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

Tuesday, September 29th, 2026
	Vibrant Arena has a record-breaking weekend with Ella Langley concert Vibrant Arena at The MARK is celebrating a record-breaking weekend as Ella Langley became the highest-grossing female artist to perform there.
	Quad Cities Pride in Memory maps LGBTQ+ history in the QCs An Augustana College geography professor is working to ensure key moments and places in Quad Cities LGBTQ+ history aren’t forgotten. Professor Chris Strunk has created an interactive digital Story Map with narrative, oral history videos, places and information. The Story Map documents key moments and places of LGTBQ+ history in the Quad Cities that were [...]
	Central DeWitt snaps multiple North Scott streaks All good streaks must come to an end. North Scott saw two of them crack and fracture last Wednesday at Central DeWitt High School, with the Sabers holding on for a five-set victory: 25-22, 17-25, 25-21, 23-25, 15-10. The Lancers had won five consecutive five-set matches, dating back to the 2024 season. North Scott had also won 20 consecutive volleyball matches against Central DeWitt, dating back to the 2016 season. Both streaks now reset to zero. North Scott dipped back below .500 with the loss at 10-11 overall this season. The Lancers still remain above water in Mississippi Athletic Conference play at 3-2. In Wednesday’s match, senior Kamilah Eller led the Lancers with 12 kills. Fellow senior Sydney Soppe recorded 10 kills. Junior Brinley Schroeder had six kills, followed by seniors Alyssa Schroeder and Katie Moeller with five each. Junior Kenna Kibler and senior Eisley Weinert split the setter duties. Kibler had 26 assists and Weinert had 18 assists. Four Lancers reached double-digit digs in this extended match as North Scott had 93 as a team. Brinley Schroeder led the way with 22 digs, and junior Adelynn Temple joined her with 20 digs. Eller had 18 digs and senior Olivia Graham had 14 digs. At the net, Moeller had eight of North Scott’s 27 blocks in the match. Alyssa Schroeder and sophomore Kaylee Ervin used their track and field medal-winning hops to good use with six blocks each. Kibler posted three of the Lancers’ seven aces in the match. Eller had two, Alyssa Schroeder had one and Temple had one. Lancer volleyball continues to jockey for position within Class 5A as state regional pairings are not far away. North Scott briefly appeared in the state rankings at No. 14 on Sept. 3, but has since fallen back out. What appeared to be two great early-season wins against Cedar Rapids Kennedy and Cedar Rapids Prairie have not aged as nicely. Kennedy is 9-11 on the season, and Prairie is 12-12. North Scott ranks 20th out of 40 schools in Class 5A in Varsity Bound’s Power Index, with the 21st most difficult strength of schedule. The Lancers have picked up multiple good wins outside of the Cedar Rapids schools this season. North Scott has defeated Burlington, Benton Community, Mid-Prairie, and Pella, all of which are top 100 teams statewide in Bound’s power rankings. Still, North Scott may not have a good enough resume to earn a home match in the regional tournament. It would likely need to defeat 5A No. 8 Pleasant Valley on the road on Oct. 6 to reenter that conversation. Class 5A regional brackets contain only five teams with the top two schools hosting semifinal matches. There is one play-in match between the two lowest-rated teams, with the winner traveling to the top-ranked team for the semifinal. North Scott has just one match before squaring off against the Spartans. North Scott traveled to Davenport West on Tuesday (Sept. 29) to face the 3-13 Falcons. After the Pleasant Valley match, North Scott will conclude its regular season with the Clear Creek-Amana Invitational (Oct. 10) and two MAC matches at home against Bettendorf (Oct. 13) and Clinton (Oct. 15).
	View the Eldridge Police report from the Sept. 30 NSP! MONDAY, SEPT. 21 4:23 a.m. — Assisted Medic with an EMS call in the 200 block of East Franklin Street. 5:02 a.m. — Complaint of a single vehicle accident on Highway 61. Handled by officer. 9:12 a.m. — Complaint of two dogs running loose in the 700 block of South 10th Street. Unable to locate. Handled by officer. 12:01 p.m. — Complaint of a domestic disturbance in the 700 block of South 9th Street Court. Handled by officer. 2:39 p.m. — Complaint of an accident between two vehicles in the 3400 block of South 11th Avenue. The drivers exchanged information. Handled by officer. 2:45 p.m. — Report taken for harassment between two subjects in the 200 block of South 1st Street. 3:00 p.m. — Complaint of a disabled vehicle near West Slopertown Road and North Division Street. Handled by officer. 7:56 p.m. — Report of an alarm sounding in the 1600 block of Leonard Court. Keyholder contacted. Handled by officer. 11:46 p.m. — Report taken for an accident between two vehicles on Highway 61. TUESDAY, SEPT. 22 2:08 a.m. — Complaint of a suspicious vehicles near East Blackhawk Trail and South Scott Park Road. Handled by officer. 8:07 a.m. — Complaint of a subject in the 500 block of South 5th Street being threatened. Handled by officer. 2:33 p.m. — Complaint of a reckless driver on Highway 61. Unable to locate. Handled by officer. 4:01 p.m. — Assisted Medic with an EMS call in the 400 block of East Blackhawk Trail. 5:07 p.m. — Tommy Moore Sr., 66, of Davenport, was arrested for driving while barred and improper brake light, following a traffic stop in the 300 block of West Slopertown Road. 7:06 p.m. — Complaint of a disturbance in the 100 block of South 4th Avenue. Handled by officer. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23 7:16 a.m. — Complaint of two dogs running loose in the 200 block of South 1st Street. The owner retrieved the animals. Handled by officer. 8:01 a.m. — Complaint of suspicious activity in the 200 block of East Price Street. Handled by officer. 11:25 a.m. — Jeshua Denger, 20, of Long Grove, was cited for failure to obey a traffic control device, following a traffic stop near South 1st Street and East LeClaire Road. 3:37 p.m. — Assisted Medic with an EMS call in the 2900 block of South 1st Street. 5:42 p.m. — Report of an alarm sounding in the 700 block of East Augusta Court. Keyholder contacted. Handled by officer. 6:50 p.m. — Brant Jensen, 44, of Moline, was cited for operating a non-registered vehicle, following a traffic stop near North 4th Avenue and East LeClaire Road. THURSDAY, SEPT. 24 8:14 a.m. — Assisted Medic with an EMS call in the 100 block of Muhs Circle. 9:02 a.m. — Complaint of a cement truck losing a load of cement on the roadway near Slopertown Road and South 1st Street. Handled by officer. 11:04 a.m. — Complaint of a domestic disturbance in the 100 block of West Pinehurst Drive. Handled by officer. 7:49 p.m. — Report taken for fraudulent activity in the 600 block of West LeClaire Road. 9:12 p.m. — Complaint of a domestic disturbance in the 400 block of West Oak Street. Handled by officer. FRIDAY, SEPT. 25 7:20 a.m. — Report of an alarm sounding in the 200 block of East LeClaire Road. Keyholder contacted. Handled by officer. 8:04 a.m. — Assisted a subject in the 100 block of South 5th Street with a civil issue. Handled by officer. 3:07 p.m. — Complaint of the road being blocked by work trucks in the 1700 block of South 5th Street. Handled by officer. 4:21 p. m. — Mason Faber, 20, of Davenport, was cited for operating a non-registered vehicle, following a traffic stop near South 1st Street and Trails Road. 5:05 p.m. — Assisted a subject in the 100 block of West Spring Street with a civil issue. Handled by officer. 8:02 p. m. — Complaint of a suspicious vehicle on Highway 61. Handled by officer. 10:04 p.m. — Rebecca Turner, 44, of Reynolds, Ill., was arrested for three counts of assault on persons in certain occupations, interference with official acts, failure to maintain control, public intoxication and careless driving, following an incident near South 1st Street and East Blackhawk Trail. SATURDAY, SEPT. 26 3:16 a.m. — Assisted Medic with an EMS call in the 200 block of West Donahue Street. 9:20 a.m. — Complaint of a blown transformer in the 500 block of Harry Herbert Drive. The call was turned over to the Public Works department. 12:18 p.m. — Assisted a subject in the 1200 block of West Davies Court with a civil issue. Handled by officer. 1:42 p.m. — Assisted Medic with an EMS call in the 700 block of North 1st Street. 10:24 p.m. — Complaint of minors drinking and using controlled substances in the 800 block of South 1st Street. The complaint was unfounded. Handled by officer. 10:28 p.m. — Complaint of loud music playing in the 600 block of West Price Street. Handled by officer. SUNDAY, SEPT. 27 8:31 a.m. — Complaint of a suspicious vehicle in the 700 block of North 1st Street. Handled by officer. 10:49 a.m. — Complaint of a dog running loose near South 1st Street and East Lincoln Road. Unable to locate. Handled by officer. 10:20 p.m. — Complaint of subjects lighting off fireworks in the 1000 block of South 3rd Street. Handled by officer. 11:17 p.m. — Assisted another agency with a report of an accident between two vehicles in the 500 block of Park View Drive.
	Extension offers high tunnel workshop Nov. 11 The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Commercial Horticulture program will hold the 2026 High Tunnel Short Course at the Iowa Arboretum in Madrid, Iowa, on Nov. 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 pm. Commercial growers, as well as those interested in high tunnel production for fruit and vegetable crops, are invited to learn about high tunnel production, connect with fellow growers and explore the arboretum. Growing specialty crops in a high tunnel structure offers numerous benefits for growers, including extended growing seasons, improved yields, minimized disease and pest pressure and controlled water application. Dan Fillius, horticulture field specialist for commercial vegetables with ISU Extension and Outreach, said this year’s event is a valuable opportunity for Iowa’s growers. “Growers who struggle to fine-tune their vegetable production will leave this course with new ideas for getting the most out of their tunnels,” he said. "You'll hear practical advice from successful growers in Vermont and Iowa, as well as technical information on tomato fertilizer needs from Judson Reid, a vegetable extension specialist from Cornell.” Event speakers will share their insights, experiences and research on high tunnel production with attendees. Topics include fertility management for tunnel tomatoes, year-round tunnel production in the North, tips for building tunnels and growing tunnel crops and more. Participants must register online to attend the course. The registration fee is $10, which covers lunch expenses. The Iowa Arboretum is located at 1875 Peach Ave, Madrid. For more information and a full agenda, visit the 2026 High Tunnel Short Course webpage or contact Dan Fillius at fillius@iastate.edu.
	Mount Pleasant man sentenced in Burlington shooting death Kaysean Amari Rice, 23, was sentenced to prison on Monday, according to court records.
	CDC’s latest youth behavior report offers a narrower look at teen health For more than 35 years, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has surveyed American high school students every two years about their health and behavior. The Youth Risk Behavior Survey, established in 1991, draws a nationally representative sample of students in grades 9 through 12 at public and private schools. Over the years, it has tracked a broad range of issues affecting teenagers, from substance use and sexual behavior to violence, mental health and other health risks. But the CDC’s latest national report, a full-color publication with photos, graphics and high school success stories, offers a markedly different portrait of adolescent health than the one it published two years ago. The 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey report focuses on five areas — diet, physical activity, sleep, digital behavior, and mental health and suicide risk — while largely leaving out national findings on substance use, sexual behavior, violence and disparities among student groups that were prominent in previous reports. The underlying survey data on the CDC’s website still contains many of those measures, including trends in alcohol and drug use, and sexual activity, but they are not part of the national report’s key findings. The shift comes as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Trump administration have made preventing childhood chronic disease and promoting nutrition, physical activity and other health behaviors central to their “Make America Healthy Again,” or MAHA, agenda. Kennedy also chairs the presidential MAHA Commission, which has focused on the root causes of childhood chronic disease. The 2025 report is also substantially shorter than the CDC’s previous national Youth Risk Behavior Survey report. It runs 36 pages, including the title page, table of contents and references, compared with 88 pages for the 2023 report, which also included some technical notes, references and appendices. Dr. Jennifer Shuford, CDC’s deputy director and chief medical officer, touted changes in student attitudes toward nutrition, physical activity and mental health. “These are meaningful improvements, and they show that progress is possible when schools, families, and communities work together to support young people,” she said in a news release. “At the same time, too many students are still struggling with daily health behaviors that can negatively affect their long-term health,” Shuford said. A focus on health and wellness The 2025 report provides a snapshot of high school students’ health in 2025 and compares changes over the previous two and 10 years. Its five focus areas reflect behaviors and experiences the CDC says affect adolescent health now and into adulthood. Some of the findings are encouraging. Thirty-nine percent of high school students said they ate fruit daily in 2025, up from 33% in 2023 and 34% in 2015. Sixty-three percent ate vegetables daily, compared with 58% in 2023 and 61% in 2015. The share who said they drank plain water at least three times a day rose to 58% in 2025, up from 56% in 2021 and 49% in 2015, while daily soda consumption fell to 17% from 20% in 2015. The share of students who played on a sports team also increased, reaching 58% in 2025 compared with 52% in 2023 and 49% in 2021. Several measures of mental health and suicide risk improved as well. The share of students who reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness fell to 33% in 2025, from 40% in 2023 and 42% in 2021. It was 30% in 2015. The share who seriously considered attempting suicide fell from 22% in 2021 to 14% in 2025, while the share who made a suicide plan fell from a high of 18% in 2021 to 12% in 2025. Female students continued to report higher rates of mental health and suicide risk than male students. In 2025, 43% of female students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, compared with 24% of male students. But the report also shows that several measures of youth health have worsened over the longer term. Just 25% of high school students were physically active for at least 60 minutes a day in 2025, unchanged from 2023 and down from 27% in 2015. Twenty-four percent got at least eight hours of sleep on an average school night, compared with 27% in 2015. Daily breakfast consumption fell from 36% in 2015 to 27% in 2025. The report also found long-term declines in daily physical activity, muscle-strengthening activity and daily physical education. About 36% of students said they used social media every hour or more in 2025, little changed from 37% in 2023. A different look at adolescent health The latest report’s focus marks a significant change from the CDC’s 2023 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey report. That report, published during the Biden administration and as the country was recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, was organized around sexual behavior, substance use, experiences of violence, mental health and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. It also examined emerging issues including parental monitoring, social media use, racism in schools, unfair school discipline, school connectedness and unstable housing. The 2023 report included more student demographic data broken down by sex, race and ethnicity, and sexual and gender identity. For the first time, the national survey asked students whether they identified as transgender, and the report highlighted disparities affecting LGBTQ+ students and marginalized racial and ethnic groups. The 2025 report does not mention LGBTQ+ students or sexual and gender identity. It also provides fewer detailed demographic comparisons. The CDC says the new report includes only selected statistically significant demographic differences, while the underlying survey data remain available through the agency’s data system. The new public-facing report does not mean the CDC stopped collecting underlying information about many of the issues featured in previous youth risk behavior reports. The agency continues to make the national dataset available publicly, including demographic information, through its online data tools. Instead, the change is in how the CDC presents the findings nationally. That produces a different portrait of the nation’s high school students — one that captures some notable improvements while giving considerably less attention to several categories of health and risk that have been prominent in the CDC’s national youth surveillance reports for years. Declines in substance use For example, the decline in teen substance use that has unfolded over decades is absent from this year’s report, despite the 2025 data showing alcohol and marijuana use at or near historic lows. About 20% of high school students reported current alcohol use in 2025, down from 22% in 2023 and nearly 52% in 1995. Current marijuana use also fell to about 13% in 2025, from 17% in 2023, while the share who had ever used marijuana dropped to about 25% in 2025 from 42% in 1995. The share of students who had ever used other illicit drugs, including cocaine, inhalants, heroin, methamphetamines, ecstasy or hallucinogens, was 9.7% in 2025, essentially unchanged from 9.9% in 2023 and about 13% in 2015. Vaping also continued its long-term decline. Current e-cigarette or vape use fell to 16% in 2025 from a high of nearly 33% in 2019. The share of students who had ever used these products also fell to 30% in 2025 from about 34% in 2023 and about 45% in 2015. Sexual activity and school violence The new report also gives little attention to several measures that have long been part of the CDC’s youth survey, including sexual activity and violence at school. The share of high school students who reported being currently sexually active fell to about 19% in 2025, down from nearly 21% in 2023 and nearly 40% in 1995. Other measures show longer-term declines but less consistent changes. The share of students who reported carrying a weapon on school property fell to about 3% in 2025, from more than 4% in 2023 and almost 10% in 1995. The share who said they had been threatened or injured with a weapon, such as a gun or knife, at school was about 8% in 2025, compared with 9% in 2023 and about 8% in 1995. Bullying on school property was reported by 19.7% of students in 2025, roughly unchanged from 19.2% in 2023 and about 20% in 2015. Reported bullying hit a low of 15% in 2021.
