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

Saturday, August 1st, 2026
	Iowa vape registry law upheld Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird touted a recent court win for her office. Iowa won a lawsuit that vacates the injunction preventing enforcement of Iowa's vape registry law. House File 2677 created an official state directory to regulate the distribution and sale of vapor products in Iowa by creating a directory of approved vapor products. [...]
	Fungal disease impacting corn crops hits Iowa IOWA -- More cases of a destructive fungal disease have been found in Iowa corn crops. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach announced last week that cases of southern rust were confirmed in Benton, Mahaska, Muscatine and Louisa counties on July 21. On Friday, the Crop Protection Network map shows cases have been found in [...]
	Puppy love! Six litters now in QCA foster care Six litters of puppies are now in foster homes and under the care of the Quad City Animal Welfare Center. Our Quad Cities News photojournalist Gabe Zwierzynski spoke with a woman fostering one of those litters and found what all it will take to get the puppies ready for adoption. For more from the Quad [...]
	Moline man charged with allegedly using AI to create child sex abuse materials A Moline man is charged with allegedly creating child sex abuse materials using artificial intelligence.
	Davenport man sentenced to 17 years in prison in four felony cases He was sentenced to 17 years in prison after pleading guilty in two shooting cases, as well as to eluding and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
	Overnight Russian barrage kills nine in Kyiv, as air defense struggle with U.S. continues Ballistic missiles tore into five districts of the Ukrainian capital before dawn Saturday. President Trump is now walking back a promised boost to Ukraine's missile defense systems.
	Illinois FRESH Program gives one-time payments to people who lost SNAP benefits The program is aimed at people who couldn't qualify for new federal work requirements to continue receiving SNAP benefits.
	Death Notice: James Weibel A memorial service celebrating the life of James L. Weibel, 82, of Long Grove, will be held Monday, Aug. 10, at 10 a.m. at Chambers Funeral Home, Eldridge. Visitation will be Sunday, Aug. 9, from 2-5 p.m. at the funeral home. Mr. Weibel died Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in DeWitt. Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army, Humility Homes & Services or to a charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be made at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com. A full obituary will appear in the Aug. 5 edition of The NSP.
	Spain's Pedro Sánchez was a hero of migrants. After Ceuta, he faces his biggest challenge The pro-immigration leader is facing backlash at home and abroad after roughly 60,000 people crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave.
	OneTable QC to host free workshop on nonprofit burnout OneTable QC will host a free community event on Aug. 4 exploring new research on nonprofit burnout and fortitude, featuring nationally recognized leadership and healthcare experts. Registration is required due to limited seating.
	Girl reported missing in Scott Co. found, deputies confirm The Scott County Sheriff's Office confirmed the news on Saturday.
	2 downtown Muscatine buildings collapse overnight City officials confirmed it happened just before midnight.
	Buildings collapse overnight in Muscatine Two of the buildings evacuated in Muscatine late last year collapsed late Friday during heavy rainfall. The collapses were captured on video and shared on social media by nearby businesses The Coffee Belt and The Merrill Soap Company. Mayor Brad Bark visited the scene Saturday morning and used a drone to assess the scene and [...]
	Quad City Music Guild presents "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" Quad City Music Guild presents "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee." According to a release, Quad City Music Guild is ending its summer shows with the winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless [...]
	Clinton Public Library hosting community appreciation celebration The Clinton Public Library is celebrating a new enhancement for its library spaces. The public is invited to a community appreciation celebration on Wednesday, August 19 at 9 a.m. at the Clinton Public Library, 306 8th Avenue S. The event will celebrate the generosity of the Clinton County Development Association (CCDA) for its furniture grant [...]
	Police: LeClaire man inappropriately touched, filmed children A judge set his bond at $500,000 cash-only.
	Beyond Genetics Gym new home with Mississippi view The new gym is much larger with a great view of the Mississippi River.
	Dave Herrell appointed to Destinations International Board of Directors Since joining Visit Quad Cities, Herrell has helped position the bi-state region as a nationally recognized premier destination.
	They call it 'a dream fulfilled' -- new homes designed for (and by) slum residents It's a bold new experiment and it's already won a prize. Residents in a jam-packed slum, many of them living in one-room tin shacks, help design their apartments in a brand new building.
	How these slum dwellers went from one-room shacks to beautiful new apartments It's a bold new experiment and it's already won a prize. Residents in a jam-packed slum, many of them living in one-room tin shacks, help design their apartments in a brand new building.
	Memories of Muscatine: Ralph J. Wittich Funeral Home This week for Memories of Muscatine: the former location of Ralph J Wittich Funeral Home.
	Pleasant Valley school counselors work together to write book on career exploration They hope the book will help counselors and educators around the Quad-Cities and across the country.
	FDA weighs a new kind of flu shot based on technology RFK Jr. has questioned The FDA is poised to render a decision on Moderna's mRNA-based flu shot, which could be the first of its kind to market. The decision is expected to reverberate throughout the biotech industry.
	Pritzker signs law targeting ‘addictive algorithms’ and social media use for Illinois minors Gov. Pritzker has signed the Children’s Social Media Safety Act, which bans targeted feeds and late-night notifications for Illinois users under 18.
	The Black Box Theatre presents "PUFFS or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic" The Black Box Theatre presents “PUFFS or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic.” According to a release from The Black Box Theatre: For all of the Potterphiliacs who grew up alongside Potter and want to revisit that world, "PUFFS" exudes a jovial, slapstick energy for all things Harry! You think you [...]
	Spring This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.Early each March, we Rock Islanders who plan to attend the spring concert begin taking our places in the amphitheater…
	Death toll in Spain border crisis reaches 67 as tens of thousands cross back in to Morocco The death toll in Spain's Ceuta border crisis with Morocco has climbed to 67. They included some who drowned and some who were killed in a stampede to cross a breakwater barrier.
	For sale: early access to Trump's Truth Social posts The president's media company is offering investors early access to his Truth Social feed for up to $100,000 a month. Experts say the service may violate insider trading laws.
	Inmate convicted in 1991 murder dies in Coralville prison Harry Sisco was sentenced in 1991 for murdering 41-year-old mother Audrey “Elaine” St. Clair.
	CBI Bank & Trust announces new mortgage loan originator CBI Bank & Trust has announced that Lindsay Trumbull has joined the organization as mortgage loan originator, a news release says. Trumbull brings more than 18 years of experience, most recently as the director of membership at the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Prior to that, she was a client services coach at Iowa [...]
	EveryChild invites families to Babies & Bumps, Rock Island EveryChild is inviting expectant parents and families with infants up to three months old to attend Babies & Bumps, a free community event designed to celebrate growing families while connecting them with valuable resources and support. The event will be10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at EveryChild, 420 23rd St., Rock Island. Families will enjoy [...]
Friday, July 31st, 2026
	Illinois FRESH Program gives one-time payments to those who lost SNAP benefits The program is aimed at people who couldn't qualify for new federal work requirements to continue receiving SNAP benefits.
	Rock Island police announce missing juveniles have been found According to police, J'Vaiya and Nyijae were last seen around Ninth Street and 21st Avenue in Rock Island.
	Helping Children Manage Back-to-School Anxiety (NewsUSA) - As the summer winds down, many children look forward to the back-to-school season and the excitement of a new school year. However, for other children, transitioning to structured routines, managing academic pressures, and the fear of fitting in can cause significant anxiety. In fact, a recent survey found that 64% of children's worries are school-related.According to cognitive neuroscientist Robert Alexander, Ph.D., assistant professor of counseling and wellness at New York Institute of Technology, “our brains are prediction machines, and our nervous systems constantly try to anticipate what will happen next, so that we can respond appropriately and stay safe. The beginning of a new school year disrupts many of those predictions all at once—old routines are broken, expectations and environments change, children are presented with new classrooms, teachers, classmates, and other daily adjustments.”While some nervousness during transitions is developmentally normal, for children who are already prone to anxiety, returning to school can be especially overwhelming. Alexander reminds parents to know the signs, which may not always be obvious.“Children often express anxiety indirectly,” he says, noting that common signs can include changes in sleep, irritability, difficulty concentrating, appetite changes, clinginess, or social withdrawal. As he explains, the best way to reduce anxiety is to prepare.“Preparation helps make things more predictable and allows us to adapt to changes. Visiting the school, discussing routines, and gradually re-establishing bedtimes before classes begin can all help children feel more secure. Sleep, in particular, plays a major role in emotional regulation and stress resilience,” says Alexander.As parents often set the emotional tone of the household, they should be aware that their reactions also matter. “Children often look to adults for cues on how they should respond to a situation. Responding with calm confidence can send a powerful message of safety,” Alexander explains.In addition, children can practice simple calming techniques, such as slow and controlled breathing, to address overwhelming feelings in the moment. Alexander recommends a simple pattern of inhaling for four seconds and exhaling for six. However, as children head back to school, he advises parents to avoid fully eliminating their child’s anxiety, as a healthy amount can encourage resiliency.“Confidence grows through small wins. Knowing that you can handle a situation can help you deal with future situations more effectively,” Alexander says. “When children successfully introduce themselves to a new friend, find their new classroom, or survive their first week at a new school, they learn that they are capable in those environments. But children who are prone to anxiety may need some extra help moving through those feelings successfully.”Alexander is one of many New York Tech faculty members lending their expertise to help tackle real-world challenges. Visit nyit.edu to learn more.
	Two QC children found, police say Rock Island Police said two children missing Friday night have been found.
	FIFA scraps controversial deal to sell stakes in World Cup to private investors FIFA abandoned a plan to create a commercial venture and then sell stakes to minority investors, just days after unveiling it. The plan drew sharp condemnation — and a boycott from European nations.
	Possible explosive device found in Warren Co. home, Sheriff says Officers in Warren County searched a home Friday afternoon after finding a possible homemade explosive device.
	Local law enforcement looking for three QC children Three children are reported missing in the Quad Cities Friday night.
	Downtown Davenport quiet zones move closer as rail crossing upgrades near completion Davenport has nearly finished upgrades needed for downtown railroad quiet zones, but final approval still rests with federal regulators.
	Mercer County Superintendent found not guilty on all charges Superintendent Timothy Farquer was found not guilty on eight charges alleging he illegally accessed students’ medical files.
	Downtown Davenport quiet zones move closer Davenport has nearly finished upgrades needed for downtown railroad quiet zones, but final approval still rests with federal regulators.
	Special Weather Statement until FRI 7:30 PM CDT Heavy Rain and Thunderstorms Causing Minor Flooding in Parts of Iowa and Illinois
	Scott County law enforcement searching for missing teen The Scott County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's assistance locating 14-year-old Ellyzabeth Bristol.
	Davenport former 'Love After Lockup' cast member sentenced to 15 years in prison A Davenport woman, who appeared on “Love After Lockup,” was sentenced to a 15-year prison term as a habitual offender on fraud and theft convictions.
	Missing teen reported out of Scott County The Scott County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's assistance locating 14-year-old Ellyzabeth Bristol.
	Prosecutors move to dismiss Reflecting Pool vandalism case, saying 'botched installation' to blame The government had accused David Hearn of ripping a piece of sealant after a $14 million renovation. Hearn has repeatedly said that he simply touched the water in the pool out of curiosity last month.
	Two former attorneys who oversaw Iowa’s Medicaid fraud enforcement say Gov. Kim Reynolds’ newly created Medicaid Fraud Elimination Task Force is unnecessary and a misuse of resources. Two former attorneys who oversaw Iowa’s Medicaid fraud enforcement say Gov. Kim Reynolds’ newly created Medicaid Fraud Elimination Task Force is unnecessary and a misuse of resources.
	Damarian Jones to argue self-defense in Iowa City pedestrian mall shooting Jones is accused of shooting 5, just off the University of Iowa's campus.
	A wet end to July with a wet start to August After a fairly dry July, we are ending things off with some much-needed rain in the Quad Cities on this Friday. We have already received an inch of rain from this morning's showers but could see more from a second round of showers and storms for later tonight. These storms are looking to continue through [...]
	Special Weather Statement until FRI 6:30 PM CDT Heavy Rain and Thunderstorms Impacting Western Counties Until 6:30 PM CDT
	Cyclospora cases rise across Iowa The number of cyclospora cases continue to climb across Iowa, with health officials now reporting more than 200 confirmed infections across 48 counties. Officials are reminding residents to watch for symptoms and follow safe food handling practices.
	Mercer County Schools superintendent acquitted in student medical records case The judge acquitted Timothy Farquer after ruling that the prosecution failed to present enough evidence in the case.
	Bix Jazz Festival continues at Rhythm City Casino The Chicago Cellar Boys are set to take the stage on Friday night.
	UAW responds after Deere rejects contract counteroffer The UAW is pushing back after John Deere rejected the union's counteroffer on a proposed contract extension.
	Roger Craig’s longtime teammate, friend to present at Hall of Fame enshrinement When Roger Craig is enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 8th, his longtime teammate Jamie Williams will serve as his presenter, putting the gold jacket onto Craig.
	Crews respond to Geneseo pole barn building fire The Colona Fire Department responded to a structure fire on the 7200 block of North 2200th Avenue Thursday evening.
	Illinois bill to protect children online Governor JB Pritzker signed a bill designed to protect children online and limit their access to addictive social media algorithms. Illinois' Children’s Social Media Safety Act (House Bill 5511) requires social media companies to verify a child's age on its operating system and use stricter features for minors, like limiting location-sharing and nighttime notifications. Supporters [...]
	ACLU of Iowa concerned about poor oversight of school resource officers The ACLU of Iowa reports poor oversight of school resource officers is a growing concern, warning they may do more harm than good for some students. The nonprofit highlighted racial disparities across some Iowa school districts, including here in the QCA, due to poor oversight of school resource officers. The ACLU claims Black students and [...]
	KWQC, Davenport Schools Foundation team up for school-supplies drive Donors can easily drop off high-demand school supplies from their cars on Aug. 7 at the Brady Street studio to help Davenport students in need.
	Death Notice: Timothy Reickard A memorial service for Timothy Martin Reickard, 81, of Eldridge, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at Eldridge United Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Mr. Reickard died Thursday, July 30, 2026, at the University of Iowa Hospitals, Iowa City. Memorials may be made to the Ronald McDonald House in Chicago, or to Eldridge United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be made at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com. A full obituary will appear in the Aug. 5 edition of The NSP.
