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

Saturday, June 6th, 2026
	Section of Running River Trail to close Monday in Muscatine A section of the Running River Trail System will close this coming week for repairs.
	Portion of eastbound Rockingham Road in Davenport to close Monday A traffic alert for drivers in Davenport.
	‘Play all day, party all night’ at Bettendorf’s annual Be Downtown event, Saturday An annual event is returning to downtown Bettendorf this weekend.
	‘Quad Cities Construction Hike for Hope’ steps off Saturday in Davenport It’s an event to honor loved ones lost to suicide, and provide resources focused on mental health awareness in the construction industry.
	Muscatine boat lunch to close for arrival of American Melody cruise boat The City of Muscatine will temporarily close the downriver boat launch and adjacent parking lot near the Iowa Avenue entrance to Riverside Park on Monday, June 8, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. to accommodate the arrival and docking of the American Melody, a river cruise vessel operated by American Cruise Lines, a news release says. [...]
	Opportunity Knocks job fair scheduled for IowaWORKS, Davenport IowaWORKS will host an Opportunity Knocks, job fair from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, June11, in the IowaWORKS office 1801 E. Kimberly Road, Davenport, a news release says. Opportunity Knocks provides a great venue for new job seekers, seasoned professionals oranyone who may be in the growing transitioning job market. In addition to providing access to [...]
	Section of Running River Trail, Muscatine, to close for construction A section of the Running River Trail System will close on Monday, June 8, weather permitting, to allow for construction work related to the dredge spoils relocation project in Muscatine, according to a news release. The closure will extend from the chicanes at the upper end of Riverside Park to just east of the pedestrian [...]
	Despite a competitive market, finding a summer job is highly beneficial for teens Teenagers looking for summer jobs face a tough labor market. But the personal benefits are huge.
	As American elections become more tense, officials are turning to local police Since the 2020 election, local law enforcement has increasingly been playing a bigger role in helping local officials secure elections.
	Bettendorf Community School District selects student services executive director Pending approval by the Bettendorf Community School District Board of Education, Lorry Wilson has been selected as the district’s next executive director of student services, a news release says. Wilson will begin her new role on July 1 as executive director of student services, Wilson will oversee a comprehensive range of programs and services that [...]
	A park famed for rare gorillas gears up to fight Ebola and protect its primates In Virunga National Park, rangers are on the frontlines — playing a critical role to contain the surging virus while coping with an upsurge in conflict-related violence.
	Laufenberg joins Moline Regional Community Foundation Board of Directors Moline Regional Community Foundation welcomes Brian Laufenberg to its board of directors, where he brings more than 40 years of financial services experience and a commitmentto exceptional professional relationships and community service, a news release says. “Brian provides a degree of leadership expertise and personal experiences which will helpguide the foundation’s philanthropic work throughout our [...]
	Memories of Muscatine: Northwestern Bell Telephone Operators This week for Memories of Muscatine: A photo of Northwestern Bell Telephone operators from 1955.
	Israeli airstrikes kill 9 including Lebanese army officers after ceasefire deal The Israeli military confirmed hitting a vehicle and said the incident is being reviewed. Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun called the strike "a flagrant violation to Lebanese sovereignty and international law."
	Filipino sailors say they were falsely accused of possessing child porn and deported NPR has tracked deported Filipino sailors who say they were accused without evidence of possessing child sexual exploitation material. Almost none have been charged or prosecuted.
	Joan of Arc, Rock Island Style This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island. As with most rough river towns along the Upper Mississippi, Rock Islanders have had their share of sin. In 1903,…
	Bishop Hill Heritage Association presents Doodle Folk Music Festival Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with folk music in an 1840’s historic village! The Bishop Hill Heritage Association presents the Doodle Folk Music Festival June 13 in Bishop Hill. Concerts will take place at the main stage, located next to the park gazebo in the center of Village Park: Located in the village park in Bishop [...]
	The Forest Service says it's closing offices to cut costs. But the math doesn't add up The Forest Service is trying to shut down research hubs because it says it needs to live within its means. But the agency plans to close facilities that cost less than $1 to rent while keeping open one that costs $1 million.
	In Ohio, the Sikh community passes traditions to the next generation Photographer Akash Pamarthy has documented the Sikh religious community in Ohio over several years. His photos tell a story.
	Security cameras sold by Amazon, Home Depot and others recalled over fire hazard "All consumers who used the long, flat-head screw to install the solar panel on top of the camera should participate in the recall," CPSC said.
	Knicks beat Spurs by one point for 2-0 lead in NBA Finals The red-hot Knicks are going home, two wins away from an NBA championship that the capital of the world has been waiting to see for generations.
Friday, June 5th, 2026
	U.S. military says it shot down Iranian drones launched toward Gulf allies The exchange of strikes comes as the Trump administration ramps up pressure on Iran to make a deal to end the conflict.
	River Bandits beat South Bend Cubs 13-8 in game one of double header The Quad Cities River Bandits defeated the South Bend Cubs 13-8 in game one of a double header Friday night.
	Recall: Target baby wipes found to have bacteria that could cause life-threatening sepsis Target is voluntarily recalling two types of baby wipes its generic brand baby wipes after testing found bacteria on the product.
	Pulling Focus African America Film Festival returns to the Quad Cities All screenings and events are free and open to the public.
	Chicago Bears fans weigh possible move to Indiana after stadium vote Chicago Bears fans are reacting after the team's board voted to advance a stadium project in Hammond, Indiana, potentially moving the franchise from Chicago.
	Our QC Crime Watch: Kewanee man faces child-pornography charges - Episode 68 Watch crime reporters Linda Cook and Sharon Wren talk about crime and courts in our area with the latest episode of the Our Quad Cities Crime Watch Podcast. In this episode Linda and Sharon discuss: updates on: To view, click the video above or watch on-the-go on Spotify. The QC Crime Watch Podcast \| Pod
	Davenport Parks and Recreation director resigns The City of Davenport announces that Chad Dyson will step down from his position as director of Davenport Parks and Recreation, effective June 10, a news release says. Dyson has accepted a position with another organization out of state. He joined the City of Davenport in 2018 to oversee park operations, recreational programming, and maintenance [...]
	Iowa American Water continues resurfacing project in Bettendorf Beginning Monday, June 8, work moves eastward on Central Avenue as Iowa American Water continues the first part of the Central Avenue Resurfacing Project by replacing the water main in some spots from 14th Street to Pius Lane, according to a news release. Beginning Monday, June 8, crews will begin work on the fourth of [...]
	It Takes a Village to close rescue and clinic operations The organization had closed its shelter, moving to being a foster-based rescue, in November.
	Democrat Xavier Becerra wins the top spot in November's race for California governor Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has clinched the top spot on California's ballot for governor. With millions of ballots still to be counted, his November challenger is unknown.
	Princeton Iowa's newest water well causes costly problems An $800,000 well in Princeton, Iowa, came with a flow of water and costly problems since it opened in 2022. It's taking water from the same aquafer as its main water source, but this well has produced high nitrate levels. This has forced the well to be closed since the fall of 2024. Exactly what [...]
	Iowa teachers back new classroom discipline law aimed at disruptive behavior A new Iowa law gives teachers more input when handling disruptive students. Educators say the change could improve classroom safety.
	Libertarians, independents file to appear on Nov. 3 Iowa ballot Iowa third-party candidates filed for the Nov. 3 ballot this week.
	Davenport residents rally for immigrant rights, civil liberties Community members gathered in downtown Davenport Sunday to raise their voices on issues ranging from immigration to civil rights and community support.
	House approves $15.2B FY27 budget with marquee acquisition: millionaire’s tax The Rhode Island House of Representatives debates the fiscal year 2027 state budget at the Rhode Island State House in Providence on Friday. June 5, 2026. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)A record $15.2 billion fiscal 2027 budget breezed through the Rhode Island House of Representatives in near record time Friday, with the 65-10 vote finalized with an hour to spare before sunset. The approved budget is almost identical to the version given preliminary vetting by the House Committee on Finance one week ago, featuring a phased-in millionaire’s tax, a state inspector general’s office, and additional funds for healthcare, families with children, and the state public transit agency. The $15.2 billion bottom line for fiscal 2027 marks the highest spending in state history — roughly $300 million more than what Gov. Dan McKee proposed in January, and $900 million above the current fiscal year budget approved one year ago. “Sustainability was at the core of what we’re looking at to make sure we’re investing not just today, but for our families for the future,” House Speaker Christopher Blazejewski, a Providence Democrat, told reporters after the vote on Friday. All 10 Republican lawmakers voted against the budget, blasting the unsustainable growth in state spending and the controversial millionaire’s tax, which dominated debate throughout the legislative session. Friday afternoon proved no exception, with lawmakers reprising familiar talking points about business interests and household affordability during an hourlong back-and-forth periodically marked by raised voices. The phased-in millionaire’s tax seeks to strike a balance, stretching out the 3% tax increase income over $1 million over three years, rather than all at once as McKee’s budget proposal contemplated. The tax hike supplies another $22 million in tax revenue in the upcoming fiscal year based on a 6.99% tax on income over $1 million — the highest tax bracket now pays 5.99% — starting Jan. 1. Revenue from the millionaire’s tax is expected to rise to $142 million by the end of the decade when the incremental tax hike reaches the peak rate of 8.99%. Backers of the tax increase, including Blazejewski, insisted the extra revenue would be needed to offset anticipated federal funding cuts tied to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. “This is us ensuring we will still be able to provide the bare minimum for individuals who need it the most in our state,” said Rep. Teresa Tanzi, a South Kingstown Democrat, listing off examples of the affordability crisis gripping the nation and state. “People aren’t even going to Applebee’s anymore, they’re going to McDonald’s,” she said. “I urge my colleagues to support the 80%. Not the 1%, not the millionaires.” Rep. Teresa Tanzi speaks on the House floor during consideration of the fiscal year 2027 state budget on June 5, 2026. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) House Minority Leader Mike Chippendale warned that the Ocean State will lose its top earners and employers, costing the state’s economy in the long term. In Massachusetts, which began taxing income over $1 million in 2024, more people are leaving the state according to federal tax filings, a trend opponents link to the tax on top earners though the correlation is not explicit. “We are making our territory infertile for businesses,” Chippendale, a Foster Republican, said. Quotation People aren’t even going to Applebee’s anymore, they’re going to McDonald’s. I urge my colleagues to support the 80%. Not the 1%, not the millionaires. – Rep. Teresa Tanzi, a South Kingstown Democrat Losing a major employer like CVS Health would make its host city, Woonsocket, “look like Monaco in Detroit,” independent Rep. Jon Brien said, referencing the Michigan used car dealer. The budget article including the tax increase prevailed by a 54-17 vote, with the chamber Republicans, Brien, and seven Democrats opposed. Three representatives did not vote. Inspector general, at last Far less controversial was the newly minted speaker’s pitch for a state inspector general, cemented with a $1.3 million earmark in the state budget. The funding, unanimously backed by lawmakers Friday, pays for a 12-person independent watchdog agency to improve government efficiency and investigate waste, fraud and abuse. “I’m frankly exuberant that it’s in this budget,” said Chippendale in what he admitted was a rare note of praise on the Democrat-crafted spending plan. Blazejewski’s decision not to subject the state legislature or judiciary to the inspector general’s purview, citing separation of powers, created initial reservations among Republicans and a handful of Democrats. “The public is surmising and I can understand why they are, that we have something really sinister going on here, we’re trying to hide what we’re doing,” Rep. Charlene Lima, a Cranston Democrat said. She acknowledged nothing devious was behind the legislation, but suggested that including the legislature and judiciary under the inspector general’s purview would put people at ease. Lima favored letting the courts decide whether it was unconstitutional. Quotation We are making our territory infertile for businesses. – House Minority Leader Mike Chippendale, a Foster Republican The state auditor general, funded with $8.3 million in fiscal 2027, already serves as oversight for the legislative branch. Rep. George Nardone, a Coventry Republican, pitched a different workaround that would expand the auditor general’s power over the legislature, adding express subpoena and investigatory powers. Both Lima and Nardone’s amendments failed, shot down by an overwhelming majority of chamber Democrats. Budget documents sit in a box on the floor of the Rhode Island House of Representatives on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Help for hospitals, RIPTA Anticipated fallout from new, federal restrictions on Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) spurred lawmakers to focus the state budget on programs that could cushion the blow for service providers and recipients. “This plan recognizes where we are and meets that moment, with an eye towards tomorrow,” Rep. Marvin Abney, a Newport Democrat and chair of the House Committee on Finance, said of the spending plan overall. “This budget does not solve all problems. But once again, it addresses