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

Monday, September 28th, 2026
	Woman injured in Rock Island shots fired incident on 11th Ave. A woman was shot Sunday night during an incident in the 800 block of 11th Avenue.
	Learn about Adult Mental Health First Aid in Galesburg This fall, residents in and around Galesburg can learn how to help someone dealing with mental health or substance use challenges. The Adult Mental Health First Aid training class will be held at the Galesburg Public Library, 264 W Main St., on November 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The class teaches participants how [...]
	Gas prices fall 8 cents in the Quad-Cities, averaging $4.41 per gallon On Sept. 28, 2025 gas was $2.94 per gallon on average in the Quad-Cities.
	Man arrested after allegedly running over 2 men, killing 1 after fight in Milan One man is dead and another is injured after being intentionally run over, according to the Milan Police Department.
	23-year-old woman injured in Rock Island shooting A 23-year-old woman suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen Sunday night.
	Rock Island Police investigate after woman shot Rock Island Police are investigating a shots-fired incident after a woman was taken to a local hospital with a gunshot wound. A news release from the Rock Island Police Department said officers responded to the 800 block of 1st Ave on Sept. 27 at about 8:24 p.m. for reports of shots fired. When officers arrived, [...]
	Death Notice: Jack Davis A memorial service for Jack Steven Davis will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at Chambers Funeral Home, Eldridge. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service at the funeral home. A gathering of friends will be held immediately following the memorial service at Al & Gerry's in Eldridge. Mr. Davis died Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. Memorials may be made to the Rock Island Parks & Recreation Foundation or to the Community Inclusion Club of Iowa City. Online condolences may be made at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com. A full obituary will appear in the Sept. 30 edition of The NSP.
	Largest steel plant in US coming to Iowa, White House officials share The $15 billion mega steel plant will produce an estimated 10 million tons of steel each year once it’s fully online by 2030.
	Bureau County man enters guilty plea after toddler dies in Mother’s Day standoff The Bureau County man involved in a standoff on Mothers Day that left a toddler dead entered a guilty plea on Friday.
	Death Notice: Jane Remley A Mass of Christian Burial for Jane (Goethals) Remley, 94, of Eldridge, formerly of Davenport, will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, Davenport. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service on Wednesday at the church. Burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park. Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport, is assisting the family with arrangements. Mrs. Remley died Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, at Grand Haven Retirement Community, Eldridge. Memorials may be made to Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church or to St. Croix Hospice. Online condolences may be made at www.hmdfuneralhome.com. An obituary will appear in the Sept. 30 edition of The NSP.
	Nick Dittmeier playing Ca d'Zan House Concerts Crossroads Cultural Connections presents singer-songwriter and guitarist Nick Dittmeier, who will perform at Ca d’Zan House Concerts in Cambridge on Thursday, October 1. The all-ages evening starts with an optional potluck dinner at 6 p.m., followed by the concert at 7 p.m. Guests who want to participate in the potluck are invited to bring a [...]
	Four QC musicians will present benefit concert for Humane Society of Scott County Four professional Quad Cities musicians will use their music to make a difference for animals in the Quad Cities community. At 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, a benefit concert for the Humane Society of Scott County will be held at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 121 W. 12th St., Davenport. The concert will feature Lynne Stukart, flute; Tyné Rieck, [...]
	SpaceX's Starship launches on first orbital mission from Texas Starship is key to SpaceX's commercial success and NASA's plans to land humans on the moon. This is the 14th flight of the uncrewed Starship, but the first time it aims to reach orbit.
	Mother, 2-year-old son identified as victims of Peoria County double homicide The Peoria County Coroner’s Office has released the identities of a mother and her young son early Friday in what authorities said was domestic violence.
	Blackhawk Bank & Trust announce plans for new full-service branch in West Davenport Blackhawk Bank & Trust full-service branch will mark its first location in Davenport west of Elmore Avenue.
	Dry couple of days before more rain Our week will kick off pleasant with warmer weather tomorrow and Wednesday. Another moderate to heavy rain maker is on the way to the Quad Cities. Here's your full 7-day forecast.
	UnityPoint Health – Trinity heart experts first in the Quad Cities to use new AFib technology On Sept. 3 electrophysiologists and care teams at Trinity Heart Center performed the first successful pulsed field ablation (PFA) procedure using Abbott’s Volt PFA System.
	Rise Up Coffee & Ice Cream opens second location in Port Byron The expansion comes thanks to the strong support and loyal customer base built at their original Erie shop.
	McFarlane Marketing Social Studio OS launch event The evening is designed specifically for business owners who want to build a stronger social media presence.
	Trump aims to leave a physical legacy in D.C., bulldozing norms along the way President Trump has brought his New York real estate background to the White House. But experts say D.C. is a very different historic and legal landscape — and worry about the precedent he could set.
	British police investigate if arrests near U.S. air base foiled an Iran-linked attack Police were holding five men and examining suspected explosives found near a U.S.-operated air force base in England, as counterterror detectives investigated whether the arrests foiled an attempted attack linked to Iran.
	5 men arrested over suspected attack at a U.S.-run air force base are British nationals Authorities have arrested five British nationals over a suspected attack at a U.S.-operated air force base in England. The men, all in their 20s from London, were detained Sunday.
	U.K. holds 5 British suspects after arrests near U.S. air base as Iran denies role Authorities have arrested five British nationals over a suspected attack at a U.S.-operated air force base in England. Iran denied involvement.
	'End Times Fascism' looks at supremacist groups uniting around end-of-the-world ideas Authors Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor identify supremacists that have, despite ideological differences, converged around the conviction that they are part of an elite destined to survive an apocalypse.
	Welcome to the 'Wild West' of AI in schools: Research is scarce, but experiments abound Teachers are using AI to develop lesson plans, and in some districts, AI chatbots give students feedback on their work. Meanwhile, the research around how AI can help students is extremely limited.
	A new anti-ICE compilation album benefits immigrants rights organizations The Contra-ICE Vol. 1: ICE OUT album features contributions from over 30 artists, including Kathleen Hanna, Fred Armisen and Tom Morello to create a historical and artistic record of this moment.
	Mexico's Baja California braces for Hurricane Polo as Hurricane Nolo threatens Hawaii Hurricane Nolo edged further away from the Hawaiian Islands on Sunday as major Hurricane Polo bore down on Mexico's Baja California peninsula with a threat of storm surge, high winds and heavy rains.
	Evers announces last chance to apply for a pardon before next governor takes office In 2019, Gov. Tony Evers issued the first pardons in Wisconsin in nine years. He said that reinstating the pardons process and “offering over 2,000 second chances to folks across our state” has been one of his administration’s most important endeavors. The last deadline to apply for pardons before Evers leaves office is Oct. 5. (Getty Images)The Wisconsin Examiner’s Criminal Justice Reporting Project shines a light on incarceration, law enforcement and criminal justice issues with support from the Public Welfare Foundation. Gov. Tony Evers announced a deadline of Oct. 5 as the last day for a Wisconsinite to submit an application for a pardon for a crime, before Evers’ second and last term as governor ends in January 2027. Distinct from a commutation or a parole order, a pardon restores rights that a person loses if convicted of a felony, including the right to serve on a jury, hold public office and hold certain professional licenses. In 2019, Evers issued the first pardons in Wisconsin in nine years. In a press release, he said that reinstating the pardons process and “offering over 2,000 second chances to folks across our state” has been one of his administration’s most important endeavors. “I encourage folks who are interested to apply by the deadline and sincerely hope to see this good work continue in earnest in the years ahead,” Evers said. To be eligible, a person must be seeking a pardon for a Wisconsin felony conviction and have finished any criminal sentence at least five years ago. Applicants must not have any pending criminal cases or charges in any jurisdiction or be currently required to register as a sex offender. Evers’ Pardon Advisory Board held two hearings on Friday; the agendas for the hearings listed 30 applicants for pardons. The pardon application and answers to frequently asked questions are on the governor’s website. Each applicant appears before the board for about 10 minutes, giving an introduction and taking questions from the board. The board votes whether or not to recommend a pardon for an applicant; if a majority of the board votes in favor, the application is sent on to Evers for a final decision. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Courtesy of Wisconsin Examiner
	Eviction of 87-year-old sparks protests in Madrid over housing crisis Tens of thousands marched through Madrid on Saturday to protest Spain's housing crisis and the eviction of an 87-year-old woman, camping overnight in Madrid's historic Puerta del Sol plaza.
	Families enjoy peer recovery event in Davenport An event to help those recovering from addiction was held Sunday in Davenport. The community get-together at Duck Creek Park celebrated National Recovery Month. The event was open to families with members dealing with addiction or in recovery. There was food, a bounce house, bags games and a dunk tank. Two people who successfully recovered [...]
	Coats, shoes ... and haircuts provided free to kids in Davenport At a Sunday event in Davenport, kids could get shoes, coats, hats and gloves - plus a haircut - for free. The annual Coats and Shoes Drive was held at the TMBC Lincoln Resource Center, where kids of all ages could get most of what they'll need with the weather getting cooler. This is the [...]
	29th Quad Cities Marathon takes runners all over the QCA The 29th annual Quad Cities Marathon took runners all over the Quad Cities on Sunday. Our Quad Cities News crew caught some runners in action as they ran through downtown Rock Island. The 26-point two-mile race went through every city as well as the Rock Island Arsenal. The winner was Adam Rzentkowski-- with a time [...]
	Two QCA colleges earn national recognition Two Quad Cities-area colleges are making their mark in the latest U. S. News and World Report rankings. St. Ambrose University in Davenport is ranked number two in the Midwest for innovation among regional universities. And it ranks 17th for best colleges for veterans and 32nd overall among regional universities. St. Ambrose says its focus [...]