	Más allá del impulso de proteína: Puede que te falten dos nutrientes importantes de tu dieta Sorry, but your browser does not support the video tag. var bptVideoPlayer = document.getElementById("bptVideoPlayer"); if (bptVideoPlayer) { var cssText = "width: 100%;"; cssText += " background: url('" + bptVideoPlayer.getAttribute("poster") + "');"; cssText += " -webkit-background-size: cover;"; cssText += " -moz-background-size: cover;"; cssText += " -o-background-size: cover;"; cssText += " background-size: cover;"; bptVideoPlayer.style.cssText = cssText; var bptVideoPlayerContainer = document.getElementById("bptVideoPlayerContainer"); if (bptVideoPlayerContainer) { setTimeout(function () { bptVideoPlayerContainer.style.cssText = "display: block; position: relative; margin-bottom: 10px;"; var isIE = navigator.userAgent.match(/ MSIE(([0 - 9] +)(\.[0 - 9] +) ?) /); var isEdge = navigator.userAgent.indexOf("Edge") > -1 \|\| navigator.userAgent.indexOf("Trident") > -1; if (isIE \|\| isEdge) { fixVideoPoster(); } }, 1000); } var bptVideoPlayButton = document.getElementById("bptVideoPlayButton"); if (bptVideoPlayButton) { bptVideoPlayButton.addEventListener("click", function () { bptVideoPlayer.play(); }, false); bptVideoPlayer.addEventListener("play", function () { bptVideoPlayButton.style.cssText = "display: none;"; }, false); } var mainImage = document.getElementById("mainImageImgContainer_sm"); if (mainImage) { mainImage.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } var mainImage = document.getElementById("photo-noresize"); if (mainImage) { mainImage.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } var assetGallery = document.getElementsByClassName("asset_gallery")[0]; if (assetGallery) { assetGallery.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } var assetGallery = document.getElementsByClassName("trb_article_leadart")[0]; if (assetGallery) { assetGallery.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } var assetGallery = document.querySelectorAll("[src='https://d372qxeqh8y72i.cloudfront.net/4edf33b9-23a0-4947-ad83-3ade52c9a5a3_web.jpg']")[0]; if (assetGallery) { assetGallery.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } } function fixVideoPoster() { var videoPlayer = document.getElementById("bptVideoPlayer"); var videoPoster = document.getElementById("bptVideoPoster"); fixVideoPosterPosition(videoPlayer, videoPoster, true); window.onresize = function() { fixVideoPosterPosition(videoPlayer, videoPoster); }; videoPoster.onclick = function() { videoPlayer.play(); videoPoster.style.display = "none"; }; videoPlayer.onplay = function() { videoPoster.style.display = "none"; }; } function fixVideoPosterPosition(videoPlayer, videoPoster, display) { setTimeout(function () { var videoPosition = videoPlayer.getBoundingClientRect(); videoPoster.style.position = "absolute"; videoPoster.style.top = "0"; videoPoster.style.left = "0"; videoPoster.style.width = videoPlayer.offsetWidth + "px"; videoPoster.style.height = (videoPlayer.offsetHeight + 20) + "px"; if (display) { videoPoster.style.display = "inline"; } }, 1010); } (BPT) - Puntos claveLos adultos hispanos tienen mayores probabilidades de desarrollar diabetes tipo 2 que los adultos no hispanos.Un alimento básico de la cocina hispana como los aguacates ofrece fibra y grasas saludables que pueden ayudarte a sentir lleno por más tiempo, controlar el azúcar en la sangre y tal vez prevenir la diabetes tipo 2.No solo pan tostado y guacamole: los aguacates son excelentes para cualquier comida, incluyendo desayunos y bocadillos. Prueba esta sensación veraniega: Pudín de chía con aguacate y arándanos en LoveOneToday.com/avocados.La fibra y las grasas saludables son actores clave para la salud metabólica general, lo cual es especialmente importante porque los adultos hispanos tienen mayores probabilidades de desarrollar diabetes tipo 2 y obesidad, dos condiciones que están estrechamente relacionadas, lo que hace que la nutrición sea una parte importante del apoyo a la salud a largo plazo. La buena noticia es que los aguacates, un alimento básico en casi todas las cocinas hispanas, facilitan obtener más de ambos nutrientes en cada bocado.La fibra y las grasas saludables forman un dúo poderoso", dijo la nutrióloga registrada y vocera de Aguacates - Love One Today, Marina Chaparro. "Juntos, estos nutrientes te ayudan a sentirte lleno por más tiempo, hacen que las comidas sean más satisfactorias y pueden ayudar a estabilizar tu azúcar en la sangre."Los científicos continúan investigando los beneficios para la salud del aguacate. Un estudio con más de 6,000 adultos hispanos, y apoyado por el Avocado Nutrition Center, encontró que las personas que comían aguacates con regularidad tenían un 28% menos de riesgo de desarrollar diabetes tipo 2 en comparación con quienes no comían aguacates. Esto sugiere que los aguacates pueden ser una parte importante de un patrón de alimentación saludable que apoye el manejo del azúcar en la sangre y el bienestar metabólico general. Esta investigación no prueba causa y efecto, pero señala posibles beneficios para la salud de los aguacates, especialmente para la población hispana.Cambiar tus hábitos alimenticios para incluir más de estos dos nutrientes clave puede ser fácil. Este verano, puedes establecer y cumplir metas diarias para comer más fibra y grasas saludables con un solo alimento entero: el aguacate fresco. Y hay muchas formas de disfrutar el aguacate a lo largo del día—desde licuados de desayuno y pudines de chía hasta bocadillos y salsas saciantes, paletas refrescantes e incluso productos horneados. Aguacates cremosos y deliciosos pueden facilitar alcanzar tus metas diarias de fibra y grasas saludables."Hay tantas recetas sencillas de aguacate para agregar sabor, variedad, nutrición y alegría a lo largo del día", dijo Chaparro. "Uno de mis nuevos favoritos es el Pudín de chía con aguacate y arándanos. Una porción de este delicioso pudín entrega grasas saludables y contiene la mitad de la cantidad diaria recomendada de fibra. ¡Un desayuno o bocadillo fácil y saciante! "Es momento de pensar más allá de la proteínaRecuerda, la proteína es importante, pero la brecha nutricional que los expertos priorizan cubrir es con fibra y grasas saludables. Un alimento que facilita obtener fibra y grasas saludables en cada bocado son los aguacates. Son una deliciosa adición a desayunos, bocadillos y comidas diarias. Para descubrir más formas de incorporar aguacates en tu dieta con recetas fáciles, visita LoveOneToday.com/avocados.
	Beyond the protein push: You may be missing two important nutrients from your diet Sorry, but your browser does not support the video tag. var bptVideoPlayer = document.getElementById("bptVideoPlayer"); if (bptVideoPlayer) { var cssText = "width: 100%;"; cssText += " background: url('" + bptVideoPlayer.getAttribute("poster") + "');"; cssText += " -webkit-background-size: cover;"; cssText += " -moz-background-size: cover;"; cssText += " -o-background-size: cover;"; cssText += " background-size: cover;"; bptVideoPlayer.style.cssText = cssText; var bptVideoPlayerContainer = document.getElementById("bptVideoPlayerContainer"); if (bptVideoPlayerContainer) { setTimeout(function () { bptVideoPlayerContainer.style.cssText = "display: block; position: relative; margin-bottom: 10px;"; var isIE = navigator.userAgent.match(/ MSIE(([0 - 9] +)(\.[0 - 9] +) ?) /); var isEdge = navigator.userAgent.indexOf("Edge") > -1 \|\| navigator.userAgent.indexOf("Trident") > -1; if (isIE \|\| isEdge) { fixVideoPoster(); } }, 1000); } var bptVideoPlayButton = document.getElementById("bptVideoPlayButton"); if (bptVideoPlayButton) { bptVideoPlayButton.addEventListener("click", function () { bptVideoPlayer.play(); }, false); bptVideoPlayer.addEventListener("play", function () { bptVideoPlayButton.style.cssText = "display: none;"; }, false); } var mainImage = document.getElementById("mainImageImgContainer_sm"); if (mainImage) { mainImage.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } var mainImage = document.getElementById("photo-noresize"); if (mainImage) { mainImage.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } var assetGallery = document.getElementsByClassName("asset_gallery")[0]; if (assetGallery) { assetGallery.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } var assetGallery = document.getElementsByClassName("trb_article_leadart")[0]; if (assetGallery) { assetGallery.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } var assetGallery = document.querySelectorAll("[src='https://d372qxeqh8y72i.cloudfront.net/de3c3c9c-f075-4a85-bd5d-5b67414896b9_web.jpg']")[0]; if (assetGallery) { assetGallery.style.cssText = "display: none;"; } } function fixVideoPoster() { var videoPlayer = document.getElementById("bptVideoPlayer"); var videoPoster = document.getElementById("bptVideoPoster"); fixVideoPosterPosition(videoPlayer, videoPoster, true); window.onresize = function() { fixVideoPosterPosition(videoPlayer, videoPoster); }; videoPoster.onclick = function() { videoPlayer.play(); videoPoster.style.display = "none"; }; videoPlayer.onplay = function() { videoPoster.style.display = "none"; }; } function fixVideoPosterPosition(videoPlayer, videoPoster, display) { setTimeout(function () { var videoPosition = videoPlayer.getBoundingClientRect(); videoPoster.style.position = "absolute"; videoPoster.style.top = "0"; videoPoster.style.left = "0"; videoPoster.style.width = videoPlayer.offsetWidth + "px"; videoPoster.style.height = (videoPlayer.offsetHeight + 20) + "px"; if (display) { videoPoster.style.display = "inline"; } }, 1010); } (BPT) - Key takeawaysProtein is making headlines right now, while most Americans overlook healthy fats and fiber. It's easy to get more of these important nutrients with avocados. The healthy fats and fiber in avocados help keep you fuller longer, help manage blood sugar and may help prevent type 2 diabetes.Not just toast and guac: Avocados are great for every meal including breakfast and snacks. Try this summer sensation: Avocado and Blueberry Chia Seed Pudding at LoveOneToday.com/avocados.Everyone seems to be focused on protein these days. The truth is that most people already get enough protein. But a recent report from the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee found that 95% of Americans fall short of consuming the recommended amounts of fiber to promote health and reduce the risk of chronic disease. At the same time, many also eat too much saturated fat versus unsaturated fat.Why fiber and healthy fats matterDietary fiber and healthy fats are key players in supporting overall metabolic health."Fiber and healthy fats are a powerful duo," said registered dietitian and Avocados -Love One Today spokesperson Marina Chaparro. "Together, these nutrients help you feel full longer, make meals more satisfying and can help steady your blood sugar."Scientists keep investigating the health benefits of avocado goodness. Avocados pull double duty by offering fiber and healthy fats in one nutrient-dense package, slowing digestion to help you feel fuller longer, which can offer weight management benefits, may help with type 2 diabetes management and play a role in blood sugar management. Additionally, if you're using a GLP-1, healthy avocados can help small meals feel more filling and satisfying while meeting your nutrient needs.In fact, according to a study of more than 27,000 adults, supported by the Avocado Nutrition Center and published in the journal "Internal Medicine Review," people who ate just over half of an avocado per day weighed 7.5 pounds less, had smaller waist sizes and tended to have healthier overall eating habits, including higher intakes of fiber and healthy fats, compared to people who didn't eat avocados. While these findings are encouraging, they show an association, not cause and effect, and thus more research is needed to confirm these findings in other populations.Avocados make it easyChanging your eating habits to include more fiber and healthy fats can be easy. This summer, you can set and meet daily goals for eating more of these two key nutrients with one whole food — fresh avocado. And there are so many ways to enjoy avocado throughout the day — from breakfast smoothies and chia puddings to satisfying snacks and dips, refreshing frozen treats and even baked goods. Creamy, delicious avocados can make it easy to hit your daily fiber and healthy fats goals."There are so many simple avocado recipes to add flavor, variety, nutrition and joy across the day," said Chaparro. "One new favorite for me is Avocado and Blueberry Chia Seed Pudding. One serving of this delicious pudding delivers healthy fats and contains half of the daily recommended amount of fiber. An easy, filling breakfast or snack!"It's time to think beyond proteinRemember, protein is important, but the nutrition gap experts are prioritizing to fill is with fiber and healthy fats. One food that makes it easier to get both fiber and healthy fats in each bite is avocados. They're a delicious addition to breakfasts, snacks and everyday meals. To discover more ways to incorporate avocados in your diet with easy recipes, head to LoveOneToday.com/avocados.
	Arconic matching donations to Hog Capital Wildlife Rescue Arconic encourages the community to help support Hog Capital Wildlife Rescue and Rehab during the final week of a special matching gift campaign. Arconic has pledged to match donations made to Hog Capital Wildlife Rescue and Rehab dollar-for-dollar, up to $5,000. So far, $1,635 in donations have been received, with thousands of dollars in matching [...]
	4 Your Money \| The Warning Light Wall Street analysts are closely monitoring a range of economic indicators that have historically served as early warning signs of a recession. David Nelson, CEO of NelsonCorp Wealth Management, explains the Treasury Yield Curve and why he thinks it is an indicator that investors should watch carefully.
	ACLU calls for ending school resource officers in Iowa Bettendorf has two police officers assigned to its schools — primarily stationed at Bettendorf High School and Bettendorf Middle School.
	One year after the European Accessibility Act, most businesses are still catching up One year after the European Accessibility Act, most businesses are still catching upEight years ago, GDPR became enforceable across the European Union. The first two years were quiet enough that plenty of organizations took the silence as a sign the urgency had been overstated. Then came Google's 50 million euro fine in 2019 and Meta's record-breaking 1.2 billion euro fine in 2023. The organizations that had waited were suddenly doing the work twice: the retrofit, the fine, and then the long process of earning back customer trust.The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is at that same point on the curve right now, AudioEye reports. And new data from AudioEye's 2026 Digital Accessibility Index shows just how much ground remains to close.One year in, the accessibility gap between EU and US sites is still wideAudioEye scanned more than 166,000 web pages across seven industries for its 2026 Digital Accessibility Index, including sites in both the U.S. and the EU. One year after the EAA took effect, EU sites average 25% more accessibility issues per page than their U.S. counterparts. That gap showed up across nearly every industry measured: EU professional services sites carry 44% more issues per page than comparable U.S. sites. Public and nonprofit organizations run 42% higher. Industrial and manufacturing sites are 41% behind.The one exception is tech. EU tech companies are essentially on par with U.S. tech companies, not because they prioritized accessibility for its own sake, but because their enterprise buyers required it. Procurement standards and B2B sales cycles pushed accessibility up the priority stack, and the gap closed. Every other industry is still waiting for that same pressure to arrive.It's worth noting that the same five Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) failures account for 40% of all detected issues globally: missing image alt text, inaccessible link labels, unlabeled buttons and form fields, insufficient color contrast, and missing keyboard skip navigation. These issues that prevent users from completing basic tasks are the same ones that appear most often in litigation.Enforcement is already underway across multiple countries and mechanismsThe EAA didn't produce a headline fine in year one. What it produced instead was something more instructive: enforcement starting in pieces, across different countries, through different mechanisms, on different timelines. That's exactly how GDPR started as well.Within days of the June 28, 2025, deadline, French disability organizations issued formal legal notices to four major retailers demanding their e-commerce platforms meet accessibility standards. When those responses proved inadequate, emergency injunctions followed in a French court. Those cases are still pending, but the precedent they set is significant: In France, civil society actors with legal standing are driving enforcement, on a timeline that doesn't run through a government agency.In Norway, a healthcare portal faced daily fines of 50,000 Norwegian kroner after an inspection found 119 accessibility errors. In Germany, e-commerce operators began receiving warning letters citing accessibility violations within weeks of the EAA taking effect. In the Netherlands, companies that failed to proactively report their accessibility compliance status to regulators by October 2025 are now flagged for follow-up audits.None of these is anything like the Meta fine. But neither was Google's 50 million euros, at the time.GDPR taught a lesson that goes beyond the fines. The cost of unpreparedness didn't start when enforcement arrived. It started the moment the gap existed, because users were already experiencing the consequences. The fine was the visible cost. The erosion of trust was the real one.The same dynamic applies to accessibility. According to the Click-Away Pound report, 71% of users with disabilities leave sites they find difficult to use, highlighting that often, the damage doesn't show up as a complaint but as a conversion that never happened, a customer who doesn't come back, a referral that never gets made.The organizations that moved early on GDPR avoided the fine, and something more valuable came with it: an audience their competitors couldn't buy back, and trust that took years to build. That's the choice sitting in front of every business right now: wait for the fines to come, or get ahead of them and build that same advantage. The EAA is one year in. The GDPR timeline took about five years to go from quiet enforcement to billion-euro fines. The businesses that act now will spend the next few years building trust.This story was produced by AudioEye and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Join the fight against Medicare fraud (BPT) - Medicare fraud isn't just a crime, it's a direct attack on your benefits, your taxpayer dollars and your personal medical records. That's why Medicare is taking action to stop fraud before it happens. But even with new tools and record-breaking enforcement efforts, Medicare needs your help.How you can help fight fraudOne of the most powerful weapons against Medicare fraud is you, an informed person with Medicare who knows how to spot a scam.Fraudsters are constantly looking for ways to steal Medicare numbers and use them to submit false claims for services that were never provided or never needed.Your Medicare number is valuable to criminals. If scammers gain access to it, they can bill Medicare in your name and leave false information in your medical records. That misinformation could interfere with your ability to receive the care you need.When you spot fraud — report it right away by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.The scams are getting bolderScammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated. They use phone calls, text messages, emails, social media and even door-to-door visits to target older Americans.One of the fastest-growing scams involves hospice and home health fraud. Scammers pose as salespeople and offer seemingly "free" services such as cooking, cleaning, medical equipment, transportation or nutritional products in exchange for your signature. Their goal is to get people with Medicare to sign paperwork that enrolls them in hospice or home health services they don't need. This allows scammers to bill Medicare while taking away access to care you may need in the future.Other common scams include:Fake genetic testing schemes – Offers for "free" DNA testing at health fairs, community events or over the phone in exchange for your Medicare number.Durable medical equipment fraud – Billing Medicare for wheelchairs, knee braces, back braces or other equipment you never received or never needed.The rule is simple: If someone offers you something for "free" in exchange for your Medicare number, it's a scam. Hang up. Delete the message. Walk away. And report it.Protect. Detect. Report.You can help stop Medicare fraud by following three simple steps:PROTECT your Medicare card like you would your Social Security number. Only share your Medicare number with trusted health care providers, hospitals or pharmacies. Medicare will never call you unexpectedly asking for your Medicare number.DETECT fraud by reviewing your Medicare claims statements. Make sure every service listed is one you received. Watch for red flags such as duplicate charges or services you don't recognize.REPORT suspicious activity immediately by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visiting Medicare.gov/Fraud. Reporting concerns quickly helps Medicare identify patterns and stop scammers before they can target others.Help keep Medicare strong — let's protect it togetherMedicare fraud costs taxpayers billions of dollars every year, but the damage goes beyond financial losses. Fraud can compromise medical records, undermine trust in the health care system and harm beneficiaries who depend on Medicare every day.By staying alert, safeguarding your Medicare information and reporting suspicious activity, you can help stop fraud before it starts.Get wise. Together, we can crush Medicare fraud.To learn more, visit www.medicare.gov/fraud. To report potential fraud, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
	Bettendorf district cited in new Iowa study of school resource officers A new study of school resource officers by the ACLU of Iowa shows there are problems with their presence, and Bettendorf is one district that shows racial disparities in student arrests and referrals.
