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

Monday, June 8th, 2026
	Heart of America Group considers move to Des Moines The group has been headquartered in the Quad Cities for more than 40 years.
	From Brady Street Stadium to Roger Craig Stadium, Davenport schools unanimously approves rename after former football standout, turned NFL superstar Craig is a legendary figure both in the Davenport Schools and in the world of college and professional football.
	‘Only a matter of time’ Alderman, resident raise concerns after land listed for data center Residents in Rock Falls and both Whiteside and Lee County Illinois are familiarizing themselves with data centers after a listing on the Lee County Industrial Development Association website.
	Rob Sand announces Iowa lieutenant governor pick DES MOINES, Iowa -- Iowa's Democratic nominee for governor, Rob Sand, has announced his running mate. On Monday morning, Sand revealed Dave Muhlbauer was his pick for lieutenant governor. “A fifth-generation family farmer and cattleman from Crawford County, Dave Muhlbauer represents the best of our state: hard-working, honest, and always willing to help out. I’m [...]
	From Brady Street Stadium to Roger Craig Stadium, Davenport schools unanimously approves re-name after former football standout, turned NFL superstar Craig is a legendary figure both in the Davenport Schools and in the world of college and professional football.
	Davenport parents arrested following child abuse investigation 48-year-old Andrew Warrington and 47-year-old Kellie Warrington have been booked in the Scott County Jail on a $2 million cash-only bond.
	From kickball to kayaking: Pride in Motion QC creating safe, inclusive spaces What started as a kickball league has grown into a nonprofit with book clubs, walking groups, dance parties, dodgeball and more, with nearly 1,000 local members.
	Who is Rob Sand’s pick for Iowa lt. governor, Dave Muhlbauer? Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand announced that Crawford County farmer Dave Muhlbauer would join his campaign ticket as lieutenant governor.
	More heavy rain possible this week in the Quad Cities After a dry May, things have turned wet again in the Quad Cities early in June. And we're looking at more rain chances this week. Here's a look at rain totals Monday: Heavy rain and severe storms are possible Wednesday and Thursday: Additional rain over the next 7 days could easily be over an inch [...]
	James Blood Ulmer, avant-garde electric guitarist and singer, has died at 86 The fearless free-funk and jazz artist, a student of Ornette Coleman's Harmolodics concept, followed his unorthodox path to a singular five-decade career.
	Davenport, Bettendorf kick off summer meal programs Davenport and Bettendorf summer meal programs are underway and will run through July 31.
	The Waiting Child: Britt and Mason wait for Big Brothers Big Sisters ‘Bigs’ More than 200 kids in the area are on the waiting list for a ‘Big.’ Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley needs volunteers to spend time with them. In this week’s The Waiting Child, Our Quad Cities News' Eric Olsen introduces us to Britt, a lover of art and all kinds of sports, [...]
	Rock Island public works director leaving position after 13 years with city The city plans to appoint an interim director before initiating a nationwide search for a replacement, following Mike Bartel’s resignation, which is effective June 19.
	Hook’s Pub & Grill fire leaves 14 employees without jobs An early morning fire has destroyed Hooks Pub & Grill in Clinton, leaving 14 employees suddenly out of work and the longtime owner looking to rebuild.
	2 arrested in connection with 2023 fatal shooting in Rock Island Dietmar Mouandza and Danejah Vesey are facing charges of first-degree murder in connection with a 2023 fatal shooting in Rock Island.
	Illinois politics latest: Key takeaways from the spring legislative session Peter Hancock with Capitol News Illinois joined The Current to break down the latest headlines from the statehouse.
	Davenport house damaged after stolen car crash Monday morning Police say a stolen vehicle was traveling eastbound on Central Park Avenue when the car left the roadway and struck the home.
	Pride in Motion rec league bringing connection and inclusion to the Quad Cities The nonprofit, supporting LGBTQIA+ folks and allies, has expanded to offer more than just kickball.
	'Plant A Seed, Read' at the Rock Island Public Library You're invited to 'plant a seed' by reading at the library. Lisa Lockhart dropped by Our Quad Cities News to talk about all the ways to grow free fun this summer at the Rock Island Public Library. For more information, click here.
	Support the American Red Cross at A Taste on the River You can enjoy a tasty way to help the American Red Cross with live music and exciting auctions! Trish Burnett joined Our Quad Cities News with all the delicious details on A Taste on the River. For more information, click here.
	Bubba's 33 hiring 200 positions for upcoming Davenport location The Texas Roadhouse affiliate is expected to begin serving diners in late July.
	Rock Island public works director resigning from office Mike Bartels started working for the City of Rock Island in 2013. He will take a new job at Iowa American Water, city officials said.
	Clinton opens cooling centers due to dangerous heat With dangerous heat predicted for later this week, Clinton County and Clinton City Officials will activate their Extreme Temperature Plan starting at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9th and continuing until 7 a.m. on Thursday, June 11th. During the day, residents needing a place to cool off can visit these cooling centers: The Clinton MTA [...]
	Looking ahead to November election, political comics: News 8 This Week - June 7, 2026 This week, News 8's Jon Diaz speaks with Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate. Plus, political comic book creators Stephen and Mark Zinngrabe from Bettendorf.
	Hey, Siri: Apple just announced a long-awaited AI update At its annual developers' conference, Apple put the spotlight on new AI features, while highlighting security and child safety — and critiquing the company's AI competitors.
	Iowa Supreme Court disciplinary board reprimands former Davenport city attorney The Court's Attorney Disciplinary Board publicly reprimanded Thomas Warner for violating professional ethics in how he handled two settlement agreements in 2023.
	MetroLINK invites community to celebrate America’s 250th with “Freedom to Go” campaign MetroLINK is rolling out wrapped buses, giveaways, patriotic drinks and more as part of its America 250 celebration. Find out how to join the Freedom to Go campaign.
	Bubba’s 33 restaurant hiring 200 workers in Davenport New restaurant Bubba’s 33 is hiring 200 full- and part-time workers, including cooks, pizza makers, and servers, for its July Davenport opening.
	The Arc of the Quad Cities Area receives a grant from an Illinois agency for Heritage Homes development The project received a $7.5 million grant from the Illinois Housing Development Authority’s Permanent Supportive Housing Development Program and a $400,000 grant from the state’s Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. They are seeking $1.3 million from donors to cover the remaining costs.
	Pair of Galesburg roads temporarily close due to flooding A traffic alert for drivers in Galesburg as roads have flooded.
	He-Man Nature: “Masters of the Universe,” “Power Ballad,” “Scary Movie,” and “Fallen Angels” Even in a sword-and-sorcery saga with considerable sci-fi elements, just how seriously are we supposed to take a movie whose protagonist goes by the moniker “He-Man”? Perhaps anticipating this question, the team behind the new Masters of the Universe has a locked-and-loaded reply: “Not seriously at all.” And when I say “not at all,” I mean Not. At. All.
	2 people arrested in connection with 2023 Rock Island homicide On Aug. 23, 2023, police found a victim who had died from gunshot wounds in the 500 block of 14th Avenue. He was identified as 25-year-old Quadril T. Lawal.
	REVIEW: The Rainmaker at Richmond Hill Players in Geneseo The Rainmaker continues at Richmond Hill Players Barn Theatre in Geneseo, Thursday through Saturday, June11 through June 13 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, June 14 at 3:00 p.m.
	Flooding closes part of W. Carl Sandburg Drive, Galesburg A news release from the Galesburg Public Works Department says W. Carl Sandburg Drive between Henderson Street and Home Boulevard is temporarily closed due to flooding.
	Two arrested in 2023 homicide of former Knox College athlete Rock Island police say two suspects now face first-degree murder warrants in a 2023 homicide case.
	Rock Island Arsenal firing cannons this week QC residents will hear cannon fire from the Rock Island Arsenal on Tuesday, June 9 and Wednesday, June 10. The cannons will be fired at about 2 p.m. on Tuesday and about 10 a.m. on Wednesday. The ceremony is the Joint Munitions Command colors casing as they become part of Army Sustainment Command. The ceremony [...]
	2 arrested, charged with murder in 2023 Rock Island shooting death Investigators say the shooting happened on 12th Avenue in 2023; both suspects now face first-degree murder charges.
	Special Weather Statement until MON 5:30 PM CDT Scattered Minor Flooding and Potential Funnel Clouds This Afternoon
	Former Davenport city attorney reprimanded over settlements The Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Disciplinary Board has publicly reprimanded former Davenport city attorney Tom Warner. Read more here.
	Police: Davenport couple confined child without food or water Police say a 10-year-old child required emergency medical care after being confined and deprived of basic needs. Two Davenport residents now face felony charges. Read more here.
	Traffic alert: I-80 closed near Jersey Ridge Road Traffic is backup on in both lanes of Interstate 80 after a crash just after noon Monday.
	Bubba's 33 to open in late July, hiring for 200 jobs in Davenport Applications are open now for cooks, servers, bartenders, hosts and more at Davenport’s new Bubba’s 33.
	3 things to know: Monday, June 8 Three things Quad Citizens should know to start their Monday, June 8.
	Rob Sand announces Dave Muhlbauer as running mate Dave Muhlbauer will join Rob Sand on the ballot for the lieutenant governor seat.
	UnityPoint Health opens intensive outpatient eating disorder clinic UnityPoint Health– Robert Young Center is offering specialized eating disorder care to the Quad Cities with the launch of the region’s first Intensive Outpatient Program for eating disorders. The new program is for adults dealing with eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia and binge eating. It offers a higher level of support than traditional therapy without [...]
	Traffic Impact Alerts Several traffic impact alerts are in place as construction is underway across the Quad Cities area.
	Davenport house damaged after possible collision News 8 is working to confirm details on a possible collision involving a house and a vehicle.
	Crews respond to overnight fire in Clinton Clinton departments responded to a fire at Hooks Pub and Grill early Monday morning.
	Taking Time to Turn a Page: How U.S. Readers are Attempting to Slow Down Summer (Feature Impact) For many adults, the slow-burning summers of childhood are a thing of the past. Unscheduled days and unhurried weeks have turned into a rushed season of endless activities and packed calendars. In fact, according to a new survey from ThriftBooks, the largest independent online bookseller of new and used books, three-quarters of U.S. adults who read said summer moves faster now than it did when they were growing up. Readers across the country are turning back the clocks by opening a book with 56% of those surveyed reporting reading makes summer feel like it lasts longer, and most agree it helps them slow down in a way other forms of downtime simply do not. Somewhere along the way, digital devices took the place of traditional books with 60% of readers saying screens take away from the feeling of summer, including the activities most associated with childhood: being outdoors, family time and reading. For readers, books may be one of the simplest ways to bring back that endless summer feeling. However, wanting to read and being permitted to read are different - 74% said they sometimes or often feel reading for pleasure is only allowed after everything is done, such as doing the dishes. The single biggest obstacle is not a shortage of time but the sense that reading is not productive enough to justify the hobby. This tension includes Gen Z. While they enter summer more optimistic about reading than older generations, they also feel more burdened by it and are most likely to feel they need to earn it first, despite 77% of Gen Z readers saying the activity makes summer feel longer compared to 44% of Baby Boomers. These findings suggest summer often feels shorter because schedules and distractions leave less room to slow down. To find your own inspiration to crack open a new book or turn to the next chapter for a slower summer, visit ThriftBooks.com. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
	Clinton firefighters respond to fire at Hook's Pub Clinton firefighters fought a structure fire at a bar in Clinton early this morning, according to a news release from the Clinton Fire Department. Firefighters were called to Hook’s Pub, 318 N. 4th Street on Monday, June 8 at about 3:23 a.m. for a report of a structure fire involving a second-floor apartment. The response [...]
	Iowa Supreme Court reprimands Davenport lawyer who brokered illegal settlement deals Justices said Warner 'exceeded the scope of authority.'
	How much debt does the average American have in 2026? How much debt does the average American have in 2026?Debt is something most people deal with, even if no one talks about it openly. The average American’s debt was $104,755 in June 2025, according to data from Experian, the credit bureau. Of course, that one simple number covers so many different people, ages, and life circumstances, it’s practically impossible to apply to your own situation.Even if your debt appears typical on paper, numbers don’t tell the whole story. What feels manageable to one person can feel overwhelming to someone else. It all depends on factors like income, family needs, and the kind of debt involved.Taking a closer look at the numbers may help you gauge where you stand, but only in the context of your life and situation. Freedom Debt Relief highlights more data on debt from Experian to help you start thinking about your finances and discusses steps that could give you more control—and more choices—when it comes to your money.How Much Debt Does the Average American Have in 2025?The average $104,755 debt estimate is a big number, but it also includes a huge range of debts. Most people have credit card debt and auto loans, and more than 40% of people have mortgage debt. Add in personal loans and student loans, and it's safe to say debt is a big part of pretty much everyone's daily life.Your exact debt load may be similar—or it could be quite different. Averages may be helpful for big-picture views, but they can be pretty imprecise when you’re talking about individuals.Average American Debt by AgePeople in different life stages take on different debt loads, and that’s normal. Instead of focusing on the overall average, it could be more useful to compare your debt load to that of other people of your generation.Here’s a look at debt broken out by demographic:Generation Z (18-28): $34,328Millennials (29-44): $132,280Generation X (45-60): $158,105Baby boomers (61-79): $92,619Silent Generation (80 and over): $38,460Most Gen Zers have credit card debt, and about a third have a car loan. Very few (7%) have a mortgage. More millennials have borrowed to reach financial goals: About two-thirds have a car loan, and nearly half (45%) have taken out personal loans. More than a third of millennials (37%) have mortgages. In the next age group, a solid half of Gen Xers have a mortgage.Things start to cool down in your 60s. Slightly more baby boomers have a mortgage (57% vs. 54% of Gen X), but the balances go down. In fact, average balances dip for most types of debt as people age. Mortgage debt remains the largest balance across all generations for those who have one.How Many Americans Have DebtSome type of debt is common across all generations, like credit card debt. If you’ve got debt, you’re far from alone.Here’s the percentage of Americans with different kinds of debt:Credit card: 95%Credit card with balance: 79%Car loan: 61%Mortgage: 42%Personal loan: 38%HELOC: 11%Student loan: 10%The youngest Americans carry an average credit card balance of $3,493. The average millennial carries nearly double that amount. The average Gen Xer? Almost three times what Gen Z carries.Some debt amounts are fairly consistent. Average auto loan balances range from $20,000 to $30,000, and that number holds steady across all generations except Americans over 80, who have auto loan balances in the high teens.It’s okay to have debt that others in your generation don’t have. There’s no right or wrong age to take on debt. What matters is recognizing when debt is too much to handle.How to Know If Your Debt Is Too MuchWhile it could be a useful starting point, whether your debt is in line with the average isn’t what's really important. What matters is whether you can pay your bills and manage other financial goals, like setting aside cash for an emergency and saving for retirement.If most of your money goes toward debt or you struggle to make minimum payments, you might have too much debt. Another way to measure how affordable your debt is to calculate your debt-to-income ratio.Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is your total monthly debt (including mortgage or rent) payments divided by your pre-tax monthly income. The higher your ratio, the more you’re probably spending on debt.Let’s say your monthly debt payments are $1,200 and your monthly income is $3,000. Your DTI would be:Step 1: $1,200 / $3,000 = 0.40Step 2: 0.40 x 100 = 40%In other words, you spend less than half your monthly income before taxes on debt payments.A general rule of thumb says a good DTI is under 36% because lenders are more likely to approve loans at that threshold. However, the type of debt also matters.High credit card balances that are accruing interest could create friction and stress. So-called good debt, such as student loans or mortgages, means you can plan for fixed payments that are predictable.If your debt is too much and you’d like to lower your DTI, you’re in good company. According to Bankrate, paying down debt was Americans’ number one 2026 financial goal. You might be able to pay off debt with DIY debt strategies or turn to experts for advice on a path forward.Ways to Pay Off DebtNo matter how your debt compares to the averages, it could be too much. Happily, you still have the power to change the direction of your financial life. There are a lot of ways to deal with debt, and the best one will depend on your specific situation.You could try:Debt snowball or debt avalanche. These DIY repayment strategies help you prioritize debt payments so payoff provides motivation to keep going. The debt snowball method focuses on paying off debts with low balances first to score quick psychological wins. The debt avalanche method focuses on paying off debt with the highest interest rate first, with the aim of saving you money.Debt settlement. This is where you negotiate with your creditors to accept less than you owe and forgive the rest of your debt. You can do this yourself, or hire a debt settlement company to negotiate on your behalf.Debt consolidation. You could take out a new loan to pay off multiple existing debts. It can streamline bill-paying and possibly get you a lower interest rate than you’re paying now.Debt management plan. This structured repayment plan comes from a credit counseling agency and could help if you need guidance.No matter which strategy you choose, start by creating or evaluating your budget. You don’t have to be a math whiz to learn to budget. Think of a budget as a spending plan or an add-on to your goal to shut the door on debt.This story was produced by Freedom Debt Relief and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The risk small businesses face when using 'World Cup' in marketing The risk small businesses face when using ‘World Cup’ in marketingThe World Cup is a massive sporting event, with matches happening all over the U.S. And if your business is planning to host a watch party, promotion, giveaway, or social media campaign tied to it, it’s important to note that not all event-related marketing is treated the same way. While businesses can generally talk about sporting events and join in on the conversation, official logos and branding are often protected by trademark law.The way small businesses are using these major sporting events to attract customers matters. Restaurants and bars host viewing parties. Retailers run promotions and giveaways. Service businesses create themed content. But beware that some marketing campaigns can unintentionally suggest an official connection or sponsorship when none exists.As Rocket Lawyer explains in this article, there is no need to avoid the event entirely; you just need to understand where the line is. Participating in the excitement can quickly turn into using event-related branding in a way that could suggest sponsorship, endorsement, or an official connection, which is where most issues arise.What Exactly Are World Cup Trademarks?Organizations like FIFA invest heavily in protecting their intellectual property. This includes everything from logos and mascots to official slogans and other smaller branding elements associated with the event.For businesses, the biggest risk becomes marketing in any way that appears to imply an official relationship with the event. For example, simply mentioning the name “World Cup” is often permissible, but using official logos in advertisements or promoting your business as an official partner when it isn't could raise concerns.This doesn't mean you can't acknowledge the event. Many businesses successfully run overarching soccer-themed promotions, viewing parties, and related marketing without claiming affiliation.The determining factor is understanding whether your marketing could reasonably lead customers to believe your business is sponsored by, endorsed by, or affiliated with the event.Common Marketing Situations That Can Create RiskBusiness owners are often surprised to learn that the risk comes from how marketing is presented, not just the words used.Some situations worth reviewing include:Using official event logos or artwork in advertisements.Running contests or giveaways that suggest an official partnership.Creating sponsorship promotions that imply any kind of endorsement.Using protected branding on non-official merchandise or products.Posting content with marketing materials that combine your brand with official imagery.Make sure your promotions focus on your business rather than someone else's protected intellectual property. Times when major events are happening are especially important because they attract increased attention from trademark owners seeking to protect their brands.Questions You Should Ask Before Using a Trademarked Term in Your MarketingBefore launching a promotion, ask yourself a few key questions:Am I using official logos, artwork, or branding? If so, do I have permission to use them?Could customers think my business is officially connected to the event? Does my marketing imply sponsorship or endorsement?Am I hosting a watch party or having any promotions? How am I describing the event in my advertising?Have I reviewed my marketing materials for trademark concerns? Would a legal professional identify any potential issues before launch?These questions can help you spot potential risks before it's too late, and a campaign is already live.Next StepsA few practical steps can help; you don't have to sit out major sporting events to protect your business:1. Review promotional materials before publishing them. Pay special attention to logos, graphics/designs, and sponsorship language.2. Focus on your own brand.Build campaigns around your products and services rather than official event branding.3. Train employees and marketing partners. Make sure everyone understands what materials can and cannot be used.4. If you're unsure, ask for guidance. Legal professionals can help you identify potential trademark concerns, and can review higher-risk campaigns before launch.Major events like the World Cup create valuable opportunities to engage customers. With a little planning, you can join the excitement while reducing risk and centering on your own brand.This story was produced by Rocket Lawyer and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Hook's Pub & Grill in Clinton catches fire, ownership asking for help for employees The owners are asking for help finding new jobs for staff as the future of Hook's is uncertain.
