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

Saturday, May 16th, 2026
	How Tamara Rojo is remaking ballet From championing women choreographers to upending classics, the former Royal Ballet star turned artistic director of the San Francisco Ballet doesn't play it safe.
	This Republican voted to convict Trump. Now he's up for reelection. Can he survive? Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy was one of seven Republican senators who voted to impeach President Trump. Now he's running for reelection in a race that will test Trump's hold on the GOP.
	We've seen Isaiah Rashad exposed. Now he's ready to bare his soul. In the five years since his last album, the Chattanooga rapper retreated from the public eye after a very private betrayal. He emerges with raw new music in pursuit of a warts-and-all self-acceptance.
	Trump says Islamic State group leader was killed in a joint U.S.-Nigerian mission Trump announced the joint operation in Africa's most populous country in a late-night social media post. He said Abu Bakr al-Mainuki was second in command of the Islamic State group globally.
	120k children's tower stools recalled after 8 injuries reported You should put these away from kids immediately.
	The Eurovision Song Contest reaches its grand final with pop and protests The final of the Eurovision Contest arrives Saturday, with tight security and rainy weather failing to dent the enthusiasm of fans, or the opposition of critics who think Israel shouldn't be invited.
	Gaza airstrike targeted Hamas military wing leader, Israel says An Israeli airstrike in Gaza on Friday targeted the leader of Hamas' military wing, Israeli officials said, but it wasn't immediately clear if Izz al-Din al-Haddad was killed or injured.
Friday, May 15th, 2026
	Fulton tops West Carroll 10-0 to secure the NUIC title Fulton softball topped West Carroll 10-0 in six innings to secure the NUIC conference title.
	Steamwheelers beat Tucson 40-38 The Quad City Steamwheelers snap a four game skid after defeating the Tucson Sugar Skulls 40-38.
	Central DeWitt, Dubuque Wahlert track teams honor late teacher Trisha Brookins One month after the Central DeWitt School District lost teacher Trisha Brookins, two track teams came together to honor her memory.
	Federal permit delays pause construction at Knox County wind farm Around 300 workers expected to build a wind farm in rural Knox County for the next year. Now, they're removing work they've already done.
	Three people injured in multi-vehicle crash in Davenport Friday The crash occurred at 11:11 a.m. on northbound U.S. 61 at Interstate 280.
	1 injured after crash involving semi truck, 3 cars A woman has life-threatening injuries after a crash Friday morning on Highway 61 near I-280 exit.
	Coast Guard Auxiliary shares boating safety tips ahead of summer season National Safe Boating Week runs from May 16 to May 22. Here are some simple ways to keep you and your family safe on the water this summer.
	"It's about time." Iowa shelters react to new animal-torture law A new law written to enforce stricter punishments on animal abusers grants a sigh of relief to shelters in Iowa. "It's about time," said Deb Mock, an employee at King's Harvest Pet Rescue in Davenport. "We're always last at everything ,I feel like." "It's been a long time coming for it, for sure," said Celina [...]
	OQC Crime Watch: man faces charges after assault of 88-year-old: Episode 66 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: A man who faces charges after an assault in Eldridge that left an 88-year-old woman injured After three [...]
	‘Cop on a Rooftop’ raises over $1.28 million for Special Olympics in Illinois, Iowa Police departments and Dunkin’ teamed up Friday for “Cop on a Rooftop,” an annual fundraiser benefiting Special Olympics athletes across Illinois and Iowa.
	Home destroyed, residents displaced after fire A home was destroyed and residents were displaced after a fire Friday in Galesburg.
	Davenport’s strategy plan prioritizes housing, roads, public-safety transparency The Davenport City Council finalized its 2026-2027 priorities, focusing on infrastructure, housing, animal control, and improved public safety incident reporting.
	House passes bill allowing year-round E15 gasoline sales The U.S. House has passed a bill that would allow year-round sales of E15 gasoline across the country. Supporters say the ethanol blend could boost demand for corn and help farmers during a tough time for agriculture.
	Federal court sets May 22 hearing on new Alabama congressional map The front of Hugo L Black Courthouse in Birmingham, Alabama on August 15, 2023. The Northern District scheduled a preliminary injunction for the Milligan case May 22. (Jemma Stephenson/Alabama Reflector)A federal court Friday set a hearing for May 22 on a motion for plaintiffs to block Alabama’s use of a 2023 congressional map the court previously declared racially discriminatory. The court is reconsidering the map after the U.S. Supreme Court earlier lifted a permanent injunction against the map and sent the case, known as Allen v. Milligan, back to the lower court. The justices ordered the court to reconsider its ruling in light of its ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, a ruling last month that weakened Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and made it harder for plaintiffs to challenge maps on the basis of racial discrimination. U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco wrote in her ruling that “appropriate relief, if any, will be issued in time for Alabama’s 2026 election to occur according to a lawful map.” SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday set special primary elections in four congressional districts to take place in August under the boundaries of the earlier map, which will likely reduce Alabama’s Black representation in the U.S. House. Plaintiffs Friday filed motions in Allen v. Milligan and in Alabama State Conference of the NAACP v. Allen, a 2021 case that led to the redrawing of two state Senate seats in the Montgomery area. The motions, which seek to block new primaries under laws approved in a legislative special session earlier this month, argue that the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais does not apply to the Northern District rulings in the two separate cases and it is too late for Alabama to revert to the maps created by Republican lawmakers in time for the primary election happening in a few days. “During this time, Alabamians voted and labored under the understanding that the Remedial Map would be used in the 2026 election,” the plaintiffs said in their motion for a preliminary injunction on Friday. “For months, election officials and candidates laid plans, spent money, and engaged voters based on the remedial map’s districts. And, for seven weeks, Alabama voters cast ballots under the remedial map.” In the case of the state Senate maps, the plaintiffs stated in their motion that, “Now, the Secretary seeks the Court’s eleventh-hour intervention to change the map in the middle of that same election despite the mass confusion it will create, and the legitimate votes it will nullify.” The state appealed the verdict on the state Senate districts in NAACP v. Allen to the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. As of Friday evening the court had not ruled in the case. The Allen v. Milligan plaintiffs have also filed a motion for a temporary injunction. In both filings the plaintiffs in the two cases said that changing the electoral maps would disenfranchise voters due to confusion over the rightful candidates. “Moreover, granting a preliminary injunction to preserve the congressional districts approved by this Court is the only way to prevent the disenfranchisement of the thousands of Alabama voters who have already returned their absentee ballots,” the Milligan plaintiffs said in their motion. “Courts have long recognized that the denial of ‘the opportunity to vote in an election’ constitutes ‘an irreparable harm.’” Plaintiffs also said earlier in the appeals process before the maps were changed that the state should not be forced to change election rules by moving to a new map because it would create problems in an election that was months away. “The secretary’s prior representations in this matter conflict with his present ones,” the plaintiffs said in their motion regarding the state Senate districts. “At the start of the remedial phase, he represented to this court that any remedial map needed to be in place more than six months prior to the May 19 primary election to avoid calamitous effects on election administration. The secretary said that it was ‘not possible to provide a date and say with confidence that Alabama can implement a remedial map entered by that date without disruption and confusion.”’ Plaintiffs also said that changing maps violates an amendment to the Alabama Constitution approved by voters in 2022 that bans election law changes in a six-month period prior to an election. That deadline was May 3; the special session started on May 4. The plaintiffs also said their maps do not violate the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Callais, which stated that plaintiffs that allege discrimination cannot use race when they propose new maps and that they must consider the state’s other interests. Plaintiffs said the new maps were drawn without considering race and that the maps conformed to the state’s guidelines. Several groups support the preliminary injunction filed by the plaintiffs in Milligan. “Alabama’s rush to discard ballots in order to force the use of a congressional map that intentionally discriminates against Black Alabamians and dilutes their votes—as already determined by a federal court—is a craven and shameful attack on our democracy, and on the rights of all Alabama voters,” said Marina Jenkins, executive director of the National Redistricting Foundation. Courtesy of Alabama Reflector
	Limited-edition bobbleheads celebrate Hawkeyes, Cyclones graduates Limited-edition bobbleheads celebrate graduates from the University of Iowa and Iowa State, according to a news release from The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum. The Iowa Hawkeyes bobblehead will be individually numbered to only 1,847, and the Iowa State Cyclones bobblehead will be individually numbered to only 1,858. he bobbleheads, which are expected [...]
	Quad Cities big band marks 25th anniversary with free Frank Sinatra concert This year marks the 25th anniversary of "Josh Duffee and His Orchestra," which has brought swinging big band music from the 1920s through the 60s to our region.
	No injuries after partial roof collapse in Galesburg fire No injuries were reported following a a partial roof collapse at a fire in Galesburg. According to a release, the Galesburg Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the 400 block of N. Broad St. May 15 at approximately 10:01 a.m. Upon arrival, crews encountered heavy smoke and flames visible from a two-story home. [...]
	Galesburg's Orpheum Theatre launches fundraiser for upgrades The Orpheum Theatre in Galesburg is raising $100,000 for upgrades that would unlock a matching tourism grant from the State of Illinois.
	Davenport police release dash cam in crash involving 2 squad cars No injuries were reported, and no civilians were involved in the crash.
	Sisters reunite after Middle East deployment More than 100 members of the Iowa National Guard returned home Thursday after nearly a year deployed in the Middle East.
	Celebrating 25 years of the Quad Cities big band, 'Josh Duffee and His Orchestra' The group has been a staple at QCA jazz fests, outdoor concerts and museum events. They're marking their anniversary with a free Frank Sinatra concert.
	Supreme Court is death knell for Virginia's Democratic-friendly congressional maps The new map was drawn by Democrats and approved by Virginia voters, but the state Supreme Court declared the referendum null and void because lawmakers failed to follow the proper procedures to get the issue on the ballot.
	Alternating Currents reveals first 2026 lineup Alternating Currents has released its first wave of artists for its 2026 festival. They're set to perform in Downtown Davenport, Rock Island, and Bettendorf from August 13th to August 16th. The artists include: 7ArkAchromatic of TimeAdam Greuel & The Space BurritosAlbornAmerican Devil SoundAndrew HoytAngela MeyerBarefoot & SunshineBCMCBeth Lizano BandBig Head ModeBlack Note GraffitiBurntMCMelbaToastCamp RegretChris OtepkaCJ [...]
	Dash cam video shows crash involving 2 Davenport police cars on April 24 No injuries were reported, and no civilians were involved in the crash.
	Davenport releases footage of crash between two squad cars Two squad cars crashed on April 24 at about 9 p.m. while responding to a 911 call reporting a burglary in progress in the 1500 block of West Third Street.
	Dash cam video shows 2 Davenport police cars crashing while responding to incident No civilians were involved. News 8 edited the two separate dash cam videos together. Police said the second video cuts off due to a power failure from the collision.
	Rivermont Collegiate appealing potential suspension of ISACS accreditation While the school determines the future of its ISACS accreditation, it still maintains Cognia accreditation.
	Behind the scenes of Amazon's new last-mile facility Amazon says the facility can process 26,000 packages every day and as many as 40,000 in busier times of the year.
	Vigil to be held for 3-year-old killed in hostage standoff A public vigil for the 3-year-old who was shot and killed during a hostage standoff near Princeton, IL will be held Sunday, May 17.
	How to make sure you're staying safe while boating this summer National Safe Boating Week starts on Saturday, May 16, shining a light on boater safety and the risks encountered on the water.
	Davenport police release dashcam videos of squad car crash The Davenport Police Department has released dashcam video of a squad car crash from April.
	Arconic employee union votes in favor of potential strike Negotiations continue as the existing contract expires on Saturday. That contract covers roughly 3,400 workers, with 1,800 of those in the Quad Cities.
	Arconic employee union votes in favor of potential strike Negotiations continue as the existing contract expires on Saturday. That contract covers roughly 3,400 workers, with 1,800 of those in the Quad Cities.
	Bernice King, members of Congress expected at Saturday redistricting protests A group of protestors hold a banner saying "Black Voters Matter" with a quote from Allen v. Milligan, a 2023 case that required Alabama to draw a second congressional district to give Black voters an opportunity to elect their preferred leaders, on May 4, 2026 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. Protestors plan rallies on Saturday in opposition to the state's efforts to redistrict congressional seats. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)Thousands of people are expected to attend two rallies in Selma and Montgomery on Saturday to protest what organizers call a concerted Republican effort to dilute the voting power of Black voters throughout the South. The All Roads Lead to the South National Day of Action is response to attempts by southern state legislatures to reconfigure their electoral maps to increase Republican majorities in Congress and in state assemblies in the region. “Now we are seeing unprecedented assaults on our generation, on those rights that were paved for in the blood of our ancestors,” said U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, at a media briefing Friday. “We take this seriously, and we know it is not just about Black folks because democracy is not secure for anyone if it is not secure for everyone.” Booker will be one of scores of dignitaries and leaders scheduled to attend the event. Others scheduled to participate include Democratic U.S. Reps. Terri Sewell of Birmingham and Shomari Figures of Mobile, Alabama’s two Democratic House members. The state is attempting to adopt a map that would redraw their districts. Figures is considered particularly vulnerable should that take place. Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais in April, which weakened Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, preventing racial discrimination in voting laws, Gov. Kay Ivey called a special session for the passage of a law allowing special primary elections in in congressional and legislative districts under injunction by the courts for Section 2 violations. The federal courts blocked a 2021 state Senate map and a 2023 congressional map for not giving Black voters an opportunity to select their preferred voters. After the Legislature passed the law, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday lifted an injunction against the congressional map, though plaintiffs continue to fight it in lower court. Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday set special primaries in the districts for August in anticipation of the use of maps. Lawmakers from other states are also expected, including U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-New York, and U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Georgia. Rev. Bernice A. King, CEO of the King Center, is scheduled to attend. A morning gathering will be held in Selma, where peaceful civil rights protestors were attacked by law enforcement on March 7, 1965. The event, known as Bloody Sunday, led to the Selma-to-Montgomery march and was a catalyst for passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Faith leaders will march from Tabernacle Baptist Church in Selma to the Edmund Pettus Bridge and pray, not only for the day’s events but also for other gatherings that will happen in the coming months. “We are walking silently, because we are being contemplative, we are being in prayer,” said LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter, at Friday’s media briefing. “We are grounding in the memory and (paying) homage to those who have laid the foundation, but also consecrating ourselves for what we know is a long road ahead.” That will be followed by a mass rally in the afternoon in Montgomery near the Alabama State Capitol, where the Selma-to-Montgomery march concluded in 1965. Organizers expect at least 5,000 people to attend. “We have got every sector of our movement who will be represented, from labor and young people to social justice organizations, to education groups that will come,” Brown said. “We also have people coming from all over the country.” Organizers said the gatherings will kick off a slate of events aimed at mobilizing voters in opposition to mid-decade redistricting and to preserve the voting rights of vulnerable communities. Courtesy of Alabama Reflector
	Amazon dedicates last-mile Davenport facility Amazon dedicated its last-mile facility in Davenport. The facility opened in October, but it has now ramped up to full operations. The last-mile facility serves a radius of 60 miles, allowing more addresses to be included in the free two-day shipping.The move means Amazon employs over 3,000 people between the two facilities on Division St., [...]