the most pressing needs of the day.” The budget includes the full $116 million cost to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for behavioral and home health care providers, as recommended by the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner. There’s nearly $39 million more for hospitals and healthcare providers to offset the costs associated with an expected rise in uncompensated care, and $22 million to help offset higher premiums for people who purchase health insurance through the state exchange. A new, refundable child tax credit will help middle and low-income families with an average of $330 per child per year, while an extra $11.5 million extends the runway for a state pilot program that incentivizes SNAP recipients to spend their food assistance on fruits and vegetables. The Eat Well, Be Well pilot would have otherwise run out of money at the end of the month. Other spending allotments are more targeted: $4.6 million to close the deficit at the Department of Children, Youth and Families, preventing the staffing cuts that spurred protests by agency employees; $1.6 million for the Newport Hospital birthing center, which remains under threat of closure without more money from donors, according to operator Brown University Health; $3 million for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, and returning the cash-strapped Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) into the black after years of deficits. Lawmakers added an extra $13.4 million for the state public transit agency, compared with McKee’s proposal, relying on revenue from a 2-cent increase in the gas tax enacted last year, and extra money from a separate, state highway account maintained by the Department of Transportation. Newport’s cruise ship landing and docking fees will remain at current levels, despite McKee’s proposal to increase them as a way to fund RIPTA. Rep. George Nardone, a Coventry Republican, speaks as the House takes up the fiscal year 2027 state budget on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Little love for RIDOT The embattled state transportation department, which has been widely blamed for a lack of oversight that led to the sudden closure and subsequent rebuild of the westbound Washington Bridge, is less fortunate. The agency loses funding for 35 of its 60 vacant positions, while subject to a state audit for efficiency and performance, due in March. And, the transportation director loses the chair position on RIPTA’s board of directors, although they continue to have a seat on the appointed panel. Also coming out with less than they hoped for: high-income retirees who pay state income taxes on their Social Security benefits. McKee’s initial budget proposed a three-year phaseout of the tax, which affects retirees with income above $107,000, or $133,750 for joint filers. Lawmakers preserved the first year of the plan, which eliminates the age minimum required to bypass taxes, but held the line on the policy and rate. McKee’s contested energy affordability plan was also largely gutted by lawmakers — despite a last-ditch effort led by Republicans to reinstate a piece of it — in favor of preserving the existing renewable energy and energy efficiency mandates meant to tackle climate change and rising energy costs. “If it were as simple as changing the date, we would have done that,” said Rep. Lauren Carson, a Newport Democrat, referring to the stricken proposal to push out the state deadline to offset 100% of its electricity needs through renewable sources or energy credits. “There are other variables out there that affect the cost of utilities. This is not one quick fix to get ratepayer bills down.” But, legislators agreed with McKee’s proposal to let hydropower and nuclear energy count toward fulfilling the state’s renewable energy requirements, and to control costs for large-scale solar developments through a voluntary fixed-price program. McKee’s attempt to empower the executive with a line-item veto through budget language was also stricken by lawmakers, as were proposed increases in cigar and cigarette taxes. But the governor’s signature afterschool education program, Learn365, got the $2 million he wanted. A $250,000 security request for World Cup events was also incorporated. Charter schools still TBD The spending plan does not address one of the biggest unsettled debates still hanging over Smith Hill: charter schools. The Rhode Island Senate approved legislation Thursday that would ban new charter schools for the next three academic years, which proponents say gives time to better understand how the nontraditional public schools affect resources and outcomes for students in standard public schools. But opponents, including some progressive lawmakers, say the legislation is a bandage that fails to address the deep-rooted problems in the state education system. The spending plan devotes additional state aid to school districts with higher percentages of low-income students, as well as extra money for student transportation costs and career and technical education. It also returns the Central Falls School District to city control after more than three decades under state authority. And, an amendment incorporated Friday sets aside more than $700,000 to train educators to work with students whose first language is not English. However, lawmakers did not offer the extra $590 million in annual state education aid recommended in January by a Rhode Island Foundation-led panel charged with overhauling the opaque education funding formula. But they charged the Rhode Island Department of Education with submitting a report analyzing and comparing the Blue Ribbon Commission’s recommendations to the existing funding structure. The budget also advances a $600 million, five-question series of bonds to voters in November, although allocations are slightly different than what McKee proposed in January, with extra money directed toward an integrated health sciences building at University of Rhode Island, and a $50 million career and technical secondary education program scrapped. There is more money for farm and forestland preservation in the “green bond,” while there is $40 million — $5 million less than what McKee proposed — for Secretary of State Gregg Amore’s requested state history center. The budget provides another $4.5 million from the state’s long-term capital projects budget for the dedicated history building. Sharon Reynolds Ferland, fiscal adviser to the Rhode Island House of Representatives, reviews documents during the floor session to approve the state’s fiscal year 2027 budget at the Rhode Island State House in Providence on June 5, 2026. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Etc. The long-awaited return of truck tolls is baked into the new spending plan, which assumes $20 million in revenue from the still-unspecified date when gantries reactivate. An extra $18 million will go back into the state rainy day fund, replenishing the amount lawmakers agreed to put up as a separate backstop for the sale of Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital in February A $5 million earmark will pay for an initial year of planning for a new University of Rhode Island medical school A $600,000 allocation of state funds will pay for three employees, including a magistrate, to oversee a dedicated domestic violence court An extra $200,000 boost will expand the Rhode Island Promise Scholarship to let in-state high school graduates defer college enrollment by one semester while still qualifying for free tuition at the Community College of Rhode Island. The chamber’s vote now sends the budget to the Rhode Island Senate, where the Committee on Finance is scheduled to take up the spending plan Monday night, with a floor vote on Tuesday. Former House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, a Warwick Democrat who stepped down from the leadership position but not his seat in May after applying for a seat on the state Supreme Court, missed most of the budget debate, arriving just in time to cast his vote in support of the final fiscal 2027 spending plan. Rhode Island House Minority Leader Michael Chippendale and Rep. Megan Cotter, an Exeter Democrat, confer on the House floor on June 5, 2026. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Rep. Charlene Lima, a Cranston Democrat, speaks on the House floor on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Courtesy of Rhode Island Current
	Muscatine's It Takes a Village to close animal rescue and clinic The shelter shifted to a foster-only model in late 2025 as it struggled with funding issues.
	Rock Island to switch utility billing, new accounts will be needed for autopay The change to the new system is expected to happen in August.
	‘East Chicago Bears’ jokes fly as fans and taxpayers react to potential Indiana move Quad Cities and Illinois residents are strongly divided after the Chicago Bears voted to advance stadium talks with Hammond, Indiana.
	The Arc of the Quad Cities Area's Heritage Homes development receives state funding The Arc of the Quad Cities Area announced its Heritage Homes development has been awarded state funding.
	HEAT WAVE coming to the Quad Cities We haven't hit 90° yet this year, but we're about to several times next week. Highs this weekend will be in the 80s but then hit the middle 90s several days next week. Average highs right now are in the lower 80s. That means we'll be well above normal...but will likely fall just short of [...]
	Davenport Channel Cat dock reopens after renovations The project includes a fresh pedestrian bridge, landside improvements and the dock itself.
	Trump appears with Van Orden, Tiffany at Chippewa Falls farm roundtable President Trump listens to U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden as he praises Trump administration ag policy at a forum Friday June 5, 2026 in Chippewa Falls (Screenshot via the Official White House Rapid Response account on X)President Donald Trump held a roundtable discussion Friday at Custer Farms in Chippewa Falls to tout his administration’s efforts to help farmers. Trump’s visit is his first to Wisconsin during this year’s election season. First to take the stage on Friday were U.S. Reps. Derrick Van Orden and Tom Tiffany, signaling the importance of the 3rd Congressional District and the Wisconsin gubernatorial contest for Republicans this year. Despite Trump’s waning approval ratings, Van Orden and Tiffany tied themselves to the president, effusively praising him. Trump appeared on stage for the roundtable with both congressmen as well as U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, farm owner Ken Custer, Jake Leinenkugel, Olympic speed skater Jordan Stolz and Joe Thomas, a Hall of Fame former NFL player who played for UW-Madison and now owns a western Wisconsin beef farm. Despite its billing as a roundtable discussion of agriculture policy, Trump spoke for more than 40 minutes straight, at times appearing to read from a script and at others riffing on a number of favorite topics including former Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama, “Dumbocrats in Congress,” the allegedly “rigged” 2020 presidential election, transgender people, his multi-million dollar D.C. renovation projects and the southern border. “These are some very sick puppies that I’m looking at that are running for office and on the other side,” Trump said. “I call them the Dumocrats, D-U-M, you take out the B, a lot of people don’t know, dumb has a b, a lot of people don’t know. You take out the b and change the E, you put the you and you have a Dumocrat, but they are, their policy is just outstandingly bad, and it’s really bad for the farmer, because we were having record stuff, and then we had to put out a fire, we had to extinguish a nuclear weapon.” With six months until November’s midterm elections, many of Trump’s signature policies have directly affected the bottom line of Wisconsin farmers. Trump’s tariffs and war in Iran have greatly increased the cost of essentials such as fertilizer and gas while limiting access to foreign markets for corn and soybeans. In western Wisconsin communities close to where he appeared on Friday, Trump’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota’s Twin Cities extended into the Dairy State, directly striking the undocumented migrant labor the region’s farmers rely on. “If anybody you hear says that Donald Trump doesn’t care about the farmers, you can look him straight in the eye and tell him that’s a pile of manure, because the man is right back there,” Van Orden said. “We’re going to make sure our farmers don’t have to wring their hands at night because they’re worried about paying bills.” Trump and other speakers promised that the administration and congressional Republicans are working to ease the burden on American farmers, but offered little in the way of concrete proposals for how fertilizer, seed, gas and equipment will get cheaper or how milk, corn and soybeans will get easier to sell. “Your fertilizer prices are going to go way down, just like they were four months ago,” Trump said. “Your fertilizer is down, your energy’s down, your oil, your gas is all coming way down. And frankly, I thought it would go much higher than it did.” In the days leading up to Friday’s event Democratic politicians and Democratic-aligned groups rolled out a series of tours, roundtables and online events to highlight complaints about administration policies on all manner of things. “Wisconsin farmers do backbreaking work to produce world-class products that feed the world and drive our rural economies. President Trump came into office promising to support our farmers, but instead has taken every opportunity to jack up their costs, limit their customers, and cut into their margins,” U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) said in a statement. “Between Donald Trump’s trade war, unnecessary war in Iran, and attacks on our health care system, Wisconsin farmers are paying more for everything, and Donald Trump has no solutions to the problems he’s caused. As President Trump visits Wisconsin, he owes our farmers more than lip service – they need real relief from the high costs they are paying.” SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Courtesy of Wisconsin Examiner
	Pride Festival, Rhubarb Festival and free Figge tours among weekend activities in the Quad Cities Find out what's going on in your neighborhood this weekend!
	Princeton well contamination highlights water challenges for small Iowa towns A drinking water problem in Princeton may be highlighting a larger challenge for small communities across Iowa.
	Morrison Fire Department celebrates 150 years with community event The Morrison Fire Department is celebrating its 150th anniversary this Saturday with a car show, parade, and open house at the county fairgrounds.
	MetroLINK, Davenport unveil refurbished Channel Cat landing Enabled by a $1.8 million federal grant, Quad-Cities stakeholders gathered in the Village of East Davenport to show support for the improvements to public transit in the bi-state area.
	East Moline neighborhood to see 'complete redevelopment' A new housing development in East Moline could start seeing construction within the next year.Officials are calling the project a 'complete redevelopment' of an area in the northeast part of the city. Built in the 1940's, the target neighborhood surrounding Morton Drive is embedded in the city's history. "Interestingly enough, it was actually built using [...]
	New Iowa DOT tool helps counties measure superload damage The Road Infrastructure Superload Analysis Tool (RISAT) is a spreadsheet-based program that allows agencies to estimate pavement damage and associated repair costs.