	Crews respond to overnight fire at Hooks Pub & Grill Clinton officials responded to an overnight fire at Hooks Pub & Grill on Monday.
	House damaged in Davenport News 8 has reached out to Davenport police and will update information as it becomes available.
	State legislators start petition to ban Flock cameras Maine Rep. Quentin Chapman, a Republican representing Auburn, listens to Gov. Janet Mills’s State of the State address on Jan. 27, 2026. (Photo by Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star)Republican state Reps. Quentin Chapman, David Boyer and Laurel Libby launched a citizen initiative effort in Auburn to place a local ban on Flock cameras on the ballot in November. Signature collectors will be at the three Auburn polling places on Election Day on Tuesday asking residents to sign a petition to prohibit the cameras, which some law enforcement agencies rely on to read license plates to flag if a vehicle is connected to an active investigation. “Flock cameras represent an unprecedented expansion of government surveillance that threatens the privacy and civil liberties of every Mainer,” said Chapman, who along with Libby represents Auburn. “Auburn families should not have to accept constant monitoring simply for driving on our streets. This petition gives our residents a direct voice in deciding whether these cameras belong in our city.” Boyer, who lives in neighboring Poland, is also the lead sponsor of a proposed statewide ban on Flock cameras. While it won’t be considered until the state Legislature reconvenes in January, Boyer submitted a bill to ban municipalities and police departments from using the cameras, except for those used for toll collection. These proposals come as Maine towns are increasingly relying on Artificial Intelligence for policing and as, nationwide, Flock cameras have been accessed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agents. The American Civil Liberties Union of Maine has described this technology as a “type of dragnet surveillance” that “poses a significant threat to our Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable searches by government authorities.” SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Maine Morning Star
	Taking Time to Turn a Page: How U.S. Readers are Attempting to Slow Down Summer (Feature Impact) For many adults, the slow-burning summers of childhood are a thing of the past. Unscheduled days and unhurried weeks have turned into a rushed season of endless activities and packed calendars. In fact, according to a new survey from ThriftBooks, the largest independent online bookseller of new and used books, three-quarters of U.S. adults who read said summer moves faster now than it did when they were growing up. Readers across the country are turning back the clocks by opening a book with 56% of those surveyed reporting reading makes summer feel like it lasts longer, and most agree it helps them slow down in a way other forms of downtime simply do not. Somewhere along the way, digital devices took the place of traditional books with 60% of readers saying screens take away from the feeling of summer, including the activities most associated with childhood: being outdoors, family time and reading. For readers, books may be one of the simplest ways to bring back that endless summer feeling. However, wanting to read and being permitted to read are different – 74% said they sometimes or often feel reading for pleasure is only allowed after everything is done, such as doing the dishes. The single biggest obstacle is not a shortage of time but the sense that reading is not productive enough to justify the hobby. This tension includes Gen Z. While they enter summer more optimistic about reading than older generations, they also feel more burdened by it and are most likely to feel they need to earn it first, despite 77% of Gen Z readers saying the activity makes summer feel longer compared to 44% of Baby Boomers. These findings suggest summer often feels shorter because schedules and distractions leave less room to slow down. To find your own inspiration to crack open a new book or turn to the next chapter for a slower summer, visit ThriftBooks.com. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
	Cómo las mujeres pueden optimizar su salud para combatir las enfermedades cardiovasculares (Feature Impact) La amenaza de las enfermedades cardíacas y los accidentes cerebrovasculares está creciendo considerablemente entre mujeres y niñas, crecen las tasas de factores de riesgo de salud como la presión arterial alta, la diabetes y la obesidad; y se proyecta que 6 de cada 10 mujeres estadounidenses tendrán al menos un tipo de enfermedad cardiovascular (ECV) para 2050. Esta información de una nueva declaración científica publicada en “Circulation,” la revista insignia revisada por pares de la American Heart Association, una fuerza global que está cambiando el futuro de la salud para todas las personas, señala un aumento en las ECV que en parte está impulsado por incrementos en otros factores de salud como la diabetes y la obesidad. Casi el 32% de las niñas de entre 2 a 19 años podrían tener obesidad para 2050, lo que resalta el impacto que esto tiene incluso en las generaciones más jóvenes. Los hallazgos del informe señalan aumentos entre las mujeres para todos los tipos de ECV, incluyendo la enfermedad cardíaca, la insuficiencia cardíaca, la fibrilación auricular y el derrame cerebral. “Las enfermedades cardiovasculares son la principal causa de muerte de las mujeres y siguen siendo su riesgo de salud número 1 en general”, dijo Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., FAHA, presidenta voluntaria de la American Heart Association y directora ejecutiva del Katz Institute for Women’s Health y vicepresidenta sénior de salud de la mujer en Northwell Health. “Aunque muchas personas pueden pensar que afecciones como la presión arterial alta solo ocurren en mujeres mayores, sabemos que ese no es el caso. Sabemos que los factores que contribuyen a las enfermedades del corazón y al accidente cerebrovascular comienzan temprano en la vida, incluso entre mujeres y niñas jóvenes. El impacto es aún mayor entre quienes experimentan determinantes sociales adversos de la salud, como la pobreza, la baja alfabetización, la residencia rural y otros factores estresantes psicosociales. Identificar los tipos de tendencias descritas en este informe es fundamental para hacer cambios significativos que puedan revertir este rumbo.” Sin embargo, hay buenas noticias: Se espera que las tasas de colesterol alto disminuyan entre casi todos los grupos de mujeres, y se espera que mejoren algunos comportamientos de salud que afectan las ECV, incluyendo una alimentación más saludable, más actividad física y menos tabaquismo. La forma más eficiente y efectiva de reducir la prevalencia de las ECV es mediante la prevención, priorizando una salud óptima a través de los cuatro comportamientos de salud (comer mejor, ser más activa, dejar el tabaco y dormir saludablemente) y los cuatro factores de salud (manejar el peso, controlar el colesterol, manejar el azúcar en la sangre y manejar la presión arterial) que componen Life’s Essential 8 de la American Heart Association. Comportamientos de salud Promueva elecciones saludables en los lugares donde las personas aprenden, viven y reciben atención, como escuelas, centros comunitarios, clínicas pediátricas y consultorios de ginecología. Use herramientas digitales, cuando sea útil, para fomentar y reforzar cambios positivos en el estilo de vida. Factores de salud Manejar las enfermedades crónicas, como la presión arterial alta, la diabetes y la obesidad, desde el principio puede marcar la diferencia, sobre todo para las mujeres con mayor riesgo. Trabaje con su equipo de atención médica para priorizar el apoyo a largo plazo para el manejo de estas afecciones, incluyendo chequeos tempranos, atención basada en equipos y el uso de herramientas digitales que faciliten el acceso a la atención. Atención en cada etapa de la vida Cada etapa de la vida ofrece la oportunidad de detectar los riesgos a tiempo y proteger la salud del corazón. Por ejemplo, los pediatras deben saber que los períodos menstruales tempranos pueden indicar un mayor riesgo cardiovascular futuro. La atención coordinada entre especialidades debe integrarse antes, durante y después del embarazo. La investigación debe continuar explorando cómo los cambios en el estilo de vida y la terapia hormonal alrededor de la menopausia impactan la salud del corazón de las mujeres. Factores sociales y demográficos Los sistemas de salud deben considerar cómo los desafíos sociales, como el acceso a alimentos saludables, el transporte o una vivienda segura, se combinan con los riesgos médicos, diseñando intervenciones que mejoren la salud del corazón en cada entorno. Para acceder al informe completo y encontrar más consejos para un corazón sano, visite Heart.org. Foto cortesía de Shutterstock
	Vehicle crashes into Davenport home A vehicle crashed into a Davenport home early Monday morning in the 100 block of W Central Park Ave.
	NPR's new chief content officer: 'I've been training for this job my whole life' Less than two weeks after overhauling its newsroom, NPR has hired Nadine Zylstra to be its chief content officer. She has been a top executive at Sesame Workshop, YouTube and Pinterest.
