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

Saturday, June 27th, 2026
	1-year-old, woman ejected in rollover crash on I-80 Three people were injured in a rollover crash on I-80 near Walcott.
	Musco Sports Center holds first Inflatable Fun Days The venue has bounces houses, an obstacle course and space for soccer and football.
	Davenport appoints new assistant chief of police The Davenport Police Department has announced Major Jason Smith has been promoted to assistant chief of police.
	1-year-old, woman ejected in I-80 crash that injures 3 near Walcott Three people were transferred to hospitals after a single-vehicle rollover crash on I-80.
	Jury finds Davenport man guilty in 2024 double homicide Online court records show Israel Martinez was convicted on two counts of first-degree murder.
	Toddler, adult ejected in Scott County rollover accident A toddler and two adults were transported following a roller accident in Scott County. According to a release from the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, the Scott Emergency Communications Center received a call of a rollover single-vehicle accident near the 283 mile marker of westbound Interstate 80 on June 27 at approximately 3:23 p.m. The Scott [...]
	2 adults, 1 child injured in Scott County rollover crash Two adults and a 1-year-old child were injured Saturday in a rollover crash on Interstate 80 near Walcott.
	Vehicle rollover sends three including infant to hospital A 31-year-old female and a 23 month old female infant are both in the hospital after a single vehicle rollover near Walcott Saturday afternoon.
	Road blocked due to Walcott crash on I-80 News 8 has reached out to the Iowa State Patrol for more information and will provide updates as they become available
	Cook review: 'Supergirl' feels like a 'Star Wars'/MCU hybrid 'Supergirl' is above average because of the terrific performance of Milly Alcock in the title role, a few heart-tugging scenes about friendship, and of course the presence of the adorable Krypto, Supergirl's puppy who arrives with her from Krypton to the planet Earth. Otherwise, is a sometimes-entertaining mixed bag of CGI action and one-liners that [...]
	Bettendorf Police Department warns public of bond fraud scam The Bettendorf Police Department is sending out a warning about potential bond fraud scam. According to a Facebook post: Our community has recently seen an increase in bond fraud scams. Scammers are monitoring local inmate lists and contacting family members while pretending to be law enforcement officers. These scammers quickly locate phone numbers and demand [...]
	Davenport police captain promoted to major The Davenport Police Department has announced that Captain Jason Smith, a 27-year veteran of the Davenport Police Department, has been promoted to the rank of major and will serve as the assistant chief of police effective July 5, a news release says. Smith’s promotion follows the appointment of Major Greg Behning to Chief of Police. [...]
	Hooppole Fun Day marks 50th anniversary Henry County community celebrates milestone with parade, games, fireworks
	Wapsi River Center holds 24-hour event on conservation The data collected from the event will be put into a growing data-base for future conservation.
	What to know of proper heat safety After things have been relatively cool for June, right at the end and to start July, temperatures will be heavily on the rise. We are expecting to see low to mid 90s for most of the week with feels-like temperatures reaching well into the triple digits from an increase in humidity. With the incoming heat [...]
	LeClaire opens new splash pad LeClaire opens new splash pad with plans to add more amenities to Huckleberry Park.
	Traffic Alert: vehicle crash on I-80 causes delays Traffic is down to a single lane westbound on Interstate 80 near Walcott.
	Four more drivers enjoy first-time wins at Davenport Speedway Despite the 107-car count, flagman Bart Montgomery was able to keep the caution flag holstered much of the evening at the Davenport Speedway. Three features went completely caution-free. The Outhouse / Storage to Go - IMCA Late Models saw their fifth different winner of the season. Bryce Garnhart added his name to the list of [...]
	Extreme heat warning issued by National Weather Service The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning that will run from 1 p.m. Sunday until 9 p.m. Tuesday as heat indices are expected to top 100 degrees.
	Extreme Heat Warning from SUN 1:00 PM CDT until TUE 9:00 PM CDT Extreme Heat Warning: Dangerous Temperatures Expected Through Tuesday
	Critical fire weather complicates firefighting efforts in massive Utah wildfire Firefighters working on the nation's largest current wildfire, burning in southern Utah, are being challenged by historic weather conditions. Extreme wildfire behavior is expected to continue through the weekend.
	SNAP recipient's benefits slashed: 'Who lives on $24 a month?' Shiela Boyd, an 81-year-old New York resident, had her benefits suddenly cut from $298 a month to just $24.
	Check your quarters: Rare 'July 4th' coins entering circulation Only 250,000 of these special quarters are being released into circulation.
	Henry County man sentenced to nine years in federal prison for possessing, distributing child sex abuse materials A Henry County, Illinois, man has been sentenced to nine years in prison and life on mandatory supervised release after pleading guilty to federal child sex abuse materials charges.
	Moline to host Party in the Park to celebrate summer and America’s 250th birthday A Moline annual summertime tradition is returning again this year that also pays tribute to America’s 250th birthday.
	Davenport captain promoted to assistant chief of police A 27-year-veteran of the Davenport Police Department has been promoted.
	Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s deputy injured after crash The deputy was responding to an emergency call of a reported missing juvenile.
	Henry County, Illinois first responders to participate in training, Saturday Crews will be participating in an emergency response training today in Henry County.
	Cooling centers to open up across QCA amid dangerously hot temperatures The QCA is gearing up for an active week of weather with dangerous heat and humidity expected to set in beginning Monday.
	Rockford celebrates July 4 with Eats 'N' Beats celebration As part of the ongoing America 250 celebration, Rock Falls Tourism invites residents and visitors to continue honoring the nation's 250th anniversary with an evening of food, entertainment, and fireworks on Thursday, July 2, at the RB&W District Park in downtown Rock Falls, a news release says. The celebration will kick off Fourth of July [...]
	Double heat dome headed to US: Here's when it'll start, where it'll be worst Two heat domes are preparing to join forces, sending temperatures soaring around the U.S. next week. Here's where it'll hit hardest.
	Uzbekistan makes its World Cup debut, a first for Central Asia The country is the first Central Asian nation to qualify for the World Cup, and Uzbek fans have reveled in showcasing their country and culture. The country's president calls the team a symbol of the "new Uzbekistan."
	Nominations sought for annual Fiesta Parade grand marshal The 73rd Annual Fiesta Parade will be held on Sept. 19, a news release. This community tradition is organized and implemented by the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Hispanic Business Leaders Committee. Nominations are being accepted for the 2026 Fiesta Parade grand marshal. Individuals, groups, or organizations who have made a meaningful impact in [...]
	Bettendorf Middle School student earns 1st place in national documentary competition Last week at the National History Day National Contest, Bettendorf Middle School student Adrian Gillette brought home first place in the Junior Documentary category. His documentary, "Brought to You by the Letter R: Revolution, Reaction, and Reform in Sesame Street’s Mission to Desegregate Education," documents how the battle to desegregate America’s schools wasn’t fought just on the [...]
	Tributes to Johnny Cash, Demon Hunters in Adler/RiverCenter lineup Tributes to Johnny Cash and the popular Demon Hunters are part of the lineup at The Adler Theatre, Davenport, according to news releases. VenuWorks Presents has announced an evening of dinner and entertainment with "Walkin’ The Line: A Johnny Cash Tribute, Starring Scott Moreau, at the RiverCenter, Davenport. Filled with anecdotes, stories, and history pulled [...]
	Davenport Civil Rights Exhibit will be at German-American Heritage Center The Davenport Civil Rights Traveling Exhibit, which was developed by the Putnam Museum, Davenport, will be featured on the fourth floor of the German American Heritage Center and Museum in July. Visitors can explore the powerful stories, struggles, and triumphs that shaped the fight for equality in the Quad Cities, specifically Davenport. Through photographs, documents, [...]
	Resignations, hirings and other Moline School District personnel news from June 22 See the personnel items from the June 22 agenda of the Moline-Coal Valley School District. The board met at the Moline Education Center.
	Developer releases renderings of potential plans for the former Quad-City Times building Renderings show a brand new concept for the former newspaper building.
	Memories of Muscatine: A camera from 1891 This week for Memories of Muscatine: A camera once owned by Muscatine photographer Oscar Grossheim.
	Bi-CAN hosts 2026 BioBlitz at Wapsi River Environmental Education Center The Bi-State Conservation Action Network (Bi-CAN) will host its semi-annual BioBlitz, a 24-hour community science event focused on documenting the biodiversity of the Quad Cities region. Participants will work alongside scientists, naturalists, educators, and conservation professionals to identify and record plants, animals, fungi, and other organisms found throughout the site. The event will feature expert-led [...]
	Local government roundup: Clinton starts over on city admin search, Davenport approves Rockingham Road grant Clinton restarts its city administrator search, Davenport approves a Rockingham Road grant program, and Muscatine considers demolition or stabilization of 17 buildings.