	Lindsay Clancy's lawyer now questions whether she killed her 3 children Lindsay Clancy's lawyer is arguing that there wasn't enough evidence to prove she killed her three children. It's a striking turn after a lengthy trial that focused more on her mental state than on whether she took their lives.
	Iowa farmers behind on harvest as wet September comes to close The latest USDA report shows just 3% of soybean acres and 5% of corn acres have been harvested in Iowa.
	Iowa Ammunition Plant to test cratering charges The Iowa Army Ammunition Plant announced they will be testing 40 lbs. cratering charges on Tuesday and Wednesday.
	Man charged in Trudy Appleby death wants bench trial He was indicted in August 2025.
	How Kenny Mason learned to follow his inner visions Even among ATLiens, Kenny Mason is an outlier. As he faced a creative crisis — and commercial pressures — the rap-rock iconoclast realized that he feels most comfortable on the fringes.
	Illinois awards $4.6 million to boost tourism efforts statewide Gov. Pritzker and DCEO announced Monday that $4.6 million in grant funding was awarded to boost tourism statewide.
	Making gene-edited babies is illegal. This startup says it may be time to reconsider Origin Genomics aims to prove that the potential benefits of its technology for editing disease-causing genes in human embryos outweigh the risks.
	This startup wants to prove gene-editing embryos is safe for making healthy babies Origin Genomics aims to prove that the potential benefits of its technology for editing disease-causing genes in human embryos outweigh the risks.
	Rock Island man pleads not guilty to fatal stabbing A Rock Island man pleaded not guilty in Rock Island County Circuit Court on Tuesday morning for allegedly stabbing a man to death on Sept. 20.
	Three things to know: Sept. 29, 2026 Hunger Action Day, Bettendorf Public Library to reveal first outreach vehicle and a ribbon cutting for Great Oaks High School Career Center.
	Rock Island moves to hire temporary EMS dispatchers RICOMM says it's been experiencing staffing shortages for nearly the entire year.
	Thomas Sauer to perform at Central High School, QCSO Davenport Central High School alumnus and acclaimed pianist Thomas Sauer is returning to the Quad Cities for a special guest artist visit with Central High School students ahead of his performance with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. Sauer will visit Davenport Central’s Performing Arts Center on Friday, Oct. 2 from 11:45 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. [...]
	Reynolds calls special session for proposed mega-steel plant tax incentives The General Assembly of Iowa will meet for a special session on Oct. 2 to discuss America’s largest steel production plant coming to the state.
	Hundreds of emaciated animals seized as 2 charged with livestock neglect in Marshall County The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is seeking donations after it assisted authorities in removing hundreds of barn animals from a central Iowa farm.
	Rock Island County Coroner identified man killed by vehicle in Milan The Rock Island County Coroner’s Office has identified the 43-year-old man who was killed after being hit by a vehicle in Milan early Saturday morning.
	Here's what you need to do if you can't repay your student loans The pause on federal student loan repayment ended in September 2023. That left many borrowers in a bind. Collections were paused for a time, but in May 2025, the government resumed "involuntary collection." In 2026, some borrowers became subject to wage garnishment.Inflation is through the roof, food costs more, gas costs more, budgets are tighter, and a student loan payment just might not be affordable, plain and simple. Achieve shares what you need to know about your options if you can’t repay your student loans.3 options if you can’t repay your federal student loansStudent loan payments can feel like a heavy financial burden, especially if you’ve been able to do more with your finances during the payment pause. There are some actions you can take to make your student loans more manageable, though.1. Contact your loan servicer about income-driven repaymentFind out who your loan servicer is and contact them about income-driven repayment. If you don’t know who your servicer is, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) at 1-800-433-3243 or log into the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). Use the FSA ID you set up when getting your federal student loans to log in.If you qualify for income-driven repayment, you might be able to get a lower monthly payment that is no more than 10% of your discretionary income. In some cases, your income-driven repayment monthly amount might even be $0.2. Ask for deferment or forbearance on student loan repaymentEven if you don’t qualify for income-driven repayment, you might be able to get an adjustment to your payment schedule through deferment or forbearance. These are policies that allow you to take a break from payments due to economic hardship or some other reason.In a deferment, no interest accrues, so it truly is a breather with no strings attached. During forbearance, however, interest does accrue. So it’s a good idea to make monthly payments that cover the interest. If you don’t, the amount you owe will increase.There are limits on deferment and forbearance, so use the time to make a plan to earn more, cut expenses, or both.3. Check into student loan forgivenessAnother option is student loan forgiveness, if you qualify. There are different paths to forgiveness, depending on employment and other factors. For example, if you have been working for a non-profit, the time during the pandemic-related payment pause might count toward the years of payments you have to make before you’re eligible for forgiveness. Additionally, some states offer partial forgiveness to people in certain jobs, like teachers or healthcare workers.You’ll have to do a fair amount of research, but if you qualify, you could significantly reduce your overall debt load.What about private student loans?Private student loans don’t offer access to the same income-driven repayment plans or student loan forgiveness as federal loans. If private loans are contributing to your overwhelming debt, you can consider resolving your debts, but not all private student loans are eligible for debt relief. Debt relief is the process of negotiating with creditors to lower the amount you owe.Take the first step to manage all your loan paymentsIf you don’t have one yet, make a budget. A budget isn’t a punishment. It’s a spending plan designed by you. You get to choose where each one of your dollars will go. If you don’t know where your money goes, you aren’t giving yourself that choice. There are many different ways to budget, and one of the easiest is to use an app.If you can’t repay your student loans, don’t ignore themIt’s unlikely that federal student loan payment will be paused again. Now is the time to see what your options are.This story was produced by Achieve and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Custom home design trends reflect growing demand for flexible living spaces Home sales are declining. For custom builders, this means meeting buyer demands or having inventory sit empty. What matters to buyers now is flexible spaces, energy efficiency, and quality finishes. These things matter to buyers now more-so than raw square footage.National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) data confirms these trends. The custom homes market is actually rising, but buyers want smaller, better-built homes. If they can't find them, they'll build from scratch.Triple Crown Homes explored how current design trends in custom homebuilding reflect an increasing demand for semiopen, multifunctional, and outdoor living spaces.A Lower Demand for Open-Plan LayoutsOpen floor plans were once the gold-standard of home design. Everyone wanted a "great room" feel; one large space with good flow. While the idea of open spaces appeals to many, it comes with real problems. Heating and cooling a massive room costs money, there is less privacy for those living in the home, noise and odor control are daily struggles, and the space ends up feeling cluttered.Now, new homeowners are backing away from wide-open layouts and choosing traditional or semiopen plans instead.Buyers want floor plans broken up: temporary walls, pocket doors, open bookcases, and built-in storage. For builders, the challenge is to create separation without killing sight lines or natural light.Subtle approaches work, too. Flooring transitions help, along with a kitchen in tile and living room in hardwood. Strategic lighting can also make a difference. Triple Crown Homes Finding Balance: Multifunctional and Dedicated SpacesWith more people working from home (fully or partially) and taking on side hustles, people want to make the most out of every square inch. But there’s also a demand for specialized spaces like home offices, laundry rooms, closed-up kitchens, or walk-in pantries.Professional custom home builders reconcile these two seemingly opposing demands by creating room for both. Specialized spaces, such as pantries for storage, are still available, but second bedrooms are being designed in a way that allows homeowners to use them both for visiting family members and home offices.With smaller square footage, flexibility is essential. For instance, a closed-up kitchen area can open up in the evening and serve as a dining area. The overall idea is to make the most out of the available space without feeling crowded.Designs for Multigenerational LivingThe housing situation in the U.S. is undergoing an interesting transition, from single-family households to multigenerational dwellings. There are regional differences to consider, but many experts believe that some young people may have to continue living with their parents. As parents age, there is also a rise of them moving into their children’s homes instead of going into supervised care, meaning some homes may have three generations of family under one roof.For custom buyers, this trend manifests as a massive surge in demand for single-story floor plans or two-story homes with primary suites on the main floor. Driven by both an aging population and younger buyers thinking about multigenerational living, zero-step entries, wider hallways, and curbless shower layouts are becoming standard custom requests.Indoor-Outdoor Integration and WellnessModern design trends view outdoor space as an extension of the indoor floor plan. Covered patios, outdoor kitchens, screened porches, and multislide patio doors are consistently among the most requested features. Grand View Research points out that the global outdoor living structure market size will grow to $4 billion by 2033.Zoned layouts also apply to the yard area, where buyers want separation without losing fluidity. Landscape architects use flexible features like planters, trellises, low hedges, or pathways to define separate areas that can be rearranged based on the residents’ needs.The yard is quickly becoming an integral part of life at home, especially in urban and suburban areas where access to green, quiet areas is not as common. When designing a custom home, builders can serve their clients better by turning the yard into several relaxation and entertainment spaces.Another factor that impacts custom homes’ design trends is the buyers’ desire for personal wellness spaces. According to the 2026 Houzz Emerging Summer Trends Report, readers are quite interested in concepts such as wellness rooms and biophilic designs.Given that the home is one of the few places where homeowners can unwind, it’s no surprise that custom buyers are allocating space for home saunas, spa-like wet rooms in primary bathrooms, and direct visual/physical access to nature.Understanding Buyers’ Priorities Gives Builders a Competitive AdvantageThe custom home design trends are clear: Buyers want a home that satisfies their personal needs now and in the future. For builders, this means understanding the flexible and relaxing living spaces that appeal to multigenerational households.This story was produced by Triple Crown Homes and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Which private jets hold their value best? Owning a private jet is not something anyone can afford. It’s a privilege reserved only for the ultra-high-net-worth individuals and large businesses.While the cost of buying a private jet runs into the millions of dollars, that’s only the initial purchase. A plane comes with fixed annual operating expenses, such as the crew, hangar space, insurance, and repairs.Given that private jets are depreciating assets (they lose around 35% of their original value over the first five years), buyers pay close attention to a model’s resale value.Below, private aviation company BlackJet looks at which private jets hold their value best.High Production Volumes Drive Depreciation ResistanceThe best-value aircraft is not the cheapest to purchase or operate, but the one that minimizes depreciation and schedule disruption while matching 80% or more of an owner's specific mission profile.A light jet, even though more affordable, is not a good fit for flyers who need to do frequent transatlantic trips. Similarly, a heavy jet doesn’t make economic sense for 200-mile regional trips.To minimize depreciation, buyers look for proven models from established manufacturers (Gulfstream, Bombardier, or Dassault). An aircraft with a healthy, multi-year manufacturer backlog signals strong, sustained market demand. This keeps pre-owned values higher.High production volumes are always a good sign. If the aircraft is in demand globally, there will be more interested buyers when it’s time to sell. Low-volume niche models suffer much steeper depreciation curves due to low market liquidity.Standardized cabin layouts with the latest avionics, noise suppression, and environment technology are also important factors. Both the technology and environmental standards are moving fast. Purchase a model equipped to travel internationally without any issues.Value Leaders Across Four Jet CategoriesThe absolute best value private jet might be one that doesn’t require ownership. Private aviation companies offer jet card programs and on-demand charter flights, helping travelers enjoy the comfort of private jets without the costs or logistical burdens of full ownership.But if ownership is a must, then here are some of the most sought-after aircraft models, based on their size:Embraer Phenom 300E (Light)Price new: $10.5M-$11.5MPrice pre-owned: $6.0M-$9.5MPassengers / Range: 6-8 pax \| 2,010 nmThe Phenom 300 has been the world's best-selling light jet for over a decade. It delivers single-pilot capability, high cruise speeds (464 knots), best-in-class cabin pressurization, and low fuel burn.Its massive global fleet footprint creates secondary-market liquidity, giving it one of the lowest depreciation curves of any aircraft category.Embraer Praetor 600 (Super-Midsize)Price new: $21M-$23MPrice pre-owned: $16M-$19MPassengers / Range: 8-10 pax \| 4,018 nmIt offers true non-stop transatlantic range (e.g., London to New York or Dubai) at a price point $5M to $8M lower than competing super-midsize models. The Praetor 600 is equipped with active turbulence reduction technology, which provides a quiet cabin environment.Bombardier Challenger 3500 (Heavy / Large-Cabin)Price new: $27M-$29MPrice pre-owned: $20M-$25MPassengers / Range: 9-10 pax \| 3,400 nmBuilding on the reliable Challenger 350 baseline, the 3500 offers the widest cabin in its class, auto-throttles, and lower cabin altitude pressure. It dominates corporate flight departments because its dispatch reliability exceeds 99.8%, yielding high operational productivity per dollar spent.Gulfstream G650ER (Ultra-Long-Range)Price new: $70M-$75MPrice pre-owned: $32M-$50MPassengers / Range: 13-19 pax \| 7,500 nmWhile newer models (G700, Global 7500) carry higher price tags, late-model pre-owned G650ERs represent a value sweet spot in the ultra-long-range class. The airframe offers high speeds (Mach 0.90 and higher), extreme range, high residual value retention, and global infrastructure support.This story was produced by BlackJet and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Early voting underway in Henry County, 1 week left to register Henry County wants to make sure residents are aware of important voting information for the Nov. 3 General Election. Barb Link, Henry County Clerk, says Oct. 6 is the last day to register to vote in the Nov. 3 General Election. Any registered voter who has changed their address must register to be eligible to [...]
