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

Thursday, July 2nd, 2026
	Come hungry to the John Deere Classic: The Pork Chop King, the man behind the chop One of the staples of the John Deere Classic is the pork chop sandwich. For 20 years, one man has overseen all the pork chops grilled over charcoal at Pork Chop Hill. His name is Geoff Boyce, but when he's in town for the John Deere Classic, he goes by his alias. "Chef right here, [...]
	Extreme heat keeps Quad Cities HVAC technicians busy as calls climb With temperatures soaring into the 90s in the Quad Cities, HVAC systems face added stress to keep up.
	One Big Beautiful Bill Act turns 1: Iowa Medicaid recipients worry about future care Saturday marks one year since President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill became law. While most of the Medicaid eligibility changes don’t take effect until 2027, disability advocates and Medicaid recipients in Iowa say they are already worried about what the law could mean for their care.
	Beat the Elite runners announced for 52nd Bix 7 Phil Young and Kelsey Allbaugh have been selected as this years Beat the Elite Runners.
	China soybean purchases up but still below pre-trade war levels USDA data shows China’s share of U.S. soybean exports remains about half of what it was before the trade war
	Two well-known Quad-Cities runners named 2026 Beat the Elite athletes Two Quad-Cities runners are looking to go from chasing the elite to leading the pack in the 2026 Russell Beat the Elite competition at the Quad-City Times Bix 7.
	DNR reminds people to stay out of rivers as temperatures rise As temperatures continue to climb across the Quad Cities, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is reminding people to think twice before jumping into local rivers to cool off.
	Herbert Hoover museum set to open in August, details life story of Hoover and wife The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum is getting ready to reopen following a year and half of renovations. The space will add 2,300 square feet for a new lobby, plus updated exhibits. The last renovation happened in 1992. "They offered him (Hoover) to build the presidential museum on the bluff and not in the [...]
	The Heart of the Story: Making connections Our Quad Cities News is partnering with award-winning journalist Gary Metivier for The Heart of the Story. Each week, Gary showcases inspiring stories of everyday people doing cool stuff, enjoying their hobbies and living life to the fullest. Stories that feature the best of the human condition. Different generations don't always see eye to eyes, [...]
	House Democrats accuse Trump of 'hijacking' America's 250th birthday for his own gain A 55-page report from House Democrats accuses Freedom 250 of America's birthday celebrations for profit, using questionable fundraising methods. Watchdog groups had already sounded alarms.
	Walcott insurance agent faces 24 charges in alleged fraud scheme A Walcott insurance agent is facing 24 criminal charges after Iowa investigators alleged he opened insurance policies in relatives' names without their knowledge. Read the details.
	What's ahead for the Muscatine 4th of July Celebration? Celebrate Independence Day in Muscatine! Mayor Brad Bark joined Our Quad Cities News with details on Muscatine's 4th of July Celebration. For more information, click here.
	Celebrate America with fireworks and lighted parade at the Orion Fireworks Festival Celebrate Independence Day with fireworks and a lighted parade! Nathan DeBaillie joined Our Quad Cities News with a preview of the Orion Fireworks Festival. For more information, click here.
	Walcott insurance agent charged in identity theft, insurance fraud scheme Prosecutors allege 61-year-old Stanly Blythe opened insurance policies under the names of at least 11 family members who didn't know the policies were being made.
	Moline repairing 2 water-main breaks The city of Moline is responding to two significant water main breaks, including one near city hall and another near Green Valley Sports Complex.
	Moline celebrates America 250 with week of free Independence Day events Moline is celebrating America 250 with free events this week, including Party in the Park, the Moline 250 Celebration and Military Discount Day.
	Christian missionaries have found a new (virtual) mission territory The room may be virtual, but the prayer — and the evangelism — are not.
	New laws may impact Scott County voters in fall election New legislation that went into effect July 1 may impact some Iowa voters in the general election this fall. Scott County Auditor Kerri Tompkins said two important law changes may affect voters in the November 3 General Election. “It is important to me to get the correct information out and educate voters so they can [...]
	Sleep disorders: How to know when to seek help If you are having trouble staying awake at work or watching TV at night or you feel really tired when you wake up in the morning, you should talk to your doctor.
	Crime Stoppers: Almost $24K in jewelry stolen from Riddle’s Jewelry The Davenport Police Department is asking for help finding a man who stole almost $24,000 in jewelry.
	Julien Dubuque Bridge to close for about 30 days starting Monday Drivers are urged to follow the posted detour while the bridge is closed.
	Iowa state and federal cases tied to DOJ's 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown The DOJ takedown includes three Iowa cases filed at the federal level and five at the state level.
	MCBT, Mercer County libraries hosting Readathon to benefit Imagination Library Mercer County Better Together (MCBT) is working with Mercer County libraries to host the first “Reading Is a Gift” Readathon. The fundraiser benefits Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, a program facilitated locally by MCBT that provides free, high-quality books each month to area children ages 0-5 enrolled in the program. About 400 Mercer County children are [...]
	Artemis and Apollo spotted near Arconic Eagle Cam tree after nest falls For nearly two decades, the Quad Cities community and beyond have watched the eagle pair, Liberty and Justice, raise several young live on camera.
	Drivers urged to avoid area near Moline City Hall after water main break Moline utilities crews are responding to two water main breaks near City Hall and the Greenvalley Sports Complex. Drivers should avoid both areas.
	Waterloo’s Bosnian soccer fans turn out for World Cup watch parties Waterloo’s Bosnian community has been gripped by its home country’s World Cup success, right up until the U.S. men's national team knocked Bosnia-Herzegovina from the tournament on Wednesday.
	What to know about the Society of St. Pius X, the schismatic group excommunicated by the Pope The Society of St. Pius X was excommunicated by Pope Leo for ordaining bishops without his permission. Its issues with the church run far deeper.
	Extreme Heat Warning until THU 10:00 PM CDT Extreme Heat Warning in Effect Until 10 PM CDT: High Risk of Heat-Related Illnesses
	The Hidden DC Spot Where A Confederate Soldier Shot At President Lincoln \| Undiscovered DC In Washington, D.C. there's a fort where Abraham Lincoln stood on the frontlines of the Civil War, close enough that Confederate sharpshooters fired on him.
	'Significant' water main break impacts downtown Moline Drivers in downtown Moline are asked to avoid the area around City Hall after a significant water main break. A news release from the city said crews are responding to a significant water main break in the area surrounding City Hall, 619 16th Street. Drivers are asked to avoid the area of 7th Avenue between [...]
	Bix at 6 canceled due to excessive heat The Russell Beat the Elite athletes will still be announced at 6 p.m.
	The days are hot, but so are the nights. That's a problem, experts say As much of the Eastern U.S. experiences potentially record-breaking daytime temperatures, the nights are also staying unusually warm, leaving the human body no time to recover.
	QC arts leader resigns after confrontation with ‘Predator Poachers’ Rock Island police confirmed Ben Morris, the former director of Quad City Arts, is under investigation.
	Excessive heat cancels Bix @ 6 training run Excessive heat in the Quad Cities has canceled the Bix @ 6 training run scheduled for Thursday, July 2. The National Weather Service said dangerously hot and humid conditions are expected during the scheduled time of tonight's training run. Race organizers reviewed National Weather Service forecasts, consulted the event's Race Medical Director and followed established [...]
	Extreme Heat Warning until THU 10:00 PM CDT Extreme Heat Warning in Effect Until 10 PM CDT
	4 Your Money \| Running Dry In Washington, concerns surrounding the long-term financial health of Social Security continue to draw attention. David Nelson, CEO of NelsonCorp Wealth Management, joins us to break down the income-versus-cost figures and highlights the key takeaway investors should keep in mind.
	Hot and humid holiday weekend in Oklahoma, National Weather Service projects A man grills hotdogs, hamburgers and corn. (Getty Images)OKLAHOMA CITY — Amid fireworks, holiday parades and barbecues, the National Weather Service is encouraging Oklahomans to be mindful of extreme temperatures as they celebrate America’s 250th birthday. The National Weather Service in Norman said it will be a hot and humid holiday weekend in Oklahoma, with temperatures on Saturday hitting the mid-to-upper 90s. Recent rainfall could make those temperatures feel even hotter, says National Weather Service meteorologist Max Ungar, with heat indices across the state projected in the low 100s. The hottest temperatures are expected in the western and southwestern parts of the state. Ungar said it could reach between 100 and 102 degrees. But he said heat indices, which represent “feel-like” temperatures, are projected to be highest in Tulsa at 105 to 108 degrees. He advises people going outside this weekend to use sunscreen, wear lightweight clothing, find shaded areas and stay hydrated. Nighttime temperatures will not bring much relief, Ungar said, dropping only to the 70s and 80s. Northern Oklahoma could potentially see storms on Saturday evening, and there is a low chance of rain and scattered storms Sunday across the state. The high temperatures come as a heatwave moves through the Central and Eastern U.S, the National Weather Service reports. Despite the intense heat, Ungar said temperatures are not expected to break any records. The hottest Independence Day, which was in 1996, saw temperatures in Oklahoma City hit 105 degrees. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Oklahoma Voice
	In Kennedy Ryan's romance, happily-ever-after is for everyone The romance books Ryan read growing up rarely included characters who looked like her. Now she deliberately centers people the genre has left out, including Black, Indigenous and queer women.
	Here's why comic Craig Ferguson became an 'American On Purpose' The Scottish-born comic became a U.S. citizen in 2008. He showcases his goofy sense of humor, and his appetite for the unpredictable, in a new five-part documentary series for CNN.
	Bryan Bielanski performing in Burlington July 3 Bryan Bielanski, a self-described “traveling musician from Charlotte, North Carolina” will perform at Great River Casino, 3001 Winegard Drive in Burlington, on July 3 at 6:30 p.m. in support of his newest album, “Bryan’s Super Happy Fun Time.” Call 319-753-2946 for more information and tickets. Bielanski spoke with Our Quad Cities News via Zoom to [...]
	Where business aviation is climbing: The metros drawing more corporate jet traffic and high-income movers Where business aviation is climbing: The metros drawing more corporate jet traffic and high-income moversWhen it comes to measuring American wealth, tax return data and home-sales records are the usual go-to indicators. But by the time this information lands, it’s already a year or more after the migration trends have shifted. The growth of business aviation in specific areas offers a more unconventional and timely view. Private and corporate flying is discretionary, tracks closely to corporate profits, and the federal government counts nearly every operation right as it occurs. When jet traffic in a given region climbs, it’s an early sign that capital and dealmakers are close by.This signal rang particularly loud in 2025. Paramount Business Jets has pulled data from the Federal Aviation Administration, the IRS, the National Business Aviation Association, and more to find out which metropolitan areas are seeing the fastest growth in business aviation traffic and gaining high-income households.Why business aviation is a leading indicatorThough business aviation may not seem like a reliable indicator of high-income movers at first, the data tells a different story.Demand rises and falls in line with corporate earnings, equity markets, and capital spending. In 2025, all three of these categories were strong, bolstered by increased corporate investment in artificial intelligence. These data points can be easily analyzed alongside air traffic information, since the FAA monitors air taxi and general aviation operations on a monthly basis. The near-real-time data can be correlated with a trend as it happens rather than after the fact.The data: How the analysis was builtThe analysis draws on two primary public datasets: FAA operations data, specifically air taxi and general aviation counts by airport, and the IRS Statistics of Income migration series. The IRS data tracks where high-income households relocated and how much of their income moved with them.Though the flight figures are more current, running throughout 2025 and into 2026 while the IRS data is only updated through 2023, reading them together provides valuable insight. Aviation activity can be viewed as the first indicator of an emerging trend, and tax migration is the follow-up confirmation.The fastest-rising airports by flight activityRanking metros by their year-over-year changes in air taxi and general aviation flights surfaces a very different list than your standard volume leaders alone. Based on FAA data under the Department of Transportation, these are the top rising metro areas for business aviation in the U.S.: Paramount Business Jets Houma, Louisiana, tops the list with a 26.2% year-over-year increase, likely because the field serves offshore oil and gas operations in the Gulf. This top location is not likely tied to an increase in wealth but rather a rise in general economic activity.Charlotte, North Carolina, jumped 21%, which is fitting for a banking hub located in a state that has gained residents over the last year. Metros in Florida also appear repeatedly, with Fort Pierce, Lakeland, and Vero Beach seeing 18.5%, 16.3%, and 15.8% jumps, respectively. This is seemingly evidence of demand spilling away from the generic South Florida ramps and into secondary markets.Glendale, based in the Phoenix metro, also saw an impressive 17.3% jump. Austin, Texas, climbed by 15.5%. These trends indicate that the Sun Belt is acting as a stronger magnet than in years past.Both the Northeast and West Coast show up, too, but for different reasons. Caldwell, New Jersey (16.2%), White Plains, New York. (8.1%), and Farmingdale, New York (6.4%), are New York-area reliever fields that typically soak up overflow from the region’s busiest ramps, meaning the greater New York metro is growing.Washington, D.C., saw a 10.2% increase, indicating that government-adjacent travel seems to have recovered from the pandemic years. California is the surprise of the list, posting increases in fields across the state despite reports that high earners are leaving faster than from any other state due to rising prices.Layering in the wealth: High-income household migrationThe migration data from the IRS tells a parallel story. Between 2022 and 2023, 27 states showed net gains in income-tax filers.Texas was in the lead at a little over 56,000, and Florida was right behind with a little over 55,000 new filers. North Carolina (+39,118), South Carolina (+29,214), and Tennessee (+24,104) also saw respectable growth.Florida stood apart on dollars alone. It captured about $20.6 billion in net adjusted gross income, which is roughly $185,000 per new resident. It also gained more high-income households than any other state.California led the states with high out-migration, with over 100,000 filers leaving at a cost of $12 billion in tax revenue. It was followed by New York, Illinois, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.Digging down to the metro level, many of the same names appear again: Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, Nashville, Phoenix, Charlotte, and Raleigh have welcomed the influx of corporate relocations. Affluent households naturally follow. One common thread across the board is areas with low or no state income tax in the gaining markets.The quadrant: Where metros line upThis quadrant shows the correlation between flight activity and wealth movement, with business aviation operations growth on the x-axis and income tilt on the y-axis. The upper-right quadrant, representing positive growth for both, is the zone of reinforcement. Paramount Business Jets The plot shows that metros that are adding flights tend to be gaining income modestly as well.Much of the cluster sits to the right of the vertical line, meaning flying increased widely across the board regardless of income. Most metros still hugged the 1.0 wealth line, and a sizable group still sits in the lower right quadrant. What this means is that many metros are experiencing increased flights while simultaneously losing high-income households. Essentially, rising flight activity is prevalent, but rising wealth is not.Where they split and why it mattersThe lower right quadrant is one of the more interesting aspects of the story, and California is the clearest demonstration of this.Livermore, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Santa Barbara, and Long Beach all logged more flights based on the FAA data, despite the fact that the state was shedding tax filers more than any other. The reason flying can climb when people with money are leaving is that business travel and tourism-based aircraft activity are not directly correlated to residency.The picture in New York is similar. The reliever fields in the state grew in a region that is also losing high earners. The increase for Washington, D.C., is also reflective of increased government travel, rather than an influx of new residents.The throughline is that aviation data captures economic activity broadly, which is a leading indicator of where money moves. It is not necessarily a map of where the wealthy live.ImplicationsTaken together, the trends revealed by the FAA and IRS statistics tell a more robust story than either dataset on its own.Both sets indicate that secondary markets around metros like Charlotte, Austin, Phoenix, and areas in Florida are seeing a greater concentration of wealth and flying. In certain metros, however, including those in California and New York, there is increased flight activity for tourism and business, yet many high-income residents are leaving.More air traffic congestion may follow in the markets that saw a rise in both high-income earners and flying activity, and the metros where travel is primarily for tourism or business may see softer activity in the years ahead. Business aviation provides a peek at trends first, but tax data will be the true confirmation in a year or two.This story was produced by Paramount Business Jets and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Feds: Burlington men stole millions from area investors The indictment lists luxury cars — including multiple Audis and a Dodge Viper — along with hundreds of acres of farmland and real estate purchases.
	A look at what’s ahead for first round of John Deere Classic tournament The John Deere Classic enters its first day of tournament play today and some of the world’s best golfers will be on the course.
	The Declaration of Independence 250 years ago this week, the Continental Congress declared independence from Britain. WVIK staff and listeners commemorate this anniversary by reading the Declaration of Independence.