	Man charged with firearm, drug possession Alexander Delgado, 30, has been charged with firearm and drug possession.
	Colorado's Democratic governor will let Trump ally Tina Peters out of prison early Gov. Jared Polis' controversial commutation follows a pressure campaign by the Trump administration to free Tina Peters, an ex-county official who was convicted of tampering with election equipment.
	Rivermont Collegiate pursuing appeal after accreditation body revokes membership A member of Rivermont's Board of Trustees says its ISACS accreditation was abruptly revoked without notice, while the school still maintains Cognia accreditation.
	Quad-Cities high schools honored for voter registration efforts As primaries draw near, Iowa Secretary of State, Paul Pate visited Davenport North High to award them for civic engagement.
	4 Your Money \| The Real Deal Interest rates and inflation are always a hot topic in the financial world. David Nelson, CEO of NelsonCorp Wealth Management, shares his perspective on “real” interest rates and why it is positive news for investors and savers.
	Rock Island PD enforcing 'Click It or Ticket' campaign during Memorial Day travel The Rock Island Police Department is joining the "Click It or Ticket" campaign with Illinois law enforcement agencies from May 15-26.
	Third Thursday Live Music Series at The Plex, Bettendorf Live music is coming to The Plex in Bettendorf this summer with a new Third Thursday live music series. The first event will be on Thursday, May 21st outside of Oscar’s Pub, 5027 Competition Drive, featuring live music from Luke Fox from 6 - 8:30 p.m. The evening includes a free yoga/Pilates session hosted by [...]
	How to improve your company's appeal to sell How to improve your company's appeal to sell Middle-market mergers and acquisitions (M&A) appear poised for a recovery thanks to a more resilient U.S. economy along with substantial amounts of capital from both private equity (PE) firms and corporate buyers, says Melina Audinelle, managing director and senior vice president of Fifth Third Investment Banking. With buyers eager to acquire midsize companies, owners need to find ways to boost the curb appeal of their firms to avoid potential missteps in the M&A process or leaving value on the table.However, many owners may not yet be prepared to capitalize on this promising momentum. Despite the favorable conditions of the market, a 2024 survey by Capstone Partners revealed 37.9% of CEO respondents have not yet begun formally preparing for a business exit. The survey also reveals a strong link between having a succession plan and confidence in the company’s future. In fact, only 47.7% of owners without a plan feel confident in their business’s long-term viability. This lack of preparation could ultimately undermine their ability to attract buyers and maximize valuation.Value creation demands foresight, and effective planning takes time. To compete in today’s M&A landscape, preparation must begin early. Getting your company ready for a transition needs to begin long before the actual transfer so that you have time to make growth investments, put strong management in place, enhance financial reporting and assemble a team of trusted advisors.What are buyers looking for?Whether you ultimately sell your company to a PE firm or a strategic buyer, there are certain fundamentals that make a business universally attractive to any buyer. Think of it as knowing how to improve company curb appeal.Among the most important is whether your company occupies a great market niche or has a unique capability that creates more value for customers and sets it apart from other companies in your industry. More specifically, has that differentiator translated into higher margins and higher rates of revenue growth relative to peer businesses?"Higher margins build a bigger moat around the business and generally reflects a better value proposition to customers that differentiates them from the competition," Audinelle says.Equally critical are your company’s current growth rate and future growth opportunities. "If GDP is growing at 3%, a business growing at a healthy 5% or 6% will be attractive, but a business growing at 10%+ will command a premium valuation," mentions Audinelle.Likewise, buyers will pay more for a company that has developed a new technology or is in a hot industry, with the expectation that the company will have above-average future growth. A business in a mature industry, where margins and growth are harder to achieve, will have a more challenging time creating high investor demand and justifying a premium valuation. Potential buyers will also closely compare the performance of your business with others in the same market.Consistent growth is also an extremely important attribute. "A potential buyer wants to see how your company performed in different economic conditions, especially during COVID-19 and the severe financial crisis of 2007 to 2009," says Audinelle. A company that has been managed very conservatively and doesn’t have impressive historical growth can, however, still be attractive to buyers who see an opportunity to take more risks and push the company to achieve greater growth. The key is communicating that there is a clear and actionable path for growth that can be achieved by the buyer.Beyond impressive margins and growth, different types of buyers have specific objectives for the companies they want to add to their portfolios. The strategic buyer wants to acquire companies that will enhance their existing businesses and expects to hold acquisitions for the long term. Strategic buyers will also focus on opportunities for revenue and cost synergies, while direct competitors have the added consideration of using acquisitions to grow market share.PE firms looking for platform or stand-alone acquisitions are looking for value in a business they believe they can augment over the next three to seven years before selling the company. Given the significant ongoing investment by PE across industries, there is also the "semi-strategic buyer," which is a PE-backed business that is looking to grow via acquisitions and is a hybrid of a strategic and purely financial buyer.How to prepare your business for saleHow can I make my company more appealing before putting it on the market? Depending on the time horizon for selling your company, taking these steps can enhance your business's curb appeal.1. Build a management team committed to business growthAll buyers value a strong management team that can keep the business ramping up after the deal closes, although this is even more important to a financial buyer. While a strategic buyer can and may sometimes prefer to have their own team integrate and run the acquired business, PE firms are not looking to run the business. Instead, they want to leverage an existing strong management team that can execute a business plan. PE firms often provide incentives to senior managers to keep them economically aligned with growing the business after the sale. It can be valuable to show potential buyers that you’ve already instilled that leadership culture in your company by transferring equity ownership to senior managers, which can include stock options, warrants or phantom stock. Family business owners getting close to retirement should focus on recruiting younger management talent and prepare them to run the business after it’s sold—classic succession planning. Companies that have a younger management team with deep experience in an industry and are hungry to grow the business will be the most attractive to PE buyers.“Many PE buyers will have a ‘rollover investment’ requirement, which asks sellers to reinvest a minimum of 10% and as much as 49% in the equity of the business," says Audinelle. "If the company does well, not only does the seller receive the initial proceeds from the sale but also a second bite of the apple when the company is sold in three to seven years. It is not unusual for the value of the rollover equity investment to be higher than the proceeds from the initial sale, and when you combine the two, the deal from the private equity firm can sometimes be more lucrative to the seller than a ‘one-and-done’ transaction from a strategic buyer."2. Optimize equipment, information systems and technologyYour company’s potential for earnings becomes less compelling if a buyer has to make a significant investment in the business, such as updating an ERP system post-closing. You don’t have to spend millions to install or expand automation technology right before you intend to sell the company. But you should invest enough in your business to achieve the company’s goals for the next two to three years and be able to document the returns of that investment, including labor costs, improving margins, productivity and volume output.3. Make decisions for the long termToo many business owners sabotage the value of their companies and their competitive edge by unnecessarily cutting costs before they intend to sell. "Don’t cut costs to inflate your profitability; buyers always see through that strategy," says Audinelle. "If investing in a piece of equipment or making a terrific hire is in the best interest of your business, then do it." Finding the right buyer for your company may take longer than you expect, and the shortcuts you take today can ultimately diminish the value of your company when buyers come calling.4. Diversify your customer baseIf most of your revenue comes from only a few customers, or if your customers constantly demand lower prices, it’s time to shore up your customer base. Buyers will discount a company that has customer concentration risk, given the negative impact if those customers leave or if they seek deep pricing discounts. Develop a strategy to achieve increased granularity in your customer base and end-market segments, and in doing so, the resilience and value of the business will increase.5. Get your financials in orderPotential buyers will want to review at least three years of detailed financial records, including your company’s assets and liabilities, profit and loss statements and cash-flow statements. "Having your financial statements reviewed by a reputable third-party accounting firm is not as strenuous or as costly as an audit, but it shows that there is a third party validating your financial reporting," says Audinelle.In addition to organizing your business finances, it’s important to consider a personal wealth plan. Work with your advisor to develop tax-efficient strategies to transfer ownership interests to shareholders, your heirs or charitable organizations in advance of a sale. "While you are in the middle of a sale, you don’t want to be thinking about how you are going to transfer the proceeds and whether you have the right trusts and other estate-planning vehicles in place," mentions Audinelle. Also, the IRS will value a deal when it starts, so it's better to set up tax-efficient structures at least one year in advance of a sale.6. Develop a growth road map and track your KPIsA growth road map can demonstrate to a potential buyer that the goals you set for your company are strategic, actionable and obtainable—and that they will translate into realistic growth for the company they are considering buying. Elements of this plan may include opportunities to expand product lines, enter new geographies or even make add-on acquisitions to accelerate growth. In conjunction with this road map, you should have a system to track the key performance indicators (KPIs) that show how well your company is achieving its short- and long-term goals and be able to readily produce the data for potential buyers.7. Entertain multiple suitorsIt’s not unusual for PE firms or other buyers to contact a business owner directly and make an offer. Some business owners may find it appealing to negotiate and accept that offer to save on advisor fees. However, dealing with a sole potential buyer is anything but a simple and quick transaction. When only one buyer is at the table, the business owner has much less leverage over the negotiation than when multiple firms are competing to acquire the business. In the absence of competing buyers, the due diligence process tends to drag on because there is no pressure to close the deal. Consequently, the owner and the management team are forced to devote too much time to the sale, causing the business to suffer. "If there are any blips in the business because the owner and management team are distracted, the buyer will use that opportunity to lower the purchase price," says Audinelle. "The biggest enemy of an M&A deal is the loss of the competitive tension that keeps buyers honest and moving quickly through the process."However, broadcasting that a business is up for sale to drum up interest among multiple potential buyers may risk creating turmoil among customers and employees, while creating an opportunity to be exploited by competitors. "An advisor can help quietly and confidentially identify and vet potential buyers without tipping your hand to competitors who could hurt your business if they got wind of a possible sale," says Audinelle. "And while that offer from an initial buyer may appear fair, you may be leaving better offers on the table if you don’t carefully open the process to other interested buyers."Selling a business is not something to go into lightly or without proper preparation. The owner is well advised not to try to go it alone and should instead build a team of advisors with expertise in wealth and estate planning, M&A, tax and legal. This team can augment the company’s internal resources and ensure a customized process focused on achieving the owner’s and management’s goals. The sooner an owner begins to tackle these considerations and engages a team of advisors, the higher the likelihood of a successful sale.This story was produced by Fifth Third and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Hantavirus countdown: U.S. cruise passengers settle in for 42 days of waiting The hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship has potentially exposed passengers to a deadly disease. Most returning Americans are now housed in Nebraska. Some may be cleared to quarantine at home.
	Shakira returns to official World Cup song duty, this time with Burna Boy FIFA's official 2026 World Cup song is "Dai Dai" from Shakira and Burna Boy. There are a number of factors that shape which songs define a tournament — and endure beyond it.
	Amazon cuts the ribbon on its last mile facility in Davenport The Amazon distribution center employs about 400 people and opened in October.
	A new DNA profile of Ted Bundy could help solve these Utah cold cases A new DNA profile of Ted Bundy could help solve these Utah cold casesUtah has a new tool that could help solve several decades-old cold cases that investigators have long suspected were linked to infamous serial killer Ted Bundy.For each of those cases, DNA evidence largely collected in the 1970s has sat idle for decades. Much of it was degraded or mixed with DNA from multiple people, making it difficult to use, Amy Newman, the director of the Utah Bureau of Forensic Services, told The Salt Lake Tribune.State testing methods could only produce partial DNA profiles from the samples, which then weren’t strong enough to compare with the FBI’s national DNA database, called CODIS, she said.But that changed in 2023, when the state crime lab began using new genotyping technology that allowed investigators to reconstruct a full DNA profile capable of being entered into the FBI database, Newman said.From there, the DNA collected in Utah was finally compared to a complete DNA profile of Bundy in Florida.The result: Utah now has a full profile for Bundy, which can be used to compare against evidence from other cases.The breakthrough comes as investigators announced last week they closed a more than 50-year-old cold case involving the killing of Utah teen Laura Ann Aime, who was found dead in American Fork Canyon in 1974.The DNA profile for Bundy was pieced together from samples collected from Aime’s body at the time, Newman said.Now, it could help solve other killings long believed to be tied to Bundy but never definitively proven, said Detective Ben Pender, who leads the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office cold case unit.“Maybe even cases that we’re not aware of that are Bundy cases,” Pender added. “I think it is significant.”What cases could it help solve?Before Bundy was executed in Florida in 1989, he confessed to killing at least 30 young women, including eight in Utah. Some of their bodies have never been found.There are currently four known cold cases in Utah that Bundy is said to be involved in, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety’s cold case database and a department spokesperson.It’s not clear when Bundy first began killing, but by 1974, young women were disappearing in Washington state.Those cases were still unfolding when he moved to Salt Lake City that September, before investigators believe he went on to kill multiple women across Utah, Idaho, and Colorado.At the time that Aime was killed, Bundy was a law student at the University of Utah.Among the cases still under investigation in the killing of Nancy Wilcox, a 16-year-old cheerleader from Salt Lake County, is believed to be Bundy’s first Utah victim.She went missing in 1974, and Pender said her body was never found.Pender, who continues to investigate the case, said Bundy confessed to killing Wilcox, but investigators have never been able to independently confirm it.Bundy told authorities to search near Capitol Reef National Park, but those efforts came up empty, Pender said.He believes the confession may have been a ploy to delay Bundy’s execution in Florida — one reason he said a confession alone was never enough to close the case.Bundy also confessed to killing Susan Curtis, a 15-year-old who disappeared in 1975 while attending a youth conference at Brigham Young University in Provo, according to the state cold case database. Her body also was never found.Without physical evidence to compare against the new DNA profile, those cases can’t be resolved with the new tool. But it can help in others.Two more Utah cold cases believed to be tied to Bundy include the killing of Melissa Smith, who disappeared in October 1974 and was later found dead in Summit Park, and the killing of Deborah Smith, whose body was found near Salt Lake City International Airport in 1976, according to DPS spokesperson Stephanie Dinsmore.Though the Bundy profile is a milestone, Newman said the new technology could also help solve other cases not connected to the serial killer.There are 444 unsolved cases in the state, Dinsmore said, including 258 homicides, 146 missing persons, and 40 unidentified human remains, with more that may not be logged in the database.And while DNA can often help solve and prosecute crimes, it can also help clear those who were wrongly accused.“One of the cool things about DNA is it exonerates people as much as it might convict somebody,” Newman said. “DNA doesn’t have a side.”This story was produced by The Salt Lake Tribune and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Amazon marks milestone at Davenport delivery station Amazon celebrates a milestone at its Davenport delivery station, processing over 3 million packages since last fall with a team of 675 employees.
