today, Zzyzx is managed by the California State University System. It has a population of one: the manager of the Desert Studies Center.A lasting legacyAs weird as these names may be, they’re officially recognized places by the U.S. government. They portray regional character, tell stories that won’t be forgotten, and offer a unique glimpse into the country's history.The next time you’re driving through a new region, pay attention to the names of the towns you pass. There might be more to them than you realize.This story was produced by ThatsThem and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Group O joins globally recognized trade association Milan-based Group O has joined PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, strengthening its commitment to innovation and growth in the packaging and automation industry.
	Senate confirms Kevin Warsh as next chair of the Federal Reserve Warsh has argued there's room for the central bank to lower interest rates, but that could be challenging at a time of rising inflation.
	AI is disrupting hiring: How tech talent can stand out AI is disrupting hiring: How tech talent can stand outLayoffs continue to ripple across the technology sector, while companies simultaneously accelerate AI integration, investing heavily in new tools and infrastructure. AI accounted for 25% of all job cuts in March 2026 and 8% of all cuts in Q1.Toptal’s High-skilled Job Report for Q1 2026 finds that technology company layoffs have surged by roughly 140% quarter over quarter (QoQ) and year over year (YoY), underscoring the scale of disruption occurring alongside continued investment in AI.Beneath the surface, however, the report suggests that demand for experienced technology and professional services roles is increasing even as overall job opportunities continue to decline.The report’s methodology draws on data from Layoffs.fyi, Indeed, and Lightcast, as well as qualitative insights from Toptal executives about what they are seeing in the marketplace. For job seekers and employers alike, understanding the drivers behind this shift is crucial for landing jobs and building teams. This article examines those drivers and distills insights for companies and workers. Toptal The New Baseline: Fewer Roles, Higher ExpectationsAs AI automates tech and operational tasks, many employers are looking for professionals who can operate at a higher level from day one. Engineers who understand how to build, manage, and collaborate with AI systems rather than simply write code. Product managers who make sure that AI initiatives deliver measurable business value. Data specialists who help organizations design, train, and govern AI models.This translates to more opportunities for senior workers. Demand for technology and professional services personnel with at least five years of experience increased by 10.5% QoQ and 6.4% YoY, according to Toptal’s report.There is also a clear shift in how companies evaluate candidates. Formal job titles are becoming less important than demonstrable AI-related skills. Hiring managers care less about traditional credentials and increasingly want to see how candidates apply their knowledge in real-world situations: Portfolios, open-source contributions, freelance work, and hands-on project experience are the modern differentiators.For job seekers, this shift from credential-based hiring to capability-based hiring requires them to show evidence of the work they are applying to do, such as building an AI-powered application or securing cloud environments. Doing so offers a significant advantage, even for those without a traditional career trajectory.The report suggests that although demand has slowed for some skill sets and grown for others, organizations are shifting from volume hiring to leaner teams of versatile senior professionals who pair deep domain expertise with AI fluency, business acumen, and cross-functional agility. Organizations that successfully integrate AI into their workflows tend to treat automation as a tool that amplifies human expertise rather than replacing it. In that environment, professionals who understand both the technology itself and how to apply AI tools to improve efficiency and solve complex problems have a clear advantage.Why Companies Are Looking for Talent EverywhereEmployers now face the challenge of not only redefining the talent they need but also finding it. Specialized talent remains difficult to source, with roles that require technical depth and experience with AI systems the most challenging.Many organizations are expanding their recruiting strategies beyond traditional geographical boundaries. Rather than competing for a limited number of candidates in major tech hubs, companies are leaning into remote hiring and distributed teams to expand talent pools. A Datapeople study found that remote job postings increase the candidate pool by 125%.Toptal’s report suggests that this shift isn’t just a response to talent shortages; it’s an emerging structural feature of the labor market. Postings for remote and hybrid roles in the technology and professional services sector rose 8.9% QoQ and 4.8% YoY, in Q1. Toptal The geographic shift means job seekers are no longer limited to local opportunities. High-skilled workers now have access to roles with companies worldwide, particularly in fields where expertise remains scarce.But access alone isn’t enough. Candidates must align their skills with demand. The report points to AI systems, cybersecurity, and data engineering as particularly strong opportunities in fields that are actively hiring despite broader market uncertainty. While the report found that overall U.S. job growth is projected to decline moderately through Q2 2026, demand for experienced remote and hybrid technology and professional services roles is expected to increase, albeit at a slower pace than in previous years.That means building skills that go beyond traditional expectations: developing hands-on experience with AI tools, working across the full life cycle of systems, and demonstrating the ability to apply technical knowledge to real business problems.Adaptability Is the New Core SkillFor job seekers navigating today’s volatile market, the message is simple: Opportunities exist for highly skilled, specialized roles, but they require a new mix of capabilities. For companies, the challenge is building effective teams in an increasingly AI-driven environment where specialized talent is both in high demand and limited supply. For workers, it means developing the skills needed to take on work that is more complex and AI-integrated than ever before.As a result, adaptability has become the most valuable asset. Companies and workers who can evolve with emerging technologies will continue to have an advantage, while those who cannot will find fewer opportunities in a market that is becoming more selective and more specialized.This story was produced by Toptal and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Where rent increased and decreased most: 2026 study Where rent increased and decreased most: 2026 studyRent in 100 of the largest U.S. cities increased by an average 1.73% over the past year, going from $1,810 to $1,843. Meanwhile, general inflation — estimated to be at 2.41% nationally over the same time period – exceeded the rent increases, giving some households extra purchasing power of their biggest monthly expense. Still, many hot spots saw rent far outpace annual inflation, some in excess of a 5% annual increase. These recent trends can reveal housing and job market momentum in a particular locale, along with other contextual insights.With this in mind, SmartAsset ranked U.S. cities based on the one-year increase in typical rent between 2025 and 2026, including the price tag on a typical rental now, last year, and five years ago.Key FindingsSan Francisco sees a 14% increase in rent. San Francisco earned the title of highest rent increase this year by a wide margin. The typical rent jumped from $3,362 in 2025 to $3,830 in 2026. This boost makes San Francisco the most expensive rent studywide, overtaking New York City. The cumulative five year change in rent prices in San Francisco has been 35.1%.Other sharp rent increases reveal these cities as current hot spots. Reno, Nevada and Chicago each saw a 6.5% increase in the typical rent this year, followed by Virginia Beach, Virginia and New York City at 5.4% increases. Lexington, Kentucky (5.1%); Oakland, California (5%); and Minneapolis, Minnesota (5%) also saw relative surges.Over a five-year timeline, rent increased most in Miami. Ranking 67th this year with a relatively flat 0.3% increase, Miami still overtakes all cities in rent surges considering 2021 to 2026. The rent increased nearly $1,000 from $1,958 to $2,955 over that period. New York City has the second highest five-year increase at 49.8%.Rent decreased most in Austin; 21 cities total. Rent dropped 2.9% from $1,577 to $1,531 over the past year in Austin, Texas, more than any other large U.S. city. The typical rent also decreased this year in Washington, DC (down 2%); San Antonio (1.7%); Phoenix (1.6%); Aurora, Colorado (1.4%); Denver (1%); Houston (1%); and Raleigh, North Carolina (0.3%); among other cities. SmartAsset Top 10 Cities With the Biggest Rent IncreasesSan Francisco, Calif.One year increase: 13.94%Rent, 2026: $3,830Rent, 2025: $3,362Rent, 2021: $2,834Five year increase: 35.14%Reno, Nev.One year increase: 6.49%Rent, 2026: $1,830Rent, 2025: $1,718Rent, 2021: $1,453Five year increase: 25.93%Chicago, Ill.One year increase: 6.49%Rent, 2026: $2,292Rent, 2025: $2,153Rent, 2021: $1,649Five year increase: 39.03%Virginia Beach, Va.One year increase: 5.36%Rent, 2026: $1,953Rent, 2025: $1,853Rent, 2021: $1,410Five year increase: 38.50%New York, N.Y.One year increase: 5.36%Rent, 2026: $3,706Rent, 2025: $3,517Rent, 2021: $2,474Five year increase: 49.81%Lexington, Ky.One year increase: 5.10%Rent, 2026: $1,487Rent, 2025: $1,415Rent, 2021: $1,036Five year increase: 43.55%Oakland, Calif.One year increase: 5.04%Rent, 2026: $2,527Rent, 2025: $2,406Rent, 2021: $2,321Five year increase: 8.89%Minneapolis, Minn.One year increase: 5.01%Rent, 2026: $1,638Rent, 2025: $1,560Rent, 2021: $1,388Five year increase: 18.06%Toledo, OhioOne year increase: 4.77%Rent, 2026: $1,060Rent, 2025: $1,012Rent, 2021: $752Five year increase: 40.91%Cleveland, OhioOne year increase: 4.76%Rent, 2026: $1,344Rent, 2025: $1,283Rent, 2021: $958Five year increase: 40.27%Top 10 Cities With the Biggest Rent DecreasesAustin, TexasOne year change: -2.87%Rent, 2026: $1,531Rent, 2025: $1,577Rent, 2021: $1,372Five year change: 11.63%Saint Petersburg, Fla.One year change: -2.19%Rent, 2026: $2,048Rent, 2025: $2,094Rent, 2021: $1,459Five year change: 40.33%Washington, DCOne year change: -1.99%Rent, 2026: $2,406Rent, 2025: $2,455Rent, 2021: $2,031Five year change: 18.46%San Antonio, TexasOne year change: -1.72%Rent, 2026: $1,361Rent, 2025: $1,385Rent, 2021: $1,199Five year change: 13.53%Phoenix, Ariz.One year change: -1.64%Rent, 2026: $1,556Rent, 2025: $1,582Rent, 2021: $1,271Five year change: 22.38%Katy, TexasOne year change: -1.43%Rent, 2026: $1,896Rent, 2025: $1,923Rent, 2021: $1,554Five year change: 21.95%Aurora, Colo.One year change: -1.39%Rent, 2026: $1,689Rent, 2025: $1,713Rent, 2021: $1,415Five year change: 19.41%Tampa, Fla.One year change: -1.36%Rent, 2026: $1,968Rent, 2025: $1,996Rent, 2021: $1,441Five year change: 36.61%Mesa, Ariz.One year change: -1.23%Rent, 2026: $1,554Rent, 2025: $1,574Rent, 2021: $1,268Five year change: 22.57%Chandler, Ariz.One year change: -1.18%Rent, 2026: $1,848Rent, 2025: $1,870Rent, 2021: $1,515Five year change: 21.98%Data and MethodologyRental data comes from Zillow’s Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Data as of February 2026, February 2025, and February 2021 was compared. Data represents average for all homes plus multifamilies for 100 of the largest U.S. cities, smoothed and seasonally adjusted.This story was produced by SmartAsset and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Neanderthals may have drilled out a cavity 59,000 years ago Scientists dug up a Paleolithic tooth that shows signs that these hominins may have been capable of executing a precise dental procedure.
	Salary benchmarking for startups: What it is and how to implement it Salary benchmarking for startups: What it is and how to implement itHiring your first employees can be both energizing and financially sobering. Every offer you make reflects your belief in the company’s future, yet every salary becomes a recurring financial commitment that compounds over time. Founders want to compete for strong talent without locking in compensation decisions that will strain runway or create long-term inequities inside the team. To avoid scenarios like these, understanding startup salary benchmarks is essential. When compensation is grounded in reliable, structured data and a repeatable process, hiring decisions become more intentional and sustainable.In this guide, Mercury, a fintech platform that offers business and personal banking services,* explains what salary benchmarking is, walk through a step-by-step implementation process, and share practical tools and best practices.What is salary benchmarking?Many founders begin salary considerations with informal comparisons. They’ll ask peers what they pay, review job postings, and piece together directional numbers from public sources. Although that approach provides a general sense of the market, it rarely accounts for role scope or the unique realities of early-stage companies.So, what is salary benchmarking in practice? It’s the disciplined use of compensation data to define salary ranges for specific roles, levels, and markets, while accounting for geography and, where relevant, equity. The result is more than a single number; it’s a structured band that reflects both market conditions and your company's philosophy.A thoughtful salary benchmarking approach allows founders to articulate how and why pay decisions are made. Over time, this clarity reduces negotiation volatility and creates consistency across hiring cycles.Why is salary benchmarking important for early-stage startups?Early hiring often feels highly individualized. Each candidate brings a different background, and each negotiation carries urgency. Without a framework to work from, compensation decisions can drift in ways that are difficult to unwind later.So, why is salary benchmarking important? Compensation represents one of the largest recurring expenses in an early-stage company. As your team grows and you focus on long-term planning, you’ll feel the benefits of salary benchmarking more and more.Working from a clear set of salary ranges allows founders to make competitive offers anchored in data, while reducing the risk of unexplained pay gaps between employees in similar roles. In short, having structured benchmarks supports more accurate financial modeling, stronger staff retention, and a clearer narrative around fairness for your team. As hiring accelerates, having a defined system is essential for operational discipline and consistency.What goes into startup salary benchmarksEffective startup salary benchmarks reflect more than job titles, which can obscure wide differences in expectations and impact, particularly in small teams where roles are broad and evolving. Several inputs — including seniority and leveling, geography, and cash and equity mix — can help shape reliable benchmarks.Together, these elements provide a more complete view of pay expectations and help align employee compensation with your startup’s strategic goals.Role scope and expected outcomesDefining the role's mission and the outcomes expected over specific time periods ensures that compensation aligns with impact. A founding engineer building infrastructure from scratch, for instance, will have more responsibility than a contributor who’s optimizing an established system.Seniority and levelingConsistent leveling criteria provide stability across hiring decisions. Clarify distinctions between junior, mid, senior, and lead roles, in terms of autonomy, complexity, and influence. This prevents hiring negotiations from redefining levels on a case-by-case basis.Geography and hiring marketRemote work expands access to talent. Benchmarks should reflect the local labor market from which you’re hiring candidates, especially when compensation expectations differ meaningfully across regions.Cash and equity mixEarly-stage compensation offers frequently blend salary with equity and broader startup employee benefits. Candidates evaluate total compensation holistically, so your benchmarking should reflect salary, any stock options, benefits, and your company’s broader compensation philosophy.The salary benchmarking process for startups: A step-by-step frameworkTo conduct salary benchmarking, you’ll need to gather relevant information, which will help you gain clarity before decisions are made. By following these steps, salary benchmarking for startups becomes part of strategic planning, rather than a reactive hiring task.Step 1: Define the role with precisionBefore reviewing market data, articulate the role’s mission, key responsibilities, required capabilities, and decision-making authority. Establishing clear role definitions prevents misalignment between expectations and pay.Step 2: Establish a leveling frameworkEven a simple framework with three or four tiers can provide consistency. Document the characteristics that distinguish each level, so that compensation offers reflect capability and scope, rather than the candidate’s negotiation skills.Step 3: Gather multiple data sourcesNo dataset will capture the full market. Combining structured compensation surveys, reputable aggregators, and industry reports will help you get a more balanced perspective. Triangulate data, rather than relying on a single reference point.Step 4: Adapt the informationAdjust the data you’ve collected to reflect your company's stage, role scope, geography, and compensation mix. Numbers from mature public companies often assume infrastructure and risk profiles that differ significantly from early-stage startups. So, translate any insights that you learn from industry data to match your startup’s particular circumstances.Step 5: Set salary bandsTo set salary bands, create ranges with minimum, midpoint, and maximum values. The minimum range should support the development of hires, the midpoint should reflect full capability, and the maximum level should account for exceptional experience or urgency. Bands offer flexibility while creating pay consistency across your company.Step 6: Connect benchmarks to financial planningUse your salary bands to inform hiring projections and runway models. Modeling multiple scenarios can help you make confident compensation decisions that align with your company’s long-term sustainability.Salary benchmarking tools for foundersThe right salary benchmarking tools for your startup will depend on how many hires you’re making and how specialized the roles are. For early-stage teams, a small tool stack is usually enough, especially if you’re building salary bands, rather than trying to pin down single, precise numbers.Free salary benchmarking tools and low-cost sourcesThough they’re not perfect, these free salary benchmarking tools can support early-stage benchmarking without requiring large investments:Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics produces annual employment and wage estimates for over 800 occupations. You can filter the findings by individual states, specific areas, or the entire country.ONET Online: Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, this national database features occupation profiles and comprehensive overviews of roles. You can use it to compare and explore different types of roles.Pave’s Market Data Lite): This free compensation data includes base salary and equity benchmarking, focusing on startups with 1 to 200 employees.Public job postings: Public job listings offer a practical snapshot of what employers are currently advertising for similar roles in your market. Narrow the search by location and experience level for the most relevant results.Paid platforms worth considering as you scale hiringWith paid tools, you may find that the cost is worth the added confidence you’ll gain. If you’re hiring rapidly, paid platforms, like the ones below, can save time and surface more relevant and consistent information:Carta Total Compensation: This platform offers real-time benchmarking data on salary and equity rates.Ravio: This platform provides real-time benchmarks and compensation tooling.Pave: This AI compensation platform helps startups build salary ranges and benchmark cash and equity compensation in real-time.Best practices for updating salary bandsSalary bands function best when treated as living infrastructure. Here are steps you can take to make sure your startups salary bands evolve as needed:Review salary bands at a consistent cadence. For instance, you could reassess bands twice annually. Then, make adjustments to reflect market shifts or strategic changes.Document exceptions. In the spirit of transparency, document any exceptions you make to the ranges in your salary bands. This will help to prevent misalignment from creeping in over time.Separate role progression from performance. Promotions should reflect a team member’s expanded scope, and merit adjustments should recognize contribution within an existing level. Distinguishing between these two categories strengthens trust and reduces confusion.Integrate compensation planning into broader financial forecasting. This keeps hiring aligned with your available resources and growth objectives.Common salary benchmarking pitfalls to avoidMost compensation mistakes aren’t dramatic. They’re small, reasonable decisions made by well-intentioned owners that stack up. You’ve probably seen one or more of the following missteps before.Mistake #1: Copying big-tech pay, without big-tech contextLarge companies often have larger budgets and the capacity to pay higher salaries for more specialized roles. Plus, the lure of their established brand can feel like a lower-risk decision for potential hires. On the other hand, early-stage startups may have smaller budgets and, therefore, a more limited capacity to pay for specialized roles. Startup hires might have the chance to meaningfully help shape the company, but may need to be open to tackling broader roles with more ambiguity. As such, the job descriptions and compensation packages you offer need to reflect your startup’s current reality.Mistake #2: Ignoring the real value of equity, or overselling itEquity matters in startup compensation packages, but candidates will respond to equity differently, based on their personal risk tolerance and financial needs. Clear, honest explanations about the value of the equity you’re offering can help build trust. But compensation structures that overemphasize bonuses or short-term monetary incentives can unintentionally distort long-term alignment.Mistake #3: Inconsistent levelingIf you don’t clearly define levels up front, you’ll end up negotiating levels later. And this situation usually benefits the loudest voice or the best negotiator, not necessarily the best hire.Mistake #4: Treating benchmarks as guaranteesBenchmark data is an input, not a verdict. Your strategy, runway, and the role’s impact should still drive the final decision.Communicate salary benchmarks internallyHow you explain compensation will influence company culture as much as the numbers themselves. You don’t need radical transparency on day one, but you do to clearly convey your approach to salaries.Consider these questions:What is our compensation philosophy?How do we set ranges?What factors influence where someone lands within a band?How do raises and promotions work?Even a short internal memo can prevent months of speculation. It also signals that your company is making disciplined decisions, rather than improvising behind closed doors.Build compensation systems that scaleFor the most effective approach to salary benchmarking, build a repeatable decision system. This will keep hiring competitive while protecting your runway, building trust, and preserving fairness within your company.When startup salary benchmarks are grounded in role clarity and applied consistently, compensation becomes part of how your company scales responsibly, rather than a recurring source of friction or confusion. Compensation strategy is a key part of your startup’s operations. Paying staff on time, managing cash flow, and keeping financial workflows clean as headcount grows are all essential elements of a healthy company culture. Mercury is a fintech company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided through Choice Financial Group and Column N.A., Members FDIC.This story was produced by Mercury and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Rare white fawn spotted at Indian Hills Community College A rare white fawn was spotted on the Indian Hills Community College campus Tuesday, prompting the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to urge the public to keep their distance.