	Scott County worker identified after fatal dump truck crash Bridget Hillyer was driving a county-owned dump truck when police say she lost control of the vehicle and rolled into a ditch. The crash remains under investigation.
	Death Notice: Eugene Doyle A Memorial Mass for Eugene "Gene" Doyle, 87, of Bettendorf, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 22, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Bettendorf. Visitation will be one hour prior to Mass at the church. A luncheon will follow at The Outing Club in Davenport. Per his wishes, the rite of cremation will be accorded. The Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport, is assisting the family with arrangements. Mr. Doyle died Sunday, May 31, 2026, at StoryPoint Senior Living. Memorials may be made to Bettendorf Parks and Recreation. A full obituary will appear in the June 10 edition of The NSP.
	Muscatine moms turn grief into action with mental health fundraiser following tragedy After a tragedy that left seven dead, Muscatine community members rally to host a vital mental health and suicide prevention fundraiser this Saturday.
	It Takes a Village, Muscatine, closes permanently: Facebook post It Takes a Village Animal Rescue and Resources, Muscatine, has closed permanently, according to a Facebook message posted Friday. "To our amazing Village of supporters and animal lovers, after much reflection, we have made the difficult decision to permanently close our rescue and clinic operations," the post says. "This is not the ending we had [...]
	Robert Young Center launches Quad Cities’ first intensive outpatient eating disorder program Local providers say eating disorders have spiked since the COVID-19 pandemic, yet Iowa's largest program to help closed in 2022. The QC program will launch June 22.
	New home for Davenport’s Bix Museum offers a sneak preview The relocated Bix Beiderbecke Museum is opening briefly tonight and Saturday for a sneak preview, at its new home across from its old one, 112 W. 2nd St., Davenport.
	Quad Cities’ first intensive outpatient eating disorder program to open this month UnityPoint Health - Robert Young Center will begin accepting referrals Monday for the program, which they say is a first for the region.
	Rhubarb Fest returns to Aledo for 34th year The annual Rhubarb Fest in Aledo has returned for its 34th years with thousands of pies and more.
	Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and support the Wounded Warrior Project Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and support the Wounded Warrior Project! Chris Bishop and Matt Magnafici joined Our Quad Cities News with details on the Red, White and Blue Ball. For more information, click here.
	Shelter closing It Takes a Village Animal Rescue in Muscatine is permanently closing, citing financial challenges after switching to a foster-only model.
	After D.C.'s Reflecting Pool gets repainted, visitors ask: What changed? The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is refilling after President Trump had it painted "American flag blue." Some visitors say the results of the project — which reportedly cost millions — are subtle.
	Some retired NC state workers will pay more for health insurance. Working enrollees could save. State Health Plan Executive Administrator Tom Friedman speaks at a State Health Plan Board of Trustees meeting on June 5, 2026. State Treasurer Brad Briner is on the right. (Photo: Lynn Bonner/NC Newsline)Retirees using Medicare Advantage health insurance under the State Health Plan will see significant increases next year. The Plan’s Board of Trustees voted Friday to approve the increases. Copays will increase for a range of medical services. For example, the daily copay for an inpatient hospital stay of 1 to 10 days will go up from $160 to $200 under the base plan. The radiology copay under the base plan will increase from $40 to $75. Out-of-pocket maximums will go up, too, rising $500 to $4,500 for retirees on the base plan, and increasing by $400 to $3,700 for those on the enhanced plan. About 177,000 retirees are enrolled in the health plan’s Medicare Advantage insurance. Jackson Cozort, associate director of the Retired Government Employees Association, said retirees will struggle to pay more. They have no way to offset the higher costs through job promotions or raises, he said. “For many retirees, healthcare costs are not simply another line item in their household budget,” he said. “They’re among the most significant expenses they face.” Suzanne Beasley, lobbyist for the State Employees Association of North Carolina, said the increase for retirees is probably going to be “pretty unbearable.” Retirees have gone a long time without a cost-of-living increase, she said. The Medicaid Advantage increases “are going to turn our folks on their head,” Beasley said. State employees and teachers who are still working and enrolled in the State Health Plan would pay less out of pocket when they seek care from “preferred providers” under a strategy for reducing costs health plan administrators discussed Friday. The plan covers about 750,000 people, including about 575,000 state employees, teachers, and their dependents. Health systems and specialists designated as “preferred providers” will offer care at lower costs to the insurance plan. To help convince insurance plan members to use those providers, members would also pay less. For example, the deductible for an individual would drop to $1,500 from $3,000 under the “standard” plan, and from $1,500 to $1,000 for the “plus” plan. Copays at medical specialists and walk-in clinics would also drop. “Everyone of our active members should have the opportunity to save material amounts of money under this new strategy,” state Treasurer Brad Briner said Friday. Out-of-pocket savings for plan members will amount to one-third or more, he said. Big changes ahead for State Health Plan as trustees work to lower costs This is the latest effort by plan administrators to help control medical costs and reverse the drain on health plan reserves. Health insurance premiums increased this year for the first time in seven years. Trustees are expected to vote on another premium increase next month. Workers are paying premiums on a sliding scale pegged to their salaries this year for the first time. The latest change separates medical systems into four tiers: preferred, access, non-preferred, and out-of-network. It would be considerably more expensive for members to use non-preferred or out-of-network doctors and hospitals. The health plan will announce which health systems will be on the preferred list next month after contracts are signed. Briner acknowledged that the new tiered system could be confusing for members, and anticipated that health systems that end up in the “non-preferred” category will complain. However, every major provider was invited to compete for a contract, Briner said. Providers who end up on the non-preferred list didn’t bid at all or decided to keep their prices high. Over time, health plan administrators hope to have 90% of members using “preferred” or “access” providers, said Tom Friedman, the health plan’s executive administrator. Health plan administrators want to make it worthwhile for members to use preferred providers while steering them away from non-preferred providers. “We cannot afford to continue to pay the highest prices for things,” Friedman said. Courtesy of NC Newsline
	Nebraska seeks temporary Medicaid work requirements exemption for Dawson County Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen. Dec. 27, 2023. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)LINCOLN — Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen has directed the state’s largest agency to seek federal approval to temporarily waive new Medicaid work requirements in Dawson County. Pillen directed the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to seek a temporary high-unemployment exemption. Dawson County had the highest monthly unemployment rate in the state in April, at 19.9% not seasonally adjusted in preliminary data, in part following the closure of the Tyson food processing plant. The plant closed in January. The exemption can be sought if a county’s unemployment rate exceeds 8% or is at least 1.5 times the national average, which was 4.3% in April. Nebraska’s unemployment rate was 3%. “Since the Tyson plant closure was announced, I have directed every available resource and state agency to do everything possible to support the Lexington community,” Pillen said in a Friday statement. “This request to CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) is another step to help provide relief and support to our fellow Nebraskans.” A news release says Pillen has also directed state agencies to continue coordinating workforce assistance, job placement services, benefit navigation and community support resources for those impacted by the Tyson closure. If the state’s request is approved, Medicaid expansion recipients living in Dawson County wouldn’t need to meet federally mandated work requirements to get or keep Medicaid. Nebraska DHHS reviewing federal rule on Medicaid work requirements, declines call to ‘press pause’ Broadly, the requirements mandate that certain adults receiving Medicaid who are between the ages of 19 and 64 must work, volunteer or attend school for at least 80 hours per month, earn at least $580 a month or qualify for an exemption to keep or retain Medicaid. Among those who are exempt are people who are pregnant, have a disability, are a parent or caretaker of a young child or are veterans with a total disability rating. Nebraska implemented new work requirements eight months early. The federal government this week issued its proposal for what states would need to require by Jan. 1. Nebraska DHHS has said roughly 25,000 of the 72,000 adult Nebraskans enrolled through Medicaid expansion will eventually be subject to the updated work requirements beginning at their next renewal period. “Our focus remains on helping Nebraskans get back on their feet and connected with new opportunities,” Nebraska DHHS CEO Steve Corsi said in a Friday statement. He continued: “Under Governor Pillen’s direction, DHHS and our partner agencies are continuing to work closely with local leaders, employers and community organizations to ensure impacted residents have access to the support and services they need.” SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Courtesy of Nebraska Examiner
	Fund established for families after Muscatine murder/suicide A fund has been established at the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine to support the families directly affected by the murder/suicide of seven people in Muscatine on June 1. Charitable donations to the McFarland, Whitlow, and Harris Family Support Fund will help address immediate and ongoing family needs, including memorial-related expenses, through the coordination of [...]
	Graham Platner isn't going anywhere in Maine Senate race after latest controversy Graham Platner is denying accusations of being physically rough with former girlfriends saying that report in The New York Times and other controversies are a sign his campaign is gaining momentum.
	Pride Month celebrations taking place throughout the Quad Cities From festivals to 5Ks to movie screenings, here's a look at events LGBTQIA+ folks and allies can attend this month.
	Dead bills: Glock ban, prescription drug board among measures that stall in final days Key bills banning Glocks, creating a prescription drug price board, and regulating data centers failed to pass before Illinois lawmakers adjourned.
	2 QC Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh stores becoming Pump & Pantry Bosselman Pump & Pantry, a fourth-generation fuel and convenience retailer, announced an agreement to purchase 21 Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh standalone convenience store locations, including five in-store Starbucks and seven in-store Smokey Row coffee shops. The acquisition is expected to close in July 2026. The agreement includes 15 locations in the Des Moines metro, two [...]
	Bears say they are moving forward with Northwest Indiana location for new stadium The Chicago Bears voted to continue new stadium talks in Hammond, Indiana, after an Illinois tax incentive bill died in the state House.
	4 Your Money \| Broken Seesaw Many investors grew up learning that a balanced portfolio means owning both stocks and bonds- stocks for growth, bonds for protection. James Nelson, Financial Planner at NelsonCorp Wealth Management, shares how that traditional 60/40 ratio may be outdated in the current economic landscape.
	The Arc of the Quad Cities Area's Heritage Homes development receives funding The Arc of the Quad Cities Area announced its Heritage Homes development has been awarded state funding.