	Mercer County School District superintendent acquitted of charges in student medical records case The judge acquitted Timothy Farquer after ruling that the prosecution failed to present enough evidence in the case.
	First Army hosting relinquishment of command, retirement ceremonies for Lt. Gen. Mark Landes First Army is hosting two military ceremonies next week outside Quarters One in honor of its departing commanding general. First Army is saying farewell to Commanding General Lt. Gen. Mark H. Landes during a relinquishment of command ceremony on August 7 at 9 a.m. Landes has led First Army since September 2024. He has served [...]
	Google adds AI to satellite images, raising fears of deepfakes in the sky Journalists, human rights advocates and open source analysts recoiled in horror at the move: "The opportunities for abuse and disinfo are literally boundless," said one.
	Google pauses AI satellite images, after fears of deepfakes in the sky Journalists, human rights advocates and open source analysts recoiled in horror at the initial decision: "The opportunities for abuse and disinfo are literally boundless," said one.
	Foldable synthetic molecules could infiltrate and bust apart the toxic protein clumps causing Parkinson’s Current therapies for Parkinson’s disease and related conditions primarily treat symptoms but don’t stop the underlying process causing the disease. Increasing evidence suggests that toxic clumps of proteins called alpha-synuclein are among the primary drivers of damage to neurons. My team and I developed a synthetic molecule that can block these proteins from clumping and spreading in the brains of mice, ultimately reducing symptoms of disease. This molecule, called SK-129, acts like a molecular brace: It binds to several parts of alpha-synuclein and holds the protein in a shape that makes it less likely to stick to other ones. It binds especially strongly to early forms of these toxic clumps, preventing them from growing and forming new ones. Why it matters Beyond SK-129, our research highlights the broader potential of the class of molecules to which it belongs: foldamers. Foldamers are laboratory-designed molecules that fold into predictable shapes, much like natural proteins. Because they’re so stable, scientists can tailor them to recognize and bind to specific biological targets. Alpha-synuclein make up the Lewy bodies (darker spots) that form in neurons in Parkinson’s. Suraj Rajan/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA This versatility is particularly important, because many proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases have long been considered “undruggable.” Unlike other disease proteins with pockets that conventional drugs can bind to, proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases, such as alpha-synuclein, are highly flexible and lack well-defined binding sites. Synthetic foldamers offer larger surfaces that can engage these difficult targets and disrupt the abnormal protein interactions that lead to toxic aggregation. Foldamers could open new treatment avenues not only for Parkinson’s disease, but also for other neurodegenerative disorders driven by toxic protein aggregation, including Alzheimer’s disease and ALS. What still isn’t known Although SK-129 showed strong promise in its ability to target Parkinson’s in cell and animal models, we have yet to test its effectiveness in people. Important questions remain regarding its long-term safety, optimal dosing and how it travels through and interacts with the human body. Additional studies are needed to understand how the molecule works and how to further optimize it to stop or slow Parkinson’s disease from worsening in people. More broadly, researchers are still working to fully understand how different forms of alpha-synuclein drive neurodegeneration and disease spread. My team is also investigating how selectively targeting these toxic protein clumps influences their spread, inflammation in the nervous system and brain cell survival across different brain regions. Researchers are looking for ways to stop toxic clumps of protein from forming in the brain. What other research is being done Researchers are actively developing other therapies that target the toxic alpha-synuclein clumps that cause Parkinson’s and related diseases. These approaches include molecules designed to clear these protein clumps or reduce their production, as well as molecules that can stop them from aggregating. Several of these strategies have advanced into clinical trials. Each major approach to treatment has important limitations. Some struggle to selectively bind to the toxic proteins, while others are unable to penetrate the brain. Through the collaboration of neuroscientists, biophysicists, clinicians and translational researchers, researchers like me hope to develop new ways to treat diseases that conventional drugs haven’t been able to before. The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Sunil Kumar, University of Denver Read more: Breakthrough drug nearly doubles survival with advanced pancreatic cancer – an oncologist explains how daraxonrasib overcame an ‘undruggable’ disease Harnessing the brain’s immune cells to stave off Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases Alzheimer’s disease is partly genetic − studying the genes that delay decline in some may lead to treatments for all Sunil Kumar does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
	Gov. Pritzker expands protections for those with disabilities, mental illness Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation to strengthen protections for older adults, children, people with disabilities and individuals living with serious mental illness in Illinois. According to a release, legislation included the following: “Every Illinoisan deserves the opportunity to thrive," Pritzker said. "These new laws strengthen protections for children, older adults and people with disabilities by helping [...]
	Judge acquits Mercer Co. superintendent A judge acquitted Mercer County Superintendent Timothy Farquer of all charges midway through his bench trial on student medical records allegations.
	Mississippi Valley Fair prepares for opening day Crews are making final preparations for the Mississippi Valley Fair as organizers unveil what's new this year and hope to keep fairgoers coming back.
	Verdict reached in Mercer County School District superintendent student records case A verdict has been reached on the second day of the trial of the superintendent of the Mercer County School District who was accused, along with two others, of illegally accessing student records. Our Quad Cities News had a crew in the courtroom this morning when Timothy Farquer, now 54, was acquitted of all eight [...]
	Railroad Heritage of Midwest America hosting Liberty Rocket fundraiser trips Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (RRHMA) and the Iowa Interstate Railroad are hosting RRHMA-Silvis’s patriotic themed fundraiser trip, “The Liberty Rocket” on September 26 and 27. Passengers can ride in classic vintage streamliner coaches powered by the world’s largest diesel locomotive, the Union Pacific DDA40X #6936 on a scenic rail adventure across parts of Iowa [...]
	These 4 companies cash in every summer, and their stocks have followed These 4 companies cash in every summer, and their stocks have followedEvery summer, warm weather drives predictable shifts in consumer behavior: Families travel, airports fill up, and buildings crank up their cooling systems. The Motley Fool tested whether that seasonal pattern actually translates into stock market gains.Thirty-six publicly traded companies with a genuine reason to do more business in the summer — spanning hotels, airlines, cruise lines, HVAC and cooling providers, and similar weather-dependent industries — were put through a proprietary 10-year screen, using data from the end of 2015 through the end of 2025. Each company had to clear four tests:Did its own reported revenue grow in the summer quarter during most of the 10 years?Did the stock beat the S&P 500 over the two months following that year's summer earnings report in at least six of the 10 years tested?Was the average size of that outperformance positive across all 10 years?Did the stock's actual price growth over the full decade beat the S&P 500?Only four stocks cleared all four requirements: Hilton Worldwide, Marriott International, Booking Holdings, and Comfort Systems USA. The Motley Fool The gap between 36 candidates and four winners points to a crucial truth for long-term investors: While seasonal growth is common across certain industries, converting that brief revenue bump into market-beating, long-term returns is quite rare. Treating seasonal patterns as a substitute for deep business research is a dangerous trap. For further research, The Motley Fool has a foundational guide on how to invest in summer stocks.Key PointsOnly 4 out of 36 summer-focused stocks outperformed the S&P 500 consistently over a decade.Hilton and Marriott capitalized on summer demand, channeling it into long-term gains.Seasonal revenue increases don't guarantee long-term market outperformance.Hilton and Marriott beat the market in at least 8 of the last 10 summersHilton Worldwide and Marriott International didn't just pass this screen; they outpaced the S&P 500 in at least eight of the last 10 summers. This success comes down to a core industry metric called revenue per available room (RevPAR). From June through August, hotels get a double win: Room occupancy climbs at the exact same time that management can raise nightly prices. This allows these giants to squeeze heightened profits out of the properties they already own.The hard numbers show exactly how powerful this peak season can be.Marriott: Summer-quarter revenue grew year-over-year in eight of 10 years, averaging 12.1% growth.Hilton: Summer-quarter revenue grew year-over-year in seven of 10 years, averaging 7.5% growth.Both converted that seasonal surge into real stock market gains:Hilton: beat the S&P 500 in nine of the last 10 years post-earnings, averaging 6.6% excess return, fueling a 20.7% 10-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR).Marriott: beat the S&P 500 in eight of the last 10 years post-earnings, averaging 6.2% excess return, fueling a 16.6% 10-year CAGR — also beating the market.This outpaced the historical average stock market return, proving that peak operational quarters can feed substantial long-term returns.Both companies share identical pricing tailwinds, yet Hilton's post-earnings stock reaction is historically stronger. One likely reason: Hilton's asset-light, franchise-fee-driven model may let it convert summer demand into higher-margin earnings surprises that catch Wall Street off guard.Booking Holdings turned summer travel demand into a 15% annual returnThe same wave of leisure travel that fills Hilton and Marriott's properties also drives Booking Holdings, just from a different point in the transaction. As a digital travel platform, Booking captures the front-end planning and booking phase of the summer rush, collecting its toll before the traveler ever reaches a lobby or a plane.Summer-quarter revenue grew year-over-year in seven of the last eight comparable years, averaging 14.4% growth.It beat the S&P 500 in seven of the last 10 post-earnings windows, averaging a 6.3% excess return.Its 15.4% 10-year CAGR beat the market.Booking's 70% post-earnings hit rate is lower than the hotels' 80%-90%, despite tracking the same consumer travel dollar.As an asset-light booking platform, Booking avoids the heavy capital costs of physical buildings, but also lacks a hotel chain's real-estate-backed defensive foundation.Wall Street tends to price this asset-light volatility with more caution right after earnings are reported, showing that the exact same consumer tailwind can trigger very different stock market behaviors depending on the business model.Comfort Systems is the only stock with a perfect 10-year summer revenue streakComfort Systems USA, a commercial HVAC, heating, and cooling installation business, contrasts with the travel names on this list, and its numbers are the most airtight of all 36 companies screened:Summer-quarter revenue grew year-over-year in all eight years tested, averaging 23.1% growth.Beat the S&P 500 in eight of the last 10 post-earnings windows, averaging an 8% excess return.41.8% 10-year CAGR, the largest of any stock on the list.Compared to the historical average stock market return, this run proves that the least intuitive name on the list was the group's biggest wealth compounder.The secret is that Comfort Systems USA operates on a need-driven mechanism, not a want-driven one. Commercial cooling isn't an optional luxury.While a family can easily defer a summer vacation when inflation bites, a hospital, factory, or hotel can't turn off its air conditioning in July without shutting down operations entirely. It's a great reminder that boring business models built on nondiscretionary corporate needs can be durable engines for long-term compounding.5 stocks beat the market right after summer earnings, but lost to it over the full decadeThe ultimate danger of seasonal investing becomes obvious when looking at the near misses. In other words, stocks that generated great short-term excitement but underperformed over the long haul.Four of the five stocks that fell into this trap were the major domestic airlines: Delta Air Lines, American Airlines Group, United Airlines Holdings, and Southwest Airlines.Each of these four airlines checked the boxes for real summer revenue growth and a positive post-earnings stock reaction in the immediate two-month window, yet all four ultimately lagged the S&P 500 over the 2015 to 2025 decade. The Motley Fool Airlines are notoriously capital-intensive businesses burdened by volatile fuel costs, heavy labor expenses, and intense price competition. The headwinds inherent to the airline business quietly eroded the wealth generated during their peak summer quarters, leaving long-term buy-and-hold investors grounded while their near-term trading peers celebrated temporary pops.This underperformance also likely stems from a practical operational choke point. To capture lucrative summer travel surges, airlines must maintain capacity year-round. The heavy fleet and specialized flight crews required to handle peak July demand must still be paid for during low-demand winter quarters, creating an ongoing capital leakage that consistently eats away at peak seasonal wins.The fifth near-miss was SeaWorld Entertainment (rebranded during this period to United Parks & Resorts, which represents a different kind of near-miss. Its stock reacted well in the two months after summer earnings were released, but it lacked the underlying revenue foundation that the airlines possessed.Over the 10 years tested, its actual summer revenue growth hit rate was a shaky 30%. Because United Parks & Resorts never established the reliable revenue pattern that its post-earnings stock reactions suggested, it serves as a warning that short-term market enthusiasm can frequently mask volatile business fundamentals.The key takeawayThe data reveals a stark reality: Obvious seasonal plays don't automatically deliver market-beating returns over the long haul. It's incredibly easy for a temporary summer spike or a quick post-earnings pop to blind investors to heavy debt, bad industry economics, or other flaws.The four winners on this list didn't win just because the sun came out. They won because their high-margin business models let them extract massive value from that demand. Hilton and Marriott used asset-light franchising to let partners shoulder the real estate risks while they collected steady fees. Booking Holdings dominated digital real estate to lock down global traffic, and Comfort Systems anchored itself to non-discretionary corporate infrastructure.When you're screening businesses for the next decade, look past seasonal peaks and focus entirely on pricing power that consistently churns out cash and profits. Seasonality is a fine starting point for stock research, but true wealth compounding requires durable competitive advantages and financial health that can withstand all four seasons.MethodologyThe Motley Fool's 2026 summer stocks screen was designed to measure whether companies with a documented reason to do more business in summer show that pattern in reported revenue, in stock performance after earnings, and in long-term returns.The screen tested 36 publicly traded companies in industries with a genuine, documented summer-demand mechanism (hotels, airlines, cruise lines, HVAC and cooling, and similar warm-weather-dependent industries) against four questions using 10 years of data, 2016 through 2025. Revenue figures came directly from each company's SEC 10-Q and 10-K filings, not third-party estimates. Stock and S&P 500 price data came from S&P Global.A company passed only if its revenue during