	A Global Legacy, Built in Mississippi: Corolla Celebrates 60 Years Six Decades of Corolla Since its 1966 debut, the Toyota Corolla has become one of the most recognized and trusted vehicles in automotive history. For 60 years, it has evolved with generations of drivers while remaining synonymous with quality, efficiency and reliability. Today, that global legacy continues in Blue Springs, where Toyota Mississippi team members proudly build one of the world’s best-selling car. Toyota Mississippi joined the Corolla story in 2007, when the Blue Springs plant was announced. Since the first Mississippi-built Corolla rolled off the line, the facility has produced more than 2 million vehicles—connecting Mississippi craftsmanship with drivers nationwide. Today, every gas-powered Corolla sold in the United States is built here, placing Toyota Mississippi at the heart of one of the automotive industry’s greatest success stories. Powered by Mississippi Team Members Building the Corolla is both an honor and a responsibility. Each vehicle reflects Toyota’s commitment to quality and the trust millions of customers place in the Corolla name. From stamped steel and body welds to paint, assembly and final inspection, thousands of team members bring skill and dedication to every vehicle. And every team member of the plant’s 2,400-person crew knows the vehicles they build become part of customers’ daily lives—helping people commute, travel with family and go places not just on the road but in life. “For our team members, building the Corolla is more than assembling a vehicle—it’s about contributing to a legacy that has earned the trust of millions of customers around the world,” said Aaron Foster, president of Toyota Mississippi. “Every Corolla that leaves our plant represents the passion, skill and dedication of our team. We are incredibly proud to be part of a 60-year history of quality and reliability, and even more excited to help carry that legacy into the future.” Photo by: Adam Robison Corolla’s enduring success reflects Toyota’s philosophy of continuous improvement—or kaizen. Across six decades, the vehicle has adapted to customers’ needs without losing the dependability and value that made it a global bestseller. That same commitment guides Toyota Mississippi team members as they improve processes, solve challenges and uphold rigorous safety and quality standards. “It’s an incredible feeling to know that something we build here in Mississippi is trusted by millions of people around the world,” said Melissa Roberts, Quality Control Group Leader at Toyota Mississippi. “Every Corolla that leaves our plant represents our hard work, our dedication and the pride of our entire team. Knowing that some families rely on vehicles that I’ve had a part in building gives me a real sense of purpose.” Toyota Mississippi’s impact reaches beyond the assembly line. Team members mentor students, support local organizations and create career opportunities throughout northeast Mississippi. Since production began, that combination of manufacturing excellence and community investment has made the plant a cornerstone of the region. Driving the Legacy Forward To mark Corolla’s 60th anniversary, Toyota Mississippi is inviting the public to celebrate throughout October. From October 1 through October 29, the Toyota Mississippi Experience Center will host “A Lifetime of Legacy,” an exhibit tracing Corolla’s six-decade evolution through models from each generation and highlighting Mississippi’s role in carrying the legacy forward. Visitors can also attend Corolla 60th Anniversary Evening Tours every Thursday in October from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. These limited-time tours offer a behind-the-scenes look at the technology, teamwork and craftsmanship behind the world’s best-selling car—and how Mississippi team members bring it to life each day. As that story continues, Toyota Mississippi is preparing for Corolla’s next chapter. A recent $125 million investment will add hybrid-electric Corolla production, making the plant the first in the United States to assemble electrified Corollas. The milestone advances Toyota’s commitment to innovation and helps ensure Corolla remains a trusted choice for generations to come. Six decades after its debut, Corolla remains a symbol of reliability, quality and opportunity. Every vehicle built in Blue Springs carries that legacy forward—strengthened by the passion and dedication of Toyota Mississippi team members. Learn more and reserve your tour today at www.TourToyota.com/MS. Courtesy of Mississippi Today
Sunday, September 27th, 2026
	Where Curiosity Builds Trade Skills: 5 Ways to Help Kids Discover the Skilled Trades (Feature Impact) Most students hear questions about what they want to be when they grow up. By the time their middle and high school years arrive, they're often starting to consider their answers more in depth. Conversations with adults can help shape their awareness of and interest in various career paths, including skilled trades. When they're provided with opportunities to learn, build, experiment and solve problems, young people can discover whether their talents and passions are a good fit for a career in the trades. Programs likePath to Pro Skills Explorers, launched by The Home Depot in partnership with Scouting America and Boys & Girls Clubs of America, provide free, accessible ways to introduce students to options like the plumbing, construction and electrical fields, as well as content on leadership and soft skills. Parents, educators and mentors can encourage young people to broaden their horizons as they plan their futures and build awareness around careers in the skilled trades with these tips. Start Career Conversations Early Choosing a career path doesn't have to be one intimidating, life-changing moment. Parents and mentors can normalize career conversations by starting them early and keeping things casual. Opening the dialogue sparks curiosity about the activities kids enjoy and allows them to start connecting those interests to potential career paths. To get started, set kids up with access to online programs, videos and introductory courses so they can explore a variety of possibilities. Turn Curiosity Into Hands-On Learning For many students, learning by doing is the most satisfying way to test, improve and build skills. Instead of only reading textbooks or listening to instructors, offer them the chance to follow a plan, work with different materials, troubleshoot problems and build something tangible. Young people considering hands-on careers need hands-on practice to develop confidence and adaptability. Take the first step by researching online resources and local opportunities for classes, job shadowing or even apprenticeships. Recognize the Skills Kids Are Already Building Skilled trades aren't just about knowing which wires to connect or what tool to reach for. They also rely on a variety of soft skills like communication, patience, critical thinking, time management, attention to detail and more. When kids demonstrate these traits, point them out and encourage them. Take opportunities to let them experiment with hands-on projects, whether they want to try building a treehouse, repairing a bike or tinkering with technology. Expand Views of Career Pathways and Success The road to success is more like an intersection. Let young people know there are many pathways to fulfilling careers and futures, and while the traditional college-to-career plan can still be a viable option, it isn't the only one. Skilled trades offer competitive salaries, job security and the opportunity to learn hands-on skills that will always be in demand. Even in a world where technology is rapidly changing many career fields, it takes skilled workers to replace roofs, repair electrical systems, fix sewer lines and lead disaster recovery efforts. Find Programs That Make Skilled Trades Exploration Accessible There is a gap between labor supply and demand in the trades, and it's only widening as older generations approach retirement age. Programs like The Home Depot's Skills Explorers are designed to empower young people to step into these roles by providing a mix of online resources and hands-on activities to explore viable career paths. As a key part of a commitment by The Home Depot and The Home Depot Foundation to deliver 15 million introductions to the skilled trades by 2032, the program offers an accessible, no-cost curriculum for youth education groups to learn what it's like to work in these important fields. "For years, The Home Depot and The Home Depot Foundation's Path to Pro program have helped separating military, career changers and others build pathways to the trades," said Michael Rowe, executive vice president of Pro for The Home Depot. "We know that closing the skilled labor gap starts much earlier. We need more young people to see what's possible and understand the lucrative opportunities these careers provide." Visit pathtopro.com/skills-explorers to access the free curriculum and discover how to bring hands-on skilled trade exploration to students.
	Enjoy Tangy, Spicy Buffalo Chicken with a Superfood Swap Enjoy Tangy, Spicy Buffalo Chicken with a Superfood Swap (Feature Impact) When you’re craving a specific comfort food, other flavors just aren’t going to hit the spot the same way. The good news: It only takes one or two simple ingredient changes to satisfy your taste buds while leveling up the nutrition of a meal. Watch video to see how to make this recipe! For instance, if you’re jonesing for the zesty kick of buffalo sauce, your mind might initially go to pizza and wings. This Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweetpotatoes recipe featuring North Carolina Sweetpotatoes invites you to rethink that takeout order and enjoy the same bold, satisfying flavors in a more nutritious way. They’re a little sweet and a little spicy with savory chicken and creamy avocado stuffed jacket-style inside a nutrient-dense baked sweetpotato. Sweetpotatoes – deliberately spelled as one word to better differentiate this unique root vegetable from traditional potatoes – are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. The American Diabetes Association even calls them a “diabetes superfood,” as they raise blood sugar more slowly than other starchy foods while allowing you to savor some natural sweetness. They’re also a great choice for athletes, thanks to complex carbohydrates that boost energy and nutrients that support endurance and recovery. Find more ways to level up your favorite flavors at ncsweetpotatoes.com. Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweetpotatoes Recipe courtesy of the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 45 minutes Servings: 4 4 sweetpotatoes1 rotisserie chicken, shredded1 1/2 cups buffalo sauce1 avocado, diced2 tablespoons diced chives Preheat oven to 400 F. Place sweetpotatoes on lined baking sheet and use fork to pierce each one for venting. Bake 45 minutes, or until tender.Let sweetpotatoes cool slightly then use knife to gently cut each open lengthwise and crosswise. Use fork to lightly mash inside sweetpotatoes.In large bowl, combine shredded rotisserie chicken with buffalo sauce until evenly coated.Spoon buffalo chicken mixture into each sweetpotato. Top with diced avocado and chives.
	5 Easy Sheet Pan Meals with a Grape Upgrade (Feature Impact) Sheet pan cooking makes weeknight meals wonderfully easy - and fresh grapes give them an unexpected upgrade. Roasted alongside chicken, vegetables, gnocchi and more, grapes become warm and juicy, adding a pop of sweetness that complements savory flavors and makes simple dishes feel a little more special. From satisfying dinners and sides to a crowd-pleasing dessert, these recipes bring something unexpected to the sheet pan without adding extra fuss. Find more family recipe ideas by visiting GrapesFromCalifornia.com. California Grapes and Sage Chicken - This simple sheet pan dinner pairs savory sage-seasoned chicken with sweet California grapes, butternut squash, red onion and garlic. As everything roasts together, the grapes become warm and juicy while apple cider vinegar adds a bright, tangy counterpoint. It's an easy, colorful meal that delivers plenty of flavor with minimal cleanup. Roasted California Grapes and Sweet Potatoes - Sweet potatoes and California grapes make a delicious pairing in this colorful, easy-to-prepare side dish. Roasting grapes brings out their natural sweetness, while balsamic vinegar, onion and fresh basil add savory, tangy notes for balance. Serve it alongside your favorite protein or add it to a grain bowl for a simple way to bring more fruits and vegetables to the plate. Roasted California Grapes and Gnocchi - Tender gnocchi, juicy roasted California grapes, broccolini and red onion come together in this satisfying one-pan meal. Fresh thyme, feta and lemon zest balance the grapes' sweetness with savory, tangy and bright flavors. With just 25 minutes of roasting time, it's an easy way to turn everyday ingredients into a flavorful meatless dinner. Chicken and Roasted California Grapes with Carrots and Parsnips - Warm, spiced cumin and turmeric give this hearty chicken sheet pan dinner plenty of flavor, while carrots, parsnips, onions and California grapes round out the meal. The grapes add juicy bursts of sweetness that complement the earthy root vegetables and savory spices. Everything cooks together on one pan for a colorful, satisfying dinner with easy cleanup. California Grape and Apple Sheet Pan Pie - Tart apples and juicy black California grapes offer a delicious twist on classic apple pie in this crowd-friendly sheet pan dessert. The fruits bake beneath a golden lattice crust with the grapes adding extra color, sweetness and juicy texture to every slice. Designed to serve 16, it's an inviting dessert for holidays, parties and other gatherings.