	How to lift cleavage naturally How to lift cleavage naturallyOne thing bodies are guaranteed to do is change, and it's completely normal to notice your breasts sitting a bit differently as you go through life. If you're in search of some easy, temporary hacks to help your chest achieve a more lifted appearance, you've come to the right place.Here, Honeylove shares three easy, quick fixes to help you lift your breasts naturally.Understanding Breast SaggingBreast tissue consists primarily of fat, glands, and ligaments called Cooper's ligaments that provide natural support. Unlike other body parts, breasts contain no muscle tissue, which means they respond differently to exercise and aging.Several factors influence breast position over time. Aging naturally decreases skin elasticity as collagen production slows down. Pregnancy and breastfeeding cause temporary enlargement followed by reduction. Weight fluctuations stretch skin that may not fully bounce back. Genetics plays a big role in determining breast composition and how they respond to gravity over time.Hormonal changes during menopause also affect breast tissue density and elasticity as estrogen levels decrease.This is all to say that the relaxation of your breast tissue is completely normal and can often be difficult to prevent. There is nothing wrong with your breasts, and there's nothing that needs to be fixed. However, if the position of your breasts is impacting your confidence or making it difficult to wear certain outfits, these hacks can be great to have on hand.Push-Up Bras for Extra LiftThe first way to get some lift is to pick the right bra style. A standard underwire bra is a great place to start, but if you really want some extra help, try a push-up bra. Push-up bras feature angled padding inside each cup, which pushes your breasts up and together.Though it might make intuitive sense to size down for extra lift or size up to accommodate the extra padding, you should always choose your regular size bra when shopping for push-up bra styles. This ensures your push-up bra will give you the perfect amount of lift without any cup spillage, gapping, or red marks.Breast Lifting Bra InsertsIf you don’t want to buy a new bra but you do want some instant lift, try a bra insert. These silicone inserts can be inserted into your bra similar to the way the pads sit in a push-up bra, except you have more control over exactly where you want to place them, which means you can position them exactly where you’re experiencing volume loss.The wonderful thing about inserts, as opposed to a padded bra, is that you have much more versatility. For example, if you have breast asymmetry and need more lift on one side, you can place the padding in one bra cup only. Additionally, you can add pads under tops and dresses that have compressive fabric or built-in bras for extra oomph.Boob TapeLast up, there’s boob tape. This is a great hack for when you’re wearing a low-cut top that exposes your cleavage, but the top doesn’t allow for a traditional bra.For a plunging neckline, you’ll want to lift the breasts into place and anchor the tape below each breast. Then, lift the tape and secure it at the shoulder. Keep adding layers until you feel like you have enough support, then repeat the process on the opposite side.Boob tape is like wearing a custom, internal bra. You get to decide exactly where you want to position your breasts based on the amount of lift you desire and the style of your clothing. While boob tape is a bit more labor intensive than the other two options and can require a bit of skill, it's easy to learn with practice and can help expand the number of clothing styles you feel comfortable wearing. Brides and wedding guests, this is an especially great hack for you.Looking to get the most out of your lift? Use a bra size calculator to find your exact bra size.This story was produced by Honeylove and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	4 KWQC personalities win Locals Love Us awards Four TV6 personalities were honored with Locals Love Us awards, including Morgan Ottier, Erik Maitland, Sharon DeRycke, and Theresa Bryant.
	The Trump administration is planning a prayer event on the National Mall. All but one of the speakers is Christian The event comes as a new survey finds that many Americans aren't comfortable mixing religion and politics.
	I-280 ramp at US 61 blocked after crash A KWQC TV6 crew said cars are able to turn right not left at the I-280 exit.
	Harvey Weinstein's third sex crimes trial in New York ends in mistrial It was the second time in a year a jury was unable to reach a verdict on a rape charge brought by Jessica Mann.
	What is generative engine optimization? A practical playbook for AI search What is generative engine optimization? A practical playbook for AI searchGEO isn’t about geography or geology. It stands for generative engine optimization, a strategy designed to help your brand appear in AI-generated search results.With AI-referred sessions growing 796% YoY from 2024 to 2025, it’s become crucial for businesses to adopt GEO strategies.Users are turning to answer engines like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity. They’re also getting instant responses from AI search experiences like Google’s AI Overviews and AI Mode.If your pages rank well in traditional searches but aren’t referenced in AI searches, you’re missing visibility where early research and evaluation increasingly happen.Learn more from WebFX about generative engine optimization with these topics to improve your visibility and get more of your prospects to discover you:What is generative engine optimization?Generative engine optimization (GEO) is the practice of improving how AI-powered search and answer engines discover, evaluate, and reference your content when generating responses for users.Unlike traditional search results, generative engines often summarize information directly and serve it as an answer to a user’s query. They pull information from multiple sources, assess relevance and credibility, and synthesize responses, often citing only a handful of sources.Generative engines include experiences such as:Google’s AI Overviews and AI ModeAI-powered assistants and answer engines like ChatGPT, Claude, and PerplexityOther search interfaces that summarize information instead of presenting blue linksGEO focuses on whether AI-powered search tools can find your page, trust it, and use it when providing answers to users. That means optimizing for inclusion and citations and not rankings alone.GEO vs. traditional SEO: What’s the real difference?SEO and GEO are closely related, but they serve different roles in modern search visibility. Traditional SEO helps your pages:Get crawled and indexed.Rank for relevant queries.Earn clicks from users scanning the search engine results pages (SERPs).GEO builds on that foundation and influences whether an AI-powered search tool or answer engine:Select your content as a source.Use your explanations, data, or examples.Mention your product or business.Attribute information back to your brand.The table below summarizes the differences between the two: WebFX Why GEO is nonnegotiable for traffic and brand visibilityThe reality is that more people are using ChatGPT and other generative AI platforms to get quick answers. As a result, how users search for information — and where they look for it — is expanding beyond traditional search results.Now, that doesn’t mean Google is going away, or that SEO is going out the door. Google remains the dominant platform for discovering information, businesses, and products. But generative AI platforms are increasingly influencing how users research options, compare solutions, and form early opinions.Today, visibility depends on showing up across both experiences. Businesses need a search strategy that supports traditional SEO and accounts for how AI-powered search tools select, summarize, and reference content.To increase visibility across platforms where users search, an omnichannel approach to search that goes beyond traditional search engines is often necessary.How to optimize for generative engines: A practical frameworkGEO isn’t something you tackle all at once. It’s a set of related priorities that work best when approached deliberately.This framework breaks GEO into four practical areas so you can assess where your content is strong, where it needs work, and what to focus on next. Instead of chasing every algorithm update or new AI search platform, it helps you prioritize improvements that actually affect whether your content gets selected, summarized, or cited in AI-powered search experiences. WebFX 1. Start with the question behind the queryGenerative engines tend to reference content that helps users understand a topic clearly and prepares them for what they’re likely to ask next. They look beyond search terms to understand the following:The decision the user is trying to make.The constraints shaping that decision.The follow-up questions that naturally come next.“The most common mistake businesses make with GEO is not thinking about the search intent behind the keyword,” says Abby F., SEO Consultant at WebFX. “Understanding your audience — including their needs and pain points — is crucial when it comes to creating content that will rank well and get cited by AI search tools.”For example, early-stage queries like “How do noise-canceling headphones work?” are exploratory research prompts for answer engines. At this stage, users want to understand how the technology works, what problem it solves, and whether it’s relevant to their needs.For a page to get referenced in this type of queries, it must:Explain the concept in simple, practical terms.Clarify how the technology differs from alternative technologies.Expound on the benefits and limitations of the technology. Courtesy of WebFX Users will naturally have follow-up questions after their initial question. They may want to know the difference between active and passive noise canceling, whether the feature is worth it, or the best noise-canceling headphones in the market today.Content pieces that anticipate these next questions (also called next search intent) will help users in their research, so AI-powered search will likely cite or reference them. Meanwhile, pages with thin explanations aren’t favored because they aren’t as helpful to the searcher and don’t prepare users for their next search.2. Make your content easy to scan and summarizeAside from looking for accurate information, generative engines also search for content that’s easy to skim, understand, and parse.Structure your page well to help both your readers and AI-powered search platforms quickly understand what your page is about and find the answers they need. Here’s how you can do that:Use clear, descriptive headings: Instead of using vague headings that pique a reader’s interest, make your content easy to skim with clear headings. That way, they know which sections to go to and immediately find the answers they’re looking for. These headings also help AI-powered tools parse your content.Make your page easy to read: Instead of letting your readers process and understand long blocks of text, break them into different paragraphs or sections. Doing so reduces your readers’ cognitive load and provides context for AI search platforms, making your content easier to scan for both humans and machines.Answer questions directly: Your content must clearly communicate valuable information to your reader. That means providing direct answers about your product or helpful educational content to address their needs. Trim off fluff, and add supporting details later.3. Demonstrate authority with original insight and supporting evidenceAuthority is something readers recognize when your content is specific, accurate, and based on real-world experience. It also matters for GEO because AI search platforms are more likely to summarize and cite reliable content.That doesn’t mean you should only publish original research and surveys, though. Instead, refrain from publishing generic explanations that don’t provide unique value to your audience and reflect nuances in your industry.You can demonstrate authority by incorporating any of the following:Original insight: Share what you’ve learned from doing the work. For example, a noise-canceling headphone company could explain how its technology is developed or tested.Supporting evidence: Cite credible sources that support your claims, such as standards bodies, industry research, or official documentation.Concrete examples: Include scenarios, product details, or limitations that help readers understand how something works in real life. In the earlier example, a noise-canceling headphone business can publish a page about how a specific user, let’s say a professional, enjoys the noise-canceling headphones for work during calls and for personal use.4. Keep technical SEO strongThink of technical SEO as the eligibility layer for GEO. It still determines whether your content can be cited or mentioned in the first place.AI-powered search tools rely on the same underlying infrastructure as traditional search engines to discover, access, and interpret content. If it can’t crawl, index, or render a page, it’s highly likely that the page won’t make it into AI-generated answers, regardless of how strong the content itself is.Strong technical foundations help ensure that:Content is discoverable and accessible.Pages load and function reliably across devices.Relationships between pages and topics are clear.Technical SEO alone won’t guarantee that your content gets cited, but weak technical foundations can prevent even high-quality content from being referenced.To support GEO, focus on the following technical priorities:Crawlability and indexing: Ensure your important pages can be crawled and indexed without issues. If search engines can’t consistently access your content, AI-powered tools won’t be able to reference it either.Schema markup: Use schema markup to clarify what your content is about and how different elements relate to each other. While it doesn’t force citations, it can improve how systems interpret context and meaning.Core Web Vitals and page performance: Make sure your pages load fast and behave consistently to improve user experience and help crawlers index them. Reliable page performance reduces your content’s risk of being skipped.Internal linking and backlinks: Internal links help establish topical relationships across your site, while backlinks reinforce credibility and discoverability. Together, they help position your content within a broader context rather than as an isolated page.Measuring your GEO efforts’ progressIf your GEO efforts are working, you’ll notice that AI-powered search tools start pulling from your content more consistently. Your brand shows up even when users don’t ask for it directly. These are early indicators that your content is entering — and staying in — the conversation.However, you have to understand that AI-generated answers are personalized to users. Prompt phrasing, timing, and platforms used also affect results, so manual prompting can’t accurately measure your success or visibility.You can use different AI visibility tools to estimate your GEO visibility and help you decide what to fix and what to double down on.These tools can track online visibility in ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, Google, Meta, and Grok.Key GEO metrics to track (and how to use them)When evaluating GEO performance, look at a set of related metrics, not just one isolated signal. Each metric answers a different question about visibility and influence. WebFX Quick check for key pages that aren’t showing upIf your page isn’t being referenced at all in AI-powered searches, use this quick diagnostic before assuming a tool or platform issue:Does the page clearly answer a specific question that a customer asks?Does it explain options, trade-offs, or limitations?Are examples, data points, or real scenarios included in the page?Does the page structure make key points easy to find?Is the page indexed, fast, and internally linked to related content?This story was produced by WebFX and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Sterling arrest made for drug, firearm charges Sterling Police arrested a suspect for firearm and drug charges. According to a release, the Sterling Police Department conducted an investigative field identification in the 1100 block between W. 4th St. and W. 5th St. May 14th, 2026, at approximately 7:23 p.m. Upon further investigation, Alexander Delgado, 30, was arrested for armed violence, possession of [...]
	Rivermont Collegiate loses accreditation after single complaint A private school faces accreditation loss after a single complaint. The board confirms it is fully operational and pursuing appeals for its students.
	Alternating Currents announces first music lineup for 2026 The multi-city Quad Cities festival is free, with performances taking place Aug. 13 through Aug. 16.