	Stitt appoints new leader of embattled Mental Health Department Josh Anderson was appointed the interim commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services on Friday. (Photo provided)OKLAHOMA CITY — A struggling state agency will have its third commissioner in two and a half years. Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed Josh Anderson on Friday to be the interim leader of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Anderson will succeed Interim Commissioner Gregory Slavonic, who agreed to lead the agency for a year until the end of the 2026 Legislative Session, which finished last month. State lawmakers prepared for the possibility of state Health Commissioner Keith Reed to temporarily lead both the Oklahoma Department of Health and the Mental Health Department, but Anderson’s appointment negates that outcome. Interim Mental Health Commissioner Gregory Slavonic speaks at a ribbon cutting ceremony for an in-patient behavioral health facility in Oklahoma City on Feb. 27. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice) Anderson joins the Mental Health Department from the Oklahoma State Health Care Authority where he has been chief of staff since October. Before that, he was the chief legal and policy officer and interim deputy commissioner at the state Health Department since 2020. Whether he will remain with the Mental Health Department for much longer than six months is unclear. Oklahoma’s next governor will be sworn in by January, gaining the authority to appoint a different agency leader. Stitt is term-limited after eight years in office. “I recognize the challenges this agency has overcome, and I’m eager to ensure we set the next administration up for success,” Anderson said in a statement. “Some of Oklahoma’s most vulnerable citizens interact with this agency, so it is a top priority that we are serving them to the best of our ability while maintaining transparency and accountability in everything we do.” The Mental Health Department has struggled with financial solvency for the past two years. Former Commissioner Allie Friesen first notified the state Legislature in 2025 that the department faced a dire budget shortfall. Lawmakers later lost confidence Friesen could lead the agency out of the situation and took the unprecedented step of firing her. Stitt appointed Slavonic in June 2025 to replace her. Since then, the Mental Health Department has faced ongoing complaints about an alleged inability to pay its bills on time and reported failure to comply with a court-ordered consent decree. State officials now are considering whether to merge the embattled agency with the Health Department. Senate Bill 1572, which Stitt signed into law last month, requires a feasibility study into the consolidation of the two agencies. The departments must provide the study’s findings on March 1 to the governor, Senate president pro tem and House speaker. Gov. Kevin Stitt delivers his final State of the State Address on Feb. 2 at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Kyle Phillips/For Oklahoma Voice) SB 1572 also would have permitted the state health commissioner to lead both departments for the duration of the study, if the governor were to make such an appointment. But on Friday, Stitt instead announced Anderson, voicing confidence in his appointee’s ability to lead the Mental Health Department. “Josh Anderson understands how to run government more efficiently while keeping the focus on serving people,” the governor said in the announcement. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Oklahoma Voice
	RI federal judge strikes down block on immigration benefits The exterior of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Johnston. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)Rhode Island’s immigration service nonprofits are celebrating a decision by a federal judge Friday to toss the administration’s policy that froze permits and other benefits for applicants from nearly 40 countries subject to travel bans. The 135-page ruling by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John McConnell Jr. came in response to a March lawsuit led by two Providence-based nonprofits, Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island and Refugee Dream Center. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services policies left immigrants living in the country in an “indeterminate legal limbo” because of “anti-immigrant sentiments that it is forbidden from letting influence its decision-making,” McConnell, an Obama appointee, wrote. “Indeed, the agency has violated the very immigration laws that Congress has charged it with administering, as well as the administrative laws that govern the agency’s actions.” James Percival, legal counsel for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, called the ruling “sabotage.” “The Left has been running the same gambit with so called ‘animus’ claims since 2017,” he said in an emailed response Friday. “It is sabotage dressed in legal clothing. It goes like this: (1) the admin is racist, (2) therefore a policy I don’t like is motivated by race, (3) therefore it is invalid. They have used it on virtually every Trump era Department of Homeland Security policy.” He did not answer when asked if federal authorities plan to appeal. Federal authorities suspended immigration work permits and related benefits in November following a Washington, D.C. shooting in which an Afghan national killed one National Guard member and wounded another. In March, a coalition of nonprofit organizations and labor unions that represent and serve immigrant communities filed a complaint, claiming the Trump administration’s actions violated the Administrative Procedure Act, the Immigration and Nationality Act, and the U.S. Constitution’s right to due process. Dorcas International had hundreds of pending immigration benefits application cases that were put in limbo as a result of the Trump administration, according to its complaint. “Dorcas International’s attorneys continue to invest time and resources preparing these cases, and monitoring ongoing cases, but the hold ensures that no case can reach a final decision,” the complaint stated. “This creates a challenging and ever-growing backlog of open cases that Dorcas International must continue to service at its low-cost fee structure, without any prospect of resolution.” Milagro Sique, CEO of Dorcas International, celebrated McConnell’s ruling. “These policies were wrong, plain and simple, and caused needless and profound fear and uncertainty for so many of our friends, neighbors, and coworkers,” she said in an emailed response Friday. “Having the judicial process work as intended — by upholding the rule of law — gives us some reassurance that all is not lost and allows those who have been impacted to move forward with their lives in a meaningful way.” The Trump administration’s decision to suspend benefits for immigrants from countries deemed “high risk” similarly affected the Refugee Dream Center, including in its training program for immigrants no longer able to obtain or renew federal work authorization documents. “They were wrong policies and today we have been vindicated,” Dr. Omar Bah, founder and co-executive director of Refugee Dream Center, said in a statement. “This ruling reaffirms the American doctrine of the rule of law, and place of refuge and equality for all that call it home.” SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Courtesy of Rhode Island Current
	Why you need independent energy this summer and beyond (BPT) - On May 18, 2026, PJM Interconnection — North America's largest power grid operator — scheduled a planned outage to prepare its facilities for summer energy demand. What should have been routine spring maintenance quickly became an emergency.The night before the outage, an early-season heat wave hit the East Coast. At the same time, according to a May 19 Utility Dive article, more than 40 gigawatts of power plant capacity were offline, leaving PJM's grid, which serves more than 67 million people across 13 states and Washington, D.C., with dangerously thin reserves.PJM determined that it could not safely meet projected evening peak demand and requested assistance from the U.S. government to avert a disaster. Fortunately, on May 18, the U.S. Department of Energy issued a rare emergency order, granting PJM's request and authorizing backup generation to help prevent blackouts. But what happens when, not if, the next energy emergency arrives?An old problem with a new culpritSummer blackouts are nothing new. In the hottest months, homeowners and apartment residents rely heavily on air conditioning. That surge in electricity use strains the aging U.S. power grid, causing outages that can last for hours, days or even weeks.But extreme heat is not the only force putting pressure on the grid. AI is steadily driving up energy demand across the country. In fact, data centers accounted for 50% of all U.S. electricity demand growth last year. As more data centers come online and strain an already fragile grid, Americans are heading into summer with more heat and less reliable power.The good news is that households can take control of their energy before summer temperatures peak.Gaining energy independence with a reliable, renewable sourceToday's homes do not have to depend entirely on an unpredictable and costly grid. With a reliable, renewable energy source, households can keep power on when the rest of the block goes dark, reduce energy bills, and, most importantly, gain greater energy independence.There is no one-size-fits-all solution for residential energy needs, but solar generators in a range of sizes and capacities are proving essential for energy resilience. For example, Jackery's Essential Home Backup line offers clean-energy power stations designed as a modern alternative to gas generators, providing coverage for core essentials without the added cost and power draw of whole-home energy storage systems.Jackery, a global leader in portable power and solar generator solutions, anticipated growing U.S. grid instability and evolved its battery backup technology to meet it. Its solar generators run indoors, quietly and safely, without fumes and are built to support how a modern household uses energy, whether that means powering a full load of household appliances or simply keeping one room comfortable and one device charged in an apartment.Those living in large homes would do well to invest in models like the Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus and the HomePower 3600 Plus, both of which can be connected to a home's essential circuits through a Jackery Smart Transfer Switch and a Manual Transfer Switch, respectively, the installation of which promises to be simpler and more affordable than the traditional grid-tied backup options on the market.These modular, versatile home systems can power essentials in multiple rooms: refrigerators, medical devices, AC units and more through extended outages. Both models can be recharged in multiple ways, including solar and traditional AC power, so they're always ready. The Solar Generator 5000 Plus is even compatible with high-voltage solar panels, allowing it to recharge and store energy from a home's existing rooftop solar system. With over 10 years of durability, they offer lasting energy independence.Because the modern household's routine runs on power, every type of home deserves a tailored home backup. For renters and apartment dwellers, the HomePower 3000 and Solar Generator 2000 V2 are ideal portable, plug-and-play options. Using either model, households can keep a room comfortable, charge phones, run a fan and even power larger appliances like a refrigerator.Secure energy independence before the lights go outPower from the grid is never promised, but it's never been easier to find the right backup for your home and lifestyle. Designed around the way you live, the way you explore, and all the ways you need support, Essential Home Backup gives the place you call home the power, connection, comfort and safety you deserve. Don't wait for summer blackout or storm season to take energy independence seriously. To learn more about energy independence and find the right model in Jackery's Essential Home Backup line, visit Jackery.com.
	Boil order issued in Milan Boil order issued in Milan.
	After 20,000 deaths, why are we still attacking doctors? Dr. Edward Simmer, interim agency director for the Department of Public Health, speaks at a press conference on the launch of the new department on Monday, June 24, 2024 (Provided by the Department of Health and Environmental Control)South Carolina lost more than 20,000 people to COVID-19. A tragedy of that scale should have strengthened respect for public health expertise. Instead, in some quarters, it inspired political backlash against the very officials charged with saving lives. Dr. Brannon Traxler and Dr. Edward Simmer have been treated as convenient targets. Both are physicians. Both are highly trained. Both stepped into leadership roles at the state’s public health agency during a once-in-a-century public health emergency. And both faced blistering political attacks, including calls for removal, that had far more to do with the critics’ ideology than with the doctors’ performance. Let’s be clear about what that means. It means public health leadership is being judged less on evidence and expertise than on perceived political alignment. It means that in the middle of a deadly pandemic, some were more interested in scoring political points than evaluating outcomes honestly and supporting best practices to save lives. Criticism of pandemic policy is legitimate. No serious person denies that. Schools were disrupted. Hospitals were overwhelmed. Guidance changed as science evolved. People paid real costs — especially families with children. But what followed went further than criticism. It became scapegoating. Simmer, who senators confirmed in February 2021, was later criticized merely for following federal health guidance. Since becoming interim director last month, Traxler has been targeted for a few past political actions in her private life. That is where the problem begins. Ask a simple question: Would anyone demand to know a surgeon’s party affiliation before a major operation? No. Because it would be irrational. What a patient wants in a doctor is competence and rigorous training: the traditional values of American meritocracy. Not ideology. Public health is no different — even if some politicians pretend otherwise. Viruses don’t care about party affiliation. President Ronald Reagan once joked before surgery that he hoped his doctors were Republicans. It was funny precisely because everyone understood the point. Politics does not belong in the operating room. What matters is expertise. South Carolina’s COVID record makes the cost of forgetting that obvious. The state endured repeated surges. Hospitals strained. Health care workers burned out. The Omicron wave hit hard even after vaccines were widely available. And vaccination rates lagged behind national leaders. Life-saving vaccines The state’s lower-than-average COVID vaccination rate likely contributed to South Carolina having the nation’s 10th-highest COVID death rate in 2021, the pandemic’s deadliest year. Those statistics were not abstract. They showed up in hospital admissions. They showed up in preventable deaths. They showed up in exhausted ICUs trying to absorb yet another wave. One criticism leveled against Traxler and Simmer is that they strongly promoted vaccination. Some anti-vaxxers falsely claimed that the COVID vaccines were ineffective and even harmful. Vaccines, of course, were not perfect. But the core finding of modern medicine remains intact: higher vaccination rates were associated with fewer severe outcomes and fewer deaths. The point bears repeating: Consistently across the nation, states with higher vaccination rates experienced fewer COVID hospitalizations and deaths. States with lower vaccination rates, like South Carolina, saw higher rates of COVID mortality. That is not interpretation. It is empirical evidence. Let’s be clear: Elected officials and candidates who promote vaccine skepticism in South Carolina are playing with public trust in ways that can prove dangerous — even deadly. Vaccination is among the most successful public-health interventions in human history. Smallpox is gone. Polio is nearly gone. Measles was driven to the edge of elimination. Now measles is returning in the United States, including outbreaks in South Carolina and other communities where vaccination rates have fallen. That is not a mystery. That is math. And it is preventable. Public health officials are not saints. They are not infallible. But honest criticism is not the same as delegitimization. The next crisis will come. Another virus. Another outbreak. Another unknown. When it does, South Carolina will again need qualified professionals willing to step forward. The question is whether we will have made that job politically toxic. State officials, for their part, must turn back the tide of disinformation and restore trust in science, vaccination, and public health institutions. With disinformation rampant, elected officials must be the adults in the room. We only hurt ourselves when we turn public health into a political weapon. South Carolina can debate masks, mandates and pandemic policy for years. But no state can afford to punish expertise and expect better outcomes the next time crisis arrives. More than 20,000 South Carolinians died of COVID. If that did not teach us the value of evidence-based public health, the next lesson may come at an even higher cost. Courtesy of South Carolina Daily Gazette
	State: Woman died after nursing home failed to perform CPR Kingsley Specialty Care in Plymouth County. (Photo via Google Earth)An Iowa nursing home where a resident died after the staff failed to perform CPR is facing a possible fine for its actions. State inspection records indicate that a female resident of Kingsley Specialty Care was having trouble breathing the night of May 9, 2026, and asked that she be taken to a hospital. The staff reportedly tried to obtain vital signs but they “could not be read,” according to the inspectors’ report. A registered nurse later told inspectors she went to retrieve a canister of oxygen to help the resident’s breathing, but “couldn’t find all the working parts” for the oxygen-delivery device. She then went to the basement to find the parts. Back in the resident’s room, a nurse aide noted that the woman’s breathing had slowed down and she was no longer responsive. According to inspectors, the aide reported he radioed the nurse “several times and she didn’t respond” then “had to yell for her.” Once the nurse was back in the room, she reported she didn’t know whether the resident had a do-not-resuscitate order in place, inspectors allege. The nurse and an aide then went to the nurses’ station and looked for the book with each resident’s code status. They could not find it, so the nurse looked on the computer and found the woman was a “full-code” resident, indicating cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, should be performed, inspectors reported. At that point, an aide began chest compressions while another aide called 911. The nurse checked for a pulse and said the resident “was gone” and chest compressions were halted, according to inspectors. One of the aides reportedly told the state inspectors she had expected the nurse to take charge of the situation, but “she kind of acted like she was in shock,” the report states. The nurse reportedly told the inspectors she had been “flustered” at the time and hadn’t thought to grab the facility’s crash cart for medical emergencies and take it to the room. The ambulance crew arrived 10 minutes after the 911 call came in and began CPR. The resident was then taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. One of the EMTs on the ambulance crew later told inspectors that when the crew arrived in the resident’s room, an employee — a nurse, she thought — was standing at the foot of the bed. The EMT reportedly told inspectors she asked the employee why no one was performing CPR on the woman, and the worker replied that she was “giving her some air.” There was no bottled oxygen in the room, no crash cart and no Ambubag to administer respiratory support, the EMTs told inspectors. The home’s director of nursing later showed inspectors the crash cart that was positioned near the nurses’ station. The cart contained an Ambubag and oxygen, but the director of nursing reported she did not know if the cart was used for the incident involving the woman who died. The home was cited for failing to provide the woman with basic CPR, which would have involved establishing and maintaining an airway, providing “rescue breathing” if necessary, and external cardiac compressions The home was alco cited for failing to report an incident of resident abuse. In that situation, a licensed practical nurse saw the facility’s charge nurse remove a resident’s medication from its packaging and then take the pill herself. The nurse who witnessed the incident reported she was “shocked” the charge nurse would take a resident’s medication directly in front of her. After the licensed practical nurse reported the incident, the charge nurse was given a verbal warning, according to inspectors. The administrator reportedly told inspectors she did not self-report the incident to state regulators as required because the medication was not a controlled substance. As a result of the violations, the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing has proposed, but held in suspension, a $10,500 state fine. Typically, DIAL holds state fines in suspension so the federal government can decide whether to impose a federal penalty. Kingsley Specialty Care is owned by the Iowa nursing home chain Care Initiatives. The facility has a two-star “below average” overall rating from the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Courtesy of Iowa Capital Dispatch
	New Channel Cat dock opens in Davenport The new Lindsay Park dock for the Channel Cat water taxi is open to the public.