	Investing in Education: 5 Ways to Prepare Students for the Jobs of Tomorrow (Feature Impact) The landscape of modern work is changing rapidly, leaving many uncertain about whether they're adequately equipped to face the future. Even though America invests roughly $1 trillion in education every year, it's difficult to know whether that investment is truly preparing young people for what comes next. "Our education system isn't evolving quickly enough to prepare our students for the jobs of tomorrow," said Amit Sevak, CEO of ETS, a global education and talent solutions organization working with more than 30 million students a year to measure learning success and power human progress at every stage of life. "Students only get one chance at an education, and we have a responsibility to understand what's working, what's not and where additional support is needed." A diploma is still an important milestone, but what matters more than the piece of paper is whether graduates have the knowledge, skills and confidence to take meaningful next steps in pursuing further education or building careers. Students, families, educators, employers and policymakers all have a role to play in cultivating these opportunities. Start the Conversation Early Success isn't a single path anymore, so young people may benefit from thinking outside the traditional pipeline of high school to college to a good job to retirement. By prompting early conversations, parents can help their children begin sorting through their options well in advance. Encourage dinner table talks about favorite school subjects, what kind of work seems interesting and alternative pathways to build careers. The goal isn't necessarily to choose a life track immediately - just to start exploring ideas before the time arrives to lock in a decision. Learn to Work with AI In the age of AI, there's a balance to be found between fully embracing or avoiding it. Parents and educators can encourage thoughtful, responsible use of the AI tools reshaping modern workplaces - without sanctioning them as a way to get out of doing homework. Students should think critically about both the uses and limitations of AI, learning how these systems work but still recognizing when human judgment matters. Get Real-World Experience Before Graduation Textbooks and classrooms can teach a lot, but some of the most valuable lessons come from the real world. Summer jobs, internships, volunteering, co-op programs, job shadowing or small-scale forays into entrepreneurship can help kids discover where their talents and passions fit. It's also a chance to develop the soft skills that make great employees, like being punctual, working well with others and adapting to new situations. Build Human Skills There are certain abilities technology just can't replace, making them vital pieces of future-proof training. Strong communication, teamwork mindsets, critical thinking skills, civic reasoning and empathy translate well to many careers. Rather than focusing strictly on academics, teachers can shift lesson plans to encourage growth in these areas. Specialized hands-on talents and trades are also more insulated from technological disruptions. Measure Progress Beyond Grades Grades and test scores don't tell the whole story about career readiness, yet they're often treated as the only metric that matters in educational success. Policymakers have the opportunity to change how schools measure student progress, including by trading the one-size-fits-all rubrics for more personalized assessments that demonstrate proficiency in more comprehensive ways. Education is on the ballot this election season, so ask your local and state elected leaders about whether today's graduates are ready to face the future. For information about a system that gives students, educators and employers clear evidence that learning is leading to opportunity, visit ETS.org. Photos courtesy of Shutterstock
	5 Habits to Boost Immunity During Cold and Flu Season (Feature Impact) Your immune system is your strongest ally during cold and flu season, working hard to keep you healthy as you start hearing those telltale coughs and sneezes all around. Help your body do its job well by adopting a few simple habits that naturally support its ability to fight off germs or recover faster. Talk to your healthcare provider for personalized advice then work on making these habits normal in your household. Get Regular Exercise Exercise is like a wonder drug that can improve nearly every aspect of health and wellness. Physical activity increases blood flow, reduces long-term inflammation, helps immune cells circulate through the body to guard against invaders and may even flush bacteria out of your lungs and airways. Plan to fit at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise into each week, like a bike ride, brisk walk, yoga class or on-demand video workout. Eat Foods That Support Immune Health To keep your immune system fueled, experts recommend eating a varied diet featuring plenty of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains and healthy fats like olive oil. Consider adding fresh grapes to your diet to enjoy benefits from their naturally occurring plant compounds. Protecting the body starts all the way down at the cellular level, and grapes contain powerful polyphenols that support the health and function of cells. Studies indicate certain compounds in grapes, like resveratrol and flavonoids, support immune system function as well as brain, skin, GI and heart health. These little fruits are easy to add to your diet, whether you enjoy sweet, juicy Grapes from California by the handful or toss them in a blender to make this California Grape Wellness Juice recipe. Support multiple aspects of wellness with the drink's powerful combination of fruits and vegetables, delivering a variety of immune-boosting vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Stay Hydrated Drinking enough water helps clean your lymphatic system, which is responsible for producing special white blood cells that fight germs. It also keeps membranes in your nose and mouth moist, decreasing infection risk. If you struggle to drink enough, eating water-rich foods like grapes also helps you improve hydration. Practice Good Germ Hygiene To increase your odds of staying healthy during peak illness season, hearken back to the tried-and-true hygiene advice your parents might have tried to drill into your head as a kid. Regularly wash your hands with warm water and soap, avoid touching your face while out and about, keep your distance from symptomatic people and disinfect commonly used surfaces like doorknobs when someone in the house or office is sick. Sleep More, Stress Less Before you start feeling stressed that you aren't getting enough sleep, rest assured there are easy changes you can make to support your well-being in both areas. Try switching up your nightly routine to be oriented less around screens and more around calming activities that actually help you wind down, like yoga, meditation or reading. Discover more health information and recipes at GrapesFromCalifornia.com. California Grape Wellness Juice Servings: 3 (1 cup each) 5 cups black or red Grapes from California 1/2 cup peeled raw beet slices 3/4 cup orange juice 1/4 cup lemon juice 1 small carrot, peeled and sliced 1 piece fresh turmeric (1-inch), peeled and sliced or 1 teaspoon ground turmeric In high-speed blender, puree grapes, beet slices, orange juice, lemon juice, carrot and turmeric until smooth. Pour through fine mesh sieve, stirring to extract as much juice as possible, about 3 cups. Stop when mixture starts to get thick. Enjoy immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Notes: This juice can also be added to iced tea or fizzy water. Nutritional information per serving: 230 calories; 3 g protein; 58 g carbohydrates; 0.5 g fat (2% calories from fat); 0 g saturated fat (0% calories from saturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 35 mg sodium; 0 g fiber.
	Fiber is Trending: Sorghum Makes it Simple (Feature Impact) Protein has long dominated nutrition headlines. Now, dietitians encourage people to pay close attention to another important nutrient: fiber. One whole grain quietly gaining recognition for its impressive nutritional profile and versatility in the kitchen is sorghum. It's a naturally gluten-free whole grain that provides both fiber and protein, contains naturally occurring antioxidants and supplies essential nutrients including magnesium, iron and B vitamins. One reason sorghum is attracting attention is its fiber content. Whole-grain sorghum contains a type of fiber called resistant starch, which research has shown can contribute to healthy body weight and improved insulin resistance. Unlike many refined gluten-free products that are lower in fiber, sorghum delivers the benefits of a whole grain while remaining naturally gluten-free. Whether you have celiac disease, gluten sensitivity or simply want to enjoy a wider variety of whole grains, sorghum is an easy addition to your menu. Another reason nutrition experts are taking a closer look at sorghum is its antioxidant content, specifically its health-promoting polyphenols. Perhaps the biggest surprise is how easy sorghum is to cook with. Whole-grain sorghum offers a mild, slightly nutty flavor and pleasantly chewy texture, making it a delicious alternative for brown rice, quinoa or farro in grain bowls, soups and salads. Pearled sorghum cooks faster, making it ideal for busy weeknights. Sorghum flour can replace wheat flour in pancakes, muffins and quick breads, while popped sorghum creates bite-sized crunchy kernels for a fun snack or topping for yogurt, soups and salads. For example, this Sorghum Fall Harvest Salad makes it easy to add more fiber to your plate, pairing whole-grain sorghum with seasonal produce like kale, butternut squash and apples. Healthy eating doesn't have to mean following the latest trend. Sometimes it simply means rediscovering nutritious foods that have stood the test of time. With its combination of fiber, protein, antioxidants and naturally gluten-free, whole-grain goodness, sorghum is an ancient grain worth adding to your pantry. You can find dozens of recipes, cooking tips and meal ideas at SorghumCheckoff.com/recipes. Easy Sorghum Swaps for Everyday Dishes If you're looking for ways to add more sorghum to your meals, these easy swaps make it simple to enjoy this versatile grain in recipes you already love. Replace rice. Use cooked whole-grain or pearled sorghum instead of white or brown rice in grain bowls, stir fries, burrito bowls and side dishes. Swap for pasta. Stir cooked sorghum into pasta salads or use it in place of small pasta shapes in soups for a hearty twist. Mix into salads. Add cooked sorghum to green salads, grain salads or vegetable salads for extra texture and whole-grain nutrition. Boost your breakfast. Stir cooked sorghum into oatmeal, yogurt parfaits or breakfast bowls then top with fruit, nuts or cinnamon. Bake with sorghum flour. Replace wheat flour in pancakes, muffins, cookies, waffles or quick breads with sorghum flour for a mild, slightly sweet flavor. Sorghum Fall Harvest Salad Recipe courtesy of Sorghum Checkoff 1 cup roasted butternut squash, cubed 1/4 cup olive oil, plus additional for drizzling, divided salt, to taste pepper, to taste 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon sorghum syrup 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 4 cups kale, chopped 1 cup cooked whole-grain sorghum 1 small apple, diced 1/2 cup pecan halves, toasted 1/4 cup dried cranberries 1/4 cup red onions, diced 1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled Preheat oven to 400 F. Toss cubed butternut squash with a drizzle of olive oil and salt and pepper, to taste. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until tender and golden. In a jar or small bowl, whisk 1/4 cup olive oil, apple cider vinegar, sorghum syrup, Dijon mustard and salt and pepper, to taste, until emulsified. Add chopped kale to a large bowl. Massage with a drizzle of olive oil 1-2 minutes until tender. Arrange precooked sorghum, roasted squash, apple, pecans, dried cranberries, red onion and feta cheese on top of kale. Drizzle with sorghum syrup dressing just before serving. Toss lightly to combine or serve dressing on the side.