	If a Lyme disease vaccine gets approved, how would it go over? We asked hunters Drugmakers are working on a potential new shot to prevent the tick-borne illness. How might it fare in the era of vaccine skepticism?
	Amateurs now conduct most weddings. Here is some basic advice A marrying couple are more likely than ever to ask a friend to officiate their wedding. Here's how to handle this high-stakes assignment.
	Illinois State Senator Mike Halpin talks phone bans in schools, education funding From phone bans in K-12 to a tight budget year, Illinois State Senator Mike Halpin speaks on the educational issues discussed during spring session.
	Revitalization experts to visit Clinton for study of downtown area Downtown development will be the focus when five downtown revitalization specialists from the Iowa Economic Development Authority's Downtown Resource Center visit Clinton, a news release says. The City of Clinton, Downtown Clinton, and Grow Clinton have teamed to coordinate this downtown assessment scheduled for July 7-9. The Assessment is an intense, on-site study of the [...]
	Holiday drivers may get relief, but not cheap gas DES MOINES, Iowa -- The fuel for a Fourth of July getaway may feel a little less expensive than it did in May — but not by much. GasBuddy projects the national average price of gasoline will be about $3.75 per gallon on July 4, putting this Independence Day on track to be the second [...]
	Writer's Block This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.Like all humans who put words on paper, I suffer from bouts of Writer's Block. I think, how many Rock Island Lines can…
	As Supreme Court expands Trump's immigration power, experts warn of steeper U.S. population decline The U.S. population was already aging and tilting toward decline. After the Supreme Court confirmed Trump's power to deport hundreds of thousands of foreign migrants, population decline could accelerate.
	Inside a secretive Ukrainian team launching deep drone strikes at Russia Ukraine's long-range drones are striking deep inside Russia, up to 1,200 miles away, hitting oil refineries and depots. NPR recently spent time with one of the Ukrainian strike teams launching drones at Russian targets.
	Venezuelans in Colombia scramble to send aid as earthquakes death toll increases Aid efforts are intensifying after twin earthquakes killed nearly 1,000 in Venezuela, with international teams arriving but a slow government response hampering relief on the ground.
	4 ways to get creative with your leftovers (and save money on food) Don't let your leftovers go to waste. Cookbook authors share clever storage techniques — like an "Eat Me First" box in your fridge — and cooking tricks to help you make the most of your food scraps.
Friday, June 26th, 2026
	U.S. strikes Iran in response to a drone attack on a ship The U.S. struck Iran on Friday in response to a drone attack a day earlier on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. It's the most significant test yet to an interim understanding reached a week ago by the two countries.
	Resources available for displaced residents in Muscatine After a partial collapse on East Second Street destabilized nearby buildings, residents were told to evacuate last week.
	Resources available for displaced Muscatine residents After a partial collapse on East Second Street destabilized nearby buildings, residents were told to evacuate last week.
	U of Iowa researchers find that moms often unbuckle to care for infants, young kids in the car Motor-vehicle crashes remain a frequent cause of pregnancy complications and maternal death in the U.S. A new study looked into seatbelt habits for new moms.
	Monmouth rebuilding after tornado, as businesses race to repair damaged rooftops Nine days after severe storms tore through Monmouth, damaged businesses are drying out, roofs are being repaired and neighbors continue helping one another recover.
	Pete Buttigieg and his kids subject to CPS, police investigation after false report Buttigieg, a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender, shared his family's experience when police and Child Protective Services came to his home investigating an anonymous tip that was false.
	Our QC Crime Watch: Adoptive parents accused of child endangerment: Episode 70 Watch crime reporters Linda Cook and Sharon Wren talk about crime and courts in our area with the latest episode of the Our Quad Cities Crime Watch Podcast. In this episode Linda and Sharon discuss: updates on: To view, click the video above or watch on-the-go on Spotify. The QC Crime Watch Podcast \| Pod
	Jury convicts man in Moline double-homicide He was charged in the deaths of Giovanni Flores, 17, and Zachary Meincke, 19, both of Moline.
	Idaho Behavioral Health Council asks lawmakers to prioritize rural communities with opioid funding The Idaho Behavioral Health Council made recommendations for use of funds obtained from a state settlement with opioid manufacturers. (Getty Images)A state advisory council will urge the Idaho Legislature to use its opioid settlement funds to target rural communities next year as it considers a number of project proposals. The Idaho Behavioral Health Council brings together Idaho’s three branches of government — legislative, judicial and executive — to provide recommendations to lawmakers about how to improve mental health and substance use issues statewide. On Friday, the group provided its recommended priorities for the state’s opioid settlement fund — which was created from a nationwide settlement with opioid manufacturers and may be used for certain, approved mitigation for opioids. Last year, the Legislature approved spending $6.8 million of opioid settlement funds, according to a memo from the Division of Financial Management. Idaho secures $24M more in settlement with opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma “In Idaho, we have pockets of service,” said Sara Omundson, director of the state court system and co-chair of the council. “And so one of the things that I think should be a priority for how we spend these funds is that we focus on services that are available statewide and specifically services that are available in rural and frontier areas.” The majority of council members voted to recommend top prioritization of projects focused on prevention for high-risk populations, behavioral health support for first responders, and behavioral health workforce development. The council solicited public input for uses of funds, and received 46 specific proposals for projects, said Cheryl Foster, project manager for the council. However, the council may only provide high-level recommendations for prioritization of topics, rather than for specific projects, Omundson said Friday. Sara Omundson was appointed as the administrative director of Idaho courts in July 2016. (Photo courtesy of the Idaho Behavioral Health Council website) The specific projects within those categories may be recommended by the governor in his budget proposal next year or by state agencies in their budget requests. The Idaho Legislature will consider and decide how the funding will ultimately be awarded during the 2027 legislative session, which will begin in January. As the council considered their priority topics, members also voted to include in its recommendations that, within each category, lawmakers consider projects that would be available statewide or targeted to rural and frontier areas. Omundson noted that the state was also in the process of awarding federal Rural Health Transformation grant funding from the ‘Big Beautiful’ law passed last year. “It is a category that I think we really need to have our eye on, and we’re seeing this nationally with the big grant … I think it’s timely that we recommend that they really focus on ensuring that we support those services that are going to be available either statewide or within our rural and frontier areas,” she said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. First responder support and prevention topped council’s priorities Dave Jeppesen, former director of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, said typically when the Legislature has approved spending from the opioid settlement account, it does so as a one-time expenditure. This means that ongoing programs might not be the best fit for it, he said. “I’m just thinking about what’s the most efficient use of $2 million in the 12 months of fiscal year ‘28,” Jeppesen said. “ … I land somewhere around prevention, which feels like that’s an area that tends to get underfunded because treatment is so important.” Idaho District Judge Gene Petty, who leads Canyon County Mental Health Court, highlighted support for first responders as another goal because of their high risk of suicide. Petty said there’s a section in the settlement agreement that allows funds to support first responders who are affected by their interaction with people with opioid use disorder. Omundson said the criminal justice system is “also looking at workforce throughout the criminal justice system, and how that’s impacting first responders.” “That has a direct tie into whether or not people choose to go into that profession or stay in the profession based on just the level of stress and trauma that they experience while on the job,” she said. Jeppesen said first responders are a critical workforce for those supporting those with opioid addiction. All eight council members present voted to place prevention programs for high-risk individuals and behavioral health support for first responders as top priorities. Five voted for workforce development as the third priority, and three members voted for treatment. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Idaho Capital Sun
	Republicans target Iowa Libertarian candidates, urging them to drop out of congressional races With Republicans trying to hold onto a narrow majority in the U.S. House, Libertarian candidates have become a target for Republicans hoping to avoid another close election.
	Bishop Hill Creative Commons earns Music in Action Grant Bishop Hill Creative Commons, an independent music venue and artist cooperative owned and operated by the nonprofit organization Crossroads Cultural Connections, has been selected as a recipient of Live Music Society’s 2026 Music in Action Grant, according to a news release. Bishop Hill Creative Commons is one of 29 independent venues across 19 states, Washington, [...]
	iHeartRadio layoffs cause QCA radio legends to be dropped off air For decades, Quad-City listeners have started their mornings with the Leuck and Howe Morning Show on WLLR or heard the voice of Mark Manuel on The Big NEW 106.5 or 100.7 The Fox between the latest hits. After widespread layoffs by iHeartRadio, those routines will be no more. iHeartRadio let go of many radio personalities [...]
	5 million have dropped ACA insurance after Trump and the GOP let prices skyrocket The number of people who signed up for a health plan and then didn't pay their premium fell much more sharply than it has in years past. Trump officials blame fraud. Health policy experts blame costs.
	Cullen earns Leadership in Place Management designation Jack Cullen, executive director of the Rock Island Downtown Alliance, has obtained the designation of Certified Leader in Place Management (LPM) from the International Downtown Association (IDA,) a news release says. Cullen joins a community of professionals who demonstrate the knowledge and skills to manage and lead a place management organization. “Having worked with Jack [...]