	From gym culture to grocery aisles: How protein went mainstream From gym culture to grocery aisles: How protein went mainstreamHow much protein have you had today? It sounds like a simple question, but it now follows people through places where nutrition advice used to feel far away. Grocery shelves, convenience-store coolers, meal kits, and ready-to-eat lunches are all being built around a nutrient many consumers once associated with gym routines.Part of the attention comes from a culture more fluent with labels, macros, and food that promises more nutritional value. Another part comes from GLP-1 medications, which have brought fresh attention to smaller appetites and the need for more nutrient-dense choices.That pressure has made protein one of the most important conversations in modern food. How protein ended up everywhere, and why it happened when it did, is a more layered answer than most people expect, Protein Now reports.Protein’s Roots in Fitness and Bodybuilding CultureLong before protein appeared on a bag of chips or a box of cereal, it belonged to a different corner of food culture. Bodybuilding gyms, specialty supplement shops, and athletic training rooms were its primary home, where the focus stayed on muscle repair, strength, and physical performance.The products that defined that era were thick, chalky shakes and large tubs of powder built for serious athletes rather than the average grocery shopper.Food historian Hannah Cutting-Jones, an assistant professor at the University of Oregon, has noted that protein “has always been on this pedestal,” never drawing the same backlash that carbs and fats endured through past diet cycles.For much of the 20th century, though, extra protein still carried a narrow identity. Wider attention came later, as research on protein’s broader role in the body and the rise of fitness tracking tools gave more people a reason to look beyond the weight room.The Rise of Lifestyle NutritionAfter decades of treating fitness as the main reason to care about protein, more consumers are looking at food through the demands of daily life. Lifestyle nutrition reflects that broader view, where meals are judged by how well they support workdays, family routines, aging bodies, and health goals that extend beyond the gym.Harvard’s Nutrition Source notes that protein is found throughout the body, from muscle and bone to skin, hair, enzymes, and hemoglobin. That wider role has helped protein become useful to people with very different needs. For example, a busy worker may want a meal that feels more satisfying throughout a long afternoon.A parent may be thinking about steady nutrition for the household. Or an older adult may be focused on maintaining strength with age, while someone using a GLP-1 medication may need smaller meals to carry more nutritional weight.Convenience Culture Accelerates AdoptionAwareness only goes so far when most of the day is spoken for. Demanding schedules, long commutes, and packed family calendars have made sitting down for a full meal a smaller part of daily life for millions of Americans.According to a 2025 Circana report, nearly half of consumers snack three or more times daily, and 61% say they actively look for snacks high in protein. Ready-to-drink shakes, protein bars, and portable packaged foods grew out of that demand, giving people a way to get more nutrition without stopping what they are doing.And the appeal can run even deeper for people using GLP-1 weight-loss medications. Registered dietitian Jenna Werner has noted that people on GLP-1s are “prioritizing protein because it’s the macronutrient that they need to preserve muscle mass.”The Grocery Store TransformationNowhere is protein’s mainstream rise more visible than in a modern grocery store. Yogurt sections that once held a handful of options now span larger refrigerated sections of Greek and Icelandic varieties, many carrying 15 to 20 grams of protein per cup.Snack aisles that used to be defined by conventional chips and candy now stock protein-forward alternatives, from lentil crisps to reformulated options with shorter ingredient lists. Cereals, pasta, and baking mixes have followed, with chickpea- and lentil-based versions sharing space alongside traditional options.Even major food brands are rebuilding recipes around protein, adding whey, casein, and plant-based isolates to familiar products rather than creating entirely new ones.SPINS data cited by Nutritional Outlook found that half of Gen Z and Millennial consumers actively seek functional foods enriched with protein and fiber, and that interest is changing how shoppers read the back of a label.A cereal box, yogurt cup, or snack bag now gets judged by nutritional content alongside flavor and price, which is why more shoppers are flipping packages to compare protein counts before deciding what goes into their cart.Why Protein Resonates With Modern ConsumersProtein’s appeal goes beyond what appears on a nutrition label. Research consistently shows it is the most filling of the three main macronutrients, helping lower hunger signals and keeping people satisfied between meals without relying on willpower alone.Michael Ormsbee, director of the Institute of Sports Sciences and Medicine at Florida State University, has described higher protein intake as something that “supports muscle retention during weight loss, enhances satiety, and can help preserve resting energy expenditure.”Those benefits hold across different life circumstances, from managing a calorie deficit to navigating reduced appetite on GLP-1 medications to maintaining muscle strength with age. Protein also has a higher thermic effect than carbohydrates or fats, meaning digestion itself requires more energy.For many consumers, building meals around protein can make less room for lower-nutrient choices without turning the rest of the plate into a set of restrictions.Balancing the Trend With Nutritional ContextProtein has absolutely earned its reputation, but nutrition science has long cautioned against letting any single macronutrient carry the whole weight of a healthy diet.Daphene Altema-Johnson, a registered dietitian at the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, has observed that “the obsession with protein is actually driven by the perception that more protein equals better health.”Carbohydrates, fats, and micronutrients all carry roles that protein alone cannot cover, from fueling the brain and absorbing fat-soluble vitamins to supporting the biochemical processes that keep the body running.How much of any nutrient a person actually needs also depends heavily on age, activity level, and health status, which is why rigid intake rules rarely fit every life the same way.What Mainstream Protein Signals for the Future of FoodProtein may be everywhere, but the bigger takeaway is that consumers are asking more from everyday food. A meal or snack now has to do more than taste good or fit into a busy schedule. More shoppers want food that feels useful, whether it supports energy, digestion, heart health, or long-term wellness.The International Food Information Council found that 52% of Americans actively seek foods and beverages that provide functional health benefits, including benefits tied to digestive health, immune support, heart health, and energy. Protein fits into that demand because it is familiar, easy to identify on a label, and simple for shoppers to understand.Food companies are likely to keep responding by adding protein alongside fiber, using simpler ingredient lists, and creating products that fit more naturally into everyday routines. The future of food may depend less on novelty and more on whether everyday choices feel worth the space they take up on the plate.Conclusion: From Niche to NecessityProtein's rise says something larger about how people are learning to eat under modern pressure. A nutrient once tied to weight rooms and supplement tubs has become part of how workers, parents, older adults, and GLP-1 users think about getting enough from the food they choose.Protein's mainstream status does not make it a cure-all or erase the need for a balanced plate, but it does explain why the conversation has moved so far beyond fitness. And the nutrition industry has moved with it, with brands building around consumers who want food and supplements to be useful, clear, and easier to fit into a real routine.Protein became mainstream by fitting into the routines people already had, and its next chapter will be defined by the same demand for nutrition that respects both time and the body.This story was produced by Protein Now and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	How to spot early signs of a roof leak before it spreads How to spot early signs of a roof leak before it spreadsWeather-related damage remains a leading cause of homeowners insurance claims. What starts as a minor roof leak can escalate into thousands of dollars worth of structural repairs, mold remediation and interior restoration.Roof leaks rarely announce themselves with obvious drips. They begin quietly behind walls or beneath insulation, causing damage long before visible symptoms appear. By the time water stains show on your ceiling, the leak may have been active for weeks.This guide by AmeriPro Roofing provides a clear action plan to help assess and address potential issues.Key TakeawaysEarly roof leak detection can save thousands in repair costs and prevent serious structural damage. Here are the most critical facts to remember:Mold growth accelerates quickly: Mold can begin growing on damp surfaces within just a day or two of water exposure, making early detection crucial for protecting indoor air quality.Interior signs indicate active leaks: Water stains, peeling paint and musty odors inside your home may mean a leak has already penetrated your roofing system and requires immediate attention.Attic inspections provide definitive proof: Checking your attic after storms reveals the most reliable evidence of roof leaks, including water stains on decking, damp insulation and visible mold growth.Professional inspection is essential: While homeowners can spot warning signs, only certified inspectors have the training and tools to trace leaks to their true source and assess the full extent of hidden damage.Understanding the Risks of a Small LeakThe EPA warns that mold can grow on damp surfaces within just 24 to 48 hours, turning a simple leak into a potential health hazard in less than two days. This rapid timeline underscores why early detection matters so much. AmeriPro Roofing Understanding the effects of neglected roof damage helps homeowners recognize the urgency of addressing even small leaks promptly. A small leak creates multiple pathways for damage to spread throughout your home:Structural damage: Slow leaks can gradually damage roof decking, ceiling joists, rafters and other structural elements as water saturates the wood. Over time, this degradation can compromise your building’s structural integrity, potentially leading to extensive and costly repairs.Mold and mildew: Moisture can create ideal conditions for mold and mildew. Mold can affect your home’s air quality and pose health risks to household members — particularly those with respiratory sensitivities or compromised immune systems.Electrical hazards: Water can travel along rafters and drip onto electrical wiring in your attic or walls, creating serious fire hazards. Wet electrical systems pose immediate safety risks that extend beyond simple property damage.Damaged insulation and higher energy bills: Saturated insulation can lose its thermal effectiveness completely. Wet insulation compresses and can’t trap air as intended, causing your heating and cooling systems to work harder and driving up monthly utility costs.Interior damage: Among other issues, water can cause drywall deterioration, ceiling staining and structural sag. In severe cases, saturated drywall and ceiling materials can collapse, requiring expensive interior renovations that extend far beyond simple roof repairs.Pest infestations: Damp wood and moist environments attract destructive pests including termites, carpenter ants and rodents. These pests are drawn to water and can cause additional structural damage. They can also establish colonies in your home’s compromised areas.Lower property value: Documented water damage can significantly decrease your home’s resale value. Potential buyers and appraisers view water intrusion history as a major concern, often requiring substantial price reductions or extensive remediation before sale.Early Warning Signs Inside Your HomeYour home’s interior provides the first and easiest inspection zone for detecting roof leaks. Certain signs indicate that water has already penetrated your roofing system, making its presence known through visible damage to ceilings, walls and paint. AmeriPro Roofing Water Stains on Ceilings or WallsWater stains are among the most obvious indicators of a roof leak. Watch for these warning signs:Yellowish or brown discolored patches: These stains typically appear on ceilings or upper walls, often forming distinctive rings or irregular shapes. Stains may start small but can gradually expand as water continues to accumulate.Active water trails: Wet streaks running down walls, fresh drips falling from ceiling fixtures, or pooling water on floors beneath stained areas mean water is currently flowing into your home.Hairline cracks: If you notice cracks radiating from water-stained areas, repeated wetting and drying cycles have likely compromised your ceiling’s structural integrity.Misleading stain location: A visible stain doesn’t always correspond to the actual leak source. Water can travel along rafters, roof decking or pipes for several feet before dripping onto drywall or plaster.Peeling, Bubbling or Cracking PaintPaint damage can signal moisture intrusion behind your walls or ceiling. Look for these indicators:Bubbling or peeling: Paint can separate from surfaces when moisture gets trapped behind the surface, breaking the bond between paint and drywall. You’ll notice bubbles forming under the paint layer or entire sections peeling away in sheets.Paint separation mechanism: Water seeps between the wall material and the paint film, pushing the coating away from the surface.Soft or mushy drywall: Press gently on areas where paint has bubbled or peeled. If the drywall feels spongy, crumbles easily or gives under light pressure, water may have thoroughly saturated the material. This indicates the leak has been active long enough to completely compromise structural integrity.A Persistent Musty OdorMusty smells often appear before visible damage becomes apparent. Key characteristics include:Distinctive earthy smell: A musty odor, especially in upper-level rooms, closets or near ceiling areas, can indicate mold or mildew thriving on hidden moisture. This distinctive smell often appears before you notice visible mold growth or water stains.Intensification in enclosed spaces: The smell becomes stronger in areas with limited air circulation, such as closets built against exterior walls or rooms directly beneath roof valleys.Hidden mold growth: If you detect this odor but can’t locate visible moisture or stains, mold is likely growing in concealed areas such as inside walls, above ceiling tiles or within insulation. This hidden growth can spread extensively before becoming visible, potentially affecting indoor air quality throughout your home.Warning Signs in Your AtticYour attic provides the most definitive proof of a roof leak. Unlike interior rooms where finished surfaces can hide damage temporarily, attics expose the underside of your roof deck and structural components directly. With this unobstructed access, attic inspections can confirm your suspicions and help you locate leak sources.Before entering your attic, take safety precautions. Use a bright flashlight or headlamp for adequate visibility and walk only on stable ceiling joists or installed flooring — never on the insulation or drywall between joists, as stepping through can cause serious injury and interior ceiling damage. For maximum safety, enlist the inspection services of a professional.Consider visiting your attic during or immediately after rainfall when active leaks are most apparent. The most common signs of a roof leak in your attic include:Water stains: Dark spots, discoloration or streaks on the underside of your roof deck or on rafters indicate water has penetrated through the roofing materials.Damp or compressed insulation: Insulation that feels wet or appears compressed has likely absorbed water. Healthy insulation looks fluffy and maintains its full thickness. Saturated insulation may clump together, lose its insulating properties and even show mold growth on its surface.Mold, mildew or musty odors: A distinct musty smell or visible fungus growth on wood surfaces, insulation or roof decking indicates ongoing moisture issues. Mold often appears as black, green or white fuzzy patches and thrives in the damp, dark conditions created by roof leaks.Visible daylight: If you can see light entering from the outside through gaps in your roof deck or between shingles, water can enter through those same openings. Conduct this check during daylight hours by turning off attic lights and looking for pinpoints or streaks of outside light.Rust on metal parts: Rust streaks on nails, flashing or other metal objects can indicate repeated moisture exposure. Metal components in a dry attic should remain rust-free. Corrosion signals that these elements have been exposed to moisture regularly, even if you haven’t noticed active dripping.Damaged flashing: Examine metal flashing around chimneys, vent pipes and skylights. Damaged, missing or improperly installed flashing is a common source of leaks.Active dripping: In severe cases, you may observe water actively dripping or see fresh water trails running down rafters during or immediately after rain. This clear evidence of active leakage requires immediate professional attention to prevent further damage.Spotting Trouble From OutsideInspect your roof externally and safely from ground level using binoculars. Try to avoid walking on the roof, as this poses safety risks and can further damage roofing materials. Ground-level inspection allows you to identify visible problems with shingles, gutters and roof penetrations that indicate potential or active leak sources.Most roof leaks occur at vulnerable points where the roofing plane is interrupted, such as around chimneys, vent pipes, skylights and where different roof planes meet. These penetrations and transitions represent weak points in your roof’s protective barrier and deserve particular attention during visual inspections.Damaged, Curled or Missing ShinglesShingle damage compromises your roof’s first line of defense against water intrusion. Common forms of damage include:Curled shingles: Edges that lift away from the roof surface create gaps where wind-driven rain can enter.Cracked shingles: Visible splits or breaks in the material indicate weathering or impact damage.Missing shingles: Obvious bare patches expose the underlayment or roof deck below.When shingles are damaged or missing, they expose the underlayment beneath to direct weather exposure. Most underlayment materials aren’t designed to serve as long-term waterproofing and will eventually allow water penetration. For homeowners considering replacing damaged shingles, professional assessments can determine whether spot repairs or broader replacements are needed.Damaged Flashing, Vents or Chimney SealsRoof penetrations are the most common culprits for leak development. Examine these vulnerable areas carefully:Flashing damage: Flashing consists of metal strips installed around chimneys, vent pipes, skylights and in roof valleys to direct water away from these vulnerable junctions.Sealant deterioration: Look for cracked or missing sealant, which can appear as gaps, dried-out caulking or areas where the sealant has pulled away from the surface.Metal corrosion: Rusted or corroded metal flashing indicates long-term moisture exposure and potential failure points.Vent boot damage: Rubber or plastic collars around plumbing vent pipes can crack and deteriorate over time from sun exposure, creating another common leak source.Chimney complexity: Pay particular attention to chimney areas, where flashing must seal the junction between masonry and roofing materials.How Proactive Roof Maintenance Can Prevent LeaksPreventive maintenance is the most cost-effective approach to preventing roof leaks. Regular inspections and simple upkeep tasks can extend your roof’s lifespan significantly and help you catch small problems before they cause major leaks.Cleaning GuttersClogged gutters cause water to pool along your roof’s edge rather than flowing away from your home as designed. When gutters fill with leaves, twigs and debris, water has nowhere to go except backward under your shingles or over the gutter edges. This standing water can seep beneath the roof edge, saturating fascia boards and eventually finding its way into your attic or wall cavities.Essential maintenance steps include:Cleaning biannually: Clean your gutters at least twice yearly, typically in late spring and late fall after trees have dropped their leaves.Inspection during cleaning: Inspect gutter hangers to ensure they’re secure, and check that gutters maintain proper slopes toward their downspouts.Checking for standing water: Water remaining in gutters between cleaning sessions indicates improper pitch. This problem should be corrected to ensure adequate drainage.Post-Storm Visual ChecksMajor weather events can cause immediate roof damage that can lead to leaks during the next rainfall. Post-storm inspection protocol includes:Immediate visual inspection: Conduct a ground-level inspection after any significant weather event. Look for missing or damaged shingles, debris accumulation in valleys or gutters, and any obvious changes to your roof’s appearance.Hail damage signs: Damage may not be immediately obvious from the ground but often appears as dents or bruising on shingle surfaces. Large hail can crack shingles or knock granules loose, creating vulnerable spots.Documentation: Photograph any visible damage and note the date. This record proves valuable if you need to file an insurance claim or consult with roofing professionals about necessary repairs.Wind damage patterns: Wind damage typically manifests as lifted, creased or missing shingles, particularly along roof edges and ridges where wind forces concentrate.Professional assessment: If you need help assessing your roof for storm damage, professional inspections after severe weather can document damage for insurance purposes and identify necessary repairs.This story was produced by AmeriPro Roofing and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The Cost of Cutting Funding to US Scientific Research (NAPSI)—There’s good news, bad news and better news about the federal government and scientific research. The good news: Public servants working in science, health and the environment make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous. Tens of thousands of federal employees, from scientific researchers to park rangers, work every day to deliver safe food, effective medicines, economic prosperity and beautiful outdoor spaces. Federal science has been behind eradicating deadly diseases, putting humans in space, the incredible national parks system and the digital technology people rely on every day. The bad news: Right now, experts suggest, decades of progress are being unraveled by indiscriminate cuts to federal science agencies, programs and workforces, which puts everyone at risk. Here’s where some of the cuts have been deepest: National Parks and Public Lands agencies (27.4% decrease) Scientific Discovery and Technological Innovation agencies (23.4%), including NASA, the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology and others Food and Agriculture agencies (22.7%) Environmental Research and Innovation project grants (78.9%) Public Health and Disease Prevention R&D contracts (49.4%) The better news: Concerned citizens, organizations and government officials are working on ways to improve this situation—and you can help. What’s Being Done To help find a solution, the nonprofit, nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service launched The Cost of Cutting American Science, an interactive tool combining data and original storytelling to illustrate how the current administration’s sweeping cuts to funding and the federal workforce are disrupting critical scientific work, and the consequences that will affect people, communities and the nation for years to come. The tool analyzes effects across: food and agriculture; biomedical research; public health and disease prevention; national parks and public lands; environmental research and innovation; weather forecasting and emergency response; scientific discovery and technological innovation; and energy research and infrastructure. In addition to exploring findings by sector or at the national level, users can get tailored data and content based on their identity, occupation, lifestyle, interests and location. “Federal investments in scientific research are behind some of our greatest national achievements: eradicating deadly diseases, putting humans in space, improving access to clean air and water and building the national parks system,” said Partnership for Public Service President and CEO Max Stier. “Right now, decades of achievement are being unraveled by indiscriminate cuts to funding and the federal workforce that harm people and communities, weaken our economy and threaten our standing as the world’s leading innovator.” “Now is the time to unite around protecting these essential investments in our collective future,” Stier continued. Other Federal Harms Tracker tools include: The Cost to Your Government tracks confirmed employee reductions across federal agencies, sourced from official government documents and news reports, and links them to specific risks and harms for communities nationwide. The Cost to Your Community shows how workforce reductions and funding cuts affect states, cities and towns through data and storytelling. The Cost to Our Economy summarizes and aggregates the direct and indirect financial costs of actions such as reductions in force, implementation of the deferred resignation program and the loss of federal grants. The Cost of the Shutdown documents the day-by-day impact of disruptions to vital government services during the 2025 total government shutdown and the 2026 partial government shutdown. The Partnership for Public Service is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy. Over the past 25 years and across five presidential administrations, it offered government agencies and leaders crucial training and insights to better serve the public, championed legislation for effective government and shined a spotlight on the achievements of the federal workforce. What You Can Do You can send your opinions and ideas to your legislators at www.house.gov and www.senate.gov and you can donate to the Partnership for Public Service to help it in its work, at https://ourpublicservice.org/take-action/support-us/donate. Learn More For the latest federal news, information on upcoming Partnership programs and events, and more, visit www.ourpublicservice.org. Word Count: 637
	Clinton bar and grill suffers ‘devastating’ fire Clinton and Camanche firefighters battled an early morning fire at Hook’s Pub & Grill on Monday.