	Navigating the American Dream: How Integrated Financial Tools, Credit and Rewards Can Help Small Businesses Succeed (Feature Impact) Owning a small business has been a cornerstone of the "American Dream" for generations. It represents the chance to transform a passion into a livelihood and legacy. However, turning dreams into reality is rarely a smooth or easy process and requires more than ambition alone. Today's business owners need support and access to tools that enable them to overcome challenges and keep growing. Recent research conducted by the Capital One Insights Center shows 75% of more than 1,000 surveyed small business owners with more than one employee and annual revenues of up to $20 million are confident about the future, and 69% believe their business is actively primed for growth. While this optimism is promising, 47% of business owners still said their operations either stayed the same or became less efficient over the past year, citing issues like back-office friction and fragmented financial systems that make it difficult to get a clear picture of the health of their businesses. If you're a small business owner eager to grow but not sure how to get there, start with this advice from real small business owners and experts at Capital One. Identify Sources of Friction Before you can pour effort into growth, you must understand what barriers are holding you back. Take time to look under the hood of your business to identify where time and energy is being lost. For example, you may be among the 78% of small business owners who feel stressed and uncertain about expense management - think hours spent hunting for receipts, manually entering numbers into software and reconciling accounts. Operational challenges aren't just a hassle; they also pull attention away from important priorities like serving your customers and planning for growth. "We were focused on making as many candles as possible, especially during the busy season," said Katie Roering, co-owner of Fontana Candle Co. "A lot of the back-office tasks like procurement, raw material purchasing, forecasting - all the really important things - were done at 3 a.m., 8 p.m. or on Saturday and Sunday, and there really just was not enough time in the day to get everything done that we needed to. We just knew as we continued to grow, we needed to streamline our processes, build out our team and keep moving forward." Use Integrated Tools to Manage Finances Instead of balancing 10 different tracking and analysis tools, you can turn to one-stop solutions to improve efficiency. Time gets lost when you're forced to manually gather and interpret relevant data before you're able to act. You need a platform that handles the busywork for you. Integrated, or "all-in-one," financial tools - like accounting and bookkeeping platforms with automation capabilities or business credit cards featuring built-in analytical tools - allow you to easily stay on top of cash flow and day-to-day operations. For small businesses where every hour and dollar makes a difference, consolidating and automating systems can have an immediate impact. In fact, 51% of survey respondents said integrated tools have already fueled their growth. Leverage Credit Access and Rewards Wisely Growth requires capital, so access to credit is a game-changer for many business owners, with 77% describing it as a key factor in achieving business resilience. Having funds accessible when you need them makes your business more capable of weathering storms such as equipment failures and seasonal slowdowns. It also puts the power in your hands to act when an exciting opportunity presents itself, like an inventory flash sale or the chance to advertise in a new market. Access to credit comes with another advantage: rewards. By using credit cards for your daily business expenses, you can earn cash back, points or travel rewards. Whether you redeem these to cover everyday expenses, book business trips or reinvest in the business, they can act as a bonus source of income. Learn to maximize rewards like the 84% of small business cardholders surveyed so you aren't leaving money on the table. To learn more about how small business owners can identify obstacles, employ integrated financial tools and use credit as a tool for growth, read the full report at capitalone.com/about/insights-center. Photos courtesy of Shutterstock
	3 Ways Coaches Can Cultivate Joy and Confidence in Young Athletes (Feature Impact) Youth sports can change lives - building confidence, resilience and lifelong friendships among the kids and teens who play. In fact, winning games is often the least important part of the experience. As an official sponsor of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027?, Dove is proving you don't need a championship trophy to be a winner with the announcement of Back Her Game, a nationwide search to find a girls' sports team where coaches and players keep joy and confidence at the center of the game. Through Oct. 4, eligible adult coaches of girls' teams with players ages 13-18 can enter by posting an Instagram or TikTok video showcasing how their team brings confidence and joy to the field, tagging @dove and using #KeepHerConfident and #Contest in the caption. The winning team will receive an all expenses paid trip to the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027? in Brazil. Creating an envirnonment where young athletes feel seen and appreciated is its own reward. Consider these tips from Dove and longtime partner Kylie Kelce highlighting three ways coaches can help their players feel like they belong. Notice and Celebrate Small Moments of Progress Success isn't just defined by victories on the field, so those wins aren't the only kinds that deserve to be celebrated. Pay attention to the personal growth and progress each athlete is showing, recognize them with specific praise and consider starting small traditions to celebrate when players meet goals or exceed expectations. Make Room for Body Confidence According to research from Dove, 1 in 2 girls who quit sports have been criticized for their body type. For young athletes to feel secure, supported and comfortable on their teams, they need coaches dedicated to building spaces that encourage body confidence. That's why Dove launched Body Confident Sport, a free, evidence-based program from the Dove Self-Esteem Project designed to give coaches the tools to build body confidence among girls ages 11-17 and help create more supportive sports environments. "Sports can give girls so much - friendship, confidence, teamwork and memories that stay with them for life - but that only happens when they feel supported enough to keep playing," said Kelce, mom of four and coach. "As a coach, I love that this campaign shines a light on girls' sports teams that show up for each other to remind girls everywhere that they belong on the field exactly as they are." Recognize the Teammates Who Lift Others Up Although coaches play a vital role in shaping team culture, they can't do it alone. Encourage help by recognizing the helpers. If you notice a girl who goes out of her way to help shy players feel included, one who is first in line to comfort an upset teammate or anyone whose presence adds light and positivity to the group, it can be as simple as pulling her aside to let her know you see and appreciate her efforts. To learn more and help girls keep playing with confidence, visit Dove.com/bodyconfidentsport.
	The Oral and Cardiovascular Health Connection: 4 Tips to Protect Your Teeth, Gums and Heart (Feature Impact) People often think of dentists and doctors as totally separate healthcare professionals: one cares for your teeth and mouth while the other handles the rest of the body. In reality, the different systems in the human body are closely interconnected and oral health is no exception, making dentists a vital part of your healthcare team. Oral health and heart health have a particularly close connection, with inflammation at the core of it. When your gums are inflamed, the resulting bacteria can make their way from your mouth through your bloodstream, potentially contributing to your blood vessels constricting or becoming blocked. This, in turn, may force your heart to work harder and raise your blood pressure, putting you at risk of heart disease and stroke. More than 46% of adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure, and more than 40% of adults age 30 and older are affected by periodontal (gum) disease. To help address these issues, the American Heart Association's Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts initiative, in collaboration with Delta Dental of California, is encouraging dental teams to take a total-body perspective with their patients. Simple steps like blood pressure screenings during checkups can give a more complete picture of a person's overall health. If a member of your dental care team pulls out a blood pressure cuff at your next appointment, it's a good sign. "The mouth is a gateway to the body and can often reveal more about your total body health than you may think," said Daniel Croley, D.M.D., chief dental officer at Delta Dental of California and Affiliates. "Oral health professionals have a powerful opportunity to integrate more into their patients' collective health care team beyond protecting their patients' teeth By connecting oral health and heart health, this initiative helps dentists identify risks early and guide patients toward care that can improve and even save lives." Care for your teeth, gums and heart all at once using these tips from experts at the American Heart Association. Follow a Brushing and Flossing Schedule Good dental health starts with a daily routine. If you don't want to sheepishly cringe next time the dentist inquires about yours, brush at least twice a day and floss at least once a day to disrupt plaque-forming bacteria. Dentists recommend using toothpaste with fluoride and brushing your teeth and gums thoroughly yet gently, as applying too much pressure can wear away enamel and cause gum recession. Eat a Healthy Diet and Limit Sugar Most kids are used to hearing sugar will rot their teeth - and that's not just a parental scare tactic to get their little hands out of the candy jar. Sugar feeds harmful bacteria in your mouth, producing acid that can cause cavities and gum disease. For a diet your heart and teeth will both appreciate, prioritize vegetables, lean proteins, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats, while limiting added sugars and refined carbohydrates. Avoid Smoking and Tobacco Products The connection between smoking and oral disease is well established: smokers face significantly higher risks of developing periodontal disease, losing teeth or being diagnosed with oral cancer. Cigarettes aren't the only form of tobacco to worry about, either. Vaping, dipping and chewing tobacco can also harm your dental health by drying out your mouth and restricting blood flow to the gums. Since these products are also harmful to heart health, quitting or avoiding them offers plenty of worthwhile benefits. Seek support if you need help to kick the habit. Communicate with Your Healthcare Team Since your body's systems are connected to each other, it's helpful to talk to your dentist about your blood pressure and to your doctor about your oral health. Start thinking of your dentist as a key member of your integrated healthcare team. Don't be afraid to share your medical history, discuss the side effects of any medications you're taking and ask for personalized recommendations on caring for your teeth, gums and overall health. To learn more about how to improve your oral and cardiovascular health, visit Heart.org/OralHealth. Photos courtesy of Shutterstock
	A Lesson in Kindness, Inclusion and How Kids Eat Differently A Lesson in Kindness, Inclusion and How Kids Eat Differently (Feature Impact) The school year brings new classmates, routines and opportunities for children to learn about people whose experiences may be different from their own. They could include friends who use a wheelchair, carry an inhaler or even receive nutrition through a feeding tube. Watch this video to learn more For families who rely on tube feeding, it is an essential part of daily life but is often understood only by those who experience it. That limited awareness can leave children who are tube fed and their families feeling isolated or unseen, according to Gerard Minor, a pediatric gastroenterology and hepatology specialist. Parents can use everyday questions as opportunities to help children understand there are many ways people receive nourishment. Teachers, classmates, caregivers and communities can also help make tube feeding part of the everyday conversation around childhood rather than something that separates children from it. “Helping children understand those differences early can encourage curiosity, kindness and inclusion,” Minor said. To help bring greater awareness, understanding and representation to children and families who experience tube feeding every day, Compleat, a leader in tube feeding formulas, launched “What Is Better Than How,” featuring “Sesame Street’s” Elmo and his signature warmth and curiosity. The original song celebrates the many ways people eat. Some people eat with a fork, some use a spoon and some use a tube, reinforcing a simple message: What matters is not how you eat. What matters is that you are nourished, loved and included. To hear the song, create a personalized version and learn more about the campaign, visit Compleat.com/WhatIsBetterThanHow.
	The Duel This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.Back in the 1850s, Chicago challenged St. Louis to a duel—a duel that was fought at Rock Island.Chicago was an upstart…
	Police respond to 9th street and 11th avenue in Rock Island KWQC is working to learn more about a police presence near the intersection of 9th street and 11th avenue in Rock Island Sunday night.
	Halloween comes early with Summerween Market in Rock Island The Summerween Market brought spooky entertainment, local vendors and costume contests for people and pets to Rock Island.
	Taiwan leader in Chicago urges more U.S. support for island Dennis Lei watched the recent summit between Chinese president Xi Jinping and U.S. president Donald Trump in Washington, D.C. with keen interest.
	2 dead, 3 injured in Scott County crash Two people were killed and three others injured after a Chevrolet Impala struck a Mazda 6 late Saturday night near McCausland and Long Grove.
	Thousands race across Quad Cities for 29th annual marathon Thousands of runners took to the streets and bridges for the 29th annual Quad Cities Marathon, with first-time competitors and experienced runners taking top spots.