	Sheriff: No injuries reported after plane makes emergency landing in Knox County The sheriff's office said the aircraft, a Cessna 172N with three people on board, had experienced a possible engine failure while in flight.
	Hello Muscatine County: KWQC celebrates the communities and history KWQC is celebrating the people, places, and history that shaped Muscatine County.
	Jordan Spieth returning to the John Deere Classic Tournament play officially kicks off Thursday.
	Planet Funk Con, 5th Annual Stoneware Fest among weekend offerings in the Quad Cities Find out what you and your family can get up to this weekend!
	Heavy police presence in Camanche Our Quad Cities News crew is watching a heavy police presence at a Camanche chiropractic clinic for an investigation that continued for more than an hour Friday afternoon. As of 4 p.m., officers from the Clinton County Sheriff's Office, Camanche Police Department and Clinton Police Department are at Camanche Chiropractic Center,1601 S. Washington Blvd. Squad [...]
	Davenport names new assistant chief of police The Davenport Police Department named a new assistant police chief Friday.
	Federal health agency cancels most of its teen pregnancy prevention grants A teacher holds a student’s baby while his class completes coursework at a high school for young parents in Spokane, Wash. U.S. Health and Human Services sent termination letters to 53 of 67 grantees under the Office of Population Affairs’ Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program on Friday, June 26. (Photo by Camilla Forte/The Hechinger Report)A spokesperson for U.S. Health and Human Services confirmed to Stateline on Friday that the agency is canceling 53 out of 67 grants, worth about $68 million, under the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program, affecting grantees in more than two dozen states. A list obtained by Stateline of canceled grants includes those awarded to universities, community organizations, city and state health departments and Planned Parenthood affiliates in states such as Arizona, Montana, Michigan, Texas and West Virginia. The grants were canceled two years before their expiration dates because the programs did not align with agency priorities, according to one of the grantees who received a termination notice. The program is part of the agency’s Office of Population Affairs and is a “national, evidence-based grant program that funds diverse organizations working to prevent teen pregnancy across the United States,” according to the HHS website. The agency provides funding to programs that develop and evaluate innovative approaches to prevent teen pregnancy as well as to prevent sexually transmitted infections among adolescents, and to promote positive behaviors. Family planning organizations sue Trump administration over Title X funding announcement Ayana Bradshaw, president and CEO of AccessMatters in Philadelphia, told Stateline her organization received the termination notice of its $1.2 million grant on Friday, and it was effective the same day. Bradshaw said the letter cited a misalignment with agency priorities, specifically that the program “normalizes or promotes sexual activity for minors.” AccessMatters’ Adolescent Health Initiative is entirely funded by the federal grant and provides free sexual and reproductive health programs to more than 1,100 teens between the ages of 13 and 19. The program provides information, education and referrals for healthcare as needed. “This is devastating for the youth that we serve,” Bradshaw said. “It also impacts us as an organization, our staff, and it impacts the partners that we had who supported us in implementing this program.” During the first administration of President Donald Trump in 2017, HHS took the same action, ending grants for more than 80 recipients two years before they were set to expire. Legal advocacy organization Democracy Forward sued the administration on behalf of several grantees and won a permanent injunction after courts ruled the action violated agency regulations. The Trump administration identified the teen pregnancy program as one to cut in its 2025 budget request, and it was included in the final 2026 appropriations bill. The language accompanying that bill said grants for sexual risk avoidance must use medically accurate information and teach youth about risky behaviors “without normalizing teen sexual activity.” Teen birth rates have fallen dramatically in the past 20 years, according to federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data — about 72% since 2007. Experts attribute that decline to fewer teens deciding to have sex earlier, sex education and better access to contraception, especially for girls. The agency also released two new grant programs this week, one of which is titled “Replicating Effective Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs,” with $63.4 million available to be awarded. The other is “Rigorous Impact Evaluation of Programs to Prevent Teen Pregnancy and Achieve Optimal Health,” with $8.3 million available. Both opportunities tell applicants that they must pass an alignment review process to ensure they meet agency priorities. That language mimics Trump administration language in the 2027 Notice of Funding Opportunity for Title X grants, which a national family planning organization filed a lawsuit over last week, arguing that it violates Congress’ intentions and administrative procedure. Tara Mancini, director of public policy at reproductive health advocacy organization Power to Decide, said she expects the administration’s decision to cancel the grants to be challenged again in court. Stateline reporter Kelcie Moseley-Morris can be reached at kmoseley@stateline.org. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Stateline
	Downtown Muscatine residents and business owners displaced from demolition project seek answers from the city After a roof partially collapsed, the city evacuated 20 buildings on a single block in downtown Muscatine, displacing 28 residents. The city said a final decision on whether to demolish or stabilize the compromised structures will be made in early July.
	Disability care group sounds alarm over DOJ memo suggesting an end to in-home and community-based services The Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel released a memo in June advising states to cease funding for in-home and community-based services that allow Americans with disabilities to integrate within their communities. A Bettendorf-based nonprofit, Hand in Hand, said the move would upend thirty years of evidence-based care.
	QC Airport sees 6% increase in passenger traffic The previous high mark set in October 2019 totaled 65,572 monthly passengers.
	Investigation underway after fatal workplace accident in eastern Iowa Just before 7 a.m. on Friday, June 26, a 911 call reported that a worker had become pinned under a large piece of equipment at Riverstone Quarry near New Liberty.
	New U of Iowa study looks into seatbelt use among new moms Car crashes are one of the leading causes of pregnancy complications and maternal deaths in the U.S.
	Senate farm bill draft focuses on farm economy, keeps ‘Big Beautiful’ SNAP cuts The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry released its 2026 Farm Bill draft.(Photo from USDA)Nearly two months after the U.S. House passed a farm bill proposal, the Senate Agriculture Committee has released an initial draft of the omnibus legislation that covers everything from crop insurance to nutrition assistance. The farm bill draft, dubbed the Agricultural Act of 2026 and put forward by Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., expands crop insurance coverage, shifts funding in conservation programs and maintains changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program made in Republicans’ 2025 spending bill. While the draft is fairly similar to the farm bill proposal advanced by the House at the end of April, it does not include language that livestock industries have called for to stop the impact of state-specific laws on livestock production standards. The bill is also silent on the issue of pesticide labeling — another hot-button issue among farm, health and environmental groups — and on the year-round sale of a higher blend of ethanol. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Industry and political response to the draft language stressed the importance of Congress passing a farm bill, since the massive piece of legislation has not been reauthorized since 2018. Typically the bill is refreshed every five years, but lawmakers, unable to reach a compromise the past several years, have instead relied on federal spending bills to extend the essential provisions of the bill. Boozman, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, said the text included bipartisan priorities to “strengthen the American farm economy, increase investments for rural communities and foster a more resilient agricultural sector.” “I’m proud to put forward this discussion draft that reflects the input and priorities of Republicans, Democrats, and most importantly, rural America,” Boozman said in a statement. “This bill is built for the people who feed America, and I look forward to continuing conversations with my colleagues about how we can best serve them and the communities they call home.” Criticism on the proposal largely centered on its SNAP language. SNAP continues to be pain point in farm bill discussions Disagreements across the aisle over SNAP have reached new heights in the farm bill debates this year as Democrats push for changes to the program that were enacted through the Republican-led budget reconciliation bill. The legislation, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act or Working Families Tax Cuts Act, initiated eligibility changes to the program and shifted part of the cost of benefits to the states. The Senate farm bill draft builds on the provisions of the 2025-passed tax and spending cut bill, despite urging from Democratic lawmakers and anti-hunger groups to use the farm bill to reverse provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that could lead millions to lose benefits. Senate Agriculture Committee Democrats said in a statement that the text introduced by Boozman did not address the “devastating cuts” to SNAP put into law through H.R. 1. “Senate Agriculture Committee Democrats have been clear that a Farm Bill must meet the needs of both farmers and families across America,” the statement said. The Senate farm bill draft builds on requirements for transparency in the SNAP program and would require agencies to report on all SNAP payment errors, regardless of dollar amount. Currently, errors are only reported if they are in excess of $58. This provision, which is also included in the House-passed farm bill, would provide a supplemental report on errors in the state. Only errors above the set threshold, $58, would be used to calculate a state’s payment error rate. This rate, under changes made in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, then determines the share of SNAP benefits that a state must pay. Recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows that just nine states had rates below the 6% cutoff, set by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, that keeps the program 