	A revolutionary cancer treatment could transform autoimmune disease A revolutionary cancer treatment could transform autoimmune diseaseAt age 49, Jan Janisch-Hanzlik’s multiple sclerosis was destroying her freedom to live the life she wanted. She gave up her active nursing job for a desk role. Frequent falls made her afraid to carry her grandchildren. She had to move to a bigger house to make room for the wheelchair she feared she might end up needing full-time.Even the best available medication wasn’t improving Janisch-Hanzlik’s symptoms, and she worried they’d only get worse. So when she learned about a trial of CAR T cell therapy at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, close to the city of Blair where she lives, she phoned the clinic every other month until they were ready to enroll her as the first patient.Originally designed to target and wipe out cancer by reprogramming the patient’s immune cells, CAR T is now being offered to patients in hundreds of clinical trials for autoimmune conditions like multiple sclerosis, lupus, Graves’ disease, vasculitis and many others. As Knowable Magazine explores in this article, the hope is that CAR T can duplicate the success it has demonstrated in a range of blood cancers by hunting down and eliminating cells that target the self in autoimmune diseases. This would essentially reset the body’s defenses to a state like the one that existed before the disease took hold.But along with CAR T’s promise come risks, questions and challenges. There’s uncertainty about how well it will work for autoimmunity and how long any benefits might last, as well as what long-term side effects might arise. Janisch-Hanzlik knew this when she sat down to receive the experimental treatment on June 9, 2025; she felt a mix of hope and fear knowing that she would be spending the next week being monitored for side effects including dangerous inflammation. Nebraska Medicine In addition to her clinical expertise and desire to pioneer a new treatment, Janisch-Hanzlik’s two young grandchildren helped inspire her pursuit of a treatment with known risks and uncertain benefits. Because multiple sclerosis has a genetic component, Janisch-Hanzlik knew that they have an elevated chance of going through the same struggle she has. “I would want to be able to say I did everything that I possibly could to prevent them, or anyone else, from having something like this,” she says.From cancer to autoimmunityThe first CAR T cancer treatment was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2017 for an aggressive form of leukemia. Since then, the powerful and intensive treatment has resulted in long-term remission for many cancer patients.The basic premise of CAR T is to activate the power of key immune cells called T cells. T cells normally recognize other cells that have been infected by a virus or bacterium, or are otherwise abnormal, and either destroy them or recruit other parts of the immune system to do so.In CAR T for cancer, scientists engineer those T cells to specifically hunt and destroy malignant cells. The technology got its start when cancer researchers figured out how to take out a patient’s own T cells, insert DNA instructions for a “chimeric antigen receptor,” or CAR, and put them back into the person’s circulation. The CAR, which sits on the T cell’s surface and latches on to a specific molecular partner on the surface of cancerous cells, activates the T cell to attack.Today CAR T cells are most commonly programmed to attack B cells, another key immune player. B cells are normally responsible for making antibodies, but in certain blood cancers, they proliferate out of control. By giving T cells a CAR that recognizes one of a couple of molecules unique to the B cell surface, the cells are reprogrammed to find and eliminate those cancerous cells.B cells also are the central problem in many autoimmune conditions: They mistakenly make antibodies against normal tissues instead of against invading pathogens. So as CAR T began to succeed against B cell cancers, it didn’t take long for doctors to reason that CAR T therapy might also be able to wipe out bad B cells in people with autoimmunity. Knowable Magazine A German team pioneered autoimmune CAR T in a woman with lupus, reporting positive results in 2021. Since then, that team and others have worked to translate the oncology success of CAR T to tackle a broad spectrum of autoimmune diseases.“I think it’s a game changer,” says Amanda Piquet, an autoimmune neurologist at the University of Colorado Anschutz in Aurora. Piquet is evaluating CAR T therapy for a rare and poorly understood autoimmune condition called stiff person syndrome, with symptoms including muscle stiffness and painful spasms. There is no FDA-approved treatment. When she heard about a company called Kyverna that was testing CAR T cell therapy in the syndrome, she thought it was “a perfect opportunity.”The study she led, which reported preliminary results in December 2025, tested a single dose of CAR T in 26 people. Before the treatment, many participants struggled with a slow, mechanical gait, and 12 used assistive devices such as walkers and canes. Most patients were able to walk faster by 16 weeks post-treatment, and eight no longer needed their assistive devices for short distances. In April, the company reported that all 26 patients, as of their last follow-up appointment four to 12 months out from the therapy, were no longer using any other immunotherapies.Risks and uncertaintiesDespite such striking results, reprogramming the immune system is no simple matter. In early treatment of cancer patients, CAR T cells produced life-threatening side effects, as outlined in a 2026 article in the Annual Review of Medicine. As CAR T cells attack their targets, the associated inflammation can cause symptoms like high fevers and low blood pressure. If that inflammation reaches the brain, it can cause additional problems such as confusion and drowsiness.Fortunately, physicians now have a decade’s worth of experience recognizing and treating these problems. “They’re certainly reversible and don’t cause long-term damage most of the time,” says Emily Littlejohn, a rheumatologist at the Cleveland Clinic.Physicians and patients also must contend with decreased immunity as both a side effect of the treatment and its desired outcome. In CAR T treatment, doctors typically use powerful chemotherapy drugs to temporarily reduce the body’s immune cell population to make room for the new, engineered cells, leaving patients temporarily immunosuppressed. And if the treatment works, it will decimate B cell populations. Patients can be vulnerable to infections for up to a year after treatment, says Littlejohn.These effects are manageable with preventive antibiotics, antivirals and vaccines. Patients also retain antibodies that their B cells made before the treatment, which provide residual protection for a few months. And for reasons that are not yet fully understood, CAR T seems to leave older B cells, which provide immune memory of past infections, intact in some cases. One study found that autoimmune patients treated with CAR T still made antibodies for diseases they’d been previously vaccinated against, like chicken pox and measles. These are signs that the treatment did not completely return the immune system to its factory settings.When evaluating CAR T risk, it’s important to consider that many existing treatments for autoimmune disease also suppress the immune system for as long as a person takes them, experts note.But there are other possible CAR T risks for autoimmune patients. In February, FDA officials published a paper endorsing CAR T’s potential in autoimmunity but warning of “unpredictable long-term toxicity.” CAR T treatment for cancer, the authors noted, has been linked to diverse long-term issues such as Parkinson’s disease. There have also been cases where the bioengineered cells themselves turned malignant, causing new, T cell-based cancers.Causing a secondary cancer may be an acceptable risk when treating a life-threatening cancer, but probably not for autoimmunity, says Matt Lunning, medical director for gene and cellular therapy at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha. How to balance the risk between the impacts of an autoimmune disease, which can range widely in severity, and the difficult-to-quantify risk of future side effects or cancers remains a major open question.Researchers are already working on second- and third-generation versions of CAR T that they expect to be safer for both cancer and autoimmunity. For example, James Howard, a neuromuscular neurologist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is testing a technology from a company called Cartesian Therapeutics that encodes the CAR using molecules of mRNA, the short-lived genetic messenger used in Covid-19 vaccines, instead of long-lasting DNA. The CAR T cells should wipe out B cells for only as long as the mRNA persists, then lose their B cell-targeting abilities. With no chance for genetically modified T cells to hang around long-term, there should be no cancer risk.Another plus of Cartesian’s approach: Physicians infuse these T cells in sufficient numbers that they don’t need to reproduce in the patient’s body, which Howard thinks reduces risk for inflammation. In a recent trial, 15 people with autoimmune diseases received the Cartesian CAR T treatment; two-thirds saw their symptoms improve and none suffered long-term serious side effects.Treating CAR T sticker shockBeyond side effects, the other major challenge facing CAR T therapy is its price tag, which reaches hundreds of thousands of dollars including hospital stays, cell engineering and other expenses.The treatment would likely be cheaper, and simpler, if scientists could eliminate the need for personalized engineering of each patient’s own cells and instead use donor cells, or if they could cut out the step of engineering and growing the cells in a laboratory. Lunning says he is eyeing up-and-coming procedures that would modify a person’s T cells within their own body instead of doing the genetic engineering in a lab.Researchers are even farther along with a version of CAR T that uses healthy donors as a source of T cells. These could then be used by many patients in an “off-the-shelf” approach. It’s a method that has its own challenges, because of the immune mismatch between donor and patient cells that would lead them to attack each other. This problem can be overcome with additional genetic modifications to the donated T cells that prevent recipient and donor systems from recognizing each other as foreign, says Bing Du, an immunologist at East China Normal University in Shanghai who’s among many researchers working on this approach. Du estimates a lab could make CAR T cells for more than 1,000 patients from a single donor’s blood cells, at significant cost savings.This kind of off-the-shelf CAR T therapy is what Janisch-Hanzlik of Nebraska received, under Lunning’s care, in 2025. The study organizers at TG Therapeutics expect to complete their research in early 2029.Janisch-Hanzlik ended up sailing through the follow-up without side effects. A couple of months after the infusion, she was watching TV when she noticed she no longer needed special glasses to correct double vision. She started forgetting to bring her cane when moving about her house or going grocery shopping; she didn’t need it. Now, nearly a year since the treatment, she rarely falls and no longer requires a daily, three-hour nap. She recently enjoyed a trip to the Grand Canyon and looks forward to spending more time with her grandchildren.She does still have symptoms, including weakness in her right leg, numbness and tingling in her feet, and difficulty finding the right word when speaking. She asks her doctors if they think she’s going to get better, stay the same or get worse again.“I have been told so many times, ‘We don’t know, you’re the first. We’re just going to have to wait and see,’” she says. “I definitely am thankful for every day I have.”This story was produced by Knowable Magazine and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	What is a hostile work environment: Identifying and preventing What is a hostile work environment: Identifying and preventingA hostile work environment can make it difficult for employees to do their jobs effectively. For companies, this can be a serious concern, affecting employee satisfaction, engagement, and overall productivity.Understanding what constitutes a hostile workplace is crucial to understanding how to prevent one and fostering a positive and inclusive workplace.According to a survey conducted by CNBC, one in five US employees has experienced workplace hostility. The effects can severely impact not only individual employees, but also businesses by creating higher absenteeism and turnover, and declines in employee morale and productivity.This guide from Traliant explains what you need to know to identify and prevent a hostile workplace environment.What is a hostile work environment?A hostile work environment occurs when the words or actions of a manager or coworker negatively or significantly impact an employee’s ability to do their job. Employees subjected to this environment may feel uncomfortable, scared, intimidated, and apprehensive due to unwelcome conduct, which can include harassment, discrimination, bullying, violence, or other offensive behaviors.Examples of hostile work environment behaviors can vary widely. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) outlines three criteria that must be met for behavior to legally qualify as a hostile work environment:The unwelcome conduct is based on race, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, age, disability or genetics.The harassment is continued and long lasting.The conduct is severe enough that the environment becomes intimidating, offensive or abusive, making it difficult or impossible for the affected employee to do their job.Examples of a hostile work environment include situations where derogatory comments, offensive jokes, or repeated intimidation tactics create a toxic atmosphere for employees. It’s important to note that not every unpleasant situation at work qualifies as a hostile work environment. The behavior must be severe, pervasive, directly tied to a protected characteristic, and create an environment that a reasonable person would find intimidating or abusive.To assess whether a work environment qualifies as hostile, consider these questions:Does the behavior discriminate against an EEOC-protected category (gender, race, age, religion, ability, national origin, sexual orientation)?Would a reasonable person find the environment hostile?Has the behavior been ongoing and/or pervasive?Has the affected employee lost motivation or the ability to complete their work tasks as a result of the environment?Have you, as an employer, failed to investigate reported issues? If nothing was reported but misconduct was known, did you fail to intervene?Once a report is made, it’s the employer’s duty to address the issue promptly and effectively to find a resolution. If a case is ignored or mishandled, the employer could be held accountable for creating or allowing a hostile work environment.Effects of a hostile workplaceThe impact of a hostile workplace can be far-reaching, affecting not just the individuals directly involved but also the overall organizational culture and productivity:Employee Well-Being: Individuals subjected to a hostile environment may experience stress, anxiety, depression, and decreased job satisfaction, leading to higher absenteeism and turnover rates. For some, taking yourself out of a hostile work environment may feel like the only solution if the situation remains unresolved.Team Dynamics: Hostility can create divisions within teams, reduce collaboration, and erode trust among colleagues.Organizational Productivity: A toxic work environment distracts employees, hampers productivity, and stifles creativity, negatively affecting the company’s bottom line.Legal and Reputational Risks: Failing to address a hostile environment can lead to legal action and damage the organization’s reputation, with long-lasting consequences.Steps to prevent a hostile work environmentHR professionals can play a unique role in preventing and addressing hostile work environments and fostering a positive workplace. Here are actionable steps you can take:Develop Clear Policies: Ensure your organization has clear, comprehensive policies defining what constitutes a hostile workplace and the consequences of such behavior. Regularly review and update these policies to reflect current laws and best practices.Promote a Culture of Respect: Foster an environment where respect and inclusivity are core values. Encourage open communication and make it clear that discriminatory or harassing behavior will not be tolerated. Encourage feedback and regular check-ins to ensure employees feel heard.Create a Safe Space: Establish a non-judgmental environment where employees feel comfortable discussing their concerns with HR.Offer Training for Employees and Managers: Equip managers with the skills to recognize and address hostile behaviors within their teams. Provide regular training on inclusion to all employees, focusing on preventing harassment and fostering a positive workplace culture.Regularly Assess the Work Environment: Conduct surveys and focus groups to gauge employee sentiment and identify potential issues before they escalate.Provide Support and Resources: Make sure employees know how to report concerns and feel supported and protected when they do. Offer multiple reporting channels, such as an anonymous hotline, and ensure confidentiality. Provide access to mental health resources, like an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), to help those affected by a hostile environment.Address Conflicts Promptly and Fairly: When a complaint is made, act quickly to investigate and address the issue. Ensure that the investigation is thorough, impartial, and respects the rights of all parties involved. Take appropriate disciplinary action when necessary and follow up with those affected to ensure the issue is resolved.Lead by Example: HR professionals and organizational leaders must model the behavior they expect from others. Demonstrate respect, inclusivity, and a commitment to a positive work environment in all interactions.By being vigilant, proactive and compassionate, HR professionals can help create workplaces that are safe, supportive and inclusive for all. Your efforts to prevent hostility in the workplace will protect your employees and enhance your organization’s overall success and reputation.This story was produced by Traliant and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Galesburg launches public auction of retired vehicles, supplies The City of Galesburg has launched its online public auction to sell retired city vehicles and supplies, a news release says. The auction is being conducted online via Purple Wave Auction and is open for bidding now through Tuesday, June 23. All items are being sold using a "no-reserve" format, meaning every asset will be sold to [...]