	Jessica McKearney named Blood Drive Partner of the Year A nurse practitioner from Eldridge has been honored for her work to organize blood drives and advocate for pediatric cancer research. Jessica McKearney was recognized as the Association of Donor Relations Professionals (ADRP) national conference as ADRP's Blood Drive Partner of the Year. Jessica and her husband Kyle McKearney created the Hudson Strong Foundation in [...]
	Illinois men's basketball coach Brad Underwood to play in John Deere Classic Pro-Am Underwood led the Fighting Illini to the 2026 NCAA Final Four, Illinois' first Final Four appearance since 2005.
	Mental Health Awareness Month: 3 Signs to Watch for in Kids (BPT) - Mental Health Awareness Month, recognized each May, is a reminder that mental health deserves the same attention as physical health, especially for children and teens.For many parents and caregivers, concerns often start with small changes. A child who once loved school may begin refusing to go. A normally social teen may withdraw from friends. Headaches or stomachaches may start appearing with no clear medical cause.It can be hard to know what is part of growing up and what might be something more.That uncertainty has become more common as youth mental health concerns continue to rise across the United States.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 40% of high school students report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and nearly 1 in 5 say they have seriously considered attempting suicide. At the same time, organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics have declared a national emergency in child and adolescent mental health.About 1 in 5 children in the U.S. has been diagnosed with a mental, emotional or behavioral health condition, yet only about half receive treatment. Suicide is now the second leading cause of death among young people.This is showing up in everyday moments at home, often well before families reach a crisis point."Mental Health Awareness Month is an important moment to pause and check in on how kids are really doing," said Dr. Monika Roots, child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist and co-founder of Bend Health. "But awareness alone isn't enough. Many families still struggle to access support until things feel urgent. We need to make it easier to recognize early signs and get help sooner, and that has to happen year-round."So what should parents actually be paying attention to?Clinicians say early signs often show up in everyday ways:1. Changes in behavior or moodA child who was once engaged may start withdrawing from friends or activities. Others may seem more irritable, anxious or overwhelmed than usual.2. Shifts in sleep, appetite or physical healthTrouble sleeping, eating more or less than usual, or frequent headaches or stomachaches can be signs of underlying stress.3. Changes at school or in daily functioningA drop in grades, difficulty concentrating or reluctance to go to school can signal something deeper going on.These signs don't always mean something serious, but they are worth paying attention to.Parents and caregivers are often the first to notice these shifts, but they don't have to figure it out on their own. Pediatricians, teachers and school counselors can help make sense of what is happening and guide families toward next steps.In many cases, early screening helps clarify what's going on and what kind of support could make a difference. If changes persist, worsen or start to affect daily life, it may be time to seek additional support.Some children benefit from skills-based coaching or short-term therapy focused on building coping strategies. Others may need more comprehensive support, including therapy, psychiatry or coordinated care across providers. The right approach depends on the child, their symptoms and their environment.Providers like Bend Health work with families to assess these needs and connect children to appropriate care, ranging from coaching and therapy to psychiatry and more integrated support when needed."Awareness should be a starting point, not the only time we focus on mental health," Dr. Roots said. "Kids do better when support is accessible early and consistently, not just when things become urgent."For families, the first step is often simple but not always easy: trusting your instincts. If something about a child's behavior or emotional well-being feels different, starting a conversation with a trusted adult or healthcare provider can help clarify what to do next.Early support can make a meaningful difference, helping children build resilience and navigate challenges before they become more serious.For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.bendhealth.com.
	6 reasons why you should invest in SEO for your business 6 reasons why you should invest in SEO for your businessTraffic is declining. Generative search is rising. Why invest in SEO again? WebFX explains.Investing in SEO improves website visibility in traditional and generative search experiences, providing a long-term and cost-effective growth strategy that builds brand visibility and revenue.Organic search traffic does not require a per-click fee.Why invest in SEO?Investing in SEO matters because search visibility directly impacts market share, customer acquisition, and long-term revenue growth.Here’s the market reality:Search drives buying decisions: If your business doesn’t appear when potential customers are searching, competitors will capture that demand.Organic rankings can’t be bought: Aside from pay-per-click (PPC), you can’t pay your way into long-term organic visibility. SEO is what allows you to earn and sustain rankings over time.Consumers expect answers instantly: Modern buyers research, compare, and validate businesses online before making decisions. Companies that consistently satisfy search intent build authority and trust — those that don’t lose credibility.In competitive markets, businesses that invest in SEO strengthen their visibility over time, while those that ignore it gradually lose digital presence.If you want to compete effectively online, SEO is foundational.What are the benefits of investing in SEO?Investing in SEO can bring several benefits to businesses, including boosting their long-term success and growth. Here are six reasons why businesses invest in SEO:1. Capture high-intent, revenue-driving trafficQuality traffic is essential for ensuring that your target audience, or the consumers most interested in your products, finds your brand online. SEO can help you ensure that the users searching for keywords related to your business find your products and services online.Because SEO will help you rank higher on results pages, more potential customers interested in your products will find your brand, resulting in increased quality traffic to your website for your business.2. Build brand awareness and credibilityBuilding your brand recognition, awareness, and credibility is essential for establishing a loyal customer base that will keep coming back to your business and attracting new potential customers in the process. Courtesy of WebFX With many SEO strategies focusing on your content marketing, SEO can help you create informational and helpful content that will resonate with consumers.When consumers find that your content and website help them by answering their questions or providing a solution to their problems, they are likely to view your business as an expert in your industry, improving your brand authority and credibility.And as a bonus, SEO increases your visibility online, so more consumers will find your business and interact with your brand, increasing your brand awareness.3. Deliver a competitive user experienceBecause consumers often shop with a competitor after a poor experience on a website, creating a seamless user experience is essential for keeping consumers on your website and browsing your products until they are ready to make a purchase. Courtesy of WebFX Search engines often consider user experience when deciding which websites and content to rank highest on the results page.SEO improves user experience by optimizing site structure, speed, and content clarity. As a result, users find what they need faster, and search engines reward your site with stronger rankings.4. Improve digital marketing’s return on investment (ROI)Your ultimate goal for a digital marketing strategy is most likely to achieve the best return on investment (ROI) for your marketing efforts.Fortunately, SEO can help.SEO works hand-in-hand with other digital marketing strategies, including content marketing and online advertising. Using SEO strategies can help ensure that users find your marketing campaigns online, such as your newly created content.SEO works together with other digital marketing strategies to boost their success and attract more consumers through online channels. As a result, you’ll enjoy increased sales and revenue, meaning you can ultimately improve your digital marketing ROI.5. Generate long-term business growthA primary benefit of SEO is that it can boost the long-term success of your business. Unlike many other traditional marketing campaigns, SEO is a long-term and ongoing strategy.SEO helps you continuously stay updated with search engines and optimize your website and content to continually attract customers online.You can continue to see the results from your SEO strategy years after you invested in it.This means when you decide to invest in SEO, your business can expand and reach your target audience and boost sales and revenue, allowing your business to grow and reach new heights.6. Appear in generative search experiencesFrom Google’s AI Overviews to ChatGPT conversations, businesses and consumers are using generative search to solve problems and purchase solutions.How companies appear in these generative search experiences starts with SEO, which helps power generative search responses (platforms like ChatGPT, for example, use search engine results pages when browsing the web).That’s why companies that have been investing in SEO have seen immediate results as generative search grows (it's currently growing 165 times faster than organic search) through:Improved traffic qualityIncreased referral trafficHigher conversion rates for referral traffic from generative AI platformsWho should invest in SEO?Companies of all sizes, audiences, and business models should consider investing in SEO because:SEO budgets can scale to all business sizes, whether spending $500 per month as a small business or $5,000 per month as an enterpriseSEO performance compounds, allowing businesses to benefit from SEO content created last quarter, last month, and today (though SEO requires ongoing maintenance)SEO returns take time (typically three to six months), so investing sooner rather than later is the smarter business strategyIt’s worth mentioning that SEO investments will look different across organizations. If you’re looking for guidance on what investing in SEO should look like, though, consider these foundational items:Set up a robots.txt and XML sitemap (SEO plugins can assist with these technical requirements)Map relevant search terms (or keywords) to existing service or product pagesOptimize these existing pages, using the target terms in the title tag, meta description, headings, and body copy, while respecting readability and the user experienceLink to these existing pages from your navigation (if possible and within reason) and from other relevant pages on your website to help users and crawlers discover the pageIs now the right time to invest in SEO?The evolution of search suggests that SEO remains a relevant strategy for digital visibility.Whether searching using Google, conversing with ChatGPT, or browsing Perplexity, search engine optimization is the avenue for businesses looking to appear in these experiences, whether as a link or brand mention.This story was produced by WebFX and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Boots Riley wants to 'compel' and 'repel' you with 'I Love Boosters' Riley's new film centers on a crew of women who steal from luxury fashion stores and sell the goods at lower cost to people who can't afford retail. He says it's a challenge to the system.
	New novels from Elizabeth Strout and 'Pemi Aguda are lonely and enchanting Aguda's novel, One Leg on Earth, follows a young woman in Nigeria facing an unintended pregnancy. The Things We Never Say, by Strout, centers on a high school teacher leading a secret life of sadness.
	Galesburg Fire responds to rubbish fire A news release from the Galesburg Fire Department said crews responded to a report of a rubbish fire near the rear of a residence in the 500 block of Holton Street on May 12 at about 2:40 p.m. When crews from the Brooks and Central Fire Stations arrived, they learned that the fire had spread [...]
	Asian American small business owners carry the highest personal financial exposure of any racial or ethnic group Asian American small business owners carry the highest personal financial exposure of any racial or ethnic groupFifty-eight percent of Asian American small business owners say using a personal credit card is their biggest financial risk—the highest rate of any racial or ethnic group surveyed, according to the 2026 Intuit QuickBooks Business Owner Report. That compares with 48% of all small business owners who report the same.This figure matters even more during Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, when attention focuses on how Asian American professionals advance and the barriers they face.The representation gap that sends some owners out on their ownIn corporate settings, the ceiling is measurable. AANHPI white-collar professionals are the least likely group to be promoted to management—less likely than other minority groups, including Black and Hispanic professionals—according to Harvard Business Review research cited in the QuickBooks AANHPI leadership resource guide.Data from Ascend shows Asian Americans make up 13% of the professional workforce but hold just 6% of executive positions. For some, that gap makes entrepreneurship a deliberate alternative.How Asian American owners define successAANHPI entrepreneurs have built a specific definition of winning. Intuit’s report found that 44% of Asian American owners define success as reaching a point where the business runs profitably without them, the highest share of any racial or ethnic group and nearly 10 percentage points above the overall rate of 35%.Fewer than 1 in 10 owners (8%) say selling the business for a life-changing sum is the ultimate goal. That differs from the typical scale-and-exit narrative. The goal is a business that runs well and eventually runs without constant involvement.The personal costs behind the businessBuilding a self-sustaining business comes with real tradeoffs. Eight in 10 (82%) small business owners made significant personal sacrifices in the past year, according to QuickBooks’ report. For Asian American owners, two specific gaps stand out.Thirty-eight percent missed a planned family vacation due to work demands—more than double the rate of white small business owners (18%).And when business cash flow tightens, Asian American owners are more likely to reach for their own wallet. Fifty-eight percent report personal credit card use as their biggest financial risk, versus 48% overall. That figure is part of a broader pattern: roughly 1 in 3 owners (35%) skipped applying for outside funding entirely because they feared rejection. Filling gaps internally with personal credit is often the practical result.AI pressure is highest here, tooAsian American owners are also the most likely to feel pressure around AI adoption. Fifty-two percent said they worry about falling behind competitors without upgrading AI tools or capabilities, compared with 40% of all owners surveyed, according to QuickBooks’ report.Owners want to use AI to support their work, not replace it—42% expect to lead operations themselves while using AI every day. Asian American owners fit that profile, but with a sharper sense of urgency about keeping pace.How family background influences decisionsMany Asian American owners grew up in families that owned businesses. Among all owners with a business-owning parent (39% of respondents), 77% of Asian owners say that experience gave them confidence to start their own business, one of the highest rates across all groups.Asian American owners also lead on plans to buy locally in the next five years, reinforcing a pattern of community investment that runs alongside the personal sacrifice data.Resources for leaders navigating corporate environmentsFor AANHPI professionals still navigating corporate environments, working inside structures that research has consistently shown promote them at lower rates, a network of organizations exists specifically to close that gap.Ascend, the largest Pan-Asian business professional membership organization in North America, connects members with leadership development programs and executive networks. Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics (LEAP) was founded specifically on the premise that AANHPI communities need to develop their own advocates to realize their full potential. Dozens of industry-specific groups—from the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association to the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers—support advancement in specific fields.Overall, AANHPI business owners and professionals are absorbing more personal financial risk and more personal sacrifice than their peers, while simultaneously building the community infrastructure that the corporate pipeline hasn't provided. The data shows a community taking on more risk and sacrifice than its peers while continuing to invest in growth and support systems. For those looking to build with more support behind them, organizations like Ascend, Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, and the National Association of Asian American Professionals offer what corporate pipelines have often failed to provide: networks, mentorship, and leadership development built specifically for the AANHPI community.This story was produced by QuickBooks and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	South Dakota judge stepping down to pursue state attorney general nomination John Fitzgerald is stepping down from his job as a circuit court judge to seek the Republican Party's nomination for state attorney general. (Photo courtesy of John Fitzgerald's campaign)A state circuit court judge is stepping down to pursue the Republican nomination for South Dakota attorney general. John Fitzgerald announced his candidacy Tuesday. Current Attorney General Marty Jackley is running for the U.S. House of Representatives, which is an open seat because South Dakota’s current U.S. representative, Dusty Johnson, is running for governor. Fitzgerald lives in St. Onge and previously served 42 years as a state’s attorney in Butte and Lawrence counties. In November 2022, Fitzgerald was elected as a Fourth Circuit Court judge, serving eight northwestern South Dakota counties. [Voter Guide: 2026 Primary Election Voter Guide: The information and tools you need to cast your vote.] A press release announcing his candidacy says that “throughout his career, he built a reputation for being tough on violent offenders and committed to protecting victims and property rights.” “Serving as a circuit judge has been an honor and has given me an even deeper appreciation for the rule of law, the Bill of Rights, and the importance of equal justice,” Fitzgerald said in the release. Fitzgerald is a graduate of Black Hills State University in Spearfish and the law school at the University of South Dakota. His wife, Mary, serves in the South Dakota House of Representatives. Other Republicans vying for the nomination include McPherson County State’s Attorney Austin Hoffman, and Lance Russell, the state’s attorney for Fall River and Oglala counties and a former legislator. Republicans choose their attorney general nominee by a vote of state convention delegates. That happens at the South Dakota Republican State Convention, June 25-27 at The Monument in Rapid City. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Courtesy of South Dakota Searchlight
	Greetings from Seville, where springtime means caracoles Spring is snail season in Seville. Caracoles in southern Spain differ from the well-known French escargot — they're smaller and eaten directly from the shell. And everyone has a favorite tapas bar that serves them.