	Jewelry insurance 101: What every new homeowner and renter should know Jewelry is one of the most underinsured categories of personal property, not because people don't care, but because they genuinely don't know what their existing policy covers.Your homeowners or renters policy likely covers less jewelry than you think.The gap: Most standard policies cap jewelry theft coverage between $1,000 and $1,500 for all jewelry combined — and in many cases, accidental loss isn't covered at all.The question: Whether dedicated jewelry insurance is worth it depends on what you own, how you wear it and how much it would hurt to lose it.The first step: Read your existing policy before something goes wrong.When you move into your first apartment or home, insurance feels like a box to check. Renters insurance? Check. Homeowners policy? Check. Jewelry? …That’s included in your coverage , right?Maybe. But probably not the way you're expecting.Many people assume their existing policy covers their jewelry. The reality tends to show up at the worst possible moment — after a ring slips off at the beach or a necklace goes missing from a hotel room. This guide by Jewelers Mutual Group breaks down what you actually need to know before that happens.What homeowners and renters policies actually coverStandard homeowners and renters policies include personal property coverage, but jewelry is treated differently from most other possessions. Most policies apply a sublimit — a separate, lower cap that applies specifically to jewelry, regardless of your overall coverage level.That cap is typically between $1,000 and $1,500 for all jewelry combined. If your engagement ring is worth $6,000, and it suddenly goes missing, you'd likely recover only a fraction of its value.It gets more complicated from there:Theft: Covered, but subject to the jewelry sublimit — and your deductible will still applie.Accidental loss: Not covered under a standard policy. A ring lost while swimming is typically your loss alone.Disappearance: Often not covered. If a piece goes missing and you can't explain exactly how, standard policies won't help.Accidental damage: Typically excluded unless you've added a separate endorsement.What about adding a rider?A rider — sometimes called a scheduled personal property endorsement — lets you add high-value items to your existing policy for additional coverage. It's a meaningful upgrade from standard coverage: Sublimits go away because you're insuring the piece at a specific appraised value, and loss and disappearance are typically added.But riders have trade-offs. Some still exclude accidental damage. Filing a jewelry claim through a homeowners or renters policy can affect that policy's claims history, which may influence your premium or renewal. And options vary by insurer.Who actually needs dedicated jewelry insurance?This is the question most people are really asking — and the honest answer is that it depends on your situation.Dedicated jewelry insurance is worth considering if:You own one or more pieces valued over $1,500You wear your jewelry regularly, especially outside the home or while travelingYou'd rather work with your own jeweler to replace a piece than use one assigned by your insurerA loss — financially or sentimentally — would be genuinely difficult to absorbIt may be less necessary if you own only modest-value pieces that you rarely wear or you already have strong rider coverage through your existing policy.What dedicated coverage actually coversJewelry insurance built specifically for jewelry addresses the gaps that standard policies tend to leave open. Typical coverage includes accidental loss, theft, damage, natural disasters and worldwide travel — with no sublimits and a $0 deductible option.How much does it cost?Dedicated jewelry insurance typically costs 1%–2% of a piece's retail replacement value per year. For a $5,000 ring, that's roughly $50 to $100 annually — less than $10 a month.What to do right nowWhatever you decide, a few steps apply to everyone:Read your existing policy. Find your jewelry sublimit and confirm what situations are and aren't covered.Get an appraisal. A current appraisal makes any future claim much easier to process.Photograph your jewelry. A simple photo of each piece, stored somewhere separate from the jewelry itself, can be invaluable.Keep your receipts and documentation somewhere safe and accessible.The goal isn't to add another bill to your life. It's to make sure you actually know what you have — and what you don't — before you need it.This story was produced by Jewelers Mutual Group and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Sales teams are adopting AI faster than they can prove it's working Over a 13-month window, ZoomInfo’s data tracking from June 2025 through July 2026 logged 10 sales-department pain points that explicitly tied "measuring and proving ROI (return on investment)" or "tracking ROI and attribution" to an active artificial intelligence initiative. It's a small number in absolute terms, but a specific one: Companies that are naming ROI measurement, not whether to adopt AI tooling, as the open problem.That gap between adoption and attribution shows up in outside research, too. A Gartner survey of 227 chief sales officers, fielded in August through September 2025, found that 31% cited difficulty proving the ROI of AI-driven tools as a top challenge to their 2026 sales objectives—a large enough share to suggest ZoomInfo's tracking isn't picking up an isolated quirk, but an early read on a broader pattern.The pattern isn't unique to any one companyThis isn't a story about a handful of laggards. Based on the breadth of the data tracking, it's the default state for a lot of sales organizations right now. Teams are moving fast on adoption, new AI tooling, new agent capability, new workflow changes, and moving much slower on building the measurement infrastructure that would let them say, with any confidence, which of those changes actually drove the result.That's a predictable failure mode, not a mysterious one. Attribution in sales was already hard before AI tooling multiplied the number of touchpoints in a deal. Adding more tools without adding better measurement just compounds the problem it was supposed to solve.Why this matters beyond one surveyThe Gartner figure is about difficulty proving ROI broadly, not any single vendor or tool category, but the underlying problem is bigger than any one contract renewal. A sales org that can't attribute results to specific AI investments also can't make a confident case for where to invest next. It's stuck making the same bet again next quarter, on faith rather than evidence, which is a worse position than not having adopted the tooling at all, because at least that would have been a conscious choice.What this means for sales leadersThe fix isn't more AI tooling but measurement discipline applied to the tooling already in place. Before adding the next tool, sales leaders are better served building a clear before/after baseline for the ones already running: What changed in close rate, cycle length, or rep productivity, and can that change actually be traced to the tool rather than to seasonality, head count changes, or a stronger pipeline that quarter?The organizations that get ahead of this aren't necessarily the ones adopting AI fastest. They're the ones who can say, specifically, what the tools did, and based on what is being tracked across sales orgs right now, that's a much smaller group than the adoption numbers alone would suggest.This story was produced by ZoomInfo and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Family describes bullets tearing through Rock Island home A woman was shot in the abdomen in Rock Island, and neighbors describe bullets tearing through a nearby home. Police are still searching for a suspect.
	Why young people are turning to peers for mental health support When young people need support with their mental health, many first turn to a peer.A 2026 UnitedHealthcare survey of more than 2,000 U.S. college students and young adults found that 47% would talk to a friend first about a mental health concern, compared with 23% who'd seek out a trusted adult. Yet data also show that peers are not prepared to talk about mental health at school or work. That means roommates, classmates, teammates and coworkers may find themselves in conversations they aren't prepared to navigate.The finding reflects growing interest in peer support as a critical part of the response to young adults' mental health needs, as OK Today reports. Peer support can begin with an everyday conversation: listening without judgment, responding with care and helping a friend feel less alone.Roughly one in seven people worldwide is living with a mental health condition, according to the World Health Organization. And while mental health resources exist, a global survey of more than 5,600 people ages 14 to 25 found that only half knew where to find resources to support their mental health. Forty percent also reported continuing stigma around discussing mental health at school or work, according to the UNICEF-led Global Coalition for Youth Mental Health.The growing role of peer supportA 2025 review of 32 studies found promising evidence that peer support can strengthen connection and help young people navigate mental health challenges, although results varied across programs and populations. Researchers noted that more study is needed to understand which approaches are most effective and under what circumstances.Peer support is not a replacement for professional mental health care. Instead, it can complement formal services by helping young people feel less alone, recognize when additional support may be needed and connect with appropriate resources.As a result, investment in structured peer-support approaches is growing. In July 2026, Kaiser Permanente committed $10 million to expand the Youth Mental Health Corps, which trains young people to provide nonclinical support and help teenagers navigate available resources. The initiative has trained and placed nearly 1,000 members and reached more than 44,000 teenagers and community members since 2024.Designing resources by young people for young peopleYoung people are also playing a larger role in designing the resources meant for them. A 2026 review of 58 youth mental health co-design studies across 19 countries found a sharp rise in this kind of collaboration since 2019. Studies that evaluated the co-design process reported strong youth engagement and greater usability and relevance. However, most were conducted in high-income, English-speaking countries, leaving questions about how well those findings translate across cultures and communities.Peer support will not replace professional mental health care, nor should young people be expected to have all the answers. But when they have the tools to listen without judgment, recognize their limits and encourage a friend to talk with someone they trust, everyday conversations can help that friend feel heard and supported.This story was produced by OK Today, an initiative of Global Gateway Advisors Foundation, and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	5 European adventures that may be even better in the fall Europe’s summer travel season gets all the attention, but if you hike, bike, or paddle, fall is the season worth rearranging your calendar for.In September and October in Europe, temperatures ease across the south, the first autumn color reaches the mountains, and places that spent July and August at full volume settle back into their own rhythm. For active travelers, that means less time battling the heat and more time on the trail, in the landscape, and among the people who live there.Wondering where to go? The travel experts at EF Adventures picked five European destinations to visit in the fall—chosen for seasonal conditions, standout landscapes, and the chance to explore on foot, by bike, or by kayak. Courtesy of EF Adventures 1. The Alps in September: Best for clear skies and quiet mountain hutsThere’s a reason serious hikers talk about September in the Alps the way sommeliers talk about a good vintage. The summer haze clears, wildflowers give way to the first blush of autumn color on the lower slopes, and the trails go quiet as Europe’s peak vacation season winds down. The rifugios—traditional Alpine huts where hikers rest and refuel—empty out too, which means a cold drink on a wooden terrace with an unobstructed view of peaks that touch 15,000 feet.A route through Switzerland, Italy, and France shows how much the scenery can shift across three neighboring countries in a single trip. Hike the terraced vineyards above Lake Geneva, follow trails past glacial lakes in the shadow of the Matterhorn, cross a high pass into Italy’s Aosta Valley, and finish with a stretch of the Tour du Mont Blanc near Chamonix. Courtesy of EF Adventures 2. The Camino de Santiago: Best for a pilgrimage without the peak-season crowdsWalk the Camino in early fall, and you’ll understand why people have been making this journey for more than 1,000 years. The route carries you along the rugged Basque coastline, climbs into the Picos de Europa—where the first mushrooms of autumn push up through the forest floor—and softens into the green hills of Galicia. Grape harvests are underway, the bodegas along the way have time for you, and Santiago de Compostela, when it finally appears, earns its arrival.There’s no single Camino, either. The Camino del Norte traces Spain’s northern coast, the Camino Francés crosses the interior, and the Camino Portugués comes up from the south—each with its own terrain, traditions, and character. Walk a stretch of all three, and you get three versions of the same thousand-year-old story. Jaroslav Moravcik // Shutterstock 3. Scotland in September: Best for purple heather, Highland light, and island detoursSeptember in the Highlands means heather turned deep purple and air with that particular Highland clarity—cool, still, and carrying the smell of peat and open water. Seasonally, it’s also one of the finest times to take on the West Highland Way, one of the great long-distance walks in the world.The 96-mile route runs from Milngavie to Fort William past Loch Lomond, open moorland, mountain valleys, and some of the most recognizable scenery in Scotland. Pair it with time in the Inner Hebrides and you get the other side of the west coast: rocky shorelines, island villages, and wide water views under light that’s low, dramatic, and impossible to photograph accurately. Pack waterproof layers, and you’ll be glad you came. Jessica Perugini // Shutterstock 4. The Algarve in October: Best for warm water and half-empty seafood restaurantsAsk anyone who’s been to Portugal’s Algarve in October, and you’ll hear the same thing, with a slightly smug look: The Atlantic is still warm, the cliffs still glow gold in the afternoon, and the fishing villages have gone back to being what they actually are.A trip through southern Portugal covers several distinct landscapes—the fairytale palaces and misty hills of Sintra, the cork forests and rolling countryside of the Alentejo, and the Algarve’s limestone sea cliffs—on foot, by bike, and by kayak. One day ends on a clifftop above the Atlantic; the next follows a quiet river through cork oak country. Milder temperatures make every mile of it more comfortable than it would be in August. Courtesy of EF Adventures 5. Mallorca in October: Best for cyclists who want the roads to themselvesIn October, Mallorca belongs to cyclists and to the islanders who quietly reclaim it. The mountain roads of the Serra de Tramuntana—a UNESCO World Heritage site and a training ground for professional teams—wind past terraced olive groves, medieval hilltop villages, and a Mediterranean going silver in the autumn light.Cool mornings make the island’s long climbs far more manageable, Sa Calobra above all: a twisting mountain road whose switchbacks corkscrew inland from the coast. Afterward, it’s a long table lunch in the warm afternoon sun. The tour buses are gone, the pelotons have thinned, and the island hums with the rhythm of the people who actually live there.Give Europe’s shoulder season a tryFall travel is easy to overlook between back-to-school schedules and the holiday run-up. And adventure travel takes more planning than the average vacation—unfamiliar trails, gear to sort out, weather that rewrites the plan—which is where an experienced tour operator earns its keep, with local guides, transportation, and built-in alternatives. Whether you want quiet alpine huts in September, purple heather in the Highlands, or Mallorca’s switchbacks in October, this is the Europe experienced travelers quietly seek out. Rearrange the calendar.This story was produced by EF Adventures and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	'Alice in Wonderland' ballet will be presented at Adler Theatre, Davenport The Adler Theatre has announced "Alice in Wonderland" by Romero Britto & International Ballet Stars, one night only at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 13. Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 10 a.m., at the Adler Theatre Box Office or online here. For more information, visit here. About "Alice in Wonderland" by [...]