	Deep-dive analysis of the death penalty at 50 finds systemic problems remain Deep-dive analysis of the death penalty at 50 finds systemic problems remainFifty years ago, Americans set out on a polarizing mission: to find a just and fair way to punish the worst of the worst crimes by execution.In some ways, this was a surprising choice. In 1972, a narrow majority of the U.S. Supreme Court had scrapped the country’s entire death penalty system, calling it “morally unacceptable,” “racially discriminatory” and “arbitrary.” It seemed possible that Americans might join their peers in Europe and Latin America, many of whom had ended executions for good.But then Americans, as they often do, went their own way. In the summer of 1976, the Supreme Court issued another landmark decision, Gregg v. Georgia, that brought the death penalty back with a set of attempted fixes intended to make it less arbitrary, including guidance for jurors and automatic appeals.On the 50th anniversary of Gregg v. Georgia, The Marshall Project analyzed more than 9,000 death sentences handed down across the nation since states brought the punishment back. The analysis also coincides with the release of “The Last 12 Weeks,” The Marshall Project’s new podcast with Serial Productions and The New York Times. The podcast features a case that has dragged on for more than 30 years, and the data suggests this is typical: People on death row and the families of their victims often have to wait decades for a resolution to their cases.And most of the time, the outcome is not an execution.If one goal of the death penalty is to deter crime, it’s hard to imagine anyone being deterred by a very low chance of being executed decades in the future. In mid-June, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine called for his state to abolish the death penalty, due to its failure as a deterrent and the emotional cost to victims’ families.“Our system is an epic fail,” said Frank Baumgartner, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill professor who spent years gathering the data along with researchers from the Death Penalty Information Center. “Every flaw they sought to rectify has been a failure, and now there are new problems that didn’t used to exist.”Black people are still overrepresented on state death rows. And whether someone gets the death penalty still depends more on where they commit a crime than on the crime itself. But the new data also reveals how rarely a death sentence ends as lawmakers intended: Fewer than 1 out of every 5 people sent to death row has been executed. Jill Castellano // The Marshall Project Supporters and opponents of capital punishment can debate who is to blame for this dysfunction, but the new data gives us a window into why the death penalty remains so broken.States passed new laws and started issuing new death sentences in 1972, inviting the Supreme Court to approve these efforts a few years later. Soon after, a network of highly skilled defense lawyers emerged — often with federal funding — to specialize in death row appeals. (Several such lawyers are featured in “The Last 12 Weeks” podcast.)These lawyers often opposed the death penalty as racist and immoral. They dug into trial transcripts and sent out investigators who found all kinds of problems, from prosecutors making racist statements and kicking Black people off juries to defense lawyers literally falling asleep at trial. Eventually, defense lawyers convinced the Supreme Court to nix the death penalty for crimes committed before the defendant turned 18 and for people with intellectual disabilities.All of these developments — the failures at trial and the defenses’ successes at finding them — help explain why more than a third of death sentences handed down over the last 50 years have been thrown out by the courts. When that happens, prosecutors can seek a new death sentence, and sometimes they do so multiple times. Curtis Flowers, whose case was made famous by the podcast “In the Dark,” faced the death penalty in Mississippi courts six times before the charges against him were finally dropped.But in other cases prosecutors have agreed to let the defendant plead guilty in exchange for a life sentence, or jurors refused to give the death penalty again. “It's such an inefficient system, as you're wasting huge amounts of money on capital trials that end up in reversals 20 years later,” Baumgartner said. These trials regularly hit the million-dollar mark to pay for all the lawyers, investigators, and expert witnesses involved.The 1990s saw the emergence of DNA testing and legal efforts to overturn wrongful convictions, like the Innocence Project. It became more common for judges to free people from death row — 1 out of 50 cases since 1972 — due to evidence of their innocence.But it wasn’t always a court that stepped in to stop an execution: In more than 400 cases, a governor or president has commuted someone’s death sentence. The reasons vary. Sometimes it’s because a state abolishes the death penalty, as 23 have done. Other times, a leader wanted to stop a successor from executing people; President Joe Biden freed 37 men from federal death row before leaving office. (He did not free three men convicted of mass shootings whose commutations would have been especially controversial: Dylann Roof, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, Robert Bowers.)Another big reason why people are not executed can be boiled down to politics. Support for the death penalty in polls has declined to around 50%. Amid pressure from activists and the public, pharmaceutical companies began refusing to sell their products for lethal injections. Governors like Ron DeSantis of Florida and Greg Abbott of Texas made executions a priority, and their states found new suppliers or alternate methods like firing squads. But others gave up. Jill Castellano // The Marshall Project Meanwhile, some governors oppose the death penalty on paper, but risk political blowback if they go too far. Gov. Gavin Newsom of California and Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania both halted executions in their states, but neither has commuted any sentences. The result is that more than 700 people remain on death row in those states — a de facto life sentence that costs far more taxpayer money, given the ongoing appeals.Of the more than 9,000 death sentences over the last half-century, 8% of cases have ended with the condemned person dying by causes other than execution. Some of those ended in suicide. At least one person was killed by another prisoner.Put together complex legal processes and political ambivalence, and the result is a system that takes a very long time to reach unpredictable outcomes.The average person executed last year waited on death row for almost 27 years. Three decades ago, the average wait was only 12 years. The irony is that lawmakers have spent a lot of that time trying to limit appeals and quicken executions. They have evidently failed, while also increasing the risk of executing innocent people, by restricting what kinds of evidence they can bring to court. Jill Castellano // The Marshall Project There are now more than 2,000 people on death rows across the country. More than a quarter of them have been there for more than 30 years. “They’re not leaving, so they’re just going to go into geriatric care,” said Baumgartner.The punishment’s future is anything but clear. Jurors are sending fewer people to death row. At the same time, President Donald Trump is pushing for a revival and talking about bringing back firing squads. But there is little indication that any of the problems that have bedeviled the punishment for the last half century — the racial disparities, the arbitrary outcomes, the endless waiting, the risk of executing the innocent — have been fixed, or whether they can be.This article was published in partnership with The Guardian.Additional data reporting by Steven Rich.This story was produced by The Marshall Project and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Can students really skip college and earn a good living? Here’s what the data shows. Can students really skip college and earn a good living? Here’s what the data shows.For much of the last few decades, some young people have heard a simple mantra: bachelor’s or bust. That is, they were told that the best and perhaps only path to economic prosperity is through a four-year college education. Now a wide swath of politicians, educators, and philanthropists are rethinking this. Some even suggest that there are numerous lucrative jobs that don’t require a degree.A New York Times video explained that “Job demand in fields like construction, along with the allure of potential six-figure salaries, have some high schools investing in hands-on classes that are redefining what success looks like for the Class of 2026.”At the recent Education Writers Association conference, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore suggested high schools are too focused on getting students into college. If a student chooses a different route, “and they find something that’s going to make them have economic mobility for them and their family, then right on,” he said.In this article, Chalkbeat looks at the data to answer a simple but contested question: How likely is it that students can skip a four-year degree and make a good living or achieve “economic mobility?”The short answer is it’s certainly possible, but the odds are stacked against workers without degrees. “We all want the $70,000 job that a student can access right outside of high school,” says Dom McKoy, executive director of the University of Chicago’s To&Through Project. But those opportunities are rare. “We have to be really clear-eyed about what is a true pathway at scale for young people,” McKoy says.Some non-college occupations offer solidly middle-class salaries — but the largest ones typically don’tTo analyze this issue, Chalkbeat used federal Bureau of Labor Statistics data on pay by occupation, organized by the share of workers with a bachelor’s degree or higher.On average, jobs where degrees are required or encouraged pay more. Notably, though, a handful of jobs in the blue-collar trades also make slightly above the national median. Those include plumbers, machinists, HVAC installers, and carpenters, among others. Although these jobs typically require some form of postsecondary training, and in some cases students take on debt, they don’t demand four-year degrees. Thomas Wilburn // Chalkbeat, Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Thomas Wilburn // Chalkbeat, Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Still, the most common non-college jobs make far below the median. For instance, there are over 4 million people who work as home health and personal care aides in America, the largest single occupation. That’s more than the number of plumbers, electricians, carpenters, HVAC specialists, welders, car mechanics, roofers, and power-line installers combined. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts more growth in jobs for home health aides than any other occupation. The median salary is about $35,000 a year.Other large non-college vocations — each encompassing millions of people — include retail sales workers, cashiers, order stockers, waiters and waitresses, fast-food workers, and janitors. All of these pay substantially below the median. One exception is truck driving, a position that pays relatively well and employs millions of people. But many fear the job is at particularly high risk of automation.All this maps onto other data showing that college-educated workers have a large wage advantage, on average, compared to those without a degree.Better-paid, non-college occupations employ few womenMost of these relatively well-paid blue-collar jobs are dominated by men. In some cases, fewer than 10% of the positions are filled by women. Many of the large, lower-paid occupations, including home health aides, have a high share of women.Some of the lower-paid careers where college degrees are required — including teaching and social work — are also largely staffed by women. Their salaries still outstrip the vast majority of non-college options, though. This suggests that forgoing college is particularly risky for girls and women.Despite the headlines, six-figure salaries are rare in non-college jobsThe vast majority of non-college roles, including blue collar trades, earn below-average wages. This is different from median wages, which capture the typical worker’s experience. The average salary is usually higher than the median because it includes more of the upside for top earners within a profession.This data indicates that non-college occupations have relatively low pay ceilings. The slew of headlines and viral social media videos about six-figure jobs in the trades appear to be outliers. In many cases, only the top 10%, or fewer, of those non-college occupations make such salaries, according to Chalkbeat’s analysis of federal Bureau of Labor Statistics data.Many occupations have a combination of workers with and without four-year degreesHowever, as the data makes clear, this is not a simple binary between college and non-college pathways.In many cases, degree-holders likely have an edge within an occupation. But in other cases, the degree may have little, if any, value. A significant minority of lower-paid jobs are held by college graduates; even more are held by those who attended college but didn’t earn a degree. For instance, nearly half of home health aides spent at least some time in college.Will AI change all of this?This data cannot answer whether a particular student should attend college. That depends on what profession they want to pursue, their chances of graduating, the debt they may have to take on, and the quality of college they would attend. It also depends on an unknown future. The economy is always changing and may shift rapidly in the coming decades.A recent Wall Street Journal survey found some economists predicting that AI will reduce demand for white-collar work. But others predicted no change or even said that there would be more demand for knowledge work.The bottom line: Considering how the economy is currently structured, it’s risky to bet against the value of a bachelor’s degree.MethodologyThe data used here extrapolates hourly pay rates into estimated annual salaries for full-time workers. These figures, including the national median and average, do not count overtime pay, certain bonuses, and some other forms of compensation. The researchers categorized the largest 250 occupations — encompassing the vast majority of workers — by the share of workers who have attained at least a bachelor’s degree. Other forms of postsecondary education are not included in this analysis. Keep in mind that there is substantial variation among workers in the same occupation, including by region, educational level, experience, union status, and more.This story was produced by Chalkbeat and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	What every parent should teach their kids about credit cards before college in 2026 What every parent should teach their kids about credit cards before college in 2026Your kids learn a lot about money from you. They watch how you manage your money. Before they go out into the world, they get their first financial lessons from you, and there’s plenty to cover. If college is fast approaching, now is the time to teach your kids how to use a credit card.By getting an early education about credit cards, your kids can start building credit at a young age and reap the benefits later. They can find out how to use credit cards without paying any interest or going into debt.Best of all, it doesn’t take a long time to teach your children about credit cards. Whether they already know a little about credit cards, or they’re starting fresh, you can explain everything they need to know in a few simple lessons.Freedom Debt Relief lists out four key lessons to share with your kids, as well as the features to look for when choosing a student credit card.1. Credit Cards Are a Way to Borrow MoneyA good place to start is the basics of how credit cards work. Explain to your kids that when they use a credit card, they’re borrowing money from the card issuer. The card issuer has approved them to borrow up to a credit limit. For example, if your kid gets a credit card with a $500 credit limit, the card issuer has agreed to loan them up to $500.If your kids have debit cards, make sure to tell them that credit cards and debit cards work differently, even though they look very similar. After a credit card purchase, the money doesn’t come right out of their bank account. The purchase gets added to their credit card bill, and they’ll get the bill later with all their charges.You could teach your kids to view a credit card as a middleman. The card makes the purchase, and later, the cardholder pays the credit card bill. If the cardholder can’t pay the bill in full, then they get charged interest, which makes the bill more expensive.Also go over the importance of sticking to a budget with credit card purchases. The most affordable way to use a credit card is to pay in full every month.2. Responsible Credit Card Usage Could Pay Off LaterA discussion about credit cards is also a smart time to talk about credit scores. A credit score is a snapshot that tells lenders how likely it is that you’ll repay a debt. Your credit score is determined based on the information in your credit reports, including your credit card and loan usage.If your kid uses a credit card responsibly, that could help them build a good credit score. What exactly does it mean to use a credit card responsibly? The most important habits are to always pay your credit card bill on time and avoid running up big balances. Keep the amount you spend well below your credit limit. If you lose control of your credit cards, you could end up in a situation where you need credit card debt relief. Getting out of debt is never quick or easy, so let your children learn and practice with your guidance.You’ll also probably want to mention what’s in it for your kids. A little motivation never hurts. Here are some of the perks that come with a high credit score:Your credit score could help you get approved to rent an apartment—without needing your parents to co-sign.You could get a lower interest rate on a car loan or, later in life, a mortgage.You might pay less for car insurance. In most states, insurance companies can use your credit score when setting your rates.You could qualify for credit cards with more features, like cash back or points you can use to book travel.3. You Don’t Need to Pay Interest on a Credit CardEven though you borrow money when you use a credit card, you don’t always need to pay interest. And if your kids play their cards right, they could avoid interest charges entirely.The key is to pay the statement balance in full every month. That’s the total amount on the billing statement. Let your kids know that the statement balance is the one to pay, not just the minimum. The minimum payment is usually only a small percentage of the total balance. If you pay that, you get charged interest on anything left over.You may also want to give them a quick example of how credit card interest adds up. Say your kid wants to buy a $200 pair of sneakers (feel free to swap that out for whatever fits their interests). Their credit card has an interest rate of 25%.If they put the sneakers on their credit card, and then pay it all off when the bill’s due, the total cost would be $200. But if they pay the sneakers off over the course of a year, the total cost with interest would be about $250. It’s an easy choice when you look at the real cost of each transaction.4. Keep Track of Your Credit Card ActivityYour kid’s credit card statement will have all the charges they made. But also let them know that they can also check their transactions whenever they want online. Most card issuers have apps, too. There are a couple of reasons for your kids to go over their credit card activity at least once a month.It’s a great way to know if they’re following a budget. They may also want to use a budgeting app that can link to their credit card and help monitor spending.Reviewing transactions also helps with catching fraud. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received nearly 450,000 credit card fraud reports in 2024, and those are just the cases that were reported. Credit card fraud can happen to anyone.There’s a federal law that requires credit card companies to give you 60 days to dispute charges and limits what you might have to pay. Most companies have zero-liability policies, meaning cardholders don’t need to pay anything for fraudulent charges. You still need to notify the card issuer of fraud, though, to get it taken off your bill.Bonus: 3 Credit Card Features That Are Great for College StudentsYou might want to help your kid choose their first credit card before they head off to school. Since you must be 21 to open a standard credit card account, they’ll qualify for a student credit card instead. These accounts usually have lower credit limits and don’t require a credit history. Look for these three features as you search for a student credit card:No annual fee. They won’t need to pay a yearly fee for the card, which is always nice when you’re trying to keep costs down.Cash back. Some student credit cards reward cardholders with a percentage back on each purchase. Cash back can add up over time and help your kids save a little money.Free credit score monitoring. This type of tool shows your kid their current credit score and may also include tips on how to improve. Set Your Kids Up for Credit Card SuccessYou can go over all those lessons with your kids over the course of a Saturday afternoon. And a little time on credit education now could give your kids the tools they need for a lifetime of good credit card habits.This story was produced by Freedom Debt Relief and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Inside the largest US measles outbreak in decades: Records reveal spread in vaccine-hesitant community Inside the largest US measles outbreak in decades: Records reveal spread in vaccine-hesitant communityThe first case in what would become the largest U.S. measles outbreak in decades was a parent in South Carolina’s Upstate region near Spartanburg.The next seven people to fall ill were all children. Three of them were being cared for at home — limiting their ability to spread the highly contagious measles virus to others.But the children who became Cases 5, 6, 7, and 8 were infectious while they mingled with other children at school and in daycare, according to internal records obtained by Healthbeat from the South Carolina Department of Public Health.By the second week of the outbreak, the number of known infections had grown to 12. The internal records, obtained under the state’s public records law, reveal all of them lived in just four households.At the center of the nearly seven-month South Carolina measles outbreak — from beginning to end — was a close-knit, vaccine-hesitant Ukrainian- and Russian-speaking community in and around Spartanburg County, according to South Carolina state health officials.By the time the outbreak was declared over on April 27, the handful of cases that were first identified among a couple of families in October 2025 had resulted in 997 documented measles infections.Healthbeat detailed the events of the 2025-26 measles outbreak in South Carolina and explained how such a disease can spread through close-knit, low-vaccination communities. Jennifer Morrow // Healthbeat, Source: South Carolina Department of Public Health outbreak report to the director for Oct. 9, 2025. South Carolina DPH estimates about 90% of these outbreak cases were among members of the area’s Ukrainian- and Russian-speaking community, which has around 15,000 people in Spartanburg County, the department said in emailed responses to Healthbeat’s questions.