	From life's hardest moments to a proud walk across the stage (BPT) - On Sunday, June 7, more than 2,000 graduates crossed the stage at the Rosemont Theater in Rosemont, Illinois. The celebration marked a milestone that represents far more than knowledge, it stands as powerful proof that resilience and sacrifice are at the heart of every achievement."Every one of our graduates has a unique story," said Elise Awwad, president and CEO of DeVry University. "But one thing they have in common is their dedication to their education and doing whatever it takes to make it a reality."As they waited to receive their degrees, graduates heard from two inspiring classmates whose stories served as a powerful reminder that resilience and determination can overcome even the toughest obstacles.A marathon, not a sprint For Cosme Rios II, his Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology represents more than a decade of perseverance."My journey at DeVry actually started in 2013," noted Rios, DeVry University Class of 2026 undergraduate student speaker. As a father of seven and a Latino small-business owner, Rios has performed quite the balancing act to cross the finish line. "I completed my freshman year but chose to leave to focus on my kids. I came back to DeVry three years ago to finish my degree. Earning my bachelor's has been, by far, one of the most rewarding projects I've ever done."Rios isn't the only one who faced speed bumps in their educational pursuits. Graduate commencement speaker Artisha L. Richey shared the personal trials that made earning her Master of Human Resources and a Certificate of Leadership all the more meaningful. "During my educational journey, I had to contend with the death of my father and my own health issues," added Richey. "But these experiences also fueled my determination. Losing my father, it reminded me of the importance of pushing forward. Similarly, the challenges with my health tested my resilience, but proved to me that I'm stronger than I realized."Sacrifices that mark a milestonePursuing a degree when you're also balancing work and a family requires not just resilience, but sacrifice and the determination to keep going."There were nights when I didn't feel like I had anything left to give," said Rios. "After a long day of work and responsibilities, I would stay up until midnight to do schoolwork, just to wake back up 5:30 a.m. to do it all again. It was all worth it to achieve my degree, but there's no way I could have done this alone. Whether they realize it or not, my family made those sacrifices with me. This degree may have my name on it, but it represents all the people who helped me achieve it."Similarly, Richey had to give up personal moments to make her education a reality, a testament to her unwavering commitment."During the long periods I spent balancing work, school and personal responsibilities, I had to give up time with my family and turn down social events," Richey said. "But those sacrifices are also what drove me forward. I had to keep going, not just for myself, but also to honor those who supported me and inspired me."Carrying the accomplishments forwardThrough it all, Rios and Richey's sacrifices and resilience proved to them and their classmates what's possible."Just like parenting, pursuing my degree stretched my capacity," said Rios. "What felt impossible at the beginning became normal. Now, I'm thinking bigger about how I can keep growing, help others, and create more of an impact in my community through my business.""It's truly an honor to stand before you, my fellow graduates, during such a pivotal moment in our lives," added Richey. "Just thinking about the journey we've all been on to reach this milestone fills me with excitement about what's possible when you don't stop." To learn more about what's possible, visit DeVry.edu.
	Does AI think you should invest in AI? Does AI think you should invest in AI?Few other industries have captured investors’ attention like artificial intelligence (AI). The AI market is projected to grow more than 25% annually to a value of $1.3 trillion by 2032, largely thanks to businesses harnessing AI technology. In the U.S. alone, the industry is expected to generate over $75 billion in value this year.Many investors are eager to pour cash into major AI companies like SpaceX, Anthropic and OpenAI, which are expected to go public this year and reach record-setting valuations.Skeptics argue that the AI market is an overhyped bubble that won’t be profitable any time soon, given the massive capital required to build and maintain its infrastructure.But with some of the biggest IPOs in history looming on the horizon, the fear of missing out may be taking its toll.Is AI a good investment? Finder.com went straight to the source and asked ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Claude and Grok for an answer. This is what the AI chatbots had to say with the average, long-term, medium-risk individual investor in mind.Is AI a good long-term investment, or is it just short-term hype?Perhaps unsurprisingly, chatbots agree that there is long-term value to be gained in AI investments, although individual companies may still be subject to short-term hype and overvaluation.All but Perplexity referenced the internet bubble of the 1990s as an example of a comparable time period in which technology changed the economy, but resulted in some companies failing or getting overpriced.ChatGPT“AI is probably best viewed as a promising long-term trend with some short-term hype layered on top … the key question is not whether AI will matter—it likely will—but how to gain exposure without taking excessive risk.”Perplexity“AI looks more like a long-term theme than a pure short-term fad, but the investable part is still very uneven. The technology has real adoption and productivity potential, yet many AI-related stocks already reflect high expectations, so returns can be volatile and highly valuation-sensitive.”Gemini“The short answer is both. AI is fundamentally changing the global economy for the long term, but the stock prices of companies tied to it are experiencing a massive amount of short-term hype … the technology will mature and succeed, but many individual stock prices will suffer a harsh reality check along the way.”Claude“The honest answer: probably both … The underlying technology is already generating measurable revenue and productivity gains—this isn't purely speculative like some past hype cycles.” However, it notes, “Many AI-related stocks are priced for a very optimistic future, meaning a lot of the expected growth is already baked into today's prices.”Grok“AI is a strong long-term investment theme, not just short-term hype … AI represents a genuine multi-year productivity driver similar to past transformative technologies (electricity, internet). However, it carries risks of volatility, high valuations, and execution challenges … It's not guaranteed smooth sailing—corrections are normal and healthy.”Are AI investments currently overvalued?Ironically, chatbots owned by some of the biggest players in the AI industry are aligned on the risk that Big Tech stocks are (or may soon be) overvalued, although they agree that the overall industry still has growth potential.ChatGPT and Perplexity diplomatically declined to name names. But Gemini boldly called out Micron for having “recently surged into the trillion-dollar club on AI chip optimism” and Apple for “trading at a jaw-dropping $4.5 trillion market cap.”Claude observed that Nvidia has traded at historically high P/E ratios, while Grok notes that some supporters believe the valuations of giants like Nvidia and Broadcom are “reasonable given growth.”ChatGPT“Some AI investments may be overvalued, but it depends on the company and the investor’s time horizon.”“Many large AI-related stocks have risen sharply because investors expect strong future growth from artificial intelligence … Established companies with strong profits, diversified businesses and real AI-related revenue may be better positioned than speculative startups or smaller companies riding the AI trend without proven business models.”Perplexity“Yes—many AI-related stocks appear overvalued, especially the most crowded large-cap winners, but ‘AI’ as a theme is not uniformly overpriced.”“The most obvious valuation pressure is in the big AI beneficiaries, where investors have bid up prices far ahead of proven earnings power in some cases.” However, Perplexity notes that “some infrastructure, software, and chip companies may still have room if revenue growth and margins continue to expand.”Gemini“The short answer is yes, by traditional metrics, many pure-play AI investments are heavily overvalued right now.”“We are currently seeing classic signs of a late-stage hype cycle …The S&P 500's forward P/E ratio is hovering around 23x to 24x, which is significantly higher than its historical long-term average of around 16x. The technology sector itself is much higher …the vast majority of standard businesses have yet to see a material impact on their bottom line. The stock market has priced in the victory before the game has truly been played.”“The underlying AI technology is real, but current stock prices have assumed absolutely flawless, uninterrupted hyper-growth.”Claude“The short answer: by most traditional measures, yes—but context matters a lot.”“Price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios for many leading AI-related companies are significantly above historical averages.” That being said, “Overvalued doesn't mean ‘about to crash.’ Expensive stocks can stay expensive—or get more expensive—for years, especially when the underlying earnings growth is real and accelerating.”“The market can be simultaneously expensive and right about the long-term trajectory.”Grok“AI investments are trading at elevated valuations in mid-2026, but they're not universally ‘overvalued’ in a classic bubble sense for long-term investors.”“S&P 500 forward P/E is around 22–23x—above its long-term average,” which is roughly 18–19x) “... but well below dot-com bubble peaks,” which was roughly 24–40x in 1999–2000. “Earnings have largely driven recent gains (not pure multiple expansion), which is a positive differentiator from pure hype cycles.”“Not a bubble like 1999 for most core holdings, but valuations are full—meaning future returns may be more moderate than the last few years, with higher chance of 20–30% drawdowns along the way.”What are the best AI stocks and ETFs to buy right now?AI chatbots aren’t qualified investment advisors, and, ultimately, the best AI investments to buy right now depend on each investor’s varying goals, preferences and risk tolerance.While information from chatbots shouldn’t be taken as personal financial advice, AI can still summarize investments that might be worth looking into for the average, long-term retail investor with a medium risk tolerance.Every chatbot surveyed mentioned the Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AIQ), and all but Grok mentioned the Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF (BOTZ).When initially prompted, Grok only listed ETFs, declining to list any AI stocks due to the high risk posed by “concentration, valuation swings and company-specific issues.” Other chatbots encouraged avoiding start-ups and speculative, trendy stocks in favor of established leaders like NVIDIA (NVDA), Microsoft (MSFT), Broadcom (AVGO) and Alphabet (GOOGL).Long-term, medium-risk investors shouldn’t allocate more than 20% of their portfolio to AI, according to Claude and Grok, while Gemini puts the maximum allocation at just 10%.ChatGPT“For most investors, broad market ETFs already provide meaningful AI exposure through companies like NVIDIA, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon and Broadcom.”ChatGPT notes that “the ‘best’ AI investments are usually the ones that combine strong businesses, broad diversification, reasonable costs and staying power—not the most speculative AI startups.”ETFs to consider:QQQ (Invesco QQQ Trust)VGT (Vanguard Information Technology ETF)AIQ (Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF)SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF)BOTZ (Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF)Stocks to consider:NVDA (NVIDIA)MSFT (Microsoft)AVGO (Broadcom)TSM (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company)GOOGL (Alphabet)Perplexity“For a long-term retail investor, the best AI buys are usually not the hottest single names—they’re diversified ETFs plus a few profitable, large-cap AI leaders if you want extra exposure.”“If you want the most balanced answer, AI ETFs are the better ‘buy right now’ choice for most retail investors, while NVIDIA or Microsoft are the most defensible individual-stock style exposures if you accept higher risk.”ETFs to consider:AIQ (Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF)ARTY (iShares Future AI & Tech ETF)CHAT (Roundhill Generative AI & Technology ETF)ROBT (First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF)BOTZ (Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF)ROBO (Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF)Stocks to consider:NVDA (NVIDIA)MSFT (Microsoft)GOOGL (Alphabet)AMZN (Amazon)AVGO (Broadcom)NOW (ServiceNow)GeminiFor investors with a 10-plus year timeframe and who want a simple, low-cost, low-maintenance approach, Gemini recommends focusing on “the established companies and diversified funds providing the infrastructure that the entire AI industry relies on.”For those buying individual stocks, Gemini says to “stick to the absolute giants. These companies have billions of dollars in free cash flow, meaning even if the AI hype cools down temporarily, their core businesses are highly stable.”ETFs to consider:ARTY (iShares Future AI & Tech ETF)AIQ (Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF)BOTZ (Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF)Stocks to consider:NVDA (Nvidia)AVGO (Broadcom)AMD (Advanced Micro Devices)MSFT (Microsoft)GOOGL (Alphabet)ClaudeClaude notes that ETFs may be preferable for the average long-term, moderate-risk investor, because they spread out risk, are low-cost and “don't require you to pick winners in a landscape that's still shifting.”But AI-specific ETFs come with a caveat: “They tend to have higher expense ratios, lower liquidity, and more overlap with what you already own in an S&P 500 fund than their marketing implies. For most people in your profile, QQQ or VGT does the job with less complexity.”“If you want individual stocks … focus on the infrastructure/platform layer (Nvidia, Microsoft, Alphabet) rather than speculative application plays.”ETFs to consider:QQQ (Invesco Nasdaq-100 ETF)VGT (Vanguard Information Technology ETF)BOTZ (Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF)AIQ (Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF)CHAT (Roundhill Generative AI & Technology ETF)Stocks to consider:NVDA (Nvidia)AVGO (Broadcom)TSM (TSMC)MSFT (Microsoft)GOOGL (Alphabet/Google)AMZN (Amazon)PLTR (Palantir)META (Meta)Grok“Individual AI stocks (e.g., Nvidia, Broadcom, Micron, AMD) are high-risk due to concentration, valuation swings, and company-specific issues … Broad ETFs spread risk across dozens of companies (enablers like chips/cloud + adopters), keeping things simple and low-maintenance.”“AI has real staying power, but don't chase ‘hot’ stocks or overload on any single theme.”ETFs to consider:AIQ (Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF)CHAT (Roundhill Generative AI & Technology ETF)BAI (iShares A.I. Innovation and Tech Active ETF)SMH (Broader semis exposure via VanEck Semiconductor ETF)Stocks to consider: None were listed in response to the initial prompt.Alternatives to investing: How to save and earn money using AIInvesting isn’t the only way to profit from the AI boom. Chatbots can also be used to hunt down deals and generate income.Saving money is important in a tight economic environment. In fact, more than 4 in 5 customers are influenced by value-driven promotions when making purchasing decisions. A smart way to save both time and money is to let AI crawl the internet and summarize relevant promotions and exclusive rewards.Entrepreneurs looking to start a side hustle can leverage AI to produce social media content, develop apps and create decorative artwork to sell.Letting chatbots evaluate investment portfolios and filter investment choices based on specific criteria, similar to a stock screener, is another way AI can be used, albeit indirectly, to make money. While many trading platforms offer research tools for these purposes, chatbots can respond to an incredibly broad range of queries, and many are free to access on a basic level.Methodology and notesResponses to AI investment questions in this article are from the following chatbots (accessed via web browser):ChatGPT (GPT-5.3-mini model), owned by OpenAIPerplexity AI (specific model data is not available on web browsers), owned by founders Aravind Srinivas, Denis Yarats, Johnny Ho and Andy Konwinski and private investorsGemini (3.5 Flash), owned by GoogleClaude (Sonnet 4.6), owned by AnthropicGrok (4.3), owned by SpaceXAIAll chatbots were used with free-tier accounts on May 26, 2026, and May 27, 2026.To ensure responses between different chatbots are comparable and useful, each chatbot was given the following prompt before being asked any questions about AI investments:“Answer the following questions with this type of retail investor in mind: The investor is an employed person in their mid-30s to mid-50s with a stable income, basic-to-intermediate investment knowledge, and a moderate risk tolerance. Their goal is to invest for retirement or build wealth over a long time frame (10+ years), and they contribute regularly to a diversified portfolio that includes broad market index funds (such as an S&P 500 ETF) with some technology exposure. They prefer simple, low-cost strategies and have limited time for research. They are not an active trader or professional investor.”AI chatbots learn and respond using information available online. In this article, excerpts from conversations with chatbots may include material that has been paraphrased or quoted directly from third-party sources.The information in this article is general in nature and is no substitute for professional advice. It does not take into account readers’ personal situations, and it should not be relied upon as investment advice or construed as providing recommendations of any kind.Investments can increase and decrease in value; past performance does not guarantee future results. Readers should obtain independent advice from a suitably licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions.This story was produced by Finder and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	How to switch business bank accounts (without breaking your finance stack) How to switch business bank accounts (without breaking your finance stack)Most finance leaders consider switching business bank accounts at some point. The triggers are usually the same: fees that outpace your revenue, integrations that stop working, a service tier you've outgrown. It's a growth move, not a chore. But it can feel like one.Moving from one bank to another typically means rerouting everything connected to your account: payroll, vendor payments, accounting feeds, card statement debits. Being intentional protects you during the switch. It's what separates a clean migration from a messy one.The short version: How to switch business bank accountsOpen the new account: Have your EIN, formation documents, and ownership information ready. KYB approval ranges from same-day to several business days.Fund it: Move a starter deposit from the old account. Don't move everything yet.Reroute inbound: Update routing details with customers on ACH auto-pay, payment processors, and anyone sending funds to you.Reroute outbound: Update payroll, tax authorities, vendors, and subscriptions with the new account details.Close the old account: Only after monitoring both accounts for at least 30 days and confirming every recurring flow has moved.The rest of this guide by Ramp covers each step in detail, including what to inventory before you start, common failure points, and how to sequence the reroute without disrupting payroll or vendors.When to switch business bank accountsIt’s time to switch business bank accounts when your current setup is actively costing you. That usually means fees that scale faster than your revenue, integrations that drop weekly, a service tier you've outgrown, or an inability to get a working line of credit.Small businesses are increasingly looking beyond their primary bank for credit: Among applicants, the share seeking financing from online fintech lenders grew from 17% to 29% between 2020 and 2025, according to the Federal Reserve's 2026 Report on Employer Firms. When your bank can't underwrite your growth, the relationship starts to cost you even more than the fees do.The triggersFees outgrew you. Monthly minimums, transaction caps, and wire fees that add up to thousands per quarter.Integrations broke. Your bank's API doesn't connect cleanly to your accounting software, your spend platform, or your accounts payable tool.You can't get a line of credit. Your bank doesn't underwrite businesses like yours, or your relationship banker left and nothing replaced them.You outgrew the service tier. You're a Series A company on a sole-proprietor product, or a small business on an enterprise tier that costs more than the value it delivers.How to time the switchA switch is one moving part. Avoid layering it on top of another. Skip these windows:Mid-fundraise. Investors will ask for clean bank statements. A switch mid-process creates fragmented records.Mid-audit. Don't introduce a new account during a 10-K or seed-stage audit.Mid-payroll quarter-close. The payroll rails fund the people who keep the lights on. Don't reroute them in a quarter you're closing.During year-end. Closing the books