summer months grew year over year in at least six of the 10 years tested, its stock beat the S&P 500 in at least six of the 10 years following its summer earnings report, the average size of that outperformance was positive, and its actual 10-year price growth from the end of 2015 to the end of 2025 beat the S&P 500's growth over the same period. Companies with fewer than eight years of usable public trading history were excluded.Past performance does not predict future results, and a stock passing these tests describes a historical pattern over one specific 10-year period. It is not a guarantee that the pattern continues, and this article is not investment advice.This story was produced by The Motley Fool and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Solar power, senior care, and 4 other sectors targeted by Portugal’s Golden Visa funds Solar power, senior care, and 4 other sectors targeted by Portugal’s Golden Visa fundsSolar power, senior-care operators and aquaculture may not look like parts of the same investment market. In Portugal, fund managers are pitching all three to investors interested in the country's Golden Visa fund route.Public mandates now range from ocean industries and technology to research-intensive companies and media. These are not claims about money already deployed, returns achieved or approval by Portugal's immigration authority. They are the sectors that individual managers say their funds are designed to target.For this article, Movingto reviewed public fund profiles in its directory, then checked manager, government or European Union sources on July 16, 2026. The six specialist areas below were selected because the underlying activity was stated clearly. They show the range of the market rather than every available strategy, and a manager's Golden Visa claim is not an AIMA decision or a substitute for legal advice on a specific fund.1. Renewable energySeveral fund profiles focus on Portugal's energy transition. The manager materials for New Frontiers Energy Fund II describe scalable solar photovoltaic projects, with grid access prioritized and exits planned at the ready-to-build stage. Other public profiles target renewable generation, energy efficiency, clean transport or related operating companies.That gives the fund an investment thesis linked to the build-out of energy businesses rather than the purchase of a residence. The financial result still depends on project selection, permits, power prices, financing and the terms of the fund.2. Technology and startupsThe IMGA Futurum Tech fund targets Portuguese and Brazilian startups and scale-ups that already have some market traction and global ambitions. Other technology-focused profiles cover European startups, artificial intelligence, software and high-growth businesses.For Portugal, that type of mandate can connect outside capital with companies whose main assets are people, research and intellectual property. For the investor, it is venture exposure: Outcomes may depend on a small number of companies growing enough to offset those that do not.3. Senior living and careIMGA Silver Domus focuses on Portugal's senior-living sector. Its stated investment areas include assisted living, continuing care, home-care operators and specialist facilities.The mandate is built around services people use, not a broad demographic label. Investors still need to understand whether the underlying exposure sits in operating companies, facilities or another structure, and whether the legal documents permit any asset the marketing material mentions.4. The blue economyThe ocean is an economic sector in Portugal, not just scenery. The European Commission's InvestEU profile for Growth Blue says the fund invests in Portuguese small and medium-sized companies working in aquaculture, blue bioeconomy, offshore energy and applied technologies.That mandate links private capital to industries built around Portugal's long Atlantic coastline. It also shows how broad a Golden Visa fund can be: The underlying businesses may involve food production, biotechnology, clean energy or marine technology while sharing an ocean-based theme.5. Research-intensive companiesActiveCap I&D II is described by its manager as a fund dedicated mainly to companies focused on research and development. That is a different proposition from a fund organized around one consumer industry: The common thread is how investee companies create and commercialize new knowledge.The category can cut across software, engineering, healthcare or manufacturing. It also requires precise diligence. Investors need to know what counts as research and development under the fund's documents, which companies receive capital and whether the strategy described publicly matches the permitted portfolio.6. Media and eventsThe Portugal Future Fund identifies media and events among its growth sectors, alongside technology, healthcare and renewable energy. Its site says the vehicle invests through equity and quasi-equity in small- and medium-sized companies and will not invest directly or indirectly in real estate.Media and events show how far a company-focused mandate can extend beyond infrastructure and laboratory research. The underlying businesses might produce content, organize conferences or provide related services. As with every example here, that is the manager's stated thesis, not evidence that capital has already reached a particular company.Why these sectors can sit under one immigration routeAIMA's current guidance sets the common framework. The fund route requires a capital transfer of at least 500,000 euros for units in non-real estate collective investment undertakings created under Portuguese law. At the time of investment, the vehicle must have a maturity of at least five years, and at least 60% of the investment value must be placed in commercial companies headquartered in Portugal.Law 56/2023 closed the qualifying real estate routes to new applications while retaining the non-real-estate fund route. It also says the remaining investment activities cannot be directed, directly or indirectly, to real estate investment.Those rules explain why very different sectors can appear under the same residency program. They do not make every fund with a relevant label eligible or suitable. Before subscribing, an applicant should match the manager's sector description to the fund's permitted investments, current legal documents and evidence prepared for the immigration file. The useful question is no longer only which sector sounds attractive. It is what the fund is legally allowed to own and how that activity fits the current ARI rules.This story was produced by Movingto and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Lifted Energy, in Silvis, ribbon cutting announced The City of Silvis is hosting a ribbon cutting for Lifted Energy on Saturday, Aug. 8.
	No injuries reported in rural Geneseo barn fire Thursday Colona Fire Department responded to a pole barn fire on Thursday, July 30.
	Soft tissue damage after an accident could be permanent and may be eligible for a personal injury claim Soft tissue damage after an accident could be permanent and may be eligible for a personal injury claimMost people think of soft tissue injuries as minor inconveniences causing temporary aches, quickly healed by time and an ice pack. However, soft tissue damage after an accident can be permanent depending on the severity of the injury, its location, and the effectiveness of the medical care.Bayuk Pratt broke down the symptoms and long-term impacts of soft tissue damage and the legal options for those who sustained these injuries from an accident.What Is a Soft Tissue Injury?A soft tissue injury affects muscles, tendons, and ligaments that connect different parts of the body. Examples include:Whiplash from a car accidentBruisesSprains/strainsTendonitisA recent analysis of 204 countries in the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 identified about 2.41 billion people worldwide with conditions that could benefit from rehabilitation, causing approximately 310 million years lived with disability (YLDs). The biggest contributing disease area was musculoskeletal disorders, affecting around 1.71 billion people.While that number accounts for more than just soft tissue injuries, the study found that low back pain was the most common condition in most countries – an incredibly prevalent result of many accidents. In particular, at least 31% of car crash victims experience low back pain a year later, according to a study in Accident Analysis & Prevention that searched five electronic databases from 1998 to 2019.Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that strains, sprains, and tears are also a leading contributing factor for work injuries causing days away from work, with 568,150 cases in 2023-2024.However, this is just a glimpse at the long-lasting effects soft tissue injuries can have after an accident. Regardless of the type, severe soft tissue injuries can cause chronic pain, limited mobility, and loss of strength.What Are the Symptoms of a Soft Tissue Injury?Accident victims who sustained a soft tissue injury may experience the following symptoms while they recover:Stiffness and lack of mobilityReduced range of motionNumbness, dull pain, or tingling in the affected areaBruising around the affected areaSharp pain when touching or putting weight on the areaIncreased fatigueIf the symptoms persist, it could signify a complication or permanent soft tissue damage.The side effects of these injuries are severe enough that the World Health Organization (WHO) has taken note. WHO has made efforts to address musculoskeletal health, highlighting how musculoskeletal conditions can significantly affect a person’s well-being by limiting mobility and reducing their ability to work and be part of society.What Are Some Examples of Permanent Soft Tissue Damage?Some soft tissue injuries can be permanent, especially if they don’t heal properly.For example, tearing the soft tissues in the knee during a slip-and-fall accident could cause permanent joint instability. Not using a tendon or ligament for too long after an injury can also cause it to contract and become permanently tighter.Other ongoing soft tissue injuries include chronic inflammation of the affected areas, frequent tears caused by tissues not fully healing before becoming damaged again, and persistent tendonitis.Different Levels of the Soft Tissue Damage ScaleSoft tissue damage can be categorized into three levels, depending on its severity:First-degree damage is a sprain or strain that pulls the muscle, tendon, or ligament, but doesn’t cause it to tear.Second-degree damage is a partial muscle, tendon, or ligament tear. This damage usually heals with time but may require physical therapy to prevent lasting effects.Third-degree damage is a complete muscle, tendon, or ligament tear, which may require surgery to reconnect the tissue.What Factors Can Cause a Soft Tissue Injury to Become Permanent?Several factors can impact whether a soft tissue injury is permanent, such as:The severity of the injury – Tears are more likely to cause permanent damage than sprains or strains.The location of the injury – Torn ligaments and tendons often experience more long-term damage than muscles.The effectiveness of the treatment – Receiving proper, timely medical care can reduce scar tissue formation and prevent contractures.Similar prior injury – Repetitive injuries are more likely to lead to permanent damage.Legal Options for a Permanent Soft Tissue Injury After an AccidentThe long-lasting effects of soft tissue damage can be costly. To account for that burden, a person who suffers a soft tissue injury in an accident, such as a car crash or a slip-and-fall, may be able to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party. Depending on the circumstances, they may be entitled to compensation for their current and future losses related to the injury, such as:Medical expenses and rehabilitation costsLost wages and reduced earning abilityPhysical pain and emotional sufferingDiminished quality of lifeAccommodations for any permanent disabilityThis story was produced by Bayuk Pratt and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The pros and cons of owning a golden retriever The pros and cons of owning a golden retrieverIf you’ve ever met a golden retriever, odds are you were won over fast. They have a way of greeting the world, and everyone in it, like a long-lost friend, and that easy warmth is a big part of why they remain one of the country’s most popular dogs.Still, choosing one deserves more than a gut feeling. Goldens ask real things of their owners, from steady grooming to serious exercise, and they carry a cancer risk that genuinely sets this breed apart. Understanding all of it is what separates a smitten new owner from a great one. Ollie provides a straight read on golden retriever pros and cons, what these dogs are like to live with, and how the right food supports their health for the long haul.Golden retriever key facts and breed overviewGolden retrievers are large, athletic dogs that were originally bred in the mid-19th century to retrieve waterfowl on land and in water. Here’s their breed snapshot:Height: males roughly 23 to 24 inches at the shoulder, females about 21.5 to 22.5 inchesWeight: males about 65 to 75 pounds, females about 55 to 65 poundsCoat: dense, water-repellent double coat in shades of gold (and yes, it sheds)Lifespan: around 10 to 12 yearsEnergy level: high, especially through the first few yearsOrigin: Scotland, bred as a hunting and retrieving companionPros of owning a golden retrieverThey’re wonderful with just about everyone. Goldens are famously affectionate and patient, which makes them a top choice for families with kids and homes with other pets. They tend to greet the world with a wagging tail and a more-the-merrier attitude.They’re highly trainable. Smart and eager to please, goldens are one of the easiest breeds to train, which is exactly why they excel as service, therapy, and assistance dogs.They’re playful and versatile. Hiking, swimming, fetch, dock diving: a golden is a happy and enthusiastic partner for an active life, and they keep that puppy-like joy well into adulthood.Cons of owning a golden retrieverThey shed. Constantly. That gorgeous double coat sheds year-round, with heavier blowouts in spring and fall. Regular brushing and a good vacuum are part of the deal.They need exercise. Goldens are high-energy dogs that need a solid 40 to 60 minutes of activity a day. Without enough outlets, they can get restless, bored, and prone to weight gain.They don’t love being alone. This is a companionship-first breed. Left by themselves for long stretches, goldens are prone to separation anxiety, so they do best in homes where someone is around a good part of the day.They have real health risks to plan for. Goldens are predisposed to several serious conditions, cancer chief among them, which makes proactive, health-minded care especially important for this breed.Golden retriever personality and temperamentGolden retrievers are social, sweet-tempered dogs who want nothing more than to be part of whatever their people are doing. They bond deeply, tend to get along with everyone (dogs, cats, kids, strangers), and bring a gentle, soft-mouthed nature that’s earned them a reputation as one of the most trustworthy family breeds.That eagerness to please is what makes them so trainable, but it comes with a need: Goldens want company and a job to do. A bored, under-exercised, or frequently-alone golden can become anxious or restless. Give them exercise, training, and time with their family, and you’ll have a dog who’s affectionate, easygoing, and endlessly happy to see you.Golden retriever health: lifespan, cancer risk, and moreYes, golden retrievers have real health problems worth knowing about, and cancer is the defining one. Goldens typically live around 10 to 12 years, a lifespan that has actually shortened over the decades, largely due to the breed’s high cancer rates.Cancer. This is the breed’s most significant health concern, and the numbers are sobering. Golden retrievers have one of the highest cancer rates of any breed, and roughly 60% of goldens in the U.S. die of cancer (a 1998 breed health study attributed 61% of deaths to cancer, and a more recent necropsy study found 65%). Interestingly, goldens bred in the U.K. and Scandinavia show notably lower rates, which points to genetics as a major driver. The four cancers seen most often in the breed are hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma, osteosarcoma, and mast cell tumors. The good news for the future: The Morris Animal Foundation’s Golden Retriever Lifetime Study is following thousands of goldens to identify the nutritional, environmental, lifestyle, and genetic risk factors behind these cancers, some of the most important research ever done on the breed.Joint conditions. Like many large breeds, goldens