“This community was at the center of the outbreak for its whole course,” said the department, which did not grant an interview.The South Carolina outbreak is the latest example of a trend the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has documented for decades: Nearly all large U.S. measles outbreaks since 2000 — when the country attained measles-free status — have involved various types of close-knit groups with low vaccination rates.As measles makes a major comeback across the country, a Healthbeat examination of the challenges encountered controlling the South Carolina outbreak highlights the need for public health officials to understand the specific and sometimes differing reasons for vaccine hesitancy within individual groups.It also illustrates the importance of identifying at-risk pockets of unvaccinated people and building trusted relationships before outbreaks happen. All are complex tasks made more difficult amid heightened public distrust in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and during a time of cuts to public health staffing and funding.“Waiting for infectious disease to start spreading is too late. It is significantly more effective to prevent an outbreak than to contain it,” said Dr. Eliza Varadi, a Russian-speaking pediatrician in Charleston, South Carolina.“Even in a state where most people are vaccinated, those small pockets, that’s where diseases will spread,” said Varadi, the immunization representative for the South Carolina chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, who worked with DPH officials during the outbreak and provided advice on culturally sensitive outreach and education.Close-knit groups have fueled U.S. measles outbreaks since 2000South Carolina’s outbreak is a case study in how years of declining immunization rates — especially among children obtaining religious and nonmedical exemptions from school vaccination requirements — is making localized communities of various types across the country vulnerable to the spread of infectious diseases, according to Varadi and other health experts.Dr. Satish Pillai, the CDC’s incident manager for the 2025-26 national measles response, noted the role of close-knit groups in “nearly all” measles outbreaks with more than 50 cases since 2000 during a presentation to local public health officials earlier this month. Jennifer Morrow // Healthbeat, Source: South Carolina Department of Public Health response to Healthbeat’s questions. These outbreaks include those that have occurred in New York during 2018-19 largely in an Orthodox Jewish community; in Washington state in 2019 among a Ukrainian- and Russian-speaking community; in central Ohio in 2022 primarily among children of Somali descent; in Chicago during 2024 within a shelter for migrants who were mostly from Venezuela; in Minnesota in 2024 where a Somali community was disproportionately impacted; and in West Texas in 2025 among a rural Mennonite community.In recent months, Pillai noted, the types of close-knit groups driving measles outbreaks have been evolving. Large outbreaks this year have occurred on the campus of Ave Maria University in Florida and at a federal detention facility in Texas.“Having large college outbreaks and large detention facility outbreaks at these levels are unprecedented since 2000,” Pillai said.Meanwhile, lower vaccination rates throughout communities have begun allowing outbreaks that begin in close-knit communities to start spreading widely across populations, as has happened in the ongoing outbreak in Utah, he said.Schools, families, churches contributed to virus spread in South CarolinaSouth Carolina DPH officials told Healthbeat they do not know the infection source that led to the initial cases in the state’s measles outbreak. They said this indicates unrecognized spread of the virus was already occurring by the time cases started being reported to public health.Measles poses a significant outbreak threat for unvaccinated, socially and geographically connected people because it is so contagious and spreads through the air, where it can linger for up to two hours in enclosed spaces. Jennifer Morrow // Healthbeat, Source: South Carolina Department of Public Health data and an Oct. 15, 2025 email from DPH to the state’s governor’s office. To prevent ongoing transmission of measles within communities, 95% of people need to be fully vaccinated against the disease, according to the CDC.Some of the earliest cases in the South Carolina outbreak last October involved Global Academy of South Carolina. The Spartanburg County public charter school was founded by educators from Ukraine whose “passion to help families of immigrants” have prompted them to open tuition-free schools in California, Florida, and most recently South Carolina, according to the schools’ websites.When the outbreak started, Global Academy’s student body had one of South Carolina’s lowest levels of vaccination coverage: Only 21% of its students were up-to-date on their school vaccinations during the 2025-26 school year, state data shows. Even fewer of the school’s students — just 17% — were fully vaccinated during the previous school year.Officials with Global Academy of South Carolina, its board of directors, and founders have either declined to be interviewed, did not respond to interview requests, or could not be reached during and after the outbreak.As the measles cases continued to spread within households, some of those infected were unvaccinated children and teens who unknowingly brought measles into other schools — exposing scores more students who also weren’t vaccinated.“We know that some schools with a high percentage of children from Ukrainian- or Russian-speaking families have been impacted and a number of public exposures have been reported in churches attended by these community members,” DPH said in response to Healthbeat’s questions.In low-vaccination communities, one person can expose dozensBecause the initial symptoms of measles — such as a cough, runny nose, red eyes, and fever — can appear like those of a common cold or the flu, people can spread the disease before they know they have it. They are contagious beginning four days before the telltale measles rash appears on their face and body.Further complicating public health efforts to control the virus’ spread is that there can be a significant lag time from when someone is exposed to the virus and when they start feeling ill. Symptoms often develop seven to 14 days after exposure, but it can sometimes take up to 21 days.Internal South Carolina state health department records obtained by Healthbeat provide a window into how a single contagious person can expose dozens. Jennifer Morrow // Healthbeat, Source: South Carolina Department of Public Health email on Nov. 17, 2025 to staff in the state’s governor’s office. Outbreak Case No. 44, identified by state health officials in mid-November, exposed 66 close contacts to measles who were unvaccinated or lacked immunity to the virus through previous infection. They included three household members, four patients at a doctor’s office, 58 individuals at Lyman Elementary School (including one of the household members), and two school bus riders from D.R. Hill Middle School, according to an email update from DPH to the South Carolina governor’s office on Nov. 17.As state public health officials investigated outbreak Case No. 45, they identified an initial 61 close contacts who had been exposed and weren’t protected against measles. They included four household members and 57 individuals from Boiling Springs Middle School. The person, while infectious, also attended a church with about 250 people in its congregation, according to DPH emails to the governor’s office on Nov. 19 and 20 that do not name the church, but say notification letters in multiple languages were provided for distribution.As the outbreak continued, infected people participated in services and other activities at several Slavic churches, where services are held in the Russian or Ukrainian languages, including Slavic evangelical and Pentecostal churches.At one of these churches, the Way of Truth Church in Inman, South Carolina, a person who was infectious attended on the evening of Nov. 7 and morning of Nov. 9, exposing others who weren’t vaccinated. Over the weeks that followed, at least 30 infections were linked to the church.Of the 14 newly identified measles cases announced on Dec. 2 by state health officials, eight were people exposed at Way of Truth Church. Over the next week, 16 more people fell ill with measles from exposures at the church. Five more cases linked to the church were announced on Dec. 16, plus one more on Dec. 19.During late December and into January, state health investigators tracing the movements of people recently diagnosed with measles identified additional exposures that had occurred at several other Slavic churches, including Tabernacle of Salvation Church, Ark of Salvation Church, and Slavic Pentecostal Church of Spartanburg. Church leaders could not be reached or did not respond to Healthbeat’s interview requests during and after the outbreak.Slavic churches unwilling to host vaccination events during outbreakVaradi, the state American Academy of Pediatrics representative who worked with South Carolina DPH during the outbreak, told Healthbeat that vaccine hesitancy within the membership of some Spartanburg-area churches was a key challenge in stopping the outbreak.“The center of the outbreak was not the entire Russian-speaking or Ukrainian-speaking community. It was a small subset that may have been related to specific churches,” Varadi told Healthbeat.“It’s not that the church leadership was discouraging vaccinations, they just were not encouraging,” Varadi said. “We wish that there would have been a better partnership to work together to encourage vaccination.”DPH officials, who told Healthbeat that Varadi provided them with “valuable insights and assistance,” acknowledged that no church from within the area’s Ukrainian- or Russian-speaking community agreed to host a vaccination event during the outbreak.“As is often the case, church leaders made decisions about whether to interact with DPH based largely on the wishes and feelings of their congregations,” the department said in its written responses to Healthbeat’s questions. “While some were willing to discuss outreach and education opportunities, others were not. Importantly, none were forced to meet with DPH to discuss any of these topics.”One of the close-knit community’s “prominent churches” did voluntarily agree to meet with DPH leadership during the outbreak, the department said, “and that conversation was informative.” DPH declined to name the church.From the beginning of the outbreak, DPH officials in press briefings emphasized the importance of vaccination in stopping the outbreak. They separately made information about measles available in the Ukrainian and Russian languages on the DPH website and to churches and other groups.Two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine are 97% effective in protecting against measles, and even one dose is 93% effective, according to the CDC.While the Ukrainian- and Russian-speaking community remained a vaccination challenge, by January — as the outbreak spiked — the department started seeing wider increases in measles vaccination across Spartanburg County and the state. This increase, combined with the large number of people who became immune to measles through illness, helped end the outbreak, they said.Dr. Brannon Traxler, the South Carolina DPH’s deputy director and chief medical officer, in response to Healthbeat’s questions during the department’s last media briefing on the outbreak on April 27, said it is important to understand the community’s history and reasons for being hesitant about vaccines.“We recognize and appreciate there is history there that didn’t occur in South Carolina, often even before they came to the United States, that has led to very legitimate fears of government and of government health,” said Traxler, who was named the department’s acting director in May. “They have a reason to have the doubts that they do.”Traxler did not elaborate. DPH, in response to Healthbeat’s questions, declined to discuss the reasons public health workers have been given by community members for not vaccinating their families against measles.“Those reasons are theirs to communicate, not ours,” DPH said by email. “Our role in every communication was to provide the best factual information possible with which families could make informed decisions.”Vaccination programs and government trust have a complicated history in Ukraine and Russia.The more distant history includes the former Soviet Union’s mandatory and coercive national immunization programs and ongoing vaccine hesitancy and concerns about vaccine safety.There also was a history in former Soviet republics of some measles vaccines having lower levels of effectiveness in preventing outbreaks that has been attributed to poor manufacturing quality control and improper vaccine storage and handling practices.While the Russian Federation is estimated by the World Health Organization and UNICEF to have had high levels of measles vaccination coverage for many years, that has not been the case in Ukraine.In Ukraine, the country’s vaccination coverage dropped dramatically after the high-profile death in 2008 of a Ukrainian teenager, an event later determined to be unrelated to being vaccinated against measles as part of a large immunization campaign.According to the WHO, 95% of children in Ukraine in 2008 were fully vaccinated against measles. But by 2016, just 42% were protected with one dose of measles vaccine and 31% with two doses. And during 2017-19, the country experienced a measles epidemic that resulted in more than 115,000 reported cases.Since then, vaccination coverage has increased. As of 2024, about 91% of 1-year-old Ukrainian children and about 83% of 6-year-olds were vaccinated against measles, according to information released by UNICEF Ukraine last year.In South Carolina, DPH officials said members of the Ukrainian- and Russian-speaking community cooperated with the department’s recommendations for isolating and quarantining at home to prevent spreading measles to others.Quarantines, which could last up to 21 days, had a significant impact on these families’ daily lives, education, and finances, with children having to stay out of school and adults missing work.DPH said its community health workers, when asked, helped these families identify social service resources, including for food and utility support.Community members are key to building trust in public healthPublic health officials at the Washington State Department of Health found themselves facing similar challenges in 2019, following a measles outbreak among a Ukrainian- and Russian-speaking community.“We didn’t have a lot of connection with that community or a lot of resources for them in their language,” said Danielle Koenig, the department’s health promotion supervisor.In the wake of the outbreak, Koenig helped secure a CDC grant that for six years funded a project to better understand the needs of the community, build trust, and provide health resources. The grant ended last summer.The department found that a cornerstone of building trust is partnering with leaders and organizations from the impacted community, listening and responding to their needs, and hiring members of the community — like Vadim Gaynaliy — to help lead the outreach.Gaynaliy, a health educator at the department who speaks Ukrainian and Russian and is from a large Ukrainian community in northeast Portland, Oregon, said his background and those of others involved in the project provided insights into the community’s values and how it functions.“We’re not even talking about a single community here. There’s obvious political tensions between Russian and Ukrainian communities, there’s different religions and denominations. So we try to address them as different communities who will have different needs,” Gaynaliy told Healthbeat.The project resulted in the creation of the Nashi Immigrants Health Board — now an independent nonprofit organization run by and for the Ukrainian- and Russian-speaking community that provides a range of resources and support programs beyond just information about vaccination.“Trust is the biggest ingredient,” said Tamara Cyhan Cunitz, the board’s co-founder, executive director, and a registered nurse and educator whose relatives came to the United States after escaping the Soviet Union during World War II. “People who are from a cultural community will pay attention and connect better with someone who knows their culture and language.”South Carolina gets 5 months of funding to launch outreach projectThe huge measles outbreak in the Spartanburg area is finally over, but the area remains at risk of future outbreaks because it continues to have large pockets of people who are not vaccinated against the disease — including in the Ukrainian- and Russian-speaking community.To help address this, DPH told Healthbeat it is beginning a new partnership with two nonprofit public health organizations to hire community health workers to do education and outreach in two or three areas within Spartanburg County that face higher risks from measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases.The CDC Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports the CDC and public health, has agreed to provide five months of funding for the project, the groups said.“The idea is to reach the specific Slavic community, that from a health department perspective, they have had struggles with reaching over the years and to really make inroads around vaccines and vaccine education,” said Scott Thorpe, executive director of the Southern Alliance for Public Health Leadership, which is one of the project’s partners. “Doing this work outside of a crisis is really, really important.”Terri Jowers, executive director of the South Carolina Community Health Worker Association, the project’s other nonprofit partner, said the project plans to hire three community health workers, with two of them coming from within the Russian- and Ukrainian-speaking community.Jowers said the project will develop training for this soon-to-be hired team on how to better engage with communities through conversations about why they are hesitant or concerned about vaccines, what they have heard, and ways to work together to find sources they trust to figure out the facts. The training will also be made available to other community health workers in Spartanburg County and across the state, she said.“The goal is to really start training people by the end of June so that community health workers feel more comfortable having these conversations,” Jowers said.Five months is not a lot of time to build trust, and Jowers said she is hoping that the project will be able to identify additional funding for a year beyond the initial grant. “You have to build those trusted relationships,” she said.The CDC Foundation, which told Healthbeat it is providing more than $100,000 for the project, said that trusted messengers are critical. The foundation said the project’s limited time frame is based on funding availability. “If additional funding becomes available, we would consider extending the timing,” it said.This story was produced by Healthbeat and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Warmer temps bring soaring tick populations. Here’s how to stay safe from Lyme disease Warmer temps bring soaring tick populations. Here’s how to stay safe from Lyme diseaseSpring’s warmer weather lures people outdoors, and into possible contact with ticks that spread Lyme disease.Already, the 2026 tick season is booming. On April 23, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned that emergency room visits due to tick bites are at their highest level since 2017. That may portend an especially severe season for Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.State health departments reported more than 89,000 cases of Lyme disease in 2023, the last year for which data is available. But public health experts believe that close to 500,000 people in the U.S. get Lyme disease every year.Lyme disease can be tricky, because people often don’t notice tick bites and may overlook early symptoms of an infection. But left untreated, the infection can cause serious lingering and even permanent health issues.Below, Lakshmi Chauhan, MD, of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus explains for The Conversation what you need to know about Lyme disease to stay safe this season.What causes Lyme disease?Lyme disease, named after the Connecticut town where the disease was first identified in 1975, is caused by a group of bacteria called Borrelia — most often, the species Borrelia burgdorferi.Deer ticks — also called black-legged ticks, and members of a group called Ixodes — transmit the disease after feeding on an infected animal, usually a bird, mouse or deer. When they then bite a person, they can transmit the bacteria into the person’s bloodstream.Usually, the tick must attach for 24-48 hours to transmit the bacteria causing Lyme disease.Where and when does Lyme disease occur?Lyme disease can occur in most regions where deer ticks live.These ticks are most active in late spring, summer and fall — usually April to November in most regions. They emerge when the temperature is above freezing. In years when winter is shorter, ticks can emerge earlier. And they may be active year-round in regions where freezing temperatures are rare.Approximately 90% of U.S. cases are reported from states in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic from Virginia to eastern Canada, and Upper Midwest regions including Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota. A few cases occasionally pop up in California, Oregon and Washington. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Since 1995, the incidence of Lyme disease in the U.S. has almost doubled.Warmer weather and changes in rainfall patterns now allow ticks to survive in new regions of the country, and for longer periods. But even in regions where ticks lived before, Lyme disease has become more common due to increases in deer populations. As woodland areas are increasingly being developed, it may be bringing the habitat of deer and mice closer to people, increasing the risk of transmission.Lyme disease symptoms to watch forEarly symptoms of Lyme disease — fever, muscle aches and fatigue — generally emerge within three to 30 days after a tick bite. Another classic symptom in the first month is a target or bull’s eye rash at the site of tick bite, which occurs in about 70% to 80% of cases.Other rashes following a tick bite can also occur. Some may be due to irritation from the bite, and not necessarily an infection.If you know you’ve had a tick bite and experience flu-like symptoms, or if you see a bull’s-eye rash, whether you know you were bitten or not, it’s important to check with your healthcare provider about whether you should be treated with antibiotics.A blood test for antibodies can help confirm the infection, but it can sometimes yield a false negative result, particularly in the first couple of weeks of the disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention In most people, the rash goes away on its own. However, treatment may shorten its duration and is important for preventing other symptoms. A two- to four-week course of antibiotics can generally treat Lyme disease. Severe cases might require intravenous antibiotics.A promising new vaccine for Lyme disease is currently being tested. In March 2026, Pfizer, the pharmaceutical company developing it, announced that in a late-stage study, the vaccine prevented the disease in 70% of people who received it.Later Lyme symptomsIf left untreated, the bacteria that causes Lyme can spread, potentially causing longer-term symptoms. About 60% of people who get Lyme disease and don’t treat it can develop arthritis.In rare cases, Lyme disease can also affect the heart and the nervous system. Inflammation in the brain or the tissues surrounding it, called meninges, can cause headaches and neck pain, as well as balance issues and memory and behavior changes. It can also cause nerve damage that results in numbness, tingling and muscle weakness.These symptoms can appear right away or much later, sometimes months to years after infection. And in cases where the disease wasn’t promptly treated, late-stage symptoms can linger even after antibiotics kill the bacteria.Scientists don’t fully understand why, but one intriguing study found that some particles from the bacteria’s cell wall leak into the joints and can persist after treatment, spurring ongoing inflammation and arthritis symptoms.Another reason for Lyme’s long-term effects is that it can trigger autoimmune disease, which is when the immune system attacks its own cells. What’s more, because the nervous system may be particularly sensitive to damage caused by the bacteria and related inflammation, it may take an especially long time to heal. In some situations, the damage could be permanent.Preventing Lyme diseaseUntil a vaccine becomes available, there are steps you and your family can take to help protect against Lyme disease:Use tick and insect repellents such as DEET and picaridin, which can be applied to skin, and permethrin, which is sprayed onto clothing, to keep ticks at bay. Treating clothing with permethrin may be especially beneficial, since the substance withstands several washes.Wear long-sleeve shirts and pants while you are gardening, hiking or walking through grass or woods to prevent tick bites. Wearing light-colored clothes makes ticks more visible, and tucking your pants into your socks can also prevent ticksfrom traveling from your pants, shoes and socks onto your legs.Remove your outdoor clothes immediately. Washing and drying clothes at high temperature can help kill any ticks that managed to hitch a ride. And a quick shower immediately after spending time outdoors can wash ticks off the skin before they have a chance to attach.If you spend time outdoors, perform daily tick checks, paying special attention to warm areas like your armpits, neck, ears and underwear line. If you find a tick attached, pull it off with tweezers, holding them perpendicular to the skin.If you find a tick that may have been on the skin for more than 36 hours, ask your healthcare provider whether a dose of preventive antibiotics — generally given within 72 hours of the bite — would be appropriate.This story was produced by The Conversation and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Ride it out: How cycling helps kids focus Ride it out: How cycling helps kids focusJimmy G. was a distracted and disruptive fifth grader. “In the morning, when he came in, he’d be up in everybody’s business, up and out of his chair, constantly blurting stuff out,” says Amy Young, his science and social studies teacher at Spooner Middle School in the North Woods of Wisconsin. (Unlike most middle schools, Spooner spans fifth through eighth grade.) But once Jimmy (whose name has been changed to protect his privacy as a minor) started attending a cycling class, Young noticed a dramatic change in the 10-year-old’s behavior.“After riding, he can sit down, he’s focused, he gets right down to work,” she says. “He’s like a different kid!” Courtesy of Outride Jimmy has been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and takes medication for it. Even so, cycling makes a noticeable difference in his behavior — which his parents have recognized as well.Taught by P.E. teacher Ryan McKinney, the class began as part of cycling nonprofit Outride’s Riding for Focus program. Outride, formerly the Specialized Bike Foundation, was founded by Mike Sinyard (also the founder of bicycle brand Specialized). Fourteen years ago, Sinyard, who also has ADHD, noticed that going for a bike ride helped him focus. After a ride, he realized, he was more attentive in meetings, for example. “That really kicked off this bigger idea, ‘Is this something that is unique to him, or is there broader science to back it up?” says Esther Walker, Ph.D., Outride’s executive director — and a cognitive science researcher in her own right. In 2012, Sinyard partnered with RTSG Neuroscience Consulting to launch a pilot project at two middle schools in Natick, Massachusetts to see if integrating cycling into the school day could help kids pay attention and focus. Participating students biked for a half-hour before school, five days a week, for a full month. The results were encouraging: Not only did kids with ADHD see symptoms improve, every kid benefited. Courtesy of Outride “Teachers saw improvements in focus and better performances in those classes directly after riding,” Walker says. The riding class was widely embraced by the schools’ administrations, teachers, parents — and students. Buoyed by these results, Sinyard founded the Specialized Foundation in 2014 to spread the word — and cycling classes — to middle schools across the country, Reasons to Be Cheerful reports. The Foundation announced “Riding for Focus” (R4F) grants in 2015, offering bikes, helmets and annual teacher training events. (In 2019, the Specialized Foundation changed its name to Outride, wanting to bring in other partners and not be associated with just one brand.) Today, the program is in 400 middle schools in the U.S. and Canada. According to Walker, 85% of these are Title I schools or have a free and reduced lunch rate of at least 40%. The exceptions tend to be schools that serve students who have special needs, such as those with dyslexia, ADHD or autism spectrum disorder.Despite the fact that there are other partners now, the close connection with Specialized has been key to the success of R4F. The company designed the R4F bikes to be robust, so middle schoolers could ride them daily for years. Courtesy of Outride “The bikes are color-coded by size, and have nice big numbers on the seat posts. So the students come in and say, ‘OK: I’m going to be on a blue bike, and, you know, level three for my seat,’’ Walker says. “It really gives them all a level playing field to try the same bikes, learn about shifting bikes safely, and build confidence on the bikes.” Today, roughly seven million children and teens in the United States have been diagnosed with ADHD, making it the most common neuro-developmental disorder in this age group. It’s well-established that exercise has a positive impact on mood and mental health — for all ages. More recent research has shown that exercise in general supports cognitive benefits like increased executive function, focus and self-regulation in children with ADHD. Some of that research has focused on cycling in particular. Outride has supported multiple studies, including two at Stanford. The first, published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise in 2019, pioneered a unique imaging system called functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), which can look at blood flow in the brain in real time during exercise. (The device — similar to an MRI — was worn under each kid’s helmet, and plugged into a transmitter tucked into a backpack.) Building on that research, and also supported by an Outride grant, Stephanie van Riper and her colleagues at Stanford used fNIRS on teens while they were cycling and found that teens with ADHD showed brain activity patterns that became more like the control group’s while cycling. That said, they also found that when teens with ADHD did mental tasks while cycling, they were still overloaded more easily. However, doing both at the same time also appears to prime the brain for better focus after riding. Research into the impacts of cycling on the cognition and mental health of teens has also been done by scientists at Loma Linda University School of Medicine, the University of Tennessee and the University of Wyoming, where Dr. Cynthia Hartung is specifically studying college students with ADHD. Though there hasn’t been much research to prove that cycling is somehow better than other forms of exercise in supporting cognitive improvements in teens with ADHD, kids of all ages seem to love cycling, so it’s an easy sell. “Anecdotally, we’ve had teachers tell us that cycling attracts many of their students that typically don’t like P.E. or avoid team sports,” Walker says. Ultimately, the best type of exercise intervention is the kind that kids actually stick with. Somehow cycling hits that sweet spot of not only being aerobic — which has been shown to support executive function — but also low-barrier and intrinsically motivating. Most teens want to do it because it’s fun and it also provides feelings of independence. Outride has also been partnering with research institutions abroad, including Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland and Newcastle University in England. These studies aren’t out yet, but initial outcomes are exciting, Walker says. McKinney at Spooner Elementary initially launched R4F with Outride’s help — getting a fleet of bikes, helmets, teacher training and a full curriculum. Later, he started an after-school Bike Club, which is still going strong. He immediately heard positive feedback from parents. “Some of the parents at the time said things like, ‘My kid is such a different kid on the nights he has Bike Club. Other nights, he’ll be a couch potato. I wish the kid could be in Bike Club every day.” That got McKinney thinking. Spooner has a daily intervention class for students who need extra help called “What I Need” (WIN for short), that takes place first thing in the morning. Most kids in WIN do an online program that helps with math or reading. McKinney proposed doing a study looking at the impact on cycling and other outdoor sports as a WIN intervention. In the fall of 2021, he asked teachers to recommend students who struggled with attention, focus or behavior. These students — from fifth and sixth grades — were divided into two groups: 12 would go into McKinney’s daily WIN class (mostly cycling but also some cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter when it snowed too much for cycling). The other 12 would be in a control group — the typical WIN class. (Forty-eight students total participated in the study: 24 in fifth grade and 24 in sixth grade.)After their 45-minute-long WIN class, students would go directly to their core classes — usually math, science, English or social studies. (The core class teachers were not told who was in which group, although Spooner is a small school so McKinney admits they may have been able to guess.) At the end of that class, the teachers would rate, on a scale of one to four, the kids’ level of focus, and each kid would write down their own evaluation. Students also took a standardized test called FastBridge three times over the course of the year to evaluate their comprehension in reading and math. The results were astonishing. In math, the kids in the cycling intervention group improved, on average, twice as much as kids in the control group. In reading, they improved nearly twice as much. On average, the cycling group required much less office discipline, too.McKinney kept track of data for three years in a row, and now he’s compiled enough evidence to keep cycling in school revved up for good. Though his cycling-before-school WIN class is no longer supported by Outride, the school has now integrated cycling into its curriculum. Spooner also received one of Outride’s Community Impact Grants to support a pump track and bike skills park at the school, as well as an additional one a few years later that funded fat tire bikes. According to Walker, many teachers who initially receive an Outride grant take the idea and well, ride. McKinney at Spooner is a good example. “The Riding for Focus program is often the spark that gets schools going, and over time they adapt and add more in — like after school clubs, trails and so on.”This story was produced by Reasons to be Cheerful and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Kansas Legislature’s closed-door meeting on child welfare leads to outpouring of family heartache Alexander Preston of Pottawatomie County shares with a special child welfare committee personal experience with the state's Child Protective Services after the mother of his daughter moved out with the infant in September 2025. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of Legislature's YouTube channel) TOPEKA — Nineteen-year-old Alexander Preston addressed members of the Kansas Legislature after five hours of closed-door meetings with administrators of the state agency responsible for the welfare of children and private contractors hired to deliver services to abused or neglected youths. On Tuesday, Preston told House and Senate lawmakers he was dealing with wrenching frustration. He said he learned by necessity about fragility of the state’s child welfare system after the mother of his daughter vanished Sept. 5, 2025. He said he called anyone he thought might help bring about reunification with the infant, including law enforcement departments and Child Protective Services, which is part of the Kansas Department for Children and Families. “From the very beginning of CPS’ involvement,” Preston said, “there were known concerns regarding the individuals around my daughter. There was a known narcotics investigation involving people connected to the environment where she was reportedly being cared for. Yet, despite all of that, I was later told that the environment where my daughter was staying was considered acceptable. Acceptable. That is the word I cannot forget.” Preston, of Pottawatomie County, said drug testing was ordered for mother and child, but only the 5-month-old was examined. “My daughter failed a drug test before she could even walk,” he said. “Even after all of this, my daughter was not returned to me. That is why I am standing here today. This is not simply about my daughter’s mother. This is about a system that had opportunities to act.” He was among a dozen people granted 4 minutes each to go face-to-face with the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Child Welfare System Oversight. Preston as well as Lauryn Allen, Madeline Bouton, Sarah Goble, Robert Large, Shawn Lee, Katie Martin and Meghann Miller filled the fifth-floor room at the Capitol with testimony about personal trauma, fatigue and anger. Their turn at the microphone came after extraordinary closed meetings among the committee of House and Senate members, top officials at the state Department for Children and Families and representatives of five organizations holding DCF contracts to serve Kansas children threatened by abuse or neglect. Close-door meetings Each of the organizations — KVC Kansas, Saint Francis Ministries, Cornerstones, TFI Family and EmberHope — were given up to 50 minutes to confidentially speak with legislators about their views on the challenges of caring for kids in need of care. The contractors or their lobbyists have routinely engaged with legislative committees, but previous interaction with House or Senate committees came in open public session. The objective of executive sessions was for contractors to candidly share detail of problematic cases so the group of legislators would better appreciate difficulties of the job, said Rep. Cyndi Howerton, a Haysville Republican and chairwoman of the child welfare committee. Before and after the closed-door meetings, Howerton defended the executive sessions. She said legislators needed privacy to ask questions of providers while protecting families from public scrutiny. She said the nitty-gritty of cases should provide legislators in the room with fresh perspective. “I don’t know that we’ll do that again for a long time, but it was very, very valuable,” Howerton said. “I’m telling you my stomach was churning a little, but with the cases that were talked about, the trauma that these kids experienced, I think we as a committee needed to see that to kind of ground us. This is not about data. This is about families.” Rep. Susan Humphries, a Wichita Republican on the committee, said she emerged with a sense that Kansas needed to segregate by age the policies and laws guiding foster care. Needs and expectations of a child less than three years of age were distinct from those of a teenager, she said. The Legislature should consider setting expectations for law enforcement officers involved in child custody disputes, said Rep. Ford Carr, a Wichita Democrat. He said Kansans shared with him examples of officers taking a child from a home based on a court order and situations in which officers didn’t remove a child despite a court order. Rep. Lauren Bohi, a Lenexa Republican, said the private presentations raised questions about the frequency of behavioral and trauma issues among children in foster care. In addition, she said more should be done to understand what happened to families when children in foster care weren’t reintegrated with biological families. Shock and awe Bouton, a lifelong Kansan married to a decorated U.S. Army veteran, told the oversight committee the couple was unable to have children naturally. Instead, she said, they decided to grow a family through adoption of children in Kansas foster care. She said the couple wanted to be an adopt-only family instead of a family that took in foster kids and considered adopting them. “We believe there are many children in our great state that need love. Things like age, race are not important to us,” she said. “What has become painfully apparent to my husband and me is that adopt-only families are treated significantly differently than foster families, and it saddens me to understand why.” Bouton said agencies in Kansas received financial reward for licensing new foster families, which prompted providers to discourage adopt-only families. She said the couple was pressured by a representative of Restoration Family Services, marketing itself as delivering “Christ-like” services, to first become foster parents. She was told her idea of a family was not “as desirable” in the ordering of potential families approved for adoption. “We have no children of our own,” Bouton said. “We have an incredible support system on both sides of our family, all of whom are close in proximity. We live in a safe neighborhood in a beautiful home. We seek strength and purpose through our faith in God and we live our lives in service to others. So, I ask this committee, what family would be more desirable than mine?” She urged the committee to reconsider a strategy of prioritizing foster families over adopt-only families. Sarah Goble, founder of the Honest Diagnosis Project, said her children were taken during 2024 due to a misdiagnosis of child abuse. “When my family was accused,” she said, “we quickly learned how difficult it is to challenge decisions once the system is in motion. In a system like this, the ability to seek accountability through the courts is not optional. It’s essential.” She rebuked legislators who voted for House Bill 2521, which was vetoed by Gov. Laura Kelly because it would be “dangerous and expensive” to provide private child-placement agencies contracting with the state broader immunity from lawsuits under the Kansas Tort Claims Act. During the 2026 session, Kelly’s veto was overridden by two-thirds majorities in the House and Senate. The law took effect July 1. “Many of you pander to your constituents about parental rights, being pro-life. You talk about limited government, cutting down on fraud and bringing accountability, but when it’s your time to shine … your actions do not reflect these talking points,” Goble said. Courtesy of Kansas Reflector