	Are microschools a solution to falling public school enrollment? Are microschools a solution to falling public school enrollment? Seventh grader Taitym Lynch plans most of her school day herself, mapping out a schedule each morning on her school laptop. She typically starts with math when her brain is sharpest, logging into an online platform her school uses for math lessons. Next she often tackles science with her “class guide,” a teaching assistant who walks her through topics like animal food chains. Lynch chooses to have lunch around noon, and finds time to take breaks in the woods that surround her school, Nature’s Gift.Lynch, 13, came to Nature’s Gift this fall after years in a traditional public school. She kept trying to adapt, but her anxiety made it difficult. “Honestly, I had problems with school,” Lynch said. “I didn’t feel like going every day.” She also had a brief stint in virtual school.So far, Lynch is happy at Nature’s Gift. She feels comfortable asking questions of teachers and likes the small size. There are just 64 kids in grades kindergarten through 12th, taught by three licensed teachers and several class guides who provide extra support.Lynch is the sort of student George Philhower had in mind when he helped start Nature’s Gift — one of a small but growing number of public “microschools” across the country. In this article, The Hechinger Report examines the rising trend of microschools.Philhower is the superintendent of Eastern Hancock Community Schools, a rural district of 1,200 students about 30 miles east of Indianapolis. He’d worried for years about the district’s financial health as more families whose kids didn’t thrive in public school considered homeschooling.Around the same time, the concept of microschooling was gaining traction nationally. Microschools offer multiage learning environments that focus on personalized, often less-regulated instruction. Popularity grew during the pandemic when families sought learning alternatives in online, hybrid and pod options; an estimated 750,000 to 2 million students now attend the schools.The schools are typically privately run, but Philhower saw a role for them in his small district. Last year, he won approval from the state’s charter school board to establish the Indiana Microschool Collaborative, which he says will incubate a network of microschools statewide. They will operate as charter schools, meaning they are public but have more flexibility in terms of curricula and other operations than traditional public schools.Nature’s Gift, the first such school, received so many applications for its original 50 spots that it twice added additional seats and still has a waiting list. Philhower hopes that by 2030, the network will add at least 10 more schools and enroll some 6,000 students statewide. Word is spreading: He said he’s received inquiries about the model from school district leaders and education organizations from elsewhere in the state and beyond. Zach Dobson for The Hechinger Report “The interest has been higher than we ever imagined,” Philhower said.While some government and education leaders praise the public microschool model as an innovative way to allow more personalized approaches to learning, it’s far too soon to know the extent to which they can succeed in effectively educating students or stemming falling enrollment. Some experts also worry that the innovation that has defined microschools may be lost as the model expands.“American education is populated with fads and failed reforms and that type of thing, things that don’t work out, and it’s hard to start a school and sustain it,” said Christopher Lubienski, director of the Center for Evaluation and Education Policy at Indiana University. Still, he said the collaborative model in Indiana could give the schools a strong shot at succeeding.Don Soifer, CEO of the National Microschooling Center, an industry nonprofit that works to grow the microschool movement, estimates that only about 5% of the country’s microschools are public charter schools. But his organization hears from public school superintendents in states with school choice who are curious about the model, he said. “They’re losing some of their best teachers and families to microschools, and they want to get out in front of that.”According to a 2025 analysis of more than 800 microschools Soifer’s group conducted, more than 40 percent of students previously attended district-operated schools or were homeschooled before enrolling in a microschool.Indiana’s public schools, meanwhile, have been losing enrollment since 2008. Just over 1 million students attend them, while about 70,000 students receive school vouchers for private schools through the state’s voucher program, started in 2011. An estimated 8% homeschool, above the national average.Scott Bess, a board member for the Indiana Microschool Collaborative, said he thinks Philhower has found a middle ground for some rural families who chose to homeschool only because they didn’t have other non-public options such as nearby private schools. “It’s going to feel like a small private school, but it’s public,” Bess said.Philhower said he understands that some people might question why a public school superintendent is embracing and growing charter schools, but that’s what his community asked of him. “School choice isn’t going anywhere, especially in Indiana,” he said.Indeed, the state’s Republican governor, Mike Braun, is an advocate of choice and microschools, and promoted them during a July visit to the state from Education Secretary Linda McMahon. Indiana is going to offer microschool options to parents so “they can educate their kids in a way that they think makes sense,” he has said. Zach Dobson for The Hechinger Report At Nature’s Gift — located at a 12-acre youth camp surrounded by woods that includes four barn-red cabins and a main building leased by the school — learning is personalized, with many of the middle and high schoolers managing parts of their daily schedule. Students advance by displaying ability or showing interest in a subject, not by grade level, testing or age alone.Most students also participate in hybrid learning and are homeschooled half the time.Erin Wolski, lead educator of Nature’s Gift, helps with classes for elementary through high school students, while running day-to-day operations. At any given time, she might be leading group math work, hopping on a walkie-talkie to answer a teacher’s question or taking kids on a nature hike.Before joining Nature’s Gift, Wolski spent more than 16 years in traditional public schools, most recently in the Eastern Hancock district, her alma mater. In early 2025, she approached Philhower about wanting a change, and he told her about his plans for Nature’s Gift. Together, they started the school. Most of its budget revenue comes from state per-pupil spending and some state grants, like one for qualifying charter schools that funds up to $1,400 per student.Another Nature’s Gift teacher, Christina Grandstaff, also taught in traditional public schools for years. She said she prefers how responsive Nature’s Gift can be to individual students’ needs. “We’re still doing all the things that you need to do for public school, but we have the flexibility,” she said. “We’re outside more, or we can learn outside, or we have kids that move from that group up to this level.”The school has a very different relationship with parents than traditional public schools.Danielle Maroska enrolled her daughter, Kinzie, in Nature’s Gift after homeschooling her for years. She initially chose homeschooling in part to accommodate Kinzie’s athletic schedule: The 11-year-old is a gymnast who spends 16 hours a week practicing.“Covid really opened the doors for homeschooling to be enough,” Maroska said. “Most of her gymnast friends are homeschooled, so we went that route, and we did that for a couple years.”But Kinzie began to miss having a sense of community. This fall, she began attending Nature’s Gift full days on Mondays and half days the rest of the week. Her mother homeschools her those afternoons when she’s not at the gym. Maroska describes herself as a “co-captain” in her daughter’s education, with Wolski being the captain. Zach Dobson for The Hechinger Report Since attending Nature’s Gift, Maroska said she’s noticed her daughter’s approach to learning change. She used to hate reading, Maroska said, but now she regularly curls up with a book, even ahead of pickup time in early December.“I feel like this is kind of how college is, in a sense,” Maroska said. “It’s making them take initiative to guide their own learning.”Still, Maroska said Nature’s Gift isn’t right for all kids. Her two sons, in the second and eighth grades, are thriving at a traditional public school in Eastern Hancock, she said, and she would never pull them from that school unless something changed.By contrast, mother Jen Shipley said she was initially skeptical of Nature’s Gift, never having seriously considered public education for her homeschooled 9-year-old. But like Maroska, she appreciates the flexibility and close relationships with teachers. Her daughter, Elliana, attends the school roughly three days a week and is homeschooled the other two.“We feel like partners in her education, versus I’m just handing her over and I just have to deal,” Shipley said.As a public charter school, Nature’s Gift must take state tests, unlike private microschools that do not. So far, the results have been mixed. On state benchmark tests in November, the majority of students, 70 percent, scored below proficient in math while only 10 students, or 30 percent, scored below proficient in English and language arts, according to Wolski.She said it’s too soon to use student test scores to evaluate the school since it’s been open less than a year. She noted too that her students were educated in a variety of settings before joining the school.Only one-third of microschools affiliated with the National Microschooling Center take state tests, according to the Las Vegas-based nonprofit, so data on their performance overall is limited.Some microschool researchers worry that as public microschools are increasingly evaluated based on state tests, they could become more beholden to that accountability framework and some of what makes them innovative could disappear. “If that high-stakes accountability piece is there, it is inevitable that schools will have to change their operations to lean more towards performing on those metrics,” said Lauren Covelli, an associate policy researcher at Rand, a research organization, who studies microschools.She added: “With so many school choice options in Indiana, specifically, if families don’t want their child to be taking a standardized test, it’s probably not the choice for them.”For families and educators who have chosen Nature’s Gift, the future seems encouraging. “This is sustainable, because so many parents are seeking something different,” said Wolski, the teacher and co-founder. “They have more access to things now than they ever did before.”As 3 p.m. neared on a recent weekday, Grandstaff wrapped up a lesson and sent some students to the main building for pickup, then checked on a student who was studying at his laptop outside in the 20-degree weather. “He prefers it,” the teacher said.Wolski said she doesn’t want to be part of undoing what’s happening in traditional schools but, rather, building more options into the public school system. “Families want different things,” she said. “Kids want different things.”Nature’s Gift still has a long way to go, she said, but she is motivated to keep building it.“Parents are happy. Kids are happy,” Wolski said. “So we’re going to keep going.”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.
	4 transported in U.S. 61 crash at Interstate 280 interchange Four people were transported to hospitals after a multiple-vehicle crash at the U.S. 61 and Interstate 280 interchange in Davenport on Friday. One was in serious condition and sent directly to Iowa City, while three others went to local hospitals, according to officials at the scene. One person was extricated from a vehicle. Preliminary reports [...]
	Illinois bill would cut back store credit on returns A bill in Illinois would require businesses to provide cash or credit refunds for eligible returns. The Consumer Product Return Act (House Bill 4044) would stop retailers from requiring customers to accept store credit on returns to stores. Eligible products include any machine, appliance, clothing or similar product bought for personal, family or household purposes. [...]
	Multi-vehicle crash prompts road closures near Highway 61, 280 interchange west of Davenport This is a developing story. News 8 will update this article as more information is made available.
	Field of Dreams receiving $10M donation Dyersville Event Incorporated announced three Iowa families and business leaders are committing $10 million to the Field of Dreams.
	Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities dedicating its 147th house The nonprofit said the $200,000 build was covered by the John Deere Foundation, whose employees provided 195 hours of volunteer labor since July 2025. The home will benefit a single mother and her son. There are currently seven other home construction projects underway in Davenport, Moline, and East Moline.
	Crews respond to commercial vehicle fire in Coal Valley The Coal Valley Fire Protection District responded to a commercial vehicle fire on I-74 Thursday, May 14.
	How to sell to customer success directors: A data‑backed playbook for driving retention conversations How to sell to customer success directors: A data‑backed playbook for driving retention conversationsDirectors of customer success are the frontline guardians of your customer relationships. They’re responsible for onboarding success, renewals, upsell opportunities, and overall satisfaction — which means they have a laser‑focus on anything that can reduce churn and improve customer outcomes.But these leaders are also busy. They spend their mornings reviewing escalations, checking KPIs, and coordinating with customer‑facing teams — so your email needs to hit at the right time, with the right message to earn attention.Drawing on its proprietary dataset, Apollo analyzed hundreds of thousands of director‑level customer success email interactions in 2025 to pinpoint the send windows, messaging approaches, and campaign types that drive the highest engagement.Best and Worst Times to Email Directors of Customer SuccessNote on Time ZonesAll times in this report are in UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). Use this quick guide to convert for your prospect’s local time: Apollo Takeaway: The strongest engagement window is Sunday 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. UTC, with mid‑week mornings close behind. Avoid late‑night sends on Tuesdays and Fridays if you want to stay out of the “catch‑up” pile.Best Day of the Week to Email Directors of Customer SuccessOur data shows that customer success leaders are most responsive on Sundays and Wednesdays. Sundays often catch them in strategic planning mode for the week ahead, while Wednesdays align with midweek check‑ins and project course corrections.Takeaway: For outreach that requires a thoughtful read, aim for Sunday morning UTC. For quick wins and meeting bookings, Wednesday morning UTC is a close second.Top‑Performing Campaign Types for Customer Success LeadersThe best‑performing campaigns in this segment have three things in common:Tangible impact on retention or NRR — The offer directly ties to reducing churn or increasing customer value.Proof of effectiveness — They cite results from similar companies.Brevity with relevance — They speak to real CS leader concerns in under 120 words.Takeaway: Messaging that emphasizes efficiency, quality, and measurable improvement in retention performs best.Email Templates That Customer Success Leaders Actually Respond To1. Nearshore Customer Service ScalingWhy it works: Puts a common pain point front and center — scaling without quality loss.Subject: Supporting Company Name’s growthHi First Name,As Company Name grows, keeping customer service quality high gets harder.We provide dedicated, nearshore CSRs who ramp quickly and maintain the service standards your customers expect.Worth a quick chat?Best, Your Name2. Proven Customer Experience BoostWhy it works: Offers a tangible, peer‑validated solution.Subject: Enhance Company Name’s client serviceHi First Name,We’ve helped companies like Peer Example Name improve customer experience scores while reducing costs by up to 50%.Would you be open to a quick call to explore if this could work for ompany Name)?Best, Your NameSee more tested scripts in Apollo’s cold email examples.What Not to Do When Emailing Directors of Customer SuccessPitch features instead of retention impact.Ignore their customer‑first mindset.Send during their busiest triage periods (late mornings in local time).Overcomplicate your CTA — keep it one clear ask.Key TakeawaysSunday 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. UTC is your No. 1 send slot.Wednesday morning UTC is a strong secondary.Frame your offer around retention, efficiency, and measurable customer value.Keep it concise, relevant, and backed by proof.Data MethodologyBased on Apollo’s proprietary dataset of hundreds of thousands of director of customer success email interactions in 2025, analyzed for open rates, reply rates, and campaign theme performance.This story was produced by Apollo and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Annie Wittenmyer housing project awarded $4.7M in state tax credits The project is on track to be completed by the end of the year, with apartments slated to be available for rent in the early part of 2027.
	Lawmakers approve bill to punish false reports of child abuse Before the legislation was approved Thursday, senators added unrelated provisions to speed up the application process for Medicaid nursing facilities and to require schools to have engaged with a project manager before applying for school building aid. (Photo by Dana Wormald/New Hampshire Bulletin)New Hampshire may soon penalize people for falsely reporting someone to the Division for Children, Youth, and Families over alleged abuse or neglect. The New Hampshire Senate passed House Bill 1565 Thursday and sent it to Gov. Kelly Ayotte for final approval. If signed by the governor, the bill will impose misdemeanor criminal penalties on those who knowingly provide false information of suspected child abuse or neglect to the state. It would also open up the false reporter to civil lawsuits from anyone harmed by the report. The bill was introduced by Rep. James Spillane, a Deerfield Republican who has said in legislative hearings that he has been the victim of false reports. He previously told the Bulletin that “we’ve got a problem with people weaponizing the system” by filing false reports against someone they have personal grievances with. He and other cosponsors of the bill say vindictive false reports are not uncommon and carry major consequences. “These complaints are not just an inconvenience,” Rep. Cyril Aures, a Chichester Republican who cosponsored the bill, said at a legislative hearing. “They trigger investigations, house intrusion, more emotional trauma for the children and for the families.” Opponents of the bill point out that reporters of abuse and neglect can remain anonymous, which would allow malicious false reporters to do so undetected and negate the point of the bill. The bill was passed by the House, 181-141, in March. Before the legislation was approved Thursday, senators added unrelated provisions to speed up the application process for Medicaid nursing facilities and to require schools to have engaged with a project manager before applying for school building aid. Now, the bill returns to the House where lawmakers there will decide if they agree with the Senate’s changes. The House will have the option to concur, reject the bill outright, or initiate negotiations for a compromise. If the House concurs, the bill will go to Ayotte, who will either sign the legislation into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without her signature. Lawmakers have tried for several years to punish malicious false reports, most recently in 2025. That year’s House Bill 243 was passed by both chambers of the Legislature, but each chamber approved a different version of the bill via amendments and the bill died before they could come to a compromise. Courtesy of New Hampshire Bulletin
	SC health director out of the job after failing to receive Senate approval Dr. Edward Simmer, interim director of the Department of Public Health, answers questions from senators during his confirmation hearing on Thursday, April 3, 2025. (Screenshot of SCETV legislative livestream)COLUMBIA — The state’s public health director, who legislators tried this year to fire, left his role when the regular legislative session ended for the year, the governor’s office confirmed Friday. Gov. Henry McMaster has long supported Edward Simmer, even as senators refused last year to confirm him as director of the newly created Department of Public Health because of concerns about Simmer’s support for COVID-19 vaccines. The governor’s office didn’t point to a specific law Friday that led to Simmer’s removal. But the reason seems to be part of a massive 1993 law that gave the governor the power to hire certain agency heads, with the Senate’s agreement. SC Senate moves to oust interim health director Any of the governor’s nominees who the Senate doesn’t confirm by the end of the following legislative session must leave their positions, according to the law. For Simmer, who Gov. Henry McMaster officially nominated in November 2024, that deadline was 5 p.m. Thursday. At that point, without the Senate’s confirmation, Simmer “could not continue serving,” Michelle LeClair, spokeswoman for the governor, said in an emailed statement. The Department of Public Health declined to comment, pointing all questions to the governor’s office. Simmer, a military psychiatrist, took over what was then the Department of Health and Environmental Control in February 2021, when COVID-19 vaccinations were in the beginning stages. The law that split the agency in two automatically made Simmer interim director of public health in 2024. Simmer sailed through his first confirmation in 2021, but the change in law meant he needed senators’ support again. Senators on the 17-member committee that oversaw Simmer’s confirmation last year repeated misinformation about vaccines and said the health director lost their trust before voting 5-12 not to hire him. Legislators attempted to fire Simmer again this year through a bill changing the way senators confirm the governor’s nominees. After ping-ponging between the House and Senate during the final day of the regular session, the bill failed to make it across the finish line. Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, an Edgefield Republican who proposed the part of the failed bill that would oust Simmer, said at the time that Simmer would stay in the job until the governor picked someone else unless the legislature acted. Who could take over the department has been a concern among senators. The department went eight months without a permanent director before McMaster found Simmer. Simmer’s permanent replacement will likely be up to the winner of the November election to replace McMaster, whose term ends this year. In the meantime, McMaster chose Brannon Traxler, the agency’s chief medical officer, as interim director. This is Traxler’s second stint in the role, after she served in it from September 2020 until February 2021. Traxler, who lives in Greenville, has degrees from Clemson University, the University of South Carolina and George Washington University. She began working in public health in 2018 as a physician for the state health department and has since served in several different positions, including director of public health and deputy director of health promotion and services, which involves community outreach. “Dr. Traxler has spent her career improving the well-being of the people of South Carolina and has earned the trust and respect of those she has worked alongside,” McMaster said in a statement. “Her experience in medicine, surgery, and public health leadership gives her a strong understanding of the challenges facing our state and the expertise needed to lead the Department of Public Health.” Courtesy of South Carolina Daily Gazette
	Sandburg honors Faculty, Adjunct Faculty, Staff of the Year Sandburg College recognized its 2026 winners for Faculty of the Year, Adjunct Faculty of the Year and Staff Member of the Year during its 58th annual commencement on May 14 on the Galesburg campus. James Sanders was named Faculty of the Year, Becky Echelberger was chosen as Adjunct Faculty of the Year and Mike Kratz [...]