	Live Muscatine orientation connects residents, community Muscatine residents new to the area or who want to reconnect to the community can learn more about the city at an upcoming orientation. The LIVE Muscatine Welcome Orientation is a way to meet fellow residents and discover what makes the city a great place to live, work and play. The free community orientation is [...]
	Recognizing and shifting ADHD procrastination If you live with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you may have a hard time getting things done in a timely manner. Procrastination can be a sign of ADHD — especially when it’s driven by difficulties with executive functioning rather than a lack of motivation. It’s not like you don’t understand the importance of the tasks in front of you, but sometimes it may feel simply impossible to start and finish tasks on time. You may put these tasks off longer and longer, which can cause serious consequences in your life.ADHD procrastination happens because of the way ADHD causes executive function limitations in your brain. It’s definitely not a sign of laziness, and there are ways to cope with this aspect of ADHD and manage tasks in a more effective way, as Rula discusses here.Key TakeawaysAlthough procrastination isn’t a formally recognized symptom of ADHD, it’s a very common experience for people who live with this condition.People with ADHD may be more likely to procrastinate due to issues with executive functioning. In addition, factors like inattention and perfectionism can play a role.There are ways to reduce procrastination in your life. The most effective method is to get treatment for your ADHD symptoms.Is procrastination a sign of ADHD?Procrastination is not officially recognized as a clinical symptom of ADHD. But for people who live with ADHD, it’s a common experience. If you have ADHD, you may often find that you can’t get started on tasks no matter how important they are. It could even feel like the more important a task is, the more you procrastinate on it.Research shows that the more severe your ADHD symptoms are, the more likely you are to procrastinate. ADHD can cause procrastination because of the ways it affects your brain. One main effect of ADHD is executive dysfunction. This causes problems with executive functioning skills, which are the more complex brain functions like problem solving, impulse control, and self-motivation.People with ADHD may also procrastinate as a maladaptive behavior to try to cope with ADHD-related anxiety. Procrastination isn’t an effective coping skill, but it can often feel like the only way to deal with looming tasks. In addition, putting important tasks off can lead to consequences, which can make the tasks more anxiety provoking to deal with. In other words, procrastination can become a vicious cycle.Although procrastination is a common theme for people with ADHD, it can have serious effects on their well-being. Research shows that frequent procrastination is linked with lower life satisfaction in some cultures, and it can also affect how you view your capabilities and self-esteem.What ADHD procrastination can look likeADHD-related procrastination often shows up in how it feels to start or manage a task, including:Feeling mentally stuck or frozen when trying to begin a taskKnowing a task matters but feeling unable to startFeeling overwhelmed when a task feels too big, boring, or unclearNeeding the “right” mood, timing, or setup before startingIt can also show up in patterns of behavior over time, like:Putting off tasks until deadlines create intense pressureFocusing on low-priority or more interesting activities insteadLosing track of time or underestimating how long tasks will takeAvoiding tasks that trigger stress, fear of failure, or self-doubtFeeling guilt or shame about procrastinating, even when trying to changeFor many people with ADHD, procrastination isn’t about not caring. It’s about difficulty with task initiation, attention regulation, and time management.Why do people with ADHD procrastinate more?If one thing’s for sure, it’s that ADHD procrastination doesn’t mean you’re lazy or a failure. Instead, it has to do with the way ADHD affects your brain — and it may sometimes be outside of your control, especially if your ADHD symptoms are untreated.Because people with ADHD experience executive dysfunction, they often aren’t able to get started on tasks even when they know they need to. In addition, other ADHD symptoms can make procrastination worse.Some ADHD-related factors that can lead to procrastination include:Issues with motivation: Difficulties with self-motivation can make it hard for you to start on tasks when there’s no external motivating factor. This can cause you to procrastinate until you’re in an immediate crisis, like procrastinating on paying bills until debt collectors are calling or procrastinating on work tasks until you face discipline.ADHD paralysis: ADHD paralysis can cause you to feel physically stuck. For example, you might feel like you can’t get up off the sofa to start working, even when you know you need to. It might feel like there’s so much to do that you feel completely overwhelmed.Trouble paying attention and remembering: Two key symptoms of ADHD are forgetfulness and inattention. You might procrastinate on important tasks simply because you forget about them or get distracted while doing them. Research shows that people with ADHD remember less about their intentions, meaning you may forget about a task that you planned to do.Problems with focus: People with ADHD often have a hard time staying focused on boring or repetitive activities. They also have trouble with impulse control. When these two factors are combined, it can make you more likely to procrastinate on important (but boring) tasks and seek out more enjoyable activities instead. You might start getting things done but then easily become sidetracked by more “fun” activities.Perfectionism: ADHD perfectionism can also be a factor that leads to procrastination. You could have anxiety around getting things perfectly right and not allow yourself the grace to make mistakes. Needing to do things perfectly is a lot of pressure and may make you less inclined to even start on important tasks. How to break the cycle of procrastination when you have ADHDWhen you have ADHD, breaking the cycle of procrastination is easier said than done. Most people with ADHD desperately want to stop procrastinating, but the way their brain works can make this goal very difficult to achieve. Traditional productivity tips designed for neurotypical people may not be effective for people with ADHD.However, it’s important to know that it’s possible to stop procrastinating with ADHD, and there are strategies you can use — including getting ADHD treatment — that can help.Make it fun. If you live with ADHD, you’re probably drawn toward fun and engaging activities, and you may procrastinate on repetitive or boring tasks. One way to deal with this procrastination is to make mundane tasks interesting and fun. For example, try gamifying tasks. Find fun ways to reward yourself for completion. Do boring tasks with a friend. When these tasks are more stimulating, you may be less likely to procrastinate on them.Practice self-compassion. People with ADHD often struggle with self-esteem. You may blame yourself for your procrastination tendencies, or others may have labeled you as “lazy.” Try to practice self-compassion while working toward reducing procrastination.Start small. ADHD paralysis can happen when the tasks in front of you feel so overwhelming that you don’t even know where to start. Instead of looking at your to-do list as a whole, try starting small. For example, instead of focusing on cleaning your entire home, focus on the next small task on your list. Perhaps the next task is to simply get up off the couch. Breaking tasks down into “microsteps” can help you get started.Get an accountability partner. If you live with ADHD, finding the motivation within to get things done can be a challenge. “Body doubling” is a technique that people with ADHD can use to help them get things done. It involves completing tasks in the presence of someone else, either physically or virtually. Try inviting a friend to be present with you while you get a task done. It may help keep you accountable.Get treatment. Getting professional treatment to manage your ADHD symptoms can help reduce symptoms like inattention, forgetfulness, and impulsivity that may lead to procrastination. Medication can help, and therapy can provide a place for you to address the negative self-talk that often comes along with chronic procrastination.A clinician’s takeAshley Ayala, a licensed marriage and family therapist and clinical reviewer, explains, “Sometimes people with ADHD procrastination are told that they just aren’t trying hard enough. Hearing this can be incredibly frustrating for a person who is trying their best to keep up with daily tasks. Know that your brain is wired differently, and these are inaccurate labels.”This story was produced by Rula and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Do business plans work? Here's what the data actually says New business owners often face the same dilemma: spend time writing a business plan, or spend a week finding their first customers. So which one actually matters?Xero's guide to writing an executive summary covers the how. But often, business owners ask a different question: Why? Does the planning itself really impact what happens next?Why the case against planning is overstatedThe skeptics may have a point: A plan written in week one often describes a business that doesn’t exist by month six. The market landscape changes, and customer behavior isn’t always predictable. There is also the false-precision trap, where a multi-year revenue forecast built on guesses looks convincing, but doesn’t have real data to back it up. Plus, there’s the cost: Every hour spent formatting projections is an hour not spent finding customers.Here’s where these complaints miss the point. The problem isn’t planning — it’s writing a huge document once, filing it away, and never reviewing again. That’s useless. But a plan that is lighter to start and gets reviewed and updated frequently? Now that is where a business plan can be helpful.What the evidence actually showsThere is value in creating a plan and writing down goals. In a Xero survey of U.S. business owners, the results show just that. Those with a plan were more likely to say their business earned more than expected. Across the owners surveyed, only 15% were disappointed with their income. The owners who created a plan tended to set expectations that were realistic and achievable.In today’s current economic environment, planning matters more than ever. According to Xero Small Business Insights, U.S. small business sales grew 4.0% year over year in the June 2026 quarter — below the long-term average of 5.4%. When growth is soft, a mistake can cost more. Thinking things through first is often cheaper than learning it in real time when things don’t go as expected.The planning gap: Goals, endgames, and advisorsMost owners who plan put in the effort. The real issue is not thinking about the long-term goals. A Xero survey of Australian small business owners found that 49% set no long-term goals, and only 31% have defined an endgame. That gap matters, because the long view is where planning earns its keep, shaping the decisions you make this quarter.The same research shows a second pattern. Around 86% of owners lean on an advisor, accountant, or bookkeeper, and those who do tend to report stronger revenue growth and more confidence. Planning doesn’t need to be a solo task done at the kitchen table at midnight. Work with an advisor, business partners, or executives to build a plan and future goals together. Having alignment across the business can help ensure everyone agrees on the goals and is working in tandem to achieve them.An accountant or bookkeeper can turn a one-off document into a habit: the quarterly check-in that keeps a plan honest. That’s also why a business plan for a loan is rarely wasted effort, because the thinking behind it shapes how the business is run.Planning that survives contact with realitySo what kind of plan is actually worth doing? A short one you’ll reread. The SBA states that a lean, one-page plan captures only the key points and can be built in about an hour.Treat a business plan as a plan and learn: Draft the best thinking upfront, then adjust on a regular basis rather than filing it away. A workable rhythm can look something like this:Write a lean startup plan short enough to read in one sitting.Set two or three assumptions and check in on them within the quarter.Review the plan every quarter and change what isn’t working.Write the executive summary last, once the details exist to summarize.That last thing — writing your summary after you've actually done the work — is what really matters. It's the difference between planning and just hoping. A small plan you actually update beats a giant document you file away or no plan at all.The real question was never whether to plan, but how lightly and how often. Start with a single page this week, then set a recurring reminder to revisit it every quarter.This story was produced by Xero and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	DeWitt’s ‘Pink for the Cure’ returns for 15th year to boost breast health awareness The Crossroads Health Foundation will celebrate the 15th anniversary of "Pink for the Cure" this October with a series of community events in DeWitt aimed at funding free screening mammograms.
	Global sounds, holiday classics highlight new Nova Singers lineup The professional ensemble Nova Singers will launch its 41st season this October, bringing a blend of international choral music and traditional holiday favorites to stages across Galesburg and the Quad Cities.
	Family Resources shares info, tools, and hosts events during Domestic Violence Awareness Month The local non-profit highlights the national campaign by sharing important information and sobering statistics about the prevalence of violence between partners and other family members while hosting events and initiatives during October.