	Accountability without micromanagement: How managers balance tracking and trust Accountability without micromanagement: How managers balance tracking and trustTracking work has become a normal part of managing teams. Pew Research Center data shows just how common this has become: More than half of workers who are not self-employed say their employer monitors the time they start and finish working, while large shares also report monitoring of messages, task speed, location, or work computer use.For many employees, it helps clarify expectations, keep schedules organized, and make sure work stays aligned. But there’s still a fine line between accountability and oversight.The challenge for managers is that the same practices that create visibility can also create tension. A check-in can feel supportive, or it can feel like hovering. Time tracking can help teams stay organized, or it can raise concerns about trust, privacy, and micromanagement.To better understand how managers are navigating that balance, Buddy Punch surveyed 531 U.S.-based people managers in March 2026. The survey explored how employees react to tracking, the concerns they raise, what tends to erode trust, and what helps accountability feel fair rather than intrusive. The findings suggest that most employees are not rejecting tracking outright. Instead, they want it to feel clear, relevant, transparent, and connected to real outcomes.Key FindingsTracking is usually seen as helpful or normal. Eighty percent of managers say employees either see tracking as helpful for staying organized and aligned or mostly accept it as part of the job. Only 4% say employees view it as unnecessary monitoring.But concerns still come up, especially about trust. Fifty-four percent of managers say employees raise concerns or feedback about tracking at least sometimes. Employees most often worry about feeling micromanaged, feeling untrusted, extra administrative work, privacy, and intrusive tools.Trust erodes when visibility turns into proof-seeking. Managers say trust is most likely to break down when employees feel they must constantly prove they’re working, expectations change without clear communication, or managers step in too often.Most managers are trying to avoid over-monitoring. Nearly three-quarters say they rely on regular communication, check-ins, or outcome-based expectations rather than primarily using tools to monitor work.Tracking feels better when it is clear, fair, and useful. Managers say employees are more comfortable when leaders explain why information is tracked, give employees visibility into their own progress, allow flexibility, and focus on outcomes. Buddy Punch Employees Mostly See Tracking as Useful or Normal, Not IntrusiveOne of the clearest findings is that employee reactions to work and time tracking are more positive than the broader conversation about “monitoring” might suggest.According to managers, 41% of employees generally see tracking as helpful for staying organized and aligned, while another 39% mostly accept it as part of the job. Taken together, that means 80% of managers say employees either view tracking positively or see it as a normal part of how work gets done.That does not mean employees love being tracked. But it does suggest that, in many workplaces, tracking has become routine enough that it’s not automatically viewed as micromanagement.Only 4% of managers say employees view work or time tracking as unnecessary monitoring. Another 15% say reactions are mixed, with some employees comfortable and others not. In other words, the strongest negative reaction is relatively uncommon, but discomfort still exists for a meaningful minority of teams.Most Managers Hear at Least Some Concern About TrackingStill, broad acceptance does not mean tracking is tension-free. Employees may see tracking as useful or routine overall, while still having concerns about specific tools, expectations, or how the information is used.That tension shows up clearly in the data: Just over half of managers (54%) say employees express concerns or feedback about how their work or time is tracked at least sometimes. This includes 18% who say it happens very often and 36% who say it happens sometimes.That means employee pushback is not constant for most teams, but it’s common enough that managers can’t ignore it.Glassdoor research reinforces why those concerns matter. In a 2023 survey of more than 2,300 U.S. professionals, 41% said employer monitoring of work devices made them feel less productive, and 36% were unsure whether they were being monitored at all.At the same time, nearly half of managers say these concerns come up rarely or never. Specifically, 37% say employees rarely express concerns, while 9% say they never do.Still, the split is important. If 54% of managers are hearing concerns at least sometimes, that suggests employees may be willing to accept tracking as part of the job, but they still have opinions about how it’s done. Buddy Punch Concerns Are Less About Accountability and More About TrustWhen employees do raise concerns about tracking or oversight, the most common issue is feeling micromanaged. Four in 10 managers say this is one of the top concerns employees express.That is followed closely by feeling that they’re not trusted, selected by 33% of managers. For many employees, tracking can start to feel less like a tool for coordination and more like a signal that managers don’t believe work is getting done without proof.The next set of concerns is more practical. Nearly one-third of managers say employees worry that tracking creates extra administrative work (31%), while 30% point to privacy or monitoring concerns. Another 27% say employees are concerned about tools that feel intrusive, such as activity monitoring.Employees may accept tracking when it helps clarify schedules, workloads, or expectations. But when tracking adds work, feels invasive, or seems disconnected from the real substance of the job, it becomes harder to defend.Several concerns also point to a broader problem with how tracking systems are designed and communicated. More than one-quarter of managers say employees worry that tracking does not reflect the actual work they’re doing (27%), that there are too many updates or reporting requirements (27%), or that it’s not clear how tracking data will be used (25%). Another 24% point to inconsistent rules across employees or teams.The pattern is clear: Employees are asking for oversight that feels fair, relevant, transparent, and proportional.Trust Breaks Down When Oversight Starts to Feel Like Proof-SeekingThose concerns point to a bigger trust issue. Employees may be willing to accept accountability, but that acceptance can weaken when tracking starts to feel less like coordination and more like proof-seeking.The biggest trust risk is employees feeling like they constantly have to prove they’re working. More than one-third of managers selected this as one of the top factors most likely to erode trust.Employees may accept visibility when it helps the team stay coordinated. But when visibility turns into a constant need to demonstrate activity, it can send a very different message: We don’t fully trust you unless we can see you.Several of the top responses point to the same issue. Managers say trust is also eroded by changing expectations without clear communication (34%), stepping in too frequently on day-to-day work (34%), and focusing too heavily on time spent rather than outcomes (32%).Together, these findings suggest that employees aren’t only reacting to tracking tools. They’re reacting to the management behaviors around those tools.The next tier of responses reinforces this pattern. Managers point to lack of clear goals or priorities (29%), frequent monitoring of employee activity (28%), lack of transparency about how performance is evaluated (25%), and inconsistent expectations across employees (25%). Requiring detailed reports or constant updates ranks somewhat lower, but still matters, with 22% selecting it as a trust-eroding factor.Microsoft’s research also warns that tracking activity rather than impact can push employees toward “productivity theater,” where people focus on appearing busy instead of doing the work that matters most. Buddy Punch Most Managers Are Trying to Stay Close Without Over-MonitoringWhen managers describe their own approach to balancing accountability and autonomy, the most common strategy is regular communication.Forty-two percent say they rely on communication and check-ins to stay aligned with their team. This suggests many managers are trying to manage visibility through conversation rather than surveillance. Instead of defaulting to tools or activity monitoring, they’re using check-ins to understand progress, clarify expectations, and keep work moving.Another 31% say they focus mostly on results and outcomes rather than monitoring how work is done. This points to a more autonomy-based approach: Employees are held accountable for what they deliver, but given more room to decide how they get there.Together, these two responses account for nearly three-quarters of managers. Most managers aren’t describing their approach as tool-driven or monitoring-heavy. They’re leaning more toward communication, alignment, and outcomes. Buddy Punch Comfort with Tracking Starts with Clarity, Control, and FlexibilityManagers point to a few clear ways to make accountability feel less like oversight and more like support.The top two responses are both about clarity and visibility. Thirty-nine percent of managers say employees feel more comfortable when leaders clearly explain why certain information is tracked. The same share of managers (39%) say it helps when employees have visibility into their own progress or performance.That suggests employees aren’t necessarily opposed to being measured. They’re more likely to accept tracking when they understand its purpose and can use the information themselves, rather than feeling like data is only being collected about them.Flexibility also matters. Thirty-eight percent of managers say employees feel more comfortable when they have flexibility in how they complete their work, and 36% say it helps to focus on outcomes rather than activity monitoring.Employees may be more comfortable with tracking when the system leaves room for judgment, autonomy, and different ways of getting work done.Communication also plays an important role. One-third of managers say discussing expectations openly during one-on-one meetings helps, while 32% point to applying expectations consistently across the team.Twenty-nine percent say employees feel more comfortable when reporting requirements are simple and minimal, and the same share say transparency about how tracking data is used helps.Key TakeawaysTracking itself isn’t automatically the problem. In many workplaces, employees appear to see it as useful or simply part of how work gets done. The bigger issue is how tracking is explained, applied, and used. When it helps people stay organized, aligned, and clear on expectations, it can support the team. When it feels unclear, excessive, inconsistent, or disconnected from the real work, it can quickly start to feel like surveillance.Even when tracking is broadly accepted, managers shouldn’t assume silence means everything is working. More than half of managers say employees raise concerns or feedback about tracking at least sometimes, suggesting that employees may accept accountability while still having opinions about how it’s handled.The most common concerns aren’t about avoiding accountability. They’re about trust, fairness, and relevance. Employees are more likely to push back when tracking feels like micromanagement, mistrust, busywork, privacy intrusion, or a poor reflection of the work they actually do.Trust is easier to maintain when employees know what success looks like, understand how they’re being evaluated, and don’t feel like every hour or action has to be defended. Clear goals, consistent expectations, and an outcome-focused approach can help prevent visibility from turning into proof-seeking.Managers appear to be looking for a middle ground. Most say they rely on communication, check-ins, and outcome-based expectations rather than primarily using tools to monitor work. That suggests many managers are trying to create accountability without removing autonomy.The strongest path forward is making tracking feel clear, fair, useful, and proportionate. Employees are more likely to feel comfortable when they understand why information is tracked, can see their own progress, have flexibility in how they complete their work, and know how tracking data will be used.MethodologyThis survey was conducted with 531 U.S.-based adults aged 18 or older who were employed full time or part time and held roles with direct people management responsibilities. Respondents included business owners, founders, and managers who directly oversaw at least one employee. All respondents were responsible for evaluating employee work progress, productivity, or time management, and interacted with the employees they manage at least once per week. Individuals who did not formally supervise employees or who had no management responsibilities were excluded. Participants worked at organizations with five or more employees and had been in their current role for at least three months. The survey was fielded online from March 11 to March 17, 2026. Results reflect descriptive statistics with no weighting applied.This story was produced by Buddy Punch and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Why niche businesses are growing faster than the mainstream Why niche businesses are growing faster than the mainstreamCategories that didn't exist a few years ago now account for the majority of sales on Shopify—and AI is accelerating the trend.The fastest-growing area of commerce isn't one major category. It's thousands of new ones being created by entrepreneurs.As the barriers to starting a business collapse, people are turning their obsessions into viable businesses by reaching customers with something specific and meaningful. Increasingly, that connection is happening through AI matchmaking.Shopify data shows product categories outside the top 100 now account for nearly 55% of all sales on Shopify—and they're growing faster than the mainstream. Shopify A screenless phone for kids that looks like a tin can. Horse hay nets designed for slower, healthier grazing. Metal pill cases engineered so precisely that one customer wrote, "I am certain I will go to my grave owning this."These are businesses built by people who cared deeply about one specific thing and turned it into a specialized product. “Niche” no longer means “limited.” There’s no ceiling to the success of specificity.The long-tail of commerceCommerce has a shape. A handful of massive product categories (think clothing, electronics, and beauty) dominate the top. That’s the "head." Then there's the long, trailing distribution of thousands of more specific categories. This is the "long tail," a concept Chris Anderson named in 2004 when he predicted the internet would make these markets economically viable.And the tail keeps getting longer. Every year, entrepreneurs create product categories that didn't exist the year before. Entrepreneurs are continually expanding the landscape of commerce, and finding success as they do it.From 2021 to 2025, the number of Shopify stores selling sports trading cards grew more than six times, turning a hobbyist corner of commerce into a more than $500 million industry. Trading cards have been around for decades; what’s new is how much easier it is to build a business around them.One product is enough to startAs Tobi put it, “Shopify represents mostly the catalog of products that people really want rather than the necessities.”Products people really want tend to be specific, and often they're singular. Shopify Forty-one percent of Shopify stores sell a single product at launch, and nearly 54% of new Shopify stores launched in 2025 were in a long-tail category. The majority of new entrepreneurs are starting with one specific thing that matters to a specific group of people.Starting narrow doesn't mean staying narrow. It means the distance between "I have an idea" and "I have a business" has shrunk.AI favors the specialistEntrepreneurs are the biggest beneficiaries of AI. In addition to giving them a powerful Sidekick, AI collapses the distance between someone who makes something extraordinary and the person who's been looking for exactly that. The more specific the product, the better AI gets at making the match. Shopify AI-attributed orders—purchases where the buyer discovered the product through an AI-powered channel—skew heavily toward specialized products. 71% of those orders came from the long tail in 2025.A search engine rewards popularity. An AI agent recommends relevance. When a buyer asks an AI assistant to find the best kite for flying without wind, it doesn't default to the most popular result. It finds the specialist.Commerce as expressionOn a major marketplace, product reviews describe the category. "Great quality." "Keeps me organized." "Good value." The language is functional.On Ikigai Cases, reviews describe a relationship with an object. The weight of the metal. The click of the magnet. The go-to-your-grave-owning-this factor. And why? Because the business was created by two brothers whose dad couldn’t open his pill box easily. So they built him one.That’s what happens when someone creates the exact thing they want to exist in the world, and the exact right person finds it.The long tail has never been longer. If you have an idea that feels too weird for the mainstream, or too small to have legs, the data says you're looking at it backward. The most specific ideas have the most room to grow.MethodologyThis analysis draws on anonymized, aggregated data from Shopify's platform of millions of merchants across 175 countries. Product categories are classified using Shopify's machine learning-based taxonomy system. "Long tail" refers to categories ranked outside the top 100 by gross merchandise volume. “New Shopify store” refers to shops that were created in 2025, with the launch/start period being the first six months since creation. Growth rates reference year-over-year changes. AI-attributed orders are defined as purchases where the buyer's discovery path included an AI-powered channel. All external references are cited inline.This story was produced by Shopify and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Here’s how the Texas secretary of state’s resignation could complicate the midterm elections Here’s how the Texas secretary of state’s resignation could complicate the midterm electionsTexas Secretary of State Jane Nelson’s unexpected departure only a few months before the November midterm election, which includes one of the most hotly contested U.S. Senate races the state has seen in years, has some local election officials and voting rights advocates worrying the transition will complicate their ability to administer a smooth election.“It’s the unknown, the uncertainty that is scary,” said Tandi Smith, the Kaufman County elections administrator. “Are we going to continue to receive guidance? Are we going to be ensured that we’ll be prepared for any coming changes? We just don’t know.”Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, is required by law to appoint a new secretary as soon as possible. His office, in an emailed statement, said the new appointee would be announced “at a later date.”Nelson, who has been the state’s chief election official for more than three years, announced in early June that she’d be stepping down from the role effective July 17. Nelson’s departure will happen just as election officials across the state are preparing in earnest for the November general election. In the summer months, they’ll be recruiting election workers, seeking polling locations, and processing voter registration applications, among other duties.Some voting rights advocates say a new appointee may want to direct local election officials to change election procedures, Votebeat reports, which could lead to chaos and confusion for voters. Although the secretary of state’s office has no law enforcement authority and can’t change the law, it can issue election law opinions on how to implement election and voting rules.“If the new secretary of state has a laundry list of demands that election administrators can’t meet, that’s going to throw our elections into disarray,” said Emily Eby French, policy director at Common Cause Texas. French noted that there were three secretaries of state between 2017 and Nelson’s appointment in 2023, some of whom remained in the role only for about a year before resigning.“I am very concerned that we are going to go back to that period of instability that we were in before Jane Nelson,” she said.In the months leading up to the March primary election, county election officials across the state navigated challenges including a rare mid-decade residistricting cycle and issues with the statewide election management and voter registration system, known as TEAM. The majority of counties in the state rely on the system, which was overhauled last summer by the secretary of state’s office, to manage elections and to maintain voter registration lists.The Texas Association of County Election Officials has twice publicly asked Nelson’s office in the past six months to act and resolve the problems. The secretary of state’s office has said that problems with a new version of the system were expected, especially given that the system handles the data of more than 18 million voter registration records. They’ve also said the situation was aggravated by the unexpected midcycle redistricting and problems with an outside vendor that forced some counties to suddenly add large amounts of data to the state system with little warning.But despite these tensions, state election officials have consistently remained supportive of local election officials through politically tense periods and have maintained a nonpartisan approach when interpreting the law, said Chris McGinn, the executive director of the Texas Association of County Election Officials.The agency has also often promoted the idea that county election officials are the election experts in each of their communities.“There’s a fear that that could change to where the office is dictating how counties should operate with a more political approach,” he said.Others, including some local election officials, are less concerned about top-down interference and say that a leadership transition in the office now won’t affect election officials’ ability to conduct a smooth election in November. That’s because ultimately, the election is handled by local officials in each of the state’s 254 counties.Nelson’s sudden departure “shouldn’t have any noticeable impact on the ability of the election officials in Texas to run free and fair elections,” said Joshua Ferrer, an assistant professor of government at American University. Ferrer has done research on the recent heightened turnover of state and local election officials across the country.“Even when officials leave, the replacements, and the staff that are still there are able to do an equally good job,” Ferrer said.Smith, the Kaufman County elections administrator, said she’d like to see the incoming secretary of state advocate for more funding and resources for county election departments.“Funding is something we’ve talked about for years,” Smith said, recalling when a tornado touched down in the North Texas county during the 2024 primary runoff election and her office had to scramble to ensure polling locations stayed open. “We want to be able to provide secure facilities for our voters and to make sure that there are no delays when there are storms of that nature, but funds are limited.”This story was produced by Votebeat and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	More than headstones: IMEG engineer explains what goes into engineering a national cemetery "When you're faced with a design decision, it's always about what's best for the veterans," Matt Snyder, principal/project executive at IMEG, said of his work engineering national cemeteries.