	Everything you need to know about endorsing a check Everything you need to know about endorsing a check Endorsing a check means signing, stamping, or marking the back of a check so the bank can verify you as the intended payee and process the transaction, Wells Fargo explains. “Endorsing a check isn’t just a signature,” said Chris Starr, head of deposits. “It’s also an important security step. It verifies identity, authorizes the transaction, and helps ensure the money goes exactly where it’s intended.”Key takeawaysEndorsing a check means signing the back to authorize the bank to deposit or cash it.You can use different endorsement types — blank, restrictive, special/third‑party, and business — depending on how you want the check handled.A restrictive endorsement (“For deposit only”) is the most secure option for most people.Wait to endorse until you’re ready to deposit.Proper endorsement helps prevent fraud, reduce deposit delays, and ensure your funds are processed correctly.Who still receives checks?With the popularity of peer-to-peer payments, direct deposit, and bank transfers, receiving a check is something that doesn’t happen too often to most of us these days. However, you may still receive a check for these reasons:Government agencies. For example, the IRS may issue a paper check if you do not provide direct deposit information.Business refunds, vendor payments, rebates, and class action payouts.Employers in cases where payroll isn’t fully digitized yet.Personal payments for gifts, reimbursements, shared expenses, rent, and so on.How endorsement protects the payer and payeeEndorsement is a security step that helps prevent fraud and ensures the right person receives the money.It confirms your identity as the intended payee.It authorizes the bank to transfer or deposit funds.It reduces the risk of fraud if the check is lost or stolen.It creates a clear record in case any issue needs to be resolved.Banks typically reject unsigned checks because they cannot verify the payee or legally complete the transaction without authorization. If a check isn’t endorsed, the bank may either return it or, in some cases, treat it as “deemed endorsed,” depending on the account agreement.Now that you know why endorsement matters, here’s exactly how to do it correctly.Key steps for how to properly endorse a checkThese guidelines walk you through what to review, who needs to endorse, and how to sign properly so your money gets deposited without surprises.Step 1: Confirm all the information on the checkBefore you endorse a check, take a moment to make sure everything is accurate. Even small errors like an incorrect date, a missing signature, or a mismatched amount can delay your deposit or prevent the check from being accepted.Look at the date: Make sure the check is still valid. Most banks won’t cash or deposit a check that’s more than six months old. If the check is post‑dated (written for a future date), a bank may still process it before that date.Compare the written and numerical amounts: Confirm the amount is correct. If the two don’t match, the spelled-out amount is the one the bank will use, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.Review the writer’s signature: Make sure the person who wrote the check signed it. A missing signature is a common reason checks are rejected. If the signature line is blank, you’ll need the payer to sign the check or write a new one before you can deposit it.Scan the front and back for markings, damage, or alterations: Look for anything that could interfere with processing: “VOID” anywhere on the check; smudges, stains, or ink marks that obscure information; signs of erasure or alteration; or names or amounts that appear changed or overwritten. If the check is not presented properly, you’ll need the payer to write a new check before you can deposit it.Step 2: Identify who must endorse the checkBefore you sign anything, make sure the check is made out to you. The name you write in the endorsement area must match the payee (“Pay to the order of…”) listed on the front. Someone handing you a check doesn’t automatically mean you’re allowed to deposit it. If it’s made out to someone else or if the payee line is blank, the bank won’t accept it.Payments can also be issued to more than one person. In these cases, the wording determines who needs to endorse it:“Person A and Person B” means both individuals must sign, and both must be involved in depositing it.“Person A or Person B” means either individual may sign and complete the deposit.Step 3: Sign in the endorsement areaFlip the check over to find the endorsement section. This is typically a 1.5‑inch box at the top of the back of the check, often marked with “Endorse here” and “Do not write, stamp, or sign below this line.” Only sign inside this designated area, because signing anywhere else can interfere with bank processing.Using blue or black ink, sign your name exactly as it appears on the front. A clear, consistent signature in cursive helps prevent processing delays and reduces the risk of forgery. Printed names do not serve as legally valid endorsements.If your name is misspelled on the front, first sign the misspelled version exactly as it appears on the check, then sign your correct legal name directly beneath it. This two-step endorsement confirms that you are the intended payee and allows the bank to match both versions of your name.“A clear, accurate signature is one of the easiest ways customers can avoid delays,” said Starr. “Most deposit issues we see come from signatures placed outside the endorsement box or names that don’t match the payee line.”Endorsement safety checklistTo avoid delays and protect your deposit:Sign the check only when you’re ready to deposit it. If your check is lost, someone else could deposit it.Keep your signature inside the endorsement box.Use blue or black ink.Make sure your signature matches the payee name exactly.Ensure all required payees sign.Types of check endorsementsWhile it’s totally acceptable to just sign your name on the back of the check, you have other options. “Choosing the right endorsement type matters,” said Starr. “It affects how securely and quickly your money moves, and it prevents many of the delays we see in day‑to‑day deposits.”Endorsement types at a glance:Blank: A simple signature, but the least secure.Restrictive: Adding “For deposit only” makes this the most secure.Special: Signs the check to someone else.Business: Requires business name and authorized signer.FBO: Used when funds are for the benefit of someone else.Mobile deposit: Signature plus “For mobile deposit only.”How to make a blank endorsementA blank endorsement is just signing your name on the back of the check. It’s also considered the least secure because the check can be cashed by anyone who holds it.At the bank, you can tell the teller whether you want to cash or deposit the blank-endorsed check. You can also deposit it at an ATM. While some mobile banking apps may still accept blank endorsements, that’s becoming less common.In short, use a blank endorsement only when you are ready to hand the check directly to the teller or at the ATM.How to make a restrictive endorsement (“For deposit only”)A restrictive endorsement is one of the safest ways to endorse a check because it limits how it can be used. It tells the bank to deposit the money into a specific account and not to cash the check or pass it along to someone else. Even if someone else tries to use the check, the bank should only deposit it into the account you listed. Many banks also require this type of endorsement for mobile deposits.To use a restrictive endorsement, write “For deposit only to [your account number],” then sign your name below it, within the endorsement area.Be aware that the check writer may see your account number on a copy of the canceled check through their bank app. If this concerns you, you can write “For deposit only” without your account number. Although this option is less secure because it does not identify the exact account, it keeps your number private, and most banks will still treat it as a deposit-only instruction.In short, a restrictive endorsement limits how the check can be handled and gives clear direction to the bank, which makes it a strong choice for security even though it does not fully protect your account number from being visible.How to endorse a check to someone else (special endorsement)A special endorsement (sometimes called a third party endorsement) lets you sign a payment over to someone else. By doing this, you’re authorizing that person to deposit or cash the check.Here’s how to do it correctly:In the endorsement area, write: “Pay to the order of [recipient’s name].”Beneath that, sign your name.For an added layer of security, write “For deposit only” under your signed name.The recipient may also need to sign under your name before completing the deposit.A special endorsement makes it possible for the recipient to give the check to someone else, rather than depositing the check themselves. This creates a fraud risk, and therefore, some banks and check-cashing services may decline them altogether. A safer alternative is to deposit the funds yourself and then use a payment method, such as Zelle, to pay the other person.In short, use a special endorsement only when you fully trust the person you’re signing the check over to.How business owners should make endorsementsWhen a check is made payable to a business, an authorized representative must endorse it on the business’s behalf. To do this:Sign the business name as it appears on the pay‑to line.Sign your own name.Add your title with the company (for example, owner, accountant, or manager).Include any restrictions, such as “For deposit only,” if needed.“Business endorsements are especially important,” said Starr. “A single missing title or signature can hold up a deposit or create account issues.”In short, a business endorsement ensures the check is handled by an authorized representative only.How to make an endorsement for the benefit of someone elseSometimes a check is made payable to one person or organization for the benefit of (FBO) someone else. This often happens when funds are intended for a person who needs help managing their care or expenses. For example, someone may write a check to an assisted living facility for the benefit of a family member.The pay‑to line might look like:Assisted Living Facility FBO Jane Smith.Assisted Living Facility for the Benefit of Jane Smith.In these situations, the first party listed is usually the custodian of the funds and typically the one who endorses the check.Some banks may require both parties to endorse it. Requirements vary, so it is a good idea to check with both your bank and the organization receiving the funds. It can become complicated if both signatures are required and the person receiving the benefit is incapacitated and cannot sign.In short, the listed custodian usually signs, but requirements vary — always check with the receiving organization.How to endorse a check for mobile depositTo make sure your deposit goes through smoothly, endorse your check the way your bank’s mobile deposit system requires.Sign the back of the check.Write “For mobile deposit only at [your bank]” directly beneath your signature or check the mobile deposit box. “For mobile deposit only” helps ensure the check can only be deposited into your account. Some banks ask for additional details, such as an account number or the bank’s name. Even if a printed box appears on the check, many banks still require the endorsement to be handwritten.In short, mobile endorsements must include “For mobile deposit only.”What to do after you endorse your checkAfter you endorse a check, you can either deposit it or cash it, depending on what you need. You can deposit the money into your account using your bank’s mobile app, an ATM that accepts deposits, or by taking it to your bank. If you prefer to receive cash, you can go to your own bank or the issuing bank listed on the front of the check.Endorsing a check may not be something you need to do often, but when the moment comes, you’ll know how to do it properly and safely.FAQWhat does endorsing a check mean?Endorsing a check means signing the back of the check so the bank can verify you as the intended payee and process the transaction. Your endorsement authorizes the bank to transfer or deposit the funds securely, whether you’re cashing the check, putting it into your account, or signing it over to someone else.How do I endorse a check?Flip it over and find the designated endorsement box at the top.Sign your name exactly as it appears on the front using blue or black ink.If your name is misspelled, sign the misspelled version first, then sign your correct name directly beneath it.How do I endorse a check to someone else?Sign your name, then write “Pay to the order of” and the person’s name you want to sign the check over to. This indicates you are transferring the check to that person.Can I deposit a check without endorsing it?Some banks will accept a check without an endorsement, but they may limit the dollar amount, place a longer hold on the funds as they determine you are the rightful payee, or ask you to verify your identity. Some banks may endorse it for you or deem it endorsed by you.Note: Certain checks, such as those from the government or insurance, or those requiring specific payee instructions, may still require an endorsement even if your bank may allow unendorsed deposits.What are the types of check endorsements?There are several endorsement types, each for a different purpose:Blank: Just your signature. Simple, but the least secure.Restrictive (“For deposit only”): Limits the check so it can only be deposited into the specific account you list. Often required for mobile deposits.Special (third‑party): Used to sign a check over to someone else. Write “Pay to the order of [recipient’s name]” and sign beneath it.Business: An authorized representative signs the business name, their own name, and title.FBO (“for the benefit of”): Used when a check is made payable to one party for the benefit of another. The custodian typically endorses it.Mobile deposit: Sign your name and add “For mobile deposit only at [your bank]” or check the mobile‑deposit box if present.What is a bounced check?A check “bounces” when someone writes a check, but there isn’t enough money in their account to cover it. The check is returned to you unpaid, and the bank will typically charge the individual a fee for a bounced check.When do checks expire?Most personal checks will expire if they aren’t cashed within six months (180 days) of when they were written. Banks may decline them or return them as non‑negotiable.How can I tell if a check is fake?Look for the warning signs:Is the check for more than you expected?Are you being pressured to quickly make the deposit, then return some of the money?Did you receive unusual instructions on how to deposit the check?Were you asked to send money back using an immediate form of payment, such as a money order, gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency?Were you asked to give someone cash or an immediate payment through a payment app?Are you being threatened with law enforcement action?If you answered yes to any of these questions, don’t deposit the check. When in doubt, pause and call your bank.What should I do if I suspect a check is fraudulent or fake?Do not deposit or cash the check or send money back to the sender. Call Wells Fargo at 1-800-549-3557 or contact Wells Fargo or your financial institution and ask them to investigate and take appropriate action.What happens if I deposit a fake check?Unfortunately, it can take weeks to discover a fake check after it’s been deposited. Funds from fake checks may appear available temporarily, but once the check bounces and is returned as fraudulent, the bank will reverse the deposit, and you may be responsible for the full amount of the fraudulent check. And if you send money back to a scammer, the bank may not be able to recover those funds.This story was produced by Wells Fargo and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	New shared-use path coming to Moline Work is expected to be done by late September.
	Feds officially cancel conservation rule for public lands The U.S. Bureau of Land Management on May 11, 2026, officially rescinded a federal rule requiring officials to consider conservation in land management decisions in areas such as the Valley of Fires in south-central New Mexico, pictured above in 2021. (Photo courtesy of BLM)The United States Bureau of Land Management on Monday formally cancelled the so-called “Public Land Rule,” which required the agency to consider conservation and development equally in land-use decisions for millions of acres across the West. The BLM published a notice Monday in the Federal Register finalizing its elimination of the 2024 rule, officially known as the Conservation and Landscape Health Rule. The agency first announced it was considering eliminating the rule in September. The Biden-era rule provided guidance for ensuring conservation received due consideration along with mining, timber, grazing, recreation or other uses on public lands. It also allowed the BLM to issue leases specifically for conservation, though the agency never issued any. The BLM’s notice Monday said officials had received and responded to nearly 140,000 public comments in response to the proposal. Ultimately, officials said eliminating the 2024 rule was necessary because it “threatened to restrict productive use of the public lands and introduced uncertainty and unnecessary burdens in planning and permitting.” The rule’s elimination comes alongside executive orders and other actions by the Trump administration to expand drilling, mineral production and other commercial uses of public lands. Michael Carroll, a campaign director for environmentalist group The Wilderness Society, said Monday that the rule’s rescission, which officially goes into effect in 30 days, will leave millions of acres across the West newly vulnerable to oil and gas extraction and mining. “They’re effectively saying, ‘We’re just going to prioritize extraction across BLM lands,’ Carroll said. “They’re going to be prioritizing industrial-scale development on those public lands. I think we’ll see that right away.” He also noted that the BLM determined it did not need to consult with Indigenous tribes in its decision to rescind the rule, which he called “shocking in terms of its disrespect to tribal nations,” many of which sit adjacent to federal lands. The Wilderness Society was among many environmental groups that denounced the end of the “Public Lands Rule” on Wednesday. Several public statements from the groups mentioned the pending U.S. Senate confirmation of Steve Pearce, a former New Mexico Republican congressman, as BLM director. If the Senate confirms him, Pearce, who has deep ties to the oil and gas industry, will oversee an agency that is no longer required to consider conservation as an acceptable use of public land, Carroll said. “Today is a bad day for those people who care about public lands and care about the Bureau of Land Management,” he said. “But we’ll keep fighting and keep pushing back.” This article was first published by Source New Mexico, part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Source New Mexico maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Julia Goldberg for questions: info@sourcenm.com. Courtesy of Oregon Capital Chronicle
	Garbage fire spreads to nearby home The cause of the fire is being investigated.