	Ontario is reviving its threat to cut electricity exports to the US. What does that mean? Amid worsening U.S.-Canada relations, Ontario Premier Doug Ford is once again threatening to cut off electricity to 1.5 million homes and businesses across three neighboring American states: Minnesota, Michigan and New York.The move comes as Canada tries to stave off the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to charge “far WORSE” tariffs after the federal government decided to walk away from trade negotiations on Aug. 21. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a “dollar-for-dollar” retaliation beginning September.But Ford is pitching a more aggressive approach. “Everything’s on the table,” he told reporters on Aug. 24. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”On Ford’s table are critical minerals, uranium, potash, oil and, significantly, electricity.“We power 1.5 million homes and businesses,” Ford said. “What I find ironic about this is we’re actually giving electricity to companies that make products that compete against us. That needs to stop, and we’re going to address that.”Ford emphasized that Ontario isn’t the only province that sends electricity to the U.S. Others include New Brunswick, Quebec and British Columbia. “So we need to get together and decide if we’re going to put surcharges on the electricity,” he said. “How can we let them take really inexpensive electricity to make goods to compete and take jobs from Canadians? You can’t square that circle.”Ford’s plan wouldn’t just affect Ontario or its bordering states; it could have repercussions for affordable, reliable electricity across both countries.Ontario has been trying to stave off these effects by proposing new and massive energy projects across the province — investments that Energy Minister Stephen Lecce deems “tariff-proof, recession-proof.” But these projects are far from being operational.The Narwhal shares everything you need to know about this developing situation.How did we get here?For more than a century, America and Canada have bought and sold power between provinces and states. At any given moment, electricity is flowing in either direction across a shared and massive transmission grid, with the goal of keeping electricity affordable and available, especially when it’s most needed. Both countries have helped the other during cold snaps, heat waves, droughts and floods.While the countries’ shared systems have made them susceptible to each other’s energy failures — 50 million people across the eastern U.S. and Ontario lost power when overgrown trees in Cleveland caused North America’s largest blackout ever, in 2003 — for the most part, this relationship has been seamless.But for the second time in almost two years, all of this is under threat.The first major threat to the two countries’ shared electricity grid came in November 2024, when Trump threatened to impose a 25% tariff on all Canadian and Mexican imports — unless the two countries improve security along their borders.In response, Ford imposed a 25% tax on electricity exports and threatened to shut down electricity exports entirely should the tariffs remain on the table. The surcharge was in effect for one day last year and made the province $260,000.Both options — which Ford once described as options of “last resort”— are being pitched once more.The federal government has not officially weighed in on Ford’s proposal yet. Neither have other provinces that send electricity south of the border.Which Canadian provinces send electricity to America?Canada began sending electricity to the U.S. in 1909, when the first transmission line was built connecting the two countries. Today — 117 years later — every Canadian province along the border is electrically interconnected with at least one U.S. state. There are more than 31 cross-border transmission lines across both countries.That means the countries can easily work together to balance out fluctuations in energy needs. For example, during extreme winter weather in the U.S. in 2021, Canadian electricity companies sent increased electricity to those that needed it — an act that wasn’t just friendly, but kept the heat on as temperatures plummeted to less than 4 F (-20 C) in most parts of the central and southern U.S.Ontario is the largest electricity-exporting province, followed by Quebec, while Michigan, New York and Minnesota are the largest electricity importers.Why has Canada integrated its electricity system with America’s?Simply put: Canada produces too much. And the U.S. population is much, much bigger.Ontario’s very large nuclear supply, hydro plants and renewable energy sources collectively produce more electricity than the province of less than 17 million people uses on a regular basis. Nuclear facilities aren’t easily turned on and off, so Ontario sells largely emissions-free electricity to the U.S. overnight for cheap. (The alternative is letting that surplus electricity go to waste.)Quebec also produces more hydroelectric power than it uses. That’s why it has long-term export contracts to supply electricity to New York state — home to 20 million people. It’s also a major source of revenue for the provincial government.In total, Canada exports enough electricity to power 4.5 million U.S. homes.Does America sell electricity to Canada?Yes, and Canada might need more of it soon.Ontario’s nuclear production has shrunk as aging plants are shut down or refurbished, while drought conditions have made hydroelectricity less reliable in British Columbia and Quebec. Meanwhile, a growing population and energy-hungry technology have put greater demands on Canada’s supply.The Independent Electricity System Operator, which manages supply and demand in Ontario, reported in 2024 the province may have to consider increasing the amount of electricity it imports from the U.S., even as it rushes to build new power plants and find new sources of power.The balance is already shifting: by fall 2023, monthly average U.S. electricity exports to Canada increased by 70%, and imports decreased by 36%.British Columbia has been a net importer of electricity for three years in a row; 25% of the province’s electricity came from America.In the Prairies, imports and exports are minimal, and the one line connecting Alberta to Montana has been at the center of a legal battle with Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway.How has politics affected the Canada-US electricity relationship before?On the whole, the shared grid has operated with relatively few discussions of tariffs or trade barriers. The disputes have more frequently been between jurisdictions or electricity producers and utilities. Communities have sometimes opposed electricity projects on the other side of the border when they fear it might affect their local environments.Premier Doug Ford has been threatening to cut American states like New York and Michigan off from Ontario’s power. Could he do that?He could.The Ontario government has the power to instruct the Independent Electricity System Operator to limit electricity exports, which would theoretically impact the amount of energy neighboring American states can access.There’s one snag. To both increase the price of electricity exports and shut them down, the government would need to table legislation directing Ontario’s electricity utilities and operators. The government is currently on an extended summer break until Oct. 27. Ford is resisting the Ontario NDP’s call to return sooner to pass emergency relief measures for workers in tariff-exposed sectors and businesses.If Ontario reduced or eliminated electricity sales to American states, what would be the impact there and at home?The electricity grid really is one big machine, so it won’t function nearly as well if we cut it in half.Two energy experts previously told The Narwhal the immediate impact would likely be marginal in American states, which could make up for lost Ontario electricity by tapping into local sources of power kept in reserve, mostly fossil fuels. The result would be a grid that was more expensive to operate, much dirtier and less reliable on both sides of the border. Plus, Ontario’s electricity producers would see a financial loss, which might increase costs for domestic users.If Ontario were in an emergency situation during a charged political battle, like a winter storm, it wouldn’t be able to rely immediately on U.S. electricity, as it can now. It would have to work more closely with Manitoba and Quebec.All of this is hypothetical, though. Ford has yet to provide details of his plan.How will Ontario mitigate the impacts of the trade war on electricity?By building big, new energy projects — or so they say.On Aug. 25, Energy Minister Stephen Lecce was in St. Clair Township, at the border between the U.S. and Canada, to announce his government is planning to revive the long-shuttered Lambton coal-generating station into either a new nuclear or gas facility. This proposal joins a long list of massive energy projects — including new generating facilities in Nanticoke and Port Hope — the Ford government believes will make the province and the country energy-independent.“Energy independence has always been vital,” Lecce said. “Today, it’s more than just keeping the lights on. It is about our national security and sovereignty. It’s about making power and having the power to make our own decisions, build our own industries and fuel our economy right here at home.”But these projects are far away from being built, let alone being operational. In the short term, a trade war with electricity caught in the center will have some impact on residents across both countries.Drew Anderson contributed reporting for this story.This story was produced by The Narwhal and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	How to get started with solo travel Feel the urge to roam but don't have anyone to accompany you? Or maybe you’re just craving a me-time adventure. Solo travel is growing in popularity, and it's possible to take a trip on your own while remaining safe and having a great time. If you're thinking of embarking on your own adventure, make the most of independent travel with these tips from Ally Financial.1. Choose the right destinationWhile the world is your oyster and you can do all things, it may be wise to check and see how solo-friendly a destination is first. When you're in an unfamiliar location by yourself, it's important to be prepared with information:Check out reviews and forums to get a sense of how safe it is to walk alone at night.Research transit methods so you know where you're going and assess whether public transportation is convenient and safe for your plans.Solid pre-travel research will also help you make the most of your vacation. Arrive with a list of must-see attractions, restaurants and activities. The only person's preferences that matter are yours.2. Share your travel itineraryLet a trusted friend or family member know your whereabouts by sharing crucial details, including dates, accommodation information and your flight number. You might even share your location via your phone's GPS. That way, your loved ones back home have accurate information about your plans.3. Plan for the unexpectedDespite your best intentions, sometimes the unexpected happens. Be prepared for snags — whether it's lost luggage, illness or someone back home needing help. You want to be sure you have contingencies in place when inevitable mishaps arise.4. Consider travel insuranceTo put your mind at ease, travel insurance could offer another layer of protection. Comprehensive travel insurance covers a broad range of situations from cancellations and interruptions to bad weather, lost luggage, medical care and more. Carefully analyze travel insurance contracts to decide what works best for you.5. Be flexibleDid your flight get canceled? Raining on your beach day? One of the joys of traveling alone is answering only to yourself, so have a backup in mind in case plans fall through. For example, if the walking tour you were eyeing is sold out, wander the city on your own and check out similar spots that were on the tour.6. Secure your valuablesYou don't want to lose sight of important items like your wallet, passport and cash or valuables such as jewelry and electronics. Keep them in a secure location like the safe at your hotel.Keep as little cash on you as possible. Some local currency can help you pay for anything that crops up, but too much could make you a target. Always have a backup credit card or other method of payment (stored in a separate location) in case your primary card gets lost or stolen.7. Create a travel budgetTraveling alone means you won't have someone else to share in the expense. But on the other hand, you can create a custom budget that accounts for your vacation goals.Travel alone with confidenceThere's a lot to like about taking a trip by yourself. Enjoy the peace and solitude of being on your own, or make it an adventure with the goal of meeting new friends along the way. All you need is a little preparation and your wanderlust, and you're ready to take on solo travel.This story was produced by Ally Financial and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Rock Island aldermen approve contract to alleviate 911 dispatcher shortage A 911 dispatcher shortage at RICOMM has led to the police department and city hiring a 911 dispatcher support services company for at least six months to alleviate the problem.
	Corps of Engineers selects Jesse Ray of Rock Island for national award Jesse Ray is the recipient of the 2025 Planning Excellence Award that recognizes personnel who demonstrate exceptional job performance.
	23-year-old entrepreneur takes over Q-C 1-800-Got-Junk? franchise Originally from Minnesota, a 23-year-old entrepreneur moved to the Quad-Cities to start his new career.
	Ready to rock: Vibrant Arena at the Mark’s executive director talks professional journey, plans for future Rik Edgar, executive director of Vibrant Arena at the Mark, brings years of venue experience to Moline, aiming to elevate events and create memories.
	80 years of growth: Wyffels Hybrids plants for the future Wyffels Hybrids is on its third generation of family ownership after 80 years in business.
	Rainy stretch for the Quad Cities Quite a bit of rain is on the way for the Quad Cities starting late tonight. Another beautiful day is expected across the Mississippi River Valley today. Here's your full 7-day forecast.
	4 ways to avoid getting ripped off, according to a pricing expert Companies have changed the way they price their products — and shoppers are getting deliberately overcharged. Here are steps you can take to ensure you are getting the best deal.
	How to hide your spending habits from retailers (so you don't get ripped off) Companies have changed the way they price their products — and shoppers are getting deliberately overcharged. Here are steps you can take to ensure you are getting the best deal.
	As the U.S. signals a smaller Middle East footprint, Turkey is ready to step in Turkey's bid for regional influence comes at a time when the Middle East has been hit by profound shocks that started with the Hamas-led 2023 attack on Israel, and continues with the stalemated, seven-month-old war on Iran.
	News organizations ask court to bar White House enforcement of access ban Three news outlets that President Trump banished from White House grounds asked a federal court to block the ban until the case is resolved.
	National Coffee Day: Deals and freebies available There’s no excuse for being tired on Tuesday: Plenty of national and regional coffee chains are offering caffeinated freebies and deals all day long.
	OpenAI delays latest model over security concerns, as industry faces pressure OpenAI's decision to hold back the model, called GPT-6.1 Astra, comes amid a broader push within the industry to slow the development of increasingly autonomous systems until safety measures catch up.
	Tennessee is set to execute a woman for the first time in 200 years One of the youngest women sent to death row is set to be executed in Tennessee. If carried out as scheduled Wednesday, it would be Tennessee's first execution of a woman in 200 years.