	OPINION: Nebraskans can hold polluters accountable through federal law A metal gangway leads to the floating pumphouse used to harvest water for Public Wholesale Water Supply District 20 outside Sedan, Kan. A new analysis found agricultural states including Kansas have seen drinking water systems record thousands of instances of elevated nitrate, a potentially dangerous byproduct of farming. (Photo by Kevin Hardy/Stateline)Many Nebraska families depend on private wells and small community systems for drinking, cooking, bathing and raising healthy kids. But for too many of us, that water is poisoned — loaded with nitrates from industrial hog farms’ animal waste. We’ve seen the test results: levels soaring above the EPA’s safe limit of 10 mg/L, sometimes as high as 48 mg/L in hotspots like the Platte and Elkhorn River valleys. Recent statewide sampling by NDEE (2023–2024) found thousands of private wells contaminated, with 15% exceeding 10 mg/L and nearly 40% above the more protective 3 mg/L threshold experts recommend for children. This isn’t just a water problem — it’s a health crisis hitting our kids hardest. Nebraska has the seventh highest pediatric cancer rate in the nation. Watersheds with elevated nitrates show disturbingly higher rates of childhood brain and central nervous system tumors, leukemia and lymphoma. Public health researchers warn that repeated exposure to these contaminants is a known risk factor for these devastating illnesses. Our families shouldn’t have to wonder if the water we give our children is slowly harming them. Nebraska’s hog farms may help feed the nation, but when industrial-scale operations generate enormous volumes of animal waste and over-apply it to fields, or store it in leaky earthen lagoons, it turns into uncontrolled pollution. It’s also these large corporate operations that are making it difficult for small farms to turn a profit, and in many instances, running them out of business altogether. Despite the fact that Gov. Jim Pillen admits that hog farms, including the 78 that his family owns, are the primary culprits, state and local efforts have been voluntary, slow and insufficient; contamination has doubled in many areas over decades, with nitrates still leaching in. Regulators haven’t done their job to stop it. That’s why federal law gives ordinary Nebraskans the power to act. Under the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), citizens can file suit in federal court when industrial pollution is believed to pose an “imminent and substantial endangerment” to public health or the environment. Similar cases against large livestock operations in other states have resulted in court-ordered measures such as: Stopping ongoing contamination at the source; Providing alternative water supplies (bottled water or filtration systems); Groundwater monitoring and aquifer remediation; and Funding for community health protections. These precedents demonstrate that federal courts have required polluters to take concrete action when state-level responses have been limited. That’s why environmental and public health nonprofits, like the Center for Food Safety, are working to address this widespread nitrate contamination; some even provide assistance to affected community members. Clean drinking water is essential for Nebraska families. Understanding the science, the regulatory gaps, and the legal tools available is an important step toward protecting public health in affected communities. Together, we can ensure clean water for future generations of Nebraskans, but we have to act now. Courtesy of Nebraska Examiner
	NJ hospital sets national standard with blood transfusion program University Hospital in Newark operates one of at least six prehospital blood programs in New Jersey and is the only one in the nation to have received accreditation from an international blood-bank safety group. (Photo by New Jersey Monitor)Hours after the New Jersey State Police’s Southstar rescue helicopter in Atlantic County was first equipped with capacity to do blood transfusions in the field, it was dispatched to a nearby motorcycle crash where a rider was losing blood fast. The team arrived in less than nine minutes, according to state officials, and was able to quickly administer blood to the injured rider on scene, long before they could get him to the emergency room. Doctors involved said that fast response probably saved his life. “We’ve known for a while in medicine that what someone who is having severe trauma, who is bleeding to death — what they really need is blood,” said Dr. Timothy Satty, director of emergency services at Newark’s University Hospital. NJ lawmakers approve new protections for transgender and reproductive healthcare The hospital last year launched a prehospital blood program for ambulances it operates in Newark, Orange, and East Orange, and through its partnership with the State Police’s two air rescue units, Southstar and Northstar. The program, one of at least a half dozen in New Jersey, has treated close to 50 patients with prehospital transfusions so far, Satty told the New Jersey Monitor. While data is still being analyzed, it’s clear to him that the practice is helping people who have suffered motor vehicle injuries, knife wounds, gunshots, and other trauma. “We have definitely seen those cases where people are very, very ill, their vital signs are very bad, and then they’re a lot better when they arrive to the trauma center,” said Satty, an assistant professor at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. The program at University Hospital, the state’s only public hospital, announced in June that it is the first field transfusion program in the nation to be accredited by the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies, an international organization that develops blood-bank standards. The designation means the transfusions people get in the field are the same high quality they would receive in a hospital, according to the organization. Dr. Scott Pasichow, part of University Hospital’s emergency services team, said the accreditation also reflects the program’s careful use of blood, a critical healthcare resource that costs hundreds of dollars per bag. University’s prehospital program ensures blood not quickly administered on ambulances or helicopters is returned to the central blood bank for use in the hospital before it expires, the doctors said. Pasichow said initial data suggests that, over the past year, at least 100 other trauma patients would have benefitted from prehospital blood transfusions. He hopes to narrow that gap in the years to come, while protecting the hospital’s supply of this precious and limited resource. “We want to be mindful of using it when it’s critical, when it’s going to save a life, but also not giving somebody blood that doesn’t necessarily need blood,” Pasichow, also a professor at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, told the New Jersey Monitor. Prehospital blood transfusions date back to World War II and continued during military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to John Holcomb, an international trauma expert with the University of Alabama. Sometimes these involved “walking blood banks,” in which a medic used his own blood to resupply a wounded soldier. As more studies documented the benefits of prehospital blood transfusions, the practice became more accepted in civilian life, Holcomb said in a 2023 presentation for the Prehospital Blood Transfusion Coalition, a national advocacy group. Data from 2017 shows prephospital blood use reduced mortality by nearly three-quarters in the first 24 hours and over 50% after a month, he said. “I can think of no other initiative prehospital — tourniquets, hemostatic dressing, anything else – that will have a bigger impact than prehospital whole blood,” Holcomb said at the conference. Today, at least 400 prehospital blood transfusion programs are operating nationwide, according to the coalition. In addition to the University Hospital program, services in New Jersey include programs by Hackensack Meridian Health in Bergen County, RWJ Barnabas in Middlesex, New Jersey EMS in Monmouth, Atlantic Care in Atlantic, and Virtua in Camden, the coalition says. Despite the clear advantages, building University Hospital’s prehospital program took time, money, and regulatory changes to ensure ambulance teams had licensing that allowed them to provide transfusions, and that blood banks could work with mobile responders, Satty said. Dozens of first responders also needed additional training, he said. Rescue vehicles had to be stocked with specialized coolers and monitoring equipment to ensure the lifesaving product is kept very cold and stable, a separate machine to reheat the blood to human body temperature, and a third device to push the blood into the patient quickly to counteract blood loss, doctors said. University Hospital is now essentially covering these costs, but the doctors hope state lawmakers will pass a bipartisan bill that would further formalize prehospital blood initiatives, provide state funding for new programs, and require insurance companies to pay healthcare systems the same amount for an ambulance-based transfusion than they would pay for one in the hospital. Currently, ambulance services are reimbursed at set rates that don’t allow for any itemization, the doctors said. “It’s got to be paid for through the health insurance that pays for all the other parts of care,” Pasichow said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of New Jersey Monitor
	Higher hospital prices mean smaller paychecks and inflated premiums Getty Images.The U.S. is on track to spend $6 trillion on health care this year and $9 trillion by 2034. Health policy experts have long known that high prices are the key drivers of health spending. The late health economist, Uwe Reinhardt, published a paper in 2003 famously titled, “It’s the Prices, Stupid.” The much-circulated paper concluded that the main reason the U.S. spends more on health care than other developed countries is because of exorbitant prices on hospitalizations, drugs, and administrative overhead. The analysis was updated in 2019 with the same conclusion. Higher hospital prices are responsible for inflated premiums and smaller paychecks. Hospital prices have grown faster than virtually any other sector in the economy and are the biggest driver of insurance premiums. And, over the last 25 years, health insurance premiums have grown at nearly triple the pace of U.S. worker earnings. Earnings are simply not keeping up with rising health care prices. Since 2003, hospital prices have escalated primarily due to high consolidation of health care systems. Hospitals are merging with other hospitals and hospitals are acquiring outpatient clinics, giving hospitals more power to negotiate higher reimbursement rates. When hospitals acquire outpatient clinics, hospitals are able to charge more and tack on a facility fee for clinic services. With the ability of hospitals to charge higher reimbursement rates for outpatient services it should be no surprise to learn that hospitals are racing to buy clinics. The number of hospital outpatient visits per 1,000 people increased from 1,853 in 2000 to 2,426 in 2023, a 31% increase. According to studies on health care consolidation reviewed by the U.S. Government Accountability Office at least 47% of physicians were consolidated with hospital systems in 2024, up from 30% in 2012, an increase of 56%. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Hospitals are typically the largest employers in our communities, provide community benefit (though much less than their tax breaks), and save lives. People have significant affection for their local hospital and the dedicated hospital employees. But there must be limits to what some hospitals charge for services and limits on paying excessive executive salaries that leave folks struggling with medical debt. Two in three Americans (67%) believe stopping hospitals from charging excessive prices should be a top priority for the federal government. Unfortunately, progress on this in D.C. has been slow. Congressional activity has focused on hospital reporting and strengthening price transparency rules that have been largely ineffective in reducing medical inflation. One area of promise is the Department of Justice settling antitrust cases concerning anticompetitive hospital contracts. There are opportunities for states to step in to figure out how to make health care more affordable, while at the same time trying to rescue rural and safety-net hospitals. Minnesota legislators interested in tackling health care affordability should reference a new report by North Star Policy Action. It highlights a variety of policies Minnesota and other states may pursue to help address rising health care prices. One option discussed in the report includes using reference-based pricing in the state employee health plan (with hopes that employers will adopt similar reimbursement strategies). Reference-based pricing typically caps reimbursement to providers at a certain percentage of Medicare reimbursement rates, likely 150-200%. Oregon’s cap led to a 25% drop in outpatient facility prices, generating $107.5 million in savings in 27 months. When Montana used reference-based pricing for state employees, it saved approximately $48 million over two years. A second policy option is to ban anti-competitive contracting practices used by hospitals such as anti-tiering, anti-steering, and all-or-nothing bundled contracts. Anti-tiering clauses require insurers to place hospitals into preferred tiers of a health plan product and anti-steering clauses prevent health insurers from directing patients to lower-cost providers. All-or-nothing bundled contracts require insurers to contract with every provider in the system or none of them. When hospital systems become large, insurers have difficulty excluding them from their network. Large hospital systems gain more leverage in setting the terms of the contract with insurers, often force insurers to contract with every provider in their system and demand insurers pay top reimbursement levels. A recent report by the Council of Economic Advisors, a federal agency in the executive branch that advises the president on economic policy, estimates that a ban on anti-competitive practices would reduce hospital and affiliated-physician prices by 18% (averaging $4,100 per inpatient admission) and would reduce employer-sponsored insurance premiums by an estimated 6.5% (premiums savings of $1,800 per family annually and $600 per individual). Other policy options legislators could consider include enacting site-neutral policies, updating corporate practice of medicine laws, creating affordability standards, increasing oversight of health care consolidation and removing hospitals’ non-profit status if they fail to provide sufficient community benefit and pay excessive executive salaries. Responsibility of health care affordability also falls on employers. Employers who provide health insurance coverage to their employees should demand access to data on provider reimbursement levels to address affordability and select efficient providers. Employers need to understand their fiduciary responsibility and leverage their bargaining power to drive down health care prices and hold hospitals accountable. In Indiana, large employers organized and helped Republicans pass legislation capping commercial hospital prices. If a red state like Indiana can regulate health care prices, then it can surely be done in Minnesota. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Minnesota Reformer
	More heat and humidity and higher storm chances An "Extreme Heat Warning" remains in effect until 10 p.m. Thursday for much of the Quad Cities area. Even after that expires, it's still going to stay hot and humid. Showers and storms will become more likely later Thursday all the way through Sunday with severe weather possible. Here's your full 7-day forecast.
	NJ lawmakers approve extra mental health support for schools New Jersey schools would have new tools to help students struggling with mental health issues under legislation passed by state lawmakers Tuesday. Gov. Mikie Sherrill is expected to sign the measure. (Photo by Anne-Marie Caruso/New Jersey Monitor)New Jersey lawmakers approved a plan to strengthen school-based mental health services, connect more districts with behavioral health providers in their communities and, eventually, link them all with a centralized team of psychiatrists. Gov. Mikie Sherrill outlined one aspect of the program in her budget speech in March and is expected to sign the legislation, which passed both houses of the legislature Tuesday with near unanimous support. Her office declined to comment Wednesday. The $60.7 billion budget bill she signed late Tuesday includes $8 million for a new program dubbed the School-Based Partnerships for Access and Resilience, or Spark, which will be launched as a pilot program before expanding to all of New Jersey’s 2,500 schools within the next two years. The plan also has $40 million for NJ4S, the New Jersey Statewide Student Support Services program, a 4-year old initiative that has allowed nearly half the state’s schools to partner with regional mental health organizations that provide school-based counseling, medication and referrals, and help parents navigate the behavioral health system. “The SPARK and NJ4S programs will provide critical resources to address our youth mental health crisis, giving parents, educators, and, most importantly, our children the tools they need to thrive,” Sen. Angela McKnight (D-Hudson) said in a statement following the budget vote. Sherrill had called for eliminating NJ4S — which has vocal critics — in favor of Spark, but school officials and mental health organizations urged her to reconsider. The legislation permits both programs and seeks to knit them together and scale best practices statewide. Morgan Thompson, CEO of Prevention Links, a Union County mental health organization that works in several districts through the NJ4S program, thanked state officials for their commitment to mental health and for adopting an approach that builds on the existing system. “Strengthening partnerships between schools and experienced community-based providers will help create learning environments where students can thrive while ensuring they have access to high-quality behavioral health supports both inside and outside the classroom,” Thompson told the New Jersey Monitor in a text message. “Looking ahead, sustained, long-term investment will be critical so these services are available predictably and reliably in every community, giving schools, families, and providers the stability needed to effectively meet the evolving needs of New Jersey’s young people,” she said. Under the bill, the state Department of Children and Families will work with the Department of Education to create guidelines around Spark and select up to 10 school districts for an 18-month pilot program. The department will also need to select one mental health app that kids in grades K-12 and their parents can use to learn about existing services. Districts in the Spark program will be linked with the DCF’s child psychiatry collaborative, a decade-old partnership that connects mental health professionals with pediatricians, often the first to see children in crisis. The collaborative — which received a separate $12.8 million in state funds, as it has in past years — will provide school-based consultations, referrals, medication management, support for parents, and training and guidance for educators under the pilot. After 18 months, if no major problems are identified in a progress report to be prepared for the governor, the Spark program will expand to all districts statewide, according to the legislation, which allows existing providers to be integrated as it expands. The bill also requires all districts in New Jersey to have either a designated employee to provide school-based mental health services, or an agreement with a healthcare provider in the community, or to be part of NJ4S. Even with the state funding, the statewide rollout could be slowed by behavioral health workforce shortages and the cost to schools, given that school psychologists make close to $100,000 annually, according to a fiscal analysis by non-partisan legislative staff. A second bill calls on DCF to evaluate the child psychiatry collaborative operation, recommend steps to strengthen the behavioral health workforce and expand data collection around children’s mental health services. Hospitals in New Jersey reported treating more than 50,000 pediatric mental health patients annually, but specifics are scarce. The Assembly approved that bill unanimously Tuesday, but it has yet to be posted for a Senate vote and with the Senate not returning until the fall its future is unclear. In addition to codifying Sherrill’s school-mental health vision, the two bills address concerns flagged in a recent report from the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute, which documented how, despite strengths like the psychiatry collaborative, the state’s system is failing kids and frustrating parents. At least 1 in 5 children ages 3 through 17 have been diagnosed with a mental health condition, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some 40% of high school students said they felt hopeless or depressed at some point in the last year, CDC found, and half as many said they seriously considered suicide, while 9% reported attempting to kill themselves. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of New Jersey Monitor
	What Oklahomans should know about the state’s new tick testing law The lone star tick, pictured here, can cause alpha-gal syndrome. (Centers For Disease Control and Prevention)Summertime in Oklahoma is ripe for outdoor activities like barbecuing, fishing, hiking and camping. But there’s something lurking in the grass that could ruin all the fun: ticks. Fortunately, a new law in Oklahoma could make it easier to test and track a dangerous tick-borne illness. Ticks commonly carry bacteria and pathogens that can infect humans through bites. While you may have heard of tick-borne diseases like Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, there’s an increasingly common illness you may not have heard of: Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS). Alpha-gal Syndrome is commonly called the red meat allergy because some infected individuals experience allergic symptoms after consuming red meat, animal byproducts like dairy and certain medications. It is a potentially life-threatening condition that can develop after the bite of certain ticks, most notably the Lone Star Tick, an aggressive tick prevalent in Oklahoma, Texas and the southeast United States. The syndrome is caused by the alpha-gal molecule found in the saliva of some ticks and in most mammals, but not in humans. When a tick bite transfers alpha-gal to a human’s blood, it can trigger the body’s immune system to produce a response akin to an allergic reaction. Symptoms can take hours to develop and can range from mild hives to severe allergic reactions that require emergency treatment. The best way to prevent the development of AGS is through tick prevention: avoid high grass and brushy areas, use EPA-registered insect repellents and treat clothing and gear with permethrin. Be sure to shower soon after being outdoors and check your clothing and body thoroughly for ticks. In my more than 20 years practicing dermatology in Oklahoma, I have seen a notable increase in patients developing tick-borne illnesses, including AGS. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, upward of 110,000 suspected cases of AGS were identified between 2010 and 2022, though researchers believe more than 450,000 people in the U.S. may be living with the condition. Now, Oklahoma is taking measures to increase the accuracy of AGS reporting and tracking. Thanks to a new law, Oklahoma will add Alpha-gal Syndrome to the Oklahoma State Department of Health’s list of reportable diseases and conditions. Senate Bill 1644 requires health care providers and labs to report suspected cases of AGS to the state. The law will take effect Nov. 1. The law will give public health officials a clearer understanding of how widespread the condition is across the state and help inform the public through prevention and awareness measures. When emerging diseases like AGS are monitored and reported, physicians can better care for patients, and individuals can make informed decisions related to their level of risk. Accurate disease tracking and transparent reporting helps everyone: state health officials, physicians and local health professionals. Oklahoma families can better protect themselves and their communities from the unnecessary spread of illness. The addition of Alpha-gal Syndrome to Oklahoma’s reportable disease list is an important step to providing Oklahomans with more accurate information about the risks in their area, and help take the bite out of this serious disease. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Oklahoma Voice