100% federally funded. GOP cuts in federal food aid scramble passage of long-delayed farm bill According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, shifting 5% to 15% of total benefit costs to the states will cost states an estimated $9 billion. Ty Jones Cox, vice president for food assistance at the center, urged Congress to delay the October 2027 implementation of the provision. “The farm bill proposal released today by Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman ignores the rapidly worsening hunger crisis in the wake of the 2025 Republican reconciliation law,” Jones Cox said in a statement. “This proposal — or any legislation with farm relief that ignores the urgent need to mitigate this harm — should be rejected.” Lawmakers and agricultural groups that commented in favor of the Senate’s draft language primarily spoke to the benefits the bill would provide to farmers, though some noted their support for the bill’s continuation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act provisions. “I am encouraged to see Chairman Boozman release a Farm Bill draft that builds on many of the priorities Senate Republicans fought to secure in the Working Families Tax Cut Act,” Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said in a statement. “I am proud the draft includes my proposals to crack down on foreign adversaries purchasing American farmland, increase transparency and accountability in SNAP, expand local meat processing options, and prohibit taxpayer dollars from funding research in countries of concern like China and Iran.” The Senate’s draft reauthorizes SNAP appropriations at the same level currently allocated through 2031, which is the same approach taken in the House’s version of the bill. The Senate farm bill draft also expanded eligible forms of produce and dairy allowed in federal nutrition programs. Both the House and Senate proposed bills included language to create a local food purchasing program with an authorization of $200 million through 2031. The language is similar to a pandemic-era program called Local Food Purchase Assistance, which has since ended. The proposed farm bills stipulate this program would support state agencies’ purchase of minimally processed food from producers within 400 miles of the distribution site. Conservation Boozman’s office said in a news release that the draft language “streamlines and strengthens” USDA conservation programs. Boozman said his bill also creates the “broadly popular” forest conservation program and the State Conservation Assistance Program to support state-led conservation efforts. Environmental groups, however, criticized the bill for not expanding popular conservation programs, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, or EQIP, and the Conservation Reserve Program or CRP, both of which incentivize farmers to add conservation practices to their land. While the Senate bill extends the CRP program, it caps enrollment at 27 million acres — the same cap set in the House-passed bill. According to a Congressional Research Service report comparing the 2026 House-passed farm bill with current policy, language affecting conservation programs constitute the largest changes in the House version of the farm bill. The House farm bill would reduce the budget authority of the EQIP program by $1 billion over the next 10 years, using the money to instead fund the Forest Conservation Easement Program and increases to other conservation programs. Report shows Biden-era funding made ‘significant impact’ in conservation practice adoption in Iowa The Senate draft also significantly shrinks the EQIP budget authorization and the Conservation Stewardship Program in a move the Environmental Working Group said “runs counter” to the Trump administration’s Make America Healthy Again initiative. “Prioritizing regenerative agriculture practices like cover crops and encouraging farmers to develop whole farm conservation plans are important steps to improving farm resilience,” EWG’s legislative director Geoff Horsfield said in a statement. “Rather than cut money for these popular programs, Congress must provide more funding to meet the growing backlog of farmer demand for the most effective conservation practices.” Ryan Bronson, the director of government affairs for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, said in a statement that the conservation title in the proposed bill was “robust” and “critical to maintain voluntary, incentive-based land stewardship that helps to sustain rural communities.” Farm safety net The farm bill stipulates the scope of crop insurance, federal loans, credit and reimbursement programs that are essential to most farming operations. Both the House version and drafted Senate version of the bill expand crop insurance to cover “losses due to a decline in the market price” of a commodity, where current policy covers only crop losses caused by “drought, flood, or other natural disasters.” National Farmers Union President Rob Larew said while the Senate draft includes “meaningful improvements,” it does not fully address the “scale of the crisis” farmers and ranchers are currently facing. “What we need is a true safety net that moves away from ad hoc assistance, keeps pace with rising production costs and delivers real stability in the marketplace,” Larew said in a statement. Farmers Union called for greater support of “core farm programs” and a disaster relief program that “doesn’t require farmers to wait on Congress to act.” The current farm bill proposals both include language that would authorize USDA to issue block grants to states following natural disasters to, as the summary for the Senate draft said, “provide quicker and more regionally suited assistance.” The Agricultural Act of 2026 changes crop insurance policies to be more specific for specialty crop farmers and establishes the Specialty Crop Advisory Committee. The House version also created this additional committee. National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles thanked Boozman for the farm bill draft and its language for specialty crop farmers. “We are hopeful that meaningful discussions will be generated by today’s release and result in a broadly supported bill being reported to the Senate floor this summer,” Quarles said in a statement. “In particular, we thank the Chairman for recognizing the imperative of specialty crop economic relief and his common-sense framework for delivering vital resources to America’s family-owned potato farms.” The Senate draft language also increases farm loans to “better reflect today’s cost of doing business” according to a summary of the text, and expands certain credit and loan programs for beginning farmers and fishing industries. American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall said the bill was a “good first draft” and that the farmer group appreciated the bill’s improved access to credit, expanded specialty crop investments and fertilizer industry transparency. “We urge the Senate to quickly pass a bipartisan farm bill, and with the same sense of urgency, Congress must work together to address these additional priorities,” Duvall said in a news release. “It’s time to deliver solutions to America’s farmers and ranchers.” Hot button issues left out of the draft Duvall also called for the farm bill to include an economic assistance package for farmers following a “multiyear downturn,” legislation to “protect interstate commerce” and to allow the nationwide, year-round sale of E15 fuel. Previous farm bill drafts have included language on controversial issues like pesticide labeling policies and livestock housing regulations, but the Senate’s 2026 farm bill draft does not include either. Environmental and animal rights groups applauded the omission of language from the Save Our Bacon Act, which would stop state laws from dictating the production standards of agricultural products sold into the state. Supporters of the Save Our Bacon language, including Farm Bureau, say it protects interstate commerce from a “patchwork” of differing state laws, in particular California’s Proposition 12, which stipulated that meat sold in the state must be raised within certain animal confinement provisions. Language similar to the Save Our Bacon Act was included in the House-passed farm bill. US Supreme Court hands win to Monsanto in case related to claims Roundup causes cancer The environmental group Food & Water Watch commended the Senate bill for not including the anti-Prop 12 language, but the group said the Senate’s farm bill “fails to address the root causes” of the food and farm “crisis” in the country. “After years of skyrocketing food prices, family farm decimation and worsening climate impacts, Congress should use the Farm Bill to build a resilient food system – not double-down on the same corporate model that created these problems in the first place,” Food & Water Watch Food Policy Director Rebecca Wolf said in a statement. “We need a fair Farm Bill, not one that continues to prioritize agribusiness profits over farmers, workers, consumers and the planet.” Food & Water Watch was also appreciative that the draft bill did not include a provision to protect pesticide manufacturing companies from certain lawsuits related to pesticide labeling. The farm bill that advanced from the House Agriculture Committee included pesticide labeling language, but the provision was removed before the bill passed from the House. Similar language has cropped up in states across the country, including Iowa, where the bill stalled in 2025, and has been supported by Bayer, the maker of the popular herbicide Roundup and the subject of numerous lawsuits alleging the product caused certain types of cancer. A Thursday ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court, however, enforced the strength of federal pesticide labeling and overturned a $1.25 million Missouri court verdict in which a man alleged that Roundup caused his non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., said he plans to file an amendment to the farm bill that would strip the federal preemption clause used in the court’s ruling. The Senate farm bill draft did not include a provision for the year-round, nationwide sale of E15, a higher blend of ethanol fuel, that farm groups have been calling for with urgency. Farm groups, however, were encouraged by a letter sent Wednesday by President Donald Trump urging Congress to pass legislation that would permit the nationwide sale of the fuel. The Senate farm bill proposal also expands USDA Rural Development programs for things like rural broadband access, water treatment infrastructure and economic development. “America’s farmers, ranchers and producers have always answered the call to do more to feed the nation,” Boozman said on the Senate floor when introducing the bill. “Farm Bill 2.0 is built to support the backbone of our food system.” The Senate’s Agricultural Act of 2026 will be considered and most likely amended in the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry before the bill can head to the full Senate. As of Friday, a committee markup on the bill had not been scheduled. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Iowa Capital Dispatch