	Officials investigating drone incidents at Eastern Iowa Airport, local drone operator recommends preparation to stay safe Federal aviation officials are investigating two drone incidents at the Eastern Iowa airport that might be tied to nearby data center construction.
	New York state gets one step closer to a data center moratorium A server room in a data center. (Photo by Getty Images)This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News, a nonprofit, non-partisan news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. Sign up for their newsletter here. The New York Legislature passed a one-year moratorium Thursday night on data center permits, the latest sign of pushback amid a nationwide rush to build the power-hungry facilities. New York would become the first state in the nation to enact such a freeze if Gov. Kathy Hochul signs the bill into law. But Hochul, who is up for re-election this year, has said that she believes it should be left up to municipalities, Politico’s E&E News reported last week. Maine’s governor vetoed a moratorium there in April. The bill, named the Responsible Data Center Development Act, would also require a local public hearing before such facilities are constructed and a statewide data center environmental impact report within a year and a half after the bill becomes law. The moratorium would apply to any data center with a peak energy use above 20 megawatts. “We need to make sure that we have the appropriate infrastructure and processes in place to protect communities from rising utility bills, protect our environmental resources and actually have a positive vision for what our energy future as a state should look like,” state Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, a Democrat who introduced the bill, told Inside Climate News. Large data centers that support artificial intelligence suck up an enormous amount of energy to power their computers. They also need water to cool them. In New York, data centers have been proposed across upstate communities, from Niagara and Erie counties along the border with Canada to the town of East Fishkill in the southeast. Local opposition to these projects, which are often proposed in rural areas, is growing. “The burden of rigorous analysis and defense against billionaires and their white-shoe law firms should not be put on volunteer planning board appointees,” said Gay Nicholson of Sustainable Finger Lakes, a nonprofit opposed to a large data center in the upstate town of Lansing. “We need state-level intervention,” she said at a recent press conference. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. The bill is not without its detractors. Khara Boender, the director of state policy at the Data Center Coalition, an industry group, told local station Spectrum News that “a statewide moratorium on data centers would discourage further investment, undermine New York’s economy, and send a signal that the state is closed for business.” Ken Pokalsky, the vice president of the Business Council of New York State, said in a memo that the “expansive and unworkable mandates proposed in this bill would result in significant adverse economic development impacts.” Multiple data center developers working in the state declined or did not respond to requests for comment. Ed Nadeau, the president of the New York State Pipe Trades Association, told Inside Climate News that he was concerned about the loss of construction jobs during the 12-month moratorium, but did not oppose any other aspects of the bill. Workers in his union have been training to build and maintain these types of facilities for years, he said. “It doesn’t make any sense,” Nadeau said of the freeze. “We want these jobs.” In response to questions about job reductions, Gonzalez said that the capital expended to build and operate a data center is very high compared to the jobs created. New York Focus, a state news outlet, recently reported that a $77 million subsidy for a data center near the state’s border with New Jersey had led to the creation of only a single permanent job. “We want to make sure our building trades have as many opportunities to build as possible,” Gonzalez said. “That’s why we invest deeply in housing, but as part of this bill, we’re also identifying new ways the [electricity] grid has to be improved, and those will be jobs moving forward.” Local opposition to data centers The town of Oneonta in central New York is among the localities nationwide enacting their own moratoriums. William Rivera, now the town supervisor, said he became aware of a proposed data center there last year at a town hall meeting. Eco-Yotta Inc., a technology company, wanted to rezone over 150 acres of what Rivera called “pristine farmland” for the data center. Last month, his administration successfully passed a 12-month moratorium on data center development. “Gone are the days where these mega-corporations can come in and sneak in harmful applications on the backs of working people,” said Rivera, who drafted the Oneonta moratorium policy. But, he said, many local governments and residents struggle to get access to all the information concerning data centers and their impacts. Historically, data center developers have been extremely reluctant to share information about their energy and water use with the public, to the point of getting local officials to sign non-disclosure agreements concerning the details of a project. The newly passed state legislation would force developers to be more transparent about their use of local resources, and includes a requirement to make efforts toward “energy efficiency goals” like recycling waste heat. New York’s electricity grid operator has stated that data center projects will put pressure on the grid and complicate efforts to retire aging gas-fired power plants. U.S. data centers often rely on highly polluting diesel generators for backup power. Some operate their own gas-fired power plants to keep the computers running. The new bill would require existing data centers to disclose greenhouse gas emissions data for the environmental impact report. It would also require them to use increasing amounts of renewable energy to power their data centers, starting at a third of their energy consumption in 2030. “Modern hyperscale data centers are a new and unregulated industrial sector,” said Bridge Rauch, an environmental justice organizer with the Clean Air Coalition of Western New York, a region where multiple data centers have been proposed. “Our communities and our state need time to develop and pass local and state regulations.” SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Pennsylvania Capital-Star
	Kansas anti-abortion PAC endorses GOP candidate Ty Masterson in gubernatorial primary Senate President Ty Masterson, a Republican receiving the Kansas for Life PAC's endorsement in the August gubernatorial primary, speaks in January 2026 during an anti-abortion rally at the Kansas Capitol in Topeka. (Photo by Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)TOPEKA — The political action committee of Kansans for Life waded Friday into Kansas Republican gubernatorial primary by endorsing Senate President Ty Masterson. Kansans For Life Political Action Committee, or KFL PAC, adhered to the preference of President Donald Trump in expressing support for Masterson, an Andover Republican who has been in the Legislature for two decades. One of Masterson’s chief rivals, former Gov. Jeff Colyer, chose not to officially file Friday after Trump made his endorsement. The primary election Aug. 4 would decide major party nominees for governor as well as other statewide, federal and legislative offices. Larry Damm, chairman of KFL PAC, said Masterson built a legislative record of opposition to abortion rights along with Masterson’s running mate, state Sen. Jeff Klemp, a Leavenworth Republican. “With President Trump’s endorsement, the Masterson-Klemp ticket presents pro-life voters with a clear opportunity to rally behind proven pro-life leadership and unite our votes rather than dilute them,” Damm said. He also said one of the PAC’s priorities was to undermine the GOP gubernatorial candidacy of Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, a Republican who served two terms in that office after representing Topeka in the Kansas Senate. In addition to Masterson and Schmidt, GOP candidates in the race include Charlotte O’Hara, a former member of the Johnson County Commission; marijuana legalization advocate Nick Reinecker; Wichita businesswoman Stacy Rogers; financial services executive Philip Sarnecki; and Secretary of State Scott Schwab. In 2022, KFL PAC endorsed Schwab’s reelection as secretary of state based on his “100% pro-life record.” “While other pro-life candidates are also running for governor in the Republican primary, the frightening scenario of radical pro-abortion Vicki Schmidt slipping through a crowded race to claim an unearned victory is too great to ignore,” Damm said. He said the PAC’s representatives vetted GOP candidates, spoke with a portion of them and engaged in prayer before deciding to embrace Masterson. “That said, we feel it to be imperative to unite pro-life voters behind a single candidate to protect the lives of the preborn, their mothers and families,” Damm said. Courtesy of Kansas Reflector
	Better Health Foundation grants help improve wellbeing in QCA The Better Health Foundation (BHF) has awarded $956,575 to five nonprofit organizations whose community-informed projects will improve the health and well-being of the greater Quad Cities region as part of its 2026 Innovation grant program. BHF has awarded over $6.27 million for prevention and wellness programs and services since it was organized in 2023. “As [...]
	Naig: Iowa is monitoring screwworm; parasite poses no food-safety risk A pinned specimen of a full-grown New World screwworm fly is shown in this image. Federal and state officials are preparing for a potential invasion from the flesh-eating parasite that could disrupt livestock markets. (Photo courtesy of Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said the state “stands ready” to protect livestock and farmers from screwworm. Naig’s statement came in a press release issued Friday, two days after the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the nation’s first case of New World screwworm, a parasitic fly that infests and feeds on warm-blooded animals, including humans, in Texas. A sample from a Texas calf was tested and confirmed to be infected at the USDA’s Veterinary Field Services Laboratories in Ames. In the press release, Naig praised the leadership of U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, adding that the parasite poses no risk to food safety, including meat. “I appreciate Secretary Rollins’ leadership and all the work her team at USDA is doing to quickly respond to this case and work to prevent the spread of the parasitic New World Screwworm fly,” Naig said. “The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is closely monitoring the situation in Texas, and our team stands ready to respond as needed to protect Iowa livestock and our farm families’ livelihoods. Consumers should know that there is no food-safety risk associated with New World Screwworm and properly cooked meat remains safe to eat and enjoy.” SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. According to the USDA, only one case of screwworm has been detected in the U.S. so far. The case marks the first time since the 1960s screwworm has been reported in the U.S after the parasite was eradicated nationwide. The USDA is also encouraging pet and livestock owners to check their animals for large wounds, signs of discomfort, larvae and eggs. “USDA urges residents in the area to check their pets and livestock for signs of NWS. Look for draining or enlarging wounds and signs of discomfort. Also look for screwworm larvae (maggots) and eggs in or around body openings, such as the nose, ears, and genitalia or the navel of newborn animals,” a USDA press release said. “If you suspect your animal is infected with screwworm, contact your state animal health official or USDA area veterinarian in charge immediately.” It was just over a month ago that Naig and Iowa’s state veterinarian reported the detection in Iowa of another previously eradicated livestock disease — pseudorabies — which was found in five boars that had been imported from Texas. In that case, IDALS said the incident was “isolated” and had been contained. Pseudorabies, which officials said posed no danger to human health or food safety, had been previous eradicated from U.S. commercial swine herds in 2004, but the virus could still be transmitted through feral swine, IDALS officials said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Iowa Capital Dispatch
	Nick Jonas steals Paul Rudd's 'Power Ballad' in a profound story about art and honesty In 'Power Ballad,' a wedding singer played by Paul Rudd writes a hit — and a popstar makes it his.