	The benefits of membrane-based systems for water for injection The benefits of membrane-based systems for water for injectionWater for injection (WFI) is one of the most critical utilities in pharmaceutical manufacturing, supporting applications where purity, consistency, and reliability are essential to product quality and patient safety. As production environments evolve, manufacturers are evaluating system designs that align with both operational needs and long-term performance expectations.Membrane-based WFI systems have become an established approach within the industry, offering a flexible and integrated way to meet global regulatory requirements when properly engineered and controlled. Rather than replacing traditional methods, these systems represent another proven pathway for delivering compliant WFI—one that can be particularly well-suited to certain facility designs and operating strategies.Learn more about membrane-based WFI generation systems in this guide by MECO.A Modern Approach to WFI ProductionMembrane-based WFI solutions are built around a multi-barrier purification approach. Feedwater is first stabilized through pretreatment, protecting downstream processes and ensuring consistent system performance. It then passes through staged purification steps designed to remove dissolved solids, organics, and microorganisms, followed by final polishing to meet WFI specifications.Just as important as purification is what happens after. Storage and distribution systems are engineered to maintain water quality through continuous circulation and validated sanitization strategies, ensuring that WFI remains within specification from generation to point of use.Flexibility in System Design and OperationOne of the key advantages of membrane-based WFI systems is their flexibility. These systems can be configured to align with a wide range of facility layouts, production scales, and operational approaches. Their modular, skid-based designs can support more compact footprints and allow for streamlined installation and integration within existing infrastructure.Operationally, membrane-based systems can offer responsive startup and shutdown capabilities, making them well-suited for facilities with variable production demands or phased expansions. This flexibility can be valuable in environments where production schedules and capacity requirements are evolving.Alignment with Utility and Infrastructure ConsiderationsMembrane-based WFI systems can be designed to integrate efficiently with available plant utilities. Depending on facility configuration, this may support optimized use of electrical power, reduced reliance on centralized thermal systems, and opportunities to align with broader energy strategies.These considerations are increasingly important as manufacturers evaluate how critical utilities fit within overall plant design, particularly in facilities focused on efficiency, sustainability, or decentralized production models.Supporting Operational EfficiencyFrom an operational perspective, membrane-based systems are engineered to deliver consistent performance with streamlined control strategies. Automated operation, integrated monitoring, and advanced control platforms support stable system performance while reducing operator intervention.Maintenance strategies are also designed with accessibility in mind, supporting routine serviceability and minimizing disruption to production. When combined with appropriate service support, these systems can contribute to predictable, long-term operation.Enabling Ambient WFI StrategiesMembrane-based systems are commonly applied in facilities designed around ambient WFI production, storage, and distribution strategies. In these applications, system design is focused on maintaining microbial control through validated sanitization methods and continuous circulation, rather than relying on elevated storage temperatures.This approach can offer additional flexibility in how WFI systems are integrated into facility layouts and utility strategies, depending on the needs of the operation.Global Regulatory AlignmentMembrane-based WFI systems are designed to meet the requirements of global pharmacopeias, including the United States Pharmacopoeia, European Pharmacopoeia, Japanese Pharmacopoeia, and the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. While expectations across these frameworks are aligned around high purity and strict control of microbial and endotoxin levels, regional differences may influence system selection and implementation.As with any WFI system, compliance is achieved through proper design, validation, and control—not by the choice of a single technology.Part of a Broader WFI StrategyMembrane-based WFI systems are one of several proven approaches available to pharmaceutical manufacturers. The right solution depends on a range of factors, including facility design, utility availability, production demand, and long-term operational goals.By taking a system-level approach and aligning technology with real-world requirements, manufacturers can implement WFI solutions that deliver consistent performance, support compliance, and scale with evolving needs.Where It Delivers ValueThe value of any WFI system is ultimately measured by its ability to deliver reliable, compliant water over time. Membrane-based systems provide a flexible and effective option within that broader landscape—supporting modern facility design, operational efficiency, and evolving production strategies. MECO This story was produced by MECO and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Davenport high schools recognized for student voter registration Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate recognized two Davenport schools for getting their eligible students registered to vote.
	Your auditor is about to ask about AI agents. 9 things they'll want to see Your auditor is about to ask about AI agents. 9 things they'll want to seeStudies show that AI adoption outpaces understanding: 72% of organizations are already using or planning to use agentic AI, while 65% say their use of AI is moving faster than their ability to fully understand it, according to the 2025 Vanta State of Trust report.Audits are starting to reflect that gap. In 2025, 72% of S&P 500 companies disclosed at least one material AI risk, up from 12% in 2023. Yet, only 26% of organizations have comprehensive AI governance policies in place. ‍That shift is also formalizing. ISO 42001, published in 2023, gives organizations a structured AI Management System (AIMS) that auditors can certify against—and it aligns closely with the EU AI Act, which becomes fully enforceable in August 2026. For companies building or deploying AI, it's quickly becoming the governance benchmark, Vanta reports.What auditors actually evaluate in AI systemsAuditors aren’t waiting for AI-specific frameworks to catch up—they’re applying the ones that already exist. Even though SOC 2 and the NIST AI RMF weren’t designed with autonomous agents in mind, auditors map agent behavior directly to those controls. And with ISO 42001—the first certifiable international standard built specifically for AI management systems—auditors now have a dedicated framework to evaluate how organizations govern AI. If an AI agent can access data, trigger workflows, or make decisions, it’s treated like any other system that can introduce risk.‍That shift is only speeding up. NIST’s AI Agent Standards Initiative is expected to shape compliance frameworks and vendor assessments as soon as 2027.They’re looking for control, which usually comes down to answering a few questions:‍Can you explain what your AI systems do?Can you show how access and decisions are controlled?Can you provide evidence that oversight is consistent?Underneath all of it is a simple standard: Your AI systems should behave predictably, securely, and in line with defined controls. Here are nine factors your auditor will likely want to see at your organization.1. A complete inventory of AI agents across your environmentAuditors will expect a clear list of every AI agent in use, so they can understand where automation is happening and what risks it may introduce. That includes agents across departments and functions, such as:‍A support agent drafting and sending replies in ZendeskA finance agent approving low-risk invoices in NetSuiteA sales agent updating Salesforce recordsA security agent triaging alerts in real timeThey’ll also expect context like:Where each agent is deployedWhat systems it connects toWhat actions it can take‍Most organizations don’t have this fully mapped. That’s where shadow AI starts to creep in.‍2. Defined ownership for every AI systemTo help mitigate that shadow AI risk, every AI system needs a clear owner. That owner should be responsible for:‍Approving agent use casesManaging changes and updatesMonitoring performance and risk‍Without ownership, issues tend to stall. A finance agent might be configured by engineering, used by finance, and reviewed by security. When something breaks, no one is fully accountable.3. Clear boundaries on what agents can and cannot doAuditors will look closely at how access and permissions are defined and enforced—what each agent is allowed to do, what it’s blocked from doing, and what systems or data it can access. After all, Vanta’s report found that only 48% of organizations have frameworks in place to limit AI autonomy.Each agent should be treated like its own identity, with scoped permissions that can be audited and reviewed. In practice, this might look like:‍A support agent that’s allowed to issue refunds under $100, but is prevented from issuing larger refunds without human approval.A procurement agent that can draft purchase orders, but can’t approve or send them without a reviewer.A CRM automation agent that can update customer records, but has no access to financial systems.‍These boundaries map directly to access control requirements in SOC 2 and ISO 27001. ISO 42001 goes further—it explicitly requires organizations to define the scope of AI autonomy, document whether they serve as an AI developer, deployer, or user, and conduct AI impact assessments that evaluate downstream risks of agent actions.4. Evidence of human oversight and intervention pointsAutonomy needs guardrails. Auditors expect human approval for sensitive actions, clear escalation paths, and the ability to override or stop an agent.‍In practice, issues often emerge gradually: An agent starts by recommending refunds, then auto-approves under a threshold, and eventually expands its scope without formal review. Oversight needs to stay consistent as autonomy increases.5. Logging and traceability of AI decisionsIf an AI agent takes action, you need a record of it. Auditors expect logs that capture what happened, when it happened, what inputs were used, and why the decision was made.For example, if an agent updates 200 CRM records in an hour, you should be able to trace exactly what triggered that behavior.‍This visibility supports both auditability and incident response.‍6. Data handling and model input controlsAI systems are only as controlled as the data they use. Auditors want to see clear rules around what data an agent can access, how it’s used, and whether sensitive information is properly protected.‍In practice, that means limiting agents to only the data they need, anonymizing or minimizing personal data, and ensuring consent where required. For example, a support agent shouldn’t have access to full customer records if it only needs ticket history to do its job.Many controls are still uneven. Vanta’s report found that only 35% of organizations rely solely on anonymized data, and just 31% require opt-in for AI data usage, leaving plenty of room for inconsistent handling.‍7. Risk assessments specific to AI systemsAI introduces new types of risk, and auditors expect formal assessments that account for things like misuse scenarios, model failures, and downstream impact across systems. ISO 42001 formalizes this through a requirement for AI impact assessments—structured evaluations of how an AI system could affect individuals, groups, and society, including considerations around bias, transparency, and ethical use.That means you’ll want to add AI-specific risks to your risk planning. That might include creating plans for scenarios like what happens if an agent approves fraudulent invoices or exposes sensitive data through outputs or logs.‍Only 45% of organizations conduct regular AI risk assessments today, according to the Vanta report.‍8. Continuous monitoring, not point-in-time reviewsAI systems don’t adhere to audit schedules. Auditors expect ongoing monitoring of behavior and access, alerts for anomalies, and clear visibility into how systems change over time—because models, integrations, and permissions can shift quickly, introducing new risks without obvious signals.At the same time, Vanta research shows teams already spend an average of 12 weeks per year on compliance work, making manual reviews hard to sustain in dynamic environments. Continuous monitoring is what actually scales.9. Evidence, not policiesAuditors want proof that controls are working in practice. Sixty-one percent of organizations say they spend more time proving security than improving it, according to Vanta’s report—highlighting how critical automation has become. Evidence should be continuously collected, easy to verify, and directly tied to controls.This includes process documentation that clearly defines roles and responsibilities, along with systems that automatically collect and map evidence to controls. This is where your ticketing or workflow system comes in.What to do now before your next auditYou don’t need to solve everything at once. Start with structure. Focus on building a centralized inventory of AI agents, assigning clear ownership, implementing identity-based access controls, monitoring activity continuously, and automating evidence collection and reporting. Documented processes need to be made available and updated regularly when changes are made.These steps align closely with how auditors are already evaluating AI systems.This story was produced by Vanta and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	'The Wizard of the Kremlin' captures the rise of Putin — and 'anything goes' Russia Set in Russia in the years following the fall of communism, The Wizard of the Kremlin doesn't always work dramatically. But you leave with a better understanding of how Vladimir Putin came to power.
	Nuclear Regulatory Commission hosts open house People had the chance to meet the resident inspectors of the Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station Thursday.
	How high-volume shippers save hours by automating rate decisions How high-volume shippers save hours by automating rate decisionsManual rate comparison costs high-volume shippers hours every week and thousands in missed savings. Here’s a scenario that probably sounds familiar: Your fulfillment team has a queue of 500 orders to process before the end of the day. For each one, someone needs to:Check the destinationLook at the package weight and dimensionsPull up two or three carrier websitesCompare ratesFactor in delivery speed requirementsOnly then can someone pick the best option for all 500 orders.With high-volume shipping, manual rate comparison becomes one of the most expensive hidden bottlenecks in e-commerce fulfillment. Some teams spend 10 to 15 hours per week just comparing shipping rates across carrier websites.The businesses that have figured this out have made a fundamental shift. They’ve stopped treating every shipping decision as a manual judgment call and started letting systems handle rate decisions automatically, in real time, at scale.The results are striking. Hours reclaimed every week, thousands of dollars saved each quarter, and fulfillment speeds that keep up with demand instead of falling behind it. Below, ShipStation provides a breakdown of how automated rate shopping actually works, why it matters more now than ever, and what it looks like in practice.The real cost of manual rate comparisonManual rate shopping is slow and expensive.When a fulfillment team member manually compares rates on each shipment, they log into one carrier’s portal, enter the package details, and note the price and estimated delivery time. For a single shipment, this might take two to three minutes.Multiply that across hundreds of daily orders, and you’re looking at a time-consuming task that produces no labels, generates no revenue, and doesn’t move a single package closer to a customer’s door.Additionally, manual decisions are inconsistent by nature. Different team members make different choices. Shortcuts happen, and mistakes are made. Under pressure to clear a queue, “good enough” often replaces “optimal.”The financial impact compounds quickly. Choosing a carrier that’s even $0.50 more expensive per shipment doesn’t feel significant in the moment. But at 1,000 shipments per week, that’s $26,000 in unnecessary spend per year. At 5,000 shipments per week, you’re facing $130,000. Businesses actually uncover these kinds of savings when they stop relying on human judgment for every rate decision.There’s also the opportunity cost. Every hour your team spends comparing rates is an hour they’re not spending on exception handling, customer communication, inventory management, or the dozens of other tasks that actually require human attention.Why ‘set it and forget it’ carrier strategies are falling behindIf manual comparison is one extreme, the other is the “default carrier” approach—picking one carrier, negotiating a rate, and shipping everything through them regardless of the circumstances. It’s simple, and simplicity has real value. But in today’s shipping environment, it is also costly.Carrier rates are unstable. Rate increases, fuel surcharges, peak season adjustments, dimensional weight recalculations, and other fee changes mean the rate you negotiated six months ago may no longer reflect today’s reality.Businesses locked into a single-carrier strategy have no mechanism to adapt when conditions shift.Carrier performance matters too. A carrier might offer the cheapest rate for a particular lane but consistently deliver a day late. Another might charge slightly more but maintain a 98% on-time rate.When your shipping strategy can’t account for these nuances, your customers pay the price in delayed deliveries, and you pay the price in support tickets and lost repeat business.Modern shipping demands a middle ground: decisions that are fast, smart, automatic, and adaptive. That’s where intelligent, automated rate shopping comes in.How automated rate shopping actually worksHere is how automated rate shopping works at its core. When an order enters your fulfillment system, the platform instantly evaluates the shipment details—destination, package weight and dimensions, required delivery speed—against real-time rates from multiple carriers and service levels. It then selects the best option based on your predefined criteria. Whether it’s the lowest cost, fastest delivery, or a balance of both, the decision is made instantly and consistently for every shipment.This is the difference between rate comparison and rate decisioning. Comparison gives you information while rate decision intelligence takes action.The time savings are immediate and dramaticConsider a midsize e-commerce operation shipping 1,000 orders per day. If each order requires 90 seconds of manual rate comparison, that’s 25 hours of labor per day dedicated solely to choosing carriers. With automated rate shopping, those 25 hours are eliminated.Businesses that have made this shift report creating up to 15 times as many labels per hour as with manual processes. When your team isn’t spending their day toggling between carrier websites, they can focus on the tasks that drive real operational improvement.Businesses can save hours per month just from centralizing order management with built-in rate shopping. For growing operations, those recovered hours can mean the difference between needing to hire additional staff and being able to scale with the team you already have.The cost savings compound with every shipmentTime savings are one side of the equation. Cost savings are where automated rate shopping truly earns its keep.When every shipment is evaluated against multiple carriers in real time, you stop defaulting to a single rate and start consistently finding the best one. These individual savings add up fast.Automated rate decisioning factors in the full cost picture: base rates, surcharges, fuel adjustments, residential delivery fees, dimensional weight pricing, and service guarantees. A human under time pressure might focus on the posted rate and miss the surcharges. An automated system evaluates the total cost every time without shortcuts.Businesses with access to discounted rates across a broad carrier network, such as UPS, USPS, FedEx, DHL, and Royal Mail, see the biggest gains. When your system can compare options from dozens of carriers, the savings potential on every label is significant.Consistency beats guessworkThere’s another benefit to automated rate shopping that often gets overlooked: consistency. When humans make rate decisions, quality varies depending on who’s working, how busy they are, and how many orders are in the queue. Some are meticulous rate shoppers; others default to the familiar carrier because it’s faster. Automation eliminates those discrepancies.This consistency also improves delivery performance. When your rate shopping logic accounts for carrier reliability and transit time—not just price—you create a more predictable experience for customers. The right carrier gets matched to the right shipment based on what actually matters for that order.For businesses operating across multiple sales channels, this consistency becomes even more critical.Stop shipping on autopilot—start shipping on intelligenceMany e-commerce businesses invest heavily in marketing to acquire customers, optimize their websites for conversion, and obsess over product quality, but fail to improve the manual, inefficient shipping process that bleeds time and money on every order.Intelligent, automated rate shopping turns shipping from an operational chore into an optimized, data-driven process where every label reflects the best available decision at that moment. The time savings are immediate. The cost savings compound with every shipment. And the consistency gives your customers a more reliable delivery experience that drives repeat business.This story was produced by ShipStation and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Bill for year-round E15 gasoline advances A bill that would allow sales of E15 gasoline all year passed the U.S. House of Representatives, but some farmers have concerns. Gasoline blended with 15% ethanol is typically banned during the summer because of air pollution concerns. The federal government issued waivers allowing it in recent years.The Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act [...]