	“The Tales of Custard the Dragon,” May 19 through June 20 A joyous family musical and off-Broadway smash that, as Kennedy Center Vice-President of Education Derek Gordon raved, "will delight both the young and the young at heart," The Tales of Custard the Dragon will enchant audiences in Rock Island from May 19 through June 20, this Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse debut adapted from the whimsical children's stories of Ogden Nash.
	Iowa City Ped Mall shooting suspect to have first court appearance Damarian Jones faces five counts of attempted murder, among other charges.
	Mental Health Awareness Month: 5 workplace realities employers should act on Mental Health Awareness Month: 5 workplace realities employers should act onMore than 2 in 5 (43%) employees say a lack of time is the biggest thing standing between them and mental health care, while 42% say cost. Mental Health Awareness Month is this month, and it is a moment for employers to stop treating mental health as a communications campaign and start treating it as an operating problem to solve.The five realities below come from Spring Health's HR and employee research in publishing its 2026 Workplace Mental Health Annual Report. Each one closes with action items employers can run within a single quarter.1. Mental health benefits are no longer a bonus. They're a necessity.Across every age demographic, employees treat mental health support as a factor in where they work. In fact, 69% of the employees surveyed said mental health benefits play a vital role in their job decisions. For 18-to-34-year-olds and 35-to-44-year-olds, those numbers are even higher: 83% and 78%, respectively.That is a hiring and retention reality, not a wellness initiative. Workers will choose, stay at, and leave employers based on whether the benefit feels real to them.What to do this quarter:Audit the gap between what is offered and what is used. If utilization is below 20%, the benefit is failing the population it is meant to serve.Communicate availability in plain language and in the places employees actually look (Slack, all-hands, manager one-on-ones), not only at open enrollment.Move beyond traditional EAPs. Short session caps and slow access to providers are why utilization stays low.2. AI is changing work, and it is creating anxiety.Spring Health’s 2026 employee research found four key ways AI anxiety affects employees: information overload (24%), a reduced sense of control over the future (23%), increased financial stability concerns (20%), and worsened job-related and work-life stress (19%).The anxiety is not abstract. Employees are being asked to adopt AI inside their daily work without a clear answer to the question, "What does this mean for my role?"What to do this quarter:Tell employees, in writing, what AI is being used for and what it is not. Vague answers raise anxiety. Specific answers lower it.Train managers to surface AI-related concerns in one-on-ones the same way they surface workload concerns.Make mental health support visible in the same channels where AI rollouts are announced.3. Barriers to care remain, and they are mostly logistical.Even when employees have mental health benefits, they don't always use them. The reasons employees give in Spring Health's 2026 research are practical: 43% cite a lack of time, 42% cite cost, 30% cite difficulty finding the right provider, 29% cite wait times, and 27% cite stigma around receiving help.That stack of barriers is the single biggest reason a generous benefit can still produce low engagement.What to do this quarter:Reduce the steps between intent to seek care and the first appointment. Every additional click drops conversion.Offer asynchronous and synchronous options so employees who cannot block an hour during the workday still have a path to care.Communicate cost coverage clearly and repeatedly. Many employees believe care is more expensive than it actually is for them.4. Financial stress is a mental health issue, and the numbers keep climbing.About 3 in 5 (59%) employees we surveyed said their financial stress has increased over the past five years, and nearly three-quarters (74%) said financial stress has impacted their mental health.Employees who don’t have adequate mental health benefits from their employers are 52% more likely to experience financial stress than people with employer-provided resources.That shows up at work as lost productivity at best, and turnover at worst. Treating financial stress as a separate problem from mental health misses how the two reinforce each other.What to do this quarter:Offer financial literacy programming on the topics employees actually ask about, including saving and investing.Bring in licensed financial advisors for complimentary sessions, not just self-serve content.Add debt counseling that helps employees consolidate loans and refinance for lower rates. Pair it with mental health support, not as a separate benefit track.5. Chronic workplace stress affects everyone, and it affects men and women in different ways.Spring Health’s 2026 employee research shows that women are 17% more likely than men to say they’re currently experiencing burnout. Women are also 7% more likely than men to cite cost as a barrier to mental healthcare.Men, meanwhile, have more trouble accessing and embracing mental health care. They’re 28% more likely to cite privacy concerns as a barrier to care, 32% more likely to feel confused about how to access care, and 42% more likely to feel held back by manager resistance or discomfort. The headline is that chronic stress shows up differently, and a one-size benefit will miss one group or the other.What to do this quarter:Audit which stress-related conditions your population is presenting, and where, by demographic. The gap between reported symptoms and used benefits is where to invest.Train managers to recognize the physical signs of chronic stress, not only the emotional ones.Model healthy boundaries from the executive level. Employees take their cues from what leadership does, not what leadership says.The 5 realities all point in one directionMental health is no longer a benefit category. It is an operating capability that affects who you hire, who stays, how productive your population is, and how prepared your workforce is for the change AI is bringing to the workplace.If Mental Health Awareness Month is when employers commit, the rest of the year is when they prove it.This story was produced by Spring Health and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Luna tops the charts again: The most popular pet names in America for 2026 Luna tops the charts again: The most popular pet names in America for 2026The names people give their dogs and cats are an interesting glimpse into a country’s culture. You would think that the same standard names would be used year after year, but surprisingly, pet names are very prone to trends. So, what comes out on top in 2026?Anywho looked at America’s current favorite pet names, identified fast-risers, and shared what inspired their popularity.The classics: Luna and Max still reign supremeModern classics are still holding strong when it comes to pet names. Popular choices, like Max, Luna, Charlie, Bella, and Lucy, are again topping lists this year, and many haven’t changed positions from the previous year, according to American Kennel Club surveys.Rover, an app that connects pet owners with walkers and sitters, found that many of these names grow by less than 5% each year, indicating they’re trending upward slowly. These are a timeless choice for pet owners.The vintage names trend: Teddy, Ruby, Hank, and Gus are having a momentVintage names are gaining in popularity. These names were more likely to be applied to cute, cuddly breeds. Chewy, an online marketplace for pet products, notes that Gus, Rosie, and Remi are among the top risers in dog names in 2026.Good Housekeeping and Yahoo confirmed the return to this older-lady naming trend by spotlighting Ruby and Hank. Teddy is another fast-growing vintage name; it recently climbed into the top 10.Nature names: Willow, Cedar, Maple, and River are growingPet parents have increasingly decided to name their dogs and cats after themes found in nature. These names are most seen with adventurous pets — the ones that aren’t afraid to go for a hike or spend hours outside.Rover listed names like River, Willow, Cedar, Maple, Birch, and Fern as popular picks. Willow was mostly designated as a cat's name.Athlete-inspired names: Arch, Josh Allen, Saquon, and Patrick Mahomes lead the packSports have always been a staple of American culture, but now, popular athletes are becoming inspiration for pet names. According to ESPN, pets are increasingly named after popular sports figures, like Arch (Arch Manning), Josh Allen, Saquon (Barkley), and Patrick Mahomes.For dogs, Arch was the top pick, rising more than 181% this past year. This was followed by Josh Allen (181%), Saquon Barkley (81%), Cooper Flagg (31%), and Scottie Scheffler (22%).For cats, Josh Allen took the #1 spot, up 252% in popularity.Pop culture names: Elphie, Loki, Grogu, and ‘Wicked’ references take overPopular movies offer pet owners a wealth of inspiration, and many have named their pets after their favorite Hollywood characters. Loki and Grogu were both popular picks this year. Elphie is another popular pet name, inspired by the main character in “Wicked.”Fantasy-themed picks are also on the rise. Chewy found that Andarna is becoming a popular cat name.Regional variations: Where you live shapes what you name your petThere are many regional trends for naming pets. While the most popular names are present in nearly every state, Chewy found that some states have unique names that are more prevalent. For example, in Montana, Smokey was a popular cat name. In Nebraska, Freyja was a popular dog name. Neither of these was common in other states.Classic choices or trendy picks?Is it better to have a classic, vintage name that’s been around for decades? Or is it more fun to name your pet after something in popular culture?When it comes to naming your beloved pets, don’t hesitate to get creative. Whether you want a timeless name like Luna or a novel name like Elphie, you’re in good company.This story was produced by Anywho and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Donate during Cops ‘n’ Kids book drive at KWQC KWQC, with Together Making a Better Community and the Davenport Police Department, will hold a Cops ‘n’ Kids Community Book Drive on June 5 at the TV6 studio.
	Early voting underway in Scott County Early and in-person voting begins in Scott County today, said Auditor Kerri Tompkins. “I want voters to be well informed of their voting opportunities.” Absentee voting is available from Wednesday, May 13 to Monday, June 1 at the Auditor’s Office, Scott County Administrative Center, 600 W. Fourth Street, 5th Floor in Davenport. Voting is open [...]
	You have 30 minutes to save a knocked-out tooth. Only 27% of US adults know that. You have 30 minutes to save a knocked-out tooth. Only 27% of US adults know that.Most U.S. adults say they would do almost anything to avoid losing a natural tooth. Most have also put off going to the dentist when they suspected something was wrong. And some may not be aware of the dental specialists whose entire focus is helping them do exactly that. A new national survey from the American Association of Endodontists, the organization representing those specialists, finds all three of those things together at the center of how U.S. adults actually approach their dental health.That tension runs through the entire survey. When faced with a serious tooth infection, 61% would choose a treatment that saves the tooth over extraction. Seventy-eight percent say they would do almost anything to avoid losing a natural tooth. The attachment runs deeper than appearances. It is about the tooth itself, the one that has been there your whole life, that feels irreplaceable in a way an implant or crown never quite does. American Association of Endodontists The gap is not in conviction. It is in knowing what to do.Only 27% of U.S. adults correctly identify that a knocked-out tooth needs to be treated within 30 minutes to give it the best chance of being saved. The rest either guess wrong or have no idea how quickly the clock is running. And the specialists most equipped to help in that moment, dental professionals called endodontists whose entire focus is saving natural teeth, are known to only 44% of U.S. adults.Cost widens the gap. Sixty percent of U.S. adults admit to having put off going to the dentist when they suspected something was wrong. The anatomy of that delay is familiar: a symptom that does not seem urgent enough, a bill that feels easier to avoid than face, an appointment that keeps getting pushed to next month. Of those who waited, 51% say it made things worse. American Association of Endodontists And then there is the fear. Root canals have a reputation that the data does not support. Asked what they believe, 28% of U.S. adults say a root canal is usually more painful than the toothache that sent them to the dentist in the first place. They have it backward. A root canal is designed to relieve that pain, not add to it, according to the American Association of Endodontists. But the perception lingers, shaped in part by a fragmented information environment where 35% of U.S. adults say they have encountered conflicting or confusing information online about procedures such as root canals.U.S. adults feel strongly about their natural teeth, probably more than they would have predicted before being asked. They delay the care that protects them, do not know what to do when time is short, and are not always getting their information from sources that serve them well.For a tooth that can often be saved in 30 minutes, that combination has consequences.MethodologyAmerican Association of Endodontists commissioned Atomik Research, a creative market research agency part of 4media group, to conduct an online survey of 2,000 adults throughout the United States. The margin of error is plus or minus 2 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level. Fieldwork was conducted between April 3 and April 8, 2026.This story was produced by American Association of Endodontists and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Working women lose up to 10 hours of productivity a week to menopause symptoms Working women lose up to 10 hours of productivity a week to menopause symptomsNine in 10 working women say at least one menopause symptom has directly impacted their productivity in the past year. That's according to a new Hone Health survey of more than 1,000 women navigating perimenopause or menopause — and for some, the losses are severe: Nearly 1 in 7 lose more than 10 hours a week, the equivalent of a full workday.And while the majority of women said that having clearly defined menopause-related time off and accommodations would improve productivity and reduce stress, 2023 survey data from NFP suggests only around 5% of U.S. employers offer such benefits.The Productivity BreakdownEighteen percent of the women surveyed say symptoms don't affect their output. For the rest, the impact of menopause in the workplace is significant:Twenty-three percent lose up to 2 hours each week.Thirty-four percent lose 3–5 hours each week.Twelve percent lose 6–10 hours each week.Just over 13% lose more than 10 hours — for a standard 40-hour schedule, that's an entire workday, every week. Hone Health Survey respondent Jessica, 40, notes: “There was a stretch of time where my ‘bad days’ started to feel like my new normal.” A nurse, she would start a shift already exhausted even after a full night in bed, and find herself struggling to stay as sharp and focused. She felt off mentally and physically.Symptoms Driving Productivity LossesWhile hot flashes are the best-known menopause symptom, the women surveyed said less visible symptoms were more likely to impact their ability to work. Sleep disturbances affected 90% of respondents. Fatigue hit 87%. Brain fog and difficulty concentrating, 86%. Mood changes — including anxiety, depression, and irritability — affected 85%.Sleep DisturbancesNearly half of women meet the criteria for menopause-related insomnia, with 38% getting less than 6 hours of sleep per night, on average, which can affect attention, memory, and reaction time. Nationwide, a 2021 report examining data from the U.S. Study of Women's Health Across the Nation found that lost productivity after onset of sleep disruptions is associated with $2.2 billion among women aged 42–64.FatigueEighty-seven percent of women reported persistent fatigue, which slows pace, reduces output, and makes sustained focus more difficult.Brain Fog, Memory Lapses and Difficulty ConcentratingAn estimated 44%–62% of women experience menopause-related memory loss or brain fog. Employees experiencing brain fog may have trouble finding the words to express themselves, struggle to remember talking points during a meeting, or have trouble focusing on demanding work tasks.Mood ChangesDepression and anxiety carry the strongest adverse effect on work performance of any menopause symptom, according to The Menopause Society. Mood changes often go unrecognized by managers and rarely get attributed to menopause.How Businesses Can Protect ProductivityNearly 80% of women surveyed say clearly defined menopause-related time off or accommodations would improve their productivity and experience at work. When asked how, 61% said they would be more productive — 43% significantly so.“Offering even small accommodations could make a huge difference,” Jessica notes. “Just knowing you're supported — and not alone in it — changes how you show up, not only for yourself, but for your patients and your team.”The accommodations women say would move the needle are mostly low-cost: flexible scheduling, clear policies, remote and hybrid work options, and additional time off. Hone Health These policies, which are already extended to other health conditions and life-stage transitions, would improve retention, reduce burnout, and protect institutional knowledge, while signaling a culture that takes health and equity seriously."We ask a lot of the working women in their 40s and 50s — leadership, institutional knowledge, complex decision-making. That's exactly when hormonal changes start undermining the cognitive tools those roles depend on," says board-certified OB-GYN Shelly Chvotzkin, D.O. "Employers who recognize that and respond will have a real advantage."Methodology: Hone Health surveyed 1,028 working women in perimenopause or postmenopause as part of a broader survey of 1,659 women. Respondents were at least 30 years old, were employed full- or part-time, and were drawn from all major U.S. regions. The survey was fielded in 2025.This story was produced by Hone Health and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	University of Illinois men’s basketball head coach to play in John Deere Classic JDC organizers said Brad Underwood will take to the green on July 1.
	ICE arrests 8 people as part of operation at 2 Davenport restaurants Scott County Sheriff Tim Lane said the operations were conducted at Izumi and Jiang’s restaurants.