	New Mexico state aging agency requests public input on five-year dementia care plan New Mexico’s Aging and Long-Term Services Department will host several input sessions throughout June 2026 on its draft five-year plan concerning the state’s response to dementia care and caregivers. (Photo illustration by Dean Mitchell via Getty Images)New Mexico’s Aging and Long-Term Services Department will host several input sessions throughout June on its draft five-year plan concerning the state’s response to dementia care and caregivers. The draft plan, New Mexico Roadmap to Address Dementia and Brain Health 2026-2031, identifies five priority areas: expanding public education and promoting early detection; increasing caregiving supports; advancing related state policies; strengthening direct services throughout the state; and bolstering dementia-capable workforce. According to the draft, the plan will be in effect from July 2026 through December 2031. The draft notes that as of 2020, 46,000 New Mexicans aged 65 and older were living with Alzheimer’s disease, which was the eighth leading cause of death in the state in 2023. “New Mexico’s population is aging rapidly, and more families across our state are navigating the realities of dementia,” ALTSD Deputy Secretary Angelina Flores-Montoya said in a statement. “This roadmap is about building a stronger New Mexico where people can access resources earlier and communities across every region of the state are better supported.” The document states that this latest plan is intended to “strengthen and expand” the aging department’s work and highlighted the implementation of the state’s Silver Alert as one major accomplishment of the previous dementia care plan. Several of the action items listed in the current draft include developing a standardized resource toolkit for health care providers and organizations following a dementia diagnosis; working with partner organizations to increase referrals for dementia screening, care navigation and caregiver support by June 2028; expanding access to relief services for caregivers by December 2027; incorporating Parkinson’s disease into dementia-related policies and guidance; increasing the number of providers equipped to treat complex dementia-related conditions by December 2031; and collaborating with the Department of Workforce Solutions and other partners to incentivize dementia-specific training and certification by December 2031. The aging department will host several virtual input sessions and a final in-person session at the Multigenerational Center in Albuquerque on June 22 for New Mexicans to provide feedback. People can also submit feedback online through June 23. Courtesy of Source New Mexico
	Boil order issued for parts of Milan A boil order has been issues for parts of Milan. According to a release from the Village of Milan, due to a water main break, a boil water order is in effect for the 400 and 500 blocks of Blackhawk Ave. All drinking and cooking water should be boiled for five minutes prior to use.
	Xi Jinping will travel to North Korea next week in first visit since 2019 The announcement was made by both countries Friday a day after North Korea unveiled a new facility to produce nuclear fuel.
	Why leg fatigue and spider veins are getting more attention in everyday health Why leg fatigue and spider veins are getting more attention in everyday healthFor the estimated 25% of adults managing varicose veins, persistent leg fatigue is rarely an isolated inconvenience—it is an early clinical marker of vascular decline.Specifically, experts now understand that these two factors are early predictors of Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI), an affliction diagnosed in 150,000 people every year, with care costs of over half a billion, according to StatPearls data. In fact, the amount of information on the signs and symptoms of CVI can be treated as a key catalyst for growing public attention. MVM Health Red Flags and Long-Term ComplicationsIn isolation, it’s understandable to feel that, as minor-sounding everyday health concerns, leg fatigue and spider veins can safely be ignored. After all, there are all sorts of issues that accumulate over the years, the majority of which don’t spell anything more serious than everyday aches and pains. Clinical research indicates that the prioritization of telangiectasias and leg fatigue correlates directly with their role as primary indicators for CVI and related systemic pathologies.As outlined in the aforementioned research, spider veins, or telangiectasias to give them their proper name, are the first clinical sign of venous disease. Physicians will look out for them to identify the early stages of issues that, if left unchecked, could lead to more serious outcomes, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT).According to MVM Health, a vein treatment center, people are increasingly tuned in to these red flags and are addressing them with preemptive treatment that’s about more than just the cosmetic side of spider veins. Ideally, this attention will reduce the proportion of the population that ends up with more advanced iterations of venous conditions.The current data shows that 24% of people have varicose veins, while 6% have a more intensive form of CVI. While intervention is possible, experts agree that taking action at an earlier stage, when spider veins first emerge, is more likely to deliver the most desirable results.There’s also the cost of care to account for. According to a 2023 clinical review published in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by Stanek A, Mosti G, et al, in some regions roughly 3% of total healthcare expenditure is attributable to the treatment of advanced venous ulceration alone. Given the economic implications as well as the individual impacts, raising awareness of leg fatigue and spider veins has obvious multifaceted upsides.Preventive StepsNon-invasive surgeries that address the early signals of potential CVI are the best option for those already exhibiting telangiectasias. However, the true surge in awareness focuses on lifestyle modifications that can bolster vascular resilience before clinical intervention becomes necessary. Since the venous system relies on muscle contractions to pump blood back to the heart against gravity, prevention centers on movement and mechanical support.The Second Heart ActivationIncorporating calf-strengthening exercises, such as heel raises or rhythmic walking, serves to activate the calf muscle pump. This physiological mechanism is often referred to by experts as the second heart because of its vital role in preventing blood from pooling in the lower extremities.Graduated Compression TherapyOnce reserved for post-surgical recovery, graduated compression hosiery has moved into the mainstream wellness space. By applying the highest pressure at the ankle and decreasing it further up the leg, these garments mechanically assist blood flow, reducing the day-long leg fatigue experienced by those in sedentary or "standing" professions.Positional AwarenessClinical guidelines increasingly emphasize the rule of elevation. Raising the legs above the level of the heart for 15 minutes, three times a day, uses gravity to drain venous blood and reduce venous pressure, directly mitigating the development of new spider veins.Nutritional SupportEmerging research into bioflavonoids, such as diosmin and hesperidin, suggests that certain micronutrients may improve venous tone and reduce capillary permeability. When paired with a low-sodium diet to prevent water retention and subsequent pressure on vein walls, nutrition acts as a foundational pillar of long-term leg health.Playing the Long GameShifting the narrative from cosmetic annoyance to proactive vascular maintenance is how this increased attention ensures that leg fatigue and spider veins are treated as the vital health signals they truly are. Taking action today, whether through a brisk walk, a pair of compression socks, or a consultation with a specialist, can significantly alter the trajectory of one’s circulatory future.This story was produced by MVM Health and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Scott County jury finds Anamosa man guilty of sexually abusing a 5-year-old girl in 2018 An Anamosa man found guilty Thursday of sexually abusing a 5-year-old girl in 2018 is facing a mandatory 17 1/2 years in prison.
	National Doughnut Day 2026: How to get free doughnuts All the freebies we could find for National Donut Day.
	Bears: We’re moving forward with Indiana for stadium plans The Chicago Bears voted Thursday to continue talks with Hammond, Ind., for a new stadium, the team announced Friday.
	Design like a billionaire: 7 workspace principles from Silicon Valley’s most successful entrepreneurs Design like a billionaire: 7 workspace principles from Silicon Valley’s most successful entrepreneursSan Francisco has a celebrated rep as the cradle of tech innovation, but it’s also a hub for world-leading design—a city that shapes where and how things get made.Levi Strauss patented the blue jean in San Francisco in 1853. After leaving Bay Area-founded Apple, Jony Ive—creator of the candy-colored iMac, iPod, iPhone, and iPad—stayed local, and now oversees OpenAI’s future-forward creative from Jackson Square, one of the city’s most historic neighborhoods.SF’s spirit of designing the future is especially intoxicating in June, when international thought leaders from every industry flood the city's coffee shops, workshops, stores and coworking spaces during SF Design Week. This year, under the theme “Multitudes,” Michael Quesenbury will share how the romance of mid-century surf culture and coach builders Ferrari and Bugatti inspired him to perfect “The Art of Making Surfboards.” At Bang & Olufsen’s showroom, architect Craig O’Connell and guests from EMPIRE Records answer the question: What does a room sound like?The program demonstrates that great work is never restricted to a single discipline or perspective. Neither is a productive working life: SF’s most successful entrepreneurs and thought leaders not only think of their offices, but also of their daily rhythm, experiences, and relationship to the city and its communities as where and how they work.Here, CANOPY shares seven principles inspired by the world’s most acclaimed entrepreneurs to help you design for success.Pull down the wallsYves Béhar runs Fuseproject, his San Francisco design studio responsible for myriad projects, including human-service-focused robots and Samsung’s Frame TV, with no closed-off spaces and the kitchen as its social core. "I've never had a private office," he's said, dismissing any need to be isolated or separated. He didn't stop at his own studio: Béhar went on to co-found a design-forward coworking space in San Francisco, extending that no-walls philosophy to a broad community of professionals. Proximity, he wagers, flattens hierarchy faster than any org chart.Across the bay in Emeryville, Steve Jobs had the Pixar headquarters built to promote, in biographer Walter Isaacson's telling, "encounters and unplanned collaborations”—routing the café, the mailboxes, and the campus's only restrooms through one central atrium so colleagues from different teams couldn't avoid each other. Your coffee bar, in other words, is a cultural decision that can accelerate connection and success.Choose an inspiring location—ideally with a storied pastWhen Jony Ive left Apple to build his LoveFrom studio, he skipped building a gleaming tech campus for Jackson Square—San Francisco's oldest commercial quarter, a cluster of Gold Rush-era brick buildings that outlasted earthquakes, fires, and the lawless Barbary Coast. He's been candid about why: in a 2022 essay for the Financial Times, Ive recalled falling for the area on his first visit in 1989 and called its layered history the city's "bones." He has since assembled nearly a full city block there for a studio whose name invokes Steve Jobs’ driving principle—that making something with "love and with care" is a way of expressing gratitude to humanity. The bet is likely commercial, too: real estate brokers dubbed 2024 the "Year of Jackson Square" as venture firms and designers crowded its streets—the same blocks where Béhar's coworking office operates a two-story location. A vibrant, walkable neighborhood workplace with texture feeds the work in a way a sterile office park can’t.Great ideas spark from a mixed crowdWhen Salesforce founder Marc Benioff topped out San Francisco's tallest tower, he reserved the 61st-floor "Ohana" level not for executives but as a shared space open to employees, customers, nonprofits, and the public—a warm, residential-feeling design its creators dubbed "Resimercial."This attitude toward the importance of public space is built into SF’s blueprint. Since the city's landmark 1985 Downtown Plan, large downtown developments have been required to carve out publicly accessible areas—the plazas, atriums, terraces, and pocket parks known as POPOS—for the use of workers, residents, and visitors. The code even dictates how much sunlight each space must get and how well it must be shielded from wind.The logic mirrors the Multitudes theme: When people of different disciplines, ages, genders and backgrounds gather in one place—and feel genuinely connected to the community and sense of place—they trade assumptions, spark unlikely combinations, and arrive at new ideas.Surround yourself with what you make and sellAirbnb, led by RISD-trained designer Brian Chesky, modeled its meeting rooms on actual apartments from its own listings, transforming conference rooms into the home experiences the company exists to rent. Chesky has explained the rationale plainly: In Y Combinator's "How to Start a Startup" lecture, he argued that to keep a team thinking like its customers, you have to "put your product in the building" so everyone is immersed in the world they are building for.Levi Strauss & Co.—headquartered in San Francisco since patenting blue jeans in 1853—launched its redesigned headquarters at Levi's Plaza in 2025 with a working Levi's store right inside the building as a daily reminder of the vision the company is there to bring to life.The best ideas arrive off the clockIn 2013, with his team down 8–1 and facing humiliation, Oracle founder Larry Ellison skipped the keynote at his own company's flagship conference to be on San Francisco Bay as Oracle Team USA achieved an incredible comeback, winning eight straight to retain the America's Cup. Ellison has always treated time on the water as essential rather than indulgent—and in 1996 he'd prescribed taking a sabbatical to burned-out protégé, Oracle vice president Marc Benioff.Benioff decamped to Hawai‘i, and it was there, swimming in the open ocean among dolphins, that the vision for Salesforce came into focus: Building a company around his values. "I have gotten some of my best insights when I have been able to surrender myself to nature like that," he has said. San Francisco makes that surrender easy: Ocean Beach is one of Northern California's premier surf breaks and Crissy Field's Golden Gate winds draw world-class kitesurfers, while a Stanford study found that the simple act of walking measurably lifts creative thinking. Twitter and Square co-founder Jack Dorsey is a fellow believer, telling CNBC "If I'm with a friend, we have our best conversations while walking."Make the meeting a meal and the city your network.Serendipitous meetings spark inspiring conversations, as Maggie Spicer, founder of company culture firm WHISK, understands well. Maggie has taken brands from zero to launch and delivered world-class experiences to company teams and individuals. Her mission: to seek out the very best in every destination—singular places to sip and dine, design-forward offices and coworking spaces to ideate and collaborate. She recommends Parachute at the scenic waterfront Ferry Building for stellar morning pastries with conversation-sparking bay views, and Cotogna, a relaxed al fresco spot from one of SF’s best chefs, for dinner. “Michael Tusk's rustic Italian trattoria in buzzy Jackson Square has been consistently excellent since it opened, which is rare. Coupled with its three-Michelin-starred sister restaurant, Quince, you can't beat it. Expect a wood-burning oven, good wine list, and pasta changes seasonally—don't miss the rabbit agnolotti.”The city and work are never finished—treat your city as your studioSan Francisco's defining habit is reinvention—it keeps reactivating its own buildings to spark fresh ideas and conversations. Exhibit A sits beneath the Transamerica Pyramid, where San Francisco-born artist Lily Kwong's Earthseed Dome—a 3D-printed living-soil structure embedded with seeds that bloom over time—is growing in Transamerica Redwood Park through July, with visitors invited to act as "human pollinators." It anchors the new nomadic model of the Institute of Contemporary Art SF, which gave up a fixed home to stage shows in the city's landmark spaces. Director Alison Gass's logic doubles as a question for anyone rethinking where work happens: "What if we find the right space for the right project?" The conviction that even a traditional office is provisional runs deep here—Chesky has called the concept "an outdated notion.”This story was produced by CANOPY and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	QCA volunteer fire departments receive federal grants The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has awarded $495,000 in federal grants to 73 volunteer fire departments statewide to help them buy new equipment or pay for fire training. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service funds the Volunteer Fire Capacity (VFC) grant program. It provides matching funds to assist fire departments in buying [...]