are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, inherited conditions where the joints develop improperly and can lead to arthritis over time. Hip dysplasia can be modified by environmental influences such as nutrition and growth rate, which is one more reason keeping a golden at a healthy weight matters.Other conditions to know. Goldens can also be predisposed to a heart condition called subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS), eye issues including cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), hypothyroidism, and skin or ear problems. Responsible breeders screen for many of these, and your vet can advise on what monitoring makes sense for your dog.How diet can support a golden retriever’s healthNo diet can prevent or cure cancer, and you should be wary of any food that claims it can. What a fresh, balanced diet can do is support your golden’s overall health in ways that genuinely matter for this breed.Good nutrition helps maintain a healthy weight, which eases strain on joints already at risk for dysplasia. Omega-3 fatty acids (like those from fish) have natural anti-inflammatory properties, and a diet built on whole, recognizable ingredients delivers antioxidants and high-quality protein without the fillers and additives found in many processed foods. And for a dog living with illness, including cancer, steady, appealing, nutritionally complete meals can help support day-to-day comfort and quality of life, even though food is never a treatment on its own.A fresh, balanced diet slots neatly into that kind of proactive care.Golden retriever nutritional needsA healthy golden retriever diet leads with high-quality protein to maintain lean muscle, includes omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) for their joints, coat, and skin, and provides antioxidants and whole-food nutrition as part of a balanced plate. Because goldens are a large, active breed, their food should also support steady energy and, in puppyhood, controlled growth (large-breed puppies do best growing at a moderate, steady rate rather than too fast, which can stress developing joints).The throughline for this breed is whole, quality ingredients and the right calories, not too many, not too few. Goldens love to eat and will happily overeat, so portion precision is part of keeping them healthy.How much should I feed my golden retriever?There’s no single number for how much to feed a golden retriever, because the right amount depends on your dog’s ideal weight, age, and activity level, not just a label’s estimate. The goal is to feed to a healthy body condition (you should be able to feel the ribs without pressing, and see a visible waist from above) and adjust as your dog grows, ages, or changes activity.For a breed that’s both large and food-motivated, this is where pre-portioned meals help.What is the best food for golden retrievers?The best food for golden retrievers leads with a high-quality protein, includes joint- and coat-supporting omega-3s, and skips the cheap fillers. As a large breed prone to joint issues, goldens especially benefit from nutrition that supports a healthy weight and overall wellness.What to avoid:Overfeeding and free-feeding, which lead to weight gain in this food-loving breedDiets heavy in fillers and low on real, recognizable ingredientsFoods toxic to all dogs, including chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions and garlic, and anything with xylitolWhat to look for:A real, named protein as the first ingredientOmega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) for joints, coat, and skinAntioxidants from whole-food ingredientsComplete, balanced, appropriately portioned mealsIf you suspect a food sensitivity or allergy (goldens can be prone to skin and ear issues), your vet is the right partner for sorting out the cause rather than guessing.FAQs about golden retrieversQ: Are golden retrievers prone to cancer?A: Yes, more than almost any other breed. According to a 1998 breed study, golden retrievers have one of the highest cancer rates of any dog breed, with roughly 60% of U.S. goldens dying of cancer. The most common types are hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma, osteosarcoma, and mast cell tumors.Q: What is the best food for a golden retriever?A: The best food is a complete, balanced diet built on high-quality protein and whole ingredients, with omega-3s for joint and coat health and the right number of calories for your dog. Fresh food works well because it’s nutrient-dense, made with recognizable ingredients, and portioned to your golden’s needs.Q: How much should I feed my golden retriever by weight?A: There’s no universal cup count, because the right amount depends on factors unique to your dog, like their weight, spay/neuter status, and activity level. Pre-portioned fresh food removes the guesswork by calculating and measuring your golden’s calories for you.Q: Do golden retrievers need a large-breed diet?A: Goldens are a large breed and benefit from nutrition suited to their size, especially as puppies, when steady, controlled growth helps protect developing joints. More than a specific large breed label, what matters is quality protein, joint-supporting nutrients, appropriate calories, and a healthy growth rate.Q: What nutrients help prevent cancer in golden retrievers?A: No nutrient or food has been proven to prevent cancer in golden retrievers, and you should be skeptical of any product that claims otherwise. What good nutrition can do is support overall health: omega-3 fatty acids offer anti-inflammatory benefits, antioxidants are part of a balanced diet, and a healthy weight supports the whole body. For a golden living with cancer, fresh, complete meals can help support day-to-day wellbeing, though food is not a treatment.Q: Are golden retrievers prone to hip dysplasia?A: Yes. Like many large breeds, goldens are predisposed to hip and elbow dysplasia. It’s partly genetic, but nutrition, a healthy weight, and a moderate growth rate in puppyhood can all influence its development. Keeping your golden lean is one of the most protective things you can do for their joints.Q: How often should a golden retriever eat?A: Most adult goldens do well with two measured meals a day. Puppies need more frequent feeding to support healthy growth. Splitting food into set meals (rather than leaving it out) helps manage both appetite and weight in this food-motivated breed.Q: Can golden retrievers eat fresh dog food?A: Absolutely. Fresh food is a great fit for goldens thanks to its quality ingredients, omega-3s, and precise portioning, all of which support a healthy weight and overall wellbeing in a breed where proactive health care really counts.Gabby Slome contributed to this article and it was reviewed by Ollie’s in-house team of veterinarians and scientists Catherine Carchedi, MS, DVM; Lindsay Cassibry, MPH, DVM; and Brittany White, PhD.This story was produced by Ollie and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Leaving vehicle engines idling is unhealthy, expensive – and often illegal A bus company that left its buses’ engines running while parked in Boston neighborhoods has settled a lawsuit by agreeing to pay US$5.6 million in damages for the resulting air pollution. The settlement came in a citizen-enforcement lawsuit under the Clean Air Act, which allows any person to sue alleged polluters for the harm done to human health and the environment. The case was based on a Massachusetts law that limits vehicle idling to no more than five minutes. Like nearly all cities around the world, Boston has trouble keeping its air clean and safe, in part due to vehicle emissions. Those emissions contributed to nearly 42,000 deaths in the U.S. in 2024, or more than four people every hour. But the law, and the legal case against the bus company, didn’t target all vehicles. Rather, they were aimed at the easier target of idling vehicles – those whose engines are running for no real reason except that someone didn’t bother to turn them off. Reducing air pollution Many states, including Massachusetts, have laws regulating vehicle emissions, in part because vehicles are responsible for significant amounts of different types of air pollution. Managing environmental pollutants is an increasingly complex practice, with new sources and pollutant types emerging all the time. It is a critical profession I have long worked to train people for. Air pollution in particular is a pernicious problem in the U.S. and globally because of its diffuse and transitory nature. And, as some research colleagues and I recently demonstrated, while air pollution is mostly regulated at the state level, almost half of all air pollution-related deaths are from pollution produced in neighboring states – including vehicle-generated pollution. When vehicles idle, the pollution they emit builds up nearby. There really is no safe level of vehicle-generated air pollution that people can be exposed to. Even infrequent exposure to high levels of air pollution increases people’s risk of cardiovascular damage. Vehicle emissions can cause lung damage and worsen respiratory conditions like asthma and bronchitis, and have been linked to heart disease, cancer and premature death. Idling of vehicles with engines that burn fossil fuels also emits climate-warming greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, though climate concerns are not the primary target of anti-idling laws. A sign near a New York City playground reminds drivers to turn off their engines when parked to reduce air pollution. Deb Cohn-Orbach/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images via The Conversation Why idle? Idling a vehicle does not help an engine last longer than turning it off and on frequently. And research has found that after about 10 seconds, any savings from idling – rather than turning off a vehicle – are surpassed by the cost of the fuel burned. Some vehicles, like those that run onboard refrigeration systems to keep cargo cool, may need their engines to run even when they are parked. But most often, drivers let their vehicles idle for convenience, like keeping the air conditioning on while waiting for passengers to board. While idling is intermittent and usually of short duration, estimates of the cumulative effect are staggering. Idling in the United States uses more than 6 billion gallons of fuel at an estimated cost of more than US$20 billion to consumers and businesses each year. About half of that is attributable to personal vehicles. Some vehicles have systems that reduce their air pollution when idling. Rick Loomis/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images via The Conversation Effects of laws against idling In short, anti-idling laws target potentially severe pollution health risks from what is generally a wasteful practice of convenience. The effects of idling reduction laws are hard to estimate, in part because the pollution from idling is diffuse and intermittent. Complicating estimates, but improving the overall picture, is new technology such as onboard automatic start-stop systems in modern vehicles. The U.S. Department of Energy estimated that the combination of technology and idling policies provided savings of the equivalent of 60 million gallons of gasoline in the U.S. in 2024, though that only translates into less than a 1% reduction in all transport-related air pollution emissions. While there are limited studies and corresponding data to draw upon, what does exist suggests enforcement rates are generally low, and they rely on volunteer compliance and public relations programs, which deliver mixed results in actually reducing idling. For example, in Chicago, which has had a citywide anti-idling ordinance since 2009, only about 800 citations have been issued in the past 15 years. That said, a combined effort of a law, alongside public-awareness campaigns highlighting the economic and health benefits of simply turning off your engine, does seem to produce better results than a law alone. New York City has tried to get citizens involved in enforcement by giving people who report an illegally idling vehicle one-quarter of the fine assessed. Citizen reports were responsible for more than 90% of the city’s enforcement actions by 2023, raising rates from 455 violation reports in 2017 to more than 80,000 by 2023. However, a group of bus companies filed a federal lawsuit in May 2026 alleging that the law and the citizen-enforcement program violate the U.S. Constitution by impeding interstate commerce and conflicting with federal safety regulations that require buses to maintain safe interior temperatures and keep accessibility equipment running. The bottom line is that keeping your vehicle running when it’s not moving wastes gas and pollutes the air. Even if it’s not illegal where you are, it’s worth being aware of – and stopping if you can. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Richard Marcantonio, University of Notre Dame Read more: What air pollution does to the human body EPA removal of vehicle emissions limits won’t stop the shift to electric vehicles, but will make it harder, slower and more expensive Replacing gas stoves with electric stoves greatly reduces asthma symptoms Richard Marcantonio does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
	Heavy rainfall, scattered storms forecast to bring 2-3 inches of rain to the Quad-Cities Heavy rainfall rates of 1 inch per hour are possible from thunderstorms.
	Why 'Artemis Fowl' is the perfect summer read for the whole family (BPT) - Artemis Fowl is back! It's been twenty-five years since the twelve-year-old criminal mastermind captured the imagination of kids. Now, longtime millennial fans and families new to the series can delve into Eoin Colfer's wild, chaotic and fantastical world.From villain to antiheroWhen Artemis Fowl first hit bookshelves in 2001, children's literature was overrun with earnest, wide-eyed protagonists destined to save the world, no matter the personal cost. But saving the world is the last thing on Artemis's mind.Armed with a super-genius intellect, high-tech gadgets, a sharp designer suit and iconic sunglasses, Artemis begins the series as somewhat of a villain. He enjoys tricking humans and fairies alike and is determined to restore his family's stolen fortune through heists, mind games and advanced technology that walks the line between science and magic.Throughout the series, readers embark on Artemis's journey of self-discovery and growth, as he accidentally grows a conscience, strikes up an unlikely friendship with Holly Short, a fairy captain in the elite LEPrecon unit, and resolves conflicts between humans and fairies, with global ramifications.Even though twenty-five years have passed, Artemis fits right into the modern literary landscape that is rife with complex antiheroes. Ahead of his time in the Y2K era, the cheeky, sly, and light-fingered twelve-year-old with a penchant for organizing Bond-esque heists and holding tech-savvy fairies captive is now more relevant than ever.Artemis Fowl also asks fans tough questions that are as important now as they were when the book was first published. Is there such a thing as good versus evil? Can humans and fairies coexist? What makes a family? These questions and more will puzzle and delight readers, giving families plenty of compelling topics to explore together.A new look for fans past and presentTo celebrate a quarter century of Colfer's tech-forward fairy world, fans of all ages can enjoy Artemis's antics with two new, nostalgic editions of the novel.Middle-schoolers (and their parents) can pick up a copy of Artemis Fowl 25th Anniversary Edition. This gorgeous paperback features the original iconic gold-and-holographic cover, updated with intricate blue-and-gold sprayed edges. It's a must-have for any family library, whether readers are meeting Artemis Fowl for the first time or getting reacquainted with their old friend who is far too clever for his own good. Die-hard fans can join in on the fun by adding the Artemis Fowl Deluxe Collector's Edition to their shelves. This beautiful hardcover book comes complete with a foiled slipcase, ribbon bookmark, and foiled cover showcasing Artemis in his infamous sunglasses. This stunning edition is a delightful reason to revisit the magic, mischief, and wit of the series. A familiar story for parents, an exciting read for a new generationWhether you grew up deciphering the Gnommish language at the bottom of the book's pages or you're just stepping into Haven City for the first time, Artemis Fowl is ready to prove that a villain with a heart of gold (and a pot of fairy gold) can capture imaginations of all ages. Visit Books.Disney.com to preorder and discover (or rediscover) the magic.
	Proposed Coal Valley sports complex clears first zoning hurdle Coal Valley's Zoning Board recommends the piece of land at Route 6 and Niabi Zoo Road be rezoned from residential to commercial, but some neighbors aren't happy.