	What Sen. Grassley said about dying in office Sen. Chuck Grassley talked about why he wants Iowa's next governor to be a Republican in case he dies in office.
	2 killed, 3 injured in crash in rural Scott County Two men were killed and three other people were injured in a late-night crash between McCausland and Long Grove, according to the Scott County Sheriff's Office.
	Eclectic Market celebrates four years supporting small businesses The Eclectic Market marked four years at Great River Brewery in Davenport, featuring vintage clothing, handmade jewelry, art, plants and more.
	Pedestrian struck in Milan Milan police are investigating an overnight crash after a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle along the 700 block of 11th Street, officials said.
	Over 4,500 runners take over the streets for Quad Cities Marathon More than 4,500 runners took part in the 29th Quad Cities Marathon this weekend, with organizers already looking ahead to next year's 30th anniversary race.
	Bettendorf announces fun Halloween happenings The City of Bettendorf invites you to have a howlingly good time at these Halloween events throughout October: 🎃 Halloween Movie Night, Friday, October 2, 5:00 p.m., The Landing, 2255 Middle Rd. Activities and free food. At sundown, enjoy "Hocus Pocus" on the big screen! Price is $5 per person at the door. 🎃 Mad [...]
	Illinois teen shot with suspected air rifle after TP prank, deputies say A 17-year-old was hospitalized with an injury likely caused by an air rifle after a common high school prank, according to the Will County Sheriff’s Office.
	Kalona residents seek answers after sewage backs into homes A foot and a half of sewage water backed into basements in Kalona, damaging decades of belongings after what the city administrator called the most intense rainfall he has seen.
	Cedar Rapids company supports 32-hour workweek A bill in Congress could make a 32-hour workweek the standard nationwide, but one Cedar Rapids company already offers the option.
	Public gets look inside Lock and Dam 10 in Guttenberg The lock has served recreational boats and cargo barges for nearly 90 years, letting traffic pass through to continue along the Mississippi River.
	Senators raise Fourth Amendment concerns over nationwide Flock camera surveillance network U.S. senators warned during a Capitol Hill hearing that nationwide AI-driven Flock cameras threaten privacy rights and can lead to wrongful arrests.
	2 dead in car crash after being hit by car running stop sign, sheriff says Two men are dead after a car blew through a stop sign and struck another vehicle in rural Scott County late Saturday, deputies report.
	Iowa Down Ballot podcast: GOP pivots, Trump’s poll lawsuit and upcoming debates Republican Ashley Hinson pledged to be President Donald Trump's ally during her U.S. Senate campaign kickoff event in Cedar Rapids Sep. 14, 2025. Now some GOP candidates are distancing themselves from Trump on the Iran war and other issues. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Iowa Down Ballot with Dave Price 9/26/26 by Iowa Writers Collaborative Laura, Kathie, and Ed are back this weekend to discuss GOP pivots, the Trump/Selzer lawsuit dismissal, and candidate debates scheduled for October. Read on Substack Ed Failor, Jr., joins host Dave Price, Laura Belin and Kathie Obradovich this week. Topics include whether some GOP candidates are pivoting away from President Donald Trump, the dismissal of the Trump lawsuit over a Des Moines Register Iowa Poll, and a look ahead at candidate debates. Listen or watch here. The Iowa Down Ballot Podcast with Dave Price is a production of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. Please consider a paid subscription today to help us cover production costs, or moving up to the benefactor level — or sending a gift subscription to a friend — if you’re already a paid subscriber. And please spread the word to friends who might enjoy the podcast. Thanks! Courtesy of Iowa Capital Dispatch
	Grant funded initiative seeks sustainability for regional birthing services Deidra Razzaque of Brattleboro, whose son was born at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital’s Birthing Center, holds a sign while attending a hospital board meeting on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. File photo from Brattleboro Reformer BRATTLEBORO — A new grant will help Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and other hospitals, community health organizations, social service providers and other regional partners plan for the future of maternity and newborn care in Southeast Vermont. BMH said it received $3.1 million in Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding to lead the regional effort to develop “a sustainable model” for delivering the services. Hospitals apply for the federal grant through the states. Groups will come together as the Southeast Vermont Perinatal & Newborn Access Network to explore options, according to a news release. The network was proposed as part of the grant application. “This grant gives us an important opportunity to take a regional approach to a challenge that no single organization can solve on its own,” Dr. Elizabeth McLarney and Dr. Tony Blofson, acting co-CEOs of BMH, said in the news release. “Our goal is to ensure that families throughout Southeast Vermont have reliable access to high-quality maternity and newborn care, while developing a model that is sustainable for the long term.” BMH said it runs “Southeast Vermont’s only remaining hospital-based birthing center.” A recent plan to close the center due to financial challenges was reversed earlier this month. The BMH Board of Directors affirmed its commitment to continuing obstetric and birthing services, thanks in part to the funding. Hospital leadership developed an improvement plan that includes operational efficiencies, staffing changes, increased appointment availability, improved coding and charge capture, and efforts to increase the number of births delivered at BMH, according to the announcement. The hospital also anticipates an increase in expected births in updated fiscal year 2026 projects. “The board believes strongly that access to local maternity care is essential to the health and well-being of our community,” Chloe Learey, chairwoman of the BMH Board of Directors, previously said. “We are encouraged by the progress that has been made and by the opportunity to continue improving how we deliver care.” BMH also plans to continue working with state and federal legislators on payment reform and potential models to strengthen the hospital’s financial stability, including exploration of Critical Access Hospital and Federally Qualified Health Center models. The grant funded planning initiative will look at “a range of potential models, including shared staffing and services among regional hospitals, coordinated regional birthing services, and community-based prenatal, postpartum, and newborn care,” according to the news release. BMH said the process doesn’t fund direct patient care or provide an operating subsidy for the BMH Birthing Center but will “support regional service and workforce assessments, financial sustainability analysis, referral and transfer planning, transportation-access planning, and development of a future-state care model.” “We are intentionally not starting with a predetermined answer,” McLarney and Blofson said. “We need to look carefully at the needs of families, the availability of providers, workforce challenges, and the financial realities of rural healthcare. This work will help us determine what model can best serve our region over the long term.” BMH said the project also will involve collaboration with Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth Health in New Hampshire and Baystate Franklin in Massachusetts on regional consultation, referral, and transfer pathways. Running through July 31, 2027, the 10-month planning initiative is anticipated to culminate in a regional care-model blueprint, financial sustainability analysis and five-year regional implementation plan. “This is an investment in the future of health care in Southeast Vermont,” McLarney and Blofson said. “We are grateful for the opportunity to work with our regional partners to develop a sustainable system of care for the families we serve.” Work on the initiative is anticipated to start around Oct. 1. Read the story on VTDigger here: Grant funded initiative seeks sustainability for regional birthing services. Courtesy of VT Digger
	Fatal crash in rural Scott County leaves two dead Two men were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash in northern rural Scott County.
	Visit Quad Cities will hold Destination QC! event at Rhythm City Casino Visit Quad Cities will host its annual Destination QC! event on Thursday, Oct. 29, at Rhythm City Casino Resort, bringing together stakeholders, partners, and residents to advance tourism development, elevate destination marketing, create exceptional visitor experiences, and strengthen advocacy for the Quad Cities, a news release says. Tourism is one of the strongest economic drivers [...]
	Fall is here: Expert tips for picking mature pumpkins Fall arrived this week, and as the leaves start to change, you also may be starting to think about pumpkins and pumpkin picking.
	South Africa reels from spate of mass shootings that killed 38 people in a week On Saturday night, there were separate mass shootings near South Africa's two largest cities.