	Can the NFL's Rooney Rule survive the DEI backlash? Florida's attorney general says the NFL's Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview minority candidates for top jobs, is discriminatory. Trump's EEOC has challenged such policies elsewhere.
	KY specialty courts safe, but staff positions cut in ‘challenging times’ for justice system The Administrative Office of the Courts office in Frankfort on March 26, 2026. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Sarah Ladd)Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra Hembree Lambert is cutting 170 staff positions — and adding 108 — in the court system to operate within the boundaries of the budget passed by the General Assembly. Drug, mental health and veteran courts, which were at risk of closure under an initial version of the budget, will not close. Lambert told staff in a Friday morning letter that “we are making material changes to our organizational structure and consolidating certain management functions and administrative operations so that resources remain focused on the work performed in courtrooms and clerk’s offices across the commonwealth.” During the 2026 legislative session, during which lawmakers passed budget bills, Lambert said the appropriation for the Administrative Office of the Courts significantly underfunded the judicial branch and put specialty courts (drug, mental health and veteran courts) on the chopping block. Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra Lambert gives her first State of the Judiciary address to lawmakers on Thursday. (Administrative Office of the Courts photo) According to her Friday letter, court operations are preserved, but staff positions and other operational expenses have to be cut and scaled down. After initial warnings about the budget, Lambert wrote, “Many court officials, employees and interested citizens engaged their Senators and Representatives to advocate for our branch. Our messaging was impactful, and I deeply appreciate those who shared their support with their legislators.” That advocacy added $5 million to the operating budget, she said, but still leaves a deficit of about $30 million over the next two years: $12.6 million in 2027 and $17 million in 2028. “While some of this deficit may be mitigated through the generation of additional revenue and vacancy credits, changes are necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the branch,” Lambert wrote. “It is therefore necessary to implement a series of structural changes and operational efficiencies designed to align our staffing and services with the resources available to us.” According to Lambert’s letter, positions within the Office of Statewide Programs — the Department of Family and Juvenile Services, the Department of Specialty Courts and the Department of Pretrial Services — will be affected. She announced: 170 tenured and non-tenured positions will be “abolished.” The individuals will be notified of Aug. 1 dismissal or layoff on Friday. 45 employees serving initial probation periods are now subject to dismissal if they are unable to successfully complete probation prior to August 1. 108 tenured and non-tenured positions will be established for placement or appointment beginning on August 1, the majority of which are frontline workers. Other changes Lambert announced she is making several other changes, effective July 15: Positions that have remained vacant for more than a year will be abolished. Purchases of paper copies of legal publications will be eliminated with increased transitioning to online resources. The paid judicial intern program will be cut. Use of state funds for Specialty Courts treatment will be eliminated and drug testing costs will be reduced by capping the number of participants and/or reducing the number and frequency of drug tests. While these changes are implemented no state funds can be used for out of state travel, judicial colleges, or circuit court colleges. A Kentucky Court of Justice hiring freeze announced in April will remain in effect through July 15, at which time “it may be lifted in priority areas necessary to support court operations while remaining in place in areas where we are still assessing structural efficiencies.” Employees will still receive the 2% salary increase authorized for all state employees in fiscal years 2027 and 2028 under the budget approved by the General Assembly. Kentucky chief justice ‘deeply disappointed’ in judicial branch budget “I know this is a difficult moment for our court community. The employees directly affected by these changes have served the Commonwealth with professionalism and dedication, and their contributions to the administration of justice are deeply valued. These decisions were not made quickly or lightly. They reflect careful review and thoughtful consideration of how best to deliver front-line services while preserving the long-term stability of Kentucky’s court system,” Lambert wrote. She added: “Even in challenging times, the work of the courts remains essential. Every day, employees across the (Kentucky Court of Justice) help ensure that justice is delivered fairly, efficiently and with integrity.” This story may be updated. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Courtesy of Kentucky Lantern
	11th annual Cop on a Rooftop fundraiser supports Special Olympics Police departments and Dunkin’ are teaming up Friday for “Cop on a Rooftop,” an annual fundraiser benefiting Special Olympics Illinois.
	Kansas court employees — excluding judges, justices — secure 1% raise via internal reallocation Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Rosen says judicial branch workers, excluding judges and justices, will benefit from a 1% raise financed through reallocation. In this image, Rosen speaks Jan. 13, 2026, in conjunction with his State of the Judiciary speech. (Photo by Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)TOPEKA — Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Rosen says internal budget reallocation allows for a 1% salary increase among non-judicial employees to match raises granted by the Legislature for state employees in the executive branch. The Legislature adjourned the 2026 session without appropriating money to elevate salaries of the state’s 2,000 judicial branch employees. At the end of the annual session, the Legislature did vote to finance the across-the-board salary enhancement for executive branch staff. Each House and Senate member received an automatic 4.4% boost in compensation, while lawmakers agreed to provide other legislative branch employees a generous 10% raise. Rosen sent a letter Thursday on behalf of the state Supreme Court that informed court clerks, court reporters, bailiffs and other courthouse staff of their 1% raise effective July 1. “We recognize that the 1% increase is less than what was originally proposed for our fiscal year 2027 budget request, but we believe it is important to recognize and thank the employees who make our justice system possible in communities across Kansas,” Rosen wrote in the letter. “Your work ensures Kansans have access to essential court services and to the fair administration of justice.” The Supreme Court and the Kansas Office of Judicial Administration had been discussing for about a month what might be possible in terms of providing raises through existing resources. The plan excluded justices or judges from the pay bump. Rosen and other judges had expressed concern the lack of raises in 2026 could prompt valued employees to leave state government for jobs in the private sector. There was apprehension about the ability of judicial branch employees to absorb ongoing inflation in the cost of living. In January, Gov. Laura Kelly had recommended the Legislature authorize 2.5% raises for state government employees. To demonstrate irritation at the Legislature’s rejection of her proposal, the governor subsequently vetoed the entire budget for the legislative branch. Both the Senate and House voted with two-thirds majorities to override her. The automatic 4.4% raise in 2026 for the state’s 165 legislators was tied to an index based on increases in Kansas wages. The index makes it possible for legislators to receive annual raises without the Legislature voting on those changes in compensation. Courtesy of Kansas Reflector
	Market research methods every small business owner should know Market research methods every small business owner should knowThe best market research methods can help small business owners launch or build their venture — and avoid painful mistakes. Knowing how and where to ask the right questions can help you collect information about customers and competitors, and use that information to make informed decisions that can help grow your business, ERGO NEXT reports. Methods of market research can include interviews, online research, collecting primary and secondary market research, qualitative industry data, competitor research or hiring a market research firm for in-depth analysis and other specialized services.Why is market research important for small business owners?The right market research methods can help you identify your ideal customer, pinpoint their problems, and craft the ideal solution or service they can’t live without. Not only that, but you could discover where your competitors are lacking to show you opportunities in the market.Successful small business owners use market research techniques that help them:Validate product or service ideasProvide confidence in pricingBuild a competitive advantageRefine sales messagingStrengthen their brandIncrease their revenue growthIf you skip out on market research, you could pour time and money into strategies that simply won’t work for your small business or your customers.Types of market research methods and techniquesThere are four main types of market research methods:Primary market research methods: Gathering new information specific to your business, such as surveys or customer interviews.Secondary market research methods: Digging for existing, general market information collected by a third party, such as a government agency, market research firm or a professional organization.Quantitative market research: When the research focuses on hard numbers and statistics instead of words and feelings, it’s called quantitative research. This type of research can be useful for testing ideas and tracking performance.Qualitative market research: This is research that addresses how or why a customer or organization makes a buying decision. It’s focused on emotion, observation and insight to help you pinpoint customers’ motivations and desires. This could involve something like watching a customer shop your online store and asking what they think of your brand or how your products make them feel. This can help you gauge their sentiment about who your brand is, what you sell and how you sell it.You may need to use more than one method to uncover the most helpful data.Primary market research methods: Research specific to your businessPrimary market research is research you perform yourself. It provides original data from current and prospective customers. This type of market research can be valuable because it provides conclusive results that come directly from your target market, using their own words.However, it can be expensive to perform primary market research, in both time and money. You could hire a market research firm to do the work, but it would still be primary market research since the information you’re collecting is specific to your business.Examples of primary market research include:Surveys, polls, and questionnairesInterviewsFocus groupsPrimary market research typically involves small sample sizes. It can be useful for understanding issues like customer pain points and effective messaging.Secondary market research methods: Market data collected by an organizationSecondary market research is research conducted by someone else that you can use to inform your decisions. It’s not specifically tailored to your business, but it can still provide useful information. Some examples of secondary market research include:Government dataStudies published in trade journalsIndustry statistics or trend reportsThis kind of information can often help you see the big picture in your market, customer demographics or general consumer trends.One place to get started with secondary market research is by browsing through the government data from the Small Business Administration (SBA). This offers a wide range of statistics on everything from consumer product safety to international trade data.Although data from secondary sources like these is more generalized, it can be a fast and affordable and often free way to benchmark your business’s performance and provide a starting point for further research.Quantitative market research: Hard numbers and factsWhile primary research and secondary research are methods to find numbers and hard data, quantitative research is the data itself; it’s the hard numbers that you find from your research endeavor.This could look like numbers, percentages, ratings and more that can be viewed or tracked over time to offer insight into the questions you have about your business, the market or the products/services that you sell.Qualitative market research: Customer sentiment and feelingsWhile quantitative research uncovers hard numbers and facts about a particular topic or industry, qualitative market research is a bit softer. It helps define why buyers or customers do what they do — the emotional drivers behind their behavior.Qualitative market research often relies on techniques that encourage description and uses words or images to convey how people feel about a product, a problem or a process.Small businesses can use qualitative research methods to uncover context for customer decision-making. It can show you why a customer might choose you over your competitors. It can also help identify the missing pieces of your messaging or pinpoint a new offering you hadn’t considered.A few ways to conduct qualitative research include:Individual interviewsFocus groupsOpen-ended questionsObserving how people interact with a product or move through a businessAsking customers to prospects to keep a diaryB2B market research methods for small businessIf your target market is other businesses, business-to-business market research may help you understand how businesses you’re targeting buy from other businesses.The information you gather could help you shorten the sales cycle, strengthen your position against competitors and close bigger deals. It could also help you determine which stakeholders you need to focus on and exactly what problems they’re trying to solve.Some useful B2B market research methods include:Interviews with current customers or lost leadsSurveysObservational researchMonitoring how people talk about your business in social media (social listening)Analysis of internal sales dataCompetitor analysisThese methods could be hired out to a third-party research firm or conducted in-house.Online market research for small businessesThe internet is always on. It offers a real-time and often free and unfiltered source of information about your target market.Here are a few online market research methods to try:Keyword research to find what terms and topics customers look for.Tracks topics on social media sites like Yelp, Instagram and Reddit.Poll and website pop-ups to collect data and opinions.Review customer reviews to see what people complain about and praise the most from your competition.You can use many of these strategies yourself if time and budget are tight.Three market research examplesHere’s what market research might actually look like for a growing small business.1. Local competitionYour house cleaning business is suddenly facing increased competition in your town. You review your competitors’ sales pages and pricing to see how they compare to yours, then read customer reviews on Yelp, Facebook, and Google to learn more about customer complaints. Using that information, you craft a new offering that targets house cleaning customers looking for something your competitors don’t offer, such as laundry service.2. Attract more customers onlineYou want to attract and onboard more customers for your online consulting services for mortgage lenders and real estate agents. You use online data to analyze your website clicks, conduct keyword research online and interview previous customers to ask them about how they found you and what they like and dislike about your service.3. Build up your business’s best practicesFor your nail technician business, you might visit a few nail salons in your area and while you’re on vacation to observe their store design, service style and pricing. You pay attention to how customers interact with the technicians there and which services are the most popular. You use this information to get new ideas for the services you offer and the look of your shop.This story was produced by ERGO NEXT and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Niabi Zoo, Coal Valley, launches 'Zoo Nights' program with extended visitor hours Niabi Zoo, Coal Valley, will launch a new program this summer. Zoo Nights. will give visitors the chance to explore the zoo during extended evening hours once a month. Guests can enjoy the zoo from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with last entry at 7 p.m., Zoo Nights will be on May 21, June 18 [...]