Monday, September 28th, 2026
	Doug Carter, twice sentenced to die, steps out from behind bars in Utah thanks to DNA analysis Douglas Carter leaves the Utah County Jail without comment on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. (Annie Knox/Utah News Dispatch)For most of his life, Douglas Stewart Carter has been confined to a Utah prison cell. On a misty evening and at 71 years old, he emerged free of shackles or guards Monday, with his time on death row now behind him. As he strode out of the Utah County Jail, Carter smiled and pushed a cart full of belongings he amassed over 40 years in state custody — a pillow and boxes of legal documents charting his efforts to prove he’s not guilty of murdering a Provo grandmother in her home in 1985. Those efforts culminated in a judge granting him bail on Monday, in light of new analysis of crime scene DNA evidence that was not a match to him. Though Carter walked free in a physical sense Monday, his attorneys say it’s not actual freedom. He still faces a charge of aggravated murder and is scheduled for a retrial in July, though prosecutors last week withdrew their intent to seek the death penalty. Carter shielded his face with paper and didn’t stop to talk to reporters before getting in a car and going home with family, but he laughed as he thanked his attorneys and took a moment to celebrate with his son Tyler Anger, who told reporters he was eager to bring Carter home. Attorney Neal Hamilton and Douglas Carter speak with another member of Carter’s legal defense team by phone after his release from the Utah County Jail in Spanish Fork on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. (Annie Knox/Utah News Dispatch) Carter’s defense attorney Neal Hamilton described his client’s new reality by highlighting what’s absent from it: a phone, income, and a sense of how modern technology has transformed society over the last four decades. “This is going to be not just a day at a time, but minute-by-minute at a time,” Hamilton said of Carter’s next chapter, describing him as traumatized by his time on death row. A death sentence overturned Carter, originally from Chicago, was found guilty by a jury and sentenced to die in the death of Eva Olsesen, the aunt of a former Provo police chief. She was found stabbed and shot in what police said was a home invasion. Jurors in the case relied on Carter’s confession and evidence of his bragging to friends Epifanio and Lucia Tovar that he killed a woman. He appealed, and another jury upheld the death penalty in 1992. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Almost two decades later, the Tovars — key witnesses in the case — said police had threatened them with deportation, given them gifts and told them to lie about the financial help. Carter appealed again based on sworn statements from the couple. The Utah Supreme Court ordered a new trial for him last year, citing “intentional misconduct” on the part of investigators and prosecutors. The court’s opinion noted that Epifanio Tovar was instructed “to fabricate a statement intended to show that Carter harbored a premeditated intent to commit rape on the night of the murder.” Carter was held in the Utah County Jail for more than a year as he has awaited a new trial. Prior to that, while in prison, he’d get an hour at most each day to either go outside, shower or watch TV, Hamilton said. Carter had not allowed himself to believe he could actually be released, Hamilton said, albeit with an ankle monitor and strict orders not to contact Olesen’s family members. Douglas Carter is pictured leaving the Utah County Jail in Spanish Fork on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. (Annie Knox/Utah News Dispatch) New revelations about old evidence Prosecutors last week withdrew their intent to seek the death penalty in the case, noting recently tested evidence found at the crime scene, including blood on a doorknob and DNA on the handle of a knife, excluded Carter. But the new information does not necessarily exonerate Carter, Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray wrote in a court filing. He noted the gun used in the crime was never found and said Carter had confessed. Hamilton pushed back on that Monday morning at the courthouse. “Doug signed a confession under duress, which is the very definition of a coerced confession,” Hamilton said. Carter wants the state to dismiss his case altogether, arguing evidence pointing away from him as a suspect went missing and it means he can’t get a fair trial now. The materials include a recording of an interrogation, fingerprints, plaster casts of a shoeprint, and a behavioral analysis report from the FBI, his attorneys say. Utah bill to speed up timeline on death penalty cases moves forward Utah’s new death penalty law The recent revelations in the case come after Utah changed its death penalty law earlier this year in an effort to speed up the process. Supporters cited the fact that multiple men on Utah’s death row have died of natural causes before the state could execute them. The new state law, backed by the Utah Attorney General’s Office, limits how and when Utahns can argue they’re not mentally fit to be put to death, among other changes. Its sponsor, Rep. Candice Pierucci, R-Herriman estimated the new framework will cut the timeline from around 34 years to about 20 years while still respecting the rights of defendants. But in Carter’s case, Hamilton told reporters, misconduct on the part of the state stayed hidden from his client and the public for more than 20 years. “I mean, this is precisely why we told them not to,” Hamilton said of the expedited process. Arguing bail In court Monday morning, Eva Olesen’s family opposed bail for Carter, saying the DNA report is not proof that Carter was the wrong suspect and emphasizing that prosecutors are still examining evidence. Former death row inmate Douglas Carter appears in 4th District Court in Provo for a bond hearing on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. (Pool photo by Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune) Olesen’s daughter-in-law, Theresa Olesen, said a member of Carter’s family has posted videos critical of the case online that have been distressing to the Olesens. They see the videos as hostile and even defamatory, she said, adding that Carter’s relatives had offered to care for him upon release. “We have serious concerns about whether this would be a stable and appropriate environment for Carter,” Theresa Olesen said. In his written ruling, 4th District Judge Derek Pullan acknowledged the Olesen family’s sense of justice has been upended. But he said Carter doesn’t pose a danger to them, writing that Carter hasn’t talked to his own family about wanting revenge or had any major disciplinary issues while incarcerated. Prosecutors didn’t oppose Carter’s release with an ankle monitor and other conditions, saying they are still reassessing the evidence ahead of a scheduled Nov. 10 hearing. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Utah News Dispatch
	South Dakota governor candidates clash on data centers, education, economic development South Dakota Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden, left, and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dan Ahlers on Sept. 28, 2026 during a debate at South Dakota Public Broadcasting's Sioux Falls studios. (John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight)Local governments should have more authority over where data centers are built and how they use local resources, Democratic candidate for South Dakota governor Dan Ahlers said during a debate on Monday. “We should be asking the people of South Dakota what they want, and what they’ve been telling us is they don’t want these data centers in their communities,” Ahlers said during the debate, co-hosted by South Dakota Public Broadcasting and South Dakota News Watch. Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden argued that his administration had already responded to public concerns on data centers. He pointed to legislation he signed that requires data centers with peak electrical use of 10 megawatts or more to cover the cost of their power demands, as well as any costs a community might incur if a data center unexpectedly leaves. The same bill bars the state from preempting local laws to limit, ban or regulate data centers. Companies seeking to build data centers also have to tell local water providers how much water they’d need and obtain determinations from local providers that their projects are compatible with the local water supply. But Rhoden also wants data centers built in the U.S., if they are going to be built. He said it is important to keep “evil foreign governments, like China, from owning our data.” During their second and last debate of the 2026 election season, the two also clashed on education, health care, taxes and tribal relations, among other issues. Rhoden, a western South Dakota rancher, became governor in early 2025 after serving as former Gov. Kristi Noem’s lieutenant governor. Ahlers is a small business owner and former Democratic legislator from Dell Rapids. Affordability and property taxes Ahlers said the state could reduce the cost of living by putting more state money into education, which he said would reduce the amount local governments need to raise through property taxes. He also said the state could save families $800 per student if it paid for school lunches and proposed a childcare tax credit or rebate, though he did not offer details on the size and scope of such a program. Rhoden pointed to property tax legislation he signed during the 2026 legislative session as a measure addressing affordability. “This year we passed the largest property tax cut in the history of the state,” Rhoden said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. One new law diverts an estimated $110 million or more in sales tax revenue into a fund to offset property taxes for education. That revenue will come when a 2023 sales tax reduction from 4.5% to 4.2% sunsets next year. Additionally, $56 million in general budget funds is being used to lower property taxes immediately. Another bill lets counties add an additional 0.5% sales tax to decrease property taxes for homeowners in those counties. Rhoden said the new laws will reduce the average homeowners’ property taxes by 36%. Ahlers said moving from property taxes to sales taxes can leave renters and lower-income residents behind. The state should change how it assesses residential property, he said, and bolster existing property tax relief programs for seniors, veterans and people with disabilities. “It is a tax shift,” Ahlers said. “It shifts it from property tax to sales tax at the county level.” Rhoden said the property tax bills would also help renters by making it easier to purchase their first home, and would also shift the tax burden to tourists spending money in the state. Education funding Rhoden said state education funding has increased more than what’s required under the state’s funding formula, and said teacher salaries have risen by about $10,000 in recent years. But teacher retention remains a problem, Ahlers said, pointing to teachers who aren’t just leaving for better pay in other states but “leaving the profession entirely.” The state should prioritize teacher pay, he said. Economic development When asked about economic development, both candidates homed in on what’s been done – and what hasn’t – through the state’s Future Fund. The fund was created in 1987 at the request of then-Gov. George Mickelson, a Republican. South Dakota employers pay fees to the fund when they remit unemployment payroll taxes. The fund was placed under the governor’s exclusive control, enabling quick responses when economic opportunities arise. Economic development programs should emphasize South Dakota-owned businesses rather than large companies often headquartered out of state, Ahlers said. He pointed to a Wakonda-area hemp producer that built a hemp-based concrete facility in Iowa after failing to find sufficient economic incentives in South Dakota. South Dakota governor, challenger both slam Trump on beef imports but clash on other debate topics Rhoden said he’d never heard from that company, and said he agreed with Ahlers on supporting value-added agriculture. He also said his administration had established guardrails for the Future Fund. Rhoden signed a bill into law that defines acceptable uses for the fund, requires more reporting to legislators about awards, stipulates information required of applicants, directs the Governor’s Office of Economic Development to formulate rules on the fund’s use, and requires the office to recommend potential awards to the governor. Rhoden also cited several large projects as proof of his administration’s wise use of economic development resources, including a soybean crushing plant outside Mitchell, the relocation of Smithfield Foods’ pork processing plant outside of downtown Sioux Falls, and the recruitment of CJ Schwan’s new food packing plant to Sioux Falls. Tribal relations Ahlers proposed restoring a tribal relations commission with representatives from all nine South Dakota tribes and giving tribal governments a stronger role in decisions on public safety, education, health care, and economic development. “They need to have a seat at the table,” Ahlers said. Rhoden said his administration has already undertaken a “reset” of relations with the state’s tribes. He pointed to expanded participation in law enforcement training and other cooperative efforts. “I feel really proud of the relationship we’ve built,” Rhoden said. The general election is Nov. 3. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of South Dakota Searchlight
	Working River This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.I see that the starving artists are back at the Holiday Inn again for their annual sale, room 211. What would those…
	Third Place QC preparing to move to Abbey Station as demand outgrows current space The Rock Island day shelter is approaching its first anniversary, but demand has far outgrown its current space as leaders prepare to move.
	Davenport's Roger Craig Stadium to get new turf The project is expected to cost $1.3 million.
	Rock Island Police hire traveling dispatch agency to address shortage The Rock Island City Council voted Monday to address a shortage of 911 dispatch operators. The Rock Island Police Department will now use traveling dispatchers from around the country to help relieve the current staff. "It's similar to the traveling nurse model," said Rock Island Deputy Police Chief Tim Muehler. Rock Island police say the [...]
	Free Tricks and Treats event offered for dogs, owners, in Rock Island park Rock Island Parks and Recreation invites dogs and their owners to celebrate Halloween at Tricks and Treats from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at the new Eleanor Wallace Dog Park in Mel McKay Park at 92nd Avenue West and 14th Street West in Rock Island. Guests can explore and enjoy the new dog park while [...]
	Rock Island approves measure to address 911 staffing shortages City leaders approved an agreement with Moetivations, an on-demand dispatcher service that works like travel nursing agencies, Monday evening.
	The Senate passes the Protect College Sports Act, but the bill's future is unclear The bill's supporters, which include the NCAA, say it will tame what they call a "Wild West" era of college sports as litigation chips away at long-held rules around eligibility, transfers and pay.
	Clinton residents speak out about data center proposal A group formed to protest a data center proposal in Clinton submitted a petition against the project. The petition by Clintonians Against Data Centers contained more than 1,500 signatures. The petition was delivered to the city clerk's office September 28. Members of that group also protested outside Clinton's special Committee of the Whole Meeting. The [...]
	Performers will bring roots music to Cambridge in two concerts Two concerts will bring roots music to Ca d’Zan House Concerts, Cambridge, according to a news release. Nick Dittmeier Indiana singer-songwriter and guitarist Nick Dittmeier will perform a duo show at Ca d’Zan House Concerts in Cambridge on Thursday, Oct. 1, bringing a sharp, story-driven blend of roots music, Americana and alt-country. Based in Jeffersonville, [...]
	Muscatine residents sought for boards, commissions Key Boards with current vacancies The City of Muscatine invites residents to apply for openings on several boards and commissions, including three that play a central role in shaping development, land use, and recreation in the community: Muscatine has 12 boards and commissions in total, each contributing to the community’s quality of life — from [...]
	UnityPoint Health - Trinity expands access to cancer services with new surgical oncologist UnityPoint Health - Trinity has expanded access to cancer services in the area, with the addition of thoracic surgical oncologist Alejandro (Alex) Bribriesco, MD, a news release says. Patients in the Quad Cities and eastern Iowa now have increased access to specialized thoracic cancer surgery closer to home. Bribriesco works closely with UnityPoint Clinic pulmonologists [...]