	The new local authority stack for real estate in AI search The new local authority stack for real estate in AI searchNot long ago, winning in local real estate search meant one thing: Dominate Google Maps and rank for your city plus “homes for sale.” A strong website, a steady stream of reviews, and a dialed-in Google Business Profile were enough to stay competitive.That era is over.The numbers tell the story plainly. In just 18 months, the share of homebuyers using ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, or Google AI Overviews as their primary agent research tool has rocketed from 17% to 67%, outpacing the adoption curves of mobile search and Zillow combined. What’s more, 61% of buyer-side real estate searches now begin in an AI search engine rather than a traditional one. And perhaps most urgently, 91% of U.S. agents are effectively invisible in the AI search engines their buyers now use first.Today, when a buyer types “best real estate agent in [neighborhood]” into ChatGPT or Perplexity, they’re not getting a list of links. They’re getting a synthesized answer that names specific agents or brokerages and explains why they’re worth calling. The agent who appears in that answer didn’t get there by outranking competitors on a single keyword. They got there by building what we call a local authority stack: a layered, interconnected set of digital signals that AI models use to determine who actually knows and owns a market.Intero Digital breaks down each layer of that stack, discusses exactly what AI engines are reading when they evaluate real estate authority, and outlines a framework for building your own.Why AI Search Optimization Is Different From Traditional Local SEOTraditional local SEO is fundamentally a relevance game. The search engine asks, “Does this page match the query?” AI search is a trust game. The model asks, “Who do I believe is genuinely authoritative about this place?”The distinction matters enormously for real estate. And the portal giants already understand it. Within a five-month window, all three major real estate portals (Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com) launched apps inside ChatGPT, positioning themselves at the very top of the AI buyer’s journey before most independent agents had even considered the shift. Realtor.com CEO Damian Eales put it directly: “We brought real estate listings to the internet. Now we’re bringing them to AI.”For independent agents and regional brokerages, this is the mobile moment all over again. The portals moved first on mobile, too. The agents who survived that transition weren’t the ones who waited; they were the ones who built something the portals couldn’t replicate: genuine local authority.That’s still the play, but the signals have changed. Google’s March 2026 Core Update began rewarding hyperlocal, experience-driven content while reducing the visibility of generic material. Meanwhile, zero-click searches now account for 83% of searches that trigger an AI Overview, and 93% of queries run through Google’s AI Mode. That means your content doesn’t need to drive clicks anymore; it needs to be mentioned and/or cited.AI models like those powering ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, and Perplexity are trained on the open web. They synthesize signals across multiple sources to form confident, specific answers. That means your digital footprint is no longer about one website. Instead, it’s about the full ecosystem of information about you that exists across the internet.The 5-Layer Local Authority Stack for Real EstateThe following framework identifies the five categories of signals that AI search engines weigh the most heavily when surfacing real estate professionals for local queries. Think of it as a foundation you build from the ground up: each layer reinforces the one below it. Courtesy of Intero Digital Layer 1: Hyperlocal content ownershipThis is the foundation of the entire stack. Before an AI model can recommend you as a local expert, it needs to find evidence that you are one. That evidence lives in the content you create and publish.But not just any content. Over 72% of geo-specified buyer conversations reference either an exact address or a named neighborhood, not a city, metro area, or ZIP code. AI engines calibrated to that behavior are increasingly sophisticated at distinguishing generic city-level content from genuinely hyperlocal knowledge. The kind of content that moves the needle includes neighborhood-specific buyer guides covering walkability, schools, HOA structures, commute patterns, and price history by street or subdivision; monthly micromarket reports for specific ZIP codes with actual MLS data and agent commentary; school district breakdowns written for families relocating to the area; and lifestyle content that captures what it actually feels like to live in a neighborhood.There’s also a tactical wrinkle worth knowing: Statistics with a source and a date are what get cited. AI tools are built to reference numbers, not opinions. Something like “according to Austin Board of Realtors data from Q1 2026, median days on market in 78746 dropped from 34 to 18 days year over year” could get cited, but “the market is moving fast” won’t. Every neighborhood page should include at least three to five current, sourced statistics, and they should be updated quarterly.The test for whether your content qualifies: Could a competitor in another market copy it by just swapping the city name? If yes, it’s not hyperlocal enough. AI models are looking for content that’s specific to the point of being irreplaceable.Action step: Audit your existing content. Identify your top three most active markets. For each one, build at least one definitive neighborhood guide that goes deeper than anything currently ranking for that area and anchor it with sourced, date-stamped local data.Layer 2: Review signals with market contextReviews have always mattered for local SEO. In AI search, they matter in a fundamentally different way. It’s no longer enough to have a high star rating and a large review count. AI models are reading review content for signals of geographic specificity and transaction expertise.A review that says, “Great agent, highly recommend!” contributes almost nothing to your AI search authority. On the other hand, a review that says, “We were nervous about buying in the Riverside district with our budget, but she knew every pocket of that neighborhood and found us a home on Elm Street that checked every box,” is doing serious work. It’s tying your name to a specific geography, a specific transaction type, and a specific positive outcome, which is exactly the kind of signal AI engines weigh when constructing recommendations.What this means for your review strategy: Stop asking for generic five-star reviews and instead prompt clients to describe the neighborhood, the challenge you solved, and the outcome they achieved. Respond to every review with market-specific language, as those responses are also indexed. Also, prioritize review recency and responsiveness. Thirty-two percent of consumers want a review response by the following day (up from 18% last year), and 81% expect to hear back within a week. And expand beyond Google: While Google reviews continue to dominate, Apple Maps nearly doubled in usage from 14% in 2025 to 27% in 2026, and reviews on Zillow, Realtor.com, Yelp, and Facebook all contribute to your overall AI authority profile.Action step: Rewrite your post-closing review request to include a specific prompt: “If you’re comfortable, mention the neighborhood where we worked together and one challenge we solved along the way.”Layer 3: Local press and publication mentionsThis is the layer most real estate professionals are leaving entirely on the table, and it represents one of the highest-leverage opportunities in the entire stack.AI models place significant weight on third-party credibility. When a local newspaper, regional business journal, or real estate trade publication mentions your name in connection with a specific market, it functions as an authoritative endorsement. The model interprets it as an independent, trusted source identifying you as an expert in this geography.There is a timing urgency here worth understanding. Local news sites fell sharply as a consumer recommendation source, from 48% to 29% in the past year. This is a paradox: Local press is becoming more valuable as an AI authority signal at exactly the same time the outlets themselves are under pressure. Agents who build relationships with local journalists now are securing a channel that will be harder to access as these outlets contract.The most valuable types of press mentions for real estate AI authority include market commentary quotes in local news, features in regional business publications about neighborhood development or investment trends, contributed columns or expert roundups in real estate trade outlets, podcast appearances on local business or real estate shows, and awards or recognition from community organizations and industry associations.You don’t need to be in The Wall Street Journal. Local and regional coverage in publications that serve your market carries tremendous weight with AI models precisely because it is geographically precise, which is exactly what AI real estate queries are asking for.Action step: Build a targeted media list of 10 to 15 local journalists and editors who cover real estate, business, and community development in your market. Develop a simple outreach strategy for positioning yourself as a go-to market commentary source.Layer 4: Structured data and entity clarityWhile the first three layers are about building authority, this layer is about making sure AI models can correctly attribute all of that authority to you. Entity clarity is the technical foundation that ties your entire stack together.AI models construct a model of who you are based on data signals across the web. If your name, brokerage name, phone number, address, and market area are inconsistent across platforms, the model can’t confidently connect all those signals to a single entity. That fragmentation directly reduces your authority score.Nearly a third of the U.S. population will use generative AI search in 2026, and every one of those users encountering your name in an AI answer is relying on the model having correctly assembled your identity from dozens of data sources. The key elements of entity clarity for real estate: NAP (name, address, phone) consistency across every platform where you have a profile; RealEstateAgent schema markup on your website with your geographic service area, license number, and brokerage affiliation clearly structured; complete and keyword-rich agent profiles on every major real estate platform; and a consistent professional headshot and bio across all platforms.Agents who began AI SEO work in early 2025 now hold 5.7 times the citation share of agents who began the same work 12 months later, despite the latter group spending more on average. Entity clarity is the reason early movers compound their advantage so rapidly. Once an AI model has a strong, consistent entity understanding of who you are and where you work, it becomes the default answer for local queries in your market.Action step: Run a NAP audit across your top 10 platforms. Fix any inconsistencies and add RealEstateAgent schema markup to your website if it’s not already in place.Layer 5: Community authority signalsThis is the newest and most underappreciated layer of the stack, and in a competitive market, it might become the deciding factor.Community authority signals are the evidence that you’re not just selling in a neighborhood but are genuinely embedded in it. AI models are trained on a wide range of web content, including community forums, neighborhood Facebook groups, HOA communications that appear publicly, local event coverage, and civic organization websites. An agent who appears in these contexts, not as a salesperson but as a community participant, earns a category of trust that can’t be manufactured through content alone.Broader consumer research reinforces why this matters. According to a recent Realtor.com survey, 82% of Americans are using AI tools for real estate insights, yet real estate agents remain the most trusted source of housing information. That gap between AI usage and agent trust is your opportunity. Community authority signals are what close it: They’re the proof, visible to AI engines, that you are a trusted human presence in the market, not just a website.The types of community signals that register with AI engines include mentions in HOA newsletters or community organization websites; sponsorship of local events that generate online coverage; participation in neighborhood Facebook or Nextdoor groups (publicly indexed posts); involvement with local charities, schools, or civic organizations that publish their supporters online; and coverage in community blogs, neighborhood newsletters, or local lifestyle publications.This layer takes the longest to build, but it creates the deepest kind of authority. It signals to AI engines that your expertise is not only professional but also personal and verified by the community itself.How the Layers CompoundThe power of the local authority stack is not in any single layer; it’s in how the layers reinforce one another. Consider what an AI model sees when all five are active: Your hyperlocal content establishes that you understand the market in granular detail; your geo-specific reviews confirm that real clients have experienced that expertise firsthand; local press mentions verify that independent third parties recognize your authority; your structured data ensures every signal is correctly attributed to your entity; and community signals confirm that your presence in the market is human, ongoing, and trusted.Agents who haven’t built durable citation shares by year-end will face a structural disadvantage that paid advertising alone can’t solve. The window for early-mover advantage is narrowing. When a consumer asks AI a question, it delivers three to five synthesized results. The only path in is organic authority built over time across all five layers.Where to Start: A 90-Day Priority SequenceBuilding all five layers simultaneously isn’t realistic for most agents or small teams. Here is a prioritized sequence designed to generate early momentum while building toward a complete stack:Days 1-30: Audit and foundations. Complete a NAP audit across your top 10 platforms and fix all inconsistencies. Add RealEstateAgent schema markup to your website. Identify your top three neighborhoods and outline a comprehensive guide for each. Update your review ask to prompt geographic and transaction specificity.Days 31-60: Content and credibility. Publish your first neighborhood guide. Aim for at least 1,500 words of genuinely original, hyperlocal content anchored by sourced local data. Build your local media outreach list and send five introductory pitches positioning yourself as a market commentary source. Respond to every existing review with market-specific language. Identify three community organizations where visible involvement would be authentic.Days 61-90: Authority building. Publish your second and third neighborhood guides. Follow up on media outreach and pitch a specific story angle tied to current market conditions. Begin or deepen community involvement in at least one local organization. Establish a monthly micromarket report cadence for your primary ZIP code.The real estate professionals who build local authority now will be extraordinarily difficult to displace once AI models have learned to associate their names with their markets.The good news is that most of your competitors haven’t started yet. The local authority stack is not a secret, but it requires patience, consistency, and a genuine commitment to being the most knowledgeable, credible, and community-embedded presence in your market. That’s not something that can be automated or rushed.It can, however, be built. And the agents who build it first will find that AI search doesn’t just give them leads; it gives them category ownership.This story was produced by Intero Digital and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The Health Exam Many Don’t Know They Need (NAPSI)—If you are like most Americans, you wait until you notice changes in your vision before making an appointment for an eye exam. According to a poll conducted by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, only about one-third of adults know that many vision-threatening eye diseases begin without any noticeable symptoms. “In the early phases of eye disease, your brain tries to fill in gaps in vision. That means many people with eye disease are walking around thinking they have 20/20 vision, or that they don’t need to get their eyes checked at all,” said Laura Fine, MD, EyeCare America® volunteer and ophthalmologist in Boston. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that all healthy adults get a medical eye exam at least once in their 20s, twice in their 30s, and as recommended by an ophthalmologist in their 40s and beyond. People who have a family history of eye disease or preexisting health conditions, such as diabetes, may need to come in more often. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, EyeCare America may be able to help with a no-out-of-pocket-cost medical eye exam. “Regular eye exams throughout adulthood are important to catch eye diseases and conditions early, before symptoms appear,” Dr. Fine said. “For some diseases, once vision is lost, it cannot be restored.” Waiting Could Cost You Your Vision Take the case of Peggy Wellman. She went to get her eyes checked, thinking she only needed a new eyeglass prescription. Instead, she was told she had lost most of her peripheral vision to advanced glaucoma and needed surgery. The diagnosis was a complete shock to Wellman. Although surgery kept her from losing any more vision, it could not restore the sight she had already lost. Had her eye disease been caught earlier, her sight may have been preserved. “The best care is preventive care,” Dr. Fine said. “You probably go to the dentist regularly, not just when you notice a toothache. You should prioritize eye health in the same way for the best chance at a lifetime of healthy vision.” Surprising Benefits of an Eye Exam An eye exam can pick up health issues beyond eye diseases. That’s because the blood vessels and nerves at the back of the eye reflect your overall health and can signal the start of certain conditions, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or vitamin deficiencies. Other diseases an ophthalmologist can help diagnose include: Diabetes. Diabetes is a leading cause of vision loss in the United States. Early signs of diabetes can appear in the eye before vision is affected. Heart disease. A growing body of research shows that eye health and heart health are closely linked. An ophthalmologist can spot early signs of heart disease by examining the blood supply to the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. Stroke. Loss of side vision, sudden blind spots, blurry vision, double vision, or sensitivity to light can all signal a stroke. Plaque deposits in the arteries of the eye could be a sign that emergency medical attention is needed. How to Maintain Healthy Vision May is Healthy Vision Month but any time is a good time to have regular eye exams. The easiest way to protect your sight is to have regular eye exams. If you are unable to pay for a medical eye exam, EyeCare America may be able to help. The program provides exams for adults 18 and older who are uninsured or underinsured. See if you qualify for a no-out-of-pocket-cost medical eye exam at aao.org/eyecare-america. Word Count: 573
	The huge, untapped potential of planting rooftop gardens in cities The huge, untapped potential of planting rooftop gardens in citiesThe city has long been a beacon of opportunity, where folks flock to make it big. But metropolises the world over are wasting a major opportunity — many, many square feet of it: Flat rooftops are painted white, when really they should be green.Not, mind you, shades of mint green, forest green, or lime green, but with the lushness of actual plants. Adding vegetation to roofs — even if it’s just a coating of grass, moss, and succulents — bestows many overlapping, reinforcing benefits not only on a building’s occupants and owner, but on the surrounding community. Like parks on the ground, gardens in the sky reduce local temperatures and help prevent flooding, all while improving urban biodiversity and feeding pollinators like bees.According to a recent report prepared for the European Commission, the executive body of the European Union, if cities accelerated the transformation of these unused spaces into oases — and converted empty walls into vertical yet verdant surfaces — they’d make themselves more comfortable for urbanites as temperatures climb. Burgs might even start growing crops under solar panels, a burgeoning field known as rooftop agrivoltaics, simultaneously generating food and electricity. The technique could be especially powerful as urban populations continue to balloon: According to the United Nations, another 2 billion people could be living in cities by 2050. At the same time, a phenomenon called the urban heat island effect, in which the built environment warms much more than surrounding rural areas, is driving temperatures to increasingly dangerous levels.“Our goal is to get our cities more dense, but keep them livable and climate-safe,” Vera Enzi-Zechner, colead author of the report and a vice president at the European Federation of Green Roof and Living Wall Associations, based in Vienna, Austria, told Grist. “Of course, also water comes in, energy comes in, multifunctionality, social cohesion, engagement, and biodiversity.” Courtesy of Over Easy Solar The green roof is a surprisingly old technology. Consider the Moos Water Filtration Plant, near Zurich, whose rooftops have hosted nine acres of meadows for over a century. Less of a planned amenity and more of a serendipitous colonization of plant life, the rooftops have nevertheless transformed into refuges for native species.These days, architects would rather not have their buildings bloom by accident. Instead, they’re incorporating the requisite infrastructure into the design. To keep the garden from leaking into the top floor, for instance, they add waterproofing and barriers to contain roots. Designers also must consider the additional weight of the plants and water that soaks into the substrate. How much weight, exactly, will depend on what they want to grow: It might be simple grasses and mosses, like at the Moos Water Filtration Plant, or shrubs, or even trees, whose roots require a thicker layer. And it’s never too late to do this. An owner can add a green roof after construction is finished, though it might require reinforcement.The investment, though, could pay serious dividends over time. Whereas a traditional roof absorbs the sun’s energy, a green one sweats like a human, as its plants release water vapor during photosynthesis and shade the surface. This cools the air, and the substrate and waterproofing insulate the top floor. Beyond reducing cooling and heating costs, the greenery can extend the life of a roof, the report notes, because relentless sunlight, extreme heat waves, and hail aren’t aging shingles and paint and such. (Traditional roofs are constantly stressed by expanding and shrinking, as the sun heats them during the day and the night cools them off.) Down at street level, building owners can cover walls with vegetation, protecting them from the elements and providing habitat for birds and bats.Cities, too, could save money by embracing gardening in the sky. As the planet heats up and rainfall gets more intense, gutters and sewers — designed for the climate of yesteryear — are struggling to keep up. Green roofs soak up some of that deluge and slow the flow of water into these systems, preventing costly flooding. Some designers are even going a step further with blue-green roofs, which incorporate systems that store rainwater to flush the toilets inside.So instead of all that precipitation flowing into sewers and out to sea, some of it goes instead to plants and people. “That is the basic principle for improved resiliency for many cities around the world,” said Steven Peck, founder and president of the nonprofit industry association Green Roofs for Healthy Cities. “We’ve got to capture that water and use it to support plants, because plants will do good things for us, like clean the air. They’re good for our mental health. They’ll cool the city.”Beyond reducing temperatures and flooding, all this additional greenery creates much-needed habitat for local plants and animals. It’s all well and good to have parks and gardens dotting a city, but this creates better pathways for species. Ideally, green roofs and walls would form a citywide network of stepping stones for flying creatures to move around safely, settle down in shelter, and tap reliable supplies of food. Indeed, the report notes that study after study has shown that this not only boosts biodiversity, but it also provides havens for endangered and rare species of flora and fauna. “We cannot just integrate green roofs or green walls into the urban environment,” said Maria Manso, colead author of the report and an assistant professor of engineering at Lusófona University in Lisbon, Portugal. “They have to be connected with other nature-based solutions in order to have this urban connectivity.”Free-roaming insects and birds will support the next frontier of green roofs: Scientists are now trying to figure out what crops might grow well up there, under the shade of solar panels. These rooftop agrivoltaic systems shelter the plants from fierce winds and excessive sunlight, and in turn, the vegetation releases water vapor, cooling the panels above and increasing their efficiency, meaning they can generate more electricity. Early research is finding that warm-season crops in particular, like watermelon, do astonishingly well high in the sky, with cucumbers growing as big as baseball bats. The fliers visiting these plants may well travel to nearby urban gardens on the ground and pollinate crops there, or even head to traditional agricultural fields abutting the city. Courtesy of Kevin Samuelson // CSU Spur The early results with rooftop agrivoltaics are so promising, in fact, that projects are popping up around the world. In Italy, for instance, the Florence airport’s roof will soon host solar panels and a vineyard. “They couldn’t decide between renewable energy generation or their cultural heritage of growing grapes,” said horticulturist Jennifer Bousselot, who studies rooftop agrivoltaics at Colorado State University but wasn’t involved in the report. “So they decided to actually combine the two.”While photovoltaic panels increase the upfront cost, they too can pay dividends, and not just with the energy they provide. Because their shade reduces evaporation, rooftop gardeners need to apply less water. That could also mean that a designer might not need as thick a layer of soil to retain water, if less of it is evaporating away. “So in theory, you can actually have a shallower green roof if you’ve got shade integrated, and still have high diversity and high plant success,” Bousselot said.Given all these benefits, how can cities encourage the proliferation of verdant roofs and walls? The report points out that starting decades ago, Basel, Switzerland, provided subsidies for greening the city’s roofs, then changed its building codes to mandate that all new and retrofitted flat roofs get the treatment. By 2010, the city had increased its green roof surface area from 10 to 100 hectares (247 acres). “This tenfold increase,” the report notes, “positioned Basel as a leading example of how coordinated policy, financial support, and ecological standards can effectively accelerate the adoption of biodiversity-friendly green roofs in urban environments.”In the United States, cities set their own building codes, so they could do much the same. A growing number of municipalities in the U.S. are also starting to charge property owners for the rainfall runoff they produce: The more impervious surfaces you have, the more you pay. Rip out more concrete, though, and install gardens high and low, and you can reduce those fees.This being American real estate, developers will want to know that even in the absence of subsidies, the things can make money over time, whereas traditional roofs lose it because they have to be replaced within decades. Buildings can even rent out their verdant rooftops for private events.Cities the world over stand at an inflection point: Invest now in as much green space wherever they can get it, or risk withering as the world warms. “They’re going to be healthier places to live in the face of ongoing climate change impacts,” Peck said. “And that’s where the money is going to be. That’s where the creativity is going to be.”This story was produced by Grist and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Iowa Women's Jazz Orchestra performing at Bettendorf Public Library Enjoy music composed, arranged and performed by women at a free special concert at the Bettendorf Public Library, 2950 Learning Campus Drive. The Iowa Women’s Jazz Orchestra (IWJO) will take the stage on Saturday, May 23 from 2 – 3 p.m. to highlight women’s contributions to jazz history. The IWJO is a jazz big band [...]