	DEQ proposes Big Hole River as ‘impaired’ Fisherman are pictured on the Big Hole River near Wise River, Montana. (Jordan Hansen / Daily Montanan)The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has determined the Big Hole River is impaired, which follows significant legal pressure from advocacy organizations. The river has seen warm water, large algae blooms and dead trout, worrying both environmental groups and the guides who make their livelihood taking visitors fishing on one of Montana’s most renowned rivers. DEQ said in a statement it has determined that an overabundance of nutrients, called “eutrophication,” and poor oxygen levels are “impacting aquatic life and recreational uses in the Big Hole River.” The details of worsening conditions will be added to the state’s next Water Quality Integrated Report, which is a federally-mandated document, expected next year. That report will have a public comment process before it is submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency, which has to approve the impairment declaration. If the EPA approves the action, it would unlock additional federal funding for restoring the river, and would likely require additional action by state and federal agencies. If the EPA gives its approval, state and federal authorities will determine the limit for pollutants. Officials already have implemented 91 categories for pollutants in the Big Hole River watershed, DEQ said in a statement, and added they’ve spent $1.3 million on restoration projects to date. The work, so far, has been mostly focused on fixing erosion and adding vegetation. Work has been done in the area since the 1980s, DEQ added, saying it supported the work by local watershed groups. “Additionally, projects that reduce water temperature continue in the watershed,” a DEQ spokesperson said in a statement. “These efforts also reduce nutrients and help slow algae growth.” An algae bloom is pictured on the Big Hole River on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (Jordan Hansen / Daily Montanan) The Big Hole River watershed has been the source of a legal fight between DEQ and environmental legal groups, specifically Upper Missouri Waterkeeper and the Big Hole River Foundation. In a statement, Waterkeeper executive director Guy Alsentzer said they supported the move, but it had come too slowly. “This action is way overdue and certainly better late than never, but we are still concerned about the agency’s pattern and practice of all-too-familiar delay tactics based on politics, not science,” Alsentzer said. “Everyone, including DEQ, has known about the Big Hole’s declining water quality for nearly a decade. Time is not on our side and further delays before action is taken are unacceptable for Montanans, local businesses, and our wild trout. DEQ needs to get to work yesterday to address the root causes of algae growth—nutrient pollution. If the agency fails to do so, all water users will suffer.” Waterkeeper and the Big Hole River Foundation filed a petition earlier this year asking for the impairment designation. The group even challenged the lack of action in state court, which was eventually dismissed. The DEQ responded to concerns that it has responded to Big Hole River problems too slowly: “The Big Hole River is already an impaired water for other pollution listings such as sediment, temperature, flow, metals, and fish habitat. … DEQ has been working closely with Save Wild Trout to collect and review the necessary data. The final data package was provided to DEQ January of 2026. DEQ’s intended action will be shared with the public in July.” One of the complicating factors for both groups and state officials has been a switch from numerical to narrative standards. In 2025, Montana switched from using data and numbers to relying on a narrative which advocates say has made proving scientific problems emerging from the river much harder. “Narrative prohibitions against causing harm, without an implementing rulebook, remain vague, imprecise, and naturally lead to permit writers making subjective decisions without clear metrics,” a Waterkeeper FAQ webpage reads. “Likewise, narrative prohibitions often require harm to occur before action is triggered. Waiting for harm to occur before requiring better pollution treatment is both bad policy and bad economics.” DEQ has said it’s a helpful switch. “Narrative standards describe conditions to be avoided and allow DEQ to identify impairments and develop plans to improve water quality,” a DEQ release from 2025 states. “The new law provides regulatory predictability for permittees and ensures DEQ uses the best science available to protect water sources based on the agency’s understanding of local, site-specific conditions.” When asked for comment the Governor’s Office directed questions regarding allegations of slow walking the impairment designation to DEQ. Courtesy of Daily Montanan
	Most Quad Cities people entering homelessness are experiencing it for the first time, new report says A new Quad Cities report says 81% of single adults and 88% of families entering homelessness across the region are newly homeless or facing a short-term crisis.
	New Illinois laws take effect July 1: What to know July 1 kicks off the new fiscal year in Illinois, and 14 new laws take effect. As the new $56 billion budget is implemented, the one-cent motor fuel tax will be suspended for the rest of the year. The Illinois Department of Early Childhood launches. it brings preschool, childcare, home visiting and early intervention programs [...]
	New principal, resignations, hirings and other personnel news from East Moline School District The following personnel items are from the June 22 agenda of the East Moline District 37 Board of Education. The School Board met at the Administration Building.
	Jo Daviess County deputy crashes car while responding to emergency call The sheriff's office said the deputy hit a deer that came into the road, causing the squad car to overturn. The deputy was treated for injuries.
	Walcott man arrested on 11 counts of forgery, identity theft A Walcott man is in the Scott County Jail on a $75,000 cash-only bond after the Iowa Insurance Fraud Bureau said he wrote multiple life insurance policies on family members without their knowledge and collected commissions on the policies. Criminal complaints filed in the case say that between February 21, 2024 and January 24, 2025, [...]
	Niabi Zoo welcomes new pair of fennec foxes Astrid and Comet were moved into the zoo's Biodiversity Hall, and Niabi officials hope the couple will start a new family when they're ready.
	Maryland health insurers want to raise premiums an average 13.7% for individual plans in 2027 State insurance officials like Commissioner Marie Grant will evaluate proposals to raise individual ACA health care premiums by an average of 13.7% and make a decision later this year. (Photo by Danielle J. Brown/Maryland Matters)Marylanders who purchase individual healthcare plans on the state’s insurance marketplace may see another year of higher monthly costs as health insurers have requested an average rate increase of 13.7% across plans in 2027. The Maryland Insurance Administration announced Friday that, for the second year, healthcare carriers are proposing high premium rate increases following the expiration of a popular federal tax credit that helped keep some plans on the state insurance marketplace more affordable. “The significant rate increases filed with the Maryland Insurance Administration for the second year in a row reflect the loss of enhanced federal tax credits, which were not extended by Congress and the Trump Administration last year,” said Maryland Insurance Commissioner Marie Grant in a Friday statement. “Our team of actuaries will closely examine the assumptions behind the rate requests over the coming months to determine whether they are justified,” she said. The proposed rate increases for plans on the state’s ACA market vary by carrier and other factors. (Graph courtesy of the Maryland Insurance Administration.) The rate increase proposal affects individuals and households that purchase plans on the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, which operates Maryland’s Affordable Care Act marketplace. Last year, healthcare carriers came to state insurance officials with a proposal to raise premiums an average of 17%, citing anticipated affordability challenges and enrollment decreases as the enhanced federal tax credits expired at the end of 2025. The Maryland Insurance Administration agreed to an average 13.4% premium rate increase for 2026 healthcare plans instead, which was still a hefty monthly cost increase for many Marylanders. This year, insurance companies are starting with a slightly lower proposal for premium rate increases that could affect around 282,000 Marylanders on individual ACA plans. The exact proposals vary depending on carrier, plans, household income and other factors. For example, a 40-year-old resident of the Baltimore metro region on a CareFirst gold plan could see their rate jump 14.7%, resulting in a $95 increase to their monthly premium of $649. On the other hand, if that 40-year-old chose a bronze plan with Kaiser their premiums could bump up 9.6%, with an additional $31 added to their monthly charge of $328. A family of four in the same region could see their household monthly cost increase between $100 and $300, depending on plan and insurance carrier. Insurance carriers are also proposing an average 13.1% premium rate increase next year for the small group markets used by small business owners. State insurance officials already approved midyear rate increases for CareFirst and United Healthcare’s small group plans. Thousands of Marylanders downgraded health plans on ACA marketplace amid rising premiums The Maryland General Assembly set aside state funding to offset the impact of the federal tax credit expiration for some families that had previously benefited from it from this year and into next year. For 2026, the state subsidy was able to replace 100% of the enhanced federal tax credits for those under 200% of the federal poverty level, but just 50% of the tax credits for those between 250% and 400% of the federal poverty level. “Without the proactive steps by Governor Wes Moore and the Maryland General Assembly to enact a state-based subsidy for 2026 and 2027, Marylanders would see significantly higher increases in premiums and out-of-pocket costs,” Grant said in the written statement Friday. But Maryland’s ongoing tight state budget may require those subsidies to be less generous in 2027, and it’s not clear if they will continue into 2028. The insurance administration is inviting Marylanders to provide public comments on the proposed rate increases offered by health insurance carriers. The administration is hosting a virtual public hearing on July 23, and a written public comment period for the public hearing will be open until July 17. Based on those public comments and future discussions with carriers, the Maryland Insurance Administration will either approve the proposed rates or approve alternative rates, potentially by September. Courtesy of Maryland Matters
	Quad Cities International Airport reports best passenger month since 2019 The Quad Cities International Airport saw a 6 percent traffic increase in May with over 65,000 passengers, marking its best month since 2019.