	‘She cared about us’: Del. Carolyn J.B. Howard, a thoughtful mentor, dies at 87 Black-eyed Susans, the state flower of Maryland, bloom outside the State House in Annapolis. (Photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters)Carolyn J.B. Howard, a public school teacher and administrator who represented Prince George’s County for nearly 30 years in the Maryland House of Delegates, died Sept. 19 at age 87. No cause of death was given. Howard, a Democrat who represented District 24, rose to serve as deputy speaker pro tem from 2007 until her retirement in 2019. Colleagues in recalled her as a kind and even-keeled presence in the legislature and a prolific mentor to up-and-coming lawmakers. “She has, probably, a posse of mentees that are competing,” said former legislator Melony Griffith. “We all think we were her favorite.” Howard was unafraid of helping younger generations learn the ropes in the state capital, said Maryland Treasurer Dereck Davis, who represented District 25 in Prince George’s from 1995 to 2021. “[Some] want the young people to wait their turn. But she never had any problem watching the younger people advance,” Davis said. “She helped to push us along.” Born in DeLand, Florida, in December 1938, Howard “developed a lifelong commitment to education and public service at an early age,” according to an online obituary shared by Hyattsville’s J.B. Jenkins Funeral Home. Carolyn J.B. Howard She earned a bachelor’s degree from Florida A & M University, a master’s in educational administration and supervision from Bowie State University and an honorary doctorate in humanities from Sojourner Douglass College. Howard worked for more than 30 years in the Prince George’s County school system, as an educator, principal, administrator and director of the Department of Federal Programs, according to the online obituary. During her time in the legislature, Howard was a persistent advocate for children, said Del. Anne Healey (D- Prince George’s). “She was an educator her whole life, and even as she was in the legislature, she always put the children first,” Healey said. In the General Assembly, Howard was a chair of the Legislative Black Caucus and the House Democratic Caucus. She served on the House Ways and Means Committee from 1993 to 2019. Griffith, who represented District 25 in the House from 1999 to 2015, and then in the Senate from 2019 to 2023, said Howard was among her closest allies and friends in the legislature. She remembered one session when she was fighting particularly hard for a bill that appeared unlikely to pass, and Howard gently suggested that she take a more cautious approach. “She said basically: ‘You have a choice. It doesn’t look like this is going to pass, and you’re putting people in uncomfortable positions with your strong advocacy for it,’” Griffith said. Griffith admits she largely ignored that advice, and continued to push ahead with her fierce advocacy for her legislation. But when the dust settled, she realized she might have frustrated some of her colleagues along the way. Howard had been right all along. “She was very patient. She allowed me to stumble, and without judgment,” Griffith said. “When the next issue came, she didn’t say, ‘I told you so.’” Davis, who arrived in Annapolis as a new legislator at age 27, said Howard quickly took him under her wing. Senate Finance Chair Sen. Melony Griffith (D-Prince George’s). (Photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters) He said Howard’s chair on the House floor was close to his. Her advice was wide-ranging, but she often urged Davis to be exceptionally prepared any time he rose to speak to the body. “She always wanted me to make sure that I was ready — that I was the best person that I could be,” Davis said. In a way, Howard was an “unsung hero” of the legislature, Davis said. “She wasn’t the type that would call a press conference every time she did something or every time she had an achievement. She didn’t look for the spotlight,” Davis said. “She just wanted to do the work.” Del. Jheanelle Wilkins (D-Montgomery) said one particular interaction with Howard has stuck with her. A political event was drawing to a close when a politically thorny issue unexpectedly came up, and Wilkins and then-Del. Wanika Fisher (D-Prince George’s) were discussing how to respond. Howard, by then retired from the General Assembly, overheard and offered to help the pair. Determined not to bother the veteran legislator, Wilkins and Fisher tried to dissuade her from stepping in, but before they knew it, she had stepped in and skillfully resolved the problem. “We were speechless,” Wilkins said. Then, Howard uttered a phrase that the pair have often repeated ever since: “When the horse is dead, dismount.” “She was letting us know that she had handled it. It’s OK to take help. And that we could just move on,” Wilkins said. “She just had this grace. She just had this, also, firmness and kindness.” The moment was touching, said Wilkins, who now serves as chair of the Ways and Means Committee. “It’s not always in politics that someone just comes in and handles that situation,” Wilkins said. Del. C.T. Wilson (D- Charles) speaks during an April 4, 2025 floor session (Photo by Christine Condon/Maryland Matters) Del. C.T. Wilson (D-Charles) remembered Howard working especially hard to guide new Black delegates, who may face additional scrutiny because of their race. During one-on-one meetings, Howard encouraged Wilson to focus on professionalism, to vote with his conscience and stay true to himself. “She cared about us as individuals,” Wilson said. “She told me early on … You’re not always going to be a delegate, but you’re always going to be C.T.” Howard was “learned and level-headed,” said Wilson, who was first elected in 2011. And sometimes, she’d chime in if Wilson was “boiling over” with passionate remarks on the House floor, he said. “All right, young brother,” she’d say from her seat on the floor. It was motivating, Wilson said — but also a good reminder to keep the anger from his voice. One session, Griffith recalled that Howard was pushing for a particularly controversial bill — an alcohol tax increase. But she came prepared, having met with various affected groups and amassed plenty of data, Griffith said. “She didn’t need sharp elbows. She just made her case,” Griffith said. A “people person,” Howard “celebrated life by spending time with people,” Griffith said. Healey said Howard was known for hosting a popular fish fry campaign fundraiser in her backyard. “People came from all over the state to go to it. Her husband actually cooked some of the fish,” Healey said. “It was a lot of fun. She was very outgoing and hospitable.” Former Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III, who served as a state delegate from August 1994 to January 2003 representing District 22B, said Howard’s fish fry was one of the few events “the whole Baker clan” would attend. “It was a really community event, which is not typical of what you see for fundraisers or for events like that,” he said. “The whole neighborhood would get involved.” SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. And at the Newton White Mansion in Prince George’s County, Howard hosted a winter holiday event, including carols and prayers, and attendees decked out in red and green holiday attire, Griffith said. “It was just a reflection of who she was,” Griffith said. “You’d leave feeling good.” Baker called Howard “one of the best public servants I have ever met.” “What I liked about her was that we didn’t always agree on policy, but she was never disagreeable and was always willing to explain her position and to hear me out,” Baker said. After Baker served his first four years in Annapolis, he was able to give a speech on the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on the House floor. It was Howard who encouraged him to do it. “It was a big chance for me to elevate my public persona. She didn’t have to do it,” Baker said. “It wasn’t like I was in her district. But that’s just the kind of person she was.” Services are set for Tuesday, Oct. 6, at First Baptist Church of Highland Park in Landover. with visitation at 10 a.m. and the service at 11 a.m. Courtesy of Maryland Matters
	What we don’t yet know about possible state incentives for proposed $15 billion steel plant Iowa lawmakers have discussed the possibility of returning for a special session to approve an incentives package for a steel plant.
	Contract appeals board sanctions lottery agency for ‘roadblocks’ to investigation The Maryland Board of Contract Appeals last week sanctioned the state lottery agency for dragging its feet on demands to produce documents. (Photo by Lee Lawson/Gettty Stock Photo)A nearly yearlong battle over a lucrative lottery contract has landed the state’s gaming agency in hot water with the Maryland Board of Contract Appeals. The gaming agency was sanctioned for repeatedly ignoring orders for records, the board said. A 16-page decision itemizes a lengthy list of ways the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency and its lawyers avoided turning over records to lawyers for Scientific Games Inc. “Every step of the way, Respondent [the lottery agency] threw up roadblocks to Appellant’s right to discovery, obstructing access to documents to which Appellant was entitled but laying blame of noncompliance and delay at the feet of everyone else but the MLGCA — whether it be the Governor’s Office, DoIT [the Department of Information Technology], Appellant or even this Board,” the decision said. “To add insult to injury, Respondent continued to pay lip service to the importance of a speedy resolution of the case despite failing to complete its long-overdue document production,” it said. The board said it will now automatically assume that all documents withheld or not produced are favorable to the claims made by Scientific Games. The sanctions handed down by the board also prevent the lottery agency from using records that should have been turned over to defend itself, and it bars the agency from calling witnesses who wrote or received any of the records involved that were not turned over to Scientific Games. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Representatives for the lottery and for the Office of the Attorney General, which represents state agencies, declined to comment on the order citing the ongoing nature of the litigation. Scientific Games also declined comment. Scientific Games, which currently manages lottery gaming for the agency, is appealing a 2025 decision by the lottery to cancel a bidding process that saw the Georgia-based company recommended for the new contract after its chief competitor was first recommended and later disqualified. As the appeals continue, the lottery agency remains unable to rebid the contract and Scientific Games continues to operate the lottery under the old contract. The current deal with Scientific Games expires in May, and will likely have to be extended since it could take more than a year to award a new contract and allow for a transition if a new company replaces Scientific Games. The Board of Contract Appeals cannot award the deal to Scientific games. The agency appeared close to recommending last summer that the contract be awarded to Intralot, a competitor to Scientific Games, based on price. The lottery commission does not award the contract — its vote is a preliminary step needed to send the contract to the Department of General Services and ultimately the Board of Public Works to award. Scientific Games filed a challenge within a week, alleging that some minority- and women-owned businesses that were part of the Intralot bid had not completed the certification process. Scientific Games also sought a slew of records under the Maryland Public Information Act related to communications between the commission, lobbyists and the governor’s office. Lottery officials later agreed that Intralot’s minority contractors were not certified — a flaw it said was fatal to Intralot’s bid. Nearly two weeks later, Scientific Games agreed to a deal offered by attorneys representing the gaming agency to rescind the award to Intralot and recommend Scientific Games get the contract, in exchange for the company dropping both its challenge and records requests. But when it came to a vote, the commission agreed Intralot’s proposal was nonresponsive. But it also, by a 4-3 vote, rejected recommending Scientific Games. Scientific Games has since pressed forward with challenges both in court and at the Board of Contract Appeals. The board’s ruling last week highlights its growing frustration with the gaming agency and its “recalcitrance … to its discovery obligations and compliance with the Board’s orders,” which the board writes “began out of the gate.” Quotation Every step of the way, Respondent threw up roadblocks to Appellant's right to discovery, obstructing access to documents to which Appellant was entitled but laying blame of noncompliance and delay at the feet of everyone else but the MLGCA — whether it be the Governor's Office, DoIT, Appellant or even this Board. – Order of the State Board of Contract Appeals sanctioning the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency From the start, Scientific Games has alleged the lottery agency or its commissioners improperly communicated with lobbyists representing its chief competitor and potentially hundreds of records shared with the governor’s office. The company said the records it sought were key to proving its case. The contract appeals panel agreed. Attorneys for the agency said many of the documents requested were protected by various privileges. The panel later privately reviewed documents on two occasions, ruling that only a handful was protected from disclosure. Since then, the board in its sanction ruling noted that the agency and its attorneys repeatedly missed deadlines and failed to turn over records and a promised log of documents that were not disclosable. The board, in its decision to sanction the lottery agency, said its “repeated failure and or refusal to comply … warrants sanctions.” It noted the unusual length of the case and the board’s rules that are designed to expedite appeals. “Respondent’s initial refusal to comply with long-standing regulation foretold what was to follow throughout the remainder of these proceedings,” the board wrote. The panel expressed frustration over the litany of excuses for the failure to comply. The blame, it said, rests solely with lottery officials. “No matter who Respondent seeks to blame, there are only two parties to this litigation: Sci Games and MLGCA,” the board wrote. “Respondent is solely responsible for its own failure and/or refusal to obey the Board’s Orders even if satisfying its obligations may depend in part on the cooperation of third parties.” Courtesy of Maryland Matters
	Register now for World's Largest Polio Walk that will start in Moline Registration is now open (and free) for the Quad Cities edition of The World’s Largest Polio Walk on Oct. 24. The walk, expected to draw hundreds of Quad Cities area participants, will start at 10 a.m. at Vibrant Arena in Moline. To register for free, visit here. Organizers of the walk also are seeking polio [...]
	River’s Edge could reopen in mid-October as mold cleanup continues The arena closed on Sept. 11, with the city initially estimating the closure would last between four and five weeks.
	Safer Foundation plans trivia night fundraiser The Safer Foundation Trivia Night will be Friday, Oct. 16, at the Columbus Club, 111 W. 35th St., Davenport. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with trivia play starting at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $15 per person, $120 for a table of eight. Bring you own snacks. A cash bar is available on site. There [...]
	Coroner identifies woman killed in Moline crash One person is dead after a single vehicle crash Saturday morning in Moline.
	Iowa DNR reminds hunters about new deer stand tags law Officials urge deer hunters in Iowa to remember a new law this hunting season.
	Junior Achievement celebrates 70 years with open house, volunteer push Our local chapter serves more than 65,000 children each year across 24 of our local counties. To keep the program going though, they need more classroom volunteers.
	Junior Achievement of the Heartland celebrating 70 years The organization helps set local students up for success by teaching real-world skills.
	Blood pressure medication recalled nationwide under FDA's Class II risk level If you are one of millions of Americans taking medication to lower blood pressure, you may want to check the label.
	Muscatine Fire Department will host public-safety open house One of the community’s most popular annual events, the Muscatine Public Safety Open House, will be held from noon until 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, at the Public Safety Building, 312 East 5th St. The event will be hosted by the Muscatine Fire Department. The event offers residents and visitors of all ages a chance [...]
	GLP-1s popularity surges: Patient, doctors weigh benefits and risks More information on the popular GLP-1 drug recently attributed to Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.
	QCA freshman earns WIU President's Scholarship Freshman Alexis Brown of Wapello, Iowa, has been named a recipient of the Western Illinois University President's Scholarship, in conjunction with the AIM High Commitment scholarship, a news release says. These scholarships cover four years of tuition, fees, a double residence hall room and a standard board for eight semesters. "We are proud to recognize [...]
	Iowa candidates criticize Trump-featured ads paid for by U.S. government Iowa Republicans and Democrats are criticizing President Donald Trump for the use of taxpayer dollars on television ads featuring him.
	Burlington awarded over $6M to build a fire station for the Army Ammunition Plant The City of Burlington was awarded over $6.7 million from the Department of War to build a fire station for the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant.
	Early look at the weather forecast for Iowa vs Ohio State football game at Kinnick Stadium After the thrilling finish for Iowa at Michigan, it's another HUGE game coming up for the Hawkeyes on Saturday! It's Ohio State vs Iowa in a battle of top 15 ranked teams this weekend. As of early this week, we'll say the weather looks OK for Saturday. It won't be as nice as our Monday [...]
	How Iowa homeowners can work to prevent more flooding as rain returns Experts recommend checking gutters, grading and sump pumps before the next storm
	Moline woman dead after crash near entrance to QC International Airport 22-year-old Malak Bouhafid was pronounced dead on scene. Another occupant was hospitalized.
	Musco Sports Center in Muscatine wins Iowa All-Star Community Award! The Musco Sports Center is the largest inflatable sports dome in all of Iowa.
	Stumphy's Captain's Table coming to familiar building in Moline New life, and a new last name, is coming to the Captain's Table building.
	States, FTC secure settlement in suit against Corteva pesticide loyalty programs The lawsuit alleged the company was operating a pesticide loyalty program that violated monopoly laws.