	Bridge barriers save lives. Why hasn’t Oregon built more? A sign offers a lifeline on the St. Johns Bridge in North Portland. Lines for Life, a nonprofit devoted to suicide prevention, operates the crisis line in Oregon. (Photo by Beth Nakamura/The Oregonian) Editor’s note: This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, help is available. Call or text 988 for 24-hour, confidential support, or visit 988lifeline.org. He saw it on her face. She wanted to live. Scott Hughes still remembers holding the young woman’s hands, reminding her she wasn’t alone, asking if she had any pets. That was when he saw her mind click as she thought about her cat, alone in her apartment. She loved her cat. Her cat needed her. Then he helped her back over the bridge railing. That was two years ago. In the 20 years Hughes has worked at nearby Portland Fire & Rescue Station 22, he estimates he’s talked to dozens of people in crisis on the 95-year-old St. Johns Bridge, a hazard hidden in plain sight in a state where suicide is the eighth leading cause of death. Every other day last year, on average, someone called about a person potentially in crisis on the St. Johns Bridge. Emergency response data from recent years show that an average of three to four similar 911 calls came in per day on one of Portland’s 13 river bridges. As many as 13 people are believed to have died by suicide last year at a Portland river bridge, and 11 the year before. Those numbers may be higher. Officials declined to release a complete count of confirmed or suspected suicides at area bridges. Some authorities are hesitant to call attention to the suicides publicly for fear of prompting more, a well-documented phenomenon known as contagion effect. Enduring stigma, too, tamps down on discussion. In dozens of other cities, states and countries, officials have done more than discuss the issue. They’ve installed physical barriers, like nets and fences, which research shows do save lives. The Oregon Department of Transportation, which maintains the St. Johns, Fremont and Marquam bridges, has studied suicide prevention efforts but says they are too expensive to implement. The Vista Bridge in Portland, where city officials erected fences in 2013 and curbed suicides, shows what’s possible. Despite community skepticism they wouldn’t work, the fences give people in crisis a moment to pause, reflect and reconsider. “There’s another path, and it’s a beautiful path,” said Debbie Dedrickson, who has worked at Portland crisis call center Lines for Life for 18 years. “When we can get through that moment of crisis, it’s actually amazing how things can bloom and blossom.” Years of loss Last year in Portland, after eight bodies were pulled from the Willamette and Columbia rivers between April 1 and May 5, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office took the rare step of acknowledging the deaths. “The number is not unusual, though it is tragic,” the sheriff’s office wrote in a press release. Half, the Multnomah County Medical Examiner determined, had died by suicide. One died in an accident, and the manner of the other three deaths — whether suicide, homicide, accident or natural — couldn’t be determined. The sheriff’s office spoke up because some had filled in the blanks, prompting rumors a serial killer was on the loose. The speculation dismissed a more prosaic, more straightforward but perhaps more difficult conclusion. Death by suicide is more than twice as common as homicide in Oregon. Between 2015 and 2025, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office recovered 165 bodies from the Willamette and Columbia rivers — between seven and 24 each year. By early September this year, deputies had already recovered 20. The county medical examiner keeps the most accurate figures on deaths connected to the rivers but declined to release its tally of deaths ruled suicides to The Oregonian/OregonLive, citing privacy concerns. The Oregonian/OregonLive appealed the public records denial, arguing the public would benefit from a clearer understanding of these deaths. The office of Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez partially granted the appeal, requiring the medical examiner to release information on the bodies recovered during the period the sheriff’s office wrote about in its press release. The limited data available and accounts from first responders suggest that the St. Johns Bridge appears to be among the most concerning for suicide. The people found dead in the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the past five years — whatever their manner of death, if it’s even known — cut across categories of age, race and gender, just as they do in cases of suicide. Their ages span from 16 to 93. Most were from Portland, but others were from Vancouver, Tigard, Gresham and Canby. Some were unhoused. Most were men. Among those who died by suicide was the 44-year-old brother of Lori Madden. “If this is such a norm,” she said, “can there be something that stops it?’” ‘What I needed … was time’ Suicide prevention research for decades has shown that physical barriers are a highly effective way to stop people from dying by suicide from high places. Time and space — taking away easy access to lethal means — keeps people safe, said Portland State University instructor Monica Parmley-Frutiger, a licensed clinical social worker and director of a program that trains adults on how to talk to youth about suicide. “Moving from more passive suicidal ideation to more active suicidal ideation often comes in waves,” she said. “If somebody in that wave of emotion has access to means, their risk of attempting increases. But if we can put time and distance in between their emotional wave and the actual means, time and distance will save lives.” Kevin Hines didn’t have that distance. Yet he lived. Last November, the Georgia resident, now a 45-year-old advocate for suicide prevention, traveled to Eugene to share his story with the Association of Oregon Counties. Hines has devoted himself to a life of hope that was unimaginable to him as a 19-year-old on San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. On Sept. 25, 2000, he stared down at the water. “It was arguably the toughest day of my entire life,” Hines said in a recent interview with The Oregonian/OregonLive. “I didn’t want to die. I believed I had to, and those are two categorically different things.” As he fell, he thought: “‘What have I just done? I don’t want to die. God, please save me.’ And then I hit the water.” Hines, miraculously, did not die. The U.S. Coast Guard quickly rescued him. Then he underwent an extensive recovery. “I desperately wanted someone to stop me,” Hines said. If a net had been in place, he added, “I would have been given what I needed, which was time.” It would be nearly two decades before California officials began installing anti-suicide nets on the Golden Gate Bridge, a project that took six years and cost $224 million. Made of stainless steel, the netting stretches 20 feet below the bridge sidewalks and extends 20 feet over the water. Before, the Golden Gate Bridge averaged about 30 reported suicide deaths per year. Last year, four people died, according to the agency that manages the bridge. Hines now advocates for suicide prevention barriers at high places around the world. Nets, he said, are more than just physical barriers. They help, he tells public officials, “just because you showed people you cared.” The Vista Bridge The concept of bridge barriers is not new to Oregon policymakers. Built in 1926, the Vista Bridge in Portland’s Goose Hollow often drew people in crisis. Until advocates stepped in. Morgan Leets had been working at Lines for Life for a year when she found herself patrolling the Vista Bridge in a fluorescent safety vest more than a decade ago. After The Oregonian/OregonLive wrote about the crisis and the bridge reached a reported five deaths in a single year, then-Commissioner Steve Novick pushed the city in 2013 to install a 9-foot fence. “It was the best thing I’ve ever done,” said Novick, who is now a District 3 city councilor. During the construction, Leets and others took shifts patrolling the bridge to offer crisis support to anyone in need. Leets said she was “unendingly grateful” to the city for deciding to act and described the barrier as “absolutely vital.” “Anytime there is that community-wide effort to show that care and that compassion and that desire to support folks who are struggling can improve the experience for everybody,” Leets said. “It decreases that stigma.” The temporary fences on the 512-foot bridge cost the city $236,000. Plans for replacing them with more aesthetically pleasing barriers never moved forward. An average of two people died by suicide every year before the fence went up. In the 13 years since, police have recorded eight deaths at the bridge. No one died between 2015 and 2019. Novick said policymakers have an obligation when they learn that a place has become a hazard for suicides: “If we can, we should do something about it.” ‘This is doable’ Kimberly Lining’s hands clutched her orange binoculars. Perched on the bow of the boat, she scanned the river before her as frigid rain soaked her high-visibility sweatshirt. Underwater cameras searched, too, though not without difficulty in the murky and choppy conditions. Grief weighed on her. It was Dec. 1, 2024, and she had set out before the sun rose with a boat captain and a volunteer for the nonprofit Oregon’s Vanished. They were looking for a 16-year-old from Vancouver. Family members suspected the teen had died by suicide at Interstate 205’s Glenn Jackson Bridge. Despite the cold and the heartache, Lining, 45, who discovered Oregon’s Vanished through her work as the founder of a group that advocates for missing and murdered Indigenous women, felt full of purpose. “This is what we have to do,” she remembered thinking. “Don’t give up. We have to be out here.” The trio returned to shore hours later, just before sunset, exhausted and cold. It would be another five months before the teen’s body was found in the Columbia. Since that day, Lining has been out on seven more river search missions, including on the Willamette. First one person, then another, and another had died at the St. Johns Bridge. Lining saw the pattern. “I remember one day I’m just driving in my car and just thinking about all these things, and all these people that are taking their lives,” Lining said. “I really felt like God put it on my heart: You have the ability to do something about this.” Lining couldn’t shake that feeling, so she created a petition calling for safety nets and call boxes on the St. Johns Bridge. “People really need to understand,” she said, “that this is doable.” Call boxes would connect to 988, the free and anonymous suicide and crisis hotline run by Oregon-based nonprofit Lines for Life. Calls and texts are answered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Last spring, Lining and a group including Oregon’s Vanished met with U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley to ask for help with the St. Johns Bridge. She said he was interested and seemed receptive, but asked them to come back with data. It wasn’t available. “It’s like this kept secret,” she said. “The excuse is, we don’t want sensationalism or more people to take their lives in that way. I don’t really understand that. I get sensationalism, but I think that it’s more important to bring this to the surface.” That conflict is familiar to Lines for Life CEO Dwight Holton. “Part of what’s shocking about it is that it’s happening right in front of us and all around us,” Holton said, “and yet we don’t know much about it.” 3,000 bridges The issue had already been on the mind of Rian Windsheimer, the Portland-region manager for the Oregon Department of Transportation, who started looking into suicides from the St. Johns Bridge in 2022 after taking a call from an employee at the nearby University of Portland who was concerned for students. The agency looked to the Golden Gate Bridge to calculate how much it might cost Oregon to build a physical barrier. Comparing the length of the California bridge to the St. Johns, officials estimated netting could cost between $50 million and $80 million. A fence, they estimated, could cost between $15 million and $20 million. There were other challenges. For one, the St. Johns Bridge is a historic landmark, meaning any changes would have to adhere to certain design requirements. This is not insurmountable — the Vista Bridge, too, was a registered landmark. The age of the St. Johns Bridge also raised more practical concerns, Windsheimer said. It was not clear if it would be able to support the additional weight of any barriers. “It’s old,” Windsheimer said. “It’s not designed to hold a lot more than what it can currently do.” And then, Windsheimer said, they discussed the rest of the state. ODOT manages around 3,000 bridges. “Why would I choose St. Johns over the Fremont? Or why would I choose the Fremont over the Astoria-Megler Bridge?” he said. “How would you prioritize that?” And at the time, the agency was forecasting it would run out of cash by 2025, a deficit that’s now grown to a projected $200 million for the next two-year budget cycle. The prioritization issue ended the conversation. Windsheimer said the agency also considered putting call boxes on the St. Johns Bridge, but ruled that out because the agency didn’t believe they would be effective. Eventually, ODOT launched a $2,000 pilot program to install new signage on the St. Johns Bridge directing people in crisis to call 988. Those six signs went up in June. ‘A duty to act’ Parmley-Frutiger, the Portland State expert, said suicide prevention should be viewed as a necessary public health function. “If somebody stopped breathing, we have some responsibility to get them help,” she said. “If somebody was thinking about suicide or they’re in emotional distress, then we also have a responsibility to help them get connected to help.” San Francisco is not the only city where barriers have seen success. Researchers have studied bridge fences and largely dispelled concerns that people with suicidal thoughts will find another place. And most people who survive a suicide attempt don’t attempt again. Seattle, San Diego, New York, Tampa and other cities have all fenced, or are currently fencing, bridges. In Washington, D.C., a retrofit is underway on a bridge that saw 13 deaths in 12 years. One woman’s advocacy in the wake of her partner’s death spurred D.C. to act. In Maine, state Sen. Chip Curry sponsored a bill to build a fence over the Penobscot Narrows Bridge in 2023. The state completed the project in 2025. “We do not need to ‘own’ every tragedy that occurs in our state,” the Democrat wrote in testimony for the bill. “But in this case, we do literally own it. We designed the bridge and built it. We constructed the railing for the safety of cars but ignored the risks to people experiencing the temporary and often fleeting thoughts of ending their lives. Now that we know that it has become a suicide hotspot, we have a duty to act.” 135 people For Hughes, the Portland firefighter, anything that could prevent a person from acting on their suicidal thoughts would help, he said. “The more of those ways you can take away, the better,” he said. The deaths stay with him. Every individual suicide may affect up to 135 people, researchers have found. That includes immediate family, but also those who only distantly knew the individual. Of the dozens of people in crisis Hughes has tried to help directly, only one has died. Each person who lives — like the woman with the cat — feels like a win, he said. When he’s focused on saving a life, Hughes blocks out everything but the person in front of him. Sometimes, people ask Hughes why he cares. They assume he’s only there because it’s his job. But Hughes said it’s because if his loved one were standing there on the bridge, he’d want to know that someone did everything they could to help. This story originally appeared in The Oregonian/OregonLive: Bridge barriers save lives. Why hasn’t Oregon built more? Courtesy of Oregon Capital Chronicle
	Vermont’s nuclear watchdog has gone quiet This commentary is by Ann Darling, a member of the Citizens Awareness Network, a New England grassroots environmental organization working to end the use of nuclear power and replace it with sustainable, reliable and affordable energy generation. I could have written this letter any time in the past 10 years. Why now and not then? I suppose I was hoping I wouldn’t need to make my opinions so public, because they are quite critical. But something is happening at the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant site that leaves me no choice but to speak out. First, a little background. The Vermont Yankee nuclear reactor stopped operating at the end of 2014, and it is now almost completely decommissioned. The most significant things remaining are 60 concrete-and-steel casks of extremely radioactive waste, along with electric transmission and railroad infrastructure that can be used for other purposes. Its owner, NorthStar, a decommissioning company, has leased the site to a Texas-based energy development company called PowerTransitions, which is apparently considering options including a small modular nuclear reactor, battery storage or a data center. READ MORE Vermont Yankee has an associated Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel (NDCAP) chartered by the legislature whose job is to advise the governor and the legislature on decommissioning, and to serve as a “conduit for public information and education” and to encourage “open communication and community involvement in matters related to the decommissioning process.” In my opinion, they have failed to fulfill this latter part of their charter. They hold meetings, fewer and fewer over the years, but they do no outreach to attract people to those meetings. I’ve raised this issue repeatedly and gotten nods of agreement to my suggestions — and absolutely no action. Even though they have money donated by Vermont Yankee’s owner, they don’t use it for public education events or media outreach. As a result, they regularly hear from a handful of anti-nukers like me, but they do not hear a peep out of the many people whose lives are impacted by how the site is cleaned up and used. Here’s why I’m writing now. There are supposed to be three meetings a year of the NDCAP, and there has been only one so far, with none scheduled. The May 2026 meeting was postponed, ostensibly because they wanted a report on the chemical contamination at the site from the state’s contractor. We know there are PFAS. We don’t know exactly where or how much. And then there’s the whole piece about leasing the Vernon site, which has chemical and radiological contamination, along with 60 concrete-and-steel casks of radioactive waste, to an out-of-state power development company. Although we have asked about the lease contents, waste ownership and how plans are being made and with whom, we have received no answers. This is all happening in a broader context. Gov. Phil Scott is promoting legislation that would define nuclear power as clean energy so that it can count toward meeting the state’s climate goals. Nuclear power emits ionizing radiation and makes people sick. Its entire fuel chain, from mining to waste management, is a net carbon emitter. It is not clean. The governor is also trying to repeal the statutory requirement that the legislature vote on whether nuclear power could be used again in Vermont, and he has vetoed legislation placing guardrails on data centers. If the governor, Public Service Department and NDCAP are interested in transparency and building trust with the public, they’ve got me fooled. To me, this looks like they’re hiding something. Is it a really bad report about the PFAS and NorthStar balking at the cost? Is it their attempt to hide plans for a new nuclear reactor or data center in Vernon until it’s too late for the public to stop it? What is going on, really? We all deserve an answer. We deserved it a long time ago. Ann Darling, Easthampton, Mass. Read the story on VTDigger here: Vermont’s nuclear watchdog has gone quiet. Courtesy of VT Digger
	As Congress debates college sports, athletes-turned-senators have a seat at the table The Protect College Sports Act is on the brink of passing in the Senate, where a handful of former college athletes who are now senators on both sides of the aisle have an extra say in the debate.