	Judge extends order blocking Tennessee officials from reporting sick, disabled immigrant children A Davidson County Chancery Court judge on Wednesday extended her order temporarily blocking the state rom reporting sick and disabled immigrant children in a public healthcare program to a state immigration enforcement office. Pictured: the Nashville Courthouse. (Photo: John Partipilo)A Nashville judge on Wednesday extended an order from last week that blocks Tennessee health officials from reporting 400 immigrant children with disabilities and chronic illnesses, enrolled in a safety-net health program, to a state immigration enforcement office. Chancellor Patricia Head Moskal set a July 10 deadline for attorneys to come to an agreement on the terms of a more long-term injunction that would prevent state leaders from implementing the new reporting policy while a legal challenge continues. The challenge was brought by three Tennessee doctors who treat children enrolled in Children’s Special Services, a program jointly funded by the state and federal government to provide health care to low-income children with disabilities, chronic and life-threatening illnesses who lack insurance or have healthcare needs that exceed what insurance pays for. The doctors, represented by the public interest law firm, Tennessee Justice Center, argued the health department’s immigration reporting mandate poses grave harm to their young patients, who could suffer declining health and even death if their care is interrupted. Judge issues restraining order in doctors’ challenge to TN plan to report disabled immigrant kids The doctors said their patients include children who suffer from epilepsy, congenital heart disease requiring surgery, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and leukemia. Their patients include children who rely on feeding tubes and ventilators currently paid for by the program. The lawsuit also argues that state health officials are misinterpreting a new state immigration-reporting law to apply to children, instead of only adults. And, they argue, the Tennessee reporting policy is preempted by federal funding rules and is contrary to the “public good.” The health department has not responded to questions about its plans to report children. In a statement issued last month, a spokesperson for Gov. Bill Lee said: “Tennessee is required to administer the Children’s Special Services Program in accordance with applicable federal requirements and state law.” Advocates for critically ill kids urge Lee to intervene before deadline to report immigration status More than 4,600 children are enrolled in Children’s Special Services statewide — about 400 of whom do not have permanent legal immigration status, according to the Tennessee Department of Health’s communications with lawmakers. Earlier this month, John Dunn, the health department’s interim chief, informed parents that identifying information about their child would be handed over to the Tennessee Centralized Immigration Enforcement Division as a condition of continuing to receive healthcare through the program. The letter told parents the reporting of their children would begin after June 30 — a deadline that is no longer in place after the court’s order. Dunn’s letter to parents cited a new state law, set to take effect July 1, that requires a range of state and local departments to verify immigration status and report immigrants without permanent status to the Centralized Immigration Enforcement Division. The initial paragraphs of the legislation reference reporting of individuals 18 and over. The legislation makes no mention of what the immigration enforcement division will ultimately do with the reports. Established last year by Republican lawmakers, the division’s mission statement says its priorities include “overseeing state and local collaboration with federal immigration agencies.” Tennessee health department warns parents their children will be reported to immigration officials The reporting requirement has sparked fear among families that they may be subject to detention and deportation if their child continues in the program, potentially disrupting their child’s access to healthcare. But children who are withdrawn from the program by fearful parents have few alternatives and, in many instances, risk serious health complications if ongoing treatment is interrupted, healthcare providers have said. In the weeks since the notices went out, public health and nonprofit healthcare providers have scrambled to find alternatives, such as ventilators for families who opt out of the program. There are limited options — Children’s Special Services is a program of last resort, public health officials noted. Michele Johnson, executive director of the Tennessee Justice Center, said Wednesday that she was “encouraged” the reporting requirement remains temporarily blocked. “Every day these protections remain in place is another day families can focus on caring for their children instead of worrying that seeking essential medical services could put them at risk,” a statement by Johnson said. “Our focus remains on protecting access to essential healthcare services for these children with serious medical needs.” SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Courtesy of Tennessee Lookout
	Summer food program for West Tennessee kids could distribute twice as many meals this year The Southwest Human Resource Agency distributed roughly 630,000 meals to children in 17 counties in West Tennessee over the summer in 2025. This year, the agency's Summer Nutrition Program is serving around 20 counties, and reached the 630,000-meal mark just five weeks in. (USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.)A program providing meals to children in West Tennessee during summer months is on track to deliver roughly double the number of meals it distributed last year. The Southwest Human Resource Agency’s Summer Nutrition Program provides boxes stocked with seven days of breakfast and lunch for children under the age of 18 in about 20 counties. The service starts in May and ends a week before school begins, typically in August. The program is funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service and the Tennessee Department of Human Services. In the program’s first five weeks this year, the agency distributed roughly 630,000 meals — equivalent to the total for the entire summer in 2025. Director of Food Services Solutions Tony Torres said the program is serving Obion, Weakley, Tipton and Crockett counties for the first time this year. Boxes are distributed at “grab-and-go” sites within each county, and the program offers home delivery in some counties. “Home delivery was something that I was really passionate about … I knew that every family that signed up, those children were going to get food every week,” Torres said, explaining that timing and transportation can sometimes be an issue for families. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. But expanding home delivery options has proved to be challenging, particularly in more rural areas. In late June, the agency sent out an email stating that it would no longer offer home delivery in Tipton County. “I couldn’t get enough drivers,” Torres explained. The limited number of drivers who could deliver meals ended up working unsustainably long hours. “There’s a lot of obstacles that we need to overcome,” he said. Homes might not have a suitable place for drivers to leave the box of food, where it won’t be affected by weather or insects, for example. “What I tried to maintain was the grab-and-go (model) in different sites where we couldn’t do the home delivery,” Torres said. In rebuke to Gov. Bill Lee, Tennessee Republicans fight to restore summer food program for kids Families that sign up to receive food are notified of pickup locations by email each week. If a household can’t make it, they can arrange for someone else to pick up their box for them. Torres said the agency tries to work with people who don’t have access to transportation to ensure they receive food. Home deliveries have worked in Dyer, Weakley and Fayette counties, where drivers are able to make their stops within normal working hours. The Southwest Human Resource Agency distributed 182 boxes of food at a Tractor Supply store in Tipton County on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon. On Thursday, Torres estimates the agency will distribute boxes to close to 1,000 children in Weakley County. On Saturdays, about 2,200 boxes of food are picked up from grab-and-go locations in Savannah, Lexington, Chester County and the Tennessee Agriculture Center in Madison County. Torres said he’s the first to try having his own staff make home deliveries in the state. With more support from the state and other sponsors, Torres said it’s possible to work with a company like Amazon to handle home distribution. For now, the agency is sticking to what works: grab-and-go distribution for most, and home delivery where it makes sense. “It’s disappointing sometimes to hear people complain when we’re trying our hardest to get it right,” Torres said. “There are obstacles that come with everything.” SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Tennessee Lookout
	Bill introduced in Congress to increase black lung benefit stipends for coal miners in WV, beyond X-rays of a patient with black lung disease. (National Archives at College Park photo)Members of the U.S. House of Representatives introduced a bill this week that, if made law, would increase black lung disability payments for coal miners and their families and tie the stipends to inflation rates moving forward. Despite the outsized impact black lung has had on miners in West Virginia, neither of the state’s U.S. Representatives — Carol Miller, R-W.Va., or Riley Moore, R-W.Va. — are signed on as sponsors of the Support Our Miners Act. The bill is instead sponsored by three members of Congress who represent other coal-producing states: Reps. Summer Lee, D-Pa., Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., and Morgan McGarvey, D-Ky. To date, former Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., remains the only member of Congress from West Virginia to sponsor legislation to increase black lung benefit stipends. From 2015 until his retirement in 2024, Manchin — often alongside senators from Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia — sponsored and introduced legislation to improve black lung benefits at least five separate times. The Black Lung Benefits Act was first passed by Congress in 1972, while the federal Black Lung Program was established in 1970. In the almost 55 years since the program was implemented, benefits have seen infrequent increases that have not kept pace with inflation. Today, that means thousands of coal miners debilitated by black lung in West Virginia and beyond are living off stipends below the federal poverty rate and far lower than they previously received through their salaries. “I spent nearly three decades underground mining coal to keep this country’s lights on, only to be diagnosed with black lung before I turned 50. It stole my ability to work and provide for my family,” said Gary Hairston, a Raleigh County resident who serves as president of the National Black Lung Association. “Over time, the monthly disability benefit has paid for less and less of my expenses. I’m glad that members of Congress are fighting to raise the monthly levels, and I hope that the Trump administration shows it cares about miners by implementing silica protections.” If passed by Congress, the Support Our Miners Act would bring the monthly benefit stipends in line with more than 50 years of inflation and tie it to the inflation rate moving forward. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 20% of coal miners in Central Appalachia are suffering from black lung — the highest rate detected in more than 25 years. One in 20 of the region’s coal miners are living with the most severe form of the condition. According to data from the U.S. Department of Labor, coal miners in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Kentucky have, historically, filed the highest number of claims for black lung benefits. As of last year, Pennsylvanians have filed 143,000 claims while West Virginians have filed 140,000 and Kentuckians have filed about 128,000. About 4,070 primary beneficiaries in West Virginia are currently receiving benefits. The state is only outpaced by Kentucky, where about 4,700 coal miners receive them. Those statistics do not account for the dependents of the coal miners, including surviving spouses or children who qualify to receive the payments after primary beneficiaries die. Vonda Robinson, vice president of the National Black Lung Association, said in a news release that the benefits became “a lifeline” for her family after her husband was no longer able to work in the mines due to black lung. But over the years, inflation has meant the stipend is “less than it used to be.” “Things like car and home repairs are stretching the benefit thinner. My husband used to be able to do much of the work around the house himself, but with black lung disease and his oxygen tank, he has trouble doing the things he used to do,” Robinson said. “Raising the monthly benefit is necessary to help families like mine and others in coal communities survive. But the federal government also needs to stop black lung from happening in the first place.” Rebecca Shelton, the director of policy at the Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center, said the current benefit distribution system has been “long outdated.” Rates for the stipend are currently set at 37.5% of the base salary for an entry-level federal government position, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Based on that rate, a single black lung beneficiary currently receiving the stipend gets $793.60 per month. Those with one dependent receive $1,190.30 and the stipend increases by nearly $199 a month per dependent, capped at $1,587.10 for those with three or more dependents. When the black lung benefits were first dispersed in December 1969, primary recipients received $144.50 per month. Adjusted for inflation, that would total $1,284.49 in May 2026 dollars. According to research from the Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center, the current stipend for one beneficiary and a single dependent can be more than $3,000 below the cost of living in several communities with a high number of coal miners and those affected by black lung. The attempt to increase the black lung benefit stipend comes as black lung rates are on the incline and while efforts to implement protections that could keep miners from developing the disease have stalled federally. A federal rule that would have limited the allowable exposure limits for silica dust in coal mines for the first time ever was initially set to go into effect in 2025. Then, under the Trump administration, it was pushed back to August 2025. That month, it was pushed again to October. And in October, it was delayed yet again. In April, federal regulators indefinitely delayed the rule, leaving advocates who serve those with black lung worried about the real consequences the lack of intervention will have for coal miners who are suffering from symptoms of the incurable disease at younger ages than ever before. “We’ve allowed miners to be overexposed to dust, become sick and then offer them a benefits system that will not adequately support them and their families,” Shelton said. “We are so grateful for the leadership from Reps. Lee, McGarvey and Deluzio in introducing the Support Our Miners Act, which will increase monthly black lung disability benefits for miners, bringing the value of black lung benefits back up to the standard intended by Congress when it passed the Black Lung Benefits Act in 1972.” SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of West Virginia Watch
	Flood Crest This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.Tornados, earthquakes, and lightning have this in common: they come quick without warning, like cats pouncing on mice.…
	Going outside in this heat? Follow these guidelines to stay safe Man, it's a hot one! Don't go out in this summer's heat wave before you arm yourself with these tips and a really big water bottle.
	The albums and songs of 2026 that we love the most (so far) As the year reaches its mid-point, we have answers to a question more pressing than what to wear to the cookout or how early should we arrive at the fireworks show: What should I listen to?
	Federal civil rights data holds schools accountable. Under Trump, it's 6 months late The Education Department has long collected civil rights data about things like bullying, harassment and disability services in schools, but it hasn't made the latest information public.
	Vatican declares Society of St. Pius X in schism, excommunicates bishops The Vatican responded Thursday to a traditionalist society that consecrated bishops without the pope's consent, declaring the Society of St. Pius X in schism and excommunicating its bishops and priests.
	Extreme Heat Warning until THU 10:00 PM CDT Extreme Heat Warning in Effect Until 10 PM CDT: High Heat Index Values
	Parasitic illness cases are spiking: The symptoms to watch for While cases are common this time of year, the number of cases is causing concern.
	U.S. and Iran hold separate meetings in Qatar and agree to continue discussions U.S. and Iranian negotiators met separately on Wednesday with Qatari and Pakistani mediators, with "positive progress made," and they agreed to continue discussions, host Qatar said.
	Russian missiles and drones kill 11 and cause damage across Ukraine capital The large-scale attack with ballistic and cruise missiles and drones damaged buildings and civilian infrastructure across the city. Many residents took shelter at metro stations.
Wednesday, July 1st, 2026
	Sleep Better This Summer with Breathable Bedding (Feature Impact) If warm summer temperatures have you tossing and turning at night, you aren’t alone. Heat is a common culprit behind seasonal insomnia and can make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. When the body struggles to cool down properly, it may lead to restlessness, night sweats, and disrupted sleep patterns. Watch this video to learn more Before you reach for the thermostat, though, take some time to examine your bedroom setup. Switching to breathable bedding, like Bedsure PureWoven Bamboo Sheets, can help your body regulate its temperature better overnight. Made with bamboo-derived fibers, the sets include sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers, and comforters designed to keep you cool and comfortable while you sleep. The bamboo viscose material is moisture-wicking and smooth, and you can choose from a variety of colors to match your decor. In addition to choosing bedding made with soft, breathable materials like viscose derived bamboo sheets bamboo, try using fans to promote better airflow in your bedroom. You can also improve your overall sleep quality by winding down with soft, dim lighting as you prepare for bed, and using blackout curtains to keep your space dark overnight. Making simple swaps in your sleep environment can help you stay well-rested throughout the summer. Learn more at bedsurehome.com or search “Bedsure PureWoven Bamboo Sheets” on Amazon.
	July 4th fireworks: What to know about wildfire risk With wildfires raging across the Western U.S., cities and states are restricting fireworks just as the nation gears up for one of its biggest Fourth of July celebrations in decades.
	Davenport opens DREAM applications for homeowners and businesses around Rockingham Road Davenport is accepting applications through July 31 for new rounds of its DREAM and Commercial DREAM grant programs for homes and businesses.
	Fire destroys Hampton home on Wednesday, no injuries reported A fire destroyed a home in Hampton, Illinois, on Wednesday. No one was injured.
	Galesburg residents encouraged to stay cool as heat climbs With hot temperatures this week, the City of Galesburg is providing cooling centers for residents. Plus, how one family is beating the heat.
	Extreme Heat Warning until THU 10:00 PM CDT Extreme Heat Warning in Effect Until 10 PM CDT Thursday
	QC teen caddie could win $100,000 scholarship A QC teen could win the prestigious Chick Evans scholarship worth over $100,000.
	2 Bettendorf Catholic parishes unite Members of the parish shared their excitement for the change and said the collaboration will bring opportunities in Catholic education as well as bringing people closer together as they more forward in faith.
	QC teen caddy could win $100,000 scholarship A QC teen could win the prestigious Chick Evans scholarship worth over $100,000.
	Davenport crews respond to water main break Crews in Davenport responded to a water main break.
	Quad City Arts interim executive director resigns amid police investigation Quad City Arts sought the resignation of its interim executive director after a video circulated online. Police say the investigation remains ongoing.
	Muscatine announces July 4 road closures It's an Our Quad Cities News traffic alert. The City of Muscatine announced parking and traffic restrictions in Downtown Muscatine to ensure the safety of participants, spectators and visitors during Independence Day activities. According to a release: The annual Fourth of July Parade begins at 4:00 p.m. Traffic restrictions take effect at 2:00 p.m. Residents [...]
	Colona church to open pantry for baby supplies A church in the QCA is operating a baby pantry to help anyone in need of baby supplies. Grace Community Church of The Nazarene will open the pantry Saturday, July 18 from 10:00 a.m. until noon. The pantry will give away baby-related items like diapers, toys, car seats and clothes. The church is accepting baby [...]
	Strong at Every Age: How Women Can Help Combat Muscle Loss (Feature Impact) Aging is inevitable, but losing muscle and mobility doesn’t have to be. For many women, maintaining strength, independence, energy and mobility are top priorities as they get older, particularly as they deal with the mental and physical responsibilities that come with working, caregiving, keeping up with friends, hobbies and enjoying an active lifestyle. In fact, 58% of women in the United States are actively focused on staying healthy as they age, according to a recent survey commissioned by Viactiv, a line of award-winning supplements for women known for their unique formats and flavors. However, 73% of respondents weren’t aware of sarcopenia, or age-related muscle loss. According to the “International Journal of Women’s Health,” age-related muscle loss often begins between ages 30-35, with women losing 3-8% of their muscle mass per decade and increasing to 5-10% loss per decade after age 60. Hormonal changes, decreased activity levels, stress, poor sleep and inadequate nutrition can all contribute to the decline in muscle, which can also negatively impact balance, bone health, metabolism, posture and everyday mobility. Yet, despite 70% of women reporting some level of concern about muscle loss, 54% are unsure how to protect their muscle health. “Women want to stay strong, active and independent as they age, but many are getting mixed messages about what actually supports long-term muscle health,” said Dr. Tania Elliott, a dual board-certified physician in internal medicine. “A lot of women are already making healthy choices like walking and staying active, which is a great start. However, maintaining muscle health really requires a more complete approach, and one that starts earlier than most women think, which is in your 30s.” Prioritize Strength Training Many women report barriers such as lack of time (15%), feeling overwhelmed (23%) or simply not enjoying exercise (23%). The key is finding realistic, sustainable habits. While walking and cardio exercise aid in heart health, which 58% of survey respondents report already engaging in, strength training is one of the most effective ways to preserve and build muscle as you age. Still, just 34% of women report doing strength or resistance training. You don’t need an intense fitness regimen to support healthy aging. Aiming for at least two strength-focused workouts a week – lifting weights, using resistance bands, practicing weight-bearing yoga or doing bodyweight exercises like squats and pushups – that target major muscle groups can help maintain muscle health. The goal is to fatigue your muscles during sets so they build. Fuel Muscles with Proper Nutrition Exercise is only part of the equation. Muscles also need proper nutrition to recover and stay strong. Protein plays a critical role in maintaining muscle mass, especially as women age. Incorporating high-quality protein throughout the day, such as eggs, Greek yogurt, fish, lean meats, beans, lentils, nuts and seeds, may help support muscle repair and overall strength. Support Healthy Aging with Supplements In addition to a balanced diet and exercise, some women may consider supplements that support healthy aging and energy production, including CoQ10, which is a naturally occurring antioxidant that helps cells produce energy. According to research published in “The Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging,” because muscles require significant energy to function, CoQ10 shows potential for managing sarcopenia by improving mitochondrial function and reducing oxidative stress. An option like Viactiv CoQ10 Cardio Complete, available in a tasty fruit-flavored chew, can help support heart health, muscles, nerve function and daily energy. Enhanced with vitamins D3 and K2, it provides daily essential nutrition for women without the need to swallow a large pill. Practice Healthy Habits Muscle health is influenced by more than workouts. Sleep, stress management and daily movement all play important roles. Adopting some simple habits, including prioritizing quality sleep, stretching regularly, staying properly hydrated, reducing sedentary time throughout the day and practicing stress-management techniques, like yoga, meditation or deep breathing, can help aid in healthy aging, including maintaining muscle. The earlier women begin prioritizing muscle health, the better positioned they may be to maintain strength and mobility as they age. Visit Viactiv.com for more information and resources to help combat muscle loss.