	NM smoke shop owner says food desert, not fraud, the reason for his high SNAP revenue Aaron Sheridan, who owns the Smoke City convenience store in Albuquerque, said his shop serves as a vital grocery store in the International District, which is why his federal food assistance revenues are far higher than the statewide average. (Patrick Lohmann/Source NM)An Albuquerque business owner whose smoke shop legislative analysts recently flagged for suspiciously high federal food assistance revenues told Source NM that his shop’s high sales don’t signal fraud. Rather, they reflect the few grocery options in a struggling neighborhood.SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Last week, the New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee released the results of a long-awaited Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program evaluation, which concluded that the New Mexico Health Care Authority could do more to investigate and analyze potential fraud in a state where roughly one in five residents receive federal food aid. Among its findings, LFC analysts identified two stores — which they characterized as smoke shops — authorized by the United States Agriculture Department to accept SNAP that received more than $400,000 in SNAP revenue in 2025. That figure is approximately seven times more than the average revenues roughly 1,700 authorized retailers statewide generated that year. The LFC report did not identify the two shops or their locations, but the report included images of the buildings’ exteriors with their names partially redacted. The LFC, in a statement to Source NM this week, described the stores as “anomalies” but did not conclude they committed wrongdoing. New study finds New Mexico underestimates, fails to investigate federal food assistance fraud Interviews Source NM conducted this week determined the shops the LFC highlighted are Smoke City and M&L, which sit within half a mile of each other along Central Avenue in Albuquerque’s International District, an area known for high transient populations and the recent closures of a neighborhood Walmart and CVS. Both shops offer an array of tobacco and nicotine products, as well as a wide variety of pipes, but not cannabis. They also have multiple shelves dedicated to groceries and coolers full of drinks lining the walls. Both also have prominent advertisements pasted on the walls noting they accept SNAP and warning against SNAP fraud. The LFC’s findings prompted New Mexico Sen. Pat Woods (R-Broadview) to request that the USDA investigate the shops. He told Source NM on Wednesday that his June 17 letter — which urged the USDA to “investigate the high SNAP activity in these NM establishments” — was “hand-delivered” to the chief-of-staff for USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins. Owners of both shops told Source NM on Wednesday that USDA inspectors conducted surprise inspections within the last week. According to a USDA spokesperson, M&L has been “permanently disqualified” from receiving SNAP benefits in exchange for products following its recent inspection, though the business owner can appeal. The agency did not respond to Source NM’s requests for details about whether that shop was found to be fraudulently using SNAP or whether it violated other rules. The exterior of the M&L smoke shop, pictured June 24, 2026. The USDA “permanently disqualified” the shop following a recent inspection. (Patrick Lohmann/Source NM) M&L owner Marcus Hill told Source NM that it’s possible the USDA cut him off from SNAP because he was re-selling store-bought meat to SNAP recipients. “I don’t really know what the rules are,” he told Source NM in a brief phone interview, in which he also denied committing SNAP fraud. The USDA can cut off SNAP access to retailers that commit fraud, which includes providing cash in exchange for SNAP benefits. The USDA also prohibits retailers from accepting SNAP funds for non-SNAP items like tobacco and liquor, as well as for hot food, though members of Congress are seeking an exception for hot rotisserie chicken. Aaron Sheridan owns Smoke City, the other shop the LFC highlighted. He noted — and the USDA spokesperson confirmed — that he is still allowed to accept SNAP after the USDA’s surprise inspection Monday. He interprets that as vindication that he committed no wrongdoing. By the #s: More than half of NM groceries, convenience stores at ‘high risk’ due to SNAP cuts In an interview Wednesday at the shop, Sheridan provided a year’s worth of more than $230,000 in purchase orders to one of his three main food distributors and provided a tour of the shop, featuring roughly a dozen aisles full of chips, candy, canned beans, cookies and pasta, as well as freezers full of drinks and microwaveable meals. He also presented sales analytics showing he received a little more than $100,000 from food sales in May alone, with roughly half of that coming from customers using SNAP. Sheridan said he decided to expand his offerings at his 24-hour smoke shop after being shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. He wanted to ensure his business remained “essential” in the event of another shutdown, so he added a single cooler with soft drinks after being allowed to reopen. He continued adding groceries to his aisles and received USDA authorization to accept SNAP in 2022, according to USDA data. Meanwhile, nearby large chain grocery stores closed. “So that obviously helped me, but it didn’t help the area, so that’s when I expanded even more, and I started to get more groceries,” he said. “I mean, these people need to eat, they need food, they need this, they need that. So, I’m glad that I was honestly here to provide that.” Woods told Source NM that he is glad the USDA investigated both shops and also to learn that no fraud was occurring at Smoke City. But he urged the Health Care Authority to implement the LFC’s recommendations to crack down on potential fraud throughout the SNAP ecosystem. A worker delivers groceries to the Smoke City shop in Albuquerque’s International District on June 24, 2026. (Patrick Lohmann/Source NM) One LFC recommendation affecting SNAP retailers concerns the SNAP data the USDA and state collect. The USDA only collects the dollar amount for SNAP purchases. As a result, the LFC said, retailers can easily ring up non-SNAP items or exchange SNAP funds for cash. The LFC recommended the HCA require product information data be collected through its electronic system. Marina Piña, a spokesperson for HCA, said the authority has “begun discussions” with its vendor about improving SNAP retailer compliance, including “the feasibility of collecting item-level purchase data.” But Sovereign Hager, the public benefits director for the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty, said the focus on retailer or customer fraud is misplaced in a state with among the highest rates of nationwide food insecurity, and after the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” stripped SNAP benefits from thousands of New Mexicans. “It’s taking attention away from real problems that are causing children and families in New Mexico to not be able to put food on the table,” she said. Courtesy of Source New Mexico
	She posted about ICE. Five months later, DHS agents told her to take her post down In January, Paigelynne Gonyea posted about the immigration surge in Minneapolis. This week, she was visited by ICE officials who claimed one of her posts had doxxed a federal agent.
	Agricultural economist encourages careful optimism amid trade changes and federal assistance Andrew Streff drives his combine while harvesting soybeans on Sept. 29, 2025, near Salem, South Dakota. (Photo by Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)PIERRE — Resumption of trade with China and potential year-round availability of E15 biofuel could positively impact the farm economy, according to an agricultural economist who spoke Thursday at the Governor’s Ag Summit in South Dakota. But David Widmar, who focuses on agricultural trends and decision-making for farmers at Agricultural Economic Insights, said they have to balance their optimism with the tough times they’re still facing. Federal aid for farmers last year helped some of them survive tariff-related market disruptions, and President Donald Trump is pushing for an additional $11.1 billion. That could provide more relief, Widmar said, but “we can’t continue” on a federal funding “treadmill forever.” “These are a life raft, not a kayak,” he said. “Kayaks are toys that we can plan on using. Life rafts are things that we use to get to the shore. Make sure we don’t confuse those two things.” Trump wants $87.6 billion to pay for his war in Iran, aid to farmers and more Profits in the livestock sector have been strong, Widmar said, while soybean farmers have been struggling. China temporarily boycotted U.S. soybean purchases last year in response to President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Chinese products. Trade should be getting “back to normal” after productive diplomacy, Widmar said, but China primarily buys soybeans during the winter months, which is when farmers should expect to see change. On a longer-term basis, Widmar said the year-round sale of E15 — a gasoline blend containing 15% ethanol — could give farmers more momentum, but it’s “not quite ready for primetime.” The Trump administration sent a proposal to Congress earlier this week that asks lawmakers to include the year-round sale of E15, among other policy changes, in any supplemental spending bill it approves in the coming weeks and months. Current federal regulations restrict the sale of E15 from June 1 to Sept. 15 because of its effects on air quality. For broadcasters: Host script with David Widmar soundbite. Courtesy of South Dakota Searchlight
	Lanes to close on John Deere Road, Moline, for patching Drivers in Moline can expect delays due to lane closures on John Deere Road next week. A news release from the Illinois Department of Transportation said that starting on Monday, June 29, there will be lane closures on westbound John Deere Road (Illinois 5). The work zone is between Seventh and 16th Streets. Two lanes [...]
	4 Your Money \| Supply Shock There has been significant buzz surrounding the massive new IPOs hitting the market recently. David Nelson, CEO of NelsonCorp Wealth Management, shares how this surge of available shares may impact market performance.
	Jibaro Restaurant, Muscatine, moving into Capone's Chicago Style Eatery building There’s some good news for a Muscatine restaurant that was forced to evacuate its building, along with others in the city’s downtown, due to structural concerns. Jibaro Restaurant posted on its Facebook page that one business’s closing announcement is a boon to the restaurant. “Our friends at Capone’s Chicago Style Eatery (211 W. 2nd Street) [...]