	Playing 'La Bamba' for an hour? Must be a Mexican fandango! A 300-year-old Mexican musical tradition is finding new life around the world — one sweaty, joyous, all-night fandango at a time.
	Photos: These shepherds climb down a mountain to go to night school Many thousands of boys and men in Lesotho take up the vital profession of herding but have to give up their education. A small network of schools on a shoestring budget is teaching them the ABCs.
	Childcare access is strained in Illinois. The state’s slow background check system continues to threaten it Chronic understaffing at DCFS and an unimplemented state law are leaving some childcare centers short-staffed, turning away kids and in some cases risking their funding.
	BBB Scam Alert: Planning a move to senior living? Watch for these housing and moving scams BBB Scam Tracker warns seniors about housing and moving scams when downsizing to a senior living community or move closer to family.
	Rise Up Coffee opens a second location, new Flip's Pancake House, Just Us & Treats opens and more Quad-Cities business news Rise Up Coffee opens second location, Flip's Pancake House opens in Milan, Just Us & Treats opens, and more Quad-Cities business news.
	Rock Island County real estate transactions for September 27, 2026 Here are homes sales and property sales in Rock Island County.
	Multiple arrests on suspicion of explosives offenses near U.K. base used by U.S. forces Police evacuated homes Sunday near an air base in England used by the U.S. and arrested several men over suspected explosives offenses.
	2 die in late-night Scott County crash Two people died in a two-car crash late Saturday in Scott County, according to a news release from the Scott County Sheriff's Office. Shortly after 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, the Scott Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call in reference to a crash in the area of Utica Ridge Road/210th Avenue and 287th Street [...]
	These Democrats are running for Congress on Christian faith. Will it pay off? It's rare for Democrats to make religion a centerpiece of their campaigns. But this midterm election cycle, a number of candidates for Congress are doing just that.
Saturday, September 26th, 2026
	Inside Iowa Politics: The month some Iowa GOP members of Congress disagreed with President Several Iowa Republican members of Congress who face challenging elections this November have publicly disagreed with President Donald Trump.
	"H" This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.Between 1831 and 1846, the Sangamo Journal in Springfield, Illinois, published seventy-one poems by a poet who signed…
	Millie Moo Foundation turns loss into support for childhood cancer families A Port Byron family is honoring their daughter Millie, who died from childhood cancer, by raising money and supporting families facing similar situations.
	1 dead, 1 hospitalized after crash near Quad Cities International Airport One person is dead and another is hospitalized after a vehicle left the road near the Interstate 74 and Route 6 entrance to the Quad Cities International Airport.
	Below average temperatures for the marathon tomorrow After temperatures have been holding below average throughout most of the week, they are holding that trend for next week. The big Quad Cities Marathon will kick off tomorrow morning with temperatures in the upper 50s with a small chance of rain before clearing out and reaching near the 70s by the afternoon. As we [...]
	1st parish named for Archbishop Fulton Sheen in 'week of firsts' for Peoria Diocese On Saturday, Bishop Louis Tylka talked about "a week of firsts" for the Peoria Diocese at the church where Peoria native Archbishop Fulton Sheen was baptized, according to a news release from the diocese. The Peoria Diocese includes Rock Island, Moline, East Moline, Silvis, Milan, Aledo, Galesburg, Macomb, Monmouth and Canton, among other cities. “This [...]
	One transported from scene after Rock Island crash One person was transported from the scene after a crash shortly before 4:30 p.m. Saturday at 23rd Street and 9th Avenue, Rock Island. Our Quad Cities News crew saw a tire in the street near an overturned vehicle that lay on the sidewalk after apparently crashing into a hedge. One person was transported from the [...]
	One dead after vehicle crash in Moline One person is dead after a single vehicle crash Saturday morning in Moline.
	One dead after vehicle left roadway at I-74 and Rt. 6 entrance to airport in Moline Officials say the crash remains under investigation by the Rock Island County Sheriff's Office.
	Millie Moo Foundation honors 6-month-old’s memory, helps childhood cancer families A Port Byron community walk honors Millie DeClerq, who died from cancer at 6 months old, while raising money to help families battling childhood cancer.
	Muscatine celebrates Hispanic Heritage with Viva Muscatine block party Muscatine celebrated Hispanic Heritage with the fourth annual Viva Muscatine block party, featuring live music, cultural performances, local vendors and more.
	Suspending the gas tax would be a shortsighted election year stunt IT WAS Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., the Boston-born associate justice of the Supreme Court, who wrote in 1927 that “taxes are what we pay for civilized society.” When it comes to the state gas tax, this is the price we pay to ensure that we have safe and reliable ways to get where we need to go, with sufficient funding to build, operate, and maintain the essential transportation infrastructure we all depend upon. The current political environment, which has the Democratic and Republican candidates for governor proposing to leave at least $120 million (and probably more) on the table in order to gain political points, is a remarkable abdication of that principle and an example of how presumed short-term political gain will lead to long-term transportation pain. On Monday, Republican nominee Mike Minogue proposed suspending the gas tax any time the price of fuel exceeds $4 per gallon and working toward eliminating the levy altogether. Democratic incumbent Maura Healey, seemingly concerned about not keeping pace with her challenger amid a campaign season being defined, here and nationally, by “affordability,” has now proposed suspending the gas tax for two months. Both candidates are doing the public a disservice. You can’t drive a car without heavy and continuous public investment in roads and bridges – building them, maintaining them, policing them, plowing them. The state’s 24-cent-per-gallon gas tax is an essential source of funding for those investments, though it does not come close to covering the full costs of driving in Massachusetts, including the public health costs associated with dangerous particulate emissions. The state relies on three main sources of funding for transportation needs: the sales tax on the purchase of vehicles, automobile registration and inspection fees, and the state gas tax. Over the last four years, so-called Fair Share, or millionaires tax, revenues have also supported transportation needs. Depending on the year, collections from the gas tax are either the largest or second-largest source of state-generated transportation revenue. The gas tax is a rough form of a user fee. It has, since the first days of the automobile era in the last century, been the foundation of how state transportation infrastructure gets built and maintained. States rely on gas tax revenues for both pay-as-you-go transportation projects as well as for the payment of principal and interest on transportation bonds issued for large capital projects. The state gas tax helps pay for the roads our ambulances and EMTs and firefighters use to save lives. It helps pay for the road system that enables fulfillment of our everyday needs, whether getting to school or work or a doctor’s appointment, or a visit to a friend. It pays, in short, for the very things that help establish and improve our quality of life. At a time when our transportation system is suffering from chronic and worsening traffic congestion, when the public transportation system is undergoing a massive and long overdue rehabilitation of its system, and when federal dollars for projects across the board are being held back or clawed back by the Trump administration, deliberately reducing state revenue by roughly $120 million (the Healey administration’s estimate) or more seems profoundly inadvisable and wrongheaded. The administration has proposed using “surplus” millionaires tax revenue to make up for the lost gas tax revenue, but this is a classic example of robbing Peter to pay Paul, as it means some other worthy public need will go unfunded. Suspending the state gas tax for two months might save the average driver about $25, barely enough to respond meaningfully to current gas prices and other inflationary pressures. The benefits would be miniscule; the downsides would be enormous. First, the actual loss might be in excess of $120 million. The gas tax is actually paid by wholesalers on a monthly basis (your payment at the pump reimburses them). Wholesalers are likely to load up on gasoline during any suspension period in order to benefit from more sales, and that could mean state revenue losses in excess of the projected $120 million. Second, this is sending the wrong message to Massachusetts drivers. By making the gas tax seem something that is optional or not critical to our transportation needs, both candidates are undermining the very foundation of state transportation funding, making it harder in the future to gain public trust for revenue initiatives of any type. Third, any Fair Share “surplus” is not net new money. It is money that should be used as it was intended, to pay for specific and growing transportation infrastructure needs. Shifting money from one account to another is not finding a way to pay for this proposed suspension; it is a shell game. Finally, economists who have studied these types of gas tax suspension proposals estimate that drivers only receive about 72 percent of the benefit, with the rest going right back to the suppliers. So the actual benefit to drivers will be much less than most people probably expect. Massachusetts needs to invest in its residents, in order to promote the public good and public safety. That doesn’t happen at no cost. Tossing away $120 million in vital funding to score election year points is not the answer to rising gas prices. Losing $120 million (or more) is like losing almost the entire amount of money the MBTA has to pay every year for the RIDE paratransit services. It is close to the amount of money that the state uses to fund the regional transit authorities (about $97 million). It’s like losing roughly half of the money the state collects in tolls on the Metro Highway System. We should instead invest in policies that could help alleviate traffic congestion and improve access and improve air quality. Massachusetts should be making it easier for people to choose not to drive, or drive less, by spending more money on building a transformational regional rail system. Massachusetts should be making it easier for drivers to transition to electric vehicles, but we remain a laggard in making the investments that were facilitated by the Biden administration’s bipartisan infrastructure bill. As reported in Commonwealth Beacon this June, despite receiving a $64 million federal grant four years ago, Massachusetts hasn’t built a single electric charging station in accordance with the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. Over eight years since the Commission on the Future of Transportation said that we must “move more people in fewer vehicles,” Massachusetts is pushing more people to drive more, congesting roads more, polluting more. Political stunts like those being proposed by the two leading candidates for governor do nothing to address this trend and aren’t serving our best interests. Instead, they are undermining public understanding and support for investing in our common and shared futures. In the effort to navigate through the consequences of an ill-advised war in Iran, political leaders need to collectively rise to the occasion. The response to the pain at the pump shouldn’t cause more pain by reducing revenues necessary to keep investing in the infrastructure we all depend on. Political leaders of both parties should not be undermining the importance and value of the gas tax. Like any tax, it is unpopular, but it is one of the main engines fueling our transportation system and, through that, fueling our economy. It would be foolhardy and shortsighted to decide that the best way to help people who are feeling pain at the pump is to deliberately disinvest in the very systems they rely on for everyday necessities. James Aloisi is a former Massachusetts secretary of transportation. Courtesy of Commonwealth Beacon
	Iowa beats Michigan on last second touchdown Hank Brown threw a 16 yard touchdown to Reece Vander Zee on the final play of the game to give #17 Iowa a 20-19 win over #18 Michigan.