	The cost of home care and how to pay for it The cost of home care and how to pay for itWhen a senior loved one needs help at home, one of the first questions families ask is "How are we going to pay for this?" The emotional weight of seeing someone you love struggle with daily tasks collides with the financial pressure of affording care. You're not alone in feeling that tension.A 2025 Pew survey found that of all the seniors currently living at home, 60% want to age in place with a caregiver, but only 37% feel confident it will actually happen. The gap between what people want and what feels financially possible is real, but it's not insurmountable.Most households use a combination of private resources and assistance programs rather than relying on just one funding source. The key is knowing what's out there and which options the person receiving support qualifies for.Village Caregiving explains how to pay for home care and the realistic costs. Whether you're planning ahead or responding to an urgent need, you'll leave with a clear picture of what's possible.Key TakeawaysThe 2025 national median hourly rate for nonmedical in-home care was $35, or roughly $80,080 per year, at 44 hours per week.Payment options fall into three main categories — private pay, government assistance and combinations of both.Medicare doesn't cover nonmedical home care like companionship or help with daily activities — Medicaid is the primary government program for this type of care.Costs vary significantly by state, with hourly rates ranging from $24 in Mississippi to $46 in Wyoming.How Much Does In-Home Care Cost?Before you can evaluate ways to pay for in-home care, you need a realistic number to work with. Costs vary significantly depending on where you live, the type of support you need and how many hours are required each week. Knowing the baseline helps you plan.Nonmedical In-Home Care CostsNonmedical in-home care is a type of support that includes:Companionship: Conversation, social engagement and emotional supportPersonal care: Help with bathing, dressing, grooming and mobilityDaily activity assistance: Meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders and transportation to errandsThe national median hourly rate for nonmedical caregiver services was $35 per hour in 2025, according to CareScout’s Cost of Care Survey, which is the source of all of the hourly rate information in this story. At 44 hours per week, that works out to roughly $80,080 per year. The more hours required, the higher the annual cost.The hourly rate varies between states. Wyoming has the highest rate at $46 per hour, while Mississippi has the lowest at $24 per hour. Urban areas within a state often cost more than rural regions. When budgeting, use your specific state's median rate as a starting point, then adjust based on local agencies' pricing.Skilled Home Healthcare CostsSkilled home health services are a separate category from nonmedical support. This level involves licensed medical professionals — nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists or speech therapists — delivering treatment ordered by a physician. These services address medical needs like wound management, medication oversight, post-surgery recovery or rehabilitation after a stroke or injury.Since these home healthcare services require licensed clinicians, they cost more than nonmedical in-home care. The 2025 national median was $90 per hour for private nursing in the home or $160 per visit, depending on the medical needs. This information is important for budgeting, and because Medicare coverage rules apply differently here than to nonmedical support.How Home Care Compares to Other Care SettingsMany people wonder how in-home support stacks up financially against assisted living or nursing home placement. The answer depends on the level of supervision and medical attention your senior loved one requires, along with how costs are structured.National median costs for different settings in 2025 included:Assisted living: $6,200 per month or $74,400 annuallyNursing home with a semiprivate room: $315 per day or $114,975 annuallyNursing home with a private room: $355 daily or $129,575 per yearRound-the-clock supervision or extensive medical treatment may make a nursing home more cost-effective for some individuals. However, those who need moderate support with daily activities and want to remain in their own home often find nonmedical in-home services more affordable, especially when paired with family caregiver involvement. The costs of aging in place extend beyond direct service expenses and include home modifications, transportation and other support, so it's worth evaluating the full picture.Private Payment Options for Home Care Village Caregiving Most people begin with personal resources and work outward from there. Private funding typically comes from one or more of four main sources:Personal savings and retirement incomeLong-term care insuranceLife insurance policiesHome equity through reverse mortgagesMany households use a combination rather than relying on a single option.1. Personal SavingsPersonal savings, retirement income and pooled contributions from siblings or extended relatives are common starting points. Pew’s research found that only 21% of adults 65 and older have long-term care insurance, so most draw on private funds as their primary resource.Predictability helps when budgeting from savings. Some agencies offer flat-rate pricing, which means the hourly rate stays the same on nights, weekends and holidays. This structure makes it easier to forecast monthly costs and avoid surprise bills. If you're comparing providers, ask whether they charge flat rates or variable pricing based on the time of day.2. Long-Term Care InsuranceLong-term care insurance is designed specifically to cover the cost of services as you age. People typically purchase these plans in advance and pay a daily or monthly benefit toward qualifying expenses, including in-home support, assisted living or nursing home placement.Coverage terms vary widely. Key factors to evaluate include:Daily benefit amount: How much the plan pays per day toward costsBenefit period: How long the plan will continue payingElimination period: How long you pay out of pocket before coverage beginsInflation protection: Whether benefits increase over time to keep pace with rising costsPremiums have risen in recent years, and plans become harder and more expensive to obtain after age 60 to 65. If coverage is already in place, review the documents carefully to see whether your insurance pays for home care, what's included, how to file a claim and whether there are restrictions on which providers you can use.3. Life Insurance PoliciesExisting life insurance can be converted into a source of funds in two main ways:Surrendering the contract for cash value: The policyholder surrenders the contract to the insurer in exchange for its cash value. This option ends the death benefit entirely but provides immediate cash that can be used for expenses.Accessing cash value without surrendering: Many permanent plans build cash value over time. Policyholders can take out loans against that value or make partial withdrawals. These actions reduce the death benefit proportionally but allow the contract to remain in force.Some contracts also include accelerated death benefit riders, so you can access a portion of the payout while still living if certain qualifying conditions are met, such as a terminal illness or the need for long-term support. Review the documents to see what options are available, and consult a financial advisor before making changes that could affect beneficiaries or create tax implications.4. Home Equity and Reverse MortgagesAccumulated home equity becomes a funding source for seniors through reverse mortgages, which eliminate traditional monthly payment obligations and allow continued residence in the property. The Federal Housing Administration insures the home equity conversion mortgage (HECM), which accounts for most of these transactions.To be eligible, you need to:Be 62 years or olderOwn the property outright or have significant equityLive in the residence as a primary addressThe loan can be structured in three ways:Lump sum: One-time payment of the entire loan amountMonthly payments: Fixed payments over a set period or for lifeLine of credit: Access funds as needed, paying interest only on what's withdrawnRepayment is due once the borrower vacates the residence permanently — through death, relocation or sale. Most often, heirs sell the property to cover what's owed, which reduces their inheritance. The debt also increases throughout the loan term as interest accumulates.Reverse mortgages can be useful for unlocking equity, but they come with risks and fees. It's worth consulting a financial advisor or housing counselor approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development before proceeding.Government Assistance Programs for Home CareTwo main government programs — Medicaid and VA benefits — can help qualifying seniors offset or significantly reduce costs. Both have income and asset requirements, and rules vary by jurisdiction or individual circumstance. Checking your specific state's programs and veteran status is an important step in the planning process. Village Caregiving 1. Medicaid and Home CareMedicaid is the primary government program that covers nonmedical in-home support for those who meet income and asset thresholds. This program differs from Medicare, which covers skilled home health services only when they're medically necessary and ordered by a physician, such as nursing or physical therapy following a hospital stay. Medicare doesn't cover ongoing, nonmedical assistance like personal help, companionship or daily activity support.Requirements for Medicaid are income- and asset-based, and the rules vary significantly by jurisdiction. Many regions offer home- and community-based services (HCBS) waivers, which are designed specifically to fund in-home support as an alternative to nursing home placement. Thresholds, covered services and waiting lists differ from one area to the next, so it's important to check with your local Medicaid office or consult an elder law attorney for current rules.2. Veterans BenefitsThe U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Aid and Attendance benefit is the primary program for funding in-home support for those who served. It's an add-on to the VA Pension and is paid monthly as cash directly to the recipient or surviving spouse. The funds can be used to pay for in-home assistance, assisted living or other expenses as needed.The key eligibility requirements include:Wartime serviceAn honorable discharge65 years or older, or permanently and totally disabledNeed help with daily living activitiesIncome and net worth fall below VA-established limitsThe net worth limit is set at $163,699 from Dec. 1, 2025, to Nov. 30, 2026. These rates are adjusted annually for cost-of-living increases. Unreimbursed medical expenses can be deducted from countable income when calculating qualification. This means that paying for support out of pocket may actually help more people meet the threshold. Surviving spouses of those who served can also apply.Tips for Planning AheadWhether you're planning proactively or responding to an immediate need, taking a few concrete steps now can make the financial picture clearer and more manageable:Start the conversation early: Exploring funding options before needs become urgent gives you more choices. Waiting until support is immediately necessary limits your ability to qualify for programs, purchase insurance or structure assets strategically.Assess the level of support needed: Whether a few hours of companionship per week or full-time personal assistance is required makes a significant difference in cost. A professional in-home assessment can help clarify what level is realistic.Explore all funding sources simultaneously: Don't wait to exhaust personal savings before looking into Medicaid, VA benefits or home equity options. Many households use multiple sources at once to spread the financial load.Consult with professionals: A financial advisor or elder law attorney can help you navigate qualification requirements, protect assets, evaluate insurance options and structure decisions to align with your long-term goals.Remember that preparation also includes physical modifications — grab bars, ramps or accessible bathrooms — to the residence, and only 10% of American homes are “aging ready,” according to a May 2020 U.S. Census Bureau report. Many physical modifications require advanced planning and funding to implement.For those managing from a distance, long-distance caregiving resources can help coordinate services. When you're ready to evaluate providers, choose a home care provider that can clarify what to look for in terms of services, pricing and reliability.Assess Your Senior Loved One's NeedsThe path forward looks different for every household. The best option depends on the level of support required, the financial resources available and which programs the person qualifies for. Starting the conversation early, before needs become urgent, is the most important step. Assess what's needed, estimate realistic costs based on your location and explore every available funding source simultaneously, rather than waiting to exhaust one option before moving to the next.Consult with a financial advisor or elder law attorney to help you navigate Medicaid requirements, protect assets and make informed decisions about insurance and equity. This is a challenging process, but it's manageable when you have the right information. Millions navigate these decisions every year, and most find a path forward by combining resources creatively.This story was produced by Village Caregiving and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Thousands of journalists are leaving newsrooms and taking marketing jobs. Here's why. Thousands of journalists are leaving newsrooms and taking marketing jobs. Here's why.Former liberal arts majors, journalists, and other lovers of the written word are flocking to a new career path: brand journalism.This type of role involves much of the same research and writing work that journalists are accustomed to, but within a business setting instead of a newsroom. Depending on their role and the brand they work for, they might be doing things like writing news coverage of an awards show or sporting event, or explaining the latest medical research. The main difference is that they're doing so with the goal of promoting a company's expertise in a particular field.An analysis by Alex Hamilton of workforce insights company Live Data Technologies found that more than 2,800 journalists have taken roles in brand journalism in the last decade. Hamilton's analysis used Live Data Technologies' workforce intelligence data to track role changes from publications into brand journalism, content, or communications roles between January 2015 and May 2026. He found that between 230 and 340 journalists are making this type of job transition each year.The conditions are ripe for this kind of career move. Traditional media has weathered numerous layoffs as advertising revenue has fallen and the search landscape has been disrupted. Meanwhile, the rise of AI has made authentic, human-written content more valuable. A strong brand presence — like that created by compelling content — has become a must for brands looking to stand out from the competition without relying on paid advertising.Three former journalists — AJ Smith of The Points Guy, Tracy Middleton of Hone Health, and Sarah Firshein of Tripadvisor — spoke about their experience moving into brand journalism during a panel discussion at Cited, an industry conference hosted by content distribution company Stacker.They said that while they knew they were ready to do something different outside of journalism, the transition to the brand world hasn't always been easy. While many of the tasks of the job are the same, the goals and communication styles are often different. And despite improving standards of disclosure and transparency, critics of brand journalism sometimes question whether a newsroom created and run by a corporation can truly be editorially independent.Here's what the panelists shared about this relatively new career path and how it has varied from their previous jobs — and how anyone with this skill set could make a similar move.How brand journalism roles are similar to journalism jobsAll three panelists previously held traditional journalism roles, either in print media like magazines or in broadcast. They decided they were ready for a change of pace as they watched the media business evolve in recent years.Smith, the senior vice president of content and audience growth at The Points Guy, said that while she now describes her job as a marketing role, she initially described it as just a slight deviation from her professional path."I'm still a journalist," she said she would tell people when she first made the move. "I'm just doing it in a different place, with a different company."Middleton said that leading the editorial department at Hone Health as senior editorial director feels similar to her work in traditional media. She's still fielding pitches, assigning stories, and editing. However, there has been plenty that is new and challenging in the work."What really was attractive to me was the opportunity to build something from the ground up," Middleton said. "To do it at a place and a company that was in the health sector — that was my niche — and an organization that was doubling down on scientific accuracy, it felt very aligned."How brand journalism is different from traditional mediaStill, the goals of a brand journalism team are different in that they are expected to show measurable impact of their work on the business, not just readership growth."Even though we are editorially independent — no one's telling us what we can and can't publish — we're being judged on different standards” than in traditional journalism jobs, Middleton said.This was a common theme throughout the day at Cited. Several former journalists spoke of creating new ways to track the success of their work in order to communicate more effectively with senior leaders."Being a little bit more bombastic about your success has been an interesting thing to figure out with the team," said Firshein, Tripadvisor's global head of content. When the team creates an interesting content package, they have to think through how they explain its impact to others across the company, including those who might not be as familiar with journalism."It's a great way to get people to go to bat for their work and not rest on their laurels," Firshein said.How to get a brand journalism jobFrequent layoffs in traditional media have meant that many talented writers, editors, and strategists are on the job market. According to the panelists at Cited, job seekers interested in a brand journalism role should focus on highlighting their transferable skills, including:Operational chops: Middleton said that former journalists are seasoned to "balance deadlines like nobody else can." She said it has been amazing to see their "unrivaled operational prowess" transfer to a new environment.Curiosity: Loving to ask questions is key to transitioning from traditional to brand journalism, the panelists said.Adaptability: Journalists are adaptable by nature, having made many transitions in their careers as the industry has evolved in the digital age. The panelists agreed that journalists have a built-in hunger to learn the next thing.As newsrooms shrink and brands continue to compete for attention, the path from newsrooms to the corporate world may get even busier.This story was produced by Stacker and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Quad-Cities reality star gets 15 years for forgery, theft "Love After Lockup" star Latisha Collier has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after using a client's identity to lease a home in LeClaire.