	Quad Cities Bicycle Club will sponsor Ride of Silence to remember cyclists killed or injured The Quad Cities Bicycle Club will sponsor the Ride of Silence on Wednesday, May 20, a news release says.. The ride will take off from Schwiebert Riverfront Park in Rock Island at 6 p.m. and return at about 7:30 p.m. Riders are required to wear helmets, ride in a group at a pace of no [...]
	Alex Murdaugh will get a new murder trial. Here's a timeline of his case Alex Murdaugh — the disgraced former lawyer serving a life term for the murders of his wife and son — will get a new trial in South Carolina, the state Supreme Court said on Wednesday.
	Raising our glasses to "Winey Wednesday!" Littering, bugs and birds were big gripes as Anthony and Brittany enjoyed some grapes. Thanks to Hidden Hills Winery in Galesburg for providing two bottles.
	3 Things to Know \| Quad Cities morning headlines for May 13, 2026 Rock Island students will receive scholarships ahead of college, and the city of Davenport is implementing quiet zones to make rail crossings safer.
	How to create the perfect burger in 5 easy steps (BPT) - It's time for you to become the best behind the grill. Whether you're a seasoned grill master or just getting into backyard grilling, one dish that you should perfect is the classic cheeseburger. This quintessential grilling staple can go from good to great with just a few changes.To help you craft the best cheeseburger for your summer cookouts, Chef Aldo Lanzillotta — co-host of the Cooking Channel's Compete to Eat, guest chef on Bravo's Best New Restaurant and cofounder of Juicy Lucy, Inc. — serves up his top five tips for grilling the best cheeseburger.1. Use quality beefAccording to Lanzillotta, one crucial detail many people overlook when making burgers at home is the quality of the meat. When choosing burger patties or making your own, opt for an 80/20 lean-to-fat blend. The fat gives the burger patty a rich, juicy flavor with lots of depth. Lanzillotta likes to use a mix of chuck, rib and brisket meat.Spice it up! Consider adding smoked sea salt and dried porcini mushrooms into the meat mix or sprinkling the patties just before grilling to impart a smoky, umami flavor to the cheeseburger.2. Add cheese to the middleYou can't have a cheeseburger without cheese. Take your cheeseburger to the next level by adding cheese to the middle of the patty to create the Minnesota classic, the Juicy Lucy.If you're hesitant to stuff your own Juicy Lucy patties, don't worry. Lanzillotta wanted to share this Midwestern delicacy with people across the country and created Juicy Lucy patties that you can grill, cook or air fry straight from frozen in your own backyard. Once you take it off the grill, you'll have a burger that delivers delicious, perfectly melted cheese in every bite.Available in cheese-stuffed and jalapeno-stuffed varieties, you can find a pack in the frozen aisles of select retailers. In 2025, Juicy Lucy began introducing the frozen cheese-stuffed hamburger patties at select Target stores in the Upper Midwest. But now, shoppers can find Juicy Lucy varieties at select Target stores in additional markets, including California, Arizona and soon Utah, and Harris Teeter stores across North Carolina and South Carolina. To find a store near you, visit JuicyLucyBurgers.com.3. Break out the skilletA charcoal or gas grill is the classic option for cooking a cheeseburger, but don't underestimate the power of a cast-iron skillet. The skillet is Lanzillotta's go-to for cooking burgers because it mimics the finish and flavor you'd expect from a restaurant burger cooked on a flattop.Using a skillet means you can cook up a mouthwatering burger indoors on your stovetop, but don't forget you can also cook with your skillet on the grill.4. Toast whole burger bunsComplement your burger patties with warm toasted buns. According to Lanzillotta, toasting uncut buns on the side of the grill over low heat can make a store-bought bun taste freshly baked. Once you cut it open, feel the steam escape and butter the top and bottom of the bun.5. Create a custom burger with plenty of toppingsOnce your burger is cooked, it's time to add toppings and customize it to your liking. In addition to classic toppings like fried or raw onions, condiments, lettuce, tomatoes and pickles, consider experimenting with new ingredients. For example, to complement his Juicy Lucy, Lanzillotta recommends adding pickled jalapeño relish, charred cumin tomatoes, candied prosciutto and smashed avocado.Add a punch of flavor: While cooking your burger, place sliced onions next to the patties on the grill or in the skillet. Doing so will give the patty a punch of flavor.Are you ready to grill the perfect burger for any occassion? Using these five tips, you'll create delicious burgers that will have your friends and family asking for seconds.
	Wedding planning made simple: 8 tips to create your perfect day on any budget Wedding planning made simple: 8 tips to create your perfect day on any budgetPlanning a wedding is a major undertaking, but there are plenty of ways to prepare before saying “I do.” If you’re unsure how to start putting together your dream wedding, Ally Financial shows how to create a flexible yet structured plan.1. Set a budget and stick to itOnce you’re ready to begin planning, a wedding budget is the place to start. Your wedding will be an important day for both you and your partner, so work together on your budget by:Having a candid conversation with your partner about your expectations (and vice versa).Agreeing on how much you’re willing to spend overall.Allocating a budget to each area of your event.Identifying areas where you may be able to save some money, whether through DIY or scaling back.These conversations are also a great way to reinforce your budgeting habits as a couple ahead of your marriage.2. Determine your prioritiesEveryone’s ideal wedding day is different, so be open with your partner about areas you’re hoping to spend a little extra. Whether you want to splurge on a photographer or a destination wedding, figure out which details of your day are most important to you both. With your budget in mind, zero in on what matters most to help you prioritize together.3. Mind the calendarNearly all parts of your big day will benefit from advanced planning and booking. While it might be obvious to secure your venue, catering, and officiant early, don’t overlook other aspects of your event. For instance, customized party favors or group transportation will also likely need to be finalized a few months in advance. You’d be surprised how much you can save on shipping when you don’t need to splurge on the expedited option.Many parts of a wedding are best left to the experts, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t contribute your own skills.4. Stack your backup plansNo one wants to spend their special day stressing. Staying flexible through the planning process can help keep things calm. If your first choice isn't available, be prepared with a few alternatives. Keeping your options open with less-conventional venues, catering options, or dates for your wedding can help you work around high demand — and potentially high costs.And always remember: Everyone in attendance wants you to enjoy your event to the fullest. They likely won’t notice if details change from your original plan.5. Stay organized with a websiteWeddings are complex events, and it can be difficult to keep your guests informed on the latest details. Creating a wedding website helps you get ahead of some frequently asked questions from attendees, like venue information, local attractions, or directions on booking accommodation. Instead of answering dozens of individual questions or sending urgent texts about last-minute changes, you can instead point your guests to your site. Many websites also offer the option to track guest attendance, so you’re not having to keep track of RSVP cards via snail mail.6. Build a registryLet loved ones help kickstart your married life by creating a registry. With your partner, think about what would actually be useful for the stage your relationship is in. Whether you’ll be moving in together and are looking for kitchenware or want to start up a fund for travel or homebuying, a registry helps you get a boost toward your shared goals.7. Hire reliable vendorsIt’ll take a little extra time, but make sure your wedding vendors are legitimate:Check online reviews to get a sense of other clients’ experiences.Ask for portfolios or references of past work.Look over the information they have on their social media or website.Receive quotes for services ahead of your event.Word of mouth is a great way to find out about wedding vendors, but do your due diligence to ensure they’ll work for your unique expectations, too. You may want to save money … but not at the expense of a reliable vendor.8. DIY strategicallyMany parts of a wedding are best left to the experts, but that doesn’t mean you can’t contribute your own skills. Thrifting and upcycling certain parts of your wedding can help cut costs — and bring a unique, sentimental touch to your event. This DIY ethic can also come in handy down the line when you and your partner work on home improvement projects together.Make wedding magicCreating a flexible plan and a solid budget for your special day can help set you and your soon-to-be spouse up for success far past the altar.This story was produced by Ally Financial and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	How do AI detectors work? How do AI detectors work?How can you tell something's AI-generated? When it comes to writing, there are common tells: the excessive use of em dashes, sentences that are too rhythmically clean, and a general smoothness that feels overly engineered.It's hardly a perfect science, though, and most humans' AI detection skills are based on vibes.If humans are just relying on instinct, what are AI detectors relying on? Here, Zapier shares everything you need to know about how AI detectors work.What is an AI detector?An AI detector is a tool that analyzes content like text, images, or videos, and estimates the likelihood that it was generated by an AI model. Instead of giving a definitive yes-or-no answer, most AI detectors will give you:A probability score (for example, "74% likely AI-generated")A confidence ratingHighlighted passages that appear machine-written, if it's textTheir goal isn't to "catch" AI with certainty, but to flag content that statistically resembles AI-generated patterns.How do AI detectors work?The specifics of how AI detectors work vary depending on what type of content they're analyzing. For simplicity, this article will focus on AI text detectors. But other types—like AI image detectors—work similarly.Large language models (LLMs) generate text by predicting the most likely next word based on probability. It's more nuanced than that, but that's the idea. AI detectors reverse-engineer that idea: They look at a finished piece of writing and measure how closely it matches those probability patterns. Here are the main techniques they use. Zapier 1. PerplexityPerplexity (not to be confused with the AI-powered search engine) measures how unpredictable a piece of text is to a language model. The lower the perplexity, the more the wording follows patterns the model expects to see.AI-generated text often has lower perplexity because it's built from highly common word sequences. It gravitates toward phrasing that's safe, common, and structurally sound. Which is kind of the point. AI models are trained to predict the most probable next word, not the most chaotic or idiosyncratic—just the most likely.Human writing, on the other hand, tends to raise the perplexity score because it's usually less predictable. Unless you have a ruthless editor who'll set you straight, humans use words that technically work, even if they're not the exact right ones. They go off on tangents and litter their work with comma splices because those pauses just feel right to them.2. BurstinessBurstiness looks at sentence length distribution and structural variation to identify patterns that appear overly consistent.Humans rarely write in perfect cadence. They mix short sentences with longer ones, occasionally go on tangents, and vary pacing without thinking about it. Earlier AI models, by contrast, tended to produce writing that felt evenly spaced and neatly balanced. Nothing was outright bad, just … suspiciously consistent.That "too rhythmic" quality is often what sets off our internal AI radar. AI detectors try to quantify that instinct by measuring variation in sentence length, punctuation, and structure. If the tempo barely changes from start to finish, that uniformity can raise a flag.3. ClassifiersA classifier is a machine learning system trained to categorize text as likely human- or AI-generated. Unlike perplexity or burstiness, which are individual signals, a classifier looks at many features at once and weighs them together.Developers train their LLMs on large datasets of labeled human and AI text. Through that training, classifiers learn statistical patterns that tend to separate the two categories. Those patterns can include predictability scores, sentence variation, word frequency distributions, and other structural signals.When you paste new text into an AI detector, the classifier evaluates how multiple signals interact and then produces a probability score. The final output reflects whether the writing, on average, more closely resembles patterns associated with AI-generated text or human-written text.4. Stylometric analysisStylometric analysis is the study of writing style, including vocabulary richness, repetition, and sentence complexity. Think of it as your linguistic fingerprint.The idea is that humans tend to develop quirks over time. For example, the author Fredrik Backman typically writes stories with a sort of progressive repetition that's hard to describe, but is uniquely him. It's what makes his writing so easily distinguishable.AI writing, by contrast, often clusters around high-probability patterns, generating phrasing that reflects widely represented patterns rather than highly idiosyncratic ones. That's also what makes much of AI writing feel technically solid but vaguely same-y.5. Watermark detectionWatermark detection is a way of identifying AI-generated text by looking for a hidden signature baked into the writing itself.Not all AI models use watermarking, and there isn't one standard way to do it. But when watermarking is enabled, the model slightly nudges its word choices in a consistent, trackable way. The shifts are subtle enough that you wouldn't notice anything while reading, but an AI detector that knows what to look for can spot the pattern.In theory, that makes AI-generated content easier to trace. In reality, even light editing or paraphrasing can blur or erase the signal. So while watermarking sounds like a clean solution, it's not foolproof.How accurate are AI detectors?AI detectors are probabilistic tools, not lie detectors. A detection score reflects how closely writing matches certain patterns. It doesn't prove who or what actually wrote the text.Here's why accuracy gets complicated.False positives happen. Some human writing naturally resembles AI-generated text. If you refuse to give up the em dash and sprinkle them liberally throughout your writing, an AI detector may flag it as machine-written, even if it wasn't.False negatives happen. AI models are improving at an alarming speed and learning to mimic human variability more effectively. Humans, for their part, are learning to refine their AI prompts to inject human signals—for example, telling their AI writing generator to mix up sentence patterns or intentionally include errors. As AI writing and human prompting become more nuanced, detection becomes harder.Hybrid content blurs the line. Most writing today isn't purely human or AI. AI detectors struggle in this gray area because the final text contains both human and machine signals.Results vary across tools. Different AI detectors use different training data and different models. The same paragraph can receive dramatically different scores depending on the platform. That inconsistency makes it risky to rely on a single detection result for high-stakes decisions.The bottom line on AI detectorsWe're no longer living in a binary world of purely human or purely AI-generated writing. A lot of content now sits somewhere in between. A draft may start with AI, a human reshapes it, AI tightens a paragraph, a human adds a lived example—the lines blur. And AI detectors have to make probabilistic guesses in that gray space.This story was produced by Zapier and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	On her new album 'Norteña,' Julieta Venegas journeys home to the Mexican border For years, Julieta Venegas sprinkled traditional elements of northern Mexican music throughout her records. Her new album, Norteña, places the singer-songwriter's folkloric sensibilities front and center.