across two banks is its own audit problem.Before you switch: Inventory your money flowsBefore you open the new account, write down everywhere your money currently moves. The audit is your single most useful pre-switch artifact. Once you have a complete picture of where money moves, the reroute is mechanical.What's coming inCustomer payments (ACH, wire, check, payment-processor payouts)Investor capital calls or tranche disbursementsLoan disbursementsRefunds and reimbursements from third partiesWhat's going outPayroll (the highest-stakes line item)Tax payments (federal, state, sales tax, payroll tax)Vendor bill pay (every recurring vendor)Subscriptions (SaaS, utilities, services)Card statement paymentsLoan servicingWhat's connectedAccounting software (the bank feed connection)Payment processors (Stripe, Square, and similar)Payroll providerAP automation toolSpend management platformExpense reimbursement systemThat list is usually longer than teams expect. Write it down before you do anything else.The 12-step bank-to-bank migrationA bank-to-bank switch is roughly 12 sequenced steps. Each one looks small in isolation. Most of the work is sequencing them right: Don't close the old account before recurring payments reroute, and don't move payroll before the new account is fully funded.Open the new business bank account. Apply through whichever channel the bank supports. Have your Employer Identification Number (EIN), formation documents, and beneficial-ownership info ready. Know Your Business (KYB) approval can take from same-day to several business days.Submit KYB documentation. Banks ask for entity documents, ID for owners over 25% ownership, and proof of address. Have these scanned and ready before you start.Fund the new account. Move a starter deposit over from the old account. Don't move everything yet: the goal is enough liquidity to test, not enough to strand you if something goes wrong.Update payroll routing. Push the new account info to your payroll provider. Most providers need several days' lead time before the next payroll run.Update tax payment routing. Federal, state, sales tax, and payroll tax all pull from a designated account. Update each one separately.Update vendor ACH details. For every recurring vendor, send a formal notice with the new routing and account number. Vendors keep your old information in their AP system until you proactively replace it.Update customer-facing ACH instructions. If you invoice with bank details, update your invoice templates and notify customers on auto-pay. Send the new wire instructions to anyone who pays you by wire.Reconnect accounting software. Bank feeds are tied to credentials, not just account numbers. Reconnect the new account inside your accounting platform. Run a test sync.Reconnect spend management and AP tools. Your card program and bill-pay tool need to know which account to fund. Update the connection inside each tool.Monitor both accounts. For at least 30 days, watch the old account for stray transactions: a vendor that wasn't updated, a customer who didn't switch, a recurring debit you forgot.Confirm all flows have moved. After a full month of running on the new account, look at the prior month's transaction list and confirm every recurring flow has switched.Close the old account. Only after step 11 is clean. Most banks require a written closure request and will return any remaining balance by check. Ramp Common gotchasThese are the connections to double-check during a traditional bank-to-bank switch. They're predictable, so they're easy to plan around.Payroll routing drops. Your payroll provider holds onto old account numbers in its routing tables. Even after you update the primary, individual employees or tax payments can keep routing to the old account if the provider's batch hasn't refreshed. Verify on the first payroll run after the switch.Vendor payments to the old account number. Vendors keep your old bank info on file in their AP systems. Any vendor you don't proactively notify will keep pulling from the old account. Until you close it, those payments succeed silently and your reconciliation goes sideways.Accounting-software reconnection. Bank feed connections are tied to credentials. When you close the old account, the feed breaks. Reconnect the new feed during the overlap window so historical transactions keep flowing into your accounting system.Customer ACH details. Customers on auto-pay using your old account info will keep paying the wrong place. Send an update notice to every customer with the new routing and account numbers. Expect a few stragglers to need a manual reminder.Reconciliation during the overlap. With two accounts running for 30 days or more, your books need to track transactions across both. Make sure your accounting feed syncs both accounts during the overlap, and reconcile each against statements weekly. A stray vendor pull or customer payment hitting the old account is easy to miss if you're only watching the new one.How to switch business bank accounts fasterMost of what makes a bank-to-bank switch take six weeks isn't the new account. It's reconnecting your card program, your AP tool, your accounting feed, your spend platform, and your expense reimbursement system to the new account.When your operating account is part of a platform that already includes those tools, the connections come built in. There's nothing to rebuild during a switch. Fewer connections mean fewer places the switch can break, and fewer weeks spent on cleanup.The switch is yours to controlThe discipline that matters in switching business bank accounts isn't picking a new bank. It's keeping the money moving while you do. Write down every flow, sequence the reroute, and monitor both accounts before you close the old one. Whether you go bank-to-bank or move to an integrated platform, that discipline is what separates a clean switch from a messy one.This story was produced by Ramp and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	North Scott School District resignations, hirings and other personnel news from May 11 The following personnel items are from the May 11 agenda of the North Scott School District.
	Top money-saving tips for first-time homebuyers Top money-saving tips for first-time homebuyersJune is National Homeownership Month, a time to recognize the value of homeownership and help more buyers understand how to make it achievable. But for many first-time homebuyers, today’s market is difficult to enter.In 2025, first-time buyers made up just 21% of homebuyers, the lowest share on record. This highlights how affordability challenges, upfront costs and financial uncertainty continue to affect those trying to buy their first home.That doesn’t mean homeownership is out of reach. It means preparation matters. From building credit to looking for assistance programs, Neighbors Bank explains how small steps can help buyers save money and move toward buying with more confidence.1. Make Sure You’re Ready to BuyIf you purchase a home before you’re ready, you risk setting yourself up for financial stress and home-purchasing regret. And you may end up costing yourself extra cash. Purchasing a home too soon can mean you spend more money on the house than you would on renting, especially in the early years.Buying a home costs more than just a monthly mortgage payment. You’ll need to save for a down payment, closing costs, home insurance, and utilities. For some homes, you’ll also need to pay homeowners association (HOA) fees. Plus, you’ll want to have some money saved for repairs, maintenance, and other unexpected home emergencies.Renting vs. Buying: A Simple Cost ComparisonEven if the monthly mortgage payment looks similar to your monthly rent payment, there are extra hidden costs to owning a home. Let’s compare some average costs of renting versus those of buying: Neighbors Bank Example Renting ScenarioMonthly rent: $1,600Renters insurance: $23Maintenance: $0 (landlord covers it)Total: $1,623/monthExample Buying ScenarioMortgage payment (principal & interest): $1,750Property taxes: $300Homeowners insurance: $179Maintenance savings (1% of home value annually): $250HOA (if applicable): $200Total: $2,679/monthConsider all the costs as you budget to purchase a home.Check When Buying “Pays Off”Homes build equity over time, but real estate is usually a long-term investment. Because of upfront costs like closing costs, moving expenses, and inspections, it often takes three to five years to break even financially compared to renting.Breaking even means you’ve owned the home long enough for your equity gains and potential appreciation to outweigh the costs of buying, owning and eventually selling the home. If you sell too soon, those upfront costs may cancel out any financial benefit of owning.That’s why it helps to ask yourself:Do you plan to stay in the home for at least three to five years?Do you have savings beyond your down payment?Is your income stable and predictable?Buying a home should feel exciting, not financially overwhelming. Understanding the full costs upfront helps you make a confident, informed decision.2. Set a Budget That Leaves Room for Real LifePurchase within your means. Overbuying is one of the most expensive mistakes homebuyers make.Just because you qualify for a certain loan amount doesn’t mean you should spend it all. Lenders determine what you can afford based on guidelines. Only you know what feels comfortable month to month. And the lender doesn’t budget for you; only you know how much you spend on other costs throughout the month.Avoid Becoming “House Poor”“House poor” is when most of your income goes toward housing costs, leaving little room for other items in your budget. You may be able to afford your mortgage, but only if you can’t afford other necessities like groceries, childcare, car repairs, retirement savings, or emergency expenses.When you become house poor, you can’t easily afford regular expenses, and you definitely can’t afford fun purchases. This could mean not enjoying vacations, eating out, or hobbies you love. Owning a home shouldn’t mean giving up everything else you enjoy.Many experts recommend following the one-third rule. This rule states that no more than a third of your monthly income should go toward housing expenses. This means if you make $5,000 per month, you may want to keep your housing expenses around $1,667 per month.However, you know your financial needs and habits best. There may be situations where spending a smaller or greater percentage makes sense. Take inventory of your budget and the wiggle room you have to decide on the best house budget for you.First-Time Homebuyer Budget ExampleLet’s say your household brings home $5,500 per month after taxes. A balanced monthly budget might look like:Housing (principal, interest, taxes, insurance): $1,800Utilities: $300Food: $700Transportation: $600Insurance (health, auto, etc.): $400Childcare or other fixed costs: $600Savings (retirement & emergency): $600Miscellaneous spending: $500If your housing payment jumps to $2,500 instead, something else has to shrink.A good rule of thumb: Leave room in your budget for maintenance and savings. Homeownership works best when it fits comfortably into your life, not when it stretches you thin.3. Check and Improve Your Credit Before ApplyingYour credit score plays a major role in the interest rate you receive on your mortgage. Before applying for a home loan, spend some time building your credit score. You can request free credit reports from each of the three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, through AnnualCreditReport.com once a year. Checking your reports can help you spot errors, unfamiliar accounts, incorrect balances or missed payments that may affect your ability to qualify.These are the typical levels of FICO credit scores:Poor: 300-579Fair: 580-669Good: 670-739Very Good: 740-799Excellent: 800-850There are several factors that impact your credit score, and some are more important than others. Each of these components contributes a certain percentage to your score: payment history (35%), amounts owed (30%), length of credit history (15%), new credit (10%), and credit mix (10%).Taking small steps to improve your credit score can go a long way. Pay attention to the components that hold a heavier weight with your score first, if possible, as working on those will make a bigger difference.Try these easy credit-improving steps:Pay every bill on time (set up autopay if possible).Keep credit card balances below 30% of your limit.Avoid opening new credit accounts right before applying for a home loan.Don’t close old accounts unless necessary.Check your credit report for errors and dispute inaccuracies.Avoid “buy now, pay later” and pay advance programsGive yourself a few months before applying if you can. A little preparation goes a long way.How Much Can a Better Rate Save You?Even a slightly lower mortgage rate can make a meaningful difference over time.Imagine you’re borrowing $300,000 on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. As of May 2026, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.36%.At 6.37%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be about $1,871 per month.If you qualified for a rate that was 0.50 percentage points lower, or 5.87%, your estimated principal and interest payment would drop to about $1,774 per month.That’s a difference of about $97 per month, or nearly $35,000 over 30 years.This is why it can pay to strengthen your credit, compare loan estimates, and ask lenders about ways to improve your rate or reduce your upfront costs. Small differences in your mortgage terms can add up to major savings over the life of the loan.4. Understand How a Buyer’s Agent Can Help You SaveA buyer’s agent represents you in the homebuying process. They help you:Find homes that fit your needs and budget.Schedule showings.Write and submit offers.Negotiate price and terms.Navigate inspections and contracts.Get support from a professional experienced in the home purchase process.Understanding Agent CompensationIn the past, both the seller’s and buyer’s agent fees were typically paid by the seller. However, there have been some recent changes to these real estate agent compensation regulations.Following the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) settlement, buyer’s agent compensation rules have changed. Buyer’s agent fees are no longer automatically guaranteed to be paid by the seller.This means:Buyers may need to discuss and agree to agent compensation upfront.Compensation can be negotiated.Some sellers still offer to cover the buyer’s agent fee, especially in competitive or balanced markets, but it shouldn’t be assumed.Have an open conversation with your agent about how they’re paid before you start shopping.How an Agent Can Still Save You MoneyEven if you have to pay the buyer’s agent fees in your transactions, it’s usually a worthy investment. Working with an agent can save you valuable time and money in the homebuying process. Insight from a buyer’s agent can also save you from making costly mistakes when you purchase a home.A skilled agent can:Negotiate seller concessions (like closing cost credits).Help you avoid overpaying in a bidding war.Spot red flags in contracts.Guide you through inspection negotiations.In many cases, strong negotiation skills alone can offset their fee.However, not all real estate agents are the right fit. Ask friends and family for recommendations, and talk to several agents before deciding to work with one. Look for someone who not only brings experience but also works well with you and your homebuying needs.5. Consider a Low or No Down Payment LoanMany first-time buyers believe they need 20% down. In reality, that’s a myth. In fact, the median down payment for first-time homebuyers in 2025 was 10%, according to data from the NAR.While putting 20% down can save you from paying mortgage insurance, it’s not required. And you may be able to buy a home sooner if you don’t need to set aside so much cash for your down payment.Several loan options allow much lower down payments:FHA loans: As little as 3.5% down.USDA loans: 0% down for eligible rural areas.VA loans: 0% down for eligible veterans and service members.Conventional loans: Some programs allow 3% down.Putting your extra savings towards an emergency fund rather than a larger down payment can better prepare you for homeownership. It’s not typically a good idea to drain your savings for a higher down payment. When you own a home, it’s important to have cash reserves for repairs, emergencies, job changes, and other life events that may impact your ability to make your monthly mortgage payment. If you put all your cash into a down payment, you can’t access it if you need extra money for circumstances like these.Making a smaller down payment can be more financially secure than putting every dollar you have into your down payment. A trusted lender can help you compare the total cost of different loan options.6. Look for First-Time Homebuyer Assistance ProgramsMany first-time buyers don’t realize there are programs designed specifically to help them. Banks and other lenders, state and local housing departments, and local nonprofits often provide grants or other programs to give first-time homebuyers a hand in purchasing a home.Assistance programs may offer:Down payment grants (money you don’t repay)Forgivable loansLow-interest second mortgagesLender credits toward closing costsSome of these programs may even offer other unique benefits. For example, the Maryland state housing department has a program that will contribute up to $20,000 towards student loan payoff when you purchase your first home.Eligibility often depends on income, location, and purchase price. Check with your lender for recommendations of programs like these. These programs can significantly reduce the amount of cash you need upfront.7. Compare Multiple Loan EstimatesOnce you’re under contract on a home, lenders provide a loan estimate. This document outlines:Your interest rateMonthly paymentDown paymentClosing costsCash needed at closingIt’s one of the best tools for comparing lenders. This can also be a helpful step towards negotiating with your lender. You can leverage better loan estimates from one lender to try to get costs down with another lender.It’s important to note that a lower interest rate doesn’t always mean lower overall costs. One lender may offer a slightly lower rate but charge higher upfront fees. Another may offer lender credits that reduce your closing costs.Comparing loan estimates side by side helps you see the full picture.8. Don’t Skip the Home InspectionA home inspection is one of the smartest small investments you can make.Though costs vary by location, property size and inspection type, many standard home inspections fall in the $300 to $400 range. While that may feel like “just another fee,” it can save you thousands.An inspector evaluates:RoofingPlumbingElectrical systemsHVACFoundationAppliancesA home inspector is trained to find damage or needed repairs in the home. Their report can help you negotiate the purchase price or leave a purchase contract because there are significant repairs needed.Inspection vs. AppraisalA home inspection is different from a home appraisal. Both processes are part of the home purchase process, but one is typically purchased by the homebuyer while the other is part of the lending process.A home inspector checks the home’s condition and helps the buyer determine if it’s a good investment. In some cases, the seller may purchase a home inspection to provide transparency and help with the sale.A home appraiser determines the home’s value for the lender to ensure the home is sufficient collateral for the loan. The appraiser is a third party sent by the lender.Both are important, but only the inspection protects you from hidden problems.If the inspection reveals issues, you may be able to negotiate repairs or request a price reduction. A skilled buyer’s agent can help you understand your inspection report and use it to negotiate, if needed.9. Use Free Resources for First-Time HomebuyersYou don’t have to learn everything alone. A final thought in this list of money-saving tips for first-time homebuyers: use the free resources at your disposal. There are many trusted, free resources available to guide you.HomeView Homebuyer Education CourseFannie Mae offers HomeView, a free online homebuyer education course covering:BudgetingCreditMortgage basicsThe full homebuying processThe course is self-paced and beginner-friendly. Some loan programs even require completion of a homebuyer education course to qualify, so taking it can prepare you and potentially unlock eligibility for certain loan types or homebuyer assistance programs.HUD-Approved Housing CounselorsThe U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides access to approved housing counselors who offer free or low-cost guidance.Counselors can help you:Review your budgetUnderstand loan optionsCreate a savings planPrepare for homeownershipUse their search tool to find a counselor near you.Preparing for Homeownership Starts Before You BuyBuying your first home is a major financial decision, but you don’t have to figure everything out at once. This National Homeownership Month, the most important step may be understanding what homeownership could realistically cost and what resources are available to help.From reviewing your budget and checking your credit to comparing loan options, looking into assistance programs and planning for future maintenance, preparation can help first-time buyers avoid expensive surprises. The more buyers understand before they purchase, the more confident they can feel about choosing a home that fits both their needs and their long-term financial goals.This story was produced by Neighbors Bank and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The FBI is contacting Wisconsin election officials. Here’s what we know. The FBI is contacting Wisconsin election officials. Here’s what we know.The federal government’s probe into the 2020 election has reached Wisconsin, with several current and former election officials, including multiple people in Milwaukee, confirming they have been interviewed or approached by the FBI.The exact nature of the investigation remains unclear, though it appears to be at least somewhat centered around the 2020 election. The agency’s election investigations elsewhere in the country have featured subpoenas for ballots and other election records, but legal experts still say it won’t be easy for the federal government to convince a court to give it access to ballots.Milwaukee County officials are nonetheless preparing for that possibility, in part because they still retain ballots from the 2020 election, though they declined to discuss those preparations or comment on the record. Those ballots contain identifying information that could, in some cases, allow otherwise unidentifiable absentee ballots to be matched to the voters who cast them. Milwaukee is one of the few jurisdictions in Wisconsin that still has ballots from that election, and the city has long been a target of voter-fraud accusations and related attacks from the political right.Elsewhere in Wisconsin — in communities whose elections have faced less scrutiny and in the vast majority of municipalities where 2020 ballots were destroyed according to the standard retention schedules in state law — election officials are less alarmed and are instead focused on preparing for the midterm elections.Still, news of the FBI interest has created confusion and some fear on the part of voters and election officials, Votebeat reports.What happened?So far, the FBI has contacted multiple current and former election officials in Wisconsin.The FBI interviewed Wisconsin Elections Commission deputy administrator Robert Kehoe sometime in late April or early May. The news of the interview was first reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The interview focused on the 2020 election, with agents asking Kehoe to explain how Wisconsin elections operate.The agency has also attempted to contact Milwaukee County Election Director Michelle Hawley. An agent left a business card at Hawley’s home when she was not there. Milwaukee County Clerk George Christensen criticized the agency for approaching Hawley at her home rather than through the county.