	Catch 'Rock of Ages' at the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse! The production runs from now through Nov. 7, with showtimes available on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
	Victims IDed in fatal Scott County crash from Saturday night A 19-year-old McCausland man and an 18-year-old from Davenport were both killed when another driver hit their car at a rural Scott County intersection.
	Help those with eating disorders at Amy's Gift QCA eating disorder conference You can help promote awareness, understanding, diagnosis and treatment for eating disorders in our community. Stephanie Burrough joined Our Quad Cities News with details on the Quad Cities Eating Disorder Conference hosted by Amy's Gift. For more information, click here.
	Largest-ever U.S. steel plant coming to Iowa, White House says Mesabi Metallics plans a $15 billion investment that will create 1,750 new jobs, the White House says
	Victims identified in fatal Scott County crash Saturday night A 19-year-old McCausland man and an 18-year-old from Davenport were both killed when another driver hit their car at a rural Scott County intersection.
	Muscatine Co. Sheriff looking for 3 people in connection to scrap metal theft Deputies went to Nichols, Iowa, for scrap metal being stolen from a business just before 6 a.m. Sunday, according to a Facebook post.
	Harlem Globetrotters bring Rivalry Tour to Vibrant Arena in January The world-famous Harlem Globetrotters are bringing the Harlem Globetrotters: Rivalry Tour to the Vibrant Arena in Moline on January 7, 2027. This tour features a whole new game, a new lineup of rivals, all-new challenges and a free pre-game tip-off party for fans. Tickets for the show go on sale to the general public on [...]
	Death Notice: Jamie Peterman A celebration of life for Jamie Peterman, 39, will be held from 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at the McCausland Fire Station, 307 N. Salina St., McCausland. The Runge Mortuary, Davenport, is assisting the family with arrangements. Ms. Peterman died Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. Memorials may be made to the Sophia and Emma Dexter Educational Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.rungemortuary.com. A full obituary will appear in the Sept. 30 edition of The NSP.
	Edmunds ranks the best SUVs for parents Finding the right family SUV shouldn't feel like a second job. Edmunds tested features like third-row access and infotainment ease of use to find today's top SUVs for parents. The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid is the current gold standard, but taste and budget are personal. If the Palisade isn't your speed, don’t worry — this list has narrowed down the field to the SUVs that blend safety and the practical "how-did-I-live-without-this" versatility every parent needs.Methodology: Edmunds’ philosophy for what makes a great car for parents isn't just about meeting "dynamic needs" on paper; it's about whether you can easily reach the back seat, if the trunk actually fits a week's worth of groceries, and if the safety tech offers real peace of mind. Testers installed car seats, loaded up double strollers, and saw how the vehicles handled the real-world chaos of the school drop-off line. After juggling daily errands, weekend road trips, and plenty of messy snacks in the cabin, here’s a narrowed-down list for you, sorted by size.2-row small SUVsFor families of five or fewer, a two-row SUV hits that sweet spot of functionality without the bulk. Testers have packed these trunks with items like strollers and science fair projects, and they handle it all with ease. Plus, they're generally lighter on fuel — saving you from those constant, expensive trips to the pump that the bigger models demand.Hyundai KonaThe 2026 Hyundai Kona can easily handle your kids and gear, making this extra-small SUV feel much larger than it actually is. The sophisticated safety tech is a huge win for parental peace of mind during chaotic school runs. Testers did find the base engine a little sluggish when merging onto the highway, but aside from a ride that can be a bit jittery over bumps — something to watch out for if you have a napping toddler — there really isn't much to complain about in this family-friendly package.Edmunds Rating: 7.9 (out of 10)Starting MSRP + destination charge: $27,100Hyundai Tucson HybridAfter driving the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, testers believe it strikes the Goldilocks sweet spot for families: It's spacious enough to accommodate a bulky car seat in the back without requiring the front seat to be slid forward. And it's much easier to park at the grocery store than a larger three-row SUV. Testers were also impressed by the numerous driver assist features that come standard. When you're distracted by kids in the back, having that extra layer of safety tech feels like a genuine relief.Though merging onto a highway required a heavy foot and a bit of patience, the Tucson feels tailor-made for the daily grind.Edmunds Rating: 8.7 (out of 10)Starting MSRP + destination charge: $32,950Honda CR-VIt doesn't take long behind the wheel to see why the Honda CR-V is the gold standard for so many families — it just makes the daily grind easier. That 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space is a game changer; you can toss in bulky sports bags and school projects without having to play Tetris in the trunk. The rear seat is spacious enough that you won't have kids kicking the back of your seat, and the generous padding keeps everyone comfortable on longer drives. Plus, the impressive fuel economy, especially on the hybrid, is a huge relief for the family budget.Edmunds Rating: 7.5 (out of 10)Starting MSRP + destination charge: $32,3702-row midsize SUVsMidsize two-row SUVs offer an excellent balance of spacious interiors with manageable size, making them ideal for parents who need a bit more room for kids and cargo without the bulk of a larger vehicle.Honda PassportIf you've outgrown your small SUV but aren't ready to captain a massive three-row ship, the Passport is the sweet spot. Testers found it offers that "just right" manageable size without sacrificing the luxuries parents crave, like ventilated seats and tri-zone climate control to stop the backseat bickering over temperature.What really sold the testers, though, was the interior practicality that includes a decent number of shelves and cubbies — enough for every stray toy and snack pouch. Plus, with the V6 engine and standard all-wheel drive, you will feel confident navigating muddy soccer field parking lots and merging onto the highway.Edmunds Rating: 7.5 (out of 10)Starting MSRP + destination charge: $46,445Mazda CX-70Mazda has always been the brand for parents who refuse to drive a boring appliance, and the 2026 CX-70 continues that tradition. While it technically fills the gap between the CX-50 and the three-row CX-90, Edmunds’ time with the vehicle revealed it's essentially a CX-90 with the third row removed. For a family of four or five, this is brilliant: You get the stunning styling and confident, fun-to-drive nature of a flagship SUV, but instead of crammed-in extra seats you'll rarely use, you get a maximized cargo area. It shares the same powerful hybrid options and premium features as its bigger sibling, making it feel like a luxury upgrade for the daily school run.Edmunds Rating: 6.8 (out of 10)Starting MSRP + destination charge: $44,2803-row SUVsThese alternatives to minivans offer spacious seating that accommodates large families or groups, making them better suited for carpooling and road trips. With advanced safety features and ample cargo space, these SUVs provide the practicality and peace of mind that every busy parent needs.Hyundai Palisade HybridAs the Best of the Best Edmunds Top Rated award winner for 2026, the Hyundai Palisade Hybrid three-row SUV swaps the standard V6 engine for a punchy, fuel-efficient turbocharged hybrid powertrain that doesn't just save you trips to the pump — it actually drives better, too. Inside, the cabin feels like a high-end lounge, featuring a massive 12.3-inch curved display and a layout designed for the reality of parenting. Whether you're navigating a tight parking lot with the high-res 360-degree camera or installing bulky rear-facing car seats (which fit with room to spare), the Palisade Hybrid handles the parent-life grind with a level of refinement that rival SUVs costing twice as much possess.Edmunds Rating: 8.3 (out of 10)Starting MSRP + destination charge: $45,760Toyota Grand Highlander HybridNamed Edmunds Top Rated SUV for 2025, the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid version is the true MVP for families — it offers that massive interior space without the painful gas bill. The Hybrid shares its nonhybrid sibling's roomy seating, comfortable ride and ample feature content. You can prioritize the budget with the standard 245-horsepower hybrid or opt for the punchier 362-hp Hybrid Max if you need serious passing power for fully loaded road trips. Additionally, for 2025, Toyota has made it easier to find the perfect fit with a new, more affordable LE trim and a stylish Nightshade Edition that helps you stand out in the carpool line.Edmunds Rating: 7.8 (out of 10)Starting MSRP + destination charge: $47,105Hyundai Santa FeThe Hyundai Santa Fe introduced a complete redesign in 2024, and that boxy shape translates to serious practicality for a family. The taller roofline means you won't bump your head while putting in a car seat, and the now-standard third row is ideal for occasional carpooling. While the turbocharged engine offers plenty of zip, the hybrid option is the one testers would choose to save money on those endless city errands. But the features that genuinely won Edmunds over? The UV-C sterilization tray in the dashboard. Being able to toss in your phone or a dropped pacifier and have it sanitized while you drive is a great germ-fighting parent hack.Edmunds Rating: 7.5 (out of 10)Starting MSRP + destination charge: $36,650Kia TellurideNamed Edmunds Top Rated SUV for 2021 and 2022, it's no surprise the Kia Telluride has dominated rankings for years. After getting behind the wheel of the second-generation model, testers confirm it is still an ultimate sanity-saver for families. It manages to feel upscale and serene — the cabin is quiet enough to preserve a toddler's nap — while remaining practical enough for the daily grind. The real game changer is the accessibility: The one-touch sliding seats mean you are not wrestling with heavy levers to get kids into the third row. Plus, with 22.3 cubic feet of trunk space behind that third row, you don't have to choose between hauling the double stroller or the groceries — it all fits. Add in the V6 power for confident merging and available ventilated second-row seats, and you have an SUV that genuinely caters to everyone on board.Edmunds Rating: 7.5 (out of 10)Starting MSRP + destination charge: $40,735Luxury SUVsLuxury SUVs seamlessly blend elegance with practicality, offering sophisticated interiors, advanced safety features, and ample space to meet the needs of families. These vehicles provide a premium driving experience, ensuring comfort and convenience while maintaining top-notch performance and reliability.Genesis GV70The 2026 Genesis GV70 is the SUV Edmunds would recommend to parents who want to feel like they're driving a luxury sports car, not a family hauler. Unlike its German rivals, which offer boxy versions for maximum utility, the GV70 is committed to an aggressive, swoopy roofline. Edmunds testing found that you will need to be strategic about packing the trunk — bulky strollers or tall boxes simply won't clear the angled rear glass. However, once you sit in the driver's seat, you might forgive the cargo compromise. The interior feels like a high-end sanctuary, packed with standard luxury tech that makes the school run feel like a spa day, all for a price that undercuts the competition.Edmunds Rating: 7.8 (out of 10)Starting MSRP + destination charge: $50,480Mercedes-Benz GLEThe Mercedes-Benz GLE is one of the top midsize luxury SUVs available today. It features a top-notch interior, exceptional build quality, helpful driver aids, and a diverse lineup of engines, including a hybrid option. But the real win is the optional massage function — turning it on during a stressful school pickup line.Those add-ons, alongside the excellent climate control system, provide a truly relaxing experience. And what parent wouldn't want a bit of zen in the middle of carpooling?The GLE's cargo space is comparable to its competitors. The back seat is spacious enough that even your bulkiest rear-facing car seat doesn't force the front passenger into the dashboard. Whether you choose the hybrid for efficiency or a gas model, both drive like a dream.Edmunds Rating: 7.9 (out of 10)Starting MSRP + destination charge: $63,600Electric SUVsElectric SUVs offer parents an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative, combining the spaciousness and safety features of traditional SUVs with reduced emissions and improved fuel efficiency.Hyundai Ioniq 9The new Hyundai Ioniq 9 brings a dedicated electric three-rower to the school run, and after testing it, it's a serious contender for families ready to ditch gas. You can configure it with a bench for seven or captain's chairs for six. The real relief for families, however, is the range. Hyundai quotes 335 miles, but in real-world driving, it performed even better, meaning you can tackle days of shuttling without needing a plug. And when testers did need to top up on a road trip, the 24-minute fast-charging time was just enough for a bathroom break and a round of snacks before hitting the road again.Edmunds Rating: 8.4 (out of 10)Starting MSRP + destination charge: $60,605Kia EV9The Kia EV9 holds the coveted Edmunds Top Rated EV SUV and Best of the Best awards for 2024. And it's easy to see why. It's an excellent choice for parents thanks to its spacious three-row seating, which accommodates larger families with ease. Plus, the EV9's value proposition is strong, with even the entry-level model loaded with desirable features.The EV9 boasts impressive safety features, including advanced driver assistance systems, while its all-electric powertrain delivers a quiet, smooth ride and significant fuel savings. Additionally, its modern infotainment system, cushy interior, and ample cargo space make it highly suitable for everyday errands and long family road trips alike.Edmunds Rating: 8.2 (out of 10)Starting MSRP + destination charge: $56,545Tesla Model YThe Tesla Model Y was one of the first fully electric compact crossovers to hit the market, and it's essentially the standard by which all other entrants are judged, and for good reason. It's spacious, relatively comfortable, and packed with plenty of technology features that most Tesla owners love.Parents will love its impressive EPA-estimated range (of over 300 miles), making this an easy daily family hauler. And while its third row is really only suitable for small children, the cutting-edge safety features, versatile cargo space, and price make this a good option for families.Edmunds Rating: 8.2 (out of 10)Starting MSRP + destination charge: $41,630This story was produced by Edmunds and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Nursing home cited for violations after resident dies by suicide A Montgomery County nursing home has been cited by the state for violations related to a resident’s death by suicide.
	Burney Sisters, Rebel Eves play Ca d’Zan House Concerts Enjoy an evening of roots-driven music as the Burney Sisters join Grace Theisen, Jilian Linklater and Carolyn Koebel of the Rebel Eves on Sunday, Oct. 4 at Ca d’Zan House Concerts in Cambridge. The all-ages show is presented by Crossroads Cultural Connections and starts with an optional potluck dinner at 6 p.m., followed by the [...]
	SCAM ALERT: Bureau County sheriff warns of door-to-door Ameren scam The Bureau County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents of an alleged scammer going door-to-door.

Tuesday, September 29th, 2026

Monday, September 28th, 2026