	Kansas AG’s proposed restriction on mifepristone would impact more than abortion patients Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach wants to restrict mifepristone, a medication commonly prescribed for abortions. But the drug also is used to treat other conditions, such as Cushing's syndrome and unresolved miscarriages. (Photo by Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent)TOPEKA — Janice Powers treats her hormonal disorder with the abortion pill that Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach and attorneys general from other states want to regulate as a water contaminant. Mifepristone, a medication researchers have found to be safe and effective, is commonly prescribed as part of a two-pill regimen to terminate a first-trimester pregnancy. It also can treat other conditions. Powers, a 61-year-old from Andover who is a project manager at the CDC Foundation, takes it for Cushing’s syndrome, a disorder caused by high levels of the cortisol hormone. The pill blocks cortisol receptors to minimize the hormone’s effects. “I’m exercising more now. It makes a real difference in my outlook on life,” she said. “I don’t feel as depressed. I don’t feel as angry, which, it’s kind of crazy, has improved my marriage.” Mifepristone is used to treat Cushing’s syndrome and unresolved miscarriages. And, despite claims by Kobach and others, experts say at-home medication abortions are safe for the patient and the water supply. An endocrinologist, a type of physician specializing in hormonal disorders, prescribed Powers mifepristone in October. Since then, she said, she has successfully managed her diabetes, lost weight and has had more energy to garden her flowers. “This medication is literally saving my life,” she said. On June 17, Kobach and Republican attorneys general from 13 other states sent a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency calling for the classification and regulation of mifepristone as a water contaminant. “If mifepristone reaches sufficient concentration,” the letter said, “pregnant women who unintentionally ingest the drug through the public water supply could be at greater risk of health complications than the general population.” Shannon Bartelt-Hunt, an expert on the presence of contaminants and pharmaceutical compounds in the environment and a University of Nebraska professor, said in an interview that the amount of pharmaceutical compounds in surface water, such as a lake or river, is trace. The amount that can be present in drinking water is even smaller, she said. She said in order for someone to consume 600 milligrams of mifepristone, a potential dose, one would have to drink 150,000 gallons of surface water containing one microgram of mifepristone per liter, which would be an unusually high concentration. “Drinking water, you might drink 10 times that to get the therapeutic dose,” she said. “Instead of 150,000 gallons, maybe you have to drink 1.5 million gallons of water, which just isn’t even anywhere in the realm of possibility.” Bartelt-Hunt said tiny amounts of compounds like the ones in mifepristone flush into water systems through human and animal waste, which potentially have negative effects to public health and the environment that scientists are still studying. But she said those compounds come from numerous pharmaceuticals. “They are not saying take away antibiotics,” she said, “or take away heart medication, or take away your cholesterol medication or take away any other medications that people need.” In the June letter, the attorneys general argued endocrine disruptors, natural or synthetic compounds that mimic or interact with hormones, cause reproductive harm to humans and wildlife, citing a 2022 published study. Bartelt-Hunt said while there is potential for harmful effects, the standard procedure would involve filtering out such compounds, not eliminating all or one of the pharmaceuticals altogether. “Typically, if something is regulated, then the solution is to install treatment to remove that material to below that regulatory limit,” she said. This kind of water treatment technology exists, she said, but is expensive and not mandated. Powers wants mifepristone to remain accessible. She said she asked her physician if there are alternative treatments for her specific condition. As far as her doctor was aware, there aren’t. “If I go off of it,” Powers said, “then those receptors will stop being blocked, and I’ll go right back to where I was before.” People with untreated Cushing’s syndrome can experience symptoms that include weight gain, high blood pressure, diabetes, muscle weakness and mood swings. Mifepristone and misoprostol, the medications that make up the two-pill abortion procedure, also can treat unresolved miscarriages, which occur when pregnancy tissues are not properly expelled after a sudden, early loss of pregnancy. Lauren Ralph, a reproductive sciences associate professor at the University of California San Francisco and an expert in public health and abortion, said incomplete miscarriages can lead to infection. “Twenty percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage,” she said. “We don’t know the exact amount, but some of those miscarriages won’t resolve on their own and need support from medications.” “We will always continue to need access to mifepristone and misoprostol, even in a place where abortion is regulated more heavily,” she added. While the letter state officials sent to the EPA said medication abortions are dangerous, Ralph’s research shows otherwise. In April 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allowed certified pharmacists to distribute the abortion regimen by mail and removed in-person visit requirements because of COVID-19. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the FDA’s decisions in 2024 and again in May. Mifepristone has not been available in major pharmaceutical stores in Kansas since Kobach and other state officials urged companies not to sell it in 2023. Powers receives hers by mail. State officials’ June letter said the FDA’s decisions to remove in-person dispensing and check-up requirements has “eliminated many of the protections that minimized the health risks posed by mifepristone.” A 2024 published study Ralph authored found medication abortions by mail distribution and telehealth appointments to be as safe as in-person medication abortion procedures. “It’s important to have mifepristone and misoprostol available,” she said, “recognizing that it’s got a safety and effectiveness profile that’s been really well established over decades of research.” Courtesy of Kansas Reflector
	Hyperbaric oxygen therapy explained Nearly 11 million people are living with chronic wounds and that number is expected to rise.
	Sheriff: No injuries reported after small plane makes emergency landing in Knox County cornfield The sheriff's office said the aircraft, a Cessna 172N with three people on board, had experienced a possible engine failure while in flight.
	NM health officials report fox in McKinley County tests positive for rabies U.S. Wildlife Services biologist Robert Fey takes tissue sample from an anesthetized raccoon to test for rabies. The New Mexico Department of Health announced on June 25, 2026, that a fox tested positive for rabies in McKinley County. (Anson Eaglin/USDA-APHIS)New Mexico health officials on Thursday reported a fox in McKinley County tested positive for rabies, the eighth case in New Mexico this year. A New Mexico Department of Health news release announcing the case urged residents to ensure their pets are vaccinated against the virus. Dr. Erin Phipps, NMDOH state public health veterinarian, said vaccinating pets not only protects them, but also helps stop the spread of rabies, which is still one of the deadliest known viruses with a fatality rate very close to 100%. “Our dogs and our cats can have unwitnessed encounters with wildlife,” she said. “This is a good reminder that dogs and cats, by law, must be vaccinated against rabies, and it’s important for their protection as well as ours.” Phipps said this is the first case of a rabid fox in McKinley County on record, with most rabid foxes being found further south. She also pointed out that most cases of rabies in New Mexico are found in bats. The risk is so high that even if a person just wakes up in a room where a bat is present, she said, if the bat can’t be captured and tested, the person should have a post-exposure rabies vaccine. “Bat teeth are so tiny you can be bit and not realize it,” she said, “and there have been confirmed cases of human rabies in the United States where somebody did not realize that they’d been bitten by a bat and later developed bat strain rabies.” She said any sort of physical contact with a bat — even through clothes — is considered an exposure. “Bat bites can be painless, and they can be very difficult, if not invisible, to find any marks,” she said. “So that’s one of the reasons we’re so cautious.” There were 13 cases of rabies last year, and 12 two years ago. For more information visit the NMDOH rabies information page. Support for this coverage comes from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Courtesy of Source New Mexico
	Burlington parade celebrates America's 250th anniversary Burlington will be celebrating America's 250th birthday with a patriotic evening of family fun at the Jefferson Street Farmers Market on Thursday, July 2, as Downtown Partners, Inc. hosts a Kids Bike & Wagon Parade in the heart of Downtown Burlington. Children are invited to decorate their bicycles, wagons, scooters, tricycles, and strollers in red, [...]
	Worker killed in accident at Riverstone Quarry Friday morning An employee was killed in a workplace accident at Riverstone Quarry in New Liberty Friday morning. Emergency personnel were notified of the accident at approximately 6:56 a.m. Friday. Upon arrival, first responders located the individual pinned under a large piece of equipment that workers attempted to load onto a trailer. The initial investigation revealed the weight of the equipment suddenly shifted, causing it to come down on a worker that was undeneath. Emergency personnel determined the worked suffered traumatic injuries, and was pronounced dead at the scene. The name of the individual is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The investigation is ongoing between the Scott County Sheriff's Office and the Mine Health & Safety Administration. The Scott County Sheriff's Office, Scott Emergency Communications Center, Scott County Medic EMS, New Liberty Fire and Scott County Medical Examiner's Office all assisted with the incident.