	From underwire to wireless: How intimates are evolving for modern comfort From underwire to wireless: How intimates are evolving for modern comfort Few garments are as personal as a bra, and for a long time, women largely accepted whatever discomfort came with wearing one.That trade-off is changing, with wireless bra sales climbing 22% year over year as consumer demand for comfort continues to reshape the intimates market. For the women behind those numbers, the clothes closest to their bodies are finally being held to a higher standard.Felina examines how intimates are evolving for modern comfort.The Shift Toward Comfort-First FashionLong before the world shut down in 2020, the intimates industry was already feeling pressure from women who had grown tired of choosing comfort over support or style over wearability.Research from the NPD Group captured that tension as far back as 2016, when chief industry analyst Marshal Cohen observed that women's expectations around comfort had moved "from slightly to completely."The pandemic brought that pressure to a head. With offices closed and routines upended, women across the country traded structured undergarments for softer, more forgiving options, and the shift stuck. Guardian contributor Yasmina Floyer spoke for many when she wrote, "We may have returned to work, but the idea of returning to our underwires feels like a step too far."For younger women, the break proved even more decisive. Gen Z consumer Stephanie Jade Lewis stopped wearing underwire bras entirely and found that going wireless changed her relationship with getting dressed altogether."I don't even know I'm wearing anything," Jade said. "I used to be so excited about coming home and getting my bra off. Now, it's not even a thought." That kind of response was playing out across the broader apparel market, where softer tailoring, stretch fabrics, and relaxed silhouettes were all moving in the same direction.As Lauretta Roberts, co-founder of fashion news site theindustry.fashion, put it, "Fashion doesn't exist in a bubble; it looks at how people are living, what they're consuming. People's lifestyles change, and fashion has to respond to that."Why Underwire Is No Longer the Only OptionFor decades, underwire was treated as a nonnegotiable. The rigid, U-shaped channel sewn beneath each cup was considered the only reliable way to lift, separate, and support the breast, particularly for women with fuller figures who needed a bra that could carry real weight throughout the day.The assumption made a kind of intuitive sense. Structure meant support, and support meant wire. What that assumption left out, however, was the role of the band.Research has shown that the band, not the wire, is responsible for the majority of a bra's lifting and support, with the wire primarily contributing to shaping and separation. That distinction matters because it opens the door to rethinking what support actually requires.Ashleigh Cunningham, a 32C who stopped wearing underwire bras during the pandemic, told The Guardian she simply found it more comfortable to move away from a full underwire altogether.For many women, that personal experience exposed a gap between what they had been told they needed and what actually worked for their bodies. The idea that support and rigidity are the same thing is now being reconsidered, not just by consumers, but across the intimates industry.The Technology Behind Modern Wireless SupportReconsidering what support requires has drawn attention to how much the construction of a bra itself has changed. Instead of depending on a single rigid component to create lift and separation, newer wireless designs spread that responsibility across molded cups, reinforced side panels, and bands built to stabilize the entire bra across the torso.Wider shoulder straps also work as part of that larger structure, continuing the same system of support rather than functioning on their own. Research from Texas A&M University reinforces this, noting that fabrics with controlled stretch and recovery help maintain stability while adapting to movement.Support today is created through coordination across every part of the bra, with structure built into the design itself rather than added through a wire.Comfort Without CompromisePerhaps the most immediate change women notice when switching to wireless is the absence of the discomfort they had come to accept as normal.The digging, the pinching, and the red marks left behind at the end of the day were not inevitable features of wearing a bra. They were a design problem. Without a rigid wire pressing against the ribcage, wireless bras distribute weight more evenly, allowing the body to move naturally throughout the day without resistance.Silvia Campello, former general manager of Cosabella, described the difference as bras that offer "that free feeling of being supported and covered but not squeezed." For consumers who spent years treating discomfort as the price of support, that distinction carries real weight.Why Larger Bust Sizes Are Part of the ConversationAny discussion of wireless innovation feels incomplete without including women who have historically been told that support requires an underwire, especially those with fuller busts.For years, that assumption narrowed the category and left many consumers with fewer options that felt both stable and comfortable enough for all-day wear. However, design improvements have begun to change that, allowing wireless bras to deliver shaping and security in ways once associated almost exclusively with rigid construction.Jené Luciani Sena, author of “The Bra Book,” told Byrdie that wireless bras can be just as supportive as underwire options for women of any size, adding that the fundamentals of fit remain the same regardless of cup size, from a secure band to cups that fully encase the breast.The category is expanding not by lowering expectations, but by finally meeting them more broadly.Adaptive Design and the Future of IntimatesA clearer view of how bras are being designed today reveals how quickly intimates are evolving to meet a wider range of needs. Rather than relying on fixed sizing alone, many wireless styles now incorporate stretch-responsive fabrics, seamless construction, and hybrid materials that adjust more naturally as the body moves and changes throughout the day.That same thinking is influencing how bras are worn, with designs that account for different routines, levels of activity, and moments of ease or recovery, whether that means a morning workout, a full day at the office, or simply winding down at home. Fit is becoming more personal, shaped not just by measurements but by how a bra performs and adapts over time.What This Signals About Consumer ExpectationsFor many years, underwire bras defined what support was expected to look like. Today, that expectation is expanding as more women recognize that structure does not have to come at the expense of comfort. Wireless designs are increasingly meeting those expectations by offering stability that feels wearable across the full rhythm of a day, not just in moments of stillness.Michelle Cordeiro Grant, a former senior merchant at Victoria’s Secret, has noted that women often wear a bra for “14 hours” a day, a reflection of how closely comfort and practicality are now linked in everyday clothing decisions.As these preferences continue to guide design, wireless bras are helping signal a broader change in how support is understood, one shaped less by tradition and more by how women actually live.This story was produced by Felina and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	How to prep your pet for a disaster How to prep your pet for a disasterAs climate change strengthens hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural disasters, people are seeking advice on how to safeguard their pets, Atmos reports.“A lot of people think climate change is in the future or only happening on the coast. But … climate change is here today and it is impacting every community in one way or another,” said Dr. Sarah DeYoung, a disaster researcher at the University of Delaware. “People should be aware that climate change is not a future, distant thing that will impact their animals. It is here and it is impacting every community.”How Can I Prepare My Pet For Disaster?While each disaster has its unique quirks and idiosyncrasies, experts have issued general pet safety recommendations.Assemble a “go kit” that has everything your pet needs, including food, water, leashes, crates, medication, litter, and doggy bags.Microchip your pet and ensure your contact info stays updated. Also, keep a recent photo of your pet on your phone and back it up on the cloud.Stay up to date on vaccinations and keep medical records handy. Evacuees at public shelters are usually worried that pets carry diseases that afflict people, such as rabies. But Dr. Jennifer Federico, a veterinarian and animal services director at Wake County Animal Center in North Carolina, is more concerned about the diseases that dogs could spread to each other. “I think the bigger concern is if they’re not up to date on vaccines,” said Federico. “We don’t know if that animal might have parvo, distemper, or anything else.“Some shelters may require pet vaccines for entry, Federico added, so it’s useful to print medical files or save them on a digital device.Know where your pets hide—especially if they’re skittish. If that’s not possible, put them somewhere you know you can find them. For instance, Dr. Ashley Farmer, who has researched pet disaster response at Illinois State University, puts her cat in her basement during tornado warnings. “You have to leave very quickly,” she said. “You might not necessarily have time to search for your pet.”If you do have to leave your pet behind, don’t crate them, tie them up, or otherwise confine them. Farmer said pet owners regularly do this because they fear their pets may run away. “But it’s better for your pet to run away than drown because your house flooded and they were tied up,” Farmer said. “Ultimately, that can lead to their demise.”DeYoung recalled a pet owner from North Carolina who kenneled their dog in their basement when Hurricane Helene hit. The owner was several hours away from home for work; by the time they came home, it had flooded, and the pet had died. “Give people resources. Encourage people to be more weather-savvy, to check the forecast, the rainfall before they go to work,” said DeYoung. “You’d rather be safe than sorry.”Plan ahead of time. Identify pet-friendly hotels and motels along potential evacuation routes, including distant options in case closer ones reach capacity. Some municipalities curate lists of pet-friendly shelters thanks to the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2006, passed after Hurricane Katrina, said Farmer. If you’re coastal, talk to your inland friends and families about the possibility of sheltering with them.Visualize how your evacuation will look. That includes ensuring you have enough collars and leashes for your dogs and carriers for your cats, and that everything fits in your vehicle. It’s prudent to think about how you’ll keep them contained during pit stops, too. DeYoung said many pets get lost at gas stations or rest areas when their owners open their car doors.“This is a very stressful time,” Federico said. “Anything that they can do in advance when they’re not in the middle of an emergency will help them during that emergency.”Structural Solutions For Pet Disaster PreventionLike other forms of disaster prevention, communities can mitigate pet suffering during disasters by preparing in advance. For example, DeYoung linked spay and neuter efforts to improved disaster outcomes. These programs develop the infrastructure and expertise to find pets within the community. Additionally, they prevent pet overpopulation and crowded shelters, making space for pets that are recovered or surrendered immediately after a storm.“It turns out to be a really vital role in the success of the recovery,” DeYoung said. “If there’s a really streamlined and well-implemented spay and neuter program and resources in the community before, then the post-disaster efforts—they run more smoothly because people are more educated.”It’s a compelling point that Federico hadn’t considered previously. “I do really like the idea of them being more educated at trapping animals and having that as a resource,” she said. “I’ve never thought about it that way—for a skillset during a disaster … but I like that a lot.”DeYoung added that social policies such as improving access to affordable housing would alleviate pet suffering during disasters, too. “The more vulnerable people you have who are living in poverty without health access themselves, the less likely they’re able to help their pets. So we also need healthy human communities,” she said. “Progressive ideas for public health and emergency preparedness across the board also help animals.”As social policies crumble—for instance, via signed legislation that strips health care and food access from tens of millions of Americans, tariffs and tax policies that push many of them into poverty, or executive orders aimed at eliminating FEMA—mutual aid can be a last line of defense.DeYoung recommends aiding community members, for example, by assisting elderly pet owners or exchanging pet care with neighbors who have opposite work schedules. “You can help each other as community members,” she said. “That’s something we can do at the individual level.”This story was produced by Atmos and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The quiet impact hearing loss has on independence — and what helps (BPT) - For many older adults, independent aging isn't about doing more — it's about continuing to do the things that matter. Talking with family, managing a schedule, calling a doctor with a question instead of waiting. Yet for millions of Americans, untreated hearing loss quietly makes those everyday moments harder, often leading to frustration, isolation and reliance on others.Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions associated with aging, affecting nearly one in three adults over 65. Still, it often goes unaddressed. Cost concerns, stigma and the belief that "it's not that bad yet" can delay action for years. In the meantime, missed words can turn into missed connections, which can gradually erode confidence and independence."We hear from older adults every day who don't realize how much hearing loss is shaping their independence until they start avoiding conversations altogether," said Mike Strecker, Chief Regulatory and Compliance Officer of ClearCaptions. "When communication becomes difficult, people often withdraw — not because they want to, but because it feels exhausting or embarrassing. Addressing hearing loss is really about preserving connection, dignity and autonomy."Communication is foundational to aging wellResearch consistently shows that staying socially and cognitively engaged is a key pillar of healthy aging. Phone conversations, in particular, play an outsized role. They're how many seniors schedule transportation, refill prescriptions, connect with care teams and stay emotionally connected to loved ones.But standard phones aren't designed with hearing loss in mind. Background noise, unclear audio and fast-paced conversations can make even short calls exhausting — or impossible.Captioned phones offer a different reality. By displaying near real-time captions of what the caller says, they allow people with hearing loss to read along while listening, reducing strain and helping ensure nothing important is missed. Why "free" raises eyebrows When people first hear about phones with captioning services that are available at no cost, skepticism is natural. In a world of robocalls and too-good-to-be-true offers, older adults and their families are rightly cautious.So how can a specialized phone be free?According to Strecker, a federally certified Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) provider, the answer lies in federal accessibility policy, not marketing gimmicks or predatory schemes. Captioned telephone service is funded through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) via the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fund. This federal fund was created to allow persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, or have speech disabilities to communicate by telephone in a manner that is functionally equivalent to telephone services used by persons without such disabilities.For individuals whose hearing loss prevents them from using their telephone and who certify under penalty of perjury, the phone, captioning service and user support are at no-cost to the customer thanks to the FCC's TRS Fund. There's no requirement to provide a credit card, no subscription fee and no obligation to purchase additional products.Advocates note that skepticism is understandable given how many scams target older adults — but this captioning service (IP CTS) is free because it is part of a government-backed service that is funded in order to increase accessibility under Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), similar in spirit to closed captions on television.What to look for to avoid scamsStill, not all offers are created equal. Advocates recommend examining a few key details to confirm legitimacy:Check FCC registration: Legitimate captioned phone providers are registered with the FCC and can be found at fcc.gov.No pressure tactics: Reputable services don't rush decisions or use scare tactics.Clear eligibility explanation: You should be told why you qualify and what certification is required.No payment requests: There should be no upfront or hidden fees for eligible users for the service.Trusted providers also offer transparent user support and clear privacy policies, helping users feel confident that their information — and conversations — are protected.A small change with outsized impactFor many older adults, using a captioned phone isn't about adopting new technology so much as it's about removing a barrier."[Using a captioned phone] was the first time I called my sister who lives 2,000 miles away, and I didn't miss anything she said. I was so happy I cried," said Lynn T., a user who embraced this technology.Captioned phone users often describe feeling more confident making calls on their own, less dependent on family members to "translate," and eager to be socially engaged.That sense of autonomy matters. Studies link untreated hearing loss to higher risks of social isolation, depression and cognitive decline. Tools that support clearer communication can help interrupt that cycle, reinforcing independence rather than diminishing it. Reframing help as empowermentAs the population ages, conversations about independence in aging are evolving. The focus is shifting away from "getting by" toward proactively supporting quality of life. Meaningfully addressing hearing loss is part of that shift.Captioned phones won't solve every challenge associated with aging, but they can make everyday communication easier and more dignified. When they're made free and accessible through a legitimate, federally funded program, there's no catch, just a public resource.For older adults who value staying connected on their own terms, clearer conversations may be one of the simplest ways to support independence.To learn more about captioning services, visit https://clearcaptions.com/lp-mat/.