“While we cooperate with all legitimate law enforcement actions, we will defend against any attack on our democracy and will defend the rights of voters of Milwaukee County,” Christensen said in a statement.Agents also left a card for, called, and texted a former Milwaukee election official, who confirmed the contact to Votebeat but requested anonymity because of personal safety concerns. That official declined to say whether they responded to the FBI.Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson confirmed the FBI has reached out to city employees about the probe.“The president for whatever reason cannot seem to let it go that he lost an election,” Johnson told a WISN 12 reporter.Wisconsin Elections Commission spokeswoman Emilee Miklas declined to comment for this story. Other officials declined to speak on the record, and an FBI spokesperson didn’t answer Votebeat questions about the probe.David Becker, the executive director of the nonpartisan nonprofit Center for Election Innovation and Research and a former Justice Department voting section attorney, said the federal government’s actions appeared more to be aimed at intimidating election officials than producing actionable criminal cases.He pointed to FBI Director Kash Patel’s public statements in April suggesting arrests related to the 2020 election were coming, as well as federal officials discussing potential cases on social media before they’re brought before courts.“If you think you’re going to bring charges and prosecute individuals, you don’t do anything that the federal government has done over the last few months,” he said.Becker also noted that any potential federal crimes connected to the 2020 election are “well beyond the statute of limitations for any potential federal jurisdiction or crimes,” adding, “This is a problem for any investigation relating to 2020.”Even so, Becker said election officials’ worries were justified. He said the Election Official Legal Defense Network, which he leads, has received more requests for legal assistance from election officials than ever before “even though all of these efforts indicate that the federal government knows it’s got nothing.”How do the events in Wisconsin relate to probes elsewhere?It’s unclear how the FBI interviews in Wisconsin relate to the agency’s scrutiny of the 2020 election in other states.In January, the FBI raided a Fulton County, Georgia, election office seeking records tied to the 2020 election. About a month later, the agency subpoenaed records related to the audit of the 2020 election in Maricopa County, Arizona, which includes Phoenix.Separately, the U.S. Justice Department has sought access to 2024 ballots in Wayne County, Michigan, home to Detroit.Those jurisdictions share several characteristics with Milwaukee County. All are located in highly competitive swing states won by former President Joe Biden in 2020, and all became central targets of President Donald Trump, who repeatedly challenged the election results despite court rulings, audits, and reviews repeatedly reaffirming his loss.Fulton, Wayne, Maricopa, and Milwaukee County are the largest and most heavily scrutinized election jurisdictions in their respective states. Each has been the subject of persistent conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, many of which remain prevalent on social media, even after extensive investigations found no evidence of widespread fraud.“What’s really disconcerting,” said former longtime Wisconsin election chief Kevin Kennedy, “is the fact that there is a clear pattern here to try and continue to stir up issues that were resolved in every single opportunity there was to review them, whether it was a court case, an independent audit or the actual certification and review process that exists.”What comes next?The short answer is that nobody really knows.Officials have been considering the possibility that the federal government may seize the city’s 2020 ballots, which contain personally identifiable information.Kennedy said recent actions by the Trump administration offer “no reason to think that information that should be protected is going to be protected.”Kennedy said Wisconsin’s decentralized election system was intentionally designed to distribute authority among local jurisdictions — both to keep election administration accountable at the community level and to limit the amount of sensitive voter information concentrated in any one place.“You put that at the national level,” he said, “and it only takes one bad actor — and we’ve got evidence there’s more than one of those already in the federal government — to totally disrupt the process when you consolidate that kind of information that’s protected through the various state and local laws and practices.”Becker said it will be an uphill battle for the federal government to successfully obtain Milwaukee’s ballots. But he said the mere possibility that federal officials could theoretically identify how individual people voted is deeply troubling.“That is not the way a democratic society works,” he said. “Now, I don’t think they’re likely going to be able to do that. I think that’s going to be incredibly difficult. It’s not impossible, but the fact that they seem to engender this fear is troubling enough.”This story was produced by Votebeat and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Rock Island Artists' Market returns for 2026 season The Rock Island Artists' Market returns for its 2026 season from noon-5 p.m. Sunday, June 14, Skeleton Key Art and Antiques, 520 18th St., Rock Island,,bringing together dozens of local artists, makers, and creative entrepreneurs for an afternoon celebrating art, craftsmanship, and community. The free outdoor market showcases original artwork and locally handmade goods created [...]
	What Happens When Illinois Loses the Bears, and Why That Might Not Be the Worst Thing in the World Six days before the last day of the spring state legislative session, Senator Bill Cunningham, D-Chicago, gave me two big reasons why it was so difficult to push a Bears stadium bill across the finish line. Cunningham, as you know, is the chief sponsor of the Senate’s Bears bill.
	Summer food benefits now available to many Oregon families with kids The Summer EBT benefits come in the form of an Oregon EBT card to use at grocery stores, farmers markets and convenience stores. (Photo by U.S. Department of Agriculture)For the third year in a row, many Oregon families with school-aged children will have access to financial assistance for their summer groceries. Oregon is one of 39 states participating in the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program, or Summer EBT, offering families a one-time payment of $120 for each eligible child to be used on groceries during the summer. In 2025, at least 336,000 Oregon children received these benefits. The state began rolling out the benefits on Friday, and families with children enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and those receiving benefits from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, will automatically receive an Oregon EBT card to use at grocery stores, farmers markets and convenience stores. Other automatically eligible families include those with a child attending a qualifying Head Start program, a child in foster care, in a migrant education program, experiencing homelessness or participating in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations. Interested in Summer EBT? How to apply Those who didn’t automatically receive Summer EBT benefits can apply online or with a paper application available on the Oregon Department of Human Services website. New families must apply for the program by Sept. 1. For questions about Summer EBT in Oregon, visit the Oregon Department of Human Services website or email summerebtinfo@odhs.oregon.gov. Families are eligible if they have a child attending a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, or if they meet the income requirements for free or reduced-price meals at school. The program does not use immigration status to determine eligibility, and the benefits expire four months after they show up on an EBT card. Courtesy of Oregon Capital Chronicle
	America’s most active seniors in 2026 America’s most active seniors in 2026For many Americans, retirement promises more autonomy over personal time. As work and child care responsibilities diminish or disappear, opportunities to pursue personal interests typically expand. While some retirees spend their post-work years focused on rest and relaxation, others embrace an active retirement lifestyle highlighted by travel, volunteering and other pursuits.SmartAsset set out to identify the states that are home to America’s most active seniors. The study calculated the average daily time people ages 65 and older spend on four activities — exercise, gardening, travel and volunteering — and ranked states based on the totals.Key FindingsThe Mountain West is home to America’s most active seniors. Montana (No. 1), Utah (No. 2), Wyoming (No. 3) and Colorado (No. 6) all ranked highly in the study.Least active states span the country. While states with the most active seniors are clustered in the Mountain West, those with the least active seniors are more geographically dispersed, including Indiana (No. 48), Nevada (No. 49) and Delaware (No. 50).Seniors in these New England states spend the most time exercising. Vermont (No. 4) took the top spot for the average daily minutes seniors spend exercising and participating in sports: 44 minutes. It was followed by Connecticut (No. 7), where seniors average 31.7 minutes of exercise each day.Seniors in these states love to travel. Despite ranking only No. 43 overall, South Dakota was tops for the amount of time seniors devoted to travel. In second place for time spent traveling were New Hampshire seniors. SmartAsset SmartAsset Top 10 StatesMontana• Exercising: 18.37 minutes daily• Gardening: 48.4 minutes daily• Traveling: 7.57 minutes daily• Volunteering: 35.62 minutes dailyWyoming• Exercising: 14.44 minutes daily• Gardening: 33.76 minutes daily• Traveling: 8.21 minutes daily• Volunteering: 40.49 minutes dailyUtah• Exercising: 20.89 minutes daily• Gardening: 17.91 minutes daily• Traveling: 11.96 minutes daily• Volunteering: 32.46 minutes dailyVermont• Exercising: 44.02 minutes daily• Gardening: 18.4 minutes daily• Traveling: 10.74 minutes daily• Volunteering: 8.72 minutes dailyWashington• Exercising: 13.8 minutes daily• Gardening: 33.35 minutes daily• Traveling: 7.72 minutes daily• Volunteering: 24.04 minutes dailyColorado• Exercising: 30.44 minutes daily• Gardening: 21.53 minutes daily• Traveling: 9.18 minutes daily• Volunteering: 16.82 minutes dailyConnecticut• Exercising: 31.66 minutes daily• Gardening: 18.54 minutes daily• Traveling: 11.46 minutes daily• Volunteering: 14.26 minutes dailyNew Mexico• Exercising: 18.46 minutes daily• Gardening: 39.57 minutes daily• Traveling: 9.28 minutes daily• Volunteering: 7.04 minutes dailyNew Hampshire• Exercising: 28.81 minutes daily• Gardening: 24.19 minutes daily• Traveling: 16.85 minutes daily• Volunteering: 3.89 minutes dailyAlaska• Exercising: 18.48 minutes daily• Gardening: 39.27 minutes daily• Traveling: 4.71 minutes daily• Volunteering: 9.31 minutes dailyMethodologyThis study uses data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ American Time Use Survey (ATUS), as extracted from IPUMS for the most recent available four-year period. For each state, the average daily minutes residents ages 65 and older (ATUS age top-coded at 85) spent exercising, gardening, traveling and volunteering was calculated, inclusive of those who spent no time at all on these activities. Those four measures were then summed to produce a total time value used to rank the states. Source data providers are not affiliated with, and do not endorse or sponsor, this study or its findings.This story was produced by SmartAsset and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	How Indianapolis became a national leader in charter schools serving kids How Indianapolis became a national leader in charter schools serving kidsIndianapolis, already one of the nation’s most charter-friendly cities, is going even further with the creation of a powerful and controversial pro-charter board.The Indianapolis Public Education Corporation, created by the state legislature this spring, will help pay for charter and district school buildings, create a busing system that includes charter students and take over from the city’s elected school board the ability to ask voters for tax increases.Indianapolis is already one of just three big cities nationwide where more than half of students attend charters. Experts predict charter schools could become even more popular in Indianapolis under IPEC, despite some community opposition that the new board strips power from the city’s elected school board and may drain money and resources from district schools.Indianapolis won’t likely jump from the 51% of students attending charter schools today to the 99% in New Orleans, charter advocates say. Hurricane Katrina destroyed most schools there in 2005, prompting the dramatic shift from district schools to charter schools as the city rebuilt. Indiana faces no such crisis, but the state’s push to treat charter schools as equal to district schools makes the city nearly as charter-friendly, The 74 reports.“This is going to be a game-changing model for charter schools,” said Cara Candal, vice president of policy for ExcelinEd, the education advocacy group of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.“It’s going to compare, at the very least, incredibly favorably [to New Orleans],” Candal added. “This might … might … actually put it over the top.”The new nine-person board, appointed by Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, includes members of the Indianapolis Public Schools’ board, but leans heavily pro-charter. A majority of its members have worked for or served on boards of charter schools. Its chairman, David Harris, is the founder of several charter schools and led the Mind Trust, a local advocate of charter schools, until 2018.The plan was opposed by the local NAACP and the National School Boards Association, which objected to the legislature making “a shift from normal practice” by creating the new board.“Having layers of governance can create unnecessary disruption,” said the association’s CEO, Verjeana McCotter-Jacobs.“Who’s going to suffer from that? It’s going to be the community, parents and students.”Resident Megan Alderman, co-chair of Progressive Democrats of America, told the state senate at a February hearing that the power shift “undermines democracy.”“It strips core powers from our democratically elected school board, which is, by definition, taxation without representation,” she said.IPEC’s superseding the school board breaks the pattern of other pro-charter cities, including Denver and Baltimore, where the local school board keeps some control over planning and oversight of charters, while also helping pay for them and letting them use former schools.Mike Petrilli, president of the pro-charter Fordham Institute, called the new board and sharing of assets “very different than what we’ve seen anywhere else, maybe with the exception of New Orleans.”Doug Harris, a Tulane University professor and expert on charter schools in New Orleans and nationally, said he could think of no other city, besides New Orleans, where a central board stepped in to oversee district and charter schools, other than state takeovers of districts because of bankruptcy or academic failure.The first big step in the power shift will begin by Aug. 1, 2026, when the new board starts flexing its taxing authority. The board is expected to ask voters to approve a ballot measure for a tax that would provide more money for both district and charter schools.The new board will also research how to take the district’s busing plan and expand it to include charter school students by the 2028-29 school year, as the legislature requires.And it will wade into a complicated tangle of property law and finance to merge district-owned schools and charter school buildings into one portfolio of properties for the new board to manage and maintain.That will be a challenge experts believe no other city has faced on this scale. Managing school buildings centrally is simpler when districts share properties with charter schools and keep control of them. If a charter wants to build its own school, the district and charter can sort out who controls and pays for a building right from the start.But Indianapolis is trying to create central control after-the-fact, with more than 60 charter schools, all with different building arrangements. Some use district buildings. Some lease old church schools. Others have purchased and rehabilitated old church schools. Some have built new facilities. And others have partnered with donors or community groups to rehabilitate old industrial buildings.All of which have different financing and debt, or shared ownership with other nonprofits or companies, that block any easy merger of schools into a collective portfolio.That’s partly why the legislature gave IPEC until the 2028-29 school year to take over buildings.The legislature also allowed the district and charters to choose whether they want to put each building under IPEC control, or not — with millions of tax dollars riding on that choice.The state now gives charters $1,400 per student for facilities costs, but that money will shift to IPEC and only go to participating buildings. Charters can also receive a share of local property taxes designated for buildings, but only those that join the portfolio.Charters lose out on both sources of money if they don’t join, said State Sen. Bob Behning, the Senate Education Committee chair who authored the bill.“There’s a distinct disadvantage for a charter to opt out because they’re going to lose their [money],” Behning said. “They’ll have no capital projects or no dollars for facilities.”Charters are researching how, and whether, they should have their buildings included.“Some of the facilities that we have ownership in, if we have full site control and full ownership, we’re happy to leverage that ownership through IPEC and see how that plays out,” said Tommy Reddicks, founder of the Paramount charter school network. “But we have some debt holders on some of our buildings, so it’s really not up to us whether or not we can give ownership away or share ownership. Because they’re the ones holding the note, they would have to approve anything like that.”Charter experts could not point to any other districts that had to sort out these issues at this scale. Even in New Orleans, where charter schools were still so new when Katrina hit, experts said, only one school at the time was privately-owned. After Katrina, that school and the state-created recovery school district shared insurance and federal Katrina relief aid to build a new building that the district owns.Behning said that so many details need to be researched and ironed out that he expects the legislature to change state law several times over the next few years.Disclosure: The Mind Trust provides financial support to The 74.This story was produced by The 74 and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Severe weather possible later this week The Quad Cities area will see almost a daily chance of showers and storms. The days with the best chances of seeing dry weather are Tuesday and Friday. However, strong to severe storms are looking likely for the middle of the week. Here's your complete 7-day forecast.