	Mississippi Book Festival draws thousands to Jackson to celebrate the written word Jubilee JiBol stood in line, clutching an oversized book for author Mychal Threets to sign. At 9 years old, she was already a veteran of the Mississippi Book Festival, which returned Saturday to the state Capitol. “I’ve been coming since I was 1 years old, ever since I was a baby,” she said, as her mother, L.E. JiBol, nodded to confirm. Her brother Nile, 6, was a relative newcomer and has been working hard to improve his reading skills for future trips to the festival. They joined thousands of other book lovers who swarmed the grounds of the Capitol and nearby Galloway United Methodist Church in Jackson, streaming through large white tents lined with tables stacked with books. Jubilee JiBol, 9, and her brother Nile, 6, get help from a volunteer while waiting in line at the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson on Sept. 26, 2026. Credit: Bobby Caina Calvan/Mississippi Today / Mississippi Today The annual festival, now in its 11th year, has become a gathering place for readers young and old to meet authors, discover books and celebrate Mississippi’s literary tradition. Threets, better known as Mychal the Librarian, has been an evangelist for reading. His mission is to teach kids what libraries can offer and that they belong there. ‘Just let them read’ He is now host of the revival of “Reading Rainbow,” a television program aimed at encouraging children to read and develop a love of books. The reboot debuted last year and has been renewed for a second season. “Just let them read and read because it’s so much fun. There’s so much joy in reading,” Threets said. “When I think about the future of libraries, that’s what I think of.” In the spirit of sharing that joy, Threets handed out free copies of his book, “I’m So Happy You’re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy.” “A library is for every single person,” Threets said during a vulnerable, wide-ranging conversation in front of an audience at Galloway with author Margaret McMullan. Their conversation touched on Threets’ struggles with mental health and his thoughts about Black teenager Emmett Till, who was kidnapped and killed by white men in Mississippi in 1955. Threets also encouraged kids to read and talked about taking his cat to the library as a child. A long line of book-toting fans stretched for a block outside Galloway, which hosted some of the festival’s panels. In the minutes before former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Kate McKinnon took the stage, parents corralled young children onto their laps. One uncle was already making plans to dash out to McKinnon’s 11 a.m. book signing. Kate McKinnon, a former cast member of “Saturday Night Live,” asks an audience member a question during the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today Traveling through time McKinnon first appeared as her alter ego, Dr. G. Edwina Candlestank, the eccentric narrator of McKinnon’s middle-grade series, “The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science.” “I traveled throughout time,” Candlestank said, exaggerating each syllable, to the state of “Mye-sye-sye-pie.” She stalked onto the stage with a tuft of her short blond hair sticking up, wearing round black glasses and a lab coat. As the crowd laughed, Candlestank ditched the lab coat for a black suit jacket to transform into McKinnon, now a New York Times bestselling author. “That’s the biggest round of applause I ever got in a Methodist church,” she quipped after the crowd settled down. Her books follow three misfit sisters and their mentor, the mad scientist Millicent Quibb. The characters, McKinnon said, were built from the hair up. When inhabiting new roles on “Saturday Night Live,” her first questions were: What’s the hair? What’s the voice? She developed the characters in her books much the same way. Audience members laugh as Kate McKinnon, a former cast member of “Saturday Night Live,” talks about her book, “The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science,” during the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today Asked about the inspiration for her books, McKinnon pointed to her love of the natural world. She talked about crawdads making their homes in the mud, skunks and snapping turtles she sees every day on her farm. To her, they are “more magical than anything any author could ever conjure in their head.” McKinnon spent more time out of her seat than in it. She paced the stage as she recalled her childhood as a founding member of the “Honeysuckle Eaters Club” and slid through the church pews to ask young members of the audience what mad-scientist creatures they wished were real. “A frog mixed with Godzilla,” one audience member replied. “A chickibara,” said another, referring to a chicken mixed with a capybara – which McKinnon said happens to be her favorite animal. From whimsical to weighty The festival’s conversations went from the whimsical to the weighty, featuring writers whose work spans a multitude of genres. In the marbled chamber of Mississippi’s Old Supreme Court Chamber, five writers recounted what it was like to be on the other side of the bench, hearing a judge read out the sentences that would put them behind bars for years. Cree Myles, left, and rapper and author Rick Ross discuss his new book, “Renaissance of a Boss: Notes from a Creative Reawakening,” during the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today The paths that brought each of them to prison fill a chapter of the 2025 anthology, “Breaking Chains, Building Futures.” But at the center of the book is what came afterward: how education helped move them forward from their time behind bars, earn college degrees and lead organizations dedicated to helping others break the cycle of incarceration. Weaving their stories together is author Stanley Andrisse, a self-described former “career criminal” who would have spent life in prison for a drug trafficking conviction if the prosecutor had gotten her way. Instead, Andrisse was sentenced to a decade behind bars. After his release, he went to college. He later earned a master’s degree, then a doctorate. He is now a tenured professor and scientist at Howard University. “I clearly didn’t live up to those expectations that that prosecutor had on this young Black boy those many years ago,” Andrisse said. Though his story took place around St. Louis, it deeply resonates in Mississippi, a state with one of the nation’s highest incarceration rates. Mississippi’s past revisited During another panel in the state Capitol, more of the past became the talk of the present, when another five authors shared stories drawn from Mississippi’s history – real-life tales spanning the state from the Delta to Hattiesburg. W. Ralph Eubanks, from left, Eddie S. Glaude Jr., and Robert P. Jones speak during the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today The stories took place during the civil rights era — an inflection point for Mississippi and the nation. “They’re not just a Mississippi story,” said native Mississippian and novelist Steve Yarbrough. “All of these books, to one extent or another, they’re dealing with questions of race, inequity, inclusivity and basically, the question of whether or not some people are better or more qualified to live a good life than others.” Through their words, the triumphs and traumas of pioneers both renowned and little known saw the light of day. Among them was Clyde Kennard, the first Black person to apply to the University of Southern Mississippi. While his friend and fellow activist, Medgar Evers, is better known for challenging school segregation, Kennard’s story took center stage in the 2026 book “Mixing,” which chronicles his fight to desegregate USM and how officials framed and imprisoned him. In veteran Delta newspaper editor Jim Abbott’s memoir, “Paper Man,” Mississippi’s civil-rights history is told by a man who witnessed it. At the festival, the Greenwood native recounted how he went from a young, white Mississippian “angered” by the “negative publicity” that the civil rights movement brought his home state to a dogged newspaperman committed to exposing injustice and including Black voices in his stories. Back outside, Jubilee mused about someday becoming a writer – maybe more stories about mad scientists. Something fictional, she said. She knows the challenges of creating art. “Sometimes, I think about it,” she said. “But sometimes I’m just too tired and want to flop on the couch.” People gather for the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.Rapper and author Rick Ross is welcomed onstage during the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.W. Ralph Eubanks, from left, Eddie S. Glaude Jr., and Robert P. Jones speak during the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.People gather for the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.Author Deesha Philyaw signs a book for a fan during the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.Terry Williamson shops during the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.People shop during the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.Audience members listen as Kate McKinnon, a former cast member of “Saturday Night Live,” talks about her book, “The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science,” during the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.Customers search for books during the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.Zelda F. Hill, author of the children’s book “Duck and Bubba: The Secret Fist Bump,” sells his book to Trey and LaWanda Parks during the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.Items on display during the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.W. Ralph Eubanks, Eddie S. Glaude Jr., and Robert P. Jones speak during the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.People gather for the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.People visit booths during the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.Kate McKinnon, a former cast member of “Saturday Night Live,” talks about her book, “The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science,” during the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.Kate McKinnon, a former cast member of “Saturday Night Live,” asks an audience member a question during the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.Kate McKinnon, a former cast member of “Saturday Night Live,” asks a child a question during the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.Houston Smith, left, and Lexington Bush shop during the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.Books for sale at the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.Cree Myles, left, and rapper and author Rick Ross discuss his book, “Renaissance of a Boss: Notes from a Creative Reawakening,” during the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.Rapper and author Rick Ross discusses his new book, “Renaissance of a Boss: Notes from a Creative Reawakening,” during the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.Customers search for books during the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.People wait in line for a book signing during the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. Courtesy of Mississippi Today
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