	6 biggest summer liability risks for small businesses (and how to protect against them) 6 biggest summer liability risks for small businesses (and how to protect against them)Summer weather can mean more time outdoors, more events, hot weather and holidays. And for many small business owners, it can also mean more customers ready to spend. If you’re a contractor, food truck owner, event vendor or mobile service provider, May through September might be your busiest season. And also a time of year packed with hidden perils you need to plan for, ERGO NEXT Insurance reports.If you find yourself working at crowded, unfamiliar venues, bringing on seasonal help or packing your schedule tighter than usual over long, hot days the risk of customer injuries or property damage can start to climb.The good news is many of these risks are predictable — and often preventable. Here’s our list of six of the most common summer liability risks that could affect small business owners, and practical ways to combat problems before they start.1. Customer slips, trips and falls in temporary workspacesSummer often means working in venues that aren’t designed for your business. Food trucks might serve in unfamiliar lots. Farmers market vendors set up on grass, gravel or uneven pavement. Mobile service providers might work in customers’ driveways and backyards. And contractors and cleaners are always on the move between job sites — and often more in demand during dry weather and holiday schedules. Every new location comes with hazards that are easy to overlook or workaround when you’re focused on working and serving customers.Picture this: You’re setting up your food booth for a community festival. Customers start arriving while you’re still laying out extension cords and moving equipment. Someone trips at your booth and suffers an injury that requires medical care — then asks you to cover their medical bills. It’s the kind of thing that can happen in a matter of seconds.How could this have been prevented? During setup, take a few minutes to:Secure or cover extension cords and hoses that cross walkways.Check that all signs and displays are secured.Keep tools, equipment and boxes out of the way.Mark any uneven ground or trip hazards with cones or signs.If someone is injured and your business is found responsible, general liability insurance could help cover third-party medical expenses, legal defense costs and even settlements. This is a big reason why many event organizers require (and business owners choose to carry) this type of coverage.2. Hot weather can increase mistakes — and accidentsExtreme heat doesn’t just make outdoor work harder. According to the CDC, heat stress can cause physical responses (headaches, dizziness), confusion and impaired judgment, making mistakes and accidents more likely. That matters even more this summer, as record-breaking temperatures and rising heat across parts of the U.S. are putting outdoor workers under added strain.Think about how that can play out on a busy workday. A contractor rushes to finish while carrying materials and accidentally damages a customer’s property. Or a catering employee spills hot liquid on a guest or someone else’s property after working through a long afternoon.A few summer workplace safety adjustments may help reduce some risks:Knock out the most strenuous jobs early in the day when temperatures are somewhat lower.Set mandatory breaks for water and cooldown time, especially on longer jobs.Rotate assignments so one person isn’t stuck in the sun all day.If a heat-related mistake leads to someone else’s injury or property damage, general liability insurance may help. But if an employee becomes ill or injured, workers’ compensation insurance could help with covered work-related injuries or illnesses.3. Rushed training can lead to costly mistakesThe National Restaurant Association projects restaurants alone will add about 450,000 seasonal jobs this summer, and contractors, retailers, event vendors and landscapers also tend to bring on extra summer help.When business picks up, it’s tempting to get new hires working right away. But the reality is that most small business owners need help ASAP and they might not leave enough time to fully train their seasonal staff.A seasonal worker could be more likely to damage a customer’s property or miss a safety step — not from carelessness, but from rushed training or unclear expectations.Before new hires work on their own, take time to:Review safety procedures and expectations.Provide them with a reference document or training checklist.Pair them with experienced staff before they work alone.Encourage questions no matter how small they may seem.If a new employee makes a mistake on the job, it can lead to delays, unhappy customers or unexpected costs. More time upfront to train and support new hires can go a long way to help prevent liabilities and keep your busy season running smoothly.4. Property damage at customers’ homes or job sitesIn summer months when families are traveling more, they often want repair work or cleaning projects done while they’re away. But anytime you work on someone else’s property, it comes with risk, and small mistakes can get expensive fast.Property damage doesn’t just mean damage to a building or land — it can also include a customer’s belongings, like furniture or personal items that your business accidentally damages.For instance, a landscaper might break an underground sprinkler line. Or a house cleaner could stain a surface with the wrong cleaner or knock over an expensive vase while moving through a customer’s home or office.Before you start any job:Do a quick walk-through of the property to look for hazards.Snap a few photos of anything that’s already damaged.Ask the customer if there’s anything fragile you should know about.If something does go wrong, mention it to your client as soon as possible to show that you’re credible and responsible.If your business accidentally damages someone else’s property, general liability insurance could help with repair or replacement costs.5. More driving can mean more opportunities for accidentsSummer roads get crowded fast. AAA projects 61.4 million Americans travel by car over the Fourth of July holiday alone. Summer often means spending time behind the wheel driving in new places, whether you’re driving to customers’ homes, hauling equipment between job sites or setting up at craft fairs.It only takes a moment of distraction to back into another vendor’s trailer or clip a customer’s fence.A few habits worth building:Give yourself extra time to get to each job or event.Walk unfamiliar parking or loading areas before backing up.Use a spotter when maneuvering in tight spaces.Stay alert for pedestrians, cyclists and other drivers, especially in crowded event areas or unfamiliar neighborhoods.If your business vehicle is involved in an accident, commercial auto insurance could help cover some damages and injuries you may cause. Even if you’re driving a personal vehicle, personal auto coverage may not cover work-related accidents.6. Don’t let a packed schedule lead to shortcutsWhen business is booming, it’s tempting to say yes to one more job or squeeze in one last appointment before the day ends — especially when days are longer.The problem is that rushing or cramming in a lot of work can turn small oversights into expensive mistakes. You might skip a property walk-through, forget to secure equipment or sideswipe signage as you’re making a tight turn. Rushing around can increase the risk of injuries, property damage or unhappy customers.As your schedule fills up, try to protect a little breathing room:Build in extra travel time into your day.Pad the space between appointments when you can.Hire more help as needed.Pause before packing up and double-check your work area.Make sure tools, cords or materials aren’t left behind where someone could get hurt.Take a moment to document the job before you leave.If you’re running behind, let customers know instead of rushing.Summer is meant to be your busiest season — not your most stressful. Leaving yourself a little breathing room can help you protect your customers, your reputation and your business.Quick guide: The biggest summer liability risks for small business ownersThe biggest summer liability risks usually come down to these six things:Accidents and injuriesWhy risk increases: Jobs and events in unfamiliar and temporary workspacesQuick prevention tip: Inspect every site before customers arriveHot weatherWhy risk increases: Fatigue and dehydration can affect judgmentQuick prevention tip: Schedule mandatory breaksSeasonal hiringWhy risk increases: Less training time for summer hiresQuick prevention tip: Use onboarding checklistsProperty damageWhy risk increases: More work in unfamiliar venuesQuick prevention tip: Document existing property conditions before you startVehicle accidentsWhy risk increases: More driving unfamiliar locationsQuick prevention tip: Allow for extra travel timeOverschedulingWhy risk increases: Rushing between jobs can cause mistakesQuick prevention tip: Leave buffer time and hire more staffThis story was produced by ERGO NEXT and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	How real estate investors are using property data to find deals before they hit the market How real estate investors are using property data to find deals before they hit the marketAlthough the median sales price of a U.S. single-family home has continued to slide since its peak in late 2022, real estate investors are still contending with a seller’s market in many parts of the U.S.In a competitive environment, the most successful investors are, more often than not, able to identify favorable properties before sellers actually list them on the market. Making a pre-market offer on a house carries some risk for buyers, but accurate property data search tools can provide crucial context to help you make an informed—and early—decision.Keep reading for a list of data points that may prove helpful if you’re looking for a property to add to your investment portfolio.PropertyReach used data from ATTOM and the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis to create this article.Why Would You Want to Make an Offer Before a House Goes on the Market?The primary reason real estate investors work so hard to identify pre-market listings is to buy them at a lower price. If the seller doesn’t list the home on the broader market, potential buyers are much less likely to become entangled in a bidding war.That premise begs the question: Why would a seller accept a lower offer for their property?One reason is that some sellers value transaction efficiency over wringing every last dollar out of the buyer. They might want to sell quickly or with as few contingencies as possible. Additionally, listing your house often requires staging it, taking pictures, and completing a slew of legal disclosures. Plenty of homeowners don’t want those hassles.7 Data Points Real Estate Investors Use to Identify Hot PropertiesAs you do your research, take the following data points with a grain of salt and consider them against the total ownership situation. One or two favorable conditions might not indicate a homeowner is about to list their property, but multiple ones could lead to a lucrative deal.1. Length of Ownership (Years Owned)Perhaps the simplest and most straightforward data point real estate investors use to identify pre-market properties is the number of years the current owner has owned it. The longer a house or condo is owned by a particular owner, the more likely a sale becomes.Although this data point is still reliable, data from ATTOM shows the average length of homeownership for sellers is higher than it’s ever been. It’s therefore prudent to look at other property data points in your quest to find off-market steals.2. Tax LiensHaving a clean record of paying property tax obligations is a sign that the homeowner is not in significant financial distress. Conversely, those who fall behind on their property taxes might not have the financial means to continue their mortgage payments, which could result in them losing the property.Savvy real estate investors are often on the lookout for recently filed municipal tax liens, along with the total amount owed in property taxes. Many homeowners in that position sell before foreclosure happens.3. Owner’s Mailing AddressAn investor is sure to become interested in a property that differs from the owner’s actual mailing address. In these circumstances, the owner is a remote operator of sorts. They could be renting out the property or have just become owners due to a death in the family.No matter the reason, a remote or absentee owner is not as emotionally invested in the property and, therefore, may be willing to sell. An absentee owner who’s managed a rental property for a long time might be looking to get out of the landlord game due to rising overhead costs.4. Building or Renovation PermitsFixing up the property before listing it on the market is a common strategy for homeowners looking to maximize profits. They might have found a good deal on the job or know someone who was willing to work for a discount. Investors typically look for municipal and county-level construction permits when identifying pre-market homes, as these can indicate a little “sprucing up” before hitting the market.5. Probate FilingsHouses are the most significant assets that many people leave behind after they pass away. Heirs and beneficiaries may not intend to keep owning homes they receive through inheritances—especially if there are multiple new owners.In these situations, real estate investors may strike gold with beneficiaries who want to sell quickly and efficiently. It’s smart to strike the right tone with the initial contact, as grieving families are hardly ever in the mood for hard sells. Exercise caution after you’ve found a property entered into an estate filing.6. Lis Pendens“Lis pendens” is Latin for “lawsuit pending.” It’s not a good sign for the current homeowner, as it usually indicates they are unable to make their mortgage payments. A lis pendens notice is far from a guarantee that the mortgage lender will take ownership of the property and put it up for sale, but it’s certainly a situation worth monitoring for real estate investors.Lenders may also issue a lis pendens notice if there is another type of dispute related to the property’s ownership. Marital homes may have a lis pendens issued on them if they’re involved in a dissolution of marriage (divorce) or if there’s a disputed inheritance.7. Refinancing Actions—More Specifically, the Lack ThereofWhy would a homeowner not refinance their property when interest rates dip low enough?In many cases, it indicates that they may not be occupants for much longer. Borrowers typically refinance to take advantage of long-term savings, as closing costs can render immediate returns moot. Homeowners who are about to list their house on the market or who are very close to paying off the loan might not want to deal with the hassle of switching lenders.Leverage Up-to-Date Property Data for Your Next TransactionAs more data becomes publicly available—and easily retrievable—it’s worthwhile to double-check the accuracy of the information you find. The more accurate information you have about a home, the better informed your pre-market offer will be. After all, successful investments are not possible without exhaustive research.This story was produced by PropertyReach and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Scott County Democratic candidates to hold listening sessions Democrats running for county elected offices in Scott County will hold a series of listening sessions ahead of the November election.
	Behavioral health M&A remains strong with heightened interest Behavioral health M&A remains strong with heightened interest According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 1 in 5 adults—roughly 59 million people—live with a mental health issue, ranging from anxiety or depression to schizophrenia or addiction. While treatment options and access to care have increased in recent years, fewer than half of these people receive mental health services. Continued efforts around destigmatization and opening access through expanded funding and telehealth services will support those in need and drive investment in the space.Additionally, over 7 million people in the United States live with an intellectual or developmental disability, with a higher rate of prevalence in children aged 3 to 17 years old, according to the NIH and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As it relates to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) specifically, the CDC estimates that 1 in 31 children have been identified with ASD, a rate of prevalence that has roughly doubled over the past decade. These statistics reinforce why behavioral health services remain an essential resource for so many people.Given the magnitude and increasing prevalence of behavioral health (BEH) issues, private equity (PE) firms remain highly interested in identifying opportunities to deploy capital and professionalize businesses across the behavioral health continuum. "We’ve seen significant investment across behavioral health sectors for many years and don’t expect that to change given the large addressable market and unmet demand," said Steve Aguiar, managing director of Healthcare Investment Banking for Fifth Third Securities. "Any demand-supply imbalance creates opportunity."Sustained M&A momentum driven by demand, fragmentation, and investor appetiteBehavioral health mergers and acquisitions activity remained strong in 2025 and is expected to continue its upward trajectory into 2026, with certain subsectors such as autism therapy and intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) expected to receive outsized interest. A combination of market forces continues to fuel investment in behavioral health, including persistent market fragmentation, strong and rising demand for services, and workforce inefficiencies.Private equity and strategic buyers have long capitalized on opportunities to consolidate fragmented industries to achieve rapid expansion and scale, which remains a fundamental investment thesis in behavioral health. Both existing platforms and independent operators are actively pursuing add-on strategies in markets where demand exceeds supply, particularly in outpatient mental health and autism services, where rising prevalence and long waitlists highlight structural access barriers.Managing a workforce that is plagued by high turnover and labor shortages continues to be a critical focus area for all BEH companies and underscores the need to deploy effective management strategies that can scale efficiently as demand for services grows. Together, these market dynamics are increasing the strategic imperative for providers to pursue M&A to achieve operational efficiencies, expand geographic reach, and strengthen long‑term competitiveness.The path forwardLooking ahead, behavioral health M&A is expected to remain robust through 2026 and beyond, supported by a healthier exit environment, improving financial performance across many platforms, and the reemergence of high‑quality assets coming to market.While investors will continue to scrutinize regulatory shifts and prioritize strong compliance protocols, the year ahead is likely to see increased focus on targets with predictable reimbursement, durable margins, and scalable operating models. Rising demand, persistent undersupply, and stabilizing operating conditions, coupled with significant private equity dry powder, signal that behavioral health will remain one of the most active and resilient sectors in healthcare M&A. For many investors, BEH continues to offer both meaningful societal impact and compelling long‑term growth opportunities, reinforcing its position as a strategic priority within the broader healthcare services landscape.This story was produced by Fifth Third and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	How to travel with jewelry safely How to travel with jewelry safelyHitting the road (or skies) for an exciting adventure? Preparing for a trip is relatively easy for experienced travelers, but what do you do when it comes to packing and safely traveling with your engagement ring, luxury watch, or other expensive jewelry?Even the savviest of travelers can make simple mistakes that result in an expensive and heartbreaking loss. A perfect example is the moment Kim Kardashian lost her $75,000 diamond earring in the ocean while swimming in Bora Bora, or when Solange Knowles accidentally sent her art deco-inspired engagement ring soaring into the crowds of a Mardi Gras celebration while throwing beads in New Orleans. The urge to wear our best and boldest jewelry while we travel is hard to resist, but it creates an irrefutably higher risk for a tragic loss—not to mention a ruined vacation.Data from Jewelers Mutual’s 2026 Travel Study of consumers who routinely travel with their treasured pieces helps shed light on the top trends for keeping your jewelry safe while traveling in 2026 and beyond.Key Takeaways:Your jewelry is most vulnerable while you’re on the move.30% of travel-related losses occur near bodies of water, while 20% happen at hotels, and 13% at airports.Younger consumers experience higher rates of jewelry loss (likely because they wear jewelry more frequently and often treat pieces as lifestyle accessories).If you're like most travelers, protecting your jewelry isn't at the top of your travel to-do list. But there are some precautions to take, especially if you're bringing your engagement ring or other expensive pieces. Read on to learn how to travel with your jewelry safely.6 tips for traveling safely with your jewelry1. Make an inventory of the pieces you're taking with you. If you need to file a police report for any reason, an inventory may help with proof of ownership, though further proof may be required. (You should really do this anyway; it's smart to have a personal jewelry inventory.)2. Alert officials, if necessary. If your insurance company requires you to notify them of travel, make sure to do so. Also, if you’re traveling internationally, don’t forget that you may need to report the transport of goods valued to customs if it exceeds their most recent thresholds.3. Know when not to wear your jewelry. While your valuables are often safest while in your sight, there are activities during which you need to take your jewelry off. Look over this full list of activities that should be off-limits to jewelry.4. Store safely at your hotel. Never leave your jewelry out in your hotel room, even inside your luggage. For any expensive jewelry you're not wearing, ask the hotel staff if they have a safe you can use, whether in your room or behind the desk.5. Conceal, don't reveal. Don't advertise the presence of expensive jewelry by sharing it on social media. Especially if you're in a more dangerous or unknown area, take steps to conceal any expensive jewelry from strangers. There's no need to make yourself a target.6. Appraise and insure. Is your jewelry insured? Does your insurance cover worldwide travel? Or do you have travel insurance that covers jewelry? Make sure you know the limitations of your policy and that you have comprehensive coverage for the value of your pieces. It's also smart to update any appraisals before you leave.Additional tips for keeping your pieces safe in the hotelThe study reveals that for 42% of travelers, their engagement/wedding ring is the most expensive jewelry item they bring. So, what precautions should these types of travelers take?Avoid wearing your ring in or around water: Even applying suntan lotion or working up a sweat could make it easier for your ring to slide off.Be hotel savvy: The most common location for jewelry theft while traveling is the hotel room. Exercise caution everywhere you stay.Use the safe: Consider purchasing a supplementary lock to use on hotel safes for additional security and never leave jewelry in your room unattended.Can you bring jewelry in a carry-on bag?Yes. However, given that 26% of travel-related jewelry loss happens while the jewelry is packed, it is strongly recommended that you always wear your valuable pieces on your person, whenever possible. If you're not actually wearing your more expensive pieces through the airport, your carry-on is the only other way to go.Make sure to keep the bag with your jewelry inside in your sight at all times. That includes offers of help from airport staff, cab drivers, bellhops, and the like, and never pack your fine jewelry in checked luggage. There's just way too much risk.Can you wear jewelry through airport security?Yes. TSA may often encourage you to keep your jewelry on. Most jewelry will not set off any alarms, and if it does, an officer can inspect it with you watching.If you do decide to remove your jewelry for whatever reason, put it into your carry-on bag, not in a bin or bowl.What is the best jewelry for travel?There are so many things to think about while traveling; the fear of losing or damaging expensive, sentimental jewelry doesn't need to be one of them.Follow the 2-1-1 rule to simplify packing and minimize risk:2 pairs of earrings1 necklace1 ring or statement pieceThis keeps your travel jewelry simple and manageable so you can mix and match outfits without tracking too many valuables. Try packing hacks to keep your jewelry protected in your suitcase during travel,Should I wear a fake engagement ring on vacation?For many people, the most expensive piece of jewelry you own is your engagement ring. And you probably don't take it off very often. A fascinating 72% of respondents claimed that they own jewelry specifically meant for wear while traveling, and 22% have travel jewelry that they wear in place of their wedding or engagement ring, so the practice is relatively common.But should you wear it on your vacations? Depending on where you're going and what you'll be up to, the answer could very well be no.What to Do if Jewelry Goes Missing While TravelingEven with careful planning, jewelry can still be lost or stolen. If your pieces suddenly vanish, it’s best to act quickly.First, retrace your steps and check common areas where jewelry is often removed or left behind, like in the bathroom of your hotel, in and around your nightstands, in your hotel safe, around any pool areas or bodies of water, and at airport security.If you believe someone stole your jewelry, you need to notify security at the location where the incident occurred. Then file a police report with local authorities.If your jewelry is insured, contact your insurance provider or agent right away to understand what the next steps are. Having photos, appraisals, receipts, and a police report, when applicable, can help support the process.Travel Smart with JewelryJewelry often comes along for life’s most memorable moments, from weddings and anniversaries to vacations and once-in-a-lifetime trips. With a little planning, you can reduce the risk of loss or damage and spend more time enjoying the experience.Pack only what you need, keep jewelry in your carry-on, store pieces securely when not wearing them, and check your coverage before you go.This Jewelers Mutual study was conducted in February 2026. A sample of over 1,500 adults in the U.S., age 18+ who were responsible for making insurance decisions in their household and had at least one piece of fine jewelry, was recruited via an online research panel and surveyed via online self-completion.This story was produced by Jewelers Mutual Group and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The frontline for voting rights is the rural South The frontline for voting rights is the rural SouthMore than 60 years ago, the rural South was the epicenter of voting rights organizing for Black Americans. Marches and government violence in Selma, Alabama, turned the nation’s attention to the violence Black voters faced, inciting the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA), a signature accomplishment of the Civil Rights Movement.Now, the Supreme Court has weakened these legal protections, and underrepresented voters all over the country, but particularly in the rural South, are again confronting inequalities in voting rights and fair representation in state, local, and federal government. “You’re going to see … very limited judicial and congressional oversight of what states are doing, on how they draw districts,” said John Cusick, assistant counsel at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF), in an interview with the Daily Yonder. “And the real concern is that we’re going to see the same history repeat itself, where Black voters and other voters of color are going to have their voting rights trampled on.”In April of this year, the Supreme Court gutted Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act in its Louisiana v. Callais decision. Section 2 protected voters of color from racial discrimination in congressional apportionment, or legislative mapmaking.But the Callais decision was not made in a vacuum. It came after years of Supreme Court case law that gutted key protections. In June of 2013, the Supreme Court decided the landmark Shelby v. Holder, which dismantled a provision that prevented states and municipalities from implementing harmful electoral policies. Since Holder, 29 states have passed restrictive voting laws like strict photo ID policies and restrictions on mail-in voting. Holder and Callais administered a “death by 1,000 cuts” to the VRA, Cusick said.The Rural Origins of the Voting Rights ActIn 1962, three years before Congress passed the VRA, only 14% of eligible Black residents were registered to vote in Alabama. In the spring of 1965, in Dallas County, Alabama, where Selma is the county seat, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) sought to increase registration among Black residents. They formed the Selma Campaign, an effort to register Black residents to vote by funneling national attention to the issue through a series of marches. Civil Rights organizer Reverend Andrew Young told the Birmingham News in 1965 that the “voting bill is being written in Selma,” referring to the coming VRA. In February of 1965, activists aimed to march to the Marion Courthouse from Zion United Methodist Church in Marion, Alabama. But demonstrators were met with violence from law enforcement officers, who killed 26-year-old deacon Jimmie Lee Jackson. In response to Jackson’s murder, the SCLC organized a 5-day, 54-mile march from Selma to Montgomery on March 7, 1965. But the protesters only traveled two-thirds of a mile before police, under the leadership of Dallas County Sheriff Jim Clark, tear-gassed the crowd on the Edmund Pettus Bridge near downtown Selma. Many demonstrators were injured and hospitalized during the attack, which came to be known as “Bloody Sunday.”On the following day, Civil Rights leaders Hosea Williams, John Lewis, and Amelia Boynton filed a class action lawsuit against Alabama Governor George Wallace, claiming violations of Black Alabamians’ voting rights. In Williams v. Wallace, the Supreme Court required the U.S. Army and the Alabama National Guard to escort the protestors on another Selma-to-Montgomery march, led by Martin Luther King Jr., from March 21 to March 25, 1965. Voting rights historian Alexander Keyssar, Ph.D., of Harvard University, said that, although most voting legislation has historically been at the state level, the VRA was one of the first significant pieces of voting legislation at the federal level. “If you left the South on its own, it was not going to eliminate racial discrimination in voting,” Keyssar told the Daily Yonder in a phone interview. “You couldn’t assume that over time things would get better.”While Black Americans fought for voting rights at home, the United States faced pressure from abroad to create more equitable voting systems. During the Cold War, Soviet forces influenced other countries, including African countries, to consider how Americans were treating their own people of color. Scott Olson // Getty Images “Why do you want to align with the United States? Look at the way they treat their Black and brown people,” said Keyssar.With pressures both from home and abroad, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law five months after Bloody Sunday. The law has been reauthorized since its passage because certain provisions were time-limited. This occurred most recently in 2006 under President George W. Bush and a Republican-controlled Congress. But in recent years, in the landmark cases of Shelby v. Holder and Louisiana v. Callais, the Supreme Court has taken a sharp diversion from protecting voting rights for all Americans. Shelby v. HolderOver the last 13 years, the gap between Black and white turnout has grown the most in states previously beholden to the VRA’s preclearance clause, which prohibited states and local governments with histories of voting discrimination from making voting policy changes without federal approval. That’s because the Supreme Court gutted the preclearance clause in their 2013 decision, Shelby v. Holder.“Section five, which was the preclearance provision, was designed to prevent states from circumventing the intent of the Voting Rights Act by changing some aspects of the electoral system in a way that would harm the interests of minorities,” Keyssar said.But this clause became unenforceable when the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice John Roberts, determined that the formula used to determine which places were beholden to the clause was unconstitutional. “That flies in the face of a very powerful pattern — very visible in the South — of basically racially segmented voting patterns,” Keyssar said. A data analysis from the Brennan Center for Justice, a nonpartisan law institute, found that the turnout gap between Black and white voters in places previously beholden to the preclearance cause was about five percentage points greater than it would have been if the clause were still in effect. “The turnout gap grew almost twice as quickly in formerly covered jurisdictions as in other parts of the county with similar demographics and socioeconomic profiles,” the Brennan Center reported. “A lot of people who are experiencing challenges and who felt disadvantaged for their whole lives, they often don’t feel like their votes matter,” said James Sutton, director of operations of Foot Soldiers Park, a nonprofit voting rights advocacy organization based in Selma, Alabama. In a rural area, feelings of apathy can be compounded by other challenges, like access to reliable transportation or childcare, according to Sutton. And when those challenges are exacerbated by restrictive voting measures like photo ID laws, it can make it extra hard to get to the polls, especially if you live in a rural area far away from a Driver’s License office. A new wave of restrictions on voting by mail, one of the many state-level policy changes enabled by the Holder decision, also disproportionately hurts rural voters, according to previous reporting by the Daily Yonder. That’s because there are fewer poll sites in rural areas than there are in urban areas, making travel distances more arduous for rural voters. Limited access to reliable public transportation can exacerbate these challenges.“Some people have only a small window that they can really be gone for health challenges, or the amount of time they can actually stand,” said Sutton. Long lines at the polls might make it impossible for older populations — particularly those in rural areas — to vote. “People don’t really necessarily have quick access to medicines, hospitals, without having to travel. All of the elements that require somebody to move — it creates a barrier and a challenge for people,” Sutton said.Louisiana v. CallaisIn Louisiana v. Callais, the Supreme Court made it nearly impossible to prove that racially-discriminatory congressional maps violate Section 2 of the VRA, a decision that will disproportionately hurt voters of color, according to legal experts. In 2024, a group of self-identified “non-African American voters” challenged a Louisiana congressional map that included two majority-Black districts, claiming that the two districts were drawn to unfairly favor Black voters. But disputes over Louisiana’s congressional map actually began back in 2022, when the state adopted a map that only included one majority-Black district out of the six total districts allotted to the state. Black voters make up about one-third of Louisiana’s voting population, while only a sixth of congressional maps were majority-Black in the 2022 map. A group of Black voters challenged the 2022 map in federal court, citing racial discrimination and a violation of Section 2 of the VRA. A federal judge sided with the Black Louisiana voters, agreeing that the map diluted their voting power by splitting, or “cracking,” them into different districts. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit upheld that ruling and ordered Louisiana to draw a new map — one that included a second majority-Black district. Jemal Countess // Getty Images for Legal Defense Fund Louisiana’s new 2024 map — the map in question in the Callais decision — included a second majority-Black district that elected Representative Cleo Fields, a Democrat from Baton Rouge who served another majority-Black district in the 1990s. But in April of this year, the Supreme Court struck down Louisiana’s 2024 map. In his Callais opinion, Justice Samuel Alito stated that a violation of Section 2 of the VRA only occurs when “intentional discrimination occurred.” But proving intentional discrimination is difficult, even if an electoral policy or map discriminates in effect. Before the Callais decision, Congress explicitly stated that proving discriminatory intent was not necessary, and that discriminatory effects were sufficient evidence of a Section 2 violation.“You didn’t need to show that there was a discriminatory purpose,” said Cusick, assistant counsel at LDF. “It’s very, very difficult to prove an intent case.”Concern over violating Section 2 might have previously kept an all-white legislature from drawing a racially-discriminatory map, but that’s not the case anymore, according to Cusick.Under the Supreme Court’s new interpretation of Section 2, “a State can, without legal consequence, systematically dilute minority citizens’ voting power,” wrote Justice Elena Kagan in her dissent, which was joined by Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. New updates to Section 2 of the VRA “eviscerate the law,” according to Kagan.The Voting Rights Act TodayIn response to the Callais decision, many states are rushing to redistrict ahead of the 2026 midterms, while others are calling special legislative sessions to consider a redistricting push for the 2028 presidential election. The day after the Supreme Court decided Callais, legislators in Alabama asked the court to allow them to use an old congressional map that lower courts previously determined to be racially discriminatory. The Supreme Court sided with the Alabama lawmakers, allowing the state to use the congressional map that erases one of its two majority-Black districts. Meanwhile, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry delayed House primaries to give the state time to redraw a map that eliminated the majority-Black district at the heart of the Callais decision. “Unfortunately, Black voters are going to be harmed regardless, and it’s going to show up in different ways,” said Cusick. And the gutting of Section 2 will affect state and local elections in addition to federal ones, according to Cusick. In February of 2025, the LDF filed a case in Fayette County, Tennessee, asserting that a county commissioner map discriminated against Black voters. Fayette County is a suburb of Memphis, where more than 75% of the population lives in a rural area according to the Census definition. More than a quarter of Fayette County residents are Black, but all of the county’s commissioners were white at the time LDF filed its case. “In response to that lawsuit, the county commission passed a new map that was fair and reduced those harms. But there are chances throughout this country that you’re going to see revisiting or redistricting at every level,” Cusick said. Voters need to be involved at every level of government — attending meetings and following updates — in order to hold leaders accountable, said Cusick, who referred to recent electoral legislation as part of a multi-decade project to dismantle key civil rights protections. The VRA had such an important role in “increasing Black voter participation, turnout, Black candidates running for and winning office,” said Cusick.Sutton from Foot Soldiers Park echoed Cusick’s advice to voters, emphasizing the importance of participating in democracy. “If something wasn’t important, there wouldn’t be so many people trying to weaken your power or take it away from you,” Sutton said. “So it must be really, really important.”This story was produced by The Daily Yonder and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
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	As gas prices and airfare soar, is it cheaper to fly or drive when traveling on a budget? As gas prices and airfare soar, is it cheaper to fly or drive when traveling on a budget?If you're traveling domestically in the U.S. and trying to save money, deciding whether to drive or fly can be an important decision.You may assume a road trip is always cheaper for those traveling on a budget, but as fuel prices surge due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, that's not necessarily true. As of July 24, 2026, AAA pegged the national average fuel price at $4.10 per gallon for regular gasoline, up from $3.16 from this time last year.It goes without saying that flying is almost always faster than driving, but, as with calculating the cost of driving to your destination, airfare prices are similarly volatile right now. Domestic airfare for summer 2026 is trending nearly 15% higher than last year, and that goes for cash fares and points pricing alike.In 2026, the cheapest option isn't always what you might think, especially when you factor in credit cards, points and miles and rewards programs that can help you save.The Points Guy shares how to determine which mode of transportation is best for you and your budget.How to calculate the cost of driving vs. flyingIt's best to start by breaking out some good ol' pen and paper, and ideally a calculator, to do the math. Let's examine the numbers of a hypothetical trip between Chicago and Denver.An August 2026 flight between Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Denver International Airport (DEN) costs as little as $293 round-trip with United Airlines if you choose a Main Cabin economy ticket.If you make the same trip in your car, you'll drive about 2,000 miles round-trip. Assuming gas costs $4.10 per gallon, and you'd make the drive in a vehicle with a gas tank capacity of 14 gallons and a fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon, you would need to fill your car with fuel 5.71 times to get from Chicago to Denver, totaling $328.For a solo trip, flying between Chicago and Denver is cheaper than driving. However, if you're traveling as a family or with more than one person, driving is a far cheaper option per head.Of course, you may want to get a hotel room to break up the drive, and you'll have to stop for meals along the way. Both of those add to the trip's cost, and you'll need to factor them into your calculations.Consider how many people are in your travel partyIf you find a great flight deal or book with a low-cost airline, you can score one-way flights for under $100. However, that cost goes up when you throw in a spouse and kids. If you travel with a large group, flying may be more expensive than driving — even if you add the cost of gas, meals and an overnight hotel room.Use a calculator to help compare costsHow do you determine whether flying or driving is the more affordable trip for you? The best way is to crunch the numbers, as shown in the example above.Consider how much it costs to fill up your car’s gas tank and how many times you’d need to do so for the trip. Then, add estimates for food stops along the way as well as any accommodations you’ll need if it’s a multiday journey.Tools like AAA's easy-to-use gas cost calculator do most of the work for you. Plug in your point of origin, your destination, and the make and model of your car to find out how much you’ll pay in gas to get where you are going.Compare that price to the flight prices for everyone taking the trip. Flights on weekends or holidays will likely be more expensive, but if your dates are flexible, you may be able to find a good deal.Choose a flight to anywhereIf you really want to play a wild card, you can use sites like Google Flights or Skyscanner to search for flights to multiple destinations by typing in only your airport of origin and travel dates. The results will show pricing to multiple destinations, so that you can find the best fit for your budget.Consider the time commitmentFinally, you can’t forget about the time commitment between driving and flying. For long road trips, is it worth spending all that time stuck in a car staring at the highway to reach your final destination? Would you rather pay more to spend that time at home or at your destination? Or is the journey part of what makes the trip appealing? Only you can answer those questions, and the answer will vary from trip to trip.On the other hand, flying can take nearly as long as driving in some cases. You must arrive at the airport at least an hour before your flight (usually more), and if you have a connecting flight, you may have to wait through a long layover.Find ways to save, no matter how you travelWhether you drive or fly, there are ways to mitigate rising costs.Before you hit the road, sign up for any (or all) gas rewards programs and download their respective apps. You can save at least a few cents per gallon every time you fill up, and most also allow you to earn points you can redeem for even higher savings. It may not sound like much, but it all adds up.Some credit cards earn bonus points or cash back at gas stations, like the Citi Strata Card (earns 3 points per dollar spent), Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express (earns 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations; cash back is received in the form of reward dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout) and the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card (earns 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. gas stations).Lastly, if you choose to fly rather than drive, evaluate your points and miles stash as you are planning your trip. You may have enough points to cover some or all of your travel party's flights, especially if your destination or travel dates are flexible.Bottom lineDriving isn't always the cheapest way to get where you're going. Quick road trips can be a great way to save money, but flying can be a surprising way to save money when booking your domestic getaways this year.This story was produced by The Points Guy and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

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