	2 young directors strike big at the box office with 'Backrooms' and 'Obsession' Backrooms, by 20-year-old filmmaker Kane Parsons, is set in a mysterious maze of abandoned offices. Curry Barker, 26, tells a horror story about consent and male loneliness in Obsession.
	The World Cup is coming to the United States. What happens when 6 billion fans go online? The World Cup is coming to the United States. What happens when 6 billion fans go online?For most Americans, the FIFA World Cup has always been someone else's home game. This summer, that changes.The 2026 tournament is being co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico. FIFA projects nearly six billion viewers, making it the largest live and digital audience in the event's history. Fans across all 48 participating nations will be streaming matches, booking travel, checking schedules, shopping for gear, and tracking scores in real time.That is an enormous, wildly diverse group of people using digital products at the same time. Different languages. Different devices. Different levels of internet access. And a wide range of physical, cognitive, and sensory abilities.As AudioEye examines in this article, high-demand digital moments have a way of showing you exactly where your experience breaks down. The World Cup will be one of the biggest of the decade.What high-traffic moments do to digital accessibilityWhen a lot of people hit the same site at once, the gaps in a digital experience become impossible to ignore. For users who rely on assistive technology such as screen readers, keyboard navigation, or alternative input devices, those gaps often mean being locked out entirely. Countdown timers that interrupt screen reader navigation. Checkout flows that reset after a timeout. Ticket queues built around rapid visual cues that don't translate to keyboard-only navigation or assistive technology.The 2026 WebAIM Million report, which analyzes the accessibility of the top one million websites, found that 95.9% of home pages still have an average of 56.1 accessibility errors per page. For users relying on a screen reader or keyboard navigation, this is the baseline they're working around every day, before any traffic spike hits.In conversations with AudioEye's A11iance Team, a group of people with disabilities, checkout flows came up repeatedly as one of the most frustrating accessibility issues. One member put it plainly: "Ensure that the checkout and payment process is as well built as the shopping process. It's horrible to spend a lot of time finding that perfect thing only to be unable to check out."That experience doesn't change when the product is a tournament ticket or a team jersey. It just might sting more.A global audience isn't a uniform onePart of what makes an event like the World Cup worth paying attention to from an accessibility standpoint is that the audience isn't hypothetical. It's genuinely global, and it includes people across every kind of ability, language, and device.AudioEye's 2025 Digital Accessibility Index, which analyzed more than 15,000 websites, found an average of 297 accessibility issues per page. Many of those issues cluster around the exact elements fans rely on during high-demand moments: navigation menus, form fields, interactive buttons, and streaming controls.The common thread isn't complexity. Most of the barriers that make these experiences difficult, such as missing labels on form fields, color contrast that fails in bright environments, and video players without accessible keyboard controls, are fixable. They just require treating accessibility as part of how a digital product is built, not something layered on afterward.What accessible digital experiences actually look likeThere's no magic fix for accessibility at scale, but there are consistent practices that make experiences work for more people. Flexible time limits, or the ability to turn them off entirely, allow users with disabilities to complete transactions without being penalized for needing more time. Forms with clear labels, visible focus indicators, and useful error messages are navigable by screen readers and keyboard users. Captions and transcripts make video content accessible to users who are deaf or hard of hearing, and often more useful to anyone watching without sound.Accessibility improvements don't just help users with disabilities. They make experiences cleaner and easier to navigate for everyone, both during high-traffic moments and every day after.Members of AudioEye's A11iance Team have noted this directly. "People with disabilities are very loyal clients," one member shared. "Accessible websites are hit and miss — if you find one that is accessible as well as user-friendly, you want to share the wealth."Access isn't a bonus featureThe World Cup draws fans who have waited years, sometimes their whole lives, for their country to reach this stage. Some will be navigating streams with a screen reader. Some will be checking scores on a phone mounted to a wheelchair. Some will be watching with captions on because sound alone doesn't work for them.An event this global is a chance to prove what digital experiences can be when they are built for everyone from the start, not just under the bright lights of a tournament, but across the ticket queue, the banking app, and the government website people depend on every day.This story was produced by AudioEye and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Utility executives reindicted on state bribery charges Defendants former FirstEnergy executives Michael Dowling and Chuck Jones listen to the proceedings on the second day of their trial in Summit County Court of Common Pleas Judge Susan Baker Ross's courtroom on Feb. 4, 2026. (Pool photo by Mike Cardew/Akron Beacon Journal.)Former top executives with a utility involved in one the biggest corruption scandals in Ohio history have been reindicted on state charges, prosecutors announced on Thursday. Former FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones and Vice President Michael Dowling were indicted by a Summit County Grand Jury on numerous counts, including bribery, conspiracy and fraud. An earlier trial of the two men ended in a hung jury at the end of March. Outgoing Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Summit County Prosecutor Elliott Kolkovich issued a joint statement announcing the executives’ reindictment. “The roots of this complex case haven’t changed – FirstEnergy was hijacked by two scheming executives who sought to control the regulator that influenced the company’s stock prices,” the statement quoted Yost as saying. “I’m confident that Ohio’s ratepayers will get justice when the facts are unearthed in the courtroom.” In a 2023 federal court trial in Cincinnati, federal prosecutors laid out a scheme in which Akron-based FirstEnergy funneled more than $60 million through 501(c)(4) “dark money” groups. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX.They said the scheme was to elect a Republican majority to the Ohio House of Representatives and make Larry Householder of Glenford speaker in 2019, so he could pass and protect a $1.3 billion ratepayer bailout. Householder is now serving a 20-year prison sentence for his role in the conspiracy. Even after being convicted on federal charges, Householder maintained his innocence. In January, however, the former House speaker’s attorneys said he is open to a plea deal related to his state corruption trial, set to take place in Cuyahoga County this year. Jones and Dowling ran FirstEnergy during the time of the conspiracy of which Householder was convicted. In 2021 — after Householder and others were arrested and Jones and Dowling were fired — FirstEnergy paid a $230 million fine and signed a deferred prosecution agreement. The company admitted to paying millions through dark-money groups to Householder in return for Householder “pursuing nuclear legislation for FirstEnergy Corp.’s benefit.” FirstEnergy also admitted paying a $4.3 million bribe to Sam Randazzo, Gov. Mike DeWine’s first pick to be the state’s top utility regulator. In 2024, Randazzo died by suicide. The feds didn’t indict Jones and Dowling until Jan. 15, 2025 — after the men had already been indicted on state charges. No trial date has been set in the federal case. The case seems to be waiting on the state retrial, for which jury selection is expected to start on Sept. 18, according to a May 28 entry in the federal courts record system. After eight days of deliberation, the jury in the earlier state trial couldn’t agree on whether Jones and Dowling bribed Randazzo. Yost said 10 of 12 jurors agreed on the former executives’ guilt. But he explained that criminal cases require a unanimous verdict. The new indictment contains new information, Yost said in a YouTube video linked to in the statement announcing the new indictment. “This new indictment includes some additional facts that were not known to us at the time of the first indictment that we became aware of as a result of a civil lawsuit against FirstEnergy,” it said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Ohio Capital Journal
	Youth drug use is down, but overdoses have risen. One town’s schools have a possible solution Youth drug use is down, but overdoses have risen. One town’s schools have a possible solutionMichael Robertson struggled in school almost from the very beginning. But it was in seventh grade, when he started smoking cigarettes and drinking, that school seemed to become nearly unbearable to him.“There was always an excuse for why he couldn’t go to school,” his mother, Danielle Forino, told The Hechinger Report. “Every morning, he would say he was too tired or didn’t feel good.”At 13 years old, he was prescribed Vicodin following dental work and, his mother said, quickly started abusing it. By his sophomore year of high school, in 2017, he couldn’t get through the school day without nicotine, she recalled. By his junior year, he was addicted to oxycodone. In his senior year, he enrolled at the district’s alternative schooling program, which allows students more flexibility in their learning, but was kicked out for vaping nicotine. Throughout this time, he fell further behind academically and became disengaged from school, his peers, and other activities he previously enjoyed.Nationwide, there has been a drop in the share of young people using substances such as cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, and harder drugs. But in recent years, unintentional overdoses among children and teens have spiked.In Robertson’s hometown of Fort Kent, Maine, which hugs the Canadian border, educators have seen students arrive at school hungover, fall asleep in class, and show up Monday mornings with substance-use-related summonses they received over the weekend, asking what to do. They also see students who skip school, arrive late, can’t focus, are restless, and lack drive, issues that they say have worsened in recent years.This August, Fort Kent will use new funding to try a novel solution to the problem: a public boarding school for high schoolers in recovery. Educators hope the school’s focus on abstinence and mental health will help students overcome their substance misuse problems — but first, they have to convince the teens who need help the most and are the hardest to reach that they should enroll.“Addiction doesn’t mean a student stops being a learner,” said Tammy Lothrop, who has worked as a school social worker in Aroostook County, where Fort Kent is located, for 25 years. “When we separate the two, students fall behind academically, fall behind their peers, which leads to more shame. For the first time, we’re not asking students to choose between recovery and education.”Substance use can be particularly harmful for young people because their brains are rapidly developing. It can disrupt that development by releasing chemicals that impede normal communication in the brain, potentially increasing anxiety and irritability and decreasing attention span, impulse control, and problem-solving abilities.In school, this can contribute to absenteeism, declining grades, and dropping out, according to experts. When substance use becomes compulsive or leads to addiction, those effects are heightened.“Substance use interferes with kids’ learning,” said Sharon Levy, a pediatrics professor at Harvard Medical School and chief of the Division of Addiction Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital. “Substance use knocks systems out of balance.”Youth substance misuse affects adolescents of all races, socioeconomic groups, and geographies, but the way it progresses can vary greatly depending on the resources available.In Maine, a largely rural state, there is only one inpatient facility for youth struggling with substance misuse and addiction, and limited outpatient options.In Aroostook County, a sprawling region of 67,000 people that has higher-than-average poverty and lower-than-average educational attainment rates, preventative programs and mental health services for youth are also scarce.When Brooke Nadeau took her first teaching job in 2020 at Fort Kent’s high school, she was somewhat naive about youth substance use: She recalled being stunned when one of her students told her they took hallucinogens on the weekends. But since then, she has become more accustomed to — and concerned about — students’ drug and alcohol use.Nadeau, who is working toward a Ph.D. in criminal justice, started researching youth substance use and addiction support services in Aroostook County. She didn’t find much.The school district offers preventative and educational support, including health class lessons and assemblies in middle and high school on healthy strategies for coping with mental health challenges and the dangers of substance use. It also encourages students who may be struggling with substance issues to work with the district’s social worker, who can provide short-term counseling and connect students with outside resources.But the capacity of the district, which serves about 800 students in pre-K through 12th grade, is limited. So when Nadeau learned about the recovery high school model while conducting research for her dissertation, she immediately flagged it as something that could benefit her students.“With the recovery high school, we can help the students get into recovery and gain coping skills early on,” said Nadeau, who grew up just outside Fort Kent. “If we stop the cycle at a younger age, give them the supports they need, they might not need to go to jail and can go to college and become functioning adults.”Recovery high schools have been around for a few decades. Today, there are 46 across the country, serving youth with substance use and co-occurring disorders, such as depression and anxiety, according to Andrew Finch, who leads the nonprofit Association of Recovery Schools. Research on the schools is limited, but the data that does exist shows that students in recovery who attend these schools are more likely to abstain from drug use than students at standard high schools.