	Best value electric cars of 2026, according to Edmunds Best value electric cars of 2026, according to EdmundsElectric cars are typically more expensive to purchase than gas-powered vehicles, particularly without the federal EV tax credit that expired last year, but that doesn't mean certain models don't still offer a lot of value. Some, like the ones below, aren't much more expensive than their gas-powered counterparts while providing long driving ranges and robust lists of standard features. According to Edmunds' research, the Chevrolet Bolt EV remains the best value electric car.Of course, there are more good value electric vehicles to consider. The list below from Edmunds isn't necessarily about the cheapest EVs on the market. Instead, it's about the EVs that offer the best value across different segments. All of the stated prices include the factory destination fee, which everyone pays.Before getting to the list, let's talk about the federal EV tax incentive. For years, the federal government offered a $7,500 credit on new EV purchases, but as of Sept. 30, 2025, that credit has disappeared. Even without this incentive, the cost of ownership for EVs can be considerably lower than internal combustion engine models due to their lower cost of energy, so they still make a lot of sense for many buyers.Best value for an affordable electric car: Chevrolet Bolt EVThe Bolt EV hatchback is the king of value because it balances a usable range with a low asking price. All-new for the 2027 model year, it also includes a healthy list of standard features.The Bolt's closest rival is the Nissan Leaf, which starts below $30,000, but you get significantly less driving range for that price. The top Leaf model also provides less range and costs around $10,000 more.The Bolt's low starting price doesn't mean Chevy skimped on features. Every Bolt comes standard with a sizable 11.3-inch center touchscreen, a few advanced driver aids, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless smartphone connectivity. The electric Chevy provides an EPA-estimated range of 262 miles, which is up slightly from the previous generation, and it now uses the North American Charging Standard (NACS) charging plug, allowing it access to Tesla charging stations.Also consider: The base short-range Nissan Leaf S is the second-most affordable EV, and the Hyundai Kona Electric is another affordable electric SUV that has a starting price in the mid-$30,000s.Starting price: $28,995, including $1,395 destination feeBest value for a small electric sedan: Tesla Model 3The Model 3's recent price cuts have put the starting price just under $40,000. That undercuts any luxury rival and makes it more affordable than the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and most non-luxury electric SUVs.The base Model 3 RWD delivers an estimated range of 321 miles and gives owners access to Tesla's vast nationwide network of Supercharger fast-charging stations. The base model comes equipped with many features, including a large 15-inch center touchscreen, two wireless smartphone chargers, heated front and rear seats, front-row textile upholstery, and driver assistance features such as blind-spot warning and adaptive cruise control. The more full-featured Full Self-Driving package, which can drive autonomously in some situations but requires the driver to be ready to take over, is currently an additional $8,000, though Tesla will likely move to a subscription-only model for that in the near future.Also consider: The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is the only other compact electric sedan and an excellent alternative. The affordable SE Standard Range model costs about $700 more than the base Model 3.Starting price: $38,380, including $1,390 destination feeBest value for a luxury electric sedan: Lucid AirThe Lucid Air offers a Goldilocks-like combination of long range, good looks, excellent handling, and a base model that costs less than you might think. While it's far from a perfect vehicle, it rules the roost among luxury EV sedans now that Tesla has announced the demise of its long-serving Model S. Mercedesâ€™ EQS is still a contender on the luxury front, but it lags in both range and acceleration.The Lucid Air Pure starts at just over $70,000, and for that, you get rear-wheel drive, an EPA-estimated range of 420 miles and Lucid's DreamDrive driver assistance suite. It's a very refined package overall that continues to impress.Starting price: $72,400, including $1,500 destination feeBest value for a compact electric SUV: Volkswagen ID.4The ID.4 Pro is now the ID.4's most affordable model, with the discontinuation of the Standard version. Its max estimated range of 291 miles is more than enough for most folks, too. That's even long enough to make electric road tripping relatively easy, especially when you consider that VW is including two years of Electrify America charging with Plug & Charge with every ID.4. Plug & Charge allows owners to plug in and the charger will recognize the vehicle and the method of payment.In typical VW fashion, the ID.4 Pro comes standard packed with features, including a large package of advanced driver aids, a 12.9-inch center touchscreen, wireless smartphone connectivity, heated front seats and a wireless smartphone charger.Also consider: The Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia Niro EV have cheaper starting prices, but they are smaller and don't offer all-wheel drive.Starting price: $46,570, including $1,475 destination feeBest value for a midsize electric SUV: Hyundai Ioniq 5Hyundai's Ioniq 5 made waves in the industry when it debuted, and not only for its cyberpunk-lite styling. It also offered an excellent mix of range, performance and standard features that has made it a perennial favorite with car shoppers, even after the demise of the EV tax credit. While the base model's 245-mile range isn't all that impressive on paper, it's more than enough for most people in day-to-day driving.The base model Ioniq 5 offers niceties such as a standard power driver's seat and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as features like Hyundai's SmartSense driver assistance suite, which includes blind-spot warning, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, and more.Also consider: The 2026 Honda Prologue is a massive hit with consumers despite its near-$50,000 price tag.Starting price: $36,600, including $1,600 destination feeBest value for a three-row electric SUV: Kia EV9The EV9 is Kia's flagship electric SUV. As we've come to expect from Kia, the EV9 offers plenty of value for the price. It costs significantly less than other three-row electric SUVs like the Rivian R1S and offers a similar amount of luxury and tech features in its higher trims.The EV9's low starting price is for the Light RWD base model that delivers a modest estimated range of 230 miles. But it comes standard with lots of features, including a 110-volt household-style power outlet, large driver and infotainment screens, synthetic leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a digital key and many advanced driver aids. If you need more range than the base model's 230 miles, opt for the 304-mile Light Long Range for only about $4,000 more.Also consider: Check out the base models of the Rivian R1S and the Tesla Model X, but keep in mind they cost more.Starting price: $56,545, including $1,645 destination feeBest value for a compact luxury electric SUV: Tesla Model YAs with the Model 3, the Model Y's price has dropped significantly. It now has a starting price in the $40,000 range for the base rear-wheel-drive variant. Not that long ago, the Model Y started at a whopping $67,000. The Model Y now starts at a price similar to many non-luxury rivals and is more affordable than any luxury rival.The Model Y's base model has an estimated range of 321 miles, which is still respectable even though much of the competition is edging closer to Tesla's range. The Model Y comes equipped with the same long list of features as the Model 3, including a 15-inch center touchscreen, heated front and rear seats, and two wireless smartphone chargers. The Model Y also has access to Tesla's Supercharger network, the largest fast-charging network in the nation.Also consider: The Polestar 2, Audi Q4 E-tron and Genesis GV60 are excellent alternatives, but they are priced higher to start.Starting price: $41,380, including $1,390 destination feeBest value for a midsize luxury electric SUV: Cadillac LyriqThe stylish and spacious Lyriq is Cadillac's first electric SUV. It's a large two-row SUV around the size of a Tesla Model X. The Lyriq is priced significantly lower than its similarly sized German luxury competitors and closer to smaller rivals like the Genesis GV60.The Lyriq has a generous estimated range of 326 miles with rear-wheel drive and up to 319 miles with all-wheel drive. The AWD model packs a lot of power and costs only a few thousand more. Standard features include a wide 33-inch screen, an infotainment system powered by Google, wireless smartphone charging, wireless smartphone connectivity and heated front seats. Super Cruise, a hands-free driving system that works on certain highways, also comes standard.Also consider: If you need three rows of luxury seating and have a larger budget, consider the Tesla Model X and Rivian R1S.Starting price: $60,995, including $1,795 destination feeBest value for an electric truck: Chevrolet Silverado EVThe F-150 Lightning was the most affordable electric truck on the market, but Ford isn't continuing it into the 2026 model year. That means the new reigning value champ in the electric pickup space (until the Slate Truck goes on sale) is the Chevy Silverado EV, which has a slightly higher starting price and a slightly less traditional body style than the outgoing Ford. Don't worry, it's still ready to do truck stuff.While the base WT (Work Truck) trim was initially sold to fleets, the 286-mile no-nonsense truck can now be had in the form of the Custom trim by anyone as long as you can find one. Whether you'd want to live with a Custom on a daily basis if you weren't being paid to (it doesn't come with carpet, for example) remains to be seen, so most consumers will consider the LT as the base model, despite its higher price tag.The Silverado EV is extremely configurable, and buyers are able to spec it up to 760 hp and increase the battery size to deliver an estimated 493 miles of range.Also consider: The Rivian R1T will set you back more, but it boasts a distinct design, a premium interior, and impressive on- and off-road performance.Starting price: $58,490, including $2,595 destination fee ($63,495 for LT)Other electric cars offering great value2026 Chevrolet Equinox EVThe Equinox EV's low starting price makes it one of the most affordable EVs in 2026 and a killer deal when you consider its standard range of 319 miles. The Equinox EV is larger than the Bolt, making it better for families. The base 1LT model comes standard with several advanced driver aids and large dual monitors, including a huge 17.7-inch center touchscreen.Starting price: $36,795, including $1,800 destination fee2026 Volvo EX30Volvo's subcompact EX30 is a wildly affordable luxury compact electric SUV. The little SUV provides a generous range of up to 261 miles and comes well equipped with many standard features, including a package of advanced driver aids and a 12.3-inch tablet-style center touchscreen with Google Built-In. The optional Twin Motor model sacrifices a few miles of range for a more powerful all-wheel-drive powertrain.Starting price: $40,345, including $1,395 destination feeFinal thoughtsRewind to about a year ago, and you probably wouldn't have seen a Tesla on this list. Since then, Tesla has significantly lowered its prices, making it essentially a value brand. Tesla EVs aren't known for solid build quality and they aren't as luxurious as other luxury brands, but they have the best public charging network, offer long driving range, and are loaded with standard features. As EVs become more affordable to build and competition increases, other automakers will lower prices to better compete with the EV sales leader.This story was produced by Edmunds and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

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