	University of Illinois men’s basketball head coach tees off in John Deere Classic Pro-Am Some famous faces made it to the course including Illinois head basketball coach Brad Underwood.
	Spring Forward QCA keeps kids learning and cool during summer heat The summer program helps elementary students stay engaged while school is out, with free enrichment programs and activities. Here's how they're beating the heat.
	Youth Day at the John Deere Classic brings families together Read what parents and kids at the John Deere Classic’s Youth Day had to say about the event, golf and family.
	Crews respond to house fire in Hampton, Illinois A News 8 photojournalist arrived on the scene of a fire on the 600 block of Second Avenue in Hampton around 5 p.m.
	Kids take over the John Deere Classic The main events of the 55th John Deere Classic get underway on Thursday, and on Wednesday kids and the Savannah Bananas stole the show before Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler and more hit the stage this weekend. "I've been coming here since I was a little kid, like his age, even my newborn son's age," said [...]
	Iowa raises speed limit on some state highways, but DOT warns of safety concerns Iowa’s speed limit on some state highways is increasing from 55 to 60 miles per hour starting in July, but the Iowa Department of Transportation said not all roads are ready for the change.
	Health experts urge hydration and heat‑safety precautions as summer temperatures rise University of Iowa Health Care Health urges residents to stay hydrated, limit peak‑hour sun exposure and watch for early symptoms of heat illness as temperatures climb this summer.
	State health dept. confirms U.S. cuts for pregnancy prevention, seeks other funding The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is looking for ways to replace federal funds that have been cut for pregnancy prevention programs in the state. (Getty Images)More than a dozen Wisconsin organizations are affected by the Trump administration’s move last week to cut grants for teen pregnancy prevention programs, Wisconsin’s health department confirmed Wednesday. The programs were expecting to share in almost $1 million per year over the next two years — the remaining period in the five-year grants that were cut off abruptly by the federal government in June. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which has administered the Teen Pregnancy Prevention grant program in the Office of Population Affairs through several presidential administrations, notified 53 out of 67 grant recipients on Friday, June 26, that their grants were being canceled, Stateline reported. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services was among the agencies with canceled grants. DHS was just finishing the third year of a five-year grant period. The DHS grant totaled $1.162 million per year, and the department was expecting a similar amount for the next two fiscal years, 2026-27 and 2027-28. Most of the DHS grant — $986,375 — was distributed as subgrants to local or statewide organizations and agencies. Another $175,530 was set aside for DHS to cover grant administration costs. “All Wisconsin funding was cancelled,” DHS spokesperson Elizabeth Goodsit told the Wisconsin Examiner in an email message Wednesday. DHS is exploring whether the department can get funding elsewhere to replace the grants the federal government canceled, and DHS is “assessing all avenues possible to ensure the federal government is following all requirements in this funding agreement,” Goodsit said. Goodsit said the DHS teen pregnancy prevention program aimed to reduce unintended pregnancies as well as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among teenagers. Sexual health data demonstrates a need for those programs, she said. According to CDC data, the teen birth rate in Wisconsin in 2024 was about 10 per 1,000 girls, with the rate dropping steadily in recent decades from a high of nearly 45 births per 1,000 girls in 1991. “The overall rate is below the national average, but there are several counties with high rates,” Goodsit said. “We know the birth rates for Hispanic, American Indian/Alaska Native, and non-Hispanic Black teens were more than two times higher than the rate for non-Hispanic White teens.” Across all racial groups, the STI rate is 1,979 per 100,000, but rates for Black, Native American, and Hispanic youth are especially high, Goodsit said. Teen pregnancy prevention cuts hit Wisconsin program connecting health providers and teens The grants DHS made with the federal money supported programs for teens “in a variety of settings including clinics, schools, community-based organizations, juvenile justice settings, and shelters — with the goal of decreasing unintended youth pregnancy rates, reducing STI rates among Wisconsin adolescents, and increasing the number/percent of youth who feel connected to their community and have access to youth-friendly services and resources,” Goodsit said. The 13 grants went to nonprofit education programs, three county public health departments, one public school district, the Department of Public Instruction and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. Individual agency grants ranged from $7,500 per year to $130,375 per year. “They are focused on populations with the highest teen birth rates and highest STI rates,” Goodsit said. “Along with youth programming, organizations were also focused on family/parent/caregiver programming and engagement.” From July 1, 2025 through May 31, 2026, the Wisconsin organizations reached 942 youth participants and 17 non-youth participants. “But without this grant funding, these activities will stop,” Goodsit said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Courtesy of Wisconsin Examiner
	Fire destroys house in Hampton A fire destroyed a house in Hampton. Firefighters were called to the home on 2nd Ave. July 1 around 5:00 p.m. There's no word of any injuries or how it started.
	A look inside the plans for Raphael’s Emporium The City of Davenport has received a state grant to help redevelop a long-vacant historic building in the Hilltop Campus Village, with plans to create new commercial space and future housing.
	Bettendorf's school superintendent leaves district Bettendorf's superintendent has left her role and the district. According to a release from the Bettendorf Community School District, Michelle Morse's departure is effective July 1: We are grateful for Dr. Morse's six years of dedicated service to our students, staff, families and community. Her leadership and commitment to the district have made a lasting [...]
	No, your drinking water isn’t contaminated by abortion pills Mifepristone is one part of a two-drug regimen commonly used to terminate a pregnancy before 10 weeks and for miscarriage treatment. (Photo by Natalie Behring/Getty Images) This story was originally reported by Jenae Barnes, Climate Reporter of The 19th. Meet Jenae and read more of their reporting on gender, politics and policy. Anti-abortion advocates, including Republican lawmakers and state officials, want the EPA to review mifepristone as a water contaminant. Scientists say there’s no evidence it harms the environment or people. While there is no scientific evidence that abortion medication is contaminating Americans’ water supply, it has nonetheless become a central claim by the anti-abortion movement. Activists, Instagram influencers and Republican Party officials — including state and federal lawmakers — are doubling down on what experts describe as a disinformation campaign that mixes environmental policy and reproductive rights, and risks exploiting legitimate concerns about clean water. “What if I were to tell you that every time you fill up a glass of water at your kitchen sink from the tap, you were actually drinking someone else’s abortion,” influencer Isabel Brown wrote in an Instagram post in May. In the accompanying video, the Gen Z conservative content creator, who has more than 1 million followers on her platform, talks to Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America, a national anti-abortion organization, and contends that anti-abortion medication is “poisoning” the water. The claim isn’t new. For decades, anti-abortion advocates have argued that abortion medications, primarily mifepristone, pollute the environment and put pregnant people’s health at risk. But the argument has now become part of a widespread and often coordinated effort to create federal and state policy that further suppresses abortion access. On June 5, 14 Republican state attorneys general and 19 GOP lawmakers in Congress urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to classify and regulate mifepristone as a water contaminant. In two concurrent letters, officials argued that the abortion medication, part of a safe and effective two-drug regimen to terminate pregnancies, is “a growing threat to the country’s waterways” and violates the Safe Drinking Water Act. Alaska attorney general among those urging EPA to classify mifepristone as water contaminant One letter was signed by attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas. The other letter, led by Republican Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey, made similar claims and was signed by 18 other GOP lawmakers. Environmental health experts have consistently said there is no scientific evidence that abortion medication causes harm to the environment — or to humans. Both reproductive rights advocates and environmental scientists have said that the argument co-opts environmental policy as a pathway to weaponize and stigmatize health care. “This is really part of a broader effort to restrict access to medication abortion,” said Anna Bernstein, principal federal policy adviser at the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports reproductive rights. She said anti-abortion activists are increasingly turning to “every lever they can” as medication abortion has become the largest share of abortion care nationwide. Medication abortion accounted for 63 percent of all abortions in the United States in 2023, according to Guttmacher Institute data. Does oral abortion medication really end up in drinking water? Anti-abortion advocates contend that over 50 tons of medical waste “including blood, placental tissue, and human remains” are flushed into water systems each year as a result of these drugs. They argue high concentration of the elements of mifepristone in water, specifically a hormone called progesterone, disrupts and reduces fertility in women. They also say that previous results of federal testing of mifepristone’s environmental impact are outdated. Environmental health experts dismiss these claims. These experts consistently point out that there is no scientific basis for treating mifepristone or other abortion medication as a water contaminant. Nathan Donley, the environmental health science director at the Center for Biological Diversity, pointed out that mifepristone is used by a small fraction of the population and is typically taken as a one-time dose. By comparison, many pharmaceuticals taken daily by tens of millions of Americans enter wastewater systems in far greater quantities. He also noted that mifepristone was not included among nearly 700 pharmaceutical compounds the EPA previously screened for potential water contamination concerns. Instead, Donley described the effort as an attempt to use environmental concerns as a pretext for limiting reproductive rights. He noted that while proponents are seeking to add mifepristone to the EPA’s 6th Contaminant Candidate List (CCL6), a preliminary list of substances that could potentially be considered for future drinking water regulation, placement on the list would not itself regulate the drug but could begin a lengthy review process. Donley added that focusing on mifepristone distracts from well-documented water quality threats, including PFAS — known as forever chemicals — pesticides, lead and nitrate contamination. “There are legitimate water quality threats that we need to attack and rectify in a regulatory manner. And then there are things that are out in the left field that just distract people,” Donley said. Where did this argument come from and why is it gaining traction again now? In 1996, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tested for the environmental effects of mifepristone and found “no significant impact.” In the June letter, lawmakers cite the FDA study, and urge “reconsideration” of potential harm to the environment. Since the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization eliminated the federal constitutional right to abortion, opponents have increasingly focused on limiting access to abortion medication and prescribing it through telehealth, which has become a critical pathway for people living in states with abortion bans. But anti-abortion groups have ramped up efforts during the second Trump administration to advocate for the official classification of mifepristone as a water contaminant. Last November, Students for Life of America (SFLA), a national anti-abortion group, met with the EPA to advocate for adding mifepristone to the CCL6 as the agency carried out a routine update to a separate list of health benchmarks for pharmaceuticals that must be tracked in drinking water. The coordinated letters in June were timed toward the EPA’s 60-day comment period, which began in April and allowed members of the public to submit their thoughts on draft proposals to be reviewed by the agency. “SFLA asks that mifepristone be tracked, given the reasonable cause for concern that regular and ongoing exposure to a progesterone blocker is impacting public health, endangered species, and the environment,” the anti-abortion group said in a statement on their website, adding that the group plans to take on the issue in every state. “You don’t have to be pro-life to want clean drinking water. You don’t have to be pro-life to be concerned that we are being ‘microdosed’ by progesterone blockers, which are a factor in rising infertility.” The SFLA said it collected over 1,700 public comments to send to the EPA, and helped spearhead the 14-state campaign of letters from attorneys general to the EPA ahead of its public comment period for the CCL6. The draft for the CCL6 received nearly 22,000 public comments before closing on June 5, public records show. How are lawmakers trying to change environmental abortion policies? In 2025, anti-abortion policymakers introduced nine bills in seven states tying medication abortion to water pollution, according to the Guttmacher Institute. That same year, 25 members of Congress sent a similar letter asking the EPA to monitor for environmental harms of mifepristone. This March, U.S. Rep Mary Miller, a Republican from Illinois, introduced a Clean Water for All Life Act, citing similar claims of environmental degradation from abortion medication. According to Bernstein and Guttmacher state policy adviser Kimya Forouzan, some proposals would require state agencies to test wastewater for abortion medications. Others would require patients to use so-called “catch kits” and medical waste bags to collect and return pregnancy tissue after taking abortion medication. Some bills would create liability for drug manufacturers if abortion medications were detected in wastewater. While the bills vary, abortion rights advocates say they share a common goal: creating additional barriers to medication abortion access. “The CCL is one part of a broad regulatory process. This draft list is then used to inform another list, which determines which contaminants are monitored and regulated, but the surveillance really does happen at a municipality and then state level,” Bernstein said, adding: “So this would be setting federal benchmarks for localities to monitor in their wastewater.” To date, neither President Donald Trump nor EPA chief Lee Zeldin have explicitly spoken to any health risks of mifepristone in water. But the president and leading administration officials’ decision to stay silent on the issue may increase pressure from anti-abortion advocates, according to Bernstein. “We anticipate that disinformation campaigns surrounding mifepristone, including these false claims on the environmental impact, will continue to escalate — particularly as abortion opponents are frustrated at a perceived lack of action by the Trump administration,” Bernstein told The 19th. “We know, however, that restricting access to abortion is politically unfavorable, and candidates may be hesitant to focus on these efforts before the midterm elections. What are the stakes for pregnant people? As abortion rights and access have shrunk, Forouzan said that medication abortion has become a “lifeline” for many people seeking care after Dobbs, particularly through telehealth providers operating under shield laws, which are state-by-state legal protections to safeguard practitioners from being sued by states with abortion bans. As a result, anti-abortion officials at the state and federal level have increasingly focused on restricting the remaining ways people can access abortion care. Forouzan said the push to monitor abortion medication in wastewater contributes to a broader “culture of surveillance” surrounding abortion. She said proposals to test wastewater for mifepristone raise concerns about how such monitoring data could eventually be used and whether it could increase scrutiny of people who obtain medication abortions. Do these claims have the potential to impact federal policy? The potential of environmental harms continues to shape policy for abortion and anti-abortion advocates. On the anniversary of Dobbs, Rep. Brittany Pettersen, a Democrat from Colorado, submitted a resolution to address the disinformation campaign, saying that water systems should “not be weaponized for the purposes of surveilling, tracking, or detecting use of, stigmatizing, and further restricting access to medication abortion care.” Advocates also point to what they see as a contradiction in the campaign. Many of the same advocates and elected officials who support mifepristone monitoring have opposed other environmental hazard regulations. For example, in Indiana, where the state’s attorney general co-signed the letter, state lawmakers recently passed legislation to deregulate the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, an agency in charge of limiting pollution in the state’s air, water and soil. The EPA has already taken action to recommend states begin testing drinking water for abortion medications. In April, the agency released a list of 374 drugs that states should monitor. While it does not include mifepristone, it does include other medications used in abortions such as misoprostol and methotrexate, commonly used in daily birth control and the NuvaRing contraceptive. It’s the first time the agency has designated pharmaceuticals as a contaminant group, according to an April press release. The EPA did not respond to The 19th’s request for comment. The EPA’s comment period allowed 60 days for the public to weigh in on the list before agency staff began reviewing the feedback and finalizing. Now that the June comment period has closed, whether the agency will ultimately add the medication to the list remains uncertain. However, when federal regulators previously reviewed environmental concerns related to mifepristone, they found no evidence warranting restrictions, according to Bernstein. Bernstein and Forouzan said that anti-abortion states and lawmakers often learn from each other in order to pass bills in their respective states. Forouzan added these efforts work “parallel” to federal bill proposals, both with the same goal: to restrict further access. “Its really just to restrict access to mifepristone and specifically to roll back requirements to force in-person dispensation, which would really limit access to a lot of folks.” Four years after the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs, reproductive advocates say the evolution of anti-abortion campaigns continue to “severely restrict” access to care across the country. Thirteen states currently enforce total bans, and 6 explicitly prohibit telehealth use to provide abortion pills, according to Guttmacher Institute. “It’s contributing to this culture of surveillance around medication abortion at a time when that is already increasing, and folks, especially in banned states, are facing increasing fear of criminalization,” Bernstein said. “There are concerns whether it will be eventually used for the criminalization of patients, in addition to creating a broader restriction of mifepristone and perpetuating these myths.” SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Courtesy of Alaska Beacon
	Davenport's Veterans Memorial Park adds statues, memorial wall, brick display The additions include a veterans’ brick display, a Vietnam War veterans remembrance wall and three new statues.

Thursday, July 2nd, 2026

Wednesday, July 1st, 2026