“Recovery schools can be really helpful for kids who need a place where triggers are managed,” said Levy.The Upper St. John Valley Recovery High School will be part of the Fort Kent school district and run by the Valley Unified Education Service Center, which serves three area school districts, including Fort Kent. It will be the first recovery high school in Maine, the only one operating in a rural area, and, to serve Aroostook County’s widely dispersed population, the first with a boarding component in around 30 years. It has room to serve 14 students at a time, eight of whom will board there during the school week, and expects students to remain in the program for between 90 days and a full school year.Students enroll voluntarily, opting into the program with support from a parent or guardian.The school district is renting dorm space from the University of Maine at Fort Kent. The university is expected to provide the classroom and other living spaces — including a kitchen and a living room with a working fireplace — rent free in the recovery high school’s first year. It will be staffed by a social worker trained in substance misuse and addiction treatment, an academic teacher, a paraprofessional, and a dorm supervisor.On the weekends, the boarding students will return home armed with plans to maintain their sobriety, which will allow them to practice abstinence for short time spans away from the school as they gain trust in its staying power, according to Peter Caron, alternative school coordinator, who developed the recovery high school with Nadeau. If students relapse, which he said is expected, the school will work with them to strengthen their coping skills and identify new strategies to maintain abstinence.“We see that with adolescents in recovery facilities, they do well because of the structure, but when they return to their home communities, they fall back into old habits,” said Caron. “We need to give them more time and the opportunity to develop transitional skills.”Caron had never heard of a recovery high school when Nadeau presented the concept to him in 2023. But when she suggested they start one in Fort Kent, he immediately agreed. “We have not been able to effectively address the issue of substance misuse in our students’ lives,” said Caron.Once they had approval from their superintendent, Caron and Nadeau began searching for funding. Their timing was opportune: Maine had begun receiving tens of millions from nationwide settlement agreements with pharmaceutical companies accused of fueling the opioid crisis. Nadeau and Caron applied to the statewide council responsible for distributing some of these funds and were awarded $616,000.Many here hope the school will allow students to stay more connected to their communities as they try to overcome substance misuse. Because youth addiction recovery services in Aroostook are limited, students who need treatment often have to leave their homes, and sometimes the state. That distance can create more trauma and isolation, said Lothrop, the Aroostook County school social worker.“Throughout my years, I’ve often felt the heartbreak of knowing a student needs more support than we have for them locally,” said Lothrop. “With the recovery school, they can continue to heal without being disconnected from their roots.”Despite the community’s support for the school, it faces significant barriers to success.Among them is stigma: Many kids are afraid to reveal that they are struggling with substance misuse, especially in a small community like this one. The school’s supporters worry that even if teenagers want the help the school could offer, they’ll be too afraid to enroll.“We know there’s a need,” said Caron, who was also born and raised in Fort Kent. “But we need to demonstrate there’s a demand.”So far, one student has directly expressed interest, Nadeau said. Caseworkers from around the county have started contacting her about teenagers they think will be a good fit.At the same time, the timeframe for proving the school’s value is limited.The money from the state’s opioid settlement, along with funds from school districts that send students to the recovery high school, is expected to fund it for two years.Elsewhere in the U.S., recovery high schools are funded through a variety of sources, including state and local funds, donations, and tuition.Caron and Nadeau hope to receive an additional million dollars from the state legislature so they can pilot the program for five, rather than two, years. They are working with their local legislator on a bill requesting the money to be introduced next year.But to receive that funding, Caron needs to show the school can fill its slots. “This is a use it or lose it proposition,” he said.Danielle Forino said she doesn’t know whether a program like the recovery high school would have been able to help her son, Michael, who died of an overdose in 2023 at age 22. To attend the recovery school, students have to be in active recovery — sober for at least 30 days, with some exceptions, and invested in sobriety for the long term. Forino doesn’t know if Robertson would have been ready. Although during his junior year of high school he suggested he might need suboxone — a prescription medication to treat opioid addiction — he didn’t make a concerted effort to ask for help until he was 19.But for Caron and others involved in the recovery high school who knew Robertson, he’s exactly the type of student they hope to help.“We didn’t have an answer for him,” said Caron. He hopes the recovery school can be the answer for other kids who are struggling with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders.Ultimately, Nadeau and Caron want this to be just the start, that their school will flourish, normalize youth recovery, and spur the development of recovery schools statewide.But for now, their focus is closer to home.Success, said Nadeau, would be “if one life is saved.”This story was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education, and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Iowans eligible for MLB’s Field of Dreams ticket lottery MLB opened registration for the Field of Dreams ticket lottery on Thursday, which is exclusively available to Iowa residents through June 11.
	Some Scott County roads impacted by hot mix asphalt projects Starting on Friday, June 5, several roadways in Scott County will have lane restrictions as crews perform hot mix asphalt patching projects. Flaggers and pilot cars will maintain traffic and drivers should be prepared to stop and expect traffic delays. Lane restrictions may occur Monday – Friday between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. and the [...]
	Clinton drafting development rules for all data center proposals The city is drafting new regulations to address resident concerns over utility, noise, and environmental impacts of a potential new data center.
	A look inside the growing Australian truffle tourism industry, where dogs sniff and schnapps follow A look inside the growing Australian truffle tourism industry, where dogs sniff and schnapps followThere was a time when vacation meant sand between your toes, saltwater on your lips and a margarita by the pool. But travel in 2026 is changing. Many tourists are seeking longer, immersive activities that engage all the senses and provide a stronger understanding of place.And since few know their natural environment better than farmers, it’s sensible that agritourism—taking trips to farms or ranches—is trending in 2026. Data from vacation rental site VRBO shows a 300% spike in farm-stay interest from May 2023 to April 2024 versus May 2024 to April 2025. According to VRBO, 84% of travelers expressed interest in a farm-stay vacation, wanting to stay on a property with nature trails, animals, and fresh fruit and produce.One popular form of agritourism throughout regions all around the world is truffle foraging, an old-world European tradition. The tradition began in ancient Mesopotamia, and in recent history became associated with top producers like Italy and France, but is now happening in countries like Australia.Black truffles are among the rarest edible fungi, known for their unmistakable, woodsy aroma, often described as nutty and slightly musky. They grow entirely underground near the roots of certain trees and remain invisible from the surface. Trained dogs that can sense their scent beneath the soil help detect the truffles’ locations, at which point the lucky guest gets to dig them up and enjoy.Australia has become the world's fourth-largest black truffle producer since planting its first host trees in 1995. Truffle-farm experiences are also cropping up for visitors. Tourists can join guided truffle hunts during peak season in the country’s colder months from June to August. The setting is usually quiet forest or farmland, a scenic haven away from the city. In Australia, one of the most unexpected places to experience this is in Canberra, the country’s capital city, where cool winters create ideal growing conditions.Here, VisitCanberra gives a look inside the sensory experience, which visitors can experience with just a short drive from Parliament House, the seat of Australia's national government in the heart of the Australian Capital Territory.What to expect on your first truffle hunt VisitCanberra Truffle hunting begins in the hours after frost loosens its grip on the ground, says Alice O’Mara, co-owner of boutique truffle destination Beltana Farm in Canberra, Australia, which offers both rural charm and proximity to the city center. That way, trained dogs—often English springer spaniels, border collies or the Italian Lagotto Romagnolo, a fuzzy, endearing breed that somewhat resembles the lumpy truffles they were trained to retrieve—have the best chance of smelling the black gold below the soil.Sometimes, guests need to warm up, too, though not from frost, but to the truth about truffle’s flavor complexity. Fresh truffles taste richer than the oil that comes on top of truffle fries and truffle potato chips, but those trendy snacks are sometimes the only previous experience guests have with truffles before joining a foraging tour. "People come in thinking they don't like truffles because they've had truffle oil at restaurants. Then they smell the real thing and realize it's nothing like what they expected,” said O’Mara.Soon enough, though, they start digging. For an hour, guests crouch over, squatting or kneeling to follow their guide dog’s nose. Here, O’Mara takes the opportunity to give guests an oral history lesson and explain how the truffles are cultivated. As dogs move ahead, following the odor, they scan the ground. A dog detects something and stops to signal the specific spot. Guests then kneel and brush away soil.What comes out of the ground is small and black as an inkwell, almost knotted-looking and uneven in shape. It’s the Tuber melanosporum, the Périgord truffle. And then comes the smell. VisitCanberra Smelling and describing truffle aromas“It really hits you in the face,” said O’Mara. “I like it pungent, almost diesely-smelling. Some people think of asparagus; that is a quite common thing that we hear. Or beetroot, that earthy scent. They're probably the three key smells that people tell us when they're having a sniff.”That’s the benefit of truffle hunting in groups: You can compare truffle smells, but also compare the “smell palettes” each person’s nose picks up. In this way, truffle hunting is almost like an exceptionally interactive wine tasting, but with truffle aromas. Foragers learn about the way smells can vary depending on ripeness, as well as what kind of tree the truffles grew beside—oak, hazelnut or other varieties. Blue cheese is another common aromatic note, says O’Mara. The two foods share chemical compounds alike. After the search, truffle tourism experiences often continue the fun in the kitchen. Some farms serve meals made with freshly foraged truffles, shaving them over dishes so the flavor pops. Others may continue the hands-on theme and segue the group right into cooking demonstrations using finds from the day’s harvest.“People are wanting a bit more of a connection to land, a bit more of an understanding of where their food is coming from,” said O’Mara. Beltana Farm has a full-service restaurant on site that presents a seasonal menu with local ingredients like oysters from Australia’s South Coast, cuttlefish-ink-cured meats, desserts drizzled with caramelized wattleseed—an aboriginal Acacia seed—and, of course, truffles foraged by guests’ own hands“If guests are going to have a meal, why not make it a really unique experience?” O’Mara said.The euphoria of agritourismFinding one’s first truffle can bring about what O’Mara describes as “almost a euphoric state.” The combination of learning a new skill and building anticipation by getting down on the ground to dig with a trowel makes the moment tourists pull their truffle from the soil feel “like you've won the biggest prize in the world.”According to O’Mara, even very buttoned-up adults smile in glee when given the chance to follow their forager instincts and commune with nature on an outdoor excursion.At the end of the day, after the hunt and meal, a swig of truffle schnapps makes for the perfect aperitif to cleanse the palette. The truffle essence gives the drink an earthy undertone, but the schnapps adds complex sweetness.“People love it,” said O’Mara about the truffle schnapps. “It's great over ice cream. But as a shot it also works.”Unlike wineries, where visitors tend to arrive with a clear sense of what the visit will involve, O’Mara notes that many guests come to truffle farms with little prior understanding of the process. Unless they are already truffle enthusiasts, she says, most are encountering the experience for the first time.This lack of expectation sets truffle hunting apart from more familiar food and wine experiences. “Guests are always just so excited and blown away with watching a dog work and learning about how nature creates these amazing things,” O’Mara said.Wine tastings operate year-round, but truffle season arrives once annually for just a few months, typically June through August in Canberra. Nature’s short window for truffle hunting is part of what makes the activity so coveted. One week they’re there, the next they’re gone. But the knowledge and the memories last much longer.This story was produced by VisitCanberra and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

Saturday, June 6th, 2026

Friday, June 5th, 2026