	Xi and Kim express hopes for greater ties between China and North Korea Xi traveled to Pyongyang on Monday in a likely attempt to reassert China's unique influence over its socialist neighbor.
	Clinton Area Showboat to present Broadway classic 'Guys and Dolls' The Clinton Area Showboat Theatre will present the Broadway classic "Guys and Dolls," opening Thursday, June 11, and running through Sunday, June 21, aboard the historic Clinton Showboat Theatre. Widely regarded as one of the greatest musical comedies ever written, "Guys and Dolls" bringsaudiences to the colorful streets of New York City, where gamblers, showgirls, [...]
	Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors receives CIH top honor Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors named the 2026 CIH \| Leads Network Excellence Award winner by Anywhere Leads.
	Hot and humid weather ahead for the Quad Cities Showers and storms today will hold highs down to the 70s and 80s. However, temperatures will soar into the low-to-mid-90s Tuesday and Wednesday. With all of the moisture in place, any of the showers and storms could produce torrential downpours that could cause flash flooding. Here's your full 7-day forecast.
	UnityPoint Health at Work – Muscatine to celebrate new location with open house UnityPoint Health at Work – Muscatine – Occupational Medicine to celebrate the new location with an open house on Thursday, June 18.
	IMEG has acquired Rodriguez Transportation Group IMEG expands Texas infrastructure services with acquisition of Rodriguez Transportation Group.
	Rock Island and Henry County real estate transactions for June 7, 2026 Here are homes sales and property sales in Rock Island County and Henry County.
	Benny's Pizza is opening a second location, Sizzle & Smash opens, new cafe and event center in Walcott, and more Quad-Cities business news Benny's Pizza is opening a second location, Sizzle & Smash opens, Walcott Commons & Coliseum Event Center grand opening, among other Quad-Cities business news.
	In his book, self-described USAID 'whistleblower' talks about the agency and Ebola Nicholas Enrich, on staff at the U.S. Agency for International Aid under 4 administrations, talks about Into the Woodchipper: A Whistleblower's Account of How the Trump Administration Shredded USAID.
	Minnesota can resist healthcare monopolization and the higher prices that come with it Hospital prices have risen faster than prescription drugs, college tuition, childcare and food. (Photo by Nesterak/Minnesota Reformer)Northern Californians pay 70% more for inpatient care than Southern Californians, according to a 2018 study by the University of California, Berkeley School of Health. A key reason: The market power of companies like Sutter Health — the massive health conglomerate that has come to dominate Northern California through a steady diet of mergers and acquisitions. During a 2020 CBS interview regarding an antitrust lawsuit he had filed against Sutter, then-California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said, “Sutter got big enough that it could use its market power to dominate, to dictate.” That health system now wants to come to Minnesota — aiming to acquire Minnesota-based Allina Health system — and continue what economist Glenn Melnick called a “model of reducing competition to raise prices.” Sutter is not alone. Sanford Health in South Dakota — fresh off a failed attempt to acquire Fairview — wants to purchase North Memorial. This has been the trend in Minnesota, particularly among hospitals. In 2000, the state had 68 independent hospitals compared to 67 affiliated with a larger system. Today just 29% are independent. In exchange, hospital prices have nearly tripled, outpacing other headline-grabbing healthcare cost increases like prescription drugs according to the Tobin Center for Economic Policy at Yale. Hospital prices have also risen faster than college tuition, childcare and food. Allina to be acquired by large California health system This hospital merger wave — 35 mergers in Minnesota between 2000 and 2022 — might seem inevitable, but in 2023 state lawmakers took an important step to push back against the monopolization of our healthcare system, passing a new law that establishes a comprehensive framework for analyzing and evaluating healthcare mergers, including hospital takeovers. This often-overlooked law includes a more robust pre-merger notification requirement that ensures the Office of Minnesota Attorney General has the information necessary to evaluate and potentially challenge transactions. While that notice is critical for enforcement, the real genius of the law was establishing a public interest standard for use in evaluating mergers. This serves as a complement to state and federal antitrust laws, which have been weakened by lax enforcement and bad case law, allowing monopolies to stampede across our economy. This is particularly true in mergers between hospitals and health systems that operate in different regions (known as a cross-market merger), such as Sutter and Sanford’s proposed acquisitions. The Federal Trade Commission has never challenged a cross-market merger despite large price increases associated with such transactions. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. This new public interest standard requires the attorney general to determine whether a transaction is in the public’s interest, using a broad range of factors, including a transaction’s potential impact on the wages, working conditions or collective bargaining agreements for healthcare workers; public health; access to quality care; costs for patients, and broader healthcare costs. This is a strong tool for addressing high healthcare costs, reduced services in vulnerable communities and the squeeze put on the essential healthcare workforce we have relied on in times of crisis. Passage of the law reflected the broad concerns Minnesotans have over soaring costs, stagnant real wages and the consolidation of economic power. Working alongside Attorney General Keith Ellison, a unique coalition of farmers, healthcare workers and patient advocates came together to develop the new law and push a bipartisan set of lawmakers to pass it. Passage of the law is just the first step though, as its true power lies in enforcement; and that is where Ellison now has a chance to buck the trend seen in many other parts of the country. A 2024 study by the Tobin Center for Economic Policy at Yale found that of over 1,000 hospital mergers between 2002 and 2020, the FTC challenged only 13 transactions despite nearly 20% of those mergers meeting the agency’s criteria as likely to lessen competition and raise prices. States have been no better. A 2021 HealthAffairs study found that just 42 of 862 hospital mergers proposed between 2010 and 2019 were challenged by states. Even when challenged, a significant number resulted in merger approvals with conditions that did not limit growth in hospital prices. With Sutter and Sanford seeking to continue their push to monopolize, now is an opportunity for Ellison to lead and use the powerful tools lawmakers provided him to ensure that our healthcare system truly operates in the interest of all Minnesotans. Courtesy of Minnesota Reformer
	Chef Brandon Veitch joins Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa, Galena Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa in Galena has announced that acclaimed Chef Brandon Veitch has joined the award-winning resort as executive chef, bringing his nationally recognized culinary talent and fine dining expertise to one of the Midwest’s premier resort destinations, a news release says. “We are thrilled to welcome Chef Brandon Veitch to Eagle Ridge Resort [...]
	In speech to Spanish parliament, pope demands respect for the dignity of all people In the first papal address to the Spanish legislature, the American pope said a "moral renewal" was necessary in legislatures and public life to ensure respect for the inherent dignity of all people.
	Southern Baldwin County GOP primary heads to runoff The Alabama House of Representatives as seen on April 9, 2026. Voters in southern Baldwin County will choose between incumbent Rep. Frances Holk-Jones, R-Orange Beach, and investment adviser Joe Freemen in the House District 95 GOP primary runoff. (Andrea Tinker/Alabama Reflector)Voters in Baldwin County will choose between incumbent Rep. Frances Holk-Jones, R-Orange Beach, and investment adviser Joe Freeman in the Republican primary runoff election for House District 95 on June 16. In the May 19 primary, Holk-Jones got 3,225 votes (42.4%), and Freeman got 2,933 (38.6%), according to unofficial returns. A third candidate, Elijah Davidson got 1,446 votes, (19%). The district covers southern Baldwin County, including Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Foley and Perdido Beach. Holk-Jones in 2022 got 85% of votes over then-Democratic nominee Richard Brackner, according to election results. The seat was held by Republican Steve McMillan from 1980 until his death in 2022, with the last Democratic challenger in 2006. No Democratic candidate qualified for the race, making the winner of the primary runoff the presumptive representative. Multiple messages seeking comment with Freeman were left Thursday and Friday. The candidates Holk-Jones, 70, is seeking her second term, and hopes to continue to use her passion for mental health through her positions on the Oversight Commission on Opioid Settlement Funds and House Health Committee, she said in a phone interview Friday. In 1997, Holk-Jones’ daughter died by suicide. In 2000, her husband also died by suicide at their daughter’s graveside. If you or someone you know is in a crisis, call, text or chat the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. For a list of Crisis Centers in Alabama, visit the Alabama Department of Mental Health’s website. For help with grief and loss, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention offers advice and resources. She describes herself as pro-life, but “that doesn’t stop at the womb.” She wants to see more mental health professionals in schools so that children can get help when their parents are not around. “Life is tough, so we have to help our young people. It’s just not about suicide, it’s mental health and making those quality decisions, but also not making life-changing decisions that causes them to take their own life,” she said. “To be able to know who to talk to, that trained professional. Unfortunately a situation might happen at school at 10 o’clock in the morning, and they don’t see their parents to talk to them until — in a perfect world 3 o’clock in the afternoon — but possibly 7 or 8 o’clock in the evening.” Right now, Holk-Jones said she is focused on getting reelected, and it has been a “tough” campaign. In 2025, the State Farm insurance agent asked questions about a health plan pushed by the Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA). She said the Federation did not like how many questions she asked, although she eventually voted for the law. She said Friday that she still did not understand why a health plan should not be administered by the Alabama Department of Insurance. “ALFA Farmers Federation cannot control certain elected officials, whether they be senators or House members, I am one of those,” Holk-Jones said. Holk-Jones said that after she extensively questioned and attempted to amend the now-law, a member of the federation told her “payback would be held, and it has been.” The fundraising arm of ALFA, FarmPAC, has since endorsed Freeman and contributed over $50,000 to his campaign, about 45% of his total fundraising, according to campaign finance records. In a statement Friday afternoon, Jeff Helms, director of communications for ALFA, did not confirm or deny Holk-Jones’ claim. He said Alabama FarmPAC endorsements are not based on single issues, but on recommendations by “grassroots members of the counties represented.” Holk-Jones supports a ballot referendum for a lottery — which failed in the Legislature 2024 and has yet to reemerge — and still believes voters should get the final say in gaming. “It’s been a tough campaign, full of lies regarding the gaming bill. I have always been in favor of letting the people vote, letting the people decide. There were entities, ALFA was one of them, that did not even want the people to be allowed to vote, so I voted in favor of the bill that allowed the people to make their own decision,” she said. “Because I chose a decision, because I asked too many questions regarding insurance … payback has been held.” FarmPAC’s endorsements have been successful, on average, in the primaries in unseating incumbents. Five of the eight incumbent lawmakers that lost in the May 19 primary lost to candidates endorsed by FarmPAC. According to Freeman’s website, he is “firmly against” expanding gaming in Alabama because of the possibility of addiction. “Expanding legalized gambling fuels the growth of government programs that rely on the exploitation of vulnerable citizens — particularly the poor, the elderly, and those struggling with addiction. Rather than promoting economic opportunity, it encourages a system where the government profits from personal loss and desperation,” his website states. Freeman also describes himself as pro-life and supports a parent’s right to choose their child’s education, according to his website. “I am committed to protecting children from ideological indoctrination in schools and other institutions — especially on sensitive topics such as gender and sexuality,” his website states. Campaign fundraising As of Friday, Holk-Jones has raised almost $631,000 in cash since early 2023. About 79% of her contributions come from political action committees (PACs) — including the Poarch Creek Indian, Alabama Hospital, and Forestry PACs. About 12.4% of her contributions come from individuals, and about 8.5% come from businesses or corporations, according to campaign finance records. As of Friday, Freeman has raised a little over $113,000, including about $29,000 in loans from himself. About 60.8% of his contributions have come from PACs, most of which came from Alabama FarmPAC. About 2.6% of his contributions have come from businesses and corporations, and about 1.4% have come from individuals, according to campaign finance records. How to vote District 95 voters can choose between Freeman or Holk-Jones for the Republican nomination on June 16. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Polling locations can be found here. The winner will be the presumptive representative for the district because no Democratic candidate qualified in the race. Meet the Candidates Joe Freeman Residence: Gulf Shores Occupation: Investment adviser Education: University of South Alabama; Faulkner University Party: Republican Previous political experience: First-time candidate Campaign fundraising: Raised $113,000 and spent $65,000 as of June 5 Multiple messages seeking comment from Freeman were left Thursday and Friday. Frances Holk-Jones Age: 70 Residence: Orange Beach Occupation: State Farm insurance agent Education: B.S. Marketing, Auburn University, 1978 Party: Republican Previous political experience: Elected to Alabama House of Representatives in 2022 Campaign fundraising: Raised $631,000 and spent $476,000 as of June 5 Courtesy of Alabama Reflector
	Minyan This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.You remember the opening number of Fiddler on the Roof? "Tradition," Tevye cries, frightened by the changes the Russian…
	The Perils of Being a Wallflower: Genesius Guild’s “Love’s Labour’s Lost through June 14 I admit that at Saturday’s opening-night performance, I was initially confused when Genesius Guild's Andy Shearouse explained both the entire plot of William Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost and that the set was designed to represent the inner workings of a broken cuckoo clock. One might think both concepts would be self-explanatory. But alas, they were not. In the end, I was grateful for the introductory explanation.
	Water, Water, Nowhere, but Perhaps a Drop to Drink: “The Rainmaker,” at the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre through June 14 The perfectly suited look and demeanor of each person, and their consistent Southern lilts throughout, made this experience particularly magical.
	Can a vibrating belt fend off bone density loss? More than 40 million adults in the U.S. aged 50 and older have osteopenia, or low bone density. An FDA-approved wearable vibration device is giving some women a tool that could slow that loss.
	The red state, blue state divide is real. But it's driven by more than just politics Recent research suggests there's more going on with "ideological sorting" than simply moving to places that match one's politics. It's often one of many deciding factors, such as taxes or safety.
	People love working from home. But does it love them back? A new study says no A new study finds that people in remote jobs are more socially isolated, anxious and sad, compared to people not in remote jobs. But demanding everyone return to the office isn't the answer either, say researchers.
	Whales are showing up in San Francisco Bay. New ship alerts could help protect them The changing climate is driving whales into San Francisco Bay, where ship strikes have been deadly. A new camera system could help ships and ferries steer clear.

Monday, June 8th, 2026