	The hurricane tax: What climate change means for your homeowners insurance rates The hurricane tax: What climate change means for your homeowners insurance ratesHurricane coverage adds an average of over $4,500 per year to homeowners insurance premiums in Florida and Louisiana. In Florida, the average premium jumps from $2,557 without hurricane coverage to $7,136 with a 2% hurricane deductible — a difference of $4,579 annually. Louisiana homeowners pay an extra $4,528 per year for the same protection.This "hurricane tax" reflects the real cost of insuring a home against named-storm damage in the country's highest-risk states. As warmer ocean waters fuel more intense storms and major insurers continue to exit coastal markets, homeowners in hurricane-prone states are paying more — and getting fewer choices — than ever before.Whether you're a snowbird eyeing a second home in the Sunshine State or a longtime coastal resident reviewing your policy, this guide from Insure.com will help you understand how hurricane deductibles work, when they kick in, and how to lower your premium can save you thousands per year.What is a hurricane deductible — and why does it exist?A hurricane deductible is a separate deductible that applies when damage is caused by a named storm or hurricane recognized by an official source, such as the National Weather Service.Hurricane deductibles are typically applied as percentages, such as 2%, 5% or 10%, although a flat deductible may be available to some homeowners.The deductible is a percentage of the dwelling coverage on the policy, not the cost of the loss.A hurricane deductible doesn’t apply to regular wind or rain events. The policy’s regular deductible applies in those situations.Nineteen states have hurricane or named storm deductible provisions in place, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. First introduced after the catastrophic losses of Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the adoption of these deductibles expanded after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.After a major hurricane, people are dealing with a lot of total losses, according to Chris Bacon, chief operating officer of Openly, which provides home insurance in 24 states. “You’re not dealing with houses that are moderately damaged,” Bacon says.Those losses mean billions are paid out by insurers — $65 billion after Katrina, for instance — and hurricane deductibles were implemented to offset these losses. They’re intended to keep coverage affordable and accessible to homeowners, and there’s no sign they’ll be going away.“Insurers have generally been raising hurricane deductibles over the last few years,” according to Jasper Cooper, vice president and senior credit officer with Moody’s Ratings.How is climate change affecting your homeowners insurance rates?Climate change is driving homeowners insurance rates higher by intensifying the storms, floods, and wildfires that insurers have to pay for. Across the country, homeowners insurance premiums rose 24% between 2021 and 2024 — twice the rate of inflation — according to a 2025 report from the Consumer Federation of America. With the last 11 years ranking as the warmest on record, according to the World Meteorological Organization, the trend is accelerating, not slowing down.Climate change is putting more homes at risk of extreme weather and affecting home insurance rates in the following ways:Warmer ocean waters are linked to more intense storms, such as Category 4 and 5 hurricanes.As sea levels rise, more homes are at risk of damage from storm surges.Climate change is linked to slower-moving storms, which can cause more damage.Insurance companies have exited states such as Louisiana and Florida, which are prone to destructive storms, leaving homeowners with fewer options and more expensive premiums.Reinsurance – which protects insurance companies from catastrophic losses – has become more expensive because of climate change-related losses, and insurers pass this cost on to customers.Which home upgrades can lower your hurricane insurance premium?New pricing technology means insurers can reward individual risk reduction — not just lump you in with the whole neighborhood. Hurricane mitigation features that may lower your premium include:Impact-resistant windows and doorsReinforced or hurricane-rated roofStorm shuttersRoof-to-wall connections (hurricane straps)“You are seeing more carriers that are being more sophisticated,” Bacon says. The more sophisticated the pricing models are, he notes, the more accurately the carriers can price the risk.That means insurers can set premiums that better reflect the chances of your home sustaining damage. If your home has been hardened to withstand a hurricane, ask your insurer for a wind mitigation inspection to see if you qualify for discounts.How much does hurricane coverage add to your home insurance premium?In some parts of coastal states like Florida, Louisiana, and Texas, hurricane damage isn't covered by a standard homeowners policy, though coverage depends on where you live — in lower-risk parts of the same state, hurricane damage may already be included. To get that protection, homeowners have to add the coverage with a separate hurricane deductible — usually 2% of their home's insured value — which significantly raises their annual premium. The numbers below reflect average premiums with that 2% hurricane deductible added, since that's the realistic cost of being covered for hurricane damage in these states.Florida homeowners pay more than anyone else in the country. With a 2% hurricane deductible, the average Florida premium is $7,136 a year — more than ten times what a homeowner in Hawaii pays ($659), where hurricane damage isn’t covered at all. These figures are based on a standard policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage, $300,000 in liability coverage, and a $1,000 all-perils deductible.The "hurricane tax": How much adding hurricane coverage really costsIn states where hurricane damage is excluded from a standard policy, adding hurricane coverage can dramatically increase your annual premium.According to our data, Florida and Louisiana show the clearest "hurricane tax" pattern — premiums jump by roughly $4,500 a year with hurricane coverage and a 2% deductible. In other coastal states like Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia, premiums actually decrease slightly when a 2% hurricane deductible is added, because hurricane damage is included in a standard policy in those states, and the higher deductible just shifts more risk onto the homeowner.The table below shows the full picture across these states. Insure.com Which states have hurricane or named-storm deductibles?Most of the states with hurricane or named-storm deductibles are coastal states along the Gulf or Atlantic, but a few, like Pennsylvania, sit further inland — they're included because hurricanes can travel well past the coast.States with hurricane or named-storm deductibles:Gulf Coast: Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, TexasAtlantic Coast: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, VirginiaInland with storm-track exposure: PennsylvaniaPacific: HawaiiPlus: District of ColumbiaWhy don't all states have hurricane deductibles?States outside this list either don't face meaningful hurricane risk or already cover hurricane damage under their standard windstorm-and-hail coverage. Inland states like Kansas, Oklahoma, and Colorado see hail and tornado damage rather than named storms, and they typically have their own separate wind and hail or windstorm deductibles to handle those risks.States in the Mountain West and Pacific Northwest face wildfire and earthquake risks instead, which carry their own coverage rules. Hurricane deductibles only show up where hurricane risk is significant enough to justify a separate, higher deductible — and where state regulators have approved their use.What's the difference between a hurricane deductible and a named-storm deductible?A hurricane deductible only applies when the National Weather Service or National Hurricane Center officially classifies a storm as a hurricane — meaning sustained winds of 74 mph or more. A named-storm deductible covers a broader category: it applies to any storm the NWS has named, including tropical storms (39-plus mph winds), tropical cyclones, and typhoons.The difference is when the higher deductible kicks in. If a named tropical storm causes $20,000 in roof damage to your home:With a hurricane deductible, the storm wasn't a hurricane, so your standard all-perils deductible applies (typically $1,000).With a named-storm deductible, the storm was named, so the higher percentage-based deductible applies (often 2% to 5% of your home's insured value — potentially several thousand dollars).A named-storm deductible always covers hurricanes, since hurricanes are by definition named storms. But a hurricane deductible doesn't always cover tropical storms. Which one applies to you depends on your state and your specific policy — check your declarations page for the exact wording.Can you skip the hurricane deductible — and should you?Whether you can skip the hurricane deductible — and whether you should — depends on where you live. If you live in a hurricane-prone area, hurricane damage is treated as a separate category, with its own deductible. In others, it's just lumped in with regular wind damage, the same as a thunderstorm or a tree falling on your roof.Areas where hurricane damage is automatically included. In lower-risk parts of most hurricane-deductible states, a hurricane is treated like any other windstorm — a thunderstorm, a tree on the roof — and falls under your regular all-perils deductible (usually $1,000). Adding a higher hurricane deductible here doesn't add coverage. It just shifts more of the financial risk onto you in exchange for a small premium discount.Areas where hurricane coverage is only included if you add the deductible. In higher-risk parts of states like Florida and Louisiana, hurricane damage is excluded from a standard policy unless you add a separate hurricane deductible. Skipping that deductible means skipping hurricane coverage entirely. In Florida, for example, the average premium drops from $7,136 a year (with a 2% hurricane deductible) to $2,557 a year without one — a savings of roughly $4,500 annually, but in exchange for zero coverage on named-storm damage.Areas where standard insurers won't cover hurricane damage at all. In the highest-risk areas — like coastal Texas — homeowners often can't buy hurricane coverage through a standard policy, no matter what deductible they choose. Coverage has to come from a separate windstorm policy, often through a state-run insurer of last resort like the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA).In states without hurricane deductibles at all (like Kansas, Colorado, Vermont, and most inland and Western states), there's no tradeoff to make. Your homeowners policy uses a single all-perils deductible — typically $1,000 — that applies to every covered loss, including the rare hurricane that travels far enough inland to do damage. Premiums in these states reflect other regional risks like hail, tornadoes, or wildfires, not hurricane exposure.Should you skip or raise your hurricane deductible?Whether to skip, lower, or raise your hurricane deductible comes down to three things: how much risk you're carrying personally, whether you have a mortgage, and what your state's rules allow. Use these guidelines as a starting point:If your risk of hurricane damage is low, you don't have a mortgage, and you have enough savings to cover repairs out of pocket, skipping or raising the hurricane deductible can lower your premium.If you're in a high-risk area, have limited savings, or own a high-value home, keep hurricane coverage in place at the standard deductible.Before making a decision about a hurricane deductible, be sure you understand your state’s rules and your insurer’s policy details.“There’s a lot of nuance in the policies, and different carriers apply deductibles differently,” Bacon says. Independent insurance brokers can be a valuable resource to help you understand costs and coverage options.How a hurricane deductible works in practiceThe deductible math can catch homeowners off guard, because it's based on the home's insured value — not the size of the claim. Here's a real-world example:Imagine a home insured for $400,000 with a 2% hurricane deductible. A named hurricane causes $80,000 in roof and water damage.Hurricane deductible (2% of $400,000): $8,000Insurance payout: $80,000 − $8,000 = $72,000Out-of-pocket cost to the homeowner: $8,000If that same home had a standard $1,000 all-perils deductible (because the damage was caused by a regular storm, not a named hurricane), the homeowner would pay $1,000 out of pocket and the insurer would cover $79,000. That's the trade-off: Hurricane deductibles let insurers offer coverage in high-risk areas, but homeowners shoulder a much larger share of the cost when a named storm hits.The higher the percentage you choose, the larger that out-of-pocket cost gets. A 5% deductible on the same $400,000 home would mean $20,000 out of pocket before insurance pays anything.Hurricane coverage doesn't pay for flood damage — here's what doesEven the best hurricane coverage doesn't pay for flood damage. Flood coverage is a completely separate product, and homeowners have to buy it on their own.The distinction matters because most hurricane damage is actually water damage. Storm surge pushes ocean water inland, heavy rainfall floods streets and basements, and rivers overflow their banks days after the wind has died down. A home that survives the wind intact can still be destroyed by the water that follows — and without flood insurance, the homeowner pays for those repairs themselves.Hurricane coverage handles wind damage. Flood insurance handles water damage from rising water. The two work together, and most coastal homeowners need both.How to get flood insuranceMost flood insurance in the U.S. is sold through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), administered by FEMA. A handful of private insurers also sell flood coverage, sometimes with higher limits than NFIP. A few things to know:There's a 30-day waiting period for new NFIP policies, so you can't buy coverage when a storm is already named.Mortgage lenders often require it if your home is in a high-risk flood zone (FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Area).Standard NFIP policies cover up to $250,000 for the dwelling and $100,000 for personal contents. Private flood insurance can offer higher limits.Check your flood zone before storm season startsUse FEMA's Flood Map Service Center to look up your home's flood zone in 30 seconds. If you're in a "Zone A" or "Zone V" area, you're in a high-risk zone and should already have flood insurance — your mortgage lender probably requires it. If you're in "Zone X," you're in a lower-risk area, but coverage may still be worth it. The 30-day waiting period means now is the time to buy, not after a storm forms.What you can do to lower your hurricane insurance costsYou can save money on hurricane insurance by taking proactive steps to minimize storm damage and by regularly looking for new coverage. Try these steps to reduce your home insurance premiums:Harden your home. Installing impact-resistant windows, roof clips or straps and anchor bolts can all make your home less susceptible to hurricane damage and qualify your policy for discounts.Apply for mitigation credits. Some states require insurance companies to provide mitigation credits to homeowners who harden their property against hurricane damage. An inspection may be needed to qualify.Review your coverage annually. The home insurance market in hurricane-prone states is evolving, so it’s smart to check your policy each year for changes.Shop the market. An independent insurance broker can be helpful in evaluating your insurance options. With large companies exiting some markets and states, a broker can help you zero in on smaller companies offering the coverage you need.Be strategic about a higher deductible. You will save money by increasing your hurricane deductible to 5% or even 10%, but only do this if you have money in reserves to cover the cost of the deductible.Understand your deductible trigger. Be sure you understand under what circumstances the hurricane deductible applies. This may not lower your premiums, but it could be useful information if you need to file a claim.When does a hurricane deductible actually kick in?The trigger varies by state and insurer, but most policies use one of three:A hurricane watch or warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for any part of the state. In Florida, for example, the hurricane deductible activates the moment a watch or warning is posted and stays in effect until 72 hours after the last watch or warning ends.A landfall trigger, which kicks in only when a hurricane's eye actually crosses land in your area.A wind-speed trigger, which activates when sustained winds reach a defined threshold — typically 74 mph for a hurricane deductible, or 39 mph for a named-storm deductible.The trigger language matters because it determines which deductible applies to a claim. A roof damaged by 70-mph winds during a tropical storm might be covered under your standard $1,000 deductible — or it might trigger your 2% hurricane deductible — depending on which trigger your policy uses. The Insurance Information Institute recommends reviewing your declarations page and asking your insurer to walk you through exactly when your hurricane deductible activates, before storm season starts.Frequently asked questionsWhat states have hurricane deductibles?Nineteen states have hurricane deductibles. These are mainly states along the East Coast and Gulf, although insurers in some inland states may offer hurricane deductibles because of storm-track exposure.How is a hurricane deductible calculated?Hurricane deductibles are typically a percentage of your home’s insured value and often range from 1% to 10%. Flat rate deductibles are sometimes available. For a home with a $450,000 dwelling coverage limit, a 2% hurricane deductible would require homeowners to pay $9,000 out of pocket before insurance coverage begins.Is a hurricane deductible the same as a windstorm deductible?No, a hurricane deductible only applies to damage caused by named storms. Some insurance policies may have windstorm deductibles that apply to damage caused by any wind event.Why is Florida home insurance so expensive?High-intensity hurricanes, rising construction costs and a history of claims litigation have all led to increasing home insurance premiums in Florida. Major insurers have also left the state, leading to less competition and higher rates for residents.Can I negotiate my hurricane deductible?Not usually, but you can usually choose from available options. For instance, Florida law requires companies to offer hurricane deductibles of $500, 2%, 5% or 10%.This story was produced by Insure.com and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Why long-distance motorcycle riders are ditching their phone mounts Why long-distance motorcycle riders are ditching their phone mountsMotorcycle navigation has always been a patchwork of workarounds. A new generation of dedicated displays may finally change that, RiderNav reports.Pull into any gas station on a touring route and ask riders how they navigate. You’ll likely get wildly different answers. One rider swears by Calimoto, another keeps a sun-faded Garmin on the bars, and a third still unfolds a paper map across the tank.Lately, though, those answers are starting to converge on the same kind of setup: dedicated, bar‑mounted displays that plug into the bike and the phone. The numbers bear this out. The motorcycle infotainment market reached $338 million in 2024 and is projected to more than double by 2034, according to IMARC Group, with other analysts forecasting steeper climbs still.Much of that demand is coming from touring and adventure riders, the fastest-growing segment of the motorcycle market. But the market is still growing from a small base. In reality, most touring riders still clamp a phone to the bars, not because they love the setup, but because the apps are better than what most old GPS units can offer.The catch is that the phone was never built for this kind of heat, vibration and sunlight. Once those limits show up, the setup stops feeling clever and starts feeling fragile.In 2023, Apple told iPhone owners to stop mounting their phones on motorcycles. The vibrations, the company warned, can permanently damage a camera's optical image stabilization and autofocus. There is no fix. Apple did not say what prompted the warning, but years of complaints from riders who cooked their cameras on long hauls likely had something to do with it.Most smartphones are also designed to operate below 35°C (95°F), a threshold that a handlebar-mounted phone in direct sunlight can exceed within an hour. Once it does, the phone chokes performance and the screen washes out, forcing longer glances and less time watching the road ahead.In fact, checking a phone for directions is the single most commonly self-reported distracting activity while riding, ahead of phone calls, music or adjusting vehicle controls, according to a recent study.Motorcycle simulator research has shown that even brief eyes-off-road moments cause riders to drift toward the opposing lane. And Colorado State Patrol data from 2024 shows distraction was the third-leading cause for motorcycle crashes in the state, with troopers logging 535 at-fault incidents that year.In short: The case against mounting a phone to your handlebars is hard to dispute. But until recently, the alternatives were worse. Dedicated motorcycle GPS units were expensive, ran on static preloaded maps, and were often no brighter than phones.The hardware is finally catching up. A new generation of motorcycle-specific displays now runs Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with weather sealing and brighter screens built for direct sun. RiderNav Three things have made these new screens worth paying attention to. Chief among them is screen size. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that individual glances at in-vehicle displays stay under two seconds. While those standards were written for passenger cars, the principle applies even more urgently to motorcycles. The average phone screen, at handlebar height, rarely clears that bar.Seven-inch models have become the industry standard, and for good reason: The larger screen offers roughly twice the usable area of a phone. This is enough for navigation, tire pressure, speed and fuel range to share the display without shrinking to unreadable sizes. In direct sunlight, shifting shadows or rain, it stays legible at a glance, where a smaller screen forces the rider to lean in.Another is security. Earlier displays mostly bolted on permanently, an invitation to theft at every fuel stop. The category has answered with quick-release mounts that let a rider detach the screen in seconds and slip it into a jacket pocket. Snap it off for a quick errand, reattach for the highway.Just as important, the new displays avoid the trap that turned older GPS units into dead-end gadgets: They work with the apps riders already use rather than asking them to start over in a proprietary ecosystem. And those apps have earned serious followings. Calimoto alone says it serves more than 3 million users.Whether dedicated displays displace the phone mount in the way smartphones dislodged paper maps and GPS units remains to be seen. But riders at that gas station will likely have much fewer answers to the navigation question in a few years. For most of them, it will be a dedicated display.This story was produced by RiderNav and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	RI National Cemetery seeks volunteers to place American Flags on headstones The Rock Island National Cemetery seeks volunteers to place American flags at the headstones of fallen service members in honor of Memorial Day. Work to place the flags will begin at 4 p.m. Thursday, May 21, rain or shine. Volunteers should plan to arrive early because of high traffic into the cemetery. In the event [...]

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