	NH Senate kills vaccine exemptions legislation; approves bill requiring DHHS to promote exemptions State law requires children be vaccinated against polio, tetanus, hepatitis B, mumps, pertussis, rubella, rubeola, varicella, diphtheria, and haemophilus influenzae type B before entering school or childcare. (Photo by Scott Housley/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)The New Hampshire Senate again shot down an annual effort to change the process by which New Hampshire families can get religious exemptions for vaccine requirements. State law requires children be vaccinated against polio, tetanus, hepatitis B, mumps, pertussis, rubella, rubeola, varicella, diphtheria, and haemophilus influenzae type B before entering school or childcare. However, there are exemptions for families with religious objections or people who can’t be vaccinated for medical reasons. The process for receiving a religious exemption involves parents filling out a form created by the state Department of Health and Human Services. In recent years, several conservative lawmakers have taken issue with that form. House Bill 1022, sponsored by Manchester Republican Rep. Matt Drew, sought to have New Hampshire use a new form that simply states: “I, [insert parent or legal guardian’s name], hereby attest that I sincerely hold religious beliefs and/or engage in religious practices or observances that dictate the refusal to accept the required vaccinations for [insert child’s name], born [insert child’s date of birth]. [Insert parent or legal guardian’s signature and date.]” The Senate rejected the bill Thursday — the latest in a series of setbacks for the lawmakers behind it. Last year, a similar bill (House Bill 358) sought to specify that “the exemption shall require no more information than a written statement that the child has not been immunized because of religious belief … and a signature by the parent or legal guardian.” Both chambers passed it, but Gov. Kelly Ayotte vetoed the bill, writing in her veto message that “the State already has an established process by which parents can claim a religious exemption, and I see no reason to change it.” HB 1022 wasn’t the only legislation seeking to change the exemption process in 2026. As introduced, House Bill 1584, sponsored by Rochester Republican Rep. Kelley Potenza, would’ve eliminated forms altogether. The bill, among other things, would’ve established in state law that parents aren’t required to use any specific form, but rather (similar to last year’s bill) “may provide any written statement attesting to the religious exemption.” It also would’ve required DHHS to better inform parents of the exemptions when it promotes vaccines. However, the Senate amended the bill and approved it Thursday, leaving only provisions on informing parents of the exemptions when it promotes vaccines as well as a couple of new additions. The unrelated amendments seek to require pharmacies to inform patients of the lowest available price for their prescription medications and to appropriate revenue from the state’s tobacco tax and liquor license fees to pay for increasing the income eligibility rates for families applying for the childcare assistance scholarship program. These amendments may be used as bargaining chips in negotiations with the House in coming weeks. Because HB 1584 was amended by the Senate, it now returns to the House for lawmakers to review the amendments. The House can concur, accepting the bill as is; reject it outright; or request a committee of conference. During the committee of conference process, House and Senate negotiators would seek compromise on a final version of the bill. Courtesy of New Hampshire Bulletin
	Turning hot, humid, and stormy in the Quad Cities Our weather will become more summer-like this weekend into early next week. There is a severe weather threat in the Quad Cities each day through Tuesday. We've only picked up less than one-half of an inch of rain in the first half of May, but much-needed rain is on the way. Here's your complete 7-day [...]
	3 Things to Know \| Quad Cities morning headlines for May 15, 2026 City leaders in Muscatine are launching a new system to track buses in real time, and Amazon is opening its "last mile facility" in Davenport.
	What the higher 401(k) and IRA contribution limits for 2026 mean for your retirement strategy What the higher 401(k) and IRA contribution limits for 2026 mean for your retirement strategyThe IRS has increased the amount you can contribute to your retirement accounts in 2026. You can now contribute up to $24,500 to your 401(k) plan, up from $23,500 in 2025, and up to $7,500 to your individual retirement account (IRA), up from $7,000 in 2025.These increased limits create more room for tax-advantaged retirement savings in your financial plan. All of this will result in a lower tax burden today, along with more savings in your retirement nest egg years down the road.Whether you’re just getting started saving or are well on your way to reaching your retirement goals, it’s important to understand how these new numbers affect you, who benefits the most, and next steps are to consider.Wealth Enhancement explains how the 2026 increase in contribution limits may affect retirement planning strategies and savings decisions.2026 Retirement Contribution Limits at a Glance Wealth Enhancement Why the IRS Raised 401(k) and IRA Limits for 2026Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code requires the Secretary of the Treasury to reassess retirement contribution limits every year and adjust them if needed based on cost-of-living increases. In years where the cost of living rises more significantly, so too will your contribution limits.These increases change how much you can save, but they don’t change the basic account framework, including the tax treatment and eligibility rules. Even as the limits change, you can put more money to work in tax-advantaged accounts without having to open new accounts or change your overall savings strategy.What the 2026 401(k) Contribution Limits Mean in PracticeThere are several different pieces to the 2026 401(k) contribution limits, and it’s important to understand how each one works and which pieces affect you.Employee deferral limitEvery employee who has access to a 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), or Thrift Savings Plan can contribute up to $24,500 in 2026. This only applies to your own contribution limits, and it applies to everyone, no matter your age. Employer contributions are separate.Standard catch-up contribution limitOnce you reach age 50, you can make an additional catch-up contribution of up to $8,000 per year, up from $7,500 the year before. This means that if you’re 50 or older, your personal total contribution limit is $32,500.Higher catch-up contribution limitThanks to SECURE 2.0, employees ages 60, 61, 62, and 63 get an even higher catch-up contribution limit. You can now contribute up to $11,250 in addition to the elective deferral, instead of $8,000. As a result, your personal total contribution limit is $35,750.Total contribution limitMany employers contribute to their employees’ 401(k) accounts on their behalf, either as matching or nonmatching contributions. The total limit for both employee and employer contributions combined is $72,000 in 2026, not including catch-up contributions.What the 2026 IRA Contribution Limits MeanIn 2026, the IRS allows you to contribute up to $7,500 to your IRA, up from $7,000 the previous year. These contributions are separate from and in addition to any workplace retirement contributions you make. In addition to the standard contribution, there’s also a catch-up contribution of $1,100 allowed for workers ages 50 and older.These contribution limits apply to both traditional and Roth IRAs combined. You can contribute to both accounts in the same year, but your total contributions across the two can’t exceed the annual limit.Can You Contribute to Both a 401(k) and an IRA in 2026?In most cases, yes, you can contribute to both a 401(k) and an IRA. Contributing to a workplace plan doesn’t limit your ability to contribute to an IRA, and vice versa. For example, you could contribute $24,500 to your workplace 401(k), and then another $8,000 to your IRA. And if you’re 50 or older, you could make catch-up contributions to both accounts, bringing your total contributions to more than $40,000.However, workplace coverage could limit your eligibility for certain tax benefits.How Income Limits Can Change Your IRA StrategyThe IRS places certain income limits on taking advantage of the full tax benefits of IRAs. If your income is too high, you may be prohibited from deducting your traditional IRA contributions or contributing to a Roth IRA.Traditional IRA deduction limitsIf you or your spouse is covered by a workplace retirement plan, your ability to deduct your traditional IRA contributions may be reduced or eliminated at a certain income level if you have workplace coverage. For single taxpayers, this phase-out happens between $81,000 and $91,000 of income. For married taxpayers, it happens between $129,000 and $149,000 of income.You can still contribute to the account if your income is higher than the limits, but you won’t receive an upfront deduction.Roth IRA income limits for 2026Roth IRA contributions are subject to income phaseout ranges. Once your income surpasses the top limit, you won’t be able to contribute to a Roth IRA. The phase-out range is $153,000 to $168,000 for single filers, and $242,000 to $252,000 for married filers.What high earners should watchA higher income, while certainly beneficial in most areas, can limit your direct Roth IRA contributions and the deductibility of your traditional IRA contributions. But that doesn’t necessarily mean IRAs are off the table — it will just change your strategy.For example, if your income is too high to deduct your traditional IRA contributions or contribute to a Roth IRA, consider using a backdoor Roth IRA to ensure you still have some tax benefit. You can contribute to a traditional IRA, roll those contributions over into a Roth IRA, and enjoy tax-free withdrawals later on.Should You Prioritize a 401(k) or an IRA First?There’s no universal right answer to whether you should prioritize your 401(k) or IRA, but there’s a general framework that can help you plan your savings.Start with the employer matchIf your employer offers a matching contribution to your 401(k), prioritize contributing enough to earn the full match. For example, your employer might offer to match your contributions at 50% on up to 6% of your salary (a common approach employers take). If you earn $100,000, that’s an employer match of $3,000 if you contribute $6,000 to your account.When an IRA may come nextOnce you’ve taken advantage of your full employer match, you might consider switching to your IRA before adding more to your 401(k). IRAs typically offer broader investment flexibility. Rather than being limited to those investment options your employer selects, you can choose from anything your broker offers.Additionally, if your employer only offers pretax retirement savings, opting for an IRA can help you gain exposure to both pretax and Roth tax benefits.When it makes sense to keep adding to your 401(k)After maximizing your IRA contributions, or if you’re not eligible for a deductible or Roth IRA, continue increasing your 401(k) contributions as much as you can.401(k) contributions come with the convenience of having the money directly withdrawn from your paycheck before taxes, eliminating an extra step for you. These accounts also have higher contribution limits than IRAs, meaning you can keep saving even once you’ve hit the IRA contribution limit.Dollar‑cost averaging (DCA) in a 401(k) is the natural effect of contributing a portion of every paycheck to your retirement plan on a regular schedule. Instead of trying to time the market, you automatically invest the same dollar amount (or percentage of pay) every pay period, regardless of whether the market is up or down. When prices are high, your contribution buys fewer shares; when prices are low, it buys more shares. Over time, this can lower your average cost per share and reduce the risk of putting a large sum into the market at the wrong time.In practice, DCA works especially well in 401(k)s because contributions are systematic, automated, and long‑term. You don’t have to make timing decisions; emotions are taken out of investing, and market volatility becomes your ally rather than something to fear. While dollar‑cost averaging doesn’t guarantee higher returns or protect against losses, it helps smooth the ride, encourages consistent saving discipline, and aligns well with the long-term horizons typical of retirement investing.How Higher 2026 Limits Can Improve Your Retirement StrategyIncrease contributions with each raiseOne of the simplest ways to take advantage of higher contribution limits is to raise your contributions whenever your income increases. If you use percentage-based contributions, then this will happen automatically with each raise. But you could also take things one step further and increase your contribution percentage as your income rises.Use higher limits to build tax diversificationHigher contribution limits create more room to spread your retirement savings across multiple savings strategies. For example, you can use both pretax and Roth accounts to get exposure to diversified tax benefits — one that helps you now and one that will help you later.Having these different tax benefits can really come in handy during retirement, as you’ll have more options when designing the ideal withdrawal strategy to help minimize your tax burden.Coordinate contributions across spousesTwo-income households may be able to expand their retirement savings by coordinating contributions to each spouse’s 401(k) plans and IRAs. Each spouse is subject to separate limits, meaning a married couple under age 50 can contribute a combined $49,000 to 401(k)s and $16,000 to IRAs. That’s $65,000 in tax-advantage savings every year.Spousal IRAsA Spousal IRA lets a nonworking or lower‑earning spouse contribute to an IRA using the working spouse’s earned income, if the couple files a joint tax return. Normally, you must have earned income to fund an IRA, but the spousal IRA rule allows each spouse to have their own IRA in their own name, even if only one spouse works.For 2026, each spouse can contribute up to $7,500, or $8,600 if age 50+, provided the working spouse’s earned income is at least equal to the total of both contributions. Spousal IRAs can be traditional or Roth, with the same income limits, deduction rules, and Roth eligibility phaseouts that apply to any IRA. The key advantages are that they double a household’s IRA savings, help protect the nonworking spouse’s retirement independence, increase tax diversification (pretax versus Roth), and improve long‑term planning for retirement income and estate strategy. In short, spousal IRAs are one of the simplest and most underused ways for married couples to build more tax‑advantaged retirement savings.Aftertax 401(k) ContributionsAftertax 401(k) contributions are a special third type of contribution (separate from pretax and Roth) that uses already‑taxed income and allows you to save beyond the normal $24,500 employee deferral limit, up to the overall 401(k) cap ($72,000 in 2026, including employer match). On their own, aftertax contributions are not very attractive because earnings are eventually taxed, but they become extremely powerful when the plan allows in‑plan Roth conversions or in‑service rollovers.In that case, the aftertax contributions (and often their minimal earnings) can be quickly converted to Roth, creating what’s known as a “Mega Backdoor Roth,” which effectively lets high earners move tens of thousands of dollars per year into Roth space with no income limits. The result is significantly more tax‑free growth, better control over future tax brackets and RMDs, and greater flexibility for retirement income and estate planning if the employer plan supports the necessary conversion features.Real-Life Examples of How Different Savers Might RespondReal-life examples can help you get an idea of how you could structure your retirement savings at different points in your career. While these scenarios aren’t personalized advice, they can be a good starting point.Early career saverSteve is 24 years old and in an entry-level job. He just started contributing to his accounts, and he doesn’t earn enough to max out his contributions. However, he sets his contributions high enough to earn his full employer match and plans to slowly increase his contribution percentage as their income rises.If Steve’s employer offers automatic increases, he could increase his withholding by 1% each year, up to a specific limit. With a longer runway, Steve has more time to save, but also more potential for his money to compound.Given Steve’s lower income at this phase in his life, he decides that Roth contributions make the most sense. He has less need for the tax benefit of a tax deduction now, and it’s likely his income will be higher in the future, when the tax break might be more helpful.High-income professionalJane is a 40-year-old manager who has been with her company for the last decade. Thanks to moving up in the ranks of her career, Jane has more money to invest and is able to max out her 401(k) each year.However, Jane also runs into some roadblocks because of her income. For example, her income is too high to contribute to a Roth IRA or to deduct her traditional IRA contributions. Instead, Jane decides to talk to her financial advisor about either taking advantage of a nondeductible traditional IRA or using a backdoor Roth IRA to maximize her retirement savings tools.Age-52 saverBrandon is an executive who has been contributing to his retirement accounts for decades. Now that he’s in his 50s, he is eligible for the catch-up contribution for both his 401(k) and IRA, meaning the amount they can contribute each year has increased dramatically.Brandon’s children are graduating from college, meaning he’s out of the most expensive phases of raising children, freeing up more money for investing. Between that and his higher income, he’s able to prioritize retirement savings to ensure he can retire on time.Age-61 saverRebecca is in her 60s and is thinking more and more about retirement. Thanks to SECURE 2.0, Rebecca is able to contribute even more to her 401(k), and she’s doing just that.In addition to contributing more, Rebecca is talking to her advisor about her exit plan. She’s running the numbers to make sure she’ll have enough money to retire in just a few years, and she’s starting to plan out the right withdrawal strategy in a way that minimizes her tax burden.Common Mistakes to AvoidUnfortunately, plenty of people make mistakes with their retirement savings that end up costing them money down the road. Here are a few mistakes to avoid to give you the best chance of success.Missing the full employer match: Your employer match is free money from your employer. It can add up thousands of dollars per year, and hundreds of thousands in the long run, especially when you account for compound interest.Assuming a 401(k) blocks all IRA contributions: Participating in a workplace retirement plan doesn’t prevent you from investing in an IRA, and you could miss out on powerful tax benefits if you don’t take advantage of both.Ignoring Roth IRA income limits: If your income climbs above the phaseout range for Roth IRA contributions but you haven’t changed your contribution approach, you could be on the hook for penalties.Overlooking catch-up eligibility: Many savers in their 50s and 60s don’t realize they qualify for catch-up contributions, or they don’t update their payroll elections to take advantage of them. That’s thousands of dollars per year in missed contributions.Front-loading 401(k) contributions without checking match rules: Making your full 401(k) contribution at the beginning of the year may sound efficient, but some employers use a per-paycheck matching formula. In this case, you could miss out on the majority of your employer’s match for the year.Action Checklist for 2026Not sure where to start? Here’s an easy checklist you can use to make the most of your 2026 retirement contributions. This isn’t a substitute for personalized advice, but can serve as an excellent starting point:Review the current payroll deferral percentage. Make sure it’s still appropriate given your income, financial goals, and the current contribution limits.Check whether you are on track to capture the full employer match. Even if you can’t max out your account, make sure you’re contributing enough to get your full employer match, and prioritize that over other retirement savings.Confirm whether income changes the IRA strategy. Review the Roth and traditional IRA income phase-outs to ensure your income isn’t over the limit to maximize the benefits of these accounts.Decide on the traditional versus Roth mix. Many people use a mix of both pretax and Roth accounts to diversify their tax benefits, but it’s important to determine what works best for you.Update automated contributions. If you’ve set a flat dollar amount rather than a percentage, you may need to manually update your contributions as your income and the contribution limits change.Review catch-up eligibility if age 50 or older. Once you turn 50, confirm what the catch-up contribution limits are and how to take advantage of them.FAQsWhat is the 401(k) contribution limit for 2026?The elective deferral limit for 401(k)s is $24,500 in 2026. The catch-up contribution is $8,000 for those 50 and older, and $11,250 for those ages 60 through 63.What is the IRA contribution limit for 2026?The IRA contribution limit is $7,500 in 2026, with an additional $1,100 catch-up contribution allowed for workers ages 50 and older.Who qualifies for catch-up contributions in 2026?Anyone age 50 or older qualifies for the standard catch-up contribution, while those ages 60, 61, 62, or 63 may qualify for the higher catch-up contribution in certain workplace plans.Should I max out my 401(k) first or contribute to an IRA too?You don’t necessarily need to max out your entire 401(k) before contributing to an IRA, but you should contribute at least enough to earn your full employer match. After that, you can compare taxes, fees, investment choices, and flexibility across the two plans to decide which to prioritize next.Can I contribute to a 401(k) and a Roth IRA in the same year?Yes, you can contribute to both a 401(k) and a Roth IRA in the same year, as long as your income falls within the limits set by the IRS.Do employer contributions count toward the 401(k) employee limit?No, employer contributions don’t count toward the 401(k) employee limit. However, there is a combined annual limit that covers both employee and employer contributions.ConclusionHigher retirement account limits in 2026 create more room for tax-advantaged saving. There’s no one right way to make the most of these changes. The best strategy for you depends on your company’s match structure, how much you earn, and how long you have until retirement, among other things.This information is not intended as a recommendation. The opinions are subject to change at any time and no forecasts can be guaranteed. Investment decisions should always be made based on an investor’s specific circumstances. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.This story was produced by Wealth Enhancement and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Bettendorf snowplow names will be unveiled at Public Works Day The votes are in. Will the City of Bettendorf's snowplows be named Sleetwood Mac, Sled Hot Chili Pepper, The WingMan, Salty Dawg, Plowasaurus Rex, Snowmer Simpson, Clearopathra, Blade Runner, ctrl-salt-delete, or Scoop Dogg? At 10 a.m. Saturday, May 16, during the city's annual Public Works Day, Mayor Pro Tem Scott Naumann will reveal the results [...]
	Kansas Department of Corrections signs inmate healthcare contract starting at $88.9M annually Jeff Zmuda, secretary of the Kansas Department of Corrections, says the agency signed a minimum two-year contract with VitalCore Health Strategies of Topeka to provide healthcare to about 10,000 adult and juvenile inmates at nine prisons across the state. The contract can be renewed for a maximum of four years. (Photo by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Corrections signed a two-year contract with a private healthcare company based in Topeka to provide medical services for 10,000 inmates at the state’s eight adult prisons and the Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex. The deal with VitalCore Health Strategies would obligate the state to pay $88.9 million in the initial fiscal year starting July 1, state Department of Corrections officials said. The contract could be lengthened twice under separate two-year extensions. The annual cost escalator would be 3.5% for the life of the contract — an increase of $3 million in the second year of the deal. The pact would run through June 30, 2032, if the maximum of six years were authorized. “I am confident that VitalCore will serve our residents and the agency well, providing medical care that addresses the needs of the incarcerated population,” said Jeff Zmuda, secretary of the Department of Corrections. “I look forward to a strong, mutually beneficial relationship.” Under the contract, VitalCore would be responsible for all costs associated with onsite medical services, offsite hospital care, outpatient surgery, ambulatory services, dental, medical personnel, behavioral health, hepatitis C treatment and the electronic health records system. Medical services would be provided 24 hours a day, 365 days each year by a staff of 500 full-time equivalent employees. News reports regarding VitalCore’s work in Mississippi prisons raised concern about the quality of care provided by the company. Mississippi Today’s series “Behind Bars, Beyond Care” reported that VitalCore denied medication to inmates with hepatitis C and HIV, an untreated broken arm resulted in an amputation, and a delayed cancer screening led to a terminal diagnosis. There was evidence medical staff in Mississippi prisons labeled inmates as “noncompliant” so they could be sent back to cells without treatment. Mississippi Today is a news partner with States Newsroom, the parent nonprofit of Kansas Reflector. The Kansas Department of Corrections said the decision to hire VitalCore was the result of a competitive process that attracted six other companies to the bidding. “Healthcare services for our population is an essential part of operations in our correctional facilities,” Zmuda said. “This contract allows us to fulfill our obligations to provide healthcare services that meet the needs of our incarcerated population.” The contract with VitalCore was separate from a $2.3 million arrangement with the University of Kansas Medical Center to provide oversight and monitoring of contractors. Health challenges of about 9,800 Kansas adult inmates in the Lansing, Hutchinson, El Dorado, Topeka, Ellsworth, Norton, Winfield and Larned facilities were complex given the incidence of mental health issues, chronic hypertension and respiratory conditions as well as cases of hepatitis C and HIV. The state’s juvenile facility in Topeka serves approximately 200 inmates. In March, Zmuda said the current prison medical care contract was held by Centurion of Kansas, which provided services to state inmates since July 2020. The state contract was put out for bid during November in anticipation of selecting a vendor in 2026. The Department of Correction’s request for proposals from healthcare companies said residents of KDOC facilities should “receive appropriate and necessary health care in the least restrictive environment while conserving resources and costs.” VitalCore was founded in 2015 and maintains a headquarters in Topeka. It operates nationwide by serving approximately 80,000 individuals in more than 100 correctional facilities in the United States. Courtesy of Kansas Reflector
	Obscure drug discount program unleashes a full-fledged influence war at the State Capitol Hospitals say they need a drug discount program to help them weather a gloomy financial outlook. Drug companies say the hospitals are misleading the public. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)Hospitals and drug companies are engaged in an expensive influence battle at the State Capitol this year over an obscure provision known as 340B, with each side lining up an army of dark-suited lobbyists, and Big Pharma even spending on billboards in rural Minnesota, as well as TV and Instagram ads. The high-priced battle is over a bill at the Legislature to strengthen and extend 340B, which lets hospitals that treat low-income patients buy drugs at a discount and keep the savings. With days remaining in the 2026 session, 340B advocates are worried the bipartisan bill, which hospitals say they need to survive, will fail to make it to the governor’s desk. Many rural hospitals say the program, which was established in 1992, is helping keep their doors open because the savings bolster operations and patient care amid increasingly precarious finances. President Donald Trump’s signature tax cut law passed last year also included hundreds of billions of dollars in long-term Medicaid cuts. “There’s no plan B for this. If this goes away, we don’t have other options,” said Richard Ash, CEO of United Hospital District in Blue Earth, Minnesota, at a Capitol press conference. “If the Legislature waits until more rural hospitals are gone and services are gone, it will not be a policy failure. It will be a moral failure.” Ash said United Hospital District’s cost of pharmaceuticals from 2024 to 2025 rose 24%, even with the 340B program discounts. The savings are helping the hospital cover costly services like emergency care and obstetrics, he said. PhRMA, the trade group representing drug manufacturers, says that hospitals are not passing the savings to consumers. “Minnesota’s 340B mandate isn’t about access to medicines — this is about interfering with federal policy so hospital administrators can maximize profits through inflated drug costs, while patients, taxpayers and employers bear the hidden costs,” said PhRMA spokesperson Reid Porter in a statement. “With no clear direct benefits for patients, patients lose through higher out‑of‑pocket costs and premiums, and as taxpayers.” Minnesota hospitals netted over $1.3 billion in 2024 thanks to 340B, the Minnesota Department of Health found in a recent report. Minnesota’s largest hospitals received over 80% of the savings, according to the report. The Minnesota Legislature in 2024 passed a law to ensure hospitals have easy access to medications covered under the 340B program. The current version is scheduled to sunset next year. Drug companies have not followed the requirements of the Minnesota law and are restricting access to the discounted drugs, hospitals and lawmakers argue. This is mostly because there is no enforcement mechanism, so the drug manufacturers face no consequences if they make the discounted drugs difficult to acquire. Now, a bipartisan coalition of legislators are hoping to give government some enforcement muscle. The bill would grant authority to the Minnesota Office of Attorney General to sue a drug manufacturer for unfair or deceptive trade practices if they restrict delivery of 340B drugs to contract pharmacies. The Minnesota Senate passed the bill 42-24 with bipartisan support. All 67 Democratic-Farmer-Labor members in the House are in favor of the bill (HF 3609), which includes the attorney general enforcement. Partisan allegiances on the issue are scrambled, with some rural Republicans backing the bill in an effort to help their struggling local hospitals. GOP members urged House leadership to get the bill moving and passed this year. A handful publicly — if gently — urged House Speaker Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, to get the bill moving. “I think that our speaker and leadership on both sides are dealing with a lot of issues right now. We want to elevate this one as being a real, critical one,” said Rep. Dave Baker, R-Wilmar. House DFL leader Zack Stephenson, DFL-Coon Rapids, told the Reformer that House GOP leadership has been unwilling to move the bill forward. Stephenson said House GOP leaders have provided no rationale. Demuth told the Reformer that the 340B bill is still being negotiated with the governor and legislative leaders. Election year politics lurk in the background in a year when all 201 legislative seats and the constitutional offices are on the ballot. Demuth is a leading candidate for the Republican nomination for Minnesota governor. Days after the session ends on May 18, she will be headed up to Duluth to court delegates to endorse her as the GOP candidate. Any sign of capitulation to Democrats could be disqualifying among the delegates, who tend to be the most dogmatically partisan. Republicans are also loathe to give Attorney General Keith Ellison — whose office would be empowered to sue drug companies for failing to abide by 340B discount rules — any victories this legislative session as he seeks a third term in November. Doing so could activate the right-wing grassroots, which in recent years has challenged incumbent Republicans with primary campaigns. The Republicans’ conflicted view of the bill was evident earlier this session when its chief author, Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar, R-Freeborn, tried to eliminate the attorney general enforcement provision from her own bill. Zeleznikar said she did so as a compromise, but Democrats opposed the amendment. The pharmaceutical industry is also a prodigious campaign contributor, to both sides. One study found the industry had given $5 million in 2019-20 to the campaigns of state lawmakers around the country. The hospitals are hardly wallflowers at the Capitol, however. Hennepin County Medical Center won a $200 million cash infusion this week, and the Mayo Clinic once threatened to take big investment dollars elsewhere unless legislators complied with the nonprofit giant’s wishes. The hospitals have a heavier lift, however, as passing legislation is typically much harder than blocking it. Courtesy of Minnesota Reformer
	Celebrate our U.S. Armed Forces at free family celebration at Rock Island Arsenal this weekend Residents are invited to the annual Armed Forces Day Celebration at Rock Island Arsenal on May 15-16 featuring fun activities for all ages.
	Bettendorf Rotary to host 20th annual Lobsterfest The 20th annual Bettendorf Rotary Lobsterfest will be held on June 12 from 5 to 10 p.m. at Waterfront Convention Center. The party for a great cause menu features succulent lobster tails, juicy steaks, and a variety of delightful sides, beers and wines.
	Skin microbiome and dry skin: How both are linked Skin microbiome and dry skin: How both are linkedDry skin has been a hot topic in the skin care universe for many years, but did you know it’s actually linked to your skin’s microbiome? If you’re asking yourself what your skin microbiome is, you’re not alone. This guide from Dove explains that and more about the relationship between your skin’s microbiome and skin health.So, what is the skin microbiome?Just like your gut, your skin is home to a community of billions of friendly living microorganisms. This community is your skin microbiome. Think of it as your skin’s living protective layer that works in harmony with your skin to help keep it in tip-top condition.Why is the skin microbiome important?When it comes to caring for your skin, your skin microbiome and skin health are very closely linked. As your skin’s living protective layer, the skin microbiome works hard every day to help produce nutrients and essential lipids, and help keep your natural skin barrier hydrated to avoid dryness.What is dry skin?Dry skin occurs when your skin loses too much water and can’t retain enough moisture. As dry skin becomes dehydrated, it can lead to itchiness, flakiness, and discomfort. Dryness can be caused by overwashing and using harsh cleansers, which can strip the skin of its natural oils. Cold and dry weather, along with sun damage, can also cause dry skin, so you’ll want to make sure you protect and moisturize your skin with every wash.How is dry skin related to our skin microbiome?“Maintaining a healthy skin microbiome is really important to prevent dryness and irritation,” says dermatologist Dr. Lina Kennedy. “Harsh cleansers can disrupt this balance. I recommend using gentle, moisturizing products to support the skin’s natural microbiome.”How to Care for Your Skin MicrobiomeWondering how to improve skin microbiome health? Here are some tips.1. Keep dry skin moisturized Choose a skin care product with microbiome-nourishing ingredients.2. Up the hydration Drinking enough water helps to keep your skin healthy, replenish your skin cells, and improve skin microbiome function. It’s recommended to drink around 2-2.5 liters of water each day.3. Reduce stress Stress can trigger an overproduction of cortisol, the stress hormone, which can cause an imbalance in the skin’s microbiome. So, here’s what to do: find activities and lifestyle changes that increase your endorphins, aka your feel-good hormones.What are the best products to use for microbiome skin care?If you have dry skin and don’t know where to start, put microbiome skin care on your radar. Your skin microbiome is your skin’s living protective layer that plays an important role in keeping your skin and skin barrier healthy. The good news? Some body washes are formulated with gentle, sulfate-free cleansers and are as mild to skin as water — being gentle to the microbiome starts with being gentle to the skin.This story was produced by Dove and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Crossroads, Muscatine, provides Secure Shred Day for Quad Cities Crossroads invites community members to its fourth annual Residential Secure Shred Day on Wednesday, May 20, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., a news release says. This convenient drive-through event at 1424 Houser St. allows individuals to securely dispose of up to 50 pounds of personal documents—all without leaving their car. As a local nonprofit [...]

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